cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of T cell motility in vitro and in vivo by LPA and LPA2.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and the LPA-generating enzyme autotaxin (ATX) have been implicated in lymphocyte trafficking and the regulation of lymphocyte entry into lymph nodes. High local concentrations of LPA are thought to be present in lymph node high endothelial venules, suggesting a direct influence of LPA on cell migration. However, little is known about the mechanism of action of LPA, and more work is needed to define the expression and function of the six known G protein-coupled receptors (LPA 1-6) in T cells. We studied the effects of 18∶1 and 16∶0 LPA on naive CD4+ T cell migration and show that LPA induces CD4+ T cell chemorepulsion in a Transwell system, and also improves the quality of non-directed migration on ICAM-1 and CCL21 coated plates. Using intravital two-photon microscopy, lpa2-/- CD4+ T cells display a striking defect in early migratory behavior at HEVs and in lymph nodes. However, later homeostatic recirculation and LPA-directed migration in vitro were unaffected by loss of lpa2. Taken together, these data highlight a previously unsuspected and non-redundant role for LPA2 in intranodal T cell motility, and suggest that specific functions of LPA may be manipulated by targeting T cell LPA receptors.
AirSTAR: A UAV Platform for Flight Dynamics and Control System Testing

As part of the NASA Aviation Safety Program at Langley Research Center, a dynamically scaled unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and associated ground based control system are being developed to investigate dynamics modeling and control of large transport vehicles in upset conditions. The UAV is a 5.5% (seven foot wingspan), twin turbine, generic transport aircraft with a sophisticated instrumentation and telemetry package. A ground based, real-time control system is located inside an operations vehicle for the research pilot and associated support personnel. The telemetry system supports over 70 channels of data plus video for the downlink and 30 channels for the control uplink. Data rates are in excess of 200 Hz. Dynamic scaling of the UAV, which includes dimensional, weight, inertial, actuation, and control system scaling, is required so that the sub-scale vehicle will realistically simulate the flight characteristics of the full-scale aircraft. This testbed will be utilized to validate modeling methods, flight dynamics characteristics, and control system designs for large transport aircraft, with the end goal being the development of technologies to reduce the fatal accident rate due to loss-of-control.
Accretion by rotating magnetic neutron stars. III. Accretion torques and period changes in pulsating X-ray sources.

The solutions of the two-dimensional hydromagnetic equations are used to calculate the torque on a magnetic neutron star accreting from a Keplerian disk. It is found that the magnetic coupling between the star and the plasma in the outer transition zone is appreciable; that as a result, the spin-up torque on fast rotators is substantially less than that on slow rotators, and that for sufficiently high stellar angular velocities or sufficiently low mass accretion rates, the rotation of the star can be braked while accretion continues. These results are applied to pulsating X-ray sources, revealing that at high luminosities a star of given spin period rotating in the same direction as the disk can experience either spin-up or spin-down, depending on its luminosity. Also considered are the general problem of interpreting period changes in pulsating X-ray sources, and the dipole magnetic moments of nine pulsating X-ray sources are estimated by fitting the theoretical spin-up equation to estimates of the average luminosity and spin-up rate of each source.
Why an algorithmic documentation language

System designers have tried multiple techniques for documenting what a program does, from "Self Documenting" languages to Flow Charts. The difficulty is that "Self Documenting" languages aren't and flow charts are difficult to maintain, plus neither generally follows the way in which programs are really designed. An Algorithmic Documentation Language is a design tool which becomes part of the system documentation. It combines defined control structures with English language statements.This paper describes the development of the Algorithmic Documentation Language, ALDOC. It also gives a short definition of the language statements and control structures.
Which Elasticity? Estimating the Responsiveness of Taxpayer Reporting Decisions

In this paper we present estimates of the responses of individuals to marginal tax rates in their reporting of income, using data from individual tax returns for the year 1995. One estimation method is ordinary least squares regression. A second method uses quantile regression, which provides evidence on behavioral responses at different points (or quantiles) in the distribution of income and so is relevant to the question of whether the responses of, say, the rich differ from those at other points in the income distribution. Our results clearly indicate that marginal tax rates affect the reporting decisions of individuals. However, there are significant differences in the marginal tax rate reporting responses for the various types of reported income, there are major differences across income classes, and there are notable differences in the estimated responses across estimation methods.
Biogeomorphological Effects of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) Canal on a Small Ephemeral Wash Near Apache Junction, Arizona

