cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sleep apnea, norepinephrine-release rate, and daytime hypertension.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are often hypertensive, and both apneics and hypertensives are reported to have increased sympathetic nerve activity. We measured plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels, clearance, and release rate among 65 subjects who breathed room air, a hypoxic gas mixture, and the hypoxic mixture combined with intermittent breath holding. Apneics' plasma NE across all three breathing conditions was 307 pg/ml compared with the non-apneics' level of 248 pg/ml (p = 0.017). NE clearance increased from 3.2 1/minute to 3.9 I/minute when subjects breathed a hypoxic gas mixture (p < 0.001). NE clearance was similar among normal controls, apneics, and hypertensives. The rate at which NE was released from sympathetic nerves into the bloodstream was higher among hypertensives but not among apneics while subjects breathed room air. Hypoxia increased the NE-release rate from 892 ng/minute to 1,042 ng/minute (p < 0.001) and increased the NE-release rate more among apneics than non-apneics (p < 0.001). The NE-release rate response to hypoxia and breath holding differed between hypertensives and normotensive; (p < 0.001) and between apneics and non-apneics (p < 0.001). Normotensive apneics had the largest increase in NE release during hypoxia. Like other investigators, we found that plasma NE levels were increased among apneics. Calculation of NE-release rate and correction for blood pressure status revealed a more complex situation. Apneics breathing room air had a normal NE-release rate; any increase in sympathetic neuronal NE release could be attributed to apneics who were also hypertensive. However, apneics had a greater NE response to hypoxia. These results suggest that apneics are susceptible to transient increases in sympathetic nervous activity and that hypertensive apneics maintain increased sympathetic nervous release of NE in the daytime.
On the Selection of Judges in International Figure Skating

This essay discusses the system that the International Skating Union (ISU) has long used to select skating judges for competitions and suggests that this system creates problems of partisanship, incentivizing national skating federations to pick judges who are most likely to favor the federation’s interests while also incentivizing skating judges to favor their national federations. I offer an alternative approach to the ISU’s present method of selecting judges, a tournament-like system that could be used to pick judges objectively by rating judges based on the correlation of their scores with those of other judges and allowing those with higher correlation scores to judge more important levels of competition. The judges at the most prestigious events - the World Championships and the Olympics - would thus be those who have consistently judged like other judges. Part I of this essay evaluates the reforms that the ISU has considered to address the problems of judging in skating, and it explains why these reforms are unlikely to be successful. Part II provides a game theoretic justification for my proposal. I conclude by suggesting extensions.
Banking on “Mobile Money”: The Implications of Mobile Money Services on the Value Chain

Problem definition: This study examines the effects of mobile money on the value chain, that is, mobile network operators (MNOs), banks, and end users. Mobile money is an innovative technology that...
Monitoring the Injured Brain

Traumatic brain injury is a serious public health problem in the United States, accounting for nearly 1.7 million injuries and 52,000 deaths annually. The initial brain injury is made worse by secondary events which include, but are not limited to, ischemia, swelling, cell damage and brain functions abnormalities which, while posing therapeutic challenges, offer therapeutic opportunities. Unfortunately, in spite of significant efforts, no effective indisputable treatment which would effectively alleviate consequences of this often devastating event currently exists. Multimodality neuromonitoring could provide early warning of secondary brain injury and guide individualized therapy. However, it is rarely done due to the complexity of using multiple devices and the increased risk of complications. This article presents a novel multifunctional smart catheter to continuously and accurately monitor multiple physiological, metabolic and electrophysiological parameters that are vitally important in guiding the care of patients with traumatic brain injury. In addition to measuring various crucial parameters, the developed smart catheter allows for drainage of excess cerebrospinal fluid as a therapeutic strategy to reduce intracranial pressure. The studies which were performed under a rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion model indicate that the smart catheter, a single probe, can dynamically detect changes in cerebral glucose, lactate, oxygen, glutamate, temperature, local cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure that correlated with spreading depression. These results demonstrate that the smart catheter is capable of simultaneous and continuous measurement of multiple brain variables, within the pathophysiology ranges observed in brain injury. The smart catheter has the potential to improve our understanding of brain pathophysiology and advance the field of neuromonitoring into a completely new era in which medical decisions will be based on comprehensive, real-time measures of brain chemistry and physiology during the critical period immediately following a brain injury.
The Markov link method: a nonparametric approach to combine observations from multiple experiments

