cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of combined doxorubicin and paclitaxel in mice

Doxorubicin (DOX) has excellent antitumor activity when combined with paclitaxel (PTX) and this combination is used as first-line treatment for metastatic breast cancer. Results from clinical studies on pharmacokinetic interaction of these agents are not conclusive and pre-clinical studies are still needed. Pharmacokinetic studies were carried out in female Balb/c mice with combined DOX (6 mg/kg) and PTX (10 mg/kg) treatment. Combined treatment with PTX and DOX leads to alterations in the pharmacokinetics of both agents, with the predominant effect being elevated drug levels in liver and gut tissues. DOX levels in kidney and heart tissues were unaffected by concurrent PTX treatment. Further, plasma levels of DOX are not changed by concurrent PTX treatment suggesting that monitoring of plasma levels of DOX, when used in combination with another drug that is a P-glycoprotein (PGP) substrate, will not reflect actual pharmacokinetic changes occurring in other tissues.
Dietary separation of sympatric carnivores identified by molecular analysis of scats

We studied the diets of four sympatric carnivores in the flooding savannas of western Venezuela by analysing predator DNA and prey remains in faeces. DNA was isolated and a portion of the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondrial genome amplified and sequenced from 20 of 34 scats. Species were diagnosed by comparing the resulting sequences to reference sequences generated from the blood of puma ( Puma concolor ), jaguar ( Panthera onca ), ocelot ( Leopardus pardalus ) and crab-eating fox ( Cerdocyon thous ). Scat size has previously been used to identify predators, but DNA data show that puma and jaguar scats overlap in size, as do those of puma, ocelot and fox. Prey-content analysis suggests minimal prey partitioning between pumas and jaguars. In field testing this technique for large carnivores, two potential limitations emerged: locating intact faecal samples and recovering DNA sequences from samples obtained in the wet season. Nonetheless, this study illustrates the tremendous potential of DNA faecal studies. The presence of domestic dog ( Canis familiaris ) in one puma scat and of wild pig ( Sus scrofa ), set as bait, in one jaguar sample exemplifies the forensic possibilities of this noninvasive analysis. In addition to defining the dietary habits of similar size sympatric mammals, DNA identifications from faeces allow wildlife managers to detect the presence of endangered taxa and manage prey for their conservation.
Liquid bead arrays meet multiplexing needs of clinical and research laboratories

Profile-oriented testing is becoming increasingly more important in both disease research and disease diagnosis. Research and clinical laboratories alike are expanding many single-analytic tests to include additional markers, as new data is uncovered. Technological innovations such as high-density arrays offer the promise of more efficient disease diagnosis and treatment. However, many of these promises remain unfulfilled. For example, the high-density array (/spl Gt/1000 features) is a powerful tool for research and discovery, but may not be suitable for a clinical laboratory due to complexity, inflexibility, poor reproducibility, and irrelevance of much of the data. Such challenges leave an unmet need in clinical laboratories for a simple, flexible, robust, and cost effective platform. An area of considerable promise is the medium-density array (<1000 features), which allows more cost-effective, focused panels of assays to be performed. Specifically, medium-density liquid bead arrays further address the issues of inflexibility and lack of reproducibility that plague two-dimensional arrays. With standard tests such as cytokines, cystic fibrosis, autoimmune, cytochrome P450, and HLA testing all falling into the medium-density range of multiplexing, liquid bead arrays address many current laboratory needs.
Natural frequencies and critical loads of beams and columns with damaged boundaries using Chebyshev polynomials

The effects of damaged boundaries on natural frequencies and critical loads of beams and columns of variable cross section with conservative and non-conservative loads are investigated. The shifted Chebyshev polynomials are used to solve the one-dimensional transverse vibration problem, in which the ordinary differential equation is reduced to an algebraic eigenvalue problem. The advantages of this method are that it is easily employed in a symbolic form and that the number of polynomials may be adjusted to attain convergence. In the present study, the damaged boundary is modeled by linear translational and torsional springs, and the effects of the damage severity on the natural frequencies are studied. It is shown that as the amount of damage increases the natural frequencies decrease at rates which vary with the mode number. The method is applied to the instability problems of both uniform and uniformly tapered beams with and without follower forces, and the results for the undamaged cases show agreement when compared with results available in the literature. Convergence studies are carried out to determine the number of Chebyshev polynomials that should be used in the proposed method.
Re-considering Job

Although recent scholarship on Job has tended to approach the book from interpretive stances that are at some distance from traditional historical-critical verities, the classic historical-critical questions about the unity of the book continue to dominate the way questions are posed. Hermeneutical disputes about the book focus on interpreters’ decisions to find a way to preserve a resistant Job, or to advocate for an interpretation of the divine speeches that makes comprehensible a Job who ‘sees’ in a new way, and so is willing to renounce his alienation. A new direction of Joban scholarship focuses on the reception history of the book.
Threshold Voltage and On–Off Ratio Tuning for Multiple-Tube Carbon Nanotube FETs

