cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing landscape-scale tree invasion using survey notes in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, USA.

We assessed landscape-scale invasions of openings in mountain forests by native tree species since EuroAmerican settlement (ca. 1870–1899). We reconstructed historical openings across a 250,240 ha area in the Medicine Bow Mountains, Wyoming, using notes from the original General Land Office (GLO) surveys, and compared historical openings to modern openings interpreted from digital aerial photography. We constructed logistic regression models to describe and predict tree invasion, based on a set of environmental and land use predictors. Openings have decreased by about 7.3% in the last ca. 110 years. Invasion was more likely to occur on moister sites, indicated by high values for steady-state wetness, low values for evaporative demand, proximity to streams, and topographic settings in basins or channels. More invasion also occurred on unprotected public land, in openings surrounded by lodgepole pine and aspen, and on mesic soils. The relatively slow rates of invasion in the study area may be driven by climate and land use.
Inhibitors of Urokinase and Thrombin in Cultured Neural Cells

Recent studies have suggested important roles for certain proteases and protease inhibitors in the growth and development of the CNS. In the present studies, inhibitors of urokinase or thrombin in cultured neural cells and serum-free medium from the cells were identified by screening for components that formed sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable complexes with 125I-urokinase or 125I-thrombin. Rinsed glioblastoma possessed two components that complexed 125I-urokinase. One was type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), because the 125I-urokinase-containing complexes were immunoprecipitated with anti-PAI-1 antibodies. The other component formed complexes with 125I-urokinase that were not recognized by antibodies to PAI-1 or protease nexin-1 (PN-1). Its identity is unknown. In addition to these cell-bound components, the glioblastoma cells also secreted two inhibitors that formed complexes with 125I-urokinase; one was PAI-1, and the other was PN-1. The secreted PN-1 also formed complexes with 125I-thrombin. It was the only thrombin inhibitor detected in these studies. Human neuroblastoma cells did not contain components that formed detectable complexes with either 125I-urokinase or 125I-thrombin. However, human neuroblastoma cells did contain very low levels of PN-1 mRNA and PN-1 protein. Added PN-1 bound to the surface of both glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells. This interaction accelerated the inhibition of thrombin by PN-1 and blocked the ability of PN-1 to form complexes with 125I-urokinase. Thus, cell-bound PN-1 was a specific thrombin inhibitor.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analog giant dipole Ni(n, p) at 59.6 MeV

A broad enhancement above the continuum observed in 58, 60, 62, 64Ni(n, p) at 59.6 MeV is interpreted as the parent analog of the T> component of the giant dipole resonance. A continuum parameterization is used to extract the resonance cross section. The angular distributions for the state are most consistent with the Steinwedel-Jensen model for the giant dipole. The sum-rule strength is somewhat greater than observed with photonuclear measurements. A measurement of the blocking of the cross section with neutron excess is made, and is consistent with theoretical predictions.
Quantum Measurement and Feedback with Atomic Hyperfine Spins

I will review our ongoing research on continuous non-demolition measurement of collective hyperfine spin in a dilute cloud of laser-cooled Cesium atoms. Connections with quantum filtering, parameter estimation and quantum information theory will be highlighted.
Unlocking the potential of half-metallic Sr 2 FeMoO 6 films through controlled stoichiometry and double-perovskite ordering

Phase-pure, fully epitaxial ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{FeMoO}}_{6}$ films with a high degree of Fe/Mo ordering have been fabricated using ultrahigh vacuum sputtering and verified by a variety of techniques. Through identifying and controlling critical factors, such as stoichiometry, phase purity, and double-perovskite ordering, that complicate the growth of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{FeMoO}}_{6}$ films, we demonstrate characteristics of high-quality ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{FeMoO}}_{6}$ films that have not been shown before. Our results include the first report of distinct magnetic shape anisotropy and via scanning transmission electron microscopy, the first direct observation of clear Fe/Mo ordering within the double perovskite framework.
Medicare’s Bundled Payment Initiative: Most Hospitals Are Focused On A Few High-Volume Conditions

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement initiative is a federally funded innovation model mandated by the Affordable Care Act. It is designed to help transition Medicare away from fee-for-service...
Is proximal aortic neck dilatation after endovascular aneurysm exclusion a cause for concern

