cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel copper immersion coating on magnesium alloy AZ91D in an alkaline bath

Copper immersion coating of magnesium alloys has, to date, been conducted only in acidic baths. This article describes a novel alkaline bath for copper immersion coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy. Prior to the coating process, a chemical etching process of the magnesium substrate was optimized using orthogonal experimental methodology. The copper immersion coating was then investigated with regard to the effect of pH and fluoride content in the deposition bath. It was revealed during the coating process that an increase of pH and fluoride content led to a surface film formation on the magnesium substrate. The surface film formation occurred simultaneously with copper reduction, rendering a controlled magnesium dissolution, thereby a controlled copper deposition. With optimized conditions of chemical etching and immersion coating processes, uniform copper deposits were achieved.
Ginseng: Cardiotonic in adult rat cardiomyocytes, cardiotoxic in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes

Ginsengs are widely used to improve cardiac health and circulation. Loosely termed as ginsengs, Asian (Panax), Siberian and Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng) Indian ginsengs are prepared from different plants. We tested the popular belief of cardiotonic effects of ginsengs using both neonatal and adult rat cardiomyocytes, comparing extracts from the three ginsengs. Addition of 10% v/v of extract (100 microl of extract/ml of culture medium) of each of the ginsengs resulted in a rapid (<10 s) cessation of beating in neonatal cardiomyocytes due to calcium overload, while sequential dilutions revealed that treatment with a low dose (0.01% v/v, 0.1 microl/ml of the medium) resulted in constant, regular beats (transients), and a slight elevation of diastolic calcium without overload. Addition of extracts to sparking, calcium-tolerant adult cardiomyocytes resulted in initiation of calcium transients, and adult cells were able to tolerate exposure to high concentrations of extract. Cardiotonic effects in adult cells (cardiotoxicity in neonatal cells) were most profound with Asian ginseng (2.6 times that of Siberian ginseng, 1.6 times that of Indian ginseng) probably due to the active ingredients (ginsenosides in Asian, eleutherosides in Siberian and withanolides in Indian) being structurally different. We conclude that fully developed cardiomyocytes are able to accommodate higher doses of ginseng than neonatal cells, and that the effects of ginseng on newly formed, developing myocytes, could be extremely deleterious to the fetus. However, for adults, ginseng might well be a 'tonic' in its ability to increase beating and intramyocytic calcium levels.
Protein glycosylation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

This review summarizes the progress of research in nonenzymatic glycosylation that is of potential relevance to atherosclerosis and relates this knowledge to the accelerated large-vessel disease observed in diabetics through a hypothetical model based on current concepts of atherogenesis. Critical new information has recently been obtained about complex glycosylation adducts, which form very slowly through a series of further reactions and rearrangements from the initial Amadori product. These adducts, called advanced glycosylation end products (AGE), are not reversible like the Amadori product. Thus, they continue to accumulate indefinitely on long-lived molecules such as collagen and nucleic acids. AGE covalently trap soluble plasma proteins, act as signals for macrophage recognition and uptake, and induce mutations in double-stranded plasmid DNA. Covalent trapping of low-density lipoproteins by AGE on collagen may promote excessive lipid accumulation in the arterial walls of diabetics, whereas trapping of von Willebrand factor by AGE may increase platelet adhesion and aggregation, leading to smooth muscle cell proliferation in the arterial intima. Recognition and uptake of AGE-protein derivatives by scavenging macrophages may further contribute to the process of atherogenesis by stimulating the release of such macrophage secretory products as macrophage-derived growth factor. Accumulation of AGE on smooth muscle cell DNA may also enhance proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells by increasing the rate of mutations that affect growth control.
SU-GG-J-196: Vascular Occlusion by Acoustically Vaporized Droplets for Potential Targeted Enhancement of Thermal Therapies

Purpose: Acoustic dropletvaporization (ADV) of perfluorocarbon droplets with boiling points below ambient temperature shows promise for spatially and temporally targeted vascular occlusion. Vascular occlusion of a tumor or other target tissue can decrease the local heat dissipation relative to adjacent normal tissues during less directed or slow thermal therapies, such as RF or ultrasonicablation. Also, encapsulated drugs can be released with the occluding bubbles into the target tissues. Method and Materials: In six canines, in vivo gray scale imaging and color flow and pulse wave (PW) Dopplerimaging were employed with low concentration droplet injections to identify exteriorized target arteries or tissues, avoiding major adjacent veins. Short tone bursts at 3.5 MHz with 0.25% duty cycle were used during bolus passage to vaporize droplets with concentrations comparable to clinical ultrasound contrast agent recommendations. Studies included multiple intracardiac (IC) and intravenous (IV) injections, the latter with lipid, rather than albumin, shell. Results: Bubble production by ADV in arteries or tissues is easily visible in gray scale images. Both IC and IV injections repeatedly produced ADV at will in the renal or segmental artery, each injection and ADV generating vascular occlusion as seen by gray scale and Dopplerimaging. Mean cortex occlusion was ∼85% by colored microspheres in the targeted kidney or renal pole with an ∼10 min half life per droplet dose. Cardiopulmonary symptoms occurred in some IC injections. ADV was successful in a canine prostate using an intercavitary imaging array for ADV and targeting. Conclusion: Keys to the new, consistent success with both IC and IV injections include adequate concentrations of droplets, use of frequencies with ADV threshold well below those for cavitation, and reliable targeting. Conflict of Interest: This work was supported in part by NIH RO1EB00281.
Information resources and economic productivity

