cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NETWORK ACTIVATION DURING BIMANUAL MOVEMENTS IN HUMANS

The coordination of movement between the upper limbs is a function highly distributed across the animal kingdom. How the central nervous system generates such bilateral, synchronous movements, and how this differs from the generation of unilateral movements, remain uncertain. Electrophysiologic and functional imaging studies support that the activity of many brain regions during bimanual and unimanual movement is quite similar. Thus, the same brain regions (and indeed the same neurons) respond similarly during unimanual and bimanual movements as measured by electrophysiological responses. How then are different motor behaviors generated? To address this question, we studied unimanual and bimanual movements using fMRI and constructed networks of activation using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Our results suggest that (1) the dominant hemisphere appears to initiate activity responsible for bimanual movement; (2) activation during bimanual movement does not reflect the sum of right and left unimanual activation; (3) production of unimanual movement involves a network that is distinct from, and not a mirror of, the network for contralateral unimanual movement; and (4) using SEM, it is possible to obtain robust group networks representative of a population and to identify individual networks which can be used to detect subtle differences both between subjects as well as within a single subject over time. In summary, these results highlight a differential role for the dominant and non-dominant hemispheres during bimanual movements, further elaborating the concept of handedness and dominance. This knowledge increases our understanding of cortical motor physiology in health and after neurological damage.
Theoretical analysis of hydrolysis of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)

Silicones (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS) are the materials currently used in most breast implants. ICP and FTIR analysis of the tissue capsule around aged breast implants and in vitro models show that Si-containing material is leaking from the PDMS implants. In this study, the hydrolysis of PDMS has been theoretically modeled using a semi-empirical quantum mechanical method called AM1. The activation barrier for removing a methanol monomer was found to be +82 Kcal/mol while the removal of a methane monomer was +41 Kcal/mol. Using the same AM1 method, hydrolysis of the ≃Si\-O\-Si≃ bond also has been modeled for pentasilicic acid and, in this study, for 1,1,3,3,-tetramethyldisiloxane-1,3-diol. The barrier to the removal of a silicon-containing tetrahedron for both studies was found to be +27 Kcal/mol. This is approximately one and a half times smaller than the energy of that needed to remove a methyl group. The pentacoordinated silicon-activated transition state for hydrolysis of PDMS may provide an energetically favorable pathway for development of a surface that will enhance chemisorption of charged protein molecules, and such a pathway may show up in NMR studies of the hydrolysis of PDMS. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sugarbeet canopy type and accumulation of plant nitrogen as delineated by aerial photography and global positioning systems

Abstract Considerable within‐field variation in the N content and appearance of sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaf canopies is found often at root harvest. Since this heterogeneity can affect subsequent soil N mineralization, a study was initiated to determine if the within‐field variation could be identified and located by aerial photography and a global positioning system (GPS). An aerial color photograph was taken of a commercial sugarbeet field prior to harvest. Three reflectance patterns associated with different degrees of canopy greenness ("green”; [G], “yellow‐green”; [YG] and “yellow”; [Y]) were identified readily. Four areas, each approximately 0.8 ha in size, with these three canopy types were selected. The canopy subsites were located by use of a GPS unit. The G, YG, and Y canopy types contained 277, 138, and 85 kg N ha‐1, respectively, in sugarbeet tops. The corresponding leaf N concentrations were 30.6, 20.1, and 15.8 g kg‐1, respectively. Postharvest soil NO3‐N levels in the upper 120 cm of ...
Recommending a value for the Newtonian gravitational constant.

The primary objective of the CODATA Task Group on Fundamental Constants is ‘to periodically provide the scientific and technological communities with a self-consistent set of internationally recommended values of the basic constants and conversion factors of physics and chemistry based on all of the relevant data available at a given point in time’. I discuss why the availability of these recommended values is important and how it simplifies and improves science. I outline the process of determining the recommended values and introduce the principles that are used to deal with discrepant results. In particular, I discuss the specific challenges posed by the present situation of gravitational constant experimental results and how these principles were applied to the most recent 2010 recommended value. Finally, I speculate about what may be expected for the next recommended value of the gravitational constant scheduled for evaluation in 2014.
Correlation among maximal urethral closure pressure, retrograde leak point pressure, and abdominal leak point pressure in men with postprostatectomy stress incontinence