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent and frequency of dilatation of the proximal aortic neck over time after endovascular exclusion of abdominal aortic aneurysms and the effect on the continued integrity of the repair. Methods: Patients enrolled in the multicenter tube and bifurcated trials of the Guidant–Endovascular Technologies Ancure endografting system and at least 1 year of follow-up were reviewed. Neck diameter measurements were obtained from computed tomography scans that were obtained with and without contrast by an independent core laboratory facility. The diameter was considered to be the minor axis of the first slice at which point at least one half of the proximal attachment frame was located. A change exceeding 2.5 mm was considered to be significant. Results: At 1 year, 13% of the patients (42/314 patients) showed evidence of proximal neck dilatation, with a mean diameter increase of 4.8 ± 2.4 mm. The proportion of patients with dilatation increased to 21% at 2 years (48/226 patients) and 19% at 3 years (11/59 patients). The initial presence of an endoleak, the neck length, and the aneurysm size had no clear effect on the development of neck enlargement. Initial neck diameter was inversely related to and the strongest predictor of later dilatation. Graft oversizing was not an independent predictor of neck dilatation on multivariate analysis. Only one migration of the proximal attachment system was observed during follow-up. Conclusion: Most proximal aortic necks remain stable, but approximately 20% of necks increase in diameter by 2 years. Smaller necks dilate more often than larger ones. This effect is independent from the frequent oversizing of grafts in smaller necks. The integrity of the repair remains good at 3 years of follow-up. (J Vasc Surg 2001;33:S39-45.)
Studies on thyroid hormone metabolism in children.

Summary Serum protein bound iodine and thyroxine-binding capacity and the rates of metabolism of I131 labeled thyroxine and triiodothyronine were estimated in 19 euthyroid children. While serum protein bound iodine and thyroxine-binding capacity did not differ from adult values, thyroid hormones were utilized at faster turnover rates in the child. The mean half life for thyroxine was 4.95 days and that for triiodothyronine 1.13 days. The mean turnover rates were 19.7 and 72.2 per cent per day, respectively. When expressed in micrograms per unit of surface area or unit of body weight per day, the degradation rate is higher in the child than in the adult.
Elastoplastic Mesoscale Homogenization of Composite Materials

Mesoscale homogenization provides a computationally efficient way of capturing some degree of local variation in the behavior of a composite microstructure. In this work, techniques are explored in which the local two-phase microstructure is homogenized using the moving-window generalized method of cells (GMC) technique. Both elastic and plastic material behavior is investigated using GMC-generated anisotropic stress-strain curves. An optimization procedure is used to define Hill’s yield criterion parameters which best fit the GMC-generated data. Two perfectly plastic models are developed based on the GMC results; these are called the subcell initial yield model and the matrix average yield model. A technique is also developed which incorporates hardening behavior. Different windowing techniques are investigated: an overlapping windowing technique which requires more computational time, and a nonoverlapping technique which requires less computational time. It is found that the matrix average model using s...
Some consequences for solids of the non-local topology of valence orbital interactions

Abstract A semi-empirical method for detemining structural stability in molecules and in certain solids is presented. The method is related to the resonance energy concept of HMO theory. A general topological stability index is defined and shown to be well correlated with molecular properties. The stability of graphite, reconstruction of the Si(111) surface, and the problem of metallic hydrogen are discussed in connection with this topological index.
Minimal Change Disease and Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are both common causes of the nephrotic syndrome. Minimal change disease accounts for greater than 90% of cases of nephrotic syndrome in children, vs. 10% to 15% of adults with nephrotic syndrome (1). Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis has been increasing in incidence in the United States in both African Americans and in Hispanics, in both adult and pediatric populations (2–4). It is now the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults in the U.S. Patients with FSGS may have hypertension and hematuria. Serologic studies, including complement levels, are typically within normal limits in both MCD and FSGS.
Replication of the Second-Order Factor Structure of Cattell's 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire

different occupations, which span a wide range of occupatiod groups. The subjects' primary factor scores, in stens, were subjected to factor analyses using the promax and the varirnax rotation methods; negligible differences in the results were found. The scree tests from these preliminary runs indicated the retention of seven second-order fsctors. Using the root mean square method of approximation of cornmunality, elgenvalues became negative after the seventh factor. Accordingly, seven factors were retained, rotated to the varimax criterion, and then subjected to four hand rotations via SOUPAC'S ROTOPLOT.' Hyperplane count at f .05 was increased from 37% (for the initial varimax solution) to 65%; at l this factor lacks the Factors A and H needed for QIII, and the loadings of Factors 1 and M are signed oppositely to those in QIII (direction of these loadings is reversed in the table). The factor more closely matches the description of QVI, Prodigal subjectivity, given by Cattell, et a1. (1970) in Table 10.3. However, the latter differs from his summary loadings (see Table 1). The sixth factor found here is Intelligence, Cattell's QVIII, and the seventh is Cattell's QV, Discreteness, without the involvement of Factor A. In this study, quite strong replication of five of Cattell's eight second-stratum personality factors was obtained, plus a good replication of two more: congruency coefficients (r,) range from .81 for Control to .93 for Anxiety and Exvia; see Table 1.
An automated fluorometric assay for alkaline phosphatase using 3-O-methylfluorescein phosphate

