cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The β isotypes of tubulin in neuronal differentiation

The differences among the vertebrate β isotypes of tubulin are highly conserved in evolution, suggesting that they have functional significance. To address this, we have used differentiating neuroblastoma cells as a model system. These cells express the βI, βII, and βIII isotypes. Although there is no difference prior to differentiation, a striking difference is seen after differentiation. Both βI and βIII occur in cell bodies and neurites, while βII occurs mostly in neurites. Knocking down βI causes a large decrease in cell viability while silencing βII and βIII does not. Knocking down βII causes a large decrease in neurite outgrowth without affecting viability. Knocking down βIII has little effect on neurite outgrowth and only decreases viability if cells are treated with glutamate and glycine, a combination known to generate free radicals and reactive oxygen species. It appears, therefore, that βI is required for cell viability, βII for neurite outgrowth and βIII for protection against free radicals and reactive oxygen species.
Sit-to-Stand Test for Measuring Performance of Lower Extremity Muscles:

When the intent is to quantify performance of lower extremity muscles, the sit-to-stand test is a practical alternative to manual muscle testing and various instrumented options. Several procedures for performing the test are presented in this review as is information relevant to test interpretation. Performance variables known to be associated with sit-to-stand performance are noted.
Object flavor evolution in an object-oriented database system

The ability to gracefully accommodate dynamic evolution is essential in data-intensive office information systems. Among the wide spectrum of kinds of conceptual database modification, there is an important subkind which involves changes to the fundamental semantics of objects, vis-a-vis their nature as symbolic, abstract, type (set), relationship (mapping), or behavioral (procedure). This kind of change is termed “object flavor evolution”. For example, a real-world concept modelled in a database as a symbolic object (e.g., a string denoting the name of a person) may later evolve to or be alternatively viewed as an abstract object (e.g., a person entity). This paper examines object flavor evolution in the context of a simple, extensible object-oriented database model; this model is the kernel of an experimental prototype system termed PKM (for “personal knowledge manager”) currently under development. The PKM object-oriented modelling constructs and operations are presented, along with a description and analysis of specific kinds of object flavor evolution.
Proactive tobacco treatment for low income smokers: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

There is a high prevalence of smoking and high burden of tobacco-related diseases among low-income populations. Effective, evidenced-based smoking cessation treatments are available, but low-income smokers are less likely than higher-income smokers to use these treatments, especially the most comprehensive forms that include a combination of pharmacotherapy and intensive behavioral counseling. The primary objectives of this randomized controlled trial are to compare the effects of a proactive tobacco treatment intervention compared to usual care on population-level smoking abstinence rates and tobacco treatment utilization rates among a diverse population of low-income smokers, and to determine the cost-effectiveness of proactive tobacco treatment intervention. The proactive care intervention systematically offers low-income smokers free and easy access to evidence-based treatments and has two primary components: (1) proactive outreach to current smokers in the form of mailed invitation materials and telephone calls containing targeted health messages, and (2) facilitated access to free, comprehensive, evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments in the form of NRT and intensive, telephone-based behavioral counseling. The study aims to include a population-based sample (N = 2500) of adult smokers enrolled in the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP), a state-funded health insurance plan for low-income persons. Baseline data is obtained from MHCP administrative databases and a participant survey that is conducted prior to randomization. Outcome data is collected from a follow-up survey conducted 12 months after randomization and MHCP administrative data. The primary outcome is six-month prolonged smoking abstinence at one year and is assessed at the population level. All randomized individuals are asked to complete the follow-up survey, regardless of whether they participated in tobacco treatment. Data analysis of the primary aims will follow intent-to-treat methodology. There is a critical need to increase access to effective tobacco dependence treatments. This randomized trial evaluates the effects of proactive outreach coupled with free NRT and telephone counseling on the population impact of tobacco dependence treatment. If proven to be effective and cost-effective, national dissemination of proactive treatment approaches would reduce tobacco-related morbidity, mortality, and health care costs for low income Americans. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01123967
Outcomes in pregnant women with acute aortic dissections: a review of the literature from 2003 to 2013.

Abstract Background Acute aortic dissection in pregnant women is a rare but potentially life-threatening event. Our aim was to evaluate maternal and fetal outcomes of acute aortic dissection during pregnancy. Methods We conducted a review of literature of the PubMed database to identify publications related to pregnant women with acute aortic dissections during the period 2003–2013: 59 articles were included in the study. Results A total of 75 patients were included in the analyses. Stanford type A dissections were the most common form, accounting for 77% of all cases. The majority (78%) occurred in the third trimester and immediate postpartum period. Inherited connective tissue disorders were causative in 49% of patients. Maternal mortality was not statistical different between type A and type B dissections (21% vs. 23%), but fetal outcomes were worse in type B dissections (35% vs. 10.3%; P Conclusion Despite advances in diagnostic and surgical techniques, maternal and fetal mortalities in pregnant patients with aortic dissection remain high. Patients undergoing combined cesarean section with aortic repair had favorable fetal outcomes.
MeCP2 Regulates the Synaptic Expression of a Dysbindin-BLOC-1 Network Component in Mouse Brain and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons

Clinical, epidemiological, and genetic evidence suggest overlapping pathogenic mechanisms between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. We tested this hypothesis by asking if mutations in the ASD gene MECP2 which cause Rett syndrome affect the expression of genes encoding the schizophrenia risk factor dysbindin, a subunit of the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles complex-1 (BLOC-1), and associated interacting proteins. We measured mRNA and protein levels of key components of a dysbindin interaction network by, quantitative real time PCR and quantitative immunohistochemistry in hippocampal samples of wild-type and Mecp2 mutant mice. In addition, we confirmed results by performing immunohistochemistry of normal human hippocampus and quantitative qRT-PCR of human inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived human neurons from Rett syndrome patients. We defined the distribution of the BLOC-1 subunit pallidin in human and mouse hippocampus and contrasted this distribution with that of symptomatic Mecp2 mutant mice. Neurons from mutant mice and Rett syndrome patients displayed selectively reduced levels of pallidin transcript. Pallidin immunoreactivity decreased in the hippocampus of symptomatic Mecp2 mutant mice, a feature most prominent at asymmetric synapses as determined by immunoelectron microcopy. Pallidin immunoreactivity decreased concomitantly with reduced BDNF content in the hippocampus of Mecp2 mice. Similarly, BDNF content was reduced in the hippocampus of BLOC-1 deficient mice suggesting that genetic defects in BLOC-1 are upstream of the BDNF phenotype in Mecp2 deficient mice. Our results demonstrate that the ASD-related gene Mecp2 regulates the expression of components belonging to the dysbindin interactome and these molecular differences may contribute to synaptic phenotypes that characterize Mecp2 deficiencies and ASD.
The significance of variability

The negative attitude psychologists hold toward behavioral variability is contrasted against the more positive attitude biologists hold toward genetic variability. It is argued that variability is a necessary prerequisite to adaptation, whether genetic or behavioral, and that the sources of variability are intrinsic to the organism. One can also find constraints upon variability present in biological systems and it is proposed that too much variability is maladaptive and that variability is stabilized at some ideal level by a system of checks and balances. It is suggested that both sources of variability and constraints thereon could more profitably be investigated directly rather than continuing with the philosophy that variability constitutes noise to be eliminated.
Towards a stress criterion of injury--an example in caudocephalad acceleration.

THE SPECIFICATION of the number of g’s allowable as the injury criterion has been in existence for many years. The reasons for its popularity are: (1) acceleration is relatively easy to measure and (2) the concept fits hand in glove with the usual lumped-parameter model employed as the idealization of the biomechanical system. Consider a pilot forced to eject vertically by catapult. He quickly acquires two motions: (a) a rigid-body motion having a trajectory which will clear him from the aircraft and (b) a ‘wave’ travels from the seat upward toward the head. Assuming no mishaps during the ejection trajectory, one must now worry whether or not there has been any biomechanical injury due to the ‘compression wave’. Roughly speaking, there appears to be a concensus that if the chair acceleration is less than 20 g, the likelihood of injury is not high. These sort of ‘go-no go’ data have been the basis of design for many years.
ADEQUACY OR ORTHODOXY? CHOOSING SIDES AT THE FRONTIER

. Arthur Peacocke's seminal contribution to the dialogue between science and theology is considered along three dimensions: epistemology, anthropology, and the concept of God. It is suggested that his view of a “hierarchy of disciplines” (1) may not completely characterize the way theology interacts with science, and (2) could limit the creative friction between them. His emphasis on humans as “more than” DNA could result in an anthropology that fails to exploit insights that biology could shed on theological puzzles as the impact of genetics is more widely appreciated. His concept of God may also need to be modified more radically to express our understanding of nature in an age of genetics.
To buy or not to buy: that is the question

Shopping can be decomposed into three basic questions: what, where, and when to buy? In this talk, I'll describe how we utilize advanced data-mining and text-mining techniques at Decide.com (and earlier at Farecast) to solve these problems for on-line shoppers. Our algorithms have predicted prices utilizing billions of data points, and ranked products based on millions of reviews.
Frithjof Schuon's The Transcendent Unity of Religions: Pro

