cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combination simvastatin and metformin synergistically inhibits endometrial cancer cell growth.

Abstract Objective Recent data show that simvastatin (SIM) and metformin (MET) have anti-proliferative effects in endometrial cancer cells. The combination (MET+SIM) inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in prostate cancer cells which possess similar molecular alterations to many early endometrial cancers. We tested the hypothesis that the anti-proliferative effects of MET+SIM in endometrial cancer cells would be greater than the effects of each agent alone. Methods RL95-2, HEC1B, and Ishikawa endometrial cancer cell lines were treated with MET and/or SIM. Growth inhibition was measured by MTS cell proliferation assays. Apoptosis was evaluated by caspase-3, Annexin V, and TUNEL assays and by apoptosis markers (BAX, Bcl-2, Bim) using western blot. Bim was silenced using Bim siRNA to confirm this apoptotic pathway. Treatment effects on the mTOR pathway were investigated by western blot using antibodies to phosphorylated (phospho)-AMPK and phospho-S6. Results MET+SIM synergistically inhibited growth in all three cell lines. The combination induced apoptosis as measured by TUNEL, Annexin V, and caspase-3 assays. Bim siRNA transfection abrogated this effect—silencing Bim in MET+SIM-treated RL95-2 cells rescued cell viability in MTS assays and reduced caspase-3 activity compared with control siRNA-transfected cells. Combination treatment upregulated phosphorylated AMPK and downregulated downstream phosphorylated S6, suggesting mTOR inhibition as a mechanism for these anti-proliferative effects. Conclusions MET+SIM treatment synergistically inhibits endometrial cancer cell viability. This may be mediated by apoptosis and mTOR pathway inhibition. Our results provide preclinical evidence that the combination of these well-tolerated drugs may warrant further clinical investigation for endometrial cancer treatment.
Rule-Based System Development for Conceptual Aircraft Design

In the aerospace industry, there is a need for the development of a methodology that has cognitive ability in the design process in order to make the design more autonomous. Hence, in this study, a Rule-Based System (RBS) is developed for a commercial transport aircraft in the conceptual design process which is driven by the requirements. An important part of these requirements specifies constraints on the performance of the aircraft. For this study, these performance requirements are translated into design constraints using RBS. The goal of this cognitive system is to produce the feasible solution space which is then used to pick the best initial configuration of the aircraft. This approach to the design includes breaking the complex problems into subproblems which are less complex and manageable. The design knowledge is embedded in this logical decomposition at each level of abstraction. As each design subproblem is considered, decisions are made by the user concerning the selection of values for the design variables. Also, a decision is made at each level of the decomposition whether to decompose the current hierarchical structure of the design into lower levels or not. Throughout this system development, the design goals are matched to the action results in the logical decomposition. The necessary conditions - in other words, the design goals at each level in the design architecture are identified and checked whether they are met by the actions. If they do not satisfy the goals, new conditions are set as the new goals with the interactive user interface. This process is repeated until all the design requirements are met to find the solution space. This method is proved to provide a systematic way of acquiring design knowledge, which is used to guide the user throughout the design process.
Redefining Blood Pressure Assessment - The Role of the Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Study for Drug Safety

According to models developed from large epidemiological studies, mean increases in systolic blood pressure of 2-3 mmHg can increase the risk of cardiovascular (CV) adverse events, especially in patients with a high risk for CV disease. There are new regulatory recommendations for the use of a safety ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) study to assess the blood pressure (BP) effects of drugs used chronically. The ABPM study collects BP measurements over 24 hours at baseline and during treatment in patients with underlying CV risk. Our evaluation of ABPM studies submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows these studies can provide precise estimates of BP changes and lack a pronounced placebo response. With the assessment of BP effects in development programs, opportunities exist for developing quantitative safety models to predict CV risk, support dose selection, identify patients with increased BP response, and provide insight into underlying mechanisms.
The Impact of Total Hip Arthroplasty Surgical Approach on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Computer Adaptive Tests of Physical Function and Pain Interference.

