cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between paramedics' level of education and degree of commitment

Abstract Introduction Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel attrition is a serious concern. Two fundamental psychological constructs linked to attrition are organizational and occupational commitment. Objective To determine if there is a relationship between a paramedic's degree of occupational/organizational commitment and the following: (1) levels of education and (2) type of employment. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of paramedics in 6 states that require continued paramedic national registration. The data collection instrument consisted of demographic and occupational and organizational commitment sections. For level of education, the primary independent variable, each subject was placed into 1 of 3 groups: (1) certificate, (2) associate's or bachelor's degree in EMS (degree), and (3) paramedic certificate or degree with a non-EMS postbaccalaureate degree. Type of employment (fire based vs non–fire based) was also used as an independent variable. Organizational and occupational commitment was measured using validated scales for each. Analysis of variance was used for the comparisons between levels of each of the independent variables. A P Results For occupational commitment, the participants with certificate level of education had a significantly higher score (88.9) than did those with either the degree (83.6) or postbaccalaureate (80.9) level of education. There were no significant differences for total organizational commitment. There were also no overall differences in occupational and organizational commitment between fire- and non–fire-based employees. Conclusion Paramedic occupational commitment shows a statistically significant decrease with increased level of education. Factors associated with commitment of more highly educated paramedics need to be explored.
STIMulating store-operated Ca(2+) entry.

Calcium influx through plasma membrane store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels is triggered when the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ store is depleted — a homeostatic Ca2+ signalling mechanism that remained enigmatic for more than two decades. RNA-interference (RNAi) screening and molecular and cellular physiological analysis recently identified STIM1 as the mechanistic 'missing link' between the ER and the plasma membrane. STIM proteins sense the depletion of Ca2+ from the ER, oligomerize, translocate to junctions adjacent to the plasma membrane, organize Orai or TRPC (transient receptor potential cation) channels into clusters and open these channels to bring about SOC entry.
On the inadmissibility of empirical averages as estimators in ranked set sampling

Abstract A ranked set sample (rss) consists entirely of independently distributed order statistics, and can occur naturally in many experimental settings, including problems in reliability. When each ranked set from which an order statistic is drawn is of the same size, and when the statistic of each fixed order is sampled the same number of times, the ranked set sample is said to be balanced. The mean X rss of a balanced ranked set sample is known to be an unbiased estimator of the population mean μ , and its variance has been shown to be less than or equal to that of the mean X srs of a simple random sample(srs) of the same size. Similarly, it has been shown that the empirical distribution function (edf) F rss of a balanced ranked set sample is superior to the edf F srs based on a simple random sample of the same size. The present study investigates the admissibility of X rss and F rss with the main results being as follows. When μ is either a scale or location parameter of the underlying distribution, it is possible to construct estimators which uniformly improve upon X rss relative to squared error loss. In the general nonparametric estimation problem, F rss is shown to be inadmissible relative to integrated squared error loss. Our alternative estimators have an additional virtue: in contrast with X rss and F rss , the new estimators extend naturally to the unbalanced case, and enjoy certain optimality properties in this broader setting.
Effect of various compounds on the rate of thiamine hydrolysis

The catalytic effects of a variety of compounds on the rate of thiamine hydrolysis have been investigated. Although some catalysis was observed, thiamine degradation does not appear to be particularly sensitive to the presence of a number of nucleophilic agents other than sulfite and thiosulfate.
What Can Be Done to Screen Progressive Diseases Optimally

Abstract A stochastic model for a screening program is presented in which the natural history of the disease is assumed to progress through a set of stages before detection. A model of the whole process is developed to address the interaction of the disease process and screening process. The purpose of the model is to develop insight into the disease process and derive policies which are optimal relative to the particular objectives chosen.
Unspanned Stochastic Volatility: Evidence from Hedging Interest Rate Derivatives

Most existing dynamic term structure models assume that interest rate derivatives are redundant securities and can be perfectly hedged using solely bonds. We find that the quadratic term structure models have serious difficulties in hedging caps and cap straddles, even though they capture bond yields well. Furthermore, at-the-money straddle hedging errors are highly correlated with cap-implied volatilities and can explain a large fraction of hedging errors of all caps and straddles across moneyness and maturities. Our results strongly suggest the existence of systematic unspanned factors related to stochastic volatility in interest rate derivatives markets.
Effects of long-term continous inhalation of ozone on experimental animals

Abstract Rats, guinea pigs, monkeys, dogs, and mice were exposed to 0.26 to 3.0 mg/m 3 of ozone in 2 series of studies totaling eight 90-day continuous inhalation exposures and to 4.6 mg/m 3 in 1 study using repeated exposure of 8 hr/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Minimal changes were noted at 0.34 mg/m 3 . Mortality occurred at concentrations higher than 0.34 mg/m 3 in all species but the dog, and nonspecific inflammatory changes, primarily in the lungs, were noted that appeared to increase in incidence and severity with increasing concentration.
FTIR and Kinetic Studies of the Mechanism of Fe3+-Exchanged TiO2-Pillared Clay Catalyst for Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with Ammonia

