cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of time-of-flight mr angiography, contrast-enhanced mr angiography and ct angiography to evaluate vessel area in a rabbit peripheral arterial disease model

Inducing arteriogenesis using stem cells is a promising treatment for patients suffering from peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) is often used as a gold standard method for evaluating vessel diameters in ischemic tissue after therapy.
Memories: from protein synthesis to photosynthesis

Emphasis herein is on the early years of my scientific life, primarily in graduate school and at the McCollum-Pratt Institute, Johns Hopkins University, as techniques learned and research performed then became the basis for future scientific endeavors. Studies on the mechanism of conversion of light energy into chemical free energy were a logical consequence of earlier investigations on enzyme-catalyzed hydrogen transfer reactions and pyridine nucleotide coenzyme biochemistry. Identification of several protein factors involved in pyridine nucleotide reduction by illuminated chloroplasts is described and, hopefully, adequately and honestly referenced to complementary research in other laboratories. Coupled with progress were changes in nomenclature of the protein factors and are so noted. In particular, David Wharton proposed the descriptive name, ferredoxin, for the non-heme iron and labile sulfide-containing proteins which serve as redox cofactors in a variety of energy conserving reactions. The inclusion of "Lessons" is adapted from Efraim Racker (1976, A new look at mechanisms in bioenergetics. Academic Press, NY). They are lessons that I learned and are included herein solely for graduate students.
COSMOS: a continuous optimization approach for maximum power estimation of CMOS circuits

Maximum instantaneous power in VLSI circuits has a great impact on circuit's reliability and the design of power and ground lines. To synthesize highly reliable systems, accurate estimates of maximum power must be obtained in various design phases. Unfortunately, determining the input patterns to induce the maximum current (power) is essentially a combinatorial optimization problem. Even for circuits with small number of primary inputs (PI's), it is CPU time intensive to conduct exhaustive search in the input vector space. The only feasible way is to find good upper and lower bounds of the maximum power, and to make the gap between these two bounds as narrow as possible. In this paper, we present a continuous optimization approach to efficiently generate tight lower bounds of the maximum instantaneous power for CMOS circuits. In our approach, each primary input (PI) of the circuit is allowed to assume any real number between 0 and 1. Maximum power estimation for CMOS circuits is then transformed into a continuous optimization problem, in which a smooth function is maximized over a unit hypercube in the Euclidean space. The continuous problem can be solved efficiently to generate good lower bounds of the maximum power. Our experiments with ISCAS and MCNC benchmark circuits demonstrate the superiority of this approach. For all the circuits tested, the mean value of the ratio "CPU time of the continuous optimization approach divided by CPU time of the simulation-based technique" is equal to 0.41. For 60% of the circuits tested, our approach gives a better estimate (1.16 times larger, on an average) than the simulation-based technique does. Compared to the ATPG-based technique, the continuous optimization approach generates a tighter lower bound (1.19 times larger, on an average) of maximum power for 60% of all the circuits tested.
Neurovascular deficits in cocaine abusers

The nature of the neurological and cerebrovascular deficits in cocaine abusers and whether they persist in abstinence is unclear. Blood flow velocity of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries was measured by transcranial Doppler sonography in cocaine abusers (n = 50) and control subjects (n = 25). Blood flow velocity was measured within 3 days and again after about 28 days after being admitted to an inpatient research ward to determine whether blood flow velocity improved during monitored abstinence conditions. The mean, systolic, and diastolic velocities as well as the pulsatility index in middle and anterior cerebral arteries significantly differed between controls and cocaine abusers (p < .05). Cerebrovascular resistance is increased in cocaine abusers and the increase persists for over a month of abstinence. Further research is needed to determine whether cerebrovascular resistance can be improved by pharmacological manipulations and whether improved blood flow relates to improved treatment outcome.
Scheme of Intelligent Building Based on Distributed Generation and Micro-Grid

The scheme of intelligent Building based on distributed generation and micro-grid is presented in this paper. There are five parts in the scheme: distributed generation, storage device, charge-discharge device of EV, micro-grid control and energy management system, smart home system. The scheme of the intelligent building in this paper has been realized in displayed project of intelligent community in china. The feasibility of establishing a micro grid system at the branch of power grid is analyzed after evaluating the performance of the micro grid system on saving power, reducing cost in transmit line, and increasing the security. Due to the analysis, this micro system has good performance in these aspects and has a great future in the power grid.
Stress as a mediating factor in the association between the DRD2 TaqI polymorphism and alcoholism.

