cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemical Studies on Tumor Tissue: VI. Comparative Effects of Serum Colloids and of Salts on the Swelling of Mouse Tumor Cells in vitro

Introduction The swelling of mouse tumor cells in salt solutions has been described in previous communications (Shear and Fogg, 1934; Shear, 1935). The swollen cells usually exhibit blisters, or bulges, of clear fluid underneath the cell membrane. These accumulations of fluid form within a few minutes and frequently attain a volume equal to that of the cell initially (for photographs, see Shear, 1935). As previously stated, ”This swelling was independent of the salt concentration and occurred in salt solutions which were hypertonic, as well as isotonic and hypotonic, to salt solutions having the same inorganic composition as blood plasma.“ The only factor which was found to control the swelling was the presence of colloids, such as proteins. The numerous data obtained by various investigators on osmotic properties of free cells such as marine ova, erythrocytes, and plant cells have usually been considered as showing that for such cells the salt content of the environment is, in general, the determining factor in osmosis; i.e. , in certain salt concentrations (isotonic) the cell volume remains unchanged, whereas in more concentrated salt solutions (hypertonic) the cells shrink, and in more dilute salt solutions (hypotonic) the cells swell. In the case of cells of normal and malignant solid tissues of mice in our experiments, however, the oncotic (colloid osmotic) pressure, rather than the osmotic pressure of the salts, seems to play the predominant role. The present paper reports experiments designed to evaluate the relative importance of salt concentration and of colloid concentration on the bulging phenomenon in mouse tumor cells. The comparative significance of these two factors was ascertained by observations upon cell swelling in solutions of varying salt and protein concentration.
Marine vertical distribution of juvenile chinook and coho salmon in southeastern Alaska

Abstract Vertical distributions of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha of marine ages x.0, x.1, and x.2 and coho salmon O. kisutch of age x.0 are reported for the marine waters of southeastern Alaska. (The number or letter preceding the decimal point indicates number of winters spent in freshwater, that following the decimal point indicates winters spent in salt water.) Understanding vertical distribution of prerecruit salmon may be useful in minimizing fishery bycatch. Salmon were caught to a depth of 36.6 m from chartered commercial power trollers fishing small hooks and lures. Sampling occurred throughout inside waters of the Alexander Archipelago and adjacent coastal waters during September 1986 and in inside waters near Ketchikan during February, May, and September 1987. Vertical distribution of salmon differed significantly by species and age-group: in September, age-x.0 coho salmon (mean fork length, 28.4 cm) were caught shallower than age-x.0 chinook salmon (27.3 cm); age-x.1 (44.2 cm) and age...
Soil carbon and nitrogen recovery on semiarid Conservation Reserve Program lands

Abstract Cropping practices in the Great Plains of the U.S. have led to large losses in soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N). Land converted to perennial vegetation through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has the potential to recover these losses and sequester anthropogenic carbon. We studied 18 years of SOC and N recovery in CRP fields seeded with native and non-native perennial grasses in the driest portion of the Great Plains. SOC and N under native perennial grasses in the surface soil increased by as much as 200 g C m−2 and 14 g N m−2 in 9 years. However, low plant basal cover in CRP fields limited SOC and N recovery at the field scale to 2 g C m−2 y−1 and 0.02 g N m−2 y−1. After 18 years of recovery, CRP fields seeded with native perennial grasses had 60% of the total SOC and 67% of the total soil N in undisturbed shortgrass steppe, and fields seeded with non-native perennial grasses recovered less. Belowground plant inputs to SOC reached 70–85% under native and 50% under non-native perennial grasses within 18 years. Our results suggest low potential for CRP fields to offset anthropogenic C emissions in semiarid regions under current management practices, but this potential could be enhanced by lengthening CRP contracts or promoting the establishment of perennial vegetation with high basal cover.
PHYSICO‐CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF LIPID‐FREE CEREAL STARCHES

