cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Established and Emerging Roles of Biomarkers in Heart Failure Clinical Trials

The role of circulating biomarkers in heart failure clinical trials has evolved in recent decades. Increasing evidence behind the use of natriuretic peptides, emergence of novel biomarkers, and increased emphasis on targeting therapies toward physiological basis of disease (so-called precision medicine) have all contributed to the continued expansion of biomarker use in heart failure clinical trials. We will explore the advantages and pitfalls encountered through the use of biomarkers in clinical trials as an inclusion criterion, toxicity marker, and end point. We will also review their role in providing insights into the mechanism of action of therapeutics and guiding therapy in the management of patients with heart failure.
Assessment of Scapular Morphology as a Predictor of Notching in Reverse Shoulder Replacements

Background There has been increased focus on understanding the risk factors associated with scapular notching in reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of scapular morphology and surgical technique on the occurrence of scapular notching using the notching index as a comprehensive predictive tool. Methods Ninety-one patients treated with a primary RSA were followed for a minimum of 24 months. Using a previously published notching index formula ((PSNA × 0.13) + (PGRD)), a notching index value for all patients was calculated. Radiographic assessment of patients were grouped by Nerot grade of scapular notching, group mean differences for prosthetic scapular neck angle (PSNA), peg glenoid rim distance (PGRD), preoperative scapular neck angle (SNA), notching index and clinical outcomes were compared. Results Seventy-five (82%) of the ninety one shoulders in the study developed scapular notching. There was no significant difference in average notching index for group 1, 31.8 ± 4.4, and group 2, 33.1 ± 7.2. No significant difference was demonstrated between the groups for SNA (102.7° vs. 105.4°, p = 0.3), PSNA (125.8° vs. 124.5°, p = 0.82), PGRD (15.4 mm vs. 16.8 mm, p = 0.47) or in clinical outcomes between groups. Discussion Our results demonstrated an overall low notch index that lacked specificity in predicting notching for this cohort. These results suggest that perhaps PSNA and prosthetic design are more significant contributors to notching with certain scapular morphology.
Comparative effects of pamine, banthine, and placebos on gastrointestinal motility. II. Radiographic study in eight adult subjects tested when fasting and following the administration of a standard meal.

In a previous study (1) it was found that the effect of Banthine on gastrointestinal motility varied depending on whether the subjects were fasting or had received a meal following the administration of the drug. This observation, as well as our interest in keeping the d~g testing situation as nearly comparable as possible to the conditions under which these medications are administered clinically, prompted us to include the taking of a standard meal as part of a study of the effect of Pamine on gastric evacuation and the movement of the head of the column of barium along the intestine. Our subjects were eight adult males whose ages ranged from 22 to 50 years. They had been previously tested with a single dose of Pamine under fasting conditions and again when this drug had been administered four times daily in a therapeutic dose for three weeks prior to retesting (2). Data in this report consist of the results of the effect on motility of Pamine given by the oral route in a single dosage of 5 mg. and 10 mg. and, as control observations, the effects of Banthine 50 mg. and 100 mg. and of placebo tested under similar conditions. A total of 80 tests were performed.
The Impact Of Metacognitive, Cognitive And Motivational Cultural Intelligence On Behavioral Cultural Intelligence

This study investigates the impact of Metacognitive, Cognitive, and Motivational Cultural Intelligence (CQ) on Behavioral Cultural Intelligence (CQ). In particular, we examine whether cognitive capabilities influence actions and behavior. The results show that 28.4% of the variability in behavioral CQ is explained by metacognitive CQ, cognitive CQ and motivational CQ. Further analysis was done to determine how each of these three dimensions impacts on behavioral CQ. Results show that only metacognitive and motivational CQ influence behavioral CQ.
Deep Drilling Technology for Hot Crystalline Rock

This paper recounts the experience of deep drilling into hot crystalline rock by the Fenton Hill HDR project (Fig. 1) to illustrate that such operations for scientific purposes are indeed possible. The discussion is intended to provide general guidance for project planning for future scientific drilling operations. The discussion also supports the thesis that experience from past ambitious drilling projects can aid in the design of the strategy of drilling and coring programs and help reduce costs and risks of such efforts in order to maximize the likelihood of success and scientific yield.
Mitochondria-centric Review of Polyphenol Bioactivity in Cancer Models

Abstract Significance: Humans are exposed daily to polyphenols in milligram-to-gram amounts through dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables. Polyphenols are also available as components of dietary supplements for improving general health. Although polyphenols are often advertised as antioxidants to explain health benefits, experimental evidence shows that their beneficial cancer preventing and controlling properties are more likely due to stimulation of pro-oxidant and proapoptotic pathways. Recent Advances: The understanding of the biological differences between cancer and normal cell, and especially the role that mitochondria play in carcinogenesis, has greatly advanced in recent years. These advances have resulted in a wealth of new information on polyphenol bioactivity in cell culture and animal models of cancer. Polyphenols appear to target oxidative phosphorylation and regulation of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), glycolysis, pro-oxidant pathways, and antioxidant (adaptive) stress r...
Hypoxic tumor microenvironment of head and neck cancers downregulates Kv1.3 channels in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes

The clinical outcome of solid malignancies depends on the ability of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells to infiltrate the tumor and destroy cancer cells. Unfortunately, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) exhibit attenuated functions. Kv1.3 channels are vital to the T cell effector functions as they regulate the Ca 2+ signaling necessary for cytokine and granzyme production. We have previously reported that the expression of functional Kv1.3 channels in healthy T cells is suppressed by hypoxia. Solid tumors like head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are characterized by a hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein we investigated whether the hypoxic TME in HNSCC inhibits Kv1.3 expression and function in TILs. Electrophysiological experiments showed a 70% reduction in functional Kv1.3 channels in freshly isolated HNSCC TILs compared to peripheral blood T cells. Kv1.3 currents in TILs ranged from 0 to 600 pA with a median of 90 pA. Immunofluorescence analysis of Kv1.3 and HIF1α (marker of hypoxia) in HNSCC tumor sections revealed that 88% of the CD8 + TILs expressing high Kv1.3 (Kv1.3 high : above the median Kv1.3 fluorescence in all TILs) have a low HIF1α level. Furthermore, CD8 + cells preferentially localize in the stroma (68% of the TILs) than in the tumor epithelia (32%), and only 35% of the CD8 + cells in the tumor epithelia are Kv1.3 high compared to 55% in the stroma, with a 20% reduction in the median Kv1.3 fluorescence of CD8 + cells in the tumor epithelia compared to the stroma. Overall, our data indicate that exposure of lymphocytes to the hypoxic HNSCC TME leads to decreased Kv1.3 expression. This reduction in Kv1.3 may contribute to the attenuated cytotoxicity of TILs and improper immune surveillance in solid tumors. (NIH2R01CA095286)
Social Stigma in Neurofibromatosis 1

This chapter explores the significance and impact of social stigma, society’s expressed negative assessment of and response to appearance and behavior which challenges cultural and social prescriptions for persons with NF1. Persons affected by NF1 may experience a variety of symptoms—visible tumors, learning disorders, and others which are not easily accepted by this society which places strong emphasis on beauty, good health, and accomplishment. The concept of stigma is discussed, and major sources of the creation of stigma for affected persons—family, school, workplace, and medical interactions—are described, and positive modes of coping with stigma are proposed.
The Role of Universities in Private Environmental Governance Experimentalism

In our federal, constitutional system of government, the states are often lauded as “laboratories of experimentation” for public policy, including for public environmental law. Yet private actors a...
Specialized Schlieren Techniques

The users of schlieren techniques since Toepler’s time have been a prolific group. Eager to add their own touch, they have invented, published, and re-invented dozens of adaptations and changes, grouped here into a few general categories. This diversity may be due in part to the lack of standardized commercial schlieren instruments; users having to build their own naturally add improvements and variations along the way. In any case the trend continues right up to the present, revealing that schlieren techniques still constitute a healthy theme of optics and experimental physics. A few specialized techniques not covered in this Chapter are instead included in Chap. 10 on Quantitative Evaluation.
The Hauptvermutung according to Casson and Sullivan

Suppose M and Q are PL manifolds and h: Q→M is a (topological) homeomorphism. The Hauptvermutung asserts that in this situation there is a PL isomorphism g: Q→M.
HP: The Computer is Personal Again

In September 2008, Todd Bradley, executive vice president of Hewlett-Packard Company's Personal Systems Group (PSG) gathered his thoughts before a meeting with his top executives and managers for product design and marketing. On the agenda was a discussion of strategic next steps for the group. Hewlett-Packard (HP), a technology company providing a wide range of products and services including computers, handheld devices, servers and digital entertainment, employed 172,000 people and posted $104 billion in sales in 2007. PSG, one of HP's three major divisions, offered notebook and desktop personal computers, handheld mobile computing devices, monitors, workstations, and related support services. Bradley's PSG had played an important role in HP's financial success over the previous three years.
Pharmacological Management of Hypertension in the Elderly and Frail Populations

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of mortality in the elderly. Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor that contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. ...
Professional Standards: Independence, Integrity, and Objectivity

The Auditor must be independent and objective. Independence means freedom from situations and influences, facts, and circumstances, where a reasonably informed third party would conclude that an external auditor’s objectivity is impaired. It is important for the external auditor to be independent in both fact and appearance. Objectivity is a fundamental ethical principle and a key element of audit quality. It requires that the external auditor’s judgment is not compromised because of bias, conflict of interest or the undue influence of others.
High Temperature Effects during High Energy Laser Strikes on Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors

As the applications of fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) continue to grow and become more advanced, it becomes necessary to understand their behavior when exposed to high temperatures in unique situations. In these experiments, uniform 1530-nm fiber Bragg gratings and Type K Cr-Al thermocouples were embedded in three-ply carbon fiber composites. A 100 W high energy laser (HEL) heated the composites to high temperatures over timespans less than one second, and FBG spectral data and thermocouple temperature data were collected during each HEL heating test. The data from three high energy laser tests that represent different levels of damage to the FBG are analyzed to explore the spectral response and thermal decay of embedded FBG sensors when exposed to high temperatures over short timespans. Results are compared to a previously proposed power-law model describing the decay of FBGs in bare fiber when held at constant temperatures over much longer timespans.
Affective Working Memory: An Integrative Psychological Construct:

When people ruminate about an unfortunate encounter with a loved one, savor a long-sought accomplishment, or hold in mind feelings from a marvelous or regretfully tragic moment, what mental processes orchestrate these psychological phenomena? Such experiences typify how affect interacts with working memory, which we posit can occur in three primary ways: emotional experiences can modulate working memory, working memory can modulate emotional experiences, and feelings can be the mental representations maintained by working memory. We propose that this last mode constitutes distinct neuropsychological processes that support the integration of particular cognitive and affective processes: affective working memory. Accumulating behavioral and neural evidence suggests that affective working memory processes maintain feelings and are partially separable from their cognitive working memory counterparts. Affective working memory may be important for elucidating the contribution of affect to decision making, preserved emotional processes in later life, and mechanisms of psychological dysfunction in clinical disorders. We review basic behavioral, neuroscience, and clinical research that provides evidence for affective working memory; consider its theoretical implications; and evaluate its functional role within the psychological architecture. In sum, the perspective we advocate is that affective working memory is a fundamental mechanism of mind.
Symptoms and the small intestinal microbiome — the unknown explored

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been linked to common gastrointestinal symptoms; yet its precise definition remains elusive. A new study shows that, when it comes to symptom prediction in functional gastrointestinal disorders, high-throughput sequencing analysis of the microbiome and not jejunal aspiration and culture is the clear winner.
Novel All-Solid-State Soil Nutrient Sensor Using Nanocomposite of Poly(3-Octyl-Thiophene) and Molybdenum Sulfate

Nitrate is a major macronutrient for plant growth. There is a high demand to develop robust, reliable, and maintenance-free soil sensors for long-term monitoring of nitrate variations in field. An ion-selective membrane-based solid-state nitrate sensor is developed using poly(3-octyl-thiophene)-molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite as an ion-to-electron transducing layer. The sensor offers a high sensitivity of 64 mV/decade, a dynamic range of 1–1500 ppm NO 3 --N, and an improved selectivity for nitrate detection in soils. The sensor has demonstrated the ability to continuously monitor soil nitrate concentrations over a period of four weeks.
Comparison of Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage Expansion and Outcomes Among Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin k Antagonists.

With increasing use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and availability of new reversal agents, the risk of traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) requires better understanding. We compared hemorrhage expansion rates, mortality, and morbidity following tICH in patients treated with vitamin k antagonists (VKA: warfarin) and DOACs (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran). Retrospective chart review of patients from 2010 to 2017 was performed to identify patients with imaging diagnosis of acute traumatic intraparenchymal, subdural, subarachnoid, and epidural hemorrhage with preadmission use of DOACs or VKAs. We identified 39 patients on DOACs and 97 patients on VKAs. Demographic information, comorbidities, hemorrhage size, and expansion over time, as well as discharge disposition and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were collected. Primary outcome was development of new or enlargement of tICH within the first 48 h of initial CT imaging. Of 136 patients with mean (SD) age 78.7 (13.2) years, most common tICH subtype was subdural hematoma (N = 102/136; 75%), and most common mechanism was a fall (N = 130/136; 95.6%). Majority of patients in the DOAC group did not receive reversal agents (66.7%). Hemorrhage expansion or new hemorrhage occurred in 11.1% in DOAC group vs. 14.6% in VKA group (p = 0.77) at a median of 8 and 11 h from initial ED admission, respectively (p = 0.82). Patients in the DOAC group compared to VKA group had higher median discharge GOS (4 vs. 3 respectively, p = 0.03), higher percentage of patients with good outcome (GOS 4–5, 66.7% vs. 40.2% respectively, p = 0.005), and higher rate of discharge to home or rehabilitation (p = 0.04). We report anticoagulation-associated tICH outcomes predominantly due to fall-related subdural hematomas. Patients on DOACs had lower tICH expansion rates although not statistically significantly different from VKA-treated patients. DOAC-treated patients had favorable outcomes versus VKA group following tICH despite low use of reversal strategies. DOAC use may be a safer alternative to VKA in patients at risk of traumatic brain hemorrhage.
Getting into the Club: Existence and Availability of Mentoring for Tenured Librarians in Academic Libraries

