cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Type of Volunteer Experience and Health Among Older Adult Volunteers

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to ascertain if the type of volunteer experience was related to the physical health or psychological well-being of older adult volunteers. A central pattern emerged from the data: the type of, as well as the number of, hours donated to a volunteer activity were associated with psychological well-being. Implications for social workers involved with volunteer programs and services are discussed in terms of volunteer recruitment and retention, and the need to develop more significant volunteer roles, especially for low-income older adults.
Trouble at School A Case Study of the Economy of Blame

When conditions in a school deteriorate and teachers and administrators cannot escape or effectively protest, they use several ways of shifting blame.
Mental retardation in Turner syndrome.

intestinal chloride transport in cystic fibrosis. FASEB J 1988;2:2625-9. 7. Orlando RC, Powell DW, Croom TD, et al. Colonic and esophageal transepithelial potential difference in cystic fibrosis. Gastroenterology 1989;96:1041-8. 8. Powell DW. Ion and water transport in the intestine. In: Anreoli TE, Hoffman DE, Fanestil DD, et al, eds. Physiology of membrane disorders. New York: Plenum Press, 1986;559-96. 9. Goldstein JL, Nash NT, AI-Bazzaz F, et al. Rectum has abnormal ion transport but normal cAMP-binding proteins in cystic fibrosis. Am J Physiol 1988;254:C719-24. 10. Rask-Madsen J, Schiotz PO, Bartels U, et al. Electrical polarization of rectal mucosa and excretion of tetrahydroaldosterone in patients with cystic fibrosis of pancreas and in normal subjects. Acta Paediatr Scand 1975;64:81-6. 11. Rechkemmer G, Halm D, Work J, et al. Independent regulation of potassium transport and sodium absorption by aldosterone in guinea pig distal colon [Abstract]. Fed Proc 1987;46:635A.
Antenna Mechanic-structural fatigue in the 34-meter HA-dec antennas

Three 26-m hour-angle/declination (HA-dec) antennas, designed for a life span of 20 years, were built in the early 1960s for the NASA Deep Space Network. After 16 years the antennas were upgraded. The design required a structural weight increase of about 50% in both the HA and dec structures to achieve the desired improvements. The fatigue caused by the resulting stress-reversal conditions is discussed. The structural failures and their analyses are described. >
Earlier marijuana use and later problem behavior in Colombian youths.

ABSTRACT Objective The study examined the relationship between earlier adolescent marijuana use and later adolescent behavioral problems. Method A community-based sample of Colombian adolescents was interviewed in 1995–1996 and 1997–1998. The time 2 (T 2 ) sample consisted of 1,151 males and 1,075 females. The psychosocial measures assessed adolescent problem behavior, the peer and sibling social network, and ecological/environmental stress and cultural domains. Logistic regression analyses included controls on demographic and time 1 (T 1 ) dependent measures. Results The findings suggest that T 1 adolescent marijuana use was associated with increased risks for T 2 adolescent difficulty at work or school, violent experiences, peer marijuana use, and sibling marijuana problems. Conclusions This study provides important evidence in this cohort of the specific relationship between T 1 adolescent marijuana use and T 2 adolescent problem behavior in a society in which drug use, crime, violence, and low educational attainment are pervasive. Similar findings have been shown in previous research with U.S. adolescents. The findings suggest that early adolescent marijuana use is associated with an increase in problem behavior during later adolescence.
Effects of normal human albumin upon glucose uptake by the isolated rat diaphragm in the presence and absence of insulin.

Abstract Five Gm. per 100 ml. concentrations of normal human albumin, either Cohn Fraction V or a TCA-ethanol extract, caused significant impairment of basal glucose uptake by the isolated rat diaphragm (p
Ataxin‐1 and Brother of ataxin‐1 are components of the Notch signalling pathway

Ataxin-1 (ATXN1), a causative factor for spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), and the related Brother of ATXN1 (BOAT1) are human proteins involved in transcriptional repression. So far, little is known about which transcriptional pathways mediate the effects of ATXN1 and BOAT1. From our analyses of the properties of BOAT1 in Drosophila and of both proteins in mammalian cells, we report here that BOAT1 and ATXN1 are components of the Notch signalling pathway. In Drosophila, BOAT1 compromises the activities of Notch. In mammalian cells, both ATXN1 and BOAT1 bind to the promoter region of Hey1 and inhibit the transcriptional output of Notch through direct interactions with CBF1, a transcription factor that is crucial for the Notch pathway. Our results suggest that, in addition to their involvement in SCA1, ATXN1 and BOAT1 might participate in several Notch-controlled developmental and pathological processes.
Newer Concepts Regarding Adults With Coronary Artery Aneurysms Are They All Kawasaki? Does It Make a Difference?