The water-binding capacity, swelling power, solubility, gelatinization temperature range, and Amylograph viscosity of defatted and non-defatted hard red spring wheat, durum wheat, rye, triticale, barley and rice starches were compared. Except for the durum and rice starches, defatting increased water-binding capacities and swelling powers determined at 90°C. Defatting reduced solubilities of the cereal starches and increased birefringence endpoint temperatures of the wheat and rice starches. Amylography peak viscosities (92°C) showed no differences between defatted and nondefatted starches with the exception of rye and triticale starches. Considerably higher Amylography viscosities, however, were observed for suspensions of all defatted starches compared with nondefatted starches when held at 92°C for 30 min, after cooling to 35°C and after 60 min at 35°C.
Expression of Cytochrome P450RAI (CYP26) in Human Fetal Hepatic and Cephalic Tissues

Abstract PCR amplifications with two sets of degenerate primers that were targeted to CYP26-specific regions were performed with cDNAs from human fetal liver and brain as templates. PCR products were purified, cloned, sequenced and analyzed with the BLAST program. Our results revealed expression of CYP26 in both human fetal liver and brain. Furthermore, human fetal CYP26 cDNA exhibited 99.2%–100% nucleotide sequence identity to its adult counterpart. Novel isoforms, that would have indicated additional CYP26 genes, were not found. A Northern blot containing poly(A + )RNAs from 43 human adult and 7 human fetal tissues was tested for CYP26 expression. We were able to detect CYP26 message in most tissues but hybridization signals varied in intensity. Highest levels of transcription were in adult liver, heart, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, placenta and regions of the brain. CYP26 expression in fetal tissues was strongest in the brain and comparable with message levels in adult tissues.
A reconfigurable FPGA system for parallel independent component analysis

A run-time reconfigurable field programmable gate array (FPGA) system is presented for the implementation of the parallel independent component analysis (ICA) algorithm. In this work, we investigate design challenges caused by the capacity constraints of single FPGA. Using the reconfigurability of FPGA, we show how to manipulate the FPGA-based system and execute processes for the parallel ICA (pICA) algorithm. During the implementation procedure, pICA is first partitioned into three temporally independent function blocks, each of which is synthesized by using several ICA-related reconfigurable components (RCs) that are developed for reuse and retargeting purposes. All blocks are then integrated into a design and development environment for performing tasks such as FPGA optimization, placement, and routing. With partitioning and reconfiguration, the proposed reconfigurable FPGA system overcomes the capacity constraints for the pICA implementation on embedded systems. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this implementation on real images with large throughput for dimensionality reduction in hyperspectral image (HSI) analysis.
Teaching geriatric medicine in the ambulatory setting.

At this time of increasing uncertainty regarding future health care delivery, certain medical issues present an urgent challenge to society. Among these issues are the care of the growing mass of elderly and the training of physicians who can meet their needs.1–4
Airport Advertising Effectiveness: An Exploratory Field Study

Transit advertising is a growing category of out-of-home advertising and an area that has received little academic attention. A field study was conducted in New York City's LaGuardia Airport to explore the effectiveness of airport advertising. The results of three studies—ethnographic, recognition, and recall—produced five general themes. Of particular interest is that depending on the type of advertising effectiveness measurement tool used by the researcher—recognition or recall—different characteristics of the advertisement or its execution correlate more strongly with one measurement tool than the other. Message response involvement provides an integrated theory that ties these findings together.
Mass spectrometric determination of tetrabenazine using a stable isotope-labeled analogue as an internal standard.

