cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hearing in static unilateral vestibular schwannoma declines more than in the contralateral ear.

Objective:To determine the effect of static vestibular schwannomas on hearing.Study Design:Retrospective review of audiometric measures in 15 patients with documented nongrowth of internal auditory canal and cerebellopontine angle enhancing masses.Methods:Data from patients seen in an ambulatory tertiary care setting between the years of 2002 and 2012 with a diagnosis of acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma were reviewed. Exclusion criteria included preexisting otologic disease, prior therapy for the schwannoma, and tumor growth. Radiology reports were reviewed to ensure nongrowth and were confirmed by taking magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements ourselves. Audiologic measurements included pure tone average, enhanced pure tone average (average of .5, 1, 2, and 4 KHz thresholds), 4 KHz threshold, 8 KHz threshold, and speech discrimination. The data were analyzed using mixed effect model with unstructured variance-covariance structure.Results:Difference in audiometric measures between ears sign...
On Flat Semimodules over Semirings

The following analog of the characterization of flat modules has been obtained for the variety of semimodules over a semiring R: A semimodule R A is flat (i.e., the tensor product functor − ⊗ A preserves all finite limits) iff A is L-flat (i.e., A is a filtered colimit of finitely generated free semimodules). We also give new (homological) characterizations of Boolean algebras and complete Boolean algebras within the classes of distributive lattices and Boolean algebras, respectively, which solve two problems left open in [14]. It is also shown that, in contrast with the case of modules over rings, in general for semimodules over semirings the notions of flatness and mono-.atness (i.e., the tensor product functor − ⊗ A preserves monomorphisms) are different.
Minimum vertex-diameter-2-critical graphs

We prove that the minimum number of edges in a vertex-diameter-2-critical graph on n ≥ 23 vertices is (5n - 17)-2 if n is odd, and is (5n-2) - 7 if n is even. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory
A system frequency change

After a half century of operation and growth, the Southern California Edison Company is changing the frequency of its system from 50 cycles to 60 cycles per second. Such a change, involving 700,000 customers, requires detailed advance planning and organization, engineering studies of all equipment that is sensitive to changes of frequency, acquisition of stocks of material, and training of personnel. With the assistance of five contractors, the company expects to complete the change on schedule in October 1948 after two years of actual conversion work. In this instance, many items of equipment could be used at the new frequency with only minor or no change, and the system henceforth can operate at the generally accepted United States standard frequency of 60 cycles.
THE DIASPORA OF WEST AFRICA: THE INFLUENCE OF WEST AFRICAN CULTURES ON “JODY CALLS” IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY

This research addresses the influences of West African cultures on a rarely studied area: marching cadences of the United States military. This article details the evolution of these military marching cadences tracing their form back to slave songs and to the music of precolonial West Africa. Six elements are identified that link these forms of music. These are: call and response, focus on the voice, percussion backbeat to create energy, functionality in nature, focus on the experiences of daily living, and oral history. These suggest a great influence of West African music on the United States military marching cadences.
Reading between the lines: compilation, variation, and the recovery of an authentic female voice in the Dornenkron prayer books from Wienhausen

In medieval studies, the personal ownership and use of spiritual works by cloistered women as well as their participation in book production remain largely terra ignota. Apart from the lives and works of a few outstanding individuals who achieved recognition as saints and/or mystics, scholars know little about the devotional concerns and spiritual practices of ordinary medieval nuns. The current image of female spirituality thus relies primarily on the experiences of extraordinary women, while questions about what nuns read and how they prayed still remain. In order to address this issue, it is necessary to also ask: can authentic women’s voices and spiritual concerns be recovered without the distortion caused by the cura monialium? Three prayer books from the former Cistercian convent of Wienhausen in Lower Saxony illustrate the devotional concerns of ordinary nuns as well as provide evidence of female involvement in book production. Recounting the meditative prayer of the Dornenkron, these manuscripts r...
A Twist of Truth: A reexamination of the effects of arms races on the occurrence of war

This article considers the effects of arms races on the occurrence of wars. Existing evidence on the link between arms races and wars suggests that arms races do not necessarily cause wars, but tha...
Integrating statistical and inductive learning methods for knowledge acquisition

Abstract Inductive learning is a method for automated knowledge acquisition. It converts a set of training data into a knowledge structure. In the process of knowledge induction, statistical techniques can play a major role in improving performance. In this paper, we investigate the competition and integration between the traditional statistical and the inductive learning methods. First, the competition between these two approaches is examined. Then, a general framework for integrating these two approaches is presented. This framework suggests three possible integrations: (1) statistical methods as preprocessors for inductive learning, (2) inductive learning methods as preprocessors for statistical classification, and (3) the combination of the two methods to develop new algorithms. Finally, empirical evidence concerning these three possible integrations are discussed. The general conclusion is that algorithms integrating statistical and inductive learning concepts are likely to make the most improvement in performance.
Cosmological production of H2 before the formation of the first galaxies

