cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ground vehicle doppler geolocation

This paper reports on the performance of a recently developed particle filter technique to locate a stationary push-to-talk (PTT) radio using the Doppler-shifted signal as observed by a single moving ground vehicle. The primary difficulty for single-sensor Doppler-based localization is that the solution is strongly dependent on the target's unknown original carrier frequency. This uncertainty allows many possible location estimates to correspond with the observations. Furthermore, the PTT carrier is observed to drift significantly over short time periods. This creates a dynamic, multimodal objective function and motivates the application of the particle filter solution. The technique's performance is demonstrated on real data collected by a slow-moving (10–40 mph) ground vehicle over a relatively short 0.5 km range. The location accuracies achieved are compared to the theoretical frequency of arrival (FOA) Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) and with the more common two sensor frequency difference of arrival (FDOA) solution.
Empiricism in business ethics: Suggested research directions

This paper considers future directions of empirical research in business ethics and presents a series of recommendations. Greater emphasis should be placed on the normative basis of empirical studies, behavior (rather than attitudes) should be established as the key dependent variable, theoretical models of ethical decision making should be tested, and empirical studies need to focus on theory-building. Extensions of methodology and the unit of analysis are proposed together with recommendations concerning the need for replication and validity, and building links to managerial and public policy applications.
Global patterns in overweight among children and mothers in less developed countries

Objective Past research has identified increases in national income and urbanization as key drivers of the global obesity epidemic. That work further identified educational attainment and urban residence as important moderators of the effects of national income. However, such work has tended to assume that children and adults respond in the same way to these factors. In the present paper, we evaluate how the socio-economic and country-level factors associated with obesity differ between children and their mothers. Design We modelled the associations between maternal education, country-level income and urban residence with mother's and children's weight status. Setting We analysed ninety-five nationally representative health and nutrition surveys conducted between 1990 and 2008 from thirty-three less developed countries. Subjects Our sample included children aged 2-4 years (n 253 442) and their mothers (n 228 655). Results Consistent with prior research, we found that mothers' risk of overweight was positively associated with economic development, urban residence and maternal education. Additionally, economic development was associated with steeper increases in mothers' risk of overweight among those with low (v. high) levels of education and among those living in rural (v. urban) areas. However, these associations were different for children. Child overweight was not associated with maternal education and urban residence, and negatively associated with national income. Conclusions We speculate that the distinctive patterns for children may arise from conditions in low- and middle-income developing countries that increase the risk of child underweight and poor nutrition.
Extended presence of antide (Nal-Lys GnRH antagonist) in circulation: prolonged duration of gonadotropin inhibition may derive from antide binding to serum proteins.

Previous data from this laboratory revealed a rapid (-12h) and unexpectedly long (-30 days) inhibition of pituitary gonadotropin secretion after a single injection of Antide (Nal-Lys GnRH antagonist) in ovariectomized (OVX) monkeys. Although the apparent mechanism of action of Antide is competitive occupancy of GnRH receptors, the etiology of the prolonged action is unknown. Here, we report development of a radioreceptor assay to measure circulating Antide levels to determine the mechanism(s) of its long duration of action. Five long-term OVX monkeys were injected with Antide (3.0 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected daily for 30 days, and thereafter on alternate days until day 60. Following sc or iv Antide injection, peripheral luteinizing hormone (LH) levels declined from 281 ± 19 ng/ml to 29 ± 3 ng/ml within one day (P < 0.05). LH levels slowly recovered to pretreatment levels within 3 5 ± 7 days. Peripheral Antide levels were 16,531 ± 4,432 ng/ml within 15 minutes following iv injection, and 52 ± 21 n...
Some Controls Control Too Much

Investigators of complex phenomena often seek to isolate variables of interest by statistical control. However, they run the risk of studying situations that do not exist in the real world, missing mediational links, and drawing incorrect policy conclusions. In the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Early Child Care Research Network article in this issue, amount of time in child care was studied controlling for family income and maternal depression. However, use of child care is closely linked with maternal employment, which increases family income and decreases maternal depression, which in turn are linked to children's socioemotional adjustment. Hence, the negative effects of amount of time in child care reported in the article are likely overestimated relative to causal pathways in the lives of real families.
Measurement and analysis of horn antennas with integrated high impedance surfaces

Rectangular horn antennas with integrated Sieven-piper high-impedance surfaces are presented. This high-impedance surface approximates a magnetic conductor, allowing TEM propagation within its stopband. This enables the horn antennas to operate at frequencies that would otherwise be below the TE 1,0 cutoff frequency. Because the unit cell of a Sieven-piper high-impedance can be arbitrarily small, such an antenna can be reduced in volume arbitrarily. Four antennas in two geometries with metal and high-impedance sidewalls are designed, measured, and compared.
Monitoring of ozone in air by the peroxy-isocyanate method.

