cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comment on: How common is inflammatory marker-negative disease in giant cell arteritis?

Sir, We read with interest the report by Dr Levy and colleagues1 about a case of giant cell arteritis (GCA) with normal C-reactive protein (CRP). The studies reviewed by the authors indicate that this is an unusual finding. However, the authors' inadvertent omission of two recent articles evaluating laboratory predictors of a positive temporal artery biopsy is potentially misleading.2, 3 The study by Parikh et al4 used a much lower cut-off for normal CRP of 5 mg/l, which may be the reason for the high sensitivity of CRP reported in their study. In the study by Walvick and Walvick,2 a CRP cut-off of 5 mg/l yielded a sensitivity of 94.9%, which means that 5.1% had a falsely normal CRP (less than 5 mg/l). In our study of 764 patients who underwent temporal artery biopsy, the sensitivity of CRP for GCA was 86.4%.3 In other words, 13.6% patients had a normal CRP (less than 8 mg/l in our laboratory), a much higher percentage than previously reported. Therefore, normal CRP does not exclude GCA in a patient with high clinical suspicion such as the case reported by Levy and colleagues.1 We would also suggest that the case reported by Levy and colleagues1 had an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and therefore would more appropriately be considered ‘CRP-negative' rather than ‘inflammatory marker-negative disease'. True ‘inflammatory marker-negative disease' (ie, both ESR and CRP normal) is rare but was observed in 4% (seven patients) in our study.3 In summary, the currently available biomarkers for diagnosis of GCA (ie, ESR and CRP) are imperfect given the less than desired sensitivity and poor specificity. Additionally, while studies evaluating these biomarkers provide us with aggregate results about a group of patients, they remain suboptimal when considering an individual patient presentation. Regardless of laboratory evaluation, in patients with high clinical suspicion for GCA we believe a temporal artery biopsy should be pursued as was done by Dr Levy and colleagues1 to establish the diagnosis.
A New Species of Gall Midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) Infesting Switchgrass in the Northern Great Plains

A new species of gall midge, Chilophaga virgati Gagne (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), collected from tillers of switchgrass at Brookings, South Dakota (44.31134° N, 96.78374° W) is described here. Plant morphological symptoms of infestation and frequency of tillers infested are also provided. Full-grown larvae of C. virgati were found inside the sheath of the flag leaf of reproductive tillers of clonally replicated spaced plants of a selected southern upland population of switchgrass during October 2008 and 2009. Infested tillers were shorter and lighter than normal tillers and had panicles that were partially encased in the sheath of the flag leaf due to reduced elongation of the peduncle as a result of the feeding of larvae of C. virgati at the proximal end of the panicle and in the intercalary meristem area of the peduncle. Variation was found among 10 genotypes for percentage of tillers infested by C. virgati, with a range from 7.2% to 21.8%. No difference was found between years for infestation rate (12.7% in 2008 and 14.3% in 2009). The mass of infested tillers was 35% that of normal tillers, and infested tillers produced no appreciable amount of viable seeds. Results of this research revealed that C. virgati had direct negative impacts on biomass and seed production in spaced plant nurseries of switchgrass. C. virgati was also observed in seeded swards of northern upland switchgrass cultivars, but its impact in seeded swards has not yet been determined.
A micromechanical model for the initial rearrangement stage of liquid phase sintering

Abstract A constitutive model for powders in the initial rearrangement stage of liquid phase sintering (LPS), where capillary force is the driving force for densification, is developed in this paper. The formulation is based on certain theories in micromechanics of granular materials (see Mehrabadi et al., 1992a; Mehrabadi et al., 1992b; Nemat-Nasser and Mehrabadi, 1983; Nemat-Nasser and Mehrabadi, 1984; Christoffersen et al., 1981). The anisotropic mechanical behavior of powder system is analyzed by considering the behavior of interparticle force and fabric which is represented by the distribution of contact normals. The proposed model is used to determine the dependence of the overall volume change on such factors as local liquid volume, uniformity of liquid distribution, contact angle, initial particle distance, initial confining pressure, particle size and viscosity. The numerical and theoretical analyses in this paper indicate that small particle size, small contact angle, low viscosity, even distribution of liquid phase and loose green powder mass enhance the amount of volume change in the initial stage of LPS. It is also found that a higher confining pressure increases the densification rate but it lowers the amount of net volume shrinkage at the end of the initial stage. The anisotropic behavior of the sample is analyzed by studying the interparticle force change and fabric change during the sintering.
Interpersonal utility theory

A “triangulation” strategy is sketched for constructing an empirical testable theory of interpersonal comparisons of utility units. Bargaining theory and the theory of the utility curves of money are tentatively suggested as triangulation points.
Exenatide: A Novel Therapeutic Approach for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and safety studies, adverse effects, drug interactions, and dosage and administration of exenatide, a novel incretin mimetic agent recently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Data Sources:Information was obtained from MEDLINE searches of the English-language literature (1990–November 2004). Search terms included exenatide, synthetic exendin-4, exendin-4, AC2993, and GLP-1 agonist.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All available data were reviewed, including animal and human data disseminated as abstracts, clinical trials, review articles, and press releases.Data Synthesis:Exenatide is a novel therapeutic agent recently approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The unique pharmacologic profile of exenatide offers a promising adjunctive treatment option for this patient population.Conclusions:While the long-term safety and efficacy of this agent are not well documented, the available data indicate the efficac...
Properties of arginase from liver of Macaca fascicularis; comparison of normals with red blood cell arginase deficient monkeys.

