cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liver disease in the drug-using adolescent

Evaluation of 7,272 presumably well adolescent users of heroin, sedatives and airplane glue revealed abnormalities in liver function in 37 per cent. Elevation of the concentration of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase was the most common abnormality, while elevation of serum bilirubin levels was recorded in less than 10 per cent. These abnormalities were prevalent in the patients who used heroin and sedatives. Inhalation of airplane glue was not associated with abnormalities in liver function tests. The substances commontly abused by our patients did not appear toxic when tested in an in vitro system designed to evaluate acute hepatotoxicity. The long-term prognosis of chronic persistent hepatitis in teen-agers who abuse drugs is still unknown.
Culture of canine synoviocytes on porcine intestinal submucosa scaffolds as a strategy for meniscal tissue engineering for treatment of meniscal injury in dogs.

Abstract Meniscal injury is a common cause of canine lameness. Tissue engineered bioscaffolds may be a treatment option for dogs suffering from meniscal damage. The aim of this study was to compare in vitro meniscal-like matrix formation and biomechanical properties of porcine intestinal submucosa sheets (SIS), used in canine meniscal regenerative medicine, to synoviocyte-seeded SIS bioscaffold (SSB), cultured with fetal bovine serum (SSBfbs) or chondrogenic growth factors (SSBgf). Synoviocytes from nine dogs were seeded on SIS and cultured for 30 days with 17.7% fetal bovine serum or recombinant chondrogenic growth factors (IGF-1, TGFβ1 and bFGF). The effect on fibrochondrogenesis was determined by comparing mRNA expression of collagen types Iα and IIα, aggrecan, and Sry-type homeobox protein-9 (SOX9) as well as protein expression of collagens I and II, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and hydroxyproline. The effect of synoviocyte seeding and culture conditions on biochemical properties was determined by measuring peak load, tensile stiffness, resilience, and toughness of bioscaffolds. Pre-culture SIS contained 13.6% collagen and 2.9% double-stranded DNA. Chondrogenic growth factor treatment significantly increased SOX9, collagens I and IIα, aggrecan gene expression (P
Robot's play: interactive games with sociable machines

Personal robots for human entertainment form a new class of computer-based entertainment that is beginning to become commercially and computationally practical. We expect that the principal manifestation of the robots' entertainment capabilities will be socially interactive game playing. We describe this form of gaming and summarize our current efforts in this direction on our lifelike, expressive, autonomous humanoid robot. Our focus is on teaching the robot via playful interaction using natural social gesture and language. We detail this in terms of two broad categories: teaching as play and teaching with play.
Contributions of young platelets and of previously activated platelets to platelet reactivity in patients with coronary artery disease.

Abstract Introduction We sought to determine why some patients with coronary artery disease have more platelets that do not activate (express P-selectin on their surface) despite exposure in vitro to high concentrations of agonists and whether this finding is associated with altered platelet reactivity. Methods We assessed platelet activation and the proportion of young platelets with the use of flow cytometry in blood from 50 patients with coronary artery disease undergoing cardiac catheterization. Ultrastructural characteristics of platelets isolated with the use of a fluorescence activated cell sorter were assessed with the use of electron microscopy. Results Ultrastructural characteristics of platelets that did not exhibit surface expression of P-selectin in response to 50 nM thrombin delineated 2 groups; resting platelets devoid of glycogen stores and activated platelets. Because the activated platelets had shed their surface P-selectin we refer to them as ‘previously activated’ platelets. To estimate the proportion of ‘previously activated’ platelets we quantified the percentage of platelets that bound annexin-V but did not express P-selectin after exposure to 50 nM thrombin. The fraction of ‘previously activated’ platelets ranged from 0.3%–4.8% and correlated modestly though positively with the fraction of young platelets (r = 0.41, p = 0.003). Patients with more young platelets tended to have more ‘previously activated’ platelets and exhibited greater platelet reactivity. Conclusions A greater proportion of ‘previously activated’ platelets is associated with a greater fraction of young platelets and increased platelet reactivity. The presence of ‘previously activated’ platelets in circulating blood may be a marker of micro or macro thrombosis.
INTERLAYER INTERACTIONS IN EPITAXIAL OXIDE GROWTH: FEO ON PT(111)

We have studied the first monolayer of epitaxial iron oxide on Pt(111) with x-ray photoelectron diffraction and other methods. We confirm a previously proposed superlattice model for this monolayer, but also conclude that the oxide grows as a bilayer of FeO(111) with the oxygen layer outermost, the Fe-O interlayer distance is highly compressed relative to bulk FeO by about 50%, and only one of two possible domains forms due to interlayer interactions between oxygen and platinum.
Energy storage in remote area power supply (RAPS) systems

