cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Function of a Pro-Angiogenic Polypeptide hFGF-1 with a Cancer Inhibitor Imatinib

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) lack signal sequences, and are exported through endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi-independent non-classical routes. FGFs work as modulators of various cellular activities like mitosis, differentiation, survival etc. Among the FGF family, which comprises of 23 different heparin proteins, human FGF-1 (hFGF-1), a potent angiogenic factors are one of the targets in cancer inhibition, as they are involved in blood vessel formation in tissues. There has been intensive research directed at the development of drugs that could effectively inhibit angiogenesis. In this context, the purpose of this study is to fully understand the molecular principles essential to determine probability of inhibition of hFGF-1 signaling transduction by imatinib. Imatinib, a 2-phenyl amino pyrimidine derivative is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antineoplastic activity. Imatinib binds to the intracellular pocket located within tyrosine kinases and inhibit the downstream cell proliferation events, but the exact molecular mechanism is still elusive. In this study, expression of hFGF-1 in recombinant E.coli was carried out, and the expressed protein was purified using heparin affinity column chromatography. The structural interactions governing imatinib-hFGF-1 interaction was studied by monitoring its stability, conformation and binding affinity by equilibrium unfolding using steady state fluorescence and proteolytic digestion assay. These data show that imatinib binds to hFGF-1 and enhances its thermal stability and solvent accessibility. In addition, Biacore analysis was carried out to determine the binding affinity of imatinib to hFGF-1. 1H-15N HSQC NMR was also performed in order to determine exact binding sites and stoichiometry of binding between imatinib and hFGF-1.
Ovarian Steroid Modulation of Prolactin Surges in Cervically Stimulated Ovariectomized Rats

PRL secretion induced by cervical stimulation (CS) in the intact rat is characterized by a daily diurnal surge (1900 h) which recurs for 10 days and a daily nocturnal surge (0500 h) which lasts for 11 days. In ovariectomized (OV) rats, CS induces attenuated PRL surges which last for only 6 days. This study describes the effect of SC Silastic implants of estradiol (E2) or progesterone (P) on the magnitude and persistence of PRL surges in OV-CS rats. Placement of P at 1500 h and CS at 1900 h day 0 (D-0) resulted in nocturnal surges of PRL on D-2 which were significantly greater than those of blank-implanted rats. Diurnal surges of PRL on D-2 were equivalent in P and blank-implanted rats. Placement of E2 at 0800 h on the day before CS at 1900 h on D-0 resulted in an enhanced diurnal surge and extinction of the nocturnal surge of PRL on D-2 compared to blank-implanted rats. In the absence of CS, OV rats presented diurnal but no nocturnal surges of PRL in response to E2. When steroid implantation was delayed u...
NADPH-dependent metabolism of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase inhibitor 2-carboxyarabinitol 1-phosphate by a chloroplast protein

Abstract Metabolism of 2-carboxyarabinitol 1-phosphate (CA 1-P), an endogenous inhibitor of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, occurs in the light. A soluble protein fraction which metabolized CA 1-P in the presence of NADPH was isolated from tobacco chloroplasts. A similar fraction from spinach exhibited much lower activity. The activity in tobacco extracts was stable overnight at 4°C but its maintenance during storage required dithiothreitol. The tobacco protein responsible for CA 1-P metabolism was partially purified by ion-exchange FPLC of stromal extracts. The requirements for NADPH and dithiothreitol for activity of this protein suggest a mechanism for the light-dependent control of CA 1-P levels in plants.
The effect of personality pathology on treatment outcome for Axis I disorders in dysfunctional clergy

The relationship between Narcissistic, Compulsive, Dependent, and Antisocial personality traits, as measured by the MCMI-III, and the clinical presentation and the treatment outcome for Axis I disorders, as measured by the MMPI-II was investigated. The subjects were 86 Roman Catholic priests and nuns who participated in 6 to 8 months of residential treatment. Pretreatment evaluation of the patients included the MCMI-III and the MMPI-2. Clinical presentation of Axis I disorders was measured by pretreatment scores on MMPI scales 2 (Depression), 7 (Psychasthenia), content scale DEP (Depression), and content scale ANX (Anxiety). Treatment outcome was measured by posttreatment MMPI-2 scores on these four variables. The results of this study suggest that the level of personality traits a patient possesses can significantly impact the clinical presentation of an Axis I disorder. Although the 48 patients with MCMI-III base rate scores above 74 had significantly higher pretreatment MMPI-2 scores than the patients ...
The quality of milk in a 65 year-old nigerian woman

Abstract Breast milk quality in a 65 year-old postmenopausal Nigerian woman is compared to a control group of well-nourished Nigerian mothers. Successful relactation ensued 19 years after her last confinement. Three grand-children have been nursed successively over a 4-year period of continuous lactation. The lactose and triglyceride concentration; and the Bile salt-stimulated lipase (BSSL) activity in her breast milk were not significantly different from the control group. However, the total protein content was only 40% of the control group.
Wireless ethernet for industrial applications

