cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The calculated panel reactive antibody policy: an advancement improving organ allocation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW A major policy change affecting renal organ allocation to sensitized patients in the US was implemented in October, 2009. Extra allocation points are awarded to sensitized patients based on a calculated panel reactive antibody (CPRA). This review will discuss the reasons underlying this policy change and examine the evidence to date of its impact on renal allocation. RECENT FINDINGS Comparison of both the proportion and transplant rates of sensitized renal transplant candidates during the 6 months prior to the policy implementation and 6 months after implementation showed a significant increase in transplantation of sensitized patients, with the greatest difference occurring among broadly sensitized patients with CPRA values of 80 or greater. Whereas there was a decrease in transplant rates among candidates with CPRA values from 1 to 20, both this decrease and the increased rates among the more highly sensitized recipients were proportional to the distributions of these groups on the wait list. Notably, following the policy change, there was a highly significant decrease in organ refusals due to positive cross-matches with an 83% reduction between the 6-month periods prior to and after the policy implementation. Additional analyses have recently shown the continuation of these trends 1 year after the policy implementation. SUMMARY Implementation of the CPRA policy on national renal organ allocation in the US has increased efficiency in organ allocation and is helping to facilitate transplantation of broadly sensitized candidates.
Abstract C78: The mu opioid receptor regulates Lewis lung carcinoma tumor growth and metastasis

Introduction: Expression of the mu opioid receptor (MOR) is increased in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a disease with poor prognosis and limited therapies. Previous work by our laboratory and others suggested a role of opioids in several aspects of tumor growth (Anticancer Res 2009;29:3195–3205, Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7:1669–1679, Cancer Res 2002;62:4491–4498). In this study, we investigated MOR as a potential therapeutic target for lung carcinoma. Methods: Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were treated with MOR siRNA or the peripheral MOR antagonist, methylnaltrexone (MNTX, 250 nM), prior to the addition of EGF (10 ng/ml), IGF (10 ng/ml), DAMGO (1 nM), morphine (1 nM) or serum (1, 5 or 10%). In vitro functional (cell proliferation and invasion) and biochemical studies (immunoblotting) were then conducted. For in vivo assays, C57BL/6J mice were injected intravenously with dual color (GFP‐RFP labeled) LLC cells, with or without MOR siRNA treatment. In another experiment, MOR knockout as well as wildtype control mice were injected with LLC cells (subcutaneously into the flank) and followed for 12 weeks. In a parallel experiment, LLC tumor bearing C57BL/6J mice received continuous infusion of MNTX (10 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Tumor growth and lung metastasis were evaluated using tumor volume measurements and/or in vivo fluorescent microscopy (Olympus OV‐100) with or without intravenous injection of ProSense and/or MMP Sense probes. Results: Our data indicate that LLC cells have ∼5 fold increased expression of MOR (compared to primary lung epithelial or BEAS‐2B cells). Inhibition of MOR with siRNA or MNTX treatment reduced in vitro LLC proliferation (90%) and invasion (50–75%). In vivo lung metastasis was reduced by ∼75% in wildtype C57BL/6J mice with LLC lacking MOR (siRNA) versus control siRNA‐treated LLC (3 weeks post‐i.v. injection, quantitated with OV‐100). In addition, primary LLC tumor volume was substantially reduced (>90%) in MOR knockout mice compared to wildtype mice (flank injection). Finally, we observed that continuous infusion of MNTX (10 mg/kg/day) in mice with pre‐existing LLC primary tumors attenuates further tumor growth. Conclusion: We have shown that MOR is a potential therapeutic target for inhibition of LLC proliferation, invasion and metastasis. In addition, MNTX can attenuate LLC primary tumor growth. Further study of MNTX as a potential therapeutic agent is warranted. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C78.
Characteristic Likenesses and Differences Between Skilled and Non-Skilled Performance of Standing Broad Jump

Abstract Cinematographical analysis was used to compare spatial and temporal relationships of ten skilled and ten non-skilled performances of the standing broad jump. Means of the extent and duration of major joint action for the two levels of skill were represented graphically. Characteristic likenesses appeared in the general patterns of movement of limbs and in proportion of time consumed by the phases of the movement. Characteristic differences were found in angles of take-off and of landing and in extent and duration of specific joint actions. Greater extent of movement occurred in the skilled performances. The latter characteristically used more time in hip flexion and less time in knee extension.
Myelin repair and functional recovery mediated by neural cell transplantation in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Cellular therapies are becoming a major focus for the treatment of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), therefore it is important to identify the most effective cell types that promote myelin repair. Several components contribute to the relative benefits of specific cell types including the overall efficacy of the cell therapy, the reproducibility of treatment, the mechanisms of action of distinct cell types and the ease of isolation and generation of therapeutic populations. A range of distinct cell populations promote functional recovery in animal models of MS including neural stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissues. Each of these cell populations has advantages and disadvantages and likely works through distinct mechanisms. The relevance of such mechanisms to myelin repair in the adult central nervous system is unclear since the therapeutic cells are generally derived from developing animals. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of a population of neural cells from the adult spinal cord that are characterized by the expression of the cell surface glycoprotein NG2. In functional studies, injection of adult NG2 + cells into mice with ongoing MOG35-55-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) enhanced remyelination in the CNS while the number of
An overview and synthesis of plasma irregularities in equatorial spread F

