cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
S-nitrosylation of peroxiredoxin 1 contributes to viability of lung epithelial cells during Bacillus anthracis infection.

Abstract Background Using Bacillus anthracis as a model gram-positive bacterium, we investigated the effects of host protein S-nitrosylation during bacterial infection. B. anthracis possesses a bacterial nitric oxide synthase (bNOS) that is important for its virulence and survival. However, the role of S-nitrosylation of host cell proteins during B. anthracis infection has not been determined. Methods Nitrosoproteomic analysis of human small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs) infected with toxigenic B. anthracis Sterne was performed, identifying peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) as one predominant target. Peroxidase activity of Prx during infection was measured using 2-Cys-Peroxiredoxin activity assay. Chaperone activity of S-nitrosylated Prx1 was measured by insulin aggregation assay, and analysis of formation of multimeric species using Native PAGE. Griess assay and DAF-2DA fluorescence assay were used to measure NO production. Cell viability was measured using the Alamar Blue assay and the ATPlite assay (Perkin Elmer). Results S-nitrosylation of Prx1 in Sterne-infected HSAECs leads to a decrease in its peroxidase activity while enhancing its chaperone function. Treatment with bNOS inhibitor, or infection with bNOS deletion strain, reduces S-nitrosylation of Prx1 and decreases host cell survival. Consistent with this, siRNA knockdown of Prx1 lowers bNOS-dependent protection of HSAEC viability. Conclusions Anthrax infection results in S-nitrosylation of multiple host proteins, including Prx1. The nitrosylation-dependent decrease in peroxidase activity of Prx1 and increase in its chaperone activity is one factor contributing to enhancing infected cell viability. General significance These results provide a new venue of mechanistic investigation for inhalational anthrax that could lead to novel and potentially effective countermeasures.
Cerebellar Ataxia, Opsoclonus, and Neuroblastoma

A 20 month-old girl with cerebellar ataxia and opsoclonus associated with neuroblastoma is reported from the Pediatric Neurology Unit, Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel.
Exercising Power: China’s Transition to Efficient, Renewable Energy

China faces a doubly daunting transition in its energy system: to lessen energy demand from an industry-dominated economy, and to move away from coal-dominated energy supply. In the past decade, China has achieved notable reductions in energy intensity and became the world’s largest manufacturer of renewable energy technology. Yet much more is needed to ease energy consumption, decarbonize energy supply, and clear the air. This chapter argues that China’s central government is exercising and maintaining political power in the transition to sustainable energy by utilizing energy efficiency and low-carbon energy supply to deliver economic development and social stability. The chapter also examines challenges of local-level implementation and the need for significant reforms in the electric power sector.
II. HEAT TREATMENT OF SOYMILK AND CULTURE ACTIVITY1

Soymilk was given different heat treatments and then evaluated as a substrate for acid production by lactic acid bacteria. Unheated soymilk elicited optimal or nearly optimal activity from most test cultures. Heating the medium to 60 C resulted in increased acid formation by Streptococcus and Leuconostoc species and in a reduction of acid production by Pediococcus cerevisiae and Lactobacillus species. Extended heating of soymilk at 60 C reduced its suitability as a substrate for acid development by lactic acid bacteria. Acid formation by all cultures was minimal in soymilk heated at 80 C from <1 to 60 min. Responses in soymilk heated at 100 C for short durations were similar to those obtained when soymilk was heated at 80 C. More severe heating at 100 or 120 C progressively improved the quality of soymilk as a substrate. Inhibitory effects noted when soymilk was heated at 80 C coincided with development of a markedly higher concentration of sulfhydryls and/or toxic volatile sulfides in the medium during h...
Modeling of additive manufacturing processes for metals: Challenges and opportunities

• This article focuses on reviewing modeling and simulation effort in metal additive manufacturing taking places at U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories.
Measuring the effects of search costs on equilibrium prices and profits

Abstract This paper assesses the effects of search costs on equilibrium prices and profits. Using an estimated model of demand and costs in a laundry detergent market, I find that some firms’ profits initially rise and then fall with search costs. Overall, the magnitude and direction of the search costs’ effects on prices and profits are heterogeneous. This is because search costs create conflicting incentives for a firm to reduce prices to attract the attention of searching consumers, yet also raise prices to harvest profit from consumers who are unaware of competing products. These effects can vary with the relationship between the firms’ actual prices and the consumers’ pre-search beliefs about prices.
Does familiarity with CDC guidelines, continuing education, and provider characteristics influence adherence to chronic pain management practices and opioid prescribing?

