cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying risks of volitional consumption of New Zealand Mudsnails by Steelhead and Rainbow Trout

To assess the risk of transferring alien, invasive New Zealand mudsnails (NZMS) Potamopyrgus antipodarum with shipments of live rainbow or steelhead trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, we conducted laboratory trials to quantify and determine the volitional ingestion of snails from the bottom of laboratory tanks. Approximately, 2000 snails were placed on the bottom of a test tank and groups of 10 fish were added to each tank. After 48 h, the fish were removed, euthanized and the snails in the gastrointestinal tract were counted, and the proportion of snails remaining in each tank was measured. We found that both rainbow trout and steelhead consumed NZMS, but rainbow trout consumed nearly twice the number of snails that were consumed by steelhead trout. Feeding fish a maintenance diet increased the total consumption of snails by fish to an average of 64.5 snails per rainbow trout. Our study suggests that management strategies that depurate fish without feed for 48 h to reduce the risk of transfer of NZMS are not viable in preventing the transport of snails if rearing waters contain snails.
The impact of human performance focused safety and health management practices on injury and illness rates: Do size and industry matter?

To date, research on the nature of human performance focused safety and health (S&H) management practices and their impact on occupational injuries and illnesses has been sparse within the safety literature. We addressed this research gap through a large-scale empirical study that explored the impact of S&H management practices on establishment level injuries and illnesses. Based on a sample of 364 establishments, we found that each of the individual practices identified, as well as the unitary system of S&H management practices, significantly predicted objective establishment-level safety performance. We also found that the effect of these practices on accident rates was stable across major industrial sector types but varied with establishment size.
n--> solitons (planarlike n textures) in superfluid 3 He-B

In superfluid $^{3}\mathrm{He}\ensuremath{-}B$ the most likely planar structures are $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{n}}$ solitons. The $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{n}}$ solitons are domain walls, where the $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{n}}$ vector changes from one equilibrium configuration to another. The equilibrium conformations of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{n}}$ solitons as well as magnetic resonance in the presence of $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{n}}$ solitons are considered. In an open geometry $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{n}}$ solitons give rise to a series of discrete satellites in the longitudinal magnetic resonance, while in the wall-pinned geometry $n$ solitons produce discrete satellites in the transverse magnetic resonance.
Careful what you ask for : Tales of parent involvement in schools

As a matter of rhetoric, teachers, campus leaders and district administrators in the United States often clamor for greater parent involvement in public schools. However, among parents who heed the calls and "get involved," some quickly learn that the desire is not for their collaboration or input, but rather for them to fit into prescribed roles set out for them by school officials. Others successfully exercise power and influence based upon race and class factors that they may or may not appreciate but that schools and school systems find vexing, but compelled to respond to. The tools of anthropology are well suited to explore the issue of parent involvement in schools—to tease out and address barely acknowledged complexities surrounding not just the notion but, more poignantly, the realities of parent-school interactions.
Liver-function tests in patients receiving iproniazid.

Elevations in SGPT may occur in mentally sick patients receiving iproniazid, but they do not foreshadow the inevitable development of liver disease in spite of continued administration of the drug.
Crystallographic analysis and mimicking of estradiol binding: Pedersen et al. Respond.

Previous studies have addressed the biological effects of brominated flame retardants (Birnbaum and Staskal 2004; Koike et al. 2013; Mariussen and Fonnum 2003; Ogunbayo et al. 2008), including a 2-year bioassay study performed by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), which demonstrated that tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) can induce aggressive uterine tumors in rats (NTP 2013). As pointed out by Osimitz et al., TBBPA has been shown to bind poorly to the estrogen receptor, providing the impetus to study other pathways such as disruption of steroid transport and metabolism. Other groups have demonstrated the ability of TBBPA and flame retardant metabolites to inhibit estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1), with IC50 (median inhibitory concentration) values near the Km for estradiol (Hamers et al. 2008; Kester et al. 2002; Zhang et al. 1998). Our work (Gosavi et al. 2013) was focused solely on understanding the structural mechanism by which these compounds bind to and inhibit SULT1E1’s ability to metabolize estradiol. The results of our work demonstrate that TBBPA and the 3-OH metabolite of BDE-47, although structurally different, bind in a similar manner at the estradiol binding site. This work suggests that these compounds could have an additive effect on the inhibition of this enzyme. We wholeheartedly agree with Osimitz et al. that the results of our work warrant future studies addressing the potential additive effect of these compounds on steroid metabolism in target tissues.
A contractual model of the voting behavior of the supreme court: The role of the chief justice

Abstract Political scientists have long debated the role of the Supreme Court in public policymaking. Much of the debate has centered around the issue of judicial independence from political factors. Despite a rather extensive debate in the literature, the question of independence has rarely been subjected to systematic testing. This paper examines the role of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in linking decisions of the Court to the desires of Congress. Specifically, the paper focuses on the role of the Supreme Court Chief Justice as an agent of Congress that reacts to budgetary signals sent by the Congress. The resulting relationship between budgets allocated to the Court and decisions reached by the Court are analyzed from 1946 to 1988.
Faith-Placed Parenting Intervention.

