cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of short-term carbon mineralization in roots of biofuel crops in soils

Various crops have been used for energy production while striving to maintain C storage derived from roots in soils. To better understand and document the rates of root decomposition in biofuel cropping systems, we compared the evolution of CO2 from roots incubated with samples of two Iowa Mollisols (Clarion and Nicollet). Root samples were collected from experimental plots for four cropping systems: a multispecies reconstructed prairie, grown with and without N fertilization, and continuous corn, grown with and without a ryegrass cover crop. Major structural components of the root samples (lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose) as well as chemical composition (total C and N) were assessed. The root materials were incubated for 30 days at room temperature (22 °C) by using an incubation apparatus with continuous airflow. The decomposition rates and half-lives of rapidly and slowly decomposable C fractions were calculated by fitting a two-component first-order kinetic model to the data. Mineralizable C ranged from 7 to 13 % of the added C. When the data for the two soils were combined, the CO2-C evolved was positively correlated with both the C/N ratio (r = 0.88**, p < 0.01) and the lignin/N ratio (r = 0.89**, p < 0.01) of the roots. For the Clarion soil, first-order decomposition rate constants for the rapid fraction ranged from 0.07 to 0.69 day−1, whereas for the Nicollet soil they ranged from 0.09 to 0.66 day−1. For both soils, the half-lives of the rapidly decomposable fraction ranged from 1 to 10 days, and half-lives of 204 to 770 days were observed for the slowly decomposable fractions. Among the cropping systems studied, the rapidly decomposable fraction of roots derived from the unfertilized prairie treatment was the largest. Those root residues also had the highest hemicellulose index and higher concentrations of arabinose, galactose, glucose, and xylose sugars than did roots of the other crops. Other decomposition parameters, such as the decomposition rates and half-lives obtained from the two-component model, were not correlated with the root composition parameters studied. Our results suggest that lignin did not inhibit the early rate of root C mineralization in mixed perennial crops. That information could be useful in refining models of root C dynamics in daily time steps or at the scale of a single growing season.
Biochemical diagnosis of fatty acid oxidation disorders by metabolite analysis of postmortem liver

Abstract At least 12 fatty acid oxidation disorders are known to be responsible for cases of sudden and unexpected death in early childhood. A specific diagnosis of these disorders is essential for genetic counseling and for the screening of siblings potentially at risk for life-threatening episodes of fasting intolerance. Postmortem blood and urine samples often are not available for further biochemical studies, and currently only medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency can be diagnosed by the molecular analysis of tissues. We developed a postmortem screening method for fatty acid oxidation disorders by the simultaneous measurement of C 8 C 20 fatty acids, glucose, lactate, and other metabolites from the methanol wash of a pellet obtained by ultracentrifugation of liver homogenate. Cis -4-decenoic acid was present in five confirmed cases with MCAD deficiency and in one case with glutaric aciduria type II and was absent in 97 of 100 randomly chosen sudden death cases, at least 81 of which were diagnosed as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). C 14 C 18 monounsaturated fatty acids were significantly elevated in the one examined case affected with long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCAD) deficiency. The metabolite profiles in two cases with carnitine uptake deficiency were less informative, but they shared with all the other disease controls a very low glucose concentration, a finding compatible with premortem hypoglycemia. This method is proposed as a simple and practical means of biochemical screening to follow up the postmortem finding of liver fat infiltration.
Synthesis of P-chiral, phosphorothioic acid analogs of N-phospholeucinamide

Abstract A diastereomeric mixture of R p - and S p - N-[O-methyl phosphorothioic acid]leucinamides were synthesized by thiophosphorylation of leucinamide followed by monodealkylation of the phosphate methyl ester. Individual diastereomers were prepared by a sequence utilizing selective protection of the thioic acid moiety as the S-benzyl group, chromatographic separation, and deprotection.
The Effect of pH‐Temperature Treatments on the Calcium Accumulating Ability of Purified Sarcoplasmic Reticulum

SUMMARY: Pig sarcoplasmic reticulum fragments obtained from the longissimus dorsi muscle at 0- and 24-hours post-mortem were purified by salt extraction and density gradient centrifugation. The calcium uptake activity of 0-hour purified preparations was more than 20-fold higher than that from 24-hr old muscles, but there was no significant difference between fractions for calcium activated ATPase activities. When observed electron microscopically after negative staining, the ultrastructures of the 0. and 24-hour membrane fragments were found to be essentially identical. Incubation of isolated sacroplasmic reticulum fragments at pH 7.2 and 37°C or pH 5.6 and 0°C caused negligible inhibitoin of their calcium accumulating ability. However, treatment at pH 5.6 and 37°C for 1 hr almost completely abolished the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium uptake. Thus it appears that low muscle pH and high temperature may be responsible for the inactivation of the calcium accumulating ability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum that occurs in situ.
Unexpected arousal, anxiety sensitivity, and their interaction on CO2-induced panic: Further evidence for the context-sensitivity vulnerability model