The Central Arizona Project (CAP) canal is approximately 541 km long and traverses the state of Arizona from Lake Havasu City to Tucson. The canal truncates several smaller desert washes, hampering the natural flow of sediment and water downslope and causing water impoundment and sediment accumulation behind the canal. This research investigated how the canal effects biogeomorphological changes on the desert washes it blocks. The section of the canal traversing the study area was constructed between 1986 and 1987; aerial photographs and GIS were used to quantify landscape changes. The results show that, over a 36-year period, vegetation increased by 477% upslope from the canal. Sediment accumulation depths in the channel ranged from 0 to 5.7 cm, increasing in depth near the canal boundary. A kriged map of sediment depths shows that no apparent relationship exists between both sediment accumulation depths and the spatial distribution of vegetation and between sediment accumulation depths and the density of...
Pressure-Radius Relationship in Large Blood Vessels of Man

The radius of the pulmonary arteries and of the descending thoracic aorta in man was measured by angiographic techniques. Simultaneously with angiocardiography, pressure measurements were carried out, permitting calculation of radius-pressure (ΔR/ΔP) relationships. The results obtained by this method are similar to those obtained by other methods in which the vessel radius was measured more directly.
Examining roles pharmacists assume in disasters: a content analytic approach.

Objective Numerous practice reports recommend roles pharmacists may adopt during disasters. This study examines the peer-reviewed literature for factors that explain the roles pharmacists assume in disasters and the differences in roles and disasters when stratified by time. Methods Quantitative content analysis was used to gather data consisting of words and phrases from peer-reviewed pharmacy literature regarding pharmacists’ roles in disasters. Negative binomial regression and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric models were applied to the data. Results Pharmacists’ roles in disasters have not changed significantly since the 1960s. Pharmaceutical supply remains their preferred role, while patient management and response integration roles decrease in context of common, geographically widespread disasters. Policy coordination roles, however, significantly increase in nuclear terrorism planning. Conclusions Pharmacists’ adoption of nonpharmaceutical supply roles may represent a problem of accepting a paradigm shift in nontraditional roles. Possible shortages of personnel in future disasters may change the pharmacists’ approach to disaster management. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;7:563–572)
Automated Analysis of Cell-Matrix Adhesions in 2D and 3D Environments

Cell-matrix adhesions are of great interest because of their contribution to numerous biological processes, including cell migration, differentiation, proliferation, survival, tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and tumorigenesis. Adhesions are dynamic structures that are classically defined on two-dimensional (2D) substrates, though the need to analyze adhesions in more physiologic three-dimensional (3D) environments is being increasingly recognized. However, progress has been greatly hampered by the lack of available tools to analyze adhesions in 3D environments. To address this need, we have developed a platform for the automated analysis, segmentation, and tracking of adhesions (PAASTA) based on an open source MATLAB framework, CellAnimation. PAASTA enables the rapid analysis of adhesion dynamics and many other adhesion characteristics, such as lifetime, size, and location, in 3D environments and on traditional 2D substrates. We manually validate PAASTA and utilize it to quantify rate constants for adhesion assembly and disassembly as well as adhesion lifetime and size in 3D matrices. PAASTA will be a valuable tool for characterizing adhesions and for deciphering the molecular mechanisms that regulate adhesion dynamics in 3D environments.
Mining gene expression datasets using density-based clustering

Given the recent advancement of microarray technologies, we present a density-based clustering approach for the purpose of co-expressed gene cluster identification. The underlying hypothesis is that a set of co-expressed gene clusters can be used to reveal a common biological function. By addressing the strengths and limitations of previous density-based clustering approaches, we present a novel clustering algorithm that utilizes a neighborhood defined by k-nearest neighbors. Experimental results indicate that the proposed method identifies biologically meaningful and co-expressed gene clusters.
Fatty acid release and oxidation are factors in lipoxygenase inhibitor-induced apoptosis

MK886, an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP), and the lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitors baicalein and nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), induce apoptosis by mechanisms independent of both LOX and FLAP. One possible mechanism for these agents is through an effect on the binding of fatty acids to LOX and fatty acid binding proteins resulting in increased intracellular levels of unbound fatty acids, particularly arachidonic acid (AA), that in turn, activate apoptosis signaling pathways either directly or following oxidation. In FL5.12 murine pro-B lymphocytic cells, exogenous fatty acids induced apoptosis proportional to their degree of unsaturation. MK886, baicalein, and NDGA significantly enhanced the release of [3H]-AA two to threefold within 2 h and induced apoptosis by 8 h. Neither MK886-induced AA release, nor apoptosis were affected by quinacrine, a phospholipase A2 inhibitor. The presence of peroxides 1 h after treatment of FL5.12 cells with these agents was evident by a two to threefold increase in the ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange (FOX) assay as well as dichlorofluorescein fluorescence measured with flow cytometry. Isoprostane formation, an additional index of lipid peroxidation, was increased threefold by 2 h, and fourfold at 4 h after MK886 or baicalein, but not after NDGA. Antioxidants were able to protect against NDGA-induced apoptosis but had no effect on baicalein and resulted in enhanced apoptosis with MK886. These data support the hypothesis that release of fatty acids and generation of oxidized species contribute to apoptosis induced by these LOX inhibitors, but that more complex mechanisms are likely involved.
Tables for An Approximate Test for Outliers in Linear Models