HAVE not seen Richard Bush's review, but he has informed me of the points he intends to make. I welcome the invitation of the Editor of the JAAR to respond to these points, and for a specific reason. Schuon's position polarizes. Part of me regrets this, for I enjoy togetherness as much as the next man. But if the togetherness is not going to be on my side which is to say, if it isn't going to happen polarization can be useful in throwing differences into sharp relief. In the almost diametrically opposite responses of Bush and myself to Schuon's book I see a window onto the central theological divide, not of our time only, but of all times. The divide is between spiritual constitutions; spiritual types or dispositions, if you will. And because it is fundamental to the book in question, I shall summarize it before remarking on Professor Bush's critique. In Schuon's vocabulary, the types are esoteric and exoteric. Esoterics are persons whose key meanings are more abstract than are those of exoterics. "Abstract" here is not, however, opposed to concrete if the latter means that which is fully real. Or to be precise, for esoterics it is not thus opposed, this being precisely the divide. For esoterics, universals with their generality and "abstractness" are more real than are the particulars that embody them. For exoterics they are less real. The distinction arises in Christianity to cite the case closest to home because theologically it can stabilize at a number of points along the concrete-to-"abstract" continuum. Where in fact it does "dig in" depends on the spiritual type (exoteric or esoteric) of the Christian in question. For the Disciples the focus was originally Jesus of Nazareth; later it became the Risen Christ. Still later Christ was identified as the Logos, while for certain mystics the Logos itself derives from the Godhead which exceeds it categorically. The meanings in these several specifications flow into and to some extent condition one another, but this does not alter the fact that minds differ in the point on the continuum where they find reality centering and from which, consequently, meaning ultimately derives. As theology works its way from particulars toward universals, from the specific toward the general, exoterics arrive earlier than esoterics at a point where they feel that meaning is becoming attenuated. Why attenuated? Because the longer the ladder of abstraction the shakier its grip on the ground from which meaning for exoterics rises: the terrafirma of concrete particularity. In Christendom this terra firma is the historical Jesus. From this fundamental distinction a number of corollaries follow: 1. Exoterism, planted firmly in the spatio-temporal world which is at once (a)
Attitudes of Allied Health Students toward Writing in Community College Science Courses.

This study examined the attitudes of adults toward writing and a self‐evaluation by them of their levels of competence in selected writing behaviors and skills. The subjects in the study were 78 allied health students. The instrument used was the Writing Inventory. It was found in this small, nonrandom population of adults that a number of negative attitudes existed toward various aspects of the writing process, and deficiencies were also reported in writing skills and behaviors. A moderate correlation was noted between attitudes toward writing and the selected writing skills and behaviors.
Stakeholder perceptions of green marketing: the effect of demand and supply integration

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the stream of thought regarding the concept of demand and supply integration (DSI) within the domain of environmental responsibility and green marketing.Design/methodology/approach – Conceptual application of theory to strategic‐level concepts is used to develop propositions representing a theoretical approach to the integration of green marketing and green supply chain management (SCM).Findings – Based on stakeholder theory, the authors propose that greater value will be perceived by customer stakeholders when the firm is able to successfully manage and coordinate demand (marketing) and supply (SCM) functions, ensuring that customer stakeholders receive what they are promised in regard to environmental products and services. For this relationship to offer competitive advantage and higher firm performance, the authors contend that it is necessary to better understand how customer stakeholders perceive firms' environmental initiatives, and to investigate if ...
Evaluation of the Minolta SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter for nitrogen management in corn

Abstract The field study investigated the relationship of Minolta SPAD 502 (SPAD) readings to applied nitrogen (N) fertilizer rate, corn (Zea mays L.) yield, and leaf N concentration. The experiment was conducted on a total of six sites in Illinois during 1991 and 1992. Ten different open pedigree corn hybrids were grown at a final population of 65,000 plants ha‐1. Nitrogen was applied at four rates(0, 90, 180, and 270 kgN ha‐1) as 28% liquid N solution. Significant main effects of environment (E), and hybrid (H), and E x H interaction were detected for all measured parameters. SPAD readings and leaf N concentration at all sampling times (V7, R1, and R4) as well as grain N concentration were affected by N fertilizer rate. Maximum mean grain yield and maximum grain N concentration were obtained at 110 and 195 kg N ha‐1, respectively. At all sampling times the correlation of SPAD readings to N fertilizer rate were low but significant (R=0.22 at V7 and R1, R=0.11 at R4). SPAD correlation to corresponding lea...
Further Investigations of the Moon's Influence on Latitude

A study of the influence of the moon's position in the sky upon determinations of astronomical latitude, as exhibited in an analysis of the Gaithersburg and Washington observations, was presented at the Washington meeting of the American Geophysical Union in May 1930 (see Transactions, pp. 148–152). The present paper continues the discussion with additional evidence obtained from studies made at Perkins Observatory of the latitude-observations obtained at Uklah, California, and longitude-observations obtained at Washington during the longitude-campaign of 1913–14.
Analysis of the transition from rectangular waveguide to shielded dielectric image guide using the finite-difference time-domain method

The transition from a rectangular waveguide to a shielded dielectric image guide is analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. This method has not been applied to three dimensional dielectric waveguide discontinuities before. The transition problem under consideration demonstrates the ability of the FDTD technique to model rather complex structures where two different transmission media exist. The calculated return loss agrees very well with data obtained using other techniques which validates the application of the FDTD method for this problem. >
Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-Si-N coatings.

