cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytokinetic Effect and Cytotoxic Action of Chromium Compound on Human Fibroblast in Culture

Chromium is ubiquitous in nature, ranking fifteenth in the body of man. Chromium has been reported to be an environmental carcinogen. In The U.S., the use of chromium is mainly divided as follows: (1) metallurgical industries - 57%; (2) refractory materials - 30%; and (3) Chemistry Industry - 13%. The metabolism and toxicity of chromium has recently been described by D. Burrows (1983). Chromium compounds have been suspected as human carcinogens since 1932, but which compounds are the most potent carcinogens has not been known. Trivalent chromium compounds are not thought to increase incidence of lung cancer in man (Burrows 1983). Most animal studies have been carried out with hexavalent compounds. Attempts to produce bronchogenic carcinoma in mice by exposure to Chromates in inhalation chambers had been unsuccessful (Steffes and Baetjer 1965; Nettesheim et al. 1971). Some increase in pulmonary adenomas was observed in those studies. When calcium Chromate was implanted intrabronchially in rats by Laskin et al. (1970), a number of squamous carcinoma were induced in the lungs. Mutagenicity of chromium has been demonstrated in various prokaryotic systems (Petrilli et al. 1982). All hexavalent compounds are mutagenic, but not trivalent compounds. Cellular transformation by chromium (VI) compounds has been shown in rodent cells (Fradkin et al. 1975; Tsuda and Kato 1977). Clastogenic effect of chromium compounds has been demonstrated as induction of sister chromatic exchange and chromosomal aberration in mammalian cells (Tsuda and Kato 1977; Rainaldi et al. 1982; Bianchi et al. 1983).
Negotiating Through Agents: A Principal-Focused Agency Model in Representative Negotiations

While the negotiation field has thoroughly explored an agent’s experience in representative negotiations, an examination of the principal’s perspective is notably lacking. To address this under-res...
Labor Costs and Corporate Investment in Italy

The recovery of private investment in Italy has lagged its euro area peers over the past decade. This paper examines the role of elevated labor costs in hindering the recovery. Specifically, labor costs rose faster than labor productivity prior to the global financial crisis and have remained high since, weighing on firms’ profits, capital returns, and thus capacity to invest. Empirical analysis provides evidence for the impact of wages on investment at the sectoral and firm levels. Sectoral wage growth seems unrelated to sectoral productivity growth, but is negatively associated with investment. Firm-level data permit a better identification—by exploiting the interaction between sectoral wage growth (exogenous to the firm) and the lagged labor share of the firm. A 1 percent increase in real wages is estimated to cause a 1/3 percent fall in fixed capital. Profits absorb only ½ of the cost increase, pointing to the role of liquidity constraints. These results highlight the need for labor market reform to reinvigorate investment, and thus labor productivity and job creation.
On the Value of Reading and Reading More: A Personal Reflection and Educational Resource

Professional accountantsâ€”at all levels (student, educator, practitioner)â€”may be looking for strategies to support professional development and/or continuing education, including the development of communication skills. This paper provides an example of critical self-reflection, which resulted in a retirement-induced reading spree for the author and an appreciation by the author of the value of reading as a strategy for enhancing oneâ€™s reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. To illustrate these benefits with greater concreteness, the paper includes a short discussion of each of 18 subjectively determined â€œpower wordsâ€ (and related definitions) gathered by the author from recent issues of the Wall Street Journal. These examples illustrate how appropriate word choices allow authors of cited material to communicate (in context) with conciseness and precisionâ€”power for short. I complement this set of words with additional â€œpower wordsâ€ I self-selected from a variety of business and nonbusiness sources. The paper contains a listing of additional resources (both printed and web-based) that individuals interested in improving their vocabulary can consult. As a learning resource, the paper can be used in accounting courses with a communications component, for personal and/or professional development purposes, and in CPE courses focused on communication skills development. An appendix provides sample word-choice quizzes based on the 18 words discussed in the paper.
The VIX Future in Bergomi Models: Closed-Form Expansions and Joint Calibration with S&P 500 Skew

