cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of endotoxin in human blood and demonstration of an inhibitor

Abstract Gelation of a lysate of amebocytes of Limulus, the horseshoe crab, is a sensitive indicator of the presence of a variety of endotoxins. Amebocyte lysate is stable. The reaction between lysate and endotoxin is reproducible and easy to measure. The rate of the reaction between amebocyte lysate and endotoxin is dependent upon the concentration of endotoxin. The reaction is capable of detecting as little as 0.0005 μg per milliliter of endotoxin in human blood plasma and serum. Addition of endotoxin to normal blood resulted in loss of detectable endotoxin activity when undiluted plasma or serum prepared from such blood samples was compared with saline controls. Coagulation resulted in additional loss of endotoxin activity. Preincubation of endotoxin with blood or a low calcium ion concentration was not necessary for the demonstration of inhibition. The inhibitory effect could be eliminated almost completely by dilution of serum or plasma to 1 to 10 per cent. Extraction of plasma with chloroform for 60 minutes permitted essentially total recovery of endotoxin which had been added to whole blood or plasma. The increase in positive tests, following dilution or chloroform extraction of serum or plasma, suggested that the inhibitory nature of blood is primarily the result of reversible binding between endotoxin and serum protein(s), rather than destruction of endotoxin. This test is the most sensitive in vitro assay for endotoxin which has been reported. The technique should have application both for clinical and experimental studies of endotoxin and endotoxemia.
The Knowledge Web Meets Big Scholars

Human is the only species on earth that has mastered the technologies in writing and printing to capture ephemeral thoughts and scientific discoveries. The capabilities to pass along knowledge, not only geographically but also generationally, have formed the bedrock of our civilizations. We are in the midst of a silent revolution driven by the technological advancements: no longer are computers just a fixture of our physical world but have they been so deeply woven into our daily routines that they are now occupying the center of our lives. No where are the phenomena more prominent than our reliance on the World Wide Web. More and more often, the web has become the primary source of fresh information and knowledge. In addition to general consumption, the availability of large amount of contents and behavioral data has also instigated new interdisciplinary research activities in the areas of information retrieval, natural language processing, machine learning, behavioral studies, social computing and data mining. This talk will use web search as an example to demonstrate how these new research activities and technologies have help the web evolve from a collection of documents to becoming the largest knowledge base in our history. During this evolution, the web is transformed from merely reacting to our needs to a living entity that can anticipate and push timely information to wherever and whenever we need it. How the scholarly activities and communications can be impacted will also be illustrated and elaborated, and some observations derived from a web scale data set, newly release to the public, will also be shared.
Collision Cascade Densification of Materials

Computer simulations of the collision cascade process were used to investigate surface densification during ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). The objective of the investigation was to see if densification resulted directly from the cascade, without any contribution from diffusion enhancement brought on by the bombardment. Calculations, using the computer code MARLOWE, were carried out for Ar bombardment of a crystalline Ge target, containing a void, using ion beam energies of 0.065, 0.5 and 1 keV. These results were used as data for a differential equation that describes the effect on void size of the simultaneous Ge atom deposition and Ar ion bombardment of a substrate containing voids. The present attempt examined the effects of irradiations on voids of 17 and 35 vacancies.
Behavior of the Parasite Aphelinus asychis in Relation to the Greenbug and Certain Hosts

The green bug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), is a major pest of small grains and sorghum in central and western United States. Biotype C of the greenbug often causes severe sorghum loses. Because most cereals and sorghums are relatively low-value-per-acre crops and because of residue problems, control by resistant varieties, predators, and parasites is particularly desirable. Resistant varieties are promising (Harvey and Hackerott 1969) and several parasites, including Aphelinus asychis (Walker), have been introduced (Jackson and Eikenbary 1971). Some consider A. asychis synonymous with A. semiflavous; others think the two are separate species.
Facial Nerve Reconstruction With Concurrent Masseteric Nerve Transfer and Cable Grafting.

ImportanceReconstruction of the facial nerve after radical parotidectomy is commonly performed with cable grafting, which is associated with slow recovery of nerve function and synkinesis. Objectiv...
Effect of amino acid infusion on renal hemodynamics in humans.

