cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An alternative hypothesis on the role of chemically induced protein droplet (α2u-globulin) nephropathy in renal carcinogenesis

Abstract Based on associations between the accumulation of protein droplets containing α2u-globulin in proximal tubular epithelial cells and increased incidences of renal tubular neoplasms in male rats, it has been suggested that the carcinogenicity of chemicals that cause α2u-globulin nephropathy is unique to animals that synthesize this protein. Chemicals that caused α2u-globulin nephropathy and renal carcinogenicity in male rats have not been shown to produce renal tumors in animals that lack the capability for hepatic α2u-globulin systhesis, including female rats, male NBR rats, or mice of either sex. Because humans do not synthesize α2u-globulin it has been suggested that chemicals which cause renal toxicity associated with α2u-globulin accumulation do not pose an increased cancer risk to humans. In this review on the association between α2u-globulin nephropathy and renal carcinogenesis, it is apparent that (a) there are data inconsistent with the hypothesis linking these occurrences, (b) alternative mechanisms of renal toxicity and carcinogenicity are plausible, (c) data on quantitative dose-response correspondences between the various stages of α2u-globulin nephropathy and renal carcinogenicity are limited, and (d) a greater understanding of the molecular changes occurring during renal carcinogenesis is needed before assuming that the current hypothesis is correct. Future research aimed at resolving issues raised in this paper should help determine whether or not the association between α2u-globulin nephropathy and renal carcinogenesis represents a cause-and-effect relationship.
Presentation and recognition of biotin on nanofibers formed by branched peptide amphiphiles.

A branched peptide amphiphile system was designed for enhanced recognition of biotin on nanofibers formed by self-assembly of these molecules. Branching at a lysine residue was used to design peptide amphiphiles that are capable of presenting more than one epitope per molecule. We found that biotinylated branched structures form nanofibers that enhance recognition by the avidin protein receptor relative to similar nanostructures formed by linear peptide analogues. Biotin−avidin binding to the supramolecular nanofibers was characterized by measurement of fluorescence from nanofibers incubated with chropmophore-conjugated avidin.
Estimation of rotor position and speed of a synchronous reluctance motor for servodrives

The main advantage of synchronous reluctance motors is their structural ruggedness. To retain this advantage in a drive system using such a motor, no position sensor should be used. Instead, it is advantageous to use a software estimator. An effective algorithm is proposed for position and speed estimation based on the motor terminal voltages and currents. In a VSI-fed drive system, the terminal voltages are determined by the DC-link voltage and the switching pattern. Therefore only current sensors are needed. In the proposed method, the position and speed are estimated independently, and the estimation depends only on the measured currents without dependency on any estimated variable. No iteration is involved in the estimation process. Digital simulation demonstrates that the proposed method is suitable for both transient and steady-state operation of the drive system, with any initial position.
Characteristics of clients seeking therapy for the reduction of dental avoidance: reactions to pain

Avoidant dental patients responding to advertisements offering behavioral treatment for avoidance of dentistry were compared with patients particularly low in dental fear along a number of dimensions. Factors which discriminated between the two groups were: gender; the neuroticism scale of the Eysenck Personality Inventory; several self-reported reactions to past dental treatment; tolerance for dental (but not non-dental) pain; state anxiety during pain testing; and a measure of "efficacy". This last finding suggested that avoidant subjects saw themselves as less able to tolerate electrical tooth pulp stimulation and dental treatment than did their fearless counterparts, but no different in ability to tolerate pain irrelevant to dentistry (shock to the forearm).
A Heuristic Extended Kalman Filter Based Estimator for Fault Identification in a Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit

In the present study, an extended Kalman filter (EKF) based estimator for a complex chemical process, namely, the Amoco model IV fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU), is investigated. This model is multivariable, strongly interacting, and highly nonlinear and is represented by an index one differential and algebraic equation system. The EKF has been modified to be able to handle algebraic state variables. A heuristic using pseudomeasurements is presented to reduce the model linearization errors in the EKF implementation. The performance of the estimator when applied to the Amoco model IV FCCU case study is presented in terms of early fault detection, speed, and estimation accuracy. The results show that, by introduction of pseudomeasurements, the accuracy and robustness of the estimator are improved significantly.
Confronting modernization: rethinking Changsha’s rice riot of 1910

By analyzing the role of urban commoners who participated in Changsha’s rice riot of April 1910, we can better understand how the city’s folk traditions and unique urban culture contributed to the intense climate that characterized state/society relations during the late Qing dynasty. Oral history interviews conducted by Liu Duping during the 1970s mainly describe the attack on the government yamen, an attack carried out and led by local carpenters. After reading some of these accounts we can also appreciate how the rioters were not simply an unruly mob incited by local gentry. By attacking a specific government compound and symbols of state authority, in some ways local carpenters expressed their own justification for rioting. While the role of Ye Dehui and other gentry in helping lead the rioters should not be discounted, such characters also need to be understood not simply as conservative hardliners, but within the broader context of late Qing intellectuals.
Dietary heavy metal uptake by the least shrew, Cryptotis parva.

