cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Publications and Evaluations: Conducting a Baseline Assessment of Open Access Adoption and Support at an R2 University

INTRODUCTION This study reflects a mid-size university library’s first attempt to assess faculty research output to shape future scholarly communications efforts. METHODOLOGY The assessment combined a qualitative analysis of the university’s reappointment, promotion, and tenure (RPT) documents with a quantitative analysis of faculty publications recorded in Digital Measures from 2015-2019. The RPT documents were coded to determine which indicators of scholarly value were emphasized, then compared with data on where and how faculty were publishing. RESULTS Within RPT documents, peer review was frequently emphasized, but open access and predatory publishing were not mentioned. The majority of publications occurred in hybrid journals, and publishing was concentrated among only a handful of publishers, with 11 publishers responsible for 62% of faculty’s research output. OA journal publications have risen slightly in recent years but still accounted for only 20.7% of UCCS publications. However, predatory publishing was very low, accounting for less than 5% of UCCS publications. DISCUSSION More education is needed on the importance of open access and how to assess the quality of a journal. RPT criteria consistently mentioned certain indicators of scholarly quality, but these indicators were often vague and preferential to traditional publishing models. Both open access and predatory publishing remain low, and additional education may help faculty feel more confident in exploring alternative publishing models. CONCLUSION Assessing the research output of faculty and how scholarship is being evaluated within each college can help libraries to tailor their efforts to promote open access publishing. However, the lack of OA support in the RPT criteria suggests a larger cultural shift is needed to make faculty not only aware of OA, but also encouraged and supported in publishing OA.
Macroeconomic fundamentals, price discovery, and volatility dynamics in emerging bond markets

Abstract This study characterizes volatility dynamics in external emerging bond markets and examines how prices and volatility respond to macroeconomic news. As in mature bond markets, surprises about macroeconomic conditions in emerging markets are found to affect both conditional returns and volatility of external bonds, with the effects on volatility being more pronounced and longer lasting than those on prices. Yet the process of information absorption tends to be more drawn-out than in mature bond markets. Global and regional macroeconomic news is at least as important as local news for both price and volatility dynamics.
Development of RT-qPCR assays for the detection and quantification of three carlaviruses infecting hop

American hop latent virus (AHLV), hop latent virus (HLV) and hop mosaic virus (HMV) infect members of the Humulus genus worldwide, but very little is known of the biology and etiology of these viruses. A better understanding of these viruses from the molecular level to their economic impact relies on efficient diagnostic assays. Therefore, in this study we developed reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays for the detection of AHLV, HLV, and HMV through an alignment of representative sequences from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. These assays demonstrated unambiguously their high sensitivity by detecting the respective targets from as low as 102 copies of transcripts per reaction without any amplification from non-targets.
Smell tests can discriminate Parkinson's disease patients from healthy individuals: A meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Olfactory impairment is common in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The authors aimed to identify the clinical tests used to assess olfactory function and examine their ability to distinguish PD with different disease duration from healthy individuals with physiological aging. Methods Cross-sectional studies published until May 2020 that assessed the olfaction of individuals with PD using search terms related to PD, olfactory function, and assessment were searched on PubMed, PsycInfo, Cinahl, and Web of Science databases. Results Twelve smell tests were identified from the reviewed studies (n=125) that assessed 8,776 individuals with PD. Data of 6,593 individuals with PD and 8,731 healthy individuals were included in the meta-analyses. Individuals with PD presented worse performance than healthy individuals, regardless of the smell test used. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) was used by most studies (n=2,310 individuals with PD) and presented smaller heterogeneity. When the studies were subclassified according to the years of PD duration, there were no significant differences. Conclusion All smell tests were able to discriminate the olfactory function of PD from that of healthy individuals, although the UPSIT was widely used. The abnormal olfaction was not related to the disease duration. Systematic review protocol registration (PROSPERO/2020-CRD42020160878).
Tocotrienol-Rich Fraction from Rice Bran Demonstrates Potent Radiation Protection Activity

The vitamin E analogs δ-tocotrienol (DT3) and γ-tocotrienol (GT3) have significant protective and mitigative capacity against the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation (IR). However, the expense of purification limits their potential use. This study examined the tocotrienol-rich fraction of rice bran (TRFRB) isolated from rice bran deodorizer distillate, a rice oil refinement waste product, to determine its protective effects against IR induced oxidative damage and H2O2. Several cell lines were treated with tocotrienols or TRFRB prior to or following exposure to H2O2 or IR. To determine the radioprotective capacity cells were analyzed for morphology, mitochondrial bioenergetics, clonogenic survival, glutathione oxidation, cell cycle, and migration rate. TRFRB displayed similar antioxidant activity compared to pure tocotrienols. Cells pretreated with TRFRB or DT3 exhibited preserved cell morphology and mitochondrial respiration when exposed to H2O2. Oxidized glutathione was decreased in TRFRB treated cells exposed to IR. TRFRB reversed mitochondrial uncoupling and protected cells migration rates following IR exposure. The protective antioxidant capacity of TRFRB treated cells against oxidative injury was similar to that of purified DT3. TRFRB effectively protects normal cells against IR induced injury suggesting that rice bran distillate may be an inexpensive and abundant alternate source.
Re-engineering Fortran programs for parallel execution

