cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Altered Hyperlipidemia, Hepatic Steatosis, and Hepatic Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in Rats with Intake of Tart Cherry

ABSTRACT Elevated plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, and fatty liver are among components of metabolic syndrome, a phenotypic pattern that typically precedes the development of Type 2 diabetes. Animal studies show that intake of anthocyanins reduces hyperlipidemia, obesity, and atherosclerosis and that anthocyanin-rich extracts may exert these effects in association with altered activity of tissue peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). However, studies are lacking to test this correlation using physiologically relevant, whole food sources of anthocyanins. Tart cherries are a rich source of anthocyanins, and whole cherry fruit intake may also affect hyperlipidemia and/or affect tissue PPARs. This hypothesis was tested in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive rat having insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. For 90 days, Dahl rats were pair-fed AIN-76a-based diets supplemented with either 1% (wt:wt) freeze-dried whole tart cherry or with 0.85% additional carbohydrate to match macronutrient and calorie provisi...
Computer-aided method for automated selection of optimal imaging plane for measurement of total cerebral blood flow by MRI

A computer-aided method for finding an optimal imaging plane for simultaneous measurement of the arterial blood inflow through the 4 vessels leading blood to the brain by phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging is presented. The method performance is compared with manual selection by two observers. The skeletons of the 4 vessels for which centerlines are generated are first extracted. Then, a global direction of the relatively less curved internal carotid arteries is calculated to determine the main flow direction. This is then used as a reference direction to identify segments of the vertebral arteries that strongly deviates from the main flow direction. These segments are then used to identify anatomical landmarks for improved consistency of the imaging plane selection. An optimal imaging plane is then identified by finding a plane with the smallest error value, which is defined as the sum of the angles between the plane’s normal and the vessel centerline’s direction at the location of the intersections. Error values obtained using the automated and the manual methods were then compared using 9 magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) data sets. The automated method considerably outperformed the manual selection. The mean error value with the automated method was significantly lower than the manual method, 0.09±0.07 vs. 0.53±0.45, respectively (p<.0001, Student’s t-test). Reproducibility of repeated measurements was analyzed using Bland and Altman’s test, the mean 95% limits of agreements for the automated and manual method were 0.01~0.02 and 0.43~0.55 respectively.
On the stability of sickle hemoglobin macrofibers: isolated layers of antiparallel double strands.

Abstract Sickle hemoglobin macrofibers consist of rows of anti-parallel double strands twisted about the particle axis. Under appropriate conditions the outer two rows can dissociate from the particle. These structures retain the helical twist of the parent macrofiber and slowly dissociate to monomers over a period of several hours. Individual double strands or pairs of parallel double strands are never observed, suggesting that only the antiparallel pairing is energetically favorable.
Temperature regulation during centrifugal elutriation and its effect on cell separation.

Centrifugal elutriation appears to be a promising method for cell separation. The quality of the separation may be limited by the control of temperature within the separation chamber, which affects the fluid viscosity and rotor speed. The factors affecting the temperature regulation have been re-examined. At flow rates between 10 and 40 mL/min the temperature within the chamber was primarily dependent on the temperature of the fluid flowing into the rotor. Increases in the temperature of the fluid while it flowed through the rotor were observed and were greater at higher rotor speeds and lower flow rates. This heating, caused by friction at the rotating seal, could raise the fluid temperature within the chamber by as much as 6°C. Fluctuations in the temperature of the centrifuge produced temperature variations of only 0.3°C in the fluid in the elutriation chamber. Small increases in the rate of elutriation of cells, concomitant with centrifuge cooling and speed fluctuations, were detected by optical density measurements. However, neither the modal volume nor coefficient of variation of the collected cells were affected.
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in House Dust and Clothes Dryer Lint

Few studies have measured the flame retardants polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the indoor environment. Here, we report measurements of PBDEs in house dust samples collected from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in the United States. Dust samples were analyzed for 22 individual PBDE congeners and our results found PBDEs present in every sample. Concentrations of total PBDEs ranged from 780 ng/g dry mass to 30 100 ng/g dry mass. The dominant congeners observed in the dust samples were congeners associated with the pentaBDE and decaBDE commercial mixtures. Ancillary data were collected on the homes and examined for any correlations with total PBDE concentrations. No correlations were observed with year of house construction, type of flooring (i.e., hardwood vs carpet) or the number of television sets or personal computers in the home. However, a significant inverse correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between the area of the home and the contribution of BDE 209 to the total PBDE concentration in dust. Using estimates of inadvertent dust ingestion (0.02-0.2 g/day) by young children (ages 1-4), we estimate ingestion of total PBDEs to range from 120 to 6000 ng/day. Clothes dryer lint was also sampled and analyzed for PBDEs from five of the homes and were present in all five samples ranging from 480 to 3080 ng/g dry mass. This study demonstrates that PBDEs are prevalent at relatively high concentrations within homes where people, and particularly young children, may be susceptible to exposure.
Correcting oral contraceptive pharmacokinetic alterations due to obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective To determine if increasing the hormone dose or eliminating the hormone-free interval improves key pharmacokinetic (PK) alterations caused by obesity during oral contraceptive (OC) use.
Hepatic metabolism of retinoids and disease associations

