cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adolescent peer crowds and patterns of belief in the boundaries of personal authority.

Abstract Patterns of authority beliefs were examined among peer crowds in 598 middle school (M = 12.97 years), early high school (M = 15.10 years), and late high school adolescents (M = 18.25 years). Participants reported beliefs regarding the boundaries of personal authority across personal, prudential, conventional, moral, and multifaceted issues. As expected, analyses revealed persistent differences in belief patterns among crowds within each age group. Tough and Alternative crowds asserted personal authority across all issues, while Prep and Outcast crowds endorsed parental authority. Jock, Hip Hop, and Normal crowds presented with shared-control patterns, but each crowd ceded and asserted authority over different issues. Discussion focused on crowds' roles in the development of group differences in the boundaries of personal authority.
Hydrophobe-Water Interactions: Methane as a Model ☆

Recent molecular-dynamics simulations have demonstrated that the use of an empirical hydrophobic potential displaying two minima, i.e., one for hydrophobes in close contact and one for hydrophobes separated by a hydration layer, leads to a marked improvement in protein structure prediction. This potential is supported by experimental data and simulations, but its physical origin and mathematical formulation have not been derived as yet. Here we show that water-mediated attraction (the “wetting regime”) between two hydrophobic molecules originates in the interaction between the dipoles induced at the surface of the hydrophobes by the surrounding structured water. As an example, we derive the effective hydrophobic potential that describes the interaction between two methane molecules, a classical model of a double-well energy function. We found an excellent agreement with published results from all-atom, explicit solvent molecular-dynamics simulations of this interaction. The approach presented here provides the theoretical basis for implementing an adequate representation of the wetting regime of the hydrophobic interactions in force fields used for structure prediction. The results are useful for modeling both protein folding and binding.
Influence of Different Iodide Salts on the Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Containing Phosphazene-Based Nonvolatile Electrolytes

Polyphosphazene-based electrolytes containing different iodide salts were studied as components of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Electrolytes based on hexa[methoxyethoxyethoxycyclotriphosphazene] (MEE trimer) with dissolved LiI, NaI, NH4I, and 1-methyl-3-propylimidazolium (PMII) and I2 were examined by ac conductivity and steady-state voltammetry. These measurements gave the individual conductivities of I−, I3−, and cations in each electrolyte as a function of salt concentration. The anionic conductivities were highest in the PMII system and decreased in the order PMII > NH4I > NaI > LiI. Photovoltaic measurements of DSSCs containing these electrolytes showed the same order of performance, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) under open circuit and forward bias conditions were used to study the separate impedance components of the cells. High polymeric polyphosphazene−plasticizer blends with a dissolved PMII/I2 electrolyte gave better performance in DSSCs than equivalent poly(ethylene oxide)−...
Trifluoromethyl Phenyl Sulfone

[426-58-4] C7H5F3O2S (MW 210.18) InChI = 1S/C7H5F3O2S/c8-7(9,10)13(11,12)6-4-2-1-3-5-6/h1-5H InChIKey = UPGBQYFXKAKWQC-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reductive trifluoromethylating agent;1 alkoxide- or hydroxide-induced nucleophilic trifluoromethylating agent;2 benzenesulfonylation agent to prepare phenyl sulfones3 and benzenesulfonic acid derivatives2, 4, 5) Physical Data: bp 205 °C; d 1.423 g cm−3 (20 °C).6 Solubility: soluble in alcohols, ethers, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, DMF, and DMSO. Form Supplied in: colorless liquid; often prepared by the oxidation of trifluoromethyl phenyl sulfide using aqueous hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid.7 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: PhSO2CF3 has high reactivity with bases and reducing metals; store under anhydrous, neutral conditions; use in a fume hood.
Performance Comparison of Different Organic Molecular Floating-Gate Memories

In this paper, nanosegmented floating-gate memories consisting of a uniform set of identical organic dye molecules were fabricated and evaluated for potential use as programmable charge storage and charge retention elements in a future flash-memory technology. Viability of molecular thin films to serve as an energetically uniform set of ~1 nm in size charge-retaining sites is tested on a series of molecular materials, the best performing of which are thermally evaporated thin films of 3,4,9,10- perylenetetracarboxylic bis-benzimidazole. The initial results show device durability over 105 program/erase cycles, with hysteresis window of up to 3.3 V, corresponding to charge-storage density as high as 5 × 1012 cm-2. Data shows that charge retention is improved for molecular films with lower carrier mobility, which for the first time experimentally confirms in a coherent material set that inhibiting charge transport by nanosegmented floating-gate structures benefits the memory retention.
Mapping of two tumor suppressor genes in the pig.

