cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of 28-days ingestion of a slow-release energy supplement versus placebo on hematological and cardiovascular measures of health.

Background: Recently, slow release tablets have been developed to prolong energy release throughout the day. The efficacy of the delivery of slow-release caffeine alone is fairly well documented; however, an assessment of safety and tolerability of prolonged use of slow-release energy supplements is lacking. Therefore the objective of this study was to investigate the effect of daily ingestion of a slow-release energy supplement for 28 days on blood chemistry and resting cardiovascular measures in healthy men and women.
Alterations in protein expression associated with the development of mealiness in peaches

Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) combined with mass spectrometry was used to identify proteins related to the development of mealiness in peaches. Five proteins were identified that differed ...
Does Team Racial Composition Affect Team Performance in the NBA

Many amateur and professional sports teams are composed of athletes from different racial and demographic groups. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), for example, teams are composed of African-Americans, Caucasians, South Americans, Europeans (East and West), and Asians. Some have argued that diversity may lower psychological attachment and lead to less frequent (not to mention less effective) communication with fellow workers, all of which can adversely affect firm performance (see, for example, M. Kilduff, R. Angelmar and A. Mehta (2000), “Top management-team diversity and firm performance: examining the role of cognitions,” Organization Science, 11(1):21–34). In this study, we test the hypothesis that the potential negative cross-group effects due to team diversity can be overcome by the necessary cooperation inherent in team sports. This hypothesis implies that team racial composition, however diverse, should have no effect on team performance. The extent to which workers in general (and professional basketball players in particular) are unaffected by group diversity is the empirical question that motivates this research note. To quantify the degree of diversity, we use the Herfindahl-Hirschman index (hereafter HHI), a common measure used in studies of industrial concentration and market structure. Here, we consider its use as it applies to racial composition within a team, given by the formula HHI 1⁄4 P n i1⁄41 Gi , where Gi is the fraction of team players Atl Econ J (2009) 37:119–120 DOI 10.1007/s11293-008-9156-4
Nutrient composition of White Rose potatoes during growth and after storage.

Potatoes were analyzed for nine food nutrients and energy as affected by maturity and storage period. As tubers approached maturity in the field, sugar and vitamin C decreased, and other nutrients increased. The principal change in storage was a loss in vitamin C.
Effects of nonfiber carbohydrate and niacin on periparturient metabolic status and lactation of dairy cows.

Fifty Holstein cows and 25 Holstein heifers were used in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were a standard nonfiber carbohydrate diet beginning at 19 d prepartum, a high nonfiber carbohydrate diet beginning at 19 d prepartum, a standard nonfiber carbohydrate diet plus niacin (12 g/d) beginning at 19 d prepartum, a high nonfiber carbohydrate diet plus niacin beginning at 19 d prepartum, and a standard nonfiber carbohydrate diet beginning at 19 d prepartum plus niacin beginning at 14 d postpartum. Treatments were applied through 40 wk postpartum. Niacin did not significantly affect production parameters or blood and liver metabolites. Prepartum intakes of dry matter and energy and energy balance were greater for cows and heifers fed the high nonfiber carbohydrate diets. Plasma glucose concentrations tended to be significantly higher, and nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were significantly lower, when animals were fed diets that were high in nonfiber carbohydrates. Diets containing high nonfiber carbohydrates increased concentrations of liver glycogen and tended to reduce concentrations of liver triglyceride. Milk production tended to be higher, milk fat percentage tended to be lower, and milk protein percentage and production were significantly greater when diets that were high in nonfiber carbohydrates were fed. An increase in dietary nonfiber carbohydrates improved the metabolic parameters during the transition period and improved lactation performance.
Radiogenic isotopic mapping of late Cenozoic eolian and hemipelagic sediment distribution in the east-central Pacific

Abstract Pelagic clay of the east-central Pacific province is shown to be a mixture of three primary detrital components, reflecting continental source areas in Asia, North America, and Central and South America. Relative contributions from each source area are a function of geography, and this distribution appears to have remained constant over the past five million years, despite changing flux rates. A Q-mode factor analysis of downcore records for Pb, Sr, and Nd isotopes identified three factors that account for 98% of the total variance. These factors represent the radiogenic isotopic signatures of 1) late Cenozoic Asian dust, which dominates in the central North Pacific; 2) North American continental hemipelagic/eolian sources, restricted mainly to the easternmost North Pacific at ∼ 30 °N latitude; and 3) Central and South American sources, restricted to areas east of ∼ 100 °W longitude. South of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (∼ 6 °N), the Asian dust signature diminishes abruptly. We conclude that late Cenozoic Asian dust sources can be isotopically differentiated downcore from both North American and South and Central American sources in the east-central Pacific. This approach has a utility for identifying changes in long-term Cenozoic atmospheric circulation patterns.
Section Review Biologicals & Immunologicals Progress in the development and patenting of antisense drug discovery technology

