cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Folate and vitamin B-12 status in relation to anemia, macrocytosis, and cognitive impairment in older Americans in the age of folic acid fortification.

Background : Historic reports on the treatment of pernicious anemia with folic acid suggest that high-level folic acid fortification delays the diagnosis of or exacerbates the effects of vitamin B-12 deficiency, which affects many seniors. This idea is controversial, however, because observational data are few and inconclusive. Furthermore, experimental investigation is unethical. Objective : We examined the relations between serum folate and vitamin B-12 status relative to anemia, macrocytosis, and cognitive impairment (ie, Digit Symbol-Coding score 210 nmol/L-the maximum of the reference range for serum vitamin B-12-replete participants with normal creatinine. Results : After control for demographic characteristics, cancer, smoking, alcohol intake, serum ferritin, and serum creatinine, low versus normal vitamin B-12 status was associated with anemia [odds ratio (OR) : 2.7; 95% CI : 1.7, 4.2], macrocytosis (OR : 1.8; 95% CI : 1.01, 3.3), and cognitive impairment (OR : 2.5; 95% CI : 1.6,3.8). In the group with a low vitamin B-12 status, serum folate >59 nmol/L (80th percentile), as opposed to ≤59 nmol/L, was associated with anemia (OR : 3.1; 95% CI : 1.5, 6.6) and cognitive impairment (OR : 2.6; 95% CI : 1.1, 6.1). In the normal vitamin B-12 group, ORs relating high versus normal serum folate to these outcomes were < 1.0 (f interaction < 0.05), but significantly < 1.0 only for cognitive impairment (0.4; 95% CI : 0.2, 0.9). Conclusion : In seniors with low vitamin B-12 status, high serum folate was associated with anemia and cognitive impairment. When vitamin B-12 status was normal, however, high serum folate was associated with protection against cognitive impairment.
Quality assessment of LC-MS metabolomic data

Liquid Chromatography — Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) is a promising high throughput technology to measure changes in metabolites present in human samples. However, LC-MS metabolomic data need to be carefully preprocessed to remove the effects of systematic bias and noise caused by the complex nature of human samples, presence of large number of metabolites, analytical variability and instrument noise. Without appropriate data preprocessing, these issues can mislead the interpretation of results from subsequent statistical analysis. In this study, we discuss problems with reproducibility of LC-MS metabolomic data and provide suggestions to detect and overcome these issues through quality assessment approaches and by means of appropriate experimental design. We present specific examples of the most common issues and discuss possible strategies to address them.
Analysis of two-dimensional steady-state heat transfer in a rectangular region

The objective of this investigation is to apply a new version of-the Rayleigh-Ritz method, called the RayleighSchmidt method (RSM), to a two-dimensional heat conduction problem involving a rectangular region with convective boundary conditions on three sides and with or without internal heat generation. Numerical results obtained by using this new technique are compared with those obtained by the conventional Rayleigh-Ritz method (RRM), the finite-difference technique (FDM), the method of Fourier transform (MFT), and the heat balance integral method (HBIM). For the case of a rectangular region in the absence of internal heat generation, the results are also compared with those obtained from an exact solution presented for the first time in this paper. These comparisons indicate that the RSM gives reasonably accurate results in all cases, but that the HBIM is not very accurate when there is internal heat generation.
Closed loop television tracking of beating heart cells in vitro.

The motion of beating heart cells in vitro has been used as a sensitive indicator of the presence of drugs. The combination of closed loop television video tracking and latex microspheres placed on the cells as markers results in an improved measurement of cell motion. Latex microspheres, 5.2 micrometers, are allowed to settle onto beating my ocardial heart cells in vitro, where they move in concert with the cell motion. These microspheres, when viewed by televised transmission microscopy with normal optics, present high contrast circular targets that are excellent for closed loop television video tracking techniques. With video tracking, an analog voltage is generated proportional to the horizontal center of intensity of the target being tracked. This signal represents the location of a video demodulator gate that is maintained centered over the video target by feedback control.
Determination of effective ionization cross-sections for quantitative surface chemical microanalysis using REELS

Abstract Quantitative surface microanalysis using reflection electron energy-loss spectroscopy (REELS) can be compromised by strong dynamical scattering effects. One way of treating such effects is through the use of a core-shell effective ionization cross-section (EICS), which depends not only on the property of an isolated atom but also on the dynamical elastic and inelastic scattering and channeling processes of electrons. An experimental method is introduced by which the relative EICS is measured from a thin foil specimen in the transmission case under diffracting conditions equivalent to those in reflection geometry. This is demonstrated in studies of cleaved MgO(100) and MgO(110) surfaces, for which excess oxygen is found on the surfaces.
Synthesis of a double-stranded cDNA transcript of the killer toxin-coding region of the yeast M1 double-stranded RNA

