cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sodium Channel Inactivation Is Altered by Substitution of Voltage Sensor Positive Charges

The role of the voltage sensor positive charges in fast and slow inactivation of the rat brain IIA sodium channel was investigated by mutating the second and fourth conserved positive charges in the S4 segments of all four homologous domains. Both charge-neutralizing mutations (by glutamine substitution) and charge-conserving mutations were constructed in a cDNA encoding the sodium channel α subunit. To determine if fast inactivation altered the effects of the mutations on slow inactivation, the mutations were also constructed in a channel that had fast inactivation removed by the incorporation of the IFMQ3 mutation in the III–IV linker (West, J.W., D.E. Patton, T. Scheuer, Y. Wang, A.L. Goldin, and W.A. Catterall. 1992. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 89:10910– 10914). Most of the mutations shifted the v1/2 of fast inactivation in the negative direction, with the largest effects resulting from mutations in domains I and II. These shifts were in the opposite direction compared with those observed for activation. The effects of the mutations on slow inactivation depended on whether fast inactivation was intact or not. When fast inactivation was eliminated, most of the mutations resulted in positive shifts in the v1/2 of slow inactivation. The largest effects again resulted from mutations in domains I and II. When fast inactivation was intact, the mutations in domains II and III resulted in negative shifts in the v1/2 of slow inactivation. Neutralization of the fourth charge in domain I or II resulted in the appearance of a second component in the voltage dependence of slow inactivation that was only observable when fast inactivation was intact. These results suggest the S4 regions of all four domains of the sodium channel are involved in the voltage dependence of inactivation, but to varying extents. Fast inactivation is not strictly coupled to activation, but it derives some independent voltage sensitivity from the charges in the S4 domains. Finally, there is an interaction between the fast and slow inactivation processes.
Linear programming formulation of the set partitioning problem

In this paper, we present a linear programming (LP) model of the set partitioning problem (SPP). The number of variables and the number of constraints of the proposed model are bounded by (third-degree) polynomial functions of the number of non-zero entries of the SPP input matrix, respectively. Hence, the model provides a new affirmative resolution to the all-important 'P vs. NP' question. We use a transportation problem-based reformulation that we develop, and a path-based modelling approach similar to that used in Diaby (2007) to formulate the proposed LP model. The approach is illustrated with a numerical example.
Cost-effectiveness of Gatifloxacin vs Ceftriaxone With a Macrolide for the Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia

Study objective: To determine the cost-effectiveness of sequential IV to oral gatifloxacin therapy vs IV ceftriaxone with or without IV erythromycin to oral clarithromycin therapy to treat community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients requiring hospitalization. Patients: Two hundred eighty-three patients enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial were eligible for inclusion in the cost-effectiveness analysis. Methods: Data collected included patient demographics, clinical and microbiological outcomes, length of stay (LOS), and antibiotic-related LOS (LOSAR). Costs evaluated include drug acquisition (level 1); plus costs of preparation, dispensing, and administration, treating adverse events, and clinical failures (level 2); plus hospital per diem costs (level 3). Robustness of economic findings was tested using sensitivity analyses. Results: Two hundred three patients were clinically and economically evaluable (98 receiving gatifloxacin and 105 receiving ceftriaxone). IV erythromycin was administered to 35 patients in the ceftriaxone-treated group. Oral conversion was achieved in 98% of patients in each group. Clinical cure and microbiological eradication rates did not differ statistically (98% and 97% with gatifloxacin vs 92% and 92% with ceftriaxone, respectively). Overall, neither geometric mean LOS nor LOSAR differed significantly (4.2 days and 4.1 days with gatifloxacin vs 4.9 days and 4.9 days with ceftriaxone, respectively). Treatment failures in the ceftriaxone group contributed to a mean incremental increase in LOSAR of 1.09 days and increased mean cost per patient. The geometric mean costs per patient (level 3) were $5,109 for gatifloxacin and $6,164 for ceftriaxone (p = 0.011). The cost-effectiveness ratios (mean cost per expected success) were $5,236:1 and $7,047:1 for gatifloxacin and ceftriaxone, respectively. Conclusions: Gatifloxacin monotherapy for CAP patients requiring hospitalization is clinically effective and provides an economic advantage compared to the regimen of ceftriaxone with or without erythromycin IV with a switch to oral clarithromycin.
SIMULTANEOUS ISOLATION OF PURIFIED MICROSOMAL and MYELIN FRACTIONS FROM RAT SPINAL CORD

