cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nematic ordering in a Vycor-like restrictive geometry: A two-dimensional model.

We report results from Monte Carlo simulations of the orientational ordering of the two-dimensional Lebwohl-Lasher model for nematic liquid crystals confined inside a model porous medium of Vycor-like tortuous geometry. We find that the magnitude of the order parameter and the susceptibility are strongly suppressed in the presence of the porous medium. The system breaks into many nematic domains with a random distribution of nematic directors. This feature is similar to the ``nematic-glass'' behavior that is seen in experiments. We find that the relaxation of the order parameter autocorrelation function satisfies an activated dynamical scaling, which is in agreement with recent simulations of random-field models and some recent experiments.
Obesity and obesity related co-morbidities in a referral population of children with asthma

Objective—Although there is mounting evidence that childhood obesity is a risk factor for incident asthma, it remains unclear if there is a distinct “asthma-obesity” phenotype. This study characterized body composition, obesity related co-morbidities, and traditional risk factors for asthma in a cohort of children referred for asthma management in a pulmonary clinic. We hypothesized that children with asthma and obesity would have distinct risk factors and co-morbidities, particularly with respect to metabolic and sleep abnormalities. Participants and Methods—116 asthmatic children ages 4 to 18 years underwent comprehensive measurements of common asthma risk factors as well as measurements of obesity-related morbidities, including lung function tests, atopy, and assessments of sleep (overnight oximetry and actigraphy), physical activity (accelerometry), and metabolism. Characteristics of children who were obese (BMI ≥ 95 th percentile) were compared to those who were not obese (BMI < 95 th percentile). Results—Obesity was present in 44% of participants. Obese participants had similar rates of atopy and family history of atopy, lung function, and asthma control at enrollment as their non-obese peers. A significantly higher proportion of obese participants had metabolic syndrome (23% vs 0%) and habitual snoring (60% vs 33%) compared to non-obese participants; insufficient sleep and nocturnal desaturations tended to be more prevalent among obese subjects. Conclusions—Obesity and obesity related co-morbidities were common in a referral population of children with asthma. The specific influence of metabolic abnormalities on asthma morbidity and management is still uncertain and likely will need to be addressed in prospective studies.
A Comparative Study of the Mosquito Karyotypes

Chromosomal preparations from fourth instar larvae (prepupae) were studied to determine the karyotypes of four genera and eleven species of mosquitoes. Although the chromosome number is the same in all species investigated (2n=6), nevertheless distinct karyotypic differences among genera and species were observed.
Nature, distribution, and use of diversity in the tuber-bearingSolanum species

Efforts to preserve and utilizeSolanum germ plasm have produced many significant results during the past 50 years. Recent research promises even more success in the future. However, in order to obtain the most rapid advancements and to provide for long-term programs, efforts should be made to encourage and organize more cooperative international projects. The current International Biological Program may provide a means for doing this.
Joint action between binary mixtures of chlordimeform and insecticides.

Abstract Chlordimeform (CDF) was tested for its ability to act jointly with an organophosphorus insecticide (parathion) and a series of carbamate insecticides. Three arthropod species were used as test subjects: the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae; the German cockroach, Blatella germanica; and the flour beetle, Tenebrio castaneum. CDF potentiated the toxicity of several carbamate insecticides to B. germanica and T. castaneum. However, CDF antagonized the toxicity of parathion toward B. germanica while it acted in a greater than additive fashion toward T. castaneum. No combination of CDF and insecticide tested acted jointly toward T. urticae. Species-specific differences in sensitivity, absorption, metabolism, and mode of delivery account for the varying results. Metabolic studies of pairs of compounds using two radiolabeled carbamates showed that CDF altered the metabolic detoxification of both carbaryl and aldicarb. The results suggest that CDF may inhibit MFOs as its mode of action.
Synaptic Modification by Correlated Activity: Hebb's Postulate Revisited

■ Abstract Correlated spiking of pre- and postsynaptic neurons can result in strengthening or weakening of synapses, depending on the temporal order of spiking. Recent findings indicate that there are narrow and cell type‐specific temporal windows for such synaptic modification and that the generally accepted input- (or synapse-) specific rule for modification appears not to be strictly adhered to. Spike timing‐ dependent modifications, together with selective spread of synaptic changes, provide a set of cellular mechanisms that are likely to be important for the development and functioning of neural networks. When an axon of cell A is near enough to excite cell B or repeatedly or consistently takes part in firing it, some growth or metabolic change takes place in one or both cells such that A’s efficiency, as one of the cells firing B, is increased. Donald Hebb (1949)
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Regulates Autophagy in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

