cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of mechanical comminution on the intrinsic coercivity of Fe-Nd-B sintered magnets

Bonded permanent magnets made of small particles obtained by crushing sintered commercial Fe-Nd-B magnets suffer a reduction in intrinsic coercivity of increasing severity as the size of the polycrystalline particles drops. Particles in the range of 100 μm and below retain less than 20% of their original iHc. The loss is due to the mechanical damage that reduces the effectiveness of the grain boundaries in stopping reverse magnetization. In bulk cast alloys with very low original coercivities, a moderate increase in iHc can be attained by comminution.
Glutathione and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency can increase protein glycosylation.

Glycosylation (glycation) of proteins can cause cataractogenesis and cellular damage. Using a human red blood cells (RBC) model and two different methods, this study shows that the glycation of hemoglobin increases significantly in glutathione (GSH) deficient RBC exposed to high glucose levels in vitro. Hemoglobin glycation was assessed using both affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. GSH-deficiency was accomplished artificially by treating RBC with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as well as by using hereditary G6PD-deficient RBC. GSH replenishment by dithioerythritol (DTE) and dithiothreitol (DTT) significantly blocked the glycation of hemoglobin in GSH-deficient cells. There was a significant negative correlation between levels of GSH and glycated hemoglobin following treatment with DTE (r = -0.98, n = 5, p < .001) and DTT (r = -0.94, n = 5, p < .02). This demonstrates that GSH depletion can indeed increase glycation. Thus, GSH and G6PD-deficient cells are at a significantly greater risk for the glycation of proteins, which in turn can cause increased cellular damage.
Color Structured Illumination Microscopy for Imaging in Noisy Environments

In addition to single-exposure optical sectioning, color structured illumination microscopy may be applied within noisy environments often encountered in biological imaging. Advantages over other techniques are demonstrated by both computer modeling and experiment.
Movement of small molecules on a silica surface: a photophysical and photochemical study

Abstract Steady-state and time-resolved excitation measurements are utilized to investigate movement of small molecules on the heterogeneous surface of porous silica. Pyrene and its derivative 1-pyrenebutyric acid (PBA) are the principal adsorbates used for the creation of the excited and ionized states studied. Quenching of these states by ferrocene indicates that pyrene, like its analogue PBA, is immobilized on the surface for the duration of the quenching process (milliseconds) and movement is due to ferrocene. Additional investigations with perylene indicate that the molecules tend to be adsorbed in selected positions on the SiO 2 surface. These selected regions consist of silanol groups at high surface concentration. Heating preferentially removes these regions and decreases the extent of solute adsorption. The non-homogeneous adsorption behavior of non-heated SiO 2 tends to lead to two basic modes of kinetics, initial static or rapid reaction, together with subsequent slower homogeneous kinetics. Both regimes are studied in the present work. The extent of the high density silanol is about 10 −6 mole g −1 .
Language Abilities of Children Who Stutter: A Meta-Analytical Review

Purpose To identify, integrate, and summarize evidence from empirical studies of the language abilities of children who stutter (CWS) and children who do not stutter (CWNS). Method Candidate studie...
Observation of self-sustaining relativistic ionizationWave launched by sheath field

We present experimental measurements and PIC simulations of a relativistic ionization wave launched into surrounding gas by the sheath field of a plasma filament with high energy electrons and maintained due to hot electron trapping.
Effects of gender on serum biomarkers of systemic inflammation coincident to experimentally-induced periapical lesions.

Abstract Objective The literature suggests that females have less adverse effects to infection than males, due to the protective effects of oestrogen. The purpose of our study is to compare the systemic effects of induced periapical lesions between groups of animals with various serum concentrations of oestrogen. Methods To induce periapical inflammation, two molar tooth pulps were exposed in ovariectomized (OVX) and normal female (F) and castrated (Cast-M) and normal male (M) Sprague–Dawley rats (Experimental group, E). Sham-operated control animals from each group were also studied (Control group, C). Twenty-eight days later, serum and maxillas were collected. Serum 17β-oestradiol, testosterone, MMP-9, IL-18, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β concentrations were measured by ELISA. Maxillas were cleaned of residual tissue and digital radiographs were made to verify the presence of periapical lesions. Data were compared by factorial ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, and Pearson correlation tests. Groups were considered to be significantly different when p Results The serum concentration of IL-18, TNF-α, IL-1-β, IL-6 and MMP-9 was greatest in OVX-E animals, compared to all other groups ( p Conclusion When females are oestrogen-deficient, their systemic response to periapical lesions is significantly greater than males, suggesting that oestrogen is essential in protecting females from the effects of this type of inflammation.
The effectiveness of brief intervention among injured patients with alcohol dependence: Who benefits from brief interventions?

