cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Course Revitalization As A Change Driver Throughout Undergraduate Business Curriculum

This paper describes the revitalization of Business Information Systems and Communication, a high enrollment, prerequisite course for all undergraduate business students in the Coles College of Business. An overview of the course components is presented and original structure described. The rationale for change, technologies leveraged and measures of success are presented. The change drivers are identified and their impact on undergraduate curriculum delineated. Lessons learned and future implications are discussed.
Chaos, Coincidence, and Contingency in the Behavior Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

Publisher Summary Family intervention strategies for children with disruptive behavior disorders focus on teaching the children and youth to look more closely at their home environments, newly structured through parent training procedures designed to help the parents to create appropriate order in their family interactions. Today's parent trainers are also aware of how fragile these newly learned child and youth self-management skills are, due to the fact that social contingencies will be harder to find after the formal parent training ends, and due to the fact that the youngsters are well practiced in imposing contingencies in most any loosely structured social group. Because of this fragility, parent trainers are beginning to adopt additional strategies designed to guide parents in helping their children and youth to more clearly understand the roots of myth-related oppositionality and its overstated power. While most parents expect toddlers to be disobedient, inattentive, and impulsive, these problematic characteristics of young children are lessened through appropriate parenting and the youngsters' gradual gains in age-related maturity. Some, however, intensify and maintain these ways of engaging family members and peers to such an extent that their parents and teachers ask for guidance from mental health professionals. The professionals are apt to diagnose oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and, depending on the child's attentional performance, a comorbid diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is undertaken.
ANTICIPATORY GRIEF IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMENTIA CAREGIVING

The current study investigated the nature of anticipatory grief in a sample of dementia caregivers, and examined the relationship between anticipatory grief and caregiver burden. Anticipatory grief can be described as one's reaction to the impending death of a loved one, in addition to responses to other previously endured, ongoing, and anticipated losses. Interest in anticipatory grief has been inconsistent, and has typically focused on terminal diseases such as cancer. However, the issues involved in anticipatory grief are unique in the context of dementia due to the progressive deterioration of both cognitive and physical abilities. A total of 80 informal caregivers of individuals with dementia completed interviews and questionnaires assessing his or her experience of grief, physical and mental health, aspects of the caregiving situation, and the severity of patient impairment. Results reveal that anticipatory grief is strongly related to burden and its correlates, including depression, well-being, social support, and behavior problems in the care recipient. Anticipatory grief is shown to be a significant and independent predictor of caregiver burden in this sample, beyond the effects of known predictors such as background characteristics, primary stressors, and depressive symptoms. The current results suggest that grief may be an important yet understudied aspect of the caregiving experience. The nature of anticipatory grief in dementia caregivers is described, and recommendations for future research directions, including longitudinal examination of anticipatory grief, are provided.
Interferences in the Colorimetric Determination of Glucuronic Acid in Blood Serum

The naphthoresorcinol reaction for the colorimetric determination of glucuronic acid has been investigated. The interference of glucose has been minimized by incorporating glucose, to approximate serum levels, in the glucuronolactone standards and adhering to exact analytic conditions. The colored product is extracted into β,β dichloroethyl ether and the absorbance is measured at 580 mµ.
Government Governance and the Need to Reconcile Government Regulation with Board Fiduciary Duties

Corporate governance scandals inevitably raise concerns about the extent to which corporate directors failed in their responsibility to monitor the corporation and its managers, especially in terms of the latter's’ misdeeds. Corporate governance reforms strive to shore up directors' roles by seeking to ensure that boards have sufficient incentives to engage in effective oversight and to hold the boards more accountable. The current financial crisis has ushered in an era of significant government reform of the financial system and involvement in corporate governance matters. Such involvement has increased board of directors' responsibilities but has not reconciled those responsibilities with board functions and fiduciary law, at least in Delaware. The lack of reconciliation not only represents a missed opportunity to reconsider boards' proper role and function within the modern public corporation, but also may undermine the effectiveness of reforms.
Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy in obese patients.

Objective To assess patient outcomes and complication rates after minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy in an obese patient population. Methods A retrospective clinical review of 32 patients with a body mass index of 30 kg/m or greater undergoing lumbar minimally invasive discectomy was performed. The initial chart review was followed by phone interview if all information could not be obtained from chart review. Demographic and pertinent pre-, peri-, and postoperative data were obtained. Results Favorable clinical outcomes were obtained in all patients except one, indicating that they would undergo operative intervention again. Most patients reported minimal or no leg or back pain. Twenty-five of the patients did not require any chronic analgesia. The overall complication rate was 12.5%. Two patients had recurrent disc herniations requiring reoperation and one patient required fusion for a pars defect and subsequent subluxation. Conclusion Lumbar minimally invasive discectomy is our preferred surgical technique for symptomatic disc herniations in this patient population. Decreased incision length and a trend toward reduced infectious complications are the primary reasons. We feel that, given the comorbidities often found in this patient population, a minimally invasive technique will supplant open approaches in the near future.
Minimum energy operation using robust asynchronous logic with sleep transistors

