cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ACTION OF EPINEPHRINE AND RELATED COMPOUNDS UPON THE INSECT NERVOUS SYSTEM.

Abstract Epinephrine, nor-epinephrine, and dopamine produce a variety of neurological effects in the cockroach. These effects include increased activity in the central nervous system and facilitation, then block, of cercal nerve-giant fiber synapses. The same compounds produce behavioral effects including antennal tremors, altered coordination, and egg-laying behavior in females. The molecular structure essential for maximal neurophysiological or behavioral effects consists of a benzene ring, with two hydroxyl groups in meta and para positions, plus the alkylamine side chain of epinephrine. Epinephrine mimics some, but not all, of the neurophysiological effects of corpus cardiacum extracts. Thus the neurological actions of such extracts cannot be ascribed to epinephrine or epinephrinelike compounds alone. Both neurological and behavioral responses to epinephrine are temporarily absent for periods of 3–15 days following molting, prolonged hyperactivity, and stresslike conditions.
Simulation of dense random-packed models for the amorphous TbxFe1−x alloy system

Abstract A recently developed computer algorithm for simulating dense random-packed (DRP) structures has been applied to the amorphous Tb x Fe 1− x alloy system, for which neutron scattering data are available with x =0.12, 0.33, 0.45 and 0.75. The pair correlation functions resulting from the models are presented and the corresponding interference functions calculated: these latter correctly predict the observed composition dependent peak shifts, as well as the overall features of the data.
Catholic Theological Education in a Religiously Pluralistic Age

. This article describes the transformation of Catholic theological education over the last fifty years from a highly defensive posture vis-a-vis other religions toward dialogical engagement with members of other religions and all persons of good will. Until Vatican II, most Catholic theologians and officials distrusted exploration of other religions as leading to a dilution of Catholic identity. Vatican II condemned anti-Semitism and called for dialogue among religions in pursuit of common values. Since the Council, there have been developments in interfaith education on three levels: religious studies, comparative theology, and inter-religious practice.
Polarographic studies in dimethylsulphone-nitrate complexes of lead and cadmium

Abstract The stability constants of lead and cadmium nitrate complexes in molten dimethylsulphone (DMS), (CH3)2SO2, were measured polarographically at 125°C. DMS was chosen to minimize competing solvation effects which prevail in water and related solvents. Half-wave potentials were measured as a function of nitrate concentration, the ionic strength being held constant by addition of lithium perchlorate. A normalized curve-fitting method was used to evaluate the stability constants; log β values are 2·46, 3·60 and 4·6 for lead, and 2·12, 3·72, 5·2 and 6·8 for cadmium.
Characterization of Ionomer Solutions. 2. Dynamic Light Scattering Studies on Sulfonated Polystyrene Ionomers in a Nonpolar Solvent

The microphase behavior of lightly sulfonated polystyrene solutions in Decalin was investigated using dynamic light scattering. The nature of the aggregates formed in these solutions by the associa...
Metabolic anatomy of generalized bicuculline seizures in the newborn marmoset monkey.

Abstract Sustained convulsive seizures were induced with bicuculline in ketamine-anesthetized marmoset monkeys aged 7 to 18 days. Relative 2-deoxyglucose metabolism was compared in convulsing ( N = 9) and control ( N = 6) animals. Convulsions were accompanied by striking focal increases in cerebral 2-deoxyglucose uptake which were remarkably consistent from animal to animal. Increased 2-deoxyglucose uptake in broad cortical regions(2-to 3-fold) suggests that cortical mechanisms can be important, even in neonatal seizures. The hippocampus and other limbic system structures were markedly activated, as were nuclei of the basal ganglia and thalamus. In contrast, sensory systems were less affected. No increase in 2-deoxyglucose uptake was found in the lateral geniculate nuclei, and a 22% decrease was found in the inferior colliculus (central core). Increased uptake was found in several white matter regions, and activation of the corpus callosum (2.6-fold) was comparable to that found for many gray matter regions. Our results show that generalized bicuculline seizures can produce striking focal increases in cerebral 2-deoxyglucose metabolism in brain regions known to be vulnerable to epileptic brain damage.
Nrd1 interacts with the nuclear exosome for 3' processing of RNA polymerase II transcripts.