The author describes features of a parallel scientific software re-engineering and development environment. The ultimate goal is the creation of an integrated scientific programming environment that can assist both in reverse engineering of existing applications for parallel execution and in forward engineering of new applications. The restructured form allows much easier portability across a wide range of parallel processor architectures. The author has chosen Fortran as the first target language, both because of the large number of existing programs that could benefit from restructuring, and because the relatively simple, straightforward language model makes it possible to focus more attention on basic restructuring issues. The approach puts the application programmer (scientist) in the loop to help make high-level decisions regarding code restructuring and parallelization strategies. The resulting code at any stage is better 'structured' and can thus serve as a good basis for further (automatic or manual) optimizations. The proposed approach has been used to generate a large-grain parallel (LGDF2) version of a 5300 line vectorized Monte Carlo code (EGS4V). >
Large Database Organization for Document Images

Methodologies and techniques for constructing document image databases are discussed. Specific experience and considerations in creating a database for handwriting recognition research are presented. Practical considerations, including the choice of an image digitizer for such a database are presented. Examples of existing databases for handwriting recognition research are discussed. Also, various issues in testing pattern recognition algorithms and how they apply to database design are presented.
Statistical Approaches to Screening Hazardous Waste Sites for Toxicity

Bioassay results from two field studies illustrate how maps of toxicity can be prepared based on systematic sampling and show how cleanup decisions can be made using bioassay results based on few samples. Logarithmically spaced soil samples were obtained along four parallel transects at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. A total of 72 soil samples were subjected to Daphnia, Microtox, algal, earthworm and lettuce root elongation bioassays. Bioassay results (excepting earthworms) were inconclusive for toxicity, but allowed us to ignore several classes of compounds, such as water-soluble heavy metals, herbicides, and insecticides, since our prior results using pure chemicals showed depressed algal growth in the presence of these contaminants. To depict the spatial pattern of observed seed mortality at each depth, we used kriging to produce contour maps. The results clearly showed that lettuce seed mortality was higher in the 15 to 30 cm fraction, that waste-trench soil was highly phytotoxic, and that toxicity decreased as a function of distance from the trench. In addition, we found that mortality contours produced by kriging could be useful in site cleanup decisions. A study was conducted using a series of water and sediment samples collected from a narrow stream adjacent to a woodmore » treatment plant in Canton, Mississippi. Both creosote and pentachlorophenol were used for wood treatment. Sediment samples were collected every 20 m in the visibly contaminated zones. Based on simple linear interpolation of bioassay results, we found that different bioassays led to different conclusions regarding the toxicity of different areas, suggesting that contaminants other than creosote may have caused the observed toxicity. Moreover, chemical analysis was an inaccurate predictor of toxicity.« less
A Nonsurgical Treatment Approach for Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

The purpose of this case report is to describe a physical therapy approach to the evaluation, treatment, and outcome assessment of two patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis. Evaluation consisted of assessment of neurological status, spinal range of motion, and lower-extremity muscle force production and flexibility; administration of the Modified Oswestry Low Back Pain Questionnaire and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire; assessment of pain using a visual analog scale; and performance of a two-stage treadmill test. The treatment program was designed to treat the impairments, and harness-supported treadmill ambulation (unloading) was used to address the limitation in ambulation identified by the treadmill test. Outcome assessment included measuring changes in the status of the impairments and assessing responses to the disability questionnaires and performance of the two-stage treadmill test. Improvements were noted on all outcome measures for both patients after 6 weeks of physical therapy and at the 4-week follow-up examination. Larger case series and randomized trials with long-term follow-ups are recommended.
Automated test oracles for GUIs

Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) are critical components of today's software. Because GUIs have different characteristics than traditional software, conventional testing techniques do not apply to GUI software. In previous work, we presented an approach to generate GUI test cases, which take the form of sequences of actions. In this paper we develop a test oracle technique to determine if a GUI behaves as expected for a given test case. Our oracle uses a formal model of a GUI, expressed as sets of objects, object properties, and actions. Given the formal model and a test case, our oracle automatically derives the expected state for every action in the test case. We represent the actual state of an executing GUI in terms of objects and their properties derived from the GUI's execution. Using the actual state acquired from an execution monitor, our oracle automatically compares the expected and actual states after each action to verify the correctness of the GUI for the test case. We implemented the oracle as a component in our GUI testing system, called Planning Assisted Tester for grapHical user interface Systems (PATHS), which is based on AI planning. We experimentally evaluated the practicality and effectiveness of our oracle technique and report on the results of experiments to test and verify the behavior of our version of the Microsoft WordPad's GUI.
Retinoid-X receptors and the effects of 9-cis-retinoic acid on insulin secretion from RINm5F cells☆