Collaboration with religious institutions is recommended as a frontier for prevention science. Little is known about the effectiveness of programs currently disseminated by churches. This pilot program investigated potential advantages and disadvantages of university collaborations in faith settings, by implementing the Staying Connected with Your Teen parenting program (N=13 parents) in a single congregation. The mixed-method assessment included surveys, a focus group, and observation to gather information about implementation. Meeting time, location, parallel youth programming, endorsement by trusted leaders, and use of existing social networks were indicated by past research and described by participants as potential advantages to an evidence-based program implementation in faith communities. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, inc.
Do Consumers Expect Companies to Be Socially Responsible? the Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Buying Behavior

Companies are facing increasing pressure to both maintain profitability and behave in socially responsible ways, yet researchers have provided little information on how corporate social responsibility impacts profitability. This paper reports the findings from in-depth interviews of consumers to determine their views concerning the social responsibilities of companies. A typology of consumers whose purchasing behavior ranges from unresponsive to highly responsive to corporate social responsibility was developed from the analysis.
Efficient Solution of Linear Matrix Equations with Application to Multistatic Antenna Array Processing

We present a computationally-efficient matrix-vector expression for the solution of a matrix linear least squares problem that arises in multistatic antenna array processing. Our derivation relies on an explicit new relation between Kronecker, Khatri-Rao and Schur-Hadamard matrix products, which involves a selection matrix (i.e., a subset of the columns of a permutation matrix). Moreover, we show that the same selection matrix also relates the vectorization-by-columns operator to the diagonal extraction operator, which plays a central role in our computationally- efficient solution.
On the hypothalamic mechanism by which prostaglandin E2 stimulates growth hormone release

It appears that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates pituitary GH release by acting both on hypothalamic and pituitary sites. To determine if the hypothalamic components are at lea
Trend-following trading strategies in commodity futures: A re-examination

Abstract This paper examines the performance of trend-following trading strategies in commodity futures markets using a monthly dataset spanning 48 years and 28 markets. We find that all parameterizations of the dual moving average crossover and channel strategies that we implement yield positive mean excess returns net of transactions costs in at least 22 of the 28 markets. When we pool our results across markets, we show that all of the trading rules earn hugely significant positive returns that prevail over most subperiods of the data as well. These results are robust with respect to the set of commodities the trading rules are implemented with, distributional assumptions, data-mining adjustments and transactions costs, and help resolve divergent evidence in the extant literature regarding the performance of momentum and pure trend-following strategies that is otherwise difficult to explain.
Mitochondrial contribution to protein synthesis in cerebral cortex

Abstract Emetine (at 100 μg/ml) blocks the incorporation of 3 H-leucine into the total protein of slices from rat cerebral cortex by > 95%; the block on the synthesis of cytosol proteins is quantitative. Under these conditions protein synthesis resistant to emetine is localized in a mitochondrial fraction that is sensitive to chloramphenicol at 100 μg/ml to the extent of ∼ 70%. We infer that some 15% of the proteins of cerebral cortex mitochondria formed during a 60 min period have been provided by their own protein synthesizing system.
Prevalence and Severity of Dysphonia in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis A Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence and severity of dysphonia in patients with cystic fibrosis sinusitis. We hypothesized that patients with CF sinusitis, compared with 2 control groups, would have h...
Calculation of triplet energies in azanaphthalenes

Abstract Calculated energies of several low-lying triplet states of quinoline, isoquinoline and a series of diazanaphthalenes are reported for comparison with a recent determination of the nature of the lowest triplet. The calculations were made both by the CNDO/S CI method and by direct SCF calculation of the appropriate states by a variant of the CNDO/S method. Phosphorescence lifetimes are also given.
A robust and fast approach for multiple image components stitching

