cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Let Us Count the Ways: How Should the Amount in Controversy be Calculated in Diversity Class Actions?

This article previews the issues and arguments in Ford Motor Company and Citibank (South Dakota) v. McCauley, an appeal before the Supreme Court in the 2002-03 Term. Ford Motor Co. v. McCauley raises a straight-forward clash regarding one of the most fundamental requirements for establishing federal diversity jurisdiction: namely, how to calculate the $75,000 jurisdictional amount required for federal subject matter jurisdiction. This appeal fundamentally asks the Supreme Court sort out the multiple, confusing, and quirky rules that have developed over two hundred years of federal jurisprudence. Adding spice to the 'how do we count?' mix, the Court has the challenge of explaining how amount-in-controversy rules apply in the class action context. The central issue before the Court in Ford Motor Company v. McCauley concerns whether federal courts should follow the 'plaintiff's viewpoint' rule or the 'either viewpoint' rule in determining whether the $75,000 amount-in-controversy requirement for federal diversity is satisfied in a federal class action seeking both compensatory and injunctive relief against multiple defendants. In addition, the Court must determine whether federal courts may calculate the requisite amount in controversy with reference to the defendants' costs of implementing the requested injunction, either as to one class member or all class members.It remains to be seen whether the Supreme Court will demur sorting through the conflicting and confusing counting principles because of the pending Class Action Fairness Act, which provisions would modify the rules relating to federal diversity class actions and the amount in controversy requirement. Similar bills have been introduced in Congress since 1998, and Congress has not yet enacted any of these bills. Thus, the Court may decide to step into this breach and bring order to prevailing doctrinal confusion.But, if the Court articulates less-than-favorable amount-in-controversy counting rules that negatively impacts defendants, this could energize their advocates to spur Congress to enact the Class Action Fairness Act to undo an unfavorable Supreme Court decision. However, if the Court articulates plaintiff-favoring counting rules, this will no doubt additionally energize the plaintiffs' class action bar to defeat the Class Action Fairness Act.
Microrheological modeling of lithium ion battery anode slurry

Abstract The rheological properties of electrode slurries used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries affect the manufacturing processes as well as the battery quality, such as electrochemical and durability performance. There is thus an urgent need to develop a physics-based model to describe the rheological properties of these electrode slurries to enable further optimization of battery electrode production. In this paper, we present a microrheological model for estimating the viscosity of electrode slurries that incorporates colloidal forces such as van der Waals and polymeric steric repulsion forces. The model shows good agreement with the experimentally determined viscosities of a graphite-based anode slurry and should be extendable to describe the rheological properties of cathode slurries.
Reverberating effects of resource exchanges in stream-riparian food webs.

Fluxes of materials or organisms across ecological boundaries, often termed “resource subsidies,” directly affect recipient food webs. Few studies have addressed how such direct responses in one ecosystem may, in turn, influence the fluxes of materials or organisms to other habitats or the potential for feedback relationships to occur among ecosystems. As part of a large-scale, multi-year experiment, we evaluated the hypothesis that the input of a marine-derived subsidy results in a complex array of resource exchanges (i.e., inputs, outputs, feedbacks) between stream and riparian ecosystems as responses disperse across ecological boundaries. Moreover, we evaluated how the physical properties of resource subsidies mediated complex responses by contrasting carcasses with a pelletized salmon treatment. We found that salmon carcasses altered stream–riparian food webs by directly subsidizing multiple aquatic and terrestrial organisms (e.g., benthic insect larvae, fishes, and terrestrial flies). Such responses further influenced food webs along indirect pathways, some of which spanned land and water (e.g., subsidized fishes reduced aquatic insect emergence, with consequences for spiders and bats). Subsidy-mediated feedbacks manifested when carcasses were removed to riparian habitats where they were colonized by carrion flies, some of which fell into the stream and acted as another prey subsidy for fishes. As the effects of salmon subsidies propagated through the stream–riparian food web, the sign of consumer responses was not always positive and appeared to be determined by the outcome of trophic interactions, such that localized trophic interactions within one ecosystem mediated the export of organisms to others.
Intralesional Rituximab Injection for Low-Grade Conjunctival Lymphoma Management.

Abstract Intralesional rituximab for low-grade conjunctival lymphoma provided complete response in 11(73%) eyes and partial response in 4(27%) eyes after 37-month(range,6-84) mean follow-up. Side effects were periocular swelling in 1 and allergic reaction in 2 patients.
Point-GNN: Graph Neural Network for 3D Object Detection in a Point Cloud

In this paper, we propose a graph neural network to detect objects from a LiDAR point cloud. Towards this end, we encode the point cloud efficiently in a fixed radius near-neighbors graph. We design a graph neural network, named Point-GNN, to predict the category and shape of the object that each vertex in the graph belongs to. In Point-GNN, we propose an auto-registration mechanism to reduce translation variance, and also design a box merging and scoring operation to combine detections from multiple vertices accurately. Our experiments on the KITTI benchmark show the proposed approach achieves leading accuracy using the point cloud alone and can even surpass fusion-based algorithms. Our results demonstrate the potential of using the graph neural network as a new approach for 3D object detection. The code is available at https://github.com/WeijingShi/Point-GNN.
Retrospective study on the clinicogenomic characteristics of EGFR mutant and EGFR wildtype NSCLC