Purpose – Wireless technology continues to evolve for the industrial market; however, there are several issues and challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. This paper discusses the development of wireless technology and standards and those that are currently applicable to industrial applications. Key considerations for successful implementation of industrial wireless Ethernet are presented, along with potential applications.Design/methodology/approach – An overview of wireless applications is given. Wireless technology development is discussed, along with pertinent characteristics. The use standard Ethernet with automation protocols and their use with wireless is examined. Topics to consider when implementing wireless Ethernet in industrial applications are illustrated.Findings – There are numerous diverse potential application areas for wireless, these include sensing, information, control and safety‐based applications with advantages derived from mobility, cable replacement...
Contralateral projection of primary afferent fibers to mammalian spinal cord.

Abstract Contralateral projections of spinal primary afferent nerve fibers have seldom been recognized and have never been fully described. In the present study we have traced crossing primary afferent fibers to their central nervous system endings using the Fink-Heimer procedure to impregnate fibers that degenerate after dorsal rhizotomy. Dorsal roots were cut at several cervical, brachial (forelimb), lumbosacral (hind limb), and caudal (tail) levels in four different mammalian species (North American opossum, brush-tailed possum, cat, and bushbaby). Crossed afferent fibers were seen consistently in all species after dorsal rhizotomy at high cervical and caudal cord levels. They were rarely seen at lumbosacral levels in any of the four species and were present at brachial cord levels only in opossum. Wherever crossing fibers occur, they traverse gray matter between dorsal funiculus and central canal and arch dorsally to terminate in medial and/or lateral parts of the contralateral dorsal horn (laminae III and IV). They generate a longitudinal plexus of preterminal fibers, one to two spinal segments long. Based on their distribution and mode of termination they seem likely to be of cutaneous origin. The consistent localization of their endings suggests an ordered projection, probably from related skin areas, onto the dorsal horn.
Gender, Work, and Intimate Violence: Men's Occupational Violence Spillover and Compensatory Violence

Researchers have rarely studied the effects of occupations on intimate violence, only occasionally distinguishing between blue-collar and white-collar work, and generally finding higher rates of reported abuse in the former group. This research incorporates ideas from feminist, work-family, and power or resource theories to examine the potential effects of occupations on men's violence toward wives and cohabiting female partners. Data from the 1988 National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH) were analyzed using logistic regression techniques. Hypotheses related to occupational spillover and compensation were tested with results suggesting that men in physically violent, female-dominated, professional specialty, and dangerous occupations are more likely to use violence against female partners, net of other commonly hypothesized predictors. The findings suggest that more detailed occupational data should be collected in future intimate violence research.
Monolithic 2D-VCSEL array with >2 W CW and >5 W pulsed output power

CW output power in excess of 2 W and pulsed output exceeding 5 W were obtained from a monolithic two-dimensional vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. These are the highest CW and pulsed powers achieved from a monolithic VCSEL structure to date.
Cellulose isolation and core-shell nanostructures of cellulose nanocrystals from chardonnay grape skins

a b s t r a c t This is the first report on the derivation and structures of cellulose nanocrystals from grape skins. Pure cellulose was isolated from chardonnay grape skins at a 16.4% yield by a process involving organic extraction, acid and base dissolutions, and basic and acidic oxidation. The as-extracted cellulose was 54.9% crystalline and microfibrillar. Acid hydrolysis (64–65% H2SO4 45 ◦ C, 30 min) of grape skin cellulose produced the more crystalline (64.3%) cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) that appeared mostly as spherical nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 10 to 100 nm and a mean diameter of 48.1 (±14.6) nm as observed by TEM. AFM further disclosed the spherical nanoparticles actually consist of a nano-rod core (seed) surrounded by numerous tiny cellulose fragments as the shell. Interestingly, the spherical core–shell nanoparticles resemble the shape of grape bundles, the starting biomass, may be assembled via interfacial hydrogen bonds.
NONPARAMETRIC IDENTIFICATION OF DAILY ACTIVITY DURATIONS USING KERNEL DENSITY ESTIMATORS

Abstract Modeling of activity duration has become an important aspect in characterizing activity and travel patterns. The standard approach for analyzing activity duration is to use hazard-based models to account for the duration dependence within an activity while estimating covariate effects and heterogeneity. The effects of covariates and heterogeneity on duration have been modeled using parametric and nonparametric regression techniques. In this paper, we present a nonparametric pattern recognition approach that can precede hazard-based duration modeling to identify heterogeneity patterns that may undermine duration modeling if not detected. The technique utilizes a kernel estimate of the probability density function (pdf) of various activity durations and allows for statistical comparison of distributions to evaluate differences between groups of individuals. Preliminary testing on the first wave of a panel survey indicates that the approach is insightful in evaluating covariate effects while allowing visual inspection of heterogeneity in the data.
A Multivariable Approach toward Predicting Dental Motor Skill Performance

