cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of four commercial on-farm culture methods to identify bacteria associated with clinical mastitis in dairy cattle.

Several multiple-media culture systems have become commercially available for on-farm identification of mastitis-associated pathogens. However, the accuracy of these systems has not been thoroughly and independently validated against microbiological evaluations performed by referral laboratories. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of commercially available culture plates (Accumast, Minnesota Easy System, SSGN and SSGNC Quad plates) to identify pathogens associated with clinical mastitis in dairy cows. Milk samples from the affected quarter with clinical mastitis were aerobically cultured with the on-farm culture systems and by two additional reference laboratories. Agreeing results from both standard laboratories were denoted as the reference standard (RS). Accuracy (Ac), sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) and Cohen’s kappa coefficient (k) of on-farm plates were determined based on the RS culture of 211 milk samples. All four plate-systems correctly identified ≥ 84.9% of milk samples with no bacterial growth. Accumast had greater values for all overall predictive factors (Ac, Se, Sp, PPV and NPV) and a substantial agreement (k = 0.79) with RS. The inter-rater agreements of Minnesota, SSGN, and SSGNC with RS were moderate (0.45 ≤ k ≤ 0.55). The effectiveness to categorize bacterial colonies at the genus and species was numerically different amongst the commercial plates. Our findings suggest that Accumast was the most accurate on-farm culture system for identification of mastitis-associated pathogens of the four systems included in the analysis.
Characterizing instabilities in the developed and transitional boundary layer

It is well known that elastic or compliant boundaries can have a stabilizing effect on boundary layer flow leading to a reduction in turbulence and frictional drag. This phenomenon has wide-ranging interdisciplinary applications from the study of energy-efficient propulsion to the study of blood flow through the cardiovascular system. While a substantial body of work exists on the theory of turbulent boundary layers and the transition of laminar to turbulent flow, it is equally important to measure in detail the flow near rigid and compliant boundaries to better understand the dynamics underlying the stabilizing effect and the reduction of turbulence. Recent advances in technology and computational resources have allowed the measurement and numerical simulation of boundary layer instabilities in unprecedented detail. We employ particle image velocimetry as well as high-frequency fiber-optics sensors to visualize and measure velocity and temperature fluctuations under various flow conditions: a laminar flow tank to study the development of Tollmien-Schlichting waves and the laboratory tank of the Simulated Turbulence and Turbidity Environment (SiTTE) to identify boundary layers streaks. The laboratory environments are complemented by computational fluid dynamics representations of the respective setups, implemented as high-resolution large-eddy simulation. The simulations provide spatial and temporal scales of boundary layer instabilities, allow the calculation of turbulence characteristics and add prediction capabilities. The combined approach allows the detailed characterization of boundary layer instabilities for a range of flow conditions, which is critical to improve our understanding of the impact of elastic boundaries, both active and passive, on boundary layer drag.
Types of Genetic Tests and Issues Associated with the Interpretation of Their Results

With continued development and availability of genetic test offerings, there will be greater need for physicians to help their patients interpret their results and to know when it is appropriate to refer to a genetic specialist. In addition, physicians should be able to understand the process whereby basic research discoveries are translated into clinically useful genetic tests. This chapter describes the genetic tests that are most commonly used in research and clinical settings, as well as by genetic testing companies, including some that advertise their services directly to consumers. We discuss the specific type of genetic variation that each test assesses, along with several principles that must be taken into account in order to correctly interpret the clinical significance of a genetic test result. The chapter also describes the process that is used to evaluate the clinical utility of newly developed genetic tests, and provides the reader with websites that maintain up-to-date information regarding the genetic tests that are available in all fields of medicine.
Simultaneous cloning of open reading frames into several different expression vectors.

Genomic sequencing has enabled the prediction of thousands of genes, most of which either cannot be assigned a function or can be only broadly categorized on the basis of sequence alone. High-throughput strategies for elucidating protein function are of high priority, and numerous approaches are being developed. Many of these approaches require the cloning of open reading frames (ORFs) into expression vectors that enable the encoded proteins to be tested for biological and biochemical activities. Typically, more than one type of vector must be employed, as different experiments require different conditions of protein production. Here we show that it is possible to simultaneously transfer a single ORF from a source vector to four target vectors using a commercially available in vitro recombination system. To test the approach, we constructed new vectors for expression of fusion proteins in yeast, including vectors for the LexA two-hybrid system. We show that individual ORFs can be efficiently transferred to four different vectors in a single in vitro reaction. The resulting expression plasmids can be separated using prototrophic markers specific to each vector. Using this system to produce multiple expression constructs simultaneously could greatly facilitate highthroughput subcloning and proteomic studies.
Introduction to Communication Problems in Autism

