cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Economics of using beef semen on dairy herds

Abstract The economic value of using beef semen in dairy herds depends on the market value of calves (crossbred beef and dairy), market price of semen (beef, conventional, and sexed), herd reproductive performance, and semen combination strategies. Due to the complex interaction among all these factors and their inherent changing conditions, the quest for an optimal strategy is best served by the application of an integrated model and a decision support tool adaptable to ever-changing farm and market conditions. We have developed a model and a decision support tool to calculate the income from calves over semen costs (ICOSC) in response to user-defined beef semen crossbreeding strategies in combination with sexed and conventional semen utilization. The model follows a Markov-chain approach in which animal (heifer and cow) statuses (age, months after calving, lactation, pregnancy, calving) are simulated monthly. Replacement balance is calculated as the difference between demand and supply of calves in function of selected semen utilization protocols, which could include beef, sexed, or conventional semen. A case study was performed in a 1,000-cow virtual Holstein herd with 35% turnover rate and 7% stillbirth rate. Five strategies of beef semen utilization on adult cows (0 to 100% in 25-percentage-unit intervals) were combined with 6 strategies of sexed semen use [none (NS), first service in heifers (1H), first and second services in heifers (2H), 2H + 20% top genetic cows (TOP), 2H + first service in primiparous (1C), and 1C + first service in second-lactation cows (2C)]. All animals not bred to either sexed or beef semen were bred to conventional semen. Having a price of beef calves ∼4 times greater than the price of a dairy calf and having the price of sexed semen ∼2.3 times greater than the conventional or beef semen determined that the optimal breeding semen protocols that concurrently maximized the ICOSC and produced enough replacements were 100% beef semen use after 2C sexed semen protocol (ICOSC = $2,001) for medium reproductive performance (∼20% 21-d pregnancy rate) and 100% beef semen after 1H sexed semen protocol (ICOSC = $6,215) for high reproductive performance (∼30% 21-d pregnancy rate). These strategies were consistently the best options under several feasible market conditions for herds with medium and high reproductive performance. However, the optimal ICOSC was negative or marginally low for low-performance herds (∼15% 21-d pregnancy rate), for which the opportunity to use beef semen is minimal or nonexistent.
Request for unnecessary prophylaxis.

Physicians should not write prescriptions for unnecessary prophylaxis in response to patients' anxiety about a perceived threat of bioterrorism. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
G-CSF Treatment Induces Toll-Like Receptor Signaling and Regulates Hematopoietic Stem Cell Function

Recent studies demonstrate that inflammatory signals regulate hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is often induced with infection and plays a key role in the stress granulopoiesis response. However, its effects on HSCs are unclear. Herein, we show that treatment with G-CSF induces expansion and increased quiescence of phenotypic HSCs, but causes a marked, cell-autonomous HSC repopulating defect. RNA profiling and flow cytometry studies of HSCs from G-CSF treated mice show that multiple toll- like receptors (TLRs) are upregulated in HSCs upon G-CSF treatment, and gene set enrichment analysis shows enhancement of TLR signaling in G-CSF-treated HSCs. G-CSF-induced expansion of phenotypic HSCs is reduced in mice lacking the TLR signaling adaptors MyD88 or Trif, and the induction of quiescence is abrogated in mice lacking these adaptors. Furthermore, loss of TLR4 mitigates the G-CSF-mediated HSC repopulating defect. Interestingly, baseline HSC function is also dependent on TLR signaling. We show that HSC long-term repopulating activity is enhanced in Tlr4 -/- and MyD88 -/- mice, but not Trif -/- mice. One potential source of TLR ligands affecting HSC function in the bone marrow is the gut microbiota. Indeed, we show that in mice treated with antibiotics to suppress intestinal flora, G-CSF induced HSC quiescence and hematopoietic progenitor mobilization are attenuated. Moreover, in germ free mice, HSC long-term repopulating activity is enhanced. Collectively these data suggest that low level TLR agonist production by commensal flora contributes to the regulation of HSC function and that G-CSF negatively regulates HSCs, in part, by enhancing TLR signaling. Our finding of enhanced TLR signaling upon G-CSF treatment, and the mitigation of G-CSF’s effects in mice deficient for TLR signaling or commensal organisms, suggest that TLR antagonists and/or agonists may ultimately be used clinically to enhance engraftment following bone marrow transplantation or applied toward the treatment of patients with bone marrow failure. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Effects of Acidification on the Primary Producers of Softwater Lakes

Increased acidification of the aquatic environment has brought about alterations in community diversity and distribution, shifts in species dominance, and changes in the levels of biomass and productivity. Phytoplankton biomass decrease is concomitant with increased water clarity. Benthic mats of Sphagnum or bluegreen algae often develop, effectively sealing sediments from overlying water. A relatively few species of macrophytes dominate the littoral zone which increases in depth due to improved water clarity. As pH decreases, the emergence of a more simplified ecosystem is observed; this is even more vulnerable to changing environmental conditions than the one which existed previously.
Effects of environmental and job-task factors on workers' gait characteristics on slippery surfaces

