cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The accumulation of platelet activating factor in the injured cornea may be interrelated with the synthesis of lipoxygenase products

The rabbit cornea accumulates platelet activating factor (PAF) three hrs after alkali burn. PAF was isolated by HPLC and assayed by platelet aggregation. This bioactivity was blocked by the PAF receptor antagonists BN 52021 and alprazolam. Added PAF increases the chemiluminescence response of the cornea in vitro and BN 52021 inhibits this effect. In vivo experiments show that the synthesis of 5-HETE and 12-HETE is inhibited by the PAF antagonist BN 52021. It is concluded that a metabolic interrelationship may exist between the PAF cycle and the lipoxygenation of arachidonic acid, and that drugs that affect these lipid mediators may modulate the inflammatory response of the anterior segment of the eye.
The increased potential for the Landsat Data Continuity Mission to contribute to case 2 water quality studies

The ability to achieve continuous monitoring of the global water supply from satellite imagery is an ongoing effort in the remote sensing community. Historically, sensors such as SeaWiFs and MODIS have been used over the open ocean and along coastal regions to determine the constituents in the water body. Due to their poor spatial resolution, these satellites are ineffective in monitoring many inland and near shore, case 2 waters whose constituents can have large spatial variability. Alternatively, current Landsat instruments have adequate spatial resolution but lack the radiometric fidelity necessary to perform constituent retrieval. In this paper, a new sensor being developed by NASA is introduced that is potentially both spectrally and spatially sufficient for the monitoring of case 2 waters. This study presents the relevant sensor design parameters and initial results of an experiment to determine what impact the improved features of the Landsat Data Continuity Mission's (LDCM) Operational Land Imager (OLI) will have on water resource assessment. Specifically, we investigate how the addition of a deep blue band, 12-bit quantization, and improved signal-to-noise ratios affect our ability to retrieve water constituents. Preliminary results of a simulated case study indicate that the LDCM instrument introduces retrieval errors of less than 6% for three constituents while its predecessor, the Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), introduces errors of over 20%. This suggests that LDCM's OLI instrument exhibits the potential to be a useful tool for the continuous monitoring of coastal and inland water resources. To actually achieve the potential demonstrated in this study, ongoing work focuses on atmospherically compensating simulated OLI data.
Effects of 5‐HT3 antagonism on postprandial gastric volume and symptoms in humans

Background: Alosetron reduces symptoms of dyspepsia, but the physiological basis for the symptomatic benefit is unclear. Aim: To assess 5-HT3 antagonism on postprandial gastric volume and symptoms after ingestion of maximum tolerable volume of a liquid meal. Methods: In 36 healthy volunteers, we assessed effects of placebo, 0.5 and 1 mg b.d. alosetron on fasting and postprandial gastric volumes (using single photon emission computed tomography) and symptoms based on 100 mm VAS, 30 min after maximum volume ingested. Results: The 5-HT3 antagonist reduced postprandial symptoms (aggregate score: P < 0.05), nausea (P < 0.001), and tended to reduce bloating (P=0.08). Both 0.5 and 1 mg alosetron reduced nausea (P < 0.025); 1 mg alosetron reduced aggregate symptoms (P < 0.05) and bloating (P < 0.05). Effects on pain (P=0.19) and fullness (P=0.14) were not statistically significant. There were no significant effects of the 5-HT3 antagonist on volume of meal tolerated or on SPECT-measured fasting or postprandial gastric volumes. Conclusion: 5-HT3 antagonism reduces aggregate symptoms, nausea and bloating after a liquid meal without increase in gastric volumes, suggesting a role for 5-HT3 in afferent functions in healthy humans during the postprandial period.
Intra-cascade surface recombination of point defects during ion bombardment of Ge (001)

Low energy Ar and Xe ion bombardment of Ge (001) produces large numbers of point defects on the Ge surface and in the near-surface regions. Defect concentrations on the surface are detected and quantified in real time during bombardment using in situ Reflection High Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED). We report the energy dependence of the defect yield for 70--500 eV Ar and Xe ion bombardment, and the temperature dependence of the defect yield (defects/ion) during 200 eV ion bombardment. The defect yield drops rapidly as the substrate temperature during bombardment is varied from 175 to 400 K. We attribute the yield reduction to surface recombination of adatoms and vacancies produced in the same collision cascade.
Changes in Hospitalization Patterns Among Patients With Congenital Heart Disease During the Transition From Adolescence to Adulthood