The present experiment tested several predictions derived from the context-sensitivity vulnerability model of panic. Participants (N = 79) scoring either high or low in anxiety sensitivity (AS) and with no history of unexpected panic were randomly assigned to one of two instructional sets: expected arousal (EA) or expected relaxation (ER). All participants were administered inhalation of room air and 35% CO2 in a counterbalanced order. Consistent with theoretical predictions, High-AS participants who received ER instructions showed greater emotional responding compared to High-AS participants who received EA instructions, while instructional set did not affect responding among Low-AS participants. Panic attacks were observed in 52% of the High-AS-ER group compared to 17%, 5%, and 5% in the High-AS-EA, Low-AS-ER, and Low-AS-EA groups respectively. These findings are consistent with the theory's assertion that dispositional tendencies, such as anxiety sensitivity potentiate the panicogenic effects of threat-relevant context variables.
The Relation of Certain Factors to the Drying of Whey Mixtures on the Atmospheric Drum Drier

Summary 1.Some material which will form a sheet when scraped from the drum must be mixed with whey to dry it satisfactorily on the atmospheric drum drier. 2.Sweet skim milk was found to be such a material. A satisfactory drying combination was obtained by mixing sweet whey and sweet skim milk together in equal amounts. 3.As the titratable acidity of the whey increased, the amount of sweet skim milk required to produce a satisfactory drying combination also increased. 4.Reducing the acidity of sour whey in varying degrees with sodium hydroxide enables one to dry it by using only slightly more skim milk than was required with whey which had developed lactic acid to a corresponding degree of acidity. 5.Sweet whey acidified to various degrees of acidity with hydrochloric or sulphuric acid gave practically the same results as whey which had developed lactic acid to a corresponding acidity. 6.Precondensing the skim milk to be used as the drying agent, enables one to satisfactorily dry a mixture of skim milk solids and whey of a higher lactose/nitrogen ratio at any given whey acidity than was possible when non-condensed skim milk was used. 7.Sour whey neutralized to various degrees of acidity and dried with condensed skim milk, would dry with about as high lactose/nitrogen ratio as whey which had developed lactic acid to a corresponding degree of acidity. 8.Precondensing the whey seemed to have no beneficial effect insofar as the drying properties of mixtures were concerned. 9.It was not possible to dry a mixture of as high a lactose/nitrogen ratio when casein was used for mixing with whey for drying as when other sources of milk solids were used. 10.Spray process powdered skim milk proved satisfactory for mixing with whey for drying when used at the rate of 8 pounds to 100 pounds of sweet whey. 11.Powdered skim milk prepared by the atmospheric drum process did not prove satisfactory, even when used at the rate of 20 pounds per 100 pounds of sweet whey. 12.Ground and sifted cereals, such as corn starch, wheat flour, oats, and barley proved satisfactory as a material to be added to whey when used at the rate of 3–3 3 4 pounds per 100 pounds of liquid whey. An increase in the titratable acidity of the whey increased slightly the amount of wheat flour or corn starch necessary to produce a satisfactory film, but did not increase the amount of either ground oats or barley required. 13.Similar results have been obtained in all cases with cheddar cheese whey and with acid-type cottage cheese whey.
Predictor-corrector procedures for stress and free vibration analysis of multilayered composite plates and shells

Abstract A study is made of two predictor-corrector procedures for the accurate determination of the global, as well as detailed, static and vibrational response characteristics of plates and shells. Both procedures use first-order shear deformation theory in the predictor phase, but differ in the elements of the computational model being adjusted in the corrector phase. The first procedure calculates a posteriori estimates of the composite correction factors and uses them to adjust the transverse shear stiffnesses of the plate (or shell). The second procedure calculates a posteriori the functional dependence of the displacement components on the thickness coordinate. The corrected quantities are then used in conjunction with the three-dimensional equations to obtain better estimates for the different response quantities. Extensive numerical results are presented showing the effects of variation in the geometric and lamination parameters for antisymmetrically laminated anisotropic plates, and simply supported multilayered orthotropic cylinders, on the accuracy of the linear static and free vibrational responses obtained by the predictor-corrector procedures. Comparison is also made with the solutions obtained by other computational models based on two-dimensional shear deformation theories. For each problem the standard of comparison is taken to be the analytic three-dimensional elasticity solution. The numerical examples clearly demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the predictor-corrector procedures.
Still looking for leadership--who is responsible for student nurses' learning in practice?