The most commonly accepted definition of coronary aneurysm (CA) is an enlargement of a coronary arterial segment to more than 50% of the distal reference diameter.1,2 This definition generally refers to the inner diameters of the vessels as determined by coronary angiography. Computerized axial tomographic (CAT) imaging is currently the preferred method of studying CA, especially for longitudinal studies of the extent and severity of dilatation, calcification, mural thrombosis, and stenosis.3 Only tomographic imaging can quantitatively describe vascular wall thickening, a hallmark of the disease progression and prognosis in a post-arteritis CA. Additionally, the 50% definition can be inaccurate: in cases with diffuse dilatation, the reference diameter can become difficult to identify.2 The 50% rule may or may not carry prognostic value, which is the main clinical goal of classifying a coronary segment as ectasic or anomalous. The essential clinical interest is in differentiating a CA from the Glagov phenomenon, the mild dilatation of the outer diameter of a coronary artery seen in early atherosclerotic degenerative disease. According to the Glacov theory, the outer diameter of the coronary arteries dilates in the early phases of atherosclerosis, when plaque deposition leads to positive remodeling with preservation of the vessel lumen.4 Such positive remodeling probably does not allow for a dilatation of the coronary artery greater than 50% of the previous normal diameter. (SELECT FULL TEXT TO CONTINUE)
Electron spin resonance of myosin spin labeled at the St thiol groups during hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate

Abstract On the addition of Mg2+ and ATP the electron spin-resonance spectrum of the spin label, N-(1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-iodoacetamide, selectively bound to the S1 thiol groups of myosin changes from the one characteristic of strong immobilization to one indicating weaker immobilization. The latter spectrum persists during the steady state of hydrolysis of ATP; when hydrolysis is complete it changes to a spectrum identical with that produced by ADP. This third spectrum indicates a mobility between that of the label on myosin in the absence of ATP and that found during the steady state. The same results are obtained with heavy meromyosin or subfragment-1. The appearance of the spectrum typical of the steady state requires the presence of a divalent cation; either Ca2+ or Mg2+ is effective. It also seems to require hydrolysis of ATP since it is not observed in the absence of activating cations, when hydrolysis has been inhibited with N-ethylmaleimide, or when nonhydrolyzable analogs of ATP are used. One of these, β,γ-imino-adenosinetriphosphate, produces the same spectral change as ADP. These different spectra have been interpreted in terms of the kinetic scheme developed by Lymn and Taylor for native myosin in which the rate-limiting step follows the rapid hydrolysis of the terminal phosphate of ATP. Ourpresent observation of an “initial burst” of Piliberation with S1-labeled myosin justifies the application of this scheme. According to this scheme the intermediate responsible for the steady-state spectrum contains the products of ATP hydrolysis but its spectrum is distinct from the complex formed by adding products. This suggests the presence of two spectrally distinct myosin-product complexes. The changes in esr spectra probably reflect localized conformational changes in the head of the myosin molecule. Reducing the pH, temperature, or salt concentration substantially reduces the mobility of the spin labels during the hydrolysis of ATP, suggesting that the conformation of myosin during the steady state may depend on the temperature, pH, and concentration of salt. Alternatively, the spectral changes may be brought about by a change in the relative concentrations of two or more spectrally distinct steady-state intermediates. Changes in these parameters have little or no effect on spectra recorded in the absence of substrate.
Pain Theories and Their Relevance to the Pedia Tric Population

This paper explores theories of pain and relates those theories to the pediatric population. Early childhood development involves gradual myelination of peripheral nerve fibers and the maturation of higher cortical functions. Children perceive, respond to, and remember pain. Their early, preverbal pain experiences most probably are a great influence on adult evaluative-cognitive pain processing.
Cardiac function adaptations in hibernating grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis)

Research on the cardiovascular physiology of hibernating mammals may provide insight into evolutionary adaptations; however, anesthesia used to handle wild animals may affect the cardiovascular parameters of interest. To overcome these potential biases, we investigated the functional cardiac phenotype of the hibernating grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) during the active, transitional and hibernating phases over a 4 year period in conscious rather than anesthetized bears. The bears were captive born and serially studied from the age of 5 months to 4 years. Heart rate was significantly different from active (82.6 ± 7.7 beats/min) to hibernating states (17.8 ± 2.8 beats/min). There was no difference from the active to the hibernating state in diastolic and stroke volume parameters or in left atrial area. Left ventricular volume:mass was significantly increased during hibernation indicating decreased ventricular mass. Ejection fraction of the left ventricle was not different between active and hibernating states. In contrast, total left atrial emptying fraction was significantly reduced during hibernation (17.8 ± 2.8%) as compared to the active state (40.8 ± 1.9%). Reduced atrial chamber function was also supported by reduced atrial contraction blood flow velocities and atrial contraction ejection fraction during hibernation; 7.1 ± 2.8% as compared to 20.7 ± 3% during the active state. Changes in the diastolic cardiac filling cycle, especially atrial chamber contribution to ventricular filling, appear to be the most prominent macroscopic functional change during hibernation. Thus, we propose that these changes in atrial chamber function constitute a major adaptation during hibernation which allows the myocardium to conserve energy, avoid chamber dilation and remain healthy during a period of extremely low heart rates. These findings will aid in rational approaches to identifying underlying molecular mechanisms.
Lotteries, Quasi-Lotteries, and Scepticism

