cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal aspects of onion-induced antiplatelet activity.

Organosulfur compounds in onion extracts are formed following thelysis of the S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides by alliinase. Thesecompounds inhibit the aggregation of human blood platelets and offer thepotential for positive cardiovascular health benefits. An experiment wasdesigned to examine temporal and temperature effects on onion-inducedantiplatelet activity. Platelet aggregation is induced by various agonists,including ADP, collagen, and thrombin. Unexpectedly, all freshly-juicedonion extracts (ca. 5 minutes post-juicing) appeared to exhibit both anagonist-free aggregation peak (AFP) and a platelet inhibitory peak (PIP)characteristic of inhibition of platelet aggregation. The AFP was minimalby 30 minutes and dissipated in all treatments by 120 minutes, whilethe PIP increased as onion extracts aged and did not change after 30minutes at 25 °C. This finding confirms the observation that the in vitro platelet inhibitory activity of onion organosulfur compounds istime dependent. Freshly-prepared onion extracts were incubated with theADP scavenger enzyme apyrase (E.C. 3.6.1.5). AFPs were abolished inapyrase-treated extracts, suggesting that this response may have been dueto free ADP in onion extracts, although an amount of ADP required togenerate such a response would be unexpected in onion extracts. Inaddition, platelet aggregates were not observed in the AFP, suggesting thisresponse may be associated with changes in light transmission throughplatelet rich plasma that are not associated with platelet aggregation.Artifacts of analysis are, therefore, possible when assessing onion-inducedantiplatelet activity with freshly-juiced extracts. Temporal formation ofplatelet-inhibiting organosulfur compounds should be taken into accountduring both in vitro and in vivo assessment of onion-inducedantiplatelet activity.
Knowledge annotations in scientific workflows: an implementation in Kepler

Scientific research products are the result of long-term collaborations between teams. Scientific workflows are capable of helping scientists in many ways including collecting information about how research was conducted (e.g., scientific workflow tools often collect and manage information about datasets used and data transformations). However, knowledge about why data was collected is rarely documented in scientific workflows. In this paper we describe a prototype system built to support the collection of scientific expertise that influences scientific analysis. Through evaluating a scientific research effort underway at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, we identified features that would most benefit PNNL scientists in documenting how and why they conduct their research, making this information available to the entire team. The prototype system was built by enhancing the Kepler Scientific Workflow System to create knowledge-annotated scientific workflows and to publish them as semantic annotations.
DARK MATTER: An Introduction

This lecture series is to provide an overview of the basic dark matter arguments and the role of the relevant cosmological parameters. In particular, the current situation on the age of the universe and the Hubble constant are reviewed since they provide the framework for the basic density arguments. It is shown that the Big Bang Nucleosynthesis constraints on the cosmological baryon density, when compared with dynamical arguments, demonstrate that the bulk of the baryons are dark and also that the bulk of the matter in the universe is non-baryonic. The recent extragalactic deuterium observations as well as the other light element abundancea are examined in detail. Comparison of nucleosynthesis baryonic density arguments with other baryon density arguments is made. Discussion of the interface of density and age arguments is also presented.
Toward assessing in-house use of print resources in the undergraduate academic library

AbstractThis article is an inter-institutional study of patrons’ browsing behavior in two university libraries. We tested an unobtrusive method of measuring browsing over one semester and provided comparative data for the two institutions during the same time period. Data were based on pre-selected samples of prominent monographs and representative serials in several disciplines. By design, a substantial portion of each corresponding sample overlapped between the two institutions. The results revealed extremely low frequencies of browsing in both institutions. This conclusion was supported in all disciplines, both for works shared in the corresponding samples and unique selections. The study combined methodological refinement with an extension beyond our previous research. Although presenting a method for discerning trends in student behavior, in the broadest terms the study has direct bearing on the uses of print resources and collection development assessment during a time of unprecedented expansion of ...
THE ELEMENTAL TURN

By referring to the present environmental “crisis,” this essay presents the turn to elemental nature as a task that thinking must undertake. What this turn involves is clarified by means of a series of distinctions between things and natural elements.
ESG investing in Graham & Doddsville.