We derive the formal expansion of the price of a VIX future (and more generally a VIX power payoff) in various Bergomi models at any order in powers of the volatility-of-volatility. We introduce the notion of volatility of the VIX squared implied by the VIX future, which we call "VIX2 implied volatility", and also expand this quantity at any order. We cover the one-factor, two-factor, and skewed two-factor Bergomi models and allow for maturity-dependent and/or time-dependent parameters. When the initial term-structure of variance swaps is flat, the expansions are in closed form; otherwise, they involve one-dimensional integrals which are extremely fast to compute. Our extensive numerical experiments show that both the price and implied volatility expansions provide very accurate approximations for a wide range of model parameters which covers the values typically used in the equity and FX derivatives markets and even well beyond---in particular, the expansions are accurate even for very large values of the volatility-of-volatility. They also show that the implied volatility expansion converges much faster than the price expansion. Its truncation at order 1 is already so accurate that it leads to a simple formula for the price of the VIX future that can virtually be considered exact. The derivation of the expansions naturally involves the (classical or dual bivariate) Hermite polynomials and exploits their orthogonality properties; it is interesting in itself. The expansions allow us to precisely pinpoint the roles of all the model parameters (volatility-of-volatility, mean reversions, correlations, mixing fraction) in the formation of the prices of VIX futures and VIX power payoffs in Bergomi models. We also use them together with the Bergomi-Guyon expansion of the S&P 500 smile to (instantaneously) calibrate the two-factor Bergomi model jointly to the term-structures of S&P 500 at-the-money skew and VIX2 implied volatility. Our tests and the new expansions shed more light on the inability of traditional stochastic volatility models to jointly fit S&P 500 and VIX market data. The (imperfect but decent) joint fit requires much larger values of volatility-of-volatility and fast mean reversion than the ones previously reported in Bergomi (2005, 2016).
Standing and Privacy Harms: A Critique of TransUnion v. Ramirez

Through the standing doctrine, the U.S. Supreme Court has taken a new step toward severely limiting the effective enforcement of privacy laws. The recent Supreme Court decision, TransUnion v. Ramirez (U.S. June 25, 2021) revisits the issue of standing and privacy harms under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) that began with Spokeo v. Robins, 132 S. Ct. 1441 (2012). In TransUnion, a group of plaintiffs sued TransUnion under FCRA for falsely labeling them as potential terrorists in their credit reports. The Court concluded that only some plaintiffs had standing – those whose credit reports were disseminated. Plaintiffs whose credit reports weren’t disseminated lacked a “concrete” injury and accordingly lacked standing – even though Congress explicitly granted them a private right of action to sue for violations like this and even though a jury had found that TransUnion was at fault. In this essay, Professors Daniel J. Solove and Danielle Keats Citron engage in an extensive critique of the TransUnion case. They contend that existing standing doctrine incorrectly requires concrete harm. For most of U.S. history, standing required only an infringement on rights. Moreover, when assessing harm, the Court has a crabbed and inadequate understanding of privacy harms. Additionally, allowing courts to nullify private rights of action in federal privacy laws is a usurpation of legislative power that upends the compromises and balances that Congress establishes in laws. Private rights of action are essential enforcement mechanisms.
Automatic Tuning for Data-driven Model Predictive Control

Model predictive control (MPC) is a powerful feedback technique that is often used in data-driven robotics. The performance of data-driven MPC depends on the accuracy of the model, which often requires careful tuning. Furthermore, specifying the task with an objective function and synthesizing a feedback policy are not straightforward and typically lead to suboptimal solutions driven by trial and error. To address these challenges, we present a method to jointly optimize the data-driven system identification, task specification, and control synthesis of unknown dynamical systems. We use our method to develop AutoMPC3, a software package designed to automate and optimize data-driven MPC. Empirical evaluation on the pendulum swing-up, cart-pole swing-up, and half-cheetah running demonstrates that our method finds data-driven control policies that outperform offline reinforcement learning, without any hand-tuning.
Effects of exenatide on measures of diabetic neuropathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes: results from an 18-month proof-of-concept open-label randomized study.

Abstract Objective Experimental studies have reported potential benefit of glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) receptor agonists in preventing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We therefore performed a proof-of-concept pilot study to evaluate the effect of exenatide, a GLP-1 agonist, on measures of DPN and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Research Design and Methods Forty-six T2D subjects (age 54±10years, diabetes duration 8±5years, HbA1c 8.2±1.3%) with mild to moderate DPN at baseline were randomized to receive either twice daily exenatide (n=22) or daily insulin glargine (n=24). The subjects, with similar HbA1c levels, were followed for 18months. The primary end point was the prevalence of confirmed clinical neuropathy (CCN). Changes in measures of CAN, other measures of small fiber neuropathy such as intra-epidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), and quality of life were also analyzed. Results Glucose control was similar in both groups during the study. There were no statistically significant treatment group differences in the prevalence of CCN, IENFD, measures of CAN, nerve conductions studies, or quality of life indices. Conclusions In this pilot study of patients with T2D and mild to moderate DPN, 18months of exenatide treatment had no significant effect on measures of neuropathy compared with glargine treatment.
Parent Education in Washington State Even Start Family Literacy Programs.

