cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retailing in the nonprofit sector: an exploratory analysis of church‐connected retailing ventures

American churches, like other nonprofits, are faced with diminishing financial support and have turned to alternative marketing strategies to raise needed funds. Retail stores form one of these alternative marketing strategies. This research explores the phenomenon of retail stores associated with Episcopal churches and provides dimensions to understanding the relationship of church membership, connection with history and/or tourist activities, and various marketing tools with performance. While the research offers managerial implications for those engaged in retailing associated with churches, this paper also offers additional insight into nonprofit marketing in general. Copyright © 2003 Henry Stewart Publications
Interaction of bovine renal mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 with antioxidants

The antioxidants butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA), benzyl sulfoxide (BS), ferulic acid (FA), caffeic acid (CA), dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO), protocatechuic acid (PCA), and P-450 inhibitor metyrapone all acted to slow the previously noted loss of vitamin D3 1 alpha-and 24-hydroxylase activities in cultured bovine proximal tubule cells. The slowing of the loss of hydroxylase activities by antioxidants was increased by culturing cells in 5% O2 vs 19% O2. These same antioxidants also directly inhibited 1 alpha- and 24-hydroxylase activities. For a single antioxidant, or metyrapone, Ki's for inhibition of both hydroxylases were equal, ED50's for stabilization of both hydroxylase activities were equal, and Ki's and ED50's were not significantly different. These antioxidants prevented tert-butylhydroperoxide (tert-BOOH)-mediated proximal tubule cell death at concentrations, i.e., 0.1 mM, which were effective in stabilizing hydroxylase activities. When added together, the antioxidants H2SeO3, uric acid, and trolox c gave slight stabilization of hydroxylase activities without inhibiting hydroxylase activities. Singly, these antioxidants did not stabilize or directly inhibit hydroxylase activities. This antioxidant combination augmented BHA- or BHT-mediated stabilization of both hydroxylase activities independent of any effects on inhibition. But the most potent antioxidants which acted to stabilize hydroxylase activities in culture also directly acted to inhibit hydroxylase activities. Antioxidant effects were additive for both inhibition and stabilization of hydroxylase activities. Stabilization of hydroxylase activities was dissociated from inhibition in the presence of maximal FA, CA, and BHA or FA, CA, and BHT combinations. Bovine renal mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 levels decreased in cultured bovine proximal tubule cells to nondetectable levels by 8 days in culture. When cultures were treated with BHA and BS, mitochondrial P-450 levels were almost twofold greater than in untreated controls. Percentage changes in mitochondrial P-450 levels closely paralleled percentage changes in hydroxylase activities elicited by antioxidant treatment regimes. Antioxidants which were effective inhibitors of hydroxylase activities in cultured bovine proximal tubule cells were also effective in inhibiting hydroxylase activities in isolated proximal tubule mitochondria, supplemented with a NADPH-generating source. Ki's for inhibition of hydroxylase activities were very similar in cultured cells and in isolated mitochondria.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Glucose Utilization by Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris: Short‐Term Metabolic Studies*

SYNOPSIS. In tryptone media, optimal growth of nonphotosynthetic Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris on glucose occurred with 1% (w/v) glucose at pH 3.5, and required a previous adaptive period in glucose medium. In short term metabolic experiments, glucose uptake was greatly stimulated by small concentrations of tryptone or succinate; effects of shaking suggested that CO2 has a similar stimulatory effect. Glucose utilization was highly dependent on glucose concentration, with an apparent threshold at about 2 mM and increasing steeply with glucose concentration above this value. In tracer experiments, about 90% of the glucose carbon consumed was assimilated, and about 10% released as CO2. Glucose did not stimulate respiration even during rapid glucose utilization. Tracer studies indicated oxidation of endogenous substrates was depressed by an amount which just compensated for the respiration due to glucose. The conditions which allowed rapid glucose utilization by “resting”E. gracilis var. bacillaris were the same as those known previously to be required for growth on glucose. It was therefore concluded that these factors act directly on the main pathways of glucose metabolism.
Long-term memory in territorial grasshoppers

Males ofLigurotettix spp. grasshoppers (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Gomphocerinae), territorial species that defend individual host plant shrubs, home to their territories by memorizing landmarks. Thus, the insects can navigate efficiently toward high quality shrubs which are chemically distinctive and recognizable via gustation, but indistinguishable from a distance.
Toward a Game Theoretic Model of Information Release in Social Media with Experimental Results

Social sites frequently ask for rich sets of user identity properties before granting access. Users are given the freedom to fail to respond to some of these requests, or can choose to submit fake identity properties, so as to reduce the risk of identification, surveillance or observation of any kind. However, this freedom has led to serious security and privacy incidents, due to the role users' identities play in establishing social and privacy settings. In this paper, we take a step toward addressing this open problem, by analyzing the dynamics of social identity verification protocols. Based on some real-world data, we develop a deception model for online users. The model takes a game theoretic approach to characterizing a user's willingness to release, withhold or lie about information depending on the behavior of individuals within the user's circle of friends. We provide an illustrative example and conjecture a relationship between the qualitative structure of Nash equilibria in the game and the auto orphism group of the social network.
R70-37 Extensions of Asynchronous Circuits and the Delay Problem I. Good Extensions and the Delay Problem of the First Kind

