cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of estrogen action during neural development: Mediation by interactions with the neurotrophins and their receptors?

Estrogen enhances the growth and differentiation of neurites within the developing forebrain. A critical issue is whether these developmental actions of estrogen are mediated directly or indirectly by means of autocrine responses or local paracrine mechanisms, through interactions with growth factors, such as the neurotrophins, and their receptors. Support for the latter hypothesis comes from our recent observations of co-expression of estrogen receptor mRNA with the mRNAs for the neurotrophins and their receptors; differential and reciprocal up-regulation of estrogen and NGF receptor mRNA and protein expression by estrogen in adult female rat sensory neurons, PC12 cells; and cerebral cortical cultures; and putative estrogen response elements in the NGF, BDNF, trkA and p75 genes. Estrogen and the neurotrophins may influence each other's actions by regulating receptor and ligand availability or by reciprocal regulation at the level of signal transduction or gene transcription. The neurotrophins may serve as regulatory "switches" for the apparent developmentally-regulated, differential pattern of estrogen receptor regulation by its ligand, whereby their ability to increase estrogen receptor levels significantly may be sufficient to override the intrinsic suppressive action of estrogen on its receptor. Estrogen and the neurotrophins, acting in concert and reciprocally, may stimulate the synthesis of proteins required for neuronal differentiation, survival and maintenance of function.
A stochastic periodic review integrated inventory model involving defective items, backorder price discount, and variable lead time

The purpose of this article is to investigate a stochastic integrated supplier-retailer inventory problem. The model analyzed in this article explores the problem of the protection interval, the backorder price discount, the lead time, and the numbers of shipments from the supplier to the retailer in one production run as control variables to widen applications for an integrated periodic review inventory model. We consider the situation in which the supplier and the retailer establish a long-term strategic partnership and contract to jointly determine the best strategy. We assume that the protection interval demand follows a normal distribution. Our objective is to determine the optimal review period, the optimal backorder price discount, the optimal lead time, and the optimal number of shipments from the supplier to the retailer in one production run, so that the joint expected annual total cost incurred has the minimum value. Furthermore, an algorithm of finding the optimal solution is developed. Also, the sensitivity analysis included and a numerical example is given to illustrate the results of the proposed model.
The first steps on the path toward genomic predictors of behavioral therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder.

Not everyone who has personally experienced, or has been exposed to, severe trauma develops posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The risk-resilience equation is complex and, as we are becoming increasingly aware, includes both genetic predictors and environmental stressors, starting in early childhood. For example, as Binder and colleagues (1) first showed, FKBP5, a gene influencing activity of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis, together with exposure to childhood trauma but not adult stressors, predicted the development of PTSD in a lowincome, urban African American sample. There is much to be understood about the etiology of PTSD and equally there is much to be learned about developing new treatment options and improving the rates of response to the current first-line treatment for PTSD: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). PTSD is thought to result from impaired fear extinction learning, i.e., the inability to suppress frightening or disturbing memories of a traumatic event (2). A key player in the formation of fear-related memories via the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that, together with its receptor tyrosine kinase receptor B, is an important regulator of neuronal development, function, survival, and synaptic plasticity (2,3). Stress results in BDNF overexpression in the hippocampus, most likely a compensatory mechanism that appears to enhance fear extinction (2). However, some individuals have a compromised BDNF protective response to stress because they are Met allele carriers of the BDNF gene polymorphism Val66Met (rs6265) and have reduced secretion and neuroplastic effects of the BDNF protein (3). Even apparently healthy Met allele carriers have lower hippocampal volumes relative to Val/Val homozygotes (3). Notably, the Met allele has been associated with slower suppression of the learned fear response in mice and humans (4). It is clearly important to understand predictors for the disease for preventive purposes but also to determine treatment options. Are individuals who are more likely to develop PTSD more or less likely to respond to treatment? Can we tailor treatment options to PTSD subgroups based on genotype? We are beginning to make progress in delineating individualized responses to pharmacotherapies for behavioral disorders. For example, FKBP5 gene variation predicts speed of response to antidepressants (5) and the high activity variant of 5-HTTLPR, the promoter polymorphism in SLC6A4, the gene encoding the serotonin transporter, predicts greater responsiveness of PTSD symptoms to sertraline (6). Eventually, successful treatment of most behavioral disorders is
SU‐GG‐J‐36: Application of Gafchromic XR‐RV2 Film for Small Animal Irradiation Dosimetry

