cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatigue in a community sample of twins.

Background. Fatigue is a complex symptom associated with many physiological, psychological and pathological processes. Its correlates and typology remain inadequately understood. Method. These data were from two large, longitudinal twin studies. Trained interviewers enquired as to the presence of a ≥ 5 day period in the previous year of fatigue or tiredness that interfered with daily activities. A range of potential correlates was assessed in a structured interview: demography; health beliefs; the presence of nine physical disorders; mood, anxiety and addictive disorders; neuroticism and extraversion; recollections of parental rearing; and nine stressful life events. Statistical analyses included logistic regression, CART, MARS, latent class analysis and univariate twin modelling. Results. Data were available for interfering fatigue (IF) on 7740 individual twins (prevalence 9.9 % in the previous year). IF was significantly associated with 42 of 52 correlates (most strongly with major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, reported major health problems and neuroticism). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that IF is a highly complex construct with different sets of correlates in its subtypes. There were two broad clusters of correlates of IF: (a) major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and neuroticism; and (b) beliefs of ill health coexisting with alcoholism and stressful life events. Twin analyses were consistent with aetiological heterogeneity - genetic effects may be particularly important in women and shared environmental effects in men. Conclusions. IF is a complex and common human symptom that is highly heterogeneous. More precise understanding of the determinants of IF may lead to a fuller understanding of more extreme conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome.
Invited Program Overview: Research on Relationships as a Prelude to Action

Recently, leading scholars have raised serious concerns about the integrity and viability of research on personal relationships. These concerns include a lack of descriptive research, a lack of integration in research findings, neglect of ethnically and culturally diverse people and their relationships, inadequacies in sampling, and the absence of interdisciplinary research. In this article, I argue that progress in resolving these problems can be made, and the relevance and rigor of our discipline can be enhanced, by greater emphasis on research that aims to improve personal relationships. Five advantages that would accrue from such an emphasis are outlined, and three studies illustrating a problem-oriented approach to relationships are presented. A discipline devoted to the scientific study of interpersonal functioning is uniquely positioned to address a vast array of problems that arise within and impinge upon personal relationships. Failure to pursue the applied potential of our work will represent a ...
A Survey of Energy-Efficient Compression and Communication Techniques for Multimedia in Resource Constrained Systems

Advances in wireless multimedia communication technologies enable new types of pervasive and ubiquitous applications such as mobile health care, environmental monitoring, facility monitoring and traffic surveillance. Among different factors concerned, energy efficiency is one of the most challenging issues in multimedia communication due to the resource constraints, and the requirements for high bandwidth and low transmission delay. In this survey, we provide a broad picture of the state-of-the-art energy efficient techniques that have been proposed in wireless multimedia communication for resource-constrained systems such as wireless sensor networks and mobile devices. Following the essential stages required for multimedia communication, we categorize these techniques into two groups: multimedia compression techniques and multimedia transmission techniques. In the first group, we introduce the state-of-the-art compression algorithms and perform analyses and evaluations on energy efficiency in applying these compression algorithms to resource-constrained multimedia transmission systems. In the second group, we will further categorize the energy efficient transmission techniques into two sub-categories according to their different communication architectures. We review both cross-layer communication, including Unequal Error Protection (UEP), and independent-layer communication, focusing on Routing, MAC, and Physical layer protocols. We present the basic problem statement and objectives of these techniques, and survey multiple potential approaches that have been reported in the literature. Our focus in this survey is to provide insight into different research directions to improve energy efficiency in wireless multimedia communication protocols for future developments.
Differentiating between Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) scats through analysis of faecal DNA

We describe a method to determine the species of pinniped from faeces collected from sympatric Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) rookeries using newly developed species-specific primers that amplify a 667-669-base pair segment from the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) cytochrome B (cytB) gene region. The primers yielded the correct species in 100% of tissue samples from 10 known animals and 100% of faecal samples from 13 known animals. Species could be identified unequivocally for 87.7% of faecal samples from 122 unknown individuals. The ability to differentiate between scats of sympatrically breeding Steller sea lions and northern fur seals will contribute to the range-wide knowledge of the foraging strategies of both species as well as allow researchers to examine the niche partitioning and potential resource competition between the two predators.
Ostracism for improving cooperation in the iterated prisoner's dilemma game

This paper considers methods for improving cooperation in the Iterated Prisoner's Dilemma (IPD) game. We consider two previous efforts for improving cooperation that use a bias in selecting opponents in the IPD game: the space-based approach and the tag-based approach. In the biased opponent selection mechanism, opponents are selected using a bias based on, for example, a normal distribution function around the player who tries to choose opponents; i.e., the closer a prospective opponent is to a player, the higher the probability that it will be chosen as an opponent by that player. The cooperation can be achieved by promoting the emergence of cooperators' clusters; thus, cooperators will play the game with the cooperators within the "kin dusters". Our research shows that use of ostracism schemes that expel dissimilar players from the kin clusters can greatly support the biased opponent selection mechanism and therefore promote cooperation in the overall environment.
Exaggerated sexual swellings and male mate choice in primates: testing the reliable indicator hypothesis in the Amboseli baboons.

