cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morphine directs T cells toward TH2 differentiation

Abstract Background. Failure of cell-mediated immunity is thought to increase the morbidity and mortality rates after trauma and major surgical procedures and to be the result, in part, of a redirection of CD4+ T cells toward T h2 differentiation. We tested the hypothesis that morphine treatment after injury promotes T h2 differentiation of precursor T cells through the μ-opioid receptor. Methods. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or splenocytes from either wild type or μ-opioid receptor knock-out mice were treated in vitro with either vehicle or morphine and then stimulated with anti-CD3/anti-CD28. The supernatant was assayed for T h1 (interleukin-2 [IL-2], interferon γ [IFNγ]) and T h2 (IL-4, IL-5) cytokines (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Morphine regulation of IL-4 transcription was investigated in PBMCs (IL-4 messenger RNA, nuclear factor of activated T-cells) and Jurkat T cells transfected with a murine IL-4 promoter-luciferase construct. Morphine-induced nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT) binding was assayed with the electromobility shift assay in Jurkat T cells. Results. Morphine treatment of PBMCs decreases IL-2 and IFNγ and increases IL-4 and IL-5 as a function of morphine concentration. Morphine treatment in wild type splenocytes inhibited IFNγ and stimulated IL-4 protein synthesis. Changes in cytokine synthesis were abolished in μ-opioid receptor knockout mice. Morphine treatment increases IL-4 messenger RNA accumulation in PBMCs and increases IL-4 promoter activity in Jurkat T cells. Morphine increases NFAT nuclear protein binding to an NFAT DNA response element. Conclusions. We conclude that morphine treatment promotes T h2 differentiation through a μ-opioid receptor mechanism and that morphine treatment increases IL-4 transcription, in part, through an NFAT mechanism. (Surgery 2001;130:304-9.)
The mercury resistance (mer) operon in a marine gliding flavobacterium, Tenacibaculum discolor 9A5

Genes conferring mercury resistance have been investigated in a variety of bacteria and archaea but not in bacteria of the phylum Bacteroidetes, despite their importance in many environments. We found, however, that a marine gliding Bacteroidetes species, Tenacibaculum discolor, was the predominant mercury-resistant bacterial taxon cultured from a salt marsh fertilized with mercury-contaminated sewage sludge. Here we report characterization of the mercuric reductase and the narrow-spectrum mercury resistance (mer) operon from one of these strains - T. discolor 9A5. This mer operon, which confers mercury resistance when cloned into Flavobacterium johnsoniae, encodes a novel mercury-responsive ArsR/SmtB family transcriptional regulator that appears to have evolved independently from other mercury-responsive regulators, a novel putative transport protein consisting of a fusion between the integral membrane Hg(II) transporter MerT and the periplasmic Hg(II)-binding protein MerP, an additional MerP protein, and a mercuric reductase that is phylogenetically distinct from other known mercuric reductases.
Riordan arrays associated with Laurent series and generalized Sheffer-type groups

A relationship between a pair of Laurent series and Riordan arrays is formulated. In addition, a type of generalized Sheffer groups is defined by using Riordan arrays with respect to power series with non-zero coefficients. The isomorphism between a generalized Sheffer group and the group of the Riordan arrays associated with Laurent series is established. Furthermore, Appell, associated, Bell, and hitting-time subgroups of the groups are defined and discussed. A relationship between the generalized Sheffer groups with respect to different type of power series is presented. The equivalence of the defined Riordan array pairs and generalized Stirling number pairs is given. A type of inverse relations of various series is constructed by using pairs of Riordan arrays. Finally, several applications involving various arrays, polynomial sequences, special formulas and identities are also presented as illustrative examples.
Understanding text after severe closed-head injury : Assessing inferences and memory operations with a think-aloud procedure

A think-aloud method was used to examine the content of information available to working memory during narrative comprehension in a CHI population. Twenty severe CHI participants (>1 year post-injury) and 20 controls talked aloud after they read each sentence of story narratives. Trabasso and Magliano's (1996a) verbal protocol analysis was then used to code for the production of inferential and non-inferential clauses and the memory operations that supported inferential clause production. We found that CHI and control groups produced a comparable number of clauses, that inferences dominated narrative comprehension, and that both groups produced more explanatory inferences than predictive or associative inferences. Despite these qualitative similarities, the CHI group demonstrated poorer comprehension, generated proportionately fewer inferences, relied less on retrieval as a memory source for explanatory inferences, and produced more non-inferential clauses and associative inferences.
Prostate cancer: Detection of extracapsular extension by genitourinary and general body radiologists at MR imaging