Deficiency of arginase (E.C. 3.5.3.1), the fifth enzyme of the urea cycle, was found in the red blood cells (RBCs) of Macaca fascicularis monkeys (<0.2 µmol arginine cleaved/g Hb/min; normal =49.2). Liver biopsies were obtained from two of these monkeys and from one monkey with normal levels of RBC arginase activity. Arginase from both groups of animals required Mn2+ for maximal enzyme activity and demonstrated a pH optimum of 10.2 in vitro. The activity of arginase in the livers of all three monkeys was 1.1 mmol arginine cleaved/g protein/min. The apparent K m for arginine of arginase in the livers of the RBC-deficient monkeys was 7.4 and 5.9mm and in the normal monkey was 6.9mm. Similar patterns of heat denaturation were seen at 69 C without Mn2+ present and 79 C in the presence of 20mm Mn2+. No difference in mobility on either acidic or basic polyacrylamide gels for liver arginase from either RBC-deficient or normal monkeys was found. In addition, liver arginase from all three monkeys reacted similarly with anti-human liver arginase antibody. Liver arginases in RBC-deficient and normal monkeys were identical by ten criteria. These studies do not distinguish among several hypotheses for the genetic determination of arginase in different organs of this species and of man.
Modular materials by self‐assembly

Self-assembly is a promising route to producing materials and other chemical products with unprecedented functionality for biomedical, electronic, catalytic and separation process technologies. However, self-assembly will not achieve its full potential unless it is taken seriously as a manufacturing process, as opposed to a laboratory technique, and the obstacles to large-scale implementation are tackled and surmounted. This article, which is an extension of an earlier AIChE Journal Perspectives article, defines and suggests important research directions for chemical engineers in an effort to develop self-assembly into a practical process technology.
Stochastic perturbation methods for spike-timing-dependent plasticity

Online machine learning rules and many biological spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) learning rules generate jump process Markov chains for the synaptic weights. We give a perturbation expansion for the dynamics that, unlike the usual approximation by a Fokker-Planck equation (FPE), is well justified. Our approach extends the related system size expansion by giving an expansion for the probability density as well as its moments. We apply the approach to two observed STDP learning rules and show that in regimes where the FPE breaks down, the new perturbation expansion agrees well with Monte Carlo simulations. The methods are also applicable to the dynamics of stochastic neural activity. Like previous ensemble analyses of STDP, we focus on equilibrium solutions, although the methods can in principle be applied to transients as well.
Social Protection Around the World: External Insecurity, State Capacity, and Domestic Political Cleavages

This article develops and tests a political model specifying the conditions under which external risk leads to the introduction of redistributive social policies and argues that external risk sharpens a domestic political cleavage over the design of institutions of social insurance. Workers in sectors facing high volatility of income will support the introduction of social policies characterized by broad levels of insurance coverage and high redistribution of costs across occupations, whereas workers in low-risk sectors will oppose redistributive social policies. The strength of preexisting state institutions also affects policy preferences of various sectors. In the presence of weak, ineffective states that are unable to collect social insurance contributions from sectors that are net contributors to the system, high-risk sectors will find redistributive social policies unattractive. The article tests predictions of the model using new measures of the level of social insurance coverage in more than 100 c...
Velocity and temperature wall laws in a vertical concentric annular channel

Abstract Logarithmic wall laws of mean axial velocity and temperature are obtained for the heated inner wall of a vertical concentric annular channel from measurements in turbulent liquid flow. The temperature wall law has limited generality because Prandtl number only in the range 7–8 is considered. When the influence of the buoyancy force as indicated by the parameter Gr q Pr Re 4 becomes large, the velocity and temperature data do not follow the respective wall laws.
Effect of sleep state on the QT interval in normal infants.

Summary: Twenty QT intervals selected at random from the middle periods of rapid eye movement (REM) and quiet sleep were measured in 12 normal infants studied at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, and 4 months of life. A digitizing system, consisting of a precision rotational potentiometer mounted on a pair of calipers and an A/D converter, was used for measurements. An accuracy of ±2 msec was achieved by high resolution of the digitized signal and calibration of each QT measurement with an accurately generated time code. Sleep staging was done visually using an electroencephalogram (EEG), an electrooculogram (EOG), a submental electromyogram (EMG), and behavioral criteria. Our results show that the QT index (QTc = QT/□RR was significantly greater during quiet sleep (mean = 0.439) than during REM sleep (mean = 0.433) (P < 0.01) and that this difference existed at all ages studied.
Estimated survival rates for immature red drum in northwest Gulf of Mexico bays.