Abstract Background The present study examines Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) scores for domains of physical function (PF) and pain interference (PI) in patients undergoing elective THA from either a direct anterior or posterior surgical approach. Methods A total of 1358 patients who underwent THA at our institution from 1/1/2015 to 12/1/2018 were identified. Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, PROMIS CAT PF and PI data were collected at the last preoperative visit as well as 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1-2 years postoperatively. Literature-derived minimum clinically important difference (MCID) for PROMIS CAT PF metric with regard to THA was used for data comparison. Results Four hundred nine patients were included in the final analysis. Fifty-one percent underwent a posterior approach, and 49% underwent a direct anterior approach. Both approaches led to a significant improvement in PROMIS CAT PF and PI scores. Patients undergoing a direct anterior approach had significantly higher preoperative and postoperative PROMIS CAT PF scores as well as significantly lower preoperative PROMIS CAT PI scores. Each approach yielded similar interval improvements of PROMIS CAT PF and PI. One hundred three direct anterior approach THA patients (51%) and 119 posterior approach THA patients (57.5%) achieved PROMIS PF MCID at 1- to 2-year follow-up. Conclusion Neither the direct anterior nor posterior THA surgical approach conferred an advantage to postoperative improvements of PROMIS CAT PF and PI scores. Adult reconstructive surgeons should continue to execute the direct anterior or posterior THA surgical approaches based upon personal preference. Despite surgeon confidence in THA, the potential for further innovation exists given the number of THA patients who failed to achieve PROMIS PF MCID.
Sensor-Aided Learning for Wi-Fi Positioning with Beacon Channel State Information.

Because each indoor site has its own radio propagation characteristics, a site survey process is essential to optimize a Wi-Fi ranging strategy for range-based positioning solutions. This paper studies an unsupervised learning technique that autonomously investigates the characteristics of the surrounding environment using sensor data accumulated while users use a positioning application. Using the collected sensor data, the device trajectory can be regenerated, and a Wi-Fi ranging module is trained to make the shape of the estimated trajectory using Wi-Fi similar to that obtained from sensors. In this process, the ranging module learns the way to identify the channel conditions from each Wi-Fi access point (AP) and produce ranging results accordingly. Furthermore, we collect the channel state information (CSI) from beacon frames and evaluate the benefit of using CSI in addition to received signal strength (RSS) measurements. When CSI is available, the ranging module can identify more diverse channel conditions from each AP, and thus more precise positioning results can be achieved. The effectiveness of the proposed learning technique is verified using a real-time positioning application implemented on a PC platform.
Developing and implementing a targeted health-focused climate communications campaign in Ontario-#MakeItBetter.

Public health practitioners are called to effectively communicate with the public on climate change. The climate crisis requires swift action that starts with public awareness of climate-related health impacts and leads to public support for individual, community and systemic actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change. This paper discusses learnings about public opinion research and communication strategies and how a health-focused climate communication campaign—#MakeItBetter—could help to increase awareness and engage new audiences, including public health partners, in conversations about climate change in order to reduce climate-related health impacts for current and future generations. The #MakeItBetter campaign was grounded in evidence-informed messaging, being sensitive to health inequities. Emerging research and pre-campaign testing suggest that framing climate change as a health issue is a promising practice. The #MakeItBetter campaign appeals to parents/caregivers to learn more about climate-related health impacts, take protective action for children and support multi-level climate action. The campaign launch secured 89 news stories, including multicultural media coverage. Longer-term evaluation is required to determine the campaign’s effectiveness in building public support for climate action. An innovative approach to climate communication that draws on the intersections between behavioural and climate sciences and engages in multi-sectoral collaboration can spur both climate action and health protection, aiding public health practitioners and partners in effectively communicating the urgency for climate action. More work is needed to support communication on climate change as an inequity multiplier and promote climate action and community resilience for health equity co-benefits.
Characteristics and Outcomes in Head and Neck Sarcomatoid Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Cleveland Clinic Experience.

Objectives:To analyze characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.Study Design:Retrospective chart review.Setting:Tertiar...
Cleaning the grid

Wind and solar power plants emit no air pollution while operating, but how effectively do they lower overall emissions from the electric grid? New research traces wind and solar impacts through the grid, even across regional boundaries.
The Misperception of Orientation in Depth When Processing Multiple Pictures With Linear Perspective Cues.

The leaning tower illusion suggests that combining perspective cues across multiple images can affect the perceived orientation of objects in space. We measured the accuracy of orientation percepti...
A Service-Learning Project: Linking an Art Museum, Honors Students, and the Visual Arts

This article focuses on the structure, challenges, and outcomes of a service-learning project experimented by an art historian in an innovative special topics course Museum Experience, cross-listed with an Honors art appreciation course. The discussion includes: creating a new course content planned according to a multidisciplinary perspective uniting elements of art appreciation, museum studies and art history research methodologies; planning a mutual dialogue of theory and practice by structuring a partnership with the art museum and graphic design in a service-learning project, consisting in both essay and layout of an exhibition catalogue. The syllabus structure is fully explained, as well as timeline challenges and how they have been won by enhancing the design component of the project. Finally, the students’ reception of the course activities, timeline challenges, and innovations through qualitative data coming from an end-of-Semester questionnaire will be discussed as well.
Myosin dilated cardiomyopathy mutation S532P disrupts actomyosin interactions, leading to altered muscle kinetics, reduced locomotion, and cardiac dilation in Drosophila