Retinoid-X receptors (RXRs) are 9-cis-retinoic acid (9CRA)-dependent gene transcription factors, which modulate the action of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), fatty acids, thyroid hormone (TH), and vitamin D (VD) by forming dimers with themselves or ATRA, TH, peroxisome proliferator activator receptors (PPARs), or VD receptors (VDRs). To determine if 9CRA and RXRs have a role in secretion, RINm5F cells were assayed for RXR transcripts and effects of 9CRA and ATRA on secretion. A single RXRα transcript and two RXRβ transcripts, but not RXRγ, were evident by Northern blot. Cells were cultured for 48 hours without and with 9CRA 1 to 1,000 nmol/L and then stimulated with glucose 0, 0.5, 2.8, 7, and 11 mmol/L. 9CRA increased secretion at each glucose concentration. 9CRA increased secretion by 50% to 100% (ANOVA, P < .001) with consistent concentration-dependent responses (eg, at glucose 2.8 mmol/L, 9CRA: 0 nmol/L, 5.02 ± .20 ng/(106 cells · h); 1 nmol/L, 6.97 ± .30; 10 nmol/L, 8.36 ± .18; 100 nmol/L, 9.15 ± .28; 1,000 nmol/L, 10.24 ± .24; n = 6). Although RINm5F cells respond slightly if at all to glucose, 9CRA facilitated glucose-induced insulin release (eg, at 9CRA 100 nmol/L, glucose: 0.5 mmol/L, 7.47 ± .22 ng/(106 cells · h); 2.8 mmol/L, 9.15 ± .27; 7 mmol/L, 9.81 ± .19; 11 mmol/L, 11.16 ± .23; n = 6). ATRA increased secretion by 28% to 57% (ANOVA, P < .001: at glucose 2.8 mmol/L, ATRA: 0 nmol/L, 6.17 ± .32 ng/(106 cells · h); 1 nmol/L, 7.91 ± .29; 10 nmol/L, 9.75 ± .14; 100 nmol/L, 9.66 ± .33; n = 6). 9CRA was more potent than ATRA (eg, at 2.8 mmol/L: baseline, 6.17 ± .32 ng/(106 cells · h); ATRA 100 nmol/L, 9.66 ± .33; 9CRA 100 nmol/L, 10.81 ± .15; P < .05, n = 6). When 9CRA was combined with ATRA, the combination was not additive or synergistic (eg, at 2.8 mmol/L: ATRA 100 nmol/L, 9.66 ± .33 ng/(106 cells · h); 9CRA 100 nmol/L, 10.81 ± .15; ATRA 100 nmol/L + 9CRA 100 nmol/L, 10.79 ± .28; P < .05, n = 6). These studies show that (1) 9CRA stimulates insulin secretion from RINm5F cells. This effect appears to be at least equal to if not greater than that observed with ATRA, but additive or synergistic effects with ATRA were not evident; (2) 9CRA may facilitate glucose-induced release; and (3) multiple RXR transcripts are present in insulin-secreting cells, implying specific functions. Our findings support the idea that the effects of 9CRA on insulin secretion are mediated through RXR homodimers or heterodimers with retinoic acid receptors (RARs) or possibly other nuclear receptors. Retinoid deficiency or alterations in retinoid receptor function could lead to abnormalities of cell growth or secretion.
Position of Hydrogen in the Periodic System of Elements

FOLLOWING Mendeleev's lead, the majority of authors on the subject since his time have represented hydrogen as belonging to the Group I elements. However, there have been some noteworthy exceptions to this representation. Thomsen1 and Bohr2 depicted hydrogen in a central position with a lineage relationship to both the alkali (Group I) and the halogen (Group VII) elements. Remy3 grouped hydrogen as the first member of the halogen series. Ramirez-Torres4 has presented a block form table with hydrogen placed in an isolated group unrelated to either the alkali or halogen elements. Thus, the placing of hydrogen has been a controversial question. In the main, this has been due to the varying properties of hydrogen.
Relation between lipids and atherosclerosis: Epidemiologie evidence and clinical implications

Abstract Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in most developed countries. Therefore, elucidation of risk factors and associated mechanisms for CAD has been a high priority. Data from the Framingham Heart Study and other large-scale epidemiologic studies have identified major risk factors associated with CAD, demonstrating the adverse effects of increased total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the protective effect of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Other more recent investigations, including the Lipid Research Clinics Trial and the Helsinki Heart Study, have shown that lowering total cholesterol and raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly reduce the risk for CAD. Because hypertension is also a significant risk factor for CAD, the assumption has been that blood pressure reduction should offer significant benefits in terms of CAD risk. However, despite their antihypertensive efficacy, diuretics and β blockers have failed to significantly reduce CAD morbidity or mortality. The adverse effects of these antihypertensive agents on lipid profiles, glucose metabolism and other metabolic parameters may account for their disappointing performance in reducing CAD morbidity and mortality. As a result, newer agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists that appear to be free of such adverse effects have garnered considerable attention for their potential to reduce CAD risk.
Fed State Prior to Hemorrhagic Shock and Polytrauma in a Porcine Model Results in Altered Liver Transcriptomic Response

