cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stack overflow badges and user behavior: an econometric approach

Does gamification work? This paper examines how Stack Overflow users behave when earning badges. A regression analysis of user activity logs shows users change their contribution amounts when earning some badges but not others. This paper adds new support to the growing literature that gamification works, but its efficacy is context-dependent [1]. Alternative methods for motivating user contributions are considered.
Evaluation of the Analgesic Properties of Zomepirac

Zomepirac, an inhibitor of prostaglandin biosynthesis, was evaluated for analgesic activity in a number of pharmacological screens. In the acetylcholine writhing test, zomepirac was found to be more potent than codeine, pentazocine, aspirin, and acetaminophen and equivalent in potency to morphine. Zomepirac was inactive in a number of tests that detect narcotic agents, suggesting that the drug will not induce physical dependence. The possibility of a central nonnarcotic as well as a peripheral analgesic mechanism merits consideration.
VHF ballasting for high density atmospheric glow discharges

Summary form only given. A major challenge in the production of large atmospheric glow plasmas is suppressing the transition to a thermal condition at higher power densities. One mechanism for forming a stable glow at moderate power densities is to sustain the plasma with a drive frequency where the glow exhibits ballasting characteristics that suppress the formation of thermally driven instabilities that lead to transition to a thermal discharge.
Seasonality of Freeze Tolerance in a Subarctic Population of the Wood Frog, Rana sylvatica

We compared physiological characteristics and responses to experimental freezing and thawing in winter and spring samples of the wood frog, Rana sylvatica, indigenous to Interior Alaska, USA. Whereas winter frogs can survive freezing at temperatures at least as low as −16°C, the lower limit of tolerance for spring frogs was between −2.5°C and −5°C. Spring frogs had comparatively low levels of the urea in blood plasma, liver, heart, brain, and skeletal muscle, as well as a smaller hepatic reserve of glycogen, which is converted to glucose after freezing begins. Consequently, following freezing (−2.5°C, 48 h) tissue concentrations of these cryoprotective osmolytes were 44–88% lower than those measured in winter frogs. Spring frogs formed much more ice and incurred extensive cryohemolysis and lactate accrual, indicating that they had suffered marked cell damage and hypoxic stress during freezing. Multiple, interactive stresses, in addition to diminished cryoprotectant levels, contribute to the reduced capacity for freeze tolerance in posthibernal frogs.
Short-term Exposure to Particulate Matter Constituents and Mortality in a National Study of U.S. Urban Communities

Background: Although the association between PM2.5 mass and mortality has been extensively studied, few national-level analyses have estimated mortality effects of PM2.5 chemical constituents. Epid...
'Random' saccadic eye movements during verbal-linguistic and visual-imaginal tasks.

Abstract Previous research has suggested that questions eliciting visual imagery are associated with lower rates of saccadic eye movements as compared to questions eliciting verbal processes. Two experiments reported here examined the roles of external visual stimulation and speech output in this effect. In both experiments, questions designed to elicit verbal-linguistic or visual-imaginal processing, and which required either syntactically complex or simple responses, were administered while eye movements were recorded by electrooculography. In experiment 1, 42 subjects responded while viewing either the interviewer's face or a gray oval on a video monitor. Imaginal questions elicited a lower rate of eye movements than did verbal questions regardless of the display on the monitor. In experiment 2, 17 subjects responded in conditions of light and darkness. Imaginal questions elicited lower rates of eye movements in both light and dark. Neither cognitive mode nor speech output requirements interacted with stimulus conditions in either experiment. The failure of visual conditions to influence the verbal-imaginal difference in eye movement rate is viewed as inconsistent with a visual interference interpretation of the relationship of eye movements to cognitive activity. Alternate interpretations are discussed.
Chronic Actions of a Novel Oral B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Conjugate in Normal Dogs and Acute Actions in Angiotensin II–Mediated Hypertension

Background— We previously reported the feasibility of an acute, orally delivered, newly developed, conjugated form of human B-type natriuretic peptide (hBNP) in normal animals. The objective of the present study was to extend our findings and to define the chronic actions of an advanced oral conjugated hBNP (hBNP-054) administered for 6 days on sodium excretion and blood pressure. We also sought to establish the ability of this new conjugate to acutely activate cGMP and to reduce blood pressure in an experimental model of angiotensin II (ANG II) –mediated hypertension. Methods and Results— First, we developed additional novel conjugated forms of oral hBNP that were superior to our previously reported hBNP-021 in reducing blood pressure in 6 normal dogs. We then tested the new conjugate, hBNP-054, chronically in 2 normal dogs to assess its biological actions as a blood pressure–lowering agent and as a natriuretic factor. Second, we investigated the effects of acute oral hBNP-054 or vehicle in 6 dogs that r...
Ocean mixing studied near Hawaiian Ridge