— The fraction that sediments between 2 × 105g-min and 6 × 106g-min from dilute dispersions of rat brain in 0.32 m-sucrose is a microsomal fraction with very little contamination by myelin. A crude microsomal fraction prepared in the same way from rat spinal cord contains more myelin than microsomes. Centrifugation of the crude microsomal fraction in 0.85 m-sucrose gave a floating fraction, an infranatant fraction (purified microsomes) and a small pellet. The purified microsomes contained very little myelin as judged by electron microscopy and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The lipid composition resembled that of spinal cord myelin except that the purified microsomes contained relatively less cholesterol and ethanolamine plasmalogens. The content of galactolipids was much greater in spinal cord microsomes than in brain microsomes. The spinal cord CDP-ethanol-amine:diglyceride ethanolaminephosphotransferase activity (EC 2.7.8.1) was concentrated in the purified microsomes. A spinal cord myelin fraction isolated from the 2 × 105g-min pellet was quite pure as judged by electron microscopy, enzyme activities and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. No NADPH-cyto-chrome c reductase activity (EC 1.6.2.3) could be detected in the purified myelin. The ethanolaminephosphotransferase specific activity was about 5% of that found in the purified microsomal fraction. The protein content was 25% by weight for spinal cord myelin and 31% for brain myelin. Of the total spinal cord 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide-3′-phosphohydrolase activity, 16% was lost from the crude myelin during purification, 21% was recovered in the purified myelin, and 11% was found in the floating fraction from the crude microsomes. The purified myelin and microsomal fractions from spinal cord were relatively pure. Additional myelin was recovered in the floating fraction from the crude microsomes.
Antigenicity of Soybean Protease Inhibitors

Trypsin inhibitors (TIs) constitute at least 6% of the protein of soybeans (Ryan, 1973). In addition to their beneficial effects elaborated upon in this volume, high levels of protease inhibitors have both antinutritional and toxicological effects (reviewed by Gallaher and Schneeman, 1984; Rackis and Gumbmann, 1981). In the rat, dietary protease inhibitors can induce the development of pancreatic acinar cell adenoma, but the mechanistic basis, involving cholecystokinin, appears not to operate in other species, including humans (see Chapter 18). Accurate measurement of specific protease inhibitors will be important to define the human dietary exposure to protease inhibitors in epidemiological studies. Such studies should elucidate the role of protease inhibitors in preventing breast, colon, and prostatic cancer, as well as their potential contribution to human pancreatic cancer (see Chapters 1 and 18).
Mathematical Structuralism Today

Two topics figure prominently in recent discussions of mathematical structuralism: challenges to the purported metaphysical insight provided by sui generis structuralism and the significance of category theory for understanding and articulating mathematical structuralism. This article presents an overview of central themes related to these topics.
Diaspora Concentration and the Venture Investment Impact of Remittances

Abstract International business (“IB”) research has developed theory and preliminary evidence suggesting that remittances from overseas immigrant diasporas enhance home-country venture funding access, particularly in developing countries where a dearth of formal institutional protections deter other foreign investors. I extend this research with theory and evidence linking the geographic concentration of immigrant diasporas abroad to the magnified venture investment impact of their remittances back home. Analyses of remittances to 50 developing counties from 2002 to 2007 show that the venture investment impact of remittances may be completely nullified when coming from geographically-dispersed immigrant diasporas. Diaspora concentration abroad facilitates more effective discovery of venture opportunities back home.
Realism of local and remote feedbacks on tropical sea surface temperatures in climate models

[1] An important emerging issue in climate research is the degree to which a sea surface temperature (SST) change in one tropical ocean basin affects the SST in other basins. In this study, the SST interactions among eight broadly defined regions of coherent SST variability in the tropical Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans are estimated using 3 observational and 76 climate model simulation data sets of the 20th century. The eight-dimensional SST feedback matrix is estimated separately using each data set by constructing a Linear Inverse Model based on the lag-covariance statistics of the 100 year monthly SST time series. The simulated feedback matrices are found to differ in several key respects from the observed matrices and also from one another. In particular, the influence of the eastern Pacific ENSO region on other regions and of the other regions on the ENSO region is found to vary considerably from model to model. The representation of remote interactions with the Indo-Pacific Warm Pool region is also found to be highly variable. It is argued that these large errors/differences arise mainly from differences in the representation of the remote atmospheric teleconnective feedbacks, and to a lesser extent the local radiative-thermodynamic feedbacks, on the SSTs in the models, whereas differences in the representation of the tropical oceanic wave dynamics are likely less important.
Melting public−private boundaries in European health systems

Renewed debates about the superiority of either predominantly public or predominantly private health services arrangements have tended to be more ideologically charged than conceptually precise. Historically, the public/private split in European systems has often been more sharply defined in principle than in practice. This real-world variation was further complicated during the 1990s by reforms that enabled publicly owned hospitals and health centres to manage their daily operations more independently. Most recently, several new initiatives have established complex cross-boundary arrangements that cannot easily be characterized as either public or private. This article presents a conceptually rigorous four-part classification of past public/private arrangements that can provide a theoretical baseline from which to judge future cross-boundary developments.
Determining physical constraints in transcriptional initiation complexes using DNA sequence analysis.