The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential of a multivariable approach in predicting dental motor skill performance. Variables measuring cognitive knowledge, motor abilities, educational background, and family demographics were examined. Data were obtained from 33 first-year dental students. Scaling and root planing tests were administered to each student at the beginning and end of a 14-week preclinical periodontal course. Correlations were low and no variable significantly predicted pre- or posttest scaling and root planing performance. Results are discussed in terms of the problems associated with predicting motor performance.
Field tests of wavefront sensing with multiple Rayleigh laser guide stars and dynamic refocus

A demonstration of tomographic wavefront sensing has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The last of the initial testing of the dynamic refocus system at the 61" telescope on Mt. Bigelow, Arizona is presented, along with the first results from the system after its transfer to the 6.5 m MMT on Mt. Hopkins, Arizona. This system consists of a laser beam projector, and a wavefront sensor at the telescope's Cassegrain focus. The projector transmits 5 pulsed 532 nm beams in a regular pentagon of 2 arcminutes diameter from behind the telescope's secondary mirror that in good seeing can yield sub-arcsecond beacons over a 20-30 km altitude range. The wavefront sensor incorporates a dynamic refocus unit to track each returning laser pulse, and a multiple laser beacon Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor using a novel substitute for the traditional lenslet array. A natural guide star wavefront sensor was also fielded to collect ground-truth data to compare with wavefronts reconstructed from the laser wavefront sensor measurements. All of the subsystems were shown to work, but bad weather ended the testing before the final data could be collected.
Preferential interaction of Na+ over K+ with carboxylate-functionalized silver nanoparticles

Abstract Elucidating mechanistic interactions between monovalent cations (Na + /K + ) and engineered nanoparticle surfaces to alter particle stability in polar media have received little attention. We investigated relative preferential interaction of Na + and K + with carboxylate-functionalized silver nanoparticles (carboxylate–AgNPs) to determine if interaction preference followed the Hofmeister series (Na + > K + ). We hypothesized that Na + will show greater affinity than K + to pair with carboxylates on AgNP surfaces, thereby destabilizing the colloidal system. Destabilization upon Na + or K + interacting with carboxylate–AgNPs was evaluated probing changes in multiple physicochemical characteristics: surface plasmon resonance/optical absorbance, electrical conductivity, pH, hydrodynamic diameter, electrophoretic mobility, surface charge, amount of Na + /K + directly associated with AgNPs, and Ag + dissociation kinetics. We show that Na + and K + react differently, indicating local Na + pairing with carboxylates on AgNP surfaces is kinetically faster and remarkably favored over K + , thus supporting Hofmeister ordering. Our results suggest that AgNPs may transform into micron-size aggregates upon release into aqueous environments and that the fate of such aggregates may need consideration when assessing environmental risk.
Linear controller analysis and design for systems with input hystereses nonlinearities

Abstract An output feedback control analysis and design framework for linear systems with input hystereses nonlinearities is developed. Specifically, by transforming the hystereses nonlinearities into dissipative input–output dynamical operators, dissipativity theory is used to analyze and design linear controllers for systems with hysteretic actuators. The overall framework guarantees partial asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system; that is, asymptotic stability with respect to part of the closed-loop system state associated with the plant and the controller. Furthermore, the remainder of the state associated with the hysteresis dynamics is shown to be semistable; that is, solutions of the hysteretic system converge to Lyapunov stable equilibrium points determined by the system initial conditions.
Right alternative algebras with commutators in a nucleus

Let A be a right alternative algebra, and [ A, A ] be the linear span of all commutators in A . If [ A, A ] is contained in the left nucleus of A , then left nilpotence implies nilpotence. If [ A, A ] is contained in the right nucleus, then over a commutative-associative ring with 1/2, right nilpotence implies nilpotence. If [ A, A ] is contained in the alternative nucleus, then the following structure results hold: (1) If A is prime with characteristic ≠ 2, then A is either alternative or strongly (–1, 1). (2) If A is a finite-dimensional nil algebra, over a field of characteristic ≠ 2, then A is nilpotent. (3) Let the algebra A be finite-dimensional over a field of characteristic ≠ 2, 3. If A/K is separable, where K is the nil radical of A , then A has a Wedderburn decomposition
Diffusion-tensor MR imaging of intracranial neoplasia and associated peritumoral edema: introduction of the tumor infiltration index.

PURPOSE: To determine whether diffusion-tensor magnetic resonance (MR) imaging metrics of peritumoral edema can be used to differentiate intra- from extraaxial lesions, metastatic lesions from gliomas, and high- from low-grade gliomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, diffusion-tensor MR imaging was performed preoperatively in 40 patients with intracranial neoplasms, including meningiomas, metastatic lesions, glioblastomas multiforme, and low-grade gliomas. Histograms of mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA) were used to analyze both the tumor and the associated T2 signal intensity abnormality. An additional metric, the tumor infiltration index (TII), was evaluated. The TII is a measure of the change in FA presumably caused by tumor cells infiltrating the peritumoral edema. Student t test and least-squares linear regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Peritumoral MD and FA values indicated no statistically significant difference between intra- and extraaxial lesions or between hi...
Uterine artery embolisation of myomas: Preliminary results of gelatin sponge pledgets as the embolic agent

SummaryUterine artery embolisation is rapidly gaining widespread acceptance as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of symptoms related to uterine myomas We used gelatin sponge pledgets to embolise 13 women with symptomic uterine myomas Our results suggest that the effectiveness of this temporary embolic agent is similar to that of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) If larger studies corroborate this finding, we may be able to offer this procedure to women who wish to preserve their fertility.
Material and energy balances in a large-scale aerobic bioconversion cell.