This report describes a sensitive and selective gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) assay of tetrabenazine in rat brain and plasma employing selected-ion monitoring (SIM) and deuterium-labeled tetrabenazine as an internal standard
Quasi-static axial crush response of a thin-wall, stainless steel box component

Abstract An experimental investigation was performed on the quasi-static, symmetric axial crush response mode of commercially-produced, welded AISI 304 stainless steel square box components. The first objective was to demonstrate that a specific configuration response consisting of a fold formation process and the corresponding load–displacement curve could be obtained using experimental control methods. Test specimens from a single length of tubing were examined in a progressive axial crush study, and the controls included removable grooved caps for end constraints, and shallow machined groove patterns on specimen sidewalls for collapse initiators. Consistent fold appearance and load–displacement curve shapes indicated that ten of the eleven test specimens exhibited the same symmetric, axial crush configuration response. During the first cycle of the secondary folding phase, observed differences on an average value basis were less than or equal to 3% for maximum loads, 6% for minimum loads, and 3% for energy absorption. The second objective of this investigation was to isolate the effect of alloy composition and microstructure on the axial crush configuration response. A higher concentration of carbon and smaller grain size resulted in an 18% increase in energy absorption in a secondary folding phase cycle. Overall, the results show that response can be restricted to a specific axial crush configuration response and therefore, a controlled and repeatable energy absorption process can be obtained and modifications to alloy composition and microstructure can be used to enhance energy absorption performance of the box component.
Fathers of children with Down's syndrome versus other types of intellectual disability: perceptions, stress and involvement

Background The present study examined fathers’ perceptions of, stress relating to and involvement with children with Down's syndrome (DS) (n = 30) versus those with other types of intellectual disability (ID) (n = 20). Methods Fathers and mothers completed questionnaires about their children's personalities and maladaptive behaviours, their own parenting stress, and the fathers’ level of involvement. Results Both fathers and mothers rated their children with DS as having more positive personality traits and fewer maladaptive behaviours. Possibly because of these positive perceptions, fathers of children with DS also reported less child-related stress, particularly in the areas of acceptability, adaptability and demandingness. The two groups of fathers were very similarly involved in child rearing. The personality, age and maladaptive behaviours of the children related to stress levels in the fathers of children with DS, while maladaptive behaviours, gender and the fathers’ education levels related to stress levels in the fathers of children with other types of ID. Conclusions These results highlight the importance of examining parental stress and involvement with children with different types of ID.
Three-dimensional CT angiography imaging of vascular tumors of the head and neck

Summary Objective: To evaluate the utility of three-dimensional (3D) computerized tomography angiography (CTA) in head and neck vascular anomalies. Design: Prospective case series. Methods: A consecutive series of cases of patients with distinct types of vascular anomalies (i.e. hemangioma, arteriovenous malformation, venous malformation and lymphatic malformation) were obtained through CT multislice scanner and analyzed with Vitrea 2 software (Vital Images Inc., Plymouth, MN). Results: CTA was safe and successful in describing 3D vascular anatomy of a variety of vascular lesions. Conclusions: Three-dimensional CTA allows detailed description of vascular lesions of the head and neck and offers another effective means of imaging these complex lesions.
The Annual Glaciohydrology Cycle in the Ablation Zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet: Part 1. Hydrology Model

We apply a novel one-dimensional glacier hydrology model that calculates hydraulic head to the tidewater-terminating Sermeq Avannarleq flowline of the Greenland ice sheet. Within a plausible parameter space, the model achieves a quasi-steady-state annual cycle in which hydraulic head oscillates close to flotation throughout the ablation zone. Flotation is briefly achieved during the summer melt season along a approx.17 km stretch of the approx.50 km of flowline within the ablation zone. Beneath the majority of the flowline, subglacial conduit storage closes (i.e. obtains minimum radius) during the winter and opens (i.e. obtains maximum radius) during the summer. Along certain stretches of the flowline, the model predicts that subglacial conduit storage remains open throughout the year. A calculated mean glacier water residence time of approx.2.2 years implies that significant amounts of water are stored in the glacier throughout the year. We interpret this residence time as being indicative of the timescale over which the glacier hydrologic system is capable of adjusting to external surface meltwater forcings. Based on in situ ice velocity observations, we suggest that the summer speed-up event generally corresponds to conditions of increasing hydraulic head during inefficient subglacial drainage. Conversely, the slowdown during fall generally corresponds to conditions of decreasing hydraulic head during efficient subglacial drainage.
Luteal morphology, atresia, and plasma progesterone concentrations during the reproductive cycle of two oviparous lizards, Crotaphytus collaris and Eumeces obsoletus.

