cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sources of NADPH in Yeast Vary with Carbon Source

Production of NADPH in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells grown on glucose has been attributed to glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (Zwf1p) and a cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenase (Ald6p) (Grabowska, D., and Chelstowska, A. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278, 13984-13988). This was based on compensation by overexpression of Ald6p for phenotypes associated with ZWF1 gene disruption and on the apparent lethality resulting from co-disruption of ZWF1 and ALD6 genes. However, we have found that a zwf1Delta ald6Delta mutant can be constructed by mating when tetrads are dissected on plates with a nonfermentable carbon source (lactate), a condition associated with expression of another enzymatic source of NADPH, cytosolic NADP+-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idp2p). We demonstrated previously that a zwf1Delta idp2Delta mutant loses viability when shifted to medium with oleate or acetate as the carbon source, apparently because of the inadequate supply of NADPH for cellular antioxidant systems. In contrast, the zwf1Delta ald6Delta mutant grows as well as the parental strain in similar shifts. In addition, the zwf1Delta ald6Delta mutant grows slowly but does not lose viability when shifted to culture medium with glucose as the carbon source, and the mutant resumes growth when the glucose is exhausted from the medium. Measurements of NADP(H) levels revealed that NADPH may not be rapidly utilized in the zwf1Delta ald6Delta mutant in glucose medium, perhaps because of a reduction in fatty acid synthesis associated with loss of Ald6p. In contrast, levels of NADP+ rise dramatically in the zwf1Delta idp2Delta mutant in acetate medium, suggesting a decrease in production of NADPH reducing equivalents needed both for biosynthesis and for antioxidant functions.
Comparing two microcomputer operating systems: CP/M amd HDOS

Two moderate operating systems are compared, with the intent to demonstrate how each may satisfy the needs of a different set of users. The clear superiority of either systems does not emerge, but rather a difference in “design philosophy.” A method for comparing other similar systems is demonstrated.
Reversal of a trimethyltin-induced learning deficit by desglycinamide-8-arginine vasopressin.

Abstract Trimethyltin (TMT) is an organometal neurotoxin which produces lesions primarily in the limbic system. Selectivity seems to depend upon the dose, but the hippocampus and related entorhinal cortical structures, of importance for learning and memory, are most often described as target sites. We have previously demonstrated that subjects treated with a moderate dose of TMT prior to acquisition sessions, are unable to learn a forward autoshaping task with a 6 sec delay of reinforcement, but are capable of acquiring the same task when no delay of reinforcement is used. These data suggested that the performance deficit is one of learning (i.e. consolidation) rather than of memory (i.e. storage), retrieval, or sensorimotor impairment. To more rigorously test this hypothesis, we determined if performance of a task already learned would be impaired by the neurotoxin. Adult male Long Evans rats were given 10 acquisition sessions of 24 trials, following which TMT (6.0 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered. One month later, these rats performed the lever-touching behavior as well as controls, despite the fact that the same dose of TMT interfered with learning if given one month prior to acquisition sessions, thus confirming our hypothesis. In a second experiment we determined if the peptide analog of vasopressin, desglycinamide-8-arginine vasopressin (DGAVP), could reverse a learning deficit in a population of non-learners. Rats were treated with TMT or water vehicle one month prior to autoshaping. TMT significantly retarded acquisition. After 10 sessions of 12 trials each, non-learners (i.e. rats treated with TMT that failed to associate the lever with delivery of a reinforcer) were administered saline or DGAVP (7.5 ug/kg, s.c.) 1 hr before sessions 11–13; treatment was discontinued prior to sessions 14 and 15. Peptide treated subjects showed evidence of acquisition and exhibited higher levels of lever-directed behavior than saline treated nonlearners. Performance was maintained after DGAVP treatment was discontinued, indicating that the learning-enhancing action of DGAVP was not transient or state-dependent.
Ultracold Atomic Mixtures in Optical Lattices

This talk will describe experiments with mixtures of bosonic atoms in component-specific optical lattices, including an investigation of superfluid transport in the presence of impurities, as well as matter-wave diffraction from an ultracold-atom crystal.
The Onchocerca volvulus cysteine proteinase inhibitor, Ov-CPI-2, is a target of protective antibody response that increases with age.

