cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Local IGFBP-3 mRNA expression, apoptosis and risk of colorectal adenomas

IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) regulates the bioavailability of insulin-like growth factors I and II, and has both anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties. Elevated plasma IGFBP-3 has been associated with reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), but the role of tissue IGFBP-3 is not well defined. We evaluated the association between tissue or plasma IGFBP-3 and risk of colorectal adenomas or low apoptosis. Subjects were consenting patients who underwent a clinically indicated colonoscopy at UNC Hospitals and provided information on diet and lifestyle. IGFBP-3 mRNA in normal colon was assessed by real time RT-PCR. Plasma IGFBP-3 was measured by ELISA and apoptosis was determined by morphology on H & E slides. Logistic regression was used to compute odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. We observed a modest correlation between plasma IGFBP-3 and tissue IGFBP-3 expression (p = 0.007). There was no significant association between plasma IGFBP-3 and adenomas or apoptosis. Tissue IGFBP-3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in cases than controls. Subjects in the lowest three quartiles of tissue IGFBP-3 gene expression were more likely to have adenomas. Consistent with previous reports, low apoptosis was significantly associated with increased risk of adenomas (p = 0.003). Surprisingly, local IGFBP-3 mRNA expression was inversely associated with apoptosis. Low expression of IGFBP-3 mRNA in normal colonic mucosa predicts increased risk of adenomas. Our findings suggest that local IGFBP-3 in the colon may directly increase adenoma risk but IGFBP-3 may act through a pathway other than apoptosis to influence adenoma risk.
Detection for Parametric Form Features in Surface Meshes

Reverse Engineering refers to the construction of solid models from existing parts. The process is initiated by taking dense surface measurements using an optical range sensor. These are then approximated to form a surface mesh representation. Polygonal surfaces meshes form the input for solid model construction. However, the C0 continuous meshes are devoid of high level form feature information which conveys design intent or engineering significance. Currently, only partial solutions to detect such features are known in literature. In this research we present algorithms to segment polygonal surface meshes into functional surface features. The first part of the paper deals with simple shape primitives based on 1st and 2nd order surfaces and combinations thereof. In the second part of the paper we propose methods to detect instances of parametric freeform surfaces. Detection is enabled by clustering and pattern recognition techniques. Algorithms and examples are presented. Future research directions are suggested.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Distribution of the black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae, on the upper and lower surface of pecan foliage

Three aphid species regularly feed on pecan [Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch (Juglandaceae)] foliage: the black pecan aphid, Melanocallis caryaefoliae (Davis), the yellow pecan aphid, Monelliopsis pecanis Bissell, and the blackmargined aphid, Monellia caryella (Fitch) (all Hemiptera: Aphididae). Adults of M. caryaefoliae and both the nymphs and adults of M. pecanis and M. caryella mainly feed on the lower surface of leaves. Nymphs of M. caryaefoliae appear unique by frequently feeding on the upper surface of pecan leaves. This is risky behavior given the environmental hazards (e.g., rain, solar radiation, and dislodgement) associated with the upper surface. Thus, we determined the leaf surface distribution of M. caryaefoliae on trees in an orchard and on pecan seedlings in the laboratory. A pecan orchard survey found all three aphid species and stages predominantly on the lower leaf surface, except for the nymphs of M. caryaefoliae, which were evenly distributed between upper and lower leaf surfaces. This survey also found aphidophagous lacewing (Neuroptera) larvae predominantly on the lower leaf surface, whereas ladybird beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) larvae were more evenly distributed between upper and lower surfaces. Laboratory experiments using single or multiple pecan aphid species revealed M. caryaefoliae distribution on pecan seedlings similar to orchard data. Nymphal M. caryaefoliae require nearly 2 days to elicit chlorotic feeding lesions on leaves; without these lesions, nymphal development is hindered. The similar distribution of nymphs of M. caryaefoliae on both leaf surfaces likely reflects a strategy of predator avoidance allowing a proportion of the population to survive.
Effects of endotoxin and interleukin-1 on glucagon and insulin secretion from the perfused rat pancreas.

SummaryThis study evaluated the in vivo effects of endotoxin and interleukin-1 (IL-I) on the simultaneous secretion of glucagon and insulin. The hypothesis that endotoxin, or IL-1 as a mediator, induces hyperglucagonemia secondary to pancreatic hypersecretion of glucagon was examined. Hormone secret
Urban County Fiscal Stress A Survey of Public Officials' Perceptions and Government Experiences

Data obtained from 67% of U.S. urban county governments surveyed in 1988-1989 relate to the meaning of fiscal stress and its causes, forms of stress experienced, and respondent actions taken to alleviate fiscal problems. Stress indicators judged to have the highest validity (debt default and inability to meet payrolls) were rarely evident, yet vulnerability to less severe forms of stress was relatively widespread and not limited to any class of chronically distressed counties. Chief causes of stress were changes in the intergovernmental fiscal system-not structural economic or demographic changes. Responses to stress conformed more to an organizational-political rationality model than to the garbage-can model of decision making.
Surface shape analysis of rough lumber for wane detection

