cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Combined quantum chemical/Raman spectroscopic analyses of Li + cation solvation: Cyclic carbonate solvents-Ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate

Combined computational/Raman spectroscopic analyses of ethylene carbonate (EC) and propylene carbonate (PC) solvation interactions with lithium salts are reported. It is proposed that previously reported Raman analyses of (EC)n–LiX mixtures have utilized faulty assumptions. In the present studies, density functional theory (DFT) calculations have provided corrections in terms of both the scaling factors for the solvent's Raman band intensity variations and information about band overlap. By accounting for these factors, the solvation numbers obtained from two different EC solvent bands are in excellent agreement with one another. The same analysis for PC, however, was found to be quite challenging. Commercially available PC is a racemic mixture of (S)- and (R)-PC isomers. Based upon the quantum chemistry calculations, each of these solvent isomers may exist as multiple conformers due to a low energy barrier for ring inversion, making deconvolution of the Raman bands daunting and inherently prone to significant error. Thus, Raman spectroscopy is able to accurately determine the extent of the EC…Li+ cation solvation interactions using the provided methodology, but a similar analysis of PC…Li+ cation solvation results in a significant underestimation of the actual solvation numbers.
D1 dopamine agonist and antagonist effects on regional cerebral glucose utilization in rats with intact dopaminergic innervation

Abstract The effects of stimulation and blockade of the D1 dopamine receptor on regional cerebral glucose utilization (RCGU) were studied using quantitative [14C]2-deoxyglucose autoradiography in naive rats. Systemic administration of the selective D1 antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg), lowered glucose utilization by 24–28% in the globus pallidus, entopeduncular nucleus, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr), and motor cortex, suggesting that stimulation of the D1 receptor by endogenous dopamine contributes to basal metabolism in these regions. Administration of SCH 23390 increased RCGU in the lateral habenula, as do selective D2 antagonists. The selective D1 agonist, SKF 38393 (30 mg/kg), increased RCGU in the SNr (up 22%) without affecting the other brain regions which were examined. This modest increase contrasts with the large increase in RCGU (up 100–200%) in the SNr elicited by similar doses of SKF 38393 in rats with acute or chronic dopamine depletion. Systemic administration of amphetamine (5.0 mg/kg), a dopamine releasing agent, increased RCGU in the caudate-putamen (up 33%), globus pallidus (up 23%), subthalamic nucleus (up 46%), entopeduncular nucleus (up 78%), and SNr (up 72%) and lowered RCGU in the lateral habenula (down 43%). All of these amphetamine effects were blocked by pretreatment with either SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg) or eticlopride (2.0 mg/kg, a selective D2 antagonist). These results suggest that endogenous dopamine stimulates both D1 and D2 receptors in vivo and provide metabolic evidence to support the concept of a functional linkage of D1 and D2 receptor systems in animals with intact dopaminergic innervation.
Characterization of electropolymerized graphite fiber-polyacrylamide composites

The synthesis of a series of graphite fiber-polyacrylamide composites was performed electrochemically in dilute sulfuric acid (0.125M)-acrylamide (2M) solution, 1 : 1 sulfuric acid (0.25M) : acetone-acrylamide (2M) solution, and 1 : 1 sulfuric acid (0.25M) : 2-propanol-acrylamide (2M) solution, respectively, using graphite fiber bundles as the working electrode. The graphite fiber-polyacrylamide composites, synthesized in a 1 : 1 2-propanol : sulfuric acid-acrylamide solution, were more easily characterized than those synthesized from the sulfuric acid-acrylamide solution that contained no alcohol. Composites that were synthesized in a dilute sulfuric acid solution were, however, more readily crosslinked. (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, FTIR, confirmed the formation of inter-chain and intrachain imide functional groups after the resin was cured at ≈ 200°C.) Polymer weight gain analysis, coupled with surface morphology studies using scanning electron microscopy, showed that the thickness of the coatings, and hence the volume fraction of the resin in the composites, varied linearly with the time of electropolymerization. Scanning electron microscopy revealed an open and folded chain surface structure, which permitted unrestricted permeation of the monomer onto the electrode surface. Differential scanning calorimetry of the electropolymerized resins confirmed a glass transition temperature of between 180 and 207°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nuclear quadrupole resonance in methylurea

Abstract The nitrogen-14 pure nuclear quadrupole resonance spectra of methylurea were measured at 77°K and at 296°K. The results at 77°K are, N(1): e2qQ/h = 4046.9 kHz, η = 0.296 and N(2):qQ/h = 3585.3 kHz, η = 0.343.
The Culture of Cooperation in Three Japanese Worker Cooperatives

The critical problem in the relations of production for worker-owned and managed enterprises is not the exploitation of labor by capital, but processes homologous to free-riding on the collective provision of public goods. Market, constitutional and collegiality barriers fail to attenuate opportunism in such work relations because paradoxes in the logic of rational selfishness lead to contradictory applications for collective action. In order to be effective, symbols as safeguards to opportunism must operate within the actual work itself. One such safeguard, the symbol `help' performed as the willingness of workers to assist one another in their quotidian tasks in order to monitor each other's work performance tacitly, was found in three service sector worker cooperatives in Tokyo in 1993-4.
Severe cases of pandemic H1N1 pneumonia and respiratory failure requiring intensive care.