I seem to know that I won't experience spaceflight but also that if I win the lottery, then I will take a flight into space. Suppose I competently deduce from these propositions that I won't win the lottery. Competent deduction from known premises seems to yield knowledge of the deduced conclusion. So it seems that I know that I won't win the lottery; but it also seems clear that I don't know this, despite the minuscule probability of my winning (if I have a lottery ticket). So we have a puzzle. It seems to generalize, for analogues of the lottery-proposition threaten almost all ordinary knowledge attributions. For example, my apparent knowledge that my bike is parked outside seems threatened by the possibility that it's been stolen since I parked it, a proposition with a low but non-zero probability; and it seems that I don't know this proposition to be false. Familiar solutions to this family of puzzles incur unacceptable costs—either by rejecting deductive closure for knowledge, or by yielding untenabl...
Uniform silver nanowires synthesis by reducing AgNO3 with ethylene glycol in the presence of seeds and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)

A solution-phase approach has been demonstrated for the large-scale synthesis of silver nanowires with diameters in the range of 30−40 nm, and lengths up to ∼50 μm. The first step of this process involved the formation of Pt (or Ag) nanoparticles by reducing PtCl2 (or AgNO3) with ethylene glycol (EG) heated to ∼160 °C. These Pt (or Ag) nanoparticles could serve as seeds for the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of silver (formed by reducing AgNO3 with EG) because of their close match in crystal structure and lattice constants. In the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), the growth of silver could be directed into a highly anisotropic mode to form uniform nanowires with aspect ratios as high as ∼1000. UV−visible spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, XRD, and electron diffraction were used to characterize these silver nanowires, indicating the formation of a highly pure phase, as well as a uniform diameter and bicrystalline structure. Both morphology and aspect ratios of these silver nanostructures could be varie...
Identifying metalloproteins through X-ray fluorescence mapping and mass spectrometry

Metals are critical and dynamic components of biochemistry. To understand their roles, we greatly need tools to identify the ligands that bind them within the complexity of natural systems. This work describes the development of methods that not only detect and distinguish metals, but also characterize the proteins that bind them. We describe an approach to expose, identify and quantify metalloproteins in complex mixtures by sequential non-denaturing 2D-gel electrophoresis (2D GE)/X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in the same spot of a sample. We first apply the development of 2D GE/XRF to Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, a well-studied system, and verify our electrophoretic approach. Then, we identified a novel periplasmic zinc protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 through 2D GE/XRF followed by MS/MS. The identity and function of this protein was verified through a gene mutation experiment.
Time-Varying Synergies in Velocity Profiles of Finger Joints of the Hand during Reach and Grasp

This paper presents time-varying synergies that were observed during reach and grasp experiments in angular velocity profiles of metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints of five fingers of the hand. Five right handed subjects were asked to reach and grasp 28 different objects and during this experiment joint angles were measured by a data glove. Our results showed that the angular velocity profiles for a period of 0.86 seconds of ten joints (two per finger) were accurately reproduced by using only 3 synergies in 28 different tasks. Interestingly, there were correlations between the object size and velocity profiles which lead to unique distinctions in the combinations of these synergies in achieving the natural movements.
Identification of proteins binding coding and non-coding human RNAs using protein microarrays

The regulation and function of mammalian RNAs has been increasingly appreciated to operate via RNA-protein interactions. With the recent discovery of thousands of novel human RNA molecules by high-throughput RNA sequencing, efficient methods to uncover RNA-protein interactions are urgently required. Existing methods to study proteins associated with a given RNA are laborious and require substantial amounts of cell-derived starting material. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a rapid and large-scale approach to characterize binding of in vitro transcribed labeled RNA to ~9,400 human recombinant proteins spotted on protein microarrays. We have optimized methodology to probe human protein microarrays with full-length RNA molecules and have identified 137 RNA-protein interactions specific for 10 coding and non-coding RNAs. Those proteins showed strong enrichment for common human RNA binding domains such as RRM, RBD, as well as K homology and CCCH type zinc finger motifs. Previously unknown RNA-protein interactions were discovered using this technique, and these interactions were biochemically verified between TP53 mRNA and Staufen1 protein as well as between HRAS mRNA and CNBP protein. Functional characterization of the interaction between Staufen 1 protein and TP53 mRNA revealed a novel role for Staufen 1 in preserving TP53 RNA stability. Our approach demonstrates a scalable methodology, allowing rapid and efficient identification of novel human RNA-protein interactions using RNA hybridization to human protein microarrays. Biochemical validation of newly identified interactions between TP53-Stau1 and HRAS-CNBP using reciprocal pull-down experiments, both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrates the utility of this approach to study uncharacterized RNA-protein interactions.
Keystroke Dynamics-Based Credential Hardening Systems

