cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Another question for Bush and Kerry.

The article “Bush and Kerry offer their views on science” (1 Oct., p. [46][1]) raises an important question. Is it known for certain that Bush and Kerry actually took the time to read the campaign responses before they were returned to Science , or were the responses stock answers handled by staff? If it is not known, then in future campaigns, it might be wise to include a final question: “Mr. Candidate, did you personally read and approve of the responses to our questions?” The answer, or lack thereof, might say more about the priority of science to the candidate than any other question you ask. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1104420
Comparison of Trip Determination Methods in Household Travel Surveys Enhanced by a Global Positioning System

Improvements in vehicular tracking with Global Positioning Systems (GPSs) have fostered new analysis methods in transportation planning. Emerging geographical information systems have helped in developing new techniques in the collection and analysis of data specifically for travel demand forecasting. In 2002, more than 150 households in Laredo, Texas, participated in a GPS-enhanced household travel survey. Trip diary data were collected by means of a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI), and GPS trip data were collected from survey participants' vehicles. For trip purpose, a comparison of the two data sets yielded significant results. It was found that the number of trips in the GPS data was much greater than the number reported in the CATI data. Despite that, almost all home-based work (HBW) trips found in the GPS data were also found in the CATI data. That result differs sharply from the other trip purposes: home-based nonwork (HBNW) and non-home-based (NHB); for these two trip purposes, less t...
The effect of liver transplantation on autonomic dysfunction in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Autonomic dysfunction is a recognized complication of end-stage liver disease (ESLD), but there is little information on how liver transplantation (LT) affects this problem. We sought to prospectively evaluate autonomic function in patients with ESLD before and after LT. Autonomic reflex screen (ARS) was performed on 30 patients with ESLD prior to transplantation. A 10-point composite autonomic score (CAS) was calculated from these data. ARS was repeated after LT, and these scores were compared with the pre-LT ARS. Thirty patients (25 male, 5 female) with cirrhosis that were listed for LT were enrolled in the study and underwent ARS prior to LT. The average age was 55.4 ± 9.1 years. Indications for LT included hepatitis C virus (14), cryptogenic cirrhosis (5), alcoholic cirrhosis (4), and other (7). The mean native Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at ARS was 17.0 ± 5.0. Prior to LT, 86.7% of patients had evidence of autonomic dysfunction. Mean CAS was 2.7 ± 2.2. Sudomotor function was disturbed in 66%, parasympathetic function was disturbed in 57%, and adrenergic function was disturbed in 37%. There was no relationship between pre-LT CAS and age, gender, diabetes, etiology of liver disease, or MELD score. Twenty-one patients (17 male, 4 female) had repeat ARS a mean of 9 ± 6.2 months after LT. The mean native MELD score at the time of ARS testing was 18.1 ± 4.3. Mean pre-LT CAS in this group was 3.0 ± 2.4. Pretransplant CAS was not related to age, gender, diabetes, or MELD score. Autonomic dysfunction improved after LT (CAS pre-LT, 3.0, versus CAS post-LT, 1.9, P = 0.02). There was no relationship between post-LT CAS and age, gender, diabetes, etiology of liver disease, immunosuppression, or type of transplant. In conclusion, autonomic dysfunction is common in patients with ESLD, with over 86% having abnormal testing. Sixty-three percent of patients with cirrhosis with autonomic dysfunction show improvement after LT. Liver Transpl 14:235–239, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Oxybutynin gel for the treatment of overactive bladder

Introduction: Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that has a profound impact on an individual's overall health and quality of life. Muscarinic receptor antagonists are the mainstay of oral pharmacotherapy for OAB. While all of the medications in this class are significantly more effective than placebo, they are also associated with more adverse events that may limit their overall use. Transdermal application of oxybutynin has been shown to avoid first-pass metabolism and, thus, may be associated with fewer antimuscarinic side effects. Areas covered: This paper reviews the pharmacology of transdermal oxybutynin gel and summarizes the available data regarding this product in the treatment of OAB. It also discusses the role of this product in the OAB treatment armamentarium. Expert opinion: Oxybutynin transdermal gel has been shown to have significant advantages over placebo, in terms of urgency incontinence episodes, urinary frequency and voided volume in a Phase III study. Application site effec...
1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadiene reaction intermediates in cyclohexene hydrogenation and dehydrogenation on Pt(111) crystal surface: a combined reaction kinetics and surface vibrational spectroscopy study using sum frequency generation