Objectives To assess the correlation among abdominal leak point pressure (ALPP), maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP), and retrograde leak point pressure (RLPP) in the evaluation of men with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after radical prostatectomy. Methods Patients were evaluated with a self-administered questionnaire regarding pad use and with multichannel videourodynamics. The ALPP, MUCP, and RLPP were compared with each other and with the severity of SUI. Results The mean ALPP was 49.4 ± 24.4 cm H2O. The mean MUCP was 52.0 ± 21.1 cm H2O. The mean RLPP was 48.0 ± 13.5 cm H2O. No statistically significant difference in the mean values of the three parameters was found. Regression analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation among the three parameters: RLPP versus MUCP, r = 0.59, P <0.005; MUCP versus ALPP, r = 0.75, P <0.0001; and RLPP versus ALPP, r = 0.79, P <0.0001. ALPP, MUCP, and RLPP were each significantly related to pad use. Conclusions Intrinsic sphincter deficiency is the primary cause of SUI after radical prostatectomy. Therefore, evaluation of intrinsic sphincter function is important in the treatment of postprostatectomy SUI. In incontinent men after radical prostatectomy, with a dysfunctional bladder neck and proximal sphincter unit, the intrinsic function of this distal sphincter may be assessed equally well by evaluating the resistance to antegrade leakage, retrograde leakage, or profilometric measurement of the urethral closure pressure. RLPP and MUCP offer reliable alternatives to ALPP for the evaluation of postprostatectomy SUI.
The control of the smectite–illite transition on passive-roof duplex formation: Canadian Rockies Foothills, Alberta

Abstract The roof decollement to the passive-roof duplex and triangle zone in the central Foothills, Rocky Mountain thrust belt is located within a sequence of siliciclastic sediments dominated by shale/mudstone. It is unclear why the decollement is found at a certain level in the stratigraphy, when the whole package appears to have similar lithilogical and hence mechanical properties. Investigation of the mineralogy of the mudstones reveals that the clay fraction preserves a smectite-to-illite transition, which formed during maximum burial conditions. The top of the transition is associated with the top of the roof decollement in the region. In the Gulf of Mexico, the transition correlates with both a zone of overpressure, favorable for detachment, and a corresponding drop in density (rise in porosity). In the Foothills, the transition also records a drop in density and a concomitant drop in sonic velocity. By analogy with the Gulf of Mexico, the drop in density may record a paleo-overpressured horizon that was favorable for detachment and formation of a roof decollement in the Foothills.
Variance as a signature of neural computations during decision-making

SUMMARY Traditionally, insights into neural computation have been furnished by averaged firing rates from many stimulus repetitions or trials. We pursue an analysis of neural response variance to unveil neural computations that cannot be discerned from measures of average firing rate. We analyzed single-neuron recordings from the lateral intraparietal area (LIP), during a perceptual decision-making task. Spike count variance was divided into two components using the law of total variance for doubly stochastic processes: (1) variance of counts that would be produced by a stochastic point process with a given rate, and loosely (2) the variance of the rates that would produce those counts (i.e., ‘‘conditional expectation’’). The variance and correlation of the conditional expectation exposed several neural mechanisms: mixtures of firing rate states preceding the decision, accumulation of stochastic ‘‘evidence’’ during decision formation, and a stereotyped response at decision end. These analyses help to differentiate among several alternative decisionmaking models.
Environmental Implications of Biofuels - Theoretical and Empirical Analysis for the EU and US

In this paper, we present a theoretical framework on positive and negative environmental implications of biofuels and underpin this discussion with an empirical analysis for the European Union 27 (EU) and the United States of America (US). Based on the framework and by means of time series analysis, we estimate CO2 reductions as a positive result of biofuels consumption and the fertilization increase as a negative effect of biofuels production in the EU and US in 2006-2018. Furthermore, we point out a number of questions to be addressed with regard to environmental issues in the biofuels policy in the future.
Photochemical release of methotrexate from folate receptor-targeting PAMAM dendrimer nanoconjugate

Nanoparticle (NP)-based targeted drug delivery involves cell-specific targeting followed by a subsequent therapeutic action from the therapeutic carried by the NP system. NPs conjugated with methotrexate (MTX), a potent inhibitor of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) localized in cytosol, have been under investigation as a delivery system to target cancer cells to enhance the therapeutic index of methotrexate, which is otherwise non-selectively cytotoxic. Despite improved therapeutic activity from MTX-conjugated NPs in vitro and in vivo, the therapeutic action of these conjugates following cellular entry is poorly understood; in particular it is unclear whether the therapeutic activity requires release of the MTX. This study investigates whether MTX must be released from a nanoparticle in order to achieve the therapeutic activity. We report herein light-controlled release of methotrexate from a dendrimer-based conjugate and provide evidence suggesting that MTX still attached to the nanoconjugate system is fully able to inhibit the activity of its enzyme target and the growth of cancer cells.
Learning Style Dimensions and Professional Characteristics of Academic Librarians

Do librarians with different characteristics, such as type of work responsibilities or age, have different learning styles? The authors analyzed results from over 1,500 responses to a version of the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) questionnaire based on the Felder-Silverman Learning Styles model. This model consists of eight dimensions paired on four scales: Active/Reflective; Sensing/Intuitive; Visual/Verbal; and Sequential/Global. In addition to their scores on the ILS questionnaire, respondents were also asked about demographic and professional characteristics. Statistically significant differences in learning style scores were found to exist between librarians with different types of position responsibilities. In particular, for three out of four scales, catalogers have statistically different learning styles than other librarian groups. Recognition of different learning styles and thoughtful integration of appropriate teaching styles may improve workplace interpersonal communication, enhance professional development and staff training, and strengthen teaching.
The Role of Limbic and Hypothalamic Corticotropin‐Releasing Factor in Behavioral Responses to Stress

