cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased expression of the molecular chaperone BiP/GRP78 during the differentiation of a primitive eukaryote.

Giardia lamblia, a major cause of intestinal disease worldwide, is a parasitic protozoan that represents the earliest branch of the eukaryotic lineage. Trophozoites, which possess two nuclei but lack mitochondria, peroxisomes and a typical Golgi apparatus, colonize the small intestine of the vertebrate host where they may differentiate into infective cysts. Encystation is a regulated process characterized by the biosynthesis, secretion and formation of a protective extracellular cyst wall. In previous studies, we demonstrated the biogenesis of the Golgi apparatus during encystation and identified two leucine-rich proteins (CWPs), which localize within encystation-specific secretory granules before their incorporation into the cyst wall. Here, we used immunological, biochemical and molecular biological approaches to analyze the expression of BiPGRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident chaperone, during the Giardia life cycle. A monoclonal antibody specific for Giardia BiP permitted the visualization of the ER of this protozoan and showed that BiP expression increased simultaneously with the increased expression of CWPs during encystation. However, in contrast to the 140-fold increase in levels of CWP transcripts, the steady-state level of BiP mRNA did not increase during encystation. Furthermore, potent inducers of BiP expression in higher eukaryotic cells, including agents that perturb the ER environment, did not affect BiP expression in Giardia. These results, when considered together with the profound changes that occur in the secretory pathway during Giardia encystation, indicate an important role for this molecular chaperone during the differentiation of this primitive eukaryote.
Relativistic mean field theory for nuclei

Abstract The phenomenology of relativistic mean field theory of nuclei is discussed for general scalar potential functions U ( φ ) with a minimum at zero scalar field φ = 0. The cubic-plus-quartic scalar self-interaction model U 34 is discussed as an important special case. We obtain general conditions on U required by the saturation properties including the incompressibility coefficient K . The effective mass M ∗ is uniquely related to the vector coupling. The pathologies of the U 34 model are discussed and modifications are proposed which cure the model when the quartic term is negative as phenomenologically required. It is argued that the equation of state (at T = 0) is effectively independent of the form of U if the parameters are adjusted to a given K, M ∗ , and that the phenomenology of finite nuclei, in particular the spin-orbit splitting in light nuclei, determines M ∗ ≈ 0.6 M essentially independently of U . The resulting (stiff) e.o.s. is then determined within narrow limits independently of the form of U .
Proof of Concept: Virtual Reality Simulation of a Pyxis Machine for Medication Administration

Abstract Background Medication errors occur in highly complex health care environments. A challenge exists to replicate complex environments to study the effect on medication error rates. Virtual reality three-dimensional (3-D) simulation holds promise for faithfully duplicating such environments. Methods A proof of concept study was conducted to examine the feasibility of virtual reality 3-D simulation to reliably mirror medication withdrawal from an electronic medication dispensing system (Pyxis) in a complex health care environment using a convenience sample of clinical nursing faculty. Results Participants felt that the simulated environment was realistic. The computer-generated Pyxis system did not function as well in the virtual environment compared with an actual environment. A perceived discrepancy between the actual process and the simulation was identified as a problem requiring further refinement. Conclusion Virtual reality 3-D simulation holds great promise for future research and training of health care professionals. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated that replicating complex health care environments is achievable through attention to detail and a focus on immersion.
Testing the Generality of a Trophic-cascade Model for Plague

Climate may affect the dynamics of infectious diseases by shifting pathogen, vector, or host species abundance, population dynamics, or community interactions. Black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomysludovicianus) are highly susceptible to plague, yet little is known about factors that influence the dynamics of plague epizootics in prairie dogs. We investigated temporal patterns of plague occurrence in black-tailed prairie dogs to assess the generality of links between climate and plague occurrence found in previous analyses of human plague cases. We examined long-term data on climate and plague occurrence in prairie dog colonies within two study areas. Multiple regression analyses revealed that plague occurrence in prairie dogs was not associated with climatic variables in our Colorado study area. In contrast, plague occurrence was strongly associated with climatic variables in our Montana study area. The models with most support included a positive association with precipitation in April–July of the previous year, in addition to a positive association with the number of “warm” days and a negative association with the number of “hot” days in the same year as reported plague events. We conclude that the timing and magnitude of precipitation and temperature may affect plague occurrence in some geographic areas. The best climatic predictors of plague occurrence in prairie dogs within our Montana study area are quite similar to the best climatic predictors of human plague cases in the southwestern United States. This correspondence across regions and species suggests support for a (temperature-modulated) trophic-cascade model for plague, including climatic effects on rodent abundance, flea abundance, and pathogen transmission, at least in regions that experience strong climatic signals.
Antigen-specific suppression of collagen arthritis by adoptive transfer of spleen cells

