cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oxidation of Total Joint Implants and Antioxidant Strategies: Designing Implants for Oxidative Stress Resistance

Abstract As one of a few successful implantable medical devices, total joint implants are expected to function without deterioration for at least several decades in vivo. The polymeric components of total joint implants, made from medical grade ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, are sensitive to oxidative stress during manufacturing, storage, and during the implant’s lifetime. In this chapter, we will briefly describe the inception and evolution of joint implants, their oxidation processes and strategies to protect them against oxidation and oxidative degradation.
Monitoring Shear Strain in Shallow Subsurface Using Mini Pipe Strain Meter for Detecting Potential Threat of Slope Failure

The following study examines a new soil measurement method to achieve simple and reliable slope monitoring to ensure labor safety. The method measures the increase in shear strain in the shallow subsurface of the slope. The target that is measured in the soil using this method is different from that of the conventional methods, which use extensometers and inclinometers. Although the increase in shear strain in the shallow subsurface is considered negligible, this study discusses the potential application of the measurement for detecting the potential threat of slope failure. A mini pipe strain (MPS) meter was developed to measure shear strain in the shallow subsurface of slopes. A full-scale test model of slope failure was constructed via excavation to examine the detectability of the threat of slope failure using an MPS meter. Corresponding to the development of slip surfaces in deep positions, less than 0.5 % of shear strain in the shallow subsurface is clearly observable. Although the inverse of the shear strain rate (1/ν) showed a drastic decrease prior to failure, the slope did not fail immediately; in addition, creep phenomena was observed. An unstable slope may be considered a stable one because of the lag time prior to failure. Identifying the second or third creep could provide a few minutes for workers to escape. Accordingly, the threat of workers being injured by collapsing soil can be reduced by using the proposed method and sensor.
A Review of Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Complex Polymers for Use in the Recovery of Petroleum and Other Natural Resources

Many processes that are basic to the extraction of natural resources are facilitated by addition of polymers. To be useful, the polymers must meet an interrelated list of chemical and physical properties as well as economic criteria. The chemical and physical properties demanded of the polymers are:
Analysis of results from the Joint External Evaluation: examining its strength and assessing for trends among participating countries

Background The Joint External Evaluation (JEE) is part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) new process to help countries assess their ability to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats such as infectious disease outbreaks, as specified by the International Health Regulations (IHR). How countries are faring on these evaluations is not well known and neither is there any previous assessment of the performance characteristics of the JEE process itself. Methods We obtained JEE data for 48 indicators collectively across 19 technical areas of preparedness for 55 countries. The indicators are scored on a 1 to 5 scale with 4 indicating demonstrated capacity. We created a standardized JEE index score representing cumulative performance across indicators using principal components analysis. We examined the state of performance across all indicators and then examined the relationship between this index score and select demographic and health variables to better understand potential drivers of performance. Results Among our study cohort, the median performance on 43 of the 48 (89.6%) indicators was less than 4, suggesting that countries were failing to meet demonstrated capacity on these measures. The two weakest indicators were related to antimicrobial resistance (median score = 1.0, interquartile range = 1.0-2.0) and biosecurity response (median score = 2.0, interquartile range = 2.0-3.0). JEE index scores correlated with various metrics of health outcomes (life expectancy, under-five year mortality rate, disability-adjusted life years lost to communicable diseases) and with standard measures of social and economic development that enable public health system performance in the total sample, but in stratified analyses, these relationships were much weaker in the AFRO region. Conclusions We find large variations in JEE scores among countries and WHO regions with many nations still unprepared for the next disease outbreak with pandemic potential The strong correlations between JEE performance and metrics of both health outcomes and health systems' performance suggests that the JEE is likely accurately measuring the strength of IHR-specific, public health capabilities.
Utilization of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) in the Non-destructive Assessment of FRP Laminate-Concrete Bond Strength

Repair and rehabilitation methods for civil infrastructure have become a topic of great interest to engineers, and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) laminate is one of the most popular and practical solutions for strengthening and retrofitting of concrete structures. Several past studies indicated that significant increase in strength and stiffness can be achieved by using this technology. The quality of the FRP-concrete bond is critical in transferring stresses through the interface, and the in-situ evaluation of the bond strength is still a challenging issue.
‘Spanish at home, English at school’: how perceptions of bilingualism shape family language policies among Spanish-speaking parents of preschoolers

In the United States nearly one third of children under five live in homes where a non-English language is spoken. However, many of these language-minority (LM) children shift towards English monol...
Long-read sequence and assembly of segmental duplications.

