cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NGF Blockade at Early Times during Bone Cancer Development Attenuates Bone Destruction and Increases Limb Use

Studies in animals and humans show that blockade of nerve growth factor (NGF) attenuates both malignant and non-malignant skeletal pain. While reduction of pain is important, a largely unanswered question is what other benefits NGF blockade might confer in bone cancer patients. Using a mouse graft model of bone sarcoma, we demonstrate that early treatment with an NGF antibody reduced tumor-induced bone destruction, delayed time to bone fracture, and increased the use of the tumor-bearing limb. Consistent with animal studies in osteoarthritis and head and neck cancer, early blockade of NGF reduced weight loss in mice with bone sarcoma. In terms of the extent and time course of pain relief, NGF blockade also reduced pain 40-70% depending on the metric assessed. Importantly, this analgesic effect was maintained even in animals with late stage disease. Our results suggest that NGF blockade immediately upon detection of tumor metastasis to bone may help preserve the integrity and use, delay the time to tumor-induced bone fracture, and maintain body weight.
Halothane-induced liver injury in outbred guinea pigs: role of trifluoroacetylated protein adducts in animal susceptibility.

Halothane causes a mild form of liver injury in guinea pigs that appears to model the hepatotoxicity seen in approximately 20% of patients treated with this drug. In previous studies, it was concluded that the increased susceptibility of some outbred guinea pigs to halothane-induced liver injury is not caused by their inherent ability to metabolize halothane to form toxic levels of trifluoroacetylated protein adducts in the liver. In this study, we reevaluated the role of trifluoroacetylated protein adducts in halothane-induced liver injury in guinea pigs. Male outbred Hartley guinea pigs were treated with halothane intraperitoneally. On the basis of serum alanine aminotransferase levels and liver histology, treated animals were designated as being susceptible, mildly susceptible, or resistant to halothane. Immunoblot studies with the use of anti-trifluoroacetylated antibodies showed that susceptible guinea pigs for the most part had higher levels of trifluoroacetylated protein adducts in the liver 48 h a...
Effect of various transformations on the analysis of percentage data

Proper analysis of transformed data arrays (such as percentages) requires paying special attention to the effects of the transformation process itself. Effects of several commonly used transformations (including percentage formation, row and column normalization, and the square root transformation) have been examined with emphasis placed on changes in the statistical and geometrical properties of column vectors that accompany the application of the transformation. Even though many transformations, including taking the square root, “open up” the percentage array, this does not allow one to ignore the fact that percentage formation may have considerably modified the statistical and geometrical properties of the columns of the matrix. In preparing to analyze percentages one should give serious consideration to using the row normalized form of the data matrix. The individual elements in such a matrix are the direction cosines of the vector in M-dimensional space, the row vectors are of unit length, and the row normalized matrix computed from the closed array is equal to the row normalized, open matrix that is unobservable. Application of a column transformation (such as range restriction and proportion of the maximum) destroys the equality of the open and percentage row normalized matrices. Despite repeated claims to the contrary, one can not deduce the statistical and geometrical properties of the open matrix given only the statistical and geometrical properties of the closed matrix.
Stronger Learning Recruits Additional Cell-Signaling Cascades: c-Jun-N-Terminal Kinase 1 (JNK1) is Necessary for Expression of Stronger Contextual Fear Conditioning

Increased training often results in stronger memories but the neural changes responsible for these stronger memories are poorly understood. It is proposed here that higher levels of training that result in stronger memories recruit additional cell signaling cascades. This study specifically examined if c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) is involved in the formation of stronger fear conditioning memories. Wildtype (WT), JNK1 heterozygous (Het), and JNK1 knockout (KO) mice were fear conditioned with 1 trial, 2 trials, or 4 trials. All mice learned both contextual (hippocampus-dependent) and cued (hippocampus-independent) fear conditioning but for contextual fear conditioning only, the JNK1 KO mice did not show higher levels of learning with increased trials. That is, WT mice showed a significant linear increase in contextual fear conditioning as training trials increased from 1 to 2 to 4 trials whereas KO mice showed the same level of contextual fear conditioning as WT mice for 1 trial training but did not have increased levels of contextual fear conditioning with additional trials. These data suggest that JNK1 may not be critical for learning but when higher levels of hippocampus-dependent learning occur, JNK1 signaling is recruited and is necessary for stronger hippocampus-dependent memory formation.
Trends in Concentration of Union Membership, 1897–1962