In this paper, we demonstrate postprocessing techniques to adjust the threshold voltage (Vt) and on-off ratio (ION/IOFF) of multiple-tube carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNFETs). These postprocessing techniques open up an additional degree of freedom to further tune individual CNFETs in addition to various device synthesis and processing techniques. We demonstrate proof-of-concept experiments and fully characterize their design spaces and tradeoffs. The techniques, threshold voltage setting and on-off ratio tuning, were able to adjust the threshold by as much as 2 V and tune the on-off ratio across 5times103 to times105. In addition,Vt setting could be used as an analysis tool to infer the Vt distribution of grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These tuning techniques, combined with processes such as doping, will enable high-performance multiple-nanotube devices.
Multiple requirements for SHPTP2 in epidermal growth factor-mediated cell cycle progression.

Using transient overexpression and microinjection approaches, we examined SHPTP2’s function in growth factor signaling. Overexpression of catalytically inactive SHPTP2 (PTP2CS) but not catalytically inactive SHPTP1, inhibited mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation and Elk-1 transactivation following epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation of 293 cells. An SHPTP2 mutant with both C-terminal tyrosyl phosphorylation sites converted to phenylalanine (PTP2YF) was also without effect; moreover, PTP2YF rescued PTP2CS-induced inhibition of EGF-induced Elk-1 transactivation. PTP2CS did not inhibit transactivation by activated Ras, suggesting that SHPTP2 acts upstream of or parallel to Ras. Neither PTP2CS nor PTP2YF inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced Elk-1 transactivation. Thus, protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity, but not tyrosyl phosphorylation of SHPTP2, is required for the immediate-early responses to EGF but not to PDGF. To determine whether SHPTP2 is required later in the cell cycle, we assessed S-phase entry in NIH 3T3 cells microinjected with anti-SHPTP2 antibodies or with a glutathione S-transferase (GST) fusion protein encoding both SH2 domains (GST-SH2). Microinjection of anti-SHPTP2 antibodies prior to stimulation inhibited EGF- but not PDGF- or serum-induced S-phase entry. Anti-SHPTP2 antibodies or GST-SH2 fusion protein could inhibit EGF-induced S-phase entry for up to 8 h after EGF addition. Although MAP kinase activation was detected shortly after EGF stimulation, no MAP kinase activation was detected around the restriction point. Therefore, SHPTP2 is absolutely required for immediateearly and late events induced by some, but not all, growth factors, and the immediate-early and late signal transduction pathways regulated by SHPTP2 are distinguishable.
CD4+CD25+ T cells protect against experimentally induced asthma and alter pulmonary dendritic cell phenotype and function

The role of natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (T reg) cells in the control of allergic asthma remains poorly understood. We explore the impact of T reg cell depletion on the allergic response in mice susceptible (A/J) or comparatively resistant (C3H) to the development of allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). In C3H mice, anti-CD25-mediated T reg cell depletion before house dust mite treatment increased several features of the allergic diathesis (AHR, eosinophilia, and IgE), which was concomitant with elevated T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine production. In similarly T reg cell-depleted A/J mice, we observed a moderate increase in airway eosinophilia but no effects on AHR, IgE levels, or Th2 cytokine synthesis. As our experiments suggested that T reg cell depletion in C3H mice before sensitization was sufficient to enhance the allergic phenotype, we characterized dendritic cells (DCs) in T reg cell-depleted C3H mice. T reg cell-depleted mice had increased numbers of pulmonary myeloid DCs with elevated expression of major histocompatibility complex class II, CD80, and CD86. Moreover, DCs from T reg cell-depleted mice demonstrated an increased capacity to stimulate T cell proliferation and Th2 cytokine production, which was concomitant with reduced IL-12 expression. These data suggest that resistance to allergen-driven AHR is mediated in part by CD4+CD25+ T reg cell suppression of DC activation and that the absence of this regulatory pathway contributes to susceptibility.
Superoxide-mediated modification of low density lipoprotein by arterial smooth muscle cells

Extracellular superoxide was detected in cultures of monkey and human arterial smooth muscle cells as indicated by superoxide dismutase inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. Superoxide production by these cells in the presence of Fe or Cu resulted in modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL). The degree of LDL modification was directly proportional to the rate of superoxide production by cells. Superoxide dismutase (100 micrograms/ml), and the general free radical scavengers butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole (50 microM), inhibited Fe- and Cu-mediated modification of LDL by monkey smooth muscle cells, while catalase (100 micrograms/ml) and mannitol (25 mM) had no effect. The chelators desferrioxamine and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid completely inhibited Fe- and Cu-promoted modification of LDL, while EGTA had no inhibitory effect. EDTA stimulated Fe-promoted modification in the 1-100 microM range while inhibiting Cu-mediated modification of LDL. LDL modified by smooth muscle cells in the presence of 10 microM Fe or Cu stimulated [14C]oleate incorporation into cholesteryl ester by human macrophages and murine J774 cells to a degree comparable to that produced by acetylated LDL. LDL incubated with smooth muscle cells and metal ions in the presence of superoxide dismutase failed to enhance macrophage cholesteryl ester accumulation. Thus, arterial smooth muscle cells in culture generate superoxide and modify LDL by a superoxide-dependent, Fe or Cu catalyzed free radical process, resulting in enhanced uptake of the modified LDL by macrophages. Neither hydroxyl radicals nor H2O2 are likely to be involved. Superoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation may contribute to biological modification of LDL, resulting in foam cell formation and atherogenesis.
Hawking-Moss tunneling with a Dirac-Born-Infeld action