Abstract The hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions of cyclohexene on Pt(111) surface were investigated by surface vibrational spectroscopy via sum frequency generation (SFG) both under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and high pressure conditions with 10 Torr cyclohexene and various hydrogen pressures up to 590 Torr. Under UHV, cyclohexene on Pt(111) undergoes a change from π/σ-bonded, σ-bonded, and c-C6H9 surface species to adsorbed benzene when the surface was heated. A site-blocking effect was observed at saturation coverage of cyclohexene and caused the dehydrogenation to shift to higher surface temperature. At high pressures, however, none of the species observed in UHV condition were seen. 1,4-cyclohexadiene (CHD) was found to be the major species on the surface at 295 K even in the presence of nearly 600 Torr of hydrogen. Hydrogenation was the only detectable reaction at the temperature range between 300–400 K with 1,3-CHD on the surface as revealed by SFG. Further increasing surface temperature results in a decrease in hydrogenation reaction rate and an increase in dehydrogenation reaction rate with both 1,3-CHD and 1,4-CHD detectable on the surface simultaneously. Monitoring the reaction kinetics and the chemical nature of surface species together allows us to postulate a reaction mechanism: cyclohexene hydrogenates to cyclohexane via a 1,3-CHD intermediate, and dehydrogenates to benzene through both 1,4-CHD and 1,3-CHD intermediates. Both 1,3- and 1,4-CHD dehydrogenate to benzene at sufficiently high temperature on Pt(111).
Inferior collicular lesions: Effects on audiogenic seizure and preyer reflex ☆

Abstract A single inferior colliculus was lesioned in naive DBA/2J and acoustically primed C57BL/6J mice, and subsequent testing was performed in either the ear ipsilateral or contralateral to the lesion. No unilateral effects were observed in the thresholds of the Preyer acoustic startle response. The primed C57BL/6J mouse showed a strong effect for audiogenic seizures, with contralateral lesions providing much greater protection than ipsilateral lesions. This contralateral protection was not observed for the DBA/2J mouse, suggesting a difference of seizure locus and/or neural pathways in the innately susceptible DBA/2J and acoustically primed C57BL/6J mouse.
Pathogenesis of chronic liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection without serum HBeAg

Chronic hepatitis B in patients lacking hepatitis B e antigen has been attributed to a hepatitis B virus variant (G-to-A mutation at nucleotide 1896 in the precore region of the genome). We therefore assessed the frequency and significance of this variant among 43 United States patients (10 with chronic hepatitis B seropositive for e antigen, 19 seronegative for e antigen, and 14 healthy carriers). Sera were tested for HBV DNA by polymerase chain reaction and branched DNA assay. The A1896 variant was detected by direct sequencing and ligase chain reaction. Serum HBV DNA was more frequently found among patients with e antigenpositive than e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B. Viral titers were generally higher in those with e antigen. None of the e antigen-positive and only 24% of e antigen-negative patients harbored the A1896 variant. Patients infected with the variant were more often Asian, had had hepatitis B for longer and had higher levels of viral DNA than HBeAg-negative patients with the wild-type virus. The A1896 variant was found exclusively in patients infected with HBV genotypes C and D. Thus, the A1896 variant is uncommon in the United States. The activity of liver disease appears to be more closely related to the level of HBV replication than the presence of mutations at nucleotide 1896 in the genome.
Sense and avoid modeling and simulation for UAS operations in the NAS

Presents a collection of slides from the author's conference presentation is given. Topics covered include: Sense and Avoid Overview; Research Objectives; Modeling and Simulation (made up of sections on Radar and Tracking System Modeling, Simulation Approach, Results (Edwards AFB), and Conclusions); and finally Next Steps.
Predictors and Consequences of Sexual “Hookups” Among College Students: A Short-term Prospective Study

“Hookups,” sexual interactions between partners who do not expect a romantic commitment, are believed to be common among adolescents and young adults. Most existing research is cross-sectional and has not investigated the antecedents or consequences of hookups. To our knowledge, this study provides the first prospective investigation of the hypothesized predictors of penetrative sex hookups (i.e., oral, vaginal, and anal sex) and the first exploration of the short-term mental health consequences of hookups. A total of 140 first-semester college students (109 females, 31 males) completed an anonymous survey early in their first semester; the survey assessed 18 potential predictors of hooking up that were identified from theory and past research. At the end of their first semester, students again responded to a survey and provided data on their oral and vaginal sex hookup behavior (occurrence and number of partners), distress, and self-esteem. Baseline and follow-up data were linked using unique codes that protected participants’ anonymity. Pre-college hookup patterns, peak intoxication level, and situational triggers for hookups were consistent predictors of oral and vaginal sex hookup behavior (and number of hookup partners) in the first semester of college. Penetrative sex hookups increased psychological distress for females, but not for males. Implications for education and intervention as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
THE PEPTASE, LIPASE, AND INVERTASE OF HEMOLYTIC STREPTOCOCCUS