We explored the mechanism of human myosin–induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using the Drosophila melanogaster model system. We discovered that the S532P myosin DCM mutation reduces the actin-dep...
Effect of type 2 diabetes on bone cell behavior

Abstract The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly growing due to increased obesity resulting from changing lifestyles. Thus, T2D has become a major health concern worldwide. Furthermore, the risk of osteoporotic bone fractures is increased in diabetic patients, and bone fragility has been recently recognized as a major diabetic complication. Because the fracture risk is independent of any change in bone mineral density, it is likely that the deterioration of bone tissue quality is one key cause of bone fragility. Bone metabolism is influenced by several diabetes-associated factors such as hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and formation of advanced glycation end products that impair the function of bone cells and results in deteriorated bone quality. Together, these factors provide a plausible explanation for the elevated fracture risk in T2D patients. This chapter provides a review highlighting the importance of bone quality, function of bone cells, bone remodeling process, and how cell behavior is affected in a T2D environment.
On Level Curves of Value Functions in Optimization Models of Expected Utility

We study the level sets of value functions in expected utility stochastic optimization models. We consider optimal portfolio management models in complete markets with lognormally distributed prices as well as asset prices modeled as diffusion processes with nonlinear dynamics. Besides the complete market cases, we analyze models in markets with frictions like correlated nontraded assets and diffusion stochastic volatilities. We derive, for all the above models, equations that their level curves solve and we relate their evolution to power transformations of derivative prices. We also study models with proportional transaction costs in a finite horizon setting and we derive their level curve equation; the latter turns out to be a Variational Inequality with mixed gradient and obstacle constraints.
Towards an Indigenous Environmental Sociology

Indigenous peoples have long held intimate relationships with the species and places often called ‘nature.’ Across our present location in North America, Indigenous land management practices shaped ecological systems at the same time as they organized social, political, spiritual and epistemological systems. Although highly varied, Indigenous ethical systems and understandings of society center relationships with and responsibilities to both human and ‘more than human’ relatives (e.g., Coulthard, 2014; Grande, 2004; Whyte, 2013). Despite longstanding and general public awareness that Indigenous ecologies, epistemologies, values and social arrangements look quite different from those in so-called western societies, the potential for an Indigenous environmental sociology is only recently taking hold. Indigenous perspectives on society, nature, state power, health, justice and more hold the potential to powerfully reframe conversations integral to environmental sociology. Indigenous perspectives on environmental justice expand understanding of the origins of the environmental and environmental justice movements, whether the state is conceived as a potential ally or explicit foe, and especially the desired goals and outcomes of social action. Taken together, Indigenous scholars and voices from Indigenous communities point to a deep reframing of “the other worlds that are possible” beyond either capitalism or colonialism (Fenelon & Hall, 2008; Grey & Patel, 2015; Norgaard, 2019; Simpson, 2017; Whyte, 2015).
SmartIDS: A Comparative Study of Intelligent Intrusion Detection Systems for Internet of Things

Traditional intrusion detection systems (IDSs) are not scalable and efficient in detecting intrusions in IoT systems; hence, protecting them against cyber-attacks. The need to secure the Internet of Things (IoT) platforms deployable at a large scale to build smart systems gave rise to a new class of intelligent and scalable IDSs. Intelligent IDSs, which employ machine-learning (ML) or deep learning (DL) methods, have shown promising results in detecting intrusions with high accuracy and better detection rates than traditional IDSs that suffer from scalability, low detection rates, and inefficiency issues. This paper presents a comparative analysis of a selected set of intelligent IDSs using the Microsoft Azure ML Studio (AML-S) platform and datasets containing malicious and benign IoT network traffic.
Immunochemical comparison of human placental lactogen and placental proteins from other species

Abstract A study of placental proteins from species other than man was undertaken as a possible aid in elucidating the role of HPL in man. Placental proteins from term placentas of the rhesus monkeys, rat, dog, pig, horse, sheep, rabbit, and cow were extracted by the same method, and chromatographic separation performed in the same manner as for HPL. Antiserum against HPL was produced in the rabbit and a modification of hemagglutination-inhibition was used to determine the degree of cross-reactivity with HPL in each chromatographic fraction, as related to the concentration of protein. The primary activity was found to occur in the third fraction from the G-100 Sephadex eluate in each species. The order of relationship to the human placental protein, as determined by immunologic reactivity, is as stated above. These results suggest a structural similarity, thus inferring a functional similarity between the placental proteins of the different species studied.
Smoothing of time-optimal feedrates for cartesian CNC machines