The author describes how and why the world's best 'business value investors' have long incorporated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their investment decision-making. As the main source of value in companies has increasingly shifted from tangible to intangible assets, many followers of Graham & Dodd have delivered exceptional investment results by taking an 'earnings-power' approach to identifying high-quality businesses-businesses with enduring competitive advantages that are sustained through significant ongoing investment in their core capabilities and, increasingly, their important non-investor 'stakeholders.' While the ESG framework may be relatively new, it can be thought of as providing a lens through which to view the age-old issue of 'quality.' Graham & Dodd's 1934 classic guide to investing, Security Analysis, and Phil Fisher's 1958 bestseller, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, both identify a number of areas of analysis that would today be characterized as ESG. Regardless of whether they use the labels 'E,' 'S,' and 'G,' investors who make judgments about earnings power and sustainable competitive advantage are routinely incorporating ESG considerations into their decision-making. The challenge of assessing a company's sustainable competitive advantage requires analysis based on concepts such as customer franchise value, as well as intangibles like brands and intellectual property. For corporate managers communicating ESG priorities, and for investors analyzing ESG issues, the key is to focus on their relevance to the business. In this sense, corporate reporting on sustainability issues should be viewed as analogous to and an integral part of financial reporting, with a management focus on materiality and relevance (while avoiding a 'promotional' approach) that is critical to credibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Nanofluid Effect on the Heat Transport Capability in a Well-Balanced Oscillating Heat Pipe

A well-balanced oscillating heat pipe (OHP) with no turns was fabricated and tested. Oscillating motions occuring in the well-balanced heat pipe are very irregular, which is very different from those occuring in unbalanced OHPs. The nanofluid can significantly enhance heat transfer in an OHP when oscillationg motions exist. The effect of the nanofluid on heat transport capability depends on the filling ratio. When the heat pipe was charged at a filling ratio of 50% of nanofluid in the current study, the heat pipe had its best transfer performance
Glucagon Use for Esophageal Coin Dislodgment in Children: A Prospective, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Trial

. Objective: Prospective evaluation of the use of glucagon in dislodgment of impacted esophageal coins in children. Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with an open-label second phase in children 1 to 8 years of age who presented to a pediatric emergency department with a radiographically confirmed single esophageal coin impaction. One milligram of glucagon or placebo was given intravenously in double-blinded fashion. Patients were placed in an upright position and asked to drink 2-3 ounces of water. A repeat radiograph was obtained to check coin position in 30-60 minutes. Patients who did not respond were given 1 mg of open-label glucagon intravenously. The glucagon and placebo groups were compared. Results: Fourteen patients were enrolled in the study (the predetermined sample size was not pursued due to inefficacy). Nine patients were in the glucagon group, and five were in the placebo group. Six patients received an additional open-label glucagon dose. The two groups were not different in age (mean, 5.5 years and 4.5 years, respectively), coin position, time between ingestion and presentation (p = 0.45), or time between treatment and repeat radiograph (p = 0.29). In patients who received glucagon, two of 15 (15%) passed the coin into the stomach. In the placebo group, three of five (60%) passed the coin, an inversely significant ratio. Five of six patients who received open-label glucagon were from the initial glucagon group. There were no responders among patients in this group. Conclusions: Glucagon does not appear to be effective in the dislodgment of esophageal coins in children.
Ethics, Power, and Privilege: Salient Issues in the Development of Multicultural Competencies for Teachers Serving African American Children with Disabilities

This article addresses educators' ethical responsibility for recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of African American students with disabilities. The article opens with a brief overview of multicultural education and continues with a three-pronged model for addressing multicultural competencies: awareness, knowledge, and skills. Awareness involves recognizing personal biases and structural inequalities that impede academic achievement of African American youngsters with special needs. Knowledge competencies entail the acquisition of factual information about culturally distinct groups. Skill encompasses the integration of awareness and knowledge competencies that contribute to skill development. Several strategies for promoting multicultural education are discussed.
Light transport in tissue: Accurate expressions for one-dimensional fluence rate and escape function based upon monte carlo simulation.

Background and Objective Surface laser irradiation of tissue often produces a fluence rate that varies only with depth. Modeling of laser-induced fluorescence involves an expression for the fraction of fluorescence emitted per unit depth that escapes from the medium. We present accurate expressions for fluence rate and escape function for the one-dimensional case based upon Monte Carlo simulation results. Study Design/Material and Methods: Expressions were proposed for fluence rate, ;phgr(z)/E0 = C1exp(−k1z/δ)―− C2exp(−k2z/δ), and escape function, G(z) = C3exp(−k3z/δ), that varied solely with depth relative to effective penetration depth, z/δ. The scalar (C) and exponential (k) coefficient values were found by curve fitting the expressions to Monte Carlo simulation results. Results The coefficients varied as smooth functions of diffuse reflectance, Rd, for the range Rd = 0.01−0.8, and were independent of scattering anisotropy in the range g = 0.7−0.9. Simple expressions approximated the relationship of each coefficient to Rd. Conclusion The proposed expressions have accuracy comparable to Monte Carlo simulations, over an essentially unrestricted range of diffuse reflectance values. The expressions may be combined accurately to portray laser-induced fluorescence measurements of a turbid medium. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Putting searchers into search