Introduction, 343. â€” Methodology, 345. â€” Patterns of concentration, 347. â€” Determinants of the pattern, 352. â€” Comparison with British experience, 356.
Effect of dexamethasone therapy on the neonatal ductus arteriosus.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is believed to be a contributing factor in the etiopathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). We studied the effects of early dexamethasone therapy on persistent ductal patency and the role of PDA in the etiopathogenesis of BPD during the course of a randomized double-blind trial of dexamethasone to prevent BPD. Infants, who weighed between 700 and 999 g, had severe RDS, and had been given surfactant, were randomized to receive a 12-day course of dexamethasone (n= 13) or placebo (n= 17) starting within the first 12 hours of postnatal life. The diagnosis of PDA was made clinically and was confirmed by cardiac ultrasound. The incidence of clinically significant ductus in infants who weighed less than 1000 g was 23% in the dexamethasone-treated group, as compared with 59% in infants who were given placebo. This difference was marginally significant, p= 0.05, odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.04–1.05. None of the infants in the dexamethasone group had recurrence of PDA after indomethacin therapy as compared with three infants in the placebo group. Dexamethasone significantly reduced the number of days infants required ventilator and supplemental oxygen as compared with infants who received placebo. Dexamethasone, as compared with placebo, also reduced the incidence of BPD, p= 0.025, odds ratio 0.08, 95% confidence interval 0.01–0.58. Dexamethasone may reduce the incidence of PDA in premature infants who weigh less than 1000 g at birth and thereby reduce the incidence of BPD.
ROLE OF ASCORBATE AND CYSTEINE ON SWELLING AND LIPID PEROXIDATION IN RAT LIVER MITOCHONDRIA.

Ascorbate and cysteine are effective swelling and lytic agents of rat liver mitochondria. These effects occur simultaneously with lipid peroxide formation as measured by the thiobarbituric acid reaction. Peroxidation and swelling are characterized by a lag phase. Lysis of the mitochondria occurs with prolonged incubation. This reaction is catalyzed by ferrous iron and compuletely inhibited by iron chelating agents. During the lag phase, release of iron and sucrose equilibration occur. Cysteine and ascorbate swelling are also associated with the release of free fatty acids. Swelling is inhibited by serum albumin only if peroxidation is blocked by EDTA. Mitochondria partially swollen by l -ascorbate can be contracted with ATP and Mg ++ only if liberated fatty acids are removed by serum albumin and further peroxidation is blocked with EDTA.
Investigation of the initial dip in fMRI at 7 Tesla.

In agreement with optical imaging studies, previous fMRI studies have reported an initial decrease (i.e. the initial dip) in the BOLD response, which is believed to arise from an increase in oxygen consumption and to be mostly microvascular. To date, experimental studies of the initial dip in humans have been performed at fields up to 4 T, with relatively low spatial resolution. Because the sensitivity to microvascular contribution is increased at high magnetic fields, the present study investigated the initial dip at 7 T. In addition, to reduce the partial volume effect, the study is conducted at a high spatial resolution. The initial dip was detected in all subjects studied and was found to reside mostly in the gray matter. The relative amplitude of the early response was found to be 0.6, higher than that at 4 T (0.3) and 1.5 T (0.11). In addition, based on the assumption that the initial dip is a result of increased oxygen utilization, the fractional change in oxygen utilization was estimated to be 40% of that of the fractional change in cerebral blood flow. These results are in agreement with the notion that the initial dip arises from an increase in oxygen consumption.
Unintended pregnancy among women in the US military.

Abstract Background The study was conducted to examine the extent of unintended pregnancy among female active-duty military personnel in the US Armed Forces. Study Design Data consisted of representative data from active-duty women aged 18–44 years ( n =3745) from the 2005 Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel. The proportion of women with an unintended pregnancy in the last 12 months, the pregnancy rate and the percentage of all pregnancies in the last 12 months that were unintended were calculated. Results An estimated 54% of pregnancies were unintended, based on self-reports. After accounting for likely underreporting for abortion, the adjusted unintended pregnancy rate was 117 per 1000 women. Younger and less educated women had higher rates, as did enlisted women when compared to officers. Conclusion Further efforts are needed to reduce unintended pregnancy among women in the military.
Moisture Transport Through Glass-Fibre Insulation in the Presence of a Thermal Gradient:

A heat flow meter apparatus is used to monitor the heat flux across a moist speci men of a low density glass-fibre insulation. The results indicate that moisture is transported through the specimen predominately by vapour diffusion. A thermo dynamic model is suggested to represent the transport process. This model leads to two moisture transport coefficients characteristic of the specimen.
Lengthening the urethral plate with a double flap technique: a new procedure for correction of primary hypospadias with chordee.