Background: The objective of our study is to analyze the clinical data of patients with pandemic H1N1 2009 infection admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and to report key features observed am...
INTERNET IN A BOX: THE eGRANARY DIGITAL LIBRARY SERVES SCHOLARS LACKING INTERNET BANDWIDTH

The eGranary Digital Library uses innovative off-line storage technology to deliver millions of digital documents to schools, clinics, hospitals, and homes in the developing world with little or no Internet connectivity. Providing patrons with instant access to a broad range of Web pages, audio, video, and multimedia resources from within the institution's local area network (LAN), the eGranary Digital Library demonstrates a new, low-cost way to deliver knowledge to the world's information poor.
An immunoassay for a urinary metabolite as a biomarker of human exposure to the pyrethroid insecticide permethrin

Permethrin is the most popular synthetic pyre- throid insecticide used in agriculture and public health. For the assessment of human exposure to permethrin, a com- petitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of the glycine conjugate of a major metabolite, cis-/trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-di- methylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (DCCA), of per- methrin was developed based on a polyclonal antibody. An assay based on an antibody with a high sensitivity was optimized and characterized. The IC50 value and the de- tection range for trans-DCCA-glycine, in the assay buffer were 1.2 and 0.2�7.0 μg/L, respectively. The antibody recognized trans-DCCA-glycine and the mixture of cis-/ trans-DCCA-glycine with an isomer range from 30:70 to 50:50 nearly equally. Little or no cross-reactivity to permethrin and its other free metabolites or glycine conjugates was measured. The integration of the ELISA and solid-phase extraction which was used to reduce the matrix effect from human urine samples provided for analysis of total cis-/trans-DCCA-glycine at low parts per billion levels in the samples. The limit of quantitation of the target analyte was 1.0 μg/L in urine with a limit of detection of 0.1 μg/L in buffer. This assay might be a useful tool for monitoring human exposure to permethrin.
Social Support and Depression among Older Adults Living Alone: The Importance of Friends Within and Outside of a Retirement Community

Using socioemotional selectivity theory as a framework, the study described in this article examined the extent to which social support from friends both within and outside of a retirement community was associated with depression. Although levels of social support from friends within the retirement community were quantitatively high, they failed to have a significant effect on depression. In contrast, social support from friends living elsewhere consistently predicted low levels of depression. Practice implications include the importance of maintaining friendship ties with people living elsewhere and of strengthening friendship ties within the retirement community.
Explanatory Models and Care-Seeking: A Critical Account

This chapter is based on research not primarily devoted to utilization or care-seeking. For the past ten years, the author has been interested in the relation between meaning and illness. Carrying out field research in a small Turkish town in Iran (Good, 1977; Good and Good, 1982), consulting with psychiatrists and primary care practitioners in the management of depressed Iranian immigrants, discussing the relation of health care to their lives with members of a small community on the north coast of California, and talking with medical students and research physicians about the work of doctoring, he has been interested in how people face the “reality shock” of illness, how they make sense of the experience and revise their understanding of the world in light of that experience. From the perspective of symbolic anthropology, the primary focus of cross-cultural research is considered to be the study of the relation of human action to its sense, rather than behaviour to its determinants. “Many social scientists,” Geertz wrote in 1983 (p. 19), “have turned away from a laws and instances ideal of explanation toward a cases and interpretations one, looking less for the sort of thing that connects planets and pendulums and more for the sort that connects chrysanthemums and swords.” Medical anthropology, from this perspective, is a meaning-centered or interpretive program. Medical anthropologists attempt to understand how members of a society bring to meaning those disorders that appear as fundamental and unwelcome realities, how they construe the relationship of those realities to previous and concurrent difficulties in their lives, how illness idioms articulate the experience of disorder, and how individuals seek and engage in therapies in an effort to transform those illness realities.
The Role of Call Quality in Voter Mobilization: Implications for Electoral Outcomes and Experimental Design

We demonstrate the centrality of high quality personal interactions for successfully overcoming the collective action problem of voter mobilization, and highlight the need for attention to treatment quality before making substantive inferences from field experiments. We exploit natural variation in the quality of voter mobilization phone calls across call centers to examine how call quality affects voter mobilization in a large-scale field experiment conducted during the 2010 Election. High quality calls (from call centers specializing in calling related to politics) produced significant increases in turnout. In contrast, low quality calls (from multi-purpose commercial call centers) failed to increase turnout. Furthermore, we offer caution about using higher contact rates as an indication of delivery quality. Our treatment conditions with higher contact rates had no impact on turnout, suggesting an unfavorable trade-off between quantity of contacts and call quality.
LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA

Infection plays a significant role in the morbidity and mortality of the elderly. One population in which infection has not been adequately studied is the elderly asthmatic. This article examines the problems of lower respiratory tract infections in elderly asthmatics in the context of their host defenses, the severity of infection, and their risk of infection with specific organisms. The role of infection in the pathogenesis of asthma and consideration of prophylaxis and therapy are presented.
Interconversion Pharmacokinetics of Simvastatin and its Hydroxy Acid in Dogs: Effects of Gemfibrozil

To characterize the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin (SV) and simvastatin acid (SVA), a lactone–acid pair known to undergo reversible metabolism, and to better understand mechanisms underlying pharmacokinetic interactions observed between SV and gemfibrozil. Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted after intravenous administration of SV and SVA to dogs pretreated with a vehicle or gemfibrozil. In vitro metabolism of SVA in dog hepatocytes as well as in vitro hepatic and plasma conversion of SV/SVA were investigated in the absence and presence of gemfibrozil. In control animals, the irreversible elimination clearances of SV (CL10) and SVA (CL20) were 10.5 and 18.6 ml min−1 kg−1, respectively. The formation clearance of SVA from SV (CL12 = 4.8 ml min−1 kg−1) was 8-fold greater than that of SV from SVA (CL21 = 0.6 ml min−1 kg−1), and the recycled fraction was relatively minor (0.009). In gemfibrozil-treated animals, CL10 was essentially unchanged, whereas CL12, CL20, CL21, and recycled fraction were significantly decreased to 2.9, 9, 0.14 ml min−1 kg−1, and 0.003, respectively. In control dogs, values for real volume of distribution at steady state (Vss,real) of SV (2.3 L kg−1) were much larger than the corresponding values of SVA (0.3 L kg−1). Gemfibrozil treatment did not affect Vss,real of either SV or SVA. In dog hepatocytes, gemfibrozil modestly affected the formation of CYP3A-mediated oxidative metabolites (IC50 > 200 μM) and β-oxidative products (IC50 ∼100 μM), but markedly inhibited the glucuronidation-mediated lactonization of SVA and the glucuronidation of an SVA β-oxidation product (IC50 = 18 μM). In in vitro dog and human liver S9 and plasma, hydrolysis of SV to SVA was much faster than that of SVA to SV. Gemfibrozil (250 μM) had a minimal inhibitory effect on the hydrolysis of either SV to SVA or SVA to SV in dog and human liver S9, but had a significant (∼60%) inhibitory effect on the SV to SVA hydrolysis in both dog and human plasma. In dogs, the interconversion process favored the formation of SVA and was less efficient than the irreversible elimination processes of SV and SVA. Treatment with gemfibrozil did not affect the distribution of SV/SVA, but rather affected the elimination of SVA and the SV/SVA interconversion processes. Gemfibrozil decreased CL20 and CL21 likely via its inhibitory effect on the glucuronidation of SVA, and not on the CYP3A-mediated oxidative metabolism of SV or SVA, the β-oxidation of SVA, nor the SVA to SV hydrolysis. The decrease in CL12 might be due in part to the inhibitory effect of gemfibrozil on SV to SVA hydrolysis in plasma. Similar rationales may also be applicable to studies in humans and/or other statin lactone–acid pairs.
Zinc protoporphyrin/heme as an indicator of iron status in NICU patients

Objective Zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratio (ZnPP/H) has been well established as an indicator of functional iron deficiency in subjects 6 months of age to adult. The primary objective of this study was to establish normative values for ZnPP/H in NICU patients and secondarily to explore the utility of this test as an indicator of iron deficiency in neonates. Study design ZnPP/H and complete blood counts were obtained weekly on consecutive NICU patients. Gestational age, growth variables, iron supplementation, erythropoietin treatment, and blood transfusions were documented. Results are reported as mean ± SD. A value of P < .05 was considered significant. Results ZnPP/H ratios (n = 639) were evaluated from 143 infants. During the first week of life, ZnPP/H was inversely correlated with gestational age (n = 78, P < .001, r = −0.72). Maternal diabetes, growth retardation, and exposure to chorioamnionitis were independent risk factors for high ZnPP/H. Both iron supplementation and blood transfusion decreased ZnPP/H (P < .001). Erythropoietin treatment was associated with an increase in reticulocyte count and ZnPP/H (P < .001). Conclusions ZnPP/H is inversely correlated with gestational age, and the range in all newborn infants is higher than in adults. ZnPP/H is elevated in certain infant subpopulations, which suggests that they may require additional iron supplementation. (J Pediatr 2003;142:273-8)
Feature-based material blending for heterogeneous object modeling

In this paper, a new feature-based material blending method is proposed to represent and design heterogeneous objects. Geometric features dictating the material variation are defined as material governing features to control material composition inside the objects. Interrelations between the material governing features and material attributes are established by constraining the geometric and material features and retained in the object model. Using these relationships, variant heterogeneous objects are developed easily by changing the geometric and material features of the heterogeneous object. Geometric methods are developed to blend not only the geometric features but also the property requirements at each of the feature. To obtain the best material variation inside the object, an optimization-based solution method based on the object's functional requirements are developed. Implementation and illustrative examples are also presented in this paper.
Family Factors Affecting the Intergenerational Succession to Farming