Objectives: (1) To assess providers’ experience and knowledge of chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) management. (2) To assess providers’ utilization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2016 Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain. (3) To assess the influence of the 2016 CDC guideline on provider confidence in managing CNCP and adherence to the CDC recommendations. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey conducted with 417 Oregon prescribing providers, divided into three continuing medical education (CME) groups composed of minimal (0-3), moderate (4-10), and high ( ≥ 11) hours of training. Results: The three CME groups were associated with increased use of CDC opioid recommended practices (29.4, 34.2, 38.8; p = 0.001; scale 0-50), opioid conversion confidence (5.5, 6.5, 7.4; p 0.05); however, physicians were slightly more confident in opioid dose conversion than NPs (6.9 vs 5.9; p < 0. 001, scale 0-9). Conclusions: Higher hours of recent CME positively benefit provider confidence in pain management and utilization of CDC recommended practices. NPs and rural providers were equivalent to their physician and urban counterparts on confidence and adherence to CDC practices, with minor exceptions.
Sickle Cell Trait and Sudden Death

Sickle cell trait has long been considered a benign condition but continues to be the leading cause of death in young African Americans in military basic training and civilian organized sports. There continues to be a great deal of controversy surrounding sickle cell trait and its association with exercise-related morbidity and sudden death. Even though sickle cell trait has a high prevalence among African Americans, many clinicians believe the potential adverse consequences should have been mitigated by actions such as universal screening in the USA at birth for sickle hemoglobin, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rule changes, and changes in the US Military boot camp system. Sudden death due to periods of extreme physical exertion continues to occur in individuals with sickle cell trait.
Introduction to Cellular Automata and Conway’s Game of Life

Although cellular automata has origins dating from the 1950s, widespread popular interest did not develop until John Conway’s “Game of Life” cellular automaton was initially revealed to the public in a 1970 Scientific American article (Gardner in Sci. Am. 223:120–123, 1970). The feature of his “game” that probably evoked this intensive interest was the discovery of “oscillators” (periodic forms) and “gliders” (translating oscillators). This introductory chapter is for those who are either unfamiliar with the game, or feel that a brief “refresher course” would be appropriate.
Neonatologist salary: factors, equity and gender

Physician compensation has been found to be influenced by gender, academic affiliation, specialty, productivity, and time in practice. This study explores their impact in the field of neonatology to inform institutional strategic planning and decisions by current and future practitioners. A voluntary anonymous survey was distributed to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine with a 15% response rate. The survey contained questions assessing clinician characteristics, work environment, and professional productivity. Statistical analysis was done using JMP Pro 14.0.0 by SAS. Median salary was $256,000 (interquartile range, $213,608–315,000). Generalized linear model found that years post fellowship, academic affiliation, gender, practice location, professional duties, and clinical team member types independently influenced expected salary. Several factors influence the expected compensation of this cohort of neonatologists, even after adjustments for differences in clinician characteristics, work environment, and productivity.
Tragelaphus spekei (Sitatunga)

The karyotypes were prepared from skin biopsies obtained from animals located at the San Diego Zoo. Sex chromosomes were identified by radioautography. The X comprises 13.08%, the Y 7.29% by weight of the haploid complement.
Comparative Country Performance on International Education Assessment

The international community agrees that investing in education is vital for a country’s development. An anomaly in the literature is that while education has a demonstrable positive impact on individual earnings, it has minimum economic impact on a country’s income in aggregate. One of the reasons for this is that most studies account for increased enrollment while neglecting the impact of educational quality. As universal school access becomes a reality, there is growing interest among countries in determining the factors that influence the quality of education. This study uses data from one international educational assessment program to study the impact of family background and the interaction between public funding and public school management on reading, writing, and science test scores. I show that family background, particularly mother’s education level, has a strong influence on performance. The study also suggests that school performance can be improved when public funding is allocated to privately managed schools.
Direct determination of one-dimensional interphase structures using normalized crystal truncation rod analysis

A one-dimensional non-iterative direct method was employed for normalized crystal truncation rod analysis. The non-iterative approach, utilizing the Kramers–Kronig relation, avoids the ambiguities due to an improper initial model or incomplete convergence in the conventional iterative methods. The validity and limitations of the present method are demonstrated through both numerical simulations and experiments with Pt(111) in a 0.1 M CsF aqueous solution. The present method is compared with conventional iterative phase-retrieval methods.
Monolithic integration of high-voltage thin-film electronics on low-voltage integrated circuits using a solution process

The performance of silicon complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor integrated circuits can be enhanced through the monolithic three-dimensional integration of additional device layers. For example, silicon integrated circuits operate at low voltages (around 1 V) and high-voltage handling capabilities could be provided by monolithically integrating thin-film transistors. Here we show that high-voltage amorphous oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors can be integrated on top of a silicon integrated circuit containing 100-nm-node fin field-effect transistors using an in-air solution process. To solve the problem of voltage mismatch between these two device layers, we use a top Schottky, bottom ohmic contact structure to reduce the amorphous oxide semiconductor circuit switching voltage. These contacts are used to form Schottky-gated thin-film transistors and vertical thin-film diodes with excellent switching performance. As a result, we can create high-voltage amorphous oxide semiconductor circuits with switching voltages less than 1.2 V that can be directly integrated with silicon integrated circuits. High-voltage amorphous oxide semiconductor thin-film transistors can be integrated on top of a silicon integrated circuit containing 100-nm-node fin field-effect transistors using an in-air solution process.
Too-big-to-fail: The value of government guarantee

