cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term Study Abroad and Intercultural Sensitivity: A Pilot Study

Abstract Longitudinal studies that measure the impact of study abroad programs are essential to improving our understanding of the effectiveness of international education. The focus of the current research is on the development of cross-cultural sensitivity. Hammer and Bennett's [(2002). The Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) manual . Portland, OR: Intercultural Communication Institute)] Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) is used to assess of the extent to which a short-term, faculty-led study abroad program can affect the cross-cultural sensitivity of student learners. The IDI was administered before the students traveled abroad and then again 4 weeks later when they returned to the United States. Preliminary results suggest that short-term programs can have a positive impact on the overall development of cross-cultural sensitivity. Individual differences are noted and the paper provides some discussion of the impact of the study abroad program on specific subscales within the IDI instrument. The study concludes by highlighting areas of needed research.
Vasodilator response to histamine: Dependence upon the site of administration

Abstract Histamine causes vasodilation in part by interacting with histamine H2 receptors. The present study was under-taken to evaluate the difference in vasodilator sensitivity of H2 receptors on the inside compared to the outside of the vessel. In order to induce tone, norepinephrine was administered to an in vitro preparation of rabbit ear artery treated with mepyramine to block H1 receptors. Histamine was then either selectivity perfused through the artery or added to the outside of the vessel via the organ bath. The outside of the artery was found to be twice as sensitive to the vasodilator effect of histamine as the inside. These data provide the first evidence for greater extraluminal sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle suggest that the response to histamine will depend in part on the route the amine takes to reach receptors, e.g., from blood-borne sources or from extraluminal stores.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of doxycycline in cats and dogs

The disposition of doxycycline hyclate was studied in six adult mixed-breed female cats and six adult mid-sized female dogs following a single intravenous administration of 5 mg/kg body weight. Doxycycline volume of the central compartment, area volume of distribution, volume of distribution at steady state, and total body clearance were significantly smaller in cats. The differences were attributed to more extensive binding of doxycycline to plasma protein including albumin in cats. The significant differences in the volume of distribution and total body clearance were not reflected in elimination half-lives under the conditions of this study (sample size, inhomogeneous population). Doxycycline elimination half-life was 4.56 +/- 0.68 (SEM) h for cats and 6.99 +/- 1.09 h for dogs. Dosage regimens recommended in the veterinary literature were evaluated by the computer program PETDR.
Inhibition of Topoisomerase I prevents chromosome breakage at common fragile sites

Common fragile sites are loci that preferentially form gaps and breaks on metaphase chromosomes when DNA synthesis is perturbed, particularly after treatment with the DNA polymerase inhibitor, aphidicolin. We and others have identified several cell cycle checkpoint and DNA repair proteins that influence common fragile site stability. However, the initial events underlying fragile site breakage remain poorly understood. We demonstrate here that aphidicolin-induced gaps and breaks at fragile sites are prevented when cells are co-treated with low concentrations of the topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin. This reduction in breakage is accompanied by a reduction in aphidicolin-induced RPA foci, CHK1 and RPA2 phosphorylation, and PCNA monoubiquitination, indicative of reduced levels of single stranded DNA. Furthermore, camptothecin reduces spontaneous fragile site breakage seen in cells lacking ATR, even in the absence of aphidicolin. These data from cultured human cells demonstrate that topoisomerase I activity is required for DNA common fragile site breaks and suggest that polymerase-helicase uncoupling is a key initial event in this process.
Unexpected synthesis and structural characterization of Pt(II)Cl2-1,5-hexadiene from reaction of allyl chloride and K2PtCl4

Abstract An unexpected, new and convenient synthetic procedure for the synthesis of Pt(II)Cl2-1,5-hexadiene is reported which is done under mild conditions, including a very short reaction time of 10 min. The complex was isolated and crystallized, leading to the first reported crystal structure of the diene complex.
Percutaneous brachial coronary angioplasty utilizing a standard side arm sheath introducer system

A percutaneous approach via the brachial artery for coronary angioplasty is described. The technique employs a standard side arm sheath introducer system routinely intended for the femoral artery. Initial experience in ten cases shows this to be a relatively easy and safe alternative to conventional brachial arteriotomy, with some distinct advantages. It is less time consuming, permits the use of a variety of standard preformed guiding catheters, is associated with less patient discomfort, and the sheaths may be left in place for many hours if the angioplasty is complicated and/or long-term anticoagulation is desirable. Complications were limited to the female patients in this series. This technique is most suited to those operators who employ the brachial approach infrequently and only out of necessity in patients with severe peripheral vascular disease.
Block-diagram-level design capture, functional simulation, and layout assembly of analog CMOS ICs

A new computer aided design tool to assist in the fast prototyping of analog CMOS ICs is presented. This CAD system uses a library of precharacterized functional cells. It allows creation of a design by selecting analog function blocks from a library and by interconnecting them in a block-diagram-level design capture and simulation page. The new analog circuit is then simulated at a behavorial level to evaluate circuit performance. The IC layout is assembled by a cell placement and routing program, using cell layouts from the cell library. Examples illustrate features of this CAD system. >
Emerging Standards in Virtual Fashion: An Analysis of Critical Strategies Used in Second Life Fashion Blogs

