cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in steady state plasma arginine vasotocin levels affect ovine fetal renal and cardiovascular function.

The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and arginine vasotocin (AVT) are present in ovine fetal plasma in similar concentrations. Although AVP appears to be an important factor in the regulation of fetal water metabolism, the significance of AVT in the fetus is not clear. In the present study we assessed the effects of changes in steady plasma AVT levels on renal and cardiovascular function of fetal lambs (mean gestation, 128 days) maintained with vascular and bladder catheters. Successive 1-h infusions of synthetic AVT (n = 8) at rates of 1.0 and 2.0 ng/min·kg resulted in steady state plasma AVT levels of 30 ± 7 and 59 ± 12 pg/ml, respectively. The AVT infusions increased both urinary AVT concentrations and urinary AVT excretion. Plasma and urinary AVT clearance rates (45 ± 8.4 ml/min·kg and 0.38 ± 0.13 ml/min, respectively) remained constant over the observed range of plasma AVT levels. Urinary AVT clearance accounted for less than 1% of the total plasma AVT clearance and was nonsaturable. Increase...
Regulatory Mechanisms of Injury and Repair after Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury is an important complication of liver surgery and transplantation. The mechanisms of this injury as well as the subsequent reparative and regenerative processes have been the subject of thorough study. In this paper, we discuss the complex and coordinated responses leading to parenchymal damage after liver ischemia/reperfusion as well as the manner in which the liver clears damaged cells and regenerates functional mass.
Optimization and performance of AlGaN-based multi-quantum well deep UV LEDs

In this paper, we overview the critical materials challenges in the development of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs) and present our recent advances in the performance of LEDs in the 275-290 nm range. Our primary device design involves a flip-chip, bottom emitting, transparent AlGaN (Al = 47-60%) buffer layer structure with interdigitated contacts. To date, under direct current operation, we have demonstrated greater than 1 mW of output power at 290 nm with 1 mm x 1 mm LEDs, and greater than 0.5 mW output power from LEDs emitting at wavelengths as short at 276 nm. Electroluminescence spectra demonstrate both a main peak from quantum well emission as well as sub-bandgap emission originating from radiative recombination involving deep level states. The heterostructure designs that we have employed have greatly suppressed this deep level emission, resulting in deep level peak intensities that are 40-125X lower than the primary quantum well emission for different LED designs and applied current densities.
Embedded leadership: How do a leader's superiors impact middle-management performance?

Abstract This study uses a low-fidelity simulation to test the effect superiors can have on the leadership style and cognition of their subordinates who also are leaders. These leaders within the organization, often referred to as middle managers, occupy an important, albeit overlooked position within an organization. In order to emphasize the leadership that occurs at the middle levels of management the term ‘embedded leader’ is used. Using a sample of 224 undergraduates, three variables were manipulated to examine their effects on participant sensemaking, confidence, and participative leadership. The variables manipulated were the severity of individual level consequences (high vs. low), the severity of organizational consequences (high vs. low), and the superior's motivational strategy (coercive vs. supportive vs. passive style). It was found that a leader's superior can influence their leadership behaviors in a complex manner. Participant sensemaking was higher when their superior emphasized low levels of individual (or personal) consequences. Participative leadership was higher when the supervisor framed organizational level consequences as being high. Findings for participant confidence were complex, but generally suggest that one's superiors can promote or hinder confidence in a variety of situations.
Ultra-low delta-v objects and the human exploration of asteroids

Abstract Missions to near-Earth objects (NEOs) are key destinations in NASA's new ‘Flexible Path’ approach. NEOs are also of interest for science, for the hazards they pose, and for their resources. We emphasize the importance of ultra-low delta-v from LEO to NEO rendezvous as a target selection criterion, as this choice can greatly increase the payload to the NEO. Few such ultra-low delta-v NEOs are currently known; only 65 of the 6699 known NEOs (March 2010) have delta-v
The detection of astrovirus in sludge biosolids using an integrated cell culture nested PCR technique

The work presented here demonstrates the utility of the integrated cell culture-reverse transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction (ICC-RT-PCR) coupled with nested PCR to detect human astroviruses and enteroviruses in sludge biosolids. Viruses were concentrated by beef extract elution and organic flocculation prior to analysis by a plaque assay and ICC-RT-PCR. Astroviruses were detected in all but one sample and all of the samples were positive for enteroviruses. We have demonstrated the prevalence and frequency of astrovirus in sludge and validated the ICC-RT-PCR/nested PCR technique as a useful tool to detect viruses in sludge.
Dissecting Lambda Terminase: A Viral DNA Packaging Motor