Summary The study on which this paper reports examined how the widespread changes in the NHS workforce and in higher education which have transformed nurse education in recent decades have impacted on responsibility for the leadership of student nurse learning in clinical practice. Findings from this mixed methods case study carried out at four English higher education institutions between 2006 and 2007 suggest that link lecturers' presence in clinical areas is diminishing, and that practice nurses' involvement with pre-registration students' learning may be limited. Ward managers lead learning at ward level but changes to their role limit their presence on the wards, so that mentors lead student learning on a day to day basis, which they must balance with caring for patients. Changes to the nurse's role mean that modelling bedside care often falls to health care assistants. This deficit of leadership for learning may be understood as a manifestation of the ‘uncoupling' of education and practice following the move of nurse education into higher education and subsequent changes to nursing roles. Strengthening leadership for learning is likely to be associated with recoupling practice and education and indicators to assess the quality of leadership for learning in clinical practice are suggested.
Line-edge roughness transfer function and its application to determining mask effects in EUV resist characterization

The control of line-edge roughness (LER) of features printed in photoresist poses significant challenges to next-generation lithography techniques such as extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Achieving adequately low LER levels will require accurate resist characterization as well as the ability to separate resist effects from other potential contributors to LER. One significant potential contributor is LER on the mask. Here we explicitly study the mask to resist LER coupling using both analytical and computer-simulation methods. We present what is to our knowledge a new imaging transfer function referred to as the LER transfer function (LTF), which fundamentally differs from both the conventional modulation transfer function and the optical transfer function. Moreover, we present experimental results demonstrating the impact of current EUV masks on projection-lithography-based LER experiments.
The purification and properties of glutathione peroxidase of erythrocytes.

phenylhydrazine and hydrogen peroxide were prepared fresh as needed for the various experimental procedures. The hydrogen peroxide concentration was determined by titration with a standardized permanganate solution. Horseradish peroxidase was obtained from Nutritional Biochemicals Corporation. Diethylaminoethyl cellulose1 was prepared from Solka-Floe as described by Peterson and Sober (8). Titration curves of the lyophilized preparation showed the presence of 0.9 m.eq. of ionizing groups per gm. of dry material. Methods-All spectrophotometric measurements were made with a model DU Beckman spectrophotometer. Optical density readings at 270 rnp were used as a routine measure of the protein concentration in eluent fractions. The optical density readings at 270 rnp of a solution of the purified enzyme preparation were correlated with the protein nitrogen content of this same sample by a nitrogen analysis carried out by the Kjeldahl procedure (9). Catalase activity was measured by the method of Feinstein (10).
Training in pathology informatics: implementation at the University of Pittsburgh.

Abstract Context.—Pathology informatics is generally recognized as an important component of pathology training, but the scope, form, and goals of informatics training vary substantially between pa...
Generalized Cramer-Rao bound and the location parameter case

A generalization of the Cramer-Rao (C-R) bound is derived for the p-th moment of any unbiased location parameter estimator. The relationship between the generalized C-R bound and the generalized Gaussian density is examined. A looser bound is also provided for the case of a mixture of generalized Gaussian densities as well as the case of multiple independent generalized Gaussian observations. >
A Resource-Based Perspective on the Dynamic Strategy-Performance Relationship: An Empirical Examination of the Focus and Differentiation Strategies in Entrepreneurial Firms

This research applies a resource-based perspective, which emphusizes a firm’s specialized or unique resources, to the question of how the focus and differentiation strategies affect the economic performance of entrepreneurial firms. We develop dynamic models that separate the period of creating or acquiring these resources from subsequent periods. With longitudinal data on entrepreneurial software firms, we examine the dynamic effects of multiple forms of these strategies on a firm’s performance. The results generally support the hypotheses that, when the focus and differentiation strategies are established, performance is higher than for other firms. The results fail to support the hypothesis that firm performance will decrease when these strategies are adopted.
The Effect of Dairy Compost on Summer Annual Grasses Grown as Alternative Silages

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannibinus) var. “India”, lablab (Lablab purpureus) variety “Tecomate,” combine and iron-clay cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata), and sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) S682 and S573 were planted at the Stephenville Research and Extension Center in the spring seasons of 1998 and 1999. Dairy compost was incorporated into half the plots prior to seeding both years at 11.2 t DM ha−1. Average days to maturity and number of harvests per season varied from 66 to 84 d and 1 to 3 harvests, respectively. Average yields were highest for kenaf (13,762 kg DM ha−1 yr−1) followed by lablab (7,925 kg DM ha−1 yr−1). Acid detergent fiber and lignin DM concentrations were lowest in kenaf (average 26.9 and 3.57%, respectively) and cowpeas (average 25.9 and 4.39%, respectively). Crude protein and phosphorus (P) concentrations were high in the iron-clay cowpea (22.3 and 0.269, respectively), combine cowpea (18.3 and 0.276%, respectively), lablab (16.8 and 0.268%, respectively), and kenaf (14.9 and 0.204%, respectively) and relatively low in the sunflower (9.7 and 0.174%, respectively). Compost increased forage yields 21.6% and forage P concentration 18.8% following the second year’s application. Compost was applied to supply 130 kg P ha−1 yr−1; on average, forages removed only 34.2 kg P ha−1 yr−1. As a result, soil P was 2.4 times higher in plots with compost (26.9 ppm) by the end of the 2-yr trial. Kenaf had the highest P uptake, averaging 56.6 kg P ha−1 over 2 yr, accounting for 43% of the P applied.
A scalable protocol for deadlock and livelock free co-allocation of resources in Internet computing