As virtual worlds evolve, so does the visual complexity and customizability of the avatars inside the worlds. In virtual worlds such as Second Life, prospering virtual fashion industries have brought about, among other things, the formation of virtual fashion blogs. This paper presents a content analysis of major virtual fashion blogs with an emphasis on identifying emerging standards and strategies for virtual fashion commentary and criticism. Overall, this study discovered a somewhat unified voice among fashion blogs, revealing a significant blurring of real world and virtual boundaries when writing about virtual fashion. Additionally, the increasingly important role of the language of technology in virtual fashion writing is noted. The paper concludes with a discussion of the growing impact of virtual fashion on the design of avatar customization interfaces.
Modeling downstream fining in sand-bed rivers. II: application

In this paper the model presented in the companion paper, Wright and Parker (2005) is applied to a generic river reach typical of a large, sand-bed river flowing into the ocean in order to investigate the mechanisms controlling longitudinal profile development and downstream fining. Three mechanisms which drive downstream fining are studied: a delta prograding into standing water, sea-level rise, and tectonic subsidence. Various rates of sea-level rise (typical of the late Holocene) and tectonic subsidence are modeled in order to quantify their effects on the degree of profile concavity and downstream fining. Also, several other physical mechanisms which may affect fining are studied, including the relative importance of the suspended versus bed load, the effect of the loss of sediment overbank, and the influence of the delta bottom slope. Finally, sensitivity analysis is used to show that the grain-size distribution at the interface between the active layer and substrate has a significant effect on downs...
Activities of several membrane and cell-wall hydrolases, ethylene biosynthetic enzymes, and cell wall polyuronide degradation during low-temperature storage of intact and fresh-cut papaya (Carica papaya) fruit

Abstract Fresh-cut fruit tissue deteriorates more rapidly than its intact counterpart. A study was conducted to determine changes in firmness, cell-wall polyuronides, and the activities of cell-wall and membrane hydrolases and ethylene biosynthetic enzymes in intact and fresh-cut papaya fruit during storage at 5 °C. Processing of papaya fruit was performed under sanitized conditions at 5 °C, and fruit pieces were stored for 8 days at 5 °C. Levels of total and CDTA-soluble polyuronides in intact fruit did not change during storage, but water-soluble polyuronides increased significantly by day 8 (15%). In contrast, total polyuronide content of fresh-cut papaya decreased (9.5%), whereas levels of CDTA- and water-soluble polyuronides increased 45 and 30%, respectively. Firmness and mol mass of polyuronides decreased more rapidly in fresh-cut fruit than in intact fruit. The activities of polygalacturonase (EC 3.2.1.15), alpha- (EC 3.2.1.22) and beta-galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23), lipoxygenase (EC 1.13.11.12), phospholipase D (EC 3.1.4.4), and ACC synthase (EC 4.4.1.14) and ACC oxidase increased within 24 h in fresh-cut fruit, and remained significantly higher compared with levels in intact fruit throughout the storage period. Pectin methyl esterase (EC 3.2.1.11), and phospholipase C (EC 3.1.4.3) activities showed no consistent differences between fresh-cut and intact fruit. The data suggest that a wound-induced increase in enzymes targeting cell walls and membranes contributes to the rapid deterioration of fresh-cut fruit. The significantly less pronounced changes observed for intact fruit stored under identical conditions indicate that the enhanced deterioration of fresh-cut fruit does not reflect low-temperature injury.
E-C coupling failure in mouse EDL muscle after in vivo eccentric contractions

The objectives of this research were to determine the contribution of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling failure to the decrement in maximal isometric tetanic force (Po) in mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles after eccentric contractions and to elucidate possible mechanisms. The left anterior crural muscles of female ICR mice (n = 164) were injured in vivo with 150 eccentric contractions. Po, caffeine-, 4-chloro-m-cresol-, and K+-induced contracture forces, sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release and uptake rates, and intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) were then measured in vitro in injured and contralateral control EDL muscles at various times after injury up to 14 days. On the basis of the disproportional reduction in Po (approximately 51%) compared with caffeine-induced force (approximately 11-21%), we estimate that E-C coupling failure can explain 57-75% of the Po decrement from 0 to 5 days postinjury. Comparable reductions in Po and K+-induced force (51%), and minor reductions (0-6%) in the maximal SR Ca2+ release rate, suggest that the E-C coupling defect site is located at the t tubule-SR interface immediately after injury. Confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that resting [Ca2+]i was elevated and peak tetanic [Ca2+]i was reduced, whereas peak 4-chloro-m-cresol-induced [Ca2+]i was unchanged immediately after injury. By 3 days postinjury, 4-chloro-m-cresol-induced [Ca2+]i became depressed, probably because of decreased SR Ca2+ release and uptake rates (17-31%). These data indicate that the decrease in Po during the first several days after injury primarily stems from a failure in the E-C coupling process.
Effects of chlorpromazine on ischemic rat kidney: a functional and ultrastructural study.