The objective of this study was to investigate the kinetic and kinematic aspects of slips associated with gait on a slippery surface under various environmental and job-task risk factors. Forty healthy industrial workers (age: 40.3 ± 14.9 years) participated in the study. Using a strain gauge type force platform and a video-based motion analysis system, kinetic and kinematic measurements of the subjects' foot movements were obtained. Of all gait trials, there were 1558 slips (60.9%). Slips were likely to occur when subjects were negotiating a turning path and an oily surface. Greater anterior-posterior center of pressure (CP) excursion and maximum required coefficient of friction (RCOF) were found for oily surfaces compared to dry surfaces. Subjects changed their gait patterns by shortening their stride length, slowing walking speed, and decreasing heel contact angle in the poorly lit and slippery environment. Significant correlations were found between slip occurrence and anterior-posterior CP excursion, mean RCOF, sliding distance and sliding velocity, but not the coefficient of friction (COF) of shoes. In addition to good housekeeping and proper selection of floor materials and safety shoes, slip and fall prevention should include proper workers' training in dealing with risk factors of slips and falls in the workplace.
Chapter 48 Race and gender in the labor market

Abstract This chapter summarizes recent research in economics that investigates differentials by race and gender in the labor market. We start with a statistical overview of the trends in labor market outcomes by race, gender and Hispanic origin, including some simple regressions on the determinants of wages and employment. This is followed in Section 3 by an extended review of current theories about discrimination in the labor market, including recent extensions of taste-based theories, theories of occupational exclusion, and theories of statistical discrimination. Section 4 discusses empirical research that provides direct evidence of discrimination in the labor market, beyond “unexplained gaps” in wage or employment regressions. The remainder of the chapter reviews the evidence on race and gender gaps, particularly wage gaps. Section 5 reviews research on the impact of pre-market human capital differences in education and family background that differ by race and gender. Section 6 reviews the impact of differences in both the levels and the returns to experience and seniority, with discussion of the role of training and labor market search and turnover on race and gender differentials. Section 7 reviews the role of job characteristics (particularly occupational characteristics) in the gender wage gap. Section 8 reviews the smaller literature on differences in fringe benefits by gender. Section 9 is an extensive discussion of the empirical work that accounts for changes in the trends in race and gender differentials over time. Of particular interest is the new research literature that investigates the impact of widening wage inequality on race and gender wage gaps. Section 10 reviews research that relates policy changes to race and gender differentials, including anti-discrimination policy. The chapter concludes with comments about a future research agenda.
Robust hypoxia-selective regulation of a retinal pigment epithelium-specific adeno-associated virus vector.

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systemsand Brain Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FLPurpose: To develop an hypoxia-regulated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-specific adeno-associated virus (AAV) genetransfer platform that exploits hypoxia as a physiologic trigger for an early antiangiogenic treatment strategy directed atarresting neovascularization in the eye.Methods: Tissue-specific and hypoxia-regulated expression vectors were constructed with tandem combinations ofhypoxia responsive elements and aerobically silenced elements (HRSE) that together induce gene expression in hypoxiaand suppress it in normoxia. For RPE-specific expression, the HRSE and a (6x) HRE (hypoxia responsive element)oligomer were ligated upstream of the Rpe65 promoter in a pGL3 firefly luciferase plasmid (pGL3-HRSE-6xHRE-Rpe65). The cell specificity of this novel hybrid promoter was tested in human RPE (ARPE-19), human glioblastoma, ratC6 glioma, mouse hippocampal neurons, and human embryonic kidney cell lines. Expression of all cell types in normoxia,and following 40 h hypoxia, was analyzed by dual luciferase assay. After confirmation of its tissue-specificity and hypoxia-inducibility, the hybrid promoter construct was integrated into a replication-deficient AAV delivery system and tested forcell-selectivity and hypoxia-inducible green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter expression.Results: The HRSE-6xHRE-Rpe65 promoter was highly selective for RPE cells, strongly induced in hypoxia, and similarin activation strength to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. The AAV.HRSE.6xHRE.Rpe65 vector induced robustGFP expression in hypoxic ARPE-19 cells, but elicited no GFP expression in hypoxia in other cell types or in normoxicARPE-19 cells.Conclusions: The hypoxia-regulated, aerobically-silenced RPE-targeting vector forms a platform for focal autoregulateddelivery of antiangiogenic agents in hypoxic regions of the RPE. Such autoinitiated therapy provides a means for earlyintervention in choroidal neovascularization, when it is most sensitive to inhibition.
The Creationist and the Sociobiologist: Two Stories about Illiberal Education

