cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attenuation and speed of 10 MHz ultrasound in canine blood of various packed-cell volumes at 37°C

The attenuation coefficient and the speed of 10 MHz ultrasound were determined in canine blood at 37°C by a differential path-length technique. Blood specimens with packed-cell volumes (p.c.v) ranging from 0 to 53% were prepared by separating the cells from the plasma and mixing the two components. The mean attenuation coefficient increased linearly with packed-cell volume, the least squares regression function being α=0·992+0·039 PCV with a standard error of the estimate=0·255. The speed of 10 MHz ultrasound c in millimetres per second, increased with packed-cell volume, the regression function for a wave equation model being 1/c2=0·418+2·09×10−4 (PCV)−1·75×10−5 (PCV)2 with a standard error of the estimate=0·0049 (mm/s)−2. Both the attention coefficient and speed of 10 MHz ultrasound were greater in blood than in plasma to a degree dependent on the packed-cell volume.
The Dossier on Stephen, the First Martyr

Today, New Testament scholars interpret the book of Acts and its account of the Hellenists—Stephen's martyrdom in particularSee Acts 6–8.—while historians of Christianity study the cult of Saint Stephen and the healing power of his relicsParticularly in the eyes of Augustine; see De civitate Dei, 22.8; also p. 290, below.. In contrast to the situation in earlier scholarship, there is, alas, little dialogue between the two groups, because the first does not investigate the reception of the book of Acts,Even in the German collection Evangelisch-katholischer Kommentar zum Neuen Testament, whose intention is to respect the Wirkungsgeschichte, Rudolf Pesch's commentary on the book of Acts presents only one reference to a Christian text influenced by Luke's account of Stephen's martyrdom, the story of the martyrs of Lyon preserved by Eusebius of Caesarea, Hist. eccl. 5.2.5; see Rudolf Pesch, Die Apostelgeschichte. 1.Teilband (Apg 1–12) (2d ed.; EKK 5.1; Solothurn: Benzinger; Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener, 1995) 267. and the second does not bridge the gap between the time of the New Testament and the fourth century, when the cult of the saint begins to be well attested. My long-term intention is to establish links between the two scholarly fields and to consider Stephen's career in the New Testament and his role in the life of the church as two phases of a continuous history. This paper, an expression of my short-term intention, fulfills two preliminary tasks: to present the modern research on the hagiography of the first martyr and to collect the ancient material on Stephen. As far as I can judge, such a file or “dossier” on Stephen, the first martyr, does not exist.
CAN SORBENT-BASED GAS PHASE AIR CLEANING FOR VOCS SUBSTITUTE FOR VENTILATION IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS?

This paper reviews current knowledge about the suitability of sorbent-based air cleaning for removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air in commercial buildings, as needed to enable reductions in ventilation rates and associated energy savings. The principles of sorbent air cleaning are introduced, criteria are suggested for sorbent systems that can counteract indoor VOC concentration increases from reduced ventilation, major findings from research on sorbent performance for this application are summarized, and related priority research needs are identified. Major conclusions include: sorbent systems can remove a broad range of VOCs with moderate to high efficiency, sorbent technologies perform effectively when challenged with VOCs at the low concentrations present indoors, and there is a large uncertainty about the lifetime and associated costs of sorbent air cleaning systems when used in commercial buildings for indoor VOC control. Suggested priority research includes: experiments to determine sorbent system VOC removal efficiencies and lifetimes considering the broad range and low concentration of VOCs indoors; evaluations of in-situ regeneration of sorbents; and an updated analysis of the cost of sorbent air cleaning relative to the cost of ventilation.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with high and low Ras-GTP are permissive for oncolytic herpes simplex virus mutants.

Background Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) occur most frequently in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 and are often fatal. Current therapy relies upon radical surgical resection, which often fails to completely remove the tumor. To address the need for novel treatment approaches for this disease, we sought to determine if human MPNST-derived cell lines are sensitive to oncolytic Herpes simplex virus (oHSV) infection. Activation of the Ras pathway and its inhibitory effects on protein kinase R (PKR) activation have been shown to dictate cellular permissivity to oHSV mutants. Because NF-1-associated MPNSTs possess inherent hyperactive Ras, we hypothesized these tumors would be ideal therapeutic targets for oHSVs. Procedure Human MPNST-derived cell lines were examined for sensitivity to oHSV-mediated gene transduction, virus replication, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis. These parameters were correlated with PKR activation following oHSV infection and compared with normal human Schwann cells (NHSCs) without hyperactive Ras. Results MPNST-derived cell lines were efficiently transduced, supported virus replication and were killed by the oncolytic HSV mutants, including sporadic MPNSTs without hyperactive Ras. In contrast to the highly sensitive MPNST cell lines, NHSCs did not support mutant virus replication. Conclusions MPNSTs are susceptible to lysis by oncolytic HSV mutants, regardless of Ras status. Tumor-selective virus replication in MPNST cells appears to be mediated by both cellular expression of ribonucleotide reductase and prevention of eIF2α phosphorylation. Virus-induced cytotoxicity of MPNST cell lines was caused by both direct lysis and apoptosis. Our data suggest the use of oncolytic HSV mutants may represent a novel treatment approach for patients with MPNSTs. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Forecasting Natural Aquifer Discharge Using a Numerical Model and Convolution