abstract Keystroke dynamics are becoming a well-known method for strengthening username- and password-based credential sets. The familiarity and ease of use of these traditional authentication schemes combined with the increased trustworthiness associated with biometrics makes them prime candidates for application in many web-based scenarios. Our keystroke dynamics system uses Breiman’s random forests algorithm to classify keystroke input sequences as genuine or imposter. The system is capable of operating at various points on a traditional ROC curve depending on application-specific security needs. As a username/password authentication scheme, our approach decreases the system penetration rate associated with compromised passwords up to 99.15%. Beyond presenting results demonstrating the credential hardening effect of our scheme, we look into the notion that a user’s familiarity to components of a credential set can non-trivially impact error rates.
YfbA, a Yersinia pestis regulator required for colonization and biofilm formation in the gut of cat fleas

For transmission to new hosts, Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, replicates as biofilm in the foregut of fleas that feed on plague-infected animals or humans. Y. pestis biofilm formation has been studied in the rat flea; however, little is known about the cat flea, a species that may bridge zoonotic and anthroponotic plague cycles. Here, we show that Y. pestis infects and replicates as a biofilm in the foregut of cat fleas in a manner requiring hmsFR, two determinants for extracellular biofilm matrix. Examining a library of transposon insertion mutants, we identified the LysR-type transcriptional regulator YfbA, which is essential for Y. pestis colonization and biofilm formation in cat fleas.
A Tutoring Program for Adolescents Seriously Deficient in Readinga

A highly structured tutoring project was used to teach reading to ten seventh and eighth grade students reading between the second and fifth grade level. Tutors for the program were college students. Instruction was not individualized. Rather, each student was placed in one of three consecutive programs accordant with his ability and proceeded through that program in a prescribed manner. Within a program, only pacing was individualized. If a student completed a program during the year, he began work in the next higher one. Results on the Spache Diagnostic Reading Scales indicated a mean gain of 1.4 grade levels. Results further indicated that nine of the ten students made gains of 1 year or better.
Variable MEMS capacitors implemented into RF filter systems

A microelectromechanical systems analog tunable capacitor has been designed and fabricated for implementation into a two-pole UHF filter. Recent developments on the capacitor have improved the RF device performance significantly, and have resulted in improved UHF filter performance. In the 225-400-MHz range that this device is intended for, Q values are in excess of 100. In addition, an 8.4 : 1 tuning ratio has been achieved with continuous tuning over a 1.4 : 11.9-pF range. When implemented into a two-pole UHF filter, tuning over the entire 225-400-MHz range was achieved with a loss under 6.2 dB.
Novel Moisture-Conditioning Method for Adhesive Failure of Hot- and Warm-Mix Asphalt Binders

A novel moisture-conditioning procedure consists mainly of heating an asphalt-coated substrate at 64°C inside an oven in a submerged condition. The proposed conditioning procedure can produce purely adhesive failure in most cases. On the basis of the adhesive failure achieved, a new mechanism on moisture damage has been proposed: under a submerged condition at pavement service temperatures, water develops randomly distributed, micro- and macroscale, cylindrical holes within a reasonable time period that penetrate up to the asphalt-substrate interface. Water then starts to replace the asphalt film from the substrate surface, and adhesive failure, or stripping, is observed. The first process is the dewetting of asphalt film from substrate, and the second process is the spread of moisture on substrate. With this moisture-conditioning procedure, it was observed that original PG 64-22, with 1% LOF 6500 and with 1% LOF 6500, plus Sasobit, exhibited adhesive failure, whereas PG 64-22 plus Sasobit produced a mixe...
Mechanisms of drug toxicity and relevance to pharmaceutical development

Toxicity has been estimated to be responsible for the attrition of approximately one-third of drug candidates and is a major contributor to the high cost of drug development, particularly when not recognized until late in clinical trials or post-marketing. The causes of drug toxicity can be classified in several ways and include mechanism-based (on-target) toxicity, immune hypersensitivity, off-target toxicity, and bioactivation/covalent modification. In addition, idiosyncratic responses are rare but can be one of the most problematic issues; several hypotheses for these have been advanced. Although covalent binding of drugs to proteins was described almost 40 years ago, the significance to toxicity has been difficult to establish; recent literature in this field is considered. The development of more useful biomarkers and short-term assays for rapid screening of drug toxicity early in the drug discovery/development process is a major goal, and some progress has been made using "omics" approaches.
Analysis of dithiocarbamate and nickel residues in lettuce and peppers grown in soil containing photodegradable plastic mulch

