cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PGC-1α Promotes Nitric Oxide Antioxidant Defenses and Inhibits FOXO Signaling Against Cardiac Cachexia in Mice

Chronic heart failure often results in catabolic muscle wasting, exercise intolerance, and death. Oxidative muscles, which have greater expression of the metabolic master gene peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) and its target genes, are more resistant to catabolic wasting than are glycolytic muscles; however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. To determine the functional role of PGC-1α in oxidative phenotype–associated protection, skeletal muscle–specific PGC-1α transgenic mice were crossbred with cardiac-specific calsequestrin transgenic mice, a genetic model of chronic heart failure. PGC-1α overexpression in glycolytic muscles significantly attenuated catabolic muscle wasting induced by chronic heart failure. In addition to inactivation of forkhead transcription factor signaling through enhanced Akt/protein kinase B expression, in glycolytic muscles, PGC-1α overexpression led to enhanced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and endothelial nitric oxide synthase, production of nitric oxide, and expression of antioxidant enzyme including superoxide dismutases (SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3) and catalase, and reduced oxidative stress. These findings suggest that PGC-1α protects muscle from catabolic wasting in chronic heart failure through enhanced nitric oxide antioxidant defenses and inhibition of the forkhead transcription factor signaling pathways.
The Principle of Good Faith: Toward Substantive Stakeholder Engagement

Although stakeholder theory is concerned with stakeholder engagement, substantive operational barome- ters of engagement are lacking in the literature. This the- oretical paper attempts to strengthen the accountability aspect of normative stakeholder theory with a more robust notion of stakeholder engagement derived from the concept of good faith. Specifically, it draws from the labor relations field to argue that altered power dynamics are essential underpinnings of a viable stakeholder engagement mech- anism. After describing the tenets of substantive engage- ment, the paper draws from the labor relations and commercial law literatures to describe the characteristics of good faith as dialogue, negotiation, transparency, and totality of conduct; explains how they can be adapted and applied to the stakeholder context; and suggests the use of mediation and non-binding arbitration. The paper con- cludes by addressing anticipated objections and short- comings and discussing implications for theory and research.
The utility and generality of mini-mental state examination scores in Alzheimer's disease

The present study sought to evaluate the validity and generality of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and its subsection scores. We gave the MMSE and other neuropsychological tests to 51 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease. On the basis of correlational and factor analyses, overall performance on the MMSE proved to have good concurrent validity with other comprehensive neuropsychological assessment instruments. However, the MMSE subsections should not be viewed as highly specific measures of cognition or memory.
High field domains in cadmium sulfide

Abstract Current oscillations in semiconducting CdS are caused by amplification of an acoustic flux pulse. A very high acoustoelectric field accompanies the acoustic pulse, resulting in traveling high field regions which can be initiated by injecting pulses at the cathode.
Glomerulonephritis Induced in Monkeys by Injections of Heterologous Glomerular Basement Membrane and Freund's Adjuvant

Glomerulonephritis Induced in Monkeys by Injections of Heterologous Glomerular Basement Membrane and Freund's Adjuvant
Soap opera viewing patterns of college students and cultivation

This study replicated and extended previous research that investigated the contribution of soap opera viewing motives to cultivation. A survey method was employed to measure soap opera viewing motives, attitudes, behaviors, and cultivation perceptions of 313 college student soap opera viewers. Contrary to the assumptions of the cultivation hypothesis, the limited cultivation effect observed was related to more instrumental soap opera viewing motives, as well as higher soap opera viewing levels, longer viewing duration, and higher levels of affinity and perceived realism.
Impact of nucleic acid comparisons on systematic mycology

KURTZMAN, C. P., 1989. Impact of nucleic acid comparisons on systematic mycology. The use of molecular techniques for taxonomic purposes is reviewed and their importance pointed out. The result will be a more realistic classification system and a more thorough understanding of genetic mechanisms that will impact the control of plant and animal diseases and the development of more efficient industrial fermentations.
An ensemble machine learning approach to predict survival in breast cancer

Current breast cancer predictive signatures are not unique. Can we use this fact to our advantage to improve prediction? From the machine learning perspective, it is well known that combining multiple classifiers can improve classification performance. We propose an ensemble machine learning approach which consists of choosing feature subsets and learning predictive models from them. We then combine models based on certain model fusion criteria and we also introduce a tuning parameter to control sensitivity. Our method significantly improves classification performance with a particular emphasis on sensitivity which is critical to avoid misclassifying poor prognosis patients as good prognosis.
Evaluation of Thermal Effects on the Dissolution of a Nonaqueous Phase Liquid in Porous Media

Porous media contaminated with nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) may serve as a long-term source of groundwater contamination. To remove NAPLs and thereby mitigate the potential impact to the environment and human health, it has been suggested that contaminated media be flushed with cosolvents, surfactants, hot water, or steam. In this study, hot water flooding was used to remediate a porous medium contaminated with tetrachlorethylene (PCE) at residual saturation in an otherwise water-saturated medium. The effect of temperature on the physical and chemical properties of the system was well characterized, and a quantitative assessment was made of the effect of temperature on PCE dissolution. A comparison of the results from the dissolution experiments with existing dimensionless correlations for NAPL dissolution in porous media elucidated the role of the aqueous-phase viscosity and the NAPL species aqueous-phase diffusivity. Nonaqueous−aqueous phase mass transfer rate coefficients measured for this system w...
Advances in therapy: eribulin improves survival for metastatic breast cancer.