Eukaryotic gene expression is often under the control of cooperatively acting transcription factors whose binding is limited by structural constraints. By determining these structural constraints, we can understand the “rules” that define functional cooperativity. Conversely, by understanding the rules of binding, we can infer structural characteristics. We have developed an information theory based method for approximating the physical limitations of cooperative interactions by comparing sequence analysis to microarray expression data. When applied to the coordinated binding of the sulfur amino acid regulatory protein Met4 by Cbf1 and Met31, we were able to create a combinatorial model that can correctly identify Met4 regulated genes. Interestingly, we found that the major determinant of Met4 regulation was the sum of the strength of the Cbf1 and Met31 binding sites and that the energetic costs associated with spacing appeared to be minimal.
Revisiting Raup: exploring the influence of outcrop area on diversity in light of modern sample-standardization techniques

Abstract Since David Raup's seminal 1976 work, paleontologists have been aware of the relationship between outcrop area and diversity. By incorporating lithologic data derived from Alexander Ronov and coworkers into our own data on areas of mapped outcrops from worldwide geologic maps, we are able to establish a quantitative connection between area of sedimentary rock exposure and diversity from the same general depositional environments. Significant power-law relations are observed at both global and continental scales of consideration. The addition of data on areas of habitable area estimated from paleogeographic maps does not substantially affect these correlations between outcrop area and diversity, indicating that the relation between outcrop area and diversity is primarily a function of sampling and not a common cause such as sea level. We observe a significant diversity-area effect, first noted by Jack Sepkoski in the marine realm. Unlike Sepkoski's, however, our diversity-area effect appears to pl...
A 9 Å Resolution X-Ray Crystallographic Map of the Large Ribosomal Subunit

The 50S subunit of the ribosome catalyzes the peptidyl-transferase reaction of protein synthesis. We have generated X-ray crystallographic electron density maps of the large ribosomal subunit from Haloarcula marismortui at various resolutions up to 9 A using data from crystals that diffract to 3 A. Positioning a 20 A resolution EM image of these particles in the crystal lattice produced phases accurate enough to locate the bound heavy atoms in three derivatives using difference Fourier maps, thus demonstrating the correctness of the EM model and its placement in the unit cell. At 20 A resolution, the X-ray map is similar to the EM map; however, at 9 A it reveals long, continuous, but branched features whose shape, diameter, and right-handed twist are consistent with segments of double-helical RNA that crisscross the subunit.
Interfaces to connect the HandiHaler and Aerolizer powder inhalers to a tracheostomy tube.

BACKGROUND: Patients with respiratory failure are often unable to inhale powdered aerosol medications such as long-acting β agonists and long-acting anticholinergics, which are important treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. OBJECTIVE: To explore delivery of aerosolized powder medications via tracheostomy tube. METHODS: We designed interfaces to connect the HandiHaler and Aerolizer devices to tracheostomy tubes, and to connect the HandiHaler to a manual resuscitator bag. With these interfaces, in 23 patients, we assessed the clinical ease/difficulty of delivery and delivery time of the first 3 administrations of powder-aerosol long-acting β agonists and long-acting anticholinergics from the HandiHaler and the Aerolizer. RESULTS: The powder aerosols were readily delivered to all the patients. Nineteen of the 23 patients (83%) were able to inhale the medication on their own. In the 4 patients who were unable to effectively inhale the medication on their own, bag-assist was successful. The aerosol delivery time was usually CONCLUSIONS: With a proper interface, powdered long-acting β agonists and long-acting anticholinergics can be easily delivered via tracheostomy tube, even if the patient cannot inhale on his or her own. Further studies are needed to assess particle size, dose delivery, and clinical efficacy with these interfaces and device modifications.
Vaccinia Virus Entry into Cells via a Low-pH-Dependent Endosomal Pathway

Previous studies established that vaccinia virus could enter cells by fusion with the plasma membrane at neutral pH. However, low pH triggers fusion of vaccinia virus-infected cells, a hallmark of viruses that enter by the endosomal route. Here, we demonstrate that entry of mature vaccinia virions is accelerated by brief low-pH treatment and severely reduced by inhibitors of endosomal acidification, providing evidence for a predominant low-pH-dependent endosomal pathway. Entry of vaccinia virus cores into the cytoplasm, measured by expression of firefly luciferase, was increased more than 10-fold by exposure to a pH of 4.0 to 5.5. Furthermore, the inhibitors of endosomal acidification bafilomycin A1, concanamycin A, and monensin each lowered virus entry by more than 70%. This reduction was largely overcome by low-pH-induced entry through the plasma membrane, confirming the specificities of the drugs. Entry of vaccinia virus cores with or without brief low-pH treatment was visualized by electron microscopy of thin sections of immunogold-stained cells. Although some virus particles fused with the plasma membrane at neutral pH, 30 times more fusions and a greater number of cytoplasmic cores were seen within minutes after low-pH treatment. Without low-pH exposure, the number of released cores lagged behind the number of virions in vesicles until 30 min posttreatment, when they became approximately equal, perhaps reflecting the time of endosome acidification and virus fusion. The choice of two distinct pathways may contribute to the ability of vaccinia virus to enter a wide range of cells.
A Review of: “Sex Workers of India: Diversity in Practice of Prostitution and Ways of Life. By Moni Nag. New Delhi: Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd., 2006, 346 pages. Hardcover, $36.00. Sexuality, Gender and Rights: Exploring Theory and Practice in South and Southeast Asia. Edited by Geetanjali Misra & Radhika Chandiramani.”