In this paper, we present an algorithm for image stitching that avoids performance hindrance and memory issues in diverse image processing applications/ environments. High-resolution images could be cut into smaller pieces by various applications for ease of processing, especially if they are sent over a computer network. Image pieces (from several highresolution images) could be stored as a single image-set with no information about the original images. We propose a robust stitching methodology to reconstruct the original high-resolution image(s) from a target image-set that contains components of various sizes and resolutions. The proposed algorithm consists of three major modules. The first step sorts image pieces into different planes according to their spatial position, size, and resolution. It avoids sorting overlapped pieces of the same resolution in the same plane. The second module sorts the pieces from different planes according to their content by minimizing a cost function based on Mean Absolute Difference (MAD). The third module relates neighboring pieces and determines output images. The proposed algorithm could be used at a pre-processing stage in applications such as rendering, enhancement, retrieval etc, as these cannot be carried out without access to original images as individual whole components.
Renal transplantation for end-stage polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract From 1963 to 1984, 56 renal transplants were performed in 51 patients with end-stage renal failure due to autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). There were 49 cadaver and 7 living-related transplants. Overall patient and graft survival was 88 per cent and 66 per cent at one year, 59 per cent and 49 per cent at five years, respectively. There was no significant difference in patient or graft outcome with cadaver versus living-related donor kidneys. One-year graft success with and without pretransplant bilateral nephrectomy (BN) was 78 per cent versus 58 per cent, respectively (n.s.). Patient survival after return to dialysis after graft loss was not compromised by the earlier performance of BN. In patients who did not undergo pretransplant BN, there were no complications from the retained native kidneys after transplantation. In cadaver recipients, the two-year graft success rate with and without preliminary blood transfusions was 54 per cent versus 61 per cent, respectively (n.s.). Cadaver graft survival with and without adjunctive antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), excluding 3 recipients managed with cyclosporine, was 88 per cent versus 50 per cent at one year, and 70 per cent versus 32 per cent at five years, respectively (p
Estimating dry matter content of fresh leaves from the residuals between leaf and water reflectance

At about 1720 nm wavelength, there is an absorption feature of leaf dry matter based on a C−H stretch overtone, which is difficult to detect in fresh green leaves because of the absorption spectrum of liquid water. We applied a method originally proposed in Remote Sensing of Environment by B.-C. Gao and A.F.H. Goetz (Estimating dry matter content of fresh leaves from the residuals between leaf and water reflectance, pp. 137–145, 1994) that used linear regression between the natural logarithm of leaf spectral reflectance and the specific absorption coefficient of liquid water over wavelengths from 1500 to 1800 nm to calculate an expected reflectance spectrum. The residual difference between the measured and expected leaf reflectance spectra enhanced the absorption feature of dry matter. The absorption feature was quantified using the normalized dry matter index (NDMI) based on the contrast between the residual leaf reflectance at 1649 and 1722 nm. NDMI was linearly related to leaf dry matter content (g cm−...
Ectopic brain tissue in the orbit

Purpose The authors report findings in a 9-month-old male infant with heterotopic brain tissue in the orbit, and compare and contrast the characteristics in this patient with the few other descriptions of such lesions in the literature. Methods Excisional biopsy of the growth was undertaken by means of an anterior orbitotomy. Results A 9-month-old male infant had a history of congenital left ‘anophthalmia’ and a slowly growing mass in the left orbit. An MRI scan revealed an orbital mass with solid and cystic components. Histological study of the excised tissue was performed and revealed a choristomatous arrangement of dysplastic brain tissue with intermixed primitive retina including pigmented epithelium. There was no connection between the orbit and cranial cavity. Conclusions The mass must be considered a rare example of heterotopic brain tissue in the orbit and is the only instance we could find in the literature in which a formed eye was absent but in which a scattered primitive ocular structure could be identified.
Acute relative adrenal insufficiency after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is an important part of the body's natural response to acute illness. Adrenal insufficiency has the potential to lead to hemodynamic instability and electrolyte imbalances, limit the body's ability to respond to stress, and worsen overall clinical outcome. In this case series, we describe 16 patients evaluated for acute adrenal insufficiency after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. CLINICAL PRESENTATION Over a 2-year period, the medical records of 16 patients admitted to the adult neurosurgery service for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage who were nonresponsive to vasopressor therapy and received cosyntropin for the evaluation of adrenal insufficiency within 14 days of their event were reviewed. INTERVENTION The median baseline cortisol in this population was 22.5 microg/dL, with a poststimulation cortisol level of 31 microg/dL. Of the population surveyed, a total of 11 patients met the preestablished criteria for adrenal insufficiency, 3 with baseline cortisol levels of less than 15 microg/dL and 11 with poststimulation concentration changes of less than 9 microg/dL. Baseline serum cortisol concentrations were significantly correlated with hospital stay (P = 0.045), intensive care unit stay (P = 0.005), and ventilator days (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION To date, this is the only investigation evaluating the incidence of acute relative adrenal insufficiency in this population. In our cohort, 69% of the patients met the preestablished criteria for relative adrenal insufficiency. The impact of low-dose corticosteroid therapy in this population also needs review, as it could have significant implications for the management of cerebral vasospasm.
Survey and comparison of focal plane MTF measurement techniques

