cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffusion and sorption of vapors in ethylene–propylene copolymers. II. Diffusion

The diffusion rates of methylene chloride, benzene, n-pentane, n-hexane, and cyclohexane in a copolymer of 51 mole-% propylene and 49% ethylene at 23°C. and penetrant concentrations of up to 10 vol.-% have been measured, as have the rates of benzene diffusion in copolymers containing 31–100% propylene units at 10, 23, and 40°C. Integral diffusion coefficients were calculated from the initial diffusion rates; differential diffusion coefficients from the final rates. Comparison of the two types of diffusion co-efficients leads to the conclusion that their concentration dependence flattens out at the very lowest penetrant concentrations. The diffusion coefficients fall and the activation energies rise as the propylene content of the copolymers increases. Diffusion in low-propylene copolymers occurs at rates comparable to those in natural rubber, while the rates in atactic polypropylene are slower by about an order of 1 magnitude. Even so, the latter are about 10 times faster than in polyisobutylene.
Effects of Lips and Hands on Auditory Learning of Second-Language Speech Sounds

Purpose Previous research has found that auditory training helps native English speakers to perceive phonemic vowel length contrasts in Japanese, but their performance did not reach native levels a...
Computing prime factors with a Josephson phase qubit quantum processor

Shor’s quantum algorithm factorizes integers, and implementing this is a benchmark test in the early development of quantum processors. Researchers now demonstrate this important test in a solid-state system: a circuit made up of four superconducting qubits factorizes the number 15.
Honokiol, a phytochemical from the Magnolia plant, inhibits photocarcinogenesis by targeting UVB-induced inflammatory mediators and cell cycle regulators: development of topical formulation

To develop newer and more effective chemopreventive agents for skin cancer, we assessed the effect of honokiol, a phytochemical from the Magnolia plant, on ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced skin tumorigenesis using the SKH-1 hairless mouse model. Topical treatment of mice with honokiol in a hydrophilic cream-based topical formulation before or after UVB (180 mJ/cm(2)) irradiation resulted in a significant protection against photocarcinogenesis in terms of tumor multiplicity (28-60%, P < 0.05 to <0.001) and tumor volume per tumor-bearing mouse (33-80%, P < 0.05 to 0.001, n = 20). Honokiol also inhibited and delayed the malignant progression of papillomas to carcinomas. To investigate the in vivo molecular targets of honokiol efficacy, tumors and tumor-uninvolved skin samples from the tumor-bearing mice were analyzed for inflammatory mediators, cell cycle regulators and survival signals using immunostaining, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Treatment with honokiol significantly inhibited UVB-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E(2) (P < 0.001), proliferating cell nuclear antigen and proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001), interleukin (IL)-1β (P < 0.01) and IL-6 (P < 0.001) in the skin as well as in skin tumors. Western blot analysis revealed that honokiol: (i) inhibited the levels of cyclins D1, D2 and E and associated cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs)2, CDK4 and CDK6, (ii) upregulated Cip/p21 and Kip/p27 and (iii) inhibited the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the phosphorylation of Akt at Ser(473) in UVB-induced skin tumors. Together, our results indicate that honokiol holds promise for the prevention of UVB-induced skin cancer by targeting inflammatory mediators, cell cycle regulators and cell survival signals in UVB-exposed skin.
The leaf oil terpene composition of Juniperus occidentalis

Abstract The chemical composition of the volatile oil of 10 trees each of two Oregon populations of the western juniper was determined by a computerized GC-MS method. The identity of the major components, sabinene, α-pinene, α- and γ-terpinene, p -cymene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol and bornyl acetate was confirmed. In addition, tricyclene, α-thujene, camphene, β-pinene, α- and β-phellandrene, car-3-ene, trans -ocimene, linalool oxide, terpinolene, trans -sabinene hydrate, camphor, camphene hydrate, borneol, α-terpineol, p -cymenol, methyl citronellate, citronellyl acetate, carvacrol, cuminic aldehyde, β-bourbonene, several cadinene and cadinol isomers, elemol, γ-, β- and α-eudesmol, and manoyl oxide were identified. Santene, citronellol, and aromatic ethers of the safrole-eugenol type were not found. Tree-to-tree variability of the relative percentages of these terpenes was fairly large and chemosystematic implications are discussed briefly.
Identification of a candidate gene for the wheat endopeptidase Ep-D1 locus and two other STS markers linked to the eyespot resistance gene Pch1.