A series of FTIR spectroscopic and kinetic studies of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of nitric oxide by ammonia were conducted on Fe3+-exchanged TiO2-pillared clay (Fe-TiO2-PILC) catalyst. It was found that NO molecules were adsorbed on the fresh Fe-TiO2-PILC catalyst and then oxidized by O2 to adsorbed NO2 and nitrate species. These NOx adspecies could be reduced by NH3 at high temperatures. NH3 molecules could also be adsorbed on the Bronsted acid and Lewis acid sites on the Fe-TiO2-PILC catalyst to generate, respectively, NH+4 ions and coordinated NH3 species. These NH3 adspecies were active in reacting with NO, NO+O2 and NO2, but the reaction rates of NH3+NO+O2 and NH3+NO2 were much higher than that of NO+NH3. However, under reaction conditions, the surface of Fe-TiO2-PILC was mainly covered by NH+4 ions and coordinated NH3, and no NOx adspecies were detected. This is in agreement with the zero-order for the SCR reaction with respect to NH3. A possible reaction scheme for the SCR reaction on Fe-TiO2-PILC was proposed. NO reduction initially involved the reaction between NO2 and pairs of NH3 adspecies to form an active intermediate, which finally reacted with gaseous or weakly adsorbed NO to produce N2 and H2O.
Lucifer Yellow staining in fixed brain slices: optimal methods and compatibility with somatotopic markers in neonatal brain.

Abstract Developing dendritic trees often acquire their mature form by selective pruning and reorientation relative to anatomical boundaries, such as cortical ‘barrel’ walls. Whether similar constraints are imposed on the developing dendrites of subcortical somatosensory neurons is not clear, although it is known that the cells in trigeminal nucleus principalis (PrV) of adult rats have polarized trees. In attempting to resolve this issue we adopted and subsequently optimized a strategy of intracellular injection of Lucifer Yellow into PrV neurons and cerebellar granule cells in slices of fixed brain. Postinjectionally, immunohistochemical staining produced a stabilized image of the Lucifer Yellow injected cells and created the opportunity to apply also an antiserum to Jl-tenascin in order to detect whisker-related compartmental boundaries in the neonatal PrV. In 6-day-old rats, most PrV dendrites are polarized and they do not cross tenascin-stained, whisker-related, patch borders. Notable exceptions are dendrites from the minority of PrV cells that have large somata and are responsive to multiple whiskers.
MDP based optimal control for a colloidal self-assembly system

Markov decision process (MDP) based optimal control for colloidal self-assembly systems is proposed in this paper. The colloidal assembly process is interpreted as a Markov process. Starting with state space discretization, the system's dynamics under different actuator conditions are modeled by actuator-parameterized Markov chain models. Then the MDP based optimal control is applied to achieve design goals. This dynamic programming approach is illustrated through a simulated depletion colloidal assembly system. Simulations show that the proposed MDP based optimal control is able to effectively drive the system to the desired state, i.e. the state corresponding to the desired perfect crystal structure.
Synthetic chemistry and chemical precedents for understanding the structure and function of acetyl coenzyme A synthase

Acetyl coenzyme A synthase (ACS), found in acetogenic and methanogenic organisms, is responsible for the synthesis and breakdown of acetate. The mechanism by which methylcob(III)alamin, CO and coenzyme A are assembled/disassembled at the active-site A-cluster involves a number of biologically unprecedented intermediates. In the past two years, two protein crystal structures have significantly enhanced the understanding of the structure of the active-site A-cluster, responsible for catalysis. The structure reports spawned a number of important questions regarding the metal ion constitution of the active enzyme, the structure(s) of the spectroscopically identified states and the details of the catalytic mechanism. This Commentary addresses these issues in the framework of existing synthetic and chemical precedent studies aimed at developing rational structure–function correlations and presents structural and reactivity targets for future studies.
Insights into the HER-2 receptor tyrosine kinase mechanism and substrate specificity using a transient kinetic analysis.

The HER-2/erbB-2/c-neu proto-oncogene encodes for an EGF receptor-like protein which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several human malignancies. Although much has been learned about the ...
The particle concept: placing discrete water molecules during protein‐ligand docking predictions