Great attention has been devoted to mentoring for early-career librarians, but little has been paid to the post-tenure experience of academic librarians. Researchers sought to understand the mentoring experiences and barriers to promotion for academic librarians who hold faculty status at public R1 institutions. Surveys sent to tenured academic librarians at 40 institutions invited them to share their experiences with post-tenure mentoring, promotion, and professional development. The study suggests that few structured mentoring programs exist for post-tenure faculty librarians. Additionally, results suggest that five factors influence intent to seek promotion: financial, political, workload, work/life balance, and process/procedural.
Invasive Aquatic Animals

Aquatic invasive animals continue to spread across the world, primarily by human activities. Although some species have contributed to the economic and nutritional well-being of humans, many others are pests to man or nature. Reversal of the spread of invasive aquatic animals is very difficult if not impossible. Slowing the spread of invasions has occurred using a variety of educational, regulatory, and management methods. A selection of some of the most important species are described here in order to give examples of the way aquatic invasive animals spread to new habitats and of the impact they have within ecosystems.
Broadway in the Box: Television’s Lasting Love Affair with the Musical: by Kelly Kessler, New York, NY, Oxford University Press, 2020, xiii, 336 pp., $29.95 (paperback), ISBN-13 978-0-19067-402-1

I’m reading, writing, and living under quarantine. Broadway’s theaters are closed and the television, I’m now convinced, is an absolute necessity in managing isolation with young children. Media an...
Adequacy of hemodialysis in acute kidney injury: Real-time monitoring of dialysate ultraviolet absorbance vs. blood-based Kt/Vurea

Background Current guidelines recommend monitoring the adequacy of hemodialysis (HD) treatments in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). Blood-based methods for calculating urea such as reduction ratio (URR) and single-pool Kt/Vurea (spKt/Vurea) require pre- and post-HD blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measurements. This study aims to compare real-time monitoring of urea clearance using dialysate ultraviolet absorbance (UV) with laboratory-measured spKt/Vurea. Methods We conducted a single-center, retrospective study among hospitalized patients with AKI, who required intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Those patients whose dialysis dose was simultaneously monitored by spKt/Vurea and UV-absorbance (UV-spKt/Vurea) were included in the study. The statistical correlation between both methods was assessed by means of the Pearson moment product correlation, Mann-Whitney U-test and Bland-Altman analysis of agreement. Results Thirty patients with AKI were evaluated. There was no statistical difference between the mean spKt/Vurea calculated by traditional methods and the mean UV-spKt/Vurea. (1.37 ± 0.37 vs. 1.28 ± 0.36, P = 0.12, CI: 95%). A Pearson moment correlation analysis revealed a close agreement between both methods (r = 0.79, P 95% of the data points were confined within the upper and lower levels of agreement. Conclusion In this pilot study of patients with AKI, UV-spKt/Vurea correlated with standard blood-based spKt/Vurea and may be a useful tool to monitor dialysis adequacy. Larger studies evaluating multiple UV and blood-based measurements per patient and a more diverse AKI population are needed to confirm this initial observation.
Categorizing mathematics teachers’ questioning: The demands and contributions of teachers’ questions

Abstract We conducted a review of literature to answer the following research questions: (1) What types of questions do teachers pose in mathematical discussions? (2) What evidence exists of the effects of different types of questioning on students’ learning and participation? (3) What are the implications of existing research for teacher preparation? Existing literature can broadly be categorized according to studies that distinguish between higher order and lower order questioning, studies that characterize and distinguish probing questions, and studies that address teacher questioning in technology-rich environments. The demands of different types of questions need to be considered in light of the broader contributions that such questions make to students’ mathematical learning.
Intermediate Microeconomic Problems and Solutions. Appendices To: Using Integrative Graphic Assignments to Promote Deep Learning of the Market Mechanism

This document contains the solutions and discussion notes to the assignments presented in the manuscript “Using integrative graphic assignments to promote deep learning of the market mechanism,” published in the Journal of Economic Education. Additional problems and solutions prepared by Green or Kelly for intermediate microeconomics will be added to this document from time to time.
Accelerating phase-field-based microstructure evolution predictions via surrogate models trained by machine learning methods

The phase-field method is a powerful and versatile computational approach for modeling the evolution of microstructures and associated properties for a wide variety of physical, chemical, and biological systems. However, existing high-fidelity phase-field models are inherently computationally expensive, requiring high-performance computing resources and sophisticated numerical integration schemes to achieve a useful degree of accuracy. In this paper, we present a computationally inexpensive, accurate, data-driven surrogate model that directly learns the microstructural evolution of targeted systems by combining phase-field and history-dependent machine-learning techniques. We integrate a statistically representative, low-dimensional description of the microstructure, obtained directly from phase-field simulations, with either a time-series multivariate adaptive regression splines autoregressive algorithm or a long short-term memory neural network. The neural-network-trained surrogate model shows the best performance and accurately predicts the nonlinear microstructure evolution of a two-phase mixture during spinodal decomposition in seconds, without the need for “on-the-fly” solutions of the phase-field equations of motion. We also show that the predictions from our machine-learned surrogate model can be fed directly as an input into a classical high-fidelity phase-field model in order to accelerate the high-fidelity phase-field simulations by leaping in time. Such machine-learned phase-field framework opens a promising path forward to use accelerated phase-field simulations for discovering, understanding, and predicting processing–microstructure–performance relationships.
Radiology Pearls for the Transplant Provider

