cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biological correlates of p27 compartmental expression in prostate cancer.

Purpose: As one of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p27 has been associated with biological behavior and disease progression in malignancies.Materials and Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed using 640 radical prostatectomy specimens. Normal prostate tissue, benign prostatic hyperplasia and index tumor were cored in triplicate at 0.6 mm. Slides were stained with an antibody to p27 and digitized. The expression of p27 was quantified. SPSS 11.0 (SPSS, Chicago, Illinois) was used to perform the Spearman correlation test, Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression.Results: We noted p27 expression predominately located in the epithelial nuclei of benign and cancer tissues. In PCa p27 was decreased compared to that in normal tissue, while p27 cytoplasmic expression was increased in PCa. Moderate nuclear p27 and cytoplasmic displacement of p27 were associated with worse disease-free survival compared with high or low p27. The cytoplasmic presence of p27 was an independent indicat...
Hippocampal CA1 atrophy and synaptic loss during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, EAE

Over half of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience cognitive deficits, including learning and memory dysfunction, and the mechanisms underlying these deficits remain poorly understood. Neuronal injury and synaptic loss have been shown to occur within the hippocampus in other neurodegenerative disease models, and these pathologies have been correlated with cognitive impairment. Whether hippocampal abnormalities occur in MS models is unknown. Using experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we evaluated hippocampal neurodegeneration and inflammation during disease. Hippocampal pathology began early in EAE disease course, and included decreases in CA1 pyramidal layer volume, loss of inhibitory interneurons and increased cell death of neurons and glia. It is interesting to note that these effects occurred in the presence of chronic microglial activation, with a relative paucity of infiltrating blood-borne immune cells. Widespread diffuse demyelination occurred in the hippocampus, but there was no significant decrease in axonal density. Furthermore, there was a significant reduction in pre-synaptic puncta and synaptic protein expression within the hippocampus, as well as impaired performance on a hippocampal-dependent spatial learning task. Our results demonstrate that neurodegenerative changes occur in the hippocampus during autoimmune-mediated demyelinating disease. This work establishes a preclinical model for assessing treatments targeted toward preventing hippocampal neuropathology and dysfunction in MS.
Visualizing Fluorescence: Using a Homemade Fluorescence “Microscope” to View Latent Fingerprints on Paper

We describe an inexpensive hand-held fluorescence imager (low-magnification microscope), constructed from poly(vinyl chloride) pipe and other inexpensive components for use as a teaching tool to understand the principles of fluorescence detection. Optical filters are used to select the excitation and emission wavelengths and can be easily interchanged to accommodate different fluorescent samples. As a demonstration, we used the fluorescence imager to view lawsone-dyed fingerprints on paper, which fluoresce red when illuminated with green light. This emission can be seen by viewing the sample through the instrument by eye, or the fluorescence can be captured by a camera. The entire imager can be built for less than $300.
In SituAnalysis of Peptidyl DOPA in Mussel Byssus Using Rotational-Echo Double-Resonance NMR

Abstract Rotational-echo double-resonance (REDOR) 13 C NMR spectra with 2 H dephasing have been obtained from plaques and threads from the byssus of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis labeled by sea-water exposure to l -[ ring -4- 13 C]tyrosine and l -[ ring -d 4 ]tyrosine for 2 days. Specific isotopic enrichment of tyrosine in protein reached 25% in both 13 C and 2 H. Fifteen percent of the total 13 C label was incorporated as diphenolic carbon. Based on REDOR dephasing, about one-tenth of tyrosine rings in both intact plaques and threads are within 4 A of each other or rings of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA). However, there is no direct evidence for the formation of covalent linkages between or among tyrosine and DOPA rings in either plaques or threads.
The Luminescence of Incandescent Solids

Luminescence of Incandescent Oxides.---Some oxides, when heated to a temperature lying within a definite and sometimes narrow range, emit radiation in a limited region of the spectrum far in excess of the radiation emitted in that region by a black body at the same temperature. The excess is ascribed to luminescence. As a striking example, the blue radiation from niobium oxide at 560\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C. is about 85,000 times the corresponding radiation from a black body, the ratio decreasing with increasing temperature until it is 1.35 at 1037\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C. just before the oxide melts.The oxides of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, silicon and zirconium also show a blue glow, relatively strongest at the lowest stage of incandescence, decreasing to a minimum, then increasing to one or two crests corresponding to outbursts of blue luminescence between 1100\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 1500\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C.Intensity-temperature curves for the red, green and blue radiations from the oxides of samarium, gadolinium, gallium, niobium, erbium, cerium, praesodymium and neodymium, from 700\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 1550\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, show that all except cerium emit a blue or green-blue glow, and all but niobium and neodymium have one or two red, green and blue outbursts above 1000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C. Luminescence is different from temperature radiation not only in its variation with temperature and in its spectrum distribution but also in showing marked fatigue effects and in varying with the previous heat treatment and with the mode of heating used. The effect for any oxide is also sensitive to slight impurities as shown by tests of a synthetic ruby and a crystal of calcium fluoride containing rare earths.Lumi nescence is probably a phenomenon of instability associated with a chemical change such as oxidation or with the physical disturbances which the oxides undergo as they are heated and which are manifested in changes of electrical conductivity, crystal structure and other properties.Luminescent Emission Bands of Neodymium Oxide occur approximately at wave-lengths 525, 550, 570, 615 and 660 \ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\mu}. At 735\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} C. these bands were brighter than corresponding black-body radiation, but their excess intensity decreased, relatively, with increasing temperature until at 1010\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} they had disappeared into the continuous background of thermal radiation.
Quark condensate at finite baryon density.