Summary The exosome complex is involved in multiple RNA processing and degradation pathways. How exosome is recruited to particular RNA substrates and then chooses between RNA processing and degradation modes remains unclear. We find that the RNA binding protein Nrd1, complexed with its partners Nab3, Sen1, and cap binding complex, physically interacts with the nuclear form of exosome. Nrd1 stimulates the RNA degradation activity of the exosome in vitro. However, Nrd1 can also block 3′ to 5′ degradation by the exosome at some Nrd1 binding sites. Nrd1 mutations share some phenotypes with exosome mutants, including increased readthrough transcription from several mRNA and sn/snoRNA genes. Therefore, Nrd1 may recruit exosome to RNA and influence the choice between processing and degradation. Since Nrd1 is known to bind RNA polymerase II and be important for sn/snoRNA 3′ end processing, Nrd1 may link transcription and RNA 3′ end formation with surveillance by the exosome.
Vaccination of chickens with recombinant Salmonella expressing M2e and CD154 epitopes increases protection and decreases viral shedding after low pathogenic avian influenza challenge

ABSTRACT Avian influenza (AI) is a significant public health concern and serious economic threat to the commercial poultry industry worldwide. Previous research demonstrates that antibodies against M2e confer protection against influenza challenge. Using the Red recombinase system in combination with overlapping extension PCR, we recently developed several novel attenuated Salmonella Enteritidis strains that express a protective M2e epitope in combination with a potential immune-enhancing CD154 peptide sequence on the Salmonella outer membrane protein lamB. Commercial Leghorn chicks were orally immunized (immunization dose: 106 to 108 cfu/chick) with saline (negative control) or one of the recombinant Salmonella strains [Δaro A M2e-CD154, Δhtr A M2e-CD154, Δaro A-Δhtr A M2e(4)-CD154] on day of hatch and 21 d posthatch. These candidate vaccine strains were evaluated for their ability to invade, colonize, and persist in tissues and elicit an M2e-specific antibody response. The vaccine candidate strain Δaro A M2e-CD154 exhibited significantly greater organ invasion in the liver and spleen at d 7 (P > 0.05); however, no marked differences in colonization of the cecal tonsils were observed. Vaccinated chickens exhibited significantly increased M2e-specific IgG responses, which were further enhanced by simultaneous expression of CD154 (P
Cloning and characterization of osteoactivin, a novel cDNA expressed in osteoblasts.

Osteoblast development is a complex process involving the expression of specific growth factors and regulatory proteins that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation. In this study, we used the rat mutation, osteopetrosis (op), to examine differences in skeletal gene expression between mutant op and normal littermates. Total RNA isolated from long bone and calvaria was used as a template for mRNA differential display. One of many cDNAs that were selectively expressed in either normal or mutant bone was cloned and sequenced and found to share some homology to the human nmb and Pmel 17 genes. This novel cDNA was named osteoactivin. Osteoactivin has an open reading frame of 1716 bp that encodes a protein of 572 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 63.8 kD. Protein sequence analysis revealed the presence of a signal peptide and a cleavage site at position 23. The protein also has thirteen predicted N-linked glycosylation sites and a potential RGD integrin recognition site at position 556. Northern blot analysis confirmed that osteoactivin was 3- to 4-fold overexpressed in op versus normal bone. RT-PCR analysis showed that osteoactivin is most highly expressed in bone compared with any of the other non-osseous tissues examined. In situ hybridization analysis of osteoactivin in normal bone revealed that it is primarily expressed in osteoblasts actively engaged in bone matrix production and mineralization. In primary rat osteoblast cultures, osteoactivin showed a temporal pattern of expression being expressed at highest levels during the later stages of matrix maturation and mineralization and correlated with the expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Our findings show that osteoactivin expression in bone is osteoblast-specific and suggest that it may play an important role in osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization. Furthermore, osteoactivin overexpression in op mutant bone may be secondary to the uncoupling of bone resorption and formation resulting in abnormalities in osteoblast gene expression and function. J. Cell. Biochem. 84: 12–26, 2002. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Nano-biophotonics: From laboratory research to biomedical diagnostics

This lecture presents an overview of recent advances in the development of nano-biophotonic technologies including nanosensors and nanoprobes at the nexus of biology, medicine and nanotechnology [1]–[5]. This presentation describes two areas of research related to the development of nanoprobes and nanosensors for single-cell analysis and imaging: (1) plasmonics “molecular sentinel” nanoprobes using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection, and (2) nanosensors for in vivo analysis of a single cell for molecular diagnostics and imaging, and ultra-high throughput screening.
Contributions of the Relativistic Current-Current Interactions to the Decay of the 1s2s2p 4P J = 1/2 and 3/2 Levels

The relativistic current-current interactions are included in the calculation of the nonradiative transition amplitudes for the Is2s2p 4P J = 3/2, 1/2 levels. The theoretical lifetimes are compared with experimental values for Z = 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10.
Longitudinal analysis of androgen deprivation of prostate cancer cells identifies pathways to androgen independence.

