cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Policymaking by the Administrative Judiciary

Administrative agency authority to evolve policy in the course of adjudication is well established. While the scope of that authority and the judicial role with respect to such questions commands considerable scholarly attention, the process for exercising that authority inside administrative judiciaries is largely neglected. The policymaking role of the administrative judges in particular has been insufficiently conceptualized and hence their role in that regard poorly understood, even by themselves. Administrative judges must apply policy in individual context. As the record builders and initial decisionmakers, the administrative judges launch the policy related issues. Even clear policy leaves them some discretion and agency policy, being ambiguous or rendered ambiguous by the individual case, may afford judges considerable range. Necessarily then policymaking by administrative judges creates a tension within the agency hierarchy. The agencies endeavor to maintain dominance over policy and constantly struggle to keep the administrative judges within the strict confines of its policy pronouncements. For this reason, it is the policy aspects of the hearing level decisions, more so than individual dispute resolution, that defines the relationship between the agency and the judges. This article seeks to understand the policymaking aspect of administrative adjudications. It exposes the myth that adjudicative judges are not part of the policymaking process. It examines how they do contribute to that effort. And it suggests ways to incorporate them most effectively in the adjudicative policymaking process and thereby the overall administrative policymaking process. Some first level answers can be derived from the various studies and commentary on judicial law making. Yet, the hierarchical allocation of policymaking in administrative adjudications is fundamentally distinct. Thus, the article looks closely at the adjudicative policy development in terms of precedent (or consistency), the internal force of varies categories of rule, the nature of policy oriented factual development and finding, the adjudicative staff's role, and agency supervision of policy judgments. From this analysis of the classic adjudicative hierarchy, the article considers the special circumstances of adjudicative policymaking in "coordinate" systems: centralized panels and split function. It concludes that conscious attention to the judge's role and full utilization of them for policymaking will significantly improve many administrative systems.
Environmental Noise Management

The management of environmental quality has typically included only the control of mass residuals and their effect on the quality of air, land and water resources. With the increased production and use of energy, residuals such as heat and noise are also becoming significant causes of pollution. This paper discusses a quantitative modeling approach for the management of environmental noise, i.e. noise emanating from sources that cannot be controlled by those who hear them. Especially in urban areas, environmental noise is often the most pervasive, annoying and costly of all waste residuals. There exists a number of alternatives that can be used to control both the intensity and duration of environmental noise throughout an urban area. After applying a systematic procedure for identifying the important noise sources and noise receptors, and for defining the costs of alternatives for noise reduction at each source and receptor, both optimization and simulation models can be used for estimating noise attenuation in complex urban areas and for defining and evaluating economically efficient environmental noise management alternatives. Outlined in the appendix of this paper are two simplified separable programming models that can be used as aids in the preliminary screening of alternative noise management policies.
Towards a Causal Test of United States Security Interests and Humanitarian Aid

Scholars posit that the strategic interests of the United States condition the receipt of humanitarian aid; however, we argue that the concept of strategic interests is not well defined in the literature and therefore not well operationalized. We first address this issue with a simple conceptual framework – United States security hierarchy – that we use to organize information about the strategic interests of the US. We then use this framework to derive a causal claim and then subject this claim to as precise of a statistical test as is possible. Operationally, we demonstrate the conceptual and measurement validity of a simple coding rule that allows for the identification of three levels of the United States security hierarchy. Next, we demonstrate how nonparametric matching approximates conditions found in an experimental setting, which allows us to avoid the use of the strong distributional assumptions of the Heckman model. The matching preprocessing procedure allows us to test our key hypothesis about United States strategic interests using a simple linear equation; thus, simplifying the analysis and strengthening the claim about the causal effect of United States strategic interests on the disbursement of humanitarian aid. States outside the United States security hierarchy (non-partner states) receive less economic aid (other than food aid) than states within the United States security hierarchy.
The role of +TIPs in directional tip expansion

Aspergillus nidulans is an ideal model to study nuclear migration and intracellular transport by dynein and kinesin owing to its long neuron-like hyphae, conserved transport mechanisms, and powerful genetics. In this organism, as in other filamentous fungi, microtubules have been implicated in patterning cell shape through polarized tip growth - the hallmark mode of growth that generates the elongated hyphae. Exactly how microtubules regulate tip growth is incompletely understood and remains a fascinating question for various cell types, such as pollen tubes and root hairs. In this issue, Zeng et al. (in press) describe important new findings in A. nidulans regarding the role of EBA, the master regulator of microtubule plus end-tracking proteins, in specifying microtubule dynamics required for directional tip growth at the hyphal tip.
Optimization of the Energy Efficiency Of a Parking Garage