During virus assembly, a single genome is packaged into a preformed capsid by a terminase enzyme. Presently, the mechanistic details of the packaging motor are unknown. Single molecule experiments have demonstrated that viral DNA packaging motors are among the most powerful currently known, capable of packaging dsDNA to over 20 atmospheres within the capsid. Therefore, the mechanistic details of DNA packaging are of interest from both a biological (drug target), and engineering (nanomachine) standpoint. Bacteriophage Lambda (λ) is a model system for the study of dsDNA viruses, including herpesvirus and many bacteriophage. λ terminase is a multifunction enzyme complex with catalytic activities required to (1) recognize the viral genome, (2) prepare the viral genome for packaging, (3) recognize the empty procapsid, and (4) translocate viral DNA into the empty procapsid. The enzyme consists of two proteins, gpA and gpNu1 in a 1:2 ratio known as the heterotrimeric protomer; the motor functions as a tetramer of protomers assembled into a ring complex.Here, we study the λ terminase in vitro and characterize macromolecular assembly, genome packaging, ATPase and DNA-cleavage activities of several mutants which are catalytically deficient. These mutants include K76R, which is a mutation in the packaging ATPase site, T194M, which packages at a 10-fold slower rate in vivo, and G212S, which stalls during packaging. We characterize protomer self-assembly into the tetrameric motor and we compare the catalytic activities of the mutants relative to wild-type. The mechanistic implications of this work are discussed.
Variability of Temperature in Wisconsin

Abstract Daily maximum and minimum temperatures since 1897 at three stations in Wisconsin are examined, and the hypothesis is tested that there is no association between interdiurnal or interannual temperature and either the local mean temperature or an estimate of the hemispheric temperature. The hypothesis had be accepted for interannual variability; it had to be rejected for interdiurnal variability. The association between interdiurnal variability and mean temperature is negative for winter and positive for summer, which is due to Wisconsin's location with respect to the general circulation patterns.
Ge-on-Si optoelectronics

Abstract Electronic–photonic synergy has become an increasingly clear solution to enhance the bandwidth and improve the energy efficiency of information systems. Monolithic integration of optoelectronic devices is the ideal solution for large-scale electronic–photonic synergy. Due to its pseudo-direct gap behavior in optoelectronic properties and compatibility with Si electronics, epitaxial Ge-on-Si has become an attractive solution for monolithic optoelectronics. In this paper we will review recent progress in Ge-on-Si optoelectronics, including photodetectors, electroabsorption modulators, and lasers. The performance of these devices has been enhanced by band-engineering such as tensile strain and n-type doping, which transforms Ge towards a direct gap material. Selective growth reduces defect density and facilitates monolithic integration at the same time. Ge-on-Si photodetectors have approached or exceeded the performance of their III–V counterparts, with bandwidth-efficiency product > 30 GHz for p-i-n photodiodes and bandwidth-gain product > 340 GHz for avalanche photodiodes. Enhanced Franz–Keldysh effect in tensile-strained Ge offers ultralow energy photonic modulation with 100 GHz intrinsic bandwidth. Room temperature optically-pumped lasing as well as electroluminescence has also been achieved from the direct gap transition of band-engineered Ge-on-Si waveguides. These results indicate that band-engineered Ge-on-Si is promising to achieve monolithic active optoelectronic devices on a Si platform.
Caffeine consumption during pregnancy and association with late spontaneous abortion

Abstract In a prospective cohort study, 3135 pregnant women were followed to evaluate the association of caffeine consumption during pregnancy with late first- and second-trimester spontaneous abortion. Almost 80% of pregnant women used some caffeine; among users the average daily intake was 99.3 mg from all sources. Sources of caffeine were nonherbal tea (used by 49.4% of women), coffee (41.2%), colas (35.0%), and drugs (6.6%). In all, 28% of pregnant women consumed ≥151 mg of caffeine daily, and these “moderate-to-heavy” caffeine users were significantly more likely to experience late first- or second-trimester spontaneous abortion when compared with nonusers and light users (0 to 150 mg). Demographic characteristics, reproductive and medical history, contraceptive use, and smoking and drinking habits were taken into consideration. The adjusted relative risk of miscarriage after moderate-to-heavy caffeine consumption was 1.73 (p = 0.03). Light caffeine use (1 to 150 mg daily) was associated with increased risk for spontaneous abortion only among women who aborted in their last pregnancy (RR = 4.18, p = 0.04). Replicative studies are necessary before the association of caffeine with spontaneous abortion can be confirmed.
Surfing the net for software engineering notes: solving the software quality problem

The subtitle to this month's article is just meant to grab your attention. I assure you, this column will not be solving the software quality problem. What I do hope to do is point you at some interesting web sites that discuss potential solutions to the software quality problem and let you solve it on your own.
After the Pioneers Prospects for Women in Nontraditional Blue-Collar Jobs

This article uses data from a three-year study of one large industrial firm to illustrate fundamental distinctions between the pioneer era, when women and minorities struggled individually for acce...
Risk Stratification of Men Choosing Surveillance for Low Risk Prostate Cancer