Abstract The effects of chlorpromazine, an agent with inhibitory effects of calcium influx, phospholipase activation, and Na-K-ATPase, on preserving renal function and proximal tubular ultrastructure were evaluated in renal ischemia. After right nephrectomy chlorpromazine (0.025 mg) or I ml of 0.9 per cent saline was selectively administered to the rat kidney immediately prior to a sixty-minute occlusion of the remaining renal artery. Pretreatment with chlorpromazine resulted in a significant attenuation in the rise in postischemic serum creatinine. Hypothermia of the kidney during ischemia provided an additional protective effect. Electron microscopic study of the proximal convoluted tubule demonstrated that the structural damage was less severe in chlorpromazine-treated rats and virtually complete preservation of a normal ultrastructure was observed when hypothermia was added.
Perioperative outcomes among patients with end-stage renal disease following coronary artery bypass surgery in the USA

Background. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring chronic haemodialysis who undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) are at significant risk for perioperative mortality. However, the impact of changes in ESRD patient volume and characteristics over time on operative outcomes is unclear. Methods. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (1988–03), we evaluated rates of CABG surgery with and without concurrent valve surgery among ESRD patients and outcomes including in-hospital mortality, and length of hospital stay. Multivariate regression models were used to account for patient characteristics and potential cofounders. Results. From 1988 to 2003, annual rates of CABG among ESRD patients doubled from 2.5 to 5 per 1000 patient-years. Concomitantly, patient case-mix changed to include patients with greater co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity (all P < 0.001). Nonetheless, among ESRD patients, in-hospital mortality rates declined nearly 6-fold from over 31% to 5.4% (versus 4.7% to 1.8% among non-ESRD), and the median length of in-hospital stay dropped in half from 25 to 13 days (versus 14 to 10 days among non-ESRD). Conclusions. Since 1988, an increasing number of patients with ESRD have been receiving CABG in the USA. Despite increasing co-morbidities, operative mortality rates and length of in-hospital stay have declined substantially. Nonetheless, mortality rates remain almost 3-fold higher compared to non-ESRD patients indicating a need for ongoing improvement.
U.S. newborn screening system guidelines: Statement of the council of regional networks for genetic services

Abstract The Council of Regional Networks for Genetic Services (CORN) was created in 1985 to provide a forum for information exchange among groups concerned with public health aspects of genetic services. The newborn screening committee includes representatives from each genetic region of the United States (equally divided among laboratories and administrators) and liaison members from related professional groups. State and regional newborn screening programs across the U.S. vary widely in most aspects of their organization and hence their program outcome. The Newborn Screening Committee of CORN has identified eight specific areas of mutual importance to all programs. These areas include: organization and administration; selection and evaluation of disorders for screening; communication; quality assurance; funding; diagnosis, management, treatment and counseling; program evaluation; and liability. Basic guidelines have been developed in these areas so that U.S. screening programs may begin to achieve uniform consistency in outcome. The guidelines are not intended to judge standard of care, but rather are meant as a framework about which to mold newborn screening programs.
Network Destruction: The Structural Implications of Downsizing

Downsizing disrupts existing social networks in organizations. Layoff survivors' reactions to losses of both friends and coworkers in similar structural positions (structural equivalents) are exami...
Dietary and Nondietary Determinants of Vitamin K Biochemical Measures in Men and Women

Few epidemiological studies that rely on the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for dietary assessment have measured biomarkers of vitamin K intake to independently confirm associations between self-reported dietary vitamin K intake and disease risk. Associations were examined between two sensitive biomarkers of vitamin K status, plasma phylloquinone and serum percent undercarboxylated osteocalcin (%ucOC), and self-reported usual phylloquinone intake as estimated from a FFQ. The influence of other dietary and nondietary factors on plasma phylloquinone concentrations was also examined. Dietary phylloquinone intake was estimated using a FFQ in 369 men and 468 women of the Framingham Offspring Study. The prevalence of high %ucOC concentrations (>/= 20%), suggestive of a low vitamin K status, was 44% in men and 54% in women, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, the odds of a high %ucOC was 2.5 greater for women (odds ratio: 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-5.1) and almost three times greater for men (odds ratio: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.3-5.9) in the lowest dietary phylloquinone intake quintile category compared to the highest quintile category. Fasting triglyceride concentrations, smoking status and season were associated with plasma phylloquinone concentrations, independent of dietary phylloquinone intake. Phylloquinone and green vegetable intake was linearly associated with plasma phylloquinone, after adjustment for potential confounding factors. There were limitations in the use of the FFQ to predict plasma phylloquinone, evident in an observed plateau effect and required nondietary adjustment factors. Despite these caveats, these findings support the use of a FFQ for a relative assessment of vitamin K status in population-based studies.
Orientation of methyl iodide adsorbed on MgO(100): Results from 257‐nm photodissociation studies

