cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disqualifying Immunity: How Qualified Immunity Exacerbates Police Misconduct and Why Congress Must Destroy It

The United States is currently in the “post-Ferguson” era of the fight for civil rights—an era defined by calls for criminal justice reform, police accountability, and radical revolution of law enforcement. This era, much like its predecessors throughout American history, is perpetuated when police are not held accountable for violating constitutional rights. Qualified immunity is a defense asserted by executive officials, including police, to claims of constitutional violations brought against them under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The defense prevents the judiciary from protecting those constitutional rights. Commentators have recognized that qualified immunity hinders community-police relationships and police accountability efforts in America. In order to argue for the defense’s dissolution, some have suggested the U.S. Supreme Court unconstitutionally created the defense in violation of separation of powers principles. Others have argued that the judiciary is the best branch qualified to change or destroy the defense. However, the author argues that Congress, and not the Court, should change, if not destroy, the defense. Both statutory stare decisis and congressional assent to the defense protect it from meaningful change by the Court. Furthermore, Congress is better situated to address the political concerns that accompany problems caused by qualified immunity. The author provides Congress with compelling reasons to overrule the Supreme Court’s qualified immunity doctrine with statutory condemnation of the defense—including an analysis of the history and purpose of both 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and the defense’s adoption as well as the history of racial protests and public outcry in response to police misconduct and governmental failure to hold police accountable. The author argues that complete dissolution of the defense accompanied by a requirement that officers hold individual liability insurance best satisfies the purposes of 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and resolves police accountability concerns.
Chapter 26 – Pancreas Carcinoma

Publisher Summary Pancreas carcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies, which is known to occur more commonly among persons of African and Polynesian origin, although it is not known whether this is a result of genetic or environmental determinants. Cigarette smoking is known to cause pancreas cancer, even though exposure to tobacco constituents occurs only via the blood stream. Although pancreas cancer may cause diabetes, long-standing diabetics may also be at increased risk. Dietary constituents have long been suspected of playing an important role in the development of this cancer. Attention is being focused on leafy green vegetables as potentially protective and on meat, especially well done or barbecued meat, as potentially causal. Certain forms of pancreatitis, especially the heritable form that recurs in families, greatly increase risk but are only responsible for a small proportion of cases. Neither high consumption of alcohol nor specific occupational exposures have been clearly linked to pancreatic cancer. Pancreas cancer is a disease of old age, and is one and one-half times as common among men as among women. It occurs with roughly equal frequency in Los Angeles County and other parts of the country, and is essentially unrelated to social class. African-Americans are at substantially higher risk and Asian-Americans at substantially lower risk in comparison with members of other groups. As no systematic pattern of geographical occurrence is apparent, no local source of causation can be proposed.
Determinants and Consequences of Small Audit Firm Exits from the PCAOB-Regulated Audit Market

The number of small audit firms serving public companies shrank dramatically during our sample period of 2003-2018. Sixty percent of triennially inspected U.S. audit firms that registered with the PCAOB in that era subsequently de-registered. This study examines the strategic decisions of small U.S.-based audit firms to exit or remain in the PCAOB-regulated audit market. Prior research shows that many small firms exited in the early post-SOX period when major PCAOB regulations were initiated. However, we find that most de-registrations in our broader sample period do not occur in years proximate to such regulatory shocks, including the previously unstudied initiations of Form 2, 3, and AP disclosures. We propose that de-registrations largely are due to strategic costs and benefits other than PCAOB initiatives. We find that proxies for these strategic constructs are significant explanators of decisions to de-register. We investigate the previously unstudied topic of what happens to small audit firms after they de-register. We find that more than half continue to operate as independent entities; to provide audit and attest services; and to have their audits peer reviewed. Therefore, they provide audit services to the large market of non-public companies. The approximately twenty-five percent of firms that merge surrounding de-registrations are larger than other de-registering firms, charge higher fees, and have higher audit quality.
Exploring differences in the workplace violence experiences of young workers in middle and late adolescence in the United States

Abstract Problem: Young workers, typically characterized as 15–24 years of age, are commonly employed in jobs where the risk of workplace violence is high. It is unknown how these young workers, at varying stages of development, might understand and respond to workplace violence differently. We set out to explore whether the experiences and understandings of young workers varied between those in middle (ages 15–17) and late (ages 18–24) adolescence. Method: Separate focus groups were conducted with working students (n = 31), ages 15–17 and ages 18–24, who had either experienced or witnessed workplace violence. A focus group guide was used to facilitate the sessions which were recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed for themes. Results: Those in the older group experienced more severe episodes of sexual harassment and physical assault, reported using formal mechanisms for reporting, and noticed an employer focus on customer satisfaction over employee safety, while the younger participants tended to report to their parents. Both groups reported negative effects of experiencing workplace violence including depression, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness, and spill over into personal life. Discussion: Findings suggest that young workers at different developmental stages may experience and respond to workplace violence differently. Further research is needed to see if these results are generalizable. Summary: It is imperative that we understand the distinct differences between these subsets of young workers and how they experience and respond to workplace violence in order to improve research, policy development, and prevention/intervention mechanisms. Practical Applications: Understanding that differences exist among young workers based on age due to developmental stage, lack of experience, education, and social awareness can enable employers, companies, policy makers, and researchers the opportunity to better address the issue of workplace violence in this population.
Re-Evaluating Women’s Page Journalism in the Post-World War II Era: Celebrating Soft News: Voss, Kimberly Wilmott. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, 230 pp., $59.99 (paperback).

