cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
American Thought in Transition: The Impact of Evolutionary Naturalism, 1865-1900

Originally published by Rand McNally & Company in 1969, this volume provides a discussion of the Gilded Age, the decades between the end of the Civil War and the closing of the Spanish-American War. Many aspects of this period are examined, including the transition from a rural-agrarian federation to an industrial, urban nation-state. An intensive study of ideas, this volume fulfills the need for an informative and highly readable work of the intellectual and cultural developments in an important era of American History.
Magnetic observations of carrier quantization and dimensional crossover in diluted magnetic semiconductor superlattices

Diluted magnetic semiconductors have been shown to be excellent hosts in which to study the fundamental exchange interaction of a carrier with localized fluctuating magnetic spins. New low-temperature optical spectroscopy techniques using integrated DC SQUIDs have allowed sensitive magnetization studies in Cd1−x MnxTe superlattices as the magnetic layer thickness was systematically reduced towards the two-dimensional limit. Static and picosecond measurements reveal the magnetic manifestations of carrier localization in these electronic quantum wells.
Characterization of excitation spectra for Tb3+ luminescence from nucleic acids: calcium binding environs in icosahedral viruses.

This communication characterizes the excitation spectra of enhanced Tb3+ emission at 545 nm due to energy transfer from nucleic acid bases. For 5′GMP and polyguanylic acid the excitation spectrum maximum occurs at 252 nm and, for polycytidylic acid, at 270 nm. Both in their maxima and general shape the excitation spectra correspond closely to the absorption spectra of the aromatic chromophores. To obtain reliable excitation spectra it is necessary both to have solutions of low absorbance in order to avoid inner-filtering of incident radiation and to correct for the severe decrease of xenon lamp intensity at < 270 nm. In samples of yeast and E.coli t-RNA, guanine bases are primarily responsible for enhanced Tb3+ emission. The two icosahedral viruses, bromegrass mosaic virus and southern bean mosaic virus, display excitation spectra for Tb3+ emission similar to that of the t-RNA samples. In the viruses, energy transfer to Tb3+ in a presumed Ca2+ site originates primarily from guanine bases and not from aromatic chromophores in the protein component.
Models of confined growth

Abstract Models based on boundary nucleation and growth provide good fits to the kinetics of hydration of cement phases, but the models indicate that the degree of hydration is smaller than the measured value. This could mean that the models do not capture the physics of the problem, or that the wrong models have been applied. This paper reviews the available models for boundary nucleation and growth, with emphasis on those that describe growth confined within boundaries (e.g., precipitation in capillary pores bounded by unreacted cement particles). It is shown that they all predict a degree of reaction at the peak that is inconsistent with experiments, so neglect of confinement is not the main problem. The discrepancy can be resolved by assuming that the assemblage of hydrates only contains 40–50% solids, which may mean that the hydrates exhibit dendritic growth.
The effect of resuscitation technique and pre-arrest state of oxygenation on blood-gas values during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in dogs.

Large mongrel dogs were anesthetized, instrumented, and subjected to electrically induced ventricular fibrillation after breathing either 100% oxygen (O2) or 10% O2 and 90% nitrogen for 10 minutes before arrest. Four minutes after arrest, open chest cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or intermittent abdominal compression closed chest CPR was initiated and continued for 20 minutes, at which time defibrillation was attempted. Central arterial and mixed venous blood samples were collected serially for the measurement of pH, carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2), and O2 partial pressure (PO2), and calculation of bicarbonate concentration and base excess. Mixed venous blood was collected serially for the measurement of lactate concentration. Hemodynamically variable resuscitation techniques and pre-arrest hypoxia or hy-peroxia did not significantly influence blood-gas values during CPR. Mixed venous lactate concentrations after 20 minutes of CPR were significantly higher when hypoxia preceded the arrest and when intermittent abdominal compression closed chest CPR was used for resuscitation. Mixed venous PCO2 was significantly higher than arterial PCO2 in all dogs during CPR but was not significantly different before arrest.
The concept of integration and the Rorschach test as a measurement of personality integration.

(1950). The Concept of Integration and the Rorschach Test as a Measurement of Personality Integration. Journal of Projective Techniques: Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 315-319.
Differential dye-ligand chromatography as a general purification protocol for 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolases

Abstract 2-Keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolases (KDPG aldolases, EC 4.1.2.14) from four sources, Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas saccharophila , and Zymononas mobilis , were purified from 17- to 48- fold by differential dye-ligand chromatography (DD-L chromatography). This technique, using Procion Navy H-ER (150 grain) as a negative column and Procion Yellow MX-GR as a positive column supported on Sepharose CL-4B, represents a general methodology for the rapid, facile purification of KDPG aldolases from disparate microbial sources.
The central role of principal issues in aviation accident investigation

Major aviation accident investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board involve uncertainties in cause, complexities in avenues of inquiry, multiple stakeholders, and no obvious solution path. As a result, investigations can be difficult, time consuming, and resource intensive. This paper will describe a project being conducted at NTSB to develop an approach to accident investigation that takes into consideration the complexities, uncertainties, and nonlinearities in accident investigation. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of this approach for the typical linear, structured approaches to accident investigation.
Formation and interpretation of dilatant echelon cracks.