Farming has historically been dependent upon farmers' sons to maintain the occupation; the major succession mechanism being some form of father and son joint operation. This paper, using data drawn from field studies in two Illinois farm communities of Swedish and Yankee origin, compares such farming teams to show how family concerns create differing social contexts for the intergenerational succession process. Parental commitment to continuity and socialization that creates sibling cooperation relate to why Swedish succession unfolds in a context of intergenerational harmony and cross-generational acrimony, while the Yankee succession process is the reverse. Short-term outcomes of family norms were apparent in operation features, but the long-term continuity effects are of more consequence. Swedish land ownership has been relatively stable while Yankee ownership has fluctuated, and absentee owners control a greater proportion of community land. Succession patterns brought into relief, because ethnic beli...
Er:YAG is a 2.5-level laser at 300°K

We propose the “level parameters” l 0 and l 1 to quantify the concept of two-, three- and four-level laser, for comparing different laser media, operating temperatures, and choices of pump and laser transitions.
Histogram analysis versus region of interest analysis of dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion MR imaging data in the grading of cerebral gliomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Histogram analysis can be applied to dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion MR imaging datasets and can be as effective as traditional region-of-interest (ROI) measurements of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), an operator-dependent method. We compare the routine ROI method with histogram analysis in the grading of glial neoplasms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients underwent conventional and DSC MR imaging. Routine rCBV (rCBVmax) measurements were obtained from ROIs of the maximal abnormality within the glioma. Histogram analysis rCBVT was performed with an ROI drawn around the maximal tumor diameter. Spearman rank correlations measured associations among glioma grade, rCBVmax, and histogram measures. Mann-Whitney tests compared grade with respect to rCBV and histogram measures. Logistic regression and McNemar test compared the utility of rCBVmax and histogram measures for detecting high grade gliomas. RESULTS: Routine rCBVmax analysis showed significant correlation with grade (r = 0.734, P CONCLUSION: rCBVT histogram analysis is as effective as rCBVmax analysis in the correlation with glioma grade. Inexperienced operators may obtain perfusion metrics using histogram analyses that are comparable with those obtained by experienced operators using ROI analysis.
Heating by Field Aligned DC Joule Dissipation

A short review of coronal heating by the Joule dissipation of DC magnetic field-aligned currents is given. We first summarize what observational and theoretical constraints exist that constrain any model of coronal heating. Next we examine sources of field-aligned currents, the role of force-free current systems, and the significance of “voltage” driven and “current” driven current sources. We then examine potential mechanisms for structuring field-aligned currents due to thermal instabilities and boundary effects and how they relate to “voltage” and “current” sources. Finally we examine the conditions required for field-aligned anomalous Joule heating to operate and what physical manifestations might be observable.
Incorporating Uncertainty Metrics into a General-Purpose Data Integration System

There is a significant need for data integration capabilities in the scientific domain, which has manifested itself as products in the commercial world as well as academia. However, in our experiences in dealing with biological data it has become apparent to us that existing data integration products do not handle uncertainties in the data very well. This leads to systems that often produce an explosion of less relevant answers which subsequently leads to a loss of more relevant answers by overloading the user. How to incorporate functionality into data integration systems to properly handle uncertainties and make results more useful has become an important research question. In this paper we describe an enhanced general-purpose data integration system which incorporates uncertainty metrics within a formal probabilistic framework. Additionally, for evaluation purposes, we have implemented a use case scenario which utilizes biological data sources and performed a study which provides validation of system query results.
A Meta-Analytic Review of Obesity Prevention Programs for Children and Adolescents: The Skinny on Interventions that Work

This meta-analytic review summarizes obesity prevention programs and their effects and investigates participant, intervention, delivery, and design features associated with larger effects. A literature search identified 64 prevention programs seeking to produce weight gain prevention effects, of which 21% produced significant prevention effects that were typically pre- to post effects. Larger effects emerged for programs that targeted children and adolescents (vs. preadolescents) and females, programs that were relatively brief, programs that solely targeted weight control versus other health behaviors (e.g., smoking), programs evaluated in pilot trials, and programs wherein participants must have self-selected into the intervention. Other factors, including mandated improvements in diet and exercise, sedentary behavior reduction, delivery by trained interventionists, and parental involvement, were not associated with significantly larger effects.
Brinker possesses multiple mechanisms for repression because its primary co-repressor, Groucho, may be unavailable in some cell types