CRF in the central nervous system appears to have activating properties on behavior and to coordinate behavioral responses to stress. These behavioral effects of CRF appear to be independent of the pituitary-adrenal axis and can be reversed by a CRF antagonist, alpha-helical CRF9-41. The CRF antagonist reverses not only decreases in behavior associated with stress, but also increases in behavior associated with stress, thus suggesting that the role of CRF is stress dependent and not intrinsic to a given behavioral response. Further, microinjection of alpha-helical CRF9-41 and immunotargeting of CRF neurons in separate brain compartments reveal a link between the anatomical sites that contain CRF and the nature of the behavioral response to stress that can be modified by suppression of endogenous CRF activity therein. Hence, consistent with the dual role of other hypothalamic-releasing factors in integrating hormonal and neural mechanisms by acting both as secretagogues for anterior pituitary hormones and as extrapituitary peptide neurotransmitters, CRF may coordinate coping responses to stress at several bodily levels (Fig. 6). Moreover, dysfunction in such a fundamental homeostatic system may be the key to a variety of pathophysiological conditions including mental disorders.
Work Stress and Problem Alcohol Behavior: A Test of the Spillover Model

Although previous research has found weak support for the model of stressful work ‘spilling over’ to negative coping responses during nonwork hours, we argue that a variety of conceptual and methodological problems may partially explain the weak and inconsistent findings. Two important shortcomings are inadequately specified models and a failure to consider nonescapist responses to job-related stress. We therefore propose that there may be escapist (i.e. increased drinking, working through job dissatisfaction for those who believe that alcohol consumption is an effective means to reduce stress) and nonescapist (i.e. decreased drinking for those who are dissatisfied with their jobs but do not believe alcohol is an effective coping strategy) responses to work stress. These hypotheses were tested on a sample of 972 production workers in the Pacific northwest. Results show moderate support for the existence of both escapist and nonescapist responses to job-related stresses. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards scalable utilization of embedded manycores in throughput-sensitive applications

Variants of dataflow specification models are widely used to synthesize streaming applications for distributed-memory parallel processors. We argue that current practice of specifying streaming applications using rigid dataflow models, implicitly prohibits a number of platform oriented optimizations and hence, has limited portability and scalability with respect to number of processors. We motivate Functionally-cOnsistent stRucturally-MalLEabe Streaming Specification, dubbed FORMLESS, which refers to raising the abstraction level beyond fixed-structure dataflow to address its portability and scalability limitations. To demonstrate the potential of the idea, we develop a design space exploration scheme to customize the application model for the target platform. Experiments with several common streaming case studies demonstrate improved portability and scalability over conventional dataflow specification models, and confirm the effectiveness of our approach.
AUTOIMMUNE THYROIDDISEASE AND THYROID CELL CLASS II MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX ANTIGENS

Differences in the immune response to antigenic stimuli, including thyroid autoantigens, have been linked to a group of genes known collectively as the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), which in humans is referred to as the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complex (Benacerraf, 1981). These genes encode a series of polymorphic cell surface molecules; the class I, 11 & I11 antigens. Classically, class I antigens are expressed on all nucleated cells in the body and are recognized by cytotoxic and suppressor T cells. Class I1 antigens, however, are primarily restricted in their constitutive expression to cells of the immune system and are recognized by the T helper cell subset. Class I11 antigens represent components of the complement pathway. Theories on the aetiology of autoimmune thyroid disease have often invoked a ‘thyroid component’ to such immune responses, but the evidence has been indirect and usually in the form of inherited metabolic abnormalities present in the thyroid cell rather than an immunologically-defined antigen (Wick et al., 1982). However, recent studies on intrathyroidal lymphocyte function have demonstrated the potent role of thyroid antigenic stimulation within the target organ (Totterman et al., 1979; McLachlan et al., 1983; Londei et al., 1984). The finding of MHC class I1 antigens on the surface of the murine thyroid cell (Salamero et al., 1981), and later in human thyroid epithelium (Hanafusa et al., 1983), has focused attention on the generalized facilitation by MHC class I1 antigens in the development of thyroid autoimmunity. This review includes a basic introduction to the class I1 antigens and discusses our present understanding of their involvement in the development of human thyroid autoimmunity.
The Infrared and Raman Spectra of β-and α-Tricalcium Phosphate (Ca3(Po4)2)