The author uses the Muller-Bartky asynchronous circuit theory to study the problem of designing circuits whose physical implementations operate correctly despite unpredictable signal delays in the wires connecting the elements.
TU‐C‐J‐6B‐02: Assessment of Tumor Proliferation During Radiotherapy

Purpose: To explore the basis for quantitative in-vivo tumor imaging during radiation therapy with the aim to adaptively modify the treatment according to the response. Method and Materials: Two positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents were used to assess the response. Fluorodeoxygluocose (18F-FDG), a metabolic marker, is not ideal agent for monitoring tumor tissue response, because increased metabolism in response to radiotherapy due to inflammatory cells. 3′-deoxy-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT) has recently been proposed as a marker for imaging tumor proliferation. Several canine subjects with recurrent soft tissue sarcomas were repeatedly imaged with PET/CT before, during and after the radiation treatment. The tumors were treated with 60Co with one or two fractions of 8Gy. Approximately 200 MBq of FDG/FLT activity was administered per scan. Standard uptake values (SUV) were calculated to evaluate uptake in the tumor region, as well as in the surrounding organs. The CT data between the imaging sessions was co-registered and PET data compared. Results: Tumor response to therapy varied significantly between the subjects. High heterogeneity (up to 50%) of the tumor was observed in some of the cases. Early post treatment scans (3 days) showed already significant decrease in FLT uptake, followed by an increase 6 days after the treatment due to accelerated repopulation. Severe redistribution of the tumor proliferation potential was observed during the treatment. In the follow-up study 6-weeks post-treatment both, FDG and FLT PET showed low uptake in the tumor region (SUV=1.9 vs. SUV=1.0) with the slightly elevated FDG uptake on the periphery of the tumor. Conclusion: FLT proved to be a better treatment response monitoring agent than FDG. High heterogeneity of the proliferation activity, as well as redistribution of the proliferation potential indicates strong potential for treatment adaptation as well as potential problems with treatment planning.
Components of bottom-up gaze allocation in natural images

Recent research [Parkhurst, D., Law, K., & Niebur, E., 2002. Modeling the role of salience in the allocation of overt visual attention. Vision Research 42 (1) (2002) 107–123] showed that a model of bottom-up visual attention can account in part for the spatial locations fixated by humans while free-viewing complex natural and artificial scenes. That study used a definition of salience based on local detectors with coarse global surround inhibition. Here, we use a similar framework to investigate the roles of several types of non-linear interactions known to exist in visual cortex, and of eccentricity-dependent processing. For each of these, we added a component to the salience model, including richer interactions among orientation-tuned units, both at spatial short range (for clutter reduction) and long range (for contour facilitation), and a detailed model of eccentricity-dependent changes in visual processing. Subjects free-viewed naturalistic and artificial images while their eye movements were recorded, and the resulting fixation locations were compared with the models’ predicted salience maps. We found that the proposed interactions indeed play a significant role in the spatiotemporal deployment of attention in natural scenes; about half of the observed inter-subject variance can be explained by these different models. This suggests that attentional guidance does not depend solely on local visual features, but must also include the effects of interactions among features. As models of these interactions become more accurate in predicting behaviorally-relevant salient locations, they become useful to a range of applications in computer vision and human-machine interface design.
Transfer student adjustment

This chapter discusses the trends surrounding transfer students and highlights issues affecting these students. Also presented is a synthesis of research on transfer students, post-transfer adjustment process, and perspectives on college adjustment.
Systems of systems engineering education

System of systems engineering (SoSE) is a relatively new field of study as compared to other engineering disciplines and is often viewed as a mere extension of systems engineering, a relatively young discipline itself. As with all new disciplines, education in the emerging field is an important element of its development, or in some cases, its failure to develop. Education includes the domain within which the field of study exists and the requisite foundation for the associated body of knowledge. This paper reports on a tailored training programme in SoSE that has been designed to help provide a step-function increase in knowledge, skills, and abilities for the emerging workforce that work with systems of systems.
Nomogram to Predict Postoperative Readmission in Patients Who Undergo General Surgery