Despite advances in cancer biology, chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment approaches for many patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Halichondrins, derived from marine sponges, have significant potential as potent antimicrotubule agents. Eribulin, with proven preclinical activity, is
Comparing the relative amount of testosterone required to restore sexual arousal, motivation, and performance in male rats.

Abstract It is well established that male rat reproductive behaviors including sexual arousal, motivation, and performance are dependent on circulating levels of testosterone (T). The present study was designed to (1) compare the relative amount of T required to restore these different aspects of behavior in castrated rats, and (2) create an animal model for clinical populations with sexual impairments. Twenty-nine male Long–Evans rats were tested before and after castration for sexual performance (copulation), motivation (partner preference), and arousal (50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations; measured together with scent marking). Sexual arousal was also inferred from copulation data. Rats were then assigned to one of four groups, and T was re-introduced via Silastic capsule implants varying in length and content: No T (empty capsules), Low T (2 mm capsules), Medium T (5 mm capsules), or High T (two 10 mm capsules). The highest dose was intended to restore physiological levels. Results indicate that High T is required for 50 kHz vocalizations, while Medium T was sufficient for the restoration of copulation, partner preference, and scent marking. These data suggest that sexual arousal may be most sensitive to reductions in testosterone. The role of T levels in measures of generalized and specific (sexual) arousal is discussed in the context of other reproductive behaviors. Furthermore, because the Low T group showed impairments across all behaviors during post-implant tests, we propose that these animals may provide a good animal model for studying clinical conditions marked by reduced motivation and arousal, including Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder.
Resveratrol depletes mitochondrial DNA and inhibition of autophagy enhances resveratrol-induced caspase activation

We recently demonstrated that resveratrol induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in multiple cancer cell types. Whether apoptosis is also regulated by other cell death mechanisms such as autophagy is not clearly defined. Here we show that inhibition of autophagy enhanced resveratrol-induced caspase activation and apoptosis. Resveratrol inhibited colony formation and cell proliferation in multiple cancer cell types. Resveratrol treatment induced accumulation of LC3-II, which is a key marker for autophagy. Pretreatment with 3-methyladenine (3-MA), an autophagy inhibitor, increased resveratrol-mediated caspase activation and cell death in breast and colon cancer cells. Inhibition of autophagy by silencing key autophagy regulators such as ATG5 and Beclin-1 enhanced resveratrol-induced caspase activation. Mechanistic analysis revealed that Beclin-1 did not interact with proapoptotic proteins Bax and Bak; however, Beclin-1 was found to interact with p53 in the cytosol and mitochondria upon resveratrol treatment. Importantly, resveratrol depleted ATPase 8 gene, and thus, reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, suggesting that resveratrol induces damage to mtDNA causing accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria triggering autophagy induction. Together, our findings indicate that induction of autophagy during resveratrol-induced apoptosis is an adaptive response.
Progress in the fabrication of ultra-high-temperature ceramics: “in situ” synthesis, microstructure and properties of a reactive hot-pressed HfB2–SiC composite

Abstract An ultra-high-temperature HfB 2 –SiC composite was successfully fabricated by reactive hot-pressing. Solid reagents like Hf/Si/B 4 C, mechanically mixed in molar ratio 2.2/0.8/1, were “in situ” converted into the basic ingredients (i.e., HfB 2 , SiC), and then directly hot-pressed until full density was achieved (1900 °C final temperature). The microstructure consisted of faceted diboride grains (mean size 3 μm), with HfC (6 vol%) and SiC (22 vol% and mean size 1 μm) evenly distributed intergranularly. The combination of some mechanical properties was of considerable significance: about 19 GPa of micro-hardness, 520 GPa of Young’s modulus, 770 ± 35 and 315 ± 10 MPa of flexural strength at 25 and 1500 °C, respectively. A relevant merit characterized the resistance to oxidation: repeated exposures at 1700 °C, or at 1450 °C for 20 h, involved limited mass gains and small changes of the original microstructure. The marked refractoriness of HfB 2 and SiC, which constitute the framework of the composite, dominates beneficially its thermostructural stability.
Is the 13C-acetate breath test a valid procedure to analyse gastric emptying in children?

