cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detection of Reactive Metabolites Using Isotope-Labeled Glutathione Trapping and Simultaneous Neutral Loss and Precursor Ion Scanning with Ultra-High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadruple Mass Spectrometry

Metabolic activation of drugs to electrophilic species is responsible for over 60% of black box warnings and drug withdrawals from the market place in the United States. Reactive metabolite trapping using glutathione (GSH) and analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) or HPLC with high resolution mass spectrometry (mass defect filtering) have enabled screening for metabolic activation to become routine during drug development. However, current MS-based approaches cannot detect all GSH conjugates present in complex mixtures, especially those present in extracts of botanical dietary supplements. To overcome these limitations, a fast triple quadrupole mass spectrometer-based approach was developed that can detect positively and negatively charged GSH conjugates in a single analysis without the need for advanced knowledge of the elemental compositions of potential conjugates and while avoiding false positives. This approach utilized UHPLC instead of HPLC to sh...
High performance membrane-electrode assemblies with ultra-low Pt loading for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

High performance membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) with ultra-low Pt loadings have been prepared by a modified thin film method. The method involves a mixing of the carbon supported Pt catalyst with Nafion solution without adding any additional organic solvents and a processing of the MEAs at lower temperatures (<100 °C). The MEAs thus fabricated show high Pt utilization efficiency and power density. The best performance is achieved with a Pt loading of 0.1 mg/cm2 using a 20 wt.% Pt/C. Moreover, the performance loss is not significant even when the Pt loading is reduced further to as low as 0.05 mg/cm2. A scanning electron microscopic analysis reveals that the thin catalyst layers are uniform with a good interfacial continuity between the membrane and the electrodes.
Cooperative interactions between the GRP78 enhancer and promoter elements in hamster fibroblasts

A non-tissue-specific enhancer derived from the promoter of the rat 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78)-coding gene was tested for its ability to stimulate the activity of its homologous promoter and two heterologous promoters (simian virus 40 and mouse mammary tumor virus). Single and double copies of the enhancer were inserted at positions 5' and 3' of the cat-expression vectors under the direction of the above promoters. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into hamster fibroblast K12 cells and assayed for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase activity under induced and non-induced conditions. We report that the GRP78 enhancer (i) exhibits strong cooperative interactions with its homologous promoter; (ii) can activate and confer a calcium ionophore (A23187) inducibility to heterologous promoters in an orientation-independent manner; (iii) prefers the 5' over the 3' location and; (iv) is dosage dependent in that two copies are twice as active as a single unit.
Strength and equation of state of boron suboxide from radial x-ray diffraction in a diamond cell under nonhydrostatic compression

Using radial x-ray diffraction techniques together with lattice strain theory, the behavior of boron suboxide $({\mathrm{B}}_{6}\mathrm{O})$ was investigated under nonhydrostatic compression to $65.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ in a diamond-anvil cell. The apparent bulk modulus derived from nonhydrostatic compression data varies from $363\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}\phantom{\rule{0.5em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.5em}{0ex}}124\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ depending on the orientation of the diffraction planes with respect to the loading axis. Measurement of the variation of lattice spacing with angle, $\ensuremath{\psi}$, from the loading axis allows the $d$ spacings corresponding to hydrostatic compression to be obtained. The hydrostatic $d$ spacing obtained from a linear fitting to data at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} is consistent with direct measurements at the appropriate angle $(\ensuremath{\psi}=54.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{})$ to within 0.5%, which suggests that even two measurements ($\ensuremath{\psi}=0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}$ and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}) are sufficient for accurate hydrostatic equation of state determination. The hydrostatic compression data yield a bulk modulus ${K}_{0}=270\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}12\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ and its pressure derivative ${K}_{0}^{\ensuremath{'}}=1.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3$. The ratio of differential stress to shear modulus ranges from 0.021 to 0.095 at pressures of $9.3--65.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$. Together with estimates of the high-pressure shear modulus, a lower bound to the yield strength is $26--30\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{GPa}$ at the highest pressure. The yield strength of ${\mathrm{B}}_{6}\mathrm{O}$ is about a factor of 2 larger than for other strong solids such as ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The ratio of yield stress to shear modulus derived from lattice strain theory is also consistent with the result obtained by the analysis of x-ray peak width. This ratio might be a good qualitative indicator of hardness as it reflects the contributions of both plastic and elastic deformation.
HYDROGEN SULFIDE PRODUCTION BY SYNECHOCOCCUS LIVIDUS Y52‐s1