Hedgehog (Hh) signaling plays an important role in embryonic development and in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions. Aberrant activation of Hh signaling has been implicated in several human cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study we examined the pathobiological functions and molecular mechanisms of Hh signaling pathway in HCC cells. Treatment of cultured human HCC cells (Huh7, Hep3B and HepG2) with the Hh signaling ligand (recombinant Shh) or agonist, SAG and purmorphamine, prevented the induction of autophagy. In contrast, GANT61 (a small molecule inhibitor of Gli1 and Gli2) induced autophagy, as determined by immunobloting for microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and p62, GFP-LC3 puncta, monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining and transmission electron microscopy. Hh inhibition-induced autophagy was associated with upregulation of Bnip3, as determined by immunoblotting and real-time PCR assay. Knockdown of Bnip3 by RNAi impaired GANT61-induced autophagy. Additionally, Hh inhibition-induced autophagy was associated with Bnip3-mediated displacement of Bcl-2 from Beclin-1, as determined by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation assays. Furthermore, inhibition of Hh signaling increased HCC cell apoptosis and decreased cell viability, as determined by caspase and WST-1 assays. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or Beclin-1 siRNA partially suppressed GANT61-induced cell apoptosis and cytotoxicity. In a tumor xenograft model using SCID mice inoculated with Huh7 cells, administration of GANT61 inhibited tumor formation and decreased tumor volume; this effect was partially blocked by the autophagy inhibitor, 3-MA. These findings provide novel evidence that hedgehog inhibition induces autophagy through upregulation of Bnip3 and that this mechanism contributes to apoptosis. Therefore, the status of autophagy is a key factor that determines the therapeutic response to Hh-targeted therapies.
A perturbation approach to the H/sup 2/ analysis of spatially periodic systems

We consider a class of spatially distributed systems with spatially periodic coefficients. Frequency domain methods are used to convert a linear system belonging to this class into a family of infinite-dimensional LTI ones. The frequency and amplitude of the periodic coefficients are then treated as parameters. A perturbation analysis is then performed on the amplitude of the periodicity to find a computationally efficient method of calculating the H/sup 2/ -norm. The dependence of the H/sup 2/-norm on the amplitude and frequency of the periodic coefficients is demonstrated.
A novel mutant allele of Schizosaccharomyces pombe rad26 defective in monitoring S-phase progression to prevent premature mitosis.

A semipermissive growth condition was defined for a Schizosaccharomyces pombe strain carrying a thermosensitive allele of DNA polymerase delta (pol delta ts03). Under this condition, DNA polymerase delta is semidisabled and causes a delay in S-phase progression. Using a genetic strategy, we have isolated a panel of mutants that enter premature mitosis when DNA replication is incomplete but which are not defective for arrest in G2/M following DNA damage. We characterized the aya14 mutant, which enters premature mitosis when S phase is arrested by genetic or chemical means. However, this mutant is sensitive to neither UV nor gamma irradiation. Two genomic clones, rad26+ and cds1+, were found to suppress the hydroxyurea sensitivity of the aya14 mutant. Genetic analysis indicates that aya14 is a novel allele of the cell cycle checkpoint gene rad26+, which we have named rad26.a14. cds1+ is a suppressor which suppresses the S-phase feedback control defect of rad26.a14 when S phase is inhibited by either hydroxyurea or cdc22, but it does not suppress the defect when S phase is arrested by a mutant DNA polymerase. Analyses of rad26.a14 in a variety of cdc mutant backgrounds indicate that strains containing rad26.a14 bypass S-phase arrest but not G1 or late S/G2 arrest. A model of how Rad26 monitors S-phase progression to maintain the dependency of cell cycle events and coordinates with other rad/hus checkpoint gene products in responding to radiation damage is proposed.
Flexible approximation of structured interactions in decentralized Markov decision processes

Our work is motivated by cooperative planning problems where agents can affect each others' transitions and rewards, and so benefit from coordinating their actions, but in doing so must account for durational uncertainty in these actions. To reason about this uncertainty efficiently, agents can employ temporal decoupling (a paradigm that has been explored in a variety of restricted contexts [2, 3]) to constrain interactions to occur by selected time points, representing the uncertain occurrence for each time point with a probabilistic promise [5]. Here we summarize a reformulation of Becker's Event-driven DEC-MDP problems [1] that uses commitment models to exploit temporal structure. We argue that, in addition to representing optimal solutions, our approach enables more efficient, scalable computation of approximate solutions and a natural flexibility by which interactions can be modeled with more or less detail.
Self-organization of quantum-dot pairs by high-temperature droplet epitaxy

The spontaneously formation of epitaxial GaAs quantum-dot pairs was demonstrated on an AlGaAs surface using Ga droplets as a Ga nano-source. The dot pair formation was attributed to the anisotropy of surface diffusion during high-temperature droplet epitaxy.
A detailed study of the environmental stability of metal particle tapes