Measurements of the angular and polarization dependence of methyl photofragments produced as a result of 257‐nm photodissociation of methyl iodide adsorbed on MgO(100) are reported. At submonolayer coverage an adsorbate geometry is proposed where methyl iodide has its molecular axis aligned along the surface normal, iodine being directed towards the surface. This orientation is compatible with other experimental and theoretical data which is discussed.
Analysis of gene expression profiles in HeLa cells in response to overexpression or siRNA-mediated depletion of NASP

NASP (Nuclear Autoantigenic Sperm Protein) is a linker histone chaperone required for normal cell division. Changes in NASP expression significantly affect cell growth and development; loss of gene function results in embryonic lethality. However, the mechanism by which NASP exerts its effects in the cell cycle is not understood. To understand the pathways and networks that may involve NASP function, we evaluated gene expression in HeLa cells in which NASP was either overexpressed or depleted by siRNA. Total RNA from HeLa cells overexpressing NASP or depleted of NASP by siRNA treatment was converted to cRNA with incorporation of Cy5-CTP (experimental samples), or Cy3-CTP (control samples). The labeled cRNA samples were hybridized to whole human genome microarrays (Agilent Technologies, Wilmington, Delaware, USA). Various gene expression analysis techniques were employed: Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM), Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer (EASE), and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA). From approximately 36 thousand genes present in a total human genome microarray, we identified a set of 47 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated genes as a result of NASP overexpression. Similarly we identified a set of 56 up-regulated and 71 down-regulated genes as a result of NASP siRNA treatment. Gene ontology, molecular network and canonical pathway analysis of NASP overexpression demonstrated that the most significant changes were in proteins participating in organismal injury, immune response, and cellular growth and cancer pathways (major "hubs": TNF, FOS, EGR1, NFκB, IRF7, STAT1, IL6). Depletion of NASP elicited the changed expression of proteins involved in DNA replication, repair and development, followed by reproductive system disease, and cancer and cell cycle pathways (major "hubs": E2F8, TP53, FGF, FSH, FST, hCG, NFκB, TRAF6). This study has demonstrated that NASP belongs to a network of genes and gene functions that are critical for cell survival. We have confirmed the previously reported interactions between NASP and HSP90, HSP70, histone H1, histone H3, and TRAF6. Overexpression and depletion of NASP identified overlapping networks that included TNF as a core protein, confirming that both high and low levels of NASP are detrimental to cell cycle progression. Networks with cancer-related functions had the highest significance, however reproductive networks containing follistatin and FSH were also significantly affected, which confirmed NASP's important role in reproductive tissues. This study revealed that, despite some overlap, each response was associated with a unique gene signature and placed NASP in important cell regulatory networks.
The Crystal Structure of the Carboxy-Terminal Dimerization Domain of htpG, the Escherichia coli Hsp90, Reveals a Potential Substrate Binding Site

Hsp90 is a ubiquitous, well-conserved molecular chaperone involved in the folding and stabilization of diverse proteins. Beyond its capacity for general protein folding, Hsp90 influences a wide array of cellular signaling pathways that underlie key biological and disease processes. It has been proposed that Hsp90 functions as a molecular clamp, dimerizing through its carboxy-terminal domain and utilizing ATP binding and hydrolysis to drive large conformational changes including transient dimerization of the amino-terminal and middle domains. We have determined the 2.6 A X-ray crystal structure of the carboxy-terminal domain of htpG, the Escherichia coli Hsp90. This structure reveals a novel fold and that dimerization is dependent upon the formation of a four-helix bundle. Remarkably, proximal to the helical dimerization motif, each monomer projects a short helix into solvent. The location, flexibility, and amphipathic character of this helix suggests that it may play a role in substrate binding and hence chaperone activity.
Determinants of frequency long-term facilitation following acute intermittent hypoxia in vagotomized rats

Acute intermittent (AIH), but not acute sustained hypoxia (ASH) elicits a form of respiratory plasticity known as long-term facilitation (LTF). In anesthetized rats, LTF is expressed as increased respiratory-related nerve burst amplitude, with variable effects on burst frequency. We analyzed a large data set from multiple investigators using the same experimental protocol to determine factors influencing frequency LTF. Our meta-analysis revealed that AIH elicits both phrenic amplitude and frequency LTF in anesthetized and vagotomized rats, but frequency LTF is small in comparison with amplitude LTF (12% versus 60%, respectively). ASH elicits a small, but significant frequency and amplitude LTF (8% and 10%, respectively) that is not significantly different than controls. Similar to all published reports, analysis of this large data set confirms that phrenic amplitude LTF following AIH is significantly greater than ASH. Multiple regression analysis revealed a strong correlation between baseline burst frequency and frequency LTF. Variations in baseline burst frequency may contribute to variation in frequency LTF and may underlie the apparent effects of some drug treatments.
Bluenet - a new scatternet formation scheme