Traditional media histories have relegated the woman’s page, the reader-drawing anchor of so many papers throughout much of the twentieth century, to a so-called “pink ghetto,” ruled by “fluff” and...
Size-Differentiated Export Flux in Different Dynamical Regimes in the Ocean

Export of Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) is mainly driven by gravitational sinking. Thus, traditionally, it is thought that larger, faster-sinking particles make up most of the POC export flux. H...
Ground calibration results of the JUICE ultraviolet spectrograph

We describe the radiometric performance and ground calibration results of the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer Ultraviolet Spectrograph (JUICE-UVS) instrument. JUICE-UVS is a modest power (8 W) ultraviolet spectrograph that is the fifth in a series of Alice/UVS instruments built by Southwest Research Institute. JUICE-UVS covers a 50-204 nm bandpass with 0.4 nm spectral resolution over a 7.5° field of view with better than 0.3° spatial resolution. JUICE-UVS also features three different observing modes to allow higher-than-nominal spatial resolution observing as well as solar occultations in the Jupiter system. JUICE-UVS meets all performance requirements with margin, and is the first planetary UV spectrograph to feature a microchannel plate detector with an atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating to minimize in-flight gain loss due to accumulated fluence. JUICE-UVS also features both a time-tagged pixel list observing mode and a programmable histogram mode to maximize observational flexibility and data management. During the main JUICE mission, JUICE-UVS will explore the atmospheres and surfaces of the Galilean satellites, examine the dynamics of Jupiter’s upper atmosphere from pole to equator, and investigate the Jupiter-Io connection through observations of the Io torus.
Public Health and Population Health: Are They the Same Thing?

Especially important during a pandemic, health care’s common challenge is making sure how we deliver care and change the structures of society actually contributes to the health of the people we in...
UNIT 10.5 Purification of Fibronectin

This unit describes the purification of the multifunctional adhesive glycoprotein fibronectin from plasma or of cell-derived fibronectin from cell surfaces and from conditioned medium. Fibronectin can be used in cell adhesion and migration assays, and can be obtained in relatively high purity using simple affinity chromatography techniques. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 60:10.5.1-10.5.13. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: extracellular matrix; cell biology; affinity purification; adhesion
Impact of blended learning on manual defibrillator's use: A simulation-based randomized trial.

Background Blended learning, defined as the combination of traditional face-to-face instructor-led learning and e-learning course, has never been validated as a teaching method for the effective use of manual defibrillators in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Aim To evaluate whether paediatric emergency and critical care providers exposed to a blended learning session performed better and recalled more defibrillator skills than those exposed to face-to-face learning only. Study design A two-period prospective, stratified, single-centre, simulation-based, randomized, controlled trial. Methods Registered nurses and postgraduate residents from either a paediatric emergency department or an intensive care unit were randomly assigned to a blended learning or face-to-face learning sessions on the recommended use of a manual defibrillator. Participants' adherence to recommendations was assessed by testing defibrillator skills in three consecutive paediatric cardiopulmonary scenarios performed on the day of the training and once again 2 months later. The primary endpoint was the number of errors observed during defibrillation, cardioversion, and transcutaneous pacing at the time of the initial intervention. Results Fifty participants were randomized to receive the intervention and 51 to the control group. When pooling all three procedures, the median total errors per participant was lower (2 [IQR: 1-4]) in providers exposed to blended learning than in those exposed to face-to-face learning only (3 [IQR: 2-5]; P = .06). The median of total errors per procedure was also lower. However, both training methods appeared insufficient to maintain appropriate skill retention over time as a repetition of procedures 2 months later without any refresher learning session yielded more errors in both groups. Conclusions Learners exposed to blended learning showed a reduced number in the total amount of errors compared with those exposed to face-to-face learning alone, with waning of skills over time. Relevance to clinical practice Proficiently teaching the use of a manual defibrillator can be performed through blended learning.
Activity Regulates Neuronal Connectivity and Function in the C. elegans Motor Circuit: A Dissertation

