cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anoxia-resistant turtle brain maintains ascorbic acid content in vitro.

Abstract The isolated turtle brain maintains intra- and extracellular concentrations of ascorbate when incubated in ascorbate-free physiological saline for as long as 24 h. After incubation for 1 h, total tissue content of ascorbate in the turtle cerebellum was the same as in unincubated controls. After 20–24 h, tissue ascorbate content remained at 65% of control levels, while extracellular ascorbate concentration, measured with carbon fiber voltammetric microelectrodes, was 56% of the initial value. For an intermediate incubation period of 6 h, reduced ascorbate content was maintained at about 80% of control levels, regardless of whether incubation was under normal conditions or in the absence of glucose or oxygen. By contrast, only 4% of the ascorbate content of guinea pig brain slices remained after a 6 h incubation. Maintenance of high levels of ascorbate by the anoxiaresistant turtle brain could be an important factor in the amelioration of oxidative injury in this tissue. Inclusion of ascorbate in media used for in vitro studies of mammalian brain tissue is recommended.
Beyond hemostasis: The antiflammatory and antioxidant effects of dipyridamole

Background Platelet stimulation leads to release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are known to influence platelet function and thrombosis. Dipyridamole is a vasodilator and platelet inhibitor that decreases adenosine uptake and may be a highly efficient chain breaking antioxidant. The antioxidant effects of dipyridamole on platelet-derived ROS and the potential (anti)inflammatory effects are not known. Methods Human platelets were incubated with dipyridamole (0–100 μM) and specific antioxidant and antiflammatory mediators were measured. Results Incubation with dipyridamole did not alter platelet release of nitric oxide but significantly attenuated superoxide release (17±3.7 a.u. for control vs. 7.4±1.1 a.u. for 20μM; n=5, P<0.001). Using flow cytometry, dipyridamole decreased intracellular levels of ROS, as measured by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence dye (1±0.34% control vs. 0.66±0.2% for 20μM, n=4, P=0.03). There was also a dose-dependent (0–100μM) suppression of soluble CD40 ligand release (P<0.05). Conclusions In summary, at a clinically relevant concentration, dipyridamole suppresses stimulation-dependent release of superoxide as well as the formation of ROS and leads to the attenuated release of sCD40L from platelets. These data suggest that dipyridamole, beyond inhibition of platelet aggregation, suppresses the platelet inflammatory reactions recently shown to be relevant in the development of atherothrombotic disease. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P11–P11; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.11.044
Charge Transfer Device Detectors and Their Applications to Chemical Analysis

Abstract In the last 20 years, charge-transfer device detectors (CTDs) have evolved from small analog shift registers to the most common imaging detector available today. CTDs are a category of array detectors that include the charge-coupled device (CCD) and the charge-injection device (CID). Modern devices can have a peak quantum efficiency in excess of 80%, read noises of ≤ 5 e, dark count rates of 1 e/h per detector element and formats as large as 4096 by 4096 elements. The operation and characteristics of CTDs are described, with the readout methods useful in scientific applications emphasized. The application of CCDs and CIDs to a number of fields of chemistry are reviewed, including the fields of Raman spectroscopy, molecular fluorescence, molecular absorption, atomic emission and X-ray detection. Trends in the application of CTDs and their expected impact on a number of areas of chemical analysis are featured.
Estimation of Nitrous Oxide Emissions from US Grasslands.

O) emissions from temperate grasslands are poorly quantified and may be an important part of the atmospheric N2O budget. In this study N2O emissions were simulated for 1052 grassland sites in the United States using the NGAS model of Parton and others (1996) coupled with an organic matter decomposition model. N2O flux was calculated for each site using soil and land use data obtained from the National Resource Inventory (NRI) database and weather data obtained from NASA. The estimates were regionalized based upon temperature and moisture isotherms. Annual N2O emissions for each region were based on the grassland area of each region and the mean estimated annual N2O flux from NRI grassland sites in the region. The regional fluxes ranged from 0.18 to 1.02 kg N2O N/ha/yr with the mean flux for all regions being 0.28 kg N2O N/ha/yr. Even though fluxes from the western regions were relatively low, these regions made the largest contribution to total emissions due to their large grassland area. Total US grassland N2O emissions were estimated to be about 67 Gg N2O N/yr. Emissions from the Great Plains states, which contain the largest expanse of natural grassland in the United States, were estimated to average 0.24 kg N2O N/ha/yr. Using the annual flux estimate for the temperate Great Plains, we estimate that temperate grasslands worldwide may potentially produce 0.27 Tg N2O N/yr. Even though our estimate for global temperate grassland N2O emissions is less than published estimates for other major temperate and tropical biomes, our results indicate that temperate grasslands are a significant part of both United States and global atmospheric N2O budgets. This study demonstrates the utility of models for regional N2O flux estimation although additional data from carefully designed field studies is needed to further validate model results.
Head Start Teachers' Perspectives on Early Literacy