Preliminary cost analyses indicate that hybrid RAPS systems are more economically attractive as a means to provide electricity to remote villages than are alternatives such as 24 h diesel generation. A hybrid remote area power supply (RAPS) system is being deployed to provide 24 h electricity to villages in the Amazon region of Peru. The RAPS system consists of modules designed to provide 150 kWh per day of utility grade ac electricity over a 24 h period. Each module contains a diesel generator, battery bank using heavy-duty 2 V VRLA gelled electrolyte batteries, a battery charger, a photovoltaic array and an inverter. Despite early difficulties, the system in the first village has now commenced operation and the promise of RAPS schemes as a means for providing sustainable remote electrification appears to be bright.
Extending partial 3-colourings in a planar graph

Let D be a disc, and let X be a finite subset of points on the boundary of D. An essential part of the proof of the four colour theorem is the fact that many sets of 4-colourings of X do not arise from the proper 4-colourings of any graph drawn in D. In contrast to this, we show that every set of 3-colourings of X arises from the proper 3-colourings of some graph drawn in D.
The discriminative stimulus properties of self-administered ethanol are mediated by GABA(A) and NMDA receptors in rats.

Rationale: The neurobiological systems that mediate the discriminative stimulus effects of self-ad- ministered drugs are largely unknown. The present study examined the discriminative stimulus effects of self-ad- ministered ethanol. Methods: Rats were trained to dis- criminate ethanol (1 g/kg, IP) from saline on a two-lever drug discrimination task with sucrose (10% w/v) rein- forcement. Test sessions were conducted with ethanol (0 or 10% v/v) added to the sucrose reinforcement to de- termine if self-administered ethanol would interact with the discriminative stimulus effects of investigator-admin- istered ethanol, or with the ethanol-like discriminative stimulus effects of the GABAA-positive modulator pen- tobarbital or the non-competitive NMDA antagonist MK-801. Results: During a saline test session, ethanol (10% v/v) was added to the sucrose reinforcement. Re- sponding by all animals began accurately on the saline- appropriate lever and then switched to the ethanol-appro- priate lever after rats self-administered a mean dose of 1.2±0.14 g/kg ethanol. During cumulative self-adminis- tration trials, responding initially occurred on the saline lever and then switched to the ethanol-appropriate lever after ethanol (0.68±0.13 g/kg) was self-administered. In- vestigator-administered MK-801 (0.01-1.0 mg/kg, cu- mulative IP) and pentobarbital (0.3-10.0 mg/kg, cumula- tive IP) dose-dependently substituted for ethanol. When ethanol (10% v/v) was added to the sucrose reinforcer, MK-801 and pentobarbital dose-response curves were shifted significantly to the left. Conclusions: Self-admin- istered ethanol substituted for and potentiated the stimu- lus effects of investigator-administered ethanol, suggest- ing that the discriminative stimulus effects of self-ad- ministered ethanol are similar to those produced by in- vestigator-administered ethanol. Self-administered etha- nol enhanced the ethanol-like discriminative stimulus ef- fects of MK-801 and pentobarbital, which suggests that the discriminative stimulus effects of self-administered ethanol are mediated by NMDA and GABA A receptors.
On merging software extensions

The problem of combining independent updates to a program is examined in the context of applicative programs. A partial semantic merge rule is given together with the conditions under which it is guaranteed to be correct, and the conditions under which a string merge corresponds to a semantic merge are examined. The theoretical work reported here contains initial steps towards a solution of the software merging problem and is not sufficient for producing a practical system.
Bone Loss in Rats with Aldosteronism

ABSTRACT Objective We hypothesized that aldosteronism is accompanied by hypercalciuria and hypermagnesuria that lead to bone loss, which could be rescued by hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone. Methods We monitored 24-hour urinary Ca 2 + and Mg 2 + excretion; plasma ionized [Ca 2 + ] o and [Mg 2 + ] o and plasma K + ; and bone mineral density of the femur. The following groups (n = 5 in each group) were studied: age- and gender-matched, untreated controls; controls + 4 weeks hydrochlorothiazide; 4 weeks aldosterone/salt treatment (ALDOST, 0.75 μ g/h and dietary 1% NaCl/0.4% KCl); 4 weeks ALDOST + hydrochlorothiazide (50 mg/kg in prepared food); and 4 weeks ALDOST + hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone (200 mg/kg day in divided doses by twice-daily gavage). Results ALDOST increased ( P 2 + and Mg 2 + excretion four- and twofold, respectively; hydrochlorothiazide cotreatment attenuated ( P 2 + excretion in controls and during ALDOST without affecting augmented Mg 2+ excretion whereas hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone normalized Ca 2 + and reduced Mg 2 + excretion ( P 2 + ] o at 4 weeks of ALDOST was reduced (0.89 ± 0.02 versus 0.83 ± 0.03 mmol/L; P 2 + ] o fell ( P P 2 ; P Conclusions Hypercalciuria and hypermagnesuria accompany aldosteronism and account for a decline in their plasma ionized concentrations and secondary hyperparathyroidism with bone resorption. Attenuation of bone loss in aldosteronism can be achieved with hydrochlorothiazide; however, mono- and divalent cation homeostasis, together with bone integrity, are each preserved with the combination hydrochlorothiazide + spironolactone.
Materials problems in the utilization of marine biology resources

