cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Stress to Inflammation and Major Depressive Disorder: A Social Signal Transduction Theory of Depression

Major life stressors, especially those involving interpersonal stress and social rejection, are among the strongest proximal risk factors for depression. In this review, we propose a biologically plausible, multilevel theory that describes neural, physiologic, molecular, and genomic mechanisms that link experiences of social-environmental stress with internal biological processes that drive depression pathogenesis. Central to this social signal transduction theory of depression is the hypothesis that experiences of social threat and adversity up-regulate components of the immune system involved in inflammation. The key mediators of this response, called proinflammatory cytokines, can in turn elicit profound changes in behavior, which include the initiation of depressive symptoms such as sad mood, anhedonia, fatigue, psychomotor retardation, and social-behavioral withdrawal. This highly conserved biological response to adversity is critical for survival during times of actual physical threat or injury. However, this response can also be activated by modern-day social, symbolic, or imagined threats, leading to an increasingly proinflammatory phenotype that may be a key phenomenon driving depression pathogenesis and recurrence, as well as the overlap of depression with several somatic conditions including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic pain, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and neurodegeneration. Insights from this theory may thus shed light on several important questions including how depression develops, why it frequently recurs, why it is strongly predicted by early life stress, and why it often co-occurs with symptoms of anxiety and with certain physical disease conditions. This work may also suggest new opportunities for preventing and treating depression by targeting inflammation.
Dioxygen and nitric oxide reactivity of a reduced heme/non-heme diiron(II) complex [(5L)FeII⋯FeIICl]+. Using a tethered tetraarylporphyrin for the development of an active site reactivity model for bacterial nitric oxide reductase

Abstract We present here a first-generation model and initial reactivity (with O2 and NO) study for the heme/non-heme diiron active site chemistry of nitric oxide reductase (NOR), a denitrifying bacterial enzyme which converts nitric oxide to nitrous oxide (2NO+2e−+2H+→N2O+H2O). This research is also pertinent because of the considerable recent biological, chemical and industrial interest in NO and nitrogen oxides. The study employs the binucleating ligand 5L, with tetradentate tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TMPA) chelate tethered to a tetraarylporphyrin (with three 2,6-difluorophenyl meso substituents). The new, reduced, diiron(II) compounds [(5L)FeII⋯FeIICl]+ (2) have been synthesized by dithionite reduction of the previously characterized μ-oxo complex [(5L)FeIIIOFeIIICl]+ (1) and characterized as either a perchlorate (from 2a; λmax 424 (Soret), 544 nm, tetrahydrofuran (THF)) or tetraarylborate (2b; BArF) anion complexes. NMR spectroscopic studies indicates 2 possesses a high-spin heme in non- or weakly coordinating solvents (CH2Cl2 or THF), and the evidence suggests that coordination from one of the pyridyl arms of the TMPA tether is involved. Reaction of 2 with O2 results in the generation of an intermediate which is relatively stable at −80°C in THF (λmax; 416 (Soret), 538 nm), hypothesized to be a peroxo-bridged heme/non-heme diiron(III) complex. Warming of this intermediate gives back 1. The reaction course of 2 with nitric oxide depends on the concentration. On a UV–Vis scale (
Amelioration of inflammation and cytotoxicity by dipyridamole in brain endothelial cells.

Background: Increasing evidence suggests that beyond its antiplatelet properties, dipyridamole may have pleiotropic effects on other cells within the neurovascular elements of the brain. In this experimental cellular study, we asked whether dipyridamole can ameliorate brain endothelial injury after exposure to inflammatory and metabolic insults. Methods: Human brain endothelial cells were grown in culture, and exposed to TNFα (continuously for 20 h) or subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD; 6 h of insult followed by 18 h recovery). Expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 were measured by immunoblotting. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the conditioned media were quantified via zymography. MTT mitochondrial activity was measured to assess endothelial cell viability. Results: Exposure of human brain endothelial cells to TNFα (12.5–50 ng/ml) induced a clear increase in protein levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MMP-9. TNFα did not alter PECAM-1. Dipyridamole (1–5 µM) significantly attenuated ICAM-1 and MMP-9 levels after this inflammatory insult. No significant effects of dipyridamole were noted for VCAM-1. Six-hour OGD induced moderate endothelial cell death accompanied by a release of MMP-9. Dipyridamole significantly decreased MMP-9 levels and cell death after this metabolic insult. Conclusions: These results suggest that dipyridamole may ameliorate brain endothelial injury after inflammation and/or metabolic insults. How these putative cellular mechanisms may relate to clinical outcomes and conditions in stroke patients remains to be elucidated.
Serial tests of multiple hypotheses

Serial testing is introduced as a general method for carryig out a large umber of hypothesis tests , while maintaining a reasonable bound on the simultaneous Type I error probabilities . The power properties of serial testing differ from those of other simultaneous test procedures, and serial P-values a reassociated with the models under consideration.
Vibrations of three-dimensional pipe systems with acoustic coupling