Abstract Refrigenation of the substrate 3-O-methylfluoreseein phosphate and attention to cleanliness of the glassware conferred sufficient stability to allow development of an automated fluorometric procedure for measurement of alkaline phosphatase activity at rates of up to 60 samples per hour over the range 0.2–5.6 picomoles/ml of 3-O-methylfluorescein liberated per minute incubation at 37°C. Optimum reagent concentrations were determined which produced linear relationships between fluorescence produced by increasing concentrations of enzyme and by increasing time of incubation.
Photo-Oxidation of High Performance Epoxy Networks: Correlation between the Molecular Mechanisms of Degradation and the Viscoelastic and Mechanical Response

The photo-oxidative degradation of a highly cross-linked epoxide/diamine network has been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic-mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and compressive mechanical tests. The FTIR measurements allowed us to monitor the degradation process and to obtain reliable kinetic data. Two dimensional infrared (2D IR) correlation spectroscopy, was employed to analyze the spectra collected as a function of time. This approach effectively enhanced the spectral resolution and revealed details about the reaction mechanism hardly detectable in the one-dimensional, frequency domain. In particular, the sites of initiation of the auto-oxidative sequence were identified, and the main pathways through which the degradation reaction proceeds were proposed. Dynamic-mechanical measurements performed in a multifrequency mode were used to reveal the effect of the photo-oxidative degradation on the relaxation processes of the epoxy network. It was found that the Tg decreases with increasing the exposu...
Differential Lexical and Semantic Spreading Activation in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is known to be associated with disruption in semantic networks. Previous studies examining changes in spreading activation in AD have used a lexical decision task paradigm. We have used a paradigm based on average word frequencies obtained from the words generated on the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT) and the Animal Naming (AN) test. The COWAT and AN tests were administered to a group of 25 patients with AD and 20 control participants. We predicted that the patients with AD would have higher average word frequencies on the COWAT and AN tests than the control participants. The results indicated that the AD group generated words with a higher average word frequency on the AN test but a lower average word frequency on the COWAT. The reasons for the discrepancy in average word frequencies on the AN test and COWAT are discussed.
Hydrogen sulfide stimulates ischemic vascular remodeling through nitric oxide synthase and nitrite reduction activity regulating hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor-dependent angiogenesis.

Background Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) therapy is recognized as a modulator of vascular function during tissue ischemia with the notion of potential interactions of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. However, little is known about specific biochemical mechanisms or the importance of H 2 S activation of NO metabolism during ischemic tissue vascular remodeling. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of H 2 S on NO metabolism during chronic tissue ischemia and subsequent effects on ischemic vascular remodeling responses. Methods and Results The unilateral, permanent femoral artery ligation model of hind-limb ischemia was performed in C57BL/6J wild-type and endothelial NO synthase–knockout mice to evaluate exogenous H 2 S effects on NO bioavailability and ischemic revascularization. We found that H 2 S selectively restored chronic ischemic tissue function and viability by enhancing NO production involving both endothelial NO synthase and nitrite reduction mechanisms. Importantly, H 2 S increased ischemic tissue xanthine oxidase activity, hind-limb blood flow, and angiogenesis, which were blunted by the xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat. H 2 S treatment increased ischemic tissue and endothelial cell hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression and activity and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression and function in a NO-dependent manner that was required for ischemic vascular remodeling. Conclusions These data demonstrate that H 2 S differentially regulates NO metabolism during chronic tissue ischemia, highlighting novel biochemical pathways to increase NO bioavailability for ischemic vascular remodeling.
Deficiency in 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 30-Day Mortality in Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

Background Vitamin D has immunomodulating properties. Objective To determine if vitamin D deficiency within 30 days of admission to the intensive care unit in patients with sepsis might be associated with increased all-cause 30-day mortality. Methods In a retrospective cohort study at a large, tertiary, urban, academic medical center, records of patients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels measured within 30 days of admission for severe sepsis or septic shock from June 2006 to April 2011 were examined. Patients were considered deficient in vitamin D if its serum concentration was 15 ng/mL or less. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day mortality. Results Among the 121 patients in the sample, 65 (54%) were vitamin D deficient. Baseline demographics were similar between vitamin D deficient and nondeficient groups, except that the vitamin D deficient group had more African Americans (P = .01). All-cause 30-day mortality was significantly higher in patients deficient in vitamin D (37% vs 20%; P = .04) and remained higher at 90 days (51% vs 25%, P = .005). In multivariate analysis, age (odds ratio, 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.07; P = .01) and vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.39-18.8; P = .02) were independently associated with increased 30-day mortality. Conclusion Patients deficient in vitamin D within 30 days of hospital admission for severe sepsis or septic shock may be at increased risk for all-cause 30-day mortality.
Adversarial stylometry: Circumventing authorship recognition to preserve privacy and anonymity

