cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissociation of hydrogen chloride and proton transfer in liquid glycerol: An ab initio molecular dynamics study

The dissociation and recombination of hydrochloric acid in bulk liquid glycerol under ambient conditions is studied with ab initio simulations. In two different molecular dynamics trajectories HCl ...
Electrohydrodynamic heat pipes.

An electrohydrodynamic heat pipe of radical design is proposed which substitutes polarization electrohydrodynamic force effects for capillarity in collecting, guiding, and pumping a condensate liquid phase. The discussed device is restricted to the use of dielectric liquids as working fluids. Because of the relatively poor thermal transport properties of these liquids, capillary heat pipes using these liquids have not been high performance devices. The employment of the electrohydrodynamic concept should enhance this performance and help fill the performance gap that exists in the temperature range from 250 F to 750 F for 'conventional' capillary heat pipes.
BIX‐01294 treatment blocks cell proliferation, migration and contractility in ovine foetal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

Objectives Recent studies have implicated a role for epigenetic phenomenon in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension but its role in fetal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation is still largely unknown. G9a is a key enzyme for histone H3 dimethylation at Lysine-9. In this study we investigated the role of G9a in ovine fetal PASMC proliferation, migration and contractility.
A generalization of Thurstone's learning function

Thurstone's equation giving the probability of a correct response (p) as a function of practice time (t) when punishment and reward have equal effects has been generalized to the case where the effect of punishment is not necessarily equal to the effect of reward. Since the general equation is somewhat unwieldy, three special cases are considered, where reward has no effect, where punishment has no effect, and where these effects are equal. Equations are given together with tables for making a rectified plot for each of the three special cases.
Dual-Output Stacked Class-EE Power Amplifiers in 45nm SOI CMOS for Q-Band Applications

Stacking multiple devices improves the output power and efficiency in mmWave power amplifiers by increasing the achievable output voltage swing. This work presents a new topology for stacked Class-E-like power amplifiers. In this technique, a Class-E load network is placed at the drain node of each stacked device, which imparts a true Class-E behavior to all the devices in the stack. The resulting topology is called the Dual (Multi) Output Stacked Class-EE PA. Two Q-band prototypes - a unit cell with 2 devices stacked, and a power-combined version employing two such unit cells - have been fabricated in IBM's 45nm SOI CMOS technology using the 56nm body-contacted devices. Measurements yield a peak PAE of 25.5% for the Dual Output Stacked Class-EE unit cell with saturated output power of 17.9 dBm, and a peak PAE >16% for the power-combined version with saturated output power >19.1 dBm. Excellent correspondence is observed between simulation and measurement as a consequence of active and passive device modeling efforts.
Laparoscopic Heller myotomy relieves dysphagia in patients with achalasia and low LES pressure following pneumatic dilatation

Background: Although pneumatic dilatation is said to relieve dysphagia in achalasia if it decreases lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure to 10 mmHg (n = 23); group C, no previous balloon dilatation and LES pressure >10 mmHg (n = 25). All patients underwent a laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication. The severity of dysphagia was gauged on a scale of 0-4. Results: In group A, LES pressure was 7 ± 2 mmHg preoperatively and 8 ± 3 mmHg postoperatively; the dysphagia score was 3.3 ± 0.7 preoperatively and 0.9 ± 1.1 postoperatively. Eighty-nine percent of patients had excellent or good results. In group B, LES pressure was 23 ± 8 mmHg preoperatively and 10 ± 1 mmHg postoperatively; the dysphagia score was 3.3 ± 0.7 preoperatively and 0.3 ± 0.5 postoperatively. All patients had excellent or good results. In group C, LES pressure was 23 ± 11 mmHg preoperatively and 14 ± 12 mmHg postoperatively; the dysphagia score was 3.6 ± 0.6 preoperatively and 0.2 ± 0.5 postoperatively. All patients had excellent or good results. Conclusions: These results show that (a) a LES pressure of <10 mmHg after pneumatic dilatation does not guarantee relief of dysphagia, and (b) laparoscopic Heller myotomy relieves dysphagia in most patients with a postdilatation LES pressure <10 mmHg. Thus, a laparoscopic Heller myotomy is indicated if dilatation does not relieve dysphagia, even if LES pressure has been decreased to <10 mmHg. Esophagectomy should be reserved for the occasional failure of this simpler operation.
Allochimeric therapy induces unique regulatory T cells that mitigate chronic rejection.