These two books foreground important contributions toward public, open, progressive discussions of sexuality in India and Asia, although the two are quite different in nature. Nag's aim is “to sift...
Interests in and Barriers to Using Computers in Instruction.

Over the past decade, a number of surveys have examined faculty use of computers and interest in using them. Several reasons for differences between use and interest are discussed in this paper: lack of faculty time, training, or reward; lack of quality software; lack of hardware; and lack of support staff. I argue that the problems are disappearing and that computer-assisted instruction can become more common.
Utilizing Web 2.0 to Provide an International Experience for Pre-Service Elementary Education Teachers—The IPC Project

This paper describes an international project completed by groups of pre-service elementary education students in four countries. Students utilized Web 2.0 technologies to design and conduct a study on a topic of their choosing related to curriculum and instruction, in elementary schools. This paper also presents results of a survey given to two groups of these students as well as anecdotal comments from others.
Traction dynamics of filopodia on compliant substrates

Cells sense the environment's mechanical stiffness to control their own shape, migration, and fate. To better understand stiffness sensing, we constructed a stochastic model of the "motor-clutch" force transmission system, where molecular clutches link F-actin to the substrate and mechanically resist myosin-driven F-actin retrograde flow. The model predicts two distinct regimes: (i) "frictional slippage," with fast retrograde flow and low traction forces on stiff substrates and (ii) oscillatory "load-and-fail" dynamics, with slower retrograde flow and higher traction forces on soft substrates. We experimentally confirmed these model predictions in embryonic chick forebrain neurons by measuring the nanoscale dynamics of single-growth-cone filopodia. Furthermore, we experimentally observed a model-predicted switch in F-actin dynamics around an elastic modulus of 1 kilopascal. Thus, a motor-clutch system inherently senses and responds to the mechanical stiffness of the local environment.
Cooxidation of ammonia and ethanol in supercritical water, part 1: Experimental results

The cooxidative effect of ethanol on ammonia oxidation in supercritical water was studied for a range of temperatures (655–705°C), initial ammonia (1–3 mM), ethanol (0–1.0 mM), and oxygen concentrations (0.7–5.0 mM), corresponding to fuel equivalence ratios ranging from 0.9 to 2.2 for the complete combustion of both organic species. With a stoichiometric amount of oxygen available for complete oxidation, the addition of ethanol on an equivalent molar basis was found to increase ammonia conversion from 20 to 65% at initial concentrations of 1 mM for each reactant, T = 700°C, P = 246 bar, and τ = 2.5 s. Nitrous oxide was produced in much larger quantities for ammonia–ethanol cooxidation than for ammonia oxidation. Based on fractional yields of nitrogen product, this amounted to 40–75% for co-oxidation with ethanol versus 4–13% without ethanol present. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Relational Autonomy, Personhood, and African Traditions

feature of communalism in African traditions is its normative conception of personhood, which indicates how a community, based on its values, obligations, and social recognition, may shape an individual’s identity and choices. Some have argued that this communal view of personhood is inconsistent with or vitiates autonomy because the community strongly determines the choices that individuals make, and in some cases it imposes its will on individuals such that they are prevented from freely making their own choices. I argue that the conception of personhood and the relations between community and indi viduals in African traditions are not inconsistent with the idea of autonomy. Such inconsistency exists only if we assume falsely that autonomy must be construed negatively and in an extreme individualistic metaphysical sense of the free will of an isolated and non-relational individual. I argue that the idea of personhood in African traditions implies a relational and positive sense of autonomy, which involves the community helping or guiding one to use one’s ability and knowledge of one’s social relations and circumstance to choose freely the requisite goods for achieving one’s life plan. In contrast, a negative sense of autonomy involves simply leaving one alone to make free choices and not to interfere with one’s ability to make free choices. The idea of ‘relational autonomy’ is understood in philosophical literature as an alternati ve conception of what it means for one to be a free and self-governing person, in that such a person is socially constituted and embedded in a social environment, culture, or tradition that indicates value commitments, social obligations, interpersonal relationships, and mutual dependencies. 3 The African view of relational autonomy is defined and bolstered by communal realities, relationships, values, interests, obligations, and modes of meaning. These social relationships and obligations not
Coordinated intersection traffic management

Abstract This paper considers the problem of coordinating the passage of vehicles through a traffic intersection with the aim of minimizing total travel time and energy consumption. The intersection manager communicates with vehicles heading towards the intersection, groups them into clusters (termed bubbles) as they appear, and determines an optimal order of passage and average velocity profiles. Vehicles in a bubble receive the corresponding profile and implement local control to avoid collision with other bubbles in the same road and within the bubble itself, and reach the intersection at the prescribed time and with the bubble occupying the intersection for no more than a prescribed duration.
Locomotor capacity attributable to step training versus spontaneous recovery after spinalization in adult cats.

de Leon, R. D., J. A. Hodgson, R. R. Roy, and V. R. Edgerton. Locomotor capacity attributable to step training versus spontaneous recovery after spinalization in adult cats. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 13...
False-Positive Rates of Reliable Change Indices for Concussion Test Batteries: A Monte Carlo Simulation.