Importance The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have implemented penalties for hospitals with above-average readmission rates under the Hospital Readmissions Reductions Program. These changes will likely be extended to affect postoperative readmissions in the future. Objectives To identify variables that place patients at risk for readmission, develop a predictive nomogram, and validate this nomogram. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective review and prospective validation of a predictive nomogram. A predictive nomogram was developed with the linear predictor method using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database paired with institutional billing data for patients who underwent nonemergent inpatient general surgery procedures. The nomogram was developed from August 1, 2006, through December 31, 2011, in 2799 patients and prospectively validated from November 1, 2013, through December 19, 2013, in 255 patients at a single academic institution. Area under the curve and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Main Outcomes and Measures The outcome of interest was readmission within 30 days of discharge following an index hospitalization for a surgical procedure. Results Bleeding disorder (odds ratio, 2.549; 95% CI, 1.464-4.440), long operative time (odds ratio, 1.601; 95% CI, 1.186-2.160), in-hospital complications (odds ratio, 16.273; 95% CI, 12.028-22.016), dependent functional status, and the need for a higher level of care at discharge (odds ratio, 1.937; 95% CI, 1.176-3.190) were independently associated with readmission. The nomogram accurately predicted readmission (C statistic = 0.756) in a prospective evaluation. The negative predictive value was 97.9% in the prospective validation, while the positive predictive value was 11.1%. Conclusions and Relevance Development of an online calculator using this predictive model will allow us to identify patients who are at high risk for readmission at the time of discharge. Patients with increased risk may benefit from more intensive postoperative follow-up in the outpatient setting.
The Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Glycoprotein E (gE) Mediates IgG Binding and Cell-to-Cell Spread through Distinct gE Domains

Abstract Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein E (gE) is a multifunctional protein capable of both binding the Fc portion of IgG and mediating cell-to-cell spread of HSV-1. Here we report that the domain on gE involved in IgG binding is distinct from the domain involved in mediating cell-to-cell spread. To do this we have used five mutants of the HSV-1 strain NS: NS-gE null , a gE deletion virus; rNS-gE null , a gE rescued virus; NS-gE 339 , a gE mutant virus with a four amino acid insert at position 339; rNS-gE 339 , a gE rescue of NS-gE 339 ; and NS-gE 406 , a gE mutant virus with the same four amino acids inserted at position 406. Using IgG coated sheep red blood cells in rosetting assays, we show that the NS-gE 339 does not bind IgG, yet retains the ability to mediate normal cell-to-cell spread. These results demonstrate that the gE domain involved in IgG binding differs from the domain involved in cell-to-cell spread.
Management of the bariatric surgery patient: Is there a role for the cognitive behavior therapist?

Bariatric surgery has been recommended as a treatment for patients with clinically severe obesity (National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Panel, 1992). Although surgery leads to significant, long-term weight loss for a majority of patients, 20% of patients fail to lose a significant amount of weight or experience significant weight regain ( Benotti & Forse, 1995 ). Currently, there is little evidence to suggest who will or will not achieve satisfactory weight loss after bariatric surgery. In this article, we provide background information on the procedures of gastric bypass and gastroplasty, the associated risks and complications, and outcomes. We review studies on the relationship of psychological variables to weight loss after operation, including recent findings that binge eating may be associated with poorer long-term outcomes. We outline several important roles the cognitive behavior therapist can play in treating individuals in the preoperative, postoperative, and longer-term adjustment phases. The cognitive behavior therapist can make a significant contribution to the management of the bariatric surgery patient and in the development and evaluation of interventions to enhance compliance and maximize weight loss, psychosocial functioning, and health-related quality of life after surgery.
Demystifying the Poggendorff: A start

As is well known, little or no illusory misalignment occurs in a reduced Poggendorff pattern which consists of only the two acute angles, a failure which has been a problem for various proposed explanations of the misalignment seen in the complete classic pattern. Happily, however, that failure (as well, more important, as the power of the classic pattern) can be explained by a theory which encompasses both pictorial height-in-scene and illusory rotation-of-the-diagonals as contributing factors.
58 Inappropriate Glucose Consumption by the Erythrocytes of the Premature Infant

Although it is recognized that the red cells from premature infants consume more glucose than do the cells from adults no attempt has been made to determine if this increased glucose consumption is proportional to the younger mean age of the red cell population. Specific gravity separation revealed that 50 % of the red cells from the premature infant are as young as the youngest 10 % from adults. Red cell glucose consumption and lactic acid production was measured in 15 premature and 23 term infants, 23 adults and 12 subjects with reticulocytosis (mean 6.8%). Glucose consumption was related to cell age expressed as a function of red cell G-6-PD and glutamic-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) levels, both enzymes particularly GOT showing marked variation in red cell populations of differing ages. Red cell glucose consumption expressed as μM/ml RBC's/h/100 GOT u. averaged 0.121 in the adults, 0.094 in the group with reticulocytosis, 0.086 in the term infants and only 0.068 in the prematures. When glucose consumption was expressed as a function of 100 G-6-PD units values averaged 1.01 in the reticulocytosis group, 0.86 in the adults, 0.80 in the term infants, and 0.64 in the prematures. Both GOT/G-6-PD and lactate/glucose ratios were similar in the 4 groups. GOT averaged 2928 u/1010 RBC's in the reticulocytosis group, 2904 in the prematures, 2499 in the term infants, and 1196 in the adults. The red cells of the premature infant appear to consume less glucose than would be expected from their young cell age. This finding suggests that 1 or more regulatory steps in glycolysis may be operating at different Km's or that these cells utilize other substrates as a source of energy. (SPR)
Effect of reduced myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate expression on hippocampal mossy fiber development and spatial learning in mutant mice: Transgenic rescue and interactions with gene background

The myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a prominent protein kinase C (PKC) substrate in brain that is expressed highly in hippocampal granule cells and their axons, the mossy fibers. Here, we examined hippocampal infrapyramidal mossy fiber (IP-MF) limb length and spatial learning in heterozygous Macs mutant mice that exhibit an ≈50% reduction in MARCKS expression relative to wild-type controls. On a 129B6(N3) background, the Macs mutation produced IP-MF hyperplasia, a significant increase in hippocampal PKCɛ expression, and proficient spatial learning relative to wild-type controls. However, wild-type 129B6(N3) mice exhibited phenotypic characteristics resembling inbred 129Sv mice, including IP-MF hypoplasia relative to inbred C57BL/6J mice and impaired spatial-reversal learning, suggesting a significant contribution of 129Sv background genes to wild-type and possibly mutant phenotypes. Indeed, when these mice were backcrossed with inbred C57BL/6J mice for nine generations to reduce 129Sv background genes, the Macs mutation did not effect IP-MF length or hippocampal PKCɛ expression and impaired spatial learning relative to wild-type controls, which now showed proficient spatial learning. Moreover, in a different strain (B6SJL(N1), the Macs mutation also produced a significant impairment in spatial learning that was reversed by transgenic expression of MARCKS. Collectively, these data indicate that the heterozygous Macs mutation modifies the expression of linked 129Sv gene(s), affecting hippocampal mossy fiber development and spatial learning performance, and that MARCKS plays a significant role in spatial learning processes.
Deletion of a Genomic Segment Containing the Cardiac Troponin I Gene Knocks Down Expression of the Slow Troponin T Gene and Impairs Fatigue Tolerance of Diaphragm Muscle

The loss of slow skeletal muscle troponin T (TnT) results in a recessive nemaline myopathy in the Amish featured with lethal respiratory failure. The genes encoding slow TnT and cardiac troponin I (TnI) are closely linked. Ex vivo promoter analysis suggested that the 5′-enhancer region of the slow TnT gene overlaps with the structure of the upstream cardiac TnI gene. Using transgenic expression of exogenous cardiac TnI to rescue the postnatal lethality of a mouse line in which the entire cardiac TnI gene was deleted, we investigated the effect of enhancer deletion on slow TnT gene expression in vivo and functional consequences. The levels of slow TnT mRNA and protein were significantly reduced in the diaphragm muscle of adult double transgenic mice. The slow TnT-deficient (ssTnT-KD) diaphragm muscle exhibited atrophy and decreased ratios of slow versus fast isoforms of TnT, TnI, and myosin. Consistent with the changes toward more fast myofilament contents, ssTnT-KD diaphragm muscle required stimulation at higher frequency for optimal tetanic force production. The ssTnT-KD diaphragm muscle also exhibited significantly reduced fatigue tolerance, showing faster and more declines of force with slower and less recovery from fatigue as compared with the wild type controls. The natural switch to more slow fiber contents during aging was partially blunted in the ssTnT-KD skeletal muscle. The data demonstrated a critical role of slow TnT in diaphragm function and in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Amish nemaline myopathy.
A CALL TO CONGRESS TO GIVE BACK THE FUTURE: END THE “WAR ON DRUGS” AND ENCOURAGE STATES TO RECONSTRUCT THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM

While the “War on Drugs” has been criticized in many respects, there has been little attention given to the detrimental impact it has had on children. Fortunately, both state and federal governments are recognizing the problem and have begun taking steps to combat the negative effects the “War on Drugs” has had on children. More work however, still needs to be done. This Note advocates for Congress to amend the Juvenile Justice Delinquency and Prevention Act to induce states to offer rehabilitation to nonviolent youth drug offenders, rather than incarceration, which will reduce incarceration and its detrimental effect on children, promote public safety and save money. As a funding stipulation, the amendment will require states to develop and implement deinstitutionalization programs for nonviolent juvenile drug offenders.
Transition states for the dimerization of 1,3-cyclohexadiene: a DFT, CASPT2, and CBS-QB3 quantum mechanical investigation.

Quantum mechanical calculations using restricted and unrestricted B3LYP density functional theory, CASPT2, and CBS-QB3 methods for the dimerization of 1,3-cyclohexadiene (1) reveal several highly competitive concerted and stepwise reaction pathways leading to [4 + 2] and [2 + 2] cycloadducts, as well as a novel [6 + 4] ene product. The transition state for endo-[4 + 2] cycloaddition (endo-2TS, ΔH⧧B3LYP(0K) = 28.7 kcal/mol and ΔH⧧CBS-QB3(0K) = 19.0 kcal/mol) is not bis-pericyclic, leading to nondegenerate primary and secondary orbital interactions. However, the Cs symmetric second-order saddle point on the B3LYP energy surface is only 0.3 kcal/mol above endo-2TS. The activation enthalpy for the concerted exo-[4 + 2] cycloaddition (exo-2TS, ΔH⧧B3LYP(0K) = 30.1 kcal/mol and ΔH⧧CBS-QB3(0K) = 21.1 kcal/mol) is 1.4 kcal/mol higher than that of the endo transition state. Stepwise pathways involving diallyl radicals are formed via two different C−C forming transition states (rac-5TS and meso-5TS) and are predicte...
The Key to Myheart