Computing over the Internet is becoming increasingly popular. With the emerging infrastructures such as computational grids, it is possible to develop applications that support various Internet-wide collaborations through seamlessly harnessing appropriate Internet resources. Yet, as Internet computing is becoming pervasive, it also presents a number of new challenges in designing efficient resource allocation protocol that provides clear directives on the acquisition of shared resources. In particular, the problem of co-allocating distributed Internet resources that span multiple administrative domains is complicated by the need for scalability, the availability of alternative co-allocation schemes, and the possibility of deadlock and livelock. Motivated by this, this paper develops a new scalable protocol for fast co-allocation of Internet resources. The proposed protocol is free from deadlock and livelock, and seeks to effectively exploit the available alternative resource co-allocation schemes through parallelization of requests for required resources. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed protocol yields a significant performance improvement over the existing deadlock prevention protocol.
Persistent telomere cohesion triggers a prolonged anaphase

Telomeres use distinct mechanisms (not used by arms or centromeres) to mediate cohesion between sister chromatids. However, the motivation for a specialized mechanism at telomeres is not well understood. Here we show, using fluorescence in situ hybridization and live-cell imaging, that persistent sister chromatid cohesion at telomeres triggers a prolonged anaphase in normal human cells and cancer cells. Excess cohesion at telomeres can be induced by inhibition of tankyrase 1, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase that is required for resolution of telomere cohesion, or by overexpression of proteins required to establish telomere cohesion, the shelterin subunit TIN2 and the cohesin subunit SA1. Regardless of the method of induction, excess cohesion at telomeres in mitosis prevents a robust and efficient anaphase. SA1- or TIN2-induced excess cohesion and anaphase delay can be rescued by overexpression of tankyrase 1. Moreover, we show that primary fibroblasts, which accumulate excess telomere cohesion at mitosis naturally during replicative aging, undergo a similar delay in anaphase progression that can also be rescued by overexpression of tankyrase 1. Our study demonstrates that there are opposing forces that regulate telomere cohesion. The observation that cells respond to unresolved telomere cohesion by delaying (but not completely disrupting) anaphase progression suggests a mechanism for tolerating excess cohesion and maintaining telomere integrity. This attempt to deal with telomere damage may be ultimately futile for aging fibroblasts but useful for cancer cells.
On-Board Patient Positioning for Head-and-Neck IMRT: Comparing Digital Tomosynthesis to Kilovoltage Radiography and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Purpose High-precision intensity-modulated radiotherapy demands high patient positioning accuracy. On-board digital tomosynthesis (DTS) provides three-dimensional (3D) image guidance for daily positioning with a lower imaging dose, faster acquisition, and more geometric flexibility than 3D cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This clinical study evaluated DTS as a daily imaging technique for patient positioning and compared the results with 3D CBCT and two-dimensional (2D) radiography. Methods and Materials Head and neck cancer patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy were studied. For each session, the patient was positioned using laser marks. On-board imaging data sets, including 2D kilovoltage radiographs, DTS, and CBCT, were obtained to measure the daily patient positioning variations. The mean and standard deviations of the positioning variations in the translational and rotational directions were calculated. The positioning differences among 2D radiography, DTS, and CBCT were analyzed. Results Image data sets were collected from 65 treatment fractions for 10 patients. The systematic patient positioning variation was Conclusion Our results have demonstrated that DTS is a comparable 3D imaging technique to CBCT for daily patient positioning of head-and-neck patients as determined by manual registration of bony anatomy.
Newly discovered Paleogene deltaic sequence in Katawaz basin, Pakistan, and its tectonic implications

In the Katawaz basin, Pakistan, the deltaic and turbidite facies of the Khojak Formation are the Paleogene analogue of the modern Indus River emptying into the Arabian Sea to form the Indus delta-fan system. Facies identified include upper continental slope to prodelta, distal to proximal distributary mouth bar, distributary channel, interdistributary bay, estuary, fluvial channel, natural levee, and flood plains of lower and upper delta plains. The proposed model is a fluvial-dominated, wave-modified delta that axially fed Khojak submarine-fan turbidites, exposed in the southwestern part of the basin. These sediments were eroded from the early Himalayan orogenic highlands and transported southwestward down the axis of the Katawaz remnant ocean basin.
Categorial Grammars as Theories of Language

