cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heparin-hyaluronic acid nanofibers for growth factor sequestration in spinal cord repair.

Growth factor (GF) delivery is a common strategy for spinal cord injury repair, however, GF degradation can impede long-term therapies. GF sequestration via heparin is known to protect bioactivity after delivery. We tested two heparin modifications, methacrylated heparin and thiolated heparin, and electrospun these with methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) to form HepMAHA and HepSHHA nanofibers. For loaded conditions, MeHA, HepMAHA, and HepSHHA fibers were incubated with soluble basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or nerve growth factor (NGF) and rinsed with PBS. Control groups were hydrated in PBS. L929 fibroblast proliferation was analyzed after 24 hr of culture in either growth media or bFGF-supplemented media. Dissociated chick dorsal root ganglia neurites were measured after 3 days of cell culture in serum free media (SFM) or NGF-supplemented SFM (SFM + NGF). In growth media, fibroblast proliferation was significantly increased in loaded HepMAHA (α < .05) compared to other groups. In SFM, loaded HepMAHA had the longest average neurite length compared to all other groups. In SFM + NGF, HepMAHA and HepSHHA had increased neurite lengths compared to MeHA, regardless of loading (α < .01), suggesting active sequestration of soluble NGF. HepMAHA is a promising biomaterial for sequestering released GFs in a spinal cord injury environment and will be combined with GF filled microspheres for future studies.
Information Literacy and Cultural Context: Chinese English Language Learners' Understandings of Information Authority.

Chinese international students are attending higher education institutions in the United States in ever-increasing numbers, and librarians must consider their cultural, sociopolitical, and linguistic backgrounds in information literacy instruction. This exploratory study examines how Chinese international students at a public American university describe, understand, and interpret information literacy concepts, such as authority, through qualitative vignettes and in-depth interviews. The findings of this study further the use of vignettes as a methodological tool in academic librarianship and help librarians resist one-size-fits-all information literacy instruction by addressing and building upon students’ cultural understandings and practices of information literacy that they bring into the classroom.
Suitability of satellite-based hydro-climate variables and machine learning for streamflow modeling at various scale watersheds

Streamflow modeling is essential to investigate processes in the hydrologic cycle and important for water resource management application. However, in-situ hydrologic data paucity, because of vario...
Water-energy benchmarking and predictive modeling in multi-family residential and non-residential buildings

Abstract As the threat of climate change grows alongside a continual increase in urban population, the need to ensure access to water and energy resources becomes more crucial. In the context of the water-energy nexus in urban environments, this work addresses current gaps in understanding of coupled water and energy demand patterns and reveals apparent dissimilarities between utilization of water and energy resources for heterogeneous buildings. This study proposes a data-driven approach to identify fundamental water and energy demand profiles, cluster buildings into groups exhibiting similar water and energy use, and predict their demand. The clustering problem was cast as a two-stage cluster ensemble problem, in which several clustering methods with different settings were employed, and then the results obtained from partial view of the data were combined to achieve consensus among the partitionings. The influential drivers for water and energy consumption were identified, parametric and non-parametric prediction models were developed and compared, utilizing high and low temporal data resolution. The clustering analysis performed in this work revealed that water and energy consumption patterns of heterogeneous buildings are not exclusively characterized by general building characteristics. Analysis of the predictive models showed that an overall non-parametric model provides better predictions for water and energy compared with parametric models and that models with high and low data resolution provide comparable demand predictions. The results of this study highlight the value of data-driven modeling for revealing meaningful insights into usage patterns and benchmarking buildings’ performance to provide a meaningful measure of comparison to facilitate multi-utility management. Overall, the methods outlined in this study provide another step towards building greater resiliency within urban areas in preparation for future changes in population and climate.
Advancing the Integration of Biosciences Data Sharing to Further Enable Space Exploration.

Understanding the impact of space exploration remains biologically elusive. Cell Press is dedicating this month to spaceflight (Afshinnekoo et al., 2020), with the open science NASA GeneLab database enabling the study revealing mitochondria as a key biological feature from spaceflight (da Silveira et al., 2020).
Properties of Equilibrium Asset Prices Under Alternative Learning Schemes

Abstract This paper characterizes equilibrium asset prices under adaptive, rational and Bayesian learning schemes in a model where dividends evolve on a binomial lattice. The properties of equilibrium stock and bond prices under learning are shown to differ significantly. Learning causes the discount factor and risk-neutral probability measure to become path-dependent and introduces serial correlation and volatility clustering in stock returns. We also derive conditions under which the expected value and volatility of stock prices will be higher under learning than under full information. Finally, we investigate restrictions on prior beliefs under which Bayesian and rational learning lead to identical prices and show how the results can be generalized to more complex settings where dividends follow either multi-state i.i.d. distributions or multi-state Markov chains.
THC modifies the impact of heroin delivered by vapor inhalation in rats