Improvements in early literacy outcomes are increasingly expected of prekindergarten education programs such as Head Start. Although preschool teachers are central to promoting skills linked to subsequent reading and writing competence, their views of early literacy have received minimal research attention. This study employed focus group methodology to examine perspectives on early literacy in two samples of Head Start teachers (N = 148) representing six different programs serving diverse communities in the Midwest. Analyses of 29 focus group sessions indicated that teachers were generally supportive of the inclusion of literacy goals for children but offered differing views on the relation of literacy to other goals. A dominant view was that growth in other developmental domains, especially social-emotional development, was a requisite to literacy development. Other perspectives included concurrent attention to growth in literacy and other areas, or an emphasis on children's literacy skills as a requisi...
Hospitals learn their collective power: An isolation gown success story

Background We describe an investigation and improvement project designed to provide comfortable, affordable, fluid-resistant isolation gowns in response to inadequate compliance with gown use. Methods Infection control and purchasing departments determined number of gowns used, cost/gown, and contract information for our laundry service. We investigated disposable gown options. During a conference call for a multihospital project, we learned that 4 local hospitals all used the same laundry service and that all were dissatisfied with the quality of the reusable gowns. The 4 hospitals resolved to meet with the hospital laundry service to negotiate as a group. In preparation, we both investigated laundry services in neighboring cities and reviewed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Occupational Safety and Health Administration isolation gown requirements. Results Confronted with its major customers acting collectively, the laundry service agreed to identify gowns by age, bring gowns to Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance, mark grids so gowns could be removed after 75 washes, add 6,000 new gowns, and remove 6,000 old gowns. The cost increase was 3.75¢/gown. After the changeover was complete, reports of fluid leaking through gowns stopped. We saved $187,000 by keeping reusable gowns. Conclusion When we tried to provide comfortable, affordable, fluid-resistant isolation gowns, we encountered 2 barriers: our city had only 1 hospital laundry service, and disposable gown were costly. We solved the problem through unusual collaboration: internal (Infection Control and Purchasing) and external (with otherwise competing hospitals). Collaboration and knowledge sharing led to accountability: the hospital to its staff and budget and the laundry service to the hospitals.
Evaluation of experimental designs for multicomponent determinations by spectrophotometry

Abstract Criteria are described and evaluated for choosing an optimal range of wavelengths in multicomponent determinations by spectrophotometry. By using Gaussian curves, results from a systematic study of the effects of resolution and intensity ratios on the performance of these criteria are given. A two-component mixture of 9-methylanthracene and pyrene was used for investigating optimal wavelength ranges and derivative orders. Favorable results were obtained with restricted wavelength ranges offering better spectral characterization for each component. The limit of detection appears to be the most useful criterion.
Responsive Environmental Diegetic Audio Feedback for Hand Gestures in Audio-Only Games

Touch-less hand gestures require a structured approach towards the design of audio feedback, especially in audio-only environments. We present an implementation approach for responsive audio feedback geared towards hand gestures in audio-only games, focusing on diegetic environmental feedback before, during, and after gestures. The developed framework is used in a project investigating the usefulness of different feedback designs. Preliminary results suggest that the implemented game variants are both rated highly in terms of usability and enjoyment, and that replacing explicit audio instructions for hand positions and movements with responsive audio feedback for suggesting interaction methods using environmental story-related audio cues leads to higher immersion.
Application of generalized minimum distance decoding to hybrid-ARQ error control

Generalized minimum distance (GMD) decoding is modified to allow simultaneous error detection and error correction. The soft-decision information retained by the generalized minimum distance concept is used as a source of reliability information which determines when a retransmission of the received packet should be requested. The performance of hybrid-ARQ GMD decoding is shown to be comparable to the ideal reliability metrics proposed by Loeliger (1990) and superior to the performance of hard-decision decoders. Performance expressions are derived for low to moderate signal-to-noise ratios and bounds are derived for high signal-to-noise ratios which are loose by 0.5 to 1.0 dB. >
Computational procedures for determining structural-acoustic response due to hydrodynamic sources

In this paper we propose a methodology for determining the structural-acoustic response due to hydro/aero-dynamic sources. Our methodology is based on solving a fluid problem in which the structure is treated as rigid and using the results of this calculation to solve a structural-acoustic problem. The two problems are coupled using Lighthill's acoustic analogy. The key feature of our methodology is the numerical solution of the structural-acoustic problem. For this purpose, we develop new variational formulations of Lighthill's acoustic analogy that may be solved using the finite element method. This allows us to consider flexible structures and acoustically non-compact sources in the acoustic calculation with relative ease. We present a preliminary calculation that illustrates the feasibility of our approach.
Diffusive limit of a tagged particle in asymmetric simple exclusion processes