Although autism is frequently described as a low-incidence disorder (Rutter & Schopler, 1978), the syndrome has attracted a growing cadre of researchers, clinicians, and teachers. This attraction can be attributed to autism’s devastating effect on families, the unusual and puzzling behaviors it produces, and its overlap with most other childhood disorders because it involves multiple problems with language, social relationships, emotional adjustment, conceptualization, hyperactivity, and learning. This growing interest has resulted in a better understanding and treatment of autistic people than has ever been available in the past. However, the proliferation of articles, books, treatment programs, and media coverage has also brought increased confusion and misconceptions. There is the problem of staying up to date with the increasing amount of information from both the professional and popular literature along with the difficulty in distinguishing sound research from that which is careless or pointless. A related concern is how to distinguish new treatment or educational methods that are effective from primarily self-promoting exaggerations that offer only false hope.
Biomechanical and neuromuscular changes in jump landings due to short or long term ankle bracing and fatigue

vi CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEW 1 General Hypotheses 2 Dissertation Organization 2 Literature Review 2 References 14 CHAPTER 2: THE EFFECTS OF ANKLE BRACING ON JOINT MOMENTS AND LOADING RATES DURING JUMP LANDING TASKS 19 Abstract 19 Introduction 19 Methods 21 Results 24 Discussion 24 Conclusions 27 Figures and Tables 27 References 29 CHAPTER 3: ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN QUADRICEPS, HAMSTRING, AND GLUTEAL MUSCLES AS A RESULT OF ANKLE BRACING, FATIGUE, AND JUMP DIRECTION 31 Abstract 3
Antiangiogenic Activity and Chemical Derivatization of the Neurotoxic Acetogenin Annonacin Isolated from Asimina triloba

Annonacin (1) was isolated from the North American pawpaw (Asimina triloba), as reported earlier from these laboratories. Natural 1 was submitted to the rat aortic ring bioassay for evaluation of antiangiogenic activity and was found to inhibit microvessel growth (IC50 value of 3 μM). 4,10,15,20-Tetraazido derivatives of 1 were prepared by permesylation followed by azide displacement or by iodination followed by azide displacement. The tetraazide derived from mesylation/azidation was antiangiogenic, while that derived from iodination/azidation exhibited no appreciable activity. The membrane permeability of natural 1 was evaluated using the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay and was found to be marginally permeable as compared to several clinically relevant compounds.
Ethical Decision Making in Human Services: A Comparative Study:

The authors report the findings of a study of ethical decision making using case vignettes that posed ethical dilemmas. Responses among acute-care hospital social workers, child welfare protective ...
Access to Soft-Surface, Green Exercise Trails in Mountainous, Urban Municipalities.

Soft-surface exercise infrastructure (ie off-road, mountain, and dirt trails) has been a particularly valuable community asset in mountainous, urban municipalities. This off-road, trail infrastruct...
Reclassification of coronary heart disease risk in a primary prevention setting: traditional risk factor assessment vs. coronary artery calcium scoring

Background: In a primary prevention screening program of asymptomatic middle-aged subjects, we sought to assess the degree of risk-reclassification provided by traditional risk assessment vs. coronary artery calcification scoring (CACS). Methods: A total of 1,806 consecutive asymptomatic subjects (age 55 years, 76% men), who underwent comprehensive screening in a primary prevention clinic between 3/2016 and 9/2017 were included. Standard risk factors, C-reactive protein (CRP) and CAC scoring were performed. % 10-year coronary heart disease (CHD) risk was calculated using Reynolds Risk Score (RRS), atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) score and multiethnic study on subclinical atherosclerosis (MESA) CACS were calculated. % 10-year CHD risk for all scores was categorized as follows: 10%. Results: Mean CRP, RRS, ASCVD and MESA-CACS were 2.1±4.2, 3.7±4, 4.9±6, 4.9±5; 54% had CAC of 0, while 21% had CAC >75th percentile. There was a significant, but modest correlation between MESA-CAC score and (I) RRS (r=0.62) and (II) ASCVD scores (r=0.65, both P<0.001). Compared to MESA-CAC, for RRS, (I) 188 (10%) patients had a downgrade in risk and (II) 538 (30%) patients had an upgrade in risk (40% reclassification of risk). Similarly, compared to MESA-CAC, for ASCVD score, (I) 412 (23%) patients had a downgrade in risk and (II) 329 (18%) patients had a downgrade in risk (41% reclassification of risk). Conclusions: In a primary prevention screening program of asymptomatic middle-aged patients, RRS overestimates and ASCVHD underestimates 10-year CHD risk vs. MESA-CACS. Addition of CACS results in significant risk reclassification.
Impact of care provider network characteristics on patient outcomes: Usage of social network analysis and a multi-scale community detection.