Opioids are effective medications, but they have several key limitations including the development of tolerance, establishment of dependence, diversion for non-medical use and the development of addiction. Therefore, any drugs which act in an additive or synergistic fashion with opioids to address medical applications have the potential to reduce opioid-related harms. This study was conducted to determine if heroin and {Delta}9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) interact in an additive or independent manner to alter nociception, body temperature and spontaneous locomotor activity when inhaled or injected. Groups of male and female rats implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters were exposed to vapor for assessment of effects on temperature and activity. Heroin (50 mg/mL in the propylene glycol; PG) inhalation increased temperature and activity whereas THC (50 mg/mL) inhalation decreased temperature and activity. Effects of combined inhalation were in opposition, and additional experiments found the same outcome for the injection of heroin (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.) and THC (10 mg/kg, i.p.) alone and in combination. In contrast, the co-administration of Heroin and THC by either inhalation or injection produced additive effects on thermal nociception assessed with a warm water tail-withdrawal assay in male and female Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats. The conclusion of this study is that additive effects of THC with heroin on a medical endpoint such as analgesia may not generalize to other behavioral or physiological effects, which may be a positive outcome for unwanted side effects.
College Students’ Cognitive and Affective Attitude toward Higher Education and Their Academic Engagement

The study was intended to determine the college students’ cognitive and affective attitude toward higher education and how it affects their academic engagement. In order to proceed with the study, theories on human attitude and human behaviour and academic engagement were discussed. Related literatures were reviewed to strengthen the theory of the study and the validated questionnaires were used to gather the data. The study used descriptive correlational research design and supplied by inquiries. To interpret the data, the statistical tools were used such as Mean and Pearson r. Mean was used to measure the cognitive and affective attitude of students toward education and their academic engagement. Pearson r was used to determine the relationship between cognitive and affective attitude of students toward higher education and academic engagement. The study found that students’ cognitive and affective attitude toward higher education correlates significantly to the academic engagement.
Conjugation of an anti-TfR IgG3-Avidin fusion protein with biotinylated saporin results in significant enhancement of its cytotoxicity against malignant hematopoietic cells.

5461 We have developed an antibody fusion protein composed of avidin genetically fused to a human IgG3 specific for the human transferrin receptor. This fusion protein (anti-TfR IgG3-Av) is a universal vector that effectively delivers biotinylated compounds into cancer cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Furthermore, anti-TfR IgG3-Av possesses an intrinsic anti-proliferative/pro-apoptotic activity against hematopoietic malignant cell lines such as neoplastic plasma cells, which respond to the fusion protein with different sensitivities. Importantly, this cytotoxic activity may potentially be enhanced by the conjugation of the fusion protein to biotinylated compounds. In the present work we studied the efficacy of anti-TfR IgG3-Av as a dual function therapeutic conjugated to biotinylated saporin (b-sap), a toxin derived from the plant Saponaria officinalis that blocks protein synthesis. Using WST-1 viability and [3H]-thymidine incorporation assays we found that the anti-TfR IgG3-Av/b-sap complex synergistically enhanced the cytotoxicity of anti-TfR IgG3-Av or b-sap alone against less sensitive (U266) and highly sensitive (IM-9 or ARH77) cell lines. We observed that cells treated with the anti-TfR IgG3-Av/b-sap conjugate demonstrated morphological features consistent with the induction of apoptosis. This initial proof of principle of the anti-TfR IgG3-Av dual activity can be expanded to include conjugation of anti-TfR IgG3-Av to other biotinylated drugs and in other tumor models in vitro and in vivo. We anticipate that the utility of this therapeutic will not be restricted to the elimination of malignant plasma cells such as multiple myeloma cells in vivo, but can also be used for the in vitro approaches including the efficient purging of myeloma cells ex vivo in autologous transplantation in patients.
Cranial suture headache: An extracranial head pain syndrome originating in the cranial sutures of the skull:

Objective:To define a new type of head pain syndrome termed “cranial suture headache” which is a localized headache originating along the cranial suture lines of the skull.Background:Well localized...
SDR Applications for the Next Generation Wireless Access: Prototype Implementation

The advantages and application fields of software defined radio are described. Base and personal station prototypes created on the software defined radio technology are then introduced. The prototypes show acceptable performance and the remarkable advantage of flexibility for the next generation wireless access.
Chapter 4 Architectural Editing: Regulating the Surface Expression of the Multicomponent T-Cell Antigen Receptor

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on T-cell antigen receptor. The T-cell receptor complex and the fate of its components have uncovered two pathways for membrane protein degradation, each of which takes place in a unique organellar system: the classical lysosome and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) degradative pathway. The chapter discusses the general process whereby the cell ensures the expression of correct complexes in their appropriate, subcellular localizations as “architectural editing.” The seven-chain T-cell antigen receptor complex has proved to be an excellent model system for exploring the characteristics of architectural editing. By examining the intracellular fate of partial or incomplete T-cell receptor complexes, the outline of four potential fates can be observed. Only complete and correctly assembled complexes make it through the cell to the plasma membrane. Partial complexes are subject to a number of possible alternative fates. Certain near-complete complexes can make it from the ER through the golgi system, at which point they are efficiently transferred to lysosomes and are rapidly and completely degraded.
The Impact of the Proposed Patent Act of 2005 on Universities

