cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Reinforcing Effects of Nicotine in Humans and Nonhuman Primates: A Review of Intravenous Self-Administration Evidence and Future Directions for Research.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is largely driven by the reinforcing properties of nicotine. Intravenous (IV) self-administration procedures are the gold standard for investigating the rein- forcing effects of psychoactive drugs. The goal of this review was to examine the results of pub- lished investigations of the reinforcing effects of nicotine measured using IV self-administration procedures in humans and nonhuman primates. Results: The body of literature using nonhuman primate subjects indicates nicotine functions as a positive reinforcer when available for self-administration via IV catheters. However, it can also be difficult to establish IV nicotine self-administration in nonhuman primates and sometimes supple - mental strategies have been required (e.g., priming injections or food deprivation) before subjects acquire the behavior. Although the body of literature using human subjects is limited, the evidence indicates nicotine functions as a reinforcer via the IV route of administration in adult cigarette smokers. Rates of nicotine self-injection can be variable across subjects and responding is some- times inconsistent across sessions in both humans and nonhuman primates. Conclusions: The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, enacted in 2009, gave the Food and Drug Administration regulatory authority over the manufacture, marketing, and distribu- tion of tobacco products. Research examining the threshold reinforcing doses for initiation and maintenance of nicotine self-administration, comparisons of the reinforcing effects of nicotine in adolescent versus adult subjects, investigations of gender differences in the reinforcing effects of nicotine, and studies of the abuse liability of non-nicotine tobacco product constituents and their ability to alter the reinforcing effects of nicotine will inform potential tobacco regulatory actions.
Polyelectrolyte-protein complexes

Abstract The field of polyelectrolye–protein complexes is now benefiting from the convergence of three themes whose disciplinary distinctions formerly produced fragmentation. Theory and simulations, previously restricted to isotropic models of colloids and polyelectrolytes, are now taking into account the heterogeneity of charges in both macroions and providing far more realistic depictions of proteins. Applications of protein–polyelectrolyte systems have been strongly influenced by the opportunities presented by multilayer assembly, and the dichotomy between semi-synthetic systems and the protein–biopolyelectrolyte cognate pairs of biochemical interest has been giving way to less parochial recognition of universal effects. The junction of these disciplines, along with the development of many new methods of investigation, form the subject of this review focused on recent developments and their foundations.
Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt

Genome-wide association studies, exemplified by the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium and follow-up studies, have identified dozens of common variants robustly associated with common diseases, providing new clues about genetic architecture in humans. Finding all such loci, and fully defining genotype-phenotype correlation, will be a key to translating initial clues into pathophysiological understanding and clinical prediction.
An analytic method for two-dimensional wall motion and product isentrope from the detonation cylinder test

Abstract The cylinder test provides a measurement of detonation product’s ability to perform work on adjacent material. Historically, direct numerical simulation has been required to derive the product energy content and isentrope from experiments of cylinder expansion driven by detonation products. One-dimensional analytic methods have not been able to accurately recover these parameters when the cylinder motion is compressible, exhibiting shocks. For incompressible cylinder motion, analytic one-dimensional approximations more accurately recover the isentrope, but still only approximate the two-dimensional cylinder motion and energy. This work provides a fully two-dimensional model that recovers the exact outer cylinder shape from experimental measurements. The inner cylinder shape and product isentrope are also exactly recovered in the limit of incompressible case motion. An alternate methodology also approximates the inner case shape and isentrope for compressible case motion, effectively allowing accurate isentrope determination for any cylinder test. The isentrope derived from a PBX 9502 cylinder test with compressible motion is shown to agree well with a reference isentrope. The errors associated with the one-dimensional flow assumption are also quantified. The incompressible case model can be used to estimate case shape and velocity from a given isentrope, providing a maximum fragment velocity.
Structure and Properties of Cast Near-Congruent Copper-Manganese Alloys

Microstructure development in the casting of copper-manganese alloys based on the congruent point at 34.6 wt pct Mn and 1146 K (873 °C) has been studied. The alloys were prepared by induction melting of electrolytic Cu and Mn in clay-graphite crucibles in open air. Under conventional casting conditions, the alloys exhibit fine cellular (non-dendritic) solidification morphology with a distinct absence of solidification shrinkage microporosity, and they maintain these attributes over a composition range of approximately 3 wt pct Mn about the congruent point. The high Mn concentration in the alloy admits carbon into solution in the melt, resulting in formation of manganese carbide Mn7C3 particles having two different forms (globular and angular) in the cast microstructure. The Mn carbide was eliminated or controlled to low levels by melting in an alumina or a silicon carbide crucible, or in a clay-graphite crucible at lower temperatures. Microstructure development in casting the alloy was analyzed in terms of the available phase diagrams and thermochemical data. Hardness and tensile testing indicated a potent solid solution strengthening effect of Mn and high ductility in the as-cast condition, with additional hardness (strength) when the alloy contains the Mn carbide phase.
Cervical Dysplasia and Human Papillomavirus: Evaluation in an Adolescent Dysplasia Clinic