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate hospitalization patterns of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients surrounding the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Background Few population data exist on hospitalizations among adolescent and adult CHD patients. Methods Patients ages 12 to 44 years with CHD were selected from the 2000 to 2003 California hospital discharge database. Patient demographics, hospitalization patterns, emergency department (ED) admissions, CHD complexity, and insurance patterns were described. Data were analyzed in 3-year age increments and compared between patients over and under age 21. Predictors of admission via the ED were determined using multivariate regression analysis. Results There were 9,017 hospitalizations at 368 hospitals. For patients ages 12 to 20 years, 12 hospitals accounted for 70% of hospitalizations; for patients ages 21 to 44 years, 25 hospitals accounted for only 44.8% of cases. Regarding insurance, 53% of admissions were private, 44% public, and 17 years, whereas having a procedure and being female decreased the likelihood. Conclusions Congenital heart disease hospitalizations occur at a wide variety of hospitals and disperse as patients enter adulthood. Those without private insurance and >17 years old are at higher risk of being admitted via the ED. These findings require further investigation to examine access to care and possible disparities, as they are important for future healthcare planning.
The Effect of Do-Not-Resuscitate Status on Postoperative Mortality in the Elderly Following Emergency Surgery

Elderly patients who have preexisting DNR orders experience a high incidence of mortality and major morbidity within 30 days after emergency general surgery. Although not a risk factor for major morbidity, preoperative DNR status does represent an independent risk factor for mortality after emergency general surgery. The most plausible reason for the excess mortality in DNR patients is their decreased willingness to undergo aggressive treatment of major postoperative complications. Whether patient-driven failure-to-pursue-rescue also explains to some extent the high mortality of non-DNR elderly emergency general surgery patients deserves further investigation.
Young African American males : Promoting psychological and social well-being

Abstract This article examines two studies on young African American males. Study I addresses the concept of lifescript for young adult males on probation. Study II explores help-seeking behaviors of young street males. The target populations came from a Mid-Atlantic urban environment. A survey design with an informal and formal semi-structured interview schedule was the chief method used to collect data for both studies. Findings indicate that the majority of informants report that they had good friendship and family ties, including excellent relationships with their mothers and good relationships with their fathers. The majority indicated that they were fathers themselves and were contributing to the support of their own children. Respondents viewed educational achievement as critical for their success. Utilization of formal systems, medical services, legal services and ministerial help are seen as most accessible, while police, social and mental health services are viewed as much less available or usef...
Application of nucleation theory to isothermal martensite

Abstract A previously described extension of classical nucleation theory is shown to agree quantitatively with experimental observations of isothermal martensite formation in an iron-nickel-manganese alloy. The martensite transformation in this alloy is described in terms of the nucleation and rapid growth of thin plates, nucleation being the rate-limiting process.
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of granulocytic sarcoma and myeloid metaplasia.

The fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of two cases of granulocytic sarcoma involving the breast is reported along with the FNA cytology of one case of myeloid metaplasia (extramedullary hematopoiesis) involving an axillalry lymph node. Two patients had known myeloproliferative disorders, while granulocytic sarcoma of the breast was the initial presentation of an unsuspected acute granulocytic leukemia in the other patient. Diff-Quik-stained preparations aided in the diagnosis of all three cases. Immunoperoxidase stains for factor VIII-related antigen helped confirm the megakaryocytic differentiation of the cells in the FNA cytology of myeloid metaplasia. Electron microscopic (EM) examination performed on the aspirated material also showed megakaryocytic differentiation of the bizarre cells. FNA cytology can make a specific diagnosis of granulocytic sarcoma and myeloid metaplasia. The workup of these unusual extramedullary myeloproliferative masses was aided when immunocytochemistry and EM were performed on the aspirated material.
Decisions during negatively-framed messages yield smaller risk-aversion-related brain activation in substance-dependent individuals.

A sizable segment of addiction research investigates the effects of persuasive message appeals on risky and deleterious behaviors. However, to date, little research has examined how various forms of message framing and corresponding behavioral choices might by mediated by risk-related brain regions. Using event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging, we investigated brain regions hypothesized to mediate the influence of message appeals on decision making in substance-dependent (SD) compared to non-substance-dependent (non-SD) individuals. The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) was modified to include positively-framed, negatively-framed, and control messages about long-term deck payoffs. In the positively-framed condition, the SD and non-SD groups showed improved decision-making performance that corresponded to higher risk-aversion-related brain activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and anterior insula (AI). In contrast, in the negatively-framed condition, the SD group showed poorer performance that corresponded to lower risk-aversion-related brain activity in the AI region. In addition, only the non-SD group showed a positive association between decision quality and greater risk-related activity in the ACC, regardless of message type. The findings suggest substance-dependent individuals may have reduced neurocognitive sensitivity in the ACC and AI regions involved in risk perception and aversion during decision-making, especially in response to framed messages that emphasize reduced prospects for long-term gains.
Modulation of cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs by activated H-γas

