cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anhedonia is associated with reduced incentive cue related activation in the basal ganglia

Research has shown that reward incentives improve cognitive control in motivationally salient situations. Much previous work in this domain has focused on incentive cue-related activity in a number of brain regions, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and striatum. However, the more sustained changes in functional brain activity during task contexts with incentives have been relatively less explored. Here, we examined both the cue-related and sustained effects of rewards (i.e., monetary incentives) on cognitive control, with a particular focus on the roles of the DLPFC and striatum, using a mixed state–item design. We investigated whether variability in a reward-related trait (i.e., anhedonia) would modulate the sustained and/or the cue-related transient aspects of motivated cognitive control. Twenty-seven healthy individuals performed a modified response conflict task (Padmala & Pessoa, Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 23, 3419–3432, 2011) during scanning, in which participants were asked to categorize images as either houses or buildings with either congruent or incongruent overlaid words. Participants performed a baseline condition without knowledge of monetary incentives, followed by reward blocks with monetary incentives on some cued trials (reward cues) for fast and correct responses. We replicated previous work by showing increases in both sustained activity during reward versus baseline blocks and transient. cue-related activity in bilateral DLPFC and the basal ganglia. Importantly, healthy individuals with higher anhedonia showed less of an increase in trial-by-trial activity as a function of reward in the lateral globus pallidus. Together, our results suggest that reduced hedonic experience may be related to abnormality of reward cue-related activity in the basal ganglia.
The surface-skimming hypothesis for the evolution of insect flight

The surface-skimming hypothesis for the evolution of insect flight poses that in- sects first used wings and aerodynamic locomotion to move in two dimensions across wa- ter surfaces. Here I present an overview of recent advances in our understanding of surface-skimming locomotion, and how these findings relate to phylogenetic origins of insects and developmental and anatomic origins of insect wings. Behavioral surveys show taxonomically widespread use of skimming by Plecoptera and more taxonomically re- stricted use of skimming by Ephemeroptera. Because these two orders arose near the root of the early split of pterygote insects into the Paleoptera and Neoptera, traits that appear in both groups are strong candidates for traits possessed by the first winged insects. Com- parisons across plecopteran species show that skimming speed increases as contact with the water surface decreases, thereby providing a mechanical pathway over which direc- tional selection may have acted to improve aerodynamic capability in early skimmers. Evolution along this route may have occurred within species in response to factors such as scramble competition and sexual selection. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the com- mon ancestor of modern Plecoptera was capable of both skimming and flying; such dual ability is widespread among extant stoneflies, including the most basal families. Both the mechanics and the semi-aquatic setting of skimming fit well with the growing understand- ing that insects and crustaceans are sister clades and that insect wings evolved from gills.
Total Quality Management: A New Paradigm that should Enhance Marketing Education

This paper addresses the application of Total Quality Management (TOM) by marketing educators. A model is presented that identifies tasks a marketing department should complete in adapting a TOM approach to continuous quality improvement. Critical processes, outcome measures, and suggestions are examined that should enhance the level of student learning.
Biologically Inspired Attack Detection in Superpeer-Based P2P Overlay Networks

We present a bio-inspired mechanism that allows a peer-to-peer overlay network to adapt its topology in response to attacks that try to disrupt the overlay by targeting high-degree nodes. Our strategy is based on the diffusion of an “alert hormone” through the overlay network, in response to node failures. A high level of hormone concentration in a node induce that node to switch protocol. That leads to a self-organized modification of the entire overlay from a superpeer, scale-free layout, to a flatter network that is much less vulnerable to targeted attacks. As the hormone is metabolized with time, nodes switch back to the original protocol and reconstruct a superpeer overlay. We demonstrate and evaluate this mechanism on top of the peer-to-peer Myconet overlay, which is itself self-organized and bio-inspired.
Triggering of Solar Magnetic Eruptions on Various Size Scales

Solar eruptions occur on many different scales. (Schrijver 2010: bipole eruptions more frequent as size decreases.) Trigger might be any of several different candidates, working independently or in tandem. How about larger scales than (solar) CMEs? (Stellar eruptions.) How about smaller scales than X-ray jets? (Spicules? Moore 1989)
The Metric Closure Powerspace Construction

In this paper we develop a natural powerobject construction in the context of enriched categories, a context which generalizes the traditional order-theoretic and metric space contexts. This powerobject construction is a subobject transformer involving the dialectical flow of closed subobjects of enriched categories. It is defined via factorization of a comprehension schema over metrical predicates, followed by the fibrational inverse image of metrical predicates along character, the left adjoint in the comprehension schema. A fundamental continuity property of this metrical powerobject construction vis-a-vis greatest fixpoints is established by showing that it preserves the limit of any Cauchy ωop-diagram. Using this powerobject construction we unify two well-known fixpoint semantics for concurrent interacting processes.
Poly Substance Use in Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) Patients