Abstract A unified picture of plasma irregularities in equatorial spread F is developed from the analysis of satellite, sounding rocket, and coherent scatter radar observations. The coherent scatter data are analyzed using a new in-beam radar imaging technique that permits direct comparison between radar data, in situ data, and computer simulations of the irregularities. Three varieties of irregularities, all produced by ionospheric interchange instabilities, are found to occur. Thin bottom-type layers are composed of waves with primary transverse wavelengths less than about 1 km and with significant parallel wavenumbers. These exist on magnetic flux tubes controlled by the E region dynamo and drift westward in the postsunset ionosphere. A nonlocal analysis is used to calculate their linear growth rate. When the F region dynamo takes control of the flux tube, bottomside irregularities can emerge. These are more robust irregularities with longer primary wavelengths and which exhibit greater vertical development. Nonlinear analyses explain the appearance of steepened structures in rocket observations and solitary waves in satellite observations of bottomside layers. The one-dimensional spectra of these irregularities obey power laws but are anisotropic and have variable spectral indices and spectral breaks. Very strong polarization electric fields can eject large regions of deeply depleted plasma through the F peak and form topside irregularities. Theoretical calculations supported by satellite data show that ion inertia may become important for topside irregularities. The one-dimensional spectra of irregularities in the inertial regime obey a k −5/3 power law, but strong plasma inhomogeneity implies that Kolmogorov weak turbulence is not the explanation. Topside depletions are shown to bifurcate and also to pinch off from the bottomside.
Model calculations of night-time atmospheric OH

The distribution of OH in the troposphere at night was obtained with a time-dependent photochemical model. At night, the major source of OH in the troposphere is the reaction between O 3 and night-time HO 2 . More than 16% of night-time HO 2 is produced by the thermal dissociation of HO 2 NO 2 . The sinks of OH at night are the same as during day-time. The globally and seasonally averaged night-time OH concentration is about 1.3 × 10 4 molecules/cm 3 , which is about two orders of magnitude smaller than the globally and seasonally averaged day-time OH concentration. Night-time OH concentrations appear to be most important in winter in the middle troposphere at middle latitudes, where about 10% of removal of gases resulting from reactions with OH occurs at night. We also calculated the night-time OH concentrations over a wide range of climatic conditions, from the last ice age to the pre-industrial era, and to the present. We found that the day-time OH concentrations do not change much during these transitions but the night-time OH concentrations may have decreased significantly in the transitions between the ice ages and the pre-industrial times and between the pre-industrial times and the present. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1992.t01-1-00003.x
DEVELOPMENTAL EXPRESSION OF MMP-9 (GELATINASE B) MRNA IN MOUSE EMBRYOS

Considerable remodeling of the extracellular matrix as well as cellular migration takes place during embryogenesis. Since the metalloproteinase MMP-9 is implicated in these functions in cancer cells, we studied the patterns of expression of MMP-9 mRNA during the development of post-implantation mouse embryos. MMP-9 mRNA was detected using the ribonuclease protection assay in poly A+RNA from 13 to 17 day embryos, but not at 11 days. In order to localize these transcripts, in situ hybridization was performed on sections of murine embryos from 7.5 to 15 days of gestation. At the time of implantation, MMP-9 mRNA was localized to the invading trophoblast cells. Strong signals were also seen in the yolk sac. No signal for MMP-9 mRNA was seen by in situ hybridization in the embryo until day 11 when detectable reaction was seen in the central nervous system. By day 15 strong signals were seen in the liver, in the developing bronchial epithelium of the lungs and in the primordial alveoli, in the epithelium of the thyroid gland, in the thymus, in the endochondrial plates of the bone, and in neural cells. The liver from day 15 embryos contained gelatinase activity at 105 kDa consistent with MMP-9. Thus, MMP-9 expression appears to be expressed in specific organs in a precise temporal sequence during development.
Exposure to indoor allergens and development of allergy

