cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NOD2 plays an important role in the inflammatory responses of microglia and astrocytes to bacterial CNS pathogens

While glial cells are recognized for their roles in maintaining neuronal function, there is growing appreciation that resident central nervous system (CNS) cells initiate and/or augment inflammation following trauma or infection. We have recently demonstrated that microglia and astrocytes constitutively express nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-2 (NOD2), a member of the novel nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat region containing a family of proteins (NLR) that functions as an intracellular receptor for a minimal motif present in all bacterial peptidoglycans. In this study, we have confirmed the functional nature of NOD2 expression in astrocytes and microglia and begun to determine the relative contribution that this NLR makes in inflammatory CNS responses to clinically relevant bacterial pathogens. We demonstrate the increased association of NOD2 with its downstream effector molecule, Rip2 kinase, in primary cultures of murine microglia and astrocytes following exposure to bacterial antigens. We show that this cytosolic receptor underlies the ability of muramyl dipeptide to augment the production of inflammatory cytokines by glia following exposure to specific ligands for disparate Toll-like receptor homologues. In addition, we demonstrate that NOD2 is an important component in the in vitro inflammatory responses of resident glia to N. meningitidis and B. burgdorferi antigens. Finally, we have established that NOD2 is required, at least in part, for the astrogliosis, demyelination, behavioral changes, and elevated inflammatory cytokine levels observed following in vivo infection with these pathogens. As such, we have identified NOD2 as an important component in the generation of damaging CNS inflammation following bacterial infection.
Optimal control of an HIV immunology model

A system of ordinary differential equations, which describes the interaction of HIV and T-cells in the immune system is utilized, and optimal controls representing drug treatment strategies of this model are explored. Two types of treatments are used, and existence and uniqueness results for the optimal control pair are established. The optimality system is derived and then solved numerically using an iterative method with a Runge–Kutta fourth order scheme. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Salt-Dependent Inhibition of Epithelial Na+ Channel–Mediated Sodium Reabsorption in the Aldosterone-Sensitive Distal Nephron by Bradykinin

We have documented recently that bradykinin (BK) directly inhibits activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) via the bradykinin B2 receptor (B2R)-G(q/11)-phospholipase C pathway. In this study, we took advantage of mice genetically engineered to lack bradykinin receptors (B1R, B2R(-/-)) to probe a physiological role of BK cascade in regulation of ENaC in native tissue, aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron. Under normal sodium intake (0.32% Na(+)), ENaC open probability (P(o)) was modestly elevated in B1R, B2R(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. This difference is augmented during elevated Na(+) intake (2.00% Na(+)) and negated during Na(+) restriction (<0.01% Na(+)). Saturation of systemic mineralocorticoid status with deoxycorticosterone acetate similarly increased ENaC activity in both mouse strains, suggesting that the effect of BK on ENaC is independent of aldosterone. It is accepted that angiotensin-converting enzyme represents the major pathway of BK degradation. Systemic inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme with captopril (30 mg/kg of body weight for 7 days) significantly decreases ENaC activity and P(o) in wild-type mice, but this effect is diminished in B1R, B2R(-/-) mice. At the cellular level, acute captopril (100 μmol/L) treatment sensitized BK signaling cascade and greatly potentiated the inhibitory effect of 100 nmol/L of BK on ENaC. We concluded that BK cascade has its own specific role in blunting ENaC activity, particularly under conditions of elevated sodium intake. Augmentation of BK signaling in the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron inhibits ENaC-mediated Na(+) reabsorption, contributing to the natriuretic and antihypertensive effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.
p53 as Batman: Using a Movie Plot to Understand Control of the Cell Cycle

This Teaching Resource provides and describes a two-part classroom exercise to help students understand control of the cell cycle, with a focus on the transcription factor p53, the E3 ubiquitin ligase Mdm2, the Mdm2 inhibitor ARF, the kinases ATM and ATR, the kinase Chk2, and the cell cycle inhibitor p21 Cip1 . Students use characters and scenes from the movie The Dark Knight to represent elements of the cell cycle control machinery, then they apply these characters and scenes to translate a primary research article on p53 function into a new movie scene in the “Batman universe.” This exercise is appropriate for college-level courses in cell biology and cancer biology and requires students to have a background in introductory cell biology. Explicit learning outcomes and associated assessment methods are provided, as well as slides, student assignments, the primary research article, and an instructor’s guide for the exercise.
Comparative evaluation of the antitumor activity of antiangiogenic proteins delivered by gene transfer.

