cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding how psychosocial factors relate to seeking medical care among older adults using a new model of care seeking.

Abstract Rationale Research has identified psychosocial factors related to the use of health services among the older population; however, the specific roles by which these factors drive behavior have not been identified and empirically tested. Objective This study tested whether previously identified psychosocial factors decrease or increase the motivational potential to seek care, the motivational sensitivity to perceived access, or the motivational sensitivity to perceived need. Methods The 2014 U.S. Health and Retirement Study was used. Analysis was based on 2589 older noninstitutionalized respondents (age greater than 64). The dependent variable was the number of healthcare provider visits in the preceding two years. Psychosocial factors included were life satisfaction, social network indicators, optimism, pessimism, positive social support, hopelessness, loneliness, self-efficacy, health efficacy, positive affect, negative affect, and purpose in life. Covariates included age and sex. Maximum likelihood estimation of an interpretable structural model was used. Results Results of the study provide evidence that psychosocial variables are related to health care seeking through both motivational potential and sensitivity parameters. Some psychosocial variables are related to multiple roles. For example, pessimism is related to a lower motivational potential and is more sensitive to access at higher levels of access, whereas hopelessness is related to a higher motivational potential and more sensitive to need and access at lower levels of each. Conclusions Findings imply psychosocial characteristics are related to health care seeking and utilization of older adults via different roles that can countervail each other, and therefore the influence of interventions can be complex. To address this, complex interventions may be required.
Is youth pessimism good for the environment? Insights from PISA 2015

In this study, we explore the potential of data from large-scale assessments to provide insights into how students’ environmental knowledge could address the global challenge of environmental threats to humanity and the transition to sustainable development. We analyze data from the 2015 PISA survey to understand the extent to which 15-year old students in 54 countries are aware of these challenges. We find that students’ science activities, self-efficacy and environmental knowledge are positively associated with their awareness about environmental challenges. Students’ environmental awareness, in turn, is associated with environmental pessimism, or their outlook on the future of environmental issues. Students who are more engaged with environmental science are more aware about environmental issues and feel less optimistic that environmental issues will improve in the future. Such pessimistic attitudes about the future may be a precursor to pro-environmental behavior. Our results provide a cross-national picture of students’ engagement with environmental issues and insight into the potential of large-scale assessment data to inform environmental education policies promoted by individual countries and international organizations.
Peering beyond the bars: Institutional confinement of female inmates

Criminal behavior does not cease when an individual is removed to the confines of the prison walls. Correctional violence is a exists among America's modern prison system. Criminology has built a vast body of research on the institutional misconduct of male offenders, while at the same time has ignored the misconduct of female offenders. This study extends the importation model of inmate behavior to a cohort of female offenders through an examination of demographic characteristics, criminological history, victimization history, and personality disorders on institutional misconduct in a maximum security female prison.
Coming into focus: The role of extracellular matrix in vertebrate optic cup morphogenesis

The vertebrate eye acquires its basic form during the process of optic cup morphogenesis, during which the optic vesicle emerges from the brain neuroepithelium and, through a series of cell and tissue movements, transforms itself into the multilayered optic cup, containing neural retina (comprised of retinal progenitors), retinal pigmented epithelium, and the lens, which is derived from the overlying ectoderm. While great strides have been made to understand the developmental signals controlling specification, patterning, and differentiation of the optic cup, only in recent years have the cellular and molecular bases of optic cup morphogenesis begun to be unraveled. One critical component of the morphogenetic process is the extracellular matrix: the complex, glycoprotein-rich layer that surrounds the optic vesicle and lens. Though the extracellular matrix has long been visualized by classical histological techniques and postulated to play various roles in optic cup development, its functional role was uncertain. This is now beginning to change, as live imaging techniques, quantitative image analyses, molecular genetics and in vitro models yield new insights into the process of optic cup morphogenesis and the specific influences of particular extracellular matrix components and their associated signaling pathways.
An Analysis on Uplink OFDMA Optimality

Motivated by the increasing popularity of OFDMA, this paper studies the sum rate optimality of OFDMA as an uplink multicarrier multiple access scheme. More specifically, we are interested in answering the following three questions: (i) what are the conditions under which OFDMA is sum-rate optimal? (ii) what is the probability of OFDMA being sum-rate optimal? and (iii) in the case OFDMA is suboptimal, what is the performance gap between OFDMA and the optimal multicarrier solution? Within a generic discrete multicarrier uplink framework, we present the necessary and sufficient conditions for OFDMA optimality and derive the probabilities of these conditions for both low and high SNR regions. Our results show that the number of shared subchannels under the optimal solution should be less than the number of total users, thus the performance gap between the OFDMA scheme and the optimal solution is negligible when the number of subchannels is sufficiently large.
Empirical Bayes Estimation of Reliability