The relative displacements of the walls of many veins, joints, and dikes demonstrate that these structures are dilatant cracks. We infer that dilatant cracks propagate in a principal stress plane, normal to the maximum tensile or least compressive stress. Arrays of echelon crack segments appear to emerge from the peripheries of some dilatant cracks. Breakdown of a parent crack into an echelon array may be initiated by a spatial or temporal rotation of the remote principal stresses about an axis parallel to the crack propagation direction. Near the parent-crack tip, a rotation of the local principal stresses is induced in the same sense, but not necessarily through the same angle. Incipient echelon cracks form at the parent-crack tip normal to the local maximum tensile stress. Further longitudinal growth along surfaces that twist about axes parallel to the propagation direction realigns each echelon crack into a remote principal stress plane. The walls of these twisted cracks may be idealized as helicoidal surfaces. An array of helicoidal cracks sweeps out less surface area than one parent crack twisting through the same angle. Thus, many echelon cracks grow from a single parent because the work done in creating the array, as measured by its surface area, decreases as the number of cracks increases. In cross sections perpendicular to the propagation direction, echelon cracks grow laterally, each crack overlapping its neighbors, until the mechanical interaction of adjacent cracks limits this growth. Dilation of each crack pinches the tips of adjacent cracks into an asymmetrical form and introduces local stresses that can cause lateral growth along a curving, sigmoidal path. Sigmoidal echelon cracks may link at tip-to-plane intersections, leaving a step in the through-going crack wall. The geometry of dilatant echelon cracks may be used to infer spatial or temporal changes in the orientation of principal stresses in the Earth.
Boundary Layer Dispersion of Near-Wall Injected Particles of Various Inertias

A direct numerical simulation approach was employed along with a Lagrangian particle tracking technique to investigate particle motion and dispersion in a turbulent boundary layer. The present study investigated a range of particle inertias corresponding to outer Stokes numbers varying from 10−4 to 1. In all cases, the ratio of particle terminal velocity to fluid friction velocity was held constant at 10−2 such that the effects of particle inertia would be isolated and dominant with respect to particle dispersion. The particles were injected near the wall at a height of four wall units (with elastic wall collision specified at one wall unit) and their locations recorded at several streamwise planes. Particles having an outer Stokes number much less than unity reach a similar outer flow distribution profile by the time they pass a collection plane located at eight boundary layer thicknesses downstream of injection. Moderately larger particles tended to yield increased wall collisions and increased near-wall concentrations. The increased concentration in the near-wall region (or reduced diffusion away from the wall) is attributed to a coupling of inertia effects and turbulent structures for the non-homogeneous flow (sometimes referred to as turbophoresis). The highest Stokes number particles yield the highest near-wall concentration, but resulted in a decrease in wall collisions in the first few collision bins as it tends to be unaffected by the near-wall structures.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Memory for phonologically uniform lists

In six experiments subjects saw and pronounced, either aloud or silently, seven-item lists made from vocabularies of phonologically identical items (WRITE—RIGHT—RIGHT—RITE—WRITE—RITE—WRITE). These materials were used to test the predictions of a precategorical and a postcategorical hypothesis for the modality effect (auditory versus visual presentation) in immediate memory. The results supported the precategorical hypothesis. Furthermore, performance with these lists shows clearly that short-term memory tasks do not necessarily depend on phonological coding. The last four studies were designed to find out what memory code is used by subjects in this situation; a visual hypothesis was tentatively rejected in favor of an abstract lexical hypothesis.
An Application of Ideal Experiments to Quantum Mechanical Measurement Theory

It is shown that the rule for obtaining probabilities by squaring amplitudes is deducible from ideal experiments in a mechanics of unitary motion in a complex-linear space, with tensor product for making compound systems. Difficulty with tensor product in undoctored quaternionic quantum mechanics makes the argument inapplicable there. Except for the replacement by ideal experiments of a more formal unitary equivalence, the discussion is similar to that of Everett (1957). Diagonal expression of a general vector in the tensor product of two spaces is related to polar form of a matrix, in the Appendix.
Process Evaluation of an Intervention to Increase Provision of Adolescent Vaccines at School Health Centers

Background. Vaccination programs in school health centers (SHCs) may improve adolescent vaccine coverage. We conducted a process evaluation of an intervention to increase SHC-located vaccination to better understand the feasibility and challenges of such interventions. Method. Four SHCs participated in an intervention to increase provision of recommended vaccines to 2,975 adolescents. We reviewed program materials and SHC staff reports, and interviewed parents to assess implementation fidelity and reactions to materials. Results. Ten percent of parents returned forms with consent to at least one vaccine. Of these, 79% checked the box consenting for “all recommended” vaccines, rather than indicating individual vaccines. SHCs sent supplemental mailings to some parents that clarified (a) vaccination costs or (b) human papillomavirus vaccine recommendation for boys and required parents to reconsent. This process resulted in loss of initial consent, primarily due to nonresponse. In interviews, parents who cons...
A test of the resolving power of cascade electrofocusing and cascade stacking: Separation of BSA from ovalbumin