The Hawaii Ocean Mixing Experiment (HOME) is a grassroots program to study turbulent mixing processes near the Hawaiian Ridge. The HOME is motivated by the desire to understand diffusive aspects of the advective-diffusive balance that mediates the general circulation of the oceans. HOME is focused on tidally driven mixing, given the ubiquity of the tide as a deep-sea energy source. As the sea surface cools at high latitude, surface waters sink. Subsidence rate is sufficient to fill the worlds ocean with cold bottom water in approximately 3,000 years. Diffusive processes that transfer heat into the abyssal ocean are required to maintain a steady-state thermal structure. An effective eddy diffusivity of order Kp=10−4 m2 s−1, 700 times the molecular diffusivity of heat, is necessary [Munk, 1966]. Such a diffusivity might be supported by either mechanical mixing (turbulent transport) or thermodynamic (so-called doubly diffusive) processes.
Hepatocarcinogenic potency of mixed and pure enantiomers of trans-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol in trout

Abstract The hepatocarcinogenic potency of pure and racemic trans-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol was investigated in embryos and sac-fry rainbow trout. Embryos microinjected with (±)-trans-7,8-dihydrobenzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol ((±) BP-7,8-DHD) developed liver tumors 9 months after hatching. However, this exposure protocol resulted in high mortalities. Microinjection of newly hatched sac-fry with 0.01 – 1.0 μg of (±) BP-7,8-DHD resulted in a dose-dependent production of liver tumors (0 – 13%) similar to the results with embryos but without the problem of high mortalities. Co-injection of sac-fry with (±) BP-7,8-DHD and either β-naphthoflavone or carbon tetrachloride significantly enhanced the tumor response (approx. 3-fold). The relative carcinogenic potencies of the pure (+) and (−) enantiomers of BP-7,8-DHD were evaluated by microinjection into sac-fry at doses of 0.5 – 5.0 μg. The results demonstrated that the (−) enantiomer was 4 – 18 times more potent than the (+). Mixed carcinomas were the most prevalent liver tumors observed. These results demonstrate that trout embryos and sac-fry are both responsive to hepatocarcinogenesis initiation by injection with BP-7,8-DHD. The marked enhancement seen with coinjection of sac-fry with β-naphthoflavone or carbon tetrachloride suggests that both cytochrome P-450-dependent and lipid peroxidation-dependent pathways could be involved in bioactivation of this compound, presumably through epoxidation at the 9,10-position. As is the case with mammals, the (−) enantiomer of BP-7,8-DHD is a more potent carcinogen than the (+) enantiomer.
Identifying and validating the components of nursing practice models for long-term care facilities

Nursing practice models (NPMs) provide the framework for the design and delivery of nursing care to residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities and characterize the manner in which nursing staff assemble to accomplish clinical goals. The purpose of this study was to identify and validate the distinctive components of NPMs in LTC facilities and develop an instrument to describe and evaluate NPMs in such settings. The study included validation of the NPM components through a literature review and focus groups with nursing staff from LTC facilities; development and modification of the Nursing Practice Model Questionnaire (NPMQ); and examination of the validity and reliability of the NPMQ through pilot testing in 15 LTC facilities with 508 nursing staff. Five factors--decision making, informal continuity of information, formal continuity of information, continuity of care, and accountability--comprise the five subscales of the NPMQ, a 37-item questionnaire with established respectable validity and reliability.
Discordant effects of thyrotropin (TSH)-releasing hormone on pre- and posttranslational regulation of TSH biosynthesis in rat pituitary.

To investigate whether TRH regulates TSH production through a pre- or posttranslational mechanism, we determined the pituitary levels of mRNAs for a-subunit and TSHβ in male Sprague-Dawley rats given TRH in the presence or absence of thyroid hormones, with or without hypothalamic influence. In normal rats, serum TSH increased 6-fold after a single sc injection of TRH (7 μg/kg BW), but the levels of mRNA for both TSH subunits did not differ from the control values. Infusion of TRH, achieved by osmotic minipumps that were implanted sc, increased serum TSH for 3 days. Conversely, the pituitary content of TSH dropped to and remained 35% of that in the controls. In these normal rats, throughout the TRH infusion, the pituitary levels of mRNA for the TSH subunits did not differ from those in the controls. Thyroidectomy increased, by 27 and 75 times, the normal levels of mRNAs for a and TSHβ, respectively. TRH, given either as a single injection or a 3-day infusion, did not further elevate these levels. We then s...
Transformative Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This article critiques the potential success of the Peace, Security, and Cooperation Framework for the drc and the Region—signed on February 24, 2013—against the backdrop of the 1999 Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement, which failed to end the Second Congo War. The 1999 Agreement failed because its overall design, coupled with the socio-political climate in the region at the time, resulted in a ‘no war, no peace’ scenario. These failures were furthered by the overall inability of the international peacebuilding community to design and implement a peace strategy in the drc that aligned with the needs of the Congolese people. If the 2013 Framework is to succeed, what is required is a transformation of the peace process, which will incorporate the Congolese civil society, avoid restrictive timelines, and focus on securing realistic commitments. By critically analyzing both the 1999 Agreement and the broader conflict-resolution and peacebuilding processes, international peace practitioners can learn from the situation in the drc and use the revised peace model this article outlines to promote true and lasting peace in regional conflicts across the developing world.
Thermodynamic optimization of mechanical supports for cryogenic apparatus