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalization and death in the United States. Five-year mortality rates exceed 40% despite the current standard of care, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Because broad abnormalities in gene expression are central to HF pathogenesis, modulation of cardiac gene control mechanisms has become an area of intense therapeutic interest. Although progress has been made in understanding the gene-regulatory function small noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, in HF, the role of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) species in adult heart tissue is unknown. Now, Han et al. report the discovery of a cardioprotective lncRNA cluster named Myheart , establishing a role for lncRNAs in HF pathogenesis. Myheart is a cluster of conserved cardiac-specific lncRNAs originating from antisense transcription within the MYH7 (cardiac muscle β myosin heavy chain) locus. Myheart expression is reduced in pressure-overloaded mouse hearts and in heart tissues from patients with cardiomyopathy. During pathological stress, repression of Myheart is mediated by a protein called BRG1. Heart cell–specific overexpression of Mhrt779 (the most abundant transcript from this cluster) protected against cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart), scar buildup, and contractile dysfunction in a mouse model of pressure overload. Mhrt779 was found to interact with BRG1, and this RNA–protein interaction inhibited BRG1 recruitment and transcriptional activity at the Myh7 , Myh6 , and Opn loci. Future studies using unbiased screens for Myheart -interacting proteins, and genome-wide analyses of chromatin state and transcriptional activity will provide insight into potentially broader aspects of this lncRNA cluster’s function. This study is the first to implicate lncRNAs in HF pathogenesis and opens the door for a deeper understanding of how Myheart and other cardiac lncRNAs might function in this disease. Because RNAs can be chemically modified and delivered as drugs, the design of new therapeutics for human HF may be inspired by Mhrt779 . P. Han et al ., A long noncoding RNA protects the heart from pathological hypertrophy. Nature 10.1038/nature13596 (2014). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nature13596.html
Knowledge and Attitudes Among Dietetic Professionals Regarding Herbal Therapies

Abstract A random sample of 250 registered dietitians who are members of the New Jersey Dietetic Association was mailed a questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed to record knowledge of twelve currently popular herbal therapies and five attitude statements using a Likert-type scale. Ninety useable surveys were returned (36% return rate). All of the respondents were female and 73.3% were between 26 and 46 years of age. The highest degrees obtained were 56% bachelors, 40% masters, 3% doctorates; and 97% were registered dietitians. Most had been in practice Fifty percent or more were able to correctly identify the therapeutic indications for garlic, ginger, gingko biloba, St. John's wort, saw palmetto, echinacea, and ginseng. Only 28% to 34% correctly identified the therapeutic indications for dong quai, calendula, goldenseal, chaparral, and evening primrose. Thirty percent of the respondents felt comfortable counseling clients who use both conventional and herbal therapies. Forty-three percent feel there is a place for herbal therapy in disease treatment, while a majority (66%) disagreed with the statement that "there is no place for herbal therapy in disease treatment." However, only 28% felt comfortable recommending herbal therapies.
Airfoil Shape Optimization Using Sensitivity Analysis on Viscous Flow Equations

An aerodynamic shape optimization method has previously been developed by the authors using the Euler equations and has been applied to supersonic-hypersonic nozzle designs. This method has also included a flowfield extrapolation (or flow prediction) method based on the Taylor series expansion of an existing CFD solution. The present paper reports on the extension of this method to the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations in order to account for the viscous effects. Also, to test the method under highly nonlinear conditions, it has been applied to the transonic flows. Initially, the success of the flow prediction method is tested. Then, the overall method is demonstrated by optimizing the shapes of two supercritical transonic airfoils at zero angle of attack. The first one is shape optimized to achieve a minimum drag while obtaining a lift above a specified value. Whereas, the second one is shape optimized for a maximum lift while attaining a drag below a specified value. The results of these two cases indicate that the present method can produce successfully optimized aerodynamic shapes.
On Instability of a Bend Fréedericksz Configuration in Nematic Liquid Crystals

In this paper we discuss the stability of a uniform Freedericksz configuration in highly anisotropic thin nematic films. We show that the Freedericksz transition in a bend geometry is at least two-dimensional, and it occurs at field strengths lower than the known classical threshold.
Accounting for Athletic Performance: Race and Sportscaster Dialogue in NBC's 2008 Summer Olympic Telecast