PURPOSE: To determine whether predictive value of endorectal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings in detection of prostate cancer extracapsular extension (ECE) is significantly affected by the reader’s subspecialty experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cohort study, 344 consecutive patients with biopsy-proved prostate cancer underwent endorectal MR imaging followed by surgery. Likelihood of ECE described in MR imaging reports was compared with clinical predictor variables. ECE was determined from the final pathologic report on specimens resected at surgery. Readers of MR images were classified into genitourinary MR imaging radiologists (n = 4) and general body MR imaging radiologists (n = 6). For data analysis, Wilcoxon rank sum and χ2 tests, as well as receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, were used. A difference with P < .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Univariate analysis results demonstrated that all predictors exc...
Controlling your environment and yourself: Implications for career success

Abstract Given the complex and rapidly changing nature of the current work environment, individuals' capabilities to effectively influence their environment and regulate their behavior may be critical to career success. Drawing from the model of emergent interactive agency (Bandura, 1989), the current research examines this perspective, focusing on proactive personality and self-control as predictors of extrinsic and intrinsic career success. Although some studies have investigated proactive personality as a predictor of success, less research has focused on factors involved in this relationship and very little work has examined self-control in the context of career success. Study 1 involved a cross-sectional design with 249 full-time employees who completed measures assessing personality and career-related variables. Study 2 involved a longitudinal design with 1568 individuals who were rated on self-control during childhood and completed career-related measures approximately 20 years later. Study 1 results indicated proactive personality and self-control related to extrinsic career success (salary and occupational prestige) through educational attainment. Study 2 results indicated self-control related to extrinsic career success (salary and occupational prestige) through educational attainment and intrinsic career success (career satisfaction) through occupational opportunity for achievement. These findings contribute to the knowledge base regarding career success by highlighting the relevance of active control tendencies that are externally focused (proactive personality) as well as those that are internally focused (self-control) and identifying key factors linking these traits to career success.
Estimation of small-area proportions using covariates and survey data

Abstract Data gathered in surveys often are used to estimate characteristics for subsets of the survey population. If the sample from a subset is small, then a traditional design-based survey estimator may have unacceptably large variance. Small-area estimation reduces the variance of estimators by “borrowing strength” across subsets. Here we compare estimators based on two models, one that uses simple geographic clustering and demographic data and one that uses more elaborate covariate information that relates subsets to one another. Data are from a survey conducted by the Gallup Organization. The methods incorporate survey weight information and are appropriate for rare events. Empirical Bayes estimation techniques are used. Covariates for the second model are selected in a step-wise manner until addition of another covariate does not yield a decrease in an objective criterion.
High density magnetic recording media design and identification: susceptibility to thermal decay

Systematic simulation studies of magnetic and recording properties of thin film media at ultrahigh density have been performed with thermal effects taken into account. In the bulk magnetic property study, the focus is on coercivity. A formula for the ratio of the writing coercivity to that from the vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) is given. The writing of di-bits and their subsequent thermal decay are simulated for a wide range of medium parameter values. From these simulations, the medium performance is mapped out on an anisotropy-constant-saturation-magnetization plane and the range of proper medium parameters suitable for stable storage determined. Ways to predict the thermal decay of written information by bulk measurements are discussed.
Circulating gangliosides of breast-cancer patients

Gangliosides were isolated from the sera of recently diagnosed breast-cancer patients and from individuals who were apparently free of disease. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out by 2-dimensional high-performance thin-layer chromatography and gas chromatography. The locations of isolated gangliosides on thin-layer chromatograms were determined by visualization with resorcinol, and each spot was quantified by digital image densitometry. The ganglioside profiles of cancer patients were compared to those of the control group, revealing a significant increase in total lipid-bound sialic acid and a specific increase in polysialogangliosides in the patients with breast cancer. Furthermore, an increase was noted in the ratio of gangliosides of the b-series biosynthetic pathway over those of the a-series in the cancer sera, as compared to the controls. Gas chromatographic analysis of the peracetylated methanolysis mixtures derived from the total ganglioside fraction of cancer patients supported the HPTLC data, with an increase in total sialic acid, galactose, and sphingosine residues. No unusual gangliosides were found in the mixture from breast-cancer patients. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Characterizing hot-carrier transport in silicon heterostructures with the use of ballistic-electron-emission microscopy.

High-energy (0.1\char21{}1 eV) measurements of ballistic carrier transport in semiconductors have been performed using a new ballistic-electron-emission microscopy (BEEM) technique. Hot-electron attenuation lengths for p-type Si have been determined by combining precise Si molecular-beam-epitaxy methods with BEEM. A striking anomaly has been observed in the comparison of the 293- and 77-K results.
Androgen metabolism in the brain and non-neural tissues of the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana.