Abstract Reverse transcription of methylmercuryhydroxide-treated M1 double-stranded RNA of yeast produces several discrete single-stranded and double-stranded cDNA's from oligo(dT)12–18 primer. S1 nuclease analysis shows that the longest transcript of the 1.8 kb template, a 2.2 kb molecule, is a 1.1 kb duplex terminated at one end by a hairpin-like structure. The 1.1 kb ds cDNA contains a complete copy of the M1-1, toxin-coding, sequence of M1 double-stranded RNA, and its synthesis is primed from oligo(dT)12–18 that anneals to a sequence within the internal, AU-rich, region of the template.
Snakes survive starvation by employing supply- and demand-side economic strategies

Animals vary widely in their abilities to tolerate extended periods of food limitation. Although some snakes are known for their unique ability to survive periods of inanition that last up to 2 years, very little is known about the biological mechanisms that allow them to do this. Consequently, the present study examined physiological, compositional, and morphological responses to 168 days of starvation among three distantly related snake species (i.e., ball python, Python regius; ratsnake, Elaphe obsoleta; and western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox). Results revealed that each of these species was able to successfully tolerate starvation by adaptively utilizing supply- and demand-side regulatory strategies. Effective demand-side strategies included the ability of snakes to depress their resting metabolic demands by up to 72%. Moreover, supply-side regulation of resources was evidenced by the ability of snakes to spare their structurally critical protein stores at the expense of lipid catabolism. Such physiological strategies for minimizing endogenous mass and energy flux during periods of resource limitation might help explain the evolutionary persistence of snakes over the past 100 million years, as well as the repeated radiation of snake lineages into relatively low-energy environments. The final section of this study outlines a novel modeling approach developed to characterize material and chemical flux through animals during complete inanition. This approach was used to make comparisons about the efficacy of various supply- and demand-side starvation strategies among the three species examined, but could also be used to make similar comparisons among other types of animals.
An Investigation of the Influence of Heating Modes on Ignition and Pyrolysis of Woody Wildland Fuel

The ignition of woody wildland fuel modeled as a one-dimensional slab subject to various modes of heating was investigated using a general pyrolysis code, Gpyro. The heating mode was varied by applying different convective and/or radiative, time-dependent heat flux boundary conditions on one end of the slab while keeping the other end insulated. Dry wood properties were used for the slab. Initially, wood was treated as chemically inactive and following this it is presumed to decompose via a single-stage kinetic model involving two solid phase species coupled with one gas phase species. This single-step model approximation for wood degradation was validated with experimental results. Critical time was defined as the time when the temperature of the heated side reached a critical value at which the ignition was assumed to take place. The chemically inactive assumption led to a significant underprediction of the critical time for a broad range of convective heat source temperatures at a fixed Biot number. Wh...
Kinetic Theory of the Ponderomotive Effects in a Plasma

Large-amplitude, spatially modulated, coherent,igh-frequency waves produce a change in the plasma equilibrium. The nonresonant wave-particle interaction is investigated and the local, time-independent Vlasov distribution function is found for the one-dimensional case to all orders in the electric field amplitude. For a critical value of the electric field amplitude at a fixed temperature, the distribution function exhibits ''double hump'' but the Penrose criterion shows that it is stable.
Test of diesel exhaust emissions in the rat liver foci assay

Abstract In the initiation/promotion assay in rat liver, partial hepatectomy is used to enhance initiation, and a choline-devoid diet as promoter. The induction of carcinogenesis is determined by the focal appearance of gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) positive hepatocytes. We adopted this assay to diesel exhaust emission by performing a 2 3 partial hepatectomy, and exposing the rats to either clean air or diesel exhaust emission. The rats were fed either a choline-devoid or a choline-supplemented diet for three or six months. The animals were sacrificed and liver sections stained for GGT were examined for the presence of foci of GGT(+) hepatocytes. The results indicate that diesel exhaust exposure does not result in a systemic dose of carcinogens sufficient to be detected in the liver foci assay.
U.S. petroleum consumption behavior and oil price uncertainty: Tests of cointegration and parameter instability

This study utilizes cointegration theory to correctly characterize U.S. petroleum consumption behavior. Initial estimates show the absence of any long-run, unique relationship among petroleum consumption, real income, and relative prices. However, the introduction of oil price uncertainty into this relationship shows the presence of a cointegrating relationship. Oil price uncertainty was introduced in two ways, namely, as an exogenous I(1) variable and as a regressand. Estimates of the cointegrating relationship are obtained using a variety of techniques such as the Johansen system, the Phillips-Hansen, the Stock-Watson, the Park canonical cointegrating regression, the Phillips spectral, and the Engle-Granger test procedures. Parameter instability of the cointegrating relationship is tested using methods discussed in Hansen [1992] and Hansen and Johansen [1993]. While previous studies in this literature have yielded mixed results on the issue of cointegration and ignored tests for parameter instability of the cointegrated systems, this study has presented new evidence on an empirically stable petroleum oil demand function.
Charge multiplicity in e + e − annihilation and the multiple production of charmonium states