Abstract Materials in biology are of greatest economic concern as they impact on the production of food from the sea. Two aspects of materials interaction with biology include: (1) the restrictions imposed by the plants and animals of an area on the utilization of available materials, and (2) the limitations in types and strengths of materials which are presently being utilized to meet biological problems. Biological degradation of materials results from fouling, boring, enhanced corrosion, biting, deterioration, sound interference, and sound production. Although new materials have advanced our use of biological resources, we are still at the exploratory phase of using materials in the sea and marine organisms offer some lessons to add to our repertory of possible actions.
The Status of Business History at the Stanford Graduate School of Business

The lessons of the San Francisco earthquake and fire are constantly before any person interested in the preservation of the records of early business. So many of the actual facts will never be known because of the wholesale destruction of all the books of record of so many of the leading businesses dating back to the earliest days of commercial activity in California. For the business historian the extent of this catastrophe is far greater than the loss of the stories of individual businesses in San Francisco, insomuch as San Francisco was the financial center of not only California but Alaska, Nevada and, to a lesser degree, the Pacific Northwest. In order to tell the complete story of western business, the business historian must improvise and synthesize scattered records to get a connected account.
VHF single crystal silicon capacitive elliptic bulk-mode disk resonators-part II: implementation and characterization

This work, the second of two parts, reports on the implementation and characterization of high-quality factor (Q) side-supported single crystal silicon (SCS) disk resonators. The resonators are fabricated on SOI substrates using a HARPSS-based fabrication process and are 3 to 18 /spl mu/m thick. They consist of a single crystal silicon resonant disk structure and trench-refilled polysilicon drive and sense electrodes. The fabricated resonators have self-aligned, ultra-narrow capacitive gaps in the order of 100 nm. Quality factors of up to 46 000 in 100 mTorr vacuum and 26000 at atmospheric pressure are exhibited by 18 /spl mu/m thick SCS disk resonators of 30 /spl mu/m in diameter, operating in their elliptical bulk-mode at /spl sim/150 MHz. Motional resistance as low as 43.3 k/spl Omega/ was measured for an 18-/spl mu/m-thick resonator with 160 nm capacitive gaps at 149.3 MHz. The measured electrostatic frequency tuning of a 3-/spl mu/m-thick device with 120 nm capacitive gaps shows a tuning slope of -2.6 ppm/V. The temperature coefficient of frequency for this resonator is also measured to be -26 ppm//spl deg/C in the temperature range from 20 to 150/spl deg/C. The measurement results coincide with the electromechanical modeling presented in Part I.
A novel technique for fabricating semiconductor nanodevice arrays on silicon

We have developed a novel low cost nanogrowth technology for the fabrication of periodic arrays of semiconductor quantum dots on silicon with good device size uniformity. The technique utilizes material growth on a preformed template formed by electrochemical etching of aluminum on silicon. The template contains a periodic array of pores in which the semiconductor material is synthesized. The technique is inexpensive, reliable, suitable for the fabrication of a variety of semiconductors, VLSI compatible and has the potential for integration of quantum dot devices with silicon integrated circuits.
Emerging mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance.

Broad use of fluoroquinolones has been followed by emergence of resistance, which has been due mainly to chromosomal mutations in genes encoding the subunits of the drugs' target enzymes, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, and in genes that affect the expression of diffusion channels in the outer membrane and multidrug-resistance efflux systems. Resistance emerged first in species in which single mutations were sufficient to cause clinically important levels of resistance (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Subsequently, however, resistance has emerged in bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, in which multiple mutations are required to generate clinically important resistance. In these circumstances, the additional epidemiologic factors of drug use in animals and human-to-human spread appear to have contributed. Resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is currently low, will require close monitoring as fluoroquinolones are used more extensively for treating respiratory tract infections.
Conventional Wisdoms of Woody Biomass Utilization on Federal Public Lands

The appeal of biomass utilization grows as the need for wildfire risk reduction, economic development, and renewable energy generation becomes more pressing. However, uncertainty exists regarding the factors necessary to stimulate use. We draw on in-depth interviews with local industry, agency, community, and tribal representatives from 10 study sites on federal public lands across the United States to examine persistent conventional wisdoms about what hinders biomass use. Findings indicate that the conventional wisdoms were reasonably accurate although the degree to which each impeded progress varied. Their interconnectedness also varied depending on local conditions. Supply guarantees, industry presence, transportation, and the value of the biomass were limiting factors to use, whereas agency budgets and staffing, environmental concerns, and partnerships more aggravated the problem than impeded progress. Understanding the scope and consistency of these accepted truths is important for ensuring that management efforts and ensuing policy effectively targets local use challenges.
Diiodomethane–Zinc–Titanium(IV) Chloride