On the basis of earlier experimental studies of the aerobic bioconversion of organic wastes, the preferred values of operating parameters and the biochemical rate constants of oxidation to CO2 and H2O were identified. Energy and material balances were then constructed for a large, 3 m deep aerobic cell holding 1,440 tons of the ‘wet’ component of organic wastes (major organic constituent: [C6H10O4]n). It was found that conduction/convection and radiation losses to the surroundings amount to a relatively small fraction of the chemical heat released by oxidation. Therefore, the surplus chemical heat must be removed by means of an upward water-saturated air flow that is several-fold the stoichiometric requirement for biodegradation. This study has quantified a basic process difference between anaerobic and aerobic bioconversion of organic matter: In the former, most of the chemical energy in the converted organic matter is stored chemically in the generated methane gas. In the latter, this energy is released...
Temperature-Induced Expression of Yeast FKS2 Is under the Dual Control of Protein Kinase C and Calcineurin

FKS1 and FKS2 are alternative subunits of the glucan synthase complex, which is responsible for synthesizing 1,3-beta-glucan chains, the major structural polymer of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall. Expression of FKS1 predominates during growth under optimal conditions. In contrast, FKS2 expression is induced by mating pheromone, high extracellular [Ca2+], growth on poor carbon sources, or in an fks1 mutant. Induction of FKS2 expression in response to pheromone, CaCl2, or loss of FKS1 function requires the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin. Therefore, a double mutant in calcineurin (CNB1) and FKS1 is inviable due to a deficiency in FKS2 expression. To identify novel regulators of FKS2 expression, we isolated genes whose overexpression obviates the calcineurin requirement for viability of an fks1 mutant. Two components of the cell integrity signaling pathway controlled by the RHO1 G protein (MKK1 and RLM1) were identified through this screen. This signaling pathway is activated during growth at moderately high temperatures. We demonstrate that calcineurin and the cell integrity pathway function in parallel, through separable promoter elements, to induce FKS2 expression during growth at 39 degrees C. Because RHO1 also serves as a regulatory subunit of the glucan synthase, our results define a regulatory circuit through which RHO1 controls both the activity of this enzyme complex and the expression of at least one of its components. We show also that FKS2 induction during growth on poor carbon sources is a response to glucose depletion and is under the control of the SNF1 protein kinase and the MIG1 transcriptional repressor. Finally, we show that FKS2 expression is induced as cells enter stationary phase through a SNF1-, calcineurin-, and cell integrity signaling-independent pathway.
Melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide vs melphalan, prednisone, and lenalidomide (ECOG E1A06) in untreated multiple myeloma

This phase 3 trial (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] E1A06) compared melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide (MPT-T) with melphalan, prednisone, and lenalidomide (mPR-R) in patients with untreated multiple myeloma (MM). A noninferiority design was used, and inferiority was defined as a progression-free survival (PFS) hazard ratio (HR) of MPT-T/mPR-R ≤0.82. A total of 306 patients enrolled, with a median age of 75.7 years. Median follow-up was 40.7 months. Median time on therapy was 12.1 months and 23.1 months for the 46.6% of treated patients who received maintenance, with no differences by arm. Median PFS was 21 months on MPT-T and 18.7 months on mPR-R (HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-1.09). Overall survival was 52.6 months (MPT-T) vs 47.7 months (mPR-R) (P = .476). Per-protocol response rates were 63.6% (MPT-T) and 59.9% (mPR-R) (P = .557). Grade ≥3 nonhematologic toxicity was 59.5% for MPT-T vs 40.0% for mPR-R (P = .001). Second malignancies were observed in 18 MPT-T patients vs 14 mPR-R patients. Quality-of-life analysis favored mPR-R by induction end (P = .007). Use of MPT-T or mPR-R in elderly patients with untreated MM demonstrates no statistical or clinically relevant differences in response rates, PFS, and OS; however, quality of life at end of induction was improved and lower toxicity reported with mPR-R. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00602641.
Coronary stents: factors contributing to perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events