Multiple production of charmonium states will increase the average charge multiplicity in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation considerably, and may simulate multijet events. The process is analyzed by using the multiperipheral production mechanism. The measurement of inclusively produced charmonium states is urged in order to justify the discovery of gluons in ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ annihilation.
Comparison of molecular dynamics and particle-in-cell simulations for strongly coupled plasmas

A quantitative comparison between molecular dynamics and particle-in-cell simulations for strongly coupled plasmas is performed. While the particle-in-cell simulation's nonlinear potential solver produces a significant improvement in accuracy over molecular dynamics, the requirement for many grid cells between particles (in the strongly coupled regime) causes the particle-in-cell simulation to be prohibitively expensive.
Structure of the cholera toxin secretion channel in its closed state

The type II secretion system (T2SS) is a macromolecular complex spanning the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria. Remarkably, the T2SS secretes folded proteins including multimeric assemblies like cholera toxin and heat-labile enterotoxin from Vibrio cholerae and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, respectively. The major outer membrane T2SS protein is the “secretin” GspD. Electron cryomicroscopy reconstruction of the V. cholerae secretin at 19 A resolution reveals a dodecameric structure reminiscent of a barrel with a large channel at its center that appears to contain a closed periplasmic gate. The GspD periplasmic domain forms a vestibule with a conserved constriction, and binds to a pentameric exoprotein and to the trimeric tip of the T2SS pseudopilus. By combining our results with structures of the cholera toxin and T2SS pseudopilus, we provide a structural basis for a possible secretion mechanism of the T2SS.
The asymmetric product of three inhomogeneous linear forms

It is shown, given any positive real number λ and any point ( x 1 , x 2 , x 3 ) of R 3 and any lattice λ R 3 ; that there exists a point ( z 1 , z 2 , z 3 ) of λ for which which generalizes a theorem due to Remak.
Corporate Restructuring and Investment Horizons in the United States, 1976–1987

Many observers of the corporate restructurings that reached major proportions in the United States in the 1980s have believed that the market for corporate control had a serious negative impact on companies' long-term investment, which in turn contributed to the United States's decline in global competitiveness. In the following study, the author looks carefully at the effects of financial restructurings on investment, especially at expenditures on R&D, in a large set of companies categorized according to their level of technology and the length of their investment horizon. She then compares the U.S. situation with that in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. She concludes that, though many such events occasioned no change at all in investment strategies, restructuring pressures and declines in investment tended to concentrate in certain industries. She also finds that investment decisions were usually rational, given high interest rates and a tax environment that favored debt over equity.
Amino acid differences in the n-terminus of CH2 influence the relative abilities of IgG2 AND IgG3 to activate complement

Abstract The four human IgG isotypes are highly conserved in amino acid sequence, but show differential ability to activate complement (C′): IgG3 and IgG1 are very active, IgG2 is active under certain conditions, and IgG4 is inactive. Although the second constant domain (C H 2) is critical for C′ activation, the individual amino acids that confer isotype-specific activity have not been identified. We have generated a series of mutants between IgG2 and IgG3, resulting in the exchange of the four N-terminal and six C-terminal polymorphic residues within C H 2. Mutants containing the N-terminus of the C H 2 of IgG3 were as effective as wildtype IgG3 in C1q binding, C1 activation and terminal complex (MAC) formation, but had reduced ability to effect C′-mediated lysis. IgG2 and mutants containing the N-terminal portion of the C H 2 of IgG2 were reduced compared to IgG3 in activating C1, binding C1q and inducing assembly of the MAC, and were inactive in mediating lysis of target cells. Thus, the amino acid sequence differences in the N-terminus of C H 2 play a critical role in determining the relative abilities of IgG2 and IgG3 to bind C1q and activate the C′ cascade although additional residues of C H 2 must be involved in mediating optimal target cells lysis. The sequence of the N-terminus of C H 2 was less critical in determining C4 and C3 binding. Characterization of domain exchange mutants suggests that intermediate steps may be partly dependent on domains other than C H 2. IgGs that do not direct target cell lysis nevertheless activate intermediate steps in the pathway, which may contribute to immune complex-associated disorders.
Triazine-Based Polyfluorinated Triquaternary Liquid Salts: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application as Solvents in Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Hydroformylation of 1-Octene

Silylation of N-(2-hydroxyethyl)imidazole, HOCH2CH2Im (1), with hexamethyldisilazane gave N-(2-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)imidazole, Me3SiOCH2CH2Im (2), which underwent quaternization reactions with the alkyl halides and gave three new N-(trimethylsilyloxyethyl) imidazolium halides, Me3SiOCH2CH2Im+RX-, where Im+ = imidazolium and R/X = Me/I (3), CH2CH2F/Br (4), and CH2CH2CF3/I (5). The ethyl ether, 6, formed from 1 and ethyl bromide was quaternized with CF3CH2CH2I to obtain 7, followed by anion exchange with LiN(SO2CF3)2 to obtain 8. The metathesis reactions of 3−5 with cyanuric fluoride in acetonitrile at 25 °C gave tris[2-(N‘-alkylimidazolium)ethoxy] triazine trihalides, N3C3(OCH2CH2Im+RX-)3, where R/X = Me/I (9), CH2CH2F/Br (10), and CH2CH2CF3/I (11). Two neutral trimeric compounds, N3C3(OCH2CH2Im)3 (12) and N3C3(OCH2CH2NMe2)3 (14), were prepared from reactions of cyanuric fluoride and Me3SiOCH2CH2NMe2 (13), or 2, respectively. The quaternization of 12 with MeI gave tris[oxoethyl(trimethyl)ammonium]triazin...
Effect of whole body x-irradiation on plasma iron turnover in rats.