Purpose: We sought to predict biopsy progression in men on prostate cancer surveillance.Materials and Methods: A total of 376 men with a median age of 65.5 years (range 45.8 to 79.5) with low risk prostate cancer on surveillance underwent at least 1 followup biopsy after diagnosis. Progression was defined at surveillance biopsy as Gleason pattern 4 or 5, greater than 2 biopsy cores with cancer or greater than 50% involvement of any core with cancer. Proportional hazards analysis was used to evaluate the association between covariates and progression at surveillance biopsy. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the probability of disease progression.Results: Of the 376 men 123 (32.7%) had progression a median of 5.6 years (range 0.3 to 8.5) after diagnosis. Percent free PSA and maximum percent core involvement at diagnosis were associated with progression, allowing stratification of the progression risk at initial surveillance biopsy. Cancer presence and PSA density at initial surveillance biopsy we...
Clinical utility of the percentage of positive prostate biopsies in predicting prostate cancer-specific and overall survival after radiotherapy for patients with localized prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose: To determine whether the percentage of positive prostate biopsies provides clinically relevant information to a previously established risk stratification system with respect to the end points of prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) and overall survival after radiotherapy for patients with clinically localized prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: A Cox regression multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the ability of the percentage of positive prostate biopsies to predict PCSS and overall survival for 381 men who underwent radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer during the prostate-specific antigen era. Results: At a median follow-up of 4.3 years (range 0.8–13.3), the presence of ≤50% positive biopsies vs. >50% positive biopsies provided a clinically relevant stratification of the 7-year estimates of PCSS (100% vs. 57%, p = 0.004) in intermediate-risk patients. Moreover, all patients could be stratified into a minimal or high-risk cohort on the basis of the 10-year estimates of PCSS (100% vs. 55%, p p = 0.02) by incorporating the percentage of positive prostate biopsy information into a previously established risk stratification system. Conclusion: The clinically relevant stratification of PCSS using the percentage of positive prostate biopsies in intermediate-risk patients confirms previous findings based on prostate-specific antigen outcome. These data provide evidence to support the ability to stratify newly diagnosed patients with clinically localized disease into a minimal-risk (low-risk + low biopsy volume [≤50%] intermediate-risk) or high-risk (high biopsy volume [>50%] intermediate-risk + high-risk) cohort for prostate cancer-specific death after conventional dose radiotherapy. Additional follow-up and independent validation are needed to confirm these findings.
Le caractère national et l'imaginaire républicain au XVIIIe siècle

L’article traite de la conception du caractere national que l’on avait au XVIIIe siecle, et de ses implications sur la Revolution francaise. Il soutient d’abord que la rhetorique revolutionnaire relative a l’« homme nouveau » etait souvent centree sur le concept d’un « peuple neuf », presente en opposition avec un « ancien peuple » specifiquement francais. Ces vues se fondaient sur une science, nee au siecle des Lumieres, qui attribuait le caractere national au climat, a la legislation et a l’evolution historique, et definissait les Francais comme un peuple particulierement sociable, poli et leger. A la fin de l’Ancien Regime et pendant les premieres annees de la Revolution, ces traits furent de plus en plus consideres comme des defauts a corriger et, durant la phase radicale de la Revolution, le caractere national francais fut juge totalement corrompu et necessitant une « regeneration » complete. L’article se termine sur une interrogation : le rejet revolutionnaire de la science du caractere national ne correspondrait-il pas a un rejet de la conception scientifique sociale moderne de l’humanite ?
Response of Potamogeton pectinatus L. to norflurazon

Abstract The herbicidal activity of norflurazon on Potamogeton pectinatus L. grown in the laboratory under high and low light intensities was studied. P. pectinatus grown under a light intensity of 10, 760 lux responded to norflurazon with a significant reduction in chlorophyll content. Under a low light intensity of 108 lux this influence was severely curtailed. Norflurazon blocks carotenoid synthesis and in the absence of carotenoids chlorophyll is subject to photodynamic destruction. Under low light intensity photodynamic action is limited even in the absence of carotenoids.
Investigation of the limitations to photosynthesis induced by leaf water deficit in field‐grown sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

Abstract. The diurnal cycling of leaf water potential (Ψleaf) in field-grown sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was used to investigate the cause of water deficitinduced limitation of net photosynthesis. Daily midafternoon decreases in Ψleaf of up to 1.5 MPa and in net photosynthesis of up to 50% were typical for irrigated sunflower during seed filling. These midafternoon values were lowered an additional 0.6 to 0.8 MPa by prolonged drought treatment. There was a nearly linear relationship between the decline in net photosynthesis and reductions in leaf conductance over the course of the day. Thus, it was unexpected to find that the low, midafternoon rates of photosynthesis were associated with the highest intercellular CO2 concentrations. These and other observations suggest that the daily decline in photosynthesis represents a ‘down regulation’ of the biochemical demand for CO2 that is coordinated with the diurnally developing need to conserve water, thus establishing a balanced limitation of photosynthesis involving both stomatal and non-stomatal factors. There were no indications that either short term (i.e. diurnal declines in Ψleaf) or long term (i.e. drought treatment) water deficits caused any damage or malfunctioning of photosynthesis. Rather, both the daily declines in photosynthesis and the nearly 25% decrease in leaf area induced by prolonged drought appeared to be well-controlled adaptive responses by field-grown sunflower plants to limited water availability.
Prevention of Cholestasis in the Murine Rotavirus-Induced Biliary Atresia Model Using Passive Immunization and Nonreplicating Virus-Like Particles