Wheat is prone to strawbreaker foot rot (eye- spot), a fungal disease caused by Oculimacula yallundae and O. acuformis. The most eVective source of genetic resistance is Pch1, a gene derived from Aegilops ventri- cosa. The endopeptidase isozyme marker allele Ep-D1b, linked to Pch1, has been shown to be more eVective for tracking resistance than DNA-based markers developed to date. Therefore, we sought to identify a candidate gene for Ep-D1 as a basis for a DNA-based marker. Comparative mapping suggested that the endopeptidase loci Ep-D1 (wheat), enp1 (maize), and Enp (rice) were orthologous. Since the product of the maize endopeptidase locus enp1 has been shown to exhibit biochemical properties similar to oligopeptidase B puriWed from E. coli, we reasoned that Ep-D1 may also encode an oligopeptidase B. Consistent with this hypothesis, a sequence-tagged-site (STS) marker, Xorw1, derived from an oligopeptidase B-encoding wheat expressed-sequence-tag (EST) showed complete linkage with Ep-D1 and Pch1 in a population of 254 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between wheat cultivars Coda and Brundage. Two other STS markers, Xorw5 and Xorw6, and three microsatellite markers (Xwmc14, Xbarc97, and Xcfd175) were also completely linked to Pch1. On the other hand, Xwmc14, Xbarc97, and Xcfd175 showed recombination in the W7984 £ Opata85 RIL population suggesting that recombination near Pch1 is reduced in the Coda/Brundage population. In a panel of 44 wheat varieties with known eyespot reactions, Xorw1, Xorw5, and Xorw6 were 100% accurate in predicting the presence or absence of Pch1 whereas Xwmc14, Xbarc97, and Xcfd175 were less eVective. Thus, linkage mapping and a germplasm survey suggest that the STS markers identiWed here should be useful for indirect selection of Pch1.
Device And Circuit Degradation Due To Plasma Damage

dama,ge. The term charging damage refers to the degradation of the quality of the gate oxide in a MOS structure due to current flow through the gate oxide in the presence of high electric field by Device damage due to plasma processing has Fowler-Nordheim (FN) tunneling. The inbalance between the ion and electron currents when the been a major concern in the manufacture of examount of research and development effort has FN tunneling current [9]. Plasma-induced charging damage can be simulated by FN stressing with been made in industrial and university research appropriate polarity and magnitude of FN curlaboratories to understaad, chara,cterize and model rent. The flow of the tunneling current in the damage in materials and devices due to damage presence of high electric field causes damage to suffered during plasma damage [1,2,3,4]. While the gitte oxide by filling existing electron and hole the damage may occur due to a number of dif- traps and by breaking bonds to generate new deferent mechanisms such as bombardment by high fects in the bulk of the oxide (traps) and in the energy particles, charge deposition in the oxide, interface between the substrate and the oxide (inelectron-hole pair creation due to ionizing radia- terface states). Although it was generally thought tion and unwanted chemical reaction, the focus in that only electron traps are created during the FN the recent years has been on what has come to stress in plasma processing, it has been recently be called oxide charging damage. Earlier, MOS pointed out that hole generation also takes place capacitors were used as test structures to study during plasma processing [lo]. The ion and eleccharging damage while, more recently. transistors tron currents are proportional to the area of the are being used to study charging damage. The conducting surface connected to the gate, hence relative advantages of using MOS capacitors and the damage is enhanced with an increase in the transistors as test structures were discussed in ear- conducting surface area. This is referred to as lier papers [4.5]. The study of the damage using -4ntenna effect. A damaged oxide has increased fully processed transistors enables one to predict electron and hole traps and interface state denthe effect of plasma damage on device parame- sity. The device performance is affected by the ters and hence the effect on circuit operation and influence of the traps and the interface states and also unearth new types of damage that are not ob- their location in space and energy. The primary served using capacitors. One such damage is the device parameters affected are threshold voltage edge damage that arises during poly silicon etch- (VT), transconductance (gm), subthreshold slope ing and subsequent spa,cer oxide formation. The (S), leakage current (I[), and breakdown characoxide charging damage and the edge damage affect terist j cs (Qbd). a number of device parameters which may give rise to both yield and reliability problems.
Adherence behaviors in research protocols: comparison of two interventions.

The effectiveness of an enhanced preparation intervention was compared with the standard preparation intervention for accuracy in overnight urine specimen collections. The sample consisted of 179 individuals with type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Subjects were assigned randomly to an enhanced or standard preparation group. The enhanced preparation included written instructions, a reminder to post instructions in the bathroom, a toilet seat cover with a reminder to save urine, and a nurse-initiated telephone call to review the instructions. The standard preparation included written instructions and a telephone number to call with any questions. For subjects without previous collection experience, significantly fewer inaccurate collections were reported in the enhanced preparation group than in the standard group (chi 2 = 4.61, P .05).
A randomized trial testing the superiority of a postdischarge care management model for stroke survivors.