Previous calculations of the pre-galactic chemistry have found that a small amount of H 2 , x[H 2 ] ≡ n[H 2 ]/n[H] ≈ 2.6 x 10 -6 , is produced catalytically through the H-, H 2 + and HeH + mechanisms. We revisit this standard calculation taking into account the effects of the non-thermal radiation background produced by cosmic hydrogen recombination, which is particularly effective at destroying H - via photodetachment. We also take into consideration the non-equilibrium level populations of H + 2 , which occur since transitions among the rotational-vibrational levels are slow compared to photodissociation. The new calculation predicts a final H 2 abundance of x[H 2 ] ≈ 6 x 10 -7 for the standard cosmology. This production is due almost entirely to the H - mechanism, with ∼ 1 per cent coming from HeH + and ∼0.004 per cent from H 2 + . We evaluate the heating of the diffuse pre-galactic gas from the chemical reactions that produce H 2 and from rotational transitions in H 2 , and find them to be negligible.
Open questions in CMR manganites, relevance of clustered states and analogies with other compounds including the cuprates

This is an informal paper that contains a list of 'things we know' and 'things we do not know' in manganites and other compounds. It is adapted from the Conclusions chapter of a recent book by the author, Nanoscale Phase Separation and Colossal Magnetoresistance. The Physics of Manganites and Related Compounds (Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 2002), but it also contains a summary of some of the most important recent results in the field. It is argued that the current main theoretical and experimental frameworks to rationalize the results of recent manganite investigations are based on the discovery of tendencies towards nanoscale inhomogeneous states, both in experiments and in simulations of models. The colossal magnetoresistance effect appears to be closely linked to these mixed-phase tendencies, although considerably more work is needed to fully confirm these ideas. The paper also includes information on cuprates, diluted magnetic semiconductors, relaxor ferroelectrics, cobaltites and organic and heavy fermion superconductors. These materials potentially share some common phenomenology with the manganites, such as a temperature scale T* above the ordering temperature where anomalous behaviour starts. Many of these materials also present low-temperature phase competition. The possibility of colossal-like effects in compounds that do not involve ferromagnets is briefly discussed. In particular, colossal effects in cuprates are explained. Overall, it is concluded that inhomogeneous 'clustered' states should be considered as a new paradigm in condensed matter physics, since their presence appears to be far more common than previously anticipated.
Observations related to the possibility that there are different mechanisms of formation for O-type stars and later type stars

Carbon monoxide observations of neutral matter near W3 provide an excellent example of the formative process for O stars. As in other regions where O stars are forming, the young stars in W3 are located in dense cloud fragments that are at the edge of an extended molecular cloud complex. This peculiar formation site is simply explained in terms of a million year old shock that probably surrounds the expanding H II region IC1805. The contrast between this situation for W3 and what is found in other star-forming regions where only low mass stars occur is emphasized.
Upregulation of MHC class II, interferon‐α and interferon‐γ receptor protein expression in HIV‐associated nephropathy

BACKGROUND Renal cellular HIV infection has been linked to the pathogenesis of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN), but mediators of its development are unknown. HIV infection is associated with disordered cytokine metabolism, and chemokine receptors are coreceptors for HIV immune cellular infection. Chemokines such as interleukin (IL)-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and RANTES, and interferons (IFNs) have been implicated in the progression of nephropathy. Renal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) protein expression is involved in antigen presentation and modulating tissue cellular immune responses. Their relative importance in HIVAN pathogenesis is unknown. METHODS We measured levels of chemokines, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma receptor and non-polymorphic MHC Class II protein by high performance capillary electrophoresis, and incubation with antibodies for quantification by chemiluminesce in renal tissue of patients with HIVAN, compared with tissue without HIV infection, in the presence and absence of nephropathy. Renal biopsy tissue protein levels were correlated with the number and type of infiltrating tissue immune cells. RESULTS Mean renal interstitial and glomerular MCP-1, RANTES and IL-8 tissue levels were higher in patients with HIV infection compared with tissue without HIV infection, regardless of the presence of renal disease. In contrast, mean renal interstitial and glomerular non-polymorphic MHC Class II, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma receptor protein were higher in patients with HIVAN compared with all other groups. Tissue MHC Class II and IFN-gamma receptor protein levels did not correlate with immune cellular infiltration in patients with HIV infection and renal disease. CONCLUSIONS The data suggest an upregulated renal immune microenvironment, capable of antigen presentation, exists in HIVAN. MHC Class II proteins and IFNs, and the capacity to present antigen may be crucial in HIVAN pathogenesis.
G-factor analysis of protein secondary structure in solutions and thin films.