The paradigm of competitive males vying to influence female mate choice has been repeatedly upheld, but, increasingly, studies also report competitive females and choosy males. One female trait that is commonly proposed to influence male mate choice is the exaggerated sexual swelling displayed by females of many Old World primate species. The reliable indicator hypothesis posits that females use the exaggerated swellings to compete for access to mates, and that the swellings advertise variation in female fitness. We tested the two main predictions of this hypothesis in a wild population of baboons (Papio cynocephalus). First, we examined the effect of swelling size on the probability of mate guarding (‘consortship’) by the highest-ranking male and the behaviour of those males that trailed consortships (‘follower males’). Second, we asked whether a female's swelling size predicted several fitness measures. We found that high-ranking males did not prefer females with larger swellings (when controlling for cycle number and conception) and that females with larger swellings did not have higher reproductive success. Our study, the only complete test of the reliable indicator hypothesis in a primate population, rejects the idea that female baboons compete for mates by advertising heritable fitness differences. Furthermore, we found unambiguous evidence that males biased their mating decisions in favour of females who had experienced more sexual cycles since their most recent pregnancy. Thus, rather than tracking the potential differences in fitness between females, male baboons appear to track and target the potential for a given reproductive opportunity to result in fertilization.
Ultrasound measurement of the effect of temperature on microperfusion in the eye.

Abstract Recent developments in ultrasound (US) technology have allowed the study of microperfusion in the anterior segment of the eye. Our aim was to determine the effect of the thermal environment on blood flow in the anterior segment. We measured blood flow in the major arterial circle of five rabbits. A 38-MHz US transducer was coupled to the eye with a normal saline water-bath with temperature controlled from 1°C to 38°C. The major arterial circle was localized and imaged using the swept-scan technique and M-mode data were then acquired for measurement of pulsatile flow. Peak systolic and mean velocity averaged 4.51 and 1.32 mm/s, respectively. Positive correlations were found between peak systolic (1.69%/°C) and mean (1.76%/°C) velocities and temperature. Vessel diameter (mean = 178 μm) did not show any significant change with temperature. High-resolution US flowmetry demonstrated decreasing flow rates in the iris with decreasing temperature. (E-mail: prof@boodle.med.cornell.edu)
Evaluation of Coxiella burnetii Antibiotic Susceptibilities by Real-Time PCR Assay

Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular bacterium. The inability to cultivate this organism on axenic medium has made calculation of infectious units challenging and prevents the use of conventional antibiotic susceptibility assays. A rapid and reliable real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify C. burnetii cells from J774.16 mouse macrophage cells and was applied to antibiotic susceptibility testing of C. burnetii Nine Mile, phase I. For calculation of bacterial replication, real-time PCR performed equally as well as immunofluorescent-antibody (IFA) assay when J774.16 cells were infected with 10-fold serial dilutions of C. burnetii and was significantly (P < 0.05) more repeatable than IFA when 2-fold dilutions were used. Newly infected murine macrophage-like J774.16 cells were treated with 8 μg of chloramphenicol per ml, 4 μg of tetracycline per ml, 4 μg of rifampin per ml, 4 μg of ampicillin per ml, or 1 μg of ciprofloxacin per ml. After 6 days of treatment, tetracycline, rifampin, and ampicillin significantly (P < 0.01) inhibited the replication of C. burnetii, while chloramphenicol and ciprofloxacin did not. In general, these results are consistent with those from prior reports on the efficacy of these antibiotics against C. burnetii Nine Mile, phase I, and indicate that a real-time PCR-based assay is an appropriate alternative to the present methodology for evaluation of the antibiotic susceptibilities of C. burnetii.
The Pepsin Hydrolysate of Bovine Lactoferrin Causes a Collapse of the Membrane Potential in Escherichia coli O157:H7.

In the present study, the ability of bovine lactoferrin hydrolysate (LfH) to disrupt the cytoplasmic membrane of Escherichia coli O157:H7 was investigated. Lactoferrin and LfH antimicrobial activities were compared against E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli O157:H7 spheroplasts. The effect of LfH on the cytoplasmic membrane of E. coli O157:H7 cells was determined by evaluating potassium efflux (K+), dissipation of ATP and membrane potential (ΔΨ). LfH produced a rapid efflux of potassium ions, a decrease in intracellular levels of ATP coupled with a substantial increase in extracellular ATP levels and a complete dissipation of the ΔΨ. The results suggest that LfH causes a collapse of the membrane integrity by pore formation in the inner membrane, leading to the death of the cell. Moreover, the mechanism of action of LfH on E. coli O157:H7 appears to involve an interference with the inner membrane integrity based on experiments using E. coli O157:H7 spheroplasts.
Acceleration of oxygen ions in the dynamic magnetotail