Abstract Isotachophoresis with buffer spacers (cascade stacking) provides improved resolution of ovalbumin and BSA compared to isotachophoresis without spacers. Even better resolution is obtained when a mixture of the two proteins is subjected to electrofocusing in a pH gradient generated by the same buffer spacers (cascade electrofocusing) between strongly acidic and basic electrolytes. Separations carried out by cascade electrofocusing maintain a high degree of resolution and zone sharpness when zones are mobilized and eluted by easeade stacking.
Modulation of growth cone calcium current is mediated by a PTX-sensitive G protein.

Abstract Growth cones of isolated neuron B5 of Helisoma were voltage clamped in the whole-cell configuration. Depolarization of growth cones to −20 mV or greater activated a high-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium current. Addition of the neuropeptide FMRFamide (1 μM), which causes a presynaptic inhibition of synaptic transmission, reversibly reduced the calcium current magnitude. This inhibitory effect is mediated by a pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G protein. Dialysis with the non-hydrolyzable GTP analogs GTPγS and Gpp(NH)p caused FMRFamide's effect to become irreversible. Dialysis with GDPβS or preincubation with PTX prevented FMRFamide from reducing the calcium current. Thus, one role of growth cone G proteins is to modulate ion channels in growth cone membrane which in turn may control growth cone motility.
Nonlinear technology: Changing the conception of extrinsic motivation?

Think-aloud and self-report data from 84 undergraduates were used to examine the relationship between intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and use of self-regulated learning (SRL) processes. Participants individually learned about the circulatory system with a hypermedia environment for 30 min. During this experimental session, three measures were used to examine the research questions guiding the study. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire that measured their extrinsic and intrinsic motivation. They also completed a pretest and posttest, which assessed learning outcomes. Lastly, think-aloud data were collected to determine the frequency in which participants used SRL process related to planning, monitoring, and strategy use. Results indicate that participants who had high extrinsic and high intrinsic motivation used significantly more planning and monitoring processes when compared to participants who had lower motivation scores for either the extrinsic or intrinsic category. Additionally, participants who had high extrinsic and high intrinsic motivation significantly outperformed those who had low extrinsic and low intrinsic motivation.
Physical properties of residential insulations

Research to evaluate properties, test methods and operating environments for thermal insulations used in residences is an important part of the Building Thermal Envelope Systems and Insulating Materials (BTESIM) program sponsored by the US DOE. Three projects were carried out under the Insulating Materials part of BTESIM. The areas discussed are: (1) the thermal performance of mineral fiber insulating batts, (2) the design density for loose-fill insulations, and (3) the operatio of recesses light fixtures covered by loose-fill cellulosic insulation.
Overexpressed Galectin-3 in Pancreatic Cancer Induces Cell Proliferation and Invasion by Binding Ras and Activating Ras Signaling

Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is a lethal disease with a five-year survival of 3–5%. Mutations in K-Ras are found in nearly all cases, but K-Ras mutations alone are not sufficient for the development of PDAC. Additional factors contribute to activation of Ras signaling and lead to tumor formation. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a multifunctional β-galactoside-binding protein, is highly expressed in PDAC. We therefore investigated the functional role of Gal-3 in pancreatic cancer progression and its relationship to Ras signaling. Expression of Gal-3 was determined by immunohistochemistry, Q-PCR and immunoblot. Functional studies were performed using pancreatic cell lines genetically engineered to express high or low levels of Gal-3. Ras activity was examined by Raf pull-down assays. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence were used to assess protein-protein interactions. In this study, we demonstrate that Gal-3 was highly up-regulated in human tumors and in a mutant K-Ras mouse model of PDAC. Down-regulation of Gal-3 by lentivirus shRNA decreased PDAC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and reduced tumor volume and size in an orthotopic mouse model. Gal-3 bound Ras and maintained Ras activity; down-regulation of Gal-3 decreased Ras activity as well as Ras down-stream signaling including phosphorylation of ERK and AKT and Ral A activity. Transfection of Gal-3 cDNA into PDAC cells with low-level Gal-3 augmented Ras activity and its down-stream signaling. These results suggest that Gal-3 contributes to pancreatic cancer progression, in part, by binding Ras and activating Ras signaling. Gal-3 may therefore be a potential novel target for this deadly disease.
Mechanisms of humic material adsorption on kaolin clay and activated carbon