A general algorithm is developed to calculate the beam-type dynamic response of three dimensional multiplane finite length pipe systems, consisting of elbow and straight ducts with continuous interfaces. Emphasis is on secondary acoustic wave effects giving rise to coupling mechanisms; and the simulation accounts for one-dimensional elastoacoustic coupling from a plane acoustic wave and secondary loads resulting from wave asymmetries. The transfer matrix approach is adopted in modeling the elastodynamics of each duct, with allowance for distribution loads. Secondary loads from plane wave distortion are considered with a solution of the Helmholtz equation in an equivalent rigid waveguide, and effects of path imperfection are introduced as a perturbation from the hypothetical perfectly straight pipe. Computations indicate that the one-dimensional acoustic assumption is valid for frequencies below one-half the first cut-off frequency, and the three-dimensional acoustic effects produce an increase in response levels near and above cut-off.
Ligand-dependent and -independent function of the transactivation regions of the human estrogen receptor in yeast.

The estrogen receptor (ER) is a transcription factor involved in steroid hormone signal transduction in higher eukaryotes. The receptor also functions as a ligand-dependent transcriptional activator when introduced into Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast), which suggests that at least some of the components of the signal transduction pathway are conserved between yeast and mammalian cells, and, moreover, allows the possibility of using this simple eukaryotic organism to dissect receptor function. However, whether the ER actually activates transcription in a mechanistically similar fashion in yeast and mammalian cells is unclear, since it has been reported that the transactivation function within the hormone binding domain (TAF-2) does not function in yeast. In this report, we have characterized the activity of the transactivation functions of the ER in yeast. Our results indicate that both TAF-2 and the N-terminal transactivation region (TAF-1) are functional in yeast and contribute synergistically t...
Carbohydrate metabolism in lean and obese Zucker rats

Carbohydrate metabolism was evaluated in lean and obese Zucker rats. Plasma glucose concentration, renal and hepatic gluconeogenesis, and hepatic glycogen content and rates of synthesis were investigated in 2-mo and 8-mo-old animals. Mild hyperglycemia was observed in obese Zucker rats compared to lean rats and was more pronounced in males than in females. Rates of glucose disappearance were normal in both female and male rats, although there was a trend toward decreased clearance in the male. Total organ hepatic and kidney PEPCK activity and kidney glucose production were elevated in obese compared to lean rats. Total organ hepatic glycogen levels and rates of glycogen synthesis were increased significantly in obese compared to lean, the increase being greater in males than females. The mild hyperglycemia present in obese Zucker rats is not associated with delayed disappearance of intravenously administered glucose, but may be due to the increased production of glucose by whole kidney and liver.
Making digital tickets possible via the microsoft smartphone

The paper illustrates the motivation for moving away from a paper-based ticket writing system to digital system using a portable devise. A simple to use application with a graphical user interface was developed for The Microsoft Smartphone.
Common origin of the artery of adamkiewicz and a posterior spinal artery with a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula: a case report

Progressive nature of the myelopathy seen in patients with dural arteriovenous fistulas call for timely diagnosis and surgical intervention to alleviate symptoms of neurologic dysfunction. We present a case report of a 51-year-old male presented with progressive sensory and motor deficits, along with gait instability associated with urinary incontinence for a period of one year. MRI of the spine demonstrated a thoracic spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. Spinal angiography showed at T7 on the left a common origin of the artery of adamkiewicz, a posterior spinal artery and the spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. The fistula was surgically treated and the patient made an almost complete recovery. To the author's knowledge, this is the first time that this common origin, of the three vessels, is described in the literature.
Attitudes About Recreation, Environmental Problems, and Estuarine Health Along the New Jersey Shore, USA

Management of ecosystems has advanced by an improvement in understanding not only of how ecosystems function, but of how people perceive their functioning and what they consider to be environmental problems within those systems. Central to such management is understanding how people view estuaries. In this article the author explores the perceptions and attitudes of people about coastal recreation, environmental problems, and future land use along the New Jersey shore (USA) by interviewing people who attended a duck decoy and craft show on Barnegat Bay. The people who were interviewed engaged in more days of fishing than any other recreational activity and engaged in camping the least. There were significant differences in recreational rates as a function of gender and location of residence, with men hunting and fishing more than women and photographing less than women. Jet skis were perceived as the most severe environmental problem, with chemical pollution, junk, oil runoff and overfishing as second level problems. Birds were perceived as not an environmental problem at all. Fishing, hiking, preservation, and camping ranked as the highest preferred future land uses for the two sites examined (Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, Naval Weapons Station Earle). The preferred future land usesmore » for these two sites, which are not under consideration for land-use changes, were very similar to those of people living near the Department of Energy`s Savannah River Site in South Carolina, despite the media attention and considerations of nuclear storage.« less
The co-occurrence of autism and birth defects: prevalence and risk in a population-based cohort.

