cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Signaling Through the Lymphotoxin-β Receptor Stimulates HIV-1 Replication Alone and in Cooperation with Soluble or Membrane-Bound TNF-α

The level of ongoing HIV-1 replication within an individual is critical to HIV-1 pathogenesis. Among host immune factors, the cytokine TNF-α has previously been shown to increase HIV-1 replication in various monocyte and T cell model systems. Here, we demonstrate that signaling through the TNF receptor family member, the lymphotoxin-β (LT-β) receptor (LT-βR), also regulates HIV-1 replication. Furthermore, HIV-1 replication is cooperatively stimulated when the distinct LT-βR and TNF receptor systems are simultaneously engaged by their specific ligands. Moreover, in a physiological coculture cellular assay system, we show that membrane-bound TNF-α and LT-α 1 β 2 act virtually identically to their soluble forms in the regulation of HIV-1 replication. Thus, cosignaling via the LT-β and TNF-α receptors is probably involved in the modulation of HIV-1 replication and the subsequent determination of HIV-1 viral burden in monocytes. Intriguingly, surface expression of LT-α 1 β 2 is up-regulated on a T cell line acutely infected with HIV-1, suggesting a positive feedback loop between HIV-1 infection, LT-α 1 β 2 expression, and HIV-1 replication. Given the critical role that LT-α 1 β 2 plays in lymphoid architecture, we speculate that LT-α 1 β 2 may be involved in HIV-associated abnormalities of the lymphoid organs.
Polypharmacy in Older Adults With Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review

Older adults are more likely to take more than two medications for medical conditions, and polypharmacy is associated with increased risk of adverse events (fall injury, hyperkalemia and hypokalemia, heart failure, and blood pressure exacerbation), polypharmacy mismanagement, drug-drug interaction, and increased costs. Knowledge of drugs that interact with known antihypertensive agents is paramount to avoiding or reducing adverse events, hospitalizations, and health care dollars. Innovative approaches such as use of a fixed-dose combination pill, ingestible sensor system, electronic reminder system, medical audits, and the integration of a pharmacist in the care of patients should be implemented to avoid polypharmacy mismanagement.
The Mechanism of Fatty Acid Synthesis

AEARLY AS 1907, ' recognizing the fact that almost all the naturally occur- ring fatty acids are composed of an even number of carbon atoms, had suggested that these acids are produced by the condensation of some highly reactive substance containing two carbon atoms. The experimental evidence was first provided by Smedley-MacLean and Hoffert2 who reported that there was an ap- preciable increase in the fat and sterol content of actively metabolizing yeast cells when in- cubated in an aerated medium containing various two-carbon compounds, such as acetic acid and ethyl alcohol. With the use of iso- tope and tracer technics, Sonderhoff and Thomas3 confirmed these observations by dem- onstrating that deuterium-labeled acetic acid can be incorporated into fatty acids and sterols by yeast cells. Later, Rittenberg and Bloch4' found, upon feeding CD:C'300H to mice, that the isolated fatty acids were labeled with both deuterium and C'3, indicating that both carbons of the acetate are used for the synthesis of fatty acids. They concluded that succes- sive condensation of acetate had taken place to form the long-chain fatty acids. Although acetate was implicated in the syn- thesis of fatty acids, the active form in which
Rectangular waveguide containing uniaxial medium with tilted optic axis in sidewall plane

Solutions of a metallic rectangular waveguide filled with uniaxial medium are obtained with a new approach. The direction of the optic axis is tilted but lying in one of the sidewall planes of the waveguide. The formulation is based on decomposition into ordinary and extraordinary waves. The proposed method seeks wavenumbers of supported travelling modes, and is also able to calculate both cutoff frequencies and field magnitudes of every mode supported.
Ultra-thin, highly uniform thin film SOI MOSFET with low series resistance using pattern-constrained epitaxy (PACE)

We report a novel fabrication process for a self-aligned, ultrathin, highly uniform thin film SOI MOSFET with low series resistance. SOI films as thin as 11 nm with 5% uniformity across the wafer was achieved. Self-aligned, ultra-thin SOI n-MOSFETs with 8 nm-50 nm undoped channel were fabricated. Excellent device characteristics (L/sub eff/=0.2 /spl mu/m, g/sub m/=242 mS/mm, R/sub s/d/=333 /spl Omega/-/spl mu/m, A/sub v/(g/sub m//g/sub d/)=43) were obtained.
BRMS1 transcriptional repression correlates with CpG island methylation and advanced pathological stage in non-small cell lung cancer

