cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced expression of Nav1.6 sodium channels and compensation by Nav1.2 channels in mice heterozygous for a null mutation in Scn8a

Abstract The voltage-gated sodium channel α subunit Nav1.6, encoded by the Scn8a gene, accumulates at high density at mature nodes of Ranvier of myelinated axons, replacing the Nav1.2 channels found at nodes earlier in development. To investigate this preferential expression of Nav1.6 at adult nodes, we examined isoform-specific expression of sodium channels in mice heterozygous for a null mutation in Scn8a. Immunoblots from these +/− mice had 50% of the wild-type level of Nav1.6 protein, and their optic-nerve nodes of Ranvier had correspondingly less anti-Nav1.6 immunofluorescence. Protein level and nodal immunofluorescence of the Nav1.2 α subunit increased in Scn8a+/− mice, keeping total sodium channel expression approximately constant despite partial loss of Nav1.6 channels. The results are consistent with a model in which Nav1.6 and Nav1.2 compete for binding partners at sites of high channel density, such as nodes of Ranvier. We suggest that Nav1.6 channels normally occupy most of the molecular machinery responsible for channel clustering because they have higher binding affinity, and not because they are exclusively recognized by mechanisms for transport and insertion of sodium channels in myelinated axons. The reduced amount of Nav1.6 protein in Scn8a+/− mice is apparently insufficient to saturate the nodal binding sites, allowing Nav1.2 channels to compete more successfully.
Comparison of effects of thyrotropin, phorbol esters, norepinephrine, and carbachol on iodide organification in dog thyroid slices, follicles, and cultured cells.

The effect of TSH, phorbol ester, norepinephrine (NE), and carbachol, agents known to influence thyroid metabolism, was compared on iodide organification in dog thyroid slices, freshly isolated follicles, and cultured cells. TSH stimulated iodide organification in all three types of preparations, and this effect was mimicked by (Bu)2cAMP. In contrast, the phorbol ester, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) stimulated iodide organification in slices and follicles but inhibited it in cells. The dose and time required for these divergent effects were similar. Other stimulators of protein kinase C such as aplysiatoxin and teleocidin mimicked the effects of TPA, and these effects were partially reversed by H-7, an inhibitor of protein kinase C. Pretreatment of cells with TPA for 4 h did not affect TSH-stimulated cAMP production, but TPA inhibited iodide organification in cells even in the presence of TSH or (Bu)2cAMP. Similarly NE and carbachol stimulated iodide organification in follicles but inhibited it in c...
Crowd Control: Effects of Macromolecular Crowding on Early Events in Protein Folding

Earlier time-resolved far-UV TRCD/TRORD studies have shown that electron-transfer triggered folding of reduced cytochrome c (redcyt c) from the GuHCl-induced unfolded ensemble in dilute phosphate buffer involves kinetic partitioning: one fraction of molecules folds rapidly, on a sub-microsecond time scale, while the remaining population folds more slowly [Chen et al. (2003) J. Phys. Chem. A, 107,8149-8155]. With the addition of 220 mg/mL dextran 70 (spherical-like structure), the population of the fast folding step is greatly reduced [Chen et al. (2012) Biochemistry 51, 9836-9845]. However, this fast phase is not significantly affected when sucrose is used to introduce the same microviscosity as that of the dextran solution. These results, as well those from corresponding coarse-grained simulations, suggest that excluded volume effects, but not viscosity, due to macromolecular crowding compacts the unfolded state ensemble such that cyt c's access to fast-folding conformations is decreased in crowded conditions. Presented here will be studies that examine the effects of other crowding agents of different size and shape (rod-shaped Ficoll 70) and concentration (100 mg/mL dextran 70) on the kinetics of redcyt c folding. How the His33-Fe-His18 heme configuration, which was previously correlated with the fast folding population under buffer conditions, is affected by the presence of macromolecular crowders that facilitate compaction of the unfolded state is also examined.
Self consistent modified extended Hückel (SC-MEH) calculations on heavy metal systems. I. Platinum(II) tetragonal planar complexes with and without relativistic effects

The Self Consistent Modified Extended Huckel molecular orbital method had been applied to several square planar complexes of platinum (II). Calculations including both the limited 5d, 6s, 6p and extended 5s, 5p, 5d, 6s, 6p starting bases for platinum were made. It is shown that in PtCl 4 2− both the nuclear quadrupole moment and minimum total energy vs. bond distance are calculated to be in good agreement with experiment, only with the extended platinum AO basis. Specific inclusion of relativistic parameters via a pseudo-relativistic approximation are shown to have a significant effect on the energy molecular energy levels, however no meaningful rationalization can be made without the simultaneous inclusion of ligand field parameters as well.
Cdk5 is a major regulator of p38 cascade: Relevance to neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease

Cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 5 and p38 activities are significantly increased in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Both p38 and Cdk5 promote neurodegeneration upon deregulation. However, to date the mechanistic link between Cdk5 and p38 remains unclear. This study presents the first mechanism showing Cdk5 as a major regulator of p38 cascade in neurons and in transgenic mouse model of AD. Using beta-amyloid and glutamate as the neurotoxic stimuli, our results show that deregulated Cdk5 induces p38 activation by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neuronal cells and in primary cortical neurons. Elimination of ROS inhibits p38 activation, revealing ROS as major stimuli of the p38 cascade. Importantly, Cdk5-mediated p38 activation increases c-Jun expression, thereby revealing a mechanistic link between deregulated Cdk5 and c-Jun level in AD brains. c-Jun is over-expressed in AD, and is believed to contribute significantly to neurodegeneration. Based on the proposed mechanism, Cdk5 inhibition is more neuroprotective relative to p38 and c-Jun, suggesting that Cdk5 is an upstream regulator of neurodegenerative pathways triggered by p38 and a preferable therapeutic target for AD.
The effects of endothelin-1 on human dermal fibroblast growth and synthetic activity

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is the most potent vasoconstricting substance known, and is believed to have a fundamental role in the regulation of blood flow. It is a peptide produced and secreted by endothelial cells in response to hypoxia and injury, as well as by macrophages. These properties suggest that ET-1 may play a role during tissue repair. In this study, we have examined the effects of ET-1 on the growth and synthetic activity of human dermal fibroblasts. ET-1 stimulated DNA synthesis in serum-deprived cultures: this effect reached a mean value of 64% more than control (P < 0.01) at 2.5 ng/ml (10(-9) M) of ET-1. In contrast, the addition of ET-1 to fibroblasts at different densities and in 0, 3, or 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) failed to increase cell counts. In 1% FBS, a 41% mean increase in cell counts compared to control values was observed in cultures treated with 2.5 ng/ml of ET-1 (P < 0.01). Incubation of dermal fibroblast cultures at 37 degrees C for 1 hr with increasing concentrations of 125I-ET-1 resulted in saturable binding and a half-maximal specific binding of 27.5 pM. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding showed a Kd of 224 pM and 11,400 high-affinity binding sites per cell. ET-1 had no effect on [14C]-glucosamine incorporation by fibroblasts and caused no increase in collagen synthesis, as measured by collagenase-sensitive [3H]proline incorporation and by salt precipitation of 3H-labeled collagen at acid and neutral pH successively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The design of divide and conquer algorithms

Abstract The structure common to a class of divide and conquer algorithms is represented by a program scheme. A theorem is presented which relates the functionality of a divide and conquer algorithm to its structure and the functionalities of its subalgorithms. Several strategies for designing divide and conquer algorithms arise from this theorem and they are used to formally derive algorithms for sorting a list of numbers, forming the cartesian product of two sets, and finding the convex hull of a set of planar points.
Frontiers of search

This look at current trends affords the opportunity to study how next-generation Web search engines will impact our future online experience.
Synaptic loci on visual cortical neurons of the rabbit: The specific afferent radiation

Abstract In newborn rabbits, the visual projection was interrupted unilaterally, by enucleation or lesion of the lateral geniculate body. Analysis of the relevant cortical area prepared 1 month later by the rapid Golgi technique revealed clear-cut changes in the number of dendrite spines limited to the apical shafts of pyramids. Following enucleation there was consistent diminution in spine counts of 30% or more over the central three quartiles of shaft length. Spine loss was more severe with lateral geniculate lesions but loss distribution was similar for both. Little or no change was detected along the apical shaft arches or tips in layer I, nor along oblique shaft branches or basilar dendrites. Normal appearance and distribution of stellate (short axoned, class II) cells in layer IV indicates that the changes on pyramidal dendrites were direct rather than transneuronal. The data are interpreted as indicating that specific visual projection fibers synapse directly on vertically oriented dendrites of cortical pyramids in rabbits. The significance of this distribution pattern is discussed in the light of previous ideas about the arrangement of primary afferent terminals and the problem of input-output functions of sensory cortex. The study underlines the sensitivity of postsynaptic components to changes in level of presynaptic function. It focuses attention upon the dendrite spine as an accurate index of presynaptic geometry, thereby providing a more effective measure of terminal axonal patterns throughout the nervous system.
Biological Control as a Tool for Ecosystem Management

Abstract Biological control is proposed as a tool useful for ecosystem management and compatible with the goals of often competing interests regarding the restoration and maintenance of ecosystems. We summarize the effects of introduced species on ecosystems in three broad groups: insects, vertebrates, and weeds. We then discuss the role of biological control for each of these groups in the context of ecosystem management and realistic outcomes. Of the three groups, we show that biological control of weeds appears to have the best chance for success in ecosystem management. We provide two case studies to support our ideas and finally discuss future needs and trends including fiscal considerations, cost/benefits associated with biological weed control, and potential funding sources.
Leveraging Multitasking Opportunities to Increase Motivation and Engagement in Online Classrooms: An Action Research Case Study