Abstract Mutations in the breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1) gene confer an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer in humans. The human MAD (mothers against decapentaplegic, Drosophila) homolog 4 (MADH4) locus is a target for deletion in pancreatic and other cancers. Given the role of the pig in biomedical studies, pig orthologs of BRCAl and MADH4 were identified and localized in the porcine genome.
Stimulation of Cells Using EGF-Coated Magnetic Beads

The ability to determine the spatial localization of signals can assist in defining the regulation of specific signaling pathways within the cell. Localized application of a stimulus, followed by imaging of various proteins or their phosphorylated products, allows visualization of the propagation scales of responses to the stimulus. To obtain a localized stimulus of epidermal growth factor (EGF), we bound the ligand to magnetic beads, which could be rapidly pulled onto cell surfaces by a magnet. This method allows the spatial analysis of EGF-induced signaling pathways.
A test of the relationship between sequence and structure in proteins: Excision of the heme binding site in apocytochrome b5

The water-soluble domain of rat hepatic holocytochrome b5 is an alphabeta protein containing elements of secondary structure in the sequence beta1-alpha1-beta4-beta3-alpha2-alpha3-beta5- alpha4-alpha5-beta2-alpha6. The heme group is enclosed by four helices, a2, a3, a4, and a5. To test the hypothesis that a small b hemoprotein can be constructed in two parts, one forming the heme site, the other an organizing scaffold, a protein fragment corresponding to beta1-alpha1-beta4-beta3-lambda-beta2-alpha6 was prepared, where lambda is a seven-residue linker bypassing the heme binding site. The fragment ("abridged b5") was found to contain alpha and beta secondary structure by circular dichroism spectroscopy and tertiary structure by Trp fluorescence emission spectroscopy. NMR data revealed a species with spectral properties similar to those of the full-length apoprotein. This folded form is in slow equilibrium on the chemical shift time scale with other less folded species. Thermal denaturation, as monitored by circular dichroism, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as size-exclusion chromatography-fast protein liquid chromatography (SEC-FPLC), confirmed the coexistence of at least two distinct conformational ensembles. It was concluded that the protein fragment is capable of adopting a specific fold likely related to that of cytochrome b5, but does not achieve high thermodynamic stability and cooperativity. Abridged b5 demonstrates that the spliced sequence contains the information necessary to fold the protein. It suggests that the dominating influence to restrict the conformational space searched by the chain is structural propensities at a local level rather than internal packing. The sequence also holds the properties necessary to generate a barrier to unfolding.
An analysis of the collection 5 MODIS over-ocean aerosol optical depth product for its implication in aerosol assimilation

Abstract. As an update to our previous use of the collection 4 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) over-ocean aerosol optical depth (AOD) data, we examined ten years of Terra and eight years of Aqua collection 5 data for its potential usage in aerosol assimilation. Uncertainties in the over-ocean MODIS AOD were studied as functions of observing conditions, such as surface characteristics, aerosol optical properties, and cloud artifacts. Empirical corrections and quality assurance procedures were developed and compared to collection 4 data. After applying these procedures, the Root-Mean-Square-Error (RMSE) in the MODIS Terra and Aqua AOD are reduced by 30% and 10–20%, respectively, with respect to AERONET data. Ten years of Terra and eight years of Aqua quality-assured level 3 MODIS over-ocean aerosol products were produced. The newly developed MODIS over-ocean aerosol products will be used in operational aerosol assimilation and aerosol climatology studies, as well as other research based on MODIS products.
Rates and Correlates of Relapse Among Individuals in Remission From DSM-IV Alcohol Dependence: A 3-Year Follow-Up

BACKGROUND: There is little information on the stability of abstinent and nonabstinent remission from alcohol dependence in the general U.S. population. The aim of this study was to examine longitudinal changes in recovery status among individuals in remission from DSM-IV alcohol dependence, including rates and correlates of relapse, over a 3-year period. METHODS: This analysis is based on data from Waves 1 and 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged 18 years and older originally interviewed in 2001 to 2002 and reinterviewed in 2004 to 2005. The Wave 1 NESARC identified 2,109 individuals who met the DSM-IV criteria for full remission from alcohol dependence. Of these, 1,772 were reinterviewed at Wave 2, comprising the analytic sample for this study. Recovery status at Wave 2 was examined as a function of type of remission at Wave 1, with a focus on rates of relapse, alternately defined as recurrence of any alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and recurrence of DSM-IV alcohol dependence. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds of relapse among asymptomatic risk drinkers and low-risk drinkers relative to abstainers, adjusted for a wide range of potential confounders. RESULTS: By Wave 2, 51.0% of the Wave 1 asymptomatic risk drinkers had experienced the recurrence of AUD symptoms, compared with 27.2% of low-risk drinkers and 7.3% of abstainers. Across all ages combined, the adjusted odds of recurrence of AUD symptoms relative to abstainers were 14.6 times as great for asymptomatic risk drinkers and 5.8 times as great for low-risk drinkers. The proportions of individuals who had experienced the recurrence of dependence were 10.2, 4.0, and 2.9%, respectively, and the adjusted odds ratios relative to abstainers were 7.0 for asymptomatic risk drinkers and 3.0 for low-risk drinkers. Age significantly modified the association between type of remission and relapse. Differences by type of remission were not significant for younger alcoholics, who had the highest rates of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Abstinence represents the most stable form of remission for most recovering alcoholics. Study findings highlight the need for better approaches to maintaining recovery among young adults in remission from alcohol dependence, who are at particularly high risk of relapse. Language: en
A Freirian Framework for Technology-Based Virtual Field Experiences

