cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ranking essential bacterial processes by speed of mutant death

Mutant phenotype analysis of bacteria has been revolutionized by genome-scale screening procedures, but essential genes have been left out of such studies because mutants are missing from the libraries analyzed. Since essential genes control the most fundamental processes of bacterial life, this is a glaring deficiency. To address this limitation, we developed a procedure for transposon insertion mutant sequencing that includes essential genes. The method, called transformation transposon insertion mutant sequencing (TFNseq), employs saturation-level libraries of bacterial mutants generated by natural transformation with chromosomal DNA mutagenized heavily by in vitro transposition. The efficient mutagenesis makes it possible to detect large numbers of insertions in essential genes immediately after transformation and to follow their loss during subsequent growth. It was possible to order 45 essential processes based on how rapidly their inactivation inhibited growth. Inactivating ATP production, deoxyribonucleotide synthesis, or ribosome production blocked growth the fastest, whereas inactivating cell division or outer membrane protein synthesis blocked it the slowest. Individual mutants deleted of essential loci formed microcolonies of nongrowing cells whose sizes were generally consistent with the TFNseq ordering. The sensitivity of essential functions to genetic inactivation provides a metric for ranking their relative importance for bacterial replication and growth. Highly sensitive functions could represent attractive antibiotic targets since even partial inhibition should reduce growth.
A Case of Titanium Pseudotumor and Systemic Toxicity After Total Hip Arthroplasty Polyethylene Failure.

Abstract We describe the case of a 57-year-old female who underwent bilateral ceramic-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasties performed in 2015. She presented to us in 2018 with headaches, fatigue, and right hip pain 5 months after an atraumatic right polyethylene liner failure for which she did not seek treatment. She was found to have imaging consistent with an adverse local tissue reaction and massive pseudotumor formation. During revision surgery, fracture of the acetabular liner was noted, with ceramic head wear through the titanium cup. In the months after her debridement and prosthesis revision, the patient continued to complain of systemic symptoms including weakness, fatigue, headaches, and vision problems. Serum titanium levels were found to be 100 times higher than normal. This case serves as a rarely reported example of titanium toxicity and titanium pseudotumor formation in the setting of polyethylene failure.
Off-shell effects in the energy dependence of the Be7(p,gamma)B8 astrophysical S factor

I show that off-shell effects, like antisymmetrization and Be-7 distortions, can significantly influence the energy dependence of the nonresonant Be7(p,gamma)B8 astrophysical S factor at higher energies. The proper treatment of these effects results in a vitrually flat E1 component of the S factor at E_cm = 0.3-1.5 MeV energies in the present eight-body model. The energy dependence of the nonresonant S factor, predicted by the present model, is in agreement with the low-energy direct capture data and the existing high-energy Coulomb dissociation data. Irrespective of whether or not the present energy dependence is correct, off-shell effects can cause 15--20% changes in the value of S(0) extrapolated from high-energy (E_cm > 0.7 MeV) data.
Revising Judicial Gatekeeping of Aggregation: Scrutinizing the Merits on Class Certification

Despite certification's centrality, until recently federal judges have approached their gatekeeping tasks in deciding whether to certify with one hand tied behind their backs because they have regarded the Supreme Court's 1974 Eisen decision as forbidding consideration of anything bearing on the merits of the case at that point. Although the merits of class certification might sometimes involve issues that are as challenging as the ones Judge Kozinski described above, in general, the questions posed by class certification are of the sort that judges are familiar with resolving in litigation. Thus, this limitation on certification scrutiny has been questioned almost from the time Eisen was decided, and it has recently been jettisoned, in part due to the 2003 amendments to Rule 23. This is a major development. Professor Mullenix, for example, has described the Third Circuit's leading decision on evaluating the merits - In re Hydrogen Peroxide Antitrust Litigationl - as potentially the most influential class certification decision since the Supreme Court's 1997 ruling invalidating a nationwide asbestos settlement class.13 Already this trend has been denounced in the law reviews This Article places this development in the context of judicial gatekeeping more generally, borrowing from Professor Molot's recent recognition that different features of judicial management of civil litigation place varying stress on the traditional judicial function. Part I begins by noting the longstanding role of judges in fashioning and approving aggregation of litigation, and then Part II examines the 1966 amendment to Rule 23 and the constricted attitude toward certification that resulted from the Eisen decision against that background. Part III then contrasts that constricted gatekeeping role in regard to class certification with the steadily broadening gatekeeping required of judges in a variety of areas in which they are asked to perform tasks much further from traditional adjudication-including the handling of important aspects of class action practice-and Part IV finds that the recent embrace of merits scrutiny in relation to class certification is something of a "back to basics" development. Finally, Part V reflects briefly on where this development may lead.
Response to Pasalar et al.