An archival records study was conducted on an estimated 25% (n = 60) of a randomly selected sample of 232 discharged patients at a methadone maintenance program within the state of Maryland. The researcher selected the files of discharged patients, who left the program for various reasons, within a 1-year period. Of the 60 records studied, methadone patients were using other substances such as opiates, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and marijuana. It was revealed that 53% of the discharged patients were using opiates, 37% of the discharged patients were using cocaine, 37% of the discharged patients were using benzodiazepines, and 25% percent of the discharged patients were smoking marijuana. Although none of the randomly selected discharged patient files showed the use of alcohol, active patients in the clinic are drinking alcoholic beverages regularly and are on daily breathalyzers to monitor the potential for overdose. Of the files reviewed the data were insufficient to report in 3% of the discharge patients...
Foreign Animal Diseases and Food System Security: Decision Making for Appropriate Responses

Foreign animal diseases (FADs), such as highly pathogenic avian influenza or foot and mouth disease (FMD; a worst-case FAD), are documented threats, whether through accidental or intentional exposures. US policies, as with most countries where an FAD is not endemic, follow ‘Stamping Out/Eradication’ (SOE) protocols if it is found: Affected herds are rapidly destroyed to eradicate the agent and quickly resume export trade. While historically effective in eradicating disease, SOE goals and techniques no longer represent a sole source solution to disease events affecting western agriculture. For instance, [1] their focus on international trade is inappropriate; [2] their assumptions on the nature of such outbreaks are incorrect; [3] new technologies are not included; and [4] their unintended consequences are huge. These errors can result in responses that, in modern concentrated agricultural markets, may cause such damage that markets will not recover. In short, in our drive to protect agriculture, we may actually destroy it. A factor missing from most FAD planning is an in-depth consideration of how agriculture will cope during an outbreak and how it will recover (e.g. business continuity). We must re-evaluate plans to ensure that the event and all its consequences are managed as opposed to blindly eradicating a disease agent at great cost. By addressing the true threats FADs pose to today's agriculture, we will lessen the effects of natural or accidental FAD outbreaks, and will make FADs less attractive as bioterror tools. Keywords: agroterrorism; business continuity; compartmentalization; disease control program; foot and mouth disease; production center; regionalization; stamping out; eradication; stop movement order
Capabilities and competencies in humanitarian operations

Purpose – Both the military and non-military organizations (NMO) bring assets, skills, and capabilities to a humanitarian crisis, however, their capabilities and competencies are very diverse. Identification of the specific competencies and capabilities that are core to these types of organizations can enable better planning by both military and NMOs, allowing them to achieve greater effectiveness and efficiency in the humanitarian response. The purpose of this paper is to explore the core capabilities of the military and NMOs engaged in humanitarian operations. Design/methodology/approach – The work builds on existing literature on the core competency of the corporation. The authors extend the concept of the ability to identify, cultivate, and exploit the core capabilities in the private sector to the organizations that want to respond efficiently and effectively to disasters. The authors develop a core competencies test for such organizations. Findings – The research identifies the competencies and capabilities that are core to the US military and NMOs for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. By identifying such abilities the authors establish a vein of research for exploring the role of such organizations to facilitate greater understanding among academics, policy makers, and decision makers in public administration, public health, and international aid. Originality/value – Existing literature in humanitarian logistics does not adequately address identification of those competencies and capabilities that are core to the military organizations and NMOs and are most needed during the operational life cycle of a humanitarian crisis. In addition to identifying them, the authors compare the core capabilities of the military and NMO.
In situ detection of hepatitis A virus in cell cultures and shellfish tissues.

Abstract An in situ transcription method was developed to detect hepatitis A virus RNA in both cell cultures and shellfish tissues. Radiolabeled cDNA copies were synthesized in situ by reverse transcriptase-directed transcription after annealing with a specific primer to the viral RNA. Both tritium (3H) and 35S were useful in the in situ transcription reaction, but the use of 3H resulted in a lower background and finer detail in the localization of viral particles. Application of the method to different organs of oysters which had bioaccumulated hepatitis A virus allowed the first in situ localization of the virus, specifically in stomach and hepatopancreatic tissues.
BIOFIDELITY OF THE HYBRID III HEAD

An analysis was done of published forehead head impact data from cadaver specimens. Only data that were sufficiently documented to allow duplication of the impact environment were used in the analysis. A Hybrid III head, a Part 572 head, a Repeatable Pete head and two WSU heads were subjected to the same impact environments as the cadavers. A comparison of peak resultant head accelerations indicated that the Hybrid III response was the most representative of the cadaver data. The Part 572 head produced accelerations which were greater than the responses of the cadavers. These results support the claim that the Hybrid III head's response is humanlike for forehead impacts.
Phosphatidic acid plays a central role in the transcriptional regulation of glycerophospholipid synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