Minimum-time traversal of curved paths by Cartesian CNC machines, subject to prescribed bounds on the magnitude of acceleration along each axis, usually involves a “bang-bang” control strategy in which the acceleration bound is realized by one or another of the machine axes at each instant during the motion. For a path specified by a polynomial parametric curve and prescribed acceleration bounds, the time-optimal feedrate may be expressed in terms of a C0 piecewise-rational function of the curve parameter. This function entails sudden changes in either the identity of the limiting axis, or the sign of acceleration on a single limiting axis, incurring demands for instantaneous changes of motor torque that may not be physically realizable. A scheme is proposed herein to generate smoothed C1 (slightly sub-optimal) feedrate functions, that incur only finite rates of change of motor torque and remain consistent with the axis acceleration bounds. An implementation on a 3-axis CNC mill driven by an open-architecture software controller is used to illustrate this scheme.
Factors related to technology implementation of K-12 principals and teachers.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between principals' leadership styles and principals'/teachers' implementation of technology. The Leadership Effectiveness and Adaptability Description (LEAD) Self was used to identify the primary and secondary leadership styles of principals. The Level of Technology Implementation (LoTi) Questionnaire was used to identify the level of technology implementation (LoTi), personal computer use (PCU) and current instructional practice (CIP) scores for both teachers and principals. Data collected from 390 K-12 teachers and 22 principals of three large suburban districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex was included in data analysis. The findings suggest that differing leadership styles do play a role in the LoTi, PCU, and CIP scores among teachers. Based on descriptive statistics it was determined that teachers with "participating" principals had higher mean LoTi and PCU scores than those with "telling" and "selling" principals. The difference in the mean PCU scores was statistically significant (p<.05) for teachers with "selling" and "participating" principals. Results also showed there was a statistical significance (p<.05) in the mean PCU and CIP scores of teachers working for principals with weak and high adaptability. Due to the low number of principals participating in this study, there is a need to conduct the same research using a larger more diverse sample of principals. The majority of principals in this study had either a primary leadership style of "participating" and a secondary leadership style of "selling" or vice versa. A larger population of principals would hopefully allow for the study of additional leadership styles and their effect on teacher use and implementation of technology.
The Effect of Age on Criminal Processing: Is There an Advantage in Being ‘Older’?

Abstract This article uses data on the prefile diversion review of 5,715 drug offenders to explore the effect of age on criminal processing outcomes. Specifically, the study asks whether older offenders were treated more leniently than younger offenders and to what extent any age-based preferential treatment extended to race/ethnic minorities. Hypotheses on the treatment of younger and older offenders generally and for racial/ethnic groups are tested. The results for the entire sample indicate a positive effect which begins at about age 52. Moreover, there is an elderly effect for whites and Native Americans, but not for blacks and Hispanics. These results introduce a significant caveat in the ubiquitous precept that all older offenders are treated more leniently in criminal processing. They support previous policy questions regarding how much racial/ethnic minority offenders benefit from generally accepted preferential treatment for the older offender. The issues which arise from the preferential treatme...
The friends that game together: A folkloric expansion of textual poaching to genre farming for socialization in tabletop role-playing games

Tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) are a folkloric form for creating and reaffirming community bonds and performing identity. Gaming is used to communicate and perform cultural capital and identity through fictional narratives, functioning as a form of community building and/or personal expression. With quotations from ethnographic research over the course of 2 years, including interviews with several groups of gamers and participant observation, I examine the ways that players create and affirm social bonds. I return to Michel De Certeau's idea of textual poaching, as adapted by Henry Jenkins, to contrast with it a new concept of genre farming. As both platform for and object of genre farming, RPGs allow players to display cultural competence, create and reaffirm social ties, and seek entertainment in a collaborative fashion.
Regulation and mechanisms of mammalian gene amplification.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the possible genetic abnormalities that lie in the basis of regulation of amplification and in the nature of the primary events. The regulation of amplification has two different aspects: permissivity and probability. An important primary event in amplification begins with recombination at or near telomeres to generate dicentric sister chromatids. The expression of proteins involved in the amplification process can be induced transiently or stably and provide the basis of efforts to identify the proteins. Normal human or rodent cell strains failed to give resistant colonies containing amplified DNA when selected with cytotoxic drugs that readily select such colonies from immortal cell lines. Mammalian cells respond to DNA damage or arrest of DNA synthesis in several ways, including transient inhibition of cell growth and induction of gene amplification. Different mechanisms may be responsible for amplification of different genes in the same cell or of the same gene in different cells. The primary mechanisms of amplifications includes unequal sister chromatid exchange, telomeric fusions and bridge-breakage-fusion cycles, centromere recombination, and the chromosome breakage-acentric element model.
ABORTIVE INFECTION OF CANINE CELLS BY HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS. II. ALTERNATIVE SUPPRESSION OF SYNTHESIS OF INTERFERON AND VIRAL CONSTITUENTS.