Patients with coronary stents undergoing non-cardiac surgery are at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events perioperatively. Impeccable patient care and communication between all members of the healthcare team will minimize this risk. The dominant risk factor for stent thrombosis and major adverse cardiovascular events is the interruption of dual antiplatelet therapy (e.g. aspirin and clopidogrel). If clopidogrel therapy has to be interrupted due to increased risk of bleeding, continuation of aspirin is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of stent thrombosis. The interval between percutaneous coronary interventions and operation is the next major risk factor for stent thrombosis. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events is inversely related to this interval, with the highest mortality rate occurring <30 days after stent implantation. Ideally, for patients with drug-eluting stents, elective surgery should be delayed for at least 1 yr and for patients with bare-metal stents, the recommended minimum period is 6 weeks. The use of a neuraxial anaesthetic technique must be carefully considered due to the risk of an epidural haematoma. Perioperative monitoring should focus on early recognition of myocardial ischaemia, infarction, or both. If stent thrombosis is present, rapid triage to an interventional catheterization laboratory is essential for restoration of coronary blood flow.
Identification of a putative response regulator two-component phosphorelay gene ( CaSSK1) from Candida albicans.

We have identified and analysed a putative response regulator two-component gene (CaSSK1) from Candida albicans and its encoding protein (CaSsk1p). CaSSK1 has an open reading frame of 2022 bp. In the promotor region of CaSSK1 a short sequence is found that matches the consensus sequence of the stress response elements (STRE) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. CaSSK1 is located on chromosome 1 and is expressed in either yeast or mycelial phases of C. albicans. CaSSK1 encodes a 674 amino acid protein (CaSsk1p) with an estimated molecular mass of 73·5 kDa and a basic isoelectric point (pI 9·5). It has a tripeptide (NKA) located in its C-terminus, which resembles the peroxisomal signalling target type 1 sequence (PST1) of most of the peroxisomal matrix proteins. A homology search of CaSsk1p with other proteins in databases showed that the C-terminus of CaSsk1p exhibits the greatest similarity with the C-terminus of Ssk1p and Mcs4 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, respectively. The response regulator domain of CaSsk1p contains the motifs that are characteristic of all response regulators, including the conserved aspartate and lysine residues as well as the putative aspartate, which is phosphorylated by a phosphohistidine residue. Finally, in spite of the structural similarities among CaSsk1p, Ssk1p and Mcs4, CaSsk1p does not seem to exhibit functional homology with these proteins. The Accession No. for the described sequence is AF084608, as filed in the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ database. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A maximum likelihood estimation technique for spatial-temporal modal analysis

The authors use the data collected by a linear, multisensor array to identify the wavenumber, damping factor, frequency and amplitude of individual point sources in the far field. The algorithm is based on the principle of maximum likelihood. The solution to this optimization problem yields the maximum likelihood estimates of the spatial-temporal parameters for each source in a far field environment. The optimization problem was obtained by characterizing the orthogonal subspace for the space-time data collected by an array of sensors. This orthogonal subspace was constructed in such a way that it was possible to pair the temporal and spatial mode estimates. >
Molecular Gas in the Inner 100 Parsecs of M51

We report imaging of CO (2-1) emission in the nucleus of M51 at 1'' (47 pc) resolution. Molecular gas is found closely associated with the nuclear radio jet and the X-shaped dust absorption feature seen in the Hubble Space Telescope images. The CO emission lies along the side of the nuclear radio continuum "jet." The strongest molecular emission is not symmetric in either position or velocity with respect to the nucleus—the dominant feature is at redshifted velocities and peaks 1'' to the west of the radio/optical nucleus. The CO (2-1) emission has an integrated flux implying a molecular gas mass of 107 M☉ for a standard Galactic giant molecular cloud CO-to-H2 conversion ratio, which is consistent with the total virial mass of the individual complexes. The redshifted CO emission is elongated with a deconvolved semimajor axis of 65 pc (138). Assuming the molecular gas moves in circular orbit about the nucleus (defined by the point radio source), we find a dynamical mass of 2 × 108 M☉ at R≥47 pc with no correction for inclination. The molecular gas has sufficient density (≥105 cm-3) to collimate the radio jet and ionized outflow from the active galactic nucleus (AGN), and this gas may in fact be the reservoir of matter that supplies the AGN.
What Constitutes Torture? Psychological Impediments to an Objective Evaluation of Enhanced Interrogation Tactics

Torture is prohibited by statutes worldwide, yet the legal definition of torture is almost invariably based on an inherently subjective judgment involving pain severity. In four experiments, we demonstrate that judgments of whether specific interrogation tactics constitute torture are subject to an empathy gap: People who are experiencing even a mild version of the specific pain produced by an interrogation tactic are more likely to classify that tactic as torture or as unethical than are those who are not experiencing pain. This discrepancy could result from an overestimation of the pain of torture by people in pain, an underestimation of the pain of torture by those not in pain, or both. The fourth experiment shows that the discrepancy results from an underestimation of pain by people who are not experiencing it. Given that legal standards guiding torture are typically established by people who are not in pain, this research suggests that practices that do constitute torture are likely to not be classified as such.
Using a Genetic Algorithm to Abbreviate the Psychopathic Personality Inventory-Revised (PPI-R)

