cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conditional Quantile Processes Based on Series or Many Regressors

Quantile regression (QR) is a principal regression method for analyzing the impact of covariates on outcomes. The impact is described by the conditional quantile function and its functionals. In this paper we develop the nonparametric QR series framework, covering many regressors as a special case, for performing inference on the entire conditional quantile function and its linear functionals. In this framework, we approximate the entire conditional quantile function by a linear combination of series terms with quantile-specific coefficients and estimate the function-valued coefficients from the data. We develop large sample theory for the empirical QR coefficient process, namely we obtain uniform strong approximations to the empirical QR coefficient process by conditionally pivotal and Gaussian processes, as well as by gradient and weighted bootstrap processes.We apply these results to obtain estimation and inference methods for linear functionals of the conditional quantile function, such as the conditional quantile function itself, its partial derivatives, average partial derivatives, and conditional average partial derivatives. Specifically, we obtain uniform rates of convergence, large sample distributions, and inference methods based on strong pivotal and Gaussian approximations and on gradient and weighted bootstraps. All of the above results are for function-valued parameters, holding uniformly in both the quantile index and in the covariate value, and covering the pointwise case as a by-product. If the function of interest is monotone, we show how to use monotonization procedures to improve estimation and inference. We demonstrate the practical utility of these results with an empirical example, where we estimate the price elasticity function of the individual demand for gasoline, as indexed by the individual unobserved propensity for gasoline consumption.
Manipulation and Detection of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Diagnostic Applications

This review presents recent developments concerning the use of nanoscale magnetic materials in the field of biosensors and bioelectronics. Compared with optical and electrical materials, magnetic materials enjoy several advantages which have been applied to numerous bioanalytical devices. For example, biological fluids do not attenuate magnetic fields, which is advantageous both for detection and manipulation systems due to the reduction of background noise. Magnetic materials are also more stable than their fluorescent counterparts, in which photo-bleaching is a serious impediment to quantitative analysis. This article begins with a brief tutorial on the magnetization behavior of nanoscale magnetic materials. It is followed by a discussion of how force can be applied to colloidal materials with various magnetic manipulation apparatus, with a particular emphasis on the role that size and geometry play in determining the efficiency of magnetic particle manipulation in the context of randomizing thermal energy. Design principles will be provided to demonstrate how the manipulation apparatus can achieve greater flexibility by using two sources of magnetic field, one which produces strong local magnetic field gradient and the other which produces uniform magnetic field. Next, we review recent developments on miniature magnetic field sensor devices, which are routinely applied to detect and analyze the presence of biological molecules and micro-organisms. An outline of the different types of magnetic field sensors used in biodiagnostics is provided, however the focus is mainly on the physical principles underlying the most commonly used sensor based on magnetoresistive materials. Finally, a brief conclusion is provided on the future outlook of nanoscale magnetic materials in lab-on-a-chip devices. Keywords: BioMEMS; magnetic materials; magnetic manipulation; detection; analysis
Geriatric Assessment for the Nephrologist

Dialysis providers are increasingly being presented with progressively older and frailer patients, in all healthcare settings from the acute hospital to the community dialysis center. These patients commonly bring more than kidney failure with them, with a complex constellation of chronic illness, comorbidity, and functional and cognitive impairment. Navigating these challenges and coordinating the care of these highly complex patients significantly increase the work of the whole dialysis team. This article reviews the role of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in these patients and discusses how each of its elements interacts with routine dialysis care.
Data, censorship, and politics: Analyzing the restricted flow of information in federal scientific policy development

Citizen access to information, particularly scientific information used for public policy discussions and decision making, is important in a democracy. However, access to this information can sometimes be restricted or blocked in various ways. This research adopts Jaeger and Burnett's (2005) conceptualization of information access as “the presence of a robust system through which information is made available to citizens and others” (p. 465) with physical, intellectual, and social components. This provides the conceptual framework through which incidents of restricted access to science policy (RASP) were analyzed in a comparative case study. The research found that citizens' physical, intellectual, and social access to scientific research was restricted in these cases. Furthermore, the theoretical framework of democratic accountability held normative and symbolic power for the respondents; although democratic accountability did not accurately predict respondents' actions, it was used as a significant justification for their actions. This research suggests that the conceptual framework of information access (with physical, intellectual, and social components) and the theoretical framework of democratic accountability (although primarily normative) may be useful approaches to subsequent investigations of censorship and restricted access in other situations and research areas.
The efficacy of a lysine-based dendritic hydrogel does not differ from those of commercially available tissue sealants and adhesives: an ex vivo study