During the past three decades the pressures to attend to multicultural issues in teacher education programs have been increasing (Gay, 2000). The origins of these demands can be found in rapidly changing demographics and corresponding effort s by students, business, and government to have their needs met in an increasingly diverse and global society (Giroux, 1997). Although the response of teacher education programs has varied, the most common has been the creation of a core course in multicul tural education for preservice teachers. Such a course, however, fails to convince the majority of preservice teachers of the importance of multiculturalism, even as the literature on multiculturalism has become more complex and responsive since its incept ion in the 1960s (Banks, 1996; Sleeter, 1996; Takaki, 1993; Zinn, 1995). For some white preservice teachers, this lack of understanding is linked to a belief that they will teach in communities with similar demographics to those in which they grew up and t hat they, therefore, have little need for exposure to teaching in diverse settings (Yeo, 1999). Preservice teachers often lack an understanding that schools where they begin their careers can undergo rapid demographic changes in relatively short periods o f time (Glazer, 1997; Kincheloe, Slattery, & Steinberg, 1999). This article begins with the proposition that preservice teachers need to be aware of the importance of changing demographics and multicultural educational theories to teaching and learning; furthermore, they need to have experiences observing and instructing in diverse settings. In addition to pressure from constituents to address multiculturalism, accreditation agencies have also begun to emphasize diversity and, in particular, the importance of observational and instructional experience in diverse settings, as well as knowledge of multicultural theories. The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE, 2001) mandates evidence that preservice teachers have successfully in structed diverse student learners. Similarly, the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC, 2001) requires evidence that degree candidates understand the implications of confirmed multicultural scholarship for educational practice.
Globalization and Industrialization in 64 Developing Countries, 1980–2003

This study investigates the effect of the latest wave of economic globalization on manufacturing employment in developing countries. It revisits the classic debate on the effect of internal and external influences on industrialization, and extends this debate to contemporary developing countries. In the process, it assesses the evidence for development/productivity, world systems/dependency and globalization explanations, and uses a comprehensive dataset on 64 developing countries from 1980 through 2003. The results generally show that manufacturing employment increased in most developing countries. First, this study finds that the level of economic development measured by gross domestic product per capita is the most important factor influencing the size of manufacturing employment. Second, economic globalization also influences manufacturing employment in developing countries, but mainly through trade. The size of exports and low-technology exports have a significant positive effect on manufacturing employment in developing countries. Finally, the analysis provides limited support for world systems/dependency theories. Raw materials exports do not significantly influence manufacturing employment while foreign direct investment has a negative impact in some models. This study concludes that the latest wave of economic globalization contributed to the expansion of manufacturing employment in developing countries, although it is not the most significant factor shaping the size of manufacturing employment in these countries.
Using Aberration-Corrected STEM Imaging to Explore Chemical and Structural Variations in the M1 Phase of the MoVNbTeO Oxidation Catalyst

We report results of aberration-corrected STEM imaging of the orthorhombic M1 phase in the MoVNbTeO selective oxidation catalyst prepared using two different solution techniques. Atomic coordinates and cation site occupancies for both sample preparations are compared with a previously reported Rietveld-based model for this structure. The high angle annular dark-field (HAADF) images from the two preparations varied significantly only in the occupancy of the heptagonal channels. The M1 sample prepared under ambient conditions exhibited partial occupancy, whereas the hydrothermally prepared sample had heptagonal channels that were primarily vacant. Compared to the Rietveld model, both the atomic positions and the occupancies were found to be consistent, with the exception of the Mo4 and the two Te sites. The Mo4 site shows a lower HAADF intensity than expected, suggesting that appreciable V content may be present, whereas both Te sites had low Te occupancy as compared with the refined model, likely due to e-...
Promoting the Sustainability of Relational Contracting through Addressing Third Party Insurance Obstacles

AbstractDespite the recent development of various integrated project-delivery (IPD) contracts in the United States, relational contracting is still in its infancy. This is attributed to various cultural and organizational paradigms that have been governing the industry for many years and will not change easily. Another significant obstacle as of right now, though, is that no insurance policies or products cover multiparty agreements. In other words, the contracting team as a whole is not yet covered from third party claims. Meanwhile, the no-blame or no-suit culture extends among the core associated stakeholders to relational contracts—the very same parties that are not collectively insured against third party claims. To this end, there is an explicit lack of consistency among relational contract agreements in treating risk and insurance issues. This paper proposes, studies, and analyzes how risk-retention groups (RRGs) can be used to provide the required insurance coverage against third party claims unde...
Offline untrusted storage with immediate detection of forking and replay attacks