Abstract A mean annual survival rate of 15 ± 2% (S.E.) was estimated for tagged red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) for the period November 1975–April 1979 in bays of the northwest Gulf of Mexico. Annual survival estimates were calculated as the product of four seasonal estimates. Seasonal survival estimates were based on tags recovered from recreationally and commercially harvested red drum. Seasonal red drum survival rates were lower for a 3-month summer period (36 ± 8% May–July) than for any other quarter (81 ± 9%) during the year. Survival rates were similar for two different size-groups (190–400 mm and 401–950 mm total length). Annual survival rates for red drum were as low or lower than any other exploited fish population for which survival rates have been published. The annual fishing mortality was estimated to be 46.5%.
Cyclic nucleotide changes in murine lymphocytes following thymosin incubation in vitro.

Abstract Thymosin fraction 5 and a more purified acidic fraction of thymosin at a 100-fold lower concentration elevated cGMP levels, but not cAMP levels, in murine thymocytes. When both thymus and spleen lymphocytes were fractionated via a BSA gradient procedure, both cAMP and cGMP basal values varied depending on the density of the subpopulations. Thymosin Fr5 did not elevate cAMP in any thymus subpopulations of lymphocytes obtained from the BSA density gradients. The cGMP elevation due to thymosin Fr5 in thymocytes was maximal in the most buoyant thymocytes, and no elevation of cGMP was detected in nude mouse spleen lymphocytes. These results suggest that the cGMP elevation may be an early event in the thymosin-mediated differentiation of a more mature subpopulation of thymocytes. They also suggest that utilization of subpopulations may be necessary for the complete determination of the effects of agents on cyclic nucleotide values of lymphocytes.
Fluoride Activation of the Rho Family GTP-binding Protein Cdc42Hs

Aluminum tetrafluoride (AlF4−) activation of heterotrimeric G-protein α-subunits is a well established aspect of the biochemistry of these proteins; however, until recently it has been thought that AlF4−does not mediate effects on the Ras superfamily of low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins. Recent work demonstrating aluminum fluoride-induced complex formation between Ras and its GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAP and NF1) has provided important insights into the mechanism of GAP-stimulated GTP hydrolysis. We have characterized the AlF4−-induced complex formation between the GDP-bound form of the Rho subfamily G-protein Cdc42Hs and a limit functional domain of the Cdc42-GAP using a variety of biochemical techniques. Our results indicate that the apparent affinity of GAP for the AlF4−-mediated complex is similar to the affinity observed for the activated (GTP-bound) form of Cdc42 and that beryllium (Be) can replace aluminum in mediating fluoride-induced complex formation. Additionally, the AlF4−-induced interaction is weakened significantly by the catalytically compromised GAP(R305A) mutant, indicating that this arginine is critical in transition state stabilization. Unlike Ras, we find that AlF4−and BeF3−mediate complex formation between Cdc42Hs·GDP and downstream target/effector molecules, indicating that there are important differences in the mechanism of effector binding between the Ras and Rho subfamily G-proteins.
UWB and RFID: a comparison and contrast

Summary form only given. Both ultra wideband (UWB) and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies are relatively new in the marketplace with regard to their applicability and commercial implementation. While RFID is a passively attached tag, UWB simultaneously transmits data via extremely short pulses across a wide band of frequencies. The FCC has approved 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz for its use. UWB can transmit more data with less interference than RFID; therefore, it appears promising for future applications. We explore the features and applications of UWB and RFID in this paper, and conclude with a comparison and contrast of these emerging technologies.
Carcass selenium loss as an indicator of stress in barge transported chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Walbaum) smolts

Two salmon smolt barge transport experiments were conducted to measure tissue trace element selenium (Se) loss during the 30 h transport 500 km downriver past seven hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. Carcass Se was measured before and after the barge trip. Liver glutathione peroxidase (GTPX) activity and total ascorbate concentrations were assayed to correlate Se loss with GTPX levels. Hatchery-reared smolt chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum), were tested before and after barging. Liver ascorbate concentrations, measured by high-performance liquid chromatography techniques, showed levels adequate to support GTPX activity. Salmon smolts lost up to 20% of carcass tissue Se during the 30 h barge confinement. Selenium was analysed by analytical polarography. Samples collected after two barging episodes showed Se loss and concomitant elevated liver GTPX activity after the transport. Tissue Se loss may be useful to measure stress in fish, and increasing tissue Se in hatchery salmon smolts prior to release and transport may be warranted.
In vitro and in vivo effects of GABA, muscimol, and bicuculline on lamprey GnRH concentration in the brain of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus).

