cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Measurement of BIM Protein in Lung Cancer

respiratory phases are acquired for all slices), we performed computer simulations using Real-time Position Management (RPM) respiratory signals of 29 cancer patients to derive the relationship between NR and influencing factors, including number of slices scanned (NS), number of respiratory phases of the 4D-DWI (NP), and starting phase at image acquisition (P0). A frame rate of w2 frames/s was assumed for DWI image acquisition in the simulation. Retrospective sorting and reconstruction of 4D-DWI were achieved using a novel, hybrid (phase and amplitude) sorting algorithm utilizing redundantly acquired images. The techniques for 4D-DWI acquisition and reconstruction were evaluated using both a 4D digital human phantom (XCAT) via computer simulation and healthy volunteer cases under an IRB protocol. Results: Percentage of complete acquisition of all respiratory phases (Cp) increased as NR increased in an inverse-exponential fashion (CpZ100*[1-exp (-0.28*NR)], when NSZ30, NPZ6). The NR needed for 4D-DWI (defined as achieving 95% completion, CpZ95%) showed a linear relationship with NP (NRw1.8xNP, rZ1.0), but was independent of NS and P0. Simulated 4D-DWI on the XCAT phantom showed clear patterns of respiratory motion, consistent with the input signal: the cross-correlation coefficient (CC) and the mean relative difference in motion amplitude (D) were 0.97 and 1.5%, respectively, in the superior-inferior direction, and 0.99 and 0.04% in the anteriorposterior direction. The 4D-DWI of healthy volunteers also revealed respiratory motion of internal organs. The mean relative difference in motion trajectory of a selected region of interest (left kidney) was 2.8% between 4D-DWI and single slice sagittal cine MRI, which was used as reference. Conclusions: A novel 4D-DWI technique has been developed and validated. This has significant potential to improve the visualization and delineation of mobile cancers for radiation therapy. Author Disclosure: Y. Liu: None. F. Yin: None. B. Czito: None. B.R. Mustafa: None. J. Cai: None.
Effects of pinealectomy on gonadal activity in the cyprinid teleost, Notemigonus crysoleucas☆

Abstract Investigations were initiated to examine the effects of pinealectomy on gonadal activity in the cyprinid teleost, Notemigonus crysoleucas, during different phases of the reproductive cycle and maintained under different photoperiod-temperature regimes. The effects of pinealectomy varied depending on the phase of the natural reproductive cycle when the organ was removed, as well as, with the photoperiod-temperature regime under which the experimental animals were maintained. Pinealectomy causes testicular regression during the gonadal preparatory and prespawning season and retards final testicular maturation during the spawning season in fish maintained on a long photoperiod-warm temperature regime. Under these conditions epiphysectomy retarded ovarian development or caused ovarian involution during all phases of the gonadal maturation cycle. In Notemigonus maintained on a long photoperiod-low temperature regime, pinealectomy had no apparent effects on gonadal development during the preparatory and spawning seasons. During the prespawning season pinealectomy repressed ovarian development and caused testicular regression in fish exposed to a long photoperiod-low temperature regime. During the prespawning and spawning seasons pinealectomy stimulated gonadal activity in fish maintained on a short photoperiod-warm temperature regime. Under these same conditions epiphysectomy failed to alter gonadal activity during the gonadal preparatory season. No obvious changes could be detected in gonadal activity in pinealectomized fish exposed to short photoperiodlow temperature regimes during any phase of the gonadal maturation cycle. These data suggest that the pineal in Notemigonus may be either stimulatory or inhibitory to gonadal development depending on the photoperiod-temperature regime to which the fish are exposed.
Isolation of Spiroplasma citri from flowers and seeds collected from infected periwinkles.

ABSTRACT Isolations were attempted from flowers, stems, and seeds from six Spiroplasma citri-infected periwinkles and from flowers and stems from two healthy plants. Each flower was separated into ...
Evaluations and consequences of assertive behavior

Male and female high assertive and low assertive subjects observed videotaped scenes of actors exhibiting assertive, empathic-assertive, and nonassertive behavior in response to unreasonable requests made by acquaintances. Subjects provided evaluative ratings of actors in the different scenes and rated the likelihood of various consequences that might follow from the actors' behaviors. Generally, empathic-assertive behavior was more positively received than assertive behavior. Empathic assertion received high ratings on dimensions of competence and likeability and was associated with expectations of positive consequences of a social (i.e. requestor's reactions to the actor's behavior) or personal (i.e. the actor's own feelings) nature. In contrast, both empathic-assertion and assertion were believed to result in more negative long-term consequences (i.e. the effect the actor's responses will have on the relationship in the long run) than nonassertive behavior. These effects were modified by the sex of the requestor and the sex and assertiveness of the subject, but unaffected by the sex of the actor. Implications of these findings for research and training of assertive behavior are discussed.
Using technology to provide self‐directed learning options for power utility employees

Career advisement via electronic mail, coupled with accessible data bases of job descriptions, local college programs, and regional learning providers, facilitates self-directed learning for career management at Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.
Collaborative Play in World of Warcraft