The initial breakdown of hardwood logs into lumber produces boards with rough surfaces. These boards contain wane (missing wood that emanates from the log exterior, often containing residual bark) that is removed by edge and trim cuts prior to sale. Because hardwood lumber value is determined based on board size and quality, knowledge of wane position and defects is essential for selecting cuts that maximize profit. We have developed a system that uses structured light to obtain profile (thickness) images of unplaned boards, in addition to gray-scale images for defect detection. The focus of this paper is to describe a new approach for detecting wane boundaries through the analysis of these profile images. The problem is difficult because bark and other debris adversely affect the laser-based imaging process, and because variations in surface reflectance also cause inaccuracies in the measured thickness values. The problem is compounded by the need to perform wane detection rapidly in a manufacturing environment. The method that we have developed relies on a combination of column-wise image statistics, selective smoothing, and the analysis of surface shape. Initial wane edge estimates that are obtained using the smoothed image are then refined by analysis of the original image data. The paper provides a quantitative evaluation that indicates a dramatic improvement over traditional thresholding techniques.
Enzymatic determination of cardiac glycosides

Abstract A specific and highly sensitive enzymatic method for the determination of cardiac glycosides has been developed. The method is based on the inhibition of the Na,K-ATPase in a microsomal preparation from beef cerebral cortex. The procedure, which involves simple laboratory techniques and equipment, has been applied to biological material. One to 20 ng of digoxin or digitoxin were analyzed in human plasma with a standard deviation of ±7.5% to ±2%.
Ethylene and carbon dioxide as mediators in the response of the bean hypocotyl hook to light and auxins

Ethylene inhibits hook opening in the bean hypocotyl and at high concentrations induces closure of the hook. Indoleacetic acid and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, whose inhibitory effect on hook opening resembles that of ethylene, stimulate ethylene production from the hook tissue, and this ethylene production is physiologically active in inhibiting hook opening. It is concluded that the inhibition of opening by auxin is due at least in a major part to auxin-induced ethylene production by the hook tissue.
Soluble apyrases release adp during ATP hydrolysis.

Abstract A soluble form of CD39 was expressed and purified from High-Five insect cells. The soluble CD39 is a monomer with a molecular weight of 54,000. The k cat and K m of the purified soluble CD39 were 4.6 s −1 and 12 μM for ATP and 1.3 s −1 and 7 μM for ADP as substrates, respectively. One nucleotide binding site was detected on the monomer only in the presence of Ca 2+ . In contrast to the membrane bound CD39, soluble CD39 released ADP as an intermediate during ATP hydrolysis, as did the soluble potato apyrase.
An examination of the constructs underlying police performance appraisals

Abstract Although there are numerous studies which focus on performance appraisals, none have attempted to identify the underlying constructs which relate to such appraisals. Many of the studies which purport to validate performance appraisals suffer from an absence of external validity, as a result of using unrepresentative populations. The present study attempted to remedy this situation by investigating the constructs underlying performance appraisals in a medium-sized police department. No consistent pattern of constructs emerged. This suggests that alternatives to traditional performance appraisal systems should be sought.
A randomized controlled trial of empiric warfarin dose reduction with the initiation of doxycycline therapy

Abstract Background When interacting medications, such as doxycycline, are initiated during warfarin therapy, one method to correct for non-therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) is adjusting the warfarin dose, if necessary. Another approach is preemptive warfarin dose adjustment. This study's objective was to evaluate the utility of preemptive warfarin dose adjustment for preventing non-therapeutic INR following doxycycline-warfarin co-administration. Methods Patients were randomized to either a 10% to 20% preemptive warfarin dose reduction (intervention) or reactive warfarin dose adjustment (control) within 72 hours of warfarin-doxycycline co-administration. Subjects received a follow-up INR within 7 days (index INR). Primary outcome was the occurrence of index INR ≥ 1 point over the INR goal range upper limit. Secondary outcomes included INR control, purchases of prescription vitamin K, and warfarin-associated adverse events in the 30 days after doxycycline initiation. Results Twenty and 17 patients comprised the intervention and control groups. The intervention group's warfarin dose was reduced by a median of 11%. More control patients (n = 2) experienced an INR ≥ 1 point over the INR goal range upper limit compared to intervention (n = 0); however, the difference (12% vs. 0%) was not statistically significant (p = 0.20). A higher percentage of intervention patients had subtherapeutic index INRs compared to control (35% vs. 6%, p Conclusions For warfarin patients initiating doxycycline therapy, preemptive warfarin dose reduction did not result in supratherapeutic INRs but increased the likelihood of subtherapeutic INRs compared to INR monitoring with reactive warfarin dose adjustment.
A prospective study of the accuracy of 18Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18FDG PET in identifying sites of metastasis prior to pelvic exenteration

