cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecological Impacts of Replacing One Invasive Species with Another in Rocky Intertidal Areas

As humans continue to move about the globe with ever-increasing frequency, they carry (intentionally and unintentionally) a host of species that are being introduced to new habitats. Consequently, there is now growing concern about the impacts of these numerous invasions for native communities. Determining the implications of species invasion requires comparing the impacts of invaders to those of species that are already present within invaded communities. As species invasion becomes more common, these comparisons are increasingly required between new invasive species and previously established invasive species. Here a case study is presented of the implications of replacing one invader with a new invader. The European green crab Carcinus maenas invaded the east coast of North America in the early 1800s. As an omnivorous predator, this invader has had widespread consumptive and nonconsumptive impacts on the native community. Two decades ago, a second predatory crab, the Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus invaded this same region. In some parts of the invaded range, H. sanguineus has now replaced C. maenas as the dominant intertidal predator. The interactions between these two species that have likely contributed to this species replacement are reviewed. Then the implications of this species replacement for the native community are examined, specifically with regards to the differences in consumptive and nonconsumptive effects of these two predators, including both direct and indirect effects. Finally, population density and differences in habitat use by these two species are incorporated to predict how their impacts vary spatially along a latitudinal gradient throughout the invaded range.
Looking forward: an update to the CCR instructions for authors.

Dear Readers, We want to let you know about some recent changes to manuscript formats and guidelines that have been made at Clinical Cancer Research ( CCR ). First, we have made some changes to how research articles are categorized. We now accept submission of research articles in the following
Navicular bone osteomyelitis and navicular bursitis with associated fistula diagnosed with magnetic resonance fistulography in the horse

Summary A 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was referred for magneticresonance (MR) imaging due to chronic left hindlimb lamenesslocalised to the foot. On presentation, a previouslyundiagnosed draining tract was identified at the plantaraspect of the pastern. Radiographs revealed severe osteolysisof the navicular bone. Positive contrast MR fistulography wasperformed using a gadolinium based contrast agent followingconventional MR imaging of the left hind foot. Fistulographyallowed characterisation of a fistulous tract, which was closelyassociated with the deep digital flexor tendon, navicular bursaand osteomyelitis of the navicular bone. History and clinical findings A 7-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was referred for magneticresonance imaging (MRI) of the left hind foot for theinvestigation of intermittent lameness of 3 months’ duration.Recurrent subsolar and coronary band abscesses werediagnosed by the referring veterinarian. Treatment prior toreferral included debridement of devitalised tissue fromboth the sole and coronary band, oral administration ofnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, oral administrationof antibiotics, and administration of antibiotics by regional limbperfusion.At presentation, the horse was
Reflections of a first-time replicator

Undergraduate students in my economics classes tend to have an unswerving trust that markets can solve any economic problem. And so it is in development economics, where they mainly tend to come down on the side of “development through growth” when we address whether there is a role for aid, for example, in poverty alleviation in developing economies. The issues, of course, are thorny. How do we define the poverty level? How often is growth pro-poor? What is pro-poor growth? How do we evaluate growth that increases incomes but also increases income inequality? In the Fall of 2003 I became aware of Hyun Hwa Son’s Economics Letters paper, “A Note on Pro-poor Growth.” That paper suggested a new, unambiguous measure of the pro-poorness of growth. I shared it with my class, noting that in her analysis positive growth spells were unambiguously pro-poor about as often as they were unambiguously not pro-poor or immiserizing. How could economic growth be bad for the poor about 50% of the time, they puzzled? It was certainly a provocative result. I had noticed Dr. Son’s paper because I was in the midst of some research looking at the impact of non-renewable resource extractive activity on growth and poverty. Since Economics Letters does not facilitate replication through a data archiving policy, I asked Dr. Son for her data set, and she kindly sent it to me. I had no intention of replicating her results, but one of the first things I noted about her data set was that it contained only 240 observations, versus her statement in Table 2 of her paper that there were 241 growth spells. I then noted that I could not replicate many of her growth spell classifications. In my analysis of her data, positive growth spells were about twice as likely to be pro-poor as not pro-poor. My students were much happier with these new results. By February 2004 I had written a short paper outlining the new results. That paper is essentially what is being published here, though it did not have the emphasis on replicability. I sent the paper to Dr. Son asking for her comments, but heard nothing back from her. Thinking that correcting false analysis was an important contribution to what I do as an economist, on March 9, 2004 I sent my paper for review at Economics Letters. Eight months later to the day, November 9, 2004, I received an email from Eric Maskin, editor of the journal, informing me that my paper “has not been found suitable for publication in Economics Letters. It has been reviewed by our editorial board and an evaluation is included in the ‘Comments to Author’ section
Combining Scores in Multiple-Criteria Assessment Systems: The Impact of Combination Rule.