A sensor's Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) characteristics determine the upper limits of the image quality, i.e. the image resolution or sharpness. The MTF describes the image quality in terms of contrast as a function of spatial frequency, normalized to unity at zero spatial frequency. Unfortunately, characterization of the MTF of semiconductor-based focal plane arrays (FPAs) has typically been one of the more difficult and error-prone performance testing procedures. Discussed in this paper are several commonly used techniques for measuring the MTF in the visible and IR wavelength regions. A brief description of the physical nature of FPAs is presented. This description will show that, because the MTF varies as a function of illumination wavelength and can vary as a function of illumination intensity, the conditions and techniques used for MTF measurement should be chosen based on the ultimate application of the FPA. Trade-offs between complexities in measurement and complexities in analysis as applied to an MTF characterization will be discussed as well as the importance of proper sensor calibration and the measurement of the optical test system's MTF. A discussion of analysis validation, including the effects of noise, using simulated image data is given. Following this, a sample comparison of a sensor's MTF curves as measured by a variety of techniques is presented. Opto-mechanical issues that can significantly influence the quality of an MTF measurement are also discussed.
Real Time Observation of Ligand Binding to a GPCR: Conformational Selection Governs the Ability of Retinals to Bind Opsin

Despite extensive study, how retinal enters and exits the visual G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) rhodopsin remains unclear. One clue may lie in two openings between TM1/TM7 and TM5/TM6 in the active receptor state. Recently, it has been proposed that retinal enters the inactive apoprotein (ops) when the receptor transiently adopts the open, active (ops∗) conformation. Here, we directly tested this “transient activation” hypothesis (TAH), using a fluorescence-based approach to measure rates of retinal binding to samples containing differing amounts of ops and ops∗. In contrast to what the TAH would predict, we found the inverse agonist, 11-cis retinal (11CR), binding is slower to a sample that contained more ops∗ (produced using the constitutively active mutant M257Y_M257Y-CAM). Interestingly, the increased presence of ops∗ allowed for binding of the agonist, all-trans retinal (ATR) faster, whereas WT opsin showed none. Further weighting the conformational equilibrium towards even more ops∗ using a G protein peptide mimic (either free in solution or fused to the receptor) accelerated the rate of ATR binding and slowed 11CR binding. Similar results were obtained using a peptide mimetic of arrestin. The TM5/TM6 hole does not appear to be sufficient for this conformational selection as increasing the size of this opening by mutagenesis does not enable ATR binding. Unexpectedly, the larger hole slows 11CR binding, suggesting a role in trapping the inverse agonist. In summary, our results indicate that the TAH must be modified to accommodate the key role conformational selection plays in stable retinal binding. Additionally, we show that rhodopsin behaves similarly to ligand-binding GPCRs with respect to exogenous ligand interactions, indicating a role for the visual receptor as a model for hydrophobic ligand binding.
Investigation on the combustion possibility of dry sewage sludge as a pulverized fuel of thermal power plant

Abstract Combustion possibility of three dry sludges as pulverized fuel of coal power plant like sub-bituminous Minco coal was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Drop Tube Furnace (DTF). TGA results showed that the fixed carbon contained with minor content in dry sludge was slowly burned than it of Minco coal. The linear regression for the Arrhenius plot to the experimental data is very good, and activation energies for overall combustion of Minco coal and DDSS are 64.382 and 26.799 kJ/mol, respectively. But, combustion patterns of KDSS and SDSS divided into devolatilization and oxidation reaction. It was derived that activation energies for the devolatilization of KDSS and SDSS are 27.127 and 12.571 kJ/mol in reciprocal proportion to volatile matter content, the fixed carbon combustion derives to 45.289 kJ/mol for KDSS, 33.777 kJ/mol for SDSS. Test results show that the volatile content in sludge significantly improved the combustion reactivity whereas the time for the combustion completion delayed. The conversion behavior of the coals and sludge observed in DTF was similar to that reflected in TGA. DTF studies showed that the individual sludge was lower conversion than the Minco coal, but the combustion of most sludge was completed at residence time of around 1 s, set temperature range of 1200 °C similar to commercial coal fired plant. These high IDT of sludge ashes with minimum 1214 °C are not expected to be associated with slagging and fouling in pulverized coal fired systems.
Sequencing strategies in large, competitive, ascending price automobile auctions: An experimental examination

This paper reports on a large scale field experiment testing strategies available to a seller participating in simultaneous competitive sequential, ascending price automobile auctions. Every other week, the seller offered approximately 120 vehicles for sale in an auction environment in which several competitive sellers offered on the order of 3,000 vehicles. The experiment tested various sequences in which the seller could offer the vehicles, such as high values first or low values first. Surprisingly, and contrary to intuition drawn from the theory of single item and single seller auctions, the worst performing sequence from those tested is for the seller to order vehicles from highest to lowest values. The best sequence is to group the vehicles by type and offer the low valued vehicles first and then move to offer the higher valued vehicles. Our conjecture is that this sequence reduces the competition with other sellers for the attention of specialized buyers.
Prospective study of wound complications in continuous infrainguinal incisions after lower limb arterial reconstruction: Incidence, risk factors, and cost