Invariance principles are proved under diffusive scaling for the centered position of a tagged particle in the simple exclusion process with asymmetric nonzero drift jump probabilities in dimensions d 3. The method of proof is by martingale techniques which rely on the fact that symmetric random walks are transient in high dimensions. c 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Technology Adoption Decisions in Pacific Northwest Grain Milling Firms

Abstract Structural changes throughout the food manufacturing industry have resulted in fewer firms with larger facilities designed to gain economies of scale. Interviews were conducted with twenty-two managers of grain milling firms in the Pacific Northwest with the objective of determining factors impinging on decisions to change production technology. Five major factors were identified including size of firm, facility location, product offering, form of business organization and corporate attitude to risk. Recommendations aimed at improving technology transfer programs offered by university and government agencies are drawn from the interview results. These recommendations include targeting industry problems; working with groups of firms; selection of appropriate delivery modes and interchange; and establishing beneficial institutional arrangements.
Positive derivations on lattice ordered rings of matrices

Here we consider a commutative l-ring R with unit. We show that the only positive derivation on the l-ring Mn (R) is 0 if and only if the only positive derivation on R is zero. Also, if the only positive derivation on R is zero, we prove that for certain semiprime sub l-rings S of Mn (R) the only positive derivation on S is zero. Then, we study positive derivations on sub l-rings of Mn ( R ) where R is an Archimedean l-ring.
“I deserve success”: Academic entitlement attitudes and their relationships with course self-efficacy, social networking, and demographic variables

This study investigated differences in university students’ academic entitlement (AE) by demographic group (sex, college class, college generational status) as well as AE’s relationship with self-efficacy for college coursework and social networking. It also investigated predictors of AE in first-generation (FG) students and continuing-generation (CG) students. Participants were 313 undergraduates at a south-central U.S. university. Males reported significantly greater AE than females. No differences in AE were found by college class or generational status. AE was significantly correlated with college course self-efficacy and social network use. College course self-efficacy, sex, and social network use predicted AE in CG students; however, in FG students, AE was predicted by college course self-efficacy alone. Implications for future research are presented.
Pacer-induced tachycardia associated with an atrial synchronous ventricular inhibited (ASVIP) pulse generator.

A 68-year-old white male underwent permanent pacemaker implantation with an atrial synchronous ventricular inhibited pulse generator (Medtronic model 2409) because of syncope and abnormal H-V interval of 70 ms. Paroxysmal bouts of pacemaker associated tachycardia were subsequently recorded on several occasions, initiated and terminated by spontaneous ventricular premature beats. The mechanism for the occurrence of the tachyarrhythmia is discussed in detail and the functional characteristics of the pulse generator are described. Replacement of the unit with a different pacer device prevented further occurrence of the arrhythmia. (PACE, Vol. 5, March-April, 1982)
Traffic flow confidentiality security service in OSI computer network architecture

Various issues arising in the placement of traffic flow confidentiality service and encipherment, traffic padding, and routing control security mechanisms in the open system interconnection (OSI) reference model architecture are presented. It is suggested that to provide full traffic flow confidentiality service, a pair of encipherment devices should be placed into the physical transmission path of the physical layer. To perform this, an encipherment security mechanism should be applied. It is noted that full traffic flow security is not possible above the physical layer. Limited traffic flow confidentiality service may be made available at the network layer and/or application layer. For this purpose, routing control and/or traffic padding security mechanisms may be applied at the network and/or application layers. >
Characterization of the veiling glare PSF in x-ray image intensified fluoroscopy

A theoretical derivation for the point spread function (PSF) which describes the veiling glare in x-ray image intensifiers (II) is presented. The PSF is dependent on two parameters which can be determined experimentally for a given II. An experimental investigation of the linearity of veiling glare phenomenon is undertaken. The experimental results indicate that veiling glare could be described as a linear process to a high degree of accuracy.
Approximating Aggregation Queries in Peer-to-Peer Networks

Peer-to-peer databases are becoming prevalent on the Internet for distribution and sharing of documents, applications, and other digital media. The problem of answering large scale, ad-hoc analysis queries ― e.g., aggregation queries ― on these databases poses unique challenges. Exact solutions can be time consuming and difficult to implement given the distributed and dynamic nature of peer-to-peer databases. In this paper we present novel sampling-based techniques for approximate answering of ad-hoc aggregation queries in such databases. Computing a high-quality random sample of the database efficiently in the P2P environment is complicated due to several factors ― the data is distributed (usually in uneven quantities) across many peers, within each peer the data is often highly correlated, and moreover, even collecting a random sample of the peers is difficult to accomplish. To counter these problems, we have developed an adaptive two-phase sampling approach, based on random walks of the P2P graph as well as block-level sampling techniques. We present extensive experimental evaluations to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposed solutio
Pooling of Data from Independent Studies