Abstract This paper analyzes the role of information resources in the development of the United States economy and especially in the determination of productivity levels. The analysis is based on a formal economic model of the interrelationship between two sectors: an information sector, comprising all labor and capital used to process and handle information, and a production sector, which processes and handles material goods. The purposes of the model are to explain the past growth of the information sector workforce, to identify productivity trends in the sector, and to determine the implications of those trends for future economic performance. The analysis shows that, historically, the rate of efficiency improvement in information handling (essentially white-collar) work has been much slower than in production work. However this pattern is changing rapidly, chiefly as a result of the introduction of new data processing, communication and storage technologies. Our model shows that the expected future level of investment in these information technologies will be sufficient to reverse, by the mid 1980s, the slowdown of economic growth which is currently afflicting industrialized countries.
The natural history of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Between 1960 and 1973, a total of 104 patients at the Mayo Clinic had a diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy on the basis of clinical and angiographic criteria; these patients were followed up for 6 to 20 years. Twenty-one percent of the patients had a history of excessive consumption of alcohol, 20 percent had had a severe influenza-like syndrome within 60 days before the appearance of cardiac manifestations and 8 percent had had rheumatic fever without involvement of cardiac valves several years before; thus, possible etiologic risk factors of infectious-immunologic type may be important. Eighty patients (77 percent) had an accelerated course to death, with two thirds of the deaths occurring within the first 2 years. Twenty-four patients (23 percent) survived, and 18 of them had clinical improvement and a normal or reduced heart size. Univariate analysis at the time of diagnosis revealed three factors that were highly predictive (p less than 0.01) of the clinical course: age, cardiothoracic ratio on chest roentgenography and cardiac index. Systemic emboli occurred in 18 percent of the patients who did not receive anticoagulant therapy and in none of those who did; thus, anticoagulant agents should probably be prescribed unless their use is contraindicated.
Optimal pole placement with prescribed eigenvalues for continuous systems

Abstract A recursive method for determining the state weighting matrix of a linear quadratic regulator problem in order to shift the open loop poles to the desired locations is presented. This method is capable of shifting the real and imaginary parts for continuous time systems. Aggregation is used in each step of the recursive process. Therefore each time the order of the system is reduced to first- or second-order, a constrained minimization problem with linear and nonlinear constraints has to be solved in order to find the state weighting matrix of the reduced-order system that will shift the open loop poles to the desired locations. An example is given to illustrate the theory.
Listeners' Comprehension of Uptalk in Spontaneous Speech.

Listeners’ comprehension of phrase final rising pitch on declarative utterances, or uptalk, was examined to test the hypothesis that prolongations might differentiate conflicting functions of rising pitch. In Experiment 1 we found that listeners rated prolongations as indicating more speaker uncertainty, but that rising pitch was unrelated to ratings. In Experiment 2 we found that prolongations interacted with rising pitch when listeners monitored for words in the subsequent utterance. Words preceded by prolonged uptalk were monitored faster than words preceded by non-prolonged uptalk. In Experiment 3 we found that the interaction between rising pitch and prolongations depended on listeners’ beliefs about speakers’ mental states. Results support the theory that temporal and situational context are important in determining intonational meaning.
BIOCHEMICAL TAXONOMY OF MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON BY ELECTROPHORESIS OF ENZYMES. I. THE CENTRIC DIATOMS THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA AND T. FLUVIATILIS1,2

SUMMARY Diatom systematics depends almost entirely upon structure of the silica shell. It is not known to what extent the taxonomic species, as defined by shell structure, corresponds to the genetic species—i.e., to the reproductively isolated population. As an approach to this problem, we report here a comparison of enzymes by electrophoresis. We have examined the genetic constitution of a number of clones of (presumably) the same species for each of 2 closely related, centric diatom species: Thalassiosira pseudonana Hasle and Heimdal and T. fluviatilis Hustedt. The 4 clones of T. fluviatilis form a distinct group, clearly separated from all the T. pseudonana clones. Within T. pseudonana, 4 estuarine clones and one reef clone form a group that is distinctly different from 4 oceanic clones. A single clone of T. pseudonana from the Continental Slope waters is intermediate between these 2 groups and probably shares genes with both groups, indicating that the 2 T. pseudonana groups are not genetically isolated. We conclude that i) within groups, isolates are closely related even though they originated from different continents; and, ii) T. pseudonana is subdivided into ecological races.
Trends in Medication Treatment of Hyperactive School Children Results of Six Biannual Surveys

