cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinol-binding protein levels are increased in association with gonadotropin levels in healthy women

Recent studies have demonstrated an association between retinol-binding protein (RBP4) and insulin resistance. Retinol-binding protein is decreased in women and elevated in polycystic ovary syndrome. However, prior studies have not investigated the relationship between RBP4, gonadal steroids, and gonadotropins in healthy women. The aim of this study was to determine the RBP4 levels in a cohort of healthy women with a range of body mass indices and glucose tolerances to investigate the relationship between RBP4, gonadotropin levels, and menopausal status. Serum RBP4 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative Western blot in 88 healthy women (aged 24-59 years) from the general community in a cross-sectional study. Retinol-binding protein was higher in postmenopausal compared with premenopausal women (26.1 +/- 2.1 vs 19.3 +/- 0.5 mug/mL, P = .001). In univariate analysis, RBP4 was associated with follicle-stimulating hormone (r = 0.37, P = .0004), luteinizing hormone (r = 0.3, P = .005), and sex hormone-binding globulin (r = -0.24, P = .03) and trended to significance with estradiol (P = .09) but not with free testosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. Retinol-binding protein was also associated with insulin at 2 hours during an oral glucose tolerance test (r = 0.24, P = .03) and the area under the curve for insulin during the oral glucose tolerance test (r = 0.26, P = .02). In multivariate regression modeling, both follicle-stimulating hormone (P = .03) and luteinizing hormone (P = .04) remained significantly associated with RBP4 after controlling for estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin, insulin area under the curve, cholesterol, triglycerides, waist-to-hip ratio, and tumor necrosis factor alpha. Retinol-binding protein was not associated with inflammatory markers or with carotid intima-media thickness. Therefore, RBP4 is higher in postmenopausal women and is associated with gonadotropin concentrations in healthy women.
Approximation by discrete operators

Abstract A discrete, positive, weighted algebraic polynomial operator which is based on Gaussian quadrature is constructed. The operator is shown to satisfy the Jackson estimate and an optimal version is obtained.
End-to-end fault tolerance

In this review we survey both standard fault tolerance theory and Kitaev's model for quantum computation, and demonstrate how they can be combined to yield quantitative results that reveal the interplay between the two. This analysis establishes a methodology allowing one to quantitatively determine design parameters for quantum computers, the values of which ensure that an overall computation yields a correct final result with some prescribed probability of success, as opposed to merely ensuring that the desired final quantum state is obtained. As an example, we explicitly calculate the number of levels of error correction concatenation needed to achieve a correct final result with some prescribed success probability. This methodology allows one to determine parameters required in order to achieve the correct final result for the quantum computation, as opposed to merely ensuring that the desired final quantum state is produced.
Ab initio study of thermoelectric transport properties of pure and doped quaternary compounds

Recent experiments on thermoelectric characterization of doped quaternary compounds of sattanite or kesterite-type ${\text{Cu}}_{2}{\text{ZnSnSe}}_{4}$, ${\text{Cu}}_{2}{\text{ZnSnS}}_{4}$, and ${\text{Cu}}_{2}{\text{CdSnSe}}_{4}$, show promise for their use as bulk thermoelectrics. In this paper we present and discuss the energetic, electronic, and transport properties of several tetrahedrally bonded quaternary compounds ${\text{Cu}}_{2}Q\text{Sn}{X}_{4}$, where $Q=\text{Zn},\text{Cd}$; $X=\text{S},\text{Se},\text{Te}$ and their alloyed/doped structures, Cu doped at $Q$ sites and $M$ doped $(M=\text{Al},\text{Ga},\text{In})$ at Sn sites, for elucidating their thermoelectric performance. In our calculations, using density-functional theory and Boltzmann transport equations, we determine Seebeck coefficients, conductivities, power factors, a simple measure ``maximum'' $ZT$ for each compound at experimentally amenable doping levels. Based on the electronic-structure and transport property calculations, we conclude that the base compounds and several doped compounds show similar potential as thermoelectric materials to the experimentally characterized one.
Deposition of particles to a wheat canopy: The importance of inertial impaction

Abstract Stained Lycopodium spores and ragweed pollen (Ambrosia elatior L.) were released simultaneously into the air above a mature wheat canopy. The number of particles deposited onto plant surfaces was counted using a microscope. Deposition to horizontal surfaces was dominated by sedimentation. Deposition to vertical stems by inertial impaction was much less efficient than expected theoretically and decreased with increasing wind speed. The catch on the stems was less than 10% of the theoretical value for both particles. Therefore, for deposition to the total canopy sedimentation and inertial impaction played about equal roles at low wind speed but sedimentation was dominant at high wind speed.
Climate Drivers of Spartina alterniflora Saltmarsh Production in Georgia, USA