Summary form only given. The author discusses play in World of Warcraft, a popular massively multiplayer online game. World of Warcraft enables self-organizing groups of strangers and friends to collaborate on short-term objectives. Such collaborations may reflect coming changes in globalized work in which we increasingly work with remote others we know little about. In game play, the glue that keeps groups together is the shared objective of completing a "quest" or mission, as well as the shared culture of the game. The game is rich in meaning with a strong narrative, a material culture of weapons, armor, potions, recipes, jewelry, and many other goods, as well as a vibrant economy. Players' backgrounds are diverse but discourse emphasizes understandings about the game rather than players' personal lives. Players learn to be at ease with strangers, to get things done with others they don't know and may never interact with again. The game diminishes some of the impact of things that divide us such as ethnicity, gender, and age, through sharing the game
Bound, even-parity J = 0 and J = 2 spectra of Sr

Extensive new data on the even-parity, $J=0$ and $J=2$ states of Sr have been obtained using multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. Revised term values for previously observed $5s9d^{1}D_{2}$ and $^{3}D_{2}$, and $5s13d$ to $5s16d^{3}D_{2}$ states are presented in addition to term values for newly observed $^{1}S_{0}$ states up to $5s21s$, $^{1}D_{2}$ states up to $5s60d$, and $^{3}D_{2}$ states up to $5s37d$. The new data clearly show an avoided crossing between the $^{1}D_{2}$ and $^{3}D_{2}$ series near the $5s16d$ levels. A strong $J=2$ autoionizing resonance is also observed, \ensuremath{\sim}450 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ above the first ionization limit. Multichannel quantum-defect theory (MQDT) parametrizations of the $^{1}S_{0}$, $^{1}P_{1}^{o}$, $^{1}D_{2}$, and $^{3}D_{2}$ bound-state Rydberg series are also presented, including calculated term values for these series. The MQDT analysis of the $J=2$ series in Sr differs from the earlier analysis of Ca in that both configuration interactions and recoupling between $^{1}D_{2}$ and $^{3}D_{2}$ series must be treated simultaneously. Further, it is found that all of the major perturbations of the $J=2$ bound states can be reproduced without including any interactions due to a $4{d}^{2}^{1}D_{2}$, even though $3{d}^{2}^{1}D_{2}$ is a major perturber of the $^{1}D_{2}$ series in Ca.
Valve replacement—a perspective☆

Several potential hazards in the evaluation of patients with valve replacement are emphasized. A more uniform method of analysis of data is urgently needed. In the symptomatically disabled patient aortic and mitral valve replacement have improved both the quality of life and the length of life, provided that the disease is not far advanced. Anticoagulation with sodium warfarin is still needed in patients with prosthetic valves. Many important questions, including those related to ventricular function and choice of prosthetic devices, remain unanswered. The cost-benefit ratio and a weighting of various complications of valve replacement should be assessed. Many factors have to be taken into account before considering valve replacement early in the course of the patient's disease.
Reliability and interjudgment predictability of subjective judgments of electrocutaneous stimulation.

The within and between day reliability and interjudgment predictability of subjective judgments (threshold, discomfort, pain, and tolerance) produced in the laboratory by a highly controllable electrocutaneous stimulation technique were investigated. Results indicated low to moderate reliability and predictability at the threshold level, excellent reliability at all suprathreshold levels, as well as excellent predictability at the discomfort and pain levels. The implications of these findings for the use of electrocutaneous stimulation in the study and measurement of pain in the laboratory and the possibility of using different psychophysical methods to measure the sensory and reactive components of the pain experience are discussed.
Identification of multivalued and memory nonlinearities in dynamic processes

This paper presents a new approach to the identifica tion of multivalued and memory types of functions (such as hysteresis) in a class of nonlinear dynamic processes which can be represented by a set of ordi nary differential equations. This approach leads to the direct identification of an unknown nonlinear coefficient or unknown nonlinear term. Four examples illustrate applications of the method: a hysteresis loop, a relay with hysteresis, a second-order system with hysteresis and an unknown nonlinear "constant," and a relay with hysteresis and an unknown dead zone. This paper uses standard CSMP function notation. The four systems were simulated and identified with adequate accuracy for many engineering purposes. The method is applicable to a broad class of mechan ical processes and dynamic mechanisms, including many common vibration phenomena involving nonlinear springs and nonlinear energy dampers. A CSMP digital computer program was used to simulate the dynamics of the physical systems and to impleme...
Vapor phase polymerization of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) on flexible substrates for enhanced transparent electrodes