1. A method has been outlined by which the enzymes of hemolytic streptococcus may be extracted with comparative ease. 2. The peptolytic enzyme is active between pH 4.4 and 8.7 with an optimum action at pH 7.2. It is destroyed in neutral phosphate solution at a temperature of 57°C. continued for 10 minutes and at pH 5.0 deteriorates slowly at 37°C. Concentration experiments with solutions of the enzyme have shown that it resembles other enzymes. It is exceedingly susceptible to chloroform and its action is inhibited by dilutions of gentian violet. Casein is attacked but serum albumin is not digested after 3 days at 37°C. 3. The invertase is active between approximately pH 5.0 and 8.0 with an optimum of pH 7.0. It is destroyed by a temperature of 52°C. continued 10 minutes at an acid concentration of pH 7.0, or after 6 hours at 37°C. at pH 5.0. At this acidity it is more susceptible to heat than the peptase. 4. The lipase is active above pH 5.6. The greatest activity was observed at pH 7.9. It is completely destroyed after heating to temperatures over 55°C. for 10 minutes and resembles the invertase in its susceptibility to acid.
Spectroelectrochemical sensing based on multimode selectivity simultaneously achievable in a single device. 3. Effect of signal averaging on limit of detection

The effect of ensemble averaging on the response of a new spectroelectrochemical sensor has been investigated. The sensor consists of a selective film coated over an optically transparent electrode (OTE). The mode of detection is attenuated total reflection (ATR). For an analyte to be detected, it must first partition into the sensing film, second be electroactive at the applied potential, and third have a change in its absorbance at the wavelength of light monitored by ATR. Four different excitation potential waveforms were investigated: pulsed, step, triangular, and sinusoidal. Under the condition of continuous cycling of the excitation potential, the optical response approaches a steady-state condition within as few as five cycles. Once the response has reached steady state, ensemble averaging over successive cycles is shown to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing an order of magnitude improvement in the limit of detection. A model sensor consisting of a cationically selective sol−gel-derived N...
Harvesting-aware energy management for multicore platforms with hybrid energy storage

In this paper, we propose a novel framework for energy and workload management in multi-core embedded systems with solar energy harvesting and a periodic hard real-time task set as the workload. Compared to prior work, our energy management framework possesses several advantages, including (i) a battery-supercapacitor hybrid energy storage module for more efficient system energy management, (ii) a semi-dynamic scheduling heuristic that continuously adapts to run-time harvested power variations without losing the consistency of the periodic task set, and (iii) a coarse-grained core shutdown heuristic for additional energy savings. Experimental studies show that our framework results in a reduction in task miss rate by up to 61% and task miss penalty by up to 65% compared to the best known prior work.
Robust retention of individual sensorimotor skill after self-guided practice

Long-term retention of a motor skill has received relatively little systematic study, even though lasting neuroplasticity is the holy grail of any clinical intervention. This study examined the acq...
Regulation of IL-17 expression by the developmental pathway of CD4 T cells in the thymus.

CD4 T cells selected by MHC class II expressing thymocytes (T-CD4 T cells) have distinct effector functions compared to that of epithelial cell-selected CD4 T cells (E-CD4 T cells). T-CD4 T cells produce both Th1 and Th2 effector cytokines immediately after stimulation and also express IL-4 in addition to IFN-γ under the Th1 differentiation condition. In the present study, we investigated the capability of T-CD4 T cells to become IL-17-producing cells. We found that T-CD4 T cells express reduced IL-17 under Th17-inducing conditions. T-CD4 T cells express very low levels of receptor for TGF-β and IL-21 that are essential to induce IL-17 expression. In addition, the induction of RORγt, a key transcription factor for IL-17 gene expression, was compromised in T-CD4 T cells under Th17 skewing conditions and ectopic expression of RORγt restored IL-17 expression. The defect of IL-17 and RORγt expression in T-CD4 T cells is cell intrinsic and not due to effects of a secreted factor. Thus, the developmental pathway of CD4 T cells in the thymus plays a critical role in controlling an immune response by suppressing the generation of the Th17 lineage.
Recurrent Pelvic Surgery

Recurrent pelvic surgery is technically challenging. This article discusses this complex topic in patients with both benign and malignant disease. Perspectives regarding a safe approach to patients who may require reoperative pelvic surgery are discussed with a focus on work-up, technical approach, and the importance of an experienced multidisciplinary team.
Rural Industrialization and the Changing Distribution of Family Incomes

Income distribution has been a central topic in political economy and has received continuing emphasis by our profession. Few studies, however, have been undertaken to examine the distribution effects of rural industrialization. Notable exceptions are two recent studies which call attention to the effects of industry on the lowest income groups (Reinschmidt and Jones, Kuehn et al.). With poverty diminution remaining an important matter of public policy, the changing size distribution of family income among new industrial workers must be a central concern for rural development policy. The size distribution of income is important in shaping the social structure of society, in reducing transfer payments, in lowering development costs, and in facilitating recovery of investment in human capital.
Muslim women and sport

Muslim women and sport, edited by T. Benn, G. Pfister and H. Jawad, London, Routledge, 2012, 278 pp., $42.95 (paperback), £90.25 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-415-52237-3 This is a timely and much needed ...
Diruthenium Phenylacetylide Complexes Bearing para-/meta-Amino Phenyl Substituents