Photodegradable plastic, which contains nickel and dithiocarbamates as active ingredients, controls weeds and conserves moisture during the growth of vegetables after which it may be plowed into the soil to decompose. Lettuce and green peppers were grown in the greenhouse and field in soil into which was incorporated photodegraded plastic at rates equivalent of up to 30 years of repetitive annual plastic use. Dithiocarbamate residues were not detectable in the harvested crop or soil samples. Residues of nickel showed no consistent differences between treated or control crop and soil samples.
Navajo Caregivers' Perceptions of Early Intervention Services:

This study investigated 52 Navajo family caregiver perceptions about early intervention services. Family-related early intervention practices were rated by caregivers to identify their perception of typical and desired practices. Data also were collected to determine the relationships between caregiver satisfaction and three variables (a) selected family-related program practices, (b) program providers, and (c) family and child characteristics. Supplemental information was gathered from 15 early interventionists identified by the caregivers. Overall, caregivers were satisfied with services, although the perceived level of participation varied. Caregivers' perceptions of program family-centeredness had a strong positive relationship with satisfaction. Neither provider variables nor family variables had strong correlations with satisfaction. Discussion focuses on the importance of using a family-centered approach in this unique cultural context.
Central urocortin 3 and type 2 corticotropin-releasing factor receptor in the regulation of energy homeostasis: critical involvement of the ventromedial hypothalamus

The vital role of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) peptide family in the brain in coordinating response to stress has been extensively documented. The effects of CRF are mediated by two G-protein coupled receptors, type 1 and type 2 CRF receptors (CRF1 and CRF2). While the functional role of CRF1 in hormonal and behavioral adaptation to stress is well known, the physiological significance of CRF2 remains to be fully appreciated. Accumulating evidence has indicated that CRF2 and its selective ligands including Urocortin 3 (Ucn 3) are important molecular mediators in regulating energy balance. Ucn 3 is the latest addition of the CRF family of peptides and is highly selective for CRF2. Recent studies have shown that central Ucn 3 is important in a number of homeostatic functions including suppression of feeding, regulation of blood glucose levels and thermoregulation, thus reinforcing the functional role of central CRF2 in metabolic regulation. The brain loci that mediate the central effects of Ucn 3 remain to be fully determined. Anatomical and functional evidence has suggested that the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), where CRF2 is prominently expressed, appears to be instrumental in mediating the effects of Ucn 3 on energy balance, permitting Ucn 3-mediated modulation of feeding and glycemic control. Thus, the Ucn 3-VMH CRF2 system is an important neural pathway in the regulation of energy homeostasis and potentially plays a critical role in energy adaptation in response to metabolic perturbations and stress to maintain energy balance.
STAT4- and STAT6-signaling molecules in a murine model of multiple sclerosis

Epidemiological studies suggest that an environmental factor (possibly a virus) acquired early in life may trigger multiple sclerosis (MS). The virus may remain dormant in the central nervous system but then becomes activated in adulthood. All existing models of MS are characterized by inflammation or demyelination that follows days after virus infection or antigen inoculation. While investigating the role of CD4+ T cell responses following Theiler's virus infection in mice deficient in STAT4 or STAT6, we discovered a model in which virus infection was followed by demyelination after a very prolonged incubation period. STAT4-/- mice were resistant to demyelination for 180 days after infection, but developed severe demyelination after this time point. Inflammatory cells and up-regulation of Class I and Class II MHC antigens characterized these lesions. Virus antigen was partially controlled during the early chronic phase of the infection even though viral RNA levels remained high throughout infection. Demyelination correlated with the appearance of virus antigen expression. Bone marrow reconstitution experiments indicated that the mechanism of the late onset demyelination was the result of the STAT4-/- immune system. Thus, virus infection of STAT4-/- mice results in a model that may allow for dissection of the immune events predisposing to late-onset demyelination in MS.
Effects of mGlu1-receptor blockade on ethanol self-administration in inbred alcohol-preferring rats