The liver is the most important tissue site in the body for uptake of postprandial retinoid, as well as for retinoid storage. Within the liver, both hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are importantly involved in retinoid metabolism. Hepatocytes play an indispensable role in uptake and processing of dietary retinoid into the liver, and in synthesis and secretion of retinol-binding protein (RBP), which is required for mobilizing hepatic retinoid stores. HSCs are the central cellular site for retinoid storage in the healthy animal, accounting for as much as 50-60% of the total retinoid present in the entire body. The liver is also an important target organ for retinoid actions. Retinoic acid is synthesized in the liver and can interact with retinoid receptors which control expression of a large number of genes involved in hepatic processes. Altered retinoid metabolism and the accompanying dysregulation of retinoid signaling in the liver contribute to hepatic disease. This is related to HSCs, which contribute significantly to the development of hepatic disease when they undergo a process of cellular activation. HSC activation results in the loss of HSC retinoid stores and changes in extracellular matrix deposition leading to the onset of liver fibrosis. An association between hepatic disease progression and decreased hepatic retinoid storage has been demonstrated. In this review article, we summarize the essential role of the liver in retinoid metabolism and consider briefly associations between hepatic retinoid metabolism and disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Retinoid and Lipid Metabolism.
Tensile and compressive failure modes of laminated composites loaded by fatigue with different mean stress

Laminated composite materials tend to fail differently under tensile or compressive load. Under tension, the material accumulates cracks and fiber fractures, while under compression, the material delaminates and buckles. Tensile-compressive fatigue may cause either of these failure modes depending on the specific damage occurring in the laminate. This damage depends on the stress ratio of the fatigue loading. Analysis of the fatigue behavior of the composite laminate under tension-tension, compression-compression, and tension-compression had led to the development of a fatigue envelope presentation of the failure behavior. This envelope indicates the specific failure mode for any stress ratio and number of loading cycles. The construction of the fatigue envelope is based on the applied stress-cycles to failure (S-N) curves of both tensile-tensile and compressive-compressive fatigue. Test results are presented to verify the theoretical analysis.
Designing property rights for water: mediating market, government, and corporation failures

Recent decades have seen an acceleration in public concern about the allocation of increasingly scarce water supplies. There are many reasons for this concern, such as growth in urban populations. In this article, we focus on how surface water’s special qualities (the combination of spillovers, rent-seeking behavior, and common pool resources) complicate the assignment of property rights in any legal framework. These characteristics make specific market structures necessary in order to efficiently allocate rights. The state usually designs those structures. Yet, just like markets can fail, so can governments fail to effectively allocate those rights. So designers often turn to quasi-judicial conservancy boards as a second-best solution. We argue that those boards may themselves fail through a form of “corporation failure.” We address these three types of failures, and offer an analysis of two cases that suggests that the likelihood conservancy boards will suffer from corporate failure depends on the actions of the boards and outside stakeholders (like governments).
Efficacy of ground spray application of bait sprays with malathion or spinosad on Mexican fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Texas citrus

An important component in the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), eradication program is bait spray application to knock down localized A. ludens infestations enhancing the sterile to wild fly ratio and increasing the effectiveness of the sterile insect release program. Efficacy tests were conducted using spray equipment that applies ultralow application rates of malathion NU-LURE or GF-120 spinosad by ground into citrus. Trapit Dome traps located in fields treated with malathion NU-LURE and GF-120 spinosad high rate caught significantly fewer flies than the control in all replications. Treatments reduced the Mexican fruit fly populations by 99.1 and 92.5% with malathion and 98.2 and 89.9% with GF-120 spinosad high rate. Traps in plots with lower rates of GF-120 reduced fly populations by 76.3 and 74.3% in winter and summer test, respectively. There was no indication of fly repulsion from either malathion or GF-120 spinosad during this test. The bait spray option using ground spray equipment to apply ultra-low rates of either malathion NU-LURE or GF-120 spinosad high rate is a viable cost effective treatment method to treat small acreages for A. ludens. For organic growers, the ground spray equipment is effective in applying GF-120 spinosad at the labeled rates.
Gender differences in cocaine dependence