We discuss a recently derived, model-independent relation that expresses the value of a medium-modified quark condensate in terms of the vacuum value of the condensate and the value of the nucleon sigma term, [sigma][sub [ital N]]. Our goal is to calculate the value of the quark condensate in nuclear matter, [l angle]NM[vert bar][ital [bar q]](0)[ital q](0)[vert bar]NM[r angle], using some standard many-body techniques. Here, we comment on the mean-field calculations of Cohen, Furnstahl, and Griegel and others. We then calculate the value of the nuclear matter quark condensate using linear response theory. In a sigma-dominance model, the linear response calculation relates the modification of the vacuum condensate to the matrix element of the operator [ital [bar q]q] taken between a state of the sigma meson and the vacuum. (That matrix element may be used to define a sigma decay constant, [ital f][sub [sigma]].) We also provide some additional insight into the relation between the dynamics of the quark condensate and the scalar fields of relativistic nuclear physics.
Estimate of fusion through deuteron-ionic halide interaction

Abstract The possibility of attaining the fusion reactions 19F(d,n)20Ne, or 19F(d,p)20F through coupling of a fluorine ion and a deuteron is discussed. Approximation of the ground state of this effective “bose atom” yields the following expression for the transmission coefficient for penetration of the deuteron through nuclear Coulomb barrier: T= exp [−2πZ(2s) 3 4 ( m d 20m e ) 1 2 ] . The radius of the F− ion is sa0 and deuteron-to-electron mass is md/me. Thus, T is infinitesimal and the assumed model renders the said fusion reaction highly improbable.
Preliminary engineering cost estimation model for bridge projects

AbstractThis paper addresses one of the costs of new bridges, i.e., the cost of doing the preliminary engineering (PE). This particular aspect of cost has largely been neglected because of the difficulty in obtaining appropriate data. Typically, PE costs are determined as a percentage of construction costs, disregarding other project-specific parameters. Bridge projects let by the North Carolina (NC) DOT between 2001 and 2009 were reviewed. From an analysis of these 461 projects, the writers developed statistical models linking variation in PE costs with distinctive project parameters. The primary contribution this paper makes to the body of knowledge is the finding that PE cost estimates for bridge projects are commonly and significantly underestimated. The writers found that bridge projects exhibited a mean PE cost ratio of 28%. This result is significantly greater than the percentage used in practice. An investigation of data sources related to bridge projects, a description of regression techniques ap...
Predictability in Airport Surface Operation Management

The performance of airport surface operations has usually been assessed with respect to delay, capacity and efficiency. Although predictability as a performance measure is recognized by stakeholders as an important goal, predictability metrics have not been defined for airport surface operations. This paper aims to fill that gap by using data from NASA’s Spot and Runway Departure Advisor (SARDA) human-in-the-loop simulations in 2012 to study airport operations predictability. Using the simulation data, we measure and compare predictability on the airfield with and without SARDA from three perspectives: controllers’ perspective, flight operator’s perspective and traffic management perspective. The controller survey results indicate the perception that SARDA reduces controller’s workload surges and has the potential to better handle off-nominal situations. By studying taxi-out time in both baseline and advisory runs, it is found that SARDA reduces variability in total taxi-out time and eliminates uncertainty in taxi-out time sooner into the taxi-out process. Moreover, SARDA enables more accurate predictions of wheels-off time through use of a linear regression model. There is no evidence indicating that SARDA causes more deviation from First-Scheduled-First-Served as compared to the non-SARDA case. Instead, SARDA improves First-In-First-Out performance in the queue area.
Short-term exposure to a 1.5 tesla static magnetic field does not affect somato-sensory-evoked potentials in man.