Some self-report measures of personality and personality disorders, including the widely used Psychopathic Personality Inventory–Revised (PPI-R), are lengthy and time-intensive. In recent work, we introduced an automated genetic algorithm (GA)-based method for abbreviating psychometric measures. In Study 1, we used this approach to generate a short (40-item) version of the PPI-R using 3 large-N German student samples (total N = 1,590). The abbreviated measure displayed high convergent correlations with the original PPI-R, and outperformed an alternative measure constructed using a conventional approach. Study 2 tested the convergent and discriminant validity of this short version in a fourth student sample (N = 206) using sensation-seeking and sensitivity to reward and punishment scales, again demonstrating similar convergent and discriminant validity for the PPI-R-40 compared with the full version. In a fifth community sample of North American participants acquired using Amazon Mechanical Turk, the PPI-R-40 showed similarly high convergent correlations, demonstrating stability across language, culture, and data-collection method. Taken together, these studies suggest that the GA approach is a viable method for abbreviating measures of psychopathy, and perhaps personality measures in general.
A randomized clinical trial of an integrated behavioral self-management intervention Simultaneously Targeting Obesity and Pain: the STOP trial

Obesity often occurs co-morbid with chronic, non-cancer pain. While behavioral treatments have proved effective for pain management and weight loss independently, integrated interventions are lacking. The study Simultaneously Targeting Obesity and Pain (STOP) is a prospective, pragmatic, randomized controlled trial that aims to determine whether overweight/obese individuals with chronic pain who are randomized to receive an integrated treatment Simultaneously Targeting Obesity and Pain (STOP) will show more weight loss and greater reduction in pain intensity over a 6-month period and greater maintenance at 12 months than those who receive standard care behavioral weight loss or standard care behavioral pain management. We hypothesize that individuals randomized to receive the STOP treatment will demonstrate improved weight loss, pain reduction, and maintenance compared to standard care treatment approaches. Adults aged ≥ 18 with a body mass index ≥ 25 and who report persistent pain (≥4 out of 0–10 for > 6 months) will be recruited for treatment at the Health Behavior Research Lab at the University of the Sciences. After baseline assessments and goal setting, participants will be randomized to receive one of three treatments. Participants will receive eleven treatment sessions delivered during 1 hour, weekly individual meetings with a clinic therapist. Follow-up will occur at 3, 6 and 12-month time points; assessments will include measures of weight and pain intensity (primary outcomes). A mixed-method approach to evaluating study outcomes will include individual interviews with participants about their treatment experience. These interviews will be led by a research staffer who was not involved in study intervention or assessment using a semi-structured discussion guide. This study fills an important gap in intervention research, evaluating best-practices for behavioral management of a highly prevalent co-morbidity that has sub-optimal outcomes with currently-implemented approaches. STOP’s pragmatic focus builds upon treatments already in use in clinical practice. Should STOP be found efficacious in achieving the dual outcomes of pain management and weight loss, such an approach could be integrated into practice with minimal additional cost or training. Clinical Trials.gov NCT02100995 Date of Registration: March 2014
Wear and fracture toughness of partially stabilized zirconia ceramics under dry friction against steel

The wear of two ceramic materials containing partially stabilized zirconia is studied under unlubricated friction against steel. The first material, with ZrO2 and 3 mol % Y2O3, was obtained by cold isostatic pressing and sintering. The second material, comprising ZrO2 and 4 mol % Y2O3, was fabricated by additional hot isostatic pressing. The samples of both materials were fabricated with high and low values of fracture toughness. The samples with high fracture toughness are found to wear more intensively. This fact can be explained by surface micro-cracking during braking as a result of phase transformations.
A Review of: “Clinical Trial Methodology, by K. E. Peace and D.-G. Chen, Boca Raton”

Karl Peace, “the first author” as commonly referred to in this book, has worked on clinical trials for more than 30 years and, as the preface makes clear, this book is an outgrowth of his experienc...
Selecting potential children and unconditional parental love.

For now, the best way to select a child's genes is to select a potential child who has those genes, using genetic testing and either selective abortion, sperm and egg donors, or selecting embryos for implantation. Some people even wish to select against genes that are only mildly undesirable, or to select for superior genes. I call this selection drift– the standard for acceptable children is creeping upwards. The President's Council on Bioethics and others have raised the parental love objection: Just as we should love existing children unconditionally, so we should unconditionally accept whatever child we get in the natural course of things. If we set conditions on which child we get, we are setting conditions on our love for whatever child we get. Although this objection was prompted by selection drift, it also seems to cover selecting against genes for severe impairments. I argue that selection drift is not inconsistent with the ideal of unconditional parental love and, moreover, that the latter actually implies that we should practise selection drift – in other words, we should try to select potential children with the best genetic endowments. My endowment argument for the second claim works from an analogy between arranging an endowment prior to conception to fund a future child's education, and arranging a genetic endowment by selecting a potential child who already has it, where in both cases the child would not have existed without the endowment. I conclude with some programmatic remarks about the nonidentity problem.
Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and classical biological control