A brief review of the analytical methotis for the analysis of ozone in air leads to the opinion that present methods are not completely adequate. The possible use of a new technique employing the reaction between peroxy compounds and aromatic iso-cyanates is investigated and the preliminary results indicated this approach might have advantages over present methods. However, further field testing is necessary to document the practicality of this technique.
Monolithically integrated refractive microlens standing perpendicular to the substrate

We report the first fabrication of a spherical microlens monolithically integrated on a surface- micromachined supporting plate standing perpendicular to the substrate. The focusing and collimating abilities of the lens are successfully demonstrated.
Resonances of a Small Plasma Sphere in a Magnetic Field

Resonances of a sphere of plasma in a magnetic field are discussed for a radius small compared to the wavelength of the incident radiation. There are two classes of resonances: radius independent and radius dependent. The former are the electrical analog of the resonant modes originally observed in ferrites by White and Solt. The latter are related to the electromagnetic resonances of a dielectric sphere. Although some of the approximations used in calculating the electromagnetic resonances are not obviously valid, they give remarkably good agreement with experiments on small spheres of indium antimonide. In particular, it is shown that a strong resonance is associated with a mode which is essentially a rotating magnetic dipole. (auth)
Influenza immunization and subsequent diagnoses of group A streptococcus-illnesses among U.S. Army trainees, 2002–2006

Abstract To assess the association between influenza immunization and subsequent diagnosis of group A streptococcus (GAS)-illness in Army recruits during influenza seasons 2002–2006. A case–control study was employed with cases as trainees with outpatient GAS diagnosis (ICD-9-CM codes: 034.0, 035, 038.0, 041.01, 320.2, 390–392, 482.31) during the influenza season, and controls as trainees with no outpatient GAS diagnosis during the influenza season. Primary exposure was influenza immunization during 1st September to 30th April of each season. Estimated protective effects of influenza immunization against GAS-illness ranged from 50% to 77%. A strong protective effect was suggested for Army trainee influenza immunization on the diagnosis of GAS-illness.
Efficient decision ordering techniques for SAT-based test generation

Model checking techniques are promising for automated generation of directed tests. However, due to the prohibitively large time and resource requirements, conventional model checking techniques do not scale well when checking complex designs. In SAT-based BMC, many variable ordering heuristics have been investigated to improve counterexample (test) generation involving only one property. This paper presents efficient decision ordering techniques that can improve the overall test generation time of a cluster of similar properties. Our method exploits the assignments of previously generated tests and incorporates it in the decision ordering heuristic for current test generation. Our experimental results using both software and hardware benchmarks demonstrate that our approach can drastically reduce the overall test generation time.
Fabrication of Rh-doped TiO2 nanofibers for Visible Light Degradation of Rhodamine B

The synthesis and application of environmentally benign, efficient and low cost heterogeneous catalysts is increasingly important for affordable and clean chemical technologies. Nanomaterials have been proposed to have new and exciting properties relative to their bulk counterparts due to the quantum level interactions that exist at nanoscale. These materials also offer enormous surface to volume ratios that would be invaluable in heterogeneous catalysis. Recent studies point at titanium dioxide nanomaterials as having strong potential to be applied in heterogeneous photocatalysis for environmental remediation and pollution control. This work reports the use of surface modified anatase TiO2 nanofibers with rhodium (Rh) nanoparticles in the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RH-B), an organic pollutant. The dimensions of TiO2 nanofibers were 150±50 nm in diameter and the size of the Rh nanoparticles was ~5 nm. The Rh-doped TiO2 catalyst exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity in photodegradation of rhodamine B under visible light irradiation, with 95 % degradation within 180 minutes reaction time. Undoped TiO2 did not show any notable phocatalytic activity under visible light.
The neurobiology of learning and memory: some reminders to remember

We have learned much about the neurobiology of learning and memory in the past 100 years. We have also learned much about how we should, and should not, investigate these complex processes. However, with the rapid recent growth in the field and the influx of investigators not familiar with this past, these crucial lessons too often fail to guide the research of today. Here we highlight some major lessons gleaned from this wealth of experience. These include the need to carefully attend to the learning/performance distinction, to rely equally on synthetic as well as reductionistic thinking, and to avoid the seduction of simplicity. Examples in which the lessons of history are, and are not, educating current research are also given.
Measuring glomerular filtration rate in acute kidney injury: Yes, but not yet

Acute kidney injury has become a major focus for nephrologists and critical care physicians. The development of structural biomarkers is proceeding, but the results to date have been disappointing. The use of a shortened creatinine clearance as a functional acute kidney injury biomarker is not new but has not been compared with that of other diagnostic approaches. A rapid, repeatable, and accurate measured glomerular filtration rate would be the gold standard for a functional biomarker and is not far off.
Infusing Neuroscience Into Teacher Professional Development