The use of stylometry, authorship recognition through purely linguistic means, has contributed to literary, historical, and criminal investigation breakthroughs. Existing stylometry research assumes that authors have not attempted to disguise their linguistic writing style. We challenge this basic assumption of existing stylometry methodologies and present a new area of research: adversarial stylometry. Adversaries have a devastating effect on the robustness of existing classification methods. Our work presents a framework for creating adversarial passages including obfuscation, where a subject attempts to hide her identity, and imitation, where a subject attempts to frame another subject by imitating his writing style, and translation where original passages are obfuscated with machine translation services. This research demonstrates that manual circumvention methods work very well while automated translation methods are not effective. The obfuscation method reduces the techniques' effectiveness to the level of random guessing and the imitation attempts succeed up to 67p of the time depending on the stylometry technique used. These results are more significant given the fact that experimental subjects were unfamiliar with stylometry, were not professional writers, and spent little time on the attacks. This article also contributes to the field by using human subjects to empirically validate the claim of high accuracy for four current techniques (without adversaries). We have also compiled and released two corpora of adversarial stylometry texts to promote research in this field with a total of 57 unique authors. We argue that this field is important to a multidisciplinary approach to privacy, security, and anonymity.
Local site effects and dynamic soil behavior

Amplitudes of seismic waves increase significantly as they pass through soft soil layers near the earth's surface. This phenomenon, commonly known as site amplification, is a major factor influencing the extent of damage on structures. It is crucial that site amplification is accounted for when designing structures on soft soils. The characteristics of site amplification at a given site can be estimated by analytical models, as well as field tests. Analytical models require as inputs the geometry of all soil layers from surface to bedrock, their dynamic properties (e.g. density, wave velocity, damping), and the incident bedrock motions. Field tests involve recording and analyzing the dynamic response of sites to artificial excitations, ambient forces, and actual earthquakes. The most reliable estimates of site amplification are obtained by analyzing the recorded motions of the site during strong earthquakes. This paper presents a review of the types and the generating mechanisms of site amplification, and the models and methods that are used to characterize them from earthquake records.
Role of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators in Patients With Continuous Flow Ventricular Assist Devices

The management of advanced heart failure has been transformed in the past 2 decades by the advent of cardiac implantable electronic devices, such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy, and more recently the left ventricular assist device (LVAD). All 3 of these devices have been found to improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure.1–6 Cardiac resynchronization augments cardiac output by coordinating the timing of intrinsic muscular contraction to enhance its efficiency in patients with preexisting dyssynchrony. After LVAD placement, the contribution of native LV activity may be negligible, so that continued LV pacing likely does not significantly enhance cardiac function. However, LVAD recipients remain at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) that may adversely affect right ventricular function, preload, and cardiac output. VAs (including ventricular fibrillation) are often tolerated for prolonged time periods in LVAD recipients, permitting patients to seek medical care when symptoms are present. In this setting, the incremental survival benefit of ICDs and LVADs in combination is not clear and, indeed, controversial. Enriquez et al7 report important data in this edition of Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology . This article is the largest study so far to examine this question in patients receiving the most commonly implanted LVAD at this time, and the only device Food and Drug Administration approved for bridge to transplant and destination therapy, the Heartmate II continuous flow device. Article see p 668 The investigators report the clinical outcomes and survival of a cohort of 106 patients, the majority of whom received an LVAD as bridge to cardiac transplantation. Patients surviving <30 days after implant were excluded, but are referenced separately in the article. After LVAD implantation, 36.7% of patients did not have …
Photoelectrocatalytic degradation of Remazol Brilliant Orange 3R on titanium dioxide thin-film electrodes

Abstract Degradation of reactive dye Remazol Brilliant Orange 3R (RBO) has been performed using photoeletrocatalysis. A biased potential is applied across a titanium dioxide thin-film photoelectrode illuminated by UV light. It is suggested that charges photogenerated at the electrode surface give rise to chlorine generation and powerful oxidants (OH ) that causes the dye solution to decolorize. Rate constants calculated from color decay versus time reveal a first-order reaction up to 5.0×10 −5 mol l −1 in dye concentration. The best experimental conditions were found to be pH 6.0 and 1.0 mol l −1 NaCl when the photoelectrode was biased at +1 V (versus SCE). Almost complete mineralization of the dye content (70% TOC reduction) was achieved in a 3-h period using these conditions. Effects of other electrolytes, dye concentration and applied potentials also have been investigated and are discussed.
Recommendations for environmental design research correlating falls and the physical environment

The risk of falls by aging individuals (55 years or older) is increased by physical elements within the built environment. Many environmental factors are considered high-risk hazards that can lead to serious injuries such as hip fractures. This article lists the design features most often mentioned in the literature as possible contributing factors to falls that result in injury. In addition, recommendations for research to assist designers, architects, planners, facilities management teams, and health care providers in designing physical environments that meet the specific requirements of individual users are offered. With concrete empirical research, the risk of falls and consequent injuries can be reduced, making the built environment safer and more user-friendly.
Molecular cloning of genes encoding gram-positive virulence factors.