Increasing concern over worldwide loss of biodiversity has led ecologists to focus intently on how ecosystem functioning may depend on diversity. In applied entomology, there is longstanding interest in the issue, especially as regards the importance of natural enemy diversity for pest control. Here I review parallels in interest, conceptual framework, and conclusions concerning biodiversity as it affects ecosystem functioning in general and classical biological control in particular. Whereas the former focuses on implications of loss of diversity, the latter focuses on implications of increase in diversity as additional species of natural enemies are introduced to novel communities in new geographic regions for insect pest and weed control. Many field studies now demonstrate that ecosystem functioning, e.g., as reflected in primary productivity, is enhanced and stabilized over time by high diversity as the community increases in its efficiency in exploiting available resources. Similarly, there is growing field support for the generalization that increasing species and functional diversity of natural enemies leads to increasing pest suppression. Nonetheless a central concern of classical biological control in particular, as it seeks to minimize non-target effects, remains as to whether one or a few species of natural enemies can provide sufficient pest control.
Public Diplomacy at NATO: An Assessment of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer's Leadership of the Alliance

An Assessment of Jaap de Hoop Scheffer's Leadership of the Alliance" for publication in the Journal of Military and Strategic Studies. The article examines NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer's "public" efforts to promote alliance consensus on the issues of Iraq and Sudan during his leadership tenure. Relying upon approximately thirty of his major addresses, coupled with a lexis-nexis search of his speeches and press statements, my findings suggest that de Hoop Scheffer has chosen to be very conservative in his public efforts to push the allies. These findings stand in contrast to other more vocal secretaries general, including Manfred Worner and more recently, George Robertson. The findings also speak to the current challenges in leading an alliance that continues to struggle to find trans-Atlantic consensus on major issues of the day.
On Hydrogen Bonds and Mobility of Protein Molecules

Modeling protein molecules as kinematic chains provides the foundation for developing powerful approaches to the design, manipulation and fabrication of peptide based molecules and devices. Nevertheless, these models possess a high number of degrees of freedom (DOF) with considerable computational implications. On the other hand, real protein molecules appear to exhibits a much lower mobility during the folding process than what is suggested by existing kinematic models. The key contributor to the lower mobility of real proteins is the formation of Hydrogen bonds during the folding process. In this paper we explore the pivotal role of Hydrogen bonds in determining the structure and function of the proteins from the point of view of mechanical mobility. The existing geometric criteria on the formation of Hydrogen bonds are reviewed and a new set of geometric criteria are proposed. We show that the new criteria better correlate the number of predicted Hydrogen bonds with those established by biological principles than other existing criteria. Furthermore, we employ established tools in kinematics mobility analysis to evaluate the internal mobility of protein molecules, and to identify the rigid and flexible segments of the proteins. Our results show that the developed procedure significantly reduces the DOF of the protein models, with an average reduction of 94%. Such a dramatic reduction in the number of DOF can have has enormous computational implications in protein folding simulations.© 2009 ASME
Learning Communities: A New Model for Legal Education

This article makes the case that learning communities can improve legal education through their unique ability to integrate the three core apprenticeships: theory, practice, and professionalism. They offer students a collaborative learning experience while instilling “soft skills,” building an appreciation for diversity, and fostering creativity. Learning communities are based on the social constructivist theory of learning where knowledge is understood as a collaborative enterprise that requires both diversity and innovation. Although the learning community paradigm has been widely used in undergraduate education and in some graduate programs, it has not been adopted by law schools for a variety of reasons, including resource issues, the composition of law faculties, and curricular limitations. Despite these structural obstacles, the current crisis in legal education has ignited a strong interest in increasing opportunities for experiential learning and has opened the door to fundamental reforms. Accordingly, this is the perfect moment to consider the potential benefits of learning communities. By way of example, this article describes a newly developed program in Law & Public Policy that combines theory, practice, and professionalism through the use of field placements, innovative web-based course materials, and leadership training. Based on collaborative work, peer review, and information sharing, the Program engages students in policy reform and provides them with a platform to launch their ideas, as well as their careers.
Improved joint implant warts topical adapalene gel efficacy of treatment of flat warts

Objective To observe the modified flat wart implant joint adapalene gel for topical treatment of warts Clinical efficacy.Methods 52 patients treated using a modified flat wart implant coated with the Joint United adapalene gel treatment,night time;control group selected topical adapalene gel treatment,night time,applied to the lesions at.Both groups were asked follow-up once a month,once every three months were evaluated.Results The cure rate of 53.85%,markedly effective rate 78.85%;the control group cure rate of 31.71%,total effective rate 53.66%.The two groups in cure rate and total effective rate,there was significant difference in the treatment group than the control group.Conclusion Modified Flat Wart implant joint adapalene gel treatment of flat warts,the method is simple,more effective,and side effects are mild and may well be a better method of treatment of flat warts.
Hemodynamic effects of trimazosin in patients with left ventricular failure

