cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms of the Mannan-Binding Lectin Gene and Systemic Malignancies

The recent article by Wang et al. [1] about the relationship between 54 polymorphism of the Mannan-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene and advanced gastric cancer is highly interesting. The study of Wang et al. confirms similar prior observations by Baccarelli et al. [2]. Interestingly, recent studies indicate that polymorphisms of the MBL2 gene also influence the development and evolution of other systemic malignancies besides gastric cancer. For instance, Bernig et al. [3] in a recent study have shown that the A allele of the 30 untranslated region (30UTR) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of MBL2 is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer in AfroAmerican women. Similarly, a higher incidence of MBL deficiency has been reported in female patients with ovarian cancers [4]. Similarly, it has been recently shown that the Y/X polymorphism of the MBL2 gene is associated with improved survival among Caucasian patients with pulmonary cancers [5]. Studies by Ma et al. also suggest that MBL may possess MBL-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against colorectal cancers [6]. Polymorphisms of the MBL gene are also associated with other gastrointestinal conditions. For instance, codon 54 A variants of the MBL gene are associated with more frequent relapses in individuals with ulcerative colitis [7]. Besides this, MBL deficiency is also associated with an increased risk for Candidal infections such as in patients with peritonitis [8]. Clearly, there is a close association between polymorphisms of the MBL gene and systemic malignancies. There is a need for more studies to further explore similar such associations between other systemic malignancies and MBL.
Library participation in a campus‐wide teaching program

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to chronicle the participation of the Colorado State University Libraries in a campus‐wide teaching program sponsored by the campus center for teaching and learning, and discusses the opportunities provided by such participation for academic librarians in general.Design/methodology/approach – The author uses a case study approach to explore one academic library's participation in a campus‐wide teaching program sponsored by the institution's center for teaching and learning. The aim of the article is to demonstrate how the program works, and to discuss the potential for similar programs at other libraries.Findings – The library's participation in a campus‐wide teaching program has strengthened ties with the campus center for teaching and learning; improved the instructional skills and knowledge of faculty and professional staff; and highlighted the importance of teaching and learning within the library.Practical implications – The author presents a blueprint for instr...
Regulation of glucose transport in cultured muscle cells by novel hypoglycemic agents.

The antidiabetic agent troglitazone (CS-045) and a metabolite designated M3 have potent blood glucose-lowering actions. The mechanism of the hypoglycemic effects of troglitazone and M3 was investigated in cultured L6 muscle cells. Short-term (2-hour) exposure of fully differentiated myotubes to troglitazone had no effect on glucose transport activity; M3 exposure caused a modest (50% to 60%) increase in basal and insulin-stimulated transport. Long-term (72-hour) treatment of myotubes with troglitazone resulted in a doubling of glucose transport in the absence of insulin, whereas M3 treatment resulted in a fivefold increase in basal glucose transport. Transport activity in M3-treated myotubes was greater than that seen after short-term insulin treatment. Insulin did not stimulate transport further in long-term M3-treated cells. A similar effect of prolonged exposure to M3 was observed in nondifferentiated myocytes. The agent had no influence on cell growth or the extent of differentiation. Augmentation of basal glucose transport by M3 was slow in onset, requiring 18 to 24 hours before significant effects were observed and 72 hours for full stimulation. M3 action on glucose transport was also dose-dependent, with half-maximal stimulation at 5 micrograms/mL of the agent and full effects at 10 to 20 micrograms/mL. Total membranes were prepared from control and M3-treated L6 myocytes and myotubes, and glucose transporter (GLUT1 and GLUT4) protein levels were measured by Western blotting. GLUT1 content was increased 2.9- +/- 1.3- and 2.8- +/- .2-fold by M3 treatment in myocytes and myotubes, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Promoting Physical Activity Among International Students in Higher Education: A Peer-Education Approach

International students have become an important and growing group in U.S. higher education. Although many universities offer various types of support to international students, little attention is given to preventive health services or health promotion efforts, such as the promotion of physical activity. This article outlines a theory-based peer-education program that may facilitate physical activity participation among international students, provide social support for their successful transition into American culture, develop positive intercultural exchanges among students, enhance students' cultural competency, and align the academic interests and goals of health, physical education, recreation, and dance.
Unconfined-heavy-fermion model of psions

We consider the possibility that the psions are bound states of $F$ and $\overline{F}$, where $F$ is a heavy spin-\textonehalf{} particle. A potential is assumed which allows the existence of unconfined continuum states of $F\overline{F}$ as well. We find that the known spectroscopy of the psions, neglecting spin effects, can readily be reproduced by simple potentials of this kind. We identify the psion constituents as the particles observed by Perl et al., through their leptonic decay modes. In order to account for the various observed decays of $\ensuremath{\psi}(3.7)$ and $\frac{J}{\ensuremath{\Psi}}(3.1)$, we find that the $F$ particles have a small coupling to $C=\ensuremath{-}1$ mesons, but must have a relatively large coupling to $C=+1$ mesons. This conclusion, which should also hold in models in which the psion constituents are confined, has several important consequences for the production of psions and $F$ by hadrons, photons, and neutrinos, which we discuss.
Origin and Characterization of Short DNA Chains in Escherichia coli

