cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Light-assisted drying (LAD) for anhydrous preservation of biologics: using Raman spectroscopy to assess the uniformity of drying in processed samples

Protein-based therapeutics have been developed to treat a range of conditions and assays use immobilized capture proteins for the detection of diseases. A challenge in the development of protein-based products is maintaining the protein in the folded state during processing and storage. The most common method of stabilizing proteins for storage is lyophilization. However, the freeze-drying process remains expensive and many proteins that are lyophilized must be refrigerated or frozen to maintain functionality. Cold storage strategies can be challenging for the transportation of protein-based products and can be difficult or impossible in low resource settings. Recent research has demonstrated that anhydrous, or dry state, preservation in a trehalose amorphous solid matrix offers an alternative to freeze drying for the preservation of biologics. We have previously described a new processing technique, light assisted drying (LAD), to create trehalose preservation matrices. LAD uses illumination by near-infrared laser light to selectively heat water and speeds dehydration of small volume (40 μL) samples. Low end moisture contents (EMC’s) are necessary for storage at supra-zero temperatures and this low water content must be uniform to insure successful long-term storage of embedded biologics. Our previous work has demonstrated the ability of LAD to reach EMCs necessary for storage at elevated temperatures. In this work, Raman spectroscopy is used to assess the trehalose distribution and water content across LAD processed samples. Results indicate that the water content of LAD process samples is uniform. LAD is a promising technique for processing biologics in preparation for anhydrous storage.
Internet Use Among African American College Students: Psychosocial Correlates of the Digital Divide

An exploratory study was conducted examining Internet usage among African-American college students. The study examined both psychosocial correlates, including technological anxiety and racial identity as well as socioeconomic measures, as they impacted Internet usage. Additionally, three distinct measures of Internet usage, thin access, thick access and the Internet Connectedness Index (ICI), were used as criterion variables in three separate multiple regression analysis (MRA) models. The results of the study found differences in predictive validity based on the criterion variable used, with the ICI accounting for the greatest amount of variance (54%). Racial identity, in terms of internal beliefs and feelings about being African American and internalization of Afrocentric values in a political context were found to be predictive of Internet usage as measured by the ICI.
Epinephrine in anaphylaxis: too little, too late.

Purpose of review Epinephrine is the agreed-upon first line treatment for anaphylaxis, yet it continues to be underused by patients/caregivers and providers alike. Recent findings There are unfortunately limited data on how epinephrine can best be utilized in anaphylaxis, which hinders how best to inform patients and providers. Studies reporting underuse suggest various barriers and themes on why this may happen. Summary Continued education of patients, caregivers, and providers is needed; however, is not likely to be enough to close the gap. Thus, novel studies on how to increase use; increase availability in a cost-effective manner; and newer, effective delivery routes are still needed.
Approach to Contraceptive Counseling

There are many contraceptive methods available to women, including both hormonal and nonhormonal options. Clinicians should be familiar with the safety profiles and relative effectiveness of each method in order to help choose a patient-centered option. This teaching script provides a rational and organized approach to teaching about contraceptive counseling.
Mortality among male cigar and cigarette smokers in the USA.

Cigars and cigarettes are both smoked, but much less is known about the former’s long-term health effects, due to its low prevalence and infrequent collection of cigar information in national surveys. We conducted a follow-up mortality study of cigar-smoking men age 40–79 years in National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS). We used pooled NHIS files linked to the National Death Index to obtain follow-up from year of interview to year of death or December 31, 2015. We developed categories of cigarette and cigar smoking that accommodate dual and former use of both products. We used Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income and region to estimate hazard ratios (HRs, 95% confidence intervals, CI) for mortality from all causes, heart diseases, malignant neoplasms, cerebrovascular disease, chronic lower respiratory diseases and two mutually exclusive categories: smoking-related and other diseases. There were 14,657 deaths from all causes, including 3426 never tobacco users, 3276 exclusive cigarette smokers and 176 exclusive cigar users. The latter had no statistically significant evidence of increased mortality from all causes, heart diseases, malignant neoplasms, cerebrovascular disease, smoking-related diseases or other causes. In contrast, the mortality experience of dual users of cigars and cigarettes and cigar smokers who formerly used cigarettes is similar to exclusive cigarette smokers. This study provides evidence that male cigar smokers age 40 + years had elevated mortality risks. However, after accounting for cigarette smoking and other confounding variables, we found significantly increased mortality only among dual and former users of cigarettes.
Association of Baseline Urinary Metabolic Biomarkers with ADPKD Severity in TAME-PKD Clinical Trial Participants

