cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor tranylcypromine enhances nicotine self-administration in rats through a mechanism independent of MAO inhibition.

Abstract Our current study aims to evaluate the mechanisms of tranylcypromine (TCP)-mediated enhancement of nicotine self-administration. We replicated our previous findings which demonstrate that 1 h pretreatment with TCP (3 mg/kg, i.p.) enhances nicotine self-administration (7.5 μg/kg/inj, i.v.) when compared with vehicle-treated rodents. We tested whether TCP-mediated enhancement of nicotine self-administration was due to MAO inhibition or off-target effects by (i) extending the TCP pretreatment time from 1 to 20 h, and (ii) evaluating the role of the individual TCP stereoisomers in nicotine self-administration studies. While 20 h and (−)TCP pretreatment induced significant inhibition of MAO (60–90%), animals found nicotine only weakly reinforcing. Furthermore, while both (+) and (±)TCP treatment induced nearly 100% MAO inhibition, (+)TCP pretreated animals took longer to acquire nicotine self-administration compared to (±)TCP pretreated animals. Stable nicotine self-administration in (+)TCP pretreated animals was influenced by nicotinic receptor activation but not nicotine-paired cues. The opposite was found in (±)TCP pretreated animals. Treatment with (−) or (±)TCP increased dopamine and serotonin overflow, while the (+) and (±)TCP treatment enhanced monoamine overflow subsequent to nicotine. Together, our data suggests TCP enhancement of nicotine self-administration are mediated through mechanisms independent of MAO inhibition, including nicotine-paired cues and monoamine uptake inhibition.
Functional characterization of hypertrophy in chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidate cells for cartilage tissue engineering. Expression of cartilage hypertrophy markers (e.g., type X collagen) by MSCs undergoing chondrogenesis raises concern for a tissue engineering application for MSCs, because hypertrophy would result in apoptosis and ossification. To analyze the biologic basis of MSC hypertrophy, we examined the response of chondrifying MSCs to culture conditions known to influence chondrocyte hypertrophy, using an array of hypertrophy-associated markers. Methods Human MSC pellet cultures were predifferentiated for 2 weeks in a chondrogenic medium, and hypertrophy was induced by withdrawing transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), reducing the concentration of dexamethasone, and adding thyroid hormone (T3). Cultures were characterized by histologic, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods, and gene expression was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Results The combination of TGFβ withdrawal, a reduction in the level of dexamethasone, and the addition of T3 was essential for hypertrophy induction. Cytomorphologic changes were accompanied by increased alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix mineralization, and changes in various markers of hypertrophy, including type X collagen, fibroblast growth factor receptors 1–3, parathyroid hormone–related protein receptor, retinoic acid receptor γ, matrix metalloproteinase 13, Indian hedgehog, osteocalcin, and the proapoptotic gene p53. However, hypertrophy was not induced uniformly throughout the pellet culture, and distinct regions of dedifferentiation were observed. Conclusion Chondrogenically differentiating MSCs behave in a manner functionally similar to that of growth plate chondrocytes, expressing a very similar hypertrophic phenotype. Under the in vitro culture conditions used here, MSC-derived chondrocytes underwent a differentiation program analogous to that observed during endochondral embryonic skeletal development, with the potential for terminal differentiation. This culture system is applicable for the screening of hypertrophy-inhibitory conditions and agents that may be useful to enhance MSC performance in cartilage tissue engineering.
Selective chemical vapor deposition of platinum and palladium directed by monolayers patterned using microcontact printing

High-purity platinum and palladium thin films can be deposited selectively by combining microcontact printing (μCP) and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Printed patterns of octadecyltrichlorosilane thin films are used to direct the selective deposition of the metallic thin films from bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)platinum(II), Pt(hfac)2, and bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)palladium(II), Pd-(hfac) 2 , in the presence of hydrogen. This process has been used successfully to fabricate Pt and Pd patterns on substrates such as titanium nitride, indium tin oxide, silicon dioxide, and sapphire. Features with sizes as small as 1.5 μm have been deposited by this combined μCP-MOCVD method. The Pt and Pd films were found to be free of detectable impurities, as measured by X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopies. Grain sizes in the deposits can also be varied. We found, for example, that the Pt film growth process yields heavily faceted deposits whose habits depend strongly on the temperature of the substrate during processing. Addition of water vapor to the reactor feed during platinum chemical vapor deposition increased the number of nucleation sites, thus reducing the grain size, but did not otherwise affect the deposition rate to a significant degree. We describe in this report how this photolithography-free process might simplify the patterning of metal and other thin films of interest in integrated circuit fabrication.
Consumption of Potentially Fortifiable Foods by Women and Young Children Varies by Ecological Zone and Socio-Economic Status in Cameroon