Objective We assess healthcare provider collaboration and the impact on patient outcomes using social network analysis, a multi-scale community detection algorithm, and generalized estimating equations. Material and methods A longitudinal analysis of health claims data of a large employer over a 3 year period was performed to measure how provider relationships impact patient outcomes. The study cohort included 4,230 patients with 167 providers. Social network analysis with a multi-scale community detection algorithm was used to identify groups of healthcare providers more closely working together. Resulting measures of provider collaboration were: 1) degree, 2) betweenness, and 3) closeness centrality. The three patient outcome measures were 1) emergency department visit, 2) inpatient hospitalization, and 3) unplanned hospitalization. Relationships between provider collaboration and patient outcomes were assessed using generalized estimating equations. General practitioner, family practice, and internal medicine were labeled as primary care. Cardiovascular, endocrinologists, etc. were labeled as specialists, and providers such as radiology and social workers were labeled as others. Results Higher connectedness (degree) and higher access (closeness) to other providers in the community were significant for reducing inpatient hospitalization and emergency department visits. Patients of specialists (e.g. cardiovascular) and providers specified as others (e.g. social worker) had higher rate of hospitalization and emergency department visits compared to patients of primary care providers. Conclusion Application of social network analysis for developing healthcare provider networks can be leveraged by community detection algorithms and predictive modeling to identify providers' network characteristics and their impacts on patient outcomes. The proposed framework presents multi-scale measures to assess characteristics of healthcare providers and their impact on patient outcomes. This approach can be used by implementation experts for informed decision-making regarding the design of insurance coverage plans, and wellness promotion programs. Health services researchers can use the study approach for assessment of provider collaboration and impacts on patient outcomes.
Helminth parasites of the Wyoming ground squirrel, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863

Helminth parasites of the Wyoming ground squirrel, Spermophilus elegans Kennicott, 1863, were surveyed from two environmentally different habitats within Wyoming. A total of four helminth species were identified. Three helminth species were found in 419 hosts collected in a mesic habitat including one species of adult cestode, Hymenolepis citelli, and two species of nematodes, Citellinema bifurcatum and Syphacia citelli. Only larval cestodes ( Taenia taxidiensis ) were found infecting 335 Wyoming ground squirrels collected from a xeric habitat.
Synthetic Studies toward the Hamigerans with a 6-7-5 Tricyclic Core.

An approach toward the 6–7–5 tricyclic carbon skeleton of the hamigeran natural products was developed. The key steps include a benzyne-β-ketoester annulative ring expansion to form the 7-membered ...
Applications of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases

Radiation therapy has been a mainstay of managing brain metastases for decades. In the past, clinicians have relied on whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) and in some instances partial brain radiation therapy to deliver conformal radiation dose distributions using MRI and CT-guidance to plan treatment. The dose limitations of various critical structures of the brain and treatment-induced neurocognitive side effects made intracranial treatment challenging. However, the development and popularization of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), including Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKRS) and linear accelerator (LINAC)-based SRS, has had a profound impact on the field of neuro-oncology. As the name suggests, SRS typically uses a method of immobilization to maintain a particular patient position for the duration of treatment. While this method of immobilization has traditionally been an invasive, rigid frame placed onto a patient’s head, with newer technical advances, frameless treatments with masks have become feasible without sacrificing accuracy. In this chapter, we outline seven particularly interesting applications in which SRS was used to increase the likelihood of achieving local control in patients with a variety of brain metastatic lesions.
Implementing a Dog in College Counseling: A Mixed Methods Study

This explanatory mixed methods study examined the evolutionary process of a college counselor partnering with a dog to practice animal-assisted therapy in counseling. Qualitative data were collecte...
A Teacher for All Seasons: How Behzad Razavi has Educated the Microelectronics Community

Profiles Professor Behzad Razavi, reports on books he has published, and discusses his work in the field of microelectronics and integrated circuit design.
A Theory of Blended Knowledge and a Technology-Based Approach for the Development of Creative Productive Giftedness

The theory presented in this chapter describes the ways in which three different kinds of knowledge interact with one another to produce what is referred to as “blended knowledge.” Received and analyzed knowledge form the basis for most traditional learning situations; however, the assertion emphasized in this chapter is that these two types of knowledge have limited value so far as investigative and creative productivity are concerned unless they are applied to a real problem. Real problems differ from other types of teacher-assigned problems in that: (1) students select the specific problem they want to pursue, (2) they address the problem using the authentic methodology of practicing professional, (3) there is no predetermined solution or teacher-prescribed “right answer” to the problem, and (4) the work is intended to influence an audience(s) other than or in addition to the teacher. The theory has relevance to the teacher training pedagogy that should be advocated in gifted education programs because it is argued that the major goal of such programs should be to increase the world’s reservoir of creative and productive individuals.
Parameterization of a RTPT Association Activity Coefficient Model using Spectroscopic Data