House dust contains several indoor allergens which can elicit hypersensitivity and various atopic symptoms, especially in childhood. This review article focusses on house dust mite hypersensitivity to one of the most important species, Dermatophagoides, as a model. A clear dose-response relationship has been demonstrated between house dust mite allergen exposure in mattress dust samples and sensitization, i.e. serum IgE to Dermatophagoides and positive histamine release from basophil leukocytes to one of the major allergens from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p I. 2 μg major allergen of Dermatophagoides/g of dust and 8 μg major allergen of cat/g of dust have been suggested to be threshold concentrations above which the risk of sensitization in genetically predisposed atopic children is significantly increased. Epidemiological studies showed house dust mite allergens to be one of the most important risk factors in the development of atopic airway disease. A relation between age at onset of the first wheezing episode and house dust mite allergen exposure at the age of 1 year has been observed. There are various factors influencing house dust mite growth, and many studies have been performed to reduce house dust mite allergen exposure. Until now, none of the approaches appeared to have achieved sufficient mite and mite allergen reduction.
Electrocardiographic determinants of axis during left bundle branch block: Study in patients with intermittent left bundle branch block

The frontal plane QRS axis of electrocardiograms during “normal” conduction and left bundle branch block were compared in 231 patients with intermittent left bundle branch block. The QRS axis during left bundle branch block ranged from +85 ° to −70 ° (mean ± standard deviation −7 ± 34 °), 79 patients (34 percent) having left axis deviation (QRS axis −30 ° or less). The QRS axis during “normal” conduction ranged from +90 ° to −75 ° (19 ± 34 °), 26 patients (11 percent) having left axis deviation. Regression analysis of the QRS axis during left bundle branch block versus “normal” conduction revealed the correlation coefficient (r) = 0.25 (p < 0.001). Of 26 patients with left axis deviation during normal conduction, 18 (70 percent) had left axis deviation during left bundle branch block (p < 0.001). Of 79 patients with left axis deviation during left bundle branch block, 61 (77 percent) did not have underlying left axis deviation during “normal” conduction. There was no significant association of axis during left bundle branch block with myocardial infarction or left ventricular hypertrophy diagnosed during “normal” conduction. In summary, although a small but significant correlation was found between the QRS axis during left bundle branch block and “normal” conduction, underlying left anterior hemiblock does not account for the presence of left axis deviation during left bundle branch block in most patients.
444 EFFICACY OF PANCREATIN PREPARATIONS ON FAT AND NITROGEN AHSORPTIONS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS

444 EFFICACY OF PANCREATIN PREPARATIONS ON FAT AND NITROGEN AHSORPTIONS IN CYSTIC FIBROSIS PATIENTS
“Everybody, Let's Tighten the Anus”: Exploring the Social and Cultural Meaning of a Korean Folksong

This article explores the social and cultural meaning of a Korean folksong, “Everybody, Let's Tighten the Anus” (the anus song), created by Kim Do-hyang, a Korean singer-songwriter who is also a Taoist meditation practitioner. According to Kim, the anus song was mainly intended to encourage people to practice contracting and releasing the anus, since the anal sphincter exercise is a convenient and simple way for people to keep awake anytime and anywhere, even unknown to others, while empowering their minds and bodies. This article demonstrates the need for an immanent approach to better understand the religious dimensions of popular music by exploring how physiological aspects of music can correspond to its sociocultural aspects. The immanent approach to the anus song with the view of Eastern qi philosophy provides this research with a cogent theoretical framework for energy spirituality, which is constructed in the practice of breathing, including anus breathing or anal sphincter exercise.
X-ray standing waves: a molecular yardstick for biological membranes

Structural information on an atomic scale has been obtained for a Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) trilayer system by means of long-period x-ray standing waves. The LB trilayer of zinc and cadmium arachidate was deposited on a layered synthetic microstructure (LSM) consisting of 200 tungsten/silicon layer pairs with a 25 A period. A 30 A thermally induced inward collapse of the zinc atom layer that was initially located in the LB trilayer at 53 A above the LSM surface has been observed. The mean position and width of the zinc atom layer was determined with a precision of +/- 0.3 A.
A semimicro brittleness test to monitor weathering of plasticized PVC

This paper presents a test method, by modification of ASTM D 1790, to follow the changes in brittleness temperature Tb of plasticized PVC during weathering and to produce a profile of the changes in a composition. It may also be used to measure the change in brittleness temperature at the end of a specific weather test. Few and small specimens are used to avoid the exposure of prohibitively large sheets that otherwise would be required and to make short the unacceptably long time otherwise demanded. It therefore makes programs practical that involve many formulations aimed at superior performance. It gives greater confidence than mere visual and tactile observations that a given compounding ingredient or a total composition can or cannot do the job that is required of it.
A new method for the statistical control of rating error in performance ratings

Research on the statistical control of rating error is reviewed. It is shown that current approaches have been criticized on operational grounds. A new approach for statistically controlling rater errors is proposed that avoids problems inherent in past research by using an index of rater error that is theoretically independent of actual performance. Results indicated that partialing out the effects of this extraneous response bias from performance ratings enhanced discriminant validity and slightly attenuated convergent validity (relative to the uncontrolled analysis). In contrast, partialing out overall effectiveness led to substantial reductions in both convergent and discriminant validities.
Religion and civic engagement among America's youth.