If the nature of groundwater sources and sinks can be determined or predicted, the data can be used to forecast natural aquifer discharge. We present a procedure to forecast the relative contribution of individual aquifer sources and sinks to natural aquifer discharge. Using these individual aquifer recharge components, along with observed aquifer heads for each January, we generate a 1-year, monthly spring discharge forecast for the upcoming year with an existing numerical model and convolution. The results indicate that a forecast of natural aquifer discharge can be developed using only the dominant aquifer recharge sources combined with the effects of aquifer heads (initial conditions) at the time the forecast is generated. We also estimate how our forecast will perform in the future using a jackknife procedure, which indicates that the future performance of the forecast is good (Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.81). We develop a forecast and demonstrate important features of the procedure by presenting an application to the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer in southern Idaho.
TID and SEE Response of Optek Hall Effect Sensors

We present TID and SEE testing on the Optek Hall Effect sensors for use in deep space missions, where we investigate the sensors susceptibility to radiation effects as they operate by magnetism.
A detection-based approach to broadcast news video story segmentation

A detection-based paradigm decomposes a complex system into small pieces, solves each subproblem one by one, and combines the collected evidence to obtain a final solution. In this study of video story segmentation, a set of key events are first detected from heterogeneous multimedia signal sources, including a large scale concept ontology for images, text generated from automatic speech recognition systems, features extracted from audio track, and high-level video transcriptions. Then a discriminative evidence fusion scheme is investigated. We use the maximum figure-of-merit learning approach to directly optimize the performance metrics used in system evaluation, such as precision, recall, and F1 measure. Some experimental evaluations conducted on the TRECVID 2003 dataset demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed detection-based paradigm. The proposed framework facilitates flexible combination and extensions of event detector design and evidence fusion to enable other related video applications.
Options for Internal Lining in Nasal Reconstruction

Nasal reconstruction has been refined to the point that its goals should include full restoration of form and function in addition to providing an aesthetically-pleasing result. Contemporary facial plastic surgeons have all the tools available in their armamentarium to repair the complex composite structure of nasal lining, structure, and skin cover. Nasal defects most often result from oncologic surgery or, less commonly, nasal trauma. While defects of nasal cover are more prominent, the impact of unrepaired nasal lining defects should not be underestimated. Meticulous repair of lining, structure and cover are all required for functional, stable and aesthetic nasal reconstruction.
Social Networking Site Usage among Childhood Cancer Survivors—A Potential Tool for Research Recruitment?

The recent and rapid growth of social networking site (SNS) use presents a unique public health opportunity to develop effective strategies for the recruitment of hard-to-reach participants for cancer research studies. This survey investigated childhood cancer survivors’ reported use of SNS such as Facebook or MySpace and their perceptions of using SNS, for recruitment into survivorship research. Sixty White, Black, and Hispanic adult childhood cancer survivors (range 18–48 years of age) that were randomly selected from a larger childhood cancer study, the Chicago Healthy Living Study, participated in this pilot survey. Telephone surveys were conducted to understand current SNS activity and attitudes towards using SNS as a cancer research recruitment tool. Seventy percent of participants reported SNS usage of which 80 % were at least weekly users and 79 % reported positive attitudes towards the use of SNS as a recruitment tool for survivorship research. The results of this pilot study revealed that SNS use was high and regular among the childhood cancer survivors sampled. Most had positive attitudes towards using SNS for recruitment of research. The results of this pilot survey suggest that SNS may offer an alternative approach for recruitment of childhood cancer survivors into research.
Biologically Inspired Feedback Design for Drosophila Flight

We use a biologically motivated model of the Drosophila's flight mechanics and sensor processing to design a feedback control scheme to regulate forward flight. The model used for insect flight is the grand unified fly (GUF) [3] simulation consisting of rigid body kinematics, aerodynamic forces and moments, sensory systems, and a 3D environment model. We seek to design a control algorithm that will convert the sensory signals into proper wing beat commands to regulate forward flight. Modulating the wing beat frequency and mean stroke angle produces changes in the flight envelope. The sensory signals consist of estimates of rotational velocity from the haltere organs and translational velocity estimates from visual elementary motion detectors (EMD's) and matched retinal velocity filters. The controller is designed based on a longitudinal model of the flight dynamics. Feedforward commands are generated based on a desired forward velocity. The dynamics are linearized around this operating point and a feedback controller designed to correct deviations from the operating point. The control algorithm is implemented in the GUF simulator and achieves the desired tracking of the forward reference velocities and exhibits biologically realistic responses.
Increased Abundance and First Breeding Record of the Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) on the Alluvial Plain of Mississippi

Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Neotropic Cormorant) has been observed with increasing frequency in the alluvial plain (Delta region) of Mississippi. In the past 6 years, 22 individuals have been observed in 20 separate sightings during spring and summer. These sightings have occurred at breeding colonies of other colonial waterbirds and commercial aquaculture facilities of Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfi sh). Two sexually mature Neotropic Cormorants have been collected at a colonial waterbird breeding colony near the Mississippi River in the western Delta region among fl ocks of Phalacrocorax auritus (Double-crested Cormorants). Twice during the summer of 2008, confi rmed nesting of Neotropic Cormorants were documented in the Delta region of Mississippi. The increased abundance and range expansion of Neotropic Cormorants in the Delta region of Mississippi may be a result of the readily available food source of cultured Channel Catfi sh.
Lack of Effect of Superficial Heat to the Knee on Quadriceps Function in Individuals With Quadriceps Inhibition

Context: Quadriceps function improves after application of focal joint cooling or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation to the knee in patients with arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI), yet it is not known whether superficial heat is able to produce a similar effect. Objective: To determine quadriceps function after superficial heat to the knee joint in individuals with AMI. Design: Single blinded randomized crossover. Setting: Laboratory. Patients: 12 subjects (4 female, 8 males; 25.6 ± 7.7 y, 177.2 ± 12.7 cm, 78.4 ± 18.2 kg) with a history of knee-joint pathology and AMI, determined with a quadriceps central activation ratio (CAR) of <90%. Intervention: 3 treatment conditions for 15 min on separate days: superficial heat using a cervical moist-heat pack (77°C), sham using a cervical moist pack (room temperature at about 24°C), and control (no treatment). All subjects received all treatment conditions in a randomized order. Main Outcome Measures: Central activation ratio and knee-extension torque d...
Distribution, size frequency, and sex ratios of blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus at Palmyra Atoll: a predator‐dominated ecosystem

Blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus were the most abundant predator in the lagoons at Palmyra Atoll. They were evenly distributed throughout the lagoons, although there was some evidence of sexual segregation. Males reach sexual maturity between 940–1020 mm LT. Bird remains were found in some C. melanopterus stomachs. C. melanopterus at Palmyra appear to be smaller than those at other locations.
Global interconnect sizing and spacing with consideration of coupling capacitance

The paper presents an efficient approach to perform global interconnect sizing and spacing (GISS) for multiple nets to minimize interconnect delays with consideration of coupling capacitance, in addition to area and fringing capacitances. We introduce the formulation of symmetric and asymmetric wire sizing and spacing. We prove two important results on the symmetric and asymmetric effective fringing properties which lead to a very effective bound computation algorithm to compute the upper and lower bounds of the optimal wire sizing and spacing solution for all nets under consideration. Our experiments show that in most cases the upper and lower bounds meet quickly after a few iterations and we actually obtain the optimal solution. To our knowledge, this is the first in depth study of global wire sizing and spacing for multiple nets with consideration of coupling capacitance. Experimental results show that our GISS solutions lead to substantially better delay reduction than existing single net wire sizing solutions without consideration of coupling capacitance.
Trochleoplasty for Treatment of Patella Instability: A Prospective Study.

Objectives:Trochlear dysplasia (TD) involves an abnormality of the shape & depth of the proximal aspect of the trochlear groove, and has been found in 85% of individuals with recurrent patellofemor...
Computer Auditor Reliance on Automated and Non-Automated Controls As a Function of Training and Experience

The study is based on an experiment in which computer auditors used the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to evaluate automated and non-automated control procedures. The results of this exploratory analysis suggest that, in some cases, there appears to be an association between computer auditors' background and their evaluation of automated control procedures. There were several instances where higher weights were assigned to completely automated control procedures by computer auditors with an MIS/CS academic education and MIS work experience. More computer audit experience and accounting work experience, in different cases, were associated with higher weights (lower weights) for control procedures considered the most effective (least effective) by the participants. Several significant interaction terms suggested that these work experiences can also dampen reliance on automated controls. This study found no evidence that computer auditors with either accounting academic education or financial audit experience relied more on non-automated control procedures.
Two results on uniqueness of conformal mappings

In this article, we give new, elementary, and very geometric proofs of two results in conformal mapping theory. One of these – about the size of the isotropy group of the set of conformal mappings of a domain – is nearly three-quarters of a century old. The other – about fixed points – is just two decades old.
Humoral and cellular immune responses of dogs immunized with a nucleic acid vaccine encoding human carcinoembryonic antigen.

