cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Governmental Accounting Standards on Public-Sector Pension Funding

The funding policy for defined benefit pension plans covering government employees represents an important decision for government entities sponsoring those plans. In recent years, a number of state and local governments have experienced extreme funding shortfalls (e.g., New Jersey, Illinois, and Detroit), raising concerns about whether government entities are contributing enough to their pensions. Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statements Number 67/68 (hereafter, “GASB 67/68”) fundamentally alter the financial reporting of pension liabilities, by (i) requiring pension liabilities to be estimated using a potentially lower discount rate (which increases estimated liabilities and any funding deficits), and (ii) mandating recognition of funding deficits (surpluses), which were previously only disclosed in footnotes, as a liability (asset) on governmental balance sheets. Although GASB 67/68 only changes financial reporting requirements and acknowledges specifically that funding decisions are outside its scope, we find, for a sample of 100 large state-administered plans, that governments increase pension contributions upon applying GASB 67/68, over time as well as compared to corporate pension plans as a control group in difference-in-differences tests. In cross-sectional tests within governmental plans, the funding response is primarily observed from governments expecting a larger dollar impact to applying GASB 67/68, and from governments facing more adverse economic or political consequences from financial statement recognition. Government plans that increase funding are also more likely to have passed benefit cuts, suggesting that taxpayers and public employees share the costs. Overall, these responses suggest that governmental entities are willing to take actions with cash flow consequences to avoid recognizing large liabilities on-balance sheet; purely accounting changes, therefore, can have “real” effects on governmental pension policy.
Growth hormone releasing hormone in the unfolded protein response context.

The effects of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone in human pathophysiology are not limited to those mediated by the Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone–Growth Hormone–Insulin-like Growth Factor-I axis. Receptors specific for this neuropeptide are expressed in a diverse variety of human tissues, to initiate multifarious signaling cascades, regulators of cellular homeostasis and survival. The Unfolded Protein Response is in charge of adaptive responses towards a plethora of challenges, able to trigger cellular repair or death. The possible involvement of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone and its agonistic and antagonistic analogs in those events, may deliver exciting possibilities in the treatment of human disease, including the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
Clinical outcomes of globus pallidus deep brain stimulation for Parkinson disease: a comparison of intraoperative MRI– and MER-guided lead placement

Objective Deep brain stimulation (DBS) lead placement is increasingly performed with the patient under general anesthesia by surgeons using intraoperative MRI (iMRI) guidance without microelectrode recording (MER) or macrostimulation. The authors assessed the accuracy of lead placement, safety, and motor outcomes in patients with Parkinson disease (PD) undergoing DBS lead placement into the globus pallidus internus (GPi) using iMRI or MER guidance. Methods The authors identified all patients with PD who underwent either MER- or iMRI-guided GPi-DBS lead placement at Emory University between July 2007 and August 2016. Lead placement accuracy and adverse events were determined for all patients. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) part III motor scores for patients completing 12 months of follow-up. The authors also assessed the levodopa-equivalent daily dose (LEDD) and stimulation parameters. Results Seventy-seven patients were identified (MER, n = 28; iMRI, n = 49), in whom 131 leads were placed. The stereotactic accuracy of the surgical procedure with respect to the planned lead location was 1.94 ± 0.21 mm (mean ± SEM) (95% CI 1.54-2.34) with frame-based MER and 0.84 ± 0.007 mm (95% CI 0.69-0.98) with iMRI. The rate of serious complications was similar, at 6.9% for MER-guided DBS lead placement and 9.4% for iMRI-guided DBS lead placement (RR 0.71 [95% CI 0.13%-3.9%]; p = 0.695). Fifty-seven patients were included in clinical outcome analyses (MER, n = 16; iMRI, n = 41). Both groups had similar characteristics at baseline, although patients undergoing MER-guided DBS had a lower response on their baseline levodopa challenge (44.8% ± 5.4% [95% CI 33.2%-56.4%] vs 61.6% ± 2.1% [95% CI 57.4%-65.8%]; t = 3.558, p = 0.001). Greater improvement was seen following iMRI-guided lead placement (43.2% ± 3.5% [95% CI 36.2%-50.3%]) versus MER-guided lead placement (25.5% ± 6.7% [95% CI 11.1%-39.8%]; F = 5.835, p = 0.019). When UPDRS III motor scores were assessed only in the contralateral hemibody (per-lead analyses), the improvements remained significantly different (37.1% ± 7.2% [95% CI 22.2%-51.9%] and 50.0% ± 3.5% [95% CI 43.1%-56.9%] for MER- and iMRI-guided DBS lead placement, respectively). Both groups exhibited similar reductions in LEDDs (21.2% and 20.9%, respectively; F = 0.221, p = 0.640). The locations of all active contacts and the 2D radial distance from these to consensus coordinates for GPi-DBS lead placement (x, ±20; y, +2; and z, -4) did not differ statistically by type of surgery. Conclusions iMRI-guided GPi-DBS lead placement in PD patients was associated with significant improvement in clinical outcomes, comparable to those observed following MER-guided DBS lead placement. Furthermore, iMRI-guided DBS implantation produced a similar safety profile to that of the MER-guided procedure. As such, iMRI guidance is an alternative to MER guidance for patients undergoing GPi-DBS implantation for PD.
Relationship of Arsenic and Lead in Soil with Fruit and Leaves of Apple Trees at Selected Orchards in Michigan.