Background: Neurocognitive testing is widely performed for the assessment of concussion. Athletic trainers can use preseason baselines with reliable change indices (RCIs) to ascertain whether conc...
Testing predictions from density functional theory at finite temperatures: β 2 -like ground states in Co-Pt

We perform a critical assessment of the accuracy of density functional theory (DFT) based methods in predicting stable phases within the Co-Pt binary alloy. Statistical mechanical analysis applied to zero kelvin DFT predictions yields finite-temperature results that can be directly compared with experimental measurements. The predicted temperature-composition phase diagram is qualitatively incompatible with experimental observations, indicating that the predicted stability of long-period superstructures as ground states in the Co-Pt binary is incorrect. We also show that recently suggested methods to better align DFT and experiment via the hybrid functional HSE06 are unable to resolve the discrepancies in this system. Our results indicate a need for better verification of DFT based phase stability predictions, and highlight fundamental flaws in the ability of DFT to treat late $3d\ensuremath{-}5d$ binary alloys.
Plessy v. Ferguson, Fisher v. University of Texas, and the 'Color-Blind Constitution'

As the Supreme Court turns its attention once again to the Reconstruction Amendments, in Fisher v. University of Texas and Schuette v. Michigan Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, the Justices should reconsider the common image of a "color-blind Constitution," a metaphor borrowed from Justice Harlan’s dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson. We usually consider Plessy an Equal-Protection case and Harlan’s dissent an early attempt at equal-protection jurisprudence. Those who brought the suit were not asking for equal protection, however. The perversely ingenious device Southern state used to circumvent the Reconstruction Amendments was a system of laws that created the legal categories "white" and "colored," and authorized private and public agents of government to apply the label "colored" to the people formerly enslaved. The aim was to authorize private discrimination, and was accomplished and maintained for decades by asserting the right of "white" citizens to separate themselves from the former slaves. Creation in this way of superior and subordinate castes violated the core aim of the Reconstruction Amendments, but the labels "white" and "colored" served the purpose for which they were intended, and are still deeply impressed upon civil society. Plessy’s lawyers argued in surprisingly modern terms that equal treatment of superior and subordinated castes was not a remedy, but the evil itself. Their argument should be heard today.
Asymptotics of powers of binomial and multinomial probabilities

Abstract Fix positive integers k ≥ 2 , j ≥ 2 and numbers p 1 , p 2 , … , p k such that 0 p i 1 for all i = 1 , 2 , … , k , and ∑ i = 1 k p i = 1 . For a positive integer n , let b n , j , k ( p 1 , p 2 , … , p k ) ≡ ∑ ( n 1 , n 2 , … , n k ) ∈ T n , k ( n ! n 1 ! n 2 ! ⋯ n k ! p 1 n 1 p 2 n 2 ⋯ p k n k ) j , where T n , k is the set { ( n 1 , n 2 , … , n k ) : n i ∈ { 0 , 1 , 2 , … , n } , ∑ i = 1 k n i = n } . Then there exists 0 b j , k ( p 1 , p 2 , … , p k ) ∞ such that (1) n ( j − 1 ) ( k − 1 ) / 2 b n , j , k ( p 1 , p 2 , … , p k ) → b j , k ( p 1 , p 2 , … , p k ) as n → ∞ .
Transgenic Models for Investigating Oligodendrocyte Differentiation and Myelin Formation

The myelin membrane is a highly specialized extension of the oligodendroglial plasma membrane, which surrounds axons and forms a tightly compacted multilamellar structure1. Myelin has a relatively simple protein composition, with the proteolipid (PLP) and DM20 proteins comprising approximately 50% of adult CNS myelin protein2,3. These proteins are translated from alternatively spliced mRNAs encoded by the PLP gene4,5,6. Thus, a major portion of the oligodendrocyte differentiation program is dedicated to the expression of the PLP gene. Mutations in this gene are devastating, and animals such as the jimpy mouse or the md rat are severely compromised, dying within the first postnatal month. CNS changes have been noted in these animals, at ages prior to the time of oligodendrocyte differentiation7,8,9.10, 11. In earlier studies, we and others demonstrated that the DM20 mRNA and protein appear prior to PLP in the developing nervous system12, 13, 14, 15. In addition, it has now been shown that the DM20 mRNA is expressed in the developing embryonic nervous system16, 17. Thus, a number of studies have suggested that in addition to the production of the most abundant proteins of the myelin membrane, the PLP gene may encode a protein(s), perhaps the DM20 protein, which is expressed in cells in the developing nervous system prior to oligodendrocyte differentiation.
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ECONOMIC METHOD

A sample of leading introductory economics textbooks reveals that most devote little space to the method of analysis used by mainstream economists. A thorough introductory treatment of the subject ...
An automatic clinical analyzer: a critical evaluation.