Abstract γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter with a demonstrated neuroregulatory role in reproduction in most representative species of vertebrate classes via the hypothalamus. The role of GABA on the hypothalamus–pituitary axis in lampreys has not been fully elucidated. Recent immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization studies suggest that there may be a neuroregulatory role of GABA on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) system in lampreys. To assess possible GABA–GnRH interactions, the effects of GABA and its analogs on lamprey GnRH in vitro and in vivo were studied in adult female sea lampreys ( Petromyzon marinus ). In vitro perfusion of GABA and its analogs at increasing concentrations (0.1–100 μM) was performed over a 3-h time course. There was a substantial increase of GnRH-I and GnRH-III following treatment of muscimol at 100 μM. In in vivo studies, GABA or muscimol injected at 200 μg/kg significantly increased lamprey GnRH concentration in the brain 0.5 h after treatment compared to controls in female sea lampreys. No significant change in lamprey GnRH-I or GnRH-III was observed following treatment with bicuculline. These data provide novel physiological data supporting the hypothesis that GABA may influence GnRH in the brain of sea lamprey.
Design, installation, and operation of the PLUTO observatory, Isla de Canales de Tierra, Panama

PLUTO (Panama LJL Underwater Tropical Observatory) is a cabled observatory deployed in January 2006 in approximately 20 m of water 1.5 km to the south west of the Liquid Jungle Lab, Isla de Canales, on the Pacific coast of Panama. The observatory consists of an underwater node with 1000 BT Ethernet connectivity to a shore station over an electro fiber-optic cable. The node provides diver accessible connectivity to four Ethernet ports, four 120 AC power outlets, and eight ports with serial RS232 communications and 12 and 24 VDC. All power and communications ports are under relay control from shore. Sensors currently installed include salinity, temperature, pressure, water current speed and direction (ADCP), chlorophyll, turbidity, oxygen, down-welling light at surface and two depths (PAR), and an array of temperature sensors extending from the bottom to near surface. A high definition pan and tilt camera was installed in April, 2008 to allow remote observations of fish community structure in relation to high frequency internal waves that propagate through the region during the dry season (Dec-April). The shore station houses three computers for data acquisition and processing. All data are distributed via satellite back to WHOI and made available on the web (http://4dgeo.whoi.edu/panama/). The first 29 months of operation of PLUTO has provided unprecedented opportunities to study the relative roles of offshore ocean forcing (tides, upwelling of nutrient-rich, cool, salty deep water, large scale currents), surface forcing (winds, insolation, and precipitation - evaporation), and terrestrial runoff of nutrients and particulates in a relatively undisturbed tropical region. While it is well known that plankton production in the Bay of Panama is limited by upwelling of nitrate during the dry season, no such upwelling exists to the north in the Gulf of Chiriqui where the Isla Canales de Tierra is located. However, during the dry season, observations from PLUTO show influx of cold (14-16degC) water along the bottom followed by depression and strong vertical oscillations of the thermocline, which we interpret as internal waves. These features disappear several weeks following cessation of upwelling in the Bay of Panama as seen from AVHRR satellite data. At the PLUTO site in 2006, chlorophyll reached a maximum 20 days following the most intensive period of internal wave activity while acoustic backscatter (zooplankton and particulates) from the 1.2 mHz ADCP peaked 25 days following the chlorophyll maxima (data available on the PLUTO website). A similar sequence of events occurred in 2007. During the 2006 wet season variability in hydrograpghy, chlorophyll, and backscatter were low until late in the season when a second bloom occurred concomitant with the lowest salinity, presumably due to nutrients from runoff. PLUTO is an example of a relatively inexpensive underwater observatory, hand deployed on a remote tropical island, that is providing unique, high frequency, long term observations of events, which would otherwise go undetected.
The impact of pine beetle infestation on snow accumulation and melt in the headwaters of the Colorado River

The mountain pine beetle is killing many trees in Colorado’s high-elevation forests. The thinned canopies found in dead tree stands should intercept less snow and transmit more radiation than canopies in living forests, altering snow accumulation and melt processes. We compare snow, forest, and meteorological properties beneath living and pine beetle-killed tree stands. Eight pairs of living and dead tree stands were monitored over two years along the headwaters of the Colorado River. During year one, all eight dead stands were in the red phase of tree death — the trees still retained needles. Snow accumulation was the same under living and red phase stands, but snow melt was more rapid in red phase stands. As a result, the snowpack was depleted one week earlier in the red phase stands. Canopy shortwave transmission was not higher in red phase stands. We hypothesize that the faster melt and earlier depletion in red phase stands was caused by accelerated needle loss which lowers the albedo of the snow surface. By year two, many of the dead trees had progressed to the needle-less grey phase of tree death. Snow accumulation in grey phase stands was 15% higher than in paired living stands. Snow in grey phase stands melted more rapidly than in living stands, likely as a result of increased canopy shortwave transmission. We combine our results with those from previous studies to develop a conceptual model that describes how beetle infestation affects snow accumulation and melt in the different stages of mortality. Copyright  2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards inner magnetosphere particle and field models