There has been prolific patenting activity surrounding antisense technology to date. With more than fifty issued patents and innumerable applications published, a relatively clear picture about current and future patent positions can be defined. In this article the basics of antisense patenting, various strategies and the current patent positions of the major antisense programs are reviewed.
Coverage of the left subclavian artery during thoracic endovascular aortic repair

Background Thoracic aortic stent grafts require proximal and distal landing zones of adequate length to effectively exclude thoracic aortic lesions. The origins of the left subclavian artery and other aortic arch branch vessels often impose limitations on the proximal landing zone, thereby disallowing endovascular repair of more proximal thoracic lesions. Methods Between October 2000 and November 2005, 112 patients received stent grafts to treat lesions involving the thoracic aorta. The proximal aspect of the stent graft partially or totally occluded the origin of at least one great vessel in 28 patients (25%). The proximal attachment site was in zone 0 in one patient (3.6%), zone 1 in three patients (10.7%), and zone 2 in 24 patients (85.7%). Patients with proximal implantation in zones 0 or 1 underwent debranching procedures of the supra-aortic vessels before stent graft repair. In one patient who underwent zone 1 deployment, the left subclavian artery was revascularized before stent graft deployment. Among patients who underwent zone 2 deployment with partial or complete occlusion of the left subclavian artery, none underwent prior revascularization. Patients were assessed postoperatively and at follow-up for development of neurologic symptoms as well as symptoms of left upper extremity claudication or ischemia. Results Mean follow-up was 7.3 months. Among the 24 patients with zone 2 implantation, 10 (42%) had partial left subclavian artery coverage at the time of their primary procedure. A total of 19 patients experienced complete cessation of antegrade flow through the origin of the left subclavian artery without revascularization at the time of the initial endograft repair as a result of a secondary procedure or as a consequence of left subclavian artery thrombosis. Left upper extremity symptoms developed in three (15.8%) patients that did not warrant intervention, and rest pain developed in one (5.3%), which was treated with the deployment of a left subclavian artery stent. Two primary (type IA and type III) endoleaks (7.1%) and one secondary endoleak (type IA) (3.6%) were observed in patients who underwent zone 2 deployment. Three cerebrovascular accidents were observed. Thoracic aortic lesions were successfully excluded in all patients who underwent supra-aortic debranching procedures. Conclusion Intentional coverage of the origin of the left subclavian artery to obtain an adequate proximal landing zone during endovascular repair of thoracic aortic lesions is well tolerated and may be managed expectantly, with some exceptions.
Molecular Evolution of Human Immunodeficiency Virus env in Humans and Monkeys: Similar Patterns Occur during Natural Disease Progression or Rapid Virus Passage

Simian-human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIVs) contain envelope and accessory genes of HIV type 1 (HIV-1) in a SIV backbone (11, 16, 17, 26, 32, 33, 40). Several chimeric viruses with different pathogenic potentials have been constructed. Whereas some strains are highly pathogenic in rhesus macaques (17, 24, 33, 34), others are thought to be nonpathogenic, such as SHIV-4 and SHIV-vpu+ (20, 21). The latter two chimeras encode env of HXBc2, a molecular clone of the T-cell line-adapted HIV-IIIB (20, 21). In contrast to SHIV-4, SHIV-vpu+ contains an open vpu reading frame (20, 21). Both viruses replicate in rhesus monkeys (2, 25, 36). Rapid in vivo passage of viruses containing HIV-IIIB env resulted in more aggressive variants that caused acute CD4+ T-cell loss (15, 16, 31, 43). However, thus far, macaques inoculated with the nonpassaged viruses have not developed signs of immune suppression or disease (20, 21). Here, we demonstrate that nonpassaged SHIV-vpu+ can cause CD4+ T-cell depletion and AIDS after prolonged observation, thus approximating the time course of untreated HIV-1 infections in humans.
Current Trends in Managing Carotid Artery Disease

The management of carotid bifurcation disease continues to evolve. Carotid endarterectomy remains the gold standard for symptomatic patients, and for selected asymptomatic patients who have hemodynamically significant carotid stenosis. Medical management of the high-risk plaque has continued to improve and is complementary to carotid endarterectomy. Carotid angioplasty and stenting is presently being evaluated as a treatment option for high-risk patients. This article reviews the current understanding of disease management.
THE MECHANICAL ACTION OF THE PERIOSTEUM IN FRESH FRACTURES

In transverse fractures the elastic pull of the periosteum is an additional factor to muscle pull in producing angular and overriding deformity. It also tends to lock overriding fragments by its mechanical action under direct traction. It also by its elastic action tends to cause angular deformity, if reduction is not anatomically perfect. However, when anatomically perfect reduction is obtained, this elastic action of the periosteum tends to maintain it. Therefore, manipulation which will take advantage of these properties of the periosteum is advisable.
World Trade Organization - TRIPS - Course on Dispute Settlement in International Trade, Investment and Intellectual Property (UNCTAD)