Presented herein is the synthesis and characterization of four diruthenium(II,III) compounds of formulas Ru2(Xap)4(C≡C-C6H4-4-NH2) (Xap is 2-anilinopyridinate, 1a; and 2-(3,5-dimethoxy)anilinopyridinate, 1b) and Ru2(Xap)4(C≡C-C6H4-3-NH2) (2a/2b). X-ray structural studies of compounds 1b and 2a revealed minimal changes in the coordination sphere of the Ru2 core. Voltammetric measurements showed that compounds 1 exhibit three one-electron redox processes: a reversible reduction of Ru2, a reversible oxidation of Ru2, and a quasi-reversible oxidation of an amino group. Compounds 2 display the same Ru2-based redox processes but not the −NH2 oxidation. Compounds 1a/1b were successfully converted to the corresponding diazonium salts [Ru2(Xap)4-(C≡C-C6H4-4-N2)](BF4) (3a/3b) via oxidation by nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate, which was generated in situ from t-BuONO and BF3. However, the attempt to convert compounds 2 to the corresponding diazonium salts was unsuccessful. DFT calculations of model compounds were perfo...
"Nonparametric" A' and other modern misconceptions about signal detection theory.

Many modern descriptions of signal detection theory (SDT) are, at best, distorted caricatures of the Gaussian equal-variance model of SDT (G-SDT). The distortions have sometimes led to important, but unwarranted, conclusions about the nature of cognitive processes. Some researchers reject using ď and β because of concerns about the validity of explicit underlying assumptions (that are shared with most inferential statistics), instead using either the supposedly “nonparametric” measures ofA′ andB″ or measures known to confound ability and bias. The origins, development, and underlying assumptions of SDT are summarized, then contrasted with modern distortions and misconceptions. The nature and interpretation of common descriptive statistics for sensitivity and bias are described along with important pragmatic considerations about use. A deeper understanding of SDT provides researchers with tools that better evaluate both their own findings and the validity of conclusions drawn by others who have utilized SDT measures and analyses.
Robust adaptive control of a class of nonlinearly parameterised time-varying uncertain systems

A robust adaptive control is presented for a class of time-varying nonlinear uncertain systems which have a fractional nonlinearly parameterised structure. The proposed design is based on robust adaptive backstepping and neural network approximation. The unknown time-varying parameters in the fractional nonlinear functions are estimated using a smooth projection algorithm and estimation errors are robustly compensated for by the additive terms in the proposed virtual and actual controls. Neural networks are employed to approximate the completely unknown bounding functions of the disturbance terms, and their weights as well as approximation errors are adaptively tuned. It is proved that the proposed robust adaptive control can ensure the semi-global uniform ultimate boundedness of all the closed-loop system signals. The control performance can be improved by an appropriate choice of the design parameters. Simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design.
Laser-induced gas plasma etching of fused silica under ambient conditions

Laser machining of optics to mitigate surface defects has greatly enhanced the ability to process large optics such as those found in fusion-class lasers. Recently, the use of assist reactive gases has shown promise in enhancing manifold etching rates relative to ambient conditions for CW-laser exposures. However, these methods still require significant heating of the substrate that induce residual stress, redeposit coverage, material flow, and compromise the final surface finish and damage threshold. While very reactive fluorinated gases are capable to reduce treatment temperatures even further, they are also inherently toxic and not readily transferable to large processing facilities. In this report, we look at whether a short-lived gas plasma could provide the safe and effective etchant sought, while still reducing the thermal load on the surface. We test this approach using a YAG laserinduced gas plasma to act as a source of the etchant for fused silica, a common optical material. The configuration and orientation of the beam and optical apparatus with respect to the surface was critical in preventing surface damage while etching the surface. Results with N 2 and air gas plasmas are shown, along with a description of the various experimental implementations attempted.
Repeated cycles of food restriction reduce fatty acid synthesis and oxidation in hepatocytes isolated from BHE/CDB rats

Abstract The effects of repeated cycles of food restriction on body weight and composition, energy intake and utilization, serum metabolites and hepatic substrate metabolism were studied using prediabetic BHE/cdb rats. Six week old male rats were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 treatment groups of rats (n=8) fed a semipurified diet which provided 37% of the energy from fat. One group (baseline, BAS) was fed ad libitum for 1 week and then their hepatocytes were isolated and incubated with [ 14 C]-glucose, 3 H 2 O and [ 14 C]-palmitate. A second group (control, CON) was fed ad libitum for 16 weeks. The third group (cycled, CYC) completed 10 cycles of food restriction (2 d starved, 5 d refed ad libitum) and then was fed ad libitum for 6 weeks. Isolated hepatocytes from CYC rats synthesized less total [ 3 H]-lipid and [ 3 H]-fatty acids from 3 H 2 O and oxidized less [ 14 C]-palmitate to 14 CO 2 and [ 14 C]-water soluble products than hepatocytes isolated from CON rats. There were no significant differences in body weight gain or composition, the efficiency of conversion of dietary energy to carcass energy, and fasting levels of serum insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol between the CYC and CON groups. Glucose oxidation and fatty acid synthesis and oxidation were significantly higher in the hepatocytes from BAS rats compared to hepatocytes from the two older groups. The results of this study suggest that repeated cycles of food restriction can significantly alter hepatic lipid metabolism as long as 6 weeks after the last period of food restriction.
Direct Heat Cogeneration Applications for Kaolin Producers