Transcriptional repressors function primarily by recruiting co-repressors, which are accessory proteins that antagonize transcription by modifying chromatin structure. Although a repressor could function by recruiting just a single co-repressor, many can recruit more than one, with Drosophila Brinker (Brk) recruiting the co-repressors CtBP and Groucho (Gro), in addition to possessing a third repression domain, 3R. Previous studies indicated that Gro is sufficient for Brk to repress targets in the wing, questioning why it should need to recruit CtBP, a short-range co-repressor, when Gro is known to be able to function over longer distances. To resolve this we have used genomic engineering to generate a series of brk mutants that are unable to recruit Gro, CtBP and/or have 3R deleted. These reveal that although the recruitment of Gro is necessary and can be sufficient for Brk to make an almost morphologically wild-type fly, it is insufficient during oogenesis, where Brk must utilize CtBP and 3R to pattern the egg shell appropriately. Gro insufficiency during oogenesis can be explained by its downregulation in Brk-expressing cells through phosphorylation downstream of EGFR signaling.
Integrating repositories of learning objects using Web-services to implement mediators and wrappers

In Web-based education there is an emphasis on reusing and sharing instructional content due to the complexity of the development process of high-quality learning materials. It leads to the learning objects orientation as well as to partnerships among institutions to promote sharing of these objects. In order to allow local autonomy and less local effort when participating of this global environment, we developed LORIS, an integration system of learning objects' repositories. This system is based on the mediators and wrappers architecture, implemented through Web-services. Our approach allows local autonomy and also an interoperable integrated view. LORIS is being adopted by PGL, an international partnership project for promoting Web-based education.
Diet-induced obesity exacerbates metabolic and behavioral effects of polycystic ovary syndrome in a rodent model

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age. Although a comorbidity of PCOS is obesity, many are lean. We hypothesized that increased saturated fat consumption and obesity would exacerbate metabolic and stress indices in a rodent model of PCOS. Female rats were implanted with the nonaromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or placebo pellets prior to puberty. Half of each group was maintained ad libitum on either a high-fat diet (HFD; 40% butter fat calories) or nutrient-matched low-fat diet (LFD). Irrespective of diet, DHT-treated animals gained more body weight, had irregular cycles, and were glucose intolerant compared with controls on both diets. HFD/DHT animals had the highest levels of fat mass and insulin resistance. DHT animals demonstrated increased anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze by decreased distance traveled and time in the open arms. HFD consumption increased immobility during the forced-swim test. DHT treatment suppressed diurnal corticosterone measurements in both diet groups. In parallel, DHT treatment significantly dampened stress responsivity to a mild stressor. Brains of DHT animals showed attenuated c-Fos activation in the ventromedial hypothalamus and arcuate nucleus; irrespective of DHT-treatment, however, all HFD animals had elevated hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus c-Fos activation. Whereas hyperandrogenism drives overall body weight gain, glucose intolerance, anxiety behaviors, and stress responsivity, HFD consumption exacerbates the effect of androgens on adiposity, insulin resistance, and depressive behaviors.
Effect of coolant flow on the performance of round sapphire tips in a saline field

Round sapphire and silica tips have been studied as surgical probes for focusing Nd:YAG laser radiation during various surgical indications. Since most of these data have been obtained with silica tips from Surgical Laser Technology, there are limited data on the physical performance of round sapphire tips. An investigation of round sapphire tip performance during tissue ablation was undertaken. Nd:YAG laser power was delivered in repetitive 2-sec exposures to a round sapphire tip placed on fresh skinned chicken breast. Total exposures of 1,000 J were performed at different saline perfusion rates. The tip's performance in terms of tissue perforation rate, blanched tissue area, tissue heating rate, and forward transmission was measured. Best tip performance occurred at the lowest cooling rates and was independent of the tip's forward transmission value. No physical deterioration of the tip's optical surface was observed. Round sapphire tip performance in a saline field is primarily determined by the tip's temperature. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alternative use of DNA binding domains by the Neurospora White Collar Complex dictates circadian regulation and light responses

In the Neurospora circadian system, the White Collar complex (WCC) of WC-1 and WC-2 drives transcription of the circadian pacemaker gene frequency (frq), whose gene product, FRQ, as a part of the FRQ-FRH complex (FFC), inhibits its own expression. The WCC is also the principal Neurospora photoreceptor; WCC-mediated light induction of frq resets the clock, and all acute light induction is triggered by WCC binding to promoters of light-induced genes. However, not all acutely light-induced genes are also clock regulated, and conversely, not all clock-regulated direct targets of WCC are light induced; the structural determinants governing the shift from WCC's dark circadian role to its light activation role are poorly described. We report that the DBD region (named for being defective in binding DNA), a basic region in WC-1 proximal to the DNA-binding zinc finger (ZnF) whose function was previously ascribed to nuclear localization, instead plays multiple essential roles assisting in DNA binding and mediating interactions with the FFC. DNA binding for light induction by the WCC requires only WC-2, whereas DNA binding for circadian functions requires WC-2 as well as the ZnF and DBD motif of WC-1. The data suggest a means by which alterations in the tertiary and quaternary structures of the WCC can lead to its distinct functions in the dark and in the light.
Comments on Nancy Snow, ‘Generativity and Flourishing’

