cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 20 – Challenges in Clinical Microbiology Testing

Clinical microbiology is a discipline that incorporates testing for a diverse group of microorganisms. Clinical microbiology laboratories perform aerobic and anaerobic bacteriology, parasitology, mycobacteriology, mycology, and virology. Clinical microbiology is also a rather complex discipline because it utilizes many different types of methodologies and constantly undergoes changes in testing methods. There is significant overlap in methods used to diagnose microbial diseases, and the microbiology laboratory may comprise several disciplines (e.g., classical culture methods, antigen detection methods, molecular methods, and serological methods are often performed under the purview of microbiology). The wide variety of pathogens and testing methods that are available makes microbiological testing challenging, and thus error detection and correction are important components of quality laboratory testing. Errors may occur at all stages of testing (pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical), and an error in one stage of testing is likely to overlap with or lead to errors in other stages (e.g., incorrect specimen collection can lead to culture, identification, and reporting of organisms that are not involved in the disease process, and incorrect or unnecessary antimicrobial therapy as a result). In the clinical microbiology laboratory, as in every other discipline, the frequency of analytical errors has been reduced considerably with the implementation of quality control and quality assurance programs. Despite the improvements in microbiological testing, microorganisms remain a constant challenge, and errors do occasionally occur. Clinical microbiology is somewhat unique among the laboratory disciplines in that it remains heavily reliant on manual testing and interpretive/subjective skills, and it is somewhat subjective. Despite improvements, analytical errors can occur in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Common sources of error and methods to prevent them are discussed as general concepts relevant to clinical microbiology, followed by specific examples grouped by specimen or testing method.
Oxidation/corrosion of Nb-1 Zr and PWC-11 in lithium for space reactor applications

The materials Nb-1 Zr and Nb-1 Zr-0.1 C (PWC-11) are candidate structural materials for compact lithium-cooled reactor systems for space applications. Because the mechanical and corrosion propertie...
Experimental Study on Digital Image Correlation for Deep Learning-Based Damage Diagnostic

Large quantities of data which contain detailed condition information over an extended period of time should be utilized to prioritize infrastructure repairs. As the temporal and spatial resolution of monitoring data drastically increase by advances in sensing technology, structural health monitoring applications reach the thresholds of big data. Deep neural networks are ideally suited to use large representative training datasets to learn complex damage features. In the previous study of authors, a real-time deep learning platform was developed to solve damage detection and localization challenge. The network was trained by using simulated structural connection mimicking the real test object with a variety of loading cases, damage scenarios, and measurement noise levels for successful and robust diagnosis of damage. In this study, the proposed damage diagnosis platform is validated by using temporally and spatially dense data collected by Digital Image Correlation (DIC) from the specimen. Laboratory testing of the specimen with induced damage condition is performed to evaluate the performance and efficiency of damage detection and localization approach.
Neuron-Glia Signaling in Synapse Elimination

Maturation of neuronal circuits requires selective elimination of synaptic connections. Although neuron-intrinsic mechanisms are important in this process, it is increasingly recognized that glial cells also play a critical role. Without proper functioning of these cells, the number, morphology, and function of synaptic contacts are profoundly altered, resulting in abnormal connectivity and behavioral abnormalities. In addition to their role in synaptic refinement, glial cells have also been implicated in pathological synapse loss and dysfunction following injury or nervous system degeneration in adults. Although mechanisms regulating glia-mediated synaptic elimination are still being uncovered, it is clear this complex process involves many cues that promote and inhibit the removal of specific synaptic connections. Gaining a greater understanding of these signals and the contribution of different cell types will not only provide insight into this critical biological event but also be instrumental in advancing knowledge of brain development and neural disease.
Improving Vitamin D Administration to Breastfeeding Newborns Using a Quality Improvement Model

Introduction: In November 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) doubled the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for infants and children, from 200 IU/day (2003 recommendation) to 400 IU/day. Vitamin D should also be offered to any mother giving less than 500 mL of breast milk per day. Although breast milk is the best source of food for infants, it only contains 25 to 50 IU/L of vitamin D and, thus, is insufficient by itself. Vitamin D deficiency can cause nutritional rickets in severe cases but can also cause impaired growth, developmental delays, lethargy, and …
When the boss comes to town: The effects of headquarters' visits on facility-level misconduct

We study the effects of visits by headquarters' managers on facility-level misconduct. These visits are central to monitoring, but are difficult to observe for a large sample of firms. We use the s...
Marginalized Identity Invocation Online: The Case of President Donald Trump on Twitter:

Political communication about marginalized groups takes many forms, but none are more influential in the present moment than those that circulate via social media. This article takes two steps to b...
Investigating the Roles of Donor Macrophages after Cardiac Transplantation