Abstract Recently, conducting polymer thin films have been investigated as transparent electrodes in photovoltaic devices and organic light emitting diodes. Due to its relatively high conductivity and excellent transmission in the visible region, poly (3, 4-ethyelenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been shown to be a viable option for such applications. Herein described is a method for the vapor phase polymerization (VPP) of transparent PEDOT thin film electrodes on flexible polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrates and the comparison of this VPP method with two current approaches to PEDOT deposition: solution-based in situ polymerization and spin coating a dispersion of PEDOT:PSS. Electrical conductivities and UV–vis transmittances were measured for films produced by each of these methods, with VPP PEDOT showing both the highest conductivity (approx. 600 S/cm) and transmittance (>94% at 550 nm). The surface morphologies of the films were compared using AFM and SEM imaging. The stability of these PEDOT films, stored under ambient conditions, was investigated by monitoring the conductivity and transmittance of the thin films over time.
A Pilot Study Assessing the Feasibility of a Facial Emotion Training Paradigm for School-Age Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) demonstrate facial emotion recognition and expression impairments. These impairments may contribute to social disability and may put children with ASDs at risk for developing further mental health problems. In this pilot study, we examined the use of a coach- and computer-assisted facial emotion training program for children with ASDs. The intervention components focused on (a) increasing attention to relevant facial emotion cues, (b) increasing facial emotion recognition speed, and (c) using imitation to build skills of facial emotion expression. Three pilot participants demonstrated improved facial emotion recognition (accuracy and speed) of dynamic and static presentations of facial expressions and self-expression. Some improvements persisted 5 weeks after training. Results support the acceptability and feasibility of the training program. These preliminary findings are promising and suggest the need for replication with larger samples and further ass...
Performance of the OK-4/Duke storage ring FEL

Abstract In this paper, we report measured parameters of the OK-4 FEL driven by the Duke storage ring. The OK-4 FEL was being operated continuously for 2 yr in the broad wavelength range for user applications utilising spontaneous and coherent XUV and UV radiation as well as Compton back-scattered γ-rays in the range of 2–58 MeV. During this time, the OK-4 FEL lased in the range from 193.7 to about 730 nm using five sets of mirrors and electron beam energies from 240 to 800 MeV. Our predictions for the OK-4 FEL are compared with measured performance, both in the CW and in the giant pulse mode. We discuss our future plans for the OK-4 FEL operation as well as the construction and commissioning of the OK-5 FEL with helical wigglers.
Microwave backscatter and attenuation dependence on leaf area index for flooded rice fields

As part of an effort to determine whether radar is suitable for wetland vegetation monitoring the authors have studied the dependence of microwave backscatter and attenuation on leaf area index (LAI) for flooded rice fields. They find that the radar return from a flooded rice field does show dependence on LAI. In particular, the C-band VV cross section per unit area decreases with increasing LAI. A simple model for scattering from rice fields is derived and fit to the observed HH and VV data. The model fit provides insight into the relation of backscatter to LAI and is also used to calculate the canopy path attenuation as a function of LAI. >
Videotape versus computer interactive education in alcoholic and nonalcoholic controls.

Few studies have evaluated the ability of the alcoholic patient to learn treatment-related information and all have involved conventional educational modalities such as videotape or lecture. Since computer interactive (Cl) programs allow for individualization, feedback, and active learning, we were interested in determining whether Cl would prove to be a more effective educational/treatment modality for male alcoholic patients than the conventional videotape (V) modality. The current study compared the relative effectiveness of the CI and V educational interventions for VA alcoholic patients and a cognitively and sociodemographically matched sample of nonalcoholic VA patients. The 91 male alcoholic subjects (46 V, 45 Cl) were lower socioeconomic outpatients in a VA Alcoholism Treatment program. Control subjects were 35 nonalcoholic men (18 V, 17 Cl) attending an outpatient medical clinic at the same facility. All subjects were individually exposed in a single session to a 1 hr intervention on the Medical Effects of Alcohol. Baseline knowledge was measured prior to the intervention using a 21-item multiple choice test, while learning and retention were assessed with the same instrument 24 hr after the intervention. All four subgroups (two types of subjects x two types of intervention) identified approximately three more items correctly at the post-test than at baseline. Thus, neither alcoholics for nonalcoholics acquired more information when exposed to the CI intervention. Further, no differences were found overall in the learning of the alcoholic and nonalcoholic subjects. The implications of these findings and their limitations are discussed.
High-Efficiency Heterostructure-Barrier-Varactor Frequency Triplers Using AlN Substrates

The effects of heat dissipation and its implications for Heterostucture-Barrier- Varactor (HBV) frequency multiplier design are investigated. Although this work focuses on the HBV as a research model, the analysis is applicable, in general, to all solid-state devices and circuits. To demonstrate and evaluate the thermal analysis presented in this work, several 300 GHz HBV frequency triplers are designed, fabricated, and tested. In particular, an HBV tripler fabricated on an Aluminum Nitride (AlN) substrate is shown to yield state-of-the-art performance, resulting in a conversion efficiency of 8% and 9.5 mW output power at 300 GHz.
A framework for cost-scaling algorithms for submodular flow problems

