cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reported Attitudes and Beliefs toward Soy Food Consumption of Soy Consumers versus Nonconsumers in Natural Foods or Mainstream Grocery Stores

Abstract Objective To examine the attitudes and beliefs of soy foods consumers (SCs) versus nonconsumers (NCs). Design Seven focus groups were conducted. Setting Mainstream or natural foods grocery stores. Participants Fifty-three participants, ages 18 to 91 years. Variables Measured Focus groups included discussions on lifestyle practices, beliefs about soy, conversion to soy consumption, and suggestions on how to increase soy consumption. Analysis Common themes were identified, coded, and compared using NVivo computer software. Results Barriers to soy consumption included soy's image, a lack of familiarity with how to prepare soy foods, and a perception that soy foods were an inadequate flavor substitute for animal-based products. SCs' conversion to regular consumption was initiated by food intolerances, an increased interest in health, or an adoption of a vegetarian or natural foods lifestyle and was sustained because they enjoyed the flavor. Many participants did not know why soy was considered healthful, whereas others identified it as “heart healthy,” a source of protein, and good for women's health. Some SCs had become concerned regarding the controversy surrounding breast cancer and soy consumption. Conclusions and Implications Improving soy's image and educating consumers on its preparation could increase soy consumption.
The effect of ghrelin on water intake during dipsogenic conditions

Abstract Ghrelin has been studied extensively in the context of food intake and energy homeostasis, but less is known about its role in other ingestive behaviors. The present studies investigated the effects of this orexigenic peptide on both food and water intake during dipsogenic conditions. Specifically, animals were exposed to one of five dipsetic stimuli: (1) 24-h water deprivation, (2) replacement of drinking water with 2.5% NaCl, (3) peripheral administration of hypertonic saline, (4) ICV injection of angiotensin II (AngII), or (5) the combination of peripheral hypertonic saline and central AngII. Animals then were given an ICV injection of ghrelin (0.5 µg) or vehicle, and subsequent food and water intakes were measured. Ghrelin reliably increased food intake under each stimulus condition. Ghrelin also affected water intake, but with less consistency across the conditions. Specifically, ghrelin attenuated water intake stimulated by acute injection of AngII or hypertonic saline, but failed to affect drinking in the other three stimulus conditions. Investigation of the temporal pattern of food and water intakes in three of these dipsogenic conditions failed to support a role of different intake patterns in the observed differences in water intake by ghrelin-treated rats. Although the effect of ghrelin on water intake was not present in every dipsogenic condition, these data provide evidence that the actions of ghrelin are not limited to food intake, but can also include alterations in water intake.
High-frequency dielectric relaxation of spherical colloidal particles

The high-frequency limit of the conductivity and dielectric constant increment spectra for dilute suspensions of spherical colloidal particles is obtained from numerical solutions of the standard electrokinetic model. Our numerical method allows frequencies beyond 1 GHz to be reached, allowing Maxwell–Wagner relaxation to be observed. Contrary to previous thinking, the conductivity increment passes through a maximum as the momentum diffusion length becomes comparable to and then smaller than the double-layer thickness. Therefore, at sufficiently high frequencies, fluid inertia within the double layer causes the phase of the double-layer relaxation to further lag the applied electric field. As expected from elementary scaling, these ‘exact’ calculations show that a maximum in the conductivity increment can be observed with an aqueous electrolyte at a frequency of 10 MHz when the double-layer thickness is ca. 300 nm. With thinner double layers, inertial effects become important inside the double layer at even higher frequencies.
Clostridium perfringens POPULATION DYNAMICS DURING CONSTANT AND RISING TEMPERATURES IN BEEF

The population dynamics of C. perfringens organisms in autoclaved ground beef heated at 16 constant- or rising-temperature conditions has been mathematically modeled. The basic model is a rate equation determined from the 16 experimental conditions. The specific reaction rate is based on an effective temperature rather than the instantaneous environmental temperature. The effective temperature for both growth and death was found to be a time average of the previous environmental temperatures. The concentration term includes both an initial lag and a maximum population concentration for continued growth as reported by Kono (1968). Between these limits and after the effective temperature is above the death initiation temperature, the equation is first-order in concentration. The model has been verified by experimental data taken both from constant-temperature growth conditions and from rising-temperature growth and death conditions.
Spatiotemporal variability in stream chemistry in a high-elevation catchment affected by mine drainage