SUMMARY Under anaerobic conditions and in the absence of CO2, the thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus lividus Y52-s, evolved hydrogen sulfide in both darkness and light. The mechanism of this process was investigated and compared with photo- and dark reductions in organisms representing several phyla. The photoproduction of H2S from either sulfate or thiosulfate was inhibited by 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethyl urea (DCMU) and carbonyl m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (m-Cl-CCP). The inhibitory effect of DCMU showed the requirement for photosystem II as electron donor. Inhibition by m-Cl-CCP also implicated ATP as an energy source. Monofluoroacetate partially inhibited photoproduction of H2S. This indicated that oxidative metabolism may act us a source of electrons to reduce the photooxidant under certain conditions. Thiosulfate acts only as electron acceptor and is reductively cleaved to S= and SO3=. Thiosulfate and sulfate appeared to replace CO2 in the light and O2 in darkness as electron acceptors. The phosphorylation uncouplers dinitrophenol and m-Cl-CCP stimulated dark H2S production.
Stimulation of a histone H4 protein kinase in Triton X-100 lysates of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils pretreated with chemotactic factors: lack of requirements of calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation.

The characteristics of the activation of a histone H4 kinase activity in Triton X-100 lysates of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils pretreated with fMet-Leu-Phe were studied: The activation of the kinase was (a) inhibited by the antagonist of formylpeptide, t-Boc-(Phe-Leu)2−-Phe, (b) completely inhibited by pertussis toxin pretreatment, (c) not affected by the pretreatment of neutrophils with an activator of protein kinase C, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, or an inhibitor of protein kinase C, 1-(5-isoquinoline-sulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine, and (d) not inhibited in the cells preloaded with the intracellular calcium chelators, bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetra acetic acid acetoxymethyl-ester (BAPTA/AM). These results suggest that the stimulus-induced activation of H4 kinase requires functional receptor and GTP-binding protein but neither calcium mobilization nor protein kinase C activation.
Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in patients without ST-segment elevation

Abstract Early identification of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is necessary to initiate appropriate treatment. In patients presenting without ST-segment elevation, diagnosis is often dependent on the presence of elevated myocardial markers. This study examines the ability of serial MB mass alone and in combination with myoglobin in diagnosing AMI in patients without ST-segment elevation within 3 hours of presentation. In all, 2,093 patients were admitted and underwent serial marker analysis using myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), and CK-MB at 0, 3, 6, and 8 hours. AMI was diagnosed by a CK-MB ≥8.0 ng/ml and a relative index (RI) (CK-MB × 100/total CK) ≥4.0. A total of 186 patients (9%) were diagnosed with AMI. The optimal diagnostic strategy was an elevated CK-MB + RI on the initial or 3-hour sample or at least a twofold increase in CK-MB without exceeding the upper range of normal over the 3-hour time period (sensitivity 93%, specificity 98%). The combination of an elevated CK-MB + RI or myoglobin on the initial or 3-hour sample had a sensitivity of 94%, although specificity was significantly lower, at 86%. Sensitivities and specificities after exclusion of the 242 patients with ischemic electrocardiographic changes were essentially unchanged. We conclude that most patients with AMI presenting with nondiagnostic electrocadiograms can be diagnosed within 3 hours of presentation.
Data Driven Development of Haptic Models for Needle Biopsy Phantoms

Needle biopsy is an important and common procedure for lesion detection or tissue extraction within the human body. Physicians conducting such procedures rely primarily on the sense of “touch” (kinesthetic feedback from needle) to estimate the current needle position and organs within its vicinity. This skill takes time to acquire and mature, often by biopsies on live patients. Medical residents and fellow trainees thus have limited opportunities both in terms of real life scenarios as well as testing platforms to develop and validate their skills. This paper focuses on building a biopsy simulator for training on virtual phantoms (using both visual and force feedback) and cross validation using a real physical phantom. In order to develop a virtual-haptic model of biopsy phantom, material testing experiments were conducted to obtain motion-force profiles from an instrumented 6-DOF robot platform serving as a needle driver. The measured force-displacement data was then used to develop three types of haptic models for the phantom to calculate the force feedback for the haptic device. Neural network based models provided a more accurate force-reflection model compared to the other two methods from the literature and will form the basis of the virtual phantoms within our framework.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Variation in Holocene El Niño frequencies: Climate records and cultural consequences in ancient Peru

Analysis of mollusks from archaeological sites on the north and central coasts of Peru indicates that between ca. 5800 and 3200–2800 cal yr B.P., El Nino events were less frequent than today, with modern, rapid recurrence intervals achieved only after that time. For several millennia prior to 5.8 ka, El Nino events had been absent or very different from today. The phenomena called El Nino have had severe consequences for the modern and colonial (historically recorded) inhabitants of Peru, and El Nino events also influenced prehistoric cultural development: the onset of El Nino events at 5.8 ka correlates temporally with the beginning of monumental temple construction on the Peruvian coast, and the increase in El Nino frequency after 3.2–2.8 ka correlates with the abandonment of monumental temples in the same region.
Lumpers and Splitters: A New Molecular Taxonomy for Cancer