Abstract Self-associating species exhibit highly nonideal vapor-liquid phase behavior in many mixtures, which is challenging to model. The most successful models, such as the statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT) equations, are based on Wertheim's first thermodynamic perturbation theory (TPT-1). However, despite its success, the traditional TPT-1 implementations of SAFT lack the requisite flexibility to account for the cooperative effects of hydrogen bonding observed in alcohol + hydrocarbon systems. The resummed thermodynamic perturbation theory (RTPT) provides an improved representation of these systems by considering hydrogen bond cooperativity. While more robust than its TPT-1 predecessor, RTPT has only been validated against computer simulations. In this work, we develop a form of the RTPT association contribution to the activity coefficient and fit RTPT parameters to experimental spectroscopic data. The agreement between the RTPT model and experimental infrared spectroscopy data is striking despite requiring only one additional parameter compared to TPT-1. Calculated enthalpies indicate the occurrence of positive hydrogen bond cooperativity in all of the systems examined. Association constants fitted to spectroscopic data are used to calculate activity coefficient contributions using a Flory combinatorial term. For completeness, regressions of vapor-liquid equilibrium data are included and utilize a non-random two-liquid (NRTL) model residual contribution.
Dual Diagnosis: Adolescent Psychoactive Substance Use Disorders and Psychiatric Comorbidity

Adolescence is a critical developmental phase for the onset and recognition of psychiatric disorders including psychoactive substance use disorders (PSUDs). The co-occurrence of PSUDs with other psychiatric disorders has been termed a “dual diagnosis” (DD), and the patients so diagnosed have been defined as “dually diagnosed” (DUDI).
Deconfinement in d=1 : Asymptotic and half-asymptotic particles

The notion of deconfinement in two $d=1$ models, the Schwinger model and the Heisenberg chain, is reexamined. Both have half-asymptotic excitations (where particles and antiparticles must alternate) and also truly asymptotic particles which are half as many in number. The two kinds of particles are related by a complicated transformation. The main purpose of this paper is to highlight the relationship between asymptotic and half-asymptotic particles. The relevance of our findings to higher dimensions is briefly discussed.
A Man is Crying: The Progression of Heterosexual Trouble in Gómez de Avellaneda’s Dos Mugeres

This analysis of Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda’s second novel, Dos Mugeres, articulates two contributions in the fields of gender studies and Spanish Romanticism. Avellaneda’s feminist critique of masculine domination in Dos Mugeres focuses on the concept of heterosexual trouble, through which the norm of the heterosexual couple proves to be dysfunctional and problematic as far as gender and sexual standards are concerned. The concept of heterosexual trouble enables us to consider the ambivalent situation of the male heterosexual lover caught between the social privilege of masculinity and the mandate to reinvent love requested by his female lover. The originality of Dos Mugeres within Spanish Romanticism relies in part on the reception of four texts from French Romanticism: Paul et Virginie, Delphine, Corinne ou l’Italie, and Lelia. It is this unique reworking of four canonical texts in relation to a critique of heterosexual love that gives Dos Mugeres a special signature within Spanish Romanticism.
A low cost compact optoelectronics neural networks for face recognition

Summary form only given. In this paper, we describe a nonlinear filter based optoelectronics neural networks associated with a supervised perceptron learning algorithm for real-time face recognition. The system is a two-layer neural networks. The first layer is implemented using a nonlinear joint transform correlator (JTC)34 and the second layer is implemented electronically because of the small number of the hidden layer neurons. The system is trained with a sequence of input facial images and is able to classify an input face in real-time.
Glutathione Regulates Interleukin-2 Activity on Cytotoxic T-cells

In this study, we examined whether and how the cellular activity of interleukin-2 (IL-2) is affected by glutathione (GSH), an important tripeptide existing in most cells. Cell culture and thymidine incorporation assay showed that addition of GSH enhanced the effect of IL-2 on the proliferation and thymidine incorporation of IL-2-dependent cytotoxic T-cells such as CTLL-2 and CT-4R. Treatment of the cells with GSH resulted in a 2-fold increase in the amount of IL-2 bound to the cells and a rapid internalization of the bound IL-2. In addition, the degradation of IL-2 in the cells was enhanced by GSH treatment. These effects of GSH were accompanied by an increase in the intracellular GSH level. L-Buthionine-(S, R)-sulfoximine, an inhibitor of de novo GSH synthesis, blunted the increase of intracellular GSH level and modulated the effect of GSH on IL-2 activity. These results suggest that GSH regulates the binding, internalization, degradation, and T-cell proliferative activity of IL-2; alterations of cellular GSH concentration may thus affect the growth and replication of IL-2-sensitive cytotoxic T-cells.
Photoionization of hot radicals: C2H5, n-C3H7, and i-C3H7.