Abstract This study examined solute dynamics on both spatial and temporal (seasonal, 24 h) scales in a high-elevation stream affected by drainage from abandoned metal mines. Peru Creek is located along the Continental Divide in the US Rocky Mountains, and the hydrologic cycle is dominated by melting of snow. Spatially, tributary inflows produced order-of-magnitude concentration changes along Peru Creek; these were due to dilution and concentration, and also to precipitation of solids. Seasonally, the concentration of most solutes increased as snowmelt diminished. Concentrations of Al, Fe, Cu and Zn, at times affected by instream processes, increased the most, by factors of 2.1–12.8. Ca, Mg, and SO 4 2− , which approximated conservative behavior, increased by factors of 1.7–2.2. Si, Na and K, which were unaffected by mine drainage, increased less, by factors of 1.1–1.6. Concentrations of NO 3 − decreased slightly during the snowmelt season. Hydrologic, photochemical and biological processes were active on the 24 h timescale and produced daily concentration variations of up to 40%. Accurate predictions of solute concentrations, which rely on knowledge of processes that produce natural cycling, are crucial in developing models of toxicity and pollutant loading.
Effects of potassium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate on rumen function in lactating Holstein cows.

Abstract Twelve multiparous lactating Holstein cows were used to compare effects of 1) no buffer, 2) 1.5% sodium bicarbonate, 3) 1.25% potassium carbonate, or 4) 1.85% potassium carbonate in total diet on rumen environment and liquid turnover, dry matter intake and digestibility, milk yield and composition, and blood acid-base balance. Cows fed buffered diets had greater dry matter intake and greater digestibility of dry matter, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber than controls. Rumen pH was higher in cows fed buffers than in controls 2 to 4h postfeeding, but buffered diets were not different. Rumen volume, osmolality, and liquid turnover were unaffected by dietary treatment. Molar percentage of rumen acetate was greater, propionate was less, and acetate:propionate ratio was greater in cows fed 1.85% potassium carbonate compared with other treatments. There were no treatment effects on milk yield, although milk fat percentage tended to be greater in buffered diets. Blood acid-base balance was not altered. Cows fed diets containing potassium carbonate performed similarly to those fed sodium bicarbonate. No adverse effects of potassium carbonate on rumen function or environment were observed. Potassium carbonate is an acceptable buffer and serves as a potassium supplement.
Recent progress on DNA based walkers

DNA based synthetic molecular walkers are reminiscent of biological protein motors. They are powered by hybridization with fuel strands, environment induced conformational transitions, and covalent chemistry of oligonucleotides. Recent developments in experimental techniques enable direct observation of individual walkers with high temporal and spatial resolution. The functionalities of state-of-the-art DNA walker systems can thus be analyzed for various applications. Herein we review recent progress on DNA walker principles and characterization methods, and evaluate various aspects of their functions for future applications.
Positive and negative regulators for glucitol (gut) operon expression in Escherichia coli

Expression of the glucitol (gut) operon in Escherichia coli is regulated by an unusual, complex system which consists of an activator (encoded by the gutM gene) and a repressor (encoded by the gutR gene) in addition to the cAMP-CRP complex (CRP, cAMP receptor protein). The activator and repressor are predicted to possess 119 (Mr = 12,955) and 257 (Mr = 28,240) aminoacyl residues, respectively, as deduced from the nucleotide sequences of their structural genes. Both of the genes encoding the two regulators are located downstream from the other known gut structural genes. Reverse transcriptase mapping revealed that the gutM gene is a promoter-distal constituent of the gut operon. The gutR gene has its own promoter, but expression of this gene is primarily due to readthrough from the gut operon operator-promoter. Thus, the gut operon consists of at least five structural genes and has the following gene order: gutOPABDMR. Interestingly, synthesis of the mRNA, which initiates at the promoter specific to the gutR gene, occurs within the gutM gene. Expressional control of the gut operon appears to occur as a consequence of the antagonistic action of the products of the autogenously regulated gutM and gutR genes. An additional cistron of the gut operon, of unknown function, may follow the gutR gene.
The role of neoadjuvant hormonal manipulation in localized prostatic cancer

Background. Although hormonal manipulation is standard therapy for patients with metastatic prostatic cancer, its use in localized disease in combination with surgical extirpation of the gland has not been investigated thoroughly and systematically. Methods. The authors report their initial pilot studies using preoperative neoad2j1uvant endocrine therapy. Results. Although marked reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels occurred in all patients, the PSA level after endocrine manipulation did not predict the pathologic stage
Effects of Test Preparation on the Validity of a of a Graduate Admissions Test

Test score improvement has been the major concern in nearly all the extant studies of special preparation, or "coaching," for tests. Recently, however, logical analyses of the possible outcomes and...
IMPORTANCE OF ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH SEMINOMA