The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (“TRIPS Agreement”) is the first WTO agreement requiring Members to establish a relatively detailed set of substantive norms within their national legal systems, as well as requiring them to establish enforcement measures and procedures meeting minimum standards. The TRIPS Agreement is sometimes referred to as the first WTO agreement that prescribes “positive law”. This factor alone might account for a more than typical level of controversy as Members deal, in many cases, with adopting rather far-reaching changes to their national legal systems.However, added to the uniquely “positive” aspect of the TRIPS Agreement is a negotiating history that for a long time was highly contentious, particularly as between developed and developing Members, and the fact that the TRIPS Agreement touches upon sensitive and important social issues. In the final analysis, it should not be surprising that the TRIPS Agreement has generated a considerable amount of controversy among WTO Members, even if to date much of that controversy has not resulted in formal dispute settlement proceedings.The TRIPS Agreement addresses a wide range of intellectual property subject matter areas (copyright, trademark, patent, and so forth). It also covers competitive markets, enforcement measures, dispute settlement, and transitional arrangements. This Module provides an introduction to these various aspects of the TRIPS Agreement, and seeks to focus on the kinds of questions that should be asked when approaching dispute settlement. In some areas, the questions are answered, but the entire field of intellectual property rights protection, including enforcement measures, cannot be covered in a single Module or short course. Moreover, the questions will change along with the technologies that form the subject matter of intellectual property rights protection. The objective of this Module is to provide sufficient background so that as specific issues arise, the diplomat or lawyer understands how to approach them.This Module begins by discussing some general principles or concepts applicable to the field of TRIPS dispute settlement. It then deals with the various substantive subject matter areas covered by the agreement. It turns to enforcement measures, and afterwards to specific aspects of the WTO dispute settlement process. Finally, the existing WTO jurisprudence is described.
Testimony on the Department of the Interior's New Policy on Off-Reservation Acquisitions of Land in Trust for Indian Gaming, before the United States House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, 110th Congress, Second Session

The Department of the Interior's New Guidance on Off-Reservation Acquisitions of Land in Trust for Indian Gaming assumes that the principal value of Indian gaming is reservation employment. Although this assumption is mostly incorrect - Indian gaming operations, like state lotteries, are about public revenues, not jobs - off-reservation gaming can dramatically increase the number of public service jobs on Indian reservations. Indian gaming revenues are mostly expended on tribal services to tribal members, creating numerous public service jobs in tribal government. Off-reservation Indian gaming can also provide revenues for restoration of lands on Indian reservation, making up for limited public appropriations for land restoration. In many ways, off-reservation gaming is better for tribes than on-reservation gaming because it provides revenues but does not interfere with tribal culture and tribal communities. Interior's new policy is off base for these and other reasons explained more fully herein.
Advancing virtual patient simulations through design research and interPLAY: part I: design and development

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled studies conclude that virtual patient simulations are consistently associated with higher learning outcomes compared to other educational methods. However, we cannot assume that students will learn from simply exposing students to the simulations. The instructional features that are integrated before, during and after the simulations may affect learning and performance as much as or more than the simulation and how those features are used. Here, we examine the design and development of NERVE: A virtual patient simulation created to give medical students standardized experiences in interviewing, examining, and diagnosing virtual patients with cranial nerve disorders. We depict key design features of the simulation and discuss how two sets of design research studies were completed to improve the total learning experience, including the virtual patient simulations and the instructional features incorporated with the simulations.
Basic medical physiology: the whole is more than the sum of its parts.

In this article we examine the role of basic medical physiology in medical school education. We discuss the historical background, courses in this subject, and methods of teaching it. We conclude t...
Management of patients with sickle cell disease

The ever-increasing body of information regarding the molecular pathogenesis of sickle cell disease has raised expectations that a specific and effective therapy could be devised to inhibit polymerization of hemoglobin S. Despite an intense international research effort, this goal has not yet been realized. Supportive care continues to be the mainstay in the management of patients with sickle cell anemia. Empiric measures were used in early attempts to treat sickle cell anemia. Herrick reported gratifying improvement after "rest, nourishing food, the administration of iodide, arsenic, thymol and the application of boric ointment to leg ulcers." Many of these suggestions are similar to those of today. Several factors have significantly improved the prognosis of patients with this disease. Improved medical care, genetic counseling, and universal neonatal screening have directly resulted in improved outcome. Molecular biologic techniques have allowed us to approach this disease in a pathophysiologic way. Now we can envision antenatal diagnosis with the use of molecular probes and treatment by gene amplification. Still, however, the most important and challenging link in the chain between the biology of the disease and the clinical sequelae is an astute and interested physician who must remain objective at all times.
Effects of Impurities on the Kinetics of Nucleation and Growth in Amorphous Silicon