We have developed a computational method based on polyploid phasing of long sequence reads to resolve collapsed regions of segmental duplications within genome assemblies. Segmental Duplication Assembler (SDA; https://github.com/mvollger/SDA ) constructs graphs in which paralogous sequence variants define the nodes and long-read sequences provide attraction and repulsion edges, enabling the partition and assembly of long reads corresponding to distinct paralogs. We apply it to single-molecule, real-time sequence data from three human genomes and recover 33-79 megabase pairs (Mb) of duplications in which approximately half of the loci are diverged ( 99.9%) and that the diverged sequence corresponds to copy-number-variable paralogs that are absent from the human reference genome. Our method can be applied to other complex genomes to resolve the last gene-rich gaps, improve duplicate gene annotation, and better understand copy-number-variant genetic diversity at the base-pair level.
Plum Pudding Random Medium Model of Biological Tissue and Optical Biomedical Imaging in NIR and SWIR Spectral Windows

Abstract Biological tissue has a complex structure and exhibits rich spectroscopic behavior. Light of longer wavelength is less scattered by typical tissue, yet it is unexpectedly scattered more into the forward directions (the anisotropy of light scattering increases) within the visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral range as revealed by some thorough measurements. We present a plum pudding random medium (PPRM) model for biological tissue to account, for the first time, for the observed spectroscopy of tissue light scattering and its anisotropy. PPRM succinctly describes tissue as a superposition of distinctive scattering structures (plum) embedded inside a fractal continuous medium of background refractive index fluctuation (pudding). PPRM faithfully reproduces the power law wavelength dependence of tissue light scattering and attributes the “anomalous” trend in the anisotropy to the plum. As light scattering is the key factor hampering the depth and resolution of optical biomedical imaging, PPRM provides much needed quantitative model of light scattering by biological tissue to gauge the merits of biomedical imaging with light of varying wavelengths. Optical breast and brain imaging are used as two examples to compare the performance of imaging in NIR and shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectral windows.
Phosphonic acid and alkyl phosphate-derivatized resins for the simultaneous concentration and detection of uranium in environmental waters

Abstract The objective of this study was to synthesize extractive scintillating resins for the direct, real-time analysis of uranium in neutral pH environmental waters. In the first synthetic approach, a methyl phosphonic acid-derivatized resin was prepared by suspension polymerization to create a matrix containing a covalently bound fluorophore and 4-vinylbenzyl chloride, followed by phosphorylation and hydrolysis to add phosphonic acid functionality. In the second approach, methyl phosphate-derivatized resin was synthesized in a one-step suspension polymerization, resulting in matrix containing a covalently bound fluorophore and ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate ligand. Uranium binding capacity and detection efficiency of the resins were evaluated in pH 4, 6 and 8 simulated ground water and compared. The ability of both resins to detect uranium from neutral pH simulated ground water was evaluated through a Shewart-3σ control statistic applied to real-time data collected in a flow-cell detector. Resins exhibited similar binding capacities (0.18 mmol g−1) and detection efficiencies; however, the methyl phosphate resin concentrated uranium more rapidly from simulated ground water than the phosphonic acid resin. The pH dependence on the volume to detection was interpreted through changes in uranium speciation and binding mechanism supported by computational simulations.
Gastric cancer mortality rates among US and foreign-born persons: United States 2005–2014

Historically, foreign-born individuals in the US have had an elevated risk of dying from gastric cancer when compared to US-born individuals. This is primarily due to factors that occur prior to their immigration to the US, including diet and underlying risk of H. pylori infection. National mortality data from 2005 to 2014 were obtained from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Annual population estimates were obtained from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey for foreign-born and US-born persons. Age-adjusted gastric cancer mortality rates and rate ratios (RR) were calculated stratified by birth place, age, race/ethnicity, and geographic location. From 2005 to 2014, 111,718 deaths from malignant gastric cancer occurred in the US, of which 24,583 (22%) occurred among foreign-born individuals. Overall, foreign-born individuals had higher mortality rates compared with US-born individuals (RR 1.82; 95% CI 1.80, 1.85) and this difference remained after stratifying by sex, age, and geographic location. However, this finding was primarily driven by the low rate of gastric cancer mortality among US-born whites, with similar mortality rates observed among all other foreign-born and US-born groups. Gastric cancer mortality rates significantly decreased during the study period overall (AAPC − 2.50; 95% CI − 3.21, − 1.79) with significant declines observed among US-born (AAPC − 2.81; 95% CI − 3.55, − 2.07) and the foreign-born (AAPC − 2.53; 95% CI − 3.20, − 1.86) population. Efforts directed at reducing the prevalence of gastric cancer risk factors could help reduce the elevated burden observed among foreign-born individuals and US-born minority groups.
Passive Q-Switching based on Nonlinear Effect of Multimode Interference in Tapered Fiber

A novel method to passively Q-switch an all-PM fiber laser is presented. A tapered fiber (free standing in air)is used as a saturable absorber based on Kerr effect of multimode interference in tapered section. © 2019 The Author(s)
Interactions between viruses and virus strains.