Newer social media have brought about attention deficits brought on by a flood of distractions, such as text messaging, blogging, and browsing on mobile devices and laptops brought into the classroom. It appears that online learning places the same demands on learners' ability to remain on-task and focused. While following up on assessing the benefits of live satellite broadcasts from remote areas of the world, the researchers made several interesting discoveries about the nature of the design of the content management system that delivered the classroom experience. The interface included a means by which students could synchronously chat during the live broadcasts. The ability to multitask appeared to increase participants' engagement in the class and their sense of social presence. The researchers present their results based on the results of a pre and post participant questionnaire to determine how best to sustain student engagement and interaction in a distance-learning environment.
Characterization of the physicochemical and catalytic properties of human heart NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase

The NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase of human heart was characterized with respect to molecular size, chemical composition, and catalytic properties. The enzyme appears to exist as a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of approximately 53.000, with valine as the N-terminal amino acid. No carbohydrate was detected by staining enzyme on polyacrylamide gels with the periodic acid-Schiff base reagent. The amino acid composition of human heart NADP-specific enzyme is very similar to that of the corresponding enzyme from pig and ox hearts. Statistical analytical methods applied to amino acid compositions of several isocitrate dehydrogenases indicate a strong resemblance between the mammalian heart enzymes but little similarity between the heart enzymes and those isolated from either liver or bacteria. Human heart enzyme cross-reacts with rabbit antibody raised against pig heart NADP-dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase, supporting the suggestion of similarity between these two mammalian enzymes. The apparent Michaelis constant for three- Ds -isocitrate was determined to be 2.2 μM for the human heart enzyme. On the basis of the effect of varying the manganous ion concentration on the apparent Michaelis constant for threo- ds -isocitrate, it is postulated that the metal-isocitrate complex is the actual substrate of the enzyme. Citrate, propanetricarboxylate, and threo- ls -isocitrate are weak competitive inhibitors with respect to isocitrate. The essential functional moieties of the coenzyme binding site were examined by testing coenzyme analogs as competitive inhibitors with respect to NADP. the importance of the 2′-phosphata for coenzyme binding was established. The pH dependence of V for the isocitrate dehydrogenase reaction suggests the requirements of a basic form of an essential ionizable group in the enzyme-substrate complex, exhibiting a pK of 5.5, with a heat of ionization of −1.02 kcal/mol. This pK value increases to 5.9 in the presence of 20% ethanol. These results are consistent with the designation of a carboxyl group as the critical ionizable group. Stability studies on the effect of incubating human heart enzyme in normal serum suggest that the absence of isocitrate dehydrogenase activity in serum following myocardial infarction cannot be attributed to instability alone.
On IP-graphs of association schemes and applications to group theory

Let G be a group acting transitively on a set X such that all subdegrees are finite. Isaacs and Praeger (1993) [5] studied the common divisor graph of (G,X). For a group G and its subgroup A, based on the results in Isaacs and Praeger (1993) [5], Kaplan (1997) [6] proved that if A is stable in G and the common divisor graph of (A,G) has two components, then G has a nice structure. Motivated by the notion of the common divisor graph of (G,X), Camina (2008) [3] introduced the concept of the IP-graph of a naturally valenced association scheme. The common divisor graph of (G,X) is the IP-graph of the association scheme arising from the action of G on X. Xu (2009) [8] studied the properties of the IP-graph of an arbitrary naturally valenced association scheme, and generalized the main results in Isaacs and Praeger (1993) [5] and Camina (2008) [3]. In this paper we first prove that if the IP-graph of a naturally valenced association scheme (X,S) is stable and has two components (not including the trivial component whose only vertex is 1), then S has a closed subset T such that the thin residue O^@q(T) and the quotient scheme (X/O^@q(T),S//O^@q(T)) have very nice properties. Then for an association scheme (X,S) and a closed subset T of S such that S//T is an association scheme on X/T, we study the relations between the closed subsets of S and those of S//T. Applying these results to schurian schemes and common divisor graphs of groups, we obtain the results of Kaplan [6] as direct consequences.
Defining the Family after the Death of a Child.