Abstract Factor group analysis was applied to interpret the vibrational spectra of β-and α-tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2). The analysis predicts the number of bands formed due to the splitting of the fundamental vibrational modes of the PO4 3-ion. The number of the infrared and Raman bands predicted by this analysis for the two phases are drastically different and can be ascribed to the difference in atomic arrangements in the two phases resulting in greater shielding of the PO4 3-ions in the β-phase than in the α-phase. Discrepancies in the number of predicted and experimentally-observed bands can be attributed to the weak intensities of some vibrational modes or the convolution of vibrations and limited spectral resolution.
Serum vitamin D concentrations are related to depression in young adult US population: the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background: Vitamin D receptors have been mapped throughout the brain suggesting a role for vitamin D in psychosomatic disorders. Results from previous epidemiological studies on relation between vitamin D status and depression are equivocal. Also, limited information is available relating vitamin D status with depression in young adult US population. Methods: Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to assess association between serum vitamin D and depression in 7970 non-institutionalized US residents, aged 15-39 y. Assessment of depression was done using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule developed by the National Institute of Mental Health. After accounting for several confounding variables in multivariate logistic regression analysis, we estimated odds ratios (OR) for having depression in vitamin D deficient persons in comparison to vitamin D sufficient persons. Results: Women, non-Hispanic blacks, persons living below poverty, persons who did not consume supplements, persons living in South and West regions and in urban areas, persons with higher BMI, and persons with current depression had higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to their counterparts. OR for having current depressive episodes in persons with serum vitamin D ≤ 50 nmol/L is significantly higher relative to those with serum vitamin D ≥ 75 nmol/L (OR = 1.85; P = 0.021). Conclusions: In this large population based study, likelihood of having depression in persons with vitamin D deficiency is significantly higher compared to those with vitamin D sufficiency. Early diagnosis and intervention are paramount because coexistence of vitamin D deficiency and depression has serious negative consequences on health.
Squeezing electromagnetic energy through narrow 3-D coaxial channels of arbitrary shape filled with Epsilon-Near-Zero materials

The present work studies the propagation of waves through a metallic coaxial waveguide with symmetry of rotation, filled with an epsiv-near-zeroENZ material.
Hypertrophic mononeuritis clinically presenting with painful legs and moving toes

A 40-year-old woman presented with progressive lower leg pain and spontaneous toe movement. The EMG showed a posterior tibial nerve mononeuropathy and continuous myokymic discharges in posterior tibial-innervated muscles. The MRI revealed a markedly enlarged posterior tibial nerve. Toe movements and myokymia were unaffected by the proximal transection of the lesion but ceased abruptly when the distal end of the fusiform "tumor" was resected, suggesting that spontaneous electrical foci may have been located along the nerve lesion. The markedly enlarged nerve segment contained edematous, swollen fascicles with marked Schwann cell onion-bulb lesions and angiocentric, lymphocytic, and lymphofollicular infiltration. This nerve lesion is an example of a newly recognized entity called hypertrophic mononeuritis.
Geochemistry, water balance, and stable isotopes of a “clean” pit lake at an abandoned tungsten mine, Montana, USA

Abstract The Calvert Mine is a small tungsten-rich (scheelite) skarn deposit in a remote, mountainous region of southwest Montana, USA. The open-pit mine closed in the 1970s and subsequently flooded to form a pit lake that is roughly conical in shape, 30 m deep and 120 m in diameter, with no surface inlet or outlet. The lake is holomictic with a groundwater flow-through hydrology and an estimated residence time of 2.5–5 y. Water isotopes show that the lake is at an approximate steady state with respect to water balance and has experienced 30% evaporation. The lake has a near-neutral pH, exceptional clarity, and extremely low concentrations of nutrients, sulfate, and most metals, including tungsten. Manganese concentrations are slightly elevated and increase with depth towards the sediment–water interface. Despite seasonally anoxic conditions in the deep water, dissolved Fe concentrations are orders of magnitude lower than Mn, suggesting that insufficient organic carbon is present in the sediment of this oligotrophic lake to drive bacterial Fe reduction. Based on stable isotope fingerprinting, diffuse seepage that enters a nearby headwater stream at the base of a large waste-rock pile can be directly linked to the partially evaporated pit lake. However, this seepage has neutral pH and low metal concentrations, and poses no threats to the environment. Stable isotopes of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and dissolved oxygen (DO) are used to track the relative importance of photosynthesis and respiration with depth. In summer, a zone of high productivity exists near the base of the chemocline, releasing DO that is isotopically light. Respiration exceeds photosynthesis below the Secchi depth, which causes DO concentrations to approach zero towards the bottom of the lake. In winter, thick ice and snow cover prohibits photosynthesis. However, because of the low nutrient content, most of the volume of the lake remains oxic through the winter. Overall, the Calvert Lake is a good example of a pit lake formed from metal mining that has excellent water quality, which is a result of its favorable geology (paucity of sulfide minerals) and hydrology (flow-through lake with short residence time in a temperate climate).
Opening the Black Box of Feature Extraction: Incorporating Visualization into High-Dimensional Data Mining Processes