The Hawking-Moss tunneling rate for a field described by the Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) action is calculated using a stochastic approach. We find that the effect of the nontrivial kinetic term is to enhance the tunneling rate, which can be exponentially significant. This result should be compared to the DBI enhancement found in the Coleman-de Luccia case.
Parathyroid hormone induces hepatic production of bioactive interleukin-6 and its soluble receptor.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important mediator of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced bone resorption. Serum levels of IL-6 and its soluble receptor (IL-6sR) are regulated in part by PTH. The PTH/PTH-...
Differential surface antigen expression and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 responsiveness distinguish human dermal fibroblasts with age-dependent osteogenic differentiation potential from marrow-derived stromal cells in vitro.

Abstract Background aims Recent studies have demonstrated that cells committed to a fibroblastic lineage, including dermal fibroblasts, may undergo osteoblastic differentiation when treated with steroid hormones. However, stem cells have also been isolated from the dermis, making it unclear whether osteoinduction of dermal fibroblasts is the result of transdifferentiation of committed fibroblasts or differentiation of resident multipotent stromal cells, which are morphologically indistinguishable. Methods Flow cytometry was used to characterize the expression of CD26, CD90 and CD105 on neonatal and adult human dermal fibroblasts and adult human bone marrow-derived stromal cells. These cells were then cultured with the steroid hormones 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 and dexamethasone, and evaluated for protein expression and mineral deposition typical of an osteoblastic phenotype. Results The surface peptidase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV (CD26), was differentially expressed between human neonatal (98.22±1.47%) and adult (90.73±7.97%) dermal fibroblasts and adult bone marrow-derived stromal cells (6.84±5.07%). In addition, neonatal dermal fibroblasts treated with vitamin D 3 expressed alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein, and deposited mineral, which is consistent with an osteoblastic phenotype. Such differentiation was not observed in adult dermal fibroblasts. In contrast, marrow-derived stromal cells required dexamethasone in order to undergo osteoblastic differentiation. Conclusions Taken together, the differential surface antigen expression and disparate response to steroid hormones suggest that committed neonatal dermal fibroblasts are distinct from mesenchymal stromal cells and possess osteogenic differentiation potential.
Effect of monitoring trap and mating disruption dispenser application heights on captures of male Grapholita molesta (Busck; Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) in pheromone and virgin female-baited traps

Studies were conducted in 0.07- to 0.18-ha peach and apple plots to determine the effects of pheromone trap and hand-applied emulsiÞed wax pheromone dispenser application heights on captures of Grapholita molesta in traps baited with pheromone lures or virgin females. Traps and pheromone dispensers were placed either low (1.2Ð1.8 m) or high (2.7Ð 4 m) within tree canopies. In the majority of cases, equivalent numbers of male G. molesta were caught in traps placed at the low and high positions in both pheromone-treated and untreated plots. Furthermore, pheromone dis- pensers placed at the low and high positions equally disrupted orientation of male G. molesta to pheromone traps placed at either height and to virgin female traps placed at 1.2Ð1.8 m within canopies season-long at most sites. Our results indicate that for trees 3.5 m tall, dispensers with release rates 18 mg/ha/h placed at 1.5Ð2.0 m (heights easily reached from the ground) should effectively disrupt mating of G. molesta throughout tree canopies. In trees between 3.5 and 4.5 m tall, the dispensers should be moved to 1.5 m from the top of the canopy. For trees taller than 4.5 m, we recommend hanging dispensers both in the top and bottom thirds of tree canopies. Most commercial Michigan peach and apple trees are 3.5 m tall. Eliminating the need to apply dispensers high in the canopy in most orchards will enable growers to reduce application costs, thereby facilitating increased adoption of mating disruption for G. molesta control by growers.
Application of Light Microscopy to Direct Coal Liquefaction Research

Light microscopy was used to analyze the effects of added catalyst at different conditions (temperature and reaction times) in liquefaction testing of a low pyritic sulfur bituminous coal. Quantitative changes in vitrinite/vitroplast reflectance of coal and liquefaction residues were shown to be useful markers in analyzing and understanding the role of catalyst during the initial stage of coal particle hydrogenation. Lower reflectance values corresponded to increased conversions up to about the 60 min and 375°C experimental conditions. Microscopical observation of liquefaction residues also revealed the presence of “wall scales” of varying width.
Fees and replacement policies of institutional members of the American Association of Blood Banks.