Abstract The Group I family of metabotropic glutamate receptors includes subtype 1 (mGlu1) and subtype 5 (mGlu5) receptors. This family of receptors has generated interest as potential targets for different areas of therapeutic development, including intervention for alcohol and drug abuse. Most of this interest is driven by findings showing involvement of mGlu5 receptors in the regulation of drug self-administration; however, studies examining the role of mGlu1 receptors in drug self-administration are limited. The purpose of this work was to examine the role of mGlu1-receptor antagonism in the maintenance of ethanol self-administration and the self-administration of an alternate nondrug reward, sucrose. Male alcohol-preferring inbred rats were trained to self-administer ethanol (15% vol/vol) versus water on a concurrent schedule of reinforcement, and the effect of the mGlu1-receptor antagonist JNJ16259685 (0.1–1.0 mg/kg intraperitoneal [IP]) was evaluated on self-administration. The rats were then trained to self-administer sucrose (0.4% wt/vol) versus water, and the same dose range of JNJ16259685 was tested. Locomotor activity was tested in a separate assessment to evaluate potential nonspecific motor effects of the antagonist. Ethanol self-administration was dose dependently reduced by JNJ16259685. This reduction was likely due to a motor impairment as the lowest effective dose (0.1 mg/kg) significantly reduced locomotor behavior. Sucrose self-administration was reduced by the highest JNJ16259685 dose (1.0 mg/kg), and this reduction was also likely due to a motor impairment. Interestingly, ethanol self-administration was more sensitive to mGlu1-receptor antagonism than sucrose self-administration as lower JNJ16259685 doses reduced ethanol-reinforced responding and motor behavior. Together, these results suggest that mGlu1 receptors do not play a specific role in modulating ethanol self-administration or the self-administration of an alternate nondrug reward (i.e., sucrose).
Genetic control of HDL levels and composition in an interspecific mouse cross (CAST/Ei × C57BL/6J)

Strain CAST/Ei (CAST) mice exhibit unusually low levels of high density lipoproteins (HDL) as compared with most other strains of mice, including C57BL/6J (B6). This appears to be due in part to a functional deficiency of lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). LCAT mRNA expression in CAST mice is normal, but the mice exhibit several characteristics consistent with functional deficiency. First, the activity and mass of LCAT in plasma and in HDL of CAST mice were reduced significantly. Second, the HDL of CAST mice were relatively poor in phospholipids and cholesteryl esters, but rich in free cholesterol and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I). Third, the adrenals of CAST mice were depleted of cholesteryl esters, a phenotype similar to that observed in LCAT- and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase-deficient mice. Fourth, in common with LCAT-deficient mice, CAST mice contained triglyceride-rich lipoproteins with "panhandle"-like protrusions. To examine the genetic bases of these differences, we studied HDL lipid levels in an intercross between strain CAST and the common laboratory strain B6 on a low fat, chow diet as well as a high fat, atherogenic diet. HDL levels exhibited complex inheritance, as 12 quantitative trait loci with significant or suggestive likelihood of observed data scores were identified. Several of the loci occurred over plausible candidate genes and these were investigated. The results indicate that the functional LCAT deficiency is unlikely to be due to variations of the LCAT gene. Our results suggest that novel genes are likely to be important in the control of HDL metabolism, and they provide evidence of genetic factors influencing the interaction of LCAT with HDL.
Studies of the Mechanism and Origins of Enantioselectivity for the Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Stereoselective Spiroketalization Reactions

Mechanistic and computational studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism and the origins of enantiocontrol for asymmetric chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed spiroketalization reactions. These studies were designed to differentiate between the SN1-like, SN2-like, and covalent phosphate intermediate-based mechanisms. The chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed spiroketalization of deuterium-labeled cyclic enol ethers revealed a highly diastereoselective syn-selective protonation/nucleophile addition, thus ruling out long-lived oxocarbenium intermediates. Hammett analysis of the reaction kinetics revealed positive charge accumulation in the transition state (ρ = −2.9). A new computational reaction exploration method along with dynamics simulations supported an asynchronous concerted mechanism with a relatively short-lived polar transition state (average lifetime = 519 ± 240 fs), which is consistent with the observed inverse secondary kinetic isotope effect of 0.85. On the basis of these studies, a transition s...
Hollow Gold Nanoparticles as Biocompatible Radiosensitizer: an In Vitro Proof of Concept Study

We report in vitro studies on radiotherapy enhancement of hollow gold nanoparticles (HAuNPs), which feature a 50 nm hollow core and a 30 nm thick polycrystalline shell. A clonogenic cell survival assay was used to assess radiation dose enhancement on breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Cells were cultured in a cell culture solution in which pegylated HAuNPs were added. No cytotoxicity of the HAuNPs was observed at the nanoparticle concentration up to 4.25×109 nanoparticles/ml (350 μM Au concentration). A small animal X-ray irradiator and a clinical linear accelerator were used to irradiate HAuNP-treated and control groups. It shows that the radiation damage to the cells is significantly enhanced when the cells are exposed to HAuNPs. This is the first time that AuNPs with diameter larger than 100 nm has been studied for their radiosensitizing effects. In clinical settings, we envision that HAuNPs could be intratumorally injected into tumors, which is more realistic for practical usage of AuNPs as radiosensitizer than passive accumulation in tumors using the enhanced permeability and retention effect or active targeting. Larger particles are favored for the intratumoral injection approach since larger particles tend to be retained in the injection sites, less likely diffusing into surrounding normal tissues. So, this proof-of-concept evaluation shows a promising potential to use HAuNPs as radiation therapy sensitizer for cancers.
Adapting U.C.C. 2-615 Excuse for Civilian-Military Contractors in Wartime