We demonstrate minimum energy operation using a robust approach to asynchronous logic design combined with the use of sleep transistors. The combined approach yields extremely low power and energy for a system operating in the subthreshold regime. This enables operation at voltages below those associated with the previously proposed minimum energy operating point (MEP) and therefore appreciably reduces the energy consumption compared to MEP. We also demonstrate that the robustness of our asynchronous system under Monte Carlo variations can actually yield significant additional power savings compared to a synchronous design.
Fluorescence zeeman effects of the KC1 compensated lattice: The Cs site symmetry and the validity of the “S = 1 representation” of Sm2+ in KC1

Abstract The anisotropy patterns, polarizations and field dependence of Zeeman effects in several prominent 4.2°K fluorescence lines of KC1 : Sm2+ zre described. The effective Hamiltonian in the “S = 1 representation”, which was previously employed in the calculation of Zeeman anisotropy patterns, is shown to be inappropriate for large compensation fields at which Zeeman effects can originate from closely spaced non-degenerate representations. The basic concept of site distribution in a compensated alkali halide lattice is discussed. The presence of a hitherto unreported Cs site, which is predicted by distribution calculations, has been established. At high dopant concentrations at which Sm2+ : K+ vacancy pairs are expected to aggregate through dipolar attractive forces, new fluorescence lines have been observed.
Characterizing wandering behaviors in persons with traumatic brain injury residing in veterans health administration nursing homes.

Abstract Belanger HG, King-Kallimanis B, Nelson AL, Schonfeld L, Scott SG, Vanderploeg RD. Characterizing wandering behaviors in persons with traumatic brain injury residing in Veterans Health Administration nursing homes. Objective To examine the prevalence and correlates of wandering in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in nursing homes (NHs). Design Using a cross-sectional design, logistic regression modeling was used to analyze a national database. Setting One hundred thirty-four NH facilities operated by the Veterans Health Administration. Participants NH residents (N=625) with TBI as well as a sample (n=164) drawn from a larger dataset of NH residents without TBI using 1:K matching on age. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Wandering. Results Wanderers with and without TBI did not differ significantly overall. The prevalence of wandering among patients with TBI was 14%, compared with 6.5% of the general nursing home population. The results of the multivariate logistic regression suggested that wandering was associated with poor memory, poor decision making, behavior problems, independence in locomotion and ambulation, and dependence in activities of daily living related to basic hygiene. Conclusions Wandering is relatively common in NH residents with TBI. As expected, it is associated with cognitive, social, and physical impairments. Further research with a larger sample should examine those with comorbid dementia and/or psychiatric diagnoses.
Contingency Management Approaches for Adolescent Substance Use Disorders

The addition of contingency management (CM) to the menu of effective treatments for adolescent substance abuse has generated excitement in the research and treatment communities. CM interventions are based on extensive basic science and clinical research evidence demonstrating that drug use is sensitive to systematically applied consequences. This article provides (a) a review of basic CM principles, (b) implementation guidelines, (c) a review of the clinical CM research targeting adolescent substance abuse, and (d) a discussion of implementation successes and challenges. Although the research base for CM with adolescents is in its infancy, there are multiple reasons for high expectations.
Flexible versus rigid catheters for chronic administration of exogenous agents into central nervous system tissues.

Abstract Introduction: Neuropharmacology studies depend on consistency in drug delivery. Drug infusions into central nervous system (CNS) tissues have been described as unreliable. Speculation has focused on infusion pumps as the source of variation. This report demonstrates that the catheter may be a source of variability. The inconsistency can be significantly reduced by a change in catheter design. Methods: Normal and tumor cell-challenged (abnormal) brains of Fischer rats were infused with small and large molecular weight cytotoxic drugs via rigid and flexible catheters placed directly into the parenchyma. Coronal tissue sections rostral and caudal to the infusion point were analyzed for drug concentrations. Carboplatin, estimated through atomic absorption assays, and doxorubicin and transferrin-bound doxorubicin, measured by fluorescent spectroscopy, were mapped in serial sections at various distances from the infusion point. Results: The expected drug distribution pattern approximates a bell-shaped curve with a maximum drug concentration near the infusion point and approximately equal, declining concentrations rostral and caudal to the infusion. This expected distribution was found in only 10 of the 17 normal brains and 15 of the 28 abnormal brains infused with a rigid catheter. In contrast, 10 of the 10 normal brains and 16 of the 16 abnormal rat brains infused with a flexible catheter had the expected distribution pattern. The distribution pattern was not associated with the molecular weight of the infused drug. Conclusion: Replacement of rigid infusion tubes with flexible tubing increases the reliability of local CNS drug infusions. Rigid catheters may allow backflow of the infused drug along the path of the catheters into the subdural space.
Study of finger force variability for physical therapists and untrained subjects