Background Recent work suggests that dysregulated cellular metabolism may play a key role in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The TAME-PKD clinical trial is testing the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of metformin, a regulator of cell metabolism, in patients with ADPKD. This study investigates the cross-sectional association of urinary metabolic biomarkers with ADPKD severity among TAME-PKD trial participants at baseline. Methods Concentrations of total protein, targeted metabolites (lactate, pyruvate, succinate, and cAMP), and key glycolytic enzymes (pyruvate kinase M2 [PKM2], lactate dehydrogenase A [LDHA], and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 [PDK1]) were measured by ELISA, enzymatic assays, and immunoblotting in baseline urine specimens of 95 TAME-PKD participants. These analytes, normalized by urinary creatinine or osmolality to estimate excretion, were correlated with patients’ baseline height-adjusted total kidney volumes (htTKVs) by MRI and eGFR. Additional analyses were performed, adjusting for participants’ age and sex, using multivariable linear regression. Results Greater htTKV correlated with lower eGFR (r=−0.39; P=0.0001). Urinary protein excretion modestly correlated with eGFR (negatively) and htTKV (positively). Urinary cAMP normalized to creatinine positively correlated with eGFR. Among glycolytic enzymes, PKM2 and LDHA excretion positively correlated with htTKV, whereas PKM2 excretion negatively correlated with eGFR. These associations remained significant after adjustments for age and sex. Moreover, in adjusted models, succinate excretion was positively associated with eGFR, and protein excretion was more strongly associated with both eGFR and htTKV in patients Conclusions Proteinuria correlated with ADPKD severity, and urinary excretion of PKM2 and LDHA correlated with ADPKD severity at baseline in the TAME-PKD study population. These findings are the first to provide evidence in human urine samples that upregulated glycolytic flux is a feature of ADPKD severity. Future analysis may reveal if metformin treatment affects both disease progression and the various urinary metabolic biomarkers in patients throughout the study.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Technological advances have enabled well tolerated and effective radiation treatment for small liver metastases. Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) refers to ablative dose delivery (>100 Gy BED) in five fractions or fewer. For larger tumors, the safe delivery of SABR can be challenging due to a more limited volume of healthy normal liver parenchyma and the proximity of the tumor to radiosensitive organs such as the stomach, duodenum, and large intestine. In addition to stereotactic treatment delivery, controlling respiratory motion, the use of image guidance, adaptive planning and increasing the number of radiation fractions are sometimes necessary for the safe delivery of SABR in these situations. Magnetic Resonance (MR) image-guided adaptive radiation therapy (MRgART) is a new and rapidly evolving treatment paradigm. MR imaging before, during and after treatment delivery facilitates direct visualization of both the tumor target and the adjacent normal healthy organs as well as potential intrafraction motion. Real time MR imaging facilitates non-invasive tumor tracking and treatment gating. While daily adaptive re-planning permits treatment plans to be adjusted based on the anatomy of the day. MRgART therapy is a promising radiation technology advance that can overcome many of the challenges of liver SABR and may facilitate the safe tumor dose escalation of colorectal liver metastases.
The American Influence on German Neo-Nazism: An Entangled History of Hate, 1970s–1990s

This article takes a transatlantic approach to the history of the Far Right by examining the American influence on German neo-Nazism from the 1970s through the 1990s. The main argument reveals a di...
From childless tower to child-full density: families and the evolution of vancouverism

Vancouverism – amenity-rich neighbourhoods comprised of thin residential towers set on street-defining podiums – has been globally promoted as a new model of urbanism: high-density yet livable, eve...
Compressive Sensing based Software Defined GPR for Subsurface Imaging

This paper presents the design of a new ground penetrating radar (GPR) integrating software defined radio (SDR) and compressive sensing (CS) technologies. In recent literature, SDR has been explored for designing GPR in the way of stepped•frequency continuous wave (SFCW) radar. In the operation, the software defined GPR (SD GPR) radiates a series of sinusoidal signals of evenly spaced frequencies at each scan position. The reflection signals of all frequency tones are received and their amplitude and phase responses are measured and characterized. As each individual frequency tone needs to be generated, transmitted and received in sequence, it results in a slow scan speed. In this study, compressive sensing is explored to expedite SD GPR operation speed. For SD GPR subsurface survey, when the target area is spatially sparse, i.e. the buried objects are sparsely distributed, In addition, we develop a CS based signal processing algorithm specifically for improving image quality and reducing the clutter. To reconstruct the image correctly, an automatic parameter selection algorithm based on the structural similarity index measure (SSIM) is proposed. For validation, a laboratory test was conducted. The experimental results demonstrate that the CS imaging algorithm produces less clutter comparing with the traditional GPR image algorithms, such as the time domain back projection (BPA) method.
Delamination Assessment of an Ultra-High Performance Concrete Deck Overlay Using Infrared Imaging

