cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcervical Foley catheter for preinduction cervical ripening in an outpatient versus inpatient setting.

OBJECTIVE: To compare use of the Foley catheter for preinduction cervical ripening in an inpatient versus outpatient setting. METHODS: A randomized trial was conducted from May 1998 to December 1999. Women with a term gestation in the vertex presentation, a reactive nonstress test, an amniotic fluid index above the fifth percentile, and a Bishop score of no more than 5 were included. The primary outcome variable was a change in Bishop score. A Foley catheter with a 30-mL balloon was placed through the cervix on gentle traction in each group. The outpatient group was then discharged home with written instructions and returned in the morning for induction. The inpatient group was admitted to labor and delivery, with induction started upon extrusion of the Foley. RESULTS: Sixty-one women were randomized into the outpatient group, and 50 women into the inpatient group. Maternal age, gravidity, previous cesarean delivery, and gestational age did not differ between the groups. The median Bishop score at entry was 3.0 for each group (P = .97). The mean change in Bishop scores after catheter placement was not different between the inpatient and outpatient groups (3.0 versus 3.0; P = .74). The maximum dose of oxytocin, time of oxytocin, epidural rate, induction time, 1-minute and 5-minute Apgar scores, and cord pH were not significantly different. The outpatient group on average avoided 9.6 hours of hospitalization. There were no adverse events or maternal morbidity in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The Foley bulb is as effective in the outpatient as the inpatient setting for preinduction cervical ripening.
Is Religion What We Want? Motivation and the Cultural Transmission of Religious Representations

Many psychologists and philosophers have suggested that religious ideas emerge because they are motivationally attractive. This paper attempts to support a version of the motivational thesis by relying on religious creeds as a source of historical evidence. This simple source of evidence indicates that the cultural evolution of religious ideas is partly a function of the motivational attractiveness of the religious ideas.
System for controlled testing of sensor networks

In this paper, we first identify the need for a system which can accurately reproduce sensed input or stimuli for fair evaluation of wireless sensor network applications. We then present an architecture for a system that utilizes sensor nodes to not only provide the required stimuli but also allow control over sensor nodes that are executing the application under test. In our architecture, each sensor node executing the application under test is paired with a stimuli generating node called the stimuli node. Our architecture, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to provide the benefits of both hardware-based and software-based approaches. We also showcase a prototype implementation of the architecture using the MICAz hardware platform and TinyOS operating system software. Evaluation results for the prototype in a network setting are then presented to demonstrate that this architecture is a viable stimuli system for testing wireless sensor networks applications.
Adsorption of water vapor on block copolymers

Abstract Adsorption isotherms of water vapor on bis(A-polycarbonate)-polydimethyl siloxane of various siloxane contents and of polycarbonate (Lexan) have been measured at −10, 0, 10, and 20°C. Isosteric heats and differential molar entropies have been evaluated. The data show increasing water adsorption with decreasing siloxane content. Highest isosteric heats before completion of a monolayer were observed with samples of small and intermediate siloxane contents; the entropies indicate a structure of the adsorbate of greater order than that of ice. The sample with highest siloxane content shows isosteric heats smaller than that for liquefaction of water. The entropies indicate that the adsorbate behaves in this case like a two-dimensional, mobile gas. The data for polycarbonate (Lexan) lies between those for the block copolymer samples. Ice-releasing adhesive strength values—coatings were made of the block copolymers—correlate well with the data obtained in the present study. The copolymer with the largest polysiloxane content yielded the lowest adhesive strength values.
A High-Order Compact Finite-Difference Scheme for Large-Eddy Simulation of Active Flow Control

Abstract The purpose of this article is to summarize a computational approach, which developed and matured over an extended period of time, and has been shown to be useful for performing large-eddy simulation (LES) of flows with active control. Because of the nature of active flow control, simulation of this class of problems typically cannot be carried out accurately by methods less sophisticated than LES. Active control flowfields are highly unsteady, and can be characterized by small-scale fluid structures which are produced by the control process, but may also be inherent in the original uncontrolled situation. The numerical scheme is predicated upon an implicit time-marching algorithm, and utilizes a high-order compact finite-difference approximation to represent spatial derivatives. Robustness of the scheme is maintained by employing a low-pass Pade-type nondispersive spatial filter, which also accounts for the fine-scale turbulent dissipation that otherwise is traditionally provided by an explicitly added subgrid-scale (SGS) stress model. Geometrically complex applications are accommodated by an overset grid technique, where spatial accuracy is preserved through use of high-order interpolation. Utility of the method is illustrated by specific computational examples, including suppression of acoustic resonance in supersonic cavity flow, leading-edge vortex control of a delta wing, efficiency enhancement of a transitional highly loaded low-pressure turbine blade, and separation control of a wall-mounted hump model. Control techniques represented in these examples are comprised of both steady and pulsed mass injection or removal, as well as plasma-based actuation. For each case, features of the flowfield are elucidated and the solutions are compared to the baseline situation where no control was enforced. Where available, comparisons are also made with experimental data.
δ ENaC: a novel divergent amiloride-inhibitable sodium channel