Although the systemic administration of a number of different gene products has been shown to result in the inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor growth in different animal tumor models, the relative potency of those gene products has not been studied rigorously. To address this issue, recombinant adenoviruses encoding angiostatin, endostatin, and the ligand-binding ectodomains of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptors Flk1, Flt1, and neuropilin were generated and used to systemically deliver the different gene products in several different preexisting murine tumor models. Single i.v. injections of viruses encoding soluble forms of Flk1 or Flt1 resulted in ≈80% inhibition of preexisting tumor growth in murine models involving both murine (Lewis lung carcinoma, T241 fibrosarcoma) and human (BxPC3 pancreatic carcinoma) tumors. In contrast, adenoviruses encoding angiostatin, endostatin, or neuropilin were significantly less effective. A strong correlation was observed between the effects of the different viruses on tumor growth and the activity of the viruses in the inhibition of corneal micropocket angiogenesis. These data underscore the need for comparative analyses of different therapeutic approaches that target tumor angiogenesis and provide a rationale for the selection of specific antiangiogenic gene products as lead candidates for use in gene therapy approaches aimed at the treatment of malignant and ocular disorders.
Magnetic measurement of the 10 kW, IR FEL 180 degree dipole

A family of large bending dipoles has been magnetically measured to support the 10 kW IR-FEL upgrade. This upgrade will allow for a wider wavelength range and an increase in the machine energy to operate between 80 MeV/c and 210 MeV/c. The dipole magnets allow the beam to bend 180 degrees over a 1 meter radius. The requirements for these magnets include varying field strengths, large horizontal apertures and parts in 10,000 field homogeneity as well as setability of core and integrated field. This paper will describe the process involved in measuring and achieving these requirements.
Properties of polyethylene modified with phosphonate side groups. II. Dynamic mechanical behavior

The viscoelastic behavior of phosphonate derivatives of phosphonylated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was studied by dynamic mechanical techniques. The polymers investigated contained from 0.2 to 9.1 phosphonate groups per 100 carbon atoms and included the dimethyl phosphonate derivative and two derivatives for which the phosphonate ester group was an oligomer of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). The temperature dependences of the storage and loss moduli of the dimethyl phosphonate derivatives were qualitatively similar to those of LDPE. At low phosphonate concentrations, the α, β, and γ dispersion regions characteristic of PE were observed, while at concentrations greater than 0.5 pendent groups per 100 carbons atoms, only the β and α relaxations could be discerned. At low degrees of substitution, the temperature of the β relaxation Tβ decreased from that of PE, but above a degree of substitution of 0.1, Tβ increased. This behavior was attributed to the competing influences of steric effects which tend to decrease Tβ and dipolar interactions between the phosphonate groups which increase Tβ. For the phosphonate containing PEO, a new dispersion region designated as the β′ relaxation was observed as a low-temperature shoulder of the β relaxation. The temperature of the β′ loss was consistent with Tg(U) of the PEO oligomers as determined by differential scanning calorimetry, and it is suggested that the β′-loss process results from the relaxation of PEO domains which constitute a discrete phase within the PE matrix.
Theory, Models and Implementation in Financial Management

A theory of corporate financial management is summarized from the broad flow of finance literature. Within this, contributions to a normative theory, amenable to corporate financial modeling, are reviewed in some detail. The central propositions of a normative theory are isolated to provide a basis of comparison for the practice of financial modeling, as observed through a field research study. Differences between theory and practice are identified and discussed. Compared with the experience of ten years ago, computer-based financial modeling systems are today gaining much greater acceptance in business organizations. Despite this, a wide gap seems to exist between the information and logic structures programmed into financial models, and the precepts and algorithms derived from a normative theory of corporate financial management. Implementation difficulties in three main, but interdependent, areas are identified as causing the gap between theory and practice. First, there is the difficulty of constructing relevant information in a form which would be meaningful in a normative framework. Within the braod set of managerial activities of an organization, there are several relevant logic structures, including: a financial accounting structure; an economic structure dealing with cash flow, economic value, and marginal rates of return to investment: operating information structures dealing with the conduct of an organization's work; and strategic information structures dealing with an assessment of the external and internal human needs which provide a rationale for an organization's present and future existence. The systematic provision of information in each logical mode, and the translation between modes, poses a considerable intellectual and practical challenge. Then there is the problem of dealing satisfactorily with strategic uncertainty, and the way that uncertainty is distributed within the managerial organization. Finally, multiple and conflicting goal dimensions pose considerable problems in terms of an explicit modeling of a corporate objective function. Beyond the intellectual difficulties, moreover, there are political dimensions which cause a reluctance to address an objective function explicitly and directly. Normative finance theory provides a powerful logic for designing information and decision-making structures to support corporate planning. At present, however, the research reported in this survey paper suggests that the finance model is incomplete, particularly with regard to inclusion of behavioral and political dimensions of organizational processes under uncertainty. Finally, the reader should be forewarned that the literatures referenced in this survey are somewhat disjoint, involving different concepts, language and paradigms. This means that the paper's jargon level to most readers will remain high, even after the authors' attempts to minimize it.
Where to Next? A Comparison of Recommendation Strategies for Navigating a Learning Object Repository