This paper studies measurement linkage. An example from cell biology helps explain the problem: imagine for a given cell we can either sequence the cell9s RNA or we can examine its morphology, but not both. Given a cell9s morphology, what do we expect to see in its RNA? Given a cell9s RNA, what do we expect in its morphology? More broadly, given a measurement of one type, can we predict measurements of the other type? This measurement linkage problem arises in many scientific and technological fields. To solve this problem, we develop a nonparametric approach we dub the "Markov link method" (MLM). The MLM makes a conditional independence assumption that holds in many multi-measurement contexts and provides a a way to estimate the link, the conditional probability of one type of measurement given the other. We derive conditions under which the MLM estimator is consistent and we use simulated data to show that it provides accurate measures of uncertainty. We evaluate the MLM on real data generated by a pair of single-cell RNA sequencing techniques. The MLM characterizes the link between them and helps connect the two notions of cell type derived from each technique. Further, the MLM reveals that some aspects of the link cannot be determined from the available data, and suggests new experiments that would allow for better estimates.
Pulmonary function in single lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The primary determinants of pulmonary function after heart-lung or double lung transplantation are the volume and compliance of the recipient's thoracic cage. This study evaluated the influence of recipient chest wall factors on static and dynamic lung volumes after single lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Fourteen patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease received 15 single lung transplants (one retransplant). Posttransplantation follow-up data at 3 and 6 months, in the absence of infection or rejection, were available in nine patients. Overall pulmonary function at 6 months improved from preoperative levels to 55 % to 65 % of predicted values (forced vital capacity 38% to 55%, forced expiratory volume at 1 second 18% to 55%, maximum voluntary ventilation 21 % to 65 %), and allograft-specific pulmonary function improved to nearly normal predicted single-lung values (forced vital capacity 89%, forced expiratory volume at 1 second 90%, maximum voluntary ventilation 105%). Postoperative pulmonary function in these patients correlated significantly, with preoperative thoracic volume measured by planimetry of chest radiographs. No correlation between postoperative pulmonary function was demonstrated with either the estimated volume of donated lung tissue or relative donor-to-recipient size matching. These findings support the concept that recipient chest wall factors determine postoperative pulmonary function in patients undergoing single lung transplantation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, the allograft lung functions at a normal level for the recipient and does not appear to be constrained by hyperinflation of the contralateral lung.
ZnT3 expression levels are down-regulated in the brain of Mcoln1 knockout mice.

Aim Zinc is a critical divalent cation in mammalian brain, but its concentration must be strictly-controlled. Within certain subsets of glutamatergic neurons, ZnT3 (encoded by the Slc30a3 gene) facilitates the transport and storage of zinc in synaptic vesicles. It has been previously reported that Slc30a3 mRNA levels are perturbed in numerous neurodegenerative disorders. Given the growing evidence of zinc dysregulation in another neurodegenerative disease known as Mucolipidosis IV (MLIV), we hypothesized that abnormal ZnT3 expression would be observed in the brain of MLIV mouse model. Elucidating the link between abnormal ZnT3 and zinc levels could reveal the neuropathological correlates between MLIV and other age-related brain disorders.
A Content Analysis of Gender Representations in Preschool Children’s Television

Prior content analyzes have highlighted the pervasiveness of gender-stereotyped portrayals and the underrepresentation of female characters in television programming. The present study is the first...
Evaluation of a journal club preparatory session on student confidence for a graded journal club

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this project was to describe and assess the impact of a journal club preparatory session on advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) student confidence pre- and post-graded journal club. Methods A two-hour journal club preparatory session was implemented for APPE students on rotation with two clinical faculty members. The pre-assessment instructional activity was conducted the first week of each rotation; faculty members took turns working through a randomized-controlled clinical trial, highlighting and discussing key points based on their backgrounds and training. In week three, each student completed a graded journal club assignment that required a written critique and verbal presentation. Student confidence was evaluated pre-and post-activities; the pre-survey was completed prior to the journal club preparatory session and the post-survey was completed in week six. Results Thirty-two APPE rotation students participated in journal club activities, with 26 students providing complete data (81% response rate). Mean scores on confidence across all 11 items improved on the post-survey and were statistically significant (p Conclusion A journal club preparatory session that walks students through a process prior to a graded activity helps to increase student self-reported confidence.
Impact of an incentive‐based prenatal smoking cessation program for low‐income women in Colorado

OBJECTIVE To assess birth outcomes and cost-savings of an incentive-based prenatal smoking cessation program targeting low-income women in Colorado. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort with nonequivalent population control groups. SAMPLE Program participants (n = 2,231) linked to the birth certificate to ascertain birth outcomes compared to two reference populations from Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) and Colorado live births based on the birth certificate. MEASUREMENTS Tobacco cessation metrics in the third trimester of pregnancy, neonatal low birth weight (<2,500 g), preterm birth (birth at <37 weeks gestation), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission and maternal gestational hypertension. Cost-savings and return on investment (ROI) were projected using average Medicaid reimbursement. RESULTS Infants of mothers enrolled in the program had a lower risk of low birthweight (RR = 0.86; 95% CI = 0.75, 0.97), preterm birth (PTB) (RR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.65, 0.88) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (RR = 0.76; 95% CI = 0.66, 0.88) compared to the birth certificate population, corresponding to a ROI of $7.73 and an individual cost savings of $6,040. Compared to PRAMS, infants of enrolled mothers had a lower risk of PTB (RR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.53, 0.99) and NICU admission (RR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.32, 0.62), corresponding to an ROI of $2.79 and an individual cost savings of $2,182. CONCLUSIONS We found a reduction of adverse birth outcomes, and cost savings.
Abstract MP13: Prospective Associations of Prenatal Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity Trajectories With Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) are risk factors for future cardiovascular disease. Though factors such as obesity increase the risk of APO, whether patterns of prenatal sedentary beha...
Dicamba Translocation in Soybean and Accumulation in Seed