Physical therapy exercises often involve a patient exerting a force on an object. When a physical therapist shows a patient how much force to exert, the patient may or may not be able to accurately replicate at home what they were shown in the clinic. We study the ability of therapists and of untrained subjects to exert a steady force. Force is measured using a fingertip pressure sensor. We also study the ability to remember and repeat a force value previously maintained. In the absence of real-time visual feedback of achieved force, untrained subjects do less well than physical therapists at holding steady values and at remembering and repeating a previously held value. We introduce a measure of the rapidity of matching success, and find its relation to baseline pressure values.
Studies on congestive heart failure

Abstract 1. 1. Twenty-three patients who were suffering from congestive heart failure were studied with a view to learning the relative importance of sodium chloride and water with respect to the accumulation and disappearance of edema. 2. 2. The restriction of salt to a level below the output in the urine always resulted in a decrease in the amount of edema. Usually, a diet containing as little as 1.0 Gm. of salt in twenty-four hours was sufficient to cause diuresis or a cessation in the accumulation of edema, but the salt content of the ordinary “salt-free” diet was not low enough. 3. 3. When the intake of salt was sufficiently restricted, the amount of fluid taken did not usually affect the edema. 4. 4. Occasionally diuresis was observed to increase when the patient was taking plenty of fluids, and to decrease when fluids were rigidly restricted. 5. 5. When renal insufficiency accompanied heart failure, a high intake of fluids resulted in symptoms similar to those of “water intoxication”. 6. 6. These studies suggest that restriction of salt is important in the control of the edema of congestive heart failure, but that the restriction of fluids is of little value.
Stress relaxation behavior of dental porcelains at high temperatures.

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study was to measure the stress relaxation behavior at elevated temperatures of three experimental opaque porcelains and three experimental body porcelains. Methods. Feldspathic porcelain formulations covering a range of thermal contraction coefficients were supplied by a dental ceramics manufacturer. Six specimens, 11 mm in diameter by 22 mm long, were fabricated for each porcelain. The specimens were tested in compression at five temperatures controlled to ± 1°C in a hot stage furnace attached to a screw-type uni-axial testing machine. Results. Mean values of relaxation time, τu, and the b function were determined by a regression fit to the relation: Ψ(t) = exp [−(t/τu)b]. Values of b ranged from 0.23 to 0.53 for opaque porcelain and 0.47 to 0.64 for body porcelain. Relaxation times ranged from 2.6 s to 4 × 104 s for the opaque porcelains and 1.5s to 5.5 × 102 s for the body porcelains. A statistically significant variation of b with temperature for three of the experimental porcelains is an indication that these porcelains do not satisfy the theoretical requirements for the porcelains to be classified as thermorheologically simple. Significance. A knowledge of the relaxation behavior of dental porcelains is necessary so that dental researchers can identify metal/porcelain combinations that will result in low stress values and, therefore, reduced the potential for failure from thermally induced stresses. These properties can be used in the optimization of prosthesis design to reduce the destruction of healthy tissue to accommodate the placement of the dental prosthesis.
Variations of heart rate during sleep as a function of the sleep cycle.

Abstract This paper describes heart rate characteristics during sleep paying particular attention to the sleep cycle. Averages and variances of heart rate are presented on ten subjects during two entire nights of sleep using approximately 3200 epochs of R-R intervals recorded during known stages of sleep. The consistency of the mean and variance of heart rate between sleep cycles is computed using the Analysis of Variance. The hypothesis that the mean heart rates for each sleep cycle of a particular night and stage are equal is rejected. Average sample variance for each sleep cycle remains fairly constant throughout the night. Heart rate averages and variances during REM, stage 2 and combined stages 3 and 4 for each cycle are reported. In general, the average heart rate during REM was significantly higher than that of stage 2 and the average heart rate during stage 2 was significantly higher than that of stages 3 or 4. The sample variance during a cycle of sleep decreased with the depth of sleep.
Market rate versus fixed rate demand deposits

Abstract In an economy with uninsured banks, market rate deposits are shown to provide services identical to fixed rate deposits without risking banking panics as long as there is not both aggregate uncertainty, about liquidity demands and asymmetric information about bank asset quality. However, if both factors are present, then the preferred deposit form depends on the riskiness of bank assets and information revealed through market prices. The analysis may explain the evolution of fixed rate deposits before the introduction of deposit insurance. Moreover, it provides currently relevant insights regarding deposit contract forms and deposit insurance.
The use of the RESPeRATE device to lower blood pressure in inner city obese adolescents and children: a pilot feasibility study.