In a liberal culture, it is a great rhetorical advantage to appear in a dispute as the champion of free speech against the forces of repression. The left has held this advantage for a long time. The student revolt of the 1960s opened with a "Free Speech Movement," and the bumper sticker that directs us to "Question Authority" implies that the left's politics is a matter of raising questions rather than imposing answers. Recently, however, academic traditionalists like Dinesh D'Souza have seized the moral high ground by describing a left-imposed atmosphere of "political correctness" in the universities that leads to "illiberal education." In effect, they have captured the bumper sticker and turned its message around. The "PC left" under attack is post-Marxist, and its philosophy is post-Modernist. A brief pause for definitions is necessary. In postMarxism, racial minorities, feminists, and gays have assumed the mantle of the proletariat; the oppressor class is heterosexist white males rather than the bourgeoisie; and the struggle is for control of the terms of discourse rather than the means of production. Post-Modernism challenges the objective validity of academic traditions by starting from the premise that knowledge comes in texts whose meaning and value are determined by communities of interpreters. According to certain cultural critics (post-Liberals?), post-Modern nihilism and post-Marxist political fanati-
A Lecture on Chiral Fermions

This is an informal and approximate transcription of a talk presented at the DESY workshop, September 27--29, 1995. The basic message is that real and long overdue progress is taking place on the problem of regulating non--perturbatively chiral gauge theories. Several approaches are reviewed with emphasis on the overlap and some of the questions raised about it. No claim for completeness or objectivity is made.
Novel Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection–-A systematic Review:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with significant morbidity. We rely on clinical presentation, urinalysis, and urine culture to diagnose UTI. To differentiate between lower UTI and pyelonephritis, we depend on the clinical presentation. In the extremes of age and in immunocompromised individuals, clinical presentation is often atypical posing a challenge to diagnosis. In the elderly, the high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria is another confounder. We conducted a search of publications to find novel biomarkers to diagnose UTI and to ascertain its severity. We searched PUBMED, MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases for studies pertaining to novel biomarkers and UTI. Two reviewers independently evaluated the methodology of the studies using the STARD (Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy) criteria. We have identified procalcitonin as a biomarker to differentiate lower UTI from pyelonephritis in the pediatric age group. Elevated serum procalcitonin levels can result in early and aggressive treatment at the time of presentation. Interleukin 6 has also shown some promise in differentiating between lower UTI and pyelonephritis but needs further validation. Lastly, given the paucity of data in certain subgroups like diabetics, kidney transplant recipients, and individuals with spinal cord injury, further studies should be conducted in these populations to improve diagnostic criteria that will inform clinical management decisions.
Status of IceCube in 2005

IceCube is a kilometer scale neutrino observatory now in construction at the South Pole. The construction started in January 2005 with the deployment of 76 sensors on the first string and four surface detector stations. Nine strings and 32 surface detectors are in operation since February 2006. The data based on calibration measurements, muons and artificial light flashes are consistent with performance expectations. This report focuses on design, construction experience and first data from the sensors deployed in January 2005.
Experimental observations of lithium as a plasma-facing surface in the DIII-D tokamak divertor

Abstract Several experiments exposing a 5 cm 2 solid and liquid lithium to the divertor plasma of the DIII-D are described. The divertor plasma strikepoint cleans and conditions the initially solid lithium surface. The effective sputtering rate and transport of lithium was found to be acceptable. Lithium has a sputtering yield of solid lithium T e ∼20 eV. The sputtered lithium is ionized in a short distance from the divertor and promptly redeposited. Experiments and modeling show the sputtered lithium is well shielded by the divertor plasma. The behavior of the liquefied lithium was dominated by its macroscopic movement and injection into the plasma caused by J × B magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) forces. Plasma MHD events, such as edge localized modes (ELMs) and locked modes, are found to provide simultaneously the energy to melt the lithium and the transiently high scrape-off layer (SOL) currents to cause the J × B motion. The macroscopic removal of lithium from the small sample, comprising
Polarized secretion of IL-6 by IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cells: differential effects of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) can exist as polarized cells and are capable of secreting interleukin-6 (IL-6), yet it has not been determined if this IL-6 is secreted in a polarized fashion. Using the non-transformed rat IEC-6 intestinal epithelial cell line grown on microporous membrane inserts, we have determined that these cells were capable of secreting IL-6 preferentially to the basal surface when stimulated basally with IL-1p. In contrast, stimulation of the cells with TNF-a resulted in an equal level of IL-6 secretion to the apical and basal surfaces, regardless of whether the cells were stimulated by the apical or basal route. Experiments designed to test the permeability of the IEC-6 cell layer to apically added sodium fluorescein confirmed that neither IL- 1 p nor TNF-a altered the integrity of the cell layer after three days. These results suggest that IEC may have the capacity to secrete IL-6 in different patterns depending upon the stimulation received. This would allow comunication betwee...
Fixed and mixed effect models for fishery data on depth distribution of Georges Bank yellowtail flounder