The purpose of this study was to understand and clarify parent education practices used in family literacy programs. A descriptive profile of parent education in Washington state's Even Start programs was constructed. Rural and urban programs were compared on parent education content and methods of instruction. The results highlighted the importance of state direction in order to promote equitable access to families in both urban and rural areas.
9.2 – The Recycling of Biogenic Material at the Sea Floor

The biogenic component of the rain of particles to the sea floor, consisting of organic matter, calcium carbonate, and biogenic silica, is efficiently recycled at the surface of marine sediments. The reactions these materials undergo affect the Earth's surface geochemical cycles on both short and long timescales. Further, they alter the composition of the particulate flux, so that their effects must be considered in the interpretation of the sedimentary record. The reactions of biogenic materials in sediments leave strong signals in sedimentary pore waters. In this article, we discuss the methods of interpretation of concentration versus depth profiles of pore water solutes and the conclusions that can be drawn from them regarding early diagenetic reactions.
Neuroprotective and neurotrophic actions of glucagon-like peptide-1: an emerging opportunity to treat neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disorders

Like type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), neurodegenerative disorders and stroke are an ever increasing, health, social and economic burden for developed Westernized countries. Age is an important risk factor in all of these; due to the rapidly increasing rise in the elderly population T2DM and neurodegenerative disorders, both represent a looming threat to healthcare systems. Whereas several efficacious drugs are currently available to ameliorate T2DM, effective treatments to counteract pathogenic processes of neurodegenerative disorders are lacking and represent a major scientific and pharmaceutical challenge. Epidemiological data indicate an association between T2DM and most major neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Likewise, there is an association between T2DM and stroke incidence. Studies have revealed that common pathophysiological features, including oxidative stress, insulin resistance, abnormal protein processing and cognitive decline, occur across these. Based on the presence of shared mechanisms and signalling pathways in these seemingly distinct diseases, one could hypothesize that an effective treatment for one disorder could prove beneficial in the others. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based anti-diabetic drugs have drawn particular attention as an effective new strategy to not only regulate blood glucose but also to reduce apoptotic cell death of pancreatic beta cells in T2DM. Evidence supports a neurotrophic and neuroprotective role of GLP-1 receptor (R) stimulation in an increasing array of cellular and animal neurodegeneration models as well as in neurogenesis. Herein, we review the physiological role of GLP-1 in the nervous system, focused towards the potential benefit of GLP-1R stimulation as an immediately translatable treatment strategy for acute and chronic neurological disorders.
Auger recombination rates in dilute-As GaNAs semiconductor

The evaluation of Auger recombination process for dilute-As GaNAs alloy is presented. Our analysis indicates the suppression of interband Auger recombination mechanism in dilute-As GaNAs alloy in the green spectral regime. The interband Auger coefficient in dilute-As GaNAs alloy is shown as two orders of magnitude lower than that of its corresponding intraband Auger rate. Our results confirm that the second conduction band has a negligible effect on the interband Auger process in dilute-As GaNAs alloy due to the non-resonant condition of the process. Our findings show the importance of dilute-As GaNAs as an alternative visible material with low Auger recombination rates.
Monocrotophos and Dicrotophos Residues in Birds as a Result of Misuse of Organophosphates in Matagorda County, Texas

About 1100 birds of 12 species died from organophosphate poisoning in Matagorda County on the Texas Gulf Coast in March and May 1982. Birds died from feeding on rice seed that was illegally treated with dicrotophos or monocrotophos and placed near rice fields as bait to attract and kill birds. Brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition of affected birds averaged 87% (range 82-89%), and contents of gastrointestinal tracts contained residues of dicrotophos (5.6-14 ppm) or monocrotophos (2.1-13 ppm). Rice seed collected at mortality sites contained 210 ppm dicrotophos or 950 ppm monocrotophos. Mortality from dicrotophos poisoning continued for almost 3 weeks. The practice of illegally treating rice seed with either of these 2 organophosphates appears to be infrequent but widespread at present.
Art Therapy, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice, by Gilroy, A.

Art Therapy, Research, and Evidence-Based Practice presents an array of information about art therapy and advocates the need to incorporate evidence-based practice into both the research and practi...
The relationship between smoking and knee osteoarthritis in the Osteoarthritis Initiative

Summary Objective To estimate the extent that smoking history is associated with symptoms and disease progression among individuals with radiographically confirmed knee Osteoarthritis (OA). Method Both cross-sectional (baseline) and longitudinal studies employed data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) ( n = 2250 participants). Smoking history was assessed at baseline with 44% current or former smokers. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to measure knee pain, stiffness, and physical function. Disease progression was measured using joint space width (JSW). We used adjusted multivariable linear models to examine the relationship between smoking status and exposure in pack years (PY) with symptoms and JSW at baseline. Changes in symptoms and JSW over time were further assessed. Results In cross-sectional analyses, compared to never-smokers high PY (≥15 PY) was associated with slightly greater pain (beta 0.36, 95% CI: 0.01–0.71) and stiffness (beta 0.20, 95% CI: 0.03–0.37); and low PY ( Conclusion Cross-sectional findings are likely due residual confounding. The more robust longitudinal analysis found no associations between smoking status and symptoms or JSW. Long-term smoking provides no benefits to knee OA patients while exposing them to other well-documented serious health risks.
Early enteral feeding of patients with multiple trauma