Abstract Results of earlier studies have shown that rating of prior stress exposure in preadolescent boys influenced the association between DRD2 genotypes and alcoholism risk factors, suggesting that variability in stress exposure, either in patient or control samples, could readily account for at least part of the confusion in DRD2 study outcomes. In order to test the hypothesis that the DRD2 A1 allele is only associated with alcoholism in subjects with elevated stress exposure, we examined the gene–stress interactional model in a sample of males of Mayan descent in the Olancho district of Honduras. Ascertainment was based on an epidemiologic, observational cross-sectional design, and the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. A total of 309 adult males (age range 18–87 years) were interviewed by a physician or a public health nurse, blood samples were obtained for genetic studies, and participants were administered the short version of the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (S-MAST) and the Hispanic Stress Inventory (HSI). Three explanatory models were evaluated. The first model tested the effect of the demographic variables alone as predictors of MAST scores, the second tested the effects of stress and DRD2 genotypes separately, and the third tested the effect of the interaction between stress and the DRD2 genotypes. Neither model 1 nor model 2 yielded significant results; neither MAST scores nor HSI scores were found to be associated with DRD2 genotypes. However, Model 3 was confirmed reflecting a significant ( P P =.003) interaction with DRD2 genotype as a predictor of MAST score. This stress score was the only one of four that showed levels of stress as high as HSI scores in a US population. The MAST scores of A2A2 genotype participants were found to be nearly identical in low stress and high stress participants, whereas the MAST scores of A1A2 participants increased modestly with stress ( P =.01) and that of A1A1 participants increased markedly with stress ( P =.001). These findings support the hypothesis that DRD2 genotype–phenotype associations depend on the magnitude of stress exposure, and they lend support to the view that variability in DRD2 study outcomes may in part be explained by this gene–environment interaction.
γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibition at cholinergic synapses formed by cultured retinal neurons

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the function of synapses formed by cholinergic neurons derived from the chick retina. We used an experimental culture system in which striated muscle cells served as postsynaptic targets for cholinergic neurons of the retina. This cell culture system permitted the physiological monitoring of acetylcholine release at synapses formed by retinal neurons. By plating a low of density dissociated retinal cells with myotubes, it was possible to study relatively isolated, presynaptic cholinergic neurons. We found that GABA and agonists, muscimol and isoguvacine, inhibited spontaneous transmission at retina-muscle synapses. These inhibitory effects were reversibly blocked by bicuculline, a GABA receptor antagonist. The benzodiazepine, flurazepam, potentiated GABA-mediated inhibition. Overall, our findings suggest a direct inhibitory action of GABA on the cholinergic retinal neurons studied in our cell culture system.
Receptor autoradiography of μ and δ opioid peptide receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The receptor autoradiographic distribution of opioid peptide receptors in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) was compared to that of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, using the highly selective mu and delta opioid receptor ligands, [3H]DAGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-ol) and [3H]DPDPE ([D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin), respectively. Although the distribution of these binding sites was similar in both strains, SHR showed significantly higher binding densities of mu receptors in 16 of 27 areas examined. These included the patch and matrix components of the caudate-putamen (CPu), olfactory tubercle, endopiriform nucleus, anterior cingulate cortex, ventral tegmental area lateroposteral thalamic nucleus and the ventral part of the dentate gyrus. In contrast, SHR had lower [3H]DAGO binding sites in the CA1 of the hippocampus. Conversely, SHR showed higher binding densities of delta receptors in 7 of 20 areas examined, including the CPu, CA2 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus and the central grey. High-to-low lateromedial gradients of striatal delta receptors were observed in both strains. Because opioid peptides are known to participate in locomotive behavior in rodents and in the control of blood pressure, the present results support a role of opioid peptidergic systems in the manifestation of hyperactivity and hypertension observed in SHR.
Variable associations in SNOBOL4

This paper describes a new facility in the SNOBOL4 programming language that provides the capability to associate the execution of a programmer-defined function with the act of assigning a variable a value or retrieving the value of a variable. The facility, called programmer-defined variable association, subsumes the existing built-in associations used for input, output and value tracing and provides, at the source-language level, the protection and datatype coercion mechanisms used in keywords. Several applications are described that illustrate the usefulness of this addition to the language. The facility is especially useful for program monitoring and debugging. The implementation of this facility and the effect of implementation techniques on programming language design are also discussed.
Identification of metallic mine-like objects using low frequency magnetic fields

This paper addresses the issue of identifying conducting objects based on their response to low frequency magnetic fields; an area of research referred to as magnetic singularity identification (MSI). Real-time identification was carried out on several simple geometries. The low frequency transfer function of these objects was measured for both cardinal and arbitrary orientations of the magnetic field with respect to the planes of symmetry of the objects (i.e., different polarizations). Distinct negative real axis poles (singularities) associated with each object form the basis for their real-time identification algorithm. Recognizing this identification problem as one of inference from incomplete information, a generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is presented as a solution to the M-ary hypothesis testing problem of interest. Best performance of their GLRT classification scheme, measured through Monte Carlo simulation and presented in terms of percent correct identification versus SNR, was obtained with a single pole per object orientation.
Electrical and optical emission measurements of a capillary dielectric barrier discharge