Breast cancer metastasis suppressor gene-1 (BRMS1) mRNA and protein expression are significantly decreased in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and this is a poor prognostic indicator. Given that the BRMS1 promoter region contains a promoter-associated CpG island (CGI) that encompasses the transcriptional start site, we hypothesized that decreased BRMS1 mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC was secondary to increased BRMS1 promoter methylation. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) of the two known CGIs (-3477 to - 2214 and - 531 to + 608) in the BRMS1 genome was performed in NSCLC cells. This demonstrated a robust increase in methylation of the promoter-associated CGI (-531 to + 608) but not of the upstream CGI (-3477 to - 2214). To experimentally verify that methylation contributes to BRMS1 transcriptional repression, we cloned the BRMS1 promoter region, including the promoter-associated CGI, into a luciferase reporter gene and found that BRMS1 promoter activity was dramatically inhibited under methylated conditions. We then assessed the BRMS1 methylation profile with MSP and bisulphite-sequencing PCR in human NSCLC adenocarcinoma (n = 20) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 20) relative to adjacent non-cancerous bronchial epithelium. There was a significant increase in BRMS1 promoter methylation in all NSCLC specimens relative to non-cancerous tissues, with the most dramatic difference in squamous cell cancer histology. Subsequent immunostaining demonstrated that nuclear BRMS1 expression is reduced in lung cancer specimens compared to normal bronchial epithelium. The association between BRMS1 promoter methylation and specific clinical and histopathological variables was examined using a general linear model. Pathological tumour stage was associated with increased BRMS1 methylation in squamous cell cancers. These observations demonstrate that methylation of the promoter-associated CGI in BRMS1 results in its transcriptional repression, and highlight the potential clinical relevance of this methylation event with respect to NSCLC tumour histology and pathological stage.
Sexual Orientation, Parental Support, and Health During the Transition to Young Adulthood

Some recent studies suggest that sexual minorities may have worse health-related outcomes during adolescence because they report lower levels of family connectedness, a key protective resource. Using data from wave 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (n = 11,153; 50.6% female; mean age = 21.8 years), this study extends prior research on adolescents to young adults. We examine whether lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) young adults report lower levels of parental support than their heterosexual peers and whether differences in parental support help explain why LGB young adults tend to have worse health-related outcomes. We find that lesbian and bisexual women report lower levels of parental support than heterosexual women and that gay men report lower levels of parental support than bisexual and heterosexual men. Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian and bisexual women have higher odds of suicidal thoughts and recent drug use; bisexual women also have higher odds of elevated depressive symptomatology and heavy drinking. Gay men have higher odds of suicidal thoughts than heterosexual men. With the exception of heavy drinking, parental support either partially or fully mediates each of the observed associations. Even though the transition from adolescence to young adulthood is characterized by increased independence from parents, parental support remains an important correlate of health-related outcomes during this stage of life. Sexual minorities report lower levels of parental support during young adulthood, which helps explain why they have worse health-related outcomes. Interventions designed to strengthen relationships between LGB young adults and their parents could lead to a reduction in health disparities related to sexual orientation.
Studies on growth hormone secretion IX. Prostaglandins do not act like ionophores

Abstract To gain further insight on the mechanism of GH secretion in general and on the stimulation of this process by prostaglandins in particular, we compared the effects of PGE1 and PGE2 on hormone release and cyclic nucleotide levels with those of the ionophores A23187 and X537A under a variety of experimental conditions. All these substances (in the presence but not in the absence of calcium) enhanced GH release in incubated rat anterior pituitaries in vitro , prostaglandins being considerably more potent than ionophores. However, while PGE2 caused a dose-dependent rise in pituitary cyclic AMP levels (from doubling at 10−7 M to a two-hundred fold increase at 10−5 M), the ionophores had no effect on the concentrations of this nucleotide. Neither PGE2 nor the ionophores had any measurable effect on cyclic GMP levels. Exposure of tissues to ionophores for 60 minutes rendered them refractory to subsequent stimulation by PGE1 or to ionophores themselves, whereas preincubation with PGE1 did not diminish GH responses during a second incubation period. On the other hand, 60-minute preincubation of hemipituitaries in the presence of ionophores (10−5 M) did not suppress subsequent PGE1-promoted cyclic AMP accumulation. Metabolic blockers inhibited PGE2 and A23187-promoted GH-release but failed to suppress GH-response to X537A. Verapamil partially inhibited PGE2 but not ionophore induced GH secretion. Ionophores particularly X537A, accelerated 45Ca efflux while PGE1 did not influence this. Electronmicroscopy revealed extensive vacuolization localized chiefly at the Golgi apparatus when tissues were incubated with X537A. PGE1 and A23187 had no such morphological effect. It is concluded that prostaglandins E and ionophores promote GH secretion by different mechanisms.
Online personal medical records: Are they reliable for acute/critical care?

