cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionic Liquids and Ionizing Radiation: Reactivity of Highly Energetic Species

Due to their unique properties, ionic liquids present many opportunities for basic research on the interactions of radiation with materials under conditions not previously available. At the same time, there are practical applied reasons for characterizing, understanding, and being able to predict how ionic-liquid-based devices and industrial-scale systems will perform under conditions of extreme reactivity, including radiation. This perspective discusses current issues in ionic liquid physical chemistry, provides a brief introduction to radiation chemistry, draws attention to some key findings in ionic liquid radiation chemistry, and identifies some current hot topics and new opportunities.
Chemisorption and reaction of NO and N2O on oxidized and reduced ceria surfaces studied by soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and desorption spectroscopy

Abstract We have examined the chemisorption and reaction of NO and N 2 O on ceria surfaces by soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (SXPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and isothermal and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) spectroscopy. Samples include highly oriented CeO 2 (100) and CeO 2 (111) thin films with surfaces of variable oxidation states. CeO 2 (111) thin films were grown in situ allowing control over the initial oxidation state of the ceria surface, quantitatively determined by valence band, Ce 4 d , and Ce 3 d photoemission. Following NO exposure, various N-containing surface species were observed by N 1 s photoemission, and the distribution of these species depended upon surface oxidation state, exposure, and adsorption temperature. These species included N 2 O, nitrite, NO − , and three states believed to be associated with atomic or anionic forms of N. Nitrite and N 2 O are seen on a fully oxidized surface while NO − , N 2 O, and dissociation products are observed on a reduced surface. The primary reaction of NO with reduced ceria is reoxidation of the ceria by the NO, both by NO − formation and by NO dissociation, leading to immediate and thermally induced N 2 desorption. Adsorption of NO at 150 K is predominantly molecular while exposure to NO at 400 K leads to a thermally activated nitride which desorbs at temperatures above 500 K. Dissociative adsorption of NO leads to the displacement of N 3− at high exposures.
Effects of a High-Fat Diet on Spontaneous Metastasis of Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Deficient and Wild-Type Mice

This study investigated the effects of a high-fat diet on spontaneous metastasis of Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficient (PAI-1−/−) and wild-type mice. The high-fat diet increased the number of pulmonary metastases by 60% (p<0.01), tumor cross-sectional area by 82% (p<0.05) and tumor volume by 130% (p<0.05) compared to the AIN93G diet. Deficiency in PAI-1 reduced the number of metastases by 35% (p<0.01) compared to wild-type mice. In mice fed the high-fat diet, PAI-1 deficiency reduced tumor cross-sectional area by 52% (p<0.05) and tumor volume by 61% (p<0.05) compared to their wild-type counterparts; however, PAI-1 deficiency affected neither area nor volume in mice fed the AIN93G diet. Adipose and plasma concentrations of PAI-1 were significantly higher in high-fat fed wild-type mice than in their AIN93G-fed counterparts. Adipose and plasma PAI-1 were not detectable in PAI-1−/− mice regardless of the diet. Mice deficient in PAI-1 showed significantly greater plasma concentrations of monocyte chemotactic protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, leptin, vascular endothelial growth factor, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and insulin compared to wild-type mice, indicating a compensatory overproduction of inflammatory cytokines, angiogenic factors and insulin in the absence of PAI-1. We conclude that PAI-1 produced by the host, including that by adipose tissue, promotes high-fat enhanced metastasis of LLC.
The role of previous exposure in the appetitive and consummatory effects of orexigenic neuropeptides.

Abstract The ingestion of foods is comprised of two distinct phases of behavior: appetitive and consummatory. While most food intake paradigms include both phases, the intraoral intake test emphasizes the stereotyped consummatory-phase by infusing a liquid food directly into the oral cavity. Several hypothalamic peptides have been shown to increase intake of chow in standard food intake paradigms and the current experiments sought to test whether these peptides would increase food intake in the intraoral intake paradigm. NPY, melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and orexin-A were infused into the third ventricle (i3vt) in a counterbalanced latin-square design just prior to rats getting 0.1 M sucrose solution infused via indwelling intraoral catheters and compared it to intake on bottle tests with access to the same sucrose solution. On the first day, each peptide increased intraoral intake relative to saline in the between-subjects comparison. Moreover, intake of sucrose following i3vt saline increased as a function of training. By the final day of the experiment, rats receiving saline consumed as much sucrose as rats receiving NPY, MCH, or orexin-A. This finding was conceptually replicated in the second experiment in which rats drank sucrose freely from a bottle on the home cage. A third experiment directly assessed the role of previous exposure in the sucrose intake induced by NPY. Those results confirm that repeated exposure to sucrose increases baseline intake and attenuates the hyperphagic effect of NPY. These results are consistent with two conclusions: (1) NPY, MCH, and orexin-A increase both appetitive and consummatory-phase ingestive behaviors on initial exposures; (2) repeated training interacts with the effects of these orexigenic peptides.
Down-regulation of norepinephrine transporters on PC12 cells by transporter inhibitors.