Background Despite considerable efforts, a suitable vaccine against Onchocerca volvulus infection has remained elusive. Herein, we report on the use of molecular tools to identify and characterize O. volvulus antigens that are possibly associated with the development of concomitant immunity in onchocerciasis.
Anomaly constraints on supersymmetric effective lagrangians

Abstract In this paper we set constraints on the possible effective-lagrangian representations of supersymmetric gauge theories with spontaneously broken chiral flavor symmetries, by finding the conditions under which a Wess-Zumino term to represent the anomalous interactions can be constructed. We find that effective lagrangians for such theories are possible only for nonlinear sigma models defined on noncompact manifolds, and demonstrate the realization of this result in supersymmetric QCD. We also consider the Wess-Zumino term in the nonlinear realization of broken supersymmetry.
Screener Evaluation of Pseudo-Colored Single Energy X-ray Luggage Images

An interactive user friendly graphical user interface and a portable test were developed and used in a performance evaluation study involving a population of actual federal airport screeners. The paper describes a series of linear and non-linear pseudo-coloring maps designed and applied to single energy x-ray luggage scans, to assist airport screeners in identifying and detecting threat items, particularly hard to see low-density weapons in luggage. Considerations of the psychological and physiological processing involved in the human perception of color as well as the effects of using various color models and color transforms were explored. Statistical analysis of screeners evaluation results proved the advantages of using color over gray level data and also allowed the ranking of color maps and selection of the best performing coloring scheme. Rate improvements in weapon detection of up to 97% were achieved through the use of color.
Contribution of Forest Management Credits in Kyoto Protocol Compliance and Future Perspectives

Abstract Article 3 paragraph 3 and paragraph 4 of the Kyoto Protocol (KP) allow parties to use credits from land-based activities for offsetting their emission reduction/limitation target committed in the KP. Forest management (FM) is the dominant activity accounted by Annex I parties of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change in the first commitment period of KP (2008–2012). Data reported for 2008 and 2009 indicate that over half of the emission reduction target of 24 Annex I parties that expect to use FM removals can be offset by FM credits in the first commitment period. Especially the majority of the emission reduction target of Slovenia, Sweden, Latvia, Finland, Japan, and Croatia may be achieved through FM credits. The total FM CAP as contained in decision 16/CMP.1 in the first commitment period was over-estimated significantly by 50% for all KP parties and 36% for parties that elected FM. Some parties such as Russia, Japan, Italy, Germany, and Switzerland that elected FM activity may benefit largely from the over-estimated CAP. Presuming a significant increase of the harvest rate, the FM reference level (FMRL) for 2013–2020 is only 1/5 of the historical mean value of FM removals even though most parties show an increasing or a steady trend of net removals from 1990 to 2009. As a result Annex I parties would be able to use FM credits in the future that are over 4 times of FM CAP in the first commitment period. This potential FM credit would account for 7.7% of total emissions by sources without land use, land-use change and forestry activities (LULUCF) in the base year or 1990, and more Annex I parties would share the “benefit” from the FMRL accounting approach. Citation Zhang, X., 2011: Contribution of forest management credits in Kyoto Protocol compliance and future perspectives. Adv. Clim. Change Res., 2 (4), doi: 10.3724/SP.J.1248.2011.00171.
Food Allergy: Common Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Food allergy is a growing concern, and recognition of symptoms, knowledge of common food allergens, and management of reactions are important for patients and practitioners. Symptoms of a classic IgE-mediated food allergy vary in severity and can include any combination of laryngeal edema, wheezing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, urticaria, angioedema, and hypotension. Many foods can induce an allergic reaction, but the most commonly implicated foods include cow's milk, egg, peanut, tree nut, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Milk and egg allergy generally develop and are outgrown in childhood. Peanut and tree nut allergy can occur during childhood or adulthood, are less likely to be outgrown, and tend to cause more fatal reactions. Given the possibility of life-threatening reactions, it is important to recognize the potential for cross-reactivity among food groups. Diagnosis of food allergy includes skin prick testing, specific serum IgE testing, and oral food challenges. Management is centered on avoidance of allergenic and cross-reacting foods and early recognition and immediate treatment of reactions. Treatment protocols to desensitize patients to food are currently under investigation.
REACTIVITY AND PHASE EQUILIBRIA OF Y-Ba-Cu-O PARTLY MELTED UNDER ARGON IN NICKEL

ABSTRACT Considerable improvement in the processing techniques of superconductors is necessary to control the reactivity of cuprates towards potential substrate materials. In this study, the reactivity of YBa2Cu2Ox, melt with nickel was assessed. YBa2Cu3Ox was partly melted in nickel at 1080°C under argon. Crystallized compounds indicated that a significant reduction of cuprates occurred due to a low oxygen potential which changes the formal copper valency (Cu2+→Cu+). A substantial nickel contamination of the melt by the attack of the nickel took place with the formation of a nickel oxide skeleton which was selectively infiltrated by a Ba-Cu-O rich liquid. Such a selective mass transport produced a significant chemical demixing and an important modification in the stoichoimetry of the melt. This preferential mass transport, fractional crystallization as well as nickel contamination caused the formation of phases which resulted from an extensive evolution of the compositional path as well as the formation ...
Edge Finding for Cumulative Scheduling

The introduction of edge-finding techniques was a significant development in constraint-based scheduling. Today, edge finders are still the state of the art in the disjunctive case and a technique of interest in cumulative scheduling. This paper reconsiders edge-finding algorithms for cumulative scheduling and shows that Nuijten's edge finder, and its derivatives, are incomplete because they use an invalid dominance rule. We then present a correct cumulative edge finder running in time O(n2k), where n is the number of tasks and k the number of different capacity requirements of the tasks. The new algorithm is organized in two phases and first uses dynamic programming to precompute the innermost maximization in the edge-finder specification. The paper also proposes the first extended edge-finding algorithms that run in time O(n2k), improving the running time of available algorithms. Finally, the paper discusses how to speed up the algorithm in practice and how the first phase can be used to improve algorithms based on energetic reasoning.
An environment for enabling interactive grids