Abstract Fishermen reported that Georges Bank yellowtail flounder ( Limanda ferruginea ) migrated to deeper waters during 2000–2004 and 2006–2010. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed fishery data from otter trawl vessels targeting a mixed groundfish complex over the 10 year period, using a statistical linear model with catch-per-unit-effort weighted depth as the response variable, and abiotic (e.g., bottom water temperature) and biotic (e.g., skate and dogfish catch) data as predictor variables. We considered mixed as well as fixed effect models to account for dependence or correlation in catches among hauls within a trip. Yellowtail flounder shifted to deeper waters during the 10 years. Bottom water temperature had a greater influence on the movement than the distribution of skate or dogfish. Optimal water temperature was about 6.8 °C from the fixed effect model and about 7.1 °C from the mixed effect model. Skate distribution affected yellowtail flounder depth more than dogfish distribution. The mixed effect model was more parsimonious than the fixed effect model, although the latter fitted the data better and performed better under cross validation.
The role of a graphic representational technique on the mathematical problem solving performance of fourth graders: An exploratory study

The purpose of this within‐subject comparisons exploratory study was to examine the influence of a graphic representational strategy on the problem solving performance of fourth graders, including special education students with learning problems. We employed a preliminary design experiment, prior to conducting a formal experimental or quasi‐experimental study, to gain insights into factors that may inhibit or enhance implementation of the intervention, especially in the context of real world of classroom (Gersten, Baker, & Lloyd, 2000). Students received teacher‐led strategy instruction in problem solving using a whole group (8 to 9 students) format followed by guided practice in applying the strategy during cooperative groups. Results indicate that students’ word problem solving performance increased from the pretest to posttest on multiplication and division problems. In addition, some students were able to generalise the skill to untaught problems. Implications of the representational strategy for sol...
Integrating healthy steps into PNP graduate education.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this project was to explore a) the value of an adapted version of the Healthy Steps program for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) graduate students and b) the perceptions of PNP program directors regarding practice issues, educational preparation and the Healthy Steps program. Method A four-part workshop was offered to students in their final year of the program. Outcomes were measured through evaluations and a pre-test/post-test design. A survey was also mailed to 24 PNP program directors. Results More than 90% of the participating students rated this workshop as “good or excellent.” All of the students recommended integration of Healthy Steps content into PNP graduate education. PNP program directors voiced concern about the effect of the managed care environment on PNP practice, acknowledged the importance of strengthening health supervision visits, and expressed interest in the Healthy Steps program. Discussion This project demonstrated that an adapted version of the Healthy Steps program enhanced the education of final year PNP students. PNP program directors expressed concern about practice issues, preparation for practice, and would consider potential adoption of portions of the Healthy Steps curriculum.
A better global resolution function and a novel iterative stochastic search method for optimization of high-performance liquid chromatographic separation

HPLC optimization strategy consists of four elements; experimental design, retention modeling, quality criteria function, and optimum search method. In this paper we present a simple, superior alternative to general classes of classical resolution functions (S function) and a novel optimum search algorithm (iterative stochastic search, ISS) for HPLC optimization. Comparison of S with general classes of resolution-based quality criteria functions (Rs, Rp, and Rmin) shows superior features such as correct assessment of favorable separation conditions, preservation of peak pair contributions, elimination of arbitrary cut-off values, and a unique capability to interpret absolute significance of function values through a simple inequality. The proposed ISS algorithm is more robust than standard methods and it is easily applicable to hyperdimensional optimization. ISS also shows clear advantages in its ability to correctly identify the global optimum (instead of local optimum), with higher precision, with more efficient use of computation cycles, and with easier implementation. Successful application of S and ISS to HPLC optimization was demonstrated in the separation of representative functionalities (sugars, alcohols, and organic acids) present in microbial fermentations. Both the optimal and pathological (worst) conditions were successfully predicted and experimentally verified.
Nilotinib for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia: An evidence-based review

Introduction Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a progressive and often fatal hematopoietic neoplasm. The Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib mesylate represented a major therapeutic advance over conventional CML therapy, with more than 90% of patients obtaining complete hematologic response, and 70%-80% of patients achieving a complete cytogenetic response. Despite the high efficacy of imatinib, a minority of patients in chronic phase CML and more patients in advanced phases are resistant to imatinib, or develop resistance during treatment. This is attributed, in 40% to 50% of cases, to the development of mutations in the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase domain that impair imatinib binding. Attempts to circumvent resistance led to the discovery of nilotinib (Tasigna), a novel, potent and selective oral Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitor. Aims To review the evidence for the use of nilotinib in the management of CML. Evidence review Preclinical and clinical investigations demonstrate that nilotinib effectively overcomes imatinib resistance, and has further improved the treatment of CML. Place in therapy Nilotinib is currently indicated for patients with CML in chronic and accelerated phases following imatinib failure. Randomized studies are ongoing to assess the efficacy of nilotinib in patients with newly diagnosed CML.
Using a whole-farm modelling approach to assess prospective technologies under uncertainty

