cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypothalamic microglia as potential regulators of metabolic physiology.

Tissue-resident myeloid cells initiate local inflammation in response to infectious or injurious stimuli. Sixteen years ago, macrophages in the adipose tissue (ATMs) were shown to undergo a form of activation in response to diet-induced obesity, thus leading to the conclusion that these macrophages sense a type of pro-inflammatory injury. ATMs are now known to be central to adipose tissue development, plasticity, maintenance and function. Indeed, their involvement in obesity may represent hijacking of these functions. More recently, microglia, ‘CNS macrophages’, have been shown to accumulate and undergo activation in response to dietary excess in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), and early studies have implicated these cells as injury-responsive mediators of hypothalamic dysfunction. However, microglia are amazingly diverse cells now known to have moment-to-moment sensory functions and to communicate with neighbouring neurons to maintain and shape brain circuitry. Here, we build on this view, detailing our rapidly evolving understanding of microglial heterogeneity in the MBH and their roles as nutrient and environmental sensors. We propose that microglia, instead of simply responding to diet-induced damage, act as critical metabolic regulators that may coordinate a complex cellular network in the MBH. Understanding their roles in hypothalamic development and function should reveal unexpected mechanistic information relevant to important diseases such as obesity. Activation of tissue-resident myeloid cells in the brain, known as microglia, is thought to drive obesity-associated hypothalamic dysfunction. The authors of this Perspective present a more nuanced view of microglia, echoing lessons learned from the field of adipose macrophage biology: instead of simply responding to diet-induced damage, microglia are proposed to act as nutrient and environmental sensors that regulate hypothalamic physiology, a role that, if hijacked by chronic overnutrition, can produce disease.
Cyclic-AMP induces Nogo-A receptor NgR1 internalization and inhibits Nogo-A-mediated collapse of growth cone.

Abstract The promotion of axonal regeneration is required for functional recovery from stroke and various neuronal injuries. However, axonal regeneration is inhibited by diverse axonal growth inhibitors, such as Nogo-A. Nogo-66, a C-terminal domain of Nogo-A, binds to the Nogo-A receptor 1 (NgR1) and induces the collapse of growth cones and inhibits neurite outgrowth. NgR1 is also a receptor for additional axonal growth inhibitors, suggesting it is an important target for the prevention of axonal growth inhibition. By using the indirect immunofluorescence method, we show for the first time that a cell-permeable cAMP analog (dibutyryl-cAMP) induced a rapid decrease in the cell surface expression of NgR1 in Neuroscreen-1 (NS-1) cells. The biotinylation method revealed that cAMP indeed induced internalization of NgR1 within minutes. Other intracellular cAMP-elevating agents, such as forskolin, which directly activates adenylyl cyclase, and rolipram, which inhibits cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase, also induced this process. This internalization was found to be reversible and influenced by intracellular levels of cAMP. Using selective activators and inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA) and the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac), we found that NgR1 internalization is independent of PKA, but dependent on Epac. The decrease in cell surface expression of NgR1 desensitized NS-1 cells to Nogo-66-induced growth cone collapse. Therefore, it is likely that besides axonal growth inhibitors affecting neurons, neurons themselves also self-regulate their sensitivity to axonal growth inhibitors, as influenced by intracellular cAMP/Epac. This normal cellular regulatory mechanism may be pharmacologically exploited to overcome axonal growth inhibitors, and enhance functional recovery after stroke and neuronal injuries.
Thermal stability of crystalline phases in MnO-doped zinc borosilicate glasses

We have studied a relatively overlooked subset of the MnO-doped zinc borosilicate glass system with a goal of investigating the effects of MnO-doping on the thermal stability of crystalline phase formation in the system. A glass system of general composition 55ZnO–20B2O3–25SiO2 with added MnO dopant, which replaces Zn modifier locations with Mn, ratios of 0, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.015 MnO:ZnO were prepared, via batch melting at 1550 °C for 1.5 h. The glasses were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS). Thermal analysis, followed by detailed XRD and Rietveld structural refinement, revealed the formation of zinc borate (Zn4O(BO2)6), willemite (Zn2SiO4), and manganese zinc silicate ((ZnMn)SiO4) crystallites after heat-treatment at 875 °C for 4 h and zinc borate crystallites influenced by the borate anomaly in samples heated to ≈ 955 °C at a ramp rate of 10 °C/min and held for 4 h. Microstructure and elemental maps confirmed that the zinc borate had become an integral part of both glass and crystalline phases in the resulting glass–ceramic samples. MnO-content influenced the formation of the boron-containing glass phase via the borate anomaly.
Snow cover change and its relationship with land surface temperature and vegetation in northeastern North America from 2000 to 2017