(CH2I2) [75-11-6] CH2I2 (MW 267.84) InChI = 1S/CH2I2/c2-1-3/h1H2 InChIKey = NZZFYRREKKOMAT-UHFFFAOYSA-N (Zn) [7440-66-6] Zn (MW 65.37) InChI = 1S/Zn InChIKey = HCHKCACWOHOZIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N (TiCl4) [7550-45-0] Cl4Ti (MW 189.71) InChI = 1S/4ClH.Ti/h4*1H;/q;;;;+4/p-4 InChIKey = XJDNKRIXUMDJCW-UHFFFAOYSA-J (Ti(O-i-Pr)4) [546-68-9] C12H28O4Ti (MW 284.26) InChI = 1S/4C3H7O.Ti/c4*1-3(2)4;/h4*3H,1-2H3;/q4*-1;+4 InChIKey = VXUYXOFXAQZZMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent combination for methylenation of aldehydes and ketones) Physical Data: CH2I2: mp 6 °C; bp 181 °C; d 3.325 g cm−3. Zn: mp 419.5 °C; d 7.140 g cm−3. TiCl4: mp −24 °C; bp 136.4 °C; d 1.730 g cm−3. Ti(O-i-Pr)4: mp 20 °C; bp 58 °C/1 mmHg; d 0.955 g cm−3. Solubility: sol THF. Preparative Methods: prepared in situ. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: CH2I2 is corrosive and is light sensitive; it is usually stabilized with a small amount of copper. TiCl4 is highly toxic and extremely moisture sensitive. Ti(O-i-Pr)4 is an irritant and is flammable. Zn is a moisture-sensitive, flammable solid.
Nutritional and Health Consequences Are Associated with Food Insecurity among U.S. Elderly Persons

The purpose of this study was to examine the consequences associated with food insecurity for the nutritional and health status of the elderly in the United STATES: The data analyzed were from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) and the Nutrition Survey of the Elderly in New York State (1994). Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were used to assess the extent to which food-insecure elderly were likely to have lower nutrient intake, skinfold thickness, self-reported health status and higher nutritional risk. Regardless of food insecurity status, older people consumed less than the recommended dietary allowance for eight nutrients. Food-insecure elderly persons had significantly lower intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate, saturated fat, niacin, riboflavin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, magnesium, iron and zinc, as well as lower skinfold thickness. In addition, food-insecure elderly persons were 2.33 (95% confidence interval: 1.73-3.14) times more likely to report fair/poor health status and had higher nutritional risk. These results indicate that food-insecure elderly persons have poorer dietary intake, nutritional status and health status than do food-secure elderly persons. It is necessary to ensure the nutritional well-being of all elderly persons who are at nutritional and health risk, including those who are food insecure and have even poorer nutritional and health status than those who are food secure.
A physics-based coordinate transformation for 3-D image matching

Many image matching schemes are based on mapping coordinate locations, such as the locations of landmarks, in one image to corresponding locations in a second image. A new approach to this mapping (coordinate transformation), called the elastic body spline (EBS), is described. The spline is based on a physical model of a homogeneous, isotropic three-dimensional (3-D) elastic body. The model can approximate the way that some physical objects deform. The EBS as well as the affine transformation, the thin plate spline and the volume spline are used to match 3-D magnetic resonance images (MRI's) of the breast that are used in the diagnosis and evaluation of breast cancer. These coordinate transformations are evaluated with different types of deformations and different numbers of corresponding (paired) coordinate locations. In all but one of the cases considered, using the EBS yields more similar images than the other methods.
Liposomal Formulation and Characterization of the Opioid Peptide Leucine Enkephalin

The objective of this study was to encapsulate opioid peptide leucine enkephalin in liposomes of various lipid composition, and characterize in terms of particle size, stability and release characteristics. Multilamellar liposomes (MLV) were prepared by a thin-film hydration method and subsequently converted to the desired sized large unilamellar liposomes (LUV) by extruding through 0·1 μm polycarbonate membrane using positive pressure. The encapsulation was estimated using centrifugation for MLVs and protamine aggregation method for LUVs. Charge was induced on the liposome surface by adding stearylamine for positive charge and phosphotidylserine for negative charge. Effect of charge, lipid composition, and leucine enkephalin concentration on the amount of encapsulation in liposomes was studied. Effect of charge on the stability of liposome formulations was also investigated. Particle size of liposome preparations was characterized and stability of all three liposome formulations under various conditions was investigated. Encapsulation of leucine enkephalin in LUVs was influenced by the lipid concentration, fatty acid chain length, surface charge and addition of cholesterol. The encapsulation also increased as a function of drug concentration up to 1 mg mL −1. Stability studies indicated that aggregation of liposomes was minimized with liposomes bearing surface charge under various stress conditions. The release of drug from positively charged liposomes was significantly lower compared with neutral and negatively charged liposomes, indicating electrostatic interaction between the drug and liposome. It can be concluded that optimum encapsulation, stability and release characteristic can be achieved by choosing appropriate lipid composition and drug concentration.
Benign pulmonary epithelial inclusions within the pleura: a case report