The fourth subunit of the epithelial sodium channel, termed delta subunit (δ ENaC), was cloned in human and monkey. Increasing evidence shows that this unique subunit and its splice variants exhibit biophysical and pharmacological properties that are divergent from those of α ENaC channels. The widespread distribution of epithelial sodium channels in both epithelial and nonepithelial tissues implies a range of physiological functions. The altered expression of SCNN1D is associated with numerous pathological conditions. Genetic studies link SCNN1D deficiency with rare genetic diseases with developmental and functional disorders in the brain, heart, and respiratory systems. Here, we review the progress of research on δ ENaC in genomics, biophysics, proteomics, physiology, pharmacology, and clinical medicine.
757-2 Angiotensin II Formation in the Intact Human Heart: Predominance of the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Pathway

It has been proposed that the contribution of myocardial tissue angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to angiotensin II (Ang II) formation in the heart is low compared to non-ACE pathways. However, little is known about the actual in vivo contribution of these pathways to Ang II formation in the human heart. Accordingly, we developed a method to quantify ACE and non-ACEmediated conversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to Ang II across the myocardial circulation in human subjects. Using an intracoronary(lC) infusion of 123|-Ang I before and during an IC infusion of enalaprilat, we measured the fractional conversion of Ang I to Ang II in coronary sinus blood samples by taking the ratio of the labeled Ang II activity to the sum of activity corresponding to labeled Ang I and Ang II after peptide extraction and separation by HPLC (activity ratio method). Results obtained from this method were confirmed by combined HPLC/RIA of both labeled and unlabeled Ang I and Ang II (RIA method). The initial experience has been obtained in orthotopic heart transplant recipients with normal cardiac function and coronary anatomy. After a six minute IC infusion of 123|Ang I, fractional conversion of Ang I to Ang II was 0.44 ± 0.141, and 0.43 ± 0.084 (n = 4, mean ± SD) as determined, respectively, by the activity ratio and RIA methods. IC enalaprilat (0.01 mg/min for five minutes) reduced fractional conversion to 0.046 ± 0.065 (activity ratio method) or 0.033 ± 0.012 (RIA method) (n = 3, P = 0.014). Download : Download high-res image (61KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions 1) Ang II formation can be measured in the intact human heart; 2) ACE mediates 90% of Ang I to Ang II conversion across the myocardial circulation.
Hemispherical focal plane detector arrays

We demonstrate a 10 kilopixel passive matrix focal plane array consisting of (40mum)2 organic double heterojunction photodetectors on a 1cm radius plastic hemisphere that mimics the size and architecture of human eye.
The effect of psychiatric symptoms on the recognition of alcohol disorders in primary care patients

Objective:To determine factors related to physician recognition of alcohol abuse in a primary clinic, specifically factors associated with psychiatric illness.Method:Using a cross-sectional study design, we conducted a comprehensive chart review of an existing study sample. A total of 321 systematically sampled patients completed a patient interview. One-hundred-and-one patients scored one or more on the CAGE screening questionnaire for alcohol abuse and were eligible for the medical chart review, which assessed socio-demographic variables, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, alcohol and other substance use, laboratory tests results, and number of patient contacts.Results:35 percent of the CAGE positive sample had a history of a psychiatric disorder documented in the chart, and an additional 17 percent had symptoms consistent with possible underlying psychopathology. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the presence of documented psychiatric disorders was not found to be significantly associated wi...
Variation in the expression of possession by Latino children

As part of a national effort to improve reading levels, spontaneous speech samples were collected from 630 Latino, African American, and white children in grades 2 through 4 in Georgia, California, and Pennsylvania. In this study, data was used from 126 Latinos, and a comparison group of 28 African American and 28 white children to study their use of 3rd person possessive pronouns, periphrastic of possessives, and attributive -s possessives. It was found that Latino children confused his for her and her for his; used more periphrastic of constructions; and omitted the attributive -s marker in noun -s noun constructions. Multivariate analyses revealed that beyond Spanish influence, speaker sex, language origin, and grade also affected the expression of possession. Most striking are the differences accordingtospeakersex,andbetweenMexicanandPuertoRicooriginchildren,whichare considered in light of the closer relationship between Puerto Ricans and African Americans in Philadelphia. ThisreportofpossessivestructuresinLatino 1 childrenreliesonthesociolinguistic study of spontaneous speech and looks at the effects of multiple social and linguistic factors on the production of several linguistic variables. Three types of English language possessives were considered: third person possessive pronouns; periphrastic of possessives; and attributive -s possessives. It was found that the Latino children confused his for her and her for his, as in (1); used periphrastic of constructions more than native English speakers, as in (2); and omitted the attributive -s marker, as in (3).
Varieties Generated by Ordered Bands II

The lattice of all subvarieties of the variety generated by all ordered bands is obtained. This lattice is distributive and contains 78 varieties precisely. Each of these is finitely based and generated by a finite number of finite ordered bands.
Patient-specific Narrative Interpretations of Complex Clinical Laboratory Evaluations: Who Is Competent to Provide Them?