The effect of amino acid (AA) infusion on renal hemodynamics was examined in 19 healthy subjects. Thirteen subjects participated in the first protocol (normal protein intake) and six in the second protocol (low protein intake). The first protocol consisted of three studies: study 1 (n = 13), AA were infused over 3 h to increase plasma amino acid levels two- to threefold; study 2 (n = 7), AA were infused with somatostatin and peripheral replacement of insulin, glucagon, and growth hormone; study 3 (n = 6), somatostatin was infused with basal hormonal replacement as in study 2. During study 1, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) rose by 20% (from 107 +/- 5 to 128 +/- 4 ml . 1.73 m-2 . min-1, P less than 0.001). Renal plasma flow (RPF) increased by a similar percentage (599 +/- 35 to 704 +/- 33 ml . 1.73 m-2 . min-1, P less than 0.001). When somatostatin was infused with AA (study 2), neither GFR nor RPF changed from base line. Somatostatin infusion alone (study 3) had no effect on GFR or RPF. During protocol 2, six subjects received a low-protein diet (40 g/day) for 7 days and AA were infused as per study 1. Base-line GFR (104 +/- 5 to 96 +/- 4 ml . 1.73 m-2 . min-1 and RPF (593 +/- 32 to 507 +/- 23 ml . 1.73 m-2 . min-1) both decreased (P less than 0.02) after the low-protein diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Economic Policy in a Small Economy

General principles sometimes seem trite once they are properly articulated. Often, indeed, they govern our work long before they are recognised explicitly. Once discovered, however, they unify our understanding of specific instances and grant access to problems that had been intractable. Tinbergen’s analysis of economic policy is a major case in point [10]. Like the basic law of supply and demand, the principle was used before it had been formulated, and one prime application was international. As Mill had used the law of supply and demand to show how the terms of trade are determined [5], so Meade had discovered the need for separate instruments equal in number to one’s policy targets in his pioneering work on the Balance of Payments [4]. But the formal and general articulation of Tinbergen’s ‘rule’ placed Meade’s contribution in broader context.
Ralstonia solanacearum Differentially Colonizes Roots of Resistant and Susceptible Tomato Plants

Ralstonia solanacearum is the causal agent of bacterial wilt and infects over 200 plant species in 50 families. The soilborne bacterium is lethal to many solanaceous species, including tomato. Although resistant plants can carry high pathogen loads (between 105 and 108 CFU/g fresh weight), the disease is best controlled by the use of resistant cultivars, particularly resistant rootstocks. How these plants have latent infections yet maintain resistance is not clear. R. solanacearum first infects the plant through the root system and, thus, early root colonization events may be key to understanding resistance. We hypothesized that the distribution and timing of bacterial invasion differed in roots of resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars. Here, we use a combination of scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy to investigate R. solanacearum colonization in roots of soil-grown resistant and susceptible tomato cultivars at multiple time points after inoculation. Our results show that colonization ...
Framework for communicating with consumers using an expectation interface in smart thermostats

Abstract One of the main problems for adopting smart thermostats is consumers’ expectations about smart thermostats. Generally, the interfaces in smart thermostats and smart devices in the energy market are designed without consideration for the expectations of the customers or are not adjusting their operation according to the consumers’ expectations and behavior. Moreover, the business model does not consider one part of the product as the main link between customers and value propositions. This study shows a structure for creating a smart interface based on consumers’ expectations and shows an extension of the CANVAS business model. Furthermore, the paper re-defines the term “smart” in electric devices as the ability to adjust the system in order to reach the expectations of the consumer and to save energy. This term is not only defined in terms of saving energy but also it includes the customer’s expectations. If the system is only smart to control the temperature and save energy, the customer’s expectations may not always be achieved; thus, the smart devices are not successfully adopted in households. The design is based on artificial neural networks and a fuzzy logic controller to achieve the consumer’s expectations. The results show the interface operation on each block. The classification systems have to operate to detect changes in the customer’s market segment. The fuzzy logic controller tries to reach the customer’s expectations in order to move the customer into the energy saving market. This expectation interface tries to motivate designers to focus on consumer’s expectations for smart devices in the energy market. Not only are the energy requirements important to design a smart thermostat, but also the consumer’s expectations to create a successful smart thermostat in the electric market. Smart thermostats can reduce the consumption of electrical energy, but they need to be accepted. This interface provides an effective manner to connect the consumer’s expectations with the consumption of energy. This papers shows a proof of concept about intelligent interfaces.
Cisr Research Briefings 2004

A collection of research briefings from MIT Center for Information Systems Research in 2004.
Conditional logistic regression in cluster-specific 1: m matched treatment–control designs

ABSTRACTConditional logistic regression is a popular method for estimating a treatment effect while eliminating cluster-specific nuisance parameters when they are not of interest. Under a cluster-specific 1: m matched treatment–control study design, we present a new closed-form relationship between the conditional logistic regression estimator and the ordinary logistic regression estimator. In addition, we prove an equivalence between the ordinary logistic regression and the conditional logistic regression estimators, when the clusters are replicated infinitely often, which indicates that potential bias concerns when applying conditional logistic regression to complex survey samples.
Evaluation of spatiotemporal trends and predictive modeling of non-accidental trauma utilizing geographical information systems:

BackgroundActs of violence can be considered random when viewed singularly, but are appreciable as patterns and clusters of an epidemic. Violence begets violence: it has been shown that people exposed to violence are more likely to harm themselves, their families, and members of the community. Our previous manuscript on this subject demonstrated distinct clusters of violent trauma, where each subtype appeared to have its own domain.MethodsThe location, date, time of day, and mechanism of injury of all non-accidental trauma patients from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013 were collected and analyzed. Kernel density analysis was used to identify areas of increased activity and these were compared by year. The areas identified were mapped by their latitude and longitude. The data for the year 2013 were used to determine the potential for the predictive value of the prior 5 years.ResultsDefinite trends can be observed in the temporal distribution of trauma, with a higher incidence of violent trauma occurring ...
THE ECONOMICS OF SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING: A CAUTIOUS VIEW

This paper takes a cautious view of solar thermal energy use as a reasonable alternative to fossil fuels for heating and cooling of buildings. The paper emphasizes two problems. One is the relationship between solar thermal heating and cooling of buildings and electric utility rates. The other is the social and private opportunity costs of solar thermal heating for single-family residences. The paper draws on NSF-funded research on the incentives and barriers to commercial adoption of solar heating and cooling of buildings.
Habitability: General Principles and Applications to Space Vehicles

Habitability: General Principles and Applications to Space Vehicles. Habitability, as applied to any spatial configuration within which man is expected to function, is a global and relative concept. It depends upon the purpose of man’s presence within that environment, the time he plans to remain, and the type of performance he expects to achieve. Simply stated, a system is considered habitable if man can function as man within its environmental confines. Insofar as man is concerned, habitability involves four components: physical, physiological, psychological, and social.
Penetrating Injury Prevention

Understanding injuries after violent acts as a disease process rather than simply a crime problem is important to the application of preventative medicine concepts. Steps to reduce penetrating injury and injury overall include primary, secondary, and tertiary measures similar to the approaches to heart disease or even malignancies. As care to the injured is refined and mortalities reduced in the modern era, a larger gain is recognized in preemptive actions vice disease management once the incident has already occurred. But also, similar to many of the preventative measures for other illnesses, proof of effectiveness is not uniformly discovered and difficult to measure. Despite this, many favorable outcomes from programs to manage trauma recidivism are demonstrated especially with respect to alcohol use and interpersonal violence.
Mental Illness and Opioid Epidemic in the United States

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. A drug overdose is defined, by the Medical Dictionary, as the accidental or intentional use of a drug or medicine in an amount that is higher than is normally used. Accidental drug overdose may be the result of misuse of prescription medicines or commonly used medications like pain relievers and cold remedies. Overdose with opiate drugs causes sedation, low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, and slowed breathing. A serious risk is that the patient will stop breathing. Methods: A multiple correlational analysis was conducted to explore the potential strength, direction and significant of relationship between selected indicators related to mental illness, socioeconomic factors and drug related deaths in the United States, at the state level. A level of significance of 0.05 was selected for all tests of significance. Conclusion: There is a strong and significant correlation at the state level between the mental illness, major depressive disorders, drug use/abuse and drug overdose related deaths. Veterans living in the state and un-insured individuals are significantly correlated with drug overdose related deaths. No significant correlation was identified between socio-economic factors typically associated with most health issues such as poverty and the current opioid epidemic affecting our nation.
Somatic mutations in homologous recombination pathway genes in ovarian cancer.

5545Background: 15% of patients with OC have a germline BRCA 1 / 2 mut & 6% of OC have a somatic BRCA 1/2 mut. Inhibitors of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARPi) are approved in this setting. Data is...
Improving a Design Space: Pregnancy as a Collaborative Information and Social Support Ecology

Pregnancy is a major life experience that changes relationships, identities, and home environments. It is a personal, collaborative, and domestic process of health changes, behavioral adaptations, and social adjustments that goes beyond the medical care of a pregnant woman. Using the lenses of information and support ecologies, we examine whether the complexities of pregnancy are reflected in the design of mobile technologies that support this life altering experience. To do this, we analyzed 191 iOS pregnancy applications (“apps”) to understand the types of functionality they supported. We found that the majority provided static medical and birth event information but had shallow functionality for leveraging social support. Almost all apps excluded expectant fathers, used gendered interfaces and information choices, and focused primarily on fetal development or the pregnant woman’s physical health. We call for less gendered and more meaningfully collaborative mobile health technologies to support pregnancy.
Integration of Single-Cell Genomics Datasets