The submodular flow problem includes such problems as minimum-cost network flow, dijoin, edge-connectivity orientation and others. We present a cost-scaling algorithm for submodular flow problems. The algorithm applies to these problems in general; we also examine its efficiency for the dijoin and edge-connectivity orientation problems. A minimum-cost dijoin is found in time O(min{m/sup 1/2/, n/sup 2/3/}nmlog(nN)), where n, m and N denote the number of vertices, number of edges and largest magnitude of an integral edge cost. The previous best-known bound is O(n/sup 2/m) if fast matrix multiplication is not used. A k-edge-connected orientation is found in time O(kn/sup 2/(/spl radic/(kn)+k/sup 2/log(n/k))). A minimum-cost k-edge-connected orientation is found on the above time bound for dijoins when k=O(1) (and a more complicated bound for general k). The scaling algorithm uses a transformation that eliminates vertex weights in edge-capacitated graphs. It also incorporates a scheme to limit the growth in the size of intermediate solutions, using a dual minimum-cost network flow problem. >
Mutant Huntingtin's interaction with mitochondrial protein Drp1 impairs mitochondrial biogenesis and causes defective axonal transport and synaptic degeneration in Huntington's disease

The purpose of this study was to investigate the link between mutant huntingtin (Htt) and neuronal damage in relation to mitochondria in Huntington's disease (HD). In an earlier study, we determined the relationship between mutant Htt and mitochondrial dynamics/synaptic viability in HD patients. We found mitochondrial loss, abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and mutant Htt association with mitochondria in HD patients. In the current study, we sought to expand on our previous findings and further elucidate the relationship between mutant Htt and mitochondrial and synaptic deficiencies. We hypothesized that mutant Htt, in association with mitochondria, alters mitochondrial dynamics, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation and defective axonal transport of mitochondria in HD neurons. In this study, using postmortem HD brains and primary neurons from transgenic BACHD mice, we identified mutant Htt interaction with the mitochondrial protein Drp1 and factors that cause abnormal mitochondrial dynamics, including GTPase Drp1 enzymatic activity. Further, using primary neurons from BACHD mice, for the first time, we studied axonal transport of mitochondria and synaptic degeneration. We also investigated the effect of mutant Htt aggregates and oligomers in synaptic and mitochondrial deficiencies in postmortem HD brains and primary neurons from BACHD mice. We found that mutant Htt interacts with Drp1, elevates GTPase Drp1 enzymatic activity, increases abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and results in defective anterograde mitochondrial movement and synaptic deficiencies. These observations support our hypothesis and provide data that can be utilized to develop therapeutic targets that are capable of inhibiting mutant Htt interaction with Drp1, decreasing mitochondrial fragmentation, enhancing axonal transport of mitochondria and protecting synapses from toxic insults caused by mutant Htt.
Effects of verbal pretraining and overt verbalization on discrimination learning in preschool children

Three groups of preschool children received relevant verbal pretraining followed by a simultaneous discrimination learning task in which two irrelevant dimensions varied within settings. In Group B, the irrelevant dimensions varied between settings in pretraining, whereas in both Group W and Group WO, the irrelevant dimensions varied within settings during pretraining. The latter groups differed only in that Group WO was required to name the relevant dimensional values overtly during discrimination learning. Discrimination performance in Group W was significantly superior to that in Group B and did not differ from that in Group WO. The results are consistent with either or both of the following assumptions: (1) Irrelevant dimensional responses were extinguished during pretraining in Group W; (2) stimulus novelty increased the occurrence of irrelevant dimensional responses during discrimination learning in Group B.
Relationship Between Intradermal Tumor Suppression and Tumor Immunity

Intradermal (id) injection of three tumor-immune stimulant mixtures (LSTRA-BCG, 13762A-BCG, CaD2-Corynebacterium parvum) was superior to the sc site for suppression of tumor growth: Suppression of LSTRA-BCG mixtures was even less efficient after an ip or iv injectiouppression at all four sites. In the LSTRA-BCG model, the id site was not uniquely favorable for either the afferent or efferent limb of the immune response; the other sites produced equally effectiveimmunization or rejection of tumor challenge. We concluded that local suppression of tumor cell-immune stimulant mixtures was frequently more effective in the skin than at other sites, that local tumor suppression did not depend primarily on tumor immunity, and that afferent and efferent tumor immunity were equally efficient by the four routes tested.
Effect of Cinnamon on Glucose and Lipid Levels in Non–Insulin-Dependent Type 2 Diabetes

Interest in cinnamon as a potentially useful treatment for type 2 diabetes began with the discovery almost 20 years ago of cinnamon's insulin-sensitizing properties (1). Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have elucidated cinnamon's effect on insulin signal transduction (2–6). A study in diabetic mice showed that cinnamon lowered blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels while raising HDL cholesterol levels (7). The first clinical trial to evaluate the effect of cinnamon in individuals with type 2 diabetes was conducted in Pakistan (8). It showed that cinnamon powder ( Cinnamomum cassia ), taken over a 40-day period, reduced mean fasting serum glucose (18–29%), triglyceride (23–30%), LDL cholesterol (7–27%), and total cholesterol (12–26%) levels. Three different doses of cinnamon were administered: 1, 3, and 6 g daily. All were equally effective. These findings led to widespread cinnamon use, although no study had yet evaluated the effects of cinnamon in Western diabetic populations with likely differences in diet, BMI, baseline glucose levels, and prescribed medication. We report the first U.S. study examining the effects of cinnamon on glucose and lipid levels in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Participants were recruited through e-mail announcements to campus employees and through an article in the local newspaper. Individuals of any age with type 2 diabetes, based on criteria …
Developing component-based software for real-time systems