Gel permeation chromatography was used for monitoring the changes in humic molecular weight distribution after contact with kaolin clay and activated carbon. The high molecular weight fractions excluded from Sephadex G-50 were less removed by carbon indicating the exclusion effect of pores, but were preferentially adsorbed by clay. The aliphatic portion of humic acids is effectively removed by carbon as suggested by the decrease in E4: E6 ratio. The Freundlich and the Langmuir isotherms showed curvilinearity which was resolved into two straight lines. The sorption effect in humic molecular weight distribution suggests the necessity of batch adsorption test with respect to the treated humic material.
An Enteric Compression Coating I*: In Vitro Studies

An accurate, uniform, reproducible enteric coating was developed for application to core tablets by compression coating. The coating was studied extensively in vitro , with emphasis upon the solubility characteristics and stability. The in vitro studies were correlated with the in vivo investigation, which appears in part II.
Opioid and Neurotransmitter Regulation of Pituitary Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Receptors in the Ovariectomized Estradiol-Treated Rat: Role of Altered GnRH Secretion

An acute transient fall in the number of pituitary GnRH receptors (GnRH-R) is observed before the preovulatory gonadotropin surge in cycling rats and before the afternoon daily gonadotropin surge in ovariectomized estradiol-treated rats. In the latter model, this fall can be reproduced by administration of the opioid antagonist naloxone, whereas the opioid agonist morphine acutely increases GnRH-R. In this study we investigated the mechanisms of this opioid effect and examined the effects of other neurotransmitter substances on modulation of pituitary GnRH-R. Administration of the dopaminergic agonists bromocriptine and L-dopa or the alpha-adrenergic receptor blocker phenoxybenzamine elevated GnRH-R acutely from average basal values of 240 +/- 22 and 254 +/- 21 fmol/mg protein to maximal values of 374 +/- 49, 441 +/- 67 and 461 +/- 75 fmol/mg, respectively, whereas the alpha-adrenergic agonist clonidine transiently decreased GnRH-R to 186 +/- 19 fmol/mg. Placement of radiofrequency lesions in the mediobasal hypothalamus or pretreatment with anti-GnRH serum completely abolished the ability of both morphine and naloxone to modulate the number of GnRH-R. These data indicate that the opioid-induced modulation of pituitary GnRH-R requires an intact hypothalamus and that both dopaminergic and alpha-adrenergic neurotransmitter systems may be involved. The final step of this action probably involves acute modulation of GnRH secretion (altered frequency and/or amplitude), which results in acute transient changes in the number of pituitary GnRH-R.
Case-Based Modeling for Learning Management and Interpersonal Skills.

This article offers an introduction to case-based modeling (CBM) and a demonstration of the efficacy of this instructional model. CBM is grounded primarily in the concepts and theory of experiential learning, augmented by concepts of script creation. Although it is labor intensive, the model is one that has value for instruction in various management and interpersonal skills. The CBM approach may be adapted for use in many different topics or business disciplines, in colleges or on the job, in which skill building and decision situations can be embedded in case material. A brief, empirical study of a workplace variation of CBM is offered to help establish the efficacy of the model.
Integrated gate matrix switch for optical packet buffering

An integrated 2 /spl times/ 2 semiconductor optical amplifier gate matrix switch is characterized for use in an optical packet buffer. Error-free performance for all port configurations is demonstrated for 40 Gb/s with less than 1-dB power penalty and an input power dynamic range of greater than 15 dB. Switching times are measured for decreasing optical input power to show an upper limit of 1-ns rise time (20%-80%). The factors limiting the maximum number of recirculations are explored toward optimizing future designs. It is concluded that the amplifier gate matrix switch is suitable for optical packet buffering.
Tritiated platinum antitumor agents containing the trans‐(d,1)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane carrier ligand

Cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) is one of the most widely used anticancer drugs today. However, platinum compounds possessing the 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (DACH) carrier ligand offer advantages over cisplatin with regard to bioavailability, activity and decreased renal toxicity. The trans-(d,1)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane derivatives are the isomeric forms recently chosen by the NCI for large animal studies and phase I/II clinical trials. Here we report the synthesis of four trans-(d,1)-1,2-diaminocyclo-hexane platinum derivatives labeled with tritium in the cyclohexane ring by catalytic reduction of a cyclohexene precursor with carrier-free tritium gas over 10% Pd/C.
Indian Caribbean Folklore Spirits

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Kumar Mahabir Year: 2010 Pages: 32 Publisher: Chakra Publishing House ISBN: 978-976-95049-5-0-2-0 (soft cover). Prices: 12(soft cover).
Alkylation and Coupling of Living Poly(methyl methacrylate) Ylides at Ambient Conditions