To the Editor: We thank Drs Pasalar and Lankarani (1) for their interest in our paper (2). We agree that it would be useful to know for which gastrointestinal (GI) conditions patients find complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to be the most useful. Although we used the National Health Interview Survey, the largest nationally representative survey available with information on CAM use for GI conditions, our analysis was still limited by sample size. Given the small number of respondents who specifically use CAM for GI conditions (n=407), resultant cell sizes would be too small and the relative s.e. too large to comment on specific conditions and modalities, and in most cases would be inaccurate (3).
Cases: Implementing Operational Systems

Visits were made to 10 sites to study in greater detail the projects described in the mail survey. Chapter 13 describes two projects that illustrate operational uses of the technology. Chapter 14 describes five projects that have been implemented for strategic purposes. Since so many organizations are implementing kiosks, the last chapter discusses three very successful kiosk systems. Figure 13.1 lists the organizations and projects involved.
Animal cell culture equipment and techniques.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes some of the basics of cell-culture equipment and techniques, which are based on innovations, observations, realizations, accidents, mistakes, and misunderstandings encountered in cell-culture laboratories. The chapter discusses cell-culture equipment, such as hoods, incubators, microscopes, autoclaves, water purification and medium filtration devices, cell counters, liquid-nitrogen-storage tanks, water baths, centrifuges, refrigerators, and freezers. An outline of a laboratory design is also provided in the chapter. A potentially hazardous material can escape the room and enter the air supply, depending on how the room supply and exhaust is configured to respond when regular power is interrupted. These serious issues require consultation with engineers and institutional biosafety officers at the time of design and installation of proper equipment and regular inspection thereafter. Materials such as reagents, media and serum, cell-culture plasticware, and glassware that are required in a cell-culture laboratory are also enlisted in the chapter. Advances in cell culture have been made by supplementing or replacing serum with purified growth factors or hormones. The cell-culture methods that include sterile technique and routine procedures, primary culture, multipassage culture, cloning, and freezing cells are also discussed in the chapter.
Financial Infrastructure, Underwriter Reputations, and Securities Fraud

Prior studies on underwriter reputation focus on individual underwriters. However, it cannot explain the increasing trend of underwriters working in groups and the unusually high number of securities fraud lawsuits during the Internet bubble period. This paper shows empirically how the group's reputation affects individual underwriters' incentives to certify issues that do not merit certification and to assist certain clients to obtain public debt financing. Consistent with this collective reputation hypothesis, well-connected clients and co-led syndicate clients have a higher incidence of securities fraud litigation. These clients also receive higher bond prices, which could result from exploitation on investor beliefs by underwriters. Results also suggest that investors believe in more effective certification when more underwriters' reputations are at stake.
From insect to Internet: Situated control for networked robot teams

Ant-like systems take advantage of agents' i>situatedness to reduce or eliminate the need for centralized control or global knowledge. This reduces the need for complexity of individuals and leads to robust, scalable systems. Such insect-inspired situated approaches have proven effective both for task performance and task allocation. The desire for general, principled techniques for situated interaction has led us to study the exploitation of i>abstract situatedness – situatedness in non-physical environments. The i>port-arbitrated behavior-based control approach provides a well-structured abstract i>behavior space in which agents can participate in situated interaction. We focus on the problem of i>role assumption, distributed task allocation in which each agent selects its own task-performing role. This paper details our general, principled Broadcast of Local Eligibility (BLE) technique for role-assumption in such behavior-space-situated systems, and provides experimental results from the CMOMMT target-tracking task.
Improvements for image compression using adaptive principal component extraction (APEX)

The issues of image compression and pattern classification have been a primary focus of researchers among a variety of fields including signal and image processing, pattern recognition, data classification, etc. These issues depend on finding an efficient representation of the source data. In this paper we collate our earlier results where we introduced the application of the Hilbert scan to a principal component algorithm (PCA) with adaptive principal component extraction (APEX) neural network model. We apply these techniques to medical imaging, particularly image representation and compression. We apply the Hilbert scan to the APEX algorithm to improve results.
Effects of Some Antitumor Agents on Growth and Glycolytic Enzymes of the Flagellate Crithidia

Some antitumor agents known to specifically inhibit certain tumor cell enzymes were examined for activity against glycolytic enzymes and growth of the insect trypanosomatid, Crithidia fasciculata. The cytoplasmic enzymes hexokinase, α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, malic dehydrogenase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were tested. Agaricic acid (2-hydroxy-1,2,3-nonadecane tricarboxylic acid) was highly inhibitory (50 to 100%) to malic and α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases at ∼3 × 10−5m; 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylpropane (2 × 10−4m), and 5,6-dichloro-2-benzoxazolinone (5 × 10−4m) were less effective (50% inhibition) against them. The antiprotozoal agents primaquine (4 × 10−4m) and Melarsoprol (8 × 10−4m) were 30 to 40% inhibitory. Agaricic acid, 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenylpropane, and 5,6-dichloro-2-benzoxazolinone inhibited growth of Crithidia at less than 10−4m. Eight other test compounds from the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center (CCNSC) were not toxic to cell growth, although two (4-biphenylcarboxylic acid and 1-[p-chlorobenzyl]-2-ethyl-5-methyl-indole-3-acetic acid) inhibited Crithidia α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase below 1 mm. All of the compounds used specifically inhibited cancer cell α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase. The corresponding enzyme in pathogenic African trypanosomes is important in their terminal respiration. C. fasciculata may be useful in preliminary evaluation of chemotherapeutic agents as potential trypanocides.
PTSD Symptoms, Disability, and Social Support in the Acute Period after a Traumatic Injury: A Preliminary Investigation of Competing Hypotheses