Activity plays diverse roles in shaping neuronal development and function. These roles range from aiding in synaptic refinement to triggering cell death during traumatic brain injury. Though the importance of activity-dependent mechanisms is widely recognized, the genetic underpinnings of these processes have not been fully described. In this thesis, I use the motor circuit of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system to explore the functional and morphological consequences of modulating neuronal activity. First, I used a gain-of-function ionotropic receptor to hyperactivate motor neurons and asked how increased excitation affects neuronal function. Through this work, I identified a cell death pathway triggered by excess activation of motor neurons. I also showed that suppression of cell body death failed to block motor axon destabilization, providing evidence that death of the cell body and of motor axons can be genetically separated. Secondly, I removed excitatory drive from a simple neural circuit and asked how loss of excitatory activity alters circuit development and function. I identified excitatory motor neurons as master regulators of inhibitory synaptic connectivity. Additionally, I was able to identify previously undescribed activity-dependent mechanisms for regulating inhibitory synapses in both developing and mature neural circuits. Finally, I show data to implicate the highly conserved genes neurexin and neuroligin in determining inhibitory synapse connectivity. Collectively this work has lent insight into activity-dependent mechanisms in place to regulate neuronal development and function, a core function of neurobiology that is relevant to the study of a wide range of neurological disorders.
SU-E-T-191: Commissioning and Dosimetric Characteristics of Elekta Agility for Total Skin Electron Beam (TSEB) Therapy

Purpose The purpose of this work is to publish beam data from Elekta Synergy(R) linear accelerators with Agility(TM) MLC for total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy using the HDRE1 (High Dose Rate Electron 6MeV) energy. Method & Materials The optimal gantry angles for TSEB were determined using ion chamber measurements along a vertical profile at 450cm SSD. After gantry angles were chosen, field uniformity was measured over the entire treatment area. Uniformity was measured with and without the patient support device, allowing the dosimetric effect of the support device to be determined. Beam output and PDD were measured at the calibration point (450cm SSD) for a dual beam using a parallel plate chamber in solid water. These measurements were repeated with the chamber and phantom rotated about the patient isocenter at various angles, in order to measure the contribution from oblique beams. This technique provides a precise measurement of the treatment skin dose (TSD). Lastly, ion chamber measurements were verified by film and diodes. Results The optimal gantry angle for 450 cm SSD was determined to be 90±16°. This achieved uniformity better than 96% on the vertical axis, and 92% along the horizontal axis. HDRE1 was calibrated to deliver 10 cGy/MU at standard geometry (100 cm SSD, 1.2 cm depth). Thus at TSEB geometry (450 cm SSD, 0.1 cm depth) the output of the AP dual field was measured to be 0.35 cGy/MU. The TSD of a 20 cm radius cylinder for six (equally, 60° spaced) dual fields was measured to be 1.19 cGy/MU. Percent Depth Dose data for the AP dual field and TSD are shown in Figure 2. Conclusion This paper provides a modern procedure for commissioning TSEB therapy on a linear accelerator, and clinical beam data for the Elekta Synergy(R) with Agility(TM) MLC.
Trinidad Carnival: The Cultural Politics of a Transnational Festival

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2007 Pages: 272 Publisher: Indiana University Press ISBN: 0-253-34823-4 (hard cover). Prices: $60.00 USD(hard cover).
A Role for CTLA‐4‐Mediated Inhibitory Signals in Peripheral T Cell Tolerance?

Occupancy of the antigen receptor is not sufficient for activation of naive T cells--additional co-stimulatory signals are required that can be provided only by 'professional' antigen-presenting cells. This two-signal model for T cell activation has been thought to provide a mechanism for the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Work over the past six years has demonstrated that the relevant co-stimulatory receptor on T cells is the molecule CD28. Recent data shows that the CD28 homologue CTLA-4 plays a role in negative regulation of T cell responses. Here we suggest that CTLA-4 may also serve as an attenuator of T cell-activating signals, raising the threshold of stimulation required to obtain full activation. The inhibitory signals mediated by CTLA-4 may provide an additional mechanism for the maintenance of peripheral tolerance.
Assignment of immune-related genes to the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, genetic map.

Summary Eighteen new genes, adenosine A1 receptor (ADORA1), complement component 4-beta (C4b), complement component 8-beta (C8b), chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19), chemokine ligand 21 (CCL21), chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25), chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4), chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7), chemokine receptor 9 (CCR9), interleukin 1-beta (IL1B), integrin II-beta (ITGB2), novel immune type receptor 2 (NITR2), novel immune type receptor 4 (NITR4), natural killer cell lysin (NKLYSIN), nucleotide excision repair (RAD23B) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF), were assigned to the channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) genetic linkage map. Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for NITR2, NITR4 and RAD23B from short-tandem repeats in the available sequence. Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for the remaining 15 genes by short-tandem repeat-anchored primer sequencing of catfish bacterial artificial chromosomes. Two gene clusters (MYOG–NRAMP–ADORA1) and (CCR4–CCR2–CCR5) displayed conservation of synteny between catfish and mammals. Assignment of 18 new genes to the catfish linkage map will further advance integration of genetic and physical maps and comparative mapping between channel catfish and map rich species.
Drying gels. II: Film and flat plate