Summary form only given. The electrical and emission properties of a capillary DBD (Cap-DBD) plasma in atmospheric pressure air are reported in this work. The plasma reactor consists of metal wire electrodes inside quartz capillary tubes powered with a low kilohertz frequency AC high voltage power supply. Various reactor geometries (planar, 3-D multilayer, and circular) with no gap spacing up to a few hundred micron gaps were investigated. The discharges appear homogenous across the whole device at gaps between 0 and 225 μm and turned into filamentary discharges at larger gap spaces. The operating voltage was generally around 3-4 kV (RMS). The power consumption by the Cap-DBD was calculated using voltage/charge Lissajous figures with observed powers of a few tens of watts, reaching a maximum for a particular gap distance at 225 μm. Further studies of optical emission spectroscopy (OES) were employed to evaluate the reactive species generated in the microplasma source. The observed emission spectrum was predominantly within the second positive system of N2 (C3Πu - B3Πg) and the first negative system of N2+ (B2Σu+ - X2Σg+).
Power system modeling

A discussion of the philosophy of modeling of three-phase transmission lines, three-phase transformers, three-phase generators, and power system loads is presented. Although the topic is very basic, the material covered is not all conventional. Single-phase representation of a three-phase power system is discussed in detail. Assumptions usually employed in the power industry are stated. Also discussed is the mathematical representation of a non-symmetrical three-phase power system in which the symmetrical-component method is not applied. An important aspect is the study of the models used in present-day problems as well as the models that may be required in the near future.
East Asian STS: Fox or Hedgehog?

In his position paper for the EASTS, Professor Fu raises a series of issues that help define the mission and outlook of the journal. They may be summarized in question form as follows: (1) Is East ...
Research note: fumaric acid enhances performance of broiler chickens.

Two studies were conducted to examine the effects of dietary inclusion of fumaric acid on performance and carcass composition of broiler chickens. Fumaric acid was added to nutritionally complete diets at levels of 0, .125, .25, and .5% and fed from 1 to 49 days under simulated commercial conditions. In one trial, samples of birds were processed to determine dressing percentage and abdominal fat content. In the first trial (mixed sex broilers), the addition of .125% fumaric acid significantly (P less than .05) improved 49-day body weight of females and average weight gain of both sexes with no effect on feed utilization. Feed consumption was significantly increased when diets contained .125 or .50% fumaric acid. In the second trial (male broilers), 49-day body weight was significantly (P less than .05) improved by the addition of .125 and .25% fumaric acid. There were no significant differences in feed consumption; feed utilization was improved by the addition of all levels of fumaric acid. Dietary fumaric acid had no adverse effects on dressing percentage, abdominal fat content, or mortality rate.
An efficient method to schedule tandem of real-time tasks in cluster computing with possible processor failures

Each computer system in operation today is certain to experience faults in its operational lifetime. There is more than one source, which can cause faults, for example environmental factors, communication, interaction with users, or hardware or software design flaws randomly build into the system. A reliable system is the one that would continue operation albeit in a degraded mode despite the presence of faults. In this paper, we introduce an efficient method to schedule a tandem of real-time tasks in cluster computing with possible processor failures. The method is based on developing an objective function that combines different scheduling goals. This objective function is used to guide the search algorithm to find an efficient solution. The proposed algorithm consists of three terms, reliability, deadline and tasks grouping to minimize remote communication among tasks. The proposed method creates a scheduling table based on the objective function then searches this table for a feasible solution. The method is efficient because it reduces communication between different tasks by grouping them together. This grouping process reduces application de-fragmentation as well.
Short-term tilt anomalies preceding local earthquakes near San Jose, California

A tilt anomaly preceded a pair of earthquakes ( ML = 4.2, origin time 0014 UTC, and ML = 3.9, origin time 0018 UTC, both on 29 August 1978) on the Calaveras Fault near San Jose, California. These earthquakes occurred at hypocentral depths of 8.5 and 9.0 km, respectively, and were located 6.7 and 5.2 km northwest of the Mt. Hamilton tiltmeter site. The anomaly is similar in shape and time scale to signals observed on other tiltmeters at the times of recorded surface creep events. The anomaly began approximately 40 hr before the earthquake pair and consisted of gradual down-to-the-east tilting followed by rapid tilting down-to-the-north-northeast at a rate of 1 2 μrad/hr. This was followed by 1 hr of rapid down-to-the-east tilting amounting to 1.5 μrad. The maximum peak tilt of 10.6 μrad down-to-the-northeast was followed by gradual decelerating tilting down-to-the-southwest constituting partial recovery. An anomaly of nearly identical form, but smaller in amplitude and duration, preceded an ML = 2.2 aftershock on 5 September 1978. Other nearby earthquakes as large as ML = 4.7 have occurred without accompanying creep-like signals. A similar, but a much smaller (0.74 μrad) creep-event-like signal preceded an ML = 3.5 earthquake with epicenter 3 km east of the Black Mountain tiltmeter site. In general, however, short-term tilt anomalies such as these are not observed to precede local earthquakes within the central California tiltmeter network. The tilt signal preceding the 29 August earthquake pair may be interpreted in terms of a model of a propagating creep event, at depth, associated with seismic failure at a “stuck” patch on the fault. However, the data are not adequate to constrain the model sufficiently to constitute a test of the hypothesis.
A paradigm for strategic decision success