The literature is contradictory regarding the effect of static magnetic fields on the function of the central nervous system of mammals. Since human subjects are exposed to intense static magnetic fields during magnetic resonance imaging, it is important to determine if the static magnetic field adversely affects the nervous system of man. Therefore, somato-sensory evoked potentials (SEPs) elicited from median nerve stimulation were measured in 11 normal subjects before and during short-term exposure to a 1.5 Tesla static magnetic field. Specially modified instrumentation was used to record SEPs that were unperturbed by the static magnetic field. There were no statistically significant differences in the N20 or P25 latencies or in the amplitude from N20 negative peak to P25 positive peak of the SEPs obtained before compared to those recorded during exposure to the static magnetic field. In addition, there were no changes in the waveforms associated with exposure to the static magnetic field. We conclude that short-term exposure to a 1.5 Tesla static magnetic field does not affect SEPs (i.e., nerve conduction and synaptic transmission were within normal limits) in normal human subjects.
Effect of R-pretraining on PAL with unlimited time for response

Runquist & English (1964), using adjectives as R terms, found that the effects of R pretraining on PAL disappeared when PAL involved (1) unlimited time for response and (2) forced availability of the R terms during PAL. They attributed the. disappearance of the R-pretraining effect to the use of the forced-availability technique and drew theoretical conclusions accordingly. The present two experiments indicate that, for the type of R terms used by Runquist and English, R-pretraining effects disappear under unlimited time for response even in the absence of forced availability.
Ashley,K. D.-But, see, accord: generating blue book citations in HYPO

An interesting and important aspect of legal reasoning is the use of citations to precedent cases as justifications for legal conclusions. In this paper, we describe the standard use of citations as described in the attorney's “Blue Book” and how HYPO, a program that models case-based legal reasoning, generates and uses citations in a very similar way to analyze fact situations and to communicate with an attorney/user. More specifically, we describe how, given a fact situation (“cfs”), HYPO dynamically generates the citations to cases in its Case Knowledge Base (“CKB”) by (1) analyzing the factual features of the cfs to see what dimensions apply, (2) retrieving and constructing a “neighborhood” of citable cases around the cfs (the “Claim Lattice”) and (3) constructing the “Cites Display”, a network of citations to the most on point cases (“mopc”) that is a skeletal frame for a legal argument about the cfs.
A color map for effective black-and-white rendering of color-scale images

Default color maps on color images often reproduce to confusing grayscale images. The proposed color map maintains an aesthetically pleasing color image that automatically reproduces to a monotonic grayscale with discrete, quantifiable saturation levels.
The operation of coated tungsten-based dispenser cathodes in nonideal vacuum

The behavior of iridium- and osmium-coated dispenser cathodes in background pressures of oxygen and water vapor is discussed. Poisoning is predominantly chemical in nature and occurs at significantly lower pressures than would be expected for physical sputtering damage to the cathode surface. Measurements to determine the maximum background pressure in which the cathode can maintain their full emission capability are presented. The osmium-coated cathode has greater resistance to poisoning than the iridium-coated both at room and operating temperatures. The coated cathodes can operate in about three times as great a pressure of water vapor as oxygen. The results suggest ways that these cathodes can be optimized in nonideal vacuum. They also suggest that it should be possible to design an osmium-coated that will be able to emit fully 1310 K to about 5*10/sup -8/ torr of water vapor. >
Piecewise polynomial Lyapunov functions with guaranteed accuracy

We address the stability problem for switched systems. We present new semidefinite programming based methods that appear very efficient in practice. These methods rely on the computation of piecewise defined Lyapunov functions. We compare the state-of-the-art in continuous and discrete time. We raise a few questions, with an emphasis on the computational complexity point of view, and answer some of them.
Effectiveness of IMF-Supported Stabilization Programs in Developing Countries

Abstract This paper examines the effectiveness of Fund-supported stabilization programs by investigating whether the IMF achieves its own objectives in such programs. Even though the Fund’s conditionality prescribes fiscal and monetary discipline in program countries, the results of the empirical analysis show that the IMF cannot impose its conditionality even during program years. Furthermore, when successive interprogram periods are considered, program countries enter a new program in a worse macroeconomic condition than they entered the previous program. These results and the fact that stabilization programs have a revolving nature are inconsistent with the effectiveness of IMF-supported stabilization programs and may signal the existence of moral hazard.
The Use of Decision Cases to Foster Critical Thinking in Social Work Students

This article discusses the vital importance of developing critical thinking skills in social work students and explores the use of case-based instruction as a means of fostering those skills. The challenges inherent in the teaching and assessment of critical thinking are addressed. The history and theoretical underpinnings for the use of decision cases as a valid and efficacious teaching tool are presented. Literature evaluating the outcomes of the case method and related strategies is reviewed.
Homeopathy Re-revisited: Is Homeopathy Compatible With Biomedical Observations?

In recent years, alternative medicine has been attracting considerable attention, from both consumers and the medical profession, 1,2 The possible efficacy of many types of approaches (eg, medicinal plants, manipulative therapies, acupuncture) may be explained by mechanisms that are compatible with the biomedical model. However, the tenets of homeopathy seem to contradict the knowledge accumulated in the past 2 centuries in the fields of chemistry, biochemistry, and medicine. For this reason, it has been viewed unfavorably by conventional scientists and physicians. The purpose of this article is to reexamine this belief that homeopathy is conceptually incompatible with Western medical knowledge.
Accuracy of three dry-chemistry methods for lipid profiling and risk factor classification.