A nucleic acid vaccine encoding human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was administered to 10 juvenile dogs, 10–15 weeks of age, by four parenteral routes. The routes tested were intramuscular injection using a needle and syringe, intramuscular injection using the Biojector needleless injection device, intradermal injection or intravenous injection. All groups received 150 μg of plasmid DNA on weeks 0, 4, 7 and 13. All dogs were bled weekly for 17 weeks and tested for antibody against human CEA. Dogs given plasmid intramuscularly either by needle and syringe or Biojector showed significant antibody responses by week 9 which peaked by week 15. Dogs receiving plasmid intra- venously showed slight, unsustained increases in antibody titers while dogs receiving plasmid intradermally had significant titers, but at levels approximately one log less than those induced by intramuscular injection. The five dogs immunized by intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA were examined for cellular immune responses to human CEA by lymphoblast transformation (LBT) assay. All five showed significant CEA-specific lymphoproliferation when compared with unvaccinated dogs. Physical examination, clinical chemistry, hematology and histopathology examinations revealed no abnormalities associated with nucleic acid immunization.
The Biosynthesis of Chloramphenicol. III. Effects of Micronutrients on Synthesis

SUMMARYThe effects of the microelements Zn, Fe, Mn, Mo, Co, Cu, B, and Ga and the macroelement, Mg, on growth and chloramphenicol production by Streptomyces venezuelane were studied. Elimination of...
Two-Dimensional Gapping to Reduce Light-Load Loss of Point-of-Load Inductor

Point-of-load converter at light load has low efficiency owing to the “fixed losses” such as core loss and ac winding loss. This paper focuses on two-dimensional (2-D) gapping of a ferrite core to shape inductance versus load current to reduce inductor loss at light load. Since the maximum inductance of conventional stepped gap is limited by the cross-sectional area of the thin gap, a 2-D gap is formed by joining two orthogonal gaps to gain flexibility. Higher inductance is achieved at light load compared with uniform-gap and stepped-gap geometries having the same volume and dc resistance. AC resistance is reduced at light load thanks to a magnetic path that steers ac flux away from the winding. Two C -cores with 2-D gap were fabricated and tested on a buck converter with 50% reduced total inductor loss at 10% load current.
Further studies on relationship between activity and constitution in the cardiac glycoside series.

SummaryThe potency of a number of glycosides and related compounds for the embryonic chick heart has been reported and various implications suggested. As a means of studying the relationship of chemical constitution and physiologic action, the embryonic heart method appears to offer definite advantages over methods employing intravenous administration to intact animals.
Time and Space: The Origins and implications of the new public management

We explain the swift rise of the theory and practice of the new public management by exploring the economic, cultural, and epistemological roots of evolving capitalism. Our analysis focuses on the changing epistemologies, expressed as temporal or spatial thinking, that characterize both industrial and post-industrial capitalism and the way in which these forces shape forms of administrative organization. We explore the implications of these changes and assess the cogency and effectiveness of public administration's resistance to market-inspired models of organization. The extraordinary increase in the speed by which public announcements, as well as economic and political facts, are transmitted exerts a steady and sharp pressure in the direction of speeding up the tempo of administrative reaction towards various situations. The optimum of such reaction time is normally only attained by a strictly bureaucratic organization. (Max Weber, in Gerth & Mills, 1946, p. 215)
Epidemic Characteristics of Varicella in Shenhe District of Shenyang City during 2006-2010

[Objective]To understand the epidemic intensity and features of varicella in Shenhe District of Shenyang City,and provide accurate basis for developing and evaluating control measures. [Methods]The descriptive epidemiology was adopted for the analysis of the data varicella in this district. [Results]The annual incidence rate of varicella in Shenhe District was 103.73/100 000,the ratio of male to females was 1.15∶1,the incidence rate of male and female was 111.53/100 000 and 96.02/100 000(P0.01) respectively;69.76% of annual total cases appeared in January,April-June,December and November.Students and kindergarten children occupied 61.60% and 13.44% of reported total cases,with obvious peak.88.04% were people aged 4~24 years. [Conclusion]Based on the epidemic features of varicella,it is necessary to strengthen the leadership,to clear prevention goals,to perfect rules and regulations,to implement prevention and control measures,to carry out health promotion and health education,to improve prevention and control awareness and levels,to do well in training,to improve the technical level and management ability,to strengthen the monitoring and analysis,to complete the varicella trend warning,to do well in site investigation and effectively control its outbreak.
The Dynamics of Groups