Abstract Background/Purpose: Scintigraphy is regarded as the "gold standard" procedure in measuring gastric emptying (GE) rates. 13 C-acetate breath test (ABT), which already has been validated in adults, is a noninvasive and nonradioactive alternative method. The aim of the current study was to validate ABT against technetium Tc 99m scintigraphy in children affected by delayed GE. Methods: Sixty children were recruited and divided into 2 groups: group A, 30 healthy controls; group B, 30 patients with gastroesophageal reflux, and scintigraphy-documented DGE (15 neurologically impaired). After an overnight fast, all of them underwent ABT using 25 to 150 mg 13 C-acetate. Breath samples were obtained at baseline and then every 10 minutes for 2 hours. The 13 CO 2 to 12 CO 2 ratio in breath samples was analysed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Data are expressed as follows: time of peak 13 C exhalation (tP 13 CO 2b ) and half emptying time in ABT (t ½b ), and scintigraphy half emptying time (t ½s ). Results: In controls tP 13 CO 2b was 37 ± 13 minutes and t ½b 74 ± 12 minutes. In patients tP 13 CO 2b and t ½b were, respectively, 65 ± 26 minutes and 104 ± 18 minutes t ½s was 91 ± 21 minutes. In group B tP 13 CO 2b and t ½b were delayed significantly compared with controls, respectively, P P ½s and t ½b was noted (r 1 = 0.97). A close correlation was also observed between t ½s and tP 13 CO 2b (r 2 = 0.95). Conclusion: The 13 C ABT is an easy, reliable, and less expensive procedure for measuring GE, and its results closely correlate with those of scintigraphy in a paediatric population. J Pediatr Surg 35:62-65. Copyright © 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Boron isotopic composition of marine and nonmarine evaporite borates

Abstract Here we present the results of the boron isotopic analysis of borates from some well-known marine and nonmarine evaporite deposits. Combining new analyses with analyses from the literature yields a mean δ 11 B value for nine marine evaporite borate analyses of 25 ± 4 permil ( 11 B / 10 B = 4.15 ± 0.02) and a mean for twenty-five nonmarine evaporite borates of −7 ± 10 permil ( 11 B / 10 B = 4.02 ± 0.04). Previous studies have shown that the boron isotopic composition of seawater ( δ 11 B ~ 40 permil , 11 B / 10 B ~ 4.20) is about four percent heavier than the boron isotopic composition of most crustal rocks and minerals. We suggest that our results for marine and nonmarine evaporite borates reflect this difference. Thus it should be possible to use boron isotopic composition as a tracer for boron of marine evaporitic origin. Applications include borate-bearing evaporite deposits and, perhaps, borate and/or borosilicate-bearing metamorphic rocks.
Negotiator affect: the state of the art (and the science)

Negotiation, once regarded by researchers as essentially a cognitive process through which parties with non-identical preferences allocate resources through joint decision making, is now understood to have a significant affective component. I discuss in this essay the evolution of research exploring the role of affect in negotiation, consider the interplay of affect and cognition that underlies the papers in this issue, and comment on methodological developments and challenges in the study of negotiator affect. Attention to the role of affect is no longer a peripheral pursuit in negotiation research, but it does remain an elusive one.
WINNER-HELP-LOSER GROUP FORMATION IN RENT-SEEKING CONTESTS*

We define a winner-help-loser group in a rent-seeking contest as follows: (a) the member players compete noncooperatively to win the rent, and (b) if a member player wins the rent, he helps the losing member players according to the previously written agreement. We demonstrate that one and only one winner-help-loser group is formed voluntarily. One important consequence of such group formation is that rent dissipation is small relative to individual rent seeking. Therefore, such group formation decreases the social cost associated with rent seeking and thus decreases the economic inefficiency of rent seeking.
CDKN2A and MTAP deletions in peritoneal mesotheliomas are correlated with loss of p16 protein expression and poor survival.

Homozygous deletion of CDKN2A (p16) is one of the most common genetic alterations in pleural mesotheliomas, occurring in up to 74% of cases. MTAP resides in the same gene cluster of the 9p21 region and is co-deleted in the majority of CDKN2A deleted cases. This study examines the genetic alterations in peritoneal mesotheliomas, which may have a different pathogenesis than their pleural counterparts. Twenty-six cases of peritoneal mesotheliomas in a triplicate tissue microarray were studied. Dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed with CDKN2A and MTAP locus-specific probes. Nine of 26 (35%) peritoneal mesotheliomas had homozygous deletion of CDKN2A; MTAP was co-deleted in every case. All cases with CDKN2A deletions had loss of p16 protein expression; five cases had loss of p16 protein without evidence of CDKN2A deletions. All patients with CDKN2A deletions were men (P, NS) and were significantly older (mean, 63 years) than the patients with no deletions (mean, 52 years) (P=0.033, t-test). An association with asbestos exposure could not be proved in this study. Similar to pleural mesotheliomas, patients with CDKN2A deletions and loss of p16 protein expression had worse overall and disease-specific survival (P=0.010 and 0.006, respectively; Kaplan–Meier log rank). Detection of CDKN2A-MTAP co-deletion in peritoneal mesotheliomas, coupled with a p16 immunohistochemical stain as an inexpensive screening tool, can help identify those patients who may have an unfavorable outcome after aggressive cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and those who may respond to targeted therapy of the MTAP pathway.
Overexpression of LAT1/CD98 Light Chain Is Sufficient to Increase System l-Amino Acid Transport Activity in Mouse Hepatocytes but Not Fibroblasts

