cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modern Techniques for the Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles and Viruses.

Extracellular signaling is pivotal to maintain organismal homeostasis. A quickly emerging field of interest within extracellular signaling is the study of extracellular vesicles (EV), which act as messaging vehicles for nucleic acids, proteins, metabolites, lipids, etc. from donor cells to recipient cells. This transfer of biologically active material within a vesicular body is similar to the infection of a cell through a virus particle, which transfers genetic material from one cell to another to preserve an infection state, and viruses are known to modulate EV. Although considerable heterogeneity exists within EV and viruses, this review focuses on those that are small (< 200 nm in diameter) and of relatively low density (< 1.3 g/mL). A multitude of isolation methods for EV and virus particles exist. In this review, we present an update on methods for their isolation, purification, and phenotypic characterization. We hope that the information we provide will be of use to basic science and clinical investigators, as well as biotechnologists in this emerging field.
Modeling Power Distribution Grids through Current Tracing Method

Nowadays, the growing amount of intermittent renewable energy sources in distribution grids is raising some new challenges. One major problem is the bidirectional power flows that complicate grid modeling methods including practical problems of state estimation, protection, transmission line allocation and others. To solve this problem, we propose a current tracing method to model the distribution grid. Unlike traditional methods which the currents are congested on a single transmission line, we developed an equivalent circuit that has several parallel connected virtual lines which can clearly trace the current flowing from different current sources to different loads. The developed method can trace the current regardless of the bidirectional power flow on the transmission line and it is completely equivalent to the traditional method in regard to the physical principles. The equivalence is validated with a single transmission line example.
GestureCalc: An Eyes-Free Calculator for Touch Screens

A digital calculator is one of the most frequently used touch screen applications. However, keypad-based character input in existing calculator applications requires precise, targeted key presses that are time-consuming and error-prone for many screen readers users. We introduce GestureCalc, a digital calculator that uses target-free gestures for arithmetic tasks. It allows eyes-free target-less input of digits and operations through taps and directional swipes with one to three fingers, guided by minimal audio feedback. We conducted a mixed methods longitudinal study with eight screen reader users and found that they entered characters with GestureCalc 40.5% faster on average than with a typical touch screen calculator. Participants made more mistakes but also corrected more errors with GestureCalc, resulting in 52.2% fewer erroneous calculations than the baseline. Over the three sessions in the study, participants were able to learn the GestureCalc gestures and efficiently perform short calculations. From our interviews after the second session, participants recognized the effort in learning a new gesture set, yet reported confidence in their ability to become fluent in practice.
Banking transactions and gambling harms.

To date, studies of gambling harms have been limited by reliance on small samples and self-reports of behaviour. Analysis of banking transactions provides unique insights into the scope and sequencing of gambling harms at the individual and population levels, with implications for gambling policy, regulation, and harm minimization.
Large granular lymphocytic leukemia - A retrospective study of 319 cases.

Large granular lymphocytic leukemia (LGLL) is a rare hematological malignancy that arises from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (T-LGLL) in 85% of cases and natural killer (NK) cells in the rest. A significant knowledge gap exists regarding the pathogenesis, treatment choices, and prognostic factors of LGLL. We report a cohort of 319 consecutive LGLL patients who presented to our cancer center between 2001 and 2020. A total of 295 patients with T-LGLL and 24 with chronic NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorder (CLPD-NK) were identified. The median age was 65 years (range, 17-90 years). Eighty-three patients (26.0%) had autoimmune diseases. A total of 119 patients (37.3%) had coexisting malignancies, 66 (20.7%) had solid tumors, and 59 (18.5%) had hematological malignancies. Most coexisting malignancies were diagnosed before the diagnosis of LGLL. Treatment was needed for 57% of patients. Methotrexate (MTX), cyclophosphamide (Cy), and cyclosporine A (CSA) were most used and had similar response rates between 61.5%-74.4%. Cy produced more complete responses (32.3%) compared to MTX and CSA (15.7% and 23.1%, respectively). Thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, and female gender (after controlling for autoimmune diseases) were associated with decreased response rates to MTX, CSA, or Cy. Autoimmune diseases were associated with increased response rates. Thrombocytopenia was an independent risk factor for worse survival.
Changes in Admissions to Specialty Addiction Treatment Facilities in California During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased risk of substance use and a surge in fatal drug overdoses.1,2 However, little is known about how the pandemic affected addiction treatment utilization.3,4 This study evaluated how the initiation of addiction treatment in California changed during the pandemic. We focused on specialty addiction treatment programs because that is where most people receive care for addictions.5
Potential COVID-19 vaccination opportunities in primary care practices in the United States