Bruer (1997) advocated connecting neuroscience and education indirectly through the intermediate discipline of psychology. We argue for a parallel route: the neurobiology of learning, and in particular the core concept of plasticity, have the potential to directly transform teacher preparation and professional development, and ultimately to affect how students think about their own learning. We present a case study of how the core concepts of neuroscience can be brought to in-service teachers - the BrainU workshops. We then discuss how neuroscience can be meaningfully integrated into pre-service teacher preparation, focusing on institutional and cultural barriers.
L 1 adaptive controller for multi-input multi-output systems in the presence of unmatched disturbances

L1 adaptive control architecture introduced in [1]- [4] ensures that the input and the output of an uncertain linear system track the input and output of a desired linear system during the transient phase, in addition to asymptotic tracking. In this paper, we extend the L1 adaptive controller to multi-input multi-output systems in the presence of unmatched time-varying disturbances. Simulation results illustrate the theoretical findings.
A novel evaluation method for body-worn radio systems

We presented a channel capacity evaluation of body-worn radio systems using a decomposition of the channel environment. Specifically, the human body interactions were treated separately from the propagation channel. Via this decomposition, we proceeded to evaluate body-worn antenna diversity. Full wave simulations of the environment were compared with the decomposition approach for validation. A systematic study was also carried out to find an optimal body-worn antenna system. A four antenna configuration with antenna on the shoulders and torsos was determined to be the most efficient diversity configuration, even though the six and eight antenna configurations had improved channel capacity. In near future we will develop receiving power combining module to fully implement and evaluate the body-worn radio system.
Rate of Adrenal Cortisol Production in Response to Maximal Stimulation with ACTH

The rate of cortisol production during maximal stimulation with ACTH can be determined with radioisotopes, but a practical non-isotopic technique would be of 4 value. Previous methods based on plasma 17-hydroxycorticosteroid (17-OHCS) determinations have been difficult to interpret because their results were influenced by the rate of cortisol disposal, the degree of protein binding and the volume of distribution of cortisol in addition to its rate of production. To overcome these problems, patients were studied won separate occasions with cortisol and ACTH infusions. The cortisol infusions were given at the rate normal subjects produced cortisol in response to maximal stimulation with ACTH. At the onset of the cortisol infusion and again during the last hour of the infusion, when equilibration has been approximated, blood specimens were obtained for plasma 17-OHCS determinations. Dexamethasone was given to suppress endogenous ACTH secretion. During the infusion of cortisol, when dexamethasone is effective...
Polymethylmethacrylate Entrapped in Inferior Vena Cava Filter After a Scheuermann Kyphosis Revision Surgery.

Abstract Study Design Case report. Objectives To review and expose the rare occurrence of prophylactic polymethylmethacrylate becoming trapped in an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter following lumbar spine revision surgery in a patient with Scheuermann's kyphosis. Methods Intraoperative reports, progress notes, and imaging were reviewed for a patient who underwent an initial surgery for Scheuermann's kyphosis correction, a subsequent revision surgery for a fracture sustained during the post-operative period, and an IVC filter removal procedure. Results The medical reports and imaging revealed the prophylactic cement used in the revision surgery migrated through the vertebral bodies, into a paravertebral vein, and became trapped in the IVC filter subsequently complicating its removal. Conclusions An IVC filter can prevent serious pulmonary and cardiovascular complications arising from prophylactic cement leakage out of the vertebral bodies into the venous system following its use in a revision surgery for kyphosis correction.
ACTIVE CONTROL ISSUES FOR THE CALIFORNIA EXTREMELY LARGE TELESCOPE

A team of researchers from the University of California and Caltech are investigating the feasibility of building a 30 meter diameter segmented mirror telescope, following the design approach pioneered by the 36segment Keck telescopes. The current design concept for the California Extremely Large Telescope (CELT) has 1080 segments forming the primary mirror, with the piston, tip, and tilt of each segment controlled by three actuators. The control approach must correct for gravity- and temperature-induced deformations of the mirror support structure, and potentially wind and seismic disturbances, with a cost effective design. We discuss some of the active control issues, including requirements (optical and cost), estimates of the disturbances, actuator options, and control analysis. Several candidate actuator technologies appear capable of meeting the technical and cost requirements, and preliminary error propagation analyses indicate that the optical error budget can likely be met. Additional issues being addressed are identified.
Craniofacial resection of advanced juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma.