Abstract Cells from a single MCF-7 clone were transfected with an isopropyl-1-thio-β-D-galactopyranoside (IPTG)-inducible construct containing activated human H-γas with a Gly12 → Val12 mutation. Expression of H-γas was induced by the presence of IPTG with low background. MCF-7-ras clones were examined for sensitivity to a wide variety of drugs under both induced and non-induced conditions. When expression of the activated γas was induced, these clones showed markedly increased resistance to cisplatin and mitomycin C, moderately increased resistance to methotrexate and trimetrexate, and no increased resistance to other drugs including taxol, doxorubicin, and etoposide. A DNA fragmentation assay revealed that DNA in MCF-7-γas cells treated with cisplatin under induced conditions was intact, whereas extensive degradation of DNA occurred in similarly treated cells under non-induced conditions. This result, along with the fact that MCF-7-γas cells, upon induction of the activated H-γas, showed increased resistance to drugs that bind DNA, indicates that the activated H-γas may play a role in the DNA repair process.
The PT-order, minimal cutsets and menger property

If P is a poset, the associated PT-order is the quasi order ⊴ in which a ⊴ b holds if every maximal chain of P which passes through a also passes through b. P is special if whenever A is a chain in P and a=sup A or inf A, then there is b ∈ A such that b ⊴ a. It is proved that if P is chain complete and special then the set of ⊴-maximal elements is ⊴-dominating and contains a minimal cutset. As corollaries of this, we give partial answers to (i) a question of Rival and Zaguia by showing that if P is regular and special every element is in a minimal cutset and (ii) a question of Brochet and Pouzet by showing that if P is chain complete and special then it has the Menger property.
Possible biological roles for Rhizobium leguminosarum extracellular polysaccharide and cyclic glucans in bacteria-plant interactions for nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Abstract The extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) secreted by Rhizobium leguminosarum forms an aqueous solution. Addition of electrolyte can lead to the formation of transparent thermoreversible gels. A non-specific role for EPS gelation in the initial attachment of the bacteria to plant material is suggested. Techniques have been developed for the preparation of cyclic glucans from EPS − R.leguminosarum . The preparation, purification and characterization of ring sizes will be described. Evidence will be presented that cyclic glucans solubilize naringenin, a flavonoid known to induce nodulation genes. A biological role for cyclic glucans in accumulating naringenin is proposed.
The box product of countably many compact metric spaces

Abstract It is proved that the continuum hypothesis implies that the box product of countably many σ -compact, locally compact, metric spaces is paracompact.
Hospitalizations and emergency department use in Mayo Clinic Biobank participants within the employee and community health medical home.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the participants in the Mayo Clinic Biobank for their representativeness to the entire Employee and Community Health program (ECH) primary care population with regard to hospital utilization. Patients and Methods Participants enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Biobank from April 1, 2009, to December 31, 2010, were linked to the ECH population. These individuals were categorized into risk tiers (0-4) on the basis of the number of health conditions present as of December 31, 2010. Outcomes were ascertained through December 31, 2011. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for risk of hospitalization, emergency department (ED) visits, and for risk of hospitalization and emergency department (ED) visits were estimated. Results The 8927 Biobank participants were part of ECH (N=84,872). Compared with the entire ECH population, the Biobank-ECH participants were more likely to be female (64.3% vs 54.6%), older (median age, 58 years vs 47 years), and categorized to tier 0 (6.4% vs 24.0%). There were strong positive associations between tier (tier 4 vs combined tiers 0 and 1) and risk of hospitalization (HR, 5.8; 95% CI, 4.6-7.5) and ED visits (HR, 5.4; 95% CI, 4.2-6.8) among Biobank-ECH participants. Similar associations for risk of hospitalization (HR, 8.5; 95% CI, 7.8-9.3) and ED visits (HR, 6.9; 95% CI, 6.4-7.5) were observed for the entire ECH population. Conclusion Although the Biobank-ECH participants were older and had more chronic conditions compared with the overall ECH population, the associations of risk tier with utilization outcomes were similar, supporting the use of the Biobank participants to assess biomarkers for health care outcomes in the primary care setting.
A study of disordered stripe magnetic domains observed in epitaxial Ni films

Abstract A periodic one-dimensional model with tilted partial flux closure domains has been successfully used in explaining the evolution of stripe magnetic domain structures observed in epitaxial Ni(0 0 1) and Ni(1 1 1) films as a function of film thickness for films having their uniaxial perpendicular anisotropy energy density less than the demagnetization energy density.
Neurogenic vesical dysfunction due to spina bifida and myelodysplasia treatment by transurethral resection of the vesical neck