Trimazosin is a new quinazoline derivative vasodilator previously thought to act primarily on resistance vessels. Vasodilators characteristically improve hemodynamics in patients with left ventricular failure. Trimazosin in single oral doses of 100 to 300 mg was given to 6 patients with class III-IV congestive heart failure due to ischemic or primary cardiomyopathy and hemodynamics were monitored for 4 hr. Onset of action was apparent at 1 hr, with peak effects occurring at 1 to 3 hr and significant effects persisting at 4 hr. At peak, mean systemic arterial pressure fell from 91.2 +/- 4.8 (SEM) to 82.5 +/- 2.5 mm Hg (p less than 0.05), heart rate was unchanged, and cardiac index (by dye dilution) was up to 2.12 +/- 0.27 from 1.76 +/- 0.33 L/min/m2 (NS). Right heart pressures (by Swan-Ganz catheterization) were reduced, right atrial, 11.3 +/- 2.1 to 8.7 +/- 1.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.02), mean pulmonary arterial pressure, 40.7 +/- 4.6 to 33.8 +/- 4.8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01), and pulmonary arterial wedge, 30.7 +/- 4.5 to 23.8 +/- 5.0 mm Hg (p less than 0.01). Forearm venous capacitance, by occlusion plethysmography, increased from 0.83 +/- 0.18 ml/100 gm to 1.12 +/- 0.22 ml/100 gm after trimazosin (p less than 0.01). Trimazosin is an orally effective vasodilator that acts on both resistance and capacitance vessels in patients with congestive heart failure.
Intrapartum amniotic fluid index for predicting fetal acidemia: Results of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis

OBJECTIVE : The objective of this study was to determine if the discriminatory intrapartum amniotic fluid index can reliably predict respiratory or metabolic acidosis in the newborn. STUDY DESIGN : Among 256 parturients at 37 weeks' gestation or more, the intrapartum amniotic fluid index was obtained in early labor, and umbilical arterial blood gas analysis was performed within 30 minutes of delivery. The mean (±SD) amniotic fluid indices in labor among newborns with no acidosis versus those with respiratory or metabolic acidosis were compared. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the best discriminatory intrapartum amniotic fluid index for respiratory and metabolic acidosis. RESULTS : Statistical analysis revealed that the mean intrapartum amniotic fluid index among 12 newborns with respiratory acidosis and 26 with metabolic acidosis was significantly lower than the mean index in 218 newborns without fetal acidemia. Despite the differences in the mean intrapartum amniotic fluid index in the three groups analyzed, the receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that an intrapartum amniotic fluid index alone is a poor test for predicting acidosis (respiratory or metabolic) in the neonate. CONCLUSION : The mean intrapartum amniotic fluid index in labor among newborns with respiratory or metabolic acidosis was significantly lower than that among nonacidotic newborns. The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that the intrapartum amniotic fluid index cannot reliably distinguish nonacidotic infants from those with respiratory or metabolic acidosis. (J Reprod Med 1995 ;40 :561-564)
Die biologische Bedeutung der Art

Es gibt vermutlich kein anderes Thema in der Biologie, bei dem nachweislich seit derart langer Zeit die Meinungen hart aufeinan-derprallen, wie der Begriff der Art. Wollte man alles sammeln, was jemals uber die Spezies geschrieben worden ist, es wurde mit Leichtigkeit mehrere Regale in einer Bibliothek fullen. Was ist wohl der Grund fur soviel Verwirrung?
Novel fMRI working memory paradigm accurately detects cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

Background:Cognitive impairment (CI) cannot be diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) paradigms, such as the immediate/delayed memory task (I/DM...
Drug interactions in HIV treatment: complementary & alternative medicines and over-the-counter products

Use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications are very common among HIV-infected patients. These products can cause clinically significant drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with antiretroviral (ARV) medications, thereby increasing risk for negative outcomes such as toxicity or loss of virologic control. Areas covered: This article provides an updated review of the different mechanisms by which CAM and OTC products are implicated in DDIs with ARV medications. Expert commentary: Much of the literature published to date involves studies of CAMs interacting with older ARV agents via the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system. However, the HIV treatment and prevention arsenal is continually evolving. Furthermore, our elucidation of the role of non-CYP450 mediated DDIs with ARV medications is greatly increasing. Therefore, clinicians are well served to understand the various mechanisms and extent by which new ARV therapies may be involved in drug interactions with CAMs and OTC medications.
Polytype heterostructures for electron tunneling devices

Polytype heterostructures of InAs-AlSb-GaSb exhibit interband tunneling due to the approximately 0.1-eV overlap of the InAs conduction band and the GaSb valence band. This broken-gap configuration results in a novel mechanism for negative differential resistance that has potential applications in high-speed devices. Nonresonant and resonant interband tunneling has been demonstrated, achieving peak-to-valley ratios at low temperature greater than 5:1 in single-barrier devices and greater than 60:1 in double-barrier devices. It is shown that distinct negative differential resistance characteristics can be obtained for thin ( >