Among both scientific and commercial reasons for cloning genes related to bacterial virulence, the most compelling is the contribution that analysis of cloned virulence determinants can make to advancing an understanding of infectious disease. Establishment of an infectious disease is the result of an imbalance in the steady-state “host-parasite” relationship. As the host defense mechanisms are many and interrelated, the ability of a bacterium to invade and cause disease is the result of the complex interaction of many bacterial traits. To understand bacterial pathogenicity, then, it is essential to isolate and characterize the components of this multifactorial process, identify regulatory features, and assess their respective contribution to the infectious disease. Recombinant DNA technology provides the necessary tool for isolating the genes encoding virulence factors.
Clinical effects and plasma concentration determination after 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 200 mg/kg administration in the dog.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects and to determine the 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid plasma concentrations after a dose of twice the reported LD50 (100 mg/kg) was administered orally to dogs. Investigation included electromyographic evaluations and biochemical parameter determinations, as well as observable clinical signs. Methods: Six beagle dogs were administered 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid 200 mg/kg orally. Dogs were monitored for the development of clinical signs and were anesthetized at 24 hours for needle electromyography. Blood was collected pre- and 24-hours postadministration. Plasma was analyzed for total and unbound 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Serum was submitted for clinical chemistry parameter analysis. Statistical analyses of the chemistry parameters were performed using paired t-tests. Results: All 6 dogs survived after oral administration of twice the reported LD50. Clinical signs observed were vomit...
The Humanism Is in the Details: An Insider's Account of Humanistic Modifications to a Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Program in a Maximum-Security Prison

The cognitive-behavioral and humanistic approaches to treatment are often considered to be inherently at odds with one another, because cognitive-behavioral programs often follow a rigid format whereas humanistic programs explicitly accommodate the individuality of offenders. Drawing on observations from an in-depth, on-site immersion in a prison treatment program, the authors demonstrate that these seemingly disparate approaches can be merged in practice with positive results, particularly when used in conjunction with an emphasis on mature coping skills.
Magnetic Response of Clustered UXO Targets

The objective of many recent UXO surveys has been described as “wide-area assessment” with the purpose of obtaining better definition of a known problem area. The targets of interest are clusters of ordnance, fragments and debris which are all indicators of greater contamination, higher risk of UXO hazard and higher remediation or construction costs. This is a different problem from the detection and discrimination of individual anomalies. This paper provides a definition of a “cluster” based on the amount of overlap between individual dipole signatures. In total field surveys, magnetic anomalies overlap significantly and show an increased amplitude response once the individual sources are spaced closer than 0.5 times the sensor height. When this condition is extended over a large area, such as the center of a target site, the result can be comparable to a horizontal sheet of dipoles. The equations to simulate a horizontal sheet are derived, and from these the relative density of targets may be calculated from the measured data by assuming a nominal target moment. Two field tests support both the qualitative and quantitative predictions. Extending this concept to field practice, we examine some of the implications for standard operational procedures. For example, if we accept that QA/QC metrics should represent the targets of interest, then we should require wide-area assessment surveys to create impractically large grids of surface frag. Likewise, for detection of clusters the concepts of detection probability and search radius based on single items are irrelevant. Discrimination techniques that rely on dipole fitting will be extremely inaccurate. Instead, QA parameters and models suitable for horizontal sheets will have to be derived.
Interviews as Experiments: Using Audience Effects to Examine Social Relationships

To explore the ability of audience effects to shed light on social dynamics, the authors contrasted responses given in individual and joint interviews. Interviews were conducted among the English-speaking residents of Utila, one of Honduras’s Bay Islands. Interviewees were older adults with at least one living adult child and younger adults with at least one living parent. Interviews were conducted with individuals alone and with pairs consisting of older adults and their adult children. The topic of the interviews was parenting, but the authors’ particular interest was in a question regarding obligations children have to their elderly parents. Responses to that question and to a control question were coded for length, interviewer behavior, vocalics, and forceful-ness of communicative style. Audience effects were found in children’s responses to the question about obligations to elderly parents: Children interviewed with parents responded more forcefully to that question than children interviewed alone. R...
Src Family Kinases Directly Regulate JIP1 Module Dynamics and Activation

JIP1 is a mammalian scaffold protein that assembles and participates in regulating the dynamics and activation of components of the mixed-lineage kinase-dependent JNK module. Mechanisms governing JIP1-JNK module regulation remain unclear. JIP1 is a multiply phosphorylated protein; for this reason, it was hypothesized that signaling by unidentified protein kinases or phosphatases might determine module function. We find that Src family kinases directly bind and tyrosine phosphorylate JIP1 under basal conditions in several naturally occurring systems and, by doing so, appear to provide a regulated signal that increases the affinity of JIP1 for DLK and maintains the JIP-JNK module in a catalytically inactive state.
Synthesis of the C1-C26 northern portion of azaspiracid-1: kinetic versus thermodynamic control of the formation of the bis-spiroketal.