Abstract Background Lung cancer is among the leading causes of mortality. Nearly 90% of all lung cancers are histologically classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A subset of these tumors harbor mutations on the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) and such patients are candidates for targeted therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs). Aim To compare and contrast the clinicogenomic characteristics of EGFR mutant and wildtype NSCLC. Methods and results A retrospective cohort study design was used to analyze publicly available data on cBioPortal.org. Patients with EGFR mutations were more likely to be female, of Asian ethnicity, never-smokers, and diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma. Metastasis to the pleura, pleural fluid, and liver were common in patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC. On the other hand, lymph node, brain and adrenal gland metastases were more common in patients with other mutations. While the median overall survival was about the same in the two groups, progression free survival was significantly shorter in the EGFR mutant group. The mutational landscape was significantly different in the two groups with EGFR mutant NSCLCs having a lower mutational burden. Differences in copy number alterations between the two groups were also noted. Conclusions The clinicogenomic profiles of EGFR mutant and EGFR wildtype significantly differ. Further studies on these differences and underlying mechanisms are likely to lead to new “druggable” targets that overcome EGFR TKI resistance.
Total cost of carbon capture and storage implemented at a regional scale: northeastern and midwestern United States

We model the costs of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in subsurface geological formations for emissions from 138 northeastern and midwestern electricity-generating power plants. The analysis suggests coal-sourced CO2 emissions can be stored in this region at a cost of $52-$60 ton-1, whereas the cost to store emission from natural-gas-fired plants ranges from approximately $80 to $90. Storing emissions offshore increases the lowest total costs of CCS to over $60 per ton of CO2 for coal. Because there apparently is sufficient onshore storage in the northeastern and midwestern United States, offshore storage is not necessary or economical unless there are additional costs or suitability issues associated with the onshore reservoirs. For example, if formation pressures are prohibitive in a large-scale deployment of onshore CCS, or if there is opposition to onshore storage, offshore storage space could probably store emissions at an additional cost of less than $10 ton-1. Finally, it is likely that more than 8 Gt of total CO2 emissions from this region can be stored for less $60 ton-1, slightly more than the $50 ton-1 Section 45Q tax credits incentivizing CCS.
Comments to Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding National Bank and Federal Savings Association Digital Activities (Docket Id Occ-2019-0028)

This is a response to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for information to help in evaluating the regulatory environment for the digital activities of national banks and federal savings associations. In this comment, we raise concerns relative to consumer protection broadly and specifically as to fair lending and consumer education problems associated with the use of alternative data and machine learning in credit underwriting.
11-μs time-resolved, continuous dual-comb spectroscopy with spectrally filtered mode-locked frequency combs

Broadband dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS) based on portable mode-locked fiber frequency combs is a powerful tool for in situ, calibration-free, multi-species spectroscopy. While the acquisition of a single spectrum with mode-locked DCS typically takes microseconds to milliseconds, the applications of these spectrometers have generally been limited to systems and processes with time changes on the order of seconds or minutes due to the need to average many spectra to reach a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Here, we demonstrate high-speed, continuous, fiber mode-locked laser DCS with down to 11 μs time resolution. We achieve this by filtering the comb spectra using portable Fabry–Perot cavities to generate filtered combs with 1 GHz tooth spacing. The 1 GHz spacing increases the DCS acquisition speed and SNR for a given optical bandwidth while retaining a sufficient spacing to resolve absorption features over a wide range of conditions. We measure spectra of methane inside a rapid compression machine throughout the 16 ms compression cycle with 133 cm−1 bandwidth (4000 comb teeth) and 1.4 ms time resolution by spectrally filtering one of the combs. By filtering both combs, we measured a single-shot, 25 cm−1 (750 comb teeth) spectrum of CO around 6330 cm−1 in 11 μs. The technique enables simultaneously high-speed and high-resolution DCS measurements, and can be applied anywhere within the octave-spanning spectrum of robust and portable fiber mode-locked frequency combs.
Neuroinflammatory and functional connectivity signatures in radicular and axial chronic low back pain

