cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary exposures to Sepiolite nanoclay particulates in rats: resolution following multinucleate giant cell formation.

Sepiolite is a magnesium silicate-containing nanoclay mineral and is utilized as a nanofiller for nanocomposite applications. We postulated that lung exposures to Sepiolite clay samples could produce sustained effects. Accordingly, the pulmonary and extrapulmonary systemic impacts in rats of intratracheally instilled Sepiolite nanoclay samples were compared with quartz or ultrafine (uf) titanium dioxide particle-types at doses of 1 mg/kg or 5 mg/kg. All particulates were well characterized, and dedicated groups were evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage, lung cell proliferation, macrophage functional assays and full body histopathology at selected times postexposure (pe). Bronchoalveolar lavage results demonstrated that quartz particles produced persistent, dose-dependent lung inflammatory responses measured from 24 h through 3 months pe. Exposures to uf TiO2 particles or Sepiolite samples produced transient neutrophilic responses at 24-h pe; however, unlike the other particle-types, Sepiolite exposures produced macrophage-agglomerates or multinucleate giant cells at 1 week, 5 weeks and 3 months pe. In vitro alveolar macrophage functional studies demonstrated that mononuclear cells recovered from quartz but not Sepiolite or uf TiO2-exposed rats were deficient in their chemotactic capacities. Moreover, lung parenchymal cell proliferation rates were increased in rats exposed to quartz but not Sepiolite or uf TiO2 particles. Histopathological evaluation of lung tissues revealed that pulmonary exposures to Sepiolite nanoclay or quartz samples produced inflammation in centriacinar regions at 24-h pe but the effects decreased in severity over time for Sepiolite and increased for quartz-exposed rats. The quartz-induced lesions were progressive and were characterized at 3 months by acinar foamy alveolar macrophage accumulation and septal thickening due to inflammation, alveolar Type II cell hyperplasia and collagen deposition. In the Sepiolite nanoclay group, the finding of multinucleated giant cell accumulation associated with minor collagen deposition in acinar regions was rarely observed. Exposures to ultrafine TiO2 produced minimal effects characterized by the occurrence of phagocytic macrophages in alveolar ducts. Full body histopathology studies were conducted at 24 h and 3 months post particle exposures. Histopathological evaluations revealed minor particle accumulations in some mediastinal or thoracic lymph nodes. However, it is noteworthy that no extrapulmonary target organ effects were observed in any of the particle-exposed groups at 3 months postexposure.
Modeling alliance activity: Opportunity cost effects and manipulations in an iterated prisoner’s dilemma with exit option

Abstract We model the two-firm alliance as an iterated prisoners’ dilemma game with an exit option and test several theoretical predictions over two experimental studies. A new major effect on alliance performance arises by including the exit option (i.e., the option to end the alliance and receive a fixed payoff that is less than the payoff for mutual cooperation but greater than the payoff for mutual defection). The opportunity cost levels of the firms either directly or indirectly influence alliance cooperation and alliance payoffs through affecting the alliance strategies that the firms choose. Implications for partner selection, alliance selection and structuring, and strategy choices along the alliance lifespan, build on these results.
Psychological Correlates of Survival in Nursing Home Cancer Patients

Demographic, cancer, physical functioning, and psychological data were collected for 90 late-stage cancer, newly admitted nursing home patients. Those who died within 3 months (28%) more often acknowledged their condition as terminal, anticipated greater environmental stress and adjustment problems, and had poorer self-esteem. For cancer patients undergoing the stress of nursing home placement, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness are associated with earlier death.
The osmotic and activity coefficients of some thioureas in water and in ethylene carbonate

Abstract The osmotic and activity coefficients of thiourea and 1,3-dimethylthiourea have been determined from isopiestic measurements in aqueous solutions. Osmotic coefficients of these substances in ethylene carbonate solutions have been calculated from freezing-temperature measurements. The results of this and previously reported work enable the following conclusions. The substitution of alkyl groups for hydrogen atoms or sulfur for oxygen in the urea molecule diminishes the osmotic coefficients in aqueous solutions. Micelle formation is suspected as the cause. Urea tends to dimerize in ethylene carbonate while thiourea does not.
Cellular mechanisms in the vulnerability to depression and response to antidepressants

As a testable heuristic, the concept of stress response and adaptation is highly appealing, and the support for the concept is strong. This explanatory model of depression may account for hitherto apparently discordant facts--contradictory symptoms, antidepressant drugs that act on differing systems, facilitation of antidepressant response by augmentation, and response to psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy. This article has focused narrowly on specific cellular elements of the stress-adaptational mechanisms, including the AC-PKA and PLC-PKC transductional cascades, together with specific response elements, such as the HPA axis, BDNF, and NMDA receptors; however, other important mechanisms, including specific receptor subtypes (e.g., 5-HT1A and NE alpha 2), transmitter systems (e.g., acetylcholine and depamine), and hormones (e.g., thyroid and growth hormones and prolactin), which may be important, have not been discussed. As the complex interactions of these systems gradually yield to investigation, not only will new treatments be developed, but better matching of treatment to patient may become an achievable goal.
Freelancing eagles: interpretation as a transient career strategy for skilled migrants