The normal visceral and parietal pleura are composed of a mesothelium-lined layer of fibrous connective tissue, consisting predominantly of collagen and elastin fibers, with interspersed nerves, lymphatics, and blood vessels. There is no normal epithelial component to the pleura, and the histologic finding of epithelial cells within pleural tissue typically indicates the presence of a malignant process. The one documented exception to this rule is the occasional occurrence of endometriotic implants, which can result in cyclic thoracic symptomatology and occasionally even hemothorax. We present a case of seemingly benign epithelial inclusions within the pleura of a sixty year-old male patient who underwent exploratory thoracotomy and subsequent resection of bullous emphysematous blebs. Examination of the surgical specimen revealed well-defined nests of benign-appearing epithelial cells in glandular configurations at multiple sites within the pleura. These cells were immunopositive for TTF-1 and CK7 and immunonegative for calretenin, CK20, and CEA, indicating pulmonary epithelial derivation. Six months after resection, the patient is in stable health, with no clinical or radiologic evidence of bronchogenic carcinoma. To our knowledge, this is the first report of benign pulmonary epithelial inclusions within pleural tissue. It is important to be aware that benign pleural inclusions occur, so as to avoid confusion with more serious processes in a population of patients who may have oncologic risk factors.
Multivariate correlation estimator for inferring functional relationships from replicated genome-wide data

Summary: Estimating pairwise correlation from replicated genome-scale (a.k.a. OMICS) data is fundamental to cluster functionally relevant biomolecules to a cellular pathway. The popular Pearson correlation coefficient estimates bivariate correlation by averaging over replicates. It is not completely satisfactory since it introduces strong bias while reducing variance. We propose a new multivariate correlation estimator that models all replicates as independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) samples from the multivariate normal distribution. We derive the estimator by maximizing the likelihood function. For small sample data, we provide a resampling-based statistical inference procedure, and for moderate to large sample data, we provide an asymptotic statistical inference procedure based on the Likelihood Ratio Test (LRT). We demonstrate advantages of the new multivariate correlation estimator over Pearson bivariate correlation estimator using simulations and real-world data analysis examples. Availability: The estimator and statistical inference procedures have been implemented in an R package ‘CORREP’ that is available from CRAN [ http://cran.r-project.org] and Bioconductor [http://www.bioconductor.org/]. Contact:doz@stowers-institute.org or dongxiaozhu@yahoo.com Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The use of mutual information in registration of CT and MRI datasets post permanent implant

Abstract Purpose To determine the feasibility of registration of MRI and CT datasets post permanent prostate implant by the use of mutual information. Methods and Materials Five patients who underwent permanent 125I implant for prostate carcinoma were studied. Two weeks postimplant an axial CT, T2-weighted-axial, sagittal and coronal MRI, and T1-fat-saturation MRI scans were obtained. Registrations of MRI to CT and MRI to MRI datasets were performed by mutual information, an automated process of data registration matching all information in specified dataset regions of interest. Registration quality was evaluated by visual inspection, agreement with seed- to-seed registration, and histogram analysis. Results Rapid registration ( Conclusions Efficient and accurate registration of MRI and CT datasets following prostate implant is possible, and improves the accuracy of postimplant dosimetry by superior definition of the prostate. Definition of critical microenvironments and adjacent structures will improve dose and toxicity correlation and ultimately improve planning strategies.
Assessment of antiprotease activity of some carbamate derivatives

Six carbamate derivatives were tested for inhibitory activity towards porcine pancreatic elastase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. Only three esters that are isatoic anhydride derivatives were found to inhibit elastase competitively but nonspecifically. K1 values for the best two inhibitors were determined from Dixon plots.
Cracking node method for dynamic fracture with finite elements

A new method for modeling discrete cracks based on the extended finite element method is described. In the method, the growth of the actual crack is tracked and approximated with contiguous discrete crack segments that lie on finite element nodes and span only two adjacent elements. The method can deal with complicated fracture patterns because it needs no explicit representation of the topology of the actual crack path. A set of effective rules for injection of crack segments is presented so that fracture behavior beginning from arbitrary crack nucleations to macroscopic crack propagation is seamlessly modeled. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated with several dynamic fracture problems that involve complicated crack patterns such as fragmentation and crack branching. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The LMP2A ITAM Is Essential for Providing B Cells with Development and Survival Signals In Vivo

In Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cells, known as lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs), LMP2A binds the tyrosine kinases Syk and Lyn, blocking B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling and viral lytic replication. SH2 domains in Syk mediate binding to a phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in LMP2A. Mutation of the LMP2A ITAM in LCLs eliminates Syk binding and allows for full BCR signaling, thereby delineating the significance of the LMP2A-Syk interaction. In transgenic mice, LMP2A causes a developmental alteration characterized by a block in surface immunoglobulin rearrangement resulting in BCR-negative B cells. Normally B cells lacking cognate BCR are rapidly apoptosed; however, LMP2A transgenic B cells develop and survive without a BCR. When bred into the recombinase activating gene 1 null (RAG−/−) background, all LMP2A transgenic lines produce BCR-negative B cells that develop and survive in the periphery. These data indicate that LMP2A imparts developmental and survival signals to B cells in vivo. In this study, LMP2A ITAM mutant transgenic mice were generated to investigate whether the LMP2A ITAM is essential for the survival phenotype in vivo. LMP2A ITAM mutant B cells develop normally, although transgene expression is comparable to that in previously described nonmutated LMP2A transgenic B cells. Additionally, LMP2A ITAM mutant mice are unable to promote B-cell development or survival when bred into the RAG−/− background or when grown in methylcellulose containing interleukin-7. These data demonstrate that the LMP2A ITAM is required for LMP2A-mediated developmental and survival signals in vivo.
Conceptions of Ability as Stable and Self‐Evaluative Processes: A Longitudinal Examination