Wistar-Furth (W-F) rats were given 10(9) syngeneic spleen cells, suspended in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS), intravenously on Day 0 to investigate the mechanisms involved in antigen-specific suppression of collagen arthritis. These cells were pooled from W-F donors which had been injected iv on Days -21, -14, and -7 with rat red blood cells (RBC) coupled with glutaraldehyde to either native chick type II collagen, denatured type II collagen, or native type I collagen. All recipients were immunized with an emulsion of native type II collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant on Day 1 to induce collagen arthritis. There was a decreased incidence of arthritis, by clinical and radiographic assessments, in rats receiving spleen cells from donors previously administered native type II collagen-coupled RBC compared to those given spleen cells obtained from donors treated with denatured type II or native type I collagen-coupled RBC [18 of 30 (60%) arthritic vs 20 of 20 (100%) and 19 of 20 (95%) arthritic, for the three groups, respectively, P less than 0.01 for both comparisons]. The incidence of arthritis in 35 rats administered HBSS iv 1 day prior to immunization (83%) and 10 immunized rats given no iv injections (100%) was also significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than the incidence in the antigen-relevant experimental group. Hemagglutinating antibody titers and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) to collagen were lower in the recipients of cells from donors administered native type II collagen-coupled RBC, whereas IgG antibody titers to collagen were unaltered. These results demonstrate that passively transferred spleen cells can attenuate collagen arthritis and sensitization in an antigen-specific manner.
Rescue high frequency oscillation in neonates with acute respiratory failure

The aim was to study the efficacy of rescue High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV) in improving the oxygenation and ventilation in neonates with acute respiratory failure after failing Conventional Mechanical Ventilation (CMV). Primary outcome was short term oxygenation, lung recruitment, and ventilation and secondary outcome studied was survival. 675 babies were ventilated and 97 of them received HFOV. HFOV significantly improved oxygenation index, alveolararterial oxygen gradient, pH, PCO2, PO2 and caused better lung recruitment within 2 hours. Fifty seven babies (58.77%) survived and the mortality was more in <28 weeks, babies with pulmonary hemorrhage, sepsis and CDH.
Progesterone-Induced Unseasonable Molt in Single Comb White Leghorn Pullets

Abstract THE process of molting has long been of interest to poultrymen chiefly because of its incompatibility with egg production. The fact that the best producers are usually the latest to molt is of particular importance to breeders because these hens are often not in egg production for the earlier hatches of the hatching season. Various methods of forced molting usually involving a drastic change of management, i.e., limiting feed, or light, or withholding water have long been used. These methods are not usually effective on all birds and generally result in loss in body weight during the molting period following the change of management. Numerous workers have demonstrated that molting can be produced by hypophysectomy (Mitschell, 1929; Hill, Corkill and Parkes, 1934) and by the administration of thyroid by feeding (Van der Meuhlen, 1939). Further evidence that the thyroid is involved in molting has been reported by Glazener and Jull …
Stress, Inflammation, and Aging

This editorial provides a summary of the state of research on stress-related changes associated with aging and discuss how factors such as inflammation and sex steroid alterations may interact with psychosocial stress to affect the risk for mood and cognitive disturbance in older individuals. The authors provide an integrated summary of four studies reported in this issue of the journal and views on future direction in stress and aging research and interventions targeting resilience to stress.
An Amino Acid Substitution in the Coding Region of the E2 Glycoprotein Adapts Ross River Virus To Utilize Heparan Sulfate as an Attachment Moiety

Passage of Ross River virus strain NB5092 in avian cells has been previously shown to select for virus variants that have enhanced replication in these cells. Sequencing of these variants identified two independent sites that might be responsible for the phenotype. We now demonstrate, using a molecular cDNA clone of the wild-type T48 strain, that an amino acid substitution at residue 218 in the E2 glycoprotein can account for the phenotype. Substitutions that replaced the wild-type asparagine with basic residues had enhanced replication in avian cells while acidic or neutral residues had little or no observable effect. Ross River virus mutants that had increased replication in avian cells also grew better in BHK cells than the wild-type virus, whereas the remaining mutants were unaffected in growth. Replication in both BHK and avian cells of Ross River virus mutants N218K and N218R was inhibited by the presence of heparin or by the pretreatment of the cells with heparinase. Binding of the mutants, but not of the wild type, to a heparin-Sepharose column produced binding comparable to that of Sindbis virus, which has previously been shown to bind heparin. Replication of these mutants was also adversely affected when they were grown in a CHO cell line that was deficient in heparan sulfate production. These results demonstrate that amino acid 218 of the E2 glycoprotein can be modified to create an heparan sulfate binding site and this modification expands the host range of Ross River virus in cultured cells to cells of avian origin.
Sfr13, a member of a large family of asymmetrically localized Sfi1-repeat proteins, is important for basal body separation and stability in Tetrahymena thermophila.