ABSTRACT This effort has developed methods to increase the energy efficiency of a parking garage by implementing predictive control strategies that utilize time and external light levels in conjunction with advanced wireless communications and control equipment. As recognition of the value of a sustainable approach to energy use and planning becomes more widespread, it is important to utilize technology that facilitates this transition with the least cost, labor, and disruption of existing operations. A sustainable approach involves continuing to achieve economic prosperity while protecting the natural systems of the planet and assuring a high quality of life for its people1,2. This research effort has investigated technology, application issues, and costs associated with implementing energy-saving lighting strategies and controls for parking lot applications. Through the use of this approach, it was possible to save 38 percent of the electric energy used by the facility during the test period from Decemb...
Nutrition and the developing brain: nutrient priorities and measurement

Nutrients and growth factors regulate brain development during fetal and early postnatal life. The rapidly developing brain is more vulnerable to nutrient insufficiency yet also demonstrates its greatest degree of plasticity. Certain nutrients have greater effects on brain development than do others. These include protein, energy, certain fats, iron, zinc, copper, iodine, selenium, vitamin A, choline, and folate. The effect of any nutrient deficiency or overabundance on brain development will be governed by the principle of timing, dose, and duration. The ability to detect the specific effects of nutrient deficiencies is dependent on knowing which area of the brain is preferentially affected and on having neurologic assessments that tap into the functions of those specific areas. As examples, protein-energy malnutrition causes both global deficits, which are testable by general developmental testing, and area-specific effects on the hippocampus and the cortex. Iron deficiency alters myelination, monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis, and hippocampal energy metabolism in the neonatal period. Assessments of these effects could include tests for speed of processing (myelination), changes in motor and affect (monoamines), and recognition memory (hippocampus). Zinc deficiency alters autonomic nervous system regulation and hippocampal and cerebellar development. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are important for synaptogenesis, membrane function, and, potentially, myelination. Overall, circuit-specific behavioral and neuroimaging tests are being developed for use in progressively younger infants to more accurately assess the effect of nutrient deficits both while the subject is deficient and after recovery from the deficiency.
Perioperative outcomes and Oncologic Efficacy from a Pilot Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Open Versus Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy

Purpose: Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy for bladder cancer has been reported with potential for improvement in perioperative morbidity compared to the open approach. However, most studies are retrospective with significant selection bias.Materials and Methods: A pilot prospective randomized trial evaluating perioperative outcomes and oncologic efficacy of open vs robotic assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy for consecutive patients was performed from July 2009 to June 2011.Results: To date 47 patients have been randomized with data available on 40 patients for analysis. Each group was similar with regard to age, gender, race, body mass index and comorbidities, as well as previous surgeries, operative time, postoperative complications and final pathological stage. We observed no significant differences between oncologic outcomes of positive margins (5% each, p = 0.50) or number of lymph nodes removed for open radical cystectomy (23, IQR 15–28) vs robotic assisted laparoscopic radical ...
Efficacy of functional user impact on information system development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the success rate of information system development by means of an empirical research with a focus on how various user factors. The authors examined user reactions, interactions and participation during the early, middle and late stages of an ISD project to analyze the effect of user involvement. Once the data were collected, they analyzed the effectiveness of each kind of user involvement by tying the user involvement to the final result of the corresponding project. Design/methodology/approach – This empirical research is to study 35 information system development projects, whose sample size is determined to maintain statistical confidence as well as the intensity of each interview. Findings – The authors have obtained some interesting findings as follows: user involvement itself does not improve the chance of success for an IS project; user expectations could profoundly impact the success rate of IS projects – clear user expectations in early stages ...
Rate dependent inhibition of self-stimulation by apomorphine

Abstract The effect of three doses of apomorphine 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 were studied on self-stimulation generated by three levels of current intensity. Eight rats exhibited overall dose dependent decreases in self-stimulation obtained at the two lowest current intensities. Self-stimulation at the highest current intensity, however, was unaffected by even the highest dose level of apomorphine (0.5 mg/kg) despite typical signs of stereotypy exhibited by the rats in their home cages. Additionally, self-stimulation obtained under the 0.5 mg/kg dose of apomorphine underwent extinction when reinforcement was discontinued. Thus, brain stimulation can be an effective reinforcement when an animal is given a stereotypy inducing dose of apomorphine if the current intensity is of sufficient magnitude and if the response manipulandum is not compatible with stereotypic responses. These observations appear consistent with a dopaminergic involvement in the response rather than reinforcement aspect of self-stimulation.
Model for Evolutionary Origin of Chromosome Bands