In biannual school surveys from 1971 through 1981, it was found that the rate of medication treatment of hyperactive students increased two- to threefold over the decade. This increase applied similarly to parochial, public elementary, and public middle/junior high school stu dents. Other findings over the decade include the following: methylphenidate use increased from 40 per cent to 91 percent of all the medication prescribed for hyperactivity, administration of medication for hyperactivity in the school increased from 61 per cent to 87 per cent of the total, and the number treated with medication prescribed by the family doctor decreased from 98 per cent to 59 per cent. Noteworthy fandings in 1981 were as follows: 19 per cent of public elementary school students in special education classes were treated with medication for hy peractivity ; hyperactive students in middle/junior high school had received medication treat ment for an average of five to six years; the most common school period of medication...
Survey of US academic hospitalist leaders about mentorship and academic activities in hospitalist groups

BACKGROUND: Few data describe the structure, activities, and goals of academic hospital medicine groups. METHODS: We carried out a cross sectional email survey of academic hospitalist leaders. Our survey asked about group resources, services, recruitment and growth, as well as mentoring of faculty, future priorities, and general impressions of group stability. RESULTS: A total of 57 of 142 (40%) potential hospitalist leaders responded to our email survey. Hospitalist groups were generally young (<5 years old). Hospitalist group leaders worried about adequate mentorship and burnout while placing a high priority on avoiding physician turnover. However, most groups also placed a high priority on expanding nonclinical activities (teaching, research, etc.). Leaders felt financially and philosophically unsupported, a sentiment which seemed to stem from being viewed primarily as a clinical rather than an academic service. CONCLUSION: Academic hospital medicine groups have an acute need for mentoring and career development programs. These programs should target both individual hospitalists and their leaders while also helping to enhance scholarly work. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2011;6:5–9. © 2011 Society of Hospital Medicine.
A Critical Role of Interleukin-10 in Modulating Hypoxia-Induced Preeclampsia-Like Disease in Mice

Hypoxia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. However, in vivo evidence and mechanistic understanding remain elusive. Preeclampsia is associated with impaired placental angiogenesis. We have recently shown that interleukin (IL)-10 can support trophoblast-driven endovascular crosstalk. Accordingly, we hypothesize that pathological levels of oxygen coupled with IL-10 deficiency induce severe preeclampsia-like features coupled with elevated production of antiangiogenic factors, apoptotic pathways, and placental injury. Exposure of pregnant wild-type and IL-10(-/-) mice to 9.5% oxygen resulted in graded placental injury and systemic symptoms of renal pathology, proteinuria (wild-type 645.15 ± 115.73 versus 198.09 ± 93.45; IL-10(-/-) 819.31 ± 127.85 versus 221.45 ± 82.73 μg/mg/24 hours) and hypertension (wild-type 118.37 ± 14.45 versus 78.67 ± 14.07; IL-10(-/-) 136.03 ± 22.59 versus 83.97 ± 18.25 mm Hg). Recombinant IL-10 reversed hypoxia-induced features in pregnant IL-10(-/-) mice confirming the protective role of IL-10 in preeclampsia. Hypoxic exposure caused marked elevation of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (110.8 ± 20.1 versus 44.7 ± 11.9 ng/mL) in IL-10(-/-) mice compared with their wild-type counterparts (81.6 ± 13.1 versus 41.2 ± 8.9 ng/mL), whereas soluble endoglin was induced to similar levels in both strains (approximately 380 ± 50 versus 180 ± 31 ng/mL). Hypoxia-induced elevation of p53 was associated with marked induction of proapoptotic protein Bax, downregulation of Bcl-2, and trophoblast-specific apoptosis in utero-placental tissue. Collectively, we conclude that severe preeclampsia pathology could be triggered under certain threshold oxygen levels coupled with intrinsic IL-10 deficiency, which lead to excessive activation of antiangiogenic and apoptotic pathways.
The Safety of Amphotericin B Lipid Complex in Patients with Prior Severe Intolerance to Liposomal Amphotericin B

The tolerability of amphotericin B lipid complex in patients with previous severe infusion reactions to liposomal ampho- tericin B is unclear. We reviewed the charts of 40 such patients at a tertiary care cancer center and found that am- photericin B lipid complex administration was uneventful in 34 patients (85% (95% confidence interval, 69%-93%)). predominant lipid formulation of AMB used at our institu- tion), who subsequently received at least 1 dose of ABLC, from January 2006 to April 2012. A severe DDR to LAMB was defined as one necessitating discontinuation of treatment. We reviewed patients' demographic information, underlying diseases, prior reactions to LAMB, premedication for LAMB and subsequent ABLC administration, and types of reactions to ABLC. We classified the drug reactions as doubtful, possi- ble, probable, and definite using the Naranjo scale, a validated clinical tool for determining the likelihood of whether an adverse reaction is actually caused by a drug (5). We excluded from the analysis 2 patients deemed to have doubtful reactions to LAMB. The majority (63%) of the 40 patients analyzed were neu- tropenic (absolute neutrophil count <500/μL) and had hema- tologic malignancies. The underlying conditions and fungal organisms identified are summarized in Table 1. The most common documented reactions to LAMB administration were shortness of breath (43%), myalgias (33%), chest pain (20%), and acute fever and/or chills (13%) (Table 1). None of the 5 patients who had fever and/or chills received premedication with acetaminophen, as opposed to 45% (16/35) of those who had different DDRs (P= .07 (Fisher exact test)).
Comparison of two total body irradiation regimens in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia in first remission.