One of the major problems in the study of DNA replication involves the presence of numerous short, non-nascent DNA chains in the cell. Such chains often contaminate nascent DNA preparations, making accurate analysis of the replicative DNA difficult. This complication can be avoided by the use of hydroxyapatite chromatography. Previous results from this laboratory had shown that short nascent DNA preparation which containsonly nascent DNA and is essentially free of non-nascent chains. 5′-Terminal labeling patterns and molecular weight distributions show that only nascent DNA chains form the DNA-protein complex and can therefore be separated from non-nasent chains if the isolation is performed under non-denaturing conditions. The protein involved in the complex appears to be rather specific for DNA chains in the replication fork since short chains resulting from the excision of dUMP immediately after replication also form the DNA-protein complex. Using this isolation technique, 5′-terminal nucleotides of nascent DNA was pulse–labeled in several ways, purified by hydroxyapatite chromatography, and labeled at the 5′ end with [32] phosphate. Two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography of the 32P-labeled nucleotides, obtained after enzymatic hydrolysis, revealed that all four deoxyribonucleotides are present at the 5′ end in approximately equal amounts. In most cases, this 5′-terminal nucleotide distribution does not vary significantly, even when the conditions of pulse-labeling are changed. Only if the cells are allowed to run out of thymine is a variation in the relative amounts of 5′-end nucleotides. In this case, the amount of dTMP at the 5′ end decreases signigicantly, refleting the low thymine levels and indicating that the cell can compensate for this deficiency by utilizing other available nucleotides. From these results, it appears that DNA chain initiation is essentially random with respect to the nucleotide used in the initiation process.
Kinetic study of glycerol oxidation network over Pt–Bi/C catalyst

Abstract Identifying new uses for glycerol, a waste of biodiesel production from transesterification of vegetable oils, is of great current interest. Towards this end, catalytic oxidation of glycerol to produce the high-value chemical dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is a promising approach. The challenge, however, is the relatively complex reaction network. The kinetics of the complete glycerol oxidation network over Pt–Bi/C catalyst was investigated systematically in this study. Based on a detailed reaction mechanism including adsorption/desorption and reaction steps on the catalyst surface, a kinetic model was developed. To overcome the difficulty in finding the global optimum in the model, the full complex network was decomposed into five progressively larger sub-networks with different intermediates as initial reactants. The corresponding reactions starting with these initial reactants were conducted and the collected data were used to fit the kinetic model for each sub-network. The experimental and calculated results were in good agreement and the kinetic parameters for each step were obtained. These results can be used to design and develop new appropriate catalysts with high stability, activity and selectivity for DHA. In fact, this approach is a powerful tool for the microkinetic study of other complex reaction networks as well. Based on the concentration of each component and rate expression of each reaction step, a simplified network was identified and studied. The parameters thus obtained can be used to develop reactor models which could be used to determine the optimum operating reaction conditions for maximizing the yield of desired product DHA. The effective conversion of glycerol to high value chemical will increase the profitability of biodiesel production, a promising renewable energy source.
Thrombin induces tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis: Evidence for a thrombin-regulated dormant tumor phenotype

The association of idiopathic venous thrombosis with occult cancer is generally recognized. However, it has not been fully appreciated that thrombin generated during thrombosis can augment the malignant phenotype. Thrombin activates tumor cell adhesion to platelets, endothelial cells, and subendothelial matrix proteins; enhances tumor cell growth; increases tumor cell seeding and spontaneous metastasis; and stimulates tumor cell angiogenesis. These mechanisms are reviewed. Evidence is also presented to support the hypothesis that thrombin serves to preserve dormant tumor cells in individuals, preventing host eradication. It is proposed that tumor malignancy may be regulated by a procoagulant/anticoagulant axis.
The transient dynamics of a liquid column in a uniform transverse electric field of small strength

Abstract The transient behavior of a leaky dielectric liquid column under a uniform transverse electric field of small strength is investigated analytically. It is shown that for small distortion from a circular shape, the column boundary deforms to an ellipse and the deformation time history, D − t , is D = D ∞ [ 1 − exp ( − t / τ ) ] , where D ∞ is the steady state deformation and τ = a ( μ i + μ o )/ γ is the characteristic time, a , γ , and μ ˜ = μ i / μ o being the drop radius, the surface tension, and ratio of the drop viscosity to that of the ambient fluid, respectively.
The influence of beam type on the back reflection of ultrasonic beams from a liquid-solid interface