Aims: This study examined gender differences among treatment-seeking cocaine-dependent outpatients (e.g., on demographics, psychopathology, and substance abuse). Participants: Participants were 2376 adults with cocaine dependence entering a multisite randomized controlled trial of psychosocial therapies. Findings: Women, compared to men, had less severe lifetime substance use problems but a higher pattern of psychiatric, medical, social/family, and employment problems; they also had more positive expectations and opinions about treatment. Conclusions: Women may be willing to engage in treatment but may have challenging economic and psychosocial concerns over and above their addiction.
Kolmogorov-type spectrum for the turbulence of acoustic waves in two dimensions

Abstract We find a Kolmogorov-type spectrum for the 2D turbulence of waves with the “sound-like” dispersion law Ω k =u|k| . The spectrum is proportional to P 3 5 , where P is the flux of energy through the scales. This provides an example of turbulence which is weaker than strong hydrodynamic turbulence, but stronger than the weak turbulence of dispersive waves. To analyze the localness of the turbulence we use the simplest closure (the so-called one-loop approximation). We apply the results to the turbulence of shallow water gravity waves, two-dimensional acoustic turbulence.
A randomized controlled trial of ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheters compared with standard radiograph in neonates

A randomized controlled trial of ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheters compared with standard radiograph in neonates
Monorail snare technique for the recovery of stretched platinum coils: technical case report.

Objective and importance Coil stretching represents a potentially hazardous technical complication not infrequently encountered during the embolization of cerebral aneurysms. Often, the stretched coil cannot be advanced into the aneurysm or withdrawn intact. The operator is then forced to attempt to retract the damaged coil, which may result in coil breakage, leaving behind a significant length of potentially thrombogenic stretched coil material within the parent vessel. To overcome this problem, we devised a technique to snare the distal, unstretched, intact portion of the platinum coil by use of the indwelling microcatheter and stretched portion of the coil as a monorail guide. Clinical presentation We have used this technique successfully in four patients to snare coils stretched during cerebral aneurysm embolization. Three of these patients were undergoing Neuroform (Boston Scientific/Target, Fremont, CA) stent-supported coil embolization of unruptured aneurysms. In all cases, the snare was advanced easily to the targeted site for coil engagement by use of the microcatheter as a monorail guide. Once the intact distal segment of the coil was ensnared, coil removal was uneventful, with no disturbance of the remainder of the indwelling coil pack or Neuroform stent. Technique A 2-mm Amplatz Goose Neck microsnare (Microvena Corp., White Bear Lake, MN) was placed through a Prowler-14 microcatheter (Cordis Corp., Miami, FL). The hub of the indwelling SL-10 microcatheter (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA) was then cut away with a scalpel, leaving the coil pusher wire intact, and removed. The open 2-mm snare was then advanced over the outside of the coil pusher wire and microcatheter. The snare and Prowler-14 microcatheter were then advanced into the guiding catheter (6- or 7-French) as a unit over the indwelling SL-10 microcatheter. By use of the SL-10 microcatheter and coil as a "monorail" guide, the snare was advanced over and beyond the microcatheter and the stretched portion of the coil until the snare was in position to engage the distal unstretched coil. At this point, the snare was then closed around the intact portion of the coil, and the microcatheters, snare, and coil were removed as a unit. Conclusion The monorail snare technique represents a fast, safe, and easy method by which a stretched coil can be removed.
A sand budget for the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell, California

Abstract The coastline of California has been divided into a set of distinct, essentially self-contained littoral cells or beach compartments. These compartments are geographically limited and consist of a series of sand sources (such as streams and eroding coastal bluffs), that provide sand to the shoreline; sand sinks (such as coastal dunes and submarine canyons) where sand is lost from the shoreline; and longshore transport or littoral drift that moves sand along the shoreline. A regional understanding of littoral cell boundaries and sand budgets can be an important tool in coastal engineering and land-use management decisions. Many harbors function as efficient sediment traps, such that average annual long-term dredging volumes should be a valuable tool for approximating littoral drift rates at specific locations within littoral cells, as well as changes in these rates over time due to natural or human impacts on the sediment budget. The Santa Barbara Littoral Cell contains three harbors with long-term dredging records and essentially unidirectional littoral drift, which provide an excellent opportunity for testing this concept. The littoral drift rates determined using this approach show a significant downdrift increase (from ~ 300,000 yds 3 /yr at the Santa Barbara harbor to ~ 1,000,000 yds 3 /yr at Channel Islands harbor) and are compatible with the fluvial sediment input and other components of the littoral sediment budget. Despite the damming of the four major rivers discharging into the Santa Barbara Cell, and the apparent reduction in fluvial sediment supply, there has been no systematic or significant reduction in the dredging rates at any of the harbors. Long-term dredging rates can provide useful and valuable information for better quantifying littoral cell budgets and also for documenting changes in these cells.
Entry of immotile spermatozoa into zona‐free hamster ova