Background: Hemostatic agents, tissue adhesives and sealants may contribute to a reduction in hemorrhage-associated morbidity and mortality. Towards this end, we have recently developed a lysine-based dendritic hydrogel (PEG-LysNH2) that can potentially be used in the management of severe trauma and/or intraoperative bleeding. As a first step in demonstrating the potential utility of this approach, our objective was to ascertain the ability of the PEG-LysNH2 to adhere to and seal injured tissues, as well as to maintain the seal under physiological conditions. Methods: The efficacy of the PEG-LysNH2 in sealing injured tissues was evaluated using an ex-vivo pressure testing system. A 2.5 mm incision was made on intact ex-vivo tissues and then sealed with the PEG-LysNH2. Application of the PEG-LysNH2 was followed by 1) step-wise pressure increase to a maximum of 250 mmHg and 2) fluctuating pressures, between 100–180 mmHg with a rate of 3 Hz, over a 24-hour period. The performance of the PEG-LysNH2 was compared to those of commercially available sealants and adhesives. Results: During gradual pressure increase, mean pressures at 30 seconds (P30) ranged between 206.36 - 220.17 mmHg for the sealants, and they were greater than control and suture groups (p<0.01 and p=0.013, respectively). Additionally, all products held under fluctuating pressures: mean pressures ranged between 135.20 - 160.09 mmHg, and there were no differences observed between groups (p=0.96). Conclusions: The efficacy of the PEG-LysNH2 was significantly superior to conventional injury repair methods (sutures) and did not differ from those of commercially available products when sealing small incisions.
Quantitative Antibiotic Sensitivities of Ruminal Bacteria

Fifteen species of ruminal bacteria were tested against 10 antibiotics in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 200 mug/ml in an anaerobic tube dilution system.
The status of the 10-Gigabit Ethernet standard

This paper discusses the status of the 10-Gigabit Ethernet standard along with its objectives and architecture. 10-Gigabit Ethernet is designed for use in two major applications: firstly, local area networks (LAN) and, secondly, connection to SONET/SDH-based wide area networks (WAN). The use of 10-Gigabit Ethernet in these applications is introduced. The four port types being specified for LAN applications and the three for WAN applications are reviewed.
Managing the Performance Trade-Offs from Partner Integration: Implications of Contract Choice in R&D Projects

Formal contracts represent an important governance instrument with which firms exercise control of and compensate partners in RD (ii) greater partner integration is associated with higher product quality only in projects that adopt more flexible time and materials or performance-based contracts; and (iii) in projects where the choice of contract is misaligned with the scope and objectives of the partnering relationship, greater partner integration is associated with higher project costs, but not with higher product quality. Our results shed light on the subtle interplay between formal and relational contracting. They have important implications for practice, with respect to designing optimal governance structures in partnered R&D projects
Restoration of gluconeogenesis in biotin-deficient rats

Abstract In our earlier study on gluconeogenesis in biotin-deficient rats we showed metabolic blocks at the pyruvate carboxylase and glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase steps. This resulted in an accumulation of pyruvate and lactate, and in a decrease in the level of malate and citrate in liver. The ratio of NADH NAD was also markedly reduced. The present study was made to ascertain how soon this condition is alleviated after biotin administration. Using 24-hr fasted biotin-deficient rats, the levels of pyruvate, lactate, malate, citrate, glucose, NADH and NAD were determined in rapidly frozen livers at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 hr after an injection of biotin. Incorporation of l -alanine-U-14C into blood glucose after biotin administration and the effect of actinomycin D and puromycin on this process was also studied. Within 2–4 hr after biotin administration, a marked increase in malate and citrate, and also in the reducing power, with a concomitant decrease in pyruvate was observed. The overall effect of the restoration of gluconeogenesis could be seen from the increased level of glucose in liver and blood and also from the increased incorporation of labeled alanine into blood glucose. Actinomycin D or puromycin administration prior to biotin injection failed to inhibit this restoration. The results indicate that there was no de novo synthesis of pyruvate apocarboxylase or the holocarboxylase synthetase and imply that (a) the lack of biotin was limiting holopyruvate carboxylase synthesis and (b) the decreased reducing power was limiting optimal glyceraldehyde-3-P dehydrogenase activity.
Numerical Bayesian inference with arbitrary prior

The purpose of the paper, is to explain how recent advances in Markov Chain Monte Carlo integration can facilitate the routine Bayesian analysis of the linear model when the prior distribution is completely user dependent. The method is based on a Metropolis-Hastings algorithm with a Student-t source distribution that can generate posterior moments as well as marginal posterior densities for model parameters. The method is illustrated with numerical examples where the combination of prior and likelihood information leads to multimodal posteriors due to prior-likelihood conflicts, and to cases where prior information can be summarized by symmetric stable Paretian distributions.
Pharmacological modulation of human gastric volumes demonstrated noninvasively using SPECT imaging.