Traditional use of grid computing allows a user to submit batch jobs in a grid environment. We believe, next generation grids will extend the application domain to include interactive graphical sessions. We term such grids interactive grids. In this paper, we describe some of the challenges involved in building interactive grids. These include fine grain access control, QoS guarantees, and dynamic account management. In order to architect interactive grids, we propose and describe I-GENV, an environment for enabling interactive grids. I-GENV consists of GISH-'Grid Interactive Shell', Controlled Desktop, SAC-'Session Admission Control' module, GMMA-'Grid Monitoring and Management Agents', System Policies, and Dynamic Account Manager. We also present our testbed implementation of I-GENV using and extending Globus Toolkit 2.0 for the Grid middleware infrastructure, and VNC as the remote display technology.
An Integrated Set of Exercises for Increasing Student Awareness of Issues Facing Female Expatriates

Opportunities for expatriate assignments are increasing and many students are interested in gaining international work experience. However, females are underrepresented in this expatriate applicant pool. This is because organizational members often perceive that female expatriates would be less successful than male counterparts and thereby females are less preferable for foreign assignments. To increase awareness of this discrepancy and teach effective human resource strategies for increasing the success of both male and female expatriates, a lecturette is offered with a set of integrated exercises, including a Jeopardy activity, for addressing facts and myths about female expatriates, cultural influences affecting global assignments, human resource practices and implications, and strategies for expatriate success.
A new Sommerfeld-Watson transformation in 3-D

A new formula on the scalar wave scattering by a sphere at high frequency is presented. A new Sommerfeld-Watson transformation is used to construct a new residue series. In the derivation, a spherical traveling wave is defined and used to reduce the complexity of the solution. Furthermore, the new solution offers a clearer physical picture.
Linear adaptive control of a single-tether system

A control law for a single-tether orbiting satellite system based on a reduced order linear adaptive control technique is presented. The main advantages of this technique are its design simplicity and the facts that specific system parameters and model linearization are not required when designing the controller. Two controllers are developed: one which uses only tension in the tether as control actuation and one which uses both tension and in-plane thrusters as control actuation. Both a sixth-order nonlinear and an 11th-order bead model of a tethered satellite system are used for simulation purposes, demonstrating the ability of the controller to manage an uncertain system. Retrieval and stationkeeping results using these nonlinear models and the linear adaptive controller demonstrate the feasibility of the method. The robustness of the controller with respect to parameter uncertainties is also demonstrated by changing the nonlinear model and parameters within the model without redesigning the controller.
The effect of thermal aging on the Mode-I interlaminar fracture behavior of a high-temperature IM7/LaRC-RP46 composite

Abstract High-temperature Mode-I interlaminar fracture tests have been conducted to evaluate the effect of thermal aging at various temperatures on the fracture behavior of IM7/LaRC-RP46 composites. Double cantilever beam specimens made of unidirectional laminates were used in the test program. The specimens were aged at high temperatures for times up to and including 6000 h. Changes in fracture behavior that occurred over periods of aging time and aging temperature have been measured and determined for variations of test temperature and loading rate. As expected, the crack growth at high temperature showed non-linear load–displacement response as a result of the rate-dependent nature of behaviour of the matrix. Present loading rates had no measurable effect on GIC values for unaged and aged specimens. High temperature increased GIC values of aged and unaged specimens at temperature near Tg and decreased at temperatures above Tg. Thermal aging for longer times also significantly reduced GIC initiation values for aged specimens. In contrast, thermal aging increased GIC propagation values as a result of the occurrence of increased fiber bridging, fiber breakage and microcracks, as deduced from SEM studies. Results also indicated that high temperatures slowed crack-growth rates. However, thermal aging and higher loading rates accelerated crack-growth rates. The effect of thermal aging and temperature on the crack growth rate, da/dt, can be correlated with the C* parameter in the power-law relationship.
Guest editor's introduction to the special issue: the evolution of firm capabilities

This special issue deals with the question of how it is that, over time, some firms manage to become successful using their capabilities, while other firms do not. The articles examine the ways in which firm capabilities emerge, develop, and change over time, and the resulting effects on firm performance. Conceptual models and analyses based on empirical research deal with market entry and the evolution of firm capabilities, adaptation and change in capabilities, and heterogeneity of firm capabilities over time. Within these broad themes, specific topics include the role of: pre-entry experience and initial conditions, aspirations and learning, dynamic capabilities, technological change, products and markets, mergers and acquisitions, and managerial cognition. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuropsychological Functioning and Psychopathology in Children with Epilepsy