AIM To estimate the prevalence of major birth defects among children with autism, the prevalence of autism in children with birth defects, and the risk for autism associated with having birth defects. METHOD Retrospective cohort including all children born in Atlanta, GA, USA, 1986 to 1993, who survived to age 3 years and were identified through Georgia vital records. Children with autism and other developmental disabilities residing in Atlanta at ages 3 to 10 years in 1996 were identified through the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program. Children with major birth defects through age 6 years were identified by the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program. RESULTS Birth defects were found among 6% of children with autism (total n=617; 488 males, 129 females) and was associated with a near twofold increased risk for autism overall. However, the risk magnitude and statistical significance varied by type of birth defect. With any type of birth defect, the risk for autism accompanied by intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities was typically higher than the risk for autism alone. A 6:1 to 8:1 male bias was observed among children with autism and a birth defect. INTERPRETATION Investigation of the association between autism and birth defects is warranted, especially for the role of birth defects in autism among sex-specific or autism subgroups.
Who pays the severance tax

Over the past four years, taxes levied by states on energy production have become a source of contention between the ''energy have'' and ''energy have-not'' regions of the nation. The popular notion that the taxes are shifted forward to consumers has gone virtually unchallenged in the policy debate. This paper examines the incidence and burden of severance taxes and also assesses the impact of severance taxation on production, investment, and land use. The author concludes that severance taxes are not shifted forward to consumers but are borne by producers and resources owners in the form of reduced profits and rents. 5 references.
Virtue in Organizations: Moral Identity as a Foundation for Moral Agency

Framing issues of organizational ethics in terms of virtues and moral agency (rather than in terms of rules and ethical behavior) has implications for the way social science addresses matters of morality in organizations. In particular, attending to matters of virtue and moral agency directs attention to the moral identity, or self-concept, of persons, and to the circumstances that influence self-identity. This article develops parallels between philosophical theories of virtue and the concept of moral identity as developed in social cognitive identity theory. Explicating notions of virtue and moral agency in terms of social cognitive identity theory, in turn, helps direct attention to a range of factors—including both organizational and extraorganizational, macro-cultural ones—that can foster or inhibit moral agency in organizations.
Diffusion disk susceptibility testing with cefaclor.

The reliability of the standardized 30-μg cephalothin disk and that of an experimental 30-μg cefaclor disk in predicting probable clinical susceptibility to cefaclor were compared. Quantitative determinations of cefaclor susceptibility were measured by the World Health Organization International Collaborative Study agar dilution procedure; diffusion disk tests were performed by the standardized U.S. Food and Drug Administration disk test. The cephalothin disk erred in predicting probable susceptibility in 52% of isolates of Enterococcus spp. resistant to 16 μg or less of cefaclor per ml; the cefaclor disk did not. The cephalothin disk erred in correctly predicting susceptibility in only 20% of cefaclor-susceptible isolates of Enterobacter spp.; the cefaclor disk correctly predicted susceptibility for 70%. These results indicate the need for further evaluation of a separate cefaclor disk for use in susceptibility testing with this new cephalosporin.
A Complementarity Framework for Forward Contracting Under Uncertainty

We consider a particular instance of a stochastic multi-leader multi-follower equilibrium problem in which players compete in the forward and spot markets in successive periods. Proving the existence of such equilibria has proved difficult, as has the construction of globally convergent algorithms for obtaining such points. By conjecturing a relationship between forward and spot decisions, we consider a variant of the original game and relate the equilibria of this game to a related simultaneous stochastic Nash game where forward and spot decisions are made simultaneously. We characterize the complementarity problem corresponding to the simultaneous Nash game and prove that it is indeed solvable. Moreover, we show that an equilibrium to this Nash game is a local Nash equilibrium of the conjectured variant of the multi-leader multi-follower game of interest. Numerical tests reveal that the difference between equilibrium profits between the original and constrained games are small. Under uncertainty, the equilibrium point of interest is obtainable as the solution to a stochastic mixed-complementarity problem. Based on matrix-splitting methods, a globally convergent decomposition method is suggested for such a class of problems. Computational tests show that the effort grows linearly with the number of scenarios. Further tests show that the method can address larger networks as well. Finally, some policy-based insights are drawn from utilizing the framework to model a two-settlement six-node electricity market.
A new practical formula for calculating free-stream aerosol particle properties in airborne sampling applications

In this paper, we derive a new formula for determining the free stream aerosol particle size distribution from airborne measurements with a sharp-edged aspirating diffuser sampler backed by a filter. We point out that Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Particle Dynamics (CPD) can be used to determine the conversion factor for translating the size distribution of particles collected on the filter to the free stream aerosol particle size distribution which is the quantity of interest in airborne aerosol particle sampling.
Low Voltage Electroporation of the Skin, or Is It Iontophoresis?