We recently showed elevated levels of the 18kDa translocator protein (TSPO), a marker of neuroinflammation, in chronic low back pain patients (cLBP) compared to healthy controls(Loggia et al., 2015). Here, we test whether TSPO signal 1) can further subtype cLBP patients based on their clinical presentation, and 2) is associated with functional connectivity measures (because neuroinflammation may affect neuronal communication(Clark et al., 2015)). Patients with axial (cLBPAX; n=26; 43.7±16.6 y.o.) or radicular cLBP (cLBPRAD; n=28; 48.3±13.2 y.o.) received an integrated PET/MRI scan with the TSPO ligand [11C]PBR28. TSPO signal was quantified using standardized uptake values normalized by whole-brain signal (SUVR). Functional connectivity from primary somatosensory cortex (S1) (i.e., a region significant in the PET group comparison) was calculated from BOLD resting-state fMRI data. Connectivity and PET measures were compared across groups, correlated with and against each other and against the Fibromyalgia Screening Questionnaire (FSQ) scores, measure of pain “centralization”. Because two different scanners were used (BrainPET: 10 cLBPAX, 15 cLBPRAD; Biograph mMR: 16 cLBPAX, 13 cLBPRAD), scanner was included as a covariate in all analyses. Moreover, PET analyses also included Ala147Thr TSPO genotype, which predicts binding affinity to [11C]PBR28. In S1, TSPO signal and functional connectivity to the thalamus were: 1) higher in cLBPRAD compared to cLBPAX; 2) positively correlated with each other and 3) positively correlated with FSQ scores. Our data support the existence of different “neuroinflammatory signatures” in patients with different clinical presentation and that S1 neuroinflammatory signal is more pronounced in patients with higher pain “centralization”. Further, because S1 TSPO signal was correlated to S1-thalamus connectivity, our data support an association between neuroinflammatory changes and changes in neuronal communication, possibly indicating that the observed alterations reflect “neurogenic neuroinflammation”. Future studies are needed to determine whether neuroinflammation and related connectivity changes are possible therapeutic targets for chronic pain. 1R21NS087472-01A1; 1R01NS095937-01A; 1R01NS094306-01A1; W81XWH-14-1-0543.
Does degeneration or genetic conflict shape gene content on UV sex chromosomes

Studies of sex chromosomes have played a central role in understanding the consequences of suppressed recombination and sex-specific inheritance among several genomic phenomena. However, we argue that these efforts will benefit from a more rigorous examination of haploid UV sex chromosome systems, in which both the female-limited (U) and male-limited (V) experience suppressed recombination and sex-limited inheritance, and both are transcriptionally active in the haploid and diploid states. We review the life cycle differences that generate UV sex chromosomes and genomic data showing that ancient UV systems have evolved independently in many eukaryotic groups, but gene movement on and off the sex chromosomes, and potentially degeneration continue to shape the current gene content of the U and V chromosomes. Although both theory and empirical data show that the evolution of UV sex chromosomes is shaped by many of the same processes that govern diploid sex chromosome systems, we highlight how the symmetrical inheritance between the UV chromosomes provide an important test of sex-limited inheritance in shaping genome architecture. We conclude by examining how genetic conflict (over sexual dimorphism, transmission-ratio distortion, or parent-offspring conflict) may drive gene gain on UV sex chromosomes, and highlight the role of breeding system in governing the action of these processes. Collectively these observations demonstrate the potential for evolutionary genomic analyses of varied UV sex chromosome systems, combined with natural history studies, to understand how genetic conflict shapes sex chromosome gene content.
Postliberal Theory

This paper begins with a critical part and concludes with a constructive part. First, with reference to a definition of liberalism and using immanent critique, I show deficiencies in the claims of four selfprofessed postliberals to have articulated non-liberal positions. Then, I argue that postliberal political theory consists in acknowledging that in political contexts some voluntary groups as such can be moral, not merely political, agents. Analysis of what moral autonomy is for persons as empirical (not noumenal) agents reveals that that account can be transposed to some groups. A key common element among the four rejected positions is their emphasis on the normative authority of some practices as over against principles. My proposal congeals that normative emphasis on the social into group-moral authority. Recognition of some voluntary groups’ episodic moral authority over their members is non-liberal but not anti-liberal.
Associative long-term potentiation in piriform cortex slices requires GABAA blockade

Previous studies have demonstrated that NMDA-dependent, long-term potentiation (LTP) can be induced in both afferent and intrinsic association fiber systems in the piriform (primary olfactory) cortex. In this report we demonstrate that an associative form of LTP can be induced by coactivation of these two systems, which terminate on adjacent apical dendritic segments of pyramidal cells. Potentiating stimulus trains were delivered to either afferent or association fibers, and weak shocks, which were nonpotentiating when delivered alone, were delivered to the other pathway. Under control recording conditions where homosynaptic (single pathway) LTP is consistently evoked, coincident application of these stimuli failed to induce LTP of the weak shock response. However, after local blockade of the fast, GABAA-mediated IPSP, associative LTP was consistently produced in both directions. Induction was blocked by D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid, indicating that it is dependent on activation of NMDA receptors. It is speculated that afferent and association fibers are segregated on different dendritic segments of pyramidal cells in piriform cortex to allow regulation of associative LTP by way of centrifugal inputs that modulate the activity of GABAergic interneurons.
Abstract P6-06-04: The role of sphingosine kinase 1 in breast carcinogenesis