The large-scale, randomized clinical trial is generally regarded as a standard against which the credibility of other clinical investigations is evaluated. This is especially true if the effects to be studied are small or occur infrequently, and the trial has been conducted with a sample size sufficient to determine unequivocally the presence or absence of an effect. Increased sample size, or power, is therefore one immediately apparent reason for pooling data from several independent studies. This was the case in a study of several randomized trials comparing streptokinase therapy and heparin anticoagulation for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (Goldhaber, Buring, Lipnick, & Hennikens, 1984). Pooling of results from several studies indicated a significant advantage of streptokinase treatment over heparin, but also revealed a significantly higher incidence of major bleeding complications for that treatment. Although the results of pooling could not resolve these questions of efficacy and safety, they did succeed in demonstrating a likelihood that a large-scale clinical trial would be able to do so. Pooling has also been used to extend the interpretation of data beyond the original aims of the individual studies, such as in explicating the relationship of risk factors to the incidence of coronary heart disease (Pooling Project Research Group, 1978), or to resolve ambiguous outcomes, as in evaluating the prophylactic efficacy of β-blockers after myocardial infarction (Bassan, Shalev, & Eliakim, 1984). However, because of the statistical nature of the benefits of pooling, it is not possible to use this approach to resolve truly conflicting results. That is, when several studies show statistically opposite outcomes, it is unlikely that these were caused by chance variations in the data, and the source of disagreement cannot be resolved by statistical techniques. These studies must be examined in detail to identify possible differences in experimental design, subject population, or other factors which may have affected the dynamics of the system under study. Finally, pooling can serve as an excellent vehicle for the detailed review of existing empirical or clinical procedures. The process of pooling data from independent studies can be a worthwhile and scholarly effort, likely to lead to new insights as well as the formulation of new hypotheses, provided appropriate cautions and limitations are kept in mind.
A Single Mutation Promotes Amyloidogenicity through a Highly Promiscuous Dimer Interface

Summary Light chain amyloidosis is a devastating protein misfolding disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid fibrils that causes tissue damage and organ failure. These fibrils are composed of monoclonal light chain protein secreted from an abnormal proliferation of bone marrow plasma cells. We previously reported that amyloidogenic light chain protein AL-09 adopts an altered dimer while its germline protein (κI O18/O8) forms a canonical dimer observed in other light chain crystal structures. In solution, conformational heterogeneity obscures all NMR signals at the AL-09 and κI O18/O8 dimer interfaces, so we solved the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of two related mutants. AL-09 H87Y adopts the normal dimer interface, but the κI Y87H solution structure presents an altered interface rotated 180° relative to the canonical dimer interface and 90° from the AL-09 arrangement. Our results suggest that promiscuity in the light chain dimer interface may promote new intermolecular contacts that may contribute to amyloid fibril structure.
Treatment-Seeking Patterns of Chronic Recidivists

Many substance abusers return to substance abuse treatment. This article uses the life-history interview method to explore why chronic substance abuse recidivists, from their perspective, repeatedly access substance abuse treatment programs. This approach reveals that their intentions for accessing treatment are not based on abstinence but rather in response to other, more immediate needs. Therefore, relapsing and returning to treatment is normative for chronic recidivists and patterned by their differential social and institutional associations.
Linking RNA Dysfunction and Neurodegeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) inevitably causes paralysis and death within a matter of years. Mounting genetic and functional evidence suggest that abnormalities in RNA processing and metabolism underlie motor neuron loss in sporadic and familial ALS. Abnormal localization and aggregation of essential RNA-binding proteins are fundamental pathological features of sporadic ALS, and mutations in genes encoding RNA processing enzymes cause familial disease. Also, expansion mutations occurring in the noncoding region of C9orf72—the most common cause of inherited ALS—result in nuclear RNA foci, underscoring the link between abnormal RNA metabolism and neurodegeneration in ALS. This review summarizes the current understanding of RNA dysfunction in ALS, and builds upon this knowledge base to identify converging mechanisms of neurodegeneration in ALS. Potential targets for therapy development are highlighted, with particular emphasis on early and conserved pathways that lead to motor neuron loss in ALS.
Matching GPS traces to (possibly) incomplete map data: bridging map building and map matching