Abstract Since one third of the patients who die of seminoma have unsuspected nonseminomatous metastases, testicular histology alone does not establish the diagnosis of “pure seminoma.” The serum protein markers alpha fetoprotein and the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin are rarely, if ever, elevated in pure seminoma. An illustrative case is reported in which an elevated alpha fetoprotein led to the diagnosis of unsuspected yolk sac tumor in a patient with seminoma. Persistent elevation of alpha fetoprotein in a patient with seminoma is an indication of nonseminomatous disease and should be managed accordingly.
Carbon gasification by group VIII metal catalysts

A mathematical model for the steam gasification of carbon using group VIII transition metal catalysts has been developed. The reaction mechanism is assumed to involve the dissolution of carbon into the metal catalyst at the front half of the spherical particle followed by diffusion of carbon through the particle and finally reaction on the surface of the rear half of the particle. A material balance on the carbon within the catalyst is then written both for the steady-state and unsteady reaction. The steady-state model reproduces the experimentally observed dependence of the rate of reaction upon particle size as well as a change in the apparent activation energy of the reaction. The model suggests that the change in apparent activation energy occurs as the rate-determining step changes from diffusion of carbon through the particle (at low temperature) to surface reaction rate. The unsteady model can qualitatively and quantitatively show the experimentally observed deactivation of the catalyst, but it does not have complete predictive capability because there are too many unknown physical constants.
Astrocyte-specific Expression of the α1-Antichymotrypsin and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Genes Requires Activator Protein-1

An amyloid-associated serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin), alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin (ACT), is encoded by a gene located within the distal serpin subcluster on human chromosome 14q32.1. The expression of these distal serpin genes is determined by tissue-specific chromatin structures that allow their ubiquitous expression in hepatocytes; however, their expression is limited to a single ACT gene in astrocytes. In astrocytes and glioma cells, six specific DNase I-hypersensitive sites (DHSs) were found located exclusively in the 5'-flanking region of the ACT gene. We identified two enhancers that mapped to the two DHSs at -13 kb and -11.5 kb which contain activator protein-1 (AP-1) binding sites, both of which are critical for basal astrocyte-specific expression of ACT reporters. In vivo, these elements are occupied by c-jun homodimers in unstimulated cells and c-jun/c-fos heterodimers in interleukin-1-treated cells. Moreover, functional c-jun is required for the expression of ACT in glioma cells because both transient and stable inducible overexpression of dominant-negative c-jun(TAM67) specifically abrogates basal and reduces cytokine-induced expression of ACT. Expression-associated methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 was also lost in these cells, but the DHS distribution pattern and global histone acetylation were not changed upstream of the ACT locus. Interestingly, functional AP-1 is also indispensable for the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), which is an astrocyte-specific marker. We propose that AP-1 is a key transcription factor that, in part, controls astrocyte-specific expression of genes including the ACT and GFAP genes.
Control of atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in patients with severe congestive heart failure.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is marked by activation of multiple hormone systems that increase peripheral vasoconstriction and produce sodium and water retention. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels are frequently elevated in patients with severe CHF and may act to counterbalance these hormonal actions. To determine whether CHF patients maintain a physiological response to the presumed major stimulus to ANP secretion, atrial stretch, 22 CHF patients and 8 normal volunteers were studied. Atrial distention was produced in 10 CHF patients with a mannitol infusion and in 12 with lower body positive pressure. Eight normal volunteers also underwent a mannitol infusion. Both stimuli provoked increases in plasma ANP levels in the CHF patients, and the relative increase in plasma ANP after mannitol was similar in the CHF patients and the normal volunteers. We conclude that ANP secretion responds to atrial stretch in CHF patients, suggesting maintenance of the physiological release of this peptide.
How the Bush and Gore Campaigns Conceptualized and Used the Internet in 2000

Abstract Political scientists and campaign professionals have been intrigued by the potential of the Internet as a tool for accessing and conveying political information since the mass marketing of the first Web browser in 1993. Optimists have pointed to the possibility for more expansive participation and more substantive, in-depth issue discussions. Pessimists have countered that universal access to the Internet is still years down the road, pointing out there is little reason to believe campaigns will use the Internet either to spice up or to elevate the national political conversation. Such long-term assessments are premature, but we can offer preliminary assessments of how candidates conceptualize and use the Internet. Relying on surveys of online registered voters and interviews with campaign operatives and Webmasters, I examine how the online electorate was perceived and approached by the Bush and Gore campaigns in 2000.1 find that (1) voters were unlikely to seek political information from candida...
Studies on hormonal control of serum lipid partition in man.