MANY eukaryotic chromosomes stained with quinacrine or by one of the Giemsa banding techniques show numerous bands in the chromosome arms. These have been termed Q or G-bands1. Autoradiographic studies show they correlate well with late replicating heterochromatin2 and a number of biochemical and immunological procedures indicate the DNA in these regions is relatively AT-rich3–7. This raises the following enigma: as each banded region has enough DNA to hold several thousand genes5 how is it possible for a given region of the chromosome to accumulate enough AT-rich genes to lead to a discernible band? In view of the rather gross folding pattern of chromatin in mitotic chromosomes8 only a markedly non-random distribution of AT-rich regions could produce banding.
Nonlinearity in protein assays by the Coomassie blue dye-binding method

The Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB) method for protein determination takes advantage of the fact that a low-pH red form of CBB reverts to a blue form when CBB binds to protein. The increase in absorbance at 595 nm of a protein-dye mixture compared to a blank containing only the dye reagent has been used to estimate the total amount of protein present in the sample mixture. A disadvantage of this method of protein determination is that the assay plot of absorbance at 595 nm versus total protein is not linear.
EXPERIMENTER BIAS EFFECT AS A FUNCTION OF DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS AND EXPERIMENTER INVESTMENT

Summary.-To clarify the nature of the Experimenter Bias Effect (EBE), the present study attempted to evaluate he influence of experimental demand characteristics and E's invesment upon emergence of the EBE. The experimental design consisted of two 2 X 2 factorial designs in which Experimenter Expectancy and Experimenter Invesunent were each represented on two levels. The Rorschach inkblot test and Number Estimation Test were the tasks used in the two designs. The data did not reflect an EBE with either task or with any combination of experimental conditions. The present findings were discussed in terms of Es' inaccuracies in receiving and/or retaining the stated expectancy, Es' inabilities in identifying the intended demand characteristics, and the unreliable nature of the EBE. Throughout the past decade, a considerable amount of data have been collecced demonscracing an Experimenter Bias Effect (EBE), that is, the phenomenon whereby naive experimenters obtain the results they are led to expect to obtain (Rosenthal, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1967). A recent re-analysis of 31 studies p~~rportedly demonscracing an EBE, however, indicated that the majoricy of studies did not clearly demonstrace the effecc and concluded that "the Experimenter Bias Effect appears to be more difficult to demonstrate and less pervasive than was implied in previous reviews" (Barber & Silver, 1968, p. 2). In light of this evaluation, the present study artempced to clarify che conditions under which the EBE actually occurs. During the time Rosenchal has been examining the influence of untrained Es' expectancies upon forthcoming results, other investigators have suggested addicional distorting factors found in che E-S relationship. Orne, for example, suggests that every experiment concains various cues which convey to Ss the experimencal hypothesis, the cotaliry of such cues referred to as "demand characteristics" (Orne, 1962, 1965). Even more important, Orne believes that Ss not only artempt to identify the experimental hypothesis but to confirm the hypochesis -behavior which is thought :o be motivated by S's desire to contribuce to the development of science. While in agreement with Orne's nocion that Ss atrempt to idencify the experimental hypothesis, Rosenberg suggests that hypochesis-confirming behavior is a function of S's "evaluation apprehension," that is, "an ac'This study is based in part on a doctoral dissertation submitted to the Department of Psycholom. Universitv of Nebraska. The author wishes to exmess his aratitude to Monte M. page,:hairman oi the committee, and to the other membirs of the committee including William Arnold, David Levine, and Harry Shelley for advice and encouragement of this work.
Effect of surfactants on the thermocapillary migration of a concentric compound drop

Abstract The quasi-steady thermocapillary motion of a concentric compound drop in the presence of an insoluble surfactant and an externally imposed constant temperature gradient is examined under conditions of negligible convective transport of momentum and energy. Surface tension is assumed to depend much more weakly on surfactant concentration than on temperature. For this case, the surface concentrations of surfactant are found exactly for all Peclet numbers, confirming the intuitively expected result that the surfactant tends to accumulate near the low temperature sides of the inner and outer drops. This, in turn, results in a decrease in the terminal migration velocities of the drops. The effect of surfactant on the shape of the inner and outer drops is also determined for small capillary numbers.
Antihistamines in the treatment of asthma

Antihistamines were investigated for use in asthma shortly after discovery over fifty years ago. Earlier compounds proved ineffective because of side effects: this class of drugs was not thought useful for asthma, and were actually considered contraindicated. More recent drugs have greater potency, fewer side-effects, and no evidence of adverse effects in asthma. There are some studies showing second generation antihistamines, especially cetirizine, improve certain parameters of asthma.
Contributions of principles of visual cognitive science to AAC system display design