Purpose Heart transplantation is limited by donor availability, immune mediated rejection, and unintended adverse effects from immunosuppression. Expanding donor availability and immunologic compatibility are priorities. Donor-organ directed therapies have the potential to improve allograft survival while minimizing patient harm. The heart contains 2 ontogenically distinct tissue resident macrophage populations (CCR2- and CCR2+ macrophages) with divergent inflammatory and reparative functions. The exact role of donor macrophages after cardiac transplant remains unexplored. A better understanding of how donor intrinsic immunity influences allograft acceptance and survival may provide new opportunities to improve the outcomes of transplant recipients. Methods We utilized a fully HLA-mismatched mouse heart transplant model in combination with two differing immunosuppression regimens: CTLA4-Ig (acute rejection model) and CTLA4 Ig + anti-CD40L Ab (graft tolerance model). We assessed donor macrophage composition, location, and dynamics at various time points following transplantation using genetic lineage tracing and imaging. The functional requirements for CCR2- and CCR2+ donor macrophages was assessed using transgenic mice that facilitate selective depletion of CCR2- or CCR2+ macrophages. Results We show that donor CCR2- and CCR2+ macrophages persist in the heart following transplantation. We demonstrate that donor CCR2- and CCR2+ macrophages display dynamic responses following IRI and rejection. Co-labelling with CD68 highlights the later composition of donor-derived CCR2+ macrophages, donor-derived CCR2- macrophages, and resident monocyte derived macrophages in the transplanted heart. Depletion of CCR2+ macrophages prior to transplantation resulted in prolonged allograft survival and reduced cardiomyocyte cell death. In contrast, deletion of CCR2- macrophages led to accelerated rejection, increased cardiomyocyte cell death, and exaggerated leukocyte infiltration. Conclusion Donor-derived CCR2+ macrophages and donor-derived CCR2- macrophages persist in the cardiac transplant. Depletion of donor-derived CCR2+ macrophages led to graft rejection whereas removal of donor-derived CCR2- macrophages promoted graft survival. These data indicate that donor macrophages play key roles in acute cellular rejection after cardiac transplantation.
Contributions of Self-Concept and Intelligence to the Prediction of Academic Achievement among Grade 4, 6, and 8 Students:

This study examined the contributions of self-concept and intelligence to the prediction of academic achievement among grade 4, 6, and 8 students. One unidimensional and one multidimensional measure of self-concept were employed to investigate which self-concept model would better predict educational achievement. Zero-order correlations between general self-concept and achievement were found; however, small but significant positive associations between academic self-concept and achievement were obtained. Regression analyses suggested that intelligence accounted for the most variance in achievement, and academic self-concept added a small amount above intelligence. Correlations between both global and academic self-concept and achievement were similar across grade levels.
Environmental Justice and Black Lives Matter: Critical Reflection and Advocacy for Social Work in the United States

Social workers can play an important role in learning from and engaging with Black communities as they promote environmental justice and fight against systemic environmental racism. This commentary...
Disparities in Palliative Care Utilization Among Hospitalized People With Huntington Disease: A National Cross-Sectional Study:

Background:People with Huntington’s disease (HD) often become institutionalized and more frequently die away from the home setting. The reasons behind differences in end-of-life care are poorly und...
Metaheuristics for Multicast Routing

Approximation algorithms or simple heuristics are the normal way to go when we need fast results for a combinatorial optimization problem. However, when higher accuracy is needed and there is sufficient time to run a more detailed search algorithm, metaheuristics allow us to consistently find better solutions Martins and Ribeiro [2006]. Such metaheuristics provide a framework for intensification of global search that includes randomization as a basic strategy to explore the set of feasible solutions in an efficient way.
Species diversity of indigenous Trichoderma from alkaline pistachio soils in Iran

The diversity of Trichoderma spp. was investigated in alkaline soils of pistachio orchards at different geographic areas in Kerman province, Iran. A total of 161 Trichoderma isolates were obtained and identified at the species level by their morphological characters and sequence analysis of their internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and tef1-α genomic regions. Totally, five species of Trichoderma were identified, including T. harzianum, Trichoderma sp., T. virens, T. brevicompactum and T. longibrachiatum. ITS nucleotide sequences could not find molecular differences between T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. To identify and differentiate these two species, the sequences of the translation-elongation factor 1-α (tef1-int 4 (large)) were determined for five representative isolates of T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. The TrichoBLAST similarity search using the tef1-α sequences of the T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. isolates determined in this study, revealed as T. harzianum. However, there was 34 nucleotides difference in tef1-α sequences, between the two groups of isolates. According to the results, more than 80% of the isolates belonged to two species T. harzianum and Trichoderma sp. T. harzianum was introduced as the dominant species in soil of pistachio orchards. Logistic regression analysis showed no relationship between the soil properties (pH, EC) and presence of Trichoderma spp. (R2 = 0.26, Pr = 0.74, 0.26 > 0.05).
Intraneural mitochondria. Incorporation of amino acids and monosaccharides into macromolecules by isolated synaptosomes and synaptosomal mitochondria.