Summary Directed fluid flow, which is achieved by the coordinated beating of motile cilia, is required for processes as diverse as cellular swimming, developmental patterning and mucus clearance. Cilia are nucleated, anchored and aligned at the plasma membrane by basal bodies, which are cylindrical microtubule-based structures with ninefold radial symmetry. In the unicellular ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila , two centrin family members associated with the basal body are important for both basal body organization and stabilization. We have identified a family of 13 proteins in Tetrahymena that contain centrin-binding repeats related to those identified in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sfi1 protein. We have named these proteins Sfr1–Sfr13 (for Sfi1-repeat). Nine of the Sfr proteins localize in unique polarized patterns surrounding the basal body, suggesting non-identical roles in basal body organization and association with basal body accessory structures. Furthermore, the Sfr proteins are found in distinct basal body populations in Tetrahymena cells, indicating that they are responsive to particular developmental programs. A complete genetic deletion of one of the family members, Sfr13, causes unstable basal bodies and defects in daughter basal body separation from the mother, phenotypes also observed with centrin disruption. It is likely that the other Sfr family members are involved in distinct centrin functions, providing specificity to the tasks that centrins perform at basal bodies.
Laminopatías. Enfermedades de la lámina nuclear

Resumen Las laminopatias son un conjunto de enfermedades raras que comparten formas erroneas de codificacion genetica de las laminas, proteinas constitutivas de la lamina nuclear. Son trastornos que afectan a diferentes tejidos y funciones como el tejido muscular estriado, el tejido adiposo, el tejido oseo, el sistema nervioso o el envejecimiento precoz. La distrofia muscular de Emery-Dreifuss o el sindrome Hutchinson-Gildford Progeria son ejemplos de laminopatias. Conjuntamente con ellas suelen estudiarse otros trastornos que provocan de forma directa o indirecta alteracion de la funcion de las laminas. El creciente interes y estudio que las laminopatias han suscitado desde hace una decada podrian permitir encontrar respuestas a preguntas clave en relacion con el metabolismo, la resistencia a la insulina, la muerte subita o el envejecimiento. En este trabajo se revisan las laminopatias desde un punto de vista molecular, patogenico y clinico.
DECOMPOSITION OF INEQUALITY AMONG GROUPS BY COUNTERFACTUAL MODELING: AN ANALYSIS OF THE GENDER WAGE GAP IN JAPAN

This paper introduces a new method for decomposing group differences in the mean of a variable into various within-group and between-group components with respect to group categories of intermediary variables. This is accomplished by considering counterfactual outcomes that would be realized by social interventions that change the relationship among variables. Because such a change does not by itself determine the counterfactual outcome, the paper introduces and juxtaposes two different mechanisms—the mechanism of realizing the counterfactual state that deviates least from the existing state, and the mechanism of holding relations among variables other than those that are modified by a given intervention unchanged—and demonstrates that despite the large difference in the mechanisms, they yield highly congruent outcomes. As an illustrative example, the paper analyzes gender inequality in hourly wages in Japan and thereby demonstrates the usefulness of the new method for deriving policy implications.
Ethnic Scale and Intensity: The Zimbabwean Experience

Sociologists' preoccupation with Western race and ethnic models has led to the distortion, or neglect, of Third World contexts, and has retarded the development of frameworks adequate for broad comparative analysis. The Zimbabwe setting illustrates two of many issues requiring more rigorous examination: (1) changing scale of ethnic boundaries, and (2) the effect of countervailing or coinciding factors on ethnic intensity. Contrary to prevailing expectations, the organizational potential of large-scale modem boundaries can be seen in Zimbabwe's pattern of ethnicity; the main determinants of intensity have tended to diminish ethnic cleavages among the general citizenry. If sociology's comparative method is to flourish, the study of ethnicity and its impact on societal development and change in less advanced areas of the world should not go, by default, to other disciplines.
Amino Acid Interaction with Taurine Metabolism in Cats

Taurine deficiency represents an important nutritional problem in cats because they cannot synthesize appreciable quantities of taurine, even though substantial taurine is required for biological functions, e.g. bile metabolism and vision1,2.Although some taurine is synthesized from methionine and cysteine, the main pathway of taurine biosynthesis appears to be limited by low activity of cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase. Thus, a dietary source of taurine is considered essential for maintaining normal health in cats, rendering taurine an essential amino acid for this species3,4.a Feeding cats purified, taurine-free diets depletes plasma taurine to barely detectable levels5–8. Supplementation with sulfur amino acids failed to improve plasma taurine status substantially (i.e. clinically)8,9. By contrast, a large intake of dietary cystine (5%) restored plasma and platelet taurine concentrations to approximately 50% of normal, and taurine concentrations in white and red blood cells approximated those in taurine-supplemented cats6. However, this high level of dietary cystine caused debilitating neurological symptoms which resulted in death of some cats6.
Contingencia y análisis de la conducta