Fifty children with epilepsy, aged 8-12, were classified into two groups on the basis of their performance on a standardized battery of neuropsychological measures. Children with good neuropsychological function (n = 25) were compared to a closely matched group of children with poor neuropsychological function (n = 25) on measures of aggression, overall behavioral pathology, and overall social competence which were derived from a standardized bahavioral assessment inventory. Children with poor neuropsychological function manifested significantly more aggression, overall psychopathology, and less overall social competence compared to the children with relatively good neuropsychological functioning. These results are related to the larger literature concerned with the relationship between epilepsy and psychopathology.
Covalent, sequence-specific attachment of long DNA molecules to a surface using DNA-templated click chemistry

We present a novel method that covalently and sequence-specifically attaches long DNA molecules to a surface that is compatible with high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. Surfaces prepared with this approach are ideally suited for performing biophysical experiments on single DNA molecules.
Independent and Additive Contributions of Postvictory Testosterone and Social Experience to the Development of the Winner Effect

The processes through which salient social experiences influence future behavior are not well understood. Winning fights, for example, can increase the odds of future victory, yet little is known about the internal mechanisms that underlie such winner effects. Here, we use the territorial California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) to investigate how the effects of postvictory testosterone (T) release and winning experience individually mediate positive changes in future winning ability and antagonistic behavior. Male mice were castrated and implanted with T capsules to maintain basal levels of this hormone. We found that males form a robust winner effect if they win three separate territorial disputes and experience a single T surge roughly 45 min after each encounter. Meanwhile, males exhibit only an intermediate winner effect if they either 1) acquire three previous wins but do not experience a change in postvictory T or 2) acquire no previous wins but experience three separate T pulses. The results ind...
A projects-oriented data communications course using Turbo Pascal units

The paper describes a Turbo Pascal unit oriented programming environment that allows inclusion of four lengthy programming projects into the undergraduate data communications course. The environment consists of a collection of compiled units and test programs which ultimately give the student a complete working solution and a test procedure for each unit. Using this environment, the student's task is to develop and test procedures, in any order, for the problem solution, and then to build his or her own solution from correctly executing procedures. When the environment was first tried, 84% of the students completed each of the 500+ line programming projects in 2 weeks with an average project grade of 88. The advantages and lessons learned from using the unit oriented environment for large programming projects are discussed. >
Functional Analyses and Treatment of Precursor Behavior

Functional analysis has been demonstrated to be an effective method to identify environmental variables that maintain problem behavior. However, there are cases when conducting functional analyses of severe problem behavior may be contraindicated. The current study applied functional analysis procedures to a class of behavior that preceded severe problem behavior (precursor behavior) and evaluated treatments based on the outcomes of the functional analyses of precursor behavior. Responding for all participants was differentiated during the functional analyses, and individualized treatments eliminated precursor behavior. These results suggest that functional analysis of precursor behavior may offer an alternative, indirect method to assess the operant function of severe problem behavior.
Highway Deicing Salt Runoff Events and Major Ion Concentrations along a Small Urban Stream

ABSTRACT Highway deicing activities can influence the quality of waters draining urban areas that experience multiple winter season freeze/thaw cycles. However, because of the flashy hydrology of smaller urban streams, and the unpredictable nature of deicing runoff, these events are difficult to fully document by traditional monitoring approaches. The frequency, duration, intensity and downstream attenuation of highway deicing salt runoff events were captured by remote continuous flow and conductivity monitoring, in combination with dry and wet weather grab sampling, at four stations along a three-kilometer-long unculverted reach of an urban Pennsylvania stream, Nine Mile Run.
Explaining the Determinants of Operating Budgets at U.S. National Parks

The authors use time-series, cross-section, and panel data sets to see whether U.S. National Park System operating budget appropriations are related to inflation, visitation, size, region of the country, and type of park unit. The growth rate of the aggregate National Park Service (NPS) budget seems to increase in response to higher congestion. But neither visitation growth nor growth in acreage seems to have much effect on budget growth for individual park units. Individual park units with higher visitation do seem to have larger budgets, ceteris paribus, than do parks with lower average visitation. Judging from the findings, future research should try to explain differences among the several types of park units in the NPS as well as explaining why visitation and park size have small effects for individual park units but seem to have larger effects for the aggregate NPS operating budget.
Case Study: Potential Trademark Infringements

This is a case study of trademark infringement disputes. One of the authors (Cosgrove) incorporated The Econoclast, Inc. that owns a registered trademark (Econoclast®) that has provided capital market publications to financial and nonfinancial institutions since 1979. Over the years, others have used the same name for similar services. The case study explains the basics of trademark law and the meaning of trademark infringement. The authors describe the practical steps Cosgrove undertook to prevent infringement of his trademark in three different situations. There remains an on-going dispute involving possible international infringement in one of the illustrations.
The Fading Utility of the Australian Legalist Story: Using Social Background Theory to Explain Outcomes on the High Court