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in categorial grammar as a framework for formulating empirical theories about natural language. This conference bears witness to that revival of interest. How well does this framework fare when used in this way? And how well do particular theories in what we might call the family of categorial theories fare when they are put up against the test of natural language description and explanation? I say ‘family’ of theories, for there have been a number of different developments, all of which take off from the fundamental idea of a categorial grammar as it was first introduced by Ajdukiewicz and later modified and studied by Bar-Hillel, Curry, and Lambek. In this paper I would like to discuss these questions, considering a number of different hypotheses that have been put forward within the broad framework that we may call ‘extended categorial grammar’ and making a few comparisons with other theories. In my remarks, I will take as a general framework the program and set of assumptions that have been called ‘extended Montague grammar’ and in particular a slightly modified version of Montague’s ‘Universal Grammar’ (UG: Paper 7 in Montague, 1974). From this point of view, the syntax of a language is looked at as a kind of algebra. Then, the empirical problem of categorial grammar can be seen as part of a general program that tries to answer these questions: (A) What is the set of primitive and derived categories that we need to describe and explain natural languages in their syntax and semantics (and phonology, etc.)? (B) What are the operations that we need to describe and explain natural languages (in the syntax, semantics, phonology, morphology, etc.)? (C) What are the relations that we need in order to hook up with each other the various categories and operations mentioned or alluded to in (A) and (B)?
Ceci n'est pas une pipe bombe: authoring urban landscapes with air quality sensors

Our work explores the convergence between participatory sensing, political activism and public expressions. Unlike prior research, which focuses on personal sensing, we present low-cost, networked air quality sensors, designed to be repositioned across public landscapes by communities of citizen stakeholders. Our GPS-enabled sensors report dust, exhaust, or VOC's (volatile organic compounds), along with temperature, humidity and light levels to a website that visualizes this data in real time. The sensors can be attached to a variety of surfaces serving as research probes to demarcate ('tag') public spaces with environmental concerns. We deploy our fully functional system with four urban communities - parents, bicyclists, homeless and activists, positioning our system as a tool for studying and supporting community togetherness and public activism. Our findings highlight community sharing of the physical sensors and dialogues surrounding the collected data.
Starch Formation in the Cereal Endosperm

Starch comprises ∼70% of the dry weight of a cereal seed. Because the vast majority of this starch is in the cereal endosperm and cereals are the major agricultural plants grown world-wide, endosperm starch is the largest single contributor to the world's calorie supply. Starch biosynthesis in the endosperm is described herein. Emphasis is placed on classical “biochemical genetics”, with the central theme of deciphering the biochemical lesions conditioned by mutants. These types of analyses have uncovered complexities in the pathway that were/are undetectable by other methods. Unexpected conclusions are highlighted. Starch synthesis in the endosperm is contrasted with its biogenesis in other tissues. Possible application of principles derived from endosperm starch synthesis to other biochemical pathways is discussed.
Speech Production/Phonological Deficits in Reading-Disordered Children

Speech production/articulation was examined in reading-disordered and normal children. Subjects participated in three tasks involving the production of multisyllabic words and phonologically complex phrases. Results demonstrated that the reading-disordered children made significantly more speech production errors than normal children in each of the tasks. Furthermore, the reading-disordered children's performance on the speech production tasks was correlated with their reading ability. It is concluded that the speech production difficulties of the reading-disordered children are a reflection of their various deficits in phonological processing.
DivergentSet, a Tool for Picking Non-redundant Sequences from Large Sequence Collections

DivergentSet addresses the important but so far neglected bioinformatics task of choosing a representative set of sequences from a larger collection. We found that using a phylogenetic tree to guide the construction of divergent sets of sequences can be up to 2 orders of magnitude faster than the naive method of using a full distance matrix. By providing a user-friendly interface (available online) that integrates the tasks of finding additional sequences, building and refining the divergent set, producing random divergent sets from the same sequences, and exporting identifiers, this software facilitates a wide range of bioinformatics analyses including finding significant motifs and covariations. As an example application of DivergentSet, we demonstrate that the motifs identified by the motif-finding package MEME (Motif Elicitation by Maximum Entropy) are highly unstable with respect to the specific choice of sequences. This instability suggests that the types of sensitivity analysis enabled by DivergentSet may be widely useful for identifying the motifs of biological significance.
A certified type-preserving compiler from lambda calculus to assembly language