To investigate the regulation of norepinephrine transporters (NETs) in vitro, we measured the binding of the NET-selective ligand [ 3 H]nisoxetine in homogenates of PC12 cells after exposure of intact cells to the NET inhibitor desipramine (DMI). A 3-day exposure of PC12 cells to DMI robustly reduced the B max , but not the K D , of [ 3 H] nisoxetine binding to NETs. Reduction of the binding of [ 3 H] nisoxetine was dependent on both the concentration of DMI and the time of exposure to DMI. Reduction of [ 3 H] nisoxetine binding to NETs produced by a 1-day exposure to DMI reverted to preexposure levels 48 h after cessation of DMI exposure. Similar down-regulation of NETs was found when PC12 cells were exposed to another NET-selective drug, nisoxetine, which is structurally unrelated to DMI. In contrast, exposure of cells to the serotonin transporter-selective drug citalopram, or the NET substrate norepinephrine, had no effects on the binding of [ 3 H]nisoxetine to NETs. The down-regulation of NETs was paralleled by a DMI-induced reduction in the uptake of [ 3 H]norepinephrine in intact PC12 cells. It can be inferred from these data that inhibitors of the NET can down-regulate NETs directly, and do so in the absence of changes in the synaptic concentration of norepinephrine.
Synthesis and Properties of Bisphosphole-Bridged Ladder Oligophenylenes

Ladder-type oligophenylenes (LOPP) with bridging heteroatoms are interesting systems as they offer novel electronic and photophysical properties on account of the rigid structural features, more efficient electron delocalization on the coplanar aromatic framework, and strong intermolecular interactions. LOPPs incorporating multiple phosphorous centers combine the excellent electronic properties of phospholes and rigidified conjugated framework of LOPPs, thus positioning themselves as an attractive class of organic semiconductors. To date, there still lacks an effective synthetic methodology towards LOPPs with multiple phosphorous bridges. Herein, we describe the synthesis and properties of a new class of bisphosphole-bridged ladder oligo(p-phenylene)s and the related phosphoxides. The synthesis of phospholes was achieved by a four-fold free-radical phosphanylation reaction of a tetrabromo p-terphenylene or biphenyl-thiophene. Sequential trapping of four highly reactive aryl radicals occurred effectively to give the desired phosphorous-containing ladder compound. The oxides of the phospholes are shown to be strong fluorophores that can be used as potential n-type building blocks for organic semiconducting materials.
Trastuzumab and chemotherapy may be appropriate for small, node-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer.

This letter discusses the outcomes of a sequential cohort study of women with T1, N0, HER2-positive breast cancer with trastuzumab.
Macrophage-specific deletion of transforming growth factor-β1 does not prevent renal fibrosis after severe ischemia-reperfusion or obstructive injury

Macrophage infiltration is a prominent feature of the innate immune response to kidney injury. The persistence of macrophages is associated with tubulointerstitial fibrosis and progression of chron...
Evolution of Communication in Mate Selection

A computational study is conducted to evaluate the hypothesis that mate selection is the evolutionary origin of communication. A population of neural networks is evolved for two cooperative tasks mate selection and prey capture. Simple codes developed for mate selection serve as an effective stepping stone for prey capture but not vice versa. Mate selection followed by an additional prey capture task is also easier to evolve than both together from the beginning. This result suggests that mate selection may be a first step in the evolution of general communication systems in nature.
A model-based self-tuning controller for kinetically controlled combustion instability

Combustion instability is one of the distinct characteristics in continuous combustion processes such as gas turbines, ramjet engines and afterburners. This combustion instability often occurs near blow limit and high thermal out conditions and generates large amplitudes of heat release and pressure oscillations. Active control has been used to suppress combustion instability, but due to complex dynamics of the combustion processes, modeling of the combustion system has often been limited the application of the active control. Recently, we developed a combustion model which is applicable to kinetically controlled combustion instability. In this paper, we first examine the sensitivity of the model characteristics, which show that the model parameters change by 100% for a 10% change in the operating conditions. Next, we propose a self-tuning controller, and show that it effectively suppresses the pressure oscillations in the presence of changing operating conditions.
Probabilistic analysis and algorithms for reconfiguration of memory arrays

Reconfiguration of memory arrays with spare rows and columns has been shown to be an NP-complete problem. An analysis of average-case time complexities of several existing heuristics is presented, as well as a provably average-case polynomial-time algorithm for reconfiguration of memories with spare rows and columns. The algorithm runs faster than previous heuristics when the problem size is larger. >
RNAi suppression of lignin biosynthesis in sugarcane reduces recalcitrance for biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass

Sugarcane is a prime bioethanol feedstock. Currently, sugarcane ethanol is produced through fermentation of the sucrose, which can easily be extracted from stem internodes. Processes for production of biofuels from the abundant lignocellulosic sugarcane residues will boost the ethanol output from sugarcane per land area. However, unlocking the vast amount of chemical energy stored in plant cell walls remains expensive primarily because of the intrinsic recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass. We report here the successful reduction in lignification in sugarcane by RNA interference, despite the complex and highly polyploid genome of this interspecific hybrid. Down-regulation of the sugarcane caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene by 67% to 97% reduced the lignin content by 3.9% to 13.7%, respectively. The syringyl/guaiacyl ratio in the lignin was reduced from 1.47 in the wild type to values ranging between 1.27 and 0.79. The yields of directly fermentable glucose from lignocellulosic biomass increased up to 29% without pretreatment. After dilute acid pretreatment, the fermentable glucose yield increased up to 34%. These observations demonstrate that a moderate reduction in lignin (3.9% to 8.4%) can reduce the recalcitrance of sugarcane biomass without compromising plant performance under controlled environmental conditions.
Toward a Multi-Level, Ecological Approach to the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault: Prevention in Peer and Community Contexts

Although sexual assault prevention programs have been increasingly successful at improving knowledge about sexual violence and decreasing rape-supportive attitudes and beliefs among participants, reducing sexually assaultive conduct itself remains an elusive outcome. This review considers efforts to support change for individuals by creating prevention strategies that target peer network and community-level factors that support sexual violence. To this end, the article examines successful ecological prevention models from other prevention fields, identifies the components of multilevel prevention that appear critical to efficacy and discusses their application to existing and emerging sexual violence prevention strategies.
LOW FREQUENCY OF CDKN2 MUTATION IN ENDOMETRIAL CARCINOMAS

The CDKN2 gene on chromosome 9p21 encodes the p16 inhibitor of cyclin D/cyclin-dependent kinase 4 complexes. Mutations and deletions of CDKN2 have been frequently identified in cell lines, whereas most primary tumors have demonstrated a lower frequency of alteration. To assess the role of CDKN2 in endometrial tumorigenesis, 34 tumor samples were examined for loss of heterozygosity at 9p21 and mutation in CDKN2. To identify tumors that had lost 9p21, samples were genotyped with markers flanking the CDKN2 locus. The frequency of CDKN2 mutation in endometrial carcinomas was determined by single-strand conformation variant analysis and direct sequencing of variants. Of the 34 tumors examined, three revealed loss of 9p21 sequences. Two samples were characterized by point mutations in CDKN2, one of which also showed loss of 9p21 sequences. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Long‐Term Creep Rates on the Hayward Fault: Evidence for Controls on the Size and Frequency of Large Earthquakes

The Hayward fault (HF) in California exhibits large ( M w 6.5–7.1) earthquakes with short recurrence times (161±65 yr), probably kept short by a 26%–78% aseismic release rate (including postseismic). Its interseismic release rate varies locally over time, as we infer from many decades of surface creep data. Earliest estimates of creep rate, primarily from infrequent surveys of offset cultural features, revealed distinct spatial variation in rates along the fault, but no detectable temporal variation. Since the 1989 M w 6.9 Loma Prieta earthquake (LPE), monitoring on 32 alinement arrays and 5 creepmeters has greatly improved the spatial and temporal resolution of creep rate. We now identify significant temporal variations, mostly associated with local and regional earthquakes. The largest rate change was a 6‐yr cessation of creep along a 5‐km length near the south end of the HF, attributed to a regional stress drop from the LPE, ending in 1996 with a 2‐cm creep event. North of there near Union City starting in 1991, rates apparently increased by 25% above pre‐LPE levels on a 16‐km‐long reach of the fault. Near Oakland in 2007 an M w 4.2 earthquake initiated a 1–2 cm creep event extending 10–15 km along the fault. Using new better‐constrained long‐term creep rates, we updated earlier estimates of depth to locking along the HF. The locking depths outline a single, ∼50‐km‐long locked or retarded patch with the potential for an M w∼6.8 event equaling the 1868 HF earthquake. We propose that this inferred patch regulates the size and frequency of large earthquakes on HF. Online Material: 2007 event creep models, plots of creepmeter data, maps and cross‐sections of relocated microearthquakes and active fault traces, and iterative solutions for depth of creep.
Theoretical channel capacity in multi-hop ad hoc networks

A channel capacity analysis for multi-hop wireless networks is presented. The methodology is based on the novel concepts of "deferral set" and "equivalent competitor" which reflects the channel contention and routing characterizations of the multi-hop environment. Analysis is facilitated by applying these concepts to a parametric node model based on medium access specifications. The mean channel throughput and service delay during back-logged periods are studied using the above methodologies and are validated by simulations. This paper presents a new methodology with practical application with respect to effective network design in the areas of routing, admission-control, scheduling and topology control.
Consultative Authoritarianism and Its Limits