Abstract Background Research investigating the differential effectiveness of Brief Motivational Interventions (BMIs) among alcohol-dependent and non-dependent patients in the medical setting is limited. Clinical guidelines suggest that BMI is most appropriate for patients with less severe alcohol problems. As a result, most studies evaluating the effectiveness of BMI have excluded patients with an indication of alcohol dependence. Methods A randomized controlled trial of brief intervention in the trauma care setting comparing BMI to treatment as usual plus assessment (TAU+) was conducted. Alcohol dependence status was determined for 1336 patients using DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. The differential effectiveness of BMI among alcohol-dependent and non-dependent patients was determined with regard to volume per week, maximum amount consumed, percent days abstinent, alcohol problems at 6 and 12 months follow-up. In addition, the effect of BMI on dependence status at 6 and 12 months was determined. Results There was a consistent interaction between BMI and alcohol dependence status, which indicated significantly higher reductions in volume per week at 6 and 12 months follow-up (β = −.56, p = .03, β = −.63, p = .02, respectively), maximum amount at 6 months (β = −.31, p = .04), and significant decreases in percent days abstinent at 12 months (β = .11, p = .007) and alcohol problems at 12 months (β = −2.7, p12 = .04) among patients with alcohol dependence receiving BMI. In addition, patients with alcohol dependence at baseline that received BMI were .59 (95% CI = .39–.91) times less likely to meet criteria for alcohol dependence at six months. Conclusions These findings suggest that BMI is more beneficial among patients with alcohol dependence who screen positive for an alcohol-related injury.
Comparative toxicokinetics of tributyltin in five marine species and its utility in predicting bioaccumulation and acute toxicity

Abstract The acute toxic response (LC50), bioconcentration factor (BCF), lethal tissue residue (LR50), uptake clearance constant (k1), and elimination rate constant (k2) for tributyltin (TBT) were examined and compared in four marine invertebrate and one marine fish species. The toxic response and BCFs were vastly different among the species when exposed to the dissolved compound, which was reflected in their unequal uptake clearance and elimination rate constants. Based on the dual-rate constant approach for a one compartment, first-order kinetic model (1CFOK), predicted values for both the acute toxic response and BCF based on these toxicokinetic constants were matched closely by observed values. Additionally, a strong correlation between the LC50 and BCF was found, which was expected based on their relationship to the balance between uptake and elimination and a consistent LR50 (lethal residue causing 50% mortality) among species. Predictions were made about the time to steady-state tissue concentrations with k2 values and how this would affect the results of the standard 10 day toxicity bioassay. Because acute TBT toxicity occurs at tissue concentrations 100 times lower than compounds exhibiting a narcosis mode of action, tributyltin is very toxic at low environmental concentrations, especially to organisms that have high uptake clearance and low elimination rate constants. Making predictions about toxicity based on uptake clearance and elimination rate constants in conjunction with the critical body residue will be helpful when choosing sensitive organisms for determining water and sediment quality criteria.
Multiterminal P-N-P-N Switches

A silicon p-n-p-n switch (two or three terminal) whose operation depends in part upon electric field transport of minority carriers is described. In a p-n-p-n structure relying upon an electric field to increase one internal alpha sufficiently to produce switching, the "turn-on" current is related to minority-carrier lifetime (diffusion length) and to the resistivity, area, and base width of the section depending upon field transport. It is shown that at least one base region can be of relatively large dimension. This increases "turn-on" current, "on" impedance, and "turn-off" time, but allows greater freedom in some aspects of device design and fabrication at not a great increase of the characteristics mentioned. In particular, two and three terminal p-n-p-n switches, dependent in part upon field transport, can be designed as signal devices or as power devices. Certain features of three-terminal p-n-p-n operation are discussed and experimental results presented.
Building and Reinforcing Epidemiological Skills among Students

Abstract Target Audience: Health students at the secondary and college level benefit from learning experiences that teach epidemiological principles, skills, and concepts. This activity provides a meaningful classroom exercise where students can act as public health workers in the investigation and control of a disease outbreak. Objectives: Students will be able to: (1) describe the onset of a disease outbreak; (2) complete fundamental tasks involved in an outbreak investigation; (3) identify appropriate prevention and control measures.
The rapid onset of tolerance to ataxic effects of ethanol in mice

We have developed a precise quantal method for assessing the sensitivity to ethanol in the mouse. Mice placed on a clamped stationary horizontal dowel are scored ataxi or not ataxic depending on whether they are able to remian on the dowel during a 30-s observation period. A threshold blood ethanol concentration is determined by assaying tail blood drawn immediately upon recovery from ethanol-induced ataxia. This threshold is quite reproducible within a population of Swiss-Webster mice (coefficient of variation 9%). The precision of this method allowed us to follow the onset of rapid tolerance during a series of sequential IP ethanol doses. Tolerance persisted overnight in the absence of ethanol, and was found not to increase further with additional ethanol exposure on 2 subsequent days. The observed tolerance was shown not to be due to circadian changes in ethanol sensitivity or repeated practice on the task, indicating a true tissue tolerance.
Moisture permeability of polymers. I. Role of crystallinity and orientation