Despite the claims of many current and former Justices, clear patterns can be seen in the ideological direction of case outcomes on the High Court of Australia. Using data from the High Courts Judicial Database (Haynie et al. 2007), this paper analyzes the voting patterns of the High Court between 1965 and 2003. Binary logistic regression analyses provide evidence to support the utility of the social background characteristics in explaining judicial behavior on the High Court of Australia. This model is especially strong in explaining outcomes in particular subsets of the Court’s work, particularly those dealing with criminal defendants and centralization of government power.
Trinity of Sustainability: Water Security and Networking in Myanmar and Cambodia

Non-profit organizations have been working for the benefit of humanity for hundreds of years. One of the major issues that have been highlighted recently is the long-term sustainability of these interventions. In previous studies most scholars have focused on the individual actions of a single entity in isolation. Yet what has become more and more apparent with time is that sustainable interactions are the effect of relationships built between non-profits and their respective communities and governments. To best study these interactions, we selected two case studies in Myanmar and Cambodia in respect to water sustainability. These two countries have been strongly affected by water issues and share similar characteristics. Yet the interactions between international non-governmental organizations and these two countries have been strongly highlighted due to their unique features. This report has found that long-term dialogue involving both governments and grassroots organizations is key to sustainable effects time and time again. Lastly, projects that involved the most disadvantaged individuals, women, and disabled have been the most successful in the long-term.
Specificity of cytochrome P450 2A3-catalyzed α-hydroxylation of N'-nitrosonornicotine enantiomers

N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) induces tumors in the rat nasal cavity and esophagus and is believed to be a causative agent for esophageal cancer in tobacco users. To exert its carcinogenic potential, NNN must be metabolically activated by alpha-hydroxylation at either the 2'- or 5'-carbon. We previously reported that the human cytochrome P450 (P450), 2A6, efficiently and specifically catalyzed NNN 5'-hydroxylation. P450 2A3, which is expressed in the rat nasal cavity and to a small extent in the esophagus, is closely related to P450 2A6. P450 2A3, like 2A6, is a good catalyst of NNN alpha-hydroxylation (K(m) 7 microM; V(max) 17 nmol/min/nmol). However, in contrast to P450 2A6, 2A3 catalyzed both 5'- and 2'-hydroxylation of NNN. The ratio of 2'- to 5'-hydroxylation was 1:3. These data, both with P450 2A6 and 2A3, were obtained using racemic NNN. P450 2A3 catalyzed metabolism of (S)-NNN occurred exclusively at the 5'-position. The predominant pathway of (R)-NNN metabolism was 2'-hydroxylation, and occurred to a 3-fold greater extent than did 5'-hydroxylation. These data are in contrast to those obtained from a recent study of (R)- and (S)-NNN metabolism by cultured rat esophagus. In that study, (S)-NNN was metabolized predominantly by 2'-hydroxylation and (R)-NNN equally by 2'- and 5'-hydroxylation. Taken together, these data provide strong evidence that P450 2A3 is not the rat esophageal P450 that catalyzes the metabolic activation of NNN. P450 2A3 may be an important catalyst of NNN activation in rat nasal mucosa.
The Low Emission Gas Turbine Passenger Car: What Does the Future Hold?

This paper reviews the potential of the gas turbine as a low emission engine for passenger cars. State-of-the-art emission levels for turbines are identified together with the causes for the typically high levels of NOx that are encountered. Laboratory solutions for reduced NOx are discussed and some of the recent GM accomplishments defined. Fundamental design criteria for low emission combustors are identified. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the problems remaining in the area of combustors for which solutions must be found before the gas turbine engine can be considered for general use.© 1973 ASME
DDEL-01EVALUATION OF A MULTIFUNCTIONAL NANOVESICLE IN A MPNST MOUSE MODEL

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors are benign tumors that have the potential to transform to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). In our initial study we found that majority of the MPNST cells and tissues express IL13Rα2 receptor, which could be a potential target for therapy. We have also observed earlier that the IL13 conjugated liposomal doxorubicin was effectively endocytosed by established MPNST cells like ST88-14 and sNF96.2 and induces cytotocity. To determine the in vivo efficacy, sciatic nerve tumor mouse model was developed by injecting the luciferase transfected STS26T cells in the sciatic nerve. The tumor progression was monitored following the injection of luciferin intraperitoneally and imaging with intravital imaging spectroscopy (IVIS). All the mice developed tumor in 2 weeks after implantation of tumor cells in the sciatic nerve as evidenced by IVIS imaging. Once the tumor was visualized the mice were treated with IL-13 conjugated and non-conjugated liposomal doxorubicin for 7 weeks at a low dose of 4 mg/kg body weight weekly once. Similarly the tumor sections from the mice which were treated with liposomes were analyzed for apoptotic markers like Caspase 3. The tumor volume, weight of the mice and the serum chemistry were recorded. Although the tumor progression was controlled initially, the efficacy was reduced with increasing tumor volume. So currently we are adopting a more frequent dosage regimen instead of weekly once strategy. Furthermore, as Ras activation has also been reported to promote the Schwann cell to MPNST transformation, we combined the doxorubicin with farnesyl thiosalicylic acid (FTS, a Ras inhibitor) in the liposome formulation to study their tumor regression property in such models. In conclusion we developed a successful MPNST animal model to monitor the tumor progression by non-invasive method and currently utilizing this model for investigating the therapeutic efficacy of multifunctional nanovesicles.
Predicting Future Buyer Behavior with Consumers' Confidence and Sentiment Indexes