As a part of its continual surveillance of the economic and administrative aspects of blood banking, the replacement and processing charges of the Institutional Member Banks are reported. Information for the years 1968, 1969 and 1970 was furnished by 781 member banks that have replacement or processing charges. The weighted mean processing and replacement fees were determined and reported in respect to the geographical distribution of reporting banks and the type of blood bank. The data were compared with similar information obtained in 1960.
Low-power circuit design using adiabatic switching principle

This paper presents a new family of logic gates for low energy computing using pulsed power CMOS logic. The logic gates use the principles of adiabatic switching and results show that in typical cases 90% of the energy can he recovered with operating frequency around 1 MHz and more than 60% of energy can still be recovered at 111 MHz. We also present a detailed analysis and modeling of energy dissipation in adiabatic circuits. The models were experimentally validated using the circuit simulator SPICE.
Choices in a Market Economy: A Prologue

Modern economics uses an abstract general model of an idealized economy as the starting point of analysis. The theory is extended to introduce numerous complications and then combined with observation of experience to produce practical conclusions. Perversely, the basics are much harder to make comprehensible than are the extensions. For the numerous extended discussions, examine the texts devoted to theory. However, comments to suggest the practical relevance of the theory seem necessary here. The basic points are critical and badly abused in many ways. Balanced assessment of the contribution of the central theories is rare. All sides worry too much about what simple theory cannot do. The great contributions made are neglected. Even those familiar with the analysis should reexamine the problems.
Novel techniques for the thermal management of space-based, high-power microwave tubes

This work is based in part on a study (M.F. Rose et al., 1989) by the authors to determine the applicability of several concepts to the cooling of high-power linear microwave tubes operating in space under a variety of conditions. The authors focus on: direct radiation to space, beam exit to space, thermal storage, secondary coolant loops/heat pipes and the use of supercritical hydrogen as a coolant with subsequent ejection to space. Each of these techniques is evaluated within the framework of a neutral particle beam weapons system or other limited duty cycle device which might lay dormant for long periods of time, come to life, and function reliably for a specified time. System impact for each technique is estimated in terms of impact on weight, volume, spacecraft interaction, and ease of implementation. >
Suppression of House Flies (Diptera: Muscidae) in Florida Poultry Houses by Sustained Releases of Muscidifurax raptorellus and Spalangia cameroni (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Abstract Weekly releases of Muscidifurax raptorellus Kogan and Legner and Spalangia cameroni Perkins were made for 12 wk after house cleanouts in Florida pullet houses in either spring/summer (May–August) or fall (September–December). Releases were made by weekly placement of 62,500 and 85,000 pupae parasitized by M. raptorellus and S. cameroni, respectively, which produced an average of 79,049 and 32,841 adult female parasitoids per week. House fly (Musca domestica L.) pupal mortality, as measured by sentinel pupae, was about twice as high in the release house (40.2%) as in the two control houses (21.5 and 21.8%) in the summer release. Pupal mortality in the fall was three to four times higher in the release house (45.6%) as in the two control houses (13.6 and 8.4%). Although successful parasitism of sentinel pupae was only ≈8.4% in the release houses in both studies, parasitism was significantly higher than the control houses in both summer (3.9 and 1.7%) and fall (0.0 and 0.8%) releases. Fly population...
Endogenous angiotensin modulates PGE2-mediated release of substance P from renal mechanosensory nerve fibers

Increasing renal pelvic pressure increases afferent renal nerve activity (ARNA) by a prostaglandin E2(PGE2)-mediated release of substance P (SP) from renal pelvic sensory nerves. We examined whethe...
Snow Size Spectra and Radar Reflectivity

Abstract Some general properties of exponential particle-size distributions are discussed. Especially significant are the corrections to calculated liquid water content, precipitation rate, radar reflectivity, and median volume diameter resulting from truncations of the exponential size spectrum at maximum diameters less than infinity. These properties are used to analyze available snow particle-size distribution data. It is concluded that the equation, ND = N0 exp (−ΛD), describes the size distribution data for snow adequately. In the equation NDΔD is the concentration of snow particles of melted diameter D to D + ΛD, N0 = 2.50 × 103 R−0.94 [mm−1 m−3], and Λ = 22.9 R−0.45 [cm−1], where R is the precipitation rate in mm hr−1. These expressions for N0 and Λ differ from those given by Gunn and Marshall, and have the advantage that analytical manipulation of the size distribution equation yields consistent results. The following equations have been found for the precipitation content W, the median volume dia...
Applications of Remote Sensing in Hydrology

Abstract Remote sensing has the capability of observing several variables of hydrological interest over large areas on a repetitive basis. These variables include surface soil moisture, surface temperature, albedo/land cover, snow water equivalent and snow cover area. With the possible exception of the last item there has not been extensive use of remotely sensed data in hydrological models. Nevertheless, remotely sensed data are essential for global and continental applications for which useful estimates of hydrologic parameters can be made.
Urban Bankers: A Place to Be Somebody