CONSIDERABLE information is available concerning the hormonal control of carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The role of the pancreas, the thyroid, the anterior pituitary and the adrenal cortex in carbohydrate metabolism is well established by animal experiments and clinical experience. Similarly, the function of these endocrine organs, as well as of the gonads (particularly the testes), in controlling the metabolism of protein is well known. In contrast, our knowledge of the hormonal control of lipid metabolism is limited, although experimental and clinical observations indicate that such a mechanism exists. It is established, for example, that hypothyroidism as well as hyperthyroidism alter lipid metabolism, especially the cholesterol content of the serum (1). Crude extracts of the anterior pituitary produce an increase in the lipid content of the liver and provoke ketonuria (2). Following pancreatectomy increased mobilization of fat occurs with an elevation of serum lipids and production of ketone bod...
Quantitative properties of slowly adapting mechanoreceptors in alligator skin.

Abstract Slowly adapting mechanoreceptors in crocodilian skin were studied for their responses to known amounts of skin displacements. The average frequency of firing and rate of adaptation were related to the amount of displacement by power functions. Subtraction of rate of adaptation from average interspike interval gave new curves of coefficient one. Thus, crocodilian slowly adapting mechanoreceptors display linear functions and nonlinearity is introduced by adaptation. The effects of rate of stimulation on the response of slowly adapting mechanoreceptors were studied in some detail. Increasing the rate of stimulation produced facilitation which was attributed to improved mechanical coupling between stimulus and receptor. At lower displacements where adaptation was not seen, this facilitation produced an increase in average frequency of firing. At higher displacements this facilitation produced an increase in the rate of adaptation which resulted in a decrease in the average frequency of firing. These results indicate that adaptation is probably due to accommodation at the receptor level.
THE UTILITY OF BENZYL SODIUM AS A REAGENT IN ALCOHOL SYNTHESIS

(1975). THE UTILITY OF BENZYL SODIUM AS A REAGENT IN ALCOHOL SYNTHESIS. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 7, No. 6, pp. 277-282.
Relationship of perceptual characteristics to efficacy of placebos.

The placebo was acknowledged as a potent agent associated with a myriad of psychological, therapeutic, and behavioral effects. Given the widespread use and efficacy of placebos, major needs relative to more accurate conceptualization, appreciation, and effective use of properties were discussed. Emphasis was placed on considerations of the placebo as a complex stimulus. The physical and perceptual characteristics of placebos were reviewed in regard to efficacy, with specific attention to route of administration, preparation form, size and dose, color, taste, and interpretation of ‘pharmacological’ agentry. Conclusions were directed to facilitating optimal effectiveness of a placebo. Directions for further research were suggested, and failure to consider the differential stimuli of placebos was viewed as contributing to the potential unwitting confounding in studies.
Stress, Coping, and Success among Graduate Students in Clinical Psychology:

Research has indicated that coping styles and social support are moderating variables in the relationship between stress and distress. Few studies, however, have examined the relationship between these variables and the relative health and success of graduate students in clinical psychology. We administered measures of stress, psychological health, social support, and coping styles to 53 doctoral students in clinical psychology. Current grade point averages were used as a measure of academic success. We hypothesized that more successful students would likely be healthier and report less stress, more social support, and utilization of more positive and less negative coping styles. Results generally supported the hypothesis. Unexpected findings were that more successful students were likely to be women and to report increased use of focus on and venting of emotion as a coping style, increased utilization of medical care, and increased stress regarding scholastic coursework.
A comprehensive time-course-based multicohort analysis of sepsis and sterile inflammation reveals a robust diagnostic gene set

Although several dozen studies of gene expression in sepsis have been published, distinguishing sepsis from a sterile systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is still largely up to clinical suspicion. We hypothesized that a multicohort analysis of the publicly available sepsis gene expression data sets would yield a robust set of genes for distinguishing patients with sepsis from patients with sterile inflammation. A comprehensive search for gene expression data sets in sepsis identified 27 data sets matching our inclusion criteria. Five data sets (n = 663 samples) compared patients with sterile inflammation (SIRS/trauma) to time-matched patients with infections. We applied our multicohort analysis framework that uses both effect sizes and P values in a leave-one-data set-out fashion to these data sets. We identified 11 genes that were differentially expressed (false discovery rate ≤1%, inter–data set heterogeneity P > 0.01, summary effect size >1.5-fold) across all discovery cohorts with excellent diagnostic power [mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), 0.87; range, 0.7 to 0.98]. We then validated these 11 genes in 15 independent cohorts comparing (i) time-matched infected versus noninfected trauma patients (4 cohorts), (ii) ICU/trauma patients with infections over the clinical time course (3 cohorts), and (iii) healthy subjects versus sepsis patients (8 cohorts). In the discovery Glue Grant cohort, SIRS plus the 11-gene set improved prediction of infection (compared to SIRS alone) with a continuous net reclassification index of 0.90. Overall, multicohort analysis of time-matched cohorts yielded 11 genes that robustly distinguish sterile inflammation from infectious inflammation.
Alpha blocking "conditioning", sensitization and interstimulus interval.