Bluetooth is a novel promising local area wireless technology designed to enable voice and data communication among various electronic devices. We believe that Bluetooth networks will provide reliable, flexible and cost-efficient telecommunication support for the post-deregulation electric power systems. Though not specified in version 1.0 of the Bluetooth specification, communication by way of multi-hop routing (characteristic of ad hoc networks) within a scatternet will offer a new and exciting extension to this technology. The topology of such an ad-hoc scatternet would have a significant effect on the overall performance of the network. We present "Bluenet" as a novel and practical scheme for building an efficient scatternet and discuss the basic rules followed by the Bluenet scheme. Two methods are introduced to evaluate the performance of the resulting scatternets based on average shortest path length and maximum traffic flows respectively. Finally the effectiveness of the Bluenet scheme is demonstrated through simulations and comparison.
Interactions between PE2, E1, and 6K required for assembly of alphaviruses studied with chimeric viruses.

During the assembly of alphaviruses, a preassembled nucleocapsid buds through the cell plasma membrane to acquire an envelope containing two virally encoded glycoproteins, E2 and E1. Using two chimeric viruses, we have studied interactions between E1, E2, and a viral peptide called 6K, which are required for budding. A chimeric Sindbis virus (SIN) in which the 6K gene had been replaced with that from Ross River virus (RR) produced wild-type levels of nucleocapsids and abundant PE2/E1 heterodimers that were processed and transported to the cell surface. However, only about 10% as much chimeric virus as wild-type virus was assembled, demonstrating that there is a sequence-specific interaction between 6K and the glycoproteins required for efficient virus assembly. In addition, the conformation of E1 in the E2/E1 heterodimer on the cell surface was different for the chimeric virus from that for the wild type, suggesting that one function of 6K is to promote proper folding of E1 in the heterodimer. A second chimeric SIN, in which both the 6K and E1 genes, as well as the 3' nontranslated region, were replaced with the corresponding regions of RR also resulted in the production of large numbers of intracellular nucleocapsids and of PE2/E1 heterodimers that were cleaved and transported to the cell surface. Budding of this chimera was severely impaired, however, and the yield of the chimera was only approximately 10^(-7) of the SIN yield in a parallel infection. The conformation of the SIN E2/RR E1 heterodimer on the cell surface was different from that of the SIN E2/SIN E1 heterodimer, and no interaction between viral glycoproteins and nucleocapsids at the cell plasma membrane could be detected in the electron microscope. We suggest that proper folding of the E2/E1 heterodimer must occur before the E2 tail is positioned properly in the cytoplasm for budding and before heterodimer trimerization can occur to drive virus budding.
Quantitative analysis and applications of non-invasive temperature estimation using diagnostic ultrasound

A quantitative analysis of a two-dimensional non-invasive real-time temperature-change estimation algorithm based on diagnostic backscattered ultrasound RF-data is presented in this paper. An experimental system consisting of a therapeutic ultrasound unit and an ultrasound imaging unit was used to quantitatively characterize the accuracy, spatial resolution and ripple artifacts of the temperature estimates in a rubber phantom heating experiment. The ripple is shown to be a consequence of the thermo-acoustic lens effect resulting from local changes of the speed of sound in heated regions. Non-invasive temperature estimates were used as inputs to a multipoint ultrasound phased array temperature controller, for a long duration hyperthermia experiment. The applicability of this method to tissue media, as well as its major limitations are discussed.
Students' Perspectives of Leadership Development

The successes and failures of a professional organization are often defined by the quality of the leadership managing the organization. The ability to influence others, facilitate meaningful change, move the organization forward, and in the case of athletic training, advocating for and protecting the patients served are highly desirable qualities. Leadership is an essential component of the health professions, and as educators we play an essential role in establishing leadership qualities and mentoring students to prepare them for future leadership roles. Several questions pertaining to leadership development, however, must be asked and answered: What does the concept of leadership mean for those students who will someday be our local, state, district, and national leaders What are the benefits of student leadership? What role can educators play in leadership development? What constitutes bad leadership? What is the difference between leadership and management? To address these questions, I recruited 3 coauthors, each of whom are student leaders in a variety of capacities. To answer the aforementioned questions, Katch, Tomczyk, and Shinkle not only reflected on the experiences of themselves and their peers, but also examined pertinent literature related to student leadership.
Surgery, Radium and Roentgen Rays in the Treatment of Carcinoma of the Cervix

SUMMARY A combination of surgery, radium, and roentgen rays is efficient in combating carcinoma of the cervix uteri. It is to be regretted that so few patients are seen in the early stages of the disease when the maximal response can be expected. Much depends on the first examining physician and he must realize his responsibility. All irregular menstrual phenomena and vaginal discharge, regardless of its character and the age of the patient, demand a most careful examination to determine the cause. Treatment should be decidedly individual as the response of tissue is different in each case. The broken dose permits a very flexible procedure capable of meeting the needs of the patient during the treatment. Close cooperation of all concerned, including the first examining physician, surgeon, pathologist, and radiotherapist, is essential, and it is only through such management that we can hope for good and lasting results.
'The Tax Doctor': The Long and Winding Road from Richmond to Doha