Abstract Thirty patients with cervical dysplasia on Pap smear were seen in a dysplasia clinic within a division of adolescent medicine. The mean age was 16.9 years. Of the abnormal Pap smears, 47% were obtained during routine visits. The mean age for first intercourse was 14.6 (range 12–17 years), and mean number of sexual partners 3.3 (range 1–6). One or more sexually transmitted diseases were reported in 67%, with Chlamydia cervicitis in 53%. Colposcopic examination of the vulva, vagina, and cervix was undertaken, followed by cervical biopsies and endocervical curettage. Biopsy results included mild or moderate dysplasia (43%); condyloma without dysplasia (37%); and no evidence of cervical condyloma or dysplasia (20%). Colposcopy revealed vulvar and/or vaginal condyloma in 83%. In evaluating patients with abnormal Pap smears, it is difficult to distinguish patients with dysplasia on biopsy from those with only condyloma on the basis of demographic data. Adolescents are developing higher rates of cervical dysplasia and, with abnormal cytology, require careful colposcopy and biopsy.
Protein synthesis in neural cells in culture: role of cell density and neurohumors.

Abstract Protein synthesis was studied in C-6 glial cells and neuroblastoma (NB) cells as a function of cell density and after differentiation with dibutyryl cyclic AMP and treatment with either norepinephrine (NE), dopamine or L-dopa. In both C-6 glial cells and NB cells, unincorporated 3 H-leucine decreased, whereas incorporation of 3 H-leucine into protein increased with increasing cell density, particularly at high cell densities. Exposure of C-6 glial cells to NE at various doses for 60 minutes stimulated the efficiency of 3 H-leucine incorporation into protein. This effect was not seen with L-dopa or dopamine. In contrast to the glial cells, in neuroblastoma cells all three neurohumors caused a decrease in the incorporation of 3 H-leucine into protein. The increase in protein synthesis by NE was also seen in DBcAMP-differentiated glial cells. These findings suggest that cellular activity as reflected by protein synthesis is cell density dependent. In addition, neurohumor substances may play a regulatory role in the cellular activity of glial cells.
Molecular Description of Flexibility in an Antibody Combining Site

Mature antibodies (Abs) that are exquisitely specific for virtually any foreign molecule may be produced by affinity maturation of naive (or germline) Abs. However, the finite number of germline Abs available suggests that, in contrast to mature Abs, germline Abs must be broadly polyspecific so that they are able to recognize a wide range of ligands. Thus, affinity maturation must play a role in mediating Ab specificity. One biophysical property that distinguishes polyspecificity from specificity is protein flexibility; a flexible combining site is able to adopt different conformations that recognize different foreign molecules (or antigens), while a rigid combining site is locked into a conformation that is specific for a given antigen. Recent studies (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 2007, 104, 8821−8826) have examined, at the atomic level, the structural properties that mediate changes in flexibility at four stages of affinity maturation in the 4−4−20 Ab. These studies employed molecular dynamics simulati...
Nuclear Translocation of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2Is Induced by ATP Depletion

Phospholipase A2(PLA2) enzymes may play a role in cellular injury due to ATP depletion. Renal Madin-Darby canine kidney cells were subjected to ATP depletion to assess the effects of cellular energy metabolism on cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2) regulation. ATP depletion results in a decrease in soluble cPLA2 activity and an increase in membrane-associated activity, which is reversed upon restoration of ATP levels by addition of dextrose. In ATP-depleted cells cPLA2 mass shifts from cytosol to nuclear fractions. GFP-cPLA2 is localized at the nuclear membrane of stably transfected ATP-depleted LLC-PK1cells under conditions where [Ca2+]i is known to increase. cPLA2 translocation does not occur if the increase in [Ca2+]i increase is inhibited. If [Ca2+]i is allowed to increase when ATP is depleted and the cells are then lysed, cPLA2 remains associated with nuclear fractions even if the homogenate [Ca2+] is markedly reduced. In contrast, cPLA2, which becomes associated with the nucleus when [Ca2+]i is increased using ionophore, readily dissociates from the nuclear fractions of ATP-replete cells upon reduction of homogenate [Ca2+]. Okadaic acid inhibits the ATP depletion-induced association of cPLA2 with nuclear fractions. Thus energy deprivation results in [Ca2+]-induced nuclear translocation, which is partially prevented by a phosphatase inhibitor.
A novel dielectrophoretic oil filter

AbstractA novel dielectrophoretic oil filter concept is introduced and proof-of-concept systems are tested. Traditional methods of dielectrophoretic separation using planar micro-electrodes have a common problem: the dielectrophoretic force, which is proportional to ▿|E|2, rapidly decays as the distance from the electrodes increases. In this paper, the use of three-dimensional electrode designs for high-throughput dielectrophoretic separation/concentration/filtration systems is investigated. Three-dimensional electrode designs are beneficial because they provide a method of extending the electric field within the fluid, the three-dimensional electrodes can be designed so that the velocity field coincides with the electric field distribution, filtration of particles too small to be physically filtered is possible, and novel electrode designs, not based on planar electrodes designs, can be developed and used. The electric field distribution and velocity fields of three-dimensional electrode designs that are...
Informed Consent to Rationing Decisions