a b s t r a c t Biliary atresia is a neonatal cholangiopathy of unknown etiology that results in obliteration of bile ducts and is the primary indication for liver transplant in children. A murine model of BA, which involves infecting newborn mice with rhesus rotavirus (RRV) and leads to development of an obstructive cholan- giopathy, has provided a model to assess measures to prevent and treat BA. We used this mouse model of RRV-induced BA to determine if passive immunization of pups using maternal immunization (injection of dams with non-replicating rotavirus (RV) virus-like particles (VLPs) or live RRV) or injection of pups with RV immune serum would protect these RRV-infected neonates from developing BA (measured using cholestasis). Parenteral immunization of mouse dams with two formulations of VLPs (containing viral proteins 2/6 or 2/6/7) resulted in a significant increase in serum RV antibody, and pups born to these immunized dams were protected from developing cholestasis following neonatal infection with RRV. Serum RV-specific antibody with titers of ≥400-800 in dams significantly protected pups from develop- ing cholestasis, and a significant trend of increasing protection with high titers was observed (p < 0.0001). Cholestatic pups had lower levels of RV serum antibody and higher serum (p < 0.01) and liver (p < 0.05) RV antigen compared to healthy pups. Passive transfer of low-titer (1600; p < 0.05) or high-titer (25,600; p < 0.01) RV immune serum to neonatal pups prior to RRV infection also protected them from developing cholestasis. Together, these findings indicate that passively acquired, neutralizing or non-neutralizing RV serum antibody attenuates viral replication and protects pups against disease in the RRV BA model. Early reduction of viral load by clearance with RV-specific antibody is likely a critical determinant of disease in this model.
Determining the action on a lattice from Monte Carlo generated configurations

Abstract A new method to determine the action on a lattice from Monte Carlo generated configurations is introduced. The essence of the method is to modify Monte Carlo integrals over link (spin) variables into character expansions of the Boltzmann factor over plaquette (link) variables using the appropriate jacobians. These are known from the plaquette (link) formulation of lattice gauge (spin) systems.
Geomorphic and Hydrologic Assessment of Erosion Hazards at the Norman Municipal Landfill, Canadian River Floodplain, Central Oklahoma

The Norman, Oklahoma, municipal landfill closed in 1985 after 63 years of operation, because it was identified as a point source of hazardous leachate composed of organic and inorganic compounds. The landfill is located on the floodplain of the Canadian River, a sand-bed river characterized by erodible channel boundaries and by large variation in mean monthly discharges. In 1986, floodwaters eroded riprap protection at the southern end of the landfill and penetrated the landfill's clay cap, thereby exposing the landfill contents. The impact of this moderate-magnitude flood event (Q12) was the catalyst to investigate erosion hazards at the Norman landfill. This geomorphic investigation analyzed floodplain geomorphology and historical channel changes, flood-frequency distributions, an erosion threshold, the geomorphic effectiveness of discharge events, and other factors that influence erosion hazards at the landfill site. The erosion hazard at the Norman landfill is a function of the location of the landfill with respect to the channel thalweg, erosional resistance of the channel margins, magnitude and duration of discrete discharge events, channel form and hydraulic geometry, and cumulative effects related to a series of discharge events. Based on current climatic conditions and historical channel changes, a minimum erosion threshold is set at bankfull discharge (Q = 572 m3/s). The annual probability of exceeding this threshold is 0.53. In addition, this analysis indicates that peak stream power is less informative than total energy expenditures when estimating the erosion potential or geomorphic effectiveness of discrete discharge events. On the Canadian River, long-duration, moderate-magnitude floods can have larger total energy expenditures than shorter-duration, high-magnitude floods and therefore represent the most serious erosion hazard to floodplain structures.
Religion and mythology in a sample of undergraduate psychology of women courses.

Summary The coverage at religion and mythology in undergraduate courses in the Psychology of Women was explored by (a) surveying a sample of undergraduate instructors (N = 72); and (b) examining coverage in textbooks on the Psychology of Women (N = 95). 48.6% of teachers said they include some coverage, while 43.1% said they never do. The total percentage of coverage in textbooks is small, ranging from a mean of 2.0% in the 1970s to 1.1% in the current decade.
Diastereocontrol of the Claisen rearrangement by substituents external to the pericyclic array: synthetic studies on betaenone B and stemphyloxin I

Abstract Thermal Claisen rearrangement of substrates 5 and 6, each prepared in seven steps from the Diels-Alder adduct of methoxybenzoquinone and 1,3-butadiene, affords products 7 and 8, respectively. These disparate results demonstrate that the stereochemical outcome of Claisen rearrangements of this type may be controlled by the spatial requirements of substituents external to the pericyclic array.
Androgen regulation of growth hormone binding protein

