cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endotracheal intubation results in acute tracheal damage induced by mtDNA/TLR9/NF-κB activity.

Tracheitis secondary to placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT) is characterized by neutrophil accumulation in the tracheal lumen, which is generally associated with epithelial damage. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), has been implicated in systemic inflammation and organ dysfunction following trauma; however, less is known about the effects of a foreign body on local trauma and tissue damage. We hypothesized that tracheal damage secondary to the ETT will result in local release of mtDNA at sufficient levels to induce TLR9 and NF-κB activation. In a swine model we compared the differences between uncoated, and chloroquine (CQ) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) coated ETTs as measured by tracheal lavage fluids (TLF) over a period of 6 h. The swine model allowed us to recreate human conditions. ETT presence was characterized by neutrophil activation, necrosis, and release of proinflammatory cytokines mediated by TLR9/NF-κB induction. Amelioration of the tracheal damage was observed in the CQ and NAC coated ETT group as shown in tracheal tissue specimens and TLF. The role of TLR9/NF-κB dependent activity was confirmed by HEK-Blue hTLR9 reporter cell line analysis after coincubation with TLF specimens with predetermined concentrations of NAC or CQ alone or TLR9 inhibitory oligodeoxynucleotide (iODN). These findings indicate that therapeutic interventions aimed at preventing mtDNA/TLR9/NF-κB activity may have benefits in prevention of acute tracheal damage.
Conversion of Coal in a Fluidized Bed Chemical Looping Combustion Reactor with and without Oxygen Uncoupling

Chemical looping combustion (CLC) is a carbon capture technology that involves circulating metal-based oxygen carrier particles between two reactors, where the metal is alternately oxidized by air and then reduced by fuel as the fuel combusts. In the variant of CLC known as chemical looping with oxygen uncoupling (CLOU), the oxygen carrier releases gaseous O2 in the fuel reactor, allowing for a rapid reaction with solid fuels. This study focuses on improving the understanding of mechanisms responsible for carbon conversion of coal and coal char in a bench-scale fluidized bed reactor using oxygen carriers with and without oxygen uncoupling properties. Effects of coal particle size and temperature on the rate of carbon conversion are evaluated in order to quantify performance and to aid in design and modeling of large-scale fully circulating chemical looping systems. The data confirms that conversion with a copper-based CLOU carrier is faster and results in lower CO and CH4 concentrations than the natural o...
The brachyceran de novo gene PIP82, a phosphorylation target of aPKC, is essential for proper formation and maintenance of the rhabdomeric photoreceptor apical domain in Drosophila

The Drosophila apical photoreceptor membrane is defined by the presence of two distinct morphological regions, the microvilli-based rhabdomere and the stalk membrane. The subdivision of the apical membrane contributes to the geometrical positioning and the stereotypical morphology of the rhabdomeres in compound eyes with open rhabdoms and neural superposition. Here we describe the characterization of the photoreceptor specific protein PIP82. We found that PIP82’s subcellular localization demarcates the rhabdomeric portion of the apical membrane. We further demonstrate that PIP82 is a phosphorylation target of aPKC. PIP82 localization is modulated by phosphorylation, and in vivo, the loss of the aPKC/Crumbs complex results in an expansion of the PIP82 localization domain. The absence of PIP82 in photoreceptors leads to misshapped rhabdomeres as a result of misdirected cellular trafficking of rhabdomere proteins. Comparative analyses reveal that PIP82 originated de novo in the lineage leading to brachyceran Diptera, which is also characterized by the transition from fused to open rhabdoms. Taken together, these findings define a novel factor that delineates and maintains a specific apical membrane domain, and offers new insights into the functional organization and evolutionary history of the Drosophila retina.
Relationship between chronic stress-related neural activity, physiological dysregulation and coronary artery disease in psoriasis: Findings from a longitudinal observational cohort study

Abstract Background and aims Amygdalar 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake represents chronic stress-related neural activity and associates with coronary artery disease by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). Allostatic load score is a multidimensional measure related to chronic physiological stress which incorporates cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory indices. To better understand the relationship between chronic stress-related neural activity, physiological dysregulation and coronary artery disease, we studied the association between amygdalar FDG uptake, allostatic load score and subclinical non-calcified coronary artery burden (NCB) in psoriasis. Methods Consecutive psoriasis patients (n = 275 at baseline and n = 205 at one-year follow-up) underwent CCTA for assessment of NCB (QAngio, Medis). Amygdalar FDG uptake and allostatic load score were determined using established methods. Results Psoriasis patients were middle-aged, predominantly male and white, with low cardiovascular risk by Framingham risk score and moderate-severe psoriasis severity. Allostatic load score associated with psoriasis severity (β = 0.17, p = 0.01), GlycA (a systemic marker of inflammation, β = 0.49, p Conclusions In psoriasis, allostatic load score represents physiological dysregulation and may capture pathways by which chronic stress-related neural activity associates with coronary artery disease, emphasizing the need to further study stress-induced physiological dysregulation in inflammatory disease states.
Vehicle Platooning: An Energy Consumption Perspective