Hemorrhagic shock is a leading cause of trauma-related mortality in both civilian and military settings. Resuscitation often results in reperfusion injury and survivors are susceptible to developing multiple organ failure (MOF). The impact of fed state on the overall response to shock and resuscitation has been explored in some murine models but few clinically relevant large animal models. We have previously used metabolomics to establish that the fed state results in a different metabolic response in the porcine liver following hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation. In this study, we used our clinically relevant model of hemorrhagic shock and polytrauma and the Illumina HiSeq platform to determine if the liver transcriptomic response is also altered with respect to fed state. Functional analysis of the response to shock and resuscitation confirmed several typical responses including carbohydrate metabolism, cytokine inflammation, decreased cholesterol synthesis, and apoptosis. Our findings also suggest that the fasting state, relative to a carbohydrate prefed state, displays decreased carbohydrate metabolism, increased cytoskeleton reorganization and decreased inflammation in response to hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion. Evidence suggests that this is a consequence of a shrunken, catabolic state of the liver cells which provides an anti-inflammatory condition that partially mitigates hepatocellar damage.
Social and analytic scaffolding in middle school mathematics: managing the dilemma of telling

The current reform movement in mathematics education urges teachers to support students as they make sense of mathematics, while also ensuring that they gain specific mathematical skills and knowledge. The tension between these two expectations gives rise to what we call the dilemma of telling: how to ensure that students come to certain mathematical understandings, without directly telling them what they need to know or do. Our study focused on how two middle school mathematics teachers who were incorporating many aspects of reform mathematics into their instruction responded to this dilemma. Data sources include classroom observations and videotapes of lessons over a three-year period. We found that both teachers devoted the majority of class time to student conversations, both small group and whole class; however, the teachers strategically entered the student-dominated conversations by “telling” to meet specific curricular goals.
John Wesley, the Establishment of Religion and the Separation of Church and State

The subject of this essay is the relationship between government and the churches, as John Wesley understood it. This is a topic which has received little attention. The separation of the early Methodists from the Church of England, a process which began during Wesley's lifetime and came to a conclusion after his death, has been examined from every angle.1 Certain scholars have analyzed his ideas regarding "freedom of conscience" and "religious liberty" enjoyed by the citizens of well-ordered states.2 However, his thinking about the churches and government remains to be considered.3 Wesley never left the estab lished Church in which he had been brought up and ordained, "the best constituted National Church in the world," as he put it.4 Nonethe less, when faced with the disarray among American Episcopalians fol lowing the Revolutionary War, he created an independent Methodist Church in the United States and endorsed the disestablishment of re ligion, at least under certain conditions. While events in America pre cipitated Wesley's support of establishment, the groundwork for this decision had been laid long before. As will be demonstrated, several of his ideas and experiences predisposed him to take this step.
The Influence of Real Gas Properties on Predictions of Static and Rotordynamic Properties of Annular Seals for Injection Compressors

Predictions are presented for an annular gas seal that is representative of the division-wall seal of a back-to-back compressor or the balance-piston seal of an in-line compressor. A 2-control-volume bulk-flow model is used including the axial and circumferential momentum equations and the continuity equations. The basic model uses a constant temperature prediction (ISOT) and an ideal gas law as an equation of state. Two variations are used: adding the energy equation with an ideal gas law (IDEAL), and adding the energy equation with real gas properties (REAL). The energy equations assume adiabatic flow. The ISOT model has been used for prior calculations. Concerning predictions of static characteristics, the calculated mass leakage rate was, respectively, 9.46, 9.55 and 7.87 kg/s for ISOT, IDEAL, and REAL. For rotordynamic coefficients, predicted effective stiffness coefficients are comparable for the models at low excitation frequencies. At running speed, REAL predictions are roughly 40% lower than ISOT, which could results in lower predicted critical speeds. Predicted effective damping coefficients are also generally comparable. REAL and IDEAL predictions for the cross-over frequency is approximately 20% lower than ISOT. REAL predictions for effective damping are modestly lower in the frequency range of 40 to 50% of running speed where higher damping values are desired.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Glial transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isotypes in multiple sclerosis: differential glial expression of TGF-β1, 2 and 3 isotypes in multiple sclerosis

Abstract We studied glial transforming growth factor (TGF)-β isotype expression in 14 cases of multiple sclerosis. Acute active lesions exhibited selective TGF-β2 immunoreactivity of lesion encircling ramified microglia. In contrast, astrocytes within chronic active white matter lesions expressed all three isotypes. Chronic active lesions which extended into cortex exhibited selective cortical astrocyte TGF-β2 expression. This isotype was also selectively expressed by astrocytes in apparently normal white matter. A similar pattern of glial TGF-β expression was seen in the pathological control, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. The results suggest that TGF-β cytokines are locally expressed in demyelination and that the β2 isotype may be uniquely regulated.
Surface diffusion of carbon monoxide on Ru(001) studied using laser-induced thermal desorption