The skin is an effective barrier against toxic chemicals and pathogens. Its uppermost layer, the stratum corneum, is composed of layers of corneocytes and lipid multilayers and is impermeable to most water soluble substances. It also constitutes a formidable obstacle to transdermal delivery of drugs and genetic materials. The transdermal route, if available, provides an alternative, convenient, and noninvasive pathway for local and systemic delivery, especially with regard to timed release and the avoidance of degradation or metabolism in the gastrointestinal tract or liver.
A multifactor model of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery and its relationship to cognitive status and psychiatric diagnosis.

An oblique, five-factor model of a modified Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery is presented. One hundred fifty-one neuropsychiatric inpatients (94 men, 57 women) were examined on 44 neuropsychological indices. Five correlated dimensions (r = .25), viz., Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, Sensory-attention, Primary Motor, and Tactile-spatial abilities, were identified by maximum likelihood factor analyses of this correlation matrix. These findings are quite similar to those reported earlier by Fowler, Richards, Berent, and Boll (1985, 1987) and Royce, Yeudall, and Bock (1976). The factors may be broadly categorized using the distinction made by Lezak (1983) for verbal, nonverbal, and mental activity variables. MANOVAs revealed systematic relationships between simple-weighted factor scores and: (1) the overall level of cognitive functioning (p less than .01), as well as (2) psychiatric diagnosis (p less than .01). Implications of these findings for understanding the impact of neuropsychiatric disorders on the structure of abilities for such patients are developed.
General Route to Halide-Bridged Organopalladium A-Frame Complexes and Studies of Reductive Elimination from These Bimetallic Systems

Reactions of [Pd2Cl2(μ-dppm)2] with RMgX (R = Me, Et, Bu, Ph, C6H4Me-4) at low temperature, followed by addition of CBr4 and excess NH4PF6 or 1 equiv of TlPF6, provided halide-bridged organopalladium A-frame complexes of the form [Pd2R2(μ-X)(μ-dppm)2]PF6. Mixed metal complexes were obtained similarly starting from [PdPtCl2(μ-dppm)2]. Unsymmetrical A-frames of the type [Pd2(C6H2Me3-2,4,6)R(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)2]+ were generated by reaction of [Pd(C6H2Me3-2,4,6)(dppm)2]+ (obtained by treatment of [PdCl2(cod)] with mesitylmagnesium bromide at low temperature, followed by 2 equiv of dppm) with [Pd2R2(μ-Cl)2(AsPh3)2]. The organopalladium A-frames did not react readily with CO, but the corresponding acyl derivatives [Pd2(COR)2(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)2]PF6 were produced by carbonylation of [Pd2R2(μ-Cl)2(AsPh3)2] followed by addition of dppm (R = Me, Et, Bn). Thermal decomposition of [Pd2(CH2Ph)2(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)2]Cl was found to be first order in A-frame and resulted in quantitative formation of [Pd2Cl2(μ-dppm)2] and 1,2-diphenylet...
Metabolic inhibitors, elicitors, and precursors as tools for probing yield limitation in taxane production by Taxus chinensis cell cultures.

Inhibition of biosynthetic enzymes and translation and translocation processes, elicitation, and precursor feeding were used to probe biosynthetic pathway compartmentation, substrate-product relationships, and yield limitation of the diterpenoid taxanes in cell cultures of Taxus chinensis (PRO1-95). The results suggest the following : (i) the source of isopentenyl pyrophosphate in taxane production is likely plastidic rather than cytoplasmic; (ii) baccatin III may not be a direct precusor of Taxol (Taxol is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb for paclitaxel); (iii) baccatin III appears to have cytoplasmic and plastidic biosynthetic components, while Taxol production is essentially plastidic; and (iv) arachidonic acid specifically stimulates Taxol production but does not have a significant effect on baccatin III yield. Semiempirical mathematical models were used to describe these results and predict potential yield-limiting steps. Model simulations suggest that, under current operating conditions, Taxol production in Taxus chinensis (PRO1-95) cultures is limited by the ability of the cells to convert phenylalanine to phenylisoserine rather than by the branch-point acyl transferase. This result is supported by the lack of improvement of Taxol yield by feeding phenylalanine or benzoylglycine. The methods described in this article, while specifically expanding our knowledge of taxane production in PRO1-95 cultures, could be generally useful in investigating complex aspects of secondary metabolic pathways in plant cell cultures, especially when details of the pathway and compartmentation are sparse.
The calculation of the present worth single payment factors for reliability systems when life cycle is arbitrary

Abstract Life cycle costs are the total costs of a system over its lifetime. The present worth of these costs may be used to compare and select economic alternatives—especially at the design stage. For a system with uncertain lifetime, the present worth cost is a function of the system lifetime distribution and the compound interest rate. In this paper, the present worth single payment factors for a stochastically operating and continuously commissioned system are developed. The factors represent reality by taking into consideration the arbitraries in the system life cycle as determined by the user.
Urban RF multipath mitigation