l-amino acid transporter-1 (LAT1) is a highly conserved gene identified as a light chain of the CD98 amino acid transporter and cellular activation marker. In our previous studies we found increased expression of LAT1 in primary human cancers. We have demonstrated also that LAT1 response to arginine availability is lost in transformed and tumorigenic cells such that expression is constitutively high. System l-amino acid transport activity correlates with changes in LAT1. To assess the functional relevance of increased LAT1 expression and the requirement for 4F2 heavy chain, we overexpressed these CD98 subunits together and separately in nontransformed hepatocytes and fibroblasts. Antigen tags in the expression constructs confirmed that expressed proteins were localized to both cytoplasmic and plasma membrane locations within the cells. Overexpression of LAT1 alone in mouse hepatocytes, but not fibroblasts, was sufficient to increase system l transport, and these cells displayed a growth advantage in conditions of limited arginine. Our results suggest that loss of regulation leading to constitutive expression of LAT1 can contribute to oncogenesis. We hypothesize that the altered LAT1 expression observed in hepatocarcinogenesis gives cells a growth or survival advantage through increased transport activity in a tumor microenvironment of limited amino acid availability.
The barrier of meaning

It took me several years to realize what Stan Ulam’s real profession was. Many of us at the Los Alamos Laboratory who were associated with him knew how much he disliked being alone, how he would summon us at odd times to be rescued from the loneliness of some hotel room, or from the four walls of his office after he had exhausted his daily round of long distance calls.
Extensive scaling and nonuniformity of the Karhunen-Loève decomposition for the spiral-defect chaos state

By analyzing large-aspect-ratio spiral-defect chaos (SDC) convection images, we show that the Karhunen-Lo\`eve decomposition (KLD) scales extensively for subsystem sizes larger than $4d$ (d is the fluid depth), which strongly suggests that SDC is extensively chaotic. From this extensive scaling, the intensive length ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\mathrm{KLD}}$ is computed and found to have a different dependence on the Rayleigh number than the two-point correlation length ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{2}.$ Local computations of ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\mathrm{KLD}}$ reveal a spatial nonuniformity of SDC images that extends over radii $18dlrl45d$ in a $\ensuremath{\Gamma}=109$ aspect-ratio cell.
Motion Estimation Methods for Video Compression—A Review

Abstract Digitized visual information is a rapidly growing component of emerging video and multimedia services. In its raw digitized form visual information places large demands on bandwidth and storage requirements of applications. Picture and video compression is a key enabling technology for overcoming this problem. This paper focuses on motion estimation and compensation techniques as tools that are used in video compression applications.
Accessing energy resources in the arc of instability

Australia is currently 65% self-sufficient in oil production. Australian refineries import oil from a range of sources, including PNG, which is a substantial oil producer. Oil Search is Operator of oil projects in PNG. This paper concentrates on PNG rather than other countries in the arc of instability. To keep the industry healthy, PNG developers need to find more oil, to keep costs in check and to maintain relations with landowners. PNG has been politically and financially stable of late. The proposed PNG Gas Project, to pipe gas from PNG to Australia, would be of national importance for PNG and has the potential to enhance PNG's stability and independence.
Hydrogels to modulate lentivirus delivery in vivo from microporous tissue engineering scaffolds

Numerous strategies to induce tissue regeneration employ scaffolds to create space and present biological cues that promote development. In this report, microporous scaffolds that provide structural support were filled with hydrogels to regulate cell adhesion and migration and were investigated as delivery vehicles for gene therapy vectors in vivo. Porous scaffolds were filled with either lentivirus-entrapped collagen or fibrin hydrogels, both of which support cell adhesion yet have varied rates for degradation and cell infiltration. Empty scaffolds and alginate hydrogels were employed as controls, with the latter not supporting cell infiltration. Hydrogel-filled scaffolds retained the lentivirus more effectively than empty scaffolds, and transgene expression was observed for all scaffold conditions. Empty and fibrin-filled scaffolds had maximal transgene expression in vivo, followed by collagen and alginate, with similar levels. Transduced macrophages and dendritic cells were initially present at the scaffold boundary and adjacent tissue and within the scaffold at later time points for all but the alginate condition. At days 3 and 7, expression was also imaged throughout the spleen and thymus, which may result from cell migration from the implant. These studies demonstrate that hydrogels can modulate gene delivery from scaffolds used in cell transplantation and regenerative medicine.
Differential factors influencing public and voluntary child welfare workers' intention to leave