We studied six men whose spermatozoa were immotile and possessed a variety of sperm tail structural abnormalities by electron microscopy. The semen of all six subjects had a normal percentage of oval forms and sperm undergoing capacitation and acrosome reaction. Despite the absence of motility, when incubated sperm from these subjects was added to a microdrop of medium containing zona pellucida-free hamster ova, sperm penetration or entry into the cytoplasm of from 1–9% of the eggs was evident with phase contrast microscopy. This latter finding suggests that, at least in this system, oocytes actively facilitate sperm incorporation. Penetration was absent when sperm of fertile men were rendered immotile, though still viable, by heat treatment.
Business Leadership Coalitions and Public-Private Partnerships in American Cities: A Business Perspective on Regime Theory

This article strives to deepen our understanding of the nature and role of businesses and Business Leadership Coalitions (BLCs) in public-private partnerships (PPPs) and in the formation and operation of urban governance regimes in major American cities. Our research reveals a greater heterogeneity and diversity of engagement and partnering types than is generally recognized in traditional regime typologies. An engagement portfolio framework for analyzing civic activism is proposed to encompass the diverse motives, activities, and partnering configurations exhibited by businesses. The findings suggest the need for changes in regime theory frameworks to capture the full richness and realities of business sector participation in PPPs.
Singlet energy transfer studies of the arrangement of proteins in the 30 S Escherichia coli ribosome.

Reassembly in vitro has been used to prepare a set of twenty Escherichia coli 30 S ribosomes containing pairs of proteins carrying different covalently attached fluorescent labels. These 30 S particles have normal sedimentation properties and moderate to excellent activity in polyphenylalanine synthesis. Reassembly of the dye-conjugated proteins proceeds well but exhibits a preference for incorporation of species containing fewer dyes than the average of the population. Singletsinglet energy transfer measurements have been carried out on all samples. The majority of the results are highly reproducible. A wide range of efficiencies is seen for protein pairs and the results sort roughly into four proximity classes. Assuming a Poisson distribution of dye stoichiometries and either random surface labeling on spherical proteins or specific unique labeling sites, observed efficiencies were analyzed to yield distance estimates for each protein pair. These were also generally quite reproducible for different samples of a given protein pair. The distance estimates show that four protein pairs are so close that extensive, protein-protein contact is likely. Six others are close enough so that these proteins could well be nearest neighbors in the 30 S particle although there is probably intervening RNA. The remainder are far enough apart that other proteins or extensive regions of the 16 S rRNA are likely to lie in between. There is sufficient distance information on six proteins to conclude that their three-dimensional arrangement has a marked deviation from planarity. Variations in transfer efficiency as a function of the degree of labeling indicate that S20 protein has a length at least twice what would be expected for the equivalent spherical protein. All of the distance estimates available are highly consistent with other known proximity information. The detailed results suggest that proteins linked by reassembly in vitro are usually close but are not necessarily in direct contact. This would mean that many of the assembly steps are mediated by the 16 S rRNA.
Liposomal Coencapsulated Fludarabine and Mitoxantrone for Lymphoproliferative Disorder Treatment

Fludarabine (FLU)-based combination therapies are commonly used to treat low-grade lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. In vitro and clinical studies have indicated advantages when FLU and mitoxantrone (MTO) are applied in combination. To further enhance this effect, these two agents were coencapsulated in liposomes. FLU was passively encapsulated during liposome formation, and MTO was loaded with a transmembrane pH gradient. Entrapment efficiency, particle size, stability, and drug release kinetics were characterized. In vitro cytotoxicity study was carried out in two representative B-cell lines: Wac3CD5 and Raji. Synergism as measured by combination index (CI) was observed in cells treated with liposomes coencapsulating FLU and MTO. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) analysis further confirmed that coencapsulated FLU and MTO improved the percentage of apoptosis among primary CLL cells. These data suggest that adopting liposomes containing coencapsulated drug combinations constitutes a potential strategy to promote drug synergism and may have utility in the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma.
Beyond "Progressive" Reform: Bodies, Discipline, and the Construction of the Professional Teacher in Interwar America.