Selected chemical, physical, mechanical, and magnetic properties of Fe metal recording tapes were studied, under three sets of temperature and humidity conditions, to accelerate the tapes' aging. The results obtained indicated that changes in cupping and magnetic properties were independent of the tape binder, while the friction of the magnetic coating side of the tape was binder-dependent. Changes in the saturation and the remanent magnetic moments were particle-dependent. The chemical properties of the binder systems were not significantly affected by the accelerated aging. Based on these results, the useful life of the tapes was projected. >
Combining the polymerase incomplete primer extension method for cloning and mutagenesis with microscreening to accelerate structural genomics efforts

Successful protein expression, purification, and crystallization for challenging targets typically requires evaluation of a multitude of expression constructs. Often many iterations of truncations and point mutations are required to identify a suitable derivative for recombinant expression. Making and characterizing these variants is a significant barrier to success. We have developed a rapid and efficient cloning process and combined it with a protein microscreening approach to characterize protein suitability for structural studies. The Polymerase Incomplete Primer Extension (PIPE) cloning method was used to rapidly clone 448 protein targets and then to generate 2143 truncations from 96 targets with minimal effort. Proteins were expressed, purified, and characterized via a microscreening protocol, which incorporates protein quantification, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and analytical size exclusion chromatography (AnSEC) to evaluate suitability of the protein products for X-ray crystallography. The results suggest that selecting expression constructs for crystal trials based primarily on expression solubility is insufficient. Instead, AnSEC scoring as a measure of protein polydispersity was found to be predictive of ultimate structure determination success and essential for identifying appropriate boundaries for truncation series. Overall structure determination success was increased by at least 38% by applying this combined PIPE cloning and microscreening approach to recalcitrant targets.
Algorithms for wound specimens

Abstract Determining the quality of a wound specimen is the first important step in processing that specimen for bacterial culture. Additionally, the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolates from wounds should be directed by the results of the direct Gram-stained smear examination. The Q score can guide the technologist in determining which isolates to identify in these specimens. This scheme can minimize the culturing and/or work up of unacceptable or superficially contaminated specimens, and this, together with decreased expense association with identification to the species level and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, will decrease the cost to the microbiology laboratory. More importantly, use of these guidelines will reduce the reporting of clinically misleading information that might lead to the misdiagnosis of infectious processes and the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents.
TIMING AND EXTENT OF SUPPLIER INTEGRATION IN NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: A CONTINGENCY APPROACH

While research on internal integration in new product development (NPD) has progressed to the examination of contingency factors that assess adequate levels of integration, contingency models examining the appropriate timing and level of integration with suppliers in NPD have yet to be empirically tested. The purpose of this study is to explore how contingency factors affect the timing and level of supplier integration into NPD, and how varying levels of integration affect project performance. The study uses structural equation modeling to analyze data on 116 NPD projects employing supplier integration sampled from international organizations representing a wide variety of industries. Results suggest that newer products signify the need for earlier supplier integration, while positive prior experience with the supplier and the procurement of highly strategic items indicate the need for tighter integration. When employed, these patterns of activity result in high levels of perceived NPD performance.
Ca2+ Channel Antibodies: Subunit-Specific Antibodies as Probes for Structure and Function

Voltage–dependent Ca2+ channels are known to exist in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells as well as in neuronal and secretory cells [1, 2]. 1, 4–Dihydropyridines are potent blockers of voltage–dependent Ca2+ channels [3], and the receptor for 1, 4– dihydropyridines has been found to be highly enriched in the transverse tubular system of skeletal muscle [4]. Curtis and Catterall [5] were the first to purify the dihydropyridine receptor from rabbit skeletal muscle T–system membranes. Analysis of their preparation of receptor by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) suggested that the dihydropyridine receptor consisted of three subunits: an a subunit of 160000 Da, a β subunit of 50000 Da, and γ y subunit of 32000 Da. The apparent molecular weight of the a subunit in their preparation shifted from 160000 to 130000 upon reduction, whereas the molecular weight of the α and y subunits did not change upon reduction. The dihydropyridine receptor has also been purified from skeletal muscle membranes by Borsotto et al. [6] and Flockerzi et al. [7]. These groups also identified three subunits in their preparations of dihydropyridine receptor but the exact composition of subunits and molecular weight of the subunits differ from the original report of Curtis and Catterall [5]. Our laboratory has shown that the purified l, 4–dihydropyridine receptor from rabbit skeletal muscle triads contains four protein components of 175 000 Da (α2), 170000 Da (α1), 52000Da (β) and 32000 Da (γ) and that the 170000 Da and 175000 Da components are distinct polypeptides [8]. The 170000 Da polypeptide (a subunit) has been shown by photoaffinity labeling with [3H]azidopine and [3H]PN200–110 to contain the dihydropyridine binding site of the receptor [9,10], and the 170000 Da (α1 subunit) polypeptide and 52000 Da polypeptide (β subunit) have been shown to be substrates for various protein kinases [11–15]. Finally, the primary structure of the α1 subunit shows considerable sequence and structural similarities to the α subunit of the sodium channel [16].
PMA- and ANG II-induced PKC regulation of the renal Na+-HCO3- cotransporter (hkNBCe1).