This paper explores the initial investigation of six recommendation algorithms for deployment in SAS® Curriculum Pathways®, an online repository which houses over 1250 educational resources. The proposed approaches stem from three basic strategies: recommendations based on resource metadata, user behavior, and alignment to academic standards. An evaluation from subject experts suggests that usage-based recommendations are best aligned with teacher needs, though there are interesting domain interactions that suggest the need for continued investigation.
Design and Verification of Communication Protocols for Peer-to-Peer Multimedia Systems

This paper addresses issues pertaining to the necessity of utilizing formal verification methods in the design of protocols for peer-to-peer multimedia systems. These systems require sophisticated communication protocols, and these protocols require verification. We discuss two sample protocols designed for two distinct peer-to-peer computer vision applications, namely multi-object multi-camera tracking and distributed gesture recognition. We present simulation and verification results for these protocols, obtained by using the SPIN verification tool, and discuss the importance of verifying the protocols used in peer-to-peer multimedia systems.
Factors affecting strength of agglomerates formed during spray drying of nanophase powders

Nanosized silica particles dispersed in various solvents were spray dried and the change in size distribution, agglomerate strength, and strength distribution was determined. The effect of solvent surface tension, pH, and particle surface chemistry on strength of agglomerates formed during spray drying was studied for particle sizes between 15 and 500 nm. Alcohol/water mixtures having different surface tension, and water at different pH levels, were employed to separate the effects of capillary pressure and surface hydroxyl condensation reactions. The agglomerate strength was determined using an ultrasonic measurement technique. The particle size was determined using sedimentation. The strength and strength distribution of agglomerates was found to depend on the solvent surface tension, solubility (pH), and primary particle size.
Development of water quality model in the Satilla River Estuary, Georgia

A coupled three-dimensional physical and water quality model was developed for the Satilla River Estuary, Georgia. The physical model is a modified ECOM-si version with inclusion of flooding/draining process over the intertidal salt marsh. The water quality model is a modified WASP5 with inclusion of nutrient fluxes from the bottom sediment layer. The coupled model was driven by tidal forcings at the open boundary in the inner shelf of the South Atlantic Bight (SAB) and real-time river discharge at the upstream of the estuary. The initial condition for salinity was specified using the field measurement data taken along the estuary. The water quality components were assumed as constant values everywhere at the initial, with assumption that the spatial and temporal variations of these variables were caused by physical–biological–chemical interactions under strong tidal mixing environment. The model-predicted concentrations of inorganic nutrients (ammonium, nitrate plus nitrite, and ortho-phosphorus), chlorophyll-a, and dissolved oxygen (DO) in an along-estuary transect were in reasonable agreement with observational data. Process studies suggest that the intertidal salt marsh acts as a main sink for particulate materials and a major consumer of DO. The low DO concentration in the Satilla River Estuary was mainly due to high sediment oxygen demand (SOD) over the intertidal salt marsh. This feature is the nature of the estuarine-salt marsh ecosystem with nothing related to anthropogenic activities. Tidal mixing-induced bottom resuspension process played a critical role in supplying the nutrients in the water column in addition to the nitrification process.
Relations between task structure and developmental changes in children's use of spatial clustering strategies

Two experiments investigated how the supportiveness of the task influences children's use of spatial clustering strategies. Experiment 1 documented developmental differences in 6-, 8- and 10-year-olds' use of spatial clustering in a tour-planning and in a free recall task. Children hid objects in a dollhouse and later recalled the objects or planned a tour of the objects. Ten-year-olds, but not 6- and 8-year-olds, who planned the tour showed more spatial clustering than did their counterparts who performed the standard free recall task. Experiment 2 investigated transfer of spatial clustering strategies from the more supportive tour-planning task to the free recall task. Eight- and 10-year-olds again hid objects in the dollhouse and then performed a tour-planning or a free recall task. Immediately afterward, all children performed a free recall of the objects. Ten-year-olds, but not 8-year-olds, who performed the tour-planning task first showed significantly more spatial clustering in their subsequent free recall than did their counterparts who performed the free recall task first. Discussion focuses on factors that lead to developmental changes in children's ability to apply their spatial clustering skills to different tasks.
Developmental processes underlying the evolution of a derived foot morphology in salamanders