Abstract Ten cases of neurogenic vesical dysfunction due to congenital anomalies of the lumbosacral portion of the spinal column and spinal cord in which transurethral resection of the vesical neck had been performed with relief of symptoms have been reported. Five patients were males whose ages ranged from two to fifty-two years and five were females whose ages ranged from two to thirty-five years. The presenting symptoms ot the ten cases of neurogenic vesical dysfunction were quite variable. Four patients complained of chronic urinary retention necessitating periodic catheterization while two complained of recurring acute urinary retention. Two complained of complete loss of control of urination with an active type of incontinence. Three complained of vesical irritability with frequency and dysuria while four complained of recurring chills and fever and chronic pyuria. An apparent obstruction was seen cystoscopically in eight of the ten cases while in the remaining two cases no obstruction was evident. In both of these cases, however, the patients were relieved of their symptoms of obstruction by resection of the vesical neck. In seven of the cases either trabeculation or cellule formation or both were evident while in the remaining three cases the presence or absence of trabeculation and cellules was not recorded. Partial or complete sphincterectomy was performed in five cases while resection of the vesical neck and obstructing prostatic tissue (4, 6 and 33 Gm.) was performed in three cases. Sphincterotomy or mere incision of the internal vesical sphincter was performed in two of the early cases. There were no operative deaths though one patient died eight months after operation from pyelonephritis and uremia. Five of the patients were greatly improved, four were improved, and one was temporarily improved. The following conclusions have been drawn: 1. 1. Transurethral resection of the vesical neck lessens the urethral resistance and reduces or abolishes the residual urine. 2. 2. Elimination of the residual urine and control or eradication of the infection of the urinary tract in these cases serve to preserve the anatomic integrity and functional efficiency of the upper part of the urinary tract. 3. 3. A rigid postoperative regimen of routine voiding by the clock and of abstaining from fluids in the evening should be instituted. 4. 4. In the majority of cases great improvement in urinary function has resulted from the operation; in some cases normal vesical function has been restored.
The heliosphere‐interstellar medium interaction: One shock or two?

The issue of whether a shock forms in the interstellar medium as it approaches the heliopause has not been settled. Observations generally show that the local interstellar medium is slightly supersonic with respect to a stationary (constant distance from the Sun) heliopause. The solar wind dynamic pressure varies over the solar cycle, causing the heliopause distance to move inward and outward. This work shows that the heliopause speeds may be large compared to the speed of the interstellar medium. This leads to the scenario where the interstellar medium is supersonic with respect to the heliopause when the heliopause moves outward (the declining phase of the solar cycle) and subsonic the rest of the time. A shock would form when the heliopause moves outwards and dissipate when the heliopause moves inwards. The heliospheric radio emission is shown to occur at times when the heliopause moves outwards and thus may be related to the formation of the shock in the interstellar medium. This work leads to two testable predictions: 1) that the heliospheric radio emissions will intensify when the solar wind pressure increases and 2) the temperature of the interstellar neutrals will fluctuate over a solar cycle with larger temperatures when there is a shock in the interstellar medium.
Female personality patterns in two cultures.

That personality tests developed to measure certain variables in one culture may be used to measure the same variables in other cultures is not supported by research. It seems more reasonable to make cross-cultural comparisons on individual items comprising a test than on the variables purportedly being measured by the test. In such a comparison, 102 U. S. college females were observed to be much more expressive of sexual impulse than 110 college females from India. The American Ss showed more social orientation, the Indian Ss more achievement motivation. Both showed a need for dependency and emotional support.
The level of cariogenic microlorganisms in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

Sixteen patients with caries-inactive sjogren's syndrome with low parotid salivary flow rates (< 0.25 mL/min) and 18 caries-inactive control subjects with higher salivary flow rates were compared. Mutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) counts were measured by means of Dentocult SM strip mutans and LB assays. The group with Sjogren's syndrome displayed higher counts of MS (P = 0.014) and LB (p = 0.003) when compared with controls. The results of this study indicate that patients with caries-inactive Sjogren's syndrome and low salivary flow may have higher colonization of cariogenic micro-organisms than healthy individuals.
Thermal press curing of advanced thermoset composite laminate parts

Abstract An alternative process to autoclaving, called Thermal Press Curing (TPC), is proposed, whereby an uncured composite laminate is pressed between a heated curing mold and customized rubber-faced mold that are designed to provide uniform temperature and pressure conditions. TPC was demonstrated by designing a complex 3-D ‘benchmark’ part shape, applying a simple computational algorithm to derive the required tool shapes, and fabricating the tooling. A comparative study was performed involving the benchmark part made from four plies of woven carbon/epoxy prepreg material. Identical laminates were pre-formed by double diaphragm forming and then cured and consolidated by autoclaving, Quickstep, and TPC using standard industry practice. Results of the study indicate that the TPC part is of similar quality as compared to those made by autoclaving and Quickstep, but, more importantly, requiring significantly less energy and resource consumption, lower cost (capital and recurring), and less preparation and cycle time.
Executive compensation and the horizon problem: a synthesis of the economics of age and decision management

Relates previous research on the importance of age in decision‐making to Fama and Jensen’s (1983) ideas on decision management, develops hypotheses on the age of managers and the use of stock‐based compensation in companies with long time horizons (i.e. growth companies) and tests them on 1979‐1987 data for a sample of US firms. Explains the methodology used and presents the results, which show that these firms tend to have younger subordinate executives (but not younger CEOs) and to use less stock‐based compensation the younger these executives are. Suggests this is because younger executives effectively extend the time horizon of older CEOs, thus reducing the need to do this through the compensation package.
Virtual Clinical Simulation: The State of the Science