By investigating steroid conversions in the bullfrog Rana catesbeiana, the present study tests the hypothesis that androgen metabolism by the central nervous system (CNS) is a primitive vertebrate characteristic. Parts of the brain containing the amygdala, preoptic area, and hypothalamus (AMY/HTH), remaining forebrain (RFB), midbrain and hindbrain (MB/HB), and also the ovary, testis, muscle, and fat were homogenized and incubated with [7α-3H]androstenedione and cofactors for 60 min at 25°. Products were isolated and characterized by thin-layer chromatography and recrystallized to constant specific activity; estrone (E1) derived from brain incubates was also methylated. E1, testosterone (T), and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were the metabolic products in brain incubates. In addition to E1, ovarian homogenates synthesized estradiol-17β (E2-17β) and estradiol-17α (E2-17α), but no aromatase activity was detectable in the testis, fat, or muscle. T was the primary metabolite in the testis. Radioimmunoassayable T, DHT, E1, and E2 were present in the plasma of male and female bullfrogs. Concentration of aromatase in the HTH/AMY of the bullfrog is consistent with a similar distribution of enzyme activity in the limbic system or its homologs in a reptile and mammals. Centers for the control of reproduction and cells which bind sex steroids have been identified in the same brain areas in other anuran species. The experiments reported here indicate that the conversion of androgen to estrogen and other neutral metabolites by the brain is a primitive tetrapod characteristic and suggest that metabolism is an integral component of brain-steroid interactions which has been conserved during the evolution of vertebrates.
Effects of ZnS:Mn concentrated vinyl ester matrices under flexural loading on the triboluminescent yield

Abstract This paper investigates the feasibility of using zinc sulfide manganese (ZnS:Mn) concentrated vinyl ester resin as a photon emitter for damage monitoring of polymer composites under flexural loading. Unreinforced vinyl ester resins doped with optical emitting materials (ZnS:Mn phosphors) in ratios of 5–50% by weight were cast, and subjected to flexural loading using standard 3-point bend tests. The intent of this work was to observe the transient response of triboluminescence (TL) throughout the failure cycle. Results indicate TL crystals emit light at various intensities corresponding to crystal concentration and imminent matrix fracture. Consequently, concentrated samples showed nearly 50% reductions of mechanical moduli. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed particulate inclusions with shearing bands and semblance of particle to resin adhesion. Despite significant parasitic effect to mechanical properties, the triboluminescent properties occur at yielding and point of matrix fracture.
Viscoelastic Rotational Vibration Absorber for Remote Sensing Applications

The ability to eliminate, or effectively control, vibration in remote sensing applications is critical. Any perturbations of an imaging system are greatly magnified over the hundreds of kilometers from the orbiting space platform to the Earth’s surface. Space platforms, such as the International Space Station, are not as predictable or stable as many other spacecraft. Therefore, an effective vibration isolation and/or absorber system is needed that operates over a wide range of excitation frequencies. A passive system is also preferred to reduce the resources required, as well as provide a reliable and self-contained system. To accomplish these goals, a vibration amplitude limiting system has been developed that uses both vibration isolation and absorber components. Viscoelastic structural elements that act as both a spring and a damper in a single element are implemented in the design. This configuration also demonstrates a favorable frequency dependent response and produces a system with improved dynamic behavior compared to conventional spring and damper designs. This rotation limiting vibration system has been designed and analyzed for use in digital remote sensing imaging. The transmissibility and the ground jitter associated with the system are determined. A summary of these results will be presented along with a comparison to a more conventional vibration isolation/absorber system.© 2003 ASME
Dysphoria and Self-Esteem Following an Achievement Event: Predictive Validity of Goal Orientation and Personality Style Theories of Vulnerability

B. M. Dykman (1998) proposed a goal orientation model of depression in which striving to prove self-worth in goal pursuits conferred depression vulnerability. This study replicated and extended the findings of B. M. Dykman (1998) by comparing goal orientation against 2 personality variables: autonomy and sociotropy. In a series of sessions around an achievement event, college students completed goal orientation, autonomy/sociotropy, and measures of dysphoria and self-esteem. For participants who were dissatisfied with the achievement outcome, a greater validation seeking goal orientation predicted increased dysphoria and decreased self-esteem. No such effects were found for autonomy or sociotropy. These findings provide support for the contention that the goal of validating self-worth confers vulnerability to dysphoria and self-esteem loss.
Modulation of net outward current in cultured neurons by angiotensin. II: Involvement of AT1 and AT2 receptors

Abstract In this study we have used whole-cell, voltage-clamp procedures to determine the effects of angiotensin II (AII) on net outward current (Ino) in neurons co-cultured from the hypothalamus and brainstem of 1-day-old rats. Ino is the sum of all inward and outward membrane currents (minus Na+, which is blocked by tetrodotoxin) which occur during the repolarization phase of the action potential. We have determined that AII elicits two separate effects on Ino in cultured neurons. AII caused a reversible and concentration (0.1 nM–10 μM)-dependent increase in Ino. This effect is inhibited by the AT2 receptor-selective antagonists, PD123177 and PD123319 (both 100 nM), but not by the AT1-selective receptor blocker, DuP753 (Losartan; 100 nM), and so it is mediated by AT2 receptors. In a smaller number of neurons AII induced a reversible and concentration (0.01 nM–10 μM)-dependent decrease in Ino that was blocked by Losartan (100 nM) but not by PD123177 (100 nM). Thus the decrease in Ino is mediated by AT1 receptors. Additionally, some neurons displayed both AT1- and AT2 receptor-mediated effects on Ino. Our results demonstrate two distinct actions of AII on membrane ionic currents in cultured neurons, effects that are mediated by different AII receptor subtypes.
Design of high-loading and high-stability viscoelastic emulsions for polymethoxyflavones