The purpose of this project was to determine the accuracy in lipids measurement and risk factor classification using Reflotron, Cholestech, and Ektachem DT-60 dry-chemistry analyzers. Plasma and capillary venous blood from fasting subjects (n = 47) were analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) using these analyzers and a CDC certified laboratory. Accuracy was evaluated by comparing the results of each portable analyzer against the CDC reference method. One-way ANOVAs were performed for TC, HDL-C, and TG between all portable analyzers and the reference method. Chi-square was used for risk classification (2001 NIH Guidelines). Compared to the reference method, the Ektachem and Reflotron provided significantly lower values for TC (p .45) between analyzers. According to these results, the Ektachem and Cholestech analyzers met the current NCEP III guidelines for accuracy in measurement of TC, while only Ektachem met guidelines for TG. All 3 analyzers provided a good overall risk classification; however, values of HDL-C should be only used for screening purposes.
Connexin Gene Expression in Seminiferous Tubules of the Sprague-Dawley Rat

Sertoli and spermatogenic cells establish germ cell- and epithelial stage-dependent networks of cell-cell communication thought to be important for the initiation and maintenance of spermatogenesis. Since gap junctions assemble between Sertoli cells and between Sertoli and spermatogenic cells, it was hypothesized that multiple, unique routes of cell-cell communication may be established, in part, by the assembly of structurally diverse gap junctions from the connexin (Cx) multigene family. Differences in channel structure may support differences in ion or second messenger permeability between cell types. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses showed that 11 Cx mRNAs were present in total RNA from seminiferous tubules and that 10 of the Cx mRNAs were present in polysomes and presumably translated. RT-PCR analyses also showed that the Cx mRNA population varied between different seminiferous tubule cell types. There were 9 Cx mRNAs in germ cells, 8 in Sertoli cells, and 5 in peritubular cells. One of the Cx mRNAs, Cx-50, was detected only in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids. Comparisons of the Cx mRNAs present in tubules at different postnatal ages showed that at least 2 Cxs (Cx-33 and Cx-50) accumulated when leptotene-zygotene stages developed. The multiple Cx genes and proteins produced in spermatogenesis may support the assembly of structurally diverse gap junctions.
Microsphere localization and dose quantification using positron emission tomography/CT following hepatic intraarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Purpose To characterize the distribution of absorbed radiation dose after glass microsphere radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 64 90 Y PET/CT scans performed after treatment were evaluated following 90 Y glass-bead radioembolization in patients with advanced HCC. The intended dose to the target volume ranged from 83–129 Gy. Three-dimensional "dose maps" were created from reconstructed PET images using a voxel-based S-value transformation. Liver parenchyma and liver tumors were contoured on cross-sectional imaging and aligned with the created dose maps. Results There were 113 tumors examined as part of 64 lobar treatments. The average tumor size was 4.8 cm ± 4.0 with an average tumor dose of 173 Gy ± 109. The average dose to the nontumor parenchyma within the target volume was 93.4 Gy ± 32.6, with on average 50% of the parenchymal voxels receiving > 79 Gy ± 23 and 10% receiving > 173 Gy ± 55. The average and median tumor-to-parenchymal weighted dose ratios were 2.2 and 1.9, respectively. Conclusions Using recommended dosimetry and administration techniques for lobar glass microsphere radioembolization, high doses to target tumors as well as background parenchyma were achieved on average with modest preferential uptake within tumors. There was wide variation in measured tumor and parenchymal doses after hepatic radioembolization for HCC, suggesting the need for continued development of patient-specific dosimetry.
Efficient isoparametric integration over arbitrary space-filling Voronoi polyhedra for electronic structure calculations

A numerically efficient, accurate, and easily implemented integration scheme over convex Voronoi polyhedra (VP) is presented for use in ab initio electronic-structure calculations. We combine a weighted Voronoi tessellation with isoparametric integration via Gauss-Legendre quadratures to provide rapidly convergent VP integrals for a variety of integrands, including those with a Coulomb singularity. We showcase the capability of our approach by first applying it to an analytic charge-density model achieving machine-precision accuracy with expected convergence properties in milliseconds. For contrast, we compare our results to those using shape-functions and show our approach is greater than 105 times faster and 107 times more accurate. A weighted Voronoi tessellation also allows for a physics-based partitioning of space that guarantees convex, space-filling VP while reflecting accurate atomic size and site charges, as we show within KKR methods applied to Fe-Pd alloys.
Embedded image compression using DCT based subband decomposition and SLCCA data organization