The case study illustrates the recovery of a patient with multiple trauma who was fed a peptide-based formula via the enteral route soon after the trauma. Although the clinical course might have been worse if D.H. had not received this treatment, his generally excellent recovery might be partly attributable to this therapy. Although stress hypermetabolism occurs in most patients with multiple trauma within 48 hours after injury, no known treatment can arrest or reverse this problem. However, the lethal catabolic and septic effects of stress hypermetabolism can be at least partly thwarted through delivery of enteral nutrients within 72 hours after trauma.
Antiretroviral Therapy: The “When to start” Debates

tion. This is an important part of the dialogue regarding HIV medicine, and it ensures clinicians are providing, and patients are receiving, the best possible care based on available data. Although a "hit hard, hit early" approach to treatment was advocated when HAART first became available [1], clinicians and guidelines have, since that time, moved away from that approach [2, 3]. Among the factors driving the postponment of treatment have been the recognition of the cumulative and potentially irreversible toxicities of some HAART regimens, the limitations of current HAART, the inability to eradicate HIV with current approaches, and the long-term impact of HIV antiretroviral resistance on the need
A Reconfigurable Architecture for Building Intelligent Learning Environments

This paper describes our initial efforts at implementing a new Choice-Adaptive Intelligent Learning Environment (CAILE) that combines multi-agent adaptive technologies and service architectures to provide a framework for designing extendible and reconfigurable learning environments. We describe the core components of the CAILE architecture, learning tasks that establish a situated context for learning, and a set of customizable agents that support student learning. We employ software engineering metrics to evaluate the system, and illustrate the reconfigurable and extensible properties of our design and implementation.
ATM Communications beyond NextGen: Integrated communication, navigation and surveillance (ICNS) conference

Present a collection of slides covering the following topics: ATM communications; integrated communication-navigation and surveillance; next generation concept; air-to-ground communication; air-to-air communication; cellular network; aeronautical communications; and free space optical technology.
Palliation of pain associated with metastatic bone cancer using samarium-153 lexidronam: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of samarium-153 (153Sm) lexidronam (EDTMP) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients with painful bone metastases secondary to a variety of primary malignancies were randomized to receive 153Sm-EDTMP 0.5 or 1.0 mCi/kg, or placebo. Treatment was unblinded for patients who did not respond by week 4, with those who had received placebo eligible to receive 1.0 mCi/kg of active drug in an open-label manner. Patient and physician evaluations were used to assess pain relief, as was concurrent change in opioid analgesia.RESULTSOne hundred eighteen patients were enrolled onto the study. Patients who received 1.0 mCi/kg of active drug had significant reductions in pain during each of the first 4 weeks in both patient-rated and physician-rated evaluations. Pain relief was observed in 62% to 72% of those who received the 1.O-mCi/kg dose during the first 4 weeks, with marked or complete relief noted in 31% by week 4. Persistence of pain rel...
Systemic Risk and the Inter-Connectedness between Banks and Insurers: An Econometric Analysis

This paper uses high frequency market value data on credit default swap spreads and intra-day stock prices to measure systemic risk in the insurance sector. Using the systemic risk measure, we examine the inter-connectedness between banks and insurers with Granger causality tests. Based on linear and non-linear causality tests, we find evidence of significant bidirectional causality between insurers and banks. However, after correcting for conditional heteroskedasticity, the impact of banks on insurers is stronger and of longer duration than the impact of insurers on banks. Stress tests confirm that banks create significant systemic risk for insurers but not vice versa.
Clinical trials must cope better with multiplicity

Clinical trials typically address more than one question. But in attempting to protect against misleading results that are due to chance when multiple interrelated tests are run simultaneously, researchers sometimes apply overly strict statistical devices that mask true effects. They should give more consideration to choosing the type of statistical analysis that fits best.
Preferred sputtering on binary alloy surfaces of the AlPdSi system

Abstract Auger spectroscopy has been used to investigate the behavior of preferred sputtering on surfaces of homogeneous AlPd, SiPd and AlSi alloy films. These combinations of alloys were chosen for studying the effects of mass and bonding differences on preferred sputtering. Experiments have been carried out using a 1 keV Ar ion beam over a range of alloy compositions. Our results can be summarized as follows: (a) The preferred sputtering of these binary alloys cannot be predicted according to the sputter yields of individual elements, e.g. both Al and Si have been observed to be removed preferentially relative to Pd although pure Pd has a higher sputter yield, (b) In the alloys studied, mass difference appears to dominate over bonding difference in controlling the preferred sputtering behavior since the extent of preferred sputtering of Al and Si relative to Pd is about the same. This observation is interpreted on the basis of the binary alloy sputtering theory formulated by Andersen and Sigmund. (c) Judging from the composition change of the sputtered surface, there is no evidence for formation of compounds with specific compositions as a result of preferred sputtering in the AlPd and SiPd alloys investigated.
Turning Fifty: Sociological Perspectives and the Pacific Sociological Association:

To commemorate the beginning of the fiftieth volume of Sociological Perspectives, the author describes the development of the journal, the early decisions to make it a national rather than a strictly regional journal, the role of the Pacific Sociological Association as a sponsor of the journal, and the social and economic forces that played a part in the journal development. The author concludes with a discussion of the current state of journal publication and commentary on the future of the journal.
A simple method of olfactory discrimination of urines for the Mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus

Abstract Olfactory discrimination in gerbils can be reliably assessed by measuring changes in rearing toward an odor. After the frequency of rearing stabilizes during a non-odor period, the introduction of a urinary odor through a ceiling aperture quickly produced an increase in rearing frequency and duration. Rearing then habituated during the odor presentation period but recurred at high levels if a new urinary odor was introduced. This pattern of rearing was robust enough to allow for the testing of three urinary odors during a single 24-min test period. Preliminary work suggests that the procedure is equally sensitive with different odors, can be adapted for use with other rodents, and may provide additional information about differential investigation of urinary odors. The simplicity, reliability, and brevity of this method makes it a potentially important tool for olfactory research.
Presence of our past

The History and Geography of Human Genes. By Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza Paolo Menozzi Alberto Piazza. Princeton University Press: 1994. Pp. 541. $150, £150.
Characterization of four outer membrane proteins involved in binding starch to the cell surface of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.

Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron , a gram-negative obligate anaerobe, utilizes polysaccharides by binding them to its cell surface and allowing cell-associated enzymes to hydrolyze them into digestible fragments. We use the starch utilization system as a model to analyze the initial steps involved in polysaccharide binding and breakdown. In a recent paper, we reported that one of the outer membrane proteins involved, SusG, had starch-degrading activity but was not sufficient for growth on starch. Moreover, SusG alone did not have detectable starch binding activity. Previous studies have shown that starch binding is essential for starch utilization. In this paper, we report that four other outer membrane proteins, SusC through SusF, are responsible for starch binding. Results of 14 C-starch binding assays show that SusC and SusD both contribute a significant amount of starch binding. SusE also appears to contribute substantially to starch binding. Using affinity chromatography, we show in vitro that these Sus proteins interact to bind starch. Moreover, protease accessibility of either SusC or SusD greatly increased when one was expressed without the other. This finding supports the hypothesis that SusC and SusD interact in the outer membrane. Evidence from additional protease accessibility studies suggests that SusC, SusE, and SusF are exposed on the cell surface. Our results demonstrate that SusC and SusD act as the major starch binding proteins on the cell surface, with SusE enhancing binding. SusF9s role in starch utilization has yet to be determined, although the fact that starch protected it from proteolytic attack suggests that it does bind starch.
Study of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) dimers and trimers in eclipsed and slipped geometries

Self-consistent-field-$X\ensuremath{\alpha}$-scattered-wave molecular-orbital (MO) calculations have been performed on dimers of tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) in eclipsed (${D}_{2h}$) and slipped (${C}_{2h}$) geometries. In both cases the MO's of the dimer are formed to a good approximation simply by taking bonding and antibonding combinations of the MO's of the monomer. The interaction leads to a splitting of about 0.5 eV for the ${D}_{2h}$ dimer. Owing to the slipped geometry the corresponding splitting is only 0.12 eV for the ${C}_{2h}$ dimer. These splittings provide estimates of the "bandwidths" for infinite TTF stacks in the conducting salts TTF ${\mathrm{Br}}_{0.71\ensuremath{-}0.76}$ and TTF-TCNQ (tetracyanoquinodimethane), respectively. Extended H\"uckel (EH) calculations for the TTF molecule and both dimers are in good agreement with the $X\ensuremath{\alpha}$ results; the EH splittings being 0.67 and 0.15 eV for the ${D}_{2h}$ and ${C}_{2h}$ dimers, respectively. EH calculations on TTF trimers yield "bandwidths" of 0.99 and 0.20 eV for the eclipsed and slipped geometries, respectively, and also indicate that for qualitative considerations results obtained for the dimers are sufficient. It is suggested that eclipsed stacks of TTF molecules can be treated by normal band-structure techniques using the monomer MO's as fixed ($k$-independent) basis functions to generate Bloch functions. For the slipped geometry found in TTF-TCNQ, however, the small "bandwidth" found here and also in previous studies makes it doubtful whether band theory is appropriate.
Ontogeny of the ryanodine receptor in rabbit urinary bladder smooth muscle.