Abstract Between November 1976 and December 1987, 84 patients with newly diagnosed acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia who had achieved complete remission underwent non T-cell depleted allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from Human Leukocyte Antigen-Mixed Lymphocyte Culture (HLA-MLC) matched sibling donors. The first 36 patients (November 1976–June 1983) were prepared with cyclophosphamide sibling donors. The first 36 patients fraction total body irradiation with 750 cGy at a dose rate of 26 cGy/minute (Group I). The next 48 patients (July 1983–December 1987) were prepared with similar chemotherapy, but received hyperfractionated total body irradiation with total 1320 cGy, 165 cGy twice a day at a dose rate of 10 cGy/minute (Group II). Patient characteristics between these two groups are similar except for the significantly older age distribution in Group II. Median follow-up of Groups I and II are 8 years and 11 months and 2 years and 3 months, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier relapse-free survival, survival, and relapse rates at 3 years are 56, 58, and 19% in Group I and 69 ( p = 0.22), 77 ( p = 0.07), and 10% ( p = 0.37) in Group II. There is no difference in the incidence of interstitial pneumonitis, viral or idiopathic, engraftment rate, or incidence of graft versus host disease (GVHD) between these two groups. The fractionated total body irradiation treated group had significantly less nausea and vomiting. Multivariate analysis shows that total body irradiation regimen is not a significant factor in regard to relapse rate, relapse-free survival, and survival.
An Assessment of the Parameterization of Subgrid-Scale Cloud Effects on Radiative Transfer. Part I: Vertical Overlap.

Abstract Different approaches for parameterizing the effects of vertical variability of cloudiness on radiative transfer are assessed using a database constructed from observations derived from lidar and millimeter cloud radar data collected from three different locations. Five different methods for dealing with the vertical overlap of clouds were incorporated into a single radiation model that was applied to the lidar/radar data averaged in time. The calculated fluxes and heating rates derived with this model are compared to broadband fluxes and heating rates calculated with the independent column approximation using the time-resolved cloud data. These comparisons provide a way of evaluating the effects of different overlap assumptions on the calculation of domain-mean fluxes. It was demonstrated how two of the most commonly used overlap schemes, the random and maximum-random methods, suffer a severe problem in that the total cloud amount defined by these methods depends on the vertical resolution of the...
Full-wave analysis of PEC-embedded U-Slot microstrip patch elements

Cavity-backed slot antennas have been a popular choice for element design in conformal array antennas [1]. However in some cases it is actually desired to examine if microstrip patch elements can be used as replacements for slot antennas by embeding them in perfect conductors (PEC). The investigation reported here examines the VSWR and radiation patterns characteristics of a wideband U-Slot microstrip patch element used as a retro-fit (or substitute) for the cavity-backed slot radiating from a rectangular aperture in a PEC circular cylinder. Specifically, the results reported here examine the effects of curvature on the VSWR and equatorial (Θ = 90°) plane radiation patterns for increasing cylinder electrical radius, where Θ = 0° defines the cylinder generator axis.
Interactive evaluation of assembly sequences using augmented reality

This paper describes an interactive tool for evaluating assembly sequences using the novel human-computer interface of augmented reality. The goal is to be able to consider various sequencing alternatives of the manufacturing design process by manipulating both virtual and real prototype components. The augmented reality-based assembly evaluation tool would allow a manufacturing engineer to interact with the assembly planner while manipulating the real and virtual prototype components in an assembly environment. Information from the assembly planner can be displayed directly superimposed on the real. A sensing technique is proposed that uses computer vision along with a system of markers for automatically monitoring the assembly state as the user manipulates the assembly components. An implemented system called AREAS is described. The advantage of using mixed prototyping and augmented reality as means of capturing human intuition in assembly planning is also discussed.
Modeling charge injection in MOS analog switches

Charge injection in MOS switches has been analyzed. The analysis has been extended to the general case of including source resistance and source capacitance. Universal plots of percentage channel charge injected are presented. Normalized variables are used to facilitate usage of the plots. A small-geometry switch, slow switching rate, and small source resistance can help reduce the charge injection effect.
Late Quaternary normal faulting of the Hat Creek Basalt, northern California