Abstract Purpose To determine the accuracy of 18 FDG PET in identifying sites of metastatic disease prior to pelvic exenteration or radical resection in patients (pts) with recurrent cervical or vaginal cancers. Methods Pts with recurrent cervical or vaginal cancer being evaluated for surgical resection were enrolled in a prospective study approved by the institutional human subjects review board. All patients underwent 18 FDG PET scans as well as CT and/or MRI scans and were required to have pathologic confirmation of any sites suggestive of tumor recurrence. Results Between 1998 and 2002 a total of 27 pts were enrolled on the study. Seven patients did not complete all study requirements and are excluded from further analysis. All pts had undergone prior pelvic radiation therapy and five patients had also received chemotherapy. CT/MRI scans identified three patients with possible metastatic disease in the following sites: (1) iliac nodes (2 pts) and (2) lungs (1 pt). After surgical and pathological evaluation, only one of these sites, the lungs, was confirmed to have metastatic disease. PET scans identified possible metastatic disease in nine patients and included the following sites: (1) pelvic nodes (4 pts), (2) para-aortic nodes (2 pts), (3) axillary node (1 pt), (4) bowel wall (1 pt) and (5) lungs (1 pt). After surgical and pathologic evaluation metastatic disease was identified in five of these pts at the following sites: iliac nodes, 2; para-aortic nodes, 1; bowel wall, 1; and lungs, 1. Of the sites identified by PET scan as areas of metastasis CT scan only identified the pulmonary metastasis. Conclusion 18 FDG PET was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 73% in detecting sites of extra-pelvic metastasis and may be the most accurate test to determine eligibility for pelvic exenteration.
GaAs double-drift avalanche diode from vapour-phase epitaxy

p-type doping of GaAs grown by a vapour-epitaxy technique is accomplished in the range of 1015 cm?3 using a Zn source in a controlled-temperature zone, n-type doping is accomplished by admitting a controlled admixture of SnCl4 and AsCl3 into the system. Diodes were fabricated from a p?n?n+ substrate wafer and operated in an I?C TRAPATT mode in a compact circuit. TRAPATT action yields a spiky current waveform useful as a pulse generator.
Structural basis of the selectivity of the β2-adrenergic receptor for fluorinated catecholamines

The important and diverse biological functions of adrenergic receptors, a subclass of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), have made the search for compounds that selectively stimulate or inhibit the activity of different adrenergic receptor subtypes an important area of medicinal chemistry. We previously synthesized 2-, 5-, and 6-fluoronorepinehprine (FNE) and 2-, 5-, and 6-fluoroepinephrine (FEPI) and found that 2FNE and 2FEPI were selective beta-adrenergic agonists and that 6FNE and 6FEPI were selective alpha-adrenergic agonists, while 5FNE and 5FEPI were unselective. Agonist potencies correlated well with receptor binding affinities. Here, through a combination of molecular modeling and site-directed mutagenesis, we have identified N293 in the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor as a crucial residue for the selectivity of the receptor for catecholamines fluorinated at different positions.
Clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with preferred use of the radial artery.

BACKGROUND: The use of the radial artery (RA) for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is still not widely accepted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of preferred RA utilization on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Data on 138 consecutive patients undergoing CABG using the RA (in addition to the internal mammary artery) were prospectively collected and compared to 228 patients undergoing CABG without the RA. RESULTS: The mean age was 56 +/- 10 years (range 29 to 79 years). Preoperatively 91% (126/138) were in CCS angina Class III/IV, 45% (66/138) were nonelective, and 14% (20/138) were reoperations. An average of 3.5 +/- 0.9 grafts per patient were performed, of which 2.5 +/- 0.5 (71%) were arterial. The RA was used for single distal vessel in 103 patients, for sequential grafting in 35, and overall for 1.3 distal targets per patient. There were no perioperative deaths, reoperation for bleeding, MI, or CVA. Six patients (4%) had minor RA harvest-related complications. The length of hospital stay was 5.6 +/- 3.1 days. Hospital outcomes were similar to a cohort of patients undergoing CABG without RA. Mean follow-up for 99% (137/138) of patients was 7.1 +/- 4.3 months (range 1 to 18 months). Long-term major complications included one sudden death (0.7%) and three MIs (2.2%). At the time of follow-up, 95% (1311137) were in CCS angina Class I/II. Routine thallium stress test performed in 93 patients showed normal perfusion in 98%. There were no long-term major vascular or neurological deficits related to RA harvest. CONCLUSIONS: The use of RA in patients undergoing CABG is safe and effective. These excellent early clinical outcomes justify liberal use of the RA, although long-term follow-up is required to establish its ultimate role as a preferred conduit.
Guidelines for Conducting Research and Publishing in Marketing: From Conceptualization through the Review Process

A primary mission of institutions of higher learning is the generation and dissemination of knowledge. The low acceptance rates at the leading research journals in marketing, typically in the single digits to low teens, suggests the need to increase the quality of the research manuscripts produced. This article presents a set of guidelines for researchers aspiring to do scholarly research in marketing. Discussed are issues such as developing the necessary research skills, conceptualizing the study, constructing the research design, writing the manuscript, and responding to reviewers. Also presented are the author's personal observations concerning the current state of research in marketing.
Cray X-MP: the birth of a supercomputer