Abstract We conducted 14 interviews representing 9 families and 10 child deaths to examine a dilemma common to bereaved parents-the definition of the family after the death of a child. Although the deceased child continued to be defined as a member of the family to the parents, the degree to which this definition of the family was presented to outsiders varied. The work of Boss (psychological presence/physical absence and boundary ambiguity) and Goffman front-stage performance / backstage reality) facilitates an understanding of this dilemma. Implications for grief counseling are discussed.
Comorbidity between epilepsy and depression: Role of hippocampal interleukin-1β

Abstract Depression is a frequent comorbidity of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE); however, its mechanisms remain poorly understood and effective therapies are lacking. Augmentation of hippocampal interleukin-1β (IL-1β) signaling may be a mechanistic factor of both TLE and clinical depression. We examined whether pharmacological blockade of hippocampal interleukin-1 receptor exerts antidepressant effects in an animal model of comorbidity between TLE and depression, which developed in Wistar rats following pilocarpine status epilepticus (SE). In post-SE animals, depression-like state was characterized by behavioral equivalents of anhedonia and despair; dysregulation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenocortical axis; compromised raphe–hippocampal serotonergic transmission. Two-week long bilateral intrahippocampal infusion of human recombinant Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) improved all of the examined depressive impairments, without modifying spontaneous seizure frequency and without affecting normal parameters in naive rats. These findings implicate hippocampal IL-1β in epilepsy-associated depression and provide a rationale for the introduction of IL-1β blockers in the treatment of depression in TLE.
Expression of G1 and G2 cyclins measured in individual cells by multiparameter flow cytometry: a new tool in the analysis of the cell cycle

. Multivariate analysis of the expression of cyclin proteins and DNA content has opened new possibilities for the study of the cell cycle. By virtue of their cell cycle phase specificity, the expression of cyclins may serve, in addition to DNA content, as another marker of a cell's position in the cycle, and provide information about the proliferative potential of cell populations. Several applications of the methodology based on bivariate analysis of DNA content v. expression of B, E and D type cyclins are reviewed: 1 expression of cyclins by individual cells during their progression through the cycle can be studied, using exponentially growing cells without the necessity of cell synchronization or other perturbations of the cycle; 2 cells having the same DNA content but residing in different phases of the cycle (e.g. G2 diploid v. G1 tetraploid) can be distinguished; 3 cell transition from G0 to G1 and progression through G1 (e.g. mitogen stimulated lymphocytes) can be assayed; 4 the population of proliferating cells can be distinguished from noncycling cells based on dual cell labelling with a G1 and G2 cyclin antibody; 5 cyclin restriction points can serve as additional cell cycle landmarks to map the point of action of antitumour drugs; 6 unscheduled expression of cyclins (e.g. the presence of cyclin B1 during G1 and S) can be detected in several tumour transformed cell lines, possibly indicating disregulation of the machmery of cell cycle progression. The last finding 6 is of special importance, because such disregulation may be of prognostic consequence in human tumours.
Application of the Goda pressure formulae for horizontal wave loads on elevated structures

Small-scale physical experiments were conducted to investigate the application of the Goda wave pressure formulae modified to predict the horizontal wave loads on elevated structures considering non-breaking, broken, and impulsive breaking waves. The air gap defined as the vertical distance from the still water level to the base of the structure played a key role in the reduction of wave impact forces. Physical model results using random waves confirmed that the modified application of the Goda wave pressure formulae provided a good estimate of the horizontal forces on elevated structures for both broken and impulsive breaking waves. As the air gap was increased, the resulting forces decreased, and the estimated values became increasingly conservative. When the ratio of the air gap to water depth, a/h′, increased from −1.0 to 1.5, the reduction in force was approximately 75% when the wave height to breaking water depth ratio, H/h b , was equal to unity.
Relative intensity and internal conversion coefficient measurements in the decays of 51Cr, 137Cs, 192Ir, and 207Bi☆

Abstract An “internal conversion coefficient spectrometer” utilizing Ge(Li) and Si(Li) detectors has been used to make precision measurements of relative gamma-ray intensities for transitions following the decay of 192Ir and 207Bi, relative internal conversion line intensities for some transitions from 192Ir, and conversion coefficients for some transitions from the decays of 51Cr, 137Cs, and 192Ir. Limits and values are given for E2 M1 mixing ratios and penetration effects for the 320.1-keV transition in 51V, the 484.5-keV transition in 192Os, and the 604.4-keV transition in 192Pt. The consequences of the results for nuclear structure are discussed.
Proteasome inhibitors decrease AAV2 capsid derived peptide epitope presentation on MHC class I following transduction

Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors are an extensively studied and highly used vector platform for gene therapy applications. We hypothesize that in the first clinical trial using AAV to treat hemophilia B, AAV capsid proteins were presented on the surface of transduced hepatocytes, resulting in clearance by antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and consequent loss of therapeutic transgene expression. It has been previously shown that proteasome inhibitors can have a dramatic effect on AAV transduction in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe using the US Food and Drug Administration-approved proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib, to decrease capsid antigen presentation on hepatocytes in vitro, whereas at the same time, enhancing gene expression in vivo. Using an AAV capsid-specific T-cell reporter (TCR) line to analyze the effect of proteasome inhibitors on antigen presentation, we demonstrate capsid antigen presentation at low multiplicities of infection (MOIs), and inhibition of antigen presentation at pharmacologic levels of bortezomib. We also demonstrate that bortezomib can enhance Factor IX (FIX) expression from an AAV2 vector in mice, although the same effect was not observed for AAV8 vectors. A pharmacological agent that can enhance AAV transduction, decrease T-cell activation/proliferation, and decrease capsid antigen presentation would be a promising solution to obstacles to successful AAV-mediated, liver-directed gene transfer in humans.
Gut neuroendocrine tumor blood qPCR fingerprint assay: characteristics and reproducibility.