ABSTRACT Historically, lead arsenate pesticides were commonly used in fruit orchards. Residues of metals from this historical use can persist in soil for decades, which can result in potential risk for humans if they consume fruits grown on contaminated soil. This research was conducted to assess lead and arsenic levels in apples, leaves, and orchard soil where the apples were grown to determine the relationship between metal levels in fruits and fruit products with those in orchard soil. Soil and tree tissue samples were collected from several Michigan farms, and metal concentrations were quantified by using microwave extraction and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0 to 20 cm and 20 to 40 cm at a distance of 1 m from the tree trunk. Fruit samples also were processed into juice and pomace fractions to assess the partitioning of arsenic and lead during juice processing. The lead concentration was significantly higher in topsoil (9.4 μg/kg) compared with subsoil (6.9 μg/kg), but the arsenic content did not differ between the two soil layers (P > 0.05). Lead concentrations in apple leaves were correlated with lead in topsoil (0 to 20 cm; P = 0.03). Concentrations of total arsenic in all juice samples were less than 1 μg/kg and showed less potential than lead for uptake and translocation to fruits. There was no significant relationship between soil arsenic content and total arsenic concentrations in juice, pomace, and leaf samples (P > 0.05). Results of this research indicate that lead and total arsenic concentrations in apples and apple products from these selected orchards in Michigan are unlikely to be impacted by the contamination of these metals in orchard soil. HIGHLIGHTS
Shared Fate: The Impact of Peer and Industry Characteristics on Peer Failure Experience and Investment Intensity

Most studies on learning from failure have focused on the strategic incentives of a focal firm. We examine the relationship between peer failure and investment intensity from external actors’ point...
Caval pseudoaneurysms following complex inferior vena cava filter removal: Clinical significance and patient outcomes.

ObjectivesTo investigate the incidence and clinical significance of caval pseudoaneurysm and extravasation post-complex inferior vena cava filter retrieval.MethodsA total of 83 patients (70% female...
The impacts of hydraulic clamming in shallow water and the importance of incorporating anthropogenic disturbances into habitat assessments

Hydraulic dredging for shellfish is known to create some of the highest levels of disturbance, affecting the benthic microfaunal community and the physical characteristics of the substrate. Properly conducted benthic habitat assessments are complex and time consuming, resulting in assessments not being conducted increasing the uncertainty in post impact studies. Hydraulic dredging for Atlantic surfclams (Spisula soldidissima ) took place at Herring Cove, Massachusetts in the winter of 2014–2015 resulting in areas of high impact disturbance of the seafloor. Surveys conducted in the summer of 2015 included hydroacoustics, benthic invertebrate sampling, video, and grain size analysis for the creation of a habitat map of Herring Cove. The four habitats (A–D) identified were a mix of sand, shell, cobble, algae, and eelgrass. Habitat type “D” is a mix of sand, algae and cobble material and occurred at 12 of 18 stations. These 12 stations were distributed across areas of “high” (n = 4), “low” (n = 2), and “no” (n = 6) hydraulic dredge disturbance. Once habitat was accounted for, benthic invertebrate community structure varied significantly (Analysis of similarity; significance level of sample statistic: 0.3%) between areas of “high”, “low” to “no” disturbance. Areas of “low” to “no” dredge track coverage contained high abundances of bivalves, echinoderms, and isopods, whereas highly disturbed areas had highest abundances of polychaetes and oligochaetes. Future mapping efforts, especially surveys with biological components, need to include and quantify the level, type and spatial distribution of anthropogenic alterations. More attention should be given to “reference maps” instead of “baseline maps”. The latter of which omits to acknowledge pre-existing anthropogenic disturbances and has the potential to skew monitoring of restoration and management efforts.
A Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Infantis Clone is Spreading and Recombining in the United States

Recently, there have been reports worldwide of a multidrug-resistant, emergent Salmonella Infantis (ESI) clone with a large megaplasmid (pESI), often containing the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase gene blaCTX-M-65. This clone also has a gyrA mutation conferring fluoroquinolone resistance, further limiting treatment options. In the United States, this clone has also been found in poultry sources, indicating a likely source of human illnesses. We conducted short-read sequencing of Salmonella enterica isolated from retail meats as part of routine surveillance by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS). We analyzed the resulting data temporally and geographically to determine when and where the ESI clone has spread in the United States. We found the ESI clone was first found in retail meats in Tennessee in 2014, but by 2019 was throughout the United States and comprised 29% of all Salmonella isolated from retail chickens, and 7% from retail turkey. Of these isolates, 85.0% were within 20 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of those causing human illnesses. Long-read sequencing data indicated substantial recombination in the pESI plasmid resulting in the presence of 0-10 resistance genes, despite all their chromosomes being within 31 SNPs of one another. This work demonstrates the rapid spread of this clone of Salmonella Infantis in poultry in the United States, with the potential for increased burden of human illness attributed to this multidrug-resistant pathogen.
Spatio-temporal analysis of flood data from South Carolina