PTSD Symptoms, Disability, and Social Support in the Acute Period after a Traumatic Injury: A Preliminary Investigation of Competing Hypotheses Social support is hypothesized to protect against PTSD symptoms and disability. However, few studies have examined the direction of the relation among these variables in the acute period after a trauma. The current study examined the relation between social support, PTSD symptoms, and disability in the 3-months after a traumatic injury.
Vienna Convention on Consular Relations: In Retrospect and into the Future

The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations has served the international community well by bringing clarity to the norms governing the activity of consular officers. It has had major impact in the protective activities of consuls, in particular in their protection for nationals arrested on a criminal charge in the receiving state.
Grades, Performance, Reputation, and Ratings: An Empirical Study

Previous research on student evaluation of teaching has explored the effect of expected grades but not the impact of a professor's reputation as an easy instructor. The current analysis shows that this reputation increases the expected grade, which in turn increases student ratings of the professor. Instructors with a reputation for giving high grades for relatively low quality work, may reduce the incentive for students to put forth sufficient effort to achieve a high level of competence. A promotion, tenure, and merit system that rewards this behavior can cause the pattern to proliferate and reduce the quality of the education.
Determinants of Latin America’s Overreliance on International Trade Taxation

This paper investigates the determinants of Latin America’s overreliance on international trade taxation as a source of governmental revenue. Latin America, more than any other region of the world relies on international trade taxation as a source for governmental revenue. A number of hypotheses are tested including ordinary least squares regressions of the effect of income inequality on the extent to which a country relies on international trade taxation as a source of governmental revenue. It is hypothesized that counties with high levels of income inequality have difficulty collecting income taxes and accordingly disproportionately rely on international trade taxation. The analysis indicates that there is a statistically significant correlation between Latin America’s high levels of income inequality and its reliance on international trade taxation as a source of governmental revenue. As a consequence of Latin America’s excessive reliance on international trade taxes further trade liberalization in the region will be unlikely.
Integrative visuomotor behavior is associated with interregionally coherent oscillations in the human brain.

Classen, Joseph, Christian Gerloff, Manabu Honda, and Mark Hallett. Integrative visuomotor behavior is associated with interregionally coherent oscillations in the human brain. J. Neurophysiol. 79:...
Three dimensional Monte-Carlo modeling of laser-tissue interaction

A full three dimensional Monte-Carlo program was developed for analysis of the laser-tissue interactions. This project was performed as a part of the LATIS3D (3-D Laser-TISsue interaction) project. The accuracy was verified against results from a public domain two dimensional axisymmetric program. The code was used for simulation of light transport in simplified human knee geometry. Using the real human knee meshes which will be extracted from MRI images in the near future, a full analysis of dosimetry and surgical strategies for photodynamic therapy of rheumatoid arthritis will be followed.
Clinical Use of the WISC-R, Mat-EF, and PPVT-R

To interpret a battery of tests, it is important to know how various measures are related among themselves. This article investigated the relation ships among the WISC-R (Wechsler, 1974), Matrix Analogies Test-Expanded Form (Naglieri, 1985a), and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test- Revised (Dunn & Dunn, 1981) with a referred school-age population. Specifically, the significance of the divergent validity of the verbal and nonverbal measures was tested to determine the extent to which practitioners should expect such results. Additionally, the differences between specific pairs of subtests (e.g., PIQ vs. MAT-EF) required for significance when one is interpreting results for an individual subject were computed. Implications for the use and interpretation of these measures as part of a test battery are presented.
Enhanced spectral resolution by high-dimensional NMR using the filter diagonalization method and “hidden” dimensions