Welch et al. and Stuart et al. present novel techniques for the integration of single-cell RNA-seq datasets across multiple platforms, individuals, and species. They both extend these strategies to map cell types between RNA-seq datasets with epigenetic properties and in situ transcript profiling. The ability to transfer information between datasets and spatial methods will enable more comprehensive profiling and comparisons of cell populations in complex biological systems.
RNA Polymerase II CTD phosphatase Rtr1 prevents premature transcription termination

RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription termination is regulated by the phosphorylation status of the C-terminal domain (CTD). Using disruption-compensation (DisCo) protein-protein interaction network analysis, interaction changes were observed within the termination machinery as a consequence of deletion of the serine 5 RNAPII CTD phosphatase Rtr1. Interactions between RNAPII and the cleavage factor IA (CF1A) subunit Pcf11 were reduced in rtr1{Delta}, whereas interactions with the CTD and RNA-binding termination factor Nrd1 were increased. These changes could be the result of altered interactions between the termination machinery and/or increased levels of premature termination of RNAPII. Transcriptome analysis in rtr1{Delta} cells found decreased pervasive transcription and a shift in balance of expression of sense and antisense transcripts. Globally, rtr1{Delta} leads to decreases in noncoding RNAs that are linked to the Nrd1, Nab3 and Sen1 (NNS)-dependent RNAPII termination pathway. Genome-wide analysis of RNAPII and Nrd1 occupancy suggests that loss of RTR1 leads to increased termination at noncoding genes and increased efficiency of snRNA termination. Additionally, premature termination increases globally at protein-coding genes where NNS is recruited during early elongation. The effects of rtr1{Delta} on RNA expression levels were erased following deletion of the exosome subunit Rrp6, which works with the NNS complex to rapidly degrade terminated noncoding RNAs. Overall, these data suggest that Rtr1 restricts the NNS-dependent termination pathway in WT cells to prevent premature RNAPII termination of mRNAs and ncRNAs. Additionally, Rtr1 phosphatase activity facilitates low-level elongation of noncoding transcripts that impact the transcriptome through RNAPII interference.nnAUTHOR SUMMARYMany cellular RNAs including those that encode for proteins are produced by the enzyme RNA Polymerase II. In this work, we have defined a new role for the phosphatase Rtr1 in the regulation of RNA Polymerase II progression from the start of transcription to the 3 end of the gene where the nascent RNA from protein-coding genes is typically cleaved and polyadenylated. Deletion of the gene that encodes RTR1 leads to changes in the interactions between RNA polymerase II and the termination machinery. Rtr1 loss also causes early termination of RNA Polymerase II at many of its target gene types including protein coding genes and noncoding RNAs. Evidence suggests that the premature termination observed in RTR1 knockout cells occurs through the termination factor and RNA binding protein Nrd1 and its binding partner Nab3. Additionally, many of the prematurely terminated noncoding RNA transcripts are degraded by the Rrp6-containing nuclear exosome, a known component of the Nrd1-Nab3 termination coupled RNA degradation pathway. These findings suggest that Rtr1 normally promotes elongation of RNA Polymerase II transcripts through preventation of Nrd1-directed termination.
A Pharmacokinetic Natural Product-Disease-Drug Interaction: A Double Hit of Silymarin and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis on Hepatic Transporters in a Rat Model

Patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) exhibit altered hepatic protein expression of metabolizing enzymes and transporters and altered xenobiotic pharmacokinetics. The botanical natural product silymarin, which has been investigated as a treatment of NASH, contains flavonolignans that inhibit organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) transporter function. The purpose of this study was to assess the individual and combined effects of NASH and silymarin on the disposition of the model OATP substrate pitavastatin. Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a control or a methionine- and choline-deficient diet (NASH model) for 8 weeks. Silymarin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle followed by pitavastatin (0.5 mg/kg) were administered intravenously, and the pharmacokinetics were determined. NASH increased mean total flavonolignan area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-120 min) 1.7-fold. Silymarin increased pitavastatin AUC0-120 min in both control and NASH animals approx. 2-fold. NASH increased pitavastatin plasma concentrations from 2 to 40 minutes, but AUC0-120 min was unchanged. The combination of silymarin and NASH had the greatest effect on pitavastatin AUC0-120 min, which increased 2.9-fold compared with control vehicle-treated animals. NASH increased the total amount of pitavastatin excreted into the bile 2.7-fold compared with control animals, whereas silymarin decreased pitavastatin biliary clearance approx. 3-fold in both control and NASH animals. This double hit of NASH and silymarin on hepatic uptake transporters is another example of a multifactorial pharmacokinetic interaction that may have a greater impact on drug disposition than each hit alone. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Multifactorial effects on xenobiotic pharmacokinetics are within the next frontier for precision medicine research and clinical application. The combination of silymarin and NASH is a probable clinical scenario that can affect drug uptake, liver concentrations, biliary elimination, and ultimately, efficacy and toxicity.
Interruptions: Cultivating Truth-Telling as Resistance with Pre-service Teachers

As ethical agents, teachers regularly must decide whether compliance to rules and norms is in the best interest of their students. Yet, teachers in the United States are educated to be passively obedient. In this paper, I argue that part of pre-service teacher education ought to learn ways of resisting. I describe one approach to verbal resistance, what Michel Foucault calls Truth-Telling. Building on a qualitative self-study with pre-service teachers, I explain how a form of team-teaching called Interruptions can promote Truth-Telling.
The Classroom Culture of a Middle School Music Technology Class.