Deterioration of bridges is a common issue in the nation’s aging infrastructure system. One of the most common problem is concrete deck degradation, which when left untreated can lead to spalling, exposure and corrosion of the reinforcement, and eventually reduced capacity of the bridge. Use of ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) as a bridge deck overlay has the potential to reduce the deck degradation in these situations and extend the service life of the deck. However, reliable bond between the UHPC overlay and the normal concrete (NC) deck interface must be ensured, which may be affected by time depended behavior of UHPC, temperature variations, and seasonal freeze-thaw cycles. This paper presents a method to assess condition of the interface between the UHPC overlay and NC deck. The potential delamination between UHPC and NC is evaluated using infrared imaging, which is a non-destructive technique. A delaminated deck interface area may consist of a complex region comprising of cementitious material, steel fibers, moisture, and air voids. A thermal radiation gradient is expected due to the different thermal conductivities of each material. It is shown that this concept can be used to evaluate delamination of the UHPC layer placed on top of NC deck.
Peering Beyond Nirvana: A Comparative Institutional Analysis of Proposed Means of Addressing the Market Power of Digital Platforms

This Article provides a comparative institutional analysis of the three leading approaches to addressing the market power of large digital platforms: (1) traditional antitrust, the approach thus far taken in the United States; (2) ex ante conduct rules, the approach embraced by the European Union’s Digital Markets Act and several bills recently advanced by the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives; and (3) ongoing agency oversight, the approach embraced by the United Kingdom with its newly established “Digital Markets Unit.” After identifying the general pros and cons of each approach, the Article examines how they are likely to play out in the context of digital platforms. It first examines whether antitrust is indeed too slow and indeterminate to tackle market power concerns arising from digital platforms, as proponents of ex ante conduct rules and agency oversight have suggested. It next considers possible error costs resulting from the most prominent proposed conduct rules: (1) structural separations and line of business restrictions; (2) bans on self-preferencing by platforms; (3) requirements to allow platform users to remove pre-installed software, “side-load” apps, and use alternative payment systems to make purchases on the platform; and (4) data portability, data sharing, and platform interoperability mandates. It then shows how three features of the agency oversight model — its broad focus, political susceptibility, and perpetual control — render it particularly vulnerable to rent-seeking efforts and agency capture. The article ultimately concludes that antitrust’s downsides (relative indeterminacy and slowness) are likely to be less significant than those of ex ante conduct rules (large error costs resulting from high informational requirements) and ongoing agency oversight (rent-seeking and agency capture).
The Economics and Regulation of Network Industries: Telecommunications and Beyond

Have you ever wondered how your telephone company or Internet service provider can give you access to almost all people in the world, or how electricity suppliers can compete with each other if there is only one electric supply line passing through your street? This Element deals with the economics and public regulation of such network industries. It puts particular emphasis on the specific economic concepts used for analyzing them and on the regulatory reform movement and the compatibility of regulation and competition. Worldwide most of these industries have changed dramatically in recent years, telecommunications in particular. Network industries mostly exhibit economies of scale in production and similar economies in consumption. Both of these properties cause market power problems that often require industry-specific regulation. However, due to technological and market changes network policies have moved on from end-user regulation to wholesale regulation and in some cases to deregulation.
Determination of Nanogram Quantities of Uranium by Pulsed-Laser Fluorometry

A versatile, direct method for the determination of trace amounts of uranium in solution has been developed utilizing pulsed-laser fluorometry and a pyrophosphate fluorescence enhancing reagent. Measurements with a 2–3% relative standard deviation and accurate to better than 1% have been obtained in the 0.01 to 4μg U/g range. The detection limit is 0.005 ng uranium. Time required per determination is 6 min. A special feature of the method is the use of a standard addition technique to eliminate sample matrix effects. The effects of temperature, acidity, reagent impurity and anionic impurities have been studied.
Some Aspects of Circulation Along the Alaskan Beaufort Sea Coast

Before the discovery of oil at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in 1968 very little work had been reported on the coastal circulation along Alaska’s Beaufort Sea Coast. The Prudhoe Bay oil discovery led to the development of that and other oilfields and subsequently to demands for oil leasing offshore. In 1975 the Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program (OCSEAP) began to investigate the processes occurring on the Beaufort Sea Shelf in order to assess the potential impact of oil development. This paper attempts to bring together the findings of the physical oceanographers in order to give an overview of present knowledge of circulation along the Shelf.
Legislative Drafting and the Law Schools