BACKGROUND We have developed a PCR-based tool that measures a 51-gene panel for identification of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) in peripheral blood. This manuscript assesses the robustness (performance metrics) of this tool with a specific focus on the effects of individual parameters including collection, storage, acid suppressive medication [proton pump inhibitor (PPI)], age, sex, race and food on accuracy. METHODS Performance metrics were evaluated using a gold standard (mRNA derived from three individual human neuroendocrine tumor cell lines) and clinical samples using qPCR. RESULTS One hundred percent of the 51 transcripts were amplified in the gold standard (NEN cell line-derived mRNA) (CQ 1 year), age, sex and ethnicity had no effect on the signature. Expression of two genes, ALP2 and CD59 correlated strongly with RNA integrity (R=0.72, p<0.001) and could be used to assess storage and processing. CONCLUSIONS The 51 marker gene signature was robust and reproducible, exhibiting acceptable inter- and intra-assay metrics (<5%). Feeding, PPI intake, age, sex and ethnicity do not affect the signature. Expression levels of APLP2 and CD59 are effective surrogate markers of proper sample collection and processing.
D1/5 receptor-mediated enhancement of LTP requires PKA, Src family kinases, and NR2B-containing NMDARs.

Abstract The efficacy of the D 1/5 agonist SKF38393 (100 nM–60 μM) to increase long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region was investigated in the rat hippocampal slice preparation. The receptor specificity of this enhancing effect was confirmed using the D 1/5 antagonist SKF83566 (2 μM). Although the ability of D 1/5 receptors to increase both the persistence and the early magnitude of LTP has previously been linked to activation of the cAMP/PKA pathway, the subsequent molecular events leading to the enhancement of LTP have not been characterized. In experiments using SKF38393 (20 μM), a requirement for the activation of both protein kinase A (PKA) and Src family tyrosine kinase pathways was demonstrated, as pretreatment with either H89 (10 μM) or PP2 (10 μM) kinase inhibitors prevented the D 1/5 -mediated enhancement of LTP. In addition, NMDA receptors containing the NR2B subunit were identified as a potential downstream target for this signaling pathway, as pretreatment with the selective antagonist Ro 25-6981 (1 μM) also prevented the D 1/5 -mediated enhancement of LTP. The results identify a crucial role for NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in the modulation of LTP by D 1/5 -receptors in the CA1, suggesting that endogenously released dopamine may act through this mechanism as a modulator of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory tasks.
Some energy levels and matrix elements of the quartic oscillator

The first twenty energy levels and wave functions for an oscillator with potential energy V = ax4 have been obtained by diagonalizing a 100 × 100 Hamiltonian matrix in the representation of the harmonic oscillator. These wave functions have been used to calculate the matrix elements of x, x2, x3, x4, and x6 in the representation of the quartic oscillator. The usefulness of the quartic oscillator as a basis for energy level calculations of certain oscillators with large anharmonicities will be discussed.
VISCOUS TRANSONIC SPIRAL AND RADIAL FLOW

Similarity solutions of the viscous transonic equation describing source and source vortex Ilows have been found. These solutions contain shock-like transitions from the supersonic to the subsonic branch of the corresponding inviscid solutions, while the singularity near the sonic point of the inviscid solutions is shifted to a smaller radius. It is shown that this similarity solu±ion is identical to the transonic viscous compressible source and sink flow solutions of Wu (1955) and Sakurai (1958). Exact solutions of the equations of two-dimensional inviscid compressible flow for source and source vortex or spiral flow contain limiting circles at or near the sonic point where the velocity gradient becomes infinite El, 2, 31. No solutions exist inside these limiting circles. The transonic flow near these lirniting circles, where velocity gradients are large, clearly can no longer be described by an inviscid theory. Application of a viscous transonic theory [4, 5, 6, 71 to the flow in the neighborhood of these limiting circles forms the subject of the present paper. Two- and three-dimensional source and sink flows of a viscous compressible fluid have previously been investigated by Wu [81, Sakurai [91, and Levey El0, 111. Wu and Sakurai found closed form solutions of the one-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations valid in the region of transonic flow. In the present paper the eonnection between the general viscous transonic theory and the special solutions of Wu and Sakurai is shown.
Smoking Status and Health-Related Quality of Life: Findings from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data:

Abstract Purpose. To examine the relationship between smoking status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Design. Our study used a cross-sectional analysis with self-reported data from the 2001 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Setting. United States. Subjects. Subjects were a representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged 18 years and older. After excluding respondents who reported being pregnant and for whom smoking status could not be determined, we included 209,031 respondents. Measures. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to examine the associations of smoking status with the four HRQOL items, controlling for demographic and health-related characteristics. Results. Current smokers had a higher likelihood of reporting poor general health status compared with nonsmokers and ex-smokers. Compared with nonsmokers, current smokers had a higher likelihood of reporting ≥14 days of poor physical health (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.51–1....
Strained Growth of Aluminum-Doped Zinc Oxide on Flexible Glass Substrate and Degradation Studies Under Cyclic Bending Conditions

Aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films have been used in low cost transparent conductive oxide (TCO) applications. For flexible electronics, the devices are subjected to cyclic bending during manufacturing and usage, which may lead to both electrical and optical degradation of TCO thin films. This paper was designed to investigate the effect of the strained growth and normal growth methods on the electrical and optical degradation under diverse cyclic bending conditions. The AZO thin films were deposited on a 100 μm thick Corning Willow Glass flexible substrate by using an RF-magnetron sputtering technique. The design of experiments technique was applied to analyze the significant factors that can affect the electrical and optical performance of AZO thin films. The experimental factors include growth methods, bending radius, and tension. From the analysis of the X-ray diffraction technique, the AZO thin films grown by the normal method have dominant (0 0 2) orientation, but the AZO thin films prepared by the strained growth method show other orientations, including (0 0 2) orientation. Although the strained growth method does change the AZO thin film properties, the strained growth method does not significantly improve the reliability of the AZO thin film after a 2000 cycle bending fatigue test.
The Needs of Early Childhood Education for the Handicapped: A Song for the 80's.

In light of the reduction of support at the national level, the author suggests a renewed attention to seeking broad based local support for early identification and intervention with young handicapped infants and children. Issues discussed concern the need to locate more handicapped children at younger ages and to broaden the training base and role of the personnel who would serve them. A stance of optimism is suggested as the guiding principle for the next 4 years.
Long-Term Survival and Prognostic Indicators in Small (≤2 cm) Pancreatic Cancer

Objectives: In a matched analysis, we investigated clinical, histopathological, and survival characteristics of small (≤2 cm) pancreatic cancer (PaC) as compared to large PaC. Methods: From the Mayo pathology database, we identified 41 consecutive patients with small PaC and 94 matched controls with margin-negative PaC >2 cm. Two experienced pathologists, who were blinded to survival data, independently reviewed tumor stage and differentiation. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were applied for data analyses. Results: In patients with localized disease (stages I and II), survival was similar in small and large PaC but survival was significantly better in small PaC with regional nodal metastasis (stage III) as compared to similar stage large PaC (5-year survival 44 vs. 7%, median survival 58 vs.18 months, p < 0.001). Well-differentiated small and large PaC had similar median survival (76 vs. 74 months, p = NS). In multivariate analysis, tumor differentiation, not tumor size, was the only independent factor predicting survival in PaC (risk ratio, RR, for moderate vs. well- differentiated: 2.6,95% confidence interval, CI, 1.5-4.5, and RR for poorly differentiated vs. well-differentiated: 5.0, 95% CI 2.4–10.1). Conclusion: Tumor differentiation may be a better predictor of survival in resectable PaC than tumor stage.
Overview of Flow Cytometry and Microbiology

Although in recent years flow cytometry has become commonplace in hematology and immunology laboratories, application of the technology to microbiology remains largely unrealized. This overview presents the historical background, discusses applications in various areas of the field, and speculates on the directions of future developments. The availability of high-quality methods should be a prime factor in convincing microbiologists that flow cytometry may have certain advantages over traditional methods and that it does indeed have much to contribute to microbiology. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Development of Two Flanking SCAR Markers Linked to a Sex Determination Locus in Salix viminalis L

Most studies of sex determination systems in plants involve dioecious annuals that have known sex chromosomes. Despite the absence of such structures in the majority of dioecious plants, gender seems to be under relatively strict genetic control in some species. Genetic markers linked to a female sex-determination locus in Salix viminalis L. have been discovered through bulked segregant analysis of three full-sib families using approximately 1,000 arbitrary primers. Two RAPD markers that were present in the common female parent as well as in predominantly female progeny of these families were subsequently sequenced and converted to sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) markers. The two SCAR markers are correlated with gender in the three full-sib families and are present in 96.4% of the female progeny and 2.2% of the males, providing evidence of linkage to a putative female-specific locus associated with gender determination in S. viminalis. Estimates of recombination suggest that the two markers are flanking a putative sex determination locus, SDL-II, in certain families of S. viminalis.
On some generalizations of binary search

Classic binary search is extended to multidimensional search problems. These new search methods can efficiently solve several important problems of computer science. Applications of these results to an open problem in the theory of computation are discussed yielding new insight into the Lba problem.
The legal status of clinical practice parameters: an annotated bibliography.