Best practice in gifted and talented identification procedures involves making decisions on the basis of multiple measures. However, very little research has investigated the impact of different methods of combining multiple measures. This article examines the consequences of the conjunctive (“and”), disjunctive/complementary (“or”), and compensatory (“mean”) models for combining scores from multiple assessments. It considers the impact of rule choice on the size of the student population, the ability heterogeneity of the identified students, and the psychometric performance of such systems. It also uses statistical simulation to examine the performance of the state of Georgia’s mandated and complex multiple-criteria assessment system.
The Insulin Receptor: Both a Prototypical and Atypical Receptor Tyrosine Kinase

Unlike prototypical receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which are single-chain polypeptides, the insulin receptor (InsR) is a preformed, covalently linked tetramer with two extracellular α subunits and two membrane-spanning, tyrosine kinase-containing β subunits. A single molecule of insulin binds asymmetrically to the ectodomain, triggering a conformational change that is transmitted to the cytoplasmic kinase domains, which facilitates their trans-phosphorylation. As in prototypical RTKs, tyrosine phosphorylation in the juxtamembrane region of InsR creates recruitment sites for downstream signaling proteins (IRS [InsR substrate] proteins, Shc) containing a phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain, and tyrosine phosphorylation in the kinase activation loop stimulates InsR’s catalytic activity. For InsR, phosphorylation of the activation loop, which contains three tyrosine residues, also creates docking sites for adaptor proteins (Grb10/14, SH2B2) that possess specialized Src homology-2 (SH2) domains, which are dimeric and engage two phosphotyrosines in the activation loop.
A Novel Dexamethasone-releasing, Anti-inflammatory Coating for Neural Implants

The long-term stability of implanted micromachined neural probes is compromised due to the glial scar formation at the insertion site. In this study, we developed a novel nitrocellulose-based coating for the sustained local delivery of the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid that effectively reduces inflammation in the CNS. In vitro dexamethasone release was observed over 16 days, with a relatively high release in the first three days and a slow, stable release thereafter. When Michigan neural recording probes coated with and without dexamethasone-loaded nitrocellulose coatings were implanted into the adult rat brains, immunohistochemical evidence shows a marked reduction of reactive astrocytes (GFAP), reactive microglia (EDl), and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CS56) expression around the insertion site compared to uncoated probes. Impedance spectroscopy showed that the dexamethasone-loaded nitrocellulose coatings slightly reduce the magnitude of electrode impedance at the biologically relevant frequency of 1 kHz through an increase of capacitance. In vivo acute recordings demonstrate that extracellular recordings with coated probes are akin to non-coated probes and it is anticipated that with time, the coated probes will exhibit superior performance. In conclusion, we developed a novel nitrocellulose-based, drug releasing coating for neural electrodes that can effectively reduce scar tissue formation without adversely affecting the electrical performance of the electrodes
The histidine kinase dhkC regulates the choice between migrating slugs and terminal differentiation in Dictyostelium discoideum.

An early decision that a newly formed aggregate of Dictyostelium cells must make is whether to form a migrating slug or to proceed through culmination, the process of forming the mature fruiting body. The choice between these alternative morphological pathways is influenced by external and internal cues. dhkC was identified as a potential hybrid sensor kinase possessing domains homologous to the histidine kinase and receiver motifs of two-component signaling systems. Null strains of dhkC show a rapidly developing phenotype for aggregation through finger formation, and culmination commences immediately thereafter and proceeds at a normal rate to generate typical fruiting bodies. Ammonia, an endogenous regulator of the slug versus culmination choice, results in a prolonged slug stage for wild-type strains while the dhkC 2 strain bypasses the slug stage in the presence or absence of ammonia. Conversely, expression in wild-type cells of a modified DHKC protein composed of only the histidine kinase domain results in normal timing through early aggregation, but subsequent development is significantly delayed. The resulting fingers, once formed, readily convert to slugs that do not undergo culmination but instead migrate until their energy sources are depleted. The slugger phenotype is dependent on the presence of a functional response regulator REGA, and it is rescued by exogenously supplied cAMP. Together, the results indicate that DHKC contributes to the integration of environmental and cellular signals so that the appropriate choice is made between slug formation and culmination. We suggest that DHKC may function as a sensor for ammonia, and that it is the initial component of a phosphorelay signaling system that may modulate the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase to either inhibit or promote culmination. Additionally, dhkC 2 spores were found to be defective in germination, indicating a role for the DHKC signaling pathway in activating spore germination. © 1998 Academic Press
Integrating adaptive smart technology for 40mm weapon platforms