Residuals from fit are often examined in regression analysis. A test suggested by Ellenberg [5] and Prescott [7] for the largest residual being an outlier is implemented through table development. Tables of critical valltes for tests at levels (α ≤ 0.10, 00.5, and 0.01 are included.
Orientation by helical motion—III. Microorganisms can orient to stimuli by changing the direction of their rotational velocity

Organisms that move along helical trajectories change their net direction of motion largely by changing the direction, with respect to the body of the organism, of their rotational velocity (Crenshaw and Edelstein-Keshet, 1993,Bull. math. Biol.55, 213–230). This paper demonstrates that an organism orients to a stimulus field, such as a chemical concentration gradient or a ray of light, if the components of its rotational velocity, with respect to the, body of the organism, are simple functions of the stimulus intensity encountered by the organism. For example, an organism can orient to a chemical concentration gradient if the rate at which it rotates around its anterior-posterior axis is proportional to the chemical concentration it encounters. Such an orientation can be either positive or negative. Furthermore, it is true taxis—orientation of the axis of helical motion is direct. It is neither a kinesis nor a phobic response—there is no random component to this mechanism of orientation.
Contrasting single-trial ERPs between experimental manipulations: Improving differentiability by blind source separation

Contrasting event-related potentials (ERPs) generated under different experimental conditions and inferring differential brain responses is widely practiced in cognitive neuroscience research. Traditionally, these contrasts and subsequent inferences have proceeded directly from ERPs measured at the scalp. For certain tasks, it is not unusual that ERPs from a subset of channels are given particular emphasis in data analysis, such as the channels displaying the maximum peak amplitude in regions of interest (“best sensors”) or channels showing the largest averaged ERP waveform differences. With the aid of a blind source separation (BSS) algorithm, second-order blind identification (SOBI), which has been recently validated for its ability to recover correlated neuronal sources, we show that single-trial ERPs from previously validated neuronal sources were more distinguishable among different experimental manipulations than the single-trial ERPs measured at the comparable “best sensors”. This suggests that by using validated SOBI-recovered neuronal sources, ERP researchers can improve the ability to detect differences in neuronal responses induced by experimental manipulations. Critically, our observations were made at the level of single trials, as opposed to the averaged ERP. Therefore, our conclusions are particularly relevant to phenomena involving trial-to-trial changes in brain activation, for example, rapid induction of brain plasticity and perceptual learning, as well as to the development of brain–computer interfaces. Similar advantages would also apply to analogous situations with magnetoencephalography (MEG).
Spectral radiation characteristics of water sprays

In this paper an analysis is presented to predict the spectral absorption, extinction and scattering coefficients of water sprays using Mie theory for spherical, homogeneous particles. The spectral absorption and extinction efficiencies are calculated for different mean droplet diameters and different droplet size distributions. To generalize the results and account for the spectral dependence of the optical constants of water, the efficiency factor for extinction in the small particle size limit of the Mie theory is used for scaling. The results of calculations for different size water droplet spray distributions are discussed. The results reported can be used in radiative transfer submodels of computational fluid dynamics simulation of fire suppression using water sprays/mists.
A method of calculating quartz solubilities in aqueous sodium chloride solutions

Abstract The aqueous silica species that form when quartz dissolves in water or saline solutions are hydrated. Therefore, the amount of quartz that will dissolve at a given temperature is influenced by the prevailing activity of water. Using a standard state in which there are 1,000 g of water (55.51 moles) per 1,000 cm 3 of solution allows activity of water in a NaCl solution at high temperature to be closely approximated by the effective density of water, p e , in that solution, i.e. the product of the density of the NaCl solution times the weight fraction of water in the solution, corrected for the amount of water strongly bound to aqueous silica and Na + as water of hydration. Generally, the hydration of water correction is negligible. The solubility of quartz in pure water is well known over a large temperature-pressure range. An empirical formula expresses that solubility in terms of temperature and density of water and thus takes care of activity coefficient and pressure-effect terms. Solubilities of quartz in NaCl solutions can be calculated by using that equation and substituting p e , for the density of pure water. Calculated and experimentally determined quartz solubilities in NaCl solutions show excellent agreement when the experiments were carried out in non-reactive platinum, gold, or gold plus titanium containers. Reactive metal containers generally yield dissolved silica concentrations higher than calculated, probably because of the formation of metal chlorides plus NaOH and H 2 . In the absence of NaOH there appears to be no detectable silica complexing in NaCl solutions, and the variation in quartz solubility with NaCl concentration at constant temperature can be accounted for entirely by variations in the activity of water. The average hydration number per molecule of dissolved SiO 2 in liquid water and NaCl solutions decreases from about 2.4 at 200°C to about 2.1 at 350°C. This suggests that H 4 SiO 4 may be the dominant aqueous silica species at 350°C, but other polymeric forms become important at lower temperatures.
Activation and deactivation of aflatoxin B1 in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Abstract Isolated rat hepatocytes took up [3H]-aflatoxin B1 during incubation with fifty percent of the aflatoxin B1 covalantly bound to cellular macromolecules. The amount of bound-aflatoxin B1 was proportional to the medium concentration of aflatoxin B1. The specific radioactivity (pmole/mg) of aflatoxin B1 found in the DNA fraction was 20 fold greater than that associated with protein. Metyrapone (0.75 mM) inhibited significantly the uptake and binding whereas 1,2-epoxy-3,3,3-trichloropropane (0.5 mM) enhanced 2–3 fold both the uptake and binding. Glutathione (0.25 mM) reduced these processes. Results indicate that a transformation of aflatoxin B1 is catalyzed by cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxidase and aflatoxin B1-2,3-epoxide so formed is primarily deactivated by epoxide hydrolase. In the isolated hepatocyte depletion of the epoxide by glutathione apparently has an insignificant role in aflatoxin detoxication.
A case study in signal processing microprogramming using the URPR software pipelining technique