BACKGROUND Following androgen ablation therapy, the majority of prostate cancer patients develop treatment resistance with a median time of 18–24 months to disease progression. METHODS To identify molecular targets that promote prostate cancer cell survival and contribute to androgen independence, we evaluated changes in LNCaP cell gene expression during 12 months of androgen deprivation. At time points reflecting critical growth and phenotypic changes, we performed Affymetrix expression array analysis to examine the effects of androgen deprivation during the acute response, during the period of apparent quiescence, and following the emergence of a highly proliferative, androgen-independent prostate cancer cell phenotype (LNCaP-AI). RESULTS We discovered alterations in gene expression for molecules associated with promoting prostate cancer cell growth and survival, and regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis. Additionally, expression of AR co-regulators, adrenal androgen metabolizing enzymes, and markers of neuroendocrine disease were significantly altered. CONCLUSIONS These findings contribute greatly to our understanding of androgen-independent prostate cancer. The value of this longitudinal approach lies in the ability to examine gene expression changes throughout the adaptive response to androgen deprivation; it provides a more dynamic illustration of genes which contribute to disease progression in addition to specific genes which constitute an androgen-independent phenotype. Prostate 68: 698–714, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transport and overlay protocols for high-bandwidth applications over the internet

The Internet has truly been one of the most dominant discoveries over the past two decades. One of the key reasons to its massive success has been the evolution of communication technologies: for instance, long-haul optical links now connect networks across the world and enable communication at high speeds. The increase in network capacities have also given rise to a wide range of high-bandwidth applications such as file sharing and media streaming. For these applications to sustain at such high capacities, the underlying communication protocols should also be utilizing as much of the bandwidth as possible. In this thesis, we propose two end-to-end communication protocols that attain this goal. One is a unicast (one-to-one) transport protocol while the other is an overlay multicast (one-to-many) protocol. Long haul networks suffer from the well-known limitations of TCP over long fat pipes. High-performance protocols like XCP require changes in the network. Other protocols like FastTCP assume nothing about the network but may not perform as well as network-aware protocols. In the first part of my thesis, we present Priority Layered Transport (PLT), a transport protocol that exploits the fact that networks can offer priority queuing, thus finding the sweet spot between assuming too much and too little about the network. Our protocol splits a given transport flow into two prioritized flows. The higher priority flow operates with the legacy congestion control while the lower priority flow aggressively exploits spare capacity in the network while not interfering with the other participating flows. We show through experiments that our protocol can produce near-perfect goodputs even in lossy networks and changing network conditions. The rising popularity of IPTV has triggered renewed interest in overlay multicast. Traditional tree-based solutions are known to be complex, fragile and non-robust to churn and heterogeneity in the end hosts' bandwidth capacities. We present Chunkyspread, an unstructured multicast protocol that uses multiple trees to provide fine-grained control over member load, reacts quickly to membership changes, scales well, and has low overhead. This thesis gives a detailed description of Chunkyspread and an apples-to-apples comparison with the state-of-the-art Splitstream multi-tree algorithm. We show that Chunkyspread exhibits far better control over transmit load than Splitstream, while showing comparable or better latency and responsiveness to churn. This comparison establishes Chunkyspread as the ‘best of breed’ among tree-based P2P multicast algorithms.
South American Foragers: A Case Study in Cultural Devolution1

Contemporary evolutionary typologies characterize band society largely on the basis of patrilocal residence and/or patrilineal descent patterns. The South American data challenge the adequacy and universal applicability of these models with a high incidence of matriliny and matrilocality and with forms of political integration that extend far beyond the local residential group. Furthermore, when viewed in a diachronic perspective, these hunters and gatherers have undergone a process of simplification from early contact to modern times. Contemporary band societies appear to represent degenerated structures formerly characterized by larger population concentrations, corporate unilineal descent groups, and heterogeneous political communities.
in defiance of destiny: the management of time and gender at a Cretan funeral

Greek laments for the dead have occupied a central place in studies of symbolic practice and gender relations. By examining a funeral in detailed context, we can see connections between the personal dilemmas of a young woman in mourning, the symbolic resources on which she draws, and her subsequent pursuit of prestige and emancipation. At the same time, the ambiguities of her performance warn against single-stranded interpretations and urge deeper exploration of the indeterminacy that it is so hard for ethnographic description to capture. [indeterminacy, symbolism, gender, lamenting, strategy, Crete, Greece]
Bayesian Inference on Changes in Response Densities Over Predictor Clusters

In epidemiology, it often is of interest to assess how individuals with different trajectories over time in an environmental exposure or biomarker differ with respect to a continuous response. For ease in interpretation and presentation of results, epidemiologists typically categorize predictors before analysis. To extend this approach to time-varying predictors, individuals can be clustered by their predictor trajectory, with the cluster index included as a predictor in a regression model for the response. This article develops a semiparametric Bayes approach that avoids assuming a prespecified number of clusters and allows the response to vary nonparametrically over predictor clusters. This methodology is motivated by interest in relating trajectories in weight gain during pregnancy to the distribution of birth weight adjusted for gestational age at delivery. In this setting, the proposed approach allows the tails of the birth weight density to vary flexibly over weight gain clusters.
Electric Shock Hazards of Fresh Water Swimming Pools