Rapid, widespread COVID-19 vaccination is critical to pandemic mitigation and recovery. To help policymakers interested in further enhancing primary care delivery of COVID-19 vaccines, it is important to estimate the absolute number of vaccination opportunities, and identify how these opportunities may fall disproportionately among different communities given the unequal way that COVID-19 falls upon communities of color, low-income, and rural communities. To quantify the potential benefits of greater primary care engagement in vaccination efforts, we estimated the number of potential vaccination opportunities (PVOs) in primary care in the remaining calendar months of year 2021, and the possible uptake if we supplied enough vaccine to primary care practices to fulfill their opportunities. To estimate how many potential vaccination opportunities (PVOs) may occur in primary care, we used three sets of data, analyzing the latest available waves of the following: (i) the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS, 2016, N = 677 providers); (ii) the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS, 2018, N = 29,839 individuals in 29,839 households); and (iii) the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS, 2018, N = 40,025 individuals in 14,500 households). Per the NAMCS data, which provide a nationally-representative sample of ambulatory care visits, primary care physicians normally provide 40.2 million primary care visits per month. The majority of the primary care utilization is absorbed by those aged 16 to 64 years old who are not otherwise priority groups (i.e., not having chronic diseases as defined by ACIP) but the second large group of visits are those with a chronic disease (27.2% of all visits). As compared to the NAMCS data providing an estimate of care from the perspective of providers, the overall sample in NHIS provides a view of primary care access and utilization from a population perspective. Per NHIS, 34% of the civilian US population saw a generalist physician in the prior calendar year, or 109.8 million people. Overall, we would estimate that over the latter half of calendar year 2021, approximately 15 million potential vaccine opportunities per month would be available through US primary care practices.
The Sustainability of Improvements from Continuing Professional Development in Pharmacy Practice and Learning Behaviors

Objective. To assess the long-term sustainability of continuing professional development (CPD) training in pharmacy practice and learning behaviors. Methods. This was a 3-year posttrial survey of pharmacists who had participated in an unblinded randomized controlled trial of CPD. The online survey assessed participants’ perceptions of pharmacy practice, learning behaviors, and sustainability of CPD. Differences between groups on the posttrial survey responses and changes from the trial’s follow-up survey to the posttrial survey responses within the intervention group were compared. Results. Of the 91 pharmacists who completed the original trial, 72 (79%) participated in the sustainability survey. Compared to control participants, a higher percentage of intervention participants reported in the sustainability survey that they had utilized the CPD concept (45.7% vs 8.1%) and identified personal learning objectives (68.6% vs 43.2%) during the previous year. Compared to their follow-up survey responses, lower percentages of intervention participants reported identifying personal learning objectives (94.3% vs 68.6%), documenting their learning plan (82.9% vs 22.9%) and participating in learning by doing (42.9% vs 14.3%) in the sustainability survey. In the intervention group, many of the improvements to pharmacy practice items were sustained over the 3-year period but were not significantly different from the control group. Conclusion. Sustainability of a CPD intervention over a 3-year varied. While CPD-trained pharmacists reported utilizing CPD concepts at a higher rate than control pharmacists, their CPD learning behaviors diminished over time.
Justice Delayed?: An Empirical Analysis of Civil Case Disposition Time

This article addresses the need to understand better our civil justice system by exploring possible determinants of disposition time for civil cases that reach a jury trial. This study uses one year of civil jury case outcomes from 45 of the nation's 75 most populous counties and identifies locale as one important variable, along with certain case types, results, and party characteristics. An empirically moored understanding of the causes of case disposition time will assist public policy and reform efforts that seek to make civil justice speedier and, as a consequence, more inexpensive and just. Findings from this study call into question the efficacy of recent reform efforts that focus on variables not found to influence civil case disposition time and ignore other variables that exert systematic influence.
Fault tolerance of message delivery with cascading copies

The authors present a fault-tolerance algorithm that guarantees the delivery of a message to its destination despite faults in one or more nodes in a system of loosely coupled processors. This algorithm is distinguished by not using the extra hardware or checkpoint facilities that are common to many algorithms of its type. Instead, it maintains an appropriate number of copies of the message in the nodes through which the message passes. In the case of a fault, the algorithm locates a copy of the message closest to the destination and resumes delivery of the message from this location. Failure detection and recovery are automatic and transparent to the users. The algorithm can be implemented on diskless systems, such as specialized real-time systems or parallel processing systems that use interconnection networks (e.g. a hypercube). >
Fast-settling CMOS operational amplifiers with negative conductance voltage gain enhancement

Negative conductance voltage gain enhancement techniques which substantially increases the DC gain of an operational amplifier without degrading speed are discussed. Three fully differential CMOS op amps using the negative conductance gain enhancement technique are presented. Simulations show that for a 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology with a power supply of 3 V, a DC gain of more than 94 dB is achievable with the proposed amplifiers. Settling measurements with a feedback factor of /spl beta/= 1/2 show fast settling behavior and a settling accuracy of better than 0.1% for a 1.2 V input step.
Glacial cycling, large mammal community composition, and trophic adaptations in the Western Cape, South Africa