Bladder smooth muscle contraction is mediated by both direct calcium entry through the cell membrane, and by calcium induced calcium release (CICR) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) storage sites. Ryanodine is a neutral plant alkaloid which binds to an ion channel located on the SR membrane. Its effects in cardiac skeletal muscle are well characterized where it inibits the efflux of intracellular calcium stores, and thus it serves as a negative inotrope. It has also been shown that in the develpping rabbit myocardium, there is a gradual increase in the expression of this ion channel. Little has been written about the expression and function of the ryanodine sensitive ion channel in smooth muscle. Recently we have shown that neonatal rabbit bladder smooth muscle is not very sensitive to ryanodine, while that from mature rabbits is extremely sensitive. This leads us to quantify the expression of the ryanodine sensitive ion channel. In this paper we demonstrate that the Kd values do not change to any significant degree with normal rabbit bladder development. However the Bmax values for 3 day, 2, 4, 6, and 8 week rabbit bladder smooth muscle are 7, 10, 15, 29, and 44 fmol specifically bound ryanodine/mg protein. The differences between the neonatal groups and the mature groups are significant (P<0.5). This increase in ryanodine sensitive ion channel expression with normal growth would suggest that with normal maturation, the bladder smooth muscle cell acquires an increased pool of sequestrered intracellular calcium. This would follow a similar pattern of development that has already been described in rabbit myocardium.
Effects of vegetation regime on denitrification potential in two tropical volcanic soils

Effects of vegetation and nutrient availability on potentail denitrification rates were studied in two volcanic, alluvial-terrace soils in lowland Costa Rica that differ greatly in weathering stage and thus in availability of P and base cations. Potential denitrification rates were significantly higher in plots where vegetation had been left undisturbed than in plots where all vegetation had been removed continuously, and were higher on the less fertile of the two soils. The potential denitrification rates were correlated strongly with respiration rates, levels of mineralizable N, microbial biomass, and moisture content, and moderately well with concentrations of extractable NH inf4 sup+ , Kjeldahl N, and total C. In all plots, denitrification rates were stimulated by the removal of O2 and by the addition of glucose but not by the addition of water or NO inf3 sup- .
Polysaccharide Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Provide Passive Protection against Intranasal Challenge with Burkholderia pseudomallei

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a Gram-negative bacillus that is the causative agent of melioidosis. The bacterium is inherently resistant to many antibiotics and mortality rates remain high in endemic areas. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and capsular polysaccharide (CPS) are two surface-associated antigens that contribute to pathogenesis. We previously developed two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific to the CPS and LPS; the CPS mAb was shown to identify antigen in serum and urine from melioidosis patients. The goal of this study was to determine if passive immunization with CPS and LPS mAbs alone and in combination would protect mice from a lethal challenge with B. pseudomallei. Intranasal (i.n.) challenge experiments were performed with B. pseudomallei strains 1026b and K96423. Both mAbs provided significant protection when administered alone. A combination of mAbs was protective when low doses were administered. In addition, combination therapy provided a significant reduction in spleen colony forming units (cfu) compared to results when either the CPS or LPS mAbs were administered alone.
Intentional Reconstruction of Silicon Network on the Surface and within Sub-Surface by H and Ar

Silicon thin films were prepared by “Chemical Annealing” where the deposition of thin layer ( 300 °C), resulting from the release of excessive hydrogen. Both the wider or the narrower gap films exhibited low defect density lower than 1016 cm−3 and obvious improvements in the stability for light soaking.
Detection of Alternative Splice Variants at the Proteome Level in Aspergillus flavus

Identification of proteins from proteolytic peptides or intact proteins plays an essential role in proteomics. Researchers use search engines to match the acquired peptide sequences to the target proteins. However, search engines depend on protein databases to provide candidates for consideration. Alternative splicing (AS), the mechanism where the exon of pre-mRNAs can be spliced and rearranged to generate distinct mRNA and therefore protein variants, enable higher eukaryotic organisms, with only a limited number of genes, to have the requisite complexity and diversity at the proteome level. Multiple alternative isoforms from one gene often share common segments of sequences. However, many protein databases only include a limited number of isoforms to keep minimal redundancy. As a result, the database search might not identify a target protein even with high quality tandem MS data and accurate intact precursor ion mass. We computationally predicted an exhaustive list of putative isoforms of Aspergillus flavus proteins from 20 371 expressed sequence tags to investigate whether an alternative splicing protein database can assign a greater proportion of mass spectrometry data. The newly constructed AS database provided 9807 new alternatively spliced variants in addition to 12 832 previously annotated proteins. The searches of the existing tandem MS spectra data set using the AS database identified 29 new proteins encoded by 26 genes. Nine fungal genes appeared to have multiple protein isoforms. In addition to the discovery of splice variants, AS database also showed potential to improve genome annotation. In summary, the introduction of an alternative splicing database helps identify more proteins and unveils more information about a proteome.
Preparation of doped carbon films