The RESPeRATE device was tested for feasibility of use in a population of overweight and obese children and adolescents (n = 10) in San Francisco, CA. After a 2-week and then a 2-month period, participants were interviewed on their frequency of use and attitudes towards the device. A high percentage stated that they enjoyed using the device at 2 months (90 %) and 80 % stated that they would recommend use to a friend or relative. Future studies are needed to assess the efficacy of the RESPeRATE device in lowering blood pressure and helping with weight loss/weight management in obese and overweight children.
Rarity in North American Passerine Birds

Rare species are typically identified by their small geographic range, very low local abundance, or a combination of these two attributes (Rabinowitz 1981; Rabinowitz et al. 1986). However, range size and local abundance are generally not independent of each other, at least when homogeneous taxonomic assemblages are examined across large areas (Bock & Ricklefs 1983; Brown 1984; Arita et al. 1990; Ford 1990; Gaston & Lawton 1990; Lawton 1993; but see Rabinowitz et al. 1986). Direct comparisons between these two parameters are complicated by the fact that range size by definition is a single parameter that pertains to the species as a whole, while local abundance can be measured at many sites throughout the range and, as is well known, often assumes a wide range of values (Hengeveld & Haeck 1982; Rapoport 1982; Brown 1984; Lawton 1993; Mehlman, unpublished data). Therefore, rarity must be examined in the context of the entire spatial distribution of abundance within the range, and it is this distribution that should be examined for correlations
Nonreporting of births or nonreporting of pregnancies? Some evidence from four rural counties in North China.

Coale and Banister argue that in China, elevated sex ratios in retrospective surveys are in part a function of collecting birth histories in a culture in which the definition of a birth may exclude mortality shortly after birth: an infant death in the West may be a stillbirth in east Asia. I present data from a recent sample survey featuring a retrospective pregnancy history. These data reveal that at least in the first pregnancy, from which the preponderance of sample births arise, there is no evidence of elevated female infant mortality or of high numbers of stillbirths, but that reported sex ratios are unusually high. The proportion of stillbirths grows for later pregnancies, but not enough to account for high sex ratios. Retrospective fertility data regarding recall over a recent interval are vexed less by a misunderstanding of what a live birth is than by a "misunderstanding" of what a (reportable) pregnancy is.
A Littlewood-Paley type inequality with applications to the elliptic Dirichlet problem

Let L be a strictly elliptic second order operator on a bounded domain Ω ⊂ R. Let u be a solution to Lu = div ~f in Ω, u = 0 on ∂Ω. Sufficient conditions on two measures, μ and ν defined on Ω, are established which imply that the L(Ω, dμ) norm of |∇u| is dominated by the L(Ω, dv) norms of div ~f and |~f |. If we replace |∇u| by a local Holder norm of u, the conditions on μ and ν can be significantly weaker. Introduction. The intent of this paper is to establish sufficient conditions on two measures, μ and ν, defined on a bounded domain Ω in R, n ≥ 3, so that (1) (\ Ω |∇u(x)| dμ(x) )1/q ≤ C (\ Ω (|div ~ f(x)| + |~ f(x)|) dν(x) )1/p if 2 < p ≤ q < 2 + e, for any function u(x) that is a weak solution to { Lu(x) = div ~ f(x), x ∈ Ω, u(x)|∂Ω = 0. Here Ω is assumed to satisfy an exterior cone condition, ~ f ∈ H(Ω), and L = ∑ 1≤i,j≤n ∂ ∂xi ( ai,j(x) ∂ ∂xj ) 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification: 35J25, 42B25.
Neuroinflammation: Friend or foe?

Inflammation is generally considered a bad actor in many disease states, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is no exception. Inflammatory cells in the brain, including microglia and astrocytes, congregate around amyloid plaques in AD, releasing cytokines and reactive oxygen species that are thought to
Thyroid Hormone Binding to Adult Rat Alveolar Type II Cells. An Autoradiographic Study

Hypothyroid adult rats were injected intravenously with [3, 5, 3'-125I]triiodothyronine (T3) or [125I]thyroxine (T4). Others were similarly treated except for the addition of a 500-fold excess of the appropriate unlabeled hormone. Light microscopic autoradiography of semithin sections of lung from these animals demonstrated labeling localized over alveolar parenchymal tissue. Analysis of the labeling studies of type II cells revealed high affinity, low capacity binding of T3 and, to a much lesser extent, T4 to both the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Adult lung in organ culture was also treated with 125I-T3 or 125I-T4 and electron microscopic autoradiography performed. These studies revealed that, when expressed as grains per square micrometer, there was substantially more labeling over the lamellar inclusion bodies and the mitochondria than over the nucleus. The results of this study provide morphologic evidence of specific uptake and binding of thyroid hormones by the nucleus and cytoplasm of alveolar type II cells, and suggest that the lamellar inclusion bodies and mitochondria may be the primary location of the cytoplasmic binding. These findings also substantiate the view of a direct effect of thyroid hormones on the lung and, in particular, on the type II alveolar cells.
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Bonds: The Design of a New Security