Snow cover has a major influence on the global energy balance through the reflection of shortwave solar radiation as well as influencing ecological processes and human activity. Numerous studies ha...
Adjuvant Chemotherapy Benefits on Patients with Extramural Vascular Invasion in Stages II and III Colon Cancer

Extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) is a poor prognostic factor in colon cancer. However, the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with EMVI is not well defined. The objective of this study is to determine if there is a survival benefit for using adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with EMVI-positive colon cancers. We performed a retrospective review of all patients with stages II and III colon adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical resection between 2004 and 2015. Cox regression was used to determine the effect of chemotherapy on EMVI-positive patients while adjusting for the extent of invasion, regional lymph node metastasis, histologic grade, age, site of tumor, and ASA score. A total of 750 patients were included in this study. Extramural vascular invasion was present in 93 out of 387 stage II patients (24%) and 187 out of 363 stage III patients (52%). The Cox regression model showed that in patients with EMVI, those who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy had a 1.6-fold (1.1–2.3) increase in the hazard of death compared with those who received chemotherapy. Patients who were EMVI-negative fared better than those who were EMVI-positive. In patients who were EMVI-positive, adjuvant chemotherapy improved overall survival.
Hierarchical MnNiCo ternary metal oxide/graphene nanoplatelets composites as high rated electrode material for supercapacitors

Abstract For achieving a higher supercapacitor performance, electrode material with high surface area and conductivity such as graphene, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), and carbon nanotubes along with Transition Metal oxides (TMO) can be used. Herein, the composite of graphene nanoplatelets with ternary metal oxide of manganese, nickel, and cobalt (MNC) is synthesized through a facile cost-effective hydrothermal process and its compositional, morphological, and electrochemical properties are investigated. As-synthesized MNC-GNP composite showed excellent electrochemical properties owing to the high porosity offered by graphene nanoplatelets and synergistic effects produced by individual components of the composite. For comparative studies, ternary oxide MNC was prepared by the same hydrothermal route. The cubic structure of the MNC-GNP composite is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed distinct hierarchical dendritic structures which showed an increase in density by the addition of graphene nanoplatelets. Electrochemical testing revealed that MNC-GNP exhibited an enhanced specific capacity of 605 mAh g-1 which is higher compared to MNC which exhibited 243 mAh g-1 at a current density of 2 mV s-1. GCD also depicted an increased charge-discharge time in the case of MNC-GNP as compared to its counterpart. MNC-GNP has also shown charge stability up to 99.5 % of capacity retention up to 1000 cycles. Hence, synthesized composite shows to be an effective electrode material for supercapacitors owing to enhanced electrochemical properties.
COVID-19 Symptom Checker: The Plushie Solution

Due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, many individuals have needed to quarantine and monitor themselves for symptoms. Through our design process, we developed the idea for a COVID-19 symptom checker. The interactive robot is designed as a way for people in lockdown to report their COVID-19 symptoms easily and is simple to use for everybody, from children to the elderly at home. It will incorporate an Adafruit Bluefruit LE module to return collected data, an LCDR display to ask the user questions about their symptoms, a thermistor to take a temperature, and a joystick to answer questions.
Inclusive innovation and the “ordinary” city: Incidental or integral?:

Economic opportunity in the 21st century privileges people and places with the “right mix” of human capital to develop and apply digital technologies, and disadvantages those without. Increasing so...
Facilitating Fit-Revelation in the Competitive Market

This study examines firms’ strategic decisions in the competitive market regarding whether to engage in marketing activities to assist consumers find the fit between their personal tastes and products’ horizontal attributes. We find that competitive firms’ strategies to facilitate fit-revelation critically depend on the product qualities they offer. In particular, a firm offering a high quality product is more likely to facilitate fit-revelation in the competitive market than it would as a market monopolist, whereas a firm offering a low quality product is less likely to do so. In addition, the firm offering the high quality product implements fit-revealing activities in a greater intensity than its rival that offers the low quality product, if the quality difference between the two products is small and both products’ qualities are sufficiently high.
What Should Cardiac Patients Know About Device Cybersecurity Prior to Implantation

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures require informed consent and, ideally, shared decision making to guide patients through their experiences as CIED recipients. The information that different patients need or want about cybersecurity risk varies. This article considers device cybersecurity risks in light of federal guidelines and suggests strategies for communicating these risks clearly during informed consent conversations and follow-up.
Characteristics of RF Hollow Cathode Discharge: Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo Simulation