An Automatic Clinical Analyzer (DuPont ACA Prototype IV) was field evaluated. It is a discrete-sample, random-access analyzer which incorporates a new and unique method of performing chemical analyses. The analytical system is based on an expendable, clear plastic pack which serves as a reaction chamber and test cuvette. Serum specimens are introduced in plastic cups followed by plastic packs which are specific for each measurement. A report slip is generated which contains positive patient identification together with a list of measurements and results. Instrument performance was critically analyzed. Downtime was carefully noted. Erroneous results were detected by replicate analyses and comparisons with other methods. Acceptability by laboratory personnel was determined. The precision and accuracy of each method was analyzed, and normal ranges for young adults were determined. The Automatic Clinical Analyzer was found to be a reliable laboratory instrument with considerable potential for large and small volume workloads.
Claiming, Resisting, and Exempting Pathology in the Identities of Self-Injurers

AbstractFor this project, we analyzed in-depth life history materials from interviews with twelve former self-injurers. Eschewing a medical/psychological approach to self-injury, our primary goal was to discover how study participants used the discourse of self-injury as a narrative resource to construct their identity. Our study participants drew on pathology exemplars and alternative frames to make sense of their lives and selves. In this article, the lines between so-called self-injury and other socially sanctioned behaviors became blurred. We call for an approach to the topic that is more consciously aware of the socially constructed nature of the phenomenon.
Chemical Mass Production of Graphene Nanoplatelets in ∼100% Yield.

Successful application of graphene is hampered by the lack of cost-effective methods for its production. Here, we demonstrate a method of mass production of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) by exfoliation of flake graphite in the tricomponent system made by a combination of ammonium persulfate ((NH4)2S2O8), concentrated sulfuric acid, and fuming sulfuric acid. The resulting GNPs are tens of microns in diameter and 10–35 nm in thickness. When in the liquid phase of the tricomponent media, graphite completely loses its interlayer registry. This provides a ∼100% yield of GNPs from graphite in 3–4 h at room temperature or in 10 min at 120 °C.
Effects of mitogens and other agents on rat mesangial cell proliferation, pH, and Ca2+

We investigated effects of various agents on proliferation, intracellular pH (pHi), and intracellular calcium [( Ca2+]i) of rat mesangial cells (MCs) in early passages (2-5). Serum-starved MCs incubated in HCO3- were exposed to one of the following: fetal calf serum (FCS), serotonin, angiotensin II (ANG II), arginine vasopressin (AVP), bombesin (Bom), bradykinin (BK), epidermal growth factor (EGF), epinephrine (Epi), interleukin 1 (IL-1), norepinephrine (NE), neuropeptide Y, oxytocin, substance P (SP), platelet-derived growth factor, or 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). We assessed DNA synthesis from [3H]thymidine uptake during exposure to test agent. All agents except ANG II, NE, Bom, and SP were mitogenic. When MCs were incubated in a HCO3(-) -free N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered medium, maximal mitogenic responses to FCS, AVP, and EGF were 41, 44, and 55% (P less than 0.01) lower, respectively, than those in presence of HCO3-. In absence of HCO3-, agents other than BK and IL-1 produced a biphasic pHi response characterized by a transient acidification followed by a prolonged alkalinization that was both Na(+)-dependent and amiloride-sensitive. In presence of HCO3-, agents produced only a small and gradual acidification, except for IL-1 and Epi. Addition of all agonists except IL-1, EGF, and TPA produced significant transient increases in [Ca2+]i, the magnitudes of which were similar in HCO3- and non-HCO3- buffers. These results demonstrate that, in presence of HCO3-, agents (i.e., NE and ANG II) can produce typical [Ca2+]i transients and still not cause MC proliferation. Conversely, an agent may cause proliferation without eliciting a short-term change in either [Ca2+]i or pHi (i.e., IL-1), a change in [Ca2+]i but not pHi (i.e., Epi), or a change in pHi but not [Ca2+]i (i.e., TPA). Thus, at least for MCs, proliferation in HCO3- can be dissociated from early agonist-induced changes in pHi and [Ca2+]i.
The Timely Death of Supply Side Economics

It is good form in public debate to try to express the other point of view from the most favorable perspective. So I will try.
Examining Discrimination, Ethnic-Racial Identity Status, and Youth Public Regard Among Black, Latino, and White Adolescents.