Objective We sought to evaluate whether comprehensive postdischarge care management for stroke survivors is superior to organized acute stroke department care with enhanced discharge planning in improving a profile of health and well-being. Methods This was a randomized trial of a comprehensive postdischarge care management intervention for patients with ischemic stroke and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores greater than or equal to 1 discharged from an acute stroke department. An advanced practice nurse performed an in-home assessment for the intervention group from which an interdisciplinary team developed patient-specific care plans. The advanced practice nurse worked with the primary care physician and patient to implement the plan during the next 6 months. The intervention and usual care groups were compared using a global and closed hypothesis testing strategy. Outcomes fell into 5 domains: (1) neuromotor function, (2) institution time or death, (3) quality of life, (4) management of risk, and (5) stroke knowledge and lifestyle. Results Treatment effect was near 0 SD for all except the stroke knowledge and lifestyle domain, which showed a significant effect of the intervention ( P = .0003). Conclusions Postdischarge care management was not more effective than organized stroke department care with enhanced discharge planning in most domains in this population. The intervention did, however, fill a postdischarge knowledge gap.
CK2 is responsible for phosphorylation of human La protein serine-366 and can modulate rpL37 5'-terminal oligopyrimidine mRNA metabolism.

La protein binds precursors to 5S rRNA, tRNAs, and other transcripts that contain 3′ UUU-OH and also promotes their maturation in the nucleus. Separate from this function, human La has been shown to positively modulate the translation of mRNAs that contain complex 5′ regulatory motifs that direct internal initiation of translation. Nonphosphorylated La (npLa) inhibits pre-tRNA processing, while phosphorylation of human La serine-366 (S366) promotes pre-tRNA processing. npLa was found specifically associated with a class of mRNAs that have unusually short 5′ untranslated regions comprised of terminal oligopyrimidine (5′TOP) tracts and that encode ribosomal proteins and translation elongation factors. Although La S366 represents a CK2 phosphorylation site, there was no evidence that CK2 phosphorylates it in vivo. We used the CK2-specific inhibitor, 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-azabenzimidazole (TBB), and antisense-mediated knockdown to demonstrate that CK2 is responsible for La S366 phosphorylation in vivo. Hypophosphorylation was not associated with significant change in total La levels or proteolytic cleavage. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR revealed increased association of the 5′TOP-mRNA encoding ribosomal protein L37 (rpL37) with La after TBB treatment. Transfection revealed more rpL37 mRNA associated with nonphosphorylatable La A366 than with La S366, concomitant with La A366-specific shift of a fraction of L37 mRNA off polysomes. The data indicate that CK2 phosphorylates La S366 in vivo, that this limits 5′TOP mRNA binding, and that increasing npLa leads to greater association with potentially negative effects on TOP mRNA translation. Consistent with data that indicate that phosphorylation reverses negative effects of npLa on tRNA production, the present data suggest that CK2 phosphorylation of La can affect production of the translational machinery.
An approximation algorithm for the disjoint paths problem in even-degree planar graphs

In joint work with Eva Tardos in 1995, we asked whether it was possible to obtain a polynomial-time, polylogarithmic approximation algorithm for the disjoint paths problem in the class of all even-degree planar graphs. This paper answers the question in the affirmative, by providing such an algorithm. The algorithm builds on recent work of C. Chekuri et al. (2004, 2005), who considered muting problems in planar graphs where each edge can carry up to two paths.
Phorbol ester promotes endocytosis by activating a factor involved in endosome fusion.

Previous studies indicate that a zinc- and phorbol ester-binding factor is necessary for in vitro endosome fusion and for the effect of Rab5 on endosome fusion. Rab5 is a small GTPase that regulates membrane fusion between early endosomes derived from either receptor-mediated endocytosis or fluid-phase endocytosis. In its GTP-bound form, Rab5 promotes endocytosis and enhances fusion among early endosomes. To determine if PMA stimulates endocytosis by activating a factor required for endosome fusion, we overexpressed wild-type Rab5, a dominant negative mutant (Rab5:S34N), and a GTPase deficient mutant (Rab5:Q79L) in BHK-21 cells. The phorbol ester PMA stimulates endocytosis and increases the number and the size of endocytic vesicles, even in the presence of Rab5:S34N. Zinc depletion with N,N,N9,N9-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (TPEN) and addition of calphostin C (CPC), an inhibitor of PKC that interacts with zinc and phorbol ester binding motifs, inhibited both basal and Rab5-stimulated fluid phase endocytosis. These two reagents also inhibited the size and number of endocytic vesicles promoted by Rab5. These results suggest that PMA stimulates endocytosis by regulating the dynamics of the early endosome compartment.
Property Rights Legislation and the Police

Since 1991, property rights legislation has been enacted in over one-half of the states and has been under continual debate at the federal level. This article examines the relationship between property rights legislation and the police power. It concludes that property rights legislation is over-dependent upon the flawed continuum model of regulatory takings, which leads to incorrect analyses and outcomes. In particular, proponents of property rights legislation have elevated diminution in property value to be the sole factor in determining whether compensation should be paid as a result of a regulatory action, resulting in a gross oversimplification of regulatory takings analysis. This article rejects the continuum model that dominates current takings analysis and proposes an alternative model for addressing the issues that property rights legislation is intended to remedy.
A brain stress test: Cerebral perfusion during memory encoding in mild cognitive impairment.