Analysis of geographic data often requires matching GPS traces to road segments. Unfortunately, map data is often incomplete, resulting in failed or incorrect matches. In this paper, we extend an HMM map-matching algorithm to handle missing blocks. We test our algorithm using map data from the Cyclopath geowiki and GPS traces from Cyclopath's mobile app. Even for conservative cutoff distances, our algorithm found a significant amount of missing data per set of GPS traces. We tested the algorithm for accuracy by removing existing blocks from our map dataset. As the cutoff distance was lowered, false negatives were decreased from 34% to 16% as false positives increased from 5% to 10%. Although the algorithm degrades with increasing amounts of missing data, our results show that our extensions have the potential to improve both map matches and map data.
TRENDS IN ABUNDANCE OF COLLARED LEMMINGS NEAR CAPE CHURCHILL, MANITOBA, CANADA

Regular, multiannual cycles observed in the population abundance of small mammals in many arctic and subarctic ecosystems have stimulated substantial research, particularly among population ecologists. Hypotheses of mechanisms generating regular cycles include predator–prey interactions, limitation of food resources, and migration or dispersal, as well as abiotic factors such as cyclic climatic variation and environmental stochasticity. In 2004 and 2005, we used indirect methods to estimate trends in population size of Richardson’s collared lemmings (Dicrostonyx richardsoni) retrospectively, and evaluated the extent of synchrony between lemming populations at 2 coastal tundra study areas separated by approximately 60 km near Cape Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. We collected scars on willow plants (Salix) resulting from lemming feeding. Ages of scars ranged from 0 to 13 years at both study areas. Scar-age frequency appeared cyclic and we used nonlinear Poisson regression to model the observed scar-age frequency. Lemming populations cycled with 2.8-year periodicity and the phase of the cycle was synchronous between the 2 study areas. We suggest that our approach could be applied in multiple settings and may provide the most efficient way to gather data on small mammals across both space and time in a diversity of landscapes.
Origin of the factoid - Prevailing wage laws are remnant Jim Crow laws

Abstract Opponents of the Federal Davis-Bacon Act contend that this law has racial bias, and that keeping African-Americans out of the construction industry was the original intent of the law. This paper addresses the latter issue by examining congressional records to unveil the original intentions behind passage of the Davis-Bacon Act. It also examines how false assertions or “factoids” are manufactured in the society by think tanks.
Impact of board variables on the thermal performance of a QFN package

The Quad Flat No-Lead (QFN) package, with its exposed die pad soldered to the printed wiring board (PWB), has a thermal performance highly dependent on the PWB design and thermal environment. This paper documents the impact of the following changes to the PWB on the thermal performance of a 44-lead 9/spl times/9 mm QFN package: PWB overall thickness, board area, PWB internal plane thicknesses, number of plated through hole (PTH) vias, PTH via drill diameter, PTH via plating thickness, and PTH via fill material conductivity. The impact of die size and die attach conductivity is also presented in this paper. The effects of these changes are evaluated with a validated finite element model. Two thermal environments are used to evaluate these variables: (1) natural convection with radiation and (2) constant temperature on the bottom side of PWB. Results are listed using two thermal resistances: junction-to-ambient thermal resistance in natural convection on a 2s2p test board (Theta-JMA) according to EIA/JESD51-6 and junction-to-heat sink (Theta-JS) determined with the bottom of the board held at a constant temperature. Theta-JMA is most sensitive to test board area, number of PTH vias, and test board internal plane thickness. Theta-JS is most sensitive to number of PTH vias. The thermal performance of the QFN is also evaluated in two distinct arrangements meant to illustrate the application environment conditions: (1) in a 3/spl times/3 cluster on a board, and (2) on the board where it is attached to an aluminum heat rail. Heat sinking the bottom of the board allows packages to dissipate more heat for a given junction-to-ambient temperature difference than the packages that rely only on natural convection.
Measurement of high electrical current density effects in solder joints

Abstract Measuring mechanical implications of high current densities in microelectronic packaging interconnects has always been a challenging goal. Due to small interconnect size this task has typically been accomplished by measuring the change in electrical resistance of the joint. This measurement parameter is global and does not give local mechanical state information. Also, understanding strain evolution in the solder over time is an important step toward developing a damage mechanics model. The real-time, full-field, strain displacement in a eutectic Sn/Pb solder joint during electrical current stressing was measured with Moire interferometry (Post et al., High sensitivity Moire, Springer, New York, 1994) under in situ conditions. A finite element model simulation for thermal stressing was performed and compared with measured strain. The initial results show that the measured strain was largely due to thermal stressing versus the current density of 1.8 × 102 A/cm2. A second Moire interferometry experiment with thermal control distinguishes deformation of solder joint due to pure current stressing above 5000 A/cm2.
Sodium Kinetics of Na,K-ATPase α Isoforms in Intact Transfected HeLa Cells