The depression of plasma radioiron turnover rates in rats following x irradiaiion was studied. The depression is prompt (maximal by 24 to 30 hours) and, at 24 hours post-irradiation, is directly related to dose between 50 and 300 r. Recovery occurs by the 6th post irradiation day, indicating that subsequent anemia is more likely due to hemorrhagic diathesis than bone marrow dysfunction. Sensitivity of the radioiron turnover method permitted a study of bone marrow response at frequent short intervals after irradiation. (auth)
Relative price efficiency, technical change, and scale economies for large commercial banks

One of the more important and frequently researched topics in banking is the production process. Previous studies of bank production, however, have employed a methodology which is not appropriate for regulated firms. We generate cost estimates for large commercial banks utilizing a generalized cost model which subsumes the commonly used model as a special case. Our findings suggest that the traditional methodology is inappropriate for the sample banks and generates biased estimates of cost parameters, scale effects, and the influence of technological change. The new methodology allows us to measure directly the effect of regulation on bank costs. The effect found is small, but significant.
OIL CONTENT OF FRENCH FRIES AS AFFECTED BY BLANCH TEMPERATURES, FRY TEMPERATURES AND MELTING POINT OF FRYING OILS

The oil content of par-fried frozen French fries prepared by two methods, conventional and freeze-leached, was not affected by blanch temperatures when blanched for 15 minutes. Melting points of the frying oil did affect the oil content of par-fried French fries. The differences were variable and could not be explained by melting point alone. Blowing the potato strips with ambient air after the par-fry and cooling below the melting point of the frying oil had no effect on the oil content of the frozen product. Contrary to previous reports, the oil content of the French fries increased significantly as the par-frying temperature was increased from 160.0 to 185°C (320 to 365°F) with the greatest increase occurring between 171.1 and 185.0°C (340 and 365°F). The French fries par-fried 1 min at 171.1 and 185.0°C (340 and 365°F) were judged to have identical quality after finish frying 3 minutes at 185.0°C (365°F). A lower par-fry temperature or possibly a shorter par-fry time at the higher temperature would be an advantage to the processor who could use less oil and energy without adversely affecting the quality of the final consumable product.
Aggregation in vivo of dissociated cells. III. Effect of state of differentiation of cells on feather development in hybrid aggregates of embryonic mouse and chick skin cells

The relation of embryonic age and state of differentiation of cells to their capacity to reconstruct integumental tissues was studied in aggregates of cells dissociated from the skin of 13- to 15-day mouse and 8-day chick embryos. To attain advanced morphogenesis of the reaggregates, cell suspensions were placed and aggregated on the chorioallantois of chick embryos; the following cell combinations were studied: (1) chick skin cells (epidermal and dermal; (CS), (2) mouse skin cells (epidermal and dermal; MS), (3) MS commingled with CS, (4) mouse epidermal cells (Me) commingled with CS, (5) mouse dermal cells (Md) commingled with CS. Reaggregated MS from 13- to 15-day embryos reconstructed typical mouse skin structures: hair and stratified, keratinized epidermis. Similarly, reaggregated CS reconstructed typical feathers and thin nonkeratinized skin. In bispecific CS + MS aggregates, MS from older embryos (14–15 days) completely suppressed feather development, but formed hair and sheets of bispecific chimeric keratinized epidermis. In contrast, MS from 13-day embryos co-aggregated with CS did not suppress feather morphogenesis; in such bispecific aggregates both hair and feathers developed, as well as chimeric epidermis. Most striking was the frequent formation in this combination of “chimeric feathers” in which mouse cells were included in feather structures. Me contributed to the epidermal elements of the feather; Md formed groups at the site of the feather dermal papillae. This changeover in mouse cells from participation in feather morphogenesis in aggregates to its suppression is closely correlated with their developmental age. The contributions of these results to the understanding of histotypic specificity and morphogenetic cell interactions are discussed.
Opioid analgesia for acute abdominal pain in the elderly: Is the diagnosis of gallbladder pathology hindered?