Abstract. The substorm-related acceleration and flux increases of energetic oxygen ions are studied on the basis of test particle orbits in the fields obtained from an MHD simulation of plasmoid formation and ejection and the collapse (dipolarization) of the inner tail. The simulated fluxes show large anisotropies and nongyrotropic effects, phase bunching, and spatially and temporally localized beams. The energy distribution of O+ in the region of an earthward beam in the near tail becomes significantly harder, more pronounced than for protons, in qualitative agreement with observations. The simulation also shows tailward beams of energetic O+ions closely associated with the passage of a plasmoid, both inside the plasma sheet boundary and inside the central plasma sheet, consistent with observations in the far tail. The acceleration at the near-Earth x-type neutral line produces a narrow duskward beam of energetic O+ in the duskward extension of the x-line, which was not found to be as pronounced in proton test particle simulations. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (energetic particles, trapped; magnetotail; storms and substorms)
Human Capital Reorganizations and Market Performance: U.S. Firms

This empirical examination of human capital reorganizations uses Standard and Poor’s large, mid and small cap firms and demonstrates that the typical market response is suggestive of what casual empiricism would suggest: firms undertake work force reductions in periods of poor performance. Though the average firm experiences negative price impacts, nearly half (45%) do not. Firm size and technological intensity matter in impacting the negative abnormal results. Bankruptcy potential and financial distress do not appear to be significant indicators. The peace dividend following the Cold War (1992-1997), white collar outsourcing (1995-2009) and the savings and loan crash (1985-1995) have a dampening effect on the market response to layoffs and other human capital restructurings. Regulatory change and changes in foreign competition have a minor impact. During business cycle downturns our sample has a smaller response to layoff announcements. Offshoring and financing changes intensify the market effect whereas asset changes have a positive impact. Changes in business focus and changes in technology seem to have no impact on the market response to layoffs decisions.
Feasibility study of a multi-carrier dual-use imaging radar and communication system

The paper describes a modelling scenario aimed at exploring high-resolution imaging, communication and in-band coexistence with other signals potential of a multi-carrier radar/communication system based on ultra-wideband waveforms obtained via orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). Imaging performance is simulated for a well-studied scenario of stripmap SAR, for which backprojection algorithm is used in image reconstruction. The case of two airborne platforms is considered and image data communication between the platforms is modelled. This feasibility study lays foundation for subsequent analysis of a multi-platform sensor network scenario based on novel ultra-wideband radar architectures.
Commentary: Problematic issues in cultural comparisons

Abstract This commentary offers a critique of cross-cultural comparisons of health care systems between the United States and less economically developed nations. Two main issues are discussed: the abuse of power in such comparisons and the reluctance of nurses from the United States to address conditions of suffering in their own country. Recommendations are given to increase sensitivity of nurses. J Prof Nurs 18:343-345, 2002. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Alienation and the Game Dungeons and Dragons

The media has speculated about negative effects of the role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons on players of the game. This study examined differences in feelings of alienation between 35 active pla...
ICAM-1 and Nanomedicine Nature’s Doorway to the Extravascular Tissue Realm

Ligand-targeted nanomedicines, particularly those directed to vascular-accessible biomarkers,1,2 have evolved from fanciful concepts 25 years ago to product concepts now near or in clinical trials. While numerous chemical and biological barriers have been discovered and broached over this time frame, perhaps the single greatest challenge to success of nanomedicine technologies has been their inefficient access to extravascular constituents. In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Serrano et al delineates the unique and complex cell biology surrounding ICAM-1 mediated intracellular (and presumably) transcellular delivery of nanoparticles up to 4.5 µm, and illustrates a close mechanistic similarity to leukocyte endothelial transmigration. See accompanying article on page 1178 Many have touted the concept of enhanced permeability and retention as a mechanism for nanoparticle delivery into tumors and inflammatory sites through a purportedly leaky vasculature.3,4 Considerable research, particularly studies conducted in subcutaneous mouse tumor models, has demonstrated this effect over the last decade, but the magnitude of the extravascular delivery has depended on high intravascular overdosing of agents, prolonging particle systemic half-life (eg, pegylation), and decreasing particle size.5 Unfortunately, clinical hope for the enhanced permeability and …
Update in New Medications for Primary Care