Urban traffic congestion is a chronic problem faced by many cities in the US and worldwide. It results in inefficient infrastructure use as well as increased vehicle fuel consumption and emission levels. Excessive fuel consumptions add extra costs to commuters as well as transportation businesses. Consuming less fuel and thus reducing costs by a single percentage digit can have a significant impact on the balance sheet as well as the protection of the environment. Researchers have developed, and continue to develop, tools and systems to optimize the operations of fleets as well as engines in order to burn less fuel and therefore generate less CO 2 emissions. Platooning is one such tool that attempts to maintain relatively small distances (i.e. predetermined time gap) between consecutive vehicles. It has the potential to increase the capacity of the road as well as reduce the consumed fuel. In this paper, we use a fuel consumption model for internal combustion light-duty vehicles, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, buses and trucks in order to determine and quantify the effects of platooning on a fleet fuel consumption. The results suggest that a reduction of up to 3%, 3.5%, 4.5%, 10%, and 15% in fuel consumption can be achieved for internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, electric vehicles, buses and trucks, respectively.
A Daily Operational Huddle and a Real-Time Communication Application Improve Efficiency of Laboratory Processes.

CONTEXT.— Clinical laboratory processes that require cooperation among geographically distinct sections often face challenges. We describe these challenges as related to the Gram staining of cerebrospinal fluid, a key test in the management of patients with suspected central nervous system infections, and our attempts to improve quality outcomes. OBJECTIVE.— To evaluate multiple tools and strategies for their effectiveness in optimizing the turnaround time of tests sharing a specimen or workflow. DESIGN.— Over the course of 5 years, the turnaround time of cerebrospinal fluid Gram stain was studied at one of the largest children's health systems in the US. Baseline data showed suboptimal compliance to targeted turnaround times. A conventional approach to process standardization, and 2 innovative tools that facilitate horizontal integration were applied to the main campus laboratory as follows: a daily huddle and a novel electronic communication application that was interfaced with the laboratory information system. Turnaround time and its variation were assessed. Two other hospital laboratories within the health system that did not undergo these quality interventions served as controls. RESULTS.— Standardization of processes reduced the variability of turnaround time but only minimally shortened it. In contrast, an interteam daily huddle that monitored key quality metrics together with the communication application, improved turnaround time significantly and sustainably. CONCLUSIONS.— Communication strategies involving a physical or virtual gathering of laboratory representatives encourage horizontal communication and improve turnaround times. These tools are generally applicable and could be used to improve other processes in healthcare, especially those where a workflow is shared between 2 geographically distinct areas of a health system.
The Flea on the Tail of the Dog: Power in Global Production Networks and the Restructuring of Canadian Automotive Clusters

Recently, studies of industrial clusters and global production networks (GPNs) between large transnational corporations (TNCs) and smaller firms have focused on how power differentials shape, and sometimes undermine cluster innovation and governance. Such studies raise issues of how to conceptualize TNCs power within GPNs and some economic geographers have adopted approaches that seek to integrate the post-structural insights of actor network theory (ANT) with heterodox and Marxian value theory. Based on a case study of the Canadian automotive industry, we engage in a sympathetic critique of this perspective via a realist position that distinguishes between structural and actual power. We argue that differences in structural position derived from financial size matter, although do not necessarily determine actor network relations. Yet, TNC Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have a tendential actual or power over smaller automotive suppliers due to superior financial resources, their strategic position within GPNs and especially their relationship with state accumulation projects designed to capture those segments of GPNs, which offer the greatest potential for the creation and enhancement of value. We show that such projects were critical to the development of the Canadian automotive industry and the Kitchener and Windsor, Ontario automotive clusters. Although large firms were generally favoured by such policies, suppliers and SMEs were able to partially offset power asymmetries through innovation, often by accessing informal local networks in clusters. More recently, however, smaller component firms and the coherence of these clusters are being threatened by neo-liberal Schumpterian Competition State policies that privilege OEMs and larger firms and by the restructuring of automotive GPNs in response to overcapacity and falling profits.
Joint client selection and contract design for a risk-averse commodity broker in a two-echelon supply chain

We study an expected payoff maximization problem for a risk-sensitive broker aiming to evaluate the merits of designing and underwriting an option contract on a traded commodity with geometric Brownian motion (GBM) spot price trajectories. Candidate firms for whom the contract would mitigate the commodity’s price risk, each face Poisson demands that are currently the broker’s responsibility to satisfy. Subject to a variance risk budget and a robustness requirement, the broker’s objective is jointly to (1) choose a so-called trigger price function that will fundamentally define the option contract, and (2) select a value-maximizing set of client firms to whom the broker will offer the contract. We reformulate the problem as a bilevel program whose continuous relaxation we transform into a single-level, univariate problem with a convenient property that makes it amenable to line search methods. The optimal solution for that single-level problem is then raw material for constructing the optimal solution for the original problem. Our theoretical and experimental findings indicate that the contract’s optimal value, and optimal trigger price function are both strictly monotone increasing in a cost parameter in the model, as well as in the GBM’s volatility coefficient. The findings also show that those two quantities are strictly monotone decreasing in the GBM’s drift coefficient. We conclude with a benchmarking sensitivity study which uses real-world data to study the implications of violating a certain constraint which implicitly bounds the optimal trigger price.
Triple differential cross sections for the double photoionization of H2.