Abstract High-dimensional (HD) NMR spectra have poorer digital resolution than low-dimensional (LD) spectra, for a fixed amount of experiment time. This has led to “reduced-dimensionality” strategies, in which several LD projections of the HD NMR spectrum are acquired, each with higher digital resolution; an approximate HD spectrum is then inferred by some means. We propose a strategy that moves in the opposite direction, by adding more time dimensions to increase the information content of the data set, even if only a very sparse time grid is used in each dimension. The full HD time-domain data can be analyzed by the filter diagonalization method (FDM), yielding very narrow resonances along all of the frequency axes, even those with sparse sampling. Integrating over the added dimensions of HD FDM NMR spectra reconstitutes LD spectra with enhanced resolution, often more quickly than direct acquisition of the LD spectrum with a larger number of grid points in each of the fewer dimensions. If the extra-dimensions do not appear in the final spectrum, and are used solely to boost information content, we propose the moniker hidden-dimension NMR. This work shows that HD peaks have unmistakable frequency signatures that can be detected as single HD objects by an appropriate algorithm, even though their patterns would be tricky for a human operator to visualize or recognize, and even if digital resolution in an HD FT spectrum is very coarse compared with natural line widths.
Simulation of metal matrix composite solidification in the presence of cooled fibers

Metal matrix composite (MMC) has been well known for its superior material properties compared with traditional composite. A new method is introduced to improve the properties of MMC in the sense that the ends of the reinforcement phase of the composite are allowed to extend out of the mold and cooled by a heat sink in order to promote the rate of heat transfer through the fibers and promote the formation of primary alpha phase around the reinforcement. This paper presents the experimental results obtained from the foundry in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and some numerical simulation results of the solidification process in the cast mold.
MAXIMIZING THE INFORMATION CONTENT OF MAPS OF SPATIAL-TEMPORAL DISEASE DISTRIBUTIONS

Mortality and morbidity data are often available by areal unit for consecutive time periods. Although disease data can be aggregated through time to dampen temporal fluctuations and probability theory can be used to indicate statistically significant extreme values, a more complete analysis considers not only the average value and variation of each mapping unit but a possible temporal trend as well. A method is presented for including all three aspects of a spatial-temporal data set in producing a single map of disease regions. Indexes of average value, variability, and trend are grouped onto a smaller number of principal components thereby providing orthogonal axes for the hierarchical clustering of the original areal units. This technique is demonstrated with county-unit data on diabetes mellitus for New York State for the thirteen year period 1957 through 1969. Les donnees sur la mortalite et morbidite dont nous disposons sont le plus souvent rapportees a une entite spaciale donnee pour des periodes co...
Pelvic pressure pack for catastrophic postpartum hemorrhage

Abstract Objective: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains one of the most common etiologies of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States and developing countries. Following emergency hysterectomy for PPH, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) may result in continued profound blood loss, shock, and maternal death. A review of the English literature showed that the pelvic pressure pack (PPP) successfully controlled severe pelvic hemorrhage in 100% (25/25) of the cases (3 ob, 22 gyn). Methods: Cases of PPP for severe ob/gyn hemorrhage were collected by the authors during the years 1968 and 1999. Pelvic pressure packs were constructed of various materials (eg, pillow cases, gauze sheets, X-ray cassette bags, or orthopedic stockings) filled with gauze rolls introduced abdominally and exiting the vagina. Results: We are reporting eight new cases (7 ob, 1 gyn). Massive erythrocycle transfusions were necessary in all cases (range 12 to 60 units). Laboratory-confirmed coagulopathy was documented in all cases (range of platelet count nadir 23–73 × 10 3 /μL). The PPP was successful in controlling hemorrhage in 88% (7/8) of cases, defined as being the final medical or surgical therapeutic maneuver for control of severe bleeding. Postoperative febrile morbidity was common. There were no maternal deaths. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the largest reported case series using the PPP for recalcitrant PPH. In the contemporary management of continued posthysterectomy bleeding secondary to DIC, the PPP is a valuable surgical option for all ob/gyns to be familiar with, pending correction of DIC and patient stabilization. Given a high occurrence of postoperative infection, prophylactic broad-spectrum antibiotics should be considered.
Bacteriophage λ: the untold story

The study of bacteriophage lambda has provided key insights into fundamental biological processes. This review recalls some highlights in the history of lambda research, and relates how simple (but elegant) experiments yielded major scientific breakthroughs. What we know about recombination, gene regulation, and protein folding, for example, derives in large part from bacteriophage lambda genetics. Lambda not only represents a model system of scientific logic in a technology-driven age, but continues to reveal new principles of molecular biology.
Coleridge and Liberal Religious Thought: Romanticism, Science and Theological Tradition Body and Soul in Coleridge's Notebooks, 1827–1834: “What is Life?”