Charles Grace and Jerome Hicks were seated beside each other at a meeting that the president of Chase Manhattan Bank Delaware had called. Hicks and Grace were financial associates at Chase Manhattan and members of the Urban Bankers Coalition. As they listened to the president's speech, they were staggered to hear him say, "We need more people to become involved in our community enhancement programs--dedicated employees like Jerome Hicks and Charles Grace who helped Chase Manhattan be named bank of the year for two years straight." His sentence lay like an unexploded bomb between Hicks and Grace. They were aware that all eyes had turned toward them. They had already sensed that some of their colleagues and superiors were uncomfortable with the relationship they had developed with the president. Why did they feel as if this would be the last step over the edge? This case opens the door to a discussion of relationship building and the special challenges that minority employees sometimes face in building relationships.
The Value of Old Forests: Lessons from the Reynolds Research Natural Area

In 1934, the Crossett Experimental Forest (CEF) opened to develop good forestry practices for the poorly stocked pine-hardwood stands that arose following the high-grading of the virgin forest. One CEF demonstration area has had no active silviculture other than fire protection since 1937; this 32.4-ha stand is now the Russell R. Reynolds Research Natural Area (Reynolds RNA). Periodic inventories of this tract provide a unique account of long-term stand development under minimal anthropogenic disturbance. For instance, successional change has been characterized by the slow conversion from pines to hardwoods. Gradually, as the dominant pines die, they are replaced by increasingly shade-tolerant hardwoods, resulting in a dense understory and midstory. Without concurrent fire to help prepare the seedbed, even a relatively severe bark beetle infestation in 1993–1994 failed to sufficiently disturb the site and permit the establishment of a new pine cohort. In addition to lessons learned on succession in this cover type, research associated with the Reynolds RNA has also helped develop old-growth restoration strategies, the ecological role of large dead wood in southern pine forests, the deleterious effect of dense midstory hardwoods on red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, the value of old forests in modeling tree allometry and carbon sequestration, and the unexpected benefits of preserving unique landscape features for future study. Clearly, the Reynolds RNA has demonstrated that there are opportunities to learn from passive stand management.
Hepatic visualization after /sup 131/I in patients with thyroid carcinoma

This comment on a previous paper agrees that /sup 131/I-labelled thyroid hormone, produced endogenously from whole-body scanning dosages, accumulates in the liver in a physiologic fashion. Experience from 150 whole-body scans is reported with diagnostic success for liver, rib, iliac crest and adjacent lymph-node carcinomas. A time lag of 12 to 24 hours was noted between thyroid and physiologic hepatic accumulation. (PCS)
Pteridine cleavage facilitates DNA photocleavage by Ru(II) polypyridyl compounds.

The synthesis, characterization, binding to calf thymus DNA, and plasmid DNA photocleavage studies of two ruthenium(II) pteridinylphenanthroline complexes are reported where the new pteridinylphena...
Electro-Encephalographic Localization of Atrophy in the Cerebral Cortex of Man.

SummaryIt was found possible to localize atrophy of the cerebral cortex in schizophrenic patients by comparing the alpha (10 per second) rhythms of the various regions of the two hemispheres with each other. The findings were confirmed by pneumo-en-cephalography in 8 out of 9 patients.
Force Distribution Method and Its Application in Geotechnical Engineering

A new numerical analysis method for geotechnical engineering with simple calculation and understanding easily principle-force distribution method is introduced briefly.And the applications of this method in all aspects,such as excavation,non-continuous faces and rock bolt,as well as the calculated program block diagram are related briefly.
Camilla Townsend, Annals of Native America: how the Nahuas of colonial Mexico kept their history alive

Camilla Townsend’s excellent new book, Annals of Native America: How the Nahuas of Colonial Mexico Kept Their History Alive, will be of major interest to those working on colonial Nahua culture and...
Designing of self tuning PID controller for AR drone quadrotor

In this paper, a gradient decent based methodology is employed to tune the Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller parameters for AR Drone quadrotor. The three PID controller parameters, proportional gain (K p ), integral gain (K i ) and derivative gain (K d ) are tuned online while flying. The proposed technique has been demonstrated through two test cases. One is the way-point navigation and other is the leader-follower formation control. The experimental result as well as simulations result have shown for both the cases.
Did maize domestication and early spread mediate the population genetics of corn leafhopper