Water is known to play a significant role in the formation of protein-ligand complexes. In this paper, we focus on the influence of water molecules on the structure of protein-ligand complexes. We present an algorithmic approach, called the particle concept, for integrating the placement of single water molecules in the docking algorithm of FlexX. FlexX is an incremental construction approach to ligand docking consisting of three phases: the selection of base fragments, the placement of the base fragments, and the incremental reconstruction of the ligand inside the active site of a protein. The goal of the extension is to find water molecules at favorable places in the protein-ligand interface which may guide the placement of the ligand. In a preprocessing phase, favorable positions of water molecules inside the active site are calculated and stored in a list of possible water positions. During the incremental construction phase, water molecules are placed at the precomputed positions if they can form additional hydrogen bonds to the ligand. Steric constraints resulting from the water molecules as well as the geometry of the hydrogen bonds are used to optimize the ligand orientation in the active site during the reconstruction process. We have tested the particle concept on a series of 200 protein-ligand complexes. Although the average improvement of the prediction results is minor, we were able to predict water molecules between the protein and the ligand correctly in several cases. For instance in the case of HIV-1 protease, where a single water molecule between the protein and the ligand is known to be of importance in complex formation, significant improvements can be achieved. Proteins 1999;34:17–28. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A single exposure to cocaine or immobilization stress provides extremely long-lasting, selective protection against sudden cardiac death from tetracaine.

Abstract Exposure of rats to one injection of cocaine (35 mg/kg, i.p.) or a single four-hour period of immobilization protected them from the virtually instantaneous death but not from the later, seizure-related death seen in untreated controls following administration of the local anesthetic, tetracaine, 1–4 weeks later. These data suggest that when appropriately timed, strong sympathomimetic stimulation-- whether generated by an environmental stressor or a drug-- can provide long-lasting protection against the sudden cardiac death potential of local anesthetics. As such, they provide a means for understanding why the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest from one such agent -- cocaine itself -- is not higher and suggest that an individual's stress history may play a key role in determining vulnerability to the cardiotoxic effect of this compound.
Propagating lattice instabilities in shock-loaded metals

The first atomic-scale simulations of shock propagation using accurate many-body atomic interactions have been performed. Shock propagation in copper was modeled with use of the embedded-atom method. Lattice instabilities, consisting of crystallographic twinning boundaries and martensitic regions, were observed to form and propagate behind the shock front for impact velocities as low as 0.01 km/sec. The twinning boundary dislocations cause a loss of shear strength, resulting in a significant reduction in shock-wave velocity, without the accompaniment of permanent crystallographic damage. This new mode of lattice deformation is qualitatively different from the behavior characteristic of pairwise atomic interactions.
Labor History and the New Migration History: A Review Essay

Debates over the significance of immigration and demands for its restriction in industrialized nations have been a major feature of political life in the 1980s and 1990s. There are several reasons for this heightened concern. In Western Europe, the 1990s have been a decade of slower growth, particularly compared with the halcyon decades of the 1950s and 1960s when mass migration, severely restricted during the interwar years, again became a routine aspect of European life.Even more persistent and troubling has been the declining position of less skilled workers in the economies of industrial nations. The International Monetary Fund notes that, beginning in the 1970s or the early 1980s, “labor markets in the advanced economies have been characterized by marked increases in wage inequality in some countries between the more skilled and less skilled, and in other countriesby rises in unemployment among the less skilled.” Many less skilled workers believe that migrants are responsible for their declining wages and unemployment.
The stabilisation of the steel liner of a prestressed concrete pressure vessel

The thin steel liner of a nuclear reactor concrete pressure vessel is likely to buckle inward as the concrete is prestressed. This paper deals with the case of a hollow cylinder of infinite length. After analysis of the equilibrium states of the shell it is concluded that buckling can be suppressed by anchoring the shell to the concrete with the anchors spaced circumferentially at Sp = 2.5t/√ϵ, where t is the thickness of the shell and ϵ is the circumgerential strain imposed by prestressing. The maximum value of ϵ for which no pegging is needed is given by ϵ0 = 0.5(t/R)1.2, where R is the radius of the vessel. The analysis has been verified experimentally.
Legislative districting by computer

A system for legislative redistricting by computer simulation is described. Included is a discussion of the algorithmic logic used in the main districting program, computer implementation of the algorithm, and supporting programs useful throughout the entire redistricting process. This system was developed as a result of using computer redistricting algorithms in Iowa sub districting activities.
The Continuum Mechanics of Coherent Two-Phase Elastic Solids with Mass Transport

We develop a theory for the dynamics of an interface in a two-phase elastic solid with kinetics driven by mass transport and stress. We consider a two-phase system consisting of bulk regions separated by a sharp interface endowed with energy and capable of supporting force. Our discussion is based on balance laws for mass and force in conjunction with a version of the second law-appropriate to a mechanical system out of equilibrium-which we use to develop a suitable constitutive theory for the interface. It is assumed that mass transport is characterized by the bulk diffusion of a single independent species; we neglect mass diffusion within the interface; limit our discussion to a continuous chemical potential and to a coherent interface; neglect the elasticity of the interface; and consider only infinitesimal deformations, neglecting inertia. We show that the field equations and free-boundary conditions can be developed in a simple manner in terms of the diffusion potential and its time derivatives, as opposed to the usual formulation in terms of concentration. Natural consequences of the thermodynamic framework are Lyapunov functions for the resulting evolution problems. This leads to a hierarchy of variational principles that should describe the equilibrium shapes of misfitting particles as well as possible microstructures that might form; these principles are applicable both in the absence and presence of an applied stress.
Low-tech vibration control for holography