Each year, the FDA approves dozens of new drugs for use in clinical practice. Clinicians must wade through a staggering amount of evidence to determine which drugs will be important new additions to their practice. Many of the new drugs relate to specialty practices, such as chemotherapeutic agents and immune-based therapies. A fraction of the newly approved drugs are potentially relevant for primary care clinicians. Most of these drugs are “me too” drugs that are a new drug within an existing class of medications. For example, the FDA may approve a new beta-blocker or a new proton-pump inhibitor. When these types of new drugs are as effective and safe as existing drugs, they are welcome primarily when their cost to patients and health plans is lower than that of currently available drugs. However, a small number of drugs each year are novel and relevant for primary care practice. These are drugs that work through a completely new mechanism compared to existing therapies and have the potential to represent an addition to our pharmacologic armamentarium. It is challenging for busy clinicians to determine which new drugs meet this requirement and to receive balanced information regarding efficacy, safety, side effects, and cost of these new medications. In addition, each year, new practice guidelines and systematic reviews provide guidance regarding optimal use and sequence of existing medications for common clinical problems in primary care. In this paper, we provide a balanced presentation of some of the most important new drugs in primary care, followed by important updates in pharmacologic management of common conditions seen in primary care. In preparation of the New Drugs section of this paper, we reviewed the FDA database of new drugs1 approved from January 1, 2006 through March 1, 2008. We excluded drugs that were (1) used exclusively in inpatient settings, (2) parenteral agents, (3) prescribed only by subspecialty providers, or (4) new formulations or combinations of existing medications. From the remaining drugs, we identified those that work by a novel mechanism and represent the first drug in a new class of medications. From this list, we selected those drugs that, in our opinion, had the most relevance and potential to change primary care practice. For the update in Management of Common Conditions section of this paper, we reviewed the following medical journals from January 1, 2006 through April 7, 2008: New England Journal of Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, ACP Journal Club, JAMA, Journal Watch, and Hypertension. We identified new practice guidelines and systemic reviews on the pharmacologic management of common and important medical problems managed in the office by general internists and offer our own recommendations for pharmacologic management of these conditions.
Excited or Relieved to Make Progress? The Role of Activated and Deactivated Affect in Job Search

Job search is a self-regulated process during which job seekers need to adjust their affect, behaviors, and cognitions. Prior research indicates that affect influences both behaviors and meta-cogni...
Using simulation with a logit choice model to assess the commercial feasibility of an advanced environmental technology

A critical issue in advanced technology product development is assessing economic feasibility based on the potential for commercial success. This is particularly difficult for an environmental product that has intangible benefits such as reduced air emissions. Corporate confidentiality compounds this problem since many of the target customers of the new product do not allow product developers to access important process, cost, and environmental operating information. The paper describes the application of simulation to enhance the power of a choice model to evaluate the feasibility of an advanced environmental technology for the metal casting industry. Using simulated industry data that describes the critical operating and environmental characteristics of lead technology adapters, a binary logit choice model estimates the probability of commercial success for the new technology. This methodology has application to the general problem of assessing the intangible benefits of advanced technology and contributes to the literature describing the interdisciplinary use of simulation to enhance decision science modeling.
Overexpression of an Alternatively Spliced Form of c-Myb Results in Increases in Transactivation and Transforms Avian Myelomonoblasts

An alternatively spliced form of c-myb exists that encodes an additional 120 amino acids in chicken and 121 amino acids in human and mouse. These amino acids are encoded by an additional exon, termed exon 9A. This exon is not present in v-myb, and proteins containing these amino acids have never been tested for oncogenic transformation. A series of myb constructs was therefore created in order to compare the functions of Myb proteins on the basis of their inclusion or exclusion of the amino acids encoded by exon 9A (E9A). We found that the presence of E9A resulted in a robust increase in transactivation for full-length c-Myb (CCC), as well as the singly truncated derivatives dCC and CCd, while doubly truncated Myb proteins v-Myb (dVd) and dCd did not exhibit any differences in transactivation. The increase in transactivation requires the Myb DNA-binding domain. When the leukemic transformation by the Myb proteins was tested, it was found that cells transformed by dVd resembled monoblasts, while cells transformed by CCC and its derivatives, dCd, dCC, and CCd, resembled myelomonoblasts. Despite differences in the morphology of the hematopoietic cells, the cell surface phenotypes and cell cycle profiles of transformed cells did not change for each pair of Myb proteins in the presence or absence of E9A. Thus, there was no direct correlation between the level of transcriptional activation and the strength of leukemic transformation.
Load-balanced pipeline parallelism

Accelerating a single thread in current parallel systems remains a challenging problem, because sequential threads do not naturally take advantage of the additional cores. Recent work shows that automatic extraction of pipeline parallelism is an effective way to speed up single thread execution. However, two problems remain challenging -- load balancing and inter-thread communication. This work shows new mechanism to exploit pipeline parallelism that naturally solves the load balancing and communication problems. This compiler-based technique automatically extracts the pipeline stages and executes them in a data parallel fashion, using token-based chunked synchronization to handle sequential stages. This technique provides linear speedup for several applications, and outperforms prior techniques to exploit pipeline parallelism by as much as 50%.
EELS Valence Mapping in Electron Beam Sensitive FeFx/C Nanocomposites