Abstract Glycoprotein, glycolipid, protein, and lipid synthesis was measured in isolated sterile synaptosomes and sterile intraneural mitochondria by the incorporation of radioactive precursors into endogenous macromolecules. The purity of two synaptosomal preparations and three intraneural mitochondria preparations from male guinea pig cortices was assayed by marker enzymes. The preparation of intraneural mitochondria used in the experiments was free of nonmitochondrial (contaminating) enzymes and showed a high specific activity of the mitochondrial enzymes monoamine oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase. Leucine and glycine and, to a lesser extent, aspartic acid were incorporated into protein by both synaptosomes and intraneural mitochondria. Monosaccharides from UDP-glucose, UDP-galactose, GDP-mannose, and glucosamine were incorporated into both glycoprotein and glycolipid by the isolated synaptosomes and intraneural mitochondria but no incorporation of UDP-xylose or UDP-arabinose occurred. Chloramphenicol at levels of 83 µg per ml of incubation mixture inhibited protein synthesis in the intraneural mitochondria to 60% of normal activity; higher levels caused even greater inhibition. Cycloheximide at 0.83 mg per ml inhibited protein synthesis in the intraneural mitochondria to about 70% of normal activity; 6.66 mg per ml caused inhibition to 40% normal activity. Glycoprotein synthesis was inhibited in the intraneural mitochondria by both antibiotics but to a lesser extent than protein synthesis. Glycoprotein and glycolipid synthesis in the intraneural mitochondria showed a marked requirement for divalent cations, with Mn++ being the best activator; some ions substituted for Mn++ but others were inhibitory to incorporation. Neither glycoprotein nor protein synthesis was adversely affected by RNase in either synaptosomes or the intraneural mitochondria. Identification of the radioactive products indicated some epimerization of the sugars before incorporation into the macromolecules. The reactions for glycoprotein and glycolipid synthesis showed broad temperature dependence with optimum temperatures of about 37°. The reactions were linear with respect to time for only 15 to 45 min.
Studies on the preservation of human blood. II. The relationship of erythrocyte adenosine triphosphate levels and other in vitro measures to red cell storageability

Abstract In a study involving 37 subjects, whole blood was stored at 4 °C. for 21 and 28 days in either ACD or CPD anticoagulant, following which, the in vivo viability of the stored red cells was measured. There was a high degree of correlation (R = 0.95) between the postinfusion viability of stored cells and poststorage adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. This indicates the potential use of ATP determinations to predict in vivo red cell viability after in vitro storage. In contract, the correlation between prestorage ATP levels and poststorage R.B.C. viability was not great enough to be of predictive value. Of ten other biochemical and hematological measures, only poststorage osmotic fragility was moderately correlated with poststorage red cell viability.
Time, Cost, and Efficacy Study of Identifying Group A Streptococci with Commercially Available Reagents

During the 12-month period primary throat, wound, and skin cultures, tentatively identified as B streptococci, were submitted by 10 different clinical laboratories for evaluation. A total of 692 beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from cultures submitted and examined in parallel by the fluorescent-antibody, precipitin, and bacitracin techniques. An evaluation of the specificity and sensitivity in conjunction with basic and personnel costs was determined for each method. The standard Lancefield precipitin method was established as the standard by which the bacitracin and flourescent antibody techniques were compared. With some variation depending on the commerical source of the disc, approximately 7% of the strains examined produced false reactions with the bacitracin disc. False-negative reactions were rarely noted by the group A fluorescent antibody technique (0.5%), but an appreciable number of other Lancefield groups (B, C, and G) were nonreactive with homologous conjugates.
Endomorphin-1: Induction of Motor Behavior and Lack of Receptor Desensitization

The endomorphins are recently discovered endogenous agonists for the μ-opioid receptor (Zadina et al., 1997). Endomorphins produce analgesia; however, their role in other brain functions has not been elucidated. We have investigated the behavioral effects of endomorphin-1 in the globus pallidus, a brain region that is rich in μ-opioid receptors and involved in motor control. Bilateral administration of endomorphin-1 in the globus pallidus of rats induced orofacial dyskinesia. This effect was dose-dependent and at the highest dose tested (18 pmol per side) was sustained during the 60 min of observation, indicating that endomorphin-1 does not induce rapid desensitization of this motor response. In agreement with a lack of desensitization of μ-opioid receptors, 3 hr of continuous exposure of the cloned μ receptor to endomorphin-1 did not diminish the subsequent ability of the agonist to inhibit adenylate cyclase activity in cells expressing the cloned μ-opioid receptor. Confirming the involvement of μ-opioid receptors, the behavioral effect of endomorphin-1 in the globus pallidus was blocked by the opioid antagonist naloxone and the μ-selective peptide antagonist Cys2-Tyr3-Orn5-Pen7amide (CTOP). Furthermore, the selective μ receptor agonist [d-Ala2-N-Me-Phe4-Glycol5]-enkephalin (DAMGO) also stimulated orofacial dyskinesia when infused into the globus pallidus, albeit transiently. Our findings suggest that endogenous μ agonists may play a role in hyperkinetic movement disorders by inducing sustained activation of pallidal opioid receptors.
Visceral-Somatic Integration in Behavior Cognition, and “Psychosomatic” Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on certain aspects of modulation of somatic behavior by visceral events, and the integration of visceral and somatic activity within the organism. Adequate integration of these systems is essential to the organism's adaptation to physical and social factors in its external environment. The chapter analyzes some of the properties that emerge when the visceral and somatic systems operate in concert versus when they operate independently, and speculates on the implications for cognition and pathology. At a higher level of integration, multiple visceral and somatic systems act in concert, for example, when locomotor activity is coupled with cardiovascular and respiratory activity. The reflexive and central coordination of these systems is discussed and related to rhythmical activity of the brain. Following the discussion of visceral-somatic integration in terms of motor function, this integration is then considered in terms of sensory and cognitive function. Changes in sensory threshold and perceptual effects that occur in relation to visceral activity are reviewed. Finally, coordination of visceral and somatic activity is examined in symbolic expression.
Testing and Performance Verification of a High Bypass Ratio Turbofan Rotor in an Internal Flow Component Test Facility