The purpose of this study was to examine the culture of an American middle school music technology classroom based in musical composition. Research questions explored students’ perceptions of how t...
Clinical and Molecular Genetics of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Calcium homeostasis is maintained by the actions of the parathyroid glands, which release parathyroid hormone into the systemic circulation as necessary to maintain the serum calcium concentration within a tight physiologic range. Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone from one or more neoplastic parathyroid glands, however, causes the metabolic disease primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) typically associated with hypercalcemia. Although the majority of cases of HPT are sporadic, it can present in the context of a familial syndrome. Mutations in the tumor suppressor genes discovered by the study of such families are now recognized to be pathogenic for many sporadic parathyroid tumors. Inherited and somatic mutations of proto-oncogenes causing parathyroid neoplasia are also known. Future investigation of somatic changes in parathyroid tumor DNA and the study of kindreds with HPT yet lacking germline mutation in the set of genes known to predispose to HPT represent two avenues likely to unmask additional novel genes relevant to parathyroid neoplasia.
The Automatic Auteur; Or, a Certain Tendency in Film Criticism

At the heart of Cahiers du Cinema’s celebration of the film director as responsible for a movie’s outcome lay a paradox: Cahiers’ editor, Andre Bazin, had famously celebrated the camera’s automatism, its capacity to produce exact representations of reality, even by accident. The idea of “Allen Smithee,” the name used by a director who wishes to avoid association with a completed film, raises the issues posed by the contradictory claims of auteurism and automatism. This chapter uses the section titles of Francois Truffaut’s famous manifesto, “A Certain Tendency of the French Cinema,” to examine these two positions.
Fair Trade: The President’s Power to Recover Captured U.S. Servicemembers and the Recent Prisoner Exchange with the Taliban

The Obama Administration’s controversial exchange of five Taliban detainees for a captured U.S. soldier in May 2014 reignited a heated debate over the proper scope of wartime executive authority. From a legal perspective, the primary issue centers on the constitutional balance of power between congressional appropriations and the President’s power as Commander in Chief. A complete analysis incorporates both judicial and historical precedent to evaluate the conflict within the broader context of prisoner recovery efforts. This Note argues that, regardless of the validity of legislative restrictions on the transfer of Guantanamo detainees, the President possessed sufficient authority to conduct the prisoner exchange. Commanders in Chief have retained exclusive control over recovery efforts since the Revolutionary War, often exchanging nontraditional detainees for regular servicemembers without any congressional opposition. Furthermore, as this Note concludes, Congress elsewhere granted the President ample discretion over notification and defense spending to legally conduct the exchange.
Social work and technology: Text mining three decades of scholarly literature (1985–2018):

SummaryWhile the scholarly literature is abound with discussions of technology and its proliferation in different social work domains, evidence about what types of technologies are being used in va...
Epoxy Resin Wetting of E Glass Single Filaments as it Relates to Shear Strength

The work of adhesion, W, of epoxy resin, water, and methylene iodide on sin e E-glass filaments was measured using a modified Wilhelmy apparatus. The resin used was a bisphenol A epoxy resin, and the fibers were coated with differing concentrations of silanes. Shear strengths were measured usint a single filament adhesion test. It was found that increasing Wa of resin on the fibers correlates with increasing shear strength of dry and water-boiled composites. This result and the results of methylene iodine and water wetting are analyzed in terms of the geometric mean approximation for the work of adhesion, and good agreement is found.
Integration of prophages into CRISPR loci remodels viral immunity in Streptococcus pyogenes

Summary CRISPR loci are composed of short DNA repeats separated by sequences that match the genomes of phages and plasmids, known as spacers. Spacers are transcribed and processed to generate RNA guides used by CRISPR-associated nucleases to recognize and destroy the complementary nucleic acids of invaders. To counteract this defense, phages can produce small proteins that inhibit these nucleases. Here we demonstrate that the ΦAP1.1 temperate phage utilizes an alternate approach to antagonize the type II-A CRISPR response in Streptococcus pyogenes. Immediately after infection this phage expresses a canonical anti-CRISPR, AcrIIA23 that prevents Cas9 function, allowing ΦAP1.1 to integrate into the direct repeats of the CRISPR locus and neutralizing immunity. However, acrIIA23 is not transcribed during lysogeny and phage integration/excision cycles can result in the deletion and/or transfer of spacers, enabling a complex modulation of the type II-A CRISPR immune response.
Strip-tillage renovation of intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) for maintaining grain yield in mature stands