A series of Ti–Si–N coatings with 0 < Si < 20 at.% were synthesized by inductively coupled plasma assisted vapor deposition. Coating composition, structure, atomic short-range order, and mechanical response were characterized by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy, and instrumented nanoindentation. These experiments show that the present series of Ti–Si–N coatings consists of a mixture of nanocrystalline titanium nitride (TiN) and amorphous silicon nitride (a-Si:N); i.e., they are TiN/a-Si:N ceramic/ceramic nanocomposites. The hardness of the present series of coatings was found to be less than 32 GPa and to vary smoothly with the Si composition.
A fine structural study of the highly active thyroid follicular cell of the African basenji dog.

The highly active thyroid gland of the basenji dog has been studied. The follicular cell of the basenji thyroid is unusual in that colloid droplets may be found in the apical cytoplasm of normal cells. Their appearance does not require administration of exogenous thyrotrophin. The colloid droplets appear to have been taken in by invagination of the apical plasma membrane forming a small bay at the cell-colloid interface. Apparent fusion of adjacent plasma membranes subsequently eliminates the mouth of the bay, completing endocytosis of the droplet. Basenji follicular cells are also distinguished by a dense accumulation of two varieties of lysosomes, basal associations of lip d droplets and mitochondria with unusual cristae and specialized junctions between cells of adjacent follicles. It is suggested that these unique structural modifications reflect adaptations for the perpetually active state of the basenji thyroid.
A generalized weighted median filter structure admitting real-valued weights

Weighted median filters (smoothers) have been shown to be analogous to normalized FIR linear filters constrained to have only positive weights. In this paper, it is shown that much like the mean is generalized to the rich class of linear FIR fillers, the median can be generalized to a richer class of weighted median (WM) filters admitting positive and negative weights. The generalization follows naturally and is surprisingly simple. In order to analyze and design this class of WM filters, a new threshold decomposition theory admitting real-valued input signals is developed which, in turn, is used to develop fast adaptive algorithms to optimally design the real-valued filter coefficients. The new WM filter formulation leads to significantly more powerful estimators capable of effectively addressing a number of fundamental problems in signal processing which could not adequately be addressed by prior WM filter (smoother) structures.
Resource management of highly configurable tasks

Summary form only given. We present an extension to our QoS optimization algorithm, Q-RAM, that can improve optimization time by several orders of magnitude when managing highly configurable tasks. A highly configurable task is one with a large number of QoS dimensions and/or a large number of quality levels on those dimensions. For example, an application that has ten QoS dimensions with ten quality levels each will have 10/sup 10/ setpoints, or ways in which it can be configured. While the existing Q-RAM algorithm has been shown to be a very effective resource management tool, it must still explicitly perform computations on all of the setpoints for each task. For tasks with 10/sup 10/ setpoints or more, this is clearly impractical. The key idea presented here is a new approximation algorithm for the concave majorant step in Q-RAM. By using this algorithm in a filtering step, the best performing subset of the setpoints can be quickly found without explicitly examining all of the setpoints. The idea is validated using a phased array radar system as an example application.
Development of a Multimodal Assessment Framework for Helping Older African American Women Transition Out of Homelessness

Increasingly vulnerability to homelessness is affecting older African American women because more than any other group these women are susceptible to even minor changes in socioeconomic conditions. This article describes the evolution of an assessment strategy and process found to be useful in planning older African American women's transition from homelessness. The assessment strategy was developed as part of a multimethod, multilevel research and development program the purpose of which is to identify and test tools and interventions useful in helping older African American women leave homelessness. The article offers background on the action research project in which the assessment framework was developed, examines the method for the construction of the framework, describes the assessment process, and considers the integration of specific assessment tools into the advocacy process.
Where Galaxies Collide: Simulation of M81-M82-NGC3077 System Using a Parallelized Treesph Code

The M81 galaxy has at least 15 companion galaxies. The closest companions are M82, NGC3077, and a small Magellanic dwarf galaxy, Holmberg IX. Latest radio observations of the HI content in the system indicate that M81, M82, and NGC3077 are interacting (e.g. Yun 1992, Yun et al. 1994). Holmberg IX is at the same distance as M81 (Georgiev et al. 1991) and could be a byproduct of the interaction.
The Application of Kohlberg's Moral Development Model to College Students' Technology Ethics Decisions

This study examined undergraduate university students’ (n=121) responses to six ethical dilemmas within the realm of information technology (IT). Using a framework based on Kohlberg’s stages of moral development, the study evaluated the level of moral development as demonstrated in these responses. An apriori coding system was used to analyze the data. Two researchers independently assigned coding to the written responses in order to increase interrater reliability. The results are presented by student classification (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) and each individual scenario. They indicate a strong tendency for students to use the “good person” form of reasoning. This reasoning, however, did vary by scenario.
An Experimental Design Approach for Optimizing SMSE Waveforms to Minimize Coexistent Interference