Consultative authoritarianism challenges existing conceptions of nondemocratic governance. Citizen participation channels are designed to improve policymaking and increase feelings of regime respon...
The Sanctified South: John Lakin Brasher and the Holiness Movement

This richly detailed biography examines the colorful life and preaching of evangelist John Lakin Brasher (1868-1971), effectively destroying old stereotypes that portrayed holiness folk as fanatical and uneducated. Relying primarily on Brasher's 25,000 manuscripts and on extensive sound recordings of his preaching and storytelling, J. Lawrence Brasher analyzes the dynamics of holiness religious experience and explores the beliefs, rituals, politics, cultural context, and folklore of the southern holiness movement.
Noise and signal power and their effects on evoked potential estimation

Abstract Signal power, noise power and their ratio (SNR) are important variables underlying estimation of evoked potential signals, yet, they are rarely explicitly considered in the design or analysis of EP experiments. A model is developed which relates the reliability of the average evoked potential (AEP) wave form to signal power, noise power, SNR, and the number of single trials included in the average. Measurements taken from auditory and visual EP experimental in elderly subjects show that noise power is highly reliable across experimental conditions and probably reflects global CNS anatomic or physiologic factors. In contrast, signal power and SNR are variable across conditions and sensory modalities, but are stable across replications. Thus signal power reflects CNS processes specific to the experimental paradigm. These results have importance for EP estimation. The expected reliability of the AEP cannot be adequately predicted from estimates of a subject's noise power, or from SNR estimated under different experimental conditions. These findings suggest the need for on-line estimation of SNR during data acquisition to ensure adequate reliability of AEPs.
Examining the cognitive processes used by adolescent girls and women scientists in identifying science role models: A feminist approach

Women remain underrepresented in science professions. Studies have shown that students are more likely to select careers when they can identify a role model in that career path. Further research has shown that the success of this strategy is enhanced by the use of gender-matched role models. While prior work provides insights into the value of using role models, it does not explain the cognitive process involved in girls identifying role models from nontraditional careers for women. This feminist study addresses this gap by examining the cognitive process eighth-grade girls use in identifying a person as a science role model and comparing it to the process used by women scientists seeking to serve as possible science role models. Data revealed that the girls' process in identifying a role model involved personal connections and their initial image of a scientist led them to believe they could not have such a connection with a scientist. The initial views expressed by the women suggested they felt pressure to portray “perfect“ scientists in order to be a role model. A common understanding of a science role model was realized only after changes occurred in the girls' image of scientists and the scientists' image of a role model. The catalysts for these changes were the relationships that developed between girls and women scientists. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed92:688–707, 2008
Muscle-specific transcription factors in fibroblasts expressing the alpha-striated tropomyosin 3' untranslated region.

The alpha-striated tropomyosin 3' untranslated region (TM UTR) promotes differentiation of fibroblasts into cells resembling skeletal muscle. To investigate the mechanism of this observation, RNA harvested from transfected primary fibroblasts was used for semiquantitative RT-PCR with primers specific for muscle transcription factors, showing that myoD and myogenin transcripts are detected in these cells, but that differentiation after TM UTR expression is independent of a detectable increase in these transcripts. Double immunofluorescent staining with antibodies to myoD family members and to titin confirms that muscle differentiation in TM UTR-transfected fibroblasts is independent of production of any transcription factor in this family. In contrast, the muscle transcription factor myocyte enhancer factor 2 (mef-2) is strongly expressed after transfection of fibroblasts with the TM UTR. The increase in mef-2 protein is due to an increase in the steady-state level of its mRNA, as shown by Northern analysis. The expression of p21 ordinarily observed in skeletal myogenesis before the expression of muscle-specific proteins is not seen in fibroblasts induced to differentiate by the TM UTR. These results demonstrate that post-transcriptional regulation of myoD family members is seen in fibroblasts, and that the TM UTR induces muscle differentiation independent of the myoD transcription factors and without expressing proteins characteristic of terminal withdrawal from the cell cycle. Finally, an increase in the steady-state level of mef-2 transcripts appears in the proximal pathway of myogenic activation in response to expression of the TM UTR. These results imply that fibroblasts can utilize an additional differentiation route upon TM UTR expression resulting in mature muscle other than that requiring myoD family members.
Optimization of Multiple Hydraulically Fractured Horizontal Wells in Unconventional Gas Reservoirs

Accurate placement of multiple horizontal wells drilled from the same well pad plays a critical role in the successful economical production from unconventional gas reservoirs. However, there are high cost and uncertainty due to many inestimable and uncertain parameters such as reservoir permeability, porosity, fracture spacing, fracture half-length, fracture conductivity, gas desorption, and well spacing. In this paper, we employ response surface methodology to optimize multiple horizontal well placement to maximize Net Present Value (NPV) with numerically modeling multistage hydraulic fractures in combination with economic analysis. This paper demonstrates the accuracy of numerical modeling of multistage hydraulic fractures for actual Barnett Shale production data by considering the gas desorption effect. Six uncertain parameters, such as permeability, porosity, fracture spacing, fracture half-length, fracture conductivity, and distance between two neighboring wells with a reasonable range based on Barnett Shale information, are used to fit a response surface of NPV as the objective function and to finally identify the optimum design under conditions of different gas prices based on NPV maximization. This integrated approach can contribute to obtaining the optimal drainage area around the wells by optimizing well placement and hydraulic fracturing treatment design and provide insight into hydraulic fracture interference between single well and neighboring wells.
Clinical departmental director: Manager or scholar?