Investigating how crop domestication and early farming mediated crop attributes, distributions, and interactions with antagonists may shed light on today's agricultural pest problems. Crop domestication generally involved artificial selection for traits desirable to early farmers, for example, increased productivity or yield, and enhanced qualities, though invariably it altered the interactions between crops and insects, and expanded the geographical ranges of crops. Thus, some studies suggest that with crop domestication and spread, insect populations on wild crop ancestors gave rise to pestiferous insect populations on crops. Here, we addressed whether the emergence of corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis) as an agricultural pest may be associated with domestication and early spread of maize (Zea mays mays). We used AFLP markers and mitochondrial COI sequences to assess population genetic structuring and haplotype relationships among corn leafhopper samples from maize and its wild relative Zea diploperennis from multiple locations in Mexico and Argentina. We uncovered seven corn leafhopper haplotypes contained within two haplogroups, one haplogroup containing haplotypes associated with maize and the other containing haplotypes associated with Z. diploperennis in a mountainous habitat. Within the first haplogroup, one haplotype was predominant across Mexican locations, and another across Argentinean locations; both were considered pestiferous. We suggested that the divergence times of the maize-associated haplogroup and of the "pestiferous" haplotypes are correlated with the chronology of maize spread following its domestication. Overall, our results support a hypothesis positing that maize domestication favored corn leafhopper genotypes preadapted for exploiting maize so that they became pestiferous, and that with the geographical expansion of maize farming, corn leafhopper colonized Z. diploperennis, a host exclusive to secluded habitats that serves as a refuge for archaic corn leafhopper genotypic diversity. Broadly, our results help explain the extents to which crop domestication and early spread may have mediated the emergence of today's agricultural pests.
Dynamic Model for Magnetostrictive Systems With Applications to Damper Design

Magnetostrictive iron–gallium alloys are able to dissipate mechanical energy via eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis. The mechanically induced eddy current loss is determined by the piezomagnetic coefficient; the hysteresis loss is usually quantified by the phase lag. This study first characterizes these losses for research grade, -oriented, highly textured, polycrystalline $\mathrm{Fe_{81.6}Ga_{18.4}}$ within the structural frequency range (up to 800 Hz). The magnetic biasing is provided by applying a constant current of 500 mA on a pair of electromagnets; the mechanical excitation is a sinusoidal stress wave (3 $\pm$ 0.2 MPa) superimposed on a $-$ 20 MPa constant stress. As stress frequency increases, the piezomagnetic coefficient decreases from 32.27 to 10.33 T/GPa and the phase lag $|\Delta \phi |$ increases from 11.38 $^\circ$ to 43.87 $^\circ$ . A rate-dependent finite element framework decoupling eddy current loss and hysteresis loss is then developed. The model accurately reproduces the experimental results in both quasi-static and dynamic regimes. Guided by the knowledge of material properties and the finite element model, a coil-less and solid-state damper is designed which can attenuate vibrations before they propagate and induce structure-borne noise and damage. Modeling results show that the loss factor of this damper can be continuously tuned from 0 to a maximum value of 0.107 by adjusting the precompression on the magnetostrictive component.
Global untargeted serum metabolomic analyses nominate metabolic pathways responsive to loss of expression of the orphan metallo β-lactamase, MBLAC1

The C. elegans gene swip-10 encodes an orphan metallo β-lactamase that genetic studies indicate is vital for limiting neuronal excitability and viability. Sequence analysis indicates that the mammalian gene Mblac1 is the likely ortholog of swip-10, with greatest sequence identity localized to the encoded protein's single metallo β-lactamase domain. The substrate for the SWIP-10 protein remains unknown and to date no functional roles have been ascribed to MBLAC1, though we have shown that the protein binds the neuroprotective β-lactam antibiotic, ceftriaxone. To gain insight into the functional role of MBLAC1 in vivo, we used CRISPR/Cas9 methods to disrupt N-terminal coding sequences of the mouse Mblac1 gene, resulting in a complete loss of protein expression in viable, homozygous knockout (KO) animals. Using serum from both WT and KO mice, we performed global, untargeted metabolomic analyses, resolving small molecules via hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) based ultra-performance liquid chromatography, coupled to mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Unsupervised principal component analysis reliably segregated the metabolomes of MBLAC1 KO and WT mice, with 92 features subsequently nominated as significantly different by ANOVA, and for which we made tentative and putative metabolite assignments. Bioinformatic analyses of these molecules nominate validated pathways subserving bile acid biosynthesis and linoleate metabolism, networks known to be responsive to metabolic and oxidative stress. Our findings lead to hypotheses that can guide future targeted studies seeking to identify the substrate for MBLAC1 and how substrate hydrolysis supports the neuroprotective actions of ceftriaxone.
Kinetic Genetics: Compartmental Models of Gene Expression

In Chapter 7, the topic of biodynamics was introduced in reference to changes in the rate of messenger RNA production using a single-compartment model. If the point of gene expression is to convert the latent information in DNA into the protein catalysts that conduct most of the business of the cell, then it is necessary to link any change in messenger RNA production to a change in protein synthesis. This chapter demonstrates a model of gene expression that includes production of mRNA and synthesis of protein. Chapter 17 extends these ideas to the level of the phenotype and develops a more comprehensive model of gene expression.
Menstrual Cycle Hormone Changes Associated with Reproductive Aging and How They May Relate to Symptoms

Key cycle changes occur as women transition from reproductive life to menopause, and they can be roughly linked to menopausal staging. It is important to understand the types of studies that inform the current knowledge. Patterns of symptoms within menstrual cycles (sleep, headache) generally favor worsening in association with the perimenstrual phase of the cycle, and patterns of chronic symptoms, such as hot flashes and adverse mood, appear to be worse when hormones are more variable.
Biopolymer-delivered vascular endothelial growth factor improves renal outcomes following revascularization.