In eukaryotic cells, PA2 is a central precursor for the synthesis of major glycerophospholipids, DAG and TAG, as well as a major signaling lipid. In mammalian cells, PA is implicated as an activator of cell growth and proliferation, vesicular trafficking, secretion, and endocytosis (1–7). In plants, PA is implicated in seed germination and response to stress induced by drought, salinity, and low temperature (3, 4). The signaling roles of PA in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have not received as much attention as they have in higher eukaryotic cells. However, it is known that PA production via phospholipase D-mediated turnover of PC is necessary for suppression of growth and membrane trafficking defects in mutants defective in Sec14p, an essential PI/PC-binding protein (8–10). In addition, PA production via phospholipase D is implicated in Spo20p-mediated fusion of vesicles with the pre-spore membrane during sporogenesis (11, 12). The best studied regulatory function of PA in S. cerevisiae is its role as a signaling molecule in the transcriptional regulation of glycerophospholipid synthesis itself, the major topic of this review. We will focus on the pathways generating and utilizing PA in yeast and the evidence that PA plays a central role in the transcriptional regulation of glycerophospholipid synthesis.
Large shareholder monitoring and regulation: The Japanese banking experience

Abstract During a period where Japanese banks operated under a less restrictive regulatory environment, 1986–1988, we find positive relations between bank risks and ownership concentration. This empirical evidence suggests that shareholder monitoring is present when the potential return to monitoring is high (the “shareholder monitoring hypothesis”). During the periods before and after this particular period, we do not observe evidence of shareholder oversight. These results are consistent with the argument that regulation (an external governance mechanism) and shareholder monitoring (an internal governance mechanism) are substitutes for one another (the “substitution hypothesis”) because the pre- and post-periods are characterized by stricter regulatory environments. Finally, tests on bank performance lend supporting evidence to both hypotheses.
Primary cytotoxic T-cell responses to bovine respiratory syncytial virus in calves

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in young calves. Recent studies in calves, in which different T-cell subsets were depleted, have shown that CD8+ T cells play a central role in recovery from RSV infection. The present study demonstrates that RSV-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted cytotoxic T cells appear in the peripheral blood of gnotobiotic calves 7-10 days after infection with bovine RSV and were also detected in the lungs 10 days after infection. The cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognized antigenically distinct strains of bovine RSV. There was no correlation between either the level of CTL activity in the lung or the development of CTL in the peripheral blood and the extent of pneumonic consolidation. The demonstration of CD8+ CTL in the lungs at a time when bovine RSV has been cleared confirms the importance of these cells in recovery from infection.
Variable Site‐Occupancy Classification of N‐Linked Glycosylation Using Artificial Neural Networks

A novel neural-network-based model has been developed for the prediction of N-linked glycosylation characteristics related to glycosylation site-occupancy. Intracellular oligosaccharide transfer to a polypeptide is known to be either robust or dependent upon culture conditions during pharmaceutical production. This glycan attachment is classified by the model as robust or variable and is based on an input of the polypeptide primary sequence around the site of glycosylation. The glycosylation model utilizes multiple recurrent neural networks followed by a perceptron classifier. The input length of the polypeptide chain around the site of glycosylation (glycosylation window) was optimized through multiple independent training sessions. Incorporation of five residues prior (n - 5) to the site of glycosylation (n) and four residues beyond (n + 4) the glycan attachment site led to optimal network performance. The size of the glycosylation window for site-occupancy determination is much larger than has been previously reported. This model was developed to evaluate the effects of theoretical polypeptide mutations on glycosylation site-occupancy characteristics. Following correct prediction of the model testing data set, 20 independent networks were used to predict site-occupancy characteristics of wild-type and mutants of the rabies virus glycoprotein (rgp). Simulation results strongly correlated with previously published experimental results (Kasturi, L.; Hegang, C.; Shakin-Eshleman, S. H. Regulation of N-linked core glycosylation: use of a site-directed mutagenesis approach to identify Asn-Xaa-Ser/Thr sequons that are poor oligosacchride acceptors. Biochem. J. 1997, 323, 415-419. Mellquist, J. L.; Kasturi, L.; Spitalnik, S. L.; Shakin-Eshleman, S. H. The amino acid following an Asn-X-Ser/Thr sequon is an important determinant of N-linked core glycosylation efficiency. Biochemistry 1998, 37, 6833-6837). Further simulations on purely theoretical sequences suggested that influences of charged residues were a subset of multiple mechanisms in the determination of glycosylation site-occupancy.
Theoretical studies of the fluorescence and phosphorescence of tyrosine

Abstract We present computations at the CASSCF (6,6)/6-31G level of theory of the two lowest singlet states ( S 0 , S 1 ) and the two lowest triplet states ( T 1 , T 2 ) of tyrosine. We found that the phosphorescence emission from T 1 to S 0 should be around 24,600 wavenumbers. We also found that the energies of the state S 1 and T 2 are very close together. We concluded that all excitations correspond to π – π * transitions in the benzene ring.
Prospects for Improved Air Quality at the Regional Level in Poland