Unfortunately, Sir Courtenay's comment cannot be written off as a gratuitous insult or a commentary now a half century out of date. It is an unpleasant duty to report that, with due honor to the few notable exceptions, his appraisal remains accurate even today. The tender shoots of legislative enlightenment in America barely show above the ground. Whether they will bloom depends, in large part, on what the law schools decide to do about the problem. These facts are significant because they relate not only to legislative drafting but to legal drafting generally.
Methods of cell transformation by tumor viruses.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some of the methods of observation which have been used to detect and quantitate changes in cultured cells infected by known tumor viruses. The longest and perhaps best known examples of tumor viruses are found among the C-type RNA-containing group. Structurally, these viruses consist of an inner nucleoprotein core, containing approximately 10 million daltons of RNA, and an outer membrane envelope. Avian and murine viruses of this group are well established as agents causing various leukemias and sarcomas in their natural hosts. In contrast to the RNA tumor viruses which form a single structural class, DNA-containing tumor viruses are known from several distinct families possessing marked differences in size and structure. Herpes and poxviruses form the two major classes of enveloped DNA viruses. Five general properties reflecting alterations in regulation and patterns of cell growth have been particularly useful in detecting, isolating, and characterizing cells transformed by tumor viruses: (1) morphological alterations, (2) decreased density dependent inhibition of growth, (3) decreased serum requirement for growth, (4) ability to grow in semisolid suspension cultures, and (5) tumorigenicity. Changes in one or some combination of the first four properties form the bases for essentially all viral transformation assays with DNA and RNA viruses.
Chaos in YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/?

The authors report that they have observed deterministic chaos while attempting to measure low-frequency electrical noise in bulk YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/. The current induced excess noise in bulk YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ varied as 1/f with frequency but the noise levels were low. Depending on the magnitude of measuring current, the excess noise spectrum would fall below the background noise spectrum between 10 and 300 Hz. The signal analyzer used displays data out to 100 kHz, but usually only background appeared in the full-range spectrum. Once in a while, however, the 1-100-kHz spectrum would erupt into a panoply of closely spaced, irregular peaks. Such behavior is strongly suggestive of the period-doubling route to chaos. The power spectrum and Poincare section obtained while passing DC current through bulk YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ are displayed. >
Propagating updates in a highly replicated database

Consideration is given to the problem of propagating messages to a large number of hosts in a distributed database. The work of propagating the message is distributed and minimized among the hosts by arranging them into a minimum-cost spanning tree. Only the cooperation of the hosts that belong to the database is required. Transient and permanent failures are handled in this protocol. Eventual delivery and propagation within a network partition are guaranteed despite failures. This is achieved without requiring a large amount of information to be stored and maintained by each host, even when many hosts in the database may initiate updates. >
Caregiving Experiences of Latino Families With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Objective Prior research has documented caregiving difficulties in families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, Latino families may encounter unique challenges. The purpose of this study was to understand the caregiving experiences of Latino families with children with ASD, including daily activities, coping strategies, and service utilization. Method Fifteen Latino parents of children with ASD were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed for analysis to identify themes of experiences unique to this population. Results Latino families of children with ASD encounter many similar issues as non-Latino families but also unique issues that affect service utilization. Four themes were identified: dealing with the diagnosis, dealing with stigma and isolation from family and community, understanding the role of mothers in changing family routines, and utilizing services. Conclusion To meet the unique needs of Latino families, services need to be provided in culturally sensitive context that address children's needs within family units.
Understanding the hospital sharps injury reporting pathway

Background Patient-care workers are frequently exposed to sharps injuries, which can involve the risk of serious illness. Underreporting of these injuries can compromise prevention efforts. Methods We linked survey responses of 1,572 non-physician patient-care workers with the Occupational Health Services (OHS) database at two academic hospitals. We determined whether survey respondents who said they had sharps injuries indicated that they had reported them and whether reported injuries were recorded in the OHS database. Results Respondents said that they reported 62 of 78 sharps injuries occurring over a 12-month period. Only 28 appeared in the OHS data. Safety practices were positively associated with respondents' saying they reported sharps injuries but not with whether reported injuries appeared in the OHS data. Conclusions Administrators should consider creating reporting mechanisms that are simpler and more direct. Administrators and researchers should attempt to understand how incidents might be lost before they are recorded. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:282–289, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fuzzy controller on FPGA chip