Purpose: To assess the accuracy of self‐developing Gafchromic XR‐RV2 film for the dosimetry of small animal kilovoltage x‐ray irradiation.Method and Materials: Two kilovoltage x‐ray beams (100kVp and 150kVp) for small animal irradiation from a Faxitron machine were employed in this study. The doses of a point at the center of a round field with diameter of 20cm in a 30×30×10 cm3 solid water phantom at a depth of 1cm were measured via Gafchromic XR‐RV2 films and a Farmer ion chamber. The films, cut into small samples (3.5×1.5cm2 in size), were from the same batch to remove the variability between batches. Two film calibration curves were established for the two beams. The films were scanned with an Epson V700 flat‐bed scanner 24 hours after exposure and analyzed with FilmQA software. The doses of the same point for a round field with diameter of 1cm were also measured. Results: The Gafchromic XR‐RV2 film calibration curves were found to be weak dependent of beam energy (<8% difference of the pixel values between 100kVp and 150kVp). The agreement of measured doses for big field between Gafchromic XR‐RV2 films and Framer chamber were within 5% (−4.0% to 5.0%). While for small field irradiation, large difference (up to 75%) of measured doses was observed, which indicates that Farmer chamber underestimated the point dose due to field size is not big enough to cover chamber body. Conclusion: The Gafchromic XR‐RV2 film can provide acceptable accuracy of dose measurements for kilovoltage x‐ray irradiation and it is more accurate than Farmer ion chamber for small field irradiation that are often used in small animal treatments. The combination of Gafchromic XR‐RV2 film with flat‐bed scanner represents a low‐cost and viable dosimetry tool for small animal irradiation.
IR photodissociation spectroscopy of O4+, O6+ and O8+ cluster ions

Abstract O 4 + and larger (O 2 ) n + cluster ions are produced in a pulsed discharge source and studied with time-of-flight mass spectrometry and infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy. The infrared laser photon energies used allow bracketing of the cluster dissociation energies. Sharp resonant structure is detected for each of these ions in the region of the O–O stretching vibrations and also at higher frequencies corresponding to combination bands. Although previous matrix isolation spectroscopy on O 4 + found evidence for both trans -bent and rectangular isomers of this ion, the gas phase IR spectrum only contains bands assigned to the rectangular isomer. O 6 + has a distinctive IR spectrum unlike that for O 4 + , indicating that it is not simply a solvated O 4 + species, while O 8 + has the signature of a solvated O 6 + ion.
A man and a book

A. Irving Hallowell. Culture and Experience. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1974. (First published in 1955.) xiv + 434 pp. Figures, tables and bibliography. $6.95 (paper).
Discovering the Higgs Bosons of Minimal Supersymmetry with Bottom Quarks

Abstract We investigate the prospects for the discovery of a neutral Higgs boson produced with one bottom quark followed by Higgs decay into a pair of bottom quarks at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We work within the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. The dominant physics background is calculated with realistic acceptance cuts and efficiencies including the production of b b b ¯ , b ¯ b b ¯ , j b b ¯ ( j = g , q , q ¯ ; q = u , d , s , c ), t t ¯ → b b ¯ j j l ν , and t t ¯ → b b ¯ j j j j . Promising results are found for the CP-odd pseudoscalar ( A 0 ) and the heavier CP-even scalar ( H 0 ) Higgs bosons with masses up to 800 GeV for the LHC with an integrated luminosity (L) of 30 fb − 1 and up to 1 TeV for L = 300 fb − 1 .
The Bahadur-Kiefer representation of the two dimensional spatial medians

We consider the asymptotic behavior, both in distribution and almost sure, of the Bahadur-Kiefer representation of the two dimensional spatial medians. The rates appearing in this expansion are non-standard. The rate in the almost sure expansion is n(2 log n)-1/2(2 log log n)-1. The set of clusters points in the almost sure representation is obtained. The distribution of the Bahadur-Kiefer representation of the two dimensional spatial medians converges with rate n(2 log n)-1/2 to a limit that is determined precisely.
Caprylic Triglyceride as a Novel Therapeutic Approach to Effectively Improve the Performance and Attenuate the Symptoms Due to the Motor Neuron Loss in ALS Disease

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of motor neurons causing progressive muscle weakness, paralysis, and finally death. ALS patients suffer from asthenia and their progressive weakness negatively impacts quality of life, limiting their daily activities. They have impaired energy balance linked to lower activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain enzymes in ALS spinal cord, suggesting that improving mitochondrial function may present a therapeutic approach for ALS. When fed a ketogenic diet, the G93A ALS mouse shows a significant increase in serum ketones as well as a significantly slower progression of weakness and lower mortality rate. In this study, we treated SOD1-G93A mice with caprylic triglyceride, a medium chain triglyceride that is metabolized into ketone bodies and can serve as an alternate energy substrate for neuronal metabolism. Treatment with caprylic triglyceride attenuated progression of weakness and protected spinal cord motor neuron loss in SOD1-G93A transgenic animals, significantly improving their performance even though there was no significant benefit regarding the survival of the ALS transgenic animals. We found that caprylic triglyceride significantly promoted the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate in vivo. Our results demonstrated that caprylic triglyceride alleviates ALS-type motor impairment through restoration of energy metabolism in SOD1-G93A ALS mice, especially during the overt stage of the disease. These data indicate the feasibility of using caprylic acid as an easily administered treatment with a high impact on the quality of life of ALS patients.
Computer Simulation of Variable-Range Hopping in Two-Dimensional System