Direct heat cogeneration using gas turbines presents an unusually attractive means of supplying two end products when both are required simultaneously. Most cogeneration applications involve steam as the thermal end product. While steam has many industrial and commercial uses, the conversion of thermal output to usable steam involves losses in the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). When the heat rejected by a gas turbine can be used directly, system losses can be minimized. One such application exists in the kaolin industry.Kaolin is a white alumina-silicate clay used in many products, including paper, medicines, plastics and paints. One step in producing kaolin requires large spray dryers, the heat for which can be supplemented by cogeneration.This study outlines conditions necessary to achieve economic viability with cogeneration and suggests ways to maximize economic benefits. Risks associated with cogeneration ventures are also discussed.Copyright © 1990 by ASME
Migration and Leaching of Metals from Old Mine Tailings Deposits

Leaching of heavy metals by ground water passing through mine tailings is caused by the oxidation of sulfides through the action of microorganisms. The pH of the ground water entering the tailings system is reduced by mechanisms within the tailings system itself. Action of sulfide-oxidizing and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria causes the formation of sulfuric acid, thereby increasing the H+ and SO42− concentration within the system. Metal ions go into solution as metal sulfates, and the concentration of H2S increases by the interaction of H+ and S2− Increase in H2S creates an environment suitable for the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria which converts SO42− to S2− and simultaneously precipitates metal sulfides at a pH near 6.6. Decrease in pH with depth destroys sulfate-reducing bacteria, and dissolution and leaching of the tailings increase. Four lines of evidence demonstrate the presence of microorganisms in the tailings system: (1) Fe-Mn concretions below the water table at Cataldo Mission Flats, (2) fixation of Na and K below the water table, (3) precipitation of sulfate salts on the surface of Cataldo Mission Flats, and (4) experiments on two sets of tailings samples, one from the surface which showed predominant aerobic activity and one from below the water table which showed predominant anaerobic activity. Where oxygen is sufficient, iron oxidizing bacteria oxidize Fe2+ to Fe3+ which forms an insoluble hydroxide. Consequently, very little iron is found in the ground water coming from the system. The combination of these mechanisms produces poor-quality ground water with respect to metals.
Isotopic evolution of the biogeochemical carbon cycle during the Proterozoic Eon

Abstract Time-related changes in the Proterozoic sedimentary isotopic record of organic carbon and carbonates are consistent with the following: (1) an increase in the oxidation state of the environment, (2) a transition towards microbial populations dominated by producers and utilizers of O 2 and SO 4 2− , and (3) a relatively minor increase in organic δ 13 C during postdepositional thermal alteration ( δ 13 C increased ∼3‰ as H/C declined from 0.8 to 0.1). The progressive oxidation of the environment was episodic. For example, between 2.2 and 1.9 Ga, crustal and atmospheric reservoirs of O 2 , Fe 3+ and SO 4 2− increased relatively rapidly, and this increase was too large to be attributed solely to the declining rate of oxidant consumption by volcanic and hydrothermal fluxes of reduced species. Additional fundamental changes seem to be required in the tectonic style of organic sedimentation and preservation. Episodic changes in both the biogeochemical C cycle and atmospheric O 2 levels during the Proterozoic Eon likely influenced the evolution of Eukarya.
Method for Replacement of the Ascending Aorta and Aortic Valve with Reimplantation of the Coronary Arteries

Abstract A method for replacing the entire ascending aorta and aortic valve is described that employs direct anastomosis of the coronary ostia to the graft, facilitated by appropriately timed periods of hypothermic ischemic cardiac arrest. The advantages of this technique are that proper placement of sutures around the coronary ostia is simplified and that hemostasis at the aortic annulus and coronary anastomosis can be evaluated before the aortic clamp is removed and suture lines become inaccessible.
Getting in the loop: new insights into the mechanism of poly(A) site recognition.

In this issue, Yang et al. (2011) show that the 3′ end processing factor CFIm interacts with RNA in manner that facilitates RNA looping, suggesting mechanistic roles for this factor in the regulation of poly(A) site selection.
Effect of alcohol on spleen cells and their functions in C57BL/6 mice.

Spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice maintained on alcohol containing liquid diet for two weeks were evaluated for different immune functions. On an average, 22% fewer spleen cells were recovered from alcohol-fed mice when compared to cells from control animals. In alcohol-fed mice, the relative frequency of B cells increased, whereas total T cells including CD4 + cells decreased significantly. Alcoholic mice, when challenged with poly(rI) poly(rC), produced significantly less interferon than control mice. In vitro production of interferon alpha and gamma by the spleen cells of alcoholic mice was reduced by 67–90%. No significant differences were seen in the level of natural killer cell activity in spleen cells of control and alcoholic mice. These results suggest that chronic alcohol intake can result in not only changes in the number of immune cells, but more importantly affect their biological functions such as their ability to produce interferons.
Measuring Client Experiences of Motivational Interviewing during a Lifestyle Intervention.

The Client Evaluation of Motivational Interviewing was used to assess motivational interviewing experiences in a predominantly female, African American sample from the Southeastern United States wh...
Divergent modes for cargo-mediated control of clathrin-coated pit dynamics

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis has long been viewed as a process driven by core endocytic proteins, with internalized cargo proteins being passive. In contrast, an emerging view suggests that signaling receptor cargo may actively control its fate by regulating the dynamics of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) that mediate their internalization. Despite its physio- logical implications, very little is known about such "cargo-mediated regulation" of CCPs by signaling receptors. Here, using multicolor total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy imaging and quantitative analysis in live cells, we show that the μ-opioid receptor, a physio- logically relevant G protein-coupled signaling receptor, delays the dynamics of CCPs in which it is localized. This delay is mediated by the interactions of two critical leucines on the recep- tor cytoplasmic tail. Unlike the previously known mechanism of cargo-mediated regulation, these residues regulate the lifetimes of dynamin, a key component of CCP scission. These results identify a novel means for selectively controlling the endocytosis of distinct cargo that share common trafficking components and indicate that CCP regulation by signaling recep - tors can operate via divergent modes.
A preliminary pharmacokinetic study of the enantiomers of the terfenadine acid metabolite in humans.

A stereoselective and sensitive achiral/chiral method for the determination of terfenadine acid metabolite in human plasma was developed. The metabolite was separated and quantitated using an achiral chromatographic procedure with a cyano column. The mobile phase was 1 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.0) and acetonitrile (25:75% v/v) at a flow rate of 2 ml/min, at ambient temperature. The stereospecific resolution was accomplished using a chiral-AGP column and a mobile phase consisting of sodium acetate (0.01 M): methanol (98.7:1.3% v/v), and 20 mM di-n-butylamine at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min. The column temperature was maintained at 32°C. The eluent was monitored at 230 nm (excitation) and 300 nm (emission) with a cut-off filter at 270 nm. This assay was used for a pharmacokinetic study in five subjects after administration of a single dose of 60 mg of terfenadine. The t½ values of the two enantiomers were similar, but the AUC values of the (+)-enantiomer were 2.05–2.35 times higher than those of (−)-enantiomer. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Asymptotic critical transmission ranges for connectivity in wireless ad hoc networks with Bernoulli nodes

Wireless ad hoc networks with Bernoulli nodes provide a unified model of various important problems including fault-tolerance, randomized construction of virtual backbone, randomized broadcast routing, and randomized wake/sleep management. We assume that the wireless ad hoc network consists of n nodes which are distributed independently and uniformly in a unit-area disk and are active (or available) independently with some constant probability /spl rho/. Let /spl rho//sub n/ denote the random variable which is the smallest transmission range at which the active nodes form a connected network, and p/sub n/' denote the random variable which is the smallest transmission range at which the active nodes form a connected network and each inactive node is adjacent to at least one active node, /spl rho//sub n/ is referred to as the critical transmission range for connectivity of active modes, and /spl rho//sub n/' is referred to as the critical transmission range for connectivity of all nodes. In this paper, we derive the precise asymptotic distributions of /spl rho//sub n/ and /spl rho//sub n/'.
First principal simulation of CoSi 2 /Si and NiSi 2 /Si contacts

As silicon CMOS scales to the nanoscale regime, the contact resistance is becoming comparable to the channel resistance at on-state, which could considerably lower the on-current and significantly increase the delay. This trend is expected to exacerbate as scaling continues. Low-resistance silicides, such as CoSi 2 and NiSi 2 , are widely used in high performance transistors to enhance the performance. Modeling and understanding silicide contacts are challenged by the importance of interface states, quantum effects, dopants, defects, and even atomistic scale features of the interface, and the ab initio simulation is appropriate for addressing these challenges from first principles. A previous first-principal simulation study has been focusing on monosilicide for a specific crystal orientation [1]. In this study, by using the ab initio density-functional theory (DFT), we systematically examine the properties of metal-induced gap states (MIGS), effects of different interface dopants, and the contact barrier properties for NiSi 2 /Si and CoSi 2 /Si contacts with different silicon crystal orientations. The study provides atomistic scale insights into the contact properties for technologically important disilicide-silicon contacts.
Getting Boozy in Books: Substance Use in Adolescent Literature