Kernza® intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkworth & Dewey], the first perennial grain crop to come to market in North America, can provide a number of ecosystem services when integrated into cropping systems that are dominated by annual grain crops. However, grain yield from Kernza is lower than comparable annual cereal crops such as wheat and oats. Also, although Kernza is a long-lived perennial that can persist for decades, grain yield tends to decline over time as Kernza stands age leading most farmers to replant or rotate to a different crop after 3–5 yrs. Increased intraspecific competition as stand density increases with age has been reported to cause grain yield declines. We investigated the effect of strip-tillage applied at two different timings, between the third and fourth grain harvests, from a Kernza stand in upstate New York. Strip-tillage applied in late fall as plants were entering dormancy increased grain yield by 61% when compared to the control treatment without strip-tillage. However, total crop biomass was not reduced resulting in a greater harvest index for the fall strip-tillage treatment. Strip-tillage applied before stem elongation the following spring reduced overall tiller density and total crop biomass but did not impact tiller fertility or grain yield compared to the control treatment without strip-tillage. Increased grain yield in the fall strip-tillage treatment was due to an increase in the percentage of tillers that produced mature seedheads. This suggests that grain yield decline over time is at least partially caused by competition between tillers in dense stands. Results support further research and development of strip-tillage and other forms of managed disturbance as tools for maintaining Kernza grain yield over time.
Library Security: Perceptions of Preparedness

This article details the results of two parallel surveys sent to the heads of campus security and the libraries at 54 schools within the SUNY system. We undertook this study to determine the extent of collaboration between these groups and to learn where library and security staff perceptions of safety and preparedness differ. The findings indicated that most campuses have emergency response plans in place for the possibility of a high-impact violent event or a human-caused emergency. However, libraries are less likely to have dedicated emergency plans and report an inconsistent mix of physical security measures and staff safety trainings. Overall, both campus security respondents and library staff members feel safe at work and reasonably prepared for a human-caused emergency. Additionally, campus security consistently rated the libraries as safer and more prepared than the librarians rated themselves, and a gap exists in perceptions of the frequency and usefulness of collaborations between the two. Security consistently answered that they are closely involved with library trainings and safety measures, while the librarians’ responses ranged from no contact with security to praise for existing collaborations and a desire for more.
Structure and Function of Ion Pumps Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy and Gene-transfer Experiments Using Chimeric Na+/K +- and Ca2+­ ATPases

Using novel chimeric Ca2+-ATPases modified with portions of Na+/K+-ATPase, and vice versa, we have identified critical domains that govern ion sensitivity, inhibitor specificity, subunit assembly, and activation by Ca2+/calmodulin. Na+ and K+ sensors have been identified in nonconserved regions of the Na+/K+-ATPase sequences; the Na+ sensor, with 69 amino acids, is localized at the amino-terminal region of the α subunit, whereas the K+ sensor, with 161 residues, resides at the carboxy terminus of the same subunit. The assembly domain with the β subunit was identified within the C-terminal 161 amino acids of the Na+/K+-ATPase a subunit (Figure 1), When this region was incorporated into the corresponding region of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase, the heterodimer of the Na+/K+-ATPase β subunit and the chimeric SR Ca2+-ATPase was formed (25; for details, see Lemas et al. in this volume). The ouabain-sensitive domain was localized within the N-terminal 200 amino acids of the Na+/K+-ATPase. These variable amino-terminal 200 amino acids, when incorporated into the corresponding regions of the SR Ca2+-ATPase, conferred ouabain sensitivity to the SR Ca2+-ATPase (15). Addition of the carboxy-terminal 150 amino acids of the plasma membrane (PM) Ca2+-ATPase to the Na+/K+-ATPase a subunit conferred Ca2+/ calmodulin sensitivity on the Na+/K+-ATPase, indicating the existence of potential domains in the Na+/K+-ATPase that can interact with the carboxy terminus of the PM Ca2+-ATPase (for details, see Ishii and Takeyasu in this volume). The successful functional expression of additional chimeric ATPases will allow identification of other critical regions, such as domains responsible for targeting of distinct ATPases to the specific subcellular membranes. This section reviews our recent work on chimeric ATPases. We also address potential abilities of atomic force microscopy (AFM; for details, see Paul et al. in this volume) for analysis of molecular structures of the P-type ATPases.
Psoriasis: The Poster Child for Bench-to-bedside Translational Medicine