The study of electric shock hazards of fresh water swimming pools is based on six serious swimming accidents, of which, five were fatal; electrical tests using commercial pool lighting fixtures in five of the large university swimming pools at Berkeley, Calif.; and electric shock tests on dogs in a private pool.
Multi-criteria characterization of recent digital soil mapping and modeling approaches

article i nfo The history of digital soil mapping and modeling (DSMM) is marked by adoption of new mapping tools and techniques, data management systems, innovative delivery of soil data, and methods to analyze, integrate, and visualize soil and environmental datasets. DSMM studies are diverse with specialized, mathematical prototype models tested on limited geographic regions and/or datasets and simpler, operational DSMM used for routine mapping over large soil regions. Research-focused DSMM contrasts with need-driven DSMM and agency-operated soil surveys. Since there is no universal equation or digital soil prediction model that fits all regions and purposes the proposed strategy is to characterize recent DSMM approaches to provide recommendations for future needs at local, national and global scales. Such needs are not solely soil- centered, but consider broader issues such as land and water quality, carbon cycling and global climate change, sustainable land management, and more. A literature review was conducted to review 90 DSMM publications from two high-impact international soil science journals — Geoderma and Soil Science Society of America Journal. A selective approach was used to identify published studies that cover the multi-factorial DSMM space. The following criteria were used (i) soil properties, (ii) sampling setup, (iii) soil geographic region, (iv) spatial scale, (v) distribution of soil observations, (vi) incorporation of legacy/historic data, (vii) methods/model type, (viii) environmental covariates, (ix) quantitative and pedological knowledge, and (x) assessment method. Strengths and weaknesses of current DSMM, their potential to be operationalized in soil mapping/modeling programs, research gaps, and future trends are discussed. Modeling of soils in 3D space and through time will require synergistic strategies to converge environmental landscape data and denser soil datasets. There are needs for more sophisticated technologies to measure soil properties and processes at fine resolution and with accuracy. Although there are numerous quantitative models rooted in factorial models that predict soil properties with accuracy in select geographic regions they lack consistency in terms of environmental input data, soil properties, quantitative methods, and evaluation strategies. DSMM requires merging of quantitative, geographic and pedological expertise and all should be ideally in balance.
Variational Bayesian learning of ICA with missing data

Missing data are common in real-world data sets and are a problem for many estimation techniques. We have developed a variational Bayesian method to perform independent component analysis (ICA) on high-dimensional data containing missing entries. Missing data are handled naturally in the Bayesian framework by integrating the generative density model. Modeling the distributions of the independent sources with mixture of gaussians allows sources to be estimated with different kurtosis and skewness. Unlike the maximum likelihood approach, the variational Bayesian method automatically determines the dimensionality of the data and yields an accurate density model for the observed data without overfitting problems. The technique is also extended to the clusters of ICA and supervised classification framework.
Sediment Deposition in an Alaskan Fjord: Controls on the Formation and Preservation of Sedimentary Structures in Icy Bay

ABSTRACT The formation of sedimentary strata was examined within a temperate fjord, Icy Bay, Alaska. Radioisotopes (234Th, 210Pb) were used to develop a chronology of sediment deposition and accumulation from cores collected in August 1994 and July 1995. Sedimentary structures were described and attributed to specific sedimentologic, oceanographic, and glacial processes. Annual sedimentologic processes were summarized by examination of sedimentary structures seen in x-radiographs and by developing a monthly chronology using 234Th. During the months of May-July 1995, deposition of sediment varied from highly non-steady-state at ice-proximal stations to steady-state at a mid-fjord station. Deposition rates systematically decreased down fjord from > 0.3 cm d-1 to < 0.02 cm d-1. Laminated muds were forming daily in Icy Bay at upper-fjord stations, and bioturbated sediments dominated in the lower fjord. Diamicton beds, containing biogenic structures, were formed in Icy Bay during the winter, when sediment deposition rates were lower. Sediment profiles of 210Pb activity indicate a non-steady-state flux of particulate 210Pb to the seabed, precluding measurement of decadal-scale sediment accumulation rates using this isotope. The dynamic relationship between deposition rates, distance from the glacier terminus, and the production of sedimentary structures were explored by examining longer cores (kasten, piston) that contain the history of ice recession in Icy Bay over the past few decades. These cores display changes in strata formation resulting from progressive glacial retreat, as indicated by down-core increases in the percentage of core length represented by mud layers, laminated sediments, and the relative concentration of sand to silt.
A Robotic Neural Interface for Autonomous Positioning of Extracellular Recording Electrodes

In this paper we describe a set of algorithms and a novel miniature device that together can autonomously position electrodes in neural tissue to obtain high-quality extracellular recordings. This robotic system moves each electrode to detect the signals of individual neurons, optimize the signal quality of a target neuron, and then maintain this signal over time. Such neuronal signals provide the key inputs for emerging neuroprosthetic medical devices and serve as the foundation of basic neuroscientific and medical research. Experimental results from extensive use of the robotic electrodes in macaque parietal cortex are presented to validate the method and to quantify its effectiveness.
Competitive adsorption of plasma proteins on polysaccharide-modified silicon surfaces

