cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emergence of conditioned cardiac responses to an olfactory CS paired with an acoustic startle UCS during development: Form and autonomic origins

Pairing an olfactory conditioned stimulus (CS) with an acoustic startle unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produced conditioned bradycardia in rats ranging from 12 days of age to adulthood but failed to produce conditioning in 10-day-olds (Experiment 1). The second experiment compared the effects of two different UCSs, acoustic startle and electric shock. The startle UCS produced conditioned bradycardia accompanied by immobility. In contrast, the shock UCS produced conditioned tachycardia accompanied by behavioral activation. Pharmacological analysis revealed that activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) produced the conditioned bradycardia (Experiment 3) and that activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) produced the conditioned tachycardia (Hunt, Hess, & Campbell, 1994). Further comparisons revealed that the startle UCS established conditioning several days earlier in development than the shock UCS. The ability of the PNS to respond to phasic stimulation earlier in development than the SNS was discussed as a possible mechanism for the early development of conditioned bradycardia.
ENTRE GUERRAS: LAS LIDES DE NERUDA CON OCAMPO Y REVISTA SUR (1930-1940)

La presente investigacion, sobre las relaciones del poeta chileno Pablo Neruda con la escritora y editora argentina Victoria Ocampo y la revista Sur, se compone de dos partes: este primer ensayo, centrado en el periodo de los treinta y de los cuarenta, y un segundo estudio, enfocado en el escenario de la Guerra Fria. En este primer articulo analizo la manera en que Neruda, Ocampo y el circulo porteno de Sur se relacionaron en medio de la oleada fascista que recorria el mundo en las decadas de los treinta y de los cuarenta, considerando tanto los aspectos literarios y esteticos como las dimensiones politicas e ideologicas en juego
Genomic organization of the human KAI1 metastasis-suppressor gene

Decreased expression of the human KAI1 metastasis-suppressor gene is involved in the progression of human prostatic cancer and possibly lung and breast cancer. To evaluate the frequency of mutation and allelic loss during the progression of human cancer, as well as to determine the regulatory mechanism for the expression of the KAI1 gene in normal and cancerous tissues, we characterized the 5'-promoter region, exon/intron organization, and transcription initiation site of the human KAI1 gene. About 80 kb of DNA was identified as the human KAI1 gene, which contains 8 kb of 5'-region, 10 exons, 9 introns, and 8 kb of DNA following exon 10. The coding region starts in exon 3 and ends in exon 10. The size of intron 1 is 29 kb, which almost equals the sizes of all other introns combined. A CpG island is present in the 5'-promoter region and extends to exon 1 and intron 1. The promoter region has no TATA or CCAAT box but has many putative binding motifs for various transcription factors, including nine Sp1 sites and five AP2 sites. These results suggest a diverse regulatory mechanism for the expression of the KAI1 gene in human tissues. The transcription initiation site of the KAI1 gene is located 181 bp upstream of the first nucleotide of the translation initiation codon. Comparisons of gene structures between KAI1 and seven other members of the transmembrane 4 superfamily revealed that the splicing sites relative to the different structural domains of the predicted proteins are well conserved, suggesting that these genes are evolutionarily related and that they arose through gene duplication and divergent evolution.
Home-Based Teleshopping and Shopping Travel: Where Do People Find the Time?

Structural equation modeling techniques were used to explore the tradeoffs that people make when teleshopping from home. Early in the development and growth of online shopping, many assumed that it would become a direct substitute for traditional retail (out-of-home) shopping and thereby reduce shopping trips and vehicle miles traveled. A growing body of research on the interplay between the use of information and communications technologies suggests that people shop and travel for a multitude of reasons that depend on the interplay between lifestyle, availability and convenience of shopping opportunities and the demands of other activities during the day. Using the San Francisco Bay Area Travel Survey 2000 from California, this paper performs an activities analysis to investigate these relationships. Time use variables predict the amount of time each individual spends during the day on work, maintenance, discretionary, and shopping activities both inside and outside the home. These activities are used to...
Effect of DQ-2556, a new cephalosporin, on organic ion transport in renal plasma membrane vesicles from the dog, rabbit and rat.