Sensing in urban environments is of growing interest to the surveillance community, as is observation of targets with micro-Doppler features - elements of the target structure with independent range-Doppler behaviour about some target centroid. Multipath effects unique in character to urban sensing can conceal important features in the range-Doppler response of a target with micro-Doppler behaviour. The range-Doppler smearing because of multipath is analysed, and this analysis serves as the basis for a prominent point multipath mitigation algorithm. The effectiveness of this technique is evaluated with simulated micro-Doppler data with artificial multipath effects.
The bootstrap and the jackknife in ecotoxicology or nonparametric estimates of standard error

Abstract A recently invented statistical method, the bootstrap, is used to verify whether a hypothesis, developed from a limited data set, would be valid if all possible data would have been available, i.e. this statistical method allows generalization to chemicals of the same class not included in the original analysis. The validity of the relation, hypothesized by Neely, between the water solubility of an organic chemical and the ratio of the acute fish LC50 at two different time periods has been tested. The hypothesis has been shown correct by first fitting a linear model with a geometric mean (GM) functional regression, which takes into account errors in both the independent and dependent variables, to compare observed and predicted ratios; the generality of the model has been tested by computing the confidence limits of the correlation coefficient, of the slope and intercept of the GM regression model using the bootstrap. The results show that the correlation between predicted and observed data is statistically significant within one standard deviation, but sometimes it may not be significant at the 95% confidence limit. Neely's model is probably correct but it might have a systematic bias which makes the theoretical ratio somewhat higher than the observed ratio.
The Contribution of Practice Skills in a Care Management Process for Family Caregivers

Practice skills are believed to improve practice, yet, little is known about the extent to which skills affect outcomes. This exploratory study examined the extent to which 3 practice skills specific to a care management context for family caregivers, including communication skills, supportive skills, and linking skills, were associated with fidelity of a care management process. Twenty-one care managers who used a single process to serve 113 family caregivers were included in the study. Bivariate correlation analysis revealed the 3 practice skills are positively associated with process fidelity. Implications for social work practice, education, and research are discussed.
Quasigroup automorphisms and the Norton-Stein complex

Suppose that d > 1 is the largest power of two that divides the order of a finite quasigroup Q. It then follows that each automorphism of Q must contain a cycle of length not divisible by d in its disjoint cycle decomposition. The proof is obtained by considering the action induced by the automorphism on a certain orientable surface originally described in a more restricted context by Norton and Stein.
Applications of microwave remote sensing of soil moisture for water resources and agriculture

Abstract There has been significant progress in the application of microwave remote sensing for measuring soil moisture. Both passive and active systems have demonstrated the capability to measure soil moisture, and there have been a number of studies using aircraft and spaceborne data that have demonstrated its usefulness for agricultural and hydrologic applications. However, there are still several unresolved questions regarding the optimal instrument configuration and other target characteristics such as roughness and vegetation. In addition, the most likely disciplines for using these data, agriculture and hydrology, do not currently possess adequate models or procedures to use this new technology.
Identification and quantitation of fatty acid ethyl esters in biological specimens

Fatty acid ethyl esters, recently described as enzymatic products of nonoxidative ethanol metabolism in the heart, may represent a mediator or marker of ethanol-induced organ pathology such as alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This study was designed to develop a method for the extraction, quantitation, and definitive identification of fatty acid ethyl esters formed both in biological specimens and during enzymatic incubations. First, several potential sources of error were identified and characterized. Tissue extraction with alcohols led to the time, temperature, and concentration-dependent nonenzymatic formation of fatty acid alcohol esters. Contamination of both substrates, [14C]ethanol and 14C-fatty acid, used to measure enzymatically mediated fatty acid ethyl ester synthesis, could be removed by purification. Accurate quantitation of fatty acid ethyl esters in tissue was achieved using acetone as an extraction solvent, after which isolated lipids were thin-layer chromatographed on silica gel developed with an apolar solvent system (petroleum ether:diethyl ether:acetic acid, 75:5:1). Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy identified individual fatty acid ethyl esters. The reproducibility of this assay was high, as assessed by quintuplicate determinations of fatty acid ethyl esters formed in liver and heart homogenates, a method with standard deviations 4 to 11% of the mean.
A novel test structure for monitoring doping variations in a MOSFET

Abstract A new test structure and measurement technique is described that allows improved monitoring of the integrated channel doping in MOSFETs which is the primary cause of statistical threshold voltage fluctuations. The methodology is physically based and has been applied successfully to a 0.8 μm BiCMOS process. The advantages of this approach over the conventional method are demonstrated. Results obtained from high volume testing are also presented.
The Human Side of Work: The Socio‐Technical Approach to Work System Design