This paper discusses the principles of developing software components for real-time systems. The procedure is based on the fundamental concept of a real-time architecture rooted in the feedback control paradigm of control engineering. Generic design patterns for real-time software components are presented, valid for all relevant real-time architectures. Finally, a case study of an air traffic control system based on the CORBA framework is discussed. The tool support for component-based design and implementation is presented, including industry-strength commercial off-the-shelf software.
An immersed interface method for anisotropic elliptic problems on irregular domains in 2D

This work is a generalization of the immersed interface method for discretization of a nondiagonal anisotropic Laplacian in 2D. This first-order discretization scheme enforces weakly diagonal dominance of the numerical scheme whenever possible. A necessary and sufficient condition depending on the mesh size h for the existence of this scheme at an interior grid point is found in terms of the anisotropy matrix. A linear programming approach is introduced for finding the weights of the schemes. The method is tested with a parametrized family of anisotropic Poisson equations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005
Studies in Enterprise, 1962: A Selected Bibliography

This list attempts to include the most significant books, pamphlets, and articles published in 1962 and also a few earlier books that had previously escaped the compiler's attention. The arrangement is alphabetical by the subject of each study. Cross references have been used freely so that the bibliography can be approached from an industry and functional as well as from a company point of view. A few descriptive notes have been added to give a better understanding of the coverage of a particular work, or to identify further the specific nature of a business or occupation.
Clinical trial : the effect of Johrei on symptoms of patients with functional chest pain

Summary Background Patients with functional chest pain (FCP) represent a therapeutic challenge for practising physicians. Aim To determine the efficacy of Johrei as compared to wait-list in improving symptoms of FCP patients. Methods Patients with chest pain of noncardiac origin for at least 3 months were enrolled into the study. All patients had to have negative upper endoscopy, pH testing and oesophageal manometry prior to randomization. Subsequently, patients were randomized to either Johrei or wait-list control. Patients received 18 Johrei sessions from a Johrei practitioner for 6 weeks. Results A total of 21 FCP patients enrolled into the Johrei group and 18 into the wait-list group. There was no difference in symptom intensity score between Johrei group and wait-list group at baseline (20.28 vs. 23.06, P = N.S.). However, there was a significant pre- and post-treatment reduction in symptom intensity in the Johrei group (20.28 vs. 7.0, P = 0.0023). There was no significant reduction in symptom intensity score between baseline and at the end of the study in the wait-list group (23.06 vs. 20.69, P = N.S.). Conclusion This pilot study shows that Johrei may have a role in improving FCP symptoms; however, future studies are needed to compare Johrei treatment with sham Johrei or supportive care.
Interaction of a Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Module with the Neuronal Protein JIP3

The c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) group of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) is activated in response to the treatment of cells with inflammatory cytokines and by exposure to environmental stress. JNK activation is mediated by a protein kinase cascade composed of a MAPK kinase and a MAPK kinase kinase. Here we describe the molecular cloning of a putative molecular scaffold protein, JIP3, that binds the protein kinase components of a JNK signaling module and facilitates JNK activation in cultured cells. JIP3 is expressed in the brain and at lower levels in the heart and other tissues. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that JIP3 was present in the cytoplasm and accumulated in the growth cones of developing neurites. JIP3 is a member of a novel class of putative MAPK scaffold proteins that may regulate signal transduction by the JNK pathway.
The Case of the Missing Reciprocal Influence: Incumbent Reputation and the Vote

Demonstrating that what incumbents do brings them electoral reward has proven surprisingly frustrating. At the individual level, the best evidence for this hypothesis comes from studies which employ voters' subjective assessments of their incumbents' casework-related activities. Some scholars, however, claim these findings are due to rationalization effects: voters have favorable assessment of their incumbents because they intend to support them in the upcoming election. This is a valid criticism. However, these critics do not investigate whether voter assessments have a meaningful influence on incumbent affect once rationalization is considered. I ask this question. I discover that once rationalization is controlled, voter assessments of incumbent reputation indeed leave a significant and meaningful influence on the vote for the incumbent.
Adenosine Amplifies Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Action in Granulosa Cells and Luteinizing Hormone Action in Luteal Cells of Rat and Human Ovaries*