The effects of intentionally introduced impurities on the crystallization time, nucleation rate and crystallite growth velocity during solid phase random crystallization of amorphous Si thin films have been determined. Films deposited in UHV onto oxidized Si wafers were subjected to multiple energy ion implantation to introduce uniform distributions of P, B, As, O or F at 0.1–1.0 at.%. Crystallization times and growth velocities were determined over the temperature range 650 to 850°C from time-resolved reflectivity measurements, and nucleation rates were determined from these data using a classical, steady state nucleation and growth model. Strong impurity effects are observed: P, B and As all decrease the nucleation rate but accelerate the growth of crystallites, whereas both 0 and F retard growth while enhancing nucleation. The largest effects are for P, which reduces the nucleation rate more than 100 times at 1% concentration, and F, which increases the rate by roughly the same amount.
STUDY ON THE ARTIFICIAL AUXILIARY AEROBICS FOR CONTROLLING THE EUTROPHICATION OF KAKE DIANCHI AND ITS TRIBUTARIES

The pollution of Lake Dianchi and its tributaries in the last decades has led to serious hypoxia or even anoxia in deep water levels,and the aquatic ecosystems have nearly collapsed completely,resulting in further exacerbating eutrophication.Because the artificial auxiliary aerobics has the advantage of introducing no new pollutants and new species,it is one of the most environment-friendly methods to control eutrophication of an ecosystem.Due to large-area serious eutrophication,complex tributaries and pipelines,the proposed large-scale artificial auxiliary aerobics in Lake Dianchi would achieve an excellent result in reestablishing a good ecosystem.So far,there is no reference in the world about the large-scale artificial aerobics of the large polluted lakes yet.Combining the consideration of the tourist city with its living environment,minimizing the investment in aerobics and achieving comprehensive benefits,this paper presents a series of specific potential methods and measures as well as an in-depth discussion on the aerobics of the drain-pipes,the exits and entrances of the drain system in Kunming,the rivers across the city,and Dianchi Lake.
A Portfolio Selection Model for Mutual Fund Based on Mixed Integer Programming of Mean-VaR under Chance-constrained

We analyzed that the yields of stock obey the Scaled-t distribution with the sample of continuous observation in the time window.A portfolio selection model of mixed integer programming of mean-VaR for mutual fund is developed based on the Markowits's portfolio investment model,VaR theory and mixed integer programming,which is determined by expected threshold rate of return and confidence level by value at risk.In addition,we presented how to obtain the expected threshold probability of VaR with the minimum expected ratio given.At last,we give the explicit result with MATLAB 7.0 and Eviews 3.0.
Abdominal and genitourinary trauma in children.

Abdominal and genitourinary trauma in children is frequently associated with injuries to other systems. External signs of these injuries may be subtle or nonspecific. It is important for the nurse to be aware of the most frequently occurring injuries and their complications as well as methods used to identify these injuries. There is not always agreement about the most appropriate diagnostic tools and methods of management, which has implications for nursing interventions as well as patient and family teaching. Nonoperative management combined with close observation is the method of choice for many of these injuries, utilizing the assessment skills of the nurse. Specific nursing diagnoses pertinent to these injuries are presented as a framework for identification of appropriate nursing interventions, including patient teaching.
Plasma anisotropy and the radial particle flux in a rippled tokamak

We show that an often used relation between the radial particle flux and the divergence of the gyrotropic stress is an algebraic identity, unrelated to momentum conservation. Our calculation is completely general with regard to toroidal geometry and plasma collisionality. The result bears on the role of anisotropy in momentum relaxation and also clarifies certain methodological issues.
Effects of Muscle Length on Intracellular Ca2+ During Isometric Contraction of Tracheal Smooth Muscle

In both smooth and striated muscles, the active force a muscle can develop is related to its length. In striated muscles, the decrease in force that occurs as muscle length is decreased below the length of maximal active tension (LO) may result from a number of factors: length-dependent changes in the Ca2+-sensitivity of contractile proteins, length-dependent changes in the amount of activator Ca2+ supplied to contractile proteins, and mechanical factors affecting filament overlap (Gordon et al., 1966; Taylor and Rudel, 1970; Endo, 1973; Allen and Kurihara, 1982; Stephenson and Wendt, 1984; ). Studies of striated muscles, particularly cardiac muscle, suggest that as muscle length is decreased below LO there is a decrease in the activation of the myofilaments (Jewell,1977; Allen and Kurihara,1982; Stephenson and Wendt,1984). Also, when a striated muscle is allowed to shorten during active contraction, force redevelopment immediately after the shortening is reduced. This phenomenon, termed “shortening deactivation,” is dependent on Ca2+ and can be decreased or abolished by increasing the activation of the muscle ( Edman and Kiessling, 1971; Briden and Alpert, 1972; Bodem and Sonnenblick, 1974; Ekelund and Edman, 1982).
Simultaneous design for manufacturing process selection of engineering plastics

This paper describes a methodology that helps designers select a manufacturing process for engineering plastics. For many advanced materials such as plastics, engineers must simultaneously select the material and its processing method while they develop the part geometry. Early comparison and determination of the manufacturing process will allow engineers to tailor the geometry to the selected process. The major challenge is to guide the engineers to a set of compatible processes early in the design process at which time some decision factors may still be uncertain. The proposed system uses the concept of design compatibility analysis to represent the suitability of candidate processes with respect to a given part specification. A prototype system called HyperQiPP uses Hypercard and Prolog to implement the proposed methodology.
Dubious bargain: trading sleep for Leno and Letterman.