Heavy metals from sewage sludge have been reported to concentrate in producers, in primary consumers, and in detritivores. Little research, however, has focused on the uptake of heavy metals from sewage sludge by secondary consumers. The Family Soricidae represents an ideal mammalian taxonomic group to investigate rates of heavy metal transfer between primary and secondary consumers. The least shrew (Cryptotis parva) was used to evaluate the accumulation of heavy metals while maintained on a diet of earthworms collected from long-term sludge-treated old-field communities. This secondary consumer is distributed widely through the eastern United States and its natural diet includes earthworms which makes it a potentially good indicator of heavy metal transfer in areas treated with municipal sludge.
Hormonal control of polyribosome formation in barley aleurone layers.

The addition of abscisic acid to barley ( Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya) aleurone layers at the same time as gibberellic acid completely prevents the gibberellin-induced increases in the percentage of polysomes, the formation of polyribosomes, and the synthesis of α-amylase, even when the molar concentration of gibberellic acid is four times greater than the concentration of abscisic acid. The addition of abscisic acid to aleurone cells producing α-amylase (midcourse addition) inhibits the further synthesis of α-amylase and decreases the percentage of polysomes but does not change the number of ribosomes per cell. The removal of gibberellic acid from aleurone layers during the midcourse of α-amylase production arrests α-amylase synthesis and decreases the percentage of polysomes. Readdition of gibberellic acid causes the reinitiation of the synthesis of α-amylase and a return of the percentage of polysomes to the original level. The incubation of aleurone layers with 5-fluorouracil inhibits the secretion of α-amylase. The changes in polysomes isolated from cells treated with either fluorouracil or actinomycin D correlate with the changes in enzyme synthesis caused by the addition of these inhibitors. Gibberellic acid and abscisic acid affect both the conversion of monosomes to polysomes and the synthesis of new ribosomes. The gibberellin-stimulated increases in the number of ribosomes and the percentage of polysomes are probably a prerequisite for the hormone induction of enzyme synthesis.
Turkey 's Hasty Constitutional Amendment Devoid of Rational Basis: From a Political Crisis to a Governmental System Change

Introduction Governmental systems are one of the significant topics of constitutional law literature and comprehensive studies have been carried out on this issue. The answer to the question whether a parliamentary system, a presidential system or a mixed system is the most suitable system of government can change according to the political preferences of the countries. Since countries search for the best system of government, debate about “governmental system change” keep its actuality. Discussions about governmental system change are also not new in Turkey. Parliamentarism has been one of the defining characteristics of the Turkish constitutional system since 1876 Ottoman Constitution; however, during the application of the Constitution of 1982 first ex-president Turgut Ozal, then ex-president Suleyman Demirel maintained that the governmental system in Turkey needed to be changed from parliamentary system to semi-presidential or presidential system, because Turkey’s growing and pressing problems require an “effective executive” which would take necessary decisions quickly and apply them effectively and the president in such systems fits this requirement. Governmental system change issue also came into question during the The Justice and Development Party Government’s term of office. Both the prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an himself and the other senior party members occasionally mentioned that semi-presidential system would be the best governmental system for Turkey The crucial constitutional amendment which was accepted through a nationwide referendum on 21 October 2007, overshadowed the discussions about governmental systems in Turkey for awhile. The amendment in question changed the Turkish Governmental System from parliamentary system to parliamentary with “president” system by introducing the principle of “popular election of the president”. Moreover, the new system is being considered as a step to pass through a semi-presidential or a presidential system in Turkey. Some academicians think that the adoption of the principle of popular election of the president was not the consequence of the discussions about a transition from the parliamentary system to a presidential or a semi-presidential system among political and academic circles. In fact, it was a reaction to a political crisis related to the election of the President by Turkish Parliament, therefore it is difficult to accept this amendment as a well designed constitutional engineering scheme and the new governmental system could create serious problems in the future. In this article, the political crisis as the main reason of the last constitutional amendment in Turkey which introduced the principle of popular election of the president by parliament will be summarized and the prospective problems that would arise from the new governmental system will be discussed. The debates of whether the presidential or semi-presidential system is the most suitable option for Turkey or not will also be reviewed.
The causes and consequences of big bank PAC contributions