The Olympic telecast is perhaps the most racially diverse in all of television, where athletes from many different racial backgrounds receive a substantial amount of airtime. This analysis explores racial differences within on-air dialogue in the 74.5 hours of NBC's 2008 primetime Olympic telecasts to determine whether depictions of athlete successes, failures, physical make-ups, and personalities alter significantly based on the race of the athlete being described. Results indicate that traditional dialogue divergences (such as White athletes being more hard working and Black athletes being innately skilled) were not prevalent, but that types of dialogue employed differed significantly in over a dozen taxonomical areas. Implications and directions for future research are explored.
Structure and orientational ordering of nitrogen molecules physisorbed on graphite

The structure and orientational ordering of nitrogen molecules physisorbed on graphite have been studied by low-energy diffraction (LEED). A two-sublattice in-plane herringbone structure with glide lines along two perpendicular directions is inferred from LEED patterns at T < 30 K from the monolayer where the molecular centers have the commensurate (3 × 3) 30° structure. The orientational order-disorder transition of this commensurate phase was examined by superlattice spot intensity and angular profile measurements for 20 < T < 38 K. A rapid drop in superlattice intensity is observed near 27 K. The persistence of some intensity to 38 K. is suggestive of residual short-range orientational ordering and perhaps finite size or heterogeneity effects. For increasing coverage at T = 15 K, there is first a transition to a previously unobserved uniaxial incommensurate phase and then a transition to an apparently triangular incommensurate phase. The orientational superlattice spots are clearly present in the uniaxial phase, but are much weaker in the triangular incommensurate phase. At 31 < T < 35 K, an apparently triangular incommensurate phase with no detectable orientational superlattice spots is observed. The lattice constant versus equilibrium vapor pressure curve has been determined in the latter case assuming a continuous transition. The lattice constants of the incommensurate phases are used to place limits on the extent of possible phase-coexistence regions between the commensurate, uniaxial incommensurate, and triangular incommensurate phases. The LEED patterns from the bilayer at T = 15 K indicate a double-period superlattice structure of the triangular incommensurate phase which does not have the glide line symmetries of the commensurate monolayer. Some effects of heterogeneity on these phase transitions are discussed. A phase diagram for 10 < T < 40 K is proposed.
Frequent abnormalities of TSG101 transcripts in human prostate cancer

TSG101 has been identified as a candidate tumor suppressor gene and abnormal transcripts have been identified in a substantial fraction of breast cancers. To determine whether TSG101 expression is commonly altered in other tumors, a series of 15 primary and metastatic prostate cancers were analysed by reverse transcriptase-PCR amplification. Abnormal transcripts with extensive deletions in the coding region were found in nine of these tumors, while only the normal transcript was found in control and benign prostatic hypertrophy tissues. More than one abnormal transcript was found in four of these nine cases and distinct abnormal TSG101 transcripts were found in separate biopsies taken from one tumor. Importantly, the normal TSG101 transcript was undetectable in two metastatic prostate cancers, indicating the absence of TSG101 protein. Sequence analysis demonstrated that there were at least six distinct deletions, with four of these deletions found in more than one tumor sample. The most commonly identified deletion, from bp 153 to 1055, was identical to a deletion reported previously in breast cancer. These results demonstrate that TSG101 transcripts are frequently abnormal in prostate cancer and suggest that loss of TSG101 protein contributes to disease development or progression.
Huntingtin promotes mTORC1 signaling in the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease.

In patients with Huntington’s disease (HD), the protein huntingtin (Htt) has an expanded polyglutamine (poly-Q) tract. HD results in early loss of medium spiny neurons in the striatum, which impairs motor and cognitive functions. Identifying the physiological role and molecular functions of Htt may yield insight into HD pathogenesis. We found that Htt promotes signaling by mTORC1 [mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1] and that this signaling is potentiated by poly-Q–expanded Htt. Knocking out Htt in mouse embryonic stem cells or human embryonic kidney cells attenuated amino acid–induced mTORC1 activity, whereas overexpressing wild-type or poly-Q–expanded Htt in striatal neuronal cells increased basal mTOR activity. Striatal cells expressing endogenous poly-Q–expanded Htt showed an increase in the number and size of mTOR puncta on the perinuclear regions compared to cells expressing wild-type Htt. Pull-down experiments indicated that amino acids stimulated the interaction of Htt and the guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Rheb (a protein that stimulates mTOR activity), and that Htt forms a ternary complex with Rheb and mTOR. Pharmacologically inhibiting PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase) or knocking down Rheb abrogated mTORC1 activity inducedbyexpressionofapoly-Q–expandedamino-terminalHttfragment.Moreover,striatum-specificdeletion of TSC1, encoding tuberous sclerosis 1, a negative regulator of mTORC1, accelerated the onset of motor coordination abnormalities and caused premature death in an HD mouse model. Together, our findings demonstrate that mutant Htt contributes to the pathogenesis of HD by enhancing mTORC1 activity.
Radiology Nursing with the Asian Population

Abstract Radiology nursing is a semiautonomous nursing specialty, with professional development requirements related to cultural competency. Standards of cultural competence in radiology nursing are presented and applied to the resolution of three encounters with Asian American patients based on real-life incidents. Recommendations are offered for personal and organizational enhancement of cultural competency as a strategy for quality improvement in patient care, especially for the Asian American population.
Improved target detection through OFDM radar signal's frequency analysis