It is known that adenosine amplifies LH-stimulated cAMP accumulation and progesterone production in rat luteal cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of adenosine on cAMP and steroid production in short term cultures of rat and human luteal cells in the presence of LH and in rat and human granulosa cells in the presence of FSH. In rat luteal cells, the maximal cAMP response to LH and adenosine amplification of this response occurred in the midluteal phase and was decreased in both early and late luteal cells. In humans, adenosine (50 eM) increased cAMP and progesterone accumulation by 100% and 40%, respectively, in periovulatory granulosa cells. Adenosine also amplified cAMP accumulation in response to increasing hCG concentrations by 2- to 3-fold in human luteal cells. The ability of the human luteal cell to respond to hCG with cAMP accumulation and the ability of adenosine to amplify this cAMP response appeared to be inversely related to human luteal cell age. In isolated preparation...
Double gate-MOSFET subthreshold circuit for ultralow power applications

In this paper, we propose MOSFETs that are suitable for subthreshold digital circuit operations. The MOSFET subthreshold circuit would use subthreshold leakage current as the operating current to achieve ultralow power consumption when speed is not of utmost importance. We derive the theoretical limit of delay and energy consumption in MOSFET subthreshold circuit, and show that devices that have an ideal subthreshold slope are optimal for subthreshold operations due to the smaller gate capacitance, as well as the higher current. The analysis suggests that a double gate (DG)-MOSFET is promising for subthreshold operations due to its near-ideal subthreshold slope. The results of our investigation into the optimal device characteristics for DG-MOSFET subthreshold operation show that devices with longer channel length (compared to minimum gate length) can be used for robust subthreshold operation without any loss of performance. In addition, it is shown that the source and drain structure of DG-MOSFET can be simplified for subthreshold operations since source and drain need not be raised to reduce the parasitic resistance.
Bradyzoite-Specific Surface Antigen SRS9 Plays a Role in Maintaining Toxoplasma gondii Persistence in the Brain and in Host Control of Parasite Replication in the Intestine

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous parasite that persists for the life of a healthy mammalian host. A latent, chronic infection can reactivate upon immunosuppression and cause life-threatening diseases, such as encephalitis. A key to the pathogenesis is the parasite's interconversion between the tachyzoite (in acute infection) and bradyzoite (in chronic infection) stages. This developmental switch is marked by differential expression of numerous, closely related surface proteins belonging to the SRS (SAG1-related sequence) superfamily. To probe the functions of bradyzoite-specific SRSs, we created a bioluminescent strain lacking the expression of SRS9, one of the most abundant SRSs of the bradyzoite stage. Imaging of mice intraperitoneally infected with tachyzoites revealed that during an acute infection, wild-type and Deltasrs9 strains replicated at similar rates, disseminated systemically following similar kinetics, and initially yielded similar brain cyst numbers. However, during a chronic infection, Deltasrs9 cyst loads substantially decreased compared to those of the wild type, suggesting that SRS9 plays a role in maintaining parasite persistence in the brain. In oral infection with bradyzoite cysts, the Deltasrs9 strain showed oral infectivity and dissemination patterns indistinguishable from those of the wild type. When chronically infected mice were treated with the immunosuppressant dexamethasone, however, the Deltasrs9 strain reactivated in the intestinal tissue after only 8 to 9 days, versus 2 weeks for the wild-type strain. Thus, SRS9 appears to play an important role in both persistence in the brain and reactivation in the intestine. Possible mechanisms for this are discussed.
Rejection of unknown periodic load disturbances in continuous steel casting process using learning repetitive control approach

This paper describes the design and implementation of a discrete-time repetitive controller for the continuous steel casting process that is used for the rejection of periodic load disturbances with an unknown period. A discrete, recursive scheme is applied to identify the unknown disturbance period and to adaptively change the period setting of the repetitive control algorithm. An experiment was conducted on a full-scale industrial-grade water model. A comparison of the disturbance rejection properties of the repetitive controller with those of PI control is presented. Results that indicate the ease and effectiveness of manual tuning for the rejection of periodic disturbances are then given. Finally, an online adaptation of the repetitive controller for the rejection of a disturbance with an unknown period is demonstrated.
Mice with Reduced NMDA Receptor Expression Display Behaviors Related to Schizophrenia

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) represent a subclass of glutamate receptors that play a critical role in neuronal development and physiology. We report here the generation of mice expressing only 5% of normal levels of the essential NMDAR1 (NR1) subunit. Unlike NR1 null mice, these mice survive to adulthood and display behavioral abnormalities, including increased motor activity and stereotypy and deficits in social and sexual interactions. These behavioral alterations are similar to those observed in pharmacologically induced animal models of schizophrenia and can be ameliorated by treatment with haloperidol or clozapine, antipsychotic drugs that antagonize dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors. These findings support a model in which reduced NMDA receptor activity results in schizophrenic-like behavior and reveals how pharmacological manipulation of monoaminergic pathways can affect this phenotype.
Hobbes Smashes Cromwell and the Rump An Interpretation of Leviathan

Recent scholarship interprets Leviathan as subtly revealing Thomas Hobbes’s allegiance to Cromwell, the Rump Parliament and (or) the Commonwealth. I, however, argue that Hobbes’s Leviathan intends ...
Functional Validation of Hydrophobic Adaptation to Physiological Temperature in the Small Heat Shock Protein αA-crystallin