We should look very hard at what is required to maintain the role of clinical departmental directors as clinician-scholars and academic leaders. We should consider what is needed to permit them to have the time and energy to participate in their own areas of scholarship, and to be active in longer-term planning not only for their departments but also for their own medical institutions and national health issues as a whole.
A prioritized parallel transmission MAC protocol for all-IP wireless WAN beyond 3G

All-IP based wireless WAN can be a system beyond 3G. A simplified all-IP wireless WAN architecture is defined in this paper. Some existing MAC protocols, which are classified into serial transmission MAC protocol and parallel transmission MAC protocol, can be potential MAC for all-IP wireless WAN. This paper analyzes these protocols and proposes a prioritized parallel transmission MAC protocol as a better candidate than those existing ones.
Terahertz frequency selective surface with reconfigurable polarization characteristics using vanadium dioxide

In this paper, we present a design technique to realize reconfigurable terahertz (THz) frequency selective surface (FSS) polarizer. Our approach relies on combining vanadium dioxide (VO2) patches with metallic resonators. Vanadium dioxide behaves as an insulator at room temperatures and as a metal at high temperatures with a characteristic insulator–metal transition temperature of ~68 °C. We used this attribute to realize a reconfigurable single- to dual-polarized bandpass FSS structure at 0.5 THz. Along with the simulation results, FSS structures fabricated on sapphire substrates were measured using THz time-domain spectroscopy. Measured extinction ratio of ~25 dB was achieved for the THz polarizer with just a single FSS layer. Good agreement between simulation and experiments were obtained.
Spectra of human L cones

Variations in the amino acid sequences of the human cone opsins give rise to spectrally variant subtypes of L and M cone pigments even in the population with normal color vision. In vitro mutagenesis studies have shown that a limited number of amino acid substitutions produce shifts in the wavelength sensitivity. Presented here are results comparing electrophysiological measurements of single human cones with the expressed cone pigment gene sequences from the same retina. In a sample of eight long-wavelength sensitive cone (L cone) spectra obtained from five donors the precise spectral sensitivities, measured in situ, of the two most commonly occurring spectral variants were determined. The peak sensitivity of the Lser180 cone was 563 nm while that of the Lala180 cone was 559 nm.
Interpretation of records obtained from the New Mexico atomic bomb test, July 16, 1945

Records obtained at the following stations were available for interpretation of ground and air waves produced by the New Mexico atomic bomb test.
Congress, the Foreign Service, and the Department of State

On July 1, 1924, there became effective an act for the reorganization and improvement of the Foreign Service of the United States, popularly known as the Rogers Act, which had been approved on May 24. That act combined the hitherto separate diplomatic and consular services into a single Foreign Service. Admission to the Foreign Service was for the most part to be upon competitive examination, and promotion was to be based upon merit. The act left to the executive the establishment of the system for ascertaining merit. Pursuant to the Rogers Act, an executive order of June 7, 1924, created a Foreign Service Personnel Board. The composition of the board was slightly changed by an executive order of February 25, 1928, under the terms of which the board was to be composed of three assistant secretaries of state to be designated by the Secretary of State, and three Foreign Service officers. The three Foreign Service officers, representing both the diplomatic and consular branches, were to constitute the executive committee of the board. Among other things, the Foreign Service Personnel Board was charged with the duty of submitting to the Secretary, when vacancies should arise in the Foreign Service, lists of officers whose records of efficiency entitled them to advancement in the service and who were therefore recommended for promotion. A departmental order directed the executive committee to take possession of all records relating to the personnel of the diplomatic and consular services and to keep the efficiency records of all Foreign Service officers.
The Realization of VBA Function by LISP in CAD

This article introduces to you the program of how to realize VBA with Visual LIS P in CAD exploring to help solve the problems the engineering programmer will fa ce when developing CAD with ActiveX.
The effect of ACEI on collagen I and collagen III in rats of cirrhosis:role of enalapril