Tidal wetlands are threatened by global changes related not only to sea level rise but also to altered weather patterns. To predict consequences of these changes on coastal communities, it is necessary to understand how temporally varying abiotic conditions drive wetland production. In 2000–2011, we conducted annual surveys of Spartina alterniflora biomass in tidal marshes at nine sites in and around the Altamaha river estuary on the coast of Georgia, USA. End of the year live biomass was assessed in the creekbank and midmarsh zones to estimate annual net primary production (ANPP). River discharge was the most important driver of S. alterniflora ANPP, especially in creekbank vegetation. Increased river discharge reduces water column salinity, and this was most likely the proximate driver of increased production. In the midmarsh zone, the patterns were less distinct, although river discharge was again the best predictor, but maximum temperature had similar predictive ability. In contrast to results from terrestrial grasslands, we found no consistent evidence for a sharply delimited critical period for any climate driver in the tidal marsh, which indicates that plant growth was responsive to abiotic drivers at any time during the growing season. Results were broadly consistent across multiple sites within a geographic region. Our results differ from previous analyses of production in S. alterniflora marshes, which either identified oceanic drivers of S. alterniflora production or were unable to identify any drivers, likely because the low-latitude sites we studied were hotter and more affected by river discharge than those in previous studies.
American Geophysical Union: Fall 2003 Conference

Reports on the Annual Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union held in December 2003 in San Francisco. Outlines some of the topics covered, including an update on Total Mapping Ozone Spectrometer technology which investigates destruction of the ozone layer and a poster session on alternative careers for geoscientists.
Effect of cocaine, lidocaine kindling and carbamazepine on batrachotoxin-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in rat brain slices

Abstract Repeated administration of a subconvulsant dose of a local anesthetic will eventually induce seizures, a phenomenon similar to electrical kindling. We have investigated the effect of repeated lidocaine and cocaine administration on the phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis induced by batrachotoxin (BTX), a specific Na channel activator. Rats were injected with cocaine or saline daily for 6 days and PI hydrolysis was assayed in sliced frontal cortex. Cocaine treatment had no effect on BTX-induced PI hydrolysis while in vitro cocaine blocked the BTX effect. In a second experiment, rats received daily injections of lidocaine or saline. After a rat developed at least two seizures, it was sacrificed together with a rat receiving lidocaine injections which had never seized and a rat receiving saline injections. Basal, BTX and ibotenic acid (IBO; a glutamate receptor agonist)-stimulated PI hydrolysis did not differ among the three groups in slices of either hippocampus (HC) or piriform cortex (PC) though IBO-stimulated PI hydrolysis was mucg greater in the HC than in the PC. Neither in vitro nor in vivo carbamazepine altered the effect of cocaine on BTX-induced PI hydrolysis. These results demonstrate that local anesthetic kindling does not alter PI hydrolysis coupled to Na channel or IBO activation.
The influence of environmental factors on bone tissue engineering

Bone repair and regeneration are dynamic processes that involve a complex interplay between the substrate, local and systemic cells, and the milieu. Although each constituent plays an integral role in faithfully recreating the skeleton, investigators have long focused their efforts on scaffold materials and design, cytokine and hormone administration, and cell-based therapies. Only recently have the intangible aspects of the milieu received their due attention. In this review, we highlight the important influence of environmental factors on bone tissue engineering.
A decomposition property for prolongational limit sets of Markov processes

Abstract Let K be a compact subset of Rd and let m define a semi-dynamical system on M1(K),, the space of probability measures on K, induced by a homogeneous Markov process. Let J(φ) be the prolongational limit set for φ ϵ M1(K). The main result of the paper is the decomposition: support of J(φ) = ∪ {support of J(δx): x ϵ support φ}, where δx is the Dirac measure at the point x.
Signal-dependent repression of DUSP5 by class I HDACs controls nuclear ERK activity and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Cardiac hypertrophy is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure. Small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been shown to suppress cardiac hypertrophy through mechanisms that remain poorly understood. We report that class I HDACs function as signal-dependent repressors of cardiac hypertrophy via inhibition of the gene encoding dual-specificity phosphatase 5 (DUSP5) DUSP5, a nuclear phosphatase that negatively regulates prohypertrophic signaling by ERK1/2. Inhibition of DUSP5 by class I HDACs requires activity of the ERK kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), revealing a self-reinforcing mechanism for promotion of cardiac ERK signaling. In cardiac myocytes treated with highly selective class I HDAC inhibitors, nuclear ERK1/2 signaling is suppressed in a manner that is absolutely dependent on DUSP5. In contrast, cytosolic ERK1/2 activation is maintained under these same conditions. Ectopic expression of DUSP5 in cardiomyocytes results in potent inhibition of agonist-dependent hypertrophy through a mechanism involving suppression of the gene program for hypertrophic growth. These findings define unique roles for class I HDACs and DUSP5 as integral components of a regulatory signaling circuit that controls cardiac hypertrophy.
Measuring the Economic Impacts of Environmental Reallocations of Water in California

mental resources. Solutions to these problems will require substantial investments of capital and significant operational and managerial changes in the system. With traditional sources of surface supply development largely precluded due to their development cost and environmental effects, substantial changes in the property rights and payment for California water will be necessary to effect the required reallocation. The emergence of environmental interest groups as a major competitor for California's water has radically changed the traditional "iron triangle" of agencies, urban users, and irrigated agriculture, which had synergistic goals and was responsible for development of the existing water structure in the West. The new group of water interests has essentially contradictory goals and divided power. The urban agencies have the money, irrigated agriculture has the water rights, and the environmentalists have substantial elec-
Effects of low nicotine content cigarettes on smoke intake