The authors' experience in designing and manufacturing the Cray X-MP supercomputer is described. The X-MP is a multiprocessor design built on the basic architecture of the Cray-1 and incorporates the 16-gate emitter-coupled logic gate arrays used in the Cray-2 project. The goal was a two-processor machine compatible with the Cray-1 but with performance 1.5 to 2 times better. The authors examine the architectural considerations. They discuss the use of electronic design rules and CAD (computer-aided design); the packaging, interconnections, and cooling; and assembly and testing. >
Alogliptin: Safety, Efficacy, and Clinical Implications

Purpose: Alogliptin is the newest dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes either alone or in combination with other antidiabetic agents. The purpose o...
Religion, Nationalism, and Violence: An Integrated Approach

Scholarly work on the nexus of religion, nationalism, and violence is currently fragmented along disciplinary and theoretical lines. In sociology, history, and anthropology, a macro-culturalist approach reigns; in political science, economics, and international relations, a micro-rationalist approach is dominant. Recent attempts at a synthesis ignore religion or fold it into ethnicity. A coherent synthesis capable of adequately accounting for religious-nationalist violence must not only integrate micro and macro, cultural and strategic approaches; it must also include a meso level of elite conflict and boundary maintenance and treat the religious field as potentially autonomous from the cultural field.
Young Women's Accounts of Instrumental Drug Use for Weight Control

The phenomenon of drug use for weight control remains largely undocumented. This research addresses young women's accounts concerning instrumental substance use and management of the body. Although instrumental users faced the potential for stigma, the nature of their lines of action was insulating from many negative social consequences, as women remained largely private about their deviant behaviors. Although women were secretive about their deviance, most offered accounts for their unconventional “lifestyle choices.” Young women hailed drugs for their instrumental utility, and shunned popular conceptions of their behaviors as pathological.
The converging roles of BRD4 and gene transcription in pluripotency and oncogenesis

Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and cancer cells share traits and molecular mechanisms, such as the ability to self-renew and a block in cellular differentiation. Both ESCs and tumor cells have a large proliferative capacity and cellular plasticity. One common denominator linking these two cell types is the BET family member, BRD4. BRD4 plays a critical role in gene regulation, recruiting the active form of Positive Elongation Factor b (P-TEFb) to RNA polymerase II at paused promoters ultimately resulting in the production of elongated mRNAs. BRD4 is deregulated in many cancers making it an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we highlight the recent findings coupling the role of BRD4 in pluripotency and tumorigenesis.
Instrumentality Boosts Appreciation Helpers Are More Appreciated While They Are Useful

We propose that in social interactions, appreciation of a helper depends on that helper's instrumentality: The more motivated one is to accomplish a goal, and the more one perceives a helper as able to facilitate that goal, the more appreciation one will feel for that helper. Four experiments supported this instrumentality-boost hypothesis by showing that beneficiaries felt more appreciation of their helpers while they were receiving help toward an ongoing task than after that task was completed or after the helper was deemed no longer instrumental. This finding held for both the positive side of appreciation (gratitude) and the negative side (feelings of indebtedness) and also across a range of relationships (complete strangers, newly acquainted partners, and friends). This pattern of appreciation is counterintuitive for helpers, and so a mismatch arises between the time courses of beneficiaries' experienced appreciation and helpers' expectations of appreciation.
In vitro and in vivo analyses of constitutive and in vivo-induced promoters in attenuated vaccine and vector strains of Vibrio cholerae.

ABSTRACT The optimal promoter for in vivo expression of heterologous antigens by live, attenuated vaccine vector strains of Vibrio cholerae is unclear; in vitro analyses of promoter activity may not accurately predict expression of antigens in vivo. We therefore introduced plasmids expressing the B subunit of cholera toxin (CtxB) under the control of a number of promoters into V. choleraevaccine strain Peru2. We evaluated the tac promoter, which is constitutively expressed in V. cholerae, as well as the in vivo-induced V. cholerae heat shock htpGpromoter and the in vivo-induced V. cholerae iron-regulatedirgA promoter. The functionality of all promoters was confirmed in vitro. In vitro antigenic expression was highest in vaccine strains expressing CtxB under the control of thetac promoter (2 to 5 μg/ml/unit of optical density at 600 nm [OD600]) and, under low-iron conditions, in strains containing the irgA promoter (5 μg/ml/OD600). We orally inoculated mice with the various vaccine strains and used anti-CtxB immune responses as a marker for in vivo expression of CtxB. The vaccine strain expressing CtxB under the control of thetac promoter elicited the most prominent specific anti-CtxB responses in vivo (serum immunoglobulin G [IgG], P≤ 0.05; serum IgA, P ≤ 0.05; stool IgA,P ≤ 0.05; bile IgA, P ≤ 0.05), despite the finding that the tac and irgApromoters expressed equivalent amounts of CtxB in vitro. Vibriocidal antibody titers were equivalent in all groups of animals. Our results indicate that in vitro assessment of antigen expression by vaccine and vector strains of V. cholerae may correlate poorly with immune responses in vivo and that of the promoters examined, thetac promoter may be best suited for expression from plasmids of at least certain heterologous antigens in such strains.
Developing the Talents of Academically Gifted High School Students: Issues for Secondary School Administrators.