We consider the phenomenon of back reflection of a beam of ultrasound from a liquid–solid interface. We show that the magnitude of the back reflection depends critically upon the profile of the incident beam. The beam profile is first related to the excitation field at the plane of the transducer. Different beams are considered by changing the field at the transducer. We show that a purely Gaussian profile gives no back reflection. Other beam profiles with less severe decay away from the beam center can produce an effect of the same order as observed experimentally. We present an example of such a beam.
Tunable mechano-responsive organogels by ring-opening copolymerizations of N-carboxyanhydrides

The simple copolymerization of N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) monomers is utilized to generate copolypeptides having a combination of α-helix and β-sheet sub-structures that, when grown from a solvophilic synthetic polymer block segment, are capable of driving mechano-responsive supramolecular sol-to-gel-to-sol and sol-to-gel-to-gel transitions reversibly, which allow also for injection-based processing and self-healing behaviors. A new type of polypeptide-based organogelator, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate-co-glycine) (mPEG-b-P(BLG-co-Gly)), is facilely synthesized by statistical ring-opening copolymerizations (ROPs) of γ-benzyl-L-glutamate (BLG) and glycine (Gly) NCAs initiated by mPEG-amine. These systems exhibit tunable secondary structures and result in sonication stimulus responsiveness of the organogels with the polypeptide segment variation, controlled by varying the ratio of BLG NCA to Gly NCA during the copolymerizations. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) studies indicate the α-helical component decreases while the β-sheet content increases systematically with a higher mole fraction of Gly in the polypeptide segment. The supramolecular assembly of β-sheet nanofibrils, having a tunable width over the range of 10.4–14.5 nm with varied BLG to Gly ratio, are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The further self-assembly of these nanostructures into 3-D gel networks within N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) occurs at low critical gelation concentrations (CGC) (lowest ca. 0.6 wt%). Increased BLG to Gly ratios lead to an increase of the α-helical component in the secondary structures of the polypeptide segments, resulting in wider and more flexible nanofibrils. The presence of α-helical component in the polymers enhances the stability of the organogels against sonication, and instantaneous gel-to-gel transitions are observed as in situ reconstruction of networks occurs within the gelled materials after sonication. In marked contrast, the β-sheet-rich gel, prepared from mPEG-b-PGly, exhibits an instant gel-to-sol transition after sonication is applied. The CGC concentration and stiffness of this mPEG-b-P(BLG-co-Gly) organogel system can be tuned by simply varying the percentages of α-helix and β-sheet in the secondary structures through control of the BLG to Gly ratio during synthesis. The mechanical properties of these organogels are studied by dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA), having storage moduli of ca. 12.1 kPa at room temperature. The injectability and self-healing capabilities are demonstrated by direct observation of the macroscopic self-healing behavior experiment.
Biocompatible, Superparamagnetic, Flame Synthesized Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Cellular Uptake and Toxicity Studies

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, including magnetite (Fe3 O4 ), are widely used in applications such as targeted drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, tissue engineering, gene therapy, hyperthermic malignant cell treatment, and cell membrane manipulation. These nanoparticles are particularly interesting for in vivo and in vitro applications since they do not exhibit magnetic behavior once the magnetic field has been removed. In the current work, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were produced using a flame synthesis method, which provides significant advantages over other material synthesis processes such as solgel processing, chemical vapor deposition, and laser ablation. Flame synthesis allows control of particle size, size distribution, phase and composition by altering flame operating conditions. Flame synthesis is further capable of commercial production rates with minimal post-processing of the final product materials. This study focuses on the interaction of flame synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles with porcine aortic endothelial cells and compares the results to those obtained using commercially available iron oxide nanoparticles. The materials characteristics of the flame synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles, including morphology, elemental composition, particle size, were analyzed by electron microscopy (TEM, ESEM, EDS), and Raman Spectroscopy. The data verified production of a heterogenous mixture of hematite and magnetite nanoparticles, which exhibit superparamagnetic properties. Monodisperse iron oxide particles of 6–12 nm diameter and aggregated clusters of these 6–12nm nanoparticles have been synthesized. Nanoparticle biocompatibility was assessed by incubating flame synthesized and commercially available iron oxide nanoparticles with endothelial cells for 24 hours. Both alamar blue and Live/Dead cell assays showed no significant toxicity difference between flame synthesized and commercially available nanoparticles. Cells exposed to both types of nanoparticles maintained membrane integrity, as indicated by minimal lactase dehydrogenase release. Endothelial cells imaged by ESEM and confirmed by EDS demonstrated that uncoated flame synthesized nanoparticles are ingested into cells in a similar manner to commercially available nanoparticles. These data suggest that flame synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles are comparable to commercially available nanoparticles for biological applications. Flame synthesis has the advantage of a relatively simple synthesis process with higher purity products and lower time and energy manufacturing costs. Future work will include functionalizing the nanoparticle surfaces for specific biological applications, including specific cell targeting and bioactive factor delivery.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Preferential paths of flow under conventional and conservation tillage