With three polymers widely different in polarity—polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and nylon 610—the water vapor permeability P of unoriented films has been shown to increase as the amorphous fraction Xa is increased, following the relation P = PaXa2. For polyethylenes, adherence to this relation is exhibited only with structures having densities above 0.94, a range in which the number of short chain branches is low. Films with densities lower than 0.94 exhibit higher film permeabilities than those calculated on the basis of the permeability of the amorphous areas Pa of “linear” polyethylene; this results from the increase in the number of short chain branches and hence, an increase in Pa of the lower density polyethylenes. The above variation of water vapor permeability with the square of the amorphous fraction may be theoretically accounted for by a linear variation of the diffusion and solubility coefficients with the amorphous fraction. With polyethylene terephthalate and nylon 610, the solubility coefficients do exhibit this linear relation. The square permeability relation appears to be a limiting case for structures in which crystallization does not impose restraints on the segmental motions important in permeability. Where restraints do occur, as in oriented films, a higher order dependency on the amorphous fraction exists. This was exemplified with biaxially and uniaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate films, with which it was shown that orientation in oriented crystalline films effects a decrease in permeability in addition to that ascribable to crystallinity. This is not true for such films as polystyrene or stretched rubber which has not crystallized. Only those oriented structures in which the orientation is “locked-in,” as by crystallization, exhibit a decrease in water vapor permeability. The relations of permeability and solubility coefficients to crystallinity have an important utility in that the extent of crystallinity or crystal density may be estimated with the proper data. On the basis of literature water vapor permeability data of Szwarc et al. for two high density polyethylenes at three different vapor pressure differentials, the crystal density of polyethylene was estimated to be 0.995, 1.008, and 0.998 or an average of 1.00, in agreement with Bunn's value calculated on the basis of x-ray diffraction studies.
On-Line Competitive Immunoassay for Insulin Based on Capillary Electrophoresis with Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detection

An on-line competitive immunoassay for insulin has been developed and applied to monitoring insulin concentration in a flowing stream. In the assay, solutions of fluorescein-labeled insulin (FITC-insulin), monoclonal anti-insulin, and sample containing insulin are pumped into a cross where they begin to mix. The mixture flows through a fused silica reactor capillary to a flow-gated interface. During transfer to the interface, insulin and FITC-insulin compete to form a complex with the antibody. At the interface, a plug of the mixture is injected into a separation capillary, where the bound and free FITC-insulin are separated and detected by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. The amount of bound FITC-insulin, amount of free FITC-insulin, or bound/free ratio can be used to quantify insulin concentration. Typical relative standard deviations of bound over free ratio are 5%. The detection limit of the immunoassay in the on-line mode is <0.3 nM. Each separation requires as lit...
Conformations of nucleoside analogue 1-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide in different DNA sequence contexts.

The concept of using a dynamic base-pairing nucleobase as a mode for degenerate recognition presents a unique challenge to analysis of DNA structure. Proton and phosphorus NMR studies are reported for two nine-residue DNA oligodeoxyribonucleotides, d(CATGGGTAC)·d(GTACNCATG) (1) and d(CATGTGTAC)·(GTACNCATG) (2), which contained 1-(2‘-deoxy-β-d-ribofuranosyl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (N) in the center of the helix at position 14. The duplexes were compared to the canonical Watson−Crick duplexes, d(CATGGGTAC)·d(GTACCCATG) (3) and d(CATGTGTAC)·d(GTACACATG) (4). Two-dimensional NOESY spectra of 1−4 in H2O and D2O solutions collected at 5 °C allowed assignment of the exchangeable and nonexchangeable protons for all four oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Thermodynamic and circular dichroism data indicated that 1−4 formed stable, B-form duplexes at 5 °C. Two-dimensional 1H-31P correlation spectra indicated that there were minor perturbations in the backbone only near the site of the triazole base. Strong NOESY cross...
Regeneration Failure in a Remnant Stand of Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra) on a Protected Barrier Island in Georgia, USA

Maritime forest communities on barrier islands along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts have been severely fragmented by a continuous history of human land use and natural disturbance. Isolated populations of certain tree species in maritime forest fragments may now be too small to be viable and their inability to regenerate may result in their eventual elimination from barrier islands. Using an 11-year study of a population of pignut hickory (Carya glabra), a common species of remnant maritime forest stands on St. Catherine's Island, Georgia, we present a case study of tree regeneration failure on a barrier island. We found that there has been no recruitment of new hickory individuals into the canopy of this population over the last 65 years. Field evidence of browse and a strong correlation between seedling density distributions and microsite protection from herbivory suggest that this trend in recruitment failure is related to an increased abundance of deer (Odocoileus) and pigs (Sus) on the island. Using a size class population projection model, we estimated that, if such recruitment failure and mortality rates continue, the hickory population will be extirpated from the maritime forest within 200 years. Tree species that are failing to regenerate within maritime forests represent a special challenge that is not currently being addressed in the long-term management of barrier island biodiversity.
A case of ossifying fibroma of the maxillary tuberosity associated with an unerupted ectopic molar.