This article has two purposes. One is to develop and test hypotheses regarding the factors that influence campaign contributions from the political action committees (PACs) of large commercial banks to members of the House and Senate banking committees. A second purpose is to estimate the effect of these contributions on subsequent legislator behavior. Aside from being the first to study the causes and effects of big bank PAC contributions, this article is novel in its employment of bill sponsorship as a measure of legislator behavior.
Effect of diffusional limitations on lineweaver‐burk plots for immobilized enzymes

Lineweaver-Burk plots of reaction rate data obtained with immobilized enzymes need not be linear even when intrinsic enzyme kinetics follow the simple Michaelis-Menten rate expression. Theoretical calculations show that mass transfer effects may cause curvature which is concave or convex to the abscissa, depending upon experimental conditions. Consequently, graphical procedures commonly employed for analysis of soluble enzyme kinetics may yield misleading results when applied to immobilized enzymes. Three approaches which follow from the behavior of numerical and asymptotic solutions to the problem are proposed for extraction of intrinsic kinetic information.
Using force to visualize conformational activation of integrins

The development of biophysical approaches to analyze integrin–ligand binding allows us to visualize in real time the conformational changes that shift the bond affinity between low- and high-affinity states. In this issue, Chen et al. (2012. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/jcb.201201091) use these approaches to validate some aspects of the classical integrin regulation model; however, their data suggest that much of the regulation occurs after ligand binding rather than in preparation for ligand binding to occur.
Second virial coefficient of adsorbed para-hydrogen

The second virial coefficient of two-dimensional systems of para-hydrogen are calculated under the assumption that the interaction between molecules is given by the Lennard-Jones 6–12 potential. An estimate of the critical temperature for a liquid-gas transition is obtained by fitting the calculated virial coefficient to a van der Waals form. The results of the analysis indicate that the increase of the specific heat of parahydrogen with decreasing temperature observed by Bretz and Chung is the behavior expected from a nonideal two-dimensional quantum gas. Further, the peaks in the specific heat indicate a liquid-gas transition.
Suppressive effect of IL-27 on encephalitogenic Th17 cells and the effector phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

IL-27 has been shown to play a suppressive role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as demonstrated by more severe disease in IL-27R-deficient (WSX-1 −/− ) mice. However, whether IL-27 influences the induction or effector phase of EAE is unknown. This is an important question as therapies for autoimmune diseases are generally started after autoreactive T cells have been primed. In this study, we demonstrate maximal gene expression of IL-27 subunits and its receptor in the CNS at the effector phases of relapsing-remitting EAE including disease peak and onset of relapse. We also show that activated astrocyte cultures secrete IL-27p28 protein which is augmented by the endogenous factor, IFN-γ. To investigate functional significance of a correlation between gene expression and disease activity, we examined the effect of IL-27 at the effector phase of disease using adoptive transfer EAE. Exogenous IL-27 potently suppressed the ability of encephalitogenic lymph node and spleen cells to transfer EAE. IL-27 significantly inhibited both nonpolarized and IL-23-driven IL-17 production by myelin-reactive T cells thereby suppressing their encephalitogenicity in adoptive transfer EAE. Furthermore, we demonstrate a strong suppressive effect of IL-27 on active EAE in vivo when delivered by s.c. osmotic pump. IL-27-treated mice had reduced CNS inflammatory infiltration and, notably, a lower proportion of Th17 cells. Together, these data demonstrate the suppressive effect of IL-27 on primed, autoreactive T cells, particularly, cells of the Th17 lineage. IL-27 can potently suppress the effector phase of EAE in vivo and, thus, may have therapeutic potential in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
The effects of the failure diameter of an explosive on its response to shaped charge jet attack

Abstract In order to shed some light on the response of explosives to the attack of small-diameter projectiles such as shaped charge jets, we conducted a computational study using the 2DE code and the Forest Fire explosive initiation model. Simulations of copper-jet attack against Composition B were made in order to determine modes of initiation and critical velocity for initiation as a function of jet diameter. We modeled the jet as a nonstretching cylindrical projectile with a flat tip. Its diameter was varied between 0.3 mm and 12.0 mm and its velocity was varied between 0.8 km/s. and 15.0 km/s. We observed two modes of initiation: (1) prompt, impact-mode initiation for both subsonic and supersonic penetration and (2) delayed, penetration-mode initiation only for supersonic penetration by small-diameter jets. The velocity threshold for large subsonic jets agrees with the Jacob-Roslund formula. For jets with diameters smaller than the failure diameter of the explosive they attack, higher velocities than predicted by Jacobs-Roslund are required for initiation. A critical threshold between impact- and penetration-mode initiation was determined over the entire supersonic range. A similar threshold between penetration-mode initiation and initiation failure has not yet been determined due to limitations of the code.
Abortion misinformation from crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina

Abstract Background This study assessed the accuracy of medical information provided by crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina. Study Design We performed a secondary data analysis of a “secret shopper survey” performed by a nonprofit organization. Reports from phone calls and visits to crisis pregnancy centers were analyzed for quality and content of medical information provided. Web sites of crisis pregnancy centers in the state were also reviewed. Results Thirty-two crisis pregnancy centers were contacted. Nineteen of these were visited. Fourteen centers (44%) offered that they “provide counseling on abortion and its risks.” Inaccurate information provided included a link between abortion and breast cancer (16%), infertility (26%) and mental health problems (26%). Of the 36 Web sites identified, 31 (86%) provided false or misleading information, including 26 sites (72%) linking abortion to “post-abortion stress.” Conclusions Many crisis pregnancy centers give inaccurate medical information regarding the risks of abortion. Overstating risks stigmatizes abortion, seeks to intimidate women and is unethical.
Cyclic AMP Inhibits p38 Activation via CREB-Induced Dynein Light Chain

The mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 plays a critical role in inflammation, cell cycle progression, differentiation, and apoptosis. The activity of p38 is stimulated by a variety of extracellular stimuli, such as the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and subjected to regulation by other intracellular signaling pathways, including the cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway. Yet the underlying mechanism by which cAMP inhibits p38 activation is unknown. Here we show that the induction of dynein light chain (DLC) by cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) is required for cAMP-mediated inhibition of p38 activation. cAMP inhibits p38 activation via the protein kinase A-CREB pathway. The inhibition is mediated by the CREB target gene Dlc, whose protein product, DLC, interferes with the formation of the MKK3/6-p38 complex, thereby suppressing p38 phosphorylation activation by MKK3/6. The inhibition of p38 activation by cAMP leads to suppression of NF-kappaB activity and promotion of apoptosis in response to TNF-alpha. Thus, our results identify DLC as a novel inhibitor of the p38 pathway and provide a molecular mechanism by which cAMP suppresses p38 activation and promotes apoptosis.
Propagation of the Low-Frequency Radio Signal

The propagation of a radio signal and the propagation in the time domain is reviewed for linear amplitude systems. The particular case of the propagation of a ground wave pulse is considered in detail. A stretching in the form or shape of the pulse is noted as a result of the filtering action of the propagation medium. Theoretical transfer characteristics for the media of propagation of LF signals are introduced and methods of computation are considered. The particular case of a signal transmitted between two points on the earth's surface is considered from the viewpoint of propagation in the time domain. The field of LF waves propagated around the earth is, in large measure, influenced by the reflection and transmission processes at the ionosphere. Such processes are evaluated theoretically with the aid of Maxwell's equations together with an equation which describes the electron motion in the presence of a static magnetic field, a superposed electrodynamic field together with mechanical collisions between electrons and ions, such as the Langevin equation of motion of the electron. The use of full mathematical rigor in the application of these equations is feasible and indeed desirable at LF. Thus, the application of these equations to an electron-ion model plasma with arbitrary orientation of the superposed magnetic induction results in anisotropic transmission and reflection properties. The full rigor can be applied to model plasmas in which the electron density and collision frequency vary with altitude.
Mechanism of neomycin and Rev peptide binding to the Rev responsive element of HIV-1 as determined by fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy.

Rev is an essential HIV-1 regulatory protein that binds the Rev responsive element (RRE) within the env gene of the HIV-1 RNA genome and is involved in transport of unspliced or partially spliced viral mRNA from the cell nucleus to the cytoplasm. Previous studies have shown that a short α-helical peptide derived from Rev (Rev 34−50), and a truncated form of the RRE sequence provide a useful in vitro system to study this interaction while still preserving the essential aspects of the native complex. We have selectively incorporated the fluorescent probe 2-aminopurine 2‘-O-methylriboside (2-AP) into the RRE sequence in nonperturbing positions (A68 and U72) such that the binding of both Rev peptide and aminoglycoside ligands could be characterized directly by fluorescence methods. Rev peptide binding to the RRE-72AP variant resulted in a 2-fold fluorescence increase that provided a useful signal to monitor this binding interaction (KD = 20 ± 7 nM). Using stopped-flow kinetic measurements, we have shown that ...
The International Hydrological Decade

Work toward establishing a program of international cooperative studies in scientific hydrology began about 4 years ago, and the IHD (International Hydrological Decade) will begin under international auspices in January 1965. This program will be highly important for hydrology and hydrologists, and it should contribute greatly to human welfare in the future. Fortuitously, the opening year coincides with International Cooperation Year of the United Nations Organization. American participation in the program will contribute to the purpose avowed by the President [Johnson, 1964] in a commencement address at Holy Cross early in June 1964: “to dedicate this year to finding new techniques for making Man's knowledge serve Man's welfare. Let this be a year of science.”
Long-Term Outcomes in Sinus Surgery: A New Tool for Measuring Health-Related Quality of Life.