The renal electrogenic Na+-HCO3− cotransporter (hkNBCe1) plays a major role in the bicarbonate reabsorption by the kidney. We examined how PMA- and ANG II-activated PKCs regulate hkNBCe1 expressed ...
Intimate Partner Violence and Current Mental Health Needs Among Female Veterans

BACKGROUND: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) recommends screening female patients for intimate partner violence (IPV), yet few studies inform IPV screening efforts among this population. This study examined the proportion of women who experienced IPV within the past year and the associations between IPV and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol dependence, mental health multimorbidity (ie, 2 or 3 of these conditions), and military sexual trauma (MST) among female veterans. METHODS: A cross-sectional mail survey of 160 female VHA patients with an intimate partner within the past year was conducted in 2012 in New England. Self-reported IPV was assessed using the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream screening tool. The survey also included validated screening measures of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), PTSD (PTSD Checklist-Civilian), alcohol misuse (10-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test), and MST. RESULTS: Approximately 37% of women reported IPV within the past year on the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream tool. Odds ratios for the associations between reporting IPV and mental health outcomes ranged between 2.75 and 3.67. With the exception of alcohol dependence, IPV remained strongly associated with mental health conditions when adjusting for MST. CONCLUSIONS: These findings can increase provider knowledge of the strong connection between past-year IPV and mental health conditions among female veterans. This may encourage IPV screening and facilitate appropriate referrals, treatment conceptualization, and planning within the VHA and other health care settings. Language: en
Impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on wound complications after breast surgery

Background Use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer is increasing. The objective was to examine risk of postoperative wound complications in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Methods Patients undergoing breast surgery from 2005 to 2010 were selected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were included if preoperative diagnosis suggested malignancy and an axillary procedure was performed. We performed a stepwise multivariable regression analysis of predictors of postoperative wound complications, overall and stratified by type of breast surgery. Our primary variable of interest was receipt of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results Of 44,533 patients, 4.5% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Wound complications were infrequent with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (3.4% vs 3.1%; P = .4). Smoking, functional dependence, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and mastectomy were associated with wound complications. No association with neoadjuvant chemotherapy was seen (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78–1.32); however, a trend was observed toward increased complications in neoadjuvant patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 0.98–2.58). Conclusion Postoperative wound complications after breast surgery are infrequent and not associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Given the trend toward increased complications in patients undergoing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, however, neoadjuvant chemotherapy should be among the many factors considered when making multidisciplinary treatment decisions.
Stentless aortic bioprostheses: their role in the treatment of aortic endocarditis should not be underestimated.

We read with great interest the comprehensive review article of Funder [1] on the clinical and experimental data surrounding the use of stentless aortic bioprostheses and fully agree with his conclusions. There is no doubt that they are ideal substitutes in patients with small aortic roots to prevent patient–prosthesis mismatch. In this context, they should be implanted in a ‘fullroot’ type of technique to minimize the postoperative aortic regurgitation that may occur due to distortion of the prosthesis [2] and to facilitate both prosthesis over-sizing and the optimization of haemodynamic results [3]. However, we were surprised that Funder did not comment on the value of stentless valves in the context of aortic endocarditis, particularly in patients with root abscesses and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Homografts have been the gold-standard for valve and root replacement in aortic endocarditis for a long time. Although they result in excellent haemodynamics and a low incidence of re-infection after surgery, the need for homograftrelated reoperation should not be underestimated and has been reported to be around 20% at 2 years, most often due to aortic regurgitation [4]. In addition, in these patients, for whom surgery is most often urgent, availability is limited, leading to delay in treatment. In 2003, Siniawski et al. [5] reported on their results using stentless bioprostheses in the setting of complex aortic endocarditis and made a comparison with their experience using homografts. Early mortality, freedom from re-infection and postoperative haemodynamics were not different between the two groups. However, they saw additional benefits of the stentless prosthesis, in that the surgery itself has a more standardized and therefore possibly easier technique. Moreover, limited availability, which may result in delayed surgery using homografts, is not an issue with stentless bioprostheses. If stentless valves are equivalent early after surgery, the question remains of how they compare with homografts in the longer term? Yacoub et al. [6] recently reported the outcomes of a prospective randomized trial including aortic root replacement using Freestyle stentless bioprostheses (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) and homografts. Over a median followup of 7.6 years, a significantly higher freedom from valve dysfunction in the stentless group (86 vs 37%) was noted. Consequently, reoperations due to structural valve degeneration were more common after homograft implantation (0 vs 10%). We conclude therefore, that the early outcome of stentless bioprostheses is comparable with homografts in patients suffering from aortic valve endocarditis. As long-term durability and freedom from reoperation are improved using stentless bioprostheses, and because their availability is not restricted, they are ideal substitutes, particularly in patients with complex aortic valve endocarditis.
The genomics and proteomics of biofilm formation