Abstract A case has been described of an ossifying fibroma of the maxillary tuberosity associated with a retained molar displaced toward the infratemporal fossa, the radiograph of which had the appearance of a complex, composite odontoma.
Outcomes from a mentored research boot camp: Focused Investigator Training (FIT) Program.

Study Objective To evaluate the change in mentee self-efficacy with regard to research, number of grant submissions, and total amount of new monies awarded to graduates of a novel, mentored, investigator-training program—the Focused Investigator Training (FIT) Program. Design Retrospective observational analysis. Setting American College of Clinical Pharmacy Research Institute. Participants Fifty-five mentees from the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 FIT Programs. Intervention The FIT Program is a novel, intensive, 5-day, mentored development “boot camp” for mid-career investigators holding research-intensive positions. The program consists of proposal groups of two mentors and two–four mentees, one-on-one office hours, lectures, panel discussions, directed readings, and small group sessions. Twelve highly successful researchers and biostatisticians were recruited as mentors. Mentees submitted a detailed proposal and received faculty feedback before the program. Measurements and Main Results The main outcomes of the FIT Program were mentee self-efficacy with regard to research, number of grant submissions, and total amount of new monies awarded to 2008 and 2009 FIT Program graduates. Univariate statistical analysis was conducted to determine characteristics of those FIT attendees with subsequent successful grantsmanship. A combined measure of self-confidence in successful grantsmanship was significantly increased after completion of the FIT program. More than $2.7 million was funded to FIT graduates as principal investigators, and as coinvestigators or subcontractors, an additional $382,000 was awarded in new funds. Seven mentees from the 2008 and 2009 classes received new federal funding, mostly through various K-type award mechanisms. Conclusion The FIT Program was associated with a significant increase in attendees' self-efficacy for obtaining external research funding. Program attendance was associated with numerous successfully funded grants by pharmacist investigators. Future FIT Program success hinges on attracting adequate numbers of qualified applicants.
Statistical characterization of fiber permeability for composite manufacturing

the measurement and characterization of fiber preform permeability, which plays a key role in process design and control. In this study, an automatic permeability measurement apparatus with automatic data acquisition and processing capabilities has been de- veloped to improve measurement accuracy and reliability. Four major factors and their effects on permeability for a knitted and a woven fabric preforms are investi- gated. Design of experiments,
Electron spin echo envelope modulation due to exchange and dipolar interactions in a spin-correlated radical pair

Abstract The effects of exchange and electron—electron dipolar interactions on electron spin echo envelope modulation and free induction decay in a photo-induced spin-correlated radical pair are examined. Analytical expressions are derived for FID and spin echo signals as a two-dimensional function of the time intervals between the laser pulse and the microwave pulses. It is predicted that these interactions can induce deep modulation or oscillation on the out-of-phase spin echo envelope whereas the in-phase echo vanishes. The modulation frequencies provide useful information for systems with small exchange and dipolar interactions even if the hyperfine inhomogeneity often produces unresolved spectra in cw EPR.
Built-in self-test (BIST) structure for analog circuit fault diagnosis

An analog built-in self-test (BIST) structure for analog circuit fault diagnosis is described that increases the numbers of test points while still keeping low pin overhead. The BIST structure allows access to some internal nodes so that the fault diagnosis process can be significantly simplified. The BIST structure also allows designers to use one channel of an oscilloscope to simultaneously monitor multiple output waveforms of analog circuits or systems. >
Mechanisms of failure of mitral valve repair: an echocardiographic study.

Abstract Surgical valve repair for mitral regurgitation has significant advantages over valve replacement, but little is known about the mechanisms of its failure. This echocardiographic study examined abnormalities leading to falled mitral valve repair in two populations: "immediate failure" of the valve repair in the operating room requiring a second run of cardiopulmonary bypass and "late failure" of valve repair necessitating reoperation on another occasion. Intraoperative echocardiography (IOE) after cardiopulmonary bypass was performed in 309 patients undergoing valve repair for mitral regurgitation over a 3-year period. Twenty-six (8%) of these patients had immediate failure of the repair demonstrated by IOE, requiring further repair or replacement during the same thoracotomy. The causes of immediate failure were left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (10 patients), incomplete correction (10 patients), and suture dehiscence (six patients). Echocardiography was performed on 17 patients requiring reoperation for recurrent mitral regurgitation who had undergone previous primary valve repair. These late failures resulted from progressive degenerative leaflet or chordal disease ( n = 9) or suture dehiscence of the annular ring or the leaflet resection site ( n = 6). In only two patients early in the series did the problem originate from inadequate initial surgery. IOE is an effective marker for unsuccessful mitral valve repair, and affords an understanding of the mechanism of the persistent dysfunction. Immediate failure of mitral repair may be reduced by greater attention to the mechanism of valve dysfunction and by changes in valvuloplasty technique to avoid outflow tract obstruction. Late failure after mitral repair occurs predominantly due to progression of disease, particularly in patients with severe myxomatous or annular abnormalities that are prone to progress.
Development of postural balance in foals