The biological activity of proteins is structure dependent. In this discussion, we describe development of g-factor analysis for characterizing the secondary structure of proteins in solutions and films. In g-factor analysis, experimental circular dichroism (CD) and UV absorbance spectra are converted to dimensionless g-factor spectra by dividing the differential absorbance of circularly polarized light (AL − AR) by the UV absorbance (A) at each wavelength. The spectra can be deconvolved and the secondary structure estimated without information on the protein molecular weight, sample concentration, or sample path length. We have refined g-factor spectral acquisition and deconvolution parameters to improve the precision and accuracy of experimental g-factor spectra and the subsequent secondary structure estimations. In general, slower scan rates and longer response times are required to obtain high quality g-factor spectra than to obtain ordinary CD spectra, particularly for data at wavelengths longer than 230 nm. The spectral acquisition and deconvolution procedures have been validated for aqueous bovine serum albumin (BSA) and poly(L-proline). The secondary structures of fibronectin and laminin in buffer solutions are predicted. When BSA and poly(L-proline) form films on quartz, their secondary structures change significantly: 13% for BSA and 32% for poly(L-proline). By contrast, the secondary structure of fibronectin is the same in solution and films. The g-factor method is an easy, rapid, accurate and precise method for determining secondary structure and structural changes in protein solutions and films. Potential applications range from proteomics and structure-based drug discovery, to the design and fabrication of biosensors, biomaterials and biofluidic devices.
Comparison of cognitive performance in subjects high and low in anxiety and depression

The experiment compared 72 hospitalized psychoneurotics and/or alcoholics, who were high in depression and anxiety, or low on these measures, on ability to solve a concept-identification problem. Those who were high in depression and anxiety showed fewer errors to solution of the problem than those who were low. This finding was not attributable to differences in years of education, drug regimen, or any apparent demographic variables.
Toward Unity in Psychology: The Experimental Synthesis of Behaviour

Abstract The current state of fragmentation of psychology is discussed in the context of Kuhn's paradigms. Schools of psychology are considered analogous to paradigms, although Kuhn would not think of psychology as a paradigmatic science. Schools gave origin to systems of psychology (neo-behaviourism, neo-psychoanalysis, dialecticmaterialistic psychology, and humanistic psychology). A unifying paradigm, the experimental synthesis of behaviour, is presented as a programme. It is derived from the experimental analysis of behaviour. It is not an eclectic approach, but a new paradigm with the aim of undying psychology as a science. Its main characteristics and advantages are discussed.
Application of the CACM and MPMPO modules using the CMAQ model for the eastern United States

[1] The Caltech Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism (CACM) and the Model to Predict the Multiphase Partitioning of Organics (MPMPO) have been updated with a detailed treatment of the oxidation mechanisms and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation potentials of α-pinene, β-pinene, and d-limonene. The updated CACM and MPMPO modules have been incorporated into the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model. The revised CMAQ model was used to simulate air quality over the eastern United States, with a particular focus on New England (NE) for the period 3–4 August 2004, which was part of the International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation (ICARTT) campaign. On 3 August, 24-hour-average organic aerosol (OA) and PM2.5 concentrations were approximately 7.0 μg m−3 and 13.0 μg m−3, respectively, at Thompson Farm (TF), a rural site in southeastern New Hampshire. The model results (e.g., ozone (O3), PM2.5, and individual PM2.5 chemical components) were compared against various observational data sets (e.g., AIRMAP, IMPROVE, SEARCH, and AIRNOW), as well as CMAQ model predictions using the CB-IV gas-phase mechanism and the SORGAM SOA module. Both CMAQ model simulations with CACM/MPMPO and with CB-IV/SORGAM predicted O3, PM2.5, sulfate, and ammonium reasonably well but underestimated elemental and organic carbon aerosol. SOA predictions from CACM/MPMPO and from CB-IV/SORGAM were very close for the sites where OA concentrations were available on 4 August, though sensitivity of SOA predictions at TF to domain-wide NOx emissions and temperature variations differed significantly. Additionally, on the basis of the predicted chemical composition of OA from CMAQ with CACM/MPMPO, 24-hour averages of the ratio of the organic mass to organic carbon were determined to be in the range of 1.1 to 1.9, depending on the relative abundance of SOA and primary organics.
A LED system to test scintillation counter hodoscopes

Abstract A low cost system consisting of GaP green LEDs, pulsing circuitry, and pulse gating is described. This system was used for monitoring and testing in an experiment with 200 scintillation counters.
Stable long-term gene correction with low-dose radiation conditioning in murine X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

Abstract We previously demonstrated that low-dose radiation conditioning impairs murine hematopoietic stem cell function, permitting engraftment of syngeneic fresh and transduced marrow cells. In this study, we directly examined the ability of low-dose radiation conditioning to permit engraftment of transduced long-term repopulating cells in murine X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), which closely mimics the human disease. X-CGD mice conditioned with 160 cGy were transplanted with 20 × 10 6 MSCV-m91Neo-transduced syngeneic X-CGD marrow cells. The presence of oxidase-positive neutrophils in two independent cohorts of transplanted 160-cGy-conditioned X-CGD recipients was determined by nitroblue tetrazolium testing. Transplanted X-CGD mice ( n = 9 total) displayed 1–17% oxidase-positive neutrophils 6–16 months post-transplant. Retroviral marking and NADPH-oxidase-positive neutrophils persisted through serial transplantation, verifying that stem cells were transduced. These results establish that low-dose radiation conditioning results in durable engraftment of low but potentially clinically relevant numbers of functionally reconstituted blood cells in a murine model of X-CGD.
Isopiestic determination of the osmotic and activity coefficients ofZnSO4(aq) atT = 298.15 K, and the standard potential of the electrochemical cell ZnHgx(two phase)| ZnSO4(aq)| PbSO4(s)| PbHgx(two phase)