From ovulation to oviposition, the corpora lutea of the oviparous lizards Crotaphytus collaris and Eumeces obsoletus exhibit three stages of luteal development: (1) luteogenesis, (2) luteal maturity, and (3) luteal regression. Each stage exhibits distinct characteristics, involving changes in: (1) luteal volume, (2) nuclear diameter of cells within the luteal cell mass, and (3) thecal development. Plasma progesterone concentration is greatest during luteogenesis and is positively correlated with ovarian atresia, although atresia occurred throughout the period of gravidity. These data suggest that in these two species, the corpora lutea secrete high amounts of progesterone immediately following ovulation and exhibit morphologically distinct stages of growth and regression.
Field Evaluation of Transgenic Tobacco Containing a Bacillus thuringiensis Insecticidal Protein Gene

Six transgenic tobacco lines expressing the CryIA(b) insecticidal protein from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-l were tested in 1990 to evaluate their efficacy under nonnal field conditions. Five of the six CryIA(b) lines tested kept laboratory-reared populations and natural populations of tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens F., and tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta L., below their respective economic threshold for the duration of the trial. Little or no economic damage from tobacco hornwonn was sustained by any CryIA(b) line and only two lines sustained significant damage from tobacco budworm. Insect control with some CryIA(b) lines was equal to or better than control by standard Orthene and Dipel treatments. In addition, data obtained suggest there may be a positive interaction between CryIA(b) protein expression within a plant and parasitism of Heliothis spp.
The changing pattern of trimethoprim resistance in Paris, with a review of worldwide experience

From 1972 to 1984, all Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens at St. Joseph Hospital in Paris were tested for susceptibility to trimethoprim. During this period, resistance to trimethoprim increased from 17.9% to 25.5%o; the increase was due mainly to strains with high-level resistance. Genetic studies, including transferability, incompatibility grouping, determination of the molecular mass of plasmids, and hybridization with dihydrofolate reductase I and II genes, were performed with randomly selected strains, and the results were compared with those of similar studies in other countries. The most striking phenomenon in trimethoprim-resistant strains was the presence of various resistance mechanisms and of different plasmids, transposons, and genetic determinants. Trimethoprim-resistant gram-negative bacteria have been reported since shortly after the introduction of the combination trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the United Kingdom in 1969 and in France in 1971. Recently, an increase of resistance has been reported from different countries. However, the percentage of resistant strains varies from species to species and from hospital to hospital and depends upon the strain sampled and the type of infection studied (epidemic or nonepidemic). The mechanisms of resis
Feasibility assessment of whey-based ethanol facilities

Abstract In the United States, corn has been the principal commodity considered for conversion to ethanol. One alternative to using corn and other food crops is to utilize organic wastes, such as food processing waste. Cheese whey is one such waste that holds potential for conversion to ethanol. To ascertain the feasibility of using whey as a feedstock a series of regional studies were conducted by the authors. Results from these studies indicate that the transport of condensed whey to a central processing plant for conversion to ethanol is economically feasible. The energy balance for the plants considered can yield a positive or negative balance depending on whether an energy penalty is assigned for condensing the whey. A net energy gain of 23 833 to 26 921 kJ/l of ethanol was obtained if energy for whey condensing was not included and a net energy loss ranging from −270 to −686 kJ/l was obtained if whey condensing was included in the energy balance. Plants utilizing continuous fermentation technology showed positive energy balance with or without a penalty for the condensing of the whey.
An Attitude Inventory for Research-Based Effective Teaching Behaviors