5 groups of Ss trained with ISIs of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 sec. were used in a study of trace alpha blocking “conditioning.” CS was a 0.5-sec. tone, and US was a single light flash. 20 female college students showing at least 50%-time alpha rhythm in their resting EEGs served as Ss. Alpha blocking Rs were defined as a 25% reduction in alpha amplitude during the 0.5 sec. of the CS (initial R) and the 0.5 sec. immediately preceding the US (trace R), as compared to the 0.5 sec. immediately preceding the CS. Analysis of variance of the Rs showed no effect from ISI, a highly significant response effect, with trace Rs more numerous than initial Rs, a highly significant trials effect, and a significant response × trials interaction. Trend analysis of the trials and the interaction confirmed and extended these results by showing significant over-all linear, cubic and quintic components. Initial Rs consistently decrease (habituation), while trace Rs showed significant decreases and increases. Initial Rs were attribut...
Methods for the assessment of abuse liability of psychomotor stimulants and anorectic agents in humans

Although stimulant drugs have been available and abused for centuries, it isonly recently that procedures for evaluating their liability for abuse have been developed. This methodological development relies on several converging assessment procedures, combining to reveal the resultant profile of effects. The first of these, drug self-administration, is based on the principle that those drugs which can serve as reinforcers, maintaining behavior leading to their delivery, have a high liability for abuse
The Bilateral Response of the Temporal Muscle in the Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) to Short-Term Detachment of the Muscle and Increased Loading of the Mandible:

The electromyographic background activity of the temporal muscle was observed after short-term detachment of the muscle and with increased loads on the mandible. Detachment of the muscle increased its mean spike discharge within the first 24 days but without significant changes in the spectral components. Loading the mandible decreased both the spike discharge and spectral components.
Distributed admission control via dual-queue management

This paper introduces and studies a new queue management framework via the use of connection level information already embedded in existing data traffic. Our goal is to improve the system performance and resource utilization at times of intense network congestion. Under this framework, data packets and connection establishment packets are queued separately. Different queueing and dropping policies can then be applied to them, thus the term dual-queue management. This framework is stateless and does not require per-flow queueing or flow counting. Using examples of such policies our initial simulation shows that this scheme can lead to much higher performance and network resource utilization during severe congestion. It also leads to more robust and scalable network design. Moreover, it provides an attractive mechanism for network provisioning via parameter tuning.
Effects of Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies on Brain Development: Evidence From Neuroimaging Studies

Variation in the number of sex chromosomes is a relatively common genetic condition, affecting as many as 1/400 individuals. The sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) are associated with characteristic behavioral and cognitive phenotypes, although the degree to which specific individuals are affected can fall within a wide range. Understanding the effects of different dosages of sex chromosome genes on brain development may help to understand the basis for functional differences in affected individuals. It may also be informative regarding how sex chromosomes contribute to typical sexual differentiation. Studies of 47,XXY males make up the bulk of the current literature of neuroimaging studies in individuals with supernumerary sex chromosomes, with a few small studies or case reports of the other SCAs. Findings in 47,XXY males typically include decreased gray and white matter volumes, with most pronounced effects in the frontal and temporal lobes. Functional studies have shown evidence of decreased lateralization. Although the hypogonadism typically found in 47,XXY males may contribute to the decreased brain volume, the observation that 47,XXX females also show decreased brain volume in the presence of normal pubertal maturation suggests a possible direct dosage effect of X chromosome genes. Additional X chromosomes, such as in 49,XXXXY males, are associated with more markedly decreased brain volume and increased incidence of white matter hyperintensities. The limited data regarding effects of having two Y chromosomes (47,XYY) do not find significant differences in brain volume, although there are some reports of increased head size.
The application of theoretical diffusion models in the presence of a catalytic reaction

The fundamental problem in this work was to determine if methods of predicting mass transport rates in porous catalysts, developed from theory in the absence of chemical reaction, are valid in the presence of reaction. By using the ortho-para shift of hydrogen over a ferric oxide gel catalyst as the reacting system, the effective diffusivity within the catalyst was determined from kinetic data on five different particle sizes of the catalyst. This effective diffusivity was then compared with that predicted by three different procedures recently published. These procedures predicted diffusivities approximately 40% below the experimentally obtained diffusivity. Although the differences between the experimental and predicted effective diffusivities can be regarded as within the limitations of the accuracy of the predictions, the observed differences may also be caused by some form of surface transport.
Transplantation of expanded bone marrow-derived very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSEL-SCs) improves left ventricular function and remodelling after myocardial infarction.