Objective: To provide an introduction to Internet-based Online Personal Medical Records (OPMRs), to assess their use and limitations in acute/critical care situations, and to identify potential improvements that could increase their usefulness. Design: A review of publicly available Internet-based OPMRs conducted in April 2001. Data Sources: Twenty-nine OPMR sites were identified in March 2000 using ten Internet search engines with the search term Personal Medical Records. Through 2000 and 2001, an additional 37 sites were identified using lists obtained from trade journals and through the author's participation in standards-setting meetings. Measurements: Each publicly available site was reviewed to assess suitability for acute/critical care situations using four measures developed by the author and for general use using eight measures developed in a standards-setting process described in the article. Results: Of the 66 companies identified, only 16 still offer OPMRs that are available to the public on the Internet. None of these met all of the evaluation measures. Only 19% had rapid emergency access capabilities and only 63% provided medical summaries of the record. Security and confidentiality issues were well addressed in 94% of sites. Data portability was virtually nonexistent because all OPMRs lacked the ability to exchange data electronically with other OPMRs, and only two OPMRs permitted data transfer from physician electronic medical records. Controls over data accuracy were poor: 81% of sites allowed entry of dates for medical treatment before the patient's date of birth, and one site actually gave incorrect medical advice. OPMRs were periodically inaccessible because of programming deficiencies. Finally, approximately 40 sites ceased providing OPMRs in the past year, with the probable loss of patient information. Conclusions: Most OPMRs are not ready for use in acute/ critical care situations. Many are just electronic versions of the paper-based health record notebooks that patients have used for years. They have, however, great promise and, with further development, could form the basis of a new medical record system that could contribute to improving the quality of medical care.
Brief communication: HLA antigen frequencies in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract HLA-A, B, and C antigen frequencies were studied in 38 Caucasian patients with a history of renal cell carcinoma; 30 were also tested for DR antigen frequencies. The results failed to indicate any significant deviations from normal Caucasian HLA antigen frequency distributions. These results were inconsistent with a previous study that indicated a very significant increase in the frequency of the antigen DR5 among renal cell cancer patients.
High-oleic peanuts are not different from normal peanuts in allergenic properties.

High-oleic peanuts are known for a high content of oleic fatty acid. However, it is not known whether high-oleic peanuts are different from normal chemistry peanuts in levels of allergenicity and end-product adducts (i.e., products cross-linked with proteins). For this purpose, four different peanut cultivars (Florunner, Georgia Green, NC 9, and NC 2) were evaluated and compared with high-oleic peanuts (SunOleic 97R). Adducts such as AGE/CML from Maillard reactions and MDA/HNE from lipid oxidation were determined, respectively, in ELISA, using polyclonal antibodies. Allergenicity was determined based on IgE binding and T-cell proliferation. Results showed that raw high-oleic peanuts were not different from normal peanuts in adduct levels. After roasting, CML and HNE levels remained unchanged, but an increased and similar amounts of AGE adducts were found in all peanuts. MDA also increased but not in high-oleic peanuts. This suggests that high-oleic peanuts are more stable to lipid oxidation than others during heating. Despite this, high-oleic peanuts did not differ from normal peanuts in IgE binding and T-cell proliferation. It was concluded that a high content of oleic fatty acid has no effect on peanut allergenicity and that high-oleic peanuts do not give a higher or lower risk of allergy than normal peanuts.
The significance of abnormal immune responses in patients with multiple sclerosis

Early diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) may be assisted by tests for the abnormal immune responses of the central nervous system (CNS) including oligoclonal IgG bands in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), increased CNS IgG synthesis, increased CNS antibody synthesis against multiple viruses and increased numbers of enlarged lymphoid cells in the CSF. Alterations in immunological responses are important in the pathogenesis of MS. Further studies are needed, however, to identify the antigen(s) and/or antibodies responsible for oligoclonal IgG in the CSF of MS patients. Also, the cause(s) for the other immunological abnormalities with diagnostic importance need to be identified. The increased synthesis of antibodies against multiple unrelated viruses suggests generalized alteration in the immune regulatory system. The etiology of MS might be multifactorial involving abnormal immunological responses, possibly precipitated by infectious agents acquired during childhood by genetically susceptible individuals. The immunological responses including alterations in myelin basic protein concentration, antimyelin antibody and immune complex activities in CSF, and in vitro stimulation, suppression and migration inhibition of blood lymphocytes appear to correlate with stage of MS and severity of CNS damage. Some of the tests may become useful in estimating the prognosis of the disease. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the sensitivity of the diagnostic and prognostic immunological tests and etiological significance of these abnormalities in MS.
10 Gb/s Ethernet: from standards to applications

This study gives an overview of the 10 GbE standards project and presents some of its applications. The 10 GbE link model, power budgets, and implementation examples are also presented
Synthesis of a Thioether Analog of the Macrocyclic Tripeptide K-13

Abstract Starting from tyrosine and phenylalanine, a sulfur-containing analog of K-13 (2a), a naturally occurring the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor was synthesized. The diphenyl thioether moiety was constructed by an SRN1 reaction. The conformation of the product was probed by NMR and modeling, and a ground state conformation is proposed.
Memory in mammals: Evidence for a system involving nuclear ribonucleic acid