Three-dimensional single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging allows noninvasive measurement of human postprandial gastric accommodation. The aim of this study was to determine whether 99mTCO4-SPECT demonstrates effects on pre- and postprandial gastric volumes of intravenous (i.v.) erythromycin lactobionate and sublingual isosorbide dinitrate, as predicted from previous literature. Twenty volunteers received no medication (controls), while 12 were randomized to either i.v. erythromycin 2 mg kg−1 over 20 min, or 10 mg sublingual isosorbide. After a 10-min preprandial SPECT measurement, a standard 300-mL, 300-kcal liquid meal was ingested, followed by a 20-min postprandial measurement. Gastric images were reconstructed from transaxial images and total volume was measured using the Analyseð software system. Fasting gastric volume was greater with isosorbide [223 ± 14 (SE) mL vs. 174 ± 9 mL, control; P < 0.05], and postprandial volume was lower with erythromycin [393 ± 27 mL vs. 582 ± 17 mL, control; P < 0.05]. The ratio of postprandial over fasting volume and mean difference between pre- and postprandial volumes were significantly lower in both drug groups compared to controls. We conclude that 99mTCO4-SPECT imaging is able to semiquantitatively demonstrate pharmacological modulation of fasting gastric volume and postprandial accommodation in humans.
A galactic formation model based on post-big bang fragmentation

A new model of galactic formation is presented. A primeval distribution of angular momentum is derived, which rests on the postulated presence of mass flows at the early stage of the post-big bang universal expansion, when fragmentation occurs. The shape of any particular fragment and its orientation with respect to the mass flow predestine the morphology of the galaxy that will be produced in the subsequent collapse.
Strength of Spider Silk

In the Perspective by David A. Tirrell “Putting a new spin on spider silk” ([5 Jan., p. 39][1]) ([1][2]) and in This Week in Science in the same issue ([p. 9][3]), comments are made about the “superior” and “unmatched” strength and toughness of spider silk. These comments have romantic interest, but they are not correct according to numbers published elsewhere. The following table, although not comprehensive, makes the point. View this table: The lowest tensile strength on this list is that of spider silk. The toughness (energy to break) of the silk is more competitive, but it is no match for the mighty fused silica. Furthermore, the chemical and thermal stabilities of spider silk are mediocre compared with the rest of the list. Finally, silica fiber is much, much cheaper to produce than commercial quantities of spider silk. So let's put the romance aside and pay some attention to the “video tape.” 1. 1.[↵][4] 1. D. A. Tirell , Science 271, 39 (1996). [OpenUrl][5][CrossRef][6][PubMed][7][Web of Science][8] 2. 2. 1. S. Kavesh , Allied-Signal Corp., private communication. Spectra is a highly oriented polyethylene commercial fiber. 3. 3. 1. W. B. Hillig , Modern Aspects of the Vitreous State Butterworths, Washington, DC, 186 (1962). 4. 4. 1. A. Kelly, 2. N. H. Macmillan , Strong Solids Clarendon, Oxford, UK, 391 (1986). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.271.5245.39 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.271.5245.9a [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [5]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%26rft.stitle%253DScience%26rft.issn%253D0036-8075%26rft.aulast%253DTirrell%26rft.auinit1%253DD.%2BA.%26rft.volume%253D271%26rft.issue%253D5245%26rft.spage%253D39%26rft.epage%253D40%26rft.atitle%253DPutting%2Ba%2BNew%2BSpin%2Bon%2BSpider%2BSilk%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1126%252Fscience.271.5245.39%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F8539596%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [6]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1126/science.271.5245.39&link_type=DOI [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=8539596&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fsci%2F272%2F5258%2F15.3.atom [8]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=A1996TP02200032&link_type=ISI
Consummatory response latency and the stimulus-reinforcer relation in autoshaping

Autoshaping procedures with pigeons were used to assess the susceptibility of unconditioned response (UR) activity to Pavlovian relations between stimulus and reinforcer events. Foodpeck latency (a measure of UR activity) was investigated as a function of the interval between stimulus (keylight) and reinforcer (grain) presentations, and of the stimulus-reinforcer contingency, that is, the conditional probabilities of reinforcer delivery in the presence and absence of the stimulus. Four experiments indicated that food-peck latency was sensitive to both manipulations. Generally, conditions that led to higher keypeck rates were associated with shorter latencies. Thus, UR potentiation was demonstrated. However, when the bird’s location prior to grain delivery was fixed by imposing a keypeck-reinforcer contingency, UR potentiation vanished; it then reappeared when the location constraint was removed. Visual observations supported the conclusion that food-peck latency effects were mediated by approach/withdrawal tendencies generated by the stimulus-reinforcer relation. Implications of these results for expectancy theory are discussed.
High-density lipoprotein and plaque regression: the good cholesterol gets even better.

Primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD) has focused on lowering the LDL fraction of blood lipids not only because of the strong epidemiological evidence linking LDL to CHD, but also because pharmacological interventions have made it a highly modifiable risk factor. In contrast, although there is compelling epidemiological evidence that a low plasma level of HDL is also a powerful independent risk factor, it has received comparatively less attention as a therapeutic target. Contributing factors for this relative neglect undoubtedly include our poor understanding of the mechanisms by which low HDL increases cardiovascular risk and the fact that the most commonly used lipid-lowering drugs produce small increases in HDL levels. A variety of clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the major protein present on the surface of HDL particles, correlates with HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, and like HDL, apoA-I correlates inversely with atherosclerosis susceptibility. Historically, experimental studies designed to directly investigate the antiatherogenic properties of apoA-I and HDL particles have been limited to in vitro models, given the limited ability to perform invasive studies in humans. The availability of transgenic and knockout mice and other animals has provided intact models of lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis. Studies of such models have provided direct proof in mammals that an elevated plasma level of apoA-I results in increased HDL and in the inhibition of atherosclerotic lesion formation. For example, 2 independent studies1 2 demonstrated that transgenic expression of human apoA-I in hyperlipidemic apoE knockout mice resulted in a 2-fold increase in HDL-C and a dramatic inhibition …
Acid-degradable solid-walled microcapsules for pH-responsive burst-release drug delivery

Acid-degradable microcapsules were prepared via an interfacial polymerization. Degradation of the thin wall of the capsules leads to all-or-nothing cargo release. The only byproducts of degradation are acetone, and a non-toxic triamide. Proof-of-concept experiments showed that cargo can be delivered to and released in cells.
Environmental coupling modulates the attractors of rhythmic coordination.

A simple instance of coupling behavior to the environment is oscillating the hands in pace withmetronome beats. This environmental coupling can be weaker (1 beat per cycle) or stronger (2 beats percycle). The authors examined whether strength of environmental coupling enhanced the stability ofin-phase bimanual coordination. Detuning by manipulanda that produced different left and right eigen-frequencies shifted the relative phase angle from 0°, with the size of the shift larger for higher movementfrequencies. Stronger environmental coupling was found to decrease this relative-phase shift, withaccompanying increase and reduction, respectively, in recurrence quantification measures related tocoordination stability and coordination noise. Stronger environmental coupling also increased oscillationamplitude. Results are considered from the perspective of parametric stabilization.Keywords: coordination, coupling, dynamics, human, movement
Relaxed, not impotent

Biochemistry of Smooth Muscle Contraction. Edited by Michael Barany. Academic: 1996. Pp. 418. $115.
Cardiac output and regional oxygen transport in the acutely hypoxic conscious sheep

We have studied the effects of severe acute hypoxemia (PaO2 = 25 torr) on cardiac output (Q), heart rate (HR), left ventricular contractility ((dP/dt)max/P), intravascular pressures and blood flow to the heart, brain, abdominal viscera, skin and respiratory and non-respiratory muscles in twelve conscious ewes that breathed a mixture of 8% O2 and 92% N2 for 20 min. Q, HR, (dP/dt)max/P) and systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures increased. Total peripheral resistance decreased while pulmonary vascular resistance remained unchanged. Coronary, cerebral, respiratory and nonrespiratory muscle and adrenal flows increased, in association with a decrease in regional vascular resistances, while the flows to the kidney and other abdominal viscera remained unchanged. The concentration of total plasma catecholamines doubled, indicating that the sympathetic nervous system plays a major role in the hemodynamic response to this level of hypoxia. Increased oxygen delivery to the heart (31%) and respiratory muscles (44%) were brought about by increases in both the magnitude and the redistribution of Q, the latter being the more important of the two mechanisms. In contrast, both mechanisms contributed equally to the amount of oxygen delivered to the brain and nonrespiratory muscles. We concluded that in acute hypoxemia, both the increase in Q and its regional redistribution contribute to the delivery of oxygen to the various tissues.
Influence of Calcium Ion on the Binding of Fibrin Amino Terminal Peptides to Fibrinogen

The affinity of the amino terminal tetrapeptide of the beta chain of fibrin, Gly-His-Arg-Pro, for fibrinogen dramatically increases in the presence of 2 millimolar calcium ion. In contrast, there is no significant increase in the affinity of peptides beginning with the amino terminal sequence of the fibrin alpha chain, Gly-Pro-Arg, in the presence of calcium ions, although the number of binding sites increases. In the latter case, the increased number of sites is due to the alpha chain analogs binding to the site ordinarily occupied by the beta chain analogs. These results indicate that structures at the amino terminus of the fibrin beta chain play a more important role in fibrin polymerization when calcium ions are present.
Enterocyte functional adaptation following intestinal resection

Abstract Following massive small bowel resection, the remaining intestine undergoes compensatory adaptation to maintain absorptive capacity. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative importance of mucosal hyperplasia and functional adaptation by individual enterocytes in this process. Distal ileum was harvested from rats 2 weeks following 70% small bowel resection or transection with reanastomosis. Transport parameters were determined in Ussing chambers. Short-circuit current (Isc) responses to additions of 3-O-methylglucose were measured to assess Na+/glucose cotransporter kinetics. Microvillus absorptive surface areas were calculated with computer-assisted morphometric modeling. These surface area values were used to normalize transport parameters. Ileal absorptive surface area was 70% greater in resection tissues than in transection tissues (P
Financial considerations insurance and coverage issues in intestinal transplantation.