Adult bone marrow-derived very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSEL-SCs) exhibit a Sca-1+/Lin–/CD45– phenotype and can differentiate into various cell types, including cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. We have previously reported that transplantation of a small number (1 × 106) of freshly isolated, non-expanded VSEL-SCs into infarcted mouse hearts resulted in improved left ventricular (LV) function and anatomy. Clinical translation, however, will require large numbers of cells. Because the frequency of VSEL-SCs in the marrow is very low, we examined whether VSEL-SCs can be expanded in culture without loss of therapeutic efficacy. Mice underwent a 30 min. coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion and, 48 hrs later, received an intramyocardial injection of vehicle (group I, n= 11), 1 × 105 enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labelled expanded untreated VSEL-SCs (group II, n= 7), or 1 × 105 EGFP-labelled expanded VSEL-SCs pre-incubated in a cardiogenic medium (group III, n= 8). At 35 days after myocardial infarction (MI), mice treated with pre-incubated VSEL-SCs exhibited better global and regional LV systolic function and less LV hypertrophy compared with vehicle-treated controls. In contrast, transplantation of expanded but untreated VSEL-SCs did not produce appreciable reparative benefits. Scattered EGFP+ cells expressing α-sarcomeric actin, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1, or von Willebrand factor were present in VSEL-SC-treated mice, but their numbers were very small. No tumour formation was observed. We conclude that VSEL-SCs expanded in culture retain the ability to alleviate LV dysfunction and remodelling after a reperfused MI provided that they are exposed to a combination of cardiomyogenic growth factors and cytokines prior to transplantation. Counter intuitively, the mechanism whereby such pre-incubation confers therapeutic efficacy does not involve differentiation into new cardiac cells. These results support the potential therapeutic utility of VSEL-SCs for cardiac repair.
INCREASE IN DEATHS FROM ISCHÆMIC HEART-DISEASE AFTER BLIZZARDS

Death certificates in eastern Massachusetts after six blizzards in 1974--78, including the record blizzard of Feb. 6, 1978, were examined to identify the effect on mortality of these storms. The total number of deaths was significantly higher (8%) in a "blizzard week" than in the preceding and subsequent (control) weeks (114.1 vs. 105.3 deaths per day). Deaths from ischaemic heart-disease (I.H.D.), which rose significantly by 22% in the blizzard week from 36.7 to 44.6 deaths per day, accounted for 90% of the excess total deaths. The increase was greater in males than in females (30% vs. 12%), and in both sexes there was no difference in the distribution of deaths by age between the blizzard and control weeks. I.H.D. deaths were increased for 8 days after a snowstorm, suggesting that the effect was related to activities such as snow shovelling rather than the storm itself. The identification of those at increased risk of I.H.D. death after major snowstorms and of the circumstances surrounding such deaths could lead to public-health measures to reduce these weather-related premature deaths.
Magnetic resonance imaging as a surrogate outcome measure of disability in multiple sclerosis: have we been overly harsh in our assessment?

Objective The validity of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a surrogate outcome measure in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials has been greeted skeptically both by the US Food and Drug Administration and by clinical researchers because the correlation between current MRI measures and clinical disability, although significant, has generally been low. Thus, the reported correlations have varied between ρ = 0.09 and ρ = 0.60, and have often been at the lower end of this range. Nevertheless, it still appears possible that this apparently poor correlation is due not to any deficiency either with our current MRI measures or with our disability scale, but rather to the intrinsic variability in the clinical expression of MS plaques in different anatomical locations. Methods This article explores this possibility through the development of a general mathematical model for the relation between MRI changes and clinical disability in patients with MS. Results Under the conditions of this general model, the maximum expected correlation between clinical disability and MRI will typically be quite low (eg, ρ = 0.2–0.3), even when it is assumed that the MRI changes are the sole determinant of disability and, furthermore, that the scale used to measure disability is ideal. Interpretation These observations, together with the significant relations already reported between MRI and disability (with observed correlations in the range of 0.2–0.6), actually suggest that our available clinical and MRI measures are considerably better than is currently believed and, in fact, that the MRI may be a valid surrogate marker in the assessment of treatment efficacy in MS. Ann Neurol 2006;59:597–605
Dynamic Field Estimation Using Wireless Sensor Networks: Tradeoffs Between Estimation Error and Communication Cost

This paper concerns the problem of estimating a spatially distributed, time-varying random field from noisy measurements collected by a wireless sensor network. When the field dynamics are described by a linear, lumped-parameter model, the classical solution is the Kalman-Bucy filter (KBF). Bandwidth and energy constraints can make it impractical to use all sensors to estimate the field at specific locations. Using graph-theoretic techniques, we show how reduced-order KBFs can be constructed that use only a subset of the sensors, thereby reducing energy consumption. This can lead to degraded performance, however, in terms of the root mean squared (RMS) estimation error. Efficient methods are presented to apply Pareto optimality to evaluate the tradeoffs between communication costs and RMS estimation error to select the best reduced-order KBF. The approach is illustrated with simulation results.
Building Bridges Between Inorganic and Organic Chemistry (Nobel Lecture)