The learning of an avoidance response was confined to one hemisphere in rats by starting cortical spreading depression in the other. Removing the medial (but not anterior or posterior) cortex of the trained hemisphere impairs retention of the learning. If the medial tissue is intraperitoneally injected back into the donor animal, there is savings in relearning with the untrained hemisphere. This savings seems to be specific to the previously learned task and the effect occurs only when the tissue from the trained hemisphere is removed after con- solidation of the learning has progressed for several hours. Ribonucleic acid molecules located in the nucleus of some group of cortical cells seem to mediate the savings effect. These results suggest that the effect of injecting the tissue from the trained cortex is to allow ribonucleic acid molecules which have coded the information about the learned response to migrate to the untrained hemisphere and function there as stored learning. THE changes in the central nervous system which constitute learning have generally been thought to consist of changes limited to the synapse, which alter the functional relations between nerve cells and neural circuits (8, 13, 181. There are, however, several lines of evidence which suggest that this conceptualization is at least an oversimplification. First, MORRJZLL (14) has shown that learning may involve transcortical pathways connecting different parts of the cortex and has concluded that it is unlikely that the changed functional relations between parts of such a complex network could be accounted for by a simple chain of synaptic modifications. More recently, ALBERT (2, 31 has shown that the processes which occur during the consolidation, or fixation, of learning in the rat do not suggest that new morphological synaptic changes are being strengthened, but rather that more stable temporary changes, such as new macromolecular templates, are involved in forming the permanent retention mechanisms. Finally, experiments with planaria seem to show that learning in this more primitive species is coded in macromolecules (21). The present experiments consider the possibility that macromolecular changes are central to the information storage system in the rat brain. The experiments parallel those done with planaria where evidence was found that learning could be transferred chemically by injecting ribonucleic acid from a trained planarian into an untrained planarian (21). The design of the present experiments is also to transfer stored information chemically, but the transfer is not between animals, but instead, between one hemisphere and the other in the same animal. Such an intraanimal transfer of learning seemed particularly
Vaporization modeling of petroleum–biofuel drops using a hybrid multi-component approach

Abstract Numerical modeling of the vaporization characteristics of multi-component fuel mixtures is performed in this study. The fuel mixtures studied include those of binary components, biodiesel, diesel–biodiesel, and gasoline–ethanol. The use of biofuels has become increasingly important for reasons of environmental sustainability. Biofuels are often blended with petroleum fuels, and the detailed understanding of the vaporization process is essential to designing a clean and efficient combustion system. In this study, a hybrid vaporization model is developed that uses continuous thermodynamics to describe petroleum fuels and discrete components to represent biofuels. The model is validated using the experimental data of n-heptane, n-heptane–n-decane mixture, and biodiesel. Since biodiesel properties are not universal due to the variation in feedstock, methods for predicting biodiesel properties based on the five dominant fatty acid components are introduced. Good levels of agreement in the predicted and measured drop size histories are obtained. Furthermore, in modeling the diesel–biodiesel drop, results show that the drop lifetime increases with the biodiesel concentration in the blend. During vaporization, only the lighter components of diesel fuel vaporize at the beginning. Biodiesel components do not vaporize until some time during the vaporization process. On the other hand, results of gasoline–ethanol drops indicate that both fuels start to vaporize once the process begins. At the beginning, the lighter components of gasoline have a slightly higher vaporization rate than ethanol. After a certain time, ethanol vaporizes faster than the remaining gasoline components. At the end, the drop reduces to a regular gasoline drop with heavier components. Overall, the drop lifetime increases as the concentration of ethanol increases in the drop due to the higher latent heat.
Variation in radial growth responses to drought among species, site, and canopy strata

Radial growth responses to drought were examined in the tree-ring records of six species growing within two locations of differing land-use history and soil moisture characteristics, and in overstory and understory canopy positions in northern Virginia. Tree species experienced differential ring-width reductions during or immediately following four severe drought periods occurring from 1930 to 1965 and were influenced by climatic variables including annual and summer temperatures, annual precipitation, and annual Palmer Drought Severity Index. Relative growth comparisons averaged across species before and after drought years indicated that understory trees on dry-mesic sites grew 11% faster after drought compared to pre-drought rates while mesic site trees in both canopy positions grew approximately 4% slower. Superposed epoch analysis indicated that Liriodendron tulipifera growing on mesic sites experienced greater ring-width reductions associated with drought than co-occurring, more drought-tolerant Quercus alba and Q. velutina. On dry-mesic sites, L. tulipifera also experienced greatly reduced growth as a result of drought but exhibited significant growth increases following individual drought events. Quercus alba was the only species that exhibited a consistent, significant ring-width decrease associated with all droughts on dry-mesic sites. In contrast, Pinus virginiana was least impacted by drought on dry-mesic sites but was much more impacted by drought on mesic sites, indicating a drought×site interaction for this species. Overstory Carya glabra and Q. alba experienced larger growth decreases during drought on dry-mesic versus mesic sites. Understory tree growth reductions did not differ between site types but were often significantly larger than overstory responses of the same species on mesic sites. Following drought, most trees exhibited growth reductions lasting 2–3 years, although several species experienced reductions lasting up to 6 years. The results of this study suggest that tree rings represent an important long-term proxy for leaf-level ecophysiological measurements of growth responses to drought periods.
Comparison of Dewar supports for space applications