Azaspiracid-1, a toxin found in European shellfish, was first observed in the mid-1990s when several individuals became ill from eating mussels harvested off the coast of Western Ireland. Considerable synthetic attention has been directed toward this compound by our group[1] and others.[2] Additional excitement was generated by the revelation that the initial structure of azaspiracid-1 (1) had been misassigned (Figure 1).[3] The genesis of the error was believed to be in the ABCDE northern portion of the molecule. Recently, the revised structure 2 was determined in an impressive series of publications by Nicolaou et al.[4] Independently and concurrently, we also converged on the same stereochemical conclusion.[5] Herein, we disclose our successful synthesis of the C1–C26 northern portion of the revised structure of azaspiracid-1 (2).
The Rise of Private Equity Media Ownership in the United States: A Public Interest Perspective

This article examines the logic, scope, and implications of the influx of private equity takeovers in the United States media sector in the last decade. The strategies and aims of private equity firms are explained in the context of the financial landscape that has allowed them to flourish; their aggressive expansion into media ownership is outlined in detail. Particular attention is paid to the public interest concerns raised by private equity media ownership relating to the frenzied nature of the buyout market, profit maximization strategies, and the heavy debt burdens imposed on acquired firms. The article concludes with discussion of the challenges posed by private equity to effective media regulation and comparison of private equity and corporate media ownership models.
MNC-Sponsored Multidisciplinary Industrial-Strength Capstone Design Projects in China

With a growing need to reform Chinese higher engineering education, University of Michigan—Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (JI) initiated multinational corporation-sponsored industrial-strength Capstone Design Projects (CDP) in 2011. Since 2011, JI has developed 96 corporate-sponsored CDPs since its inception, which include multinational corporation sponsors such as Covidien, Dover, GE, HP, Intel, NI, Philips, and Siemens. Of these projects, healthcare accounts for 27%, energy 24%, internet technology (IT) 22%, electronics 16%, and other industries 11%. This portfolio reflects the trends and needs in the industry, which provides opportunities for engineering students to develop their careers. An accumulated 480 JI students have been teamed up based on their individual backgrounds, specifically electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. The corporate-sponsored rate grew from 0% in 2010 to 86% in 2014.
A Brief Review of the Ultrastructure of Amyloid

Amyloid consists of a group of chemically diverse proteinaceous substances whose definition depends upon the physico-morphologic characteristics shared commonly amongst them; i.e. characteristic tinctorial properties, unique fibrillar ultrastructure, and cross-β crystallographic configuration.
Pax6 and the genetic control of early eye development.

While lens induction in vertebrates has been the subject of numerous embryological experiments, very little is known about the molecular identities of the regulators involved. Until recently, one of the few exceptions was the transcription factor Pax6, a member of the vertebrate paired box family, which is required in the head ectoderm for lens induction to proceed. Initially identified in mouse (Walther and Gruss 1991), Pax6 homologues were subsequently isolated in human (Ton et al. 1991), rat (Matsuo et al. 1993), chick (Li et al. 1994), Xenopus (Altman et al. 1997), zebra fish (Krauss et al. 1991), ascidians (Glardon et al. 1997), cephalopods (Tomarev et al. 1997), C. elegans (Chisholm and Horvitz 1995; Zhang and Emmons 1995), and Drosophila (Quiring et al. 1994). In all of these organisms, the amino acid sequence of the Pax6 protein is highly conserved, arguing for functional importance across metazoan phyla.
Time-Resolved Observation of Molecular Dynamics in Liquids by Femtosecond Interferometry

Results on the relaxation of molecular rotations in various organic liquids obtained using subpicosecond interferometry [1] are discussed in this talk.
Pyruvate and hepatic pyruvate dehydrogenase levels in rat strains sensitive and resistant to dietary obesity

This study compared the effects of exogenous pyruvate and lactate on the serum levels of pyruvate, lactate, glucose, alanine, and insulin, as well as the activity of hepatic pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) in strains of rat that were either sensitive [Osborne-Mendel (OM)] or resistant (S5B/Pl) to high-fat diet-induced obesity. Serum pyruvate and lactate were significantly higher and glucose lower in ad libitum-fed OM rats, but these differences disappeared after an 18-h fast. The increase in pyruvate and lactate after exogenous pyruvate administration was significantly greater in S5B/Pl rats than OM rats. There were no differences in serum alanine with strain or diet. The total PDH activity was similar across strains and diets but the proportion of PDH in its activated form (PDHa) was decreased in ad libitum-fed S5B/Pl rats. Pyruvate injection increased insulin and hepatic PDHa activity in OM rats fed both high- and low-fat diets, but these responses were greatly attenuated or absent in S5B/Pl rats. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that modulation of carbohydrate oxidation by PDH may be related to susceptibility to obesity when rats are fed a high-fat diet.
Impact of Pediococcus spp. on Pinot noir Wine Quality and Growth of Brettanomyces