The Hat Creek fault is a major, young, north-striking, normal fault along the western boundary of extensional Basin and Range deformation in the Lessen region of northeastern California. Volcanic rocks of Quaternary and late Pliocene age are displaced a total of >500 m down to the west along west-facing, en echelon scarps now retreated to ∼35° slopes. Fresh, young scarps as much as 30 m high cut the Hat Creek Basalt (erupted between 15 and ∼40 ka) a few tens of meters west of the retreated scarps. Prior to the late 1980s, these young scarps were interpreted as lava slump scarps formed as the Hat Creek Basalt ponded against the older fault scarps and then drained away to the northwest. Numerous pieces of geologic evidence, however, show that the young scarps formed after the Hat Creek Basalt solidified and cooled and are true fault features formed by the youngest displacements of the Hat Creek fault. Structural details are remarkably well preserved along the series of left-stepping scarps cutting the Hat Creek Basalt. Near the central parts of individual segments, the fault is displayed as a single, vertical scarp. Near the ends of the segments, the scarp decreases in height and becomes a monodinal flexure on which the recent dip separation has been taken up by small-scale offset along columnar cooling joints in the basalt These monodinal flexures commonly rotate into east-west monoclines that join adjacent north-south segments. Displacement of outwash gravel overlying the Hat Creek Basalt shows that vertical separation on the Hat Creek fault has averaged ∼1.3 mm yr −1 for the past 15,000 yr. The Hat Creek fault thus represents a potential earthquake hazard, despite the low level and diffuse nature of modern seismidty in the region.
Effects of Obesity and Sex on Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetics and Acute Kidney Injury: Validation of a Preclinical Model

Obese patients may be at a greater risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) with the use of certain antimicrobial agents that are dosed by weight. Current preclinical models of AKI utilize the male rat within a narrow weight range that limits extrapolation of the generated results. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics and AKI potential of gentamicin in 14-week-old diet-induced obesity-prone (n = 40) and obesity-resistant (n = 40) rats of both sexes. Single daily doses of gentamicin (12.5, 18.75, or 25 mg/kg of body weight) or saline (control) were administered intraperitoneally for 14 doses. Blood samples were collected after doses 1, 7, and 14, assayed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and analyzed using a nonparametric population pharmacokinetic approach for gentamicin. Urine was collected after doses 1, 3, and 5 and assayed for kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and normalized to creatinine (Cr) values. Histology was performed on all animals, and the degree of proximal tubular injury was graded. The mean (minimum, maximum) weight of the rats was 330 (136, 580) g. NGAL/Cr predicted AKI better than did KIM-1/Cr and was detectable in male rats after dose 1 and in obesity-prone female rats after dose 5. Proximal tubular injury by histology was significantly higher in male than in female rats. A significant relationship between the gentamicin area under the curve from zero to 24 hours (AUC(0-24)) estimates and the maximum NGAL/Cr ratio was observed. This preclinical model has the potential to aid with dose extrapolation for body size and improve assessment of the toxicology potential of antimicrobials in development.
The Impact of Subjective Camera in Sports on Arousal and Enjoyment

Although scholars have generated much research examining enjoyment of mediated sports, much of it has failed to explore how visual production elements shape viewer response. This study examines the impact of one increasingly common technique, subjective camera, on viewer arousal and enjoyment of game play. Participants viewed multiple plays from a college football game that varied in excitatory potential as well as viewing angle. Game play viewed via subjective camera elicited a greater sense of presence in the mediated environment and elicited more frequent arousal responses compared to traditional sideline perspectives of game play. However, the impact of viewing angle on enjoyment as well as self-reported arousal was dependent upon the exciting or dull nature of game play. Invoking the dynamics of excitation transfer theory, we discuss the potential explanations for this relationship as well as its implications for sports broadcasters.
Association Studies in an Era of Too Much Information Clinical Analysis of New Biomarker and Genetic Data

In the past century, the broad use of routine diagnostic assays in the clinical laboratory was a major advance that remains a core element of contemporary patient care. As quantitative, objective measurements, these routine clinical tests often provide unequivocal evidence for a diagnosis or help frame a therapeutic strategy. The development of specific laboratory tests is generally predicated on a plausible biological hypothesis grounded in (pre)clinical experimentation. As a result, the majority of routine laboratory tests are limited in number and sufficiently well understood by practitioners to be clinically useful. In the past few years, the biomedical community has witnessed an increasing number of reports of associations between a wide range of newer molecular markers and disease phenotypes (pathophenotypes) or outcomes. These biomarkers—here broadly defined as molecular indicators of the presence of a disease, outcome, or response to therapy—include conventional laboratory measurements of proteins or enzymes, recently identified genetic polymorphisms (either singly [single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs] or in combinations [haplotypes]), and plasma metabolites, peptides, or proteins, many with as yet unknown function. In contrast to the earlier era of biochemical testing, these contemporary biomarkers are generally not identified by hypothesis-driven, preclinical experimentation and the application of rational, reductionist principles; rather, they reflect the output of the brute-force forms of discovery science, viz , comparative total genome scanning, global proteomic analysis, and comprehensive metabolomic testing between populations with and without a well-defined disease phenotype. With the use of technically sophisticated molecular methods, the entire human genome or the plasma proteome, for example, is analyzed in some detail to identify changes in gene sequence or protein patterns, respectively, that are more or less prevalent in those with disease than in those without disease. The magnitude of the observed difference in prevalence of the biomarker between the 2 populations defines the strength …
A result similar to the Odlyzko's ‘Paris Metro Pricing’