Abstract Although several studies have explored personal and organizational factors impacting retention and turnover in public or private agencies, there are no studies comparing the similarities and differences between voluntary and public child welfare settings. The research reported here is designed to contribute to knowledge about the differential factors that may contribute to worker retention and turnover in the voluntary (private, non-profit) and public child welfare sectors. The current research expands knowledge of the child welfare workforce by comparing the difference in factors contributing to job satisfaction and turnover between the voluntary and public child welfare sectors in a large urban community. The research includes workers from 202 voluntary agencies ( n = 538) and from one large public child welfare agency ( n = 144). The bivariate analyses revealed that public agency workers were more satisfied with their opportunities for promotion, benefits, and the nature of their work, whereas the voluntary agency workers were more satisfied with their co-workers. A structural equation model (SEM) revealed that lower investment in child welfare work was associated with intent to leave for both samples, as was lower satisfaction with contingent rewards and the nature of their work. Moreover, agency auspice was strongly predictive of intent to leave. Voluntary child welfare workers had stronger intentions to leave, despite the fact they displayed higher investment in child welfare work in the bivariate analysis. The key factor predicting voluntary agency workers' intention to leave was their dissatisfaction with their level of pay.
Becoming an undercover police officer: a note on fairness perceptions, behavior, and attitudes

Reactions to an undercover police officer selection system were analyzed for 271 officers. Officers given undercover assignments had higher procedural justice perceptions and outcome satisfaction than others awaiting assignment in a qualified applicant pool. Procedural and distributive justice perceptions were subsequently related to the undercover officer's job performance, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying predictors of treatment response.

This article provides a rationale for considering predictors of growth in a treatment group as inadequate to identifying predictors of treatment response. When we interpret predictors of growth in a treatment group as synonymous with predictors of treatment response, we implicitly attribute all of the treated children’s growth to the treatment, an untenable assumption under most conditions. We also contend that the use of standard scores in predictors of growth studies does not allow us to differentiate growth from treatment, from growth from other factors. We present two research methodologies that are appropriate methods of identifying predictors of treatment response: (a) single-subject experimental logic utilized to identify the specific participants in which treatment responses (not just growth) were found, combined with follow-up group comparison logic to identify the characteristics on which responders and nonresponders differ, and (b) statistical interactions among child/family/context characteristics and randomly assigned group membership. Principles for selecting potential predictors of treatment response are provided. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. MRDD Research Reviews 2004;10:162–168.
Toward a Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake Risk Reduction Program

Abstract Every day actions are taken that reduce the risks associated with earthquakes. This national, amorphous but action‐oriented effort is NERRP (different from nehrp—the federally‐funded infor...
Infrared spectroscopic evidence of structural defects in the crystalline regions of trans-1,4-polychloroprene

Infrared spectra have been obtained for the crystalline regions of samples of predominantly trans-1,4-polychloroprenes polymerized at −20, 0, and 40°C. Spectral differences among the polychloroprenes are interpreted in terms of the increase in structural irregularities that occur as the polymerization temperature is increased. Results of this study indicate that crystallization occurs with random inclusion of these structural irregularities into the crystalline domains. The conclusion is supported by the spectra of the crystalline regions of a chloroprene copolymer containing known impurities in the form of 2,3-dichloro-2-butenylene units in addition to the normal 2-chloro-2-butenylene units.
Do cannibalism and kin recognition occur in just-emerged crab spiderlings?

Most spiders are aggressive, socially intolerant predators; however, broods develop inside a common site and thus should benefit from restraining aggression at this time and until they disperse. I tested single and mixed-brood groups of Misumena vatia (Clerck 1757) (Thomisidae) spiderlings that had just emerged from their nests to determine whether they cannibalized other young under crowded conditions comparable to the immediate area of their nests, and if so, whether they distinguished between sibs and non-sibs. Young M. vatia provide an interesting test case, since some broods remain in close contact for a short period of time after emerging from their nests. Mortality remained low over one month in provisioned young under crowded conditions, and no cannibalism occurred in these individuals. Cannibalism remained low in most broods of unprovisioned young, even though most of them eventually starved over this time. Just-emerged spiderlings placed in the field for three days and then run similarly also showed initially low tendencies toward cannibalism. However, larger free-ranging spiderlings that overlapped in size with provisioned spiderlings in the study cannibalized freely when confined similarly to the other spiderlings in this study. During this period the spiderlings showed no clear evidence of distinguishing between sibs and non-sibs.
Examination of drug solubility, polymer types, hydrodynamics and loading dose on drug release behavior from a triple-layer asymmetric configuration delivery system