Wavelet transform provides harmonic space-frequency localization and great energy compaction, but with generally high computational complexity. In this paper, an 8/spl times/8 fast discrete cosine transform (DCT) approach is adopted to perform subband decomposition, followed by SLCCA data organization and entropy coding. Simulation results showed that the embedded DCT-SLCCA image compression reduced the computational complexity to only a quarter of the wavelet based subband decomposition while the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) degraded at the same bit rate by only 0.6 dB. The subjective image quality degradation was almost unnoticeable. Moreover, due to 8/spl times/8 fast DCT hardware implementation being commercially available, the proposed DCT-SLCCA has the potential for high performance high speed image coding and transmission.
Contemporary climate change in the Sonoran Desert favors cold-adapted species

Impacts of long-term climate shifts on the dynamics of intact communities within species ranges are not well understood. Here, we show that warming and drying of the Southwestern United States over the last 25 years has corresponded to a shift in the species composition of Sonoran Desert winter annuals, paradoxically favoring species that germinate and grow best in cold temperatures. Winter rains have been arriving later in the season, during December rather than October, leading to the unexpected result that plants are germinating under colder temperatures, shifting community composition to favor slow growing, water-use efficient, cold-adapted species. Our results demonstrate how detailed ecophysiological knowledge of individual species, combined with long-term demographic data, can reveal complex and sometimes unexpected shifts in community composition in response to climate change. Further, these results highlight the potentially overwhelming impact of changes in phenology on the response of biota to a changing climate.
An Inexpensive Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectrograph

The description of an inexpensive vacuum ultraviolet spectrograph is presented. A representative spectrum used in the qualitative identification of arsenic is shown for the region of 1890 A.
Reflections on Comic Reconciliations: Ethics, Memory, and Anxious Happy Endings

Comedies of remarriage typically display a characteristic view of the reconciliation of troubled friendships. My preliminary thesis is that the "remarriage reconciliations" at the heart of comedies of remarriage ground an important and yet under-appreciated aesthetic category that I call "anxious happy endings." Remarriage comedies also highlight the often overlooked question: are there ethical reasons to try to hold on to certain memories? I investigate a crucial aspect of this question by considering the recent film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004), which provides an informed study of ethics and memory.
Sensory Axon Guidance with Semaphorin 6A and Nerve Growth Factor in a Biomimetic Choice Point Model

The direct effect of guidance cues on developing and regenerating axons in vivo is not fully understood, as the process involves a multiplicity of attractive and repulsive signals, presented both as soluble and membrane-bound ligands. A better understanding of axon guidance is critical to functional recovery following injury to the nervous system through improved outgrowth and mapping of damaged nerves. Due to their implications as inhibitors to central nervous system regeneration, we investigated the repulsive properties of semaphorin 6A and ephrin-B3 on E15 rat dorsal root ganglion explants, as well as possible interactions with soluble gradients of chemoattractive nerve growth factor (NGF). We employed a 3D biomimetic in vitro choice point model, which enabled the simple and rapid preparation of patterned gel growth matrices with quantifiable presentation of guidance cues in a specifiable manner that resembles the in vivo presentation of soluble and/or immobilized ligands. Neurites demonstrated an inhibitory response to immobilized Sema6A by lumbosacral dorsal root ganglion explants, while no such repulsion was observed for immobilized ephrin-B3 by explants at any spinal level. Interestingly, Sema6A inhibition could be partially attenuated in a concentration-dependent manner through the simultaneous presentation of soluble NGF gradients. The in vitro model described herein represents a versatile and valuable investigative tool in the quest for understanding developmental processes and improving regeneration following nervous system injury.
Genetic immunization using nanoparticles engineered from microemulsion precursors.

Purpose. Genetic immunization using “naked” plasmid DNA (pDNA) has been shown to elicit broad humoral and cellular immune responses. However, more versatile and perhaps cell-targeted delivery systems are needed. To this end, a novel process to engineer cationic nanoparticles coated with pDNA for genetic immunization was explored. Methods. Cationic nanoparticles were engineered from warm oil-in-water microemulsion precursors composed of emulsifying wax as the oil phase and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the cationic surfactant. Plasmid DNA was coated on the surface of the cationic nanoparticles to produce pDNA-coated nanoparticles. An endosomolytic lipid and/or a dendritic cell-targeting ligand (mannan) were incorporated in or deposited on the nanoparticles to enhance the in vitro cell transfection efficiency and the in vivo immune responses after subcutaneous injection to Balb/C mice. The IgG titer to expressed β-galactosidase and the cytokine release from isolated splenocytes after stimulation were determined on 28 days. Results. Cationic nanoparticles (around 100 nm) were engineered within minutes. The pDNA-coated nanoparticles were stable at 37°C over 30 min in selected biologic fluids. Transmission electron microscopy showed the nanoparticles were spherical. Plasmid DNA-coated nanoparticles, especially those with both an endosomolytic lipid and dendritic cell-targeting ligand, resulted in significant enhancement in both IgG titer (over 16-fold) and T-helper type-1 (Th1-type) cytokine release (up to 300% increase) over “naked” pDNA. Conclusion. A novel method to engineer pDNA-coated nanoparticles for enhanced in vitro cell transfection and enhanced in vivo immune responses was reported.
Bad Luck or Bad Policy: Why Do Firms Fail?