The two-stage competition is investigated in which two Internet Service Providers (ISP) choose sequentially their capacities and then their prices while facing a flow of new customers who decide to belong to one ISP or the other on the basis of a comparison of access prices and of expected congestion rates. At the equilibrium of the game a vertical differentiation between the Internet Service Providers endogenously emerges: the firm which provides the larger network has the lowest rate of congestion and the highest access price. The ISP providing the smallest network (thus the most congested) earns the larger profit. It will be noticed that the spontaneous functioning of oligopolistic competition produces a result similar to the Odlyzko's ‘Paris Metro Pricing’: at the equilibrium the two competitors propose different prices and rates of congestion, the most expensive one being also the least congested.
The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 promotes the survival of embryonic retinal ganglion cells.

The chemokine receptor CXCR4 is expressed in the embryonic and mature CNS, yet its normal physiological function in neurons remains obscure. Here, we show that its cognate chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), promotes the survival of cultured embryonic retinal ganglion cell neurons even in the absence of other neurotrophic factors. This survival effect is mediated primarily through a cAMP-dependent pathway that acts through protein kinase A and MAP kinase. Addition of SDF-1 to a human neuronal cell line induces phosphorylation of p44/p42 MAP kinase and GSK3β. Mouse embryos lacking the CXCR4 receptor have a reduced number of retinal ganglion cells. The ligand of CXCR4, SDF-1, may therefore provide generalized trophic support to neurons during their development and maturation.
Respect, Plurality, and Prejudice: A Psychoanalytical and Philosophical Enquiry into the Dynamics of Social Exclusion and Discrimination

This book helps us understand the current resurgence of social prejudice against ethnic minority groups, the logics of scapegoating and the resulting violence. Our time is characterised by a growth in expressed hostility and violence towards people who are perceived as 'others'. Hatred towards and discrimination against minorities is on the rise. This book presents a new understanding of prejudice, racism, antisemitism, xenophobia, islamophobia, sexism and homophobia. It combines philosophy with psychoanalytic thinking, sociology and psycho-social studies, analysing the unconscious elements of social processes. The author makes a case for framing a questioning of prejudice, not in terms of normality versus pathology or deviance, but in what is socially unconscious. Hypocrisy and double standards are inherent in our social practices, reflecting the contradictions present in our thinking about these issues: that we both believe and do not believe in equality.
Identification and Estimation with Competing Auctions

The paper presents conditions for non-parametric identification of a joint distribution when the marginal distributions are identified and the joint distribution is only identified for a subset of the domain. This result is applied to sealed bid auctions where bidders face competing auctions for substitutes, such as in auction platforms like eBay or Google Adwords. A bivariate normal copula function is estimated for pick up trucks sold in eBay auctions. The results suggest the F-150 and Silverado are close substitutes and the F-150 seller’s optimal reserve should fall 5-10% when faced with a competing Silverado auction.
Ethanol induced expression of forkhead box O3 and associated tolerance is amplified in female derived dendritic cells. (IRM5P.642)

Dendritic cells (DCs) are often referred to as the bridge between innate and adaptive immunity and are a critical player in inducing a robust immune response to antigen. However they also can act to dampen the immune response by a process called tolerance. Tolerance is critical in preventing autoimmune disorders but can be manipulated by tumors to prevent anti-tumor immunity. Ethanol has previously been shown to reduce the ability of DCs to present antigen and to induce a pro-inflammatory response but the mediator of this reduced DC function is not yet known. One of the key players in DC tolerance is the transcription factor Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3). FOXO3 is a transcriptional regulator of a variety of processes associated with cell cycle progression as well as regulation of nuclear receptors, including the androgen and estrogen receptors. In these studies we investigated the effects of ethanol on FOXO3 expression in dendritic cells. We also examined the ability of dendritic cells to uptake antigen and mature into functional APCs in the presence of ethanol. and on the ability of ethanol treated dendritic cells to become mature antigen presenting cells. Additionally we examined if the effects of ethanol on DCs were increased due to gender specific differences. Our results indicate that exposure of dendritic cells to ethanol increases the expression of FOXO3 and decreases the expression of co-stimulatory and pro-inflammatory molecules.
Abstract 204: Early Life Predictors of Augmentation Index in Biracial (Black-White) Young Adults: The Bogalusa Heart Study

Background: The central pressure augmentation index (AI) has been suggested as a noninvasive measure of pulsatile load, which is a likely a determinant of left ventricular mass and other cardiovascular outcomes. While adult risk factor associations with AI have been documented, information is scant on the childhood predictors of AI in relatively young and healthy adults. Hypothesis: childhood systolic blood pressure is associated with adult AI. Methods: this aspect was examined in 820 non-institutionalized individuals (65.2% whites, 53.8% females; aged 29.4 - 51.3 years) that participated in the Bogalusa Heart Study and had cardiovascular risk factors information available since childhood. AI was estimated in adulthood through applanation tonometry of the radial artery. The average value of childhood measurements was used as the childhood value, standardized to age, race and sex-specific z-scores. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to estimate childhood risk factor associations with AI in ...
Tunable Conformation-Dependent Engineered Protein·Gold Nanoparticle Nanocomposites