By participating in the regulation of ion and voltage gradients, the Na-K pump (i.e., Na,K-ATPase) influences many aspects of cellular physiology. Of the four alpha isoforms of the pump, alpha1 is ubiquitous, alpha2 is predominant in skeletal muscle, and alpha3 is found in neurons and the cardiac conduction system. To determine whether the isoforms have different intracellular Na+ affinities, we used the Na+-sensitive dye sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) to measure pump-mediated Na+ efflux as a function of [Na+]i in human HeLa cells stably transfected with rat Na-K pump isoforms. We Na+-loaded the cells, and then monitored the time course of the decrease in [Na+]i after removing external Na+. All transfected rat alpha subunits were highly ouabain resistant: the alpha1 isoform is naturally resistant, whereas the alpha2 and alpha3 isoforms had been mutagenized to render them resistant. Thus, the Na+ efflux mediated by endogenous and transfected pumps could be separated by studying the cells at low (1 microM) and high (4 mM) ouabain concentrations. We found that the apparent Km for Na+ efflux attributable to the native human alpha1 isoform was 12 mM, which was similar to the Km of rat alpha1. The alpha2 and alpha3 isoforms had apparent Km's of 22 and 33 mM, respectively. The cells expressing alpha3 had a high resting [Na+]i. The maximal activity of native alpha1 in the alpha3-transfected cells was only approximately 56% of native alpha1 activity in untransfected HeLa cells, suggesting that transfection with alpha3 led to a compensatory decrease in endogenous alpha1 pumps. We conclude that the apparent Km(Na+) for rat Na-K pump isoforms increases in the sequence alpha1 < alpha2 < alpha3. The alpha3 isoform may be suited for handling large Na+ loads in electrically active cells.
Security, payment, and privacy for network commerce

As the Internet is used to a greater extent in business, issues of protection and privacy will have more importance. Users and organizations must have the ability to control reads and writes to network accessible information, they must be assured of the integrity and confidentiality of the information accessed over the net, and they must have a means to determine the security, competence, and honesty of the commercial service providers with which they interact. They must also be able to pay for purchases made on the network, and they should be free from excessive monitoring of their activities. This paper discusses characteristics of the Internet that make it difficult to provide such assurances and surveys some of the techniques that can used to protect users of the network. >
Perceived Negative Health Effect of Tanning The Interface Between Tanning Attitudes and Behaviors

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the perceived negative health effect of tanning (PNHET) and body-tanning attitudes and behaviors. A total of 333 college students with an average age of 19.8 years participated in the study. A majority of the participants were female (80.2%) and Caucasian (76.9%). Three body-tanning attitudes emerged from the data: pleasurable activity, physical attractiveness, and healthy behavior. The PNHET was negatively related to all three body-tanning attitudes and methods of tanning behaviors used (i.e., sunbathing, tanning beds, and sunless tanning product use). However, specific body-tanning attitudes independently influence the methods of body-tanning behaviors. Pleasurable activity was a significant attitude influencing indoor and outdoor tanning. College students seek tanning beds and tanning products, particularly when physical attractiveness is concerned. Healthy behavioral attitudes exist for outdoor tanning. Intervention strategies regarding...
Editor’s Message: Editors’ Choice articles for 2012 and next theme issue

“Editors’ Choice” articles are ones selected for special attention by the Hydrogeology Journal (HJ) editorial team and the guest editors of the year’s theme issue. These articles may be selected for any of several good reasons including: outstanding science, innovative approach, potentially important conclusions, interesting field area or phenomenon, unusual topic, political/social/historical/ philosophical interest, etc. The HJ editors believe that our readers will find these articles to be somehow interesting or useful. At the conclusion of each publishing year, the editors select up to five articles from among the year’s crop of about 150 published articles. Both authors and readers of the selected articles benefit because Editors’ Choice articles are: (1) highlighted on the International Association of Hydrogeologists’ (IAH) website and in the IAH newsletter, and (2) Springer Verlag, HJ’s publisher, makes these articles freely available on their website for full viewing and downloading at no cost to everyone for a number of years. The Editors’ Choice articles for the 2012 publishing year are given in Table 1. Congratulations to all of these authors!
Crystal storing histiocytosis clinically mimicking metastatic carcinoma: Report of a case and reviews of literature.

Background Crystal storing histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare disorder characterized by accumulation of histiocytes containing crystalline material inclusions. This entity can be misdiagnosed as infection or tumor. We present a case of idiopathic CSH mimicking metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in a cervical lymph node and review of literature regarding this rare entity. Methods and Results The patient was a 70-year-old man with a medical history of squamous cell carcinoma of the right base of the tongue. The patient presented with an enlarged cervical lymph node, which was clinically diagnosed as metastatic carcinoma. At intraoperative consultation, it was unexpectedly discovered that the lymph node exhibited extensive histiocytosis containing crystal materials. Final pathology identified “crystal storing histiocytosis” because of amyloidal depositions. No metastatic carcinoma was seen. Conclusion After 10 months of follow-up, the patient is disease free. To the best of our knowledge, this unusual clinical presentation is the first to describe CSH mimicking a metastatic carcinoma. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E95–E98, 2016
Mammary gland enzyme systems concerned with synthesis of monoiodotyrosine.