This preliminary report describes a method for preparing thin carbon films uniformly doped with early transition element oxides using a high temperature pyrolysis procedure
Reconstructing Social Identity

As a concept with a tradition in both social and personality psychology, identity lends itself to a variety of interpretations. In the present analysis, identity refers to social categories in which an individual claims membership as well as the personal meaning associated with those categories. Four key issues for research are discussed: (a) the structure and interrelationships among multiple identities, (b) the several functions that identities serve, (c) the importance of context to the development and enactment of identities, and (d) the need for longitudinal studies of identity change.
Characterizing chip-multiprocessor variability-tolerance

Spatially-correlated intra-die process variations result in significant core-to-core frequency variations in chip-multiprocessors. An analytical model for frequency island chip-multiprocessor throughput is introduced. The improved variability-tolerance of FI-CMPs over their globally-clocked counterparts is quantified across a range of core counts and sizes under constant die area. The benefits are highest for designs consisting of many small cores, with the throughput of a globally-clocked design with 70 small cores increasing by 8.8% when per-core frequency islands are used. The small- core FI-CMP also loses only 7.2% of its nominal performance to process variations, the least among any of the designs.
Effect of BSA Binding on Photophysical and Photochemical Properties of Triarylmethane Dyes

We have employed a combination of steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques to explore the effect of protein binding on the photophysical and photochemical properties of three triaryl...
THUMB METACARPOPHALANGEAL ARTHRODESIS WITH LOCAL BONE GRAFTING

A restrospective study identified 47 thumb MP joints in 41 patients who underwent arthrodeses using cup and cone osteotomy secured with Kirschner-wire fixation and augmented with local bone graft from the thumb metacarpal. Union rate was 96% averaging 6.8 weeks. Two patients had nonunion; 6.3 year follow-up of 15 thumbs showed improvement of or no pain. MHQ scores were 56.5 in the operative hand and 66.7 in the contralateral hand. Thumb MP arthrodesis augmented with local bone graft negates the morbidity of obtaining distant graft. It is a safe and effective technique that provides excellent pain relief with an acceptable union rate.
Structure and conformation of β-chloroalkyl radicals

Abstract Analysis of isotropic ESR g -values and temperature-dependent 35 Cl and 1 H hfs indicates that β-chioroalkyl radicals exist in stable conformations consisting of chlorine in asymmetric bridges.
Prototype Michelson interferometer with Fabry-Perot cavities.

We describe a rigid, internally modulated Michelson interferometer with Fabry–Perot cavities in the interferometer arms. The high contrast (0.986) and the small cavity losses (2.7%) permit efficient use of the light power available. The measured shot-noise-limited displacement sensitivity for 35mW of light power is 2.5×10-17m/Hz, in good agreement with the calculated signal-to-noise ratio.
Neuronal expression of the Ccm2 gene in a new mouse model of cerebral cavernous malformations

Cerebral cavernous malformations are vascular defects of the central nervous system consisting of clusters of dilated vessels that are subject to frequent hemorrhaging. The genes mutated in three forms of autosomal dominant cerebral cavernous malformations have been cloned, but it remains unclear which cell type is ultimately responsible for the lesion. In this article we describe mice with a gene trap insertion in the Ccm2 gene. Consistent with the human phenotype, heterozygous animals develop cerebral vascular malformations, although penetrance is low. β-galactosidase activity in heterozygous brain and in situ hybridization in wild-type brain revealed Ccm2 expression in neurons and choroid plexus but not in vascular endothelium of small vessels in the brain. The expression pattern of Ccm2 is similar to that of the Ccm1 gene and its interacting protein ICAP1 (Itgb1bp1). These data suggest that cerebral cavernous malformations arise as a result of defects in the neural parenchyma surrounding the vascular endothelial cells in the brain.
Cooling Mediterranean Sea surface temperatures during the Late Miocene provide a climate context for evolutionary transitions in Africa and Eurasia