Abortive infection of dog-kidney cells with herpes simplex virus strain MPdk− yields viral DNA and antigen, and interferon, a host response to infection (Aurelian & Roizman, 1964). In the present paper it is shown that the production of viral constituents and interferon are alternatively suppressed; viral constituents are synthesized in cells infected at multiplicities of 100 or more plaque-forming units/cell, whereas peak interferon production takes place in dog-kidney cells infected with 10 plaque-forming units/cell. Productive infection of dog-kidney cells with host-range mutant MPdk+sp (Roizman & Aurelian, 1965) yields infectious progeny but no interferon. The basis for the suppression of interferon synthesis in MPdk−-infected dog-kidney cells producing viral constituents became apparent from studies of cellular RNA synthesis following abortive infection with MPdk− and productive infection with MPdk+sp. Thus, at multiplicities of 12 MPdk+sp plaque-forming units per dog-kidney cell, RNA synthesis rapidly decreases. In cells infected at similar multiplicities with MPdk−, the decrease in RNA synthesis is delayed until 5·5 hours after infection. At high multiplicities of infection, the pattern of RNA synthesis approaches that seen in cells infected with MPdk+sp. It is concluded, therefore, that at high multiplicities of infection, rapid decrease in host macromolecular metabolism precludes interferon synthesis; at low multiplicities, the host responds to the presence of foreign matter before the macro-molecular metabolism is altered by the virus.
[18]Mammalian RNA Editing

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the concept of mammalian RNA editing. It discusses methods for the characterization of Apolipoprotein B ( apoB) mRNA editing. ApoB mRNA editing occurs in the small intestine in all mammals that have been examined. In the liver of most mammals, including humans, apoB mRNA remains unedited. However, in a few species, notably rats and mice, editing also occurs in the liver. A sequence-specific hydrolytic deamination of cytidine-6666 appears to mediate the editing reaction. Editing requires a multiprotein component complex called an “editosome.” A catalytic component of the editing machinery has been cloned. This component has been named “apobec-1.” In characterizing apoB mRNA editing, two major questions need to be addressed: (1) within a sample of RNA (with apoB mRNA as one of its components), what proportion of the apoB mRNA is in the edited form, and (2) what is the editing activity in a particular sample (of tissue extract or cloned editing components expressed in vitro ). The experimental approaches used to answer these questions are described in the chapter. It describes the assays for measuring the degree of editing in RNA sample and in vitro assays for Apolipoprotein B mRNA editing activity.
Immediate and delayed effects of interest cues and engagement cues on students' affective learning

This experiment tested the effects of teacher immediacy, use of organizational lecture cues, and stuaent notetaking on students’ affective learning both immediately and one week after viewing an experimentally manipulated lecture. Results of the experiment suggested that teacher immediacy had the greatest effect on student affect and that this effect was stable over time. Additionally, an interaction was detected where students viewing the lectures with high immediacy but without organizational cues had sharper declines in affect than students viewing the high immediacy/with cues lectures.
Pegylation of a Chlorine6 Polymer Conjugate Increases Tumor Targeting of Photosensitizer

Photodynamic therapy is emerging as a viable modality for the treatment of many cancers. A limiting factor in its use against intracavity tumors such as disseminated ovarian cancer is insufficient selectivity of the photosensitizer for tumor compared with normal tissue. We report on an approach to improve tumor targeting by exploiting differences between cell types and by chemical modification of a photosensitizer conjugate. Attachment of polyethylene glycol (pegylation) to a polyacetylated conjugate between poly-l-lysine and chlorin(e6) increased the relative phototoxicity in vitro toward an ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR-5) while reducing it toward a macrophage cell line (J774), compared with the nonpegylated conjugate. Surprisingly, the increased phototoxicity of the pegylated conjugate correlated with reduced oxygen consumption. Pegylation also reduced the tendency of the conjugate to aggregate and reduced the consumption of oxygen when the conjugates were illuminated in solution in serum containing medium, suggesting a switch in photochemical mechanism from type II (singlet oxygen) to type I (radicals or electron transfer). Pegylation led to more mitochondrial localization as shown by confocal fluorescence microscopy in OVCAR-5 cells, and, on illumination, produced a switch in cell death mechanism toward apoptosis not seen with J774 cells. Conjugates were injected i.p. into nude mice bearing i.p. OVCAR-5 tumors, and the pegylated conjugate gave higher amounts of photosensitizer in tumor and higher tumor:normal tissue ratios and increased the depth to which the chlorin(e6) penetrated into the peritoneal wall. Taken together, these results suggest that pegylation of a polymer-photosensitizer conjugate improves tumor-targeting and may increase the efficacy of photodynamic therapy for ovarian cancer.
Ontological Enrichment of the Genes-to-Systems Breast Cancer Database