An analysis is presented of stresses and strains that develop during the drying of a gel. The theory presented in Part I of this series is used to simulate the drying behavior of a film of gel on a rigid substrate and of a flat plate. The stress in the film is always tensile. The plate contains regions of compressive, as well as tensile, stress. If the permeability is low enough to inhibit contraction of the gel, tension appears at the exterior suface; otherwise, tension appears in the wet (solvent-saturated) region. The dried gel is predicted to contain a density gradient. The exterior is less dense than the interior if permeability does not restrict contraction during drying, and conversely.
Stationary points of single-layer feedback neural networks

The properties of stationary points of single-layer fully coupled neural networks are investigated. The propositions are formulated and proved on the basis of a study of the energy function. Networks with both infinite gain (discrete update) and finite gain (continuous update) are discussed. The study provides considerable insight into the time-domain performance of the networks. >
A SiGe-base PNP ECL circuit technology

In this work we present the first SiGe-base PNP ECL circuit results. The SiGe-base PNP circuit technology includes extended Ge-profile designs for low collector doping levels, a self-aligned transistor structure on deep and shallow trench isolation, and in situ doped polysilicon emitter contacts. Circuit transistors are ob tained wilh oood Gummel characteristics, a current gain of 40, a low emitter resistance of 9 /spl Omega/, a pinched base sheet resistance of 9.5 k/spl Omega///spl square/, and a peak fT of 3 1 GHz at a VRC of 3 volts. The circuit transistors have low parasitics resulting in a peak fmax of 38 GHz at a VBC of 3 volts. An ECL ring oscillator delay of 44 ps was measured at 2.7 mW.
Battered Women: Mourning the Death of a Relationship

although ancient, has been defined as an issue of public concern only in the past decade. Since the mid-1970s, many communities have developed services to address the complex needs of battered women. Social workers who work with battered women in areas with few services have been accustomed to seeing their cli ents return to relationships with abusive partners and have assumed that better services and stronger supports would be necessary before a woman felt she could leave her partner and live independently. However, as services continue to develop in many communities, social workers are
Effect of proteolytic digestion on glucose transport carrier of human erythrocyte ghosts.

Abstract Practically hemoglobin-free resealed human erythrocyte ghosts which retain the glucose transport carrier function intact were treated with pronase, and resulting proteolytic digestions and their effects on the carrier activity were directly compared. The ghosts, after a loss of more than 50% of their original membrane protein by the pronase treatments, were found to retain the glucose carrier activity intact. The diffusion barrier to d -mannitol was also found to be left grossly intact after the same digestions. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of these glucose carrier-intact, protein-depleted, promise-treated ghosts revealed that the majority of the membrane proteins which were retained in the ghosts after the digestion, were grossly degraded into small molecular entities.
Large Area Laser-Assisted Etching of Electronic Materials

The use of laser assisted-chemistry for dry etching of electronic materials is described. Emphasis is placed on the use of laser-assisted reactions for large area processing. Review of the current technology is given for large area masked etching, UV-projection etching, and laser assisted reactive ion etching (RIE), and plasma etching.
Supply and Demand in the Theory of Long-run Growth: Introduction to a symposium on demand-led growth

Recent developments in growth theory have encouraged a revisionist interpretation of the field. According to this interpretation long-run growth should be, and always has been, interpreted as a supply-side process. The focus of this symposium is the macro-economics of demand-led growth. As a precursor to the contributions that follow, two central insights of demand-led growth theory are highlighted. First, chronic effective demand problems create a role for aggregate demand in determining the utilization rates of productive resources, even in the long run. Second, the demand-led actual rate of growth influences both the accumulation and productivity of factor inputs, and hence the economy's potential rate of growth.
The Future of Long Life

In his Research commentary “The future of human longevity: A demographer's perspective” ( Science 's Compass, 17 Apr., p. [395][1]), John R. Wilmoth states that human longevity could be predicted by the simple extrapolation of mortality trends: “[t]he appeal of extrapolation lies in long-term
Neurotransmitter Transporter-Like: a male germline-specific SLC6 transporter required for Drosophila spermiogenesis.