Frank Shafroth, former director of state-federal relations for the National Governors' Association, examines Virginia's credit ratings and the growing state and national debts.
Radar for Electrical Studies and Storm Warnings

Cyclonic storms are vital to many aspects of the earth system. The ubiquitous thunderstorms restore a significant amount of charge to the ionosphere, maintaining the earth-atmosphere electrical balance. The difference in tropical rainfall is literally the difference between desert and rain forest, between the least and the most productive land, and most of growing season rains on all continents are associated with the weather that accompanies cyclones. The role of tropical convection in redistributing heat and its effects in the general circulation and climate are also being revealed.
Serum trypsin inhibitory capacity and Pi phenotypes. I. Methods and control values.

Serum trypsin inhibitory capacity determinations are of considerable value in detecting genetically determined types of obstructive pulmonary disease and hepatic disease. These determinations must frequently be followed by determination of protease inhibitor (Pi) phenotype in order to confirm the diagnosis. Pi phenotyping has been a specialized and time-consuming procedure, and suggested improvements in the methodology and technics may make it more generally applicable as a clinical laboratory procedure. The prevalence of phenotypes other than MM in a group of 700 control sera from blood donors is reported as a baseline to evaluate typically American populations of mixed ethnic and racial characteristics. There are suggestive differences in prevalences of S and Z genes relating to ethnic stock and racial groups. It is important when comparing the prevalences of S and Z genes in diseased populations to use control groups of similar ethnic and racial compositions. Pi phenotyping is a necessary laboratory procedure in the diagnosis of certain forms of genetically determined chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hepatic disease. The distributions of all serum protease inhibitory capacity values and those for S and Z Pi phenotypes are shown.
Phylogenetic analysis of rpoB gene of Bartonella in rodents in Zhejiang province

Objective To get an insight into the carriage status and epidemic characteristics of Bartonella in rodents in Zhejiang province for providing baseline data for the development of measures for the control and prevention of Bartonella infection.Methods DNA was extracted from the livers and spleens of mice and the beta-subunit-encoding gene(rpoB) of Bartonella was selected for PCR amplification,the positive products of which were sequenced and phylogeneticaly analyzed.Results One of 101 rodents captured in Panan county of Jinhua city in Zhejiang was positive for the rpoB gene of Bartonella with the isolation rate of Bartonella in Rattus tanezumi being 4.3%.Phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolated strain was of the same evolutionary branch as B.grahamii(GenBank accession No.AB426694.1) with a bootstrap value of 96%.Conclusion There exists Bartonella infection in rodents in Zhejiang province with R.tanezumi as its possible host.The isolated strain belongs to B.grahamii.
Construction of eukaryotic vector of tRNA~(val)-CTE hybrid ribozyme

[Objective] To construct an eukaryotic expression vector of tRNAval-CTE combined ribozyme as a basis for further study. [Methods] The CTE cDNA was synthesized by RT-PCR with the specific primers. The oligonucleotide linkers encoding the sequence of the tRNAval promoter and KpnⅠand EcoRⅤ and ribozyme targeting 195 site of HCV NCR were annealed and ligated into the BamHⅠ/EcoRⅠsite of pPUR, was designated pPHCV-Rz. After restriction endonuclease KpnⅠand EcoRⅤ double digested it, the target fragment was subcloned into eukaryotic vector pPHCV-Rz to construct eukaryotic expression recombinant. The exactitude of recombine vectorwas identified by digestion and sequencing analysis. [Results] The recombinant plasmid with the tRNAval-CTE hybrid rebozyme was constructed successfully by sequencing analysis and by digestion identification. [Conclusions] We construct the eukaryon expression vector containing the tRNAval-CTE hybrid ribozyme gene successfully which is the foundation for further study.
Tracing domain data concepts in layered applications

A goal of reusing source code is to lower development costs; however, reuse techniques usually require additional costs in creating generic source code and retrieving the appropriate source code from a code repository. In this paper, we present Domain Data Concept (DDC) Tracer, a novel traceability technique that facilitates reuse in layered applications in a costeffective way. While current traceability techniques focus on establishing links between software artifacts, DDC Tracer is focused on tracing concepts between software and data, across different layers of an application, and across heterogeneous implementation files. We present a feature comparison which highlights the uniqueness of our approach. In addition, we conducted an industry case study where we analyzed software artifacts and solicited feedback from software engineers. Our case study indicates that our approach is a lightweight alternative to source code reuse techniques and is feasible to use in practice. Keywords-Software traceability, reuse, structured query language, layered architecture style
Ras signaling through RASSF proteins

There are six core RASSF family proteins that contain conserved Ras Association domains and may serve as Ras effectors. They lack intrinsic enzymatic activity and appear to function as scaffolding and localization molecules. While initially being associated with pro-apoptotic signaling pathways such as Bax and Hippo, it is now clear that they can also connect Ras to a surprisingly broad range of signaling pathways that control senescence, inflammation, autophagy, DNA repair, ubiquitination and protein acetylation. Moreover, they may be able to impact the activation status of pro-mitogenic Ras effector pathways, such as the Raf pathway. The frequent epigenetic inactivation of RASSF genes in human tumors disconnects Ras from pro-death signaling systems, enhancing Ras driven transformation and metastasis. The best characterized members are RASSF1A and RASSF5 (NORE1A).
High pressure liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxins in peanut butter using a silica gel-packed flowcell for fluorescence detection.