The proposed Patent Act of 2005 is claimed to be the most comprehensive reform of U.S. patent law since Congress passed the 1952 Patent Act. This paper first reviews the main provisions in the Patent Act of 2005 including the adoption of a first-to-file system, the continuation of the CREATE Act, filing patent applications by assignees, elimination of the best mode of practice requirement, changes in the duty of candor, tightening the requirements for willful infringement, raising the bar for injunctions in infringement suits, limiting continuation applications, and establishing post-grant opposition proceedings. The paper then considers the Congressional testimony of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and a collection of major university associations regarding the potential impact of the proposed reform measures on universities.
Serum cholesterol response to changes in the diet: IV. Particular saturated fatty acids in the diet.

For many dietary changes satisfactory prediction of the average change in the serum cholesterol level of man in mg./100 ml., is given by Δ Chol. = 1.35(2ΔS − ΔP) + 1.5ΔZ where S and P are percentages of total calories provided by glycerides of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet and Z2 = mg. of dietary cholesterol/1000 Cal. This formula fails, however, when the dietary change involves large amounts of cocoa butter and discrepancies also appear with beef tallow or hydrogenated coconut oil diets. Controlled dietary experiments at the University of Minnesota and at 2 other centers, provide 63 sets of comparisons of serum cholesterol averages for groups of men on each of 2 chemically characterized diets. Least-squares analysis indicates that stearic acid, as well as saturated fatty acids containing fewer than 12 carbon atoms, have little or no effect on serum cholesterol in man. The equation, Δ Chol. = 1.2(2ΔS′ − ΔP) + 1.5ΔZ, yields good correlation (r = 0.93) with the observed values in these 63 sets of data. This formulation also resolves heretofore puzzling discrepancies in the literature.
Population and rangelands in Central Tibet: a GIS-Based Approach

This study focuses on the meso-regional pattern of rangeland ecotypes in Central Tibet in relation to population density. Data on rangelands derive from a recent land-cover GIS database of China based on the 1:1,000,000 Land Use Map of China. Specific kinds of grassland and steppe are analyzed in relation to 466 township-level enumeration units selected from China's 1990 census in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. This methodology offers a finer geographic resolution than in all other available research reports, and results in a more detailed understanding of the kinds of rangeland resources available to Central Tibetan communities. Systemic land cover patterns are mapped, and reveal the importance of local interactions between population and rangeland ecotypes. Alpine meadow and alpine steppe predominate above the cultivation limit at approximately 4,200 m. In the densely settled valleys below this limit, dry steppe and scrub grassland predominate.
Competence to proceed: a functional and context-determinative decision.

Legally, the defendant's competence at any stage of criminal proceedings is defined in terms of the test set forth in Dusky v. United States, a test establishing minimum rationality as the basis for determining mental competence. A number of investigators have attempted to devise testing instruments to assist clinicians in applying this test to individual defendants being examined for competence. Competence, however, is both context-determinative and functional in nature. The evaluator must insist on being given specific information relating to the functions that the defendant is expected to perform. The evaluator must then assess the defendant's measurable skills in the light of those specified functions and articulate his findings to the court in terms of the skills and functions rather than in terms of conclusory legal labels. Competence is then best determined by the court as a legal, not a mental, health decision under the somewhat nebulous but nonetheless appropriate criterion of “fundamental fairness” in the light of the defendant's mental state.
Evaluation of a delay-tolerant ICN architecture

Simulation/emulation is key for early testing, assessment, and scalability evaluation of networking solutions for mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). If the solution is highly configurable - such as ENCODERS, SRI's delay-tolerant information-centric networking (ICN) solution - this type of evaluation is crucial. For effective modeling of information flows, the test framework needs to: (1) allow repeatable execution of scenarios with different patterns of network traffic, operating in different mobility and network-usage contexts, (2) provide a rich simulated environment that can model virtually any network topology and mobility, with high-fidelity device models, and (3) support flexible large-scale simulation, with the option of using virtual machines that execute the same code that would be used on an actual device. We describe our evaluation framework and the results of using it to develop and evaluate ENCODERS.
Relationships Within and Among Species of the Holoparasitic Genus Hyobanche (Orobanchaceae) Inferred from ISSR Banding Patterns and Nucleotide Sequences