Beukelman (1991) introduced the concept of the magic versus the cost of communicative competence in AAC. Fundamentally, this refers to the relative effort that must be exerted (the cost) in order for AAC to be a viable communication mode (the magic). Many clinicians have seen the magic for clients who are truly successful in using AAC; such successes have also been documented in the literature. Yet until AAC is successful with each and every client for whom it is implemented, it is necessary to continue to identify barriers to its effective use. In the same year, Light and Lindsay (1991) argued for consideration of principles of cognitive science in constructing maximally useful AAC symbol arrays. In the current paper, we consider how knowledge from one area of cognitive science, that of visual cognition, might be integrated into AAC symbol array construction. We review four areas of visual cognition that might relate to the construction of AAC displays:(a) organization of stimulus arrays within either gr...
Modification of calcite crystal growth by abalone shell proteins: an atomic force microscope study

A family of soluble proteins from the shell of Haliotis rufescens was introduced over a growing calcite crystal being scanned in situ by an atomic force microscope (AFM). Atomic step edges on the crystal surface were altered in shape and speed of growth by the proteins. Proteins attached nonuniformly to the surface, indicating different interactions with crystallographically different step edges. The observed changes were consistent with the habit modification induced by this family of proteins, as previously observed by optical microscopy. To facilitate further studies in this area, AFM techniques and certain AFM imaging artifacts are discussed in detail.
The crystal and molecular structure of tetrakis(diacetamide)calcium(II) chlorate monohydrate

Abstract The crystal structure of tetrakis(diacetamide)calcium(II) chlorate monohydrates [Ca(DA)4]ClO3)2·H2O, has been determined from three-dimensional X-ray data. The complex has the cell parameters a = 12.399(3) A, b = 7.900(2) A, c = 14.725(3) A, β = 98.35(2)°, Z = 2. The unit cell is monoclinic, space group P2/c. The structure was determined by direct methods and refined anisotropically by block-diagonal least squares to a conventional unweighted R of 0.11. The calcium ion is 8-coordinated and its coordination sphere can be described as a square antiprism formed by eight carbonyl oxygens from 4 diacetamide ligands; two ligands are related to the other two by a two-fold rotation axis. One of the amide nitrogens is hydrogen bonded to a chlorate oxygen. In addition, hydrogen bondingbetween an amide nitrogen and an uncoordinated water molecule results in the formation of infinite chains parallel to [100]. Calcium-oxygen distances fall within the range 2.41–2.44 A.
Low-intensity beam monitoring with an image-intensified scintillator detector

Abstract We describe a compact, light-weight, image-intensified scintillator detector with video output developed for low-intensity ( 10 particles/cm 2 s) beam monitoring.
Notice of Violation of IEEE Publication Principles A 10GHz Low Phase Noise 0.13μm CMOS LC-VCO for Mixed Signal SoCs Using Noise Rejection Caged Inductors

Several coupled noise rejection techniques are proposed for LC oscillators operating in noisy mixed signal SoC environment. A simple metal guard ring around the LC-VCO can achieve up to lOdB of coupled noise rejection with a minimal area penalty and no additional processing steps. The best noise rejection (>60dB) was achieved with a full metal cage realized both in IC metal layers and in thick package layers. A compromise between cost, area and performance was achieved with a partial metal cage with no top plate and having graded lateral walls and a grid type bottom plate halo. Spur rejection up to 35 dB with only a 10% penalty in inductor quality factor were achieved. The different inductor structures were realized in 0.13 mum CMOS and the phase noise and spur rejection capability were investigated while operating on the same die with a large digital core.
Teacher Competency: Problem, Theory, and Practice.

(1976). Teacher competency: Problem, theory, and practice. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 15, The Early and Middle Childhoood Years of Schooling, pp. 162-171.
Sexual assault history and use of health and mental health services.

A history of sexual assault may be associated with increased current use of mental health and medical services because of the psychologically and physically disruptive consequences of assault. To test this hypothesis, we estimated rates of mental health and medical services use among 2560 randomly selected community residents, 343 of whom had been sexually assaulted. Sexual assault was associated with seeking both forms of care. Controls for demographic variables, psychiatric diagnosis, health status, and insurance suggested that assault increases use indirectly, through poor mental and physical health. Uninsured, assaulted respondents were especially likely to consult medical providers. Respondents assaulted during childhood were particularly likely to seek mental health care. Assault was more common among mental health service users than nonusers, and among women using medical services compared to female nonpatients. The high prevalence of assault among service users underscores the need for providers to recognize and treat sexual assault-related problems. Language: en
Pivotal role for acidic sphingomyelinase in cerebral ischemia-induced ceramide and cytokine production, and neuronal apoptosis.