Interdigital webbing has evolved repeatedly in tropical salamanders (bolitoglossines). This derived foot morphology is only one of many homoplastic traits in this diverse amphibian clade. Indeed, few if any morphological traits sort lineages within this clade. We investigate the processes underlying the homoplastic evolution of morphological characters in these salamanders by analyzing selective and developmental processes that generate interdigital webbing. We show that a pedomorphic developmental change generates the new foot morphology and that pedomorphosis affects a number of morphological traits, thus creating a developmental correlation among them. This correlation among traits is maintained across most species, thus facilitating the repeated evolution of traits. Although we find evidence that the changes in foot morphology are adaptive in one species, the evolution of webbing in all other species does not carry an adaptive signature. The new foot morphology therefore evolves repeatedly, even in the apparent absence of a direct selective advantage.
Illness Representations: Mapping the Experience of Lupus

Lupus, a chronic illness that mainly affects women, presents numerous challenges to health professionals due to the unpredictable nature of the disease course. To provide appropriate educational interventions for those living with lupus, health educators must develop methods best suited to individuals' current mental representations of their illness. A cognitive mapping strategy was used in this study to ascertain the patients' own perceptions of living with lupus. The participants (N = 20) identified 192 unduplicated concepts in their maps, which were ultimately collapsed into 12 major categories. The results of this study indicate that, although diagnosed with the same illness, the women presented with different mental representations of their illness. Consequently, cognitive mapping could serve as a useful tool to initiate tailored educational interventions for those living with lupus.
Nucleus-Specific Chloride Homeostasis in Rat Thalamus

Synchronous thalamic network activity occurring during slow wave sleep and paroxysmal discharges critically depends on the ability of thalamocortical relay cells and inhibitory neurons of the nucleus reticularis thalami (nRt) to fire bursts of action potentials. Inhibitory synaptic potentials (IPSPs) originating from nRt cells are crucial in deinactivating T-channels and thus promoting burst firing in relay cells, but the functional role of intra-nRt IPSPs is less well understood. A major factor that regulates the net effects of IPSP generation is the chloride equilibrium potential (ECl). Here we applied the perforated patch-clamp technique, using the cation-selective ionophore gramicidin to assess the reversal potential of chloride in nRt and relay cells in brain slices. We found that the reversal potential of GABA-induced membrane currents (EGABA) was significantly more hyperpolarized in relay (-81 +/- 2.6 mV), as compared with nRt cells (-71 +/- 2.5 mV). EGABA was not significantly different from the reversal potential of evoked IPSCs (EIPSC; -82 +/- 4.4 mV) in relay cells. In both relay and reticular neurons the chloride gradient was collapsed partially by the chloride cation cotransport blocker furosemide, suggesting an active chloride extrusion mechanism in thalamic neurons. Given the relatively hyperpolarized resting potentials (approximately -70 mV) reported for nRt and relay cells during in vitro thalamic oscillations, we conclude that under these conditions GABAA IPSPs lead to significant hyperpolarization in relay cells. By contrast, intra-nRt inhibition essentially would be shunting, i.e., would produce minimal membrane polarization but still could reduce the amplitude of excitatory events.
Child Development and the Physical Environment

Characteristics of the physical environment that influence child development are discussed. Topics include behavioral toxicology, noise, crowding, housing and neighborhood quality, natural settings, schools, and day care settings. Socioemotional, cognitive, motivation, and psychophysiological outcomes in children and youths are reviewed. Necessary methodological and conceptual advances are introduced as well.
A new semantic list learning task to probe functioning of the Papez circuit.

Introduction: List learning tasks are powerful clinical tools for studying memory, yet have been relatively underutilized within the functional imaging literature. This limits understanding of regions such as the Papez circuit that support memory performance in healthy, nondemented adults. Method: The current study characterized list learning performance in 40 adults who completed a semantic list learning task (SLLT) with a Brown–Peterson manipulation during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Cued recall with semantic cues and recognition memory were assessed after imaging. Internal reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity were evaluated. Results: Subjects averaged 38% accuracy in recall (62% for recognition), with primacy but no recency effects observed. Validity and reliability were demonstrated by showing that the SLLT was correlated with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), but not with executive functioning tests, and by high intraclass correlation coefficient across lists...
A factorial performance evaluation for hierarchical memory systems

We introduce an evaluation methodology for advanced memory systems. This methodology is based on statistical factorial analysis. It is two-fold: it first determines the impact of memory systems and application programs toward overall performance; it also identifies the bottleneck in a memory hierarchy and provides cost/performance comparisons via scalability analysis. Different memory systems can be compared in terms of mean performance or scalability over a range of codes and problem sizes. Experimental testing has been performed on Department of Energy's Accelerated Strategic Computing Initiative (ASCI) machines and benchmarks available at the Los Alamos National Laboratory to validate this newly proposed methodology. Experimental and analytical results show this methodology is an effective tool for memory system evaluation and design.
The effect of a transverse magnetic field on shear turbulence