This chapter is the first of three on the dynamics of all corporate units, focusing on group dynamics. The macrolevel environments and fields of all corporate units are emphasized in the first portion of this chapter. The two dimensions of macroenvironments—fields and resource niches—are given particular emphasis. Then the structure and culture of corporate units in general are examined, with an emphasis on variations in their structure with respect to size, clarity of status order, hierarchy of authority, centralization of decision making, boundaries, distributions of categoric-unit members in their divisions of labor, embeddedness in an institutional domain, and mechanism integrating corporate units within an institutional domain. Next, the cultural variations in corporate units are examined with an eye to the generalized symbolic media used by members of corporate units to form corporate-unit culture (ideologies and norms). The microlevel environment of all corporate units is then examined, emphasizing interpersonal processes among individuals in encounters within divisions of labor of corporate units. In particular, the emotional responses of individuals and their experiences in encounters are stressed since these emotions have large effects on whether individuals are committed to corporate-unit goals and divisions of labor or, alternatively, alienated from, or motivated to change, the structure and culture of a corporate unit. After this overview, this chapter turns to group dynamics in particular, examining their macro- and microlevel environments. Then, key dynamic processes are examined: group size, status-organizing processes, tasks and responsibilities, emotional arousal, commitments, alienation, sense of efficacy, intersections or consolidations with parameters marking categoric-unit memberships, need states, roles, culture formation, ecology, and demography. This chapter closes with an abstract set of principles on group dynamics as they operate within macro- and microlevel sociocultural environments.
Neuroepigenomics and Human Disease

Abstract There has been explosive growth in epigenetic research of the nervous system. Epigenetic regulatory processes are believed to mediate mechanisms through which environmental factors exert lifelong changes in the brain and its behavioral output. There is also the possibility that certain types of epigenetic modifications are passed onto offspring and influence their functioning through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. We provide a broader context for these neuroepigenomic questions by highlighting the range of epigenetic mechanisms that are employed by mammalian organisms and current technical challenges in their characterization, and how they contribute to understanding neurological and psychiatric diseases based on studies in animal models and humans. Although the field of neuroepigenomics holds considerable promise, major technical advances are needed to exploit the evolving knowledge for improved understanding of disease pathogenesis and improved therapeutics.
Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (SOA)

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the operating principals, design, fabrication, and performance characteristics of InP-based semiconductor amplifiers. Semiconductor optical amplifiers can be classified into two categories which includes the Fabry-Perot (FP) amplifier and the traveling wave (TW) amplifier. A FP amplifier has considerable reflectivity at the input and output ends, resulting in resonant amplification between the end mirrors. A FP amplifier exhibits very large gain at wavelengths corresponding to the longitudinal modes of the cavity. The TW amplifier, by contrast, has negligible reflectivity at each end, resulting in signal amplification during a single pass. The principal feature of the buried facet optical amplifiers relative to antireflective (AR)-coated cleaved facet devices is a polarization-independent reduction in mode reflectivity due to the buried facet, resulting in better control in achieving polarization-independent gain. Cross-phase modulation (XPM) in a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) in an interferometric configuration is considered to be an important all-optical wavelength conversion scheme, because of its conversion efficiency, high extinction ratio, and low chirp characteristics. It is found that the techniques for optical demultiplexing includes four wave mixing in semiconductor amplifiers, four-wave mixing in fibers, and semiconductor Mach-Zehnder and Michelsen interferometers.
Anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol analogues in cellular models of airway inflammation