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability, the severity of which is directly related to the numbers of neurons that succumb to the ischemic insult. The signaling cascades activated by cerebral ischemia that may either promote or protect against neuronal death are not well-understood. One injury-responsive signaling pathway that has recently been characterized in studies of non-neural cells involves cleavage of membrane sphingomyelin by acidic and/or neutral sphingomyelinase (ASMase) resulting in generation of the second messenger ceramide. We now report that transient focal cerebral ischemia induces large increases in ASMase activity, ceramide levels, and production of inflammatory cytokines in wild-type mice, but not in mice lacking ASMase. The extent of brain tissue damage is decreased and behavioral outcome improved in mice lacking ASMase. Neurons lacking ASMase exhibit decreased vulnerability to excitotoxicity and hypoxia, which is associated with decreased levels of intracellular calcium and oxyradicals. Treatment of mice with a drug that inhibits ASMase activity and ceramide production reduces ischemic neuronal injury and improves behavioral outcome, suggesting that drugs that inhibit this signaling pathway may prove beneficial in stroke patients.
The critical intimacies of walking in the Abasto Shopping mall, Buenos Aires, Argentina

In recent years, scholars have focused on how affective life becomes implicated in biopolitical interventions in a variety of spaces, including spaces of consumption. Less has been said about how the emotional domain also becomes a space of biopolitics. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork at a mall in Buenos Aires, this paper attends to this link and outlines a methodology that generates insight into the layers of intimacy that help shape these social and political spaces. What I am calling images of critical intimacy point to how these biopolitical spaces may be operating today and also what their limits appear to be.
A case-control study of hip fracture: evaluation of selected dietary variables and teenage physical activity

Recent diet, teenage physical activity and teenage calcium consumption were examined as risk factors for hip fracture in a case-control study. Cases were 161 white women admitted to one of 30 participating hospitals with a first hip fracture. Controls included 168 white women from general and orthopedic surgical services frequency-matched to cases by age group and hospital. Information on exposure to possible risk factors was obtained by in-person interview. No association was found between recent intake of calcium, phosphorus, protein, vitamin C or caffeine and hip fracture. Also, teenage calcium intake and milk drinking were not related to hip fracture risk. Recreational activities in adolescence and early adulthood appeared to afford protection against hip fracture. The highest quartile of recreational activity (⩾4 times/week) was associated with an odds ratio of 0.24 (95% confidence interval 0.08–0.75) relative to the lowest quartile (<1 time/week).
Effects of balance relations between objects on infant’s object segregation

Young infants are sensitive to support relations between objects. However, the types of contact perceived to be sufficient for object support change over development. At 4.5 months of age, infants expect an object to be adequately supported when in contact with another object. By 6.5 months, this simple contact/no-contact distinction is refined to account for proportion of contact: an object is perceived to be supported when 70% of its bottom surface is in contact with another object, but it is not perceived to be supported when 15% is contacted. Here, we employ an object segregation paradigm to investigate whether 8-month-old infants’ judgments of support relations are mediated by assessments both of the proportion of contact and of the position of contact. Infants in the current experiments viewed test displays consisting of two objects, a long thin object (a box) and a smaller roughly cubic object (a box in Experiment 1, a cylinder in Experiments 2 and 3). Two basic positions of contact were used, such that either the centers or the lateral edges of the two objects were aligned. The proportion of contact was manipulated across experiments by having the smaller object support the larger or the larger object support the smaller. There was a significant effect of position of contact when only a small proportion of the upper object was contacted by the lower object. However, position of contact was found not to matter when all of the upper object was in contact with the lower object. We conclude that 8-month-old infants’ judgments of support relations are influenced by both proportion and position of supporting contact. We integrate the findings from the current experiments into the general developmental framework proposed by Baillargeon and colleagues.
Demonstration of Quantum Error Correction using Linear Optics

We describe a laboratory demonstration of a quantum error correction procedure that can correct intrinsic measurement errors in linear-optics quantum gates. The procedure involves a two-qubit encoding and fast feed-forward-controlled single-qubit operations. In our demonstration the qubits were represented by the polarization states of two single-photons from a parametric down-conversion source, and the real-time feed-forward control was implemented using an electro-optic device triggered by the output of single-photon detectors.
Conduct Disorder in Girls: Diagnostic and Intervention Issues.

Current prevalence rates of Conduct Disorder (CD) in girls may be an underestimate due to inappropriate diagnostic criteria, biased perceptions by those responsible for reporting problematic behavior, and differential social constraints for each gender. Relatively few published studies of CD and related behaviors in girls exist. Available evidence suggests adolescent girls with CD have a poor outcome including early and violent death, arrest, substance abuse and dependence, antisocial personality disorder, failure to finish high school, pregnancy, sexual promiscuity, and contraction of sexually transmitted disease. Even with its relatively low, possibly underestimated prevalence rate in comparison with that of boys, CD has been found to be the second most common psychiatric disorder in adolescent girls. In addition to examining possible reasons for the lack of research on CD in girls, this article reviews possible risk factors and suggested assessment and intervention strategies for this population. Particular attention is paid to implications for practitioners in the school setting. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 183–192, 2003.
1st- and 2nd-order motion and texture resolution in central and peripheral vision