The effect of the new cephalosporin antibiotic DQ-2556 [(6R, 7R)-7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl-2-(methoxyimino)acetamido]-3-[4- (oxazol-5-yl)-1-pyridinio]methyl-8-oxo-5-thia-1-azabicyclo[4 .2.0]oct-2- ene--2-carboxylate] on the transport of organic cations (N1-[3H]methylnicotinamide, NMN and [3H]tetraethylammonium), organic anions ([3H]p-aminohippurate) and dipeptides ([14C]glycylsarcosine) was examined in brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) and basolateral membrane vesicles from the dog, rabbit and rat. In BBMV, DQ-2556 was more effective in cis-inhibiting the uptake of NMN in the rat than in the dog. No effect was seen in the rabbit. DQ-2556 had no effect on brush border transport systems for organic anions or dipeptides and basolateral transport systems for organic cations or anions in dogs, rabbits and rats. In contrast, cephaloridine, a nephrotoxic cephalosporin, inhibited NMN and p-aminohippurate uptake in dog BBMV and basolateral membrane vesicles, respectively. Cephaloridine had no effect on the other organic ion transport systems in the species being tested. A dose-response curve was constructed for DQ-2556 inhibition of NMN transport in rat BBMV. An IC50 value of 2.5 mM was obtained. In counterflow studies DQ-2556 did not demonstrate trans- stimulation of tetraethylammonium uptake. Kinetic studies revealed that DQ-2556 increased the Km value of NMN from 130 to 190 microM, while having no effect on the Vmax value (1.72 nmol/min x mg of protein vs. 1.75 nmol/min x mg of protein in the presence of DQ-2556). These data are most consistent with DQ-2556 being a low affinity competitive inhibitor of NMN transport in rat BBMV.
Learning to Use a Home Medical Device: Mediating Age-Related Differences with Training:

We examined the differential benefits of instructional materials for younger and older adults learning to use a home medical device. Participants received training on use of a blood glucose meter via either a user manual (a text guide with pictures) or an instructional video. Performance was measured immediately and then after a 2-week retention interval. Type of instruction was critical for determining older adults' performance. Older adults trained using the manual had poorer performance than did all other groups. After only 1 calibration, older adults who received video training performed as accurately as did the younger adults. Older adults' performance was more influenced by the retention interval; however, the benefit of the video training was maintained for the older adults across the retention interval. Confidence ratings paralleled subjective workload ratings. The data provide practical information to guide the development of training programs for systems that will be used by both younger and older adults; they also demonstrate the need for age-related usability testing even for training program design.
Factors associated with emergency room use among injection drug users of African-American, Hispanic and White-European background.

This study examined the relationship between substance abuse treatment use, health services use, HIV status, and emergency room/hospital use for 507 injection drug users (IDUs). Logistic regression models showed that mental health status, severity of drug use and private health insurance were significantly associated with having used emergency room/hospital services in the past six months. History of substance abuse treatment use, positive HIV/AIDS diagnosis, mental health service use, ethnic/racial background, gender, age, education and homelessness were not significant at either the bivariate or the multivariate level. These results point to the need to improve mental health screening and referrals through emergency room medical systems. (Am J Addict 2005;14:268–280)
Spherical Zinc Oxide Nano Particles from Zinc Acetate in the Precipitation Method

The liquid precipitation method using zinc acetate dihydrate was applied for the synthesis of uniform and spherical ZnO nanoparticles. The ultrafine zinc oxid was prepared in a water-ethanol mixture solution. The solution containing zinc cation was soluble in water. The surface-active agent triethanolamine (TEA) was soluble in ethanol. Then alkali precipitated by adding n-propylamine. The spherical zinc oxide particle morphology was found to be highly dependent on the zinc salt concentration, ethanol-water ratio, and the surface-active agent additive. The process can produce white ZnO powder of 50-90 nm in size. The morphology of zinc oxide showed a powder shape by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the crystallization phase structure of zinc oxide by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the zinc oxide remaining by using an organic analysis by infrared spectroscopy (IR).
Replacement of L-Phenylalanine and L-Leucine by α-Hydroxy Analogues in the Diets of Germfree Rats

% ABSTRACT It has been suggested that the metabolic activity of the intestinal microflora is necessary for the utilization of the a-keto and a-hy- droxy analogues of the essential amino acids. This role of the intestinal microflora has been examined by comparing weight gain of germfree and conventional rats in response to the substitution of one amino acid in the diet by its analogue. Using a completely defined liquid diet it was found that weight gain of germfree rats was well maintained and comparable to that of conventional rats when 1.5 M equivalents of DL-a-hydroxyisocaproic acid was substituted for L-leucine in the diet. Although weight gain was not fully maintained when 2.0 M equivalents of L-phenyllactate was substi tuted for L-phenylalanine, germfree and conventional rats showed similar weight gains. These results exclude an obligatory role for the flora in the utilization of these non-nitrogen containing analogues of L-phenylalanine and L-leucine. J. Nutr. 709: 738-743, 1979.
How do we address the disconnect between genetic and morphological diversity in germplasm collections