The introduction of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) into US Army inventories is rapidly changing how US forces dominate the battlefield. The vast array of information and lethality gained from UAVs is extremely beneficial to friendly forces operating on the ground. Similar in many respects to UAVs, “smart” munitions have become prominent technological force multipliers. With these munitions, US military forces increasingly have the capability to engage smaller profile targets at extreme distances with pinpoint precision. Due to known advantages of these systems, these capabilities are desired at the lowest unit level possible — such as an Army squad. A squad equipped with munitions that combine UAV and “smart” technology would provide unprecedented intelligence and accurate fire. In light of the Army's stated desire for these munitions, ARDEC (Armament Research, Development Engineer Center) has undertaken efforts to produce an increasing array of “smart” munitions. In support of these efforts our project team is providing a unique system engineering perspective and course of alternative analysis. Specifically our team is assisting in the airframe development of a 40mm “smart” munition. The United States Military Academy Department of Systems Engineering's Systems Decision Process serves as the framework for our analysis. Additionally, the Infantry Warrior System (IWARS) simulation platform is utilized to further test defined alternatives. Our analysis and simulations will directly influence the airframe design of the projectile, as well as other capabilities. This paper reports on the progress of these efforts, as well as future developments in the project.
First-Line Use of Vemurafenib to Enable Thyroidectomy and Radioactive Iodine Ablation for BRAF-Positive Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Case Report

Background. Patients with metastatic or radioactive iodine refractory papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have poor prognosis due to ineffective therapy for this condition beyond surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI or (131)I). BRAF mutation occurs in more than 44% of PCT. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, the most commonly used agents for these patients, have weak BRAF inhibition activity. BRAF inhibitors have demonstrated promising efficacy in relapsed metastatic PCT after standard treatment, though they are not currently approved for this indication. Case Presentation. We present the case of a 48-year-old Hispanic male who initially presented with columnar-cell variant subtype of PTC and positive BRAFV600E mutation. The patient had widespread bulky metastases to lungs, chest wall, brain, and bone. Discussion. Initial use of vemurafenib demonstrated a 42% cytoreduction of targeted pulmonary metastases and facilitated thyroidectomy and RAI treatment. The patient achieved a durable response over 21 months in the setting of widely metastatic disease. Conclusion. Vemurafenib may be effectively used for cytoreduction in patients with bulky metastatic PTC to bridge them to thyroidectomy and RAI treatment.
Physician Satisfaction Scale: A Proposed Enhancement

AbstractA sample of 182 physicians from 17 counties of southwest central and northwest in Florida is employed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Stamps and Cruz Physicians’ Satisfaction Scale. An analysis utilizing exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis suggests a shortened version of the scale consisting of 19 items and five dimensions. This scale, labeled PS-SV (for physicians satisfaction, shortened version) is recommended for future applications.
Challenges to Religious Liberty in the Twenty-First Century: Religious Freedom and (and in) Institutions

This paper is a contribution to a volume of essays dealing with a range of contemporary challenges – challenges posed by new questions, and by new forces – to religious liberty. It considers the role that religious communities, groups, and associations play – and the role that they should they play – in our thinking and conversations about religious freedom and church-state relations. And, its primary claim is that the values and goods that the First Amendment’s Religion Clauses embody and protect are well served by a civil-society landscape that is thick with churches (and mediating institutions and associations of all kinds) and by legal rules that reflect their importance. These institutions contribute in distinctive ways to the reality of religious freedom under law.
Sickle Cell Disease: A Review of Nonpharmacological Approaches for Pain.

Abstract Context Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a life-threatening condition that affects more than seven million people worldwide. The most common complication experienced by persons living with SCD is pain. Evidence supports the use of nonpharmacologic therapies in managing psychological and social complications of pain in persons with SCD, but there is little consensus if these approaches can also be applied for the treatment of pain in SCD. Objectives To describe and synthesize the use of nonpharmacological therapies for reducing pain of any type and origin in persons with SCD. Methods A literature search was conducted using PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase. Databases were searched using the following terms: sickle cell, pain, and nonpharmacological therapies. Interventions were graded for methodological quality and categorized as 1) peer-support group therapies, 2) educational/psychological therapies, and 3) skill-based therapies. Results Twenty-eight nonpharmacological interventions for persons with SCD were examined. Of these studies, a wide variety of nonpharmacological interventions were tested. Twelve studies yielded significant improvements in pain, three studies reported no positive effect or differences between experimental and control conditions on pain or a pain-related outcome, and one study reported a negative or detrimental intervention effect. Conclusion Approximately half of the studies reviewed demonstrated success in alleviating pain, suggesting that patients are able to use nonpharmacological interventions to reduce pain with some degree of success. Questions still remain regarding the efficacy and generalizability of these interventions for persons with SCD.
Detection of albumin messenger RNA in hepatic and extrahepatic neoplasms. A marker of hepatocellular differentiation.