It has generally been taken for granted that conceiving of ability as stable leads to negative self-evaluative processes, particularly in the face of failure. Yet, a close examination of the empirical findings suggests that the picture may be more complex. In this research, a three-wave longitudinal design spanning 12 months was employed. Older elementary school children (N = 932) indicated their conceptions of academic and social ability as stable to external forces and to internal forces. They also provided information about the importance they place on academic and social competence, their knowledge about academic and social performance, their preference for academic challenge, their perceptions of academic and social competence, and their attributions for academic and social performance. Children's grades in school and their acceptance by peers were obtained as indicators of performance. Over time, conceiving of ability as stable to external forces, particularly in the academic domain, appeared to heighten the importance placed on competence, performance knowledge, preference for challenge, perceptions of competence, and self-enhancing attributions. In contrast, conceptions of ability as stable to internal forces, particularly in the academic domain, appeared to be fostered by placing little importance on competence, a lack of performance knowledge, avoidance of challenge, negative perceptions of competence, self-deprecating attributions, and poor performance.
IMPULSE CONTROL IN KALMAN-LIKE FILTERING PROBLEMS

This paper develops the impulse control approach to the observation process in Kalman-like filtering problems, which is based on impulsive modeling of the transition matrix in an observation equation. The impulse control generates the jumps of the estimate variance from its current position down to zero and, as a result, enables us to obtain the filtering equations for the Kalman estimate with zero variance for all post-jump time moments. The filtering equations for the estimates with zero variances are obtained in the conventional linear filtering problem and in the case of scalar nonlinear state and nonlinear observation equations.
Evaluation of a fully automated high-performance liquid chromatography assay for hemoglobin A1c.

Abstract Introduction.—Measurement of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is used as an objective measure of long-term blood glucose control in diabetic patients. Recent improvements in automation combined with new recommendations for precision and accuracy have caused us to reevaluate our methods for measuring HbA1c. Objective.—We evaluated a newly automated high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) instrument for measurement of HbA1c (Tosoh A1c 2.2 Plus Glycohemoglobin Analyzer, Tosoh Medics, Foster City, Calif) and compared the results obtained by HPLC to those obtained with an immunoassay (Hitachi 911, Boehringer Mannheim Corporation, Indianapolis, Ind). Results.—The Tosoh analyzer was found to be linear in a range of 5.3% to 17% and had a throughput of 20 samples per hour. HbA1c results for 102 patient samples by the 2 techniques showed good correlation, with a slope of 0.87 and an intercept at 1.27% ± 0.15%. Both the total and within-run coefficients of variation were consistently lower for the HPLC method c...
A longitudinal panel study of participants' attitudes and behaviors towards transdisciplinary science

Transdisciplinary research teams offer an appropriate alternative to traditional research methods to address today’s complex research problems. However, a lack of common technical language and differing attitudes on collaborative research can create challenges. This paper reports results of an evaluative survey on changes of collaborative capacity within a large transdisciplinary project. Our survey data, collected through preassessment (2011) and mid-assessment (2013) evaluation surveys of project participants, measured participants’ attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs regarding transdisciplinary research. Paired samples t-tests were employed to compare measures from the same individuals at two points in time. The key variables were transdisciplinary attitudes, transdisciplinary behaviors, satisfaction with collaboration, perceived impacts of collaboration, and trust and respect. Changes over time were evaluated for the overall project team and by project role subgrouping that included principal investigators, professional and technical staff, graduate
Bank Distress and Manufacturing: Evidence from the Great Depression

Using newly-digitized, city-industry-year level records from the 1923-1937 US Censuses of Manufactures, we examine the influence of the financial sector on the real economy. We do so in the context of the Great Depression, a period in which many banks were suspended and the manufacturing sector, which comprised 30 percent of the US economy, declined significantly. In our research design, we measure whether industries with high levels of pre-Depression external finance dependence declined in employment, output, and establishment growth by more than industries with low levels of pre-Depression external finance dependence from 1929-1933, in cities with higher 1929-1933 bank suspension rates. We control for city-time shocks, industry-time shocks, and other, non-financial industry characteristics interacted with bank suspension rates. We find that high external finance dependence industries contracted by 21 to 27 percent more than low external finance dependence industries following bank suspensions. For robustness, we instrument for bank suspensions with a measure of trust---religious fragmentation---and a measure of real estate price growth. Given the pre-Depression share of high external finance industries and the magnitude of the 1929-1933 bank suspensions, we estimate that approximately 22 percent of the total decline in manufacturing employment from 1929-1933 was due to the banking crisis. We conclude with evidence that the negative effects of the banking shock persisted into the late 1930s on the establishment outcome.
Effect of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube in Cement Composite on Mechanical Strength and Freeze-Thaw Susceptibility