Breast cancer research need the development of specific and suitable tools to appropriately manage biomolecular knowledge. The presented work deals with the integrative storage of breast cancer related biological data, in order to promote a system biology approach to this network disease. To increase data standardization and resource integration, annotations maintained in Genes-to-Systems Breast Cancer (G2SBC) database are associated to ontological terms, which provide a hierarchical structure to organize data enabling more effective queries, statistical analysis and semantic web searching. Exploited ontologies, which cover all levels of the molecular environment, from genes to systems, are among the most known and widely used bioinformatics resources. In G2SBC database ontology terms both provide a semantic layer to improve data storage, accessibility and analysis and represent a user friendly instrument to identify relations among biological components.
Age Discrimination Research Is Alive and Well, Even If It Doesn't Live Where You'd Expect

We agree with Ruggs and colleagues (2013) that age discrimination has been studied less in industrial and organizational (I–O) psychology in comparison to gender and race. We can, in fact, recall a number of articles on either age discrimination or age diversity that state that very fact in their introductory paragraphs. Age was for many years relegated to demographic control variable status. However, there has been an increase in research attention in I–O to age discrimination and diversity issues in the last couple of decades, even if it doesn't happen to appear with much regularity in the specific selection of reputable journals highlighted in this focal piece.
User generated content consumption and social networking in knowledge-sharing OSNs

Knowledge-sharing online social networks are becoming increasingly pervasive and popular. While the user-to-user interactions in these networks have received substantial attention, the consumption of user generated content has not been studied extensively. In this work, we use data gathered from digg.com to present novel findings and draw important sociological conclusions regarding the intimate relationship between consumption and social networking. We first demonstrate that individuals' consumption habits influence their friend networks, consistent with the concept of homophily. We then show that one's social network can also influence the consumption of a submission through the activation of an extended friend network. Finally, we investigate the level of reciprocity, or balance, in the network and uncover relationships that are significantly less balanced than expected.
[Comment on “Sensitivity of the global climate system to initial conditions” by A. A. Tsonis] Autoagressive models not sensitive to initial conditions

A well-known approach to studying the impact of greenhouse gases on climate is computer-simulated general circulation models (GCMs) that integrate current understanding of the various factors influencing climate through a comprehensive mathematical model. In such models, for example, one can input hypothetical CO2 levels for the next 100 years and examine their effect on temperature. There is much current debate over the degree of validity that can be attributed to the output from a GCM since our understanding of the input factors that affect climate is far from perfect.
In vivo sodium MR imaging of the intervertebral disk at 4 T.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives The authors performed this study to evaluate whether a semiquantitative method of in vivo sodium imaging of the human intervertebral disk could provide diagnostic quality images in a reasonable time. Materials and Methods In vivo sodium imaging of the human spine was performed with a 4-T whole-body magnetic resonance (MR) unit by using custom-built hardware and software. Short-echo-time images were obtained with a modified three-dimensional gradient-echo sequence, a custom-built surface coil, and receiver modifications to allow for nonproton data acquisition. Corrections for surface coil image intensity were performed with phantom image data. An estimation of the fixed charge density within the intervertebral disk was made with the surface coil–corrected images by using cerebrospinal fluid as an internal reference standard. Results In vivo sodium images of the spine with high signal-to-noise ratio and resolution were obtained in approximately 10 minutes. Correction of in vivo images for surface coil effects demonstrated that the sodium content of the cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal canal may be used as an internal standard to estimate the proteoglycan content of the intervertebral disk. Conclusion Diagnostic quality in vivo sodium images of the intervertebral disk are technically feasible and may be useful for assessing the proteoglycan content of the intervertebral disk. This would provide a method to detect early degenerative changes in the disk and evaluate the effects of any subsequent therapy.
Structural biomechanics modulate intramuscular distribution of locally delivered drugs.