Induction of tolerance to an allogeneic graft without the need for nonspecific immunosuppression is a major goal of transplantation therapy. We have shown that treatment with molecularly engineered, allochimeric [α 1 h 1 / u ]-RT1.Aa class I MHC antigens bearing donor-type Wistar-Furth (WF, RT1.A u ) or Lewis (LEW, RT1A 1 ) amino acid substitutions for host-type ACI (RTI.A a ) sequences in the α 1 -helical region induces donor-specific tolerance to cardiac allografts in rat recipients. The mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of specific allograft tolerance are still not fully understood. It is now clear that acquisition of transplantation tolerance is an active, highly regulated, multistep process. According to the pool size model of allograft tolerance, the allograft outcome, rejection, or tolerance often depend on the balance between cytopathic and regulatory T cells (T-regs). This study examined mechanisms of chronic rejection (CR) development on a model of cardiac transplant tolerance after adoptive transfer of T-regs followed by allochimeric therapy. Generation of T-regs was demonstrated in vitro by MLR coculture and confirmed by adoptive transfer of T cells from primary recipients to secondary hosts. To confirm the true nature of regulatory cells, we performed a second transfer into tertiary recipients. Unlike T-regs from tolerant hosts, T cells from naive rats did not prolong graft survival. Histological evaluation of T-regs-transfected groups showed absence of visible CR. In contrast, T-regs generated in recipients after high-dose cyclosporine treatment failed to inhibit CR in transferred singeneic recipients. Allochimeric therapy triggers generation of unique regulatory lymphocytes that mitigate development of chronic rejection through regulation of anti-inflammatory mechanisms and down-regulation of alloantibody response.
Are Social Forums the Future of Social Movements

Social Forums, modeled on the World Social Forums, are not social movements in the classic sense. They are not, and do not purport to be, the organizational form through which basic social change will be achieved, or can best be pursued. But they do bring together elements of many social movements, afford an opportunity for coalition-building among them, frequently around urban issues, and thus make a significant contribution to achieving such change. Conceivably they may be the foundation for an international social movement for change, but if so it is likely to coalesce about a specifically political program. Some concrete suggestions are made which might enhance their effectiveness. Les Forums sociaux, sur le modele des Forums sociaux mondiaux, ne sont pas des mouvements sociaux au sens traditionnel. Ils ne sont, ni ne sont censes etre, la forme d’organisation permettant d’atteindre ou de mener au mieux un changement social fondamental. Cependant, ils reunissent des composantes de nombreux mouvements sociaux, leur offrent une possibilite de creer une coalition (souvent autour de problemes urbains) et contribuent ainsi fortement a l’evolution visee. En theorie, ils peuvent servir de base a un mouvement social international en faveur d’un changement, quoique ayant alors tendance a s’unir sur un programme politique. Les suggestions concretes qui sont formulees peuvent en ameliorer l’efficacite.
Controlled reperfusion of cardiac grafts from non-heart-beating donors

Background. Hearts harvested from non-heart-beating donors sustain severe injury during procurement and implantation, mandating interventions to preserve their function. We tested the hypothesis that limiting oxygen delivery during initial reperfusion of such hearts would reduce free-radical injury. Methods. Rabbits sustained hypoxic arrest after ventilatory withdrawal, followed by 20 minutes of in vivo ischemia. Hearts were excised and reperfused with blood under conditions of high arterial oxygen tension (PaO 2 ) (approximately 400 mm Hg), low PaO 2 (approximately 60 to 70 mm Hg), high pressure (80 mm Hg), and low pressure (40 mm Hg), with or without free-radical scavenger infusion. Non—heart-beating donor groups were defined by the initial reperfusion conditions: high PaO 2 /high pressure (n = 8), low PaO 2 /high pressure (n = 7), high PaO 2 /low pressure (n = 8), low PaO 2 /low pressure (n = 7), and high PaO 2 /high pressure/free-radical scavenger infusion (n = 7). Results. After 45 minutes of reperfusion, low PaO 2 /high pressure and high PaO 2 /low pressure had a significantly higher left ventricular developed pressure (63.6 ± 5.6 and 63.1 ± 5.6 mm Hg, respectively) than high PaO 2 /high pressure (40.9 ± 4.5 mm Hg; p 2 /high pressure/free-radical scavenger infusion displayed only a trend toward improved ventricular recovery compared with high PaO 2 /high pressure. Conclusions. Initially reperfusing nonbeating cardiac grafts at low PaO 2 or low pressure improves recovery, but may involve mechanisms other than decreased free-radical injury.
Palantir: a framework for collaborative incident response and investigation

Organizations owning cyber-infrastructure assets face large scale distributed attacks on a regular basis. In the face of increasing complexity and frequency of such attacks, we argue that it is insufficient to rely on organizational incident response teams or even trusted coordinating response teams. Instead, there is need to develop a framework that enables responders to establish trust and achieve an effective collaborative response and investigation process across multiple organizations and legal entities to track the adversary, eliminate the threat and pursue prosecution of the perpetrators. In this work we develop such a framework for effective collaboration. Our approach is motivated by our experiences in dealing with a large-scale distributed attack that took place in 2004 known as Incident 216. Based on our approach we present the Palantir system that comprises conceptual and technological capabilities to adequately respond to such attacks. To the best of our knowledge this is the first work proposing a system model and implementation for a collaborative multi-site incident response and investigation effort.
Identification of racemization sites using deuterium labeling and tandem mass spectrometry