Abstract Preferential solute movement through conservation and conventional tillage soil profiles was investigated by applying bromide and dye tracers to undisturbed soil columns at an application rate which did not create ponding or runoff. In both tilled and untilled soils preferential flows were established with much of the soil well below saturation. Spatial variations in the solute flows were observed by monitoring the column effluent flowing from a grid lysimeter. Dye in effluent flowing at lower water velocity was more retarded than dye traveling in higher velocity effluent.
Activation and waste disposal of the TITAN RFP reactors

The TITAN-I lithium self-cooled and TITAN-II aqueous lithium nitrate solution-cooled fusion reactors are based on the reversed-field-pinch (RFP) toroidal confinement concept and operate at high power density with an 18.1 MW/m2 neutron wall loading. These designs were analyzed to study the activation and waste disposal asepects of such high-power density reactors. It was found that because of the use of V-3Ti-1Si (TITAN-I) and reduced activation ferritic steel (TITAN-II) as structural alloys for the first wall, blanket, reflector, and shield components, all the TITAN components except the divertor collector plates can be classified as shallow-land burial (10CFR61 Class C or better) nuclear waste for disposal, provided that the impurity elements, niobium and molybdenum, can be controlled below about 1 and 0.3 appm levels, respectively. The average annual disposal masses were estimated to be 150 and 96 tonne, respectively, for the 1000 MW electric TITAN-I and TITAN-II reactors. This corresponds to about 11% of the total mass in the fusion power core of both reactors. The divertor collector plates are fabricated with W-Re(26 wt%) alloy because of its low particle sputtering properties. The waste disposal ratings of the divertor collector plates in the TITAN-I and TITAN-II reactors, however, are estimated to be factors of 10 and 2, respectively, higher than allowed for Class C disposal. The annual disposal mass of this non-Class C waste is 0.35 tonne, less than 0.4% of the average annual discharge mass for both TITAN-I and TITAN-II reactors. An additional 74 m3 annual discharge of Class C waste containing 14C may be needed for the TITAN-II reactor because of the use of nitrate salt in the aqueous coolant as the tritium breeder. The conclusions derived from the TITAN reactor study are general, and provide strong indications that Class C waste disposal can be achieved for other high-power density approaches to fusion, for example, the tokamak.
The Relations Between False Positive and Negative Screens and Smoking Cessation and Relapse in the National Lung Screening Trial: Implications for Public Health.

Introduction: Lung screening is an opportunity for smoking cessation and relapse prevention, but smoking behaviors may differ across screening results. Changes in smoking were evaluated among 18 840 current and former smokers aged 55–74 scheduled to receive three annual lung screenings. Methods: Participants were randomized to low-dose computed tomography or single-view chest radiography in the American College of Radiology/National Lung Screening Trial. Outcome measures included point and sustained (6-month) abstinence and motivation to quit among smokers; and relapse among smokers who quit during follow-up, recent quitters (quit < 6 months), and longterm former smokers (quit ≥ 6 months). Results: During five years of follow-up, annual point prevalence quit rates ranged from 11.6%– 13.4%; 48% of current smokers reported a quit attempt and 7% of long-term former smokers relapsed. Any false positive screening result was associated with subsequent increased point (multivariable hazard ratio HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.35) and sustained (HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.15, 1.43) abstinence among smokers. Recent quitters with ≥1 false positive screen were less likely to relapse (HR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.96). Screening result was not associated with relapse among long-term former smokers or among baseline smokers who quit during follow-up. Conclusions: A false positive screen was associated with increased smoking cessation and less relapse among recent quitters. Consistently negative screens were not associated with greater relapse among long-term former smokers. Given the Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover smoking cessation and lung screening, the impact and cost-effectiveness of lung screening could be further enhanced with the addition of smoking cessation interventions.
The money supply mechanism and monetary policy in China

Abstract One of the main difficulties of analyzing the macroeconomic condition in The People's Republic of China is the lack of information of its money supply mechanism. The present paper tries to provide a systematical analysis of the Chinese money supply process from both the theoretical and empirical points of view. It shows that the economic reform in the 1980s caused profound changes in the structure of the banking system in the following ways, (a) The establishment of the central bank paved the foundation of the money creation process through the monetary base and a multiplier effect, (b) Consequently, the money supply and credit condition are controlled, at least partially, by economic instruments such as the monetary base, required reserve ratio, and interest rates, (c) The old money supply system is far from being phased out yet. As a matter of fact, it is the mixture of a central bank system and an administrative command driven centrally planned system that constitutes the money supply mechanism with the “Chinese characteristics”. The successes and failures of the monetary policies in the late 1980s and early 1990s reflect the central bank's ability to control the macroeconomic condition of the economy. They also indicate that at the beginning of the 1990s, after a decade of economic reforms, the money supply mechanism in China is still, by and large, controlled by the central government through administrative orders rather than economic leverages.
Is Assessment of Absolute Myocardial Perfusion with SPECT Ready for Prime Time