For me, the human side of work is the most important aspect in any consideration of jobs and organizations. Hospital organizations, for example, are made up of people, their jobs are, of course, done by people, and the results of that work are for people — whether they be direct recipients such as patients, or customers; or whether they be the indirect recipients such as the community, or the employees themselves. The dilemma is highlighted by asking, why do we so often separate the effects of work on the humans involved in its production, from the effects on humans as recipients of its end result? I will posit that if work is consciously designed as a meaningful activity for the people involved in its production, then chances are good that its product will also better suit its human users. That is, there is a systemic relationship between the quality of working life and the quality of the product of that work. In so saying however we must likewise acknowledge the importance of the technical requirements of the work — for having meaning to the people involved is not enough. Work that is meaningfully arranged, both for the humans involved in its execution and for its technical requirements, typically results in a higher quality product and, not infrequently, in greater productivity as well. In our experience results are frequently accompanied by lowered absenteeism and turnover and greater feelings of satisfaction with the work activity. Work system design, or socio‐technical system design, is a powerful approach to this human side of work — work that is meaningful in both that human sense, as well as the technical sense.
Diagnostic Utility of Müllerian Inhibiting Substance Determination in Patients with Primary and Recurrent Granulosa Cell Tumors

Abstract Objectives. In this study we evaluated changes in serum Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) concentration in a large number of patients with granulosa cell tumors (GCT) to determine whether MIS is elevated at the time of presentation and whether MIS is an index of successful surgical resection and management of recurrences. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed MIS levels from 17 subjects prior to tumor resection and studied serial MIS samples from 56 subjects following initial tumor resection. Clinical follow-up information was available for 36 of those with postoperative MIS values. Serum MIS was measured by an ELISA. MIS values were compared to a combination of normative values previously established in our laboratory and from more recently obtained samples from older pre- and postmenopausal women, using this assay. Results. Serum MIS was elevated pre-operatively in 6 of 8 (75%) subjects with juvenile GCTs and in 7 of 9 (78%) of those with adult GCTs relative to age-matched controls (76% for both types combined). Post-operative clinical correlation was available for 36 patients. There was no clinical recurrence in 21 subjects with normal or undetectable postoperative values, and incompletely resectable tumor or recurrence was identified in 6 of 15 patients with elevated postoperative values. Conclusions. The results of this study demonstrate that postoperative serum MIS concentrations may be used to evaluate the completeness of tumor removal following initial surgery and that serial MIS determinations may allow the detection of recurrences.
Replicating a survey of pressure ulcer content in nursing textbooks

Nurses enter the profession with knowledge about pressure ulcer prevention and care and acquired from their basic educational programs. A prior review of nursing textbooks regarding pressure ulcer content published almost a decade ago revealed that incomplete, inaccurate, and at times limited information (as few as 200 lines of text) was contained in 10 commonly used textbooks. A review of the updated editions of the textbooks revealed a wide variation in the number of lines of text devoted to pressure ulcers, depth and quality of information, and the number of illustrations and tables. New findings were the inclusion of cultural concepts and research studies. These findings suggest an improvement in the amount and quality of pressure ulcer information in the majority of nursing textbooks surveyed. Recommendations for future textbook chapters on pressure ulcers are provided.
Bond orientational order in the randomly diluted elastic network.

It is proposed that the randomly diluted elastic network of Hooke's-law central-force springs in two dimensions may have a hitherto unrecognized splay-rigid phase in which the bulk and shear moduli vanish but the Frank elastic constant, $K$, is nonzero. Exponents for the associated splay-rigidity percolation and torsional resistance are estimated by series-expansion techniques. These exponents are related to that for $K$ through the node-link picture.
U.S. Free Trade Agreements and Linkages

Abstract This article examines the driving factors that account for patterns of linkages to broader economic, labor, environmental, and security issues in U.S. Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). Rather than only emphasizing trade benefits or security considerations as in much recent work on FTAs, this analysis provides a richer empirical picture by focusing on the full universe of U.S. FTAs. It conceptually differentiates among different issues that might be linked to FTAs and categorizes different patterns of U.S. FTAs based on the key issues that drove negotiations. The article then examines these negotiations from a theoretical standpoint, focusing on three elements. First, it examines the degree to which linkages in the U.S. domestic policymaking process are top-down or bottom-up. Second, it considers linkages types in terms of the underlying basis for issue connections – either power or knowledge. Third, it more briefly examines the bargaining process. The conceptual and theoretical analysis is buttressed through an examination of various illustrative cases of U.S. FTA negotiations to demonstrate the utility of this approach to illuminate the variety of ‘linkage packages’ that have driven U.S. FTAs. We conclude with the broader implications of linkages politics in FTAs.
Design of two-link, in-plane, bistable compliant micro-mechanisms