Abstract A simple one-dimensional model is developed to illustrate the relative merits of different Dewar support systems. The model considers how different supports affect the parasitic heat load on Dewars in both strength limited and resonant frequency limited applications. The model is used to compare straps, struts and disconnect supports. The comparison shows that struts are superior in strength limited applications; that straps are superior in resonant frequency limited applications; and disconnect struts are superior when the onorbit resonant frequency requirement is lower than during launch.
Analysis and structure of dicumyl peroxide ultraviolet‐cured poly(dimethyl siloxane) rubber crosslinks

The alkaline fusion method for the analysis of the hydrocarbon portion of poly(dimethyl siloxane) gum stock containing pendant vinyl groups has been applied to systems crosslinked with dicumyl peroxide in the presence of near-UV radiation. Crosslinks made of butyl and propyl chains both with and without aromatic residues were found. Under the conditions of this study the dicumyl peroxide efficiency as a crosslinking agent is slightly greater than one. Owing to the formation of three carbon-containing crosslinks, the total chemical crosslink density of the system was greater than predicted from simple vinyl-to-vinyl addition.
Cutaneous Mucormycosis in Tornado Survivors

A total of 18 suspected cases of cutaneous mucormycosis were identified in survivors of the May 2011 tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Apophysomyces trapeziformis was identified in 13 of the patients with microbiologically or histologically proven infection by DNA sequencing. Apophysomyces are classically associated with necrotizing skin and soft-tissue infections following traumatic inoculation of the fungal spores. Although cases of Apophysomyces infection were previously reported in survivors of tsunamis and volcanic eruptions, this is believed to be the first reported case series of cutaneous mucormycosis in tornado survivors.
DRUG INDUCTION OF P450 GENES: HISTORY, MECHANISM, AND IMPLICATION

Cells are endowed with mechanisms to protect them from chemical insults. One of such mechanisms is metabolism of chemicals that can be either endogenous, naturally-occurring, or synthetic origin. The metabolisms primarily occur in liver that is followed by kidney and intestine. In general, chemicals are first metabolized by P450 (CYP) enzymes and subsequently are conjugated by transferases, called the Phase I and Phase II enzymes, respectively. To maximize metabolic capability, liver cells induce metabolizing enzymes and also drug transporters. Although induction can be regulated at various steps during synthesis of enzyme proteins, gene transcription plays the primary role in the regulation. There are three major mechanisms that mediate drug-inducible gene transcription: Ah receptor (AhR)-mediated, Nrf2-mediated, and nuclear receptor-mediated mechanisms.
A Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Assay for the Discovery of Exchange Protein Directly Activated by Cyclic AMP (EPAC) Antagonists

Background The discovery, more than ten years ago, of exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) as a new family of intracellular cAMP receptors revolutionized the cAMP signaling research field. Extensive studies have revealed that the cAMP signaling network is much more complex and dynamic as many cAMP-related cellular processes, previously thought to be controlled by protein kinase A, are found to be also mediated by EPAC proteins. Although there have been many important discoveries in the roles of EPACs greater understanding of their physiological function in cAMP-mediated signaling is impeded by the absence of EPAC-specific antagonist. Methodology/Principal Findings To overcome this deficit, we have developed a fluorescence-based high throughput assay for screening EPAC specific antagonists. Our assay is highly reproducible and simple to perform using the “mix and measure” format. A pilot screening using the NCI-DTP diversity set library led to the identification of small chemical compounds capable of specifically inhibiting cAMP-induced EPAC activation while not affecting PKA activity. Conclusions/Significance Our study establishes a robust high throughput screening assay that can be effectively applied for the discovery of EPAC-specific antagonists, which may provide valuable pharmacological tools for elucidating the biological functions of EPAC and for promoting an understanding of disease mechanisms related to EPAC/cAMP signaling.
Relative abundance of small mammals in nest core areas and burned wintering areas of Mexican Spotted Owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico

Abstract Mexican Spotted Owls (Strix occidentalis lucida) are common in older forests within their range but also persist in many areas burned by wildfire and may selectively forage in these areas. One hypothesis explaining this pattern postulates that prey abundance increases in burned areas following wildfire. We observed movement to wintering areas within areas burned by wildfire by four radio-marked Mexican Spotted Owls in the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico. These movements occurred during the winters of 2004–2005 and 2005–2006, with some owls migrating in both winters and others in only one. Wintering areas of these owls occurred within the perimeters of two wildfires that burned in May 2000 and April 2002, respectively. We estimated relative prey abundance and biomass during December 2006 within paired burned wintering areas and nest core areas used by these owls. Species richness and relative abundance of small mammals were greater in the burned wintering areas than in the associated nest core ar...
Superconducting fluctuations, pair breaking, and nuclear relaxation in small particles