The dicamba-resistant cropping system was developed to be used as a tool to control multiple-resistant weed species, particularly Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson). However, dicamba applications have resulted in off-target movement of the herbicide to susceptible neighboring vegetation, with frequent damage to non–dicamba resistant soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Pod malformation and subsequent auxin-like injury to progeny is common when parent soybean plants are exposed to the herbicide post-flowering. Yet no publication to date has conveyed the presence of dicamba in seed. The objective of this study was to determine whether dicamba exists and at what quantities inside soybean seed following a low-dose exposure in the pod-filling stage using radiolabeled herbicide as a tracer. Non–dicamba resistant soybean plants were grown in the greenhouse until the pod-filling growth stage and then treated with 2.8 g ae ha−1 of dicamba (1/200 of the recommended rate of 560 g ae ha−1). Immediately afterward, [14C]dicamba (approximately 6.4 kBq per plant) was applied to the adaxial surface of one trifoliate leaf located in the midportion of each plant. The greatest amount of [14C]dicamba recovered was in seeds and in pods, and these plant parts accumulated 44% and 38% of the total absorbed, respectively. Chromatography results showed that the totality of the [14C]dicamba present in the soybean seeds was in the phytotoxic form, except for a single sample, in which one metabolite was detected (possibly 5-hydroxy dicamba). Precautions should be taken to avoid dicamba exposure to sensitive soybean fields, especially those dedicated to seed production, as this may result in low seed quality and symptomology on progeny plants.
Prospective Evaluation of Effect of Metformin on Activation of AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) and Disease Control in a Sub-group Analysis of Patients with GI Malignancies.

Background Observational studies have demonstrated association of metformin with reduced cancer incidence and mortality in multiple cancer types, including gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Anti-neoplastic effects of metformin are believed through many mechanisms including activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, which controls mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) growth regulatory pathway. Methods In a pilot, delayed-start randomized study, non-diabetic patients with GI cancers were randomized to 2 arms, Stage 1: concurrent metformin (500mg twice daily) plus chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy alone followed by cross over to metformin plus chemotherapy arm in Stage 2, while adverse events (DLT) were assessed by CTCAE v.3.0. As a translational correlate, we used phosphorylation of AMPKα at Thr172 to measure AMPK activation by western blot technique in PBMCs isolated from patients before and after receiving M. These levels were correlated with radiological (RECIST 1.1) and tumor marker outcomes by descriptive analysis. In this study, we present the sub-group analysis of patients with GI cancers. Results 41 patients with GI cancers (colorectal: 22, pancreatic: 12, gastroesophageal: 4, biliary: 2, others: 1) were treated in this trial. Mean duration of metformin therapy was 85 days (range: 9-443). There was no significant difference in grade 3 or above DLT in metformin plus chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy arm (14% vs. 12% respectively). Gel band density analysis on 19 patients showed that 63% patients had increased phosphorylation of AMPKα after metformin (ratio of phospho-AMPKα after and before metformin > 1) with mean = 1.227 (± 0.134). RECIST 1.1 restaging showed disease control in 55% patients and 45% patients had decline in tumor markers. Of note, 60% of patients with disease control also showed increase in phosphorylation of AMKα. Conclusions This group of patients treated with metformin prospectively demonstrates the impact of metformin on AMPKα phosphorylation, and correlates with clinical benefit in patients with GI cancers when metformin was added to systemic chemotherapy of varying types. We aim to perform a dose-escalation of metformin in our next study with additional metabolomics correlates.
Development of Triggerable, Trackable, and Targetable Carbon Monoxide Releasing Molecules

ConspectusCarbon monoxide (CO) is a gaseous signaling molecule produced in humans via the breakdown of heme in an O2-dependent reaction catalyzed by heme oxygenase enzymes. A long-lived species rel...
Reliability of Steel-Fiber Reinforced Polymer Strengthened Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns

AbstractThe reliability of reinforced concrete (RC) bridge columns strengthened with externally bonded, steel-fiber reinforced polymer (SFRP) fabric subjected to blast loads was investigated. Colum...
Memory-Based PUFs are Vulnerable as Well: A Non-Invasive Attack Against SRAM PUFs