RICHARD ROLL is the Allstate professor of finance at the Anderson School at the University of California at Los Angeles. n May 1996, the U.S. Treasury announced its intention to issue “inflation protection” bonds with cash payments linked to a general price index. It solicited the opinions of interested parties about the form of such a security, and engaged in several months of collective security design. This is surely one of the most interesting episodes in the history of U.S. fixed-income markets, for the Treasury has never before issued an indexed bond. If it is properly designed, it will be among the least risky of all assets, virtually immune to both default and inflation risks. Hence, it is destined to become the datum for all other fixed-income securities. In its official request for suggestions on May 15, the Treasury asked about five specific design issues: 1) the inflation index; 2) the cash flow structure; 3) maturities; 4) the auction mechanism; and 5) amounts. This article discusses each question and describes the choices made for the first bond, scheduled to be auctioned in January. Most attention is given to the structure. Four structures were considered, and each has its attractions and drawbacks. Although the structure of the first Treasury indexed bond has now been announced, future bonds may well have other structures. The central conundrum here, as with any security’s design, is the trade-off between broad market liquidity and spec& structures that appeal to indwidual clientele groups. The Treasury could issue many Merent indexed bonds in an effort to obtain hgh prices from heterogeneous investors. If tastes change, however, each small issue might have limited secondary market liquidty. To maximize proceeds and minimize Treasury borrowing costs, there has to be a compromise between ,
Radiation-initiated, immortal Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts release elevated levels of H2O2 and show divergent MnSOD and catalase activities

To characterize molecular events associated with the neoplastic conversion of primary cells by ionizing radiation, we studied the activities and mRNA expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT) in Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts during the early stages of immortalization after treatment with gamma-rays. The irradiated cells showed divergent MnSOD and CAT responses relative to unirradiated controls. At passage 6, MnSOD activity was increased about 50-fold, although the concentration of MnSOD mRNA increased only 1.6-fold. By contrast, CAT activity diminished 2-fold despite an increase of 1.6-fold in the concentration of CAT mRNA. This divergence between the MnSOD and CAT activities was maintained upon culturing and, at passage 12, MnSOD was 35-fold increased and CAT 3.7-fold decreased, relative to unirradiated cells. The amount of H2O2 released into the culture medium by the radiation-initiated cells was 6-fold greater than in control media. Because H2O2 is a causative agent in the induction of malignant transformation in vitro, our results suggest that the elevated production of H2O2 caused by the imbalance between the activities of MnSOD and CAT may participate in the immortalization and subsequent malignant conversion of Syrian hamster embryo fibroblasts by ionizing radiation.
Development of sensor augmented robotic weld systems for aerospace propulsion system fabrication

In order to meet stringent performance goals for power and reuseability, the Space Shuttle Main Engine was designed with many complex, difficult welded joints that provide maximum strength and minimum weight. To this end, the SSME requires 370 meters of welded joints. Automation of some welds has improved welding productivity significantly over manual welding. Application has previously been limited by accessibility constraints, requirements for complex process control, low production volumes, high part variability, and stringent quality requirements. Development of robots for welding in this application requires that a unique set of constraints be addressed. This paper shows how robotic welding can enhance production of aerospace components by addressing their specific requirements. A development program at the Marshall Space Flight Center combining industrial robots with state-of-the-art sensor systems and computer simulation is providing technology for the automation of welds in Space Shuttle Main Engine production.
Secretory mechanisms and Ca2+ signaling in gametes: similarities to regulated neuroendocrine secretion in somatic cells and involvement in emerging pathologies.

Recent studies demonstrate that regulated secretion in probably all mammalian cells, from gonadotropes to gametes, utilizes similar signaling systems, intracellular Ca2+ regulation, Ca2+-dependent proteins, cytoskeletal participation, and SNARE-mediated fusion. Thus, highly specialized cells, like sperm and eggs, should no longer be considered to have evolved a cell-type specific secretory mechanism. In gametes, Ca2+-dependent proteins and enzymes transduce elevations of intracellular Ca2+ into secretory events, i.e., exocytosis of the acrosome in sperm and cortical granules in the egg. Just as secretory deficiencies have clinical consequences in endocrine and exocrine cells, failure of secretion of cortical granules or the acrosome can result in failure of normal fertilization or fertilization followed by abnormal development. With the advent of human in vitro fertilization, such gamete pathologies have been recently identified and have led to new clinical procedures to achieve normal fertilization and pregnancies. A better understanding of the common Ca2+-dependent secretory pathways in both gametes and somatic cells should be beneficial to investigating mis-regulation in either cell type.
Effect of investigator bias on clinical trials.