A theoretical treatment of the combined effects of superconducting fluctuations and pair breaking on nuclear spin-lattice relaxation in small particles is described, in which the interaction of normal-state electrons with both fluctuations and impurities (i.e., renormalization of fermion propagators and impurity vertex corrections) is taken into account. The calculation is valid in the dirty limit and near the superconducting transition temperature, and exhibits qualitative agreement with presently available experimental results.
Minitransfection: a simple, fast technique for transfections

A fast, simple and inexpensive minitransfection technique, using either a lipofection or a calcium phosphate coprecipitation method to introduce foreign DNA into living cells is presented. This technique is based on the use of 24-well or 96-well tissue culture plates and can be used for both transient and stable transfections. Because it is a microtechnique, only small amounts of DNA, cells and transfection reagents are necessary, and it is easy to handle multiple DNA transfections or cotransfections in different cell lines and in duplicates or triplicates. The technique can be used to study viral gene expression, virus replication and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay in different cell lines, for example, in the large scale screening and testing of antiviral agents.
Childlessness revisited: A longitudinal study of voluntarily childless couples, delayed parents, and parents

A seven-year follow-up study of couples who were voluntarily childless, delayed parents, and parents was carried out utilizing questionnaire items from the original study by the author (Bram, 1974). At the time of the follow-up, the subjects were 33 years of age and were married nine years, on the average, thus facilitating an investigation of childbearing decisions over the life cycle. Data were collected on attitudes toward children and parenthood, self-image, marriage, lifestyle, and goals. Most of the original fertility statuses and expectations have held true: over two-thirds of the Childless have remained childless and most of the Delays have had children. Although the Childless are still relatively more nontraditional than the Delays and Parents, as in the original study, there are some convergences among the groups, e.g., the Delay and Parent women have become more achievement-oriented over time. There are divergences in the development of attitudes among the Childless men and women in regard to the meaning of childlessness and the value of work. The perceived quality of life varies according to both gender and fertility status, with the Delays expressing the greatest dissatisfaction.
Probabilistic uncertainty analysis by mean-value first order Saddlepoint Approximation

Probabilistic uncertainty analysis quantifies the effect of input random variables on model outputs. It is an integral part of reliability-based design, robust design, and design for Six Sigma. The efficiency and accuracy of probabilistic uncertainty analysis is a trade-off issue in engineering applications. In this paper, an efficient and accurate mean-value first order Saddlepoint Approximation (MVFOSA) method is proposed. Similar to the mean-value first order Second Moment (MVFOSM) approach, a performance function is approximated with the first order Taylor expansion at the mean values of random input variables. Instead of simply using the first two moments of the random variables as in MVFOSM, MVFOSA estimates the probability density function and cumulative distribution function of the response by the accurate Saddlepoint Approximation. Because of the use of complete distribution information, MVFOSA is generally more accurate than MVFOSM with the same computational effort. Without the nonlinear transformation from non-normal variables to normal variables as required by the first order reliability method (FORM), MVFOSA is also more accurate than FORM in certain circumstances, especially when the transformation significantly increases the nonlinearity of a performance function. It is also more efficient than FORM because an iterative search process for the so-called Most Probable Point is not required. The features of the proposed method are demonstrated with four numerical examples.
Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal liver metastases is associated with a high survival rate

Background The outcome after a repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is not well defined. The present study examined the morbidity, mortality and long-term survivals after a repeat hepatectomy for recurrent CLM.
Antiferromagnetism, projected density of states, and the Bogoliubov transformation for bosons

We investigate the spectral density of an antiferromagnet described by a Heisenberg Hamiltonian and find that the procedure commonly followed to evaluate the localized density of magnon states leads to inconsistent results. These inconsistencies are illustrated with a detailed discussion of the one-dimensional antiferromagnetic chain.
Battered Women Who Kill: Impact of Expert Testimony Type and Timing

This study investigated the impact of expert testimony in a case involving a battered woman who killed her abusive husband. Mock jurors (N = 330) viewed a videotaped simulated trial involving a woman who had entered a self-defence plea in the shooting death of her abusive husband. Participants were presented with either expert testimony regarding the battered woman syndrome (BWS), social/agency (SA) testimony, or a no expert control. Because the timing of expert testimony may impact its application to the defendant's circumstances, expert testimony was presented either prior to or following the testimony of the defendant. Although jury verdicts failed to differ across expert testimony and timing conditions, individual mock juror opinions, and perceptions of her situation and mental stability did. Men in particular appeared to be differentially influenced by the alternative forms of expert testimony. Implications are discussed.
Review of Current AASHTO Fatigue Design Specifications for Stud Shear Connectors

Fatigue design provisions for stud shear connectors in the current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications are based on the research conducted in the mid 1960s by Slutter and Fisher, who tested 44 push-out specimens to determine the fatigue life of the shear connector. An analysis of test data produced by Slutter and Fisher and an examination of the current AASHTO design provisions in comparison with their European and Japanese counterparts suggest that the AASHTO may significantly underestimate the fatigue life of stud shear connectors, especially in the range of fatigue behavior where most bridges are designed. A design example is presented that demonstrates that the required number of studs according to the AASHTO can be more than twice the number required by other design codes in Europe and Japan. A possible reason for this discrepancy is discussed.
Performing the city