This Article addresses the following question: when should a seller of goods who delays delivery or cancels altogether under a wartime contract be able to claim excuse under U.C.C. Article 2? Failure of delivery or delay due to dangers created by insurgents in the Middle East has become common for wartime contractors, and the ground situation for contractors remains unsafe. After presenting representative factual situations involving two contractors, the Article describes the traditional approach to the excuse question during wartime. This approach typically denies the seller the right to excuse the failure of delivery in instances where the wartime risk might be categorized as foreseeable or is expressly or impliedly allocated to the seller. Although this approach works well with a seller faced with a pure monetary loss, it may deprive the wartime seller whose employees face serious injury or death of a needed contractual out, leaving the seller in breach. An alternative framework is needed to address when a wartime seller faced with exceptionally harsh wartime conditions can excuse delivery. After describing and critiquing government regulations and the traditional approach to impracticability doctrine, the Article provides a careful contractual analysis of the relationship between the wartime seller and the government buyer. It then proposes a rethinking of the approach to the problem of excusing wartime deliveries - one that would hold sellers to deliver goods in most circumstances, but would make excuse available to sellers through an analysis of functions that are inherently governmental. Under this analysis, excuse is permitted where the risk associated with wartime contingencies requiring a military response are inherently governmental and, therefore, remain with the Government. The Article concludes with a discussion of the specific balancing of interests of civilians performing wartime contracts and the military's need for goods and control of the wartime theater that would warrant excusing contractors during wartime from performance in cases of extreme hazard to a contractor's employees.
Hume and Institutional Theory (English version)

This paper shows the links between Hume's philosophy of customs and the basic principles of institutional theory. This relationship has been suggested by contemporary economists such as Vernon Smith and others, who see in Hume the origins of today's broadly accepted dichotomy between constructive and ecological reasoning, essential to institutional thinking. For Hume habit, as the main guide of life, can be used to comprehend individual and collective behavioural patterns. The question is whether his reflections on the subject are consistent with the foundations of his own philosophy of belief.
Optimizing parallel HPC applications for green energy sources

While there has been significant prior research on optimizing the energy-efficiency of parallel applications, there has been much less on optimizing them for green energy sources, which expose rapid changes in power's availability (or cost) due to the use of local renewable energy (or utility demand response programs). In this paper, we present energy management policies that utilize active and inactive power capping to maximize the performance of rigid and elastic parallel tasks when subject to variable power constraints from green energy sources. We implement our policies on CloudLab, and evaluate their performance on multiple applications. Our results demonstrate the importance of designing for green energy with variable power. For example, we show that Graph500 requires 17% more time and 9% more energy to complete when power varies based on real-time electricity prices versus when power is unlimited at a fixed price. However, since real-time prices are lower than fixed prices, the total electricity cost of our best energy management policy when using real-time prices is 67% less than when using fixed prices.
Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010: Breathing Life into the Miner’s Canary

Congress recently passed into law the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 (“TLOA”), intended to assist Native American tribes in addressing lawlessness in Indian Country. The Act lends legitimacy to tribes’ visions of their justice systems and is a potential step toward true tribal self-determination. This paper outlines the history of law enforcement and criminal jurisdiction in Indian country and argues that although the TLOA makes some meaningful changes, it is primarily a short-term fix. In many places it does not go far enough and some of the most important provisions of the Act may face difficulties in implementation. The object of this paper is to highlight how the legislation will affect tribes and present strategies for tribes seeking to utilize the TLOA provisions.
Attitudes toward Women: Comparison of Enrolled and Nonenrolled College Students:

In the fall of 1973, 1307 university students completed a questionnaire concerning attitudes toward women's role. During the spring of 1975, the attitude scores of those students still enrolled at the university (N = 813) were compared with those of nongraduates who were no longer enrolled (N = 289). For each of 3 school years, freshman through junior, nonenrolled males tended to be more liberal than enrolled males, and nonenrolled females tended to be more traditional than enrolled females. These data suggest that the shift to more liberal attitudes over the college years may be partly due to dropout of traditional individuals in the case of women but not men.
Antioxidants to Prolong the Effectiveness of Cabbage Looper Sex Pheromone in the Field

Among 8 chemical antioxidants tested to prolong the attractiveness of the synthetic sex pheromone of Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), only formulations containing the lure plus N,N’ -disubstituted p -phenylenediamines retained full attractiveness to males after 158 days of exposure outdoors. During the same period, pheromone without preservatives became completely unattractive. Alfalfa loopers, Autographa californica (Speyer), were weakly attracted by fresh cabbage looper pheromone but were strongly attracted by the oxidized attractant.
Microbiological assay method for thiamine using Lactobacillus fermenti 36 as test organism.