Male puberty is associated with elevated plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), as well as accelerated linear growth. These effects can be reproduced by administration of testosterone (T). To further elucidate the mechanisms underlying pubertal growth, we treated 14 boys with delayed puberty and short stature with either T (n = 7) or 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (n = 7) and compared the effect on plasma concentrations of GH, IGF-I, and GH binding protein (GHBP). Before treatment and after either three or four doses of T enanthate or DHT heptanoate, mean 12-hour GH concentration (8 AM to 8 PM) and plasma IGF-I, T, DHT, and GHBP levels were measured, and height velocity (HV) was measured over this interval. T treatment resulted in an increase of mean GH from 3.3 to 12.0 microg/L (P < .005) and of IGF-I from 22.3 to 45.4 nmol/L (P < .01). During treatment, HV was 11.0 +/- 1.1 cm/yr, consistent with normal pubertal growth, and plasma T was 22.5 +/- 5.3 nmol/L. GHBP decreased in this group from 937 to 521 pmol/L (P < .025). DHT treatment resulted in a small decrease of mean GH from 4.3 to 2.9 microg/L (P < .025) and of IGF-I from 29.4 to 27.2 nmol/L (nonsignificant [NS]). During treatment, HV was 9.3 +/- 1.1, not significantly different from the HV obtained with T treatment, and plasma DHT was 24.2 nmol/L at 1 week and 29.2 at 2 weeks postinjection. Likewise, there was a decrease in GHBP from 928 to 698 pmol/L (P < .025). The decline in GHBP with T treatment was apparently due to an androgen receptor-dependent mechanism, since the same effect was seen during treatment with the nonaromatizable androgen, DHT. This effect is opposite to the normal chronological trend upward for GHBP, which occurs from infancy into midpuberty. Factors determining the upward trend are not known, but are evidently independent of the plasma concentration of sex hormones and GH. The increase in IGF-I in response to T treatment despite a moderate decline in GHBP (and possibly GH receptor) levels is most likely due to the large increase in GH, which may override a modest decrease in GHBP/GH receptor.
Liposomes as delivery agents for medical imaging

Medical imaging requires an appropriate intensity of signal from the area of interest in order to differentiate certain structures from surrounding tissues, regardless of the modality used. In the majority of cases, contrast agents specific for each imaging modality are necessary to achieve a sufficiently intense signal. To facilitate the accumulation of contrast in the required zone, various microparticulates have been suggested as carriers for contrast agents. Among these carriers, liposomes-microscopic artificial phospholipid vesicles-draw special attention because of their easily controlled properties and useful pharmacological characteristics. This review will discuss how the advantages of liposomes have been used so far in the rapidly growing field of diagnostic medical imaging.
Medical health care tourism: Why patients go overseas and what nurse practitioners need to know

Over the past two decades the number of individuals traveling abroad for the purpose of obtaining health care has increased. There are multiple reasons why they decide to travel far distances. The ...
Cell Cycle Dependent Alteration in NAC1 Nuclear Body Dynamics and Morphology

NAC1, a BTB/POZ family member, has been suggested to participate in maintaining the stemness of embryonic stem cells and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of human cancer. In ovarian cancer, NAC1 upregulation is associated with disease aggressiveness and with the development of chemoresistance. Like other BTB/POZ proteins, NAC1 forms discrete nuclear bodies in non-dividing cells. To investigate the biological role of NAC1 nuclear bodies, we characterized the expression dynamics of NAC1 nuclear bodies during different phases of the cell cycle. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assays revealed that NAC1 was rapidly exchanged between the nucleoplasm and NAC1 nuclear bodies in interphase cells. The number of NAC1 bodies significantly increased and their size decreased in the S phase as compared to the G₀/G₁ and G₂ phases. NAC1 nuclear bodies disappeared and NAC1 became diffuse during mitosis. NAC1 nuclear bodies reappeared immediately after completion of mitosis. These results indicate that a cell cycle-dependent regulatory mechanism controls NAC1 body formation in the nucleus and suggest that NAC1 body dynamics are associated with mitosis or cytokinesis.
Contact Analysis of Non-Gaussian Surfaces for Minimum Static and Kinetic Friction and Wear

Most statistical contact analyses assume that surface heights and peak (summit) height distributions follow a Gaussian distribution. However, engineering surfaces are frequently non-Gaussian with a degree of non-Gaussian character dependent upon materials and surface finishing processes used. For example, magnetic rigid disk surfaces used in magnetic storage industry are highly non Gaussian. The use of a Gaussian analysis in such cases can lead to erroneous results. This study for the first time presents a method to carry out a statistical analysis of non-Gaussian surfaces. Real area of contact, number of contacts, contact pressure and meniscus force (in wet interfaces) are calculated for probability density functions having different skewness and kurtosis. From these curves, the optimum value of skewness and kurtosis can be predicted for minimum static/kinetic friction. It is found that a range of positive skewness (between 0.3–0.7) and a high kurtosis (greater than five) significantly lower the real are...
Probing neutral Majorana fermion edge modes with charge transport.