The prevailing legal and ethical opinion that rationing decisions must always be disclosed to patients is countered. Although conventional informed consent law could theoretically extend to decisions to decline treatment because of costs, it has not yet done so. Moreover, abandonment law does not prohibit declining treatment for economic reasons. A new theory of economic informed consent would stipulate that when patients make informed decisions to purchase less expensive health insurance, they are consenting in advance either to limiting marginally beneficial treatment or to waiving their right to be informed of particular decisions not to treat. Whether this will prove workable or will be accepted by the courts depends on the specifics of the enrollment disclosures, the range of choices given to subscribers, and their capacity to understand them.
Integrating COTS Software: Lessons from a Large Healthcare Organization

An organization that decides to acquire and implement a COTS product instead of developing a customized solution must fully understand the characteristics of COTS integration. In addition, the project team must manage and balance both business and IT needs throughout the effort.
Inventory Redux: A Twenty-First Century Adaptation

With an eye toward preparing for a future integrated library management system, Seton Hall University Libraries embarked upon an inventory project that was cost effective and unique among university libraries. An effective tried-and-true inventory method has been employed and modernized with the application of sophisticated computer report functioning and programming capabilities.
Optoelectronic Tweezers (OET) trap stiffness with HeLa cells

Optoelectronic Tweezers (OET) creates patterned electrical fields by selectively illuminating a photoconductive layer sandwiched between two electrodes. The resulting electrical gradients are used to manipulate microscopic particles, including biological cells, using the dielectrophoresis (DEP) force. Previously it has been shown that up to 15,000 traps can be created with just 1 mW of optical power 1 , and that OET traps are 470 times stiffer than traps created with optical tweezers of the same power 2 . In this paper we explore the use of OET for trapping HeLa cells. First, experiments are performed using glass beads as a model particle, and the results are compared with numerical simulations to confirm our ability to model the electrical field gradients in the OET device. We then track trapped HeLa cells in different sizes of traps, showing maximum cell velocities of 60 μm s -1 using an illumination intensity of just 2.5 W cm -2 . We measure the electrical properties of the cell's membrane by analyzing the cell's DEP frequency response and use this information to model the forces on the cell. We find that it is possible to create a trap with a stiffness of 3×10 -6 N m -1 that does not vary with position within the trap.
Determination of the enthalpy of solution of tris-(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane in 0.1 M HCl solution and the enthalpy of neutralization of HClO4 with NaOH at low ionic strengths by use of an improved isothermal titration calorimeter

Abstract Improvements in a previously described isothermal titration calorimeter have resulted in a tenfold improvement in the sensitivity of the instrument. Endothermic or exothermic changes can now be studied while temperatures in the reaction vessel are maintained constant to ±5 μK. The calorimeter was tested by measuring the enthalpy of neutralization of aqueous NaOH with aqueous HClO 4 over the concentration range, 0.01 to 0.0005 M, and the enthalpy of solution of solid tris-(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane in 0.1 M HCl. The enthalpy changes were measured to a precision of ±0.1 per cent. The maximum sensitivity of the instrument is shown to be ±200 μcal th in a 50 cm 3 reaction vessel.
How Abiotic Factors Affect the Distribution of Two Species of Tropical Predaceous Aquatic Bugs (Family: Naucoridae)

Heavy runoff from watersheds affects lowland streams in two general ways. Either a stream experiences spates (increased forward velocity and scouring of stream bottoms) or it becomes inundated by waters from larger rivers, causing the stream to be backflooded. This study shows how these features affect the abundances and distributions of two Costa Rican species of stream-inhabiting predaceous waterbugs, Limnocoris insularis Champion and Cryphocricos latus Usinger (Naucoridae). Backflooding in the Sura was found to have no subsequent effect on the abundances or distribution of either species. But in the Sabalo, which spates, nymphal populations of L. insularis significantly decrease after a spate because of loss of numbers and loss of previous habitat. During severe spates, adults of both species can be washed out, causing abundances to remain low for several months to periods >1 yr. Abundances of nymphs and adults of C. latus are associated with fast current speeds, large rocks, and coarse-grained pebbles. These sorts of habitats are found in both streams. Even though C. latus is more common in the Sabalo than is L. insularis, abundances of adults of the former species fluctuate more in the stream that spates than in the stream that does not, owing both to a high washout rate and to a slow recolonization rate. The basic pattern of distribution is explained by the difference between the flooding characteristics of the two streams.
TEM study of the mechanism of a solid state reaction in Fe-stabilized β″-alumina