A bistable mechanism has two stable states within its range of motion. Its advantages include the ability to stay in two positions without power input and despite small external disturbances. Therefore, bistable micro-mechanisms could allow the creation of MEMS with improved energy efficiency and positioning accuracy. This paper presents bistable micro-mechanisms which function within the plane of fabrication. These bistable mechanisms, called Young bistable mechanisms, obtain their energy storage characteristics from the deflection of two compliant members. They have two pin joints connected to the substrate, and can be constructed of two layers of polysilicon. The pseudo-rigid-body model is used to analyze and design these mechanisms. This approach allows greater freedom and flexibility in the design process. The mechanisms were fabricated and tested to demonstrate their bistable behavior and to determine the repeatability of their stable positions.
Effects of Ion and Water Channels Blockers and Uncouplers on the Dionaea Muscipula Ellis Trap Closure

The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula Ellis) captures insects with one of the most rapid movements in the plant kingdom. Here we present detailed experiments for comparative study of effects of inhibitors of ion channels, aquaporins, and uncouplers on kinetics of the trap closing stimulated by mechanical or electrical triggering of the trap. Two method of inhibitors phytoextraction were used: (1) two 10 μL drops of channels blockers or uncouplers were placed on the midrib of the trap or (2) addition of 50 mL of inhibitors to the soil. Both methods of inhibitors phytoextraction give the same effects on the kinetics of the trap closing. Ion and water channels blockers such as HgCl2, TEACl, ZnCl2, BaCl2, as well as uncouplers CCCP, FCCP, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and pentachlorophenol decrease speed and increase time of the trap closing [1]. We applied for the evaluation of the mechanism of trap closing our new hydroelastic curvature mechanism, which is based on the assumption that the lobes possess curvature elasticity and are composed of outer and inner hydraulic layers with different hydrostatic pressure. The open state of the trap contains high elastic energy accumulated due to the hydrostatic pressure difference between the hydraulic layers of the lobe. Stimuli open pores connecting the two layers, water rushes from one hydraulic layer to another, and the trap relaxes to the equilibrium configuration corresponding to the closed state. The detailed mechanism of the trap closing is discussed.[1] A.G. Volkov, K.J. Coopwood, V.S. Markin, Plant Science 175 (2008) 642-649.
Backscatter digital holography of microparticles

This work investigates a method for digital holographic imaging of microparticles. Traditional digital holographic techniques use a particle's forward scattered light to form the hologram, whereas here we use the backscattered light. Images of a particle are then computationally reconstructed from the backscatter hologram, and several examples of such reconstructions are presented. A potential advantage of this technique is that the backscatter holograms may be more sensitive to particle-surface details.
Corrosion protection of mild carbon steel media in phosphate grinding mill using impressed current technology

Abstract Corrosion plays a significant role in wear of mills used to grind acidic phosphate slurry at pH 2–4 in Florida fertilizer plants. Approximately half of the grinding media wear results from corrosion or oxidation dissolution of metal surfaces in grinding. Cathodic protection using impressed current was investigated to reduce the wear rate. The effect of polarization potential on corrosion rate and required current density were studied using a specially designed ball mill whose electrochemical potential can be controlled. Experimental results indicate that the total wear rate was reduced by 42–46% for 1018 carbon steel when a potential of −1.0 V was applied. The required current density to effectively reduce the wear rate was 210 mA/m2 in pH 3.1 solution, 180 mA/m2 in pH 6.8 solution, and 160 mA/m2 in pH 9.2 solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used to investigate the surface morphology, corrosion products, and composition of metals during phosphate grinding with and without cathodic protection. SEM results indicated that pitting corrosion was the main corrosion type. XRD images suggested that Fe2O3 was the main corrosion product in pH 3.1 solution without cathodic protection, and the corrosion was significantly reduced when potential of −1.0 V was applied.
Cooking Up Colors from Plants, Fabric, and Metal

In this Activity, students dye fabric squares with two plant dyes: aqueous extracts of tea leaves and of marigold flowers. They investigate how the addition of iron to a dye bath affects the resulting color and fastness of the dyed fabrics and observe that the type of fabric affects the results.
Coal direct chemical looping combustion process: Design and operation of a 25-kWth sub-pilot unit

Abstract The Coal-Direct Chemical Looping (CDCL) process using iron-based oxygen carriers has been developed as a coal conversion process with in situ CO 2 capture. The CDCL system cycles oxygen carriers between two reactors, a reducer reactor and a combustor reactor, in order to convert coal for electric power generation. The reducer reactor features a unique design of a gas–solid counter-current moving bed configuration to achieve the reduction of Fe 2 O 3 particles to a mixture of Fe and FeO while converting the coal into CO 2 and steam. The combustor reactor is a fluidized bed that oxidizes the reduced particles back to Fe 2 O 3 with air. The oxidation of iron is an exothermic reaction and the heat can be recovered for electricity generation. In the riser, the particles are pneumatically transported back to the reducer. An integrated 25-kW th CDCL sub-pilot plant has been constructed and demonstrated, which is the first integrated chemical looping demonstration unit for the direct conversion of solid fuel with a circulating moving bed system. The design and operation experience of the 25 kW th CDCL sub-pilot unit are reported in this paper. Specifically, the design criteria and operation conditions of the CDCL reactor system are first discussed which is followed by the construction of the sub-pilot unit. The tests with metallurgical coke and sub-bituminous coal resulted in 81% and 97% carbon conversions, respectively. Both tests yielded CO 2 purity greater than 99%, indicating the complete oxidation of volatile gases in the moving bed reducer. The gas analyses from the combustor outlet demonstrated a proper regeneration of oxygen carriers. A low CO 2 concentration in the combustor also confirms that there was no unconverted carbon transfer to the combustor and hence eliminated the need for an additional carbon separation device such as a carbon stripper. The demonstration results from the sub-pilot system substantiate the process concept of the CDCL, which is capable of processing coal continuously with reactor in situ CO 2 capture and the cyclic usage of oxygen carriers.
The Social Power of Health-Care Practitioners as Agents of Change