We address the problemof using an untrusted server with only a trusted timestamping device (TTD) to provide trusted storage for a large number of clients, where each client may own and use several different devices that may be offline at different times and may not be able to communicate with each other except through the untrusted server (over an untrusted network). We show how a TTD can be implemented using currently available Trusted Platform Module TPM 1.2 technology without having to assume trust in the BIOS, CPU, or OS of the TPM's server. We show how the TTD can be used to implement tamper-evident storagewhere clients are guaranteed to immediately detect illegitimate modifications to their data (including replay attacks and forking attacks) whenever they wish to perform a critical operation that relies on the freshness and validity of the data. In particular, we introduce and analyze a log-based scheme in which the TTD is used to securely implement a large number of virtual monotonic counters, which can then be used to time-stamp data and provide tamper-evident storage. We present performance results of an actual implementation using PlanetLab and a PC with a TPM 1.2 chip
Use of social media in graduate-level medical humanities education: Two pilot studies from Penn State College of Medicine

Background: Social media strategies in education have gained attention for undergraduate students, but there has been relatively little application with graduate populations in medicine. Aims: To use and evaluate the integration of new social media tools into the curricula of two graduate-level medical humanities electives offered to 4th-year students at Penn State College of Medicine. Methods: Instructors selected five social media tools – Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, blogging and Skype – to promote student learning. At the conclusion of each course, students provided quantitative and qualitative course evaluation. Results: Students gave high favourability ratings to both courses, and expressed that the integration of social media into coursework augmented learning and collaboration. Others identified challenges including: demands on time, concerns about privacy and lack of facility with technology. Integrating social media tools into class activities appeared to offer manifold benefits over traditional classroom methods, including real-time communication outside of the classroom, connecting with medical experts, collaborative opportunities and enhanced creativity. Conclusions: Social media can augment learning opportunities within humanities curriculum in medical schools, and help students acquire tools and skill-sets for problem solving, networking, and collaboration. Command of technologies will be increasingly important to the practice of medicine in the twenty-first century.
A pharmacologic rheostat for gene therapy.

Insight into the molecular mechanism of rapamycin's immunosuppressive effects provides the basis for a novel approach to regulating therapeutic gene expression (pages 1028-1032).
Radio-Tracking Timber Wolves in Ontario

Miniature collar-type transmitters originally designed by W. W. Cochran , Illinois, were adapted for use on timber wolves ( Canis lupus sp. ) in east-central Ontario. Wild timber wolves were captured in steel traps, restrained with a forked stick, fitted with radio-collars and released at point of capture. Receivers were adapted for use in trucks, airplanes, and for walking in rough bush country. Maximum ranges were 3.2 km with ground and 9.6 km with aircraft receivers. A preadult female tagged in July, 1964, and a lactating adult female tagged in June, 1965, were tracked intermittently for 5.5 and 2.5 months, respectively. Tracking periods for six other animals of both sexes, ranging in age from pups to adults, varied from 2 days to 4 months. The lactating female and her associated pack regularly returned to three preferred “resting sites” for various periods during July and August. Preferred areas were well drained, semi-open, mixed conifer-hardwood stands in close proximity to swamps or beaver ponds. The preadult female ranged in an area frequented by a pack, but frequently remained independent of it. A preadult male, tagged in the same region, wandered over a slightly larger area than the female. Tagged animals were active throughout all periods of the day or night. Activity increased slightly during the early evening hours. There was a slight correlation between weather conditions and patterns of behavior and activity. Apparently, tagged individuals were quickly accepted by other members of the pack.
Serial proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the brain in children undergoing cardiac surgery.

We used proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study 11 children (age < 8 years) with congenital heart disease undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass to determine whether low (10 ± 4; n = 6) vs high (20 ± 4; n = 5) perfusate hematocrits during bypass resulted in changes in brain metabolites which correlate with neurologic injury. Long and short echo time single voxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy in occipital gray matter and neurologic assessment were performed preoperatively and 2 and 5 days postoperatively. We also determined whether prolonged periods at low flow rates during bypass affected spectroscopy variables. We found no significant differences in metabolite ratios between the low vs high hematocrit groups or the lower vs higher flow rate groups (repeated measures analysis of variance of observation ranks converted to normal scores). However, our study was limited by statistical power due to the small sample size, therefore no conclusions could be made. Additional studies involving a greater number of patients are necessary. In all 11 children, magnetic resonance spectroscopy detected a significant decrease in brain N-acetyl-aspartate, and increases in myoinositol and glutamate/glutamine after surgery (Quade test) demonstrating that magnetic resonance spectroscopy is sensitive in detecting subtle postoperative changes in brain metabolites.
ASIC design and analysis using the system design synthesis tool: four case studies