Many artists and educators involved in holography have not had the budget to purchase commercial tables or benches, but instead have improvised in a number of interesting ways. The sandbox table, credited to Gerald Pethick, is one example of an ingenious solution in the quest for affordable vibration control for holography. In my research, I have found others. In this paper I discuss various non-commercial `tables' with two purposes in mind: the first is to have it act as a resource to those interested in constructing their own holography system or table; the second, is as historical documentation of how holographers have worked to create their images.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Characterization of an anti-rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) CD3ɛ monoclonal antibody

Abstract This study characterizes a monoclonal antibody (mAb) produced against the cytoplasmic tail region of the epsilon chain of the CD3 (CD3ɛ) transmembrane protein found on T lymphocytes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy conducted on trout leukocytes with the anti-trout CD3ɛ mAb showed a distinctive population of IgM− CD3e+ lymphocytes fitting the expected profile of T-cells. Immunoprecipitation of lysates derived from trout lymphocytes revealed a 19 kDa protein and peptide analysis confirmed its specificity for CD3ɛ. In vitro proliferation assays with T-cell mitogens, ConA and PHA, resulted in a 3 fold increase in the percentage of CD3ɛ+ lymphocytes compared to LPS and control cultures. The mAb characterized in this study will be useful in further elucidation for both the role and distribution of T lymphocytes in the teleost immune system.
High speed low power multiple bit subtracter circuit design using high performance domino logic

The domino logic style is very attractive for designing high performance digital logic circuits in Very Large Scale Integrated microprocessor chips. In this paper a four bit subtractor circuit is designed using different domino logic styles and its performance is compared with one another. The simulations were performed using L=0.12μm technology along with a supply voltage V DD =1.2V. The simulation results show that the delay of the subtractor circuit is very low compared to the conventional four bit subtractors. The delay is in the order of Pico seconds. These new multiple bit subtractors show improved noise immunity low leakage and low power consumption without much speed penalty. In this paper the performance of multiple bit subtractors designed using high speed domino technique, conditional keeper technique and leakage current mirror technique is analyzed in detail. Also the layout level simulations were performed to study the performance of multiple bit subtractor circuits.
Solvent compatibility of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-based microfluidic devices.

This paper describes the compatibility of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) with organic solvents; this compatibility is important in considering the potential of PDMS-based microfluidic devices in a number of applications, including that of microreactors for organic reactions. We considered three aspects of compatibility: the swelling of PDMS in a solvent, the partitioning of solutes between a solvent and PDMS, and the dissolution of PDMS oligomers in a solvent. Of these three parameters that determine the compatibility of PDMS with a solvent, the swelling of PDMS had the greatest influence. Experimental measurements of swelling were correlated with the solubility parameter, δ (cal1/2 cm-3/2), which is based on the cohesive energy densities, c (cal/cm3), of the materials. Solvents that swelled PDMS the least included water, nitromethane, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, perfluorotributylamine, perfluorodecalin, acetonitrile, and propylene carbonate; solvents that swelled PDMS the most were diisopropylam...
Cheeger constants of Platonic graphs

The Platonic graphs πn arise in several contexts, most simply as a quotient of certain Cayley graphs associated to the projective special linear groups. We show that when n=p is prime, πn can be viewed as a complete multigraph in which each vertex is itself a wheel on n+1 vertices. We prove a similar structure theorem for the case of an arbitrary prime power. These theorems are then used to obtain new upper bounds on the Cheeger constants of these graphs. These results lead immediately to similar results for Cayley graphs of the group PSL(2,Zn).
Spectacular Politics, Dramatic Interpretations: Multiple Meanings in the Thomas/Hill Hearings

Symbolic politics theories suggest that political events take on multiple meanings and that societal groups respond to a given event on the basis of different interpretations. We explore this claim through a quantitative case study of popular responses to a single political spectacle, the Senate hearings that investigated Anita Hill's claims against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. Our findings suggest that Hill and Thomas supporters responded to the hearings on the basis of fundamentally different considerations. Moreover, the considerations that drove support for each actor varied across groups defined by race, gender, and levels of media attention. Finally, different structures of consideration influenced the direction and extremity of mass responses to this spectacle. Our analysis supports interpretivist theories of political communication and casts doubt on the presumption that citizens with opposing responses to a political event share a common dimension of conflict. In addition, we argue that...
ASL CLeaR: STEM Education Tools for Deaf Students

In this paper, we introduce the American Sign Language STEM Concept Learning Resource (ASL CLeaR), an educational application demo. The ASL CLeaR addresses a need for quality ASL STEM resources by featuring expertly presented STEM content in ASL, and employing an ASL-based search function and a visuocentric search interface. This paper discusses the main objectives of the ASL CLeaR, describes the components of the application, and suggests future work that could lead to improved educational outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing students in STEM topics.
Postpolemical Historiography: A Response to Joseph W. Esherick