Abstract : The initial response of blood exposed to an artificial surface is the adsorption of blood proteins that triggers a number of biological reactions such as inflammation and blood coagulation. Competitive protein adsorption plays a key role in the hemocompatibility of the surface. The synthesis of nonfouling surfaces is therefore one of the major prerequisites for devices for biomedical applications. Polysaccharides are the main components of the endothelial cell glycocalyx and have the ability to reduce nonspecific protein adsorption and cell adhesion and, therefore, are generally coupled with a wide variety of surfaces to improve their biocompatibility. We have developed a procedure for covalently binding dextran and sodium hyaluronate (HA) on silicon wafers and we have been able to achieve a high level of control over the surface properties of the coatings. In the present research effort we focus on a detailed investigation of competitive bovine serum albumin (BSA) and bovine fibrinogen (Fg) adsorption on dextran- and HA-modified silicon surfaces. Polysaccharide based biomimetic layers preferentially adsorb BSA and, in general, strongly suppress protein adsorption with respect to bare silicon and APTES-activated silicon surfaces used as control.
Theme keynote lecture

General anesthesia is a drug-induced, reversible condition comprised of five behavioral states: hypnosis (loss of consciousness), amnesia (loss of memory), analgesia (loss of pain sensation), akinesia (immobility), and hemodynamic stability with control of the stress response. The mechanisms by which anesthetic drugs induce the state of general anesthesia remain one of the biggest mysteries of modern medicine. We have been using three experimental paradigms to study general anesthesia-induced loss of consciousness in humans: combined fMRI/EEG recordings, highdensity EEG recordings and intracranial recordings. These studies are allowing us to establish precise neurophysiological, neuroanatomical and behavioral correlates of general anesthesia. We will discuss the relation between our findings and two other important altered states of arousal: sleep and coma. Our findings suggest that the state of general anesthesia is not as mysterious as currently believed.
Atmospheric volcanic loading derived from bipolar ice cores: Accounting for the spatial distribution of volcanic deposition

[1] Previous studies have used small numbers of ice core records of past volcanism to represent hemispheric or global radiative forcing from volcanic stratospheric aerosols. With the largest-ever assembly of volcanic ice core records and state-of-the-art climate model simulations of volcanic deposition, we now have a unique opportunity to investigate the effects of spatial variations on sulfate deposition and on estimates of atmospheric loading. We have combined 44 ice core records, 25 from the Arctic and 19 from Antarctica, and Goddard Institute for Space Studies ModelE simulations to study the spatial distribution of volcanic sulfate aerosols in the polar ice sheets. We extracted volcanic deposition signals by applying a high-pass loess filter to the time series and examining peaks that exceed twice the 31-year running median absolute deviation. Our results suggest that the distribution of volcanic sulfate aerosol follows the general precipitation pattern in both regions, indicating the important role precipitation has played in affecting the deposition pattern of volcanic aerosols. We found a similar distribution pattern for sulfate aerosols from the 1783–1784 Laki and 1815 Tambora eruptions, as well as for the total b activity after the 1952–1954 low-latitude Northern Hemisphere and 1961–1962 high-latitude Northern Hemisphere atmospheric nuclear weapon tests. This confirms the previous assumption that the transport and deposition of nuclear bomb test debris resemble those of volcanic aerosols. We compare three techniques for estimating stratospheric aerosol loading from ice core data: radioactive deposition from nuclear bomb tests, Pinatubo sulfate deposition in eight Antarctic ice cores, and climate model simulations of volcanic sulfate transport and deposition following the 1783 Laki, 1815 Tambora, 1912 Katmai, and 1991 Pinatubo eruptions. By applying the above calibration factors to the 44 ice core records, we have estimated the stratospheric sulfate aerosol loadings for the largest volcanic eruptions during the last millennium. These loadings agree fairly well with estimates based on radiation, petrology, and model simulations. We also estimate the relative magnitude of sulfate deposition compared with the mean for Greenland and Antarctica for each ice core record, which provides a guideline to evaluate the stratospheric volcanic sulfate aerosol loading calculated from a single or a few ice core records.
THE ALZHEIMER'S AMYLOID β–PEPTIDE (Aβ) BINDS A SPECIFIC DNA Aβ–INTERACTING DOMAIN (AβID) IN THE APP, BACE1, AND APOE PROMOTERS IN A SEQUENCE–SPECIFIC MANNER: CHARACTERIZING A NEW REGULATORY MOTIF

Deposition of extracellular plaques, primarily consisting of amyloid β peptide (Aβ), in the brain is the confirmatory diagnostic of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the physiological and pathological role of Aβ is not fully understood. Herein, we demonstrate novel Aβ activity as a putative transcription factor upon AD-associated genes. We used oligomers from 5'-flanking regions of the apolipoprotein E (APOE), Aβ-precursor protein (APP) and β-amyloid site cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) genes for electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) with different fragments of the Aβ peptide. Our results suggest that Aβ bound to an Aβ-interacting domain (AβID) with a consensus of "KGGRKTGGGG". This peptide-DNA interaction was sequence specific, and mutation of the first "G" of the decamer's terminal "GGGG" eliminated peptide-DNA interaction. Furthermore, the cytotoxic Aβ25-35 fragment had greatest DNA affinity. Such specificity of binding suggests that the AβID is worth of further investigation as a site wherein the Aβ peptide may act as a transcription factor.
Communication About HIV and Risk Behaviors Among Mothers Living With HIV and Their Early Adolescent Children