We demonstrate the fabrication of protein·gold nanoparticle (AuNP) nanocomposites in situ, leading to distinct assemblies dependent upon protein secondary structure. In the presence of pentameric coiled-coil proteins C and Q, which contain histidine tags and have helicities of 54 and 65%, respectively, templation of AuNP results in precipitation of the protein·AuNP composites with AuNPs 6.5 nm in diameter, creating macromolecular assemblies on the micrometer scale. In the absence of the histidine tags, the resulting Cx and Qx proteins, which exhibit lower helicities of 37 and 45%, respectively, stabilize soluble protein·AuNP composites with AuNPs 4.5 nm in diameter for several days without aggregating. By manipulating protein structure via external triggers, such as TFE, we obtain control over the macromolecular conformation and overall physicochemical properties. These hybrid protein·AuNP assemblies can be readily deposited on electrodes, where they can serve as a tunable bionanocomposite kinetic barrier.
Food Exchange between Mounds of the Red Imported Fire Ant

Field studies in Hillsborough County, Fla., in 1971–72 in Grimes County, Tex., in 1973 showed that extensive exchange of food occurred between adjacent mounds of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren. Slightly less exchange between mounds occurred at the Texas sites during winter, but the difference may have been caused by variation between sites and not by season.
Prairie Radicals: A Common Pietism

The Populist movement, the most dramatic organized mani festation of political and economic discontent in the American plains region during the late nineteenth century, disintegrated before the century's end. But in the succeeding decades there have frequently appeared in the plains states and the adjacent Canadian prairie provinces a sizable number of public figures, usually representing agrarian causes, whom their contemporaries have regarded as radicals. These men, sometimes operating within the normal political structures but more commonly asso ciated with deviant "third-party" movements, may be designated for analytical purposes as "prairie radicals." They and the attributes of commonality which they shared form the substance and determine the thesis of this article.
Targeting PRAS40 for multiple diseases

Proline-rich Akt substrate 40kDa (PRAS40) bridges cell signaling between protein kinase B (Akt) and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Both Akt and mTORC1 can phosphorylate PRAS40. As a negative regulator of mTORC1, PRAS40 prevents the binding of mTOR to its substrates. The phosphorylation of PRAS40 results in its dissociation from mTORC1 and enhanced mTOR activation. PRAS40 in conjunction with mTORC1 has been closely associated with programmed cell death and is implicated in diabetes mellitus (DM), cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurological diseases. Thus, targeting PRAS40 might hold great promise for innovative therapeutic strategies for these diseases.
Analysis of test in 919 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis in Yizhang during 2007～2008

Objective:To Yizhang County in January 2007~2008 TB in December in the incidence and characteristics of smear-positive patients for the prevention and control of the disease to provide a scientific basis.Methods:For the county in January 2007~2008 in December of 919 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis patients with sputum acid-fast bacilli detection,and be based on analysis of test results.Results:of 919 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis patients,195 cases of smear-positive patients,724 cases of Yin Tu,21.22 percent rate of smear positive,smear-positive patient's age on the young and middle-aged,career-oriented farming,accounting for 60%.Conclusion:The county young adults is the focus of TB control groups,the smear-positive tuberculosis patients in a thorough and effective implementation and management of chemotherapy,Control Source of infection to control the epidemic of tuberculosis.
External Sphincterotomy in Traumatic and Non-Traumatic Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction

Experience with external sphincterotomy in 40 patients with traumatic and non-traumatic neurogenic bladder is reviewed. The procedure is a safe, reliable technique designed to establish a balanced neurogenic bladder in patients with detrusorsphincter dyssynergia. Spincterotomy should be performed in most patients before consideration of supravesical diversion.
Traffic Management Using RTEC in OWL 2 RL.

Introduction. In a number of domains, including traffic management, event processing and situational reporting are particularly demanding. This is due to the volumes and realiability of streamed spatio-temporal data involved, ranging from sensor readings, news-wire reports, police reports, to social media, as well as the complexity of the reasoning required. Human, rather than artificial, intelligence is hence still used to an overwhelming extent.
Far-field potentials as a method of monitoring acute and chronic spinal cord injury.