RF sheath heating as well as secondary electron acceleration play important role in the radio-frequency (RF) hollow cathode discharge (HCD). HCDs form in cylindrical cavities in the cathode, and one can use an array of such cavities to create large area HCDs. The plasma in the hollow cavities can become more intense due to the hollow cathode effect (HCE) under certain conditions. In this study, a single hollow cathode hole is modeled using Particle-in-Cell/Monte Carlo simulation. In this model, using charge density of particles, Poisson equation is solved for electric potential, which yields the electric field. Using this electric field, all charged particles’ velocities are updated and the particles are moved. This PIC code considers particle collisions with each other and with neutral fluid using a Monte Carlo model. Statistics of these collisions are used to determine how electron energy is dissipated in the plasma. RF hollow cathode behavior is characterized for different hole size, pressure and RF voltage. The plasma penetrates inside the hollow cathode hole with increase in pressure, leading to HCE enhancement. With increase in hole size, plasma penetrates further into the hole at a given pressure. At high RF voltage, plasma density enhancement is limited as plasma spreads over larger volume. To evaluate the effect of RF sheath heating, the hollow cathode discharge is modeled at different frequencies ranging from high to low frequency. To understand the importance of secondary electron acceleration on the discharge, we modeled the discharge for different secondary electron emission coefficients. In order to determine the collective behavior of an array of hollow cathode holes, a reduced order model based on a neural network is developed utilizing the detailed PIC modeling results. Preliminary results using the reduced order model are also presented.
Fast context switching in real-time propositional reasoning

The trend to increasingly capable and affordable control processors has generated an explosion of embedded real-time gadgets that serve almost every function imaginable. The daunting task of programming these gadgets is greatly alleviated with real-time deductive engines that perform all execution and monitoring functions from a single core model. Fast response times are achieved using an incremental propositional deductive database (an LTMS). Ideally the cost of an LTMS's incremental update should be linear in the number of labels that change between successive contexts. Unfortunately an LTMS can expend a significant percentage of its time working on labels that remain constant between contexts. This is caused by the LTMS's conservative approach: a context switch first removes all consequences of deleted clauses, whether or not those consequences hold in the new context. This paper presents a more aggressive incremental TMS, called the ITMS, that avoids processing a significant number of these consequences that are unchanged. Our empirical evaluation for spacecraft control shows that the overhead of processing unchanged consequences can be reduced by a factor of seven.
Homotopy Limit Functors On Model Categories And Homotopical Categories

Model categories: An overview Model categories and their homotopy categories Quillen functors Homotopical cocompleteness and completeness of model categories Homotopical categories: Summary of part II Homotopical categories and homotopical functors Deformable functors and their approximations Homotopy colimit and limit functors and homotopical ones Index Bibliography.
Gestation Length and Birth Weight in Cattle and Buffaloes: A Review,

Abstract The present review of literature summarizes in table form the available information about gestation length and birth weight in cattle and buffaloes. Both gestation length and birth weight vary greatly among breeds. In cattle, Aberdeen Angus seem to have the shortest gestation length (273 days) and Brown Swiss the longest (292 days), whereas buffaloes have gestation lengths of over 300 days. Younger cows generally have calves of lighter weight, whereas the evidence of the influnce of age on length of gestation is more divided. In almost all cases male calves are heavier than female calves, but sex of the calf has been found to have less or, in some cases, no influence on length of gestation. Most of the heritability estimates for gestation length vary from 0.25 to 0.50, whereas the heritability of birth weight is somewhat lower. There is a positive relationship between gestation length and birth weight.
NoteMaker: a hyper-design notebook to support informal communication in the engineering design process

The author describes NoteMaker, a prototype environment that supports interactive design conceptualization, planning, recording, and communication among collaborators. Written in HyperCard 2.0, NoteMaker prototype environments consist of a folder containing note stacks shepherded by a manager stack. NoteMaker is notable among hyper-text applications because it creates an environment in which users read and write their own texts rather than simply reading texts created and prestructured by others. By providing a mix of automatic and user-constructed facilities and multiple means of navigation, NoteMaker has been designed to ameliorate the danger of hyper-text environments to lose the user in a morass of information and unmanageable pathways. NoteMaker will enable users to access and amend notes and sketches related to their work and studies at any time-in the office, in meetings, on site visits, while travelling, and working alone almost anywhere. >
The Significance Of Teaching Perspectives Among Academic Disciplines

This study examined the teaching perspectives among faculty from a research extensive university in the southern United States. A simple random sample was drawn from the institution’s faculty, and a total of n = 131 responded to the survey. Respondents were asked to complete the Teaching Perspectives Inventory via the Internet and complete a demographic survey. The Analysis of Variance procedure was used to determine if dominant teaching perspectives were disciplinespecific. The results of this analysis concluded that a significant difference existed among respondents, with Apprenticeship as a dominant teaching perspective [F(12, 118) = 2.036, p = .027].
Shapley Value Estimation for Compensation of Participants in Demand Response Programs

Designing fair compensation mechanisms for demand response (DR) is challenging. This paper models the problem in a game theoretic setting and designs a payment distribution mechanism based on the Shapley value (SV). As exact computation of the SV is in general intractable, we propose estimating it using a reinforcement learning algorithm that approximates optimal stratified sampling. We apply this algorithm to a DR program that utilizes the SV for payments and quantify the accuracy of the resulting estimates.
Singlet and triplet excited state properties of natural chlorophylls and bacteriochlorophylls