Knowledge of consumer attitudes and expectations is an indispensable marketing tool and may be useful for predicting changes in consumer spending and saving patterns. However, most empirical research on the value of consumer confidence (sentiment) indexes for forecasting future buyer behavior has focused on the statistical correlation between these indexes and several measures of consumer spending and business activity. As Huth et al. (1994) correctly pointed out, a more appropriate approach is to focus on the direction of Granger-causality between these variables. Prior to testing for Granger-causality, we investigate the stationarity properties of alternative measures of these variables and we employ a flexible lag structure. Our empirical results support the use of these indexes to forecast business activity but not consumer purchases or overall economic activity.
Titan of Terror: A Personification of the Destroyer of Worlds

In 1954, Japan was barely recovering from a devastating defeat in World War II and a humiliating seven-year American occupation when the United States dropped two atomic bombs over Hi roshima and Nagasaki. Plunged into the Atomic Age, Japan produced a film, Gojira (Godzilla), that reflected the psychological trauma of a people trying to salvage their cities, their culture, and their lives. In the film, the monster is the physical embodiment of the destructive forces of nuclear power. Its poignancy is derived from its historical allusions to real events, including the Lucky Dragon 5 incident in which a Japanese Tuna trawler was covered in radioactive ash from the detonation of an underwater American atom bomb. Moreover, the film captures the conflict between censorship of athe exposition of truth, focusing on the burden of scientific responsibility. Fi nally, the film concludes by underscoring the ultimate victimization of humanity under the tyranny of massive destruction and warns against the perils of nuclear proliferation.
Consistency of Hemoglobin A1c Testing and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Medicare Patients With Diabetes.

Background Annual hemoglobin A1c testing is recommended for patients with diabetes mellitus. However, it is unknown how consistently patients with diabetes mellitus receive hemoglobin A1c testing over time, or whether testing consistency is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Methods and Results We identified 1 574 415 Medicare patients (2002–2012) with diabetes mellitus over the age of 65. We followed each patient for a minimum of 3 years to determine their consistency in hemoglobin A1C testing, using 3 categories: low (testing in 0 or 1 of 3 years), medium (testing in 2 of 3 years), and high (testing in all 3 years). In unweighted and inverse propensity‐weighted cohorts, we examined associations between testing consistency and major adverse cardiovascular events, defined as death, myocardial infarction, stroke, amputation, or the need for leg revascularization. Overall, 70.2% of patients received high‐consistency testing, 17.6% of patients received medium‐consistency testing, and 12.2% of patients received low‐consistency testing. When compared to high‐consistency testing, low‐consistency testing was associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events or death in unweighted analyses (hazard ratio [HR]=1.21; 95% CI, 1.20–1.23; P <0.001), inverse propensity‐weighted analyses (HR=1.16; 95% CI, 1.15–1.17; P <0.001), and weighted analyses limited to patients who had at least 4 physician visits annually (HR=1.15; 95% CI, 1.15–1.16; P <0.001). Less‐consistent testing was associated with worse results for each cardiovascular outcome and in analyses using all years as the exposure. Conclusions Consistent annual hemoglobin A1c testing is associated with fewer adverse cardiovascular outcomes in this observational cohort of Medicare patients of diabetes mellitus.
PREDICTIVE VALUE OF SINGLE-FIBER EMG IN ORBICULARIS OCULI MUSCLE TO TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH SERONEGATIVE OCULAR MYASTHENIA: A SERIES OF HUNDRED FORTY TWO PATIENTS (P5.035)

Objective: To assess the ability of SFEMG in the orbicularis oculi muscle in patients with extraocular muscle weakness and negative antibodies to establish diagnosis of MG and to correlate with their response to therapy. Background: SFEMG is a highly sensitive diagnostic tool for diagnosing ocular and generalized MG. Sensitivity in several larger series of patients has been reported to approach 100 [percnt]; although, the specificity appears to be lower due to the presence of abnormal neuromuscular jitter in a number of other neuromuscular disorders. Methods: Hundred forty two consecutive patients with ocular symptoms and negative AchR antibodies were evaluated with SFEMG in the orbicularis oculi muscle. Treatment decisions were determined by referring physicians. We reviewed the patients’ responses to myasthenic therapy and results of additional laboratory testing for the two years following SFEMG. Results: Thirty one patients had abnormal jitter in the orbicularis oculi muscle, and 27 of them responded to myasthenic therapy favorably. Two patients with abnormal jitter did not respond to MG therapy, and two others did not receive it due to intercurrent illness. Among 31, nine patients developed generalized symptoms, although, one of them was subsequently diagnosed with ALS and another one with cancer (29 [percnt] patients with abnormal jitter developed generalized symptoms within two-year follow up period). Twenty five patients with normal SFEMG, who were given a trial of pyridostigmine and/or steroids, did not report benefit. Conclusion: This study confirms strong correlation between an abnormal SFEMG jitter in the orbicularis oculi muscle and the treatment benefit (p Disclosure: Dr. Rakocevic has nothing to disclose. Dr. Floeter has nothing to disclose.
Abstract CT091: A neoadjuvant co-clinical trial in triple-negative breast cancer patients with genomic discovery analysis