Little is known about how mothers living with HIV communicate to their children about HIV risk. The current study explored communication between mothers and children about prevention and risk behaviors, the impact of maternal HIV infection and child knowledge of HIV, and concordance in reports from mothers and their children. The sample comprised 220 mothers and their early adolescent children (10-14 years old) who resided in socioeconomically disadvantaged, urban neighborhoods. Mothers living with HIV were more likely to report discussing HIV and had more frequent related discussions compared to those mothers not living with HIV. Overall, children with mothers living with HIV reported greater comfort discussing sex- and drug-related topics than did those with noninfected mothers. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for family-based HIV prevention programs.
Religion, weight perception, and weight control behavior

Religion's relationships with weight perception and weight control behavior were examined using data (3032 adults aged 25–74) from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States. Religion was conceptualized as denomination, religious attendance/practice, religious social support, religious commitment, religious application, and religious identity. Weight perception was conceptualized as underestimating body weight, overestimating body weight, and accurately assessing body weight. Respondents also reported whether they hadengaged in any intentional weight loss (yes/no) in the last 12months. Logistic regression was used, with significant results being set at a p-values of b.01 and b.05. Accurately assessing body weight was the reference categoryforallweightperceptionanalyses.Womenwithgreaterreligiouscommitmentandmenwithgreaterreligiousapplicationhad greater odds of underestimating their body weight. This relationship remained significant, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, education, and income. Jewish women had greater odds of overestimating their body weight. There were no relationships between religion and weight control behavior. Relationships between religion, weight perception, and weight control behavior illustrate religion's multidimensionality.
The Impact of Trmm Data on Mesoscale Numerical Simulation of Super Typhoon Paka

This paper assesses the impact of TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) derived surface rainfall data on the numerical simulation of Super Typhoon Paka (1997). A series of mesoscale numerical simulations is conducted for simulating Super Typhoon Paka during its mature stage by using the Penn State/NCAR MM5 model with initial conditions derived from the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) global analyses with and without assimilation of the TMI surface rainfall data. Simulation results clearly demonstrate that the GEOS analysis with TMI rainfall data leads to a improved MM5 simulation of Typhoon Paka in terms of its intensity and kinematical and precipitation structures, since inclusion of the rainfall data into initial and boundary condition improves the storm environmental conditions (e.g., moisture and circulation). Further improvement can also be obtained by incorporating TMI data with mesoscale bogus vortex information into the initial conditions.
Prasugrel versus Clopidogrel Antiplatelet Therapy after Acute Coronary Syndrome

Antithrombotic therapy is imperative in the management of patients presenting with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The combination of antiplatelet therapy in conjunction with antithrombotic therapy has become the standard of care in improving the morbidity and mortality of patients with an ACS and in reducing ischemic complications of percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with an ACS are at increased risk for a recurrent event, both in-hospital and for several months afterward. Secondary prevention to reduce these events is accomplished through the establishment of appropriate medical therapy. Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and adenosine 5′-diphosphate P2Y12 receptor blockers such as ticlopidine or clopidogrel are integral components of this regimen; however, both of these thienopyridines have a relatively slow onset of action and variable bioavailability. Prasugrel, a third-generation thienopyridine approved by the US FDA in 2009, has a more rapid onset of platelet inhibition than clopidogrel and ticlopidine because of increased efficiency of prodrug-to-active metabolite conversion. The result is higher and less variable concentration of the active metabolite within 60 minutes following oral dosing. Phase II and III trials assessing the safety and efficacy of prasugrel have been completed, including JUMBO-TIMI 26, PRINCIPLE-TIMI 44, and TRITON-TIMI 38. These trials demonstrated greater inhibition of platelet aggregation and lower rates of the composite endpoint of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and stroke compared with clopidogrel. However, major bleeding occurred more frequently with prasugrel treatment than with clopidogrel. This review highlights the current state of evidence-based antiplatelet therapy and provides guidance on appropriate use of prasugrel in cardiovascular medicine.
Vitamin D in Cystic Fibrosis

Abstract Vitamin D deficiency is a major concern for general health in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population. Deficiency occurs primarily due to malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins, inadequate intake, and low sun exposure. Vitamin D can be found in fortified foods or naturally from fatty fish and mushrooms or synthesized by the skin upon sunlight exposure. In people with CF, vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk for bone fractures, increased inflammation, insulin resistance, and reduced immunity, primarily in the form of lung infections. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation recommends that all people with CF have serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels checked each year and take a vitamin D 3, cholecalciferol supplement that will maintain serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) above 30 ng/mL. The purpose of this chapter is to further awareness of the magnitude of vitamin D deficiency in the CF community and to review recommended vitamin D screening and treatment guidelines.
Chemotherapy Use in the Months Before Death and Estimated Costs of Care in the Last Week of Life