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the role that transient interpretation jobs play in the career development of skilled migrants.Design/methodology/approach – Based on interviews and correspondence with ethnic Albanian interpreters in the USA and Britain, this study analyzes the bonding and bridging effects of transient careers. Respondents include a diverse group of freelancers, as well as volunteer and professional interpreters and the interpretation experiences of the dozen Albanian skilled migrants are analyzed through a grounded theory approach.Findings – Interpretation jobs enable highly‐skilled immigrants to initially sustain themselves abroad while adjusting to the host country. Interpretation is one area where skilled women can find a professional voice. Yet, the social capital value of interpretation exceeds its economic benefits. Migrant interpreters acquire human capital and social and cultural networks through their jobs and pass this “know‐how” to their communities through the...
An evaluation of risk factors for inadequate cytology in EUS-guided FNA of pancreatic tumors and lymph nodes.

Background The factors associated with maximizing the cytological adequacy of EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) in pancreatic tumor evaluation are not well-known. Objective To examine associations of physician and procedural factors with the endpoint: the presence of an adequate cytological specimen found by using EUS-FNA in patients with pancreatic tumors and lymph nodes. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting A U.S. tertiary care center. Patients Patients undergoing EUS-FNA of pancreatic masses and lymph nodes. Interventions Analysis of EUS-FNA procedures performed in our institution from 1997 to 2007. Main Outcome Measurements Associations were evaluated between the primary endpoint of cytological adequacy and factors including the endoscopist, needle gauge, the number of needle passes attempted, the pathologist, and the presence of an onsite cytotechnologist to confirm an adequate specimen. EUS-FNA adequacy was determined by a pathologist based on the presence of definite benign or malignant tissue. Results EUS-FNA was performed in 247 pancreatic masses and 276 lymph nodes. An adequate cytological sample was obtained in 240 (97%) pancreatic tumors (95% CI, 94%-99%) and 252 (91%) lymph nodes (95% CI, 87%-94%). For pancreatic tumors, there was no evidence of any associations between factors and cytological adequacy. For lymph nodes, cytological adequacy was improved when an onsite cytotechnologist was present (96% vs 84%, P = .002); no other factors showed statistically significant associations with cytological adequacy. Limitations Retrospective study, low power to detect associations. Conclusions The presence of an onsite cytotechnologist is an important factor in achieving successful EUS-FNA of suspicious lymph nodes in patients with pancreatic masses.
Ophthalmic naloxone elicits abstinence in opioid-dependent subjects.

Summary Ophthalmic instillation of naloxone into the conjunctival sac of one eye can elicit bilateral mydriasis in volunteers maintained on daily methadone. Unlike previous reports, signs of a generalized withdrawal syndrome were recorded. Anisocoria was noted in one of the patients but both pupils were dilated relative to baseline. The conclusion drawn was that the ophthalmic naloxone test can elicit a generalized withdrawal syndrome and should not be used routinely to detect the presence of opiate dependence.
A randomized play-the-winner design for multi-arm clinical trials

A randomized adaptive allocation scheme is a design in which the probability a treatment is administered to each patient depends upon the results of the previous patients in the study. Typically, an arm that is doing well is more likely to be allocated to future patients than an arm that is doing poorly. Occasionally, ethical and/or practical considerations suggest that such designs may be appropriate. However, many issues need to be addressed in order to run the trial properly. Among these are studies with more than two arms, the logistics behind the trial, delayed patient response, and inferences drawn from data collected in this manner. This paper demonstrates ways these issues can be resolved, and presents some modifications to the current literature. A simulation study demonstrates the operating characteristics of the design.
High Gradient Accelerating Column Design and Construction

A high voltage, high gradient accelerating column to provide good optics for high current beams has been built and tested by MURA. Design details were chosen to eliminate all possible sparking or corona discharges for reliable high voltage performance. The 12-in. accelerating gap features stainless steel spherical geometry electrodes shaped to produce a converging field. The electrodes are supported by titanium alloy spacers bonded to ceramic rings with a vinyl seal. There are 14 ceramic rings of 14 in. ID, 16 in. OD, and 1-15/32 in. long, giving a column length of 21 in. This column is insulated externally by sulfur hexafluoride gas at three atmospheres absolute pressure confined by a fiber glass pressure shell. The completed column has been tested at 600 kV. Work is being done on ceramic-to-metal seals to eliminate organic materials.
Inhibition of β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase II. Kinetics and pH effect