Publisher Summary Plants infected with one virus usually retain susceptibility to infection by other unrelated viruses. Therefore, a plant may, and frequently does, carry more than one virus. Double, triple, or even quadruple infections are not uncommon under natural conditions. Peach trees carrying ring-spot virus may become infected with mosaic, yellows, or any one or more of a number of virus diseases to which stone fruits are susceptible. In the western United States, sugar beet plants are frequently found infected with curly top, virus yellows, and mosaic and, experimentally, sugar beet has been infected successively with the viruses of curly top, mosaic, yellow net, and dodder latent mosaic. Apparently none of these interferes measurably with any one of the others. Each virus increases, invades the plant according to its own peculiar pattern, and produces its own characteristic effects. However, a few viruses are known that interfere with the normal development or expression of other viruses unrelated to them. These interactions are expressed by partial or complete suppression of one virus by another, by synergistic associations, by modification of the type of symptoms that appear on the host plant, or by abnormal increase in the concentration of one virus. By far the most extensive interactions occur, however, between different strains of the same virus. These interactions, so far as discovered, are antagonistic in nature. This chapter starts with the discussion on the interactions among unrelated viruses. It also discusses the interactions between the virus strains.
Goal Attainment Scaling in Physical Education

Physical Educators track and assess goals for their students, programs, and national standards to know if the program is effective. Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) has been utilized in various settin...
The Joinpoint-Jump and Joinpoint-Comparability Ratio Model for Trend Analysis with Applications to Coding Changes in Health Statistics

Analysis of trends in health data collected over time can be affected by instantaneous changes in coding that cause sudden increases/decreases, or “jumps,” in data. Despite these sudden changes, the underlying continuous trends can present valuable information related to the changing risk profile of the population, the introduction of screening, new diagnostic technologies, or other causes. The joinpoint model is a well-established methodology for modeling trends over time using connected linear segments, usually on a logarithmic scale. Joinpoint models that ignore data jumps due to coding changes may produce biased estimates of trends. In this article, we introduce methods to incorporate a sudden discontinuous jump in an otherwise continuous joinpoint model. The size of the jump is either estimated directly (the Joinpoint-Jump model) or estimated using supplementary data (the Joinpoint-Comparability Ratio model). Examples using ICD-9/ICD-10 cause of death coding changes, and coding changes in the staging of cancer illustrate the use of these models.
X-ray source gets a 100-fold boost in brightness.

A brilliant new light shines in Grenoble, France, where officials at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility last week announced the reopening of their completely rebuilt x-ray source. The ring-shaped machine, 844 meters around, generates x-ray beams 100 times brighter than its predecessor and 10 trillion times brighter than medical x-rays. The intense radiation could open up new vistas in x-ray science, such as imaging whole organs in three dimensions while resolving individual cells. The reborn synchrotron, dubbed the Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS), will open to general users in late August, but since April, researchers have used its intense beams to study SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, and the disease9s impact on the body. And the EBS is lighting the way for others, as the United States, Japan, and a dozen other countries develop similar machines.
Constraining Criminal Laws

Most criminal law is statutory. Although the violation of criminal statutes can result in significantly more serious consequences than violations of other types of statutes, the dominant theories of statutory interpretation do not distinguish between criminal statutes and non-criminal statutes. They say that, when interpreting statutes, courts should always be faithful agents aiming to implement the will of the legislature, and that task does not change depending on whether the statute is criminal. This Article shows that treating the interpretation of criminal statutes the same way as other statutes is a major departure from the past. Historically, courts did not simply try to implement the will of the legislature in interpreting criminal statutes; instead, they played a more active role, adopting a package of interpretive rules that constrained the criminal law. The Article argues that courts should once again adopt this historical approach to interpreting criminal statutes in order to reestablish the judiciary as an important check on overly broad criminal laws, promote democratic accountability, and foster important principles of notice and predictability.
Dating the Great Divergence

New data on Dutch and British GDP/capita show that at no time prior to 1750, perhaps not before 1800, did the leading countries of northwestern Europe enjoy sustained strong growth in GDP/capita. Such growth in income per head as did occur was highly episodic, concentrated in a few decades and then followed by long periods of stagnation of income per head. Moreover, at no time before 1800 did the leading economies of northwestern Europe reach levels of income per capita much different from peak levels achieved hundreds of years earlier in the most developed regions of Italy and China. When the Industrial Revolution began in Britain, it was not preceded by patterns of pre-modern income growth that were in any way remarkable, neither by sustained prior growth in real incomes nor exceptional levels of income per head. The Great Divergence, seen as the onset of sustained increases in income per head despite strong population growth, and achievement of incomes beyond pre-modern peaks, was a late occurrence, arising only from 1800.
The impact of maternal alcohol and illicit drug use on children’s behavior problems: evidence from the children of the national longitudinal survey of youth

Abstract This study uses Children of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to test for evidence of a causal relationship between maternal alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use, and children’s behavior problems. Ordinary least squares (OLS) results provide strong evidence that substance use is associated with behavior problems. However, OLS estimation fails to account for unobserved factors that may be correlated with substance use and child behavior. To account for this problem, mother–child and family fixed-effects models are tested. The results suggest that maternal illicit drug use is positively associated with children’s behavior problems, while alcohol use has a less consistent impact.
Sculpting light in 3D with Dynamic Computer Generated Holography