This paper investigates the effect of an aggressive corporate growth strategy on the failure risk of a firm using information on firm-level mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities. I find that excessive acquisitiveness relative to an industry benchmark explain more variations in the failure risk of firms than exogenous economic disturbances. Excessive M&A activities are associated with a rise in immediate debt obligations and a fall in liquid assets to finance these obligations. This mismatch between debt maturity and asset liquidity translates into an increased amount of default risk for hyperactive acquirers. These results suggest that traditional line of argument - "Blame It on the Market Tsunami" - may not be well grounded and firms need to carefully examine their investment and financing policies in good times to cushion against shocks in bad times.
Distinct or shared actions of peptide family isoforms: II. Multiple pyrokinins exert similar effects in the lobster stomatogastric nervous system.

Many neuropeptides are members of peptide families, with multiple structurally similar isoforms frequently found even within a single species. This raises the question of whether the individual peptides serve common or distinct functions. In the accompanying paper, we found high isoform specificity in the responses of the lobster ( Homarus americanus ) cardiac neuromuscular system to members of the pyrokinin peptide family: only one of five crustacean isoforms showed any bioactivity in the cardiac system. Because previous studies in other species had found little isoform specificity in pyrokinin actions, we examined the effects of the same five crustacean pyrokinins on the lobster stomatogastric nervous system (STNS). In contrast to our findings in the cardiac system, the effects of the five pyrokinin isoforms on the STNS were indistinguishable: they all activated or enhanced the gastric mill motor pattern, but did not alter the pyloric pattern. These results, in combination with those from the cardiac ganglion, suggest that members of a peptide family in the same species can be both isoform specific and highly promiscuous in their modulatory capacity. The mechanisms that underlie these differences in specificity have not yet been elucidated; one possible explanation, which has yet to be tested, is the presence and differential distribution of multiple receptors for members of this peptide family.
The Relationship Between Union Status and Employment-Based Health Benefits

This paper examines the relationship between health benefits and union status. Union workers are much more likely to have employment-based health benefits than nonunion workers. In September 2007, 82.7 percent of union workers were covered by health benefits through their own job, compared with 58.2 percent of nonunion workers. Overall, 94.2 percent of union workers had employment-based health benefits, compared with 76.4 percent of nonunion workers. Although union workers were less likely than nonunion workers to have employment-based coverage as a dependent (11.5 percent and 18.2 percent, respectively), union workers are much less likely to be uninsured. Only 2.9 percent of union workers were uninsured in September 2007, compared with 14.2 percent uninsured among nonunion workers. Since union workers account for a declining share of the working population in the private sector, further erosion of unionization is likely to coincide with overall erosion in the percentage of workers with employment-based health benefits, all else equal. Furthermore, any future decline in the size of the public sector that is unionized will only exacerbate the overall erosion in the percentage of workers with employment-based health benefits. The paper also examines the job characteristics of union and nonunion workers, as well as health benefits and job characteristics for union and nonunion workers. Union workers are more likely to be employed in the public sector, manufacturing industry, blue-collar occupations, and in full-time jobs. Union workers have higher annual earnings than nonunion workers. The PDF for the above title, published in the October 2009 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the full text of another October 2009 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: "Debt of the Elderly and Near Elderly, 1992-2007."
Medical Cosmopolitanism in Global Dubai: A Twenty-First-Century Transnational Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) Depot.

Dubai-one of the seven United Arab Emirates and the Middle East's only "global city"-is gaining a reputation as a transnational medical tourism hub. Characterized by its "medical cosmopolitanism," Dubai is now attracting medical travelers from around the world, some of whom are seeking assisted conception. Dubai is fast becoming known as a new transnational "reprohub" for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the variant of in vitro fertilization designed to overcome male infertility. Based on ethnographic research conducted in one of the country's most cosmopolitan clinics, this article explores the ICSI treatment quests of infertile men coming to Dubai from scores of other nations. The case of an infertile British-Moroccan man is highlighted to demonstrate why ICSI is a particularly compelling "masculine hope technology" for infertile Muslim men. Thus, Muslim men who face barriers to ICSI access in their home countries may become "reprotravelers" to Dubai, an emergent ICSI depot.
N-CHANNEL AND P-CHANNEL LPCVD POLYSILICON MOSFET'S AND EFFECTS OF GRAIN BOUNDARY PASSIVATION.