Over the last two decades the information retrieval landscape has changed dramatically. Twenty years ago, there were fewer than 3k web sites and the earliest web search engines indexed approximately 50k pages. Today, search engines index billions of web pages, images, videos, news, music, social media, books, etc., and have become the main entry point for a wide range of information, services, communications and entertainment. Despite these tremendous accomplishments, we still have a long way to go. Many searches are unsuccessful, and even those that succeed are often harder than they should be. To address these challenges we need to extend our evaluation methods to handle the diversity of searchers, tasks, and interactivity that characterize information systems today. I will discuss recent work on user modeling and temporal dynamics of information systems to illustrate the power of utilizing converging lines of evidence from laboratory, panel, and large-scale log techniques to understand and support searchers.
Experimental Analysis of the Heat Transfer Variations Within an Internal Passage of a Typical Gas Turbine Blade Using Varied Internal Geometries

This paper describes the experimental analysis of the heat transfer rate within an internal passage of a typical gas turbine blade using varied internal geometries. This method of alteration, using rib turbulator’s within the serpentine cooling passages of a hollow turbine blade, has proven to drastically cool turbine blades more significantly than a smooth channel alone. Our emphasis is to determine which rib geometry will yield the highest heat transfer rate, which was examined in the form of a comparison between theoretical to experimental Nusselt numbers. For testing purposes, an enclosed 2 in. × 2 in. square Plexiglas channel was constructed to model an internal cooling passage within a turbine blade. Silicon heat strips, wrapped in copper foil, were placed on the bottom surface of the channel to ensure even heat distribution throughout. To measure internal surface temperatures, thermocouples were placed on the surface of heat plate as well as in the opening of the channel throughout. The four different rib geometries which were individually wrapped in copper foil were then placed on top of the heating element. To compare the rib geometry results with a control, a test was run with no ribs. To simulate turbulent air flow through the channel, a blower supplied velocities of 23.88 m/s and 27.86 m/s. These velocities yielded a Reynolds number ranging between 70,000 and 90,000. Final results were found in the form of the experimental Nusselt number divided by the theoretical Nusselt number, a standard when comparing surface heat transfer rates. The 60 degree staggered arrow geometry pointing away from the inlet and outlet (geometry 4) proved to create the highest heat transfer rate through the way it produced turbulent air flow. The average Nusselt number of this design was found to be 718.2 and 868.3 for 23.88 and 27.86 m/s respectively. From the calculated data it was found that higher Nusselt numbers were more prone to occur in higher air velocities.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Capillary zone electrophoretic separation of sulfonium and thiophenium ions

Capillary zone electrophoretic separation of sulfonium and thiophenium ions using phosphate buffer with TBA, pH 2.5, was investigated. Following their synthesis, 13 ions were synthesized and separated by this procedure. The benefits of speed and resolution has shown this method to be superior to that of conventional liquid chromatographic separation procedures.
When are clinical trials of a given agent vs. placebo no longer appropriate or feasible

Abstract In several situations, placebo-controlled trials may be difficult to conduct. This article discusses the reasons for such difficulty—principally, a belief that the effect of a therapy has already been established or the existence of another therapy already proved effective. In the latter case, an active control equivalence trial may be considered, but this design has important deficiencies in many situations, notably, the lack of assurance of assay sensitivity.
Alternative measures of homeownership gaps across segregated neighborhoods

Abstract The dramatic rise in the U.S. homeownership rate from 64% in 1996 to almost 70% in 2005 has prompted increased attention to the relation between homeownership and demographic characteristics of households. The recent rise and sharp decline of subprime lending will likely spur further interest in homeownership gaps. Statistical analysis of these differences or “gaps” in homeownership between white and minority households has evolved into a highly stylized comparison of differences in homeownership at the mean or the conditional mean. This study implements a quantile decomposition technique that identifies the unexplained portion of the gap not only at the mean, but at every percentile of the homeownership distribution. Results suggest that differences in homeownership gaps at the mean reflect a combination of small differences at the upper end and much larger gaps at the lowest end of the distribution of homeowners. This study also adds credit history to the factors that are used to explain homeownership gaps.
Sensory Evaluation of Fresh Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) Coated with Chitosan-based Edible Coatings

ABSTRACT: Strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) are highly perishable and characterized by a short shelf-life. Chitosan has been found to be an ideal preservative coating material for fresh berries due to its antifungal and film-forming properties. However, acid-dissolved chitosan solutions develop bitterness and astringency tastes, making chitosancoated foods less practical on the real market. Three 1% chitosan-based solutions were developed for coating strawberries: chitosan in 0.6% acetic acid solution, in 0.6% lactic acid solution, and in 0.6% lactic acid solution plus 0.2% vitamin E. Coated strawberries were packed in clam-shell boxes and stored at 2°C and approximately 88% to 89% RH for 1 wk, at which time they were evaluated by consumers for “liking” or acceptance attributes and by trained panel for describing the appearance, texture, and flavor of the strawberries. Results from consumer testing at 1 d and 1 wk after coating indicated that chitosan coatings increased the appearance acceptance of the strawberries, but coatings containing vitamin E decreased acceptable appearance of strawberries. Chitosan coatings did not change consumer acceptability of flavor, sweetness, or firmness of the samples. Trained panel results after 1 wk of storage showed that chitosan-coated strawberries have similar sensory descriptors as those of fresh berries, whereas coatings containing vitamin E developed the waxy-and-white surface of the samples. The trained panel did not detect astringency difference among all samples, indicating that 1% chitosan coating did not change astringency of strawberries.
Statistical techniques for analyzing of soil vapor intrusion data: A case study of manufactured gas plant sites