Abstract The systematic relationships of four species in the South African holoparasitic genus Hyobanche were examined using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) banding patterns and nucleotide sequence data from nuclear ribosomal ITS regions and the plastid gene rbcL. Ordination of ISSR data revealed discrete groups, although H. glabrata and H. rubra were indistinguishable. Phylogeny reconstructions based on ISSR and ITS data were congruent and depicted relationships where H. atropurpurea and H. sanguinea form a clade with H. glabrata and H. rubra as their sister group. In contrast, the rbcL tree revealed a topology where H. atropurpurea was sister to a clade that included the other three species. The combination of molecular, morphological, and biogeographical data suggest two alternative hypotheses: (1) that floral evolution has progressed from galeate hirsute corolla tubes to straight glabrous tubes as represented by H. sanguinea, H. glabrata (intermediate morphology), and H. rubra, respectively; or (2...
Success of lung transplantation without surveillance bronchoscopy

Abstract Background: No current evidence demonstrates improved survival or decreased rate of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) despite regularly scheduled fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with transbronchial biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage (TBB/BAL) after lung transplantation. Reduced lung function detected with spirometry or oximetry in symptomatic and asymptomatic lung allograft recipients (LARs) may be a more appropriate indication for bronchoscopic sampling. Hypothesis: Clinically indicated TBB/BAL without routine invasive surveillance sampling of the transplanted lung does not decrease survival or increase the rate of BOS in LARs. Methods: We reviewed 91 consecutive LARs transplanted at Ochsner Clinic between January 1995 and December 1999. Clinical indications for FOB with TBB/BAL include 10% decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second below baseline; 20% decrease in forced expiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity; or unexplained respiratory symptoms, signs, or fever. Along with demographic and clinical data, 1-year and 3-year survival rates for these 91 LARs were compared with 5,430 LARs from the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT) Registry transplanted during the same 60-month period. Ten of the 91 patients did not survive to hospital discharge after transplantation. We divided the remaining 81 LARs into 2 subsets: Group A patients ( n = 43) underwent zero to 1 TBB/BAL and Group B patients ( n = 38) required more than 1 procedure. Demographic data, rejection, infection, and incidence of BOS were compared between groups. Results: The 1-year and 3-year survival rates in the Ochsner LAR cohort were 85% and 73%, respectively, vs 72% and 57% in the ISHLT cohort p p p = not significant. We observed twice as many patients with cystic fibrosis and twice as many pneumonia episodes in Group B. The rate of acute rejection in each group was not statistically different. The cumulative incidence of BOS was increased in Group B at 1 year and at 3 years (5% and 56%) when compared with Group A (3% and 13%), p Conclusion: Based on the findings from this observational, single-institution study, clinically indicated TBB/BAL without routine surveillance sampling of the lung allograft is unlikely to pose greater risk than does regularly scheduled bronchoscopy after lung transplantation.
Stroke Survivors Scoring Zero on the NIH Stroke Scale Score Still Exhibit Significant Motor Impairment and Functional Limitation

Objective. To determine the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale's (NIHSS's) association with upper extremity (UE) impairment and functional outcomes. Design. Secondary, retrospective analysis of randomized controlled trial data. Setting. Not applicable. Participants. 146 subjects with stable, chronic stroke-induced hemiparesis. Intervention. The NIHSS, the UE Fugl-Meyer (FM), and the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT) were administered prior to their participation in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Main Outcome Measures. The NIHSS, FM, and AMAT. Results. The association between the NIHSS and UE impairment was statistically significant (P = -0.204; p = 0.014) but explained less than 4% of the variance among UE FM scores. The association between NIHSS total score and function as measured by the AMAT was not statistically significant (P = -0.141; p = 0.089). Subjects scoring a "zero" on the NIHSS exhibited discernible UE motor deficits and varied scores on the UE FM and AMAT. Conclusion. While being used in stroke trials, the NIHSS may have limited ability to discriminate between treatment responses, even when only a relatively narrow array of impairment levels exists among patients. Given these findings, NIHSS use should be restricted to acute stroke studies and clinical settings with the goal of reporting stroke severity.
Teacher education: an empirical study of problems and possibilities 1

Teachers commonly criticize teacher education on the grounds that the theoretical and practical components are unrelated, and practice teaching provides an inadequate preparation for classroom management and instruction. To explore sources of these criticisms, and possible solutions, a study was undertaken comparing students' experience of three different approaches to teacher education within one university‐based program. Data were gathered by interviews, at different points in time, with a panel of twenty‐four students distributed between the three approaches. Findings indicate that teachers' criticisms of teacher education are directed at symptoms. The underlying problem is the approach to teacher education that informs any given program. The approach determines the program structure, and structure mediates between the approach and the students. One approach was found to be successful in generating a structure that met the prevailing criticisms, reflected in the fact most students selecting it did so o...
The compressibility of carbon dioxide‐argon mixtures