Abstract New technologies may be adopted by farmers if they fit farmers’ resource endowments, objectives and goals, and attitudes towards risk. In this paper, the role of whole-farm modelling in technology evaluation is discussed. An assessment of prospective technology options for wheat and sugar beet in a study region in Iran is presented. Data on new technologies were collected from farmers of Fars province, staff of the Shiraz Branch of the Agricultural Research Centre, the Regional Branch of the Extension Organization, and from the Shiraz University’s Research Centre. An extension of utility efficient programming to non-linear discrete stochastic programming, was adopted to evaluate prospective technology options. Results of the study demonstrated the merits of the technique, and it was found that farmers’ total net revenue would increase considerably if adoption was to occur.
Effects of glacial ice on subsurface temperatures of hydrothermal systems in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Fluid-inclusion evidence

Hydrothermal quartz and fluorite crystals containing liquid-rich fluid inclusions (coexisting vapor-rich fluid inclusions were not observed) were found in drill cores from eight relatively shallow research holes drilled by the US Geological Survey in and near major geyser basins of Yellowstone National Park. Homogenization temperatures (T{sub h}) for mostly secondary fluid inclusions show variations in temperature that have occurred at give depths since precipitation of the host minerals. Within major hydrothermal upflow zones, fluid-inclusion T{sub h} values all were found to be equal to or higher (commonly 20-50 C and up to 155 C higher) than present temperatures at the depths sampled. During periods when thick glacial ice covered the Yellowstone National Park region, pore-fluid pressures in the underlying rock were increased in proportion to the weight of the overlying column of ice. Accordingly, theoretical reference boiling-point curves that reflect the maximum temperature attainable in a hot-water geothermal system at a given depth were elevated, and temperatures within zones of major hydrothermal upflow (drill holes Y-2, Y-3, Y-6, Y-11, Y-13, and upper part of Y-5) increased. The thicknesses of ice required to elevate boiling-point curves sufficiently to account for the observed fluid-inclusion T{sub h} values are within the ranges estimatedmore » by glacial geologic studies. At the margins of major hydrothermal upflow zones (drill holes Y-4 and Y-9), fluid-inclusion T{sub h} values at given depths range from 57 C lower to about the same as the current temperature measurements because of a previous decrease in the rate of discharge of warm water and/or an increase in the rate of recharge of cold water into the hydrothermal system.« less
Epidemiology needs and perspectives in environmental epidemiology.

(1988). Epidemiology Needs and Perspectives in Environmental Epidemiology. Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal: Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 130-132.
The Impact of Society on Technology: From Bridges to Large Enclosed Spaces

Abstract While it is true that technological developments have major impacts upon society, it is also true that society itself shapes the form of technological artifacts. In particular, there are significant social and cultural influences on the design and construction of major engineering structures like long-span bridges and large enclosed spaces, and it is unlikely that whatever is simply technologically achievable at a given time is what will be built. In most cases the technology will exist to go well beyond what is actually realized, while in some cases the state of the art of building technology can even be pushed by extratechnological goals.
Environmentalism: The Relation of Environmental Attitudes and Environmentally Responsible Behaviors Among Undergraduate Students

The growing collective consensus among the public is to possess environmental attitudes, as the majority consider themselves to be “environmentalists.” However, does the public’s environmental attitudes or concern translate into environmentally responsible behaviors? This study sought to verify among undergraduate students the level of environmentalism—the relation of environmental attitudes and responsible behaviors. College students were targeted because they will be the future custodians, planners, policy makers, and educators of the environment and its issues. Environmental attitudes were analyzed using the revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale, and behaviors were measured with the Environmentally Responsible Behavior Index. Overall, college students in this sample were sympathetic toward the environment, and they supported the NEP ideology. However, except for recycling, students were not very participative in various environmentally responsible behaviors. Additionally, consistent with previous...
Affirmative Action and Diversity: Implications for Arts Management

Affirmative action and diversity can serve as a powerful framework for helping arts management educators address the challenge of diversity in the arts. This article encourages arts management educators to use affirmative action and diversity to proactively recruit diverse students into academic degree programs.
Estimates of Glycolysis, Pyruvate (De)Carboxylation, Pentose Phosphate Pathway, and Methyl Succinate Metabolism in Incapacitated Pancreatic Islets