A new type of positive electrodes for Li-Ion batteries has been synthesized based on FeF{sub 2}/C and FeF3/C nanocomposites with particle size in the 8-12 nm range [1]. The measured high capacities rely on a complete reduction of Fe to its metallic state according to the following reaction: xLi{sup +}+xe{sup -} +Fe{sup x+}Fx = xLiF + Fe{sup 0}, where x=3 and x=2 for FeF3/C and FeF2/C respectively. This electrochemical reaction involves a change in valence state of Fe from 3+ or 2+ to 0 that can be determined uniquely by EELS from the peak energy of the L{sub 3} line and from the L{sub 3}/L{sub 2} line intensity ratio. In this paper, we report EELS mapping results on the electrochemical conversion processes and in particular the mapping of the Fe valence state before and after discharge. This work was performed with a Hitachi HF2000 equipped with a Gatan PEELS and with a FEI CM200 FEG TEM equipped with a Gatan GIF. Both instruments were operated in STEM mode at 200kV with an EELS collection half angle of {beta}=5 mrad and spectrum imaging software.
Psychological differences between smokers who spontaneously quit during pregnancy and those who do not: a review of observational studies and directions for future research.

Introduction: Although remarkable interindividual differences among pregnant smokers' decision/ability to quit have been documented, the psychological factors that may account for these differences have received less attention and comprised the primary aim of this review. Methods: We searched the medical and behavioral sciences literature from 1996 to November 2011 using PubMed and PsycINFO®. Fifty-one articles were identified based on titles or abstracts. These articles were reviewed in full and searched for quantitative observational studies of population-based or clin- ical samples, with the main topic of comparing smokers who quit spontaneously during pregnancy with those who did not, utilizing multivariable analyses. Results: The eight pertinent studies reviewed herein included four longitudinal studies and four cross-sectional analyses. Amidst significant variability among measures used, social sup- port, depressive symptoms, and anxiety appeared unrelated to smoking cessation during pregnancy. Furthermore, when sever- ity of nicotine dependence was controlled, maternal history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, bipolar dis- order, and schizophrenia all showed no independent relationship with smoking cessation during pregnancy, whereas maternal history of conduct disorder did. Secure attachment, prosocial personality, self-esteem, and perceived parenting competence were additional predictors of cessation during pregnancy. Conclusions: A greater understanding of psychological factors that differentiate smokers who spontaneously quit during preg- nancy from those who do not is crucial to the design of more effective prenatal smoking cessation interventions and also may elucidate causal mechanisms that underlie the well-established link between maternal smoking during pregnancy and offspring behavioral problems. Directions for future research and public health and policy implications are discussed.
Diagnostic reasoning with fault propagation digraph and sequential testing

When faults in a device occur, the subdevices indicated to be at fault may not be the sources of failure. The ability of a diagnostic system to trace and locate the true sources of failure is therefore very important. This paper presents new algorithms for locating failure sources by using knowledge of device structure and fault propagation paths, and through the use of sequential testing of system subdevices. The inference strategy presented in this paper uses a systematic method of generating subdevices for testing as a way of reducing the candidate space for both single fault and multiple fault situations. In the case of a single failure source, the approach presented will correctly identify the subdevice which is the failure source. In the case of multiple failure sources, a small set of possible failure sources will be identified whose collective failure will explain all the known abnormalities. >
The Geometry and Dynamics of Low-Relief Bed Forms in Heterogeneous Sediment in a Laboratory Channel, and their Relationship to Water Flow and Sediment Transport

ABSTRACT The geometry and dynamics of low-relief bed forms (pebble clusters, bed-load sheets, and bars) developed in a mixed-size and mixed-density sediment (sandy gravel) were studied in a laboratory channel. In most runs, equilibrium uniform flow was established with discharge 0.05 m3/s, mean flow depth 0.1 m, mean flow velocity 0.82-0.87 m/s, mean bed shear stress 1.6-2.2 Pa, dimensionless bed shear stress 0.04-0.07, and mean bed-load transport rate 0.009-0.013 kg/m-s. Low-relief bed forms were observed directly and in bed-height records and bed profiles measured with a high-resolution, ultrasonic bed profiler. Pebble clusters are groups of relatively large, temporarily immobile clasts with lee side and stoss side accumulations of finer sediment, and with adjacent scoured zones w th heavy-mineral concentrations. Pebble clusters are concentrated in relatively coarse areas of the bed such as in the troughs of bed-load sheets and bars. Asymmetric, sinuous-crested bed-load sheets ranged from one to two grain diameters up to 12 mm in height and 0.6-1.2 m in length. Migration rates determined from bed-form spacings and periods were typically 1-1.5 mm/s. These bed forms had relatively fine-grained crests and coarse-grained troughs and a well-mixed grain texture along the stoss side. Bed-load sheets had little associated form drag. Low-relief bars were 10-17 mm high and 1.7-2.4 m long, and typical migration rates were 0.4 mm/s. The migration of these bars was associated with fluctuations in the water-surface slope and bed-load transport rate with periods of about two hou s. Low-relief bed forms in heterogeneous sediments appear to be ubiquitous features of lower-stage "plane" beds and those transitional to dune-covered beds where the bed is not completely mobile.
How do patients know