Conceptualizes a paradigm for strategic decision success that is based on a formal, managerial decision‐making process, advanced as part of a set of managerial attitudes towards the process and towards the decision itself. The resultant typology of strategic decisions is related to four sets of real‐world applications to validate the paradigm and to confirm the hypothesis that a formal managerial decision‐making process is conducive to strategic decision success. Concludes that an attainable objective set in an open, decision‐making process and pursued through a judgemental process in quest of a satisficing outcome is more likely to succeed.
Regulation of gene expression dynamics during developmental transitions by the Ikaros transcription factor

The DNA-binding protein Ikaros is a potent tumor suppressor and hematopoietic regulator. However, the mechanisms by which Ikaros functions remain poorly understood, due in part to its atypical DNA-binding properties and partnership with the poorly understood Mi-2/NuRD complex. In this study, we analyzed five sequential stages of thymocyte development in a mouse strain containing a targeted deletion of Ikaros zinc finger 4, which exhibits a select subset of abnormalities observed in Ikaros-null mice. By examining thymopoiesis in vivo and in vitro, diverse abnormalities were observed at each developmental stage. RNA sequencing revealed that each stage is characterized by the misregulation of a limited number of genes, with a strong preference for stage-specific rather than lineage-specific genes. Strikingly, individual genes rarely exhibited Ikaros dependence at all stages. Instead, a consistent feature of the aberrantly expressed genes was a reduced magnitude of expression level change during developmental transitions. These results, combined with analyses of the interplay between Ikaros loss of function and Notch signaling, suggest that Ikaros may not be a conventional activator or repressor of defined sets of genes. Instead, a primary function may be to sharpen the dynamic range of gene expression changes during developmental transitions via atypical molecular mechanisms that remain undefined.
A METHOD FOR THE SEPARATION OF FOUR PHENOLIC ESTROGENS IN HUMAN URINE BY PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY AND AN EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL ASSAY OF THESE COMPOUNDS

THIS paper presents a method for the estimation of individual urinary estrogens involving enzymatic hydrolysis of conjugates, ether extraction, paper chromatographic separation and purification of estrone, estradiol-3,17β, estriol and l6-epiestriol and finally quantitative estimation of these compounds by bioassay. The method is suitable for the measurement of very small amounts of urinary estrogens such as are excreted in the urine of patients with mammary cancer. The specificity and sensitivity of estrogen bioassay will be examined in this communication. Estrogens are known to be significantly involved in the genesis of mammary neoplasms in animals (1) and these ovarian hormones are sustaining factors of human breast cancer (2). A study of estrogen excretion and metabolism in women with breast cancer may further advance our understanding of the endocrine factors in the growth of these neoplasms and the mechanism of regression of some mammary cancers following endocrine ablative surgery.
Do neural responses to rejection depend on attachment style? An fMRI study

Social bonds fulfill the basic human need to belong. Being rejected thwarts this basic need, putting bonds with others at risk. Attachment theory suggests that people satisfy their need to belong through different means. Whereas anxious attachment is associated with craving acceptance and showing vigilance to cues that signal possible rejection, avoidant attachment is associated with discomfort with closeness and using avoidant strategies to regulate one’s relationships. Given these different styles by which people satisfy their need to belong (that can operate simultaneously within the same individual), responses to social rejection may differ according to these individual differences in attachment anxiety and avoidance. To test this hypothesis, we used neuroimaging techniques to examine how the degree to which people display each of the two attachment dimensions (anxiety and avoidance) uniquely correlated with their neural activity during a simulated experience of social exclusion. Anxious attachment related to heightened activity in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and anterior insula, regions previously associated with rejection-related distress. In contrast, avoidant attachment related to less activity in these regions. Findings are discussed in terms of the strategies that individuals with varying attachment styles might use to promote maintenance of social bonds.
Multi-Virulence-Locus Sequence Typing Clarifies Epidemiology of Recent Listeriosis Outbreaks in the United States

Multi-virulence-locus sequence typing (MVLST) was used to analyze isolates from two major listeriosis outbreaks in the United States in 1998 and 2002 that were due to consumption of contaminated hot dogs and turkey deli meat, respectively. MVLST demonstrated high epidemiological relevance and indicated that the two outbreaks were the result of one epidemic.
Prognostic Factors in Renal Cell Carcinoma