The SLC6 class of membrane transporters, known primarily as neurotransmitter transporters, is increasingly appreciated for its roles in nutritional uptake of amino acids and other developmentally specific functions. A Drosophila SLC6 gene, Neurotransmitter transporter-like (Ntl), is expressed only in the male germline. Mobilization of a transposon inserted near the 3′ end of the Ntl coding region yields male-sterile mutants defining a single complementation group. Germline transformation with Ntl cDNAs under control of male germline-specific control elements restores Ntl/Ntl homozygotes to normal fertility, indicating that Ntl is required only in the germ cells. In mutant males, sperm morphogenesis appears normal, with elongated, individualized and coiled spermiogenic cysts accumulating at the base of the testes. However, no sperm are transferred to the seminal vesicle. The level of polyglycylation of Ntl mutant sperm tubulin appears to be significantly lower than that of wild type controls. Glycine transporters are the most closely related SLC6 transporters to Ntl, suggesting that Ntl functions as a glycine transporter in developing sperm, where augmentation of the cytosolic pool of glycine may be required for the polyglycylation of the massive amounts of tubulin in the fly's giant sperm. The male-sterile phenotype of Ntl mutants may provide a powerful genetic system for studying the function of an SLC6 transporter family in a model organism.
Dissipation of nuclear collective motion

Abstract The collective transport theory provides a framework for understanding damped collective motion. The irreversibility of collective motion is traced to the fact that the nucleus is an open system. The finite lifetime of single-particle excitations causes the relaxation of the nuclear collective response. Both vibrational states and damped heavy-ion collisions can be understood quantitatively by computations without free parameters.
Towards a New Design Paradigm for Complex Electronic Medical Record Systems: Intuitive User Interfaces

Design of usable interfaces has preoccupied information systems researchers for decades however there is still little agreement as to what constitute usable systems. Many complex systems such as electronic medical records (EMR) fail to provide users with an intuitive interface and are not designed for environments where (1) users operate under severe opportunity-cost time pressures and (2) users engage in goal-directed activities to accomplish a task. Under these circumstances, what kind of interface should EMR systems present to clinical users? To answer this question the concept of “intuitive interface” based on theories of human intuition such as cognitive-experiential self-theory and cognitive neuroscience is first defined. Next interviews with clinical staff at two hospitals uncover various aspects of intuitive EMR interfaces, and point to the need to further study and improve this important issue. Significance of this research as well as future research directions are discussed.
Noncoherent-Light Speckle Photography For Measurements Of Fluid Velocity Fields

Noncoherent light speckle photography utilizes the idea that a mass of fluid carrying particles or a solid surface which is illuminated obliquely will exhibit a unique pattern of spots or speckles. These speckles are recorded for two states of the specimen using high-resolution photography and, for dynamic problems, strobe lighting. A map of displacement during the interval for the specimen is extracted from the photograph using optical data processing. Experiments on a solid calibration specimen demonstrate the quantitative capability of the method. Preliminary flow experiments have used water loaded with aluminum or other particles. Qualitatively meaningful fringe patterns have been obtained for laminar and turbulent flow in a channel.
SU‐GG‐J‐59: Computerized Gating of Breathing Pattern for Synchronized Delivery of Radiation

Purpose: To evaluate the stability of a device that accepts inputs from a spirometer in gating the breathing cycle to synchronize the breath hold state with the generation of radiation for treatment delivery or imaging.Method and Materials: We have constructed a Gated Breath Synchronizer (GBS) consisting of a data acquisition module with USB interface to a computer. The module has A/D input channels to acquire flow and other signals from a spirometer. It has a 16 bit digital I/O for controlling a breathing valve solenoid, connection to a panic button, and interfacing with the radiation generating device. We have developed software to monitor the lung volume and accept a target breath hold lung volume. It adjusts the timing and duration of the breath hold to coach the patient to reach the target breath hold lung volume gradually in a regular breathing pattern. We are also developing a simulated patient in software with relevant characteristics in pulmonary physiology for testing the system. The simulated patient has a 0.5 liter tidal volume, increases the depth of breathing after breath hold, has an inspiration reserve volume (IRV) of 3.5 liters and sets the panic switch after prolonged breath hold. We have evaluated the transition of the system from a restful breathing state to a steady state of regular breathing with breath hold for target breath hold lung volumes at 0.05 liters and 0.5 to 4.5 liters in 0.5 liter steps above functional residual capacity. Results: Stable breathing patterns with acceptable breath hold lengths were achieved in all cases except for when the coached breathing state approached the IRV, in which case the simulator properly activated the panic switch. Conclusion: The GBS system showed stable response in adjusting the patient from restful breathing to regular breathing with breath hold. Supported by NIHPO1CA59827.
Zero Thrust Velocity Vector Control for Interstellar Probes: Lorentz Force Navigation and Circling

The fundamental equations and conditions governing the interaction of a charged interstellar probe with the magnetic fields existing in interstellar space are examined Since the ion densities in intei stellar space aie veiy low, a substantial voltage can be easily maintained Because of the large distances and long times involved, it is found that the weak forces from the interaction of the interstellar magnetic field with the charge on the probe can build up an appreciable change in the direction of the velocity vector of the probe This change is found to be large enough to allow foi extensive midcourse corrections on a multi-ton, one-way chaiged probe or even to return a smallei probe to its starting point Thus, the propulsive eneigy required to launch a nometurn fly-by piobe to the neaiest stais is also sufficient foi a lound trip probe
Macrophage Autophagy Plays a Protective Role in Advanced Atherosclerosis