To investigate the relationship between flood gage height and precipitation in South Carolina from 2012 to 2016, we built a conditional autoregressive (CAR) model using a Bayesian hierarchical framework. This approach allows the modelling of the main spatio-temporal properties of water height dynamics over multiple locations, accounting for the effect of river network, geomorphology, and forcing rainfall. In this respect, a proximity matrix based on watershed information was used to capture the spatial structure of gage height measurements in and around South Carolina. The temporal structure was handled by a first-order autoregressive term in the model. Several covariates, including the elevation of the sites and effects of seasonality, were examined, along with daily rainfall amount. A non-normal error structure was used to account for the heavy-tailed distribution of maximum gage heights. The proposed model captured some key features of the flood process such as seasonality and a stronger association between precipitation and flooding during summer season. The model is able to forecast short term flood gage height which is crucial for informed emergency decision. As a byproduct, we also developed a Python library to retrieve and handle environmental data provided by some main agencies in the United States. This library can be of general usefulness for studies requiring rainfall, flow, and geomorphological information over specific areas of the conterminous US.
Applications of EEG indices for the quantification of human cognitive performance: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis.

Background Neuroergonomics combines neuroscience with ergonomics to study human performance using recorded brain signals. Such neural signatures of performance can be measured using a variety of neuroimaging techniques, including functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and electroencephalography (EEG). EEG has an excellent temporal resolution, and EEG indices are highly sensitive to human brain activity fluctuations. Objective The focus of this systematic review was to explore the applications of EEG indices for quantifying human performance in a variety of cognitive tasks at the macro and micro scales. To identify trends and the state of the field, we examined global patterns among selected articles, such as journal contributions, highly cited papers, affiliations, and high-frequency keywords. Moreover, we discussed the most frequently used EEG indices and synthesized current knowledge regarding the EEG signatures of associated human performance measurements. Methods In this systematic review, we analyzed articles published in English (from peer-reviewed journals, proceedings, and conference papers), Ph.D. dissertations, textbooks, and reference books. All articles reviewed herein included exclusively EEG-based experimental studies in healthy participants. We searched Web-of-Science and Scopus databases using specific sets of keywords. Results Out of 143 papers, a considerable number of cognitive studies focused on quantifying human performance with respect to mental fatigue, mental workload, mental effort, visual fatigue, emotion, and stress. An increasing trend for publication in this area was observed, with the highest number of publications in 2017. Most studies applied linear methods (e.g., EEG power spectral density and the amplitude of event-related potentials) to evaluate human cognitive performance. A few papers utilized nonlinear methods, such as fractal dimension, largest Lyapunov exponent, and signal entropy. More than 50% of the studies focused on evaluating an individual’s mental states while operating a vehicle. Several different methods of artifact removal have also been noted. Based on the reviewed articles, research gaps, trends, and potential directions for future research were explored. Conclusion This systematic review synthesized current knowledge regarding the application of EEG indices for quantifying human performance in a wide variety of cognitive tasks. This knowledge is useful for understanding the global patterns of applications of EEG indices for the analysis and design of cognitive tasks.
Co-adsorption of synthetic Mincle agonists and antigen to silica nanoparticles for enhanced vaccine activity: A formulation approach to co-delivery.

Abstract To date there is no clinically approved adjuvant to drive a protective T-helper cell 17 (Th17) immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Trehalose Dimycolate (TDM) is a glycolipid molecule found in the cell wall of Mtb and similar species. Our team has discovered novel synthetic TDM derivatives that target Mincle receptors and when presented on the surface of amine functionalized silica nanoparticles (A-SNPs) adopt the requisite supramolecular structure for Mincle receptor agonism. Here we describe the preparation and characterization methods for these critical silica nanoparticles (SNPs) co-loaded with Mincle agonists (MAs) and a model antigen. In this work, A-SNPs with a particle diameter of 246 ± 11 nm were prepared and examined for co-adsorption of two synthetic MAs along with ovalbumin (OVA). Due to the insolubility of the studied MAs in aqueous environment, aggregation of the MAs made separation of the adjuvant-loaded A-SNPs from the free-form MAs via centrifugation very challenging. To facilitate separation, we synthesized modified SNPs with comparable amine surface functionalization to the original A-SNPs, but with a superparamagnetic iron oxide core (M-A-SNPs), to allow for magnetic separation. We also substituted Alexa Fluor 488-labeled ovalbumin (AF 488 OVA) for the un-tagged OVA to improve the sensitivity of our quantitation method. A RP-HPLC method was developed to simultaneously determine the amount of adsorption of both the Mincle adjuvant and the model antigen to the A-SNPs. AF488 OVA demonstrated higher than 90% adsorption, with or without the co-adsorption of MAs. Likewise, MAs exhibited higher than 80% adsorption in the presence or absence of antigen. The developed formulations were tested in vitro using murine RAW cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, exhibiting good cytokine induction in both cell lines. Results from these studies indicate that A-SNPs could be used as a customizable presentation platform to co-deliver antigens along with different MAs of varying structural features and biophysical properties.
Challenges and Accomplishments of Practicing Formative Assessment: a Case Study of College Biology Instructors’ Classrooms