Turbulence measurements under the influence of a transverse magnetic field have been made at Purdue University's Magneto-Fluid-Mechanic Laboratory in a high aspect ratio channel. The Reynolds number range covered was 25000 ≤ Re 282000; the geometry and experimental conditions were such that the experiment approximated turbulent Hartmann flow. The aspect ratio of the channel was 5·8:1, its walls were electrically insulated and the working fluid was mercury. Measurements in the presence of a magnetic field were made of the skin friction coefficient, the mean velocity profiles, the turbulence intensity profiles (both u’ and v’) and the Reynolds stress profiles.A sudden change in the damping of the Reynolds stresses was manifested by a ‘hump’ in the curves of Cf versus M/Re taken with the Reynolds number held constant. This ‘hump’ occurs as a gentle rise and sudden drop to the Hartmann laminar line of the Cf data. Close examination of the data near the wall confirms this behaviour, indicating that the turbulent contribution to the shear stress is the controlling factor in this behaviour of Cf. The Reynolds stresses were completely suppressed to zero at high values of the magnetic field, though the turbulence intensities of u’ and v’ were not. The Reynolds stress data are fundamental in revealing the mechanisms which are at work during the suppression of turbulence by a magnetic field.It was also found that at high magnetic fields, when most of the turbulence was damped, the skin friction coefficient fell below the values predicted by Hartmann's (1937) laminar solution for high values of M/Re. This result was linked to the presence of ‘M-shaped’ velocity profiles in the direction perpendicular to both the magnetic field and the mean velocity vector. The presence of ‘M-shaped’ profiles has not previously been linked to a reduction in Cf.
On the Renner-Teller Effect and Barriers to Linearity and Dissociation in HCF(A ˜ 1 A'')

To further investigate the Renner-Teller effect and barriers to linearity and dissociation in the simplest singlet carbene (HCF), we recorded fluorescence excitation spectra of the pure bending transitions 2 n 0 with n = 0-7 and the combination bands 1 1 02 n 0 with n = 1-6 and 2 n 0 3 1 0 with n = 0-3 in the HCF A 1 A" ← X 1 A' system. The spectra were measured under jet-cooled conditions, using a pulsed-discharge source, and rotationally analyzed to yield precise values for the band origins and rotational constants. The derived A-state parameters are in excellent agreement with the predictions of ab initio electronic structure theory. The approach to linearity in the A state is evidenced in a sharp increase in the rotational constant A, as first reported by Kable and co-workers, and a minimum in the vibrational intervals near the 2 7 level. A fit of the vibrational intervals for the pure bending levels yields a barrier to linearity of 6300 ′ 270 cm - 1 above the vibrationless level. Our observation of the K a ' = 1 level of 1 1 2 6 places a lower limit on the A state barrier to dissociation of ∼ 8555 cm - 1 above the vibrationless level.
Variation in thermal tolerance is linked to phosphoglucose isomerase genotype in a montane leaf beetle

Summary 1. Sierra Nevada populations of the Willow Beetle Chrysomela aeneicollis (Schaeffer) experience extreme elevated and subzero temperatures in nature. In these populations, frequencies of phosphoglucose isomerase (PGI) alleles vary with latitude and altitude and respond to climate change. PGI genotypes differ in expression of a stress-inducible heat shock protein (Hsp70). 2. Here, differences in tolerance of elevated and subzero extreme temperatures were compared for field-acclimatized and laboratory-acclimated larvae and adults possessing three common PGI genotypes (PGI 1‐1, 1‐4 and 4‐4). Three indices of thermal tolerance were measured ‐ CT max , LT 50 and Hsp70 expression level. 3. Thermal tolerance depended on life stage, prior exposure to sublethal stress and PGI genotype. Larvae were generally less tolerant of thermal extremes than adults. For both adults and larvae, prior exposure to sublethal temperatures increased survival after exposure to subsequent stress. Survival after exposure to thermal extremes was consistently related to PGI genotype (1‐1 > 1‐4 > 4‐4), as were expression levels of Hsp70 (1‐1 > 1‐4 > 4‐4). 4. These results suggest that PGI genotypes differ in tolerance of thermal extremes routinely experienced by beetles in nature. A trade-off between thermal tolerance and energy allocation may explain the persistence of the PGI polymorphism.
Wnt-frizzled signaling in the induction and differentiation of the neural crest.