The reaction was studied of living 1-naphthyltriphenylphosphonium poly(methyl methacrylate) ylides (NTPP,PMMA) with methyl iodide and benzyl bromide in tetrahydrofuran at ambient temperatures. NMR characterization shows clean end-functionalizations. The coupling with equimolar bis-1,4-(bromomethyl)benzene was also carried out and was found to be quantitative. The reactions appear to proceed through a rapid and reversible ionization into a highly reactive NTPP,PMMA enolate. The kinetics of methylation and benzylation in the presence of a large excess of electrophile is given by a pseudo-first-order process. The kinetics of these reactions is compared with that of protonation by water and anhydrous acetic acid. The reaction of the latter system is extremely rapid compared to that with water and the alkylating reagents. This indicates that the rate-determining step in the electrophilic reactions is determined by both the ionization and the ion pair collapse to the ylide.
Seismic and GPR surveys of Mullins Glacier, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: ice thickness, internal structure and implications for surface ridge formation

We present results from ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and seismic surveys for the Mullins Valley debris-covered glacier (Mullins Glacier), Antarctica, that yield local ice-thickness estimates of 80-110 m in upper Mullins Valley and 150 m in upper Beacon Valley. Englacial debris in upper Mullins Glacier occurs as scattered cobbles and as discrete layers. One extensive englacial debris layer, which appears as a coherent reflector dipping 40-458 up-valley, intersects the ground surface within an � 8m high ice-cored ridge, the largest of several ridges that mark the glacier surface. Field excavations reveal that this englacial interface consists of multiple debris bands that can be directly correlated with ridge microtopography. Englacial debris layers most probably originate as concentrated rockfall in ice accumulation zones and/or as surface lags that form as dirty ice sublimes during periods of negative mass balance. A similar pattern of surface ridges on Friedman Glacier (� 2.5 km west of Mullins Glacier) suggests regional environmental changes are involved in ridge formation. These observations carry implications for evaluating debris entrainment and surface ridge formation mechanisms in cold-based, debris-covered glaciers and provide a glaciological framework for evaluating and interpreting paleoclimate records from Mullins Glacier.
Role of pulmonary rehabilitation in the management of patients with lung cancer.

Purpose of review Over the last decade, evidence-based support for pulmonary rehabilitation in the management of patients with chronic lung disease has grown tremendously. A beneficial role of pulmonary rehabilitation has been largely shown among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in patients with pulmonary emphysema enlisted for lung volume reduction surgery. In these settings, significant reductions in dyspnea, and improvements in exercise performance and health-related quality of life have been clearly demonstrated following a program of pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is often advocated as an adjunctive intervention in patients with cancer; however, the benefits of this intervention in the cancer setting, particularly in the perioperative setting for lung cancer, are only recently emerging. This review summarizes these investigations and highlights ongoing controversies regarding the utility of pulmonary rehabilitation in the surgical and medical management of patients with lung cancer. Recent findings Recent small studies suggest that pulmonary rehabilitation may favorably impact lung cancer management by improving a variety of clinically meaningful outcomes such as performance status, chemotherapy-related fatigue, oxygen consumption, exercise tolerance, and health-related quality of life. These findings, although intriguing, have not been investigated in any large, controlled trials to determine their impact, if any, on surgical resectability and outcome or on tolerance to aggressive chemoradiation therapy regimens. Summary Pulmonary rehabilitation shows promise as a therapeutic intervention in the management of lung cancer. Further, well designed, adequately powered studies, however, are urgently needed to address outstanding questions about its exact role in guiding lung cancer management.
The Carboxy Terminal Domain of Connexin43 From Molecular Regulation of the Gap Junction Channel to Supramolecular Organization of the Intercalated Disk

See related article, pages 1283–1291 Cardiac function depends fundamentally on gap junctions, plaques of transmembrane channels constructed from connexin proteins that bridge the plasma membranes of adjacent myocytes. By electrically coupling the entire myocyte population of the heart, these junctions preside over the cell-to-cell passage of the precisely orchestrated patterns of current flow that synchronize, coordinate, and harness individual cell contractions to generate the heart beat. In the ventricular myocardium, gap junctions are organized, together with 2 types of adhesion junction, the fasciae adherentes junctions and desmosomes, at the intercalated disks where the cell ends abut.1 The intercalated disk has a characteristic structure, exquisitely specialized for the task of integrating cell-to-cell electromechanical function (Figure). The fasciae adherentes junctions, which transmit mechanical force from cell to cell, link up the myofibrils of adjacent cells in series. They are thus, of necessity, situated in vertical zones of the disk. Because these vertical zones are staggered to varying extents, they are linked by membrane areas that lie parallel to the long axis of the cell. It is in these areas that the gap junctions are typically situated. Desmosomes, into which the desmin intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton insert, form discrete “press-studs” predominantly (though not exclusively) located in the same membrane zones as the gap junctions. Larger gap junctions are commonly located at the disk periphery.2–4 Each junction type has thus traditionally been regarded as a spatially distinct entity with its own specialized function. Figure. Supramolecular organization of junctions at the intercalated disk. Light microscopy of ventricular myocardium (A) shows the disks as dense irregular dark lines (arrows), marking the boundaries between individual myocytes. If we take a single myocyte (between squared brackets), and view it at higher magnification by thin-section electron microscopy (B), the step-like features of the disks are …
SCHEDULING WITH CHRONOLOGY-DIRECTED SEARCH