There are a growing number of micro-architectures that employ pipelined array units for high-speed floating point applications. To obtain the performance required in such applications, effective loop optimization is crucial. The loop optimization problem for micro-architectures with pipelined processing units is similar to the problem of array processor loop optimization. The URPR method has been proven to be an effective, low-complexity approach to optimizing loops in array processor programs, so we conducted a case study of the method applied to a representative pipelined microarchitecture based on the AMD29500 chip family. The results of applying two URPR compaction algorithms and a new compaction algorithm to the 29500-based micro-architecture are presented. With the new compaction algorithm, we were able to realize microcode as efficient as the complex microcode manually derived by AMD.
Stress influences appetite and comfort food preferences in college women

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of stress on appetite and eating habits related to comfort foods in a college population. Two hundred seventy-two female college students (17-26 years) from the Family and Consumer Sciences department at a midwestern university participated in the study. The 45-itemized stress-eating survey was posted on the Internet for 1 month using InQsit (version 9.3, 2004, Fortreide & Draper, Muncie, IN), a comprehensive online assessment instrument. When stressed, 81% (n = 221) of the subjects experienced a change in appetite, and of these, 62% (n = 139) experienced an increased appetite when stressed. There was no association with age and changes in appetite during normal and stressful situations. Under normal conditions, 80% (n = 218) reported making healthy eating choices; however, only 33% of them ate healthy when stressed. When stressed, subjects with an increased appetite chose significantly more types of sweet foods and mixed dishes. Sweet foods commonly eaten were desserts, chocolate/candy bars, candy, ice cream, muffins/sweet breads, and fresh or canned fruit, whereas mixed dishes commonly eaten were burgers or sandwich meat items, pizza, casseroles, tacos, ethnic foods, and fast food. Interestingly, the variety of foods selected in each category decreased under stressful conditions. In this study, there was no significant difference in appetite levels during stressful and normal conditions between restrained and unrestrained eaters.
Models for the fractionation of moderately volatile elements in the solar nebula

Abstract— We test the validity of the idea that the abundances of moderately volatile elements in chondritic meteorites reflect global condensation and coagulation in an evolving solar nebula and explore what constraints these abundances might place on nebular parameters. The abundances of moderately volatile elements were identified as particularly suitable for modeling the nebula because the data represent a simple pattern explicable in terms of a straightforward hypothesis which has implications for global evolution. The models incorporate a correspondingly simple prescription, derived from theory, for the rate at which condensible material is decoupled from the evolving nebular gas to become part of the surviving planetary system. It is concluded from model results that cooling, diminishing nebular mass and coagulation of solids, through their mutual dependences on accretion rate and opacity, lead naturally to the chondritic depletion patterns of moderately volatile elements. In particular, the trends found in CO and CV meteorites are readily and accurately produced; those of the CM meteorites are less so. The CM meteorites and ordinary chondrite patterns may require a more complicated model, but the full range of possible results from even the simplest model has yet to be completely determined.
Chelate antidotes for sodium vanadate and vanadyl sulfate intoxication in mice