• Two clinical trials were performed to determine the relative efficacy of tioconazole, a new antifungal agent for treating patients with tinea pedis. One study compared the new agent with a placebo cream and the other with miconazole nitrate, an established effective antifungal agent. The investigators found a much higher "cure" rate for tioconazole when both treatment groups were known to receive active agents than the cure rate for tioconazole found in the placebo-controlled study. These results showed that the expectations of investigators can influence their clinical evaluations. Such bias could also influence the results of clinical trials. ( Arch Dermatol 1989;125:216-218)
Recurring nocturnal benthic emergence along the coral reef–seagrass interface in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary: Evidence of a possible novel prey escape response

Abstract Using multiple sampling techniques we documented the nightly occurrence of benthic macroinvertebrates in the water column, and quantified the intensity of their emergence from and re-settlement back to the benthos, along the seagrass–coral reef interface at two widely separated locations in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FLKNMS). Plankton collections consistently documented dramatic increases in benthic invertebrate abundance in the water column after sunset. Subsequent collections using emergence traps showed that the density of benthic invertebrates, emerging from the seagrass habitats was great (often > 1000 individuals/m 2 ). Settlement traps further revealed that emigrant invertebrates were dispersed by currents and did not necessarily resettle in the same intensity back to the emergence site. Our results show that the nocturnal emergence of benthic invertebrates is widespread and persistent temporally. As a result, we hypothesize that the diurnal emergence of these organisms probably reduces the intensity of food web interactions between benthic organisms and demersal reef fishes that enter nearby seagrass habitats to feed at night. These results further illustrate a need to conduct more studies after sunset in order to develop a better understanding what role diurnal shifts in predator and prey occupancy patterns play in determining the intensity of the transfer of energy and nutrients across adjacent trophic levels in marine food webs.
SIRT1 Enhances Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Expression and Tumor Cell Invasion in Prostate Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) has been shown to play an important role in cancer cell invasion and the expression of MMP2 is associated with the poor prognosis of prostate cancer; however, the mechanism of MMP2 expression is largely unknown. SIRT1 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent histone deacetylase (class III HDAC) that has recently been shown to have implications in regulating cancer cell growth and apoptosis. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of SIRT1 in regulating MMP2 expression and tumor invasion in prostate cancer cells. METHODS The interfering RNAi was used to knockdown SIRT1 from prostate cancer cells. Immunoblots, RT-PCR, zymographic assays, co-immunoprecipitation, analysis and transwell assays were used to examine the effects of SIRT1 silencing on MMP2 expression and activity, on SIRT1 and MMP2 interaction, and on prostate cancer cell invasion. The immuno-histochemical assay was performed to study SIRT1 expression in prostate cancer tissues. RESULTS We show that SIRT1 associates and deacetylates MMP2 and SIRT1 regulates MMP2 expression by controlling MMP2 protein stability through the proteosomal pathway. Thus, we demonstrated a novel mechanism in that MMP2 expression can be regulated at the posttranslational level by SIRT1. Furthermore, we determined that SIRT1 inhibition reduced prostate cancer cell invasion and SIRT1 is highly expressed in advanced prostate cancer tissues. CONCLUSIONS SIRT1 is an important regulator of MMP2 expression, activity, and prostate cancer cell invasion. Overexpressed SIRT1 in advanced prostate cancer may play an important role in prostate cancer progression. Prostate 73: 522–530, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Disease Causing Point Mutations on Actin's Resilience

We have used spectroscopic probes to determine the structural dynamics of actin, as affected by point mutations that are known to cause Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is caused by mutations within the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. The present study focuses on single amino acid replacements in the N-terminal actin-binding domain (DysABD1), which result in muscular dystrophies with a wide spectrum of severities. Though these point mutations occur in ABD1, the affinity of dystrophin for actin is not substantially perturbed (Henderson et al., PNAS 2010). However, affinity is only one facet of dystrophin's interaction with actin. We have previously shown, using transient phosphorescence anisotropy (TPA), that binding of dystrophin to actin increases its resilience, and we hypothesize that this cytoskeletal resilience is needed to act as a mechanical buffer during contractions. Previous results have shown a correlation between the TPA-measured resilience and the physiological measures of muscle mechanical function in mice (Lin et al., J. Mol Biol 2012). In this project, we expand this area of research by testing several known disease-causing point mutations in DysABD1 and evaluate their effects on actin's resilience. We hypothesize that while affinity is not significantly affected, mutant full length dystrophin loses its natural ability to increase the resilience in actin as determined from TPA. Our findings will provide insight into the pathophysiology of these disease-causing mutations - why some mutations are more devastating than others, and why a single amino acid change can have a large impact on dystrophin's function.
THE EFFECT OF NON-DIVIDING CELLS ON THE SYNCHRONIZATION OF CELL CULTURES.