The intelligent use of scheduling heuristics can enable the production of effective schedules in spite of the inherent intractability of scheduling in complex, real-world domains. In order to effectively use these heuristics, information is needed on the current state of the evolving schedule. One method to obtain this information is to use chronologies - limited histories of the scheduling process. Chronology-directed search is an important component of the heuristic approach to automated scheduling.
Mentor's hand hygiene practices influence student's hand hygiene rates

Background There were 3 objectives for this prospective quasiexperimental study. The first was to determine the effect of mentor's hand hygiene practices on student's hand hygiene rates during clinical rotations. The second was to assess the difference in hand hygiene rates for students with and without prior medical experience. The third was to assess the student's opinion and beliefs regarding hand hygiene. Methods Sixty students enrolled in a certified nursing program were selected to participate in the study. Each study group was observed twice during the 30-day span. The first observational period was conducted on day 1 of clinical rotation. The second observational period was conducted on day 30 of clinical rotation. Students were observed for hand hygiene. Also assessed were medical experience, sex, gloving, age, and mentor's hand hygiene practices. After observational period 2, a brief questionnaire was given to students to determine their opinion and beliefs regarding hand hygiene. The questionnaire was divided into 5 sections: student's commitment to hand hygiene, their perception of hand hygiene inconvenience, the necessity of hand hygiene, the student's ability to perform hand hygiene, and their opinion on the frequency of medical staff's hand hygiene. Results The mentor's practice of hand hygiene was the strongest predictor of the student's rate of hand hygiene for both observational periods ( P P P = .01) and 44% during observational period 2 ( P P P = .82). Questionnaires were completed by 47 students, who reported a strong commitment to hand hygiene, belief in its necessity, and ability to perform hand hygiene (with scores in the high 90s on a 10 to 100 rating scale). Conclusion Mentor's use of hand hygiene and glove usage was associated with increased hand hygiene among students. Even though students reported strongly positive attitudes toward hand hygiene, students had a low overall rate of hand hygiene.
Fourier harmonic approach for visualizing temporal patterns of gene expression data

DNA microarray technology provides a broad snapshot of the state of the cell by measuring the expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously. Visualization techniques can enable the exploration and detection of patterns and relationships in a complex dataset by presenting the data in a graphical format in which the key characteristics become more apparent. The purpose of this study is to present an interactive visualization technique conveying the temporal patterns of gene expression data in a form intuitive for nonspecialized end-users. The first Fourier harmonic projection (FFHP) was introduced to translate the multidimensional time series data into a two dimensional scatter plot. The spatial relationship of the points reflect the structure of the original dataset and relationships among clusters become two dimensional. The proposed method was tested using two published, array-derived gene expression datasets. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Novel iron‐regulated and Fur‐regulated small regulatory RNAs in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Summary Iron can regulate biofilm formation via non-coding small RNA (sRNA). To determine if iron-regulated sRNAs are involved in biofilm formation by the periodontopathogen Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, total RNA was isolated from bacteria cultured with iron supplementation or chelation. Transcriptional analysis demonstrated that the expression of four sRNA molecules (JA01–JA04) identified by bioinformatics was significantly upregulated in iron-limited medium compared with iron-rich medium. A DNA fragment encoding each sRNA promoter was able to titrate Escherichia coli ferric uptake regulator (Fur) from a Fur-repressible reporter fusion in an iron uptake regulator titration assay. Cell lysates containing recombinant AaFur shifted the mobility of sRNA-specific DNAs in a gel shift assay. Potential targets of these sRNAs, determined in silico, included genes involved in biofilm formation. The A. actinomycetemcomitans overexpressing JA03 sRNA maintained a rough phenotype on agar, but no longer adhered to uncoated polystyrene or glass, although biofilm determinant gene expression was only modestly decreased. In summary, these sRNAs have the ability to modulate biofilm formation, but their functional target genes remain to be confirmed.
Generation and Characterization of Fully Human Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human Orai1 for Autoimmune Disease

Calcium entry into T cells following antigen stimulation is crucial for nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)-mediated T cell activation. The movement of calcium is mediated by calcium release-activated calcium (CRAC) channels. There are two key components of this channel: Orai1 is the pore-forming subunit located in the plasma membrane, and stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) functions as a Ca(2+) sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum. A subset of human patients carry mutations in either STIM1 or Orai1 that affect protein function or expression, resulting in defective store-operated Ca(2+) influx and CRAC channel function, and impaired T cell activation. These patients suffer from a hereditary form of severe combined immune deficiency syndrome, highlighting the importance of the CRAC channel for T lymphocyte function in humans. Since autoreactive T cells play an important role in the development of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and organ transplantation, Orai1 becomes an attractive therapeutic target for ameliorating autoimmune disease. We developed a novel approach to inhibiting CRAC function by generating high-affinity fully human monoclonal antibodies to human Orai1. These antibodies inhibited ICRAC current, store-operated Ca(2+) influx, NFAT transcription, and cytokine release. These fully human antibodies to human Orai1 may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of autoimmunity.
Corporate Governance in Asia: Eight Case Studies