Abstract Pancreatic islets were cultured for 24 h in the presence of 1 mM glucose, which renders islets incapable of responding to glucose with insulin release. These islets were compared to islets maintained at 20 mM glucose for 24 h. Detritiation of [2-3H]glucose and [5-3H]glucose in 1 mM glucose islets was normal, suggesting that glucose transport and phosphorylation and all enzymes of glycolysis were not down-regulated in the incapacitated islets. 14CO2 formation from [U-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose was inhibited up to 80% and 14CO2 from methyl succinate was inhibited up to 60%, indicating that down-regulation at (a) mitochondrial site(s) might explain the incapacitated insulin release. 14CO2 formation from [3,4-14C]glucose (which becomes [1-14C]pyruvate) was decreased, indicating that the reaction catalyzed by pyruvate dehydrogenase was down-regulated. This decrease, however, was not as large as the decreases in 14CO2 formation from [U-14C]glucose, [2-14C]glucose (which becomes [2-14C]pyruvate), or [6-14C]glucose (which becomes [3-14C]pyruvate), indicating that other reactions were also down-regulated. 14CO2 formation from [1-14C]glucose was inhibited less than that from [6-14C]glucose in the incapacitated islets (34 vs 54%) and these rates indicated that flux of glucose through the pentose phosphate pathway was increased in the incapacitated islet, such that 29% (0.4 nmol of 1.4 glucose/100 islets/90 min) was metabolized via this pathway in the incapacitated islet but only 3.4% (0.1 of 2.9 nmol glucose/100 islets/90 min) was metabolized via the pentose pathway in the 20 mM glucose islets. With rates of 14CO2 evolved from glucose labeled at C2 and C6 and from methyl succinate labeled at Cl + C4 and C2 + C3 the 14CO2 ratio formula was used to calculate the ratios of carboxylated and decarboxylated pyruvate. Roughly equal amounts of pyruvate entered the citric acid cycle by each route in islets maintained for 24 h at 1, 5, or 20 mM glucose. The results indicate that decarboxylation and carboxylation of pyruvate were about equally suppressed in incapacitated islets and that direct inhibition of reactions of the cycle was unlikely. This is consistent with evidence which indicates that down-regulation of both pyruvate carboxylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase occurs in incapacitated islets, i.e., under long-term conditions that modify amounts of enzymes (MacDonald et al., 1991, J. Biol. Chem. 266, 22392-22397). When normal islets were incubated in the presence of increasing concentrations of glucose (0 to 20 mM), for a short time (90 min) in which enzyme activity, but not amount, might be modified, the rate of glucose metabolism and pyruvate carboxylation paralleled the concentration of glucose. This suggests that carboxylation of pyruvate becomes increasingly important at insulinotropic concentrations of glucose.
Ab initio investigation of collective charge excitations in MgB2.

A sharp collective charge excitation is predicted in ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}$ at $\ensuremath{\sim}2.5\mathrm{eV}$ for $q$ perpendicular to the boron layers, based on an all-electron analysis of the dynamical density response within time-dependent density functional theory. This novel excitation, consisting of coherent charge fluctuation between Mg and B sheets, induces an abrupt plasma edge in the experimentally observable reflectivity. The existence of this mode reflects the unique electronic structure of ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}$ that is also responsible for strong electron-phonon coupling. By contrast, the acoustic plasmon, recently suggested to explain the high ${T}_{c}$, is not realized when realistic transition strengths are incorporated.
Balancing of high-speed machinery: Theory, methods and experimental results

Abstract Rotating machinery accounts for the vast majority of modern technological hardware. While the dynamic behavior of such machinery has always been important, the current emphasis on higher efficiency has resulted in the design of machines which are increasingly susceptible to vibratory phenomena. In particular, reduction in weight, coupled with increased operating speeds, have substantially increased the flexibility of rotating machinery. Thus, many types of machines are currently being designed to operate supercritically, and this trend is likely to continue. Consequently, reduction of mass unbalance in rotating machinery is often essential to ensure safe operation and reasonable life for such machines. This is particularly true for machines with flexible rotors. This paper strives to describe the three principal flexible rotor balancing methods: modal balancing, influence coefficient balancing, and the Unified Balancing Approach. Each of these methods is discussed in some detail, including analytical basis and specific implementation procedures. The methods are compared from a procedural standpoint and results from a series of comparative tests are presented. The results of these tests indicate the relative superiority, at least for this example, of the Unified Balancing Approach.
Novel free radical spin traps protect against malonate and MPTP neurotoxicity.

Abstract Both malonate and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) are neurotoxins which cause energy depletion, secondary excitotoxicity, and free radical generation. Malonate is a reversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase, while MPTP is metabolized to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I. We examined the effects of pretreatment with the cyclic nitrone free radical spin trap MDL 101,002 on malonate and MPTP neurotoxicity. MDL 101,002 produced dose-dependent neuroprotection against malonate-induced striatal lesions. MDL 101,002 produced significant protection against MPTP induced depletions of dopamine and its metabolites. MDL 101,002 also significantly attenuated MPTP-induced increases in striatal 3-nitrotyrosine concentrations. The free radical spin trap tempol also produced significant protection against MPTP neurotoxicity. These findings provide further evidence that free radical spin traps produce neuroprotective effects in vivo and suggest that they may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Ring-opening of 1,2,3,4-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylcyclotetrasilane in the presence of transition metal catalysts