Objective To describe the results of a craniofacial approach to resection of stage IIIB juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, performed by an integrated skull base surgical team. Design A retrospective case-series review was conducted with postoperative follow-up ranging from 28 to 63 months. Setting Operations were performed at a tertiary medical center. Patients A referred sample of 5 male patients, ranging in age from 10 to 23 years (mean, 15 years). Interventions All patients underwent resection of nasopharyngeal angiofibromas with intracranial extension. The procedure involved an infratemporal fossa approach via zygomatic osteotomy and subtemporal craniectomy. Anterior exposure was gained through a standard facial translocation. Dissection of the cavernous carotid artery was required in 3 patients. Main Outcome Measures Intraoperative and postoperative morbidity. Results The average operating time was 12 hours 47 minutes. Estimated blood loss ranged from 700 to 1750 mL (mean, 1120 mL), with 2 patients requiring intraoperative transfusion. Patients were hospitalized for a mean duration of 5.6 days. Long-term morbidity includes facial dysesthesia, nasal crusting, and malodorous nasal discharge. No patients sustained stroke, oculomotor dysfunction, vision loss, or auditory impairment. At most recent follow-up, which ranges from 28 to 63 months, tumor recurrence has been confirmed in 1 patient. Conclusions A combined craniofacial approach is appropriate for juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma that extends intracranially. Complete tumor removal with acceptable morbidity can be expected.
Optimizing non-blocking collective operations for infiniband

Non-blocking collective operations have recently been shown to be a promising complementary approach for overlapping communication and computation in parallel applications. However, in order to maximize the performance and usability of these operations it is important that they progress concurrently with the application without introducing CPU overhead and without requiring explicit user intervention. While studying non- blocking collective operations in the context of our portable library (libNBC), we found that most MPI implementations do not sufficiently support overlap over the InfiniBand network. To address this issue, we developed a low-level communication layer for libNBC based on the Open Fabrics InfiniBand verbs API. With this layer we are able to achieve high degrees of overlap without the need to explicitly progress the communication operations. We show that the communication overhead of parallel application kernels can be reduced up to 92% while not requiring user intervention to make progress.
Extraction of almost periodic signals using cyclostationarity

Extraction of almost periodic signals from their noisy observations is accomplished by exploiting cyclostationarity. The additive noise is allowed to be generally cyclostationary with unknown distribution. Consistency of the proposed estimators is proved and their asymptotic properties are presented. Further, adaptive algorithms are employed for tracking possible time-variations in the parameters of the almost periodic signal. Finally, the proposed methods are tested via simulations. >
The Speaker of the House: A Study of Leadership . By Matthew N. Green

The Speaker of the House: A Study of Leadership . By Matthew N. Green. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010. 292p. $30.00. In his book, Matthew N. Green investigates Speakers' purposive goals, tactical options, and legislative influence. The overriding thesis: Speakers' actions do not simply reflect “the majority of the majority's” interests and preferences, but rather emerge from a more diverse set of goals. As Green argues: “Speakers may exercise legislative leadership on behalf of the preferences of others besides the majority party in Congress [including] representing his or her own district … achieving his or her own preferred policy outcome … helping the party's president, the institutional presidency, or the House as a whole” (p. 17).
V beta 6+ T cells are obligatory for vaccine-induced immunity to Histoplasma capsulatum.

We examined TCR usage to a protective fragment of heat shock protein 60 from the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum . Nearly 90% of T cell clones from C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with this protein were Vβ6 + ; the remainder were Vβ14 + . Amino acid motifs of the CDR3 region from Vβ6 + cells were predominantly IxGGG, IGG, or SxxGG, whereas it was uniformly SFSGG for Vβ14 + clones. Short term T cell lines from Vβ6 + -depleted mice failed to recognize Ag, and no T cell clones could be generated. To determine whether Vβ6 + cells were functionally important, we eliminated them during vaccination. Depletion of Vβ6 + cells abrogated protection in vivo and upon adoptive transfer of cells into TCR αβ −/− mice. Transfer of a Vβ6 + , but not a Vβ14 + , clone into TCR αβ −/− mice prolonged survival. Cytokine generation by Ag-stimulated splenocytes from immunized mice depleted of Vβ6 + cells was similar to that of controls. The efficacy of the Vβ6 + clone was associated with elevated production of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GM-CSF compared with that of the Vβ14 + clone. More Vβ6 + cells were present in lungs and spleens of TCR αβ −/− on day 3 postinfection compared with Vβ14 + cells. Thus, a single Vβ family was essential for vaccine-induced immunity. Moreover, the mechanism by which Vβ6 + contributed to protective immunity differed between unfractionated splenocytes and T cell clones.
Occult Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Utility of Discovering Primary Lesions