Abstract Following the 2008 financial crisis and the government bailout of troubled companies, Too-Big-to-Fail became a standard expression to name a free protection of Wall Street by tax-payers' money. What should have been the fair cost of this protection? We offer a novel approach to estimate the value of the implicit government guarantee by combining the contingent claim pricing with the likelihood of the government intervention. We find that the cost of this implicit protection can go beyond tens of billions of dollars with an average of about $13 million per company, per year, and it rises to about $24 million if the government is assumed to intervene with certainty. Moreover, we show that the spread of the funding costs of the large banks over the small banks is strongly inversely associated with the value of the implicit government guarantee, especially after the crisis. For the Chinese companies, we use the contingent claims approach to measure the government guarantee and find that the value of the guarantee for State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) is inversely related to their bond yield spreads.
Combining scaling relationships overcomes rate versus overpotential trade-offs in O2 molecular electrocatalysis

The development of advanced chemical-to-electrical energy conversions requires fast and efficient electrocatalysis of multielectron/multiproton reactions, such as the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Using molecular catalysts, correlations between the reaction rate and energy efficiency have recently been identified. Improved catalysis requires circumventing the rate versus overpotential trade-offs implied by such “scaling relationships.” Described here is an ORR system—using a soluble iron porphyrin and weak acids—with the best reported combination of rate and efficiency for a soluble ORR catalyst. This advance is achieved not by “breaking” scaling relationships but rather by combining two of them. Key to this behavior is a polycationic ligand, which enhances anionic ligand binding and changes the catalyst E1/2. These results show how combining scaling relationships is a powerful way toward improved electrocatalysis.
Observation of New Hadronic ψ(2S) Decays at CLEO

Using 5.46 pb-1 of e+e- annihilation data collected at the ψ(2S) with the CLEO detector we have observed a variety of new hadronic decay modes of the ψ(2S). A comprehensive set of branching ratios and upper limits is presented.
Comment on ‘Numerical estimates of the spectrum for anharmonic PT symmetric potentials’

The paper by Bowen et al (2012 Phys. Scr. 85 065005) demonstrates in a dramatic fashion the serious difficulties that can arise when one rushes to perform numerical studies before understanding the physics and mathematics of the problem at hand and without understanding the limitations of the numerical methods used. Based on their flawed numerical work, the authors conclude that the work of Bender and Boettcher is wrong even though it has been verified at a completely rigorous level. Unfortunately, the numerical procedures performed and described in the paper by Bowen et al are incorrectly applied and wrongly interpreted.
Machine Learning Classifier Using Pretreatment Factors to Predict Radiation Pneumonitis Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer

Purpose/Objective(s) Symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) is a common cause of treatment related toxicity in patients receiving radiation therapy for lung cancer. Machine learning techniques have been utilized to determine predictors of RP, but most of these models have used dosimetric features to generate results. The identification of pretreatment factors related to the development of symptomatic RP and implementation of these factors into a machine learning model would be clinically useful to guide treatment decisions, risk estimation, and risk reduction of development of symptomatic RP. Materials/Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from 278 lung cancer patients that underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Pretreatment factors including patient demographics, pulmonary function data, and tumor characteristics were previously analyzed for the development of symptomatic RP, defined as CTCAE v4.0 ≥ Grade 2. A programming environment was used to generate classification machine learning models based on this dataset. Models were tested for accuracy in classification, area-under-the-curve (AUC), and special attention was paid to the false negative rate. The performance of several different algorithms using various combinations of predictors was evaluated including Decision Trees, Discriminant Analysis, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes Classifiers, Support Vector Machines, Nearest Neighbor Classifiers and Ensemble Classifiers. Each model utilized 5-fold cross-validation to prevent overfitting. Results Of the 278 patients receiving SBRT, 42 patients (15.1%) developed symptomatic RP. A RUSBoosted Trees Ensemble Classifier was found to be the most accurate model tested. Features identified as significant risk factors for symptomatic RP in prior univariate and multivariate analyses were found to be the most important predictors in the machine learning models tested. These features included prior radiation treatment to the thorax or lung resection, location of tumor in the right lower lobe, a higher T Stage and age. When this model was used to classify cases of symptomatic RP, it had an AUC of 0.86 and an accuracy of 87%, correctly predicting 36 out of 42 pneumonitis cases. The model had a false negative rate of 14% and false positive rate of 13%. Conclusion A machine learning model was developed to identify pretreatment factors predictive of symptomatic RP. The advantage of this model when compared to others with a similar goal is that it depends solely on pretreatment factors, and therefore could be applied in a clinical setting prior to radiation therapy. Next steps include testing with an independent dataset to confirm the model's accuracy and prospective studies to verify the model's clinical utility.
The Ultraviolet Structure of Quantum Field Theories. Part 1: Quantum Mechanics.