In the previous issue of this journal, Joseph Esherick (1998) launched a critique of my book Cherishing Men from Afar (1995). In addition to pointing out errors in the glossary and questioning some translations of Qing sources,' he took issue with my interpretation of the embassy; he seems to feel that the conventional understanding of the Macartney mission, usually filtered through John K. Fairbank's tribute system analysis of traditional sino-foreign relations, and apparently reinforced by his reading of Alain Peyrefitte's The Immobile Empire, (1992) required no modification. This assertion of the value of the status quo (probably best exemplified in his assumption that the writing of another history of a well-known event ought only to occur when new archival sources are discovered),2 his "revision" of my work into the standard narrative of the event, and his firm commitment to functionalist-legitimation theory of ritual stand in stark contrast to the polemical zeal that marks the essay's prose.3 The two, however, are related. In raising the specter of postmodern intellectual anarchy and disciplinary incompetency (my own and, presumably, that of the members of the Levenson committee as well), Esherick apparently wishes to deflect attention from the critical thrust of the arguments raised in the book. At the same time, he acknowledges there are certain, albeit limited, contributions to be found in it. These, however, are not seen as directly related to the historiographic, theoretical, and methodological issues around which the book is organized. Given Esherick's rhetorical strategy, one way of proceeding would be to explain why the frameworks he seems to prefer have become empirically and theoretically untenable, and then to review some of the
Comparing in situ mRNA expression patterns of drosophila embryos

In situ staining of a target mRNA at several time points during the development of a D. melanogaster embryo gives one a detailed spatio-temporal view of the expression pattern of a given gene. We have developed algorithms and software for analyzing a database of such images with the goal of being able to identify coordinately expressed genes and further our understanding of cis-regulatory control during embryogenesis. Our approach combines measures of similarity at both the global and local levels, based on Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) decompositions. At the global level, the observed distribution of pixel values is quantized using an adaptive GMM decomposition and then quantized images are compared using mutual information. At the local level, we decompose quantized images into 2-dimensional Gaussian kernels or "blobs" and then develop a blob-set matching method to search for the best matching traits in different pattern-images. A hybrid scoring method is proposed to combine both global and local matching results. We further develop a voting scheme to search for genes with similar spatial staining patterns over the time course of embryo development. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we compare it with several global image matching schemes and a controlled vocabulary method. We then apply our method to 4400 images of 136 genes to detect potentially co-regulated genes that have similar spatio-temporal patterns, using expert-annotation to evaluate our results.
Does the hematopoietic cell transplantation specific comorbidity index predict transplant outcomes? A validation study in a large cohort of umbilical cord blood and matched related donor transplants.

Abstract The hematopoietic cell transplantation specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) has been recently proposed to predict the probability of nonrelapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS) in allogeneic HCT recipients while taking into account any pretransplant comorbidity. We tested the validity of the HCT-CI in a cohort of 373 adult HCT recipients (184 matched-related donor and 189 unrelated umbilical cord blood) who received a myeloablative (N = 150) or nonmyeloablative (N = 223) conditioning regimen. HCT-CI scores of 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 were present in 58 (16%), 56 (15%), 64 (17%), and 195 (52%) patients, respectively. Pulmonary conditions were the most common comorbidity. Cumulative incidence of NRM at 2 years was 10%, 20%, 24%, and 28% for HCT-CI scores of 0, 1, 2, and ≥3, respectively (P = .01). The corresponding probability of OS at 2 years was 72%, 67%, 51%, and 48%, respectively (P
Stabilization of Basally Translated NF-κB-inducing Kinase (NIK) Protein Functions as a Molecular Switch of Processing of NF-κB2 p100

The non-canonical pathway based on processing of NF-κB2 precursor protein p100 to generate p52 plays a critical role in controlling B cell function and lymphoid organogenesis. Activation of this unique pathway by extracellular stimuli requires NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and de novo protein synthesis. However, how NIK is regulated is largely unknown. Here, we systematically analyzed NIK expression at different levels in the presence or absence of different NF-κB stimuli. We found that NIK mRNA is relatively abundant and undergoes constitutive protein synthesis in resting B cells. However, NIK protein is undetectable. Interestingly, protein expression of NIK is steadily induced by B cell-activating factor or CD40 ligand, two major physiological inducers of p100 processing, but not by mitogen phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/ionomycin or cytokine tumor necrosis factor α, two well known inducers of the canonical NF-κB signaling. Remarkably, both B cell-activating factor and CD40 ligand do not significantly induce expression of NIK at translational or transcriptional level but rather rescue the basally translated NIK protein from undergoing degradation. Furthermore, overexpressed or purified NIK protein triggers p100 processing in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitor. Taken together, these studies define one important mechanism of NIK regulation and the central role of NIK stabilization in the induction of p100 processing. These studies also provide the first evidence explaining why activation of the non-canonical NF-κB signaling is delayed and can be inhibited by protein synthesis inhibitor as well as why most classical NF-κB stimuli, including mitogens and tumor necrosis factor α, fail to induce p100 processing.
A plethora of progenitors in the post-natal prostate

In a recent study published in Nature Cell Biology, the Blanpain group used lineage tracing to show that multipotent progenitors can give rise to basal, luminal and neuroendocrine cells in the mouse prostate, placing them at the top of the epithelial hierarchy in this gland.
When trauma means a stoma.