Racemization of amino acids is a common chemical degradation pathway observed in biopharmaceuticals and is particularly prevalent in synthetic peptides. The identification of racemized amino acid residue(s) by mass spectrometry is particularly challenging due to isobaric mass between the isomeric forms. In this paper, we present a novel methodology combining stable deuterium labeling with collisionally induced dissociation-tandem mass spectrometry (CID-MS/MS) to elucidate racemized amino acid residues in immunoglobulin samples. Immunoglobulin G subclasses IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 samples were first stressed in protonated or deuterated buffer (pH 8 or 9) at 40 or 50 °C storage for days or weeks. These forced degraded samples were reduced, S-carbamidomethylated, and digested with trypsin in protonated solution, and the tryptic digests were then analyzed via liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC−MS) or sequenced via liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS) to detect racemized peptides and ...
Modulation of diacylglycerol acyltransferase by lysophosphatidylcholine and related monochain phospholipids.

Abstract Acyl-CoA: 1,2-diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.20) activity of rat liver microsomes was found to be stimulated by 1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine at low concentrations, but was inhibited above 0.2 mM. Diacylglycerol acylation was optimal at 75 μM lysophosphatidylcholine, resulting in a more than 2-fold activation of the enzyme. Acyltransferase activity disappeared above 0.5 mM lysophosphatidylcholine levels. 0.05% sodium taurocholate supplementation reduced diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity by approx. 2 3 over the entire range of lysophosphatidylcholine concentrations. 1-O-Hexadecylpropanediol-3-phosphocholine was shown to mimic lysophosphatidylcholine at stimulatory and at inhibitory concentrations in the absence and in the presence of sodium taurocholate, thus ruling out acyl-CoA depletion due to lysophos-phatidylcholine acylation as a cause of depressed triacylglycerol synthesis at higher lysophosphatidylcholine levels. 1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine stimulated diacylglycerol acyltransferase to a lesser extent, without showing inhibition at higher concentrations. The data point towards a direct effect of the lysophospholipids on the acyltransferase system.
Beneficial effects of iron therapy in renal failure patients on hemodialysis

Beneficial effects of iron therapy in renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Iron deficiency is a common problem in patients treated with hemodialysis. If not detected and treated appropriately, the effectiveness of recombinant human erythropoietin therapy is compromised. Much has been learned in recent years with respect to iron therapy for hemodialysis patients. A series of studies have clearly defined the efficacy of intravenous iron compounds, and recently released clinical practice guidelines have set the appropriate clinical context for the use of these agents. The purpose of this article is to examine the beneficial effects of iron replacement therapy for hemodialysis patients.
The influence of levodopa and adrenergic blockade on growth hormone and prolactin secretion in the MStTW15 tumor bearing rat.

Rats bearing a transplanted pituitary tumor which secreted prolactin and growth hormone (GH) were injected with L-dopa. A significant fall in serum prolactin occurred by 30 min; by four hr the serum prolactin values returned to baseline concentrations. Adrenergic blockade induced by propranolol and phentolamine had no independent effect on serum prolactin or GH concentrations. Phentolamine, however, in hibited and propranolol prolonged L-dopa suppression of serum prolactin. An ip injection of L-dopa acutely suppressed serum GH by 60 min only after the animals had been pre-treated with L-dopa. It is suggested that L-dopa suppressed serum prolactin through direct inhibition of tumor prolactin secretion via the a-adrenergic system. (Endocrinology 91: 1314, 1972)
Laser photothermal melting and fragmentation of gold nanorods: Energy and laser pulse-width dependence

We studied the shape transformation (by use of TEM and optical absorption spectroscopy) of gold nanorods in micellar solution by exposure to laser pulses of different pulse width (100 fs and 7 ns) and different energies (μJ to mJ) at 800 nm, where the longitudinal surface plasmon oscillation of the nanorods absorb. At moderate energies, the femtosecond irradiation melts the nanorods to near spherical particles of comparable volumes while the nanosecond pulses fragment them to smaller near-spherical particles. At high energies, fragmentation is also observed for the femtosecond irradiation. A mechanism involving the rate of energy deposition as compared to the rate of electron−phonon and phonon−phonon relaxation processes is proposed to determine the final fate of the laser-exposed nanorods, i.e., melting or fragmentation.
The Primacy of Politics: Social Democracy and the Making of Europe's Twentieth Century

The Primacy of Politics: Social Democracy and the Making of Europe's Twentieth Century. By Sheri Berman. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2006. 238p. 23.99 paper.Sheri Berman has written an engaging book about the origins, development, and deployment of social democracy in Europe since the late nineteenth century. The central argument is that social democracy, as one of several movements that challenged liberalism and orthodox Marxism, ultimately prevailed over competitors. In Berman's view, the triumphant social democratic reconciliation of capitalism and democracy in post–World War II Europe cannot be understood as simply a muscular form of embedded liberalism; social democracy is a distinct ideology that undergirds a system of political control of capitalism and communitarian policies and institutions.
The economics of climate change: a post-stern perspective