Triple differential cross sections arising from the break up of the ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ molecule by a single photon are presented. The time-dependent close-coupling technique is used to calculate differential cross sections for various geometries. Excellent agreement is found between current work and recent exterior complex-scaling calculations, confirming, for the first time, the absolute magnitude of the triple differential cross sections. Our calculations also compare favorably with recent synchrotron light source measurements.
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a rapid, in vitro deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis process, which can amplify up to a billion copies of a given nucleic acid target. It has been extensively applied for the identification, detection and diagnosis of genetic and infectious disease. In the article, we provide a general overview of the PCR process, describe methods to identify and minimize exogenous contamination, and highlight limitations of product size and polymerase-dependent errors. We present many of the applications for which PCR is used, particularly in creating recombinant DNA constructs, in detecting genetic variation, in preparing templates for DNA sequence analysis and in quantitating gene transcripts or viral copies. Whole genome amplification and the ligation chain reaction are also presented, which we believe this article provides the reader with a comprehensive viewpoint of the variety of amplification-based methods used in molecular biology today. Key Concepts Polymerase chain reaction is an in vitro amplification method widely used in molecular biology. PCR contamination can occur from a single molecule of foreign or exogenous DNA, which, if gone unchecked, can confound the interpretation of results. PCR cloning of full-length genes can be problematic because mutations can result in amino acid substitutions in wild-type sequences. PCR can reliably amplify target sizes up to 3–4 kb from a variety of source materials. Recombinant PCR products can be created by mismatching sequences between the primer and the template DNA or by adding 5′ exogenous sequences to the primers. PCR can detect human genetic variation associated with hereditary disease and cancer. Degenerate PCR is a powerful tool for identifying novel gene family members that are important in drug development. Quantitative PCR has been widely used for studying gene expression and estimating viral copy number. Emulsion PCR is used to prepare templates in a cell-free system for next-generation sequencing platforms. Whole genome amplification uses the highly processive φ29 DNA polymerase to amplify nanogram quantities of precious samples into microgram amounts. Keywords: polymerase chain reaction; PCR; Taq DNA polymerase; multiplex PCR; emulsion PCR; whole genome amplification
An analysis of etiology of colic in infants.

The subject of so-called "three-months-colic" in infancy can be considered from two major viewpoints. The first, and by far the most popular today, is the emotional or psychosomatic; other papers in this panel consider this in some detail. The second point of view is based on the belief that colic in infants is essentially a manifestation of gastroenterospasm, resulting from overloading the small intestine with disturbing substances. This may be due to a low threshold in a hypertonic (psychosomatic) infant when subjected to an ordinary quantity of poorly tolerated material, or to a normal threshold being exceeded by an abnormal quantity. With the latter in mind, 90 infants who seemed to have the usual manifestations of colic were studied as to etiology. Five main factors were considered: 1. Poor feeding technique. 2. Hunger. 3. Intolerance to carbohydrate added to the formula. 4. Intolerance to butter fat added to the formula. 5. Intolerance for, or allergy to, cows milk proteins. After the first 2 factors were eliminated by the usual methods from consideration as a cause of gastroenterospasm, carbohydrate was removed from the formula as completely as possible. In those infants in whom the symptoms disappeared, this procedure was repeated one or more times until there was no question as to the role played by the sugars. If the symptoms failed to be alleviated, the infant was placed on a formula low in, or free of, butter fat.
Influenza A viruses of the H2N2 subtype are lymphocyte mitogens

STUDIES of the effects of viral infections have largely been concerned with intracellular interactions between viral and cellular functions. There is increasing realisation that the cell surface has a major role in cellular function and various cell surface active substances, for example, concanavalin A (con A)1 and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)2, exert profound effects on cellular metabolism. As the cell surface possesses receptors specific for various viruses and viral antigens, it might be expected that certain viruses could affect cellular function as a result of cell surface interaction. Proliferation is a characteristic response of lymphocytes exposed to these cell surface active compounds. This response can be readily quantitated using 3H-thymidine incorporation. We report here that influenza viruses of the H2N2 subtype are potent mitogens for both B and T lymphocytes3. This finding arose during studies aimed at developing assays for cell-mediated immunity to influenza virus infection4–7. We observed that spleen cells from normal mice showed increased levels of 3H-thymidine incorporation when exposed in vitro to the A/Singapore/1/57 virus. This model system should provide insight to questions of lymphocyte triggering and bring attention to this aspect of cell–virus interaction.
Familial T‐cell lymphoblastic lymphoma: Association with von recklinghausen neurofibromatosis and gardner syndrome