In preparation for a proposed large-scale food fortification program in Cameroon, we completed a nationally representative, cross-sectional, cluster survey to assess the consumption patterns of four potentially fortifiable foods (refined vegetable oil, wheat flour, sugar, and bouillon cube) by women and children. Thirty clusters were randomly chosen in each of three ecologic zones (south, north, and large cities) and 10 households (HH) per cluster were selected, each with a child 12-59 mo old and a primary female caregiver 15-49 y old (total 1002 HH). Blood samples were collected and food consumption was assessed by FFQ and 24-h dietary recall. Anemia (39% of women, 58% of children) and deficiencies of iron (15-32%, 21-70%), zinc (77%, 70%), vitamin A (22%, 35%), and vitamin B-12 (28%, 27%) were common, especially in the north and among HH with lower socio-economic status (SES). Oil was consumed by 54% of HH, whereas >75% of HH consumed wheat flour, sugar, and bouillon cube. For most foods, coverage was lower among HH with lower SES. On average, oil, wheat flour, and sugar were consumed once per day and bouillon cube was consumed twice per day. Median intakes of oil, wheat flour, sugar, and bouillon cube (among consumers) were 19.8, 79.4, 30.0, and 1.9 g/d for women and 12.0, 49.4, 19.4, and 0.9 g/d for children, respectively. Food consumption patterns of high risk population subgroups must be considered, along with technical feasibility and cost, for the selection of appropriate vehicles for food fortification.
Green Transportation Taxes and Fees: A Survey of Public Preferences in California

Abstract This paper presents the results of a survey testing whether California residents would support the concept of “green” transportation taxes and fees. Green taxes and fees would be set at variable rates, with higher rates for more polluting vehicles and lower rates for those that pollute less. The results show that the concept of green transportation taxes and fees strongly appeals to Californians. The survey data were also analyzed to identify if sub-groups within the state were particularly likely to support or oppose green transportation taxes and fees. Support for the green taxes and fees held at 50% or higher across most population sub-groups. Bivariate analysis showed that demographic factors were generally poor predictors of support, but that some attitudinal and knowledge variables did correlate with increased support for the green taxes and fees. Multivariate analysis confirmed that pro-environment and pro-government attitudes are significant and strong predictors of support for increasing transportation revenues.
Safeguarded use of the implicit restarted lanczos technique for solving non‐linear structural eigensystems

This paper presents a new algorithm for evaluating the eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenvectors for large-scale non-linear eigensystems in structural dynamics. The algorithm is based on solving a sequence of algebraic eigenproblems and updating the parameter λ. The implicitly restarted Lanczos method had been determined to be well suited for solving the linear eigenproblems that arise in this context. A zero-finder approach that uses rational interpolation to approximate the generalized eigenvalues has been developed to update λ. The methodology of the new algorithm developed here is designed to evaluate a subset of the parametrized non-linear eigencurves at specific values of λ. Numerical experiments show that the new eigensolution technique is superior to existing approaches for large-scale problems and competitive for small-size problems. The main emphasis of this contribution is the derivation and analysis of this scheme for non-linear structural eigensystems.
The action of quinones on mitosis

Chinone, die durch Oxydation von Dihydroxyphenolen in durch Zinkmangel geschadigten Pflanzen entstehen, blockieren die Mitosen in jungen Geweben. Durch Cystein wird die Zahl der Mitosen erhoht. Phenanthrachinon hat einen ahnlichen antimitotischen Effekt. Wenn die Mitose gehemmt ist, dann erfolgt die Zellvergroserung, soweit als moglich, ohne eine entsprechende Volumenzunahme des Kerns.
Seasonal Activity of Entomophthora muscae (Zygomycetes: Entomophthorales) in Musca domestica L (Diptera: Muscidae) with Reference to Temperature and Relative Humidity

Abstract The fungus, Entomophthora muscae (Cohn) Fresenius, commonly infects house flies, Musca domestica L., on feedlots and dairies in southeastern Nebraska. During two fly breeding seasons, disease prevalence increased from
Validity of the W170 test for predicting maximal oxygen intake

Recent research has related pedalling frequency to perceived exertion, indicating that subjects pedalling at higher frequencies tend to perceive lower levels of exertion. If tests administered at higher pedalling speeds are valid, then more accurate data on extremely low fit individuals might be possible. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Wahlund-Sjostrand W170 test administered at 50 and 80 rpm. Maximal oxygen intake was determined for thirty male volunteer college students using standard open-circuit techniques. W170 tests were administered at 50 and 80 rpm using standard test protocol. The results indicated a differential effect of pedalling speed upon the validity of the W170 tests. Validity coefficients of rxy = 0.73 and rxy = 0.64 were found for the 50 and 80 rpm tests, respectively. Maximal oxygen intake predicted from the W170 test administered at 80 rpm was significantly different from both the criterion maximal oxygen intake and the W170 prediction at 50 rpm. This difference was attributed to a significantly higher heart rate response to 80 rpm tests at the lower workload of 600 kpm/min. It was concluded that more valid W170 tests are attained at the conventional pedalling speed of 50 rpm.
Assessing Learning Styles: Practical Tips for Patient Education