Introduction: The bioactive sphingolipids, ceramide/sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) possess opposite effects on cell fate. Sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) is an enzyme that principally regulates the balance or the "rheostat" of the sphingolipids by phosphorylating sphingosine to form S1P. In this study, we investigated the effect of SphK1 deficiency on HER2/neu-induced mammary carcinogenesis using a MMTV-neu transgenic (Tg) mice model. Methods: MMTV-neu Tg mice were crossbred with SphK1 knockout (KO) mice to generate MMTV-neu Tg mice with KO or wild-type for SphK1 gene. The number and size of the palpable tumors were recorded weekly until mice reached 35 weeks of age or the largest tumor diameter reached 20 mm in size. At necropsy, tumors and blood were collected for analysis. The sphingolipid profiles in blood were analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry. Results: The incidences of mammary tumor development in the homozygous SphK1 KO (1/13; 8%) and heterozygous SphK1 KO (11/44; 26%) were significantly reduced (P=0.0112 and 0.0208, respectively) when compared to wild-type mice (8/13; 62%). The mammary tumor multiplicity was significantly reduced in homozygous SphK1 KO (0.08±0.08; P=0.0036) when compared to wild-type mice (0.69±0.17). The S1P levels in blood were significantly decreased in homozygous SphK1 KO mice (P Conclusion: The results provide novel evidence that SphK1 mediates HER2/neu-induced mammary carcinogenesis by regulating the ceramide/sphingosine-S1P "rheostat". Thus, we propose that SphK1 inhibition may be a novel therapeutic option in the treatment of HER2 breast tumors. Citation Format: Yoshiko Shimizu, Hideki Furuya, Paulette M Tamashiro, Kayoko Iino, Charles J Rosser, Toshihiko Kawamori. The role of sphingosine kinase 1 in breast carcinogenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-06-04.
Co-immobilization of semaphorin3A and nerve growth factor to guide and pattern axons.

Abstract Immobilization of axon guidance cues offers a powerful tissue regenerative strategy to control the presentation and spatial location of these biomolecules. We use our previously developed immobilization strategy to specifically tether recombinant biotinylated nerve growth factor (bNGF) and biotinylated semaphorin3A (bSema3A) to chitosan films as an outgrowth and guidance platform. DRG neurite length and number for a range of single cues of immobilized bNGF or bSema3A were examined to determine a concentration response. Next single and dual cues of bNGF and bSema3A were immobilized and DRG guidance was assessed in response to a step concentration change from zero. Overall, immobilized groups caused axon extension, retraction and turning depending on the ratio of bNGF and bSema3A immobilized in the encountered region. This response indicated the exquisite sensitivity of DRG axons to both attractive and repulsive tethered cues. bSema3A concentrations of 0.10 and 0.49 ng/mm 2 , when co-immobilized with bNGF (at 0.86 and 0.43 ng/mm 2 respectively), caused axons to turn away from the co-immobilized region. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that at these bSema3A concentrations, axons inside the co-immobilized region display microtubule degradation and breakdown of actin filaments. At the lowest bSema3A concentration (0.01 ng/mm 2 ) co-immobilized with a higher bNGF concentration (2.16 ng/mm 2 ), neurite lengths are shorter in the immobilized area, but bNGF dominates the guidance mechanism as neurites are directed toward the immobilized region. Future applications can pattern these cues in various geometries and gradients in order to better modulate axon guidance in terms of polarity, extension and branching. Statement of significance Nervous system formation and regeneration requires key molecules for guiding the growth cone and nervous system patterning. In vivo these molecules work in conjunction with one another to modulate axon guidance, and often they are tethered to limit spatial distribution. The novelty of this research is that we provide a specific attachment method to immobilize an attractive signal, nerve growth factor, along with an inhibitory cue, semaphorin3A, to a substrate in order to analyze the interplay of these proteins on axon guidance responses. The scientific impact of this manuscript is that we show that dual-cued platforms are necessary in order to finetune and tailor specific axon responses for varying neuronal regenerative purposes.
Burnout in Organizational Life

Burnout is a psychological response to work stress that is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced feelings of personal accomplishment. In this paper, we review the burnout literature from 1993 to present, identifying important trends that have characterized the literature. We focus our attention on theoretical models that explain the process of burnout, the measurement of burnout, means of reducing burnout, and directions for the future of burnout research.
Theory of magnetostatic waves for in-plane magnetized isotropic films

A modified formulation of the Damon-Eshbach theory of magnetostatic waves for in-plane magnetized anisotropic films is presented. New results, relative to the usual backward volume wave, nonreciprocal surface wave, and surface mode critical angle properties for isotropic films, are obtained for films with various anisotropies. These include: (i) Surface mode suppression. (ii) A second critical propagation angle for which the backward volume band of dispersion branches becomes inverted and the dispersion curves change to a forward volume mode character. (iii) Mode conversion and a reentrant mode character for the lowest order dispersion branch; a volume mode character at low wave number which converts to a surface character at high wave number. At the conversion point, this mode corresponds to a propagating plane wave with a uniform mode profile across the film thickness but at nonzero propagation wave number. (iv) A third critical in-plane propagation angle at which the surface mode dispersion branch vanishes and the lowest order branch reverts to a pure volume mode character.
Motor Neuron Degeneration Promotes Neural Progenitor Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Neurogenesis in the Spinal Cords of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Mice