As part of an ongoing study of soil vapor intrusion (SVI), concentration data for approximately 2000 air and vapor samples were assembled from remedial site investigations and stand-alone assessments conducted at New York State Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP) sites. Vapor samples were collected from ambient outdoor air, indoor air, beneath building slabs, and from outside of buildings. Despite the large sample size, the considerable variability in compound and sample-specific censoring limits inhibited the use of conventional tools for statistical interpretation. This paper describes the development and application of improved statistical tools to address an unusually high degree of data censoring and possible artifacts related to uneven distributions of samples across sites and buildings. In addition to methods for calculating population percentiles and associated confidence intervals, methods for comparing the population of MGP-SVI data with a reference population were also developed and evaluated via illu...
Effects of an oscillating magnetic field on homogeneous ferrofluid turbulence.

This paper presents the results from direct numerical simulations of homogeneous ferrofluid turbulence with a spatially uniform, applied oscillating magnetic field. Due to the strong coupling that exists between the magnetic field and the ferrofluid, we find that the oscillating field can affect the characteristics of the turbulent flow. The magnetic field does work on the turbulent flow and typically leads to an increased rate of energy loss via two dissipation modes specific to ferrofluids. However, under certain conditions this magnetic work results in injection, or a forcing, of turbulent kinetic energy into the flow. For the cases considered here, there is no mean shear and the mean components of velocity, vorticity, and particle spin rate are all zero. Thus, the effects shown are entirely due to the interactions between the turbulent fluctuations of the ferrofluid and the magnetic field. In addition to the effects of the oscillation frequency, we also investigate the effects of the choice of magnetization equation. The calculations focus on the approximate centerline conditions of the relatively low Reynolds number turbulent ferrofluid pipe flow experiments described previously [K. R. Schumacher et al., Phys. Rev. E 67, 026308 (2003)].
A ZFY-like sequence in fish, with comments on the evolution of the ZFY family of genes in vertebrates

ZFY-like genes have been observed in a variety of vertebrate species. Although originally implicated as the primary testis-determining gene in humans and other placental mammals, more recent evidence indicates a role(s) outside that of testis determination. In this study, DNA from five species of fish, Carasius auratus, Rivulus marmoratus, Xiphophorus maculatus, X. milleri, and X. nigrensis was subjected to Southern blot analysis using a PCR-amplified fragment of mouse ZFY-like sequence as a probe. Restriction fragment patterns were not polymorphic between sexes in any one species but showed a different pattern for each species. With one exception, Rivulus, a 3.1-kb band from the EcoRI digestion was common to all. Sequence and open reading frame analysis of this fragment showed a strong homology to other known vertebrate ZFY-like genes. Of particular interest in this gene is a novel third finger domain similar to one human and one alligator ZFY-like gene. Our studies and others provide evidence for a family of vertebrate ZFY genes, with those having this novel third finger being representative of the ancestral condition.
In Vitro and Ex Vivo Autoradiographic Studies of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Using [18F]Fluoronorchloroepibatidine in Rodent and Human Brain

Abstract A fluorine-18-labeled analog of the potent nicotinic agonist epibatidine is a candidate radioligand for positron emission tomographic (PET) studies of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAcChR). Following intravenous administration of [ 18 F]exo-2-(2′-fluoro-5′-pyridinyl)-7-azabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (NFEP), high uptake in thalamus was visualized in sections of mouse and rat brain by autoradiography using a phosphor imaging device. Binding of [ 18 F]NFEP to rat thalamic homogenate was consistent with a single class of binding site with a Kd value of 71 pM. In vitro autoradiography of thaw-mounted sections of human thalamus revealed a heterogeneous pattern of binding; Bmax values for ventrolateral nucleus, insular cortex and dorsomedial nucleus, and internal capsule were 20, 8, and 3 pmol/cc of tissue, respectively. However, similar Kd values close to 50 pM were calculated for all regions. These studies support the suitability of [ 18 F]NFEP as a radioligand for PET studies of nAcChR in the living human brain.
Nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and skeletal muscle contraction.