Rose Freistater was twenty-six years old when the New York City Board of Examiners denied her a teaching license. She had been teaching at James Monroe High School, first as a student teacher and then as a substitute teacher for five years, and her work was characterized by the chairman of the biology department in which she taught as “difficult to overstate in its excellence.” But in 1931, Rose stood five feet and two inches and weighed 182 pounds. When she applied for her teaching license that year, she weighed thirty pounds more than the maximum weight allowed by the Board for her height. She was given six months to lose thirty pounds; when she lost only twenty in that time, she was rejected by the Board altogether. Although a number of overweight and underweight teachers were rejected by the Board of Education in the ten years that the standards had existed, Rose was the first to appeal to the state that the qualifications were unfair. When her case reached the State Commissioner of Education in 1935, it was rejected again, and the city board issued a statement claiming, “Other things being normal, a person of abnormal weight is likely to have more absences because of ill health and be less efficient as a teacher than a person of average weight.” Furthermore, it added, “Teachers must climb stairs, take part in fire drills, and be able to handle all real school emergencies. Overweight teachers are less likely to stand the strain of teaching…. Teachers should [be]… acceptable hygienic models for their pupils in the manner of weight.” Finally, overweight teachers, who represented greater health risks than others, “constitute[d] a drain on the teachers' pension fund.” In response, the Freistater family contended that Rose walked the five flights of steps to their apartment several times a day, but her case was closed.
Link removal for the control of stochastically evolving epidemics over networks: a comparison of approaches.

Abstract For many communicable diseases, knowledge of the underlying contact network through which the disease spreads is essential to determining appropriate control measures. When behavior change is the primary intervention for disease prevention, it is important to understand how to best modify network connectivity using the limited resources available to control disease spread. We describe and compare four algorithms for selecting a limited number of links to remove from a network: two “preventive” approaches (edge centrality, R0 minimization), where the decision of which links to remove is made prior to any disease outbreak and depends only on the network structure; and two “reactive” approaches (S–I edge centrality, optimal quarantining), where information about the initial disease states of the nodes is incorporated into the decision of which links to remove. We evaluate the performance of these algorithms in minimizing the total number of infections that occur over the course of an acute outbreak of disease. We consider different network structures, including both static and dynamic Erdos–Renyi random networks with varying levels of connectivity, a real-world network of residential hotels connected through injection drug use, and a network exhibiting community structure. We show that reactive approaches outperform preventive approaches in averting infections. Among reactive approaches, removing links in order of S–I edge centrality is favored when the link removal budget is small, while optimal quarantining performs best when the link removal budget is sufficiently large. The budget threshold above which optimal quarantining outperforms the S–I edge centrality algorithm is a function of both network structure (higher for unstructured Erdos–Renyi random networks compared to networks with community structure or the real-world network) and disease infectiousness (lower for highly infectious diseases). We conduct a value-of-information analysis of knowing which nodes are initially infected by comparing the performance improvement achieved by reactive over preventive strategies. We find that such information is most valuable for moderate budget levels, with increasing value as disease spread becomes more likely (due to either increased connectedness of the network or increased infectiousness of the disease).
Studies in the synthesis of control structures for chemical processes. Part V: Design of steady-state optimizing control structures for integrated chemical plants

This paper addresses the question of how to design the steady-state optimizing control system for a large scale interconnected chemical plant. The integrated design approach is structured within the framework of the hierarchical control theory and is based on the concepts of constraint control, hierarchical decomposition and nonlinear mathematical programming. Theoretical developments lead to the generation of alternative operational policies of practical value. An imbedded branch and bound screening strategy is given to select the best policy, which will be implemented on-line by the optimizing plant controllers. The general design approach has the broad applicability to any interconnected large scale system, and its application is demonstrated on a gasoline polymerization plant.
Management of women with one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test value reduces adverse outcome in pregnancy

In this study we sought to test the hypothesis that treatment of women with one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test value will result in reduction of adverse outcome. One hundred twenty-six women with one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test value and 146 women in the control group (normal oral glucose tolerance test values) participated in a prospective study during the third trimester of pregnancy. The subjects with one abnormal test result were randomized into treated (group 1) and untreated groups (group II). Group 1 subjects were treated with a strict diabetic protocol to maintain tight glycemic control by means of diet and insulin therapy. Group 2 subjects tested their capillary blood glucose for a baseline period. The study revealed that the level of glycemic control was similar before initiation of therapy (mean capillary blood glucose 118 +/- 14 vs. 119 +/- 15 mg/dl, p = NS) for groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference in mean capillary blood glucose (95 +/- 10 vs. 119 +/- 15 mg/dl, p less than 0.0001), preprandial, and postprandial determinations between the treated and untreated groups. The overall incidence of neonatal metabolic complications (4% vs. 14%, p less than 0.05) and large infants (6% vs. 24%, p less than 0.03) was significantly lower in the treated group. Comparison between the control (normal oral glucose tolerance test) and the untreated groups showed a significantly higher incidence of large infants and metabolic complications. No difference was found between the normal and treated groups. Thus we conclude that treatment of individuals with one abnormal oral glucose tolerance test value will result in significant reduction in adverse outcome in pregnancy.
Nontrivial fixed point in the 4D Φ4 lattice model with internal O(N) symmetry