Coleridge and Liberal Religious Thought: Romanticism, Science and Theological Tradition, by Graham Neville, London and New York, I.B. Tauris, 2010, x + 210 pp. Body and Soul in Coleridge's Notebook...
Effects of flood suppression on natricine snake diet and prey overlap

Organisms may become adapted to disturbances when these disturbances occur periodically and at intermediate intensity. To investigate the effects of flood suppression, this study compared diet and competition of semi-aquatic snakes during flood (2000–2001) and no flood (2003–2005) years. Three natricine species, Nerodia erythrogaster (Forster in Bossu, 1771), Nerodia fasciata (L., 1766), and Thamnophis proximus (Say in James, 1823), were palpated for prey items in an east Texas floodplain under both conditions. Prey items were classified as crayfish, salamanders, anurans, or fish. Simpson’s diversity index of prey, frequency of consumed prey type, and prey importance values were compared between flood and no flood years. Pianka’s index of niche overlap was used to compare changes in diet overlap between species in the years with floods and those without. In the absence of floods, the number of prey types consumed by N. erythrogaster and T. proximus decreased. The frequency of prey types consumed during fl...
In vivo nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of immobilization effects on glucose metabolism of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Fermentation rates and intracellular compositions have been determined for alginate-entrapped Saccharomyces cerevisiae and for identical cells in suspension. Glucose uptake and ethanol and glycerol production are approximately two times faster in immobilized cells than in suspended cells. Phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of fermenting immobilized and suspended cells shows differences in intermediate metabolite levels such as fructose-1,6 diphosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, and 3-phosphoglycerate and in internal pH. Carbon-13 NMR shows an increase in polysaccharide production. These data suggest that immobilization has accelerated the rate of glucose transport or of glucose phosphorylation. These effects of immobilization upon cell metabolism are observed in a very short period of time under conditions in which negligible DNA, RNA, or protein synthesis takes place.
Aesthetics in Gao's Soul Mountain

In her article "Aesthetics in Gao's Soul Mountain" Mabel Lee analyses Nobel Laureate 2000 Xingjian Gao's aesthetics. Transnational conglomerates today control the book industry from publishing house to bookshop and through aggressive market strategies they exert considerable influence on readers. Nonetheless, there are writers who refuse to capitulate to market demands and seek only to actualize their aesthetic ideas in the creation of literary texts. One such writer is Gao, author of the novel Soul Mountain. Lee posits that Gao's aesthetics is founded on the close interrogation of both Chinese and European models and practices and explores specific aspects of Gao's aesthetics and how these are embedded in his novel Soul Mountain. In an Appendix the article includes lists of Gao's works in Chinese and English, as well as a list of studies on his oeuvre. Mabel Lee, "Aesthetics in Gao's Soul Mountain" page 2 of 11 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 14.4 (2012):
Atomic displacements in alloys

The atoms in an alloy move away from their ideal lattice sites because of thermal vibrations and the static displacements that are due to the difference in atomic sizes. These vibrations and displacements are simulated using molecular dynamics and potentials obtained from the embedded atom method. The thermal vibrations of pure copper are shown. The static displacements for copper-gold, copper-palladium, and copper-aluminum are calculated and displayed.
A Note on the Use of Missing Auxiliary Variables in Full Information Maximum Likelihood-Based Structural Equation Models

Recent missing data studies have argued in favor of an “inclusive analytic strategy” that incorporates auxiliary variables into the estimation routine, and Graham (2003) outlined methods for incorporating auxiliary variables into structural equation analyses. In practice, the auxiliary variables often have missing values, so it is reasonable to ask whether the inclusion of such variables will improve the estimation of model parameters. Simulation results indicated that the proportion of missing data and the missing data mechanism of the auxiliary variables had little impact on bias. Even when an auxiliary variable was missing not at random, bias was relegated to the auxiliary variable portion of the model, and did not propagate into the model of substantive interest. The study results suggest that the inclusion of an auxiliary variable is beneficial, even if the auxiliary variable has a substantial proportion of missing data.
The Effect of Calcination on H2 Spillover in Pt/MoO3: II. Kinetic Modeling

Abstract The effect of catalyst preparation on the the morphology of Pt/MoO3 and the kinetic effects of hydrogen spillover have been quantitatively investigated in this second of two works. A simplified intrinsic kinetics model of hydrogen spillover has been used to simulate two series of ITR and TPR experiments in Pt/MoO3 samples. An interpretation of the experimental results consistent with the assumed mechanism is as follows: (1) For the noncalcined or low-temperature (100°C) calcined samples, formation of the hydrogen bronze occurs by a series-parallel mechanism; first, reduction of the MoO3 surface by hydrogen spillover from Pt must occur, but then direct adsorption of H2 onto the partially reduced MoO3 surface supplies most of the hydrogen to the MoO3 bulk. (2) In the high-temperature calcined samples, hydrogen spillover is effectively the single bronze formation pathway and rate-determining step, as the rate of spillover increases by three orders of magnitude with respect to the noncalcined sample and is much faster than direct adsorption onto the partially reduced MoO3 surface. (3) In simulations of the high-temperature calcined samples, the activation energy for spillover decreases a small amount, while the preexponential factor increases over 200 times. The most plausible explanation for these trends is thought to be a lessening of blockage of adlineation sites or hindrance of hydrogen diffusion across the Pt surface by residual chlorine.
Cure and Prevention of Vitamin E-Deficient Muscular Dystrophy with Synthetic α-Tocopherol Acetate:

ConclusionFrom these results it may be concluded that subcutaneous injections of synthetic α-tocopherol acetate are effective in both the cure of and the prevention of the nutritional muscular dystrophy seen in rats maintained from an early age on a vitamin E-deficient diet.
Medullary control of lumbar motoneurons during carbachol-induced motor inhibition

Abstract The present study examined the effects of stimulation of the medullary nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRGc) on the Ia-monosynaptic reflex and the membrane potential of lumbar motoneurons. Stimulation of the NRGc was carried out in acute decerebrate cats during motor suppression induced by the intrapontine microinjection of carbachol. During carbachol-induced motor suppression, compared with control conditions (prior to the administration of carbachol), NRGc stimulation resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the Ia-monosynaptic reflex. This effect was maximal at an interval of 45 ms following NRGc stimulation. NRGc stimulation also induced, in lumbar motoneurons, a large amplitude (3.17mV± 0.36 [S.E.M.]), long duration (54.73ms± 3.52 [S.E.M.]) inhibitory postsynaptic potential whose peak coincided with the interval of maximum reflex suppression. These results suggest that carbachol activates pontine neurons that excite cells of the medullary NRGc. We believe that these medullary neurons, in addition to those of the nucleus pontis oralis (NPO)7, participate in the modulation of the descending inhibitory pathway that is responsible for the phenomenon of response-reversal5,15 and generalized atonia during naturally occurring active (i.e. REM) sleep.
The Career Futures Inventory: A Measure of Career-Related Adaptability and Optimism:

The purpose of this study was to provide initial results on the development and validation of the Career Futures Inventory (CFI), a new 25-item measure of positive career planning attitudes. Items were originated using the rational method. Results from an item analysis of scale homogeneity and exploratory factor analysis in a sample of 690 undergraduates from a large midwestern university revealed three subscales: Career Adaptability, Career Optimism, and Perceived Knowledge. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the three-factor model provided an excellent fit to the data. Additional analyses established high internal consistency, temporal stability, and construct validity through examination of correlates with dispositional optimism, Big Five personality characteristics, generalized problem solving, vocationally relevant self-efficacy, interests, and numerous career-relevant attitudes and outcomes. Implications for future research and counseling practice are discussed.
The Johnson Club and Late Victorian Literary Culture

In 1902 both the Order of Merit and the British Academy came into being. As David Cannadine has noted, Gladstonian liberals including Lord Rosebery, John Morley and Sir G.O. Trevelyan occupied a key segment of the newly formed elite with several others who were admitted to one or both of the new groups, belonged to the Club, the private society founded by Samuel Johnson and Joshua Reynolds in 1764. In fact several members took a leading part in the negotiations leading to the establishment of the Academy. The article seeks to demonstrate the significance of the Club in promoting what Cannadine terms ‘liberal and literary culture’ in the later nineteenth century. A detailed examination of the membership shows a broad array of high achievers in the arts and sciences, as well as many individuals who held important public office. In particular, the Club elected a remarkable group of distinguished Victorian historians, including Macaulay, Grote, Froude, Lecky, Acton, Maine, Stubbs and Creighton. At the end of ...
Differing roles of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of acute edematous versus necrotizing pancreatitis

Abstract Background. Microcirculatory changes and leukocyte-endothelial interaction are both central to the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. We studied the effects of nitric oxide (NO) donors (intravenous or inhaled) and NO inhibitors, which affect each of these processes, on markers of experimental mild (edematous) and severe (necrotizing) pancreatitis in rats. Methods. Mild pancreatitis was induced with intravenous cerulein (n = 100) and severe pancreatitis with intravenous cerulein and intraductal glycodeoxycholic acid (n = 100). Each group was randomly divided into five equal treatment subgroups: control, NO-synthase substrate L-arginine, NO donor sodium nitroprusside, NO-synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME), and NO-inhalation. After 6 hours edema was measured by a wet/dry weight ratio, and pancreatic injury was quantified by tissue levels of trypsinogen activation peptides (TAPs) and by histologic analysis of inflammation and necrosis. Results. In mild pancreatitis (1) both NO donors reduced edema formation (p l -NAME significantly increased tissue TAPs (p l -NAME did not further increase the already high tissue TAPs; and (3) inhaled NO decreased tissue TAPs (p = 0.01). Evaluation of inflammation and necrosis by histologic scoring confirmed the reduction of pancreatic injury by NO donors and worsening with NO-synthase inhibitor. Conclusions. NO donors have a beneficial effect on edema formation in acute pancreatitis but confer more important protection against ectopic trypsinogen activation, which correlates with mortality, inflammation, and necrosis. Although direct microcirculatory action is likely, the salutary effect of inhaled NO in severe pancreatitis may suggest indirect action on circulating leukocytes, which are thought to potentiate tissue injury.
The Power of Suggestion

Broadly speaking, clinical decision support has always existed in medicine through tools clinicians create that help them make accurate, reliable, and efficient decisions. In the modern era, a clinical decision support system (CDSS) refers to “any electronic system designed to aid directly in
Distinct structural and adhesive roles of Ca2+ in membrane binding of blood coagulation factors.