Cigarettes with selective reductions in nicotine delivery have been considered as potential tools to prevent or treat nicotine dependence or to reduce harm by virtue of reduced nicotine and nitrosamine delivery. An important question is whether individuals smoke these products more intensively, as has been shown to occur with ventilated-filter cigarettes. To investigate this issue, we compared conventional highly ventilated filter cigarettes, having very low tar and nicotine yields when smoked by Federal Trade Commission method (1 mg tar, 2 mg carbon monoxide [CO], .2 mg nicotine), with low nicotine content cigarettes, manufactured from a genetically modified strain of tobacco, which had higher tar but lower nicotine yield (14 mg tar, 13 mg CO, .02 mg nicotine). A total of 16 cigarette smokers participated in two 8-hr sessions (order counterbalanced) during which they smoked each type of cigarette ad libitum. Expired-air CO, plasma nicotine, and smoking topography measures were collected. Subjects showed significant increases in smoking when using the highly ventilated filter cigarettes, and puff volume was significantly greater than with the low nicotine content cigarettes. Subjects achieved an expired-air CO level 74% as high as with the low nicotine content cigarettes; the latter produced CO levels similar to those measured at baseline when subjects smoked their habitual brands of cigarettes. Plasma nicotine levels obtained when subjects smoked the highly ventilated filter cigarettes also were significantly higher than when they smoked the low nicotine content cigarettes. These results indicate that the delivery of substantial amounts of smoke, with selective reductions in nicotine yield, appears to prevent compensatory smoking behavior. Further studies should determine whether similar results are obtained in naturalistic environments.
Re: transition from open to robotic-assisted pediatric pyeloplasty: a feasibility and outcome study.

Abstract Purpose Laparoscopic reconstructive procedures in the pediatric patient are associated with a steep learning curve. Outcomes from robotic-assisted pediatric urology have been reported by surgeons with known facility in laparoscopic surgery. We describe the experience of a single surgeon in transitioning from open to robotic-assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty (RALP) without previous training in traditional laparoscopic pyeloplasty or intracorporeal suturing. Materials and Methods We reviewed our experience with 20 (mean age 7.4 years) consecutive children undergoing RALP for ureteropelvic junction obstruction at our institution over 36 months. Additionally, a literature search was conducted to identify age-similar patient groups who underwent open and laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Results Length of hospitalization and postoperative analgesia requirement were greater in the age-similar open pyeloplasty group compared to the other two groups. Intraoperative times were greater in the laparoscopic and RALP groups compared to the open pyeloplasty group. Conclusions Our experience confirms the feasibility of transitioning from open to robotic-assisted laparoscopic pediatric pyeloplasty without previous experience in conventional laparoscopy. Outcomes, analgesic requirement and hospitalization for the patients from our institution are comparable to the laparoscopy patient group and improved compared to open pyeloplasty patients from the literature
Multi-kernel aggregation of local and global features in long-wave infrared for detection of SWAT teams in challenging environments

A vision system was designed for people detection to provide support to SWAT team members operating in challenging environments such as low-to-no light, smoke, etc. When the vision system is mounted on a mobile robot platform: it will enable the robot to function as an effective member of the SWAT team; to provide surveillance information; to make first contact with suspects; and provide safe entry for team members. The vision task is challenging because SWAT team members are typically concealed, carry various equipment such as shields, and perform tactical and stealthy maneuvers. Occlusion is a particular challenge because team members operate in close proximity to one another. An uncooled electro-opticaljlong wav e infrared (EO/ LWIR) camera, 7.5 to 13.5 m, was used. A unique thermal dataset was collected of SWAT team members from multiple teams performing tactical maneuvers during monthly training exercises. Our approach consisted of two stages: an object detector trained on people to find candidate windows, and a secondary feature extraction, multi-kernel (MK) aggregation and classification step to distinguish between SWAT team members and civilians. Two types of thermal features, local and global, are presented based on ma ximally stable extremal region (MSER) blob detection. Support vector machine (SVM) classification results of approximately [70, 93]% for SWAT team member detection are reported based on the exploration of different combinations of visual information in terms of training data.
On visualization of sub-micron particles with dark-field light microscopy.