The identification of prognostic factors in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) represents an area of increasing interest. The tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging system is currently the most extensively used tool for providing prognostic information for RCC. Data published in the last few years have led to significant controversies as to whether further revisions are needed in current staging systems and whether improvements can be made with the introduction of new, more accurate and predictive prognostic factors not currently included in traditional staging systems. While integrated staging systems have improved the staging of RCC, the recent discovery of molecular tumor markers is expected to revolutionize the staging of RCC in the future and lead to the development of new therapies based on molecular targeting. The aim of the current review is to highlight such controversies and provide an update on current staging modalities and prognostic factors for RCC.
Prey capture by Luciocephalus pulcher: implications for models of jaw protrusion in teleost fishes

Luciocephalus pulcher possesses one of the most protrusible jaws known among teleosts, the premaxillae extending anteriorly a distance of 33% of the head length during feeding. Jaw bone movement during feeding proceeds according to a stereotypical pattern and resembles that of other teleosts except for extreme cranial elevation and premaxillary protrusion. Anatomical specializations associated with cranial elevation include: a highly modified first vertebra with a separate neural spine, articular fossae on the posterior aspect, greatly enlarged zygapophyses on the second vertebra with complex articular condyles, and highly pinnate multi-layered epaxial musculature with multiple tendinous insertions on the skull.
Development of Molecular Genetic Interventions for HIV Infection

This unit includes a set of protocols for the ex vivo transfer of genes into CD4+ T cells, to be used in the initial evaluation of genes protecting against HIV infection in gene therapy protocols. The Basic Protocol describes isolating and expanding CD4+ T cells from the patient. The cells are then transduced by either retroviral transduction or particle-mediated gene transfer and reinfused into the patient. To monitor the effectiveness of gene transfer, genomic DNA is prepared from the patient's cells. Detection of vector DNA by PCR analysis of the patient's genomic DNA following gene transfer is also described in detail.
Increased Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor α Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Cytomegalovirus Infection after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) has been implicated in the reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) at a cellular level. We therefore hypothesized that increased posttransplantation TNF levels may be associated with the development of CMV antigenemia (CMV-Ag). We studied 134 patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. After excluding CMV-negative donor and recipient pairs, 94 patients were evaluable. By cluster analysis, 2 groups were designated by TNF levels obtained between days 4 and 7 after transplantation: 58 patients had low levels (median, 0 pg/mL; range, 0–5.5 pg/mL), and 36 patients had high levels (median, 43.75 pg/mL; range, 7.5–1756 pg/mL). To determine the independent effect of TNF on the development of CMV-Ag and acute graft-versus-host disease and on survival, Kaplan-Meier and Cox models stratified by TNF patient groups were evaluated. High TNF levels were associated with a more rapid onset of CMV-Ag ( P P P = .003) and acute graft-versus-host disease (as a time-dependent covariate; HR, 2.30; P = .010). Factors independently associated with the composite end point of CNV-Ag or death were a high TNF level (HR, 2.42; P P = .017). In conclusion, a high posttransplantation TNF level is significantly associated with the risk for developing CMV infection. Early detection of high levels of TNF may be used to identify patients at high risk for developing CMV-Ag.
Metal-complex catalysts in the hydrogenation of unsaturated glycerides of natural oils

Information on the use of organometallic catalysts for the hydrogenation of natural oils published since 1979 is reviewed. Organometallic systems of the Ziegler-Natta type are shown to be the most promising. The nature of the catalytic activity of complex organometallic hydrogenation systems is discussed. The bibliography includes 84 references.
Genetic robustness and functional evolution of gene duplicates

Gene duplications are a major source of evolutionary innovations. Understanding the functional divergence of duplicates and their role in genetic robustness is an important challenge in biology. Previously, analyses of genetic robustness were primarily focused on duplicates essentiality and epistasis in several laboratory conditions. In this study, we use several quantitative data sets to understand compensatory interactions between Saccharomyces cerevisiae duplicates that are likely to be relevant in natural biological populations. We find that, owing to their high functional load, close duplicates are unlikely to provide substantial backup in the context of large natural populations. Interestingly, as duplicates diverge from each other, their overall functional load is reduced. At intermediate divergence distances the quantitative decrease in fitness due to removal of one duplicate becomes smaller. At these distances, yeast duplicates display more balanced functional loads and their transcriptional control becomes significantly more complex. As yeast duplicates diverge beyond 70% sequence identity, their ability to compensate for each other becomes similar to that of random pairs of singletons.
Neck circumference and the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Framingham Heart Study.