Abstract In the Late Miocene, grasslands proliferated, succulent plants diversified in the mid-latitudes, and the desert-like conditions appeared in the Sahara. Despite this major environmental change on land, the coeval deep-sea oxygen isotope record does not provide evidence for significant high latitude cooling or continental ice growth, making it difficult to relate widespread terrestrial environmental change to global climatic changes. A U 37 K ′ –derived sea surface temperature (SST) reconstruction spanning 13 to 6 Ma from uplifted hemipelagic sediments in Northern Italy provides the first continuous mid-latitude temperature record with which to compare the evolution of aridity and biotic events at similar latitudes in Northern Africa and Pakistan. Between 13 and 8.8 Ma, Mediterranean SST lay near the upper limit of the alkenone temperature proxy (∼28 °C), exceeding modern SST at the site by as much as 10 °C. Throughout the record, sapropel layers correspond to local SST maxima, suggesting that Late Miocene hydrological conditions in the Mediterranean responded to insolation forcing via mechanisms similar to those documented for the Plio-Pleistocene. Mediterranean SST cooled rapidly beginning at ∼8 Ma, with an episode of intense cooling to ∼19 °C between 7.2 Ma and 6.6 Ma, followed by a rebound to ∼25 °C preceding the Messinian Salinity Crisis at 5.9 Ma. These observations establish, for the first time, a direct relationship between increasing aridity in the Northern hemisphere mid-latitudes and significant cooling. Evidently, this cooling was not accompanied by significant growth in continental ice volume. The extreme warmth and subsequent cooling of the Mediterranean Sea are not well-represented in current Late Miocene climate models, which our results suggest underestimate regional warmth prior to the Late Miocene cooling. Evidence of secular cooling during the Late Miocene gives new support to the much-debated link between a possible decline in atmospheric CO2 levels and Late Miocene changes in vegetation on land.
Cardiac hormones are potent inhibitors of secreted frizzled-related protein-3 in human cancer cells

Secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) are secreted glycoproteins involved in neoplastic growth. Four hormones synthesized in the heart, namely vessel dilator, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), kaliuretic peptide (KP) and long-acting natriuretic peptide (LANP), have anticancer effects both in vitro and in vivo. These heart hormones were evaluated for their ability to inhibit sFRP-3, which is associated with tumor invasiveness, in human pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and renal adenocarcinoma cell lines. Vessel dilator, KP, ANP and LANP maximally reduced the concentration of sFRP-3 by 83%, 83%, 84% and 83%, respectively (each at P<0.0001), in the human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells. In the human pancreatic carcinoma cells, the concentration of sFRP-3 was maximally reduced by 77%, 77%, 77% and 78% (each at P<0.0001) secondary to treatment with vessel dilator, KP, ANP and LANP, respectively. In the human renal adenocarcinoma cells, the sFRP-3 was maximally reduced by vessel dilator, KP, ANP and LANP by 68%, 66%, 68% and 66% (each at P<0.0001), respectively. The results indicate that these four cardiac hormones are significant inhibitors (up to 84%) of sFRP-3 in a variety of human cancer cells. Furthermore, these data suggest that the metabolic targeting of sFRP-3 by the cardiac hormones contributes to their anti-cancer mechanism(s) of action.
Commentary on “Finding Peace (Kwam Sa-ngob Jai): A Buddhist Way to Live With HIV”

This study is helpful in promoting cultural competence among nurses. It provides an in-depth view of young women in Thailand successfully coping with the demands of being a new mother despite receiving an HIV positive diagnosis. Learning more about another culture not only enables the nurse to provide more culturally appropriate care but also expands the nurses horizons and enriches his or her life. One aspect of culture is religion and gaining knowledge about major world religions helps the nurse better understand patients spiritual practices and worldview. This article introduces the nurse to some basic Buddhist teachings and practices. This exposure is not only useful in caring for clients from Asian countries who grew up in Buddhist families and communities but also useful in caring for the growing number of people born in America who engage in some form of Buddhist practice. (excerpt)
An Analysis of the Factor Structure of Jones’ Moral Intensity Construct

In 1991, Jones developed an issue-contingent model of ethical decision making in which moral intensity is posited to affect the four stages of Rest’s 1986 model (awareness, judgment, intention, and behavior). Jones claimed that moral intensity, which is “the extent of issue-related moral imperative in a situation” (p. 372), consists of six characteristics: magnitude of consequences (MC), social consensus (SC), probability of effect (PE), temporal immediacy (TI), proximity (PX), and concentration of effect (CE). This article reports the findings of two studies that analyzed the factor structure of moral intensity, operationalized by a 12-item Perceived Moral Intensity Scale (PMIS) adapted from the work of Singhapakdi et al. [1996, Journal of Business Research, 36, 245–255] and Frey [2000, Journal of Business Ethics, 26, 181–195]. The two items that were purported to measure CE were dropped due to their inability to effectively tap into the characteristic proposed by Jones. Factor analyses of the remaining 10 items supported a 3-factor structure, with the MC, PE, and TI items loading on the first factor, the PX items loading on the second factor, and the SC items loading on the third factor. These factors were labeled: Probable Magnitude of Consequences, Proximity, and Social Consensus. The authors conclude that moral intensity consists of three characteristics, rather than the six posited by Jones.