Abstract Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), a class of highly lipophilic phytochemicals found in citrus peels, were documented to possess various potent biofunctionalities. The efficacies of PMFs are greatly limited by their low solubility in aqueous environment and rapid metabolic activities. Moreover, the incorporation of PMFs into pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food products has been hindered by the instability of their liquid formulates and crystalline sedimentation at application and storage temperatures. In this paper, a new method of forming highly stable viscoelastic emulsions was revealed to suspend and encapsulate high loadings of PMFs (> 2.5%) for prolonged storage under ambient temperature. Without utilizing any potentially toxic organic solvent during processing, oil-in-water (O/W) viscoelastic emulsions were constituted solely by GRAS status food ingredients: medium chain triacylglycerol (MCT), lecithin, and water. The viscoelastic emulsion matrices were homogeneous mixtures of PMF crystals and saturated emulsion droplets with an average particle size of approximately 400 nm. Depending on their lipophilicity, the sizes of PMF crystals entrapped in the viscoelastic emulsion matrix varied considerably, with 9.3 ± 1.3 μm and 3.8 ± 0.6 μm for tangeretin and 5-demethyl tangeretin respectively. The effectiveness of viscoelastic structures to prevent the sedimentation of crystalline PMFs was confirmed by studying dissolution kinetics at 0, 15, 30, and 60 times of the emulsion dilutions. With PMF concentrations remaining constant in undiluted emulsion samples during the investigation time frame, PMF dissolution concentrations decreased to (26.3 ± 2.8)% and (52.7 ± 2.6)% for tangeretin and 5-demethyl tangeretin, respectively.
The use of sensitivity analysis in designing optimal gust alleviation systems

Sensitivity analysis and optimal control theory used to design optimal gust alleviation systems, discussing gain and gear ratios
Photocarrier diffusion at a Si(111) surface studied by reflective two-color transient grating scattering

The dynamics of photocarrier diffusion was studied by a two color transient grating technique in reflection geometry. A single exponential decay feature was observed immediately following the electron excitation pulse and was attributed to band edge carrier diffusion.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Overexpression of amyloid precursor protein alters its normal processing and is associated with neurotoxicity

The recent discovery that point mutations in the beta/A4 amyloid precursor protein may be the cause of certain forms of familial Alzheimer's disease provides strong support for the view that a thorough understanding of the metabolism of this protein may elucidate the pathogenesis of most forms of the disease and thus serve as a basis for rational prevention and therapy. Here we show that overexpression of a portion of the amyloid precursor protein molecule produces at least four distinct fragments of the COOH-terminus of amyloid precursor protein, suggesting altered proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein, and that such overexpression is associated with cytotoxicity. The degree of toxicity in the P19 cell culture model (differentiating mouse embryonal carcinoma cells) is shown to be related to the two larger novel COOH-terminal protein fragments (16 and 14 kilodalton), as well as to levels of expression of these two fragments. The toxicity is manifested in several differentiated cell lineages, including neuronal cells.
Colonoscopy is well tolerated and guides therapeutic decisions in patients with acute non-ST, segment elevation myocardial infarction

Colonoscopy is well tolerated and guides therapeutic decisions in patients with acute non-ST, segment elevation myocardial infarction
Receptor binding: radiopharmaceutical studies.

The use of radiolabeled ligands to explore receptor sites in vivo represents one of the most challenging frontiers in nuclear medicine. This chapter is intended to review some of the background biology and applicable radiopharmaceutical principles, rather than exploring any one receptor in great detail. There are several receptors that are famous (“infamous”) in the etiology of human disease.
de Haas-van Alphen studies in zirconium to 92 kG

An investigation of the de Haas-van Alphen effect in Zr has been made using the field-modulation method in fields to 92 kG. Three new branches in the de Haas-van Alphen spectrum have been observed and several previously observed branches have been extended over wider angular ranges. The $\ensuremath{\beta}$ and $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ branches have been shown to coalesce into a single branch and have been traced throughout all three symmetry planes. The cyclotron mass values have been obtained for this branch at $〈11\overline{2}0〉$ and $〈10\overline{1}0〉$. The Fermi-surface model of Jepsen, Andersen, and Mackintosh appears to be able to account for the experimental results if it is appropriately modified, particularly in the third and fourth Brillouin zones.
Calretinin-Immunoreactive Dopaminergic Neurons from Embryonic Rat Mesencephalon Are Resistant to Levodopa-Induced Neurotoxicity