Objective To investigate whether angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor(ACEI) can arrest or reverse the progression of carbon tetrachloride(CC14)-induced cirrhosis in rats.Methods Hepatic cirrhosis with portal hypertension was induced in S-D rats by 50% CC14 treatment(3 ml/kg,in- tragastric administration,once/5 days).These rats were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: normal control,model and ACEI treatment groups.Rats in ACEI treatment group were then treated respec- tively with Enalapril(intragastric administration,10 mg/kg,once every day),concurrently with CC14 for 75 days.The rats were executed after anaesthesia.Formalin-fixed sections of the liver were stained with HE and Masson.Inflammation and fibrosis were assessed histologically.According to the HE staining results,tissue array was made,and collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were measured by immunohistoehemistry. Relative mRNA expression of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ was detected by semiquantitative reverse tran- seriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The result of liver fibrosis stages and collagen semi-quantity of Masson stain showed that in the model group and ACEI treatment group the severity of he- patic cirrhosis was significantly more than that in normal group(P0.01).In ACEI treatment group,he- patic were significantly reduced stages of fibrosis and collagen semiquantitative of Masson stain than the model group.The expression of protein and mRNA of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ 2were significantly up-regu- lation in the model group than in other groups(P0.05).Conclusion Enalapril(ACEI)can cause ef- fectively down-regulation expression of protein and mRNA of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ in hepatic fibrosis rats by CC14 treatment.
Review: success of lumbar puncture is enhanced by reinserting the stylet before removing the needle.

Source Citation Straus SE, Thorpe KE, Holroyd-Leduc J. How do I perform a lumbar puncture and analyze the results to diagnose bacterial meningitis? JAMA. 2006;296:2012-22. 17062865
Peak intervals of equatorial Pacific export production during the middle Miocene climate transition

The middle Miocene climate transition (MMCT) is characterized by an abrupt 1‰ increase in benthic foraminiferal oxygen isotopes at ca. 13.8 Ma, marking expansion of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and transition of Earth9s climate to a cooler, relatively stable glacial state. Also occurring during this period is a globally recognized positive carbon isotope excursion (16.9–13.5 Ma) in benthic and planktonic foraminifera with shorter carbon isotope maxima (CM) events, linking hypotheses for climate change at the time with the carbon cycle. In order to test whether export production in the eastern equatorial Pacific is related to the largest such event (CM6), coincident with Antarctic Ice Sheet expansion, a high-resolution (<5 k.y.) record of export production at Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Site U1337 spanning the MMCT (14.02–13.43 Ma) was produced using marine pelagic barite mass accumulation rates. Export production is elevated with an extended period of more than double present-day values. These variations are not orbitally paced and provide evidence for a reorganization of nutrients supplied to the eastern equatorial Pacific in the Miocene and intensification of upwelling. If such changes are representative of the entire region, then this mechanism could sequester enough carbon to have a significant effect on atmospheric p CO 2 . However, continual delivery of nutrients to the surface waters of the eastern equatorial Pacific is required in order to sustain export production without depleting the surface ocean of limiting nutrients. This might be accomplished by a change in ocean circulation or a combination of other processes requiring further study.
Early septic insult in neonatal pigs increases serum and urinary soluble Fas ligand and decreases kidney function without inducing significant renal apoptosis

AbstractApoptosis of renal tubular and glomerular cells during kidney disease involves activation of Fas ligand (FasL)-dependent death pathway. The significance of FasL in neonates with septic acute kidney injury (AKI) is unresolved, but an increase in renal FasL production, and/or infiltration of circulating FasL into the kidneys may occur following initial septic insult. Here, we examined whether soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) levels are altered during early phase of septic AKI in neonates. Six hours of polymicrobial sepsis elicited by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) elevated serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (a bacteremia and sepsis marker) concentration in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated neonatal pigs. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations were increased by ∼39% and 46%, respectively, following 6 h of CLP in the pigs. The urinary level of NGAL, an early marker of AKI was also elevated by ∼71% in the septic pigs. The basal concentration of sFasL in the serum and urine of neonatal pigs w...
Interstellar probe using a solar sail: Conceptual design and technological challenges

NASA’s Interstellar Probe, conceived to travel to 200-400 AU, will be the first spacecraft designed specifically to explore the unknown regions beyond the solar system and directly sample the dust, neutrals and plasma of the surrounding interstellar material. Here we present the mission concept developed by NASA’s Interstellar Probe Science and Technology Definition Team in 1999 and discuss the technological challenges it presents. The Team selected a solar sail concept in which the spacecraft reaches 200 AU in 15 years. This rapid passage is made by using a 400-m diameter solar sail and heading first inward to ~0.25 AU to increase the radiation pressure. The Probe then heads out in the interstellar upwind direction at ~14/AU year, about 5 times the speed of the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. Advanced lightweight instruments and spacecraft systems, as well as solar sail propulsion, are needed to achieve these high speeds. The spacecraft coasts to 200-400 AU, exploring the Kuiper Belt, the boundaries of the heliosphere, and the nearby interstellar medium.
Online Appendix to 'Active Share and the Three Pillars of Active Management: Skill, Conviction and Opportunity'

This is the appendix to “Active Share and the Three Pillars of Active Management: Skill, Conviction and Opportunity”, forthcoming in the Financial Analysts Journal.Article can be found at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2860356
F-TRIDYN: A Binary Collision Approximation code for simulating ion interactions with rough surfaces