Abstract The significance of factors such as drug solubility, polymer molecular weight, drug loading and hydrodynamic conditions on drug release from a swellable triple layer asymmetric configuration delivery system is investigated. Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) of various molecular weights and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) were major polymeric constituents of the delivery system. Theophylline, propranolol hydrochloride and diltiazem hydrochloride with water solubilities of 50%, respectively, were used as drug models. The triple-layer delivery system was produced by compressing particulate systems on a laboratory Carver press with a 10-mm diameter punch and die. Results show that due to the geometry, system design and maintenance of constant surface area linear release kinetics are achievable. Increase in drug solubility expedites drug release rate and shortens duration of release; while increase in polymer molecular weight results in reduction of release rate and prolongation of release period. Drug loading does not seem to affect the release behavior significantly even though a freely water-soluble drug such as diltiazem hydrochloride was employed. In addition, with an increase in stirring rate there was a corresponding increase in release rate, while linearity of release profile remained unaltered. Results further indicate that, as long as surface area is controlled, front synchronization is not a prerequisite for achieving zero-order release kinetics. Moreover, from a pharmaceutical perspective, the complex behavior of release mechanisms for different drugs in relation to matrix erosion, polymer swelling capacity and system design is explained.
Outlier-prone and outlier-resistant distributions

Abstract Neyman and Scott [3] have considered the ideas of outlier-proneness and outlier-resistance of families of distributions. Under their definition, individual distributions (one-member families) cannot be outlier-prone. This paper offers definitions of outlier-proneness and outlier-resistance that apply to individual distributions, and theorems are given showing the connection with the classical laws of large numbers for maxima.
Could cholinesterase inhibitors be harmful over the long term

Given the rather modest clinical effects of cholinesterase inhibitors, an important question is: For how long should they be prescribed? The clinical trials that supported marketing of the drugs were only 3–6 months in duration. A couple of 12-month, placebo-controlled donepezil trials showed some advantage for Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and maintaining a level of activities of daily living (ADL) function during that interval (Mohs et al., 2001; Winblad et al., 2001). The controversial AD2000 trial in the UK tended to show MMSE and ADL efficacy over at least two years (Courtney et al., 2004), but the authors questioned whether treatment was worthwhile or cost-effective.
Protein Diffusion Coefficients Determined by Macroscopic-Gradient Rayleigh Interferometry and Dynamic Light Scattering

Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is extensively used for measuring macromolecule diffusion coefficients. Contrary to classical techniques based on macroscopic concentration gradients, DLS probes microscopic fluctuations in concentration. DLS accuracy and its concordance with macroscopic-gradient techniques remains an outstanding important issue. We measured lysozyme diffusion coefficients in aqueous salt using both DLS and Rayleigh interferometry, a highly accurate macroscopic-gradient technique. The precision of our results is unprecedented. We find that our DLS values were systematically 2% higher than interferometry values. We believe that our interferometric mesurements have produced the most accurate diffusion data ever reported for a protein, providing a new standard for quality control of DLS measurements. Furthermore, by interferometry, we have determined the whole diffusion coefficient matrix required for rigorously describing lysozyme-salt coupled diffusion. For the first time, we experimentally demonstrate that DLS does not provide the protein diffusion coefficient but one eigenvalue of the diffusion coefficient matrix.
Putting Twitter to the Test: Assessing Outcomes for Student Collaboration, Engagement and Success.

Herein, we present data from two studies of Twitter usage in different postsecondary courses with the goal of analyzing the relationships surrounding student engagement and collaboration as they intersect learning outcomes. Study 1 was conducted with 125 students taking a first-year seminar course, half of who were required to use Twitter while the other half used Ning. Study 2 was conducted with 135 students taking a large lecture general education course where Twitter participation was voluntary. Faculty in Study 1 engaged with students on Twitter in activities based on an a priori theoretical model, while faculty in Study 2 only engaged students sporadically on the platform. Qualitativeanalysesof tweetsandquantitativeoutcomesshowthatfacultyparticipation on the platform, integration of Twitter into the course based on a theoretically driven pedagogical model and requiring students to use Twitter are essential components of improved outcomes.
Prediction of Three-Dimensional Steady Incompressible Flows Using Body-Fitted Coordinates

A finite-volume method for three-dimensional, steady, incompressible flows in complex geometries is presented. The method uses generalized Body-Fitted Coordinates to accurately take into account the shape of the boundary. A collocated scheme is employed, which uses the three covariant velocities and the pressure as main variables. Continuity is coupled with the momentum equations using the SIMPLEC algorithm. It is found that the SIMPLEC algorithm can provide savings in computational time of up to 40 percent compared to calculations with SIMPLE. Sensitivity studies are also performed to find optimum values of the underrelaxation parameters. The method is validated against experimental results for the case of the flow in a 90 deg curved duct of square cross-section and comparatively strong curvature. The application of the method to the prediction of flows in complex geometries is then illustrated.
Mating Arena Dynamics for Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