Empirical Bayes decision procedures are decision theoretic procedures that utilize past data as a means for bypassing the necessity of identifying a completely unknown prior distribution. The article reviews the parametric and nonparametric empirical Bayes techniques and their application to estimation of the mean lifetime, the reliability function, and the failure intensity function. Keywords: Bayes estimation; empirical Bayes estimation; mean lifetime; reliability function; failure intensity function
Direct Determination of Galaxy Luminosity Functions in Clusters

We present R-band galaxy luminosity functions (GLFs) from a spectroscopic sample of six nearby rich galaxy clusters. In addition to individual cluster GLFs, extending to, in one case, M R = –14, we also present composite GLFs for cluster and field galaxies to M R = –17. All six cluster samples are consistent with the composite GLF, but there is evidence that the GLF of the quiescent population in clusters is not universal. Furthermore, the GLF of quiescent galaxies is significantly steeper in clusters than in the field. The overall GLF in clusters is consistent with that of field galaxies, except for the luminous tip, which is enhanced in clusters versus the field.
Foreigners in U.S. Patent Litigation: An Empirical Study of Patent Cases Filed in Nine U.S. Federal District Courts in 2004, 2009, and 2012 (Presentation)

One of the greatest challenges facing patent holders is the enforcement of their rights against foreign (non-U.S.) infringers. Jurisdictional rules can prevent patent holders from filing patent infringement suits where they have the greatest likelihood of success in enforcement, such as where the infringer is located, has his seat, or holds his assets; instead, patent holders must file lawsuits in the country where the infringed patent was issued. But filing a patent lawsuit in a U.S. court against a non-U.S. infringer may be subject to various difficulties associated with the fact that U.S. substantive patent law (particularly as regards its territorial scope) and conflict of laws rules are not always compatible and interoperable with the conflict of laws rules of other countries. Such insufficient compatibility and interoperability can lead to U.S. judgments not being enforceable outside the United States. In the Hague Conference’s Judgments Project, which the Conference re-launched in 2012, the United States has an opportunity to negotiate internationally uniform conflict of laws rules to improve cross-border litigation, including cross-border patent litigation. This article provides data on cross-border patent litigation that can be used to assess the extent to which the United States should be concerned about cross-border patent litigation problems and the degree to which the United States should be involved in the Judgments Project to improve cross-border patent litigation. The statistics in this article are the result of an empirical study of 6,420 patent cases filed in 2004, 2009, and 2012 in nine selected U.S. federal district courts – the federal district courts in which the largest numbers of patent cases per court were filed in 2012. The results show that the numbers of patent cases involving foreign parties are on the rise, although the percentage of such cases in the total number of patent cases filed did not increase from 2009 to 2012. The article brings up to date the author’s earlier research on cross-border aspects of patent litigation, contributes to the rapidly growing body of empirical literature on patent litigation (including the literature on the “patent troll” phenomenon), and enriches the literature on foreign litigants in patent disputes and on transnational litigation in general (both of which suffer from a dearth of statistical data).
HLA Antibody Detection With Solid Phase Assays: Great Expectations or Expectations Too Great?

Alloantibodies directed against HLA antigens, are a barrier to long-term solid organ allograft survival. The clinical impact of preformed, donor-directed HLA alloantibodies range from acceptable risk to unequivocal contraindication for organ transplantation. HLA antibodies are key factors that limit patient access to donor organs. Serological methods were once the only approach to identify HLA antigens and antibodies. Limitations in these technologies led to the development of solid phase approaches. In the early 1990s, the development of the polymerase chain reaction enabled DNA-based HLA antigen testing to be performed. By the mid-1990s, microparticle-based technology that utilized flow cytometry for analysis was developed to detect both classes I and II HLA antibodies. These methodologies revolutionized clinical histocompatibility testing. The strengths and weaknesses of these assays are described in detail in this review.
Early differentiation of retinal ganglion cells: an axonal protein expressed by premigratory and migrating retinal ganglion cells.

A monoclonal antibody, RA4, was developed that recognizes retinal ganglion cell axons in the mature retina. Between embryonic days 3 and 9, the RA4 antigen was associated with cell bodies in certain regions of the retina in addition to the ganglion cell axons. The RA4-positive cells were of 3 types: an apolar cell adjacent to the ventricular surface, a bipolar cell that spanned the thickness of the retina, and a monopolar cell in the ganglion cell layer. Evidence suggests that these cells are premigratory and migrating retinal ganglion cells. The expression of the RA4 antigen is the earliest indicator of ganglion cell differentiation yet reported. The existence of RA4-positive apolar cells along the outer surface of the retina suggests that the ganglion cell phenotype is expressed as soon as the cell becomes postmitotic. Approximately 20% of the migrating ganglion cells were in pairs. The paired cells most likely arose from the terminal division of a germinal cell. One possibility suggested by these data is that a ganglion cell- specific germinal cell arises from a pluripotent germinal cell. Immunoblots and other analyses revealed the RA4 antigen to be a 140 kDa cytoplasmic protein in the retina. RA4 also recognized many long tract axons in the brain. In the brain, the RA4 epitope was observed on proteins with at least 7 different molecular weights. Evidence suggests that different cell types may express the RA4 antigen with slightly different molecular weights.
Fluoxetine induces input‐specific hippocampal dendritic spine remodeling along the septotemporal axis in adulthood and middle age