School administrators face many issues in dealing with gifted high school students. Among them are providing classes and academic experiences that are sufficiently challenging to keep students engaged and working in their field. Two aspects of this issue are explored here using out-of-school resources to develop academic talent to a high level, and creating conditions within the school classroom to support talented students.
Agile development: overcoming a short-term focus in implementing best practices

Agile development deemphasizes long-term planning in favor of short-term adaptiveness. This is a strength in a rapidly changing development environment. However, this short-term focus creates a temptation to neglect best practices that are essential to long-term success. This report outlines my experience as a software developer in a leading internet portal that thrives on agile development using SCRUM. It describes the problems that arose when best practices were ignored and how our team overcame them.
Social threat and cognitive load magnify self-enhancement and attenuate self-deprecation

Abstract Has self-enhancement been too heavily emphasized as a motivating factor in social comparisons? Recently, researchers have argued that some types of social-comparative judgments may differ in important ways from other self-evaluative phenomena typically offered as evidence of self-enhancement motivation. In contrast to a large body of research showing that self-esteem threat affects other self-evaluative processes, the literature remains silent on how self-esteem threat affects social comparisons between self and an average peer. Furthermore, whereas social comparisons appear to be self-favoring (i.e. ‘better than average’) in many domains, they are predictably self-deprecating (i.e., ‘worse than average’) in others. As a result, recent models of social-comparative judgment posit that cognitive efficiency, rather than self-enhancement, may more typically account for the manner in which people compare themselves to peers. The current research addresses this controversy by investigating how the tension between self-enhancement and need for cognitive efficiency is resolved in social comparison. Two experiments examined the crossed effects of self-esteem threat and cognitive load on social comparisons of personality traits (Experiment 1) and likelihood of future events (Experiment 2a–b). Both self-esteem threat and cognitive load increased the self-favoring nature of social comparisons including those otherwise characterized by self-deprecation. The findings show that self-enhancement does significantly influence social comparison with peers and, in fact, most parsimoniously accounts for these social-comparative judgments when cognitive resources are limited. Furthermore, self-deprecating social comparisons are attenuated in the face of self-esteem threat and, therefore, do not provide a substantial challenge to the role of self-enhancement in social comparison.
Turbidimetric assay for phospholipase A

concentrations of albumin augmented enzymatic activity, whereas high concentrations inhibited it. Certain ions (example: Hg++) shortened or completely abolished an initi,al lag period; other ions (example: Ca++) inhibited enzymatic activity. EDTA ikhibited activity, apparently becazwe it formed a complex with a component of the substrate system, probably the deoxyoholate. A high correlation was obtained between the turbidimetric and titrimet~ric measures of phospholipase activity. I n recent years, turbidimetric methods have been used by various workers for estimating activity of lipase,l, 2, 3 clearing faetor,4s 5 and phospholipase C of bacterial origin.‘jt 7 The advantages of these turbidimetric methods are their simplicity, speed, and generally smaller requirement for substrate. Saunders8 reported that pure lecithin sols were stable for long periods, although turbid in appearance, and that this turbidity was reduced by the
Colonization of corn, Zea mays, by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana.

Light and electron microscopy were used to describe the mode of penetration by the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin into corn, Zea mays L. After inoculation with a foliar spray of conidia, germinating hyphae grew randomly across the leaf surface. Often a germ tube formed from a conidium and elongated only a short distance before terminating its growth. Not all developing hyphae on the leaf surface penetrated the cuticle. However, when penetration did occur, the penetration site(s) was randomly located, indicating that B. bassiana does not require specific topographic signals at an appropriate entry site as do some phytopathogenic fungi. Long hyphal structures were observed to follow the leaf apoplast in any direction from the point of penetration. A few hyphae were observed within xylem elements. Because vascular bundles are interconnected throughout the corn plant, this may explain how B. bassiana travels within the plant and ultimately provides overall insecticidal protection. Virulency bioassays demonstrate that B. bassiana does not lose virulence toward the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), once it colonizes corn. This endophytic relationship between an entomopathogenic fungus and a plant suggests possibilities for biological control, including the use of indigenous fungal inocula as insecticides.
Interaction of the vestibular system and baroreflexes on sympathetic nerve activity in humans