Background. Wound complications after lower extremity arterial reconstruction can range from a minor lymphatic leak that causes minimal disability to a severe infection that jeopardizes the limb and life of the affected patient. This study was designed to define more clearly the incidence, severity, and cost of these complications. Methods. During a 1-year period the infrainguinal incisions of all patients undergoing lower limb arterial reconstruction were evaluated prospectively. One hundred fifty-six infrainguinal incisions were monitored serially for the presence of infection, hematoma, seroma, serous leak, necrosis, or wound dehiscence. The need for additional treatment or services related to these complications and the cost of these services were determined. Results. Complications occurred in 10% of 77 infrainguinal incisions that were isolated to the groin (groin incisions) e.g., after aortobifemoral bypass, common femoral endarterectomy). In only one of these patients was significant cost related to treatment of a complication. Complications occurred in 44% of 79 incisions used for femoral popliteal/tibial and pedal bypasses (distal incisions). In this latter group independent predictors of any complication were age (p=0.02) and obesity (p-0.05); predictors of in-hospital infection were preoperative evidence of venous stasis (p=0.01) and preoperative infection in the same extremity (p=0.08). Fifteen distal wound complications provided additional expense related to reoperation, extended hospitalization or rehospitalization, and rehabilitation or visiting nurse services, with a mean cost per patient undergoing reconstruction of $688. Conclusions. After lower limb arterial reconstruction, infrainguinal wound complications in isolated groin incisions produce minimal morbidity and cost, whereas complications in incisions after distal bypass are both frequent and associated with significant additional expense
Phonon drag thermopower of noble metals in a high magnetic field

Abstract The thermoelectric powers of polycrystalline Cu, Ag, and Au wires have been measured in transverse fields up to 48 kG between 4 and 100 K. At low temperatures the TEP tends to saturate at high fields to values about five times those in zero field; this large enhancement appeare to be related to the phonon-drag component of the TEP.
Femtosecond solvation dynamics of water

THE timescale of the response of solvent molecules to electronic rearrangement of solute molecules has a critical influence on the rates of chemical reactions in liquids1–10. In particular, if the solvent cannot adapt quickly enough to this rearrangement as the reactants pass through the transition state, the evolving products may recross the free-energy barrier, reducing the reaction rate. Computer simulations have shown11–18 that the response of a solvent to a change in solute charge distribution is strongly bimodal: there is an initial ultrafast response owing to inertial (mainly libra-tional) motions of the solvent molecules, followed by a slow component owing to diffusive motions. Water seems to be by far the 'fastest' solvent studied so far: simulations predict that well over half of the solvation response for atomic solutes is inertial, happening on a timescale of about 20 femtoseconds12,13. The presence of this ultrafast component implies that solvent friction plays an important role in many aqueous charge-transfer processes9,10,19–21. Experimental verification of this prediction has been lacking, however, in part because of the difficulty of obtaining sufficient time resolution. Here we present experimental measurements of the ultrafast solvation dynamics of a coumarin salt in water. When considered in conjunction with computer simulations, our results demonstrate that a solvent response on a timescale faster than 50 fs can dominate aqueous solvation dynamics.
Memory and socioemotional behavior in monkeys after hippocampal damage incurred in infancy or in adulthood

The present study reviews the long-term effects of neonatal hippocampal damage in monkeys on the development of memory functions and socioemotional behavior. The results showed that neonatal damage to the hippocampal formation impairs specific memory processes, such as those subserving automatic (as opposed to effortful) recognition memory and relational learning, while sparing the abilities to acquire skills, such as object discriminations. Furthermore, the neonatal hippocampectomy led to a progressive loss of social affiliation and a protracted emergence of locomotor stereotypies. While the memory losses following neonatal hippocampal lesions resemble those found after similar lesions acquired in adulthood, only the neonatal lesions resulted in a protracted emergence of abnormal behaviors. These later findings suggested that, presumably, the neonatal lesions impacted on neural systems remote from the site of damage. This was confirmed by our more recent neurobiological studies, demonstrating that neonatal, but not late, lesions of the medial temporal lobe region, disrupt the normal behavioral and cognitive processes subserved by the prefrontal cortex and the caudate nucleus. All together the data support the neurodevelopmental hypothesis viewing early insult to the medial temporal region as the origin of developmental psychosis in humans, such as schizophrenia.
BCNU down-regulates anti-apoptotic proteins bcl-xL and Bcl-2 in association with cell death in oligodendroglioma-derived cells.