We propose two experiments to probe the Majorana fermion edge states that occur at a junction between a superconductor and a magnet deposited on the surface of a topological insulator. Combining two Majorana fermions into a single Dirac fermion on a magnetic domain wall allows the neutral Majorana fermions to be probed with charge transport. We will discuss a novel interferometer for Majorana fermions, which probes their ${Z}_{2}$ phase. This setup also allows the transmission of neutral Majorana fermions through a point contact to be measured. We introduce a point contact formed by a superconducting junction and show that its transmission can be controlled by the phase difference across the junction. We discuss the feasibility of these experiments using the recently discovered topological insulator ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}{\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$.
Sclerostin is a direct target of osteoblast-specific transcription factor osterix

Osterix (Osx) is an osteoblast-specific transcription factor required for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Osx knock-out mice lack bone completely. Recent findings that Osx inhibits Wnt signaling provide a feedback control mechanism involved in bone formation. Mechanisms of Osx inhibition on Wnt signaling are not fully understood. Our results in this study revealed that the expression of a Wnt antagonist Sclerostin (Sost) was downregulated in Osx-null calvaria. Overexpression of Osx in stable C2C12 mesenchymal cell line resulted in Sost upregulation. Transient transfection assay showed that Osx activated 1 kb Sost promoter reporter activity in a dose-dependent manner. To define Sost promoter activated by Osx, we made a series of deletion mutants of Sost constructs, and narrowed down the minimal region to the proximal 260 bp. Gel shift assay indicated that Osx bound to GC-rich site within this minimal region, and that point mutations of this binding site disrupted Osx binding. Moreover, the same point mutations in 260 bp Sost promoter reporter disrupted the promoter activation by Osx, suggesting that the GC-rich binding site was responsible for Sost promoter activation by Osx. To further examine physical association of Osx with Sost promoter in vivo, Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed using primary osteoblasts from mouse calvaria. Osx was found to associate with endogenous Sost promoter. Taken together, these findings support our hypothesis that Sost is a direct target of Osx. This provides a new additional mechanism through which Osx inhibits Wnt signaling during bone formation.
Lateral pedicle control during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: refined technique.

Abstract Objectives To report a technique of lateral pedicle control during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy that completely eliminates any form of electrocautery, ultrasonic thermal energy, clips, or bioadhesives. Methods The technique was used in 25 men undergoing nerve-sparing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Our antegrade technique involves transient control of the lateral prostate pedicles with an atraumatic vascular bulldog clamp. The pedicles were divided by precise cold cutting, and the neurovascular bundles (NVBs) were teased away with gentle blunt and sharp dissection. Hemostasis was secured with meticulous, superficial suturing of transected blood vessels with 4-0 Vicryl. Real-time transrectal ultrasound monitoring was performed preoperatively, during bulldog clamp application, and postoperatively. Results The mean bulldog clamp time for the right and left prostate pedicles was 11.1 and 11.2 minutes, respectively. Transrectal ultrasonography confirmed continued arterial blood flow within NVB during active bulldog clamping. Before clamping, during clamping, and after prostatectomy, the mean number of visible blood vessels within each NVB was 3.4, 2.2, and 2.1 ( P Conclusions We describe a technique of lateral pedicle ligation during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy using monitored cold cutting and delicate 4-0 hemostatic suturing that completely eliminates all electrocautery, ultrasound thermal energy, clips, and bioadhesives. Bulldog clamp placement on the lateral prostate pedicles did not interrupt blood flow within the NVB.
Effects of distribution packaging method and storage time on the physical properties and retail display characteristics of pork

The sensory characteristics of pork chops from bone-in loins and Boston butts (n = 65 each) were affected little by primal loin and the butt packaging method (paper wrap, vacuum pack and gas flush) and storage time (7, 10 and 14 days) under industry conditions. However, loin chops fabricated from vacuum-packaged loins after 14 days of storage had less (P < 0·05) discoloration and two-toning than chops fabricated from other loins. All loin chops were placed in retail display and overwrapped with a polyvinyl chloride film after fabrication at each storage time. Vacuum-packed butts stored for 10 and 14 days produced chops with less discoloration and two-toning, and higher overall appearance scores (P < 0·05) compared to chops from paper-wrapped or gas-flushed cuts. Vacuum-packaging resulted in higher quality retail cuts than paper-wrapped or gas-flushed packaging. Thus, it is recommended that the pork industry and retail distribution system utilize vacuum-packaging as the primary method to store and ship fresh pork before retail sale.
Markov chain Monte Carlo estimation of a mixture item response theory model

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms have been shown to be useful for estimation of complex item response theory (IRT) models. Although an MCMC algorithm can be very useful, it also requires care in use and interpretation of results. In particular, MCMC algorithms generally make extensive use of priors on model parameters. In this paper, MCMC estimation is illustrated using a simple mixture IRT model, a mixture Rasch model (MRM), to demonstrate how the algorithm operates and how results may be affected by some commonly used priors. Priors on the probabilities of mixtures, label switching, model selection, metric anchoring, and implementation of the MCMC algorithm using WinBUGS are described, and their effects illustrated on parameter recovery in practical testing situations. In addition, an example is presented in which an MRM is fitted to a set of educational test data using the MCMC algorithm and a comparison is illustrated with results from three existing maximum likelihood estimation methods.
Africa in Today's Social Studies Curriculum

(1996). Africa in Today's Social Studies Curriculum. The Social Studies: Vol. 87, No. 3, pp. 125-132.
Invasive candidiasis in cancer patients: observations from a randomized clinical trial.