Summary In advanced atherosclerosis, macrophage apoptosis coupled with defective phagocytic clearance of the apoptotic cells (efferocytosis) promotes plaque necrosis, which precipitates acute atherothrombotic cardiovascular events. Oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in macrophages are important causes of advanced lesional macrophage apoptosis. We now show that proapoptotic oxidative/ER stress inducers trigger another stress reaction in macrophages, autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy by silencing ATG5 or other autophagy mediators enhances apoptosis and NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidative stress while at the same time rendering the apoptotic cells less well recognized by efferocytes. Most importantly, macrophage ATG5 deficiency in fat-fed Ldlr −/− mice increases apoptosis and oxidative stress in advanced lesional macrophages, promotes plaque necrosis, and worsens lesional efferocytosis. These findings reveal a protective process in oxidatively stressed macrophages relevant to plaque necrosis, suggesting a mechanism-based strategy to therapeutically suppress atherosclerosis progression and its clinical sequelae.
Endothelium-derived relaxing factor inhibition augments vascular angiotensin II reactivity in the pregnant rat hind limb.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether endothelium-derived relaxing factorplays a role in the blunting of maternal vascular reactivity in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN : We measured the concentration-pressor responses to norepinephrine (10 −8 to 10 −2 mol/L and angiotensin II (10 −10 to 10 −6 mol/L) in isolated, perfused hind limbs of nonpregnant and pregnant (postmating day 20 to 21) normotensive Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. The hind limbs were perfused at 4 ml/min with Krebs-Ringer solution containing indomethacin (10 −5 mol/L to inhibit prostaglandin production and were either infused with Nω-monomethyl-l-arginine (10 −4 mol/L), a specific inhibitor of endothelium-derived relaxing factor synthesis, or 0.9% saline solution (untreated). RESULTS : Baseline perfusion pressure was similar in the nonpregnant and pregnant hind limbs of bothstrains, and Nω-monomethyl-l-arginine had no effect on perfusion pressure. Norepinephrine induced similar pressor responses in the nonpregnant and pregnant hind limbs of both strains, and Nω-monomethyl-l-arginine did not alter these responses. Angiotensin II pressor responses were significantly attenuated in the pregnant rat hind limbs compared with the nonpregnant rat hind limbs. Nω-monomethyl-l-arginine enhanced the angiotensin II responses in the pregnant, but not in the nonpregnant, rat hind limbs. CONCLUSION : The results suggest that rat pregnancy is not associated with generalized refractoriness toall vasoconstrictors and that endothelium-derived relaxing factor plays a role in attenuating vascular reactivity to angiotensin II. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1992;167:1053–8.)
A method for the degradation of creatinine and creatine applicable to isotope studies.

Abstract 1. 1. The degradation of 2- 14 C-creatine to 1,2- 14 C-oxalic acid and methylguanidine was accomplished by heating an alkaline solution of creatine at 70° in the presence of o -nitrobenzaldehyde. 2. 2. 2- 14 C-creatinine was degraded under conditions similar to those used for creatine except that the reaction was carried out at room temperature. 3. 3. In the course of the degradative procedure approximately 8% of the creatinine was converted to creatine. 4. 4. The possible application of these procedure in the degradation of creatine and creatinine even when present in the same solution was pointed out.
Surgical pathology stage by American Joint Commission on Cancer criteria predicts patient survival after preoperative chemoradiation for localized gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND. Preoperative chemoradiation for localized gastric cancer can modify baseline stage, as determined by surgical pathology stage. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that surgical pathology stage would be a better prognosticator of overall survival (OS) than baseline stage. METHODS. Patient populations were combined from 2 prospectively conducted, preoperative chemoradiation trials that used the same therapeutic strategy. Patients must have had localized gastric adenocarcinoma and were staged extensively, including endoscopic ultrasonography and laparoscopy. Patients had to be fit for surgery medically with a technically resectable cancer. All patients provided written informed consent. Patients first received induction chemotherapy for up to 2 months followed by chemoradiation (45 grays) and an attempted surgery. OS was correlated with pretreatment and posttreatment parameters, including surgical pathology stage according to American Joint Commission on Cancer criteria. RESULTS. Of 74 patients who were registered, 69 patients (93%) had undergone surgery. Nineteen patients (26%) had a pathologic complete response (pathCR), and 55 patients (81%) had a curative (R0) resection. None of the pretreatment parameters correlated with OS; however, longer OS correlated with lower pathologic stage (P < .0001), R0 resection (P < .001), clinical response noted prior to surgery (P = .002), pathCR (P = .004), lower pathologic lymph node classification (P = .006), and lower pathologic tumor classification (P = .03). Pathologic stage and R0 resection were independent prognostic factors for OS (multivariate Cox model; both P = .05). CONCLUSIONS. When preoperative chemoradiation strategy was employed for gastric cancer, the surgical pathology stage, a reflection of cancer's biologic heterogeneity, was a better prognosticator of OS than the baseline clinical stage. Surgical pathology stage, in this setting, may serve as an intermediate endpoint for Phase II/III trials. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Use of Differential Scanning Calorimetry and X-Ray Diffraction as Experimental Tools to Understand How Nucleating Agent Concentration Affects Supercooling in Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials

In this paper, a description and explanation of the experimental techniques used to understand and quantify supercooling will be presented, including differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffraction. Differential scanning calorimetry experimental results indicate that supercooling in microencapsulated n-Tetradecane can be suppressed significantly when 4% to 6% of a homologous material is used as nucleating agent. X-ray diffraction experimental results elucidate how nucleating agent concentration affects the morphology of the phase change material after solidification. Both experimental techniques in unison prove to be valuable experimental tools and provide a better understanding of how inclusion of nucleating agents affects the solidification process. Quantitative characterization of microencapsulated n-Tetradecane thermal properties is also presented including latent heat of fusion and melting point data.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of (NH4)VOPO4: A Structure with One-Dimensional Chains of VO6 Octahedra

Abstract The title compound (NH 4 )VOPO 4 , (1), was synthesized hydrothermally from a mixture of CsVO 3 , V, CH 3 PO 3 H 2 , (NH 4 ) 2 HPO 4 , (C 2 H 5 ) 3 CH 3 NBr, and H 2 O in the mole ratios 3.96:1:4.88:11.97:4.96:1498. Phosphate (1) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnn 2 with a = 10.5119(2) A, b = 12.917(3) A, c = 6.462(1) A, V = 877.3(4) A, Z = 4, and R = 0.043. The framework consists of one-dimensional chains of corner-sharing VO 6 octahedra joined together by phosphate tetrahedra which generates cation filled tunnels running parallel to the c axis, There are two unique vanadium sites, with the VO 6 octahedra connected to their neighbors through alternating cis -O-V-O and trans -O-V-O linkages. At higher temperatures, the compound is paramagnetic with isolated V 4+ d 1 centers while complicated, short range antiferromagnetism is observed below 10 K. The framework is closely related to that of KVOPO 4 .
Multiconfiguration resonating-group theory of the seven-nucleon system with realistic cluster wave functions.

The properties of the seven-nucleon system are examined with a multiconfiguration and multi- channel resonating-group calculation. The cluster internal functions employed explain the charge-form-factor data over a wide range of ${q}^{2}$ and satisfy the variational stability condition quite well. The model space used is spanned by $^{3}$H+\ensuremath{\alpha}, n${+\mathrm{}}^{6}$Li, n${+\mathrm{}}^{6}$${\mathrm{Li}}^{\mathrm{*}}$, and d${+\mathrm{}}^{5}$He cluster configurations. The result shows that the specific distortion of the $^{3}$H+\ensuremath{\alpha} system is quite significant. With our multiconfiguration calculation, the ground-state energy is improved by more than 1 MeV. The calculated level spectrum agrees well with the level spectrum empirically determined. The energy positions of both natural-parity and unnatural-parity levels are reasonably explained. In addition, we find that, because of centrifugal-barrier effects, the aligned configuration generally makes the most sig- nificant contribution. The characteristics of nucleon-exchange terms are also briefly examined. Here it is found that, at sufficiently high energies where sharp resonance levels do not exist, the essential properties of these terms can already be learned by performing relatively simple single-configuration calculations.
Pedigree- vs. DNA Marker-Based Genetic Similarity Estimates in Cotton