CURRENT ESTIMATES INDICATE THAT 20%1 TO 40%2 OF THE ADULT US POPULATION SLEEP LESS ON WEEKDAY NIGHTS THAN THE 7 TO 8 HOURS THOUGHT TO be needed by the majority of people to maintain behavioral alertness and avoid sleepiness-related risks of errors and accidents.3,4 The percentage of short sleepers may be even higher than self-report surveys suggest, because physiological sleep duration has been found to be as much as an hour or more below habitual sleep duration as reported in population studies.5,6 The issue of how much sleep people are obtaining nightly and what factors influence the habitual duration of sleep are important because reduced sleep duration has frequently been associated with a higher prevalence of obesity,7 morbidity, and mortality,8,9 although it is unclear whether these relationships are causal. This report focuses on lifestyle factors associated with shorter sleep times, in an effort to identify waking activities under discretionary control that may be a source for increasing sleep time in those who need to do so. Reduced sleep time in industrialized societies is primarily related to lifestyle. In a recent analysis of time use in the US, we found that work time was the primary activity that had a reciprocal relationship to sleep time.10 It suggests that Americans perceive sleep as a flexible commodity that can be exchanged for waking activities considered more essential or of greater value. If this is the case, reducing work time and its economic benefits in order to increase sleep time may not be feasible for most of the population. This prompted us to ask whether waking activities under discretionary control and adjacent to the sleep period may be a better source for increasing sleep time.
Archaeological Survey of the West Salado Creek Lift Station Project, San Antonio, Texas

i Figures iii Acknowledgments iv Introduction 1 Archaeological Background 1 Results 3 Summary and Recommendations 6 References Cited 7
Doubling Down: President Barack Obama’s Doubled Persona after the Zimmerman Verdict

This article analyzes President Barack Obama’s remarks following the acquittal of George Zimmerman on the charge of murdering Trayvon Martin. Speaking directly to, for, or about African Americans would lead some to accuse him of speaking primarily as a black man, while ignoring the idea of race would lead some to accuse him of failing to acknowledge its omnipresence in American life. To manage these constraints, the president employed what we have termed a doubled persona; that is, he enacted two different speaking personae and envisioned a distinct audience persona for each speaking persona: He spoke both as a black president and as a president who is black.
Pathogen–Host Interaction of Histoplasma capsulatum: an Update

Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus endemic to the Americas but is increasingly recognized as a global pathogen. In this review, we describe the most current findings in host evasion, host–pathogen interaction, therapeutics, and vaccines. Recent advances in the understanding of H. capsulatum virulence and immunity include the importance of host–pathogen nutrient modulation, immune cell transcriptional regulators, cytokine signaling, and coordination of innate and adaptive immunity. The latest developments in our understanding of H. capsulatum infection lay the foundation for future clinical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this intracellular fungal pathogen.
Filtering and smoothing in an H/sup infinity / setting

Consideration is given to the problems of filtering and smoothing for linear systems in an H/sup infinity / setting, i.e. the plant and measurement noises have bounded energies (are in L/sub 2/), but are otherwise arbitrary. Two distinct situations for the initial condition of the system are considered: in one case the initial condition is assumed known; in the other case it is not known, but the initial condition, the plant, and the measurement noise are in some weighted ball of R/sup n/*L/sub 2/. Both finite-horizon and infinite-horizon cases are considered. The authors present necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of estimators (both filters and smoothers) that achieved a prescribed performance bound and develop algorithms that result in performance within the bounds. They also present the optimal smoother. The approach uses basic quadratic optimization theory in a time-domain setting, as a consequence of which time-varying and time-invariant linear systems can be considered with equal ease. >
Fragmenting consciousness