STIMULI. The 1st-order stimuli are moving sine gratings. The 2nd-order stimuli are fields of static visual texture, whose contrasts are modulated by moving sine gratings. Neither the spatial slant (orientation) nor the direction of motion of these 2nd-order (microbalanced) stimuli can be detected by a Fourier analysis; they are invisible to Reichardt and motion-energy detectors. METHOD. For these dynamic stimuli, when presented both centrally and in an annular window extending from 8 to 10 deg in eccentricity, we measured the highest spatial frequency for which discrimination between +/- 45 deg texture slants and discrimination between opposite directions of motion were each possible. RESULTS. For sufficiently low spatial frequencies, slant and direction can be discriminated in both central and peripheral vision, for both 1st- and for 2nd-order stimuli. For both 1st- and 2nd-order stimuli, at both retinal locations, slant discrimination is possible at higher spatial frequencies than direction discrimination. For both 1st- and 2nd-order stimuli, motion resolution decreases 2-3 times more rapidly with eccentricity than does texture resolution. CONCLUSIONS. (1) 1st- and 2nd-order motion scale similarly with eccentricity. (2) 1st- and 2nd-order texture scale similarly with eccentricity. (3) The central/peripheral resolution fall-off is 2-3 times greater for motion than for texture.
Cell Adhesion Sensitivity to Cell Size and Surface Receptor Densities

Using a Monte Carlo based code in conjunction with a Weighted Histogram Analysis Method (WHAM) we explore the impact of the size of Cells/Nanocarriers on their binding to functionalized surfaces. In our study we vary the size of Cells/Nanocarriers between 50 nm up-to 1 micron and also vary the number of receptors on these Cells/Nanocarriers such that the surface coverage of receptors ranges between 45%-95%. We adopt a two level framework: (i) where we explicitly model all surface receptors and their interactions with the surfaces for the smaller Cell/Nanocarrier systems (< = 200 nm) and (ii) for larger Cells/Nanocarriers we perform coarse grained simulations where we develop receptor ligand interaction potentials for smaller regions of the Cells and incorporate them to then derive a potential of mean force (PMF) for the full Cell surface interactions. We compare the results from the two approaches to establish the validity of the coarse graining methodology. We then evaluate the sensitivity of predicted equilibrium dissociation constants to cell size and surface coverage by receptors.
Inhibition of C5 or absence of C6 protects from sepsis mortality.

Abstract Inhibiting complement anaphlytoxin C5a during sepsis may prevent sepsis mortality. Although human anti-C5 antibodies exist, their therapeutic use in microbial sepsis has been avoided because of the hypothesis that inhibiting C5b will prevent formation of the bactericidal membrane attack complex (MAC) and worsen clinical outcome. We wished to test the hypothesis that inhibition of C5 would improve outcomes in sepsis. Sepsis was induced in rats by laparotomy and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) by an IACUC-approved protocol. Sham animals underwent laparotomy without CLP. Following CLP rats were randomized to receive a single IV dose of purified IgG ant-C5 antibody (Ab) or control IgG Ab. Anti-C5 Ab treated rats ( n = 20 ) had significantly lower mortality vs. controls ( n = 21 ) , 20% vs. 52% ( P = 0.019 , log-rank). Analysis of bacterial load by culture of spleen and liver homogenates showed a reduction in colony forming units in anti-C5 Ab treated rats vs. control IgG ( P = 0.003 and 0.009, respectively). Anti-C5 treatment reduced lung injury as measured by total MPO content of lung tissue ( P = 0.024 ) . Finally, rats genetically deficient in C6 production, unable to form MAC but capable of producing C5a and C5b, were protected from CLP-induced sepsis mortality. Our results show that an anti-C5 antibody therapy prevents CLP sepsis-induced mortality and improves lung injury. Inhibition of the complement MAC does not increase bacterial load or mortality, therefore, the use of anti-C5 therapy may be beneficial rather than detrimental in sepsis.
Cerebral responses evoked by stimulation of vesico-urethral junction in man: methodological evaluation of monopolar stimulation.