The compressibility factor has been measured at 50°C. and 50 to 1,000 atm. for each of seven mixtures of carbon dioxide and argon containing 12.9 to 83.1 mole % carbon dioxide. The compressibility factors are reported as smoothed values at even pressures and also in the form of empirical smoothing expressions which fit the experimental values with an average absolute deviation of 0.1%. Various methods of predicting gas-mixture compressibility are tested, and activity coefficients calculated from the experimental data are reported.
The effect of temperature on transmission at the neuromuscular junction of the sartorius muscle of Rana pipiens

Abstract 1. 1. The neuromuscular junction of the frog was more readily blocked by cold than either the nerve or the muscle, and was blocked at 1°C for 10°C-acclimated frogs and at 4°C for 25°C-acclimated frogs. 2. 2. Endplate potentials recorded intracellularly as a function of temperature in curarized muscles showed an attenuation of amplitude at low temperatures; for 10°C-acclimated frogs, the response at 1°C averaged approximately 70 per cent of the response at 24°C. 3. 3. Miniature endplate potentials showed an increase in amplitude at intermediate temperatures of about 17-12°C, and a decrease in amplitude upon further cooling. Post-junctional depolarization in response to microperfusion of acetylcholine also went through a maximum at the intermediate temperature range of 20-10°C, and the temperature at which this maximum response occurred was dependent upon the previous acclimation temperature. 4. 4. Low temperature (7–8°C) decreased facilitation of endplate potentials in curarized muscles at high frequencies of stimulation (30 c/s), while it increased the facilitation at low frequencies (10 c/s), when compared to facilitation at high temperature (16°C).
Characterization of long-range structure in the denatured state of staphylococcal nuclease. II. Distance restraints from paramagnetic relaxation and calculation of an ensemble of structures.

Abstract Structural analysis of Δ131Δ, a fragment model of the denatured state of staphylococcal nuclease, has been extended by obtaining long-range distance restraints between chain segments by paramagnetic relaxation enhancement. Fourteen unique PROXYL spin labels were introduced at sites that are solvent-exposed in the native state, and the resulting enhancements of T 2 for the amide protons were measured by NMR spectroscopy. When these data were combined with either measured or estimated correlation times τ c , the r −6 -weighted, time and ensemble-averaged distance between the spin label and 30 to 60 amide protons could be calculated for each spin-labeled protein. On the basis of approximately 700 such loose distance restraints, ensembles of compatible structures were generated by a combined distance geometry/molecular dynamics approach. Because of the large uncertainty in the physical basis of these distance restraints, a number of calculations were carried out to establish the sensitivity of the calculated structures to systematic errors in these restraints. Overall, the structural features reflected in the paramagnetic relaxation data were robust; large variations in τ c , in the bounds window of allowed distances, or in the number of restraint distances used had small effects on the general features common to all calculated structures. The global topology of this denatured form of staphylococcal nuclease, as described by an ensemble of conformations consistent with the data, is strikingly similar to that of the native state, the major difference being the segregation of two hydrophobic segments that form a beta hairpin in the native state. These findings suggest that the topology of a protein’s fold is established in the denatured state in the absence of cooperative interactions involving tight packing or stable hydrogen bonding. Hydrophobic interactions alone may encode global topology.
Sotalol in treatment of pediatric cardiac arrhythmias

Background: There is limited experience on sotalol use in the management of childhood arrhythmias. This study reviews the results of our experience with oral sotalol for treatment and prevention of tachyarrhythmias in children. Methods: The records of 62 patients (27 female, 35 male, mean age: 8.5±5.3 years) treated with sotalol for supraventricular or ventricular arrhythmias from 1994 to 1999 at our institution were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, echocardiographic, electrocardiographic (ECG), ambulatory ECG and electrophysiologic variables were collected. Results: Forty-two (63.6%) patients had re-entrant supraventricular tachycardia, eight patients (12.9%) had atrial tachycardia, one patient (1.6%) had junctional ectopic tachycardia, four patients (6.5%) had ventricular tachycardia, and seven patients (11.3%) had complex ventricular arrhythmias, as evidenced by surface or ambulatory ECG records; or revealed during the electrophysiological study. The mean sotalol dose was 3.9±1.2 mg/kg per day. In 15.5±13.9 months of sotalol use 50% (n=31) had complete relief of symptoms and/or arrhythmia and 29% (n=18) had partial relief. Sotalol was ineffective in 20% (n=13). Sotalol was more effective in re-entrant type supraventricular tachycardias (P=0.012). Sotalol was the first choice in 35.5% of patients. The sotalol therapy was initiated in inpatient settings in 40.3% (25 patients). Complications due to sotalol were seen in six patients (five patients developed bradycardia/pauses, and one patient had torsades de pointes) for which the sotalol dose was modified. In patients with sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker was implanted and in another patient sotalol was stopped. Conclusion: Sotalol, being an effective and safe drug particularly in children, is a good therapeutic alternative for the preventive treatment of childhood tachyarrhythmias.
Effects of Light and Darkness on Gaseous Exchange of Bean Leaves