This study presents a glimpse into the private classrooms of biology instructors and the way they practice formative assessments within a college context. Drawing on the personal practice assessment theory model from Box, Skoog and Dabbs (2015), we carried out a multiple case study to investigate two biology instructors’ theories in enacting formative assessment practices. Data collected included classroom observations, instructor interviews, course artifacts, and student focus groups. Qualitative data analysis revealed that each instructor’s core personal practical assessment theories affected implementation of formative assessment. Tasha’s core assessment theories led her to believe that assessment should be a carefully planned motivational and learning opportunity for students. Meanwhile, Jack viewed assessment as a diverse and stress-free student learning experiment. Cross-case analysis revealed that the teachers’ reasoning and decision-making differences were based on the interaction of their personal practical assessment theories and contextual elements. Overall, this study provides insights into the practice of formative assessment in higher education and identifies some challenges and opportunities such assessment presents.
A Propensity Score Matched Comparison of Heartmate 3 and HeartWare HVAD Epistaxis Outcomes

Purpose Patients with the HeartWare HVAD require careful medical management in order to maintain an INR within therapeutic range (2-3) and prevent thrombotic events. We compared the incidence of epistaxis in patients with the HVAD and HeartMate 3 using propensity score matching (PSM). Methods Ninety-eight patients implanted with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) from 2015-2020 were included in this study. Patients were matched on the basis of baseline characteristics, including age, gender, body mass index (BMI), indication, etiology, concomitant procedures, and the right ventricular assist device (RVAD) usage. Results To our knowledge, this is the first study to perform a PSM comparison of epistaxis events in patients with the HVAD and HeartMate 3. After matching, there were no significant differences in any of the baseline characteristics between groups (P >0.05 for all). Patients with the HVAD were more likely to suffer from epistaxis than HeartMate 3 patients (43% vs 18%, P = 0.027), an absolute risk increase of 25% (95% CI 5.7-44.3%) and a number needed to harm of 4 patients (95% CI 2.3-17.6). In both the univariate and multivariate analyses, HVAD usage was significantly associated with epistaxis (P 0.05 for all). Conclusion Patients with the HVAD may be at a greater risk for developing epistaxis than those with the HeartMate 3. However, other outcomes such as length of stay and survival are comparable. Prospective, multi-center studies should be done to accurately assess the impact of device type on clinical outcomes following LVAD implantation.
Assessment of Asphalt Mixture Disk-Shaped Compact Tension Test Indexes for Reflective Cracking Performance

Disk-shaped compact tension (DCT) testing is a commonly used low-temperature fracture test to determine the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures. The current testing specification only considers the fracture energy (Gf) from load-crack mouth opening displacement test data. However, Gf does not directly take into consideration the behavior of the post peak region of the curve, which may indicate the mixture’s ability to resist crack propagation and provide insight into fracture processes (e.g., crack growth velocity). It is possible to have two DCT specimens with similar Gf values but dramatically different load-displacement responses. The main focus of this paper is to make a comparative evaluation of various performance indexes developed for DCT fracture testing with respect to field reflective cracking performance of 10 full-scale asphalt concrete overlay test sections. This study evaluates Gf in addition to three other indexes: fracture strain tolerance (FST), rate-dependent cracking index (RDCI) and a proposed DCTIndex from Minnesota Department of Transportation that considers the post peak load-displacement behavior. An equivalent performance index approach is adopted to make comparisons of test sections with varying overlay structures in terms of thickness and material properties. Results from this study showed there was relatively good agreement between all equivalent laboratory performance indexes in identifying the best and worst performing overlay sections, according to normalized field performance indexes after approximately three years of service. In general, the equivalent FST and RDCI laboratory indexes rank test sections similarly, while equivalent Gf and DCTIndex have comparable ranking.
The Present Status of Business Education among Negroes

Sixty-six years ago when the first professional training in business of collegiate grade was started at the University of Pennsylvania, the donor of the initial grant, Mr. Joseph Wharton, expressed the desire that the school should provide “training suitable for those who intend to engage in business or to undertake the management of property.” So simple a directive requires little revision in order to serve the needs of our contemporary society. In fact, the discussion in Chapter 7 of the need by Negro business for trained personnel leads directly to the conclusion that the provision of adequate and sound “training in the principles, techniques, and relationships of operating and improving the mechanism which we call business”1 is a major responsibility of Negro colleges and universities. The extent to which Negro institutions of higher education are meeting the need for adequate and sound business education will be revealed in the following pages, thus indicating a starting point from which future developments and improvements may proceed.
Reply to Dr. Eichner