Nurses must facilitate and support patient and family decision-making and improvement in health outcomes using instructional skills. Complex patient needs and nursing responsibilities necessitate thoughtful consideration for maximizing the effectiveness of patient teaching encounters. This article reviews assessment of patient learning styles in combination with context for an individualized approach, as well as motivation for adult learners as a framework for organization of patient teaching. Methods and modes of patient teaching are discussed as well as tips for overcoming barriers to planning and implementing patient teaching.
Effect of low-temperature rolling on the propensity to adiabatic shear banding of commercial purity tungsten

Abstract In this work, we have investigated the effect of low-temperature rolling on the mechanical properties of commercial purity tungsten, particularly the high strain rate (dynamic) behavior of the cold-rolled samples vis-a-vis the as-received coarse-grained material. After rolling, the material was tested under both quasi-static and dynamic (Kolsky bar) uniaxial compression loading conditions. We have found that low-temperature rolling both improves the ductility and the strength of commercial purity tungsten. The rolled tungsten exhibits elastic-nearly perfectly plastic behavior under quasi-static loading, and a strong flow softening tendency with a precipitous stress drop under dynamic loading. Both in situ high speed movie snapshots and post-mortem examination of the dynamic samples suggest that the precipitous stress drop was caused by adiabatic shear banding in the cold-rolled material. The greatly enhanced susceptibility to adiabatic shear banding in the cold-rolled tungsten can either be explained semi-quantitatively based on a mechanistic model or from the rolling texture that leads to geometric softening under dynamic loading.
Cysteine 95 and other residues influence the regulatory effects of Histidine 69 mutations on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 protease autoprocessing.

Regulated autoprocessing of HIV Gag-Pol precursor is required for the production of mature and fully active protease. We previously reported that H69E mutation in a pseudo wild type protease sequence significantly (>20-fold) impedes protease maturation in an in vitro autoprocessing assay and in transfected mammalian cells. Interestingly, H69E mutation in the context of a laboratory adapted NL4-3 protease showed only moderate inhibition (~4-fold) on protease maturation. There are six point mutations (Q7K, L33I, N37S, L63I, C67A, and C95A) between the NL4-3 and the pseudo wild type proteases suggesting that the H69E effect is influenced by other residues. Mutagenesis analyses identified C95 as the primary determinant that dampened the inhibitory effect of H69E. L63 and C67 also demonstrated rescue effect to a less extent. However, the rescue was completely abolished when H69 was replaced by aspartic acid in the NL4-3 backbone. Charge substitutions of surface residues (E21, D30, E34, E35, and F99) to neutral or positively charged amino acids failed to restore protease autoprocessing in the context of H69E mutation. Taken together, we suggest that residue 69 along with other amino acids such as C95 plus L63 and C67 to a less extent modulate precursor structures for the regulation of protease autoprocessing in the infected cell.
An All Polymer Air-Flow Sensor Array using a Piezoresistive Composite Elastomer

This paper presents an out-of-plane micromachined piezoresistive flow sensor array based on laser micromachining of polymer films, microstencil printing, and stress-engineered curvature. The developed process is suitable for low cost, large-area sensor array fabrication, and can leverage traditional flex-circuit fabrication. Each device is composed of an out-of-plane curved microtuft formed from laser-machined Kapton® polyimide and PECVD-deposited SiO 2 , and a conductive elastomer piezoresistor with a measured gage factor of 7.3 located at the base of the microtuft. The fabrication and performance of a prototype array and a fabrication sequence for large-area arrays on flexible substrates is demonstrated, for flow field mapping across an airfoil. The fabrication sequence also enables backside interconnects without adding further process complexity, which facilitates integration and enables the sensing of airflow with minimum interference due to the sensing circuitry. Individual microtufts as small as 1.5mm in length and 0.4mm in width, with 70 ?m wide piezoresistor lines have been fabricated. Wind tunnel testing demonstrated sensitivities as high as 66 ?/(m/s).
A field study of using open buy on the Internet (OBI) to streamline the purchasing process

This project employed a field study approach to explore how companies can use open buying on the Internet (OBI), an open, flexible design for business-to-business Internet commerce solutions, to enhance their procurement processes. In this study, based on the findings of the field study, I discuss features and functions that these companies preferred to have as well as how OBI can have a potential to assist purchasing managers or other managers in making managerial decisions. With a better understanding of the features and functions that companies may desire, software engineers will be able to design packaged electronic commerce solutions to streamline the purchasing process.
SRC-2 orchestrates polygenic inputs for fine-tuning glucose homeostasis