The report To Err Is Human , by the Institute of Medicine (1), has sparked much interest in establishing clinical error rates. The data in the report are focused primarily on medication errors, anesthesia errors, and other procedural errors. Errors associated with establishing the diagnosis, however, received little consideration. One reason is that diagnoses are often established by laboratory test results, and it is difficult to identify errors in test selection and misinterpretation of test results. There is now a spoken need for a change in the current system to provide physicians with assistance in selection of the correct assays and to provide patient-specific interpretations of complex test results to make a clinical decision (2)(3)(4). The report by Lim et al. (5) in this issue of the Journal describes a quality assessment of interpretive commenting in clinical chemistry. Previous reports have described the interpretive process and noted the value of the service (6)(7)(8), but this study evaluates the performance of potential interpreters for the service process. The interpretations in the study by Lim et al. (5) were generated by pathologists or senior scientists and “any other interested laboratory personnel”. The data in this report demonstrate the need for highly knowledgeable individuals, most likely within individual subspecialties of clinical chemistry (e.g., toxicology, endocrinology, and tumor markers), to interpret complex clinical laboratory evaluations. The authors found (as judged by a panel of experts) that interpretation errors in many of their test cases occurred as …
Methodology for the use of DSSAT models for precision agriculture decision support

A prototype decision support system (DSS) called Apollo was developed to assist researchers in using the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) crop growth models to analyze precision farming datasets. Because the DSSAT models are written to simulate crop growth and development within a homogenous unit of land, the Apollo DSS has specialized functions to manage running the DSSAT models to simulate and analyze spatially variable land and management. The DSS has modules that allow the user to build model input files for spatial simulations across predefined management zones, calibrate the models to simulate historic spatial yield variability, validate the models for seasons not used for calibration, and estimate the crop response and environmental impacts of nitrogen, plant population, cultivar, and irrigation prescriptions. This paper details the functionality of Apollo, and presents the results of an example application.
Foucault pendulum on a chip: Rate integrating silicon MEMS gyroscope

a b s t r a c t We report detailed characterization of a vacuum sealed rate integrating silicon MEMS gyroscope. The new gyroscope utilizes geometrically symmetric, dynamically balanced quadruple mass architecture, which provides a combination of maximized quality (Q) factors and isotropy of both the resonant frequency and damping. The vacuum sealed SOI prototype with a 2 kHz operational frequency demonstrated virtually identical X- and Y-mode Q-factors of 1.2 million. Due to the stiffness and damping symmetry, and low energy dissipation, the gyroscope can be instrumented for direct angle measurements with fundamentally unlimited rotation range and bandwidth. Experimental characterization of the mode-matched gyroscope operated in whole-angle mode confirmed linear response in a ±450
Meta-Analysis of Comparative Studies of Depression in Mothers of Children With and Without Developmental Disabilities

Meta-analysis was used to synthesize findings from comparative studies of depression in mothers of children with and without developmental disabilities. Effect sizes were determined for 18 studies conducted between 1984 and 2003. A weighted effect size of .39 indicated an elevated level of depression in mothers of children with developmental disabilities. Planned comparisons found that age of child and disability category moderated effect sizes. Results show that mothers of children with developmental disabilities are at elevated risk of depression compared to mothers of typically developing children. Depression in mothers of children with developmental disabilities is a condition that is presently not being addressed on a wide scale, although promising interventions are available.
GSK3β phosphorylation modulates CLASP–microtubule association and lamella microtubule attachment

Polarity of the microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton is essential for many cell functions. Cytoplasmic linker–associated proteins (CLASPs) are MT-associated proteins thought to organize intracellular MTs and display a unique spatiotemporal regulation. In migrating epithelial cells, CLASPs track MT plus ends in the cell body but bind along MTs in the lamella. In this study, we demonstrate that glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) directly phosphorylates CLASPs at multiple sites in the domain required for MT plus end tracking. Although complete phosphorylation disrupts both plus end tracking and association along lamella MTs, we show that partial phosphorylation of the identified GSK3β motifs determines whether CLASPs track plus ends or associate along MTs. In addition, we find that expression of constitutively active GSK3β destabilizes lamella MTs by disrupting lateral MT interactions with the cell cortex. GSK3β-induced lamella MT destabilization was partially rescued by expression of CLASP2 with mutated phosphorylation sites. This indicates that CLASP-mediated stabilization of peripheral MTs, which likely occurs in the vicinity of focal adhesions, may be regulated by local GSK3β inactivation.
Quality of life: experience with sertraline