This study used stabilographic analysis to measure and describe changes in stability during standing in foals from birth to 5 months of age. Stabilographic analysis was performed on newborn foals immediately after first suckling then daily until 1 week of age, weekly until 1 month of age and monthly until 5 months of age. Ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected for periods of 8s with the foal standing on one or two force plates recording at 1000 Hz. Stabilographic variables describing the amplitude, velocity and frequency of center of pressure (COP) movements were derived from the GRF data. Amplitudes, which were initially larger in the craniocaudal direction, decreased over time in both directions, with craniocaudal amplitude becoming smaller than mediolateral amplitude by 1-2 months of age. At birth, COP velocity was larger in the craniocaudal direction, but decreased rapidly to become smaller than mediolateral velocity by 3 months of age. Mean frequency at birth was higher craniocaudally, but became similar in both directions at 2 months of age. The rapid reductions in craniocaudal amplitude and velocity were thought to reflect improvements in strength and coordination of the flexor/extensor musculature. Newborn foals splay their limbs to compensate for poor control of the abductor/adductor musculature and, after the limbs assumed a vertical posture, mediolateral sway velocity increased.
Intracranial self-stimulation of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: increased faciliation by morphine compared to cocaine.

Background Neuropathic pain attenuates opioid facilitation of rewarding electrical stimulation of limbic dopaminergic pathways originating from the ventral tegmental area. Whether neuropathic pain alters opioid effects of other brain-reward systems is unknown. Methods Control and spinal nerve-ligated (SNL) rats had electrodes implanted into the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus or medial forebrain bundle. Control and SNL rats were trained to lever-press for intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), and modulation by morphine or cocaine was assessed. Results Control and SNL rats lever-pressed for stimulation of the PVN and medial forebrain bundle. Morphine produced greater reductions in the frequency at which rats emitted 50% of maximal responding for PVN ICSS (maximal effect 24.67 ± 4.60 [mean ± SEM] and 24.11 ± 5.96 in SNL [n = 6] and control [n = 8] rats, respectively, compared with medial forebrain bundle ICSS (12.38 ± 6.77 [n = 8] and 12.69 ± 1.55 [n = 7]). In contrast, cocaine was less efficacious in potentiating PVN ICSS (maximal effect 11.76 ± 2.86 and 12.38 ± 4.01 in SNL [n = 12] and control [n = 8] rats, respectively) compared with medial forebrain bundle ICSS (30.58 ± 3.40 [n = 9] and 27.55 ± 4.51 [n = 7]). Conclusions PVN ICSS is facilitated to a greater extent by morphine than cocaine, and the effects of each drug on this behavior are unaltered after spinal nerve ligation. These effects contrast those observed with direct stimulation of limbic dopamine pathways, suggesting that the PVN may have a greater role in the reinforcing effects of opioids than classic limbic regions, particularly in the presence of chronic pain.
The role of suppression in figurative language comprehension.

In this paper, we describe the crucial role that suppression plays in many aspects of language comprehension. We define suppression as a general, cognitive mechanism, the purpose of which is to attenuate the interference caused by the activation of extraneous, unnecessary, or inappropriate information. We illustrate the crucial role that suppression plays in general comprehension by reviewing numerous experiments. These experiments demonstrate that suppression attenuates interference during lexical access (how word meanings are ‘accessed’), anaphoric reference (how referents for anaphors, like pronouns, are computed), cataphoric reference (how concepts that are marked by devices, such as spoken stress, gain a privileged status), syntactic parsing (how grammatical forms of sentences are decoded), and individual differences in (adult) language comprehension skill. We also review research that suggests that suppression plays a crucial role in the understanding of figurative language, in particular, metaphors, idioms, and proverbs.
Estrogens and the Leydig LTW(m) tumor syndrome: anorexia and diet aversions attenuated by area postrema lesions

The development of learned aversions to the available diet has been shown to contribute to the anorexia and weight loss which accompany the growth of certain tumors, including the Leydig LTW(m) tumor. Estradiol infusions were found to closely mimic the effects on food intake and food preference seen after Leydig LTW(m) tumor implants. That is, reductions in food intake and the development of severe aversions to a target diet available during hormone infusions were seen. Lesions of the area postrema greatly attenuated these effects of estradiol infusions. Similar lesions have been shown to have parallel effects on the LTW(m) tumor syndrome. These findings strongly implicate the elevations of circulating estrogens which accompany the growth of LTW(m) tumors in generating the symptoms of anorexia and diet aversions.
In vivo knockdown of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α1 diminishes aortic atherosclerosis.