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) is altered by vestibular otolith stimulation. This study examined interactive effects of the vestibular system and baroreflexes on MSNA in humans. In study 1, MSNA was measured during 4 min of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) at either -10 or -30 mmHg with subjects in prone posture. During the 3rd min of LBNP, subjects lowered their head over the end of a table (head-down rotation, HDR) to engage the otolith organs. The head was returned to baseline upright position during the 4th min. LBNP increased MSNA above baseline during both trials with greater increases during the -30-mmHg trial. HDR increased MSNA further during the 3rd min of LBNP at -10 and -30 mmHg (Delta32% and Delta34%, respectively; P < 0.01). MSNA returned to pre-HDR levels during the 4th min of LBNP when the head was returned upright. In study 2, MSNA was measured during HDR, LBNP, and simultaneously performed HDR and LBNP. The sum of MSNA responses during individual HDR and LBNP trials was not significantly different from that observed during HDR and LBNP performed together (Delta131 +/- 28 vs. Delta118 +/- 47 units and Delta340 +/- 77 vs. Delta380 +/- 90 units for the -10 and -30 trials, respectively). These results demonstrate that vestibular otolith stimulation can increase MSNA during unloading of the cardiopulmonary and arterial baroreflexes. Also, the interaction between the vestibulosympathetic reflex and baroreflexes is additive in humans. These studies indicate that the vestibulosympathetic reflex may help defend against orthostatic challenges in humans by increasing sympathetic outflow.
Vapor Deposition Polymerization as a Route to Fluorinated Polymers

An overview of the properties of the materials we are studying is presented in Table 18.11. The objective of this work was to find new approaches to the problem of generating new media with low dielectric constants and high thermal stabilities for use as interlayer dielectrics in microelectronic interconnection applications. We have been partially successful in this quest but there is still much more work to be done. The materials we have been able to deposit remain to be characterized in full detail, which includes not only elucidating their molecular structure but also measuring the panoply of physical properties necessary for practical applications.
Pesticide use by licensed applicators for the control of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in Connecticut

To assess the use of insecticides for tick control by commercial applicators in Connecticut, a questionnaire was mailed to 897 individuals and businesses with ornamental and turf pesticide applicator licenses. In total, 348 completed surveys were returned (38.8%). The majority of the respondents considered themselves lawn care (41.1%), landscape (31.3%) or tree care (12.6%) providers. Tick control services were offered by 16.4% (n = 57) of the respondents, all of whom apply insecticides for tick control, mainly for Ixodes scapularis Say. Over half (n = 33) also treat for the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say). Most respondents (66.7%) began applying pesticides for the control of I. scapularis during the period from 1990 to 1996. The principal acaricide used for tick control was cyfluthrin (n = 21), with chlorpyrifos 2nd (n = 18), carbaryl 3rd (n = 12), and fluvalinate (n = 4) 4th. When asked about what other pesticides were used for tick control, the top 3 chemicals also were the principal alternatives. Past success with a product was the dominant factor in selecting a pesticide, but information provided by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (New Haven), Cooperative Extension (University of Connecticut, Storrs), and scientific studies were important. Half of the respondents (49.1%) indicated that their tick control business had increased slightly or dramatically since 1991, although tick control comprises < 5% of their overall business for 63.1% of these applicators. Residential properties comprised 90% of the business for half of those treating for ticks, and the median charge for 0.4 ha was $180. Many respondents (43.8%) also indicated that they planned to expand their tick control services. Tick control represents a small but growing business in Connecticut.
The Effect of Coal Composition on Ignition and Flame Stability in Coaxial Oxy-Fuel Turbulent Diffusion Flames

The purpose of the research reported here is to explore how minor coal composition changes can affect oxy-coal flame ignition. Whereas previous work focused on the stability of coaxial turbulent diffusion flames for a single coal, we explore here how two coals of similar rank, fired under aerodynamically identical input conditions, may show very different flame stability characteristics. Since oxy-coal combustion allows oxygen contents in primary and secondary oxidant streams to be varied, flame stability characteristics were determined here by effects of partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) in the primary stream (with differing preheat temperatures in the secondary stream) and effects of PO2 in the secondary stream (with zero O2 in the primary stream), on the flame stand-off distance. The two coals investigated were a Utah Skyline bituminous coal and an Illinois #6 bituminous coal. Flame stability was quantified by probability density functions (PDF) of the flame stand-off distance, which were determined usi...
Focal Brain Lesions and Language Development

The effects of congenital, unilateral, focal brain lesions on development and hemispheric lateralization of language were investigated in 24 preschool children with hemiplegia followed longitudinally at Stella Marios Scientific Institute, Pisa, Italy.
Distribution of plant life history types in California chaparral: the role of topographically‐determined drought severity