An analysis, tradeoff, and design tool for ASICs that allows an engineer to consider and develop ASICs at a personal computer is discussed. Specific examples include missile guidance systems and CCD image processing. Each project took five days or less to complete, including the final output steps on the Genesil silicon compiler. >
Some Factors Involved in Determining Total Decision Success

Currently there is a trend toward attempting to understand the mechanics involved in heuristic decisions, or decisions where the lack of a measure or index of effectiveness, coupled with a surfeit of alternatives and an absence of reliable probabilities associated with decision variables, leads to an open or non-computable decision process. In an attempt to obtain more information about successful decision-making processes, an investigation was made of 100 case examples drawn from five general areas: 1 Industrial sales, personnel, production, and financial, 2 Military, 3 Medical, 4 Political, and 5 Commercial. Examination of the cases showed that although the decision process was not explicit, a certain clustering of key variables appeared as a common feature of the decision-reaching process. These variables seemed to influence the success of the decision in a causal fashion. This was particularly in evidence when these clusters were analyzed in the broader framework of their impact upon the total system and effect upon decision success. One cluster of variables was found to surround the quality of the decision itself. These included Compatibility with Existing Operating Constraints, Nearness to Optimum Time for Decision related to Proximity to Optimum Amount of Infornaation, and the Problem Solver's Infiuence on the Decision. The second major factor, implementation of the decision, was affected by Avoidance of Confiict of Interests, Reward-Risk Factors, and the Degree of Understanding Achieved. Total decision success was found to be achieved through the effective usage of the variables of decision quality enforced through skillful management of the variables of implementation. E.g., total decision success equals decision quality plus implementation. Within the 100 cases taken under study, there are several areas that are common to the decision-reaching process in general. By identifying what seem to be the critical stages and elements in decision-reaching, the process itself becomes more amenable to a complete and systematic analysis. Decision-reaching, varying from traditional decision-making, is subjective by nature and includes a high degree of uncertainty. It involves a unique program for the decision process with little or no duplication and with interrelated variables of shifting weight functions. The result is obtained through successive interacting steps which, when completed, allow the ultimate determination. The term---decision-reaching rather than word coinage, should be useful in the delineation of a specific process, setting aside a specific area for future research.
Intrinsic frequency for a systems approach to haemodynamic waveform analysis with clinical applications

The reductionist approach has dominated the fields of biology and medicine for nearly a century. Here, we present a systems science approach to the analysis of physiological waveforms in the context of a specific case, cardiovascular physiology. Our goal in this study is to introduce a methodology that allows for novel insight into cardiovascular physiology and to show proof of concept for a new index for the evaluation of the cardiovascular system through pressure wave analysis. This methodology uses a modified version of sparse time–frequency representation (STFR) to extract two dominant frequencies we refer to as intrinsic frequencies (IFs; ω_1 and ω_2). The IFs are the dominant frequencies of the instantaneous frequency of the coupled heart + aorta system before the closure of the aortic valve and the decoupled aorta after valve closure. In this study, we extract the IFs from a series of aortic pressure waves obtained from both clinical data and a computational model. Our results demonstrate that at the heart rate at which the left ventricular pulsatile workload is minimized the two IFs are equal (ω_1 = ω_2). Extracted IFs from clinical data indicate that at young ages the total frequency variation (Δω = ω_1 − ω_2) is close to zero and that Δω increases with age or disease (e.g. heart failure and hypertension). While the focus of this paper is the cardiovascular system, this approach can easily be extended to other physiological systems or any biological signal.
Significance of AKT and ERK activation in clonogenic survival after Cr6+ exposure and protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibition

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 286 Increasing numbers of studies reveal that occupational and environmental exposures to certain hexavalent chromium compounds are associated with upper respiratory tract and pulmonary carcinogenesis through poorly defined mechanism(s) of action. Inappropriate activation/inactivation of key signals that control cell survival after genotoxic insult can contribute to autonomous cell growth and carcinogenesis. The PI3K/AKT signaling cascades are important integrators of growth and survival signals in lung carcinogenesis. Our previous studies showed that maintenance of protein tyrosine phosphorylation by PTP inhibition, which is coincident with AKT activation, overrides Cr6+-induced growth arrest and enhances clonogenic survival in human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). To test the hypothesis that AKT activation is a key determinant of cellular survival response after Cr6+ genotoxic insult, we examined the effect of AKT1 knockdown on cell survival after Cr6+exposure and PTP inhibition. HLFs were transiently transfected with akt1 siRNA or d/n akt1 plasmid via nucleofector. Transfected cells were treated with 0-2μM Cr6+ in the presence and absence of PTP inhibition with sodium orthovanadate, for 24h, then washed and replated to examine clonogenic survival. Expression level of akt1 mRNA and AKT1 proteins was determined by quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. PTP inhibition decreased Cr6+-induced clonogenic lethality even after AKT1 silencing although AKT1 activity was sufficient to override Cr6+-induced G1/S arrest. This finding prompted us to examine other survival pathway(s) that may contribute in the maintenance of cellular survival after abrogation of AKT signaling. ERK was hyperactivated after AKT1 silencing in the presence of PTP inhibition. Moreover, phosphotyrosine profiling array showed that PTP inhibition following Cr6+ treatment increased phosphorylation status of adaptor phosphotyrosine proteins, FGR and ABL, which are upstream of both AKT and ERK pathways. These findings suggest that the balance between AKT and ERK pathways under control of upstream regulatory phosphotyrosine kinases may be a molecular mechanism to govern cell survival in the face of genotoxic insult with or without PTP inhibition in HLFs. In conclusion, AKT activation may not be solely necessary by itself to enhance clonogenic survival after Cr6+ insult and PTP inhibition, and the balance between AKT and ERK activation after PTP inhibition may be critical for overriding Cr6+-induced growth arrest/death signaling. Studies on the roles of AKT/ERK crosstalk in genotoxin-induced clonogenic death are currently being examined and will add new insights to the understanding of Cr6+-mediated lung carcinogenesis. Supported by NIH grant CA 107972
Methods for Identification of Bacterial Foodborne Pathogens

Highly sensitive, reliable, easy-to-use, low-cost, and specific assays for detecting pathogens are continuously evolving due to a strong demand by both regulatory agencies and food industries. Research indicates that a combination of detection technologies is essential for accurately monitoring the low numbers of target pathogens persisting in the processing environment and in finished food products. The sensitivity and accuracy of detection of the target pathogenic bacteria are influenced by a specific food product; therefore, these detection technologies are continuously being refined to achieve lower detection limits. There is a great need for improved extraction methods of sample preparation that are less expensive and compatible with rapid assays for the possibility to have the near-real-time detection of pathogens. Further advances still have to be made for the simultaneous detection and identification of multiple bacterial pathogens from complex food extracts through an integration of cultural, immunological, and molecular approaches.
The Resistance of the Glanders Bacillus to Calcium Hypochlorite

A brief survey of available literature reveals a lack of definite information as to the resistance of the glanders bacillus to calcium hypochlorite (chlorid of lime), though there is a consensus of opinion among writers of textbooks on bacteriology that this organism is highly parasitic and quite sensitive to external physical and chemical agencies. For instance, a temperature below 22 C. is unfavorable for growth; and exposure to 75 C. for 1 hour, to 5% carbolic acid for ^2 hour, or to 1:1,000 bichlorid of mercury for 15 minutes will destroy the organism. The question of the longevity in water of the glanders bacillus has attracted attention because of its relation to the infection of horses
Intercalation of Acceptors and Donors in Highly Ordered Graphite Fibers

The intercalation of various acceptors and donors into graphite fibers, prepared from benzene-derived precursor materials is investigated by Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, lattice fringing, and electrical resistivity measurements. Evidence for formation of well-staged acceptor compounds is provided by Debye-Scherrer x-ray diffraction which probes the bulk fiber and by Raman spectroscopy which probes an optical skin depth (< 0.1 µm). Lattice fringing measurements provide direct observation of large regions (up to 50 A × 400 A) of defectfree single-staged regions. Values for the c-axis repeat distance Ic are obtained by indexing (00l) lines of the x-ray diffraction pattern. Raman results show characteristic upshifted modes for stage 1 acceptor compounds with a sharpening in linewidth as compared to the E2g2 mode of the pristine fiber. The room temperature electrical conductivity is increased about an order of magnitude upon intercalation and exhibits a metallic dependence on temperature. The highest air-stable room temperature conductivity 1.4 × 105 (Ω-cm)−1 ever reported for an intercalated fiber has been achieved.
Determination of barium in drinking water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Determination of barium in drinking water by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry was studied.The best measurement conditions of the graphite tube type,heating program and matrix modifier were confirmed.The results showed that with pyrolytic coating platform graphite tube,with magnesium nitrate used as matrix modifier,with the incineration temperature of 1 200 ℃ and the atomized temperature of 2 500 ℃,the method recoveries were in the ranges of 96.3%~103.6% and RSD4.8%.The low background adsorption and the higher signal to background ratio can be gained when the matrix modifier was used.This method is convenient,quick and has been used to determine barium in drinking water.
Introduction to Cardiac Auscultation

Cardiac auscultation is a useful tool that is both quick and cost-effective in identifying many serious heart diseases. To maximize its utility in the clinical setting, providers should educate themselves on proper cardiac auscultation technique. This technique involves three separate components: inspection, palpation, and finally, auscultation. When evaluating patients, it is crucial to first take note of normal heart sounds (S1, S2) so as to more aptly recognize abnormalities. If done correctly, cardiac auscultation can lead to a definitive diagnosis that avoids the use of more extensive imaging and work-up.
The Anesthetic Implications of Opioid Addiction