The mechanism of human consciousness persists as a fundamental question in science and philosophy. As English biologist T. H. Huxley noted, “how it is that anything so remarkable as a state of consciousness comes about as the result of irritating nervous tissue, is just as unaccountable as the appearance of the Djin when Aladdin rubbed his lamp.” Although the neurobiological basis of phenomenal experience has yet to be fully elucidated, anesthesiologists are nonetheless adept at coaxing the genie of consciousness back into the lamp—usually within a matter of seconds. In PNAS, Lewis et al. (1) demonstrate the spatiotemporal fragmentation of neural networks at the onset of propofol-induced unconsciousness and provide support for the hypothesis that anesthetic agents act by unbinding neural activity rather than merely suppressing it.
Abstract 332: Nanostructure-Templated Alignment of Cardiomyocytes for 3-Dimensional Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Introduction: Heart muscle shows a significant amount of alignment and strategies for cardiac tissue engineering should aim at mimicking such topology. So far, conditions to align cardiomyocytes in three-dimensional (3D) engineered cardiac constructs include static and active mechanical stress and the application of a directional electric field. However, the question of how topological cues from the matrix in which cardiomyocytes are embedded affect their alignment has not been addressed yet. Here, we investigated how cardiomyocytes align and mature in novel 3D gels made out of peptide amphiphiles (PAs) that can be aligned at the nanostructure level. Methods: We seeded HL-1 cardiomyocytes, mouse ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes and human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes into PA solutions that were either or not aligned upon gellation. We assessed the alignment of the cardiomyocytes along with their maturation status by observing their structural proteins and the formation of functional syncitiums by connexin 43 expression and the propagation of calcium fluxes. We also tested whether the stiffness of the gel affected the above-mentioned parameters by changing the chemical structure of the PAs. Results: We found that cardiomyocytes aligned along the direction of the alignment of the nanostructures in the gel and that the alignment of the matrix contributed to the functional maturation of the construct. Moreover, we observed a relationship between the stiffness of the gels and the alignment of the cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: This study shows for the first time that the nanostructural features of 3D scaffolds can be exploited to create aligned cardiac constructs. ![Figure][1] [1]: pending:yes
An economic analysis of inter-regional and inter-sectoral R&D spillovers as sources of economic growth

ix CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Dissertation Organization 3 References 3 CHAPTER 2. CONVERGENCE IN U.S. TFP GROWTH FOR AGRICULTURE 5 Abstract 5 Introduction 6 The Model 13 Biological Processes 13 Convergence 16 Data and Variables 20 Results 22 Convergence 24 Discussion 35 Conclusion 37 References 38 Appendix A 41 Appendix B 42 CHAPTER 3. INTER-SECTOR R&D SPILLOVERS 43 Introduction 43 Econometric Model 47 The Production Model 48 Supply and Input Demand Functions 50 Elasticities, Bias Effects, and Shadow Values 50
Neuromodulation with single-element transcranial focused ultrasound in human thalamus.

Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has proven capable of stimulating cortical tissue in humans. tFUS confers high spatial resolutions with deep focal lengths and as such, has the potential to noninvasively modulate neural targets deep to the cortex in humans. We test the ability of single-element tFUS to noninvasively modulate unilateral thalamus in humans. Participants (N = 40) underwent either tFUS or sham neuromodulation targeted at the unilateral sensory thalamus that contains the ventro-posterior lateral (VPL) nucleus of thalamus. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded from scalp electrodes contralateral to median nerve stimulation. Activity of the unilateral sensory thalamus was indexed by the P14 SEP generated in the VPL nucleus and cortical somatosensory activity by subsequent inflexions of the SEP and through time/frequency analysis. Participants also under went tactile behavioral assessment during either the tFUS or sham condition in a separate experiment. A detailed acoustic model using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also presented to assess the effect of individual skull morphology for single-element deep brain neuromodulation in humans. tFUS targeted at unilateral sensory thalamus inhibited the amplitude of the P14 SEP as compared to sham. There is evidence of translation of this effect to time windows of the EEG commensurate with SI and SII activities. These results were accompanied by alpha and beta power attenuation as well as time-locked gamma power inhibition. Furthermore, participants performed significantly worse than chance on a discrimination task during tFUS stimulation.
Women in IT Management: Significant Gains and Continuing Challenges

The roles of women in the workforce have changed significantly over the past several decades. While there has been considerable progress made by women into leadership positions, this progress has b...
The Affordability Challenge: Inclusionary Housing and Community Land Trusts in a Federal System

Inclusionary housing and community land trusts (CLTs) are two mechanisms used to increase the stock of affordable housing. This chapter examines the potential of these mechanisms to provide long-term (“durably”) affordable housing in the United States, where there is strong local government and significant competition among local jurisdictions. In particular, it assesses the role of land value capture in enabling these mechanisms to provide for such housing.
RITUXIMAB ASSOCIATED ANTIBODY DYSFUNCTION IN B CELL NON-HODGKIN'S LYMPHOMA