A high pressure liquid chromatographic method has been developed for determining aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in peanut butter. The method is based on extraction with acidified aqueous methanol, partition of the aflatoxin into methylene chloride, and purification of the extract on a 2 g silica gel column. The extracted aflatoxins are resolved on a microparticulate (10 micrometer) porous silica gel column in ca 10 min with a water-washed chloroform-cyclohexane-acetonitrile solvent that contains 2% isopropanol. The fluorescence detection system determines aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 at low levels, i.e., 0.25 ppb B1, 0.5 ppb G1, and 0.2 ppb B2 and G2. Multiple assays of 5 samples of naturally contaminated peanut butters containing total aflatoxins (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) at levels of 1, 2, 3, 9, and 17 ppb gave intralaboratory coefficients of variation of 7, 4, 4, 11, and 3%, respectively. Samples spiked at levels of 5, 9, and 17 ppb total aflatoxins showed recoveries of 79, 81, and 81%, respectively.
Selective Transport of Cationized Fluorescent Topoisomerase into Nuclei of Live Cells for DNA Damage Studies

The targeted delivery of fluorescently labeled, DNA-modifying proteins into cellular nuclei permits investigation of DNA damage and chromatin function in living cells. Commercially available protein delivery vectors cannot provide selective intranuclear transportation and primarily unload their cargo in the cytoplasm. Here we describe a simple approach for specific intranuclear transportation of vaccinia topoisomerase protein based on its cationization. The delivered protein can be observed and monitored by fluorescence microscopy. The technique is cost-efficient and time-saving. It can be useful in live cell studies.
The relationship between knowledge of cardiovascular dietary risk and food shopping behaviors.

A 44-item knowledge and attitude questionnaire was administered to I76 randomly selected shoppers to determine their cardiovascular and nutrition knowledge and attitude toward the diet-heart relationship. An analysis of descriptive sales slips issued by the supermarket determined food purchasing behavior. Food items purchased were categorized according to their polyunsaturated-saturated (P/S) ratio 1 (PSI), and high cholesterol (> 100 mg per serving) (HCHO). We also categorized purchases by cholesterol content per serving: high, moderate, low, and very low levels. We observed a significant (r = -.25, P = .0008) negative correlation between purchasing behavior of PSO and knowledge. A partial correlation revealed a similar association when controlling for income (r = -.26, P = .0002), age (r = -.26, P = .0005) and education (r = -.22, P = .0038). Correlation for whites was significant and negative (r = -.29, P = .0003) and for blacks nonsignificant and positive (r = .02, P = .9069). Regression analysis found a significant negative slope (b = -.57, P = .0001) of PSO on knowledge, a marginally significant positive slope (b = -.21, P = .0527) of PSI on knowledge, and a significant negative slope (b = -.86, P = .0171) of HCHO on education. The interaction of race and knowledge was significant for PSO (P = .0005).
Mapping of land cover in northern California with simulated hyperspectral satellite imagery

Abstract Land-cover maps are important science products needed for natural resource and ecosystem service management, biodiversity conservation planning, and assessing human-induced and natural drivers of land change. Analysis of hyperspectral, or imaging spectrometer, imagery has shown an impressive capacity to map a wide range of natural and anthropogenic land cover. Applications have been mostly with single-date imagery from relatively small spatial extents. Future hyperspectral satellites will provide imagery at greater spatial and temporal scales, and there is a need to assess techniques for mapping land cover with these data. Here we used simulated multi-temporal HyspIRI satellite imagery over a 30,000 km2 area in the San Francisco Bay Area, California to assess its capabilities for mapping classes defined by the international Land Cover Classification System (LCCS). We employed a mapping methodology and analysis framework that is applicable to regional and global scales. We used the Random Forests classifier with three sets of predictor variables (reflectance, MNF, hyperspectral metrics), two temporal resolutions (summer, spring-summer-fall), two sample scales (pixel, polygon) and two levels of classification complexity (12, 20 classes). Hyperspectral metrics provided a 16.4–21.8% and 3.1–6.7% increase in overall accuracy relative to MNF and reflectance bands, respectively, depending on pixel or polygon scales of analysis. Multi-temporal metrics improved overall accuracy by 0.9–3.1% over summer metrics, yet increases were only significant at the pixel scale of analysis. Overall accuracy at pixel scales was 72.2% (Kappa 0.70) with three seasons of metrics. Anthropogenic and homogenous natural vegetation classes had relatively high confidence and producer and user accuracies were over 70%; in comparison, woodland and forest classes had considerable confusion. We next focused on plant functional types with relatively pure spectra by removing open-canopy shrublands, woodlands and mixed forests from the classification. This 12-class map had significantly improved accuracy of 85.1% (Kappa 0.83) and most classes had over 70% producer and user accuracies. Finally, we summarized important metrics from the multi-temporal Random Forests to infer the underlying chemical and structural properties that best discriminated our land-cover classes across seasons.
New actions of an old friend: perivascular adipose tissue's adrenergic mechanisms