Albumin is a ubiquitous protein synthesized only by hepatocytes. Detection of albumin messenger RNA (mRNA) in neoplastic and non-neoplastic tissues using in situ hybridization may be useful in demonstrating hepatocellular differentiation. We investigated the presence of albumin mRNA by in situ hy
Glucagon and Epinephrine Responsive Adenyl Cyclase Activity of Regenerating Rat Liver

SummaryThe membrane-associated enzyme adenyl cyclase gives rise to 3′5′ cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cyclic A) within the hepatocyte; and the availability of intra-hepatocytic glucose is determined to a considerable extent by the mobilization of glycogen via cyclic A. Following 70% hepatectomy, a significant turnover of membrane structures occurs concurrently with loss of cellular glycogen. The present study revealed that glucagon and epinephrine activated adenyl cyclase remains at a normal level throughout the regenerative process. These findings suggest that the regenerating hepatocyte is capable of producing adenyl cyclase and inserting it into newly formed membranes.
Performance of an Internal Combustion Engine Operating on Landfill Gas and the Effect of Syngas Addition

The performance of a four-stroke Honda GC160E spark ignition (SI) internal combustion (IC) engine operating on landfill gas (LFG) was investigated, as well as the impact of H2 and CO (syngas) addition on emissions and engine efficiency. Tests were performed for engine loads from 0.2 to 0.8 kW over a range of CO2 to CH4 ratios (0−0.50). In addition, variation across both the syngas content (up to 15%) and the ratio of H2 to CO in the syngas (H2/CO = 0.5, 1, and 2) were tested. Catalytic testing provided reactor data on the amount of syngas and H2/CO ratios that can be obtained by autothermally reforming LFG. The emissions obtained from the test engine fueled with the simulated LFG were found to be comparable to emissions from commercial LFG to energy (LFGTE) systems currently deployed. Syngas addition was found to not only significantly reduce CO, unburned hydrocarbon (UHC), and NOx emissions but also improve brake efficiency of the engine. CO emissions were reduced from 802 to 214 ppm for a 5% syngas addi...
Model-Based Aerospace Challenge 2 (MACH-2)

This paper outlines the next phase of the Model-Based Aerospace Challenge (MACH-2), which is being developed jointly by The MathWorks™ and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The intent of the competition is to promote collaboration between industry, government, and academic partners to teach real-world engineering problem-solving techniques to university students. The MACH-2 problem is currently under review by the organizing committee, and their findings will be presented at AIAA GNC 2009. This abstract also describes sponsorship opportunities for industry partners, government organizations, and academic institutions. I. Introduction The first Model-Based Aerospace Challenge, MACH-1, was developed as a vehicle for fostering education in engineering and science and encouraging collaboration among the AIAA, industry, government, and academia in the solution of real-world aerospace guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) problems. MACH-2 will carry on the tradition of MACH-1 and continue to bring together industry partners with students and faculty in the development of GNC systems. This paper serves as a baseline representation of the intent of the competition as a whole, as well as the goals and aspirations of the next phase of the competition, MACH-2. The paper also discusses sponsorship opportunities and the potential benefits of becoming a sponsor. This paper outlines the MACH-2 problem’s goals, as well as the process around defining and rolling out the competition. The final rollout of MACH-2 will occur at the AIAA GNC 2009 through a request for proposal.
Peak Power Demand Reduction for Combined Manufacturing and HVAC System Considering Heat Transfer Characteristics

Abstract The industrial sector is one of the main drivers in the continuously rising electricity demand in the United States. Electricity Demand Response is an effective demand side management tool for reducing power demand especially during peak periods. However, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), the actual peak load reduction by the industrial sector is much lower than its potential target. Within a typical industrial manufacturing plant, the two main energy consumers are the manufacturing system and the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In this paper, we introduce a method to reduce the power demand during peak periods using an HVAC working load model that considers manufacturing heat sources. The effect of the manufacturing operation on the indoor temperature and the HVAC working load is quantified by considering the heat transfer characteristics of the machines in the manufacturing system. A mathematical model is formulated using mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) and solved using General Algebraic Modeling (GAMS). An optimal schedule for the manufacturing operation and control scheme for the HVAC temperature setpoints that can minimize the power demand during peak periods under the constraint of production target is identified. A numerical case study is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Discrimination between nucleotide effector responses of aspartate transcarbamoylase due to a single site substitution in the allosteric binding site.

Abstract The substitution of alanine for lysine at position 56 of the regulatory polypeptide of aspartate transcarbamoylase affected both homotropic and heterotropic characteristics. In the absence of effectors, the ALAr56-substituted holoenzyme lost the homotropic cooperativity observed for aspartate in the wild-type holoenzyme. Under conditions of allosteric inhibition in the presence of 2mM CTP, the cooperative character of ATCase was restored, and the Hill coefficient increased from 1.0 to 1.7. In contrast to the native enzyme, the altered enzyme did not respond to ATP; however, ATP could still bind to the enzyme as demonstrated by its direct competition with CTP. Furthermore, the recently observed CTP-UTP synergism of the wild-type enzyme was not detectable. The site-directed mutant enzyme could not be activated by low levels of the bisubstrate analogue, N-(phosphonacetyl)-L-aspartate, and the rate of association of pHMB with the cysteine residues located at the interface of the catalytic and regulatory chains was slightly altered. These characteristics suggested that the mutant holoenzyme assumed a relaxed (or abnormal T state) conformation. Thus, this single substitution differentially affected the heterotropic responses to the various allosteric effectors of ATCase and eliminated the homotropic characteristics in response to aspartate in the absence of CTP.
In Vitro Passive Sensitization of Guinea Pig, Rhesus Monkey and Human Bladders As a Model of Noninfectious Cystitis