A 1/5 scale model rotor representative of a current technology, high bypass ratio, turbofan engine was installed and tested in the W8 single-stage, high-speed, compressor test facility at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The same fan rotor was tested previously in the GRC 9x15 Low Speed Wind Tunnel as a fan module consisting of the rotor and outlet guide vanes mounted in a flight-like nacelle. The W8 test verified that the aerodynamic performance and detailed flow field of the rotor as installed in W8 were representative of the wind tunnel fan module installation. Modifications to W8 were necessary to ensure that this internal flow facility would have a flow field at the test package that is representative of flow conditions in the wind tunnel installation. Inlet flow conditioning was designed and installed in W8 to lower the fan face turbulence intensity to less than 1.0 percent in order to better match the wind tunnel operating environment. Also, inlet bleed was added to thin the casing boundary layer to be more representative of a flight nacelle boundary layer. On the 100 percent speed operating line the fan pressure rise and mass flow rate agreed with the wind tunnel data to within 1 percent. Detailed hot film surveys of the inlet flow, inlet boundary layer and fan exit flow were compared to results from the wind tunnel. The effect of inlet casing boundary layer thickness on fan performance was quantified. Challenges and lessons learned from testing this high flow, low static pressure rise fan in an internal flow facility are discussed.
Preliminary assessment of resources and economic potential of individual gas hydrate accumulations in the Gulf of Mexico continental slope

Abstract Some global estimates suggest that gas hydrates represent the largest reservoir of fossil fuel. However, only a few studies of the resource and economic potential of individual gas hydrate accumulations exist. Here we estimate the volume of hydrate-bound gas at GC (Green Canyon) blocks 184/185, GC 234/235, GB (Garden Banks) 388, MC (Mississippi Canyon) 798/842, GC 204, MC 852/853, and AT (Atwater Valley) 425/426 sites in the Gulf of Mexico at water depths ∼500–2000 m. The structural accumulations may contain from 4.7×10 8 to 1.3×10 11 m 3 of gas at standard temperature and pressure. The resources in individual gas hydrate accumulations are comparable (by volume) with the reserves in very small to major conventional gas fields. Various geologic, technologic, and economic factors affect the economic potential of studied accumulations. The MC 852/853 appears to be characterized by the most favorable combination of these factors, and thus is suggested to have the highest economic potential. The economic potential of gas hydrate accumulations at GC 204, GB 388, and AT 425/426 sites is ranked as ‘average’. Gas hydrate accumulations at GC 234/235, GC 184/185, and MC 798/842 sites contain only small volumes of hydrate-bound gas, and likely have no economic potential. Future gas hydrate research should focus on the detailed study of large structural gas hydrate accumulations from which gas may be profitably recovered (e.g. the MC 852/853 site).
The Respiratory Chain of Plant Mitochondria. I. Electron Transport Between Succinate and Oxygen in Skunk Cabbage Mitochondria

The kinetics of oxidation of ubiquinone, flavoprotein, cytochrome c, and the cytochrome b complex in skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) mitochondria made anaerobic with succinate have been measured spectrophotometrically and fluorimetrically in the absence of respiratory inhibitor and in the presence of cyanide or antimycin A. No component identifiable by these means was oxidized rapidly enough in the presence of one or the other inhibitor to qualify for the role of alternate oxidase. Cycles of oxidation and rereduction of flavoprotein and ubiquinone obtained by injecting 12 μm oxygen into the anaerobic mitochondrial suspension were kinetically indistinguishable in the presence of cyanide or antimycin A, implying that these 2 components are part of a respiratory pathway between succinate and oxygen which does not involve the cytochromes and does involve a cyanide-insensitive alternate oxidase. The cytochrome b complex shows biphasic oxidation kinetics with half times of 0.018 sec and 0.4 sec in the absence of inhibitor, which increase to 0.2 sec and 1 sec in the presence of cyanide. In the presence of antimycin A, the oxidation of the cytochrome b complex shows an induction period of 1 sec and a half-time of 3.5 sec. A split respiratory chain with 2 terminal oxidases and a branch point between the cytochromes and flavoprotein and ubiquinone is proposed for these mitochondria.
Protective effect of diosmin on LPS-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and inhibition of TNF-α expression