What have we learned from the outpouring of literature as a result of the Stern Review of the Economics of Climate Change? A lot. We have explored the model space and the parameter space much more thoroughly. The Stern Review has catalyzed a fundamental rethinking of the economic case for action on climate change. We are in a position to give some conditions that are sufficient to provide a case for strong action on climate change, but we need more work before we have a fully satisfactory account of the relevant economics. In particular, we need to understand better how climate change affects natural capital—the natural environment and the ecosystems comprising it—and how this in turn affects human welfare.
Expeditious oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds using iron(III) nitrate

An efficient and solvent-free protocol for the oxidation of alcohols to corresponding carbonyl compounds using iron(III) nitrate nonahydrate has been developed.
Modeling dynamical geometry with lattice gas automata

Conventional lattice-gas automata consist of particles moving discretely on a fixed lattice. While such models have been quite successful for a variety of fluid flow problems, there are other systems, e.g., flow in a flexible membrane or chemical self-assembly, in which the geometry is dynamical and coupled to the particle flow. Systems of this type seem to call for lattice gas models with dynamical geometry. We construct such a model on one-dimensional (periodic) lattices and describe some simulations illustrating its nonequilibrium dynamics.
Inelastic collapse in simple shear flow of a granular medium

Previous investigations have shown that inelastic collapse is a common feature of inelastic, hard-sphere simulations of nondriven (or unforced) flows, provided that the coefficient of restitution is small enough. The focus of the current effort is on a driven system, namely, simple shear flow. Two-dimensional, hard-sphere simulations have been carried out over a considerable range of restitution coefficients (r), solids fractions (\ensuremath{\nu}), and numbers of particles (N). The results indicate that inelastic collapse is an integral feature of the sheared system. Similar to nondriven systems, this phenomenon is characterized by a string of particles engaging in numerous, repeated collisions just prior to collapse. The collapsed string is typically oriented along a 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} angle from the streamwise direction. Inelastic collapse is also found to be more likely in systems with lower r, higher \ensuremath{\nu}, and higher N, as is true for unforced systems. Nonetheless, an examination of the boundary between the collapsed and noncollapsed states reveals that the sheared system is generally more ``resistant'' to inelastic collapse than its nondriven counterpart. Furthermore, a dimensionless number ${V}^{*}$ is identified that represents the magnitude of the initial fluctuating velocities relative to that of a characteristic steady-state velocity (i.e., the product of shear rate and particle diameter). For values of ${V}^{*}\ensuremath{\gg}O(1),$ the transient portion of the simulation is found to be more reminiscent of a nondriven system (i.e., isotropic particle bunching is observed instead of diagonal particle bands).
Undergraduate research experiences with wireless sensor networks

Business week has stated that "microelectronic sensor networks is one of the 21 most important technologies of the 21st century". Research and commercialization in this area remains immature, and large-scale wireless sensor network (WSN) deployments are few. The nature of WSNs motivates collaboration among researchers from diverse disciplines to leverage their skills to conduct meaningful experiments. An ongoing research project has been investigating the effectiveness of WSNs for spatial observations on environmental properties of soil. This project utilizes a combination of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) WSN subsystems and others designed and fabricated in-house by graduate and undergraduate students. Undergraduate students were also given the responsibility of implementing and deploying a complete end-to-end WSN solution, requiring them to get involved with concepts and tasks well outside of their educational "comfort" area. This paper documents our early experiences developing and deploying a WSN in the field. The novel aspect of this work was the high level of involvement at all technical levels by undergraduate students. Highlights of their efforts are reported, as are areas in need of improvement by graduate students and faculty researchers. Future undergraduate research areas are explored with suggestions on how WSN topics can permeate into undergraduate education.
The Reversion of Chromoplasts to Chloroplasts in Valencia Oranges

The ultrastructural reversion of chromoplasts to chloroplasts in regreening Valencia oranges is described. During reversion of chromoplasts to chloroplasts the grana-fretwork system is evidently built up from small vesicles which pinch off from the inner plastid membrane. As the chromoplast regreens, the large osmiophilic globules become reduced in size and number, and there may be a utilization of the lipid material of these globules during the formation of the internal membrane system. It is suggested that irreversible senescences of the chromoplasts probably is dependent on changes in the plastid membrane.
Dynamic fleet scheduling with uncertain demand and customer flexibility

We develop a dynamic fleet scheduling model that demonstrates how a carrier can improve fleet utilization. The fleet scheduling model presented by Lee et al. (Eur J Oper Res 218(1):261–269, 2012) minimizes (1) a carrier’s fleet size and (2) the penalty associated with the alternative delivery times selected. The model is static since requests are collected over time and processed together. In this paper we present a stochastic, dynamic version of the fleet reduction model. As demand is revealed throughout an order horizon, decisions are made in stages by sampling anticipated demand to avoid recourse penalties in later stages. Based on computational experiments we find the following:
Cardiac Echinococcosis: Case Report of Unusual Echocardiographic Appearance