Abstract 1. 1. An investigation was conducted on the kinetics of inhibition of β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3(or 17)-β-hydroxysteroid: NAD(P) oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.51) from Pseudomonas testosteroni . The natural estrogen, estradiol-17β ( K i = 1·10 −5 M) was a non-competitive inhibitor as were 2-hydroxymethylene-17α-methylandrostan-17β-ol-3-one ( K i = 3·10 −7 M) and 2α-cyano-4,4,17α-trimethyl-androst-5-en-17β-ol-3-one ( K i = 7·10 −7 M). 4,4-Dimethyl-17β-hydroxyandrost-5-eno[3,2-c]pyrazole ( K i = 5·10 −7 M) and 17β-hydroxy-4,4,17a-trimethylandrost-5-eno[2,3-d]isoxazole ( K i = 4·10 −6 M) were competitive inhibitors. These four synthetic androstane or androstene derivatives were more tightly bound to the enzyme than was estradiol-17β. 2. 2. The degree of inhibition by estradiol-1gb and by diethylstilbestrol was found to vary with pH. Both estrogenic compounds were between 4 and 20 times more effective inhibitors when the pH was made 4 units more alkaline. Possible reasons for this behavior are a change in the degree of ionization of groups at or near the active site(s) of the enzyme and a contribution of phenolate ion by these estrogenic compounds.
Review of Storytelling in Daily Life: Performing Narrative by Langellier and Peterson

Purpose – This review seeks to evaluate the book Storytelling in Daily Life by Langellier and Peterson.Design/methodology/approach – This book presents an analysis of storytelling as a communication practice. The authors analyze stories collected from the field to show how they conform to and resist common understandings of what storytelling is, does, and means.Findings – This review finds that the book will be engaging for communications scholars and others interested in critical theoretical approaches to storytelling.Originality/value – Provides a synopsis of the theoretical approach, topics, and audience for this book, pointing out its value for those interested in academic approaches to storytelling.
BRANE/ANTIBRANE CONFIGURATIONS IN TYPE IIA AND M-THEORY

We investigate the relation between large N duality applied to systems of D5's and 's wrapping vanishing cycles of local CY in type IIB and M-theory lifts of the NS5/D4/ systems in type IIA to which they are related by T-duality. Through a simple example based on a local CY constructed using an A2 singularity, we review this well-known correspondence in the supersymmetric setting and describe the manner in which it generalizes when antibranes are added. Agreement between the IIB and IIA pictures, which supports the assertion that supersymmetry is spontaneously broken in these systems at string tree level, is demonstrated when gs ≪ 1. Novel nonholomorphic features can arise away from this regime and their physical origin is discussed. This note is based on talks given at KITP, Harvard University, TIFR, the University of Tokyo at Hongo, the 2007 Les Houches Summer School, and the 2007 Simons Workshop, is based on work done in collaboration with K. Papadodimas and M. Shigemori, and contains some previously unpublished results.
COOPERATIVE PHENOMENA IN SWARMS

A model of the cooperative behavior of a large number of locally acting organisms is proposed. The space in which the organisms move is discretized, and is modeled by a lattice of nodes, or cells. Each cell has a specified volume, and is connected to other cells in the space in a definite way. Organisms move probabilistically between local cells in this space, but with weights dependent on local morphogenic substances, or morphogens. The morphogens are in turn are effected by the passage of an organism. The evolution of the morphogens, and the corresponding flow of the organisms constitutes the collective behavior of the group. The generic properties of such systems are analyzed, and a number of results are obtained. The model has various types of phase transitions and self-organizing properties controlled both by the level of the noise, and other parameters.
Nematode trails from the late triassic of Pennsylvania

A new occurrence of nematode trails has been identified in cyclic lacustrine reddish brown siltstone deposits of the Late Triassic Fassaic Formation at Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. During lake regression, shoreline sediments covered by a thin film of water allowed free movement of the nematodes as well as production of surficial sinusoidal trails. Continued desiccation of these deposits resulted in mudcracking. Tool marks and occasional raindrop impressions point to subsequent rainstorms that carried in sediment which covered these previous traces. The assignment of the fossil sinusoidal trails to the ich‐nogenus Cochlichnus suggests that nematodes may have an ichnologic record that dates back to the Pre‐cambrian, and they are an important producer of this ichnotaxon.
The Impact of Extreme-Risk Cases on Hospitals’ Risk-Adjusted Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Mortality Ratings