Abstract Context Considerable attention has been paid to the disproportionately high costs of care for patients nearing death, yet little is known about the costs associated with chemotherapy use among end-stage cancer patients. Objectives To compare costs of care other than chemotherapy in the last week of life based on whether cancer patients were using chemotherapy in the months just before death. Methods A total of 311 patients with advanced cancer who died between 2002 and 2008 were studied. Data included medical records, patient baseline surveys (median four months before death), and postmortem interviews of caregivers and clinicians. Costs of care were estimated based on reports of death site and services other than chemotherapy received in the week before death (e.g., resuscitation). We tested whether end-of-life (EOL) care preferences, do-not-resuscitate order completion, or EOL discussions accounted for relationships between chemotherapy use and estimated care costs. Results Half (50.5%) of patients were receiving chemotherapy at baseline. Estimated EOL care costs for patients with baseline chemotherapy use (median = $2681) were significantly higher than for patients without baseline chemotherapy use (median = $1092) ( P = 0.003). This relationship persisted after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in a generalized linear model (mean incremental cost = $2681, 95% confidence interval $611–$4751, P = 0.01). None of the psychosocial variables accounted for the relationship between chemotherapy use and estimated care costs. Conclusion Chemotherapy for end-stage cancer patients is associated with higher estimated EOL care costs. Given evidence of limited benefit and potential harm of chemotherapy for end-stage cancer patients, the cost-effectiveness of such care is questioned and further study warranted.
Stenting of the left pulmonary artery after palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome

Background Left pulmonary artery stenosis and hypoplasia is a well-recognized complication following surgical palliation of hypoplastic left heart syndrome. These lesions produce increased after load in a circulation in series so need to be effectively treated. Methods Between 2000 and 2011, 86 patients after surgical palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome had left pulmonary artery stents implanted. Median age at implantation was 4.7(1.3–15.2) years and median weight was 16.4(9.3–55.2) kg. Uncovered peripheral vascular stents were implanted (median diameter 10(8–15) mm). This is a retrospective review of the incidence of in-stent restenosis over the medium to long term. Results During primary stenting procedures, there were 2/88(2.3%) major complications of stent migration with no stroke or mortality. Follow-up was for a median period of 4.1(0.5–13.4) years. Follow-up catheter procedures were performed after a median time of 2.3(0.02–9.6) years in 59 patients (68.6%). 55/59(93.2%) had at most mild restenosis (≤10% loss of stent lumen) and 47/59(79.6%) had no evidence of any restenosis at all caused by neointimal in-growth. Freedom from reintervention was 77% at 5 years including stent dilation to compensate for somatic growth. Freedom from reintervention for restenosis was 93% at 5 years. Restenosis was successfully treated with standard balloon angioplasty or restenting. There was only 1/94 (1.1%) major complication in the follow-up catheterizations of stent embolization with successful transcatheter retrieval. Conclusions Stenting of the left pulmonary artery after Norwood/Fontan palliation is safe and effective. Stents can be redilated to match somatic growth. The incidence of neointimal proliferation is extremely low and can be addressed by balloon dilation or stent implantation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding Afghanistan's Recent Economic Development: A Comparative Analysis with Pakistan

Afghanistan’s economic problems are often assumed to stem solely from the internal warfare that began in 1978. Is this assumption correct? I consider this question by comparing Afghanistan from 1961 to 2006 with Pakistan (a neighboring country with a similarly low level of development in the early 1960s) in three statistics: agricultural output growth, agricultural labor productivity growth and agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) growth. I find Afghanistan fell behind Pakistan in all three before 1978 providing evidence that conflict is not the only explanation. This paper is the first to calculate Afghanistan’s agricultural labor productivity and agricultural TFP.
Design and Characteristics of the Micro-Hydrokinetic Turbine System

Small, hydrokinetic systems generating between 0.5 and 10 kW of power allow for the potential of portable power generation. An optimized propeller turbine approximately 0.6826 m in diameter and a diffuser with an area ratio of 1.31 were used to produce a prototype for preliminary testing. The optimized diffuser augmented hydrokinetic turbine was investigated numerically to predict power and thrust curves for comparison during experimental testing. A gear box with a 10:1 gear ratio was selected for converting torque to angular velocity. A DC permanent magnet generator was selected for mechanical-electrical power conversion. At the ideal generator operating conditions consisting of a shaft rotation rate of 1150 RPM, a voltage of 48 V, and current of approximately 8 A, 375 W of power may be generated at a river flow speed of 1.5 m/s. Numerical predictions coupled with component efficiencies yield a system efficiency of approximately 0.61 before DC/DC conversion and 0.52 after DC/DC conversion.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Supporting evidence for a 9.6 ± 1 ka rock fall originating from glacier point in yosemite valley, California