The revolutionary discovery in 1991 by Soltis and Cassis that perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) has an anti-contractile effect changed how we think about the vasculature. Most experiments on vascular pharmacology begin by removing the fat surrounding the vessels. Thus, PVAT was thought of having a minor role in vascular function and present for structural support. The need to rethink our old friend PVAT's role was precipitated by observations that obesity carries a high cardiovascular risk and PVAT dysfunction occurs with obesity. PVAT is a vascular-adipose organ that has intimate connections with the nervous and immune system. A complex world of physiology resides in PVAT, including the presence of an “adrenergic system” that is able to release, take up and metabolize noradrenaline. Adipocytes, stromal vascular cells and nerves within PVAT contain components that make up this adrenergic system. Some of the great strides in PVAT research came from studying adipose tissue as a whole. Adipose tissue has many roles and participates in regulating energy balance, energy stores, inflammation and thermoregulation. However, PVAT is dissimilar from non-PVAT adipose tissues. PVAT is in intimate connection with the vasculature, which is what makes PVAT's role in body homeostasis unique. The adrenergic system within PVAT may be an integral link connecting the effects of obesity with the vascular dysfunction observed in obesity-associated hypertension, a condition with considerable sympathetic nervous system involvement. This review will explore what is known about an adrenergic system in adipose tissue and PVAT, plus the translational importance of these findings.
Theories for the Origin of RAD

By definition, RAD requires the critical influence of grossly pathogenic care in early childhood. Yet, not all children exposed to neglect develop a generalized social impairment. Attachment behavior may actually increase in the context of emotional deprivation as sadly evident in the child who clings tightly to a parent figure who is known to be neglectful, or abusive. Biological factors can thus be considered either vulnerability to pathogenic care or, in terms of the resilience displayed by those children who seem to have protection against negative influences, even at critical stages of development [68].
Assembly of Hepadnaviral Virions and Subviral Particles

One of the most distinctive features of hepadnaviral infection is the production by infected cells of multiple types of virus-related particles, including large numbers of noninfections subviral particles as well as complete virions. Although this unusual property was among the first aspects of the viral life cycle to be discovered, it remains one of its least well understood aspects. Why do infected cells produce subviral particles? What factors determine whether virions or subviral particles are produced, and how are their relative levels controlled? What are the cellular pathways involved in the production of each particle type? At present our answers to all of these questions are fragmentary. However, the recent application of biochemical and genetic approaches to the study of hepadnaviral morphogenesis has reawakened interest in this process and helped to frame the overall dimensions of the problem. In the following pages I review what is known about hepadnaviral structure and assembly, with emphasis on recent mutational approaches that examine the role of individual viral gene products in the assembly process. Since the work is most advanced for the human hepatitis B virus (HBV), this review will concentrate on HBV; mention will be made of the animal hepadnaviruses only where significant differences exist or where the corresponding information for HBV is not available.
A conceptual framework for evaluating data suitability for observational studies.

Objective To contribute a conceptual framework for evaluating data suitability to satisfy the research needs of observational studies. Materials and methods Suitability considerations were derived from a systematic literature review on researchers' common data needs in observational studies and a scoping review on frequent clinical database design considerations, and were harmonized to construct a suitability conceptual framework using a bottom-up approach. The relationships among the suitability categories are explored from the perspective of 4 facets of data: intrinsic, contextual, representational, and accessible. A web-based national survey of domain experts was conducted to validate the framework. Results Data suitability for observational studies hinges on the following key categories: Explicitness of Policy and Data Governance, Relevance, Availability of Descriptive Metadata and Provenance Documentation, Usability, and Quality. We describe 16 measures and 33 sub-measures. The survey uncovered the relevance of all categories, with a 5-point Likert importance score of 3.9 ± 1.0 for Explicitness of Policy and Data Governance, 4.1 ± 1.0 for Relevance, 3.9 ± 0.9 for Availability of Descriptive Metadata and Provenance Documentation, 4.2 ± 1.0 for Usability, and 4.0 ± 0.9 for Quality. Conclusions The suitability framework evaluates a clinical data source's fitness for research use. Its construction reflects both researchers' points of view and data custodians' design features. The feedback from domain experts rated Usability, Relevance, and Quality categories as the most important considerations.