The way patients make health care decisions is much more complicated than is often recognized. Patient autonomy allows both that patients will sometimes defer to clinicians and that they should sometimes be active inquirers, ready to question their clinicians and do some independent research. At the same time, patients' active inquiry requires clinicians' support.
Posttransplant Growth of Container-grown Wild Coffee, Copperleaf, and Orange Jasmine Is Affected by Irrigation Frequency

The survival of shrubs planted into the landscape depends on sufficient irrigation during the establishment period. Few studies have investigated the effect of irrigation frequency on the posttransplant growth of landscape shrubs. We conducted twostudies inU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturehardiness zone10bovera2-yearperiod in which we compared canopy growth index (GI), root extension to canopy spread ratio, canopy dry weight, and root dry weight of shrubs irrigated at different frequencies. In the first experiment, wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa) and ‘Lakeview’ orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) shrubs were planted in Sept. 2004, Dec. 2004, Mar. 2005, and June 2005 and irrigated for 28 weeks after planting (WAP) every 2, 4, or 8 days with 3 L of water per irrigation event. In the second experiment, ‘Macafeeana’ copperleaf (Acalypha wilkesiana) and orange jasmine shrubs were planted in Sept. 2005, Dec. 2005, Mar. 2006, and June 2006 and irrigated for 28 WAP every 1, 2, or 4 days with 3 L of water per irrigation event. Canopy GI and root extension to canopy spread ratio were determined at 28, 52, and 104 WAP. The entire canopy and roots were harvested 52 and 104 WAP to determine dry weight. In Expt. 1, wild coffee and orange jasmine plants irrigated every 2 days had greater GI than plants irrigated every 8 days at 28 WAP, but GI was not different at 52 or 104 WAP. Canopy dry weight at 52 WAP was greater for plants irrigated every 2 days than every 8 days, but there was no difference at 104 WAP. There was no difference in wild coffee or orange jasmine root dry weight or root extension to canopy spread ratio among the irrigation frequencies. In Expt. 2, there were no differences in GI, canopy dry weight, root dry weight, or root extension to canopy spread ratio of copperleaf or orange jasmine irrigated everyday compared with plants irrigated every 2 or 4 days. From the data collected in these studies, it appears that irrigating wild coffee or orange jasmine every 8 days during the first 28 WAP limited canopy growth but not root development. However, after 52 WAP, rainfall events appeared to be sufficient to eliminate any initial effects from irrigation frequency. Our data suggest that wild coffee, orange jasmine, and copperleaf from 3-gal containers can be successfully established in the landscape when irrigated with 3 L of water every 4 days for the first 28 WAP.
Laser Excitation Spectra and Lifetime Measurements of the CO d(3Δi)State

CO in a supersonic pulsed beam is excited to the d3&#916;i state by VUV photons generated in a nonlinear four-wave mixing scheme. An excitation spectrum of the CO d3&#916;i (&#x03BD;&#8242; &#61; 20, J&#8242; &#61; 1&#8211;3) is obtained at a resolution of 0.8 cm&#8722;1 for the first time. The radiative lifetimes of the rotational states are measured as 1.70 &#177; 0.08 &#956;s, which are similar to but shorter than the lifetimes associated with lower vibrational levels.
The Criterion of Concreteness: Seven Psychological Orphans in Search of a Theory—Toward a Neo-Behaviorist View

In previous chapters of this monograph, the two professional requirements of specificity and concreteness were introduced that go beyond established scientific criteria of reliability and validity. The requirement of specificity was expanded in Chap. 4 of this volume. The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the second requirement of concreteness necessary to perform clinical psychology and psychotherapy practices as a professional science. To achieve this goal, this chapter will critically review several seemingly important psychological constructs developed and validated independently of a theory from the viewpoint of this second requirement in clinical psychology and psychotherapy: concreteness.
Style & de Stijl, or Morningstar & Mondrian: The Use & Misuse of Style Boxes

Graphics distill and convey information. The clarity and power of the simple style box efficiently conveys two vital dimensions of investment style for equities-valuation and size. In promoting awareness of style variations, style boxes - Morningstar's particularly - have advanced investment literacy. However, as currently constructed, the style box misleads, and can induce unwanted behavior and unintended consequences.
Development of performance metrics for phase-based capital project benchmarking

Abstract Despite various research efforts focusing on the development of an effective measurement system, most project performance metrics were designed for post evaluation of processes and practices after project completion. This paper presents performance metrics tailored to phase-based benchmarking, which can be utilized as both leading and lagging indicators. Built upon industry experts' input and an extensive review of existing metrics, a framework for performance metrics was developed to evaluate performance outcomes for five major phases; front end planning/programming, design/engineering, procurement, construction, and startup/commissioning. Within this framework, phase-wise and phase-specific metrics were created under the categories of cost, schedule, efficiency, staffing, procurement, and safety performance. The results show that the framework and metrics are effective for the evaluation of project performance throughout capital project delivery. By employing the benchmarking process during the course of the project, industry practitioners can improve project performance and develop proactive strategies for subsequent phases.
SGK Kinase Activity in Multiple Myeloma Cells Protects against ER Stress Apoptosis via a SEK-Dependent Mechanism