Morphology has long provided key data to assess diversity in landrace collections in genebanks worldwide. We explored, through an F2 cross between two inbred diploid potato clones, the utility of tuber morphology to assess diversity of potato landraces. We assessed the F2 population created by self-pollinating an F1 clone from a cross between two diploid (2n = 2x = 24) potato clones: DM, a completely homozygous clone derived from somatically doubling an androgenic monoploid of a cultivated potato, and M6, a highly inbred clone derived from seven generations of self-pollination of the wild diploid potato relative Solanum chacoense. We evaluated the F2 population for tuber size, shape and eye depth; skin and flesh colors; and dry matter content. Phenotypic segregation in this F2 population is astonishing. This single cross displayed a range of tuber traits approaching the entire diversity of potato landraces. Morphological characterization of potato used to classify accessions in genebanks is not representative of underlying genetic diversity. This is in agreement with other studies that have shown a lack of correlation between morphological/taxonomic classification and neutral genetic diversity, and a lack of correlation between either morphology or neutral genetic diversity and functional, trait-related genetic diversity in several species. We need better strategies for combining phenotypic and genetic characterization of accessions to develop predictive models that plant breeders can use to identify promising accessions for traits of interest.
Occurrence of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 in Two Ornamental Grapevine Cultivars in Washington State.

Roger's Red, an interspecific hybrid between wild grape (Vitis californica, native to northern California) and the V. vinifera cv. Alicante Bouschet (1), and Claret Vine (V. vinifera cv. Purpurea Nana) are grown for their ornamental value in home gardens and other settings. We collected potted grapevines of Roger's Red and Claret Vine showing dull green-to-scarlet red leaves from two different retail nurseries in the Richland-Kennewick area and Prosser, WA, respectively. Since these symptoms ‘mimic’ grapevine leafroll disease, we tested petiole samples from four grapevines per cultivar for a panel of grapevine-infecting viruses by single-tube one-step reverse transcription (RT)-PCR (4). All samples tested positive only for Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 1 (GLRaV-1; genus Ampelovirus, family Closteroviridae). To further confirm these results, total RNA was subjected to RT-PCR to amplify a portion of the heat shock protein 70 homolog (HSP70h), coat protein duplicate 2 (CPd2), and ORF 9 (p24) of GLRaV-1...
Jordan's Water Resources: Technical Perspective

ABSTRACT Jordan is suffereing from both water scarcity and maldistribution. The water shortage in Jordan has been exacerbated by the complexity of the hydropolitics in the region, the high rate of population growth, and the forced immigration of hundreds of thousands of Jordanian and Palestinian returnees from the Arabian Gulf countries. Located in a semiarid climatic region, about 91.4 per cent of the country receives an average annual rainfall less than 200 mm. Jordan's total rainfall volume is estimated to be about 7200 MCM (million cubic meters) of precipitation. More than 85 per cent of the rainfall goes for evaporation. The conventional water supply in Jordan has been estimated to be 880 MCM per year This includes the safe yield of all available groundwater and surface water resources. Water demand was about 767 MCM for 1991, and is expected to grow to 1,000 MCM by 1995. Irrigation water forms 73 per cent of the total water demand, whereas municipal and industrial demands form 22 and 5 per cent, res...
Writer adaptation for online handwriting recognition

Writer-adaptation is the process of converting a writer-independent handwriting recognition system into a writer-dependent system. It can greatly increasing recognition accuracy, given adequate writer models. The limited amount of data a writer provides during training constrains the models' complexity. We show how appropriate use of writer-independent models is important for the adaptation. Our approach uses writer-independent writing style models (lexemes) to identify the styles present in a particular writer's training data. These models are then updated using the writer's data. Lexemes in the writer's data for which an inadequate number of training examples is available are replaced with the writer-independent models. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach on both isolated handwritten character recognition and unconstrained word recognition tasks. Our results show an average reduction in error rate of 16.3 percent for lowercase characters as compared against representing each of the writer's character classes with a single model. In addition, an average error rate reduction of 9.2 percent is shown on handwritten words using only a small amount of data for adaptation.
Encouraging Debate on the Uniform Guidelines and the Disparate Impact Theory of Discrimination

This response summarizes commentaries on the M. A. McDaniel, S. Kepes, and G. C. Banks (2011) article, which argued that the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures are a detriment to the field of personnel selection. Several themes were present in the commentaries. No compelling arguments were presented to dispute the assertion that mean racial differences in job-related attributes will be with us for a long time. However, compelling arguments were made that the disparate impact theory of discrimination is a more central issue for personnel selection than the Uniform Guidelines. Similarly, arguments were presented that the assessment of adverse impact is problematic and that expert witness testimony needs improvement. Areas in need of further investigation were also identified. Finally, the role of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) in guiding regulatory, legislative, and court actions was considered.
Regular Types in Nonmultidimensional $\omega$-Stable Theories

We define a hierarchy on the regular types of an wo-stable nonmultidimensional theory, using generalised notions of algebraic and strongly minimal formulae. As an application we show that any resplendent model of an wo-stable finite-dimensional theory is
Eli Lilly and Company’s bioethics framework for human biomedical research