REID, M. B. Redox regulation of skeletal muscle contraction. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 33, No. 3, 2001, pp. 371–376. Nitric oxide (NO) derivatives and reactive oxygen species (ROS) modulate contractile function of respiratory and limb skeletal muscle. The intracellular processes regulated by NO
Update in General Internal Medicine

The 1999–2000 Update Series begins with a discussion of important studies relevant to general internal medicine. Among the subject areas covered are cancer, stroke, venous thromboembolism, and oste...
Synthesis of a c-nucleoside analog of the antibiotic cordycepin

A C-nucleoside analog of cordycepin, 6-amino-8-(3-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)purine (6), has been synthesized. 3-Deoxy-2,5-di-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)- β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl bromide reacted with mercuric cyanide in nitromethane to give 2,5-anhydro-4-deoxy-3,6-di-O-(p-nitrobenzoyl)-D-ribo-hexononitrile which, after acid hydrolysis and removal of the protecting groups, afforded 2,5-anhydro-4-deoxy-D-ribo-hexonic acid. Reaction of this acid with 4,5,6-triaminopyrimidine gave the corresponding amide, which was pyrolyzed to give compound 6. The mass- and n.m.r.-spectral data for the synthesized analog are quite similar to those of the natural antibiotic.
Mid-depth Lagrangian pathways in the North Atlantic and their impact on the salinity of the eastern subpolar gyre

The role of Mediterranean Overflow Water (MOW) in creating subsurface salinity anomalies within the Rockall Trough, a gateway to high latitude areas of deep convection, has been examined closely in recent years. Eulerian investigations of high latitude property fields have suggested that these subsurface anomalies are likely the result of variability in the zonal extent of the eastern limb of the subpolar gyre: when expanded into the eastern North Atlantic, the gyre is presumed to limit the extent to which MOW is able to penetrate northward to subpolar latitudes. However, though the depth of the subsurface salinity anomalies in the Rockall Trough supports the hypothesis that the intermittent presence of MOW is involved in creating the anomalies, MOW pathways to the Rockall Trough have not yet been established. Here, Lagrangian trajectories from floats released in the eastern North Atlantic between 1996 and 1997 and synthetic trajectories launched within an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model are used to demonstrate that two main density neutral transport pathways lead to the Rockall Trough. One pathway involves the transport of relatively fresh waters as part of the North Atlantic Current and the other involves the transport of relatively salty waters from the eastern reaches of the subtropical North Atlantic. The results from this study indicate that changes in these pathways over time can explain the subsurface salinity variability in the Rockall Trough.
Development of an avascular region (the stigma) in ovarian follicles of lizards (Anolis).

The architecture of follicular blood vessels in the ovary of lizards (Anolis equestris and Anolis carolinensis) was studied by standard histology and also after vascular perfusion with an orange silicone-rubber compound or with India ink. The theca of the follicular wall contains a netlike arrangement of anastomosing sinusoids, which increase in size as a follicle grows. An avascular stigma forms in very small, growing follicles when a portion of the follicular wall contacts the ovarian surface epithelium. Blood vessels then invade the theca except in the zone of contact. The diameter of the stigma is about 50% of follicular diameter, regardless of follicular size. Although the stigma of smaller follicles is avascular, that of vitellogenic follicles is hypovascular, i.e., a few vessels radiate into the stigma region. The antiangiogenic process involved in stigma formation may continue as the stigma enlarges. The development pattern of stigma formation found in Anolis is displayed by many other vertebrates.
Much Ado about Nothing: Karl Barth's Being Unable to Do Nothing about Nothingness

Often a source of concern to commentators about the adequacy of Barth's theology is his treatment of evil, in particular Church Dogmatics III/3 §50 with its depiction of evil as das Nichtige (the nothingness). Against the impression that Barth has little time in his systematic theology for doing justice to evil it is worth attempting a reading that indicates the importance of this section and what it seems that Barth is doing with it. Das Nichtige belongs to a conflictual and dramatic account, and talk of its, for Barth, ‘absurd’‘existence’ belongs there. The dramatic flavour of this discussion further impresses that there is more to be said about ‘Barth on evil’ than any focus on the paradoxical and negative language used to depict it could express – this ‘more’ should come specifically through ethics.
The adsorption geometry of Ag(111)–(√7×√7)R19.1°-4Ar studied by LEED

Abstract The adsorption geometry of Ag(1 1 1)–(√7×√7) R 19.1°-4Ar was studied using low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). This higher-order commensurate phase was produced by preadsorbing a small amount of CO in order to block the close-packed steps, which pin the rotation angle of the overlayer. The dynamical LEED data were taken at a sample temperature of 31 K, and the results of the LEED analysis indicate that one Ar atom per unit cell occupies the top of a Ag substrate atom, while the other three Ar atoms occupy bridge sites. There is little, if any, distortion of the Ar lattice from hexagonal symmetry. The average Ar–Ag perpendicular spacing in this structure is 3.22±0.07 A. The Ar–Ag nearest-neighbor distances are 3.22 and 3.52 A for top-site and bridge-site Ar atoms, respectively.
Integrated circuit yield statistics