Abstract Scholars of civic engagement are noticing the consequences of religiosity. Scholars have seen the influence of religiosity on political and charitable behavior among adults. But does this pattern hold for adolescents? In this study, I use a new survey of American teenagers, the National Study of Youth and Religion, to assess the impact of intense religiosity on adolescent volunteerism and political activities. Evidence from multivariate logistic regression analyses indicate that intense religiosity, measured in terms of behavior (frequent church attendance) and beliefs (theological conservatism) significantly increase the likelihood that teens will volunteer. However, adolescent political involvement is not related to religiosity.
Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Study Group

Both patients and the medical profession are quick to embrace new technology, particularly when it may replace an existing surgical procedure. Unfortunately, the rapidity of acceptance is rarely associated with careful evaluation. Laparoscopy is a recent example of such widely embraced technology. Studies of laparoscopy that yielded good comparative data to more traditional methods were slow to accrue. This led to the exposure of its shortcomings through governmental reports and the lay press. To prevent this from happening in thoracoscopy, two types of studies are required so that valid conclusions about the new technology can be drawn. The first is an accounting of the new technology as procedures evolve around it. The data collected in such a study should contain basic information, including the indications for the procedure, how it was performed, procedure length, associated complications, and patient outcome. Such information provides a broad profile of the technology, emphasizing from the outset its potential strengths and weaknesses. The second type of study involves a more detailed concurrent comparison of the specific procedures utilizing this technology to the established traditional methods. Such randomized studies help to firmly establish through scientific process the place of the new technology. The Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Study Group was organized in early 1992 to address these concerns. From an initial four surgeons the group has grown to include more than 41 institutions. Currently the group is collecting data in a registry and has established three clinical trials to evaluate video-assisted thoracic surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Whitman's CALAMUS

In his article “Whitman's Manuscripts for the Original ‘Calamus’ Poems,” Fredson Bowers states, “It is significant that the earliest sequence title was ‘Live Oak, with Moss’ and that ‘Calamus-Leave...
Gram-negative bacteraemia in non-ICU patients: factors associated with inadequate antibiotic therapy and impact on outcomes

with adequate therapy; P 5 0.6], ICU transfer [20 (25.3%) versus 50 (29.2%); P 5 0.5], post-bacteraemia length of stay (median 5 6.8 versus 6.1 days; P 5 0.09) or death [11 (13.9%) versus 24 (14.0%); P 5 1.0]. Conclusions: Nearly one-third of the non-ICU patients with Gram-negative bacteraemia received inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy. There was no difference in adverse outcomes between patients receiving inadequate or adequate therapy in this study.
Peptide 17O Chemical Shielding and Electric Field Gradient Tensors

Complete 17O chemical shielding (CS) and quadrupole coupling (QC) tensors and their molecular orientations were determined for the central residues in two tripeptides Gly-Gly-Val (GGV) and Ala-Gly-Gly (AGG) by single-crystal NMR methods. Tensor orientations in the two peptides are very similar, however, principal components are different. The most shielded CS and smallest magnitude QC components are normal to the peptide plane, while the most deshielded CS and largest QC components are in the peptide plane either at an angle of 17° (CS) or perpendicular (QC) to the CO bond. Comparisons of principal components from experiment and DFT calculations indicate that the smaller shielding tensor span in GGV (549 ppm) compared to AGG (606 ppm) is likely due to two factors: a shorter “direct” H-bond distance to the peptide carbonyl oxygen and an “indirect” H bond of the peptide NH to a carboxylate rather than a carbonyl. We anticipate that 17O NMR should be generally useful for probing H-bonding and local electros...
The Application of Decision Analysis to Clinical Medicine

Applying analysis to the clinical practice of medicine may result in better patient care. Although the decision trees are apparently simple, a model of the clinician's analysis requires consideration of the problem at three levels of sophistication. Experts in decision analysis can probably help health care providers and managers more accurately handle the uncertainty in patient care situations by developing good data bases, representing patients' utilities simply and accurately, and providing well-calibrated, data-driven estimates of probabilities. A common clinical problem, what to do for a patient who might have appendicitis, is analyzed in detail as an example.
Coastal Navigation with Mobile Robots

The problem that we address in this paper is how a mobile robot can plan in order to arrive at its goal with minimum uncertainty. Traditional motion planning algorithms often assume that a mobile robot can track its position reliably, however, in real world situations, reliable localization may not always be feasible. Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) provide one way to maximize the certainty of reaching the goal state, but at the cost of computational intractability for large state spaces. The method we propose explicitly models the uncertainty of the robot's position as a state variable, and generates trajectories through the augmented pose-uncertainty space. By minimizing the positional uncertainty at the goal, the robot reduces the likelihood it becomes lost. We demonstrate experimentally that coastal navigation reduces the uncertainty at the goal, especially with degraded localization.
Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Review