Memory-based physical unclonable functions (mPUFs) are widely accepted as highly secure because of the unclonable and immutable nature of manufacturer process variations. Although numerous successful attacks have been proposed against PUFs, mPUFs are resistant to non-invasive attacks as the mPUF does not support the open-access protocol. Hence, existing attacks against mPUFs mostly rely on invasive/semi-invasive techniques or at least require physical access to the target device, which is not always feasible. In this paper, we experimentally demonstrate that signatures generated from two memory chips may have highly correlated properties if they possess the same set of specifications and a similar manufacturing facility, which is used to mount a non-invasive attack against memory-based PUFs. Our proposed technique shows that if an attacker has access to a device similar to the victim’s one, the attacker might be able to guess up to ~45% of the challenge-response pairs of a 64-bit SRAM PUF.
Characterizing and Mitigating Digital Sampling Effects on the CYGNSS Level 1 Calibration

This paper presents a detailed examination of fluctuating input noise power levels on the analog to digital convertor (ADC) sampling hardware of the NASA CYGNSS instruments and the associated impacts on the level 1 NBRCS estimation performance. The impact of external noise variations on both the CYGNSS science and navigation channels are quantified with respect to how the fluctuating received power impacts the low level ADC sampling distribution and subsequent NBRCS estimation. This work demonstrates that there are clear quantifiable geo-spatially dependent noise variations linked to GNSS space based augmentation systems (notably QZSS and WAAS) and that these additional noise sources significantly alter the digital sampling distribution of the CYGNSS instruments, actively degrading the level 1 NBRCS estimation if not corrected. A derivation of the theoretical correction for both the science and navigation channel ADC sampling variations is presented which is later tuned based on empirical performance metrics in an effort to minimize the induced calibration errors. The impacts of the enhancements outlined in this work on CYGNSS level 1 calibration are evaluated using 1 year of observations before and after the digital sampling corrections, using model ECMWF wind and Wavewatch III MSS surface validation data sets.
Model for Prokaryotic Calcification

De novo hydroxyapatite deposition in biologic systems occurs on specialized membrane surfaces (Anderson, 1969, 1984). The process involves the interaction of calcium and inorganic phosphate ions with acidic phospholipids to form phospholipid-calcium-phosphate complexes (CPLX) that have a characteristic stoichiometry: one mole Ca2+ per mole total PO4 3− (Pi) of which 90% is organic (Boskey, 1981). CPLX is enriched at sites where mineralization is initiated and is absent from non-mineralized tissues. Studies utilizing a microbial model of calcification indicate that in vitro CPLX formation is proteolipid-dependent (Boyan-Salyers & Boskey, 1980). CPLX forms preferentially on proteolipid-associated phospholipids; phospholipids isolated from the bacteria which are not associated with proteolipid bind Ca2+ but do not support CPLX or hydroxyapatite formation. Proteolipid-induced hydroxyapatite always includes CPLX formation, whether the process occurs in vivo or when allogeneic proteolipids are implanted in diffusion chambers in mesenchyme in vitro (Raggio et al.,1986). Further evidence that they exist as an entity in situ is that CPLX can be isolated along with proteolipid from mineralizing bacteria (Boyan & Boskey, 1984) and vertebrate calcified tissues (Boyan, 1985).
Electron microscopy of an oligomeric protein stabilized by polyfunctional cross-linking.

Oligomeric proteins can be intramolecularly cross-linked with polylysine in a reaction in which a water soluble carbodiimide mediates an amide linkage between the protein carboxyl groups and the e-amino groups of polylysine. Studies carried out with a cytochrome P-450 indicate that a small number of molecules in a population which has been cross-linked in this way retain important features of their tertiary and quaternary structure when negatively stained and examined in the electron microscope. Use of the method in determining the subunit geometry of oligomeric proteins is discussed.
Congress’s Role in Cyber Warfare

U.S. defense and intelligence communities are currently working feverishly to prepare for electronic warfare. The threat of a cyber attack on the United States is extremely serious. Many nations and individuals now possess the means to carry out such an attack, and it might be impossible to identify the attacker. If the United States launches a preemptive strike or counterattack, it could be difficult to predict the effects, raising significant law of armed conflict concerns.The potential strategic and diplomatic consequences of cyber warfare are at least at great as those of a conflict using conventional kinetic weapons. The Framers intended that Congress play a significant role in deciding when and how the United States should engage in such a consequential conflict. Yet little effort has been made so far to describe an appropriate role for Congress.Borrowing from our experience in planning for nuclear war, this article suggests that Congress immediately engage in collaborative planning with the executive branch for cyber warfare. Specifically, it urges Congress to organize itself better to conduct this planning, to adopt general guidelines for the use of cyber weapons, and to strengthen existing rules for oversight and accountability. It proposes a review of relevant privacy laws. And it argues for a prohibition on automated offensive responses to cyber attacks, as well as on the employment of contractors to operate cyber weapons.
Metallurgical Analysis of Flaws in Carbon-Molybdenum and Nickel-Molybdenum-Vanadium Turbine Rotor Forgings