To assess the role of the serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (SGK) kinase in multiple myeloma, we ectopically expressed wild type or a phosphomimetic version of SGK into multiple myeloma cell lines. These cells were specifically resistant to the ER stress inducers tunicamycin, thapsigargin, and bortezomib. In contrast, there was no alteration of sensitivity to dexamethasone, serum starvation, or mTORC inhibitors. Mining of genomic data from a public database indicated that low baseline SGK expression in multiple myeloma patients correlated with enhanced ability to undergo a complete response to subsequent bortezomib treatment and a longer time to progression and overall survival following treatment. SGK overexpressing multiple myeloma cells were also relatively resistant to bortezomib in a murine xenograft model. Parental/control multiple myeloma cells demonstrated a rapid upregulation of SGK expression and activity (phosphorylation of NDRG-1) during exposure to bortezomib and an SGK inhibitor significantly enhanced bortezomib-induced apoptosis in cell lines and primary multiple myeloma cells. In addition, a multiple myeloma cell line selected for bortezomib resistance demonstrated enhanced SGK expression and SGK activity. Mechanistically, SGK overexpression constrained an ER stress–induced JNK proapoptotic pathway and experiments with a SEK mutant supported the notion that SGK's protection against bortezomib was mediated via its phosphorylation of SEK (MAP2K4) which abated SEK/JNK signaling. These data support a role for SGK inhibitors in the clinical setting for myeloma patients receiving treatment with ER stress inducers like bortezomib. Implications: Enhanced SGK expression and activity in multiple myeloma cells contributes to resistance to ER stress, including bortezomib challenge. Mol Cancer Res; 14(4); 397–407. ©2016 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 313][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/14/313?iss=4
Surgery as Definitive Salvage Therapy for Primary Brain Tumors

The English word “salvage” comes from the Middle French “salver” (to save). In cancer therapy, it refers to the treatment of patients who have failed to respond to or relapsed following front-line therapy. Patients with glial tumors present in all age groups and are generally seen by a neurosurgeon, whose role is both diagnostic and therapeutic (resection or in-situ ablation of the tumor mass). The location of the tumor, its invasive character, and the ability of the surgeon impact on the safety and thoroughness of the operation. The prognosis depends on several factors including the age of the patient, the histology of the tumor, and the patient’s performance.
The novel poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) -1 Inhibitor, BSI-401, has antitumor activity and potentiates oxaliplatin cytotoxic activity in human pancreatic cancer

B282 Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth-leading cause of cancer mortality among adults in the United States. One of the most promising drugs in PC therapy is oxaliplatin, an organoplatinum molecule, that forms inter- and intrastrand DNA adducts/cross-links and induces a high proportion of DNA single strand breaks. However, the gemcitabine and oxaliplatin combination failed to demonstrate a statistically significant advantage compared with single-agent gemcitabine. Development of novel agents and drug combinations are urgently needed. PARP-1 functions as a DNA damage sensor for both single- and double-stranded DNA breaks and plays a key role in many cellular processes including the regulation of DNA repair. PARP-1 also acts as a promoter-specific transcriptional coactivator of NF-κB, a transcription factor constitutively activated in most PC tissues and human PC cell lines. In this study, we describe the antitumor activity of the novel PARP-1 inhibitor BSI-401 alone and in combination with oxaliplatin in PC cell lines and its therapeutic efficacy in PC orthotopic nude mouse models. The expression of PARP-1 protein was analyzed in thirteen PC cell lines by western blotting. The effect of BSI-401 alone and in combination with oxaliplatin on the proliferation of eight PC cells was determined using a BrdU-ELISA assay. Assessment of synergy was performed according to the method described by Chou and Talalay. To determine whether the PARP-1 activity inhibition by BSI-401 has any inhibitory effects on NF-kB signaling, NF-kB DNA binding activity was evaluated using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The therapeutic efficacy of BSI-401 on tumor growth and survival was evaluated in different luciferase- expressing PC orthotopic nude mouse models using an IVIS 100 Imaging System, allowing a quantitative real time monitoring of tumor growth. Mice were monitored daily for signs of toxicity including weight loss, diarrhea, inactivity, ruffled fur, and general appearance. PARP-1 overexpression was detected in 8 of 13 human pancreatic cancer cell lines but not in immortalized normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells. In vitro, BSI-401 alone significantly inhibited the growth of eight PC cell lines, with an IC50 ranging from 5 to 10 uM. A synergistic effect (Combination Index
Hyperspectral imaging fluorescence excitation scanning for detecting colorectal cancer: pilot study