Reviewed and integrated the medical and psychological literature on the assessment of health-related quality of life (QOL) in pediatric populations. Definitions of QOL and the utility, health status, battery, and modular approaches to QOL assessment are presented. Measures currently available for use with children and adolescents were evaluated with respect to psychometric properties, QOL domains included, targeted age range, mode of administration, number of items, and time period assessed. The need to address methodological issues and practical barriers so as to encourage the inclusion of QOL outcomes in future clinical trials and other research is discussed.
Tree responses to drought

With global climate change, drought may become more com-mon in the future (IPCC 2007). Several factors will promote more frequent droughts: earlier snowmelt, higher temperatures and higher variability in precipitation. For ecosystems where the water cycle is dominated by snowmelt, warmer tempera-tures bring earlier melt (Stewart et al. 2005) and longer, drier snow-free periods (Westerling et al. 2006). Higher tempera-tures will also increase vapor pressure deficit if evapotranspira-tion does not also increase. Greater variability in precipitation has two implications for plant water balance: longer periods without water, and less captured in the soil in the more intense storms.Many recent tree mortality events have been linked to drought (Allen et al. 2010), but how much do we really know about the drought responses of trees? Physiological responses of trees to low soil water potential vary, but have been fairly well characterized (McDowell et al. 2008)—they vary from concomitantly lower leaf water potential (anisohydric response) to maintenance of leaf water potential above a threshold (isohydric response) with various strategies in between. Many tree species shed leaves during a strong drought, reducing transpiration and photosynthesis, and adjust partitioning to roots and storage (McDowell et al. 2008). Drought also ‘weakens’ trees and makes them more susceptible to insect attacks and pathogens (McDowell et al. 2008). Growth can be reduced through impairment of cell division and cell expansion (Hsiao 197 3), which occurs at a lower water stress threshold than does photosynthetic inhibi-tion (Hsiao et al. 1976). In fact, a variety of physiological processes respond at different plant water potentials (Hsiao 1973, Ditmarova et al. 2010), so that the severity of the drought will influence the physiological response. Drought is also relative—species adapted to low precipitation climates can survive low soil water potentials that would kill or seriously wound trees in more mesic climates and trees in mesic cli-mates might suffer from ‘drought’ that would be normal to trees in xeric climates. Finally, we know that there are many mechanisms of drought tolerance, and that many of these involve coordination within the whole tree.Two papers in this issue try to untangle some of the complex and variable responses of trees to drought. Larcheveque et al. (2011 ) droughted two different hybrid poplar saplings (each with
Chemokines and the Homing of Dendritic Cells to the T Cell Areas of Lymphoid Organs

A quarter of a century ago, it was proposed that veiled cells in the lymph were antigen-bearing Langerhans' cells (LCs) en route to the LN T cell area (([1][1]), ([2][2])). Extensive investigations have since established that LCs are immature dendritic cells (DCs) and that insults to the skin—
Oral cancer screening and dental care use among women from Ohio Appalachia

Introduction: Residents of Appalachia may benefit from oral cancer screening given the region’s higher oral and pharyngeal cancer mortality rates. The current study examined the oral cancer screening behaviors and recent dental care (since dentists perform most screening examinations) of women from Ohio Appalachia. Methods: Women from Ohio Appalachia were surveyed for the Community Awareness Resources Education (CARE) study, which was completed in 2006. A secondary aim of the CARE baseline survey was to examine oral cancer screening and dental care use among women from this region. Outcomes included whether women ( n=477; cooperation rate = 71%) had ever had an oral cancer screening examination and when their most recent dental visit had occurred. Various demographic characteristics, health behaviors and psychosocial factors were examined as potential correlates. Analyses used multivariate logistic regression. Results: Most women identified tobacco-related products as risk factors for oral cancer, but 43% of women did not know an early sign of oral cancer. Only 15% of women reported ever having had an oral cancer screening examination, with approximately 80% of these women indicating that a dentist had performed their most recent examination. Women were less likely to have reported a previous examination if they were from urban areas (OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.13–0.85) or perceived a lower locus of health control (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.89–0.98). Women were more likely to have reported a previous examination if they had had a dental visit within the last year (OR=2.24, 95% CI: 1.03–4.88). Only 65% of women, however, indicated a dental visit within the last year. Women were more likely to have reported a recent dental visit if they were of a high socioeconomic status (OR=2.83, 95% CI:
Investigation on inherently safe gate drive techniques for normally-on wide bandgap power semiconductor switching devices