Computer modeling of the variable range hopping (VRH) conductivity in a two-dimensional system has been done by a kinetic Monte Carlo method which includes some new elements. Study of the temperature dependence of the conductivity, testing of the different scaling relations, and study of the size effect show that the Efros-Shklovskii mechanism of the VRH is valid in the slightest details. It also has been shown that simultaneous transitions of many electrons are not important. The reasons for disagreement with previous works are thoroughly analyzed.
The Complex Modified Korteweg-de Vries Equation, a Non-Integrable Evolution Equation

Some anisotropic media, e.g. a magnetized plasma, can support propagating electrostatic waves. We wish to study the dispersion and nonlinear self-modulation of such waves when the system is two-dimensional (x and y, x being the principal axis) and has reached a steady state [all field quantities ~ exp(- iωt), ω = constant]. We will take the medium to be homogeneous and non-dissipative, and will assume that the dielectric tensor depends on the electric field amplitude squared. The equation for the complex electric potential, ⌽ , is $$\nabla \bullet \overline{\overline K} \left( {\nabla ,{{\left| {\nabla \phi } \right|}^2}} \right) \bullet \nabla \phi = 0$$ (1) .
Vibrational spectra of phenyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane and their sol-gels.

Abstract Raman and infrared spectra of phenyltriethoxysilane and phenyltrimethoxysilane have been recorded. These silane coupling agents (SCAs) have been used as precursors to prepare sol–gels using acid or base as catalyst under different solution conditions. From the vibrational spectroscopic identification, it was found that the major sol–gel products obtained from different catalysts and different solvents were essentially the same. Vibrational assignments for the SCAs, sol–gel and xerogel have been made based on the group frequencies, the spectral variation collected at different physical and chemical states and the previous spectroscopic studies of similar molecules. The compositions of xerogels after thermal treatments at different temperatures have been analyzed and identified by using infrared spectroscopic method along with thermal gravimetric analysis. Results from the experimental treatments for the xerogels indicated that the xerogel baking at 118 °C served to evaporate the sample moisture, the curing at 225 °C helped to complete the condensation reaction, and the treatment at 600 °C caused the decomposition of the organic group but the siloxane net-work remained essentially unchanged.
Immunization Uptake in Siblings of Children With Autism: In Reply

Kuwaik et al describe immunization uptake in a population that we were unable to identify in our study1: the siblings of children diagnosed with autism. In the group of 53 younger siblings of autistic children, 14 had partial or delayed coverage and 10 were completely unvaccinated. In contrast, older siblings …
Optical MEMS Based on High-Reflectivity Photonic Crystals

Interference between propagating waves and crystal modes determines transmission and reflection of 2-D Photonic Crystals. This effect enables spectral synthesis and numerous optical devices, including MEMS scanners with PC reflectors and fiber-optic acoustic sensors.
Collaborative research for the study of e-commerce and e-business in China

E-commerce has experienced tremendous growth in China over the past few years, where we have witnessed the emergence of online portals, search engines, community forums, online travel agencies, auction houses, and gaming websites. This fast developing ecommerce phenomenon has attracted the interest of researchers from both within and outside of China. The aim of this panel is to discuss opportunities for researchers interested in Chinese e-commerce issues to collaborate and share their research findings.
An in vitro study of ectopic discharge generation and adrenergic sensitivity in the intact, nerve-injured rat dorsal root ganglion.

Abstract A chronic, loose constriction of the sciatic nerve in rat produces behavioral signs of spontaneous pain and cutaneous hyperalgesia (Bennett and Xie, Pain, 33 (1988) 87–107) as well as an abnormal spontaneous activity and adrenergic sensitivity of certain dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells with axons in the injured nerve (Kajander et al., Neurosci. Lett., 138 (1992) 225–228; Xie et al., J. Neurophysiol., 73 (1995)1811–1820) The present study investigated whether the spontaneous activity and adrenergic sensitivity were intrinsic properties of injured DRG cells and manifested in vitro, i.e., not dependent on intact blood circulation and an intact, functioning sympathetic nervous system. Two weeks after a loose constriction of the sciatic nerve, the L4 or L5 DRG with its ligated nerve and dorsal root attached was removed from the rat and placed in a chamber. Extracellular recordings were made from teased dorsal root fibers. Spontaneous activity (>0.05 imp/s in 3 min) originating within or close to the DRG was often found in C-, Aδ- and Aβ-fibers from nerve-injured rats, but was rare in fibers with peripheral axons from uninjured nerve. The incidence of various patterns of spontaneous discharge was similar to that previously recorded in vivo. Nineteen of 30 C-fibers, four of five Aδ- and three of seven Aβ-fibers from injured nerve responded to different doses of norepinephrine (NE) applied topically to the DRG. Five of seven C- and one of two Aβ-fibers from injured nerve responded to clonidine, a more selective α2 adrenergic agonist. The thresholds ranged from 500 to 10 μM, the lowest dose delivered. None of the fibers from uninjured nerve responded to NE or clonidine (500 μM). Since the experiments were carried out in vitro in the intact DRG, the existence of spontaneous activity in DRG cells in nerve-injured rats was independent of any blood borne chemicals, such as norepinephrine. We hypothesize that abnormal activity and adrenergic sensitivity in injured DRG neurons are due to an intrinsic alteration of the cell body membrane.
Leveraging temporal and spatial separations with the 24-hour knowledge factory paradigm