How positively adolescents believe others feel about their ethnic-racial group (i.e., public regard) is an important part of their ethnic-racial identity (ERI), which is likely informed by contextual and individual factors. Using cluster analyses to generate ERI statuses among Black, Latino, and White adolescents (n = 1,378), we found that associations between peer versus adult discrimination and public regard varied across ERI status and ethnic-racial group. However, among all adolescents, an achieved ERI (i.e., having explored ethnicity-race and having a clear sense about its personal meaning) buffered the negative association between adult discrimination and public regard, but not between peer discrimination and public regard. Implications for understanding the interplay between contextual and individual factors for public regard are discussed.
A Method for Lightweight Verification on Data Integrity in Mobile Cloud Computing Environment

The data integrity verification in mobile cloud computing environment was analyzed. A method for lightweight verification on data integrity was proposed,which was based on BLS short signature scheme and Merkle Hash tree data structure. Considering the resource constraints and"harsh"environment of mobile devices,the method is suitable for mobile computing environment and has many good features of proposed schemes. Through the method the verification process could be accomplished with high accuracy,light computing and lowdata transmission. In this method,outsourcing verification was supported,data integrity could be verified without using directly source file blocks,process of verification could be stateless,and dynamic data operation could be archived in cloud. It is suitable for the service on data in mobile cloud computing environment.
Characterizing spatiotemporal information loss in sparse-sampling-based dynamic MRI for monitoring respiration-induced tumor motion in radiotherapy.

Purpose: Sparse-sampling and reconstruction techniques represent an attractive strategy to achieve faster image acquisition speeds, while maintaining adequate spatial resolution and signal-to-noise ratio in rapid magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). The authors investigate the use of one such sequence, broad-use linear acquisition speed-up technique (k-t BLAST) in monitoring tumormotion for thoracic and abdominal radiotherapy and examine the potential trade-off between increased sparsification (to increase imaging speed) and the potential loss of “true” information due to greater reliance on a priori information. Methods: Lungtumormotion trajectories in the superior–inferior direction, previously recorded from ten lungcancer patients, were replayed using a motion phantom module driven by an MRI-compatible motion platform. Eppendorf test tubes filled with water which serve as fiducial markers were placed in the phantom. The modeled rigid and deformable motions were collected in a coronal image slice using balanced fast field echo in conjunction with k-t BLAST. Root mean square (RMS) error was used as a metric of spatial accuracy as measured trajectories were compared to input data. The loss of spatial information was characterized for progressively increasing acceleration factor from 1 to 16; the resultant sampling frequency was increased approximately from 2.5 to 19 Hz when the principal direction of the motion was set along frequency encoding direction. In addition to the phantom study, respiration-induced tumormotions were captured from two patients (kidneytumor and lungtumor) at 13 Hz over 49 s to demonstrate the impact of high speed motion monitoring over multiple breathing cycles. For each subject, the authors compared the tumor centroid trajectory as well as the deformable motion during free breathing. Results: In the rigid and deformable phantom studies, the RMS error of target tracking at the acquisition speed of 19 Hz was approximately 0.3–0.4 mm, which was smaller than the reconstructed pixel resolution of 0.67 mm. In the patient study, the dynamic 2D MRI enabled the monitoring of cycle-to-cycle respiratory variability present in the tumor position. It was seen that the range of centroid motion as well as the area covered due to target motion during each individual respiratory cycle was underestimated compared to the entire motion range observed over multiple breathing cycles. Conclusions: The authors’ initial results demonstrate that sparse-sampling- and reconstruction-based dynamic MRI can be used to achieve adequate image acquisition speeds without significant information loss for the task of radiotherapy guidance. Such monitoring can yield spatial and temporal information superior to conventional offline and online motion capture methods used in thoracic and abdominal radiotherapy.
Effects of energy and protein supplementation of ammoniated tropical grass hay on the growth and carcass characteristics of cull cows.

Laboratory, digestion and growth studies were used to evaluate energy and protein supplements for ammoniated (4% of the forage DM) stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst var. nlemfuensis) hay. Ammoniation increased (P less than .05) total N concentration (.7 to .9% vs 1.7 to 2.0%) and in vitro digestion of OM, NDF and ADF and reduced (P less than .05) NDF concentration of stargrass hay. Two digestion (3 x 3 Latin square, 250-kg steers) and two growth (400-kg Brahman crossbred cull cows, eight head per pasture, two pastures per treatment, November through February) trials evaluated citrus pulp or liquid cane molasses (Trial 1) and molasses or molasses plus cottonseed meal (Trial 2) supplementation of ammoniated hay. Supplementation with byproduct energy sources, citrus pulp or molasses (either alone or with cottonseed meal), improved (P less than .05) OM digestibility but reduced (P less than .05) NDF and ADF digestibilities. Apparent nutrient digestibilities were similar (P greater than .05) between diets supplemented with citrus pulp and molasses and between diets supplemented with molasses and molasses plus cottonseed meal. In Trial 1, ADG by cull cows was greater (P less than .05) for citrus pulp- (.71 kg) or molasses-(.68 kg) supplemented diets than for hay fed alone (.49 kg). In Trial ADG was greater (P less than .05) for cull cows fed ammoniated hay supplemented with molasses plus cottonseed meal (.85 kg) than for those supplemented with molasses only (.69 kg). Feeding cows over the winter increased their (P less than .05) carcass weight, marbling score, USDA quality grade and lipid percentage of the 9-10-11 rib section compared with cows slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
No Sex Differences in the Frequencies of Common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Associated with Age-Related Macular Degeneration

ABSTRACTPurpose: Since some studies have reported differences in the association of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with biological sex, we set out to determine whether the difference in the disease susceptibility is afforded by common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AMD.Methods: We genotyped 2067 Caucasian subjects from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study cohort for commonly associated AMD SNPs, including those in CFH (rs1061170, rs1410996, and rs3766404), ARMS2 (rs10490924), and C3 (rs2230199) using either a Sequenom MassARRAY MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer or using Taqman genotyping reagents. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine the effect of genotype, age, sex, and smoking status on the development of AMD.Results: All tested SNPs genotyped are associated strongly with AMD (p < 0.0001), in concordance with previous studies. However, we found no observable differences in any of the SNPs studied when categorized by sex. Interactions between SNPs and sex were fou...
"A Big Circle of Unity": Incarcerated Fathers Being-in-Text.