Upper-body subcutaneous adipose tissue, estimated by neck circumference (NC), is a unique fat depot that may confer additional risk for metabolic risk factors over generalized and central adiposity (1). Using a prospective study design, we now evaluate whether NC improves the prediction of incident cardiovascular disease risk factors over BMI and waist circumference (2). Framingham Heart Study participants ( n = 2,732; 54% women; mean age, 57 years) were followed for ∼10 years (1995–2008) for the development of type 2 diabetes (fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL or treatment), hypertension, low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL, men; <50 mg/dL, women), and high triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL or lipid treatment). NC, BMI, and waist circumference were standardized within each sex to a mean of zero and an SD of one. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and smoking, were used to test the association between 1 SD increment of NC with each outcome. …
The unfolded protein response sensor IRE1α is required at 2 distinct steps in B cell lymphopoiesis

B lymphocyte differentiation is coordinated with the induction of high-level Ig secretion and expansion of the secretory pathway. Upon accumulation of unfolded proteins in the lumen of the ER, cells activate an intracellular signaling pathway termed the unfolded protein response (UPR). Two major proximal sensors of the UPR are inositol-requiring enzyme 1alpha (IRE1alpha), an ER transmembrane protein kinase/endoribonuclease, and ER-resident eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha (eIF2alpha) kinase (PERK). To elucidate whether the UPR plays an important role in lymphopoiesis, we carried out reconstitution of recombinase-activating gene 2-deficient (rag2-/-) mice with hematopoietic cells defective in either IRE1alpha- or PERK-mediated signaling. IRE1alpha-deficient (ire1alpha-/-) HSCs can proliferate and give rise to pro-B cells that home to bone marrow. However, IRE1alpha, but not its catalytic activities, is required for Ig gene rearrangement and production of B cell receptors (BCRs). Analysis of rag2-/- mice transplanted with IRE1alpha trans-dominant-negative bone marrow cells demonstrated an additional requirement for IRE1alpha in B lymphopoiesis: both the IRE1alpha kinase and RNase catalytic activities are required to splice the mRNA encoding X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP1) for terminal differentiation of mature B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells. Furthermore, UPR-mediated translational control through eIF2alpha phosphorylation is not required for B lymphocyte maturation and/or plasma cell differentiation. These results suggest specific requirements of the IRE1alpha-mediated UPR subpathway in the early and late stages of B lymphopoiesis.
BK Channel Blockers Regulate Mouse Sinoatrial Node Cell Firing

In the cardiovascular system, BK currents regulate vascular tone and may promote cardioprotection against ischemic injury. Recent experimental results also demonstrate that the BK channel blocker paxilline reduces the heart rate of mice in vivo, and in isolated rat hearts (Imlach, et al. 2010), suggesting a novel role for BK channels in basal heart rate regulation. However, the mechanism underlying this observation is unclear. We hypothesized that BK channel blockers reduce heart rate by altering electrical conduction within the heart. To test this hypothesis, we recorded electrocardiograms from awake, unrestrained mice in the presence of 8mg/kg paxilline, and examined changes in heart rate and cardiac conduction. Electrocardiograms show that the paxilline-induced reduction in heart rate in wild-type mice was associated with a 28.7 ± 4.3% (n = 8, p = 0.0002) elongation of the sinus (P-P) interval, suggesting that BK channels regulate cardiac pacing in vivo. Action potentials were recorded from isolated mouse sinoatrial node cells, and application of 3μM paxilline reduced the average instantaneous firing frequency from 4.81 ± 0.01Hz to 4.50 ± 0.07Hz (n = 8, p < 0.05). The effect of PAX on firing frequency was alleviated by 1μM isoproterenol (firing frequency = 5.28 ± 0.02Hz, n=5). Together, these results suggest that BK channels may influence basal cardiac function through a role in the sinoatrial node.
PACIFIC COAST CASPIAN TERNS: DYNAMICS OF AN EXPANDING POPULATION

Nesting distribution, age-related seasonal movements, survivorship, and mechanisms of population expansion in Pacific Coast Caspian Tems (Sterna caspia) were examined primarily through analysis of 412 recoveries of birds banded as juveniles between 1935 and 1980. Since the beginning of this century, the population has shifted from nesting in numerous small colonies associated with freshwater marshes in interior Califomia and southem Oregon to nesting primarily in large colonies on human-created habitats along the coast. Colonies at Grays Harbor, Washington and San Francisco and San Diego bays, Cal- ifomia account for 77% of the current Pacific Coast population (6,000 pairs), which has breeding and wintering areas separate from those of populations east of the continental divide. There also appears to be some segregation on the wintering grounds by birds from the three major colonies within the Pacific population. Age-related seasonal movements in the Pacific population are characterized by (1) a brief period of northward dispersal by newly fledged birds before migrating to the wintering grounds, (2) a residency on the wintering grounds through their second winter, (3) a return to the breeding grounds the third summer, when most birds are thought to prospect breeding sites and some may breed, and (4) attainment of adulthood the fourth summer, with subsequent annual movements between wintering and breeding grounds. The Pacific population has increased 70% since 1960, apparently all by intrinsic growth. Over half (57%) of the fledglings reach their fourth year, and they have a subsequent annual survival rate of 89% and a mean breeding life expectancy of 8.6 yr. An average annual fledging rate of 0.64 young per pair was calculated as necessary to have provided the ob- served growth of the population during its recent expansion. Growth of some of the indi- vidual colonies, however, particularly those in Washington, could only have resulted from extensive recruitment of birds from other Pacific Coast colonies. Philopatry is low in this population, and the growth of the northern colonies involved recruitment primarily of first- time breeders but also of some older adults. Factors promoting both first-time breeders and older adults to join new and often distant colonies are discussed. Received 2 August 1982,
Photoplastic Recording Film Made with CdS