Introduction Rituximab is an anti-CD20 chimeric antibody used to treat B cell neoplasms and autoimmune conditions. Although it is well known that rituximab can cause persistent hypogammaglobulinemia, there is no standardized approach to evaluate immune dysfunction in patients treated with rituximab. We characterized immunoglobulin levels and vaccine responses in rituximab-treated B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients. Methods We measured serum IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE, T/B cell lymphocyte panel, and pre/post vaccine IgG titers to diphtheria, tetanus, and streptococcus pneumoniae in B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients treated with rituximab within two years of study enrollment. Patients were vaccinated with Td and PPV23. Results Sixteen patients were enrolled, with 15/16 (93.7%) completing the laboratory evaluation. Baseline Ig levels ± SD were: IgG = 611 ± 219 mg/dL, IgM = 118 ± 253 mg/dL, and IgA = 184 ± 244 mg/dL. Baseline Diphtheria IgG = 0.16 ± 0.16 IU/mL, and 0.42 ± 0.77 IU/mL post-vaccination. 4/15 (26.7%) patients had a 2-fold increase in diphtheria IgG. Baseline Tetanus IgG = 1.61 ± 1.65 IU/mL, and 2.16 ± 2.01 IU/mL post vaccination. 1/15 (6.7%) patients had a 2-fold increase in tetanus IgG. Streptococcus pneumoniae IgG was > 1.3 mcg/mL for 5.3 ± 5.8/23 serotypes at baseline, and > 1.3 mcg/mL for 6.3 ± 6.1/23 serotypes post vaccination with PPV23. 2/15 (13.3%) patients demonstrated an adequate response to PPV23. Conclusions Patients with non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma treated with rituximab demonstrate impaired peptide and polysaccharide vaccine responses despite adequate Ig levels. These patients should be screened for secondary immunodeficiency.
Climate change beliefs, concerns, and attitudes of beef cattle producers in the Southern Great Plains

The beef cattle industry is both impacted by climate change and has opportunities to mitigate its impacts. A 2016 survey was conducted of beef cattle industry professionals in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Respondent beliefs were assessed using two questions. When asked, “is climate changing?” 57% provided affirmative responses. The majority also believed human activity was at least partially responsible (8% mostly human caused, 54% human and natural causes, 27% natural causes). Those attributing climate change to human action expressed the most concern, with respondents expressing decreasing levels of concern in proportion to their belief in human contribution. Regulations were less concerning for those who attributed climate change to human activities than all other causal groups. Attitudes toward both adaptation and mitigation were significantly associated with causal beliefs and concern level about general and specific climate change impacts and age. However, a majority of producers expressed support for adaptation efforts regardless of their causal beliefs. Attitudes toward mitigation were less favorable overall with those who believed human activities were the primary cause of climate change placing a higher priority on mitigation efforts than those who attributed climate change at least partially to natural causes and those who did not acknowledge the reality of climate change. Given generally favorable attitudes toward adaptation, focusing on adaptation messaging may be a way to engage those who would otherwise be disinclined to participate in climate change programming and still achieve increased resilience to projected climate change impacts.
The Interconnectivity of Word Interpretation and Emotional State [The University of North Carolina at Charlotte]

The power of words to persuade, degrade, and implicate others is undeniable. Previous research (e.g. Lindquist, Satpute, & Gendron, 2015; Schnuerch et. al., 2016)support the hypothesis that emotions impact situational interpretation through studies of factors including perception of facial expression and tone of voice. The current study focused on the role of emotion in influencing word perception, specifically the perception of neutral words apparently void of positive or negative connotation. The research was governed by the hypothesis that when asked to rate the positivity of neutral words, participants’ ratings would mirror their levels of happiness. In other words, it was expected that a participant who was in a good mood during this study would rate neutral words more positively than a participant who was in a bad mood during this study. Sixty-two undergraduate students from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, aged 18-53, took part in this study. In an online survey, participants completed the Oxford Happiness Inventory quantifying their emotional state. They then rated the positivity of 25 neutral words on a scale where 1= extremely negative and 6 = extremely positive. This study found a significant, moderate positive correlation in the expected direction, supporting the hypothesis.
Schooling while incarcerated as a turning point for serious juvenile and young adult offenders.

Abstract Introduction Attending school and working are consistently associated with positive outcomes for juvenile offenders returning to the community. Methods Using longitudinal data from the Pathways to Desistance Study, we used structural equation modeling to test whether better school experiences while incarcerated was positively connected to adjustment upon release among serious juvenile offenders (91% male) in the U.S. Adjustment was assessed as attending school for 310 legal minors ( Results Accounting for incarceration and school history, results showed that facility school attachment, but not grades, was associated with decreased delinquency 12 months after release across sex in both age groups. Additionally, facility school attachment predicted engagement in school for returning minors. However, facility school experience was not related to engaging in work for returning emerging adults. Conclusions Results indicate that facility school climate matters for all juvenile offenders returning to their communities and that correctional education done right presents an important opportunity to reconnect returning minors with school, an important normative context of development. Conversely, results suggest that returning offenders who have ‘aged out’ of high school are a separate vulnerable group who may need additional support for successful reentry.
Sustaining behavior reduction by transitioning the topography of the functional communication response