Abstract Background The Institute of Medicine Report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health provides direction for educators to use simulation and Web-based learning. Virtual clinical simulation (VCS) is an innovative approach offering Web-based simulations. The aim of this article is to provide an integrative review of the literature and explore the state of the science of VCS in nursing. Method The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database and Medline were explored, and 86 articles were selected as relevant and reviewed. Results Only 3 studies were located that formally examined the use of VCS in nursing. Conclusion VCS is an emerging educational venue that warrants further investigation.
Project risk and appeals in U.S. Forest Service planning

Abstract The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires U.S. Forest Service planning processes to be conducted by interdisciplinary teams of resource specialists to analyze and disclose the likely environmental impacts of proposed natural resource management actions on Forest Service lands. Multiple challenges associated with these processes have been a source of frustration for the agency. One of these challenges involves administrative appeals through which public entities can challenge a Forest Service decision following a NEPA process. These appeals instigate an internal review process and can result in an affirmation of the Forest Service decision, a reversal of that decision, or additional work that re-initiates all or part of the NEPA process. We examine the best predictors of appeals and their outcomes on a representative sample of 489 Forest Service NEPA processes that were decided between 2007 and 2009. While certain factors associated with pre-existing social contexts (such as a history of controversy) or pre-determined elements of a proposed action (such as the extraction of forest products) predispose certain processes to a higher risk of appeals, other practices and process-related strategies within the control of the agency also appear to bear meaningful influence on the occurrence of appeals and their outcomes. Appeals and their outcomes were most strongly related to programmatic, structural (turnover of personnel in particular), and relationship risks (both internal and external) within the processes, suggesting the need for greater focus within the agency on cultivating positive internal and external relationships to manage the risk of appeals.
Mesostructure from Hydration Gradients in Demosponge Biosilica

Organisms of the phylum Porifera, that is, sponges, utilize enzymatic hydrolysis to concatenate bioavailable inorganic silicon to produce lightweight, strong, and often flexible skeletal elements called spicules. In their optical transparency, these remarkable biomaterials resemble fused silica, despite having been formed under ambient marine biological conditions. Although previous studies have elucidated the chemical mechanisms of spicule formation and revealed the extensive hydration of these glasses, their precise composition and local and medium-range structures had not been determined. We have employed a combination of compositional analysis, (1) H and (29) Si solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and synchrotron X-ray total scattering to characterize spicule-derived silica produced by the demosponge Tethya aurantia. These studies indicate that the materials are highly hydrated, but in an inhomogeneous manner. The spicule-derived silica is, on average, perfectly dense for the given extent of hydration and regions of fully condensed and unstrained SiO networks persist throughout each monolithic spicule. To accommodate chemical strain and defects, the extensive hydration is concentrated in distinct regions that give rise to mesostructural features. The chemistry responsible for producing spicule silica resembles hydrolytic sol-gel processing, which offers exceptional control over the precise local atomic arrangement of materials. However, the specific processing involved in forming the sponge spicule silica further results in regions of fully condensed silica coexisting with regions of incomplete condensation. This mesostructure suggests a mechanism for atomistic defect tolerance and strain relief that may account for the unusual mechanical properties of the biogenic spicules.
Spatial price equilibrium on congested networks

Abstract A new price formulation of the spatial price equilibrium model for congested networks is presented which allows for situations in which equilibrium between producers and consumers within a region may not be achieved. It also leads to a variational inequality in link flow without requiring that each network node be a market. Existence and uniqueness results are given and a solution algorithm is suggested.
Calcium Concentration in the Shell of the Bivalve Chione undatella Sowerby

GROWTH ring patterns in bivalves are associated with ontogenetic and environmental changes; as growth rate declines with age, growth increments narrow, and as the seasons shift, growth rings vary in width1. Although for some purposes calcium concentration has been assumed to be uniform throughout the shell2, the concentration is known to vary3; it seems that examination of increases and decreases in calcium concentration would yield information about metabolic fluctuations similar to the ontogenetic and environmental information revealed by growth ring patterns. Such information obtained from fossils could then enable investigation of fossil metabolism, or description of changes in calcium distribution with diagenesis of fossils. Cycles of calcium concentration in fossil shells may, like growth ring patterns4,5 at the structural level, provide chemical data pertaining to variation in the rate of the Earth's rotation through time.
The biological properties of iron oxide core high-density lipoprotein in experimental atherosclerosis