This study explores the lived experiences of incarcerated fathers “being-in-text” with their children. It draws on Husserlian and Heideggerian notions of intentionality that are partly deconstructed by Derrida and further “posted” by Vagle’s notion of post-intentionality and Barad’s posthumanism. Of particular interest is a week-long prison-based mural project—framed in terms of multimodal, existential, identity work—that provided material support for fathers’ ontological shifts from being prisoners to being fathers in phenomenal time and space. The study revealed that being-in-text was lived as a contingent and suspenseful “being-in” time and space, oriented in a “being for” children, even as other forces of being-in-prison discouraged fathers from looking up toward horizons beyond prison walls. These dehumanizing forces of prison were a form of blind loyalty—a looking down and away from life outside prison and narratives of belonging. The study further revealed a possibility for becoming fathers as pris...
Centrality and Cluster Analysis of Yelp Mutual Customer Business Graph

This paper proposes a novel approach to understandcustomer relationships among businesses and the type of information that can be inferred from these relationships. Our approachis grounded in a unique method of constructing a mutualcustomer business graph, where businesses are represented bynodes and the weight of the edge connecting two businessesreflects the strength of their mutual customer population, which isestimated based on the reviews from the Yelp academic data set. We construct and analyze these mutual customer business graphsfor cities of Las Vegas and Phoenix using centrality and spectralanalysis techniques. Centrality analysis computes unweighted andweighted versions of degree and PageRank graph measures, theresults reveal that businesses with high graph centralities alsotend to be geographically central relative to other businesses. Spectral clustering partitions the graph to group businesses thatare frequented by the same set of customers. An analysis ofthe frequency distribution of words from the reviews withineach cluster suggests that businesses aggregate around a theme. Taken together, these findings suggest that customers prefer tovisit businesses that are geographically proximate and/or offersimilar products and services. We discuss how businesses couldstrategically position themselves by considering the impact ofthese two factors in attracting clientele.
Director Networks, Stakeholder Orientation, and the Objective of the Firm

Adams and Ferreira (2007) suggest that well-aligned stakeholder orientation between the board and managers may be optimal because managers are then more likely to provide information to the board, thereby allowing the board to provide better advice to managers. We test this and related implications using a panel dataset that contains the stakeholder orientation of the board and managers based on indices that capture the degree of stakeholder orientation. We find that the focal firm’s stakeholder orientation index (SO Index) is strongly associated with the SO Index of other firms on whose board the outside directors of the focal firm have a board seat (Board SO Index). In addition, the higher the Board SO Index relative to the focal firm’s SO Index, the larger is the subsequent change in SO Index observed for the focal firm. This evidence suggests that outside directors influence the focal firm’s stakeholder orientation. In the director selection process, prospective directors are more likely to be appointed if their stakeholder orientation is aligned with that of the focal firm. Additionally, prospective directors expected to increase the alignment of stakeholder orientation between the board and managers are more likely to be chosen, and are accompanied with a higher stock price reaction upon director appointment announcement. Finally, we find that a larger divergence in stakeholder orientation between the board and managers negatively affects firm value, and that this effect is concentrated in environments where the board’s advisory role is likely to be more critical. Overall, our results are consistent with the predictions in Adams and Ferreira (2007).
Attracting Students to Construction Education Programs: An Exploration of Perceptions by Gender

Demand for construction managers is considerable and is projected to grow through the next decade. To meet the demand for construction managers, construction management programs will have to produc...
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Management of a First Unprovoked Seizure in Children and Adolescents With a Focus on the Revised Diagnostic Criteria for Epilepsy

By definition, unprovoked seizures are not precipitated by an identifiable factor, such as fever or trauma. A thorough history and physical examination are essential to caring for pediatric patients with a potential first unprovoked seizure. Differential diagnosis, EEG, neuroimaging, laboratory tests, and initiation of treatment will be reviewed. Treatment is typically initiated after 2 unprovoked seizures, or after 1 seizure in select patients with distinct epilepsy syndromes. Recent expansion of the definition of epilepsy by the ILAE allows for the diagnosis of epilepsy to be made after the first seizure if the clinical presentation and supporting diagnostic studies suggest a greater than 60% chance of a second seizure. This review summarizes the current literature on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of first unprovoked seizure in children and adolescents while taking into consideration the revised diagnostic criteria of epilepsy.