A family is described in which three of seven siblings developed a T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Tumor cells formed rosettes with sheep erythrocytes, lacked surface Ig, and expressed human T- but not B-lymphocyte antigens. They lacked the enzyme terminal transferase suggesting a lymph node rather than thymic T-cell origin. Autopsy findings supported this conclusion. All three sibs, like their father, had numerous cafe'-au'lait spots indicative of Von Recklinghausen neurofibromatosis. One child had a subcutaneous fibroma, and another had multiple colonic polyps and exostoses characteristic of Gardner syndrome. Both are autosomal dominant conditions known to predispose to malignancies. The genetic factors responsible for these conditions may also predispose to the development of "post-thymic" T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Effects of sleep stage and sleep episode length on the alerting, orienting, and conflict components of attention.

Awakening from different sleep stages, percent- age of different stages of sleep subsumed within a sleep episode, and sleep episode length, have all been hypoth- esized to affect cognitive performance upon awakening. To further examine the contribution of these factors, 14 healthy participants slept for 3 h (0300-0600 hours) and 6 h (2400-0600 hours), with each sleep episode separated by 1 week. Electroencephalographic measures were taken throughout each sleep episode, and participants completed the Attentional Network Test, which measures alerting, ori- enting, and executive functioning (conflict) components of attention, upon awakening. Overall, mean reaction time (RT) was slower in the 3- and 6-h post-sleep conditions than in a baseline (pre-sleep) condition. Alerting, orient- ing, and conflict measures of attention did not significantly differ across the baseline and two post-sleep conditions. Awakening from REM sleep resulted in slower overall RT than awakening from lighter sleep (stages 1 and 2). In multiple regression analyses, overall RT was predicted by the duration of slow wave sleep (SWS), such that more time spent in SWS was associated with an overall slow- ing of RT. Conflict scores were predicted by the duration of REM; that is, more time spent in REM was associated with greater amounts of conflict (i.e., larger flanker effects). These data provide more information about the process of
Preeclamptic sera stimulate increased platelet-derived growth factor mRNA and protein expression by cultured human endothelial cells.

: Monolayer cultures of human endothelial cells were incubated with pre- and postdelivery sera from five women with preeclampsia and four matched, normal pregnancies. Conditioned media collected from endothelial cells pretreated in vitro with prepartum sera from preeclamptic women contained greater mitogenic activity and elevated levels of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-like peptides than cells exposed to normal pregnancy sera or postpartum preeclamptic sera. Under the same experimental conditions, predelivery preeclamptic sera stimulated greater expression of endothelial cell PDGF-B-chain mRNA than that accumulated in the presence of matched postdelivery sera. By contrast, no differences in endothelial cell PDGF-B mRNA levels were noted when pre- and postdelivery sera from normal parturients were tested. The results suggest that a factor(s) in the blood of preeclamptic women can stimulate the synthesis and release of a potent growth factor and vasoconstrictor from human endothelial cells.
New Recursive Multidimensional Discrete Transforms For Data From Unevenly-Spaced Sensors

A new class of algorithms is given for the precise computation of general multidimensional recursive discrete transformations from data that is unevenly-spaced in time and/or space.
Is white‐collar policing, policing?

This paper examines research which asserts that policing is a function performed only by employees of traditional “police departments.” Prior research has focused entirely on traditional law enforcement agencies and lower‐class policing activities, almost to the exclusion of policing conducted by what we call “white‐collar police.” By tracing police history in the U.S. and examining widely accepted definitions of “police,” we contend that this definition easily covers the activities, functions, and duties of a range of other personnel who have not been addressed as “police” in traditional criminological literature. We argue that the forms of policing used by various state agencies are strikingly similar in many respects. In addition, the potential for virtually unlimited control exists for the white‐collar police, if they choose to exercise it.
Motor function and regulation of myosin X.