ObjectiveCancer of an unknown primary (CUP) squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to cervical lymph nodes is a challenging problem for the treating physician. Our aim is to determine if identification of the primary tumor is associated with improved oncologic outcomes and/or tumor characteristics including human papilloma virus (HPV) status.Study DesignRetrospective, matched-pairs analysis contrasting 2 cohorts based upon discovery of primary lesion.SettingTertiary teaching hospital.Subjects and MethodsRecords of 136 patients initially diagnosed as carcinoma of unknown primary were retrospectively reviewed (1980-2010) and divided into 2 cohorts based on discovery of the primary lesion. Primary outcome measures were overall survival and time to recurrence according to Kaplan-Meier analysis. A nested subset of 22 patients in which the primary was discovered were matched to 22 patients remaining undiscovered according to nodal stage and age.ResultsDiscovered lesions were more likely to exhibit HPV positivity (P...
Specifying the Cultural Foundations of Consensual Democratic Institutions

In his influential study of persistently democratic societies Lijphart (1999) argues for the general superiority of “consensus” over “majoritarian” institutions. Consensus institutions disperse power among distinct elements of a broad majority, while majoritarian institutions concentrate power in centralized institutions based on bare electoral majorities or pluralities. Lijphart finds that consensus institutions achieve levels of macroeconomic management and violence control similar to those of their majoritarian counterparts and perform considerably better representing various segments of society. In reflecting on his study, Lijphart offers the thought that highly effective consensus institutions would likely interact symbiotically with a “consensual political culture” (1999, 306). That is, Lijphart proposes that a consensual political culture, coupled with consensus institutions, would produce better government performance than consensus institutions. Yet he leaves the nature of such a culture unclear.
Culturally responsive care in occupational therapy: an entry-level educational model embedded in service-learning.

AbstractObjective: This study focuses on the design of an entry-level educational model of culturally responsive care in occupational therapy embedded in service-learning (CRCOT-SL) that is perceived as clear, relevant, evidence-based, and useful by occupational therapy educators. The purpose of the model is to guide OT educators in teaching students to enable occupational participation and social inclusion in cross-cultural encounters. Method. The design consisted in defining the areas of the model and the components of each area, and articulating the learning process embedded in service-learning. A formative evaluation of CRCOT-SL was then performed using survey methods to collect feedback from 30 OT educators regarding the clarity, relevance, evidence-based constructs, and usefulness of CRCOT-SL. Results: CRCOT-SL was perceived to be clear, relevant, evidence-based, and useful to 81.5% of the OT educators who participated in the study. Minor modifications to the model were completed based on the educat...
Numbers Simultaneously Polygonal and Centered Polygonal

The study of polygonal numbers (triangular, square, etc.) has a long and rich history. Similar, but lesser known, are the centered polygonal numbers which have not been as extensively studied. These sequences of figurate numbers contain a wealth of interesting and fun mathematics. As an example, we make connections between the polygonal and centered polygonal numbers to find a previously unknown family of integer sequences that describe those numbers that are simultaneously polygonal and centered polygonal for the same number of sides.
The Extended Milling Bifurcation Diagram

This paper describes the extended milling bifurcation diagram which can be used to gain fundamental new insights into milling dynamics. The diagram is constructed using numerical simulation techniques and provides both stability behavior (such as Hopf and period-n bifurcations) and vibration amplitudes under stable and unstable conditions. The results are compared to semi-analytical stability predictions. It is expected that the insights gained through the extended milling bifurcation diagram will reveal new milling strategies that yield increased productivity and reduced costs for subtractive, discrete part manufacturing.
Placental tumor necrosis factor-α protein expression during normal human gestation.

AbstractObjective: Placental tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a cell signaling protein. During pregnancy, TNF-α induces synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which allows cytotrophoblasts to reach the spiral arteries deeper within the uterine decidua. TNF-α also augments apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells surrounding these arteries. In this study, chorionic villi TNF-α protein expression throughout normal human gestation were investigated.Methods: Placental chorionic villi tissues obtained from elective surgical terminations of pregnancy and from uncomplicated term births were assayed using EIA kits (Cayman Chemicals, Ann Arbor, MI, Item # 589201).Results: The median, 25th percentile and 75th percentile values in the first (N = 99), second (N = 58) and third trimester (N = 42) were: 36.46, 27.25, 45.90 pg/100 mg tissue; 55.43, 40.09, 110.88 pg/100 mg tissue; and 16.63, 9.32, 31.92 pg/100 mg tissue, respectively.Conclusions: Variations in placental TNF-α protein expression noted at differe...
On The Construction of Aircraft Conceptual Geometry for High-Fidelity Analysis and Design