Abstract Isopiestic vapor-pressure measurements were made for ZnSO4(aq) at T = 298.15 K, both at Texas Christian University and at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, from molality m = 0.1004 mol · kg − 1to the supersaturated m = 4.3092 mol · kg − 1, and included solubility determinations. These results were combined with critically assessed e.m.f. results from m = 6.7 · 10 − 4to m = 3.4413 mol · kg − 1to yield recommended values of the osmotic coefficients, water activities, and mean activity coefficients of ZnSO4(aq), along with the thermodynamic solubility product and a CODATA compatible value for the Gibbs free energy of formation of goslarite: Ks{ ZnSO4· 7H2O(cr, orthorhombic) } = (0.01119 ± 0.00033) and ΔfGmo(ZnSO4· 7H2O, cr, orthorhombic, 298.15 K) = − (2562.32 ± 0.57)kJ · mol − 1. An equation of the type used by Pitzer and Mayorga (J. Solution Chem.1974, 3, 539–546) accurately represents the experimental osmotic coefficients and e.m.f.s provided it is modified by making the third virial coefficient ionic-strength dependent and by adding a fourth virial term. However, the mean activity coefficients of ZnSO4(aq) undergo a change from negative deviations from the Debye–Huckel limiting law below m ∼ 0.01 mol · kg − 1to positive deviations at higher molalities as described by Malatesta and Zamboni (J. Solution Chem.1997, 26, 791–815), and our recommended values were adjusted for this effect. The standard potential of the reversible electrochemical cell:ZnHgx(twophase)|ZnSO4(aq)|PbSO4(cr)|PbHgx(twophase)was evaluated, and the resulting value was used for evaluating the standard potentials of the PbSO4(cr)|PbHgx(two phase) and Hg2SO4(cr)|Hg(l) electrodes.
The Influence of Penicillin and Oxytetracycline in the Ration on Mortality, Lesions and Predominating Microflora in Experimental CRD

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION THE efficacy of oral treatment or prophylaxis of CRD with antibiotics or other chemotherapeutic agents has been evaluated by a number of investigators. Lowered mortality, greater gains, improved feed conversion and egg production, as compared with controls, have been reported for CRD infected birds receiving oxytetracycline 1 treatment (Van Roekel et al., 1952; Peterson et al., 1954; Lecce and Sperling, 1955; and Olesiuk et al., 1957). As an example, Peterson and co-workers (1954) reported a reduction in mortality due to CRD from 23.9% to 10.5% in field trials involving 36,000 birds when this antibiotic was fed at 100 gm. per ton of ration. Improvements in weight gain and feed conversion were also noted. On the other hand, no benefit due to the feeding of oxytetracycline was noted in a report by Fahey and Crawley (1955). Although there have been suggestions from field work that penicillin may be beneficial in CRD . . .
Analysis of a Peptide Inhibitor of Paramyxovirus (NDV) Fusion Using Biological Assays, NMR, and Molecular Modeling

Abstract To investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in paramyxovirus-induced cell fusion, the function and structure of a peptide with a 20-amino-acid sequence from the leucine zipper region (heptad repeat region 2) of the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein (F) were characterized. A peptide with the sequence ALDKLEESNSKLDKVNVKLT (amino acids 478–497 of the F protein) was found to inhibit syncytia formation after virus infection and after transfection of Cos cells with the HN (hemagglutinin-neuraminidase) and F protein cDNAs. Using an F protein gene that requires addition of exogenous trypsin for cleavage, it was shown that the peptide exerted its inhibitory effect prior to cleavage. The three-dimensional conformation of the peptide in aqueous solution was determined through the use of NMR and molecular modeling. Results showed that the peptide formed a helix with properties between an α-helix and a 3 10 -helix and that leucine residues aligned along one face of the helix. Side chain salt bridges and hydrogen bonds likely contributed to the stability of the peptide secondary structure. Analysis of the aqueous solution conformation of the peptide suggested mechanisms for specificity of interaction with the intact F protein.
Prophylactic colony-stimulating factors in children receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Summary Background The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are widely utilized to prevent neutropenic complications in both adults and children, but randomized controlled trials in the pediatric setting have reported varied results. A systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis were conducted to definitively assess the impact of prophylactic CSFs on the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN) in pediatric oncology patients. Methods MEDLINE was searched and references hand-searched through July 2004 for randomized controlled trials of prophylactic G-CSF or GM-CSF in pediatric oncology patients. Objectives, outcomes, and quality of the 16 included studies were extracted by two reviewers. Weighted summary estimates of relative risks (RR) were calculated for FN and documented infection (DI). Mean differences in hospitalization, antibiotic use, and duration of neutropenia were calculated. Results FN occurred in 68% of 400 controls and 59% of 404 CSF patients. The estimated RR was 0.88 [0.81–0.97; ( P =0.01)] favoring the CSFs for leukemia and high grade lymphoma studies and 0.71 [0.51–0.97; ( P =0.03)] for solid tumor studies. DI occurred in 25% of controls and 20% of CSF patients for an estimated RR of 0.80 [0.61–1.06; ( P =0.12)]. The mean decrease in duration of neutropenia was 3.5 days [2.2–4.7; ( P P P =0.02]. Conclusions Prophylactic CSFs significantly decrease the incidence of FN and the durations of severe neutropenia, hospitalization, and antibiotic use in pediatric cancer patients, but they do not significantly decrease documented infections.
Residents’ beliefs about responsibility for the stewardship of park trees and street trees in New York City