A wide variety of pulmonary and abdominal complications occur in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Diagnosing these transplant-related diseases early is important to prevent irreversible complications and superimposed infections. Imaging plays a critical role in the diagnosis of all of the transplant-related pulmonary and abdominal complications discussed in this chapter. Therefore, it is important for the provider to be familiar with the general imaging appearance of these complications. The authors begin this chapter by defining commonly used radiologic terminology. This is followed by a discussion of specific pulmonary and abdominal diseases that occur in the neutropenic/pre-engraftment phase (1–30 days), early phase (1–3 months), and late phase (3 months–1 year) post-transplant periods, along with their imaging manifestations.
Novel Use of a Rotating Mechanical Dilator Sheath for S-ICD Lead Extraction.

Abstract A 53-year-old man with a subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) presented with inappropriate shocks. He underwent device extraction, and the lead was freed using a rot...
Optimization of Urban Air Monitoring Networks

A method for optimally locating samplers in an ambient air monitoring network is presented. The criterion for site selection is based upon the overall effect of pollution dose on public health budgetary considerations and the Environmental Protection Agency’s implementation plan guidelines. A probability function, which attempts to rationally measure and compare the effects of pollution on population in each zone of the study area, is derived. The probability function is based upon the concept of population dosage product which is introduced and examined. A linear programming model, which located sampling stations based upon maximization of the probability of measuring significant values of the population dosage product, is utilized. The results of this method provide a decision maker with a measure of system effectiveness for various investment levels.
Individual differences in learning predict the return of fear

Using a laboratory analogue of learned fear (Pavlovian fear conditioning), we show that there is substantial heterogeneity across individuals in spontaneous recovery of fear following extinction training. We propose that this heterogeneity might stem from qualitative individual differences in the nature of extinction learning. Whereas some individuals tend to form a new memory during extinction, leaving their fear memory intact, others update the original threat association with new safety information, effectively unlearning the fear memory. We formalize this account in a computational model of fear learning and show that individuals who, according to the model, are more likely to form new extinction memories tend to show greater spontaneous recovery compared to individuals who appear to only update a single memory. This qualitative variation in fear and extinction learning may have important implications for understanding vulnerability and resilience to fear-related psychiatric disorders.
Trade, Land, and Power: The Struggle for Eastern North America. By Daniel K. Richter. (Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2013. Pp. viii, 315. $45.00.)

Thirty years ago, the author of this study published his first major essay, “War and Culture: The Iroquois Experience,” announcing what became The Ordeal of the Longhouse [1992]. After Facing East ...
CEO incentive plans and corporate liquidation policy

Abstract To investigate CEOs' incentives to liquidate their firms, we examine the effects of insider ownership and compensation in stock options on 30 voluntary liquidation decisions by industrial firms in the period 1975–1986. We find that liquidation decisions are influenced by CEO incentive plans and increase shareholder value. Firms with more outside board members, smaller market-to-book ratios, and attempts by outsiders to gain control are more likely to be liquidated. Although few top executives of liquidating firms subsequently take comparable jobs, at least 41% of CEOs who downsize are made better off by liquidation.
A nanotechnology-based approach to data storage

Ultrahigh storage densities of up to 1 Tb/in2. or more can be achieved by using local-probe techniques to write, read back, and erase data in very thin polymer films. The thermomechanical scanning-probe-based data-storage concept, internally dubbed "millipede", combines ultrahigh density, small form factor, and high data rates. High data rates are achieved by parallel operation of large 2D arrays with thousands micro/nanomechanical cantilevers/tips that can be batch-fabricated by silicon surface-micromachining techniques. The inherent parallelism, the ultrahigh areal densities and the small form factor may open up new perspectives and opportunities for application in areas beyond those envisaged today.
Preparation, Characterization and Application of Optical Switch Probes

Optical switches represent a new class of molecular probe with applications in high contrast imaging and optical manipulation of protein interactions. Small molecule, organic optical switches based on nitrospirobenzopyran (NitroBIPS) and their reactive derivatives and conjugates undergo efficient, rapid and reversible, orthogonal optically-driven transitions between a colorless spiro (SP) state and a colored merocyanine (MC) state. The excited MC-state also emits fluorescence, which serves as readout of the state of the switch. Defined optical perturbations of SP and MC generate a defined waveform of MC-fluorescence that can be isolated against unmodulated background signals by using a digital optical lock-in detection approach or to control specific dipolar interactions on proteins. The protocols describe general procedures for the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of NitroBIPS and specifically labeled conjugates along with methods for the manipulation of dipolar interactions on proteins and imaging of the MC-state of NitroBIPS within living cells.
Catalytic Enantioconvergent Decarb­oxylative Allylic Alkylation of Allyl Indol­enin‐3‐carboxylates