SummaryLactating mammary tissue was incubated with I131-iodide at 38°C in TC 199 Medium or Ringer-Phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and digested overnight with pancreatin at pH 8.0. Iodinated compounds were separated by paper chromatography, radioautographed, and the radioactive spots counted separately. In fresh tissue 44 to 52% of I131 taken up was found in monoiodotyrosine. Mammary tissue stored at 7°C for 6 days prior to iodination showed a 3-fold increase in I131 accumulation, but proportion of MIT formed was similar to that in fresh tissue. Both I131 uptake and percentage MIT formation decreased progressively during mammary involution, indicating that mammary iodine metabolism is related to lactation. MIT formation was blocked by boiling, by thiouracil (0.04 mg/ml) and reduced by KSCN (0.1 mg/ml). Tissue homogenates were separated into soluble and mitochondrial-microsomal fractions by centrifugation. Soluble fraction from parotid and lactating mammary glands, but not from liver, formed MIT from added tyros...
Angular Correlation between K and L X Rays in Pb

Angular correlations between $K$ and $L$ x rays in Pb were measured. NaI(T1) and Ge(Li) detectors were used for the detection of $K$ and $L$ x rays, respectively. The angular correlation functions for the $K\ensuremath{-}L\ensuremath{\alpha}$, $K\ensuremath{-}L\ensuremath{\beta}$, and $K\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Ll}$ cascades were found to be $W(\ensuremath{\theta})=1+(4.13\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.36)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}{P}_{2}(cos\ensuremath{\theta})$, $W(\ensuremath{\theta})=1+(1.22\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.43)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}{P}_{2}(cos\ensuremath{\theta})$, and $W(\ensuremath{\theta})=1+(23.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.06)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}{P}_{2}(cos\ensuremath{\theta})$, respectively. The results for the $K\ensuremath{-}L\ensuremath{\alpha}$ cascade demonstrate the contribution of magnetic quadrupole radiation to the x-ray transitions. When this contribution is taken into account, relatively good agreement with theory is obtained in all cases. Better agreement would be obtained for slightly higher (than theoretically calculated) ${M}_{2}$ contributions to the $L$ x-ray transitions.
Bayesian Calibration of a Physical Model for Plastic Flow Behavior of Trip Steels

Rivera’s physical model [Modeling Simul. Mater. Sci. Eng. 22 (2014) 015009 (22pp)] based on irreversible thermodynamics of dislocation evolution has been used in this work to predict the stress-strain behavior of TRIP steels during plastic deformation. This model has been applied to account for plastic deformation of individual phases, and the iso-work approximation has been used as a homogenization framework to simulate the behavior of the composite system. Contribution to plastic behavior due to strain-induced martensitic transformation in austenite has also been taken into account. Calibration and analysis of parameter uncertainty is performed using a Bayesian method based on Metropolis-Hastings Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms. Using this approach, the model has been trained with different experimental data to estimate parameters and their uncertainties. The parameter posterior probability distribution obtained from is considered as the prior probability distribution for subsequent training. The stress-strain curves obtained from the model with new estimated parameters show good agreement with the experimental data in literature.
A new, low-profile neutron detector junction box

A novel junction box for nondestructive assay instruments that is easier to build, maintain, and repair has been designed. Most high-voltage components are sealed from the atmosphere using potting material, therefore eliminating the maintenance requirement of replacing desiccators. The mechanical design cuts the cost of machining and makes it easy to remove and replace the /sup 3/He tubes. >
Computer-aided classification of mammographic masses using visually sensitive image features.

Purpose To develop a new computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) scheme that computes visually sensitive image features routinely used by radiologists to develop a machine learning classifier and distinguish between the malignant and benign breast masses detected from digital mammograms. Methods An image dataset including 301 breast masses was retrospectively selected. From each segmented mass region, we computed image features that mimic five categories of visually sensitive features routinely used by radiologists in reading mammograms. We then selected five optimal features in the five feature categories and applied logistic regression models for classification. A new CAD interface was also designed to show lesion segmentation, computed feature values and classification score. Results Areas under ROC curves (AUC) were 0.786±0.026 and 0.758±0.027 when to classify mass regions depicting on two view images, respectively. By fusing classification scores computed from two regions, AUC increased to 0.806±0.025. Conclusion This study demonstrated a new approach to develop CAD scheme based on 5 visually sensitive image features. Combining with a "visual aid" interface, CAD results may be much more easily explainable to the observers and increase their confidence to consider CAD generated classification results than using other conventional CAD approaches, which involve many complicated and visually insensitive texture features.
Surdity in the OR: An Unusual Case of Brainstem Anesthesia