Myosin X is a member of the diverse myosin superfamily that is ubiquitously expressed in various mammalian tissues. Although its association with actin in cells has been shown, little is known about its biochemical and mechanoenzymatic function at the molecular level. We expressed bovine myosin X containing the entire head, neck, and coiled-coil domain and purified bovine myosin X in Sf9 cells. The Mg2+-ATPase activity of myosin X was significantly activated by actin with lowKATP. The actin-activated ATPase activity was reduced at Ca2+ concentrations above pCa 5 in which 1 mol of calmodulin light chain dissociates from the heavy chain. Myosin X translocates F-actin filaments with the velocity of 0.3 μm/s with the direction toward the barbed end. The actin translocating activity was inhibited at concentrations of Ca2+ atpCa 6 in which no calmodulin dissociation takes place, suggesting that the calmodulin dissociation is not required for the inhibition of the motility. Unlike class V myosin, which shows a high affinity for F-actin in the presence of ATP, theKactin of the myosin X ATPase was much higher than that of myosin V. Consistently nearly all actin dissociated from myosin X in the presence of ATP. ADP did not significantly inhibit the actin-activated ATPase activity of myosin X, suggesting that the ADP release step is not rate-limiting. These results suggest that myosin X is a nonprocessive motor. Consistently myosin X failed to support the actin translocation at low density in an in vitro motility assay where myosin V, a processive motor, supports the actin filament movement.
Hollander's doctoral seminar in the history of marketing thought

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe Stanley C. Hollander's doctoral seminar in the history of marketing thought and offer some insights into its uniqueness.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a combination of personal reflections, personal interviews, and documentation from the final offering of the course.Findings – Hollander's course was distinctive among such efforts at doctoral education and probably one of the last such seminars in North America.Originality/value – There has been little written about teaching the history of marketing thought and to date no published account of Hollander's seminar.
Randomized controlled trial of an intervention to prevent adherence failure among HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: Compare the efficacy of a multicomponent social support intervention to standard-of-care counseling on medication adherence among HIV-infected patients initiating antiretroviral therapy. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Generalized estimating equations tested for differences in the percentage of participants achieving 90% adherence. Main Outcome Measures: Pill-taking, electronically monitored over 6 consecutive months; plasma viral load (VL), assessed at 3 and 6 months following initiation of therapy. Results: Of 226 participants who were randomized and began the trial, 87 (38%) were lost to the study by 6 months. The proportion of adherent participants declined steadily over time, with no time by group interaction. Sustained adherence was associated with increased odds of achieving an undetectable VL (OR = 1.78; 95% CI = 1.01, 3.13). In intention-to-treat analyses, a larger proportion of the intervention group than the control group was adherent (40.15% vs. 27.59%, p = .02) and achieved an undetectable VL (p = .04). However, the majority of participants who remained on study experienced some reduction in VL (≥ 1-log drop or undetectable), regardless of experimental condition. Conclusion: The multicomponent social support intervention significantly improved medication adherence over standard-of-care counseling; evidence for improved virologic outcomes was inconsistent. Early discontinuation of care and treatment may be a greater threat to the health of HIV patients than imperfect medication-taking.
When Infants Look to Their Parents: II. Twelve-Month-Olds' Response to Conflicting Parental Emotional Signals.

66 12-months-olds were seen in a laboratory procedure in which they were given happy, fearful, and conflicting emotional signals by their mothers and fathers with reference to 5 unusual toy stimuli. Measures included: positive and negative affect, affect lability, and approach and proximity behavior toward the toy. Infants did not “select” a signal on the basis of a maternal or paternal primacy in emotional referencing, but responded to both signals and experienced conflict. They showed increased negative affect and decreased positive affect and toy exploration with conflicting signals compared with both happy and with fearful signals alone. Greater levels of lability were not found with conflicting signals. Marked differences among infants in capacity and style of coping with conflict were observed, as were a variety of specific conflict responses, such as agitated sucking, rocking, avoidance, extreme motor inhibition, aimless or disoriented behavior, and transient, unintegrated affect expressions.
A novel algorithm for technical articles classification based on gene selection

Research in science and engineering has resulted in the generation of voluminous datasets. For instance, biological databases such as PubMed now have millions of articles. Given this growth in data, the problem of retrieving information relevant to a specific topic has become a big challenge. In this paper we focus on the problem of retrieving articles pertaining to a given topic from among a huge collection of articles. In particular, we investigate the problem of classifying articles. Though numerous techniques and tools are available for documents classification, a shortcoming in them is that they take too much time. In this paper we present generic computational techniques that can classify articles efficiently. Our algorithms are based on algorithms that have been proposed for a related problem called gene selection. Gene selection is the problem of identifying a minimum set of genes that are responsible for certain events (for example the presence of cancer). Even though gene selection was originally proposed for biological data analysis, the technique itself is generic. For example, ‘genes’ can be thought of as generic variable. A typical tool that we envision will take as input a set of keywords (that characterize the information of interest) and will develop a learner that will identify a small subset of the keywords that are capable of classifying papers into two types. A paper is of the first type if it has information of interest and a paper is of the second type if the paper does not have information of interest. Experiments show that the new algorithm obtains a higher classification accuracy using a smaller number of selected keywords when compared to one of the best algorithms reported in the literature.
A REFINED VIEW OF GROUNDED THEORY AND ITS APPLICATION TO LOGISTICS RESEARCH