Studies of human bladder inflammation have been limited to examination of urine, bladder biopsy, or examination of autopsy material. We have developed an in vitro bladder passive sensitization technique which can measure type I responses of isolated human bladder tissue. We have compared these results using human tissue to those obtained with bladder tissue from guinea pigs and Rhesus monkeys. In our studies, bladder tissue was passively sensitized in vitro for 20 hours with immunoglobulin-containing serum. Subsequent antigen challenge of the passively sensitized tissue resulted in a time-dependent contraction that was accompanied by tissue histamine release. Contractions of guinea pig, monkey and human bladder tissue reached 79%, 100% and 78% of the maximal contraction induced by potassium chloride. In contrast, adjacent strips of unsensitized tissue had no detectable response to antigen challenge. The responses were reduced in the presence of histamine H1 receptor blockade with pyrilamine and abolished in the presence of a concomitant blockade of leukotriene synthesis with nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). Blockade of cyclooxygenase activity with indomethacin increased the contraction of the sensitized guinea pig bladder in response to antigen challenge. These findings demonstrate that in vitro passive sensitization of human bladder tissue can be used to investigate basic mechanisms of noninfectious bladder inflammation in humans.
First-principles studies on the equation of state, thermal conductivity, and opacity of deuterium-tritium (DT) and polystyrene (CH) for inertial confinement fusion applications

Using first-principles (FP) methods, we have performed ab initio compute for the equation of state (EOS), thermal conductivity, and opacity of deuterium-tritium (DT) in a wide range of densities and temperatures for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) applications. These systematic investigations have recently been expanded to accurately compute the plasma properties of CH ablators under extreme conditions. In particular, the first-principles EOS and thermal-conductivity tables of CH are self-consistently built from such FP calculations, which are benchmarked by experimental measurements. When compared with the traditional models used for these plasma properties in hydrocodes, significant differences have been identified in the warm dense plasma regime. When these FP-calculated properties of DT and CH were used in our hydrodynamic simulations of ICF implosions, we found that the target performance in terms of neutron yield and energy gain can vary by a factor of 2 to 3, relative to traditional model simulations.
Growth of primary T-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomata in SCID-hu mice: requirement for a human lymphoid microenvironment

We reasoned that the SCID-hu mouse could provide an appropriate lymphoid or stromal microenvironment to support the growth of primary human lymphoma. Heterotransplantation of nine cases of primary T-cell non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma (NHL) into untreated SCID mice and SCID mice reconstituted with human fetal thymus, spleen, and liver (SCID-hu) resulted in the development of lymphoid tumors in five (56%) cases. Two clonal T-cell NHL grew after a mean of 90 days after injection of primary lymphoma cell suspensions into the thymus xenografts in SCID-hu mice and failed to grow in a variety of sites in SCID mice, except for small tumors that developed after a long (157-day) latency period after intracranial injection of tumor cell suspensions into weanling SCID mice. Successful serial transplantation of NHL in SCID and SCID-hu mice required the presence of a human lymphoid or tumor microenvironment, and was enhanced by pretreating the SCID mice with 175 rad radiation and antiasialo antisera. Analysis of the primary and transplanted T- cell tumors showed identical patterns of T-cell surface markers by flow cytometry and immunophenotyping of fixed tissue sections, and, in one case, reactivity with a specific monoclonal antibody to V beta 5.1. Genotyping of the transplanted tumors showed T-cell receptor gene rearrangements identical to those present in the primary tumors. In one case, the presence of Epstein-Barr virus-positive B cells in association with the primary tumor resulted in the growth of a lymphoblastoid B-cell neoplasm in addition to the malignant T-cell lymphoma after transplantation of tumor fragments to SCID mice. The data support the hypothesis that a human lymphoid microenvironment enhances the growth of T-cell NHL in SCID mice. The SCID-hu thymus graft provides an apparently unique microenvironment that supports the growth of primary T-cell NHL, and can be used to study the interaction between lymphoma cells, nontransformed lymphoid cells, and the surrounding stromal microenvironment in vivo.
Absence of Carboxypeptidase E/Neurotrophic Factor-Α1 in Knock-Out Mice Leads to Dysfunction of BDNF-TRKB Signaling in Hippocampus