Spatial patterns of shrub life history and Ceanothus distribution are examined in relation to topographically-medi- ated differences in drought severity within 3 watersheds on the coastal and inland flank of the Santa Ynez Mountains, Califor- nia. Spatially distributed fields of drought severity are simu- lated for the studied watersheds using high-resolution digital terrain data and daily climate data in combination with a process-based hydro-ecological model (RHESSys). Field sam- ples of species composition are spatially integrated with the distributed drought data for analysis of ecological relation- ships. Patterns of seedling recruitment type correspond to topographic variability in drought severity in ways that are consistent with concepts presented in the literature. Species that depend on fire for recruitment are increasingly repre- sented with increasing drought severity, the converse also applies. Sites that experience moderate drought severity per- mit co-dominance of species from both recruitment modes. Residual analysis suggests that some of the unexplained vari- ability is related to substrate. Analyses also indicate that the distribution of 5 Ceanothus shrubs reflect differences in drought severity in ways that are consistent with their resistance to water stress-induced xylem dysfunction. Species from the subgenus Cerastes sort in accordance with moisture availabil- ity and have unique spatial distributions. Results are evaluated and discussed with respect to studies on plant morphology, resource use and seedling establishment patterns.
REGIONAL VARIATION AND LOCAL STYLE: A NEGLECTED DIMENSION IN HAWAIIAN PREHISTORY

This article states a case for the significance of a fundamental yet neglected aspect of Hawaiian prehistory and anthropology: the substantial degree of local and interisland variation in Hawaiian culture, including its material manifestations. Given the geographic extent of the Hawaiian archipelago, and the size of its indigenous population at the time of European contact, significant cultural variability should come as no surprise. The eight major inhabited islands span a total distance of more than 350 miles, and turbulent open channels up to seventy-five miles wide separate individual islands. Despite substantial local and some interisland mobility, it is likely that most precontact Hawaiians lived out their lives within a relatively small geographic sphere. Certainly the political organization of the archipelago in the late eighteenth century is indicative of strong boundaries separating four or five major sociopolitical groups. These were the more-or-less independent chiefdoms of Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, East Hawai’i, and West Hawai‘i. (Smaller islands such as Moloka’i, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe were variously under the sway of one or another of the larger hegemonic chiefdoms.) Not only did these chiefdoms operate as independent political units, but indications in the ethnohistoric literature suggest that each group maintained and expressed its own identity through ideological and ritual differences (see Valeri 1985: 184-185). While geographic scale in and of itself is not a determinant of cultural
Characterizing Latent User Interests on Enterprise Networks.

We present a methodology for promoting situational awareness of an enterprise network using only network artifacts discernible from network protocol logs. We utilized latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) over two corpora, the first composed of search queries and the second composed of external domain names issued by enterprise users through the network proxy of a mid-sized enterprise network. We not only quantitatively demonstrate that the LDA topic modeling approach achieves superior fit to the data than do naive models, but we also demonstrate that a topic modeling approach yields qualitative business analytic information.
Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

An 80-year-old lady is bought in by her son for continuing care of mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and geographic atrophy. She is a well-established patient and is familiar with the physician and the office staff. The ophthalmic technician notes that the patient required more assistance than usual to navigate to the exam chair. The son remarks that his mother had recently moved to an assisted living center and feels that she is less involved with visually oriented tasks and is more socially withdrawn despite what he considers expanded social and occupational opportunities at the living center. The patient initially denies any problems, but after some discussion admits she has had increasing difficulty watching television and ambulating. She denies being sad or depressed as a cause of her social isolation but states her activities are impacted because her vision seems worse. The patient is apologetic about “complaining” and wary because her own mother had a poor outcome from cataract surgery years previously.
Cyanobacteria blooms in three eutrophic basins of the Great Lakes: a comparative analysis using satellite remote sensing

Blooms of harmful cyanobacteria cyanoHABs were mapped for three eutrophic basins western basin of Lake Erie, WBLE; Green Bay, Lake Michigan, GB; and Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, SB in the Great Lakes from 2002 to 2013 using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer MODIS ocean colour imagery. These blooms were examined in relationship to basic meteorological and environmental parameters. Annual cyanoHAB extent trends were generated using two modified remote-sensing approaches. The first approach was a modified bio-optical chlorophyll retrieval algorithm enhanced with empirical relationships to estimate water column cyanoHABs MCH, whereas the second approach uses near-infrared NIR reflectance to quantify the surface scums of cyanoHABs SSI. The development and application of the SSI are unique products in the Great Lakes and may have generic application to ecological and public health issues. Satellite-derived cyanoHAB estimates agreed well with in situ observations 89% accuracy. The annual cyanoHAB trends MCH and SSI for WBLE, SB, and GB were not similar for the 2002–2013 analysis period. A recent trend of increasing cyanoHABs was noted in WBLE but not in GB or SB. Moreover, extensive and persistent surface scums were observed in WBLE but not in GB or SB. Meteorological parameters were similar among the basins; however, significant differences in spring discharge of the dominant river were observed among basins. Spring discharge was a significant predictor of cyanoHAB occurrence in WBLE but not in GB and SB. Wind-induced sediment re-suspension events were common during the bloom period in WBLE but not in GB or SB and these events were highly correlated with cyanoHAB occurrence. The differences among basins in the role of riverine discharge and re-suspension suggest local factors are more important than regional factors in controlling cyanoHAB dynamics within these three basins in the Great Lakes.
What Can We Learn from Credit Markets

This is the text of the ALI Young Scholars Medal address delivered at the American Law Institute's 93rd annual meeting in Washington D.C., on May 18, 2016.
Optimal Machining Speed and Tool Inventory Policies in Machining Economic Systems