Logistics research with an objective to construct theory and develop deeper insights into logistics social phenomena and test those theories relies on both qualitative and quantitative methods. Grounded theory is one powerful qualitative research tradition for the theory building objective, yet it is also one that is often misunderstood and misapplied. The result of this misunderstanding can, and has in other disciplines such as marketing and management, resulted in weaker grounded theory studies than ought to be and research claiming to emerge from grounded theory but does not. The article offers a review of the foundations of grounded theory and insights to important aspects of two similar, but different, approaches to grounded theory that most researchers ignore, but are critical for researchers to understand. We argue that (1) logistics needs more qualitative research, (2) grounded theory offers the potential for a unique and specific kind of insight as compared to other traditions, (3) thus specific tenants of grounded theory must be followed, anything does not go, and finally (4) being specific in the application of grounded theory means knowing the differences between the Glaser and Straus views and understanding that a choice must be made as to how to proceed with grounded theory research based on that knowledge.
Homer2 deletion alters dendritic spine morphology but not alcohol-associated adaptations in GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors in the nucleus accumbens.

Repeated exposure to ethanol followed by withdrawal leads to the alterations in glutamatergic signaling and impaired synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in both clinical and preclinical models of ethanol exposure. Homer2 is a member of a family of postsynaptic density (PSD) scaffolding proteins that functions in part to cluster NMDA signaling complexes in the PSD, and has been shown to be critically important for plasticity in multiple models of drug and alcohol abuse. Here we used Homer2 KO mice and a chronic intermittent intraperitoneal (IP) ethanol injection model to investigate a potential role for the protein in ethanol-induced adaptations in dendritic spine morphology and PSD protein expression. While deletion of Homer2 was associated with increased density of long spines on medium spiny neurons of the NAc core of saline treated mice, ethanol exposure had no effect on dendritic spine morphology in either wild-type (WT) or Homer2 KO mice. Western blot analysis of tissue samples from the NAc enriched for PSD proteins revealed a main effect of ethanol treatment on the expression of GluN2B, but there was no effect of genotype or treatment on the expression other glutamate receptor subunits or PSD95. These data indicate that the global deletion of Homer2 leads to aberrant regulation of dendritic spine morphology in the NAc core that is associated with an increased density of long, thin spines. Unexpectedly, intermittent IP ethanol did not affect spine morphology in either WT or KO mice. Together these data implicate Homer2 in the formation of long, thin spines and further supports its role in neuronal structure.
Capillary enzyme immunoassay with electrochemical detection for determining indole-3-acetic acid in tomato embryos

An amperometric immunoassay for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in tomato embryos was developed. The antibody against IAA was covalently bound to the chemically modified inner surface of a 22 μL silica capillary. The competitive binding of methylated IAA and an IAA alkaline phosphatase conjugate for a limited amount of antibody was accomplished in the silica capillary in 20 min. The enzymatic product p-aminophenol, produced from p-aminophenyl phosphate, was determined by flow injection analysis with amperometric detection. A detection limit for IAA of 3 pg/μL was obtained. The average concentration of IAA in mature embryos measured by this method is 0.37 ± 0.03 μg/g. Although isotope dilution GC-SIM-MS can achieve the same detection limit, the sample analysis is not feasible in such a complicated matrix and further purification and separation are required.
Power and the Japanese Ceo

This paper explores the sources of Japanese CEO power and the processes through which power is acquired. Japanese CEOs realise two types of power, positional and personal. Positional power derives from strategic contingencies which encompass the office CEO. It also arises from institutional dimensions of the office's role within an organisation and within society. Personal power has two basic components and is a consequence of Japanese human resource management processes which are predicated upon an internal labor market. Slow promotion and job rotation provide managers with the opportunity to acquire expert influence and to build extensive acquaintance networks. Promotions legitimise the acquisition of power. CEO power is moderated by factors which directly influence the extent of legitimacy which is accorded both the individual and the office.
Appendicitis with perforation: the dilated transverse colon sign

The dilated transverse colon sign in acute appendicitis has not been described previously. However, it was noted in 10 of 82 patients with acute appendicitis, and in all 10 cases, perforation had occurred. Since this sign was not seen in nonperforated appendicitis, it is believed to be one of the earliest, if not the earliest, radiographic signs of perforation. It is believed to result from a combination of paralytic ileus of the transverse colon and spasm of the ascending colon, and once appreciated, becomes a valuable asset in the plain film assessment of appendicitis.
Efficiency and accuracy considerations in a unified plate theory with delamination

Abstract The accuracy and efficiency of a new type of plate theory within the context of the cylindrical bending problem is examined. The theoretical framework of the theory employs a generalized two-length scale displacement field obtained from a superposition of arbitrary orders/forms of global- and local-displacement effects. The current work particularly concentrates on the impact of different combinations of the global- and local-displacement effects on the theory's ability to accurately and efficiently predict the local fields for cross-ply plates. The theory is shown to accurately predict both the displacement and stress fields as well as the displacement jumps due to delaminations. Consideration of the trends in the predictions obtained using different combinations of global- and local-fields indicates that accurate solutions are obtained in a computationally efficient manner by using relatively low orders of global- and local-fields. Furthermore, the results imply that the theory can be directly used to examine convergence of a solution simply by changing the orders of the global, local, or both global- and local-displacement effects.
Primitive-Based Classification of Pavement Cracking Images