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), first discovered as a prohormone processing enzyme, has also now been shown to be a secreted neurotrophic factor (neurotrophic factor-α1, NF-α1) that acts extracellularly as a signaling molecule to mediate neuroprotection, cortical stem cell differentiation, and antidepressive-like behavior in mice. Since brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has very similar trophic functions, and its processing from pro-BDNF involves intracellular sorting of pro-BDNF to the regulated secretory pathway by CPE acting as a sorting receptor, we investigated whether the lack of CPE/NF-α1 would affect BDNF-TrkB signaling in mice. Previous studies have shown that CPE/NF-α1 knock-out (KO) mice exhibited severe neurodegeneration of the hippocampal CA3 region which raises the question of why other neurotrophic factors such as BDNF could not compensate for the deficiency of CPE. Here, we show that the expressions of pro-BDNF mRNA and protein in hippocampus of CPE-KO mice were similar to WT mice, but mature BDNF was ∼40% less in the CPE-KO mice, suggesting decreased intracellular processing of pro-BDNF. Furthermore, TrkB receptor levels were similar in both genotypes, but there was significantly decreased phosphorylation of TrkB receptor in the CPE-KO mice. Electrophysiological studies showed lack of formation of long-term potentiation in hippocampal slices of CPE-KO mice compared to WT mice, which was not rescued by application of BDNF, indicating dysfunction of the BDNF-TrkB signaling system. The CPE-KO mice showed normal postsynaptic AMPA response to kainate application in hippocampal slices and dissociated neurons. Our findings indicate that CPE/NF-α1 is essential for normal BDNF-TrkB signaling function in mouse hippocampus.
Development of the Organizational Citizenship Behavior Acceptance Scale

Six studies were conducted to develop a scale to measure employees' willingness to accept offers of interpersonal OCB from their co-workers based on existing and emerging theory around help accepta...
Severe esophageal injury after radiofrequency ablation - a deadly complication

Various degrees of esophageal injury have been described after radiofrequency ablation performed for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The main mechanism of injury is thermal and may lead to a range of esophageal mucosal changes, some clinically insignificant, however when deep ulceration occurs, this may be further complicated by perforation and mediastinitis, a rare but life threatening sequelae. We present a case of a severe esophageal injury leading to mediastinitis, with interesting endoscopic findings.
Imaging acetaldehyde formation during ethanol metabolism in living cells using a hydrazinyl naphthalimide fluorescent probe

The metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde has been visualized in living lung epithelial cells using a hydrazinyl naphthalimide fluorescent probe. Utilizing a condensation reaction between carbonyls and a hydrazine moeity, we demonstrate that the fluorescent probe (Aldehydefluor-1) AF1 reacts with a range of reactive carbonyl species including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, glyoxylic acid, and methyl glyoxal. With AF1, it is possible to directly visualize endogenous carbonyl metabolites. Here, we have applied it towards the visualization of acetaldehyde generated from alcohol dehydrogenase mediated ethanol metabolism, validating it as a useful tool to study the roles of alcohol in respiratory disease and other pathological mechanisms.
A transient stochastic simulation–optimization model for operational fuel planning in-theater

Abstract Army fuel planners are responsible for developing daily loading plans that specify which tankers to load, with what fuel, and where to send the loaded tankers. The tools used to accomplish this task are custom built spreadsheets which require large amounts of time and effort to use, update, and keep free of errors. This research presents a transient stochastic simulation–optimization model of the in-theater bulk fuel supply chain, where the simulation model is used to simulate the performance of the fuel supply chain under a particular fuel distribution policy and the optimization portion is used to update the policy so that it results in the performance desired by the Army fuel planner. The fuel distribution policy can then be used to derive the daily loading plan. Due to the multi-objective nature of the problem, the set of policies that form the efficient frontier are all candidate policies for the Army fuel planner to select from. Results of experimentation with a wide variety of supply chain scenarios indicate that, for a given supply chain scenario, the optimization portion of the model identifies a set of fuel distribution policies that address the objectives of the Army fuel planner. In addition, the simulation–optimization model comfortably solves the largest supply chain scenarios the Army fuel planner would reasonably be expected to encounter.
Bioethics, children, and the environment

Queer perspectives have typically emerged from sexual minorities as a way of repudiating flawed views of sexuality, mischaracterized relationships, and objectionable social treatment of people with atypical sexuality or gender expression. In this vein, one commentator offers a queer critique of the conceptualization of children in regard to their value for people's identities and relationships. According to this account, children are morally problematic given the values that make them desirable, their displacement of other beings and things entitled to moral protection, not to mention the damaging environmental effects that follow in the wake of population growth. Objectionable views of children are said even to have colonized the view of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans (LGBT) people who – with the enthusiastic endorsement of bioethics – increasingly turn to assisted reproductive treatments to have children. In the face of these outcomes, it is better – according to this account – that people reconsider their interest in children. This account is not, however, ultimately strong enough to override people's interest in having children, relative to the benefits they confer and relative to the benefits conferred on children themselves. It is certainly not strong enough to justify differential treatment of LGBT people in matters of assisted reproductive treatments. Environmental threats in the wake of population growth might be managed in ways other than devaluing children as such. Moreover, this account ultimately damages the interests of LGBT people in matters of access, equity, and children, which outcome is paradoxical, given the origins of queer perspectives as efforts to assert and defend the social interests of sexual and gender minorities.
Disrupting the atmospheric beat