Objective—To increase healthcare workers' knowledge of reimbursement concerns.Methods—Chronological survey of transplants reimbursed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center from December 1997 to October 2003, which include accounts of 30 patients who received intestine transplants.Conclusions—Gross billed hospital charges for the past 30 transplantations ranged from $112094 to $667597. Length of stay ranged from 18 to 119 days. Charges include organ procurement fees. All 30 intestine transplants were reimbursed by third-party healthcare coverage; combination of coverage; and/or patient and family payments, which resulted in adherence to financial guidelines prearranged by the hospital. Financial guidelines are usually cost plus a percentage. Thirteen transplantations occurred after April 2001, when Medicare made a national coverage decision to reimburse this form of transplantation. Since then, obtaining surgical authorization and reimbursement is easier. Most insurance companies and state public hea...
Commonality and differences in leukocyte gene expression patterns among three models of inflammation and injury.

The aim of this study was to compare gene expression profiles of leukocytes from blood (white blood cells; WBCs) and spleen harvested at an early time point after injury or sham injury in mice subj...
The skull of Glyptosaurus sylvestris Marsh, 1871 (Lacertilia: Anguidae)

ABSTRACT The first known well preserved skull of the fossil anguid lizard Glyptosaurus sylvestris demonstrates the distinct nature of this monotypic genus. This specimen (UCMP 126000) is from the middle Eocene Bridger Formation (Bridgerian) of Wyoming and consists of an articulated skull and lower jaws and disarticulated anterior postcranial skeletal elements. Glyptosaurus differs from Paraglyptosaurus by the presence of pterygoid teeth in the form of a narrow band. This character permits designation of this specimen as the plesiotype of G. sylvestris and the diagnosis of the species is revised accordingly. Glyptosaurus sylvestris had fused frontals in the adult, a character plesiomorphic for the subfamily Glyptosaurinae (sensu Sullivan, 1979, 1982). Some specimens previously referred to Paraglyptosaurus are re-assigned to the hypodigm of Glyptosaurus sylvestris. G. (Paraglyptosaurus) rugosus and G. (Paraglyptosaurus) princeps are returned to Glyptosaurus and are junior synonyms of G. sylvestris. Paraglyp...
Platelet 5-HT uptake and release stopped rapidly by formaldehyde.

UPTAKE of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and the thrombin-induced release reaction in platelets are relatively rapid processes at 37 °C, with a linear component of approximately 1 min for uptake1 and an estimated half life of 6 s for the release reaction2,3. An agent which could essentially stop these processes instantaneously and prevent any further 5-HT exchange across the plasma membrane would therefore be a valuable tool for precise studies of the kinetics of uptake and release. We describe here the treatment of platelets with formaldehyde, a technique which seems to provide such a tool.
Fostering male involvement and partnership: a stepwise process, reproductive health through advocacy.

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) emphasized the key role of men in the attainment of sexual and reproductive health for both men and women. The participation of men in discussions about reproductive health is important in order for them to appreciate its benefits to women as well as to themselves. The UNFPA (UN Population Fund) has formulated three steps to establish the role of men as partners in reproductive health. These are: 1) identifying the issues and challenges 2) identifying and categorizing key audiences and stakeholders and 3) involving stakeholders in the advocacy implementation process. The three main issues relating to advocacy for male involvement are 1) fostering a favorable policy environment 2) re-orienting services to meet the needs of men and 3) nurturing a supportive sociocultural climate. The audiences and stakeholders for advocacy may be grouped into four categories--beneficiaries partners adversaries and decision makers. The direct beneficiaries of male involvement and partnership in reproductive health are men themselves. The partners and allies for male involvement programs include many international donor and technical assistance agencies that support male involvement programs. The opposition to male involvement comes from conservative male-dominated traditional and religious institutions. They fear that changing traditional gender roles in reproductive health will unravel time-tested family and community relation structures. The promotion of male partnership in reproductive health results from encouraging men to participate in advocacy. Inclusion of representatives of male-oriented associations helps in advocacy efforts aimed at involving men. Coalitions and networks are also important in the implementation of advocacy programs.
Stanislavski and computer science