Quantification of absolute myocardial flow and flow reserve using dynamic PET imaging has now been more widely applied clinically to detect microvascular disease, improve diagnostic accuracy for detection of coronary artery disease, and improve prognostic implications of stress perfusion imaging in
Analysis of integrated dielectric waveguides using orthonormal wavelet expansions

The newly developed theory of orthonormal wavelet transforms is exploited in the numerical solution of a spectral-domain integral equation, which covers a wide range of planar dielectric waveguides suitable for microwave and optical applications. A major advantage of using wavelet expansions in conjunction with the method of moments is its rendering of very sparsely populated eigenmatrices. It is shown that a careful selection of both scaling functions and wavelets for the expansion basis leads to a significant reduction in the number of basis functions. Numerical results for various dielectric guiding structures are presented. >
Comparison of three near infrared spectrophotometers for infestation detection in wild blueberries using multivariate calibration models

A near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy system for rapid, automated and non-destructive detection of insect infestation in blueberries is desirable to ensure high quality fruit for the fresh and process...
A semi-mechanistic model to characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of brodalumab in healthy volunteers and subjects with psoriasis in a first-in-human single ascending dose study.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) modeling can provide a framework for quantitative "learning and confirming" from studies in all phases of drug development. Brodalumab is a human monoclonal antibody (IgG2 ) targeting the IL-17 receptor A that blocks signaling by cytokines thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis (IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17A/F). We used semi-mechanistic modeling of single dose, first-in-human data to characterize the exposure-response relationship between brodalumab and the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) in a Phase 1 clinical trial. Fifty-seven healthy volunteers and 25 subjects with moderate to severe psoriasis received single intravenous or subcutaneous administration of placebo or brodalumab (7-700 mg). A two-compartment model with parallel linear and nonlinear (Michaelis-Menten) elimination pathways described brodalumab PK. The PK-PASI relationship was characterized by linking a signaling compartment with an indirect response model of psoriatic plaques, where signaling suppressed plaque formation. The concentration of half-maximal inhibition IC50 was 2.86 µg/mL (SE: 50%). The endogenous psoriatic plaque formation rate of 0.862 (SE: 40%) PASI units/day was comparable with literature precedent. Despite the small sample size and single administration data, this semi-mechanistic modeling approach provided a quantitative framework to inform design of dose-ranging Phase 2 studies of brodalumab in psoriasis.
Backstepping Boundary Stabilization of Linearized 2D Hartman Flow

We present a boundary control law that stabilizes the Hartman profile for low magnetic Reynolds numbers in an infinite magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) channel flow. The proposed control law achieves stability in the L2 norm of the linearized MHD equations, guaranteeing local stability for the fully nonlinear system.
Factors affecting the expectation of casualties in the virtual range toxicity model

The virtual range (VR) is an environment that integrates in a seamless fashion several models to improve complex systems visualization. A complex system is a nonlinear system of systems whose interactions bring together interesting emergent properties that are very difficult to visualize and/or study by using the traditional approach of decomposition. The VR toxicity model as described here represents the different systems that interact in the determination of the expectation of casualties (E/sub c/) resulting from the toxic effects of the gas dispersion that occurs after a disaster affecting a space shuttle within 120 seconds of liftoff. We present a detailed description of the VR and the factors affecting E/sub c/. The system helps local authorities to estimate the population at risk in order to plan for areas to evacuate and/or for the resources required to provide aid and comfort and mitigate damages in case of a disaster.
Effects of processing errors in the quadrature sampling of complementary coded radar signals

Phase coding and linear frequency modulation in analog or discrete form are widely used in power-limited radar systems for pulse compression to achieve high range resolution. Such coded waveforms are detected by appropriately matched filtering of the in-phase and the quadrature samples derived from the received signal. Complementary codes have generated such interest in the area of high-resolution radar signal design. There are, however, no published results to judge the robustness of this coding scheme in the presence of quadrature channel imbalance. Monte Carlo simulation results are presented to fill this gap. It is concluded from the results that although the degradation in the case of complementary codes increases more rapidly than for Frank codes, complementary-coded waveforms have better overall performance than Frank-coded waveforms in the presence of sampling errors. >
Rigid Gaussian Chains I: the Scattering Function