This paper examines dominant sources of social power and influence that affect the degree to which patients adhere to recommended regimens for prevention or treatment and their rate of recovery. Referent power of health-care practitioners, as contrasted with their expert, coercive, reward and legitimate power, is expected to be most effective when internalization of medical recommendations by the patients is essential. The paper explores specific ways that a health-care professional can gain referent power, using weight control treatment as an example. It presents a conceptual framework that provides a rationale for a number of relationship-building techniques and offers evidence that referent power is effective in promoting adherence to treatment and more healthful behavior, and in influencing critical outcome measures such as weight loss. Analysis of the relative efficacy of various methods of building and using referent power and the possible limiting conditions on its effectiveness are also discussed.
Heterogeneity of paralytic shellfish poisons. three new toxins from cultured Gony aulax tamarensis cells, Mya arenaria and Saxidomus giganteus

1. 1. Three new toxins (gonyautoxin-IV, gonyautoxin-V, and neosaxitoxin) have been isolated from cultured Gonyaulax tamarensis cells bringing the total number of paralytic shellfish poisons to seven. 2. 2. Soft shell clams Mya arenaria, exposed to a bloom of G. tamarensis, have been found to contain gonyautoxin-IV and neosaxitoxin in different proportions to those found in the dinoflagellate. 3. 3. Neosaxitoxin has been also isolated from Alaska butter clams, Saxidomus giganteus. This is the first report of the presence of a toxin other than saxitoxin in Alaska butter clams.
Photovoltaic devices created from electrodeposited nano-textured poly(thiophene) films

Polythiophene films can be electrodeposited on modified ITO substrates, textured to increase their active surface area, doped to enhance charge transport, and then interfaced with C60 thin films to create “planar heterojunction” photovoltaic devices with power conversion efficiencies up to 1%. Preliminary results indicate that these electrodeposited films (eP3HT) modified with appropriate ligands can serve as hosts for semi-conducting nanoparticles (CdSe NPs). These NPs may ultimately extend the device spectral sensitivity into the red and near-IR spectral regions.
The determination of hexachlorophene in biological tissue and fluids by gas liquid chromatography

Abstract A sensitive and simplified gas chromatographic procedure has been developed for the determination of hexachlorophene (HCP) in biological tissues and blood sera. The HCP is extracted from lyophilized tissue with benzene. The benzene extracts are injected onto a glass chromatograph column at 230°. An electron capture detector was used. Detection of amounts as low as 0.2 ng HCP are possible with this method. At dilutions used, non-HCP-containing extractables do not cause appreciable interference in serum, liver, and kidney. Additional use of thin-layer chromatography for partial isolation of HCP may be of value for brain tissue. The method has been utilized for rat tissues and blood sera from animals previously washed with hexachlorophene-containing soap solutions.
Auditory delayed matching in the bottlenose dolphin

A bottlenose dolphin, already highly proficient in two-choice auditory discriminations, was trained over a nine-day period on auditory delayed matching-to-sample and then tested on 346 unique matching problems, as a function of the delay between the sample and test sounds. Each problem used new sounds and was from five to 10 trials long, with the same sound used as the sample for all trials of a problem. At each trial, the sample was projected underwater for 2.5 sec, followed by a delay and then by a sequence of two 2.5-sec duration test sounds. One of the test sounds matched the sample and was randomly first or second in the sequence, and randomly appeared at either a left or right speaker. Responses to the locus of the matching test sound were reinforced. Over nine, varying-sized blocks of problems, the longest delay of a set of delays in a block was progressively increased from 15 sec initially to a final value of 120 sec. There was a progressive increase across the early blocks in the percentage of correct Trial 1 responses. A ceiling-level of 100% correct responses was then attained over the final six blocks, during which there were 169 successive Trial 1 responses bracketed by two Trial 1 errors (at 24- and 120-sec delays). Performance on trials beyond the first followed a similar trend. Finally, when the sample duration was decreased to 0.2 sec or less, matching performance on Trial 1 of new problems dropped to chance levels.