rate of respiration of chlorophyllose tissue in the light. The results of these experiments have varied with the experimental technique employed and the process, CO2 evolution or 02 consumption, being measured. Early work by Brown and associates (2,19) indicated that respiratory rates of Chlorella and several vascular plants were identical in light and darkness. Decker (5) has questioned the interpretation of these results, and in his own work with tobacco (Nicotiana lacngsdorfii and N. sanderae) has reported CO2 production in the light to be greater than in the dark (4). Subsequently Brown and Weis (3) and Weis and Brown (23) derived equations for correcting respiratory rates of algae measured in the gaseous phase of Warburg vessels to make them correspond to rates which prevail in the liquid phase. These equations are based primarily on the relative diffusion barrier to 02 and CO2 presented by the gas-liquid interface. Use of these equations resulted in substantially lower values for respiration rates. Values for CO2 evolu
How bad is a 10% chance of losing a toe? Judgments of probabilistic conditions by doctors and laypeople.

We presented a Web questionnaire to 139 physicians and medical researchers and 109 laypeople. The subjects made judgments of badness and importance of prevention for eight medical conditions at each of seven different probability levels. By assuming that the response to each of the 56 risks was monotonically related to transformations of the probability and of the disutility of the condition, we could assess the relative effect of probability and disutility on each subject’s judgments. Physicians’ judgments were more sensitive than laypeople’s judgments to changes in probability. Older and female laypeople were less sensitive to probability (and correspondingly, more responsive to differences in severity among medical conditions). Laypeople varied more than physicians in their responsiveness to probability. These results point to general individual differences in the effect of probability on evaluations of medical risks. They may also provide insight into causes and noncauses of physician—patient miscommunication.
Prediction of Potential Cracking Failure Modes in Three-Dimensional Airfield Rigid Pavements with Existing Cracks and Flaws

This paper predicts the potential for crack propagation in concrete pavements under aircraft loading given a starter fatigue crack at the bottom of the concrete slab or a surface-initiated shrinkage crack on top of the slab. The generalized finite element method was used to evaluate the stress intensity factors for quarter elliptical cracks placed at the critical top and bottom tensile stress locations. The pavement was loaded with a single triple-dual-tandem (TDT) gear and two TDTs accounting for the entire belly gears. When the pavement was loaded with the two TDT gear configuration, the analyses showed significantly higher KI (shear mode) values for surface-initiated cracks than for bottom-initiated cracks for the same crack size. Therefore, concrete slabs with preexisting surface cracks are more likely to exhibit top-down crack growth despite being designed for bottom-up fatigue cracking under certain loading conditions. The theoretical framework allows for improved assessment of the fracture suscepti...
Legislative Brief H.R. 26, The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2009

Eating disorders are a widespread problem that is often overlooked. Almost 11 million suffer from anorexia or bulimia, and approximately 25 million more suffer from binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders are a complex and devastating condition that have serious consequences to a person's health, productivity, and relationships. If left untreated, an eating disorder can lead to death. The US government has done very little to help individuals suffering from eating disorders. Before 2008, the only federal eating disorder bill that has ever passed into law was a congressional resolution in the Senate in 1989 designating a National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. H.R. 26, The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, and Education Act of 2009, was reintroduced for the sixth time in the 2009-2010 congressional session by Representative Judy Biggert on February 6, 2009. This legislative brief details the history of eating disorders, the purpose and history of the bill, and the potential impact that this bill wi...
Efficiency improvement opportunities in TVs: Implications for market transformation programs

Abstract Televisions (TVs) account for a significant portion of residential electricity consumption and global TV shipments are expected to continue to increase. We assess the market trends in the energy efficiency of TVs that are likely to occur without any additional policy intervention and estimate that TV efficiency will likely improve by over 60% by 2015 with savings potential of 45 terawatt-hours [TW h] per year in 2015, compared to today’s technology. We discuss various energy-efficiency improvement options and evaluate the cost effectiveness of three of them. At least one of these options improves efficiency by at least 20% cost effectively beyond ongoing market trends. We provide insights for policies and programs that can be used to accelerate the adoption of efficient technologies to further capture global energy savings potential from TVs which we estimate to be up to 23 TW h per year in 2015.
Intermolecular Proton Transfer between Two Methylamine Molecules with an External Electric Field in the Gas Phase

The transfer of a proton between two potential wells, as in a hydrogen bond, has been extensively studied. However, transfer under the influence of an electric field has been studied to only a very...
A study of virtual design and construction implementation and benefits using a bayesian approach