The 24-H Knowledge Factory facilitates collaboration between geographically and temporally distributed teams. The teams themselves form a strategic partnership whose joint efforts contribute to the completion of a project. Project-related tasks are likewise distributed, allowing tasks to be completed on a continuous basis, regardless of the constraints of any one team's working hours. However, distributing a single task between multiple teams necessitates a handoff process, where one team's development efforts and task planning are communicated from one team ending their shift to the next that will continue the effort. Data management is, therefore, critical to the success of this business model. Efficiency in data management is achieved through a strategic leveraging of key tools, models, and concepts.
Electron trapping states in phosphors

It is known both theoretically and experimentally that the energy gap in polar crystals decreases with temperature, the change being about 0.0005 ev/deg. It is shown that one effect of this change is that phosphorescent decay measurements at different temperatures give indicated oscillation frequencies for trapped electrons which are too high by a factor of the order of 100. Since these apparent frequencies are already several orders of magnitude less than crystal oscillation frequencies, the indications are that the electron frequencies are not closely connected with crystal oscillation frequencies. It is shown further that the variation of energy gap with temperature may account for the few cases where thermal activation energies are larger than optical activation energies.
A well-defined model system for the chromium-catalyzed selective oligomerization of ethylene.

The chromium(I) dinitrogen complex [(i-Pr2Ph)2nacnacCr]2(μ–η2:η2-N2) catalyzes the selective trimerization of ethylene to 1-hexene at ambient pressure and temperature, and in the absence of any cocatalyst. After the conversion of the substrate, the catalyst cleanly converts to another chromium(I) species, namely [(i-Pr2Ph)2nacnacCr]2(μ–η2:η2-C2H4), which is not catalytically active. Binuclear metallacycles containing Cr(II) have been prepared as candidates for catalytically active intermediates; however they are not kinetically competent to explain the catalysis. Turning thus to mononuclear metallacycles featuring Cr(III), a chromacyclopentane, chromacyclopentene and chromacyclopentadiene have been prepared as models of catalytic intermediates. Of these, the latter also catalyzes the trimerization of ethylene. These results support the proposal that selective ethylene oligomerization catalysis involves an interplay between Cr(I) ethylene complexes and mononuclear Cr(III) metallacycles.
An eigenvector interlacing property of graphs that arise from trees by Schur complementation of the Laplacian.

Abstract The literature is replete with rich connections between the structure of a graph G = ( V , E ) and the spectral properties of its Laplacian matrix L . This paper establishes similar connections between the structure of G and the Laplacian L ∗ of a second graph G ∗ . Our interest lies in L ∗ that can be obtained from L by Schur complementation, in which case we say that G ∗ is partially-supplied with respect to G . In particular, we specialize to where G is a tree with points of articulation r ∈ R and consider the partially-supplied graph G ∗ derived from G by taking the Schur complement with respect to R in L . Our results characterize how the eigenvectors of the Laplacian of G ∗ relate to each other and to the structure of the tree.
Mixing transformations on metric spaces

It is proved that if a metric space is subjected to a mixing transformation, then there exists a positive numberx 0 such that the probability that any arbitrary set of positive measure is asymptotically mapped into a set of diameter less thanx 0 is zero. Physical implications of this result, in particular the interpretation of Poincare recurrence, are discussed.
Dynamic routing of task-relevant signals for decision making in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

Neurons in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) encode a diverse array of sensory and mnemonic signals, but little is known about how this information is dynamically routed during decision making. We analyzed the neuronal activity in the DLPFC of monkeys performing a probabilistic reversal task where information about the probability and magnitude of reward was provided by the target color and numerical cues, respectively. The location of the target of a given color was randomized across trials and therefore was not relevant for subsequent choices. DLPFC neurons encoded signals related to both task-relevant and irrelevant features, but only task-relevant mnemonic signals were encoded congruently with choice signals. Furthermore, only the task-relevant signals related to previous events were more robustly encoded following rewarded outcomes. Thus, multiple types of neural signals are flexibly routed in the DLPFC so as to favor actions that maximize reward.
Some Thoughts on Teaching Principles of Macroeconomics.