Despite extensive efforts to understand the monogenic contributions to perturbed glucose homeostasis, the complexity of genetic events that fractionally contribute to the spectrum of this pathology remain poorly understood. Proper maintenance of glucose homeostasis is the central feature of a constellation of comorbidities that define the metabolic syndrome. The ability of the liver to balance carbohydrate uptake and release during the feeding-to-fasting transition is essential to the regulation of peripheral glucose availability. The liver coordinates the expression of gene programs that control glucose absorption, storage, and secretion. Herein, we demonstrate that Steroid Receptor Coactivator 2 (SRC-2) orchestrates a hierarchy of nutritionally responsive transcriptional complexes to precisely modulate plasma glucose availability. Using DNA pull-down technology coupled with mass spectrometry, we have identified SRC-2 as an indispensable integrator of transcriptional complexes that control the rate-limiting steps of hepatic glucose release and accretion. Collectively, these findings position SRC-2 as a major regulator of polygenic inputs to metabolic gene regulation and perhaps identify a previously unappreciated model that helps to explain the clinical spectrum of glucose dysregulation.
Compositional gradients surrounding spherulites in obsidian and their relationship to spherulite growth and lava cooling

Spherical masses of crystal fibers (spherulites) crystalize from rhyolitic melt/glass mainly in response to significant undercooling while lava cools. Spherulite growth should induce compositional gradients in the surrounding glass from expulsion of incompatible constituents and diffusion of those constituents away from the spherulite. Finite-difference numerical modeling of one-dimensional diffusion, in which diffusivities are allowed to vary with temperature, is used to investigate how compositional gradients reflect spherulite growth and lava cooling. Overall, three forms of gradients are identified. Elements that diffuse quickly are expelled from the spherulite but then migrate away too quickly to become enriched at the boundary of the spherulite. Elements that diffuse slowly are trapped within the growing spherulite. Between those endmembers are elements that are not trapped, yet diffuse slow enough that they become enriched at the contact. Their slow diffusion away then elevates their concentrations in the surrounding glass. How enriched those elements are at the spherulite-matrix interface and how far their enrichments extend outwards into the glass reflect how spherulites grow and thermal conditions during growth. Concentrations of H2O, Rb, F, Li, Cl, Na, K, Sr, Cs, Ba, and Be were measured in and around spherulites in obsidian from a 4.7 ± 1 km3 rhyolite lava dome erupted from Tequila volcano, Mexico. Measurable concentration gradients are found for H2O, Rb, and F. Attributes of those gradients and the behaviors of the other elements are in accord with their experimentally constrained diffusivities. Spherulites appear to have grown following radial, rather than volumetric, growth. The observed gradients (and lack of others) are more consistent with growth mainly below the glass transition, which would necessitate the dome cooling at ca. 10−5 to 10−7 °C s−1. Such slow cooling is consistent with the relatively large volume of the dome.
MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING, THE CAPITAL ASSET PRICING MODEL AND CAPITAL BUDGETING OF INTERRELATED PROJECTS

THE PROBLEMS OF CAPITAL BUDGETING seem to be, figuratively speaking, everyone's concern. Industrial engineers, economists, operations research analysts and finance specialists claim the subject matter as their domain. Each has a unique perspective and point of view; each tends to concentrate attention on a different type of problem because of slightly different goals; each tends to use a different set of tools and techniques; and each tends to talk among themselves. The literature has grown rapidly in each field and has tended to diverge from, rather than to converge to, a unified whole. The analysis of uncertainty in capital budgeting is a good example. With some oversimplification, it is convenient to characterize the engineeringmanagement science approach as one concerned primarily with norinative. models for decision making and to be primarily concerned with computing solutions. Weingartner [17], Naslund [13], Hillier [7], Oakford [14] and Bernhard [2] are examples. These approaches place minimum emphasis on the development of criteria and maximum emphasis on solution technique. Mathematical programming holds sway in these approaches. The economics-finance approach tends to pay little attention to computing technique and a great deal of attention to the development of general criteria and rules. Here the theoretical ideas of capital asset pricing of Sharpe [15], Lintner [8], and Mossin [1 1] serve as background for capital budgeting analysis by Litzenburger and Budd [9], Hamada [6], Stapleton [16] and Bierman and Hass [3], to name a few. One could further classify the approaches as being concerned with the selection of sets of projects under inter-relationships in the engineering-management science approach and with single projects in the economics-finance approach. Mutually exclusive, contingent, competitive and complementary projects are significant in the writings of the former, while they play a lesser role in the latter. What is the appropriate discount rate or the hurdle rate that projects must clear is usually the goal of the economics-finance approach, while this rate is taken for granted in the engineering-management science approach. The classifications that have been made are not perfect, to be sure. Weingartner [17], Baumol and Quandt [1], Naslund [13] and Bernhard [2], represent programming approaches which tie in with the criterion problem. Hamada [6] on the opposite side makes reference to programming analysis in his development of general criterion and rules for capital budgeting. However, explicit recognition of the role of programming in the general criterion of market value maximization using the capital asset pricing model has not been detailed.
Fourier-transform laser spectroscopy