Fluoxetine, a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is known to induce structural rearrangements and changes in synaptic transmission in hippocampal circuitry. In the adult hippocampus, structural changes include neurogenesis, dendritic, and axonal plasticity of pyramidal and dentate granule neurons, and dedifferentiation of dentate granule neurons. However, much less is known about how chronic fluoxetine affects these processes along the septotemporal axis and during the aging process. Importantly, studies documenting the effects of fluoxetine on density and distribution of spines along different dendritic segments of dentate granule neurons and CA1 pyramidal neurons along the septotemporal axis of hippocampus in adulthood and during aging are conspicuously absent. Here, we use a transgenic mouse line in which mature dentate granule neurons and CA1 pyramidal neurons are genetically labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) to investigate the effects of chronic fluoxetine treatment (18 mg/kg/day) on input-specific spine remodeling and mossy fiber structural plasticity in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus in adulthood and middle age. In addition, we examine levels of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, maturation state of dentate granule neurons, neuronal activity, and glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 expression in response to chronic fluoxetine in adulthood and middle age. Our studies reveal that while chronic fluoxetine fails to augment adult hippocampal neurogenesis in middle age, the middle-aged hippocampus retains high sensitivity to changes in the dentate gyrus (DG) such as dematuration, hypoactivation, and increased glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) expression. Interestingly, the middle-aged hippocampus shows greater sensitivity to fluoxetine-induced input-specific synaptic remodeling than the hippocampus in adulthood with the stratum-oriens of CA1 exhibiting heightened structural plasticity. The input-specific changes and circuit-level modifications in middle-age were associated with modest enhancement in contextual fear memory precision, anxiety-like behavior and antidepressant-like behavioral responses.
The Development of the Conceptual Organization of Self

Abstract This study posed a cognitive-differentiation hypothesis for the development of the concept of self. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade (N = 112), divided equally between the sexes, were administered a class-inclusion task and two measures of the concept of self. The Imaginary Audience Scale for the Young Child (IAS; Elkind & Bowen, 1979) indexed two aspects of the Jamesian “I,” or self-as-subject. A newly developed instrument, the Part-of-Me Scale (PMS), measured the various constituents of the Jamesian “me,” or self-as-object. The results indicated a sex difference on the IAS subscales and a grade effect for constituents judged as integral to self-definition. The results suggest that a relational concept of self, characterized by individuation from and integration with the external world, may be a developmental achievement not apparent until middle adolescence.
Disk Envelopes of Functions, II

Abstract Given a Suslin functionφon a domainYin a Banach spaceXone can define two envelopes ofφrelated to the pluripotential theory. The first one, denoted byPφ, is the supremum of all plurisubharmonic functions less thanφ. The value of the other one, denoted byDφ, at some pointzis equal to the infimum of integrals over the boundaries of all closed analytic disks centered atz. In this paper we study the relationship between these envelopes. We show thatDφ⩽P*φfor a large class of functions on domains in Banach spaces, whereP*φis the upper regularization ofPφ. IfX= C n, then we prove thatD*φis always equal toP*φ.
Grazing activity of Pfiesteria piscicida (Dinophyceae) and susceptibility to ciliate predation vary with toxicity status

Abstract Variability has been reported in the toxicity potential of Pfiesteria piscicida that is partly a function of the history of exposure to live fish. Grazing properties of P. piscicida and its susceptibility to ciliate predation were compared in three functional types or toxicity states of this species: actively toxic cultures, cultures with temporary loss of demonstrable toxicity, and cultures with no demonstrable toxicity. Pronounced differences in predator–prey interactions were found between actively toxic cultures and cultures with reduced toxicity. When grown with Rhodomonas sp. (Cryptophyceae) prey, specific growth rates were relatively low in actively toxic cultures under both relatively high and low irradiances. In the cultures with reduced toxicity, prey chloroplast material was apparent in nearly 100% of dinoflagellate cells 3 h after feeding, while chloroplast inclusions were found in
Absence of microdeletions in the Y chromosome in patients with a history of cryptorchidism and azoospermia or oligospermia.