We have developed a new 3D computer generated holography technique that optimizes the modulation of coherent waves in both space and time to improve the quality of rendered images. Results show enhanced fidelity and lower speckle.
Studies on Primer-independent Polynucleotide Phosphorylase of Micrococcus luteus: REACTION WITH N-ETHYLMALEIMIDE

Abstract Less than 1 mol (0.3 to 0.9 mol) of N-ethylmaleimide reacts per mol of Form-I polynucleotide phosphorylase under normal conditions. ADP or (Ap)4A-cyclic-p, which would be expected to bind to the catalytic center, markedly reduce this reaction. Treatment with N-ethylmaleimide in the presence of 1 m guanidinium chloride permits the reaction of 1 additional mol of sulfhydryl per mol of enzyme. In the presence of 1 m guanidinium chloride both phosphorolysis and polymerization activities of Form-I polynucleotide phosphorylase are increased. Reduction in the presence of 1 m guanidinium chloride followed by incubation with N-ethylmaleimide results in the loss of de novo polymerizing ability of primer-independent polynucleotide phosphorylase and the reaction of three or four groups with N-ethyl[14C]maleimide. The enzyme is then primer-dependent in polymerizing activity but retains the electrophoretic characteristics of Form-I polynucleotide phosphorylase. Poly(A) and (Ap)4A-cyclic-p do not interfere with the reaction of these sulfhydryl groups with N-ethylmaleimide. They do, however, prevent the loss of de novo polymerizing activity. It is postulated that poly(A) and (Ap)4A-cyclic-p stabilize a particular enzyme conformation by virtue of binding to the catalytic center of the molecule. Preparations of Form-I purified by chromatography on hydroxylapatite can be unstable upon incubation at room temperature or exposure to ammonium persulfate. The instability is pronounced immediately following preparation and is manifested by inactivation of the de novo polymerizing ability. The enzyme becomes more stable after storage.
Determinants of firms' responses to underwater employee stock options : evidence from traditional repricings, 6&1 exchanges and makeup grants

While firms claim that 6&1 exchanges and makeup grants help realign incentives and retain employees, critics argue that these responses provide opportunities for managerial rent extraction. Moreover, scholars challenge that these alternative responses are chosen to avoid the expense associated with traditional repricings or to substitute for cash. I test these competing explanations by comparing 6&1 exchange firms with traditional repricing firms, and makeup grant firms with traditional repricing firms. Results indicate that 6&1 exchange firms have a greater need to realign employee incentive and makeup grant firms have a greater need to retain employees. I also find that firms having higher financial reporting concerns are more likely to choose 6&1 exchanges or makeup grants over traditional repricings. Also, firms with stronger governance structures choose 6&1 exchanges and firms with less dividend constraints choose makeup grants. Overall, these findings suggest that economic reasons drive alternative responses to underwater stock options.
Systems Biology: an emerging theme in biological research

Publisher Summary The sequencing of genomes is rapidly altering the landscape of biotechnological and biomedical research. This is due to the direct access to gene-coding and intergenic sequence information as well as genomics-based and other technologies that allow high the throuput measurement of the important classes of biological molecules. This information has the potential of elucidating gene regulation mechanisms and identifying genes implicated in disease or perfecting industrially important high-performance strains. To fully utilize this wealth of information, raw data must be appropriately upgraded through a variety of computational methods. A review of the computational issues associated with the utilization of genomic and physiological data is provided in the chapter. These methods aim to integrate such data in a physiologically coherent framework and also provide the basis for a quantitative description of cell function. The introduction of computational methods to integrate and quantify biological data is an important step in the development of the emerging field of systems biology.
Effects of dietary lipids on growth, food conversion, lipid and fatty acid composition of channel catfish.

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus} fingerlings were reared in 1-m-diameter fiberglass tanks at 26Â°and fed 27 experimental diets differing in source of lipid. Duplicate groups of fish were fed each of eight primary lipid sources and each lipid was fed at a level of 10% of diets in three molecular forms: triglycA©ride,free fatty acid, and ethyl ester. Highest average weights occurred when the fish were supplemented with beef tallow, olive oil and men haden oil triglycA©rides. Substantially lower gains were obtained from groups fed shortand medium-chain fatty acids, a fat-free diet, safflower oil (high in 18:2w6) and Unseed oil (high in 18:3^3). In general, triglycA©rideand ethyl ester diets led to more rapid growth of channel catfish than did free fatty acid diets. Food conversions for fish fed triglycA©ridediets were superior to those of fish on the other two dietary lipid types. The deposition of fatty acids in whole carcasses followed very closely the fatty acid composition of the diet whereas deviation from the. dietary fatty acid composition was noted in liver. J. Nutr. 102: 249-258, 1972. INDEXING
Open access to economic outcome data will help to bridge the gap between clinical trials and clinical guidelines.