In response to extensive speculation about the proba ble liability implications for health care providers of the formal creation and dissemination of explicit practice parameters or guidelines, I prepared several years ago an annotated bibliography of emerging literature on that topic (1). Since preparation of that catalogue, little meaningful clarification of these issues has emerged from the courts, legislatures, or regulatory agencies.
The Nicholson blowfly experiments: some history and EDA

The renowned Australian entomologist Alexander J. Nicholson carried out a series of experiments in the 1950s with the intent of learning more about a sheep pest, the blowfly. The results presented here are driven by analyses of the data that Nicholson collected. The situation is of special interest because it involves a system that is nonlinear, has time lags and might be described as non-stationary. There are other complicating aspects including that: the data are aggregate referring to a sum of interacting cohorts, age effects exist, the data are measured at discrete times yet the phenomenon exists in continuous time and a structural change may be taking place. In the work, the spectrogram and complex demodulation prove to be useful tools since the phenomenon is varying, depending on both time and period (or frequency). These tools have in common the notion of an evolutionary spectrum. The goals are to explore some of Nicholson’s data and to illustrate how the tools of complex demodulation and the spectrogram and subject matter can elicit information from time-series data.
Diffuse Infiltrative Lymphocytosis Syndrome in Children and Adults Infected With HIV-1: A Model of Rheumatic Illness Caused by Acquired Viral Infection

Certain maternal/infant pairs, as well as other high-risk adults, develop a host-response HIV-1 infection characterized by circulating and tissue infiltrative CD8 T-cell lymphocytosis, termed Diffuse Infiltrative Lymphocytosis Syndrome (DILS). DILS primarily occurs in the salivary glands, lungs, renal interstitium, and gastrointestinal tract. DILS differs from Sjogren's syndrome in the degree of salivary gland enlargement, high frequency of extraglandular manifestations, paucity of autoantibodies, and distinct immunogenetic associations. Salivary gland B-cell lymphoma is a complication common to both conditions. The circulating CD8 T cells in DILS have a memory phenotype. Egress into target tissues involves adhesion molecule receptor-ligand interactions, apparently in response to the local presence of HIV-1. Immunogenetic predisposition involves interaction between both MHC classes I and II loci. This disease appears to reflect a specific host response that leads to persistence of monocyte-tropic, rather than T-cell-tropic, HIV-1 strains, in an analogous fashion to Visna Maedi virus disease in sheep. The development of DILS in children appears to be regulated in a dominant fashion by maternally or paternally inherited MHC class II alleles in response to transplacentally or perinatally acquired maternal HIV-1 strains.
A Qualitative Study of the Dislocated Working Class

This qualitative study examines factors that influence the career decisions of dislocated workers. The research focuses on individuals identified as working class, as this group has been relatively...
The Emergence of Comprehension: A Decade of Research 2000-2010.

This review of literature presents research about young children’s (ages 2-8) early experiences with comprehension. Using a theoretical framework for emergent comprehension, the review demonstrates how each research study contributes to a holistic theory of emergent comprehension. Influences on emergent comprehension such as children’s development, relationships and social interactions, and experiences with multiple texts and multimodal symbol systems are discussed. This review includes contemporary peer-reviewed research articles (spanning the decade from 2000-2010) involving multiple methodologies and representing multiple English-speaking countries.
Microwave oven injuries in patients with complex partial seizures

Microwave ovens are often recommended as a safe cooking alternative for persons with epilepsy. We report four patients who suffered serious burns to their hands while handling microwave-heated liquids during a complex partial seizure (CPS). Injuries were due to the contact of the skin with a very hot container. The fact that all patients held on to the hot containers despite being burned and that they did not remember experiencing any pain at the time of the accident indicates that neither high temperatures nor pain will prevent patients who are having a CPS from suffering this type of injury. Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to prevent the individual from opening the oven and removing its contents during a CPS. The only solution for this problem is "prevention"-individuals with poorly controlled CPS should be cautioned about these risks. The use of microwave settings that permit the heating but not boiling of liquids and the use of gloves while heating food and liquids to scalding temperatures may minimize the risk of this type of injury.
Concurrency bugs in multithreaded software: modeling and analysis using Petri nets

In this paper, we apply discrete-event system techniques to model and analyze the execution of concurrent software. The problem of interest is deadlock avoidance in shared-memory multithreaded programs. We employ Petri nets to systematically model multithreaded programs with lock acquisition and release operations. We define a new class of Petri nets, called Gadara nets, that arises from this modeling process. We investigate a set of important properties of Gadara nets, such as liveness, reversibility, and linear separability. We propose efficient algorithms for the verification of liveness of Gadara nets, and report experimental results on their performance. We also present modeling examples of real-world programs. The results in this paper lay the foundations for the development of effective control synthesis algorithms for Gadara nets.
Localized Ductility Method for Evaluating Zircaloy-2 Cladding