Photoplastic film was prepared as a dispersion of 1% Cu-doped CdS in a deformable polymer matrix of plasticized polystyrene. Spectral response, determined by measuring the rate of photoinduced charge decay, was approximately constant in the range of 380–500 mµ. Sensitivity was about 1 µJ/cm2 under specified conditions of charge and spatial frequency. Resolving power was between 50–100 lp/mm. Signal-to-noise ratio and reusability characteristics are discussed.
Stability of rice grain’s milling quality in relation to genotype × environment interaction and climatic factors

Based on AMMI model, the genotype (G) × environment (E) interaction on the grain’s milling quality of 25 rice cultivars from Liaoning Province was studied, with the stability of the milling quality in relation to the eco-climatic adaptability of these cultivars discussed. The results showed that there existed significant differences in the brown rice rate and head milling rice rate among different sites, varieties, and G×E interactions. The cultivars with high stability in brown rice rate were V12 (Huajing 49), V3 (Liaojing 294), and V4 (0163), while those with high stability in head milling rate were V3, V1 (XianS 38), and V18 (LDC 248). For brown rice rate, cultivars V15 (Shennong 9810), V19 (Yutian 301), and V7 (Qiao 201-2) had special eco-climatic adaptability to low or high temperatures; for head milling rate, cultivar V22 (Ying 9207) presented special eco-climatic adaptability to high temperature, V11 (0157) to low temperature and drought, and V15 (Shenong 9810) and V16 (Longpan 5) to rainless or pluvial conditions, respectively.
Analysis of precordial movements

Thorough analysis of precordial movements in patients with known or suspected heart disease provides valuable diagnostic information in most patients and is an important, although often overlooked, part of the initial cardiac examination. As with all physical diagnostic methods, information obtained by analysis of precordial movements must be carefully integrated with the clinical history and other physical findings. Further diagnostic studies may be necessary for certain patients, but failure to obtain readily available information during the initial examination can lead to important mistakes in diagnosis and unnecessary use or misinterpretation of more expensive, risky, and uncomfortable diagnostic tests. The result can be compromised patient care. It takes dedication, patience, and time to develop and maintain excellent skills in cardiac physical diagnosis. Failure to use the time-honored diagnostic methods because of a lack of understanding of their value or dependence on more complicated diagnostic tests shortchanges both the patient and physician. The newer methods of diagnosis complement the physical examination and are valuable when thoughtfully used to answer specific clinical questions, but the therapeutic effects of human interaction and the professional rewards gained from a physician's skillful use of the hands, eyes, and mind cannot be replaced by technology-based techniques.
Recent developments and simulations utilizing bond-order potentials

Bond-order potentials (BOPs) have been used successfully in simulations of a wide range of processes. A brief overview of bond-order potentials is provided which focuses on the reactive empirical bond-order (REBO) potential for hydrocarbons (Brenner et al 2002 J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 14 783) and the large number of useful potentials it has spawned. Two specific extensions of the REBO potential that make use of its formalism are discussed. First, the 2B-SiCH potential (Schall and Harrison 2013 J. Phys. Chem. C 117 1323) makes the appropriate changes to the hydrocarbon REBO potential so that three atom types, Si, C, and H, can be modeled. Second, we recently added the electronegative element O, along with the associated charge terms, to the adaptive intermolecular REBO (AIREBO) potential (Stuart et al 2000 J. Chem. Phys. 112 6472). The resulting qAIREBO potential (Knippenberg et al 2012 J. Chem. Phys. 136 164701) makes use of the bond-order potential/split-charge (BOP/SQE) equilibration method (Mikulski et al 2009 J. Chem. Phys. 131 241105) and the Lagrangian approach to charge dynamics (Rick et al 1994 J. Chem. Phys. 101 6141). The integration of these two techniques allows for atomic charges to evolve with time during MD simulations: as a result, chemical reactions can be modeled in C-, O-, and H-containing systems. The usefulness of the 2B-SiCH potential for tribological investigations is demonstrated in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of axisymmetric tips composed of Si and SiC placed in sliding contact with diamond(1 1 1) surfaces with varying amounts of hydrogen termination. The qAIREBO potential is used to investigate confinement of sub-monolayer coverages of water between nanostructured surfaces.
Sirolimus and tacrolimus coefficient of variation is associated with rejection, donor-specific antibodies, and nonadherence