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) maintain cellular homeostasis by preventing stress and disease-induced protein aggregation. While it is known that hydrophobicity impacts the ability of sHsps to bind aggregation-prone denaturing proteins, the complex quaternary structure of globular sHsps has made understanding the significance of specific changes in hydrophobicity difficult. Here we used recombinant protein of the lenticular sHsp α A-crystallin from six teleost fishes environmentally adapted to temperatures ranging from -2°C to 40°C to identify correlations between physiological temperature, protein stability and chaperone-like activity. Using sequence and structural modeling analysis we identified specific amino acid differences between the warm adapted zebrafish and cold adapted Antarctic toothfish that could contribute to these correlations and validated the functional consequences of three specific hydrophobicity-altering amino acid substitutions in αA-crystallin. Site directed mutagenesis of three residues in the zebrafish (V62T, C143S, T147V) confirmed that each impacts either protein stability or chaperone-like activity or both, with the V62T substitution having the greatest impact. Our results indicate a role for changing hydrophobicity in the thermal adaptation of α A-crystallin and suggest ways to produce sHsp variants with altered chaperone-like activity. These data also demonstrate that a comparative approach can provide new information about sHsp function and evolution.
Susceptibility of laboratory and field strains of four stored-product insect species to spinosad.

Abstract Two field strains of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner); red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst); and lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.), and one field strain of the rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens), were collected from hard red winter wheat stored on farms in northeastern Kansas. Fifty eggs of P. interpunctella and 25 beetle adults of each species were exposed to 100 g of untreated wheat or wheat treated with various rates of spinosad, to determine susceptibility of the field and corresponding insecticide-susceptible laboratory strains. Mortality of beetle adults and P. interpunctella larvae was assessed after 7 and 21 d postinfestation, respectively. Field strains of P. interpunctella, C. ferrugineus, and T. castaneum were less susceptible to spinosad than the corresponding laboratory strains. The LD50 and LD95 values for P. interpunctella and C. ferrugineus field strains were 1.7–2.5 times greater than values for corresponding laborator...
REAu3Al7 (RE = rare earth): New ternary aluminides grown from aluminum flux

Abstract A series of ternary aluminide intermetallics with a new structure type were formed from the reaction of gold and rare-earth metals in aluminum flux. The REAu3Al7 structure was obtained with all rare earths RE with the exception of La and Eu. These materials crystallize in the rhombohedral space group R-3c, with unit cell parameters a=8.0922(6) A and c=21.066(2) A for PrAu3Al7 as an example. The variation in cell edges with rare-earth size is regular with the exception of the Yb analogue. The possible mixed valency indicated by this result was confirmed by magnetic susceptibility measurements. Density functional theory-based band structure calculations on YbAu3Al7 indicate the ytterbium f-orbitals are located just below the Fermi level, further supporting the mixed valence description of this material.
Aggregation Kinetics of Higher-Order Fullerene Clusters in Aquatic Systems.

The aggregation kinetics of nC60 and higher-order fullerene (HOF) clusters, i.e., nC70, nC76, and nC84, was systematically studied under a wide range of mono- (NaCl) and divalent (CaCl2) electrolytes and using time-resolved dynamic light scattering. Suwanee River Humic Acid (SRHA) was also used to determine the effect of natural macromolecules on nHOF aggregation. An increase in electrolyte concentration resulted in electrical double-layer compression of the negatively charged fullerene clusters, and the nC60s and nHOFs alike displayed classical Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) type interaction. The critical coagulation concentration (CCC) displayed a strong negative correlation with the carbon number in fullerenes and was estimated as 220, 150, 100, and 70 mM NaCl and 10, 12, 6, and 7.5 mM CaCl2 for nC60, nC70, nC76, and nC84, respectively. The aggregation mechanism (i.e., van der Waals interaction domination) was enumerated via molecular dynamics simulation and modified DLVO model. The presence o...
Infection in bone marrow transplantation: a model for examining predisposing factors to infection in cancer patients.

Infection is recognized as not only a common complication of cancer and its therapy but also the most common call upon the physician to provide supportive care to the hospitalized cancer patient. Despite dramatic improvements in therapeutics over the past 20 years, infection remains the most frequent cause of death for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and many forms of advanced metastatic cancer.
Marketing In America's Large Protestant Churches

The current study assesses, from a quantitative perspective, the extent to which marketing and planning are being effectively used by large, Protestant churches to meet their goals. Even though the debate over whether religious organizations should apply business world concepts continues, the use of management and marketing practices from business in churches, particularly large churches, does occur.
Improving Learning With Science and Social Studies Text Using Computer-Based Concept Maps for Students With Disabilities