The combination of ion-imaging and vacuum-ultraviolet (vuv) single-photon ionization is used to study the internal energy dependence of the relative photoionization yields of the C2H5,n-C3H7, and i-C3H7 radicals following the 266 nm photodissociation of the corresponding alkyl iodides. The comparison of the ion images obtained by vuv photoionization of the radical with those obtained by two-photon-resonant, three-photon ionization of the complementary IP3∕22 and I*P1∕22 atoms allows the extraction of the internal energy dependence of the cross sections. Factors influencing the appearance of the ion images in the different detection channels are discussed, including the secondary fragmentation of the neutral radicals, Franck-Condon factors for the photoionization process, and the unimolecular fragmentation of the parent photoions.
Second Generation Educational Attainment

Education is a proven determinate of one’s income. From a policy point of view an important question is whether the children of the first-generation immigrants are capable of acquiring a good socio-economic position, and if so, to what extent. Since educational attainment is a strong determinant of the labor market position and related variables like income, a focus on the educational achievements of the second-generation makes sense. Rather, if these second generation immigrants are being educated, entering the work force and likely raising children in the US, it is likely that their education will be passed on. So if there is that effect of having immigrant parents on education, is this affect the same for every country of origin? Likely not. As mentioned earlier, every country has its own customs and beliefs, and thus, its own views on the importance of school. Do these nation specific differences give different effects on the educational attainment of the children of immigrants? And if so, which countries have stronger positive effects on their second-generation? This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol19/iss1/13
Beta-ray branching in the decay of /sup 19/Ne. [7. 0 MeV]

The ..beta.. decay of /sup 19/Ne has been studied by measuring the ..gamma..-ray spectrum with a Ge(Li) detector. Sources were made in the /sup 19/F(p,n)/sup 19/Ne reaction by 7.0-MeV proton bombardment of CaF/sub 2/ or BaF/sub 2/ targets mounted in a graphite ''rabbit.'' From the intensity of a weak 1357-keV peak relative to 511-keV ..gamma.. rays the ..beta../sup +/ branching of /sup 19/Ne to the 1554-keV state of /sup 19/O was found to be (2.1 +- 0.3) x 10/sup -5/ per decay. This is a factor of 2.6 larger than a recently reported value but does not substantially improve the prospects for an experiment designed to study neutral currents in weak interactions. (AIP)
Alternative Splicing of G-protein Coupled Receptors: Relevance to Pain Management

Drugs that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) represent the primary treatment strategy for patients with acute and chronic pain; however, there is substantial individual variability in both the efficacy and adverse effects associated with these drugs. Variability in drug responses is due, in part, to individuals' diversity in alternative splicing of pain-relevant GPCRs. G protein-coupled receptor alternative splice variants often exhibit distinct tissue distribution patterns, drug-binding properties, and signaling characteristics that may impact disease pathology as well as the extent and direction of analgesic effects. We review the importance of GPCRs and their known splice variants to the management of pain.
Calibration of an Astrophysical Spectrograph Below 1 m/s Using a Laser Frequency Comb

We deployed two wavelength calibrators based on laser frequency combs (“astro-combs”) at an astronomical telescope. One astro-comb operated over a 100 nm band in the deep red (∼ 800 nm) and a second operated over a 20 nm band in the blue (∼ 400 nm). We used these red and blue astro-combs to calibrate a high-resolution astrophysical spectrograph integrated with a 1.5 m telescope, and demonstrated calibration precision and stability sufficient to enable detection of changes in stellar radial velocity < 1 m/s.
Effects of elevated glucose levels on interactions of cardiac fibroblasts with the extracellular matrix

Exposure of fibroblasts to high glucose levels promotes a fibrotic response characterized by increased expression of extracellular matrix components including interstitial collagens. Little is known about the effects of glucose levels on other aspects of fibroblast function. Fibroblasts in the myocardium are surrounded by an extensive extracellular matrix composed predominantly of type I collagen. Interactions between fibroblasts and the myocardial extracellular matrix are thought to affect heart function by altering ventricular diastolic properties. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of elevated glucose levels on the interactions between heart fibroblasts and the collagenous extracellular matrix. Studies were performed to determine the effects of relative glucose levels on the ability of fibroblasts to migrate on and contract a three-dimensional collagenous substratum. These experiments illustrated that exposure of cardiac fibroblasts to high glucose levels (25 mM) resulted in decreased migratory activity of fibroblasts on a collagen matrix and decreased fibroblast proliferation. In addition, high glucose stimulated collagen and collagen-binding integrin expression and contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels by cardiac fibroblasts. These studies illustrate that altered glucose levels induce important changes in the interactions of cardiac fibroblasts with the collagenous extracellular matrix.
Exploration of the pentacyano-cyclo-pentadienide ion, C5(CN)5−, as a weakly coordinating anion and potential superacid conjugate base. Silylation and protonation

The reportedly unprotonatable pentacyano-cyclo-pentadienide ion, C5(CN)5−, can be protonated and silylated at the cyano N atom using electrophilic reagents derived from weakly coordinating carborane anions.
Retinoids and Alcohol-Related Carcinogenesis