Ten naturally occurring chlorophylls (a, b, c 2, d) and bacteriochlorophylls (a, b, c, d, e, g) were purified and studied using the optical spectroscopic techniques of both steady state and time-resolved absorption and fluorescence. The studies were carried out at room temperature in nucleophilic solvents in which the central Mg is hexacoordinated. The comprehensive studies of singlet excited state lifetimes show a clear dependency on the structural features of the macrocycle and terminal substituents. The wide-ranging studies of triplet state lifetime demonstrate the existence of an energy gap law for these molecules. The knowledge of the dynamics and the energies of the triplet state that were obtained in other studies allowed us to construct an energy gap law expression that can be used to estimate the triplet state energies of any (B)chlorophyll molecule from its triplet lifetime obtained in a liquid environment.
Changes in spontaneous sinus node rate as an estimate of cardiac autonomic tone during stable and unstable ventricular tachycardia

Changes in sinus node rate were measured as an estimate of reflex control of cardiac autonomic tone during 32 episodes of stable ventricular tachycardia (without loss of consciousness) and 21 episodes of unstable ventricular tachycardia (loss of consciousness requiring electrical cardioversion) in 32 patients without retrograde ventriculoatrial conduction. Sinus node rate was measured before induction of ventricular tachycardia (at 5 s intervals during tachycardia) and 5 s after termination of ventricular tachycardia. It increased from 85 +/- 12 beats/min to a maximum of 109 +/- 25 beats/min during stable ventricular tachycardia (p less than 0.001) and from 82 +/- 15 beats/min to a maximum of 105 +/- 34 beats/min during unstable ventricular tachycardia (p less than 0.001). During unstable ventricular tachycardia, the increase in sinus rate was more abrupt and was followed by a sharp decrease beginning before termination of the tachycardia and resulting in a slower rate after termination (56 +/- 15 beats/min) than before tachycardia (p less than 0.001). Stable ventricular tachycardia resulted in a continuous increase of sinus node rate, which remained higher after termination (102 +/- 15 beats/min) than before tachycardia (p less than 0.001). Autonomic mechanisms responsible for changes in sinus rate were evaluated by reinducing the ventricular tachycardia after beta-adrenergic blockade by propranolol in 10 patients. Intravenous propranolol (mean dose 11 +/- 4 mg) had no effect on the magnitude of increase in sinus rate (+18 +/- 6 beats/min before and +17 +/- 7 beats/min after propranolol).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dispersion Engineering for Vertical Microcavities Using Subwavelength Gratings

We show that the energy-momentum dispersion of a vertical semiconductor microcavity can be modified by design using a high-index-contrast subwavelength grating (SWG) as a cavity mirror. We analyze the angular dependence of the reflection phase of the SWG to illustrate the principles of dispersion engineering. We show examples of engineered dispersions such as ones with much reduced or increased energy density of states and one with a double-well-shaped dispersion. This method of dispersion engineering is compatible with maintaining a high cavity quality factor and incorporating fully protected active media inside the cavity, thus enabling the creation of new types of cavity quantum electrodynamics systems.
"To wondre upon this thyng": Chaucer's Prioress's Tale

AbstractExamining the miraculous things in Chaucer's Prioress's Tale, this essay suggests that the importance of such things lies in their resistance to clear signification, a resistance that unsettles their human observers even as it reconstitutes them. The tale posits wonder as the product of a series of ontologically ambiguous things — the automata-like body of the little clergeon and his mysterious greyn but also the tale itself, as a literary object that produces a wondrous response in its audience. Chaucer's depiction of this series of wondrous things shows him to be interested in the incommensurability of certain kinds of things, as part of a sustained meditation on the exigencies of religious wonder itself. The Prioress's Tale thus suggests that at the crux of object and thing, animate and inanimate, the intelligible and the indeterminate lies a double-edged wonder at the miraculous: displaying a deferential mode of passive response to a privileged miraculous object while nonetheless reasserting t...
The required day number and timely induction of diapause in geographic strains of the mosquito Aedes atropalpus

Diapause is triggered in A. atropalpus from 14°N lat when 9 or more short-day photoperiod cycles occur during the photosensitive 4th instar and pupa. Temperatures of 22°C and higher cause part or all of this population to complete the photosensitive period in less than 9 days thereby avoiding diapause. In contrast, 4 short-day cycles during the photosensitive period are sufficient to trigger diapause in A. atropalpus from 45°N lat. This population experiences the 4 required days at temperatures as high as 28°C. A strain from an intermediate location of 34°N lat must “see” 7 short days during the photosensitive stages for induction of diapause. This requirement is met at temperatures of 24°C and less. These results suggest that southern strains of A. atropalpus have evolved a means of avoiding short-day induced diapause if temperatures are high and other requirements for growth are available. A correlation between critical daylength for induction of diapause and geographic origin has been shown for several insect species. The evolution of a requirement for different numbers of diel cycles during the photosensitive period is another means of modifying the diapause response in populations from different latitudes and geographic areas.
48. In vitro assessment of apoptosis and necrosis following cold storage in human airway cells