This paper examines the desirability and the challenges of incorporating highdelity geometry de nition into the Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) process earlier than currently practiced. A major objective is the ability to enable geometry de nition for lowdelity as well as highdelity analyses, in order to support the entire MDAO process from conceptual to detail design in a seamless manner. Another objective is the ability to support di erent disciplines such as both structural and aerodynamic analyses from the same geometry de nition. Finally, there are the goals of ease of use and support for automation to minimize unnecessary or repetitive human e ort. It is argued that Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG) is the natural foundation for attaining these goals. Two di erent current user-level approaches which employ CSG at low level are considered: 1) CAD systems and their \feature" based view of construction, and 2) Bottom-Up methods which generate solid \components". Although Bottom-Up methods do not have the turn-key features of commercial CAD systems, it is clear that their exibility and potential open nature is an advantage in the long term, especially if geometric design-gradient information is required for optimization. To realize the MDAO objectives via the Bottom-Up approach, a new software suite, the Electronic Geometry Aircraft Design System (EGADS), has been developed. It is a relatively simple and compact Open-Source Object-Based API built on top of the extensive OpenCASCADE solid-modeling kernel. EGADS routines implement relatively high-level operations which insulate the user from OpenCASCADE’s size and complexity, and for maximum exibility can be driven by either C, C++, or FORTRAN user applications. The basic features and constructs of EGADS are described, and an example application is presented to demonstrate its capabilities and e ectiveness.
Abstract 3593: GABA counteracts ethanol induced stimulation of pancreatic cancer cells and normal pancreatic duct epithelia .

Pancreatic cancer has a high mortality rate and alcoholism is a risk factor independent of smoking. We have shown that nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) regulate pancreatic ductal epithelia and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells in an autocrine fashion by stimulating their production of the stress neurotransmitters noradrenaline and adrenaline that signal through beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs). Our current study has investigated the modulation of this autocrine regulatory loop by chronic ethanol and explored the potential prevention of these effects by γ-amino butyric acid (GABA). Treatment for seven days with ethanol at a concentration equivalent to the legal blood alcohol limit in the United States induced protein expression and sensitivity of nAChRs α3, α5 and α7 resulting in increased production of noradrenaline and adrenaline which drive proliferation and migration via cAMP-dependent signaling downstream of β-ARs. Treatment with GABA prevented all of these responses to chronic ethanol, reducing cell proliferation and migration below base levels in untreated cells. Our findings suggest that alcoholism induces multiple cAMP-dependent PDAC stimulating signaling pathways by up-regulating the protein expression and sensitivity of nAChRs that regulate stress neurotransmitters production. Moreover, our data identify GABA as a promising agent for the prevention of PDAC in individuals at risk due to chronic alcohol consumption. Supported by R01CA042829 and R01CA130888 with the National Cancer Institute Citation Format: Mohammed H. Al-Wadei, Hussein A.N. Al-Wadei, Hildegard M. Schuller. GABA counteracts ethanol induced stimulation of pancreatic cancer cells and normal pancreatic duct epithelia . [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3593. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3593
177 EFFECT OF 3-HYDROXY-3-METHYLGLUTARYL-COA REDUCTASE INHIBITORS ON FASTING BLOOD SUGAR.

Background 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce serum cholesterol and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. But the effect of statins on glucose metabolism is unclear. Some studies have suggested that statins may cause hyperglycemia by increasing calcium concentration in the islet cells, leading to a decrease in insulin release, or by decreasing GLUT 4-mediated peripheral glucose uptake. Methods We analyzed data in 345,417 patients (mean age 61 ± 15 years, 94% males, 6% diabetics, 20% statin users) from the Veterans Affairs VISN 16 database. We studied change in fasting blood sugar (FBS) in this population over a mean time of 2 years between the first available measurement and the last measurement from the most recent recorded visit. Data were limited to patients who had two FBS measurements. In the diabetic group, a diagnosis of diabetes had to be present before the first FPG measurement. Results Among nondiabetics, FBS increased with statin use from 97.8 to 105.2 mg/dL, and among nonstatin users, FPG increased from 96.6 to 101.6 mg/dL over the period of observation (increase in FBS with statin use; p Conclusion Statin use increases FBS in diabetic as well as nondiabetic patients. This relationship between statin use and rise in FBS is independent of age and use of aspirin, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.
Human Identity and Bioethics: Human Persons: Narrative Identity and Self-Creation

Erik wasn't sleeping well. In fact, several hours before he went to bed each night, a feeling of dread about going to work the next day began to grow in him. He hated his job as a paralegal: the notion that time was well spent only if it could be billed to a client; the harassing (and lying) letters to members of the sheet-metal trust fund saying the law firm would sue in ten days if debts were not paid to the fund; phony lawyers pretending to care less about money and more about humanistic concerns than they did; the rigid hierarchy; the way lawyers procrastinated and then had to pull consecutive all-nighters right before a brief was due, spreading misery to everyone who worked with them; the use of the cliche “This is the real world” to justify every unethical act; the cruelty toward vulnerable coworkers such as secretaries and newcomers like Erik. No, Erik wasn't sleeping well. He was moderately depressed and very anxious. And his mind worked overtime when he was supposed to be sleeping. “Should I quit my job?” he asked himself. “But I've long planned to go to law school. Assuming I do, wouldn't it make sense to get more legal work experience? And, if I can't handle my first job, what are my prospects for a legal career? Then again, maybe I'm just not cut out for work in corporate law.
Ethnoarchaeology: Some Assumptions and Practices