AME Pasadena November 2014In her rich and wide-ranging paper, Nancy Snow argues that there is a virtue of generativity—an other-regarding desire to invest one’s substance in forms of life and work ...
Transarterial approaches to primary and secondary hepatic malignancies

Transarterial therapies in the setting of primary and secondary liver malignancies are becoming an essential part of the oncology landscape. Most patients with hepatic malignancies are not candidates for curative surgical intervention, thereby warranting exploration of alternative means of treatment that preserves quality of life while providing clinical benefit. Herein, the data for intra-arterial chemoinfusion, transarterial chemoembolization, drug-eluting beads, and radioembolization are discussed in the setting of malignancies within the liver; outcome data relating to survival, time-to-progression, time-to-recurrence, and adverse events are presented. Further data regarding different treatment paradigms for hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic colorectal carcinoma, neuroendocrine tumours, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma are also provided. In light of these and forthcoming data, transarterial therapies seem to offer a viable treatment pathway for select populations of patients.
VDT Positions: Effect on Performance and Comfort:

This study investigated the effect of VDT vertical position on operator's performance and comfort. Three VDT positions (center of the screen) were studied: eye level, 250 mm above eye level, and 250 mm below eye level. At each VDT position, subjects worked with the computer continuously for 35 minutes. Typing speed (words per minute) and accuracy were recorded. A questionnaire about physical discomfort was answered by each subject after the trial at each VDT position. The result indicates that placing the center of the VDT at eye level is more comfortable.
Downregulation of urea transporter UT-A1 activity by 14-3-3 protein.

Urea transporter (UT)-A1 in the kidney inner medulla plays a critical role in the urinary concentrating mechanism and thereby in the regulation of water balance. The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of...
Hydraulic Fracturing in the Appalachian Basin: Incorporating Environmental Justice to Regulate Natural Resource Exploration

Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) has significantly increased the production of gas and oil in the United States to the point that various regions of the United States are primed to become major contributors to our country’s energy independence and security. This revolution has been met with widespread protests from environmentalists and citizens who are concerned that fracking will only exacerbate environmental issues throughout the world. This Article posits that given the federal government’s investment in fracking, as well as the projected upside of a national energy policy that relies upon increased natural gas and oil production, fracking is presumably here to stay or will be permitted in the future after more studies are conducted. Indeed, overtime fracking may become enough of a green extraction process that many environmental concerns will be allayed. In the interim, instead of allowing U.S. citizens residing in proximity to fracking sites − like those residing in the Appalachian Basin − to remain in harm’s way, a policy of environmental justice should be incorporated into the process for regulating fracking and future mining for other natural resources. This would create a counterbalance to the risky exploration for any natural resources that have remained undiscovered or underutilized and ensure a balanced approach to achieving an energy policy that protects millions of U.S. citizens from further environmental harm and related health issues.
Tall and Collumnar Variants of Papillary Carcinoma

The purpose of this chapter is to explain the classification and management of patients with Tall and Columnar cell variants of papillary carcinoma. Most references classify these tumors as unfavorable variants of well-differentiated papillary carcinoma. This assignment is somewhat arbitrary. These are relatively rare tumors and the criteria for diagnosis is controversial. With additional study of the outcome of the uncommon subtypes of thyroid carcinoma, it may be more appropriate to consider tumors with Tall or Columnar cell features as a subtype of poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma.
Aerosol production associated with clinical laboratory procedures.

Because of the high incidence of viral hepatitis among our laboratory staff, a study was undertaken to evaluate aerosol production associated with a number of clinical laboratory procedures. To do this, we employed a coliphage and technetium m99 as tracers. It was found that procedures involving the shaking of a specimen within a confined space resulted in abundant aerosol production, while other procedures produced relatively little. Of significance was the considerable bench-top and instrument-surface contamination associated with all procedures.
Twelve ways to look at a receptor: Receptors: Structure and Function, 2nd edn (A Practical Approach)

edited by Clare Stanford and Roger Horton Oxford University Press (2001) 290 pages. ISBN 0-19-963882-9 £35 ![Figure][1] Receptors act as an informational interface between the cell and its environment: they transduce external signals into internal signals. Receptor structure and
Density-dependence in Salvia lyrata, a herbaceous perennial: the effects of experimental alteration of seed densities.