Purpose: We describe a new 1-stage technique for the surgical treatment of primary hypospadias with chordee dividing the urethral plate into 2 flaps.Material and Methods: The urethral plate is divided into 2 flaps in an oblique fashion. Penis straightening is achieved with resection of the fibrous ventral tissue after mobilization of the plate. The ventral side of the neo-urethra is harvested from the preputium penis with an onlay island flap or penile skin with the Mathieu “flip-flap” procedure.Results: The new 1-stage procedure has been used in 6 patients. After 10-month followup a fistula developed in only 1 patient who required a new surgical procedure for correction. No meatal stenosis or urethral stricture was noticed. No dorsal plication sutures were required. All 6 patients who underwent a successful procedure had excellent cosmetic results.Conclusions: This technique is a valid surgical option in patients with hypospadias with severe chordee when we believe that the short plate tethers the penis,...
The role of property rights in the positive theory of monopoly

The traditional approach to monopoly posits a dead-weight loss, a classic inefficiency, wherever market power is discovered. Critics such as Joseph Schumpeter argue that such dead-weight losses are inconsequential in a dynamic setting, where long-run trade-offs are said to dominate them with postive sum gains, which are also claimed to flow from market power. Yet further examination reveals that even the static monopoly argument showing Pareto inefficiency is not due to a positive analysis but is an outcome determined by the normative interpretation of the monopolist's property rights. The costs which a firm possessing market power has in expanding its output are not considered as legitimate for inclusion in our analysis. (In other markets, traders are sometimes allowed to collect such rents without being labeled as inefficient—for instance, in the labor market.) The interesting questions become: Why have economists adopted this particular normative view of property rights? Is public policy thereby well served?
Exchange-coupled FePt nanoparticle assembly

We have produced exchange-coupled FePt nanoparticle assemblies by chemical synthesis and subsequent thermal annealing. As the interparticle distances decrease by tuning the annealing conditions, interparticle interactions change from dipolar type to exchange type, and the magnetization reversal mechanism switches from rotation controlled to domain-nucleation controlled. With increasing annealing temperature, the coercivity first increases due to improved chemical ordering, and then drops significantly, resulting from excessive interparticle exchange coupling. For the samples exhibiting exchange coupling, both the remanence ratio and coercive squareness increase.
Intraosseous ganglion cyst associated with neuropathy.

We present a case of expansile intraosseous ganglion of the fibular head with cortical break-through, which has not been previously reported. Also associated with this case, and not previously reported, is peroneal nerve compression, causing foot drop caused by the large expansile nature of the lesion.
Incomplete security markets with infinitely many states: An introduction

Abstract This paper introduces the special issue of The Journal of Mathematical Economics , “Equilibrium within Incomplete Markets and an Infinite State Space”.
My family medical history and me: feasibility results of a cardiovascular risk reduction intervention.

Objective Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a behaviorally focused intervention designed to increase perceived cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in young adults with a family history (FH) of CVD/CHD. Design and Sample Single group, pre-post-test design. Fifteen, mostly female (n = 13, 86.7%), White, young adults (mean age 20.8 years) with a minimum of a high school education with a FH of CVD/CHD. Measures Feasibility examined the recruitment strategy, study procedures, appropriateness and quality of the study instruments, and problems that occurred during delivery of the intervention. Acceptability examined participants’ engagement in the in person sessions and at home exercises and their feedback about the intervention. Intervention Two, in person sessions provided personalized, tailored messages about 10-year and lifetime CHD risk based on risk factors, FH from a three-generation pedigree, lipid levels, blood pressure, and smoking status, and brief counseling about how to engage in a healthy lifestyle to decrease CVD/CHD risk. Results The intervention was feasible and acceptable. Participants requested more information on healthy food choices, including which foods to avoid and which exercises most improve cardiovascular health. Conclusions Although requiring refinement, the intervention has potential public health implications and deserves further testing.
Hippocampal stimulation and memory: effects of stimulation parameters and reinforcement magnitude.

Abstract The present study investigated the extent to which post-conditioning stimulation-induced hippocampal seizure activity is a necessary condition for the production of retrograde amnesia in rats. Groups of animals received dorsal hippocampal stimulation at several different current intensities immediately following one-trial passive avoidance conditioning. The results suggest that current intensities far in excess of those which produce hippocampal seizure activity are a necessary condition for the production of retrograde amnesia. Reinforcement magnitude is not a significant variable at hippocampal seizure threshold current intensities. Current intensities insufficient for the production of retrograde amnesia, but sufficient for the production of dorsal hippocampal seizure activity, produced a spread of seizure activity into the ventral hippocampal formation. The results suggest that caution be exercised in attributing a role to the hippocampus in memory consolidation processes in the rat.
Laparoscopic and Robotic Assisted Radical Cystectomy for Bladder Cancer: A Critical Analysis