This paper presented the effect of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) in a cement paste composite mixture. In this study, various cement-CNT composites and an equivalent control mix were prepared by replacing 0.5, 0.75, and 1.0 % of cement with CNTs (by weight of cement). Different tests, such as compressive and flexural strength as well as freezing and thawing resistance of the CNT composites, were conducted. Cylindrical specimens of approximately 15.8 by 31.6 mm and beam specimens of approximately 20 by 20 by 80 mm were prepared for compressive and flexural strength tests. The specimens were tested at 7, 28, 60, 90, and 180 days of curing. Results showed that compressive and flexural strength increased with respect to control mix when 0.5 % CNT was added to the cement. The performance of cement-CNT composites against freezing and thawing action was inferior to that of the control mix. The relative dynamic modulus (RDM) of cement-CNT composites decreased more rapidly than that of the control mix. In addition, cement-CNT composites exhibited a faster rate of mass loss and length expansion than the control mix.
Rhyme and reason: the role of circadian rhythms in skin and its implications for physicians

The study of the day and night cycle and its effects on the human body has been a field of interest for many decades. In more recent years, the effects of these diurnal variations have been looked into with respect to human skin. To encourage future medical interest in this subject as well as to discuss the futuristic concept of transdermal drug delivery incorpo­ rating the effects of circadian rhythms, we have summarized recent research into this topic. The day and night cycle creates widely dif­ ferent environments for the skin. Depending on the time of day, there is variation in the risk of UV exposure, transdermal water loss and exposure to extremes of temperature. Diurnal rhythms are patterns that recur every 24 h, whereas circadian rhythms or biorhythms persist with a period of ∼24 h in the absence of external cues but remain responsive to environmental conditions such as light and exercise [1]. The circadian clock, a primor­ dial system, which regulates human physiol­ ogy based on diurnal variation, has a natu­ ral impact on the way our skin functions. In plants, the circadian control of development is well established. Research in recent years has focused on variations of the circadian rhythm in human skin and its impact on its integral complex components [2]. In the fol­ lowing report we summarize recent research on circadian oscillations and its effect on the skin. Human circadian cues originate in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN regulates the timing of body clocks via auton­ omous nervous control of hormones such as glucocorticoids or by sending indirect signals via body temperature. The SCN is itself syn­ chronized to light via the retinohypo thalamic tract; the result is a flexible system of clocks, each with an intrinsic period of about one day that is constantly readjusting to the timing of environmental light [3].
A histochemical comparison of glycogen synthesis from glucose-1-phosphate and uridinediphosphoglucose in uterine sections.

SummaryPhosphorylase activity was observed in the uterus of the rabbit and rat. In the rabbit uterus enzymatic activity was confined to the myometrium while in the rat phosphorylase activity was present in the luminal epithelium as well as the myometrium. In both animals enzymatic activity was highest following estrogen stimulation. In the uterine sections of the castrate and hormone treated animals it was not possible to demonstrate histochemically UDPG-glycogen transferase. The results seem to indicate that in the uterus of the rabbit and rat only one polysaccharide forming pathway is present and perhaps the polysaccharide is synthesized from G-1-P and not from UDPG through the enzyme UDPG-glycogen transferase.
Androgen therapy in hemodialysis patients: I. Effects on red cell oxygen transport

Androgen therapy in hemodialysis patients: I. Effects on red cell oxygen transport. Measures related to red cell oxygen transport were evaluated in 17 hemodialysis patients receiving androgen therapy, 15 untreated hemodialysis patients and 15 normal subjects. Hemoglobin levels were higher in androgen-treated patients than in the untreated population and were directly related to the reticulocyte index. Hill coefficients were normal, and in vivo P5O values were increased to the same degree in both dialysis groups. However, DPG and serum phosphate explained 70% and 12%, respectively, of the variance in P5O in untreated patients but only 2% and 5% in androgen-treated subjects. In contrast, sample pH explained 34% of the variance in P5O in the androgen-treated group and less than 1% in the untreated dialysis population. Despite the relative importance of pH as a determinant of P5O in patients on androgen therapy, the Bohr coefficient in this group was only about half of that in untreated dialysis subjects. Androgen-treated patients also had lower red cell ATP levels. Finally, the expected correlation of MCHC with pH was noted in untreated dialysis subjects but not in patients receiving androgens. We conclude that androgen therapy in hemodialysis patients in addition to increasing red cell production, directly alters red cell metabolism. Moreover, although the androgen regimens used did not change the net oxygen transport characteristics of hemoglobin, they decreased the responsiveness of hemoglobin-oxygen affinity to changes in pH, DPG and phosphate. Thus, red cell adaptation to changes in oxygen supply and/or demand may be limited in androgen treated patients, and the improvement in clinical performance expected from androgen-stimulated erythropoiesis may not be realized.
Vibration analysis of a T-coupled plate structure