Buoyed by a burgeoning medical culture of “appropriate use” and rising doctor awareness of the financial ruin that threatens many patients who navigate expensive treatments in pursuit of better health, medical specialist societies have grown increasingly vocal about integrating economic value in their clinical guidelines.1 These encouraging developments are, however, threatened by a worsening decline in the generalisability of randomised controlled trials, a concern supported by widening differences between the characteristics …
Utility of Routine Testing of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid for Cryptococcal Antigen

All cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) testing performed at our institution between 1989 and 1994 was reviewed for utility of routinely testing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) for this antigen. Forty-two of 1,506 BAL specimens were positive. Seventeen of these were felt to represent false positives (sensitivity, 71%; positive predictive value, 0.59). The data on CrAg in cerebrospinal fluid and serum and the fungal culture and histological results of BAL specimens did not support continued, routine testing of BALs for CrAg to diagnose cryptococcosis.
Palatal aneurysm; review of the literature and report of a case.

Abstract The literature on palatal aneurysms has been reviewed. A new case of palatal aneurysm has been described and added to the existing literature.
Error control schemes for networks: an overview

In this paper, we investigate the issue of error control in wireless communication networks. We review the alternative error control schemes available for providing reliable end-to-end communication in wireless environments. Through case studies, the performance and tradeoffs of these schemes are shown. Based on the application environments and QoS requirements, the design issues of error control are discussed to achieve the best solution.
Optical and X-Ray Single Crystal Studies of the Monoclinic ⇌ Tetragonal Transition in ZrO2

The monoclinic ⇌ tetragonal phase transition in ZrO2 single crystals was studied at temperature by transmission optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. A series of timelapse photographs illustrated the relations between the events that occur during the transition. The events themselves were recognized by direct observation using a high-temperature microscope stage and by scrutiny of several high-temperature Laue photographs. During heating the monoclinic phase transforms to the tetragonal by the motion of an interface parallel to the (100)m plane; simultaneous twinning also occurs behind the advancing interface. The tetragonal phase is usually twinned on the (12)bct or (12)bct plane, and the extent of twinning is influenced by the heating rate. Cooling transforms the untwinned tetragonal form into a twinned monoclinic form with the orientation of the monoclinic twins parallel to the trace of the (001)m plane when observations are made in the (100)m plane. Transformation of a twinned tetragonal crystal results in twins on the {110}m and {001}m planes. Orientation relations in the ZrO2 transformation are: (100)m‖(110)bct, [010]m‖[001]bct, and by the virtue of twinning, (100)m‖(110)bct, [001]m‖[001]bct. During cooling the same topotaxial relations are maintained.
Attributing the responsibility for ambulating patients: A qualitative study

Abstract Background Functional decline has been identified as a leading negative outcome of hospitalization for older person. Functional decline is defined as a loss in ability to perform activities of daily living including a loss of independent ambulation. In the hospital literature, a patient's loss in ability to independently ambulate during the hospital stay varies between 15 and 59%. Lack of ambulation and deconditioning effects of bed rest are one of the most predictable causes of loss of independent ambulation in hospitalized older persons. Nurses have been identified as the professional most capable of promoting walking independence in the hospital setting. However, nurses do not routinely walk patients. Objective The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between nurses' attributions of responsibility for ambulating hospitalized patients and their decisions about whether to ambulate. Methods A descriptive, secondary analysis of data gathered for a parent study was conducted. Grounded dimensional analysis was used to analyze the data. Participants consisted of 25 registered nurses employed on medical or surgical units from two urban hospitals in the United States. Results Nurses fell into two groups: those who claimed ambulation of patients within their responsibility of practice and those who attributed the responsibility to another discipline. Nurses who claimed responsibility for ambulation focused on patient independence and psychosocial well-being. This resulted in actions related to collaborating with physical therapy, determining the appropriateness of activity orders, diminishing the risk and adjusting to resource availability. Nurses who attributed the responsibility deferred decisions about initiating ambulation to either physical therapy or medicine. This resulted in actions related to waiting, which involved, waiting for physical therapy clearance, physician orders, risks to decrease, and resources to improve before ambulating. Conclusions Nurses who claimed responsibility for ambulating patients within their domain of practice described actions that promoted patient independent function and were more likely to get patient s up to ambulate.
High-gain wavelength dispersive spectrometer for light element x-ray microanalysis

We have developed a new type of X-Ray spectrometer intended for light element micro-analysis applications. This spectrometer typically has energy resolution better than 20 eV, very high count rates for low X-Ray energies characteristic of light elements, quasi-parallel data collection similar to Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), weighs less than 20 lb., and is mechanically very simple. Fabrication of this spectrometer is possible due to our development of X-Ray collection/collimation optics for low X- Ray energy which collect large solid angles of sub-KeV x-rays and reflect them into a parallel beam. The spectrometer is intended for electron beam microanalysis, small spot XRF and other X-Ray micro-analysis methods. In this paper, we present the theory of operation, some details of collimator fabrication, spectrometer fabrication and some preliminary test data.
Longwave UV Light Induces the Aging-Associated Progerin