Several studies have demonstrated a link between increased pro-inflammatory mediators and apoptosis in neurodegenerative diseases. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces apoptosis mostly through the production of TNF-α. In this study, we investigated the possible protective and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of diosmin, a natural flavone glycoside, on LPS-induced PC12 cells death through inhibition of TNF-α production. PC12 Cells were pretreated with diosmin for 2h prior to LPS treatment for 48 h to assess PC12 cells viability, TNF-α expression, and cell death mechanisms. Diosmin significantly increased cells survival and suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner. Diosmin also significantly reduced the DNA fragmentation of LPS-induced cells, and its anti-apoptotic effect was confirmed by the decrease in the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bad and the increase in the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 on Western blot analysis. Furthermore, diosmin inhibited LPS-induced caspase-3 activation further confirming its anti-apoptotic effects. This is the first study to report the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of diosmin via inhibition of TNF-α and a caspase-dependent pathway in neuronal PC12 cells. These results support the potential for diosmin to be investigated as a potential agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
The Arthroscopic Rotator Interval Closure: Why, When, and How?

The contribution of the rotator interval (RI) to the overall stability of the glenohumeral joint remains under debate. With improvements in the interpretation of both physical examination and diagnostic imaging findings, the diagnosis of RI pathology is becoming easier to identify. The clinical implications of RI pathology, however, still remain controversial. Injury to RI may contribute to glenohumeral instability, and both biomechanical and clinical studies have shown improvements in anterior shoulder stabilization following RI closure. The benefits of RI repair in the setting of posterior shoulder and multidirectional instability, however, are unclear. The optimal surgical technique is also unclear, and a variety of open and arthroscopic methods have been described. The purposes of this article are to review the surgical anatomy relevant to RI closure, discuss the biomechanical rationale for repairing the RI, and provide our preferred technique for performing arthroscopic RI closure.
Structure of the starburst amacrine network in the cat retina and its association with alpha ganglion cells

To investigate indirect pathways to ganglion cells we studied the starburst amacrine cell network and its relationship to the alpha ganglion cell. Starburst cells were identified by an antiserum to choline acetyltransferase and alpha cells by injection of Lucifer yellow. The density of on and off starburst cells peaks at the area centralis and decreases with eccentricity by a factor of seven. The fine amacrine processes, interrupted by distinct varicosities, arborize in a planar fashion in the inner plexiform layer. The on network, at the junction of strata 3 and 4, and the off network, in stratum 2, have a similar appearance. Neighboring starburst processes run in intimate association to form a network of bundles. As bundles cross each other, loops of irregular size and shape are formed. The loops are smallest in the area centralis and increase by a factor of three towards the periphery; correspondingly, bundle length per unit area decreases with eccentricity. However, the number of varicosities/bundle length stays constant with eccentricity as does the number of processes per bundle. Segments of the starburst network associate over fairly long distances with dendrites of alpha ganglion cells. About 26% of the alpha ganglion dendritic tree shows such association, and this is significantly greater than would be expected if the alpha and starburst processes were independent. We conclude that the functional unit of the starburst cell is a linear bundle of processes and that the starburst network may connect synaptically to the alpha cell.
Sooner and later waiting time problems for Bernoulli trials: frequency and run quotas

For a sequence of independent Bernoulli trials with probabilities of success and failure p and q respectively, the sooner and later waiting time random variables for the succession quota (s successes and r failures) is studied by deriving a generalized pgf and obtaining the means and variances. The same problems are considered with the usual frequency quota (s successes and r failures) using Dirichlet integral methodology; the above results hold for general p (0 < p < 1). For the special case p = q = 12 numerical comparisons are made. For special cases r = ∞ and r = 0 the results are consistent with previously published results.
Free-standing TiO2 nanowire-embedded graphene hybrid membrane for advanced Li/dissolved polysulfide batteries

Abstract The increasing demand for electric vehicles and large-scale smart grids has aroused great interest in developing high energy density storage devices. Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery has attracted much attention owing to its high theoretical energy density and abundance, but many challenges such as rapid capacity fade and low sulfur loading and utilization have impeded its practical use. Here, we present a free-standing TiO2 nanowire/graphene hybrid membrane for Li/dissolved polysulfide batteries with high capacity and long cycling life. Graphene membrane with high electrical conductivity is used as a current collector to effectively reduce the internal resistance in the sulfur cathode and physically immobilize the dissolved lithium polysulfides. The TiO2 nanowires introduced into the graphene membrane offer a hierarchical composite structure, in which the TiO2 nanowires not only have strong chemical binding with the lithium polysulfides, but also show a strong catalytic effect for polysulfide reduction and oxidation, promoting a fast redox reaction kinetics with high capacity and low voltage polarization. This hybrid electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 1327 mA h g−1 at 0.2 C rate, a Coulombic efficiency approaching 100%, high-rate performance of 850 mA h g−1 at 2 C rate, and long cyclic stability with a capacity of 1053 mA h g−1 at 0.2 C rate over 200 cycles, demonstrating great prospect for application in high energy Li–S batteries.
Effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on glucose and gastric inhibitory polypeptide-stimulated insulin release from cultured newborn and adult rat islet cells