The origins of metallurgical flaws in the vicinity of a 2.7Ni-0.5Mo-0.1V low-pressure (LP) rotor bore and on the bore surface of a 0.25C-0.5Mo high-pressure (HP) rotor, found after approximately 360 000 h of operation of a 50-MW tandem-compound, double-flow steam turbine, have been determined. LP rotor ultrasonic indications, the largest being equivalent to a 3.3-mm (0.13-in.)-diameter flat-bottom hole, were determined to be the result of void formation during ingot solidification shrinkage. Magnetic particle indications, maximum length of approximately 64 mm (2.5 in.) axially, on the HP rotor bore surface are a consequence of the intersection of a near-planar array of manganese-silicate inclusions by the bore hole. Evidence of service-induced transgranular growth of the HP-rotor flaw, predicted by the fracture mechanics analysis, is shown together with the actual-and-predicted flaw size and flaw location correlation for the LP and the HP rotors, respectively. The results of the metallurgical analysis, performed to characterize the nature of the LP and HP rotor flaws, and the low- and high-temperature tests, performed to determine whether the approximately 360 000 h of exposure of the 0.25C-0.5Mo HP rotor alloy to 722 K (449°C) adversely affected stress rupture strength or fracture toughness, are presented.
Induction of an interferon‐γ Stat3 response in nerve cells by pre‐treatment with gp130 cytokines

Many cytokines mediate their effects through Jak/STAT signaling pathways providing many opportunities for cross-talk between different cytokines. We examined the interaction between two cytokine families, gp130-related cytokines and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which are coexpressed in the nervous system during acute trauma and pathological conditions. Typical nerve cells show an IFN-γ response that is restricted to activating STAT1, with minor activation of STAT3. IFN-γ elicited a pronounced STAT3 response in cells pre-treated for 5–7 h with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), leukemia inhibitory factor or interleukin-6. CNTF or interleukin-6 induced an IFN-γ STAT3 response in a variety of cells including SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma, HMN-1 murine motor neuron hybrid cells, rat sympathetic neurons and human hepatoma HepG2 cells. The enhancement was measured as an increase in tyrosine phosphorylated STAT3, in STAT3-DNA binding and in STAT-luciferase reporter gene activity. The enhanced STAT3 response was not due to an increase in overall STAT3 levels but was dependent upon ongoing protein synthesis. The induction by CNTF was inhibited by the protein kinase C inhibitor, BIM, and the MAPK-kinase inhibitor, U0126. Further, H-35 hepatoma cells expressing gp130 receptor chimeras lacking either the SHP-2 docking site or the Box 3 STAT binding sites failed to enhance the IFN-γ STAT3 response. These results provide evidence for an interaction between gp130 and IFN-γ cytokines that can significantly alter the final cellular response to IFN-γ.
Str+ve and Integers

The str∔ve theorem prover is designed to prove theorems about dense linear orders. In this paper, we discuss two extensions of str∔ve to theorems about the integers. We describe a version of str∔ve which proves theorems solely about integers. Also, we describe a version for theorems over two separate linear orders, one dense and one the integers.
Experimental comparison of model-based and conventional pressure control for a plasma reactor

Pressure control in a plasma reactor system is used to experimentally compare nonlinear process-model-based-control, internal model control and conventional proportional-integral (PI) control. The experimental system consists of a single slice plasma etch reactor with an attached radio frequency generator and a vacuum pump. The RF discharge forms the plasma. The control system includes an one inch stepping motor powered butterfly type exhaust valve.
GD3 ganglioside antibody augments tumoricidal capacity of canine blood mononuclear cells by induction of interleukin 12.

Monoclonal antibody R24 recognizes ganglioside GD3 expressed on the cell surfaces of some tumor cells and on a subset of human T lymphocytes. Binding of R24 to these lymphocytes induces proliferation, cytokine production, and activation of intracellular signaling pathways. In the current report, we investigated expression of gangliosides by canine mononuclear immune cells and studied the ability of antiganglioside antibody to activate these cells using tumor cell killing as a measure of activation. A subset of canine monocytes, but not lymphocytes, was found to express gangliosides GD3 and GD2 as determined by the binding of monoclonal antibodies R24 and 14.G2a, respectively. Only R24 augmented the tumoricidal potential of fresh canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) against tumor cell lines that did not express surface gangliosides GD3 or GD2. The augmenting effect of R24 on PBMC-mediated tumor cytotoxicity required cooperation between monocytes and lymphocytes because there was no enhancement of cytotoxicity mediated by R24 combined with either monocytes or lymphocytes individually. The enhancing effect of R24 on canine PBMC-mediated tumor cytotoxicity was blocked by anti-interleukin (IL)-12 neutralizing antibody, suggesting that R24 binding to monocytes triggered IL-12 release, contributing to the observed tumor killing effects. Reverse transcription-PCR confirmed that the binding of R24 to canine monocytes induced transcription of mRNA for canine IL-12. These data indicate that monocytes can be activated for tumoricidal responses through a membrane structure associated with ganglioside GD3 triggered by the binding of R24 and that the mechanism for enhanced cytotoxicity is due to the production and secretion of IL-12.
N-Acetylaspartylglutamate is an agonist at mGluR3 in vivo and in vitro