Some of the earliest evidence for modern human behavior has been recovered from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Archaeological and paleontological sites in the Western Cape are typically described as "glacial" or "interglacial" in aspect based on the numbers of grazers found in the faunal assemblage, as glacial periods are often thought to have been characterized by spreading C(4) grasslands that replaced endemic C(3) shrubland vegetation found in the Western Cape today. Here, we test the hypothesis that glacial and interglacial time periods were associated with a predictable change in large mammal trophic adaptations by analyzing the proportions of grazing larger mammals from 118 levels of 15 Western Cape fossil assemblages sampling marine isotope stage (MIS) 6 to the present time to determine whether there is a change in composition in these communities that might reflect a shift in ecology and habitat. Our results indicate that trophic proportions did not significantly change over time in the Western Cape as a whole, and thus the hypothesis for habitat changes affecting the subsistence ecology of modern humans during the development of modern behavior is not supported. However, our results show that the southwestern subregion of the Western Cape was characterized by the presence of more grazing species through time than the western subregion. Thus, if ecological and population isolation during glacial periods were integral to catalyzing the development of modern behaviors in the Western Cape region of South Africa, then a complex model including the development of possible mosaic habitats is needed.
Image registration under affine transformation using cellular simultaneous recurrent networks

Cellular simultaneous recurrent networks (CSRN)s have been traditionally exploited to solve the digital control and conventional maze traversing problems. In previous works, we investigated the use of CSRNs to register simulated binary images with in-plane rotations between ±20° using two different CSRN architectures such as one with a general multi-layered perceptron (GMLP) architecture; and another with modified MLP architecture with multilayered feedback. We further exploit the CSRN for registration of realistic binary and gray scale images under rotation. In this current work we report results of applying CSRNs to perform image registration under affine transformations such as rotation and translation. We further provide extensive analyses of CSRN affine registration results for appropriate cost function formulation. Our CSRN results analyses show that formulation of locally varying cost function is desirable for robust image registration under affine transformation.
Intracerebral hemorrhage after evacuation of a subdural hematoma in an infant

Intracerebral hematomas following evacuation of a subdural hematoma have been described in adults resulting from sudden decompression during the drainage of the hematoma. In infants an open fontanelle and patent sutures are expected to offer protection against sudden decompression. We report the occurrence of intracerebral hematoma in an infant following evacuation of a subdural hematoma. The multiplicity and centripetal spread of the postoperative hematomas suggested that they had resulted from sudden decompression.
A Symbolic Formulation for Linearization of Multibody Equations of Motion

This paper presents a method for obtaining linearized state space representations of open or closed loop multibody dynamic systems. The paper develops a symbolic formulation for multibody dynamic systems which result in an explicit set ofsymbolic equations of motion. The symbolic equations are then used to perform symbolic linearizations. The resulting symbolic, linear equations are in terms of the system parameters and the equilibrium point, and are valid for any equilibrium point. Finally, a method is developed for reducing a linearized, constrained multibody system consisting of a mixed set of algebraic-differential equations to a reduced set of differential equations in terms of an independent coordinate set. An example is used to demonstrate the technique.
Estimating the compensating differential for employer-provided health insurance.

The theory of wage differentials argues that workers must pay for employer-provided group health insurance coverage through lower wages or reductions in other fringe benefits. This paper uses data from the 1988–90 Consumer Expenditure Survey (CEX) to estimate the wage-health insurance trade-off for male workers between the ages of 25 and 55. A fixed-effects model, which takes advantage of the rotating panel design of the CEX, is used to control for unobservable worker characteristics that are positively related with all forms of compensation, including wage earnings and health insurance coverage. I find a compensating differential for health insurance equal to roughly 10 to 11 percent of wages. Some caution is advised here due to the fact that I was unable to control for other fringe benefits, the most important being paid vacation and sick leave.
Transposon-mediated site-specific recombination in vitro: DNA cleavage and protein-DNA linkage at the recombination site

Abstract Resolvase, the product of the tnpR gene of the transposable element γδ, mediates a site-specific recombination between two copies of the element directly repeated on the same replicon. The resolution site, res , at which resolvase acts lies in the intercistronic region between the tnpA and tnpR genes. We have studied this site-specific recombination in vitro. In the absence of Mg 2+ , a resolvase- res complex is formed, which contains DNA molecules that have been cleaved at res . Our data suggest that in this complex resolvase is covalently attached to the 5′ ends of the cleaved DNA, leaving free 3′ hydroxyl groups. DNA cleavage is stimulated by the interaction of two res sites on the same substrate molecule and appears to be an intermediate step in normal res site recombination. We show that the DNA is cut within a region previously identified as containing the crossover point at the palindromic sequence 5′−TT AT↓AAAA↑TA TT to generate 3′ extensions of two bases.
A mass measuring device for use with biological specimens in zero-gravity environment