Levodopa, which is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, has known cytotoxic effects on dopaminergic neurons grown in culture. Calretinin (CR) is a cytosolic calcium-binding protein found in specific subpopulations of neurons as well as in some nonneuronal tissue. CR is expressed in 10% of rat embryo dopaminergic neurons grown in vitro. Since it has been postulated that CR provides neuroprotection due to its calcium-binding properties, we investigated whether CR-containing dopaminergic neurons were spared from levodopa toxicity. Incubation of mesencephalic cells with 10(-5) to 10(-7) M levodopa on Days 1-6 in vitro produced no significant effects on the number of dopaminergic neurons containing CR, but resulted in the loss of approximately 65% of the dopaminergic cells which did not contain CR. The remaining CR-negative dopaminergic neurons exhibited dose-dependent reductions in neurite length. The neuronal processes in CR-containing dopaminergic cells retained a smooth bipolar appearance. CR-immunoreactive cells which did not contain dopamine showed slight neurite length decreases at the highest drug concentrations but no changes in neuron number. These results indicate that CR may protect dopaminergic neurons from levodopa-induced toxicity.
Aerodynamics of a Fuel Spoke in a Gas Turbine Combustor

The three-dimensional unsteady flow in a gas turbine combustor was studied using CFD means. The flow structure around a fuel spoke is of interest not only because of pollutant issues, but also because of combustor operating issues such as combustion acoustics and potential flame-holding in the premixer. The CFD model was tested extensively in terms of grid density and lime-marching step size before the final calculation was made. It was shown that when a swirling flow crosses over a cylindrical fuel spoke, wake vortices are formed and a strong secondary flow is generated along the spanwise direction. A secondary vortex existed near the tip of the spoke. This complex flow structure affects the quality of fuel and air mixing and can be addressed by CFD-based design methods.Copyright © 1998 by ASME
Gastroparesis and Gastroparesis-like Syndrome: Response to Therapy and Its Predictors

Purpose The natural history and outcome of patients with gastroparesis is not well known. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical or pathophysiological characteristics, if any, that may be helpful in predicting therapeutic response in this condition. Methods This is a retrospective study of a cohort of patients who presented to a tertiary referral center with symptoms suggestive of gastroparesis. All patients were evaluated by scintigraphic measurement of gastric emptying and symptoms were scored using a modification of the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI). Treatment generally included conservative measures such as antiemetics, prokinetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and analgesics as well as various more invasive interventions in selected patients. Response to treatment was defined as a change in the overall GCSI score of two-thirds or more as compared with baseline. Results Out of a total of 93 patients, 69 patients met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 29 patients had diabetes mellitus and 40 patients had gastroparesis of nondiabetic etiology. Out of 69 patients, 49 were responders (71%) and 20 were nonresponders (29%). The cause (diabetic versus nondiabetic) of gastroparesis or the presence of delayed emptying did not correlate with response. However, the severity of stomach distension, bloating subscale score, and the global GCSI score at baseline presentation were predictive of response by multivariate analysis. Conclusion Higher global GCSI score, bloating subscale score, and severity of stomach distension at baseline presentation correlated with an unfavorable response in gastroparetic patients. On the other hand, neither the etiology of gastroparesis nor associated delay in gastric emptying appeared to be important in the clinical response. Patients with symptoms of typical gastroparesis but without delays in gastric emptying may have a distinct syndrome with a greater proportion of males than classical gastroparesis.
Bound vibrational levels of the two lowest 1Σ+ states of LiF

Abstract The energies of the vibrational levels of the two lowest 1 Σ + states of LiF corresponding to adiabatic and to diabatic potential energy curves are calculated and compared. The high-lying levels of the ionic adiabatic and diabatic states separating to Li + + F - are represented by quantum defect formulas.
Biopolymer mimicry with polymeric wormlike micelles: Molecular weight scaled flexibility, locked‐in curvature, and coexisting microphases

Giant and stable wormlike micelles formed in water from a series of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based diblock copolymer amphiphiles mimicked the flexibility of various cytoskeletal filaments. The worm diameter (d) was found by cryo-transmission electron microscopy to scale with the length of the hydrophobic chain (Nh) of the copolymer as d ∼ Nh0.61. By fluorescence video imaging of worm dynamics, we also showed that the persistence length (lP) of wormlike micelles scaled as lP ∼ d2.8, consistent with a fluid aggregate (∼d3) rather than a solid rod (∼d4). By polymerizing the unsaturated bonds of assembled copolymers, fluid worms were converted to solid-core worms, extending the bending rigidity from that of intermediate filament biopolymers to actin filaments and, in principle, microtubules. Through partial crosslinking, polymerized worms further locked in spontaneous curvature at a novel fluid-to-solid percolation point. The dynamics of distinct, branched conformations were also imaged for recently discovered Y-junctioned wormlike micelles composed of diblocks of high molecular weight (>10–15 kg/mol). Finally, block copolymers of hydrophilic weight fraction close to the transition between a vesicle- and worm-former assembled into both structures, allowing encapsulation of wormlike micelles in giant vesicles reminiscent of cytoskeletal filaments enclosed within cells. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 168–176, 2004
Asymmetric membranes by wet phase inversion of phenylated polyphenylene