This paper fires the opening salvo in the systematic construction of the lattice-continuum correspondence, a precise dictionary that describes the emergence of continuum quantum theories from finite, nonperturbatively defined models ("lattice theories"). Here the focus will be on quantum field theory in (0+1)D, i.e. quantum mechanics. The main conceptual achievement is an explicit and systematic procedure for reducing a theory with a large but finite Hilbert space to a subtheory in which wavefunctions satisfy prescribed smoothness and compactness constraints. This reduction, here named taming, in effect defines quantum mechanics on a continuum target space. When appropriate lattice theories are tamed, many familiar continuum notions explicitly emerge, e.g. canonical commutation relations, contact terms in correlation functions, continuous spacetime symmetries, and supersymmetry algebras. All of these are thus "put on the lattice" using the present framework. This analysis also leads to further insights into old subjects: for example, it is proven that any supersymmetric lattice theory must have a vanishing Witten index.
Depressive and anxiety symptoms in first generation college students.

Objectives: Depression and anxiety contribute to the burden of disease among college students. The current study determined if depressive and anxiety symptoms were more prevalent in first generation students and if social and emotional support moderated this relationship. Methods: Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured in 432 U.S. college students via an online survey. Single items determined student generation status and available social support. The CES-D10 and GAD-7 measured depression and anxiety, respectively. Structural equation modeling was used to identify significant effects. Results: First generation status was associated with increased cognitive-emotional (p = 0.036) and somatic (p = 0.013) anxiety symptoms, but not depression. High social and emotional support appeared to suppress somatic anxiety symptoms experienced by first generation students (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Greater anxiety symptoms in first generation students may be due to increased general and acculturative stress, although more research is needed. Large national surveys of college students should consider adding a question about first generation status.
Chapter 17 Marketing strategy models

Publisher Summary Despite the advances in the sophistication and proliferation of marketing-science models, relatively few true marketing strategy models have been developed, and those that have been developed generally had limited impact on management. The gap between management needs (for models that help them generate, evaluate and implement better marketing strategies) and the available models (especially non-traditional) is narrowing. As the environment and the characteristics of successful businesses are changing, the nature of the marketing paradigm, and the nature of desired marketing strategy models is changing as well.
History and Development of the Marine Invertebrate Faunas Separated by the Central American Isthmus

Throughout the vast majority of Tertiary time (almost 65 million years) there was no Panama land bridge, and North and South America were detached from one another. This condition can be traced back to the initial separation of the North American and South American (still attached to Africa) plates in the Jurassic, about 165 million years ago (Pindell and Dewey, 1982). Following the onset of rifting and continental break-up in the early Mesozoic, it is uncertain as to the amount of time during which North and South America were actually isolated. The reconstructions of Pindell and Dewey (1982) and Donnelly (Chapter 4, this volume) suggest an early isolation, shortly after 165 m.y.a. Anderson and Schmidt (1983), however, propose a different scenario for the evolution of middle America, which would have juxtaposed blocks preserving land contact between North and South America much longer, perhaps into the late Cretaceous. Regardless of the preferred reconstruction, most authors agree that no land bridge existed for at least 70 m.y., from the late Cretaceous up until contact was reestablished in the Plio-Pleistocene. The establishment of the Panama land bridge has been well documented from considerations of the interchange between terrestrial faunas arising on both continents (e.g., Simpson, 1940, 1953; Webb, 1976; Marshall et al., 1979, 1982; and others in this volume), although the precise timing of this event is more poorly known. The migration route is also uncertain as some have argued for migration via the Nicaraguan Rise rather than through present-day Guatemala (Durham, 1985).
Management recommendations for adjuvant systemic breast cancer therapy.

It is estimated that over 211,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the year 2003 [1]. Despite the modest decreases in the ageadjusted mortality rate for breast cancer that have occurred since the 1980’s, methods to further improve these rates are needed. Appropriate local therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment for patients with non-metastatic breast cancer. Methods to achieve this goal include earlier diagnosis, better general medical care, and appropriate administration of systemic adjuvant treatments following resection of breast cancer. A large amount of data have been accumulated over the last few years, helping us to better understand the utilization of ovarian ablation, hormonal therapy, and chemotherapy, as well as local treatments for patients with early breast cancer. Some of these data were discussed as part of the Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Group (EBCTG) conferences in 1998 and 2000 [2,3], the 2000 National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference [4], and the St. Gallen meetings from 2001 and 2003 [5]. Several important trials evaluating ovarian ablation, aromatase inhibitors, taxanes, and schedule of chemotherapy are relevant to clinical practice. Sys-
CHAOS: An Active Security Mediation System