Premature aging in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is caused by a mutation of the LMNA gene that activates a cryptic splice site. This results in expression of a truncated form of Lamin A, called progerin. Accumulation of progerin in the nuclei of HGPS cells impairs nuclear functions and causes abnormal nuclear morphology. Progerin accumulation has not only been described in HGPS, but also during normal intrinsic aging. We hypothesized that accumulation of progerin with abnormal nuclear shapes may also be accelerated by UV and with that contribute to photoaging of the skin. We exposed neonatal or aged cultured fibroblasts to single or repeated doses of longwave or shortwave UV (UVA or UVB) and found that UVA, but not UVB, induces progerin expression and HGPS-like abnormal nuclear shapes in all cells, but more in aged cells. The induction of progerin is mediated by UVA-induced oxidative damage and subsequent alternative splicing of the LMNA transcript, as progerin induction was suppressed by the singlet oxygen quencher sodium azide, and as mRNA expression of LMNA was not induced by UVA. These data suggest a previously unreported pathway of photoaging and support the concept that photoaging is at least in part a process of damage-accelerated intrinsic aging.
The pathway of formation of n-butyl and n-amyl alcohols by a mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract A mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found which produces relatively large amounts of n -propyl and n -butyl alcohols but none of the other higher alcohols usually associated with alcoholic fermentation by yeasts. Tracer studies with this mutant are reported which are consistent with the hypothesis that n -butyl alcohol is formed by the familiar Ehrlich-Neubauer-Fromherz pathway from α-keto- n -valeric acid which in turn is synthesized from α-ketobutyric acid by a pathway analogous to the pathway by which α-ketoisocaproic acid is synthesized from α-ketoisovaleric acid in the synthesis of leucine; i.e., it is proposed that α-ketobutyric acid condenses with acetyl-CoA to form α-aceto-α-hydroxybutyric acid which, after dehydration, rehydration, oxidation, and decarboxylation, yields α-keto- n -valeric acid. If norvaline is added as a source of α-keto- n -valeric acid to the wild type, n -butyl alcohol is formed. If the same compound is added to a fermentation by the mutant, the formation of n -butyl alcohol is slightly stimulated and, in addition, a new alcohol is formed, namely, n -amyl alcohol. Tracer studies indicate that this alcohol is formed from α-ketovaleric acid by a pathway analogous to the pathway of formation of n -butyl alcohol from α-ketobutyric acid. The addition of norleucine, as a source of α-keto- n -caproic acid, to a fermentation by the mutant, stimulates the formation of n -amyl alcohol but does not cause detectable amounts of n -hexyl alcohol to be formed. The several acetotransferase activities of yeasts are discussed.
14-3-3σ is a p37 AUF1-binding protein that facilitates AUF1 transport and AU-rich mRNA decay

Short-lived cytokine mRNAs contain an AU-rich destabilizing element (ARE). AUF1 proteins bind the ARE, undergo shuttling, and promote cytoplasmic ARE-mRNA decay through a poorly understood mechanism. We therefore identified AUF1-interacting proteins that may play a role in ARE-mRNA decay. We used mass-spectrometry to identify 14-3-3σ protein as an AUF1-interacting protein. 14-3-3σ binds selectively and strongly to p37 AUF1 and to a lesser extent to the p40 isoform, the two isoforms most strongly associated with ARE-mRNA decay, but not to the two larger isoforms, p42 and p45. The 14-3-3σ interaction site on p37 was mapped to a region found only in the two smaller AUF1 isoforms and which overlaps a putative nuclear localization signal (NLS). Stable overexpression of 14-3-3σ significantly increased cytoplasmic accumulation of p37 AUF1 and reduced the steady-state level and half-life of a reporter ARE-mRNA. siRNA silencing of AUF1 eliminated the effect of 14-3-3σ overexpression. 14-3-3σ therefore binds to p37 AUF1, retains it in the cytoplasm probably by masking its NLS, and enhances rapid turnover of ARE-mRNAs.
Numerical investigations of the deposition of unattached 218Po and 212Pb from natural convection enclosure flow

We report numerical predictions of the deposition to enclosure surfaces of unattached {sup 218}Po and {sup 212}Pb, short-lived decay products of {sup 222}Rn and {sup 220}Rn, respectively. The simulations are conducted for square and rectangular two-dimensional enclosures under laminar natural convection flow with Grashof numbers in the range 7 x 10{sup 7} to 8 x 10{sup 10}. The predictions are based upon a finite-difference natural-convection fluid-mechanics model that has been extended to simulate the behavior of indoor radon decay products. In the absence of airborne particles, the deposition velocity averaged over the enclosure surface was found to be in the range (2-4) x 10{sup -4} m s{sup -1} for {sup 218}Po and (1-3) x 10{sup -4} m s{sup -1} for {sup 212}Pb. In each simulation, the deposition rate varied by more than an order of magnitude around the surface of the enclosure with the largest rates occurring near corners. Attachment of decay products to airborne particles increased the deposition velocity; for example, attachment of {sup 218}Po at a rate of 50 h{sup -1} increased the predicted average deposition velocity by 30-70% over values in the absence of attachment. The simulation results have significance for assessing the health risk associated withmore » indoor exposure to {sup 222}Rn and {sup 220}Rn decay products and for investigating the more general problem of the interaction of air pollutants with indoor surfaces.« less
The α2L111R,N122D Isoform of the Na,K-ATPase Expressed in HeLa Cells Does Not Undergo an Adipocyte-like Increase in Activity in Response to Insulin