(1) A demographic study of seedling populations of the perennial herb, Salvia lyrata L., was conducted from June 1979 to May 1983. The number of seedlings establishing varied widely from year to year. The half-life of the seedling population was about 10 months and seedling mortality rate declined with time. Correlation of seedling mortality with population density was low. (2) Field experiments showed that established S. lyrata individuals significantly reduced the proportion of seedlings emerging and surviving. Seed density had no demonstrable effect on the proportion of seedlings emerging over a range of densities (0-1440 seeds dm-2). There was thus no evidence of regulation by limitation of 'safe sites' in this species in nature. (3) Seedling mortality depended strongly on seed and seedling density. Fewer individuals survived in densities above 720 seeds dm-2 compared with densities of 240 and 480 seeds dm2. (4) Seedling growth was negatively density-dependent. Growth reduction, suffered at initially high densities, persisted after a large fraction of individuals had died. (5) Regulation of numbers of S. lyrata seedlings occurs primarily through the negative effects of adults. The densities of seedlings and year-old individuals are sufficient to reduce survival and growth only in infrequent clumps.
Bernstein- and Markov-Type Inequalities for Trigonometric Polynomials on General Sets

Bernstein and Markov-type inequalities are discussed for the derivatives of trigonometric and algebraic polynomials on general subsets of the real axis and of the unit circle. It has recently been proven by A. Lukashov that the sharp Bernstein factor for trigonometric polynomials is the equilibrium density of the image of the set on the unit circle under the mapping t → e. In this paper Lukashov’s theorem is extended to entire functions of exponential type using a result of Achieser and Levin. The asymptotically sharp Markov factors for trigonometric polynomials on several intervals is also found via the so called T -sets of F. Peherstorfer and R. Steinbauer. This sharp Markov factor is again intimately connected with the equilibrium measure of the aforementioned image set.
Microstructure-Property Relationships of Two Ti2AlNb-based Intermetallic Alloys: Ti-15Al-33Nb(at.%) and Ti-21Al-29Nb(at.%)

Two Ti 2 AlNb intermetallic orthorhombic (O) alloys, Ti-15Al-33Nb and Ti-21Al-29Nb(at.%), were subtransus processed into sheets, using pancake forging and hot-pack rolling, and evaluated in tension (25 and 650°C) and creep (650–710°C) and the properties and deformation behavior were related to microstructure. Some of the microstructural features evaluated were grain boundary character, grain size, phase volume fraction, and morphology. The alloy Al content was important to strength and elongation-to-failure (e f ), where higher Al contents lead to greater tensile strengths and lower e f values and a corresponding brittle fracture response. However, the room temperature (RT) strengths of Ti-15Al-33Nb, which exhibited greater BCC phase volume fractions than Ti-21Al-29Nb and ductile failure (e f >2%), were always greater than 775 MPa. The creep stress exponents (n) and activation energies (Q app ) suggested that a transition in the dominant creep deformation mechanism exists and is dependent on stress and microstructure. Supertransus heat treatment, which increased the prior-BCC grain size and resulted in a lath-type O+BCC microstructure, resulted in reduced creep strains and strain rates. In fact, the supertransus heat-treated Ti-15Al-33Nb microstructures exhibited greater creep resistance than subtransus heat-treated Ti-21Al-29Nb microstructures. Combining the creep observations with the tensile response, the supertransus heat treated Ti-15Al-33Nb lath O+BCC microstructures exhibited the most attractive combination of tensile strength, e f values, and creep resistance.
Chemical Plant Flare Minimization via Plantwide Dynamic Simulation

Flaring is crucial to chemical plant safety. However, excessive flaring, especially the intensive flaring during the chemical plant start-up operation, emits huge amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and highly reactive VOCs, which meanwhile results in tremendous industrial material and energy loss. Thus, the flare emission should be minimized if at all possible. This paper presents a general methodology on flare minimization for chemical plant start-up operations via plantwide dynamic simulation. The methodology starts with setup and validation of plantwide steady-state and dynamic simulation models. The validated dynamic model is then systematically transformed to the initial state of start-up and thereafter virtually run to check the plant start-up procedures. Any infeasible or risky scenarios will be fed back to plant engineers for operation improvement. The plantwide dynamic simulation provides an insight into process dynamic behaviors, which is crucial for the plant to minimize the flaring w...
Abstract B67: A big role in tumor immune microenvironment of a small non-coding RNA: microRNA-200

Immunosuppression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) is a common feature of advanced epithelial tumors, but its biological basis has remained obscure. In addition, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment has produced encouraging clinical responses, but it is still unclear which patients are likely to benefit. Thus, successful therapeutic translation will require a thorough understanding of mechanisms of treatment resistance and predictive biomarkers to select patients. Using multiple lung cancer mouse models (spontaneous and transplant models), we demonstrate a molecular link between epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and intra-tumoral CD8+ T cell immunosuppression, two key drivers of malignant tumor progression. We show that microRNA-200 (miR-200), a cell-autonomous suppressor of EMT and metastasis, targets PD-L1, a checkpoint inhibitor of CD8+ T cell immunity. Moreover, ZEB1, an EMT activator and transcriptional repressor of miR-200, relieves miR-200 repression of PD-L1 on tumor cells, leading to CD8+TIL dysfunction and metastasis. These findings were further supported by robust correlations between the EMT score, miR-200 levels and PD-L1 expression in multiple human lung cancer datasets: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) lung adenocarcinoma dataset and the Profiling of Resistance patterns and Oncogenic Signaling Pathways in Evaluation of Cancers of the Thorax (PROSPECT) project at MD Anderson Cancer Center. In addition to revealing a link between EMT and T cell dysfunction, these findings also show that ZEB1 promotes metastasis through a heretofore unappreciated cell non-autonomous mechanism, and they suggest that subgroups of patients in whom malignant progression is driven by EMT activators may respond to treatment with PD-L1 antagonists. Our data also suggest that EMT represents an important biomarker to select the patients who may benefit from immune checkpoint blockade agents and other immunotherapies in lung cancer and possibly a broader range of other cancers. Citation Format: Limo Chen, Sangeeta Goswami, Xiaohui Yi, Lauren Byers, Lixia Diao, Jonathon Roybal, Christin Ungewiss, David Peng, Jing Wang, Ignacio Wistuba, Lieping Chen, Stephen Ullrich, John Heymach, Jonathan Kurie, Xiao-Feng Qin, Don Gibbons. A big role in tumor immune microenvironment of a small non-coding RNA: microRNA-200. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B67.
LEGO-Like Microassembly Using Reversible Dry Adhesion