Abstract Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid peptide that is present in peripheral cells of islets and in nerves around and within islets. CGRP can inhibit insulin secretion in vitro and in vivo. Whether the inhibitory action of CGRP is mediated by somatostatin or by nerve terminals is, however, not known. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of CGRP on insulin secretion, using cultured newborn and adult rat islet cells which did not contain nerve terminals. In adult rat islet cells, CGRP (10 −10 to 10 −8 M) significantly inhibited glucose-stimulated and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP)-potentiated insulin secretion, but in newborn rat islet cells, CGRP did not inhibit glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Inhibition of glucose-stimulated and GIP-potentiated insulin release was dependent on the glucose concentration during the prestimulation period. CGRP did not stimulate release of somatostatin. These findings suggest that rat CGRP can act directly on β-cells through a specific receptor that is absent in newborn rat β-cells.
Limitations of the upward separation technique

The upward separation technique was developed by Hartmanis, who used it to show thatE=NE iff there is no sparse set inNP -P [15]. This paper shows some inherent limitations of the technique. The main result of this paper is the construction of an oracle relative to which there are extremely sparse sets inNP-P, butNEE=EE; this is in contradiction to a result claimed in [14] and [16]. Thus, although the upward separation technique is useful in relating the existence of sets of polynomial (and greater) density inNP-P to the NTIME(T(n))=DTIME(T(n)) problem, the existence of sets ofvery low density inNP-P cannot be shown to have any bearing on this problem using proof techniques that relativize.
Advanced practice nurses and program evaluation: can solicitation of an e-mail address lead to longitudinal selection bias?

Objectives: To identify if survey respondents providing an e-mail address for program evaluation represent a risk of longitudinal selection bias. Methods: A survey was administered to advanced practice nurses after a chronic disease self-management presentation. Chi-square statistics and logistic regression were used to identify variables associated with successful solicitation of an e-mail address. Results: Relative to those ‘not at all likely’ to suggest someone in their practice train to become a certified chronic disease self-management facilitator, those stating they were ‘very likely’ or ‘quite likely’ to take this action were 10.20 and 13.60 times more likely, respectively, to provide an e-mail address. These differences were statistically significant (OR = 10.20, CI = 2.91–35.77, p < 0.001 and OR = 13.60, CI = 2.14–86.40, p = 0.006, respectively). Conclusion: Soliciting an e-mail address could pose a risk of selection bias when developing a longitudinal sample for further analysis.
Reward Processing Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease

Background—The primary motor cortex is important for motor learning and response selection, functions that require information on the expected and actual outcomes of behavior. Therefore, it should receive signals related to reward and pathways from reward centers to motor cortex exist in primates. Previously, we showed that gamma aminobutyric acid-A(GABAA)-mediated inhibition in motor cortex, measured by paired transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), changes with expectation and uncertainty of money rewards generated by a slot machine simulation. Methods—We examined the role of dopamine in this phenomenon by testing 13 mildly affected Parkinson disease patients, off and on dopaminergic medications, and 13 healthy, age-matched controls. Results—Consistent with a dopaminergic mechanism, reward expectation or predictability modulated the response to paired TMS in controls, but not in unmedicated patients. A single dose of pramipexole restored this effect of reward, mainly by increasing the paired TMS response amplitude during low expectation. Levodopa produced no such effect. Both pramipexole and levodopa increased risk-taking behavior on the Iowa Gambling Task. However, pramipexole increased risk-taking behavior more in patients showing lower paired TMS response amplitude during low expectation. Conclusions—These results provide evidence that modulation of motor cortex inhibition by reward is mediated by dopamine signaling and that physiological states in the motor cortex are associated with levels of risk-taking behavior in patients on pramipexole. The cortical response to reward expectation may represent an endophenotype for risk-taking behavior in patients on agonist treatment.
Transferring Morality to Human–Nonhuman Chimeras

Human–nonhuman chimeras have been the focus of ethical controversies for more than a decade, yet some related issues remain unaddressed. For example, little has been said about the relationship between the origin of transferred cells and the morally relevant capacities to which they may give rise. Consider, for example, a developing mouse fetus that receives a brain stem cell transplant from a human and another that receives a brain stem cell transplant from a dolphin. If both chimeras acquire morally relevant capacities as a result of transplantation, and if those capacities are indistinguishable, should the difference in cell origin matter to how we classify these creatures? I argue that if morally relevant capacities are easy to detect, cell origin is irrelevant to how the chimera ought to be treated. However, if such capacities are hard to detect, cell origin should play a role in considerations about how to treat the chimera.
The clinical anger scale: Preliminary reliability and validity