In the rat adipocyte, insulin increases potassium uptake by a preferential activation of the alpha2 isoform of the Na,K-ATPase. The question under consideration here is whether expression of the alpha2 isoform is sufficient to replicate its differential activation by insulin. Accordingly, we compared the effect of insulin on the activity of the ouabain resistant rat alpha1 and alpha2RD (alpha2L111R,N122D) isoforms in HeLa cells. In HeLa cells, in contrast to the rat adipocyte, insulin produces an increase of equal magnitude in the rate of 86Rb+/K+ uptake by the ouabain resistant rat alpha1 and rat alpha2RD subunits. We conclude that the mechanism of insulin activation of the alpha2RD isoform in HeLa cells differs from that of the wild type alpha2 isoform in the rat adipocyte.
A CD-MEKC Method Utilizing a Neutral Surfactant for Enantiomeric Purity Determination of an Oxazolidinone Drug Candidate

A method based on cyclodextrin-mediated micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEKC) was developed and validated for quantification of the minor, undesired enantiomer (distomer) in the drug candidate PHA-549184, an oxazolidinone that was under development as an antibiotic. The low intrinsic solubility of the compound (0.24 mg mL−1), combined with the poor solution concentration sensitivity of capillary electrophoresis, required extensive method development to enhance the solubility of PHA-549184 while minimally degrading electrophoretic performance. A number of approaches were investigated, including inclusion of neutral and charged cyclodextrins in the background electrolyte (BGE) and addition of both charged and neutral surfactants. The final BGE contains the nonionic surfactant Brij 35: pH 2.5, 18.8 mM lithium phosphate buffer/5% highly sulfated-γ-CD/7.5 mM Brij 35. Quantitation is versus an external standard in the presence of an internal standard. The assay is selective for the distomer and proved linear with a mean recovery of 104.0% over the range 0.25–2.0%. The LOD was 0.1, and the LOQ 0.2%, both slightly higher than customary in chiral analysis, a consequence of an upper bound of 1.5 mg mL−1 placed on the sample concentration in order to maintain high efficiency for the system. Precision examined over the range 0.2–1.0% varied between 3.8% and 8.0%. No batch of drug substance registered above the detection limit for the distomer.
Mineral Mysteries: “Skunks” and Related Phenomena

10.1080/00357529.2013.797714-F0001 Figure 1. The cover of the March/April 1997 issue of Rocks & Minerals. This amethyst on calcite skunk from Artigas, Uruguay, is certainly one of the finest exampl...
From co‐operation to competition: market transformation among elite Napa Valley wine producers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that cooperative behavior by key actors is often crucial for collective organizational learning to occur and new markets to become established. Such cooperation is gradually replaced by competition as network interactions become formalized following the codification of knowledge and the growth of a collective identity.Design/methodology/approach – Using detailed ethnographic studies from a broad sample, this paper uses key informants who played a role in creating and sustaining a viable market for a high status good.Findings – The sharing of tacit knowledge complements technical skills for key industry actors and facilitates collective organizational learning in ways that expedite the emergence of a high status sector. Once knowledge is codified as the sector gains legitimacy, there is less need for informal structured interactions as vital conduits of knowledge sharing.Originality/value – This paper shows how knowledge sharing via cooperative relationship u...
Accuracy of Cone Beam Computerized Tomography and a Three-Dimensional Stereolithographic Model in Identifying the Anterior Loop of the Mental Nerve: A Study on Cadavers

The objective of this ex vivo cadaver study was to determine the accuracy of cone beam computerized tomography (CBCT) and a 3-dimensional stereolithographic (STL) model in identifying and measuring...
Faithful Allies: The Experiences of LGB-Affirming, White Christian Clergy

In this study, the authors explored the growing subset of Christian clergy who are allies of the LGB community and invested in fostering change in their religious communities toward the end of making Christianity more affirming and inclusive. Thirteen heterosexually identified, White Christian clergy participated in this qualitative study of their daily lived experiences; the data were analyzed using Consensual Qualitative Research. The findings provide detailed information about these clergy including the factors that fostered the development of their worldviews, the behavioral manifestation of their advocacy, and the beliefs and experiences that sustain their efforts.
Increased serum catalase activity in rats subjected to thermal skin injury

We found that: rats subjected to thermal skin injury (burn) had increased serum hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity, serum catalase activity, erythrocyte (RBC) fragility, and edematous lung injury (lung leak) when compared to sham-treated rats. Serum H2O2 scavenging activity was inhibited by addition of sodium azide, a catalase inhibitor. Treatment of rats with the oxygen radical scavenger, dimethylthiourea (DMTU), decreased RBC fragility and lung leak but did not alter increased H2O2 scavenging or catalase activity of serum from rats subjected to skin burn. We conclude that increased serum catalase activity is a consequence of thermal skin injury and that increased serum catalase activity may be a mechanism that modulates H2O2-dependcnt processes following skin burn.
Modelling disease progression in terms of exposure history.