Abstract The surface diffusion of CO on Ru(001) was measured using laser-induced thermal desorption techniques. The surface diffusion coefficients displayed a strong dependence on the CO coverage. For CO coverages below θ = 0.33 ML, the surface diffusion coefficient at 290 K was approximately constant at D 1× 10−8 p cm 2 s . As the CO coverage increased from θ = 0.33 to θ = 0.58 ML, the surface diffusion coefficient at 290 K increased dramatically from 1 × 10t8 to 1 × 10 t 6 cm 2 s . The surface diffusion coefficients at 250 K also exhibited a similar increase versus CO coverage. At various temperatures and CO coverages, the surface diffusion coefficients displayed Arrhenius behavior. For θ = 0.27 ML, the Arrhenius parameters were E dif = 11 kcal mol and D 0 = 0.38 p cm 2 s in the temperature range between 300 and 370 K. For θ 0.45 ML, Edif and D0 both decreased as a function of increasing CO coverage at temperatures between 210 and 290 K. At θ = 0.45 ML, the Arrhenius parameters were E dif = 8.0 kcal mol and D 0 = 0.28 cm 2 s . At θ = 0.58 ML, the Arrhenius parameters were E dif = 6.2 kcal mol and D 0 = 0.06 cm 2 s . The coverage dependence of CO surface diffusion on Ru(001) was consistent with strong repulsive nearest-neighbor CO interactions. A repulsive CO-CO pairwise interaction energy of Ω = −1.4 kcal mol was obtained using a model for D(θ) derived from the quasichemical approximation.
Shock and defensive fighting in the rat

A film analysis of fighting and nonfighting episodes in a shock-elicited fighting task indicated an almost total absence of behaviors typical of the attack pattern of dominant colony rats on intruders. The most frequent “fighting” response seen was striking, a forelimb movement oriented toward the opponent. However, forelimb movements identical except for the lack of such orientation occurred during nonfighting shock episodes. “Strikes” occurred primarily when shock was given to animals in a defensive boxing posture with forelimbs extended: Otherwise, nonoriented forelimb movements occurred. Similarly, “kicking” and nonfighting hindlimb movements were indistinguishable except for orientation. Bites and wounds made were similar to those of colony rats under conspecific attack and not to those made by attacking dominant colony males. These analyses support the notion that the shock-elicited fighting task consists primarily of a defensive behavior pattern combined with reflexive fore- and hindlimb jerks to electric footshock.
Science and technology of high dielectric constant thin films and materials integration for application to high frequency devices

Thin films of Ba1−x Sr x Ti1+y O3+z (BST), were fabricated using both by RF-magnetron sputtering and MOCVD to demonstrate application to high frequency devices. Precise control of composition and microstructure is critical for the production of (Ba x Sr1−x )Ti1+y O3+z (BST) dielectric thin films with the large dependence of permittivity on electric field, low losses, and high electrical breakdown fields that are required for successful integration of BST into tunable high frequency devices. Here we review results on composition-microstructure-electrical property relationships of polycrystalline BST films produced by magnetron sputter deposition that are appropriate for microwave devices such as phase shifters. BST films with a multilayer structure were also developed with different Ti-elemental ratio in each layer to minimize losses and leakage current. Interfacial contamination from C and H species was studied and implications on electrical properties are highlighted. Finally, York's group at the University of California-Santa Barbara successfully integrated our BST films onto phase shifter arrays. The results show potential of BST films in such applications. Results from initial work on the integration of Cu-electrodes with BST films are also presented.
An emergency department-based pneumococcal vaccination program could save money and lives.

Abstract Study objective: Pneumococcal vaccination (PV) rates for eligible emergency department patients are less than 25%. This study determines the potential effect of an ED-based pneumococcal vaccination program in preventing pneumococcal bacteremia (PB) in high-risk patients. Methods: In a retrospective observational study, hospital records of 188 consecutive adults (≥18 years old) with PB were reviewed to determine how many were treated in the ED from 1 to 72 months before their admission for bacteremia. Potential cost savings and mortality reductions from an ED-based PV program were calculated assuming PV prevents 65% of bacteremic episodes. A retrospective review of 10,650 ED charts determined the percentage of patients with PV indications and the relative frequency of indications. Results: One hundred four (55%) of the 188 patients with PB were seen in the ED less than or equal to 72 months before their admission for PB, and 91 (88%) of the 104 had indications for PV. These 91 patients had been evaluated in the ED an average of 3.4 times per patient during this 72-month period. Nine patients (10%) died before discharge. Mean hospital stay for the 82 survivors was 11.2 days. Of 10,650 ED charts reviewed, 2,011 (19%) had documented PV indications. Most prevalent PV indications were age 65 years or older (851 patients, 42%), diabetes mellitus (697, 35%), malignancy (248, 12%), chronic renal failure (228, 11%), and immunosuppression (221, 11%). Estimated cost savings ranged from $168,940 to $427,380. Conclusion: ED-based PV programs would result in considerable cost savings and decreased mortality. [Stack SJ, Martin DR, Plouffe JF: An emergency department– based pneumococcal vaccination program could save money and lives. Ann Emerg Med March 1999;33:299-303.]
Low-Temperature Turnover Control of Photosystem II Using Novel Metal-Containing Redox-Active Herbicides