The tropical stratospheric temperature and wind field of several planets oscillate quasi-periodically. Recent Cassini observations show that Saturn’s oscillations were disturbed for more than three years by the year-long giant storm that appeared in 2010.
The Role of K+ Influx on Glutamate Induced Astrocyte Swelling: Effect of Temperature

We studied factors involved in glutamate-stimulated astrocyte swelling and the role of temperature in this process. Glutamateinduced astrocyte swelling was reduced by 74% when temperature was lowered from 37°C to 24°C. Reduction in temperature to 24°C also resulted in inhibition of glutamate-stimulated K+ uptake. When both extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ were removed with BAP-TA/AM (50 μM) and 0.1 mMEGTA and in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, glutamate was not able to stimulate the K+ uptake or swelling. Dantrolene (20 μM), MK-801 (0.5 mM) and ouabain (0.5 mM) inhibited glutamate-induced K+ uptake as well as the glutamate effects on swelling. These findings show the importance of Ca2+ in the mechanism of glutamate swelling and suggests that glutamate induces swelling through stimulation of K+ influx and that the diminished effect of glutamate swelling with decrease in temperature may be due to a decrease in K+ uptake
Mesh-Sequenced Realizations for Evaluation of Subgrid-Scale Models for Turbulent Combustion

This paper develops a new approach for analysis of subgrid closures for turbulent combustion as modeled using direct quadrature (finite-rate chemistry) techniques. The approach, termed multiresolut...
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common neuropathy of the upper extremity. Patient symptoms typically consist of numbness in the ulnar side of the side and hand intrinsic muscle weakness. Physical examination and EMG/NCV are usually adequate to establish a diagnosis. Nonoperative management works approximately 50% of the time and consists of rest and splinting. Operative management can help the symptoms and prevent progression of disease. During surgical decompression, all sites of potential compression should be evaluated to give the patient the best chance for a successful outcome.
Securitization of Worker Remittances

Financial institutions are looking for ways to leverage the value of the cash that emigrant workers send to their home countries. Some banks in developing countries have securitized remittance cash flows for this purpose, but only a portion of remittance securitizations include worker remittances. Likewise, only a handful of scholars have discussed collateralizing debt instruments with worker remittances in particular; most tend to lump worker remittance securitization with future flow securitization in emerging markets generally.
Autosensitization dermatitis: A case of rosacea-like id reaction.

Autosensitization dermatitis, or id reaction, is a cutaneous phenomenon in which an acute secondary dermatitis develops at a location distant from a primary inflammatory focus. The most commonly reported autosensitization dermatitis occurs in patients with venous stasis, with an estimated 37% of these patients experiencing 1 or more episodes of a dermatitis distant to the legs.1 Autosensitization also frequently results from cases of infection. The classic example of an infectious etiology resulting in autosensitization is tinea pedis causing an eczematous eruption on the hands and/or legs. However, multiple infectious organisms including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi are found to cause reactions at areas distant to the site of infection. Id reactions do not always present as eczematous eruptions and may be urticarial, lichenoid, morbilliform, psoriatic, or scarlatiniform in morphology. Additionally, erythema nodosum and erythema multiforme have been observed, among other cutaneous responses.2 Here we report a case of a 46-year-old woman with a history of periodontal disease who presents with erythematous papules and pustules on the face, initially diagnosed as papulopustular rosacea but resistant to all usual treatments for this disease. Later, she was found to have a rosacea-like id reaction in response to an oral infection after treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate.
Comparative effects of insulin and porcine somatotropin on postweaning follicular development in primiparous sows.

We compared the effects of exogenous insulin and porcine ST (pST) on follicular development after weaning. Crossbred primiparous sows received saline (1.5 mL i.m.; n = 9), insulin (.4 IU/kg BW s.c.; Eli Lilly Lente Iletin II; n = 10), or pST (40 microg/kg BW i.m.; n = 10) from d 1 to 5 after weaning (d 0). Ovaries were collected, the diameter of each follicle > or = 2 mm was measured, and fluid from the 20 largest follicles was assessed for IGF-I, IGF binding proteins (IGFBP), estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. The total number (27.7, 25.3, and 29.1 for saline, insulin, and pST, respectively; SEM = 3.2) and average diameter (4.7, 5.2, and 5.5 mm for saline, insulin, and pST treatments, respectively; SEM = .3 mm) of ovarian follicles were not affected by insulin or pST treatment. The pST and insulin increased follicular fluid estradiol and testosterone in medium and large follicles compared to fluid from saline-treated sows, but the increase was greater for insulin than for pST treatment (treatment x size interaction, P < .01). Similarly, progesterone concentrations in follicular fluid were higher in medium and large follicles after insulin treatment, and pST treatment induced higher progesterone concentrations in small follicles and increasingly lower concentrations of progesterone in medium and large follicles (treatment x size interaction, P < .0007) compared to saline treatment. Follicular fluid IGF-I was greater (treatment x health interaction, P < .0001) in atretic and nonatretic follicles from pST-treated sows than in those from insulin- and saline-treated sows. Follicular fluid IGFBP-2 (tendency, P < .07) and IGFBP, possibly representing IGFBP-5 (30 kDa) and IGFBP-4 (22 kDa), were higher in atretic follicles than in nonatretic follicles (P < .05), whereas IGFBP-3 was not influenced by health status. The 30- and 22-kDa IGFBP were also influenced by treatment, increasing due to pST compared with saline or insulin treatments (P < .008). Follicular fluid IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-3 were not influenced by treatment. In conclusion, pST and insulin positively influenced follicular steroidogenesis and possibly follicular development, although through different mechanisms.
1266 Management of Complete Septate Uterus, Duplicated Cervix, and Longitudinal Vaginal Septum