Abstract The mechanism of a reversible decomposition and recovery process in which a fast transport of conduction ion plays an essential role has been identified by means of high resolution transmission electron microscopy in Fe-stabilized β”-alumina.
Regulation of microtubule minus-end dynamics by CAMSAPs and Patronin

The microtubule (MT) cytoskeleton plays an essential role in mitosis, intracellular transport, cell shape, and cell migration. The assembly and disassembly of MTs, which can occur through the addition or loss of subunits at the plus- or minus-ends of the polymer, is essential for MTs to carry out their biological functions. A variety of proteins act on MT ends to regulate their dynamics, including a recently described family of MT minus-end binding proteins called calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated protein (CAMSAP)/Patronin/Nezha. Patronin, the single member of this family in Drosophila, was previously shown to stabilize MT minus-ends against depolymerization in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that all three mammalian CAMSAP family members also bind specifically to MT minus-ends and protect them against kinesin-13–induced depolymerization. However, these proteins differ in their abilities to suppress tubulin addition at minus-ends and to dissociate from MTs. CAMSAP1 does not interfere with polymerization and tracks along growing minus-ends. CAMSAP2 and CAMSAP3 decrease the rate of tubulin incorporation and remain bound, thereby creating stretches of decorated MT minus-ends. By using truncation analysis, we find that somewhat different minimal domains of CAMSAP and Patronin are involved in minus-end localization. However, we find that, in both cases, a highly conserved C-terminal domain and a more variable central domain cooperate to suppress minus-end dynamics in vitro and that both regions are required to stabilize minus-ends in Drosophila S2 cells. These results show that members of the CAMSAP/Patronin family all localize to and protect minus-ends but have evolved distinct effects on MT dynamics.
Ultrastructural identification of collagen and glycosaminoglycans in notochordal extracellular matrix in vivo and in vitro

Notochordal extracellular matrix consists of a continuous basal lamina, amorphous materials and microfibrils embedded in a ground substance of low electron density. Together they comprise the notochord sheath and are of considerable interest because of their suspected role in early embryonic tissue interactions. The notochord is particularly well-suited to morphological investigation of extracellular matrix because it is one of the few embryonic epithelia which produces ultrastructurally recognizable stroma in vitro without the advantage of a collagenous substratum. Furthermore, these matrix components produced in vitro are morphologically identical to those observed in vivo. The present study uses ruthenium red staining to demonstrate that notochordal microfibrils exhibit collagen-like cross-banding patterns both in vivo and in vitro. Collagenase and testicular hyaluronidase digestion studies designed to localize collagen and glycosaminoglycans show a reduction of microfibrillar diameters by 30-35%. Furthermore, these enzyme treatments frequently result in enhanced striations of microfibrils. When cis-hydroxyproline (a proline analog) or beta-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN, a lathyrogenic compound) is added to the culture medium, a similar reduction in microfibrillar diameters is seen. Moreover, increased ruthenium red-positive surface coats and large collagen fibrils are frequently present in BAPN-treated cultures, implying a stimulatory metabolic effect. We conclude that most, if not all, notochordal extracellular matrix components are composed of both collagen and glycosaminoglycans and suggest that the entire extracellular matrix should be considered a macromolecular composite which acts in concert to induce or stabilize developmental interactions.
Positional assignment of differentially substituted bisaminoacylated pdCpAs

The synthesis and NMR analysis of a 2′-O-alanyl, 3′-O-[1-13C]valyl-pdCpA derivative has permitted the definitive assignment of the positions of acylation of tandemly activated pdCpAs, and the bisaminoacylated transfer RNAs derived therefrom.
Cryptochloa dressleri (Poaceae), a new bambusoid grass from Panama

Cryptochloa dressleri is a new species that inhabits shaded forests in Panama, and is striking in its leaves, which are dark purple beneath and green above. The presence of two, rather than three, stamens is also unusual in the genus. Comments are made on the possible significance of the strong pigmentation in the leaves and on the occurrence of the many large crenate-vertical silica bodies in both epidermises.
Cloning and analysis of a gene encoding ovine interferon α-II

Abstract A gene encoding ovine interferon α (IFNα) was identified from an ovine liver genomic library. Based on nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequencing analyses, this gene appears to code for an IFN of the α II family different from the ovine embryonic IFNs found to date.
Comparison of laboratory-generated and field-obtained HMA VOCs with odour potential

Previous research developed a gas chromatography (GC) methodology for simulating and evaluating hot mix asphalt (HMA) volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The objectives of this research were to determine if (1) the VOCs produced and measured in the laboratory method represented the relative ranking of VOCs measured during the production of HMA, and (2) the odour reducer had a quantifiable influence on the VOCs during HMA production. Three HMA plants were run using asphalt binders with and without a commonly used commercial additive used for reducing odour complaints from neighbouring communities. Air samples were obtained over 4 h of continuous operation of each plant for each asphalt binder (i.e. one with and one without odour reducer). Two locations at each plant were concurrently sampled: at the drag slat (i.e. where the HMA moves from the drum to the storage and/or loading area, and from the head space in the storage tank. Good correlations were found between the laboratory and field measurements; the ...
Prevention of mother-to-infant transmission of influenza during the postpartum period.