As advances in medical technology improve the ability and efficacy of cells and tissues to be transplanted, there remains a void in our knowledge of the specific molecular response of cells to low temperature storage. While much focus has been given to the formulation of solution to perfuse the tissues during storage to increase viability, investigations into the complex molecular changes that occur during cold exposure and their subsequent effect on outcome remain limited. An understanding of cellular stress on a molecular level is of fundamental importance as such information proves critical to tissue storage and transplantation as well as to the development of new technologies and processes in non-related areas of cell biology, bioprocessing, etc. The intent of this study was to begin to quantify the levels of cell death following hypothermic storage in a lung cell model in order to establish a foundation for future in depth molecular studies in support of improved lung transplantation. Normal human lung fibroblast (IMR-90) cells were stored statically for 1, 2 and 3 days at 4 °C in basal media, complete media and ViaSpan ® . Post-storage viability was assessed at 1, 2 and 3 days post-storage using the metabolic indicator alamarBlue. To determine the level of apoptotic and necrotic involvement, flow cytometry was performed and corroborated via visualization under fluorescent microscopy at 1, 4, 8, and 24 h post-storage using the Vybrant apoptosis assay. Sample analysis revealed that cells stored in ViaSpan ® were 68% (±4%) viable after 24 h of storage at 4C and repopulated to 103% (±6%) within 3 days. The other solutions resulted in complete cell loss after 24 h of hypothermic storage with no re-growth observed. Extension of the storage interval to 3 days resulted in complete cell loss in all conditions. Analysis of the apoptotic and necrotic populations in the ViaSpan ® stored samples revealed that 5% of the population was apoptotic at 8 h post-storage while around 20% of the same population was found to be necrotic. The data revealed a high level of sensitivity to cold storage for this cell system, resulting in a significant amount of cell death, through both apoptosis and necrosis. These data highlight the critical need for a more in depth understanding of the molecular changes that occur as a result of cold exposure in cells.
Improved profile of bad phosphorylation and caspase 3 activation after blood versus crystalloid cardioplegia

Abstract Background Expression of Bcl-2 family proteins and activation of terminal caspase 3 are important for ischemia-reperfusion-induced apoptosis. Bad and Bax are pro-apoptotic proteins, whereas, phosphorylation of Bad inhibits its binding to and inactivation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2. Thus, decreases in phospho-Bad would be proapoptotic. We investigated if blood (BCP) or crystalloid cardioplegia (CCP) differentially affects apoptosis gene-related proteins. Methods Rabbit hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer (KHB) on a Langendorff apparatus. Control hearts (n = 6) were perfused for 90 minutes without cardioplegic ischemia. In the other two groups, hearts were arrested for 30 minutes (37°C) with BCP (n = 6) or with CCP (n = 6) administered continuously (1.5 mL/min). The hearts were reperfused for 30 minutes with KHB. Left ventricle (LV) performance was measured before cardioplegic arrest and at 30 minutes of reperfusion. In vitro relaxation responses of precontracted microvessels (100–180 μm) were obtained in a pressurized no-flow state. Total and activated or phosphorylated caspase 3, Bcl-2, Bad, and Bax were measured by quantitative immunoblotting using specific antibodies. Results Blood cardioplegia significantly improved the recovery of LV developed pressure compared to CCP ( p p p 112 , but BCP caused greater phosphorylation of Bad (3.5 ± 0.2 fold vs 2.0 ± 0.12 fold, respectively, p Conclusions Blood cardioplegia is superior to CCP in inhibiting the activation of caspase 3 and in increasing phospho-Bad. These actions of BCP were associated with improved LV function and endothelium-dependent relaxation of coronary microvessels. These results may provide molecular mechanisms by which to improve myocardial protection during cardiac surgery.
Synthetic Control over the Production of Multicomponent Sol−Gel Materials: Fabrication of Homogeneous Vanadia−Silica Xerogels with High Vanadium Content