The concept of contingency is central to theoretical discussions of learned behavior and in the application of learning research to problems of social significance. This paper reviews three aspects of the contingency concept as it has been developed by behavior .analysts. The first is the empirical analysis of contingency through ex­perimental studies of both human and non-human behavior. The second is the syn­thesis of experimental studies in theoreticallconceptual frameworks to yield a more general account of contingency and to integrate the concept with other behavioral processes. The third aspect is one of practical considerations in the application of the contingency concept in both laboratory and applied settings.
Inclusion of new types in relational data base systems

This paper explores a mechanism to support user-defined data types for columns in a relational data base system. Previous work suggested how to support new operators and new data types. The contribution of this work is to suggest ways to allow query optimization on commands which include new data types and operators and ways to allow access methods to be used for new data types.
Evidence of thymus-independent local and systemic antibody responses to Cryptosporidium parvum infection in nude mice

Differences in susceptibility to persistent cryptosporidial infection between two strains of adult athymic nude mice prompted us to investigate the immune mechanism(s) that may control resistance to infection in these T-cell-deficient mice. We studied fecal oocyst shedding, serum and fecal parasite-specific antibody responses, and fecal immunoglobulin levels in athymic C57BL/6J nude and athymic BALB/cJ nude mice following oral inoculation with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts at 8 to 9 weeks of age. C57BL/6J nude mice had significantly higher fecal parasite-specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) (days 27, 31, 35, and 42 postinoculation) and IgM (days 10, 17, 24, 28, 31, 38, 42, and 48 postinoculation) levels than BALB/cJ nude mice (P < 0.05) and significantly higher serum parasite-specific IgA levels at 63 days postinoculation (P < 0.03). Moreover, C57BL/6J nude mice shed significantly fewer C. parvum oocysts than BALB/cJ nude mice from days 52 to 63 postinoculation (P < 0.05). In contrast, BALB/cJ nude mice had higher levels of non-parasite-specific IgA (days 38 to 63 postinoculation) and IgM (days 24, 35, 38, and 52 postinoculation) than C57BL/6J nude mice in feces (P < 0.05). These data suggest that parasite-specific fecal antibodies may be associated with resistance to C. parvum in C57BL/6J nude mice.
Delivering Software Engineering Skills

There is a significant difference between people who know about software engineering and those skilled in producing high quality systems on time in ways that delight the customer. Too many academics focus on the latest tools, methods and technique while they ignore a number of the important lessons new engineers must master. While many assert that what differentiates a novice from a master is the number of patterns they can recognize and then leverage for their benefit, becoming a master is so much more. Earning the respect of the client and maintaining it through the entire project is as important as the required technical skills. Being able to continuously find the risks, technical and others, and having the skill to manage them as they change is equally crucial. Truly successful software engineers in today's turbulent world must demonstrate knowledge, skill and wisdom in business relationships to the same degree they are able to solve technical problems. This presentation will survey what we have learned about bringing predictability and quality to the development of high value systems. It will then focus on the importance of addressing both knowledge and skill aspects of software engineering in the context of a professional’s career. Finally, an approach for delivering such an educational experience will be described. Biography Lynn Robert Carter has been a senior researcher and educator at Carnegie Mellon University for over nineteen years. During his twelve years at the SEI, his work included onsite software technology adoption support to numerous military and commercial customers supporting the following technologies: real time schedulability, client/server system architectures, object orientation, process improvement, and organizational change. After leaving the SEI, he established and supported the development and deployment of professional Software Engineering Masters programs at CMU West and with our partners at the SSN School of Advanced Software Engineering, Chennai, India and the International Institute for Information Technology, Hyderabad, India. He is now helping establish an undergraduate software engineering track within the computer science degree program at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar and working to establish professional masters programs at this new campus. His research focus is the adoption of new software technologies with a special focus on predictable and quality software development and management for high value systems. He has been active with computer science and software engineering accreditation for over eleven years and current serves as an ABET Commissioner and Executive Committee Member. Prior to Carnegie Mellon University he developed software, managed teams, and lead research efforts at various
A SPICE model for a novel brushless adjustable-speed drive

A SPICE circuit model was developed to accurately simulate the i-v characteristics of a brushless AC motor commutated by semiconductor switches. The model is based on Fourier curve fits to measured mutual inductance interactions between all combinations of field and armature windings, as well as coil resistance and inductance. The model is able to accurately predict current and voltage characteristics, both statically, and dynamically when interfaced with a commutation model. The model has been demonstrated to agree with electrical tests of an inverted motor on a large time scale. It has also given reliable predictions of small time-scale details, where it is desirable to predict power MOSFET switch behavior after a command to open or close. Data were collected and analyzed for simulations of the motor model combined with a commutation model containing MOSFET switches. Metrics were compared to data collected from an inverted brushless motor with good agreement.
Proposed Reconstructions of Cases Six and Eight of the Edwin Smith Papyrus