Trauma is a leading cause of death and disability. When traumatic injuries require ostomy surgery, the wound, ostomy, and continence nurse acts as a crucial part of the trauma team. This literature review describes mechanisms of injury associated with creation of a stoma, key aspects of wound, ostom
Rapid, low-cost fluorescent assay of β-lactamase-derived antibiotic resistance and related antibiotic susceptibility

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is increasingly prevalent in low and middle income countries (LMICs), but the extent of the problem is poorly understood. This lack of knowledge is a critical deficiency, leaving local health authorities essentially blind to AR outbreaks and crippling their ability to provide effective treatment guidelines. The crux of the problem is the lack of microbiology laboratory capacity available in LMICs. To address this unmet need, we demonstrate a rapid and simple test of β-lactamase resistance (the most common form of AR) that uses a modified β-lactam structure decorated with two fluorophores quenched due to their close proximity. When the β-lactam core is cleaved by β-lactamase, the fluorophores dequench, allowing assay speeds of 20 min to be obtained with a simple, streamlined protocol. Furthermore, by testing in competition with antibiotics, the β-lactamase-associated antibiotic susceptibility can also be extracted. This assay can be easily implemented into standard lab work flows to provide near real-time information of β-lactamase resistance, both for epidemiological purposes as well as individualized patient care.
Bee venom phospholipase A2; effects on Drosophila larvae, HeLa cells and membranes.

Abstract P. H. Lowy , H. K. Mitchell and U. W. Tracy . Bee venom phospholipase A 2 : effects on Drosophila larvae, HeLa cells and membranes. Toxicon 14, 203–212, 1976.— Drosophila larvae injected with sublethal doses of bee venom phospholipase A 2 become lethargic, stop feeding and growing, but undergo metamorphosis and emerge as miniature flies which give rise to normal progeny. One-third of the electrophoretically homogeneous enzyme binds more strongly than the rest to membranes from larval tissue. The enzyme increases the permeability of the inner membrance of pigeon heart mitochondria, allowing passage of neutral molecules at least as large as tetrasaccharide. Electron microscope evidence shows a concentration-dependent swelling short of actual membrane disruption even at very high enzyme concentrations. The enzyme does not affect erythrocytes but causes the appearance of many lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of HeLa cells. The peculiar starvation-like effect of phospholipase A 2 on larvae may result from leakage due to conformational changes in membranes rather than extensive hydrolysis of membrane phospholipid.
1030 PRETRANSLATIONAL REGULATION OF THE SYNTHESIS OF THE THIRD COMPONENT OF COMPLEMENT (C3) IN HUMAN BLOOD MONOCYTES BY THE LIPID A PORTION OF LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (LPS)

1030 PRETRANSLATIONAL REGULATION OF THE SYNTHESIS OF THE THIRD COMPONENT OF COMPLEMENT (C3) IN HUMAN BLOOD MONOCYTES BY THE LIPID A PORTION OF LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (LPS)
Trends in the Operative Management and Outcomes of T4 Lung Cancer

Background This study describes temporal trends and variables in the operative management and outcomes of patients with T4 lung tumors in the general community. Methods Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results-Medicare data were used for a cohort study (1992 to 2002) of patients with stage IIIB lung cancer defined by T4 tumors. Patient characteristics, tumor size, nodal status, use of staging modalities, extent of resection, multi-modality therapy, and provider volume were examined. Follow-up death data were available through 2005. Results Among 13,077 cases of T4 lung tumors, 1177 patients (9%) underwent resection. Over time, use of mediastinoscopy (20%) did not change ( p = 0.49); mediastinal lymphadenectomy increased from 10% to 29% ( p p = 0.04). Five-year survival rates increased from 15% to 35% ( p p = 0.007). Conclusions Temporal changes in the operative management of T4 tumors coincided with improvements in long-term survival. Our findings corroborate prior work and practice guidelines supporting operative therapy for select patients with T4 lung cancer.
Integrated Methodology for Evaluation of Energy Performance of the Building Enclosures — Part 1: Test Program Development