AbstractFar-field potentials (FFPs) were studied in monkeys to determine the utility of such responses in evaluating acute and chronic spinal cord injury. Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) were anesthetized with 70% N2O 30% O2, immobilized with pancuronium bromide, and maintained on a respirator. Spinal cord transections were made at level T3-T4 and included bilateral dorsal columns or anterolateral columns, right or left hemisection, or central cord lesions. Percutaneous stimulation of both posterior tibial nerves was performed at a frequency of 3 Hz using 3-4 mA for 0.3 msec duration. Potentials were recorded from chronically implanted epidural electrodes (right ear reference) through a 300-3,000 Hz band pass filter. Each far-field potential represents the average of 256 individual responses recorded for a duration of 25 msec before and after cord lesion for up to 8 weeks.Seven reproducible components in the far-field potential could be identified. Following dorsal column transection all components were red...
Atrial natriuretic peptide enhances activity of potassium conductance in adrenal glomerulosa cells

Aldosterone secretion from the adrenal glomerulosa (AG) cells is inhibited by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Inasmuch as alterations in K+ conductance can modulate aldosterone secretion, the effect of ANP on intracellular K+ homeostasis was investigated. Intracellular K+ concentration ([K+]i) of AG cells was assessed by spectrofluorometry using the K(+)-sensitive dye, K(+)-binding benzofuran isophthalate. The resting value of [K+]i in AG cells was determined to be 120 +/- 1.2 mM (n = 37) in a HCO3-free, N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered medium. Exposure of AG cells to ANP led to a dose-dependent, transient decrease in [K+]i, from 21 +/- 3.2% (n = 7) at 100 pM to 31 +/- 2.3% at 1 microM (n = 7). In the continued presence of ANP, a rapid recovery to near basal values of [K+]i was attained within 90 s. Measurements of membrane voltage using the potential sensitive dye 1-3(-sulfonatopropyl)-4-[beta-(-(di-n-butylamino)-6-naphthyl)vinyl ]- pyridinium betaine documented an accompanying change in membrane potential. Pretreatment of AG cells with barium (0.5 mM), tetraethylammonium (0.1 mM), charybdotoxin (100 nM), or ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethylether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (0.5 mM) blunted the ANP-induced decrease in [K+]i. ANP-(7-23), the ANP-C-receptor selective agonist, which does not elevate guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) did not alter [K+]i in contrast to cGMP (50 microM), which did. We conclude that ANP via the activation of the ANP A receptor alters K+ homeostasis through a Ca(2+)-activatable K(+)-conductive pathway likely to be the maxi-K channel.
Gene Editing: Powerful New Tools for Nephrology Research and Therapy

Biologic research is experiencing a transformation brought about by the ability of programmable nucleases to manipulate the genome. In the recently developed CRISPR/Cas system, short RNA sequences guide the endonuclease Cas9 to any location in the genome, causing a DNA double-strand break (DSB). Repair of DSBs allows the introduction of targeted genetic manipulations with high precision. Cas9-mediated gene editing is simple, scalable, and rapid, and it can be applied to virtually any organism. Here, we summarize the development of modern gene editing techniques and the biology of DSB repair on which these techniques are based. We discuss technical points in applying this technology and review its use in model organisms. Finally, we describe prospects for the use of gene editing to treat human genetic diseases. This technology offers tremendous promise for equipping the nephrology research community to better model and ultimately, treat kidney diseases.
Reinforcement and shape stabilization of phase-change material via graphene oxide aerogel

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) are of interest in many applications which may require shape-stabilization. In this study, a graphene oxide aerogel (GOxA) reinforced paraffin PCM composite is developed, effectively reinforcing and shape-stabilizing the paraffin. The molecular and diffraction characterizations suggest that the GOxA network potentially affects paraffin's crystallization. The mechanical characterizations using durometer and nanoindentation show that the composite is 3∼7× harder than pure paraffin and maintains significant strength even above paraffin's melting temperature. Moreover, the composite is much less strain-rate sensitive than paraffin. The reinforcement via GOxA is much beyond the prediction by the rule-of-mixture, implying a strong GOxA-paraffin interfacial bonding. To our best knowledge, this is the first study on the mechanical behavior of paraffin and GOxA-PCM composite, providing critical insights into their behavior. Additionally, the relationship between the hardness and durometer index first-ever developed here will enable the quantitative durometer testing on materials for many other applications at different ambient conditions due to its versatility and simplicity.
Counseling as a Related Service for Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: Issues and Recommendations:

The related services component of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) has been one of the most difficult requirements in providing a free appropriate public education (FAPE) for students w...
Natural Variation of the Circadian Clock in Neurospora

Abstract Most living organisms on earth experience daily and expected changes from the rotation of the earth. For an organism, the ability to predict and prepare for incoming stresses or resources is a very important skill for survival. This cellular process of measuring daily time of the day is collectively called the circadian clock. Because of its fundamental role in survival in nature, there is a great interest in studying the natural variation of the circadian clock. However, characterizing the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying natural variation of circadian clocks remains a challenging task. In this chapter, we will summarize the progress in studying natural variation of the circadian clock in the successful eukaryotic model Neurospora, which led to discovering many design principles of the molecular mechanisms of the eukaryotic circadian clock. Despite the success of the system in revealing the molecular mechanisms of the circadian clock, Neurospora has not been utilized to extensively study natural variation. We will review the challenges that hindered the natural variation studies in Neurospora, and how they were overcome. We will also review the advantages of Neurospora for natural variation studies. Since Neurospora is the model fungal species for circadian study, it represents over 5 million species of fungi on earth. These fungi play important roles in ecosystems on earth, and as such Neurospora could serve as an important model for understanding the ecological role of natural variation in fungal circadian clocks.