Objectives The optimal management of infants born to mothers with peripartum influenza infection is not known. The objective of this study is to describe our experience with a practice guideline that promotes rooming-in and breast-feeding and to determine whether infants managed in this way acquire influenza infection. Study Design All mothers diagnosed with influenza infection within 8 days of delivery and their infants were included. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome data were collected. Mothers were contacted at ~1 month after giving birth to determine if their infants had developed any signs suggestive of influenza infection. Results Forty-two women were diagnosed with peripartum influenza over the 2003 to 2005 and 2009 to 2010 seasons. Median onset of symptoms was 3 days before delivery, and median day of diagnosis was 1 day before delivery. The 42 infants had a median gestational age of 39 weeks; none were born earlier than 35 weeks. Ninety-five percent of the infants roomed-in with their mothers. Follow-up information was available on 95% of infants by 1 month; no infants had illness suggestive of influenza through the follow-up period. Conclusion A guideline for the management of infants born to mothers with peripartum influenza infection, based on attention to hand hygiene, antiviral treatment for mothers, and encouragement of rooming-in and breast-feeding, was not associated with mother-to-infant influenza transmission over three separate influenza seasons.
Rare earth chromatography using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) orthophosphoric acid.

Sharp separations of microgram amounts of the lanthanide elements as trivalent ions in aqueous hydrochloric acid solution are made chromatographically using a column of diatomaceous silica made hydrophobic with dichlorodimethylsilane vapors and coated with high purity bis-(2-ethylhexyl) orthophosphoric acid (DEP). Separation factors averaging 2.5 for adjacent rare earths are observed, as in solvent extraction using DEP, such that the higher atomic number elements are more tightly held by the column. The kinetics of the sorption—desorption process appear to be very fast, but elutions at 70° appear to be somewhat sharper than at 25°, especially at high flow rates and high loading. A heated column 5 cm long and 2 cm3 total volume (70% void space) has been used to separate 15 micrograms of mixed lanthanides from each other in 3 h using a stepwise gradient from 0.14 to 3.8 N HCl. La is eluted first, and Y is eluted together with Er.
On the convergence of numerical solutions for 2-D flows in a cavity at large Re

Abstract Convergence properties of various finite-difference schemes for solving the equations of motion for recirculating flow of an incompressible fluid in a square 2-D cavity are examined at Reynolds numbers up to 10'. Stream function-vorticity forms of the governing equations are approximated by means of second-order-correct central-difference approximations and solved by means of alternating-direction-implicit iteration. The effects of grid-altering coordinate transformations, spatially nonuniforn ADI relaxation parameters, and order-correct treatments of the vorticity boundary condition on such issues as accuracy and rate of convergence are established. Differences in results occurring with upwind versus central differencing at high Reynolds numbers are explained with consideration in particular for the sizes of the secondary vortices. Formulation of the advective terms in convective, divergence, and Arakawa-conservative forms is discussed in terms of global conservation of vorticity, kinetic energy, and square vorticity.
A design for computer nucleic-acid-sequence storage, retrieval, and manipulation

We have designed and built a data-base system for the storage of nucleic-acid sequences. The system consists of a data base ("the library") and software that manages and provides access to that data base ("the Librarian").
Physical control of varroa mites (Varroa destructor): the effects of various dust materials on varroa mite fall from adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) in vitro

SummaryIn this study, we investigated the impact of ten different materials on the fall of varroa (Varroa destructor) mites from adult honey bees (Apis mellifera) in vitro. To do this, we confined ∼250 adult bees each to 144, 0.47 l glass jars, feeding them bee candy (honey/powdered sugar) ad lib. Seventy-two hours later, the bees were treated with 5 g of one of the ten materials and placed in one of two locations (in an incubator = 35°C, 70% RH, or in a dark room = 22°C, 50% RH; replicate schedule = 10 dusts and 2 controls x 6 jars/rep x 2 locations). Immediately after and 24 h after treatment application, we counted the number of mites that fell from the jar through the mesh lid when the jar was rolled for 30 s, inverted, and shaken for 30 s. Four days later, we estimated the number of bees alive in each jar and washed the bees to remove any remaining mites. With these data, we determined the mite drop efficacy of the materials and their acute impact on adult bee survivorship. In general, powdered sugar...
Government reform of the National Health Service: implications for radiologists and diagnostic services

Demand for radiology services within the National Health Service (NHS) continues unabated and current NHS operations cannot keep up with demand. Therefore, to meet this demand, the government has decided to outsource a significant number of investigations to the independent sector and will actively promote patient referrals to the new government sponsored Treatment Centres as they become available. This presents opportunities to patients, but threatens existing public sector providers (including doctors) as competition for radiology services may result in both loss of patient referrals and revenue to these providers. This article is a personal opinion and will focus on the current challenges facing the provision of radiology services in the NHS. I will suggest the possible negative outcomes for providers (NHS hospitals and staff alike) and will offer strategies, tactics and tools that can be employed to counter the threat to their existing services.
Cell survival: is not all about apoptosis: reply