Bacterial communities that are attached to a surface, so-called biofilms, and their inherent resistance to antimicrobial agents are a cause of many persistent and chronic bacterial infections. Recent genomic and proteomic studies have identified many of the genes and gene products differentially expressed during biofilm formation, revealing the complexity of this developmental process.
Microscopy of sclerotinites in the coal beds of the central part of the Appalachian coal field, U.S.A.

SUMMARY Rodlets from fusain and carbominerite bands or lenses in bituminous coal beds of the central part of the Appalachian coal field in the eastern United States were studied in three dimensions using both light microscopy and scanning-electron microscopy (SEM). Infrared studies and chemical analyses complemented reflectance measurements. The rodlets are found strati-graphically from the Pocahontas no. 3 coal bed (Pocahontas Formation, Lower Pennsylvanian or Namurian B & C) to the Washington coal bed (Washington Formation, Lower Permian). The most common rodlets are noncellular, range in diameter from 60 to 440 μm, and, when polished, have the relief and high reflectances typical of the inertinite maceral group. They have characteristic notches, ovoid shapes, distinctive fracture patterns, dense (oxidized) rims, vesicles, cavities and canals, some of which contain minerals (tentatively identified by SEM semiquantitative X-ray and infrared analyses). Some rodlets show a cellular cast on their longitudinal surfaces. Due to different exposures in variously-oriented polished sections, this type of rodlet is classified as sclerotinite of the inertinite maceral group. Comparison of the sclerotinites from the central part of the Appalachian coal field with the fusinitized resin rodlets from coal and coal balls of the Illinois basin (Kosanke & Harrison, 1957) and with the ‘sclerotioids’ of the St Rose no. 5 coal of Nova Scotia indicates that they represent the same bodies. All are interpreted to be rodlets of resinous origin belonging to one or more of the genera of medullosan seed ferns of Carboniferous and Permian age. We suggest using the existing terms ‘resino-sclerotinite’ and ‘fungo-sclerotinite’ for two distinct maceral varieties of the inertinite maceral group because of their distinguishing properties and their different paleobotanical origins. Two types of cellular rodlets, woody splinters and sclerenchyma strands, are also documented in this study because of their close association with the resino-sclerotinites of the central part of the Appalachian coal field.
Acute effects of glucose-insulin-potassium infusion on myocardial substrates, coronary blood flow and oxygen consumption in man

To determine whether myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) might be reduced when myocardial substrate uptake is changed from predominantly lipid to predominantly carbohydrate, measurements of arterialcoronary sinus glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, oxygen, carbon dioxide and coronary sinus blood flow (by thermodilution) were obtained in 13 fasting patients. Measurements were initially made in a basal control state and then repeated at 10, 20 and 30 minutes during an infusion of glucose-insulin-potassium. After 30 minutes of infusion, there was a three-fold increase in myocardial glucose uptake (44 ± 10 to 145 ± 19 +μmoles/min [mean ± standard error of the mean], P < 0.01), a two-fold increase in myocardial lactate uptake (35 ± 4 to 77 ± 10 μmoles/min, P < 0.001) and a 75 percent decrease in myocardial free fatty acid uptake (34 ± 5 to 9 ± 3 μmoles/min, P < 0.01). Cardiac respiratory quotient rose from 0.70 ± 0.05 to 0.93 ± 0.08 (P < 0.001). Sum of oxygen extraction ratios for glucose and lactate rose from 51 ± 7 percent at control to 155 ± 22 percent at 30 minutes of infusion (P < 0.001) and suggested that much of the enhanced myocardial carbohydrate uptake met a nonoxidative fate, such as glycogen formation. During glucose-insulin-potassium infusion, arterial-coronary sinus oxygen decreased by 13 percent, coronary sinus blood flow increased by 12 percent and MVO2 was unchanged. The increase in coronary sinus blood flow was associated with a 13 percent decrease in coronary vascular resistance and a small, but significant, increase in serum osmolarity (289 ± 3 to 299 ± 3 mOsm/liter, P < 0.001). It is concluded that glucose-insulin-potassium infusion, while causing prompt alteration in myocardial substrate utilization from lipid to carbohydrate, produces no significant measurable change in myocardial oxygen consumption. However, such infusion is accompanied by a measurable increase in coronary sinus blood flow and a decrease in coronary vascular resistance.
C++ Implementation of a Heterogeneous Container Class Library

This chapter discusses an implementation of the containers hierarchy in C++ called Heterogeneous Container Class Library (HCCL). Recall that “container” refers to a list-like structure to store data items, and “heterogeneous” means containers can hold different kinds of items. Therefore, HCCL provides a collection of list-like structures that are able to store different kinds of items. HCCL mitigates typing constraints in C++ since programmers are spared the task of implementing new container types for each new kind of object they develop.
Tort Liability For Intentional Acts of Family Members: Will Your Insurer Stand By You?