From a medical–historical perspective, Case Eight of the Edwin Smith Papyrus is one of the most important in that document. It graphically describes hemiplegia resulting from a closed head injury and distinguishes it from other nontraumatic conditions that might be associated with similar neurologic deficits. It is also one of the longest cases in the manuscript, due largely to an extended concluding passage that is virtually identical to the description of a horrific open skull fracture contained in Case Six. There is no unanimity regarding the significance of this unusual passage, which deviates from the otherwise rigidly applied format of the case presentations. The manuscript’s grammatical framework is as ordered as its compositional structure otherwise. The method employed in the present study is to analyze Cases Six and Eight in this light in order to identify textual peculiarities common to both that might give a better understand of the relationship between them. Based on this analysis I propose a reconstruction of each case that addresses semantic and syntactic anomalies in the sole existing copy of the document and discuss possible implications of our conclusions for its organization and revision over time.
Energy Conservation in Transportation

Publisher Summary Apart from the nearly absolute dependence on petroleum as an energy source, the most significant fact about energy use in transportation is the dominance of the highway mode. Over three-quarters of the energy consumed by transportation is used in highway movements. Despite a quarter century of declining shares of total traffic, rail is still the single largest carrier, with roughly 35% of the total ton-miles of intercity traffic. Trucks and pipelines share equally about half of the total mass of freight moved, with inland waterways accounting for the remainder. Intercity buses might be good candidates for the introduction of turbine engines, which must operate at relatively constant levels to be efficient. In a taxi, the same engine would be a disaster. For intercity passenger movements, air has the longest length of haul, followed by bus, and then rail, which is dominated by commuter rail. These modes are capturing different segments of the travel market.
Whole-cell and single-channel recordings of GABA-gated currents in cultured chick cerebral neurons.

1. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) (10-500 microM) was applied to cultured chick cerebral neurons by pressure ejection, and the resulting currents (IGABA) were recorded using standard whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques. Plots of the peak IGABA as a function of membrane potential were nonlinear with an outwardly rectifying appearance. 2. IGABA decayed during a prolonged application of GABA. This decay was associated with a decline in the conductance of the cell, suggesting that the decline in IGABA was principally due to receptor desensitization. 3. After 5-7 days in culture, whole-cell recordings revealed the presence of spontaneous synaptic currents. These currents were presumed to be GABA-gated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) because they reversed at the Cl- equilibrium potential (ECl-), were blocked by picrotoxin (25 microM), and were prolonged by pentobarbital (50 microM). 4. Synaptic currents were analyzed by fitting exponential functions to their decay. In normal recording saline, 68% of the decays analyzed could be adequately described by a single exponential function. Two exponentials were necessary to describe the decay of the other 32%. The time constant of the decay (for those adequately fitted by a single exponential) increased with depolarization, from an average value of 15 ms at -80 mV to 60 ms at +40 mV. 5. A relationship was noted between IPSC amplitude and decay time constant; IPSCs with larger peak amplitudes had a slower decay. One possible explanation considered for this finding was that transmitter persists in the synaptic cleft and rebinds to the receptors, thus prolonging the decay of the IPSC. 6. Consistent with the above hypothesis was the observation that the decays of miniature IPCSs (examined under conditions of reduced transmitter release) were faster, showed less variability, and were all adequately described by a single exponential function. Furthermore, the decay times were independent of the membrane potential, suggesting that the kinetic parameters of the GABA channel which shape the decay of these miniature IPSCs are independent of voltage. 7. Single-channel activity underlying whole-cell GABA responses could be recorded in isolated outside-out and inside-out patches of membrane. In isotonic choline chloride, single-channel amplitudes were linearly related to voltage and reversed at -1.8 +/- 11.0 mV (n = 12). Under these conditions, the channel had a main conductance state of 20.8 +/- 3.4 pS (n = 12). Transitions were observed from this main conductance state to other conductance states, e.g., two subconductance states of 6 and 12 pS and one supraconductance state of 30 pS.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Assessing Patient Reported Outcomes Measures via Phone Interviews Versus Patient Self-Survey in the Clinic: Are We Measuring the Same Thing?