Different cancers are usually grouped together on the basis of their tissue of origin. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that cancers originating from different tissues and organs exhibit molecular similarities. With the advent of tools to generate high-throughput “omic” data, a new
Cutthroat Measurement Flume Calibration for Free and Submerged Flow Using a Single Equation

A series of detailed laboratory measurements were made under steady-state flow conditions through a 0.914-m (3-ft) Cutthroat flume in an attempt to more accurately define transition submergence for four standard throat widths. It was found that the change from free to submerged flow, and vice versa, is gradual and that there is no easily observable transition point. The gradual transition between the flow regimes suggested a new calibration approach in which a single equation could more elegantly and more accurately fit the laboratory measurements, eschewing the need for separate free- and submerged-flow equations, and obviating the need to define transition submergence. Such an equation was found, providing greater calibration accuracy up to 95% submergence in 0.914-m Cutthroat flumes.
Monoclonal antibodies for the structural analysis of the Na+/H+ antiporter NhaA from Escherichia coli.

Since their advent some 25 years ago, monoclonal antibodies have developed into powerful tools for structural and functional analysis of their cognate antigens. Together with the respective antigen binding fragments, antibodies offer exclusive capacities in detection, characterization, purification and functional assays for every given ligand. Antibody-fragment mediated crystallization represents a major advance in determining the three-dimensional structure of membrane-bound protein complexes. In this review, we focus on the methods used to generate monoclonal antibodies against the NhaA antiporter from Escherichia coli as a paradigm of secondary transporters. We describe examples on how antibodies are helpful in understanding structure and function relationships for this important class of integral membrane proteins. The generated conformation-specific antibody fragments are highly valuable reagents for co-crystallization attempts and structure determination of the antiporter.
Stabilization of immobilized lectin columns by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde

Procedures to purify membrane proteins usually require the use of detergents and often include affinity chromatography on lectin columns. Some detergents, especially denaturing detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), can interfere with affinity chromatography by inactivating the bound lectin or by eluting it from the column together with the material of interest. We have developed a procedure that stabilizes lectin-column matrices by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. This procedure does not impair the binding capacity of the immobilized lectin. It permits subsequent elution by SDS of bound glycoproteins without coelution of lectin subunits.
MARRIED IN THE WATER: SPIRIT KIN AND OTHER AFFLICTIONS OF MODERNITY IN SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

As we approached another incarnation we made pacts that we would return to the spirit world at the first opportunity... Those of us who made such vows were known among the Living as abiku, spirit-children. Not all people recognised us. We were the ones who kept coming and going, unwilling to come to terms with life. We had the ability to will our deaths. Our pacts were binding. Those who broke their pacts were assailed by hallucinations and haunted by their companions. They would only find consolation when they returned to the world of the Unborn, the place of fountains, where their loved ones would be waiting for them silently. Those of us who lingered in the world, seduced by the annunciation of wonderful events, went through life with beautiful and fated eyes, carrying within us the music of a lovely and tragic mythology. Our mouths utter obscure prophesies. Our minds are invaded by images of the future. We are the strange ones, with half of our beings always in the spirit world. We were often recognised and our flesh marked with razor incisions. When we were born again to the same parents the marks, lingering on our new flesh, branded our souls in advance. Then the world would spin a web of fate around our lives. Those of us who died while still children tried to erase these marks, by making beautiful spots or interesting discolorations of them. If we didn't succeed, and were recognised, we were greeted with howls of dread, and the weeping of mothers.
Induction and Inhibition of Crystallization in Drug-in-Adhesive-Type Transdermal Patches

To screen crystallization inhibitors, perform accelerated stability testing and predict saturation solubility of levonorgestrel in drug-in-adhesive patches. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were compared against slide crystallization studies for screening additives. Release studies were performed from crystallized and supersaturated patches. Die cutting was used for accelerated stability testing of patches. Time lag experiments were performed to predict saturation solubility of levonorgestrel in acrylate adhesive, DuroTak-2516. DSC studies indicated poloxamer to be the best additive whereas slide crystallization studies showed polyvinylpyrrolidone to be better. Supersaturated patches showed higher release profiles relative to crystallized patches. Crystals were observed in crystallized patches even after 96 h of release studies. Die-cutting of patches helped in development of crystals in less time as compared to uncut sheets indicating its usefulness in accelerated stability testing. Saturation solubility of levonorgestrel in DuroTak-2516 was predicted to be 0.09% w/w which was in close agreement with value of 0.1% w/w from solubility calculator on vendor’s website. Crystallization was shown to have negative impact on drug release and patch performance. Slide crystallization studies, die cutting and time lag experiments can be used as tools to help stabilize the otherwise unstable patches.
Regulator selection and endogenous systematic risk