Reply to Dr. Eichner To the Editors: We have again belabored the problem associated with the natural family planning modality of contraception because we feel there still is a significant number of women interested in this method who will not practice contraception otherwise. Many women have attempted to use the so-called “rhythm method” and have been frustrated with failures. We have attempted to introduce the concept that some type of steroid or nonsteroid compound can be used beneficially, not necessarily to pinpoint ovulation but to reasonably assure a patient that ovulation will not occur prematurely early in the cycle or at a later time when coitus usually takes place. Our initial publication in the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOL~CY 97: 949, April 1, 1967, included the control group of cycles (p. 950) displayed graphically. They were not included in the present publication because the same type of patient was utilized and we did not wish to lengthen the article with more graphs than was necessary for each compound used. The total population group utilized in this study consisted of referred patients from many sources as well as our own patients, many of which had failed previously with the rhythm method of family planning. I doubt if they represent the average rank-and-file type of patient. As stated in the article, we did have some patients who dropped out because pregnancy ensued and for other reasons. Of the total group of approximately 338 patients, 11 became pregnant primarily because they failed to follow instructions of abstinence from coitus. These failures should not detract from the concept of the study. Most contraceptive pills contain two estrogens, namely, mestranol and ethinyl estradiol. Ovulation is inhibited with their lowest microdose of 0.05 mg.; therefore, we endeavored to demonstrate that ovulation was not inhibited with smaller doses of 0.02 mg. of ethinyl estradiol or mestranol. We feel reasonably sure now that even smaller doses below 0.01 mg. would be more effective than the dose utilized in the present study. This assumption is based on results obtained in our pituitary gonadotropin laboratory. We are quite aware of the fact that synthetic estrogens are more potent than conjugated estrogens on a milligram-for-milligram basis. John G. Boutselis, M.D. Professor
The Rule of Law Without Lawyers: American Legal Reformers and the Cambodian Lawyer Shortage

Cambodia has a dire shortage of lawyers, commonly attributed to the murder of nearly all its legal professionals by the Khmer Rouge. Fewer than fifteen lawyers survived the brutal regime’s targeting of intellectuals and professionals and remained in the country when the regime fell in 1979. The atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, however, do not explain the continuing severity of the shortage of lawyers and legal services in Cambodia. Today, hundreds of Cambodian students receive undergraduate and graduate degrees in law each year but cannot become practicing attorneys without paying a $15,000 bribe to pass Cambodia’s bar exam. Only 35 to 70 candidates pass (in years that a bar exam is held at all) and can thus enroll the Lawyer Training Center, which has a monopoly on the training required for admission to practice law. The resulting dearth of lawyers deprives poor and rural populations of access to counsel in a country where the authoritarian government and elites allied with it make selective use of the law to maintain power.This Article argues the lawyer shortage is an under-recognized aspect of the failure of the international community’s considerable efforts to build the rule of law in Cambodia, and a further example of problems scholars have identified in the dominant approach to building democracy in developing and post-conflict countries. Examining one element of what Stephen Golub has termed the “rule-of-law orthodoxy” — efforts to improve the skills and knowledge of lawyers in developing and transitioning legal systems — this Article argues the efforts of the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative risk empowering and legitimizing a protectionist Bar Association with a history of corruption and intimidation of those who challenge the government. More broadly, the Cambodian example raises questions about USAID-funded rule of law programs throughout the world that promote U.S.-style adversarial legal systems and lawyer monopolies.
Abstract 593: Rb association with Bax is regulated by phosphorylation

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is important in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Its activity is controlled by reversible phosphorylation on several serine and threonine residues that mediate binding to various cellular proteins. The role of Rb phosphorylation in the control of apoptosis is largely unknown, although several apoptotic stimuli result in dephosphorylation of Rb. Our previous work identified Rb (threonine-821) dephosphorylation as required for induction of apoptosis caused by UV light and inhibitions of cyclin dependent kinases. These studies led to the identification of proteins that bind to Rb under apoptotic conditions. One such Rb binding protein is the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Bax, a member of the Bcl-2 family, undergoes a conformational change during apoptosis that is associated with the permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane. In this study, we examined the role of Rb phosphorylation in the regulation of binding to Bax. In MCF7 cells, by activating the phosphatase responsible for dephosphorylating Rb, PP1, apoptotic death is triggered. We utilize siRNA to block the expression of PNUTS (Phosphatase Nuclear Targeting Subunit) which causes Rb dephosphorylation, and cell death. We have found that Bax binds to Rb under normal cell conditions, but when Rb becomes dephosphorylated on specific amino acid sites, Bax dissociates from Rb. Our cell fractionation studies have shown that phosphorylated Rb co-localizes with the mitochondrial fraction. Further examination of the specific sites of Rb phosphorylation required for binding to Bax is underway. Citation Format: Lisa Antonucci, Jacklynn V. Egger, Nancy A. Krucher. Rb association with Bax is regulated by phosphorylation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 593. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-593
Efficiency and reliability of genomic information storage and retrieval in DNA-based memories with compaction