Some suggestions are offered for making the macroeconomics principles course more relevant, timely, and effective.
Compact Blue Laser Devices Based On Nonlinear Frequency Upconversion

Miniature sources of coherent blue radiation can he produced by using nonlinear optical materials for frequency upconversion of the infrared radiation emitted by laser diodes. Direct upconversion of laser diode radiation is possible, but there are several advantages to using the diode laser to pump a solid-state laser which is then upconverted. In either case, the challenge is to find combinations of nonlinear materials and lasers for efficient frequency upconversion. Several examples have been demonstrated. These include intracavity frequency doubling of a diode-pumped 946-nm Nd:YAG laser, intracavity frequency mixing of a 809-nm GaAlAs laser diode with a diode-pumped 1064-nm Nd: YAG laser, and direct frequency doubling of a 994-nm strained-layer InGaAs laser diode.
Autonomous Expression of the slo Gene of the Bicistronic nga-slo Operon of Streptococcus pyogenes

A recent model for cytolysin-mediated translocation in Streptococcus pyogenes proposes that NAD-glycohydrolase is translocated through streptolysin O-generated pores into a host cell (J. Madden, N. Ruiz, and M. Caparon, Cell 104:143-152, 2001). This model also assumes that the NAD-glycohydrolase (nga) and streptolysin O (slo) genes that code for these products are organized in an operon-like structure expressed from a single promoter only (nga). We expand this model by showing that slo possesses its own autonomous promoter, which is located 155 bp upstream of the slo gene. Under experimental conditions in which S. pyogenes is grown in THY medium, the strength of the slo promoter, as measured by the activity of a lacZ reporter gene, resulted in low but highly reproducible values. Finally, we demonstrated that sloR, a S. pyogenes gene that closely resembles the Clostridium perfringens pfoR gene, exerts a negative effect on the expression of the slo gene.
Fidelity of telescope subsystem models and the influence on simulation accuracy

Analysis of complex interdisciplinary systems such as large telescopes is usually performed using simulation models due to the expense of hardware testbeds. The level of fidelity of these simulation models, or the relative closeness to which the model simulates reality for the behavior under investigation, is often not assessed in a quantitative manner. Rather, the model is described qualitatively as being of either "low" or "high" fidelity, often progressing from lower to higher fidelity models as the candidate designs are down-selected. This paper provides a quantitative assessment of fidelity for structural subsystems for large telescope models based on the Nyquist criterion, shows how it influences simulation accuracy, and applies it to a space telescope model. This metric will be useful for assessing the fidelity of an existing structural finite element telescope model or in creating a new model having sufficient fidelity (sufficient accuracy).
Copper mediated scalemic organolithium reagents in alkaloid syntheses

Abstract Scalemic 2-pyrrolidinylcuprates generated via asymmetric deprotonation of N-Boc-pyrrolidine followed by treatment with THF soluble CuCN·2LiCl react with ω-functionalized vinyl halides to afford 2-alkenyl-N-Boc-pyrrolidines. N-Boc deprotection and cyclization via intramolecular N-alkylation generates the pyrrolizidine or indolizidine skeletons. Subsequent functional group manipulation affords enantioenriched (+)-heliotridane, (+)-isoretronecanol, a formal synthesis of (+)-laburnine, (+)-(R)-2,3,5,7a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolizine, (R)-1,2,3,5,6,8a-hexahydroindolizine, (+)-ent-δ-coniceine, (+)-tashiromine and (+)-5-epitashiromine.
Sodium influx rate and ouabain-sensitive rubidium uptake in isolated guinea pig atria

Abstract 1. 1. Ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake by tissue preparations has been used as an estimate of Na + pump activity. This uptake, however, may be a measure of the Na + influx rate, rather than capacity of the Na + pump, since intracellular Na + concentration is a determinant of the active Na + /Rb + exchange reaction under certain conditions. This aspect was examined by studying the effect of altered Na + influx rate on ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake in atrial preparations of guinea pig hearts. 2. 2. Electrical stimulation markedly enhanced ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake without affecting nonspecific, ouabain-insensitive uptake. Paired-pulse stimulation studies indicate that the stimulation-induced enhancement of 86 Rb + uptake is due to membrane depolarizations, and hence related to the rate of Na + influx. 3. 3. Alterations in the extracellular Ca 2+ concentration failed to affect the 86 Rb + uptake indicating that the force of contraction does not influence 86 Rb + uptake. 4. 4. Reduced Na + influx by low extracellular Na + concentration decreased 86 Rb + uptake, and an increased Na + influx by a Na + -specific ionophore, monensin, enhanced 86 Rb + uptake in quiescent atria. 5. 5. Grayanotoxins, agents that increase transmembrane Na + influx, and high concentrations of monensin appear to have inhibitory effects on ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake in electrically stimulated and in quiescent atria. 6. 6. Electrical stimulation or monensin enhanced ouabain binding to (Na + + K + )-ATPase and also increased the potency of ouabain to inhibit 86 Rb + uptake indicating that the intracellular Na + available to the Na + pump is increased under these conditions. 7. 7. The ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake in electrically stimulated atria was less sensitive to alterations in the extracellular Na + concentration, temperature and monensin than that in quiescent atria. 8. 8. These results indicate that the rate of Na + influx is the primary determinant of oubain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake in isolated atria. Electrical stimulation most effectively increases the Na + available to the the Na + pump system. The ouabain-sensitive 86 Rb + uptake by atrial preparations under electrical stimulation at a relatively high frequency seems to represent the maximal capacity of the Na + pump in this tissue.
Activity of Lactose Fermenting Yeasts in Producing Biomass from Concentrated Whey Permeates