With the emergence of the Internet, collaborative computing has become more feasible than ever. Organizations can share valuable information among each other. However, certain users should only access certain portions of source data. The CHAOS (Configurable Heterogeneous Active Object System) project addresses security issues that arise when information is shared among collaborating enterprises. It provides a framework for integrating security policy specification with source data maintenance. In CHAOS, security policies are incorporated into the data objects as active nodes to form active objects. When active objects are queried, their active nodes are dynamically loaded by the active security mediator and executed. The active nodes, based on the security policy incorporated, can locate and operate on all the elements within the active object, modifying the content as well as the structure of the object. A set of API's is provided to construct more complex security policies, which can be tailored for different enterprise settings. This model moves the responsibility of security to the source data provider, rather than through a central authority. The design provides enterprises with a flexible mechanism to protect sensitive information in a collaborative computing environment.
Spinal cord stimulation for failed back surgery syndrome

Objective. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of modern spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for the treatment of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). Materials and Methods. Thirty patients were treated with SCS between December 1992 and January 1998 for low back and radicular pain after multiple failed back surgeries. Permanent systems were implanted if trial stimulation led to > 50% pain reduction. Median long-term follow-up was 34 months (range, 6-66 months). Severity of pain was determined postoperatively by a disinterested third party. Results. Overall, 12 of the 16 patients (75%) who received permanent implants continued to report at least 50% relief of pain at follow-up. All six patients who underwent placement of laminectomy-styled electrode for SCS in the thoracic region had > 50% pain relief at long-term follow-up. Visual analog scores decreased an average of 3.2 (from 8.6 preoperatively to 5.4 postoperatively). Patients undergoing SCS placement via laminectomy in the thoracic region experienced an average decrease of 4.9 in VAS, whereas those who underwent percutaneous placement of thoracic leads had an average decrease of 2.5. Conclusions. SCS is an effective treatment for chronic low back and lower extremity pain which is refractory to conservative therapy and which is not amenable to corrective anatomic surgery. Though our patient population is small, our results imply that the laminectomy-style electrodes in the thoracic region achieve better long-term effectiveness than percutaneous leads.
Design, fabrication, and performance analysis of GaN vertical electron transistors with a buried p/n junction

The Current Aperture Vertical Electron Transistor (CAVET) combines the high conductivity of the two dimensional electron gas channel at the AlGaN/GaN heterojunction with better field distribution offered by a vertical design. In this work, CAVETs with buried, conductive p-GaN layers as the current blocking layer are reported. The p-GaN layer was regrown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and the subsequent channel regrowth was done by ammonia molecular beam epitaxy to maintain the p-GaN conductivity. Transistors with high ON current (10.9 kA/cm2) and low ON-resistance (0.4 mΩ cm2) are demonstrated. Non-planar selective area regrowth is identified as the limiting factor to transistor breakdown, using planar and non-planar n/p/n structures. Planar n/p/n structures recorded an estimated electric field of 3.1 MV/cm, while non-planar structures showed a much lower breakdown voltage. Lowering the p-GaN regrowth temperature improved breakdown in the non-planar n/p/n structure. Combining high breakdown vol...
Are ‘Closed Systems’ an Antitrust Problem?

Closed computer systems have come under attack as harmful to freedom, innovation, and competition. Open computer systems, in contrast, are said to promote such values. This article assesses the specific claim that closed systems, compared to open systems, are inherently anticompetitive. It concludes that competition policy arguments against closed systems are at best inconclusive and that closed systems should not be put in an antitrust suspect class.
The Productivity of Prediction and Explanation

The Intelligibility of Nature . How Science Makes Sense of the World. By Peter Dear . University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2006. 254 pp. $27.50, £17.50. ISBN 9780226139487. Science.Culture. In this consideration of the evolution of science, Dear emphasizes a tension between two distinct but frequently conflated ends: doing and knowing.
Cognitive behavioral treatment for childhood anxiety disorders: long-term effects on anxiety and secondary disorders in young adulthood.