Lipoproteins are a family of plasma nanoparticles responsible for the transportation of lipids throughout the body. High-density lipoprotein (HDL), the smallest of the lipoprotein family, measures 7-13 nm in diameter and consists of a cholesteryl ester and triglyceride core that is covered with a monolayer of phospholipids and apolipoproteins. We have developed an iron oxide core HDL nanoparticle (FeO-HDL), which has a lipid based fluorophore incorporated in the phospholipid layer. This nanoparticle provides contrast for optical imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Consequently, FeO-HDL can be visualized on the anatomical, cellular and sub-cellular level. In the current study we show that the biophysical features of FeO-HDL closely resemble those of native HDL and that FeO-HDL possess the ability to mimic HDL characteristics both in vitro as well as in vivo. We demonstrate that FeO-HDL can be applied to image HDL interactions and to investigate disease settings where HDL plays a key function. More generally, we have demonstrated a multimodal approach to study the behavior of biomaterials in vitro as well as in vivo. The approach allowed us to study nanoparticle dynamics in circulation, as well as nanoparticle targeting and uptake by tissues and cells of interest. Moreover, we were able to qualitatively assess nanoparticle excretion, critical for translating nanotechnologies to the clinic.
Exploring U2: Is This Rock ‘n’ Roll? Essays on the Music, Work, and Influence of U2

The rock band U2 has achieved considerable commercial and critical success, selling millions of records and performing sold-out stadium concerts noted for their visual effects. The band is also rec...
Relationships of quality characteristics with size-exclusion HPLC chromatogram of protein extract in soft white winter wheats.

ABSTRACT This study investigated relationships between molecular weight distributions of unreduced grain proteins and grain, flour, and end-use quality characteristics of soft white winter wheats grown in Oregon. Absorbance area and area percentage values of protein fractions separated by size-exclusion HPLC (SE-HPLC) showed significant correlations with quality characteristics, indicating associations of molecular weight distributions of proteins with quality characteristics. Specifically, high molecular weight polymeric protein fractions appeared to have a detrimental effect on soft wheat quality. This was shown by significant positive correlations with single kernel hardness index, and mixograph water absorption and tolerance, and negative correlations with break flour yield, cookie diameter, and cake volume. Higher proportions of soluble monomeric protein fraction eluted after the main gliadin peak, were associated with soft wheat quality due to negative associations with single kernel hardness index ...
Nuclear import of HPV11 L1 capsid protein is mediated by karyopherin α2β1 heterodimers

L1 major capsid proteins of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) enter the nuclei of host cells at two times during the viral life cycle: 1) after infection and 2) later during the productive phase, when they assemble the replicated HPV genomic DNA into infectious virions. L1 proteins are stable in two oligomeric configurations: as homopentameric capsomers, and as capsids composed of 72 capsomers. We found that intact L1 capsids of HPV type 11 cannot enter the nucleus, suggesting that capsid disassembly may be required for HPV11 L1 nuclear import. We established that HPV11 L1 is imported in a receptor-mediated manner into the nuclei of digitonin-permeabilized HeLa cells. HPV11 L1 docked at the nuclear pore complexes via karyopherin α2β1 heterodimers. Anti-karyopherin-β1 and anti-karyopherin α2 antibodies specifically inhibited nuclear import of HPV11 L1. Moreover, nuclear import of HPV11 L1 could be reconstituted using karyopherin α2, β1, RanGDP and p10. In agreement with the docking and import data, we found that HPV11 L1 binds to karyopherin α2 and that this interaction is inhibited by a peptide representing the classical nuclear localization signal of SV40 T antigen. These results strongly suggest that HPV11 L1 enters the nucleus of the infected host cell via the karyopherin α2β1 pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 74:628–637, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Rethinking Religious Social Action: What is “Rational” about Rational-Choice Theory?

The rational-choice/market-model of religions really consists of two, separable parts : a model of religious behavior plus a rational-choice explanation of why that behavior occurs. This article examines three key theoretical assumptions of the latter explanation. It shows two of these to be false and the third to be so vague as to be useless. This undercuts a rational-choice psychology as an explanation for religious actions. It undercuts, however, neither the utility of the market-model itself nor of a rational-choice model of human behavior (as opposed to action). Together these can describe the overall structure of the religious marketplace, but cannot - and need not - describe the subjective actions of religious persons
The STEP method (statistical test of equivalent pathways) : application to pharmaceuticals

The STEP method (Statistical Test of Equivalent Pathways), recently developed to determine primary and secondary fragmentation in the MS/MS of peptides and carbohydrates, is applied in the current study to common pharmaceutical antibiotics. The classification of product ions as primary or secondary is then utilized to construct genealogy diagrams that aid in the structural characterization of the product ions. Four compounds were subjected to the MS/MS conditions used for the STEP method, and the method was used to correctly identify primary and secondary ions in three of the four pharmaceuticals. Calculated STEP values for erythromycin did not match previously characterized fragmentation assignments. This provided an opportunity to explore potential limitations of STEP analysis. It was determined that inaccurate STEP assignments could result, if the starting compound is classified as "fragile", because fragile ions, such as erythromycin can produce abnormally low STEP ratios. While this finding represents a limitation of using the STEP method to determine whether product ions are due to primary or secondary fragmentation for fragile ions, it suggests the possibility of identifying the presence of "fragile ions" by STEP analysis.
Six-week time series of eddy covariance CO2 flux at Mammoth Mountain, California: Performance evaluation and role of meteorological forcing