Many bioassays of insect species are dependent on the use of laboratory-reared insects. If the purpose of the research is to assess the genetic variance present for an insect trait, e.g., insecticide-resistance monitoring, it is imperative to understand the potential mating dynamics and genetic contributions of adults to the larvae evaluated in bioassays. We report the results of a study utilizing a laboratory-reared colony of Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner). The changes in the population dynamics (e.g., numbers of males, females, fertile egg masses, mated females) were evaluated. Although the numbers of emerging females, living females, mated females and fertile egg masses changed during the experiment, the percentage of total females that were mated did not change (~54%). The first of the females to emerge were beginning to die as later-emerging females were mating. Results suggest that experimental designs that rely on laboratory-reared O. nubilalis will need to test larvae from several nights of oviposition to better ensure that the total genetic composition of the population is sampled.
Hormone- and Growth Factor-Stimulated NADH Oxidase

An NADH oxidase activity of animal and plant plasma membrane is described that is stimulated by hormones and growth factors. In plasma membranes of cancer cells and tissues, the activity appears to be constitutively activated and no longer hormone responsive. With drugs that inhibit the activity, cells are unable to grow although growth inhibition may be more related to a failure of the cells to enlarge than to a direct inhibition of mitosis. The hormone-stimulated activity in plasma membranes of plants and the constitutively activated NADH oxidase in tumor cell plasma membranes is inhibited by thiol reagents whereas the basal activity is not. These findings point to a thiol involvement in the action of the activated form of the oxidase. NADH oxidase oxidation by Golgi apparatus of rat liver is inhibited by brefeldin A plus GDP. Brefeldin A is a macrolide antibiotic inhibitor of membrane trafficking. A model is presented where the NADH oxidase functions as a thiol-disulfide oxidoreductase activity involved in the formation and breakage of disulfide bonds. The thiol-disulfide interchange is postulated as being associated with physical membrane displacement as encountered in cell enlargement or in vesicle budding. The model, although speculative, does provide a basis for further experimentation to probe a potential function for this enzyme system which, under certain conditions, exhibits a hormone- and growth factor-stimulated oxidation of NADH.
Power-frequency magnetic fields from electric blankets

Power-frequency (50/60-Hz) magnetic fields produced by electric blankets are estimated using a three-dimensional computer model. Maximum, minimum, and volume-averaged fields within human forms are presented as a function of blanket type and a number of geometric factors including body size, body-blanket separation, and lateral body position. When blankets are heating, typical flux densities range from a few milligauss on the side of the body farthest from the blanket up to a few hundred milligauss on the side closest to the blanket. Flux densities averaged over the whole body are 10-30 mG with typical values of 15 mG. Comparison with exposure from other sources indicate that electric blanket use contributes significantly to time- and body-averaged 60-Hz magnetic field exposure. >
A predictive model describing the upconversion of 1/f noise into AM sideband noise in HBTs

An analysis of AM noise in AlGaAs-GaAs HBT amplifiers is presented. A predictive model is introduced which allows calculation of AM noise sideband power alongside carrier signals in HBT amplifers as a result of the upconversion of low frequency noise. These sidebands are an unavoidable result of the nonlinear components in microwave oscillators and power amplifiers which causes upconversion of intrinsic low frequency 1/f noise into amplitude modulated (AM) and phase modulated (PM) sidebands about the carrier. AM and PM sidebands degrade the spectral purity of the carrier which ultimately limits system performance in communication systems. Many works have described the upconversion process in microwave oscillators with its dominant phase noise, but less attention has been paid to the AM noise of power amplifiers. This work presents the theory of such noise in AlGaAs-GaAs HBT amplification and details a predictive model that allows calculation of AM noise sidebands for any HBT device.
ECOLOGICAL SPECIATION IN THE EAST MAUI–ENDEMIC DUBAUTIA (ASTERACEAE) SPECIES

Adaptive diversification can be viewed as a balance between the conservative force of interpopulation gene flow and selection for differential environments. In this paper, we examine ecological, morphological, and genetic differentiation in a small clade consisting of four East Maui-endemic species of Dubautia: D. menziesii, D. platyphylla, D. reticulata, and D. waianapanapaensis, in the Hawaiian silversword alliance (Asteraceae). The East Maui clade is apparently recently derived (less than 1 million years ago) and is geographically restricted yet displays significant ecological and morphological differences. We used geographic data from historical herbarium specimens, measure- ments of plant architecture and leaf morphometrics, and measures of genetic differentiation in both microsatellite and nuclear coding loci to examine the correlation of different forms of divergence in this small species flock. We found overlap in large-scale geographic distributions, significant differentiation in most habitat factors, significant micro- satellite differentiation, and many shared alleles at nuclear coding loci suggesting on-going lineage sorting. Despite the presence of apparent hybrids in some populations, microsatellite variation is consistent with isolation among species. Using Mantel tests, we compared the direction and extent of diversification among different datasets, to determine whether ecological/morphological divergence was correlated with genetic divergence. Correlations among different datasets showed that habitat was strongly correlated with plant architecture but not leaf morphology. Taken together, these results indicate that ecological and morphological diversification has driven genetic divergence at rapidly evolving microsatellite loci, whereas there is continuing lineage sorting at neutral sites in nuclear coding loci.
Column: Current Literature Reviews