Arterial spin labeled perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (ASL MRI) provides non-invasive quantification of cerebral blood flow, which can be used as a biomarker of brain function due to the tight coupling between cerebral blood flow (CBF) and brain metabolism. A growing body of literature suggests that regional CBF is altered in neurodegenerative diseases. Here we examined ASL MRI CBF in subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (n = 65) and cognitively normal healthy controls (n = 62), both at rest and during performance of a memory-encoding task. As compared to rest, task-enhanced ASL MRI improved group discrimination, which supports the notion that physiologic measures during a cognitive challenge, or “stress test”, may increase the ability to detect subtle functional changes in early disease stages. Further, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ASL MRI and concomitantly acquired structural MRI provide complementary information of disease status. The current findings support the potential utility of task-enhanced ASL MRI as a biomarker in early Alzheimer's disease.
Open loop control of the unsteady, separated flow downstream of an oscillating spoiler

The paper presents measurements of the unsteady pressure on the bottom wall downstream of an oscillating spoiler, where active methods of open-loop control have been implemented to effect change in the unsteady vortex formed by the spoiler motion. The experiments were performed in a low-speed, 150 mm x 450 mm, open-circuit wind tunnel with a flush-mounted spoiler installed in the test section. It is shown that the vortical region formed downstream of the oscillating spoiler can be controlled. Because the flow separated from the sharp trailing edge of the spoiler, the gross features of the flow were never changed, i.e., an unsteady flow was always formed. However, useful amounts of control over the vortex could be achieved. (AIAA).
The Impact of Emerging Liquid Preference in the Treatment of Liquid Refusal

Treatment of liquid refusal in pediatric feeding disorders is essential for decreasing tube dependence, alleviating some medical conditions (e.g., constipation), and increasing caloric and nutritional intake (e.g., formulas). Although investigators have conducted edible preference assessments for solids, there are no studies to our knowledge in which investigators have evaluated liquid preference prior to and during treatment of liquid refusal. In the current study, we evaluated liquid preferences repeatedly over time during behavioral treatment for liquid refusal. Although none of the children demonstrated a preference for liquids during a paired-choice preference assessment, 2 of the 3 children showed a preference when we implemented an avoidance component. However, for all 3 children, latency to acceptance and inappropriate mealtime behavior decreased for liquids during behavioral treatment with undifferentiated responding between liquid types. Future research may evaluate the utility and correlation of liquid preference assessments preceding treatment for liquid refusal.
Muscle Building and Maintenance in the Elderly: the Use of Protein

The involuntary loss of lean muscle mass that accompanies aging, or sarcopenia, necessitates identification of strategies that can blunt muscle protein breakdown and enhance muscle protein synthesis. This chapter focuses on the key factors impacting muscle protein synthesis in the elderly including adequacy of total caloric intake, a focus on the total daily quantity of high quality protein, a balanced pattern of protein ingestion per meal, characteristics regarding protein quality, anabolic resistance of aging, and achieving an adequacy of the essential amino acid, leucine, in each meal. A discussion is included regarding the existing limitations in current dietary protein recommendations for the elderly and the challenges of exaggerated muscle loss secondary to disuse.
Pro-permeability Factors in Diabetic Macular Edema; the Diabetic Macular Edema Treated With Ozurdex Trial.

Purpose The Diabetic Macular Edema Treated with Ozurdex (DMEO) Trial measured aqueous pro-permeability factors (PPFs) in diabetic macular edema (DME) patients before and after injection of dexamethasone implant or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-neutralizing protein and correlated changes in levels with changes in excess foveal thickness (EFT) to identify potential PPFs contributing to DME. Design Prospective, randomized crossover clinical trial. Methods Twenty DME patients randomized to dexamethasone implant or VEGF-neutralizing protein had aqueous taps and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) at baseline and every 4 weeks for 28 weeks. Aqueous levels of 55 vasoactive proteins were measured with protein array. Crossover at week 16 provided changes in protein levels after each intervention in all 20 patients. Results After dexamethasone implant there was significant correlation between changes in levels of 13 vasoactive proteins with changes in EFT, including 3 known PPFs: angiopoietin-2 (r = 0.40, P = .001), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF; r = 0.31, P = .02), and endocrine gland-VEGF (EG-VEGF, r = 0.43, P Conclusions Correlation of edema reduction with reduction in the PPFs angiopoietin-2, HGF, and EG-VEGF provides potential insight into the multifactorial molecular mechanism by which dexamethasone implants reduce edema and suggest that additional study is needed to investigate the contributions of these 3 factors to chronic DME.
News Content About Mass Shootings and Attitudes Toward Mental Illness

We examined the impact of media messages about mass shootings on participants’ attitudes toward people with mental illness. In a randomized experiment, 293 college students were randomly assigned to read one of five news articles (i.e., one control article, four articles about mass shootings) and answer questions about attitudes toward people with mental illness. Groups significantly differed on attitudes related to perceived dangerousness/social distance and perceived discrimination/belief in recovery, but not insurance/treatment beliefs. The majority of news about mass shootings, even if the article does not mention mental illness or contains expert information, may contribute to negative attitudes.
Early Concept Development and Safety Analysis of Future Transportation Systems