We report on the initial stages of an effort to construct comprehensive empirical models of the plasma and fields in the inner magnetosphere. The models are based not only on archival data (e.g., SCATHA) but also on current spacecraft mission data (e.g., POLAR). In this component of the effort, we incorporate the recently archived data provided by the SCATRA (Spacecraft Charging AT High Altitude) satellite. The SCAT14A satellite was in a near-geostationary orbit and was in operation for more than a decade. In this paper, we focus on the SCATRA plasma and magnetic field data from approximately the first two years of operation. The time-series data are binned according to spatial location and geomagnetic activity. Examples of statistical, empirical models from this initial effort are presented; even the simply-constructed preliminary models reveal such subtle features as the previously reported warm (greater than 100 eV) plasma density enhancement near the magnetic equator.
No‐carrier‐added bromination of estrogens with chloramine‐t and Na77Br

The syntheses of monobromohexestrol and 17α-bromoethynylestradiol are described as examples of bromination of phenolic and ethynyl moieties using Chloramine-T. This technique represents a unique method of producing no-carrier-added radiobromoethynylderivatives. However, more efficient chromatography is needed to separate the chloroderivative, which is a side product of the reaction, from the radio-bromoderivative.
Public health, cooperatives, local regulation, and the development of modern milk policy: the Chicago milkshed, 1900–1940

Abstract Agricultural policy in the United States is often structured around conflicts and relationships within particular production regions. These regional solutions may evolve into national policies. This paper explores a historical example of this, the development of fluid milk policy and the fluid milk economy in the Chicago milkshed between 1900 and the New Deal. This example is particularly interesting because it was part of the rise of the post-World War II modern food system. Both urban and rural groups were important in this development. Urban groups took a particular interest in milk production and regulation due to its importance as a nutritious but highly perishable staple. Rural groups responded to urban attempts to control production practices by organizing cooperatives. Negotiations and strikes resulted in an agreement in 1929 that was positive for farmers, the Chicago Department of Health, and other major entities in the milkshed. It attempted to place regulatory barriers around the milkshed. However, it soon failed due to improvements in transportation technology and new distribution systems that allowed for cheaper retail prices. The group then proposed a marketing plan to the USDA, which became the ancestor of the federal milk marketing order program. This story sheds light on the manner in which local interest groups and internal politics within the U.S. Department of Agriculture combined to shape New Deal agricultural legislation.
The Management of Web Space Contractures

Multiple reconstructive options exist for the web space contracture: skin grafts, local flaps, and distant flaps have all been used to release the contracture and resurface the resultant defect. Local flaps are frequently more suited to web contractures between the fingers, whereas the thumb-index web space is amenable to a broader range of surgical techniques. The authors present a review of the anatomy of the web and options for reconstruction of web space contractures.
Genetic background affects cardiovascular responses to obstructive and simulated apnea.

We have recently demonstrated that genetic background significantly impacts the blood pressure and heart rate response to hypoxia (Campen MJ, Tagaito Y, Li J, Balbir A, Tankersley CG, Smith P, Schw...
Segmentation of four-dimensional, X-ray computed tomography data

The rapidly improving temporal resolution of X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging methods makes it ever easier to do in-situ, time-resolved (4D) experiments. This work describes a method of segmenting 4D X-ray CT data that works well for extracting information on the interfacial properties, such as interfacial curvature and velocity. As an example of this method, a segmentation is performed on data from an isothermal coarsening experiment of an Al-Cu solid/liquid mixture.
Successful Siting of Airports: Sydney Example

A procedure for siting major new airports is proposed and validated by example of its successful use in Australia to obtain agreement on the location of the second Sydney airport. The technique differs from the traditional master planning approach. It recognizes explicitly our inability to predict the future, and thus confronts the real range of risks that may exist. In such risky situations, the optimal solution involves: (1) Insurance, as flexibility to meet possible future conditions; and (2) a strategy for dealing with these contingencies as they develop. Securing a site for a new airport provides the insurance for future needs; acknowledging that the facility to be built depends on future circumstances provides the basis for the strategy.
Implicit negotiation beliefs and performance: experimental and longitudinal evidence.