Tanto los profesionales como los investigadores en el campo de la gestion de la construccion carecen de metodos confiables y practicos para evaluar las proposiciones de valor de metodos emergentes tales como el Diseno y Construccion Virtual (VDC) incluyendo el entendimiento de como diferentes niveles de implementacion afectan los beneficios esperados. Mas aun, los metodos actuales para entender la implementacion y los beneficios de VDC no pueden ser actualizados facilmente para incorporar nuevos datos. Este articulo presenta un marco de referencia bayesiano para la prediccion de los beneficios de la aplicacion de VDC a partir de datos respecto a su implementacion. Analizamos datos de 40 proyectos que realizaron la modelacion formal de parte del alcance del proyecto y/o el proceso de construccion. El analisis sugiere que niveles mas altos o mas amplios de implementacion de VDC llevan a beneficios mas altos para el proyecto. Explicamos el uso de un marco de referencia bayesiano como alternativa a la aplicacion de la teoria clasica de la probabilidad en la investigacion sobre gestion de la construccion, como usamos el marco bayesiano para interpretar datos acerca de la practica y resultados de la implementacion de VDC, nuestros resultados que indican que los beneficios de la aplicacion de VDC tienen una fuerte correlacion contingente positiva con el nivel de implementacion de VDC en los proyectos, y nuestra propuesta de utilizacion del metodo propuesto para actualizar las conclusiones acerca de los beneficios de implementar VDC cuando cambian los datos acerca de su implementacion y resultados.
Evaluation of skull thickness and insertion torque at the halo pin insertion areas in the elderly: a cadaveric study.

Abstract Background context The halo skeletal fixator provides the most rigid type of immobilization of all the orthoses that stabilize the cervical spine. Sometimes with older patients (>70 years old), the pin penetrates the cortical and cancellous bone of the skull and enters the intracranial space, which can result in serious complications such as brain injury, infection, hematoma, and loss of cerebrospinal fluid from the subarachnoid space. Currently, there is a lack of relevant literature that examines these concerns. Purpose To evaluate the thickness of the outer table, diploe, and inner table at the anterolateral and posterolateral pin insertion areas of the skull in elderly cadavers by using computed tomography (CT) scans. In addition, insertion torques at the four standard pin insertion areas was determined by applying halo pins at incremental torque in an effort to suggest safe torque levels for the anterolateral and posterolateral pins. Study design/setting A human cadaveric anatomical and biomechanical study relating to thickness and insertion torques at standard pin areas in the elderly. Patient sample Twenty-one elderly cadaveric skull specimens. Outcome measures Thickness of cortices (tables) and diploe of skull and insertion torque at halo pin insertion areas. Methods Aquarius Image software at the CT scanner's TeraRecon Aquarius Workstation was used to make the necessary skull thickness measurements at the pin insertion areas. Six, 8, 12, 18, and 36 inch lb of torque were used to determine penetration of the pins through the inner table at each of the four locations (two anterolateral and two posterolateral). Results The mean anterolateral thickness was 7.36±1.57 mm. The average thickness of the outer table, diploe, and inner table were 2.24±0.44 mm, 1.52±0.41 mm, and 3.59±1.70 mm, respectively. The mean posterolateral thickness was 9.47±1.12 mm. The average thickness of the outer table, diploe, and inner table were 4.32±0.92 mm, 1.88±0.35 mm, and 3.27±1.21 mm, respectively. No pin penetration was seen at the traditional 8 inch lb of insertion torque in both the anterolateral and posterolateral pin insertion areas. Eighteen inch lb of torque resulted in penetration in 90.48% (19/21) and in 85.71% (18/21) of specimens in the left anterolateral and right anterolateral pin insertion areas, respectively. No penetration was seen even at 36 inch lb of torque in 80.95% (17/21) of the cadavers in both the left and right posterolateral pin insertion areas. Conclusions The current study supported previous research that 8 inch lb of torque is safe for application of halo pins in the elderly. The posterolateral skull is thicker and stronger than the anterolateral skull. The safe maximum torque is 8 inch lb for anterolateral pin insertion area and 18 inch lb for the posterolateral pin insertion area.
Association of early HIV viremia with mortality after HIV-associated lymphoma

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between early HIV viremia and mortality after HIV-associated lymphoma. DESIGN Multicenter observational cohort study. SETTING Center for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort. PARTICIPANTS HIV-infected patients with lymphoma diagnosed between 1996 and 2011, who were alive 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis and with at least two HIV RNA values during the 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis. EXPOSURE Cumulative HIV viremia during the 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis, expressed as viremia copy-6-months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE All-cause mortality between 6 months and 5 years after lymphoma diagnosis. RESULTS Of 224 included patients, 183 (82%) had non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 41 (18%) had Hodgkin lymphoma. At lymphoma diagnosis, 105 (47%) patients were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), median CD4⁺ cell count was 148 cells/μl (interquartile range 54-322), and 33% had suppressed HIV RNA (<400 copies/ml). In adjusted analyses, mortality was associated with older age [adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) 1.37 per decade increase, 95% CI 1.03-1.83], lymphoma occurrence on ART (AHR 1.63, 95% CI 1.02-2.63), lower CD4⁺ cell count (AHR 0.75 per 100 cells/μl increase, 95% CI 0.64-0.89), and higher early cumulative viremia (AHR 1.35 per log₁₀ copies × 6-months/ml, 95% CI 1.11-1.65). The detrimental effect of early cumulative viremia was consistent across patient groups defined by ART status, CD4⁺ cell count, and histology. CONCLUSION Exposure to each additional 1-unit log₁₀ in HIV RNA throughout the 6 months after lymphoma diagnosis was associated with a 35% increase in subsequent mortality. These results suggest that early and effective ART during chemotherapy may improve survival.
Examining the Effects of Biodiversity on the Ability of Local Plans to Manage Ecological Systems