Pediococcus spp. were isolated from commercial wines from Oregon and Washington state, and the impacts of these isolates on the chemistry, microbiology, and sensory quality of Pinot noir wines were investigated. The pediococci isolates were inoculated into wines after alcoholic fermentation, and the wines were then chemically and sensorially analyzed after 60 days. All pediococci isolates partially degraded l-malic acid, with P. damnosus OW2 and P. parvulus OW7 completing malolactic fermentation (MLF). Despite having extensively large cell populations (>106 cfu/mL), the fermented wines had low concentrations of biogenic amines ( 5 mg/L). Production of d-lactic acid varied among the isolates, with strain OW7 producing the highest concentration (264 mg/L). Diacetyl concentrations also varied, with some wines containing low levels ( 15 mg/L). Furthermore, growth of some pediococci resulted in loss of red color and polymeric pigment content, potentially due to acetaldehyde degradation. Sensory analyses revealed differences in aroma (“floral”, “overall fruit”, “red fruit”, and “buttery”) and flavor (“sour” and “astringency”) among wines inoculated with different Pediococcus species or strains. Co-inoculation of P. parvulus and Brettanomyces bruxellensis resulted in wines having lower concentrations of 4-ethylphenol but reaching higher populations than in separate inoculations. This study has demonstrated the variability among Pediococcus species and strains in the production of various spoilage products and highlights the range of potential sensory effects these bacteria may have on a Pinot noir wine.
Protecting Cultural Space or Urban Re-colonization: When Do Cultural Districts Cross the Line?

The formation of arts and cultural districts or clusters may be organic or planned (or a hybrid) but they often result in dislocation of those outside the district’s dominant cultural group or those without escalating economic capacity. Some districts primarily serve real estate development interests; some propel local artists and creative enterprises; some protect space for community cultural expression and make life better for existing residents. Few can mix more than one of these purposes but for a short time. This paper reviews six cultural districts in the United States, each at a different stage of a development continuum. In some cases district formation stabilizes a community, others transform or de-stabilize a community. Winners and losers are generally evident. The mix of local conditions, leadership, and policy choices determine their trajectory. Whether they evolve in ways that foster civic engagement and accrue political capital among a wide range of stakeholders determines the winners and losers.
Tree swallows and TIT FOR TAT: Response to Koenig

Abstract Koenig's ( Ethol. and Sociobiol. 9:73–84, 1988) review of Lombardo's ( Science 227:1363–1365, 1985) experiment testing the TIT FOR TAT model of reciprocity correctly concluded that the experiment did not demonstrate the existence of reciprocal altruism between parent and conspecific nest intruder tree swallows. However, his review contained errors that preclude a fair evaluation of the experiment and interpretation of its results. Here I respond to these criticisms, reexamine tree swallow behavioral ecology, and suggest that the lack of aggression between parents and intruders can best be modeled as by-product mutualism. I reiterate that the balance between parental aggression and nonaggression toward intruders can be maintained by TIT FOR TAT.
Self and Friend’s Differing Views of Social Anxiety Disorder’s Effects on Friendships

Social anxiety disorder is known to be associated with self-report of global friendship quality. However, information about specific friendships, as well as information beyond self-report, is lacking. Such information is crucial, because known biases in information processing related to social anxiety disorder render global self-ratings particularly difficult to interpret. We examined these issues focusing on diagnosed participants (n = 77) compared with community control participants (n = 63). We examined self-report regarding global (i.e., overall) friendship quality and a specific friendship's quality; in addition, we examined friend-report of that friendship's quality. Results suggested that social anxiety disorder has a negative impact on self-perception of friendship quality for a specific friendship, but that this effect is less evident as reported by the friends. Specifically, social anxiety disorder was associated with a tendency to report worse friendship quality in comparison to friend-report, particularly in participants who were younger or had less long-lasting friendships. However, friend-report did show clear differences based on diagnostic group, with friends reporting participants with social anxiety disorder to be less dominant in the friendship and less well-adjusted. Overall, the findings are consistent with results of other studies indicating that social anxiety disorder has a strong association with self-ratings of impairment, but that these ratings appear out of proportion with the report of observers (in this case, friends).
The Relationship of Polymorphism of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene Promoter-238G/A with Primary Hepatic Carcinoma in Patients

Objective To study the relationship between the polymorphism of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-238G/A and primary hepatic carcinoma(PHC) in patients.Methods The polymorphism of TNF-α-238G/A was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) method in 100 PHC patients and 150 healthy controls.Results Genotype frequencies of GG and GA of TNF-α-238G/A were 95.3% and 64.7% in PHC group,88% and 12% in control group respectively;allele frequencies of G and A were 97.7% and 4.7% in PHC group,94% and 6% in control group respectively,with significant differences between PHC group and control group(P0.05).The relative risk suffered from PHC for GA genotype was 2.786 times for GG genotype(OR=2.786,95% CI=1.057~7.343).Conclusion TNF-α-238G/A polymorphism was associated with PHC and allele may be a risk factor for PHC.
Abstract 154: Interaction Between Nitroso-Redox Balance and Temperature Influences SR Ca2+ Leak In Cardiomyocytes: Role of Neuronal NOS Signaling