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by watching water striders glide on the water and would wonder: why do they not drown but instead play, standing effortlessly on the water? This is undoubtedly a common question among curious children. The simplest answer would be "because the insect is very small and light." So then, why are smaller things better able to float on the water? An aircraft carrier can easily float on the sea too, although it is extremely large.
A fast simulation method to measure the circuit nonlinearity

I/O circuits in high speed digital designs often exhibit strong nonlinearity, calling for efficient and effective characterizations. This paper presents a fast method to effectively measure the nonlinearity of the circuits. It provides a first quick assessment of the nonlinearity and helps to better guide the design to save design cost, time and reduce the complexity.
A uniform bandwidth PLL using a continuously tunable single-input dual-path LC VCO for 5Gb/s PCI express Gen2 application

A 4.75 to 6.1 GHz PLL with uniform bandwidth control is implemented in 90 nm CMOS. Utilizing a continuously tunable single-input dual-path LC VCO and a constant-gain phase detector, the proposed architecture is well suited to implementing PLLs that must be compliant with standards that specify minimum and maximum allowable PLL bandwidths such as PCI Express Gcn2 or FB-DIMM applications. This work also addresses noise and coupling aspects in dual-path VCO design. The measurement results show that the PLL bandwidth and random jitter (R.I) variations are well regulated and that the use of a differentially controlled dual-path VCO is important for deterministic jitter (DJ) performance.
Fatigue evaluation of the API specification 12F shop welded flat bottom tanks

Abstract Shop-built storage tanks are widely used in several industries all over the world. These equipment are fabricated with relatively small dimensions and capacities to facilitate their transportation to production fields. Particularly, API 12F shop-welded, flat bottom tanks are a group of standard equipment with specific sizes and capacities that are commonly used in the upstream, exploration, and production segments of oil and gas projects. The extensive utilization of this equipment has raised the need to investigate their behavior under different load cases and determine their service life due to cyclic loading. Throughout this investigation, a fatigue evaluation was performed following the guidelines of the ASME BPVC Section VIII, Division 2, design-by-analysis rules. The thirteen API 12F tanks were separated in three different groups according to their diameters. Also, different thicknesses as well as pressure cycles including internal pressure and vacuum were considered for the evaluation of each group. An elastic stress analysis using finite elements was conducted on shell models, axisymmetric models and solid submodels to determine the stress components and stress tensor range as well as obtain the effective alternating equivalent stress. Moreover, the fatigue penalty factor and a fatigue strength reduction factor were defined in accordance with the ASME code specifications. Hence, the protection against failure from cyclic loading of these equipment was determined using smooth bar design fatigue curves and the permissible number of operational cycles and location of the most critical joint were computed for each API 12F tank.
Expanded Roles for Pharmacy Technicians in the Medication Reconciliation Process: A Qualitative Review

Background: Collection of a complete and accurate medication history is an essential component of the medication reconciliation process. The role of pharmacy technicians in supporting medication reconciliation has been the subject of recent interest. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to review the existing literature on pharmacy technician involvement in the medication reconciliation process and to summarize outcomes on the quality and accuracy of pharmacy technician-collected medication histories. Method: A literature review was conducted using MEDLINE and Academic Search Premier (1948 - April 2015). Results: Sixteen papers were identified, with 12 containing a formal evaluation of outcomes. Three were purely descriptive, and 9 compared the pharmacy technician's performance to pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and/or interdisciplinary teams. Studies used a variety of endpoints, but they demonstrated similar or improved outcomes by engaging pharmacy technicians. Evidence demonstrates that trained pharmacy technicians are able to gather medication histories with similar completeness and accuracy to other health care professionals. Conclusion: The use of pharmacy technicians may be a viable strategy for developing and expanding medication reconciliation processes with appropriate supervision. Future efforts should focus on evaluating the impact of expanded roles for pharmacy technicians in the health care system; assessing the need for standardization of pharmacy technician education, training, and certification; and obtaining clarification from state pharmacy boards regarding these expanded roles.