Feature extraction techniques have been used to handle high-dimensional data and experimental studies often show improved classification accuracies. Unfortunately very few studies provide concrete evidences on the effectiveness of these feature extraction techniques and they largely remain to be black boxes. In this study, we design and implement a visualization prototype system that allows users to look into the classification processes, explore the links among the original and extracted features in different classifiers, examine why and how an instance is correctly or incorrectly classified. We demonstrate the prototype?s capabilities by combining a feature extraction method based on hierarchical feature space clustering with J48 decision tree classifiers and perform experiments on a real hyperspectral remote sensing image dataset.
Investigation of Through-Thickness Stresses in Composite Laminates Using Layerwise Theory

In this study, an analytical method is developed to exactly obtain the interlaminar stresses near the free edges of laminated composite plates under the bending moment based on the reduced form of elasticity displacement field for a long laminate. The analytical and numerical studies were performed based on the Reddy’s layerwise theory for the boundary layer stresses within cross-ply, symmetric, angle-ply, and general composite laminates. Finally, a variety of numerical results are presented for the interlaminar normal and shear stresses along the interfaces and through thickness of laminates near the free edges. The results showed high stress gradient of interlaminar normal and shear stresses near the edges of laminates.
Identification of Yeast Genes Involved in K + Homeostasis: Loss of Membrane Traffic Genes Affects K + Uptake

Using the homozygous diploid Saccharomyces deletion collection, we searched for strains with defects in K+ homeostasis. We identified 156 (of 4653 total) strains unable to grow in the presence of hygromycin B, a phenotype previously shown to be indicative of ion defects. The most abundant group was that with deletions of genes known to encode membrane traffic regulators. Nearly 80% of these membrane traffic defective strains showed defects in uptake of the K+ homolog, 86Rb+. Since Trk1, a plasma membrane protein localized to lipid microdomains, is the major K+ influx transporter, we examined the subcellular localization and Triton-X 100 insolubility of Trk1 in 29 of the traffic mutants. However, few of these showed defects in the steady state levels of Trk1, the localization of Trk1 to the plasma membrane, or the localization of Trk1 to lipid microdomains, and most defects were mild compared to wild-type. Three inositol kinase mutants were also identified, and in contrast, loss of these genes negatively affected Trk1 protein levels. In summary, this work reveals a nexus between K+ homeostasis and membrane traffic, which does not involve traffic of the major influx transporter, Trk1.
Capillary Electrophoresis Measurements of Electrophoretic Mobility for Colloidal Particles of Biological Interest

The electrophoretic mobilities of three bacterial strains were investigated by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and were compared with results obtained by microelectrophoresis (ME). The CE measurements yielded bimodal electropherograms for two of the strains, thus illustrating for the first time that surface charge variations within a monoclonal population can be probed by CE. Intrapopulation variations were not detected by ME. The mobilities of three chemically distinct types of latex microspheres were also measured. Differences between the mean mobilities obtained by CE and ME were not statistically significant (P ≤ 0.50); the standard deviations of the CE measurements were typically 2 to 10 times smaller than those obtained by comparable ME measurements. The reproducibility of CE permitted batch-to-batch mobility variations to be probed for the bacteria (one of the strains exhibited such variations), and aggregation was evident in one of the latex suspensions. These effects were not measurable with ME.
Development of chicken lymphoid system. I. Synthesis and secretion of immunoglobulins by chicken lymphoid cells.

Synthesis and secretion of Ig by chicken lymphoid cells was studied. Both spleen and bursa cells synthesize and secrete IgM and IgG whereas Ig was not detected in thymus cells. In contrast to the spleen cells which synthesize H and L chains in balanced quantities, the bursa cells synthesize and secrete free L chains. In addition to the lymphoid cells which secrete IgM or IgG, the bursa appears to contain a cell population which synthesizes nonsecretory Ig. The structure of this Ig was studied by specific serological precipitation and by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The H chains of this nonsecretory Ig are serologically related to µ-chains and exhibit a smaller molecular weight (i.e., ∼50,000) in SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis than H chains of IgG and IgM synthesized by the spleen cells (i.e., ∼70,000).
The Role of Adaptive Immunity in the Efficacy of Targeted Cancer Therapies

Accumulating evidence indicates that the efficacy of tumor-targeted therapies relies on the host immune response, including targeted small-molecule and antibody approaches that were not previously thought to have an immune component. Here, we review the current understanding of how targeted therapies on tumor cells could have a major impact on the immune response, and how this relates to the therapeutic efficacy of these approaches. In this context, we evaluate different strategies that combine targeted therapies with immunotherapy approaches, and discuss past and ongoing clinical trials. We highlight gaps in knowledge, and argue that significant progress for combined therapies will require a better understanding of the complex interactions between immune cells, the tumor, and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in different cancer settings.
Abstract 603: Silencing Of PKG1 Gene Mimics Effect Of Aging And Sensitizes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells To Pro-fibrotic Effect Of Cardiotonic Steroids