Abstract The minimum theoretical refrigerator power for cooling mechanical supports for a cryogenic apparatus is determined with the calculus of variations. A mathematical approach is developed that can be used to evaluate the thermal performance of any mechanical support which has fixed geometry. Four practical, non-optimum cooling arrangements are compared with the minimum power case. The comparison shows that a smaller refrigerator power is required when continuous cooling is provided at intermediate temperatures along the conducting support. A combination of two gas streams in series closely approximates the thermodynamically optimum cooling arrangement.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 mediates fusion through a hemifusion intermediate by sequential activity of glycoproteins D, H, L, and B

Virus-induced membrane fusion can be subdivided into three phases defined by studies of class I and class II fusion proteins. During Phase I, two membranes are brought into close apposition. Phase II marks the mixing of the outer membrane leaflets leading to formation of a hemifusion intermediate. A fusion pore stably forms and expands in Phase III, thereby completing the fusion process. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) requires four glycoproteins to complete membrane fusion, but none has been defined as class I or II. Therefore, we investigated whether HSV-1-induced membrane fusion occurred following the same general phases as those described for class I and II proteins. In this study we demonstrate that glycoprotein D (gD) and the glycoprotein H and glycoprotein L complex (gHL) mediated lipid mixing indicative of hemifusion. However, content mixing and full fusion required glycoprotein B (gB) to be present along with gD and gHL. Our results indicate that, like class I and II fusion proteins, fusion mediated by HSV-1 glycoproteins occurred through a hemifusion intermediate. In addition, both gB and gHL are probably directly involved in the fusion process. From this, we propose a sequential model for fusion via HSV-1 glycoproteins whereby gD is required for Phase I, gHL is required for Phase II, and gB is required for Phase III. We further propose that glycoprotein H and gB are likely to function sequentially to promote membrane fusion in other herpesviruses such as Epstein–Barr virus and human herpesvirus 8.
Targeting farnesyltransferase: is Ras relevant?

Abstract Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) are a novel class of cancer therapeutics that were developed to block the localization and thereby the activity of oncogenic Ras protein. Preclinical studies have established that FTIs are nontoxic yet capable of reversing malignant phenotypes. However, there is growing evidence that inhibition of Ras may not be crucial and that the antitransforming properties of FTIs are based at least in part upon alteration of Rho, a small GTPase which is involved in cell adhesion and cytoskeletal regulation. These recent developments are reviewed and their impact on the design of clinical trials is discussed.
Weave: Scripting Cross-Device Wearable Interaction

We present Weave, a framework for developers to create cross-device wearable interaction by scripting. Weave provides a set of high-level APIs, based on JavaScript, for developers to easily distribute UI output and combine sensing events and user input across mobile and wearable devices. Weave allows developers to focus on their target interaction behaviors and manipulate devices regarding their capabilities and affordances, rather than low-level specifications. Weave also contributes an integrated authoring environment for developers to program and test cross-device behaviors, and when ready, deploy these behaviors to its runtime environment on users' ad-hoc network of devices. An evaluation of Weave with 12 participants on a range of tasks revealed that Weave significantly reduced the effort of developers for creating and iterating on cross-device interaction.
Reaktion von N‐Alkyl‐bis(difluorophosphoryl)amiden, RN(POF2)2, mit silylierten Nukleophilen und Et2NSF3

N-Alkyl-bis(difluorophosphoryl)amide, RN(POF2)2 (R = Me, Et), reagieren mit den silylierten Nukleophilen Me3SiOMe und Me3SiNEt2 in jedem Fall unter Spaltung der PNP-Brucke zu Di- und Monofluorophosphorsaurederivaten. Bei der Reaktion mit Et2NSF3 werden OPF3 bzw. PF5 und (RNPF3)2 erhalten. Die als Zwischenprodukte angenommenen Verbindungen F2P(O)NRPF4 und RN(PF4)2 sind nicht stabil. Reaction of N-Alkyl-bis(difluorophosphoryl)amides, RN(POF2)2, with Silylated Nucleophiles and Et2NSF3 N-Alkyl-bis(difluorophosphoryl)amides, RN(POF2)2 (R = Me, Et), react in any case with silylated nucleophiles such as Me3SiOMe and Me3SiNEt2 under cleavage of the PNP bridge forming derivatives of di- and monofluorophosphoric acid. In their reaction with Et2NSF3 (RNPF3)2 and OPF3 or PF5, resp., are obtained. The compounds F2P(O)NRPF4 and RN(PF4)2 postulated as intermediates are not stable.
Three slow myosin heavy chains sequentially expressed in developing mammalian skeletal muscle

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms show a striking diversity of expression patterns during mammalian development. Using a set of monoclonal antibodies that recognize different epitopes on myosin heavy chain isoforms we show that there exist in human and rat skeletal muscle at least three isoforms of slow twitch myosin heavy chain. To facilitate a comparison of our results to others obtained using different antibodies or species, we have identified cDNAs encoding the epitopes recognized by the three slow antibodies. Using these reagents, we show that the onset of expression of three slow MyHC isoforms is temporally distinct during early gestation. This result suggests that a sequence of MyHC transitions plays an important role in determining muscle fiber function at fetal, neonatal, and adult stages.
Synthesis of a phosphapyracene via metal-mediated cyclization: structural and reactivity effects of acenaphthene precursors