The organization, distribution, and function of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the adult spinal cord during motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remain largely unknown. Using nestin promoter-controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mice and mutant G93A-SOD1 transgenic mice mimicking ALS, we showed that there was an increase of NPC proliferation, migration, and neurogenesis in the lumbar region of adult spinal cord in response to motor neuron degeneration. The proliferation of NPCs detected by bromodeoxyurindine incorporation and LacZ staining was restricted to the ependymal zone surrounding the central canal (EZ). Once the NPCs moved out from the EZ, they lost the proliferative capability but maintained migratory function vigorously. During ALS-like disease onset and progression, NPCs in the EZ migrated initially toward the dorsal horn direction and then to the ventral horn regions, where motor neurons have degenerated. More significantly, there was an increased de novo neurogenesis from NPCs during ALS-like disease onset and progression. The enhanced proliferation, migration, and neurogenesis of (from) NPCs in the adult spinal cord of ALS-like mice may play an important role in attempting to repair the degenerated motor neurons and restore the dysfunctional circuitry which resulted from the pathogenesis of mutant SOD1 in ALS.
Hydroxocobalamin and sodium thiosulfate versus sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate in the treatment of acute cyanide toxicity in a swine (Sus scrofa) model

Study objective Cyanide can cause severe hypotension with acute toxicity. To our knowledge, no study has directly compared hydroxocobalamin and sodium nitrite with sodium thiosulfate in an acute cyanide toxicity model. Our objective is to compare the return to baseline of mean arterial blood pressure between 2 groups of swine with acute cyanide toxicity and treated with hydroxocobalamin with sodium thiosulfate or sodium nitrite with sodium thiosulfate. Methods Twenty-four swine were intubated, anesthetized, and instrumented (continuous arterial and cardiac output monitoring) and then intoxicated with a continuous cyanide infusion until severe hypotension. The animals were divided into 2 arms of 12 each and then randomly assigned to intravenous hydroxocobalamin (150 mg/kg)+sodium thiosulfate (413 mg/kg) or sodium nitrite (10 mg/kg)+sodium thiosulfate (413 mg/kg) and monitored for 40 minutes after start of antidotal infusion. Twenty animals were needed for 80% power to detect a significant difference in outcomes (α 0.05). Repeated measures of analysis of covariance and post hoc t test were used for determining significance. Results Baseline mean weights, time to hypotension (31 minutes 3 seconds versus 28 minutes 6 seconds), and cyanide dose at hypotension (5.6 versus 5.9 mg/kg) were similar. One animal in the hydroxocobalamin group and 2 animals in the sodium nitrite group died during antidote infusion and were excluded from analysis. Hydroxocobalamin resulted in a faster return to baseline mean arterial pressure, with improvement beginning at 5 minutes and lasting through the conclusion of the study ( P Conclusion Hydroxocobalamin with sodium thiosulfate led to a faster return to baseline mean arterial pressure compared with sodium nitrite with sodium thiosulfate; however, there was no difference between the antidote combinations in mortality, serum acidosis, or serum lactate.
The β-galactosidase-catalyzed hydrolysis of o-nitrophenol-β-D-galactoside at subzero temperatures: Evidence for a galactosyl-enzyme intermediate

Abstract The reaction of β-galactosidase ( E. coli K12) with o -nitrophenyl-β- D -galactoside has been investigated over the temperature range +25° to −30° using 50% aqueous dimethyl sulfoxide as solvent. At temperatures below −10° turnover becomes very slow and a burst of o -nitrophenol is observed. Such a burst indicates the existence of a galactosyl-enzyme intermediate whose breakdown is rate-limiting and provides a means of determining the active site normality. The Arrhenius plot for turnover is linear in the −25 to +25° range with Ea = 26 ± 3 kcal/mole. The presence of the 50% DMSO had no effect on Km but caused a small decrease in Kcat.
Phosphate Type and Salt Concentration Effects on Shear Strength of and Packaging Film Adhesion to Processed Meat From a Cook‐in Packaging System

Shear force values of product slices and adhesion at packaging film-meat interfaces were measured for vacuum-packaged, cook-in-the-film prepared meat products. With 2.0% NaCl, phosphate addition at 0.4% increased both measures in the following order of effectiveness: sodium acid pyrophosphate greater than sodium tripolyphosphate greater than no phosphate. For NaCl effects, generally a 1% increase in concentration in the range of 0.5% to 4.0% was required to increase shear values of cooked products. Adhesion at the film-meat interface did not increase until the NaCl concentration was greater than 3.0%. In studying type of phosphate or NaCl concentration effects, higher adhesion occurred for packaging films having a nylon sealant layer as compared to films with sealants of Surlyn or a nylon-Surlyn blend.
Interleukin-17A: a T-cell-derived growth factor for murine and human mesenchymal stem cells.