With the increasing availability of highly addictive, relatively cheap opioids in tablet form, the classic picture of the patient-addict has changed. Opioid-addicted patients often present for surgery and require anesthesia services. Clinically, their addiction may present in many forms: acute intoxication, increased tolerance to anesthetic agents, a clinical picture of withdrawal, or with any number of associated side effects and complications.
Linking Work Control to Depressive Symptoms Through Intrapersonal and Marital Processes

Using latent growth curve modeling and data from a sample of 308 middle-aged husbands and wives over a 3-year period, this study examines the influence of work control experiences on marital processes, specifically focusing on changes in conflict management behaviors, perceived spousal support, and depressive symptoms, and the connection between these attributes over time. Consistent with human ecological and work socialization perspectives, our findings suggest that adults’ positive experiences at work serve as a resource for developing personal and interpersonal skills that transfer to behaviors exhibited in their marriages and this process consequently contributes to individual depressive symptoms. Husbands’ and wives’ positive work experience such as control over work increases their use of positive conflict management behaviors and spousal support through personal control, which in turn decreases their depressive symptoms over time.
Targeting xenobiotic receptors PXR and CAR in drug toxicity and resistance

X receptors Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) and Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR) regulate drug toxicity and resistance, which are the leading causes of treatment failure and for which no clinically safe and effective remedy is available. PXR and CAR play central roles in activating the expression of CYP3A4, a major enzyme responsible for metabolizing more than 50% of clinically prescribed drugs, and ALAS1, a rate-limiting porphyrin biosynthesis enzyme that increases the levels of hepatotoxic Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), both contributing to drug-induced liver toxicity. Elevated MDR1 level is associated with drug resistance. MDR1 expression is induced by CAR and PXR. While PXR is ligand-inducible, CAR is constitutively active. Therefore, inhibitors of PXR and CAR (i.e., antagonists of PXR and inverse agonists of CAR) may prevent drug-induced liver toxicity and overcome drug resistance. By using a chemical biology approach we have identified and optimized PXR antagonists and CAR inverse agonists, investigated their mechanisms of action by performing structural and functional analysis, and evaluated their in vivo activities by using humanized animal models. Our data indicate that it is feasible to prevent drug-induced liver toxicity and overcome drug resistance by targeting PXR and CAR using mechanism-guided chemical agents.
Compositional Explanation: Dimensioned Realization, New Mechanism, and Ground

The primary concern of this chapter is to bring Dimensioned realization to the attention of both New Mechanists and “Grounders.” For both New Mechanists and Grounders, recognizing compositional explanations involving Dimensioned realization is an important step in the development of more descriptively adequate accounts of non-causal, compositional explanations. More specifically, Dimensioned realization shows how New Mechanists might embrace compositional explanatory relations among properties. Moreover, Dimensioned realization suggests that, at least at times, one needs to move beyond bare grounding claims—claims such as “X Grounds Y”—in order to develop a (good) explanation. In principle, the recognition of Dimensioned realization and its implications might be viewed as friendly additions to work on New Mechanism and Ground.
Editing and methylation at a single site by functionally interdependent activities

Nucleic acids undergo naturally occurring chemical modifications. Over 100 different modifications have been described and every position in the purine and pyrimidine bases can be modified; often the sugar is also modified. Despite recent progress, the mechanism for the biosynthesis of most modifications is not fully understood, owing, in part, to the difficulty associated with reconstituting enzyme activity in vitro. Whereas some modifications can be efficiently formed with purified components, others may require more intricate pathways. A model for modification interdependence, in which one modification is a prerequisite for another, potentially explains a major hindrance in reconstituting enzymatic activity in vitro. This model was prompted by the earlier discovery of tRNA cytosine-to-uridine editing in eukaryotes, a reaction that has not been recapitulated in vitro and the mechanism of which remains unknown. Here we show that cytosine 32 in the anticodon loop of Trypanosoma brucei tRNAThr is methylated to 3-methylcytosine (m3C) as a pre-requisite for C-to-U deamination. Formation of m3C in vitro requires the presence of both the T. brucei m3C methyltransferase TRM140 and the deaminase ADAT2/3. Once formed, m3C is deaminated to 3-methyluridine (m3U) by the same set of enzymes. ADAT2/3 is a highly mutagenic enzyme, but we also show that when co-expressed with the methyltransferase its mutagenicity is kept in check. This helps to explain how T. brucei escapes 'wholesale deamination' of its genome while harbouring both enzymes in the nucleus. This observation has implications for the control of another mutagenic deaminase, human AID, and provides a rationale for its regulation.
Tuning Biocompatible Block Copolymer Micelles by Varying Solvent Composition: Dynamics and Populations of Micelles and Unimers