Asymmetric membranes of phenylated polyphenylene were prepared by wet phase inversion. The polyphenylene (Mn = 62 kDa, PD = 2.3) was prepared by Diels–Alder polymerization of 1,4-bis(tetraphenylcyclopentadienonyl)benzene with 1,4-diethynylbenzene at 180°C. Solvents and non-solvents were experimentally identified and solvent : non-solvent systems were evaluated by the quality of the resulting membranes. Cyclohexanone/n-butanol (88 : 12) as solvent and n-butanol as the non-solvent were found to afford the best asymmetric membranes with minimal defects. Membranes (20–30 µm thick) from coagulating 11.5 wt % polyphenylene from cyclohexanone/n-butanol in n-butanol baths exhibited 250–300 nm, non-porous skins overlaying 20–30 µm of open-celled, spongiform structure. Due to a relatively high glass transition temperature of 370°C, the phenylated polyphenylene membranes retained their porosity to 200°C higher than polysulfone asymmetric membranes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013
Social Security Privatization and Market Risk

Under Social Security privatization, workers would be allowed to divert some of the money that currently goes to Social Security into private accounts. This would expose them to market risk, that is, the risk of a substantial drop in equity prices or of a prolonged bear market. This could result in generations of workers with less money than they thought they would have for retirement. Depending on a worker's birth date, if the privatization approach proposed by President Bush's Commission to Strengthen Social Security had been enacted at the start of the Social Security program, the retirement benefits generated from putting 10% of earnings in a private account for 35 years would have ranged from 100% to less than 20% relative to pre-retirement earnings. The extraordinarily high retirement income generated from the booming 1990s stock market was the equivalent of winning the generational lottery—unlikely to be repeated regularly. Even under these beneficial circumstances, a privatized system could have cost the government more than $1 trillion in today's dollars over the past 3 decades if the government decided to help out those who accumulated too little for retirement. The primary alternative to a government bailout of the Social Security system, older workers working longer, would likely not generate the desired results. Workers wanting to work longer would create labor market pressures typically at times when unemployment is already high.
Gordon, Community Radio in the Twenty-First Century

(2012). Bern, Switzerland: Peter Lang AG. 403 pages. Given the consolidation of radio ownership, lay-offs of radio personnel, and many American radio stations merely serving as repeaters for nation...
Increased excretion of dehydroascorbic and diketogulonic acids by rats in the cold.

Summary1. Adult albino rats were exposed to environmental temperatures of 21°C for control, and 0°C for experimental periods. 2. Urinary excretion of ascorbic acid at 0°C was increased 53%, dehydroascorbic acid increased 186%, and diketogulonic acid 500% above the values obtained on the same rats at 21°C. 3. All of these increases were found to be highly significant.
An inference–proof approach to privacy-preserving horizontally partitioned linear programs

Mangasarian (Optim. Lett., 6(3), 431–436, 2012) proposed a constraints transformation based approach to securely solving the horizontally partitioned linear programs among multiple entities—every entity holds its own private equality constraints. More recently, Li et al. (Optim. Lett., doi:10.1007/s11590-011-0403-2, 2012) extended the transformation approach to horizontally partitioned linear programs with inequality constraints. However, such transformation approach is not sufficiently secure – occasionally, the privately owned constraints are still under high risk of inference. In this paper, we present an inference–proof algorithm to enhance the security for privacy-preserving horizontally partitioned linear program with arbitrary number of equality and inequality constraints. Our approach reveals significantly less information than the prior work and resolves the potential inference attack.
Intelligent teaching models for STEM related careers using a service-oriented architecture and management science

The development of World Wide Web (WWW) a little more than a decade ago has caused an information explosion that needs an Intelligent Web (IW) for users to easily control their information and commercial needs. Therefore, engineering schools have offered a variety of IW courses to cultivate hands-on experience and training for industrial systems. In this study, Intelligent Teaching Models for STEM Related Careers Using Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Management Science project course has been designed. The goal is to help students learn theoretical concepts of IW, practice advanced technical skills, and discover knowledge to solve problem. Undergraduate Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students involved in the development of innovative approaches and techniques. They are able to help solve the problems of disease misdiagnoses that medical and health care professionals experience. They co-authored and presented numerous research papers introducing the solution via scientific conferences and journals. This study provides the solution in the form of an Intelligent models using an integration of Service-Oriented Architecture and Management Science to decrease disease misdiagnosis in health care. Results show that this new course strengthens the capacity and quality of STEM undergraduate degree programs and the number of overall graduate student enrollment. It promotes a vigorous STEM academic environment and increases the number of students entering STEM careers. It expands the breadth of faculty and student involvement in research and development. It enhances and leverages the active engagement of faculty technology transfer and translational research. It improves and develops new relationships between educational institutions and research funding entities to broaden the university's research portfolio and increase funding. The proposed project course is a software engineering research methodology, an educational tool, and a teaching technique is needed in future medical and health IT fields.
Error probability in Nakagami-Rice channel