Computer science concepts can be difficult for new students to grasp fully. As educators, we look for ways to give our students not only an understanding of a concept but also insight. In the acting profession, actors face a similar situation where they need to understand their characters in depth. The method of having an actor "become" a character is one that can also be applied to computer science education. This paper explores the method of having computer science students "become" a concept and act out their roles. This method has been very effective in helping students gain insights into computer science concepts.
Increase in follicle stimulating hormone content occurs in cultured human fetal pituitary cells exposed to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Abstract To investigate the mechanisms by which GnRH regulates FSH production in the human fetus, dispersed pituitary cells from second trimester human fetuses were cultured on surface-modified plates. Exposure of cells to GnRH [(10 −8 and 10 −7 mol/L), study I] or [D-Ala 6 ]des-Gly 10 -GnRH ethylamide (DALA) [(10 −11 to 10 −7 mol/L), study II] for 48 h resulted in an elevation of total FSH which correlated with an increase in releasable, but not nonreleasable, FSH. When pituitary cells were incubated for 24, 48 and 72 h with and without 10 −8 mol/L GnRH (study III), total FSH was significantly increased in cells cultured for 48–72 h without GnRH compared to cells lysed at the beginning of the incubation (p
Experimental studies of data transport and data access of earth-science data over networks with high bandwidth delay products

Although the amount of earth-science data is growing rapidly, as is the availability of high-performance networks, our ability to access large remote earth-science data sets is still very limited. This is particularly true of networks with high bandwidth-delay products (BDP), such as those between the US and Europe. Recently, several network protocols have emerged that improve the situation and hold the promise of being much more effective than striped TCP (wherein multiple, parallel connections are used to increase data throughput). In this paper, we report on experimental studies using one of these new protocols called UDT, and compare UDT to other approaches. In addition, we consider the effectiveness of these new protocols when reading and writing data to and from disk over high BDP networks. We also consider the problem of accessing remote data by attribute over these same networks. We show that with the appropriate protocol, the speed of accessing data across the Atlantic can be improved significantly. We note that the UDT protocol used here can be deployed as an application library for earth-science applications and neither requires upgrades to existing network infrastructure, such as routers, nor to the Linux kernels on the servers involved.
Stored energy in creep deformed graphite.

Energy storage in creep deformed graphite from stress reduction tests, discussing negative creep, test procedures and results
Technique of making fish illustration 13

Chetia mola, holotype from the Luongo River, Zambia. Drawing by Marlene Werner for Eugene K. Balon & Donald J. Stewart (published in Environmental Biology of Fishes, vol. 9, no. 3/4,1983, p, 240 with the top of the dorsal fin cut in final printing). Size of the specimen: 117.5 mm SL; size of the original illustration 70 x 38 cm; technique: pen and ink combined with carbon dust masked by acrylic paint. Reproduced in halftone.
Fatigue Testing of Double-Angle Connections of Steel Railroad Bridges

An experimental study to evaluate the fatigue strength of double-angle connections used to connect stringers to floor beams in steel railroad bridges is described. The tests examined connections that could be used for either new construction or replacement of old, damaged connections. Double-angle connections are always assumed to be subjected only to shear stresses. But, in reality, some bending moment also is developed by this type of connection, causing additional flexural stresses, which, in turn, can produce fatigue damage by exceeding the constant amplitude fatigue limit. The amount of the transferred moment was estimated in the tests. Two full-scale specimens were built, representing the stringer-to-floor beam connection of a one-span, open-deck, through-plate girder bridge located in Nevada, typical of construction in the early 1900s. The specimens were tested under a cyclic loading of /pm 195.8 kN, representing the equivalent load, which produces a total maximum shear reaction at the connection e...
Expression of interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, and an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

mRNA expression and protein production of interleukin-1 alpha, interleukin-1 beta and intracellular and secreted forms of an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist were measured in visually confluent monolayers of unstimulated cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells and after cells were stimulated with recombinant cytokines. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, transcripts for interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta were not detected in unstimulated cells from any of six donors whereas mRNA expression for both interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta was readily induced in all six cell lines after cells were stimulated with recombinant IL-1 (alpha or beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha, or lipopolysaccharide. The combination of cycloheximide and recombinant interleukin-1 caused a 14-fold enhancement of interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression above that observed after cells were stimulated with interleukin-1 alone. After stimulation by interleukin-1, cells produced intracellular interleukin-1 alpha protein, but did not secrete it into medium. In contrast, interleukin-1 beta protein was not detected in cell lysates or conditioned-medium after stimulation with interleukin-1. An intracellular interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was expressed constitutively by human retinal pigment epithelial cells; mRNA transcripts were enhanced in a dose and time dependent manner after cells were exposed to recombinant interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor alpha. In contrast, mRNA for a secreted form of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was not detected under basal conditions or after cells were stimulated by recombinant cytokines. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein was found primarily in cell lysates; little interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein was secreted by the cells. The presence of cell-associated interleukin-1 receptor antagonist was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. Levels of cell-associated IL-1 receptor antagonist protein were not significantly influenced by recombinant interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor alpha. Endogenous expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist may attenuate the effect of exogenous or endogenous interleukin-1, thus providing the RPE cell a means of maintaining interleukin-1 homeostasis in ocular inflammatory disease.
Immediate lexical integration of novel word forms.