A major issue in the financial literature of regulated industries is whether the cost of capital is endogenous to the regulatory process. Cross-spectral estimates of the market model are used to determine if the method of regulator selection contributes to either frequency dependence or phase shift (lead/lag) in electric utility systematic risk. It is determined here that electric utilities regulated by elected commissions experience frequency dependence in systematic risk. This finding lends support to the assertion that the cost of capital is endogenous to the regulatory process.
Atomic level structure of TiO2(110) as a function of surface oxygen coverage

The surface structure of TiO2(110) has been investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy. Both (1 × 1) and (1 × 2) regions are observed on the vacuum annealed surface. Further oxygen can be absorbed to create highly elongated nuclei along the [110] direction. These coalesce at saturation coverage to generate a superstructure of 35 A periodicity with local c(2× 1) structure rather than a (1× 1) phase. Oxygen desorption from this saturation phase is highly anisotropic, suggesting that not all oxygens are bound with the same energy. These structural details may shed light on the complex surface chemistry of TiO2.
Microarray Gene Expression Classification Based on Supervised Learning and Similarity Measures

Microarray gene expression data has high dimension and small samples, the gene selection is very important to the classification accuracy. In this paper, we present a scheme of recursive feature addition for microarray gene expression classification based on supervised learning and the similarity measure between chosen genes and candidates. In comparison with the well-known gene selection methods of T-TEST and SVM-RFE using different classifiers, our method, on the average, performs the best regarding the classification accuracy under different feature dimensions, the mean test accuracy and the highest test accuracy under the highest train accuracy, and the highest test accuracy in the experiments.
Role of the baroreceptor reflexes and vasoactive polypeptides in the corticotropin release evoked by hypotension.

The factors involved in the mediation of ACTH release in the cat in response to hypotension have been investigated. Reduction of mean arterial pressure from control levels of over 100 mm Hg to a hypotensive level of 35 mm Hg by bleeding from the femoral artery resulted in a mean increment in plasma ACTH concentration of 4.5 ± 0.82 (5) mU ACTH/100 ml. After adrenalectomy of 2 hr duration, the increment evoked by hypotension was increased to 26.7 ± 5.59 (3) mU/100 ml plasma. Hypophysectomy of 20 min duration eliminated the change in plasma ACTH concentration evoked by hypotension. Occlusion of the common carotid arteries evoked an increment in plasma ACTH concentration. Prior vagosympathectomy increased the increment induced by carotid occlusion and decreased the increment in response to hypotension. Carotid-aortic denervation resulted in a 50% decrease in the ACTH increment evoked by hypotension. The residual hypotensively elicited ACTH increment persisted after C1 cord section in carotid-aortic denervated...
BUBBLES AND ANTI-BUBBLES IN LATIN-AMERICAN, ASIAN AND WESTERN STOCK MARKETS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Twenty-one significant bubbles followed by large crashes or severe corrections in Latin-American and Asian stock markets are identified. We find that, with very few exceptions, these speculative bubbles can be quantitatively described by a rational expectation model of bubbles predicting a specific power law acceleration as well as so-called log-periodic geometric patterns. This model considerably extends the applicability of the rational expectation model of bubbles followed by crashes or severe corrections previously proposed for the major financial markets in the world, i.e. the USA and the foreign exchange markets. A comparison of the model predictions using the price and the logarithm of the price, respectively, furthermore indicates according to our model that such large downward movements in the markets are nothing but depletions of the preceding bubble thus bringing the market back towards equilibrium. In addition, a set of secondary stock markets are also shown to exhibit well-correlated "anti-bubbles" triggered by a rash of crises on emerging markets in early 1994. This suggests that smaller stock markets can weakly synchronize not only because of the over-arching influence of the US market, but also independent of the US market due to external factors such as the Asian crisis of 1994.
Primer on Medical Genomics: Part XII: Pharmacogenomics—General Principles With Cancer as a Model

The Human Genome Project has resulted in a new era in the field of pharmacogenetics in which researchers are rapidly discovering new genetic variation, which may help to explain interindividual variability in drug efficacy and toxicity. Pharmacogenetics is the study of the role of genetic inheritance in individual variation in drug response and toxicity. With the convergence of advances in pharmacogenetics and human genomics, the field of pharmacogenomics has emerged during the past decade. Pharmacogenomics is used to refer to the study of the relationship between specific DNA-sequence variation and drug effect. In few other disciplines of medicine are the clinical examples of pharmacogenetics more striking than in oncology. In this field, treatment of patients with cancer is accomplished primarily through the use of chemotherapeutic drugs that have narrow therapeutic indexes, ie, the difference between the toxic and therapeutic dose is relatively small. In this review, we discuss several selected, clinically relevant examples of ways in which sequence variation in genes that encode drug enzymes, transporters, and drug targets can alter the efficacy and/or adverse-effect profile of "standard" doses of chemotherapeutic drugs. Additionally, we discuss some of the ways in which physicians are currently applying this knowledge in the treatment of patients with cancer.
Increased accumulation of cuticular wax and expression of lipid transfer protein in response to periodic drying events in leaves of tree tobacco.