The random failure statistics for the yield of mass-produced semiconductor integrated circuits are derived by considering defect and fault formation during the manufacturing process. This approach allows the development of a yield theory that includes many models that have been used previously and also results in a practical control model for integrated circuit manufacturing. Some simpler formulations of yield theory that have been described in the literature are compared to the model. Application of the model to yield management are discussed and examples given.
The involvement of type IV phosphodiesterases in cocaine-induced sensitization and subsequent pERK expression in the mouse nucleus accumbens.

Rationale Cocaine exposure produces sensitization that is partly mediated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathways within the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Type IV phosphodiesterases (PDE4s) break down cAMP and are required for cocaine-induced conditioned place preference. Whether PDE4 disruption attenuates induction of behavioral sensitization to cocaine and subsequent NAc expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), which is involved in cocaine-induced sensitization, is unknown.
Mechanism of p-quinone methide initiated cyclization reactions terminated by alkenes: 1,2- vs. 1,3-hydrogen migration

Abstract Intramolecular cyclization of benzylic cations derived from p -quinone methides 5 and 6 , afforded the corresponding six- or seven-membered ring products 7 or 9 depending on the substitution of the alkene. Deuterium labeling experiments indicated that formation of 9 occurred via a 1,3-hydrogen shift, whereas formation of 7 proceeded via two sequential 1,2-hydride transfers.
Changing Paradigm of Meeting Management: What Does This Mean for Academia?

The landscape of meeting management has shifted from being an informal and a fragmented profession to a more developed and connected one. This reformation is transforming the role of the meeting professional to include not only being a master logistician but also a meeting designer, creating experiences that drive business results. Academic programs must now align with the meeting and business event competencies standards and teach future professionals in this field ways to drive business results and change behaviors. This article discusses meeting management as a profession, a paradigm shift that requires academics to bridge the gap between higher education and the marketplace, and a number of opportunities for meeting and event management programs that align with this new approach.
Nuclear goblins and cosmic gamma ray bursts

Among the cosmic and the macroscopic bodies composed of nuclear matter, the neutron stars and the nuclear goblins represent typical configurations. Nuclear goblins are stable only under large external pressure, in the interior of certain types of stars for instance. When propelled to the surface of their parent stars, and there exploding, they produce flares. When ejected from their parent stars and exploding in interstellar space they will give rise to short bursts of Gamma rays, with energies centered around 0.78 MeV and with characteristics which are in accord with the observations on the Gamma ray pulses detected in recent years by the four Vela spacecraft.
Uncovering buried volcanoes at Yucca Mountain

The hazard posed by small-volume basaltic volcanism to the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository in Nevada has been a topic of scientific debate for well over a decade. In the past few years, debate has focused on the extent and age of buried volcanoes in alluvial-filled basins of the Yucca Mountain region (YMR) and their potential impact on volcanic hazard estimates. To address this issue, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has sponsored an exceptionally high resolution aeromagnetic survey completed in 2004, and a presently ongoing drilling program to characterize the location, age, volume, and chemistry of buried basalt in the YMR (Figure 1). DOE has convened an expert panel that will use this information to update probabilistic volcanic hazard estimates originally obtained by experts in 1996. Partly on the basis of the unknown extent of buried volcanoes, Smith and Keenan [2005] suggested that volcanic hazard estimates might be 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than estimated by the 1996 expert elicitation.
Neurophysiological evidence for remediation of reward processing deficits in chronic pain and opioid misuse following treatment with Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement: exploratory ERP findings from a pilot RCT

Dysregulated processing of natural rewards may be a central pathogenic process in the etiology and maintenance of prescription opioid misuse and addiction among chronic pain patients. This study examined whether a Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) intervention could augment natural reward processing through training in savoring as indicated by event-related brain potentials (ERPs). Participants were chronic pain patients at risk for opioid misuse who were randomized to 8 weeks of MORE (n = 11) or a support group control condition (n = 18). ERPs to images representing naturally rewarding stimuli (e.g., beautiful landscapes, intimate couples) and neutral images were measured before and after 8 weeks of treatment. Analyses focused on the late positive potential (LPP)—an ERP response in the 400–1,000 ms time window thought to index allocation of attention to emotional information. Treatment with MORE was associated with significant increases in LPP response to natural reward stimuli relative to neutral stimuli which were correlated with enhanced positive affective cue-responses and reductions in opioid craving from pre- to post-treatment. Findings suggest that cognitive training regimens centered on strengthening attention to natural rewards may remediate reward processing deficits underpinning addictive behavior.
Partition of unity enrichment for bimaterial interface cracks