Normally-on wide bandgap power semiconductor devices such as SiC JFET or GaN HFET demonstrate great promise for future power electronics applications, but suffer from power bus shoot-through concerns. This paper investigates new gate drive techniques to make the normally-on WBG devices inherently safe against potential power bus shoot-through failures. A fast-acting startup lockup protection circuit is proposed to derive power directly from the DC bus and generate a negative voltage to hold the WBG device in OFF mode. Simulation and experiment results show that the startup lockup source could generate −12V voltage within a few μs.
A real-time assay for monitoring nucleic acid cleavage by quadruplex formation

Direct and straightforward methods to follow nucleic acid cleavage are needed. A spectrophotometric quadruplex formation assay (QFA) was developed, which allows real-time monitoring of site-specific cleavage of nucleic acids. QFA was applied to study both protein and nucleic acid restriction enzymes, and was demonstrated to accurately determine Michaelis–Menten parameters for the cleavage reaction catalyzed by EcoRI. QFA can be used to study the mechanisms of protein–nucleic acid recognition. QFA is also a useful tool for dissecting individual nicking rates of a double-stranded cleavage.
Acute seizures in the acute ischemic stroke setting: A step forward in their description

Although the incidence of acute seizures after ischemic strokes is small, about 1.2%–4.2%,1,2 they still represent a substantial clinical challenge. There are no clear management guidelines, and the effect on stroke outcome is a matter of debate.3 Moreover, experiencing a seizure at stroke onset may represent a relative contraindication for thrombolysis.4 Despite all of these clinical pitfalls and multiple published studies, there remains a lack of knowledge regarding acute seizures after acute ischemic strokes. In this issue of Neurology® , Huang et al.5 add information to this field.
Quantitative Mixing Measurements of a Supersonic Injection COIL Nozzle with Trip Jets

Abstract : A supersonic nozzle with supersonic iodine injection was designed and studied with Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence (PLIF). The nozzle simulates Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) flow conditions with non-reacting, cold flows. A laser sheet near 565 nm excited the iodine, and the fluorescence was imaged with an intensified and gated CCD camera. Streamwise and semi-spanwise (oblique-view) images were taken, where the presence of injected flow was highlighted. With these images, the flow structures were identifiable and the mixing quality between the primary and injected flow was quantitatively measured with histograms, structure size measurements, and jet penetration. Four different injection scenarios are investigated. The first scenario includes a single injector positioned downstream of the nozzle throat. To enhance the mixing between the flows, trip jets were placed in the wake of the single jet. The trip jets, significantly smaller than the primary iodine jet, are intended to destabilize the counter-rotating vortex pair (CRVP) of the primary jet. Three different trip jet configurations are compared for their ability to enhance mixing between the oxygen and iodine flows. While the mixedness between the injected and primary flows was not optimized, the comparison between the four different injection scenarios may aid in future nozzle design and mixing optimization.
Place recognition-based fixed-lag smoothing for environments with unreliable GPS

Pose estimation of outdoor robots presents some distinct challenges due to the various uncertainties in the robot sensing and action. In particular, global positioning sensors of outdoor robots do not always work perfectly, causing large drift in the location estimate of the robot. To overcome this common problem, we propose a new approach for global localization using place recognition. First, we learn the location of some arbitrary key places using odometry measurements and GPS measurements only at the start and the end of the robot trajectory. In subsequent runs, when the robot perceives a key place, our fixed-lag smoother fuses odometry measurements with the relative location to the key place to improve its pose estimate. Outdoor mobile robot experiments show that place recognition measurements significantly improve the estimate of the smoother in the absence of GPS measurements.
An analysis of hiker preparedness: a survey of hiker habits in New Hampshire

Objective Describe hiking habits in a heavily used wilderness area to better target injury prevention and reduce search-and-rescue events. Methods A cross-sectional, convenience survey was conducted at 3 trailheads in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire during summer 2011. The study group consisted of hikers who consented to a questionnaire before their trip that assessed demographics, experience, hiking gear, pretrip planning, and communication devices. Results A total of 199 hikers were surveyed. The most common age group was 20 to 29 years at 29.2% (n = 195). The most common hike was less than 12 hours at 78.5% (n = 191). All 10 items deemed essential were carried by 17.8% (n = 197) of hikers. The most common omission reason was "short trip" at 32.2% (n = 162). Defined as greater than 7 items, the 50- to 59-year-old age group was the most prepared at 56.9% (n = 51). Hiker preparedness increased with experience and fitness levels. Hikers planning trips of less than 12 hours were less prepared compared with hikers planning longer trips, at 39.3% (n = 150) and 48.8% (n = 41), respectively. GPS devices were carried by 122 of 193 hikers. Phone GPS users were less prepared than GPS-only device users at 35.8% (34 of 95) and 55.6% (15 of 27), respectively. Conclusions One factor that may help reduce rescues is better-prepared individuals able to avoid emergency medical services activation. Most neglect of preparation results from hikers perceiving short trips as less risky. The groups most often underprepared tend to be younger, less fit, and inexperienced. Therefore, education should target younger groups and stress that all hikes, regardless of duration, carry an inherent risk.
Primate Lentivirus Capsid Sensitivity to TRIM5 Proteins