A hardware implementation of fuzzy controllers on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) is described. FPGAs are semicustom integrated circuits that combine the attractive features of both programmable logic devices and gate arrays. Software for synthesizing fuzzy controllers into Boolean equations was developed. The file that contains the set of Boolean equations is accepted directly by the development system of the FPGA. The development system then produces the necessary code for programming the FPGA chip. The speed of the fuzzy controller is determined by the response time of the FPGA circuit that realizes the Boolean equations. A speed of 50M FLIPS was achieved. The software together with the FPGA development system provide a complete design automation tool for fuzzy controllers. >
The Automation of Reasoning: An Experimenter's Notebook with Otter Tutorial

(Chapter Headings): A Sterling Pursuit. Scott's Challenge. Provocative Obstacles and the Means for Quashing Them. The Methodology by Example. Lukasiewicz's Challenge. Group Theory. Robbins Algebra. A Biased Guide for Choosing OTTER Options. Seeking Proofs Satisfying a Given Property. Proof Checking. Experimental Potpourri. Research Topics. Additional Useful Notes. A Demanding and Noble Endeavor. Appendices. Subject Index.
MIPA detection procedures and estimation

The problem of signal detection in severe and/or changing noise environment is considered. In this paper, the theory of m-interval polynomial approximation (MIPA) is modified and extended to include the operation of detecting weak stochastic signals (low SNR) by an array of sensors. The main concern is to formulate the descriptive structure of the robust array when the functional form of the underlying noise distribution is poorly specified. In particular, we partition the observation space into a finite number of regions called intervals based on knowledge of only the quantiles of the noise distribution. Stochastic approximation procedures are used to estimate the design parameters of the array.
Binational management of hazardous waste: The maquiladora industry at the US-Mexico border

Foreign-owned industry in the form of assembly plants, termed maquiladora, has become very important in Mexico to the extent that it represents the second largest source of foreign exchange and is a valuable source for employment and regional development. The economic prosperity gained from the rapid growth of the maquiladora industry has been accompanied by increased environmental and human health risks associated with generation of hazardous waste. Diversification of industry has resulted in the predomination of those sectors that likely use hazardous substances. The Mexicali-Calexico border region was selected to demonstrate the potential for environmental and health risks associated with the generation of hazardous waste. Estimates for the generation of hazardous waste were obtained from 34 maquiladora plants in Mexicali, represented by the electronic and electrical equipment and parts, mechanical and transportation equipment, and toys and sporting equipment sectors. Repeated detection of volatile organic compounds in the New River at the US-Mexico border suggests that hazardous waste from the printed circuit board industry in Mexicali is not being disposed of in a proper manner. Potential adverse health effects, such as carcinogenic and mutagenic responses associated with the detected volatiles, are discussed. US and Mexico national legislation and the Binational Environmental Agreement were examined for their adequacy to ensure proper management of hazardous waste generated by the maquiladora industry. Environmental policy options are presented that focus on: (1) increased environmental accountability of US parent companies for their maquiladora assembly plants in Mexico; and (2) more integration between US Customs and border states with the US Environmental Protection Agency to improve the binational management of hazardous waste generated by the maquiladora industry.
Application of Inkjet Printing for Depositing Salt Prior to Atmospheric Corrosion Testing

This study examined the feasibility of using an unmodified office inkjet printer for the precise deposition of soluble salt particles on planar metal samples for atmospheric testing. The density of the salt loading achieved in printing solid swaths ranged from 10 to 180 μg cm ―2 using aqueous 1 and 4 M NaCl solutions with 95% confidence intervals ≤2 μg per print. Printing these solutions on a steel coupon produced particles with a multimodal size distribution and mean Feret diameters ≤11 μm. An application of the method for studying the effect of loading density on the atmospheric corrosion of steel is described.
The synthesis and electrochemistry of bis(tetramethyl- thiophene)iron(II) hexafluorophosphate

Abstract FeCl 2 and tetramethylthiophene react in the presence of AlCl 3 to afford the diamagnetic bis(tetramethylthiophene)iron(II) cation which was isolated and characterized as its hexafluorophosphate salt and studied by differential pulse polarography and cyclic voltammetry.
Space charge effects on resolution in a miniature ion mobility spectrometer.