Abstract Objective: To determine if cryptorchidism is associated with microdeletions of interval 6 of the Y chromosome, we evaluated this locus in men with a history of cryptorchidism with and without azoospermia or oligospermia and in a control group. Design: Clinical study. Setting: Academic research environment. Patient(s): Men in whom surgical treatment of cryptorchidism had been performed in childhood and healthy control male subjects. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Genotyping of interval 6 of the Y chromosome. Result(s): Analysis of semen obtained from men treated for cryptorchidism in childhood showed azoospermia or oligospermia in 14 of 38 (37%) men. No microdeletions were identified with polymerase chain reaction amplification of 17 distinct sequence tagged sites located on the long arm of the Y chromosome and the sex determining region on Y ( SRY ) gene. Conclusion(s): Microdeletions of interval 6 of the Y chromosome were not detected in either the formerly cryptorchid or in the healthy subjects. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of point mutations, we conclude that cryptorchidism or cryptorchidism associated with azoospermia or oligospermia is not due to microdeletions involving interval 6 of the Y chromosome.
Synthesis of Alpha2 (Acute Phase) Globulin by Fetal and Neonatal Rat Liver in Vitro

SummaryA plasma protein, designated alpha2 (acute phase) globulin, present in fetal, neonatal, pregnant, and injured adult rats, but not detected in normal adult rats all gave reactions of immunologic identity. Incubation of fetal and neonatal rat liver slices resulted in incorporation of 14C-labeled amino acids into this alpha2 (acute phase) globulin. Under identical experimental conditions, incubation of liver slices from pregnant and normal adult rats did not produce detectable labeling of this plasma protein. These findings suggest that (1) fetal and neonatal liver is the source of the plasma alpha2 (acute phase) globulin detected in such animals: (2) the presence of alpha2 (acute phase) globulin in injured adult rats reflects hepatic synthesis of a normal fetal-specific globulin rather than an “abnormal” injury-specific protein; (3) the DNA cistronic region coding for this globulin is “switched-on” in fetal and neonatal rat liver, is “switched-off” or repressed in normal adult liver, and is again “sw...
Dose discrepancies in the buildup region and their impact on dose calculations for IMRT fields

Purpose: Dose accuracy in the buildup region for radiotherapy treatment planning suffers from challenges in both measurement and calculation. This study investigates the dosimetry in the buildup region at normal and oblique incidences for open and IMRT fields and assesses the quality of the treatment planning calculations. Methods: This study was divided into three parts. First, percent depth doses and profiles (for 5x5, 10x10, 20x20, and 30x30 cm{sup 2} field sizes at 0 deg., 45 deg., and 70 deg. incidences) were measured in the buildup region in Solid Water using an Attix parallel plate chamber and Kodak XV film, respectively. Second, the parameters in the empirical contamination (EC) term of the convolution/superposition (CVSP) calculation algorithm were fitted based on open field measurements. Finally, seven segmental head-and-neck IMRT fields were measured on a flat phantom geometry and compared to calculations using {gamma} and dose-gradient compensation (C) indices to evaluate the impact of residual discrepancies and to assess the adequacy of the contamination term for IMRT fields. Results: Local deviations between measurements and calculations for open fields were within 1% and 4% in the buildup region for normal and oblique incidences, respectively. The C index with 5%/1 mm criteria for IMRT fieldsmore » ranged from 89% to 99% and from 96% to 98% at 2 mm and 10 cm depths, respectively. The quality of agreement in the buildup region for open and IMRT fields is comparable to that in nonbuildup regions. Conclusions: The added EC term in CVSP was determined to be adequate for both open and IMRT fields. Due to the dependence of calculation accuracy on (1) EC modeling, (2) internal convolution and density grid sizes, (3) implementation details in the algorithm, and (4) the accuracy of measurements used for treatment planning system commissioning, the authors recommend an evaluation of the accuracy of near-surface dose calculations as a part of treatment planning commissioning.« less
Carbene-Metal Hydrides Can Be Much Less Acidic Than Phosphine-Metal Hydrides: Significance in Hydrogenations

Acidities of iridium hydride intermediates were shown to be critical in some transformations mediated by the chiral analogues of Crabtree’s catalyst, 1−3. To do this, several experiments were undertaken to investigate the acidities of hydrogenation mixtures formed using these iridium-oxazoline complexes. DFT calculations indicated that the acidity difference for Ir−H intermediates in these hydrogenations were astounding; iridium hydride from the N-heterocyclic carbene catalyst 1 was calculated to be around seven pKa units less acidic than those from the P-based complexes 2 and 3. Consistent with this, the carbene complex 1 was shown to be more effective for hydrogenations of acid-sensitive substrates. In deuteration experiments, less “abnormal” deuteration was observed, corresponding to fewer complications from acid-mediated alkene isomerization preceding the D2-addition step. Finally, simple tests with pH indicators provided visual evidence that phosphine-based catalyst precursors give significantly more...
Maps of science as interdisciplinary discourse: co-citation contexts and the role of analogy

Interdisciplinarity can be manifest in many forms: through collaboration or communication between scientists working in different fields or through the work of individual scientists who employ concepts or methods across disciplines. This latter form of interdisciplinarity is addressed here with the goal of understanding how ideas in different fields come together to create new opportunities for discovery. Maps of science are used to suggest possible interdisciplinary links which are then analyzed by co-citation context analysis. Interdisciplinary links are identified by juxtaposing a clustering and mapping of documents against a journal-based categorization of the same document clusters. Links between clusters are characterized as interdisciplinary based on the dissonance of their category assignments. To verify and probe more deeply into the meaning of interdisciplinary links, co-citation contexts for selected links from five separate cases are analyzed in terms of prominent cue words. This analysis reveals that interdisciplinary connections are often based on authors’ perceptions of analogous problems across scientific domains. Cue words drawn from the citation contexts also suggest that these connections are viewed as important and ripe with both opportunity and risk.
Enhanced neurotrophin synthesis and molecular differentiation in non-transformed human retinal progenitor cells cultured in a rotating bioreactor.