by different approaches, which include the use of pedigrees and DNA fingerprinting. The COP measures the Knowledge of genetic diversity and relationships among breeding degree of genetic relatedness among genotypes based materials is essential to the improvement of crop species. Genetic similarity estimates among cultivars are helpful to select parental on pedigree information by estimating the probability combinations for segregating populations so as to maintain genetic that a random allele from one genotype is identical by diversity in a breeding program. The objective of this study was to descent to a random allele of another genotype at the determine thecorrespondence between pedigree- andrestriction frag- same locus (Kempthorne, 1969). The accuracy of COP ment length polymorphism–based genetic similarity (RFLP-GS) esti- depends on the availability of reliable and detailed pedimatesforasetof36Uplandcotton(GossypiumhirsutumL.)cultivars. gree records; at times these records may be either unCoefficients of parentage (COPs) and genetic similarity estimates available or unreliable. The calculations also do not based on 261 codominant RFLP markers for all possible pairs of account for the effects of selection, mutation, and gecultivars were compared. A significant though moderate association netic drift and require several simplifying assumptions (r 0.41, P 0.001) was detected between the COP and RFLP-GS that are generally not met. Nevertheless, pedigree informatrices. Spearman’s rank correlationfor the142 pairsof related cultivars (COP 0.1) was somewhat higher (rS 0.53, P 0.001). There was mation offers plant breeders a simple and inexpensive a significant linear relationship between COP and RFLP-GS for the waytoestimategeneticrelatednessamongbreedingmapairs of related cultivars; however, the coefficient of determination terials. was low (R 2 0.25), indicating that the COP only explained a small DNA markers, such as RFLPs, amplified fragment portion of the variation observed for RFLP-GS. COP and RFLP-GS length polymorphisms (AFLPs), random amplified polyestimate different types of genetic resemblance; however, the moder- morphic DNAs (RAPDs), and simple sequence repeats ate association may have also resulted from violations to the assump- (SSRs), can directly assess DNA sequence variation. tions made when computing COP. RFLP-GS is a more accurate estimate DNA-based genetic similarity measures the degree of of true genetic resemblance among cotton cultivars. Nevertheless, the genetic relatedness among genotypes by estimating the pedigree- and RFLP-based dendrograms were somewhat similar, sugproportionof allelesthatare alikeinstate, thusdiffering gesting that pedigree information will continue to be useful to inexpensively identify diverse parents in a breeding program. from COP in the type of genetic resemblance estimated. As such, they provide a more precise estimate of genetic similarity among genotypes and do not require the assumptions inherent to pedigree analysis. All the DNA
Magnetic topology effects on Alcator C-Mod scrape-off layer flow

Recent interest in the experimental study of tokamak plasma flow for different magnetic field geometries calls for theoretical understanding of the effects of tokamak magnetic topology changes on the flow. The consequences of total magnetic field reversal and/or X-point reversal on divergence-free plasma flow within magnetic flux surfaces are considered and the results are applied to interpret recent Alcator C-Mod scrape-off layer flow measurements.
A new articulator for use in teaching and general dentistry

Abstract The Whip Mix articulator is used by dental students at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry for all phases of fixed and removable prosthodontics. This instrument was selected because of its adjustability, its similarity of movements in relation to actual jaw movements, its durability and simplicity of use, and its low cost to the student. The important features of the Whip Mix articulator, and its limitations in relation to a fully adjustable articulator were discussed. The plan of occlusion for fixed and removable restorations as developed on the articulator, were described.
Ion concentration dynamics leads to the very slow spontaneous neuronal oscillations

Resting or baseline brain activity may fluctuate at the very low frequencies (0.01-0.1 Hz) [1]. These oscillations, revealed by fMRI data, are found to be correlated across brain regions. There has been rising interest to this slow activity, since it may reflect functional connectivity between brain regions and strongly correlate with neuronal firing. In this study we propose that spontaneous slow brain oscillations may rise from ionic concentration dynamics. We used biophysically realistic computational model of the cortical network based on the Hodgkin-Huxley kinetics and implementing ion concentration dynamics. Computational network model consisted of pyramidal and inhibitory neurons with connectivity based on AMPA, GABAa and NMDA synapses. It implemented dynamic variables for intra- and extracellular K+/Na+ concentrations, intracellular Cl- concentration and simulated Na+/K+ exchange and KCC2 pumps. Random Poisson input was given to each neuron to mimic in vivo conditions. Our study revealed that extracellular K+ dynamics determine the slow network oscillations in the frequency range 0.01-0.05 Hz. The network oscillations were more prominent for larger network compared to the small networks. The oscillation amplitude depended on the random input to the network. While K+ dynamics and diffusion contributed to the local synchrony, long-range synaptic connectivity provided correlated activity between distinct populations of neurons with no ion diffusion between sites. This finding may explain observation that structural network connections determine the functional connectivity in human recordings [2]. We conclude that the ion concentration dynamics may contribute to the slow spontaneous fluctuations in brain activity found with fMRI recordings. Future experiments are required to verify this prediction.
A familial/genetic study of plasma serine and glycine concentrations

Abstract Plasma serine and glycine contractions were assayed in a sample of 28 nuclear families ( n = 108). Complex segregation analysis of these familial data reveals significant genetic control of concentrations via a single major gene locus. The serine and glycine metabolizing enyme serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT) is suggested as the most likely candidate for this single major gene locus.
A validation study of the problem-oriented screening instrument for teenagers (POSIT)

The Problem-Oriented Screening Instrument for Teenagers (POSIT) is a 139-item questionnaire designed to identify substance abuse and related problems. The reliability and validity of the POSIT were studied in adolescents referred to an assessment service for evaluation of substance use problems. Convergent and divergent validity were examined using the Personal Experience Inventory, the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents, and the Adolescent Diagnostic Interview. Scales measuring problems assessed by both the POSIT and the criterion measures were moderately to highly correlated. Those measuring dissimilar domains were slightly correlated or were not significantly related. The findings highlight the strengths and limitations of the POSIT, and suggest the need for further research on screening tests designed specifically for substance-involved youth.