Current ethics and good clinical practice guidelines address various aspects of pharmaceutical research and development, but do not comprehensively address the bioethical responsibilities of sponsors. To fill this void, in 2010 Eli Lilly and Company developed and implemented a Bioethics Framework for Human Biomedical Research to guide ethical decisions. (See our companion article that describes how the framework was developed and implemented and provides a critique of its usefulness and limitations.) This paper presents the actual framework that serves as a company resource for employee education and bioethics deliberations. The framework consists of four basic ethical principles and 13 essential elements for ethical human biomedical research and resides within the context of our company's mission, vision and values. For each component of the framework, we provide a high-level overview followed by a detailed description with cross-references to relevant well regarded guidance documents. The principles and guidance described should be familiar to those acquainted with research ethics. Therefore the novelty of the framework lies not in the foundational concepts presented as much as the attempt to specify and compile a sponsor's bioethical responsibilities to multiple stakeholders into one resource. When such a framework is employed, it can serve as a bioethical foundation to inform decisions and actions throughout clinical planning, trial design, study implementation and closeout, as well as to inform company positions on bioethical issues. The framework is, therefore, a useful tool for translating ethical aspirations into action - to help ensure pharmaceutical human biomedical research is conducted in a manner that aligns with consensus ethics principles, as well as a sponsor's core values.
Inactivation of bacteria using dc corona discharge: role of ions and humidity

Here we present the results of an experimental study of the effect of ions produced in a dc corona discharge on inactivation of bacteria on the surface of agarose gel. Both positive and negative corona discharges in various gases at different humidities were studied. The measurements in air, O(2), N(2), Ar and He mixtures show that there is no inactivation in pure N(2), pure O(2) and an N(2)-H(2)O mixture. The best results were achieved in the case of direct treatment, when discharge was ignited in oxygen and water-containing mixtures. We show that neither UV radiation, ozone or H(2)O(2) nor other neutral active species alone produced by corona have an effect on bacteria viability. It is shown that the main role of charged particles may be related to the faster transport of active peroxide species-cluster ions OH(-)(H(2)O)(n) and H(3)O(+)(H(2)O)(n). The efficiency of these radicals is much higher than that of the oxygen radicals and ions (including [Formula: see text] and O(3)) and that of nitrogen and argon ions.
Triangular fibrocartilage disorders: injury patterns and treatment

On the basis of their arthroscopic experience with the diagnosis and management of acute and chronic lesions of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), the authors review the anatomy and biomechanics of the TFCC, classify TFCC injury patterns, and suggest a treatment program for each pattern of injury. Traumatic patterns included central perforations (Class 1A), ulnar avulsions (Class 1B), distal avulsions (Class 1C), and radial avulsions (Class 1D). Degenerative (ulnar carpal abutment) patterns were classified (Class 2A-2E) by degree of severity and progressive involvement of adjacent structures. Arthroscopic debridement of the horizontal portion of the TFCC for Class 1A lesions and the Wafer procedure for Class 2C lesions have proved to be particularly successful over a 2-year follow-up, but the authors advise close long-term follow-up.
Adaptive expert systems and analogical problem solving

Conventional expert systems are "brittle" in the sense that they require substantial human intervention to compensate for even slight variations in descriptions, and break easily when they reach the edge of their knowledge. In response to this problem, this paper describes a prototype of a new generation of expert systems, called an adaptive expert system (AES), which is capable of adapting its knowledge dynamically and analogically. AES combines the focussed power of expert systems with the analogical problem solving abilities of case-based reasoning systems, and demonstrates much higher "IQs" than the expert systems currently available on the market.
Amygdalofrontal Functional Disconnectivity and Aggression in Schizophrenia

A significant proportion of patients with schizophrenia demonstrate abnormalities in dorsal prefrontal regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal and dorsal anterior cingulate cortices. However, it is less clear to what extent abnormalities are exhibited in ventral prefrontal and limbic regions, despite their involvement in social cognitive dysfunction and aggression, which represent problem domains for patients with schizophrenia. Previously, we found that reduced white matter integrity in right inferior frontal regions was associated with higher levels of aggression. Here, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine amygdala/ventral prefrontal cortex (vPFC) functional connectivity (FC) and its relation to aggression in schizophrenia. Twenty-one healthy controls and 25 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder participated. Aggression was measured using the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire. Regions of interest were placed in the amygdala based on previously published work. A voxelwise FC analysis was performed in which the mean time series across voxels for this bilateral amygdala seed was entered as a predictor in a multiple regression model with motion parameters and global, cerebrospinal fluid, and white matter signals as covariates. Patients showed significant reductions in FC between amygdala and vPFC regions. Moreover, in patients, the strength of this connection showed a significant inverse relationship with aggression, such that lower FC was associated with higher levels of self-rated aggression. Similar results were obtained for 2 other measures—Life History of Aggression and total arrests. These results suggest that amygdala/vPFC FC is compromised in schizophrenia and that this compromise is associated with aggression.
Stochastic Differential Equations and Markov Diffusion Processes