The error probability for differential phase shift keying (DPSK) and noncoherent frequency shift keying (FSK) signals transmitted through a severe fading channel termed as Nakagami-Rice channel is derived and is compared with the error probability for the well-known Rayleigh channel.
Combined Effects of Salts and Temperature on the Thermal Destruction of Staphylococcus aureus MF-31

The combined effects of salts (NaCl and KCl) and heat treatment temperature on the thermal destruction of Staphylococcus aureus MF-31 was studied by determining the relationships between the decimal reduction time (D value), temperature and each of three parameters (water activity, osmotic pressure and water binding energy) of the heating menstruum. The results demonstrated that the resistance of S. aureus MF-31 to heat destruction increased as the degree of salt-water association increased. Salts and heat treatment temperature had an interactive effect on heat resistance; however, increasing the heat treatment temperature made the difference caused by salt concentrations become insignificant.
Prediction of population-level response from mysid toxicity test data using population modeling techniques

Acute and chronic bioassay statistics are used to evaluate the toxicity and risks of chemical stressors to the mysid shrimp Americamysis bahia (formerly Mysidopsis bahia). These include LC50 values from acute tests, chronic values (the geometric mean of the no-observed-effect concentration and the lowest-observed-effect concentration from 7-d and life-cycle tests), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency water quality criterion continuous concentration (CCC). Because these statistics are generated from responses of individual organisms, the relationships of these statistics to significant effects at higher levels of ecological organization are unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the quantitative relationships between toxicity test statistics and a concentration-based statistic derived from exposure–response models relating projected population growth rate to stressor concentration. This statistic, C*, describes the concentration above which mysid populations are projected to decline in abundance as determined using population modeling techniques. An analysis of responses of A. bahia to 10 metals, nine organic compounds, and ammonia surprisingly indicated the acute LC50 to be the best predictor of C*, followed by the chronic value from life-cycle tests, which predicted population-level response almost equally as well. The chronic value for the 7-d test was less predictive of population-level effects. The CCC was lower than C* for 94% of the compounds evaluated, indicating the criterion value to be protective of population-level effects for A. bahia, as intended.
The DNA damaging agent etoposide activates a cell survival pathway involving α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate receptors and mitogen-activated protein kinases in hippocampal neurons†

Etoposide, an inhibitor of topoisomerase II that induces DNA damage and can trigger cell death, is used as a chemotherapeutic agent. Because chemotherapies can result in neurological complications and because DNA damage in neurons is implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, we studied the effects of etoposide on cultured hippocampal neurons. We found that etoposide induces neuronal apoptosis and that, prior to the cell death commitment point, there is an increase in whole-cell alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA)-induced current but no change in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced current. Associated with the increase in AMPA-induced current was an increase in the amounts of AMPA receptor subunits GluR1 and GluR4, whereas levels of the NMDA receptor subunit NR1 were unaffected by etoposide. AMPA receptor activation can result in excitotoxic cell death but can also activate signaling pathways that promote synaptic plasticity and cell survival. We found that etoposide increases the activation of p42 and p44 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, and that activation of the MAP kinases by etoposide requires AMPA receptor activation. Pharmacological blockade of AMPA receptors and p42/p44 MAP kinases, but not of NMDA receptors, exacerbated etoposide-induced cell death. These findings suggest that, although etoposide is neurotoxic, it also activates a cell survival pathway involving AMPA receptor-mediated activation of p42/p44 MAP kinases. Agents that selectively inhibit the cell life or death pathways triggered by DNA damage may prove useful in the settings of cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, respectively.
The Importance of Understanding the Nature of Science for Accepting Evolution

Many students reject evolutionary theory, whether or not they adequately understand basic evolutionary concepts. We explore the hypothesis that accepting evolution is related to understanding the nature of science. In particular, students may be more likely to accept evolution if they understand that a scientific theory is provisional but reliable, that scientists employ diverse methods for testing scientific claims, and that relating data to theory can require inference and interpretation. In a study with university undergraduates, we find that accepting evolution is significantly correlated with understanding the nature of science, even when controlling for the effects of general interest in science and past science education. These results highlight the importance of understanding the nature of science for accepting evolution. We conclude with a discussion of key characteristics of science that challenge a simple portrayal of the scientific method and that we believe should be emphasized in classrooms.
Towards a layered view of control