It is shown that the infinite dimensional critical surface of general euclidean lattice actions in a generic four-dimensional scalar field theory with Φ 4 interactions has a domain of special multicritical points where higher dimensional operators play a special role. Renormalized trajectories of higher derivative continuum field theories with nontrivial interactions are traced back to special ultraviolet stable fixed points on the manifold of multicritical points. These fixed points have an infinite number of relevant directions which identify the universality classes of critical higher derivative field theories. The relevance of the new fixed point structure is discussed within the context of the triviality Higgs mass bound.
Thermodynamic molecular switch in micelles

Abstract It is well known that essentially all macromolecular interactions function over a well-defined temperature range. The Gibbs free energy change, ΔG°(T), for macromolecular interaction shows a complicated behavior, wherein ΔG°(T) changes from positive to negative, then reaches a negative value of maximum magnitude (favorable), and finally becomes positive as temperature increases. This communication demonstrates that the critical factor is a temperature-dependent ΔCp°(T) (specific heat capacity change) of reaction, which is positive at low temperature but switches to a negative value at a temperature well below the ambient range. This thermodynamic molecular switch determines the behavior patterns of the Gibbs free energy change, and hence a change in the equilibrium constant, Keq, and/or spontaneity. The subsequent, mathematically predictable changes in ΔH°(T), ΔS°(T), ΔW°(T) and ΔG°(T) give rise to the classically observed behavior patterns in biological systems. This communication will also demonstrate the existence of a thermodynamic molecular switch in both nonionic surfactants, (OPE)i where i=1, 3, 8, and 10 and ionic n-DTAB surfactants in H2O, D2O, 3 M urea and 2 M dioxane, over the experimental temperature range of 285–360 K, based on Chun's development of the Planck–Benzinger methodology (P.W. Chun, Int. J. Quantum Chem.: Quantum Biol. Symp. 15 (1988) 247; P.W. Chun, Manual for Computer-Aided Analysis of Biochemical Processes with Florida 1-2-4, University of Florida copyright reserved, 1991; P.W. Chun, J. Phys. Chem. 86 (1994) 6851; P.W. Chun, J. Biol. Chem., 270 (1995) 13925; P.W. Chun, J. Phys. Chem. 100 ( 1996) 7283; P.W. Chun, in: 212th National American Chemistry Society Meeting, Orlando, Fla, American Chemical Society, Biophysical Chemistry, poster 283, 1996; P.W. Chun, J. Phys. Chem. B 101 (1997) 7835; P.W. Chun, Methods in Enzymology, vol. 295, 1998, pp. 12, 227; P.W. Chun, Int. J. Quantum Chem.: Quantum Biol. Symp., 75 (1999) 1027; P.W. Chun, Int. J. Quantum Chem.: Quantum Biol. Symp. (2000); P.W. Chun, Biophysical J., 75 (2000) 416; P.W. Chun, Cell Biochem. Biophys. (2000)). In the case of micellar size distribution, the change in inherent chemical bond energy, ΔH°(T0), in micellar interaction is small. In contrast, the thermal agitation energy (heat capacity integrals), is much larger and roughly the same over a broad size distribution. This qualitative trend differs markedly from results seen for biochemical interactions, yet the underlying mathematical interpretation is the same.
Pharmacokinetics of Peptide–Fc Fusion Proteins

Peptide–Fc fusion proteins (or peptibodies) are chimeric proteins generated by fusing a biologically active peptide with the Fc-domain of immunoglobulin G. In this review, we describe recent studies that have evaluated the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics of peptibodies. Key features of the pharmacokinetics of peptibodies include their extended half-life due to recycling by the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), a substantial contribution by renal excretion to total clearance and, for certain peptibodies, target-mediated drug disposition. The prolonged half-life of peptibodies permits less-frequent dose administration compared with small therapeutic peptides, thereby supporting patient convenience and compliance. Hence, a considerable number of peptibodies are currently in preclinical and clinical development. Investigation of the metabolism (biotransformation) of biologics is an evolving area of research: ligand-binding mass spectrometry techniques have been employed for the characterization of the peptibody romiplostim, providing a new approach to evaluation of the degradation products of biologics. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling and simulation techniques have been used to predict the pharmacokinetics of peptibodies which can inform clinical decision-making, particularly selection of dosing regimens. This integrated review highlights the distinct pharmacokinetic characteristics of peptibodies and their influence on the drug development process for this emerging family of therapeutics. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:53–64, 2014
Multiple Integral Average Conditions for Oscillation of Delay Differential Equations

We obtain some multiple integral average conditions for oscillation and nonoscillation of the first order nonautonomous delay equations. Our theorems improve several previous well-known results.
Beta-blocker duration of action and implications for therapy