One approach to the treatment of retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, is to replace diseased or degenerating cells with healthy cells. Even if all of the problems associated with tissue ...
Aqueous stability of thorium and rare earth metals in monazite hydrometallurgy: Eh–pH diagrams for the systems Th–, Ce–, La–, Nd– (PO4)–(SO4)–H2O at 25 °C

Abstract Potential vs. pH or Eh–pH diagrams for the systems Th–, La–, Nd–, Ce–, (PO 4 )–(SO 4 )–H 2 O at 25 °C were generated using the HSC5.0 software. The thermodynamic data available in the HSC software were supplemented with additional data for the rare earth metal phosphates. The diagrams for the M–H 2 O systems show that rare earth hydroxides, such as Nd(OH) 3 , La(OH) 3 , and Ce(OH) 3 form in alkaline solutions (i.e. pH > 7.5); in contrast ThO 2 is stable down to relatively low pH (pH ≈ 1). For the Th–, Nd–, Ce–, and La–PO 4 –H 2 O systems, the size of the stability region of a given REPO 4 solid is highly dependent on the degree of crystallinity of the material, as reflected in the value of the corresponding solubility product. The more crystalline the RE phosphate, the larger the stability field. Addition of sulfate ions to the M–PO 4 –H 2 O systems introduces soluble metal–sulfate complexes and insoluble sulfates in the relatively acidic regions of the Eh–pH diagrams. The trends revealed by the diagrams are related to monazite hydrometallurgy.
Updates in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Although most ingested foreign bodies in children pass spontaneously, certain foreign bodies can be harmful and they require special attention and emergent medical intervention to prevent significant morbidity and mortality. This article presents an overview of the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and complications of foreign body ingestions in children. Particular attention is paid to coins, sharp objects, long objects, food bolus, caustic liquids, batteries, and magnets.
Smart flight control

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) wire technology was used as primary flight control actuators on a 99-inch wingspan remote controlled aircraft. Modifications were made to a Dynaflite Butterfly and its Futaba remote control system. Comparisons were recorded between the original Futaba electric motor servo system and the SMA actuator system in terms of input power requirement, response time, actuation geometry, output power, and proportional control characteristics. The advantages and limitations of this application of SMA technology were exposed. This project shed light on further possibilities for use of SMA technology that could eliminate much of the weight, complexity, and cost associated with current use of remote actuation and linkage systems. It is the author's hope that the information presented herein will help facilitate further development of SMA in highly critical miniature applications.
Trypanosomes in American Ground Squirrels

SYNOPSIS. California ground squirrels (Citellus beecheyi) were found to be infected with trypa-nosomes whose most striking morphological features are an unusually large kinetoplast and a long, tapering posterior end. The total length is 25.2 μ, and body length is 18.0 μ. This “lewisi”-type species is compared with other trypanosomes reported from American ground squirrels, but a specific diagnosis is not made because the life cycle has not been observed and because morphological features of trypanosomes are known to vary widely under differing environmental conditions.
Progress in HDL-Based Therapies for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting medium and large arteries resulting from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors that include dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking. The most serious manifestations of atherosclerotic vascular disease, such as unstable angina, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and sudden death, largely result from thrombosis superimposed on a disrupted (ruptured or eroded) atherosclerotic plaque. Adoption and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle coupled with management of modifiable risk factors significantly reduce the adverse clinical consequences of athero-thrombosis. Reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels using statins and other agents serves as the primary pharmacologic approach to stabilize atherosclerotic vascular disease. However, a large residual risk remains, prompting the search for additional therapies for atherosclerosis management, such as raising atheroprotective high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and/or improving HDL function. This review focuses on new and emerging HDL-based therapeutic strategies targeting atherosclerosis.
Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen—A Marker for Ovarian Follicle Counts

Enumerating ovarian follicles is an effective way to estimate the extent of ovarian toxicity in female rodents exposed to xenobiotics. Differential follicle counts are useful in safety assessment bioassays and in interspecies extrapolation of ovarian toxicity. Counting the follicles in H&E-stained sections is labor intensive, tedious, and costly. In the present study we demonstrated that in rat formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded ovary sections follicles of all degrees of maturity can be visualized by the use of antibody directed against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Follicles are easily distinguished from ovarian background with the ability to detect and identify primordial follicles being enhanced. This translates into a significant decrease in variability of follicle counts, labor, and cost. Specifically, variability dropped from 11% to 0.2%, the counting time was reduced by 46%, and the cost by 48%.
Effect of Microstructure on the Sheet Resistance of Ion-Beam Deposited ZnO Thin Film