The authors argue that implicit negotiation beliefs, which speak to the expected malleability of negotiating ability, affect performance in dyadic negotiations. They expected negotiators who believe negotiating attributes are malleable (incremental theorists) to outperform negotiators who believe negotiating attributes are fixed (entity theorists). In Study 1, they gathered evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for the implicit negotiation belief construct. In Study 2, they examined the impact of implicit beliefs on the achievement goals that negotiators pursue. In Study 3, they explored the causal role of implicit beliefs on negotiation performance by manipulating negotiators’ implicit beliefs within dyads. They also identified perceived ability as a moderator of the link between implicit negotiation beliefs and performance. In Study 4, they measured negotiators’ beliefs in a classroom setting and examined how these beliefs affected negotiation performance and overall performance in the course 15 weeks later. Across all performance measures, incremental theorists outperformed entity theorists. Consistent with the authors’ hypotheses, incremental theorists captured more of the bargaining surplus and were more integrative than their entity theorist counterparts, suggesting implicit theories are important determinants of how negotiators perform. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Treatment with thidiazuron improves opening and vase life of iris flowers.

GA3 Iris Postharvest Sucrose Thidiazuron TDZ Vase life abstract The marketability of Dutch iris (Iris × hollandica) cut flowers is limited by their short display life and frequent failure to open fully. We tested the ability of thidiazuron (TDZ), a phenyl-urea compound with cytokinin-like activity, to improve iris flower opening and longevity. A postharvest pulse with 0.2-1 mM TDZ for 6-24 h at 0 or 20 ◦ C extended the vase life of flowers by up to 1.5 d relative to control (0 mM TDZ) stems in water. TDZ treatment also stimulated growth of the pedicel and ovary by up to 2.5 cm that, in turn, led to more complete opening of flowers. Inclusion of 1 mM gibberellic acid (GA3) in the TDZ pulsing solution did not extend vase life further but did increase flower shoot elongation by an additional 1.0 cm. Provision of 20% sucrose with the TDZ plus GA3 treatment had an additive effect, increasing vase life and shoot growth by a further 0.8 d and 1.0 cm, respectively. Pulsing stems with this combined treatment prior to storing flowers dry for 14 d at 0 ◦C provided maximum flower opening and display life after storage. Treatment with 0.5 mM TDZ stimulated a significant increase in ethylene production by flowers during their opening.
Barriers to exercise participation among dialysis patients

Background. Physical inactivity is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease and is associated with poor physical functioning. Patients with end-stage renal disease are inactive even compared to sedentary individuals without kidney disease. We sought to identify patient barriers to physical activity. Methods. Adult patients on hemodialysis in the San Francisco Bay Area were recruited and asked to complete a study survey composed of questions about self-reported level of physical functioning, physical activity participation, patient physical activity preference and barriers to physical activity. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to study the association between barriers to physical activity and participation in physical activity. Results. A total of 100 patients participated in the study, the majority of whom were male (73%), with a mean age of 60 6 15 years. Twenty-seven percent identified themselves as white, 30% black and 21% Hispanic. The majority of participants strongly agreed that a sedentary lifestyle was a health risk (98%) and that increasing exercise was a benefit (98%). However, 92% of participants reported at least one barrier to physical activity. The most commonly reported barriers were fatigue on dialysis days and non-dialysis days (67 and 40%, respectively) and shortness of breath (48%). In multivariate analysis, a greater number of reported barriers was associated with lower levels of physical activity (P < 0.02). Post-dialysis fatigue was not associated with differences in activity level in multivariate analysis. Lack of motivation was associated with less physical activity. Endorsement of too many medical problems and not having enough time on dialysis days were also associated with less activity in adjusted analysis. Conclusion. We have identified a number of barriers to physical activity that can be addressed in studies aimed at increasing levels of physical activity. Inconsistent with nephrologists’ reported assumptions, dialysis patients were interested in physical activity.
An Existential–Integrative Treatment of Anxious and Depressed Adolescents:

Today’s generation of young clinicians appear unfamiliar with how to incorporate existential concepts when treating adolescents experiencing internalizing symptoms. Empirically validated treatments...
Genetic selection of inward-rectifying K+ channel mutants with reduced Cs+ sensitivity by random recombinant DNA shuffling mutagenesis and mutant selection in yeast

Structure-function relationships of voltage-dependent ion channels have been analysed by site-directed mutagenesis and functional electrophysiological characterizations. A complementary genetic selection approach for identifying interesting K + channel mutations, allowing selection from a large random pool of K + channel mutants, is described here. Non-inactivating inward-rectifying potassium channels provide an important mechanism for K + uptake into plant cells. The Arabidopsis K + in channel, KAT1, functionally complements a yeast strain deficient in K + uptake. The alkali metal Cs + blocks K + in channels and inhibits growth of yeast cells expressing KAT1, In this study a mutagenesis method called 'DNA shuffling' (or 'recombinant PCR') was applied to generate random mutants in the KAT1 channel. Randomly mutated libraries of KAT1 were expressed in yeast and Cs + -resistant colonies were selected. KAT1 mutants that conferred a Cs + -resistant phenotype for yeast growth were functionally characterized by expression in Xenopus oocytes and two electrode voltage clamp analysis. K + channel properties, such as Cs + -block sensitivity, cation selectivity, and steady-state activation were altered by mutating amino acids in the pore region, but also in regions adjacent to the pore region of the KAT1 channel. Amino acid substitutions previously not targeted for site-directed mutagenesis were identified that affect Cs + block of K + channels. Two amino acid positions, 1209 in the S5 domain and E269, were mutated in more than one of the Cs + -resistant mutants indicating important roles in Cs + sensitivity. Shifts in steady-state activation and/or resistance to block by Cs + were determined to be mechanisms which contribute to the Cs + resistance of the selected mutants.
Quantitative comparison of numerical solvers for models of oscillatory biochemical systems