Summary(1) Maltose or takadiastase digested starch has been found to be one of the many growth stimulants for L. fermenti 36 in assay of thiamine. It is also stimulatory to L. arabinosus 17-5 and Strep, jaecalis R. in assays of pantothenic acid and pyridoxine. (2) Evidence has been obtained to prove that a precaution should be made on thiamine assay of starchy substances using L. fermenti 36 as test organism. Addition of enzyme digested starch or maltose to the assay medium is recommended.
Cultural Competence and Perceptions of Community Health Workers’ Effectiveness for Reducing Health Care Disparities:

Introduction: Community health worker (CHW) interventions improve health outcomes of patients from underserved communities, but health professionals’ perceptions of their effectiveness may impede i...
Simulation-aided design and synthesis of hierarchically porous membranes.

Free-standing silica membranes with hierarchical porosity (ca. 300 nm macropores surrounded by 6–8 nm mesopores) and controllable mesopore architecture were prepared by a dual-templating method, wi...
Synchronized sampling calibration method based on distributed parameter circuit model of transmission line

The transmission line has the problem of non-synchronized sampling, so this paper summarizes the features of the existing methods in solving the problem and proposes a synchronized sampling calibration method based on the distributed parameter circuit model of transmission line. During normal operation of power system, the current on the sync side is calculated through the voltage and current sampling sequence on the reference side by the distributed parameter circuit model, and then the calculated current is sent to the sync side. The sampling bias between the reference side and the sync side is calculated by comparing the phase between the calculated current of sync side and its actual sampling sequence. And then the sampling pulse at sync side is adjusted, and the synchronous sampling correction of the sync side is completed. The simulation results show that the method can accurately calculate the sampling deviation, and the method of synchronized sampling calibration is feasible.
Optimization Study of Spray Humidification Divice by Indirect Air-cooled Unit

Through the establishment of 350 MW indirect air-cooling unit air cooling radiator spray humidifying system of three dimensional numerical model,using Fluent software to numerical simulation of the system,and analyses the influence of nozzle position and the spray direction to the cooling heat transfer effect. The simulation results show that the water in the premise of a certain amount of double row layout at nozzle cooling tube bundle heat transfer effect is superior to the single row layout. And the spray humidifying device decorate outside the tower,change the direction of nozzle jet,surface temperature of the cooling bundles is further reduced outside,and the spray Angle of 60° ~ 90° the surface temperature is minimum,the radiator heat transfer effect is good.
Violence Against Women Through a Buddhist Lens

Violence against women (VAW) is an issue that crosses cultures with religion and spirituality playing important parts in its treatment and conceptualization. This topic has received little attention by academic researchers and clinicians, and there has been limited dialogue within various Buddhist communities. This chapter discusses both how Buddhist beliefs and gender roles within the Buddhist community perpetuate or silence the issue of VAW and also how these beliefs can be used to break the cycle of gender violence. The authors of this chapter first provide a brief history and description of Buddhism, with an emphasis on the roles of gender and feminism. Next, core values of Buddhism are discussed in terms of how they may be used to heal and empower survivors of VAW, rather than perpetuate violence. Lastly, a brief discussion is offered regarding considerations for treatment providers and community members to keep in mind when working with survivors of VAW. Due to the paucity of research and information currently available on this topic, implications and future directions for community members, researchers, and clinicians are offered.
Release of Biologically Active Constituents from Blood Cells and its Role in Antibody-Mediated Tissue Injury

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the release of biologically active constituents from blood cells and its role in antibody-mediated tissue injury. Antibody-induced injury to cells and tissues follows two broad pathways. In one, the antibody is directed against antigens on, or within, the tissues themselves. In the other, the antibody reacts with antigens unrelated to those in the tissue and the resultant antigen–antibody complexes produce the injury. The chapter discusses, as an example of the former etiological pathway, some of the direct effects of antibody on the glomerular basement membrane (nephrotoxic nephritis). It discusses mechanisms whereby neutrophils release injurious constituents and produce the damage. The chapter discusses the fractionation of globulin from sheep anti-GBM antiserum on DEAE Sephadex A50 and discusses the release of constituents from neutrophils adhering to immune reactants on nonphagocytosable surfaces.
Difficult Choices in Total Compensation: Balancing Health Care Costs and Wage Increases

This article describes an experiential exercise suitable for undergraduate or master’s-level students. The goals of the exercise are for students to correctly apply health insurance concepts such as premium, deductible, co-pay, and coinsurance; to understand and explain the dilemma facingorganizations in an environment of increasing health care costs and limited compensation budgets; to discern and apply the concerns of employees with varying demographic profiles to health care cost sharing; and to develop competency in calculating health care costs at the organizational level. Students receive a scenario in which they act as an employee representative and are asked to provide input on their company’s total compensation decisions. The issues include wages versus health care costs, degree of health care cost sharing, and type of health care plan—all in the context of budget constraints.