Abstract As local drug delivery continues to emerge as a clinical force, so does understanding of its potentially narrow therapeutic window. Classic molecular transport studies are of value but do not typically account for the local nature of drug transport or the effects of regional dynamic function in target tissues like muscle that may undergo cyclical and variable mechanical motion and loading. We examined the impact of dynamic architecture on intramuscular drug distribution. We designed a tissue mounting technique and mechanical loading system that uniquely enables pharmacokinetics investigations in association with control of muscle biomechanics while preserving physiologic tissue architecture. The system was validated and used to elucidate the influence of architecture and controlled cyclic strain on intramuscular drug distribution. Rat soleus muscles underwent controlled deformations within a drug delivery chamber that preserved in vivo physiology. Penetration of 1 mM 20 kDa FITC-dextran at planar surfaces of the soleus axial cross-section increased significantly from 0.52±0.09 mm under 80 min of static (0%) strain to 0.81±0.09 mm under cyclic (3 Hz, 0–20% peak-to-peak) strain, demonstrating the driving effect of cyclic loading on transport. Penetration at curved margins was 1.57- and 2.53-fold greater than at planar surfaces under static and cyclic strain, respectively, and was enhanced 1.6-fold more by cyclic strain, revealing architecturally dictated spatial heterogeneity in transport and modulation of motion dynamics. Architectural geometry and dynamics modulate the impact of mechanical loading on local drug penetration and intramuscular distribution. Future work will use the biomechanical test system to investigate mechanisms underlying transport effects of specific loading regimens. It is hoped that this work will initiate a broader understanding of intramuscular pharmacokinetics and guide local drug delivery strategies.
Redox Regulation, NF-κB, and Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically encountered abnormal heart beat. It is associated with an increased risk of stroke and symptoms of heart failure. Current therapies a...
COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATIVE DECISION MAKING: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Traditional models of participative decision making neglect the role subordinates play in establishing a participative environment. In this study, participative decision making is viewed as a social phenomenon defined through interaction between superiors and subordinates. Data obtained from 264 employees of a large social service organization were used to test hypotheses predicting positive associations between participation and superior-subordinate communication behavior. The results provide support for the contention that, for subordinates, participation in decision making is associated strongly with the quantity and quality of communication they experience with their superior. Considering the impact of superior-subordinate communication in the establishment of participative decision making may aid in understanding what preconditions are necessary before such arrangements can become successful.
Hierarchical Bayesian sparse source separation of hyperspectral signals

We consider the separation of signals having a simplex constraint based on observations of noisy data using a fully Bayesian result. A joint density for the abundances (the simplex-constrained signal) is established. To specifically allow for the abundances to be sparse, this joint density is endowed with a parameter which is parameterized to encourage sparseness, unlike related previous work which did not specifically impose the sparsity assumption. Overall, a Gibbs sampling framework is established from which all parameters can be learned. A Metropolis sampling framework is developed for the abundances (mixture coefficients) which explicitly and efficiently represents the sparseness. For the parameter of the Dirichlet distribution governing sparseness, the posterior is shown to be closely approximated by a Gamma. Thus the entire set of parameters can be efficiently learned by sampling.
Standardized Trauma Admission Orders, a pilot project

The Standardized Trauma Admission Orders (STAOs) were developed in collaboration with the trauma team. Data supporting the development of the STAOs consisted of a retrospective chart review (group 1, n=30) and a user satisfaction survey before the implementation of STAOs. A user satisfaction survey was administered before and after the STAOs were implemented. Both surveys showed a positive response to using the STAOs. STAOs were implemented in a surgical-trauma intensive care unit to reduce in-patient admission laboratory charges, the frequency of missed admission orders, and physician ordering variability. The difference between group 1 and group 2 (n=30, STAOs) in-patient admission laboratory charges was significant. There was a $345 per patient reduction in the mean score between group 1 and group 2. Of the selected orders reviewed, completeness of orders was significantly improved in 5 of 21 orders. Survey results show that 11 (79%) of the staff surveyed were in favor of using the STAOs. The majority agreed that in-patient admission orders needs were being met. The STAOs are still being used in the surgical-trauma intensive care unit with some minor changes. Efforts are being directed toward the development of standardized admission orders for the neurosurgical intensive care unit and the trauma floor.
A Toolbox for Tripod Design, Simulation, and Monitoring

The paper presents a concept and implementation of a toolbox for the design and application of the tripod-based parallel kinematic machines (PKMs). The toolbox is a suite of design tools to support the users from the conceptual design to the actual application of the tripod-based PKMs. These design tools have been individually developed in different languages and they are integrated seamlessly using a Java-based platform. Users can access all of the design tools through a user-friendly graphical interface. It is the first computer-aided design system specially developed for tripod-based PKMs. The toolbox includes some implementations of our innovative methodologies, such as a forward kinematics solver, the concept of joint workspace analysis, on-line monitoring based on forward kinematics, and the concept of motion purity analysis. The paper gives an overview on the toolbox architecture, GUI, and some key technologies.Copyright © 2005 by National Research Council of Canada
Demographic change and shifting views about marine resources and the coastal environment in Downeast Maine