Abstract It has been shown that when the synchronization is calculated for a population of cells containing non-dividing cells, the synchronization of the subpopulation of dividing cells can be larger than, smaller than, or equal to the apparent synchronization of the entire population. Under circumstances where the number of non-dividing cells is known, the synchronization of the dividing subpopulation can be determined directly by subtracting the non-dividing cells from the total cell number at each point in the growth curve. Calculations are presented from which it is possible to estimate the range over which the synchronization index [1] of the dividing subpopulation may lie for given values of the synchronization of the entire population. When, for example, 10 per cent of the cells of the population do not divide, it is estimated that the synchronization of the dividing subpopulation will be no more than 1.08 times the calculated synchronization for the whole population.
De-Excitation of μ -Mesonic Atoms

It has been shown that during the de-excitation of a mu -mesonic atom, as the mu seeks its ground state, some nonradiative process competes much more favorably with radiative transitions than does the usual Auger process. It has been suggested that collisions with neighboring atoms could cause the mu meson to fall from the 2p to the 1s level, with the released energy used to eject an electron from the colliding atom. The possibility is discussed of collisional de- excitation of the radiating 2p mesonic atom level to the metastable 2s level, whose radiative lifetime is long enough to permit Auger or other nonradiative decay from the n = 2 to the ground n = 1 state. (W.D.M.)
Holstein-Primakoff theory for many-body systems

We discuss the relationship between generalized coherent states and suitable extensions of the Holstein-Primakoff theory of quantum spin systems, illustrating the common origin of a variety of semiclassical approximation schemes encountered in many-body theory.
Fit-for-purpose evaluation of architect i1000SR immunoassay analyzer

Abstract Background Last year Abbott Laboratories introduced the Architect i1000SR modular chemiluminescent immunoassay analyzer for laboratories performing Method The analytical performance was ascertained by i) determining functional sensitivity in serum matrix for cTnI and measuring precision for other assays. ii) Accuracy was determined by performing patient correlations for TSH, cTnI and FT4 assays. iii) Analyzer productivity and efficiency were evaluated by determining the expected annual throughput and impact of routine workload on STAT TATs, respectively. Results Coefficient of variation ranging from 3.6 to 8.2% was achieved for all assays evaluated. Functional sensitivity for cTnI was found to be 0.05 ng/ml. Patient correlation gave regression coefficients ranging from 0.875–0.998. An average hourly throughput ranged from 41–48 tests per hour (tph). Conclusions We find the Architect i1000SR random access immunoassay analyzer met all of the requirements desired in a low to mid volume instrument. Stat turn around times (TAT) are maintained to
HIV diffusion patterns and mobility: Gender differences among drug users

Researchers have recently expanded the scope of study of transmission patterns of AIDS to incorporate spatial and geographical questions. United States diffusion patterns of this disease appear to indicate that it may emanate from urban area epicenters to areas of low and moderate prevalence. The travel patterns of injecting drug users (IDUs) and the extent to which they engage in high risk drug and sexual activities was examined as an explanation of diffusion of the HIV virus from one community to another. The study population of 49,621 was comprised of subjects recruited from approximately 60 sites nationwide from 1988–1991. While the data are limited in some ways, they partially support a diffusion explanation of HIV transmission for males and females. The analysis demonstrates that low prevalence cities were significantly more likely to have been the destinations of both men and women who engaged in high risk drug and sexual activities. In addition, HIV seropositive drug users who engaged in high risk drug and sexual behaviors in destination cities were more likely than seronegatives to travel to high or low seroprevalence areas than to moderate prevalence areas. The findings suggest a need for effective HIV prevention educational messages about the risks of traveling and participating in high risk activities.
DFT + U search for the energy minimum among eight collinear and noncollinear magnetic structures of GdB 4

We have studied eight collinear and noncollinear magnetic orientations of ${\text{GdB}}_{4}$ using the $\text{GGA}+U$ method, without and with spin-orbit coupling, for values of $U\ensuremath{-}J$ between 0 and 6. For $U\ensuremath{-}J=6$, the value which had been found to yield the correct Gd lattice constants, we obtain ${\text{GdB}}_{4}$ lattice constants within 0.26% of experiment. We find that the magnetization lies in plane but is collinear, in disagreement with the most recent experimental determination.
New onset and persistent symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder self reported after deployment and combat exposures: prospective population based US military cohort study

Objective To describe new onset and persistence of self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in a large population based military cohort, many of whom were deployed in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Design Prospective cohort analysis. Setting and participants Survey enrolment data from the millennium cohort (July 2001 to June 2003) obtained before the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Follow-up (June 2004 to February 2006) data on health outcomes collected from 50 184 participants. Main outcome measures Self reported post-traumatic stress disorder as measured by the posttraumatic stress disorder checklist—civilian version using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria. Results More than 40% of the cohort were deployed between 2001 and 2006; between baseline and follow-up, 24% deployed for the first time in support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. New incidence rates of 10-13 cases of post-traumatic stress disorder per 1000 person years occurred in the millennium cohort. New onset self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or diagnosis were identified in 7.6-8.7% of deployers who reported combat exposures, 1.4-2.1% of deployers who did not report combat exposures, and 2.3-3.0% of non-deployers. Among those with self reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder at baseline, deployment did not affect persistence of symptoms. Conclusions After adjustment for baseline characteristics, these prospective data indicate a threefold increase in new onset self reported post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms or diagnosis among deployed military personnel who reported combat exposures. The findings define the importance of post-traumatic stress disorder in this population and emphasise that specific combat exposures, rather than deployment itself, significantly affect the onset of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after deployment.
Intersubjectivity without subjectivism