Concept maps have been used to help students with learning disabilities (LD) improve literacy skills and content learning, predominantly in secondary school. However, despite increased access to classroom technology, no previous studies have examined the efficacy of computer-based concept maps to improve learning from informational text for students with LD in elementary school. In this study, we used a concurrent delayed multiple probe design to evaluate the interactive use of computer-based concept maps on content acquisition with science and social studies texts for Hispanic students with LD in Grades 4 and 5. Findings from this study suggest that students improved content knowledge during intervention relative to a traditional instruction baseline condition. Learning outcomes and social validity information are considered to inform recommendations for future research and the feasibility of classroom implementation.
On the existence of Minkowski units in totally real cyclic fields

Soit K un corps de nombres cyclique reel de degre n qui est le produit de deux nombres premiers distincts et tel que le nombre de classes du n-ieme corps cyclotomique soit egal a 1. Nous etablissons certaines conditions necessaires et suffisantes pour l'existence d'une unite de Minkowski pour K.
Extending media multiplexity theory to the extended family: Communication satisfaction and tie strength as moderators of violations of media use expectations

Guided by media multiplexity theory (MMT), this article reports results of an experimental study examining how participants say they would respond to hypothetical changes in media use (i.e. increasing or decreasing use frequency) by an extended family member. After contending that MMT addresses both media use patterns and expectations, we employed expectancy violations theory (EVT) to consider the extent to which communication satisfaction (CS) and tie strength moderate evaluations of media use violations. Results supported MMT’s prediction that tie strength would moderate the extent to which the violation was perceived as important, whereas, following EVT, CS with the relative moderated perception of the violation’s valence. Beyond highlighting possible outcomes of media use violations, these results commend the nature of the relationship as a motivating force for media selection in interpersonal contexts.
Socioeconomic Status and Cardiovascular Risk Control in Adults With Diabetes

Abstract Objective To examine the association between subjective social status (SSS) and objective social status (OSS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in adults with type 2 diabetes. Methods Adult study participants ( N = 358) were recruited from 2 primary care settings. The CVD risk factors included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The OSS was assessed by income, education and employment. The SSS was measured using the validated MacArthur Scales of Subjective Social Status to demarcate self-reported perceptions of having the most money, education and respected job using a ladder scale (1 = rung 1, 10 = rung 10). Multiple linear regression was used to examine associations between CVD risk factors and SSC and OSS controlling for age, sex, race or ethnicity, marital status, employment status, income, study site, comorbidity, education and insurance status. Results Fully adjusted models showed that rung 2 ( P = 0.029), rung 3 ( P = 0.032), rung 8 ( P = 0.049) and rung 9 ( P = 0.032) of the SSS to be significantly associated with poorer DBP. Annual income ≥ $75,000 was significantly associated with lower LDL-C ( P = 0.021). Employment was associated with lower HbA1c ( P = 0.036), but higher LDL-C ( P = 0.002). Conclusions The SSS and OSSS levels are differentially associated with HbA1c, DBP and LDL-C. Findings provide new information about patients’ perspectives of the relationship between social status and diabetes-related outcomes.
Installation Crafts Optimize For Marine Diesel Engine

This article takes the Wartsila large low-speed two-stroke diesel engine for example,summarizes traditional installing craft,discusses Wartsila new installation technology about the installation optimization of diesel engine's different parts.This passage based on Wartsila RT-flex82C search for the important parts installation as bedplate,entablature,cylinders,crankshaft and connecting rod,cylinder block and through bolts.
Perceptions of Threats to Physical Safety, Sexual Autonomy, Values, and of Discrimination Drive LGB Prejudices Toward Heterosexuals

Many studies have investigated heterosexuals' prejudices toward nonheterosexuals, yet LGB's prejudices toward heterosexuals remain largely unexplored. Therefore, we sought to determine the threats and opportunities (i.e., affordances) LGB perceive heterosexuals to pose and whether those affordances explain their sexual prejudices toward heterosexuals. Study 1 analyzed LGB's reasons for liking and disliking heterosexuals, which determined whether the threats predicted to be salient for LGB mirrored the affordances they generated. Study 2 measured these perceived affordances and examined the extent to which they drove LGB's prejudices toward heterosexuals. Generally, perceptions of discrimination and unreciprocated sexual interest threats drove anger, physical safety and sexual autonomy threats drove fear, and values threats drove moral disgust toward heterosexuals, although results varied slightly by perceiver and target groups. Goals to alleviate the tensions between heterosexuals and LGB require an understanding of the dynamics between these groups. This research provides preliminary insights into understanding those dynamics.
The accessibility of financial reporting of u.s. municipalities on the internet

In recent years accounting standard setters and professional bodies have issued directives aimed at improving the transparency and accessibility of financial reports compiled by government agencies. This study examines the availability and accessibility of local government financial reports on the Internet for a sample of 300 U.S. municipalities of varying size. Results indicate that provision of financial reports is more prominent among larger cities. Cities with higher income per capita and higher levels of accounting disclosure are also more likely to provide financial reports on the Internet. The accessibility of the financial data reported on the Internet is positively related to the number of residents, resident income per capita, and level of debt and financial position of the municipality.