Abstract Dark-field light microscopy is widely employed to visualize colloidal particles much smaller than the light wavelength used. In the captured images, the colloidal particles appear, against a dark background, as bright “specks” much larger than the geometrical size of the particles. To verify whether the “specks” are for individual particles or clusters of particles, experiments are performed which used low bulk concentrations of five suspensions of monodispersed particles (∼0.3μm in diameter) and a dark-field video microscopic system with an optical resolution of ∼0.5μm to count the particles after they all have deposited onto the inner surfaces of a parallel-plate glass channel. The average size and the size distribution of the particles are also determined at the end of each experiment. The results confirmed that the visualized “specks” are for individual particles. The measured and prepared particle bulk concentrations in the five experiments closely matched, to within ±5%, and the measured average size of the particles and their size distribution at the end of the five experiments were in agreement with the known values.
Structural analysis of the Y299C mutant of Escherichia coli UDP-galactose 4-epimerase. Teaching an old dog new tricks.

UDP-galactose 4-epimerase catalyzes the interconversion of UDP-Gal and UDP-Glc during normal galactose metabolism. The mammalian form of the enzyme, unlike itsEscherichia coli counterpart, can also interconvert UDP-GalNAc and UDP-GlcNAc. One key feature of the epimerase reaction mechanism is the rotation of a 4-ketopyranose intermediate in the active site. By comparing the high resolution x-ray structures of both the bacterial and human forms of the enzyme, it was previously postulated that the additional activity in the human epimerase was due to replacement of the structural equivalent of Tyr-299 in the E. coli enzyme with a cysteine residue, thereby leading to a larger active site volume. To test this hypothesis, the Y299C mutant form of the E. coli enzyme was prepared and its three-dimensional structure solved as described here. Additionally, the Y299C mutant protein was assayed for activity against both UDP-Gal and UDP-GalNAc. These studies have revealed that, indeed, this simple mutation did confer UDP-GalNAc/UDP-GlcNAc converting activity to the bacterial enzyme with minimal changes in its three-dimensional structure. Specifically, although the Y299C mutation in the bacterial enzyme resulted in a loss of epimerase activity with regard to UDP-Gal by almost 5-fold, it resulted in a gain of activity against UDP-GalNAc by more than 230-fold.
Iodine repletion after iodine deficiency.

Reports from this laboratory have described studies over a period of 2 years with a nongoitrous, euthyroid, iodine-deficient population exhibiting elevated serum proteinbound iodine (PBI) values with normal serum butanol-extractable (BEI) values. The suggestion was made that the PBI elevation might be related to release of nonmetabolically active iodoprotein under increased TSH stimulation associated with iodine deficiency. If this were so, the increased PBI-BEI difference would be expected to decrease with iodine repletion and decrease of elevated thyroidal I131 uptake values. Accordingly, the effect of iodized salt was investigated in 20 of these subjects who had been exposed to iodine deficiency for an average period of 8 years. Ten received iodized salt only, 5 received an additional supplement of 180 mg desiccated thyroid daily, and 5 were given a daily supplement of iodine as KI alculated to equal the iodine in the thyroid medication. Urinary iodine excretion rose from a mean of 36 μg/day to 555 μg/...
Whatever happened to motivation

Abstract It is apparent that the concept of motivation currently plays a less central role in the explanation of behavior than it has in the recent past. Some possible reasons for the loss of interest in the once‐important concept of motivation are examined here, and one possibility is considered in some detail. The argument is that motivational ideas were introduced into psychology in order to correct certain deficiencies of the mechanistic, passive, structuralistic view of the organism that once prevailed. The history of psychology suggests that as this once‐dominant view of the organism gradually became replaced by a more cognitive, dynamic and functional view, the need for motivational concepts gradually disappeared. Today, even nominally motivational theories of behavior do not seem to be very motivational. Now, we take for granted that the organism is active and is directing behavior toward certain goals. By applying cognitive principles to this view of an intrinsically active organism, it is possib...
The Partisan Component to the Incumbency Advantage: 1956-1996

The power of incumbency in congressional elections is widely accepted. Is there a partisan component to the incumbency advantage? The theories of divided government push in two directions. Jacobson's argument would lead one to believe that the Democrats should be advantaged. Fiorina's argument would lead one to believe that there should be no difference between the parties. Using the American National Election Studies of 1956 through 1996, one can see that there is little difference in the two parties' abilities to capitalize on the advantages incumbency confers. Both parties' incumbent members of the House seem to provide the particularized services that both Jacobson and Fiorina think are so important for retaining a seat in the House. Also, constituents view both parties' incumbents as being equally responsive on matters of public policy. Consequently, there is little reason to fear that the policymaking process is distorted by one party being more advantaged by incumbency than another. Last, the evide...
Analysis of effects of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes on electro-optic polymer/liquid crystal thin film gratings

This work focuses on experimentally demonstrating the modification in diffusion kinetics, formation of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal gratings and an improvement in its electro optic response by doping them with multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Results indicate a faster rise and fall times which is attributed to the reduction in size of the liquid crystal droplets formed and a reduction in switching voltage due to change in dielectric properties of the medium as manifested by a rise in capacitance. Real time diffraction efficiency measurements reveal a time delay in the appearance of the diffracted order due to non-participation of the nanotube in the polymerization induced phase separation process. An analysis of this effect is presented based on the Stoke- Einstein’s diffusion equation incorporating shape anisotropy of the nanotubes.
The effect of cyclodextrins on the aqueous stability of cyclopentolate hydrochloride