In this chapter we review a part of the theory of continuous parameter stochastic processes which is of interest for the study of Markov models of systems which arise in applications. With one exception the present chapter involves no ideas from control theory, and may be read independently of the rest of the book. (The exception is Theorem 9.2 about the Kalman-Bucy filter; the proof we give depends on the solution to the linear regulator problem.) In the chapter we emphasize material needed to discuss in a mathematically correct way optimal control of diffusion processes in Chap. VI.
Nuclear Based Explosive Detection Systems-1992 Status

Over the past several years the attitude towards nuclear based explosive detection systems (EDS) has fluctuated between euphoria to disappointment. This had to do little with technical merits and more with a host of other issues raging from changing perceptions of threats and resulting systems’ requirements, to the effect of security regulations on the health of the commercial airline industry. Despite these tribulations, progress continues. Six thermal neutron analysis (TNA) EDS’s have been deployed in several airports in the U.S.A. and abroad. While providing the users with valuable security services, a large amount of data has been collected, allowing further improvements. Indeed the currently deployed TNA systems are an improved version of the first one installed in 1989 at the JFK International Airport’s TWA terminal. Significant additional enhancements in performance, which resulted from recent laboratory studies are awaiting approval for implementation in the existing systems.
Law of Highways

Statute law on highways dates back to the sixteenth century and the Public Health Act 1875 contained provisions to ensure that streets were arranged and constructed in such a way as to further healthy conditions. Much of the statute law was consolidated in the Highways Act 1959, which repealed many redundant and obsolete provisions. The 1959 Act remains the principal legislation, amended by the Highways (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1961, the Public Health Act 1961 (Part IV) and the Highways Act 1971.
Quorum Sensing Influences Burkholderia thailandensis Biofilm Development and Matrix Production

ABSTRACT Members of the genus Burkholderia are known to be adept at biofilm formation, which presumably assists in the survival of these organisms in the environment and the host. Biofilm formation has been linked to quorum sensing (QS) in several bacterial species. In this study, we characterized Burkholderia thailandensis biofilm development under flow conditions and sought to determine whether QS contributes to this process. B. thailandensis biofilm formation exhibited an unusual pattern: the cells formed small aggregates and then proceeded to produce mature biofilms characterized by “dome” structures filled with biofilm matrix material. We showed that this process was dependent on QS. B. thailandensis has three acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) QS systems (QS-1, QS-2, and QS-3). An AHL-negative strain produced biofilms consisting of cell aggregates but lacking the matrix-filled dome structures. This phenotype was rescued via exogenous addition of the three AHL signals. Of the three B. thailandensis QS systems, we show that QS-1 is required for proper biofilm development, since a btaR1 mutant, which is defective in QS-1 regulation, forms biofilms without these dome structures. Furthermore, our data show that the wild-type biofilm biomass, as well as the material inside the domes, stains with a fucose-binding lectin. The btaR1 mutant biofilms, however, are negative for fucose staining. This suggests that the QS-1 system regulates the production of a fucose-containing exopolysaccharide in wild-type biofilms. Finally, we present data showing that QS ability during biofilm development produces a biofilm that is resistant to dispersion under stress conditions. IMPORTANCE The saprophyte Burkholderia thailandensis is a close relative of the pathogenic bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, which is contracted from its environmental reservoir. Since most bacteria in the environment reside in biofilms, B. thailandensis is an ideal model organism for investigating questions in Burkholderia physiology. In this study, we characterized B. thailandensis biofilm development and sought to determine if quorum sensing (QS) contributes to this process. Our work shows that B. thailandensis produces biofilms with unusual dome structures under flow conditions. Our findings suggest that these dome structures are filled with a QS-regulated, fucose-containing exopolysaccharide that may be involved in the resilience of B. thailandensis biofilms against changes in the nutritional environment.
Evaluation of milk chocolate product as a substitute for whey in pig starter diets.

Four experiments were conducted to study the effects of substituting milk chocolate product MCP) for dried whey (DW) on growth performance of starter pigs. In Exp. 1 (4 wk) and 2 (5 wk), 440 pigs (age, 25 d) were assigned to one of four diets: 1) 0% DW + 0% MCP, 2) 20% DW + 0% MCP, 3) 10% DW + 10% MCP, or 4) 0% DW + 20% MCP. Linear reductions (P < .06) in ADG, ADFI, and gain/feed (G/ F) were detected as MCP increased. Replacement of DW with 10% MCP had little effect on ADG or ADFI in Exp. 1, but it reduced them in Exp. 2. In Exp. 3(5 wk), 192 pigs (age, 20 d) were fed one of four complex diets: 1) 15% DW + 0% MCP, 2) 10% DW + 5% MCP, 3) 5% DW + 10% MCP, or 4) 0% DW + 15% MCP. As MCP increased, ADG and ADFI decreased linearly (P < .01), but growth performance was similar between pigs fed the 0 and 5% MCP diets. Experiment 4 was a 14-d preference trial in which the four diets from Exp. 3 and 270 pigs (age, 24 d) were used to make three comparisons: a) diet 1 vs diet 2, b) diet 1 vs diet 3, and c) diet 1 vs diet 4. Pigs consumed between 65 and 77% of their total feed intake as MCP-containing diets (P < .01). In summary, MCP could replace DW at a dietary level of 5% without reducing pig performance, but MCP at dietary levels of 10% or more reduced pig performance. Pigs strongly preferred MCP over DW.
Untangling the complex role of guilt in rational decisions to discontinue the use of a hedonic Information System