Fermentation activity, biomass yield, and productivity in skimmilk and whey permeates by 10 lactose fermenting yeasts as influenced by pH, lactose and ash levels were reported. Aerobic fermentations by the three most active yeasts were conducted in whey permeates at 30° C and pH 5.6 during 120 hr. Low ash levels, approximately 1.5%, in permeates above 15% lactose accelerated complete sugar fermentation and high aeration rates led to significant increases in biomass. Maximum biomass yields at greatest efficiencies were attained with K. fragilis ATCC 8582. It gave 8 and 11g biomass (dry wt)/liter in 5 and 12% lactose permeates. Biomass production decreased markedly when the lactose concentration in permeates rose above 15%.
Cost-effective management of heart failure

Heart failure affects more than 2 million Americans, and about 400,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The direct economic cost is over $10 billion/year. About 75% of this cost is spent on hospitalization, and almost 20% on nursing home care. Drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce mortality and hospitalization and are thus very cost effective in the management of heart failure. Cost-effective strategies should focus on keeping patients out of the hospital. Additional savings can be obtained by more appropriate utilization of tests.
Matching the tagging to the task

Two tasks involving lexical semantic sense tagging are described. Different task requirements made it necessary to select different corpora to be tagged and to develop different tagging interfaces to achieve the desired result. A vocabulary-building task required sequential tagging of connnected text, whereas a word-sense identification task required targeted tagging of many instances of common polysemous words. Advantages and drawbacks of both are compared.
Determination of longitudinal dispersion coefficient and net advection in the tidal hudson river with a large-scale, high resolution SF6 tracer release experiment.

Physical processes such as advection, dispersion, and air−water gas exchange play important roles in determining the movement and change in concentration of contaminants discharged into rivers. In the following, we report results from a large-scale SF6 tracer release experiment conducted in the tidal Hudson River to examine longitudinal dispersion and net advection. SF6 was injected into the Hudson River near Newburgh, NY, and surveyed for 13 days using a new, fully automated, high-resolution SF6 sampling and analysis system. Net down river advection of the water body originally tagged with SF6 was slow, averaging mean displacement rates of about 0.5 ± 0.2 km d-1. In contrast, spreading of the tracer was driven by tidal movement, causing rapid mixing of the water up and down river. By examining the change in the second moment of the tracer distribution with time, we determined the mean longitudinal dispersion coefficient to be 70.1 ± 4.3 m2 s-1. Temporal evolution of the SF6 inventory indicates an average...
Service Provider Job Satisfaction and Customer

Considers the impact of multi‐faceted measures of job satisfaction on customer‐oriented behaviours demonstrated by service providers. Reveals how overall job satisfaction, together with specific satisfaction related to supervision, colleagues, promotion and work are positively related to customer‐orientation, while satisfaction with pay is not of significance in this case. Discusses recommendations for management and suggestions for further research.
Effect of several chemicals on sprouting of stored table-stock potatoes

An account is given of experiments to determine the efficiency of alpha terpineol, alpha chloronaphthalene, methyl ester of alpha naphthalene-acetic acid (MENA) and maleic hydrazide (MH) applied in wax or water in inhibiting sprouting or potatoes during the latter part of the late-crop shipping season.
Scintigraphic imaging of oncogenes with antisense probes: does it make sense?

Based on the specificity of the Watson-Crick base pairing formation, antisense deoxyoligonucleotides have been used to inhibit the expression of oncogenes in various cancer cells. Activation of an oncogene by means of amplification leads to an increased, detectable amount of the mRNA transcript in the cytoplasm. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that cells which are expressing a particular mRNA transcript do preferentially and specifically retain the antisense probe targeting that mRNA. Using a mouse plasmacytoma cell line (MOPC315) which produces high levels of IgA heavy chain mRNA, a control mouse pre B cell line (70ZJ3B), a human mammary cell line (MCF7) which expresses the erbB2 or neu oncogene, MOPC315 cells as neu-negative controls, and antisense DNA oligonucleotides complementary to the 5′ region of the mRNAs and the sense sequence, we have shown that there is a preferential, specific retention of the IgA andneu antisense sequence in MOPC315 and MCF7 cells, respectively. We have further demonstrated that this retention is time and concentration dependent with a maximum at 24 h. We conclude that cancer cells which express a particular oncogene are suitable targets for radiolabeled antisense deoxyoligonucleotides directed toward the oncogene transcript. This work and recent developments in the antisense field lead to the expectation of a new class of radiopharmaceuticals with unique specificity.
Analysis of Technology Adoption Rates in New Vehicles