Cities are currently planting millions of trees for the numerous environmental, health and economic benefits that urban forests provide, such as improved air quality and community beautification. The post-planting maintenance of newly planted trees is critical for the survival of these trees and for the success of urban tree planting efforts. Many of these initiatives are implemented as public–private partnerships, in which local government agencies partner with non-profit organizations and community groups to plant and maintain the trees. These partnerships also encourage residents to engage in urban forest stewardship, defined as providing basic care and maintenance to trees such as watering. However, residents may not recognize themselves as responsible for stewarding trees planted on public property, such as along city streets and in parks. This study explores residents’ beliefs toward which groups should be responsible for tree stewardship, the factors and affect these beliefs and how these beliefs differ for trees planted in different types of public property (streets and parks). We conducted a survey of residents in two neighborhoods in New York City: Jamaica, Queens (n = 399) (street tree study site) and in Canarsie, Brooklyn (n = 410)(park study site). Results reveal that the majority of respondents believed the government should be responsible for tree stewardship and that few respondents believed that residents should be responsible for tree care, or that multiple groups should share stewardship responsibility. Implications for urban forest planning and environmental governance are discussed, such as opportunities for direct citizen participation in urban tree planting processes.
Ubiquitin-protein ligases in muscle wasting

Muscle wasting occurs when rates of protein degradation outstrip rates of protein synthesis. Accelerated rates of protein degradation develop in atrophying muscle largely through activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The complexity of the ubiquitination process, however, has hampered our understanding of how this pathway is activated in atrophying muscles and which enzymes of the ubiquitin conjugation system are responsible. Recent studies demonstrate that two ubiquitin-protein ligases (E3s), atrogin-1/MAFbx and MuRF1 are critical in the development of muscle atrophy. Other experiments implicate E2(14k) and E3alpha, of the N-end rule pathway, as important players in the process. It seems likely that multiple pathways of ubiquitin conjugation are activated in parallel in atrophying muscle, perhaps to target for degradation specific classes of muscle proteins. The emerging challenge will be to define the protein targets for, as well as to develop inhibitors of, these E3s.
AN ALTERNATIVE DATA COLLECTION DESIGN FOR EQUATING WITH VERY SMALL SAMPLES

A single group (SG) equating design with nearly equivalent test forms (SiGNET) design was developed by Grant (2006) to equate small volume tests. The basis of this design is that examinees take two largely overlapping test forms within a single administration. The scored items for the operational form are divided into mini-tests called testlets. An additional testlet is created but not scored for the first form. If the scored testlets are Testlets 1-6 and the unscored testlet is Testlet 7, then the first form is composed of Testlets 1-6, the second form is composed of Testlets 2-7, and Testlets 2-6 are common to both test forms. They are administered as a single administered form, and when a sufficient number of examinees have taken the administered form for an SG equating, the second form (Testlets 2-7) is equated to the first form (Testlets 1-6) using SG equating. As evident, there are at least two merits of the SiGNET design over the nonequivalent groups with anchor test (NEAT) design. First, it facilitates the use of an SG equating design, which has the least random equating error, and second, it allows for the accumulation of sufficient data to equate the second form. Since the examinees scores are based on only the first form (i.e., the operational form), the two forms can be administered until sufficient data are collected to equate the second form. This study compared equatings under the SiGNET and NEAT designs and found reduced bias and error for the SiGNET design in very small sample size situations (e.g., N = 10 or 15). Implications for practice using the SiGNET design are also discussed.
In vitro effects of cryoprotective agents on the response of murine T and B lymphoid subpopulations to mitogenic agents.

Based on the ability of murine thymic derived lymphocytes (T-cells) to respond to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin-A (Con-A) and bursa equivalent or bone marrow derived lymphoid cells (B-cells) to respond to endotoxin (LPS) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM), a culture system was developed to study the effects of cryoprotective additives on the response of murine subpopulations to the various mitogens. It was found that glycerol and polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) at various concentrations inhibited the response of spleen cells to all the mitogens. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) at concentrations of 0.25–1.5% (0.03–0.19 m) significantly augmented the uptake of 3H-TdR in spleen cells stimulated with PHA-M or Con-A. Similar concentrations of DMSO depressed the response to LPS and PWM. Possible mechanisms are discussed.
Structure–property relationships in a precipitation strengthened Ni–29.7Ti–20Hf (at%) shape memory alloy