SUMMARY The GLA domain, a common membrane-anchoring domain of several serine protease coagulation factors, is a key element in membrane association and activation of these factors in a highly Ca 2+ -dependent manner. However, the critical role of Ca 2+ ions in binding is only poorly understood. Here, we present the atomic model of a membrane-bound GLA domain by using MD simulations of the GLA domain of human factor VIIa and an anionic lipid bilayer. The binding is furnished through a complete insertion of the u-loop into the membrane and through direct interactionsofstructurallyboundCa 2+ ionsandprotein side chains with negative lipids. The model suggests that Ca 2+ ions play two distinct roles in the process: the four inner Ca 2+ ions are primarily responsible for optimal folding of the GLA domain for membrane insertion, whereas the outer Ca 2+ ions anchor the protein to the membrane through direct contacts with lipids.
Dynamic pricing of remanufacturable products under demand substitution: a product life cycle model

We consider a manufacturer who sells both the new and remanufactured versions of a product over its life cycle. The manufacturer’s profit depends crucially on her ability to synchronize product returns with the sales of the remanufactured product. This gives rise to a challenging dynamic optimization problem where the size of both the market and the user pool are dynamic and their current values depend on the entire history. We provide an analytical characterization of the manufacturer’s optimal pricing, production, and inventory policies which lead to a practical threshold policy with a small optimality gap. In addition, our analysis offers a number of interesting insights. First, the timing of remanufacturing activity and its co-occurrence with new product manufacturing critically depends on remanufacturing cost benefits, attractiveness of the remanufactured product and product return rate. Second, there is a small upward jump in the price of the new product when remanufacturing is introduced. Third, the manufacturer keeps the new product longer on the market as the cost of remanufacturing decreases. Fourth, partially satisfying demand for the remanufactured item is never optimal, i.e., it is satisfied either fully or not at all. Finally, user pool and inventory of returned products are substitutes in ensuring the supply for future remanufacturing.
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Inhibits Fas Antigen-Mediated Gastric Mucosal Cell Apoptosis through Actin-Dependent Inhibition of Receptor Aggregation

Escape from normal apoptotic controls is thought to be essential for the development of cancer. During Helicobacter pylori infection, the leading cause of gastric cancer, activation of the Fas antigen (Fas Ag) apoptotic pathway is responsible for early atrophy and tissue loss. As disease progresses, metaplastic and dysplastic glands arise which express Fas Ag but are resistant to apoptosis and are believed to be the precursor cells for adenocarcinoma. In this report, we show that one mechanism of acquired Fas resistance is inhibition of receptor aggregation via a major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)-mediated, actin-dependent mechanism. For these studies we used the well-described C57BL/6 mouse model of Helicobacter pylori and Helicobacter felis infection. Under normal conditions, Fas Ag is expressed at low levels, and MHCII expression on gastric mucosal cells is negligible. With infection and inflammation, both receptors are upregulated, and 6.1% of gastric mucosal cells express MHCII in combination with Fas Ag. Using the rat gastric mucosal cell line RGM-1 transfected with murine Fas Ag and MHCIIαβ chains, we demonstrate that MHCII prevents Fas receptor aggregation and inhibits Fas-mediated signaling through its effects on the actin cytoskeleton. Depolymerization of actin with cytochalasin D allows receptors to aggregate and restores Fas sensitivity. These findings offer one mechanism by which gastric mucosal cells acquire Fas resistance.
An inexpensive marking technique to assess ingestion of formulated feeds by larval fish.

Abstract A fluorescent pigment effectively served as a marker to determine the ingestion of feed by larval hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis × M. chrysops). Preparation of the marked feed and evaluation procedures for detection are simple and rapid. The pigment readily dispersed throughout small-diameter feed particles with a high lipid content. This method of marking should serve as a useful tool for investigating the feeding behavior of larval fish.
Effect of Local Alignment on Compartmental Patterns of Knee Osteoarthritis