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a proinflammatory cytokine expressed in activated T-cells. It is required for microbial host defense and is a potent stimulator of granulopoiesis. In a dose-dependent fashion, IL-17A expanded human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and induced the proliferation of mature stroma cells in bone marrow-derived stroma cultures. Recombinant human interleukin-17A (rhIL-17A) nearly doubled colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-f) frequency and almost tripled the surface area covered by stroma. In a murine transplant model, in vivo murine (m)IL-17A expression enhanced CFU-f by 2.5-fold. Enrichment of the graft with CD4+ T-cell resulted in a 7.5-fold increase in CFU-f in normal C57BL/6, but only threefold in IL-17Ra−/− mice on day 14 post-transplant. In this transplant model, in vivo blockade of IL-17A in C57BL/6 mice resembled the phenotype of IL-17Ra−/− mice. Approximately half of the T-cell-mediated effect on MSC recovery following radiation-conditioned transplantation was attributed to the IL-17A/IL-17Ra pathway. Pluripotent MSCs have the potential of regenerating various tissues, and mature stroma cells are critical elements of the hematopoietic microenvironment (HME). The HME is pivotal for formation and maintenance of functional blood cells. As a newly identified stroma cell growth factor, IL-17A might have potential applications for novel treatment approaches involving MSCs, such as tissue graft engineering.
Application of brain limbic system to adaptive cruise control

In this paper, we propose an application of neuromorphic based control strategy to achieve Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) as an autonomous vehicle function. In this approach, a computational model of the brain limbic system is utilised to produce the required control action. The results demonstrate that the proposed controller has at least similar and generally better performance than the conventional approach. Finally, BLS based ACC approach is extended to platoons of vehicles. The results show the successful operation of the proposed approach in the platoon setting both in terms of individual vehicle performance as well as string stability of the platoon.
EFFECTS OF INDUCED AROUSAL ON PREFERENCE FOR VISUAL COMPLEXITY

Preferences for visual stimuli varying in level of complexity were obtained from 58 male undergraduate students. Subjects in an induced-arousal group showed preferences that were monotonically related to complexity level, while subjects in a non-aroused control group expressed highest preferences for intermediate levels of complexity. The data conform most closely with the psychological complexity notion of Walker (1964, 1973).
A simple, single-tube radioisotopic assay for the phosphorylation/inactivation activity of the pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase regulatory protein.

A simple, single-tube radiolsotopic method has been developed to assay the relative phosphorylation (inaetivation) activity of the bifunctional regulatory protein (RP) of C4-leaf pyruvate,orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) in desalted leaf homogenates and partially purified preparations. RP catalyzes the inactivation of maize PPDK by phosphorylation of Thr-456, utilizing [β-P]ADP as the specific phosphoryl donor. Existing spectrophotometric and radioisotopic assays for the detection of RP activity are either relatively insensitive or labor-intensive and timeconsuming. We describe a modified radioisotopic assay that couples the synthesis of [β-32P]ADP by exogenous adenylate kinase with the subsequent RP-catalyzed [β-32P]ADP-dependent phosphorylation of exogenous maize PPDK. The incorporation of [β-32P] is dependent on the initial concentrations of ATP and PPDK, as well as the presence of active RP. Desalted leaf homogenates of C3 species fail to catalyze 32P incorporation into exogenous maize PPDK. Conversely, heterologous systems containing the maize target enzyme and leaf homogenats of other C4 species result in PPDK-specific 32P-incorporation. This simple radioisotopic assay is at least 40-times more sensitive than the routine spectrophotometric assay, and qualitatively exhibits comparable sensitivity and requires significantly less time than the currently available radioisotopic RP assay. The present assay reliably generates [β-32P]ADP and as such may be useful for studies of other systems requiring β-labeled ADP, which is not commercially available.
Addition of nifedipine to maximal beta-blocker-nitrate therapy: Effects on exercise capacity and global left ventricular performance at rest and during exercise

Nifedipine is a potent coronary vasodilator in the resting state and an effective afterload-reducing agent. This study was undertaken because of the concern that the addition of nifedipine to beta-blocker therapy could produce serious untoward hemodynamic consequences. Although this combination is usually well tolerated, occasional reports suggest that the combination of nifedipine and beta-blocking agents may increase the likelihood of congestive heart failure, severe hypotension or exacerbation of angina. Further, there is a need to know if the addition of nifedipine to therapy with maximally tolerated doses of long-acting nitrates and beta blockers would provide further symptomatic relief without excessive adverse effects. Finally, the effect of adjunctive nifedipine on global left ventricular performance at rest and during exercise was examined. Sixteen patients, all of whom had 3 or more episodes per week of angina pectoris despite therapy with long-acting nitrates and beta blockers, were selected. Radionuclide ventriculography was performed at rest and during exercise; global ejection fractions (EFs) were determined by manually tracing the left ventricular end-diastolic perimeter with an electronic cursor. In the first phase, beta blockers and nitrates were used; in the second phase nifedipine, 10 mg every 6 hours, was added and titrated to reduce systolic blood pressure at rest by at least 10 mm Hg or until intolerable adverse effects occurred. When nifedipine was added to therapy, the difference between global EF at rest and during exercise was reduced from - 0.15 to + 0.02 (p less than 0.00001); exercise duration was increased from 431 seconds to 532 (p less than 0.001), with only 8 patients limited by angina, compared with 16 during the initial therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Differentiating multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells generate factors that exert paracrine activities on exogenous MSCs: Implications for paracrine activities in bone regeneration