Abstract Cyclopentolate hydrochloride (Cy.HCl) undergoes degradation to give α-(1-hydroxycyclopentyl)-benzeneacetic acid (a β-hydroxy acid, by the expected normal ester hydrolysis pathway) and phenylacetic acid (by an unusual cyclic mechanism). These two products are formed simultaneously by parallel mechanisms. The interaction between cyclopentolate (Cy) and cyclodextrins (CDs) results in the formation of a 1:1 stoichiometric complex. β-CD and its substituted analogs exhibit the greatest degree of stabilization of Cy against hydrolysis. In the presence of CDs, the parallel mechanism still operates, but the proportion of the reaction proceeding by the two pathways is altered. For the β-hydroxy acid formation pathway, the complexed drug degrades at a rate ≈ 1 10 as rapid as that of the uncomplexed drug in solution, while the decrease in rate constant for the phenylacetic acid formation pathway is substantially less. Apart from the stabilization effect, evidence for complex formation is available from NMR and molecular modeling studies. The optimum structure of the complex is obtained when the aromatic ring of the Cy molecule enters the CD cavity. When this occurs, the rate of normal ester hydrolysis is reduced. The hydroxycyclopentyl group apparently does not penetrate deeply into the CD cavity because of the presence of an intramolecular bond which can form between the hydroxyl group and the carbonyl oxygen. When interaction with CD occurs on the hydroxycyclopentyl end of the molecule the cyclic hydrolysis mechanism is affected, but not appreciably.
Ascertaining the limitations of low mobility on organic solar cell performance

In the past decade, organic photovoltaics (OPV) have emerged as an intensely studied alternative energy technology. The OPV platform presents several attractive qualities, yet, the high disorder and relative low mobility of the materials comprising OPV systems remain a bottleneck to further progress. We report here a modeling methodology that quantifies the efficiency losses engendered by the low mobility of these systems. We also report a methodology that explicitly treats the charge transfer (CT) state that has been shown to influence device performance. We compare two commonly studied OPV architectures, the bilayer (BL) and blended bulk-heterojunction (BHJ), and separately investigate the sensitivity of each architecture to mobility. Our findings suggest that mismatched mobilities of the active layer components can lead to additional recombination currents. We find that the collection current is largely limited by the slow carrier; consequently, the high mobility carriers only increase the recombination current without aiding collection.
The effect of serious mental illness on the risk of rehospitalization among patients with diabetes.

Background Medical-surgical rehospitalizations within a month after discharge among patients with diabetes result in tremendous costs to the US health care system. Objective The study's aim was to examine whether co-morbid serious mental illness diagnoses (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders) among patients with diabetes are independently associated with medical-surgical rehospitalization within a month of discharge after an initial hospitalization. Methods This cohort study of all community hospitals in Washington state evaluated data from 82,060 adults discharged in the state of Washington with any International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis indicating diabetes mellitus between 2010 and 2011. Data on medical-surgical hospitalizations were obtained from the Washington State Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System. Co-morbid serious mental illness diagnoses were identified based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes indicating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychotic disorders. Logistic regression analyses identified factors independently associated with rehospitalization within a month of discharge. Cox proportional hazard analyses estimated time to rehospitalization for the entire study period. Results After adjusting for demographics, medical co-morbidity, and characteristics of the index hospitalization, co-morbid serious mental illness diagnosis was independently associated with increased odds of rehospitalization within 1 month among patients with diabetes who had a medical-surgical hospitalization (odds ratio: 1.24, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.44). This increased risk of rehospitalization persisted throughout the study period (up to 24mo). Conclusions Co-morbid serious mental illness in patients with diabetes is independently associated with greater risk of early medical-surgical rehospitalization. Future research is needed to define and specify targets for interventions at points of care transition for this vulnerable patient population.
A Note on Feeding Vitamin A and D Concentrate in Cod-Liver Oil to Calves

For many years the unthrifty condition of dairy calves from 3 to 10 months of age at the New York Experiment Station and on farms of many good dairymen has been often observed. This unthrifty condition is shown by roughness of hide and hair, lack of alertness, and a tendency to chew wood. Consequently recent advertising and some research stating that dairy calves need a vitamin A and D supplement was welcomed, and a feeding trial was inaugurated to establish the effect of fortified cod-liver oil on the growth and health of calves under conditions of feeding regularly used at the New York Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva. n has been shown by several investigators, as summarized by Morrison,! that "vitamins A and D are of great importance in raising dairy cattle, for they often suffer from deficiencies of these vitamins." Nevertheless, "when calves are fed the usual type of satisfactory ration, including plenty of good hay, there is no need to add a vitamin A or D supplement. " It was thought that the Experiment Station Jerseys were fed a good ration yet the calves in common with many other young calves, were not in the most thrifty condition.
Newer antiviral agents and therapeutic approaches for chronic hepatitis b