Chronic and excessive alcohol intake is associated with an increased incidence of a variety of cancers (e.g., liver, oral cavity, esophagus, colorectal and breast). Long-term alcohol intake results in impaired nutritional status of retinoic acid (RA), the most active derivative of vitamin A, which may provide a promoting environment for tumor formation. Recent studies demonstrate that chronic alcohol-induced hepatocellular proliferation, which may convert hepatocytes from a state of resistance to a carcinogen to a state of high susceptibility, is due to alcohol-impaired RA metabolism and signaling and crosstalk with the Jun N-terminal kinases-dependent signaling pathway. Further, the restoration of hepatic RA homeostasis by treatment with either RA supplementation or inhibitors of RA catabolism can suppress alcohol-induced hepatocyte hyperproliferation and restore alcohol-deregulated apoptosis, thereby reducing the risk of alcohol-promoted hepatocellular carcinogenesis. These studies indicate the importance of RA actions in the prevention and/or treatment of alcohol-related carcinogenic process in the liver and other organs.
Turning Up the Heat on Histoplasma capsulatum

Many fungal pathogens are opportunistic, that is, they infect individuals who have a compromised immune system. Histoplasma capsulatum is a common pathogenic fungus that lives happily inside the phagosomes of macrophages. As Klein explains in his Perspective, an important H. capsulatum virulence factor, CBP1, has been found, which mops up free calcium ions within the phagosome, enabling the yeast to live under calcium-poor conditions (Sebhgati et al.). Chelating calcium ions may also have the added benefit that when the phagosome fuses with the lysosome, destructive lysosomal enzymes that require calcium ions for activity remain inactive.
Design description and performance test results from two identical Brayton heat exchanger units

Performance tests of two identical Brayton cycle heat exchanger units consisting of recuperator, heat sink exchanger and ducting in combination with turbine
On the ?(2) symmetric deformation of rotating rings with shear deformation

Abstract We study the SO (2) symmetric deformation of a circular ring, modeled using the beamshell theory of Libai and Simmonds. The equations of motion are based on general partial differential equations governing the elastodynamics of geometrically exact rings, which have been formulated by Dempsey (Proc. Roy. Soc. London A 452 (1996) 1927–1943). Thus, the formulation is valid for arbitrary pressure forcing and large deformations, although the results are tempered by a linear constitutive relation and an assumption of plane strain. With the assumption that the deformation retains SO (2) symmetry, the partial differential equations are reduced to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations. Within this restricted space of solutions, we study the existence and stability of relative equilibria and discuss the effects of constant hydrostatic pressure on the dynamical response. Specifically, interaction between inertial effects arising from rotational motion and the combined elastic and external pressure forces can produce unexpected behavior, including the existence of a non-trivial state which retains the symmetry, yet physically implies that material planes do not lie in the radial direction. Such a state is shown to affect the large-amplitude response of the system in a singular limit of the governing equations.
Aneuploidy theory explains tumor formation, the absence of immune surveillance, and the failure of chemotherapy

The autocatalyzed progression of aneuploidy accounts for all cancer-specific phenotypes, the Hayflick limit of cultured cells, carcinogen-induced tumors in mice, the age distribution of human cancer, and mul- tidrug-resistance. Here aneuploidy theory addresses tumor formation. The logistic equation, � n � 1 � rn (1 � � n ), models the autocatalyzed progression of aneuploidy in vivo and in vitro. The variablen � 1 is the av- erage aneuploid fraction of a population of cells at the n � 1 cell division and is determined by the value at the n th cell division. The value r is the growth control parameter. The logistic equation was used to com- pute the probability distribution for values ofafter numerous divisions of aneuploid cells. The autocata- lyzed progression of aneuploidy follows the laws of deterministic chaos, which means that certain values ofare more probable than others. The probability map of the logistic equation shows that: 1) an aneu- ploid fraction of at least 0.30 is necessary to sustain a population of cancer cells; and 2) the most likely an- euploid fraction after many population doublings is 0.70, which is equivalent to a DNA index � 1.7, the point of maximum disorder of the genome that still sustains life. Aneuploidy theory also explains the lack of im- mune surveillance and the failure of chemotherapy. © 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Hybrid linear dendritic macromolecules: From synthesis to applications

Linear-dendritic copolymers are intriguing macromolecules, which offer challenge and fascination as purely synthetic objects at the crossroad of organic and polymer chemistry and as promising materials for diverse advanced applications. This review traces their discovery and highlights the synthetic strategies used for their construction. The ambivalent character of the linear-dendritic architecture opens numerous avenues towards emerging and potential applications. Specific solution properties enable the construction of nanometer-sized nanoreactors for reactions in environmentally friendly media, and the creation of “nanosponges” for selective passive binding of fluorescent pH-indicators for environmental or biomonitoring. Another structure–property relationship is used for noncovalent and site-specific modification of glycoproteins, which leads to the formation of “semiartificial” enzymes with enhanced and broadened catalytic activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5295–5314, 2008
Seasonal variation and magnitude of the solar sector structure–atmospheric vorticity effect

Evidence is reported for a seasonal variation in the effect of solar sector structure on terrestrial atmospheric vorticity. Graphs showing average response of the 50,000-Pa vorticity area index to solar magnetic sector structure during the time interval extending from 6 days before to 6 days after the time at which a sector boundary is swept past the earth indicate that a 10% drop in the average value occurs at the time of passage, but this effect is observed only during the winter months.
Customer preferences, attendance and the racial structure of professional basketball teams