CO{sub 2} and heat fluxes were measured over a six-week period (09/08/2006 to 10/24/2006) by the eddy covariance (EC) technique at the Horseshoe Lake tree kill (HLTK), Mammoth Mountain, CA, a site with complex terrain and high, spatially heterogeneous CO{sub 2} emission rates. EC CO{sub 2} fluxes ranged from 218 to 3500 g m{sup -2} d{sup -1} (mean = 1346 g m{sup -2} d{sup -1}). Using footprint modeling, EC CO{sub 2} fluxes were compared to CO{sub 2} fluxes measured by the chamber method on a grid repeatedly over a 10-day period. Half-hour EC CO{sub 2} fluxes were moderately correlated (R{sup 2} = 0.42) with chamber fluxes, whereas average-daily EC CO{sub 2} fluxes were well correlated (R{sup 2} = 0.70) with chamber measurements. Average daily EC CO{sub 2} fluxes were correlated with both average daily wind speed and atmospheric pressure; relationships were similar to those observed between chamber CO{sub 2} fluxes and the atmospheric parameters over a comparable time period. Energy balance closure was assessed by statistical regression of EC energy fluxes (sensible and latent heat) against available energy (net radiation, less soil heat flux). While incomplete (R{sup 2} = 0.77 for 1:1 line), the degree of energy balance closure fellmore » within the range observed in many investigations conducted in contrasting ecosystems and climates. Results indicate that despite complexities presented by the HLTK, EC can be reliably used to monitor background variations in volcanic CO{sub 2} fluxes associated with meteorological forcing, and presumably changes related to deeply derived processes such as volcanic activity.« less
Clusters of Factors Identify A High Prevalence of Pregnancy Involvement Among US Adolescent Males

The study purpose was to use recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) to identify factors that, when clustered, are associated with a high prevalence of pregnancy involvement among US adolescent males. The National Survey of Family Growth is a nationally representative survey of individuals 15–44 years old. RPA was done for the 2002 and 2006–2010 cycles to identify factors which, when combined, identify adolescent males with the highest prevalence of pregnancy involvement. Pregnancy-involvement prevalence among adolescent males was 6 %. Two clusters of adolescent males have the highest pregnancy-involvement prevalence, at 84–87 %. In RPA, the highest pregnancy-involvement prevalence (87 %) was seen in adolescent males who ever HIV tested, had >4 lifetime sexual partners, reported less than an almost certain chance of feeling less physical pleasure with condom use, had an educational attainment of 4 lifetime sexual partners, reported less than an almost certain chance of feeling less physical pleasure with condom use, had an educational attainment ≥11th grade, were >17 years old, and had their first contraceptive education ≥10th grade, had a pregnancy-involvement prevalence of 84 %. Pregnancy-prevention efforts among adolescent males who have been involved in a pregnancy may need to target risk factors identified in clusters with the highest pregnancy prevalence to prevent subsequent pregnancies in these adolescent males and improve their future outcomes.
Dynamic security-constrained rescheduling of power systems using trajectory sensitivities

In the deregulated environment of power systems, the transmission networks are often operated close to their maximum capacity to achieve transfer of power. Besides, the operators must operate the system to satisfy its dynamic stability constraints under credible contingencies. This paper provides a method using trajectory sensitivity to reschedule power generation to ensure system stability for a set of credible contingencies while satisfying its economic goal. System modeling issue is not a limiting concern in this method, and hence, the technique can be used as a preventive control scheme for system operators in real time.
Tumor debulking followed by immediate combination chemotherapy in advanced ovarian carcinoma. Phase II.

Fifty-one consecutive, previously untreated patients with FIGO stage III or IV epithelial ovarian carcinoma were enrolled in a prospective study over a period of 7 years (1981–1988). Significant improvement has been noted in patients with advanced ovarian cancer following the administration of modified PAC 1 (adriamycin, cytoxan and cyclophospha-mide) immediately following primary debulking surgery (within 24 hours) and repeated for 11 monthly cycles. A second look operation was found as an important prognostic indicator. Thirty-one patients (all Stage III) completed the chemotherapy course and were eligible for second look operation. Of these, 21 patients (68%) showed negative second look. Of the patients with negative second look, 17 of 21 (81%) are alive with a mean survival of 61 months (range 19–103 months) after diagnosis. Among those with positive second look only 3 of 10 are alive with a mean of 41 months after diagnosis. The remaining 20 patients (13 stage III and 7 stage IV) did not undergo seco...
THEORETICAL MODIFICATIONS OF RECIPROCAL RECURRENT SELECTION

Reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS), which assumes overdominant loci to be important, alters two genetically different populations to improve their crossbred mean. Individual plants from two populations (A and B) are selfed and also crossed with plants from the reciprocal female tester population (B and A, respectively). Selection is based on the mean of crossbred families, and the selected individuals are randomly mated within A and B to form new populations.—We propose two alternatives to RRS. The first (RRS-I) uses, as the tester of population A, a population (LB) that is derived from population B by family selection for low yield. The second (RRS-II) is similar to RRS-I, but also uses, as the tester of B, a population (LA) that is derived from population A by family selection for low yield.—The expected crossbred means of RRS, RRS-I, and RRS-II were compared, assuming equal σP, at several cycles of selection for incomplete and complete dominance, and for several cases of overdominance (depending on the gene frequencies in A and B, and on the equilibrium gene frequency).—The choice of selection method depends on the importance of the effects of overdominant loci compared to loci exhibiting incomplete or complete dominance. If overdominance is unimportant, RRS-II is the best selection method, followed by RRS-I and RRS. If overdominance is important, both RRS and RRS-I are superior to RRS-II; RRS is preferred to RRS-I if the effects of overdominant loci are sufficiently important. If the genetic model is a mixture of levels of dominance at different loci, a combination of selection systems is suggested.
Process Variation Characterization and Modeling of Nanoparticle Interconnects for Foldable Electronics

Designers require variational information for robust designs. Characterization of such information can be costly for the novel nanoparticle interconnect process, which utilize nanoparticle silver solutions. To reduce characterization cost and initiate circuit level considerations for foldable electronics, we provide nanoparticle interconnect models. We use SEM measurements to characterize nanoparticle size distribution. We conduct field solver simulations over the proposed model to obtain physics-based process variation impact on a nanoparticle interconnect resistance. Such methodology can be helpful to aid designers for circuits based on novel transistors, such as organic TFTs on low cost foldable substrates.
Changes in neurotrophic factor expression and receptor activation following exposure of hippocampal neuron/astrocyte cocultures to kainic acid

Neurotrophic factor expression in the adult mammalian CNS is largely neuronal. However, upon traumatic injury reactive astrocytes express a number of neurotrophic factors including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and NGF. In this study, we examined whether the upregulation of neurotrophic factors in reactive astrocytes and cultured astrocytes is a consequence of separation from their neuronal counterparts, and whether neurotrophic factor levels can be regulated by placing astrocytes into coculture with neurons. We show that reintroduction of rat hippocampal neurons to rat hippocampal astrocytes in vitro leads to a time dependent downregulation in astrocytes of the neurotrophic factors CNTF, NGF, and neurotrophin 3 (NT-3). In contrast, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA, which is only expressed in neurons in these cultures is slightly increased. Once neurotrophic factor levels in cocultures had reached a steady state in the neuron/glia cocultures, we initiated a traumatic event with the excitotoxin kainic acid. BDNF protein was rapidly upregulated within 24 hr after lesion, whereas CNTF protein upregulation was delayed reaching maximal levels by 3 d. Despite the endogenous upregulation of both of these trophic factors, no activation of their respective receptors, as measured by tyrosine phosphorylation, was detectable following kainate administration. However, following addition of exogenous CNTF at any time point up to 24 hr after kainate administration, the beta components of the CNTF receptor (LIFR beta and gp130) could be phosphorylated. Furthermore, although activation of neuronal LIFR beta and gp130 by exogenous CNTF declined during the period of neuronal death, these receptors reappeared on astrocytes and could be activated by CNTF. In contrast, phosphorylation of TrkB by exogenous BDNF was undetectable by 24 hr and could not be reactivated after this point. These data suggest that the intimate association of astrocytes and neurons in the CNS serves to suppress astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor expression and that neuronal loss leads to a derepression of neurotrophic factor synthesis in astrocytes. However, the upregulation of endogenous BDNF and CNTF observed after excitotoxic lesion in this culture model are insufficient to activate signal transduction and protect against neuronal loss.
Effect of breast conservation therapy vs mastectomy on disease-specific survival for early-stage breast cancer.

RESULTS A total of 132 149 patients were included in this analysis. Breast conservation therapy was used to treat 70% of patients, mastectomy alone was used to treat 27% of patients, and mastectomy with radiation was used to treat 3% of patients. The 5-year breast cancer–specific survival rates of patients who underwent BCT, a mastectomy alone, or a mastectomy with radiation were 97%, 94%, and 90%, respectively (P < .001); the 10-year breast cancer–specific survival rates were 94%, 90%, and 83%, respectively (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed that women undergoing BCT had a higher survival rate than those undergoing mastectomy alone (hazard ratio, 1.31; P < .001) or mastectomy with radiation (hazard ratio, 1.47; P < .001). When propensity score stratification was used, the effect of treatment method on survival was similar. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Patients who underwent BCT have a higher breast cancer–specific survival rate compared with those treated with mastectomy alone or mastectomy with radiation for early-stage invasive ductal carcinoma. Further investigation is warranted to understand what may be contributing to this effect.