Collection and analysis of pavement distress data are receiving attention for their potential to improve the quality of information on pavement condition. We present an approach for the automated classificaton of asphalt pavement distresses recorded on video or photographic film. Based on a model that describes the statistical properties of pavement images, we develop algorithms for image enhancement, segmentation, and distress classification. Image enhancement is based on subtraction of an “average” background: segmentation assigns one of four possible values to pixels based on their likelihood of belonging to the object. The classification approach proceeds in two steps: in the first step, the presence of primitives (building blocks of the various distresses) is identified, and in the second step, classification of images to a distress type (using the results from the first step) takes place. The system addresses the following distress types: longitudinal, transverse, block, alligator cracking, and plai...
Physiologic and neuroendocrine responses to intravenous naloxone in subjects with Alzheimer's disease and age-matched controls.

Abstract Background: Prior work showed that administration of naloxone HCl had different behavioral effects in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) than controls. The aim of the present study was to contrast the physiologic and neuroendocrine responses to administration of a wide range of doses of intravenous naloxone of patients with probable Alzheimer's disease to aged-matched controls. Methods: This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, study of 12 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease and 8 age-matched normal controls who each received intravenous infusions of naloxone HCl on 3 different days in doses of 0.1 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg preceded by test doses of 0.5 mcg/kg. Order of treatment condition was randomized. Vital signs and plasma cortisol and prolactin were obtained at regular intervals. Results: Both groups showed increased cortisol after naloxone 0.1 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg ( p p Conclusions: These findings support a growing body evidence that HPA axis activity is increased in AD, and further suggest that at least part of this may be due to decreased opiatergic tonic inhibition.
Somatostatin type-2 receptor activation inhibits glutamate release and prevents status epilepticus

Newer therapies are needed for the treatment of status epilepticus (SE) refractory to benzodiazepines. Enhanced glutamatergic neurotransmission leads to SE, and AMPA receptors are modified during SE. Reducing glutamate release during SE is a potential approach to terminate SE. The neuropeptide somatostatin (SST) is proposed to diminish presynaptic glutamate release by activating SST type-2 receptors (SST2R). SST exerts an anticonvulsant action in some experimental models of seizures. Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of SST on excitatory synaptic transmission at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses and the ability of SST to treat SE in rats using patch-clamp electrophysiology and video-EEG monitoring of seizures. SST reduced action potential-dependent EPSCs (sEPSCs) at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses at concentrations up to 1 μM; higher concentrations had no effect or increased the sEPSC frequency. SST also prevented paired-pulse facilitation of evoked EPSCs and did not alter action-potential-independent miniature EPSCs (mEPSCs). The effect of SST on EPSCs was inhibited by the SST2R antagonist cyanamid-154806 and was mimicked by the SST2R agonists, octreotide and lanreotide. Both SST and octreotide reduced the firing rate of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Intraventricular administration of SST, within a range of doses, either prevented or attenuated pilocarpine-induced SE or delayed the median time to the first grade 5 seizure by 11 min. Similarly, octreotide or lanreotide prevented or attenuated SE in more than 65% of animals. Compared to the pilocarpine model, octreotide was highly potent in preventing or attenuating continuous hippocampal stimulation-induced SE in all animals within 60 min of SE onset. Our results demonstrate that SST, through the activation of SST2Rs, diminishes presynaptic glutamate release and attenuates SE.
Heat Transmission and Thermal Energy Storage in Firefighter Turnout Suit Materials

This paper describes research conducted to develop a better understanding of the effects of turnout materials on heat transmission and thermal energy storage in moisture preconditioned samples exposed to low level radiant heat. It utilized a newly developed laboratory apparatus and testing procedures to generate data on a range of materials used in the construction of firefighter turnouts.
Kalman filters for reducing error in RFID real-time localization systems

The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has become widespread in industry as a means to quickly and wirelessly identify and track packages and equipment. Now there is a commercial interest in using RFID to provide real-time localization. Efforts to use RFID technology for this purpose experience localization errors due to noise and non-line-of-sight effects inherent to these environments. This paper presents the use of both linear and non-linear Kalman filters to reduce error effects inherent to real-time RFID localization systems and provide more accurate localization results in indoor environments. A commercial RFID localization system designed for use by the construction industry is used in this work, and a mathematical model and approach are developed. The model is tested with real-world data and shown to provide an increase in localization accuracy when applied to both raw distance difference of arrival measurements as well as final trilateration results.
The diversity of the immune response to the A2 domain of human factor VIII.