Although N-Acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG) was first reported in the mid 1960s to be present in the mammalian brain and spinal cord at mM concentrations, the critical experiments that established this peptide as a neurotransmitter emerged several decades later (reviewed in Neale et al., 2000). Since NAAG is by far the most prevalent and widely distributed peptide transmitter in the mammalian brain, it could be predicted to have roles in a broad spectrum of neuronal circuits and nervous system functions. A series of studies in animal models of clinical disorders have shown this to be the case (reviewed in Neale et al., 2005; 2011; Tsukamoto et al. 2007). A central element in defining the function of this peptide relates to its selective activation of the type 3 metabotropic “glutamate” receptor (mGluR3), a group II mGluR. This receptor has been localized to presynaptic terminals where it inhibits transmitter release via its negative coupling to cyclic nucleotides (reviewed in Niswender and Conn, 2010). As an endogenous mGluR3 agonist, NAAG has been shown to reduce cAMP and cGMP levels and to inhibit transmitter release (Adedoyin et al., 2010; Wroblewska et al., 1993; 1997; 1998, 2006; Zhao et al., 2001; Zhong et al., 2006). A model of the synaptic function of NAAG has emerged from a substantial literature on this peptide over the past 20 years and from data on other peptide cotransmitter actions in the perisynaptic space (Figure 1). Figure 1 A model of the role of NAAG peptidase inhibition and its influence on NAAG and NAAG2 in the nervous system (From Neale et al., 2011) The significance of NAAG in nervous system function has been most effectively studied through the development of inhibitors of the extracellular enzymes that inactivate it (Tsukamoto et al. 2007; Zhou et al., 2005). These inhibitors elevate extracellular levels of NAAG and consistent with NAAG activation of mGluR3, they reduce the release of other transmitters (Slusher et al., 1999; Zhong et al., 2006; Adedoyin 2010). The application of these inhibitors in vivo revealed that elevating the synaptic level of this peptide has considerable therapeutic potential in clinical conditions ranging from stroke and traumatic brain injury to inflammatory pain and schizophrenia (reviewed in Neale et al., 2005; 2011). NAAG peptidase inhibitors also may inhibit the extracellular hydrolysis of NAAG’s newly discovered sister peptide N-acetylaspartylglutamylglutamate (NAAG2) if it is synaptically released (Lodder-Gadaczek et al., 2011). Importantly, in these preclinical studies, the heterotropic mGluR2/3 antagonist LY341495 blocks the efficacy of NAAG peptidase inhibition (Neale et al., 2005; 2011).
New Evidence for the Day-of-the-Week Effect in the Financial Crisis

This paper investigates the nature of the day-of-the-week effects during the contemporary financial crisis. For this reason five equity markets are selected: Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus. Our main focus is in the possible change in the markets’ characteristics before and during the financial crisis. We apply multiple statistical tests for equality of means, distribution and variance for each day of the week, for each sub-period of the sample. Our tests are also non-parametric allowing for relaxation of the normality in the data. Our findings show mixed evidence. The contradictory evidence in each market’s efficiency pattern is probably due to a different level of maturity and interdependence.
Active surveillance of renal masses: an analysis of growth kinetics and clinical outcomes stratified by radiological characteristics at diagnosis

AIMS To determine the growth rate of renal masses (RMs) under active surveillance (AS), and to describe the clinical outcome of AS patients. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective review of an AS database to obtain demographics, radiological and pathologic characteristics and RM size of patients. RMs were followed at 6-12 month intervals for ≥1 year with computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or renal ultrasound. Kaplan-Meier analysis determined the annual likelihood of intervention. RMs were divided into 3 radiographic subcategories (solid, cystic, and angiomyolipoma). A linear regression model determined RM growth rates. Results 131 RMs in 114 patients were included. Median age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score and mean follow-up were 69.1 years, 4.0 and 4.2±2.6 years, respectively. Maximal tumor diameter (MTD) at diagnosis was 2.1±1.3 cm. 49 RMs exhibited negative or zero net growth. Mean MTD growth rate for all RMs was 0.72±3.2 (95% CI: 0.16-1.28) mm/year. When stratified by MTD at diagnosis, mean RM growth rates were 0.84, 0.84, 0.44, 0.74 and 0.71 mm/year for RMs <1 cm, 1-<2cm, 2-<3cm, 3-<4cm and ≥4cm, respectively (p<0.01). The 5 and 10-year freedom from intervention rates were 93.1% and 88.5%, respectively. There was a single case of suspected metastases, but no deaths related to kidney cancer. Conclusions RMs under AS grew slowly, and had a low incidence of requiring surgical intervention and progression. Solid enhancing masses grew slowly, and were more likely to trigger intervention. AS should be considered for selected patients with small RMs.
Delay analysis of buffered CSMA/CD protocols