A new era in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B began approximately a decade ago. Three oral nucleoside or nucleotide analogues—lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, and entecavir—are now approved in the United States for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Other new oral agents, including telbivudine, clevudine, and emtricitabine, are in various stages of clinical investigation. This article reviews the efficacy and resistance data of these oral antiviral agents, and the preliminary results of combination therapy for chronic hepatitis B.
Game Theoretic Modeling of Security and Interdependency in a Public Cloud

As cloud computing thrives, many small organizations are joining a public cloud to take advantage of its multiple benefits. Cloud computing is cost efficient, i.e., cloud user can reduce spending on technology infrastructure and have easy access to their information without up-front or long-term commitment of resources. Moreover, a cloud user can dynamically grow and shrink the resources provisioned to an application on demand. Despite those benefits, cyber security concern is the main reason many large organizations with sensitive information such as the Department of Defense have been reluctant to join a public cloud. This is because different public cloud users share a common platform such as the hypervisor. A common platform intensifies the well-known problem of cyber security interdependency. In fact, an attacker can compromise a virtual machine (VM) to launch an attack on the hypervisor which if compromised can instantly yield the compromising of all the VMs running on top of that hypervisor. Therefore, a user that does not invest in cyber security imposes a negative externality on others. This research uses the mathematical framework of game theory to analyze the cause and effect of interdependency in a public cloud platform. This work shows that there are multiple possible Nash equilibria of the public cloud security game. However, the players use a specific Nash equilibrium profile depending on the probability that the hypervisor is compromised given a successful attack on a user and the total expense required to invest in security. Finally, there is no Nash equilibrium in which all the users in a public cloud will fully invest in security.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of High GC-Rich Novel Tumor Suppressor Gene HIC-1

Hypermethylated in Cancer-1 (HIC-1) is a novel tumor suppressor plays crucial role in tumor formation through loss of function by hypermethylation. HIC-1 is known as transcriptional factor whereas little known about its structure and function. Requirement felt to clone and express full coding protein and reveal various domains and binding pattern onto promoters conducting biophysical studies which lack in current scenario. Production of sufficient amounts of protein is frequent bottleneck in structural biology. Cloning full-length HIC-1 with >73 % GC content poses a daunting task with sequencing and expression adds more to the challenge. We describe the methodology for specific amplification, cloning, sequencing, and expression of HIC-1 in E. coli. Standardization using 1.5 U pfu polymerase in (NH4)2SO4 containing buffer gave specific amplification with 10 % DMSO and 1.5 mM MgCl2. Sequencing achieved using base analog 7-de aza dGTP (0.2 mM) or denaturant like DMSO (10 %) or betaine (1 M). Expression using strains of E. coli induced by different concentrations of IPTG (0.5-5.0 mM) for time points of 4, 8, 16, 20, and 24 h at different temperatures 25, 30, and 37 °C. Full-length clone successfully expressed in BL21-Codon Plus-RP using 1 mM concentration of IPTG for 8 h at 37 °C gave prominent band of 74 kDa.
Mechanical property and neutron spectral analyses of the big rock point reactor pressure vessel

Abstract The mechanical property changes in Charpy-V and tensile speciments have been determined as a result of irradiation at 585°F in accelerated, vessel wall and thermal control exposure locations of the Big Rock Point Reactor. The weld metal displayed a higher rate of increase than either the base or heat affected zone material; nevertheless, because of its −70°F initial transition temperature, the maximum final transition temperature that could be projected for the weld metal was only 180°F, and this included 15°F derived from measurements of thermal aging effects. Both the yield and tensile strengths increased as a result of the irradiation, but did not approach coincidence; the retention of tensile ductility thus suggested was reinforced by the reduction in area values, none of which fell below 44%. The 0.2% yield strength increase measured from a three year exposure was significantly higher than the trend exhibited by shorter irradiations at 16–24 times higher flux rates. This suggests an enhanced effect of lower flux rates over long time peroids; this salient effect on the yield strength was not, however also displayed by the Charpy-V results. Theoretical neutron spectra for the Big Rock Point surveillance locations showed the neutron energy distributions to be significantly different from a fission spectrum. The calculation permitted adjustments in the flux values to reflect these differences and provided the means to extrapolate a fluence for the 40 year full power service limit of the reactor. This was projected to be 8.1 × 10 19 n/cm 2 > 0.5 MeV . The service-limit fluence was also projected by establishing a ratio of a specific fluence with its corresponding MWH and the MWH in 40 years at full power. The fluence thus derived was also 8.1 × 10 19 n/cm 2 > 0.5 MeV . The favorable pressure vessel analysis suggested by these data should be valid if the power level of the reactor is not substantially increased and if the neutron spectrum conditions are not detrimentally altered.
Redox and Acidity Properties of Alkyl- and Arylamine Radical Cations and the Corresponding Aminyl Radicals1