The effect of Bronsted acid catalysts on the gelation times and final homogeneity of vanadia−silica sol−gel derived glass is reported. It was found that the addition of hydrochloric acid reduced the gelation times, especially at high acid concentrations. This acid also caused slow reduction of the V(V) to V(IV) during the process. Drying of the V(IV)-containing xerogels at 500 °C resulted in their reoxidation to V(V). Characterization of the reoxidized gels by Raman and 51V solid-state NMR spectroscopies verified that the structure of the vanadium(V) sites that were created from the reoxidation of the V(IV) sites were of pseudotetrahedral geometry with a short terminal oxo group and three Si−O−V linkages. This is the same site produced from direct incorporation of oxovanadium(V) into the gel without reduction occurring. A benefit is realized in this reduction−reoxidation process in that relatively high loadings (12.3 mol % or 17 wt % V2O5) of vanadium can be incorporated into the silica matrix while homog...
THE EDUCATOR ROLE OF EDUCATIONAL EVALUATORS: A TRIBUTE TO ARIEH LEWY

Abstract Educators, practitioners, and policy makers have long debated the impact of the results of evaluation studies on educational practice. If evaluation is to influence practice, the communication gap between researchers and decision makers must be reduced or eliminated. In order to close this gap, evaluators must become educators, working with a variety of intended audiences to help them understand the methodology and results of evaluation studies. To do this, a greater understanding of the intended audience(s) is needed. In addition, conceptual frameworks must be developed to facilitate a common or shared understanding of the results of evaluation studies.
Acceptability and Ethics of Product Placement in Sport Video Games

Product placement in sport video games is an emerging area of marketing and advertising communication, but it also raises controversial ethical issues. In order to investigate these issues from a consumer perspective, this study examines the perceptions of the acceptability of product placement in sport video games (SVGs). Data were gathered from 253 sport video gamers using an online survey. The results indicate that while sport video gamers generally have favorable attitudes toward product placement in sport video games, ethically-charged products such as alcohol, cigarettes, and guns are perceived as less acceptable than other products. Individual differences among sport video gamers are found based on their related attitudes, hours of playing sport video games, and gender. Also, sport video gamers who have favorable attitudes toward product placement, in general, are more likely to intend to purchase a product or brand which may be placed in sport video games.
Emission of fast atoms from a cold Rydberg gas

Rydberg-Rydberg collisions in a cold, dense Rydberg gas can lead to the conversion of internal energy into center-of-mass energy of the colliding atoms, resulting in Rydberg-atom velocities much larger than the initial velocities in the gas. We prepare cold Rydberg-atom gases by laser excitation of laser-cooled atom clouds and use time-of-flight measurements to demonstrate the production of fast Rydberg atoms. The velocity distributions of Rydberg atoms emerging from the Rydberg-atom gases are obtained. State-selective field ionization spectra indicate a correlation between the production of fast Rydberg atoms and the presence of Penning ionization signatures. The dependence of the yield of fast Rydberg atoms on Rydberg atom density is measured.
Use of logical equivalence in modeling ecological relations of oceanic phytoplankton

Abstract Compound statements describing comparative ecological observations show relationship when the statements are equivalent. Such compunds are models that serve as vehicles for observation. Two examples are the following. ‘If x is adapted to nutrient conditions of the southern Sargasso Sea, then x is not inherently responsive‘. Let ‘x’ be any species except E. huxleyi. The equivalent formula is ‘if x is inherently responsive, then x is not adapted to nutrient conditions of the southern Sargasso Sea’. Let ‘x’ be E. huxleyi. This is the first example. The second example is ‘if x is a population experimentally responding to year-round temperatures orx is a population observationally responding to year-round temperatures, then x is adapted to year-round temperatures’ equivalent to ‘if x is not adapted to year-round temperatures, then x is not a population experimentally responding and observationally responding to year-round temperatures’. Experimental and observational confirmation for several species is presented. From these examples it can be seen that there are two intertwined threads to the following study. One is the presentation of compound statements as models. In the first example there are two parts, one after ‘if’, the other after ‘then’, in the first formula or model; and these same parts are in the equivalent. In the second example there are three parts (clauses) to model and to its equivalent. Having three parts makes possible a number of models and equivalents. The second thread is the presentation of data to support or confirm those parts concerned with the response of population or species. The data will be found to confirm some of the three-part equivalents but not others. Thus model and observation must go hand in hand a achieve a relevant whole.
Appendicitis in the modern era: universal problem and variable treatment

Acute appendicitis is the second most common gastrointestinal diagnosis mandating urgent operation in the U.S. The current state of adult appendectomy, including patient and hospital characteristics, complications, and predictors for complications, are unknown. Retrospective review of U.S. Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2003–2011 for appendectomy in ≥18-year-olds was performed. Primary outcomes measures included postoperative complications, length of stay, and patient mortality. Categorical variables were analyzed by χ2, trend analyses by Cochran–Armitage. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for predictors of developing complications. 1,663,238 weighted appendectomy discharges occurred. Over the study period, complications increased from 3.2 to 3.8 % (p 52 years vs. ≤27: OR 1.3; 95 % CI 1.2–1.4), and hospital volume (vs. high: low OR 1.2; 95 % CI 1.1–1.3). Predictors of laparoscopic appendectomy were age, ethnicity, insurance status, comorbidities, and hospital location. Laparoscopic appendectomy is increasing but is unevenly deployed across patient groups. Appendectomy patients were increasingly older, with more comorbidities and with increasing rates of obesity. Black patients and patients with public insurance had less utilization of laparoscopy and inferior outcomes.
Nutrient-Sensitive Mitochondrial NAD+ Levels Dictate Cell Survival