Abstract The martensitic transformation temperatures, load-biased thermomechanical properties, and microstructure (characterized by transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography) were investigated for a Ni–29.7Ti–20Hf (at%) alloy aged at 550 °C for 0–300 h. Aging for three hours and longer resulted in the precipitation of a face-centered orthorhombic phase, previously denoted as the H-phase. The number density, size, and composition of this phase did not change significantly upon aging from 3 to 30 h. However, continued aging to 300 h resulted in a decrease in the number density and significant coarsening of the precipitates at 550 °C. The alloy exhibited near optimum response for shape memory behavior and dimensional stability after aging for three hours, though transformation temperatures continued to increase with aging time.
Development and testing of the mastery of stress instrument

The purpose of this research was to develop and test an instrument to measure mastery of stress. Mastery is defined as a human response to difficult or stressful circumstances in which a person gains competence, control, and dominion over the experience of stress. The instrument consists of four 15-item scales: Certainty, Change, Acceptance, and Growth.
Toward tunable and adaptable polymer nanocomposites

New bio-derived strategies have been recently explored in the design of polymer nanocomposites, particularly in the area of responsive materials, which offer pathways toward tailored interfacial adhesion, responsive interactions and controlled dispersion. In this Feature article, we discuss: (1) precise control of dispersion via self-assembly driven approaches in responsive mechanics, (2) inherent and strong interfacial adhesion in single polymer composites, and (3) percolating, electrospun nanofiber networks as filler elements in adaptable composites. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Maternal obesity enhances collagen accumulation and cross-linking in skeletal muscle of ovine offspring.

Maternal obesity (MO) has harmful effects on both fetal development and subsequent offspring health. We previously demonstrated that MO enhances collagen accumulation in fetal skeletal muscle, but its impact on mature offspring muscle collagen accumulation is unknown. Ewes were fed either a control diet (Con, fed 100% of NRC nutrient recommendations) or obesogenic diet (OB, fed 150% of NRC nutrient recommendations) from 60 days before conception to birth. All ewes received the Con diet during lactation. Male offspring were euthanized at 2.5 years (mean) and the left Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle and semitendinosus (ST) muscle were sampled. Collagen concentration increased by 37.8±19.0% (P<0.05) in LD and 31.2±16.0% (P<0.05) in ST muscle of OB compared to Con offspring muscle. Mature collagen cross-linking (pyridinoline concentration) was increased for 22.3±7.4% and 36.3±9.9% (P<0.05) in LD and ST muscle of OB group respectively. Expression of lysyl oxidase, lysyl hydroxylase-2b (LH2b) and prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4HA) was higher in OB LD and ST muscle. In addition, the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) was lower but tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) was higher in OB offspring muscle, indicating reduced collagen remodeling. MO enhanced collagen content and cross-linking in offspring muscle, which might be partially due to reduced collagen remodeling. Our observation that the collagen content and cross-linking are enhanced in MO offspring muscle is significant, because fibrosis is known to impair muscle functions and is a hallmark of muscle aging.
Association of Albumin-Creatinine Ratio and Cystatin C With Change in Ankle-Brachial Index: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background Low ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a reflection of atherosclerotic disease, and high ABI is an indicator of calcified vessels. The associations of albuminuria and cystatin C level with incidence of either low or high ABI are unknown. Study Design Prospective longitudinal cohort study. Setting & Participants MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) enrolled community-dwelling adults (N=6,814) aged 45-84 years who were free of clinical cardiovascular disease at baseline. Predictors Baseline albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR) and serum cystatin C level. Outcomes Development of low ( 1.40) ABI using multinomial regression among persons with ABI of 0.90-1.40 at baseline. Results During 9.8 years of follow-up, 221 and 89 participants progressed to low and high ABIs, respectively. Baseline ACR and cystatin C level were higher among progressors compared with nonprogressors. In multivariable analyses, doubling of ACR was associated with increased risk of progression to low (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.99-1.20) and high (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.01-1.32) ABIs. Compared to the lowest quintile, the highest quintile of ACR had a significantly increased risk of progression to low (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.03-3.12) and high (OR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.32-5.77) ABIs. Higher cystatin C levels were associated with progression to low (OR per 1-SD greater, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00-1.26) but not high (OR per 1-SD greater, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.81-1.25) ABI, but the highest quintile of cystatin C was not associated independently with either outcome. Limitations Single measure of albuminuria and low number of progressors to high ABI. Conclusions In adults free of clinical cardiovascular disease, albuminuria was a strong independent risk factor for the development of both high and low ABIs, important and different measures of peripheral artery disease.
Slow Settling of Two Droplets Symmetrically Placed about the Axis of a Circular Cylinder in a Direction Perpendicular to Their Line of Centers

Expressions are provided which enable the frictional force on the reference spherical droplet to be computed for the particular case when two spherical droplets move in a direction perpendicular to their line of centers symmetrically placed about the axis of a circular cylinder. Results for this motion are also expressed in terms of the ratio of frictional forces experienced by 1) a droplet of arbitrary shape in a bounded fluid with another droplet and 2) the droplet now moving alone with the same speed and orientation in the same but unbounded fluid.
Learning from online beer distribution simulation game