We thank La Sala and Rosano for their interest in our work. We agree with them that neutrophil biology in the microenvironment of the atherosclerotic plaque is probably different of that in peripheral blood. Indeed, in the previous study, we found that neutrophils from unstable plaques but not from peripheral blood showed telomerase reactivation.1 Thus, the mechanisms of delayed neutrophil apoptosis in resident neutrophils and in peripheral neutrophils, as observed in the current study,2 are …
Managing radical innovation: The importance of specialized knowledge in the biotech revolution

Abstract This work has implications for managers, investors and entrepreneurs in times of breakthrough innovation at the firm or industry level. The work shows that the marketplace understands the importance of retaining and motivating critical specialized knowledge. By analyzing initial public offerings during the biotechnology discovery wave I find evidence that a dramatic decrease in the ability to include secondary shares (liquidity for early investors and entrepreneurs) in biotechnology IPOs corresponds with the radical increase in the importance of specialized knowledge in that industry, at the time of the rDNA breakthrough discovery and development.
A fast search algorithm for Critical Clearing Time for power systems transient stability analysis

The purpose of this investigation is to extend a previously documented work by introducing an algorithm that automatically determines groups of generators that participate in system separation and hence transient instability. The algorithm is based on measuring the accelerating power of a specific power system and determining maximum accelerating power in response to numerous simulated contingency scenarios. By analyzing maximum accelerating power of the simulated power system, a threshold for separating accelerated generators from stationary generators is determined. The threshold is then used to identify groups of generators that participate in system separation. This paper includes a summary of the proposed algorithm for determining generator grouping that causes system separation in a flow chart. The blocks of the flow chart further include the actions taken in each step of the algorithm. Utilization and success of the proposed algorithm are documented using results from the IEEE 39-Bus test system.
The Gifted Game: Overcoming Stereotyping in Gifted Education

This article describes stereotypes of gifted children that generate negative attitudes. Underpinning these stereotypes are misconceptions of the nature of giftedness. It clarifies how these have been used to exclude children from programming and how equity issues are often ignored in identification. These misconceptions do the identified students a disservice in creating alienation. The resulting prejudice and discrimination against certain students is explored. The exploration of these issues resulted in the devel­ opment of a "gifted game", created as a project by education students at the University of Central Florida.
The persistence of derived information

Work on the problem of reasoning about change has focussed on the persistence of nonderived information, while neglecting the effects of inference within individual states. In this paper, we illustrate how such inferences add a new dimension of complexity to reasoning about change and show that failure to allow for such inferences can result in an unwarranted loss of derived information. The difficulties arise with a class of deductions having the property that their conclusions should be allowed to persist even though some components of the justifications involved may no longer be valid. We describe this notion of components of a justification being inessential to the persistence of that justification. A solution to the persistence problem is presented in terms of a default frame axiom that is sensitive to both justification information and specifications of inessentiality.
Reconstructive denaturation of proteins by sodium by sodium dodecyl sulfate. Circular dichroism of soybean trypsin inhibitor, papain and a mold protease

Circular dichroism (CD) of solutions of soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI), papain, and an acid mold protease (from Rhizopus chinensis) was determined in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The CD bands in the 240–320 nm spectral zone were almost completely eliminated by SDS. This indicated that the tertiary folding was disturbed and the restrictions imposed on the aromatic chromophores were largely removed. The CD bands in the far UV were modified by SDS in a manner that indicated increase of the α-helix content in these proteins. This specific type of denaturation has been observed also on many other proteins. The term reconstructive denaturation is suggested for this type of denaturation in which the helix content of the polypeptide chain is enhanced by the denaturing agent. Der Circulardichroismus (CD) der Losungen des Trypsin-Inhibitors (STI) (aus Sojabohnen), von Papain und einer Protease aus Rhizopus chinensis wurde in Gegenwart und in Abwesenheit von Natrium-dodecylsulfat (SDS) untersucht. Die CD-Banden im 240-bis 320-nm-Bereich des Spektrums wurden durch das Detergens fast vollstandig eliminiert, was auf Zerstorung der Tertiarstruktur der Proteine hinweist, wobei die sterischen Einschrankungen der aromatischen Chromophore entfallen. Im fernen UV dagegen wurden durch SDS Veranderungen hervorgerufen, die auf eine Erhohung des Helixgehaltes hinweisen, wie bereits an vielen anderen Proteinen beobachtet wurde. Es wird vorgeschlagen, diese Art der Denaturierung, in der der Helixgehalt durch das Detergens erhoht wird, als rekonstruktive Denaturierung zu bezeichnen.
Efficacy and Safety of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in Type 2 Diabetes: Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND:An up-to-date assessment of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is needed to include newly available data.OBJECTIVE:To assess the efficacy and safety of DPP-4 inhibitors, including sitagliptin, saxagliptin, vildagliptin, and linagliptin, in type 2 diabetes.METHODS:We conducted a search of MEDLINE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of DPP-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes through November 2011, using the key terms sitagliptin, saxagliptin, vildagliptin, and linagliptin. We also searched for completed, but unpublished, trials at relevant web sites. RCTs were selected for meta-analysis if they (1) compared DPP-4 inhibitors with placebo or an antihyperglycemic agent; (2) had study duration of 12 or more weeks; (3) had 1 or more baseline and posttreatment efficacy and/or safety outcome; and (4) were published in English.RESULTS:In 62 evaluated articles, DPP-4 inhibitors lowered hemoglobin A1c (A1C) significantly more than placebo (weighted mean difference [WMD] −0.76%; 95% CI −0.83 to −0.68...
Multihull and Surface-Effect Ship Configuration Design : A Framework for Powering Minimization