Here,an analytical method,the improved Fourier series method( IFSM) was presented for the free vibration analysis of a T-coupled plate with general boundary conditions. The in-plane vibration and out-of-plane vibration were taken into account via four types of coupling springs of arbitrary stiffnesses. Regardless of boundary conditions,the transverse and in-plane vibration displacement functions were taken as a new form of trigonometric expansion with accelerated convergence. The displacement functions could overcome all the relevant discontinuities of the elastic boundaries. The expansion coefficients were considered as the generalized coordinates,and they were determined using Rayleigh-Ritz method. The free vibration analysis of the T-coupled plate with various boundary and coupling conditions was performed using the proposed method. The reliability and accuracy of the proposed method were validated with the FEM results. This study provided a reliable and theoretical basis for vibration control of coupled plate structures.
"Pre-Entry Experience, Post-Entry Organizational Learning, and New Entrants’ Performance"

Existing literature has shown that pre-entry experience is positively associated with new entrants’ survival rates and performance. However, whether the initial advantage of pre-entry experience er...
The Human Rights of Unaccompanied Minors in the USA from Central America

The summer of 2014 saw an unprecedented increase in the number of children from Central America immigrating into the USA. This paper examines these events by setting the context of immigration across the USA–Mexico border, reviewing the extent and causes of the influx in immigration, and detailing the political, legal, and social work responses to the child migrants. This article contributes implications for rights-based practice with child migrants.
Normal sleep-recording and scoring techniques.

Publisher Summary Sleep is composed of several distinct processes that are different both quantitatively and qualitatively. Because sleep is a brain process, an electroencephalographic (EEG) technique for recording brain activity is adopted for sleep research. The traditional EEG sleep-recording technique employed high-gain, analog, differential bioamplifiers to record continuous ink pen tracings on fan-fold paper driven by a mechanical chart drive. Sleep stage scoring involves applying a set of rules in order to classify polysomnographic activity occurring over a defined period into one or another category. The period is referred to as an epoch and the categories are sleep stages. Most recently, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), as part of a project to provide scoring guidelines for all major clinical aspects of polysomnography, had a taskforce revisit and update Rechtschaffen and Kales (R&K). The revision was expected to help make scoring more reproducible and applicable to clinical recordings.. First, AASM's updated scoring system also firmly establishes epoch length at 30 seconds, without alternatives. Second, the revised system abolishes the designation movement time (MT))). The revision is expected to help make scoring more reproducible and applicable to clinical recordings. The great expectation from computerization is to provide reliable automatic sleep stage scoring and to enhance the ability to understand physiologic information in new, clinically useful ways.
Prohibiting the Use of Child Soldiers: Contested Norm in Contemporary Human Rights Discourse

ABSTRACTThe evolution of international instruments which address the phenomenon of child soldiers demonstrates the international legal community's endeavor to delineate childhood as a violence-free space, in need of special protection. This article explores the development of international legal thought and responses to the problem of child soldiers and addresses the research question: has the prohibition regime on child soldiers achieved the status of international customary law? This article will consider the development of legal responses within two domains of international law – International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law – in light of the broader debate on the definition of childhood. This article outlines contested elements of the norms and legal documents and argues that though some key elements of the prohibition regime have attained the status of international customary law; there is a need develop the international legal framework further and ensure a clear definition of th...
Appraisal Rights Limitations Coming to Delaware

Private equity firms and other investors in Delaware-based companies have, with increasing frequency, employed a strategy in which they vote against mergers or consolidations and then exercise their statutory appraisal rights provided under the Delaware Code. This profit-maximizing strategy, colloquially known as “appraisal arbitrage,” can work in cases where an investor believes the “fair value” of its shares is worth more than the price offered by the transaction. Some investors may have to rethink these strategies as Delaware Governor Markell recently signed a bill amending the appraisal rights statute, effective August 1, 2016. The amendments limit the ability of certain investors to engage in appraisal arbitrage following a merger. Only investors holding more than 1% of a company’s shares or shares valued at over $1 million dollars will have appraisal rights.
Bacterial, Shelf Life, and Consumer Acceptance Characteristics of Chopped Beef1

Several studies were initiated to evaluate factors that exert an influence on bacterial counts, shelf life, and consumer acceptance of commercially processed chopped beef. Bacterial counts in chub packaged (oxygen impermeable film) product underwent only slight increases when evaluated every 4 days over a 20-day storage period. Retail packaging of chopped beef after both 16 and 20 days of chub storage resulted in severely limited shelf life of the retail film wrapped product in terms of bacterial counts, surface discoloration, and flavor. Differences in the anatomical location (chuck, flank, navel, and head) of beef trimmings did not exert a major influence on chopped beef shelf life. However, the use of CO2 pellets did lower psychrotrophic bacterial numbers in some samples, with subsequently less surface discoloration and improved flavor. Reductions in bacterial counts occurred during the 3-day retail storage in oxygen permeable film only for chopped beef stored in chub form for a total 18 days before th...