ZnO thin films were deposited by ion-beam sputtering technique. Preliminary results show that the films are stoichiometric and crystalline in nature. The microstructure of ZnO films obtained depends very much on the process parameters. Among these parameters is the substrate temperature whose effect has been carefully examined. ZnO films were deposited with substrate temperatures ranging from 200°C to 350°C. We observed that the sheet resistance of the films varies with their microstructure. In this investigation, a sheet resistance of 6.6 Mega-ohms per square is measured on a dense film deposited at a substrate temperature of 325°C. We present in this paper a correlation between the film’s microstructure and stoichiometry with some of it’s electrical properties.
The versatile question: Diverse uses of questioning in online and traditional learning

Questions are a key tool for engaging students and extending learning opportunities. Nursing educators, traditionally using questions in the classroom, now also need best questioning techniques for online courses. Online questioning, missing the traditional nonverbal cues, poses certain challenges. This article, based on a literature review focused on questioning in online courses, highlights models and strategies for using questioning across diverse settings. Recommendations include that questions should be purposeful and clearly communicated to serve as effective learning tools.
miR-30e targets IGF2-regulated osteogenesis in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, aortic smooth muscle cells, and ApoE-/- mice

Aims Activation of an osteogenic transcriptional program contributes to the initiation of aortic calcification in atherosclerosis. The role of microRNAs in regulating aortic calcification is understudied. We tested the hypothesis that miR-30e regulates an osteogenic program in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and ApoE−/− mice. Methods and results In aortas of wild-type mice, we found that miR-30e is highly expressed in medial SMCs. In aortas of old ApoE−/− mice, we found that miR-30e transcripts are down-regulated in an inverse relation to the osteogenic markers Runx2, Opn, and Igf2. In vitro , miR-30e over-expression reduced the proliferation of MSCs and SMCs while increasing adipogenic differentiation of MSCs and smooth muscle differentiation of SMCs. In MSCs and SMCs over-expressing miR-30e, microarrays and qPCR showed repression of an osteogenic gene panel including Igf2. Inhibiting miR-30e in MSCs increased Igf2 transcripts. In SMCs, IGF2 recombinant protein rescued miR-30e-repressed osteogenic differentiation. Luciferase and mutagenesis assays showed binding of miR-30e to a novel and essential site at the 3′UTR of Igf2. In ApoE−/− mice, injections of antimiR-30e oligos increased Igf2 expression in the aortas and livers and significantly enhanced OPN protein expression and calcium deposition in aortic valves. Conclusion miR-30e represses the osteogenic program in MSCs and SMCs by targeting IGF2 and drives their differentiation into adipogenic or smooth muscle lineage, respectively. Our data suggest that down-regulation of miR-30e in aortas with age and atherosclerosis triggers vascular calcification. The miR-30e pathway plays an important regulatory role in vascular diseases.
Differences in the extent of activation of Epstein-Barr virus replicative gene expression among four nonproducer cell lines stably transformed by OriP/BZLF1 plasmids

Lymphoid cell lines were established which stably carry the Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) BZLF1 gene on an extrachromosomal plasmid. These lines, which spontaneously synthesize the BZLF1 gene product, ZEBRA, were examined for expression of EBV genes which were activated by ZEBRA. Cell lines which acquired oriP plasmids without BZLF1 served as controls. The extent of activation differed among derivatives of four cell lines. X50-7 cells, which harbor a standard latent EBV, could be induced by ZEBRA to produce transforming virus; a cellular subclone of this line was induced to express EBV late antigens but did not release transforming virus. In two other cell lines, Raji and ER, ZEBRA activated only a group of early antigens. Using immunofluorescence and immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies and Northern analysis five EBV early genes were shown to be induced in cells stably transformed by oriP/BZLF1 plasmids. ZEBRA itself was activated; thus BZLF1 is autostimulatory. Four other activated genes were components of the diffuse (EA-D) and restricted (EA-R) early antigens (BMRF1, BMLF1, BHRF1, and BORF2). Stable cell lines with extrachromosomal BZLF1 expression vectors will ultimately be useful in a variety of experiments designed to study regulation of this gene, to analyze the effects of mutations on ZEBRA protein function, and to define the full spectrum of viral and cellular genes which are activated by and interact with the ZEBRA protein.
Influence of Feeding Protected Tallow on Accuracy of Analyses by Infrared Milk Analyzer