Abstract Background Invasive candidiasis is a common and serious complication of cancer and its therapy. Methods We retrospectively identified patients with malignancies enrolled in a double-blind randomized trial of caspofungin (50mg/day after a 70mg loading dose) vs. conventional amphotericin B (0.6–1.0mg/kg/day) as treatment of documented invasive candidiasis. A favorable response required complete resolution of signs and symptoms plus eradication of the Candida pathogen(s). The primary efficacy analysis used a modified intention-to-treat (MITT) approach that included all patients with a confirmed diagnosis of invasive candidiasis who received ≥1 dose of study medication. Results 74/224 (33%) patients in the MITT population had active malignancies. 25/30 (83%) hematological malignancies were acute or chronic leukaemias. 22/44 (50%) solid tumors were related to the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with hematological malignancies tended to be younger (median [range] age: 49 [19–74] vs. 59 [19–81] years) and have higher baseline acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II scores (mean [range]: 17 [0–28] vs. 15 [5–35]) than patients with solid tumors. Neutropenia [≤500/μl] was present on entry in 23 (77%) patients with hematological malignancies and in one (3%) patient with a solid tumor. Candidemia was demonstrated in 56 (88%) cancer patients. C. albicans was the single most frequent isolate in cancer patients, although the majority of cases were caused by non-albicans species. Cancer patients in the caspofungin arm had more hematological malignancies (55 vs. 29%), higher baseline APACHE II scores (>20 in 36 vs. 15%), more frequent neutropenia (42 vs. 24%), and less C. albicans infections (27 vs. 49%) than the amphotericin B-treated cancer patients. Favorable response rates were 11/18 (61%) and 6/12 (50%) for patents with hematological malignancies treated with caspofungin or amphotericin B, respectively; the corresponding outcomes in patients with solid tumors were 12/15 (80%) and 17/29 (59%) for the 2 treatment arms. 7/14 (50%) caspofungin- and 4/10 (40%) amphotericin B-treated patients who were neutropenic on entry responded favorably. All-cause mortality rates during the study for caspofungin recipients were 11/18 (61%) with hematological malignancies and 6/15 (40%) with solid tumors, and for amphotericin recipients were 4/12 (33%) with hematological malignancies and 6/29 (21%) with solid tumors. Conclusions Underlying cancers, most commonly leukaemias and gastrointestinal tumors, were present in one-third of patients enrolled in this study of invasive candidiasis. Overall, 70% of caspofungin-treated and 56% of amphotericin B-treated cancer patients responded favorably. Response rates were lower for neutropenic leukaemic patients than for non-neutropenic patients with solid tumors in both treatment groups.
COMPOUND DISTRIBUTION MODELS OF STOCK RETURNS: AN EMPIRICAL COMPARISON

The study provides empirical tests and comparison of mixed diffusion-jump processes and finite mixtures of normal processes as models of stock price behavior. For weekly returns, both specifications have significantly higher descriptive validity than a stationary normal distribution, and, in most cases, mixed diffusion-jump processes are empirically superior to finite normal mixtures. The distribution of monthly returns, however, can be safely assumed to be approximately normal.
Information Literacy: Teaching Now for Year 2000

In the broader context of information literacy (IL), library and information science literature recently has seen an increased interest among policymakers, teachers, media specialists, and other professionals in defining and formulating basic skills and outcome measures of IL programs for students, teachers, and parents or care givers. In particular, within the context of the National Goals for Education 2000 and the evolving World Digital Library System, researchers have an opportunity and responsibility to invest in research and education in the area of IL so that every person may effectively access an increasingly complex information workspace. In this article, Ercegovac reports a case study in IL and its underpinning design. She defines and explicates information literacy skills for college students, which is the first step toward understanding the Information Literacy Infrastructure.
THE SEPARATION OF ACETONE-METHANOL MIXTURE BY EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION

Abstract Acetone and methanol can not be readily separated by ordinary distillation because of the presence of the minimum boiling azeotrope. Either acetone or methanol can be the overhead product when an appropriate agent is applied in extractive distillation. An unusual phenomenon, “temperature inversion”, was observed when ketones were used as the extractive distillation agents. The dissolving of the vapors into the liquid phase could be the cause for the overhead at a temperature higher than that of the stillpot.
Microinjections of melanin concentrating hormone into the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat elicit depressor and bradycardic responses.