This paper examines the importance of customer-based discrimiantion in professional basketball over the 1980–81 to 1985–86 seasons. Empirical rsesults offer strong support of the hypothesis that, if fans prefer to see players of their own race, teams will be influenced in their selection of players by the racial composition of their market area. By the same token, attendance is found to be positively related to the extent to which the racial composition of the team matches that of the corresponding market area.
Fear of a black planet: anarchy anxieties and postcolonial travel to Africa

Western travel to Africa has historically involved the construction and consumption of African otherness. In the postcolonial era this is most clearly evident in Western tourism to the continent, where Africa is frequently marketed as an exoticised destination to see and consume both ‘nature’ and ‘native’. The Western tourist gaze often requires fixing Africans, both in a spatial site (‘village’) and a temporal site (‘tradition’). Africans on the move (both spatially and temporally) are often seen as threatening to the Western‐established images of Africa, which are grounded in a long‐standing fear of ‘unorded’ and ‘chaotic’ African space. After 11 September and the USA's ‘war on terror’ retributive response, the political implications of these fears are evinced in the writings of Robert Kaplan and his popular ‘coming anarchy’ thesis. The article concludes with a critique of Kaplan's work and a discussion of its implications for Africa and African international relations.
How to identify liabilities of foreignness and assess their effects on multinational corporations

Abstract This article examines the liabilities of foreignness construct and discusses key methodological and research design issues facing liability of foreignness researchers. After reviewing past studies and more recent liabilities of foreignness research, I discuss definitional issues related to this construct. I then present a two-part research framework designed to first help identify a specific liability of foreignness in a focal country, and then help identify factors that minimize the effects of that specific liabilities of foreignness. I also discuss multinational management issues at the corporation level that likely affect liabilities of foreignness experienced at the foreign subsidiary level.
Curvature continuity and offsets for piecewise conics

In this paper the construction of curvature continuous, planar curves (open or closed) that consist of conic segments, represented in the rational Bezier form, is discussed, and an iterative procedure to compute their offset curves is outlined.
Characteristics and treatment interests among individuals with substance use disorders and a history of past six-month violence: Findings from an emergency department study

The study examined clinical characteristics and treatment interests of individuals identified to have substance use disorders (SUDs) in an urban emergency department (ED) who reported past six-month history of violence or victimization. Specifically, participants were 1441 ED patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of interventions designed to link those with SUDs to treatment. To examine factors related to violence type, four groups based on participants' reports of violence toward others were created: no violence (46.8%), partner violence only (17.3%), non-partner violence only (20.2%), and both partner and non-partner violence (15.7%). Four groups based on participants' reports of victimization were also created: no violence (42.1%), victimization from partner only (18.7%), victimization from non-partner only (20.2%), and both partner and non-partner victimization (17.7%). Separate multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine which variables distinguished the violence and victimization groups from those reporting no violence or victimization. For violence toward others, demographic variables, alcohol and cocaine disorders, and rating treatment for psychological problems were higher for violence groups, with some differences depending on the type of violence. For victimization, demographic variables, having an alcohol disorder, and rating treatment for family/social problems were higher for violence groups, also with some differences depending on the type of violence. Findings from the present study could be useful for designing effective brief interventions and services for ED settings.
Cold Plasma Particle-Particle Collisions and Self-Heating

Summary form only given. Using the input file coldplas.inp from our venerable electrostatic periodic particle-in-cell (PIC) code XES1 (available at http://ptsg.eecs.berkeley.edu), we observe cold plasma oscillations excited in the fundamental mode. Our purpose is to examine the electron-electron collisions. Let two electrons be loaded at x=L/4 and at x=3L/4 for a system of length L. The ions form a uniform stationary background that makes the periodic system net neutral. The particle excitation at t=0 is an x-velocity v1=A sin kx in fundamental mode, with amplitude A and kL=2pi. With small A, the Vx-x phase space shows two ellipses, each centered at the starting positions and with oscillations at the input plasma frequency, as expected. As A is increased, the two particles collide at x=L/2 and reflect. The particle oscillatory and colliding motion histories are observed by tracing their Vx-x motions. Next, 64 electrons are loaded uniformly in x and excited in the fundamental mode using small A and producing 64 non-colliding elliptical orbits with an envelope in mode. When A is increased, we now ask, "Which electrons collide first?" We observe crossing first at x=0 or at x=L/2 , where neighboring orbits have opposite x-velocities. These collisions randomly scatter the particles, and the field, kinetic, and total energies grow non-physically with time
Peptide conformations for a microarray surface-tethered epitope of the tumor suppressor p53