Marinobufagenin (MBG), an endogenous Na/K-ATPase inhibitor and a vasoconstrictor, induces vascular fibrosis via PKC-dependent inhibition of Fli-1, a nuclear transcription factor and a negative regulator of collagen synthesis. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), ANP, via cGMP/PKG1 dependent mechanism, reduces sensitivity of Na/K-ATPase to MBG. Because vascular fibrosis is a hallmark of cardiovascular aging, we hypothesized that VSMC from aged rats, in which cGMP/PKG-dependent signaling is down-regulated, would exhibit heightened sensitivity to the pro-fibrotic effect of MBG. In primary culture of VSMC from thoracic aorta from young (3 month old) rats, 1 nmol/L MBG inhibited Na/K-ATPase by 15%, and induced a 60% down-regulation of Fli-1 and a concomitant 50% increase in the levels of collagen-1. Alpha-ANP (1 nmol/L) blocked these effects. In VSMC from aged (24 months old) rats levels of PKG1 and Fli-1 in VSMC were markedly reduced, while PDE-5 was markedly upregulated. MBG (1 nmol/L) inhibited Na/K-ATPase by 26%, suppressed Fli-1 two-fold, and increased level of collagen-1 more than two-fold (P Silencing of the PKG1 gene in VSMC from young rats produced a marked increase in the sensitivity of VSMC to the pro-fibrotic effect of MBG; 1 nmol/L MBG increased levels of collagen-1 2.5-fold (P These results demonstrate that age-associated reduction in vascular PKG1 levels and resultant decline in cGMP signaling sensitize VSMC to pro-fibrotic effect of MBG. Silencing of PKG1 in VSMC from young rats mimics these effects of aging.
Equity Implications of the COP21 Intended Nationally Determined Contributions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The recent Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) resulted in voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction commitments by 195 countries. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the equity implications of this “bottom-up” approach to climate change negotiations in two major ways. First we analyze the GHG reduction targets specified in the COP 21 agreement prior to any emissions trading in terms of the equity metrics of the Gini Coefficient and Atkinson Index. We also match the commitments with specific equity principles, such as the Egalitarian, Ability to Pay, Vertical, and Horizontal equity. Second, we analyze the equity and economic welfare outcomes after emissions trading takes place. We adapt a non-linear programming model well suited to this purpose, which determines the equilibrium emission allowance price, mitigation costs, and allowance purchases and sales between countries from trading. We also test the sensitivity of the results to macroeconomic conditions and technological change. Our findings are that the GHG reduction commitments made at COP 21 run counter to most equity principles. They are definitely a major departure from the Egalitarian, Vertical, and Rawlsian equity principles proposed for many years by developing countries.
The Grass is Always Greener: Explaining Rural and Urban Differences in Marijuana Use

Abstract This paper investigates residential differences in self-reported marijuana use among adolescents and young adults in a national sample. Data from the first five waves of the National Youth Survey are examined using a pooled time-series cross-sectional research design. Based on these data, significant residential differences in self-reported marijuana use are found. Specifically, rural youths report lower levels of marijuana use relative to their non-rural counterparts (i.e., suburban or urban residents). Hypotheses from determinist, compositional and subcultural explanations of rural-urban behavioral differences are discussed and tested empirically. While variables from each theoretical model explain some variance in marijuana use, only variables from subcultural theory can fully account for differences in the marijuana smoking behavior patterns of rural and non-rural residents.
Outpatient Consultations From A Family Practice Residency Program: Nine Years’ Experience

Previous reports of consultation rates from family practice physicians have included small sample sizes and have suggested higher rates in residency training programs. This report summarizes 9 years of data involving 161 family practice physicians in a residency training program and shows an overall rate of 1.4 percent for outpatient consultations. Otolaryngology, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, and general surgery were the most frequent disciplines consulted. These data are helpful in designing health care systems that include family practice residency programs.
Fisetin and Its Role in Chronic Diseases

Chronic inflammation is a prolonged and dysregulated immune response leading to a wide variety of physiological and pathological conditions such as neurological abnormalities, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, pulmonary diseases, immunological diseases, cancers, and other life-threatening conditions. Therefore, inhibition of persistent inflammation will reduce the risk of inflammation-associated chronic diseases. Inflammation-related chronic diseases require chronic treatment without side effects. Use of traditional medicines and restricted diet has been utilized by mankind for ages to prevent or treat several chronic diseases. Bioactive dietary agents or “Nutraceuticals” present in several fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, fibers, and certain spices have shown potential to inhibit or reverse the inflammatory responses and several chronic diseases related to chronic inflammation. Due to safe, nontoxic, and preventive benefits, the use of nutraceuticals as dietary supplements or functional foods has increased in the Western world. Fisetin (3,3′,4′,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) is a dietary flavonoid found in various fruits (strawberries, apples, mangoes, persimmons, kiwis, and grapes), vegetables (tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers), nuts, and wine that has shown strong anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumorigenic, anti-invasive, anti-angiogenic, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects in cell culture and in animal models relevant to human diseases. In this chapter, we discuss the beneficial pharmacological effects of fisetin against different pathological conditions with special emphasis on diseases related to chronic inflammatory conditions.
Police Power and the Public Trust: Prescriptive Zoning Through the Conflation of Two Ancient Doctrins