The socioeconomic impact of major depression is considerable, due to poor patient functioning and increased social impairment, bed disability days, and use of health care resources. Major depression and the side effects of antidepressants medication also adversely affect patients' quality of life (QOL). However, few clinical trials of major depression examine QOL as a measure of treatment outcome. A comprehensive, quantitative QOL instrument for depression was recently tested and validated as conforming to accepted psychometric standards. The sertraline quality of life battery (SQOLB) consists of nine domains measuring health perceptions: energy/vitality, cognitive function, social interaction, alertness behavior, work behavior, home management, life satisfaction, and bed disability days. The SQOLB has been used in two open-label trials of sertraline. In the first study, the SQOLB was administered to 400 patients with major depression at baseline and final visit in a 6 week, open-label, general practice study. At endpoint, mean Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores were significantly improved. The QOL battery also showed significant (p < 0.001) positive changes from baseline to final visit in all nine domains measured. In the second study, the SQOLB was used as part of an 8 week, open-label trial of sertraline in 308 UK hospital outpatients being treated for depression by psychiatrists. Sertraline was effective in managing the depression and caused statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) in all QOL domains measured. The QOL scales give a better indication of the effect of pervasive depressive symptoms on a patient's life than rating scales of depressive symptomatology.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Temperature effects on the diversity of soil heterotrophs and the δ13C of soil-respired CO2.

We measured the respiration rates, δ13C of respired CO2, and microbial community composition in root-free bulk soils incubated at 4, 22 and 40°C. The soils were obtained from the Duke Forest Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) experiment where organic carbon in soils sampled from the elevated CO2 plots contained a unique 13C label that was derived from FACE fumigation. The CO2 produced by soil heterotrophs at 4°C was 2.2 to 3.5‰ enriched in 13C relative to CO2 respired at 22 and 40°C and was similarly enriched relative to bulk soil carbon. There was no isotopic difference between CO2 produced at 22 and 40°C. Respiration rates increased exponentially with temperature from 0.25 mg CO2 g soil−1 d−1 at 4°C to 0.73 mg CO2 g soil−1 d−1 at 40°C. Microbial community composition, as measured by the differences in populations of morphology types, differed across the temperature range. Only eight of 67 microbial morphology types were common to all three incubation temperatures, while six types were unique to 4°C soil, 17 to 22°C soil and 18 to 40°C soil. Species richness, approximated from morphology type, was significantly lower at 4°C than at 22 and 40°C. This change in microbial community structure from 4 to 22 and 40°C caused a shift in mineralizable carbon pools, resulting in a shift in the isotopic composition of CO2 respired at the low temperature.
COMMUTING TRIPLES OF MATRICES

The variety C(3 ,n ) of commuting triples of n × n matrices over C is shown to be irreducible for n =7 . It had been proved thatC(3 ,n ) is reducible for n ≥ 30, but irreducible for n ≤ 6. Guralnick and Omladic have conjectured that it is reducible for n> 7.
Bimetallic redox synergy in oxidative palladium catalysis.

Polynuclear transition metal complexes, which are embedded in the active sites of many metalloenzymes, are responsible for effecting a diverse array of oxidation reactions in nature. The range of chemical transformations remains unparalleled in the laboratory. With few noteworthy exceptions, chemists have primarily focused on mononuclear transition metal complexes in developing homogeneous catalysis. Our group is interested in the development of carbon–heteroatom bond-forming reactions, with a particular focus on identifying reactions that can be applied to the synthesis of complex molecules. In this context, we have hypothesized that bimetallic redox chemistry, in which two metals participate synergistically, may lower the activation barriers to redox transformations relevant to catalysis. In this Account, we discuss redox chemistry of binuclear Pd complexes and examine the role of binuclear intermediates in Pd-catalyzed oxidation reactions.Stoichiometric organometallic studies of the oxidation of binucl...
Where do you sample? - An autonomous underwater vehicle story

We present an experimental evaluation of various sampling path strategies for an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle. Both systematic and stratified random sampling path strategies were evaluated based upon their estimation accuracy for isotropic and anisotropic scalar fields, as well as the relative energy consumption. We present results from several experimental trials that shows that the stratified random sampling strategy minimizes estimation error for denser sample distributions, and the systematic sampling strategy minimizes estimation error for sparser sample distributions. Finally, we experimentally show that the systematic spiral path sampling strategy is the most energy efficient.
Urinary Bladder of Leopard Frogs (Rana pipiens): Effects of Vasotocin, Cyclic AMP, Cyclic GMP and Aldosterone

Isolated urinary bladders of leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) exhibit hydro-osmotic and natriferic responses to vasotocin. Cyclic AMP (but not cyclic GMP) mimics these actions. While the responses to vasotocin are similar to those seen in toads (Bufo marinus), the effects of cyclic AMP are more than twice as great. Aldosterone also increases the short-circuit current across the bladder of the leopard frogs.
Evolutionary morphology, platyrrhine evolution, and systematics.