Cuticular wax deposition and composition affects drought tolerance and yield in plants. We examined the relationship between wax and dehydration stress by characterizing the leaf cuticular wax of tree tobacco ( Nicotiana glauca L. Graham) grown under periodic dehydration stress. Total leaf cuticular wax load increased after each of three periods of dehydration stress using a CH 2 Cl 2 extraction process. Overall, total wax load increased 1.5- to 2.5-fold, but composition of the wax was not altered. Homologous series of wax components were classified into organic groups; n -hentriacontane was the largest component (>75%) with alcohols and fatty acids representing LTP gene transcripts was observed after three drying events, providing further evidence that LTP is involved in cuticle deposition. The simplicity of wax composition and the dramatic wax bloom displayed by tree tobacco make this an excellent species in which to study the relationship between leaf wax deposition and drought tolerance.
A novel interference suppression scheme for global navigation satellite systems using antenna array

This paper considers interference suppression and multipath mitigation in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs). In particular, a self-coherence anti-jamming scheme is introduced which relies on the unique structure of the coarse/acquisition (C/A) code of the satellite signals. Because of the repetition of the C/A-code within each navigation symbol, the satellite signals exhibit strong self-coherence between chip-rate samples separated by integer multiples of the spreading gain. The proposed scheme utilizes this inherent self-coherence property to excise interferers that have different temporal structures from that of the satellite signals. Using a multiantenna navigation receiver, the proposed approach obtains the optimal set of beamforming coefficients by maximizing the cross correlation between the output signal and a reference signal, which is generated from the received data. It is demonstrated that the proposed scheme can provide high gains toward all satellites in the field of view, while suppressing strong interferers. By imposing constraints on the beamformer, the proposed method is also capable of mitigating multipath that enters the receiver from or near the horizon. No knowledge of either the transmitted navigation symbols or the satellite positions is required.
Team level positivity: investigating positive psychological capacities and team level outcomes

The movement toward positive psychology has uncovered the important role that positivity plays in both individual and organizational success. Given that work teams are becoming increasingly embedded in organizational structures, it is surprising that few researchers have investigated positivity at the team level. The present study examines the emergence of team level positive psychological capacities and their relationship with team outcomes (e.g., cohesion, cooperation, coordination, and conflict and team satisfaction) during two team sessions. Results from 101 teams suggest that team optimism is an important predictor of team outcomes when teams are newly formed, whereas team resilience and team efficacy show greater explanatory power after several team interactions. Implications of the findings are discussed, as well as possible avenues for additional research. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using the aquatic macrophyte Vallisneria americana (wild celery) as a nutrient bioindicator

Human sewage and septic waste are significant sources of nutrient loading to many aquatic ecosystems. Ecologically relevant nitrogen sources can be traced by analyzing nitrogen stable isotope ratios (δ15N signatures) in aquatic plants. Elevated δ15N signatures can suggest increased uptake of nitrogen derived from human and/or animal waste. In the current study, Vallisneria americana, a freshwater angiosperm, was collected from several locations in Upper Saranac Lake, NY, USA. Samples were also collected from Lake George, NY and the Sassafras River, MD, USA. Plant material was analyzed for δ15N and % N; some samples were also analyzed for δ13C, % C, and % P. Results suggest that there is variation in septic inputs to Upper Saranac Lake, with some areas of the lake receiving more input than others. Results also show that increased watershed population density is correlated with elevated δ15N signatures of Vallisneria americana. Taken together, these results suggest that nitrogen stable isotope analysis of aquatic plant tissue is an effective method for assessing and monitoring septic inputs to freshwater ecosystems.
Merging athletic training and nursing clinical education: An interdisciplinary, international service-learning model

Combining nursing and athletic training clinical experiences can serve to better prepare the health care student for future team work with other disciplines and a diverse patient population. International service-learning courses can enhance the undergraduate student experience while also serving those most in need. Athletic Training and Nursing students at the University of Southern Maine blend together as an interdisciplinary group to participate in a community based health care initiative to rural citizens in the Dominican Republic. This unique experience assists students to better understand their role as global citizens, introduces cultural competency, and affords the student the opportunity to better identify both the background of the patients they treat, and the differing health care providers they work alongside. A review of literature suggests that incorporating both cultural competency and service learning into existing educational programs increases affective learning and personal development. Service-learning via groupwork benefi ts students, faculty and the communities involved, enabling students to gain insight into other populations and/or cultures with which they lack familiarity. There are both advantages and disadvantages to integrating cultural competency and service learning into undergraduate programs.
Simulation optimization of airline delay with constraints and multiple objectives