Mass measuring device used on biological specimens in zero gravity environment, determining normal and disturbed physiological mechanisms
Modeling & stabilization policies in financial systems

Relationships between (perceived) profit maximization strategies and stabilization policies of financial intermediaries in securities markets are investigated, and bases for developing quantitative models are established. Such model development forms a necessary first step in formulating a variety of interesting problems in stochastic games. In financial markets such as, for instance, the New York Stock Exchange, market makers (termed 'specialists' in the case of the NYSE) are employed for the purpose of insuring fair and orderly market clearing operations. Factors such as supply/demand imbalances tend to effect price fluctuations, and one of the primary tasks of the market maker is to stabilize the system in the face of such disturbances. The market maker serves as an agent for both buyer and seller, and in many cases (e.g., the NYSE is a prominent example) trades for his own account. This leads to several very interesting questions dealing with the formulation of "equitable" operating policies, the inference of actual operating policies from observed data, etc. Previous interest (e.g., see [1-6]) in such problems has been limited to developing statistical comparisons and qualitative discussions involving operational objectives, constraints, conjectures, etc. The approach employed in this paper is motivated somewhat by ideas such as in [7]; however, the extreme complexity of the problem consider ed herein does not at present allow the formalization of useful game theoretic situations.
Earing behavior and crystallographic texture of aluminum alloys during cold rolling

Earing behavior and crystallographic texture during cold rolling have been investigated for two commercial can body aluminum alloys. It is found that earing behavior can be inferred from texture information. The recrystallization texture causes 90° earing, while the deformation texture results in 45° earing. A strong recrystallization texture (or a high 90° earing) of a hot band causes a later appearance of lower 45° earing in the final gauge sheet and thus is desirable for industry. The earing behavior is better indicated by the delta function, which is characterized as the intensity difference between the deformation texture and the softening texture. The results indicate that the earing behavior during cold rolling can be quantitatively monitored by the crystallographic texture. In addition, effects of the texture inhomogeneity through-thickness have also been investigated and discussed.
The Formation of Garnet in Olivine-Bearing Metagabbros from the Adirondacks

A regional study of olivine-bearing metagabbros in the Adirondacks has permitted testing of the P(pressure)-T(temperature)-X(composition) dependence of garnet-forming reactions as well as providing additional regional metamorphic pressure data. Six phases, olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, garnet, plagioclase and spinel, which can be related by the reactions: orthopyroxene+clinopyroxene+spinel +anorthite=garnet, and forsterite+anorthite=garnet occur together both in coronal and in equant textures indicative of equilibrium. Compositions of the respective minerals are typically Fo25–72, En44–75, En30–44Fs9–23Wo47–49, Pp13–42Alm39–63Gr16–20, An29–49 and Sp16–58. When they occur in the same rock, equant and coronal garnets are homogeneous and compositionally identical suggesting that chemical equilibrium may have been attained despite coronal textures. Extrapolating reactions in the simple CMAS system to granulite temperatures and making thermodynamic corrections for solid solutions gives equilibration pressures (using the thermometry of Bohlen et al. 1980b) ranging from about 6.5 kb in the Lowlands and southern Adirondacks to 7.0–8.0 kb in the Highlands for the assemblage olivine-plagioclase-garnet. These results are consistent with inferred peak metamorphic conditions in the Adirondacks (Valley and Bohlen 1979; Bohlen and Boettcher 1981). Thus the isobaric retrograde path suggested by Whitney and McLelland (1973) and Whitney (1978) for the formation of coronal garnet in olivine metagabbros may not be required. Application of the same equilibria gives >8.7 kb for South Harris, Scotland and 0.9 kb for the Nain Complex. Disagreement of the latter value with orthopyroxeneolivine-quartz barometry (Bohlen and Boettcher 1981) suggests that the use of iron-rich rocks (olivines ≧Fa50) results in errors in calculated pressures.
Economics: Opportunity and Challenges for Human Resource Development:

The problem and the solution. Given the many organizational problems human resource development is expected to help solve and the many tools offered by economics, foundational direction for action can have high utility. This article concludes this issue by discussing the opportunity and challenges facing human resource development scholars and practitioners in integrating economics foundations into its theory building, research, and practice along with the potential gains.
The effect of morphine on glial cells as a potential therapeutic target for pharmacological development of analgesic drugs.