Abstract Fractal TRIDYN (F-TRIDYN) is a modified version of the widely used Monte Carlo, Binary Collision Approximation code TRIDYN that includes an explicit model of surface roughness and additional output modes for coupling to plasma edge and material codes. Surface roughness plays an important role in ion irradiation processes such as sputtering; roughness can significantly increase the angle of maximum sputtering and change the maximum observed sputtering yield by a factor of 2 or more. The complete effect of surface roughness on sputtering and other ion irradiation phenomena is not completely understood. Many rough surfaces can be consistently and realistically modeled by fractals, using the fractal dimension and fractal length scale as the sole input parameters. F-TRIDYN includes a robust fractal surface algorithm that is more computationally efficient than those in previous fractal codes and which reproduces available experimental sputtering data from rough surfaces. Fractals provide a compelling path toward a complete and concise understanding of the effect that surface geometry plays on the behavior of plasma-facing materials. F-TRIDYN is a flexible code for simulating ion-solid interactions and coupling to plasma and material codes for multiscale modeling.
Maintenance of the Circulation and Impedance-Defined Flow

Main classes of abnormality, electrical or mechanical, causing heart failure. The interpretation of abnormality ascribed to mechanical causes requires more than a century for clarification. Forward and backward failure become interchangeable. Clinical treatment of slowly developing failure; space flight. Rapid failure resulting from a heart attack. Listing of types of clinical corrective measures without replacing the heart. Heart transplantation and the artificial heart. Application of impedance-defined flow based measures, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Abstract 18887: Fetal-Derived Cdx2 Cells in Placenta Are Multipotent Cells With Cardiomyogenic Potential

Introduction: Stem cell based therapies for cardiac regeneration are of crucial importance and an ideal cell-type is yet to be established. Placenta is an easily available and rich source of multip...
Temperament Moderators of Prospective Associations Between Community Violence Exposure and Urban African American Adolescents’ Aggressive Behavior

Research suggests that neighborhood risks are associated with internalizing symptoms for adolescents high on temperament characteristics related to the behavioral inhibition system (BIS). However, it is unclear whether newer conceptualizations of the BIS distinguishing fear from anxiety operate similarly. Furthermore, it is unclear whether the BIS attenuates community violence exposure effects on externalizing problems. The current study examined whether the BIS or the fight-flight-freeze system (FFFS) moderated associations between community violence exposure and internalizing and externalizing problems. Participants were 367 urban African American adolescents who reported on temperament characteristics in grade 9, and community violence exposure and adjustment problems in grades 9 and 10. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that the FFFS, but not the BIS, moderated the association between community violence exposure and aggressive behavior. Grade 9 community violence exposure was positively associated with grade 10 aggression for adolescents low on FFFS, suggesting that the FFFS may partly differentiate community violence-exposed adolescents’ aggressive behavior.
Patient Complaints in Image-Guided Interventions: Evaluation of Multifactorial Issues Using a Coding Taxonomy

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to classify complaints from patients undergoing image-guided interventions using a coding taxonomy and to test whether single-coded complaints were resolve...
Improving Teacher Performance Using an Enhanced Digital Video Reflection Technique

Reflective practice is an integral component of a teacher’s classroom success (Zeichner and Liston, 1996; Valli, 1997). There is a need to further develop a more effective and efficient process that encourages reflective practice. Recent technological video advancements have provided tools to support new research. This chapter presents an innovative process that proposes to improve teacher reflective practice by using an enhanced video analysis technique. The findings suggest the video-enhanced reflection process provides solutions to the barriers that have traditionally prevented reflection from being meaningful and long lasting. The qualitative analysis suggests that video-enhanced reflection had a positive impact on teacher reflective abilities.
Early Scientific Investigations

Following Paracelsus, the early investigators of medicinal chemistry were often largely trained as physicians who had gained a knowledge of the emerging field of chemistry, a field yet in its infancy.
Application of a Chimeric Green Fluorescent Protein to Study Protein-Protein Interactions

The green fluorescent protein (GFP) of the jellyfish Aequorea victoria is an emerging tool to monitor gene expression in situ and in vivo. Because of its fluorescence properties, when GFP is fused ...
Results of a Workshop on Research in Incident Handling

Abstract : This document contains the results of the first CERT(sm) Invitational Workshop on Research in Incident Handling, held at the Software Engineering Institute in November 1992. The workshop was convened to address a wide spectrum of computer, network, and information security topics from the perspective of incident handling, both in the present and in the future. The intent was to bring together researchers, incident handling specialists, users, system administrators, and managers to encourage an exchange of information and experience. Specifically, it was intended to identify lucrative areas for research and development in improving the practice of incident handling and in applying the experience and information base that the CERT Coordination Center has amassed during its existence.
Do Mandatory Accounting Disclosures Impair Disclosing Firms’ Competitiveness? Evidence from Mergers and Acquisitions