An approximate method for the delay analysis of CSMA/CD (carrier-sense multiple access with collision detection) with infinite-buffered users is proposed. The authors propose a system queue approach in which a single Markov chain considering all packets in the system is formulated. Based on the identical statistical behavior of each user, the packets in the system are distributed to every user with equal probability. A recursive method is introduced to solve the Markov chain efficiently. In the proposed approach, buffered packets and newly arrived packets can be distinguished. It is concluded that the recursive method can be used to evaluate CSMA/CD under the immediate-first-transmission (IFT) protocol or the delay-first-transmission (DFT) protocol. It is found that IFT performs better than DFT. Numerical results exhibit good agreement with simulation results. >
Clinical Course of Alcohol Use in Veterans Following an AUDIT-C Positive Screen

ABSTRACT There is little known regarding the typical trajectory of alcohol use following a positive screen for hazardous alcohol use. This information would help primary care providers as they attempt to determine the best use of patient visits that might include brief alcohol interventions versus other competing medical demands. This longitudinal observational study included 98 Veterans who screened positive on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (>3) and were asked to report on their alcohol use every 3 months for 1 year. Using latent class growth modeling, we identified the best fitting latent class structure for each outcome of high-risk and heavy drinking, respectively. There was a class of participants with increased probability of having a high-risk week or episode of heavy drinking as well as a group of participants who appeared to maintain their current drinking pattern. Although the latent class growth modeling suggested that none of the groups of participants reduced the l...
Electronic portfolio assessment: a pilot project of Northwest Missouri State University 2000-01

Portfolios are quickly winning favor as a form of authentic assessment at all levels of education. This presentation discusses efforts to develop an electronic portfolio assessment strategy as a graduation requirement for undergraduate students at Northwest Missouri State University. The presenter explains efforts of an electronic portfolio pilot project conducted during the 2000-2001 academic year and presents data analysis of student responses to an opinion survey. Curriculum issues will be discussed and explained. Differences between fall and spring cohorts will be examined as well as differences between students involved from the beginning of the pilot project and those not involved in the initial pilot project. The conclusions include cautions about similar pilot projects and projections concerning full implementation of an electronic portfolio assessment strategy at the university level.
The insects: structure and function.

The Insects has been the standard textbook in the field since the first edition published over forty years ago. Building on the strengths of Chapman's original text, this long-awaited 5th edition has been revised and expanded by a team of eminent insect physiologists, bringing it fully up-to-date for the molecular era. The chapters retain the successful structure of the earlier editions, focusing on particular functional systems rather than taxonomic groups and making it easy for students to delve into topics without extensive knowledge of taxonomy. The focus is on form and function, bringing together basic anatomy and physiology and examining how these relate to behaviour. This, combined with nearly 600 clear illustrations, provides a comprehensive understanding of how insects work. Now also featuring a richly illustrated prologue by George McGavin, this is an essential text for students, researchers and applied entomologists alike.
Cultural Factors That Impact Brand Personification Strategy Effectiveness

A brand personification is a human-like portrayal of a product or brand that is designed to associate the brand with certain human characteristics. Brand personifications, such as fictional human characters (e.g., Mr. Clean), human-like brand characters (e.g., Pillsbury doughboy), and product animations (e.g., M&M's characters), portray human-like personality characteristics intended to shape consumers’ brand images. However, a brand personification strategy that appeals to consumers in one cultural context will not necessarily appeal to consumers in another cultural context. To explore cultural factors impacting brand personification strategies, a literature review was conducted. Ten research propositions were developed for future research and managerial implications were discussed.
Engine oil condition sensor: method for establishing correlation with total acid number

The engine oil condition sensor, invented at Delphi Automotive Systems, has the capability of detecting three oil degradation stages: good, rapid total acid number (TAN) increase, and rapid viscosity increase. During the second stage, the sensor output is expected to increase proportionally with TAN. In earlier experiments, the sensor output was compared to TAN obtained by a widely accepted titration method. The results suggested that the correlation between TAN and the sensor output could be improved if data scatter originated from the titration method is reduced. Therefore, a complementary method for determining TAN with less data scatter is highly desirable. In this report, the original assessment is confirmed by measuring TAN through both the titration and the electrochemical (EC) methods. The experimental results indicated that the TAN measured by the EC method could be complementary to that measured by the titration method. A good correlation was thus, established between the TAN and the sensor output obtained during the second oil degradation stage.
Solution of the singularly perturbed matrix difference Riccati equation

Abstract A new method is introduced to obtain the solution of the singularly perturbed matrix difference Riccati equation by solving two reduced order linear equations. The order reduction is achieved via the use of the Chang's transformation applied to the hamiltonian matrix of a singularly perturbed linear-quadratic control problem. Since the decoupling transformation can be obtained up to an arbitrary degree of accuracy at very low cost, this approach produces an efficient numerical method for solving singularly perturbed difference Riccati equations. The results are verified through a real world example.
Providing privacy-aware incentives for mobile sensing