Approximately 30% of patients with severe hemophilia A develop inhibitory anti–factor VIII (fVIII) antibodies (Abs). We characterized 29 anti-human A2 monoclonal Abs (mAbs) produced in a murine hemophilia A model. A basis set of nonoverlapping mAbs was defined by competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, producing 5 major groups. The overlapping epitopes covered nearly the entire A2 surface when mapped by homolog-scanning mutagenesis. Most group A mAbs recognized a previously described epitope bounded by Arg484-Ile508 in the N-terminal A2 subdomain, resulting in binding to activated fVIII and noncompetitive inhibition of the intrinsic fXase complex. Group B and C mAbs displayed little or no inhibitory activity. Group D and E mAbs recognized epitopes in the C-terminal A2 subdomain. A subset of group D mAbs inhibited the activation of fVIII by interfering with thrombin-catalyzed cleavage at Arg372 at the A1-A2 domain junction. Other group D mAbs displayed indeterminate or no inhibitory activity despite inhibiting cleavage at Arg740 at the A2-B domain junction. Group E mAbs inhibited fVIII light-chain cleavage at Arg1689. Inhibition of cleavages at Arg372 and Arg1689 represent novel mechanisms of inhibitor function and, along with the extensive epitope spectrum identified in this study, reveal hitherto unrecognized complexity in the immune response to fVIII.
Reaction of cortisol and cortisol 21-aldehyde with pyridoxamine.

Abstract A yellow product was isolated when pyridoxamine was heated with cupric ions and cortisol or other 17-hydroxy- or 17-deoxyketol steroids. Oxygen was necessary for the reaction. Copper, which could not be replaced by other metal ions, oxidized the 21-alcohol function of cortisol to the 21-aldehyde. When cortisol 21-aldehyde was substituted for cortisol, an identical product was formed in the absence of oxygen at room temperature. The yellow product contained one pyridoxylidine and two steroid residues, and copper. Pyridoxal and ammonia did not substitute for pyridoxamine. Primary amino groups and 21-aldehyde function were absent from the product. In the absence of metal ions, cortisol 21-aldehyde and pyridoxamine condensed to form a yellow product containing two steroid and one pyridoxylidine residues. One mole of steroid is bound to pyridoxamine as a Schiff base; a second mole is linked as a hemiacetal to the hydroxymethyl group of pyridoxamine. This compound chelated reversibly with cupric ions to yield one resembling that prepared in the presence of copper salts.
The Effect of Differences in the Number of Attribute Levels on Conjoint Results

It is well known that the range of attribute variation used in a conjoint design influences the inferred attribute importance. However, even if the range is held constant, the addition of intermediate levels can increase this importance. In this paper we show why the problem occurs for rankorder preferences. The results from an experimental study confirm the existence of a systematic influence due to the number of (intermediate) levels. Surprisingly, the problem is equally strong when rating scale preferences are collected. Several possible solutions are suggested.
A Micro Version of the Barcroft-Warburg Tissue Metabolism Apparatus.∗:

SummaryA micro modification of the standard Warburg vessel for the study of gaseous exchange of tissues has been described. As would be anticipated from the decrease in size from 17 ml to about 3 ml, the amounts of tissue required for satisfactory results can be reduced to about one-fifth those usually used.An advantage over other more sensitive apparatus is that the manometer supports are interchangeable with the standard Barcroft-Warburg supports, so the same water-bath and shaking device can be used for both.
Relaxor ferroelectric PMN-32%PT crystals under stress, electric field and temperature loading : II-33-mode measurements

Abstract Paper I [1] reported a phase transition driven by combinations of stress and electric field in 〈1 1 0〉 oriented PMN-32%PT single crystals. In this paper, evidence of multiple phase transitions is reported for 〈0 0 1〉 oriented PMN-32%PT single crystals under combinations of stress, electric field, and temperature loading. The results indicate that the driving force for the transformations decreases with increasing temperature. Material properties for different phases under excursions of electric field and stress are reported.
Constant-Wall-Temperature Nusselt Number in Micro and Nano-Channels

We investigate the constant-wall-temperature convective heat-transfer characteristics of a model gaseous flow in two-dimensional micro and nano-channels under hydrodynamically and thermally fully developed conditions. Our investigation covers both the slip-flow regime 0≤Kn≤0.1, and most of the transition regime 0.1<Kn≤10, where Kn, the Knudsen number, is defined as the ratio between the molecular mean free path and the channel height. We use slip-flow theory in the presence of axial heat conduction to calculate the Nusselt number in the range 0≤Kn≤0.2, and a stochastic molecular simulation technique known as the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) to calculate the Nusselt number in the range 0.02<Kn<2. Inclusion of the effects of axial heat conduction in the continuum model is necessary since small-scale internal flows are typically characterized by finite Peclet numbers