The goal of this work is to find optimal numerical solvers to study models of biological systems of interest. We report 2 simple rules to select the optimal numerical solver(s) for solving stiff, complex oscillatory systems. Numerical solvers currently used to solve mathematical models in systems biology can be ill-conditioned due to stiffness. As a case study, we choose the classic Belousov-Zhabotinskii (BZ) reaction, described by the Oregonator model. We determine the optimal numerical solver(s) to handle stiff initial-value problems that lead to limit cycle behavior, by systematically comparing qualitative and quantitative performance measures i.e. convergence, accuracy and computational cost of numerical solvers that are widely used by the engineering and modeling community. This is a cornerstone for our long-term research objective to systematically study a variety of molecular-level models for biomedical systems for human disease diagnosis and therapeutic treatment in order to understand and predict disease mechanism and progression.
State-level tobacco environments and sexual orientation disparities in tobacco use and dependence in the USA

Objective To describe relationships between tobacco-related environments and disparities in smoking by sexual orientation. Methods We examined three aspects of state-level tobacco environments, which were derived from the ImpacTeen State Level Tobacco Control Policy and Prevalence Database: (1) tobacco price and tax data and tobacco control funding; (2) tobacco control policies and (3) tobacco prevalence and norms data. This information was linked to individual-level data on sexual orientation, tobacco use and nicotine dependence in Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N=34 653; 577 LGB respondents), a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of adults in the USA. Results Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults in states with more restrictive tobacco environments were less likely to have ever smoked (AOR=0.78, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.00) and to currently smoke (AOR=0.77, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.99) than LGB adults in more permissive tobacco environments. Further, sexual orientation disparities in past and current smoking, as well as in current nicotine dependence, were lower in states with the most restrictive tobacco environments. Results were robust to adjustment for confounders at the individual and state levels. Conclusions Restrictive state-level tobacco environments are correlates of smoking behaviours among LGB adults in the USA; such environments could potentially reduce social inequalities in smoking based on sexual orientation.
Gothic-(u)h: a synchronic and comparative study

This paper examines the entire range of constructions in which the Gothic particle -(u)h occurs, demonstrating that its primary employment is within anaphoric (coreferential and iterative) sequential structures as a discourse resumptive particle. As such, it is directly comparable to Homeric Greek aũ and Vedic Sanskrit u. This in turn substantiates Brugmann's derivation of -(u)h from *u kwe, a collocation that occurs elsewhere in Indo-European as well. It also places in a new light the status of the Gothic sah/panuh pronoun, which represents a univerbation of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) *so/to-u kwe comparable to Vedic Sanskrit nonuniverbated sa u/tam u and Homeric Greek ton (d') aũ, etc., with PIE *(a)w in its normal anaphoric/resumptive value.
Variational principle for many-fermion systems

If ψ is a determinantal variational trial function for the N-fermion Hamiltonian, H, with one- and two-body terms, then e 0 ⩽ 〈 ψ,Hψ〉= E(K), where e 0 is the ground-state energy, K is the one-body reduced density matrix of ψ, and E(K) is the well-known expression in terms of direct and exchange energies. If an arbitrary one-body K is given, which does not come from a determinantal ψ, then E(K) ⩾ e 0 does not necessarily hold. It is shown, however, that if the two-body part of H is positive, then in fact e 0⩽e HF ⩽ E(K), where e HF is the Hartree-Fock ground-state energy.
The integrated management of measurement entities distributed over interconnected networks

Presents the design of a simple application layer protocol, the framework of which permits the implementation of management functions is providing the integrated management of measurement entities distributed over interconnected networks. High performance passive monitors examine all traffic on their individual network segments and learn relevant information necessary to provide LAN standards to one or more management nodes. An overview of the evolution of network management products and their role is presented. Next the five broad functional areas of management recommended by the ISO are discussed. An internet management environment model is then outlined. Specifications related to the LAN and monitoring devices are reviewed and trade-offs deliberated upon, for the model. A brief mention of the monitor design and management node software functions is provided to outline the requirements they place on the management protocol design. Following this, the monitor management service environment is outlined, communication facilities specified and services listed. Finally, the monitor management protocol is presented; usage assumed from other application and presentation layer services are reviewed and protocol elements defined. >
DCs induce CD40-independent immunoglobulin class switching through BLyS and APRIL