Abstract Objective Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α1 (nAChRα1) was recently identified as a functional cell receptor for urokinase, a potent atherogenic molecule. Here, we test the hypothesis that nAChRα1 plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice were initially fed a Western diet for 8 wks. Plasmid DNA encoding scramble RNA ( pscr ) or siRNA ( psir2 ) for nAChRα1 was injected into the mice ( n =16) using an aortic hydrodynamic gene transfer protocol. Four mice from each group were sacrificed 7 days after the DNA injection to confirm the nAChRα1 gene silencing. The remaining mice continued on a Western diet for an additional 16 wks. Results The nAChRα1 was up-regulated in aortic atherosclerotic lesions. A 78% knockdown of the nAChRα1 gene resulted in remarkably less severe aortic plaque growth and neovascularization at 16 wks (both P psir2 -treated mice. The protective mechanisms of the nAChRα1 knockdown may involve up-regulating interferon-γ/Y box protein-1 activity and down-regulating transforming growth factor-β expression. Conclusions The nAChRα1 gene plays a significant role at the artery wall, and reducing its expression decreases aortic plaque development.
A review of cytologic findings in neuroendocrine carcinomas including carcinoid tumors with histologic correlation.

BACKGROUND The nosology of neuroendocrine neoplasia has evolved substantially in recent years. The aim of this study was to review the authors' institutional experience and diagnostic accuracy for cytologic specimens of neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and to identify features most suggestive of neuroendocrine differentiation. METHODS The cytologic and histologic findings of 29 archival NEC in which cytology preceded biopsy or resection were compared. The study was comprised of 6 carcinoid tumors, 3 atypical carcinoid tumors, 17 high grade NEC (5 small cell, 9 large cell, and 3 mixed small/large cell), and 3 combined NEC/nonneuroendocrine carcinomas. Cytologic material was derived from 21 fine-needle aspirates (FNA), 6 bronchial brushing/washings, and 2 gastrointestinal tract brushings. RESULTS Of the 29 cases, the correct cytologic diagnosis was rendered in 11. Two cases were identified as NEC but were graded incorrectly. The remaining 16 cases were interpreted as nonsmall cell carcinoma (8 cases); diagnostic or suspicious of carcinoma, not otherwise specified (7 cases); and atypical, indeterminate for malignancy (1 case). On review, neuroendocrine features were identified in 14 of the latter 16 cases. CONCLUSIONS The cytologic diagnosis of NEC, both high and low grade, can be difficult. Because of acinus-like formations and columnar cell shapes, low grade NEC may be mistaken for adenocarcinoma. Small cell carcinomas, especially in bronchial brush and wash preparations, may be difficult to classify beyond malignant. Large cell NEC may be confused with nonneuroendocrine carcinomas because of abundant cytoplasm and nucleoli. Attention to the presence of loose cell aggregates in a background of singly dispersed cells; feathery patterns created by tumor cells clinging to capillaries; rosette formations; delicate, granular cytoplasm; inconspicuous nucleoli; molding in high grade tumors; and, most important, speckled or dusty chromatin patterns are useful in identifying neuroendocrine differentiation in cytologic specimens. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2000;90:148–61. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Environmental determinants of cost sharing

Abstract Multiple cost-sharing rules often coexist in seemingly identical environments. We use shared irrigation costs as a context for examining the extent to which the structural environment explains cost-sharing rule selection. We find that environmental factors affecting irrigation costs and benefits, as well as those determining irrigator distribution along the ditch, have impressive explanatory power. These results present some of the first formal empirical analysis of the manner in which structural features influence the actual cost-sharing choices of economic agents. Moreover, our results also suggest that previous axiomatic studies are reflective of real-world cost-sharing behavior.
On ENSO Coastal Currents and Sea Levels

Abstract Sea-level measurements along the western coast of the Americas have shown that there is a strong signal at ENSO frequencies (approximately 2π/2 yr−1 to 2π/5 yr−1) that propagates poleward at about 40 to 90 cm s−1. This ENSO sea level signal must be associated with ENSO coastal currents, but because adequate interannual current time series are unavailable, the structure and strength of these currents are not known. Coastal ENSO currents must be fundamentally affected by bottom topography and bottom friction, but previous theory has not taken these effects into account. A near-boundary numerical model with realistic bottom friction, stratification, and shelf and slope topography was therefore constructed to study ENSO coastal flow. (i) At ENSO frequencies, previous results for models with no bottom topography and no bottom friction suggest that sea level should not propagate poleward. With realistic bottom friction and bottom topography coastal sea level propagates poleward at speeds similar to tho...
Vacancy Migration in the 3-12 Ising Ferromagnet

A theoretical study of the temperature-dependent magnetic contributions to the free enthalpy, entropy, and enthalpy of vacancy migration for 3-12 ferromagnetic Ising system is presented. The exact solutions of spin correlations for the perfect 3-12 structure enable determination of the thermodynamic functions at all temperatures. The nonequivalent edge effect on vacancy migration of the structure is also reported. The magnetic contributions to the thermodynamic functions of vacancy migration are more pronounced in the compact part of the structure. In general, the entropy and enthalpy diverge at the critical temperature; the free enthalpy decreases monotonically with temperature with a singular behavior at the critical temperature.
Fast extraction of resonant vibrational response from CARS spectra with arbitrary nonresonant background

We describe a new, robust method of numerically extracting equivalent Raman spectra from coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectra. The extraction procedure requires no a priori information regarding the vibrational resonances or the shape of the nonresonant background (NRB). The method we present here is robust to situations where the NRB is not spectrally flat, and is accurate over a wide range of signal-to-background ratios. This simple and quick computation method, which relies primarily on a small number of fast Fourier transforms, could reasonably be used in conjunction with spectral imaging, where millions of spectra must be analyzed. Published 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urine collected from diapers can be used for 2-D PAGE in infants and young children.