As transportation systems become increasingly complex and the roles of human operators and autonomous software continue to evolve, traditional safety-related analytical methods are becoming inadequate. Traditional hazard analysis tools are based on an accident causality model that does not capture many of the complex behaviors found in modern engineered systems. Additionally, these traditional approaches are most effective during the late stages of system development, when detailed design information is available. However, system safety cannot be cost-effectively assured by discovering problems at these late stages and adding expensive updates to the design. Rather, safety should be designed into complex intelligent transportation systems from their very conception, which can be achieved by integrating powerful hazard analysis techniques into the general systems engineering process. The primary barrier to achieving this objective is the lack of effectiveness of the existing analytical tools during early concept development. This paper introduces a new technique, which is based on a systems- and control-theoretic model of accident causality that can capture behaviors that are prevalent in these complex software-intensive systems. The goals are to 1) develop rigorous systematic tools for the analysis of future concepts to identify potentially hazardous scenarios and undocumented assumptions and to 2) extend these tools to assist stakeholders in the development of concepts using a safety-driven approach. Current work focuses on air transportation, but future goals of this research are to extend to and generalize all modes of transportation.
THE IMAGE OF MIDDLE‐AGED AND OLDER WOMEN IN MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENTS

Manufacturers and retailers have discovered the potential “older” market, but do magazine ads reflect this discovery? The images of older women in advertisements in 1987 issues of Good Housekeeping, JAMA, and Time were examined on several measures. Good Housekeeping printed more ads featuring women, and a greater proportion of its “person pictorial” ads featured women. An age bias was found in the frequency of depiction of older women in ads. Only 10% of women in ads were older women, and 52% of ads with older women appeared in JAMA; 39% of women in ads were middle‐aged, and they were equally distributed across the three publications. The ages of women in ads for different kinds of products and the settings in which they appeared varied. The appearance of women in ads also varied by publication; women were shown less positively in JAMA ads. The findings for 1987 are compared with a similar study of ads in 1977.
Kant in the Russian Philosophical Dark Age

This chapter deals with the least known period in Russian philosophy when it was virtually banned from secular educational institutions. Driven from the classroom, philosophy was discussed in informal settings, where passions raged and rational argument cast aside. Still, there were moments of sobriety and some who pleaded for a fair hearing for both philosophy and Kant’s ideas.
Sequencing of ALK Inhibitors in ALK+ Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Major therapeutic advances have occurred over the last several years in the management of advanced ALK+ NSCLC patients. Crizotinib was the first agent approved for the management of ALK+ NSCLC patients after it demonstrated significantly greater clinical benefit compared to chemotherapy. Several next generation ALK inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefit in patients with crizotinib refractory NSCLC patients including in the CNS. Based on available data, therapy with a next generation ALK inhibitor can be initiated following therapy with crizotinib without any assessment of the molecular mechanisms of resistance. The appropriate therapy for patients with progressive disease following two ALK inhibitors is not well defined. In patients with an ALK-resistant mutation in their tumor, an ALK inhibitor with activity against the mutation would be the most appropriate therapy. In others, chemotherapy and PD-1 directed agents can be considered. Clinical data suggests that ALK+ patients are less likely to benefit from PD-1 directed agents and therefore chemotherapy should be considered prior to these agents for the management of ALK+ NSCLC patients.
Strategy Formation in Entrepreneurial Settings: Past Insights and Future Directions

Research summary Examining the strategy formation process is central to understanding why some firms in entrepreneurial settings create competitive advantage and succeed while others do not. The strategy formation process, however, remains unclear. While existing work shows the value of learning from experience or having a holistic understanding of how the pieces fit together, there is limited empirical research that fuses the two streams. We first review the extant literature on strategy formation in entrepreneurial settings by organizing around this fundamental tension between strategizing by “doing” versus “thinking.” We then describe recent work that blends the two and conclude with a future research agenda. Managerial summary An effective strategy can be the difference between becoming the next Google or Netflix or floundering as an also-ran. But how should executives in entrepreneurial settings form strategy? Are they better off letting strategy emerge incrementally by learning from experience? Or should they create a holistic understanding of the interdependent activities that constitute strategy with cognitive structures like mental models and analogies? Here, we indicate the extant research findings on strategy formation in entrepreneurial settings for each of these approaches. We also discuss the new research on how they can be effectively combined and outline an agenda for future research to help executives improve their strategy formation process. Copyright © 2017 Strategic Management Society
Quasi-static dynamics and pseudoelasticity in polycrystalline shape-memory wires

A number of related but somewhat conflicting theories have been proposed to explain the pseudoelastic hysteresis exhibited by shape memory alloys (SMA). Some recent experimental results motivated us to introduce yet another model of thermoelasticity. Attempts to justify this model from a micro-thermomechanical perspective have led to the theoretical considerations in this paper. These discussions provide support for the model and they given new perspectives on previous approaches. Based on these ideas, a proposal is made that a realistic microscopic model of polycrystalline SMAs should be based on homogenization of a system of non-linear crystallites and dislocations. A route of attack for this new problem in homogenization theory is indicated.
La Crosse Virus Vectors Are Host-Seeking and Ovipositing After 1700 H in Eastern Tennessee.