As the largest and most visible organ, the skin provides opportunities to investigate immune responses in clinical studies offering insights that extend beyond our protective coat. The interplay between bench-to-bedside approaches are complemented by bedside-to-bench exchanges epitomizing translational medicine. Conversations beyond improvement in skin lesions that include the impact on patients' lives and well-being are also becoming more frequent. Just as advances in the realm of cutaneous oncology earned malignant melanoma the title of poster child for personalized cancer therapy, new advances involving psoriasis are pointing to this moniker in dermatology once again. In this commentary, the successful cycle of interactions between psoriasis patients, dermatologists, immunologists, and the pharmaceutical industry are highlighted. Lessons learned from psoriasis-based studies indicate a bright future for translational medicine based in dermatology research labs and clinics.
Humor Effects in Shame-Inducing Health Issue Advertising: The Moderating Effects of Fear of Negative Evaluation

Certain health issues such as mental illness and sexually transmitted infections evoke feelings of shame, which typically causes withdrawal coping, making it challenging for campaign planners to effectively communicate pertinent information in intervention messages. In three experimental studies, humor is tested as an advertising strategy that might attenuate the negative effects of shame and increase message persuasion. As an individual factor that correlates with social anxiety and vulnerability to shame, fear of negative evaluation (FNE) is found to be a significant moderator to shame and humor level interaction. Low FNEs favored humor ads over no-humor ads when shame induction was low but favored no-humor ads over humor ads when shame induction was high. This response pattern was in contrast to the patterns found for high FNEs. The results show the strongest humor benefits for socially anxious individuals (high FNEs) with high shame-inducing health issues. Theoretical and practical implications are given.
Extent of right hepatectomy determines postoperative donor albumin and bilirubin changes: new insights.

Background: Changes in donor plasma albumin (Alb) and bilirubin (Tbili) are common following right hepatectomy for liver transplantation. We conducted a retrospective study to determine whether the size of the liver resection and the estimated blood loss (EBL) impact these laboratory values in the first week (early) and third week (late) postoperatively. Methods: Demographics and peri-operative data of 34 donors undergoing right hepatectomy were analysed by Spearman's correlation (data in means±SD, P<0.05=statistically significant). Re-admissions for pleural effusions were tracked. Results: Donors were 26–56 (43.3±9.1) years old, body mass index (kg/m2) was 27.7±4.2, liver resected (%) was 58±7 and EBL (mL) was 1505±927. A larger hepatectomy correlated with lower Alb at 3 weeks (P=0.03) and also with a higher early (P=0.025) and late Tbili (P=0.037). Larger blood loss determined low Alb in the first week (P=0.013), still noticeable 3 weeks postoperatively (P=0.047). Re-admissions for pleural effusion were not associated with the size of the liver resection or postoperative Alb changes. Conclusions: A remaining liver size-dependent reduced synthetic hepatic function may explain the persistent low Alb that becomes apparent at end of the preoperative Albs half-life. A size-related diminished metabolic liver capacity results in early and late elevated Tbili. Prospective studies are needed to better understand the impact of resection size on hepatic physiology, donor care and clinical outcomes.
A feasibility study of neo-adjuvant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy with two different concurrent anthracycline-docetaxel schedules in stage IIA/B-IIIA breast cancer.

Aims and background. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of neoad juvant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy, in combination with two anthracyclinedocetaxel regimens, in breast cancer treatment. Materials and methods. Women with stage IIA/B-IIIA breast cancer were assigned to receive the treatment of low-dose fractionated radiotherapy (0.4 Gy/per fraction, 2 fractions per day, for 2 days, every 21 days for 8-6 cycles) with concomitant neoadju vant chemotherapy with non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel. Two chemotherapy schedules were planned to be combined with low-dose fractionated radiotherapy. The first schedule consisted of four cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin sequentially followed by four cycles of docetaxel, and the second sched ule consisted of six cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin plus concomitant docetaxel. Acute toxicity was evaluated according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group score system. Pathological response was evaluated by the Mandard score and expressed as tumor regression grade. Results. Between March 2008 and February 2009, 10 patients underwent low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concomitant chemotherapy. No grade 3-4 breast toxicity was observed. Five patients had a clinical complete response. Seven patients un derwent conservative surgery. Overall, tumor regression grade 1 (absence of residual cancer) was achieved in one patient (10%) and grade 2 (residual isolated cells scat tered through the fibrosis) in 4 patients (40%). The pathologic major response rate (tumor regression grade 1 + 2) was 20% in patients receiving low-dose fractionated ra diotherapy and sequential non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel and 80% in the group receiving low-dose fractionated radiotherapy and concurrent nonpegylated liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel treatment. Conclusions. Concomitant low-dose fractionated radiotherapy combined with an thracycline and docetaxel is feasible. The toxicity profile of radio-chemotherapy was similar to that of chemotherapy alone: there was no acute skin or cardiac toxicity. The concurrent application of liposomal doxorubicin and docetaxel with low-dose frac tionated radiation led to higher histological response rates compared to the sequen tial application of the same two drugs.
How Tight is Too Tight?: A Look at Welfare Implications of Distortionary Policies in Uzbekistan