The mechanisms by which multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) contribute to tissue repair following transplantation into host tissues remains poorly understood. Current concepts suggest that, in addition to differentiation into cells of the host tissues, MSCs also generate trophic factors that modulate host tissue microenvironment to aid in the repair process. In this communication, we assessed whether factors secreted by MSCs undergoing osteogenic differentiation induce expression of osteoblast markers in exogenous MSCs as well as their migration. Murine MSCs were cultured in osteogenic medium, and at different time points, medium conditioned by the cells was collected and assessed for its effects on differentiation and migration of exogenous MSCs. In addition, we determined whether MSCs infused into mice femurs expressed genes encoding for factors predicted to play a role in paracrine activities. The results showed that MSCs maintained in osteogenic medium, secreted factors at specific time points that induced alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) in exogenous MSCs as well as their migration. MSCs infused into mice femurs and retrieved at different days expressed genes that encoded predicted factors that play a role in cell differentiation and migration. Neutralizing antibodies to bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) led to the decrease in ALP activity by exogenous MSCs. These data demonstrated that, as MSCs differentiate toward osteogenic lineage, they secrete factors that induce recruitment and differentiation of endogenous progenitors. These data reveal mechanisms by which donor MSCs may contribute to the bone reparative process and provide a platform for designing approaches for stem cell therapies of musculoskeletal disorders.
Extended solubility approach: Solubility parameters for crystalline solid compounds

Abstract A method is suggested to obtain solubility parameters for crystalline solid compounds, involving a quadratic equation based on the original Scatchard-Hildebrand solubility expression. The geometric mean, δ 1 δ 2 , of the Hildebrand approach is replaced by w 12 = K δ 1 δ 2 , and log α2/( V 2 o 2 2 /2.3 RT ) is regressed against δ 1 in a second-degree power series for parabens and benzoic acid in a series of normal alcohols. The method provides reasonable solubility parameters for the solid solutes and affords a convenient calculation of the solubility of drugs in a homologous series of solvents.
The Effects of Growth Hormone Treatment on Bone Mineral Density and Body Composition in Girls with Turner Syndrome

Background: Many girls with Turner syndrome (TS) are treated with GH to increase adult height. In addition to promoting longitudinal bone growth, GH has effects on bone and body composition. Objective: The objective was to determine how GH treatment affects bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in girls with TS. Method: In a cross-sectional study, we compared measures of body composition and BMD by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, and phalangeal cortical thickness by hand radiography in 28 girls with TS who hadneverreceivedGHand39girlswhoweretreatedwithGHforatleast 1 yr. All girls were participants in a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Research Center (CRC) protocol between 2001 and 2006.
Integrating Spirituality into Family Therapy Training: An Exploration of Faculty Members’ Beliefs

The purpose of this study was to explore the beliefs and attitudes of marriage and family therapy (MFT) faculty as they relate to the appropriateness of addressing spirituality in the context of therapy and training of future MFTs. Ninety-three MFT faculty members at masters and doctoral level programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education completed the electronic survey for this study. The results indicate that the majority of MFT faculty members believe that spirituality is important in their personal lives, in their clinical work, and in MFT training. The findings of the current study are similar to previous studies of clinical and student members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
An evaluation of ultraviolet radiation personnel hazards fronri selected 400-watt high intensity discharge lamps

A study of selected mercury and multi-vapor lamps, commonly used for working environment illumination, was undertaken to evaluate the scope of the ultraviolet personnel hazards one may expect under various operating conditions of the lamps. Spectral irradiance measurements were made for operating conditions with and without reflector-type luminaires, glass covers on luminaires and outer glass bulbs on the lamps.
Revolution In El Salvador: From Civil Strife To Civil Peace, Second Edition

* IntroductionFifteen Years Later: Peace at Last Ignacio Martn-Bar and Rodolfo Cardenal. * Prologue: Recollections and ReflectionsFifteen Years in El Salvador * The Roots of Revolution, 15241960 * Challenges to Power, 19601980 * The Church * The Revolutionaries * Descent into Anarchy, 19801982 * High-Intensity Politics and Low-Intensity Conflict, 19821984 * Electoral Authoritarianism and the Revolutionary Challenge, 19841989 * The Road to Peace, 19891994 * Epilogue: The Electronic Tamale
Behaviour and Educational Thought: Critique and Alternative

(1973). Behaviour and Educational Thought: Critique and Alternative. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 21-35.
Regression of left ventricular mass after mitral valve repair of pure mitral regurgitation