Abstract Cerebral responses after bipolar stimulation (BpS) and monopolar stimulation (MpS) of the vesico-urethral junction (VUJ), as well as skin surface stimulation of various hip and pelvic structures, were recorded in 13 normal control subjects. BpS of VUJ produced cerebral evoked potentials (CEPs) with a negative peak (mean latency 88.69±13.73 msec) following a smaller positive deflection, while MpS of the same sites with indifferent electrodes placed on various pelvic or hip structures resulted in different response latencies that were all significantly shorter than those of BpS. Shape and latency of responses after MpS of VUJ were similar to those elicited by skin surface stimulation of the abdominal wall and the iliac crest; those elicited by pudendal nerve stimulation at the glans were also similar in shape but significantly greater in latency. Results strongly indicate that during MpS of VUJ the somatic or muscle afferents located in the hip and pelvic region are stimulated; consequently, BpS technique should be considered the preferred technique for investigating the physiological condition of visceral afferents arising from VUJ.
Exercise caution when stressed: Stages of change and the stress–exercise participation relationship

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationships between stress events/intensity and exercise frequency, intensity, and duration, and to determine whether stage of change moderates these relationships. Design Prospective, 6-week longitudinal observational study. Method College-aged females ( N = 95) were recruited from undergraduate classes and completed a battery of questionnaires before a 6-week evaluation period. During this period, participants were asked to return a daily exercise log and to return a weekly stress events scale (Weekly Stress Inventory: Brantley, Jones, Boudreaux, & Catz, 1997 ). Results HLM analyses revealed that exercise stage of change interacted with stress (both event frequency and intensity) to effect: (1) the amount of exercise minutes/day reported per week, (2) the number of days of exercise/week, and, (3) mean RPE for exercise/week. For those in the maintenance stage, the number of stressful events were positively related to exercise frequency, intensity, and duration. This relationship was negative or nonexistent for all other stages combined. Likewise, stress intensity showed a positive relationship with exercise duration and a minimally positive relationship with exercise frequency for maintenance stage exercisers, compared to a negative relationship for all other stages combined. Conclusions These results suggest differential patterns of exercise engagement based on stage of change – with those in maintenance responding to stress with enhanced activity, while those in other stages were more likely to reduce physical activity. Implications for intervention design and theories of exercise behavior change are discussed.
A weighted voting algorithm for replicated directories

Weighted voting is used as the basis for a replication technique for directories. This technique affords arbitrarily high data availability as well as high concurrency. Efficient algorithms are presented for all of the standard directory operations. A structural property of the replicated directory that permits the construction of an efficient algorithm for deletion is proven. Simulation results are presented and the system is modeled and analyzed. The analysis agrees well with the simulation, and the space and time performance are shown to be good for all configurations of the system.
Applications of high efficiency lithium acetate transformation of intact yeast cells using single-stranded nucleic acids as carrier.

The highly efficient yeast lithium acetate transformation protocol of Schiestl and Gietz (1989) was tested for its applicability to some of the most important need of current yeast molecular biology. The method allows efficient cloning of genes by direct transformation of gene libraries into yeast. When a random gene pool ligation reaction was transformed into yeast, the LEU2, HIS3, URA3, TRP1 and ARG4 genes were found among the primary transformations at a frequency of approximately 0·1%. The RAD4 gene, which is toxic to Escherichia coli, was also identified among the primary transformants of a ligation library at a frequency of 0·18%. Non-selective transformation using this transformation proctocol was shown to increase the frequency of gene disruption three-fold. Co-transformation showed that 30–40% of the transformation-competent cells take up more than one DNA molecule which can be used to enrich for integration and delection events 30- to 60-fold. Co-transformation was used in the construction of simultaneous double gene disruptions as well as disrupting both copies of one gene in a diploid which occurred at 2–5% the frequency of the single event.
A convenient, one-step, high-yield replacement of an anomeric hydroxyl group by a fluorine atom using dast. Preparation of glycosyl fluorides.

Abstract The anomeric hydroxyl group of various furanose and pyranose hemiacetals can be replaced by a fluorine atom stereoselectively, conveniently, mildly, and on gram-scale using DAST in THF at room temperature.
TIME DEPENDENT SMOOTH MUSCLE REGENERATION AND MATURATION IN A BLADDER ACELLULAR MATRIX GRAFT: HISTOLOGICAL STUDIES AND IN VIVO FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION

Purpose: We evaluated the time dependence of smooth muscle regeneration and restoration of in vivo functional properties in bladder augmented with a bladder acellular matrix graft.Materials and Methods: A total of 45 Sprague-Dawley rats underwent augmentation cystoplasty with a bladder acellular matrix graft. Two rats each were sacrificed at various intervals within the first 21 days and 6 each were sacrificed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. This second group underwent preoperative and postoperative assessment of bladder function, including cystometry, electrostimulation and stimulation with ice water, potassium and carbachol, as well as labeling of the bladder wall by the injection of fluorescent microspheres. After sacrifice slides of the bladders prepared for hematoxylin and eosin, trichrome, KI67, vimentin, desmin, smooth muscle specific α-actin and fluorescent microspheres were evaluated.Results: Within 2 weeks the number of cells in the matrix as well as the proliferation index increased rapidly and then decr...
Photostable, hydrophilic and functional near infrared quaterrylenediimide-cored dendrimers for biomedical imaging