Abstract Context and Objectives Interest in laparoscopic assisted radical cystectomy (LRC) and robotic assisted radical cystectomy (RRC) is increasing at select centers worldwide. In this update we present the recent worldwide experience and critically evaluate the role of minimally invasive radical surgery for patients with bladder cancer. Evidence Acquisition English-language literature between 1992 and 2007 was reviewed using the National Library of Medicine database and the following key words: laparoscopic, laparoscopic-assisted, robotic, robotic-assisted, and radical cystectomy. Over 102 papers were identified, 48 of which were selected for this review on the basis of their contribution to advancing the field with regard to three criteria: (1) evolution of concepts, (2) development and refinement of techniques, and (3) intermediate- and long-term clinical outcomes. These were evaluated with respect to current techniques and perioperative, functional, and oncological outcomes. Our initial experience is also reported. Evidence Synthesis Minimally invasive techniques can adequately achieve the extirpative aspects of LRC and extended template lymphadenectomy. At most institutions the reconstructive urinary diversion is now typically being performed extracorporeally through a minilaparotomy. Perioperative data indicate that minimally invasive techniques are associated with reduced blood loss, slightly increased operating time, and shorter hospital stay without any significant difference in postoperative complications compared with open surgery. Intermediate-term oncological outcomes appear to be comparable with the open approach. Worldwide experience continues to increase; >700 surgeries have already been performed. Conclusion LRC or RRC with extracorporeally constructed urinary diversion is a safe and effective operation for appropriate patients with bladder cancer. Perioperative and functional outcomes are comparable with open surgery. More focus on extended lymphadenectomy is necessary to routinely achieve higher node yields. Surrogate and intermediate oncological outcomes are encouraging, and long-term assessment is ongoing.
Perceptions of rape victims and assailants: Effects of physical attractiveness, acquaintance, and subject gender

Subjects read different versions of a rape case in which the victim was walking alone at night and the defendant was obviously guilty. Female subjects saw the crime as more debilitating for the victim and were more punitive than male subjects. Female subjects considered the victim less responsible when the defendant was unattractive than when the defendant was attractive. Presence or absence of prior casual acquaintance between the victim and assailant interacted with other factors. With prior acquaintance, male subjects considered the victim more responsible than female subjects, unattractive victims were considered more responsible than attractive victims, and unattractive defendants were considered more likely to engage in future antisocial behavior than attractive defendants. Although biased by other factors, level of victim blame was low overall. Yet subjects seemed reluctant to believe the rapist and his victim were unacquainted and seemed to consider the rape as sexually, rather than aggressively, motivated.
Giant magnetoresistance in the granular Co-Ag system.

We report giant magnetoresistance (GMR) as much as 75% at 5 K and 24% at room temperature in granular Co-Ag. We show that the GMR is isotropic and is the consequence of the departure from ferromagnetic alignment of the Co particles. We have also determined the resistivity component responsible for GMR and its temperature dependence.
Input of organic materials into aquaculture systems: Emphasis on feeding semi-intensive systems

Abstract The limits of pond production and the degree of pond chemical and biological stability are dependent upon the quality and quantity of inputs to the system, the demands made on the system, and the nature of the biological populations in the pond system, interdependent to differing degrees. The goal is to maximize the efficiency of the flow of energy and nutrients toward the animal output. In extensive systems, energy and nutrient flow are dependent on light and carbon dioxide, nutrient cycling, proliferation and decay rates of biological populations and the impact of grazing by the cultured species. In intensive systems, nutrient needs must be met exogenously in complete form and all wastes removed. Optimization of inputs to semi-intensive systems, in which autotrophic or heterotrophic natural productivity play only a partial role in supplying required nutrients and energy for cultured animal growth, depends on the relationship between the animal standing crop and grazing pressure and pond-specific breakpoints in the concentration of growth limiting nutrients.
ON BANDWIDTH ESTIMATION OF MULTISTAGE AMPLIFIERS VIA AN EXTENDED MILLER APPROXIMATION

A new bandwidth estimation method based on the application of Miller theorem to single and multistage common source amplifiers is presented. This new method provides more accurate bandwidth estimation and circuit design insight than the traditional Miller, Elmore and open circuit time constant approaches.
Emergency medical response to occupational locations in West Virginia

Injury surveillance by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) indicates that an estimated 3,795,352 work injuries in 1986 were treated in hospital emergency rooms, but data is lacking on the number and timeliness of emergency medical service (EMS) responses to occupational locations. The computerized EMS data for West Virginia were obtained in order to evaluate the timeliness of emergency responses to identifiable worksites between July 1, 1984 and June 30, 1986. The analysis showed that the time required to respond to worksites and transport the patient to a hospital was often prolonged, especially when responding to mining injuries. Employers should plan for emergencies, which includes communicating with the local EMS to learn their capabilities and response time.
Activity-dependent differences in function between proximal and distal Schaffer collaterals

Axon conduction fidelity is important for signal transmission and has been studied in various axons, including the Schaffer collateral axons of the hippocampus. Previously, we reported that high-fr...
Immunologic studies on intracellular isoenzymes; the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic leucyl-tRNA synthetases.