Opioids have played a critical role in achieving pain relief in both modern and ancient medicine. Yet, their clinical use can be limited secondary to unwanted side effects such as tolerance, dependence, reward, and behavioral changes. Identification of glial-mediated mechanisms inducing opioid side effects include cytokine receptors, κ-opioid receptors, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and the recently elucidated Toll-like receptors. Newer agents targeting these receptors such as AV411, MK-801, AV333, and SLC022, and older agents used outside the United States or for other disease conditions, such as minocycline, pentoxifylline, and UV50488H, all show varied but promising profiles for providing significant relief from opioid side effects, while simultaneously potentiating opioid analgesia.
743-6 Three-dimensional Echocardiographic Reconstruction of Congenital Cardiac Septation Defects

Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and angiography are sensitive and specific when assessing septation defects but provide limited information regarding defect shape and relationships to intracardiac structures, Dynamic 3Dechocardiography (3DE) may provide a unique ability to define and present defect shape and relationship to intracardiac structures. To assess this, we performed 3DE dynamic reconstruction of 25 septation defects in 19 sedated infants and children. Each patient had a computer-driven subxiphoid rotating scan at 10 intervals through 180°. Data were processed into a cubic 3-D data set from which cut planes were defined. A rotating 3DE reconstruction of the intracardiac anatomy sliced at a given plane was displayed. Dynamic 3DE images were compared with: 2-D in all, angiography in 18, and videotaped surgical views in 7. Septal defect identification was as follows: Download : Download high-res image (39KB) Download : Download full-size image For all septation defects completely defined by 3DE (11 VSD; 7 ASD) defect shape, breadth and spatial relationships were clearly displayed in a single projection. With 2DE and angiography, on the other hand, multiple views were necessary to reconstruct a limited mental idea of septal defect characteristics. Of the 5/16 VSDs and 2/9 ASDs not completely appreciated with 3DE: 5 had suboptimal 3DE due to poor 2-D image quality and motion artifact; 1 was a shallow inlet VSD obscured by AV valve tissue; and 1 was a moderate size posterior secundum ASD partially imaged from a 4-chamber 3DE projection. Septation defect 3DE reconstructions closely resembled surgical images in 717. Conclusion Though less sensitive than 2DE/angiography, subxiphoid rotational 3DE provided: (1) improved understanding of septation defect shape and spatial relationships; and (2) a unique ability to display septation defects using right heart surgical projections.
Age-related alterations in the heat-stability of mouse heart phosphorylase

Abstract Myocardial phosphorylase from young and old mice has been examined with respect to its thermal lability properties. It has been shown that phosphorylase from the hearts of old animals is more resistant to heat as compared to the enzyme from young hearts. This increase in thermal stability seems to be correlated with an increase in the less active tetrametric form of the enzymes during aging. Sucrose density centrifugation profiles indicate that upon heating the amount of dimer stays relatively constant in the old heart since the tetramer is probably being broken down into its more active dimeric form. This increase in the tetrameric form of phosphorylase in the old heart may help to explain the increased susceptibility of the old heart to many acute stresses.
Dexamethasone stimulation of running activity in the male rat

Abstract The effect of the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone-21-phosphate, added to the drinking water (0.1–20 μg/ml), on running wheel activity was studied in male rats. The rats were maintained in standard activity cages in a controlled environment with 12 hr light, 12 hr dark. After 2 weeks of equilibration in the activity cages, dexamethasone was started. One to three days later running activity increased. Peak activity (up to 10 times basal levels) was reached 5–7 days after the onset of dexamethasone. The increase in activity occurred entirely in the nocturnal phase. After stopping dexamethasone, activity continued at levels above the pre-treatment base line for 1–2 weeks if the dose was small (one μg/ml) and duration of dexamethasone administration was short. Selective depression of pituitary-adrenocortical function was produced in other rats by implantation of a cortisol acetate pellet in the median eminence of the hypothalamus. Activity was markedly reduced following implantation and was restored promptly by dexamethasone in the drinking water. It was concluded that dexamethasone markedly stimulates running activity in the rat. Since the increased activity occurs at night, it appears that glucocorticoids affect the magnitude of running activity but not its rhythmicity.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF BLACK SPHERULES

Black spherules from Greenland ice sheets compared to industrial weld-spatter spherules, using density measurements coupled with chemical analysis
Numerical analysis of solutal convection in rotating shallow electrochemical cells

A numerical study of solutal convection in rotating shallow electrochemical cells is performed. Typical cases show complex interactions among the centrifugal, Coriolis forces and mass transfer process in the rotating cells, which depend on the Ek and Sc RoS numbers. At low rotational speed (Ek is near 0.01) the inviscid core flow is unicellular and sandwiched between the top and bottom Ekman layers. When Ek is less than about 0.006, a series of secondary cells are induced by the Coriolis force in the core. It is found that the Coriolis force suppresses the centrifugal convection, reducing the mass transfer rate, especially at low Sc RoS. The present numerical results are shown to be in good agreement with our earlier scaling analysis as well as with our experimental mass transfer data. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Joint Motor Action and Cross-Creature Embodiment