Renal angioplasty and stenting (PTRAs) resolves renal artery stenosis, but inconsistently improves renal function, possibly due to persistent parenchymal damage. We developed a bioengineered fusion...
Occurrence, mortality and predictors of complicated cardiac perforation in patients with CRT-D: Based on the National Inpatient Sample registry

Abstract Background Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Defibrillator (CRT-D) has been one of the most important therapies for patients with cardiomyopathy over the last decades. Cardiac perforation occurs infrequently but can be fatal. The occurrence of cardiac perforation after CRT-D implantation has not been studied well. The aim of study is to investigate the occurrence, mortality and predictors of cardiac perforation in patients receiving CRT-D during the index hospitalization. Methods Data were obtained from the National Inpatient Sample, the largest all-player inpatient dataset in the United States. Patients who received CRT-D from 2002 to 2012 were identified using ICD-9 codes. Multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of cardiac perforation. Complications including in-hospital death and cardiac perforation were identified using ICD-9 codes. Results A total of 77,827 patients with CRT-D implantation were included into our analysis. After the CRT-D implantation, the in-hospital and rate of cardiac perforation was between 0.24 and 0.48% and had increased significantly (p = 0.02). Although occurrence of cardiac perforation is rare (0.32%), the mortality was 10.6% among those patients with cardiac perforation. In Multivariate analysis identified female as independent risk factors for cardiac perforation (OR: 2.628, 95% CI 1.926–3.585, p Conclusion Despite rapid progress of the tools and skills for CRT-D implantation, the occurrence of cardiac perforation has not improved. While cardiac perforation is rare, it carries the highest rate of mortality, especially in female patients. Implanting physicians should be familiar with the comorbidities and patient demographics that put them at a higher risk for complications.
Somatic burden and perceived cognitive problems in trauma-exposed adults with posttraumatic stress symptoms or pain

Objective Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with somatic and cognitive changes, which may be magnified when accompanied by persistent pain. The mechanisms of somatic sensation processing may extend to cognitive symptoms, revealing a potential generalization of impairment across cognitive and somatic domains in PTSD. We hypothesized that somatic burden would mediate relationships between PTSD, pain, and perceived cognitive impairment. Methods Two samples-360 trauma-exposed college students and 268 mechanical Turk users-completed self-report measures. Results Both samples revealed similar findings. There was a significant indirect effect of PTSD and pain on perceived cognitive problems through somatic burden. There remained a direct effect of PTSD symptoms. These findings indicate that in trauma-exposed samples with pain, somatic burden rather than pain severity accounts for perceived cognitive problems. Conclusion High somatic burden may reflect an underlying appraisal about somatic cues, which extend in part to interpretation of cognitive cues.
Well-Defined Nanoparticle Electrocatalysts for the Refinement of Theory.

The relationship between experiment and theory in electrocatalysis is one of profound importance. Until fairly recently, the principal role of theory in this field was interpreting experimental res...
Self-treatment of skin infections by people who inject drugs.

Abstract Background and Aims Persons who inject drugs (PWID) experience high rates of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and often access emergency or inpatient treatment. However, many PWID do not seek care and self-treat some or all of their infections. The goal of the current study was to examine predictors of self-treatment of SSTI in a sample of hospitalized PWID, and describe methods of and reasons for self-treatment. Methods PWID (N = 252) were recruited from inpatient medical units at an urban safety-net hospital to join a behavioral intervention trial. The baseline interview focused on past-year SSTI incidence and related treatment, including reasons for not accessing medical care and methods of self-treatment. Results Of study participants, 162 (64%) reported having at least one SSTI in the past year. This subset was 59.9% White/Caucasian with a mean age of 38.0 (SD + 10.5). One-third of these participants (32.3%) reported ever self-treating SSTI in the past year. In a logistic regression model, number of past-year infections (OR = 1.81, p Conclusions Interventions targeting SSTI among PWID should include education on when to seek medical care and the risks of serious infection, and could be implemented at local clinics or harm reduction programs to increase access.
Shifting Dynamics of Safe Spaces for Women in Revolutionary and Post-Revolutionary Egypt: A Reflection on the Article, “We are not Women, We are Egyptians”