Background: The present study’s aim was to examine the long-term effects (8 to 13 years post-treatment; M = 9.83 years; SD = 1.71) of the most widely used treatment approaches of exposure-based cognitive behavioral treatment for phobic and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents (i.e., group treatment and two variants of individual treatment). An additional aim was to compare the relative longterm efficacy of the treatment approaches. Method: At long-term follow-up, participants (N = 67) were between 16 and 26 years of age (M = 19.43 years, SD = 3.02). Primary outcome was the targeted anxiety disorder and targeted symptoms. Secondary outcomes were other disorders and symptoms not directly targeted in the treatments including (1) other anxiety disorders and symptoms, (2) depressive disorders and symptoms, and (3) substance use disorders and symptoms. Results: Long-term remission for anxiety disorders and symptoms targeted in the treatments was evident 8 to 13 years post-treatment. Long-term remission also was found for the secondary outcomes. There were more similarities than differences in the long-term gains when comparing the treatment approaches. Conclusions: Consistent with past research, the study’s findings provide further evidence that the short-term benefits of exposure-based CBT for childhood phobic and anxiety disorders using both group and individual treatment may extend into the critical transition years of young adulthood. Keywords: Anxiety disorders, long-term, follow-up, individual, group, cognitive behavioral therapy.
The feeding value of dry-rolled and steam-flaked corn in finishing diets for feedlot cattle: influence of protein supplementation

We used 80 medium-framed yearling crossbred heifers (357 kg) in a 110-d trial to evaluate the influence of dietary protein level (11 vs 14%) on the feeding value of dry-rolled (DRC) and steam-flaked corn (SFC). All diets contained 1% urea; cottonseed meal (CSM) was the source of supplemental undegradable intake protein (UIP). Steam flaking corn reduced DMI (9%, P .10) on carcass characteristics. Steam flaking corn increased (P .10) postruminal or total tract starch digestion. Supplemental CSM decreased (7%, P < .10) the DE value of the diet. We conclude that increasing the postruminal protein supply of a corn-based finishing diet beyond that provided by urea supplementation, alone, will not enhance starch digestion or the energy value of the diet.
The combination of sorafenib with transarterial chemoembolisation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 205–213 Summary Background Standard of practice involves using transarterial therapy for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) alone and sorafenib only for more advanced HCC, but the sorafenib and transarterial therapy combination may provide greater efficacy. Aim To evaluate the safety and efficacy of concurrent sorafenib and transarterial therapy in HCC. Methods Consecutive cases of HCC were treated with sorafenib and transarterial therapy, receiving sorafenib 2 to 4 weeks before transarterial therapy. Baseline clinical parameters, adverse events (AEs) and survival were collected. Results A total of 47 patients received sorafenib and transarterial therapy. The majority of the patients were male (70%) with HCV (60%), median age of 60 years, good performance status (0–1), stable cirrhosis (Child: A 72%; B 28%), unresectable tumour (stage: B 81%; C 19%) and median AFP of 24 ng/mL. Median follow-up was 12 months and median time on sorafenib was 6 months. LC Bead TACE was used with a median frequency of 3. The majority of the patients (89%) experienced AEs. The most common AEs were fatigue (51%), hand-foot skin reaction (51%) and diarrhoea (43%). Grade 3 and 4 AEs included fatigue (13%) and hand-foot skin reaction (26%). Most patients required a dose reduction (66%). The main AE related to transarterial therapy was post-TACE syndrome (23%). The disease control rate was 68% at 6 months. Overall median survival rate was 18.5 months (95% CI 16.1–20.9 months). Conclusion Concurrent sorafenib and transarterial therapy is overall safe with no unexpected side effects and encouraging efficacy that warrants further study.
Sovereign Risk and Out‐of‐Equilibrium Exchange Rate Dynamics

We show that the sovereign risk premium contains important information on short-run exchange rate dynamics in emerging economies. Net foreign assets serve as the key link between both variables, which acts as a “crude form of collateral.” We present two sets of empirical evidence. First, we show that increases in net foreign assets provide a statistically significant reduction on emerging markets sovereign risk premium. Then, we show that out-of-sample forecasts using realized values for the sovereign risk premium have a satisfactory performance when evaluated across three metrics: the mean squared error ratio, the direction of change statistic, and the consistency criterion.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LEADER ROLE: A DYADIC STUDY IN FOUR COUNTRIES

This study investigated the relationships of emotional intelligence—empathy and social skills—of supervisors to the effectiveness of their leader role. Questionnaire data on emotional intelligence were collected in four countries (U.S., Greece, China, and Bangladesh, N = 1,184 dyads) from employed MBA students (observers), but the data on the effectiveness of leader role were collected from the colleagues of MBA students who had the same supervisor. Responses from each dyad were matched. Data analysis showed that empathy was a mediator of the relationship between social skills and the effectiveness of leader role in the U.S., Greece, and Bangladesh, but not in China. Implications for management, directions for future research, and limitations of the study are discussed.
Widths of Nonnegatively Curved Spaces

The purpose of this paper is to present a proof of the following conjecture, formulated by M. Gromov ([G2]).
Global invasion by Anthidium manicatum (Linnaeus) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): assessing potential distribution in North America and beyond