Background: Previous studies have shown that lower-extremity malalignment increases the risk and rate of progression of knee osteoarthritis. The authors of such studies have used full-length lower-extremity radiographs to quantify alignment. However, a radiograph that includes only the knee is commonly ordered for a patient with early symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether local malalignment, as determined with use of a standing short knee radiograph, is associated with an increased risk of having osteoarthritis and having more severe compartmental disease. Methods: Short fluoroscopically guided standing anteroposterior knee radiographs of 306 patients (608 knees) with radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis were used to determine the compartment-specific Kellgren-Lawrence grade of osteoarthritis and the local (distal femoral to proximal tibial) knee alignment. The relationship between local alignment and compartmental patterns of osteoarthritis was assessed. Results: Each degree of increase in the local varus angle was associated with a significantly increased risk of having predominantly medial compartment osteoarthritis, even when we adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 1.49; p < 0.001). A similar association was found between valgus angulation and lateral compartment osteoarthritis (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.36 to 1.75; p < 0.001). Analysis of the 362 knees with predominantly medial compartment osteoarthritis showed that each degree of increase in the varus angle was associated with a significantly increased adjusted risk of having severe medial disease (odds ratio, 1.52, p < 0.001). In the forty-seven knees with predominantly lateral compartment osteoarthritis, a similar trend was found between an increase in the valgus angle and the severity of the lateral disease, with the results approaching but not reaching significance. Conclusions: In patients with early symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, there is a clear relationship between local knee alignment, as determined from short standing knee radiographs, and the compartmental pattern and severity of the knee osteoarthritis. This study provides data with which physicians can assess how knee alignment contributes to the observed patterns and severity of osteoarthritis in an individual patient. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Assessing Potential Financial Problems for Firms in Brazil

This paper examines the recent business failure experience in Brazil and develops, tests, and analyzes a quantitative model for classifying and predicting serious financial problems of companies. It utilizes a bankruptcy classification model developed by Altman (1968) in order to classify Brazilian firms during the period 1973 to 1976. A sample of 23 serious–problem firms is compared with a slightly larger control sample of healthy firms. A four–variable model successfully classified 88 percent of the firms one year prior to serious problems and as much as 78 percent three years prior. The importance of models that highlight financial problems early enough to suggest remedial changes is apparent in Brazil. For example an equilibrium situation between the domestic private sector, multinationals and public–owned firms is more likely to continue if weaker domestic firms can be helped and preserved. The application of such models by financial institutions and for financial market analysis is comparable to that in the United States and other developed countries. Finally, the paper explores the application of such models in developing countries.
Differential affective responses in those with aggressive versus non-aggressive antisocial behaviors

Abstract Affective dysfunction has been robustly tied to antisocial behavior, but little research has evaluated whether affective responses vary differentially with its aggressive (AGG) and rule-breaking (RB) subtypes. We therefore examined whether changes in negatively valenced affect (elicited via written recollection of one’s best and worst life experiences) were linked to level (i.e., low, average, high) and type (i.e., AGG, RB) of antisocial behavior. The sample consisted of 288 undergraduate men. Results suggested a general trait-like association between negative affect and AGG. However, this association varied across experimental conditions. In particular, the potentiation of negative affect following an aversive task was consistently associated with AGG. RB, by contrast, demonstrated little to no association with negative affect in any condition. Such findings imply that the link between antisocial behavior and affective dysregulation is largely specific to its aggressive subtype, and does not persist to non-aggressive antisocial behavior.
Effect of stenting after laryngotracheal reconstruction in a subglottic stenosis model.

OBJECTIVES This study addresses the impact of stenting on early wound healing after laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in a rabbit model with established subglottic stenosis.METHODS Subglottic stenosis was created in 42 New Zealand white rabbits through a transoral, endoscopic technique. Three weeks later, endoscopy and axial CT were performed to document and grade the degree of stenosis. Subsequently, LTR was performed in all animals, with half of the animals receiving an intraluminal stent. Four rabbits from each group were euthanized on postoperative days 6, 9, 14, 21, and 28. Measurements of graft vascularization were obtained with a computerized image measurement program, and a comparison was made regarding the rate of vascularization.RESULTS There was a statistically significant increase in the rate of vascularization in the stented group (mean 75% ± 5% vs 56% ± 3% at day 14; P < 0.05). However, clinical and radiographic comparisons of the stented and nonstented specimens revealed a trend toward i...
Housing price declines and household balance sheets

Abstract Data from a new national household survey quantify recent changes in household balance sheets and estimate the likely losses on home mortgages through June 2009. We find a fairly small fraction of high loan-to-value mortgages are at risk of default.
Sparse control for high-DOF assistive robots

Human control of high degree-of-freedom robotic systems can often be difficult due to a sparse control problem. This problem relates to the disparity in the amount of information required by the robot’s control variables and the relatively small volume of information a human can specify. To address the sparse control problem, we propose the use of subspaces embedded within the pose space of a robotic system. Driven by human motion, our approach is to uncover 2D subspaces using dimension reduction techniques that allow cursor control, or eventually decoding of neural activity, to drive a robotic hand. We investigate the use of five dimension reduction and manifold learning techniques to estimate a 2D subspace of hand poses for the purpose of generating motion. The use of shape descriptors for representing hand pose is additionally explored for dealing with occluded parts of the hand during data collection. We demonstrate the use of 2D subspaces of power and precision grasps for driving a physically simulated hand from 2D mouse input.