Study objectives: Inadequate treatment of acutely painful conditions is a widespread problem in emergency department (ED) settings. Recent literature has suggested that this problem is even more pronounced in elderly populations, where fear of side effects or masking underlying pathology may dissuade clinicians from properly treating pain. The assessment of undifferentiated abdominal pain in the elderly can be difficult, and some evidence exists demonstrating that classical physical examination findings such as the sonographic Murphy sign are unreliable in this population. This study sought to assess the effects of opioid analgesia on the ability of the sonographic Murphy sign to detect acute gallbladder disease (cholecystitis or cholelithiasis) in an elderly population. Methods: A retrospective, consecutive-sample study of 119 adult ED patients (in a Level I trauma center, ED census 70,000) receiving right upper quadrant ultrasonography in 2002 was undertaken. Age, sex, final diagnosis, and timing of opioid analgesia administration were documented. Logistic regression analysis with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was used to compare patients older and younger than 65 years and who received opioid analgesia before ultrasonography with those who did not. Final ED or hospital diagnosis and 2-week follow-up was used as the criterion standard, and the negative predictive value of the sonographic Murphy sign for gallbladder disease was calculated. Results: The medical record review included 119 patients (73 female, mean age 49 years). Opioid analgesia was administered before ultrasonography in 25 patients (21%). Gallbladder disease was diagnosed in 43 patients (36%). Sonographic Murphy sign was positive in 30 patients (25%). There were 32 patients (27%) older than 65 years. Compared with younger adults, adults older than 65 years were no less likely to receive opioid analgesia (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.40 to 2.88, P =.89). There was no association between age older than 65 years and the likelihood of a false negative sonographic Murphy sign (OR 1.74, 95% CI 0.62 to 4.93, P =.29). For patients older than 65 years, no association was found between receiving opioids and a false negative sonographic Murphy sign (OR 1.42, 95% CI 0.46 to 4.44, P =.55). Conclusion: This study found a high rate of inadequate analgesia for acute abdominal pain that is consistent with previous reports. No difference was found in the rate of opioid analgesia administration in the elderly subgroup, in contrast with studies demonstrating a bias against adequate analgesia in this population. In addition, ultrasonography and the sonographic Murphy sign were found to be no less accurate in the elderly, even when premedicated with opioid analgesia. This finding runs counter to limited evidence previously published and should be further investigated using a prospective model.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Programs for Deep Vein Thrombosis

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports research in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), common medical events that, if not diagnosed and treated effectively, may cause significant disability and death. DVT and PE are thought to result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and behavioral risk factors and are associated with many medical conditions. They occur as a major complication of surgeries, severe trauma, chronic illnesses, hormone therapy, pregnancy, obesity, and advanced age. Thus, venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects many and involves a variety of health care specialties. In May 2006, NHLBI cosponsored the Surgeon General’s Workshop on Deep Vein Thrombosis which focused attention on this serious public health issue. The workshop provided an opportunity for scientific experts to share recent research advances and to identify areas that would advance DVT and PE research. Key topics discussed at the workshop included epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, prevention, and therapy. Among the research and education priorities cited by the workshop attendees were identification of biomarkers to predict primary or recurrent DVT and postthrombotic syndrome, determination …
To Flip Or Not To Flip? That's Not The Question: Exploring Flipped Instruction in Technology Supported Language Learning Environments

Although the literature on flipped instruction to date appears to be relatively atheoretical, the benefits listed in the flipped literature fit well with theories of optimal learning environments (e.g., Egbert, Hanson-Smith, & Chao, 2007) and student engagement (Lin, 2012, and others). This conceptual paper links flipped instruction to these two models and then briefly describes an ESL teacher education course that involves U.S. pre-service teachers learning Chinese online as part of a flipped classroom. The paper concludes by suggesting how flipped instruction might work in other CALL contexts and related issues.
Influence of Hypertension on the Hemodynamic Response to Exercise

Sixty-one asymptomatic hypertensive patients from 19 to 68 years of age were subjected to a progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. A decline in maximal oxygen consumption and cardiac output and an increase in systolic blood pressure were observed with age. These findings were similar to those observed in normal subjects. In the middle-aged (35 to 49 years) and older subjects (50 to 60 years), the systolic pressure showed a greater increase with exercise than in normals of their age, but this did not apply to subjects aged 19 to 34 years. The cardiac response to exercise was normal at rest and at all levels of exercise in the middle-aged group, but the oldest group showed a reduced maximum cardiac output. In the youngest age group, cardiac output was normal at rest but fell below normal at all levels of exercise. Maximal voluntary oxygen consumption and cardiac output were significantly reduced with increasing severity of hypertension.
AUTOMATIC NON-REBREATHING VALVE CIRCUITS: SOME PRINCIPLES AND MODIFICATIONS

"Automatic" non-rebreathing valve circuits are being increasingly used in clinical anaesthesia. Some of the problems encountered in their use, with means for overcoming them, are cited. Various circuit elements, which are available and some of which have been modified, that permit a safer and more efficient use of such circuits are described.
The Validity of the Social Communication Questionnaire in Adults with Intellectual Disability.