The powering issue of a high-speed marine vehicle with multihulls and air-cushion support is addressed, since there is an often need to quickly evaluate the effects of several configuration parameters in the early stage of the design. For component hulls with given geometry, the parameters considered include the relative locations of individual hulls and the relative volumetric ratios. Within the realm of linearized theory, an interference-resistance expression for hull-to-hull interaction is first reviewed, and then a new formula for hull-and-pressure distribution interference is derived. Each of these analytical expressions is expressed in terms of the Fourier signatures or Kochin functions of the interacting component hulls, with the separation, stagger, and speed as explicit parameters. Based on this framework, an example is given for assessing the powering performance of a catamaran (dihull) as opposed to a tetrahull system. Also examined is the wave resistance of a surface-effect ship of varying cushion support in comparison with that of a base line catamaran, subject to the constraint of constant total displacement.
An FDA for Financial Innovation: Applying the Insurable Interest Doctrine to 21st Century Financial Markets

The financial crisis of 2008 was caused in part by speculative investment in complex derivatives. In enacting the Dodd-Frank Act, Congress sought to address the problem of speculative investment, but merely transferred that authority to various agencies, which have not yet found a solution. We propose that when firms invent new financial products, they be forbidden to sell them until they receive approval from a government agency designed along the lines of the FDA, which screens pharmaceutical innovations. The agency would approve financial products if they satisfy a test for social utility that focuses on whether the product will likely be used more often for insurance than for gambling. Other factors may be addressed if the answer is ambiguous. This approach would revive and make quantitatively precise the common-law insurable interest doctrine, which helped control financial gambling before deregulation in the 1990s.
Oxygen Tension Modulates Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells Through A Mechanism Involving HIF and VEGF

Cell-based approaches are a promising therapeutic strategy for treating injuries to the nervous system, but the optimal means to promote neurite extension and direct cellular behavior are unclear. Previous studies have examined the behavior of neural-like cells in ambient air (21% oxygen tension), yet these conditions are not representative of the physiological oxygen microenvironment of neural tissues. We hypothesized that neuronal differentiation of a model neural cell line (PC12) could be controlled by modulating local oxygen tension. Compared to ambient conditions, PC12 cells cultured in reduced oxygen exhibited significant increases in neurite extension and total neurite length, with 4% oxygen yielding the highest levels of both indicators. We confirmed neurite extension was mediated through oxygen-responsive mechanisms using small molecules that promote or inhibit HIF-1α stabilization. The hypoxic target gene Vegf was implicated as a neurotrophic factor, as neurite formation at 21% oxygen was mimicked with exogenous VEGF, and a VEGF-neutralizing antibody attenuated neurite formation under reduced oxygen conditions. These findings demonstrate that behavior of neural-like cells is driven by the oxygen microenvironment via VEGF function, and suggest promising approaches for future applications in neural repair.
Pediatric intracranial aneurysms: durability of treatment following microsurgical and endovascular management.

Object Longer life expectancies and differences in the underlying disease in children with aneurysms raise important issues concerning the choice of microsurgical or endovascular therapy. The authors reviewed their experience at one institution regarding patients treated between 1977 and 2003, focusing on the issue of treatment durability. Methods Forty-three aneurysms in 32 pediatric patients were identified. The patients ranged in age from 2 months to 18 years (mean 11.7 years). Only seven patients (22%) presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and in nine patients (28%) significant medical comorbidities were present. Aneurysm locations included the internal carotid artery (13 lesions), middle cerebral artery (11 lesions), and the basilar artery/vertebrobasilar junction (six lesions). Of the 43 lesions, 17 (40%) were giant aneurysms and 22 (51%) exhibited fusiform/dolichoectatic morphological features. Thirteen patients underwent microsurgery, 16 endovascular treatment, and three observation. Complete an...
A kinetic framework for tRNA ligase and enforcement of a 2′-phosphate requirement for ligation highlights the design logic of an RNA repair machine