This paper presents an integrated cost model that combines a tooling inventory control policy with a machining economics scheme in single-stage manufacturing systems. An algorithm is proposed for estimating simultaneously tool cutting speed, along with tool reorder points and safety levels. The behavior of the integrated model is investigated; numerical results are presented.
Aging increases the susceptibility of hepatic inflammation, liver fibrosis and aging in response to high-fat diet in mice

We aimed to investigate whether aging increases the susceptibility of hepatic and renal inflammation or fibrosis in response to high-fat diet (HFD) and explore the underlying genetic alterations. Middle (10 months old) and old (20 months old) aged, male C57BL/6N mice were fed either a low-fat diet (4 % fat) or HFD (60 % fat) for 4 months. Young (3 months old) aged mice were included as control group. HFD-induced liver and kidney injuries were analyzed by serum and urine assay, histologic staining, immunohistochemistry, and reverse-transcription real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Total RNA sequencing with next-generation technology was done with RNA extracted from liver tissues. With HFD feeding, aged was associated with higher serum alanine aminotransferase levels, marked infiltration of hepatic macrophages, and increased expression of inflammatory cytokines (MCP1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17A). Importantly, aged mice showed more advanced hepatic fibrosis and increased expression of fibrogenic markers (Col-I-α1, αSMA, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGFβRII, PDGF, PDGFRβII, TIMP1) in response to HFD. Aged mice fed on HFD also showed increased oxidative stress and TLR4 expression. In the total RNA seq and gene ontology analysis of liver, old-aged HFD group showed significant up-regulation of genes linked to innate immune response, immune response, defense response, inflammatory response compared to middle-aged HFD group. Meanwhile, aging and HFD feeding showed significant increase in glomerular size and mesangial area, higher urine albumin/creatinine ratio, and advanced renal inflammation or fibrosis. However, the difference of HFD-induced renal injury between old-aged group and middle-aged group was not significant. The susceptibility of hepatic fibrosis as well as hepatic inflammation in response to HFD was significantly increased with aging. In addition, aging was associated with glomerular alterations and increased renal inflammation or fibrosis, while the differential effect of aging on HFD-induced renal injury was not remarkable as shown in the liver.
Preoperative Preparation and Anesthesia

For cosmetic blepharoplasty I rountinely prescribe Diazepam 10 mg 1 tab at 60–90 minutes prior to the procedure. This allows a good period of time for the sedation as well as analgesic effect to take place. Patients may often have been nervous and sleepless the night prior to coming in, or they may have traveled a bit before getting there and most can use the premedication.
Protein Displacement by Herpes Helicase-Primase and the Key Role of UL42 during Helicase-Coupled DNA Synthesis by the Herpes Polymerase.

The herpes helicase-primase (UL5-UL8-UL52) very inefficiently unwinds double-stranded DNA. To better understand the mechanistic consequences of this inefficiency, we investigated protein displacement activity by UL5-UL8-UL52, as well as the impact of coupling DNA synthesis by the herpes polymerase with helicase activity. While the helicase can displace proteins bound to the lagging strand template, bound proteins significantly impede helicase activity. Remarkably, UL5-UL8-UL52, an extremely inefficient helicase, disrupts the exceptionally tight interaction between streptavidin and biotin on the lagging strand template. It also unwinds DNA containing streptavidin bound to the leading strand template, although it does not displace the streptavidin. These data suggest that the helicase may largely or completely wrap around the lagging strand template, with minimal interactions with the leading strand template. We utilized synthetic DNA minicircles to study helicase activity coupled with the herpes polymerase...
Did the dependent coverage expansion increase risky substance use among young adults

Abstract Background The dependent coverage expansion (DCE) enacted through the Affordable Care Act increased health insurance coverage among young adults. Increasing insurance coverage in this age group has the potential for unintended consequences on risky substance use. Methods Repeated cross-sectional surveys were used to compare change in substance use during the period the DCE was implemented in the 19–25 year old target age group (Pre-DCE n = 15,772, Post-DCE n = 22,719) with contemporaneous change in a slightly older age group that was not targeted by the policy (Pre-DCE = 19,851, Post-DCE n = 28,157). Outcomes include 11 measures of alcohol, illicit drug and cigarette use. Statistical controls were included for demographic and socioeconomic factors and for early initiation of substance use to adjust for historical trends in developmental trajectories. Results Risky substance use decreased in young adults relative to the older age group over the period that the DCE was implemented. However, statistical adjustment for initiation of substance use prior to age 18, which is prior to exposure to the DCE, accounted for the differences between the age groups. In adjusted models, associations between the DCE and substance use outcomes range from 0.96 to 1.08 with p-values ranging from 0.330 to 0.963. Conclusions Historical trends in initiation of substance use prior to age 18, not the DCE, account for change in risky substance use among 19–25 year olds relative to 26–34 year olds. The evidence does not support the suggestion that health insurance coverage would increase risky substance use among young adults.