Eighteen different chelating agents, including all of those previously shown to have a protective action in vanadium intoxication, have been compared as antidotes for acute vanadium intoxication using mice. Of these compounds, those found to be effective antidotes for both vanadate (VO 3‐ 3 ) and vanadyl (VO 2+ ) include ascorbic acid, deferoxamine, D‐penicillamine, sodium calcium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Na 3 CaDTPA), Na 2 CaEDTA, glutathione, Tiron, and ethylenediaminetetrafmethylene phosphonate). Of the compounds examined, ascorbic acid appeared to be the most promising for human use. When administered at the levels used in this study, it is an effective antidote for intoxication due to either the vanadate or the vanadyl ion. Certain compounds are able to act as antidotes for vanadate solely by virtue of their action as a reducing agent; when these compounds are unable to form complexes with the reduction product (vanadyl ion), they are effective antidotes for the higher oxidation state only...
QoS and energy aware routing for real-time traffic in wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks are being built to facilitate automated information gathering in military, industrial, environmental and surveillance applications. Many such applications of Sensor Networks require improved QoS (packet delivery within a defined deadline) guarantees as well as high reliability. These applications demand high packet delivery ratio and are extremely delay-sensitive. However, certain factors limit the ability of the multihop sensor network to achieve the desired goals. These factors include the delay caused by network congestion, hot regions in the network, limited energy of the sensor nodes, packet loss due to collisions and link failure. In this paper, we propose an energy aware dual-path routing scheme for real-time traffic, which balances node energy utilization to increase the network lifetime, takes network congestion into account to reduce the routing delay across the network and increases the reliability of the packets reaching the destination by introducing minimal data redundancy. This paper also introduces an adaptive prioritized Medium Access Layer (MAC) to provide a differentiated service model for real-time packets. Our claims are well supported by simulation results.
On the presence of iron(II) in oxygenated surface waters: analytical implications

Abstract Iron(II) analyses using bathophenanthroline are shown to be characterized by an inherent, small positive interference when the pH of analysis is below 6.5 and iron(III) is present. The interference, which is due to a colored complex formed in the presence of FeOH 2+ and bathophenanthroline, varies in magnitude according to the presence or generation of FeOH 2+ during analysis. This interference necessitates reconsideration of published claims that low levels of stable iron(II) exist in oxygenated natural waters, particularly the surface layers of lakes.
The optical model potential for low-energy nucleons

Abstract It is proposed that in the description of the empirical optical model potential to be used in global analysis a term equal to the empirical value of the average Fermi energy be included. This additional term explains the anomalous behavior of the real well depth when plotted as a function of (N-Z) A reported by Perey in the analysis of 11 MeV proton scattering.
Beta-solamarine: tumor inhibitor isolated from Solanum dulcamara.

An alcoholic extract of Solanum dulcamara L., a plant widely used in folk medicine for treating cancers and warts, shows tumor-inhibitory activity against Sarcoma 180 in mice. Systematic fractionation of the extract has led to isolation and characterization of β-solamarine as an active principle.
A Design of Raman Spectrograph for Optical Activity and Normal Raman Measurements

A multipurpose Raman spectrograph employing a diode array detector and optics for collecting scattered light in two orthogonal scattering planes is described. Raman spectra representing the performance of the instrument are presented.
Both-and, not either-or: Knowledge and service-learning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to expand the understanding of outcomes of service‐learning/community engagement. The current study explored the efficacy of service‐learning as a pedagogical tool to support content mastery by undergraduates in a management class.Design/methodology/approach – The study involved a classroom experiment with 120 students randomly assigned to complete a service‐learning or a research project as a class requirement. Data regarding mastery of course content was collected through a multiple‐choice assessment at the end of the course, and analyzed using statistical methods.Findings – Results showed that service‐learning can be a better mechanism for student mastery of course concepts than a traditional research project. However, the benefits of service‐learning appeared to accrue disproportionately to women.Research limitations/implications – Results suggest that educators should incorporate service‐learning into their classrooms to enhance content mastery, and that future ...
The psychiatric nurse as group psychotherapist

An overview of current dimensions of group psychotherapy practice by psychiatric-mental health nurses is presented. The relationship between graduate education and the characteristics of the nurses' current practice is demonstrated. The psychiatric-mental health nurse's involvement in the general health care arena with “nonpsychiatric” populations is highlighted. Future trends for the practice of group by nurses is explicated and projected. In addition, implications for the education and practice of other group practitioners is drawn.
Risk factors and patterns of injury in snowmobile crashes.