This chapter provides an overview of ethnoarcheology, which has also been referred to as archeological ethnography, archeoethnography, action archeology, and living archeology. Ethnoarcheology refers to problem-oriented ethnographic research, most often conducted by anthropologically trained archeologists. The chapter describes the scope of ethnoarcheological research, which investigates contemporary behavior and material culture from an archeological perspective, based on a study. It discusses empirical data from a contemporary socio-cultural system as they might be useful in interpreting some aspects of the archeological record. The chapter highlights selected features of spatial organization, material variability, and economic rank within one settlement from the perspective of an archeologist investigating a single site. Shifting the scale of observation and analysis from the local to the regional level, a study described in the chapter also reviews relationships between land use, settlement area, and population—variables that have entered into recent considerations of regional manifestations of organizational variation and change. Much of the material on which the study is based was collected in Iran; supplementary data are drawn from the published ethnographic record for Iran and other countries in Southwest Asia, one of the first world areas to experience the major demographic and organizational transformations that culminated in complex state societies.
The Perils of Drugs in West Africa: Implications on Governance, Economic Development and Transnational Terrorism

Since a 2007 United Nations report cited West Africa as the new front for cocaine trafficking by South American Drug Barons, media reports have linked several governments to the trade. Some analysts linked political instability in a few West African countries to the cocaine trade. The Proliferation of banks and the flow of excess capital from unknown horizons sounded the alarm on trafficking in drugs as fundamental driving mechanisms. In spite of regional and international efforts to confront the trade, seizures of large amounts of cocaine in Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea and Guinea-Bissau brought to light compelling realities of the drug trade as West Africa's newest peripheral vulnerability. The paper provides theoretical and practical inferences on challenges of the drug trade to governance, sustainable economic development and the threats of transnational terrorism. A prescriptive policy framework is provided for regional governments and international partners for the effective containment of the illicit trade.
Yoga for Kenyan children: Concept-mapping with multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis

The Africa Yoga Project (AYP) provides voluntary yoga classes for schoolchildren across Kenya. To study student perceived effects, a mixed-methods concept mapping methodology was utilized combining multidimensional scaling (MDS) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Children (ages 8–14) who practice yoga with AYP completed the two-phase process of data collection. In Phase 1, 155 children participated in brainstorming sessions asking in what ways they had changed since practicing yoga. Their ideas were aggregated into a list of 85 statements reflecting perceived effects of yoga. In Phase 2, 109 children from the same locations sorted and rated brainstormed effects (Phase 2; N = 109). Analysis yielded a two-dimensional map representing how generated statements were associated in terms of how students understood their relatedness to each other (sorting) and the magnitude of importance (rating). The AYP student concept map met validity standards with an MDS stress value of .32, indicating a model ...
Structural Diversity Among Plastid Genomes of Land Plants

Abstract The plastome of land plants is often considered to be highly conserved in sequence, structure, and content. This is particularly true for nonvascular land plants, for which few changes to the plastome have occurred throughout their evolutionary history. In vascular plants, however, the plastomic structure is more dynamic. Many lycophytes, most ferns, and particular lineages of seed plants have experienced extensive structural rearrangements, including inversions and modifications to the size and content of the IR. In this review, we describe the typical structural features of the land plant plastome, the major variations to this canonical structure that occur in various lineages, and the evolutionary implications of this structural variation.
Where do U.S. households purchase healthy foods? An analysis of food-at-home purchases across different types of retailers in a nationally representative dataset

Abstract Food shopping decisions are pathways between food environment, diet and health outcomes, including chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The choices of where to shop and what to buy are interrelated, though a better understanding of this dynamic is needed. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's nationally representative Food Acquisitions and Purchase Survey food-at-home dataset was joined with other databases of retailer characteristics and Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI) of purchases. We used linear regression models with general estimating equations to assess relationships between trip, store, and shopper characteristics with trip HEI scores. We examined HEI component scores for conventional supermarkets and discount/limited assortment retailers with descriptive statistics. Overall, 4962 shoppers made 11,472 shopping trips over one-week periods, 2012–2013. Trips to conventional supermarkets were the most common (53.6%), followed by supercenters (18.6%). Compared to conventional supermarkets, purchases at natural/gourmet stores had significantly higher HEI scores (β = 6.48, 95% CI = [4.45, 8.51], while those from “other” retailers (including corner and convenience stores) were significantly lower (−3.89, [−5.87, −1.92]). Older participants (versus younger) and women (versus men) made significantly healthier purchases (1.19, [0.29, 2.10]). Shoppers with less than some college education made significantly less-healthy purchases, versus shoppers with more education, as did households participating in SNAP, versus those with incomes above 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Individual, trip, and store characteristics influenced the healthfulness of foods purchased. Interventions to encourage healthy purchasing should reflect these dynamics in terms of how, where, and for whom they are implemented.
Migration of Thymic Lymphocytes: Immunofluorescence and 3HTdR Labeling Studies