Background: Patients with TNBC who do not achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) or near pCR have high rates of relapse, due to chemotherapy resistance, within the first few years after their diagnosis. Molecular biomarkers predictive for chemotherapy sensitivity are lacking. This ongoing trial is evaluating carboplatin and docetaxel in the neoadjuvant setting to determine whether these drugs will increase the pCR rate compared to historical controls. Correlative studies include exome and transcriptome sequencing on samples acquired from patients as a means to decipher the genomic architecture and clonal evolution of those who achieved a pCR compared to those who did not. The simultaneous development of patient derived xenografts (PDX) from host tumors is also planned. Methods: Patients with clinical stage 2 or 3 histologically confirmed TNBC will receive six cycles of neoadjuvant carboplatin AUC 6 and docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, followed by definitive surgery. Forty-one eligible patients will be treated according to this protocol, permitting us to attain a power of 83% to detect our expected pCR rate of 54% compared to the historical 35% rate, based on a two-sided exact binomial test at the 4.8% significance level. Eligibility: tumor size at least 2 cm, adequate organ and bone marrow function, no bilateral or inflammatory breast cancer, no invasive cancer within 5 years, ECOG performance status of ? 2, no prior sentinel lymph node biopsy. Tissue collection for xenografting and correlative studies will occur at baseline, at cycle 1 day 3, and at surgery. The primary objective is to determine the pCR rate, defined as the absence of invasive cancer in breast or nodes at definitive surgery. Secondary and exploratory objectives include xenografting rates, evaluation of mutational signatures of chemotherapy resistance and response, and comparison of chemotherapy responses between patients and their xenografts. The study was activated on 7/7/2014 and is still recruiting. Twenty (48.8% of planned 41) patients have been enrolled and have had baseline tissue banked. Fourteen patients have completed protocol therapy. Three patients have tissue at all 3 time points (9 samples), and are presently being studied by exome and transcriptome sequencing. Citation Format: Foluso O. Ademuyiwa, Shunqiang Li, Jingqin Luo, Tracy Skinner, Jason Hoshower, Cynthia X. Ma, Katherine Weilbaecher, Michael Naughton, Leonel Hernandez-Aya, Elaine R. Mardis, Matthew J. Ellis. A neoadjuvant co-clinical trial in triple-negative breast cancer patients with genomic discovery analysis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr CT091.
Readability analysis of online health information about overactive bladder.

Aims Despite the prevalence of overactive bladder (OAB) and the widespread accessibility of patient education information on the Internet, the readability of this information and its potential impact on patient decision-making are not known. This study evaluates the readability of OAB material online in the context of website ownership and the Health on the Net standard for information reliability. Methods Three Internet search platforms were queried daily with OAB-related keywords for 30 days. Readability analysis was performed using the SMOG test, Dale-Chall readability formula, and Fry readability graph. Websites were stratified by ownership type and Health on the Net certification to compare readability metrics. Results After 270 total searches, 57 websites were analyzed. Mean SMOG reading grade was 10.7 (SD = 1.6) and 10.1 in an adjusted calculation to reduce overestimation from medical jargon. Mean Dale-Chall score was 9.2 (SD = 0.9), or grade 13-15. Mean Fry graph coordinates (177 syllables, 5.9 sentences) corresponded to grade 15. Only seven sites (12%) were predicted to be readable by the average adult with an eighth-grade reading level. Mean reading grades were not significantly different between academic versus commercial sites and Health on the Net-certified versus non-certified sites. Conclusions A large majority of online information about OAB treatment exceeds the reading ability of most adults. Neither websites sponsored by academic institutions nor those certified by the Health on the Net standard have easier readability. The readability of health information online may be distinct from reliability in the context of urological literacy.
Utilizing environmental information and pricing strategies to reduce externalities of tourism: the case of invasive species in the Galapagos

ABSTRACTThe increase in demand for nature-based tourism brings economic and educational benefits but risks the introduction of invasive species. Increasing the length of tourist trips can better balance these benefits and risks by maintaining revenues while reducing the number of unique contacts with tourists. Changing the relative prices of trips can induce tourists to take longer trips. We hypothesized that providing information about the negative externalities of tourism could improve the effectiveness of such pricing strategies.We administered one of two discrete choice surveys to tourists considering a trip to the Galapagos. One of the surveys described the Galapagos as a fragile ecosystem susceptible to invasive species; the second described it as a standard nature-based destination. For each sample, we estimated the probability of the tourist choosing a short versus long trip, given the tourist's personal information and trip options presented to him. We then simulated the demand for trips using th...
Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Genetic Overview and Application to Clinical Practice.