As a result of increased concern with energy consumption in the industrial world, it is only natural to look towards the building sector to seek significant improvements to meet expectations of the society. After all, the building sector consumes more energy than the transportation sector. Yet, the procedures that are used to define the thermal performance of, for example a wall, are typically based on the tests performed on dry materials, without consideration of air and moisture movements. In other words, these tests represent arbitrary rating conditions because we know that the energy performance of materials and building assemblies are affected by moisture and air flows. It is believed that to improve their energy performance one must have more precise means of evaluation of their field performance that would also include the consideration of air and moisture transfer conditions. In the first part of this article a background for the evaluation of thermal performance by traditional testing with calibr...
George Dantzig in the development of economic analysis

The role of optimization is central to economic analysis, particularly in its ''neoclassical'' phase, since about 1870, and is therefore highly compatible with the impulse behind linear programming (LP), as developed by Dantzig. LP's stress on alternative activities fits very well with modern economic analysis. The concept of economic equilibrium, properly understood, required the central notion of complementary slackness. so central in LP. LP was seen as a tool for actual implementation of neoclassical principles precisely at a time when the market was under attack from several directions. The economists Koopmans and Hurwicz played an important role both in stimulating the crucial development of the simplex method and in relating LP to the world of economics. LP became widely used in national economic planning, particularly for developing countries, and for the study of individual industries, especially the energy sector. The works of Chenery and of Manne are central in these fields. As respect for the usefulness of the market increased, the emphasis on national planning diminished and was replaced by an emphasis on equilibrium analysis, in which LP still plays a large part in the study of individual sectors, particularly energy.
Physical layer architecture for 1-wire sensor communication bus: Binary channel Code Division Multiple Access

Researchers at The University of Iowa have encountered the need for an efficient 1-wire communication protocol for use in embedded systems and distributed wired sensors. One possible solution for this problem is the use of a Wired Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Although this approach has been investigated before, a key simplification can made with the use of a binary wired-OR channel. This paper develops the theory for such a protocol, including a mathematical formulation of the Bit Error Rate, and describes experiments that are being conducted to determine the validity of this approach, including a software simulation to calculate expected Bit Error Rate and prototype hardware to verify the practicality of this design.
Distribution and function of human ventricular beta adrenergic receptors in congestive heart failure

This study examined the characteristics and distribution of sarcolemmal and light vesicular beta-adrenergic receptors (BAR) in left ventricular myocardium from 15 adults (aged 17 to 58 years) without left ventricular dysfunction or coronary artery disease and 29 patients (aged 14 to 53 years) with end-stage congestive heart failure (CHF). Sarcolemmal and intracellular fractions were prepared by 40,000 x g and 108,000 x g centrifugation, respectively. Agonist and antagonist binding properties were assessed by nonlinear computer modelling of isoproterenol-125I-pindolol (IPIN) displacement curves. Adenylate cyclase activity was also examined. Distribution of intracellular and sarcolemmal BAR was similar in normal and failing left ventricular myocardium, with intracellular BAR comprising 4.5 +/- 2.2% of total BAR in normal human heart and 5.7 +/- 5.1% of total BAR in CHF patients. For sarcolemmal BAR, antagonist affinity was similar for normal and CHF patients (KD IPIN in normals, 21.7 +/- 2.6 pM; KD IPIN in CHF, 20 +/- 2.3 pM). Agonist affinity was somewhat higher in CHF patients (KD isoproterenol in normals, 33 +/- 4.9 nM; KD isoproterenol in CHF, 6.2 +/- 1.5 nM). Sarcolemmal BAR number was reduced in CHF from 21.4 +/- 2.9 to 16.4 +/- 1.3 fmol/mg protein (P less than 0.04). Cyclic AMP production (pmol/mg protein/min above basal) was less in CHF after Gpp(NH)p stimulation (normals, 82 +/- 20; CHF, 27 +/- 9; P less than 0.01) and after stimulation with Gpp(NH)p + isoproterenol (normals, 129 +/- 25; CHF, 56 +/- 13; P less than 0.02). Stimulation with manganese + forskolin resulted in similar levels of cyclic AMP production in normals and in CHF patients. We conclude that: (a) sarcolemmal BAR number is reduced in CHF, but BAR are not redistributed intracellularly and (b) beta-adrenergic transmembrane signalling in CHF is also impaired at the level of the guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins.
Catalyst supports for polymer electrolyte fuel cells

A major challenge in obtaining long-term durability in fuel cells is to discover catalyst supports that do not corrode, or corrode much more slowly than the current carbon blacks used in today's polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Such materials must be sufficiently stable at low pH (acidic conditions) and high potential, in contact with the polymer membrane and under exposure to hydrogen gas and oxygen at temperatures up to perhaps 120 degrees C. Here, we report the initial discovery of a promising class of doped oxide materials for this purpose: Ti(1-x)M(x)O(2), where M=a variety of transition metals. Specifically, we show that Ti(0.7)W(0.3)O(2) is electrochemically inert over the appropriate potential range. Although the process is not yet optimized, when Pt nanoparticles are deposited on this oxide, electrochemical experiments show that hydrogen is oxidized and oxygen reduced at rates comparable to those seen using a commercial Pt on carbon black support.
Efficient detection and resolution of generalized distributed deadlocks