In her article, Nadia Taher (2012) illustrates that, during the Egyptian revolu-tionary protests that took place during January/February 2011, women were accorded an egalitarian and safe space in Tahrir Square, Cairo, as Egyptians. This is affirmed by Egyptian women who stated, â€œWe are not women, we are Egyptians.â€ For 18 days the women shared the public space with men in protest, demanding social and political transformation from an oppressive regime. No sexual harassment cases were reported during this time â€“ an important fact in a society where, on a daily basis, women are sexually harassed on the streets, depicting an underlying consequence of the patriar-chal domination often informed by a Muslim/Islamic religious interpretation. Yet just a month later, in March 2011, for International Womenâ€™s Day, the dynamics shifted (regressed) where safe public spaces for women as revolutionaries and women as women were once again unsafe and Qurâ€™an waving protesting Muftis leading a group of men, insisted that the womenâ€™s demands were unjustified and that they â€œshould go back home and to the kitchen.â€ This article reflects on the concept that women are expected to reimagine their gender to be accorded full recognition, participation, and safety in public spaces from within patriarchal frameworks for a limited time or for specific situations. The article proposes that cyberspace can be an alter-native safe, public space of recognition, participation, and counterpower beyond patriarchal limitations, not only for revolutionary women, but for women per se, yet simultaneously suggesting that, within the post-revolu-tionary Egyptian state, such safety and power are severely censored.
Democratizing Access to Best Practice Cancer Care in Low-Resource Settings: Project ECHO

PURPOSEThe aim of this study was to understand how telementoring and training through the ECHO model can build the cancer workforce and bring best practice cancer care to low-resource settings.METH...
Slut-Shaming in The Workplace: Sexual Rumors & Hostile Environment Claims

“Slut-shaming” is the act of criticizing a woman for her real or perceived sexual promiscuity. Until now, much scholarship and journalism has focused on the slut-shaming of school-aged girls and young women. This article broadens the discussion about this harassing behavior by illuminating an overlooked area: slut-shaming in the American workplace. This article focuses on how courts have dealt with hostile work environment cases based in whole or in part on rumors about adult women’s alleged sexual promiscuity. In particular, courts have struggled with how to interpret Title VII’s seemingly simple requirement that conduct occur “because of” sex. Courts have often failed to recognize the gendered aspect of sexual rumors about women. Due to the continued existence of the sexual double standard, rumors about women who engage in sex acts with men penalize women for violating gender norms.
Quantification of HTLV-I proviral load in experimentally infected rabbits.

Background Levels of proviral load in HTLV-1 infected patients correlate with clinical outcome and are reasonably prognostic. Adaptation of proviral load measurement techniques is examined here for use in an experimental rabbit model of HTLV-1 infection. Initial efforts sought to correlate proviral load with route and dose of inoculation and with clinical outcome in this model. These methods contribute to our continuing goal of using the model to test treatments that alleviate virus infection.
Leading the Revolution

In this interview, international strategy guru Gary Hamel explains the thinking behind his new book, Leading the Revolution. He believes that the impetus for radical change in a business must come from the ideas and energies of the people within the company, not from consultants or external advisors. He also believes that innovation and radical change will be necessary for wealth creation in the coming years – change not only in products and processes, but change in entire business models as well. The interview includes Hamel’s guidelines for those at any level of an organization who may have ideas about new opportunities that can revolutionize the company or the industry.
Physician job satisfaction, dissatisfaction, and turnover.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the Grant Generating Project (GGP), a program designed to train and assist family medicine researchers to secure funding as part of an overall strategy to increase research capacity in family medicine. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional mail survey. POPULATION First- through fourth-year participants in the GGP program starting from 1995. Participants were faculty members of American and Canadian family medicine departments. OUTCOME MEASURED We measured cardinal features of primary care quality including first-contact care (accessibility and utilization), longitudinality (strength of affiliation and interpersonal relationship), comprehensiveness (services offered and received), and coordination of care. RESULTS Most (18 of 23) GGP participants completed the survey. A total of 58 grants/contracts were submitted by respondents, representing approximately US$19.3 million. Currently, 17 (29%) are pending, representing $10.8 million (including training grants). Given the current track record, $4.8 million additional grants funds could be generated. GGP strengths cited by respondents included an effort to enhance family medicine research; personal attention, guidance, motivation, and feedback from GGP faculty and mentors; development of grant-writing skills; encouragement to attend family medicine meetings; ability to meet and learn from peers; mock study section experience; and the ability to teach, mentor, and encourage others as the GGP experience did for them. Major challenges cited were a variable degree of commitment from mentors, lack of a long-term commitment to participants, and difficulty accommodating the research focus and skill level of participants. In general, most respondents regarded the GGP program as well worth the time and effort invested. CONCLUSIONS One to 2 years after participating in the program, participants achieved a remarkable track record of grant submissions. Moreover, the GGP program has had a substantial impact on participants; many are now teaching and mentoring others in their department. If sustained, the program will greatly increase the research capacity of the discipline of family medicine.
Cross Sections for Dielectronic Recombination of B 2 + and C 3 + via 2 s → 2 p Excitation

Dielectronic recombination cross sections for the Li-like ions B/sup 2 +/ and C/sup 3 +/ via 1s /sup 2/2s..-->..1s /sup 2/2p excitation are reported. The amount of electron capture attending the passage of megaelectronvolt (atomic mass unit) ion beams through a collinear, magnetically confined, space-charge--limited electron beam is observed as a function of relative energy. The results agree well with distorted-wave calculations.