We present a certified compiler from the simply-typed lambda calculus to assembly language. The compiler is certified in the sense that it comes with a machine-checked proof of semantics preservation, performed with the Coq proof assistant. The compiler and the terms of its several intermediate languages are given dependent types that guarantee that only well-typed programs are representable. Thus, type preservation for each compiler pass follows without any significant "proofs" of the usual kind. Semantics preservation is proved based on denotational semantics assigned to the intermediate languages. We demonstrate how working with a type-preserving compiler enables type-directed proof search to discharge large parts of our proof obligations automatically.
Social Integration and Social Support Among Older Adults Following Driving Cessation

Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of driving cessation on social integration and perceived support from relatives and friends among older adults. Methods. Data came from the population-based Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. We restricted analyses to participants aged 60þ with a history of driving (n ¼ 398). Social integration (number and frequency of contact) and perceived social support from relatives/friends, driving status (continuing or ceased), and demographic and health characteristics were assessed at interviews 13 years apart. The potential mediating role of ability to use public transit was also investigated. We used repeated measures random-intercept models to evaluate the effect of driving cessation on social network characteristics over time. Results. Former drivers were older, were more likely to be female and non-White, had lower education, had poorer self-rated health, and had lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores relative to continuing drivers. Over the follow-up period, cessation was associated with reduced network of friends (odds ratio ¼ 0.49, p < .05). This association was not mediated by ability to use public transportation. Cessation had no impact on support from friends or relatives.
Refractoriness of lymph-node cells from tumour-bearing animals.

In vitro lymphocyte stimulation by mitomycin-C-blocked tumor cells has been used to demonstrate tumor-specific antigens in syngeneic murine systems and to follow the evolution of tumor immunity with the tumor-bearing state. Mitomycin-blocked tumor cells stimulated syngeneic lymphocytes from normal mice, from those bearing small tumors (less than 1 cm in diameter) and from tumor-immune mice, sensitized by tumor-cell inoculation and subsequent tumor removal, to undergo increased DNA synthesis as measured by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine. However, lymphnode cells from mice bearing tumors over 1 cm in diameter appeared to be maximally stimulated in vivo and incapable of further stimulation by the same tumor cells in vitro. This was reflected by the progressively increasing background levels of nucleic acid synthesis with the length of tumor-bearing and the size of the tumor. Although lymphnode cells from mice with large tumors did not respond to the same tumor cells in vitro, they did have normal responses to PHA. Within 7–14 days of surgical removal of the tumor, specific lymphocyte responsiveness and background activity returned to previous normal levels, but reinoculation with 106 tumor cells resulted in progressive tumor growth and loss of specific in vitro responsiveness when the second tumor had reached the critical size of 1 cm in diameter. Brief exposure of tumor-immune lymph-node cells to a soluble antigen extract of the same tumor resulted in a marked increase in DNA synthetic activity compared to that obtained after exposure to an extract of a different tumor or an extract of normal muscle tissue. Normally responsive tumor-immune lymph-node cells, after brief exposure to a different tumor extract, muscle extract or medium alone underwent stimulation when cultured with mitomycin-blocked tumor cells. However, normally responsive tumor-immune lymph-node cells, after brief exposure to a soluble antigen extract of the same tumor, initially underwent increased DNA synthesis, but were incapable of further stimulation by mitomycinblocked tumor cells. Tumor antigen, alone or complexed with antibody, was also demonstrated in the sera of mice bearing large tumors and is thought to be responsible for the refractoriness of lymph-node cells from these mice to further stimulation in vitro. These experiments demonstrate that tumor size and the consequent antigen load to which the tumor-bearing animals is subjected have a profound effect on tumor-specific lymphocyte responsiveness.
Directional Trans-Synaptic Labeling of Specific Neuronal Connections in Live Animals

Understanding animal behavior and development requires visualization and analysis of their synaptic connectivity, but existing methods are laborious or may not depend on trans-synaptic interactions. Here we describe a transgenic approach for in vivo labeling of specific connections in Caenorhabditis elegans, which we term iBLINC. The method is based on BLINC (Biotin Labeling of INtercellular Contacts) and involves trans-synaptic enzymatic transfer of biotin by the Escherichia coli biotin ligase BirA onto an acceptor peptide. A BirA fusion with the presynaptic cell adhesion molecule NRX-1/neurexin is expressed presynaptically, whereas a fusion between the acceptor peptide and the postsynaptic protein NLG-1/neuroligin is expressed postsynaptically. The biotinylated acceptor peptide::NLG-1/neuroligin fusion is detected by a monomeric streptavidin::fluorescent protein fusion transgenically secreted into the extracellular space. Physical contact between neurons is insufficient to create a fluorescent signal, suggesting that synapse formation is required. The labeling approach appears to capture the directionality of synaptic connections, and quantitative analyses of synapse patterns display excellent concordance with electron micrograph reconstructions. Experiments using photoconvertible fluorescent proteins suggest that the method can be utilized for studies of protein dynamics at the synapse. Applying this technique, we find connectivity patterns of defined connections to vary across a population of wild-type animals. In aging animals, specific segments of synaptic connections are more susceptible to decline than others, consistent with dedicated mechanisms of synaptic maintenance. Collectively, we have developed an enzyme-based, trans-synaptic labeling method that allows high-resolution analyses of synaptic connectivity as well as protein dynamics at specific synapses of live animals.
Self-Esteem Within the Work and Organizational Context: A Review of the Organization-Based Self-Esteem Literature