Abstract The antisera directed toward leucyl-tRNA synthetase partially purified from Tetrahymena mitochondria did not exhibit positive immunologic reactions when tested against the cytoplasmic enzyme in the following criteria: 1, inhibition of the charging activity; 2, precipitation by immunodiffusion; 3, binding by affinity chromatography. Escherichia coli enzyme could not bind to the anti-mitochondrial enzyme affinity column. These data provide evidence that these enzymes do not share common subunits or possess close structural similarity.
Commentary: Law and the Value of Anthropology

What is the value of anthropology? This is a question commonly faced by anthropologists in their teaching and in their interactions with the larger world. As a student of law at the University of Washington, I face this question every time someone discovers that I have a Ph.D. in anthropology. How does a degree in anthropology relate to the legal system? This question also seems to preoccupy many of the authors whose work appeared in Volume 14, Number 3, of Practicing Anthropology (Summer 1992, "Addressing Issues in Criminal Justice"). [Contributors were asked specifically to address this question.—P.J.R.]
Toxicity of fresh poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) to Sprague-Dawley rats.

Fresh leaves and bracts of poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) were fed to 46 Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were observed for 1 week for changes in weight or behavior. The animals were then sacrificed in ether and examined for changes in thyroid and adrenal weights. One group was also examined for damage to the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. No lesions or other signs of intestinal damage were observed. None of the groups showed any change in behavior or any significant change in body weight or adrenal weight. Only one group showed a significant increase in thyroid weight. Language: en
Linking electronic health records with community-level data to understand childhood obesity risk.

SummaryBackground Environmental and socioeconomic factors should be considered along with individual characteristics when determining risk for childhood obesity. Objectives To assess relationships and interactions among the economic hardship index (EHI) and race/ethnicity, age and sex in regard to childhood obesity rates in Wisconsin children using an electronic health record dataset. Methods Data were collected using the University of Wisconsin (UW) Public Health Information Exchange database, which links electronic health records with census-derived community-level data. Records from 53 775 children seen at UW clinics from 2007 to 2012 were included. Mixed-effects modelling was used to determine obesity rates and the interaction of EHI with covariates (race/ethnicity, age, sex). When significant interactions were determined, linear regression analyses were performed for each subgroup (e.g. by age groups). Results The overall obesity rate was 11.7% and significant racial/ethnic disparities were detected. Childhood obesity was significantly associated with EHI at the community level (r = 0.62, P < 0.0001). A significant interaction was determined between EHI and both race/ethnicity and age on obesity rates. Conclusions Reducing economic disparities and improving environmental conditions may influence childhood obesity risk in some, but not all, races and ethnicities. Furthermore, the impact of EHI on obesity may be compounded over time. Our findings demonstrate the utility of linking electronic health information with census data to rapidly identify community-specific risk factors in a cost-effective manner.
Empirical Mode Decomposition Technique With Conditional Mutual Information for Denoising Operational Sensor Data

This paper presents a new approach for denoising sensor signals using the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) technique and the Information-theoretic method. The EMD technique is applied to decompose a noisy sensor signal into the so-called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). These functions are of the same length and in the same time domain as the original signal. Therefore, the EMD technique preserves varying frequency in time. Assuming the given signal is corrupted by high-frequency (HF) Gaussian noise implies that most of the noise should be captured by the first few modes. Therefore, our proposition is to separate the modes into HF and low-frequency (LF) groups. We applied an information-theoretic method, namely, mutual information to determine the cutoff for separating the modes. A denoising procedure is applied only to the HF group using a shrinkage approach. Upon denoising, this group is combined with the original LF group to obtain the overall denoised signal. We illustrate our approach with simulated and real-world cargo radiation data sets. The results are compared to two popular denoising techniques in the literature, namely discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and discrete wavelet transform (DWT). We found that our approach performs better than DWT and DFT in most cases, and comparatively to DWT in some cases in terms of: 1) mean square error; 2) recomputed signal-to-noise ratio; and 3) visual quality of the denoised signals.
Differential regulation of neuregulin 1 expression by progesterone in astrocytes and neurons.

Glial−neuronal interactions are crucial processes in neuromodulation and synaptic plasticity. The neuregulin 1 family of growth and differentiation factors have been implicated as bidirectional signaling molecules that are involved in mediating some of these interactions. We have shown previously that neuregulin 1 expression is regulated by the gonadal hormones progesterone and 17β-estradiol in the CNS, which might represent a novel, indirect mechanism of the neuromodulatory actions of these gonadal hormones. In the present study, we sought to determine the effects of progesterone and 17β-estradiol on neuregulin 1 expression in rat cortical astrocytes and neurons in vitro. We observed that progesterone increased the expression of neuregulin 1 mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner in cultured astrocytes, which was blocked by the progesterone receptor antagonist RU-486. In contrast, 17β-estradiol did not increase either neuregulin 1 mRNA or protein in astrocytes. We observed no effect of either progesterone or 17β-estradiol on neuregulin 1 mRNA and protein in rat cortical neurons in vitro. Finally, we observed that treatment of cortical neurons with recombinant NRG1-β1 caused PSD-95 to localize in puncta similar to that observed following treatment with astrocyte-conditioned medium. These results demonstrate that progesterone regulates neuregulin 1 expression, principally in astrocytes. This might represent a novel mechanism of progesterone-mediated modulation of neurotransmission through the regulation of astrocyte-derived neuregulin 1.
Secondary mineral formation associated with respiration of nontronite, NAu-1 by iron reducing bacteria