Oligodendroglial differentiation in gliomas is associated with enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy. Anti-apoptotic proteins, Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, are over-expressed in early passage cell lines derived from glioblastomas. Down-regulation of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 with DNA antisense oligonucleotides promotes cell death in glioblastoma cells. Changes of expression of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 after chemotherapy treatment have not been studied in glioma subtypes. The current experiments correlate decreased expression of both Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 after BCNU chemotherapy and cell death in two oligodendroglioma-derived cell lines. Expression of Bcl-2 family member proteins Bcl-xL, Bcl-2, and Bax were assessed in glioma cells both before and after chemotherapy treatment. Cell survival was assessed with a crystal violet bioassay.
Changes in myocardial and vascular receptors in heart failure

Heart failure results in dramatic changes in certain neurotransmitter and hormone receptors. The majority of the changes occur in the heart and generally can be classified as regulatory phenomena that withdraw the failing heart from adrenergic stimulation. Of these, the most prominent is beta 1-receptor downregulation. Changes in vascular receptors are much less prominent and there is no direct evidence that any vascular receptor changes in heart failure. The changes that occur in myocardial receptors suggest that antiadrenergic therapy would be effective in the treatment of heart failure by removing adrenergic signaling transduced by the remaining components of the receptor pathways. Taken together, the receptor desensitization changes present in the failing heart provide a rationale for beta 1- plus beta 2-adrenergic blockade or even combined beta 1-, beta 2-alpha 1-adrenergic receptor blockade in heart failure.
Mutual perceptions in bargaining: A quantitative approach

A general adaptive expectations model of bargaining is analyzed from its informational requirements point of view. The bargainers can be individual persons, groups, organizations, or conceivably societies. It is shown that information transmitted through offers and counter-offers is not sufficient for unique adjustments of expectations. As a result, observation of opponent's behavior has to be complemented with its subjective interpretation. Since such an interpretation affects each bargainer's subsequent expectations, the two are linked by defining appropriate (classes of) adjustments. The analysis is then applied to a simple adaptive expectations model of bargaining, illustrating some consequences of insufficiency of information on the outcome of the bargaining process.
A new liquid hold-up correlation for geothermal wells

A new liquid hold-up correlation is devised for cased wellbores using high-quality discharge and downhole pressure and temperature data from flowing geothermal wells. The latter dataset encompasses a wide range of wellbore diameters, discharge rates and flowing enthalpies. The measured wellhead pressures for wells in the dataset display excellent agreement with the pressures computed by using the new hold-up correlation. Good agreement between the computed and observed spinner responses provides additional verification of the hold-up correlation. Finally, an example illustrating the use of the hold-up correlation to match downhole pressure and temperature profiles and well characteristic data is given.
Multiline short pulse amplification and compression in high gain CO2 laser amplifiers

Abstract Theoretical studies are presented for the amplification and compression of multiline short pulses of CO2 laser radiation at 10.6 μ in a high gain, CO2 laser amplifier. A method of efficiently generating high energy, subnanosecond pulses of CO2 laser radiation is proposed utilizing a pulse tailoring technique recently disclosed by Figueira and Sutphin.
Depression following spinal cord injury

Although depression has been widely studied among persons with spinal cord injury, the ubiquitous and unsophisticated use of the term and presumptions about its manifestations in the rehabilitation setting have needlessly encumbered the understanding and treatment of depression. Major themes and issues in the study, measurement, and treatment of depression among persons with spinal cord injury are reviewed. Greater precision is recommended in distinguishing diagnosable depression from displays of negative affect, anxiety, distress, and dysphoria. Correlates of depressive behavior among persons with SCI are surveyed, and guidelines for research and practice in the SCI setting are explicated.
A telomerase enzymatic assay that does not use polymerase chain reaction, radioactivity, or electrophoresis

A telomerase assay has been developed for high-throughput screening in 96-well microtiter plates. A crude cell lysate which adds telomere repeats to a biotinylated DNA primer is the source of telomerase. The telomerase-extended primer is hybridized to a digoxigenin-labeled telomere antisense DNA probe. The hybrid is further processed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as follows. The biotinylated hybrid is captured on streptavidin-coated microtiter plates. The immobilized hybrid is probed with alkaline phosphatase-antidigoxigenin and detected via chemiluminescent readout. The limit of detection of a chemically synthesized tetra-telomere repeat was about 10 attomoles. Apparent telomerase activity was detected in lysates of 293T cells. The signal to background for the assay (ratio of signal for the complete assay mixture divided by the signal for the assay mixture without primer) was around 10. An automated system that performed unattended runs of up to 17 96-well microtiter plates in 8h was constructed.
Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Emphysema