An experimental design approach is used to determine which factors (design parameters) of spectrally modulated, spectrally encoded (SMSE) waveforms have the greatest impact on coexistence with other communication waveforms. The SMSE framework supports cognition-based, software defined radio (SDR) applications and is well-suited for coexistence analysis. For initial proof-of-concept, a two factor (parameter), three-level (value) experimental design technique is applied to a coexistent scenario to characterize SMSE waveform impact on direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) receiver performance. The experimental design methodology reliably captures factor-level sensitivities and identifies those factors having greatest impact on system coexistence behavior (bit error variation). Given these initial results and its effectiveness in other engineering fields, it is believed that experimental design may pave the way for developing more rigorous waveform design methods and allow more robust coexistence analysis of conventional, DSSS and SMSE waveforms.
A note on natural correspondences that satisfy exclusion

Let X be a finite set with m elements. A function F : P2(X) → P(X) (from the collection of all 2-element subsets of X into the collection of all subsets of X )i s called anatural correspondence if S ⊆ F(S), for all S ∈ P2(X) .W e say that F satisfies exclusion if there exists some 3-element subset {x,y,z} such that
Progesterone reduces depressive behavior of young ovariectomized, aged progestin receptor knockout, and aged wild type mice in the tail suspension test

Progestins may have effects to reduce depressive behavior, in part through actions of its metabolite, 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP) at GABAA receptors, rather than through intracellular progestin receptors. In this study, we examined the effects of progesterone (10 mg/kg, subcutaneous injection) versus vehicle control (propylene glycol) on the depressive behavior of young and aged mice in the tail suspension test. In Experiment 1, we first characterized progesterone’s anti-depressant effects by utilizing young (4–6-month-old) intact or ovariectomized female, and intact or gonadectomized male, C57BL/6 mice. Young female mice showed more depressive behavior than the young male mice. Compared with vehicle administration, progesterone reduced depressive behavior of ovariectomized female, but not male or intact female mice. In Experiment 2, mice were aged (20–24-month-old) intact wild type or progestin receptor knockout mice. Progestin receptor knockout mice showed less depressive behavior than wild type...
Gammagard® and reported hepatitis C virus episodes

Abstract Since first licensed in the United States in 1986, Gammagard ® , an intravenous immunoglobulin produced by the Hyland Division of Baxter Healthcare Corporation, had been considered an effective and safe form of immunoglobulin. Its safety had been proved in patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency, including those with the complication of anti-IgA antibodies. However, in early 1994, there were reported episodes of hepatitis C virus transmission associated with administration of Gammagard manufactured during April 1993 and thereafter. The investigations into the mechanisms to account for these events, including the manufacturing processes, are reviewed. The results of studies and analyses by both Baxter and the US Food and Drug Administration, including first- and second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, polymerase chain reaction analyses, and the solvent-detergent viralinactivation manufacturing step, are discussed. Evaluations of donor histories identified a group of donors who contributed to three target lots of the agent and who were subsequently excluded from donor pools. The classification scheme and criteria for all patient reports of hepatitis associated with administration of Gammagard, as well as the classification of all hepatitis C virus episodes, are presented.
Dose and Route of Administration Alter the Relative Elimination of Ethanol by Long‐Sleep and Short‐Sleep Mice

The elimination of ethanol following the intravenous and intraperitoneal administration of five ethanol doses was measured in two mouse lines, the long-sleep (LS) and short-sleep (SS), that differ markedly in central nervous system sensitivity to ethanol. Both dose and route of administration affected the relative ethanol elimination in these two mouse lines. When the ethanol was given i.v., a steady increase in elimination rate was seen in the SS mice as the dose was increased. In the LS mice, consistent changes in rate with dose were not seen. At the lower doses tested, the LS eliminated ethanol more rapidly than did the SS but at higher doses the mouse lines did not differ. When the ethanol was given i.p., increases in rate with dose were not seen. Rather, the SS elimination rate remained constant as the dose was increased, whereas in the LS a decrease in rate was observed. As a consequence, the SS eliminated ethanol more rapidly than did the LS at higher doses. A potential explanation for these results is that ethanol elimination, following the administration of large doses, is affected by both enzymological factors and central nervous system sensitivity to ethanol. The central nervous system factors may be mediated via ethanol-induced hypothermia.
Optimal Size Regime for Oxidation-Resistant Silicon Quantum Dots

First-principles computations have been carried out to predict that appropriately terminated silicon quantum dots with diameters in the range of 1.2–2 nm will offer a superb resistance to oxidation. This is because surface treatments can produce dangling bond defect densities sufficiently low that dots of this size are unlikely to have any defect at all. On the other hand, these dots are large enough that the severe angles between facets do not expose bonds that are vulnerable to subsequent oxygen attack. The absence of both surface defects and geometry-related vulnerabilities allows even very short passivating ligands to generate an effective barrier, an important consideration for charge and exciton transport within quantum dot assemblies. Our computations, which employ many-body perturbation theory using Green functions, also indicate that dots within this size regime have optical and electronic properties that are robust to small amounts of inadvertent oxidation, and that any such oxygen incorporation...
Test-time extension behind reflected shock waves using CO 2 –He and C 3 H 8 –He driver mixtures