Ring opening of 1,2,3,4-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetraphenylcyclotetrasilane in the presence of various transition metal catalysts has been studied. Pd and Pt compounds are most active. Compounds with bulky ligands [e.g., Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 ] lead to the formation of dimeric cyclooctasilanes. Compounds with less bulky groups convert monomer to dimers and mixture of oligomers and polymers. Reactions with the all-trans monomer, tttt-(MePhSi) 4 , result in the formation of stereoregular dimer, presumably all-trans, tttttttt-(MePhSi) 8 , in high yields. Reactions in the presence of oxygen lead to the formation of polymers with inserted oxygen atoms in the main chain.
Does follow-up of osteoporotic women treated with antiresorptive therapies improve effectiveness?

The use of biochemical markers of bone turnover has been advocated to improve follow-up of women receiving antiresorptive therapies for osteoporosis, but this strategy is not yet supported by trials showing it improves effectiveness of treatments. To explore the potential value of markers of bone turnover to monitor antiresorptive treatments of osteoporosis, we conducted a decision analysis using a decision tree and Markov modeling. We have compared two strategies: treatment of a woman without specific monitoring; and treatment of this woman with measurement of a serum marker of bone resorption after 3 months of treatment, with change of treatment if response to treatment assessed by this marker was not satisfactory. The base case is the treatment of a 60-year-old osteoporotic woman with a total hip T-score of −3, using a second generation bisphosphonate during 5 years. We found that follow-up produced slightly greater quality adjusted life years (QALYs) than no follow-up (8.1560 vs 8.1532, i.e. a one day difference). In a two-way sensitivity analysis, the follow-up option produced higher QALYs so long as adherence rate with follow-up was equal or superior to the proportion of women who adhered without follow-up. For example, if the proportion of women adherent to treatment was increased from 50% to 60% by follow-up, then the expected value of the follow-up branch was increased from 8.1560 QALYs to 8.1800 QALYs (i.e. a difference of 9 days). In addition, the higher the non-response rate, the greater the benefit from monitoring with a biochemical marker. In conclusion, our decision analysis model suggests that follow-up of osteoporotic women treated with a second generation bisphosphonate during a 5-year period using an early measurement of a serum marker of bone resorption may increase effectiveness of the treatment on quality of life, but the effect is very small. So, the use of follow-up measures of bone turnover may be based on patient and physician preferences.
Enhancement of breakdown strength and energy density in BaTiO3/ferroelectric polymer nanocomposites via processing-induced matrix crystallinity and uniformity

We have investigated the impact of the processing methodology on nanocomposite thin films formed via blade casting versus spin coating on the electric breakdown strength and energy storage properties of BaTiO3 nanoparticle/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) nanocomposites. Nanocomposite films containing 50% volume loading of surface-modified BaTiO3 nanoparticles fabricated by the use of blade casting showed a denser and more uniform morphology, and larger polymer crystallite domains, relative to those obtained via spin coating. The improved morphology has resulted in an increase of up to 60% in the breakdown strength and in energy density by a factor of ∼2–3 and for blade-cast vs. spin coated nanocomposite films containing 50 or 120 nm BaTiO3 nanoparticles, yielding a maximum extractable energy density of 7 J cm−3. We attribute the increase in energy density and dielectric breakdown strength to the effects of the improved uniformity and the formation of polymer nanocrystalline domains in the matrix, as shown by cross-sectional SEM and topological AFM images, and X-ray diffraction results. These results stress the importance of controlling nanoscale morphology for optimizing energy storage capacity of solution-processed nanocomposite thin films for pulsed power, gate dielectrics, and other thin-film power applications.
Transmission of Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis Virus by Strains of 'Aedes albopictus' (Diptera: Culicidae) Collected in North and South America

Experimental studies were undertaken to ascertain the vector potential of North American (Houston and Alsace) and South American (Sao Paulo and Santa Teresa) strains of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) for an epizootic (Trinidad donkey) strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus. Infection rates were similar in all four strains of Ae. albopictus tested after ingestion of VEE virus from a viremic hamster. Virus disseminated from the midgut to the hemocoel in about 80% of infected mosquitoes, regardless of the dose ingested (104.6 to 105.7 plaque-forming units per mosquito) or the time of extrinsic incubation (7–35 d). Although all four strains of this mosquito transmitted VEE virus by bite to hamsters, transmission rates were significantly higher for the South American strains (24%, 40 of 170) than for the North American strains (5%, 9 of 165). Although VEE virus has never been isolated from Ae. albopictus, the introduction of this species into the Americas may allow it to serve as an amplification vector in areas where epizootic strains of VEE are found or introduced.
Consumer health complete: a review.