An unusual echocardiographic appearance of a cardiac echinococcal lesion confirmed intraoperatively is described in a patient with nonspecific cardiac complaints. Although previous reports have emphasized the echolucent, often multiseptated nature of echinococcal lesions, such characteristics were absent in this case. Thus, in the appropriate clinical setting, echinococcal infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid mass lesions of the heart because the surgical approach may need to be altered.
Evaluation of combustion by-products of MTBE as a component of reformulated gasoline

Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is a gasoline oxygenate that is widely used throughout the US and Europe as an octane-booster and as a means of reducing automotive carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. The combustion by-products of pure MTBE have been evaluated in previous laboratory studies, but little attention has been paid to the combustion by-products of MTBE as a component of gasoline. MTBE is often used in reformulated gasoline (RFG), which has chemical and physical characteristics distinct from conventional gasoline. The formation of MTBE by-products in RFG is not well-understood, especially under "worst-case" vehicle emission scenarios such as fuel-rich operations, cold-starts or malfunctioning emission control systems, conditions which have not been studied extensively. Engine-out automotive dynamometer studies have compared RFG with MTBE to non-oxygenated RFG. Their findings suggest that adding MTBE to reformulated gasoline does not impact the high temperature flame chemistry in cylinder combustion processes. Comparison of tailpipe and exhaust emission studies indicate that reactions in the catalytic converter are quite effective in destroying most hydrocarbon MTBE by-product species. Since important reaction by-products are formed in the post-flame region, understanding changes in this region will contribute to the understanding of fuel-related changes in emissions.
Lung Deposition and Cellular Uptake Behavior of Pathogen-Mimicking Nanovaccines in the First 48 Hours

Pulmonary immunization poses the unique challenge of balancing vaccine efficacy with minimizing inflammation in the respiratory tract. While previous studies have shown that mice immunized intranasally with F1-V-loaded polyanhydride nanoparticles are protected from a lethal challenge with Yersinia pestis, little is known about the initial interaction between the nanoparticles and immune cells following intranasal administration. Here, the deposition within the lung and internalization by phagocytic cells of polyanhydride nanovaccines encapsulating F1-V are compared with that of soluble F1-V alone or F1-V adjuvanted with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA). Encapsulation of F1-V into polyanhydride nanoparticles prolonged its presence while F1-V administered with MPLA is undetectable within 48 h. The inflammation induced by the polyanhydride nanovaccine is mild compared with the marked inflammation induced by the MPLA-adjuvanted F1-V. Even though F1-V delivered with saline is detected in the lung 48 h after administration, it is known that this regimen does not elicit a protective immune response. The prolonged F1-V presence in the lung in concert with the mild inflammatory response provided by the nanovaccine provides new insights into the development of protective immune responses with a single intranasal dose.
Versatile organic iodide melts and glasses with high mole fractions of LiI: Glass transition temperatures and electrical conductivities

Abstract Noting the high σ o of LiI + LiPS 3 glasses we have explored the properties of salt melts in which all anions are iodide. To obtain these, various low-melting tetraalkylammonium iodides, TAAI's, which may vitrify with up to 70 mo1% LiI, have been synthesized. Some mixtures may remain liquid at room temperature indefinitely. Electrical conductances do not attain the room temperature values of the inorganic LiI glasses though may reach −10 −3 S cm −1 at 100°C. The organic cations introduce many possibilities for structural manipulation, and may also be polymerized. Preliminary polymerization and conductivity results are reported. The investigation has suggested an important principle (the counter-polarization principle) distinguishing high alkali conductivity in salt or polymer solutions on the one hand and glassy solid electrolytes on the other.
Design principles for orally bioavailable drugs

Compound design is the hallmark of modern pharmaceutical research and development. Unfortunately, comprehensive and reliable guidelines for the introduction of favorable bioavailability properties into designed compounds remain elusive. Here, the authors discuss the limited set of design principles that address the problem of bioavailability, based on a retrospective analysis of orally bioavailable drugs. The roles of partition coefficient, molecular weight, carrier-mediated transport and conformational flexibility are evaluated. These properties are discussed as guiding principles only, and cannot be considered all-encompassing determinants of oral bioavailability.
Determination of 17α-Methyltestosterone in Muscle Tissues of Tilapia, Rainbow Trout, and Salmon Using Liquid Chromatography−Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An analytical method was developed to quantitate and confirm the presence of 17alpha-methyltestosterone in the muscles of tilapia, rainbow trout, and salmon. The method employed two liquid-liquid partitioning steps and two solid-phase extraction columns for sample cleanup. The final extracts were analyzed on an isocratic reverse-phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system with atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization in the positive ion mode. The method was validated at levels from 0.40 to 1.6 ng/g, with MT-d3 used as an internal standard. The accuracy was between 100% and 110%, and coefficients of variation of <10% were obtained for all three fish species. Muscle tissues from dosed fish were also assayed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method for recovering the parent drug.
Science Signaling Podcast: 15 December 2009