Robert B. Woodward, a supreme patterner of chaos, was one of my teachers. I dedicate this lecture to him, for it is our collaboration on orbital symmetry conservation, the electronic factors which govern the course of chemical reactions, which is recognized by half of the 1981 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. From Woodward I learned much: the significance of the experimental stimulus to theory, the craft of constructing explanations, and the importance of asethetics in science. I will try to show you how these characteristics of chemical theory may be applied to the construction of conceptual bridges between inorganic and organic chemistry.
Integrated crops and livestock in central North Dakota, USA: Agroecosystem management to buffer soil change

Integrated crop–livestock systems have been purported to have numerous agronomic and environmental benefits, yet information documenting their long-term impact on the soil resource is lacking. This study sought to quantify the effects of an integrated crop–livestock system on near-surface soil properties in central North Dakota, USA. Soil bulk density, electrical conductivity, soil pH, extractable N and P, potentially mineralizable N, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) were measured 3, 6 and 9 years after treatment establishment to evaluate the effects of residue management (Grazed, Hayed and Control), the frequency of hoof traffic (High traffic, Low traffic and No traffic), season (Fall and Spring) and production system (integrated annual cropping versus perennial grass) on near-surface soil quality. Values for soil properties were incorporated into a soil quality index (SQI) using the Soil Management Assessment Framework to assess overall treatment effects on soil condition. Residue management and frequency of hoof traffic did not affect near-surface soil properties throughout the evaluation period. Aggregated SQI values did not differ between production systems 9 years after treatment establishment (integrated annual cropping=0.91, perennial grass=0.93; P=0.57), implying a near-identical capacity of each system to perform critical soil functions. Results from the study suggest that with careful management, agricultural producers can convert perennial grass pastures to winter-grazed annual cropping systems without adversely affecting near-surface soil quality. However, caution should be exercised in applying results to other regions or management systems. The consistent freeze/thaw and wet/dry cycles typical of the northern Great Plains, coupled with the use of no-till management, modest fertilizer application rates and winter grazing likely played an important role in the outcome of the results.
Cytomegalovirus-specific cytolytic T-cell lines and clones generated against adenovirus-pp65-infected dendritic cells

Abstract Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a serious complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). CMV disease can usually be prevented by passive immunization with donor-derived CMV-pp65-specific T-cell clones if provided early post-BMT. The classic method of generating CMV-specific T-cell clones requires donor-derived fibroblast lines infected with CMV as stimulators, thus limiting the availability of CMV immunotherapy to those patients for whom a donor skin biopsy can be obtained 6 to 8 weeks pretransplantation. To overcome this limitation we have used monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) to induce donor anti-CMV cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Matured, adeno-pp65-infected DCs were added at day 0 and at day 7 of a 2-week culture of donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells. DC-primed cultures were compared with cultures stimulated in an identical fashion with CMV-infected fibroblasts or with adeno-pp65-infected freshly isolated blood monocytes. Specific killing of CMV-infected fibroblasts was detected in all except the culture stimulated with pp65-infected monocytes. DCs infected after maturation elicited greater CTL activity than did DCs matured after infection. A series of 5 CD8+ clones from a fibroblast-stimulated culture and 7 CD8+ clones from a mature-DC-stimulated culture derived from a single HLA-A*0201+ individual were characterized. All 12 clones lysed autologous CMV-infected fibroblasts. All except 1 clone from the CMV-infected fibroblast arm (fibroblast arm) lysed vaccinia-pp65-infected B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCLs); none lysed vaccinia-pp150-infected or noninfected BLCLs. Ten of 10 CD8+ clones tested were restricted by HLA-A*0201. Seven of the 12 clones were Vbeta6+ (2 from the fibroblast arm and 5 from the DC arm) with an identical Vbeta6.1-J1.4 sequence. Three clones from the fibroblast arm and 5 clones from the DC arm recognized the pp65 peptide NLVPMVATV (amino acids [aa], 495-503). These data show that CMV-specific T-cell clones with similar restriction patterns, T cell-receptor usage, and specificity can be generated using monocyte-derived pp65-infected-DC or CMV-infected-fibroblast stimulators. This approach should broaden the applicability of CMV-specific T-cell immunotherapy to a wider spectrum of patients by reducing the time required to generate CMV-specific T-cell clones. (Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(5):247-56.) Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(5):247-56.
Advanced gecko-foot-mimetic dry adhesives based on carbon nanotubes