On numerous occasions it has been suggested that an individual’s self-esteem, formed around work and organizational experiences, plays a significant role in determining employee motivation, work-related attitudes and behaviors. We review more than a decade of research on an organization-based conceptualization of self-esteem. It is observed that sources of organization structure, signals about worth from the organization, as well as, success-building role conditions predict organization-based self-esteem. In addition, organization-based self-esteem is related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment, motivation, citizenship behavior, in-role performance, and turnover intentions, as well as, other important organization-related attitudes and behaviors. Explanations for these effects and directions for future research are discussed.
Concussion Management: What is Our Role?

In sports such as football, wrestling, and ice hockey, a minor “ding” or mild concussion is often an expected right of passage, or at least an expected injury. Being “in a fog” after a tackle, or a minor headache after a collision, is often considered “no big deal” to most athletes. Master comments that in boxing “being knocked-out is not considered dangerous but just part of the sport”, in fact few coaches are aware that this change in mental status is actually a sign of brain injury. (McCrory, 2004) These neurological injuries both in isolation and in series must be taken seriously if we are to protect the athlete. Numerous physicians and clinical researchers have dedicated their lives work to a systematic approach to the early detection and management of concussions. Although it has taken a few well publicized cases of significant injury and death to bring this issue to the forefront of sports medicine, our basic understanding of concussion management needs to continue to advance. By educating the medical community on the hazards associated with MTBI, it has also made both athletes and coaches aware that further medical assessment and evaluations should not be put off when an athlete is exhibiting post concussive signs and symptoms. At the most basic level, athletes are being protected from further brain injury by not being allowed to return to play until they are asymptomatic. Ultimately our role is to protect the athlete from further harm.
A cost-effectiveness model for the use of a cannabis-derived oromucosal spray for the treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACTBackground: Severity of spasticity in multiple sclerosis (MS) directly correlates with the level and cost of care required. This study assessed whether a tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray for treatment of moderate-severe MS spasticity is a cost-effective use of healthcare resources in Wales.Methods: A Markov model was developed to compare THC/CBD plus standard of care (SoC) treatments with SoC alone.Results: At 30 years, total incremental cost for THC/CBD plus SoC treatment was estimated at £3,836/patient (ICER: £10,891/quality-adjusted life year [QALY]). Hospital admission costs had the greatest effect on the base case ICER. Inclusion of carer cost led to incremental cost of -£33,609/patient (ICER: -£95,423/QALY).Conclusions: The THC/CBD spray was found to be cost-effective for the treatment of spasticity in MS, and dominant, if home carer costs were included. Use of THC/CBD has the potential to generate cost savings by significantly improving the symptoms of moderate to...
Milford Lumber Co. v. Rcb Realty, Inc.: Using the Consumer Protection Act to Protect a Seller from the 'Rascality of One of Its Customers'

In September 2001, contrary to the express language and purpose of the Consumer Protection Act ("CPA"), the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that a seller had a viable cause of action against a business consumer. In Milford Lumber Company, Inc. v. RCB Realty, Inc., Milford Lumber, a business, attempted to collect money owed by an evasive consumer, RCB Realty, which was also a business. Milford Lumber alleged, inter alia, a violation of the Consumer Protection Act. "The court allowed Milford Lumber to recover under the CPA stating that the Consumer Protection Act "does not bar sellers from availing themselves of its protection."The New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act, enacted in 1970, protects consumers from unfair or deceptive business activities. Its purpose is "to regulate business practices for consumer protection by making it unlawful for persons engaged in trade or commerce to use various methods of unfair competition and deceptive business practices." The New Hampshire Supreme Court has accepted and applied the purpose of the statute as a basis for analyzing cases brought under the CPA. The court has further elaborated that the CPA's purpose "is to ensure an equitable relationship between consumers and persons engaged in business."The Milford Lumber court looked to the inclusive language of New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated ("RSA") 358-A:2, and of 358-A:10 and the broad definition of "person" in 358-A:1, I, to hold that sellers are not barred from availing themselves of the protections of the CPA. This article considers the court's decision by examining the CPA, principles of statutory construction, and applicable case law. More specifically, this article uses a three part analysis to show that by using the CPA to penalize a dishonest consumer, the court: (1) violated the plain meaning of the CPA; (2) ignored the legislative intent of the CPA; and (3) contradicted prior New Hampshire case law.
Nonrefundable Retainers: A Response to Critics of the Absolute Ban