tRNA ligases are essential components of informational and stress-response pathways entailing repair of RNA breaks with 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate and 5′-OH ends. Plant and fungal tRNA ligases comprise three catalytic domains. Phosphodiesterase and kinase modules heal the broken ends to generate the 3′-OH, 2′-PO4, and 5′-PO4 required for sealing by the ligase. We exploit RNA substrates with different termini to define rates of individual steps or subsets of steps along the repair pathway of plant ligase AtRNL. The results highlight rate-limiting transactions, how repair is affected by active-site mutations, and how mutations are bypassed by RNA alterations. We gain insights to 2′-PO4 specificity by showing that AtRNL is deficient in transferring AMP to pRNAOH to form AppRNAOH but proficient at sealing pre-adenylylated AppRNAOH. This strategy for discriminating 2′-PO4 versus 2′-OH ends provides a quality-control checkpoint to ensure that only purposeful RNA breaks are sealed and to avoid nonspecific “capping” of 5′-PO4 ends.
Student Reactions to Being Wrongly Informed of Failing a High-Stakes Test The Case of the Minnesota Basic Standards Test

How do students react to being told that they have failed a test required for high school graduation? In 2000, 7,989 students were wrongly informed that they had failed the Minnesota Basic Standards Test in mathematics. The authors conducted a survey of 911 of these students to assess the psychosocial impact of this event. More than 80% of students reported that they increased studying, and nearly half reduced their extracurricular activities. Students reported a range of adverse emotional reactions, with more than 80% reporting that they felt depressed, worried, or embarrassed. About half said that they felt stupid and less proud of themselves. About 4% reported that they dropped out of school as a result of being told that they failed the examination. These findings point to the largely unaddressed need to study student reactions to failing high-stakes tests.
Scintigraphic Evaluation of a Suspected Cavernous Hemangioma

The patient was a 31-y-old woman with invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast without evidence of metastases to the axillary lymph nodes. She had undergone bilateral mastectomy and was currently undergoing radiation therapy. A CT scan performed 10 d previously demonstrated “a 3 cm
An 8×8 RLS based MIMO detection ASIC for broadband MIMO-OFDM wireless transmissions

This paper presents the architecture and VLSI implementation of a highly flexible MIMO detection engine which supports a wide array of configurations ranging from 1×1 to 8×8 square, as well as all possible non-symmetric MIMO configurations. The chip is specifically designed to work with an underlying OFDM modulation scheme, and covers the range of 64 to 1024 subchannels. It implements an RLS based MIMO solution which provides a good balance between hardware complexity and overall system performance [1]. To further reduce the complexity frequency domain linear interpolation is also used [2].
Centers and Generalized Centers of Near-Rings

Let N be a right near-ring. Denote by C(N) the multiplicative center of N, and by N d the set of left-distributive elements of N. In general, C(N) need not be closed under the addition of N. However, the generalized center of N, GC(N) = {a ∊ N|an d = n d a for all n d ∊ N d }, is always a subnear-ring of N containing C(N). In this article, we study the problem of determining when C(N) is a subnear-ring of N. We show that, for certain classes of near-rings, C(N) is a subnear-ring of N if and only if C(N) = GC(N). Examples are given to show the limits of the theory.
Microinjection of ANG II into paraventricular nucleus enhances cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in rats.

The aims of present study were to determine whether angiotensin II (ANG II) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is involved in the central integration of the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex an...
Salvaging velocity measurements corrupted by nearby instruments

263 Obstructions in a flow may interfere with the measurement of the ambient velocity field. When velocity has been measured using an acoustic Doppler profiler (ADP), the effects of such obstructions have often been masked due to the large bin sizes (order 1 m) and long averaging times (order 1 to 10 min) typically used to resolve low velocities in lakes and oceans. Sampling at higher frequencies and with smaller bin sizes is now feasible with the advent of pulse-coherent profilers and other improvements in hardware and software. The increase in available resolution makes the effects of interferences by obstructions evident. Interference can arise from the ADP’s support frame or from co-located instruments. When fluid moves past these structures, alternating vortices are generated in their lee and are carried away by the ambient flow in what is referred to as a
Developing a chat reference training program

ABSTRACT In the last few years, chat reference services have been implemented by public, college and university libraries. One important aspect of the chat reference service is library staff training. Literature shows that this is a vital step in offering a chat reference service. Library staff need to be well-trained in areas of chatting, reference interviewing in a digital environment and using electronic resources, such as the Internet and databases. This article discusses the chat reference training program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The following text provides an outline for establishing a chat training program including planning, organization, implementation and assessment. Areas of discussion include the chat reference interview, chatting and patron management techniques.
MobileTI: a portable tele-immersive system

We present MobileTI, a portable tele-immersive system that merges 3D video representations of users in real time to enable remote collaboration across geographical distances. With portability as a main goal, we address the challenges in the camera setup, time synchronization, video acquisition, and networking in the design and implementation of the system. Having been deployed in public performances, MobileTI proves to be effective, efficient, and user-friendly. Our experimental findings in terms of technical performance and user feedback are presented.