MOSFETs built in a thin layer of as-deposited, small-grain LPCVD polysilicon offer an attractive alternative to the beam recrystallized SOI MOSFETs because of its simple process and low cost. The inherently inferior performance of polysilicon MOSFET can be improved by the grain boundary passivation in hydrogen plasma. The device characteristics of n-channel and p-channel polysilicon MOSFETs are compared before and after the hydrogen passivation. Dramatic improve-ment of drive current and curtailment of leakage current has been observed after the passivation. The anomalous leakage current has been observed and is attributed to the soft breakdown of the drain junction.
Nicardipine for Hypertension Following Aortic Coarctectomy or Superior Cavopulmonary Anastomosis.

Background:Literature on the use of nicardipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonist, in children recovering from cardiac surgery is sparse and, to our knowledge, nonexistent in children with single ventricle anatomy. We aimed to report our experience with nicardipine in these patient populations.Methods:We performed a retrospective review of children recovering from aortic coarctectomy or superior cavopulmonary anastomoses who received nicardipine for hypertension at our institution between 2007 and 2013. Hemodynamic variables prior to and after nicardipine initiation were compared using paired t tests.Results:Seven children recovering from aortic coarctectomy (median age 8.6 months, range: 1.5 months-7.9 years) and four children recovering from superior cavopulmonary anastomosis (median age: seven months, range: five-nine months) were reviewed. For all patients, at six hours after initiation of nicardipine, mean systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased, 123 ± 19 versus 103 ± 14 mm Hg...
The Interaction Study between Multi-modality and Meta-cognitive Strategy in College English Listening Comprehension Teaching

The study states application of multi-modality and meta-cognitive strategy in listening comprehension teaching.The author aims to testify whether there exists relationship between multi-modality and meta-cognitive strategy. The results indicate that there is a strong interaction between multi-modality and meta-cognitive strategy,which can improve listening comprehension more effectively than multi-modality and meta-cognitive strategy respectively.
Psychosocial Assessment of Children with Chronic Physical Disease

Because families tend to minimize their psychosocial problems and clinicians often underestimate how hard it is for children and families to live with chronic illness, this article outlines a method whereby clinicians can begin to detect both strengths and vulnerabilities within the chronically ill child and the family.
Testicular Androgens in Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with a Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone Agonist

AbstractLuteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonists have been shown to reduce the levels of androgens in the peripheral circulation and to reduce prostate volume. The objective of this study was to quantify testicular function in patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate treated with a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist, leuprolide, by analysis of spermatic vein blood for testosterone and androstenedione, and by determination of the maximum velocity of the 17 s-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase enzyme in testicular tissue in vitro. A chemical analysis of the spermatic vein blood of 19 patients with a median age of 78 years revealed the presence of significantly high levels of testosterone and androstenedione, 20.7 ± 1.9μg.% and 6.7 ± 0.7μg.%, respectively. These androgens could not be detected in patients treated with leuprolide before orchiectomy. Patients treated with leuprolide for several months followed by a period of no treatment before orchiectomy secreted testosterone and andros...
On Optimal Cancellation of Policies

One of the basic problems in life is: Given information (from the past), make decisions (that will affect the future). One of the classical actuarial examples is the adaptive ratemaking (or credibility) procedures; here the premium of a given risk is sequentially adjusted, taking into account the claims experience available when the decisions are made.In some cases, the rates are fixed and the premiums cannot be adjusted. Then the actuary faces the question: Should a given risk be underwritten in the first place, and if yes, what is the criterion (in terms of claims performance) for cancellation of the policy at a later time?Recently, Cozzolino and Freifelder [6] developed a model in an attempt to answer these questions. They assumed a discrete time, finite horizon, Poisson model. While the results lend themselves to straightforward numerical evaluation, their analytical form is not too attractive. Here we shall present a continuous time, infinite horizon, diffusion model. At the expense of being somewhat less realistic, this model is very appealing from an analytical point of view.Mathematically, the cancellation of policies amounts to an optimal stopping problem, see [8], [4], or chapter 13 in [7], and (more generally) should be viewed within the framework of discounted dynamic programming [1], [2].
The data management sub-system of the experimental push/pull production management system

The paper introduces the data management sub-system of the experimental Push/Pull production management system, which is a mixture of the two popular manufacturing management methods — MRPII and JIT, in details, include the design of the database structure, the design of the data management function, and the design of the data management man-machine interface etc.. This satisfaction of the system provides a prossible chance to applicating the hybrid Push/Pull strategy to Chinese manufacturing systems.
Plasma and Red Blood Cells