ObjectiveThe 6-question EuroQol 5-Dimension Health Assessment (EQ-5D) is a widely used, simple instrument that monitors general health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in chronic disease. It has not previously been applied to US patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).Study DesignProspective cohort study.SettingAcademic Medical Center.Subjects and MethodsThe study population consisted of 267 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) who completed 2 disease-specific instruments—the Chronic Sinusitis Survey (CSS) and the Sinonasal Outcomes Test-22 (SNOT-22)—and 1 general health-related quality-of-life instrument—the EQ-5D—before and after ESS for CRS. Baseline scores were compared to those collected 3 and 12 months after surgery and to the general US population.ResultsSurveys were completed at all time points by 186 patients, for a response rate of 69.7%. Patients with CRS, when compared to the US population, reported more problems in the domains of pain/discomfort (73.1% vs 40.8%, P < .01), anxi...
In Praise of Clark Kent: Creative Metacognition and the Importance of Teaching Kids When (Not) to Be Creative

Despite creativity's many benefits and positive outcomes, there are still both explicit and implicit teacher biases against creative students. We argue that teachers do not dislike creativity but rather dislike inappropriate creativity that can come from students at poorly chosen times. After reviewing the literature on metacognition and creativity, we propose the adapted construct of creative metacognition (CMC), a combination of self-knowledge (knowing one's own creative strengths and limitations) and contextual knowledge (knowing when, where, how, and why to be creative). We end with ways that teachers can raise students’ CMC.
The Rocky 7 rover: a Mars sciencecraft prototype

This paper describes the design and implementation at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory of a small rover for future Mars missions requiring long traverses and rover-based science experiments. The small rover prototype, called Rocky 7, is capable of long traverses, autonomous navigation, and science instrument control. This rover carries three science instruments, and can be commanded from any computer platform from any location using the World Wide Web. In this paper we describe the mobility system, the sampling system, the sensor suite, navigation and control, onboard science instruments, and the ground command and control system. We also present key accomplishments of a recent field test of Rocky 7 in the Mojave Desert in California.
Assessing reliability risk using fault correction profiles

Building on the concept of the fault correction profile - a set of functions that predict fault correction events as a function of failure detection events - introduced in previous research, we define and apply reliability risk metrics that are derived from the fault correction profile. These metrics assess the threat to reliability of an unstable fault correction process. The fault correction profile identifies the need for process improvements and provides information for developing fault correction strategies. Applying these metrics to the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center fault correction process and its data, we demonstrate that reliability risk can be measured and used to identify the need for process improvement.
Assessment of Social Attraction Techniques Used to Restore a Common Murre Colony in Central California

Abstract Colonial seabirds such as alcids often do not rapidly recolonize former breeding habitat following extirpation of nesting colonies. Social attraction (e.g., use of decoys, recorded vocalizations and mirrors) artificially stimulates nesting by providing social cues that encourage colonization. Common Murres (Uria aalge) stopped breeding at Devil’s Slide Rock, San Mateo County, California following the 1986 Apex Houston oil spill. Natural recolonization did not occur between 1987 and 1995. Common Murres began regular visits to Devil’s Slide Rock within 24 hours of social attraction equipment installation in January 1996 and six pairs nested by June 1996. Over 90% of murre observations were in decoy plots in contrast to control plots and outside of plots where few murre observations occurred. Significantly more murre presences versus absences were recorded in low density decoy plots and these birds most often frequented open areas (aisles) within decoy clusters. Significantly larger groups of murres...
Immune modulation through targeting PD-1/PDL-1 signaling pathway for the treatment of osteosarcoma lung metastastasis

Meeting abstracts Osteosarcoma (OS) is a primary bone malignancy, commonly culminating into aggressive pulmonary metastasis. Despite chemotherapy advances, the 5-year survival of pulmonary metastatic OS remains 25-30%. Immunotherapy is one of the promising novel approaches to target minimal
A computational framework for integrative analysis of large microbial genomics data

The availability of huge amount of genome sequence data from natural microbial consortia enables integrated analysis to resolve the genetic and metabolic potential of microbial communities, to establish how functions are partitioned in and among populations, and to reveal how microbial communities evolve and adapt across multiple environments. In this paper, we propose to analyze comparative microbial genomes using a computational framework. The framework is designed to investigate genome context patterns of microbial diversity. With an application to investigate functions of three environments (human gut, soil, and marine), we demonstrated that the developed computational framework was able to identify functional modules and evaluate the functional roles of those modules in microbial communities as response to environmental change. We found different gene networks among microbial communities living in different environments. We showed that modules identified by our framework can be computationally annotated to study their biological functions.
Rapid Prototyping of a High Sensitivity Graphene Based Glucose Sensor Strip