Air traffic delay is a growing and expensive problem. We investigated ways to reduce the cost and magnitude of such delays by means of several control strategies. Air management and planning at this level can be facilitated by simulation, especially for strategies that alter controls on the system. We used the SIMMOD air traffic simulation to model the system. The goal was to determine a set of control measures that achieve the best system performance subject to restrictions on the decision parameters and selected output measurements. Because observed system performance is "noisy," the problem is a constrained stochastic optimization problem with multiple nonlinear objective functions and nonlinear, stochastic constraints, which requires efficient stochastic optimization methods for its solution. Our approach used simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA) with a penalty function to handle the difficult constraints. The results are illustrated in simulation experiments
Simulation of a multiple substrate reactor for chemical vapor infiltration of pyrolytic carbon within carbon‐carbon composites

A model for a pilot-scale chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) reactor in which multiple substrates are densified simultaneously by carbon deposition from a pyrolyzing hydrocarbon is presented. Kinetic expressions and parameters and transport properties for carbon deposition from propylene determined from experimental studies and a single substrate CVI model are incorporated into the pilot reactor model. The two-dimensional transport equations for heat, mass and momentum transfer are solved for the entire reactor to simulate the effects of varied operating conditions on substrate densification throughout the reactor during the CVI process. Of the conditions simulated, the reactor temperature was found to have the most significant impact on both the uniformity of densification and the process time required. As the temperature increased, the uniformity of densification decreased and the time at which pore blockage at the outer surface occurred was shortened. Increasing the hydrocarbon feed concentration shortened the process time, but did not affect the final level of densification, while the feed rate only affected CVI at intermediate times. Comparison between experimental pilot reactor results and model predictions were satisfactory at short and long times, but agreement was less satisfactory at intermediate times.
p85α is a microRNA target and affects chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer

Abstract Background We previously identified a correlation between increased expression of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) regulatory subunit p85α and improved survival in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of changes in p85α expression on response to chemotherapy and the regulation of p85α by microRNA-21 (miR-21). Materials and methods PDAC tumor cells overexpressing p85α were generated by viral transduction, and the effect of p85α overexpression on sensitivity to gemcitabine was tested by MTT assay. Primary human PDAC tumors were stained for p85α and miR-21 via immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, respectively. Additionally, PDAC cells were treated with miR-21 mimic, and changes in p85α and phospho-AKT were assessed by Western blot. Finally, a luciferase reporter assay system was used to test direct regulation of p85α by miR-21. Results Higher p85α expression resulted in increased sensitivity to gemcitabine ( P r = −0.353, P In vitro , overexpression of miR-21 resulted in decreased levels of p85α and increased phosphorylation of AKT. Luciferase reporter assays confirmed the direct regulation of p85α by miR-21 ( P Conclusions Our results demonstrate that p85α expression is a determinant of chemosensitivity in PDAC. Additionally, we provide novel evidence that miR-21 can influence PI3K-AKT signaling via its direct regulation of p85α. These data provide insight into potential mechanisms for the known relationship between increased p85α expression and improved survival in PDAC.
Stress analysis of a rectangular implant in laminated composites using 2-D and 3-D finite elements

An analysis method using the FEM based on the Hellinger-Reissner variation principle has been developed to determine the 3-D stresses and displacements near a rectangular implant inside a laminated composite material. Three-dimensional elements are employed in regions where the interlaminar stress is considered to be significant; 2-D elements are used in other areas. Uniaxially loaded graphite-epoxy laminates have been analyzed; the implant was modeled as four plies of 3501/6 epoxy located in the middle of the laminate. It is shown that the interlaminar stresses are an order of magnitude lower than the stress representing the applied far-field load. The stress concentration factors of both the interlaminar and in-plane stresses depend on the stacking sequence of the laminate.
Using ethnography in the design of an explanation system

Abstract In order for knowledge-based explanation systems to be acceptable, they must be useful and understandable to users. This implies that first, they should satisfy users' information needs and take account of their perspective; and second, they should be able to engage in dialogue with users. Much more progress has been made toward meeting the second condition than the first. Systems are still being produced that can engage in dialogue with users, but whose design reflects no systematic investigation of what people actually want (or need) to know about a given domain. Such lack of attention to the information needs of potential users is bound to limit the utility of any system. Because this issue relates to the concerns of social science as well as artificial intelligence, social scientists can help designers address it. One way of obtaining reliable data on the needs and characteristics of future users is ethnography, an anthropological method for gathering data in complex real-world settings. This article discusses some of the ways in which ethnography can contribute to the design process, drawing examples form an ongoing project to build an explanation system in migraine. Four aspects of our experience in using ethnography in the design process are discussed: rethinking basic design assumptions, investigating information needs, addressing the problem of perspective, and developing explanatory material. Based on this experience, the article concludes with the suggestion that the concept of explanation needs to be broadened still further to include more types of knowledge in the dialogue.
Climate and the Tropical Oceans