This is a conversation with Paul Mischel about a Research Article published in the 15 December 2009 issue of Science Signaling.
OLS versus ML estimation of non-market resource values with payment card interval data

Abstract Contingent valuation methods (CVM) have been shown to be potentially very useful for eliciting information about demands for non-market goods. We assess the sensitivity of “payment card” CVM results to the researcher's choice of estimation method. Empirical payment card data are used in both (a) a naive ordinary least squares (OLS) procedure employing interval midpoints as proxies for the true dependent variable, and (b) an efficient maximum likelihood (ML) procedure which explicitly accommodates the intervals. Depending upon the design of the payment card, OLS can yield biased parameter estimates, misleading inferences regarding the effects of different variables on resource values, and biased estimates of the overall resource value.
Anxiety - And the Learning-To-Read Process

A discussion of the role of anxiety as a causal factor of depressed achievement in children with socially acceptable behavior
Are we studying and treating schizophrenia correctly

New findings are rapidly revealing an increasingly detailed image of neural- and molecular-level dysfunction in schizophrenia, distributed throughout interconnected cortico-striato-pallido-thalamic circuitry. Some disturbances appear to reflect failures of early brain maturation, that become codified into dysfunctional circuit properties, resulting in a substantial loss of, or failure to develop, both cells and/or appropriate connectivity across widely dispersed brain regions. These circuit disturbances are variable across individuals with schizophrenia, perhaps reflecting the interaction of multiple different risk genes and epigenetic events. Given these complex and variable hard-wired circuit disturbances, it is worth considering how new and emerging findings can be integrated into actionable treatment models. This paper suggests that future efforts towards developing more effective therapeutic approaches for the schizophrenias should diverge from prevailing models in genetics and molecular neuroscience, and focus instead on a more practical three-part treatment strategy: 1) systematic rehabilitative psychotherapies designed to engage healthy neural systems to compensate for and replace dysfunctional higher circuit elements, used in concert with 2) medications that specifically target cognitive mechanisms engaged by these rehabilitative psychotherapies, and 3) antipsychotic medications that target nodal or convergent circuit points within the limbic-motor interface, to constrain the scope and severity of psychotic exacerbations and thereby facilitate engagement in cognitive rehabilitation. The use of targeted cognitive rehabilitative psychotherapy plus synergistic medication has both common sense and time-tested efficacy with numerous other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Dual-energy computed tomography applications in uroradiology.

The introduction of dual-energy computed tomography systems (ie, scanners that can simultaneously acquire images at different energies) has significant and unique applications for urologists. Imaging data from these scanners can be used to evaluate composition of urinary calculi and, by “removing” iodine from an image, significantly decrease radiation dose to patients referred for hematuria. Further, the ability to create a virtual noncontrast image obviates the need for repeated scanning in patients with incidentally detected renal and adrenal masses. Finally, the ability to quantify the regional concentration of iodine in a renal neoplasm may provide a method to monitor effectiveness of therapy before size changes become apparent.
Potential energy curves and spectral properties for electronic states of F2 and F+2

Abstract Potential energy (PE) curves for the Rydberg states of F 2 , and for the ground and lowest two electronic states each of symmetry 2 Π g,u , 2 Δ g,u and 2 Σ ± g,u of F + 2 , have been obtained using modest-sized configuration-interaction calculations. These PE curves have been used to calculate spectroscopic constants for the electronic states and the results agree reasonably well with the limited experimental and theoretical results previously reported. The theoretical PE curves for the Rydberg states of F 2 are found to be strongly perturbed by valence-Rydberg-ionic interactions and these perturbations appear to be responsible for certain features in recently reported electron energy-loss spectra in F 2 . The corresponding electronic wavefunctions have been used to calculate the electronic transition moment, as a function of the internuclear distance, for dipole-allowed transitions between the lowest excited electron state of each symmetry and the appropriate ground electronic state. The radiative emission probabilities, natural lifetimes, and absorption oscillator strengths, for each band system, are also reported here. The predicted lifetimes for vibrational levels of the A 2 Π u of electronic state in F + 2 vary from 1.3–1.5 μs and agree reasonably well with the single available set of measurements. The predicted radiative lifetimes for the higher electronic states of F + 2 are substantially longer and fall into the range 5–100 ms.
Nonresponders of interferon/ribavirin treatment for recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation

Abstract Background Treatment of recurrent hepatitis C (HCV) following liver transplant currently includes α-interferon with ribavirin. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate nonresponder protocols for patients failing current treatment for recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation. Methods From February 1998 through November 2002, 67 patients, all serum RNA-positive for hepatitis C with histological evidence of recurrent hepatitis C, underwent treatment with α-interferon and ribavirin. For patients who failed initial treatment, patients were begun on either amantadine along with interferon/ribavirin or peginterferon with ribavirin. Results Of the initial 67 patients, there was a complete viral clearance in only 14.9% (10/67). Of the 57 remaining patients not clearing the virus, 30 (52.6%) were taken off treatment due to adverse events associated with bone marrow or hemoglobin suppression. In the amantadine group (n = 12), three (25%) had to discontinue due to CNS side effects of slurred speech, dizziness, and increased depression. In the amantadine group, no patients cleared the virus but there was a one log drop in viral load (1.6 × 106 vs 0.9 × 106; P = .4). In the peginterferon group, there were three (20%) patients with complete viral clearance during treatment with similar drops to amantadine. There was also seen a biochemical response by month 3 with peginterferon, which was not seen with amantadine. Conclusions Peginterferon with ribavirin appears to be superior to amantadine with interferon/ribavirin when used in nonresponders for hepatitis C viral clearance.
Estimation and Interpretation of Proportional Stock Density for Fish Populations in Ohio Impoundments

Abstract We used fish population and food consumption data from five Ohio impoundments plus results from computer simulations to (1) examine sources of sampling error in estimating Proportional Stock Density (PSD), an index of fish population structure, (2) evaluate the relative effects of growth, mortality, and recruitment on PSD, and (3) assess use of PSD to predict outcomes of predator-prey interactions when the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is the major piscivore in medium to large impoundments (>50 hectares) with complex fish communities. When largemouth bass were collected with electrofishing gear, estimates of PSD varied considerably. During the spring, PSD was positively related to water temperature. PSD was lowest during summer when large bass were not vulnerable to electrofishing gear and increased in autumn when water temperatures declined. The PSD of a largemouth bass population in one impoundment ranged from 11 to 36% over a 4-year period as growth, exploitation, natural mortality, ...
Application of NMR imaging to the study of velocity profiles during extrusion processing

Abstract Characterization of the flow of a food material through an extruder is essential to the design and control of extrusion systems. The complexity of flow and mixing patterns during extrusion presents a perplexing yet fascinating modeling challenge for food scientists. Flow velocity profiles can be evaluated non-invasively using NMR imaging to monitor the motion of a magnetically marked band of fluid across the diameter of the extruder; distortion of the band illustrates motion. This paper demonstrates the ability of the technique to provide qualitative and quantitative descriptions of flow patterns in a single-screw extruder.
Comparative evaluation of national prostatic cancer treatment group and gleason systems for pathologic grading of primary prostatic cancer

Abstract Multivariable analysis was used to investigate the relationship between risk of disease progression or death in patients who were treated with adjuvant therapy after definitive treatment for prostatic adenocarcinoma and the components of the National Prostatic Cancer Treatment Group (NPCTG) and Gleason systems for pathologic grading of prostatic cancer. Data were available for 203 patients who were treated on NPCTG Protocols 900 and 1,000, which involve surgical and radiation therapy as definitive treatment. Since less than 10 per cent of these patients have died, analysis of survival was not attempted. The study focus was progression free survival, which is the minimum of time to progression or death. The analysis demonstrates that a new measure, the NPCTG score (the sum of the glandular and nuclear grades) is superior to the previously reported NPCTG grade (the maximum of the two grades). In addition, the Gleason score is somewhat superior to the new NPCTG score. All of this, however, applies only to the primary tumor and not the nature of any present or future metastatic lesions.
The application of censored regression techniques to the analysis of tax reform

Abstract This paper applies the techniques of censored regression to both estimate and simulate the behavioral impacts of tax policy on the willingness and ability of taxpayers to take personal deductions on their Federal income tax returns. The estimation of a statistical model for deductible expenditures is a problem of censored regression because if the taxpaying unit does not itemize the dependent variable is not reported. The simulation of personal deductions under tax reform requires recognition that the censoring threshold itself [the zero bracket amount] plays a role in determining the tax savings due to deductibility. Augmenting the behavioral model with an accounting base allows simulation and comparison of the itemization status and tax revenue implications of recent tax reform proposals, including the measure passed by the U.S. Senate in June 1986.
Mixed electoral rules’ impact on party systems

Abstract The growing literature about mixed electoral systems has addressed their effect on party systems, voting behavior, campaign strategies, legislative roll-call voting, and other issues in a handful of countries. But, the effect of mixed systems has not been fully evaluated cross-nationally or longitudinally. Using data from the World Bank’s Database of Political Institutions, we address this gap in the literature by investigating two related questions. First, do mixed electoral rules produce different election outcomes than other election rules? Second, are these results attenuated by the definitions of mixed systems that scholars employ? We find that mixed systems generate outcomes that are distinct from other electoral systems and that these findings are generally robust across different definitions.
Two-photon, two-color in vivo flow cytometry to noninvasively monitor multiple circulating cell lines