Associative memories based on DNA-affinity have been proposed [E. Baum, (1995), J. Chen et al. (2003)] and preliminary analysis have been made [T.K. Landauer et al. (1998), M.H. Garzon et al. (2003)]. Here, the effects of summarizing and compacting genomic data are evaluated. Two memory types, P [R. Deaton et al. (2002)] and CDW [J. Chen et al. (2003)], are used to test their summarization and compaction, respectively. The capabilities of each memory are evaluated and analyzed through simulations in silico [M.H. Garzon et al. (2003)]. The results of queries to each memory type are compared objectively with the results of the same queries to the whole genomic library. The PCR-based summarization technique (memory P) retains much of its functional meaning and remained sensitive enough to distinguish compacted genomes. The summarization (memory CDW) performs less efficiently and appears to retain less information than the summarization techniques, but further testing is required for a definitive assessment.
Dielectrophoretic trapping of nanoparticles with an electrokinetic nanoprobe

A high aspect ratio 3D electrokinetic nanoprobe is used to trap polystyrene particles (200 nm), gold nanoshells (120 nm), and gold nanoparticles (mean diameter 35 nm) at low voltages (<1 V(rms)). The nanoprobe is fabricated using room temperature self-assembly methods, without the need for nanoresolution lithography. The nanoprobe (150-500 nm in diameter, 2-150 μm in length) is mounted on the end of a glass micropipette, enabling user-specified positioning. The nanoprobe is one electrode within a point-and-plate configuration, with an indium-tin oxide cover slip serving as the planar electrode. The 3D structure of the nanoprobe enhances dielectrophoretic capture; further, electro-hydrodynamic flow enhances trapping, increasing the effective trapping region. Numerical simulations show low heating (1 K), even in biological media of moderate conductivity (1 S/m).
Phospholipids, sterol carrier protein 2 and adrenal steroidogenesis

Rat adrenocortical cells and preparations of plasma membrane and mitochondria have been employed to assess the effects of phospholipids and of sterol carrier protein2 (SCP2) on specific aspects of adrenal steroidogenesis. With intact cells, liposomal dispersions of cardiolipin caused significant stimulation of corticosterone output, while preparations of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, or the 4'-phosphate and the 4',5'-diphosphate derivatives of phosphatidylinositol were without effect. With the adrenal plasma membrane preparation, none of the added phospholipids affected either sodium fluoride or ACTH-responsive adenylate cyclase activity. With intact mitochondria, only cardiolipin, among the various phospholipids, tested, caused a concentration-dependent stimulation of pregnenolone production. However, even at the highest concentration of cardiolipin tested (500 microM), the stimulatory effect was only half that observed with 0.7 microM SCP2, and the two effectors were not synergistic. SCP2 caused a redistribution of cholesterol from mitochondrial outer to inner membranes, while cardiolipin, which is an activator of cytochrome P-450scc, had no effect on distribution of mitochondrial membrane cholesterol.
Generalization of right alternative rings

Abstract Let R be a ring of characteristic not two, satisfying the following three identities, which are consequences of the right alternative identity: (x, x, x) = 0, (wx, y, z) + (w, x, (y, z)) = w(x, y, z) + (w, y, z)x, and (y, y, x)k = 0, for some positive integer k = k(x, y). A simple ring in this class which is not associative is alternative if and only if R has an idempotent e such that there are no nilpotent elements in R1(e) and R0(e), the zero and one subspaces of the Albert decomposition. This generalizes the comparable result for right alternative rings by Humm-Kleinfeld.
Psychosocial predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption in adults a review of the literature.

Background Adequate fruit and vegetable intake has been found to promote health and reduce the risk of several cancers and chronic diseases. Understanding the psychological determinants of fruit and vegetable intake is needed to design effective intervention programs. Methods Papers published in English from 1994 to 2006 that described the relationship between psychosocial predictors and fruit and vegetable intake in adults were reviewed. Studies and their constructs were independently rated based on the direction of significant effects, quality of execution, design suitability, and frequency. Methodology from the Guide to Community Preventive Services was used to systematically review and synthesize findings. Results Twenty-five psychosocial constructs spanning 35 studies were reviewed (14 prospective and 21 cross-sectional/descriptive studies). Strong evidence was found for self-efficacy, social support, and knowledge as predictors of adult fruit and vegetable intake. Weaker evidence was found for variables including barriers, intentions, attitudes/beliefs, stages of change, and autonomous motivation. Conclusions The findings underscore the need to design future behavioral interventions that use strong experimental designs with efficacious constructs and to conduct formal mediation analyses to determine the strength of these potential predictors of fruit and vegetable intake.
Developmental Changes in Retention: Independent of Age?.