Two studies were conducted to measure the effect of serum half-life on beta-blocker-related heart rate reduction throughout the 24-hour period. In the first study, nadolol, atenolol and pindolol were associated with significant (p less than 0.01) heart rate reduction even at 24 hours after dose. Nadolol, with a plasma half-life of 15.5 hours, had the most pronounced heart rate-lowering effect 24 hours after the daily dose compared to pindolol, which had a half-life of 5.5 hours. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, nadolol and atenolol had similar effects 3 to 4 hours after the daily dose. Nadolol, however, produced greater suppression of heart rate and double product (blood pressure x heart rate) than atenolol (compared to placebo) 24 hours after ingestion of the daily dose. On ambulatory electrocardiography 24 hours after medication administration, 80 to 100% of the heart rate-attenuating effect of nadolol was maintained versus only 20 to 45% of atenolol's effect. Statistically significant (p less than 0.05) reductions in heart rate were produced by nadolol, but not by atenolol, between 4 and 5 A.M., 6 and 7 A.M., 8 and 9 A.M. and 9 and 10 A.M. Furthermore, nadolol remained at 52% of peak blood level at 24 hours, whereas atenolol was at 20%. The data from these 2 studies indicate that significant differences in duration of action exist between beta blockers.
Using sociometric measures to assess nonresponse bias

Abstract Purpose Much attention has been given to the potential nonresponse bias that occurs in epidemiologic studies that attempt to enroll a representative sample. Most analyses surrounding nonrespondents focus on individual-level attributes and how they vary across respondents and nonrespondents. Although these attributes are of interest, analysis of the social network position of nonrespondents as defined by traditional sociometric measures (i.e., centrality and bridging) has not been conducted, and could provide further insights into the validity of the sample. Methods We used data from the Secunderabadi Men's Study, a whole network of Indian men who have sex with men (MSM) generated using cell phone contact lists of men approached using Time Location Cluster Sampling. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether demographic and behavioral attributes and indegree (the frequency of men who have sex with men was listed across all cell phone contact lists) were associated with being a respondent. Results A total of 239 respondents were interviewed and 81 were approached but did not consent to the interview (“nonrespondents”). Conclusions Respondents were more likely to have higher indegree than nonrespondents, adjusting for attribute differences (odds ratio, 1.19; 95% confidence interval, 1.07, 1.34). This analysis suggests that the network position of nonrespondents may be important when considering the potential impact of nonresponse bias.
Resolving the Effects of Resonant X-Ray Line Scattering in Centaurus X-3 with Chandra

The massive X-ray binary Cen X-3 was observed over approximately one-quarter of the system's 2.08 day orbit, beginning before eclipse and ending slightly after eclipse center with the Chandra X-Ray Observatory using its High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer. The spectra show K-shell emission lines from hydrogen- and helium-like ions of magnesium, silicon, sulfur, and iron as well as a Kα fluorescence emission feature from near-neutral iron. The helium-like n = 2 → 1 triplet of silicon is fully resolved, and the analogous triplet of iron is partially resolved. We measure fluxes, shifts, and widths of the observed emission lines. The helium-like triplet component flux ratios outside of eclipse are consistent with emission from recombination and subsequent cascades (recombination radiation) from a photoionized plasma with a temperature of ~100 eV. In eclipse, however, the w (resonance) lines of silicon and iron are stronger than that expected for recombination radiation and are consistent with emission from a collisionally ionized plasma with a temperature of ~1 keV. The triplet line flux ratios at both phases can be explained more naturally, however, as emission from a photoionized plasma if the effects of resonant line scattering, a process that has generally been neglected in X-ray spectroscopy, are included in addition to recombination radiation. We show that resonant line scattering in photoionized plasmas may increase the emissivity of n = 2 → 1 line emission in hydrogen- and helium-like ions by a factor as large as 4 relative to that of pure recombination, and so previous studies, in which resonant scattering has been neglected, may contain significant errors in the derived plasma parameters. The emissivity due to resonance scattering depends sensitively on the line optical depth, and in the case of winds in X-ray binaries, this allows constraints on the wind velocity even when Doppler shifts cannot be resolved.
Editorial: Looking Forward from 10 Years of Published Articles

This issue of the journal is the first made up entirely of articles developed by the new team of editors. Any remaining articles from the editorial team led by Andy diSessa will be marked when they appear in future issues. This is also an opportunity to welcome Kris Gutierr´ (University of Colorado, Boulder) and Brigid Barron (Stanford University) as new members of the editorial team, each bringing new perspectives to the journal and adding to the already significant strengths of our current executive editors. We also thank Susan Goldman and Leona Schauble as outgoing members of the team, both for their fine contributions to Cognition and Instruction and their help in making the transition to a new team. Since the transition between editorial teams is now complete, this is also a good time to take stock of the kinds of research typically published in the journal. In this editorial note, we look back over a decade of articles published in Cognition and Instruction and describe areas for development or expansion in the sorts of manuscripts we hope to receive and publish in coming years. Our descriptive analysis and comments reflect input from members of both the outgoing and new editorial teams. Cognition and Instruction continues to publish reports of rigorously conducted empirical research on thinking, knowing, learning, and teaching from a variety of theoretical perspectives. First published in 1984, the journal has since featured papers that shaped our field in the following areas:
The pediatric aspects of atherosclerosis