The neural crest is a transient population of multipotent progenitors arising at the lateral edge of the neural plate in vertebrate embryos. After delamination and migration from the neuroepithelium, these cells contribute to a diverse array of tissues including neurons, smooth muscle, craniofacial cartilage, bone cells, endocrine cells and pigment cells. Considerable progress in recent years has furthered our understanding at a molecular level of how this important group of cells is generated and how they are assigned to specific lineages. Here we review a number of recent studies supporting a role for Wnt signaling in neural crest induction, differentiation, and apoptosis. We also summarize the timing of expression of a number of Wnt ligands and receptors with respect to neural crest induction.
Motivating Change in Relationships Can Prayer Increase Forgiveness

The objective of the current studies was to test whether praying for a relationship partner would increase willingness to forgive that partner. In Study 1 (N = 52), participants assigned to pray for their romantic partner reported greater willingness to forgive that partner than those who described their partner to an imagined parent. In Study 2 (N = 67), participants were assigned to pray for a friend, pray about any topic, or think positive thoughts about a friend every day for 4 weeks. Those who prayed for their friend reported greater forgiveness for their friend than did those in the other two conditions, even when we controlled for baseline forgiveness scores. Participants who prayed for their friend also increased in selfless concern during the 4 weeks, and this variable mediated the relationship between experimental condition and increased forgiveness. Together, these studies provide an enhanced understanding of the relationship benefits of praying for a partner and begin to identify potential mediators of the effect.
Transaction Processing Software In Principles, Intermediate And Accounting Systems: An Effective Integration Tool

The problem examined in this study is threefold. First, does a review of accounting principles at the beginning of an intermediate accounting course result in a significant improvement in students’ understanding of the major processes in the accounting cycle? Second, does the packet of materials, developed by the authors, utilizing a transaction processing approach and an off-the-shelf transaction processing application package yield significantly better results on a post-test than teaching the material from an intermediate accounting text? Third, to what extent do students believe the materials developed by the authors are beneficial to them in preparation for intermediate accounting and in introducing them to systems concepts? A review of accounting principles at the beginning of an intermediate accounting course resulted in a significant improvement in students’ understanding of the major processes in the accounting cycle regardless of the method of review used in the study. The packet of material developed by the authors utilizing a transaction processing approach and an off-the-shelf transaction processing package yielded similar overall results to using an intermediate textbook review. Overall student responses to the questionnaire were favorable and indicated satisfaction with the instructor prepared review material. Completion of a supplementary problem using additional modules of a transaction processing software program can provide a transition to an accounting systems course.
Humanity in Digital Age: Cognitive, Social, Emotional, and Ethical Implications

Even though technology has brought great benefits to current society, there are also indications that the manner in which people use technology has undermined their humanity in some respects. In this article the authors frame human nature in terms of four dimensions: cognition, social interaction, emotion, and ethics. We argue that while basic human nature remains constant, the four dimensions are molded to some extent by interaction with our environment, particularly through the use of technology. As a powerful factor, we need to use technology in a way that human cognition, social interaction, emotion, and ethics are supported and not seriously disturbed by digital devices. Education can be a means of helping learners use technology in a positive way, minimizing its negative potential. This paper shows how people’s choice and level of interaction with technology can allow them to live in harmony with technology. It also points to possible directions to teach healthy co-existence with technology. The suggestions include applying decision-making theory, increasing self-awareness, teaching academic honesty, and responding to problems with technology addiction through impulse control training and other programs
Development of a Polarizable Force Field for Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Poly (Ethylene Oxide) in Aqueous Solution

We have developed a quantum chemistry-based polarizable potential for poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in aqueous solution based on the APPLE&P polarizable ether and the SWM4-DP polarizable water models. Ether–water interactions were parametrized to reproduce the binding energy of water with 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) determined from high-level quantum chemistry calculations. Simulations of DME–water and PEO–water solutions at room temperature using the new polarizable potentials yielded thermodynamic properties in good agreement with experimental results. The predicted miscibility of PEO and water as a function of the temperature was found to be strongly correlated with the predicted free energy of solvation of DME. The developed nonbonded force field parameters were found to be transferrable to poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), as confirmed by capturing, at least qualitatively, the miscibility of PPO in water as a function of the molecular weight.
The Effect of Meat and of Meat Extract Media Upon the Fermentative Activity of Streptococci

During the past few years several papers have appeared dealing with the fermentative reactions of streptococci in special media. The results obtained by different workers have proven discouragingly difficult to align on any common basis, such as origin. My own work now includes about 700 strains of streptococci from various sources, chiefly milk, blood, and the mucous membranes and the feces of animals, man included. Concerned, therefore, about this lack of correspondence, I sent a few throat strains to Professor C. N. Hilliard of Purdue University in order to check my own procedure. The strains were selected from throat strains on hand, and with reference to their raffinose-fermenting power, as our previous work showed a decided difference in the percentage of raffinose fermenters.
A2N2: approximate aggregate nearest neighbor queries on road networks