Partition of unity enrichment techniques are developed for bimaterial interface cracks. A discontinuous function and the two-dimensional near-tip asymptotic displacement functions are added to the finite element approximation using the framework of partition of unity. This enables the domain to be modelled by finite elements without explicitly meshing the crack surfaces. The crack-tip enrichment functions are chosen as those that span the asymptotic displacement fields for an interfacial crack. The concept of partition of unity facilitates the incorporation of the oscillatory nature of the singularity within a conforming finite element approximation. The mixed-mode (complex) stress intensity factors for bimaterial interfacial cracks are numerically evaluated using the domain form of the interaction integral. Good agreement between the numerical results and the reference solutions for benchmark interfacial crack problems is realized. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local step planning for a robot arm operating in an uncertain environment

We address the problem of sensor-based motion planning for a robot arm manipulator operating amongst obstacles of arbitrary shapes. Collisions might occur at any point on the arm body. The input information is assumed to be coming from a sensitive skin that covers the arm body. The skin is covered by densely distributed proximity sensors. In prior work, step calculation was based on the average of normal vectors to the points on the obstacles sensed by the robot. There are cases when this algorithm can lead to collisions. In this paper an algorithm is proposed for local step planning whereby the direction for the next step motion is done along the intersection of planes tangential to the points of obstacles sensed. The tangential planes themselves are approximated via the least square fit of the sensor readings involved. An expansion of the scheme to robot arms with arbitrary number of links is also discussed.
The Biosynthesis of Ethyl-β-glucoside in Extracts of Pea Seedlings

An enzyme, which lacks cellobiase activity, responsible for the synthesis of ethyl-β-glucoside has been found in the extracts of pea hooks (1-centimeter length of the apical portion of epicotyl) and has been partially purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation. The enzyme can transfer the glucosyl moiety from a group of phenolic β-glucosides to ethanol. A specific β-glucosyl donor, isosuccinimide β-glucoside, isolated from the extracts of pea seedlings shows the highest activity. The characteristics of the enzyme which synthesizes ethyl-β-glucoside and the glucosyl donor, isosuccinimide β-glucoside, have been studied. The significance of this system (enzyme and isosuccinimide β-glucoside) has been discussed.
Spontaneous Reports of Emotional Upset and Health Care Utilization Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Receiving a Potentially Upsetting Survey

This study assessed the effects of a potentially distressing mailed survey on the emotional well-being and health care utilization (HCU) of 4,918 male and female veterans who applied for posttraumatic stress disorder disability benefits. Content analysis of spontaneous comments, in combination with analysis of subjects' HCU before and after receipt of the survey, suggested that spontaneously disclosed episodes of emotional upset were rare. In general, surveyed veterans' HCU decreased after receipt of the survey.
Charismatic, Ideological, and Pragmatic Leaders' Influence on Subordinate Creative Performance Across the Creative Process

Using the charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic (CIP) model of leadership as a framework, 2 primary research questions were examined. First, when engaging in different tasks along the creative process, does leadership style influence the creative performance of subordinates? Second, how does the level of stress, to which subordinates are exposed, moderate the relationship between leadership style and creative performance? Hypotheses were tested using a laboratory-based design, where 336 participants engaged in 3 unique creative tasks specifically designed to represent the different steps along the creative process. The results indicate that charismatic leaders influence subordinate creative performance above and beyond pragmatic and ideological leaders on middle-stage creative tasks. Moreover, higher levels of stress decreased individual creative performance in terms of ratings of quality, but not originality. Additionally, stress had the least amount of impact on those individuals with a pragmatic lead...
Leveraging adult learning theory with online tutorials

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to apply adult-centered learning theories to online information literacy tutorials. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper that examines the application of adult learning theories to online information literacy tutorials. The application is supported by examples from the literature of libraries and higher education, and from the writers’ own experiences with designing online tutorials informed by adult learning theories. Findings – As online learners continue to be a growing population on our campuses, and as those online learners continue to be older than our traditional students, librarians must be prepared to design information literacy objects tailored to the unique learning styles of adults. Building from Knowles’ theory of andragogy, online tutorials that are informed by adult-centered strategies can be powerful tools for engaging with the adult online learner. Practical implications – This article gives a useful and comprehensive overview of ...
Holons: Three conceptions