With an online beer distribution simulation game (BDSG), we attempt to answer the following three questions: (1) How does students’ learning on the game affect the BDSG performance? (2) Can we reproduce and practice meaningful conceptual knowledge in SCM with the BDSG? (3) How to improve the performance of the game using any operations management tool? To answer the first two questions, the linear regression-based total cost adjustment approach (LRTCAA) is designed to evaluate the effects of learning experience, demand pattern and communication level, and is applied to the online BDSG experiments conducted by students. The results revealed that students obtained significant knowledge and learning when the game was repeated, suggesting that the online BDSG be a good learning tool. It also turned out that the communication level was a significant factor, whereas the demand pattern was not. Regarding the third question, an Excel spreadsheet model with a chase strategy and an Excel solver formulation is proposed as a guidance to improve the performance of the game. We observed that the solutions from the Excel spreadsheet model outperformed all previous results. Thus, we believe that the LRTCAA framework and the Excel model presented would provide a useful insight to many educators.
The bovine photoreceptor outer segment guanylate cyclase: purification, kinetic properties, and molecular size.

Abstract A simple protocol was developed to isolate the integral membrane guanylate cyclase from bleached bovine photoreceptor outer segments. Hypotonic and hypertonic washes strip the photoreceptor outer segment membranes of peripheral proteins, The granylate cyclase activity is solubilized by dodecyl-b-D-maltoside in a low salt concentration buffer. Phosphatidylcholine, glycerol, and dithiothreitol are used to stabilize the activity during chromatography, GPT-affinity chromatography achieves a 250-fold increase in specific activity over that of membranes stripped of peripheral proteins. From 100 retinas, the protocol yields 100-140 mg of purified guanylate cyclase composed of a 115-kDa subunit. The molar ratio of the guanylate cyclase to rhodopsin is estimated to be 1:440. A significant portion of the freshly solubilized enzyme behaves as a monomer with a Stokes radius of 48.7 Angstrom, whereas the purified protein forms homooligomers ranging from dimers to tetramers, These properties are similar to those of ANP and guanylin receptors, indicating that the photoreceptor protein shares characteristics of the membrane receptor guanylate cyclase family. For the physiological substrate MgGTP, the K m and V max are 1.07 ± 0.20 mM and 3262 ± 514 nmol cGMP min −1 mg −1 , respectively, generating a turnover rate of ∼3.9 nmol cGMP s −1 at physiological substrate concentrations, The relatively high K m suggests that in vivo changes in GTP concentration might modulate the rate of cGMP synthesis. These properties indicate that the photoreceptor membrane guanylate cyclase can sustain a rate of cGMP synthesis comparable to the dark-adapted (basal) rate of cGMP degradation by the cGMP phosphodiesterase.
The Visual Decision Maker: a recommendation system for collocated users

We present the Visual Decision Maker (VDM), an application that gives movie recommendations to groups of people sitting together. The VDM provides a TV like user experience: a stream of movie stills flows towards the center of the screen, and users press buttons on remote controls to vote on the currently selected movie. A collaborative filtering engine provides recommendations for each user and for the group as a whole based on the votes. Three principles guided our design of the VDM: shared focus, dynamic pacing, and encouraging conversations. In this paper we present the results of a four month public installation and a lab study showing how these design choices affected people's usage and people's experience of the VDM. Our results show that shared focus is important for users to feel that the group's tastes are represented in the recommendations.
Identification and Characterization of Novel Inhibitors of Mammalian Aspartyl Aminopeptidase

Aspartyl aminopeptidase (DNPEP) has been implicated in the control of angiotensin signaling and endosome trafficking, but its precise biologic roles remain incompletely defined. We performed a high-throughput screen of ∼25,000 small molecules to identify inhibitors of DNPEP for use as tools to study its biologic functions. Twenty-three confirmed hits inhibited DNPEP-catalyzed hydrolysis of angiotensin II with micromolar potency. A counter screen against glutamyl aminopeptidase (ENPEP), an enzyme with substrate specificity similar to that of DNPEP, identified eight DNPEP-selective inhibitors. Structure-activity relationships and modeling studies revealed structural features common to the identified inhibitors, including a metal-chelating group and a charged or polar moiety that could interact with portions of the enzyme active site. The compounds identified in this study should be valuable tools for elucidating DNPEP physiology.
Vesicular glutamate transporter DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA is present in C1 and several other groups of brainstem catecholaminergic neurons.