La Crosse virus (LACV) is transmitted via the bites of infected Aedes mosquitoes (Ae. triseriatus, Ae. albopictus, and Ae. japonicus) and causes La Crosse encephalitis, which is the most commonly diagnosed arbovirus in eastern Tennessee children. This study identified host-seeking and oviposition activity of LACV vectors over a diel period, as it relates to traditional working hours. Nineteen sites in Knox County, TN, were monitored with host-seeking (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] miniature light traps) and oviposition traps (CDC gravid traps) during 2 diel periods (0900–1700 h and 1700–900 h). We collected 2,444 adult mosquitoes, comprising 19 different species of which 1,337 (54.7%) were LACV vectors: Ae. albopictus (1,207 specimens), Ae. triseriatus (85 specimens), and Ae. japonicus (45 specimens). These species were active throughout the sampling period, but significantly more were collected from 1700–0900 h. The CDC gravid trap was the most effective method for monitoring Ae. japonicus; there were no trap effects or trap × time interactive effects for Ae. albopictus or Ae. triseriatus. Overall, significantly more LACV vectors were collected from 1700–0900 h compared to 0900–1700 h. Information gathered in this study improves vector surveillance, helps communities control mosquito populations, and minimizes nontarget effects.
Holding Water: Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract, CKD, and the Ongoing Role of Excellence in Plumbing.

Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tracts can result in diminished natal kidney function, possibly through common embryologic pathway disruption or as a result of development taking place in the face of disordered ‘post-renal' drainage. Impaired conduit and reservoir function present potential for an ongoing assault leading to further deterioration and progression of chronic kidney disease, a risk that extends to adults with these conditions, even after "correction". The drainage and storage aspects of the urinary system that can impact kidney function are reviewed with attention to correctable or manageable problems including: Bladder dysfunction wherein the low pressure storage of urine is compromised requiring the kidney to work against a pressure gradient, the classic post renal failure problem. The kidney in the aftermath of obstruction which may have lost concentrating capacity leading to a tendency to dehydration (‘pre-renal' failure) and through polyuria which exacerbates bladder pressure problems. Further there is an added challenge in evaluation for ongoing or reemergent obstruction in a significantly dilated system where the capacious system leads to slow turnover of urine often requiring a ureteral stent or nephrostomy to clearly establish clinical significance of delayed drainage. Stasis where slow urine flow leads to buildup of debris (stone) or potentiates infection. Vessicoureteral reflux which allows for introduction of lower urinary tract bacteria to the kidney and can lead to pyelonephritis. Conditions which combine problems such as posterior urethral valves where the bladder outlet obstruction compromises kidney function potentially impairing concentrating ability, creates bladder compromise often reducing emptying efficiency or elevating bladder storage pressures, as well as dilating the system potentially promoting stasis. Cognizance of the potential for plumbing problems to further kidney deterioration as patients with congenital urinary tract anomalies, even after they have been repaired is incumbent on those caring for these patients as they age. Thoughtful evaluation of those patients in whom kidney compromise maybe aggravated by drainage and storage disorder will optimize native renal function.
Cooperative Management of Invasive Species: A Dynamic Nash Bargaining Approach

We use a Nash bargaining framework to examine scope for bargaining in invasive species problems where spread depends on the employment of costly controls. Municipalities bargain over a transfer payment that slows spread but requires an infested municipality to forgo nonmarket benefits from the host species. We find that when the uninfested municipality has a relative bargaining power advantage, bargaining may attain the first-best solution. However, in many cases a short-term bargaining agreement is unlikely to succeed, which suggests a role for higher levels of government to facilitate long-term agreements even when the details are left to municipalities to negotiate.
Positive Freedom and the Citizen in Athens

Freedom in democratic Athens is often understood as consisting of positive freedom in the public sphere in the form of political participation and negative freedom in the private sphere in the form of citizens doing ‘whatever they wish’. The original meaning of positive freedom, though, is more akin to self-mastery than political participation. By looking at phrases describing Athenians’ ability to do ‘whatever they wish’ from Herodotus to Aristotle, this article argues that the phrases instead express individual positive freedom in both private and public spheres. The democratic citizen is free because he is the author of his own actions. Individual autonomy stands in contrast to Spartan and Persian definitions of freedom, which focus on the external, negative freedom of the state. In addition to an ideological distinction, positive freedom also gives rise to the principle of voluntarism.
Modeling the fracture of ice sheets on parallel computers.