Media effects research provides evidence for a link between adolescent exposure to media portrayals of substance use and usage. Exposure to media content that glamorizes and normalizes substance use carries potential public health risks. Though substance use has been examined in other media, such as film, television, and magazines, no research to date examines usage portrayals in adolescent novels. Given that adolescents do read, and given the potential impact of content on adolescent attitudes and behavior, this study provides a detailed analysis of the frequency and nature of substance use in the understudied area of novels. Substance use was examined in 40 best-selling adolescent novels on the New York Times Best Sellers list (time span June–July 2008). Substance use varied widely. Of the various types of substances, alcohol portrayals were most common. Almost all substance use was portrayed as having no consequences. Alcohol use was portrayed in similar frequencies in books aimed at younger, middle, a...
A Spatial Correlation Model for Visual Information in Wireless Multimedia Sensor Networks

Wireless multimedia sensor networks (WMSNs) are interconnected devices that allow retrieving video and audio streams, still images, and scalar data from the environment. In a densely deployed WMSN, there exists correlation among the visual information observed by cameras with overlapped field of views. This paper proposes a novel spatial correlation model for visual information in WMSNs. By studying the sensing model and deployments of cameras, a spatial correlation function is derived to describe the correlation characteristics of visual information observed by cameras with overlapped field of views. The joint effect of multiple correlated cameras is also studied. An entropy-based analytical framework is developed to measure the amount of visual information provided by multiple cameras in the network. Furthermore, according to the proposed correlation function and entropy-based framework, a correlation-based camera selection algorithm is designed. Experimental results show that the proposed spatial correlation function can model the correlation characteristics of visual information in WMSNs through low computation and communication costs. Further simulations show that, given a distortion bound at the sink, the correlation-based camera selection algorithm requires fewer cameras to report to the sink than the random selection algorithm.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence quenching of Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine) in the presence of acetaminophen, salicylic acid and their metabolites

Abstract Quenching of Ru(bpy) 3 2+ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) coreactant electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) has been observed in the presence of acetaminophen, salicylic acid and related complexes. However, no quenching is observed with the acetylsalicylic acid. In most instances, quenching is observed with 100-fold excess of quencher (compared to ECL luminophore) with complete quenching observed between 10,000 and 100,000 fold excess. Fluorescence and UV–vis experiments coupled with bulk electrolysis support the formation of benzoquinone products upon electrochemical oxidation. The mechanism of quenching may involve the interaction of the electrochemically generated benzoquinone species with (i) the ⁎ Ru(bpy) 3 2+ excited state or (ii) highly energetic coreactant radicals.
Concurrent Malignant Solitary Fibrous Tumor Arising from the Omentum and Grade 3 Endometrial Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma of the Uterus with p53 Immunoreactivity

A malignant solitary fibrous tumor arising from the omentum is extremely rare. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a malignant solitary fibrous omentum tumor coexisting with uterine corpus cancer. A 62-year-old woman presented to our hospital with vaginal discharge. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma was diagnosed by endometrial curettage. In addition, a solid tumor in front of the uterus was detected following computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging, which was suspected to be a primary (or secondary) malignant tumor arising from the omentum. Hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and lymphadenectomy were performed. A malignant solitary fibrous tumor of the omentum and grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the uterus were diagnosed by pathohistological analysis. Interestingly, the tumor cells were immunoreactive for p53. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered for the uterine corpus cancer and the patient remains healthy 48 months after the surgery. These tumors may have become malignant due to the presence of p53 mutations.
An assessment of the awareness of non-technical skills of future engineers

The importance and nature of non-technical skills for future engineers are described in this paper. The discourses of educational, industrial and governmental organizations concerning these skills are summarized. Related issues such as nature of the knowledge-based economy, the nature and need for innovation, entrepreneurship, working in teams and the need for life-long learning in relation to non-technical skills are also discussed. The rubric that was used to assess the awareness of engineering students of these skills is presented, along with the results of the assessment. In general, the results show that the vast majority of students showed a great deal of awareness and importance of these skills for their futures as engineers. The assessment for establishing the existing knowledge level of students is critical for guiding future curricular materials geared toward enhancing some of the non-technical skills of future engineers. Particularly, the results suggest any new curricular materials must enhanc...
Transactional memory should be an implementation technique, not a programming interface

Transactional memory is often advocated as an easier to use replacement for locks that avoids any possibility of deadlock. Recently, as more care has been exercised in precisely specifying its semantics, a number of researchers have observed that probably the most attractive semantics for transactional memory systems is based on "single global lock atomicity", i.e. on the semantics of a single global lock. We argue that this should be taken one step further: The synchronization operations seen by the programmer should really just be locks, possibly with some syntactic sugar for easier programming with a single global lock. Use as a deadlock-free lock replacement does not require any rollback primitive, or any other constructs that expose properties of the implementation. And it appears that such extensions add considerable complexity. Instead, the implementation should strive to optimize coarse-grain locks, for example by implementing them using transactional techniques.
A summary of results in direct spatial antenna modulation (DSAM)