The question of what is shared in joint action has been discussed mainly with reference to the notion of collective intentionality. The problem of how to account for intentional states that are shared between two or more jointly engaged creatures is particularly relevant for actions that involve distal intentions. Yet there is another important kind of joint action, which so far has received less interest, at least by philosophers. This kind of action can be described in terms of a shared motor engagement of two or more creatures with their surroundings. In this paper, I address the question of what is shared in such motor engagements. I suggest that joint motor actions come off through sharing particular kinds of feelings. In order to flesh out what it means to share feelings, I introduce the notion of ‘cross-creature embodiment’—the idea that a certain type of embodied mental event is constitutively tied to the body state of another, perceptually present creature in broadly the same way in which it is tied to the experiencing creature’s own. I end by suggesting that this notion makes available a new, albeit tentative, interpretation of recent neuroscientific evidence.
Antibodies to nuclear antigens in Graves' disease.

A recent publication reported a high prevalence of double-stranded DNA antibodies quantitated by RIA in patients with Graves' disease. We, therefore, measured antibodies to a variety of nuclear antigens in 20 patients with Graves' disease, most of whom where hyperthyroid. Fluorescent antinuclear antibody tests using HEp-2 cells as substrate were positive in serum of 15 of the 20 patients but in only 2 of 20 normal subjects. DNA binding, determined by RIA, was increased in 12 of 18 patients with Graves' disease. However, a more specific indirect immunofluorescence assay for antibodies to double-stranded DNA using Crithidia luciliae was negative in all 20 patients. Furthermore, antibodies to single-stranded DNA, measured by counterimmunoelectrophoresis, and ribonucleoprotein and Sm antigens, measured by double diffusion in agar, were undetectable in all patients tested. These results demonstrate a high frequency of antinuclear antibody in patients with Graves' disease. The presence of antibodies to double-s...
Permanental Polytopes of Doubly Stochastic Matrices

Abstract A subpolytope Γ of the polytope Ωn of all n×n nonnegative doubly stochastic matrices is said to be a permanental polytope if the permanent function is constant on Γ. Geometrical properties of permanental polytopes are investigated. No matrix of the form 1⊕A where A is in Ω2 is contained in any permanental polytope of Ω3 with positive dimension. There is no 3-dimensional permanental polytope of Ω3, and there is essentially a unique maximal 2-dimensional permanental polytope of Ω3 (a square of side 1 3 ). Permanental polytopes of dimension (n 2 −3n+4) 2 are exhibited for each n⩾4.
Preparing Students to Join the Global Public Sphere

Just as public policy was once debated over newspapers in Parisian cafes, today's global policy debates take place in the blogosphere and on social networks. Admission to the lettered city of the twenty-first century demands not just constant connectivity but also rapid comprehension and succinct writing. Preparing students to participate in the global public sphere requires supplementing their directed research skills with monitoring skills, then showing them how to communicate in public debate. In selected undergraduate International Relations courses at San Francisco State University, students hone monitoring skills by following news feeds in RSS feed readers and course management systems. Textbooks then become a source of context for understanding the latest developments in regional issues. Suggested Web sites and a Facebook forum provide students with access and encouragement to communicate with experts on course topics. By engaging online, students repurpose technologies and social skills from their daily lives for educational ends. Examination questions cover relevant current events, briefing papers replace term papers, and course assessment measures reward students for experimenting and improving throughout the semester. Because this approach to online participation and current events monitoring may be unfamiliar to students, the course design and simulation activities encourage students to draw on small group support while developing their individual skills and confidence.
Women reclaiming sustainable livelihoods: spaces lost, spaces gained/Gender and sustainability: lessons from Asia and Latin America