Environmental conditions in Poland have improved since 1990 - a trend common to many countries in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Poland was also among the first former Eastern bloc countries to ...
Limitations of the statistics used to measure responsiveness in two longitudinal cohort studies of cognitive function and the utility of approaches derived from item response theory

Abstract Purpose: We are interested in measuring changes in cognitive function in longitudinal cohort studies. Specifically, we were interested in the responsiveness of the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE), or its ability to detect changes over time. We were unable to find any previous published reports on the responsiveness of the MMSE. Responsiveness has been hailed as the principal criterion for determining the utility of an instrument for assessing change in the context of evaluative studies such as clinical trials or longitudinal cohort studies. Previous statistics that have been advocated to measure responsiveness have implicitly assumed a constant variance. The variance structure can be empirically determined and the assumption of constant variance can be tested. However, such determinations can only be carried out after the fact, after the choice of scale has already been made and the data are available to analyze. Methods: Item response theory (IRT) provided tools that proved useful in analyzing these data with respect to responsiveness. Specifically, IRT enabled the direct visualization of the variance structure across the entire spectrum of cognitive function as measured by the MMSE. Results: In our studies, we found that the assumption of constant variance did not hold for the MMSE, precluding our use of currently available responsiveness statistics. Conclusions: Currently available statistics for assessing responsiveness have significant limitations due to their assumption of constant variance. IRT allows the direct visualization of the expected variance structure across the entire spectrum of the trait measured by the instrument. In our case, this visualization led us to discard existing techniques to measure the responsiveness of the MMSE. IRT should be used as a first step in assessing the responsiveness of instruments in order to determine whether the assumption of constant variance is appropriate.
Optimization of circular photonic crystal cavities – beyond coupled mode theory

We study comprehensively using numerical simulations a new class of resonators, based on a circular photonic crystal reflector. The dependence of the resonator characteristics on the reflector design and parameters is studied in detail. The numerical results are compared to analytic results based on coupled mode theory. High quality factors and small modal volumes are found for a wide variety of design parameters.
USE OF METYROSINE IN THE ANAESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CATECHOLAMINE-SECRETING TUMOURS A case report

Metyrosine 1 5 g daily for 9 days decreased 24-h urine metanephrine concentration by about 60% in a patient with multiple catecholamine-secreting paragangliomas Despite the considerable inhibition of catecholanune synthesis, this patient exhibited stress-induced sympathetic overactivity, indicated by increases in arterial pressure and serum catecholamine and urine metanephrine concentrations. It is concluded that metyrosine should be introduced early to the preoperative regimen. In this way, optimal inhibitory effect on catecholamine synthesis can be obtained and maintained for a sufficient time to allow catecholamine stores to become as close to normal as possible Attainment of the optimal therapeutic effect is not dearly defined, but would seem to be best gauged by a combination of clinical tests of sympathetic responses and of suppression of urinary excretion of metanephrines or VMA.
Effects of Heat Treatments on the Milling, Physicochemical, and Cooking Properties of Two Long-Grain Rice Cultivars During Storage

ABSTRACT During storage, the milling, physicochemical properties, and eating quality of rice change, which is generally termed “aging.” Aged rice is preferred by processors because of better processing characteristics, and therefore there are attempts to develop accelerated aging processes. In this study, the effects of various heat treatments and their influences on the milling, physicochemical, and cooking properties of two long-grain rice cultivars during storage were investigated with a randomized complete block design with an 8 × 5 × 2 full-factorial treatment design. Two long-grain rice cultivars, Wells and XP723, were treated with eight different heat treatments, including two levels of UV irradiation, two levels of autoclaving, three levels of convection oven heating, and one control, and then stored for 180 days at room temperature. The heat treatments significantly influenced all properties, including head rice yield (HRY), surface lipid content, peak gelatinization temperature, pasting properti...
Treatment of refractory ascites

In 1996, the International Ascites Club defined “refractory ascites” as ascites that cannot be mobilized by medical therapy or that recurs early after initial mobilization despite continued treatment. Of all patients with ascites, 5% to 10% will become refractory to medical therapy. Management of refractory ascites should attempt to control fluid accumulation, reduce the likelihood of developing complications such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) and the hepatorenal syndrome, and improve the patient’s nutritional status and overall well-being. Measures to control ascites accumulation include documenting medication and dietary compliance and eliminating potentially nephrotoxic agents that promote sodium retention. Large volume paracentesis is an effective first step in managing these patients and can be performed routinely in an outpatient setting. When more than 5 L of fluid are removed during a paracentesis, intravenous albumin should be infused to reduce the likelihood of the patient developing postparacentesis circulatory dysfunction. Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement effectively eliminates ascites; however, there is no convincing evidence that the shunt improves mortality. Furthermore, it is associated with frequent complications of encephalopathy and shunt malfunction. We feel TIPS should be reserved for patients requiring extremely frequent paracentesis, those who develop significant postparacentesis circulatory dysfunction, or those with hepatic hydrothorax. Patients who have evidence of SBP should be treated with antibiotics and intravenous albumin infusion. Patients who have had a previous episode of SBP or an ascitic fluid protein level of less than 1.0 should receive prophylactic antibiotics. Overall, the prognosis for patients with refractory ascites remains grim, and liver transplantation is the only definitive therapy. Appropriate candidates should be identified promptly and referred for transplant evaluation.
Granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor-dependent peritoneal macrophage responses determine survival in experimentally induced peritonitis and sepsis in mice.