We study the scattering function of semiflexible polymer chains within the framework of a rigid Gaussian model for polymers first introduced by Harris and Hearst. The tractability of this model allows for a computation of the most relevant physical properties for any value of the chain rigidity. We also explore at the level of the Random Phase Approximation some of the bulk and surface behaviour of semidilute solutions of semiflexible polymers.
An Ethical Exploration of Quality and Safety Initiatives in Nurse Practice

Current professional healthcare literature is filled with the call for quality and safety initiatives in the provision of healthcare. The popular media frequently reports on the need for healthcare reform and the need for cost-saving measures as healthcare costs skyrocket. Reported medical and nurse errors are on the rise and the discipline of nursing is responding to the call with interprofessional quality and safety initiatives that are intended to reduce errors and promote safety in cross-disciplinary healthcare practices. This column begins an ethical exploration on the topic from a humanbecoming theoretical perspective regarding the need for theory-guided nurse practice and possible meanings and implications for future disciplinary nurse practice.
Operator theory in harmonic analysis

The purpose of this paper is to give an illustration of how operator theoretic results in Hilbert space can be applied to obtain results in classical and abstract harmonic analysis. An inequality for integral operators will be used to give new proofs for the classical Hausdorff-Young Theorems on the unit circle (Fourier coefficients) and on the real line (Fourier integral). These proofs were discovered in the course of the author's investigations into Hausdorff-Young phenomena on non-commutative non-compact groups. The proof for the unit circle is short and will be given in §1. The proof for the real line is more involved and will be given in §2. In §3 a brief summary of the evolution of abstract harmonic analysis is given which includes the statement of the Hausdorff-Young Theorem for unimodular groups. In §4 the question of sharpness in the Hausdorff-Young Theorem in various settings is discussed and recent results of W. Beckner, J. Fournier and the author are described.
Tectonic uplift mechanism of the Goodenough and Fergusson Island gneiss domes, eastern Papua New Guinea: Constraints from seismic reflection and well data

[1] The D'Entrecasteaux Island (DEI) gneiss domes are fault-bounded domes with ∼2.5 km of relief exposing ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) and high-pressure (HP) metamorphic gneisses and migmatites exhumed in an Oligocene-Miocene arc-continent collision and subduction zone subject to Late Miocene to Recent continental extension. To study the style of continental extension accompanying exhumation of the DEI gneiss domes, a grid of 1518 km of 2-D multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection data and well data is interpreted from the offshore areas surrounding the DEI, including the Trobriand basin and the Goodenough basin. The offshore study is combined with onshore geologic information to constrain the Oligocene to Recent tectonic evolution of the basins. MCS and well data are consistent with the Trobriand basin forming as a forearc basin caused by southward Miocene subduction at the Trobriand trench. At ∼8 Ma, the margin transitioned to an extensional tectonic environment. Since then, the Trobriand basin has subsided 1–2.5 km with few normal faults deforming the basin fill. South of the DEI, the Goodenough rift basin developed after extension began (∼8 Ma) with the hanging wall of the north-dipping Owen-Stanley normal fault bounding the southern margin of the basin. The lack of evidence of upper crustal extension accompanying subsidence in the Trobriand and Goodenough basins suggests depth-dependent lithospheric extension from 8 to 0 Ma has accompanied uplift of the DEI gneiss domes and supports schematic model of uplift of the DEI domes involving vertical exhumation of buoyant, postorogenic lower crust, far-field extension from slab rollback, and an inverted two-layer crustal density structure.
Biphasic modulation of vascular nitric oxide catabolism by oxygen

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the regulation of vascular tone. Lack of NO bioavailability can result in cardiovascular disease. NO bioavailability is determined b...
Intraspecific variation for resource use in Drosophila

Individuals within natural populations of Drosophila tripunctata and D. falleni varied significantly in their responses to alternative types of food baits; no such variation was detected in D. putrida. The food type at which laboratory-reared D. melanogaster tended to settle in the field was influenced by the type of food on which they had been kept prior to release. Although flies apparently forgot their previous experience within hours, its effect on their behaviour can be manifested for at least 1 day in the field. Mark -recapture experiments on wild flies are shown to be very inefficient at detecting individual variation in behaviour.
Cognitive Representations of Black Americans: Reexploring the Role of Skin Tone

Although evidence from a variety of disciplines suggests that skin tone is a basis of discrimination among Blacks, research in social psychology has virtually ignored this topic. Two experiments examined the causal role of skin tone in the perception and representations of Blacks. Paralleling the effect of race and other social category dimensions, Study 1 showed that variation in skin tone can influence the organization of social information. Study 2 demonstrated differentiation in stereotypes of Blacks based on skin tone. Results from both investigations suggest that skin tone is an important factor in both Blacks’ and Whites’ representations of Blacks.
Plasma testosterone binding globulin and indexes of the concentration of unbound plasma androgens in normal and hirsute subjects.