Wendy Harcourt, London and New York, Palgrave Macmillan, 2012, 274 pp, £57.50, $85.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0230316485 (hardback) Maria Luz Cruz-Torres and Pamela Mcelwee, Tucson, AZ, The University...
A novel role of tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 in apoptosis of malignant human gliomas.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor-2 (TFPI-2) is a 32 kDa serine protease inhibitor found at high levels in extracellular matrix. Recombinant human TFPI-2 has recently been shown to be a strong inhibitor of trypsin, plasmin, plasma kallikrein, and factor XIa amidolytic activity. Earlier studies in our laboratory showed that the expression of TFPI-2 is lost during tumor progression in human gliomas. We stably transfected this protease inhibitor in multiform glioblastoma cell line (SNB-19) and in low-grade glioma cell line (Hs683) in sense and antisense orientation respectively. This confirmed that the upregulation/down-regulation of TFPI-2 plays a significant role in the invasive behavior of human gliomas both in vitro and in vivo models. Collectively, these results suggested an idea to determine whether TFPI-2 is necessary for cell survival and inhibition of tumor formation in nude mice, due to apoptosis of intracerebrally injected SNB-19 cells. In the present study we determined p-ERK levels and found that they are decreased in TFPI-2 over-expressed clones (SNB-19) and increased in TFPI-2 down-regulated clones (Hs683). We also checked the levels of BAX/BCl-2, caspases (for e.g., 9, 7, 3, 8), PARP, cytochrome-c and Apaf-1. Moreover, the increase of apoptosis in vitro is associated with increased and decreased expression of apoptotic protein BAX in sense clones (SNB-19) and antisense clones (Hs683) respectively, when compared to controls and vice versa with Bcl-2 the anti-apoptotic protein. Caspases (9, 7 and 3), cytochrome-c, Apaf-1 and PARP levels are increased in SNB-19 and decreased in Hs683. Caspase 8 was not expressed in either cell line. Caspases 9 and 3 activity assay revealed higher activity in sense clones (SNB-19) but lesser in antisense clones (Hs683) compared to controls. This is the first report of TFPI-2 playing a novel role in cell survival in human gliomas.
Precision synthesis of silicon nanowires with crystalline core and amorphous shell

A synthetic route to crystalline silicon (Si) nanowires with an amorphous Si shell is reported. Trisilane (Si3H8) and Sn(HMDS)2 are decomposed in supercritical toluene at 450 °C. Sn(HMDS)2 creates Sn nanoparticles that seed Si nanowire growth by the supercritical fluid–liquid–solid (SFLS) mechanism. The Si:Sn ratio in the reaction determines the growth of amorphous Si shell. No amorphous shell forms at relatively low Si:Sn ratios of 20:1, whereas higher Si:Sn ratio of 40:1 leads to significant amorphous shell. We propose that hydrogen evolved from trisilane decomposition etches away the Sn seed particles as nanowires grow, which promotes the amorphous Si shell deposition when the higher Si:Sn ratios are used.
Decoupling correlated and uncorrelated parametric uncertainty contributions for nonlinear models

Abstract For models with correlated parameters, the amount of uncertainty (generally measured by variance) in a model output contributed by a specific parameter encompasses two components: (1) the uncertainty contributed by the variations (used to represent uncertainty in the parameter) correlated with other parameters; and (2) the uncertainty contributed by the variations unique to the parameter of interest (i.e., uncorrelated variations or variations that cannot be explained by any other parameters in the model). A regression-based method has been proposed previously by Xu and Gertner (2008) [1] to decouple the correlated and uncorrelated contributions to uncertainties in model outputs by each parameter for linear models. Based on a modified version of the popular Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST), this paper develops a general approach for the quantification of the correlated and uncorrelated parametric uncertainty contributions in linear, nonlinear and non-monotonic models with linear or nonlinear dependence among parameters. The decoupling of correlated and uncorrelated contributions can help us determine if the uncertainty contributed by a specific parameter results from the uncertainty in itself or from its correlations with other parameters. Thus, this decoupling can be very useful in improving the understanding our modeled systems.
Interleukin-1-inhibitor activity induced by respiratory syncytial virus: Abrogation of virus-specific and alternate human lymphocyte proliferative responses

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection has been shown to induce human mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) production of net interleukin-1 (IL-1)-inhibitor activity. In the current studies of IL-1-inhibitor effects, RSV-exposed cells were compared with autologous MNL that were sham-exposed or exposed to inactivated RSV or influenza virus (which induces net IL-1 activity and commonly elicits effective homotypic immunity). Exposure of MNL to influenza virus or inactivated RSV resulted in increased expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR, the IL-2 receptor, and the transferrin receptor and increased progression through the cell cycle by 3 days. In contrast, exposure to infectious RSV resulted in decreased marker expression and cell cycle arrest, with abrogation of proliferation in response to the virus or other stimuli. These data raise the possibility that a contributing mechanism for recurrence of RSV infection is early suppression of the clonal expansion of virus-specific lymphocytes due to net IL-1-inhibitor activity.
A plea for relevance in academic writing

A new generation of business teachers is performing in the national spotlight. During the past year, more students have been taught by professors Tom Peters, Ken Blanchard, Lee Iacocca, and Mark McCormack than the combined faculty of any business school in the country. Their writings are widely quoted and their speeches are big draws because there's a general assumption that their analyses are creditable observations of the real world.
Cardiac Involvement with Lymphoma: A Review of the Literature