The discontinuance of the use of hedonic information systems (IS) has become somewhat prevalent. Nevertheless, little is known about why some individuals might decide to discontinue using a technology which they often use frequently and the use of which is typically intrinsically rewarding. Prior research has alluded to the ideas that (1) IS discontinuance merits its own theorizing, possibly separate from continuance and that (2) guilt feelings is a unique driver of IS discontinuance decisions. However, the literature still lacks cohesive models that explain discontinuance and especially the complex processes through which guilt influences such decisions, and perhaps that further illuminate differences between the processes underlying IS discontinuance and continuance. This study bridges these gaps and proposes and examines a model that explicates the complex effects of guilt and theory of planned behavior (TPB) predictors on the discontinuance of an instance of mostly hedonic IS, namely Social Networking Sites (SNS). In order to develop this model it is proposed that guilt, which is a self-reflective moral emotion that can influence cognition, is associated with attitudinal, normative, and control perceptions regarding the discontinuance act in a complex network of partial-mediation and moderation effects. The proposed model was tested and largely validated with structural equation modeling applied to data collected from 487 SNS users. It also pointed to possible unique features of the TPB as applied to IS discontinuance. Applicability checks further illuminated sources of guilt in this context. Decomposing the guilt effects on discontinuance and integrating them with the TPB is important since it not only extends theory both in IS and social sciences and hints at differences in planned behavior processes between IS continuance and discontinuance, but also because the findings point to mechanisms which can be used for attenuating guilt and planned behavior effects on IS discontinuance. Overall, this study validates a rationale-based theory of IS discontinuance, and can serve as a platform for further studying this notable, yet under-examined corrective behavior.
Parenting Stress After Deployment in Navy Active Duty Fathers

ABSTRACTMilitary fathers are being deployed, and leaving their families, for greater lengths of time and more frequently than ever before. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of recent deployment on parenting stress in U.S. Navy fathers with young children. Of the 111 participants who completed the one-time study questionnaire at a large military outpatient clinic on the Eastern seaboard, 67.6% had returned from a ship-based deployment. Regression analyses were performed, using the Parenting Stress Index as the outcome variable, deployment elements (such as time away from home in the past 5 years) as predictors, and adjusting for other factors such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Higher perceived threat and greater warfare exposure were both associated with increased parenting stress (p < 0.05) in the unadjusted model. These associations were greatly attenuated and no longer significant after adjustment for depression. In addition, rates of positive screens for PTS...
Trapped by the entrepreneurial mindset: Opportunity seeking and escalation of commitment in the Mount Everest disaster

Abstract Building on regulatory focus theory and the theory of action phases, we propose that the opportunity seeking of the entrepreneurial mindset is fueled by promotion focus, but transformed from something that liberates individuals from sub-optimal goals into something that traps them in escalation scenarios depending on the stability of environmental conditions faced, the duration of the project, and the specificity of the goal being pursued. Our meta-theoretical process model of escalation of commitment suggests that the decision to persist is set into motion long before individuals engage in the cost-benefit analysis examined in most escalation studies. We argue that, when individuals seek opportunities in a promotion-focused state of goal striving, they are likely to forego contingency planning, which precludes the formation of an exit strategy and leaves them unable to disengage despite an emerging desire to do so. Worse yet, opportunity seeking under the aforementioned conditions delays detection of an action crisis, which increases risk exposure and allows resources, time, and reputation invested to further accumulate, making disengagement that much more difficult once the entrepreneur realizes that a decision is necessary. Using the events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster made famous by Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air , we illustrate our proposed model and discuss its implications for entrepreneurship, escalation, and self-regulation research.
Urban blight remediation as a cost-beneficial solution to firearm violence

Objectives. To determine if blight remediation of abandoned buildings and vacant lots can be a cost-beneficial solution to firearm violence in US cities.Methods. We performed quasi-experimental analyses of the impacts and economic returns on investment of urban blight remediation programs involving 5112 abandoned buildings and vacant lots on the occurrence of firearm and nonfirearm violence in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from 1999 to 2013. We adjusted before–after percent changes and returns on investment in treated versus control groups for sociodemographic factors.Results. Abandoned building remediation significantly reduced firearm violence −39% (95% confidence interval [CI] = −28%, −50%; P < .05) as did vacant lot remediation (−4.6%; 95% CI = −4.2%, −5.0%; P < .001). Neither program significantly affected nonfirearm violence. Respectively, taxpayer and societal returns on investment for the prevention of firearm violence were $5 and $79 for every dollar spent on abandoned building remediation and $26 ...
A representation for the symbol error rate of arbitrary constellations under AWGN