Studies utilizing both, continuous in-situ labeling and thymus specific antigen as markers were designed to further clarify some points about thymocyte migration.
Expert Judgment Quantification

Expert judgments are used when there are no objective data is available. It is critical to solicit these judgments accurately for decision makers. This chapter reviews methods and issues around the expert judgment quantification.
Contingency distance factors and international research and development (R&D), marketing, and manufacturing alliance formations

Abstract This study contributes to the international alliance formation literature by extending and examining the differences between international Research and Development (R&D), and international marketing and manufacturing alliances in terms of distance. Distance is conceptualized as multiple contingency factors: national, industry, and firm. With a sample of 110 pharmaceutical alliances, spanning 11 years, from 2000 to 2010, we find that there are significant differences among the different types of international alliance formation regarding distance. The results support the view that R&D alliances tend to have a smaller national, industry, and firm-specific distance than marketing and manufacturing alliances. In addition, the pattern of R&D alliance formation confirms the argument that firms take advantage of both exogenous and endogenous location economies by forming international R&D alliances with infrastructural, institutional, and technological proximity between countries of partnering firms. On the other hand, firms get involved in international marketing and manufacturing alliances even though when the distance between partnering firms with regard to institutional, infrastructure, industrial environments, and technological bases is large.
Cellular responses to in vitro exposures to β-blocking pharmaceuticals in hard clams and Eastern oysters

Abstract Increased consumption and improper disposal of prescription medication, such as beta (β)-blockers, contribute to their introduction into waterways and may pose threats to non-target aquatic organisms. There has been rising concern about the impacts of these prescription drugs on coastal ecosystems, especially because wastewater treatment plants are not designed to eliminate them from the discharge. Few studies have characterized the sublethal effects of β-blocker exposures in marine invertebrates. The overall aim of our research is to identify cellular responses of two commercially important filter-feeding marine bivalves, hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) and Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica), upon exposures to two β-blocker drugs, propranolol and metoprolol. In vitro exposures with bivalve digestive gland and gill tissues were conducted where tissues were separately exposed to each drug for 24 h. Tissue samples were analyzed for cellular damage (lysosomal membrane destabilization and lipid peroxidation), total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione-s-transferase activity. Elevated damage and changes in enzyme activities were noted in the exposed tissues at environmentally relevant concentrations. Differences in species and tissue sensitivities and responses to exposures were also observed. These studies enhance our understanding of the potential impacts of prescription medication on coastal organisms. Additionally, this work demonstrates that filter-feeders may serve as good model organisms to examine the effects of unintended environmental exposures to β-blockers. These studies are part of our ongoing work aimed at evaluation of sublethal biomarkers of pharmaceutical exposures and identification of key events that can contribute to the development of adverse outcome pathways (AOPs).
Reversal of epigenetic aberrations associated with the acquisition of doxorubicin resistance restores drug sensitivity in breast cancer cells.

Abstract Acquired resistance against doxorubicin is a major limitation in clinical treatment of breast cancer. The molecular mechanism behind the aberrant expression of genes leading to doxorubicin resistance is not clear. Epigenetic changes play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the epigenetic mechanism underlying acquired doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells. Doxorubicin-resistant cells were selected by repeated exposure of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines to clinically relevant doses of doxorubicin for 18 months. MTT assay, cell cycle analysis, colony formation, qRT-PCR, and Western blot analyses were used to characterize the epigenetic and molecular mechanism. Pyrosequencing was used to detect MSH2 promoter hypermethylation. Aberrant expression of epigenetic regulatory genes, a significant increase in H3 acetylation and methylation, as well as promoter hypermethylation-mediated inactivation of MSH2 gene were associated with the acquired resistant phenotype. Demethylating agent 5-Aza-deoxycytidine and HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A significantly re-sensitized resistant cells to doxorubicin. Findings of this study revealed that epigenetic aberrations including promoter hypermethylation-mediated inactivation MSH2 contribute to the acquisition of doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells. Additionally, our data suggest that some of these epigenetic aberrations are progressive during resistance development and therefore can potentially be used as biomarkers for early detection of resistance. These epigenetic aberrations, being reversible, can also serve as targets for epigenetic therapy to re-sensitize doxorubicin-resistant breast cancer cells. Epigenetic inactivation of mismatch repair gene MSH2 further suggests that loss of MMR-dependent apoptotic potential could be a novel mechanistic basis for the acquisition of doxorubicin resistance in breast cancer cells.