The close historical affinity between the Public Trust doctrine and police power supports a more expansive view of zoning. The doctrines' kindred public interest spirit can empower localities to adopt dynamic, proactive, prescriptive zoning ordinances that promote community character. To do so, municipalities must self-define their unique community assets and ambiance through an openly developed comprehensive plan that honestly memorializes development patterns and sets forth community goals. If public interest is at the heart of the comprehensive plan, localities may consider an expansion of the police power as justified in order to zone and nurture communtiy character more justified than zoning which relies on the classic Euclidean general welfare criteria. A combination of the police power, infused with the Public Trust, and a candid comprehensive plan, could allow localities to adopt zoning ordinances that preserve and promote the unique set of intangibles that attract people to a community in the first place.
Something in the air? Air quality and children's educational outcomes

Abstract Poor air quality has been shown to harm the health and development of children. Research on these relationships has focused almost exclusively on the effects of human-made pollutants, and has not fully distinguished between contemporaneous and long-run effects. This paper contributes on both of these fronts. Merging data on ambient levels of human-made pollutants and plant pollen with detailed panel data of children beginning kindergarten in 2010, I study the relationship between poor air quality on achievement in early grades. I also provide tentative estimates of the effects of air quality in the first years of life on school-readiness. I find that students score between 1 to 2 percent lower on math and reading scores on days with high levels of pollen or fine airborne particulate matter, and that asthmatic students score about 10 percent lower on days with high levels of ozone. I find suggestive evidence that poor air quality during early childhood negatively affects school readiness.
Characterization of Coke on a Pt-Re/γ-Al2O3 Re-Forming Catalyst: Experimental and Theoretical Study

The characterization of coke on spent catalysts is key to understanding deactivation mechanisms in hydrocarbon transformations. In this paper we report the comprehensive characterization (using laser Raman spectroscopy, 13C MAS NMR, temperature-programmed oxidation, XPS, and carbon K-edge NEXAFS) of coke on a series of spent Pt-Re re-forming catalysts as a function of time on stream and position in the catalytic bed. Laser Raman spectroscopy is shown to be rather insensitive to the carbon species present, while 13C MAS NMR finds that the carbon is present primarily as aromatic carbon. The TPO data are consistent with the coke being present on the alumina support and not to a large extent covering the metallic Pt-Re nanoclusters, but the data do suggest the presence of more than one type of coke present. The carbon K-edge NEXAFS data, however, clearly differentiate the types of coke species present. In the more coked samples the features ascribed to graphite become more pronounced, together with an increas...
Abstract CN04-03: Stemming the rising tide of liver and esophageal cancer

Obesity has been convincingly linked to non-viral/non-alcoholic liver carcinogenesis (HCC) and to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Both HCC and EAC have five-year survival rates below 50% with little to no advancement in treatment options over the past decade. In obesity-associated HCC and EAC, bile acids and their biology as signaling molecules are emerging as potentially shared mechanistic factors generally in gastrointestinal cancers and in particular in the liver and in the esophagus. Emerging work on the role of bile acid-based therapeutics for the prevention of cancer risk factor intermediates will be presented. This will include status of clinical trials with bile acid based drugs, their molecular targets and novel opportunities for drugs targeting metabolic disturbances in the obese as prevention agents for HCC and EAC. Citation Format: Patricia A. Thompson. Stemming the rising tide of liver and esophageal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr CN04-03.
B Cell Activity Is Impaired in Human and Mouse Obesity and Is Responsive to an Essential Fatty Acid upon Murine Influenza Infection

Obesity is associated with increased risk for infections and poor responses to vaccinations, which may be due to compromised B cell function. However, there is limited information about the influence of obesity on B cell function and underlying factors that modulate B cell responses. Therefore, we studied B cell cytokine secretion and/or Ab production across obesity models. In obese humans, B cell IL-6 secretion was lowered and IgM levels were elevated upon ex vivo anti-BCR/TLR9 stimulation. In murine obesity induced by a high fat diet, ex vivo IgM and IgG were elevated with unstimulated B cells. Furthermore, the high fat diet lowered bone marrow B cell frequency accompanied by diminished transcripts of early lymphoid commitment markers. Murine B cell responses were subsequently investigated upon influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 infection using a Western diet model in the absence or presence of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA, an essential fatty acid with immunomodulatory properties, was tested because its plasma levels are lowered in obesity. Relative to controls, mice consuming the Western diet had diminished Ab titers whereas the Western diet plus DHA improved titers. Mechanistically, DHA did not directly target B cells to elevate Ab levels. Instead, DHA increased the concentration of the downstream specialized proresolving lipid mediators (SPMs) 14-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid, 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid, and protectin DX. All three SPMs were found to be effective in elevating murine Ab levels upon influenza infection. Collectively, the results demonstrate that B cell responses are impaired across human and mouse obesity models and show that essential fatty acid status is a factor influencing humoral immunity, potentially through an SPM-mediated mechanism.
Long-term significance of postictal psychotic episodes I. Are they predictive of bilateral ictal foci?