A novel approach of using metal-containing redox-active herbicides to prepare and study the light-induced intermediates of the photosystem II (PSII) photocycle is described. The redox-active herbic...
Proteolysis Negatively Regulates Agonist-Stimulated Arachidonic Acid Metabolism

Phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride, lactacystin (a selective inhibitor of the proteasome) and the peptide aldehydes carbobenzoxyleucylleucylnorvalinal and carbobenzoxyleucylleucylleucinal amplify the production of prostacyclin in rat liver cells incubated for 6 h with the tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and the TPA-type tumour promoters teleocidin and aplysiatoxin. Such stimulation is not dependent upon the simultaneous presence of the inhibitor and TPA. Preincubation of the cells with TPA followed by addition of the inhibitor or preincubation with the inhibitor followed by addition of TPA results in amplified prostacyclin production. Phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride, lactacystin, and carbobenzoxyleucylleucylnorvaline also enhance prostacyclin production after incubation with interleukin-1beta and transforming growth factor-alpha. The Ca2+ chelator ethyleneglycol-O,O'-bis(2-aminoethyl)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid inhibits the phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride-TPA or lactacystin-TPA amplifications. Cells, treated with phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride, TPA, interleukin-1beta, lactacystin or the peptide aldehydes exhibit increased prostaglandin endoperoxide G/H synthase activity. The increased activities as well as the constitutive prostaglandin endoperoxide G/H synthase activity are inhibited by a selective prostaglandin endoperoxide G/H synthase-2 inhibitor, 1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopenten-1-yl]-4-(methysulphonyl)-b enzene, with an IC50 of approximately 0.5 microM. These results demonstrate that the C-9 rat liver cells express prostaglandin endoperoxide G/H synthase-2 constitutively and express induced prostaglandin endoperoxide G/H synthase-2. Inhibition of proteolytic activity amplifies agonist-stimulated arachidonic acid metabolism in these cells.
Reactions of Medical Personnel and Intimates to Persons With AIDS

People whose lives or work bring them into close contact with victims of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cannot help but be deeply affected. I will try to describe some of these situations and their emotional impact, especially as they have come to view in my own practice of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. I hope that they may, in some measure, be representative and convey the qualities of the human dilemmas and psychiatric challenges they bring with them.
Effect of tin etiopurpurin and light on the canine prostate

A series of experiments was undertaken to determine the effects of the combination of light and the tissue photosensitizer, tin etiopurpurin, on the canine prostate. Mongrel dogs were injected intravenously with 1.0 mg/kg of photosensitizer twenty-four hours prior to light delivery. Laser light, 660 nm, was administered either transurethrally or interstitially and tissue effects were assessed by histopathologic examination. Both techniques of light delivery resulted in hemorrhagic necrosis of the surrounding tissue. Photodynamic therapy may offer a novel approach to the treatment of both benign and malignant diseases of the prostate.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Paradoxical effects of dopamine (DA): Gi alpha 3 mediates DA inhibition of PRL release while masking its PRL-releasing activity

In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying the paradoxical (inhibitory vs. stimulatory) effects of DA on PRL release, we treated permeabilized pituitary cells with antibodies directed against the carboxyl-terminus of the alpha-subunit of the guanine nucleotide binding protein, Gi3. Immunoneutralization of Gi alpha 3 completely blocked the inhibitory effect of 1000 nM DA on PRL release, as assessed by reverse hemolytic plaque assays. In contrast, DA at a 100-fold lower concentration (10 nM) had no effect on PRL release under control conditions, but elicited a stimulatory response in the presence of anti-Gi alpha 3. Examination of the frequency distribution of plaque sizes indicated that suppression and augmentation of PRL secretion by DA was not attributable to distinct subpopulations of lactotropes. Taken together, these data suggest that all pituitary lactotropes have the potential to respond to the inhibitory and stimulatory activities of DA. However, the stimulatory action of this monoamine...
Research requirements for promotion and tenure at PhD granting departments of economics

We surveyed 125 chairs of PhD granting departments of economics for their valuation of articles in top-tier journals relative to less prestigious journals, for co-author contribution relative to single author contribution and for the worth of books and grants relative to journal articles.
The effect of molecular composition and structure on the development of porosity in pitch-based activated carbon fibers