This article discusses increasingly common claims against individuals for intentional torts committed by family members and the related homeowner insurance coverage issues. When minors commit intentional torts, parental liability may be imposed by statute or claims may arise based on negligent supervision or premises liability. Claims against a non-offending spouse in child molestation cases are also increasingly common. In these cases, plaintiffs typically allege the non-offending spouse committed some negligent affirmative act that enabled the other spouse to molest the child. Although the "no duty to protect or rescue" rule has been a bedrock of tort, these theories of liability against individuals for the intentional torts of family members challenge this enduring tort law principle. Plaintiffs plead such claims in order to overcome the intentional act exclusion within the homeowners policy. While the intentional act exclusion in a homeowner insurance policy will often exclude coverage for the intentional acts of the offending insured, claims against purely negligent parents or spouses are not so easily resolved. Significantly, for the purposes of insurance coverage, these claims are typically fact intensive and not easily disposed of on motions for summary judgment. As courts interpret these often ambiguous insurance contracts they are often mindful that important competing policies underlying the insurance contract are at stake: 1) not covering intentionally wrongful acts; 2) compensating victims; and 3) achieving an insured's reasonable expectations. In this article, I argue that with regard to the non-offending parent or spouse a coextensive tort and insurance schema best balances these competing fundamental public policies.
Entrepreneurial Recovery From Natural Disaster: A Consideration Of Influential Factors

This paper contains interviews with five entrepreneurs affected by Hurricane Rita in the Southeast Texas Region. It qualitatively examines the recovery efforts of these entrepreneurs including the extent to which government assistance was utilized in their recovery efforts. The purpose was to determine if there were any specific factors that helped or hindered in the recovery effort. Factors considered in this study include the length of time in business, type of customer served, amount of damage to the business, length of down time due to the hurricane, types of recovery assistance utilized, and the entrepreneurs’ thoughts on keys to recovery. The study finds several interesting trends. First, length of time in business does not seem to be a factor in recovery after a natural disaster. Instead, the passion for the business or drive or motivation to succeed appears to be a key to overcoming adversity. Second, most entrepreneurs did not utilize any type of government recovery assistance. Third, it does appear that the types of customers the entrepreneurs service do play a role in the speed with which the entrepreneurs were able to fully recover. The speed of economic recovery also appears to be influenced by how quickly all or part of the business is able to reopen.
Phase 1 experience with BIIB021, an oral, synthetic, non-ansamycin Hsp90 inhibitor

A123 Hsp90 inhibitors hold great promise as anti-tumor therapies because Hsp90 is a critical chaperone of key proteins involved in tumor growth and survival. A series of fully synthetic non-ansamycin, small molecule Hsp90 inhibitors have been developed for oral administration (po) to overcome the toxicity and development challenges observed with geldanamycin-based agents (i.e. 17-AAG). Pre-clinical data reveals that the lead clinical investigational compound, BIIB021, binds to Hsp90, induces client protein degradation and Hsp70 induction, and shows potent anti-tumor activity comparable to that of 17-AAG in a variety of xenograft models including breast and prostate cancer. Multiple Phase 1 studies have been initiated to assess safety, MTD, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of BIIB021 in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors (ST) or chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Methods: Three to 6 pts were enrolled into sequential dose cohorts of BIIB021 po daily for 3 weeks followed by 1 week off (CLL) or po twice weekly for 3 weeks followed by 1 week off (ST). Pts remained on study until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred. Results: As of July 27, 2007, data is available for 23 pts administered BIIB021 (5 in CLL; 18 in ST). 14 were men (3 in CLL and 11 in ST); median (range) age was 66 (45, 79) years in CLL and 59.5 (35, 81) in ST. Safety: The MTD has not been reached. No DLTs or treatment-related (TR) serious AEs were reported. 18 pts reported TR AEs. Grade 3 or 4 TR AEs in ST were fatigue, hyponatremia and hypoglycemia; in CLL 1 pt experienced grade 3 abnormal LFT. TR AEs in CLL in >1 pts were: abdominal pain and diarrhea (n=2 each). TR AEs in ST in >2 pts were: fatigue (n=6); nausea, vomiting, hot flush (n=5 each), dry mouth (n=4), flushing (n=3). No evidence of drug-related hepatotoxicity has been observed up to the current 700 mg twice weekly dosing. PK/PD: PK data was available through 50 mg in CLL, and through 600 mg in ST; BIIB021 demonstrated dose-linear kinetics with a T 1/2 of ~1 h and no evidence of accumulation with multiple dosing. PD assessments indicate significant induction of Hsp70 and inhibition of the biomarker Her 2/neu extracellular domain (ECD) in the ST trial. Efficacy: One pts with CLL receiving 25 mg was noted to have a reduction in peripheral lymph nodes within one week of treatment per investigator report. Response assessment in this pts 4 months after dosing demonstrated an overall 39% reduction in lymph node size. Conclusions: BIIB 021 administered up to 600 mg twice weekly and 50 mg daily 3w on/1w off appears to be well tolerated in these pts with no evidence of hepatotoxicity. Biologic activity has been confirmed with elevations of serum and intracellular Hsp70 and a dose-related decrease in serum Her-2 ECD. Further studies evaluating BIIB021 without a drug holiday and BIIB021 in combination with chemotherapy and targeted agents are warranted.
Increased VEGF‐A promotes multiple distinct aging diseases of the eye through shared pathomechanisms