Immunosuppression medication nonadherence has been associated with donor-specific antibodies and treatment-refractory rejection. Drug-level monitoring is a practical direct marker for nonadherence, as variations indicate erratic ingestion of medication. We previously reported that high variability in tacrolimus trough levels determined by the percent coefficient of variation (CV %) and standard deviation (SD) were associated with biopsy-proven rejection. We hypothesized that the CV % and SD in patients on a sirolimus/low-dose tacrolimus regimen may associate with self-reported medication nonadherence, rejection and donor-specific antibodies. In this pilot feasibility study, we studied 37 biopsies in 23 pediatric renal transplant patients on both sirolimus and tacrolimus immunosuppression; CV %, SD, de novo donor-specific antibodies, rejection, and self-reported adherence were examined. A cut-off sirolimus CV % of 25 maximized the percentage of biopsies correctly classified as rejection (32 of 37, or 86 %, p = 0.001). A cut-off tacrolimus CV % of 31 maximized the percentage of correctly classified biopsies (25 of 37, or 68 %, p = 0.09). Among patients with both high sirolimus and tacrolimus CV %, 67 % developed de novo donor-specific antibodies (p = 0.002) with a DQ predominance and 71 % reported nonadherence (p = 0.05). In pediatric renal transplantation, sirolimus and tacrolimus CV % is a potential tool for monitoring patients at risk for allograft rejection and donor-specific antibodies secondary to medication nonadherence.
Forms of Production

It has already been explained that production is concerned with obtaining or making things that have value in use.
Long-Term Stimulant Therapy and ADHD Outcome

The long-term effects of amphetamine sulfate (5 mg AM and lunchtime, increasing to a mean dose of 17 mg/d, 0.52 mg/kg body weight, and a maximum of 45 mg/d) were evaluated in 62 children, aged 6 to 11 years, with ADHD treated for 15 months in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University departments in Goteborg, Uppsala, Malmo-Lund, and Umea, Sweden.
Preclinical Evaluation of MET Inhibitor INC-280 With or Without the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Erlotinib in Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract Background Although the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor erlotinib is initially effective in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with tumors harboring activating mutations of EGFR , most subsequently develop acquired resistance. One recognized resistance mechanism occurs through activation of bypass signaling via the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-MET pathway. INC-280 is a small molecule kinase inhibitor of MET. We sought to demonstrate the activity of INC-280 on select NSCLC cell lines both as a single agent and in combination with erlotinib using exogenous HGF to simulate MET up-regulation. Methods Four NSCLC cell lines (HCC827, PC9, H1666, and H358) were treated with either single-agent INC-280 or in combination with erlotinib with or without HGF. The activity of the drug treatments was measured by cell viability assays. Immunoblotting was used to monitor expression of EGFR/pEGFR, MET/pMET, GAB1/pGAB1, AKT/pAKT, and ERK/pERK as well as markers of apoptosis ( PARP and capase-3 cleavage) in H1666, HCC827, and PC9. Results As a single agent, INC-280 showed minimal cytotoxicity despite potent inhibition of MET kinase activity at concentrations as low as 10 nM. Addition of HGF prevented erlotinib-induced cell death. The addition of INC280 to HGF-mediated erlotinib-resistant models restored erlotinib sensitivity for all cell lines tested, associated with cleavage of both PARP and caspase-3. In these models, INC-280 treatment was sufficient to restore erlotinib-induced inhibition of MET, GAB1 , AKT , and ERK in the presence of HGF. Conclusion Although the MET inhibitor INC-280 alone had no discernible effect on cell growth, it was able to restore sensitivity to erlotinib and promote apoptosis in NSCLC models rendered erlotinib resistant by HGF. These data provide a preclinical rationale for an ongoing phase 1 clinical trial of erlotinib plus INC-280 in EGFR -mutated NSCLC.
Effective Contact Potential of Thin Film Metal-Insulator Nanostructures and Its Role in Self-Powered Nanofilm X-ray Sensors.

We studied the effective contact potential difference (ECPD) of thin film nanostructures and its role in self-powered X-ray sensors, which use the high-energy current detection scheme. We compared the response to kilovoltage X-rays of several nanostructures made of disparate combinations of conductors (Al, Cu, Ta, ITO) and oxides (SiO2, Ta2O5, Al2O3). We measured current–voltage curves in parallel-plate configuration separated by an air gap and determined three characteristic parameters: current at zero voltage bias I0, the voltage offset for zero current ECPD, and saturation current Isat. We found that the metals’ ECPD values measured with our technique were higher than the CPD values measured with photoelectron spectroscopy in situ, i.e., no air contact. These differences are related to natural oxidization and to the presence of photo-/Auger-electron current leaking from the high-Z toward the low-Z electrode, as suggested by additional experiments carried out in vacuum. Further, the deposition of the 40...
A Wesleyan Spirituality: Implications for Clinical Practice:

This article seeks to integrate Wesleyan spirituality with psychology and clinical practice. Three particular aspects in the Wesleyan tradition are explored: human freedom, the doctrine of sanctifi...