Abstract To determine whether feeding cows protected-tallow supplement influences reliability of analyses of milk composition by the infrared method, we measured fat, protein, and lactose in milk produced by three groups of seven Holstein cows fed supplement at 0 (basal), 15% (medium), and 30% (high) of their ration for the first 15 wk postpartum. Samples from individual milkings were collected every 3 wk from cows in each group. Reference methods for the Infrared Milk Analyzer were Babcock test for fat, Udy dye-binding for protein, and a polarimetric method for lactose. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The differences, reference method minus infrared, for cows in the basal, medium, and high groups were: for fat −.01, .29, and .30%; for protein, .08, −.02 and .03%; and for lactose .05, .25, and .21%. For cows in the medium and high groups, differences for fat were correlated with the mean molecular weight of the triglyceride fatty acids. Cows in all three groups were switched over to a common ration for wk 16 to 20, and the sampling schedule was modified so that two samples were collected from each cow at a 2-wk interval. Differences on this ration for cows in the basal, medium, and high groups were: fat −.05, .03, and .01%; for protein .03, .05, and .06%; and for lactose .12, .15, and .10%. Differences for fat and lactose when the cows were fed protected-tallow supplement were attributable largely to feeding the supplement and the resulting change in fatty acid composition of the milk fat. To avoid errors in measuring fat and lactose in milk from cows fed protected-tallow supplement by infrared analysis, the instrument must be calibrated specially.
Quasi-Behavioral Objectives for curriculum specification

Quasi-Behavioral Objectives supersede the usual course descriptions, as are found in Curriculum 68 and college curriculum syllabi, by also describing the required behavior of the student and the learning level in the specified content area. The specification of an entire curriculum based on these objectives facilitates a smooth interfacing of courses, both in the hierarchy of course materials and in the progressive skill levels of the students. The development process for the creation of a curriculum specification based on Quasi-Behavioral Objectives is described and uses of these objectives beyond curriculum specification alone are suggested.
A simple radioisotope assay for phenylalanine hydroxylase cofactor.

Abstract Appropriate modifications of the isotope assay for phenylalanine hydroxylase are described which allow the measurement of the levels of phenylalanine hydroxylase cofactor in crude tissue extracts. Recovery studies indicate that the naturally occurring cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin, can be accurately measured by this method. The advantages of the Pseudomonas phenylalanine hydroxylase for these measurements are presented and the general properties of the assay system are discussed.
Reperfusion injury: A role for neutrophils

To determine the role of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury, livers from male Fischer rats were subjected to 45 min of no-flow ischemia followed by reperfusion for up to 24 h. Two phases of liver injury were identified, an initial phase during the first hour of reperfusion and a later progression phase with 80 ± 3% hepatocyte necrosis and an 80-fold increase of neutrophil infiltration in the liver after 24 h. Pretreatment with a monoclonal antibody against neutrophils, which caused consistent neutropenia, protected the liver from reperfusion injury as indicated by 28 ± 10% necrosis, and 84% reduction of hepatic neutrophil accumulation and a complete recovery of the hepatic ATP content. Our data suggest that the later progression phase of reperfusion injury after hepatic no-flow ischemia is mediated mainly by neutrophils.
Synthesis of 3-deuterated diazepam and nordiazepam 4-oxides and their use in the synthesis of other 3-deuterated derivatives

The protons at 3-positions of diazepam 4-oxide and nordiazepam 4-oxide underwent an efficient deuterium exchange via keto-enol tautomerism in deuterated alkaline methanol. The 3-dideuterated 4-oxides were each used as a starting material to synthesize 3-monodeuterated oxazepam and its 3-acetate, 3-monodeuterated temazepam and its 3-acetate, and 3-dideuterated diazepam and nordiazepam.
Macrospin models of spin transfer dynamics

The current-induced magnetization dynamics of a spin valve are studied using a macrospin (single-domain) approximation and numerical solutions of a generalized Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. For the purpose of quantitative comparison to experiment [S. I. Kiselev, J. C. Sankey, I. N. Krivortov, N. C. Emley, R. J. Schoelkopf, R. A. Buhrman, and D. C. Ralph, Nature 425, 380 (2003)], we calculate the resistance and microwave power as a function of current and external field, including the effects of anisotropies, damping, spin-transfer torque, thermal fluctuations, spin-pumping, and incomplete absorption of transverse spin current. Although many features of experiment appear in the simulations, there are two significant discrepancies: the current dependence of the precession frequency and the presence and/or absence of a microwave quiet magnetic phase with a distinct magnetoresistance signature. Comparison is made to micromagnetic simulations designed to model the same experiment.
New strategies for colorectal cancer prevention and treatment.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common fatal malignancy in the Western world, with more than 150,000 new cases accounting for 55,000 deaths in the United States every year. Surgical resection is an effective treatment for localized disease, achieving a 5-year survival rate of 90%; but chemotherapy and other novel treatments for metastatic disease remain ineffective. There have been significant efforts to identify risk factors associated with the development of CRC and to explore potential preventive therapies. Both genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to the development of colorectal cancer. Specific genetic changes in proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA mismatch repair genes have led to a genetic model of CRC. Cooperative genetic aberrations involving APC (adenomatous polyposis coli), beta-catenine, K-ras, and p53 are involved in the multistep adenoma-carcinoma sequence of CRC. Emerging data have implicated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostanoid production in the pathogenesis of colorectal carcinoma. Several reports indicate a close relation between the intake of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a decreased risk for developing colorectal cancer. Epidemiologic studies indicate a 40% to 50% reduction in mortality due to colorectal cancer in individuals taking NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin). Epigenetic factors including age, diet, angiogenesis, and immune responses also appear to contribute to the development of CRC. Combining knowledge of the genetic and epigenetic events implicated in this disease may allow a broader understanding of the pathogenesis of CRC. These developments may yield benefits in earlier detection and in the design of better antitumor interventions.
Evaluation of analgesic combinations for dental use.