Mammalian cells express several factors that inhibit lentiviral infection and that have been under strong selective pressure. One of these factors, TRIM5, targets the capsid protein of incoming retrovirus particles and inhibits subsequent steps of the replication cycle. By substituting human immunodeficiency virus type 1 capsid, we were able to show that a set of divergent primate lentivirus capsids was generally not susceptible to restriction by TRIM5 proteins from higher primates. TRIM5alpha proteins from other primates exhibited distinct restriction specificities for primate lentivirus capsids. Finally, we identified novel primate lentiviral capsids that are targeted by TRIMCyp proteins.
Theo Jansen project in engineering design course and a design example

Objectives of a project-oriented mechanical engineering course, Engineering Design, were achieved through a design project, where students designed, built and demonstrated an extreme version of a basic Theo Jansen device. Through this project, junior students in the University of Louisiana fully developed the capability of applying mathematic and kinematic knowledge in the analysis and design of mechanisms. Students also developed oral and written communication skills, which would be used in design environments, through the presentation of results in both oral and written forms. An assessment of the design project indicated that effective teaching and learning spread through the semester, with the junior students acting as project managers and experiencing design practices. An example of a student-designed Theo Jansen device is presented in this paper to show the study results achieved by the students.
Sensor-assisted localization in cellular systems

We investigate the use of an auxiliary network of sensors to locate mobiles in a cellular system, based on the received signal strength at the sensor receivers from a mobile's transmission. The investigation uses a generic path loss model incorporating distance effects and spatially correlated shadow fading. We describe four simple localization schemes and show that they all meet E-911 requirements in most environments. Performance can be further improved by implementing the MMSE algorithm, which ideally reaches the Cramer-Rao bound. We compare the MMSE algorithm and the four simple schemes when the model parameters are estimated via inter-sensor measurements.
EQUALITY MEASURES AND FACILITY LOCATION

A review of the literature indicates that fairly simplistic measures of equality in travel distances are normally used in facility location studies. Two popular criteria, those of minimizing the maximal distance and the range, are known to be sensitive to the extreme values (locations of users) of the problem. This paper recommends that distributional equality should be used instead in most locational studies. Using a simple spatial setting, the paper offers a comparative analysis of equality curves based on the following measures: Gini coefficient, mean deviation, Hoover's concentration index, variance (standard deviation), and Theil's entropy index.
Internship: The Applied Training of a Counseling Psychologist

The objectives of this article were (I) to provide a comprehensive view of the predoctoral internship, (2) to delineate relevant issues in intern training, (3) to stimulate the field of counseling psychology to examine critically the effectiveness of internship training programs; section 3 compares the major types of internship provide direction for future practices and research in internship programs. The article is organized into five primary areas. Section 1 provides a brief history and definition of the internship; section 2 describes the organization and management of internship training programs; section 3 compares the major types of internship settings chosen by counseling psychology students and includes the results of a national survey conducted by the authors; section 4 addresses the influence and impact of pressures from within and outside the profession on internship training; finally, section 5 summarizes questions and concerns relevant to the internship of the future.
Heat- and anesthesia-induced malignant hyperthermia in an RyR1 knock-in mouse

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by skeletal muscle rigidity and elevated body temperature in response to halogenated anesthetics such as isoflurane or halothane. Mutation of tyrosine 522 of RyR1 (the predominant skeletal muscle calcium release channel) to serine has been associated with human malignant hyperthermia. In the present study, mice created harboring this mutation were found to represent the first murine model of human malignant hyperthermia. Mice homozygous for the Y522S mutation exhibit skeletal defects and die during embryonic development or soon after birth. Heterozygous mice, which correspond to the human occurrence of this mutation, are MH susceptible, experiencing whole body contractions and elevated core temperatures in response to isoflurane exposure or heat stress. Skeletal muscles from heterozygous mice exhibit increased susceptibility to caffeine- and heat-induced contractures in vitro. In addition, the heterozygous expression of the mutation results in enhanced RyR1 sensitivity to activation by temperature, caffeine, and voltage but not uncompensated sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium leak or store depletion. We conclude that the heterozygous expression of the Y522S mutation confers susceptibility to both heat- and anesthetic-induced MH responses.
Interactions with a moody robot

This paper reports on the results of a long-term experiment in which a social robot's facial expressions were changed to reflect different moods. While the facial changes in each condition were not extremely different, they still altered how people interacted with the robot. On days when many visitors were present, average interactions with the robot were longer when the robot displayed either a "happy" or a "sad" expression instead of a neutral face, but the opposite was true for low-visitor days. The implications of these findings for human-robot social interaction are discussed.
Teaching the air midwest case: a stakeholder approach to deliberative technical rhetoric