Resveratrol has shown promising anti-inflammatory effects in airway disease models but poor pharmacokinetics and potency impede its therapeutic application. Recently, its methoxylated analogues have emerged as candidates with improved pharmacological properties. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of these analogues, namely isorhapontigenin, pinostilbene and pterostilbene. A549 cells were stimulated with 1 ng/mL IL-1β and the effect on IL-6 and CXCL8 release measured using ELISA (n=4-6). Their effect on NF-κB activation was assessed using A549 cells stably transfected with NF-κB luciferase reporter gene (n=4). For IL-6 release, the IC 50 value of pinostilbene tended to be lower but only isorhapontigenin was significantly more potent than resveratrol. Isorhapontigenin and pterostilbene inhibited CXCL8 release with lower IC 50 values than resveratrol (Table 1). Resveratrol analogues, but not resveratrol, repressed NF- κB transcriptional activity (Table 1) and were more efficacious than dexamethasone which inhibited this response by ∼60% at 10 µM. This study identified analogues with superior anti-inflammatory effects than resveratrol and greater inhibition of NF-κB activity than dexamethasone. Their development as novel anti-inflammatory agents in airway inflammation is warranted.
Abstract 389: Alterations of Mitochondrial Calcium Handling in Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) are major public health concerns that are increasing in incidence, yet the mechanisms underlying SCD in patients with HF are poorly understood. In a novel guinea pig model of HF/SCD, we showed that in vivo treatment with a mitochondrial Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (mNCE) inhibitor attenuates cardiac remodeling, preserves cardiac contractile function, and improves survival, supporting a critical role for altered mitochondrial Ca2+ dynamics in the pathophysiology. Here, we investigate whether the intrinsic mitochondrial Ca2+ transport rates are altered in this HF model. Methods: Ascending aortic constriction, combined with daily i.p. injection of isoproterenol (ISO), were used to induce HF (ACi) with acquired long QT. This group was compared with animals subjected to aortic constriction alone (AC), or sham-operated animals with (SHAMi) or without (SHAM) ISO treatment. Ca2+ Green-5N was used to measure total mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and to quantify mitochondrial Ca2+ influx and efflux rates in isolated cardiac mitochondria. Results: Both the total mitochondrial Ca2+ load and the Ca2+ capacity prior to triggering permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening were reduced in HF mitochondria (5mM NaCl present). Mitochondrial Ca2+ fluxes, individually measured with sequential additions of 15μM free Ca2+, 10nM Ru360 and 5mM NaCl, showed that initial Ca2+ uptake rate through the mitochondrial Ca2+ uniporter (mCU: 0.55 nmol/sec/mg) was not significantly changed in HF; however, the Ca2+ extrusion rate through mNCE was larger in HF (AC:0.022 nmol/sec/mg; SHAM:0.018; ACi:0.013; SHAMi:0.009), but with a lower affinity for Na+. Interestingly, Na+-independent efflux via mPTP increased in HF (AC:0.0040 nmol/sec/mg; SHAM:0.0022; ACi:0.0013; SHAMi:0.012). Mitochondria from failing hearts also showed decreased respiration and increased ROS emission. Conclusions: The data indicate that an increase of intrinsic Ca2+ efflux and the increase in cytoplasmic Na+ in HF could both contribute to blunted mitochondrial Ca2+ in HF, which will affect cardiac energetics and ROS balance. Inhibitors of mNCE or mPTP are thus proposed to be therapeutic interventions that would improve mitochondrial Ca2+ balance and function in HF.
Shifting Awareness: Recycled Plastic Bag Art

This paper considers how educators can raise the issue of plastic bag usage to spark creative thinking about environmental issues, while educating students on the science and history of plastic bag usage and how to reduce, use, and re-use properly. Using the arts in this curriculum can compel engagement by students and encourage creativity and spontaneity, which may lead to unforeseen conclusions and potential solutions. This paper illustrates four environmental artists’ works created using recycled plastic bags, as possible examples for teachers to incorporate into the K-12 curricula. It also discusses a middle school project called “Why Not Plastic Bag Art”, where students explored the environmental issues of plastic bag use by creating environmental artworks. The students became motivated about promoting environmental awareness and becoming environmental stewards.
Preparation and Evaluation of Potent Pentafluorosulfanyl-Substituted Anti-Tuberculosis Compounds

The global fight to stop tuberculosis (TB) remains a great challenge, particularly with the increase in drug-resistant strains and a lack of funding to support the development of new treatments. To bolster a precarious drug pipeline, we prepared a focused panel of eight pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5 ) compounds which were screened for their activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv in three different assay conditions and media. All eight compounds had sub-micromolar potency, and four displayed MICs <100 nm. Seven compounds were evaluated against non-replicating and mono-drug-resistant Mtb, and for their ability to inhibit Mtb within the macrophage. The greatest potency was observed against intracellular Mtb (MIC <10 nm for three compounds), which is often the most challenging to target. In general, the SF5 -bearing compounds were very similar to their CF3 counterparts, with the major differences observed being their in vitro ADME properties. Two SF5 -bearing compounds were found to have greater protein binding than their corresponding CF3 counterparts, but were also less metabolized in human microsomes, resulting in longer half-lives.
Should Anthropomorphized Brands Engage Customers? The Impact of Social Crowding on Brand Preferences

AbstractAnthropomorphizing a brand (i.e., imbuing a brand with humanlike features) serves as an important brand positioning strategy for marketing managers. This research identifies a key brand anthropomorphization strategy—positioning a brand as either oriented to interact with consumers or not. Managers generally rely on this brand interaction strategy to enhance consumer brand engagement regardless of the social context. However, given that consumers often experience brands in a social context, this research demonstrates that social crowdedness moderates the positive impact of interaction-oriented anthropomorphized brands on consumer brand preferences. Specifically, the authors show that consumers’ inferences of an anthropomorphized brand’s intentionality to interact with them in a socially crowded context trigger greater social withdrawal, thereby resulting in lower preferences for the brand. The authors further demonstrate that the core negative effect of social crowdedness is contingent on the type ...
Missing Data in Meta-analysis: Strategies and Approaches

This chapter provides an overview of missing data issues that can occur in a meta-analysis. Common approaches to missing data in meta-analysis are discussed. The chapter focuses on the problem of missing data in moderators of effect size. The examples demonstrate the use of maximum likelihood methods and multiple imputation, the only two methods that produce unbiased estimates under the assumption that data are missing at random. The methods discussed in this chapter are most useful in testing the sensitivity of results to missing data.
Banking on Health: Variable Approaches and Contingent Outcomes