While increased VEGF-A has been associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), it is not known whether VEGF-A may also promote other age-related eye diseases. Here, we show that an increase in VEGF-A is sufficient to cause multiple distinct common aging diseases of the eye, including cataracts and both neovascular and non-exudative AMD-like pathologies. In the lens, increased VEGF-A induces age-related opacifications that are associated with ERK hyperactivation, increased oxidative damage, and higher expression of the NLRP3 inflammasome effector cytokine IL-1β. Similarly, increased VEGF-A induces oxidative stress and IL-1β expression also in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Targeting NLRP3 inflammasome components or Il1r1 strongly inhibited not only VEGF-A-induced cataract formation, but also both neovascular and non-exudative AMD-like pathologies. Moreover, increased VEGF-A expression specifically in the RPE was sufficient to cause choroidal neovascularization (CNV) as in neovascular AMD, which could be inhibited by RPE-specific inactivation of Flk1, while Tlr2 inactivation strongly reduced CNV. These findings suggest a shared pathogenic role of VEGF-A-induced and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated IL-1β activation for multiple distinct ocular aging diseases.
Healthy Steps as a moderator: The impact of maternal trauma on child social-emotional development.

Child social-emotional development is foundational for future success, and depends on the presence of caregiver– child relationships characterized by positive “serve and return” interactions, during which caregiver responses are reliable, consistent, and empathic. Caregivers with childhood trauma may be limited in their ability to provide this type of interaction, and child social-emotional development may be at risk. We describe a Healthy Steps (HS) program and the moderating effect of this program on the relationship between reported caregiver childhood trauma and child social-emotional development. In a quasi-experimental, longitudinal design, we determined the relationship between maternal report of childhood trauma and child social-emotional development on the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: SocialEmotional (ASQ:SE) at 36 months, adjusting for covariates, and tested for a moderating effect of participation in HS on this relationship. One hundred twentyfour children were assessed at 36 months. Children of mothers with childhood trauma had higher (worse) ASQ:SE mean scores than children of mothers without childhood trauma (75.9 vs. 35.9; p .0001). Differences in adjusted mean ASQ:SE scores between children of mothers with and without childhood trauma were more apparent in the comparison group (90.4 vs. 28.3) than in HS (44.5 vs. 28.2; p .001). Caregiver experiences of childhood trauma are related to deficits in socialemotional development in their 3-year-old children. HS, with a focus on caregiver trauma and child social-emotional development, may serve as a moderator of this association.
Multivariate Fractional Representation Formula and Ostrowski Inequality

Here we derive a multivariate fractional representation formula involving ordinary partial derivatives of first order. Then we prove a related multivariate fractional Ostrowski type inequality with respect to uniform norm.
Diamond synthesis from a system of chromium-carbide and Ni70Mn25Co5 alloy

In order to ascertain the mechanism of interaction between carbide and metallic catalyst and formation of diamond under high pressure and high temperature, and find a new method to synthesize diamond with special properties, it is necessary to investigate the reaction behavior of different carbides and metallic solvent-catalysts under high pressure and high temperature. A system of Cr3C2 powder and Ni70Mn25Co5 alloy in weight ratio of 1:6 was treated under 6.0 GPa and 1 500°C for 20, 30 or 60 min respectively. X-ray diffraction of the samples indicated the Cr3C2 decomposed partially after high pressure and temperature treatment, and Cr7, C3, Cr and diamond formed respectively. There was not any trace of graphite in the samples. The result suggested that the separated carbon atoms could form diamond directly without conversion process of graphite into diamond. The observation of SEI, WDX and EDX also showed that diamond crystals were synthesized in the system, which have perfect surfaces and shapes, with the average grain size of about 40 μm. The properties of the crystals are being investigated.
RECLASSIFICATION OF ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK BY A GENETIC RISK SCORE FOR CORONARY HEART DISEASE: THE MI-GENES STUDY

Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous genetic susceptibility variants for coronary heart disease (CHD). The extent of reclassification of individuals’ atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk by a genetic risk score for CHD is unknown. The myocardial infarction genes
Molecular catalysis science: Perspective on unifying the fields of catalysis

Colloidal chemistry is used to control the size, shape, morphology, and composition of metal nanoparticles. Model catalysts as such are applied to catalytic transformations in the three types of catalysts: heterogeneous, homogeneous, and enzymatic. Real-time dynamics of oxidation state, coordination, and bonding of nanoparticle catalysts are put under the microscope using surface techniques such as sum-frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy and ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy under catalytically relevant conditions. It was demonstrated that catalytic behavior and trends are strongly tied to oxidation state, the coordination number and crystallographic orientation of metal sites, and bonding and orientation of surface adsorbates. It was also found that catalytic performance can be tuned by carefully designing and fabricating catalysts from the bottom up. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts, and likely enzymes, behave similarly at the molecular level. Unifying the fields of catalysis is the key to achieving the goal of 100% selectivity in catalysis.
Weighted fuzzy reasoning network and its application in pipeline damage diagnosis

In view of pipeline corrosion damage detection in oil pipeline operation and maintenance,this paper proposed a weighted fuzzy reasoning network diagnostic model.The model combined neural network and fuzzy logic and it could achieve some evidence of bottom-top and top-bottom processing.Also the model combined the excellence of fuzzy logic that it could express domain rules and metempirical knowledge wholly with the virtue of neural network that it could adapt to the environment automatically.Then presented a weighted fuzzy reasoning network structure model and its algorithm.The quantitative method of fuzzy reasoning rule and the dynamic thinking of differential equations numerical solution could avoid some shortages of falling into local minima. The algorithm had better stability and validity.The actual data processing results prove that the model for pipeline corrosion damage diagnosis has good adaptability and practicality.
Application of Bifurcation Theory in Drilling System Voltage Stability Analysis

To improve the drilling system voltage stability level and prevent taking place the collapse of voltage,the bifurcation theory is adopted to research the voltage stability problem in oil field drilling system.The model of generator,loads and drilling system is established separately,then general model of voltage stability analysis in drilling system is obtained,bifurcation phenomenon in power grid is analyzed.At last dynamic and static voltage bifurcation points of electric system are simulated and searched.On the basis,the voltage instability analysis in successive stage is undertaken by making use of reactive power of generators.Results show that system voltage loses stability up to collapse in static bifurcation and generates oscillations in dynamic bifurcation.The results are in favor of inquiring operating characteristic in drilling system deeply,and play an active role in maintaining system voltage stability.
Health Care Marketing by Hospitals: Comments and Case Study

Marketing concepts and techniques which have been successfully used by business firms for years are only now receiving recognition by members of the health services profession as ethical management tools(MacStravic, 1977) The issue is complicated by the fact that nonprofit organizations dominate the organizational structure. The financial dependency on donor support by nonprofit clinics and hospitals mandates administrators to include these donors in their need satisfying functions. In many instances the satisfaction of contributors changes the mix of services which are available to the patient (Kotler, 1975).
Clothing Swaps: An Exploration of Consumer Clothing Exchange Behaviors

The purpose of this exploratory study was to discover the benefits individuals attained from participating in in-person clothing swap parties and clothing swap Web sites. Data collection occurred through observation of five clothing swap parties, 16 in-depth interviews with participants of swap parties, and observation of five online swap sites. The findings revealed three themes: (i) giving, (ii) receiving, and (iii) socializing. The findings suggest that the traditional consumption cycle may be broadened as clothing swaps allow acquisition and disposal to occur simultaneously. Findings also revealed the extent to which the swapping culture is contingent upon socializing.
Theory and Fundamentals of Health Promotion for Children and Adolescents

Theory is an important part of health promotion, both for research and practice. It provides a structural backbone to exploring how to promote healthy behaviors and elucidate behavioral change. Given the diversity in the field of health promotion, there are a range of theories that attempt to describe how and why individuals participate in certain health behaviors, what influences them, and how to go about behavior change. The chapter is divided into individual and social/ecological theories of health promotion. The heath belief model, transtheoretical model of change, and theory of reasoned action and planned behavior will be explained under individual theories. Then social cognitive theory and ecological model will be discussed as examples of social and ecological theories. A brief review of two models of interventions is given—the tiered prevention model and PRECEDE-PROCEED—to provide a practical guide for implementing health promotion interventions.
The Measurement of General Athletic Ability in College Men

(1928). The Measurement of General Athletic Ability in College Men. American Physical Education Review: Vol. 33, No. 10, pp. 634-638.