Background Longitudinally following patients requires a full-time employee (FTE)-dependent data inflow infrastructure. There are efforts to capture patient-reported outcomes (PROs) by the use of non–FTE-dependent methodologies. In this study, we set out to assess the reliability of PRO data captured via FTE-dependent compared with non–FTE-dependent methodologies. Methods A total of 119 adult patients (65 men) who underwent 1-and 2-level lumbar fusions at Duke University Medical Center were enrolled in this prospective study. Enrollment criteria included available demographic, clinical, and PRO data. All patients completed 2 sets of questionnaires—the first a phone interviews and the second a self-survey. There was at least a 2-week period between the phone interviews and self-survey. Questionnaires included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), the visual analog scale for back pain (VAS-BP), and the visual analog scale for leg pain (VAS-LP). Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the reliability of baseline PRO data captured. Results A total of 39.49% of patients were smokers, 21.00% had diabetes, and 11.76% had coronary artery disease; 26.89% reported history of anxiety disorder, and 28.57% reported history of depression. A total of 97.47% of patients had a high-school diploma or General Education Development, and 49.57% attained a 4-year college degree or postgraduate degree. We observed a high correlation between baseline PRO data captured between FTE-dependent versus non–FTE dependent methodologies (ODI: r = −0.89, VAS-BP: r = 0.74, VAS-LP: r = 0.70). There was no difference in PROs of baseline pain and functional disability between FTE-dependent and non–FTE-dependent methodologies: baseline ODI (FTE-dependent: 47.73 ± 16.77 [mean ± SD] vs. non–FTE-dependent: 45.81 ± 12.11, P = 0.39), VAS-LP (FTE-dependent: 6.13 ± 2.78 vs. non–FTE-dependent: 6.46 ± 2.79, P = 0.36) and VAS-BP (FTE-dependent: 6.33 ± 2.90 vs. non–FTE-dependent: 6.53 ± 2.48, P = 0.57). Conclusion Our study suggests that there is great reliability between PRO data captured between FTE-dependent and non–FTE-dependent methodologies.
Cathodoluminescence, Electroluminescence, and Degradation of ZnCdSe Quantum Well Light Emitting Diodes

We have studied luminescence and degradation of a ZnCdMgSe/ZnCdSe/ZnCdMgSe QW LED grown by MBE and lattice matched to its InP substrate. Results have been obtained from time-resolved and bias-dependent cathodoluminescence spectroscopy and from electroluminescence spectroscopy. Reversible and irreversible variations in luminescence intensity were observed during bias cycling and electron bombardment. Cathodoluminescence from the QW LED was modeled by calculating current generation and transport, bias-dependent energy levels, envelope wave functions, overlap integrals, and carrier escape rates. Results of these calculations agree qualitatively, but not quantitatively, with bias-dependent intensity and wavelength changes observed in the experiments.
Optimizing mouse models for precision cancer prevention

As cancer has become increasingly prevalent, cancer prevention research has evolved towards placing a greater emphasis on reducing cancer deaths and minimizing the adverse consequences of having cancer. 'Precision cancer prevention' takes into account the collaboration of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in influencing cancer incidence and aggressiveness in the context of the individual, as well as recognizing that such knowledge can improve early detection and enable more accurate discrimination of cancerous lesions. However, mouse models, and particularly genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models, have yet to be fully integrated into prevention research. In this Opinion article, we discuss opportunities and challenges for precision mouse modelling, including the essential criteria of mouse models for prevention research, representative success stories and opportunities for more refined analyses in future studies.
Laser-Guided Quadrotor Obstacle Avoidance

In recent times, autonomous flying quadrotor vehicles have been of increasing interest in the area of autonomous navigation. In autonomous navigation of flying or ground vehicles, one of the most important capabilities of the system is obstacle avoidance. Moreover, there are many circumstances in which it may be necessary to guide a vehicle through a size-limited environment without the aid of a GPS system. This paper presents a simple strategy to indoor, large obstacle avoidance of a quadrotor vehicle in a GPS-denied environment. The solution presented assists a small quadrotor in autonomously navigating indoors in an obstacleridden environment with the end goal being to reach a defined area within a large room.
Observations on the immunization of rabbits with single strain and combined multiple strain vaccines

Previous to 1916, the Army and the National Guard were immunized with typhoid vaccine. During the late summer and early autumn of that year, numerous cases of paratyphoid fever developed among the troops along the Mexican border, and the Army medical authorities therefore felt it desirable to substitute a triple vaccine, of typhoid bacilli combined with the paratyphoids A and B, for the single strain typhoid vaccine then being issued. Similar experience with paratyphoid in the British Army in Flanders in the same year had also resulted there in the adoption of a combined vaccine.This immediately brought up the question as to the basis for the use of combined vaccines for prophylactic inoculation and led to the initiation, in the winter of 1917, of the experiments here presented. Other workers in this field had preceded us. Castellani1 in 1903, showed that on injecting an animal with two different organisms at the same time, agglutinins were produced for both, and that the amount of agglutinin for each of ...
DENDRITIC EXCITABILITY MICROZONES AND OCCLUDED LONG-TERM DEPRESSION AFTER CLASSICAL CONDITIONING OF THE RABBIT'S NICTITATING MEMBRANE RESPONSE