Urinary proteomic profiling has potential to identify candidate biomarkers of renal injury in infants provided an adequate urine sample can be obtained. Although diapers are used to obtain urine for clinical evaluation, their use for proteomic analysis has not been investigated. We therefore performed feasibility studies on the use of diaper-extracted urine for 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE). Pediatric waste urine (2–20 mL) was applied to gel-containing, non-gel and cotton-gauze diapers and then mechanically expressed. Urine volume and total protein were measured pre- and post-extraction. Proteins were separated via 2D-PAGE following application of urine (20–40 mL) to each matrix. 2D-PAGE was also performed on clinical specimens collected using each diaper type. Differences in the adsorption and retention of urine volume and protein were noted between matrices. Non-gel and cotton-gauze diapers provided the best protein/volume recovery and the lowest interference with the Bradford assay. 2D-PAGE was also successfully completed using urine samples from both cotton fiber matrices. Conversely, samples from low-gel diapers demonstrated poor protein separation and reproducibility. Diapers containing cotton-fiber matrices appear adequate for 2D-PAGE. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of resolved proteins using replicate, high resolution gels will be required, however, before diaper-extracted urine can be applied in proteomic profiling.
Effect of Prime-Mover Speed Governor Characteristics on Power-System Frequency Variations and Tie-Line Power Swings

In the normal steady-state operation of a power system, proper load division, frequency, and time are maintained by manual or automatic system control, while the transient swings occasioned by load changes are absorbed by the inertias and speed governors of the individual generating units. With improvements in reliability and performance of systems and their interconnections, it is a natural development that further careful attention and study be given to the basic speed governors and their effects on system operation.1,5,6 It is desirable to determine the requirements which a good governing mechanism should fulfill, and the effects of specific governor and system characteristics on over-all system performance. Moreover, under certain conditions some governors may accentuate rather than reduce the magnitudes of the frequency swings, and it is desirable to know the conditions for which this may occur.
Clustering threshold gradient descent regularization: with applications to microarray studies

Motivation: An important goal of microarray studies is to discover genes that are associated with clinical outcomes, such as disease status and patient survival. While a typical experiment surveys gene expressions on a global scale, there may be only a small number of genes that have significant influence on a clinical outcome. Moreover, expression data have cluster structures and the genes within a cluster have correlated expressions and coordinated functions, but the effects of individual genes in the same cluster may be different. Accordingly, we seek to build statistical models with the following properties. First, the model is sparse in the sense that only a subset of the parameter vector is non-zero. Second, the cluster structures of gene expressions are properly accounted for. Results: For gene expression data without pathway information, we divide genes into clusters using commonly used methods, such as K-means or hierarchical approaches. The optimal number of clusters is determined using the Gap statistic. We propose a clustering threshold gradient descent regularization (CTGDR) method, for simultaneous cluster selection and within cluster gene selection. We apply this method to binary classification and censored survival analysis. Compared to the standard TGDR and other regularization methods, the CTGDR takes into account the cluster structure and carries out feature selection at both the cluster level and within-cluster gene level. We demonstrate the CTGDR on two studies of cancer classification and two studies correlating survival of lymphoma patients with microarray expressions. Availability: R code is available upon request. Contact: shuangge.ma@yale.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Introduction to the special issue on the impact of childhood psychopathology interventions on subsequent substance abuse: pieces of the puzzle.

Studies of adolescents and adults have reported high levels of co-occurrence of substance abuse with other psychiatric disorders, suggesting influence between the conditions. The comorbidity seems complex and variable, indicating that there may be more than I type of association between the comorbid disorders. When occurring in childhood. some of the frequently comorbid psychopathologies typically precede later drug and alcohol abuse and may have implications for substance abuse prevention as early risk indicators and as targets for intervention. Research discussed in this article and in this special issue provides a foundation for investigating the question of whether effective treatment of childhood psychopathologies can prevent or at least mitigate substance abuse for some adolescents. Clinical, research, and policy implications are discussed.
The State of Cultivation

Cultivation analysis investigates television’s contributions to viewers’ conceptions of social reality. Developed by George Gerbner in the 1960s, cultivation research continues to expand in numerous directions, with over 125 new studies published since 2000. This article reviews the history of cultivation theory and takes stock of recent trends in the field. We argue that cultivation has taken on certain paradigmatic qualities, and we consider the future prospects for cultivation research in the context of the changing media environment.
Frequency of Hematoma Expansion After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Children