Abstract An attempt is made to determine the role of the ocean in establishing the mean tropical climate and its sensitivity to radiative perturbations. A simple two-box energy balance model is developed that includes ocean heat transports as an interactive component of the tropical climate system. It is found that changes in the zonal mean ocean heat transport can have a considerable affect on the mean tropical sea surface temperature (SST) through their effect on the properties of subtropical marine stratus clouds or on the water vapor greenhouse effect of the tropical atmosphere. The way that the tropical climate adjusts to changes in the ocean heat transport is primarily through the atmospheric heat transport, without changing the net top of the atmosphere radiative balance. Thus, the total amount of low-latitude poleward heat transport is invariant with respect to changes in ocean circulation in this model. These results are compared with analogous experiments with general circulation models. Doubled...
A systematic review of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics

First responders-police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics-experience significant job-related stressors and exposures that may confer increased risk for mental health morbidities (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], suicidal thoughts and behaviors) and hastened mortality (e.g., death by suicide). Inherent in these occupations, however, are also factors (e.g., camaraderie, pre-enlistment screening) that may inoculate against the development or maintenance of psychiatric conditions. Several reviews of the literature have documented the prevalence and potency of PTSD among first responders; the value of these extant reviews is considerable. Nonetheless, the literature has not been systematically described with regard to suicidality. In this systematic review, we present 63 quantitative studies examining suicidal thoughts, behaviors, and/or fatalities among first responders; identify population-specific risk and protective factors; and pinpoint strengths and weaknesses of the existing literature. Findings reveal elevated risk for suicide among first responders; however, studies utilizing more rigorous methodologies (e.g., longitudinal designs, probability sampling strategies) are sorely needed. First responders have an armamentarium of resources to take care of others; it is the duty of researchers, clinicians, and the public to aid in taking care of their health as well, in part by reducing suicide risk.
Rôle of Preganglionic Fibers of First Thoracic Nerve in Sympathetic Innervation of Upper Extremity

Tel ford1 and Smithwick2 have described operative procedures for sympathetic denervation of the upper extremity by means of which the preganglionic fibers in question from the second thoracic nerve downward are interrupted but the inferior cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic ganglia are left in situ and the preganglionic fibers of the first thoracic nerve and the gray communicating rami joining the nerves of the brachial plexus are left intact. The advantages claimed for these procedures are avoidance of the unwanted effects of extirpation of the inferior cervical and upper thoracic sympathetic ganglia, particularly Horner's syndrome and sensitization of the vascular musculature in the affected area to adrenin.The assumption that preganglionic components of the first thoracic nerve play no part in the sympathetic innervation of the upper extremity, although in accord with certain early experimental data recorded by Langley,3 is not supported by certain more recent experimental and clinical observation...
The consequences of multiple resource shifts on the productivity and composition of alpine tundra communities: inferences from a long-term snow and nutrient manipulation experiment

Background: Gradients in the amounts and duration of snowpack and resulting soil moisture gradients have been associated with different plant communities across alpine landscapes.Aims: The extent to which snow additions could alter plant community structure, both alone and in combination with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) additions, provided an empirical assessment of the strength of these variables on structuring the plant communities of the alpine tundra at Niwot Ridge, Colorado Front Range.Methods: A long-term snow fence was used to study vegetation changes in responses to snowpack, both alone and in conjunction with nutrient amendments, in plots established in dry and moist meadow communities in the alpine belt. Species richness, diversity, evenness and dissimilarity were evaluated after 20 years of treatments.Results: Snow additions, alone, reduced species richness and altered species composition in dry meadow plots, but not in moist meadow; more plant species were found in the snow-impacted areas ...
[The pathogenesis of the phobic-anancastic syndrome].

78 stationar unter gleichen Bedingungen untersuchte unausgelesene Kranke mit phobisch-anankastischem Syndrom sind wider Erwarten fast zu gleichen Teilen als neurotisch-psychopathische Entwicklungen oder Reaktionen (26 Falle), als endogene Psychosen (27 Falle) und als organische Hirnschaden (25 Falle) zu diagnostizieren.
Estrogen Receptor Characterization Following Selective Sedimentation Separation of Estrogen-Binding Components In Immature Rat Uterine Cytosol