Brainstem anesthesia is a potentially life-threatening complication of regional ophthalmic anesthesia. This case report chronicles an unusual presentation of brainstem anesthesia following an eye block. The unique features of this case were the presenting symptoms of deafness and slurred speech in the absence of loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, or contralateral ophthalmoplegia. This report underscores two key points: first, the importance of ongoing patient monitoring after performance of an eye block; second, the exigency of supportive therapy in suspected cases of brainstem anesthesia.
What rheumatologists need to know about CRISPR/Cas9

CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology has taken the research world by storm since its use in eukaryotes was first proposed in 2012. Publications describing advances in technology and new applications have continued at an unrelenting pace since that time. In this Review, we discuss the application of CRISPR/Cas9 for creating gene mutations - the application that initiated the current avalanche of interest - and new developments that have largely answered initial concerns about its specificity and ability to introduce new gene sequences. We discuss the new, diverse and rapidly growing adaptations of the CRISPR/Cas9 technique that enable activation, repression, multiplexing and gene screening. These developments have enabled researchers to create sophisticated tools for dissecting the function and inter-relatedness of genes, as well as noncoding regions of the genome, and to identify gene networks and noncoding regions that promote disease or confer disease susceptibility. These approaches are beginning to be used to interrogate complex and multilayered biological systems and to produce complex animal models of disease. CRISPR/Cas9 technology has enabled the application of new therapeutic approaches to treating disease in animal models, some of which are beginning to be seen in the first human clinical trials. We discuss the direct application of these techniques to rheumatic diseases, which are currently limited but are sure to increase rapidly in the near future.
Amelioration of the little hierarchy problem in SU(4) c ×SU(2) L ×SU(2) R

The little hierarchy problem encountered in the constrained minimal supersymmetric model can be ameliorated in supersymmetric models based on the gauge symmetry ${G}_{422}\ensuremath{\equiv}SU(4{)}_{c}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{R}$. The standard assumption in the constrained minimal supersymmetric model [and in $SU(5)$ and $SO(10)$] of universal gaugino masses can be relaxed in $SU(4{)}_{c}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{R}$, and this leads to a significant improvement in the degree of fine-tuning required to implement radiative electroweak breaking in the presence of a characteristic supersymmetry breaking scale of around a TeV. Examples of Higgs and sparticle mass spectra realized with 10% fine-tuning are presented.
Bagged Commercial Soils are an Avenue for Regional Dispersal of Weedy Plant Species

Abstract The spread of weedy plant species is a constant and increasing problem in the United States. A number of weed seed dispersal mechanisms are recognized, but one that may not have received attention is the potential for movement via the production and distribution of bagged soils for commercial sale. Our objective was to test the most common and inexpensive soils available at gardening supply stores in South Carolina for the presence of weeds. We identified 80 species or genera from 20 families in 19 different soil products. Most of the species were ubiquitous and many are restricted to the southern states, but some species are locally uncommon. We suggest the movement of different genotypes, even of common weeds, may create new evolutionary potential that could have long-term consequences for local adaptation of these species. The constant influx of weed seeds also creates propagule pressure and could contribute to further spread. We recommend commercial soil producers and distributors take steps ...
Flame retardants, hexabromocyclododecane (HCBD) and tetrabromobisphenol a (TBBPA), alter secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells

Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) are flame retardants, used in a variety of applications, which contaminate the environment and are found in human blood. HBCD and TBBPA have been shown to alter the tumor killing function of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes and the secretion of the inflammatory cytokines interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). The current study examined the effects of HBCD and TBBPA on secretion of the critical pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) from human immune cells. Preparations of human immune cells that ranged in complexity were studied to determine if the effects of the compounds were consistent as the composition of the cell preparation became more heterogeneous. Cell preparations studied were: NK cells, monocyte-depleted (MD) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and PBMCs. Exposure of NK cells to higher concentrations of HBCD (5 and 2.5 µM) caused decreased secretion of TNFα. However, when the cell preparation contained T lymphocytes (MD-PBMCs and PBMCs) these same concentrations of HBCD increased TNFα secretion as did nearly all other concentrations. This suggests that HBCD’s ability to increase TNFα secretion from immune cells was dependent on the presence of T lymphocytes. In contrast, exposures to TBBPA decreased the secretion of TNFα from all immune cell preparations regardless of the composition of the cell preparation. Further, HBCD-induced increases in TNFα secretion utilized the p38 MARK pathway. Thus, both HBCD and TBBPA may have the capacity to disrupt the inflammatory response with HBCD having the potential to cause chronic inflammation.