Abstract To evaluate the effect of mitral valve repair on the regression of left ventricular mass, we studied 50 consecutive patients with severe, pure mitral regurgitation undergoing mitral valve repair. Two-dimensional echocardiograms were recorded a mean 2.5 ± 2.0 weeks before and 6.5 ± 2.5 months after valve operation. Postoperative significant mitral regurgitation was present in 3 patients. After mitral valve repair there were significant decreases in left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (133 ± 39 mL/m 2 to 79 ± 35 mL/m 2 ; p 2 to 30 ± 26 mL/m 2 ; p 2 to 49 ± 19 mL/m 2 ; p 2 to 134 ± 52 g/m 2 ; p p p p p
DETERMINATION OF AVIDIN BY USE OF RADIOACTIVE BIOTIN AND SEPHADEX CHROMATOGRAPHY.

SummaryA method for determination of avidin by use of radioactive biotin and a gel-filtration technique has been developed. The method is based on measurement of the radioactivity of the avidin-biotin complex which separates from free biotin when a reaction solution of avidin and excess radioactive biotin is applied to a Sephadex G-25 column.
Family Background and the Propensity for Self-Employment

Empirical analysis shows that men with self-employed fathers and higher parental incomes are more likely to be self-employed, the impact of paternal self-employment is leveraged by higher family income, and self-employment is more likely when the father worked in an occupation with task requirements similar to those of an independent business. The idea that the paternal self- employment effect is attributable to sons following their fathers into occupa- tions inherently more or less conducive to self-employment is not supported.
New generalization of dielectric screening in electronic devices with heavily doped semiconductor region(s). I. Treatment for the quasi-neutral bulk region

Abstract A closed-form analytical method has been developed for determining a new function for spatially variable dielectric constant of semiconductors. The method leads to the development of a new and generalized model for screening potential in heavily doped semiconductors. Calculated results from the new function for the spatially variable dielectric constant show close correspondence with those from well-known earlier functions. The present model for the screening potential predicts improved behaviour at smali distances. It reduces automatically to the Dingle potential at very large distances. The proposed potential is used to estimate the bandgap narrowing of n-Si, p-Si, and n-Ge as a function of the doping density. Calculated results for bandgap narrowing show striking agreement with data from various experiments. AIthough much simpler, the present method appears to predict bandgap narrowing of semiconductors more accurately than by many-body quantum mechanical methods.
The impact of leadership style on organizational growth

Leadership style is a variable that has received significant attention in the management literature. This study suggests that effective leadership style may not be dependent on whether an organization is for‐profit or not‐for‐profit. The findings of this study indicate that even in a not‐for‐profit context, effective leadership is defined not only by task and people orientations but also the interaction between them. Therefore, in developing the psychological profile of effective not‐for‐profit leaders, as is the case in the for‐profit sector, management researchers should explore both their task and people orientations.
Hamiltonian completions of sparse random graphs

Given a (directed or undirected) graph G, finding the smallest number of additional edges which make the graph Hamiltonian is called the Hamiltonian Completion Problem (HCP). We consider this problem in the context of sparse random graphs G(n, c/n) on n nodes, where each edge is selected independently with probability c/n. We give a complete asymptotic answer to this problem when c < 1, by constructing a new linear time algorithm for solving HCP on trees and by using generating function method. We solve the problem both in the cases of undirected and directed graphs.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/ Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry of Vernonia galamensis Oil

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) has been used to identify eight triacylglycerols (TAG) in Vernonia galamensis oil (VO). The TAG include trivernolin, divernoloylstearoylglycerol, divernoloyloleoylglycerol, vernoloyllinoleoylstearoylglycerol, vernoloyllinoleoyloleoylglycerol, and vernoloyldilinoleoylglycerol. Samples for the MALDI/TOF/MS analysis were prepared with alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (matrix) in an acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran solvent system. A mol ratio of matrix/VO (44:1) gave reproducible composite spectra, resulting in resolutions greater than 8,000 and signal-to-noise ratios of above 1000 for the most abundant molecular species. 1,3-Dioleoyl-2-stearoylglycerol and 1,2-dioleoyl-3-palmitoylglycerol were used as calibration standards.
Attitudes toward neurosciences in medical students in Wuhan, China: a survey study.

Background Neurophobia is a well-described phenomenon among medical students in many countries. Little is reported concerning the perceptions of neurosciences among medical students in China. Methods We surveyed senior medical students in Wuhan, China, on their perceptions of neuroscience. Results Students' self-assessments of knowledge in various specialties ranked neurology low, but not the lowest. Students' confidence in diagnosing neurological patients and managing neurological patients demonstrated significant correlation. A positive correlation was noted between confidence in these clinical parameters and the likelihood of specializing in neurology. Students reported bedside teaching and small group sessions as having the greatest value in learning neurology. Conclusions The low, but not the lowest ranking of self-perceived knowledge in neurology by medical students in Wuhan, China, differs from findings reported in other countries. In this exploratory study the investigators hypothesize that the well-described phenomenon of neurophobia may exhibit a less pronounced influence in Wuhan, China.