This special volume of the Anatomical Record focuses on the evolutionary morphology of New World monkeys. The studies range from three-dimensional surface geometry of teeth to enamel ultrastructure; from cranioskeletal adaptations for eating leaves and seeds to the histology of taste bud proxies; from the architecture of its bones to the mechanoreceptors of the tail’s skin; from the physical properties of wild foods to the feeding biomechanics of jaws and skull; from the shapes of claws and fingertips, and of elbows, to the diversity and morphology of positional behavior; from the vomeronasal organ and its biological roles to links between brains, guts, sociality, and feeding; from the gum-eating adaptations of the smallest platyrrhines to the methods used to infer how big the largest fossil platyrrhines were. They demonstrate the power of combining functional morphology, behavior, and phylogenetic thinking as an approach toward reconstructing the evolutionary history of platyrrhine primates. While contributing new findings pertaining to all the major clades and ecological guilds, these articles reinforce the view that platyrrhines are a coherent ecophylogenetic array that differentiated along niche dimensions definable principally by body size, positional behavior, and feeding strategies. In underlining the value of character analysis and derived morphological and behavioral patterns as tools for deciphering phylogenetic and adaptational history, doubts are raised about a competing small-bore morphological method, parsimony-based cladistic studies. Intentionally designed not to enlist the rich reservoir of platyrrhine evolutionary morphology, an empirical assessment of the costs incurred by this research stratagem reveals inconsistent, nonrepeatable, and often conflicting results. Anat Rec, 294:1955–1974, 2011. V
The sympathetic innervation of the eyes and face: A clinicoanatomic review

Most of the details regarding the course of the sympathetic fibers to human ocular structures are based on anatomical and physiological studies in lower animals. While studying a clinical problem involving pericarotid sympathetic fibers, it became obvious that these animal observations cannot adequately explain the findings in human diseases affecting these pathways. An attempt was made, therefore, to clarify this situation. We were able to gather enough information from human clinical and experimental studies, from our own clinical observations, and from our cadaver dissections to conclude that these pathways are somewhat different from those which are usually described in the literature. Based on this information, we conclude that 1) the oculosympathetic fibers in man do not course through the tympanic plexus and/or trigeminal ganglion, and 2) the sweat glands of the face receive their innervation from both internal and external carotid sympathetic plexuses. We also have suggestive, but inconclusive, evidence regarding the final mode of distribution of these fibers to the dilator of the pupil and the smooth muscle portion (deep layer) of the levator palpebrae superioris muscle (superior tarsal muscle).
Modulation-enhanced sensitivity of holographic interferometry

A modulation-demodulation scheme substantially enhances diffusion-dominated-adaptive-interferometric sensitivity. The path length sensitivity is improved by converting a quadratic small-signal response, easily drowned in system noise, to a linear response by mixing with a strong phase modulation. This conversion also shifts low-frequency signals away from 1/f noise. Experimental results show 180 fm/Hz displacement sensitivity for a 5 Hz signal with a few milliwatts of optical power, an improvement of 3 orders of magnitude over the unenhanced system.
Prejudice in Society: Sociological Perspectives