Miniaturization of ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is expected to have many advantages, as well as difficulties, in the separation of chemical species at atmospheric pressure. We report the results of studies of a miniature ion mobility spectrometer that has a drift channel 1.7 mm in diameter, the smallest cross section reported to date. The miniature cell contains a homogeneous drift field and is operated at atmospheric pressure. The miniature IMS has been characterized by measuring both negative and positive ion spectra using a frequency-quadrupled Nd:YAG laser on samples of NO, O2, and methyl iodide; a useful resolution (>10) was achieved with an operating voltage of 500 V. Peak broadening due to Coulomb repulsion was determined to have a major effect on the resolution of the miniature device.
Metabolic myopathies: a clinical approach; part II

Children and adults with metabolic myopathies have underlying deficiencies of energy production, which may result in dysfunction of muscle or other energy-dependent tissues, or both. Patients with disorders of glycogen, lipid, or mitochondrial metabolism in muscle may present with dynamic findings (i.e., exercise intolerance, reversible weakness, and myoglobinuria) or progressive muscle weakness, or both. In this first part of the review, we present a brief description of energy metabolism in muscle, a simplified overview of the clinical and laboratory evaluation of the patient with suspected metabolic myopathy, and a diagnostic algorithm aimed at predicting the nature of the underlying biochemical abnormality. The goal is to simplify a complex field of neuromuscular disease and thus lead to early recognition and treatment of these disorders.
The automation of thermal analysis instrumentation: differential thermal analysis

Abstract An automated DTA instrument is described which is capable of studying eight individual samples, each contained in a glass capillary tube, in a sequential manner. The samples are automatically introduced into the furnace, pyrolyzed to a preselected temperature limit, and then removed. After the furnace has been cooled back to room temperature, the cycle is repeated. Operation of the sample changing mechanism, furnace temperature programming, recording, etc. is completely automatic.
Detection and Quantification of 8-Hydroxy-2′-Deoxyguanosine in Alzheimer’s Transgenic Mouse Urine using Capillary Electrophoresis

8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is one of the major forms of oxidative DNA damage, and is commonly analyzed as an excellent marker of DNA lesions. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensitive method to accurately and rapidly quantify the 8-OHdG by using CE-LIF detection. The method involved the use of specific antibody to detect the DNA lesion (8-OHdG) and consecutive fluorescence labeling. Next, urinary 8-OHdG fluorescently labeled along with other constituents were resolved by capillary electrophoretic system and the lesion of interest was detected using a fluorescence detector. The limit of detection was 0.18 fmol, which proved sufficient sensitivity for detection and quantification of 8-OHdG in untreated urine samples. The relative standard deviation was found to be 11.32% for migration time and 5.52% for peak area. To demonstrate the utility of this method, the urinary concentration of 8-OHdG in an Alzheimer's transgenic mouse model was determined. Collectively, our results indicate that this methodology offers great advantages, such as high separation efficiency, good selectivity, low limit of detection, simplicity and low cost of analysis.
Radio-Wave Propagation during World War II

Many publications have appeared which describe the very extensive wartime radio-wave propagation research. References to some of these summaries are given which cover some aspects of this research as carried out in the United States, England, the U.S.S.R., Japan and Germany. These summaries are most complete for the work done in the United States, England and Japan. A summary is then given of some of the wartime research in the United States on direction finders and the polarization of downcoming ionospheric radio waves. This is followed by some heretofore unpublished material on Japanese ionospheric research which, by way of example, clearly indicates that an April, 1942, paper by Maeda, Uyeda and Shinkawa contains the first definite identification and interpretation of the F2-layer longitude effect. Finally a brief summary is given of a few selected topics in propagation research which arose out of the wartime development of radar.
The Ethical Aftermath of a Values Revolution: Theoretical Bases of Change, Recalibration, and Principalization

Profound and wide-ranging values shifts among industrialized nations, first noted following World War II and measured on an ongoing basis since, have affected individual decision making in political, social, and institutional settings across the globe. Consequently, the adoption of this set of expansive values is having pronounced and measurable effects on organizational missions, standards, and activities. This change is particularly notable in terms of accountability practices, moral responsibility, and the distinction between ethical and unethical decision making. This article documents this change, the need for a recalibration of ethical standards, and the principalization of a new organizational values order. Future research on the implications of adopting expansive values in organizations is delineated.
PHEVs charging stations, communications, and control simulation in real time

This paper introduces a platform for real time simulation and its contribution towards smart grid related research, with focus on Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) charging stations. The current system is able to simulate in real time key elements of a smart grid such as: high speed power electronics, distributed energy resources (DER), and communication networks. A description of the platform for real time simulation is presented along with the integration of communication emulation; achieved through OPNET's System in the Loop (SITL) package. In addition, an introduction to Networked Control Systems (NCS) is presented and a case study of PHEV charging stations which displays the latest results accomplished with the current setup.
Lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production and inhibition of cell proliferation is antagonized by ethanol in a clonal macrophage cell line