To assess the hemodynamic effects of pulmonary microvasculature disruption in emphysema, we examined resting pulmonary hemodynamics and lung function in 12 carefully identified patients with type A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Individuals with respiratory muscle weakness and intercurrent infection were excluded. Standard spirometry, helium dilution lung volumes, and single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (Dco SB ) were obtained within 24 h of right heart catheterization. Resistance to pulmonary blood flow was assessed using the difference between pulmonary arterial (PA) diastolic and mean wedge pressures, and expressed as the pulmonary diastolic gradient (PDG). Mean FEV 1 /FVC was 51 ± 8 percent, RV/TLC was 48 ± 11 percent, Dco SB percent predicted was 62 ± 29 percent, PaO 2 was 72 ± 11 mm Hg (FIo 2 ,0.21), and PaCO2 was 39 ± 5 mm Hg. Mean PDG was 5 ± 3 mm Hg (normal ≤ 3 mm Hg) with normal PA pressures, indicating mildly elevated resistance to pulmonary blood flow. The PDG correlated most closely with Dco SB , rising in curvilinear fashion as Dco SB fell (r = − 0.869, p SB fell (r = − 0.839, p SB was strikingly similar to emphysema, although the slope in emphysema was less than that in ILD (p
A vertical model of particle size distributions and fluxes in the midwater column that includes biological and physical processes—Part I: model formulation

Abstract The downward transport of surface particle production constitutes an important mechanism for carbon sequestration by the ocean. Only a small fraction (≃10%) of the flux that leaves the euphotic zone reaches 1000 m depth because the particulate organic matter is consumed and transformed in the oceanic midwater column. The depth at which this transformation occurs is crucial to estimate carbon sequestration. Description of the particle flux and remineralization with depth below the euphotic zone has previously been limited to empirical relationships that neglect physical and biological mechanisms. Because several particle properties and functions (settling speed, rates of coagulation and consumption) are related to particle size, measurements of particle size spectra provide an important tool to understand particle dynamics. Most of the mechanisms affecting particle dynamics known for the surface layer should continue in the mesopelagic region. We review the different mechanisms and formulate equations describing changes in particle size distributions throughout the water column as a result of particle sinking, coagulation, disaggregation, and bacterial and zooplankton consumption. The resulting model describes the midwater particle population by its mass distribution for the size range 1 μm to 1 cm. Most of the particle data sets have a narrower size range but we suggest that model results are not greatly affected by the lack of data on particles smaller than 200 μm because most of the particle mass is in particles larger than 100 μm, as seen in a full size-range particle spectrum. The combination of this model with a unique particle size spectra data set, obtained during an inter-annual survey at the French JGOFS site in the NW Mediterranean Sea, give an insight into the key processes for particle dynamics in the unknown midwater layers.
Antimicrobial prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients: 10 years after.

Background Antimicrobial prophylaxis is recommended for all patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Evidence-based guidelines recently have been updated to incorporate the results from recent clinical studies. Methods An antimicrobial prophylaxis survey was conducted during the 2013 ASBMT Tandem Meetings to discern the degree of concordance between transplant centers and society guidelines. Results The results show significant differences in prescribing practices among transplant institutions and variance with evidence-based guidelines. Conclusion The clinical significance of this discordance is unknown.
Volatilization of oxides during oxidation of some superalloys at 1200°C

Volatilization of oxides during cyclic oxidation of commercial Nichrome, Inconel 750, Rene 41, Stellite 6B, and GE-1541 was studied at 1200 C in static air. Quantitative analysis of oxide vapor deposits revealed that oxides of tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, manganese, and chromium volatilized preferentially from the oxide scales. Aluminum and silicon were not detected in vapor deposits. For all the alloys except GE-1541, chromium was found to be the main metallic element in the oxide scales.
Kappiareth Gopal Nair: 1931–2010

Dr Kappiareth Gopal Nair, who died in India on March 12, 2010 at the age of 78, was a gifted scholar who was at home in the research laboratory, at the bedside, and in the humanities. He was among the first to demonstrate that adult cardiac myocytes have little or no ability to proliferate and that sympathetic stimulation can modify gene transcription. Dr Nair, who was known to his friends as “Raj,” was born in Kollengode, Kerala State, India, on July 2, 1931. He received his MBBS from the University of Bombay in 1953 and was subsequently awarded an MD degree by examination and thesis. After internship and residency in India, he came to Boston in 1956 for advanced training in Cardiology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and West Roxbury VA Hospital. He then became a graduate student in the Department of Physiology at the University of Chicago, and in 1962, received his PhD for work carried out in the laboratory of Murray Rabinowitz; his thesis described the isolation, purification, and several key properties of a cAMP phosphodiesterase from cardiac muscle.1 Raj returned to India as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Seth G. S. Medical College but was drawn back to basic research when, in 1963, he went to the National Institute of Medical Research, Mill Hill, London, as a Visiting Research Scientist with H. R. V. Arnstein. The following year, he rejoined the Rabinowitz laboratory in Chicago as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Physiology. It was here that he carried out his major work on protein synthesis and myocardial cell growth. In 1969, Raj moved …
Optical Scattering from Nanostructured Glass Surfaces