Connections to the sea often define the character of coastal towns. However, as migrants arrive and economic diversification occurs, views about the use of marine resources and the ocean environment can change. Using survey data from Maine, we examined whether shifting demographics affect public perceptions of marine resource uses and coastal environmental concerns. We tested resource use and environmental items against a common set of demographic, background, and place-related variables. Results indicate that the level of education and the county of residence predict Mainers’ views about different marine resource uses and ocean-related environmental issues. Political party affiliation strongly influences environmental concern but not views about the use of marine resources. Migration history, on the other hand, has little effect. Understanding community contexts as well as individual background and ideological orientations will be critical as managers attempt to balance alternative uses of marine resources and resolve coastal environmental problems.
Saturated Root Locus: Theory and Application

Abstract This paper extends the standard root locus technique to systems with saturating actuators. This is accomplished by introducing the notion of S-poles, which are the poles of the quasilinear system obtained by applying the method of stochastic linearization to the system with saturation. The path traced by the S-poles on the complex plane when the gain of the controller changes from 0 to ∞ is the S-root locus. We show that the S-root locus is a subset of the standard root locus, which may terminate prematurely at the so-called termination points. A method for calculating these points is presented. In addition, the issue of amplitude truncation in terms of the S-root locus is investigated. Finally, an application of the S-root locus to hard disk drive controller design is presented, and it is shown that this simple technique results in a controller that compares favorably with those designed using more sophisticated approaches.
Genomic Deletions Created upon LINE-1 Retrotransposition

LINE-1 (L1) retrotransposition continues to impact the human genome, yet little is known about how L1 integrates into DNA. Here, we developed a plasmid-based rescue system and have used it to recover 37 new L1 retrotransposition events from cultured human cells. Sequencing of the insertions revealed the usual L1 structural hallmarks; however, in four instances, retrotransposition generated large target site deletions. Remarkably, three of those resulted in the formation of chimeric L1s, containing the 5' end of an endogenous L1 fused precisely to our engineered L1. Thus, our data demonstrate multiple pathways for L1 integration in cultured cells, and show that L1 is not simply an insertional mutagen, but that its retrotransposition can result in significant deletions of genomic sequence.
A theoretical study of cis-trans photoisomerization in the bis(glycinato)platinum(II) complex

Abstract The cis→trans photoisomerization of the bis glycinato complex of PtII is examined on the basis of a semi-empirical molecular orbital model. It had previously been suggested by Balzani and co-workers that the reaction coordinate for this irreversible, photoisomerization process was a torsional twist of the glycine ligands about an axis that would transform the cis isomer into the trans isomer. The electronic wave functions and energies of Pt(gly)2 are computed for various geometries generated by this torsional twist operation. Two minima in the total electronic energy of the ground state are found. These are at ϕ (twist angle) = O° (cis) and ϕ=180° (trans), and E (cis) ⩾ E (trans). A single maximum is found at ϕ=90°. The lowest ecxited electronic state appears to have two minima, one between ϕ=80° and 90°, and the other between ρ=90° and 100°. The minimum on the trans side of 90° (i.e., ϕ>90°) is deeper than the one on the cis side. The calculated results indicate that the lowest ecxited electronic state in its ground vibrational level will overlap the upper levels of the vibronic manifold of the trans ground state, whereas overlap with vibronic levels of the cis ground state is zero or nearly so. The implications of these results with respect to the mechanism and quantum yield of the photoisomerization reaction are discussed, and it is concluded that Balzani's original hypothesis is supported by our semi-quantitative theoretical study.
Ovarian Estrogen Receptor-β (ERβ) Regulation: I. Changes in ERβ Messenger RNA Expression Prior to Ovulation in the Ewe

Ovarian growth and development are critically dependent upon the influence of endogenous estrogens, and both are highly regulated during the reproductive cycle. The observation that estrogen-receptor-alpha-deficient mice still exhibit follicular growth and development, together with other evidence, suggests that responsiveness of the ovary to estradiol occurs predominantly through the second estrogen receptor, ERbeta. We characterized the physiological regulation of ERbeta expression in ovarian follicles during the follicular phase of sheep that were synchronized for estrus during the breeding season with intravaginal progesterone implants (controlled internal drug release [CIDR] device; InterAg, Hamilton, New Zealand). Ovaries were removed at times corresponding to the early (EF) and late follicular phases (LF) of the ovine estrous cycle (12 h [n = 5] and 32 h [n = 5] after CIDR device removal, respectively). Sections of ovary were then hybridized with a cRNA probe corresponding to the 5' region of ovine ERbeta. ERbeta mRNA expression within the granulosa layer of different size follicles (size classes: 5 mm) was quantified. ERbeta mRNA expression varied both with follicle size (P 5-mm follicles. By contrast, expression of ERbeta mRNA in the 3.1- to 4.0-mm follicles of LF group was significantly higher than in the 5-mm size levels as in the EF group. Furthermore, expression of ERbeta mRNA in 5-mm follicle is suggestive of a down-regulation by the local estrogen milieu.