A catalytic enantioconvergent process has been developed for the conversion of racemic allyl indolenin-3-carboxylates into enantiomerically enriched C3-quaternary indolenines. A Pd-catalyzed decarboxylative allylic alkylation reaction was employed for both stereoablation of the racemic allyl indolenin-3-carboxylates and enantioselective formation of the quaternary carbon center.
Eliminating Interstitial Cells with Nitrogen Mustard

To remove interstitial cells and differentiating nematoblasts from hydra leaving a shell of epithelial and gland cells.
Determining fuzzy measures by Choquet integral

Fuzzy measures and the Choquet integral are generalizations of classical measures and the Lebesgue integral, respectively. Given a fuzzy measure and a nonnegative measurable function on a measurable space, the Choquet integral determines a new fuzzy measure that is absolutely continuous with respect to the original one (in a generalized sense for fuzzy measures). This new fuzzy measure preserves almost all desirable structural characteristics of the original fuzzy measure, such as subadditivity, superadditivity, null-additivity, converse-null-additivity, autocontinuity, converse-autocontinuity, uniform autocontinuity, uniform converse-autocontinuity, and fuzzy multiplicativity. As a notable exception, fuzzy additivity is not necessarily preserved. Such a construction is a useful method to define sound fuzzy measures or revise fuzzy measures in various applications.
Primary Care Provider-Delivered Smoking Cessation Interventions and Smoking Cessation Among Participants in the National Lung Screening Trial

Importance The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) found a reduction in lung cancer mortality among participants screened with low-dose computed tomography vs chest radiography. In February 2015, Medicare announced its decision to cover annual lung screening for patients with a significant smoking history. These guidelines promote smoking cessation treatment as an adjunct to screening, but the frequency and effectiveness of clinician-delivered smoking cessation interventions delivered after lung screening are unknown. Objective To determine the association between the reported clinician-delivered 5As (ask, advise, assess, assist [talk about quitting or recommend stop-smoking medications or recommend counseling], and arrange follow-up) after lung screening and smoking behavior changes. Design, Setting, and Participants A matched case-control study (cases were quitters and controls were continued smokers) of 3336 NLST participants who were smokers at enrollment examined participants’ rates and patterns of 5A delivery after a lung screen and reported smoking cessation behaviors. Main Outcomes and Measures Prevalence of the clinician-delivered 5As and associated smoking cessation after lung screening. Results Delivery of the 5As 1 year after screening were as follows: ask, 77.2%; advise, 75.6%; assess, 63.4%; assist, 56.4%; and arrange follow-up, 10.4%. Receipt of ask, advise, and assess was not significantly associated with quitting in multivariate models that adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, medical history, screening results, nicotine dependence, and motivation to quit. Assist was associated with a 40% increase in the odds of quitting (odds ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.21-1.63), and arrange was associated with a 46% increase in the odds of quitting (odds ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.19-1.79). Conclusions and Relevance Assist and arrange follow-up delivered by primary care providers to smokers who were participating in the NLST were associated with increased quitting; less intensive interventions (ask, advise, and assess) were not. However, rates of assist and arrange follow-up were relatively low. Our findings confirm the need for and benefit of clinicians taking more active intervention steps in helping patients who undergo screening to quit smoking.
A Novel Assay To Probe Heparin−Peptide Interactions Using Pentapeptide-Stabilized Gold Nanoparticles

In this article, we present a novel assay to probe the interactions between heparin and heparin-binding peptides based on CALNN pentapeptide-stabilized gold nanoparticles. This assay relies on rapid aggregation of gold nanoparticles and dramatic retardation in the presence of a large excess of heparin due to the binding of peptides to heparin. Using this method, the dissociation constant (Kd) and melting temperature (Tm) of three different peptides against heparin were determined. The results from capillary electrophoresis demonstrated that Kd values measured by this method were comparatively accurate. It was found that the peptide with the lowest Kd did not have the highest Tm. Structural analysis by circular dichroism was performed to explain this phenomenon. A comparison with the results from affinity chromatography indicates that electrostatic interactions only are not the major determinant of the affinity between heparin and peptide, but other interactions such as hydrogen-bonding and hydrophobic int...
Secondary parathyromatosis in a patient with normal kidney function: review of diagnostic modalities and approaches to management.