Corporate governance has received an increasing amount of attention in recent years. Corporate scandals have brought corporate governance weaknesses to the attention of the general public, especially in the United States. Weaknesses in the corporate structure of some Asian countries have been partly blamed for some recessions that have occurred there.This paper begins with an overview of some basic corporate governance principles as identified by the OECD, World Bank and IMF, then proceeds to examine how these principles are being applied in selected Asian countries.
Hepcidin expression in human airway epithelial cells is regulated by interferon-γ

Background: Hepcidin serves as a major regulator of systemic iron metabolism and immune function. Airway epithelial cells have an extensive interface with the environment, and so must be able to respond locally to the presence of particulates, infection, and inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that hepcidin is expressed in airway epithelial cells and is regulated by early phase cytokines. Methods: Primary, differentiated human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were used to assess hepcidin gene expression in response to IFN-g, TNF-a, IL-1b, and IL-6, as well as to LPS + CD14. The role of the Janus Kinasesignal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway in IFN-g-mediated hepcidin production was assessed by measuring JAK2 phophorylation and STAT1 nuclear translocation. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was used to determine whether hepcidin altered iron transport in either NHBE cells or primary alveolar macrophages. Results: We demonstrate that differentiated human airway epithelial cells express hepcidin mRNA and that its expression is augmented in response to IFN-g via activation of STAT1. However, while IFN-g induced hepcidin gene expression, we were not able to demonstrate diminished expression of the iron export protein, ferroportin (Fpn), at the cell surface, or iron accumulation in airway epithelial in the presence of exogenous hepcidin. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that airway epithelial cells express hepcidin in the lung in response to IFN-g. The presence of hepcidin in the airway does not appear to alter cellular iron transport, but may serve as a protective factor via its direct antimicrobial effects.
Bolivia: Hyperinflation, stabilisation, and beyond

This article argues that the Bolivian hyperinflation of 1984–85 was fundamentally rooted in problems of external finance and distributional conflict and shows how the New Economic Policy (NEP) addressed these issues with an orthodox approach that attracted the support of international lending institutions and shifted the balance of power away from labour. Along the way, I conduct an econometric investigation of the proximate determinants of inflation in both the hyperinflationary and post‐inflation periods. I close by considering current and future problems in the Bolivian macroeconomy.
Accurate and efficient power calculations for 2 x m tables in unmatched case-control designs

The aim of this article was to derive an approximation of the distribution of Pearson's statistic for 2 x m contingency tables to calculate power for case-control studies accurately and efficiently in terms of computer time. We first prove that, rather than a non-central chi-square distribution, Pearson's statistic is asymptotically equivalent with the sum of squares of m independent normal random variables whose variances are typically different under the alternative hypothesis. Based on this asymptotically equivalent (AE) we derive a cost-effective approximation (CE). Numerical results show that CE was almost as precise as AE, but computationally more efficient. Although somewhat less costly in terms of CPU time, we show that a commonly used approximation using the non-central chi-square distribution can be very inaccurate and overestimate power in some scenarios and underestimate it in others. Simulations and exact distributions, on the other hand, are accurate but computationally very intensive compared to our CE. The CE reached its lowest accuracy under the null hypothesis where it has a chi-square distribution with m - 1 degree of freedom. This suggests that CE can be used to calculate power for tables where researchers would feel comfortable using Pearson's chi-square test.
Effects of Family Violence on Psychopathology Symptoms in Children Previously Exposed to Maltreatment

Although many studies suggest that family violence is associated with child psychopathology, multiple features of the home environment might account for this association, such as poverty and caregiver psychopathology. Studies are needed examining how change in psychopathology symptoms is affected by home violence, controlling for children's own developmental symptom histories and other predictors of psychopathology. This study used latent difference score structural equation modeling to test if witnessing home violence and/or experiencing harsh physical discipline predicted changes in psychopathology symptoms among 2,925 youth aged 5-16 years previously exposed to violence. Results demonstrated that harsh physical discipline predicted child-specific changes in externalizing symptoms, whereas witnessing violence predicted child-specific changes in internalizing symptoms across time. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
Low-temperature operation of SiGe p-n-p HBTs

Summary form only given. SiGe-base p-n-p transistors with good current gain (100-200) and high cutoff frequency (>50 GHz) were operated from room temperature down to 85 K with no degradation in either current gain or cutoff frequency. This demonstrates that proper device design can alleviate the performance degradation associated with the large valence-band discontinuity in the base-collector junction (valence-band barrier effects). A peak cutoff frequency of 61 GHz for V/sub bc/=2 V was obtained at 85 K compared to 59 GHz at 298 K. >
Bacterial endophyte communities in the foliage of coast redwood and giant sequoia.