Geckos can run freely on vertical walls and even ceilings. Recent studies have discovered that gecko's extraordinary climbing ability comes from a remarkable design of nature with nanoscale beta-keratin elastic hairs on their feet and toes, which collectively generate sufficiently strong van der Waals force to hold the animal onto an opposing surface while at the same time disengaging at will. Vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VA-CNT) arrays, resembling gecko's adhesive foot hairs with additional superior mechanical, chemical and electrical properties, have been demonstrated to be a promising candidate for advanced fibrillar dry adhesives. The VA-CNT arrays with tailor-made hierarchical structures can be patterned and/or transferred onto various flexible substrates, including responsive polymers. This, together with recent advances in nanofabrication techniques, could offer ‘smart’ dry adhesives for various potential applications, even where traditional adhesives cannot be used. A detailed understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing the material properties and adhesion performances is critical to the design and fabrication of gecko inspired CNT dry adhesives of practical significance. In this feature article, we present an overview of recent progress in both fundamental and applied frontiers for the development of CNT-based adhesives by summarizing important studies in this exciting field, including our own work.
Reassessing the Facebook experiment: critical thinking about the validity of Big Data research

ABSTRACTThe Facebook experiment of 2014 manipulated the contents of nearly 700,000 users’ News Feeds to induce changes in their emotions. This experiment was widely criticized on ethical grounds regarding informed consent. This controversy, however, diverted attention from a more important concern the experiment was intended to address, which is the impact of Facebook use on well-being. In this paper, I explore the well-being concerns raised by prior research and argue that the experiment does not alleviate them, owing to poor research design. As the question of Facebook's impact on well-being is of great importance, both to Facebook and to society overall, there is a pressing need for more experimental research that is both sensitive to informed consent and carefully designed to yield reliable results. In turn, the lessons of this case have implications for general issues of validity that emerge in Big Data research, now in vogue at major scientific venues.
The Heart Failure Overweight/Obesity Survival Paradox: The Missing Sex Link

Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine whether body mass index (BMI) has a differential impact on survival for females versus males with advanced systolic heart failure (HF). Background Females have a survival advantage in HF, the mechanisms of which are unclear. There is also a proposed “obesity survival paradox” in which excess adiposity promotes HF survival. Methods We reviewed 3,811 patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% who had undergone cardiopulmonary exercise testing between 1995 and 2011. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards model. Because of the nonlinearity of BMI, a restricted cubic spline was used. An interaction term was added to investigate the impact of BMI on mortality by sex. Results The unadjusted data demonstrated an overall obesity survival paradox in HF. This survival paradox disappeared for males after adjustment for potential confounders, with overweight and obese males showing higher adjusted mortality hazard ratios compared with normal weight males. Conversely, females in the overweight BMI range (25.0 to 29.9 kg/m2) had the lowest adjusted mortality (hazard ratio: 0.84; 95% confidence interval: 0.77 to 0.93; p = 0.0005 compared with normal weight females) with a nadir in mortality hazard just below BMI 30 kg/m2. The multivariable model supported a differential impact of BMI on mortality in males versus females (p for interaction Conclusions In this advanced HF cohort, an unadjusted obesity survival paradox disappeared after adjustment for confounders. Overweight and obese males had higher adjusted mortality than normal weight males, whereas a BMI in the overweight range was associated with a significant survival benefit in females.
A study of Late Woodland projectile point typology in New York using elliptical Fourier outline analysis

Abstract A sample of Late Woodland triangle points from the Mohawk Valley, New York, is studied using 2D elliptical Fourier analysis (EFA) in order to assess the applicability of formal tool typologies for the region. Lithic analysts have questioned two types of triangle, Levanna and Madison, as valid analytic units as they are quantifiably indeterminate when measured using caliper methods such as length and width. The geometric morphometric analysis here takes outline data from a previously studied collection of projectile points and uses elliptical Fourier harmonics analysis combined with principal components and discriminant functions tests to objectively define and separate the two types of projectile point. The result is a bimodal distribution of types that conforms to the traditional typological classification system for the region, in contrast to recent scholarship that conflates the two types into one. This study describes a high-resolution technique that offsets the inherent drawbacks of subjective, coarse-grained measurement approaches to projectile point characterization and comments on the study of typology as a whole.
The Ethics of Maintaining Continued Professional Competence

The engineer's active role in today's society demands that he be held to the profession's standards of professional competence. Professional competence involves not only professional adequacy but professional development. The engineer owes the public continued development through the trust placed in him to carry out his duties in a responsible manner. Continued development raises the competency level of the individual and profession as a whole. Many methods are available to maintain professional competence but not all engineers utilize them. To insure continued professional competence to the public, the profession should make it mandatory within engineering.