Prejudice is a negative attitude that rejects an entire group; discrimination is behavior that deprives a group of certain rights or opportunities. Prejudice does not necessarily coincide with discrimination, as is made apparent by a typology developed by sociologist Robert Merton. Several theories have been advanced to explain prejudice: scapegoating, exploitation, and the normative approach. Although widespread expression of prejudice has declined, color-blind racism allows the status quo of racial and ethnic inequality to persist. Prejudice is not limited to the dominant group; members of subordinate groups often dislike one another. The mass media seem to be of limited value in reducing prejudice and may even intensify ill feeling. Equal-status contact and the shared-coping approach may reduce hostility between groups, but data show few friendships cross racial lines. In response to increasing diversity in the workplace, corporations and organizations have mounted diversity training programs to increase organizational effectiveness and combat prejudice.
Targeting protein kinase C beta enhances cell death of non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Fifth AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Nov 12-15, 2006 A127 The protein kinase C (PKC) family consists of structurally related serine-threonine kinases that influence drug resistance and cell survival in various cancers. In this study we identified that two of the classical PKC isoforms, PKC-α and PKC-β that played an important role in cell survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Various NSCLC cells (H1734, A549, H226, H1703, H292) expressed high levels of phosphorylated PKC-α, PKC-β and PKC-μ when compared to normal human tracheobronchial epithelial (NHTBE) cells. The levels of phosphorylated PKC-δ or PKC-ζ, ι/λ were reduced in NSCLC when compared to NHTBE. Knock down of protein kinase expression by small interfering (si) RNAs, siPKCβ alone or by combined siPKCα/β and to a lesser extent by siPKCα alone inhibited the expression of the cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) transcription factor in H1734 NSCLC cell line. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that knock-downs also induced changes in the phosphorylation of PKCβ and CREB as well as the translocation of the nuclear CREB to the cytoplasm. Phosphorylation of kinases upstream of CREB including ERK1/2 and RSK was also observed by Western blotting following the knock down of protein kinases. The expression of survival genes Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl were also reduced by siPKCβ or siPKCα/β, which was accompanied by the induction of DNA fragmentation and apoptosis measured by TUNEL. Treatment of H1734 cells with siPKCβ inhibits cell proliferation up to 50%, which did not occur using siPKCα. Finally, combining the siPKCβ with other drugs increased the sensitivity of H1734 cells to cytotoxcicty. These data illustrate the usefulness of using siRNA directed against PKCβ alone or by combined siPKCα/β to suppress the growth of lung tumor cells that selectively overexpress PKCβ and sensitize them to other drugs which may be useful in a prevention setting for high risk populations to reduce the level of cytotoxic drugs.
A putative growth-related renal Na(+)-Pi cotransporter

The mRNA that encodes for NaPi-2, the renal Na(+)-Pi cotransporter that is upregulated by Pi depletion in the adult rat, is low in the young animal. Yet, renal Na-Pi cotransport rates are higher in rapidly growing than in fully grown rats. The aim of this study was to unravel the molecular basis of this apparent discrepancy. Poly(A) RNA obtained from the renal cortex of young animals induced higher rates of Na(+)-Pi cotransport in oocytes than equal amounts of poly(A) mRNA obtained from the renal cortex of mature rats. Moreover, poly(A) RNA obtained from renal cortex of rapidly growing animals treated with antisense NaPi-2 oligomers or depleted of NaPi-2 transcripts by subtractive hybridization with cDNA generated from the renal cortex of adult rats retained its ability to induce Na(+)-Pi cotransport in oocytes. In addition, renal poly(A) RNA of the young subjected to subtraction hybridization generated a 379-base pair reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction product common to all known type II Na(+)-Pi cotransporters. These observations permit us to surmise that the high rates of Na(+)-Pi cotransport prevailing during growth are due, at least in part, to the expression of a specific mRNA that is only partially homologous to that of NaPi-2.
Competitive Advantage in a Digital World: Toward an Information-Based View of the Firm

We develop an information-based perspective on organizational sources of competitive advantage, linking information quality theory to key tenets of strategic management. Competitive advantage resides in the capacity to sense and make sense of information, and to grow this capacity over time. We test the model through a global multi-industry dataset of 7501 respondents. We find that information and management processes can be considered strategic resources and capabilities with direct effects on performance. Furthermore, high-performing firms exhibit complementarities between information resources and capabilities that low performers do not, consistent with the concept of dynamic capabilities. Finally, we exploit a key design feature of the dataset to show that information resources are more important in domains high in explicit information content while capabilities are more important to domains higher in tacit information. This information-based view provides strategic guidance to organizations as they learn to address the ever-changing digital information reality.
CT and MRI of pelvic varices in women

Pelvic varices in women consist of tortuous and dilated parauterine and ovarian veins and have a characteristic appearance at CT and MRI. Imaging is critical in the evaluation of pelvic varices, both to prevent confusion with other conditions and because pelvic varices may be secondary to serious underlying pathology. Additionally, primary pelvic varices are associated with the pelvic pain syndrome, and patients with the pelvic pain syndrome may benefit from therapeutic venous embolization. Secondary pelvic varices are rarely associated with pelvic pain.
An Investigation of Droplet Breakup in a High Mach, Low Weber Number Regime

The paper is concerned with fuel droplet breakup in liquid-fuel Pulse Detonation Engines (PDE). Of particular interest is a high Mach, low Weber number regime that results from the microscopic size of fuel droplets in transonic and supersonic gas flow in detonation engines. We present a new experimental approach to enable characterization of droplet breakup in this novel regime. It is based on a scaling rationale that employs the low density of rarefied gas in experiments to compensate for the microscopic size of fuel droplets in combustors. The paper gives a description of the experimental facility and discusses preliminary results.
Culm Angle Analysis and Standard Record of Rice Varieties

Culm angle of 578 rice varieties bred in Guangdong and 470 varieties introduced from Taiwan was analyzed.Culm angle of rice varieties bred in Guangdong distributes from 3°to 23°,among which 96.37% distributes from 5°to 17°.Culm angle of rice varieties introduced from Taiwan distributes from 3°to 17°,among which 97.02% distributes from 4 °to 12°.Culm angle of famous rice varieties bred in Guangdong distributes from 7°to 16°.The formula of culm angle with ideal plant type was suggested: α=arcsin D/2H.The culm angle standard record for indica rice was recommended that they were classified to three scales: erect(≤5°),intermediate(6°-15°) and spreading(15°).
The adhesion of dog platelets to bacteria.