Optical spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging have shown the theoretical potential to discriminate between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue with high sensitivity and specificity. To date, these techniques have not been able to be effectively translated to endoscope platforms. Hyperspectral imaging of the fluorescence excitation spectrum represents a new technology that may be well-suited for endoscopic implementation. However, the feasibility of detecting differences between normal and cancerous mucosa using fluorescence excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging has not been evaluated. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the changes in the fluorescence excitation spectrum of resected specimen pairs of colorectal adenocarcinoma and normal colorectal mucosa. Patients being treated for colorectal adenocarcinoma were enrolled. Representative adenocarcinoma and normal colonic mucosa specimens were collected from each case. Specimens were flash frozen in liquid nitrogen. Adenocarcinoma was confirmed by histologic evaluation of H&E permanent sections. Hyperspectral image data of the fluorescence excitation of adenocarcinoma and surrounding normal tissue were acquired using a custom microscope configuration previously developed in our lab. Results demonstrated consistent spectral differences between normal and cancerous tissues over the fluorescence excitation spectral range of 390-450 nm. We conclude that fluorescence excitation-scanning hyperspectral imaging may offer an alternative approach for differentiating adenocarcinoma and surrounding normal mucosa of the colon. Future work will focus on expanding the number of specimen pairs analyzed and will utilize fresh tissues where possible, as flash freezing and reconstituting tissues may have altered the autofluorescence properties.
Characterization of Shale Cap-Rock Nano-Pores in Geologic CO2 ContainmentShale Cap-Rock Nano-Pores in Geologic CO2 Containment

Clay-rich cap rocks such as shale should be investigated experimentally for their geomechanical and geochemical behavior when in contact with aqueous CO 2 over a long period of time, as can be observed in geologic carbon sequestration. The reactivity of shale cap rock during diffusive transport of CO 2 -brine needs to be included in the reservoir characterization of potential CO 2 sequestration sites because slow reactive transport processes can either strengthen or degrade seal integrity in the long term. This experimental work applied inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques in investigating changes in surface and near-surface properties of crushed shale rocks after exposure (by flooding) to CO 2 -brine for a time frame ranging from 30 days to 90 days at elevated pressure and fractional flow rate. Flooding of the shale samples with CO 2 -brine was followed by measurement of changes in internal specific surface area and linear pore-size distribution resulting from aqueous CO 2 reactive transport. The intrinsically low hydraulic conductivity of shale may be altered by changes in surface properties because the effective permeability of any porous medium is largely a function of its global specific pore geometry and surface mineralogical properties. Capillary entry pressure for the shale, as well as the average pore throat size were estimated from digitally acquired pressure evolution data. This allowed for the estimation of dimensionless quantities such as Peclet ( Pe ) and Peclet-Damkohler ( PeDa ) numbers, which are associated with the geochemical reactivity of rocks and acidic fluid transport through porous media.
A Note on Nineteenth-Century Philosophy Today

The past which the present acknowledges tends to be deceptively simple. Attention is most frequently paid to those of its aspects which appear to have anticipated the present, or to those which contrast with what the present takes to be most uniquely its own. Consequently, the past in which the present takes an interest tends to change, and it is unlikely that successive generations will assign equal significance to' precisely the same aspects of what occurred in the past. This need not lead to distorted views of those particular features on which attention is focused, but it can lead to a neglect of whatever aspects of the past are not of pressing present concern. Consequently, the context in which any generation views the past may easily become too narrow, and a sense of the past's complexity will be lost. For reasons that I have elsewhere suggested,1 this situation is more likely to obtain in the field of cultural history than in studies of political and institutional change. When previous views as to what is most important in literature, or in philosophy, or in the arts undergo change, the whole history of these forms of endeavor will reflect that change. In what follows, I wish to call attention to some of the ways in which our own philosophic preconceptions have led to a neglect of important facets of nineteenth-century thought. One of the widely shared characteristics of contemporary philosophy has been the tendency to draw a sharp line between philosophic issues and issues which are amenable to empirical inquiry. This tendency has not been con fined to the adherents of any one school. In fact, it may be fair to say that almost the only area in which such a distinction is not now routinely drawn is in the philosophy of language. In other areas, philosophic interests and em pirical interests have generally been held to be relatively independent. For ex ample, some have claimed that philosophers should only be concerned with conceptual analyses, and they have not regarded these analyses as involving any empirical assumptions. Others have regarded philosophy as a form of metacritical inquiry, which is never directly concerned with what may be the case, but has as its province a sifting of the knowledge-claims put forward by others. In still other cases it has been held that a philosopher's approach to existence involves the use of categories which are different from, and more basic than, those which the empirical sciences inevitably use. Even thpse philosophers whose work borders on the sciences are apt to hold that the questions which arise in the sciences belong to the sciences alone, and that the