Optimization of micellar molecular encapsulation systems, such as drug delivery vehicles, can be achieved through fundamental understanding of block copolymer micelle structure and dynamics. Herein, we present a study of PEO–PCL block copolymer spherical micelles that self-assemble at 1% wt/vol in D2O–THF-d8 mixtures. Varying solvent composition as a function of cosolvent THF-d8 at constant polymer concentration (1% wt/vol) allows sensitive study of how small molecule additives influence micelle structure and dynamics. We conduct nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusometry on two block copolymer (2k series: PEO2k–PCL3k; 5k series: PEO5k–PCL8k) spherical micelles that show drastically different behaviors. Unimers and micelles coexist in solution from 10–60 vol % THF-d8 for the 2k series but only coexist at 60 vol % THF-d8 for the 5k series. At ≥ 60 vol % THF-d8 micelles disassemble into free unimers for both series. We observe relatively flat micelle diffusion coefficients (∼1 × 10–10 m2/s) wi...
Tradeoffs among hydrodynamics, sediment fluxes and vegetation community in the Virginia Coast Reserve, USA

Abstract Both submerged and emergent vegetation plays a fundamental role in coastal bays. Vegetation stabilizes the substrate, increasing resilience to storms. Vegetation also traps sediments favoring accretion and therefore counteracting sea level rise. Previous modeling studies on flow-vegetation-sediment interactions have focused on one specific vegetated community, but we lack a general understanding of the synergistic effects of multiple vegetation species. We focus our study on the Virginia Coast Reserve Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site, USA, where we apply numerical modeling (Delft3D-SWAN) to investigate the independent and synergistic effects of salt marsh vegetation and seagrass. Our numerical results show that salt marshes and seagrass beds reduce the volume of water entering and exiting the shallow coastal bays up to 15% during each tidal cycle. Vegetation also reduces bed shear stress and hence increases sediment deposition in the bay and marshes up to 10% compared to the no-vegetated case. Our study shows the double benefits of seagrass as an ally of salt marsh in promoting bays resilience. On the one hand, seagrass helps the salt marsh to survive during storms by reducing wave energy; on the other hand, seagrass generates more friction in subtidal parts of the bay where salt marsh cannot survive.
Management of rectal neoplasia in hereditary colorectal cancer patients

Abstract Determining the optimal treatment for rectal cancer is a complicated challenge on its own but requires even more careful consideration when it occurs in patients with a hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome. Ideally, these patients are identified early and followed closely to prevent cancer. If cancer does arise, the standardized strategy for rectal cancer treatment used for the general population must be tailored to address the concerns of risk for metachronous neoplasia and functional outcomes that are unique to these patients. The best surgical approach considers both the primary cancer as well as the remaining unstable colorectum, and thoughtful timing of multimodal therapies helps to avoid negative effects on bowel reconstruction to maintain quality of life.
The Human Cost of Modern Hospital and Healthcare

The burnout, depression, unhappiness with work and life balance, and physician suicide are an important public health problem. Most recently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has published data on alarming 30% increase of suicidal rate among Americans. The suicidal rate among physicians is higher than the general population. Unfortunately, few studies have evaluated information about mental health comorbidities and psychosocial stressors which may contribute to physician suicide. While many factors have been stressed as culprit for this major crisis, the fact remain that we need to do more as society and particularly as academic health institutions, as hospitals, and as surgical leadership of major organizations.
High Carbon Monoxide Levels from Charcoal Combustion Mask Acute Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by Hookah (Waterpipe) Smoking in Young Adults.

Background: Hookah smoking is marketed to youth as a harmless alternative to cigarettes. Although cigarette smoking acutely impairs endothelial function, the effect of smoking fruit-flavored hookah...
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Reinnervation in Rats Posttransection: Neurotrophic Factor Expression over Time.

ObjectiveRecurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury causes vocal fold paralysis from which functional recovery is typically absent due to nonselective reinnervation. This study investigates expression ...
Colloidal nanoparticle inks for printing functional devices: emerging trends and future prospects

Colloidal nanoparticles have been widely studied and proven to have unique and superior properties compared to their bulk form and are attractive building blocks for diverse technologies, including energy conversion and storage, sensing, electronics, etc. However, transforming colloidal nanoparticles into functional devices while translating their unique properties from the nanoscale to the macroscale remains a major challenge. The development of advanced manufacturing methodologies that can convert functional nanomaterials into high-performance devices in a scalable, controllable and affordable manner presents great research opportunities and challenges for the next several decades. One promising approach to fabricate functional devices from nanoscale building blocks is additive manufacturing, such as 2D and 3D printing, owing to their capability of fast prototyping and versatile fabrication. Here, we review recent progress and methodologies for printing functional devices using colloidal nanoparticle inks with an emphasis on 2D nanomaterial-based inks. This review provides a comprehensive overview on four important and interconnected topics, including nanoparticle synthesis, ink formulation, printing methods, and device applications. New research opportunities as well as future directions are also discussed.