Objective: To present a patient with secondary parathyromatosis, a rare complication of parathyroidectomy, and to discuss issues currently pertinent to its diagnosis and management.Methods: Data we...
Tunable IR difference-frequency generation in LiIO3

Abstract Experiments are described on intracavity difference-frequency generation in LiIO 3 using a tunable dye laser system pumped by a ruby laser. Tunable IR radiation is obtained as output in the spectral region from 4.1 to 5.2 μm.
Building an IT community at Louisiana State University: collaboration and partnership strategies

In 2004/2005, Information Technology Services, LSU's central IT department had, at best, a tenuous relationship with the 150+ department IT professional staff on campus. Meager attempts had been made to notify campus IT staff of outages and policy changes, but no major headway had been made in devoting focused energy on building rapport and a focused customer relationship with these staff. Since 2005, through a consistent and persistent effort of the User Services department, we focused on a variety of services to reach our department IT professionals and thus, to change the culture of communications. As John Folse, Louisiana's famous chef would say, "It is important to realize that cultures and cuisines must constantly evolve. This evolution process is brought about when new ingredients and ideas are introduced into a region. Here in South Louisiana, the evolution process may be witnessed at every turn." (Folse, 2009) Some would liken our collaboration and partnership strategies to John Folse's famous "Cajun gumbo", a muddy soup consisting of several tasty ingredients. The recipe is posted in Section 2.10. Herein is our recipe to benefit the IT professional culture at LSU: LISTSERVs and discussion forumsEvents such as semester IT Forums, Tech Talks, Munch and Shares, NETCONsCreation of advisory groups and campus subcommitteesDepartment ConsultationsA secure, online portal for our IT professionals to share strategies, get current communications, get FAQs and tips, share policies, best practices, training resources, and profiles of campus IT professional staff.Social networking sitesBetter communications with the Help Desk and a new problem tracking systemNewly designed web site with Service alerts and outages and RSS feedsOther vehicles for improving customer relations (Open House, Summer Training series, Orientation video)The Information Technology Services User Services department has a more focused strategy now in which collaboration with the university's departmental IT staff, called LSU Technology Support Professionals, is key!
Why the Third World Matters

The Third World has been and will remain central to U.S. interests.2 The risks of superpower confrontation, the use of nuclear weapons, and American (and Soviet) soldiers engaging in combat are all greater in the Third World than in Europe or Japan. Economic disaster to the United States and its allies is more likely to arise from developments in the Third World than anywhere else. It is in the Third World that the broader receptivity to American goals and values will be determined. In short, the instability and ferment characteristic of the Third World will continue to engage American interests with an urgency and unpredictability unmatched by its so-called vital allies.
Shrubland encroachment in southern New Mexico, U.S.A.: An analysis of desertification processes in the American southwest

The area dominated by the shrubs creosotebush (Larrea tridentata) and mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) in the American southwest has increased several-fold over the last century, with a corresponding decrease in areal coverage of productive grasslands and increased surface soil erosion throughout the region. The factors thought to be responsible for this regional shift in vegetation are: (1) overgrazing by domestic livestock; (2) fire suppression; and (3) historical changes in climate. We examine the evidence concerning each of these factors and develop a synthetic model outlining the principles affecting shrubland encroachment, which focuses on life history characteristics of the dominant shrubs and a number of positive biotic and edaphic feedback mechanisms contributing to their establishment and persistence. We conclude that the expansion of shrub dominance that has occurred over the last century may have been triggered by extreme live-stock overgrazing at the end of the nineteenth century, which coincided with rainfall regimes that were unfavorable for perennial grass growth. Hence, the landscape we observe today may be a product of positive feedback mechanisms triggered over a century ago by management practices that were uninformed with regard to the importance of historical climate patterns and the life history characteristics of important rangeland species. Our consideration of these issues also addresses potential land surface - climate interactions that could occur as a result of regional alterations in vegetation dominance and physiognomy.
Characterization of organics in tannery effluents by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

Combined high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry using a moving belt interface has been used to study extracts from five tannery and leather finishing industry discharges. Liquid chromatographic separation was performed with a Zorbax CN column using a normal phase solvent system of hexane + methylene chloride + methanol. Twenty different compounds were identified. Binaphthyl sulfone, which could not be gas chromatographed successfully, was one of the major components found in all five tannery extracts.
Lyt markers on thymus cell migrants

THE lymphocyte antigens Lyt-1 and Lyt-2 have been clearly shown to be differentially expressed on distinct, functionally defined subsets of precursor and effector T cells. The cell population expressing only Lyt-1 includes ‘helper cells’ and cells which react in mixed lymphocyte cultures. The population expressing only Lyt-2 includes ‘suppressor’ and cytotoxic cells, whereas cells bearing both antigens (Lyt-1,2) seem to function as precursors of cytotoxic and suppressor cells and in some systems, as amplifiers (reviewed in ref. 1). Peripheral T cells consist of about 50% Lyt-1,2 cells, 30–40% Lyt-1 cells and 10% Lyt-2 cells2, although the proportions vary somewhat from organ to organ (R.S. and I.W., unpublished data). More than 90% of all thymic lymphocytes are immuno-incompetent and Lyt-1,2, but the relatively infrequent (less than 10% of all thymocytes) cortisone-resistant cells have properties of immuno-competence and Lyt phenotype distribution more like those of peripheral T cells (∼45% Lyt-1,2, 50% Lyt-1 and <5% Lyt-2 (ref. 2, and R.S. and I.W., unpublished data)). Speculation concerning the phenotype of thymic emigrants has centred on the hypothesis that the thymus migrants are Lyt-1,2 precursor cells which differentiate peripherally, but no experiments directly testing this hypothesis have been published. Here we report experiments which demonstrate that cells leaving the thymus are already divided into subpopulations defined by the Lyt antigens.
Trigonometric identities using frequency domain techniques: With practice, it is easier to derive most trigonometric identities than it is to look them up