The final chapter synthesizes the information gleaned from quantitative, regional analyses, which do not indicate a downward effect on health expenditures by the World Bank in Latin America, and from qualitative, country case analyses, which reveal that the World Bank operates differently across countries, in interaction with national contexts. Health includes not just financial and monetary management but also stands at the core of citizen–state contracts, welfare politics, and national and individual identities, and is therefore a more complex field of analysis. As such, our understanding of what neoliberalism in health means deserves important attention. All countries are looking for cost cutting, efficiency-enhancing measures with burgeoning health care costs and aging populations. The World Bank’s work in health utilizes what many consider neoliberal tools and instruments (e.g., targeting and decentralization) but sometimes in the interest of universalism and equity. I argue that state capacity and autonomy shape the World Bank’s interest in and the substance of its involvement in health across countries, sometimes in surprising ways. The chapter concludes by highlighting the book’s contribution to our empirical, conceptual, and theoretical understandings of welfare state development, neoliberalism in health, the World Bank and global governance, and health sector reform.
Quantum dots for cancer biomarker panels

779 Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy. This largely reflects the fact that approximately 75% of cases are detected at advanced stages of disease, when cure is unlikely. It is accepted that detecting a greater number of patients with early stage disease by improving screening modalities could significantly improve overall survival. A novel approach to increase the sensitivity and specificity of early detection of cancer is through the application of nanotechnology, where luminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are conjugated with biomolecules. We developed a prototype of a potential serologic assay with greater sensitivity than current methods permit, using the most widely accepted biomarker for ovarian cancer - CA125. The assay based on immunometric methodology with the use of available quantum dots bioconjugates. The overall schema is: Streptavidin Well -Biotinylated Ab (capture) + Ag(CA 125) + Ab (detector Mab -QD 655 anti-mouse F(ab’)2 conjugate — Read luminescence signal (PL). We used a quantum dot (of wavelength 655 nm) conjugated to goat-F(ab’)2 anti-mouse IgG from Quantum Dots Corporation (Hayward, CA). This fragment was used to label anti-human mouse monoclonal OC 125 antibody to detect CA 125 antigen in plasma samples from patients with cancer. The PL signal from the antigen-antibody complex was measured utilizing high-resolution PL spectroscopy, with confirmation of detected relative level of CA 125 in plasma by reference ELISA. The PL model in our study was developed to identify a spectral signature of QD- bioconjugates. PL spectroscopy was performed in a broad spectral region spanning from 360nm to 1,700nm. We observed that conjugated QDs 655 are reliably detected at substantially reduced concentration, which is critical for defining sensitivity limits of the luminescence metrology. We compared PL from QDs 655 labeled Ab complex and Fab fragments conjugated with Alexa Fluor 647 dye, used previously with Zenon antibody labeling technique. It was noticed that there is a 30% reduction of the luminescent peak half-width and absence of the long-wavelength tail in a case of QD compared to dye. These features are very beneficial to the design of a spectrally resolved spectroscopic assay for cancer detection. Our results show strong concordance of QD 655 assay with reference CA 125 measurement. Titration experiments allowed for optimizing sensitivity of the PL method and developing calibration curves. We explore the specificity of the AB-QDs by comparing ovarian versus other samples (lung cancer) in biomarkers detection. We expect that new assays, based on PL detection of QD- bioconjugates representative of cancer specific biomarker panel, will lead to significant improvements over current strategies for the early detection of cancer.
Nested identities as cognitive drivers of strategy

Research summary Organizations face tensions to conform to industry norms for legitimacy yet differentiate for competitive advantage when implementing strategies. We suggest this tension is due to and resolved through organizations’ cognitive negotiations of multiple levels of identity. Through an inductive study in the recreational vehicle industry, we find that organizations concurrently draw on identities at the organizational, industry, and strategic group levels to formulate and enact specific competitive actions. Specifically, we find that organizational identity relates to decisions on product offerings; industry identity relates to downstream strategy; and strategic group identity relates to upstream strategy, firm boundaries, and expansion mode. Our findings highlight the importance of strategic group identity and inform a grounded model describing how organizations draw upon different levels of identity to influence strategy. Managerial summary Many managers experience tensions of differentiating their firms’ competitive actions from rivals, while conforming with industry norms and practices. In this article, we argue that a manager can navigate these tensions by understanding their firm, strategic group, and industry identities and how these identities interrelate. Through a qualitative case study of the U.S. recreational vehicle industry, we show that each level of identity influences different competitive actions, with firm identity connected to product offerings, industry identity related to managing downstream distribution, and strategic group identity related to firm boundary and acquisition strategies. Overall, strategic group identity is the most critical for managers as this level filters how they view competitors and provides the rules of competition.
The Political Significance of Social Media Activity and Social Networks