The development of microphotonic sensors based on Fourier-transform laser spectroscopy (FT-LS) is discussed. The application demonstrated is for measurement of vapors from the hydrocarbon fuels JP-8, diesel fuel, and gasoline. The two-laser prototype FT-LS sensor used for our research employs distributed-feedback lasers in the near-infrared spectral region (1.3- and 1.7-μm wavelength). An extension of this research to multilaser arrays is discussed. We believe that this is the first measurement of middle-distillate fuel-vapor concentrations using this optical mixing technique.
The complexity of richness: Media, message, and communication outcomes

Dynamic web-based multimedia communication has been increasingly used in organizations, necessitating a better understanding of how it affects their outcomes. We investigated factor structures and relationships involving media and information richness and communication outcomes using an experimental design. We found that these multimedia contexts were best explained by models with multiple fine-grained constructs rather than those based on one- or two-dimensions. Also, media richness theory poorly predicted relationships involving these constructs.
The Structure of Founding Teams: Homophily, Strong Ties, and Isolation among U.S. Entrepreneurs

The mechanisms governing the composition of formal social groups (e.g., task groups, organizational founding teams) remain poorly understood, owing to (1) a lack of representative sampling from groups found in the general population, (2) a "success" bias among researchers that leads them to consider only those groups that actually emerge and survive, and (3) a restrictive focus on some theorized mechanisms of group composition (e.g., homophily) to the exclusion of others. These shortcomings are addressed by analyzing a unique, representative data set of organizational founding teams sampled from the U.S. population. Rather than simply considering the properties of those founding teams that are empirically observed, a novel quantitative methodology generates the distribution of all possible teams, based on combinations of individual and relational characteristics. This methodology permits the exploration of five mechanisms of group composition-those based on homophily, functionality, status expectations, network constraint, and ecological constraint. Findings suggest that homophily and network constraints based on strong ties have the most pronounced effect on group composition. Social isolation (i.e., exclusion from a group) is more likely to occur as a result of ecological constraints on the availability of similar alters in a locality than as a result of status varying membership choices.
Simple measurement of intra-abdominal fat for abdominal surgery outcome prediction.

Objective To assess the effect of increasing body mass index, intra-abdominal fat, and outer abdominal fat on outcome in patients undergoing major hepatectomy. Design Cohort study. Setting Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Participants We studied patients aged 19 to 86 years undergoing major hepatic resection between June 18, 1996, and November 6, 2001. Complications were extracted from a prospective database at a tertiary cancer center. Intervention A total of 349 patients were grouped according to body mass index for analysis. Preoperative abdominal computed tomographic scans were examined and measurements of perinephric fat (as a surrogate for intra-abdominal fat) and outer abdominal fat taken at uniform anatomical locations. Main Outcome Measures We compared 30-day mortality and morbidity figures, length of stay, and operating times. Results Body mass index had an influence on operative time ( P = .02) but no significant effect on mortality, frequency of any complications, frequency of severe complications, or length of stay ( P = .80, P = .89, P = .16, and P = .81, respectively). Outer abdominal fat had no significant effect on any of the 5 outcome measures. Perinephric fat measurements had a significant effect on most outcome measures ( P = .004 for mortality, P = .003 for frequence of complications, P P = .001 for length of stay). Conclusions Outer appearances of obesity do not correlate with poor outcomes for major upper abdominal operations. A simple measurement of perinephric fat, as a surrogate for intra-abdominal fat, on preoperative imaging gives a more useful risk assessment for patients undergoing major upper abdominal operations.
Perioperative use of propofol for cardiac surgery

Worldwide, approximately 750,000 cardiac surgeries are being performed annually. No fundamental differences have been demonstrated between anesthesia for cardiac versus noncardiac surgery.* If used appropriately, virtually all available anesthetics are suitable for cardiac surgery. To achieve adequate general anesthesia, a minimum of two different classes of anesthetic drugs is usually required.* In patients with cardiac disease, the maintenance of hemodynamic stability is considered important for reducing the incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Because opioids are associated with relative hemodynamic stability, they are the most commonly used primary anesthetics during cardiac surgery. Supplementation with potent inhalational anesthetics, benzodiazepines, or other anesthetics is required. Opioid anesthesia is associated with a small incidence of hypotension, especially on induction of anesthesia. Intraoperative hypertension also may occur. Potent inhalational anesthetics and intravenous (IV) sedative-hypnotics such as benzodiazepines are also used as the prirnary anesthetics for cardiac surgery. Other sedative-hypnotics such as propofol are being used during cardiac surgery. Compared with most anesthetics, propofol allows easier titratability and more rapid emergence.s-5 Su pplementation of propofol with an opioid leads to a synergistic interaction.* Propofol can be used for preoperative sedation as an anesthetic and for postoperative sedation. Propofol has certain disadvantages. It may contribute to hypotension and bradycardia.3-6 This may be especially true for cardiac surgery patients who are often given antihypertensive, antiischemic, and vasodilator medications such as beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers. Anesthetics including propofol and opioids cause hypotension because of loss of sympathetic tone. In addition, propofol also has a dose-dependent hypotensive effect. This leads to lesser hemoclynamic stability and greater need for titration when propofol is used. Propofol infusion may have 70 be titrated frequently and skillfully to avoid hypotension on one hand and light anesthesia on the other. The bradycardiac effects *Assistant Professor of Anesthesia
The Supposed Election of Officers in 1 Cor 11.19: A Response to Richard Last

This article responds to a recent proposal by Richard Last that 1 Cor 11.19 speaks of the necessity of holding regular ‘elections’ (αἱρέσeις) for the appointment of church officers who would assist in the administration of the Lord's Supper (11.17–34). In addition to exaggerating difficulties inherent in traditional explanations, Last's proposal introduces a number of insurmountable discourse problems, rendering his interpretation more problematic than those he intends to replace. A traditional reading should be retained, in support of which further arguments are here added.
How Should We Estimate Public Opinion in the States

We compare two approaches for estimating state-level public opinion: disaggregation by state of national surveys and a simulation approach using multilevel modeling of individual opinion and poststratification by population share. We present the first systematic assessment of the predictive accuracy of each and give practical advice about when and how each method should be used. To do so, we use an original data set of over 100 surveys on gay rights issues as well as 1988 presidential election data. Under optimal conditions, both methods work well, but multilevel modeling performs better generally. Compared to baseline opinion measures, it yields smaller errors, higher correlations, and more reliable estimates. Multilevel modeling is clearly superior when samples are smaller—indeed, one can accurately estimate state opinion using only a single large national survey. This greatly expands the scope of issues for which researchers can study subnational opinion directly or as an influence on policymaking.
Comparison of Mortality Risk for Dialysis Patients and Cadaveric First Renal Transplant Recipients in Ontario, Canada

In population-based studies, renal transplantation has been shown to improve survival compared to dialysis patients awaiting transplantation in the United States. However, dialysis mortality in the United States is higher than in Canada. Whether transplantation offers a survival advantage in regions where dialysis survival is superior to that in the United States is uncertain. This study examines a cohort of 1156 patients who started end-stage renal disease (ESRD) therapy and were wait-listed for cadaveric renal transplantation in the province of Ontario, Canada between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1994. Patients were followed from wait-listing for renal transplant (n = 1156), to cadaveric first renal transplant (n = 722), to death, or to study end (December 31, 1995). The annual crude mortality rates for wait-listed dialysis patients and transplanted patients were 5.0 and 3.4%, respectively. In Cox proportional hazards models, mortality in wait-listed patients was associated with increased age and diabetes, but not time from onset of ESRD to wait-listing. Factors associated with death following transplantation include older age, diabetes, and longer time spent on the waiting list before transplantation. In a time-dependent Cox regression model, the relative risk of death after transplantation compared to dialysis varied in a time-dependent manner. Covariates associated with increased risk included older age, diabetes, and time from onset of ESRD to wait-listing. The average relative risk (RR) of dying was 2.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34 to 6.32) in the first 30 d after transplantation, but was significantly lower 1 yr after transplantation (RR 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.42), indicating a beneficial long-term effect when compared to wait-listed dialysis patients. This long-term benefit was most evident in subgroups of patients with diabetes (RR 0.38; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.87) and glomerulonephritis (RR 0.13; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.39) as the cause of ESRD. The survival advantage associated with renal transplantation is evident in this cohort of patients with a lower wait-listed dialysis mortality than that reported previously in the United States. The magnitude of the treatment effect is consistent across studies.
Quality Indicators for the Care of Diabetes Mellitus in Vulnerable Elders

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States.
Aerobic Fitness Is Associated with Inhibitory Control in Persons with Multiple Sclerosis

Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent, disabling, and poorly managed in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Aerobic fitness might be a target of exercise training interventions for improving cognition in this population. It is unknown if the well-established pattern of associations between higher aerobic fitness and better inhibitory control in the general population exists among persons with MS. The current cross-sectional study examined the effects of aerobic fitness (VO2peak) on inhibitory control, using a modified flanker task, in 28 persons with MS and 28 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and body mass index. This involved performing bivariate correlations and hierarchical linear regression analyses on measures of aerobic fitness and inhibitory control. Persons with MS demonstrated lower VO2peak (d = -0.45), slower (d = 0.62-0.84), and less accurate (d = -0.60 to 0.71) performance on the flanker task than controls. VO2peak was similarly associated with reaction time measures of inhibitory control in the MS and control samples (ρ = -0.40 to 0.54). VO2peak (p < .01), but not group (p ≥ .08) (MS vs. control), predicted reaction time on the flanker task, irrespective of age, sex, and education. This supports the development of aerobic exercise interventions for improving reaction time on tasks of inhibitory control in persons with MS, much like what has been successfully undertaken in the general population.
Evaluating prosodic cues as a means to disambiguate algebraic expressions: an empirical study

The automatic translation of written mathematical expressions to their spoken equivalent is a difficult task. Written mathematics makes use of specialized symbols and a 2-dimensional layout that is hard to translate into clear and unambiguous spoken words. Our approach is to use prosody to help listeners follow along to mathematical expressions spoken aloud with text-to-speech synthesized voices. To achieve this, we developed and empirically tested XSL transformation rules that automatically translate mathematical expressions marked-up with Presentation MathML into corresponding markup using the Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML). In this paper, we report on the results from an empirical study we conducted that showed that the simple insertion of pauses inside spoken mathematical expressions dramatically improved subjects' ability to disambiguate between two similar algebraic expressions. Result from our study should benefit designers of screen readers and related audio-based tools that produce spoken renderings of mathematical expressions.
A Multivariate Perspective for Aptitude-Achievement Discrepancy in Learning Disability Assessment:

A multivariate model is proposed for assessing a severe discrepancy between intellectual ability and actual achievement in learning disabled (LD) children. The model follows work conducted by Cronbach, Gleser, Nanda, and Rajaratnam (1972). First, a universe score is obtained for aptitude and achievement using multiple regression. The difference between these universe scores is examined for a severe discrepancy. Formulas for computing universe difference score variance, the standard error of the difference score, and its generalizability coefficient are given.
Estimating data-dependent jitter of a general LTI system from step response

We present a method for estimating data dependent jitter (DDJ) introduced by a general LTI system, based on the system's step response. A perturbation technique is used to generalize the analytical expression for DDJ. Different scales of DDJ are defined that characterize the probability distribution of jitter. In particular, we identify a dominant prior bit that signifies the well-known distribution of DDJ, the two impulse functions. We also highlight that system bandwidth is not a complete measure for predicting DDJ. We verify our generalized analytical expression of DDJ experimentally and show that estimation errors are less than 7.5%.
GILL LESIONS ASSOCIATED WITH ERPOCOTYLE TIBURONIS (MONOGENEA: HEXABOTHRIIDAE) ON WILD AND AQUARIUM-HELD BONNETHEAD SHARKS (SPHYRNA TIBURO)

Gill lesions associated with infections of Erpocotyle tiburonis (Brooks, 1934) (Monogenea: Hexabothriidae) on wild bonnethead sharks (Sphyrna tiburo (L., 1758) (Carcharhiniformes: Sphyrinidae)) were compared with those on aquarium-held ones using light and scanning electron microscopy. Uninfected gill filaments had slender, triangular, smooth-surfaced lamellae and interlamellar water channels that were approximately equal in size. Four wild sharks were each infected by 3–11 widely separated adult E. tiburonis, and 1 of these sharks hosted a juvenile specimen. Lamellae flanking or touching adult E. tiburonis were pushed aside or bent, but were otherwise identical to those of uninfected filaments. Two aquarium-held sharks were each infected by hundreds of juvenile and adult E. tiburonis. In these sharks, lamellae near juveniles were pushed apart or bent, but were otherwise normal, whereas a thick, ragged-surfaced layer of hyperplastic epithelium both filled interlamellar water channels and partially or comp...
Productivity Growth and the Actuarial Balance of the Social Security Program

With the baby boom generation reaching retirement age, labor force growth is projected to slow significantly, to a level indicating that almost all future economic growth will be due to growth in productivity. This article uses the SSASIM policy simulation model to evaluate the effects of different assumption values for the productivity growth rate on the actuarial balance of the Social Security program. It concludes that, while the recent sharp increase in productivity growth will improve the financial standing of the Social Security program, continuous levels of unprecedented growth in total productivity would be needed for the program to be able to meet all of its promised expenditures. Therefore, economic growth alone, even in a "new economy," appears to be unable to "solve" the projected funding shortfall of the Social Security program.
A numerical solution of the mechanical bidomain model

AbstractIntroduction: The mechanical bidomain model predicts forces on integrin proteins in the membrane. It has been solved analytically for idealized examples, but a numerical algorithm is needed to address realistic problems. Methods: The bidomain equations are approximated using finite differences. An ischemic region is modeled as a circular area having no active tension, surrounded by normal tissue. Results: The membrane force is large in the ischemic border zone, but is small elsewhere. Strain is distributed widely throughout the ischemic region and surrounding tissue. Conclusion: This calculation provides a testable prediction for the mechanism of mechanotransduction and remodeling in cardiac tissue.
Social Context of Service Use Among Homeless Youth in Los Angeles, California

ABSTRACTLittle is known about rates and correlates of service use or the role that social context plays in service engagement among homeless youth. This study compares two distinct service areas and uses a social network approach to examine how environmental factors (e.g., neighborhood), social factors (e.g., social capital and network engagement) and individual level factors that relate to service use patterns among homeless youth in Los Angeles, California. A sample of 938 youth was recruited from three drop-in centers in two distinct service sites. Individuals were surveyed about their individual and social network attributes. Univariable and multivariable analyses were utilized to understand the influence of social-contextual variables on service use. Service use behaviors varied across site and service type with youth in Hollywood showing greater engagement than youth at the Beach site. Across both sites and several service types, staff emotional support was positively correlated with levels of servi...
The fate of muscle and cotton wrapped about intracranial carotid arteries and aneurysms. A laboratory and clinico-pathological study.

1. Muscle wrapped about the internal carotid artery in dogs did not engender an early, dense, or even late satisfactory envelopment by fibrous tissue. 2. Two failures of muscle wrapping of human intracranial aneurysms are reported and studied pathologically. 3. Cotton induced a dense, fibrotic response about intracranial blood vessels in dogs and in two human cases. It may account for some of the successes previously attributed to muscle wrapping. 4. A plastic encasement of those aneurysms which cannot be clipped might be the best technique, providing the material is sufficiently strong, non-toxic, closely adherent to the vessel, does not engender heat, and does not engender complications. The ideal material has not yet been, discovered.
Induction of apoptosis in Mv1Lu cells by expression of competitive RB1 mutants

The Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor gene (RB1) plays a role in a variety of human cancers. Experimental analyses have indicated that the protein product of the RB1 gene (pRb) plays a role in cell cycle regulation. pRb function is dependent on its ability to bind to cellular factors, which is facilitated by multiple protein binding domains within pRb. Mutations within these domains which eliminate the ability of pRb to bind its targets result in loss of function. Although loss of pRb function may lead to uncontrolled cellular proliferation, tumorigenesis is not the only response to pRb inactivation. Examination of various tissues from RB1-nullizygous mouse embryos showed problems in differentiation and induction of apoptosis, suggesting that the ultimate response to the loss of pRb is influenced by cellular context. It has previously been demonstrated in RB1-negative Saos-2 cells that co-expression of the C-terminal domain of pRb with wildtype pRb resulted in escape from G1 arrest and continued cell cycling. In this paper we demonstrate that in RB1-positive Mv1Lu cells, expression of the A/B pocket region or the N-terminus (when combined with a nuclear localization signal), but not the C-terminal domain, is able to competitively disrupt the function of the endogenous pRb, and that the result of this disruption is apoptosis.
Comparative Study on Structural Parameters of Graphitized Coal–Petroleum Co-cokes and Pennsylvania Anthracites, with Implications for Their Use

Nuclear-grade graphite samples, anisotropic commercial graphite, graphitized co-cokes, and anthracites were characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed oxi...
Databese establishment of aluminium alloy spot welding on-line momtor

Based on the on-line monitoring system of aluminium alloy spot welding the database was constructed. The database connected with the on-line monitoring system based on LabVIEW to record and slave the real-time quality information of nuggets . The database also supports nugget information querying and managing and worker information querying and managing. This functions are very suitable for aerial manufacture and the factory practicality. The [AKX-]-chart is used to estimate the critical value of the nugget quality by analyzing the database information, and the critical value is feed back to the on-line monitoring system. The results of experiments indicate that this on-line monitoring system has achieved high precision in the nugget quality estimation, and it has been used in the aerial products spot welding now.
Recombinant poxviruses: versatile tools for immunological assays.

The study of antigen processing and presentation is critical to our understanding of the mechanisms that govern immune surveillance. A typical requirement of assays designed to examine antigen processing and presentation is the de novo biosynthesis of a model antigen. Historically, Vaccinia virus, a poxvirus closely related to Cowpox virus, has enjoyed widespread use for this purpose. Recombinant poxvirus-based expression has a number of advantages over other systems. Poxviruses accommodate the insertion of large pieces of recombinant DNA into their genome, and recombination and selection are relatively efficient. Poxviruses readily infect a variety of cell types, and they drive rapid and high levels of antigen expression. Additionally, they can be utilized in a variety of assays to study both MHC class I restricted and MHC class II restricted antigen processing and presentation. Ultimately, the numerous advantages of poxvirus recombinants have made the Vaccinia expression system a mainstay in the study of processing and presentation over the past two decades. In an attempt to address one shortcoming of Vaccinia virus while simultaneously retaining the benefits inherent to poxviruses, our laboratory has begun to engineer recombinant Ectromelia viruses. Ectromelia virus, or mousepox, is a natural pathogen of murine cells and performing experiments in the context of a natural host-pathogen relationship may elucidate unknown factors that influence epitope generation and host response. This chapter will describe several recombinant poxvirus system protocols used to study both MHC class I and class II antigen processing and presentation, as well as provide insight and troubleshooting techniques to improve the reproducibility and fidelity of these experiments.
Effects of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on endothelial function and cardiometabolic risk markers in obese adults

This study is the first to show that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) produce different vascular adaptations in adults with obesity. HIIT im...