Video Objective Learn the benefit of synchronous laparoscopic and hysteroscopic approach to a complex Mullerian anomaly. Review laparoscopic resection of endometriosis and hysteroscopic resection of complete uterine septum. Setting 19 year old female with complex Mullerian anomaly desiring fertility referred to a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery practice for surgical management. Interventions Diagnostic laparoscopy with resection of endometriosis and hysteroscopic resection of uterine septum. Conclusion A combined laparoscopic and hysteroscopic approach is beneficial when considering surgical management of complex Mullerian anomalies.
STAR — a stream generator for the HP/1000

Programming capabilities at the control command level are imperative for a user-oriented operating system. If they are implemented only in system command interpretation modules, size and speed considerations necessarily limit certain crucial capabilities, as is the case with RTE's transfer file mechanism. A powerful, efficient, and more generally useful solution is to implement them through a stream generation utility, although ideally this requires control command stacking, which is absent from RTE. This paper describes STAR, a stream generator designed for RTE which provides command-level symbolic string manipulation, logic and loop control, and interactive dialog as input stream(s) are transformed into output file(s) and/or a subsequently executed transfer file.
Beliefs About Premarital Cohabitation: Do Individuals Believe Living Together Helps Divorce-Proof Marriage?

Although research suggests that cohabiting prior to marriage does not result in a reduced risk of divorce or an improved chance of marital quality, prior research has indicated that this has been a prevalent view, particularly among emerging adults. Using an online survey, the authors sought to determine whether or not this view was still prevalent and how that might impact decisions about romantic relationships. Final sample included 139 adults with ages ranging from 19 to 64 years and a mean of 30.7 years. The relationship between cohabitation beliefs and several variables were examined using independent-samples t tests and chi-squares (with Yates correction). Results indicated that younger participants were more likely to endorse the belief that cohabitation prevents divorce and cohabitation was a good trial run for marriage while older adults were less likely to endorse these beliefs. These findings have implications for couples therapists and family educators in that they suggest that younger adults, in particular, may be making relationship decisions, such as whether or not to cohabit, based on beliefs unsupported by the literature.
Radiation Therapy: General Principles & Techniques

Radiation therapy has emerged as an independent medical specialty in the United States only in the past 15 years. Radiation therapists are broadly based oncologic physicians with special training in the technical aspects of radiation therapy, radiation physics, and radiation biology. Radiation therapy is a major form of curative treatment, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy and/or surgery, as well as a major palliative tool in the treatment of malignant disease. The use of ionizing radiation dates to Rontgen’s discovery of x-rays (1895) and to the discovery of natural radioactivity by the Curies and Becquerel. There were numerous aborted attempts to use this new energy to treat patients. In 1913, Coolidge developed an x-ray tube with heated tungsten filament and target in an effective vacuum producing effective x-rays, and thereby providing the foundation for external radiation therapy. The application of radiation therapy by radium containers and interstitial radium for uterine cancer were developed during this period. In 1922, Regaud, Coutard, and Hautant presented evidence that radiation therapy could be applied to cure advanced laryngeal cancer. Coutard and Baclesse developed a specific modality of protracted fractionation (administering the total dose in smaller daily doses extended over longer periods of time) which is today the basis of radiation treatment schedules. Radiation therapists in France, Scandinavia, and England developed techniques for the treatment of patients with cancer of the cervix and defined the guidelines for local radium application.
Integrating the theory of planned behavior and uses and gratifications to understand music streaming intentions and behavior

This study tests an expanded theory of planned behavior model (TPB) that includes motives from uses and gratifications (U&G) to predict intentions to use digital music streaming services as well as...
CLINICAL AND ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: RELATIONSHIP TO LV GLOBAL LONGITUDINAL STRAIN

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a complex cardiovascular disease with a wide spectrum of phenotypic variations. The symptomatology and severity of HCM is less well defined in children as age specific norms for most modalities are extrapolated from adult data. Furthermore, the role of left