The presence of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) containing processes, projecting from the lateral hypothalamus to the medial nucleus tractus solitarius (mNTS), has been reported in the rat. It was hypothesized that MCH acting within the mNTS may modulate the central regulation of cardiovascular function. This hypothesis was tested in urethane-anesthetized, artificially ventilated, adult male Wistar rats. Microinjections (100 nl) of MCH (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 mM) into the mNTS of anesthetized rats elicited decreases in mean arterial pressure (20.4±1.6, 50.7±3.3, 35.7±2.8 and 30.0±2.6 mm Hg, respectively). The decreases in heart rate in response to these concentrations of MCH were 40.0±8.7, 90.0±13.0, 48.0±7.3 and 48.0±8.0 beats/min, respectively. Maximum cardiovascular responses were elicited by a 0.5 mM concentration of MCH. Cardiovascular responses to MCH were similar in unanesthetized mid-collicular decerebrate rats. Control microinjections of normal saline (100 nl) did not elicit any cardiovascular response. Ipsilateral or bilateral vagotomy significantly attenuated MCH-induced bradycardia. Prior microinjections of PMC-3881-PI (2 mM; MCH-1 receptor antagonist) into the mNTS blocked the cardiovascular responses to microinjections of MCH. Microinjection of MCH (0.5 mM) into the mNTS decreased efferent greater splanchnic nerve activity. Direct application of MCH (0.5 mM; 4 nl) to barosensitive nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) neurons increased their firing rate. These results indicate that: 1) MCH microinjections into the mNTS activate MCH-1 receptors and excite barosensitive NTS neurons, causing a decrease in efferent sympathetic activity and blood pressure, and 2) MCH-induced bradycardia is mediated via the activation of the vagus nerves.
New testing apparatus for assessing interactive effects of suspended solids and chemical stressors on plankton invertebrates

To better predict and interpret the responses of aquatic organisms to environmentally relevant chemical exposures, it is necessary to investigate the combined effects of physical (e.g., suspended solids) and chemical stressors. One of the limitations in investigating suspended solids-chemical interactions has been the lack of an appropriate testing system. The specific objective of the current study was to develop and assess a suspended solids testing apparatus (SSTA) for studies on the combined effects of suspended solids and chemicals on aquatic invertebrates. The SSTA was designed to permit the assessment of varying suspended solids concentrations on Daphnia magna at a constant freely dissolved concentration of a compound. The system was also designed to facilitate the control of exposure variables without the need for large numbers of replicates and chemical analyses. The experiments reported here demonstrate that the SSTA is effective for assessing the combined or interactive effects of suspended solids and a chemical stressor on aquatic organisms.
Redeeming American exceptionalism / Redeeming American political science: An analysis of Judith N. Shklar's presidential address

Abstract In her 1990 presedential address, the late Judith N. Shklar rejects characterizations of American political theory as either Lockean or republican and attempts to “redeem” American political theory by contending that there is a “diverse” tradition that constitutes a “profound meditation upon our political insititutions.” She also argues that such a perspective will integrate American political theory and political science. Through the presentation of a brief examination of various forms of American exceptionalism and an alternate historical narrative, I argue that her analysis is incomplete and requires revision because she fails to place the concept of American exceptionalism at the center of her analysis while simultaneously employing major portions of the theory. This failure leads Shklar to replicate the historical pattern of American political theory since her redemptive project simulates those she seeks to study and raises serious questions about the redemptive capacities of American political science as well.
Pharyngeal Effects of Bolus Volume, Viscosity, and Temperature in Patients With Dysphagia Resulting From Neurologic Impairment and in Normal Subjects

The oropharyngeal swallow of 10 patients with mild dysphagia at 3 weeks after a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), 10 normal subjects, and 8 neurologically impaired patients with moderate to severe...
Evaluation of the CyberGlove as a whole-hand input device

We present a careful evaluation of the sensory characteristics of the CyberGlove model CG1801 whole-hand input device. In particular, we conducted an experimental study that investigated the level of sensitivity of the sensors, their performance in recognizing angles, and factors that affected accuracy of recognition of flexion measurements. Among our results, we show that hand size differences among the subjects of the study did not have a statistical effect on the accuracy of the device. We also analyzed the effect of different software calibration approaches on accuracy of the sensors.
Diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome: How far to go?

The past decade has seen an evolution in the way that thrombophilic conditions are diagnosed and understood. This has largely evolved through the detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms in critical regulating proteins that are thought to confer significant structural-functional changes at key points in the coagulation cascade. The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a complex hypercoagulable disorder that as yet defies the possibility of simple, predictive testing
Alienation as measured by three different instruments.

Summary Three instruments—namely, the Gould Manifest Alienation Measure, Rotter's Internal-External scale, and Dean's Alienation Measure—were administered to 41 male and 69 female students because they reflected different traditions and conceptualizations of the alienation syndrome. It was found that the three instruments intercorrelated significantly for both sexes and therefore seemed to measure much in common. However, the three subscales on the Dean Alienation measure appeared to tap different aspects of the alienation concept for males, but not for females.
Hemolysis from ABO Incompatibility

ABO incompatibility of red blood cells leads to brisk complement-mediated lysis, particularly in the setting of red cell transfusion. The ABO blood group is the most clinically significant blood group because of preformed immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies to ABO blood group antigens (isohemagglutinins) in everyone except group AB individuals. In addition to transfusion, ABO incompatibility can cause hemolysis in hematopoietic and solid organ transplantation, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and intravenous immunoglobulin infusion. It is important to prevent ABO incompatibility when possible and to anticipate complications when ABO incompatibility is unavoidable.