The symbol error rate of the maximum likelihood detector for an arbitrary multi-dimensional constellation impaired by additive white Gaussian noise is characterized as the product of a completely monotone function with a non-negative power of the signal to noise ratio. Using this general result, it is proved that the symbol error rate is completely monotone if the rank of its constellation matrix is either one or two. Further, it is shown that, if the rank of the constellation matrix is greater than or equal to four, then the symbol error rate cannot be a completely monotone function of the SNR. Applications to stochastic ordering of wireless system performance is also discussed.
Retromer Endosome Exit Domains Serve Multiple Trafficking Destinations and Regulate Local G Protein Activation by GPCRs.

Summary Retromer mediates sequence-directed cargo exit from endosomes to support both endosome-to-Golgi (retrograde transport) and endosome-to-plasma membrane (recycling) itineraries. It is not known whether these trafficking functions require cargos to exit endosomes separately via distinct transport intermediates or whether the same retromer-coated carriers can support both itineraries. We addressed this question by comparing human Wntless (Wls) and β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR), which require retromer physiologically for retrograde transport and recycling, respectively. We show here by direct visualization in living cells that both cargos transit primarily the same endosomes and exit via shared transport vesicles generated from a retromer-coated endosome domain. While both Wls and β2AR clearly localize to the same retromer-coated endosome domains, Wls is consistently enriched more strongly. This enrichment difference is determined by distinct motifs present in the cytoplasmic tail of each cargo, with Wls using tandem Φ-X-[L/M] motifs and β2AR using a PDZ motif. Exchanging these determinants reverses the enrichment phenotype of each cargo but does not change cargo itinerary, verifying the multifunctional nature of retromer and implying that additional sorting must occur downstream. Quantitative differences in the degree of cargo enrichment instead underlie a form of kinetic sorting that impacts the rate of cargo delivery via both itineraries and determines the ability of β2AR to activate its cognate G protein transducer locally from endosomes. We propose that mammalian retromer forms a multifunctional membrane coat that supports shared cargo exit for divergent trafficking itineraries and regulates signaling from endosomes.
Prognostic Factors in Patients with Fanconi Anemia (FA) after Alternate Donor (AD) Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT).

Abstract The treatment of choice for the hematological complications in FA patients is a histocompatible sibling donor HCT. However, as FA is inherited disorder, most patients do not have an HLA-matched non-affected sibling donor and therefore require AD (HLA-mismatched sibling or unrelated) HCT with inherent increased morbidity and mortality. To identify prognostic factors for survival after AD HCT, we evaluated outcomes in 83 FA patients transplanted at the University of Minnesota from 1990 to 2004. Median age at HCT was 11.8 years (range, 0.8–48.5). 82% received bone marrow (BM) grafts and 18% received unrelated cord blood (UCB). In univariate analysis, factors associated with significantly higher 3-year survival included: age [42% ( 18 years, n=16) p=0.01]; recipient CMV serostatus [45% (negative, n=55) vs 19% (positive) p=0.01]; blood product transfusion 82% [(none, n=11) vs 28%(any, n= 67) p= 0.03], prior infection (gram negative bacteria or fungal) [46% (absent, n=62) vs 8%(present, n=19) p= 0.01], and use of fludarabine (FLU) in preparative regimen [45% (present, n=54) vs 24% (absent, n=29) p=0.03]. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with improved survival were young age, negative recipient CMV serostatus, no prior infections and no severe acute GVHD (Table 1). If age Table 1: . Cox regression on survival Factors Relative Risk(95% CI) P-value Model(X2=33.5, p Age at transplant(X10) 1.62 (1.15-2.28) Recipient CMV Negative 1.0 * Positive 3.41(1.82-6.37) Prior Infection No 1.0 * Yes 2.33 (1.24-4.36) Grade 3-4 acute GvHD No 1.0 * Yes 5.04 (2.34-10.88) Note:*-reference category These data suggest that patients with FA should receive AD HCT before the development of preventable high risk features, namely older age and serious infections. FLU based preparative regimens and measures to prevent acute GVHD should also be used to improve survival. Mismatched BM and UCB donor may provide greater donor options for timely transplants in FA patients.
Transcriptional Pre-patterning of Drosophila Gastrulation.