To study combustion chemistry at low temperatures in a shock tube, it is of great importance to increase experimental test times, and this can be done by tailoring the interface between the driver and driven gases. Using unconventional driver-gas tailoring with the assistance of tailoring curves, shock-tube test times were increased from 1 to 15 ms for reflected-shock temperatures below 1,000 K. Provided in this paper is the introduction of tailoring curves, produced from a one-dimensional perfect gas model for a wide range of driver gases and the production and demonstration of successful driver mixtures containing helium combined with either propane or carbon dioxide. The He/CO2 and He/C3H8 driver mixtures provide a unique way to produce a tailored interface and, hence, longer test times, when facility modification is not an option. The tailoring curves can be used to guide future applications of this technique to other configurations. Nonreacting validation experiments using driver mixtures identified from the tailoring curves were performed over a range of reflected-shock temperatures from approximately 800 to 1,400 K, and some examples of ignition-time experiments that could not have otherwise been erformed are presented.
An Exploratory Investigation Of College Students Attitudes Toward Californias New Menu-Labeling Law

In March of 2009, business students at a large public university in the Los Angeles area were polled about their attitudes towards a new menu-labeling law that was about to be implemented in California. It was hypothesized that the students would be in favor of the law and that those in favor of it would be inclined to select healthier items on the menu. Moreover, it was hypothesized that the law would be favored more by females than males, and more by persons who perceive themselves as overweight than those who perceive themselves as average weight. Support was found for all of the hypotheses except for the one concerning a person’s perceived weight status. A student’s perceived weight status appears to have no effect on his or her reaction to the new menu-labeling law. The survey results indicate that menu-labeling will be effective in promoting better eating habits among college students who dine out.
Molecular mechanisms of malaria sporozoite motility and invasion of host cells.

Malaria sporozoites have the unique capacity to invade two entirely different types of target cell in the mosquito vector and the vertebrate host during the course of the parasite’s life cycle. Although little is known about the specific interaction of the sporozoite with its target cells, two sporozoite proteins, circumsporozoite (CS) and thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP), have been shown to play important roles in the invasion of both cell types. CS protein is a multifunctional protein involved in sporogony, invasion of the salivary glands, the specific arrest of sporozoites in the liver sinusoid, gliding motility of the sporozoite, and hepatocyte recognition and entry. TRAP has been shown to be critical for sporozoite infection of the mosquito salivary glands and liver cells, and is essential for sporozoite gliding motility. This review will focus on the involvement of these molecules in sporozoite motility and the invasion of host cells.
Intercalation Pseudocapacitance in Ultrathin VOPO4 Nanosheets: Toward High-Rate Alkali-Ion-Based Electrochemical Energy Storage

There is a growing need for energy storage devices in numerous applications where a large amount of energy needs to be either stored or delivered quickly. The present paper details the study of alkali-ion intercalation pseudocapacitance in ultrathin VOPO4 nanosheets, which hold promise in high-rate alkali-ion based electrochemical energy storage. Starting from bulk VOPO4·2H2O chunks, VOPO4 nanosheets were obtained through simple ultrasonication in 2-propanol. These nanosheets as the cathode exhibit a specific capacity of 154 and 136 mAh/g (close to theoretical value 166 mAh/g) for lithium and sodium storage devices at 0.1 C and 100 and ∼70 mAh/g at 5 C, demonstrating their high rate capability. Moreover, the capacity retention is maintained at 90% for lithium ion storage and 73% for sodium ion storage after 500 cycles, showing their reasonable stability. The demonstrated alkali-ion intercalation pseudocapacitance represents a promising direction for developing battery materials with promising high rate ca...
Determination of total flavonol in Litonglin capsules by HPLC

OBJECTIVE To develop a HPLC method for the determination of total flavonol in Litonglin capsules by HPLC.METHODS The chromatographic analysis was performed on Kromasil C_18(4.6×250mm,5μm)column.The mobile phase consisted of methonal-0.4%phosphoric acid(55∶45).The flow rate was 1.0mL·min-1.The detection wavelength was at 360nm.RESULTS Quercetin:A good linearity was obtained over the range of 4.067μg·mL-1-40.67μg·mL-1(r=0.9998).Kaempferol:A good linearity was obtained over the range of 0.871μg·mL-1-8.71μg·mL-1(r=0.9998).Isorhamnetin:A good linearity was obtained over the range of 0.616μg·mL-1-6.16μg·mL-1(r=0.9996).CONCLUSION The method was simple,accurate,specific and could be used for the quality control of quercetin,kaempferol and isorhamnetin in crude saponins of Litonglin capsules.
Application of NIR-Retinoid Imaging Agent in Detection of Human Osteosarcoma