Both chronic and acute ethanol exposure have been shown to be cytotoxic and also to disrupt normal cell function or responses in a variety of cell types. Macrophage function has specifically been shown to be disrupted by chronic ethanol exposure by mechanisms that have not been elucidated. It is known that exposure of macrophages to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria will decrease the number of cells. Since increased exposure to endotoxin is often associated with chronic alcoholism, this may be one mechanism to account for loss of macrophages in alcoholic patients. The loss of macrophages, as a consequence of endotoxin treatment, appears to be linked to cell activation and, in particular, LPS-stimulated synthesis of nitric oxide which has been suggested to cause an increase in apoptosis. Ethanol also increases apoptosis in some cell types but, in general, ethanol inhibits activation of macrophages. Thus, the overall effect on cell numbers and cell proliferation elicited by treating macrophages concomitantly with ethanol and LPS depends on the balance between inhibiting LPS-mediated activation and the actions of ethanol. The interaction between ethanol and LPS was investigated in a macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7 cells) by measuring nitric oxide production and cell proliferation. A 24-h exposure to ethanol (100 mM) decreased [3H]-thymidine incorporation significantly. LPS treatment elicited a concentration-dependent decrease in [3H]-thymidine incorporation at LPS concentrations of 0.1 ng/ml to 1000 ng/ml and stimulated nitric oxide production at concentrations above 1 ng/ml. LPS-stimulated nitric oxide production was inhibited by ethanol (20 to 100 mM) and the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, N(G)Nitro-L-arginine methyl L-NAME) ester (100 and 500 microM). However, LPS-inhibited [3H]-thymidine incorporation was not be totally reversed by ethanol- or L-NAME-treatment. A direct correlation between nitric oxide production and inhibition of cell proliferation could not be demonstrated. However, it appears that ethanol and LPS do affect some common mechanism(s) in this cell line.
What is the evidence for percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft in ischemic cardiomyopathy

Coronary artery disease has supplanted hypertension as the leading cause of congestive heart failure in the United States. The recognition that contraction abnormalities could accrue from gradual stunning, or longer-term 'hibernation,' raised the possibility that revascularization of viable but hypocontractile elements could improve myocardial performance. This review focuses on the data from randomized trials and registries regarding the potential benefits and risks of either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction secondary to coronary artery disease. For patients with medically refractory angina and ischemic cardiomyopathy, revascularization with CABG or percutaneous coronary intervention is recommended. The ongoing National Institutes of Health-sponsored Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial, a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial comparing contemporary medical therapy with CABG for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, should provide important information regarding patients who do not have angina. The conclusion of this review is that a trial of medical therapy vs. percutaneous coronary intervention could be of additional value, especially for patients at particularly high risk, when undergoing CABG.
Solving labor problems and building capacity in sustainable agriculture through volunteer tourism

Abstract This research evaluates the value of volunteer tourism as it has been applied in the Carolinas through the organization Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF-USA). Its recent growth is attributable to the rise of both the sustainable foods movement and volunteer tourism. Focusing on the experience of farmers, results suggest that despite some caveats there are both social and economic benefits associated with this particular form of tourism, especially in dealing with labor shortages. It is suggested that the WWOOF model may be useful in other forms of volunteer tourism, but that its benefits are socially and spatially contingent, particularly in that WWOOF is embedded in a larger social movement that serves to create a force of willing laborers.
Describing What We Do: A Qualitative Study of Clinicians' Perspectives on Classifying Rehabilitation Interventions

Abstract Objective To gain an understanding of clinical thought processes about treatment classification and description, and to identify desired characteristics of and challenges to be addressed by a future rehabilitation treatment taxonomy. Design Qualitative analysis of data collected via focus groups and semistructured interviews. Setting Inpatient rehabilitation programs. Participants Clinicians (N=84) in 7 disciplines involved in data collection for practice-based evidence studies of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Summary of themes reported by clinicians, determined by content analysis of focus group and interview transcripts. Results The multifaceted nature of rehabilitation treatment was identified as a major challenge to the process of classifying interventions. Simultaneous delivery of multiple interventions, performance of integrated tasks that challenge multiple body systems, and conversation-based treatments were reported to be difficult to classify. Clinicians reported that treatment classifications that make reference to goals of treatment were clinically intuitive, but they also reported difficulties when attempting to classify activities that could address multiple goals. These rehabilitation practitioners considered the setting in which treatment occurs, equipment used, assistance or cueing provided, type of treatment participants, and specific tasks performed to be important descriptors of their interventions. They recommended creating a classification system that can be applied at greater or lesser levels of detail depending on the purpose for which it is being used. Conclusions Treatment descriptors identified may be useful for differentiating classes of treatments or characterizing treatments within classes. Precise definition of the concept of the goal as it relates to treatment theory and definition of boundaries between treatments may aid classification of multifaceted treatment activities. A balance between detail and feasibility of use will facilitate successful clinical application of a future classification system.
Studies on the reaction catalyzed by transport (Na, K) adenosine triphosphatase—II. In vitro and in vivo effects of phenoxybenzamine