The mouse glutamate vesicular transporter VGLUT2 has recently been characterized. The rat homolog of VGLUT2, differentiation-associated Na(+)/P(i) cotransporter (DNPI), was examined using a digoxigenin-labeled DNPI/VGLUT2 cRNA probe in the present study to determine which, if any, of the various groups of pontine or medullary monoaminergic neurons express DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA and, thus, are potentially glutamatergic. DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA was widely distributed within the brainstem and seemed exclusively neuronal. By using a double in situ hybridization method, the presence of the mRNA for DNPI/VGLUT2 and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)-67 was mutually exclusive. By combining DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA detection and conventional immunohistochemistry, DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA was undetectable in lower brainstem cholinergic and serotonergic cells, but it was present in several tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) cell groups. DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA was detected in most of the adrenergic neurons of the C1, C2, and C3 groups (75-80% of TH-ir neurons), in the A2 noradrenergic group (80%), and in vast numbers of area postrema cells. Within the A1 region, many fewer TH-ir cells contained DNPI/VGLUT2 (16%). Finally, DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA was undetectable in the pontine noradrenergic cell groups (A5 and A6/locus coeruleus). In conclusion, the general pattern of DNPI/VGLUT2 expression and its exclusion from GABAergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic neurons supports the notion that DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA identifies a subset of glutamatergic neurons in the lower brainstem. Within this region several catecholaminergic cell groups appear to be glutamatergic, including but not limited to the adrenergic cell groups C1-C3. Based on the present evidence, the noradrenergic cell groups of the pons (A5 and A6) do not contain either known vesicular glutamate transporter and are most likely not glutamatergic.
Impact of added rest breaks on the productivity and well being of workers

The impact of frequent short rest breaks on the productivity and well being of a group of 30 workers in a meat-processing plant was studied. Two rest break schedules were tested, both of which provided 36 min of extra break time over the regular break schedule (30-min lunch and two 15-min breaks). In the first experimental rest break schedule, workers were given 12 3-min breaks evenly distributed over the workday (3-min break for every 27 min of work). In the second schedule, workers were given four 9-min breaks evenly distributed over the workday (9-min break every 51 min of work). Outcome measures included production rate and discomfort and stress ratings. Results showed that neither of the two experimental rest break schedules had a negative effect on production, and the 9-min break schedule improved discomfort ratings for the lower extremities. The workers in the study mostly preferred the 9-min rest break schedule, indicating that workers in general might not as readily accept fragmentation of break time into short, frequent breaks.
A curve evolution method for identifying weak edges with applications to the segmentation of magnetic resonance images of the knee

Motivated by the analysis of knee MRI data arising in the study of osteoarthritis, this paper presents a new active contour-based segmentation algorithm which combines external force field ideas and local region based methods in a consistent way. The approach not only has a large capture range as is common with curve evolution techniques based on static force fields such as the gradient vector flow (GVF) and vector field convolution (VFC) methods, but also can distinguish small details as local region based methods do. The feasibility of the new algorithm is demonstrated on both synthetic images as well as real knee MRI data where the goal is to identify the tibia and femur as part of a larger osteoarthritis image analysis problem.
Constructing a conserved flux from plane waves

The conserved vector flux is a useful construct for analyzing and designing optical concentrators. We derive an expression for the flux, starting from the free radiation field. With our method, conservation of the flux is automatic, and limits to conservation in certain optical systems follow.
Integral expression for 1/tf noise in mosfets at arbitrary drain bias

Abstract By measuring the 1/tf noise spectrum and the output conductance of a MOSFET at very low drain bias one can evaluate two functions f(Vg − Vgo − Vo) and g (Vg − Vgo − Vo) numerically. Measuring also the mobility μ of the carriers is the channel as a function of (Vg − Vgo − Vo) one can evaluate the drain noise spectrum at arbitrary drain bias from a simple numerical integration. The function f(Vg − Vgo − Vo) is a measure for the effective trap density at the Fermi level.
Cité teens entextualizing French TV host register: Crossing, voicing, and participation frameworks

This article addresses data that reside at the confluence of three types of linguistic “crossing” (Rampton 1995) among working-class French teens of predominantly Algerian descent. Strategically using the microphone of the researcher to imitate an elite French television show host, performers create indirect reported speech and direct stylized voicing for present peers and thereby mock them as show “guests.” Through analysis of such data, this article contributes to scholarship that extends and refines Goffman’s notions of footing and participation frameworks, and the relationships imaginable between them. It is argued that the notions of noncongruent voicing effects and generalized footing can lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the relationship between language crossing and participation frameworks. More specifically, analyzing language crossing in terms of the resultant voicing effects sheds light upon the nuanced ways that speakers manage participation frameworks. (Register, crossing, footing, participation frameworks, voicing)
Biochemical and genetic interaction between the fragile X mental retardation protein and the microRNA pathway

Fragile X syndrome is caused by a loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP is a selective RNA-binding protein which forms a messenger ribonucleoprotein (mRNP) complex that associates with polyribosomes. Recently, mRNA ligands associated with FMRP have been identified. However, the mechanism by which FMRP regulates the translation of its mRNA ligands remains unclear. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs involved in translational control. Here we show that in vivo mammalian FMRP interacts with microRNAs and the components of the microRNA pathways including Dicer and the mammalian ortholog of Argonaute 1 (AGO1). Using two different Drosophila melanogaster models, we show that AGO1 is critical for FMRP function in neural development and synaptogenesis. Our results suggest that FMRP may regulate neuronal translation via microRNAs and links microRNAs with human disease.