Objective: To develop a kind of biological contrast agent with the features of "finding,treatment,visual".Methods: Retinoid imaging agents are synthesized and labeled with near-infrared dye for in vitro cell binding studies on human osteosarcoma cell lines.Xenograft model was establish by subcutaneous injection(s.c.);In vivo optical imaging studies were carried out for days after injection,drug redistribution in the body was detected.Tumor cells in the luminous tissue wre detected by immunochemistry.Results: Those agents bound to the human osteosarcoma cells,and internalized,which can be used to detect osteosarcoma at early stages of the metastatic disease.Whole body images showed the high signal intensity in tumor and liver.PET showed that there was high level of 18F-FDG in tumors.The high dose of retinoid agent was significantly associated with systemic toxcity.Immunochemistry demonstrated tumor cells were positive in the luminous tissues.Conclusion: Synthetic NIR-labeled retinoid agents can be used to detect human cancer xenografts as the agent is internalized by cancer cells,and it can reduce systemic toxicity.
Oral surgical experiences with office anesthesia.

Oral surgery provides an example of effective use of general anesthesia in an office setting. The success of office anesthesia practices in this area is borne out by the low mortality and morbidity demonstrated. Factors responsible for this success are the specific training of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon in the office approach to general anesthesia, selection of the anesthetic agent, selection of the patient who is to undergo general anesthesia in the office, utilization of the office team approach, and judicious use of monitoring devices.
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS OF SANTIAGO AND ITS PUBLICATIONS (1922-2009)

In this article we will review publications from the National Museum of Fine Arts in Santiago between 1922 and 2009 in the Chilean cultural context. Not included in this study are the catalogs of funding of temporary exhibitions that have generated since its founding in 1880 as the National Museum of Painting. It is a rather small publication in one of the first American museums of its kind.
Process simulation and modeling: Anaerobic digestion of complex organic matter

This work is focused on evaluating kinetic models of complex organic matters hydrolysis and volatile fatty acids degradation in anaerobic digestion process, simulated using SuperPro design software. Kinetic model evaluation was also carried for simulated integrated system of liquid anaerobic digestion (LAD) of dairy manure and solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) of corn stover. Already developed hydrolysis and volatile fatty acid (VFA) degradation kinetic constants were used to simulate anaerobic digestion processes of dairy manure and corn stover separately and in the integrated process as well. Hydrolysis of complex soluble organic matters such as protein, carbohydrate and fat was modelled using first-order kinetics. Monod model was tested for the VFAs such as acetic, propionic and butyric acid degradation and biogas production. Comparative study has been done between the experimental data published already and results obtained from SuperPro simulated processes. The simulated results were well comparable with the experimental results.
Characterization of patients treated with a programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor (anti-PD-1) past RECIST progression from a metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) trial.

3000Background: Anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies are immunotherapy agents that block T cell inhibitory signal pathways. Anecdotal cases have been reported of clinically important decrease in tumor s...
Book thickness of toroidal zero-divisor graphs

We determine the book thickness of all zero-divisor graphs with genus at most one. We also describe four families of three page embeddable zero-divisor graphs.
COPD Patients with Acute Exacerbation Who Developed Refeeding Syndrome during Hospitalization Had Poor Outcome: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Summary Background The study retrospectively investigated risk factors for refeeding syndrome in COPD patients with acute exacerbation and its impact on clinical outcomes. Methods We retrospectively reviewed discharge notes of patients with primary diagnosis of COPD with acute exacerbation from August 2014 to December 2015. Demographic data, BMI, the last post-bronchodilator FEV 1 , case-mixed index (CMI), APACHE-II score, average daily total energy intake (TEI) and adjusted by current BW to obtain average daily total energy intake index (TEII) of the first four hospitalization days, the initial ABG with calculated P a O 2 /F i O 2 were collected. Laboratory RFS was arbitrarily defined as either serum P or Mg declined 15% or more after feeding in comparison with the pre-feeding one and fell below the lower limit of normal ranges. Results 61 patients were eligible for analysis and 38% had RFS. Univariate analyses showed that advanced age, low BMI, high TEII, low post-bronchodilator FEV 1 , high APACHE-II score, low P a O 2 /F i O 2 , high P a CO 2 , low pH, and leukocytosis at admission were risk factors for RFS. However, multiple logistic regression revealed that only BMI, TEII and the last post-bronchodilator FEV 1 were the risk predictors for RFS. Those who developed RFS had high risk to suffer from delirium, be intubated and receive invasive mechanical ventilation with difficult weaning from the ventilator, and have longer LOS. No in-hospital mortality was found. Conclusion RFS should not be overlooked in COPD patients with acute exacerbation. Awareness of this feeding-related complication is mandatory for early diagnosis and appropriate management to prevent morbidity and mortality.
Enthalpy Landscape Dictates the Irradiation-Induced Disordering of Quartz †