In this work the pKas of six alkyl- and arylamine radical cations in aqueous solution have been determined by means of laser flash photolysis. The corresponding N-nitrosamines were used as precursors for the aminyl radicals which, upon protonation, formed the amine radical cations. The following pKas were obtained: 3.6 ± 0.2, 7.6 ± 0.3, 6.8 ± 0.5, 5.3 ± 0.5, 5.5 ± 0.5, and 5.8 ± 0.5 for the radical cations of diphenylamine, N-methylaniline, dimethylamine, diethylamine, pyrrolidine, and piperidine, respectively. In addition, the peak oxidation potentials of diphenylamine, N-methylaniline, aniline, diethylamine, pyrrolidine, and piperidine have been measured in aqueous solution and in acetonitrile using cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, the one-electron reduction potentials of the diphenylaminyl radical and the N-methylanilinyl radical in acetonitrile were measured using photomodulation voltammetry. The results of this study and of previously published studies are discussed in terms of relative substituent ...
Explicating the Place of Play: Resolving Dilemmas of Research-to-Practice

Synthesizing research with practice in a meaningful manner continues to be a challenge, particularly in relation to securing the place of play in the school setting. The struggle for early childhood teacher educators in dealing with the realities of this research-to-practice dilemma requires constructive action. A theoretical framework that is embedded within Howard Gardner's (2007) Five Minds for the Future is recommended, along with strategies for the practitioner in the field and implications for the teacher educator.
Novel, Amino Acid-Derived Heterobicycles: Scaffolds for β-Turn Mimics and Targets for Combinatorial Synthesis

Interest in combinatorial synthetic design and in α-turn mimics led to the development of a short synthesis of three ring systems (1—3) from cyclization of hydroxyacyl-dipeptide aldehyde derivatives, 6—8, with trifluoroacetic acid in acetone. The bicyclic products 1 and 2 were formed as single diastereomers with the benzyl substituent in the exo orientation, as determined by X-ray crystallography; the benzo analogs 3 were formed as mixtures of epimers, with the endo isomers predominating.
Compensation and decompensation of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis

Although contemporary descriptions of the pathology of osteoarthritis emphasize the loss of articular cartilage, in the earlier stages a marked increase in synthetic activity of the chondrocytes can lead to an increase in proteoglycan concentration and commonly, to cartilage hypertrophy. Thus, osteoarthritis exhibits a biphasic course, with an initial "compensatory" phase, during which homeostatic mechanisms may maintain a reasonable articular surface until the second phase, "decompensation" (joint failure), develops. Salicylates interfere with homeostatic repair mechanisms and can markedly truncate the compensatory phase. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans and tetracyclines prolong the compensatory phase, thereby protecting against joint breakdown.
MR imaging of pediatric hematologic disorders.

The present report illustrates the efficiency of MR imaging in evaluating children with hematologic disorders.
Effects of 6-Keto-prostaglandin E1 on Perinatal Pulmonary Vascular Resistance

AbstractThe effects of a biologically active metabolite of PGI2, 6-keto-PGE1, were evaluated in fetal goats and newborn lambs using an in situ, constant-flow, isolated lower left lobe preparation. Intrapulmonary injections of 6-keto-PGE1 (0.074-4.41 μg/kg) produced dose-dependent decreases in pulmonary vascular resistance, mean systemic arterial pressure, and heart rate in fetal goats. Fetal systemic responses to 6-keto-PGE1 were significantly less following left atrial injections than after intrapulmonary injections. Newborn lambs also responded to intrapulmonary infusions of 6-keto-PGE1 (0.078-5.15 μg/kg-min) with dose-dependent reductions of pulmonary vascular resistance and systemic arterial pressure. A possible role for 6-keto-PGE1 in the modulation of perinatal pulmonary vascular resistance is discussed.
Sorafenib With Interferon Alfa-2b As First-Line Treatment of Advanced Renal Carcinoma: A Phase II Study of the Southwest Oncology Group

Purpose This phase II study evaluated the activity of combined treatment with interferon alfa-2b and sorafenib, a Raf and multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with advanced renal carcinoma. Patients and Methods Eligible patients had metastatic or unresectable renal carcinoma with a clear-cell component, no prior systemic therapy, performance status 0 to 1, and measurable disease. Treatment consisted of interferon alfa-2b 10 × 106 U subcutaneously three times weekly and sorafenib 400 mg orally bid. The primary end point was confirmed Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors response rate. Results Twelve (19%) of 62 assessable patients achieved an objective confirmed response. An additional 31 (50%) had an unconfirmed partial response or stable disease as best response. The median progression-free survival was 7 months (95% CI, 4 to 11 months). The most common adverse events were fatigue, anorexia, anemia, diarrhea, nausea, rigors/chills, leukopenia, fever, and transaminase elevation...
Experimental investigation into the use of vibration data for long-term monitoring of an all-composite bridge