The endophytic bacterial microbiome, with an emerging role in plant nutrient acquisition and stress tolerance, is much less studied in natural plant populations than in agricultural crops. In a previous study, we found consistent associations between trees in the pine family and acetic acid bacteria (AAB) occurring at high relative abundance inside their needles. Our objective here was to determine if that pattern may be general to conifers, or alternatively, is more likely restricted to pines, or conifers growing in nutrient limited and exposed environments. We used 16S rRNA pyrosequencing to characterize the foliar endophyte communities of two conifers in the Cupressaceae family: Two coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) populations and one giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) population were sampled. Similar to the pines, the endophyte communities of the giant trees were dominated by Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria. However, although some major OTUs occurred at a high relative abundance of 10-40% in multiple samples, no specific group of bacteria dominated the endophyte community to the extent previously observed in high-elevation pines. Several of the dominating bacterial groups in the coast redwood and giant sequoia foliage (e.g. Bacillus, Burkholderia, Actinomycetes) are known for disease- and pest suppression, raising the possibility that the endophytic microbiome protects the giant trees against biotic stress. Many of the most common and abundant OTUs in our dataset were most similar to 16S rRNA sequences from bacteria isolated from lichens or arctic plants. For example, an OTU belonging to the uncultured Rhizobiales LAR1 lineage, which is commonly associated with lichens, was observed at high relative abundance in many of the coast redwood samples. The taxa shared between the giant trees, arctic plants, and lichens may be part of a broadly defined endophyte microbiome common to temperate, boreal, and tundra ecosystems.
Temperature Effects on the Development, Survival, and Reproduction of the Madeira Mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), on Chrysanthemum

The Madeira mealybug, Phenacoccus madeirensis Green (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), has become an increasingly damaging pest in greenhouse ornamental production. Current manage- ment tactics of P. madeirensis require a regular chemical application schedule targeting the immature stages. Knowledge of the life cycle of P. madeirensis is important to the success of its management program. We investigated the effects of constant temperature (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40C) on the development, survival, and reproduction of P. madeirensis on chrysanthemum (Dendrathema x gran- diflora Kitam.). We failed to establish colonies at 30 Ð 40C. Between 15 and 25C, the duration of development of all developmental stages were shortened at higher temperatures. The total duration of development of female mealybugs was 30 da t 25 C, 46 da t 20C, and 66 d at 15C. Developmental time of males was 3Ð9 d longer than females. Survival rates of individual instars ranged between 88 and 100% and were not insuenced by temperature. Overall, 75% of eggs completed development to adulthood. Female mealybugs made up 50% of the adult populations in all temperature treatments. Adult longevity at 25C was 3 and 20 d for males and ovipositing females, respectively. Females at 20C produced the highest number of eggs (491 38 eggs/female).
Effect of Photoreactivating Light on Virus Infection of UV-exposed Potoroo Cells

(1975). Effect of Photoreactivating Light on Virus Infection of UV-exposed Potoroo Cells. International Journal of Radiation Biology and Related Studies in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine: Vol. 27, No. 5, pp. 487-491.
Comparison Between 1.5-T and 3-T MRI for Fetal Imaging: Is There an Advantage to Imaging With a Higher Field Strength?

OBJECTIVE. Fetal MRI at 3 T is emerging as a promising modality for evaluating fetal anatomy. The objective of this study was to compare the quality of images obtained with commonly used fetal imaging sequences at 1.5 T and 3 T. We hypothesized that the visualization and anatomic detail of fetal structures would be better at 3 T than at 1.5 T. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A retrospective search of the radiology department database at our institution identified 58 fetal MRI examinations performed at 3 T to evaluate body abnormalities during the period from July 2012 to February 2014. A blind comparison was conducted between these examinations and 58 1.5-T MRI examinations of age-matched fetuses undergoing evaluation for similar abnormalities during the same period. The anatomic structures analyzed included the bowel, liver, kidney, airway, cartilage, and spine. Scores for the depiction of anatomic structures ranged from 0 to 4, with 4 denoting the best depiction. RESULTS. Fetal imaging at 3 T was associated with...
A Procedure-Spanning Analysis of Plasma Membrane Integrity for Assessment of Cell Viability in Sperm Cryopreservation of Zebrafish Danio rerio

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate plasma membrane integrity and motility for zebrafish sperm quality assessment along the cryopreservation pathway—from sample collection through refrigerated storage, cryoprotectant equilibration, freezing, thawing, and fertilization. The objectives were to: (1) evaluate the effects of osmolality, extender, and refrigerated storage on sperm plasma membrane integrity and motility, and (2) compare cryopreservation of sperm from farm-raised and well-characterized research populations by evaluating motility and membrane integrity of fresh, post-equilibration (before freezing) and post-thaw sperm, and post-thaw fertility. Osmolality, extender, and storage time each influenced sperm motility and membrane integrity. Isotonic osmolality showed the best protection for motility and membrane integrity compared to hypotonic and hypertonic osmolalities. Of the four tested extenders, Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS) and Ca2+-free HBSS showed the best protection compare...