The localized ductility method has been shown to be a useful laboratory method for evaluating the mechanical performance of fuel cladding under conditions that approximate that of pellet-clad interaction (PCI). Using the method on unirradiated annealed and cold-worked cladding, performance is determined in flowing gaseous iodine and cesium plus cadmium liquid metal. In the case of iodine, increasing temperature and decreasing strain rate enhance the embrittlement, as does a texture in which the basal pole is in the direction of the applied stress. Further, microcracking is not found to occur below a finite plastic strain. The behavior is consistent with a film rupture mechanism for chemical-assisted cracking. For cesium plus cadmium, cracking is found in Zircaloy-2 above a threshold level of stress as indicated by the performance of constant crosshead and predefected constant load tests.
Characterization of a Surface Chemically-Modified Polyimide

The polyimide, PMDA-ODA, has been surface (sub-surface) modified by base hydrolysis followed by protonation to leave a thin film of polyamic acid over a fully cured polyimide. The modified polyimide is characterized, in this study, by a variety of techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, capacity (titratable amic acid groups/volume of modified polyimide) and contact angle measurements as a function of pH. XPS data clearly showed the formation of the Pd 2 +-carboxylic acid complex on the modified polyimide. Contact angle data, for various pH water, gathered on the modified polyimide, indicated the presence of carboxylic acid groups which ionize and are more hydrophilic when the pH of the probe liquid was greater than 7.
Improving Interaction in Online Liaison Services through Skype

This article describes a pilot project of enhanced virtual reference services through a multifaceted model of services that includes the addition of Skype reference. The project was created as a response to a growing need for advanced liaison services to the College of Nursing at The University of Texas at Arlington, which predominantly consists of online students. The number of online nursing students and degree and certificate programs offered by the university has grown exponentially in current and previous years, making this a particularly significant case study. Detailing of the method used to respond to user needs and of the outcome of the project will further the conversation about supporting online student success.
Falling Murder Rates: An Artifact of Better Trauma Care or Falling Crime?

In some circles, the dramatic fall in U.S. murder rates since 1980 is not evidence of falling crime rates but improved trauma care for gunshot victims. This paper demonstrates that the decline in murder rates is caused by reductions in violent crime rates.
A Comparison of Mammalian Sperm Membranes

Mammalian spermatozoa exhibit considerable species differences in their size and shape, yet they all possess the same set of cellular organelles assembled on a common architectural theme. The polarized spermatozoon is partitioned into distinct segments or domains, distinguished by specific subsets of the cellular organelles (Eddy, 1988; Fawcett, 1975). These include the acrosomal and postacrosomal segments of the head, followed by the connecting piece, midpiece, principal piece, and end piece segments of the flagellum. During fertilization, different segments perform specific functions in generating motility, in binding the zona pellucida, in penetrating the egg coats, and in fusing with the egg plasma membrane (Wassarman, 1987; Yanagimachi, 1988). The sperm plasma membrane plays a central role in regulating these functions, and it varies in structure and molecular composition in the different domains. In this chapter we discuss domain-specific properties of the plasma membrane and address mechanisms that may maintain their unique properties.
Longitudinal and Incremental Relation of Cybervictimization to Negative Self-Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms in Young Adolescents

Adolescents are among the most frequent users of social media websites, raising concern about the dangers of cyber bullying or cybervictimization (CV). A 12-month longitudinal study examined the unique, prospective relation of CV to the development of negative self-cognitions and depressive symptoms in a community sample of 827 children and young adolescents (ages 8-13; 55.1 % female) from the southeastern United States. Over and above conventional types of peer victimization, CV significantly predicted changes in self-referential negative cognitions, victimization-related cognitive reactions, and depressive symptoms, even after controlling for baseline levels of the dependent variables. Results also showed that CV was significantly less stable than other forms of victimization and tended to increase slightly with time. The study highlights the unique effects of CV and has implications for research and practice.
Not All Plan Failures are Created Equal: Inventing the Code Section 409A Correction Program

The new requirements under Code §409A have created compliance issues for executives and their corporations. All nonqualified deferred compensation plans must comply with the requirements under Code §409A(a) in form and in operation. The esoteric nature of Code §409A(a) and its regulations make administration difficult. Consequently, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have decided to create a program for correcting certain nonqualified deferred compensation plan failures. Instituting a correction program for employee benefit plan failures is not a new concept. For several years, the Service has administered the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) to allow a plan qualified under Code §401(a) to correct certain failures that would otherwise cause the plan to be disqualified. While the current EPCRS program has undergone several reconstructions, the current Code §409A(a) correction program is in its infant stage. On December 20, 2007, the Treasury Department and the Service released Notice 2007-100 outlining a limited self-correction program. This article reviews the current Code §409A(a) correction program and analyzes several issues related to creating the program, including whether the Treasury Department and the Service have legal authority to create it.