We describe a new class of near infrared (NIR) fluorescent dendrimeric quaterrylenediimide dyes with high photostability and hydrophilicity, functionality, as well as low cytotoxicity.
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Selectively Binds AU-rich RNA in the NAD+-binding Region (Rossmann Fold)

A 36-kDa protein that binds AU-rich RNA was purified from human spleen and identified as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). GAPDH has been previously demonstrated to bind tRNA with high affinity. Competition studies suggested that cytoplasmic GAPDH binds the AU-rich elements (AREs) of lymphokine mRNA 3'-untranslated regions with higher affinity than tRNA. The AUUUA-specific RNA binding activity of GAPDH was inhibited by NAD+, NADH, and ATP in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that RNA binding of GAPDH might involve the NAD(+)-binding region, or dinucleotide-binding (Rossmann) fold. This hypothesis was supported by experiments that localized RNA binding to the predicted N-terminal 6.8-kDa peptide, known to be involved in the formation of the NAD(+)-binding domain. The direct demonstration of ARE-specific binding protein activity localized to the NAD(+)-binding region of GAPDH supports the general concept that enzymes containing this domain may exhibit specific RNA binding activity and play additional roles in nucleic acid metabolism. Finally, cytoplasmic GAPDH was found in the polysomal fraction of T lymphocytes. Thus, the RNA binding specificity of GAPDH as well as its localization within the cell merit its strong consideration as a protein important in the regulation of ARE-dependent mRNA turnover and translation in addition to its well described role in glycolysis.
Intravenous use of enoximone.

Abstract To assess the efficacy and safety of acute therapy with intravenous enoximone in patients with severe congestive heart failure, 118 patients from 5 centers were treated with incremental doses following 2 schedules: to a maximum cumulative dose of 3.0 mg/kg (44 patients) and to a maximum cumulative dose of 10.5 mg/kg (74 patients). Both schedules produced significant increases in cardiac index (55% and 68%, p
Factors That Shape Alternative Medicine

for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to earmark 0.02% ($2 million) of its $10.7 billion 1992 budget to evaluate practices used by more than 35% of the US population suggests that issues beyond the scientific were involved. Nonscientific factors have played a major role in limiting scientific exploration of these areas, have discouraged potential investigators, and have dictated greater profitability elsewhere. This article examines current definitions of alternative medicine and proposes a new one, outlining those factors, sociological (academic), political, regulatory, and economic, that must be considered when exploring this field. Definitions of Alternative Medicine
Smectic elastic constants of lamellar fluid membrane phases: Crumpling effects.

We construct a systematic low-temperature theory to calculate smectic elastic constants of layered phases of self-avoiding fluid membranes. At the lowest, harmonic level, this theory reproduces the results of Helfrich's theory of entropically generated steric intermembrane interactions. At the lowest order beyond the harmonic approximation, our theory includes the influence of crumpling of individual membranes on the smectic elasticity of lamellar fluid membrane phases. We discuss in detail crumpling corrections to Helfrich's expressions for the smectic bending and compressibility elastic constants ${K}_{\mathrm{sm}}$ and ${B}_{\mathrm{sm}}$, as well as to the exponent \ensuremath{\eta} characterizing the decay of smectic density correlations and to the de Gennes penetration depth \ensuremath{\lambda}, both of which have been measured in recent scattering experiments on lamellar multimembrane phases. We argue that the asymptotic value of \ensuremath{\eta} is nonuniversal in the limit in which the repeat distance l of the layering is much larger than the membrane thickness.Though this exponent does not exhibit (at the lowest level beyond harmonic approximation) logarithmic l-dependent corrections (which are, however, present in ${K}_{\mathrm{sm}}$, ${B}_{\mathrm{sm}}$, and \ensuremath{\lambda}), it does exhibit some temperature dependence. We demonstrate that lamellar phases are stabilized by an interplay betwween suitably defined, negative surface tension and the self-avoidance of neighboring membranes. Throughout the paper we try to clarify the role of surface tension in lamellar systems and in fluid membrane systems in general. In particular, we show that the presence of surface tension in lamellar multimembrane phases is neither inconsistent with nor violates the Landau--Peierls--de Gennes elastic free energy for a layered solid. For this purpose we construct several thermodynamic ensembles to describe fluctuating fluid membranes. The bulk of our calculations is done in a constant-area ensemble. Our results, concerning crumpling effects on the softening of fluid membrane rigidity, are in quantitative agreement with other low-temperature theories and in disagreement with Helfrich's prediction. However, we believe that our approach indicates possible reasons for the breakdown of Helfrich's qualitative arguments.