A rapid prototyping of an inexpensive, disposable graphene and copper nanocomposite sensor strip using polymeric flexible substrate for highly sensitive and selective nonenzymatic glucose detection has been developed and tested for direct oxidization of glucose. The CuNPs were electrochemically deposited on to the graphene sheets to improve electron transfer rates and to enhance electrocatalytic activity toward glucose. The graphene based electrode with CuNPs demonstrated a high degree of sensitivity (1101.3±56 μA/mM.cm2), excellent selectivity (without an interference with Ascorbic Acid, Uric Acid, Dopamine, and Acetaminophen), good stability with a linear response to glucose ranging from 0.1 mM to 0.6 mM concentration, and detection limits of 0.025 mM to 0.9 mM. Characterization of the electrodes was performed by scanning electron microscopy (FESEM and SEM). The electrochemical properties of the modified graphene electrodes were inspected by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and amperometry.
Optical diagnostics on transient plasma ignition

Plasma in a formative or transient phase, when used to ignite fuel/air mixtures, has been shown to improve combustion compared to traditional spark ignition. The mechanisms behind the improvements of transient plasma ignition (TPI), however, are not yet well understood. To further this understanding optical experiments, including OES and LIF, were carried out on TPI to measure plasma properties and active species concentrations. Results are presented discussed for air and combustible mixtures and future experiments are proposed to better the understanding of the mechanisms behind TPI.
Three Dimensions of Occupational Choice: A Research Note on Measuring the Career Intentions of College Women

Interest in the impact of the sex-role revolution on the college campus has prompted a number of investigators to take a retrospective look at the occupational plans and aspirations of women undergraduates a generation ago. These studies provide a potentially useful baseline for assessing recent changes in women's orientation to adult roles; but their utility is limited by inattention to the complex issues of operationalizing the concept of career orientation. Often career interests are defined not on the basis of students' work objectives but on collateral information that fails to delineate students' occupational preferences. As a result, it is not possible to determine whether those classified as career salient or career committed have serious occupational goals let alone goals that extend late into their adult life. Even where direct assessments of occupational choice are made, efforts tend to be restricted to one dimension: either the duration or else the labor-force sex composition of the goals chosen. Such a single focus makes it virtually impossible to compare findings generated by the two sets of studies, a situation exacerbated by the varied ways in which both dimensions are operationally defined. In addition, researchers overlook or else treat as a secondary dimension the degree of certainty with which occupational decisions are made even though the latter factor is theoretically adduced to be a key component of career intentions. The present paper seeks to examine the relative effectiveness of these three dimensions of occupational choice-sex composition, dura-
Anesthetic considerations for the patient undergoing therapy for advanced heart failure.

Purpose of review Advanced heart failure (AHF) affects a growing percentage of our population. The anesthesiologist must be cognizant of the perioperative considerations of patients undergoing state-of-the-art therapy for AHF. These therapies include classic and novel agents to improve systolic function, neurohormonal modulators, heart rhythm and synchronization management and mechanical support of the circulation. The perioperative considerations and recommendations may range from invasive hemodynamic monitoring, management of proper inotropic support to maintain left ventricular and right ventricular systolic function, isolation from electromagnetic interference in patients with rhythm management devices, maintenance of appropriate systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, and surgical planning and anticoagulant management. Recent findings Studies of the efficacy and hemodynamic changes of patients on inotropic therapy (milrinone, levosimendan, and istaroxime) and neuropeptide (nesiritide) therapy will be reviewed. Perioperative considerations of patients on mechanical circulatory support will be discussed. The need for implementation of temporary mechanical support for noncardiac surgery will be discussed. Summary A working knowledge of AHF treatments and perioperative considerations is necessary for all anesthesiologists as more patients receiving therapy will be presenting for all types of surgical procedures.
Decentring the West: the idea of democracy and the struggle for hegemony

The book Decentring the West: The Idea of Democracy and the Struggle for Hegemony is a series of essays edited by Viatcheslav Morozov that explores the concept and phenomenon of democracy within th...
Sutureless Microvascular Anastomosis for Clinical Application Using Poloxamer 188 as an Optimal Transient Thermoreversible Stent