Metal-mediated synthesis of a new heterocycle, 1-phenyl-phosphapyracene (Ph-4, Ph-PyraPhos), by tandem phosphination/cyclization of peri-substituted 5-bromo-6-chloromethylacenaphthene (3) was investigated for comparison to Pt-catalyzed formation of 1-phosphaacenaphthenes (2, AcePhos) from the analogous naphthalene precursor (1). Reaction of PH2Ph with 3, NaOSiMe3 and a Cu catalyst gave Ph-4; a Pt catalyst yielded PHPh(CH2Ar) (Ph-11, Ar = 5-Br-acenaphthyl). Deprotonation of a complex of this secondary phosphine, [Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(Ph)(PHPh(CH2Ar))][PF6] (17), generated the phosphido intermediate Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(Ph)(PPhCH2Ar) (Ph-8), which cyclized to give [Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(Ph)(Ph-PyraPhos)][PF6] (18). Treatment of Ph-8 with silver triflate gave 18 and the cyclometalated phosphine complex [Pt((R,R)-Me-DuPhos)(κ2-(P,C)-5-Ph2PCH2-6-C12H8)][PF6] (21), which might form via Pt(IV) intermediates. The effects of the added “ace” bridge on structure and reactivity are discussed.
Attitudes towards business ethics: where East doesn’t meet West

In culturally homogeneous groups there is a greater likelihood that values, including ethics values, of individual group members will coincide. Due to globalisation, changing demographics, and a desire for increased diversity, corporate cultures are becoming less homogeneous, thus increasing the likelihood that individuals working side by side to maximise shareholder value will not see eye to eye when it comes to business ethics. Given that many international students who earn US graduate business degrees find employment with US companies either in the US or abroad, the objective of this study was to examine whether international graduate business students, in particular Asian nationals, an d their US counterparts share similar attitudes with regard to business codes of ethics and ethics values. It was hypothesised that there would be significant differences in the attitudes of US and Asian students. It was believed that if similarities and differences with regard to ethics could be identified, universities and businesses would be better equipped to address ethics in their operations.
Wetting of Al/Sapphire (0001) System: Measurement Effect and Affecting Factors

Dynamic surface tension measurements of molten aluminum droplets on sapphire (0001) have been carried out at a PO2 of 10−15 Pa in a temperature range of 1073 to 1673 K. The aim is to demonstrate that the contact angles reported in the literature from 65 to 145 deg do not meet high-temperature adhesion requirements and often lead to incorrect measurements. This article demonstrates the use of modern techniques of analysis both in computation and image analysis, to revisit previous data that often show large variability. A sessile drop (SD) experiment and an image process through the solution and optimization of the Laplace equation of capillarity are addressed through MATLAB software. The approach delivers contact angles and surface tensions controlled with PO2, temperature, and time. The details of the method and material properties affecting the system wettability by molten aluminum are also described.
Meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing the risk of postoperative infection between recipients of allogeneic and autologous blood transfusion

Background and Objectives A previous meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), comparing the risk of postoperative infection between recipients of allogeneic blood or autologous blood obtained by preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD), did not detect an immunomodulatory (TRIM) effect of allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT). If such a TRIM effect was mediated by white blood cell (WBC)-derived soluble mediators accumulating during storage, however, stored autologous blood obtained by PABD would not prevent the TRIM effect, whereas unstored autologous blood obtained by acute normovolemic haemodilution (ANH), intraoperative blood recovery (IBR), or postoperative blood recovery (PBR), would abrogate the TRIM effect. Materials and Methods RCTs reported through January 2002 were retrieved, and five studies met the criteria for meta-analysis. Summary odds ratios (ORs) of postoperative infection in recipients of allogeneic vs. autologous blood were calculated across studies. Results No difference in the risk of infection between the comparison arms was detected across all five RCTs [summary OR = 1·22, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0·75–1·98], or when the results of studies using PABD or ANH/IBR/PBR were integrated separately (summary OR = 1·35; 95% CI: 0·45–4·08; and summary OR = 1·49; 95% CI: 0·69–3·22, respectively). Conclusions The finding of no TRIM effect of ABT across RCTs using ANH/IBR/PBR to obtain autologous blood does not support the hypothesis that a TRIM effect of ABT is mediated by WBC-derived soluble mediators accumulating during storage. The null finding of the overall meta-analysis also does not support a TRIM effect of ABT mediated by other blood constituents.
A cohesive zone model for the adhesion of cylinders

A cohesive zone model is developed to describe the adhesion between long cylinders in contact, thus extending the work of Maugis, who considered the adhesion of spheres. A parameter λ is shown to govern the range of applicability of the different contact theories, and an explicit condition is given for the use of the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) approach. An interesting result is that unlike the situation in the three-dimensional problem, the Derjaguin-Muller-Toporov (DMT) solution is not approached as λ → 0. Instead, it is when λ is of order 1 that an approximation similar to the DMT theory can be used.
Pharmacokinetics of cefazolin compared with four other cephalosporins.

The pharmacokinetics of cefazolin were compared with those of cephaloridine, cephalothin, cephalexin, and cephanone in healthy adult male volunteers. The concentration of cefazolin in serum was twice as high after im and iv injections as that of cephaloridine, and four times as high as that of cephalothin. An iv infusion of 0.5 g of cefazolin during a period of 20 min gave a peak level in blood of 118 ltg/ml, as compared with 70 [lg/ml after a 1-g dose of cephalothin. Higher levels in blood persisted for more than 8 hr with the former as compared with only about 2 hr with the latter. Half lives in serum were 1.8, 1.1, and 0.5 hr for cefazolin, cephaloridine, and cephalothin, respectively. Lower renal clearance of cefazolin (64 ml/min per 1.73 m2) as compared with values of 125 and 274 for cephaloridine and cephalothin, was the factor mainly responsible for its higher and more prolonged levels in blood. Renal clearance of cefazolin was essentially the same as its serum clearance, and almost 100% of the dose administered was recovered in the urine within 24 hr. Features that might offset, to some extent, these favorable characteristics of cefazolin are its high rate of binding to protein (86%) and its small apparent volume of distribution (10 liter/1.73 m2).
The role of interventional radiology in Trauma

Abstract Trauma is a leading and preventable cause of death in many age groups. Emergency care of trauma patients is complex and requires a team approach, which includes nurses and physicians. Interventional radiology (IR) plays a significant part in the management of some trauma patients with solid organ or pelvic injuries. This article reviews the role of IR and aspects of radiology nursing in this patient population.
Passenger Leukocytes and the Immunogenicity of Skin Allografts

Skin grafts from tolerant mice and from mouse radiation chimeras are capable of inducing in isogeneic recipients a state of transplantation immunity that is indistinguishable from that induced by skin grafts from allogeneic donors. The immunizing isografts themselves are not rejected; they are only the vehicles of immunization. The immunogenicity of the isografts is related to the degree of leukocyte chimerism of the donors and to the number of leukocytes in the dermis, and it apparently is mediated by the transfer of small numbers of allogeneic "passenger leukocytes" from the chimeras to the normal hosts. Experiments with skin allografts indicate that passenger leukocytes are important immunogens under certain limiting conditions, e.g., when allografts are excised after only brief contact with their hosts. However, the contribution of passenger leukocytes to the aggregate immunogenicity of skin allografts under normal conditions probably is insignificant. Skin allografts from mice made profoundly leukopenic by pretreatment with whole-body irradiation or cyclophosphamide, or from chimeras whose leukocytes have been replaced by those of prospective graft recipients, do not survive any longer than controls. Nevertheless, the persistent immunogenicity of skin isografts from allogeneic hemopoietic chimeras and of skin allografts from intact mice after exposure of both types of donor to 1,200-R whole-body irradiation suggests that radioresistant, hemopoietically derived cells, probably Langerhans cells, might be important immunogens in skin allografts.
Isolated adrenal cells: steroidogenesis and cyclic AMP accumulation in response to ACTH.

Abstract After the addition of 1000 μU of ACTH to isolated adrenal cells, accumulation of cyclic AMP preceded corticosterone production. This observation supports the thesis that cyclic AMP mediates the steroidogenic action of ACTH on the adrenal cortex. Alterations in the concentration of cyclic AMP and of corticosterone in cell suspensions exposed to various doses of ACTH may be described as follows: (1) low doses of ACTH (5–25 μU) stimulated steroidogenesis without causing detectable changes in the concentration of cyclic AMP; (2) intermediate doses of ACTH (50–250 μU) induced parallel increases in cyclic AMP and corticosterone accumulation; and (3) large doses of ACTH (250 – 10,000 μU) caused additional increases in the concentration of cyclic AMP without causing further increases in corticosterone accumulation. The bearing of these results on the second messenger theory is discussed.
Pre-exposure to amphetamine but not nicotine sensitizes rats to the motor activating effect of cocaine.

Rats were pretreated with nine daily injections of eitherd-amphetamine SO4(1.0 mg/kg, 1P), nicotine bitartrate (0.6 mg base/kg, SC) or saline. The motor activating effects of these drugs were measured for 60 min postinjection. On the tenth day, they were given a challenge injection of cocaine HCl (10 mg/kg) or saline and activity was again measured for 60 min postinjection. Both amphetamine and nicotine enhanced motor activity, although the stimulating effect of nicotine was not apparent until the third exposure to the drug. When the response to cocaine was assessed in these pre-exposed rats, only the amphetamine-treated animals were sensitized; they demonstrated a greater cocaine-induced motor activation than their saline-pretreated counterparts. The nicotine pre-exposed rats failed to demonstrate sensitization to the behavioral effect of cocaine; their response was not greater than the rats that had received pre-exposure to saline. These data demonstrate that the response to cocaine can be influenced by prior drug experience and that the influence may be dependent on the neurochemical specificity of the drug.
John Cheyne and William Stokes: periodic respiration.

Abstract Modern descriptions of the phenomenon that has come to be known as CheyneStokes respiration (CSR) were initially reported by John Cheyne in 1818 and William Stokes in 1854. Seen in conjunction with a variety of conditions and illnesses, CSR is most widely recognized in association with neurologic and cardiovascular disease. The pathogenesis is uncertain and has been the subject of considerable disagreement. A number of clinical manifestations may accompany periodic respiration, including variations in level of consciousness, neurologic signs, systemic blood pressure, and cardiac rhythm. Although specific treatment for the respiratory pattern per se is seldom warranted, CSR may be abolished by the administration of oxygen, carbon dioxide, or aminophylline.
Controversies in pharmacotherapy of pain management

Since the establishment of the WHO three-step ladder for management of cancer pain, several controversies have arisen, which are partly due to new drug development, reformulations of older analgesics, and technological advancements. As a result, clinicians need clarification of several questions. Is morphine the opioid of choice for moderate to severe pain in cancer? Should combinations of opioids be used? When should spinal opioids be used to treat pain in cancer? What are the appropriate opioid doses for breakthrough pain? Should selective cyclo-oxygenase (COX) 2 inhibitors be used? What is the best tactic to treat neuropathic pain, and what first-line adjuvant analgesic should be used? And do bisphosphonates relieve bone pain in cancers other than breast cancer and myeloma? This review addresses these questions.
Orientation in complex chemical landscapes: Spatial arrangement of chemical sources influences crayfish food-finding efficiency in artificial stream

Fluid dynamics has been shown to alter ecologically important behaviors of aquatic organisms orienting to distant chemical sources. Because the fluid dynamics and chemical plumes change across hydraulic environments, it is unclear which of these factors influence orientation behavior more. This study examined how alterations in chemical signal structure, through changes in source spatial arrangement, affect chemically mediated search behavior. Microelectrochemical measurements of tracer molecules revealed that source arrangement significantly alters the downstream fine-scale structure of chemical plumes. Flume hydrodynamic characterizations (as measured with laser Doppler velocimetry) also differed among source arrangements; however, differences were minor and existed only at select upstream regions of the flume. Crayfish (Orconectes virilis) found the source faster and spent less time in refuges when sources were separated, compared with sources together. Similar numbers of crayfish found the source regardless of source arrangement. Crayfish searched more efficiently with increased spatial complexity at the source. These results supported the hypothesis that spatial and temporal dynamics of chemicals within plumes contain important information that organisms use during olfactory-mediated orientation in streams. The basis of all ecological interactions ultimately depends on an organism’s ability to detect and extract relevant information about their environment. Because environmental signals have various physical properties, organisms have evolved various sensory mechanisms to extract ecological information (Dusenbery 1992). Among these systems, chemical senses are sources of ecological information for a variety of terrestrial and aquatic organisms (Bell and Carde ´ 1984; Atema 1988). Chemical cues can signal the presence of predators (Mathis and Smith 1993; Covich et al. 1994; De Meester and Cousyn 1997), availability of food resources (Mc
Redefinition and description of the Los Pinos Formation of north-central New Mexico

The Los Pinos Formation, consisting of upper Oligocene to upper Miocene volcaniclastic rocks with interbedded ash-flow tuffs, flow breccias, and basalt flows, is exposed in the Tusas Mountains of north-central New Mexico. The Los Pinos Formation contains two penecontemporaneous members: the Esquibel and the Cordito. The Esquibel Member is a detrital apron of intermediate volcanic clasts derived from the north, primarily the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. It thins southward. In the southern Tusas Mountains, it is locally absent or underlies the Cordito Member. The Cordito Member, composed of predominantly rhyolitic clasts, is present only in the southern Tusas Mountains and was derived from source areas to the east (the volcanic center near Questa and another center possibly buried beneath the Pliocene Taos plateau basalts in the Rio Grande rift). The Abiquiu Tuff of Smith (1938) is considered equivalent to the Cordito Member.
The MMPI-2 Fake Bad Scale: Concordance and Specificity of True and Estimated Scores

A number of recent studies have supported the use of the MMPI-2 Fake Bad Scale (FBS) as a measure of negative response bias, the scale at times demonstrating greater sensitivity to negative response bias than other MMPI-2 validity scales. However, clinicians may not always have access to True FBS (T-FBS) scores, such as when TrueFalse answer sheets are unavailable or published research studies do not report FBS raw scores. Under these conditions, Larrabee (2003a) suggests a linear regression formula that provides estimated FBS (E-FBS) scores derived from weighted validity and clinical T-Scores. The present study intended to validate this regression formula of MMPI-2 E-FBS scores and demonstrate its specificity in a sample of non-litigating, clinically referred, medically intractable epilepsy patients. We predicted that the EFBS scores would correlate highly (>.70) with the T-FBS scores, that the E-FBS would show comparable correlations with MMPI-2 validity and clinical scales relative to the T-FBS, and that the E-FBS would show an adequate ability to match T-FBS scores using a variety of previously suggested T-FBS raw score cutoffs. Overall, E-FBS scores correlated very highly with T-FBS scores (r = .78, p < .0001), though correlations were especially high for women (r = .85, p < .0001) compared to men (r = .62, p < .001). Thirty-one of 32 (96.9%) comparisons made between E-FBS/T-FBS correlates with other MMPI-2 scales were nonsignificant. When matching to T-FBS “high” and “low” scores, the E-FBS scores demonstrated the highest hit rate (92.5%) through use of Lees-Haley’s (1992) revised cutoffs for men and women. These same cutoffs resulted in excellent overall specificity for both the T-FBS scores (92.5%) and E-FBS scores (90.6%). The authors conclude that the E-FBS represents an adequate estimate of T-FBS scores in the current epilepsy sample. Use of E-FBS scores may be especially useful when clinicians conduct the MMPI-2 short form, which does not include all of the 43 FBS items but does include enough items to compute each of the validity and clinical T-Scores. Future studies should examine E-FBS sensitivity in compensationseekers with incomplete effort.
Natriuretic Factors and Nitric Oxide Suppress Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Role of cGMP in the Regulation of the Plasminogen System

Abstract —Increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been reported in atherosclerotic and balloon-injured vessels. Little is known regarding the factors and mechanisms that may negatively regulate PAI-1 expression. In this report, the effect of cGMP-coupled vasoactive hormones, including natriuretic factors and nitric oxide, on the regulation of PAI-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells was examined. Atrial natriuretic factor 1–28 (ANF) and C-type natriuretic factor-22 (CNP) reduced angiotensin II (Ang II)– and platelet-derived growth factor–stimulated PAI-1 mRNA expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells by 50% to 70%, with corresponding reductions in PAI-1 protein release. Treatment of human aortic smooth muscle cells with CNP similarly inhibited both platelet-derived growth factor–induced PAI-1 mRNA expression and PAI-1 protein release by 50%. Dose-response studies revealed that the inhibitory effects of CNP and ANF on PAI-1 expression were concentration dependent, with IC 50 s of ≈1 nmol/L for both natriuretic peptides. Ang II–stimulated PAI-1 expression was also inhibited by the nitric oxide donor S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine. The membrane-permeant cGMP analogue 8-Br-cGMP reduced Ang II–stimulated PAI-1 expression by 60%, and an inhibitor of soluble guanylyl cyclase (1 H -[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one) significantly impaired the inhibitory effects of S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine on Ang II–stimulated PAI-1 expression. Studies of PAI-1 mRNA stability in cells treated with actinomycin D showed that ANF did not alter PAI-1 mRNA half-life, suggesting that natriuretic factors reduce PAI-1 transcription. These data show that natriuretic factors and nitric oxide, via a cGMP-dependent mechanism, inhibit PAI-1 synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells. Thus, cGMP-coupled vasoactive hormones may play an important role in suppressing vascular PAI-1 expression.
Down's syndrome-associated Single Minded 2 gene as a pancreatic cancer drug therapy target

We report here a pancreatic cancer drug therapy utility of a gene involved in Down's syndrome. Single Minded 2 gene (SIM2) from Down's Syndrome Critical Region was expressed in pancreatic cancer-derived cell lines as well as in tumor tissues, but not in the normal pancreas. A related member of the SIM family, SIM1, did not show similar specificity. Inhibition by antisense technology of one of the isoforms of SIM2, the short-form (SIM2-s) expression in the CAPAN-1 pancreatic cancer cell line, caused a pronounced growth inhibition and induced cell death through apoptosis. The specificity of antisense was inferred from inhibition of SIM2-s mRNA but not the related members of SIM family. In view of the high mortality rate of pancreatic cancer patients, these findings have important implications for the future of pancreatic cancer treatment.
Modeling force response to small boat attack against high value commercial ships

This study examines ways to prevent the success of a small boat attack (SBA) against a larger high value commercial vessel, or high value unit (HVU), through the utilization of an agent-based simulation. The geographic area of concern is the Straits of Malacca. An essential element of the scenario is the limited time available to act against the attackers. Subsequently, the two alternatives considered are the deployment of patrol craft, as well as the placement of well-armed sea marshals on each high value ship.
Computing the Human

Researchers in artificial intelligence and robotics often include a timeline stretching into the future in which they predict the convergence between human and artificial intelligence. Ray Kurzweil...
Factorial Validity and Reliability of a Survey to Assess the Teaching Effectiveness of Graduates of Teacher Education Programs

This study examined the factorial validity of a newly developed 28-item survey called the Teacher Effectiveness Survey (TES) that was designed to assess the teaching effectiveness of graduates of teacher education programs. A sample of 390 principals in 33 states was surveyed. This sample was divided into two subsamples and respondents were randomly assigned to either a training sample (Sample 1, n = 195) or a confirmatory sample (Sample 2, n = 195). An exploratory factor analysis was performed on the data obtained from Sample I to identify an appropriate factor model and to refine the instrument. This approach yielded a three-factor model from which four items were dropped from subsequent analyses. Sample 2 data were subjected to a confirmatory factor analysis using LISREL6, which produced three factors that were identified as Instruction (10 items), Interpersonal/Professional (8 items), and Leadership (6 items). Corresponding estimates of intemal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha) of .96, .92, a...
61.2: Invited Paper: High Performance Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Plastic Substrate for Flexible Display and Electronics

An inorganic dominated silica/polyimide (PI) hybrid film has been successfully developed for the fabrication of flexible AM-OLED. The inorganic-organic hybrid film was achieved in roll type with a variety of attractive properties such as low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE, 33 ppm/°C), high transmittance (within the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm), excellent flexibility and high Yang's modulus.
Relation Between Serum Free Fatty Acids and Adiposity, Insulin Resistance, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors From Adolescence to Adulthood

The objective of this study was to describe longitudinal relations of serum total free fatty acids (FFAs) to insulin resistance (IR) and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors from adolescence into adulthood. The cohort included participants in a longitudinal study of obesity and IR with complete data, including anthropometric measures, FFAs, IR measured by euglycemic clamp, blood pressure, fasting serum lipids, and insulin at mean 15 and 22 years of age (n = 207) and their parents (n = 272). FFAs and IR were not significantly related at mean 15 years of age but were significantly related at mean age 22 years. FFA did not relate to BMI at either age. FFA at 15 years of age estimated IR at 22 years of age. In parents (mean age 51 years), FFA was significantly correlated with BMI, percent body fat, systolic blood pressure, LDL, and IR. Associations with all risk factors except IR in parents were attenuated by adjustment for BMI. Most 22 years of age correlations with parents were higher than corresponding 15 years of age correlations. This study finds that FFA is associated with IR starting in young adulthood. The relation between FFA and CV risk factors does not become significant until later adulthood. The results support a significant impact of early metabolic dysfunction on later CV risk.
Eubacterial SpoVG homologs constitute a new family of site-specific DNA-binding proteins

A site-specific DNA-binding protein was purified from Borrelia burgdorferi cytoplasmic extracts, and determined to be a member of the highly conserved SpoVG family. This is the first time a function has been attributed to any of these ubiquitous bacterial proteins. Further investigations into SpoVG orthologues indicated that the Staphylococcus aureus protein also binds DNA, but interacts preferentially with a distinct nucleic acid sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis and domain swapping between the S. aureus and B. burgdorferi proteins identified that a 6-residue stretch of the SpoVG α-helix contributes to DNA sequence specificity. Two additional, highly conserved amino acid residues on an adjacent β-sheet are essential for DNA-binding, apparently by contacts with the DNA phosphate backbone. Results of these studies thus identified a novel family of bacterial DNA-binding proteins, developed a model of SpoVG-DNA interactions, and provide direction for future functional studies on these wide-spread proteins.
Constant-pH molecular dynamics using continuous titration coordinates

In this work, we explore the ques- tion of whether pKa calculations based on a micro- scopic description of the protein and a macroscopic description of the solvent can be implemented to examine conformationally dependent proton shifts in proteins. To this end, we introduce a new method for performing constant-pH molecular dynamics (PHMD) simulations utilizing the generalized Born implicit solvent model. This approach employs an extended Hamiltonian in which continuous titra- tion coordinates propagate simultaneously with the atomic motions of the system. The values adopted by these coordinates are modulated by potentials of mean force of isolated titratable model groups and the pH to control the proton occupation at particu- lar sites in the polypeptide. Our results for four different proteins yield an absolute average error of 1.6 pK units, and point to the role that thermally driven relaxation of the protein environment in the vicinity of titrating groups plays in modulating the local pKa, thereby influencing the observed pK1/2 values. While the accuracy of our method is not yet equivalent to methods that obtain pK1/2 values through the ad hoc scaling of electrostatics, the present approach and constant pH methods in gen- eral provide a useful framework for studying pH- dependent phenomena. Further work to improve our model to approach quantitative agreement with experiment is outlined. Proteins 2004;56:738 -752.
Antihypertensive Efficacy of Aliskiren Is Hydrochlorothiazide an Appropriate Benchmark

The thorough prospective, randomized, double-blind trial of Schmieder et al1 in the current issue of Circulation convincingly documents that aliskiren treatment provided significantly greater blood pressure (BP) reduction than hydrochlorothiazide. The study is well done; the number of patients (n=1124) is impressive; and the efficacy variables were analyzed, as is appropriate for an intention-to-treat population, with the last observation carried forward method. The authors concluded that aliskiren provided “more effective BP lowering than a thiazide-type diuretic, the drug class recommended by JNC 7 [Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure] guidelines2 as first-line therapy for the treatment of hypertension.” Indeed, not only JNC 7 but also JNC VI, V, IV, III, and I have recommended a thiazide-type diuretic, most commonly hydrochlorothiazide in the United States, as first-line therapy. Thus, over the years and decades, the JNC has elevated hydrochlorothiazide to the gold standard of antihypertensive therapy. Not surprisingly, therefore, hydrochlorothiazide remains the most prescribed drug in the United States. In 2007, >130 million prescriptions for hydrochlorothiazide, either alone or in combination, were written in this country. The doses of hydrochlorothiazide almost exclusively prescribed are 12.5 and 25 mg/d. This begs the question as to how solid the evidence is that hydrochlorothiazide in the dose of 12.5 to 25 mg reduces cardiovascular events (ie, stroke and heart attacks). A thorough scrutiny of the literature reveals little, if any, outcome evidence for low-dose hydrochlorothiazide. All outcome studies were done with higher doses, with hydrochlorothiazide in fixed combinations with a potassium-sparing diuretic, or with chlorthalidone, which obviously is an entirely different antihypertensive drug.3 Hydrochlorothiazide was compared with and found to be inferior to enalapril in the Australian National Blood Pressure 2 study, but the dose is not specified.4 Thus, we have to conclude …