Summary Atherosclerosis begins in childhood with the appearance of aortic fatty streaks. Aortic fatty streaks of some degree are present in practically all individuals from every human population that has been studied. The average amount of aortic intimai surface involved with fatty streaks does not differ much among human populations. Coronary fatty streaks begin to form in adolescence. Most persons 20-29 years of age have coronary fatty streaks of some degree, even if they are from low socioeconomic strata. While fatty streaking is clinically harmless and potentially reversible, the progression of fatty streaks to more advanced lesions is a critical stage of atherosclerosis. This conversion takes place at earlier ages in populations with high morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease. The development of fibrous plaques begins in the twenties. Therefore, even though control programs which attempt to reduce coronary heart disease by preventing atherosclerosis may meet some success when applied to middle-aged persons, these programs should be directed toward individuals in the twenties and thirties for maximum benefits. Dietary habits that retard atherosclerosis should be established in childhood.
Differing mechanisms of exercise flow augmentation at the mitral and aortic valves.

To determine the mechanisms by which blood flow increases across the mitral and aortic valves during exercise, 18 normal men were studied during graded supine and upright bicycle exercise at matched workloads. Mitral valve orifice and ascending aortic blood velocities were recorded by Doppler echocardiography during steady states at each stage of exercise. Parasternal two-dimensional echocardiographic imaging of the ascending aorta adjacent to the aortic valve orifice and the mitral valve orifice at the tips of the valve leaflets was used to calculate changes in cross-sectional area during exercise. Heart rate increased from rest to exercise from 67 to 150 beats/min (124%) during supine exercise and from 72 to 147 beats/min (104%) during upright exercise. Stroke volume increased 20% during supine and 46% during upright exercise; the increase in stroke volume was statistically significant when rest and exercise were compared and when the magnitude of change was compared vs position (p less than .05). The increase in stroke volume measured at the ascending aorta was accomplished by an increase in the velocity-time integral (+15% supine and +48% upright, p less than .05), with little change in aortic cross-sectional area (5% supine and 0% upright, p = NS). By contrast, the increase in flow rate measured at the mitral valve was predominantly due to an increase in mean diastolic cross-sectional area (+29% supine and 34% upright, p less than .05); the velocity-time integral did not increase significantly (-10% supine and 4% upright; p = NS).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Capitalist Accumulation and Urban Crime, 1950-1971

Capitalism is a system of accumulation that organizes production and social reproduction to extract surplus value. As it does so, accumulation generates those behaviors registered as crime by the state. This exploratory paper traces the impact of accumulation processes on urban variations in U.S. crime rates following the Second World War. The analysis focuses on the transition from industrial to corporate capitalism, core-periphery aspects of domestic investment shifts, and the effects of these trends on police and victim estimates of crime. Contributing to an empirically grounded theory of crime in advanced capitalism, findings show that selected personal and property crime rates vary with accumulation trends.
Dust space charge in electrical precipitation

The problem under consideration is that of calculating the reaction of the charged particles in an electric precipitator on the current. The major results are as follows: (1) duct precipitators are twice as sensitive to the presence of charged particles as pipe precipitators of the same interelectrode spacing; and (2) the interelectrode spacing is the only geometric factor entering into the calculation. These results extend earlier work on pipe to duct precipitators.
Interpreting Research on Parent Involvement and Connecting it to the Science Classroom

As part of a larger project, we found that there are very few articles focusing on the relationship between parent involvement and student achievement in science. Furthermore, most studies are quantitative in nature (based on large-scale surveys). Despite the gaps identified, there are many consistent findings across various studies that could be transferred to the science-learning context, for example, the significant effect of parents' aspirations/expectations on student achievement. To better present the findings from our review of the literature, we proposed a model for organizing the various categories of parent involvement at school into three dynamic dimensions: home environment, parents and school/community, and students and school/community. We feel that this model provides a framework for recognizing the roles that parents and their children may be already playing (agency) in triggering involvement at home, at school, and/or with community organizations.
the role of words in Aguaruna hunting magic

In their interpretations of magical acts and utterances, anthropologists frequently argue that magic and technology are informed by two different kinds of logic, the former “expressive” in character, the latter “instrumental.” A close analysis of magical hunting songs used by the Aguaruna of Amazonian Peru reveals that the songs are part of a general ordering process that encompasses the strategic use of thoughts, speech, objects, and acts to achieve practical ends. In Aguaruna thought the expressive imagery of magical songs is an instrumental tool that shapes events in the performer's world.