Abstract Seven oligomeric fractions of well-defined composition and molecular weight distribution were generated via supercritical extraction from an isotropic petroleum pitch (M-50) and used as precursors for the production of activated carbon fibers. Both isotropic and mesophase-containing fractions were produced, so that the effects of molecular order and molecular weight could be separated. Carbonization weight loss was found to gradually decrease with increasing molecular weight (and oligomeric number), with mesophase content not being a significant factor. Similar behavior was observed for activation weight loss when the precursors were isotropic; however, even modest increases in molecular order significantly retarded the activation process and resulted in dramatic drops in specific pore volume. A 100% dimer precursor fraction with an average molecular weight of 480 Da produced activated carbon fibers with the highest (specific) pore volume, and the highest pore volume in the range desired for hydrogen adsorption (6–7 A). Even for isotropic precursors, decreases in pore volume with increasing molecular weight were observed. The incremental pore size distribution generated from the nitrogen adsorption data consisted of discrete peaks, which is consistent with the formation of pores by the removal of short micrographene layers, with each layer being formed from an individual oligomeric molecule.
Constitutively active L-type Ca2+ channels

Ca2+ influx through L-type Ca2+ channels (LTCCs) influences numerous physiological processes ranging from contraction in muscle and memory in neurons to gene expression in many cell types. However, the spatiotemporal organization of functional LTCCs has been nearly impossible to investigate because of methodological limitations. Here, we examined LTCC function with high temporal and spatial resolution using evanescent field fluorescence microscopy. Surprisingly, we found that LTCCs operated in functionally organized clusters, not necessarily as individual proteins. Furthermore, LTCC function in these clusters does not appear to be controlled by simple stochastic gating but instead by a PKC-dependent switch mechanism. This work suggests that resting intracellular free calcium concentration in arterial myocytes is predominantly controlled by this process in combination with rare voltage-dependent openings of individual LTCCs. We propose that Ca2+ influx via persistent LTCCs may be an important mechanism regulating steady-state local and global Ca2+ signals.
In Retrospect: The Social Function of Science

Roger Pielke Jr assesses the legacy of J. D. Bernal's science-policy classic on its 75th anniversary.
Evaluating web usability

Web usability focuses on design elements and processes that make web pages easy to use. A website for college students was evaluated for underutilization. One-on-one testing, focus groups, web analytics, peer university review and marketing focus group and demographic data were utilized to conduct usability evaluation. The results indicated that an organization's mission, policies, user capabilities, and competitive environment all affect usability. The recommended interventions included interface redesign and update.
Lipopolysaccharide induces apoptosis in adult rat ventricular myocytes via cardiac AT1 receptors

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria circulates in acute, subacute, and chronic conditions. It was hypothesized that LPS directly induces cardiac apoptosis. In adult rat ventricular...
Sivapithecus simonsi, a new species of miocene hominoid, with comments on the phylogenetic status of the ramapithecinae

The Ramapithecinae are an extinct, mainly Miocene group of hominoids, whose relationship to modern taxa is disputed. Some regard them as hominids, while others view them as ancestral toPongo,or even as the group ancestral to both hominids and extant apes. In this paper a systematic revision of Ramapithecinae is undertaken. Sivapithecus sivalensis andRamapithecus punjabicus are considered the same species, with the former name having priority. A new Indian species,Sivapithecus simonsi,is recognized. Ramapithecine anatomy is reviewed and compared with that of gracileAustralopithecus, early and middle MioceneProconsul andDryopithecus, and living pongidsPan, Gorilla, andPongo.Ramapithecines are shown to be much more primitive or “ape-like” than some have argued. Anatomical data are evaluated cladistically with several results. Parallel evolution in the jaws, teeth, and facial structure of hominoids appears to be the rule rather than the exception. Bearing this in mind, nevertheless, from the available evidence of anatomy, ramapithecines are cladistically hominids.
Downregulation of Akt activity contributes to the growth arrest induced by FGF in chondrocytes

Unregulated FGF signaling produced by activating FGFR3 mutations causes several forms of dwarfism-associated chondrodysplasias in humans and mice. FGF signaling inhibits chondrocyte proliferation by activating multiple signal transduction pathways that all contribute to chondrocyte growth arrest and induction of some aspects of differentiation. Previous studies had identified the Stat1 pathway, dephosphorylation of the Rb family proteins p107 and p130, induction of p21 expression and sustained activation of MAP kinases as playing a role in the FGF response of chondrocytes. We have examined the role of Akt (PKB) in the response of chondrocytes to FGF signaling. Differently from what is observed in many other cell types, FGF does not activate Akt in chondrocytes, and Akt phosphorylation is actually downregulated after FGF treatment. By expressing a constitutively activated, myristylated form of Akt (myr-Akt) in the RCS chondrosarcoma cell line, we show that Akt activation partially counteracts the inhibitory effect of FGF signaling. The response of myr-Akt expressing cells to FGF is identical to parental RCS in the first few hours after treatment, but then diverges as myr-Akt cells show decreased p130 phosphorylation, increased cyclin E/cdk2 activity and continue to proliferate at a slow rate. Constitutive Akt activation does not affect p21 expression but appears to influence directly cdk/cyclin activity. On the other hand, the induction of differentiation-related genes is unchanged in myr-Akt cells. These results identify Akt downregulation as an important aspect of the response of chondrocytes to FGF that, however, only affects chondrocyte proliferation and not the ability of FGF to induce differentiation genes.
Identification of tyrosine 108 in coffee bean α-galactosidase as an essential residue for the enzyme activity