This paper examines whether mandatory accounting disclosures in financial reports impair disclosing firms’ competitiveness by inducing competitors to take actions. To capture firm-level variation in product market competition, we rely on the product similarity measure developed by Hoberg and Phillips (2016). Using M&A-related disclosures that are mandated by materiality thresholds, we find that disclosing firms experience a disproportionate increase in product similarity subsequent to M&A transactions relative to non-disclosing M&A firms. Cross-sectional analyses reveal that the effect is more pronounced when the firms obtain greater synergy gains via M&A or achieve greater product differentiation in the year of an M&A. We also document that rivals of disclosing firms are more likely to engage in an M&A transaction in the following year relative to rivals of non-disclosing firms, and that competition between an acquirer and rivals increases both when the acquirer discloses and when rivals conduct M&A. Collectively, our findings suggest that mandatory M&A-related sales and profit disclosures have an adverse impact on disclosing firms’ competitiveness in product markets.
What ethical behavior do judges, juries, plaintiff and defense lawyers expect of expert witnesses?

Introduction: Addressing legal and ethical issues for selecting experts for court testimony. Methods: Review some salient articles and legal cases. Results: The adversary system invites lawyers to ...
Poor seed quality, reduced germination, and decreased seedling vigor in soybean is linked to exposure of the maternal lines to drought stress

Abstract Effects of environmental stressors on the parent may be transmitted to the F1 generation of plants that support global food, oil, and energy production for humans and animals. This study was conducted to determine if the effects of drought stress on parental soybean plants are transmitted to the F1 generation. The germination and seedling vigor of F1 soybean whose maternal parents, Asgrow AG5332 and Progeny P5333RY, were exposed to soil moisture stress, that is, 100, 80, 60, 40, and 20% replacement of evapotranspiration (ET) during reproductive growth, were evaluated under controlled conditions. Pooled over cultivars, effects of soil moisture stress on the parents caused a reduction in the seed germination rate, maximum seed germination, and overall seedling performance in the F1 generation. The effect of soil moisture stress on the parent induced an irreversible change in the seed quality in the F1 generation and the effects on seed quality in the F1 generation were exasperated when exposed to increasing levels of drought stress. Results indicate that seed weight and storage reserve are key factors influencing germination traits and seedling growth. Our data confirm that the effects of drought stress on soybean are transferable, causing reduced germination, seedling vigor, and seed quality in the F1 generation.
Intrahepatic Cholestasis in a Sickle Cell Patient Unresponsive to Exchange Blood Transfusion.

With the advent of hydroxyurea, the sickle cell population has been enjoying a prolonged life span as compared to the pre-hydroxyurea era. Traditionally, acute complications of sickle cell disease includes acute chest syndrome, MI and stroke. In this report we present a case of an elderly man with sickle cell disease who presented with intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC); a rather rare and fatal complication of sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. The patient presented with jaundice and elevated bilirubin up to 53, his hospital course was complicated by coagulopathy and encephalopathy, and expired on day 43 of presentation after failing multiple therapeutic interventions including exchange transfusion. In this report, we will provide literature review and discuss the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of intrahepatic cholestasis in the sickle cell population highlighting the need for immediate recognition and institution of therapy for this fatal complication of sickle cell disease, particularly in elderly populations with low metabolic reserve.
Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Remote Sensing for Monitoring Rangeland Dynamics in the Altai Mountain Region

Integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) with remote sensing capabilities to monitor rangeland dynamics could lead to more acceptable, efficient, and beneficial rangeland management schemes for stakeholders of grazing systems. We contrasted pastoralists’ perception of summer pasture quality in the Altai Mountains of Central Asia with normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) metrics obtained from Terra Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor. The spatial relationship between satellite-based assessment of the grassland quality and on-the-ground evaluation by local herders was first assessed for a single year using 49, 1 × 1 km grassland blocks sampled in July 2013. Herder-derived forage value was positively and strongly (63% of variance explained) related to satellite-derived NDVI values (MODIS 1 km monthly data, MOD13A3) as well as field estimates of % vegetation cover (62% explained) and to a lesser degree to vegetation height (28% explained). Herders’ multi-year perception (i.e., recall ability) was also contrasted with satellite observations of their herding areas over the period of 2006–2016 during which NDVI temporal anomaly explained >11% of variance in estimates of pasture quality recalled. Few herders in Kazakhstan could recall pasture conditions, most herders in Russia and China could but inconsistently (4 and 7% variation explained, respectively), whereas most herders in Mongolia could recall pasture conditions in strong agreement with NDVI anomaly (30% variation explained), patterns reflecting herders’ regional dependence on herding as a livelihood. Corroboration of herder-derived estimates and satellite-derived vegetation indices creates opportunity for re-expression of satellite data in map form as TEK-derived indices more compatible with herder perceptions.