The use of layered or hierarchical frameworks for the design and implementation of algorithms for comprehending and controlling systems is quite common. We describe two such hierarchical systems and then go on to attempt to formalize the properties of multi-layered frameworks. The first example is a video-based traffic surveillance system. The second example is a system designed to control the movement of vehicles on an automated highway.
Teaching and Learning in a Social Media Ecosystem: A Case Study

This in-depth case study of a social media learning ecosystem in higher education used mixed-methods to evaluate a strategic, pedagogy-driven integration of social media in college courses. In-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses suggest that the strategic integration of social media into instruction benefited students and positively affected the key outcomes of learning, motivation, teacher relationship, and career success.
The Spectrum-Allocation Debate: An Analysis

The standard approach to radio-spectrum allocation in the US posits three alternative models from which regulators choose (on a case-by-case basis) to impose basic rules for coordinating wireless activities. However, this regulatory framework often yields anticonsumer outcomes. The author argues that public policy should instead permit competitive market forces to allocate airwave rights among rival users. One mechanism for accomplishing this shift is to move away from administrative allocations to a general regime of exclusive property rights
Mössbauer-Effect Study of the Magnetic Structure of Single-Crystal Erbium

The magnetic structures of erbium metal have been investigated using the M\"ossbauer effect with single-crystal absorbers and a paramagnetic Ho${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}$ source. Measurements were performed between 4.2 and 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K on two single crystals, one with the $c$ axis parallel and the other perpendicular to the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray beam. At 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K an analysis of the relative areas of the five resonance lines yields a value of (26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3)\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for the semiapex angle of the ferromagnetic cone. No analysis was made on data from the intermediate-temperature region, because of the small effect. In the high-temperature region, a two-line spectrum was obtained at 55\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with the $c$ axis parallel to the beam. The data are best fitted by two Lorentzian lines, but an approximate fit can be achieved with a distribution of Lorentzian lines appropriate to a continuous sinusoidal distribution of hyperfine field values. At the N\'eel temperature of 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, a single-line spectrum was found with a full width at half-maximum of 0.34 cm/sec.
Combined Stereovision and Phase Shifting Method: Use of a Visibility-Modulated Fringe Pattern

The use of a color visibility-modulated fringe pattern is proposed to further accelerate image acquisition in the newly proposed combined stereovision and phase shifting method for 3-D shape measurement. This combined method uses two cameras and one projector and can significantly reduce errors caused by inaccurate phase measurement. To eliminate the need for pattern switching and thus make real-time image acquisition possible, the use of a visibility-modulated fringe pattern was previously proposed. This modified pattern is sinusoidal in one direction as in a conventional fringe pattern, but is visibility-modulated in the other direction. With this modified fringe pattern, pixel-level stereo matching can be achieved in both directions without having to change the fringe pattern. In this paper, a color visibility-modulated fringe pattern is introduced to further accelerate image acquisition. To obtain the three fringe images simultaneously, we encode the three phase-shifted fringe patterns into the R, G, and B channels to form a color visibility-modulated fringe pattern and project it onto the object via a color projector. The color fringe image is then captured by two single-CCD color cameras simultaneously, each subsequently split into three grayscale fringe images. With this technique, only a single color fringe image is needed for 3-D reconstruction and the image acquisition speed is limited only by the frame rate of the camera, which makes it possible to measure rapidly changing objects. The problems specifically associated with color systems, such as color coupling and color imbalance, will be shown to have much less effect on the measured results, which contributes to the improvement of the system accuracy. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the proposed method.
Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty for primary hypospadiac repair

Objective: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty has become a popular technique for repairing distal and proximal hypospadias in many institutions. Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty has been used in our institution since 2003 to reduce the risk of meatal stenosis. In the present study, we evaluated the results of the dorsal inlay graft procedure. Methods: A total of 28 patients with no deep groove and no severe curvature underwent one-stage urethroplasty using an inner preputial-based dorsal inlay graft. The medical records of all patients were retrospectively reviewed with regard to complication rate and cosmetic appearance. Results: Mean patient age at surgery was 21 months (range, 14 months to 4.6 years). Preoperatively the urethral meatus was coronal in two cases, distal shaft in 17, proximal shaft in six and penoscrotal in three. Nine patients required testosterone therapy before surgery. Mean operative time was 200 min (range, 154–249 min). Mean length of inlay graft was 20.9 mm (range, 12–30 mm). In all patients, a straight penis was achieved without dorsal plication of the corposa cavernosa, and the neomeatus with a slit-like appearance was positioned at the glans tip. At a mean of 22 months of follow up, a urethrocutaneous fistula developed in only one patient (3.6%), requiring repair surgery 6 months after urethroplasty. No patient had meatal stenosis, neourethral stricture or urethral diverticulum along the inlay graft. Conclusion: Dorsal inlay graft urethroplasty is an effective method for hypospadiac repair and leads to good cosmetic outcome with low risk of complications.