Streptococci and staphylococci, when added to platelet-rich plasma, serum, and defibrinated blood of the dog, are quickly enmeshed by large clumps of platelets. The factor responsible for this reaction is present in the plasma. It is heat-labile, is inactivated by adsorption with Kieselguhr and bacteria, and is partially inactivated by shaking. The activity of this factor is depressed in the presence of sodium citrate.
Lexical Categories: Nouns as bearers of a referential index

What is special about nouns? I turn now to consideration of what sets nouns apart from verbs and adjectives. Using phrase structure and theta-role assignment to distinguish verbs from nouns and adjectives builds on relatively familiar techniques; syntacticians are accustomed to specifying the theta-grid of a lexical item and to having this grid determine the syntactic structure that the word appears in. The basic principles that regulate theta-role assignment are also very familiar. Working from this model, some generative linguists have attempted to define all of the syntactic categories in terms of their characteristic argument structures and/or the grammatical functions that they take (Jackendoff 1977; Bresnan 1982; Hale and Keyser 1993). But there is little evidence that this is the right approach. Simple nouns do not differ from adjectives in these respects: the phrase structure and theta-role assignment dynamics of John is a fool are essentially identical to those of John is foolish , for example, even though fool is a noun and foolish an adjective. As a result, we saw in the last chapter that both nouns and adjectives need a copular particle in order to be used predicatively, both tend not to take tense morphology, both need a different causativizer than verbs do, and both act like un ergative predicates. Nouns apparently differ from adjectives and verbs not in their argument structures, but along some other dimension altogether. Finding that dimension requires some theoretical inventiveness.
Silibinin inhibits hypoxia-induced HIF-1α-mediated signaling, angiogenesis and lipogenesis in prostate cancer cells: In vitro evidence and in vivo functional imaging and metabolomics.

Hypoxia is associated with aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis in prostate cancer (PCa) patients suggesting that PCa growth and progression could be controlled via targeting hypoxia-induced signaling and biological effects. Here, we analyzed silibinin (a natural flavonoid) efficacy to target cell growth, angiogenesis, and metabolic changes in human PCa, LNCaP, and 22Rv1 cells under hypoxic condition. Silibinin treatment inhibited the proliferation, clonogenicity, and endothelial cells tube formation by hypoxic (1% O2 ) PCa cells. Interestingly, hypoxia promoted a lipogenic phenotype in PCa cells via activating acetyl-Co A carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) that was inhibited by silibinin treatment. Importantly, silibinin treatment strongly decreased hypoxia-induced HIF-1α expression in PCa cells together with a strong reduction in hypoxia-induced NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity. HIF-1α overexpression in LNCaP cells significantly increased the lipid accumulation and NOX activity; however, silibinin treatment reduced HIF-1α expression, lipid levels, clonogenicity, and NOX activity even in HIF-1α overexpressing LNCaP cells. In vivo, silibinin feeding (200 mg/kg body weight) to male nude mice with 22Rv1 tumors, specifically inhibited tumor vascularity (measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI) resulting in tumor growth inhibition without directly inducing necrosis (as revealed by diffusion-weighted MRI). Silibinin feeding did not significantly affect tumor glucose uptake measured by FDG-PET; however, reduced the lipid synthesis measured by quantitative 1 H-NMR metabolomics. IHC analyses of tumor tissues confirmed that silibinin feeding decreased proliferation and angiogenesis as well as reduced HIF-1α, FASN, and ACC levels. Together, these findings further support silibinin usefulness against PCa through inhibiting hypoxia-induced signaling. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An experiment with separate formative and summative rubrics in educational peer assessment

Educational peer assessment has proven to be a powerful approach for providing students timely feedback and allowing them to help and learn from each other. In an educational setting, most peer assessment consists of a single round. The problem with this setting is that, either the authors do not have a chance to update their work, which makes the suggestions from their peers useless, or the author can make changes after receiving the peer reviews, which forecloses using peer review to help assign grades. To address these issues, in our classes we now use two rounds of online review, with a different rubric for each. Our Expertiza peer-review system allows the evaluation rubric to vary by rounds. In the first review round, we present a formative review rubric to the peer reviewers. In the formative rubric, we try to encourage student reviewers to look into details, point out the problems they can find in the author's work, and offer insightful suggestions. After the formative review round, authors have the opportunity to submit an updated version of their artifacts. Next comes a summative peer-review round, using a summative rubric. A summative peer-review rubric focused more on evaluating the quality of the artifact by comparing it against specific benchmarks. In this paper, we discuss the design of the two-round peer-review assignments in a computer-science course and present our observations on student peer-review activity. An analysis of students' peer-assessment responses confirms the effectiveness of this design of peer-review activity.
Sprawl As Where We Grow, Part 2: How Government Prices Americans Out Of Cities