Objective To evaluate risk factors for snowmobile injury and patterns of injury. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with snowmobile injury at three trauma centers. Data were collected from trauma databases and patient charts from January 1988 through April 1996; we obtained statistics from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for comparison purposes. Results There were 274 patients identified. The average age was 29 years (SD 12, range 1.6–77). The male:female ratio was 6.6:1. Helmets were used in 35%, not used in 10%, and not reported in 55%. Ethanol consumption was reported in 44% of patients. The average speed of the snowmobile at the time of the accident, when reported, was 47 mph/75 kph (n =103, range 10–100 mph/16–166 kph). Of these patients, 26% ( n =27) reported a speed in excess of the legal limit (55 mph/88 kph). Accidents were more common in the afternoon and evening hours, and most accidents were caused by the snowmobile striking terrain or man-made objects. Mortality rate was 3.6% for this patient group (10 of 274). The average injury severity score (ISS) was 15 (SD 11). The average Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was 14. The average number of patients who went to the intensive care unit and the total lengths of stay were 2±5 and 8±9 days, respectively. Neither GCS nor ISS correlated with reported speed. The frequencies of different types of injuries are as follows: fractures of upper and lower extremities ( n =184), serious head injury ( n =92), facial fractures or soft tissue injury to head or neck ( n =88), thoracic injury ( n =80), spine injuries ( n =50), intraabdominal injuries ( n =41), and pelvic fractures ( n =31). Conclusions Snowmobile injuries are related to ethanol use and the high speed attained by the newer generation of snowmobiles. Extremity fractures were a common component of snowmobile injury in this series, and rates of such injuries are similar to rates of these injuries in motorcycle accidents in states with helmet laws. Efforts at prevention of snowmobile injuries should be targeted at rider education and enforcement of alcohol restrictions.
The Impact of an Evidence-Based Medicine Workshop on Residents’ Attitudes towards and Self-Reported Ability in Evidence-Based Practice

Background: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a part of many medical school and residency curricula worldwide, but there is little research into the most effective methods to teach these skills. Purpose: To evaluate whether a course on EBM utilizing adult learning principals leads to both immediate and short-term attitudinal, confidence, and behavioral change. Methods: Seventy-three (73) Internal Medicine and Internal Medicine/Pediatric residents attended a half-day seminar on EBM. Participants completed pre- and post-course 5-point Likert questionnaires, and set two personal goals for integrating EBM into their daily practice. We performed nonparametric two -sample Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests to compare responses. We also elicited the self-reported success of the residents in meeting their goals one-month post-course. Results: Attitudes about EBM improved (3.5 pre-course vs. 3.7 post-course), as well as selfreported EBM skills (3.0 vs. 3.3). Seventy-two percent of residents reported having met at least one of their two goals for the integration of EBM into their practice. Conclusions: An EBM workshop based upon adult learning principles was successful in meeting multiple educational goals. The links between andragogy, learners’ internal drive for behavior change, and successful EBM education should be further explored.
RESOURCE LEVEL AND REPRODUCTIVE FREQUENCY IN FEMALE FOUR-TOED SALAMANDERS, HEMIDACTYLIUM SCUTATUM

Many species of vertebrate animals skip reproduction in some years. We studied the pattern of reproduction exhibited by female four-toed salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum). Data from a 10-year field study showed that females reproduced in sequential years with a frequency of 0.56 but skipped one or more years of reproduction with a frequency of 0.44. This pattern was not correlated with whether a female attended or deserted her nest. When females skipped reproduction, they had higher growth, which can translate into higher fecundity. We experimentally examined whether female four-toed salamanders reproduced in sequential years if they had adequate resources after nesting and before the onset of winter. A manipulation of food level after the nesting period revealed that females fed a high food ration were twice as likely to return the next year to oviposit as females fed a lower food level. This study is the first to document experimentally that reproductive frequency varies with resource level in a vertebrate species.
The Molecular Chaperone GRP78/BiP as a Therapeutic Target for Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Mini Review.

The glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), also known as BiP, is the endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) homologue of HSP70, which plays a dual role in the ER by controlling protein folding, in order to prevent aggregation, and by regulating the signaling of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Most neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s diseases and progressive retinal degeneration are characterized by activation of the UPR and modified expression of GRP78. The expression levels and activity of GRP78 are altered with age raising the question of whether the lack of GRP78 could be a predisposing factor for many neurodegenerative disorders associated with age including PD, Alzheimer and Age-related macular degeneration. Attempts to induce or upregulate GRP78 in animal models of neurodegeneration have recently been made with the help of pharmacological BiP protein Inducer X (BIX) and GRP78 cDNA delivery via adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. The results of these studies validate GRP78 as a new therapeutic target for treatments of forebrain ischemia, Parkinson disease and retinal degeneration. These data, together with the results from age-related studies, highlight the importance for developing drugs to induce elevation of endogenous GRP78 in order to increase cellular survival and extend functional longevity.
Driving the cell cycle through metabolism

For unicellular organisms, the decision to enter the cell cycle can be viewed most fundamentally as a metabolic problem. A cell must assess its nutritional and metabolic status to ensure it can synthesize sufficient biomass to produce a new daughter cell. The cell must then direct the appropriate metabolic outputs to ensure completion of the division process. Herein, we discuss the changes in metabolism that accompany entry to, and exit from, the cell cycle for the unicellular eukaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Studies of budding yeast under continuous, slow-growth conditions have provided insights into the essence of these metabolic changes at unprecedented temporal resolution. Some of these mechanisms by which cell growth and proliferation are coordinated with metabolism are likely to be conserved in multicellular organisms. An improved understanding of the metabolic basis of cell cycle control promises to reveal fundamental principles governing tumorigenesis, metazoan development, niche expansion, and...
Minimum duration outages in Rayleigh fading channels