We consider the relationship between accumulating exposure to a putative agent and the associated change in physiologic function. This type of problem is common to prospective studies of cognitive, pulmonary and cardiovascular function. A general model is proposed for data from prospective, observational studies with concurrent measures of exposures and continuous outcome measures. This model permits non-linearity in the relationship between exposure and outcome and is designed to describe outcome in terms of one's entire exposure history. As exposure data are often severely right-skewed, we use regression spline estimation methods which localize the influence of extreme points. We illustrate our methodology using data from a longitudinal epidemiologic investigation of the effects of amateur boxing on neuropsychologic function.
Curriculum-Embedded Performance Assessment in Higher Education: Maximum Efficiency and Minimum Disruption.

Increasingly, institutions of higher education are required to evaluate student progress and programme effectiveness through implementation of performance assessment practices. Faculty members frequently resist performance assessment because of concerns that assessment activities will increase workloads, reduce time for scholarly activities, eliminate professional autonomy, and reduce faculty work into component parts or discrete technical competences. This paper describes how curriculum‐embedded performance assessment can be used to evaluate student and programme effectiveness without placing an undue burden on faculty. Examples of the use of curriculum‐embedded performance assessment strategies in a graduate‐level educational psychology programme are provided.
The role of boron in suppressing environmental embrittlement in L12-Ordered (Co,Fe)3V

Many ordered intermetallics have been shown to exhibit environmental embrittlement when tested in air at room temperature at conventional strain rates. These include Ni[sub 3]Al, Co[sub 3]Ti, Ni[sub 3]Is, Ni[sub 3](Al,Mn), Ni[sub 3](Is,Ti) and (Co,Fe)[sub 3]V with the Ll[sub 2] crystal structure and Fe[sub 3]Al and FeAl with the DO[sub 3] and B2 crystal structures, respectively. This embrittlement is believed to be caused by atomic hydrogen released from the reaction of moisture in the air with a reactive element (e.g., Al, Is, Ti, or V) in intermetallics at newly formed surfaces during deformation. In the case of Ll[sub 2] intermetallics, this environmental embrittlement effect is seen to produce intergranular fracture, indicating that the embrittling hydrogen diffuses mainly along the grain boundaries. The addition of boron has been shown to dramatically increase ductility in several intermetallic alloys. In Ll[sub 2] alloys such as Ni[sub 3]Al and Ni[sub 3]Is, boron completely suppresses this environmental effect. On the other hand, boron has no beneficial effect on environmental embrittlement in Co[sub 3]Ti which also has the Ll[sub 2] crystal structure. In this paper the effect of boron addition to (Co, Fe)[sub 3]V, an environmentally susceptible Ll[sub 2] alloy, is investigated.
Studies of the role of opioids in control of human pancreatic secretion

Opioids, both endogenous and exogenous, have been shown to exert a modulating influence on many gastrointestinal functions. Animal studies suggest an inhibitory role for opioids in the control of pancreatic secretion, which may be exerted through their inhibitory effect on acetylcholine release from intramural neurons. We studied pancreatic secretion in six healthy male volunteers (mean age 42 years) by means of duodenal aspiration using PEG-4000 as a recovery marker. Pancreatic secretion was stimulated with duodenal perfusion of mannitol (510 mosmol/kg) and an equimolar solution (0.3 M/liter) ofl-phenylalanine andl-tryptophan and also with an intravenous bolus of secretin and cholecystokinin (each 1 CU/kg). Each subject underwent six studies on separate days with intravenous infusion of saline, naloxone 40 Μg/kg/hr, morphine sulfate 40 Μg/kg/hr, morphine and naloxone combined, naloxone and atropine 13 Μg/kg/hr, and morphine and bethanechol 16 Μg/kg/hr. Naloxone caused a significant increase in amylase outputs during the basal period and in response to all stimuli, without affecting bicarbonate outputs. This effect was blocked by atropine. Morphine caused significant reductions in both amylase and bicarbonate outputs with all stimuli. This was accompanied by a reduction in amylase concentrations but not in those of bicarbonate. Bethanechol counteracted these effects of morphine. The combination of morphine and naloxone had no significant effect on pancreatic secretion. Changes in pancreatic polypeptide levels did not explain the observations. In conclusion, these studies suggest that endogenous opioids exert a modulating influence on human pancreatic secretion. Morphine has a significant inhibitory effect on enzyme output as in animal studies. These effects may be mediated through an effect on acetylcholine release from nerve terminals and an interaction with cholecystokinin.