When a functional communication response (FCR) can be reliably occasioned, destructive behavior tends to be lower. However, the form of FCR may affect the durability of functional communication training, as missing FCR materials may promote resurgence. Experiment 1 demonstrated that resurgence of target responding was lower when a vocal FCR remained available but was placed on extinction compared to when a card-based FCR was unavailable. Experiment 2 replicated the finding that initiating treatment with a card FCR produced less target responding than when initiating treatment with a vocal FCR. We then evaluated a set of procedures for transitioning the card FCR to the previously unlearned vocal FCR. These findings suggest benefits of training different types of FCRs at different stages of treatment and provide a preliminary set of procedures for transitioning between FCR topographies while occasioning minimal target responding.
Earth observation and sustainable development goals

Planet Earth is a dynamic body, which is home to 7.8 billion people, and strong interactions exist between the human population and the Earth’s different components (land, ocean, biosphere, cryosph...
Non-acid Reflux: When It Matters and Approach to Management

This narrative review focuses on the presentation, contributing factors, diagnosis, and treatment of non-acid reflux. We also propose algorithms for diagnosis and treatment. There is a paucity of recent data regarding non-acid reflux. The recent Porto and Lyon consensus statements do not fully address non-acid reflux or give guidance on classification. However, recent developments in the lung transplantation field, as well as older data in the general population, argue for the importance of non-acid reflux. Extrapolating from the Porto and Lyon consensus, we generally classify pathologic non-acid reflux as impedance events > 80, acid exposure time < 4%, and positive symptom correlation on a standard 24-h pH/impedance test. Other groups not meeting this criteria also deserve consideration depending on the clinical situation. Potential treatments include lifestyle modification, increased acid suppression, alginates, treatment of esophageal hypersensitivity, baclofen, buspirone, prokinetics, and anti-reflux surgery in highly selected individuals. More research is needed to clarify appropriate classification, with subsequent focus on targeted treatments.
Vacuum UV Surface Photo-Oxidation of Polymeric and Other Materials for Improving Adhesion: A Critical Review

Techniques for vacuum UV (VUV) photo-oxidation of materials, using emission from plasmas with wavelengths shorter than 180 nm, are reviewed focusing on adhesion improvement for polymers, such as, fluoropolymers, membranes used in fuel cells, polyimides, polyethylene, and polystyrene. Future adhesion research is proposed for VUV photo-oxidized polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate), cyclo-olefin polymers, polybenzimidazole, and sustainable polymers.
STRING STABILITY PROPERTIES OF AHS LONGITUDINAL VEHICLE CONTROLLERS

A recently proposed strategy for evaluating the string stability properties of longitudinal vehicle controllers used in Automated Highway Systems (AHS) is to consider the platoon as a mass-spring-damper system. This simplified analysis framework results in linear closed-loop systems, yielding transfer functions which characterize the spacing error response of the platoon. These transfer functions are then used to compare the string stability properties of a variety of longitudinal vehicle controllers, sometimes with unexpected results.
Neural network-based adaptive critic designs for self-learning control

We consider the implementation of adaptive critic designs using neural networks. The present scheme is within the general framework of approximate dynamic programming where optimal/suboptimal control is achieved through learning using multilayer feedforward neural networks. We will develop a class of adaptive critic designs that can be classified as (model-free) action-dependent heuristic dynamic programming (ADHDP). We believe that the present ADHDP is equivalent to the conventional model-based HDP since the model network in the latter can be viewed as completely embedded in the critic network.
Revitalize Your Product Lines Through Continuous Platform Renewal

OVERVIEW:Many corporations suffer from aging product lines that are prone to attack by more aggressive, entrepreneurial innovators. Managements ought to systematically plan and implement the renewal of their product platforms, with the objective of bringing excitement to the corporation's existing markets and forging ahead into new, emerging ones. This elevates new product development from a single product, single market focus to a higher plane that embraces a stream of products based on common product and process technology.
PPAR-gamma in the Cardiovascular System.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), an essential transcriptional mediator of adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and glucose homeostasis, is increasingly recognized as a key player in inflammatory cells and in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, congestive heart failure, and atherosclerosis. PPAR-γ agonists, the thiazolidinediones (TZDs), increase insulin sensitivity, lower blood glucose, decrease circulating free fatty acids and triglycerides, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammatory markers, and reduce atherosclerosis in insulin-resistant patients and animal models. Human genetic studies on PPAR-γ have revealed that functional changes in this nuclear receptor are associated with CVD. Recent controversial clinical studies raise the question of deleterious action of PPAR-γ agonists on the cardiovascular system. These complex interactions of metabolic responsive factors and cardiovascular disease promise to be important areas of focus for the future.
Synchronized Mammalian Cells in Culture: A Comparison of Normal and KB Cancer Cell Growth

Experimentation and tests with cells in culture and cell synchronization or synchrony are important in order to be able to make both reliable and high-sensitivity measurements. This is also very important for mechanistic studies of cell division control, oncogenesis and tumor growth. A comparison is made in this article between the initially synchronized cell growth of rabbit and KB cells in synchronized cultures.