The objective of this project is to investigate the complex fracture of ice and understand its role within larger ice sheet simulations and global climate change. At the present time, ice fracture is not explicitly considered within ice sheet models due in part to large computational costs associated with the accurate modeling of this complex phenomena. However, fracture not only plays an extremely important role in regional behavior but also influences ice dynamics over much larger zones in ways that are currently not well understood. Dramatic illustrations of fracture-induced phenomena most notably include the recent collapse of ice shelves in Antarctica (e.g. partial collapse of the Wilkins shelf in March of 2008 and the diminishing extent of the Larsen B shelf from 1998 to 2002). Other fracture examples include ice calving (fracture of icebergs) which is presently approximated in simplistic ways within ice sheet models, and the draining of supraglacial lakes through a complex network of cracks, a so called ice sheet plumbing system, that is believed to cause accelerated ice sheet flows due essentially to lubrication of the contact surface with the ground. These dramatic changes are emblematic of the ongoing change in the Earth's polar regions and highlightmore » the important role of fracturing ice. To model ice fracture, a simulation capability will be designed centered around extended finite elements and solved by specialized multigrid methods on parallel computers. In addition, appropriate dynamic load balancing techniques will be employed to ensure an approximate equal amount of work for each processor.« less
Radiosurgery of cavernous sinus tumors.

Stereotactic radiosurgery was applied to concentrate high dose of photon irradiation to tumors enclosed in the cavernous sinus. We have treated 10 meningiomas, five pituitary tumors, and three metastatic lesions in the past two years. Follow-up time ranges from 3 to 18 months with an average of 10 months. Tumor volume ranged from 0.92 to 53.31 cc with an average 10.79 cc. CT scans and MRIs were used to demonstrate the tumor relationship to cranial nerves and structures of the brain. One to 6 isocenters were used. Collimator size varied from 7 to 28 mm, and the dose to the margin of the tumor ranged from 1400 to 2500 cGy with an average of 1650 cGy. Maximal dose range of 1575 to 5000 cGy. The margin of the tumor was encompassed within the 50 to 95% isodose volume with an average treatment prescribed to the 57% isodose volume. Symptomatic response was seen in 12 patients, and stabilization of symptoms in three patients with progression of symptoms observed in three patients. Radiographic imaging revealed response in eight patients, unchanged in three patients and progression in three patients. This report shows the feasibility of applying linear accelerator radio-surgery to the treatment of cavernous sinus tumors. This form of therapy promises to play an important role in complementing tumor resection.
Agrobacterium -Mediated Transformation of Cotton

There are many methods and techniques that can be used to transfer foreign genes into cells. In plant biotechnology, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation is a widely used traditional method for inserting foreign genes into plant genome and obtaining transgenic plants, particularly for dicot plant species. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of cotton involves several important and also critical steps, which includes coculture of cotton explants with Agrobacterium, induction and selection of stable transgenic cell lines, recovery of plants from transgenic cells majorly through somatic embryogenesis, and detection and expression analysis of transgenic plants. In this chapter, we describe a detailed step-by-step protocol for obtaining transgenic cotton plants via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation.
Imaging the Postoperative Orbit

This chapter reviews the diagnostic imaging findings after various ophthalmological procedures and devices, including eyelid weights, palpebral springs, frontalis suspension ptosis repair, orbital wall reconstruction and augmentation, orbital decompression for dysthyroid orbitopathy, dacryocystorhinostomy and nasolacrimal duct stents, strabismus surgery, glaucoma surgery, scleral buckles, keratoprostheses, intraocular lens implants, surgical aphakia, pneumatic retinopexy, intraocular silicone oil, evisceration, enucleation, and globe prostheses, orbital tissue expanders, orbital exenteration, and orbital radiation therapy fiducial markers.
Chroniques et réflexions inédites sur des thèmes sur un passé pas très lointain

Belaid Abdesselam (born 1928) was one of independent Algeria’s brightest and most controversial civilian ministers. He was best known for conceptualising and spearheading the ambitious 1970s effort...
Socioeconomic Factors, Nutrition, and Food Choices: An Analysis of the Salad Dressing Market:

Most studies utilize consumer surveys or experimental data to investigate the relationship between socioeconomic variables and food choices. The author examines actual purchase behavior (supermarke...
Do Chinese People Trust Their Local Government, and Why?

Perceptions of local government performance strongly affect Chinese urban residents' political trust in both central and local governments.
Is there still a role for stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

High-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) are a standard of care for transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). The introduction of novel agents, which range from immunomodulatory drugs and proteasome inhibitors to monoclonal antibodies and have now been integrated into both induction and salvage regimens, has dramatically revolutionized the treatment landscape of MM and challenged the role of high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT in treating MM. These advances have led to a number of provocative questions. First, what is the current role of stem cell transplantation (SCT) in comparison with standard-dose therapy incorporating novel agents? Second, should ASCT be performed upfront ("early") or later ("delayed") in the course of the disease? Third, should single or double ASCT be performed? Fourth, is allogeneic SCT still an option for patients with MM? This article provides an overview of available data and evidence-based responses regarding the role of SCT in MM.
Highly Luminescent Heavier Main Group Analogues of Boron-Dipyrromethene