Sarcomeric reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ leak contributes to impaired Ca 2+ cycling and contractile dysfunction of the heart. Leak is thought to be regulated by post-translational modification of RyR2 associated with the nitroso-redox state. Ca 2+ cycling is affected by both nitric oxide (NO) signaling and temperature. We studied the effect of temperature and nitroso-redox state on Ca 2+ leak. We hypothesized that nitroso-redox balance modulates leak in a temperature–dependent manner. Tetracaine was used to estimate the leak in cardiomyocytes (CMs) in mouse models of nitroso-redox imbalance (NOS1 -/- ), hyper S-nitrosylation (GSNOR -/- ) and in WT mice. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured. Experiments were carried out at 23°C – 37°C. In WT CMs, Ca 2+ leak was inversely proportional to temperature whereas, in NOS1 -/- CMs, the leak suddenly increased when the temperature surpassed 30°C. Supplementing the media with NO (1 microM SNAP), reduced leak in NOS1 -/- CMs at physiologic temperature while at low temperatures, there was a trend toward an increase, a pattern similar to that of GSNOR -/- rather than WT CMs. The xanthine oxidase inhibitor, oxypurinol (100 microM), diminished the leak in NOS1 -/- CMs. SR Ca 2+ content in NOS1 -/- CMs was reduced as the temperature decreased, whereas it was not affected in WT cells. Cooling from 37°C to 23 °C increased ROS generation in WT CMs; however there was an opposite effect observed in NOS1 -/- CMs, which was further reduced by oxypurinol. Expression of the NOS isoforms (by RT-PCR) was unaffected by temperature in WT. Therefore, Ca 2+ leak is temperature dependent, is affected by the absence of NOS1 activity and increases with the rise of ROS production. Defective denitrosylation activity keeps leak low, suggesting a protective effect of S-nitrosylation against the cooling-induced increase in SR Ca 2+ leak. These results suggest that Ca 2+ leak from the SR is regulated by a temperature-dependent balance between NO and ROS.
The effect of terrestrial radiation pressure on satellite orbits

The earth returns all incident solar radiation to space. About 60 percent of the total is delayed infra–red radiation; the remainder is scattered immediately outward and constitutes the albedo component. The terrestrial radiation exerts a perturbing force on earth satellites, and the question considered here is whether this force causes appreciable secular changes in the dynamical orbital elements of satellites. A variety of approximate models of the radiation are constructed and the secular perturbations of orbital period and eccentricity are calculated. The preliminary conclusions are that the infra-red radiation and the specular part of the albedo radiation cause only negligible effects. The diffuse part of the albedo radiation, on the other hand, appears in a general way to affect the dynamical elements. The secular perturbations are about 10 or 15 percent as large as those arising from the force of direct sunlight. In a general way their effects tend to imitate those of direct solar radiation pressure. Thus far it has not been possible to find clear evidence of terrestrial pressure in the orbital data on individual satellites because of uncertainties in their average A\m ratios and in their own reflection characteristics.
Marked suppression of gonadotropins and testosterone by an antagonist analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in men.

To study the dose response characteristics of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist ([Ac-D 2 -Nal 1 , D 4 -Cl-Phe 2 , D 3 -Pal 3 , Arg 5 , dGlu 6 (AA), d-Ala 10 ] GnRH; Nal-Glu), 1.5 or 5.0mg of Nal-Glu were administered to two groups of five normal men by daily subcutaneous injection for 21days. Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone (T) were determined on multiple occasions before, during, and after the antagonist treatment. Five milligrams Nal-Glu markedly suppressed mean serum immunoreactive LH to a mean of 1.5±0.4IU/L (±SEM), immunoreactive FSH to the limit of assay detection (1IU/L), and lowered basal mean serum T to castrate range (
Perioperative Care of the Geriatric Urology Patient

The elderly population is the fastest growing age group in the United States. This will likely result in more elderly patients presenting for urologic surgery annually. When considering a patient for surgery, age alone should not be a contraindication. The decision on surgery should be individualized for the patient and their problem.
Examining Mental Health Differences Among Transfer University Students Seeking Counseling Services

ABSTRACTThis brief report was designed as a follow-up to a study that found that compared to nontransfer students that presented to the counseling center, transfer students who presented to the counseling center endorsed higher levels of symptoms of depression and social anxiety, as well as more academic and family problems. The current study investigated mental health differences within the transfer student population based on when (i.e., this semester; last semester; last year; 2 years ago; more than 2 years ago) and from where (i.e., community college vs. 4-year institution) students transferred. There were no significant differences based on when and from where students transferred. However, these findings still may be clinically meaningful and implications are presented.