Abstract Granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plays a critical role in innate immunity by stimulating the differentiation of tissue macrophages via the transcription factor PU.1. Previous studies showed that GM-CSF-deficient (GM-CSF−/−) mice had susceptibility to and impaired clearance of group B streptococcal bacteria by macrophages. For these studies, we hypothesized that GM-CSF−/− mice have increased susceptibility to peritonitis caused by immune dysfunction of peritoneal macrophages. We examined the role of peritoneal macrophages in pathogen clearance, cytokine responses, and survival in a murine cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of peritonitis/sepsis. Surprisingly, CLP minimally affected survival in GM-CSF−/− mice while markedly reducing survival in wild-type mice. This was not explained by differences in the composition of microbial flora, rates of bacterial peritonitis, or sepsis, all of which were similar in GM-CSF−/− and wild-type mice. However, survival correlated with peritoneal and serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels that were significantly lower in GM-CSF−/− than in control mice. After peritoneal LPS instillation, GM-CSF−/− mice also had improved survival and reduced TNF-α and IL-6 responses. In vitro studies demonstrated reduced secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 by peritoneal macrophages isolated from sham GM-CSF−/− mice as compared with macrophages from sham control mice. Peritoneal instillation of GM-CSF−/−/PU.1+ macrophages, but not GM-CSF−/−/PU.1− macrophages into GM-CSF−/− mice conferred susceptibility to death after CLP or peritoneal LPS exposure. These results demonstrate that GM-CSF-/PU.1-dependent peritoneal macrophage responses are a critical determinant of survival after experimentally induced peritonitis/sepsis or exposure to LPS and have implications for therapies to treat such infections.
Adhesion of mouse blastocysts to uterine epithelium in culture: a requirement for mutual surface interactions

Blastocysts readily adhered to inert materials in culture, but they resisted adhesion to living cells even after several days under conditions which encouraged cell aggregation. As far as could be determined by observing their spreading behavior on polylysine- and polyglutamate-coated dishes, the mechanism of adhesion of blastocysts to inert surfaces was similar to that of freshly dissociated cells and cell lines. However, their adhesion to vesicles of isolated uterine epithelium, which was encouraged by hanging drop culture, was by a different mechanism that involved microvilli on both the embryonic and maternal surfaces. This interactive step, which was similar to that seen during attachment in vivo, was followed by a brief period of close trophoblast-epithelial contact which led ultimately to phagocytosis of sloughed epithelium. Blastocysts showed a clear preference for adhesion to cultured epithelium in vesicles that had begun to collapse. In this case the cells showed a columnar profile with sharply defined microvillous apexes, unlike the flattened cells in fully expanded vesicles or on culture dishes. We conclude that the preimplantation adhesion of mouse blastocysts requires specific changes on both the embryonic and maternal surfaces to overcome the mutual nonadhesiveness typical of epithelia. The relatively rapid adhesion of blastocysts to a culture dish, on the other hand, is more typical of the well-known spreading behavior of cells on a highly attractive surface.
Regulation of LTP-I secretion from human monocyte-derived macrophages by differentiation and cholesterol accumulation in vitro.

Abstract Human macrophages in vitro synthesize and secrete the cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer protein, LTP-I. The effect of differentiation of monocyte-to-macrophage on the synthesis and secretion of LTP-I cholesteryl ester transfer activity was investigated. One marker of macrophage differentiation is expression of the ‘scavenger’ receptor, which mediates macrophage uptake and degradation of acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Monocytes secreted very little detectable CE transfer activity in the first 24 h following cell isolation. Both CE transfer activity and scavenger receptor activity increased with time in culture. Thus, although circulating monocytes probably do not secrete CE transfer activity, tissue macrophages such as hepatic Kupffer cells may contribute to plasma CE transfer activity. Resident macrophages of the arterial wall are derived from circulating monocytes which enter the vessel wall where they differentiate into macrophages. Such macrophages are the principal source of lipid-laden foam cells of the atherosclerotic plaque. Cholesterol accumulation results when uptake of lipoprotein cholesterol overwhelms the capacity of macrophages to excrete cholesterol. Since LTP-I is postulated to function in reverse cholesterol transport, the effect on LTP-I secretion of loading macrophages with cholesterol was determined after exposure of macrophages to acetylated-LDL or free cholesterol (FC). Cholesterol loading by both these maneuvers resulted in dose-dependent increases in macrophage secretion of CE transfer activity, and there was a significant positive correlation between CE transfer activity secreted and accumulation of CE. Thus, LTP-I may function at the cellular level in maintenance of lipid homeostasis: macrophage LTP-I secretion may be a protective mechanism in response to excess cholesterol accumulation in resident macrophages of the arterial wall.
Neutron Production by Cosmic Ray Muons at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Abstract Neutrons produced by cosmic ray muon interactions can be a significant background in sensitive underground experiments. The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) is an efficient and well-calibrated neutron detector capable of measuring the rate and characteristics of neutrons produced by muon interactions in its heavy water target, light water shielding and surrounding rock. The location of the detector, beneath a rock overburden of 2092 m (5890 ± 94 m water equivalent), means that the muon flux is particularly low in rate and high in energy. SNOʼs measurements, with unique target materials and high energy muons, are important for benchmarking Monte Carlo simulations. These simulations will be used to predict the muon-induced neutron fluxes in future low background experiments.
Synergistic activity of tumor necrosis factor and interferon in a nude mouse model of human ovarian cancer.