Importance Hematoma expansion is the only modifiable predictor of outcome in adult intracerebral hemorrhage; however, the frequency and clinical significance of hematoma expansion after childhood intracerebral hemorrhage are unknown. Objective To assess the frequency and extent of hematoma expansion in children with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective observational cohort study at 3 tertiary care pediatric hospitals. Children (≥37 weeks’ gestation to 18 years) with nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage were enrolled in a study from 2007 to 2012 focused on predictors of outcome. For this planned substudy of hematoma expansion, neonates 28 days or younger and participants with isolated intraventricular hemorrhage were excluded. Children with 2 head computed tomography (CT) scans within 48 hours were evaluated for hematoma expansion and were compared with children with only 1 head CT scan. Consent for the primary cohort was obtained from 73 of 87 eligible participants (84%); 41 of 73 children enrolled in the primary cohort met all inclusion/exclusion criteria for this substudy, in whom 22 had 2 head CT scans obtained within 48 hours that could be evaluated for hematoma expansion. Within our substudy cohort, 21 of 41 (51%) were male, 25 of 41 (61%) were white, 16 of 41 (39%) were black, and median age was 7.7 years (interquartile range, 2.0-13.4 years). Main Outcome and Measure Primary outcome was prevalence of hematoma expansion. Results Of 73 children, 41 (56%) met inclusion criteria, and 22 (30%) had 2 head CT scans to evaluate expansion. Among these 22 children, median time from symptom onset to first CT was 2 hours (interquartile range, 1.3-6.5 hours). Median baseline hemorrhage volume was 19.5 mL, 1.6% of brain volume. Hematoma expansion occurred in 7 of 22 (32%). Median expansion was 4 mL (interquartile range, 1-11 mL). Three children had significant (>33%) expansion; 2 required urgent hematoma evacuation. Expansion was not associated with poorer outcome. Compared with children with only 1 head CT scan within 48 hours, children with 2 head CT scans had larger baseline hemorrhage volumes ( P = .05) and were more likely to receive treatment for elevated intracranial pressure ( P Conclusions and Relevance Hematoma expansion occurs in children with intracerebral hemorrhage and may require urgent treatment. Repeat CT should be considered in children with either large hemorrhage or increased intracranial pressure.
Strategies for OPEC's Pricing and Output Decisions

This paper examines OPEC pricing and output strategies, both to provide an understanding of OPECs unwise price doubling in 1979-80 and also to analyze what strategy might serve it best for the future. We focus on the unavoidable uncertainty regarding the underlying parameters that characterize the world oil market (price elasticities, income growth rates), and the sensitivity of discounted OPEC revenue to changes in these parameters, for various pricing strategies. In 1979-80, OPEC chose a high-price strategy, which could have yielded good results (like many other price-paths) if the market`s underlying parameters had been more favorable. But the price elasticities of demand and non-OPEC supply were much higher than anticipated, so that OPEC did very poorly-not only in absolute terms, but also relative to what it could have achieved if it had set its price more cautiously. We search for a robustly optimal strategy for OPEC in the future, which will serve it well relative to other strategies, regardless of the true parameter values underlying the market (within some plausible range). We conclude that OPEC`s interests will be served best by a policy of moderate output growth, at a rate no faster than that of world income growth. This willmore » require that OPEC slow its rate of output growth since 1985, cutting it at least in half. Slowing its output growth will allow OPEC gradually to regain the market share lost after its disastrous 1979-80 price doubling, but without jeopardizing its revenue, as might a policy of more rapid increases in output. This will yield a consistently good result for OPEC, relative to alternative strategies, over a fairly wide range of demand and supply conditions. 53 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.« less
Achieving range-free localization beyond connectivity

Wireless sensor networks have been proposed for many location-dependent applications. In such applications, the requirement of low system cost prohibits many range-based methods for sensor node localization; on the other hand, range-free localization depending only on connectivity may underutilize the proximity information embedded in neighborhood sensing. In response to the above limitations, this paper presents a range-free approach to capturing a relative distance between 1-hop neighboring nodes from their neighborhood orderings that serve as unique high-dimensional location signatures for nodes in the network. With little overhead, the proposed design can be conveniently applied as a transparent supporting layer for many state-of-the-art connectivity-based localization solutions to achieve better positioning accuracy. We implemented our design with three well-known localization algorithms and tested it in two types of outdoor test-bed experiments: an 850-foot-long linear network with 54 MICAz motes, and a regular 2D network covering an area of 10000 square feet with 49 motes. Results show that our design helps eliminate estimation ambiguity with sub-hop resolution, and reduces localization errors by as much as 35%. In addition, extensive simulations reveal an interesting feature of robustness for our design under unevenly distributed radio propagation path loss, and confirm its effectiveness for large-scale networks.
Art to Science: Tools for Greater Objectivity in Resource Monitoring

Art to Science: Tools for Greater Objectivity in Resource Monitoring DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v33i4_booth