Abstract Phenoxybenzamine is a potent inhibitor of NaK-ATPase both in vitro (i 50 = 3.5 × 10 −5 M) and in vivo (3 mg/kg inhibits NaK-ATPase in 100 per cent of the animals tested). the inhibition of the enzyme, in vitro , was time- and temperature -dependent, being maximal at 37° for 30 min. the inhibition was irreversible and was not specifically influenced by incubation in the presence of Na, K, Mg, ATP or varying pH. Phenoxybenzamine did not alter the concentration of Na or K required for half-maximal activation of the enzyme. Incubation of the enzyme with phenoxybenzamine under conditions where the phosphorylated form of the enzyme exists gave an I 50 identicai to that observed when no phospho-enzyme is formed. K-NPPase activity was inhibited by phenoxybenzamine (I 50 = 5.1 × 10 −5 M) over the same concentration range as required for inhibition of the NaK-ATPase reaction. Neither norepinephrine nor phentolamine could prevent the inhibition by phenoxybenzamine in vitro . Ouabain did not alter the sensitivity of the enzyme for phenoxybenzamine.
Interaction of FTO and Physical Activity Level on Adiposity in African‐American and European‐American Adults: The ARIC Study

Physical inactivity accentuates the association of variants in the FTO locus with obesity-related traits but evidence is largely lacking in non-European populations. Methods Here we tested the hypothesis that physical activity (PA) modifies the association of the FTO single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9939609 on adiposity traits in 2,656 African Americans (AA) (1,626 women and 1,030 men) and 9,867 European Americans (EA) (5,286 women and 4,581 men) aged 45-66 years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Individuals in the lowest quintile of the sport activity index of the Baecke questionnaire were categorized as low PA. Baseline BMI, waist circumference (WC), and skinfold measures were dependent variables in regression models testing the additive effect of the SNP, low PA, and their interaction, adjusting for age, alcohol use, cigarette use, educational attainment, and percent European ancestry in AA adults, stratified by sex and race/ethnicity.
E-cadherin Regulates Anchorage-independent Growth and Survival in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Integrin-basement membrane interactions provide essential signals that promote survival and growth of epithelial cells, whereas loss of such adhesions triggers programmed cell death. We found that HSC-3 human squamous carcinoma cells survived and grew readily as monolayers, but when they were suspended as single cells, they ceased proliferating and entered into the apoptotic death pathway, characterized by DNA fragmentation. In contrast, if the suspended carcinoma cells were permitted to form E-cadherin-mediated multicellular aggregates, they not only survived but proliferated. However, aggregated normal keratinocytes were unable to survive in suspension culture and rapidly became apoptotic. Anchorage independence and resistance to apoptosis of HSC-3 cell aggregates required high levels of extracellular Ca2+ and was inhibited with function-perturbing anti-E-cadherin antibody. Resistance to suspension-induced apoptosis in cell aggregates paralleled the up-regulation of Bcl-2 but occurred in the absence of focal adhesion kinase activation. Analysis of suspension-induced death in a set of cloned squamous epithelial cell lines with different levels of E-cadherin expression revealed that receptor-positive cell clones evaded apoptosis and proliferated in three-dimensional aggregate culture, whereas cadherin-negative clones failed to survive. Collectively, these observations indicate that cadherin-mediated intercellular adhesions generate a compensatory mechanism that promotes anchorage-independent growth and suppresses apoptosis.
Police civil liability: An analysis of section 1983 actions in the Eastern and Southern districts of New York

This article examines the Section 1983 civil damage remedy and the Bivens-type action — the direct claim of the victim of official wrongdoing to obtain compensation for the denial of his or her Fourth Amendment rights. Using court records of cases filed under this statute from 1983 to 1987 in the Eastern and Southern districts of New York, the study determined: (1) the nature and volume of damages awarded by the courts in Section 1983/Bivens actions, (2) the differences in the amount of damages recovered from bench trials, jury trials, and settlements, (3) the parties involved in Section 1983 suits, (4) the trials and settlements, and (5) the time and resources spent by the parties and the courts on these cases. The analysis of the data was used to gauge the impact of these suits on individual police and police administrators.