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine the degree to which postictal psychotic episodes (PIPE) are predictive of bilateral independent ictal foci. Methods This was a retrospective study of 18 consecutive adults with a partial seizure disorder and PIPE (study group) and 36 patients with a partial seizure disorder but without PIPE (control group). The two groups were compared with respect to the number and location of ictal foci identified with video/EEG monitoring, seizure type, etiology, age at seizure onset, duration of seizure disorder, MRI abnormalities, and psychiatric history prior to the index video/EEG monitoring (other than PIPE). Statistical analyses consisted of logistic regression models, one to identify the variables predictive of bilateral ictal foci and the other to identify the variables predictive of PIPE. Results The occurrence of PIPE (P Conclusions The presence of PIPE appears to be a predictor of bilateral ictal foci.
The effect of decorated graphene addition on the burning rate of ammonium perchlorate composite propellants

Abstract Catalysts are often added to solid propellant formulations to tailor burning rates. Nanocatalysts can increase propellant burning rates over standard catalyst sizes due to the increase in surface area per unit weight. However, the increased surface area that the binder must wet can be prohibitive if large amounts of nanocatalysts are used. Additionally, agglomeration of the nanocatalyst can result in micron-scale particles, reducing catalyst effectiveness. In this study a nanoscale iron oxide catalyst has been used to decorate graphene. By decorating graphene with the catalyst, nanoscale features are kept but the catalyst is stabilized to reduce agglomeration. Changes in burning rate between the catalyzed and uncatalyzed propellants are investigated. The effect on burning rate of encapsulating the catalyst inside the fine AP crystals compared to propellants where it is added to the binder is also investigated. We also compare propellants with decorated graphene and propellants with undecorated graphene catalysts. The three comparisons are made for two different graphene preparation methods. It is found that the highest burning rates occur in propellants where the graphene is decorated with catalyst and encapsulated in the fine AP. The next highest burning rates occur in propellants with decorated graphene that is physically mixed into the propellant. The lowest burning rates are found in propellants where the graphene is undecorated, where there is little difference between encapsulated or physically mixed graphene blanks, or compared to a baseline propellant. Burning rates are found to be similar between graphene preparation methods considered.
Do Aggregate Socioeconomic Status Factors Predict Outcomes for Total Knee Arthroplasty in a Rural Population

Abstract Background We sought to determine whether several preoperative socioeconomic status (SES) variables meaningfully improve predictive models for primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) length of stay (LOS), facility discharge, and clinically significant Veterans RAND-12 physical component score (PCS) improvement. Methods We prospectively collected clinical data on 2198 TKAs at a high-volume rural tertiary academic hospital from April 2011 through March 2016. SES variables included race and/or ethnicity, living alone, education, employment, and household income, along with numerous adjusting variables. We determined individual SES predictors and whether the inclusion of all SES variables contributed to each 10-fold cross-validated area under the model's area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUC). We also used 1000-fold bootstrapping methods to determine whether the SES and non-SES models were statistically different from each other. Results At least 1 SES predicted each outcome. Ethnic minority patients and those with incomes Conclusion We developed validated predictive models for outcomes after TKA. Although inclusion of multiple SES variables provided statistical predictive value in our models, the amount of improvement may not be clinically meaningful.
Social Work Research and Its Relevance to Practice: “The Gap Between Research and Practice Continues to be Wide”

The social work profession requires a body of scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of interventions; yet, the social work scientific community could benefit from strengthening its contr...
Hegel on beauty

Julia Peters develops a reading of Hegel’s account of beauty which goes against one assumption common to many scholars of Hegel’s aesthetics: that, for Hegel, beauty is exclusively, or at least par...
The BaConLaw Model for Bat-Ball Collisions

Chapter 4 is the workhorse of this book. It contains our most comprehensive model. It models a collision at the sweet spot of the bat with spin on the pitch. It has five equations and five unknowns. It uses the Conservation Laws of physics. This chapter contains a sensitivity analysis of the complete model that shows the most important variables and parameters of the model. It also has advice to help each person select the optimal bat. It derives equations for the speed and spin of the bat and ball after the collision with respect to these same terms before the collision. The derivations are given in great detail. It is unique in the science of baseball literature. This chapter is independent of other chapters. You need not read previous chapters in order to understand it. In other words, a teacher could use this chapter in a physics or engineering course and the students would only have to buy this one chapter.