The preparation and photophysical properties of two heavier main group element analogues of boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) chromophores are described. Specifically, we have prepared dipyrrin complexes of dichlorogallate (GADIPY) or phenylphosphenium (PHODIPY) units. Whereas cationic PHODIPY is labile, decomposing to a phosphine over time, GADIPY is readily prepared in good yield as a crystalline solid having moderate air- and water-stability. Crystallographically characterized GADIPY displays intense green photoluminescence (λem = 505 nm, Φem = 0.91 in toluene). These inaugural heavier main group element analogues of BODIPY offer a glimpse into the potential for elaboration to a panoply of chromophores with diverse photophysical properties.
Signaling in Pollen Tube Growth: Beyond the Tip of the Polarity Iceberg

The coordinated growth of pollen tubes through floral tissues to deliver the sperm cells to the egg and facilitate fertilization is a highly regulated process critical to the Angiosperm life cycle. Studies suggest that the concerted action of a variety of signaling pathways underlies the rapid polarized tip growth exhibited by pollen tubes. Ca2+ and small GTPase-mediated pathways have emerged as major players in the regulation of pollen tube growth. Evidence suggests that these two signaling pathways not only integrate with one another but also with a variety of other important signaling events. As we continue to elucidate the mechanisms involved in pollen tube growth, there is a growing importance in taking a holistic approach to studying these pathways in order to truly understand how tip growth in pollen tubes is orchestrated and maintained. This review considers our current state of knowledge of Ca2+-mediated and GTPase signaling pathways in pollen tubes, how they may intersect with one another, and other signaling pathways involved. There will be a particular focus on recent reports that have extended our understanding in these areas.
The Homeodomain Transcription Factors Vax1 and Six6 Are Required for SCN Development and Function

The brain's primary circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), is required to translate day-length and circadian rhythms into neuronal, hormonal, and behavioral rhythms. Here, we identify the homeodomain transcription factor ventral anterior homeobox 1 (Vax1) as required for SCN development, vasoactive intestinal peptide expression, and SCN output. Previous work has shown that VAX1 is required for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH/LHRH) neuron development, a neuronal population controlling reproductive status. Surprisingly, the ectopic expression of a Gnrh-Cre allele (Gnrhcre) in the SCN confirmed the requirement of both VAX1 (Vax1flox/flox:Gnrhcre, Vax1Gnrh-cre) and sine oculis homeobox protein 6 (Six6flox/flox:Gnrhcre, Six6Gnrh-cre) in SCN function in adulthood. To dissociate the role of Vax1 and Six6 in GnRH neuron and SCN function, we used another Gnrh-cre allele that targets GnRH neurons, but not the SCN (Lhrhcre). Both Six6Lhrh-cre and Vax1Lhrh-cre were infertile, and in contrast to Vax1Gnrh-cre and Six6Gnrh-cre mice, Six6Lhrh-cre and Vax1Lhrh-cre had normal circadian behavior. Unexpectedly, ~ 1/4 of the Six6Gnrh-cre mice were unable to entrain to light, showing that ectopic expression of Gnrhcre impaired function of the retino-hypothalamic tract that relays light information to the brain. This study identifies VAX1, and confirms SIX6, as transcription factors required for SCN development and function and demonstrates the importance of understanding how ectopic CRE expression can impact the results.
Transfer of drug resistance genes into hematopoietic progenitors to improve chemotherapy tolerance

A number of drug resistance genes have been identified that may be useful in gene therapy approaches to ameliorate chemotherapy toxicity. Hematopoietic tissue is the most suitable target for drug resistance gene therapy because myelosuppression is the dose-limiting toxicity of the many chemotherapeutic agents. Recent studies have shown that murine and human hematopoietic progenitors can be transduced ex vivo using retroviral vectors to overexpress P-glycoprotein, dihydrofolate reductase, and O6-alkylguanine DNA alkyltransferase. In all instances, gene transfer results in significant drug resistance in hematopoietic progenitors both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical trials are underway to evaluate the role of MDR-1 gene therapy in amelioration of chemotherapy induced myelosuppression. Other genes being examined for their potential to transfer drug resistance to hematopoietic cells include genes encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase, nucleotide excision repair proteins, multidrug resistant protein, and superoxide dismutase. As a group these proteins could confer significant levels of chemotherapy drug resistance to bone marrow cells. When compared with other somatic gene therapy approaches, drug resistance gene therapy has the aim of protecting normal cells and preventing toxicity. In addition many of these genes could be used to select for cells carrying the drug resistance gene as well as cotransduced therapeutic gene. Thus, gene transfer of drug resistance genes will have broad applications in the field of gene therapy as well as in protecting hematopoietic cells from chemotherapy toxicity.
Background Primer for Discussion on Diversity within the Legal Profession

Despite its easy use in ordinary conversation, the details of what is meant when a speaker raises questions relating to “diversity” can be more complicated that they at first appear. The materials included here seek to map the more predominant landmarks on that intellectual landscape.