In this paper I shall draw upon concepts developed by George Herbert Mead as well as Justus Buchler. Let me say, at the outset, that I am not presenting their views but utilizing them and, in so doing, reinterpreting them. However, I believe my interpretation will reveal features that are central to the thought of each. As long as experience is conceived as "the view from within" and the individual experiencer is identified with the phenomenological subject, shared experience, intersubjectivity, must be conceived as an extension or elaboration of subjectivity. Alfred Schutz, for instance, states:
Tricuspid Annular Geometry: A Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study

Objective To demonstrate the clinical feasibility of accurately measuring tricuspid annular area by 3-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and to assess the geometric differences based on the presence of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Also, the shape of the tricuspid annulus was compared with previous descriptions in the literature. Design Prospective. Setting Tertiary care university hospital. Interventions Three-dimensional TEE. Participants Patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Measurements and Main Results Volumetric data sets from 20 patients were acquired by 3D TEE and prospectively analyzed. Comparisons in annular geometry were made between groups based on the presence of TR. The QLab (Philips Medical Systems, Andover, MA) software package was used to calculate tricuspid annular area by both linear elliptical dimensions and planimetry. Further analyses were performed in the 4D Cardio-View (TomTec Corporation GmBH, Munich, Germany) and MATLAB (Natick, MA) software environments to accurately assess annular shape. It was found that patients with greater TR had an eccentrically dilated annulus with a larger annular area. Also, the area as measured by the linear ellipse method was overestimated as compared to the planimetry method. Furthermore, the irregular saddle-shaped geometry of the tricuspid annulus was confirmed through the mathematic model developed by the authors. Conclusions Three-dimensional TEE can be used to measure the tricuspid annular area in a clinically feasible fashion, with an eccentric dilation seen in patients with TR. The tricuspid annulus shape is complex, with annular high and low points, and annular area calculation based on linear measurements significantly overestimates 3D planimetered area.
Ring-expansion of an aziridinone to a hexahydrotriazine through the agency of a novel rearrangement

Reaction of 1,3-di-t,'rt-bu~.laziridinonc (la) and similar aziridinones with thiosemicarbazide affords, as one of the products, a compound devoid of sulfur, vie., a substituted N- aminoimidazolidinone (3a) by selective cleavage of the acyl-nitrogcn bond. Compound 3a undergoes a novel, acid-catalyzed rearrangement to a 3-imino-hexahydro-1,2,4-tri~in-6-one (7a), which can also be obtained ~' treatment of la with hydrazinc followed by BrCN. involving again selective cleavage of the acyl-nitrogen bond.
Automated flow cytometry for acquisition of time-dependent population data

Background The implementation of flow cytometry in many experimental settings can be limited by the extensive amount of sample handling and preparation required for analysis. We describe a system that automatically performs sample handling and flow cytometric analysis, thus allowing one to construct detailed pictures of changes in cell population distributions as a function of time. Methods Cell samples from bioreactors were loaded into a microchamber designed to perform all sample preparation steps including washing, fixation, staining, and dilution. The sample was then transported into a sample loop of known volume from which it was injected into the flow cell for determination of cell counts and measurement of scattering and fluorescence parameters. The apparatus was fully automated and controlled with a personal computer equipped with a data acquisition card. An inexpensive mechanism that continuously replenished the sheath fluid was implemented to ensure continuous and uninterrupted operation of the flow cytometer for several days. The device was interfaced with a FACSCalibur equipped with CellQuest software for data acquisition and analysis. Results The set-up was tested with batch cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP). On-line cell counts showed close agreement with off-line measurements throughout the exponential growth of a yeast culture. The time course of light scattering, GFP fluorescence, and viability distributions provided a detailed description of changes occurring in growing cell cultures based on sampling approximately every 15 min for more than 40 consecutive hours. Therefore, the device could be used to obtain descriptions of the dynamic behavior of cell populations with no user intervention required for several days. Conclusions The system significantly expanded the utility of flow cytometry by eliminating cumbersome and time-consuming steps that make the application of flow cytometry impractical in certain situations. It is anticipated that the described set-up will find utility in biotechnology applications such as monitoring of cell cultures, screening of biologically active compounds, and in functional genomics efforts for phenotypic characterizations of cells. Cytometry Part A 51A:87–96, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.