Formulation Poloxamer content (%) BSA (%) Transition temperature (C) Stiffness* (Pa) P407 P188 Total 1 16.5 0 16.5 0.25 30 10,000 2 17 0 17 1 26 10,000 3 17 6 23 0 40 10,000 4 16.8 11.2 28 0 36 18,400 5 14.4 21.6 36 0 36 48,000 6 0 45 45 0 25 96,000 *Recorded at 40C, replicating the clinical scenario of external heat application; BSA 1⁄4 Bovine Serum Albumen; C 1⁄4 Degrees Centigrade; Pa 1⁄4 A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study of Noncontact Low-Frequency Ultrasound (NLFU) to Accelerate Healing of Split Thickness Donor Sites Jamie Prather, MD, Evan Tummel, MD, Jane Nichols, RN, Ami Patel, Lisa J Gould, MD, PhD, FACS University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, James A Haley Veterans Hospital, Tampa, FL
Experimental Study on Explosively Formed Projectiles with Fins and Numerical Simulation

Explosively formed projectiles with fins formed by attaching cover on the shaped liner was studied via reasonable design figure of cover and capacity of detonator.At the same time,the numerical simulation was implemented on this new way by LS-DYNA.The velocity vs.pressure curves on the liner cell are obtained.The feasibility is discussed on how to form fins from variety of velocity and pressure on liners which results from the numerical simulation.The results of experiment and numerical simulation by LS-DYNA show that EFP with fins can be obtained by this new way.
Implications of the laboratory charges unbundling initiative.

Hospitals across the United States have began to receive demand letters as part of a joint anti-fraud and abuse effort between the HHS Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Justice regarding laboratory charges unbundling. The goal of this initiative is to recover erroneous payments. U.S. attorneys have been given the opportunity to implement initiatives in their own districts. Violations may be punishable by triple damages, additional $10,000 fines for each false claim filed, and exclusion from Federally funded healthcare programs. The initiative gives hospitals the option of limiting the damages to two times the alleged billing error or single damages if they agree to participate in a self-auditing initiative. Through this initiative, hospitals agree to file an audit plan with the government and disclose the results. In order to limit damage exposure, it is important that hospitals have proof of their good-faith attempts to comply with antifraud and abuse laws by adopting compliance plans and installing software edits in their billing programs.
The multivariate underpinnings of recruitment for three Pinus species in montane forests of the Sierra Nevada, USA

Recruitment success can have significant consequences on forest community dynamics. Seedlings and saplings were studied for 3 five-needled white pine species: sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), western white pine (P. monticola), and whitebark pine (P. albicaulis) across an elevational gradient, representing three distinct forest types, in the Sierra Nevada. This study was designed to determine the importance of local environmental and biological conditions versus broad regional climate patterns influencing conifer recruitment. No relationships were found between recruitment and precipitation, but increasing nighttime temperature was positively correlated with sugar pine and western white pine recruitment and negatively correlated with whitebark pine recruitment. Recruitment pulses were found for sugar pine and western white pine from 1995 to 2006. Whitebark pine recruitment is low and relatively steady from 1970 to 2000 with no observed new recruits after 2001. Source strength was the most consistent predictor of white pine recruitment along with soil properties, climate, light, and the presence of non-conspecifics. Source, light, and soil explained 71 % of the variation in sugar pine recruitment. The presence of non-conspecifics, source, and climate explained 71 % of the variation in western white pine recruitment, and the presence of non-conspecifics and source explained 36 % of the variation for whitebark pine. Recruitment present in forest communities of the Sierra Nevada have successfully transitioned through critical stages (i.e., seed and germinant) and appear to be influenced by multiple factors at both local and regional scales.
Development and validation of a climate-based ensemble prediction model for West Nile Virus infection rates in Culex mosquitoes, Suffolk County, New York

West Nile Virus (WNV) is an endemic public health concern in the United States that produces periodic seasonal epidemics. Underlying these outbreaks is the enzootic cycle of WNV between mosquito vectors and bird hosts. Identifying the key environmental conditions that facilitate and accelerate this cycle can be used to inform effective vector control. Here, we model and forecast WNV infection rates among mosquito vectors in Suffolk County, New York using readily available meteorological and hydrological conditions. We first validate a statistical model built with surveillance data between 2001 and 2009 (m09) and specify a set of new statistical models using surveillance data from 2001 to 2012 (m12). This ensemble of new models is then used to make predictions for 2013–2015, and multimodel inference is employed to provide a formal probabilistic interpretation across the disparate individual model predictions. The findings of the m09 and m12 models align; with the ensemble of m12 models indicating an association between warm, dry early spring (April) conditions and increased annual WNV infection rates in Culex mosquitoes. This study shows that real-time climate information can be used to predict WNV infection rates in Culex mosquitoes prior to its seasonal peak and before WNV spillover transmission risk to humans is greatest.
Axillary migration of Nexplanon®: Case report

A 19-year-old patient presented to the clinic, and we inserted a single rod subdermal etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon ®), which subsequently migrated to the ipsilateral axilla. Distant Nexplanon® migration is a rare serious complication that should be considered when a device is nonpalpable. Management options are discussed.
Handbook for Chemical Process Research and Development