Schreurs, Bernard G., Daniel Tomsic, Pavel A. Gusev, and Daniel L. Alkon. Dendritic excitability microzones and occluded long-term depression after classical conditioning of the rabbit's nictitatin...
The Community as a Social System

Some assumptions common to traditional theories of the community are examined: (1) that social system boundaries are geographically determinable; (2) that the units comprising communities are either humans or families; (3) that cooperation based on common goals underlies community organization. Suggested here is a conflict model of community structure and behavior that focuses upon interstitial groups linking elemental groups and complex organizations to form the community system. Within interstitial groups social exchange and coordination occurs between groups and organizations whose orientations are in potential conflict. This social exchange between elemental groups, a consequence of the division of labor, is accomplished within interstices containing conjunctive relationships, and it is here that conflict is managed, enabling the operation of complex social systems. Community as a concept is employed by virtually all students of complex social systems. Nevertheless, sociologists are aware how illdefined and imprecise is the concept of community. Hillery (1955) measured the depths of confusion about this concept by inventorying a wide variety of definitions. An examination of these reveals that definitions of community are almost as varied as the number of sociologists attempting to deal with the concept. In the interim since Hillery's article, the amount of agreement over definitions of community has not increased significantly. This paper attempts a more logically consistent and empirically usable definition of community. It is hoped this attempt will reduce the confusion and ambiguity surrounding community as a concept and its behavioral referents (Simpson,
Clonidine mydriasis in the cat. Further evidence for a CNS postsynaptic action.

Both clonidine (1–100 μg/kg, i.v.) and d-amphetamine (500 μg, i.c.v.) produced mydriasis associated with depression of tonic ciliary nerve activity in the anaesthetized cat. Clonidine administration in preparations depleted of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin by pretreatment with reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and α-methyl-p-tyrosine (2×300 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in a quantitatively similar mydriasis and inhibition of nerve activity. Thus it is concluded that both drugs cause pupillary dilation by inhibition of parasympathetic tone to the iris and that clonidine's action on this particular system is probably postsynaptic. In contrast, amine depletion totally prevented amphetamine-induced mydriasis and parasympathetic nerve depression, supporting the contention that centrally administered amphetamine acts in this system by means of releasing endogenous stores of monoamines. Pretreatment with yohimbine (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) totally blocked the effects of i.c.v. amphetamine as it does with clonidine. These studies suggest that the pupillary dilation by i.v. clonidine and i.c.v. amphetamine is primarily the result of central inhibition of parasympathetic tone to the iris. It would appear that clonidine produces this effect by acting on postsynaptic mechanisms and that amphetamine acts indirectly through release of an endogenous inhibitory neurotransmitter. The observation that the effects of both of these compounds are blocked by yohimbine supports the suggestion that a central adrenergic inhibitory mechanism is involved.
Further Observations on “Measures of Urbanization”

36 If cells HH and LL of Table 5 were considered in terms of ideal polar types; and further, were we to dichotomize all of the independent indicators of Table 4 in terms of high and low the following contrast emerges: The Parole Board position (managing to be both highly accurate while simultaneously optimistic) is characterized by being high on all indicators except one, job tenure. At the other extreme, the law enforcement officer position (inaccurate and pessimistic) is characterized by being low on every indicator but two, job tenure and interprofessional liking.
Chlorinated Insecticide Residues in Cigarettes Purchased 1970–72

Total DDT-TDE residues in tobacco of cigarettes purchased in 1970, 1971, and 1972 were 36, 44, and 27 ppm, respectively. Ratios of individual DDT-TOE isomers were essentially the same as reported for cigarettes purchased in 1964, 1966, and 1967 by other workers. In all cases, p, p '-TDE constituted ca. 53% of the total DDT-TOE residues. Within any given year, there was no significant difference ( P = <0.05) in the quantity of residues in the different brands tested or in the filtered and non filtered forms of the same brand. Endosulfan residues were nondetectable (<0.01 ppm) in the 1970 and 1971 cigarette tobacco, but in 1972 they averaged 0.4 ppm with 0.3 ppm as the sulfate form, 0.1 ppm as endosulfan II, and only trace amounts of endosulfan 1. Dieldrin and endrin were not present at detectable levels (<0.05 ppm) in any of the cigarette tobacco.
Expression and Significance of Mfn2 and VEGF in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Objective To investigate the expression of Mfn2 and VEGF in epithelial ovarian carcinoma,and to explore their roles in tumorigenesis.Methods The expression of Mfn2 and VEGF was examined by immunohistochemistry(EnVision) in 50 cases of ovarian cancer,30 benign ovarian epithelial tumors and 20 normal ovaries.Results Positive expression rate of Mfn2 in epithelial ovarian cancer was 88.0%,which was significantly higher than that in benign tumors(46.7%) and normal ovaries(15.0%)(all P0.05).Positive expression rate of VEGF in epithelial ovarian cancer was 78.0%,which was obviously higher than that in benign tumors(36.7%) and normal ovaries(5.0%)(P0.05).The expression of Mfn2 and VEGF in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was associated with the clinical stage,cell differentiation and lymph node metastasis(P0.05),but was not related to pathological types(P0.05).The expression of Mfn2 was positively correlated with the expression of VEGF(r=0.925,P0.05).Conclusion Mfn2 and VEGF play important roles in the occurrence and development of epithelial ovarian cancer,and may be involved in the malignant progression and metastasis.The detection of Mfn2 and VEGF expression provides a new idea and method for diagnosis and treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer.
Elevated plasma natriuretic peptide levels were associated with cardiovascular events.