A physically sound understanding of how radiation-induced damage originates and accumulates in a material has long eluded researchers. New simulations show that the roughness of the enthalpy landscape determines the extent of this damage.
Recent Critiques of Dual Inheritance Theory

The dual inheritance or gene–culture coevolution theory of human evolution was developed in the 1970s and 80s. Early work built mathematical theories derived from then-current work in human development, sociolinguistics, and the diffusion of innovations. More recently it has included a considerable amount of new empirical work. The theory has always had critics in evolutionary biology and the social and behavioral sciences. Morin’s book critiques the theory from an alternate epidemiological or attraction theory of cultural evolution that doubts that imitation and adaptation play significant roles in cultural evolution. Lewens’s book is a wide-ranging analysis of critiques of gene–culture coevolution theory that finds most of them in error or at least not fatal to the project. His book includes a chapter on critiques based on considerations of human nature, of which Morin’s book is one variant, and which Lewens argues are faulty. That is also my conclusion. Keywords: cultural evolution, dual inheritance theory, attraction theory, human nature Books under review: Lewens, Tim. 2015. Cultural Evolution: Conceptual Challenges. New York: Oxford University Press. Hardcover $45.00; Kindle $17.04. Morin, Olivier. 2016. How Traditions Live and Die. New York: Oxford University Press. Hardcover $99.00; paperback $39.95; Kindle $15.65.
The soluble domains of Gpi8 and Gaa1, two subunits of glycosylphosphatidylinositol transamidase (GPI-T), assemble into a complex

Abstract Glycosylphosphatidylinositol transamidase (GPI-T) catalyzes the post-translational addition of the GPI anchor to the C-terminus of some proteins. In most eukaryotes, Gpi8, the active site subunit of GPI-T, is part of a hetero-pentameric complex containing Gpi16, Gaa1, Gpi17, and Gab1. Gpi8, Gaa1, and Gpi16 co-purify as a heterotrimer from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, suggesting that they form the core of the GPI-T. Details about the assembly and organization of these subunits have been slow to emerge. We have previously shown that the soluble domain of S. cerevisiae Gpi8 (Gpi823-306) assembles as a homodimer, similar to the caspases with which it shares weak sequence homology (Meitzler, J. L. et al., 2007). Here we present the characterization of a complex between the soluble domains of Gpi8 and Gaa1. The complex between GST-Gpi823-306 (α) and His6-Gaa150-343 (β) was characterized by native gel analysis and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and results are most consistent with an α2β2 stoichiometry. These results demonstrate that Gpi8 and Gaa1 interact specifically without a requirement for other subunits, bring us closer to determining the stoichiometry of the core subunits of GPI-T, and lend further credence to the hypothesis that these three subunits assemble into a dimer of a trimer.
Habitat restoration benefits wild bees: A meta‐analysis

Pollinator conservation is of increasing interest in the light of managed honeybee (Apis mellifera) declines, and declines in some species of wild bees. Much work has gone into understanding the effects of habitat enhancements in agricultural systems on wild bee abundance, richness and pollination services. However, the effects of ecological restoration targeting “natural” ecological endpoints (e.g. restoring former agricultural fields to historic vegetation types or improving degraded natural lands) on wild bees have received relatively little attention, despite their potential importance for countering habitat loss. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of ecological restoration on wild bee abundance and richness, focusing on unmanaged bee communities in lands restored and managed to increase habitat availability and quality. Specifically, we assessed bee abundance and/or richness across studies comparing restored vs. unrestored treatments and studies investigating effects of specific habitat restoration techniques, such as burning, grazing, invasive plant removal and seeding. We analysed 28 studies that met our selection criteria: these represented 11 habitat types and 7 restoration techniques. Nearly all restorations associated with these studies were performed without explicit consideration of habitat needs for bees or other pollinators. The majority of restorations targeted plant community goals, which could potentially have ancillary benefits for bees. Restoration had overall positive effects on wild bee abundance and richness across multiple habitat types. Specific restoration actions, tested independently, also tended to have positive effects on wild bee richness and abundance. Synthesis and applications. We found strong evidence that ecological restoration advances wild bee conservation. This is important given that habitat loss is recognized as a leading factor in pollinator decline. Pollinator responses to land management are rarely evaluated in non-agricultural settings and so support for wild bees may be an underappreciated benefit of botanically focused management. Future restoration projects that explicitly consider the needs of wild bees could be more effective at providing nesting, foraging and other habitat resources. We encourage land managers to design and evaluate restoration projects with the habitat needs of wild bee species in mind.
"Economic crisis, intra-MNC production shifts and MNC performance from a network perspective"

This study examines whether or not an economic crisis spurs a multinational corporation’s (MNC) production shifts within its international subsidiary network and whether or not the production shift...