This paper presents the results of an ongoing investigation into using broadband vibration data to monitor the structural integrity and health of an all-composite bridge. Bridge 1 - 351 on Business Route 896 in Glasgow, Delaware, was replaced with one of the first state-owned all-composite bridges in the nation in the fall of 1998. The bridge consists of two E- Glass/vinyl ester sandwich core sections (13-ft X 32 ft) joined by a longitudinal joint in the traffic direction. Each sandwich core section consists of a 28-inch deep core and 0.4 - 0.7-inch thick facesheets. Vibration data were obtained from a mesh of 1050 test points covering the upper and lower surfaces of the bridge. From the modal information and the visualization of the data, several aspects of the structural behavior of the bridge were obtained. These characteristics include the interactions between the bridge and abutments; the effectiveness of the longitudinal joint to couple the deck sections; the effectiveness of the core to couple the face sheets; and the structural integrity and dynamic consistency of the entire structure. In addition, mode shapes and natural frequencies were determined and are correlated with theoretical calculations and vibration analyses conducted for this bridge. A novel algorithm using the vibration data is being developed that enables local perturbations sensitive to the state of the material (e.g. manufacturing defects, material degradation or service damage) to be detected and spatially located in the bridge. This technique has been successfully validated for locating damage in 1-D beam structures and is being extended to the 3-D sandwich structure. Applications for quality assurance/quality control and health monitoring of large composite bridge structures using this technique will be discussed.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Who owns identity? Malcolm X, representation, and the struggle over meaning

This paper examines the powerful signifying force that Malcolm X continues to possess a generation after his death by assassination. The case of Malcolm X is used to explore how ideological battles are fought in the arenas of representation and claims of truth about identity. This struggle over meaning is examined through a rhetorical analysis of the dialogical relationship between Malcolm X's autobiography and Perry's (1991) controversial biography.
Mosques and Islam Evident on IMANA Trip to China

The 8th International and 39th Annual Convention of the Islamic Medical Association of North America in China in July 2006 was memorable. http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/39-2-6493
DETERMINANTS OF FIRST & SECOND PHASE INSULIN SECRETION (FPIS, SPIS) IN HEALTHY ADOLESCENTS

Diminished FPIS is proposed to be a metabolic marker in the diagnosis and follow up of prediabetes in trials of intervention to prevent IDDM. However, data are scarce regarding the determinants of insulin secretion in normal children. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of physical fitness (FP) and body composition (BC) to in-vivo insulin secretion during a hyperglycemic clamp in 12 (6M/6F) healthy adolescents (Tanner II-IV). Age was 14.0±0.6 yrs and body mass index (BMI) 19.1±0.5 kg/m2. BC was assessed by bioelectric impedance plethysmography; PF by maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) during progressive bicycle ergometry; and FPIS (0-10 min) and SPIS (10-120 min) during a 120 min hyperglycemic clamp (+125 mg/dl above fasting plasma glucose). FPIS was 75.1±9.0 μu/ml and SPIS 105.0±9.6 μu/inl. FPIS and SPIS were inversely correlated with VO2max (r=−.60 p=0.02, r=-0.70 p=0.005), with no relationship to BC or % body fat. % body fat showed an inverse relationship (r=−0.53 p-0.04) to insulin sensitivity index. Males had significantly lower % BF, higher VO2max and higher insulin sensitivity compared with females, but no difference in FPIS and SPIS.
Excitatory amino acid receptors mediate slow synaptic transmission in turtle cerebellum

In the isolated turtle cerebellum intracellular recordings from Purkinje cell dendrites and somata reveal novel slow excitatory synaptic potentials evoked by activation of climbing fiber (CF) or parallel fiber (PF) inputs. Classical fast excitatory synaptic responses to CF and PF stimulation are followed by large, slow excitatory postsynaptic potentials (sEPSPs) which are associated with an increase in conductance and are enhanced by hyperpolarization. Both sEPSPs are blocked by the excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonist kynurenate, but not by DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP-5). The EAA receptor antagonist L-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-AP-4) reversibly blocked the PF-sEPSP without affecting the CF-sEPSP. Two novel slow synaptic potentials mediated by excitatory amino acid receptors can therefore be observed in turtle cerebellum which may play an important role in synaptic integration.
CARBON-DIOXIDE LASER FOR EXCISION OF BURN ESCHARS

Abstract In experiments in pigs, a continuouswave carbon-dioxide laser was used to excise the eschar 24 hours after third-degree burning. Blood-loss was notably reduced compared with that expected for ordinary scalpel excision, and the fact that autografts " took " readily is an indication of the absence of significant damage to underlying tissue.
Benthal Solids Properties Influencing ASB Design and Operating Practices

Studies undertaken at two aerated stabilization basins (ASBs) treating industrial effluents showed that the benthal solids characteristics varied substantially with location in three dimensions. The top 15–30 cm layer of the deposited solids was found to be the most active biodegradation zone with relatively little activity in the deeper layers. Ammonia and phosphate were present in high concentrations throughout the benthal solids and thus are not believed to limit biological growth and its associated benthal solids degradation kinetics. The nutrient concentrations were particularly higher in the downstream cells than those in the upstream cells. Implementing a suitable strategy to recycle these nutrients could result in minimized discharge and cost savings when treating nutrient-deficient industrial wastewaters. Dewatering properties of the benthal solids also substantially varied from one cell of an ASB to another. The selection and dose optimization of the dewatering polymers should therefore be compl...