Robert Sklar, City Boys: Cagney, Bogart, Garfield. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992.
Differences in α Smooth Muscle Actin Expression between Fibroblasts Derived from Dupuytren's Nodules or Cords

Dupuytren's contracture is a fibrotic lesion of the palmar fascia that includes two distinct structures, the nodule and the cord. Histologically the Dupuytren's nodule has a high cell density with numerous myofibroblasts (alpha smooth muscle actin-expressing fibroblasts). The Dupuytren's cord has a rich connective tissue matrix containing a low density of elongated spindle-shaped fibroblasts. The cytoskeletal structures of cultured fibroblasts derived from Dupuytren's nodules and cords of surgically treated patients were studied and compared. Immunohistology showed no obvious morphological differences between Dupuytren's nodule and cord cultured cells, when focal adhesions (vinculin), intermediate filaments (vimentin), microtubules (alpha tubulin), or microfilaments (filamentous actin) were viewed. However, a greater proportion of nodule cultured cells were positive for alpha smooth muscle actin compared to cord-derived cells. The increased expression in nodule cells of alpha smooth muscle actin was confirmed by Western blot analysis. It appears that fibroblasts derived from Dupuytren's nodules or cords retain in vivo cytoskeletal characteristics, when grown in tissue culture.
An epidemic of oligoarticular arthritis in children and adults in three connecticut communities

An epidemic form of arthritis has been occurring in eastern Connecticut at least since 1972, with the peak incidence of new cases in the summer and early fall. Its identification has been possible because of tight geographic clustering in some areas, and because of a characteristic preceding skin lesion in some patients. The authors studied 51 residents of three contiguous Connecticut communities -- 39 children and 12 adults -- who developed an illness characterized by recurrent attacks of asymmetric swelling and pain in a few large joints, especially the knee. Attacks were usually short (median: 1 week) with much longer intervening periods of complete remission (median: 2.5 months), but some attacks lasted for months. To date the typical patient has had three recurrences, but 16 patients have had none. A median of 4 weeks (range: 1-24) before the onset of arthritis, 13 patients (25%) noted an erythematous papule that developed into an expanding, red, annular lesion, as much as 50 cm in diameter. Only 2 of 159 family members of patients had such a lesion and did not develop arthritis (P less than 0.000001). The overalll prevalence of the arthritis was 4.3 cases per 1,000 residents, but the prevalence among children living on four roads was 1 in 10. Six families had more than 1 affected member. Nine of 20 symptomatic patients had low serum C3 levels, compared to none of 31 asymptomatic patients (P less than 0.005); no patient had iridocyclitis or a positive test for antinuclear antibodies. Neither cultures of synovium and synovial fluid nor serologic tests were positive for agents known to cause arthritis. "Lynne arthritis" is thought to be a previously unrecognized clinical entity, the epidemiology of which suggests transmission by an arthropod vector.
Composite Titanium dental implant fabricated by electro-discharge compaction

An electro-discharge compaction (EDC) fabrication window was established for producing commercially pure porous titanium dental implants of 4 mm diameter and 7 mm length with a solid titanium cap. The optimum input energy was in the range of 0.58-0.87 kJ g-1 for a powder column of 0.500 g. Input energy greater than 0.58 kJ g-1 resulted in an implant torque strength exceeding 30 N-cm (the retaining screw tightening torque), while input energy greater than 0.72 kJ g-1 exceeded 46.7 N-cm torque strength (at this level the retaining screw failed prior to the implant). The integrity of the internally threaded hole and hexagonal head of the cap were maintained throughout the EDC process. The EDC process did not after the strength and/or microstructure of the components, and the bead-cap interface was stronger than the bead-bead interface. EDC implants produced within the aforementioned window have sufficient compressive strengths and other physical properties to meet the requirement for titanium dental implants.
Tolerance of cotton to Meloidogyne incognita as influenced by phosphorus fertiliser and a vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus

Summary Cotton was grown in soils of differing phosphorus levels with and without a mycorrhizal fungus and with a range (0 to 3200 eggs/ 100 c-3 soil) of Meloidogyne incognita eggs added. Tolerance of cotton to M. incognita did not differ between plants grown in different soils with or without the mycorrhizal fungus, though plant size could differ markedly. Plant tolerance was increased by a delay in adding nematodes.
Insulin delivery in nosedrops: new formulations containing alkylglycosides.