AbstractCharacterization of a specific estrogen receptor (ER) in fetal and early postnatal rat uterine cytosol is complicated by the presence of other high-affinity estrogen-binding components, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). In an attempt to circumvent their influence, we have employed the selective sedimentation of unlabeled cytosol through sucrose gradients, followed by the analysis of [3H]estradiol binding to a pool of fractions comprising the ER region, as well as to individual gradient fractions. As the amount of AFP present in 21-day-old rats is sufficiently low to permit ER characterization by conventional methodology, we have validated the selective sedimentation method by comparing its results with those obtained conventionally. Though conventional gradient analysis revealed only one estrogen-binding component, saturation and binding inhibition analyses indicated the presence of multiple components, identified as AFP and the ER. These conclusions were supported by results from labeling individu...
Health Situation of 212 Radiation Workers in Guangan From 2005 to 2007

Objective To find out health situation so as to promote preventive measures of the low-dose irradiated radiation worker.Method Thermoluminescent dosimeter(TLD) was used for individual monitoring.A total of 212 radiation workers were investigated for 3 years.Result Personal dose equivalent was 1.090 2 mSv/a.Abnormal rates of peripheral blood platelet,hemoglobin,red blood cells and white blood cells were 9.39%,7.31%,9.56%,and 7.20%.Other medical items were normal.Conclusion Personal dose equivalent conforms to national radiological protection standards.Health situation of radiation workers is good in Guangan.
HST/COS Detection of Deuterated Molecular Hydrogen in a Damped Lyα System at z = 0.18

We report on the detection of deuterated molecular hydrogen, HD, at z = 0.18. HD and H2 are detected in HST/COS data of a low-metallicity (Z ~ 0.07 Z ☉) damped Lyα (DLA) system at z = 0.18562 toward QSO B0120–28, with log N(H I) = 20.50 ± 0.10. Four absorption components are clearly resolved in H2, while two components are resolved in HD; the bulk of the molecular hydrogen is associated with the components traced by HD. We find total column densities log N(HD) = 14.82 ± 0.15 and log N(H2) = 20.00 ± 0.10. This system has a high molecular fraction, f(H2) = 0.39 ± 0.10, and a low HD-to-H2 ratio, log (HD/2H2) = –5.5 ± 0.2 dex. The excitation temperature, T 01 = 65 ± 2 K, in the component containing the bulk of the molecular gas is lower than in other DLAs. These properties are unlike those in other higher redshift DLA systems known to contain HD, but are consistent with what is observed in dense clouds in the Milky Way.
Actinomycetes (Streptomyces lividans)

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is best known for its ability to transform plants by delivering the T-DNA that is processed and transferred from the resident Ti plasmid to the recipient plant cells. Less well known is the capacity of this Gram-negative bacterium to transfer its T-DNA into fungi and actinomycetes. Procedures are described on the use of the promiscuous T-DNA transfer system of A. tumefaciens to transform members of the actinomycetes. Integration of the T-DNA derivatives into the Streptomyces chromosome provides opportunities of obtaining valuable mutants of this antibiotic producing soil organism.
Use of narcotic antagonists to study the role of endorphins in normal and psychiatric patients

This chapter reviews our studies of the effects of narcotic antagonists on sleep, respiration and pain, and on the symptoms of certain psychiatric illnesses. The recent discoveries of endogenous polypeptides that bind to opiate receptors in brain (Hughes et al. 1975; Teschemacher et al. 1975) have stimulated a search for the physiological role of these opioid substances. The pharmacological effects of opiate alkaloids provide the best available model for the effects of endorphins. Thus, since morphine and its congeners affect mood, pain appreciation, sleep, respiration, and release of pituitary hormones, these physiological functions are prime candidates for endorphin activity.
The Fragmentation of Philosophy, the Road to Reintegration

In her Munster Lecture Prof. Haack contrasts the highly specialized professional philosophy we see today with the philosophy of the past, even the quite recent past. This fragmentation of philosophy, she argues, is an intellectual disaster; and so, after suggesting how it came about; she offers some ideas about how to reverse, or at least resist, this unhappy trend.
Toward autophagy-targeted therapy in lymphoma.

In this issue of Blood, Gayle et al provide evidence that apilimod, a potent and selective phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5 kinase (PIKfyve) inhibitor, induces significant cytotoxicity at clinically achievable concentrations in preclinical models of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) via inhibition of the autophagy flux and perturbation of lysosome homeostasis.1
Automatic monitor-based tuning of reconfigurable silicon photonic 2 nd -order APF-based pole/zero filters

We demonstrate automatic monitor-based filter tuning with a Si-photonic 2nd-order APF-based filter. The proposed tuning approach calibrates the initial response by controlling each pole and zero individually to reconfigure to different bandwidths and center wavelengths.
Fear-increasing effects of experience with shock

Rats given inescapable shock or confined but not shocked were then tested in an escape task or in an open field. Shock experienced rats were least mobile in the open field. Inexperienced rats started off with faster response speeds in the escape task, but experienced rats exhibited significantly more stable improvement in escape performance from trial to trial.