The Handbook for Chemical Process Research and Development focuses on developing processes for chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Forty years ago there were few process research and development activities in the pharmaceutical industry, partially due to the simplicity of the drug molecules. However, with the increasing structural complexity, especially the introduction of chiral centers into the drug molecules and strict regulations set by the EMA and FDA, process R&D has become one of the critical departments for pharmaceutical companies. This book assists with the key responsibility of process chemists to develop chemical processes for manufacturing pharmaceutical intermediates and final drug substances for clinical studies and commercial production.
Sport, protest and globalisation: stopping play

In the late 1980s, Pierre Bourdieu argued that sport sociologists were ‘doubly dominated’ in that the serious study of sport was marginalized within the field of sociology and maligned by powerbrok...
Management of Severe Hyponatremia and SIADH

Severe or acute hyponatremia carries high risk for cerebral edema, seizure and brain death, and requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission and urgent correction. A small immediate correction is sufficient for preventing these neurologic sequelae of hyponatremia. Severe chronic hyponatremia should be evaluated with attention to volume status and treated accordingly. The volume status of an ICU patient can be difficult to assess, and hyponatremia may be multifactorial. Small volume trial of isotonic fluids can be informative in these cases. In all cases of hyponatremia, correction should progress slowly with frequent monitoring of serum sodium. Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) results from overly rapid correction of serum sodium. It can cause devastating paralysis, but newer data suggest that meaningful recovery is often possible. Vasopressin type 2 (V2) receptor antagonists are promising for management of the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone activity (SIADH), but the potential for hypovolemia and overly rapid correction of serum sodium in critically ill patients is concerning, and there are no trials specific to ICU settings to guide use. Based on case reports and animal models, urea is an intriguing therapeutic option for correcting serum sodium with reduced risk of ODS, and for preventing ODS in high-risk patients.
Proteins associated with the doubling time of the NCI-60 cancer cell lines.

The varied nature of human cancers is recapitulated, at least to some extent, in the diverse NCI-60 panel of human cancer cell lines. Here, I used a basic, continuous variable of proliferating cells, their doubling time, to stratify the proteome across the NCI-60 cell lines. Among >7000 proteins quantified in the NCI-60 panel previously, the levels of 84 proteins increase in cells that proliferate slowly. This set overlapped with the hallmark molecular signature “epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)” (p value = 1.1E−07). Conversely, the levels of 105 proteins increased in cells that proliferate faster and overlapped with the molecular signatures for “MYC targets V1” (p value = 3.8E−38) and “E2F targets” (p value = 2.4E−34). These data for the first time identify proteins whose levels are dynamically associated with doubling time, but not necessarily with cancer type origins, and argue for the incorporation of doubling time measurements in cell line-based profiling studies.
Measurements of ventilatory regulation.

SUMMARY The ventilatory control system, although not yet fully understood, is a complex interaction of volitional and reflex mechanisms extending from the cerebral cortex to receptors in the lungs and chest wall. Measurements of ventilatory control mechanisms can be made at rest, during exercise, during sleep, and during hypercapnic or hypoxic stimuli. Measurements of ventilation, ventilatory pattern, and mouth occlusion pressure at rest provide valuable information on ventilatory control mechanisms; these measurements can be extended by measurements of diaphragmatic EMG (indicating central neural output) and measurements of ventilation and mouth occlusion pressure during CO2 or hypoxic stimulation. Clinical assessment of ventilatory control abnormalities requires an understanding of the basic features of the control system and a logical application of the available tests.
The mTORC1 Signaling Network Senses Changes in Cellular Purine Nucleotide Levels

Summary Mechanistic (or mammalian) target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) integrates signals from growth factors and nutrients to control biosynthetic processes, including protein, lipid, and nucleic acid synthesis. We find that the mTORC1 pathway is responsive to changes in purine nucleotides in a manner analogous to its sensing of amino acids. Depletion of cellular purines, but not pyrimidines, inhibits mTORC1, and restoration of intracellular adenine nucleotides via addition of exogenous purine nucleobases or nucleosides acutely reactivates mTORC1. Adenylate sensing by mTORC1 is dependent on the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) protein complex and its regulation of Rheb upstream of mTORC1, but independent of energy stress and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Even though mTORC1 signaling is not acutely sensitive to changes in intracellular guanylates, long-term depletion of guanylates decreases Rheb protein levels. Our findings suggest that nucleotide sensing, like amino acid sensing, enables mTORC1 to tightly coordinate nutrient availability with the synthesis of macromolecules, such as protein and nucleic acids, produced from those nutrients.