Experimental batch and miscible-flow cultures were studied in order to determine the mechanistic pathways of microbial Fe(III) respiration in ferruginous smectite clay, NAu-1. The primary purpose was to resolve if alteration of smectite and release of Fe precedes microbial respiration. Alteration of NAu-1, represented by the morphological and mineralogical changes, occurred regardless of the extent of microbial Fe(III) reduction in all of our experimental systems, including those that contained heat-killed bacteria and those in which O2, rather than Fe(III), was the primary terminal electron acceptor. The solid alteration products observed under transmission electron microscopy included poorly crystalline smectite with diffuse electron diffraction signals, discrete grains of Fe-free amorphous aluminosilicate with increased Al/Si ratio, Fe-rich grains, and amorphous Si globules in the immediate vicinity of bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substances. In reducing systems, Fe was also found as siderite. The small amount of Fe partitioned to the aqueous phase was primarily in the form of dissolved Fe(III) species even in the systems in which Fe(III) was the primary terminal electron acceptor for microbial respiration. From these observations, we conclude that microbial respiration of Fe(III) in our laboratory systems proceeded through the following: (1) alteration of NAu-1 and concurrent release of Fe(III) from the octahedral sheets of NAu-1; and (2) subsequent microbial respiration of Fe(III).
Africa’s Development beyond Aid: Getting Out of the Box

This article argues that Africa’s development rests not on aid, but on three key pillars: knowledge, entrepreneurship, and governance. Africa needs to think outside of the box when establishing these pillars. However, to make these three levers work, a change in mindset is a prerequisite. Africa has to start dreaming big dreams that empower it to see long-term. Africa must restructure societies so that networks beyond closed ethnic networks are more prominent. The larger social capital that will result will build a foundation for development. Africa also needs to incorporate new actors in its development agenda, including faith-based organizations, the diaspora, and the business class; and it must encourage immigrant entrepreneurs, especially Asians, to come in as chase rabbits. Better governance will come from the transformation of people from subjects to citizens. For success in international trade, Africa needs to learn the lessons of the Savannah, where the effective pack is the king.
Glucocorticoid effects of lymphosarcoma p1798 on dna replication and growth of subcutaneous tumors in mice.

Injection of cortisol into BALB/c mice inhibited tritiated thymidine ([3H]dThd) incorporation into ascites cells of lymphosarcoma P1798 but not into cells isolated frm large subcutaneous tumors. The DNA synthetic index (SI), estimated autoradiographically after pulse labeling with [3H]dThd in vitro, was 0.25-0.29 for ascites cells and cells isolated from tumors having a radius squared (r2) less than 200 mm2. Cortisol decreased the SI of ascites cells by 90-95% within 5 hours. Similarly, cortisol decreased the SI of cells from subcutaneous tumors having an r2 less than 90 mm2. Growth and [3H]dThd incorporation were also inhibited by cortisol treatment of tumors with an r2 less than 90 mm2. However, when tumors became larger than 90 mm2, the SI did not decrease after cortisol treatment. Neither growth nor [3H]dThd incorporation was inhibited in tumors with an r2 greater than 90 mm2. These data indicate that tumors of lymphosarcoma P1798 became resistant to cortisol in a size-dependent manner. Loss of sensitivity ws not due to a gradual increase in the percentage of resistant cells.
Estimating the Impact of Oral Diabetes Medication Adherence on Medical Costs in VA

Background. Despite evidence demonstrating clinical benefits of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs), adherence to OHAs is generally poor. The economic benefit of OHA adherence among patients in the Veterans Affairs Health System (VA) is unknown. Objective. This study assessed the impact of OHA adherence on medical costs and hospitalization probability in a VA population. Methods. This retrospective cohort study included 26 051 VA patients with diabetes who completed the 2006 Survey of Health Care Experiences of Patients. We calculated total costs in fiscal year (FY) 2007 from the VA perspective as the sum of costs for all inpatient and outpatient services provided by VA. We measured adherence using the medication possession ratio (MPR), which reflected the proportion of days covered in FY2007. Patients were classified as adherent if MPR ≥80%. Analyses using instrumental variables (IVs) addressed potential biases from unobserved confounding. Results. On average, adherent patients incurred lower total medical c...
Cross-validation of the five-factor interpretive model of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire.