This article reports preliminary evidence for the development and validation of the Clinical Anger Scale (CAS), an objective self-report instrument designed to measure the syndrome of clinical anger. Factor analysis of the CAS confirmed a unidimensional item structure; reliability analyses also demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest stability for the CAS; other results indicated that the CAS was unrelated to social desirability influences. Additional findings indicated that clinical anger was associated positively with several anger-related concepts (e.g., trait anger, state anger, anger-in, anger-out, anger-control) and that the CAS was related in predictable ways to people's psychopathological symptoms, personality traits, and early family environments. Implications for future research and therapeutic assessment with the Clinical Anger Scale are discussed.
Gating Effects of Component B on Oxygen Activation by the Methane Monooxygenase Hydroxylase Component

Component B (MMOB) of the soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO) system accelerates the initial velocity of methane oxidation by up to 150-fold by an unknown mechanism. The active site of MMO contains a diferric, hydroxo-bridged diiron cluster located on the hydroxylase component (MMOH). This cluster is reduced by the NAD(P)H-coupled reductase component to the diferrous state, which then reacts with O2 to yield two reaction cycle intermediates sequentially termed compounds P and Q. The rate of compound P formation is shown here to be independent of O2 concentration, suggesting that an MMOH-O2 complex (compound O) is (~irreversibly) formed before compound P. Compound Q is capable of reacting with hydrocarbons to yield the MMOH-product complex, compound T. It is shown here that MMOB accelerates catalysis by increasing ~1000-fold the rate of O2 association and reaction with diferrous MMOH leading to compound P. Modeling of the single turnover reaction in the presence of substoichiometric MMOB suggests that MMOB also accelerates the compound P to Q conversion by ~40-fold. Due to this O2-gating effect of MMOB, either compound Q or T becomes the dominant species during turnover, depending upon the substrate concentration and type. Because these are the species that either react with substrate (Q) or release product (T), their buildup maximizes the turnover rate. This is the first direct role in catalysis to be recognized for MMOB and represents a novel method for oxygenase regulation.
Higher-order Szegő theorems with two singular points

We consider probability measures, dµ = ω(θ)dθ/2π + dµs, on the unit circle, ∂D, with Verblunsky coefficients, {αj}∞j=0. We prove for θ1 ≠ θ2 in [0, 2π) that ∫[1 - cos(θ-θ1)][1 - cos(θ - θ2)]log ω(θ)dθ/2π > - ∞ if and only if Σj=0∞|{(δ-e-iθ2)(δ-e-i01)α}j|2 + |αj|4 -∞ if and only if Σj=0∞|αj+2-2αj+1 + αj|2 + |αj|6 < ∞.
Sequential Impact of General Interest Rate Changes on the Interest Expense of Publicly Traded Restaurant Firms

It is generally known that restaurant firms are very capital intensive, largely due to the significant amount of capital expenditures required to expand. Therefore, restaurant firms are critically dependent upon borrowed capital for financing new locations. This would imply that interest expense is a significant expense for most restaurant firms. Therefore, any changes in the interest rates in the general economy have the potential of having a major impact on restaurant firm earnings, even without an accompanying change in the eating-out behavior of consumers. The interest of this study was in determining the sequential impact of the general interest rates (federal funds target rate) on the firm specific effective after-tax interest rate, which are, in turn, related to the cost of capital of the firm. Empirical evidence on this relationship is provided, along with magnitude and lag information of the relationship. Both short-term and long-term debt, as well as quarterly and annual data of firms, are used....
Schizophrenia: Low spinal fluid GABA levels?

Abstract Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GABA levels were determined in the spinal fluid of 17 drug-free schizophrenic patients and of 40 normal volunteers. Following lumbar puncture in fasting patients maintained at bed rest, CSF from the 16th to the 20th cc was collected, placed on ice immediately and frozen at −70°C within one hour. CSF GABA was measured by a modified cation exchange chromatography. Schizophrenic patients showed significantly lower CSF GABA levels (191 ± 9 pmol / ml ) compared to normal controls (233 ± 13 pmol / ml ; p r =0.54) and number of hospitalizations ( r =0.50), but not with severity of psychosis or age of onset. A negative correlation with CSF glucose levels was observed ( r =−0.61). These data suggest that if a GABA deficit is present it only will be observed early in the illness and may disappear with chronicity.
Preferences and concerns for delivery: an antepartum survey.