The wool carder bee, Anthidium manicatum, is the most widely distributed unmanaged bee in the world. It was unintentionally introduced to North America in the late 1960s from Europe, and subsequently, into South America, New Zealand and the Canary Islands. We provide information on the local distribution, seasonal abundance and sex ratio of A. manicatum from samples collected in an intensive two-year survey across Utah, USA. Anthidium manicatum was detected in 10 of the 29 Utah counties, largely in urban and suburban settings. Combining presence-only and MaxEnt background data from literature, museum databases and new records from Utah, we constructed three species distribution models to examine the potential distribution of A. manicatum in its native Eurasian range as well as invaded ranges of North and South America. The A. manicatum model based on locality and background data from the species’ native range predicted 50% of the invasive records associated with high habitat suitability (HS ≥ 0.90). The invasive North American model predicted a much broader distribution of A. manicatum (214% increase); whereas, the South American model predicted a narrower distribution (88% decrease). The poor predictive power of the latter model in estimating suitable habitats in the invasive South American range of A. manicatum suggests that the bee may still be limited by the bioclimatic constraints associated with a novel environment. Estimates of niche similarity (D) between the native and invasive models find that the North America bioclimatic niche is more similar to the bioclimatic niche of the native model (D = 0.78), whereas the bioclimatic niche of the South America invasion is relatively dissimilar (D = 0.69). We discuss the naturalization of A. manicatum in North America, possibly through punctuated dispersal, the probability of suitable habitats across the globe and the synanthropy exhibited by this invasive species.
Molecular cloning and primary structure of rat testes metalloendopeptidase EC 3.4.24.15

The complete amino acid sequence of rat testes metalloendopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) was deduced from the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA clone isolated by screening a rat testes library with a polyclonal antibody raised against a homogeneous preparation of the rat testes enzyme. The correctness of the sequence was verified by N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of the isolated enzyme and by partial amino acid sequence analysis of three tryptic peptides located near the N-terminus, the middle, and C-terminus of the native protein. The enzyme is composed of 645 amino acids with a molecular weight of 72,985. This value is close to that of the purified rat testes and brain enzyme as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing and reducing conditions and by molecular sieving chromatography. The enzyme contains the putative active-site sequence -H-E-F-G-H- that is homologous to the sequence in the active site of thermolysin and several other related bacterial enzymes, as well as to active-site sequences of several mammalian zinc metallopeptidases. No amino acid sequence homology, beyond this active site, was found with thermolysin, a bacterial zinc metalloendopeptidase, nor with several mammalian zinc metallopeptidases. Northern blot hybridization analyses showed the presence of mRNA encoding the enzyme in rat testes, but not in other rat tissues in spite of the finding that enzyme activity is widely distributed in all tissues and that relatively high activities are present in rat brain and pituitary.
Experimental models for the investigation of female sexual function and dysfunction

There have been limited anatomic and physiological investigations of the female sexual arousal response. A broader understanding of the physiologic mechanisms of female sexual arousal function is required to improve the management of women with sexual dysfunction. Three experimental test systems have been developed to understand better the biochemical and physiological mechanisms of female sexual arousal response. An in vivo animal model was developed to record physiological and hemodynamic changes in the clitoris and vagina following pelvic nerve stimulation and administration of vasoactive agents and physiological modulators. In vitro organ baths of clitoral and vaginal tissue were utilized to investigate mechanisms involved in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility. In addition, primary cell cultures of human and animal clitoral and vaginal smooth muscle cells were developed to investigate signal transduction pathways modulating smooth muscle tone. In vivo studies revealed hemodynamic changes in vagina and clitoris in response to pelvic nerve stimulation, vasodilators and physiological modulators. Organ bath studies have demonstrated that clitoral and vaginal smooth muscle tone is affected by non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic neurotransmitters, and the presence of functional alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenergic receptors in these tissues has been established through biochemical studies. These changes are regulated by the tone of vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle in the vagina and clitoris. Primary cell culture studies have suggested that several physiological modulators such as vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), nitric oxide (NO), and prostaglandin E (PGE) regulate vaginal smooth muscle contractility. Data from experimental models have provided a preliminary understanding of the mechanisms of the female sexual arousal response.
Gender and Perceptions of Romantic Partners’ Sexual Risk

ABSTRACT Introduction Research shows that in most situations, women perceive themselves to be at greater risk of harm than do men. Gustafson's gender role perspective on risk perception suggests that this is because women are socialized to feel that they need protection, especially from men. Aims Based on Gustafson's gender role perspective on sex differences in risk perception, we predicted that in at least one context, perception of romantic partners’ sexual risk, this gender difference would be reversed. Specifically, women should rate boyfriends as having lower risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than boyfriends rate themselves having. Methods In two studies, we examined heterosexual couples and compared women's perceptions of their boyfriends’ sexual risk level with the boyfriend's self-perception of sexual risk. Main Outcome Measures Self-reported measures of risk for STIs, perception of romantic partners’ risk for STIs. Results On multiple measures, women rated their boyfriends as having a lower risk for STIs than the men rated themselves. Men did not show this pattern and, in some cases, showed the reverse pattern of perceiving their girlfriends to have a greater level of risk than girlfriends themselves believed they had. Conclusions Consistent with Gustafson's gender role perspective on risk perception, heterosexual women perceived their romantic partners as relatively less risky in terms of STI risk than men perceived themselves. One potential implication of this finding is that women may be less likely to protect themselves against disease in close romantic relationships because they believe that their partners are low risk, regardless of the partners’ actual risk levels. Conley TD, and Peplau LA. Gender and perceptions of romantic partners’ sexual risk.
Organic magnetoresistance under resonant ac drive