Abstract In vitro and in vivo studies suggest a synergistic inhibition of tumor growth by the combination of certain interferons and tumor necrosis factors. We have examined the activity of two of these agents in an animal model of human ovarian cancer. The human ovarian cancer cell line SK-OV3 was grown subcutaneously in immunodeficient mice. Mean relative tumor volume was determined weekly by external tumor measurements and a standard formula. Animals were treated by intraperitoneal injection with (1) recombinant human tumor necrosis factor α (rHTNF) 5 or 10 μg/day; (2) recombinant murine Interferon γ (rMIFN) 5 × 10 4 units per day; or (3) a combination of rHTNF 5 μg/day and rMIFN 5 × 10 4 units/day. Simultaneous control groups were run for all experiments. Administration of rHTNF alone in either dose had no effect on rate of tumor growth. Administration of rMIFN at a dose of 5 × 10 4 units/day produced a marginal decrease in rate of tumor growth. Animals receiving both rHTNF 5 μg/day and rMIFN 5 × 10 4 units daily showed marked inhibition of tumor growth, with the mean relative tumor volume after 4 weeks of treatment measuring 0.75 ± 0.91 in the treatment group and 11.06 ± 2.6 in the control group. rHTNF and rMIFN demonstrate a synergistic inhibition of tumor growth in this animal model of human ovarian cancer.
Flyable windowless calibration lamps for far-UV spectroscopy

We present the design of a pinhole lamp recently flown aboard two NASA/JHU sounding rocket missions as a wavelength standard for a far-UV spectrograph with a 900 - 1400 Angstrom bandpass. Lamp configuration, spectral output, gas supplies, payload accommodation and operation procedures are discussed. This lamp could easily be incorporated into future far-UV spectroscopic orbital missions and would benefit science return. We also discuss the use of Bayard-Alpert tubes (ionization gauges) as far-UV sources, which have the advantage of not requiring an external gas supply. At pressures between 10-5 and 10-7 Torr these tubes produce a strong emission line spectra, caused by electron impact with residual gas atoms in the vacuum. Below 10-7 Torr the residual gas line intensities have weaken enough to reveal the long wavelength tail of a 150 eV bremsstrahlung spectrum produced by electron impact onto tungsten grid. The use of ionization gauges in flat field and end-to-end calibration experiments is described. We show how an ionization gauge and spectrograph can be used as a real- time residual gas analyzer sensitive to atomic and molecular gas species that emit within the bandpass. Such a device could be useful in material processing and contamination control environments.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Through a Glass, Darkly: U.S. Marriage Discourse and Neoliberalism

This article draws together research insights on marriage in the U.S. to argue that over the last 40 years we are able to see an active engagement with neoliberalism in discussions on the subject. Using discourse analysis, I consider how the underlying assumptions that inform the key concepts of autonomy, individualism, responsibility, and universality have been re-semanticized through neoliberal ideology to change the ways that Americans think of marriage (and themselves). In light of these changed assumptions, this article urges a reexamination of the activism and identity politics around marriage as well as further academic research on the topic.
Adipogenic cell line TA1 : a suitable model to study the effect of β-adrenergic agonists on lipid metabolism

The stable adipogenic cell line TA1 was investigated as a potential in vitro system to examine effects of beta-adrenergic agonists on lipid metabolism at the cellular level. Initial experiments were conducted to establish whether dexamethasone, indomethacin, or both in combination induce rapid differentiation of TA1 preadipocytes to adipocytes. Based on activity of fatty acid synthase, dexamethasone and indomethacin, individually and in combination, were observed to induce differentiation in TA1 cells at different rates (dexamethasone/indomethacin greater than indomethacin greater than dexamethasone). Dexamethasone/indomethacin induced complete differentiation in TA1 cells 4 days after confluence, as indicated by increased activity of fatty acid synthase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and malic enzyme. Finally, mature TA1 adipocytes were treated with various concentrations of isoproterenol and ractopamine to determine the responsiveness of TA1 adipocytes to a beta-adrenergic challenge. Glycerol release was increased and fatty acid synthase activity was decreased in a dose-dependent manner for both isoproterenol and ractopamine. These results indicate that fully differentiated TA1 adipocytes may be useful to study direct cellular effects of lipolytic and lipogenic agents on lipid metabolism.
Nursing workload, medical diagnosis related groups, and nursing diagnoses