Minimum duration outages have been introduced for lognormal shadow fading where the durations of signal fades were considered in evaluating outages. We develop and analyze such minimum duration outages for channels susceptible to Rayleigh fading. The results show that under typical Doppler frequencies the outages due to Rayleigh fading are more likely to cause frame or packet errors rather than call dropping due to the short time scales in effect.
Epstein-Barr virus associated lymphoproliferations in the AIDS setting

Abstract Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous gammaherpesvirus that is associated with a variety of malignancies. In vivo infection of B lymphocytes is initially associated with the broad expression of immunodominant viral latency genes and proliferation of infected cells. Ultimately, a viral reservoir is established in resting B cells with restricted expression of viral latency genes and no expression of immunodominant viral genes. Among the tumours associated with EBV that are relevant to a consideration of EBV in HIV-associated malignancies are posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease, Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) and Hodgkin's disease (HD). BL carries whereas EBV in only a minority of cases whereas HD in patients infected with HIV is virtually always EBV-associated. EBV-directed T cell therapies have proven effective in posttransplant lymphomas in bone marrow transplantation patients. In patients with HIV infection, primary central nervous system (CNS) and immunoblastic lymphomas show similarities with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease. EBV detection studies in cerebrospinal fluid are useful diagnostically in primary CNS lymphoma. T cell therapies may be useful in the treatment of EBV-associated lymphomas. Thus, a better understanding of the relationship between EBV and these tumours will not only help to clarify their pathogenesis, but may facilitate the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
A viscosity approach to the Dirichlet problem for complex Monge–Ampère equations

We present a viscosity approach to the Dirichlet problem for the complex Monge–Ampere equation \({\det u_{\bar{j} k} = f (x, u)}\) . Our approach differs from previous viscosity approaches to this equation in several ways: it is based on contact set techniques (the Alexandrov–Bakelman–Pucci estimate), on extensive applications of sup-inf convolutions, and on a relation between real and complex Hessians. More specifically, this paper includes a notion of viscosity solutions; a comparison principle and a solvability theorem; the equivalence between viscosity and pluripotential solutions; an estimate of the modulus of continuity of a solution in terms of that of a given subsolution and of the right-hand side f; and an Alexandrov–Bakelman–Pucci type of L∞-estimate.
A SIMULATION AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF STOCHASTIC VEHICLE ROUTING WITH TIMING CONSTRAINTS

This paper examines a generalization of the vehicle-dispatch problem in which time constraints as well as stochastic demand and travel times are considered. The objective is to minimize total travel time subject to vehicle load capacities and sequencing restrictions, meaning that certain points may be serviced only in specified time intervals. Intra-city travel times are estimated via multiple regression, and an effective heuristic is tested on single-estimate travel times. A GPSS simulation is used to evaluate the heuristic on stochastic travel times and also to examine the effects of other decision variables such as route configuration. Computational experience with an actual refuse collection problem involving 163 points per day is reported.
A TEST FOR A DIFFERENTIAL COLONIZATION AND COMPETITIVE ABILITY IN TWO GENERALIST PREDATORS

Spatial subdivision of the landscape can reduce the intensity of interspecific interactions, whether they be predation or competition. Recent models examining the ways in which spatial pattern in the landscape will influence the outcome of species interactions assume a trade-off between colonization ability and competitive ability in the interacting species. We tested for differential colonization and competitive ability in two interacting species of wolf spider (Hogna helluo and Pardosa milvina) which co-occur in agricultural and early successional habitats in the eastern USA. We conducted our research in replicated experimental soybean plots in which we created islands of enhanced habitat by supplementing natural litter and enhancing weed growth. Our experimental manipulations were repeated once for each of the two spider species: (1) spiders added, (2) prey attractants (composted vegetable waste) added, (3) spiders and prey attractants added, and (4) one control, for a total of eight subplots. We replicated the experiment six times, three times each in conventionally tilled fields and conservation tilled fields. We censused these plots at the end of the summer and found that conspecific addition significantly elevated numbers of one species (H. helluo) but not the other (P. milvina). These findings were consistent with our predictions that H. helluo is limited in colonization ability when compared to P. milvina. The addition of prey attractants significantly elevated numbers of both species, but the effect was far stronger for the superior colonist (P. milvina). This indicates that P. milvina is able to track resource abundance (both habitat structure and prey), a trait correlated with colonization ability. We found no strong evidence for a negative effect of H. helluo addition on numbers of P. milvina, as would be predicted if H. helluo strongly competed with or significantly preyed upon P. milvina. Body condition of P. milvina was lowest in subplots with higher numbers of H. helluo, indicating that H. helluo may have influenced the foraging success of P. milvina. We also found a strong and unexpected effect of the context of the plots (background tillage regime) on numbers of P. milvina, with there being approximately twice the P. milvina in the subplots in conventionally tilled fields.
Our Paths Might Cross: the Role of the Fungal Cell Wall Integrity Pathway in Stress Response and Cross Talk with Other Stress Response Pathways