This paper examines panel data from two waves of the Youth Participatory Politics Survey, a nationally representative sample of young people in the United States. It employs a cross-lagged design t...
Topical and Regional Anesthesia of the Airway

Despite recent advancements in video and digital laryngoscopes, awake intubation continues to be an important modality for anesthesiologists to secure the airway. Awake intubation (AI) can be performed for a variety of conditions that result in a difficult airway. Congenital anomalies involving the head and neck, tumors of the airway, morbid obesity, cervical spine pathology, and trauma associated with facial and cervical instability all make direct laryngoscopy challenging and can be indications for awake intubation.
Effects of Cryopreservation on Immune Responses: X. Decrease in Interleukin-12 Production by Frozen Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Is Mediated by the Endogenously Hypersecreted Interleukin-10

Abstract The contrasting effects of freezing and radiation on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin (IL)-10 production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have recently been reported. In view of the potent inhibitory properties of IL-10 on IL-12 secretion and the central role played by IL-12 in the immune system, the influences of freezing and radiation on LPS-induced IL-12 production by PBMCs were studied. Frozen PBMCs secreted significantly smaller amounts of IL-12 than fresh cells. In contrast, thein vitro-irradiated PBMCs produced significantly larger amounts of IL-12. Culture of frozen cells in the presence of exogenous anti-IL-10 antibody resulted in the production of significantly larger amounts of IL-12. These results suggest that the endogenously hypersecreted IL-10 is primarily responsible for the observed decrease in IL-12 released by the frozen cells. They further suggest that the increased amounts of IL-12 secreted by the irradiated PBMCs could account for the previously reported increase in IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ release by the irradiated PBMCs and the radiation-induced immunopotentiation and tumor regression. Considering the pivotal role played by IL-12 in the immune system, and in antimicrobial and antitumor activities, production of only 10% of the normal levels by the frozen cells could have profound impact on patients receiving such frozen PBMCs as stem cell support following myeloablative therapy. Administration of exogenous IL-12 at the time of frozen PBMC transplantations might have a therapeutic value in these patients.
Instructional Technology for Rural Schools: Access and Acquisition:

Integrating instructional technology into all classrooms has the potential to transform modern education and student learning. However, access to technology is not equally available to all district...
Exercise-induced pain and analgesia? Underlying mechanisms and clinical translation.

An acute bout of physical activity and exercise can increase pain in individuals with chronic pain, but regular exercise is an effective treatment. This review will discuss these two dichotomous findings by summarizing studies in human and animal subjects. We will provide the data that supports the role of physical activity in modulating central nervous system excitability and inhibition, immune system function, and psychological constructs associated with pain. We show evidence that the sedentary condition is associated with greater excitability and less inhibition in both the central nervous system (brainstem inhibitory/facilitatory sites) and the immune system. We further show that exercise and regular physical activity decreases excitability and improves inhibition in both the central nervous system (brainstem inhibitory/facilitatory sites) and the immune system. We will then discuss the clinical implications of these findings, make recommendations for clinical application of exercise, and suggest future research directions.
Exploring the attitudes & practices of shared decision-making for CT scan use in emergency department patients with abdominal pain.

Abstract Background Shared decision-making (SDM) has been studied in the emergency department (ED) in relation to hospital admissions but not for CT scan utilization. CT scans are a common imaging modality with high accuracy that emit considerable ionizing radiation. This study has three aims: to measure provider and patient preference for SDM; to evaluate patient involvement in the decision to order a CT scan; and to determine the association between patient involvement and CT utilization. Methods In this prospective study, stable ED patients with abdominal pain with CT imaging as a likely diagnostic tool, were screened and consented. The Control Preferences Scale assessed patient and provider baseline decision-making preference. Using the OPTION-5 tool, providers were assessed in each encounter for the extent to which they engaged patients in discussions. The association between the Control Preferences Scale, the OPTION-5 score and ultimate CT utilization was evaluated. Results Twenty-nine encounters were observed. CT was considered in 70% (n = 20) of encounters and ordered in 55% (n = 16). 62% of patients and 59% of providers reported that they prefer “shared responsibility” when making treatment decisions. In >80% of encounters, provider's showed no or minimal effort when discussing whether to perform a CT scan. Provider or patient preference was not associated with patient involvement. Patient involvement was not associated with CT utilization. Conclusions High rates of provider and patient preference to use SDM for treatment plans were reported but providers were rarely observed engaging patients with abdominal pain in the decision to order a CT scan.
The Results of Anterior Interbody Fusion of the Cervical Spine Review of Ninety-Three Consecutive Cases

In this study of the results of anterior interbody cervical-spine fusion for chronic neck pain due to disc degeneration, approximately 73 per cent of the fifty-five patients evaluated were markedly benefited two to seventy-three months after operation. Those patients with disease localized to one or