This study is a cross-validation analysis of the five-factor interpretative model of the Suicide Opinion Questionnaire (Domino, Moore, Westlake, & Gibson, 1982) reported by Rogers and DeShon (1992). Results indicated moderate support for the five-factor model. That is, although the factor analysis results generally supported the 5-factor model, a number of items loaded equally well across 2 or more factors. Additionally, internal consistency and test-retest reliabilities ranged from .48 to .85 and from .34 to .92, respectively, indicating weaknesses in some of the subscales. Strategies are suggested for the future psychometric development and refinement of the instrument.
Computer Security Primer: Systems Architecture, Special Ontology and Cloud Virtual Machines

With the increasing proliferation of multitasking and Internet-connected devices, security has reemerged as a fundamental design concern in information systems. The shift of IS curricula toward a largely organizational perspective of security leaves little room for focus on its foundation in systems architecture, the computational underpinnings of processes and protection. Yet these architectural features are the foundation of systems security for all the layers above that they enable. They are also the prototypical mechanisms of protection that must be modeled throughout systems design to realize system security: confidentiality, integrity and availability. This paper presents a learning unit that proposes a special ontology of computer system architecture to explain computer security on the host-level and by extension the emerging standard security architecture of the cloud, the virtual machine. The ontology appears as a prose tutorial, a set theoretic model, and a two-page study reference that facilitates a security discussion ranging from host architecture to web-services. This treatment is a concise, self-contained module for standalone use or embedded in a systems course (analysis, modeling, design, database or systems architecture) where complete operating system or computer organization coverage may not be feasible.
Bargaining in the Shadow of Power

Abstract Often a bargainer can use some form of power—legal, military, or political—to impose a settlement. How does the “outside” option of being able to impose a settlement, albeit at some cost, affect the bargaining? And, how does the probability that the bargaining will break down vary with the distribution of power between the bargainers? These questions are examined by adding the option of imposing a settlement to Rubinstein's game of dividing a pie. Each actor can accept an offer, make a counteroffer, or try to impose a solution. Imposing a settlement is, however, costly and each bargainer has private information about its cost.Journal of Economic Literatureclassification number: C72.
Accelerated tests to determine the reliability of the cable-encapsulant interface

Encapsulants are mainly used with the cable in various outdoor products, to act as barriers against the operating environment. In some applications, the encapsulants can also be used to provide strain relief for the cable. The reliability of the cable-encapsulant interface is critical for product functionality as well as its long-term reliability. The reliability of this interface depends on the cable and encapsulant chemistry, their interaction, process conditions and other properties like the glass transition temperature (T/sub g/), hardness, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) etc. This reliability is usually determined as part of the final product tests. This is very time-consuming and can lead to appreciable loss of design time, especially when failures are discovered at the end. This study has developed quick screening tests which can optimize the process conditions and reasonably determine the reliability of the cable-encapsulant interface, without testing the entire product. The failure at this interface is mainly due to cracking of the cable. The failure mechanism is influenced by the exothermic reaction, cure temperature, hardness and adhesive properties of the encapsulant. The results of these tests have also been correlated to conventional accelerated product tests like ALT, 85/85 to determine their product applicability. Thereby, these tests could be used as a screening tool for the various cable-potting combinations at the start of the design, thus reducing the design time and achieving the required reliability and optimum process conditions.
Information-Driven Systems Engineering Study of a Formation Flying Demonstration Mission using Six CubeSats

Small satellites are suitable for formation flying missions where a large number of spacecraft serve as distributed sensors for applications like synthetic aperture radar, interferometry, etc. A survey of existing or proposed small satellite missions concludes that there is a dearth of formation flying missions using four or more spacecraft that require formation maintenance. This paper presents a systems engineering based design of a formation flying technology demonstration mission that requires precise formation maintenance and reconfigurations and highlights the challenges that need to be overcome for its successful implementation. The goal of this paper is to provide directions for future research and development in spacecraft formation flying technologies.
Excited Electron Dynamics at Semiconductor–Molecule Type-II Heterojunction Interface: First-Principles Dynamics Simulation

Excited electron dynamics at semiconductor–molecule interfaces is ubiquitous in various energy conversion technologies. However, a quantitative understanding of how molecular details influence the quantum dynamics of excited electrons remains a great scientific challenge because of the complex interplay of different processes with various time scales. Here, we employ first-principles electron dynamics simulations to investigate how molecular features govern the dynamics in a representative interface between the hydrogen-terminated Si(111) surface and a cyanidin molecule. Hot electron transfer to the chemisorbed molecule was observed but was short-lived on the molecule. Interfacial electron transfer to the chemisorbed molecule was found to be largely decoupled from hot electron relaxation within the semiconductor surface. While the hot electron relaxation was found to take place on a time scale of several hundred femtoseconds, the subsequent interfacial electron transfer was slower by an order of magnitude...
Phylogenetic Analysis of Northern Hair Seals Based on Nucleotide Sequences of the Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene

Phylogenetic analysis was performed on a 458-base pair sequence from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of northern hair seals (Phocidae: Phocinae) including Phoca hispida, Phoca largha, Phoca vitulina, Phoca fasciata, Phoca groenlandica, Halichoerus grypus, Cystophora cristata , and Erignathus barbatus . Results suggest revision of currently accepted phylogenetic relationships among the Phocinae. Both neighbor-joining and parsimony analyses indicate a sister-taxon relationship between the gray seal, H. grypus , and the ringed seal, P. hispida .
DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGICAL PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS

Integration of information and communication technology into other than Information Technology subjects taught at schools of all levels in the Czech Republic has become of great importance. As schools are equipped with information and communication technology (ICT) much better than ever before researchers have focused on the way they are used in the classes. Development of technology is fast and not all teachers from schools have undergone education on how to integrate technology into the teaching process. These are the reasons why it is necessary to find a system for training teachers in this field. We provided such a training course for secondary school English teachers. This article brings information about the impact of this course on one model teacher’s lessons. A questionnaire, which was specially developed for the purpose of evaluating technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK), is introduced in this article. It assesses the TPACK development perceived by the teacher. We describe in detail how the new knowledge and skills reflect in her teaching. The results are demonstrated on the Technological pedagogical content knowledge framework.
Substance Use Problems

disproportionate to the degree of substance abuse in the community. Twenty to thirty percent of consultations in a general hospital have been reported to involve a substance abuse diagnosis, and this has been consistent over time (Alaja et al., 1998; Bourgeois et al., 2005). A number of medical complications, direct and indirect, occur due to the use of substances of abuse, and result in medical admissions. Motor vehicle accidents, falls, and other kinds of trauma are so frequently associated with substance use that trauma services routinely do urine toxicology to screen new admissions for drugs and alcohol (Silver and Sporty, 1990). The CL psychiatrist is typically called upon to diagnose and treat patients for the substance abuse problems that are present. Motivating the patient for treatment or for making some kind of long-term treatment plan is often the main reason for the consult. In addition, there may be an acute problem associated with intoxication or withdrawal that needs to be assessed and managed. This chapter discusses these practical issues facing the CL psychiatrist.
Solid-phase extraction cleanup and liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection of ephedrine alkaloids in herbal products

A solid-phase extraction (SPE) cleanup and a liquid chromatographic (LC) method with UV detection is presented for analysis of up to 7 ephedrine alkaloids in herbal products. Alkaloids from herbal products are extracted with acidified buffer, isolated on a propylsulfonic acid SPE column, eluted with a high-ionic-strength buffer, and separated by LC with detection at 255 nm. LC separation is performed by isocratic elution on a YMC phenyl column with 0.1 M sodium acetate-acetic acid (pH = 4.8) containing triethyl-amine and 2% acetonitrile. Ephedrine alkaloids are completely separated in 15 min. Average recovery of 5 common alkaloids from 3 spiked matrixes is 90%, with an average relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.4% for alkaloid spikes between 0.5 and 16 mg/g. Average quantitation of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine from 6 herbal products is 97% of declared label claims, and average quantitation of synephrine from an herbal dietary product is 85% of label claim (RSD, 3.2%). Recoveries of synephrine, norephedrine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, N-methylephedrine, and N-methylpseudoephedrine spiked in 4 herbal products averaged 95%. Results of ruggedness testing and of a second laboratory validation of the procedure are also presented.
Characterization of the GBP1 gene associated with the multidrug resistant phenotype in vitro

597 cDNA array technology comparing transcript expression in paclitaxel resistant breast and ovarian cancer cell lines and to their drug naive parental lines has identified that overexpression of the large GTPase GBP1 ( G uanylate B inding P rotein 1), is associated with the multidrug resistant phenotype. Northern analysis demonstrates that GBP1 is overexpressed in a large collection of paclitaxel and doxorubicin resistant cell lines. In addition, GBP1 is also overexpressed in the gemcitabine resistant subclone of the ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR5 which does not overexpress MDR1. Analysis of the Cancer Profiling Array (Clontech), which contains cDNA samples from individual normal tissues and matched tumors, demonstrates that GBP1 is broadly expressed in various tissues and their corresponding tumors. The Cancer Cell Line Profiling Array (Clontech), which contains cDNA samples generated from 26 human cancer cell lines treated with 26 different chemical agents, demonstrates that GBP1 is overexpressed 0.5 to 22.2 fold (average 6.8 fold) after 48 hours of paclitaxel exposure and 0.5 to 7.9 fold (average 2.8 fold) after doxorubicin exposure in various cell lines. Finally, forced overexpression of GBP-1 in the human ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR8 leads to a four-fold increase in paclitaxel resistance. These results suggest a role for GBP1 in the development of multidrug resistant phenotype. The extent of the involvement of GBP1 in clinical drug resistance awaits further investigation.