Abstract It is commonly believed that age differences in memory are due primarily to input processes and secondarily, if at all, to retention processes. The present study examined this belief with a test-retest paradigm, varying rehearsal conditions orthogonal to age (first- and second-graders vs. college students). Large age effects were found for both original learning and retention, and these effects were independent of rehearsal conditions. An estimate of the relative magnitude of each suggested that age effects on retention were about half as large as age effects on original learning (e.g., input).
Oxidation of Sulfonamide Antimicrobials by Ferrate(VI) [FeVIO42-]†

Sulfonamide antimicrobials are used in both human therapy and animal husbandry. Sulfonamides are not readily biodegradable and have been detected in surface water and in secondary wastewater effluents. The chemical oxidation of sulfonamides by an environmentally friendly oxidant, ferrate(VI) (Fe(VI)O4(2-), Fe(VI)), was conducted. The sulfonamides used in the oxidation studies were sulfisoxazole, sulfamethazine, sulfamethizole, sulfadimethoxine, and sulfamethoxazole. Kinetics of the reactions were determined as a function of pH (7.0-9.7) and temperature (15-45 degrees C) by a stopped-flow technique. The rate law for the oxidation of sulfonamides by Fe(VI) is first-order with respect to each reactant. The observed second-order rate constants decreased nonlinearly with an increase in pH and are possibly related to the protonation of Fe(VI) (HFeO4- H+ + FeO4(2-); pK(a,HFeO4) = 7.23) and sulfonamides (SH H+ + S-; pK(a,SH) = 5.0-7.4). The activation parameters of the reactions vary with pH due to temperature dependence on the protonation of Fe(VI) and sulfonamides. These results were used to obtain enthalpy of dissociation of sulfonamides. Stoichiometry and products of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) reactions with Fe(VI) were studied in detail using various analytical techniques to evaluate the effect of the oxidation process on the fate of sulfonamides in water. At a stoichiometric ratio of 4:1 (Fe(VI): SMX), complete removal of SMX was achieved. Analyses of oxidation products of the reaction as well as kinetic measurements of substructural models of SMX suggest that the attack of Fe(VI) occurs at the isoxazole moiety as well as at the aniline moiety with minimal preference. The results of the studies reported suggest that Fe(VI) has the potential to serve as a chemical oxidant for removing sulfonamides and converting them to relatively less toxic byproducts in water.
Simulation of sintering of nanoparticulate micropreforms in a microfabrication process

Microcasting is a technique for fabricating ceramic and metallic microstructures and involves sintering of a nanoparticulate green body as the final step to produce the microparts. The sintering kinetics at the nanoparticulate scale determines the local sintering stress throughout the micropreform, which, in turn, affects the overall shape deformation of the final sintered products. This paper presents a numerical analysis on the coupled sintering processes using a viscous sintering mechanism to illustrate the methodology for multiscale simulations. A microscopic model for viscous sintering is adopted to describe the micro/nanostructural evolution by considering the effects of nanoparticle mechanics on the sintering kinetics. The overall dimensional change of the sintered micropart is determined based on the local sintering stress in the green body, which is evaluated using the evolution of the micro/nanostructure during sintering. The multiscale model is used to explore the effects of the various material and process parameters on the shape evolutions during sintering and on the final sintered shape of microparts.
TLR-induced activation of neutrophils promotes histamine production via a PI3 kinase dependent mechanism

Histamine is a bioactive amine that exerts immunomodulatory functions, including many allergic symptoms. It is preformed and stored in mast cells and basophils but recent evidence suggests that other cell types produce histamine in an inducible fashion. During infection, it has been suggested that neutrophils may produce histamine. We also observed that histamine is released in a neutrophil-mediated LPS-induced model of acute lung injury. Therefore, we sought to examine whether innate signals promote histamine production by neutrophils. Bone marrow-derived neutrophils stimulated with a range of TLR agonists secreted histamine in response to LPS or R837, suggesting TLR4 or TLR7 are important. LPS-driven histamine was enhanced by coculture with GM-CSF and led to a transient release of histamine that peaked at 8h post stimulation. This was dependent upon de novo synthesis of histamine, since cells derived from histidine decarboxylase (HDC) deficient mice were unable to produce histamine but did generate reactive oxygen species upon stimulation. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we show that histamine production requires PI3 kinase, which has been shown to regulate other neutrophil functions, including activation and selective granule release. However, unlike mast cells, HDC deficiency did not alter the granule structure of neutrophils, suggesting that histamine does not participate in granule integrity in these cells. Consequently, our findings establish that neutrophils generate histamine in response to a select panel of innate immune triggers and that this might contribute to acute lung injury responses.
Inactivation of calcitonin by specific organs.