The protection of biological diversity (hereafter biodiversity) is considered one of the fundamental goals for the sustainable management of ecological systems. This paper examines how existing levels of biodiversity influence ecosystem capabilities at the local level. Specifically, it tests the effects of biodiversity and the degree of threat to biodiversity on the quality of local comprehensive plans in Florida as measured by the ability to manage ecosystems. Regression analysis indicates that high biodiversity does not stimulate planners to adopt higher quality plans. Instead, human disturbance or threats to existing levels of biodiversity are the most significant factors in driving ecosystem plan quality. Based on the results, the paper discusses implications for policy and suggests recommendations to improve proactive planning practices associated with managing ecological systems over the long term.
Effect of ionophores on the processing of the beta-amyloid precursor protein in different cell lines.

1. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the deposition in the brain of extracellular amyloid plaques and vascular deposits consisting mostly of amyloidβ-peptide (Aβ). Aβ, a polypeptide of 39–43 amino acids (M r, ∼4 kDa), is derived proteolytically from a family of proteins of 695–770 amino acids (M r, ∼110–140 kDa) calledβ-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP). 2.βAPP, an integral membrane glycoprotein, is extensively posttranslationally modified within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and various Golgi compartments.βAPP is cleaved by proteases in either the trans-Golgi network or the post-Golgi apparatus and then secreted as a truncated soluble form into the conditioned media of cultured cells and cerebrospinal fluid samples from human subjects.βAPP can be processed either by an antiamyloidogenic secretory pathway or by an endosomal/lysosomal pathway. 3. I studied the effect of two ionophores on the processing ofβAPP in cultured cells. Monensin and, in some cases, ammonium chloride increase the intracellular accumulation ofβAPP in several cell lines and may alter its processing. Monensin, which had the most consistent effects, also inhibited secretion ofβAPP in a differentiated (growth factor mediated) cell line. Nigericin, with greater K+ selectivity, was less able to alter the accumulation and possible processing of the protein. 4. These results suggest that the increase in the accumulation of intracellularβAPP observed after treating cells with ionophores has some specificity. The selective effect of these ionophores on the metabolism ofβAPP may provide a model system to analyze the pathways for studying maturation, secretion, and degradation ofβAPP.
The General Irrelevance of the General Impossibility Theorem

Aggregation of preferences, 256. — The paradox of voting and its significance, 257. — Voting in a simple model, 258. — Some complications, 260. — Unimportance of the paradox, 263. — Voting in a more realistic model, 264. — Conclusion, 270.
Policymaking for emerging technology: the case of earthquake prediction

How does a nation formulate policy for a technology not yet quite “ready” but which may nevertheless have to be used? Earthquake prediction illustrates some of the policy issues relevant to this question. Earthquake prediction is a technology that is still in the research and development (R & D) stage. Yet predictions have been made and can be expected in the future. The question for policymakers is, are the predictions “ready enough” to use - do the risks of doing nothing in response to a scientific prediction exceed those of a false alarm? As earthquake prediction represents an emerging technology, it calls for a developing policy framework. What is the nature of “present” developing policy? How did this policy come to be? How adequate is it? What needs to be done? This article attempts to answer such questions, dealing primarily with U.S. policy, but also drawing on the experience of other nations, particularly Japan.
High Salt Concentrations Increase Permeability through OmpC Channels of Escherichia coli

OmpF and OmpC porin channels are responsible for the passage of small hydrophilic solutes across the outer membrane of Escherichia coli. Although these channels are two of the most extensively studied porin channels, what had yet remained elusive was the reason why OmpC shows markedly lower permeability than OmpF, despite having little difference in its channel size. The OmpC channel, however, is known to contain a larger number of ionizable residues than the OmpF channel. In this study, we examined the channel property of OmpF and OmpC using the intact cell of E. coli, and we found that the permeability of several β-lactams and lactose through OmpC became increased to the level comparable with OmpF with up to 0.3 m salt that may increase the Debye-Huckel shielding or with 2% ethanol or 0.3 m urea that may perturb the short range ordering of water molecules. Replacing 10 pore-lining residues that show different ionization behavior between OmpC and OmpF led to substantial conversion of channel property with respect to their permeability and response to external salt concentration. We thus propose that the overall configuration of ionizable residues in the channel that may orient water molecules and the electrostatic profile of the channel play a decisive role in defining the channel property of the OmpC porin rather than its channel size.