What constitutes a cause is a particularly important question for those who teach or study technical writing. This article describes a case that helps students look beyond the technical "causes" of a commuter airplane crash in order to address the complex web of policies, practices, actions and events that contributed to the crash. Using an approach grounded in stakeholder theory and ethical theory, students use real documents ranging from news accounts to FAA policies to NTSB hearing exhibits to identify systemic problems that contributed to the disaster. Working from particular stakeholder perspectives, they work collaboratively to develop and argue for policy changes that will prevent future tragedies. The abundance of real documents that drive this case make it an especially useful tool for engaging students in difficult-to-teach subject matter including the role of writing in the failure of technical systems, deliberative and judicial rhetoric, stakeholder theory, visual rhetoric, and ethics.
Glutathione promoted expeditious green synthesis of silver nanoparticles in water using microwaves

Silver nanoparticles ranging from 5–10 nm in size have been synthesized under microwave irradiation conditions using glutathione, an absolutely benign antioxidant that serves as the reducing as well as capping agent in aqueous medium. This rapid protocol yields the nanoparticles within 30–60 s at a power level as low as 50 W. The effect of microwave power on the morphology of ensuing silver nanoparticles is investigated for this green and sustainable procedure which is adaptable for the synthesis of palladium, platinum and gold nanoparticles.
Control of the respiratory pattern in insects.

Three respiratory patterns have been described in insects: Discontinuous, Cyclic and Continuous. The Discontinuous Gas Exchange Cycle (DGC) can be distinguished by the presence of an open phase in which the spiracular valves are fully open, a closed phase during which oxygen concentrations at the tissues are lowered, thereby reducing oxidative damage, and a flutter phase in which the spiracles open intermittently for very brief periods,. The flutter phase serves to regulate internal oxygen levels at a physiologically safe level. In the Cyclic pattern, the spiracles apparently never fully close, yet a rhythmic pattern of carbon dioxide release is observed. In the Continuous pattern, no rhythmicity can be discerned and carbon dioxide release is relatively constant. In this paper I provide evidence that the three patterns described above are not distinct, but rather are a continuum. The critical parameters influencing the pattern are 1) the partial pressure of oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere, and 2) the rate of oxygen use i.e. the aerobic metabolic rate. Insects exhibit the DGC when the tracheal system is capable of delivering oxygen during the open phase at a rate faster than it is consumed by oxidative metabolism. The minute to minute balance between these two processes, one delivering oxygen the other removing it, determines the pattern of respiration exhibited by the insect at any given time.
The Influence of Local Social and Industrial Characteristics on Emergent Entrepreneurship

We consider the effect of cities on the individual decision to start a firm. Specifically, we consider how several agglomeration theories may encourage individuals to launch a new firm. We contribute to the expanding literature on entrepreneurship by using the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity (KIEA) for 1998-2011 to consider individual startup decisions, while controlling for individual motivations, and to examine the importance of the local industry conditions to new firm launches across several industries. We find that individuals in regions with entrepreneurial social and institutional structures are more likely to launch a new firm, while industry concentration and diversity are only significant in denser locations. The presence of small and new firms in a region creates an environment conducive to entry and is consistent across industries.
Five Online Safety Task Forces Agree: Education, Empowerment & Self-Regulation are the Answer

Public policy debates about online child safety have raged since the earliest days of the Internet. Concerns about underage access to objectionable content (specifically pornography) drove early "Web 1.0" efforts to regulate the Internet, and it continues to be the topic of much discussion today. With the rise of the more interactive "Web 2.0" environment, however, objectionable contact and communications (harassment, cyberbullying, predation, etc.) have become a more significant concern and is now driving many regulatory proposals. Over the past decade, five major online safety task forces or blue ribbon commissions have been convened to study these concerns, determine their severity, and consider what should be done to address them. Altogether, these five task forces heard from hundreds of experts and produced thousands of pages of testimony and reports on a wide variety of issues related to online child safety. While each of these task forces had different origins and unique membership, what is striking about them is the general unanimity of their conclusions. Among the common themes or recommendations of these five task forces: - Education is the primary solution - There is no single "silver-bullet" solution or technological "quick-fix" - Empowering parents and guardians with a diverse array of tools - A "layered" approach to child safety - Technical solutions can supplement, but can never supplant, the educational and mentoring role. - Industry should formulate best practices and self-regulatory systems - Policymakers should focus on encouraging collaborative, multifaceted, multi-stakeholder initiatives and approaches to enhance online safety. Additional resources for education and awareness-building efforts are also crucial. Finally, governments should ensure appropriate penalties are in place to punish serious crimes against children and also make sure law enforcement agencies have adequate resources to police crimes and punish wrong-doers.