Fungi occupy diverse environments and are subjected to many extreme conditions. Among the stressful conditions faced by fungi are pH changes, osmotic changes, thermal changes, oxide radicals, nutrient deprivation, and exposure to chemicals. These adversities can be found either in the environment or in animal and human hosts. The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway provides a means to fortify and repair damages to the cell wall in order to withstand stressful environments. The CWI pathway in comprised of cell wall stress sensors that lead to activation of a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Signaling through the MAPK cascade leads to expression of transcription factors that facilitate biosynthesis of cell wall components and actin organization. Given the relatively limited number of components of the CWI pathway and the very diverse stimuli, there must be a means of expanding the pathway. To manage the diverse stress conditions, the CWI pathway cross talks with other pathways or proteins, and these cross talk events enhance the signaling capabilities of the CWI pathway. Lateral influences that facilitate maintaining the cell wall under stress conditions are TOR signaling, calcineurin signaling, the high-osmolarity glycerol pathway, the cyclic AMP-protein kinase A pathway, and additional proteins. In this article, we highlight several of the cross talk events that have been described for Saccharomyces cerevisiae and several other fungi.
Risk factors for catheter-related complications in pediatric peritoneal dialysis

Catheter-related complications, including infection, dialysate leak, and malfunction, are the principal causes of peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure. To determine risk factors predisposing to these complications, we conducted a retrospective study of 90 children on chronic PD who received 127 catheters from January 1990 to December 2000. There was a significant risk for dialysate leak when PD catheters were used early (≤14 days post placement) versus delayed use (>14 days). There was no significant difference in malfunction and infection rate between early and delayed use groups. Weight and height <5th percentile, low serum albumin, and history of abdominal surgery were not associated with an increased risk of complications. History of dialysis prior to catheter placement and presence of a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) were both associated with significant infection risk. Patients ≤3 years old were more likely to have a G-tube and had an increased risk of infection. We conclude that delayed use of the PD catheter led to a lower incidence of dialysate leak but had no effect on infection rate. Young age, G-tube, and history of prior dialysis are risk factors for infection. Multi-center, prospective controlled studies involving larger numbers of children are important to confirm these findings.
A novel synthesis of α-N-methyl-14C-DL-asparagine by generation of methylamine-14C insitu

A method is described by which methylamine-14C is qenerated from its hydrochloride by N,N-diisopropylethylamine in the presence of maleamic acid to produce the title compound in high yield.
Evaluation of different modes of operation for the production of Spirulina sp.

BACKGROUND Semi-continuous microalgae cultivations are large-scale production alternatives that maintain high microorganism growth rates. Studies show that semi-continuous cultivation can be conducted in two ways. In one, a blend concentration is set for the linear phase. The other uses a time interval dilution. This present work aimed to determine which mode of semi-continuous cultivation of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 presented the best kinetic response. RESULTS For the Spirulina sp. LEB 18 cultivation, the blend concentration was 1.6 g L−1. The maximum average productivity (0.092 g L−1 d−1) and biomass amount (8.37 g) were found for the assay with blend concentration of 1.6 g L−1 and a renewal rate of 40% (v/v). CONCLUSION The best semi-continuous cultivation mode for Spirulina sp. LEB 18 used a fixed blend concentration. This work proved the importance of setting a blend concentration on a theoretical biochemical and biotechnological basis. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Current Status of Diagnostic Procedures for Temporomandibular Disorders

Researchers from the National Institute of Dental Research emphasize the value of differential diagnosis in assessing TMD. Temporomandibular disorders encompass a group of musculoskeletal conditions that involve the joints, the masticatory musculature, or both. In any given patient, there may be several overlapping TM disorders, an orofacial pain condition mimicking a TM disorder or a concomitant TMD and non-TM disorder. The differential diagnosis becomes extremely important.
Conservation and conflict between endangered desert fishes

Conservation of naturally sympatric endangered species requires unique considerations. While impacts of invasive species garner much attention, interactions between endangered species must also be ...
Boundaries in digital planes

The importance of topological connectedness properties in processing digital pictures is well known. A natural way to begin a theory for this is to give a definition of connectedness for subsets of a digital plane which allows one to prove a Jordan curve theorem. The generally accepted approach to this has been a non-topological Jordan curve theorem which requires two different definitions, 4-connectedness, and 8-connectedness, one for the curve and the other for its complement.