Background Cytogenetic and molecular features of diseases, such as B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL), are increasingly used for diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment decisions in health care. Objectives This review provides information on the current recommendations for evaluating genetic aberrations in patients with BCP-ALL and details how the results are incorporated to determine risk stratification. It also offers a brief overview of developing research on newly found genetic features that may play a role in prognostic and treatment decisions. Methods Databases were reviewed using search terms relevant to BCP-ALL genetics, as well as to the prognostic significance of genetic changes commonly seen in BCP-ALL. Because of the scope of this review, studies identified as having outcomes with implications for clinical practice were included. Findings Cytogenetic and molecular aberrations in BCP-ALL are important not only for risk stratification but also for treatment decisions. To provide efficient and effective care for patients with BCP-ALL, clinical practitioners need to be aware of current recommendations and the state of prevailing research.
Commonalities Between Vasculature and Bone: An Osseocentric View of Arteriosclerosis.

A good number of us have forgotten Jean Georges Chretien Frederic Martin Lobstein, but the observations of this 19th-century surgeon-pathologist are codified in disease nomenclature used today. As an amateur archeologist, he had a particular interest in mineralized tissues, including bones, and Lobstein’s detailed autopsies led him to coin the word “osteoporosis” to denote the skeletal frailty afflicting older individuals. In many of these aged subjects, Lobstein also noted a vascular disease process that, in 1829, he called “arteriosclerosis”: the hardening of normally compliant conduit arteries.1 As such, Lobstein was among the first to embrace an osseocentric view of arterial disease. Virchow1 expanded on this idea in 1860, recounted in his lecture series, Cellular Pathology . He highlighted the inflammatory nature of lipid-laden atherosclerotic lesions and noted that beyond calcification, 1 outcome of arteriosclerotic disease was true focal vascular ossification. With recognition that oxidized low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is proinflammatory and pathogenic in vascular disease leading to acute ischemia—and the advent of successful cholesterol-lowering therapies—atherosclerosis looms large in the awareness of modern medicine as 1 type of arteriosclerosis. However, the broader concepts and consequences of Lobstein’s arteriosclerosis—be it from atherosclerosis or fibrosis and medial thickening of conduit arteries with or without calcific sclerosis—are frequently dismissed. This has led to terminology and experimental design that treat atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis as interchangeable without consideration of the impact of chronic vascular stiffening. Arteriosclerosis impairs Windkessel physiology—the rubbery elasticity of conduit vessels that ensures smooth distal tissue perfusion throughout the cardiac cycle2—and is …
New azooxanthellate genus of Scleractinia (Flabellidae) from the Australian Cenozoic

A new genus of flabellid scleractinian coral, Periplacotrochus, is described from the late Eocene to middle Miocene of Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania. It differs from Placotrochus in having a pedicellate base, and from Flabellum in having a lamellar columella. Six previously described species are redescribed, illustrated, and reassigned to this genus (P. deltoideus Duncan, 1864, P. corniculatus Dennant, 1899, P. elongatus Duncan, 1864, P. pueblensis Dennant, 1903, P. inflectus Dennant, 1903, and P. magnus Dennant, 1904), and one new species is described: P. cudmorei. One species, Placotrochus elegans Tennison-Woods, 1878a, is considered as a nomen dubium. A key is provided to the seven species placed in this genus.
Markov decision processes with constraints

This article addresses the Markov decision problem with long-run average reward V u when there is a global constraint to be satisfied: I u ≤α, where I u is also a long-run average. Using Lagrange multiplier techniques, existence of an optimal stationary policy is proven. Unlike the unconstrained theory, optimal stationary policies are in general randomized. Structural properties of an optimal policy are determined and the corresponding dynamic programming equations are derived. Finally, conditions are given for the existence of an optimal pure policy and an optimal “almost” bang-bang policy.
Bowel obstruction and cecal volvulus as a complication of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: A case report

Obesity is a common condition in westernized countries and it is increasing in prevalence in both pediatric and adult populations. Morbidity associated with severe obesity can be life threatening. Surgical intervention has demonstrated efficacy at reduction of morbidity and mortality resulting from obesity. The laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is a well-known bariatric procedure which has been popular for its minimally invasive approach. Several early and late complications from this procedure have been reported in the literature. The most common complications involve slippage of the band and local inflammatory processes related to the subcutaneous port site. This case report describes a 59-year-old female who developed a bowel obstruction secondary to a cecal volvulus caused by adhesions to her gastric band connecting tube. This is another example of one of the many growing, yet unusual complications associated with the LABG.