Motivated by a recent experiment, we develop a theory of organic magnetoresistance (OMAR) in the presence of a resonant ac drive. To this end, we perform a thorough analysis of the dynamics of ac-driven electron-hole polaron pair in magnetic field, which is a sum of external and random hyperfine fields. Resonant ac drive affects the OMAR by modifying the singlet content of the eigenmodes. This, in turn, leads to the change of recombination rate, and ultimately, to the change of the spin-blocking that controls the current. Our analysis demonstrates that, upon increasing the drive amplitude, the blocking eigenmodes of the triplet type acquire a singlet admixture and become unblocking. Most surprisingly, the opposite process goes in parallel: new blocking modes emerge from nonblocking precursors as the drive increases. These emergent blocking modes are similar to subradiant modes in the Dicke effect. A nontrivial evolution of eigenmodes translates into a nontrivial behavior of OMAR with the amplitude of the ac drive: it is initially linear, then passes through a maximum, drops, and finally saturates.
CCL11 elicits secretion of RNases from mouse eosinophils and their cell-free granules

Rapid secretion of eosinophil-associated RNases (EARs), such as the human eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP), from intracellular granules is central to the role of eosinophils in allergic diseases and host immunity. Our knowledge regarding allergic inflammation has advanced based on mouse experimental models. However, unlike human eosinophils, capacities of mouse eosinophils to secrete granule proteins have been controversial. To study mechanisms of mouse eosinophil secretion and EAR release, we combined an RNase assay of mouse EARs with ultrastructural studies. In vitro, mouse eosinophils stimulated with the chemokine eotaxin-1 (CCL11) secreted enzymatically active EARs (EC(50) 5 nM) by piecemeal degranulation. In vivo, in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation, increased airway eosinophil infiltration (24-fold) correlated with secretion of active RNases (3-fold). Moreover, we found that eosinophilic inflammation in mice can involve eosinophil cytolysis and release of cell-free granules. Cell-free mouse eosinophil granules expressed functional CCR3 receptors and secreted their granule proteins, including EAR and eosinophil peroxidase in response to CCL11. Collectively, these data demonstrate chemokine-dependent secretion of EARs from both intact mouse eosinophils and their cell-free granules, findings pertinent to understanding the pathogenesis of eosinophil-associated diseases, in which EARs are key factors.
Differential Induction of Cytokine mRNA by Gram Negative and Gram Positive Bacterial Infections in a Rabbit Ileal Loop Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Differential Induction of Cytokine mRNA by Gram Negative and Gram Positive Bacterial Infections in a Rabbit Ileal Loop Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Pharmacogenetics of the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2.

The solute carrier, human organic anion transporting polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2, OATP-A, OATP1 and OATP) is highly expressed in the intestine, kidney, cholangiocytes and the blood–brain barrier. This localization suggests that OATP1A2 may be vitally important in the absorption, distribution and excretion of a broad array of clinically important drugs. Several nonsynonymous polymorphisms have been identified in the gene encoding OATP1A2, SLCO1A2 (SLC21A3), with some of these variants demonstrating functional changes in the transport of OATP1A2 substrates.
Embedding Metacognitive Prompts during SBT to Improve Knowledge Acquisition

Changes in battlefield dynamics increasingly require trainees to acquire the rich and deep knowledge necessary to make decisions in complex, novel situations. We investigate how metacognitive promp...
Iran's perception of Western Europe: A study in national and foreign policy articulation

Acts of public communication cannot be isolated from other features of a political process. In fact, a study of public policy articulation can provide a valuable framework of national perceptions, demands and expectations through which a nation's evolving position in the international system may be analyzed. Iran offers a valuable opportunity in this regard because its policy articulation occurs through a limited number of communication channels‐one of which is the newspaper Kayhan. Kayhan has been chosen because of its clear capacity to reflect accurately the perceptions of Iran's political elite in regard to general national development and foreign policy objectives. This paper will concentrate on two reference periods‐one pre‐1973 and one post‐to analyze in terms of selected variables, Iran's evolving elite perceptions of its traditional relationship to Western Europe. Editorials and policy statements have been keyed to selected variables representing various channels of Iran's perceptions and then ana...