We present an efficient one-phase algorithm that consists of two concurrent sweeps of messages to detect generalized distributed deadlocks. In the outward sweep, the algorithm records a snapshot of a distributed wait-for-graph (WFG). In the inward sweep, the algorithm performs reduction of the recorded distributed WFG to check for a deadlock. The two sweeps can overlap in time at a process. We prove the correctness of the algorithm. The algorithm has a worst-case message complexity of 4e/spl minus/2n+2l and a time complexity of 2d hops, where e is the number of edges, n is the number of nodes, l is the number of leaf nodes, and d is the diameter of the WFG. This is a notable improvement over the existing algorithms to detect generalized deadlocks. >
Phospholipase A of Yersinia enterocolitica contributes to pathogenesis in a mouse model.

Some isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica exhibit phospholipase activity, which has been linked to lecithin-dependent hemolysis (M. Tsubokura, K. Otsoki, I. Shimohira, and H. Yamamoto, Infect. Immun. 25:939–942, 1979). A gene encoding Y. enterocolitica phospholipase was identified, and analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed two tandemly transcribed open reading frames. The first, yplA, has 74% identity and 85% similarity to the phospholipase A found in Serratia liquefaciens. Though the other, yplB, was less similar to the downstream accessory protein found in S. liquefaciens, the organization in both species is similar. Subsequently, a yplA-null Y. enterocolitica strain, YEDS10, was constructed and demonstrated to be phospholipase negative by plate and spectrophotometric assays. To ascertain whether the phospholipase has a role in pathogenesis, YEDS10 was tested in the mouse model. In experiments with perorally infected BALB/c mice, fewer YEDS10 organisms were recovered from the mesenteric lymph nodes and Peyer’s patches (PP) than the parental strain at 3 or 5 days postinfection. Furthermore, bowel tissue and PP infected with YEDS10 appeared to be less inflamed than those infected with the parental strain. When extremely high doses of both the parental and YEDS10 strains were given, similar numbers of viable bacteria were recovered from the PP and mesenteric lymph nodes on day 3. However, the numbers of foci and the extent of inflammation and necrosis within them were noticeably less for YEDS10 compared to the parental strain. Together these findings suggest that Y. enterocolitica produces a phospholipase A which has a role in pathogenesis.
Animals, empathy, and violence: can animals be used to convey principles of prosocial behavior to children?

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a school-based violence prevention/intervention and character education program that uses rescued shelter dogs to teach antiviolence and prosocial messages...
Cerebral vasculitis associated with cocaine abuse.

Earlier reports of cocaine-associated cerebral vasculitis have been based primarily on angiographic findings without pathological verification.We present a case of acute encephalopathy following intravenous and intranasal administration of cocaine. Brain biopsy revealed vascular changes involving primarily small arteries. Findings included lymphocytic infiltration, endothelial thickening, and deposition of proteinaceous amorphous material within and around vessel walls.These abnormalities are consistent with pathological features of arteritis previously reported in association with amphetamine and multiple-drug abuse. Vasospasm-induced changes are an alternative explanation for the vascular picture seen in this case. The patient made modest improvement with high-dose intravenous steroids.
Recent Gross Intramural Plaque Hemorrhage in Asymptomatic High-Grade Carotid Stenosis:

Les malades avec une stenose carotidienne asymptomatique d'un diametre de 75% ou plus et soit une carotidopathie symptomatique controlaterale et une coronaropathie ou aortopathie abdominale symptomatique peuvent presenter un plus grand risque de manifestations neurologiques
External light guidance for percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy

Background Percutaneous dilatational tracheotomy (PDT) is considered a safe technique; however, there is still room for improvement. We present our initial experience with an external white light guide to position the endotracheal tube and guide needle placement during PDT. Methods This is a retrospective series of 15 consecutive patients undergoing external light–guided PDT. A white light source was placed on the anterior trachea wall externally and the transmitted light was identified in the tracheal lumen with a bronchoscopic to predict the needle entrance point. Results The transmitted light was rapidly identified in all 15 patients, facilitated endotracheal tube tip placement in the subglottis in approximately 10 seconds in 13 of 15 patients, and predicted needle penetration into the trachea within 1 to 2 mm of the external light in all patients. Conclusions External light guidance facilitates rapid, accurate placement of the needle through the tracheal wall and can reduce surgeon anxiety, especially in teaching situations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Formal and informal group communication structures: An examination of their relationship to role ambiguity

Abstract This study systematically explores the relative impacts of formal and emergent group communication structures on social contagion processes related to role ambiguity. This study was conducted in an Eastern, state-wide, non-profit lobbying organization. The results suggest that communication network groupings have a clearer association with role ambiguity than an entire network of relationships. However, contrary to our hypothesis, no clear distinction could be made concerning the relative impact of formal and informal groups on these processes.