Nanostructured glass surfaces enable new and innovative applications for glass substrates. These nanostructures enable trapping as well as extraction of light. They affect the propagation of light such that it scatters and is trapped or extracted based on the index of the propagation media. The diffusive scattering component as opposed to the specular component is what enables the trapping and extraction. Often smooth surfaces are required for growing semiconductor thin films. Scattering sites beneath these surfaces can significantly enhance the optical performance of these films. Example devices utilizing these substrates include organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) displays, OLED lighting components, and microelectromechanical systems reflective displays. We demonstrate methods to fabricate these substrates using nanoparticle deposition processes. Important parameters of these nanoparticles and their agglomerates include both size and refractive index. We characterize these substrates using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy microscopy, and we simulate their optical properties using optical scattering models.
THE CORPORATE PERFORMANCE CONUNDRUM: A SYNTHESIS OF CONTEMPORARY VIEWS AND AN EXTENSION

What characterizes superior organizational performance? The question has always fascinated practitioners and academic researchers, and a string of recent bestsellers attests to the current prominence of performance as an organizational issue. This article brings together recent perspectives on performance and provides some further conclusions of its own based on analysis of a new database. Articles on 74 companies rated by Business Month as being one of the five best-managed companies during each of the 15 years in the 1972–86 timeframe were content analysed in an effort to isolate the key strategic and organizational factors associated with superior corporate performance. Results indicate that superior performance is associated with a broad product line accompanied by geographic diversity, an emphasis on planning coupled with sound financial controls and reporting systems, a high level of commitment to product and process innovation, investments in modernization of manufacturing facilities, a reputation for superior quality and customer service, and progressive human resource management practices. These findings are compared and contrasted with the conclusions of other recent studies and implications of the findings for management are discussed. Far from being the result of applying any particular formula, superior performance is found to require a diverse mix of competencies and values.
A Case Study of the Origin of Hail in a Multicell Thunderstorm Using In Situ Aircraft and Polarimetric Radar Data

An armored T-28 research aircraft made direct observations of the hydrometeors present at approximately the 238C temperature level in the inflow region of a multicell thunderstorm. During the penetration, both the Colorado State University (CSU)‐University of Chicago and Illinois State Water Survey (CHILL) 11-cm-wavelength dualpolarization research radar and the Denver, Colorado, Front Range Airport (KFTG) Weather Surveillance Radar1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) were scanning this storm. Polarimetric radar indications of hail (high reflectivity and low differential reflectivity) appeared near the surface in the echo core adjacent to the aircraft track approximately 6 min after the T-28’s inflow transit. Radial velocity data from the KFTG radar were combined with those recorded at CSU‐CHILL to synthesize the airflow fields in the storm around the time of the T-28 penetration. Hail trajectories were initiated from a location at which the T-28 encountered a burst of approximately 1-cmdiameter, low-density graupel particles within the general storm inflow region. Forward-time trajectory calculations indicated that these graupel particles subsequently grew slightly into small hailstones and ended up within a few kilometers of the near-surface polarimetric radar hail-signature location. Trajectories computed backward in time imply that these hail embryos originated aloft in the forward portion of the echo complex. These are the first quantitative, direct in situ observations of recirculating precipitation becoming embryos for hail development.
Solution structure and refolding of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis pentapeptide repeat protein MfpA.

The pentapeptide repeat is a recently discovered protein fold. Mycobacterium tuberculosis MfpA is a founding member of the pentapeptide repeat protein (PRP) family that confers resistance to the antibiotic fluoroquinolone by binding to DNA gyrase and inhibiting its activity. The size, shape, and surface potential of MfpA mimics duplex DNA. As an initial step in a comprehensive biophysical analysis of the role of PRPs in the regulation of cellular topoisomerase activity and conferring antibiotic resistance, we have explored the solution structure and refolding of MfpA by fluorescence spectroscopy, CD, and analytical centrifugation. A unique CD spectrum for the pentapeptide repeat fold is described. This spectrum reveals a native structure whose β-strands and turns within the right-handed quadrilateral β-helix that define the PRP fold differ from canonical secondary structure types. MfpA refolded from urea or guanidium by dialysis or dilution forms stable aggregates of monomers whose secondary and tertiary structure are not native. In contrast, MfpA refolded using a novel "time-dependent renaturation" protocol yields protein with native secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure. The generality of "time-dependent renaturation" to other proteins and denaturation methods is discussed.