Abstract Objectives The goal of this study was to examine the calibration of a validated risk-adjustment model in very high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cases and assess whether sites' case mix affects their performance ratings. Background There are concerns that treating PCI patients with particularly high-risk features such as cardiogenic shock or prior cardiac arrest may adversely impact hospital performance ratings. However, there is little investigation on the validity of these concerns. Methods We examined 624,286 PCI procedures from 1,168 sites that participated in the CathPCI Registry in 2010. Procedural risk was estimated using the recently published Version 4 National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) PCI risk-adjusted mortality (RAM) model. We calculated observed/expected mortality using several risk classification methods, and simulated hospital performance after combining their highest risk cases over 2 years into a single year. Results In 2010, crude in-hospital PCI mortality was 1.4%. The NCDR model was generally well calibrated among high risk, however there was slight overprediction of risk in extreme cases. Hospitals treating the highest overall expected risk PCI patients or those treating the top 20% of high-risk cases had lower (better) RAM ratings than centers treating lower-risk cases (1.25% vs. 1.51%). The observed/expected ratio for top-risk quintile versus low-risk quintile was 0.91 (0.87 to 0.96) versus 1.10 (1.03 to 1.17). Combining all the high-risk patients over a 2-year period into a single year also did not negatively impact the site's RAM ratings. Conclusions Evaluation of a contemporary sample of PCI cases across the United States showed no evidence that treating high-risk PCI cases adversely affects hospital RAM rates.
Alkaline Hydrolysis of Phosphoglycerides on Thin Layer Plates In Situ

Abstract An alkaline hydrolysis method for selective cleavage of the acyl groups in phospholipids is described. The alkaline hydrolysis treatment was achieved with 0.8 N methanolic NaOH by incubation at 37°C in a chamber presaturated with aqueous methanol to saturate the ambient vapor phase and thus maintain the concentration of NaOH. Cleavage of acyl groups was quantitative while cleavage of ether groups was below the level of detection. There was no effect on the alkenyl ether linkages of plasmalogens.
Interference and encoding processes

The interference effects of a card-sorting task on immediate and final free recall were investigated in two experiments. The Ss listened to 20 lists of 12 words. During list presentation, Ss sorted playing cards into 0, 1, 2, or 4 categories. In Experiment I, sorting condition was a between-Ss factor and all words were presented at a 2-sec rate. In Experiment II, sorting condition was a within-Ss factor and presentation rate was varied between groups. It was hypothesized that as the amount of interference present during learning increased, Ss would resort to the use of a more stable storage mechanism. The results did not support this hypothesis. In Experiment II, rate differences were found in the recency portion of the serial position curve in final free recall which were not apparent in initial free recall. This finding was discussed in terms of a short- and long-term store model of memory and a depth of processing interpretation.
Low-Lying Eigenstates of the One-Dimensional Heisenberg Ferromagnet for any Magnetization and Momentum.

I present the exact dispersion relations for certain low-lying states of the one-dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnet. These states are bound complexes of $M$ overturned spins, and in fact are the states with the lowest energy for given values of the total spin, $z$ component of spin and momentum.
Analysis of genomic DNA from Chlamydia trachomatis for Dam and Dcm methylation.

Chlamydia trachomatis is a Gram-negative eubacterium with a dimorphic developmental cycle and obligate intracellular growth in the eucaryotic host. The Dam transmethylase of Escherichia coli methylates at the N6 position of adenine in the sequence 5′-GATC-3′ and the Dcm transmethylase adds methyl groups to the C5 position of the internal cytosines in the sequences 5′-CCWGG-3′. In contrast to E. coli, C. trachomatis DNA appears to have unmethylated Dam sites and only low level Dcm methylation.
Modeling bulk density and snow water equivalent using daily snow depth observations

Bulk density is a fundamental property of snow relating its depth and mass. Previously, two simple models of bulk density (depending on snow depth, date, and loca- tion) have been developed to convert snow depth observa- tions to snow water equivalent (SWE) estimates. However, these models were not intended for application at the daily time step. We develop a new model of bulk density for the daily time step and demonstrate its improved skill over the existing models. Snow depth and density are negatively correlated at short (10 days) timescales while positively correlated at longer (90 days) timescales. We separate these scales of variability by modeling smoothed, daily snow depth (long timescales) and the observed positive and negative anomalies from the smoothed time series (short timescales) as separate terms. A climatology of fit is also included as a predictor variable. Over half a million daily observations of depth and SWE at 345 snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) sites are used to fit models and evaluate their performance. For each location, we train the three models to the neighboring stations within 70 km, transfer the parameters to the location to be modeled, and evaluate modeled time series against the observations at that site. Our model exhibits improved statistics and quali- tatively more-realistic behavior at the daily time step when sufficient local training data are available. We reduce den- sity root mean square error (RMSE) by 9.9 and 4.5 % com- pared to previous models while increasing R 2 from 0.46 to 0.52 to 0.56 across models. Focusing on the 21-day window around peak SWE in each water year, our model reduces den- sity RMSE by 24 and 17.4 % relative to the previous models, with R 2 increasing from 0.55 to 0.58 to 0.71 across mod- els. Removing the challenge of parameter transfer over the
Multisource Data Classification using a Hybrid Semi-Supervised Learning Scheme

In many practical situations thematic classes can not be discriminated by spectral measurements alone. Often one needs additional features such as population density, road density, wetlands, elevation, soil types, etc. which are discrete attributes. On the other hand remote sensing image features are continuous attributes. Finding a suitable statistical model and estimation of parameters is a challenging task in multisource (e.g., discrete and continuous attributes) data classification. In this paper we present a semi-supervised learning method by assuming that the samples were generated by a mixture model, where each component could be either a continuous or discrete distribution. Overall classification accuracy of the proposed method is improved by 12% in our initial experiments.
Quantum test of the distributions of composite physical measurements

Probability distribution functions and lowest statistical moments of composite measurements representable as products and quotients of independent normal variates are derived, and tested by means of the α and β branching decays of 212Bi. The exact composite distribution functions are non-Gaussian and provide correct uncertainty estimates and confidence intervals in cases where standard error propagation relations are inaccurate. Although nuclear decay processes give rise to Poisson-distributed parent populations, the Gaussian-based composite distributions form nearly perfect envelopes to the discrete distributions of products and ratios of Poisson variates, even for relatively low counts. To our knowledge, this is the first reported experimental test of the statistics of composite measurements by a fundamental quantum process.
Assessing Markov chain approximations: A minimal econometric approach

Abstract Markov chain approximations of continuous state-space processes are common in economic models. Increasing the dimensions of the state space is costly; this paper develops a procedure to evaluate the tradeoff between the number of dimensions devoted to modelling dynamics and those devoted to modelling the contemporaneous state space. The methodology borrows from a previous literature which formalizes inference within calibrated models. Approximations for post-war real per capita US consumption growth are compared. Standard business cycle theory is used to generate needed information regarding state transition probabilities. In this application it is useful to trade some accuracy in defining the state space for more realistic dynamics.
Biochemical and histopathologic comparison between blood and saline storage of canine veins.

Abstract Patency of vein grafts may be influenced by the medium in which they are stored temporarily. We compared saline solution vs blood on prostanoid production and maintenance of endothelium in canine veins after 1 hour of storage at 23° C with 0.2 mg/ml of papaverine. Spontaneous and arachidonate-stimulated prostaglandin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Endothelial integrity was analyzed by light and electron microscopy. Prostaglandin production in blood vs that in saline solution was 1821 ± 1264 and 1259 ± 719 pg/cm 2 /min at control and 6705 ± 3702 vs 6264 ± 3409 pg/cm 2 /min, respectively, after stimulation. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups at any time point. Thromboxane levels were also indistinguishable between groups. Microscopy revealed 70% endothelial loss in blood vs 95% for saline solution. We conclude that endothelial preservation is enhanced by blood storage, that the medial layer produces substantial amounts of prostacyclin, and that additional storage solutions need to be investigated. (J VASC SURG 1988;7:543-8.)
Reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in a neuro–spine intensive care unit

A collaborative effort reduced catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the neuro–spine intensive care unit where the majority of infections occurred at our institution. Our stepwise approach included retrospective data review, daily rounding with clinicians, developing and implementing an action plan, conducting practice audits, and sharing of real-time data outcomes. The catheter-associated urinary tract infection rate was reduced from 8.18 to 0.93 per 1,000 catheter-days and standardized infection ratio decreased from 2.16 to 0.37.
Dynamics of an atmospheric pressure plasma plume generated by submicrosecond voltage pulses

Nonequilibrium plasmas driven by submicrosecond high voltage pulses have been proven to produce high-energy electrons, which in turn lead to enhanced ionization and excitations. Here, we describe a device capable of launching a cold plasma plume in the surrounding air. This device, “the plasma pencil,” is driven by few hundred nanosecond wide pulses at repetition rates of a few kilohertz. Correlation between current-voltage characteristics and fast photography shows that the plasma plume is in fact a small bulletlike volume of plasma traveling at unusually high velocities. A model based on photoionization is used to explain the propagation kinetics of the plasma bullet under low electric field conditions.
Children's beliefs about the fantasy/reality status of hypothesized machines.

Four-year-olds, 6-year-olds, and adults were asked to make judgments about the reality status of four different types of machines: real machines that children and adults interact with on a daily basis, real machines that children and adults interact with rarely (if at all), and impossible machines that violated a real-world physical or biological causal law. Adults generally categorized all of the machines accurately. Both groups of children categorized familiar possible machines as real, but were agnostic as to the fantasy status of unfamiliar possible machines. Children generally responded that both kinds of impossible machines were make-believe, but 4-year-olds were more likely to make these accurate judgments for the physical than biological items, different from the older children and adults (whose responses were similar). These data suggest that children’s judgments about the possibility of machines are not strictly limited by first-hand experience. Young children’s domain-specific causal knowledge interacts with their understanding of the fantasy ⁄ reality distinction to constrain their inferences in a rational way.
The stool shield: a novel approach to the colo-atmospheric fistula.

c s g t t The advent of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has had a dramatic impact on the management of open abdominal wounds that historically have been difficult to close otherwise. The concomitant use of skin grafts (splitand full-thickness) and NPWT has also been described. Successful management of a split-thickness skin graft to exposed bowel in the face of a large bowel enterotomy, however, has garnered little attention. Here, we describe the first application of a novel technique for successful skin grafting of exposed bowel that still allows free flow of stool through a colon fistula.
miRNAs as molecular biomarkers of cancer

miRNAs are noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression. The advent of high-throughput techniques has revealed that miRNA expression is deregulated in almost all human tumors (both solid and hematologic) with respect to the normal tissue counterpart. These differences frequently recur in tumor-specific miRNA signatures, which are very helpful to diagnose the tissue of origin of the neoplasia, and sometimes also specific tumor subtypes. Increasing evidence also supports a role for miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers of human cancers. Finally, miRNAs are differentially expressed in the blood of cancer patients versus healthy donors, providing a rationale for the detection of miRNAs and diagnostic and prognostic circulating biomarkers.
The prevalence of Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is common and increases with the age of growing pigs in the United States

Infection with the Torque teno sus virus (TTSuV) is believed to be common yet limited information is available on the epidemiology of TTSuV. The objectives of this study were to develop novel and improve existing diagnostic methods for TTSuV infection and to investigate the prevalence of TTSuV species 1 (TTSuV1) and 2 (TTSuV2) in the USA. Three hundred and four blood or fetal thoracic fluid samples were collected from pigs on 40 US farms in 12 States. Samples were collected from fetuses and in pre-suckle neonates (n=73), suckling pigs (1-20 days of age; n=27), nursery pigs (21-55 days of age; n=60), finisher pigs (8-25 weeks of age; n=90) and adults (>25 weeks of age; n=54). Samples were tested by a new quantitative differential real-time PCR for TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 DNA and by ELISA for detection of anti-TTSuV2-antibodies. The prevalence of TTSuV1 DNA ranged from 8.2% (fetuses and neonates) to 81% (finisher pigs) and the prevalence of TTSuV2 DNA ranged from 3.7% (suckling pigs) to 67% (finisher pigs). Evidence of fetal TTSuV infection was minimal. Mixed infection of TTSuV1 and TTSuV2 was seen in 6.7% of the nursery pigs, 52.2% of the finisher pigs, and 22.2% of the mature pigs. The prevalence of TTSuV1 was higher than that of TTSuV2. Anti-TTSuV2 antibodies were not detected in the fetuses and neonates and the seroprevalence of TTSuV2 was between 3.8% and 100% in growing pigs. The results of this study indicate that vertical transmission may not be a main route of TTSuV transmission in pigs in the USA.
Mechanism-based inactivation of human leukocyte elastase via an enzyme-induced sulfonamide fragmentation process.

Abstract We describe herein the design and in vitro biochemical evaluation of a novel class of mechanism-based inhibitors of human leukocyte elastase (HLE) that inactivate the enzyme via an unprecedented enzyme-induced sulfonamide fragmentation cascade. The inhibitors incorporate in their structure an appropriately functionalized saccharin scaffold. Furthermore, the inactivation of the enzyme by these inhibitors was found to be time-dependent and to involve the active site. Biochemical, HPLC, and mass spectrometric studies show that the interaction of these inhibitors with HLE results in the formation of a stable acyl complex and is accompanied by the release of (L) phenylalanine methyl ester. The data are consistent with initial formation of a Michaelis–Menten complex and subsequent formation of a tetrahedral intermediate with the active site serine (Ser195). Collapse of the tetrahedral intermediate with tandem fragmentation results in the formation of a highly reactive conjugated sulfonyl imine which can either react with water to form a stable acyl enzyme and/or undergo a Michael addition reaction with an active site nucleophilic residue (His57). It is also demonstrated herein that this class of compounds can be used in the design of inhibitors of serine proteases having either a neutral or basic primary substrate specificity. Thus, the results suggest that these inhibitors constitute a potential general class of mechanism-based inhibitors of (chymo)trypsin-like serine proteases.
The norm of reciprocity as an internalized social norm: Returning favors even when no one finds out

We examined whether individuals return favors even when the initial favor giver will never know of their behavior. A confederate gave undergraduate participants in one condition an unexpected bottle of water, whereas other participants received no favor. Later the confederate asked participants to take a survey home with them and return it to a specified place during a specified time 2 or 3 days later. Half the participants believed the confederate herself would be present to receive the survey, and half were told to return the survey to a drop‐off box. Participants who received a favor were more likely to return the survey than those who received no favor. Moreover, this reciprocity effect was found regardless of whether the requester would know of the participant's behavior. The results lend support to an internalized social norm explanation for the reciprocity effect. Thanks are extended to Lauren Baines and Janene Lopez‐Fairfield for their help with some of the data collection. This research was prese...
A forward looking automotive radar sensor

For intelligent cruise control (ICC) and forward looking collision warning systems (CWS) to be successful products they must provide robust performance in a complex roadway environment. Inconveniences caused by dropped tracks and nuisance alarms will not be tolerated by consumers, and would likely result in rejection of these new technologies in the marketplace. The authors report on a low-cost automotive millimeter wave (MMW) radar design which addresses shortcomings associated with previously reported ICC system implementations. The importance of the sensor's ability to identify and separately track all obstacles in the field of view is discussed. The applicability of the MMW FM-CW sensor implementation to collision warning systems is also discussed.
Boundary Conditions for Magnetization in Thin Magnetic Elements

The magnetization dynamics of a magnetic element can be described using the Landau-Lifshitz equation of motion. This approach contains contributions from the non-uniform exchange interaction, as well as from the long-range dipole-dipole interaction, which is also nonuniform for non-ellipsoidal magnetic elements. The eigenfrequencies and eigenmode distributions of spin-wave excitations in such elements depend strongly on the boundary conditions at the element surfaces. Knowledge of these boundary conditions is important to calculate the spectra of magnetic linear excitations (spin waves) in the element, both in the case of a uniform ground state, when the element is magnetized by the external magnetic field to saturation, and in the case when the ground state is a strongly non-uniform (e.g. a magnetic vortex).
Identification of parotid salivary biomarkers in Sjögren's syndrome by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis

OBJECTIVES To identify the most significant salivary biomarkers in Sjogren's syndrome (SS) using proteomic methods. METHODS Parotid saliva from 20 non-SS subjects and 41 primary SS patients was analysed. Protein expression profiles for each sample were generated by surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). Mean peak intensities of SS patients and non-SS subjects were compared by univariate analyses. Samples pooled by diagnosis (SS and non-SS) and labelled with different Cy dyes were compared by two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE). Two protein levels that were most significantly different by SELDI-TOF-MS and 2D-DIGE were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in individual samples. RESULTS SELDI-TOF-MS of 10-200 kDa peaks revealed eight peaks with >2-fold changes in the SS group that differed from non-SS at P < 0.005. Peaks of 11.8, 12.0, 14.3, 80.6 and 83.7 kDa were increased, while 17.3, 25.4, and 35.4 kDa peaks were decreased in SS samples. 2D-DIGE identified significant increases of beta-2-microglobulin, lactoferrin, immunoglobulin (Ig) kappa light chain, polymeric Ig receptor, lysozyme C and cystatin C in all stages of SS. Two presumed proline-rich proteins, amylase and carbonic anhydrase VI, were reduced in the patient group. Three of these ten biomarkers have not been associated previously with SS. CONCLUSIONS The salivary proteomic profile of SS is a mixture of increased inflammatory proteins and decreased acinar proteins when compared with non-SS. Future studies will test the ability of these biomarker levels, alone and in combination, to diagnose the salivary component of SS.
Understanding mechanisms and the role of differentiation in pathogenesis of Toxoplasma gondii - A Review

Parasite differentiation from proliferating tachyzoites into latent bradyzoites is central to pathogenesis and transmission of the intracellular protozoan pathogen Toxoplasma gondii. The presence of bradyzoite-containing cysts in human hosts and their subsequent rupture can cause life-threatening recrudescence of acute infection in the immunocompromised and cyst formation in other animals contributes to zoonotic transmission and widespread dissemination of the parasite. In this review, we discuss the evidence showing how the clinically relevant process of bradyzoite differentiation is regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Specific regulatory factors implicated in modulating bradyzoite differentiation include promoter-based cis-elements, epigenetic modifications and protein translation control through eukaryotic initiation factor -2 (eIF2). In addition to a summary of the current state of knowledge in these areas we discuss the pharmacological ramifications and pose some questions for future research.
Becoming a Professional Engineering Educator: A New Role for a New Era

Engineering education faces significant challenges as it seeks to meet the demands on the engineering profession in the twenty-first century. Engineering faculty will need to continue to learn new approaches to teaching and learning, which in turn will require effective professional development for both new and experienced instructors alike. This article explores approaches to effective professional development and provides a conceptual framework for responding to the challenge of becoming a professional engineering educator. The “cycle of professional practice” is introduced as a prelude for identifying what individual professors and their institutions can do to generate more powerful forms of engineering education. The article concludes with two case studies that illustrate the possibilities when faculty and academic leaders join together in addressing calls for change.
Foreknowledge, Freedom, and the Fixity of the Past

I seek to clarify the notion of the fixity of the past appropriate to Pike’s regimentation of the argument for the incompatibility of God’s foreknowledge and human freedom. Also, I discuss Alvin Plantinga’s famous example of Paul and the Ant Colony in light of Pike’s argument.
Brotherhood, Business, and White Male Respectability: Secret Fraternal Orders in Antebellum Virginia

This article examines the dramatic growth and popularity of secret fraternal organizations such as the Freemasons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Sons of Temperance in Virginia just before the Civil War. Young Virginians who came of age during the antebellum era lived through a time of tremendous economic, cultural, and political upheaval. The spread of a market economy into the cities and towns of the Old Dominion promoted a cultural ethos that rewarded individual ambition, altered long-standing social relationships, and aggravated class tensions between working-class white men and new middle-class businessmen, merchants, and professionals. In a state increasingly pulled between the demands of the growing market and the long-established tradition of unfree labour, secret fraternal orders, played a special role in assuaging class tensions between white working and middle-class men. As the market economy grew and expanded these two groups of men had many reasons to be at odds with each outside of the lodge room. Instead, they chose to join lodges that stressed brotherly love and fraternal bonds. Ultimately, based on these ideals, secret fraternal orders created a civic brotherhood among white men in Virginia that softened class distinctions and carved out a non-political pathway to civic authority for white men.
Gene Expression in Cortical Interneuron Precursors is Prescient of their Mature Function

At present little is known about the developmental mechanisms that give rise to inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acidergic interneurons of the neocortex or the timing of their subtype specification. As such, we performed a gene expression microarray analysis on cortical interneuron precursors isolated through their expression of a Dlx5/6Cre-IRES-EGFP transgene. We purified these precursors from the embryonic mouse neocortex at E13.5 and E15.5 by sorting of enhanced green fluorescent protein-expressing cells. We identified novel transcription factors, neuropeptides, and cell surface genes whose expression is highly enriched in embryonic cortical interneuron precursors. Our identification of many of the genes known to be selectively enriched within cortical interneurons validated the efficacy of our approach. Surprisingly, we find that subpopulations of migrating cortical interneurons express genes encoding for proteins characteristic of mature interneuron subtypes as early as E13.5. These results provide support for the idea that many of the genes characteristic of specific cortical interneuron subtypes are evident prior to their functional integration into cortical microcircuitry. They suggest interneurons are already relegated to specific genetic subtypes shortly after they become postmitotic. Moreover, our work has revealed that many of the genes expressed in cortical interneuron precursors have been independently linked to neurological disorders in both mice and humans
Can Managers Appraise Performance Too Often

This paper discusses the relationship between the frequency of performance appraisal and escalation of commitment to a losing course of action. It is commonly thought that the more often employees are appraised, the more effective they become. Contrary to this view, we discuss conditions that cause employees, particularly project managers responsible for capital budgeting decisions, to stick with decisions that have been shown to result in negative consequences for the company. We report the results of a set of work place simulations where the frequency of performance appraisal affected the length of commitment to losing courses of action as well as the managers perceptions about their personal benefits resulting from those decisions. The results suggest that frequent performance appraisals during the course of long-term projects may divert managers from the profit maximization goal sought by the owners of the firm.
Exploiting social information for dynamic tuning in cluster based WiFi localization

While WiFi-based indoor localization services are on the rise, existing solutions require periodic updates and therefore exhibit high power demand. In this paper, we propose a novel Social Aware Cluster Based Localization algorithm (SAC-Loc) that leverages social information between nodes in order to dynamically cluster those that exhibit similar mobility patterns. SAC-Loc deploys socially-aware algorithms that dynamically determine when to split and coalesce clusters depending on predicted network topology changes. Based on social ties between encountered nodes, it estimates cluster stability metrics in order to avoid joining crossing nodes with temporary proximity, or the unnecessary splitting of a group due to wireless scanning limitations. We analyze and evaluate our algorithms using a data driven approach based on real-world traces, in addition to an experimental implementation and deployment in our department. While state-of-the-art group localization algorithms can either be energy efficient or highly accurate, SAC-Loc provides a desirable trade-off between accuracy and energy consumption based on popular indoor localization applications.
The Atmosphere and UV-B Radiation at Ground Level

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emanating from the sun travels unaltered until it enters the earth’s atmosphere. Here, absorption and scattering by various gases and particles modify the radiation profoundly, so that by the time it reaches the terrestrial and oceanic biospheres, the wavelengths which are most harmful to organisms have been largely filtered out. Human activities are now changing the composition of the atmosphere, raising serious concerns about how this will affect the wavelength distribution and quantity of ground-level UV radiation.
A College Education in Exchange for Student Debt: Tuition Costs and Low-Income Students

Audrey “AJ” Place is a second year HESA student. She/he/ze has a Health Science degree from Quinnipiac University and is currently a Residence Director at the University of Vermont. AJ wishes to thank The Vermont Connection Editorial Board, and the classes of 2007 and 2009 for all their support. Most of all AJ wants to thank the class of 2008 for the life-long memories and friendships as graduate school would surely have been a debacle without them. A College Education in Exchange for Student Debt: Tuition Costs and Low-Income Students
Proxies in Practice: Calibration and Validation of Multiple Indices of Animal Abundance

Abstract The abundance of individuals in a population is a fundamental metric in basic and applied ecology, but sampling protocols yielding precise and unbiased estimates of abundance are often cos...
DEPRESSION FOLLOWING CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT SURGERY PREDICTS INCREASED 10-YEAR ALL-CAUSE MORTALITY

Depressive symptoms are common following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and predict poorer clinical outcomes. The NHLBI-funded Bypassing the Blues Trial demonstrated that a nurse-led, telephone-delivered collaborative care intervention for treating post-CABG depression can improve