Insulin was administered to rats via nosedrops in the presence or absence of various alkylglycosides; systemic insulin absorption was measured as a fall in blood D-glucose concentration in animals made hyperglycemic by xylazine/ketamine anesthesia. Nosedrops (0.04 ml) containing alkylglycosides or regular porcine insulin alone were without effect. Nosedrops containing both a small amount of alkylglycoside (0.03-0.50%) and insulin (2 U regular porcine) caused a rapid decrease in blood D-glucose levels and a concomitant increase in serum immunoreactive insulin levels. The maximal hypoglycemic response was observed between 60 and 120 min after delivery of nosedrops. Decylmaltoside was less effective at enhancing systemic insulin absorption than dodecylmaltoside, tridecylmaltoside, or tetradecylmaltoside, whereas octylmaltoside was totally ineffective. Dodecylsucrose, a compound which differs from dodecylmaltoside only in one carbohydrate residue, had a similar effect on blood D-glucose values when it was inc...
Haftung für Malware im Arbeitsverhältnis

In Unternehmen wie auch in Universitaten und Forschungseinrichtungen ist die private Nutzung der IT-Infrastruktur am Arbeitsplatz haufig erlaubt. Im Rahmen der Privatnutzung ist es denkbar, dass Mitarbeiter aufgrund von Sicherheitslucken in der IT-Infrastruktur finanzielle Schaden erleiden. Damit stellt sich die Frage, ob der Arbeitgeber von seinen Mitarbeitern in Haftung genommen werden kann. Die Autorin untersucht die einschlagigen Haftungstatbestande fur zwei Szenarien, in denen es Mitarbeitern erlaubt ist, privat Online-Banking zu nutzen. Sie kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass eine Haftung des Unternehmens ihren Mitarbeitern gegenuber dem Grunde nach besteht.
Using an LCA approach to evaluate green labels

While the green building materials industry has flourished, the labeling of green materials is disparate, confusing, and complex. Many certification programs are available for various products used in buildings such as Green Seal, Energy Star, the Carpet and Rug Institute green label, Blue Angel and many others [1–4]. Many labels, such as flammable and toxic, are often based on single criteria and may be required by law for a product [5]. Marketing schemes often involve product information with generic claims of environmentally safe, recyclable and biodegradable [6].
Improving the computation of lower bounds for optimal schedules

Ways of decreasing the number of operations needed to compute the lower bounds of optimal schedules, by reducing the number of time intervals that must be considered, are presented. The bounds apply to a system of identical processors executing a partially ordered set of tasks, with known execution times, using a non-preemptive scheduling strategy. In one approach we find that the required number of intervals depends on the graph. In our other approach, which subsumes the first, the number of intervals is decreased to at most min[D2/2, n2], where D is the deadline to complete the tasks and n is the number of tasks. The actual number of intervals for a particular graph can be considerably smaller than this worst case.
Exploring Ferenczi's Concept of Identification with the Aggressor: Its Role in Trauma, Everyday Life, and the Therapeutic Relationship

When we feel overwhelmed by an inescapable threat, we “identify with the aggressor” (Ferenczi, 1933). Hoping to survive, we sense and “become” precisely what the attacker expects of us—in our behavior, perceptions, emotions, and thoughts. Identification with the aggressor is closely coordinated with other responses to trauma, including dissociation. Over the long run, it can become habitual and can lead to masochism, chronic hypervigilance, and other personality distortions. But habitual identification with the aggressor also frequently occurs in people who have not suffered severe trauma, which raises the possibility that certain events not generally considered to constitute trauma are often experienced as traumatic. Following Ferenczi, I suggest that emotional abandonment or isolation, and being subject to a greater power, are such events. In addition, identification with the aggressor is a tactic typical of people in a weak position; as such, it plays an important role in social interaction in general.
Indirect calorimetry in malnutrition: nutritional assessment or therapeutic reference?

The measurement of gas exchange for use in indirect calorimetry is a clinical research tool struggling to find its proper place in the care of acutely ill and nutritionally depleted patients. Some investigators have proposed that it should be used as part of the nutritional assessment. Unfortunately, in common with many other measurements for nutritional assessment, the information provided must be integrated with other information. It is recognized that factors other than malnutrition may influence the level of the metabolic rate. Despite the lack of precision and specificity, the measurement of energy expenditure provides an important reference for determining patients' requirements for energy intake. As with many other procedures in clinical medicine, the more severely ill the patient, the less the accuracy of standard formulas for estimating energy expenditure. Thus, actual measurements of energy expenditure assume special value. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition11:90S-94S, 1987)
Matters of the mosque: Changing configurations of buildings and belief in an Istanbul district

Long acknowledged to be a center for religious pilgrimage, the importance of the Istanbul district of Eyup is widely understood as being founded upon the figure of Halid bin Zeyd Ebâ Eyyub el-Ensâri, a Companion of the Prophet Muhammad. Others point to the district's extensive cultural, political and social significance to explain its particular importance. In contrast, this paper avoids such reductive perspectives and argues that assemblage provides one particularly suggestive conceptual framework within which to reconsider Eyup's significance, glossed in this paper as the ‘matters of the mosque'. Linking that discussion of assemblage to recent scholarship on Islam calling for a greater interrogation of the multiple (and sometimes ambivalent) modalities of religious practice, this paper draws on a series of fieldwork encounters to present one such grounded perspective. Paying particular attention to questions of agency, materiality and belief, this paper argues that assemblage provides an especially rich...