Immunoglobulin (Ig) class-switch DNA recombination (CSR) is thought to be highly dependent upon engagement of CD40 on B cells by CD40 ligand on T cells. We show here that dendritic cells up-regulate BLyS and APRIL upon exposure to interferon-alpha, interferon-gamma or CD40 ligand. In the presence of interleukin 10 (IL-10) or transforming growth factor-beta, BLyS and APRIL induce CSR from C(mu) to C(gamma) and/or C(alpha) genes in B cells, whereas CSR to C(epsilon) requires IL-4. Secretion of class-switched antibodies requires additional stimulation by B cell antigen receptor engagement and IL-15. By eliciting CD40-independent Ig class switching and plasmacytoid differentiation, BLyS and APRIL critically link the innate and adaptive immune responses.
Specification of neural crest cell formation and migration in mouse embryos

Of all the model organisms used to study human development, rodents such as mice most accurately reflect human craniofacial development. Collective advances in mouse embryology and mouse genetics continue to shape our understanding of neural crest cell development and by extrapolation the etiology of human congenital head and facial birth defects. The aim of this review is to highlight the considerable progress being made in our understanding of cranial neural crest cell patterning in mouse embryos.
Disproportionate Atrophy of Cerebral White Matter in Chronic Alcoholics

• Morphometric analysis of postmortem brains from chronic ethyl alcohol abusers and controls was performed to determine the regional distribution and extent of atrophy in the cerebral hemispheres of alcoholics. This study was performed by digitizing photographs of coronal slices of the brains to compute the cross-sectional area of the cerebrum, cerebral cortex, subcortical nuclei, cerebral white matter, and the ventricular system at five standardized levels. Although the alcoholics and controls had similar demographic features and mean brain weights, brains from the alcoholic group showed mild but consistent atrophy of the cerebral cortex (2.5% to 4.2% reductions in cross-sectional area at all five levels), moderate atrophy of cerebral white matter (6.1% to 17.5% reductions), and enlargement of the ventricular system (31.8% to 71.9% increases). There were no differences in the sizes of subcortical nuclei. The absolute increase in the size of the ventricles in the alcoholic group was roughly equal to the amount of tissue lost in cerebral white matter, thereby representing hydrocephalus ex vacuo. The disproportionate loss of cerebral white matter relative to cerebral cortex suggests that a major neurotoxic effect of chronic alcohol intoxication in the central nervous system is axonal degeneration.
Analysis of right sized reactors for an emerging nation in nuclear power

Nations seek to establish nuclear power within their borders to meet their growing demand for energy. This analysis compares and contrasts the use of the industry standard 1.5 GWe light-water reactor and a smaller 500 MWe CANDU-type reactor in the implementation of nuclear power in relation to material accumulation, fuel cycle process capacity, economics and nonproliferation. The fuel cycle analysis uses the Material, Economics and Proliferation Assessment Tool (MEPAT) developed as a part of dissertation research at the University of Illinois [1]. MEPAT calculates material and fuel cycle process capacity requirements as well as economic and nonproliferation measures. The paper begins with a brief overview of the methods used in MEPAT. The scenario for analysis uses estimates of nuclear power implementation for the Kingdom of Jordan. The analysis then gives results for the two distinct reactor types and discusses factors in implementation
Ethylene biosynthesis and signaling networks.

Despite its simple two-carbon structure, the olefin ethylene is a potent modulator of plant growth and development ([Ecker, 1995][1]). The plant hormone ethylene is involved in many aspects of the plant life cycle, including seed germination, root hair development, root nodulation, flower senescence
Lymphokines and the intestinal immune response. Role in inflammatory bowel disease.

The study of production of and response to various soluble mediators by gut-derived mucosal mononuclear cells has contributed significantly to a better understanding of the regulation of the intestinal immune system. So far, a number of factors have been investigated in some detail or in a preliminary fashion: interleukin 1, interleukin 2, interleukin 4, interferon γ-and colony-stimulatory factors. Their level of activity, and their effect on the intestinal mucosal immune system are discussed, particularly in regard to their potential role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.
Home administration of charcoal: can mothers administer a therapeutic dose?

Abstract This study evaluated whether children under 3 years of age would drink a therapeutic dose of activated charcoal (AC) in a simulated home environment. Children 13 to 35 months participated with their mothers. Children were randomly assigned to receive AC mixed with regular cola or with diet cola. Maximum time allowed to drink the AC was 30 min. A therapeutic dose was defined as 1 gm/kg or 15 g (the entire bottle) if the child weighed >15 kg. Fifteen children participated; eight received AC with regular cola; seven received AC with diet cola. Ages ranged from 13 to 30 months (average 19 months; SD 4.5 months). Eleven of 15 (73%) drank