A major cause of cell death caused by genotoxic stress is thought to be due to the depletion of NAD(+) from the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Here we show that NAD(+) levels in mitochondria remain at physiological levels following genotoxic stress and can maintain cell viability even when nuclear and cytoplasmic pools of NAD(+) are depleted. Rodents fasted for 48 hr show increased levels of the NAD(+) biosynthetic enzyme Nampt and a concomitant increase in mitochondrial NAD(+). Increased Nampt provides protection against cell death and requires an intact mitochondrial NAD(+) salvage pathway as well as the mitochondrial NAD(+)-dependent deacetylases SIRT3 and SIRT4. We discuss the relevance of these findings to understanding how nutrition modulates physiology and to the evolution of apoptosis.
Is the laparoscopic approach to colectomy safe for the morbidly obese

Background The feasibility and safety of laparoscopic colectomy (LC) for morbidly obese patients has not been reported previously. This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 kg/m3 or more who undergo laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Evidence for a central hypotensive mechanism of 2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-2-imidazoline (catapresan, ST-155)

Abstract 2-(2, 6-dichlorophenylamino)-2 imidazoline (ST-155) when administered into the arterial inflow (IA-R) of neurally intact vascularly isolated heads of recipient non-debuffered and debuffered dogs resulted in a depressor response in both the recipient and donor dogs and markedly increased cerebral vascular resistance. In contrast, intravenous injection to intact dogs was found to reduce peripheral vascular resistance. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ST-155 produces a central hypotensive effect mediated by a reduction in sympathetic tone.
Reliability of Performance for Dichotic Listening Using Two Response Modes

Stop consonant-vowel syllables were presented dichotically to eight normal-hearing adult females over eight weekly sessions under two response conditions: a two-choice forced mode and a one-choice ...
Surface coupling to collective and single-particle spin modes in normal 3He

The authors propose a simple technique for probing the single-particle and collective excitations in normal /sup 3/He via a standing magnetic surface wave of arbitrary /omega/ and fixed k generated by a meander-line coil. An analytic treatment of the Landau-Sillin equation enables them to calculate the power absorption spectrum, which displays singularities associated with the 1 = 0 spin mode and a Doppler-shifted spin resonance (DSSR) of the single-particle excitations. Experimental measurement of the spectrum would determine the Landau parameters (F/sub 0//sup a/, F/sub 1//sup a/) with a spectroscopic precision. Furthermore, observation of the DSSR thresholds would provide an independent determination of the Fermi velocity v and F/sub 0//sup a/. Finally, a possibility of exciting higher, 1 /ge/ 1, spin modes is briefly mentioned in the framework of an extended Leggett-Rice equation.
Objective and perceived wildfire risk and its influence on private forest landowners' fuel reduction activities in Oregon's (USA) ponderosa pine ecoregion

Policymakers seek ways to encourage fuel reduction among private forest landowners to augment similar efforts on federal and state lands. Motivating landowners to contribute to landscape-level wildfire protection requires an understanding of factors that underlie landowner behaviour regarding wildfire. We developed a conceptual framework describing landowners’ propensity to conduct fuel reduction as a function of objective and subjective factors relating to wildfire risk. We tested our conceptual framework using probit analysis of empirical data from a survey of non-industrial private forest landowners in the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) region of eastern Oregon (USA). Our empirical results confirm the conceptual framework and suggest that landowners’ perceptions of wildfire risk and propensity to conduct fuel treatments are correlated with hazardous fuel conditions on or near their parcels, whether they have housing or timber assets at risk, and their past experience with wildfire, financial capacity for conducting treatments and membership in forestry and fire protection organisations. Our results suggest that policies that increase awareness of hazardous fuel conditions on their property and potential for losses in residential and timber assets, and that enhance social networks through which awareness and risk perception are formed, could help to encourage fuel reduction among private forest landowners.
Trade transport and environment linkages at the U.S.-Mexico border: which policies matter?