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a novel modulation scheme for modern radar systems. Using OFDM frequency domain constructed pulses, individual frequency components (sub-carriers) can be processed independently. A likelihood ratio test (LRT) can then be performed on each sub-carrier and conclusions can be drawn based on adaptive thresholds derived from constant false alarm rate (CFAR) performance. This paper focuses on improving detection by using only sub-carriers with the highest variance of responses.
Thinking about Production: Phenomenological Classification and Lexical Semantics

Evaluating and rethinking central disciplinary ideas is an essential part of the process of developing knowledge and understanding. Part of the process is the consideration of how we define and classify the phenomena we study. Many of the chapters in this book explore the continuing salience of entrenched ideas about production and offer up either reworked definitions or new categories of objects and behaviors related to production. Careful reflection on these essays reveals why it is equally important to consider how we identify these phenomena in archaeological contexts.
Metallorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition of Ir Films With Iridium Acetylacetonate and Carbonyl Precursors

Iridium acetylacetonate, dicarbonylacetylacetonato iridium, and tetrakisiridium dodecacarbonyl (iridium carbonyl) have been evaluated for metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of pure iridium films. Temperature programmed mass spectroscopy reveals that iridium tris-acetylacetonate and dicarbonylacetylactonato iridium have high thermal stability and sublime at 200 and 100 °C in vacuum, respectively. Iridium carbonyl decomposes upon sublimation at temperatures above 120 °C. Pure CVD Ir films were obtained using iridium carbonyl; however, carbon is incorporated into the iridium films with the iridium trisacetylacetonate and dicarbonylacetylactonato iridium precursors unless a reactive gas, such as oxygen is co-dosed. Co-dosed oxygen also increases the film deposition rate and significantly decreases the film growth temperatures. Particles were found on the films grown with iridium carbonyl between 280 to 400 °C, indicating that gas phase nucleation occurred during deposition.
Genetic diversity of vaccine candidate antigens in Plasmodium falciparum isolates from the Amazon basin of Peru

Several of the intended Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidate antigens are highly polymorphic and could render a vaccine ineffective if their antigenic sites were not represented in the vaccine. In this study, characterization of genetic variability was performed in major B and T-cell epitopes within vaccine candidate antigens in isolates of P. falciparum from Peru. DNA sequencing analysis was completed on 139 isolates of P. falciparum collected from endemic areas of the Amazon basin in Loreto, Peru from years 1998 to 2006. Genetic diversity was determined in immunological important regions in circumsporozoite protein (CSP), merozoite surface protein-1 (MSP-1), apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1), liver stage antigen-1 (LSA-1) and thrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP). Alleles identified by DNA sequencing were aligned with the vaccine strain 3D7 and DNA polymorphism analysis and FST study-year pairwise comparisons were done using the DnaSP software. Multilocus analysis (MLA) was performed and average of expected heterozygosity was calculated for each loci and haplotype over time. Three different alleles for CSP, seven for MSP-1 Block 2, one for MSP-1 Block 17, three for AMA-1 and for LSA-1 each and one for TRAP were identified. There were 24 different haplotypes in 125 infections with complete locus typing for each gene. Characterization of the genetic diversity in Plasmodium isolates from the Amazon Region of Peru showed that P. falciparum T and B cell epitopes in these antigens have polymorphisms more similar to India than to Africa. These findings are helpful in the formulation of a vaccine considering restricted repertoire populations.
Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Environmental School Transition Anxiety Scale

A pilot study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the Environmental School Transition Anxiety Scale (E-STAS) with a sample of 220 fourth- to sixth-grade students who were about to or had completed their school transition. The results of an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the students’ responses on the E-STAS produced a two-factor (Academic and School Organization) structure. The E-STAS scores demonstrated adequate internal consistency reliability and 1- to 3-week test score stability. Gender differences were also found on the E-STAS, with females outscoring males. In addition, the results of correlational analyses provided support for the convergent and discriminant validity of the E-STAS scores. Implications of the findings for school professionals are discussed.
Spouse stressors while awaiting heart transplantation

Abstract Objective The objectives of this study were to identify common stressors experienced by spouses of heart transplantation (HT) candidates; to identify differences in stressors among spouses of HT candidates based on selected demographic variables; and to report preliminary psychometric data on the newly developed Spouse Transplant Stressor Scale. Design Comparative, cross-sectional survey. Sample Spouses of 85 HT candidates awaiting HT at midwestern and southeastern medical centers and a midwestern Department of Veterans Affairs hospital. Measures Spouse Transplant Stressor Scale (Collins), an investigator-developed rating form and demographic data sheet. Results Spouses of HT candidates reported high levels of stress during the wait for a donor heart. Factors related directly to the transplantation experience were rated as the most stressful. Fear that the patient (partner) would die before a heart became available was the worst stressor for the spouses. Working spouses perceived more stressors related to responsibility, socioeconomics, and self. Stressors associated with the transplantation process itself were equally stressful for spouses who work and spouses who do not work.
Benign fibrous stenosis of the common duct