Aggregate nearest neighbor queries return a point with a minimum net distance from a set of query points. Consider, for example, group of friends located at specific locations (query points) that want to meet at a restaurant (a point) such that they travel the minimum sum of distances in order to meet. In this paper, we proposed a fast algorithm, A2N2, to answer such aggregate nearest neighbor queries on road networks based on pre-computation. An assortment of optimized data structures and techniques are used so as to reduce the overall computation time. Additionally, by focusing on reducing the amount of pre-computed data stored and using efficient ways to retrieve and use them during query time, the algorithm is computationally faster at the cost of being minimally approximate. Experiments on real road network data sets demonstrate the impact of input parameters on the query processing time and supports the claim. It was observed that the pre-computation time and query processing time for A2N2 was respectively in the orders of up to 1000 and 100 times faster than that of a Voronoi based ANN approach. The minimum normalized path distance deviation across all data sets for A2N2 was only 2% with the computed path distances comparable to a Voronoi based approach.
EM-based MAP channel estimation algorithm for MIMO-OFDM systems

The channel estimation algorithm of maximum a posteriori(MAP) generates large matrix inversion and multiplicative operation when it is applied to multiple input multiple output with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(MIMO-OFDM) systems.In addition,the data transmission efficiency will be declined with the increasing number of transmit antennas.Aiming at these problems,an expectation maximum(EM) based MAP algorithm is proposed and the performance is analyzed.The proposed algorithm avoids large matrix operations by using the EM algorithm to decompose the MIMO channel estimation problem into a series of single input single output(SISO) problems.Besides,a joint estimation is carried out over multiple OFDM symbols in order to enhance the data transmission efficiency and the estimative performance of the proposed algorithm.The effectiveness of this scheme is verified by several simulation experiments.
Density of rodents in the hotels served for Nanning China-ASEAN Expo in 2012

Objective To provide a comfortable and safe environment for domestic and foreign guests and a basis for emergent deratization in public health emergencies,prevent and control occurrences and epidemics of diseases.Methods Powder track method was adopted before and after deratization in the investigation of the density of rodents in the four big designated hotels served for the 2012 Nanning China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning City.Results The results of the investigation and analysis showed that before and after deratization the densities of rodents were 19.51%and 2.85%.In addition,the deratization rate was 85.39%,Chi-square value χ2= 204.457 2,and P 0.05.The difference was of statistical significance.Besides,the specieses of the rodents included R.norvegicus,R.flavipectus and Mus musculus.Moreover,χ2= 2.627 3,P = 0.268 8,and P 0.05,without statistical significance.Conclusion The advantages are provided by the investigation and analysis for the success of China-ASEAN Expo,and scientific basis for surveillance of vectors and estimate of its effect of deratization.
500 OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AND IMAGE ANALYSIS OF THE OROPHARYNX

Introduction Diagnostic characterization of oropharyngeal pathology has been limited by the spatial resolution of current imaging modalities including CT, MRI, and Ultrasonography. One promising technology that allows for in vivo microstructure characterization is Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Current research and advances in OCT outside the medical fields of ophthalmology, cardiology, and gastroenterology has revealed the value of this modality in analysis of the adult human upper aero-digestive tract. Methods Significant progress has been made within our laboratory in the development and application of a high-speed, high resolution, real-time OCT imaging system that is used in the assessment of in vivo imaging of oropharyngeal tissue in adult patients. This non-contact, non-invasive diagnostic tool combines a broadband light source and interferometry to produce high-resolution cross-sectional images (8–20µm) in biologic tissues. Results High-resolution images of tissue microstructure, surrounding tissues, and tissue layer boundaries was performed in fifty adult patients characterizing an array of normal, benign, and pathologic conditions. Conclusion Preliminary information of in vivo adult oropharyngeal tissues will be presented in addition to modifications of current instrumentation to accommodate the oropharynx. Highlights of other applications will be reviewed as our study broadens its analysis of the variable and complex disorders in the pediatric population.
Influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates among a high-risk population.