THE greater biological potency of salmon calcitonin (SCT) as compared with mammalian calcitonins may be due to the relative resistance of SCT to inactivation in vivo1,2. SCT infused into dogs disappears from the circulation more slowly than does porcine calcitonin (PCT) or human calcitonin (HCT)1–3. For example, the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of PCT in the dog is approximately 10 times greater than that of SCT1,2. Neither renal excretion3,4 nor inactivation by plasma1,2 is sufficient to account for the rapid clearance of the calcitonins that we have observed in vivo and thus it seemed likely that inactivation of the hormones must occur during passage through one or more organs. Here we present data that suggest the kidney, the liver and muscle and/or bone as the sites of inactivation of the calcitonins in the dog. SCT is relatively resistant to inactivation in the latter two sites.
Organizational structure and state mental health expenditures

State mental health agencies (SMHAs) are characterized by a variety of organizational and fiscal arrangements. SMHAs may be part of a multi-functional agency or free-standing. They may be devoted exclusively to mental health or also responsible for other human services. States also vary in terms of their SMHA-controlled expenditures on mental health services. This paper explores whether organizational structure affects expenditures on mental health. Consistent with some theories of bureaucratic behavior, we find (subject to data limitations) that SMHAs appear to compete for funds with other human service agencies and that the bargaining position of the SMHA is affected by its position in the state bureaucratic organization.
Differential effects of iron and inflammation on ferritin synthesis on free and membrane-bound polyribosomes of rat liver

We have examined the distribution of ferritin mRNA to free and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-bound liver polyribosomes during inflammation and iron treatment of rats. Postnuclear tissue supernatants were fractionated on a discontinuous sucrose gradient developed to separate free and bound polyribosomes. Total RNA recovered averaged 3.2 mg/g tissue, 40% of which was with ER and 30% with the free polyribosomes, about 25% being with the postribosomal/RNP fraction. Slot-blot hybridization of equal portions of RNA revealed that 12 h after injection of turpentine to induce inflammation, ferritin mRNA was concentrated on the ER-bound polyribosomes, while it was concentrated on the free polyribosomes 2 h after injection of ferric ammonium citrate. Differences were highly significant, based on multiple determinations and densitometry. Profiles of ferritin mRNA distribution on linear sucrose gradients corroborated the differential findings. Concentrations of total ferritin mRNA per gram liver doubled with iron treatment but were not significantly different 12 h after turpentine treatment. At the same time point after turpentine, ferritin protein synthesis was increased twofold, as measured by the 1 h incorporation of [14C]leucine. We conclude that a significant portion of ferritin mRNA always associates with the ER-bound polyribosomes, and that inflammation and iron differentially alter the polysomal distribution of ferritin mRNA, suggesting that two different kinds of mRNA may be involved.
Paradoxical effect of trifluoperazine, a calmodulin antagonist, on pepsinogen secretion.

Abstract Pepsinogen secretion (PS) is modulated at the intracellular level by both cAMP and calcium ion. Cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), a potent stimulus for PS, is believed to act through calcium. The most extensively studied pathway for calcium-mediated modulation involves the formation of calcium/calmodulin complexes, leading to activation of calmodulin. We have therefore examined the hypothesis that an inhibitor of calmodulin might inhibit PS stimulated by CCK-8. The phenothiazine derivative trifluoperazine (TFP) was chosen as a calmodulin antagonist. We measured in vitro secretion of pepsinogen by isolated gastric glands as a function of TFP concentration (10 −6 M -5 × 10 −4 M ), in the presence and absence of a maximal concentration of CCK-8 (10 −7 M ). Cellular viability was determined by measurement of release of the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the medium. TFP did not significantly inhibit PS stimulation by CCK-8 at any concentration ( P >0.05). At 10 −4 M , TFP actually augmented PS stimulation by CCK-8 ( P P −5 M and above. TFP did not raise cAMP levels at any concentration tested ( P >0.05), in contrast to the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, 10 −5 M , which caused a 6- to 37-fold increase ( P −4 did not increase LDH levels significantly ( P >0.05). Thus a calmodulin inhibitor, TFP, paradoxically stimulates PS. This stimulatory effect of TFP is not cAMP-dependent and is not accompanied by a nonspecific release of LDH into the medium. The explanation of these observations is unclear. Since TFP is an amphipathic molecule and is intercalated into the cell membrane, it is possible that the increase in pepsinogen secretion may be due to as yet undefined actions of TFP on other intracellular calcium-activated kinases or phosphatases. The results suggest a hitherto undescribed alternative mechanism for the modulation of PS. TFP is unlikely to be of use as a blocker of pepsinogen secretion.
Auditor recall and evaluation of internal control information: does task‐specific knowledge mitigate part‐list interference?

Part‐list interference occurs when reading a few items from a previously viewed list interferes with recall of the remaining items. The purpose of this study is to examine if the review of an incomplete flowchart, following the review of a complete narrative, interferes with auditors’ recall and evaluation of internal control information. The potential interaction between auditors’ internal control knowledge and the extent of part‐list interference is also investigated. The results indicate there was a significant interaction between knowledge and part‐list interference, suggesting that interference related to an incomplete flowchart occurred primarily with less knowledgeable auditors. Therefore, higher levels of knowledge may reduce interference when recall cues are organized schematically, as found in flowcharts.