Abstract This study assessed the validity of the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) in a sample of 69 adults, aged 18–40 years old. Participants included 21 adults diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disability (ID), and 48 individuals diagnosed with ID and no diagnosis of an ASD. The SCQ yielded a sensitivity of .71 and a specificity of .77 at the authors’ recommended cutoff score of 15 ( Berument et al., 1999 ). However, when sensitivity was prioritized over specificity, the optimal cutoff score was 12, which yielded a sensitivity of .86 and a specificity of .60. The internal consistencies of the total scale (α = .87), the social interaction subscale (α = .83), and the restricted repetitive behavior subscale (α = .81) were good, but the communication subscale performed poorly (α = .48). The SCQ shows promise as a screening measure for adults with ID whose early developmental history may be unavailable. A lower cutoff score than the authors originally proposed is recommended in adults.
Economic Transformation and Income Inequality in Urban China: Evidence from Panel Data

Using panel data of 4,730 urban residents drawn from 20 cities in China, this article examines changes in income determinants between the prereform and reform eras. To guide this empirical study, a conceptual model is developed that emphasizes the coevolution of politics and markets to synthesize theoretical ideas in the recent debate on the transformation of state socialist societies. The findings show significant changes in returns to education and in the rise of private/hybrid firms in the reform era. There is also strong evidence of institutional persistence in returns to positional power and in the organizational hierarchy. These findings reveal multifaceted processes of transformation that call for more sophisticated theoretical models and in-depth institutional analyses.
Similarities between alkaline phosphatase and CA2+ ATPase activities in HeLa cells

Parallel changes in the enzyme activities of CA2+ATPase and alkaline phosphatase were observed in HeLa cells. Both enzymes were inhibited to a similar degree by L-phenylalanine, L-tryptophan, and L-leucine, while being relatively resistant to L-homoarginine. Exposure to heat (56 degrees C, 60 degrees C, and 65 degrees C) resulted in a loss of both enzyme activities. Both alkaline phosphatase and Ca2+ ATPase, when treated with EGTA, required Ca2+ for the restoration of activity. Cells grown in the presence of agents that affect alkaline phosphatase (dexamethasone, butyric acid, and hyperosmolar NaCl) showed similar changes in the activities of both enzymes.
Variation in cytoskeletal assembly during spreading of progressively subcultivated human embryo fibroblasts (IMR-90)

The cytoskeletons of early and late passage IMR-90 human diploid fibroblasts have been directly imaged in replicas of Triton X-100 extracted cells during spreading following reseeding. All cells from both young and sensescent cultures exhibit a cytoskeletal network of actin microfilaments, intermediate (10 nm) filaments, microtubules, and interconnecting thin filaments (6-8 nm in diameter) which do not interact with heavy meromyosin. Early passage cells assemble linear aggregates of actin filaments within 1 h of spreading. By 4 h of incubation, these bundles establish a structural bond with the cell membrane which results in resistance by the plasmalemma to detergent extraction at these sites. Furthermore, these membrane regions are associated with developing stress fibers of well-spread cells. In contrast, late passage cells exhibit slower spreading which correlates with a retarded assembly of actin bundles. In addition, by 8 h of spreading, cells of older cultures do not exhibit the regions of membrane-actin interaction which impart detergent resistance to the plasmalemma. We conclude that the ability to reassemble actin-actin and actin-membrane association during cell spreading is reduced with increased serial subcultivation of cells.
Retrospective study of efficacy of intravesical bcg alone in treatment of superficial bladder cancer

This is a review of 100 patients at our institution who were treated for superficial bladder cancer. In those patients with carcinoma in situ of the bladder who were treated with conventional therapy (resection and/or fulguration) and intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) without intradermal BCG, and those patients who were treated with conventional therapy alone, we found a response rate of 60 per cent versus 40 per cent at the end of three months. In comparing those patients with superficial papillary cancer, we found a response of 39 per cent after conventional therapy and 63 per cent after conventional therapy and intravesical BCG. This suggests that intravesical BCG without intradermal BCG can be an important adjunct to the conventional therapy of bladder tumors.
Eight strategic decisions that weakened gulf oil

Abstract The notion that ‘success breeds failure’ is well known to management scholars and practitioners. Gulf Oil Corporation was among the largest corporations in the world. In 1984, its management was forced to seek a white knight to avoid a hostile takeover. The $13·3bn merger with Chevron is among the largest deals in corporate history. This research explores ‘how’ and ‘why’ this event occurred through case research. Strategic decision processes across eight critical events during 30 years were examined. Data was collected through interviews with forty senior corporate executives. The case analysis suggests that inertia and political processes stifled innovation. Also, there is evidence that Gulf's ‘downward spiral’ began 10 years prior to the takeover battle. The data reveal the internal dynamics of decline, the complexities of organizational life, and paradoxical situations which challenge executives. The continuing challenges in the oil industry, as recently exemplified at British Petroleum, underscore the importance of acting promptly to avoid such downward spirals.
MULTICANONICAL MONTE CARLO SIMULATIONS

Multicanonical simulations are a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method for the simulation of physical models, which yields canonical expectation values over a range of temperatures. Instead of the temperature also other parameters of physical interest may be used, leading to variants of the method. The weight factors of the multicanonical calculation can be calculated recursively and in this paper we shall address in some details the performance of such a recursion. Subsequently, two recent applications are selected and briefly discussed: multi-overlap spin glass simulations and the helix formation of poly-alanine.
On categories of algebras equivalent to a quasivariety