This chapter begins by describing the components of plasma—the electrolytes and the major classes of proteins including albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen, and further describes the various kinds of globulins and their functions, including alpha, beta, and gamma globulins. It discusses the use of proteins as pH buffers and introduces the concept of the oncotic or colloid osmotic pressure. It then describes the erythrocyte, detailing its size, shape, and numbers in the blood. The overall structure of hemoglobin is illustrated, and how to calculate mean cell volume and mean cell hemoglobin concentration is shown. The function of erythropoietin in promoting erythrocyte genesis is discussed. Because iron is needed for hemoglobin synthesis, the metabolism of iron is described. The function of the reticuloendothelial system in degraded red blood cells is discussed. Lastly, the existence of blood types and their origin, and the consequence of this for blood transfusions, is described.
Selected Poisonous Plants Affecting Animal and Human Health

Plant-associated toxins can be synthesized by the plant, produced by associated microorganisms, or simply incorporated and accumulated by the plant. These toxins are found in nearly all plants, many of which are generally considered “safe” to use as feed and food. Some are potent carcinogens. Others only cause mild inconvenience, such as tainted milk or replacement and loss of other desirable forages. Toxin concentrations and subsequent plant toxicity also vary between plants and even within populations, and between seasons and years. This variation in some situations is related to environmental conditions, but often the cause is unknown. This variation makes it difficult to predict toxicity and subsequent risk of poisoning. Most intoxications affect grazing livestock and wildlife; however, human and companion animal poisoning also occurs. This is generally due to plant or toxin contamination of prepared feeds, food, medicines, and herbal products. The objectives of this chapter are to introduce some common toxic plants and describe some of the pathologic changes relating to their poisoning in animals and humans, with a focus on livestock intoxication.
In Vivo 19F MR Imaging Cell Tracking of Inflammatory Macrophages and Site-specific Development of Colitis-associated Dysplasia

Purpose To investigate whether the magnitude of in vivo fluorine 19 (19F) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging signal is associated with subsequent development of colitis-associated dysplasia after in situ fluorination of inflammatory macrophages in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Materials and Methods Experiments were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Mice in the experimental group (n = 10) were administered azoxymethane and dextran sulfate sodium to induce colitis-associated dysplasia. Five mice were in the noninduced control group. Animals were injected with a commercially available perfluorocarbon and were examined in vivo with an 11.7-T MR imager for up to 110 days. Colons were then harvested followed by high-spatial-resolution ex vivo MR imaging. Multiple colon segments with or without 19F signal were histologically graded and were correlated with 19F signal intensity by using a Spearman correlation test. The signal intensity in mice with colitis-associated dysplasia was compared with that in control mice with a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test. Results Patchy distributions of 19F signal intensity in the colon wall were seen on in vivo and ex vivo images, representing chronic inflammation as shown by immunohistochemistry. Histologic scores of inflammation and site-specific development of colitis-associated dysplasia in the descending colon showed good correlation with normalized 19F signal intensity (r = 0.88, P = .033 for the ascending colon; r = 0.82, P = .006 for the descending colon). A significantly (P = .002) higher normalized 19F signal-to-noise ratio was found at sites that developed dysplasia (mean, 0.58 ± 0.09 [standard deviation]) as compared with sites that did not (mean, 0.17 ± 0.22). Conclusion 19F MR imaging cell tracking of macrophages can be used to assess local inflammation in a mouse model of IBD. The resulting local 19F signal intensity, representing the magnitude of inflammation, has a positive correlation with the development of colitis-associated dysplasia. © RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
Are we underestimating inequality aversion? Comparing recruited and classroom subjects

This paper finds that in experiments measuring social preferences, subjects who respond to recruitment incentivized by pecuniary rewards are more likely to be self-interested and less likely to be inequality averse than students who participate in classroom sessions.
Ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access for therapeutic apheresis procedures reduces need for central venous catheters

Therapeutic and donor apheresis requires adequate vascular access to achieve inlet flow rates of ∼50-100 mL/min. While central dialysis-type venous catheters can usually provide such access, their use includes several associated risks. Some of these risks can be avoided or diminished if adequate peripheral venous access can be established. Some patients have adequate peripheral veins for apheresis that cannot be readily identified visually or by palpation. We hypothesized that ultrasound-guided peripheral venous access would benefit such patients and would lead to placement of fewer central venous catheters. The technique of ultrasound-guided peripheral access for apheresis has been in use at Houston Methodist Hospital since 2012. We performed a prospective review of patients undergoing inpatient and outpatient apheresis at Houston Methodist Hospital from July 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015, to assess its benefit. During this time, we performed 831 procedures on 186 patients, including 787 therapeutic plasma exchanges, three red blood cell exchanges, 41 peripheral stem cell collections. Ultrasound-guided vascular access was used for 68 procedures (8% of all procedures), including 62 therapeutic plasma exchanges, 4 peripheral stem cell collections, and 2 red blood cell changes. Use of ultrasound-guided peripheral access prevented the placement of central venous catheters in 37 (20%) patients, demonstrating its utility in a busy transfusion service.