Background. Influenza and pneumococcal infections are the most vaccine-preventable infectious diseases among the elderly population. Elderly patients (65 years and older) with chronic diseases derive substantial benefit from having current immunization status due to their high risk for respiratory diseases. However, immunization levels for influenza and pneumococcus remain suboptimal. This study sought to determine the immunization rates in a high-risk geriatric population. Methods. Charts of consecutive patients seen in a geriatric clinic from November 1999 to February 2000 were obtained. Medical records were reviewed to assess their influenza and pneumococcal immunization status. Results. Of 200 patients who qualified for the study, all had at least two indications for vaccination, yet only 34% were current with influenza immunization, and 26% were current with pneumococcus immunization. Conclusions. In a high-risk elderly population, influenza and pneumococcal immunization rates were low. Patients who received pneumococcus vaccination were more likely to receive influenza immunization as well.
Elements of a Sociocultural Research Framework

When worldviews are very far apart, words themselves have different meanings. Then “thin coherence” becomes more like “thick incoherence,” as there may be very little mutually-shared common meaning and understanding.Thus, the meanings of terms used in authentic research take on very different interpretations and values than when used in traditional positivistic research.
Beyond self-help: Gun ownership and crime reporting in a cross-national survey

Many crime victims choose not to report their victimization to police or other formal authorities. However, understanding the nature of both reported and underreported crime is critical to proper allocation of criminal justice funding and resources. The present paper examines gun ownership as a potentially overlooked predictor of crime reporting, drawing on Black’s theory of self-help as social control. The present study tests whether the self-help orientation of gun owners is associated with a lower likelihood of reporting victimization to police. Data are drawn from the 2000 and 2004/5 waves of the International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS). Hierarchical linear models are used to assess both individual variation and cross-cultural variation. Findings show that gun owners who own their weapons for reasons other than protection are more likely to report their victimization than non-owners. However, gun owners are less likely than non-owners to report their victimization in highly developed nations. E...
Commentary on: Lower Lateral Cartilages: An Anatomic and Morphological Study in Noses of Black Southern Africans

The study on the characteristics of the nasal tip cartilages of Black Southern Africans presents an interesting insight into what might be seen when operating on this specific ethnic population and might be helpful in preoperative planning.1 However, the world is rapidly more mobile, and our facial and nasal characteristics are morphed daily as we migrate, procreate, and share genes, making pure ethnic populations a thing of the past for most surgeons worldwide.2 In the United States we see so many advertisements now for DNA analysis and find that most of us are a mix of many ethnic characteristics. In the majority of cases, surgeons cannot accurately predict preoperatively what nasal anatomy they will encounter or what maneuvers may be necessary based on a patient’s name, country of …
Noisy Spiking in Visual Area V2 of Amblyopic Monkeys.

Interocular decorrelation of input signals in developing visual cortex can cause impaired binocular vision and amblyopia. While increased ‘intrinsic noise9 is thought to be responsible for a range of perceptual deficits in amblyopic humans, the neural basis for the elevated perceptual noise in amblyopic primates is not known. Here we tested the idea that perceptual noise is linked to the neuronal spiking noise (variability) resulting from developmental alterations in cortical circuitry. To assess spiking noise, we analyzed: the contrast dependent dynamics of spike counts and spiking irregularity by calculating the square of the coefficient of variation in inter spike intervals (CV2) and the trial-to-trial fluctuations in spiking (m-FF) in visual area V2 of monkeys reared with chronic monocular defocus. In ‘amblyopic9 neurons, the contrast vs. response functions and the spike count dynamics exhibited significant deviations from comparable data for normal monkeys. Spiking irregularity (CV2) was pronounced in amblyopic neurons for high contrast stimuli. The trial-to-trial variability in spiking (m-FF) was abnormally high in amblyopic neurons for low contrast gratings. The spike count, CV2, and m-FF of spontaneous activity were also elevated in amblyopic neurons. These contrast-dependent spiking irregularities were correlated with the level of binocular suppression in these V2 neurons and with the severity of perceptual loss for individual monkeys. Our results suggest that the developmental alterations in ‘normalization9 mechanisms, resulting from early binocular suppression, can explain much of these contrast-dependent spiking abnormalities in V2 neurons and the perceptual performance of our amblyopic monkeys. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Amblyopia is a common developmental vision disorder in humans. Despite the extensive animal studies on how amblyopia emerges, we know surprisingly little about the neural basis of amblyopia in humans and non-human primates. While the vision of amblyopic humans is often described as being ‘noisy9 by perceptual and modeling studies, the exact nature or origin of this elevated perceptual noise is not known. We show that elevated and noisy spontaneous activity and contrast-dependent ‘noisy spiking9 (spiking irregularity and trial-to-trail fluctuations in spiking) in neurons of visual area (V2) could limit the visual performance of amblyopic primates. Moreover we discovered that the noisy spiking is linked to a high level of binocular suppression in visual cortex during development.
Combined Optical Tweezers and Quantitative Phase Imaging for Mechanical Characterization of Ovarian Cells

We have combined optical tweezers platform with quantitative phase imaging to characterize the mechanical properties of cells. Our results indicate that the bending modulus of ovarian cancer cells is lower than that of non-cancerous cells.