In a recent paper, B. Banaschewski proved that anySP-class of algebras which is category equivalent to a variety (over a possibly different finitary similarity type) is itself a variety. Here we prove the analogous statement obtained by replacing “variety” with “quasivariety”. We also present examples which detail some of the difficulties arising when one tries to strengthen the theorem in various ways.
Racial, Social, and Clinical Determinants of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance

Abstract Objectives Less than 1 in 5 patients receive hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance; however, most studies were performed in racially and socioeconomically homogenous populations, and few used guideline-based definitions for surveillance. The study objective was to characterize guideline-consistent hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance rates and identify determinants of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance among a racially and socioeconomically diverse cohort of cirrhotic patients. Methods We retrospectively characterized hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance among cirrhotic patients followed between July 2008 and July 2011 at an urban safety-net hospital. Inconsistent surveillance was defined as at least 1 screening ultrasound during the 3-year period, annual surveillance was defined as screening ultrasounds every 12 months, and biannual surveillance was defined as screening ultrasounds every 6 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify predictors of surveillance. Results Of 904 cirrhotic patients, 603 (67%) underwent inconsistent surveillance. Failure to recognize cirrhosis was a significant barrier to surveillance use ( P Conclusions Only 13% of patients with cirrhosis receive annual surveillance, and less than 2% of patients receive biannual surveillance. There are racial and socioeconomic disparities, with lower rates of hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance among African Americans and underinsured patients.
Jewish Laws of Speech: Toward Multicultural Rhetoric

Traditionally the study of rhetoric has been based on and delimited by Greek thought . This paper argues that this excludes multicultural conceptualizations of rhetoric and limits our understanding of symbol systems . Instead it is argued that the dee nition and scope ofrhetoric must be reeval uated in light of competing multicultural framings of discourse . Jewish rhetoric, unlike Greek rhetoric , sets forth an ethical as opposed to utilitarian approach to communication . This paper lays out a Jewish rhetoric as found in ancient texts , examines the implications of such an alternative conception of rhetoric , argues that these laws are a comprehensive philosophy and as such constitute a rhetorical theory , and proposes that this and other multicultural conceptions of rhetoric be included in modern curricula.
What Anthropology Can Contribute to the Construction of Nanotechnology Policy and Regulations

This paper arose from the primary author's participation on the Nanotechnology and Society panel hosted by John Stone and Amy Wolfe at the 2005 SfAA meetings in Santa Fe. The issues brought up by both panelists and audience served as a catalyst for further thought by the authors of the role that anthropology can play in the design of regulations for nanotechnology.
Void growth and swelling for cyclic pulsed radiation

Abstract The analysis of Ghoniem and Kulcinski of a single radiation pulse has been extended to include the effects of temperature oscillations and multiple pulses by coupling six simultaneous nonlinear ordinary differential equations for point defect concentrations and sink strengths with a heat equation governing radiation-produced temperature fluctuations. The pulsed irradiation considered is that of the 800 MeV proton beam at the Clinton P. Anderson Meson Physics Facility (LAMPF), and numerical calculations have been done for aluminum and molybdenum. The model material is assumed to have been irradiated to a specific microstructure, and the calculation is begun after the material has returned to thermal equilibrium conditions. Void growth is seen to proceed at a nearly linear rate after initial transients (caused by the assumption of initial thermal equilibrium) in both vacancy concentration and vacancy loop size and number density. The temperature pulses associated with cyclic rather than steady irradiation generally enhance void growth if the ambient temperature is below the material peak swelling temperature, and conversely decrease void growth when the ambient temperature is above peak swelling temperature. The exception seen occurs when the temperature pulse is great enough that thermal emission of vacancies, rather than radiation production, is dominant.
CALMODULIN IS UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED DURING CELL DIVISION IN LIVING STAMEN HAIR CELLS OF TRADESCANTIA VIRGINIANA