ABSTRACT The relation of plasma free androgen levels to the pattern of sexual hair was studied. The possibility was explored that plasma free androgen levels in hirsute women might be increased by elevated concentrations of testosterone and other 17β-hydroxysteroids or by low “testosterone binding globulin” (TeBG). Nontestosterone 17β-hydroxysteroids are potentially androgenic, either inherently or by their ability to displace testosterone from binding sites. An index of the free plasma testosterone concentration was calculated as the product of the total concentration and the percentage of testosterone-3H free from TeBG as determined in diluted plasma by a charcoal absorption technique. An index of the free plasma 17β-hydroxysteroids3 and titer of TeBG (expressed as testosterone binding capacity) was obtained from the total concentration and percentage binding of 17β-hydroxysteroids to TeBG. Free testosterone and 17β-hydroxysteroid indexes were succesively higher in children, females, hirsute females and...
Cognitive State Verbs and Complement Clauses in Children with SLI and Their Typically Developing Peers.

This study investigated the use of cognitive state verbs (CSVs) and complement clauses in children with specific language impairment (SLI) and their typically developing (TD) peers. In Study 1, conversational samples from 23 children with SLI (M ¼ 6;2), 24 age-matched TD children (M ¼ 6;2) and 21 vocabulary-matched TD children (M ¼ 4;9) were analysed for the proportional use of CSVs, verb types, co-occurrence with complement clauses and syntactic frame types. Children in all three groups had similar performance in all measures. Study 2 compared a subset of children on CSV use in conversational and narrative/expository samples. Conversation elicited more high-frequency verbs, whereas narrative/expository samples elicited more low-frequency verbs. Children with SLI used fewer different verbs and were less likely to combine low-frequency verbs with a complement clause than their TD peers. We conclude that these observed deficits can be attributed to limitations in lexical knowledge rather than a syntactic deficit.
Perils and promises of heterotic standard models

We present an overview of recent progress in obtaining phenomenologically viable four-dimensional low-energy limits of the E8 × E8 heterotic string compactified on smooth non-simply connected Calab...
An integrated-circuit reliability simulator-RELY

A prototype very-large-scale integrated circuit (VLSI) reliability simulator is described. Software modules for hot-carrier effects have been developed. Popular substrate current models are implemented in the simulator. Experiments were performed to establish the relationship between transistor model parameter changes and the substrate current level. The circuit reliability simulation techniques can be extended to include dielectric breakdown and interconnect electromigration effects. >
VIAF, a Conserved Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP)-interacting Factor That Modulates Caspase Activation *

Inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins are involved in the suppression of apoptosis, signal transduction, cell cycle control and gene regulation. Here we describe the cloning and characterization of viral IAP-associated factor (VIAF), a highly conserved, ubiquitously expressed phosphoprotein with limited homology to members of the phosducin family that associates with baculovirus Op-IAP. VIAF bound Op-IAP both in vitro and in intact cells, with each protein displaying a predominantly cytoplasmic localization. VIAF lacks a consensus IAP binding motif, and overexpression of VIAF failed to prevent Op-IAP from protecting human cells from a variety of apoptotic stimuli, suggesting that VIAF does not function as an IAP antagonist. VIAF was unable to directly inhibit caspase activation in vitro and a reduction of VIAF protein levels by RNA interference led to a decrease in Bax-mediated caspase activation, suggesting that VIAF functions to co-regulate the apoptotic cascade. Finally, VIAF is a substrate for ubiquitination mediated by Op-IAP. Thus, VIAF is a novel IAP-interacting factor that functions in caspase activation during apoptosis.
Control of benzene waste NESHAP emissions from a petroleum refinery

This paper discusses the control of benzene emissions from a petroleum refinery as regulated by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAO) Subpart FF - National Standard for Benzene Waste Operations. This regulation is complex and confusing, but it provides flexibility to achieve compliance through various strategies to control benzene emissions. The first step to achieve compliance with the benzene waste NESHAP is understanding the regulation itself. Therefore, this paper summarizes the regulation to provide the reader with sufficient background to understand why specific controls are required for specific processes. The flexibility provided by the regulation to achieve compliance is not always readily apparent. This paper summarizes some of these subtleties. The author's involvement with an industry trade association in meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency during the development of the regulation allows some of EPA's expressions of their intent and internal interpretation to also be contained in the summary. The second step to achieve compliance with the benzene waste NESHAP is to actually design and operate a cost effective solution for a specific set of existing conditions within a refinery. This paper provides a case study of the equipment necessary to achieve compliance with the substantive requirementsmore » of the regulation at a large, integrated refinery. The retrofit requirements are very specific to the circumstances of this facility. Therefore, they will not be a universal, cost effective means of compliance for other refineries.« less
A formalism for functionality preserving system level transformations

With the rise in complexity of modern systems, designers are spending a significant time on modeling at the system level of abstraction. This paper introduces Model Algebra, a formalism built on top of system level design languages, that can be used for implementing functionality preserving transformations on system level models. Such transformations enable us to implement high level design decisions without having to write new models for each design decision. Moreover, since these transformations preserve functionality, the transformed models do not need to be re-verified. We present the definition of Model Algebra and show how system level models can be represented as expressions in this formalism. The laws of Model Algebra are use to define correct model transformations. We show a system level design scenario, where design decisions gradually refine the functional model of the system to an architectural model with components and communication structure. The refinement can be performed using the correct model transformations in our formalism.
Robert Borden and the Election of 1911

The general election of 1911 was one of the most significant in Canadian history. Not only did it bring crushing defeat to the long-triumphant forces of Laurier Liberalism but it was also a decisive expression of Canadian sentiment on the subject of commercial relations with the United States. Success in this, his third electoral contest, saved Robert Borden from political oblivion and opened for him new vistas of opportunity and new avenues of achievement. The true measure of his ability as a party chieftain was revealed in the great struggle over reciprocity which shook the usually apathetic Canadian electorate during the summer of 1911. It is one of the ironies of history that the issue which brought down the Liberals in this election was one of their own choosing. The Conservatives who had at first feared the reciprocity issue eventually found it to contain potent emotional ingredients making for their own triumph. In his handling of reciprocity, the one decisive issue, Borden showed a masterly finesse which had not been apparent in his earlier attempts to win the support of his fellow Canadians.
Direct inhibition of the Notch transactivation complex with stapled peptides in T-ALL

2547 The Notch signaling pathway is a highly conserved regulator of diverse biological processes including cellular differention, proliferation and death. Activation of Notch1 receptors results in cleavage and release of an intracellular domain (ICN1). Following translocation to the nucleus, ICN1 forms a ternary complex with the transcriptional repressor CSL bound to cognate DNA. This event triggers a repressor-to-activator switch, as an interfacial groove recruits the Mastermind-Like (MAML1) co-activator protein. Activating mutations in NOTCH1 are found in more than 50% of T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) cases, promoting protein stability and establishing a direct link to disease pathogenesis. Despite efforts to inhibit the pathway with inhibitors of gamma-secretase, intervention at this step appears to impart growth inhibitory effects in only a subset of T-ALL cell lines, a result that has recently been explained in part by mutations in ubiquitin-ligases affecting protein turnover. Therefore, direct inhibitors of ICN1 function are highly desirable. Drawing upon insights afforded by the resolved crystal structure of the DNA-bound transactivation complex, we have designed synthetically constrained peptides predicted to disrupt complex assembly. Specifically, we have synthesized a series of hydrocarbon stapled alpha-helical peptides based on short stretches of the MAML protein (SAHMs) predicted to engage the composite ICN1:CSL interface. Direct, high-affinity binding to purified components of the Notch complex has been confirmed using surface plasmon resonance. Intracellular association with ICN1 and CSL has been established using bidirectional affinity chromatography and immunoblotting. SAHM1 induces a dose-dependent knockdown of endogenous Notch1 target genes including HES1, HEY1 and cMYC in T-ALL cell lines. Remarkably, inhibition of Notch signaling by SAHM1 induces apoptosis and selective cytotoxicity at 48 hours in a panel of T-ALL cell lines with known mutations in NOTCH1. Supporting an on-target mechanism of action, we have prepared a mutant analogue of SAHM1 containing a two-residue rearrangement (SAHM1D). SAHM1D possesses reduced binding affinity for the Notch complex by SPR and ligand affinity chromatography. Despite comparable intracellular access, SAHM1D lacks both transcriptional and cytotoxic effects on cultured T-ALL cell lines in vitro. Efficacy studies have also been performed in vivo using a novel murine model of T-ALL harboring clinically relevant mutations in NOTCH1. Remarkably, ex-vivo treatment with a single dose of SAHM1 prior to inoculation significantly reduces spleen weight and extends life when compared to vehicle alone. In summary, we report here the design, biochemical characterization and translational rationale supporting the first direct inhibitor of the Notch transactivation complex in T-ALL.
Th1/Th2 Cytokine Profile and Its Diagnostic Value in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia.

Background: The levels of Th1/Th2 cytokine can alter in pathogenic infection in children with pneumonia.
Foreword: The Future of Court ADR: Mediation and Beyond

The purpose of this symposium is to bring together practitioners, policymakers and academics with backgrounds in family and civil ADR to examine the status of court ADR programs, the challenges they face in the future and to encourage cross-fertilization between these traditionally disconnected groups. This Foreward introduces the papers in the symposium to the Future of Court ADR: Mediation and Beyond and explains the genesis of the conference. This symposium was co-sponsored with the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and Resolution Systems Institute (RSI).