the eventual loss of teeth. Other failures seem to be born shortly after the place­ ment of the restoration, having been created by gross shortcomings in the preparation of the cavity or by misjudgment in its indication for use. It is unfair to direct criticism of these failures to amalgam without awareness of its intrin­ sic shortcomings or inadequacies. Instead, it is obligatory to aim evaluation of amal­ gam to the dentist’s skill in attaining the maximum results from its numerous potentials. Its success or failure rests in the hands of professional experts.
Angular momentum constraints on dimuon energy asymmetries

It is shown that if a dimuon system is produced with bounded angular momentum j < or = j/sub max/, then = x ) = t ) = ( s)=vertical-bar/vertical-bar < or = xi/sub 0/, where xi/sub 0/ is the maximum zero of P/sub j /max +1(xi). No other assumptions regarding the source of the dimuons are made, and this bound can be reached. These bounds are considerably weaker than those of Pais and Treiman but are strong enough that they may be useful in future analyses. The results are applicable to a general two-body system and parity nonconservation is not required to reach the bound.
Toddlers from Low-Income Families Have Below Normal Mental, Motor, and Behavior Scores on the Revised Bayley Scales

This study examined scores on the original and revised Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-II) for 87 infants and toddlers from low-income families. Infants' scores were consistent with scores from the normative sample. In contrast, toddlers obtained mental, motor, and behavioral scores that were lower than scores from the normative sample. Mental, motor, and behavioral scores from the BSID-II were correlated for toddlers, but not for infants, suggesting that the interrelationship between behavior and development increases with age. These findings are consistent with longitudinal studies demonstrating a decline in developmental performance among toddlers from low-income families. They demonstrate that the vulnerability of toddlers can not be explained by outdated test norms. The findings may be partially explained by canalization theory in which early development is guided by species-specific self-righting processes that protect infants from all but the most devastating environmental influences or by a lack of enriching caregiving practices for toddlers in low-income families. With the restandardization of the BSID-II, more toddlers will qualify for early intervention. Recommendations are provided for prevention programs to reduce the vulnerability demonstrated among low-income toddlers.
Before- and After-Tax Size Economies: An Example for Cash Grain Production in Illinois

This article reports the degree to which economies of farm size exist for commercial Illinois cash grain agriculture, both on a before- and after-tax basis. Receipt, expense, and investment data are from the Illinois Farm Business Farm Management Association records, 1975–79. Analysis of covariance techniques were used in the examination of the five-year time series of cross-sectional data. Results indicate statistically significant evidence of economies of size, both on a before- and after-tax basis. There was no significant evidence of diseconomies of size for this sample.
Transmolar pin and magnetic carrier for midfacial reconstruction: A clinical report

Abstract With previous prosthetic restorations of bilateral maxillary resections, tissue erosion and bleeding on the cephalic parts of the cavity have been caused by movement and pressure from the prosthesis. Retention of a prosthesis is a major determinant in its successful use. Physical and psychologic stresses are common when one is unable to use a prosthesis comfortably. The use of a musculocutaneous flap and an obturator prosthesis had provided near-immediate reconstruction of a massive midfacial defect. This method of reconstruction resulted in soft tissue replacement for appearance and functional rehabilitation of the upper lip while maintaining sound oncologic principles.
The effect of human arginine rich apoprotein on rat adipose lipoprotein lipase.

Abstract Heterologous human arginine rich apoprotein purified by heparin affinity chromatography from very low density lipoproteins produces a pronounced inhibition of the activity of lipoprotein lipase obtained from rat adipose tissue when the apoprotein is added directly to the assay medium. If, on the other hand, only the triglyceride emulsion bound arginine rich apoprotein is presented to the enzyme, a two-fold increment in the activity of the enzyme is noted. The ratio of the substrate bound arginine rich apoprotein to the free apoprotein importantly influences the effect of this apoprotein on the lipoprotein lipase reaction. These findings suggest a potential receptor role for the protein in this enzyme-substrate interaction.
Nonsurgical management of ectopic teeth.

Four case reports exemplify the treatment of ectopic premolars without damaging the erupting root and supporting bone. It appears that aggressive surgical intervention can create significant secondary problems, and interference with the bone surrounding the ectopic tooth may compromise the adjacent teeth and bone level. Removal of the buccal or labial plate may compromise orthodontic movement. Gentle forces to guide the teeth into position will enhance alveolar bone growth and development.