Abstract 1. 1. A case of benign fibrous stenosis of the pancreatic portion of the common duct in an adult that resembles the pathology found in the congenital type of benign fibrous stenosis is reported. 2. 2. The literature of fibrous stenosis of the common duct and its causes is reviewed. 3. 3. The causes suggested in the previously reported cases and the findings in the present report do not explain the lesions found, so far.
Laminated composite open profile sections: first order shear deformation theory

This paper presents a Vlasov type modified first order shear deformation theory to analyze the dynamic response of open-profile sections made of laminated composite materials. A variational mathematical approach is adopted to derive all the necessary field equations in two dimensions for sections subjected to non-uniform torsion. The basic field equations include all the necessary shear deformation terms in a consistent manner, such as that based on the Reissner and Mindlin type of theory, and, unlike other existing theories, do not violate any essential kinematic conditions and/or the basic assumptions. The initial and boundary conditions are obtained directly from the variational principle. Some special geometric and material properties are proposed for potential simplification of the basic field equations.
Identification of Sensitive Predictors of Levator Ani Tear during First Complex Vaginal Birth

Objective To determine maternal characteristics and birth events most predictive of increasing severity of levator ani tears, a recognized predisposing factor to pelvic floor disorders later in a woman's lifespan, so that prevention strategies may be developed. Significance Several studies link vaginal birth with levator ani tears resulting in increased risk of developing pelvic floor disorders later in life. The events of vaginal birth that contribute to development of levator ani tears and how these factors are linked are not explicitly known. Prior retrospective investigations indicated age greater than 33 years, use of forceps or vacuum, more than 150 minutes in second stage, anal sphincter tear, or macrosomic infant greater than 4000 grams were risk factors for levator ani tears. Taken together, we refer to women who had at least one of these factors as having a “complex” birth. Methods We purposefully recruited and enrolled primiparous women immediately postpartum who experienced a complex vaginal birth. Participants were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 2 months postpartum. Severity level of levator ani tears was graded by degree of muscle volume loss measured on an ordinal scale as: 0) none, 1) less than 50% loss unilateral, 2) greater than or equal to 50% unilateral or less than 50% bilateral, and 3) greater than or equal to 50% bilateral. During analysis additional risk factors considered included episiotomy, infant head circumference, duration of active pushing, and use of epidural and oxytocin. Ordinal logistic regression was used for analysis with significance at P < .05 for univariate predictors. Findings Ninety women successfully completed the MRI and the majority (64.4%) showed no visible levator ani muscle loss, 10% showed only minor muscle volume loss, with 25.8% in severe muscle loss categories. Significant predictors of tear severity were time spent in active pushing (P = 0.04), not total time in second stage, and age (P = 0.02). Use of episiotomy was not statistically significant (P = 0.05). Discussion Despite recruiting women who experienced a complex birth, only about a quarter actually had clinically relevant levator ani tears. In this investigation of at-risk women, significant predictors of levator ani tear severity included increasing age and duration of active pushing. When considering prevention, age is not modifiable, but monitoring active pushing time and potentially avoiding episiotomy warrant further investigation. Funding NIH Funding R21HD049818 and P50HD044406 002.
Steam gasification of plant biomass using molten carbonate salts

Abstract This paper explores the use of molten alkali-carbonate salts as a reaction and heat transfer medium for steam gasification of plant biomass with the objectives of enhanced heat transfer, faster kinetics, and increased thermal capacitance compared to gasification in an inert gas. The intended application is a solar process in which concentrated solar radiation is the sole source of heat to drive the endothermic production of synthesis gas. The benefits of gasification in a molten ternary blend of lithium, potassium, and sodium carbonate salts is demonstrated for cellulose, switchgrass, a blend of perennial plants, and corn stover through measurements of reaction rate and product composition in an electrically heated reactor. The feedstocks are gasified with steam at 1200 K in argon and in the molten salt. The use of molten salt increases the total useful syngas production by up to 25%, and increases the reactivity index by as much as 490%. Secondary products, in the form of condensable tar, are reduced by 77%.
Rectifiers for suppressing depolarization caused by differential transmission and phase shift in high NA lenses

We report on the theoretical analysis, measurement and active rectification of depolarization caused by the differential transmission and phase shift of p- and s- polarized components of an axial beam passing through lens surfaces. Our theoretical analysis finds the polarization of output rays as a function of the input ray parameters, the shape factor and refractive index of the lenses used. For rays that are inclined to the optical axis we find optimal lens shape factors that minimize the rays' polarization aberrations. We report measurements of polarization aberrations that were detected in the back-focal plane of a modern microscope equipped with high numerical aperture lenses. Finally, we discuss strategies for polarization rectification and introduce new designs including a liquid crystal rectifier that can actively compensate a wide variety of polarization aberrations.