Antenna modulation has received growing attention recently, with several published examples [1–4]. This paper summarizes recent results in Direct Spatial Antenna Modulation (DSAM), with an emphasis on quantitative performance. Antenna modulation can be used to replace conventional modulator architectures, with potential savings in size, weight, and power (SWAP). DSAM is distinct from other antenna modulation approaches since it is focused on using exclusively spatial excitation differences rather than other more conventional approaches.
Outcomes of Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator in Nonagenarians with Acute Ischemic Stroke (P4.281)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) on aged 90 years or older acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. BACKGROUND: People aged 90 years or old are the fast growing group in the Northern American. But they are excluded from traditional clinical trials. IV tPA is the most beneficial emergent therapy for AIS. We retrospectively reviewed the administration of IV tPA for AIS patients who were 90 years or older from June 2011 to Oct 2014 in our institution. DESIGN/METHODS: We reviewed the clinical characteristics of AIS patients who are 90 years or older after IV tPA treatment at presentation, complications, and outcomes. Outcome measures at discharge were improvement of NIHSS, mRS, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), and discharge deposition. RESULTS: Twenty patients (female 80[percnt]; median age 93 years; range 90-101 years) had IV tPA treatment within 3 hrs after the onset of AIS after the consent was obtained from the family or patients. Thirteen patients (65[percnt]) had history of atrial fibrillation without anticoagulation. Baseline, nearly half of patients (9 /20) needed assistance for ambulation from gait instability, but they were otherwise functional. Rest were independent or with minimal assistance (mRS ≤ 3). Admission mean NIHSS was 15 (ranging: 1-34). Four patients (20[percnt]) had hemorrhage, but none had sICH. Discharge mean NIHSS 13. Four patients (20[percnt]) had favorable outcome (mRS ≤ 3). Two patients were discharged to home. Twelve patients went to nursing home, seven of which were from nursing home. Seven patients died from cardiopulomonary failure or were hospice. CONCLUSIONS: No adverse effect of IV tPA on nonagenarian AIS patients although the benefits were less compared to younger patients. Patients who had low mRS and admission NIHSS had more favorable outcome. Thus, IV tPA should be considered in selected nonagenarian AIS patients with favorable baseline function. Disclosure: Dr. Chaubal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wise has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moore has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jerde has nothing to disclose. Dr. Laura has nothing to disclose. Dr. Remmel has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liu has nothing to disclose.
Cyclodextrin facilitated electrospun chitosan nanofibers

The use of chitosan, a cationic, biodegradable polysaccharide derived from sea-shells, in nanofibrous form offers a powerful platform to exploit its inherent benefits. However, chitosan nanofiber formation is difficult, requiring corrosive solvents or a carrier polymer blend to successfully electrospin. Our approach entails blending chitosan with a functional small molecule, cyclodextrin, to facilitate nanofiber formation of chitosan in acetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid. In this case the cyclodextrin, with its complexation properties, could serve to improve chitosan fiber formation, thus serving as a multi-functional blend. In this study, we examine the role of each component and the possibility of synergistic effects in nanofiber formation. Significant improvements in chitosan fiber formation were observed in concert with cyclodextrin at solvent concentrations not possible with just the individual components. Multiple fiber morphologies including three-dimensional fiber mats were also achieved. We examine the improved nanofiber formation in relation to solution viscosity, polymer entanglement, and chitosan–cyclodextrin associations. Rheological studies provide evidence of interactions between cyclodextrin and chitosan. NMR and FTIR studies further validate complexation between these two components.
Identification of spinal neurons in the embryonic and larval zebrafish

Previous studies indicated that the developing fish spinal cord was a simple system containing a small number of distinguishable neuronal cell types (Eisen et al., Nature 320:269-271, '86; Kuwada, Science, 233:740-746, '86). To verify this we have characterized the cellular anatomy of the spinal cord of developing zebrafish in order to determine the number, identities, and organization of the spinal neurons. Spinal neurons were labeled by intracellular dye injections, application of an axonal tracer dye to all or subsets of the axonal tracts, and application of antibodies which recognize embryonic neurons. We found that nine classes of neurons could be identified based on soma size and position, pattern of dendrites, axonal trajectory, and time of axonogenesis. These are two classes of axial motor neurons, which have been previously characterized (Myers, J. Comp. Neurol. 236.555-561, '851, one class of sensory neurons, and six classes of interneurons. One of the interneuron classes could be subclassified as primary and secondary based on criteria similar to those used to classify the axial motor neurons into primary and secondary classes. The early cord (18-20 hours) is an extremely simple system and contains approximately 18 lateral cell bodies per hemisegment, which presumably are post-mitotic cells. By this stage, five of the neuronal classes have begun axonogenesis including the primary motor neurons, sensory neurons, and three classes of interneurons. By concentrating on these early stages when the cord is at its simplest, pathfinding by growth cones of known identities can be described in detail. Then it should be possible to test many different mechanisms which may guide growth cones in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS).