cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Body Environmental

In the 1980s, the community of McFarland, California, rallied to address the disproportionate degree of illness among their citizens. In a town of six thousand, thirteen children had cancer, most of who lived in the same neighborhood. The number was three times what could be expected as "typical" (p. 182). Environmental conditions in the Central Valley of California had long been affected by the human presence and were now adversely affecting the humans present. In this agricultural town-like many others-toxic pesticides from the local agricultural industry were now registering in human bodies as but one example of some vicious costs of modernity.' The McFarland story is an alarmingly familiar one, increasingly common in rural areas since the rise of widespread pesticide use over the twentieth century. However, our familiarity with the story can be more recently dated to the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962, when Carson's groundbreaking exploration of the link between pesticide use and cancer awoke the nation to potential effects of toxic environments on those living within such environments. Scholars have pointed to this publication as a cultural watershed, when in the collective consciousness the perceived wall between humans and the natural environment suddenly appeared to be permeable, and environmental concerns became directly linked to human health. But whose consciousness are we talking about with this watershed? Citizens of McFarland and other Central Valley communities likely would not have needed to read Rachel Carson to be aware that working in the fields was hurting their eyes, their skin, their ability to breathe, or to know that the air smelled foul and the water tasted strange. They would not have needed to read Rachel Carson to understand that their children were suffering from cancer in disproportionate numbers. Perhaps on a local level, in communities like McFarland, that "wall" between humans and the environment has always been seen as permeable or altogether absent.
Pharmacodynamics of Modified Tissue Plasminogen Activator LY210825 in the Conscious Dog as Evaluated with Immunocapture Assays

Abstract We report the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic evaluation of modified tissue plasminogen activator, LY210825, in the conscious dog upon intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.), and intramuscular (i.m.) injection of the single chain form of the thrombolytic enzyme. For this study we applied a battery of immunocapture assays which allows for each plasma sample (time point) the determination of: the t-PA antigen; the functional activity of that antigen; the serine protease activity of the antigen; and, the single chain/two chain composition of the antigen. Upon i.v. injections of 1.0 mg/kg in the conscious dog, we determined the plasma functional half-life of LY210825 to be about 52 min, described by a single exponential rate of disappearance from plasma. This is substantially longer than the 20 min half-life for functionally active LY210825 we previously found in anaesthetized canines. The pharmacokinetics for LY210825 antigen indicate a dual exponential rate of disappearance from plasma: the first phase with a half-life of about 50 min and a second phase with about 250 min as the half-life in plasma. This differs markedly from the 58min half-life for LY210825 antigen found in anaesthetized dogs. We found that single chain LY210825 and nt-PA are slowly converted to two chain forms during circulation in the dog, following i.v. injection. After s.c. dosing of LY210825 (1.0mg/kg), plasma concentrations rapidly reached about 200ng/ml (with specific activity of about 1 IU/ng) and persisted at this level for the 10 h observation period (specific activity slowly decreased to 0.1–0.2IU/ng). Alteplase (nt-PA) was not measurably absorbed upon s.c. administration. After i.m. dosing (1.0mg/kg), plasma LY210825 antigen increased to about 700ng/ml by 60min (with specific activity of 0.2–0.4IU/ng), and persisted at about 600ng/ml throughout 10h (maintaining 40–60 IU/ml functional activity). All plasma LY210825 molecules absorbed from i.m. or s.c. injections were completely in the two chain form, suggesting conversion from the injection single chain form in the tissue depot prior to or during absorption. These studies show that i.v. bolus injected LY210825 provides more thrombolytic drug exposure in the conscious state than predicted from experiments in anesthetized dogs, and that i.m. and s.c. administration of LY210825 provides substantial and persistent plasma levels of the two-chain enzyme. These properties should be useful for non-hospital administration of LY210825 and should allow for flexible dosing regimens. Additionally, we have illustrated the utility of an immunocapture assay battery for the comprehensive pharmacological evaluation of t-PA molecules.
Regulation of Parathyroid Hormone Secretion in Vitro: Quantitative Aspects of Calcium and Magnesium Ion Control

In studies of parathyroid hormone secretion in organ culture, the quantitative aspects of calcium and magnesium ion control were compared. The response of the glands in vitro paralleled their function in vivo, indicating that the system was a valid model for studying hormone regulation. There was a first-order relationship between hormone release and the total concentration of divalent cation (calcium plus magnesium); calcium and magnesium ions were equivalent in blocking the release of hormone. These observations emphasize the physiologic regulation of parathyroid hormone secretion by both calcium and magnesium ions and suggest the possibility of a cation-ligand interaction in or at the surface of the parathyroid cell. (Endocrinology 88: 1477, 1971)
Suture tracks after hypospadias repair.

Objective To determine the incidence of suture tracks after hypospadias repair in which 6-0 chromic catgut was used to close the skin. Patients and methods From an initial series of 72 boys undergoing tubularized, incised-plate hypospadias repair, 23 (32%) were evaluated 1 year or more after surgery. Results Of the 23 boys, 10 (43%) were found to have suture tracks. In all cases tracks were located on the ventral shaft skin and did not involve the glans or dorsal aspect of the circumcision. These tracks had not been detected at an earlier follow-up. Conclusions Tracks resulting from small absorbable sutures may not be apparent soon after surgery because the sinus is small. With time, the sinuses fill with keratin and thereby become obvious. The location of these tracks suggests that relative hypovascularity of ventral shaft skin may contribute to their development. The use of subcutaneous sutures may diminish the incidence of this minor complication of hypospadias surgery.
INTRAVESICAL CAPSAICIN AND RESINIFERATOXIN THERAPY: SPICING UP THE WAYS TO TREAT THE OVERACTIVE BLADDER

AbstractPurpose: Pharmacological treatment of the overactive bladder relies on partially blocking the efferent parasympathetic innervation to the detrusor with anticholinergic drugs. However, often these drugs have troublesome side effects and doses are insufficient to restore continence in patients with detrusor instability. We present the background, basic and clinical research with intravesical instillation of capsaicin and resiniferatoxin as treatments for the overactive bladder.Materials and Methods: Capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in hot peppers of the genus Capsicum, is a specific neurotoxin that desensitizes C fiber afferent neurons which may be responsible for signals that trigger detrusor overactivity.Results: In the last 6 years studies have demonstrated encouraging improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms with minimal long-term complications. Most of these studies have also demonstrated that the acute pain and irritation associated with capsaicin are major deterrents to widespread us...
Taxonomy for integrating scheduling theory and human factors: Review and research opportunities

Abstract Consider a human facing a variety of physically or cognitively demanding tasks, who then performs these tasks in a sequence that has been determined either strategically or arbitrarily. Just as the exhaustive scheduling literature has repeatedly demonstrated the significant impact that scheduling decisions have on system performance, the human factors literature suggests that task sequencing decisions have a profound impact on human performance and well-being. The latter claim is justified almost exclusively by empirical methods. The alternative of applying classic scheduling theory to sequencing decisions involving human tasks was proposed over a decade ago. However, these pioneering frameworks did not delineate a mathematical basis for incorporating human behavior into the machine scheduling paradigm. The purpose of this paper is to establish a framework for scheduling human tasks that account for physical and/or cognitive human characteristics and behaviors. The framework is constructed by surveying the human factors literature in an effort to identify human characteristics that are relevant to task sequencing, and by reviewing emerging areas of the scheduling literature that are auspicious with respect to modeling these human characteristics in a scheduling context. Interdisciplinary research opportunities in scheduling and human factors are also discussed. Relevance to industry This paper is inspired by the physical and cognitive challenges associated with semi-automated order picking in warehouses. While pick schedules are often designed in practice based on metrics such as maximizing throughput and meeting delivery schedules, this paper describes a framework for task sequencing that accounts for the worker's risk and aims to maximize the worker's productivity. The proposed task-sequencing framework is general and relevant to any working environment characterized by demanding tasks, task variety, and objectives related to productivity and safety.
Remote sensing of hydrological fluxes

Remote sensing is developing as a measurement technique to the point where data are starting to be used operationally in a quantitative way other than just in weather forecasting. In addition, many other uses of the data are being developed because of the sparseness of conventional data in many parts of the world. A recent session of AGU's Hydrology Section at the Spring Meeting in Baltimore, Md., featured discussions of some of the recent advances in the use of remotely sensed data to estimate hydrological fluxes. Several papers dealt with remote sensing aspects of the First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE), following another session of the Hydrology Section, which discussed nonremote sensing results from FIFE. S. N. Goward (University of Maryland, College Park) presented a review of empirical results from time series of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer at the FIFE site and their relationship to some conventional observations. He showed strong relationships between spectral vegetation indices and surface temperature with scatter being at least partly caused by surface moisture variations. Unraveling the relationships from a physical point of view will involve a greater understanding of atmospheric effects and surface properties from other concurrent measurements during FIFE. Similar relationships between spectral vegetation indices and surface temperature were observed and reported by C. L. Walthall (University of Maryland, College Park), who used a radiometer mounted on a helicopter to collect data at the FIFE site. This indicates that the relationships are not entirely due to atmospheric effects. M. F. Jasinski and P. S. Eagleson (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge) described a theoretical reflectance model for spectral vegetation indices in terms of ground cover that will be extremely useful in interpreting these experimental results. R. N. Halthore (Applied Research Corp., Landover, Md.) described some of the measurements of aerosols during FIFE, in a paper coauthored by R. S. Fraser (Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.), R. Ferrare (University of Maryland, Greenbelt) and T. O. Aro (University of Ilorin, Nigeria). Their results disagree with some others collected during FIFE by other investigators: all measurements have to be reconciled. J. R. Wang (Goddard) in a paper coauthored by J. C. Shiue (Goddard), T. J. Schmugge (USDA, Baltimore, Md.), and E. T. Engman (USDA, Beltsville, Md.) described some of the measurements of soil moisture made using an airborne L-band passive microwave radiometer on the FIFE site. These estimates were shown to be replicable over several years, although there was some sensitivity to whether the vegetation in the area had been burned the previous year. All the FIFE investigators are now only starting to look at several sets of data of different types, and use them together, and to begin to look at the problem of relating observations taken at different spatial scales.
Effect of high-frequency gastric electrical stimulation on gastric myoelectric activity in gastroparetic patients

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) on gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) and to identify possible mechanisms that could help explain how high-frequency GES is effective in treating nausea and vomiting associated with gastroparesis. Fifteen gastroparetic patients who received high-frequency GES were enrolled. Two pairs of temporary pacing wires were implanted on the serosa of the stomach along the greater curvature during surgery for placement of the permanent stimulation device. Two-channel serosal recordings of GMA before and during GES were measured. A gastric emptying test and severity of nausea and vomiting were assessed at baseline and at 3 months of GES. Power spectral and cross correlation analyses revealed that impaired propagation of slow waves (50%), tachygastria (30%) and abnormal myoelectric responses to a meal (50%) were the main abnormalities observed at baseline. GES with a high frequency significantly enhanced the slow wave amplitude and propagation velocity, and resulted in a significant improvement in nausea and vomiting but did not entrain the gastric slow wave or improve gastric emptying after 3 months of GES.
Interactions of Nonaqueous Solvents with Textile Fibers Part XI. Nomex® Shrinkage Behavior

This paper summarizes an investigation of the effects of interactive chemical solvents on the structure and properties of Nomex®, a fibrous aromatic polyamide. Dynamic and isothermal shrinkage experiments were performed on Nomex yarn in dimethyl formamide (DMF), dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) over wide temperature ranges. The rate of the solvent-induced shrinkage was established as being dependent on solvent diffusion. Over a wide temperature range, the equilibrium shrinkage in DMF and in DMAc was found to be independent of temperature. In DMSO, on the other hand, the equilibrium shrinkage was strongly temperature-depeddent above a postulated transitional region around 42°C. The molecular-relaxation mechanism manifest as shrinkage in DMF, in DMAc, and in DMSO below 42°C is postulated to proceed via a rigid chain-slippage process. Above 42°C in DMSO the glass-transition relaxation mechanism involving micro-Brownian motion is postulated. There is evidence for microvoid formation in the Nomex after treatments in the three solvents at 100°C. Improved dyeability is evident in prelimi nary experiments.
Speaking Into the iPhone: An Interview With John Durham Peters, or, Ghostly Cessation for the Digital Age

Conducted by media scholar, Carolyn L. Kane, this interview was recorded on Saturday morning of April 25, 2009, in an empty classroom at MIT, during the MIT6 Media in Transition conference, using Ms. Kane’s iPhone. The morning before, John Durham Peters gave his lecture, “What Ever Happened to Loneliness?” The interview also occurs in honor of the 10th anniversary of Speaking into the Air: A History of the Idea of Communication, a text that bridges European, Canadian, and American communications scholarship within an intellectual framework of lost loves and uncanny ghosts. This 2009 interview extends the discussion to more recent issues of loneliness in light of social networking technologies, critical methods, and coping strategies for the information age, the ghosts of digital media, and the present, past, and future of media studies and archiving in the United States.
Notes on canonical label languages

Derivations by a phrase-structure grammar may be represented by a word over the set of indices for the rules of the grammar. The set of all label words constitutes the label language for the grammar. The canonical label language is the restriction of the label language to the set of canonical derivations of the grammar. Whether a given language may be the label language for any grammar is partially answered by restricting the question to the canonical derivations for regular and contextfree grammars.
ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOACOUSTIC SPECTROSCOPY EVALUATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION ULTRAVIOLET ABSORBER OF PAINT ADDITIVES AS A RESULT OF PROCESSING

The application of UV photoacoustic spectroscopy to the evaluation of UV-absorbing paint additives in clear paint layers is described. This technique enables the quantitative analysis of additive concentration and aids in determining the effects due to paint processes and substrate composition changes on additive concentration. The inclusion of photoacoustic phase information is essential to offset the saturation effects that dominate these strongly absorbing samples. Two analysis techniques are evaluated, both of which partially or totally utilize the phase data. When comparisons between samples on substrates with different heat capacities are needed, the phase-only method is preferred. Otherwise, the two methods give comparable results. Using these methods, two different paint/substrate/additive systems are easily evaluated for changes in process or changes in substrate materials. The instrumentation and interpretation methods are discussed in detail.
Infection by CXCR4-Tropic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Is Inhibited by the Cationic Cell-Penetrating Peptide Derived from HIV-1 Tat

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), which are short peptides that are capable of crossing the plasma membrane of a living cell, are under development as delivery vehicles for therapeutic agents that cannot themselves enter the cell. One well-studied CPP is the 10-amino acid peptide derived from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein. In experiments to test the hypothesis that multiple cationic amino acids within Tat peptide confer antiviral activity against HIV-1, introduction of Tat peptide resulted in concentration-dependent inhibition of HIV-1 IIIB infection. Using Tat peptide variants containing arginine substitutions for two nonionic residues and two lysine residues, HIV-1 inhibition experiments demonstrated a direct relationship between cationic charge and antiviral potency. These studies of Tat peptide as an antiviral agent raise new questions about the role of Tat in HIV-1 replication and provide a starting point for the development of CPPs as novel HIV-1 inhibitors.
Sensor management policies to provide application QoS

Abstract Wireless sensor networks are uniquely characterized by tight energy and bandwidth constraints. These networks should be designed to provide enough data to their application so that a reliable description of the environment can be derived, while operating as energy-efficiently as possible and at the same time meeting bandwidth constraints. These goals are typically contradicting and must be balanced at the point where the application is best satisfied. In this paper, we address the problem of maximizing lifetime for a wireless sensor network while meeting a minimum level of application quality of service. This maximization is achieved by jointly scheduling active sensor sets and finding paths for data routing. significantly increased through optimized several heuristic methods. Simulation results show that several heuristic policies can achieve near optimal network lifetime.
Cue-Mediated Recruitment in a Swarm-Founding Wasp: Successful Foragers Induce Nestmates to Search Off Nest for a Scented Carbohydrate Resource

The ability of social insect colonies to recruit nestmates to profitable resources increases colony-wide foraging efficiency by providing individuals with information that narrows their search for resources. Here we ask if for the Neotropical swarm-founding wasp Polybia occidentalis naive nestmates are able to use food-scent cues from rich carbohydrate resources brought to the nest by successful foragers to orient to off nest resources. Foragers were allowed to freely visit a training dish containing a scented sucrose solution. At a second location, in a different direction from the nest, two sucrose-filled dishes were offered, one with the training scent and one with an alternate scent. Naive foragers preferentially chose the training scent over the alternate scent, indicating that natural rates of resource inflow to the nest are sufficient to induce nestmates to forage at resources with a specific scent. Naive foragers did not forage more often at the location at which the active foragers were foraging, an indication that directional information is not communicated in this species. The total number of foraging trips made by a colony's foragers was not determined by the size of the foraging force, but rather by the average individual foraging rate for the colony.
EPR with Rigidly Bound Spin Labels used to Probe the Interaction of Calmodulin with the Ryanodine Receptor

We have used site-directed spin labeling and EPR spectroscopy to probe the structural dynamics of calmodulin bound to a ryanodine receptor target peptide. Calmodulin binds to a conserved 30-amino acid sequence on the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel (ryanodine receptor, RyR) and directly modulate its activity in muscle contraction. In order to characterize the structural details of this crucial interaction, a bifunctional spin label was used to rigidly label di-cysteine mutant calmodulin at positions 34 and 38. Solid-phase peptide synthesis was used to create a peptide corresponding to the calmodulin binding site on the ryanodine receptor channel (RyRp, residues 3614-3643 in RyR1) with a TOAC spin label rigidly coupled to the backbone. The intermolecular distance distribution between the two spin probes was determined by EPR, using both continuous wave dipolar broadening and dipolar electron-electron resonance (DEER). The center of the distance distribution was in good agreement with the crystal structure of the complex (18 A), but the width of the distribution was ∼ 1 nm, comparable to that observed previously within calmodulin itself. Thus calmodulin retains significant inter-lobe domain motion, even after RyRp binding. These results are consistent with a model in which calmodulin binds RyRp, bringing its two terminal lobes close together but preventing them from physical contact with each other, allowing flexibility in each of the lobe.
Cross-neutralization of two different trypanosome populations derived from a single organism

Antigenic variation observed during the course of infections with Trypanosoma brucei in mammals is caused by amino acid sequence changes in a variable surface glycoprotein (VSG)1–3. Antisera to isolated VSGs generally react only with the surface of homologous trypanosomes in neutralization and immunofluorescence tests1,4, except in the case of certain ‘isotypic’ populations derived from different field isolates of trypanosomes5. An important question in evaluating the possibility of a vaccine is whether a single trypanosome can change into a second population which shares some, but not all, surface exposed epitopes during the limited time span of several sequential infections. If any trypanosomes in a mixture share exposed epitopes, the complexity of the necessary immunogen is reduced. We show here that two trypanosome clones WaTat 1.1 and WaTat 1.12, derived by differentiation from a single organism, have partially homologous VSGs and indeed share some similar exposed epitopes. Hence, a monospecific anti-VSG antiserum neutralizes both trypanosomes. However, several surface-exposed epitopes in WaTat 1.12 VSG exhibit reduced binding affinity for monoclonal antibodies made against WaTat 1.1 VSG and one epitope present on WaTat 1.1 trypanosomes is missing from the surface of WaTat 1.12 organisms.
Redundancy of DNA from human X chromosomes.

Abstract Using a sensitive modification of the technique of DNA-DNA hybridization the average repetition frequencies of DNA from human XO and 3X cells were compared in an attempt to determine if facultative heterochromatin has a disproportionate amount of redundant DNA. No differences were found in the kinetics of hybridization or of depletion, indicating that DNA of the facultative heterochromatin of the X-chromosome is similar in overall redundancy to autosomal DNA.
Heliothis zea: Oviposition Chamber and Egg Collection Technique for Mass Production

An oviposition chamber was designed to accommodate 400 pairs of adult corn earworms. The differential ability of the moths to cling to surfaces was utilized to obtain selective oviposition on wax-impregnated paper. Eggs could be detached easily from the waxed sheets without the aid of solvents by applying physical pressure with a brush. Total egg production for 5 days was ca. 279,000, averaging 698.5/female, with 72.3% eclosion.
The effect of embedded Pb on Cu diffusion on Pb/Cu(111) surface alloys.

Abstract We have used scanning tunneling microscopy and low-energy electron microscopy to measure the thermal decay of two-dimensional Cu, Pb-overlayer, and Pb–Cu alloy islands on Pb–Cu(1 1 1) surface alloys. Decay rates covering 6–7 orders of magnitude are accessible by applying the two techniques to the same system. We find that Cu adatom diffusion across the surface alloy is rate-limiting for the decay of both Pb and Pb–Cu islands on the surface alloy and that this rate decreases monotonically with increasing Pb concentration in the alloy. The decrease is attributed to repulsive interactions between Cu adatoms and embedded Pb atoms in the surface alloy. The measured temperature dependences of island decay rates are consistent with first-principles calculations of the Cu binding and diffusion energies related to this “site-blocking” effect.
Extracellular superoxide dismutase in vessels and airways of humans and baboons

Abstract Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC SOD) is generally the least abundant SOD isozyme in tissues, while the intracellular Cu,Zn SOD is usually the most abundant isozyme. The biological significance of EC SOD is unknown. Immunolocalization studies show that EC SOD is in the connective tissue surrounding smooth muscle in vessels and airways within the lung. Endothelium derived relaxing factor, thought to be a nitric oxide (NO·) species, is a primary mediator of vascular relaxation. During NO·′ diffusion between the endothelium and smooth muscle, extracellular superoxide would be the most efficient scavenger of NO·. High levels of extracellualar superoxide dismutase in vessels could, therefore, be essential to enable NO' to modulate vascular tone. To evaluate the hypothesis that vessel walls are functionally rich in extracellular superoxide scavenging capacity, this study quantitates the EC SOD levels in pulmonary and systemic vessels and in airways. Both pulmonary and systemic arteries in humans and baboons were found to contain high activities of EC SOD. The level of EC SOD in all human and baboon arteries examined is greater than or equal to the level of intracellular Cu,Zn SOD, and EC SOD accounted for over 70% of the total SOD activity in some vessels examined. Immunolocalization of EC SOD in human and baboon vessels show similar distributions of this enzyme in pulmonary and systemic vessels. EC SOD is located beneath the endothelium, surrounding smooth muscle cells, and throughout the adventitia of vessels. The high level of EC SOD in vessels, and its localization between endothelial and smooth muscle cells, suggest that regulation of superoxide may be particularly important in this region, possibly in regulating vascular tone.
Excitement at the mall: Determinants and effects on shopping response

Abstract Competition between malls and newer forms of shopping centers has led mall developers and management to consider alternative methods to build excitement with customers. In this study, we examine the relationship between three factors (tenant variety, mall environment and shopping involvement) on shoppers' excitement and desire to stay at a mall. Results show that the three factors have a differential influence on excitement and desire to stay, which in turn are found to influence repatronage intentions and outshopping.
Research Findings on Overactive Bladder

Several physiopathologic conditions lead to the manifestation of overactive bladder (OAB). These conditions include ageing, diabetes mellitus, bladder outlet obstruction, spinal cord injury, stroke and brain injury, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, interstitial cystitis, stress and depression. This review has discussed research findings in human and animal studies conducted on the above conditions. Several structural and functional changes under these conditions have not only been observed in the lower urinary tract, but also in the brain and spinal cord. Significant changes were observed in the following areas: neurotransmitters, prostaglandins, nerve growth factor, Rho-kinase, interstitial cells of Cajal, and ion and transient receptor potential channels. Interestingly, alterations in these areas showed great variation in each of the conditions of the OAB, suggesting that the pathophysiology of the OAB might be different in each condition of the disease. It is anticipated that this review will be helpful for further research on new and specific drug development against OAB.
Core Self-Evaluations and Work Success

Core self-evaluations (CSE) is a broad, integrative trait indicated by self-esteem, locus of control, generalized self-efficacy, and (low) neuroticism (high emotional stability). While only a decade old, research on CSE suggests that it explains much of the overlap among these trait measures, while also predicting many work and other applied outcomes better than the individual traits. Individuals with high levels of CSE perform better on their jobs, are more successful in their careers, are more satisfied with their jobs and lives, report lower levels of stress and conflict, cope more effectively with setbacks, and better capitalize on advantages and opportunities. Though research on individual self-concept traits such as self-esteem and locus of control should continue, researchers interested in these traits should consider the advantages of CSE in its relation to success in work and in life.
Interval estimation by simulation as an alternative to and extension of confidence intervals

There are numerous techniques for constructing confidence intervals, most of which are unavailable in standard software. Modern computing power allows one to replace these techniques with relatively simple, general simulation methods. These methods extend easily to incorporate sources of uncertainty beyond random error. The simulation concepts are explained in an example of estimating a population attributable fraction, a problem for which analytical formulas can be quite unwieldy. First, simulation of conventional intervals is illustrated and compared to bootstrapping. The simulation is then extended to include sampling of bias parameters from prior distributions. It is argued that the use of almost any neutral or survey-based prior that allows non-zero values for bias parameters will produce an interval estimate less misleading than a conventional confidence interval. Along with simplicity and generality, the ease with which simulation can incorporate these priors is a key advantage over conventional methods.
Parents’ beliefs about the healthfulness of sugary drink options: opportunities to address misperceptions

Objective To assess potential misperceptions among parents regarding the healthfulness of sugary drinks for their children. Design Online survey of parents. Participants identified the categories and specific brands of sugary drinks they provided for their children. They also indicated their perceptions of sugary drink categories and brands as healthy options for children, perceived importance of on-package claims in purchase decisions and their concerns about common sugary drink ingredients. Setting Online market research panel. Subjects Parents (n 982) of 2- to 17-year-olds, 46 % non-white or Hispanic. Results Ninety-six per cent of parents provided on average 2·9 different categories of sugary drinks for their children in the past month. Flavoured waters, fruit drinks and sports drinks were rated as the healthiest sugary drink categories. Across all categories and brands, parents who purchased specific products rated them as significantly healthier than those who did not (P<0·05). Over half of parents reported concern about caffeine, sugar and artificial sweeteners in sugary drinks that their children consume and approximately one-third reported that on-package ingredient claims were important in their purchase decisions. Conclusions Nearly all parents provide sugary drinks for their children and many believe that some sugary drinks are healthy options for children, particularly flavoured waters, fruit drinks and sports drinks. Furthermore, many parents rely upon on-package claims in their purchase decisions. Given excessive consumption of added sugar by children in the home, there is a continuing need to address parents’ misperceptions about the healthfulness of many sugary drink products.
Molecular mapping of 36 soybean male-sterile, female-sterile mutants.

Mutability of the w 4 flower color locus in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is conditioned by an unstable allele designated w 4 -m. Germinal revertants, purple-flower plants, recovered among self-pollinated progeny of mutable flower plants were associated with the generation of necrotic root, chlorophyll-deficiency, and sterility mutations. Thirty-seven male-sterile, female-sterile mutant lines were generated from 37 independent reversion events at the w 4 -m locus. The first germinal revertant study had one male-sterile, female-sterile mutant (st8, T352), located on Molecular Linkage Group (MLG) J. The second study had 36 germinal-revertant derived sterility mutants descended from four mutable categories of w 4 -m. The mutable categories were designated; (1) low frequency of early excisions, (2) low frequency of late excisions, (3) high frequency of early excisions, and (4) high frequency of late excisions. The objectives of the present study were to; (1) molecularly map the 36 male-sterile, female-sterile mutants, and to (2) compare map locations of these mutants with T352 (st8), identified from the first germinal revertant study. Thirty-three of 36 male-sterile, female-sterile mutations were derived from germinal reversions that were classified in the late excision categories. Thirty-five male-sterile mutants mapped to the st8 region on MLG J. The only exception mapped to MLG G. Most likely mutants were generated through insertion of a putative transposon that was excised from the w 4 locus. The location of 36 of 37 mutations to a single chromosomal region suggests preference for sequence-dependent insertion.
Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation protects against sepsis-induced organ injury and inflammation.

Abstract Background Mortality in sepsis is most often attributed to the development of multiple organ failure. In sepsis, inflammation-mediated endothelial activation, defined as a proinflammatory and procoagulant state of the endothelial cells, has been associated with severity of disease. Thus, the objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation limits inflammation and endothelium activation to protect against organ injury in sepsis. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR), which is an adenosine monophosphate analog, has been used to upregulate activity of AMPK. Compound C is a cell-permeable pyrrazolopyrimidine compound that inhibits AMPK activity. Methods Wild-type mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham surgery. Mice were randomized to vehicle, AICAR, or compound C. Mouse kidney endothelial cells were used for in vitro experiments. Renal and liver function were determined by serum cystatin C, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and alanine aminotransferase. Serum cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Microvascular injury was determined using Evans blue dye and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure protein levels of phospho-AMPK (p-AMPK), microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3), and intracellular adhesion molecule. LC3 levels were used as a measure of autophagosome formation. Results AICAR decreased liver and kidney injury induced by CLP and minimized cytokine elevation in vivo and in vitro. CLP increased renal and hepatic phosphorylation of AMPK and autophagic signaling as determined by LC3. Inhibition of AMPK with compound C prevented CLP-induced autophagy and exacerbated tissue injury. Additionally, CLP led to endothelial injury as determined by electron microscopy and Evans blue dye extravasation, and AICAR limited this injury. Furthermore, AICAR limited CLP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced upregulation of intracellular adhesion molecule in vivo and in vitro and decreased LPS-induced neutrophil adhesion in vitro. Conclusions In this model, activation of AMPK was protective, and AICAR minimized organ injury by decreasing inflammatory cytokines and endothelial activation. These data suggest that AMPK signaling influences sepsis or LPS-induced endothelial activation and organ injury.
A stochastic monotonicity result for cyclic service systems with limited service discipline

Motivated by the need to understand the behavior of polling schemes used in communication networks, an examination is made of the behavior of a limited service discipline in cyclic service systems with respect to the workload process of the system. The workload process represents the amount of work in the system at any given instant and is the basis for many important systemwide performance measures. It is shown that when there are positive walk times, the workload process is minimized by choosing the maximum allowable number of customers to be served per visit to be as large as possible. The result is proved using sample path comparison arguments and holds under general assumptions about the interval, service, and walk-time distributions. >
Customer Portfolio Management: Toward a Dynamic Theory of Exchange Relationships

Abstract Management of an entire portfolio of customers who are at different relationship stages requires a dynamic theory of exchange relationships that captures the trade-offs between scale economies and lifetime customer value. This article contributes to the understanding of relationship management by developing a typology of exchange relationship mechanisms and a model of relationship dynamics and by simulating the model to provide guidelines for customer portfolio management. An important insight from the research is that a key to the creation of value through closer relationships lies in bringing weaker relationships into a portfolio in the first place. Another insight is that firms that position themselves toward offerings with low economies of scale, such as personal services, must build closer relationships to create value.
Transport and turnover of acetylcholinesterase and choline acetyltransferase in rat sciatic nerve and skeletal muscle.

: We studied the axonal transport and turnover of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities in rat sciatic nerve and skeletal muscle. AChE activity accumulated proximal to a sciatic nerve ligation rapidly and linearly for 4-6 h, and ChAT accumulated much more slowly, but linearly, for at least 4 days. In the nerve segment distal to a ligation, AChE activity accumulated rapidly and linearly for 3-4 h, while no change was found for ChAT for up to 48 h. Only 13% of total AChE activity in rat sciatic nerve moved in the rapidly transported phase. The absolute rate of rapid orthograde axonal transport of AChE activity was estimated to be approximately 390 mm per day and for retrograde transport approximately 230 mm per day. ChAT transport occurred only in the orthograde direction and at a rate of approximately 1-2 mm per day. It is suggested that previous investigations of turnover of AChE and ChAT activities in skeletal muscle over-estimated the true rate of turnover. We estimate that the theoretical minimal rate of turnover for total AChE and ChAT activities in skeletal muscle were 200 days and 950 days, respectively.
The role of switching in reducing the number of electronic ports in WDM networks