Abstract We apply a fixed-effects model to examine the impact of trade and environmental policies on air quality at ports along the U.S.–Mexico border. We control for other factors influencing air quality, such as air quality of cities near the border, volume of traffic flows and congestion. Results show the air quality improved after 2004, when the diesel engine policy was applied. We see mixed results for the trade policy, whose implementation time varies across ports along the international border. Controlling for air quality in cities near the border is essential for assessing the policy contributions to air quality.
A Dietary Procedure for Preventing Dental Caries in Young Adults

Abstract Significant improvement in the dental caries status of children in the United States has been seen in recent decades. The percentage of children who are free from dental caries, however, rapidly decreases with age. By the time young people enter colleges or universities, only a few are caries free. Colleges and universities are places where the young are simultaneously, and perhaps for the last time, reachable as large cohorts before their lives undergo further “individualization.” This makes college age a time that is crucial for channeling information about proper oral health practices by organizing mass-directed strategies for prevention of dental caries. It is now clear that dental caries can effectively be prevented. This calls for placing strong emphasis on dietary behavior and on the use of sugar substitutes as part of the strategy. Scientific evidence also suggests that the addition of small daily quantities of xylitol, a natural carbohydrate sweetener, to the diet of children and young a...
Improved Trap Design for Counting Migrating Fish in Rivers

Abstract An improved portable trap was designed to capture migrating fishes in rivers prone to severe and rapid fluctuations in water level. The trap was constructed of metal and was assembled on site by three people in 2 h. Its unique design allowed for fast on-site modifications. The trap was tested in a portable weir in a small river in insular Newfoundland. It withstood flood conditions of a magnitude that caused washouts of previously used wooden traps. The overall performance of the metal trap was superior to that of conventional wooden traps. The cost of the metal trap in 1986 was around Can$5,000.
A Flux Compression Generator Non-Explosive Test Bed for Explosive Opening Switches

Helical Flux Compression Generators (HFCG) of a 50 mm form factor have been shown to produce output energies on the order of ten times the seeded value and a typical deposited energy of 3 kJ into a 3 ?H inductor. Our previous work with a non-optimized fuse has produced ~100 kV into a 15 . load, which leads into a regime relevant for High Power Microwave (HPM) systems. It is expected that ~300 kV can be achieved with the present 2-stage HFCG driving an inductive storage system with electro-exploding fuse. In order to optimize the electro-explosive wire fuse, we have constructed a non-explosive test bed which simulates the HFCG output with high accuracy. We have designed and implemented a capacitor based, magnetic switching scheme to generate the near exponential rise of the HFCG. The varying inductance approach utilizes 4 stages of inductance change and is based upon a piecewise linear regression model of the HFCG waveform. The non-explosive test bed will provide a more efficient method of component testing and has demonstrated positive initial fuse results.
Geometries, stabilities, and growth patterns of the bimetal Mo2-doped Sin (n=9-16) clusters: a density functional investigation.

The behaviors of the bimetal Mo−Mo doped cagelike silicon clusters Mo2Sin at the size of n = 9−16 have been investigated systematically with the density functional approach. The growth-pattern beha...
Intercellular junctions in Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor: additional evidence of epithelial differentiation

Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) has recently been shown to frequently express cytokeratins, suggesting partial epithelial differentiation. Older ultrastructural studies have documented primitive cell–cell junctions in ES/PNET, reportedly resembling poorly formed desmosomes. Recently, paraffin-reactive antibodies have become available to proteins found in a variety of intercellular junctions indicative of epithelial differentiation, including tight junctions, desmosomes and adherens junctions. We examined intercellular junction protein expression in a large number of genetically confirmed ES/PNET. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from 23 primary and seven recurrent or metastatic cases of genetically confirmed ES/PNET were immunostained for claudin-1 and occludin (tight junction structural proteins), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1, tight junction linker protein), desmoglein 1/2 (desmosomal adherens protein), desmoplakin (desmosomal structural protein) and E-cadherin (epithelial adherens junction protein), using steam heat-induced epitope retrieval and the Dako Envision system. Cases with >5% positive cells were scored as ‘positive’. Normal colonic epithelium and skin served as external positive controls. Claudin-1 was expressed by 19 of 30 specimens (63%), ZO-1 was expressed by 15 of 29 specimens (51%), and occludin was expressed by three of 28 specimens (11%). In 28 specimens all three tight junction markers were evaluable. In all, 15 samples (54%) expressed only one tight junction marker, and 10 samples (36%) expressed two tight junction markers. No case expressed all three tight junction markers. Desmoglein was expressed in one of 30 (3%) samples. Desmoplakin was expressed in two of 28 (7%) samples. E-cadherin was negative in all cases. Our data suggest that many of the previously described cell–cell junctions in ES/PNET are poorly formed tight junctions, given the high frequency of claudin-1 and ZO-1 expression. This may underestimate the true frequency of tight junction protein expression in ES/PNET, as there are at least 20 different claudins and other ZO proteins. These tight junctions are almost certainly abnormal, given the absence of occludin expression in most cases. Desmosomal and adherens junction protein expression was rare to absent. Our findings provide additional evidence that ES/PNET frequently show partial epithelial differentiation.