This paper examines the pace at which manufacturers have added certain powertrain technology into new vehicles from model year 1975 to the present. Based on data from the EPA's Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends database [1], the analysis will focus on several key technologies that have either reached a high level of penetration in light duty vehicles, or whose use in the new vehicle fleet has been growing in recent years. The findings indicate that individual manufacturers have, at times, implemented new technology across major portions of their new vehicle offerings in only a few model years. This is an important clarification to prior EPA analysis that indicated much longer adoption times for the industry as a whole. This new analysis suggests a technology penetration paradigm where individual manufacturers have a much shorter technology penetration cycle than the overall industry, due to “sequencing” by individual manufacturers.
Design, Modeling, and Control of a Camless Valve Actuation System With Internal Feedback

This paper presents the modeling and control design of a new fully flexible engine valve actuation system, which is an enabler for camless engines. Unlike existing electromechanical or servo-actuated electrohydraulic valve actuation systems, precise valve motion control is achieved using a very stiff hydromechanical internal-feedback mechanism. The entire feedback mechanism is built into the physical design of the system. The external control only activates or deactivates the feedback mechanism in real time using simple two-state valves. This helps reduce the system cost, and thus enables mass production. The trajectory of the closed-loop system is purely dependent on the design parameters of the internal-feedback system. A mathematical model of the system has been developed and validated with experimental results from a prototype system. The “area-schedule” is identified as the most critical design feature, which affects the trajectory of the closed-loop system and, therefore, needs to be designed systematically to optimize the performance of the system as well as improve its robustness. By treating this feature as the feedback-control variable, the design problem is transformed into a nonlinear optimal control problem and solved numerically using dynamic programming. The effectiveness of the proposed design procedure is verified with case studies.
Ablation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: past, present and future perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and is most commonly found in the setting of liver cirrhosis. Treatment of HCC must consider both the tumors present, as well as the remaining dysfunctional liver that both hinders treatment and can produce additional HCC over time. Ablation is an evolving part of the multimodality treatment approach to HCC that can effectively destroy tumors while preserving surrounding liver parenchyma. New technologies have made ablation an indispensable tool in the treatment of all stages of HCC. This review presents the history, present technologies and future potential of ablation in the treatment of HCC.
Nonlinear Least Squares in ℝN

Recent research and new paradigms in mathematics, engineering, and science assume nonlinear signal models of the form ℳ=∪i∈IVi consisting of a union of subspaces Vi instead of a single subspace ℳ=V. These models have been used in sampling and reconstruction of signals with finite rate of innovation, the Generalized Principle Component Analysis and the subspace segmentation problem in computer vision, and problems related to sparsity, compressed sensing, and dictionary design.
The False Claims Act: a review and policy recommendations

Purpose – The purpose of the study is to review The False Claims Act (FCA) settlements and challenges facing the industry to suggest the motivation behind firms’ alleged fraudulent activity. FCA has been applied against pharmaceutical companies by the US Government to combat marketing fraud including kickbacks, improper pricing and off-label promotion. The interests of the US Government and medical professionals are also considered. Changes to the law governing pharmaceutical marketing practices are recommended. Design/methodology/approach – Cases settled under the FCA between 2005 and 2012 were identified by accessing the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Corporate Integrity Agreements Web site and annual reports and the quitamhelp.com Web site. Case details were collected from US Department of Justice press releases, DHHS annual reports, and case documents in the Public Access to Court Electronic Records database. Findings – Of the settled cases in the final sample, improper pricing prac...
Análisis semántico-cognitivo del discurso humorístico en el texto multimodal de las viñetas de Forges

Taking Semantics and Cognitive Linguistics as a point of departure, the General Theory of Verbal Humor (Attardo and Raskin, 1991; Attardo, 1991, 2001 and 2006), heir to the incongruity theory (Kant, 1790; Schopenhauer, 1891[1818]), states that humor comprehension mechanisms are based on the partial or complete resolution of an incongruity produced by the opposition of incompatible scripts. This article demonstrates that the GTVH can be perfectly applied to contemporary graphic humor as a multimodal genre and serves as the basis for the analysis of a representative corpus of cartoons by Forges that has been classified according to the 3 WD test of humor appreciation (Ruch, 1992; Hempelmann and Ruch, 2005). The analysis shows that, together with irony and metaphor, Forges uses a variety of complementary mechanisms in cartoons containing visual and verbal elements that work together and encourage an implicit evaluation of the social and political contemporary reality.
Evaluation of a New Phencyclidine Enzyme Immunoassay for the Detection of Phencyclidine in Urine with Confirmation by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

We present an evaluation of a new phencyclidine (PCP) enzyme immunoassay (PCPI) for detection in urine. The PCPI was evaluated by testing 523 urine specimens. Controls containing 0 ng/mL of PCP and -25% (negative control) and +25% (positive control) of the 25 ng/mL cutoff calibrator were analyzed with each batch. All urines were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) for PCP. Of the 523 specimens tested, 218 yielded positive results by the PCP assay. HPLC-MS-MS confirmed the presence of at least 25 ng/mL in 214 specimens, indicating four false-positive results containing 11, 13, 16, and 20 ng/mL PCP. Three specimens yielded a negative result; however, PCP concentrations were within 20% of the 25 ng/mL cutoff value. The overall agreement of PCPI and HPLC-MS-MS results was 98.7%. The sensitivity of the PCPI was 0.982 and the specificity 0.987. Testing at 100 ng/mL of other drugs or their metabolites demonstrated no cross-reactivity. The within-run precision was CV = 2% (n = 12); the between-run precision was CV = < 6% (n = 4). The assay was found linear from -50% to 150% (12.5-37.5 ng/mL) of the cutoff concentration. The Lin-Zhi PCPI provides a precise, reliable method for the routine detection of phencyclidine in urine specimens.
Assessing continuous renal replacement therapy as a rescue strategy in cardiorenal syndrome 1

Background. Patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) and cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) 1 have poor outcomes. Ultrafiltration (UF) is used to mechanically remove salt and water in ADHF patients with diuretic resistance. However, little is known about the outcomes of ADHF patients on inotropes and/or vasopressors who require continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for both UFand solute clearance in severe acute kidney injury. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed 37 consecutive critically ill patients who were admitted for ADHF from 2005–13 and were on inotropes and/or vasopressors at the time of CRRT initiation. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results. In-hospital mortality rate was 62%. Median survival was 15.5 days after CRRT initiation, and 10 months following hospital discharge. When comparing renal and cardiovascular variables for survivors and non-survivors at baseline, admission and CRRT initiation, survivors were less likely to need vasopressors. After controlling for multiple predictors, vasopressor use remained associated with time to death (HR 9.9; 95% CI 2.3–43.3; P = 0.002). Patients with isolated right ventricular dysfunction had an in-hospital mortality of 45% compared with 69% in those with left ventricular dysfunction (P = 0.27). Age of >70 years was associated with 100% in-hospital mortality. Conclusions. Rescue therapy using CRRT in refractory CRS1 was associated with high in-hospital mortality, especially when vasopressors were used and when patient age exceeded 70 years. Additionally, survivors had a poor long-term prognosis.
Of Windmills and Rope Dancing: The Instructional Value of Narrative Structures

Rationale for the instructional value of narrative structures has been emerging steadily in cognitive psychology. The organizational framework that narrative structures offer may be useful for college-level instruction. Introductory textbook chapters were prepared in three modes: traditional, using successive examples to illustrate psychological concepts; intermediate, using a brief sequence of related events; and narrative, using an extended narrative structure. Undergraduates preferred the narrative mode and considered it more enjoyable and more useful for learning.
Evidence Contrary to the Statistical View of Boosting

The statistical perspective on boosting algorithms focuses on optimization, drawing parallels with maximum likelihood estimation for logistic regression. In this paper we present empirical evidence that raises questions about this view. Although the statistical perspective provides a theoretical framework within which it is possible to derive theorems and create new algorithms in general contexts, we show that there remain many unanswered important questions. Furthermore, we provide examples that reveal crucial flaws in the many practical suggestions and new methods that are derived from the statistical view. We perform carefully designed experiments using simple simulation models to illustrate some of these flaws and their practical consequences.
Development and Validation of Criterion-Referenced Clinically Relevant Fitness Standards for Maintaining Physical Independence in Later Years

Purpose To develop and validate criterion-referenced fitness standards for older adults that predict the level of capacity needed for maintaining physical independence into later life. The proposed standards were developed for use with a previously validated test battery for older adults-the Senior Fitness Test (Rikli, R. E., & Jones, C. J. (2001). Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community--residing older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 6, 127-159; Rikli, R. E., & Jones, C. J. (1999a). Senior fitness test manual. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.). Methods A criterion measure to assess physical independence was identified. Next, scores from a subset of 2,140 "moderate-functioning" older adults from a larger cross-sectional database, together with findings from longitudinal research on physical capacity and aging, were used as the basis for proposing fitness standards (performance cut points) associated with having the ability to function independently. Validity and reliability analyses were conducted to test the standards for their accuracy and consistency as predictors of physical independence. Results Performance standards are presented for men and women ages 60-94 indicating the level of fitness associated with remaining physically independent until late in life. Reliability and validity indicators for the standards ranged between .79 and .97. Implications The proposed standards provide easy-to-use, previously unavailable methods for evaluating physical capacity in older adults relative to that associated with physical independence. Most importantly, the standards can be used in planning interventions that target specific areas of weakness, thus reducing risk for premature loss of mobility and independence.
Teacher Education Reform in the United States and the Theoretical Constructs of Stakeholder Mediation

In the United States, 48 of the 50 states have adopted standards-based policies that attempt to reform teacher education and licensing from an input-based course and credit system to one based on outcomes and performance through their authority to approve preparation programs. This article draws from qualitative, collective case study research that examines implementation tensions between the new program approval policies and the program administrators, faculty, and students of teaching at three Wisconsin teacher-preparing institutions. The findings suggest that stakeholders' beliefs and sensemaking mediate the policy directives to the point that program completers continue to receive the same preparation despite reform efforts. The theoretical constructs to support this claim are presented and potentially shed light on stakeholder mediation in other education reform efforts.