Large boulders exceeding 10 m3 in exposed volume are widely scattered throughout Upper Pines Campground in eastern Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California. These enigmatic boulders rest up to 330 m from the base of adjacent talus slopes but lack geomorphic expressions typical of other large rock fall, debris flow, or glacial deposits in Yosemite. We evaluated four hypotheses for boulder deposition: (1) glacial deposition during ice retreat 15–17 ka, (2) fluvial deposition during a high-discharge flood event, (3) debris flow deposition, and (4) rock fall deposition. We utilized field mapping, spatial analysis, cosmogenic 10Be exposure dating, and X-ray fluorescence analysis to investigate possible modes of deposition. A mean boulder exposure age of 9.6 ± 1 ka considerably post-dates glacial retreat from Yosemite Valley, effectively ruling out glacial deposition. Discharge and bed stress calculations indicate that although flooding could have been capable of entraining boulders at confined upstream locations, it is unlikely to have transported boulders as far as the Upper Pines area. Slope comparisons and evaluation of surface morphology of debris flow fans in Yosemite Valley suggest that the boulders did not result from debris flows. Geochemical results identify a majority of boulders in Upper Pines as granodiorite of Glacier Point, corresponding to bedrock samples located at the summit of Glacier Point. We interpret boulders in Upper Pines Campground to result from a single large rock fall event originating from the east face of Glacier Point circa 9.6 ± 1 ka; they were subsequently partially buried by alluvial fan aggradation, modifying the original geomorphic expression.
Predation by the Leech Helobdella nepheloidea on Larvae of Tendipes plumosus (Diptera: Tendipedidae)

It has been established that the leech Helobdella stagnalis (L.) feeds extensively on the larvae of Tendipes plumosus (L.) (Hilsenhoff 1963). Another leech, Helobdella nepheloidea (Graf), occurs abundantly in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, and has been observed attached to larvae of T. plumosus. Tests were carried out to determine if this leech also feeds on the larvae.
Repelling mechanism of mosquitoes repellent

A review about the research of repelling mechanism is presented.Two mainstream hypotheses possible repelling mechanisms have been proposed:repellent interferes with the mosquitoes olfactory system to block the recognition of the host odor,therefore,mosquitoes can't detect the existance of the host;or mosquitoes evade host after its olfactory neuron is activated by repellent.Some research relating repellent in the author's laboratory was introduced as well,especially the investigation on repelling mechanism from the perspective of association between repellent and attractant.
Depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores activates a Ca(2+)-selective channel in vascular endothelium

The present study was designed to identify the channel responsible for Ca2+ influx after depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. Different maneuvers that deplete intracellular Ca2+ stores activated a Ca(2+)-selective channel. Superfusion of single bovine aortic endothelial cells with 50 nmol/l bradykinin, 10 mumol/l ATP, or 10 mumol/l 2,5-di(tert-butyl)-1,4-benzohydroquinone produced activation of channels of the same amplitude in cell-attached patches. Channel activity declined within the first minute after patch excision. The channel showed strong inward rectification and a reversal potential of 0 mV in symmetrical sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solution. Under these conditions, the conductance was 5 pS in the inward direction. Addition of 10 mmol/l Ca2+ to the extracellular solution shifted the reversal potential to +30 +/- 5 mV, and the conductance for inward current was 11 pS. The reversal potential was used to calculate an ion permeability ratio of Ca2+/Na+ > 10:1.
Studies on prolonged acute regional ischemia: I. Evidence for preserved cellular viability after 6 hours of coronary occlusion

Six hours of coronary occlusion has been thought to produce extensive and irreversible transmural damage and no possibility of salvage by reperfusion. This has been based on findings of adenosine triphosphate depletion and histochemical (triphenyltetrazolium chloride nonstaining) and ultrastructural changes (conventional preparatory techniques). This study tests the hypothesis that, in contrast to conventional wisdom, considerable structural and mitochondrial functional integrity remains in cardiac muscle subjected to 6 hours of regional ischemia. Twenty open-chest anesthetized dogs underwent isolation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and were observed for 6 hours. Eight of the 20 did not undergo ischemia and served as controls. Twelve underwent 6 hours of proximal ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (30% ±2% area at risk). Transmural biopsy specimens were analyzed. Coronary occlusion reduced regional blood flow (radioactive microspheres) to less than 10 ml/100 gm/min (p
Evolution of mutualism between species

Recent theoretical work on mutualism, the interaction between species populations that is mutually beneficial, is reviewed. Several ecological facts that should be addressed in the construction of dynamic models for mutualism are examined. Basic terminology is clarified. (PSB)
Serotonin and Norepinephrine Activity in Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa: Relationship to Nutrition, Feeding, and Mood

Anorexia and bulimia nervosa (DSM-III-R, 1987) are disorders of unknown etiology which are characterized by alterations of appetitive behavior and distortions of body image. Eating disorder patients have dysphoric mood (Hudson et al., 1983a) and various forms of hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction.