cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Educational Preparation Match Professional Practice: The Case of Higher Education Policy Analysts

This study compares the extent to which higher education policy analysts and master’s and doctoral faculty of higher education and public affairs programs match on a set of competencies thought to be important to higher education policy analysis. Analysts matched master’s faculty in three competencies while analysts and doctoral faculty matched in five competencies. The findings suggest possible reasons why analysts and graduate faculty agree or differ on various competencies. Also, the findings raise important questions regarding the preparation of higher education policy analysts and the graduate programs that educate them. This study is an addition to the body of competency literature.
A mixed Cu–Ni bridge site for CO adsorption

High‐resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (HREELS) has been used to study carbon monoxide adsorption on mixed overlayers of Cu on Ni(111) and Ni on Cu(111). The mixed CuNi layers are formed by controlling deposition and annealing temperatures, and metal overlayer coverage. HREELS shows top and bridge CO adsorption on sites which resemble CO on pure Cu and Ni(111) surfaces. We also observe a new mixed bridging site species in which CO is bridge bonded between Cu and Ni atoms. The mixed bridging species is only observed at high CO coverages and low temperatures (<130 K), and appears coincident with a decrease in Ni–CO top site occupancy. A thermodynamic model is proposed to explain the CO transfer from the Ni top to the mixed NiCu bridge sites.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 instigates apoptosis in transformed cardiac fibroblasts.

Tumor cells become malignant, in part, because of their activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and inactivation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Myocardial tumors are rarely malignant. This raises the possibility that the MMPs and TIMPs are differentially regulated in the heart compared to other tissues. Therefore, we hypothesized that a tissue specific tumor suppressor exists in the heart. To test this hypothesis we prepared cardiac tissue extracts from normal (n = 4), ischemic cardiomypathic (ICM) [n = 5], and dilated cardiomyopathic (DCM) [n = 8] human heart end-stage explants. The level of cardiospecific TIMP-4 was determined by SDS-PAGE and Western-blot analysis. The results suggested reduced levels of TIMP-4 in ICM and DCM as compared to normal heart. TIMP-4 was purified by reverse phase HPLC and gelatin-sepharose affinity chromatography. Collagenase inhibitory activity of chromatographic peaks was determined using fluorescein-conjugated collagen as substrate and fluorescence spectroscopy. The activity of TIMP-4 (27 kDa) was characterized by reverse zymography. The role of TIMP-4 in cardiac fibroblast cell migration was examined using Boyden chamber analysis. The results suggested that TIMP-4 inhibited cardiac fibroblast cells migration and collagen gel invasion. To test whether TIMP-4 induces apoptosis, we cultured cardiac normal and polyomavirus transformed fibroblast cells in the presence and absence of TIMP-4. The number of cells were measured and DNA laddering was determined. The results suggested that TIMP-4 controlled normal cardiac fibroblast transformation and induced apoptosis in transformed cells. Cardiospecific TIMP-4 plays a significant role in regulating the normal cell phenotype. The reduced levels of TIMP-4 elicit cellular transformation and may lead to adverse extracellular matrix degradation (remodeling), cardiac hypertrophy and failure. This study suggests a possible protective role of TIMP-4 in other organs which are susceptible to malignancy. J. Cell. Biochem. 80:512–521, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Adult Artemia as food for first feeding coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

Abstract This study was conducted to determine if growth rates of first feeding coho fry, starting weight 0.34 g, were affected by substituting live food for commercially-prepared salmon fry feed. For 4 weeks, triplicate groups of fish were offered one of four diets: (1) live Artemia nauplii; (2) live adult Anemia; (3) a commercial starter pellet for salmon; and (4) a dry, pelleted Artemia diet composed mainly of freeze-dried nauplii. Groups of fish were fed either an excess or a restricted ration to determine if differences in growth were due to the nutritional content of the diet or to differences in feed intake. After 4 weeks, all groups of fish were switched to the commercial diet for an additional 2 week period to determine if any early benefits in weight gain were sustained when fish were switched to pelleted feed. The fry fed adult Artemia to excess grew significantly faster than coho fed the other test diets and this difference in size remained at 6 weeks of feeding, two weeks following the switch to a commercial diet. Fry fed restricted rations were similar in average length and weight. Increased growth in fry fed adult Artemia to excess was due to increased food intake.
Estrogen-calcium interactions in the postmenopause: a quantitative description

Accumulated data describing the time course of bone loss in postmenopausal women were combined with metabolic data on estrogen-calcium interactions to produce a comprehensive, quantitative model of involutional bone loss. The model was shown to be able to mimic results of published intervention studies with considerable fidelity. Implicit in existing understanding, and made explicit by the model, are such relationships as: (1) calcium deficiency, if present in a woman, is masked during the early years of estrogen withdrawal bone loss; (2) accordingly, except in severe deficiency states, it is unlikely that calcium supplementation can confer much benefit in the immediate postmenopause; (3) however, by 5-8 years postmenopause, an underlying calcium deficiency, if present, becomes manifest, and if uncorrected will greatly augment the bone loss produced by estrogen withdrawal; (4) estrogen replacement therapy, if stopped, does not produce a sustained difference in bone mass in calcium-replete women; however, (5) estrogen, by effectively reducing the level of any calcium deficiency that may be present, does produce a permanent benefit in women with such deficiency. These relationships suggest that late fracture protection from earlier estrogen therapy is either confined to women with calcium deficiency, or has a non-mass basis (or both).
Power: The Missing Link in the Trade Conflict Relationship

We join the debate on trade interdependence and conflict with a reexamination of Barbieri's (1996) intriguing empirical results showing that under certain circumstances, trade interdependence cause...
Antireflection surfaces in silicon using binary optics technology

Binary optics processing methods were applied to a silicon substrate to generate an array of small pillars in order to enhance transmission. The volume fraction of the silicon in the pillars was chosen to simulate a single homogeneous antireflection layer, and the pillar height was targeted to be a quarter-wave thickness. A mask was generated, using a graphics computer-aided design system; reactive-ion etching was used to generate the pillars. An improvement in long-wavelength infrared transmission is observed, with diffraction and scattering dominating at shorter wavelengths.
Early CTCL diagnosis, a (miR)age no more?

Early and accurate diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) has long been an elusive target for clinicians, pathologists, and patients alike. In this issue of Blood , Ralfkiaer and colleagues show that microRNAs (miRNAs), a family of single-stranded regulatory RNA molecules, are a powerful new
Scanning electron microscopy of mouse muscle microvasculature.

The surface morphology of the microvasculature from mouse skeletal muscle was studied by scanning electron microscopy. Cell surfaces were exposed by digesting away extracellular collagen and other matrix by a simple HCl treatment. Four distinct subdivisions of the microvasculature (arterioles, precapillary arterioles, capillaries, and venules) were identified based on marked differences in surface features. Arterioles of 20-10 micrometers diameter had a discontinuous, single layer of smooth muscle cells encircling the vessel. These smooth muscle cells had an uneven surface with shallow grooves and depressions that were often oriented parallel to the longitudinal cell body axis. The underlying arteriolar endothelial surface was also rough with long ridges separating shallow furrows that were oriented parallel to the vessel length. As the arteriolar size decreased, the perivascular cell were found further apart, they became smooth surfaced, and were oriented preferentially parallel to the vessel. The endothelium of the precapillary arterioles, as well as, capillaries and venules had smooth surfaces. Venules had a discontinuous layer of flat, smooth surfaced pericytes. Morphologically distinct groups of smooth muscle cells (i.e., precapillary sphincters) were not found. Although pericytes normally associated with capillaries and other vessels were often removed during tissue processing, most cells and their surface feature were generally well preserved.
Physiological cost and air flow resistance of respiratory protective devices.

Using one of three respiratory protective devices or a ‘no mask’ control, five male subjects were tested at grades of 0, 5 and 10 per cent and a constant speed of 3·5 miles per hour for a total of twelve tests per man. Exercise heart rates and recovery oxygen consumption values were recorded. Air flow resistance values were determined in laboratory bench tests. The resistance of the devices did not significantly alter the exercise pulse rates but did significantly increase the recovery oxygen consumption, particularly at the higher work levels. Recovery oxygen consumption values and the air flow resistance figures were positively related at the higher levels of work. It is suggested that the relationship offers further support for the use of laboratory bench tests as an estimator of the added physiological burden imposed on the wearer.
A novel coiled-coil protein co-localizes and interacts with a calcium-dependent protein kinase in the common ice plant during low-humidity stress

McCPK1 (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum calcium-dependent protein kinase 1) mRNA expression is induced transiently by salinity and water deficit stress and also McCPK1 undergoes dynamic subcellular localization changes in response to these same stresses. Here we have confirmed that low humidity is capable of causing a drastic change in McCPK1’s subcellular localization. We attempted to elucidate this phenomenon by isolating components likely to be involved in this process. McCAP1 (M. crystallinum CDPK adapter protein 1) was cloned in a yeast two-hybrid screen with a constitutively active McCPK1 as bait. We show that McCPK1 and McCAP1 can interact in the yeast two-hybrid system, in vitro, and in vivo as demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation experiments from plant extracts. However, McCAP1 does not appear to be a substrate for McCPK1. DsRed–McCAP1 and EGFP–McCPK1 fusions colocalize in epidermal cells of ice plants exposed to low humidity. McCAP1 is homologous to a family of proteins in Arabidopsis with no known function. Computational threading analysis suggests that McCAP1 is likely to be an intermediate filament protein of the cytoskeleton.
Environmental Distribution and Seasonal Prevalence of Mycobacterium ulcerans in Southern Louisiana

Mycobacterium ulcerans is an emerging environmental pathogen that causes debilitating, ulcerative disease in humans and other vertebrates. The majority of human cases occur in tropical and temperate regions of Africa and Australia, and outbreaks of piscine mycobacteriosis caused by M. ulcerans have been reported in disparate geographic locations spanning the globe. While exposure to a natural body of water is the most common risk factor for human infection, the environmental distribution of M. ulcerans in aquatic habitats has not been extensively studied. Although no human cases have been reported in the United States, a strain of M. ulcerans has been identified as the cause of a piscine mycobacteriosis in Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) within the Chesapeake Bay. Infected fish exhibit bright red ventral and lateral dermal lesions. We observed a possible outbreak causing similar lesions on red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in wetlands of southern Louisiana and detected M. ulcerans-specific genetic markers in lesion samples from these fish. Based on these findings, we studied the geographic and seasonal prevalence of these markers across southern Louisiana. M. ulcerans was detected in each of the nine areas sampled across the state. M. ulcerans prevalence was significantly lower in the fall samples, and the low prevalence coincided with decreased nutrient levels and an increase in water temperature. To our knowledge, this is the first study of M. ulcerans biomarkers in the southern United States.
Consensus report of a joint NCI thoracic malignancies steering committee: FDA workshop on strategies for integrating biomarkers into clinical development of new therapies for lung cancer leading to the inception of "master protocols" in lung cancer.

On February 2, 2012, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) sponsored a 2-day workshop with the NCI Thoracic Malignancies Steering Committee and the Food and Drug Administration to bring together leading academicians, clinicians, industry and government representatives to identify challenges and potential solutions in the clinical development of novel targeted therapies for lung cancer. Measures of success are rapidly evolving from a scientific and regulatory perspective and the objectives of this workshop were to achieve initial consensus on a high priority biomarker-driven clinical trial designed to rapidly assess the activity of targeted agents in molecularly defined lung cancer subsets and to facilitate generation of data leading to approval of these new therapies. Additionally, the meeting focused on identification of the barriers to conduct such a trial and the development of strategies to overcome those barriers. The “Lung Master Protocols” recently launched by NCI were the direct outcome of this workshop.
Effect of Dietary Fat Level on Dose Response Relationships During Aflatoxicosis in Young Chickens

Abstract The effect of aflatoxin in poultry is greater on birds fed a low fat diet, but it is not known whether this effect is associated with a lower apparent minimum effective dose (MED), altered slope of the response curve, or both. Aflatoxin at 16 dosages ranging from 0 to 3.797 μg/g of feed was fed to six groups of 15 young chickens per treatment ingesting a 2 or 4% fat diet for 3 wk. The weights of the body, liver, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen and the total lipid content of the liver were measured. Mathematical models were fitted to the data and dose-response curves were predicted as continuous functions of aflatoxin concentration. Quadratic polynomials fit body weight and spleen weight whereas plateau-linear models fit liver weight and liver lipid content in both 2 and 4% fat diets. The weight of the bursa of Fabricius was fit equally well by quadratic and linear plateau models. Dietary fat had negligible effects on the apparent MED (μg of aflatoxin per gram of feed) for body, liver and spleen weights, which were calculated from the modeling approach to be 1.37 and 1.41, 1.68 and 1.69, and 1.49 and 1.46 on 2 and 4% fat diets, respectively. The apparent MED for liver lipid content was appreciably lower for birds fed the 2% fat diet than those fed the 4% fat diet (.88 and 1.62, respectively). Similarly, the apparent MED for the bursa was 1.48 and 1.74 for birds fed the 2 and 4% fat diets, respectively. The lower MED for these two variables on the lower fat diet were accompanied by a lesser slope of the linear response, which could result in either an enhanced or ameliorated effect of aflatoxin, depending on its dose. The response curves for liver lipids and bursa which were upward and downward turning curves, respectively, were essentially mirror images of each other, implying that both variables may be responding to a specific metabolite of aflatoxin. These observations, which add a biological factor to the documented statistical factors controlling the apparent MED of aflatoxin, illustrate some of the difficulties in estimating an MED suitable for practical poultry operations.
The geometry of proliferating dicot cells.

. The distributions of cell size and cell cycle duration were studied in two-dimensional expanding plant tissues. Plastic imprints of the leaf epidermis of three dicot plants, jade (Crassula argentae), impatiens (Impatiens wallerana), and the common begonia (Begonia semperflorens) were made and cell outlines analysed. The average, standard deviation and coefficient of variance (CV = 100 × standard deviation/average) of cell size were determined with the CV of mother cells less than the CV for daughter cells and both are less than that for all cells. An equation was devised as a simple description of the probability distribution of sizes for all cells of a tissue. Cell cycle durations as measured in arbitrary time units were determined by reconstructing the initial and final sizes of cells and they collectively give the expected asymmetric bell-shaped probability distribution. Given the features of unequal cell division (an average of 11.6% difference in size of daughter cells) and the size variation of dividing cells, it appears that the range of cell size is more critically regulated than the size of a cell at any particular time.
Self-Assembling Peptide Detergents Stabilize Isolated Photosystem Ion a Dry Surface for an Extended Time

We used a class of designed peptide detergents to stabilize photosystem I (PS-I) upon extended drying under N2 on a gold-coated-Ni-NTA glass surface. PS-I is a chlorophyll-containing membrane protein complex that is the primary reducer of ferredoxin and the electron acceptor of plastocyanin. We isolated the complex from the thylakoids of spinach chloroplasts using a chemical detergent. The chlorophyll molecules associated with the PS-I complex provide an intrinsic steady-state emission spectrum between 650 and 800 nm at −196.15 °C that reflects the organization of the pigment-protein interactions. In the absence of detergents, a large blue shift of the fluorescence maxima from approximately 735 nm to approximately 685 nm indicates a disruption in light-harvesting subunit organization, thus revealing chlorophyll−protein interactions. The commonly used membrane protein-stabilizing detergents, N-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside and N-octyl-β-D-glucoside, only partially stabilized the approximately 735-nm complex with approximately 685-nm spectroscopic shift. However, prior to drying, addition of the peptide detergent acetyl- AAAAAAK at increasing concentration significantly stabilized the PS-I complex. Moreover, in the presence of acetyl- AAAAAAK, the PS-I complex is stable in a dried form at room temperature for at least 3 wk. Another peptide detergent, acetyl-VVVVVVD, also stabilized the complex but to a lesser extent. These observations suggest that the peptide detergents may effectively stabilize membrane proteins in the solid-state. These designed peptide detergents may facilitate the study of diverse types of membrane proteins.
The application of spectral karyotyping (SKY) and fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technology to determine the chromosomal content(s) of micronuclei.

DNA loss by the process of micronucleation is associated with aging, cancer and environmental exposure. The primary aim of this study was to identify the chromosomal origin of the DNA excluded into micronuclei (MN). This was achieved using a novel application of SKY and FISH technologies. Cytochalasin B (Cyt B)-treated lymphocyte cultures from three females (aged 28, 42 and 72) were analyzed. SKY revealed that the majority of MN (89.8, 82.9, and 97.6% in the 28-, 42- and 72-year-old (y.o.), respectively) had a uniform, single color, suggesting that they were comprised of DNA from a single chromosome. Using a pancentromeric probe, most of the MN (82% in 28 y.o., 69% in 42 y.o. and 80% in 72 y.o.) had one centromere signal present. Overall, the confirmation studies (using FISH with chromosome-specific WCP) were in agreement with the SKY chromosomal assignments for 71.1% of the MN. Although the SKY analysis showed that all of the 23 chromosomes (22 autosomes and the X chromosome) could be present in the MN, overall, the X chromosome was seen most frequently. DNA from the X chromosome was seen in 50.6% of MN in the 42 y.o. individual, whereas in the 28 and 72 y.o. it was seen in 12.2 and 7.1% of MN, respectively. This difference (P<0.0001) in the frequencies of X chromosome exclusion into MN among individuals was independently confirmed using a single whole chromosome painting probe (WCP) for the X chromosome. SKY also showed variation in the frequency of autosomal exclusion into MN between chromosomes and between females. Collectively, this study supports the hypothesis that the majority of MN contain DNA from a single, monocentric chromosome. The use of SKY technology for the identification of the chromosomal content(s) of MN provides an opportunity for expansion of our knowledge of the chromosomal changes that accompany MN formation.
Stimulation of hepatic and renal ornithine decarboxylase activity by selected amino acids

The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis, increases after a protein meal. The effect of amino acid mixtures on hepatic and renal ODC activity and polyamine content was studied in postabsorptive and 72-hour fasted rats. Fasting decreased ODC activity in liver and in kidney by approximately 50%. Hepatic ODC activity increased tenfold 4 hours after intraperitoneal injection of either 1 g/kg of a synthetic mixture of 17 amino acids or of casein hydrolysate to fed rats and about 20-fold in fasted rats. Renal ODC activity increased four- and tenfold respectively. A mixture of glutamate, aspartate, and alanine at concentrations given in the hydrolysate reproduced the full amino acid effect. No amino acid was effective when given alone, nor were mixtures of the other amino acid constituents of the hydrolysate. Glutamate + alanine was ineffective as were glucose or various combinations of arginine, ornithine, aspartate and NH3. Ornithine + glutamate or aspartate + glutamate were active but stimulated less than aspartate + glutamate + alanine. Hepatic and renal putrescine content increased in parallel with ODC activity. The data suggest that specific amino acids possess the full ODC-stimulating capability of a high quality protein and that polyamine synthesis is linked to urea cycle activity.
Gastric bypass surgery attenuates ethanol consumption in ethanol-preferring rats.

Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is an effective weight loss strategy employed to treat obesity and associated complications. Importantly, the RYGB procedure has been reported to attenuate reward-related consummatory behaviors. The present work examined the hypothesis that RYGB surgery attenuates ethanol intake and reward in the context of frequent ethanol consumption. Methods To do this, self-report of ethanol intake was examined in human bariatric patients ( n = 6165) before and following the RYGB procedure. In addition, we utilized a rodent model of RYGB and examined ethanol consumption and ethanol reward in male ethanol-preferring (P) rats, which are selectively bred to consume large volumes of ethanol. Results Patients that reported frequent consumption of ethanol before RYGB reported decreased consumption following RYGB surgery. Moreover, the RYGB procedure decreased ethanol intake and the reinforcing properties of ethanol in P rats. Notably, the attenuating effect of RYGB surgery on ethanol consumption was associated with ethanol-induced increases in the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Pharmacologic administration of GLP-1 agonists attenuated ethanol consumption in sham P rats. In addition, pharmacologic replacement of the gut hormone ghrelin restored drinking behavior in P rats following RYGB. Conclusions Collectively, these findings unveil the potential of RYGB surgery to attenuate ethanol consumption in some humans and rats. Furthermore, our data indicate that this regulation is achieved, in part, through reduction of reward and is modified by the gut hormones GLP-1 and ghrelin.
Methylmercury Efflux from Brain Capillary Endothelial Cells Is Modulated by Intracellular Glutathione but Not ATP

To reach its target tissue, methylmercury must traverse brain capillary endothelial cells, the site of the blood–brain barrier. Methylmercury uptake from blood plasma into these cells is mediated in part by an amino acid carrier that transports the methylmercury–L-cysteine complex; however, the mechanism by which it is released from the endothelial cells into brain interstitial space is unknown. Using bovine brain capillary endothelial cells in culture, the present study examined the hypothesis that methylmercury is transported out of these cells as a glutathione (GSH) complex. GSH concentration in cultured bovine brain capillary endothelial cells was 13.1 ± 3.3 nmol/mg protein. Depletion of intracellular GSH in [203Hg]methylmercury-preloaded cells by exposure to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene or diethyl maleate decreased the rate of [203Hg]methylmercury efflux. Incubation of [203Hg]methylmercury-preloaded cells with high concentrations ofS-methylglutathione,S-ethylglutathione,S-butylglutathione, and sulfobromophthalein–glutathione inhibited [203Hg]methylmercury efflux. The GSH analogs γ-glutamylglycylglycine and ophthalmic acid also inhibited [203Hg]methylmercury efflux, but to a lesser degree than the glutathioneS-conjugates, whereasL-leucine,L-methionine, andL-alanine had no effect. Efflux was not affected by depletion of intracellular ATP with 2-deoxyglucose or antimycin A. These results indicate that complexation with GSH and subsequent transport of the complex by an ATP-independent mechanism may be involved in the transport of methylmercury out of brain capillary endothelial cells.
Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears or changing abundance of bears and alternate foods

This is a Forum article commenting on: Ripple, W. J., Beschta, R. L., Fortin, J. K., & Robbins, C. T. (2014) Trophic cascades from wolves to grizzly bears in Yellowstone. Journal of Animal Ecology, 83, 223-233. Comparisons Ripple et al. (2014) used to demonstrate increased fruit availability and consumption by grizzly bears post-wolf reintroduction are flawed and tenuous at best. Importantly, a more parsimonious (than trophic cascades) hypothesis, not sufficiently considered by Ripple et al., exists and is better supported by available data I review.
Challenges of mapping financial analytics to many-core architecture

Summary form only given. In the past 20 years there has been an explosive growth of the variety of traded financial instruments, from European and American options to a more complex, alas ill-fated, credit derivatives. The rapid increase in computational power coupled with the use of mathematical tools for valuing these instruments and estimating the risk has given rise to the discipline of computational finance. Multi- and many-core architectures present significant potential for performance gains in financial applications. Recent years have seen an emergence of a variety of such designs, from general-purpose multi-cores, to GPGPU-, ASIC- and FPGA- style accelerates. To efficiently utilize hundreds of gigaflops offered by such systems requires serious optimization and parallelization effort from an application programmer. This can be a significant deterrent to a quant, traditionally focused on development, validation and deployment speed of a given pricing model, rather than optimizing model implementation for higher performance. In this talk I will describe several recent parallel hardware and software platforms for accelerating financial analytics. I will also discuss the impact that many-core era will have on financial industry and implications for both quants as well as parallel platform designers.
Correlation in the Auger spectrum of polyethylene

The Auger spectrum of polyethylene has been obtained on an energy scale calibrated relative to the threshold of the valence band and independent of problems associated with energy calibration and charging. The spectrum has a broad, featureless shape which has been previously interpreted in terms of a perturbed self-fold of the density of states. The calibrated C(KVV) spectrum reported here, however, is shifted by at least 10 eV relative to a perturbed self-fold of the density of states. This spectral shift requires a hole-hole correlation energy of at least 10 eV if one assumes that the threshold region reflects normal Auger transitions and >10 eV if the threshold region involves shakeup processes. Similar results are observed for the class of saturated linear alkanes. This behavior is shown to be inconsistent with recently calculated spectra for polyethylene in which small values of U/sub e//sub f//sub f/ (1.2 eV for the C-C subband and 3 eV for the remaining contributions) were used to distort the self-fold of the density of states, and, moreover, inconsistent with any existing theoretical representation of Auger spectra.
Occupational stereotyping on initial impressions

Abstract Students were asked to rate the personality characteristics of others who had been identified only by name and occupation. The traits Assertiveness, Intelligence, and Responsibility were found to be highly related to the prestige dimension of occupation, but subjects found it more difficult to ascribe the traits Likeability, Emotionality, and Rebelliousness, on this basis. It was concluded that occupation is a more important determinant of certain types of personality assessment in initial encounters than is individual appearance.
Clavicle hook plate fixation for displaced lateral-third clavicle fractures (Neer type II): a functional outcome study

Background Controversy exists with the use of the acromioclavicular hook plate for the treatment of lateral-third clavicle fractures (Neer type II). This is thought to stem from problems associated with the hook plate causing impingement symptoms, which can cause long-term limitation of movement and pain. Our aim was to evaluate the functional outcomes of patients with lateral-third clavicle fractures treated with the hook plate. Methods We prospectively reviewed all patients who underwent surgery from July 2005 to August 2009 using our prospectively recorded electronic patient information database. All patients were assessed in the clinic to determine both Oxford and Constant shoulder scores. Results We identified 36 patients who underwent surgery with the hook plate, 26 men and 10 women. The mean age was 36.2 years (range, 22-60 years). Of the patients, 46% were smokers. The median length of hospital stay was 2 days (interquartile range [IQR], 1-3). The median follow-up was 28 months (IQR, 23-37). The median time from date of injury to surgery was 7 days (IQR, 4-76). The mean time to union was 3 months (IQR, 2-4), and the union rate was 95%. In total, 92% of plates were removed. The median time to removal was 4.5 months (IQR, 3-8.75). There were no complications. Two patients presented months later after falls with fractures around the medial end of the hook plate. Conclusion Hook plates are an effective form of treatment for lateral third clavicle fractures. The best outcomes occur with plate removal before 6 months postoperatively, provided that the fracture has healed.
Multinational Risk Assessment and Management: Strategies for Investment and Marketing Decisions

Part I: Existing Approaches to Political Risk Assessment Part II: Host-Country Dynamics: Policy, Technological, and Financial Risks Part III: Entry-Management Systems and Market-Entry Strategies Part IV: International Investment-Risk Analysis Part V: Corporate-Risk Assessment Part VI: Risk-Rating and Forecasting Services Part VII: Defensive Risk Management Part VIII: Prospects for Risk Assessment and Management: An Integrative Approach
Multiple spinal metastases from paraganglioma

Isolated vertebral body metastases from paraganglioma are exceedingly rare. They have been reported to occur in the presence of active primary tumor in the neck, local recurrence, or widespread metastases. A unique case of carotid body tumor (paraganglioma) is reported with the following features: (1) multiple vertebral body metastases (C6, T9, and L3) presenting with spinal cord compression, and no evidence of local recurrence or other metastatic disease; (2) absence of mitoses on the original specimen or the metastatic deposit; and (3) a prolonged interval (9 years) to the development of symptomatic metastases.
On the structure and motions of Jupiter's red spot

Abstract A new hypothesis-called the Cartesian diver hypothesis-is proposed to explain the physical nature and observed variations in longitude, size and intensity of Jupiter's Great Red Spot. In the light of recent laboratory studies of phase behavior in light gas mixtures, it is suggested that the Red Spot is a region of contrast in the cloud structure of Jupiter's outer layers, caused by the presence of a mass of hydrogen-rich solid floating within a fluid layer of hydrogen and helium at some depth below the visible surface. It is shown that this floating solid would exhibit many of the characteristics of a Cartesian diver. Equations of motion for a Cartesian diver in a rotating system are derived, which suggest that the longitudinal motion of the Red Spot consists of several oscillatory components of different amplitudes and frequencies. These predictions are in agreement with motions determined from recent precise measurements of Red Spot longitude. Mechanisms for the source of the observed oscillations are discussed, and estimates are made of the extent of the underlying vertical motions. Effects of the rapid rotation of the planet upon the dynamic behavior of the fluid in the vicinity of the Cartesian diver are qualitatively included, and the resulting physical model is used to explain not only the observed variations of size and intensity of the Red Spot, but also the manner in which these variations correlate with changes in longitude. Laboratory studies and further observations designed to assist in verifying the Cartesian diver hypothesis are suggested.
How to Prepare Students for PerEorrnance Assessments

Now that the use of performance assessments for certification, graduation, and classroom use is burgeoning, what are the responsibilities of educators for preparing students for such assessments? Do the same guidelines apply for both multiple-choice tests and performance assessments?
The Amino Terminus of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein K (gK) Modulates gB-Mediated Virus-Induced Cell Fusion and Virion Egress

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-induced cell fusion is mediated by viral glycoproteins and other membrane proteins expressed on infected cell surfaces. Certain mutations in the carboxyl terminus of HSV-1 glycoprotein B (gB) and in the amino terminus of gK cause extensive virus-induced cell fusion. Although gB is known to be a fusogenic glycoprotein, the mechanism by which gK is involved in virus-induced cell fusion remains elusive. To delineate the amino-terminal domains of gK involved in virus-induced cell fusion, the recombinant viruses gKΔ31-47, gKΔ31-68, and gKΔ31-117, expressing gK carrying in-frame deletions spanning the amino terminus of gK immediately after the gK signal sequence (amino acids [aa] 1 to 30), were constructed. Mutant viruses gKΔ31-47 and gKΔ31-117 exhibited a gK-null (ΔgK) phenotype characterized by the formation of very small viral plaques and up to a 2-log reduction in the production of infectious virus in comparison to that for the parental HSV-1(F) wild-type virus. The gKΔ31-68 mutant virus formed substantially larger plaques and produced 1-log-higher titers than the gKΔ31-47 and gKΔ31-117 mutant virions at low multiplicities of infection. Deletion of 28 aa from the carboxyl terminus of gB (gBΔ28syn) caused extensive virus-induced cell fusion. However, the gBΔ28syn mutation was unable to cause virus-induced cell fusion in the presence of the gKΔ31-68 mutation. Transient expression of a peptide composed of the amino-terminal 82 aa of gK (gKa) produced a glycosylated peptide that was efficiently expressed on cell surfaces only after infection with the HSV-1(F), gKΔ31-68, ΔgK, or UL20-null virus. The gKa peptide complemented the gKΔ31-47 and gKΔ31-68 mutant viruses for infectious-virus production and for gKΔ31-68/gBΔ28syn-mediated cell fusion. These data show that the amino terminus of gK modulates gB-mediated virus-induced cell fusion and virion egress.
Abstract 3535: Diindolylmethane potentiates the effect of cisplatin in ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting STAT-3 and VEGF

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Ovarian cancer remains the second leading gynecological cancer in United States. It is usually detected in late stages with poor prognosis. Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug currently used to treat patients with ovarian cancer. However, ovarian tumors develop resistance and cisplatin is associated with systemic toxicity. We previously reported that Diindolylmethane (DIM), a natural compound present in cruciferous vegetables inhibits the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells [Kandala and Srivastava, Mol. Pharmacol. 2010, 78, 297-309]. In this study, we evaluated the effect of DIM with cisplatin in ovarian cancer cells. Exposure of SKOV-3 cells to 50μM DIM for 24 hours followed by treatment with 10µM cisplatin resulted in about 70% reduction in the survival of cells as compared to 30% by cisplatin treatment alone. Western blot analyses indicate that combination (DIM + cisplatin) treatment block the activation of STAT-3 by inhibiting the phosphorylation at Tyr 705 and Ser 727 as compared to cisplatin or DIM treatment alone. The STAT-3 protein level was reduced by 90% by combination treatment. Mcl-1and survivin, which are regulated by STAT-3 were also down-regulated by combination treatment. Interestingly, survivin was up-regulated by cisplatin treatment but completely blocked by combination treatment. Increased apoptosis by combination treatment was evident by caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. In addition, we tested the effects of this combination treatment on ovarian tumor angiogenesis and metastatsis. The results of aortic ring assay suggested that the combination treatment completely suppressed the formation of microvessel sprouts. Furthermore, combination treatment blocked invasion of cells by approximately 50% as evaluated by Boyden's chamber. Combination of DIM and cisplatin suppressed VEGF secretion by 50% as compared to 20% by cisplatin treatment in SKOV-3 cells. Taken together, our results suggest that DIM potentiates the effect of cisplatin by blocking the activation of STAT-3 and inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. Further mechanistic and in vivo testing of this combination treatment is under progress. [Supported in part by R01 grants CA106953 and CA 129038 (to S.K.S) awarded by the National Cancer Institute]. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3535. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3535
ACROPETAL LEAF DIFFERENTIATION IN QUERCUS RUBRA (FAGACEAE)

Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) leaves were shown to mature progressively from base to tip of the lamina based on studies of growth rates, anatomical differentiation, and 14Ctransport. Lamina expansion in both length and width ceased in the basal quarter of the leaf before the apical quarter. Cell expansion and tissue differentiation were more advanced at the base than at the tip of leaves at 100%/-20% of full expansion. Physiological data supported the morphological and anatomical data. Sink activity was examined by following the distribution of 14C imported into sink leaves with direct vascular connections to the source leaf to assure uniform assimilate supply to the sink leaves. Leaves approximately 50% of full expansion imported five to seven times more 14C-assimilates into the tip than into the base of the leaf, consistent with continued sink activity in the leaf tip after import by the leaf base has ceased. Transport of 14C from portions of the leaf, indicating source activity, occurred first in the basal portion of the lamina. The base functioned as a source at approximately 40% of full expansion; the tip, at approximately 60%. Thus, northern red oak displays an acropetal pattern of leaf expansion and differentiation, unlike the more typical pattern of basipetal leaf development defined in many other dicotyledonous genera with simple leaves.
Aging Enhances Synaptic Efficacy in a Latent Motor Pathway Following Spinal Cord Hemisection in Adult Rats

Abstract The effect of aging on the development of the neural circuitry mediating the crossed phrenic phenomenon (CPP) was investigated in anesthetized, vagotomized, artificially ventilated young adult (9-10 weeks old) and older adult (9-10 months old) rats. Cervical spinal cord hemisection rostral to the phrenic nucleus abolishes respiratory activity in the ipsilateral phrenic nerve. The respiratory activity can be restored by subjecting the animal to respiratory stress after spinal cord injury. The stress activates a normally latent respiratory motor pathway which mediates the functional recovery in the phrenic nerve ipsilateral to hemisection. This is the CPP and the recovered activity in the phrenic nerve is designated, "crossed phrenic activity." In the present study, blood pressure and end-tidal CO 2 concentration were monitored. Crossed phrenic activity was induced by asphyxia (turning off the ventilator within 30 min following a left C 2 spinal cord hemisection) and recorded from the left phrenic nerve. The mean area under the three largest successive integrated waveforms of the phrenic nerve bursts served as our quantitative assessment of the CPP. The results showed that the mean integrated area in the young rat group was 10.79 ± 1.58 mm 2 . The mean integrated area in the older adult rats was significant greater ( P 2 . Thus, there is almost a fourfold enhancement of crossed phrenic nerve activity that can be generated in older adult rats as compared to young adult rats. In addition, the CPP persists for significantly longer periods during progressive asphyxial hypoxia in the older adult rats than in the young adult rats. Based on these observations we conclude: as rats age from young maturity to older maturity, there is a gradual reorganization of the neural circuitry which enables older animals to more strongly express the crossed phrenic phenomenon. We hypothesize that periodic respiratory stresses throughout the life of the animal may be responsible for the reorganization of the circuitry. The increased duration of the CPP in the older rats compared to that in the younger rats may be due to a larger residual volume of air in the lungs of the older animals.
Emotional roulette? Symmetrical and asymmetrical emotion regulation outcomes from coworker interactions about positive and negative work events

Prior research suggests that, in general, the disclosure of positive emotions at work results in positive consequences for individuals while the disclosure of negative emotions results in negative ones. The current study examines the possibility of asymmetrical emotional outcomes to such disclosures, including those associated with the sharing of positive emotions. Interviews with human service workers elicited 71 detailed descriptions of emotional work events, the majority of which (77%) had been discussed in some manner with coworkers. Qualitative analysis of the incident data shows that both symmetrical and asymmetrical emotion regulation outcomes resulted from these coworker interactions. In regard to the disclosure of negative emotions, an asymmetrical outcome (mitigation) was welcomed, whereas for positive emotions, a symmetrical outcome (capitalization) was desired. Group norms, leader behaviors and coworker responsiveness influenced whether and which emotional events were shared, as well as the ne...
Oscillatory Climate Modes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Their Synchronization with the North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract Oscillatory climatic modes over the North Atlantic, Ethiopian Plateau, and eastern Mediterranean were examined in instrumental and proxy records from these regions. Aside from the well-known North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and the Nile River water-level records, the authors study for the first time an instrumental rainfall record from Jerusalem and a tree-ring record from the Golan Heights. The teleconnections between the regions were studied in terms of synchronization of chaotic oscillators. Standard methods for studying synchronization among such oscillators are modified by combining them with advanced spectral methods, including singular spectrum analysis. The resulting cross-spectral analysis quantifies the strength of the coupling together with the degree of synchronization. A prominent oscillatory mode with a 7–8-yr period is present in all the climatic indices studied here and is completely synchronized with the North Atlantic Oscillation. An energy analysis of the synchronization ...
Stimulant treatment and injury among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an application of the self-controlled case series study design

Objective The aim of the present work was to assess the short-term effects of stimulant medication use on risk of injury among children diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods The study group for this self-controlled case series study was children aged 1–18 years old diagnosed as having ADHD who experienced an incident medically-attended injury event and received at least one prescription for stimulant medication between 1993 and 2008 (n=328), identified from The Health Improvement Network primary care database from the UK. Conditional Poisson regression was used to estimate incident rate ratios (IRR) and 95% CIs for injury comparing periods of time exposed to stimulant medication to unexposed periods. Results Among children with ADHD prescribed stimulant medication, the rate of medically-attended injury was decreased during periods of stimulant medication use as compared to unexposed periods (IRR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.91). There was evidence of a protective association among males and among children aged 10–14 years. This effect did not change over time on treatment. Conclusions Stimulant medication use may decrease the risk of injury among children treated for ADHD, although unmeasured time varying confounding may be an alternative explanation. Injury risk may be considered during the decision-making process with regard to medication continuation among children with ADHD.