Source Citation Wang TJ, Larson MG, Levy D, et al. Plasma natriuretic peptide levels and the risk of cardiovascular events and death. N Engl J Med. 2004;350:655-63. 14960742
Performance in the European Parliament and MEP Re-Nomination: First Evidence of a Connection?

Re-nominated MEPs are more likely to draft reports, attend the European Parliament plenary sessions and follow their national party delegation in the EP votes. We have reasons to suspect that this conceals a connection between performance in the EP and re-nomination (and consequently re-election). MEPs who want to be re-elected have an incentive to use their work in the EP to show back home that they have been delivering. Personal interviews with current and former MEPs suggest that the combination of output in the EP and publicity home may actually help promoting one’s re-nomination (and re-election) chances.
The Utilization of Social Science Knowledge in Studying Technology and Society: The Case of the Accident at Three Mile Island

This is a report on how a number of social scientists sought to interpret the nature and consequences of the accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant in Middletown, Pennsylvania. The accident, which began on March 28, 1979, has emerged as a landmark event both in the history of nuclear power and in the social impact of technology. In a more modest way, it also illustrates some of the capacities of social research to contribute to an understanding of technology.
Dystrophin in Limb-Girdle Dystrophy

Dystrophin content in muscle was analyzed by both immunofluorescence and immunoblot in 41 patients with a clinical diagnosis of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy seen at the National Institute of Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan over a 12-year period.
Novel biomedical imaging that combines intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT)

We have developed a new biomedical imaging probe combining intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) needle ultrasound transducers with an aperture size of 0.6 mm were fabricated. The measured center frequency and -6 dB fractional bandwidth of the PMN-PT needle ultrasound transducer were 35 MHz and 60 %, respectively. A mirror was mounted at the tip of the probe at position 45deg to change the propagation direction of the ultrasound beam and the laser beam. In vitro images of rabbit trachea and aorta forming from this combined probe have been acquired. These results demonstrate that the complementary nature of these two modalities may yield beneficial results that could not be obtained otherwise.
A Mechanism Design Approach for Influence Maximization

With the proliferation of online social networks (OSNs), the characterization of diffusion processes and influence maximization over such processes is a problem of relevance and importance. Although several algorithmic frameworks for identifying influential nodes exist in literature, there is a paucity of literature in the setting of competitive influence. In this paper, we present a novel mechanism design approach to study the initial seeding problem where the agents, represented by vertices in the social network, are economically rational. The principals compete for influence in the network by setting price and incentives to illicit high degree initial subscribers, which in turn profit by infecting their neighbors. We restrict attention to equilibrium strategies and comparative statics for the agents.
The new wave of privacy concerns in the wearable devices era

The pervasiveness of mobile devices such as smart phones, apps, remote monitoring devices, and wearable sensors is enabling growth of Patient Generated Health Data (PGHD) through which people are capturing their vital signs outside the clinical settings. Tracking fitness, helping with personal health issues, tracking diet and nutrition, tracking sleeping conditions, along with managing stress and mental health are touted as potential benefits of using wearable device services. However, following the trend of growth in electronic data breaches over the last few years, information privacy intrusion has become a major potential threat associated with collecting, tracking, storing, and sharing personal information. Drawing upon literature concerning privacy conceptualization, operationalization, and perception, we aim to explain the antecedents and outcomes of privacy concerns in the context of wearables to gain more insight about users' decisions on disclosing their personal health information. We may be on the crux of a golden age for personalized collaborative care through PGHD, yet we need to consider if we are doing so by trading-off privacy.
Sit Still and Pay Attention

Sitting still while trying to pay attention implicitly reinforces the idea that to pay attention one should focus on a single aspect of the stimulus. Movement encourages attending to different aspects of the stimulus and as such is hypothesized to increase attention. We tested this with students from a traditional and a nontraditional school. Students were asked to observe and recall landmarks on a map. Students from the traditional school who viewed the map from multiple perspectives remembered more landmarks and locations than students who viewed the map from a single perspective. Students from a nontraditional school who are accustomed to movement while learning, did not show this effect. The experiment is discussed in terms of mindfulness theory.