Abstract The cDNA for coffee bean α-galactosidase (α-Gal) has been cloned and expressed in a baculovirus expression system. An early study of coconut α-Gal by chemical modification suggested that one tyrosine residue is at or near the active site. In order to identify such a critical residue, we replaced two tyrosine residues (positions 108 and 158) with phenylalanine by site-directed mutagenesis. The mutated DNA strands, as well as the wild-type ones, were subcloned into pVL vector and transformed into Sf9 insect cells for intracellular expression. The replacement of Tyr-158 with phenylalanine resulted in a mutant α-Gal (Y158F) which retained approx. 88% of the activity of wild-type enzyme. However, the substitution of Tyr-108 by phenylalanine (Y108F) almost abolished the enzymatic activity (1.8% of wild-type activity). The V max K m value for the mutant Y108F was 0.027, which was over a 1000-fold lower than that of wild-type α-Gal. Our data suggest that Tyr-108 is critical for the enzymatic activity of α-Gal.
Looking Across the Divide: Analyzing Cross-Disciplinary Approaches for Teaching Business Communication

This study elucidates pedagogical differences and similarities between the ways in which instructors from business and communication disciplines teach the introductory business communication course. During the spring of 2008, the authors surveyed 444 instructors teaching this course at colleges and universities across the United States. Their findings highlight several cross-disciplinary commonalities and disparities. The article discusses potential implications for the complementary and contradictory instructional approaches and call for more cross-disciplinary uniformity in contemporary business communication education.
Configuration of the polyisobutylene chain in bulk and in solution according to elastic neutron scattering

The dimensions and configurations of polyisobutylene (PIB) chains in the bulk and in a θ-solvent have been investigated by elastic neutron scattering at small and at intermediate angles. The z-average radii of gyration, 〈s2〉12z, of p rotonated PIB were calculated from Zimm plots in the Guinier region. Values of 〈s2〉12z measured in a deuterated PIB matrix (75±5 A) and in the θ-solvent (77±5A) are in good agreement. Results of scattering measurements at intermediate angles were compared using Kratky plots on an absolute scale. The scattering curves for protonated PIB in the deuterated PIB matrix and in the θ-solvent were in excellent accord in the range of 0<μ<0.6A−1 (μ = 4πsinθ/λ), demonstrating that the configuration in the bulk is virtually the same as in a θ-solvent. The experimental data were compared also with theoretical scattering functions. Close agreement throughout the range of μ covered by the experiments confirms the underlying conformational analysis and demonstrates randomness of configurations in the bulk down to distances of ca. 10 A.
Molecular evolution as predicted by natural selection

The major difficulty with selectionist explanations of molecular evolution has been their lack of a prediction of roughly constant evolutionary rates. A new selectionist theory (the Red Queen's Hypothesis), motivated by paleontology and derivable ecologically, makes such a prediction directly. Not all its other predictions are now verified. The counter-intuitive theory presupposes that an increase in momentary fitness by one species causes an equal total decline in momentary fitness among ecologically interacting species. Although some arguments for the selectionist approach seem invalid, this general approach remains plausible.
TECHNOLOGY AND ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH

ABSTRACT It is often assumed that companies involved in new technology are at the beginning of the product life cycle, and will expand and grow over time if given sufficient support. The authors conclude that technologically based firms fit into specific niches related to stages of the technological-diffusion cycle. These firms can be described as Creators, Engineers, Adaptors, Users, and Exploiters. The characteristics of these organizations suggest that only Adaptors, Users, and Exploiters have realistic prospects for dynamic growth; Creators and Engineers tend to remain at the early development stages. Growth is limited by the positioning within the technological development cycles and strategies. Companies adopt strategies such as segmentation, domination, searching and reacting which also influence growth. Firms which focus upon a segmented niche tend to remain small. Firms which adopt a dominant strategy, along with the position of Adaptors, Users or Exploiters, provide growth.
Identification of balanced state domain for single-support legged mechanism

Balancing is one of the most important issues of biped mechanism. In this presentation, an enhanced definition of a balanced state is proposed and the balanced state manifold for single-support legged mechanism is calculated by using constrained optimization method. The algorithm iteratively solves for the maximum and minimum velocities for a set of joint variables and actuation capacities. In addition to the system parameters, the necessary and sufficient conditions for balancing, such as the Zero-Moment Point, positive normal reaction force, friction, and final static equilibrium, are implemented as constraints. The calculated balanced state manifold can be used as general balance criteria for the single-support legged mechanism. The proposed framework can also be extended to form the balanced state manifold of systems with higher complexity.Copyright © 2011 by ASME