Mobile sensing exploits data contributed by mobile users (e.g., via their smart phones) to make sophisticated inferences about people and their surrounding and thus can be applied to environmental monitoring, traffic monitoring and healthcare. However, the large-scale deployment of mobile sensing applications is hindered by the lack of incentives for users to participate and the concerns on possible privacy leakage. Although incentive and privacy have been addressed separately in mobile sensing, it is still an open problem to address them simultaneously. In this paper, we propose two privacy-aware incentive schemes for mobile sensing to promote user participation. These schemes allow each mobile user to earn credits by contributing data without leaking which data it has contributed, and at the same time ensure that dishonest users cannot abuse the system to earn unlimited amount of credits. The first scheme considers scenarios where a trusted third party (TTP) is available. It relies on the TTP to protect user privacy, and thus has very low computation and storage cost at each mobile user. The second scheme removes the assumption of TTP and applies blind signature and commitment techniques to protect user privacy.
Modulation of photosynthetic energy conversion efficiency in nature: from seconds to seasons

Modulation of the efficiency with which leaves convert absorbed light to photochemical energy [intrinsic efficiency of open photosystem II (PSII) centers, as the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence] as well as leaf xanthophyll composition (interconversions of the xanthophyll cycle pigments violaxanthin and zeaxanthin) were characterized throughout single days and nights to entire seasons in plants growing naturally in contrasting light and temperature environments. All pronounced decreases of intrinsic PSII efficiency took place in the presence of zeaxanthin. The reversibility of these PSII efficiency changes varied widely, ranging from reversible-within-seconds (in a vine experiencing multiple sunflecks under a eucalypt canopy) to apparently permanently locked-in for entire seasons (throughout the whole winter in a subalpine conifer forest at 3,000 m). While close association between low intrinsic PSII efficiency and zeaxanthin accumulation was ubiquitous, accompanying features (such as trans-thylakoid pH gradient, thylakoid protein composition, and phosphorylation) differed among contrasting conditions. The strongest and longest-lasting depressions in intrinsic PSII efficiency were seen in the most stress-tolerant species. Evergreens, in particular, showed the most pronounced modulation of PSII efficiency and thermal dissipation, and are therefore suggested as model species for the study of photoprotection. Implications of the responses of field-grown plants in nature for mechanistic models are discussed.
Measurement of Dust Charging on a Lunar Regolith Simulant Surface

This paper presents experimental research to determine the charge of individual dust grains on a lunar regolith simulant surface immersed in plasma. The results show that, at similar surface charging potentials, both the charge and the charge-to-mass ratio of dust grains on a JSC-1A lunar regolith simulant surface is about two orders of magnitude smaller than that of a single, isolated dust particle.
Physical and Flow Properties of Regular and Reduced Fat Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS)

With the remarkable growth of the US fuel ethanol industry in the past decade, large quantities of corn-based distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are now being produced. Flowability of DDGS has become a problem throughout the industry, as it is often restricted by caking and bridging during storage and transport. The objective of this study was to quantify physical and flow properties of commercially produced unmodified (9.3% db fat) and reduced fat (2.1% db) DDGS to determine if fat level affects flowability. The compressive modulus of reduced fat DDGS was 28.2% higher than unmodified DDGS, but shear stress resistance was the same (0.03 kg/m2). Carr testing indicated that reduced fat DDGS had an angle of repose 4.3% lower, and Carr compressibility 70% lower, than unmodified DDGS. However, in terms of uniformity and dispersibility, reduced fat DDGS was, respectively, 100 and 41.5% greater than regular DDGS. Jenike shear testing revealed that reduced fat DDGS had unconfined yield strength and Jenike compressibility values that were 15.7 and 40.0% lower, respectively, than unmodified DDGS, but had major consolidating stress and flowability index values that were 6.7 and 13.2% higher, respectively. For regular DDGS, the flow function curve was located closer to the shear stress axis, which indicated slightly worse flowability than the reduced fat DDGS. Overall, a reduction in the fat content did show slight improvement in some flow properties, especially compressibility. Both types of DDGS were ultimately classified as cohesive in nature. Exploration of the data using a previously developed assessment tool appeared to show that the reduced fat DDGS may have better flow. Continued research should be pursued, including an examination of the effects of other chemical constituents, as well as particle morphology.
The Americans with Disabilities Act: will it Make a Difference?

This article summarizes the research on labor market discrimination against persons with disabilities and discusses the implications of that research for the probable success of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The research shows that discrimination reduces the wages of men and women with disabilities relative to nondisabied men and women. The size of discriminatory wage differentials varies with the intensity of prejudice toward particular impairments, suggesting that prejudice is an important problem. Employment rates for persons with disabilities are also substantially lower than employment rates for nondisabied persons, but it is unclear to what extent the lower employment rates are attributable to discrimination. The most important provision of the ADA with respect to employment is its requirement for “reasonable accommodation.” The success of the ADA in improving employment rates for disabled persons will be determined by how employers evaluate the costs of accommodating workers with disabilities relative to the costs of noncompliance.