Patient conditions associated with the relative amount of time nurses spent caring for patients were identified in this study. The patient conditions examined were: nursing condition using 37 nursing diagnoses, medical condition using diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), and demographic characteristics of age, sex, and race. Nursing time was estimated using the Rush-Medicus patient classification workload measurement tool. Data were gathered from checklists of nursing diagnoses and the discharge records of 2560 adult inpatients of an acute care community hospital. Using multiple regression analysis nursing condition explained twice the variation in daily nursing workload (52.4%) than medical condition (26.3%). The finding that nursing care time is predicted better by a patient's nursing condition than by either medical condition or demographic characteristics indicates that nursing care is not physician prescribed.
Fingerprint analyses of cytoplasmic adenovirus 2 RNA size classes synthesized late in productive infection.

Abstract Three major size classes (27, 24 and 19 S) of adenovirus 2 RNA synthesized late in productive infection were digested with T1 RNase and analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Each size class yielded a different distribution of oligonucleotide spots.
Examining the contents of isolated Xenopus germinal vesicles

One can manually isolate the giant oocyte nucleus or germinal vesicle (GV) of Xenopus from a living oocyte with nothing more complicated than jewelers’ forceps and a dissecting microscope. Similarly, one can remove the nuclear envelope by hand and allow the lampbrush chromosomes and other nuclear organelles to spread on a microscope slide. After centrifugation, the nuclear contents adhere tightly to the slide, where they can be subjected to immunostaining or fluorescent in situ hybridization for visualization by conventional or confocal microscopy. Preparations of isolated GV contents reveal details of nuclear structure that are almost impossible to attain by more conventional techniques.
Describing the female offender: A note on the demographics of arrests

Abstract The current appeal of the topic of women and crime has yielded an increasing volume of research illuminating the nature of female criminality. However, preoccupation with the dimensions of offense patterns has often diverted attention away from the kind of detailed study needed to specify the central social parameters of the female offender. The following article attempts to move toward filling this void by using arrest data, gathered in a city in the southern United States from 1969–1975, to evolve a descriptive profile of the female offender: she is young, black, poorly educated, occupationally unskilled or unemployed, unmarried, and often free of dependents. It is further suggested that a descriptive methodological approach may create the opportunity for new theoretical advances in understanding the origins of female criminality.
Integrated InGaAsP/InP High-Reflectivity Micro-Loop Mirror Based Laser

High performance reflectors on one side of Fabry Perot lasers can double the output power. A novel integrated micro loop mirror fabricated on InGaAsP/InP quantum well wafer is used to realize such a laser.
Motor vehicle deaths: failed policy analysis and neglected policy.

The author of a recent book inferred that the slowed decline in US vehicle fatality rates in the 1990 s relative to other industrialized countries resulted from too much emphasis on vehicle factors. He claimed that Canada had the same vehicle mix but a lower fatality rate. Actually, US death rates by make and model applied to Canadian vehicle sales indicates that Canada's death rate would be the same as the US if Canada had the same vehicle mix and annual miles driven. The US had much greater growth in sales of large SUVs and pickup trucks that are heavier and stiffer than passenger cars, contributing to excess deaths of other road users in collisions. They are also more unstable, contributing to excess deaths of their occupants in rollovers. Lack of policy regarding these vehicle characteristics is the primary reason for the attenuated decline in vehicular fatality rates.
Effects of heat release on turbulent shear flows. Part 3. Buoyancy effects due to heat release in jets and plumes

An integral method is presented for determining effects of buoyancy due to heat release on the properties of reacting jets and plumes. This method avoids the Morton entrainment hypothesis entirely, and thus removes the ad hoc 'entrainment modelling' required in most other integral approaches. We develop the integral equation for the local centreline velocity u c (x), which allows modelling in terms of the local flow width δ(x). In both the momentum-dominated jet limit and buoyancy-dominated plume limit, dimensional arguments show δ(x)∼x, and experimental data show the proportionality factor c δ to remain constant between these limits. The entrainment modelling required in traditional integral methods is thus replaced by the observed constant c δ value in the present method. In non-reacting buoyant jets, this new integral approach provides an exact solution for u c (x) that shows excellent agreement with experimental data, and gives simple expressions for the virtual origins of jets, plumes and buoyant jets. In the exothermically reacting case, the constant cs value gives an expression for the buoyancy flux B(x) that allows the integral equation for u c (x) to be solved for arbitrary exit conditions. The resulting u c (x) determines the local mass, momentum and buoyancy fluxes throughout the flow, as well as the centreline mixture fraction ζc(x) and thus the flame length L. The latter provides the proper parameters Ω and A that determine buoyancy effects on the flame, and provides power-law scalings in the momentum-dominated and buoyancy-dominated limits. Comparisons with buoyant flame data show excellent agreement over a wide range of conditions.
Effect of water treatment sludge on growth and elemental composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoots

Abstract The impact of a water treatment sludge on the fertility of a silt loam soil was assessed by monitoring the yield and elemental composition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) shoots in a greenhouse study. Application of sludge at rates from 2–10% (air dry weight basis) raised the soil pH from 5.3 to 8.0 which enhanced plant growth. A substantial reduction in metal (Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni) uptake was observed with sludge amendments, even at the highest rates. The alkaline nature of this sludge (pH=9.3, calcium carbonate equivalence=53%) suggests its potential use as a liming material for agricultural soils. Overly alkaline conditions should be avoided however, as high application rates combined with ammonia fertilization had an antagonistic effect on plant growth, possibly from P deficiency induced by struvite (MgNH4PO4) formation.
Overeducation and earnings within an occupation: controlling for occupational heterogeneity of nurses

Using data from the 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, the role of occupational heterogeneity in the standard overeducation–required–undereducation (ORU) earnings function introduced by Duncan and Hoffman [1981. The incidence and wage effects of overeducation. Economics of Education Review 1, no. 1: 75–86] is examined. The occupational category of nursing is subdivided into numerous (as many as 267) minor occupational categories in estimating the level of required education. If occupation heterogeneity impacts the ORU earnings function, the effects are likely small as estimates of the ORU earnings functions of nurses are similar to estimates found in other standard multi-occupation studies. Subdividing nursing into minor occupational categories has a tremendous impact on the measured incidences of overeducation, particularly as the number of occupational categories increases from 17 to 39. The results are analogous to findings in the literature which show that varying the measurement of req...
Quantile plots for mean effects in the presence of variance effects for 2k-p designs

In robust parameter design, variance effects and mean effects in a factorial experiment are modelled simultaneously. If variance effects are present in a model, correlations are induced among the naive estimators of the mean effects. A simple normal quantile plot of the mean effects may be misleading because the mean effects are no longer iid under the null hypothesis that they are zero. Adjusted quantiles are computed for the case when one variance effect is significant and examples of 8-run and 16-run fractional factorial designs are examined in detail. We find that the usual normal quantiles are similar to adjusted quantiles for all but the largest and smallest ordered effects for which they are conservative. Graphically, the qualitative difference between the two sets of quantiles is negligible (even in the presence of large variance effects) and we conclude that normal probability plots are robust in the presence of variance effects.
Large-Eddy Simulation of Urban Flows: Porous-Media Analogy

In analogy to theoretical formulation for the microscopic fluid flows in porous media [1] we perform series of numerical simulations of urban boundary layer flows through realistic street-level building structures of the Oklahoma City downtown area. The corresponding numerical solutions relate the morphology of the real building structures to topological and geometrical properties of the physical media. We analyze the results in statistical terms of random porous media, seeking the relation between the momentum flux and the macroscopic pressure gradient; i.e., a high-Reynolds-number analogy of the Darcy’s law. We relate urban “pore-space” spatial properties (e.g., homogeneity and anisotropy) to the estimates of permeability and tortuosity. We evaluate further the utility of a porous-media analogy for parameterizing urban effects in the mesoscale weather and air-quality prediction models.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Influence of diet on serum alkaline phosphatase in rats and men.

Summary1. Serum alkaline phosphatase in albino rats was found to be lowered on fasting and was increased by the ingestion of fat. Carbohydrates and proteins had no effect. 2. The same phenomenon was found in human beings and factors influencing alkaline phosphatase serum levels are discussed.
D- mixing in heavy quark effective field theory; the sequel

Abstract We perform a quantitative analysis of D- D mixing in heavy quark effective field theory (HQEFT) including leading order QCD corrections. We find an enhancement of the short-distance contribution by a factor of two or three.
Measuring the SERS Enhancement Factors of Dimers with Different Structures Constructed from Silver Nanocubes.

Abstract We describe a systematic investigation on the SERS enhancement factors of individual dimers (EF dimer ) constructed from two Ag nanocubes that display a face-to-face, edge-to-face, or edge-to-edge structure. The highest field-enhancements were obtained for the dimers displaying a face-to-face and edge-to-face configuration. In these two systems, EF dimer was insensitive the dimer geometry and corresponded to 2.0 × 10 7 and 1.5 × 10 7 , respectively. However, EF dimer was decreased to 5.6 × 10 6 for the edge-to-edge structure. These variations in the detected field-enhancements could be explained based on the relative orientation of the nanocubes and the number of probe molecules enclosed in the hot-spot region for each dimer configuration.