Summary Gastrulation of the Drosophila embryo is one of the most intensively studied morphogenetic processes in animal development [1–4]. Particular efforts have focused on the formation of the ventral furrow, whereby ∼1,000 presumptive mesoderm cells exhibit coordinated apical constrictions that mediate invagination [5, 6]. Apical constriction depends on a Rho GTPase signaling pathway (T48/Fog) that is deployed by the developmental regulatory genes twist and snail [7–10]. It is thought that coordinate mesoderm constriction depends on high levels of myosin along the ventral midline, although the basis for this localization is uncertain. Here, we employ newly developed quantitative imaging methods to visualize the transcriptional dynamics of two key components of the Rho signaling pathway in living embryos, T48 and Fog. Both genes display dorsoventral (DV) gradients of expression due to differential timing of transcription activation. Transcription begins as a narrow stripe of two or three cells along the ventral midline, followed by progressive expansions into more lateral regions. Quantitative image analyses suggest that these temporal gradients produce differential spatial accumulations of t48 and fog mRNAs along the DV axis, similar to the distribution of myosin activity. We therefore propose that the transcriptional dynamics of t48 and fog expression foreshadow the coordinated invagination of the mesoderm at the onset of gastrulation.
Mechanisms of transmitter release from astrocytes

Astrocytes and other glial cells can release a variety of neuroligands into the extracellular space using many different mechanisms. In this chapter we chiefly discuss the different chemical transmitters that astrocytes have been shown to release and examine the mechanisms by which these cells release the transmitters. In limited cases we expand our discussion on this subject to other astrocyte-related cells, such as Muller cells, pituicytes, as well as cell lines, including tumorigenic astrocytomas and gliomas. We focus on transmitters released from astrocytes, apart from eicosatetraenoids (briefly discussed in Chap. 18), growth factors and hormones (see Chap. 13). Transmitters can be released by astrocytes through several different mechanisms: (1) through channels like anion channel opening induced by cell swelling (Pasantes Morales and Schousboe, 1988) , release through functional unpaired
Teaching for deeper political learning: a design experiment

AbstractIs in-depth political learning possible in college-preparatory courses known for curricular breadth at an accelerated pace plus a high-stakes exam? A multidisciplinary research team conducted design-based implementation research (DBIR) for seven years across three school systems for the purpose of achieving deeper learning in an ‘advanced’ high school government and politics course. This article reports findings from the final year of research and development. The design centres on cyclical learning, projects (simulated political processes) and strategic use of texts as resources for learning the curriculum. Quantitative analysis shows comparable achievement to students in traditional classrooms on the high-stakes summative assessment despite the dramatic departure from test-prep instruction. Qualitative analyses focus on two of the design elements: learning from simulations and learning from text. The first allowed students to ‘experience’ political beliefs, institutions, and conflict, although s...
Abstract 191: Double blockade of interacting CK2 and EGFR pathways by tumor-targeting nanobioconjugates increases therapeutic efficacy against glioblastoma multiforme

Introduction: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains the deadliest brain tumor in adults, and is notorious for drug and radiation resistance. To inhibit GBMs more effectively, polymalic acid-based blood-brain barrier crossing nanobioconjugates were synthesized that are delivered to the cytoplasm of cancer cells and specifically inhibit the master regulator serine/threonine protein kinase CK2 and the wild-type/mutated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/EGFRvIII), which are overexpressed in gliomas according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GBM database. Methods and Results: The used nanobioconjugates are novel nanotherapeutics where all moieties are covalently connected to poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMLA). Our biodegradable and non-toxic nanodrugs bind to the receptors enriched on tumor vasculature and cross the BBB by transcytosis. They specifically bind to cancer cells and after internalization exit to the tumor cell cytoplasm using pH-sensitive endosomal disruption unit. Two xenogeneic mouse models bearing intracranial human GBMs from cell lines LN229 and U87MG that expressed both CK2 and EGFR were used. The knockdown of CK2α and EGFR/EGFRvIII suppressed their downstream prosurvival signaling. Treatment also markedly reduced the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), a negative regulator of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Downregulation of CK2 and EGFR also caused suppression of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) co-chaperone Cdc37, which may inhibit the activity of key cellular kinases. Inhibition of either target was associated with downregulation of the other target as well, which may underlie efficacy of the dual nanobioconjugate that is directed against both CK2 and EGFR. Importantly, the single nanodrugs, and especially the dual nanodrug, markedly suppressed the expression of cancer stem cell markers c-Myc, CD133, and nestin, which could contribute to the efficacy of these nanodrugs. In both tumor models, the dually targeting nanobioconjugate significantly increased (up to 2-fold) animal survival compared with the control group. Conclusion: The versatile nanobioconjugates developed in this study, with the ability of anti-cancer drug delivery across biobarriers and inhibition of key tumor regulators, offer a promising nanotherapeutic approach to treat GBMs and to potentially prevent drug resistance and retard the brain tumor recurrence. Support: NIH grants U01 CA151815, R01 CA136841, R01 CA188743, R01 CA209921, R01 EY013431 Citation Format: Julia Y. Ljubimova. Double blockade of interacting CK2 and EGFR pathways by tumor-targeting nanobioconjugates increases therapeutic efficacy against glioblastoma multiforme [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 191. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-191