Abstract It is well known that familiar words inhibit each other during spoken word recognition. However, we do not know how and under what circumstances newly learned words become integrated with the lexicon in order to engage in this competition. Previous work on word learning has highlighted the importance of offline consolidation ( Gaskell & Dumay, 2003 ) and meaning ( Leach & Samuel, 2007 ) to establish this integration. In two experiments we test the necessity of these factors by examining the inhibition between newly learned items and familiar words immediately after learning. Participants learned a set of nonwords without meanings in active (Experiment 1) or passive (Experiment 2) exposure paradigms. After training, participants performed a visual world paradigm task to assess inhibition from these newly learned items. An analysis of participants’ fixations suggested that the newly learned words were able to engage in competition with known words without any consolidation.
Arsenic Uptake by Two Hyperaccumulator Ferns from Four Arsenic Contaminated Soils

A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate and compare arsenic accumulation from four arsenic contaminated soils by two arsenic hyperaccumulators, Pteris vittata and Pteris cretica. After growing in soils for six weeks, the plants were harvested and separated into above- and below-ground biomass. Total As, P, Ca, K, glutathione and biomass were measured for the plants, and total As, Mehlich-3 P and As, exchangeable K and Ca, and arsenic fractionation were performed for the soils. Pteris vittata had significantly higher total biomass (14 g/plant) and As accumulation than P. cretica. Arsenic accumulation in both ferns followed the arsenic concentrations in the soil. The P/As molar ratio in the fronds, growing in arsenic contaminated soils, ranged from 80 to 939 in P. vittata and 130 to 421 in P. cretica. Plant arsenic concentrations were significantly positively correlated with Mehlich-3 arsenic in the soils. Soil pH was also significantly correlated with Mehlich-3 arsenic before and after plant uptake. Plant As uptake was significantly correlated with exchangeable potassium in the soil before plant uptake. Glutathione availability was not implicated as a major detoxification mechanism in these ferns. Though both plants were effective in taking up arsenic from various arsenic contaminated soils, P. vittata was overall a better candidate for phytoremediation of arsenic contaminated soils.
The Political Economy of Public Schools

Both the current decline in support for the public schools and the organizational-performance problems of schools can be illuminated by the conceptual approach of political economy. This article combines a selective review of the literature with an introduction to this increasingly popular mode of analysis.
Construction of resonance projection operators: Application to two-electron targets.

A derivation of resonance projection operators, in the Feshbach sense, is presented in detail, with inclusion of angular momentum and spin variables. The resultant operators, P and Q, are written in a transparent and manifestly symmetric form. The operators depend on eigensolutions of a homogeneous integral equation. The equation is solved and hence the operators are explicitly constructed for the two-electron (i.e., He-like) targets in a nonseparable (the open-shell) approximation; this procedure can readily be extended to any configuration-interaction-type target function. The kernel of the auxiliary integral equation is also explicitly derived for a Hylleraas-type target function; a Rayleigh-Ritz variational principle is written down for its eigenfunctions. It is pointed out that these (Feshbach) P and Q operators are not formally idempotent, but it is shown that their matrix elements between antisymmetric functions are. This makes them completely suitable for calculation of autoionization states via diagonalization of QHQ. A basic problem in using the concomitant optical potential for scattering calculations remains and is briefly discussed. The generalization of these operators to the inelastic domain is also given (in an appendix).
Feasibility of Utilizing Bioindicators for Testing Microbial Inactivation in Sweetpotato Purees Processed with a Continuous‐Flow Microwave System

Continuous-flow microwave heating has potential in aseptic processing of various food products, including purees from sweetpotatoes and other vegetables. Establishing the feasibility of a new processing technology for achieving commercial sterility requires evaluating microbial inactivation. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using commercially available plastic pouches of bioindicators containing spores of Geobacillius stearothermophilus ATCC 7953 and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 35021 for evaluating the degree of microbial inactivation achieved in vegetable purees processed in a continuous-flow microwave heating unit. Sweetpotato puree seeded with the bioindicators was subjected to 3 levels of processing based on the fastest particles: undertarget process (F(0) approximately 0.65), target process (F(0) approximately 2.8), and overtarget process (F(0) approximately 10.10). After initial experiments, we found it was necessary to engineer a setup with 2 removable tubes connected to the continuous-flow microwave system to facilitate the injection of indicators into the unit without interrupting the puree flow. Using this approach, 60% of the indicators injected into the system could be recovered postprocess. Spore survival after processing, as evaluated by use of growth indicator dyes and standard plating methods, verified inactivation of the spores in sweetpotato puree. The log reduction results for B. subtilis were equivalent to the predesigned degrees of sterilization (F(0)). This study presents the first report suggesting that bioindicators such as the flexible, food-grade plastic pouches can be used for microbial validation of commercial sterilization in aseptic processing of foods using a continuous-flow microwave system.
Polycrystalline silicon solar cells on low cost foreign substrates