Current literature suggests that the incidence of cardiac involvement by lymphoma as identified by autopsy varies widely, ranging from 8.7% to 20%. Historically, many cases might have been clinically undetected; however, improved imaging techniques increasingly identify cardiac involvement incidentally. In addition, newer agents resulting in improved cancer therapy outcomes might alter the prevalence and location of metastatic deposits to include more unusual disease sites, including intracardiac locations. We present 2 cases and a review of the literature.
Full-Dimensionality of Relating in Romantic Relationships

We propose that an orientation toward relating to one's romantic partner via multiple sensory channels has beneficial effects for the relationship, especially for long-distance relationships. We used Wicklund's (2004) conceptualisation of full-dimensionality of relating and Brehm's (1999) emotional intensity theory to test the effects of a sensory multidimensional orientation and difficulty of maintaining the romantic relationship on feelings of love and commitment. In Study 1, we tested 55 participants involved in a long-distance romantic relationship and found that a multidimensional orientation fended off the detrimental effects of difficulty of maintaining the relationship: when partners experienced high difficulty, those with a high orientation experienced more positive affect, love, and commitment than those with a low orientation. In Study 2, data from 31 long-distance and 23 geographically-close participants indicated that a high multidimensionality orientation had a greater positive impact in long-distance relationships than in geographically-close relationships. In Study 3, 40 long-distance participants were asked to write about two times when it was either difficult but possible or nearly impossible to maintain their current relationship. Positive affect for the partner, love, and desire to be with the partner in the future were highest for the participants in the possible condition who preferred relating to the partner on multiple sensory channels. Altogether, these studies underline the importance of multidimensional orientation in romantic relationships, especially when intimates perceive maintaining the relationship as being difficult but manageable. Theoretical and practical implications of this new concept of sensory multidimensionality orientation are discussed.
The influence of time course variables on REM sleep

This paper studies the effect of age, length of prior wakefulness, length of sleep, and a circadian influence on REM sleep. Age is a major determinant of REM amount up to the early teens, but has little effect thereafter. Length of prior wakefulness has little or no effect on REM amount. Length of sleep has a major influence on REM amount, with longer sleep times producing greater amounts of this type of sleep. There is a strong circadian effect on REM, with early night sleep periods producing little REM and early morning periods a relatively great amount of REM.
Detector Development for the Majorana Demonstrator Project

Majorana is a tonne-scale 76Ge neutrinoless double-beta decay experiment with the goal of probing the Majorana neutrino mass in the inverted mass hierarchy scenario. The experiment must meet the stringent requirement of fewer than 1 background count/(keV tonne yr) in the 4-keV region around the Q value of 2039 keV. The Collaboration is building a prototype, the Majorana Demonstrator, of high purity germanium detectors, half of which will be enriched in 76Ge. Several detector options were pursued in order to assess and optimize their ability in rejecting radioactive background events that interact at multiple sites in the detectors. The most promising option is the class of p-type point-contact detectors. In this poster, the detector development program of Majorana is presented.
A Study of Lighting System Performance in Partitioned Spaces

(1995). A Study of Lighting System Performance in Partitioned Spaces. Journal of the Illuminating Engineering Society: Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 50-63.
Mitochondrial changes in flight muscles of normal and flightless Drosophila melanogaster with age.

Fine structural changes in mitochondrial morphology pertaining to size, number and growth were examined in flight muscles of normal and experimentally dewinged male Drosphila melanogaster ranging up to 26 days of age. In the normal winged flies, the number of mitochondria decreases during the first week of adult life whereas the size of individual mitochondrial profile increases significantly. Changes in mitochondrial size and number are due to the fusion of mitochondria. Fused mitochondria are extremely large in size and irregular in shape. In 26-day old normal flies, the number of mitochondria increases while the mitochondrial size is reduced indicating mitochondrial division. In comparison to the normal flies, dewinged flies exhibit a similar degree of mitochondrial fusion and growth during the first week of life. However, the extent of mitochondrial fission in 26-day old dewinged flies is greater than in the normal flies of this age. Structural mechanisms of mitochondrial fusion and fission are described. The objective of this study was to examine the relative effects of age and flight activity on the mitochondria.
Self‐Efficacy in Service‐Learning Community Action Research: Theory, Research, and Practice

The purpose of this article is threefold: In the first section, an overview of research and theory on the self-efficacy construct is provided, and the central role of self-efficacy in service-learning community action research is demonstrated. The second section reviews over 10 years of research validating the Community Service Self-Efficacy Scale (CSSES), which measures the individual’s confidence in his or her own ability to make clinically (meaningfully) significant contributions to the community through service. Within the context of this review, recent (previously unpublished) validation research is also reviewed. Alternate versions of the CSSES, each of which was developed for a specific purpose, are presented. The third section provides recommendations for further research focused on (a) validating the CSSES and (b) examining self-efficacy as an outcome, moderator, and mediating variable in service-learning community action research.