Since the New York Court of Appeals banned nonrefundable retainers, numerous other courts have joined in prohibiting this widespread practice of lawyers charging a fee for services in advance and keeping the fee even if the services are not performed. This may reflect increased judicial recognition of the effect of egregious fee practices on the image of the bar and the role such practices play in the declining esteem in which the legal profession is held. Among the more provocative contributors to this ongoing debate, Professor Steven Lubet recently reviewed our work advocating the ban against nonrefundable retainers and posed a number of questions about the per se prohibition against them. In this Article, we respond to Professor Lubet's questions as well as to those posed by other scholars. In Part I, we discuss the client discharge right, the cornerstone upon which the absolute ban on nonrefundable retainers rests, and respond to a series of arguments concerning its meaning, how it may be impaired, and whether it may be waived. In Part II, we show that legitimate purposes that may be served by nonrefundable retainers cannot avoid impairing the client discharge right, but that other fee arrangements that do not impair that right can easily be designed to serve some of those ends. In Part III, we extend an invitation to address the issues we have identified to all those who believe that a per se ban against nonrefundable retainers is unnecessary to prevent the abuses they generate. We have previously extended this invitation to devise a less inclusive rule that would in a practical and self-effectuating way prohibit the abuses while permitting the attainment of legitimate purposes. Unfortunately for the debate, however, none of the participants have accepted this invitation. We therefore think it bears repeating.
Bariatric surgery implementation trends in the USA from 2002 to 2012.

Many beneficial health care interventions are either not put into practice or fail to diffuse over time due to complex contextual factors that affect implementation and diffusion. Bariatric surgery is an example of an effective intervention that recently experienced a plateau and decrease in rates, with minimal documented justification for this trend. While there are conceptual models that provide frameworks of general innovation implementation and diffusion, few studies have tested these models with data to measure the relative effects of factors that affect diffusion of specific health care interventions. A literature review identified factors associated with implementation and diffusion of health care innovations. These factors were utilized to construct a conceptual model of diffusion to explain changes in bariatric surgery over time. Six data sources were used to construct measures of the study population and factors in the model that may affect diffusion of surgery. The population included obese and morbidly obese patients from 2002 to 2012 who had bariatric surgery in 15 states. Multivariable models were used to identify environmental, population, and medical practice factors that facilitated or impeded diffusion of bariatric surgery over time. It was found that while bariatric surgery rates increased over time, the speed of growth in surgeries, or diffusion, slowed. Higher cumulative number of surgeries and higher proportion of the state population in age group 50–59 slowed surgery growth, but presence of Medicare centers of excellence increased the speed of surgery diffusion. Over time, the factors affecting the diffusion of bariatric surgery fluctuated, indicating that diffusion is affected by temporal and cumulative effects. The primary driver of diffusion of bariatric surgery was the extent of centers of excellence presence in a state. Higher cumulative surgery rates and higher proportions of older populations in a state slowed diffusion. Surprisingly, measures of the presence of champions were not significant, perhaps because these are difficult to measure in the aggregate. Our results generally support the conceptual model of diffusion developed from the literature, which may be useful for examining other innovations, as well as for designing interventions to support rapid diffusion of innovations to improve health outcomes and quality of care.
The Role of Site Variance in the American Judicature Society Field Study Comparing Simultaneous and Sequential Lineups

Police departments often use photo lineups for eyewitness identification purposes. A widely adopted lineup reform designed to reduce eyewitness misidentifications involves switching from the standard simultaneous photo presentation format to a sequential format. These two lineup procedures were recently tested in the American Judicature Society (AJS) field study, which was conducted in four different police jurisdictions. The results from two phases of that investigation reached opposite conclusions as to which lineup procedure is superior, and the purpose of our current investigation was to elucidate the role of site variance in shaping those contrasting conclusions. In previous analyses, the field study data were either (1) aggregated across all four study sites or (2) drawn from only one study site (Austin, Texas). Here, we analyze the data separately for the Austin study site, where 69 % of the eyewitnesses were tested, and the other three study sites combined, where 31 % of the eyewitnesses were tested. The results indicate significant site variance between the Austin and non-Austin study sites. In addition, the results suggest that aggregating the data across sites played a determinative role in creating the apparent disagreement about which lineup procedure is diagnostically superior. Once large differences across the AJS study sites are taken into consideration, there is no longer any disagreement about which lineup procedure is superior. The simultaneous procedure is diagnostically superior to the sequential procedure, but the sequential procedure sometimes induces more conservative responding (a result that can and often does masquerade as diagnostic superiority).