Little is known regarding patient preferences for method of delivery despite concern about rising cesarean section rates. We hypothesize that the majority of pregnant women desire a vaginal birth. An anonymous survey was distributed to pregnant women assessing demographics, pregnancy history, delivery preference, and concern for outcomes. Five-hundred fifty respondents completed the survey; 43% were nulliparous. The majority preferred vaginal delivery (89.6%). Reasons included reduced recovery pain (72%), scars (68%), and bleeding (48%). Cesarean deliveries were believed to cause more maternal injuries (39%), but affect sexual function less (35%). Nulliparas were more concerned about vaginal support damage (p = .005), sexual function changes (p ≤ 0.001), and need for episiotomy (p ≤ .001). Despite this, 93% of nulliparas chose vaginal birth. Increased parity was associated with preference for cesarean delivery (r = 0.108, p = 0.013). Despite nulliparas’ concerns about complications of vaginal delivery, the majority of pregnant women would choose vaginal birth.
Using Semi Circular Bending Test to Evaluate Low Temperature Fracture Resistance for Asphalt Concrete

This work presents a repeatable semi circular bending (SCB) fracture test to evaluate the low temperature fracture resistance of asphalt mixture. The fracture resistance of six asphalt mixtures, which represent a combination of factors such as binder type, binder modifier, aggregate type, and air voids, and two testing conditions of loading rate and initial notch length, was evaluated by performing SCB fracture tests at three low temperatures. Fracture energy was calculated from the experimental data. Experimental results indicated strong dependence of the low temperature fracture resistance on the test temperature. Experimental plots and low coefficient of variation (COV) values from three replicates show a satisfactory repeatability from the test. The results of the analysis showed that fracture resistance of asphalt mixtures is significantly affected by type of aggregate and air void content. Experimental results also confirmed the significance of binder grade and modifier type with relation to cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures. Analysis of result also indicated that both the loading rate and initial notch length had significant effect on the fracture energy at the highest test temperature, whereas the effect was strongly diluted at the two lower temperatures. No clear trend was found with the fracture peak load from either the effect of loading rate or notch length.
Characterization of cybrid cell lines containing mtDNA from Huntington's disease patients.

Electron transport chain (ETC) dysfunction may arise from mitochondrial genetic, nuclear genetic, or toxic etiologies. Cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) systems can help distinguish between these possibilities by facilitating expression of suspect mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) within a nuclear and environmentally controlled context. Perpetuation of ETC dysfunction in cybrids is consistent with an mtDNA pathogenesis while defect correction is not. We previously used cybrids to screen sporadic Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients for mtDNA mutation with positive results. To further address the fidelity of these experiments, we created and characterized cybrids expressing mtDNA from persons with Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant, nuclear DNA-determined disorder in which mitochondrial ETC functioning is abnormal. On ETC, oxidative stress, and calcium homeostasis assays HD cybrid lines were indistinguishable from control cybrid lines. These data support the use of the cybrid technique for mtDNA mutation screening in candidate diseases.
Characterization of epoxy resin (SU-8) film using thickness-shear mode (TSM) resonator under various conditions

Characterization of an epoxy resin film, commonly known as SU-8, is presented using thickness shear mode (TSM) quartz resonator. The impedance-admittance characteristics of the equivalent circuit models of the unperturbed and coated resonators are analyzed to extract the storage modulus and loss modulus (G′ and G″). Those parameters are needed to establish SU-8 film as an effective wave-guiding layer in the implementation of guided shear-horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) sensor platforms. Both cured and uncured polymer films are studied at the fundamental and third harmonic frequencies of the TSM resonators. The storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) of the SU-8 film approach constant values of 1.66 × 1010 dyne/cm2 and 6.0 × 108 dyne/cm2, respectively, for relatively thicker films (>20 μm) at a relatively low frequency of 9 MHz. The most accurate values for the extracted shear moduli G (G = G′+ jG″) are obtained at high thickness where the viscoelastic contribution to the TSM response is substantial. The effect of temperature on the storage and loss moduli is determined for the range of −75 to 40 °C. It is found that the polymer approaches a totally glassy state below −60 °C. Exposure to water appears to follow Fickian diffusion behavior at short times and this exposure also results in changes to both G′ and G″. However, stability is rapidly reached with exposure to water, indicating relatively lower water absorption, consistent with the extracted diffusion coefficient. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2373–2384, 2004
Evolutionary Literacy: A Prerequisite for Theological Education?

Scientific literacy in evolutionary theory and scientific methods should be a required component of graduate theological education in the United States, so that pastors and theologians may participate constructively in contemporary debates about religion and evolution. Four areas of deficiency in theological education that should be addressed include the need to (1) reintegrate scientific literacy back into theological education; (2) integrate the history of science and particularly evolution into Christian and church history courses; (3) engage in serious theological encounter with evolution; (4) integrate science into Christian ethics. I suggest that the following texts provide helpful resources for this project: Eugenie Scott's Evolution and Creationism: An Introduction; Edward Larson's Evolution: The Remarkable History of a Scientific Theory; Ted Peters and Martinez Hewlitt's Evolution from Creation to New Creation: Conflict, Conversation, and Convergence; and the work of the Center for Process Studies and John Cobb, Jr in engaging process theology with evolution.