Because the activity of calmodulin (CaM) may be dependent upon its structural distribution, we have examined its spatial localization in living cells. We have focused on cell division and cell plate formation, where conventional immunofluorescence studies report that CaM is specifically associated with microtubules (MTs) of the spindle and the phragmoplast. In dividing stamen hair cells ofTradescantia virginiana that were injected with fluorescently labeled CaM and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), we found that the labeled protein is uniformly distributed throughout the cell and is not localized with the phragmoplast MTs or any other obvious structure. To explore why these images from live cells differ from those prepared by immunolabeling, we investigated the fate of CaM during fixation and compared it with the localization of fixable dextran and tubulin. The results show that fixation causes severe changes in cell morphology and in the distribution of CaM and dextran in three quarters of the cells. Conversely, injected rhodamine-tubulin did not show redistribution after fixation. We conclude that in the live cell, CaM is largely uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm, and secondly that conventional chemical fixation does not preserve CaM, and probably many other soluble proteins, in its in vivo distribution. The role postulated for CaM in mitosis, solely based on indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, has to be re-evaluated.
Abstract 4992: SPARC overexpression induces ER stress leading to autophagy-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor affecting children. Long-term survival for children (older than 18 months of age) with advanced disease is poor despite aggressive multimodal therapy. Normal cellular apoptosis is affected in multiple ways in a variety of diseases, including cancer. Our earlier studies showed that SPARC overexpression induced autophagy-mediated apoptosis in PNET cells. In the present study, we attempt to determine the signaling cascade associated with initiation of autophagy and apoptosis as a result of SPARC overexpression in combination with radiation. As demonstrated by TUNEL assay, neuroblastoma cells showed increased apoptosis with the combination treatment as compared to treatment with either SPARC or radiation alone. In corroboration, we also observed activation of caspase 3, and cleavage of PARP and Bid as determined by Western blotting. The combination treatment triggered endoplasimic reticulum (ER) stress and thereby an unfolded protein (UPR) response. This was apparent with the activation of stress receptors, pancreatic ER kinase (PERK) and inositol-requiring enzyme (IRE 1), as shown by western blotting. ER stress led to mitochondrial dysfunction through activation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2 α; another ER resident protein). In addition, we demonstrate that overexpression of SPARC induced IRE-JNK activation, leading to induction of the transcription factor CHOP. Inhibition of ER stress (or JNK activation) led to inhibition of autophagy-mediated apoptosis as demonstrated by decreased levels of LC3-II, and cleavage of caspase 3, PARP and Bid. Taken together, these results demonstrate the involvement of ER stress in regulating autophagy-mediated apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells treated with radiation and SPARC overexpression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4992. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4992
Solid-State 67Zn NMR Spectroscopy in Bioinorganic Chemistry. Spectra of Four- and Six-Coordinate Zinc Pyrazolylborate Complexes Obtained by Management of Proton Relaxation Rates with a Paramagnetic Dopant

Solid-state 67Zn NMR spectra of model compounds for metalloproteins, such as [H2B(3,5-Me2pz)2]2Zn (pz denotes pyrazolyl ring), have been obtained using low temperatures (10 K) to enhance the Boltzmann factor in combination with cross polarization (CP) from 1H to 67Zn. Attempts to observe spectra of other model compounds, such as [H2B(pz)2]2Zn, were hindered by long relaxation times of the protons. To decrease the proton relaxation times, the high-spin six-coordinate complex [HB(3,4,5-Me3pz)3]2Fe has been investigated as a dopant. NMR and EPR measurements have shown that this Fe(II) dopant effectively reduces the 1H spin lattice relaxation time, T1, of the zinc samples in the temperature range 5−10 K with minimal perturbations of the 1H spin lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame, T1ρ. Using this methodology, we have determined the 67Zn NMR parameters of four- and six-coordinate zinc(II) poly(pyrazolyl)borate complexes that are useful models for systems of biological importance. The 67Zn NMR paramet...
Large‐amplitude electrostatic waves associated with magnetic ramp substructure at Earth's bow shock

[1] We present Polar observations of high frequency (100 Hz ≤ f ≤ 4000 Hz) electrostatic (ES) waves at Earth's bow shock under extreme solar wind conditions. Although solitary waves are observed, the most prevalent structures in the magnetic ramp are coherent, large-amplitude (up to 80 mV/m) ES wave packets, which last 10-30 cycles, and propagate at varied obliquities relative to the magnetic field. The ES wave power is well correlated with maxima in the magnetic ramp substructure, suggesting that these maxima are important source regions. Detailed interferometric based analysis of waveforms show that they have wavelengths of a few hundred meters (e.g., ∼20λ D ∼ 0.5 ρe ) and phase speeds at the acoustic speed, suggesting that they are ion acoustic waves (IAW)s. The IAWs, having potentials ≤ 1V with no net change, are not likely to affect bulk plasma energization, though they may scatter the plasma and thus affect plasma thermalization.
Physiological factors associated with density-dependent seed germination in Boisduvalia glabella (Onagraceae)

Summary Seeds of Boisduvalia glabella germinate faster when in groups than when they are single. Enhancement of germination seems to be due to the greater moisture held by groups and to the secretion of one or more substances which act even after the seeds secreting them have been removed.
Palliative Uses of Methylphenidate in Patients With Cancer: A Review

PURPOSE: Cancer is, unfortunately, often a terminal disease. The goal of therapy for many patients with cancer is palliation of symptoms common at the end of life, including pain, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant most commonly used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In this report, we review the use of methylphenidate in the palliative care of patients with cancer. METHODS: This review was written on the basis of a computerized literature search of Medline. We considered all English language publications from 1966 to present using the following key words: methylphenidate, palliative care, and cancer. Forty-nine articles were identified as being relevant for this review. RESULTS: On the basis of this review, we came to the conclusion that methylphenidate is used to ameliorate opioid-induced somnolence, to augment the analgesic effects of opioids, to treat depression, and to improve cognitive function in patients with cancer. CONCLUSION: ...