Abstract The use of polycrystalline silicon layers on low-cost substrates is a promising approach for the fabrication of low-cost solar cells. Using low-carbon steel and graphite as substrates, solar cell structures have been deposited by the thermal decomposition of silane and appropriate dopants. Steel was selected as a substrate on the sole basis of its low cost. However, steel and silicon are not compatible in their properties, and an interlayer of a diffusion barrier, such as borosilicate, must be used to minimize the diffusion of iron from the substrate into the deposit. The deposited silicon on borosilicate/steel substrates is polycrystalline with a grain size of 1–5 μm, depending on deposition conditions. P - n junction solar cells were found to have low open-circuit voltages and poor current-voltage characteristics, and Schottky-barrier solar cells were found to show negligible photovoltages. Graphite is more compatible with silicon in properties than steel, and silicon deposited on graphite substrates shows considerably better microstructures. A number of solar cells, 2·5×2·5 cm in area, have been fabricated from n + -silicon/ p -silicon/ p + -silicon/graphite structures. The best cell to date had a V oc of 0·35 V and an AMO efficiency of 1·5% (no antireflection coating). This type of solar cell is very promising because of the simplicity in fabrication.
FoxP3 Enhances HIV-1 Gene Expression by Modulating NFκB Occupancy at the Long Terminal Repeat in Human T Cells

FoxP3 determines the development of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and represses interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression in Treg cells. However, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infects and replicates efficiently in FoxP3+ Treg cells. We report that, while inhibiting IL-2 gene expression, FoxP3 enhances gene expression from HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR). This FoxP3 activity requires both the N- and C-terminal domains and is inactivated by human IPEX (immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome) mutations. FoxP3 enhances HIV-1 LTR via its specific NFκB binding sequences in an NFκB-dependent fashion in T cells but not in HEK293 cells. FoxP3 decreases level of histone acetylation at the interleukin-2 locus but not at the HIV-1 LTR. Although NFκB nuclear translocation is not altered, FoxP3 enhances NFκB-p65 binding to HIV-1 LTR. These data suggest that FoxP3 modulates gene expression in a promoter sequence-dependent fashion by modulating chromatin structure and NFκB activity. HIV-1 LTR has evolved to both highjack the T-cell activation pathway for expression and to resist FoxP3-mediated suppression of T-cell activation.
Organic light-emitting diodes: Non-oxide boost

Researchers have shown that organic light-emitting diodes with transparent graphene electrodes are more flexible and exhibit higher efficiencies than those whose electrodes are made from rigid indium tin oxide.
Leadership style: Rigid or flexible?

Abstract This paper measured subordinates' perceptions of their leaders' ability to use different leadership styles. Subjects were 124 middle and first level supervisors from accounting and R & D departments in the United Kingdom. The results indicate that subjects did not believe that their supervisors would either use the same style (irrespective of what style) or randomly employ styles to deal with four typical but hypothetical problems. These results persisted when respondents were subdivided on the basis of both organizational level and functional area. Some evidence suggests that perceived patterns of style usage may be associated, at least in the mind of subordinates, with the general task dimension, interpersonal-technical.
Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty: a biomechanical evaluation of humeral and glenosphere hardware configuration

Background Various reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA) implant options are available for the humeral and glenosphere components. This study used a cadaveric biomechanical shoulder simulator to evaluate how hardware configurations in 2 common rTSA systems affect (1) abduction/adduction range of motion (ROM), (2) rotational ROM, and (3) forces to elevate the arm. Methods Seven pairs of shoulders were tested on a biomechanical shoulder simulator before and after rTSA implantation. The Aequalis Reverse Shoulder (Tornier, Edina, MN, USA) and the Reverse Shoulder Prosthesis (RSP; DJO Surgical, Austin, TX, USA) were implanted in opposing shoulders. Aequalis implant options included humeral polymer insert thickness and eccentricity and glenosphere tilt. RSP implant options included glenosphere diameter and lateralization, humeral shell offset, and polymer insert depth. Results Both the RSP and Aequalis shifted the center of rotation inferior and medially compared with native shoulders ( P P P P P P P P P Discussion Hardware configurations in rTSA have different effects on passive ROM and deltoid forces required for abduction. Identifying these changes may guide surgical decision making during rTSA placement.
Blood mercury concentrations in CHARGE study children with and without autism

BackgroundSome authors have reported higher blood mercury (Hg) levels in persons with autism, relative to unaffected controls.ObjectivesWe compared blood total Hg concentrations in children with au...