EBSCO's Consumer Health Complete™ is a database of health information resources for consumers. It provides access to reputable, high-quality resources targeted to patients and their families. The database enables users to browse content in multiple ways and offers support for terminology that may be unfamiliar to them. Consumer Health Complete is a valuable resource for librarians or health educators to use with patients.
Existence and Symmetry of Ground States to the Boussinesq abcd Systems

We consider a four-parameter family of Boussinesq systems derived by Bona et al. (J Nonlinear Sci 12:283–318, 2002). We establish the existence of the ground states which are solitary waves minimizing the action functional of the systems. We further show that in the presence of large surface tension the ground states are even up to translation.
The Effect of Intra-articular Corticosteroids on Articular Cartilage A Systematic Review

Background:Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid therapy has been used for the treatment of inflammation and pain in the knee since the 1950s.Purpose:To review the current literature on the effects o...
Electrode-electrolyte interface impedance: experiments and model.

The impedance of the junction between a solid or aqueous electrolyte and a metal electrode at which no charge transfer processes occur (blocking contacts) follows closely the constant phase angle form, Z=A(jω)-n, over a wide frequency range, where A is a constant, and the frequency exponent n is typically in the range of 0.7 to 0.95. Several models have been proposed in which the magnitude of the frequency exponent n is related by a simple expression to the fractal dimension\(\bar d\) of the rough electrode surface. But experiments with aqueous H2SO4 and roughened platinum and silicon electrodes show that there is no simple relationship, if any at all, between n and\(\bar d\) when\(\bar d\) is determined from the analysis of one dimensional surface profiles. Moreover, n is not a simple function of the average roughness of the electrode. In order to gain some insight into the effect of electrode topography and the interface impedance, a model for the response of the interface to a constant voltage pulse was constructed. This model is based on the idea that, following a pulse, locally concentrated regions of ions accumulate rapidly at the tips of large protrusions on the electrode surface which screens deeper regions of the electrode from the field driven flux of mobile ions. After this rapid charging, ions are able to reach the deeper, screened regions of the electrode by diffusion, and it is this diffusive process that gives rise to the observed t1−n dependence of the charge collected. Computer simulations, similar to the diffusion limited aggregation model, using measured profiles as fixed (non-growing) clusters, gave exponents n in good agreement with experiment.
Investigation of bio-inspired flow channel designs for bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Abstract Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance is directly related to the flow channel design on bipolar plates. Power gains can be found by varying the type, size, or arrangement of channels. The objective of this paper is to present two new flow channel patterns: a leaf design and a lung design. These bio-inspired designs combine the advantages of the existing serpentine and interdigitated patterns with inspiration from patterns found in nature. Both numerical simulation and experimental testing have been conducted to investigate the effects of two new flow channel patterns on fuel cell performance. From the numerical simulation, it was found that there is a lower pressure drop from the inlet to outlet in the leaf or lung design than the existing serpentine or interdigitated flow patterns. The flow diffusion to the gas diffusion layer was found be to more uniform for the new flow channel patterns. A 25 cm 2 fuel cell was assembled and tested for four different flow channels: leaf, lung, serpentine and interdigitated. The polarization curve has been obtained under different operating conditions. It was found that the fuel cell with either leaf or lung design performs better than the convectional flow channel design under the same operating conditions. Both the leaf and lung design show improvements over previous designs by up to 30% in peak power density.
Relative Raman Intensities in C6H6, C6D6, and C6F6: A Comparison of Different Computational Methods

The accuracy of various computational methods (Hartree–Fock, MP2, CCSD, CAS-SCF, and several types of DFT) for predicting relative intensities in Raman spectra for C6H6, C6D6, and C6F6 was compared. The predicted relative intensities for ν1 and ν2 were compared with relative intensities measured by an FT-Raman spectrometer. While none of these methods excelled at this prediction, Hartree–Fock with a large basis set was most successful for C6H6 and C6D6, while PW91PW91 was the most successful for C6F6.
Electrode potential scanning ellipsometric spectroscopy: Study of the formation of the anodic oxide film on noble metals

Abstract The formation of the anodic oxide film on Pt has been investigated at wavelengths in the visible using voltage scanning ellipsometry. Changes in light intensity in an ellipsometric experiment have been used to determine the changes in Δ0, ψ0, and reflectivity of the surface. From these three parameters, the effective complex refractive index and thickness of the surface film have been calculated, using a three-layer model. The oxide film on Pt has been found to have different optical properties above and below 1.1 V versus NHE. The apparent film thickness increases with constant optical properties between 1.1 and 1.6 V, indicating that the oxide may form in patches on the surface. The optical constants of this film show small dependence on wavelength in the visible. The anodic oxide film on Au has also been studied using this technique. The presence of the optical absorption edge of Au in the visible region of the spectrum causes the Au surface to be very sensitive to interactions with the surface oxide. This results in a failure of the simple three-layer model at wavelengths near the absorption edge of Au.