We consider the role of switching in minimizing the number of electronic ports [e.g., synchronous optical network (SONET) add/drop multiplexers] in an optical network that carries subwavelength traffic. Providing nodes with the ability to switch traffic between wavelengths, such as through the use of SONET cross-connects, can reduce the required number of electronic ports. We show that only limited switching ability is needed for significant reductions in the number of ports. First, we consider architectures where certain "hub" nodes can switch traffic between wavelengths and other nodes have no switching capability. For such architectures, we provide a lower bound on the number of electronic ports that is a function of the number of hub nodes. We show that our lower bound is relatively tight by providing routing and grooming algorithms that nearly achieve the bound. For uniform traffic, we show that the number of electronic ports is nearly minimized when the number of hub nodes used is equal to the number of wavelengths of traffic generated by each node. Next, we consider architectures where the switching ability is distributed throughout the network. Such architectures are shown to require a similar number of ports as the hub architectures, but with a significantly smaller "switching cost." We give an algorithm for designing such architectures and characterize a class of topologies, where the minimum number of ports is used. Finally, we provide a general upper bound on the amount of switching required in the network. For uniform traffic, our bound shows that as the size of the network increases, each traffic stream must be switched at most once in order to achieve the minimum port count.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in the Relief of Primary Dysmenorrhea

The purpose of this study was to replicate a previous study to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture-like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in treating primary dysmenorrhea. Twenty-one women with dysmenorrhea received a placebo pill or 30 minutes of acupuncture-like TENS. All subjects completed two pain questionnaires before treatment; immediately posttreatment; 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes posttreatment; and the next morning upon awakening. Each woman also participated in a separate study measuring electrical resistance at four auricular acupuncture points before and immediately after treatment. The data were analyzed with a two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance, which revealed statistical significance over time but not for group or interaction between group and time. Results revealed an average pain relief of at least 50% immediately posttreatment, indicating that acupuncture-like TENS may be useful for dysmenorrheic pain. This study also suggests that auriculotherapy via acupressure may relieve the pain of primary dysmenorrhea.
Design, construction, and field mapping of the HISTRAP prototype dipole

HISTRAP is a proposed 2.67 T-m synchrotron-cooler-storage ring having eight 45 degrees , C-design dipole magnets. A prototype dipole has been designed, fabricated, and mapped. The magnet design utilizes curved and angled coil ends to compensate for end effects in the field. Construction of the prototype dipole has been completed by the FNAL magnet factory. The magnetic field has been mapped using a Hall-effect probe affixed to a newly constructed, PC-based, horizontal positioning system. Results of the field mapping are presented. Results showing almost identical integrated and central profiles verified that the curved and angled coil end design did cancel the sextupole component found in typical C-shaped dipoles with straight coil ends. Except for the small quadrupole component, the predicted field profiles very accurately modeled the actual field profiles. >
Our 25+ Year Journey To AACSB Accreditation

How does a publicly supported university with a primary focus on teaching, achieve accreditation from the premier agency and service organization for business schools all over the world, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)? Our journey began in 1978 when a college department hired a Dean, became a separate business school and had a vision to become a successful leader in business education. Our goal was achieved and culminated on January 7, 2005 with the accreditation of our undergraduate and graduate business programs. The who, what, where, when and why of our 25+ year journey will be provided. Particular emphasis will be placed on our numerous hurdles and how the goal was achieved such as funding availability; curriculum reform; raising publication rates, and why it took so long to get accredited.
Checking beliefs in dynamic networks

Network Verification is a form of model checking in which a model of the network is checked for properties stated using a specification language. Existing network verification tools lack a general specification language and hardcode the network model. Hence they cannot, for example, model policies at a high level of abstraction. Neither can they model dynamic networks; even a simple packet format change requires changes to internals. Standard verification tools (e.g., model checkers) have expressive specification and modeling languages but do not scale to large header spaces. We introduce Network Optimized Datalog (NoD) as a tool for network verification in which both the specification language and modeling languages are Datalog. NoD can also scale to large to large header spaces because of a new filter-project operator and a symbolic header representation. As a consequence, NoD allows checking for beliefs about network reachability policies in dynamic networks. A belief is a high-level invariant (e.g., "Internal controllers cannot be accessed from the Internet") that a network operator thinks is true. Beliefs may not hold, but checking them can uncover bugs or policy exceptions with little manual effort. Refuted beliefs can be used as a basis for revised beliefs. Further, in real networks, machines are added and links fail; on a longer term, packet formats and even forwarding behaviors can change, enabled by OpenFlow and P4. NoD allows the analyst to model such dynamic networks by adding new Datalog rules. For a large Singapore data center with 820K rules, NoD checks if any guest VM can access any controller (the equivalent of 5K specific reachability invariants) in 12 minutes. NoD checks for loops in an experimental SWAN backbone network with new headers in a fraction of a second. NoD generalizes a specialized system, SecGuru, we currently use in production to catch hundreds of configuration bugs a year. NoD has been released as part of the publicly available Z3 SMT solver.
Information Processing for Motor Performance in Aging Adults

Movement control systems are altered by the aging process. A growing body of research exists that explains the known changes that occur with aging, and many of those changes are related to central nervous system (CNS) effects. This article reviews motor control and learning issues related to CNS information-processing effects of aging and the effects of practice and physical conditioning on reactive capacity. The extensive variability in motor-performance abilities of older people is addressed, and the significance of individual differences is emphasized.