The engineer is always learning procedures and techniques that make the solving of certain types of problems easier. These techniques often use simplification procedures that not only simplify the analysis, but also transform the problem so that it can be solved using familiar techniques. A good example of this is the solution of electrical circuits where the sources are sinusoidal. The set of integral-differential equations describing the circuit is transformed into a set of simultaneous algebraic equations involving complex numbers. The writing and solving of these equations deal with techniques that are already a familiar part of the engineer's bag-of-tricks. The circuit is transformed into what is called the “frequency domain,” and the emphasis is transformed into one of learning how to deal with complex numbers and complex functions.
Spatial Models of Candidate Competition and the 1988 French Presidential Election: Are Presidential Candidates Vote‐Maximizers?

Existing applications of spatial modeling to historical elections suggest that parties rarely maximize votes. This complicates the analyst's task because explanations of party behavior must incorporate, in addition to vote-seeking motivations, such factors as the parties' calculations concerning postelection coalition negotiations. We argue that candidates in national presidential elections have greater incentives to single-mindedly seek votes than do political parties, and we refine this argument by developing two additional hypotheses: competitive candidates are more likely to be vote-maximizers than are noncompetitive candidates, and candidates are most likely to be vote-maximizing on issues highly salient to voters. Based on data from Pierce's (1996) French Presidential Election Survey, 1988, we fit a conditional logit model that incorporates voters' party identifications and sociodemographic characteristics and use its parameters to determine the vote-maximizing locations for the major candidates. Ou...
Computerized selective modeling for the Goldbach conjecture proof

The branch of Number Theory in the field of mathematics deals primarily with integer or whole number relationships. One such relationship classifies the integers on the basis of their divisibility into two classes of numbers, the even numbers and the odd numbers. Divisibility criteria can also be used to classify integers as being either prime or composite. This paper addresses a problem concerning these attributes of the integers.
Comparative effects of prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin E3 on water flow and cyclic AMP in the urinary bladder of the frog, Rana pipiens.

Abstract Prostaglandins (PGs) modulate osmotic water flow in amphibian urinary bladders. Gas chromatographic analysis of prostaglandin precursors in bladders showed that arachidonic acid represented 13.0 ± 0.6% and eicosapentaenoic acid 4.3 ± 0.1% of the total fatty acid content. The effects of PGE 2 and PGE 3 on basal and arginine vasotocin (AVT) stimulated water flow were compared. Contol water flow (1.1 ± 0.2 mg/min) was increased to 4.6 ± 0.3 mg/min with AVT (10 −6 M) present. PGE 2 (10 −6 M) inhibited both basal and AVT stimulated water flow. In contrast, PGE 3 (10 −6 M) stimulated basal water flow and further increased AVT stimulated water flow. Basal adenylate cyclase activity (ACA, 59 ± 0.3 pmol cyclic AMP/mg protein/10 min) was stimulated by the addition of AVT in the absence or presence of exogenous guanosine 5′ triphosphate (GTP, 10 −5 M). Both PGE 2 and PGE 3 stimulated basal ACA in the absence, but not in the presence of GTP. In the absence of exogenous GTP, PGE 2 increased AVT stimulated ACA, whereas PGE 3 decreased it. Both prostaglandins inhibited AVT stimulation when GTP was added. The effects of PGE 2 , PGE 3 and AVT on tissue cycilc AMP levels in whole urinary bladders were similar to the effects seen on ACA in the absence of exogenous GTP. The contrasting effects of PGE 2 and PGE 3 on control water flow appear distinct from their similar effects on ACA. However, PGE 2 and PGE 3 may regulate AVT stimulation through mechanisms involving cyclic AMP.
Hormonal Regulation of Sertoli Cells

The Sertoli cell is the primary target within the testis for both FSH and androgens. FSH binds to cell surface receptors, alters cyclic nucleotide metabolism and affects Ca++ flux. Cyclic AMP and Ca++, via an intracellular receptor protein, the calcium-dependent regulator (CDR), control the cytoskeletal network which is comprised of microtubules and microfilaments. By affecting these intracellular components FSH regulates specific protein secretion and cell motility. In addition FSH results in an overall stimulation of protein synthesis and specifically modulates the levels of at least two intracellular regulatory proteins. Androgens bind to a specific cytoplasmic receptor which is translocated into the nucleus of interphase cells. This class of steroids is also involved in androgen binding protein metabolism but the precise mechanism of control is unknown. The interrelationships of FSH and androgen in the control of spermatogenesis is discussed. In addition, consideration is given to the possible development of male contraceptive by interfering with various steps in the mechanism of action of peptide and steroid hormones upon the Sertoli cell.