The chapter explains how government regulation prices Americans out of the most desirable cities, causing some households who prefer city living to choose cheaper suburbs. The chapter goes on to suggest zoning reforms that would reduce urban housing costs.
Response by Barreto and Grotta to Letter Regarding Article, "Randomized, Multicenter Trial of ARTSS-2 (Argatroban With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke)".

We thank Dr Shah for his interest and insightful comments on our randomized trial of adjunctive argatroban administered to recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA)–treated patients with stroke (ARTSS-2 [Argatroban With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke]).1 Compared with r-tPA alone, ARTSS-2 demonstrated safety and improved clinical outcomes in patients who received combination r-tPA and argatroban. In general, we are in complete agreement with Dr Shah’s comments and would like to make the following points. Dr Shah correctly points out our hypothesis that adjunctive argatroban enhances recanalization of proximal, large vessel occlusions. Although our current study did not show …
Social Pensions and Poverty in Latin America

This document analyzes the relationship between pensions and poverty amongthe elderly after the recent expansion of non-contributory pension programs inthe Latin American region. The analysis focuses on a set of 18 countries aroundthe year 2012. Based on administrative and survey data, the document revisitsthe strategies adopted and evaluates the current situation of the elderly. Theresults indicate that the scheme adopted in each country varies accordingto different national realities. The expansion of non-contributory pensions isassociated with the reduction in poverty among the elderly, but there remaingaps to be closed.
A Magnetic-Field-Assisted Milli-Scale Robotic Assembly Machine: An Approach to Parallel Robotic Automation Systems

Utilizing large numbers of microrobots to heterogeneously integrate small devices to build advanced structures has long been a goal in the field of manufacturing automation. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel milli-scale robotic assembly machine with highly parallel capabilities and assisted with a programmable magnetic field. The prototype machine consists of a 16 × 16 array of electromagnets. Using this machine, we have successfully demonstrated the manipulation of up to nine milli-scale robots simultaneously. Moreover, two microrobots have been operated to demonstrate the proof of concept of two simultaneous pick-and-place light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The design and modeling of the microrobots is discussed.
Soft Tissue Contraction in Body Contouring With Radiofrequency-Assisted Liposuction: A Treatment Gap Solution

Radiofrequency-assisted liposuction is a relatively new concept in energy-assisted body contouring techniques and has received instrument approval. This supplemental article reviews the clinical application of electromagnetic energy via the BodyTite (InMode Corporation, Toronto, Canada) device on soft tissues during suction lipectomy, its effect on soft tissue contraction, and its use in aesthetic body contouring in various clinical scenarios.
Angiotensin as a Determinant of Renal Perfusion and Function

Investigation of the renin-angiotensin system has focused primarily on control of blood pressure and hypertension on the one hand, and sodium homeostasis via angiotensin’s control of aldosterone release on the other. A number of lines of evidence have accumulated over the last decade which point to a central role for angiotensin in the normal control of the renal cir-culation19,49,90,96 and in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases that involve the kidney. Indeed, a compelling argument can be made for assigning a primal function of renin and angiotensin II to control of renal circulation early during phylogeny, with the other influences of angiotensin on blood pressure and on the adrenal gland arising later.
A general framework for meta-search based on query-weighting and numerical aggregation operators

Publisher Summary The chapter deals with the general framework for meta-search based on query-weighting and numerical aggregation operators. Meta-search is one of the most promising approaches to solve the problem. If the single search-engines store only a portion of all the existing information about some particular domain, various searchers should be queried to increase the search coverage. The meta-search process is modeled as involving two main processes or phases—expansion and aggregation. Expansion means that a query is transformed into a collection of new queries by applying some transformation to the original query. Expansion is used to enrich or refine queries with different purposes and different meanings. Meta-search engines arise to increase the coverage of single search-engines. Meta-search engines offer a unified way to access multiple search engines, avoiding the user to interact with all the underlying engines, but they do not merge results from different sources, neither do they calculate a unique ranking for each item retrieved. It avoids hard computation requirements. The main computation effort is due to the aggregation and sorting algorithms. The overall time cost of the procedure could be high, because the expansion procedures can generate several queries, therefore system performance is very dependent on the network conditions.