Recent advances in systems theory have required a new term, ‘holon’ (a whole of parts functioning as part of a larger whole). These advances are complicated by differing interpretations provided by three competing kinds of general systems theory: Emergentism, structuralism and organicism. For emergentism, use of the term signifies a shift in emphasis from focusing on the dynamic equilibrium between a whole and its parts to that between the whole and the larger whole of which it is a part. For structuralism, the term serves in explaining subsystem adaptation to environmental and hierarchical constraints and determinations by invariant principles. By incorporating ideas from both emergentism and structuralism into its more intricate interpretations, the author claims that organicism presents a more adequate conception of the nature of holons—now regarded as essential to general systems thinking.
Scattering theory and linear least squares estimation—II. Discrete-time problems☆☆☆

Abstract A certain “star-product” formalism in scattering theory as developed by Redheffer is shown to also be naturally applicable to discrete-time linear least-squares estimation problems. The formalism seems to provide a nice way of handling some of the well-known algebraic complications of the discrete-time case, e.g. the distinctions between time and measurement updates, predicted and filtered estimates, etc. Several other applications of the scattering framework are presented, including doubling formulas for the error covariance, a change of initial conditions formula, equations for a backwards Markov state model and a new derivation of the Chandrasekhar-type equations for the constant parameter case. The differences between the discrete-time and continuous- time cases are noted.
Electrical Conductivity of the Manganese Chromite Spinel Solid Solution

Spinel phase based on Mn 1+x Cr 2-x O 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) was synthesized and characterized. The lattice parameter of the spinel was found to increase with increasing Mn content up to x = 0.7. At x > 0.7, the cubic spinel changed to tetragonal because of Jahn-Teller distortion. The electrical conductivity of the spinel also increased with increasing Mn content. Electrical conduction in this phase was likely through a small polaron hopping mechanism. The spinel phase showed similar electrical conductivity in both oxidizing and reducing environments expected in a solid oxide fuel cell operation.
Computer algebra and fast algorithms

The utility of modern symbolic computation packages in a course of convolution and discrete Fourier transform (DFT) algorithms is presented. It is shown how Mathematica has been used to help illustrate the number-theoretic, polynomial, and finite-field computations involved. The result is that students are relieved of much of the algebraic drudgery and can concentrate on learning the fundamental aspects of the subject. It has been found that large problems can be successfully solved by students in a way that they find to be both interesting and satisfying. In addition, symbolic verification techniques can be used to prove the correctness of the results that are obtained. >
Accelerated differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells toward adipogenic lineage via suspension-based shear stimulation

Tissue regeneration using autologous adult human mesenchymal stem cells has become an attractive approach due to the reduced probability of transplant rejection. The ability to differentiate stem cells without a bioreactor or specific media would substantially contribute to the creation of more efficient biocompatible scaffolds incorporating the differentiated stem cells of the patient. In this study, we examined differentiating stem cells via shear stimulation in a suspension flow. We shear exposed undifferentiated stem cells in a suspension through syringes connected to biocompatible tubing with various lengths. The resulting stimulation was capable of differentiating the stem cells towards the adipogenic lineage. Specifically, the stem cells differentiated towards the adipogenic lineage as reflected by increased fold changes in expression of markers MAPK1 and CFL1 via qRTPCR. Further immunocytochemical staining with colorimetric Oil Red O confirmed adipogenic differentiation of the hMSCs. The data from qRTPCR and immunocytochemical staining indicated shear stimulation of hMSCs in a suspension flow differentiated these cells into adipocytes. We conclude that our system presents a platform that can be used to differentiate stem cells for use on implantable biocompatible scaffolds.
A novel signaling pathway impact analysis

Motivation: Gene expression class comparison studies may identify hundreds or thousands of genes as differentially expressed (DE) between sample groups. Gaining biological insight from the result of such experiments can be approached, for instance, by identifying the signaling pathways impacted by the observed changes. Most of the existing pathway analysis methods focus on either the number of DE genes observed in a given pathway (enrichment analysis methods), or on the correlation between the pathway genes and the class of the samples (functional class scoring methods). Both approaches treat the pathways as simple sets of genes, disregarding the complex gene interactions that these pathways are built to describe. Results: We describe a novel signaling pathway impact analysis (SPIA) that combines the evidence obtained from the classical enrichment analysis with a novel type of evidence, which measures the actual perturbation on a given pathway under a given condition. A bootstrap procedure is used to assess the significance of the observed total pathway perturbation. Using simulations we show that the evidence derived from perturbations is independent of the pathway enrichment evidence. This allows us to calculate a global pathway significance P-value, which combines the enrichment and perturbation P-values. We illustrate the capabilities of the novel method on four real datasets. The results obtained on these data show that SPIA has better specificity and more sensitivity than several widely used pathway analysis methods. Availability: SPIA was implemented as an R package available at http://vortex.cs.wayne.edu/ontoexpress/ Contact: [email protected] Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Analytical solution and design guideline for highly reflective subwavelength gratings

We present an analytical solution for the reflectivity of a sub-wavelength grating in the case of transverse plane wave incidence and propose a design guideline for maximal reflectivity based on this solution.