Our charge is to monitor education-related journals (i.e., Journal of Nursing Education, Journal of Higher Education, etc.) and identify articles which are the most applicable to our readers. We wi...
Any Hope for Happily Ever After? Reflections on Rapanos and the Future of the Clean Water Act Section 404 Program

This essay takes an initial fanciful look at the history of Clean Water Act Section 404 jurisdiction, then following a brief overview of the 2006 Rapanos v. United States decision and events leading up to it, provides an overview of the United States Army Corps of Engineers permitting process. The concluding section attempts to address the outstanding question presented by this essay: can there ever be a “happily ever after" when it comes to protections for wetlands and other waters following recent developments in the 404 program.
How Police Officers Construct Lineups: A National Survey:

In criminal investigations, considerable weight is given to eyewitness identification evidence. In some cases, like assault and robbery, this evidence may be the only kind available. Over the last two decades, considerable research has been aimed at the factors that cause identification errors. However, virtually all of this work has involved undergraduates and naive lay persons as subjects. There is little known on what police officers do in the course of their work. The present research investigates the procedures that police investigators employ when they construct live and photographic lineups. Surveys were sent to 500 U.S. police jurisdictions along with a cover letter requesting that it be completed by the person most experienced in constructing lineups; 220 were returned. On average, the respondents had 12 years experience as police officers and had constructed a mean of 329 lineups (89 live, 240 photographic). For many items, the results were consistent with those of previous laboratory research. ...
A mass-flux perspective of the tidewater glacier cycle

I explore the tidewater glacier cycle with a 1-D, depth- and width-integrated flow model that includes a mass-flux calving parameterization. The parameterization is developed from mass continuity arguments and relates the calving rate to the terminus velocity and the terminus balance velocity. The model demonstrates variable sensitivity to climate. From an advanced, stable configuration, a small warming of the climate triggers a rapid retreat that causes large-scale drawdown and is enhanced by positive glacier-dynamic feedbacks. Eventually, the terminus retreats out of deep water and the terminus velocity decreases, resulting in reduced drawdown and the potential for restabilization. Terminus readvance can be initiated by cooling the climate. Terminus advance into deep water is difficult to sustain, however, due to negative feedbacks between glacier dynamics and surface mass balance. Despite uncertainty in the precise form of the parameterization, the model provides a simple explanation of the tidewater glacier cycle and can be used to evaluate the response of tidewater glaciers to climate variability. It also highlights the importance of improving parameterizations of calving rates and of incorporating sediment dynamics into tidewater glacier models.
Dominantly Inherited Nemaline Myopathy

A locus on chromosome 15q21-23 for a dominantly inherited nemaline myopathy with core-like lesions is reported in two unrelated families evaluated at University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Searching within Websites: A Comparison of Three Types of Sitemap Menu Structures:

This study compared search performance and satisfaction with three types of sitemap menu structures. In one type (Index), the hyperlinks were organized alphabetically. Another type (Full) organized...
Sex Differences in Lumbar Disc Herniation: Point of View.

That women and men differ is considered a universal truth; however, differences in how the two sexes experience a disc herniation have not been explored. The current study sought to fill this gap in the literature and used the Swedish spine register to analyze baseline symptoms and surgical outcomes
Nicholas Cozzarelli 1938–2006

Nicholas R. Cozzarelli passed away on March 19 of this year, a week before his 68th birthday. Nick was a gifted and passionate scientist and a devoted educator. Since his death, some earlier events in his life have already been reported in the Los Angeles Times and in obituaries that have appeared in scientific journals including ACS Chemical Biology, Cell and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA: that Nick grew up in New Jersey in a poor immigrant family from southern Italy, that Nick's father was determined to give his son an education that he himself never had, and that after graduating from Princeton Nick spent a year at Yale Medical School before joining the laboratory of Edmund C. C. Lin at Harvard Medical School. Some of Nick's many contributions in the later part of his life have also been touched upon in those articles, and his efforts in revitalizing and transforming the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, as its Editor-in-Chief in the last eleven years of his life, have been detailed in an "In memoriam" article in the 18 April 2006 issue of the journal1.
Diagnosis of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Factors contributing to the misdiagnosis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) in an epilepsy clinic have been examined in 70 patients at the Division of Neurology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.