Since independence in 1991, Uzbekistan has pursued a gradual approach to the transition from planned to market economy. This approach relied heavily on trade controls, directed credit, and large public investments. A number of financial sector measures were also instituted that distorted resource allocation and increased transaction costs. As a result, while possibly preventing the contraction of output in the early 1990s, these policies led to disappointing economic outcomes and social conditions. The paper reviews the underlying distortions and presents survey-based evidence to support their existence and their detrimental impact on economic activity. Looking forward, the paper - using a representative agent framework to model existing financial sector distortions - offers some guidance regarding the likely implications of eliminating the observed distortions on key aggregate variables. It suggests that the elimination of these distortions will enhance welfare and lead to increased investment and capital stock.
Identification of novel signaling regulators of the mu opioid receptor (1066.1)

Recent evidence has suggested that specific downstream signaling pathways of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) carry out specific aspects of the behavioral response, such as antinociception or side effe...
Ribosomal frameshifting from -2 to +50 nucleotides.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes ribosomal frame-shifting from the mRNA's point of the view. Ribosomes can obviously progress in a stately and efficient manner through coding sequences without being unduly worried about losing their way. In some cases, these sites of “programmed” ribosomal frame-shifting serve to control dynamically the level of a gene product, while in others the purpose is to provide a fixed ratio of two overlapping proteins. In some others, the purpose is not readily apparent. Physical and biochemical analysis of ribosomal translocation has also proceeded successfully along separate lines and has served as a solid foundation for interpreting various pathways of ribosomal frame-shifting . The early strong internal suppressors restored gene activity to near wild-type levels and were compensating frame-shift mutations within the coding sequence . There were also weak internal suppressors, which were inferred to be base substitutions, and these were along with rIIB mutants classified as minutes, initially thought to be reinitiation sites, although increased levels of spontaneous ribosomal frame-shifting caused by these weak internal suppressors remained a possibility.
Simulation model of diverging diamond interchange for Alabama

AbstractA diverging diamond interchange is a freeway and arterial interchange design that uses crossovers at the ramp intersections to eliminate conflicts between arterial through traffic and the left turning traffic, from both the arterial and the ramps. The traffic switches which side of the roadway it is travelling, from right to left, at the crossovers. This allows unopposed left turns from the arterial to the ramps. This project will conduct an analysis on a high traffic growth interchange in Alabama by examining the location and adjusting the traffic volumes through a simulation.
Biodegradable nanogels for oral delivery of interferon for norovirus infection.

Abstract Norwalk virus (NV) replicon-harboring cells have provided an excellent tool to the development of antivirals. Previously we demonstrated that the expression levels of replicon RNA and proteins were significantly reduced in the presence of various interferons (IFNs) including IFN-α and IFN-γ in a dose-dependent manner in the NV replicon-harboring cells, and suggested that IFNs could be therapeutic options for norovirus infection. It was also demonstrated that innate immunity including IFNs is crucial in the replication and pathogenicity of murine norovirus (MNV) in vitro (RAW267.4 cells) and in vivo. IFNs have a short half-life in vitro and in vivo due to low stability. Thus it is important to have a good delivery system to improve the stability of IFNs. Nanogels are nanosized networks of chemically cross-linked polymers that swell in physiologic solutions and provide improved stability and bioavailability to drugs. We have synthesized nanogels based on cross-linked polyethyleneimine (PEI)-polyethylenglycol (PEG). The PEI/PEG nanogels were further acetylated (AcNg) to reduce cellular penetration and cytotoxicity. The IFN–AcNg complex was prepared by incubating two components together at 4 °C and lyophilization. The IFN activity of IFN–AcNg was evaluated in the NV- and HCV-replicon-harboring cells and against MNV-1 in RAW267.4 cells in comparison to IFN without AcNg. The AcNg improved the stability of IFN stored at 4 °C, and was well tolerated in the cells. Furthermore, the activity of IFN was significantly higher when combined with AcNg in the replicon-harboring cells and against MNV-1 in RAW267.4 cells. We concluded that AcNg may be pursued further as a vehicle for oral delivery of IFNs in norovirus infection.