Peptides or proteins near surfaces exhibit different structural properties from those present in a homogeneous solution, and these differences give rise to varied biological activity. Therefore, understanding the detailed molecular structure of these molecules tethered to a surface is important for interpreting the performance of the various microarrays based on the activities of the immobilized peptides or proteins. We performed molecular dynamics simulations of a pentapeptide, RHSVV, an epitope of the tumor suppressor protein p53, tethered via a spacer on a functionalized silica surface and free in solution, to study their structural and conformational differences. These calculations allowed analyses of the peptide-surface interactions, the sequence orientations, and the translational motions of the peptide on the surface to be performed. Conformational similarities are found among dominant structures of the tethered and free peptide. In the peptide microarray simulations, the peptide fluctuates between a parallel and tilted orientation driven in part by the hydrophobic interactions between the nonpolar peptide residues and the methyl-terminated silica surface. The perpendicular movement of the peptide relative to the surface is also restricted due to the hydrophobic nature of the microarray surface. With regard to structures available for recognition and binding, we find that similar conformations to those found in solution are available to the peptide tethered to the surface, but with a shifted equilibrium constant. Comparisons with experimental results show important implications of this for peptide microarray design and assays.
Reduction of benzylideneacetone and acetophenone over Pd/AlPO4 and Pd/SiO2 catalysts

Abstract In this work we have synthesized a series of Pd catalysts supported on silica or aluminium orthophosphate, which have been used in the liquid-phase reduction of benzylideneacetone and acetophenone. The catalysts have been prepared from sodium tetrachloropalladiate, tetraammine palladium (II) chloride, palladium (II) nitrate, acetylacetonate and acetate. The catalysts reduced in reflux with α-phellandrene show a higher initial reaction rate than those reduced in a hydrogen flow. The selectivity results show that each of the reaction products originated directly from the starting reagent, via independent processes taking place at different active sites of the catalyst. As a rule, the catalysts synthesized on aluminium orthophosphate have a greater specific catalytic activity than those prepared on silica.
Management of lower extremity malalignment during running with neuromuscular retraining of the proximal stabilizers

This case report presents a high-level female runner with a history of more than 25 years of recurrent lower extremity (LE) injuries and LE malalignment problems during running. Due to her LE malalignment, she has been unable to run for the past 3 years. A definitive diagnosis was not found for her inability to run so by exclusion we diagnosed dysfunction of the hip, spine, and pelvic stabilizers that resulted in her in LE malalignment. To treat this muscle weakness, we designed a Pilates-evolved functional movement intervention to improve the control and strength of the proximal stabilizers and regain normal LE alignment. The Pilatesevolved treatment approach involved a series of functional and progressive resistance exercises designed to dynamically stabilize the spine, pelvis, and hip through all planes of motion. After 1 year of Pilates-evolved training, the athlete’s disabling movement pattern resolved and she has returned to a regular running program. The purpose of this case report is to describe a Pilates-evolved functional movement intervention that resolved this runner’s LE malalignment and returned her to running when other traditional treatment approaches were not effective in doing so.
Entrainment of Shelf Water by a Bifurcating Continental Boundary Current

Abstract At the northeast corner of Taiwan the direction of the continental slope isobaths changes rapidly relative to the oncoming Kuroshio, so that the inertia of a small inshore fraction of this current causes it to cross the slope, while the main branch follows the isobaths. It is suggested that the portion of the bifurcated current entering the shelf displaces ambient water of relatively high potential vorticity as a countercurrent, which flows across the slope. The vortex stretching and subsequent entrainment of this water into the main branch of the Kuroshio increases its maximum cyclonic vorticity and helps to maintain the inshore shear of the western boundary current. This Idea is supported by simple initial value and steady-state models, and also by dye observations of the flow from a source on the wall of a rotating tank.
Time trends in the occurrence and outcome of acute myocardial infarction and coronary heart disease death between 1986 and 1996 (a New Jersey statewide study).

Most reports of the decrease in age-adjusted coronary heart disease (CHD) are based on databases with upper age cut-offs that exclude approximately half of the events. We report changes in rates of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and of out-of-hospital coronary death between 1986 and 1996 among New Jersey residents ≥15 years old. Data on patients discharged with the diagnosis of AMI from nonfederal acute care hospitals in the state (n = 270,091) and all records in the New Jersey death registration files with CHD (n = 172,175) listed as the cause of death from 1986 to 1996 (total study n = 442,266) were analyzed. The rate of hospitalized AMI cases in the state remained essentially unchanged during these 11 years, whereas in-hospital and 30-day case fatality among all age groups and both sexes declined. Age-adjusted CHD rates showed a decrease in fatal events, a smaller decrease in total events, and a slight increase in nonfatal events. The proportion of fatal CHD events occurring out-of-hospital decreased especially among men. The median age at occurrence of events increased by 1 year. Despite a decrease in CHD mortality, the rate of nonfatal events increased, especially among persons ≥75 years old. Thus, the decrease in age-adjusted CHD mortality is not all due to treatment and true prevention of CHD, but the disease simply occurs at an older age.