We have developed a new two-photon system for in vivo flow cytometry, thereby allowing us to simultaneously quantify different circulating populations in a single animal. The instrument was able to resolve minute-by-minute depletion dynamics of injected fluorescent microspheres at finer time scales than conventional flow cytometry. Also observed were the circulation dynamics of human MCF-7 and MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells, which have low and high metastatic potential, respectively. After co-injection of both cell types into mice, markedly greater numbers of MCF-7 cells were present in the circulation at early time points. While low metastatic MCF-7 cells were cleared from the vascular system within 24 hours, detectable numbers of metastatic MDA-MB-435 cells in the circulation remained constant over time. When we replace the commercial (80-MHz) NIR excitation laser with a reduced-repetition-rate (20-MHz) mode-locked oscillator, the signal is enhanced four-fold, enabling superior detection in blood of cell lines expressing fluorescent proteins tdTomato and mPlum (cross-labeled with DiI and DiD). Detection sensitivity versus incident laser power is understood in terms of detected event photon count distribution, which can be predicted with simple fluorophore distribution assumptions. The technique of two-color, two-photon flow cytometry greatly enhances the capabilities of ex vivo flow cytometry to investigate dynamics of circulating cells in cancer and other important diseases.
Role of DNA superhelicity in partitioning of the pSC101 plasmid

Abstract Previous work has shown that a cis -acting locus (termed par for partitioning) on the pSC101 plasmid accomplishes its stable inheritance in dividing cell populations. We report here that the DNA of pSC101 derivatives lacking the par region shows a decrease in overall superhelical density as compared with DNA of wild-type pSC101. Chemicals and bacterial mutations that reduce negative DNA supercoiling increase the rate of loss of par − plasmids and convert normally stable plasmids that have minimal par region deletions into unstable replicons. topA gene mutations, which increase negative DNA supercoiling, reverse the instability of partition-defective plasmids that utilize the pSC101, p15A, F, or oriC replication systems. Our observations show that the extent of negative supercoiling of plasmid DNA has major effects on the plasmid's inheritance and suggest a mechanism by which the pSC101 par region may exert its stabilizing effects.
Association of Serum 17β‐Estradiol Concentration, Hormone Therapy, and Alveolar Crest Height in Postmenopausal Women

Background: Declines in endogenous estrogen levels after menopause can lead to systemic bone loss, including loss of oral bone and alveolar crest height (ACH). However, few studies have assessed both serum 17β-estradiol (E2) and exogenous hormone therapy (HT) use in relation to oral bone loss.Methods: This study examines the associations among serum E2, HT use, and ACH in 613 postmenopausal women from the Buffalo OsteoPerio study. Baseline ACH levels and 5-year ACH were assessed for groups according to E2 level (undetectable, >5.00 to ≤18.00, >18.00 to ≤46.07, and >46.07 pg/mL) and among HT use (never, ever) using analysis of variance and analysis of covariance. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of ACH loss with serum E2 and HT use.Results: In cross-sectional analyses, no association was found of serum E2 with whole-mouth mean or worst-site ACH. However, history of HT use was associated with ACH. Women who had never used HT had more ACH loss assessed as a whole-mouth mean ACH (P = 0....
Grow them and we will come for the feast

Sustainable production of switchgrass and other bioenergy grasses will require eff ective pest management. Identifi cation of potential insect pests and detailed characterization of the plant-insect interaction will better enable us to address emergent insect pests in production fi elds. An added uncertainty is how manipulation of plants for improved quality (e.g. lower lignin) will aff ect plant resistance to insect herbivory. Plants can utilize different mechanisms to defend against chewing versus piercing-sucking insects; however, some basal plant responses appear to be shared across diverse biotic stressors. Th e range and modulation of these responses are beginning to be addressed for several of the temperate, perennial, warm-season grasses that are designated as biomass crops. Other systems have demonstrated the need to become proactive in these studies. For instance, buff alograss, Buchloe dactyloides (Nuttall) Engelmann, was fi rst introduced as a low-maintenance turf species. However, a number of important insect pests were documented within a relatively short time frame. 1,2 Similarly, several recent reports have been published for switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) that indicate the presence of insect pests in production fi elds, and the overall susceptibility of these species to insect herbivory. 3-9 A number of aphid species can also feed on these perennial grasses. 10 A more detailed evaluation of the suitability and categories of resistance present in tetraploid switchgrasses to feeding by two potential aphid pests have been conducted recently. 11,12 Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the upland switchgrass cultivar, Summer, was generally susceptible to both the greenbug (Schizaphis graminum) and to the yellow sugarcane aphid (Sipha fl ava). Th e lowland switchgrass cultivar, Kanlow was highly resistant to both aphids, indicative of a strong antibiosis response. Interestingly, a population derived