The Teaching Behaviors Questionnaire (TBQ) was developed to inventory attitudes regarding research-based effective teaching behaviors. The instrument was pilot tested and used in two studies. A sample (N=500) containing teachers, principals, college education faculty members, and undergraduate education students displayed a normal distribution, and yielded an alpha of .76. Significant differences were established in both studies using the instrument. The instrument holds promise as the basis for further research, as well as a tool for program development for pre- and post-service teachers. The TBQ provides teachers and student teachers with insight concerning their beliefs regarding effective teaching behaviors. The instrument holds potential for contributing to selection and screening efforts for teacher and principal candidates.
Prescription Medication Use and Health-Related Quality of Life in Rural Elderly

The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and prescription medication use among older adults living in a rural region of America. Forty-four people aged 65 and older participated. Each participant completed the SF-36®, v2™ and a demographic form. Participants had significantly lower physical component summary (PCS) scores compared to national norms, confirming established evidence that physical function declines with age. Results indicate that medication use did not have an effect on perceived HRQoL although participants reported taking fewer prescription medications than the national average for the elderly.
Identification of buried sinkholes using refraction tomography at Ft. Campbell Army Airfield, Kentucky

Karst aquifers are highly susceptible to contamination, with numerous points of entry for contaminants through recharge features such as sinkholes, swallow holes and solutionally enlarged fractures. These recharge features may be filled or obscured at the surface, requiring the use of geophysical or remote sensing techniques for their identification. This study uses seismic refraction data collected at the Ft. Campbell Army Airfield (CAAF), Kentucky, USA, to test the hypothesis that refraction tomography is a useful tool for imaging bedrock depressions beneath thick overburden (greater than 20 m of unconsolidated sediment). Southeast of the main taxiway of CAAF seismic velocity tomograms imaged a bedrock low, possibly a closed depression, at a depth of 25 m that had been earlier identified through delay-time analysis of the same refraction data. Tomography suggests the bedrock low is about 250-m wide by 10-m deep at its widest point. High rates of contaminant vapor extraction over the western extension of this feature suggest a high concentration of contaminants above, and within, this filled bedrock low, the base of which may contain solutionally enlarged fractures (i.e. karst conduits) that could funnel these contaminants to the upper or lower bedrock aquifers. This study thus demonstrates the viability of seismic refraction tomography as a tool for identification of filled sinkholes and bedrock depressions in karst areas.
Comedy Types and Political Campaigns: The Differential Influence of Other-Directed Hostile Humor and Self-Ridicule on Candidate Evaluations

The current study assesses the effect of exposure to diverse comedy types, measuring the differential impact of other-directed hostile humor and self-ridicule on feelings toward John McCain. Specifically, the analyses use experimental data collected in 2009 to compare the differential impact of viewing a video clip of John McCain's playful self-satire on Saturday Night Live with the effects of exposure to the more aggressive, judgmental, other-directed hostile humor of Stephen Colbert. The results suggest that viewers cool toward McCain after exposure to Stephen Colbert's other-directed hostile humor. Additional analyses show that the effect of exposure to varied types of political humor is direct and relatively impervious to moderation by political partisanship. Implications of the findings and their ability to help researchers understand the differential influence of varied comedy message types on political evaluations and attitudes is discussed.
Interventions to decrease catheter-related bloodstream infections in the ICU: the Keystone Intensive Care Unit Project.

Background A quality improvement initiative that included rigorous measurement, feasible interventions, and cultural change was shown to nearly eliminate catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) in patients in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU). To build on this research, a statewide collaborative cohort study was conducted using the same evidence-based interventions. Methods Interventions included handwashing, using full barrier precautions during the insertion of central venous catheters, cleaning the skin with chlorhexidine, avoiding the femoral site if possible, and removing unnecessary catheters. Both technical and adaptive (cultural) aspects of implementing the intervention were addressed through engagement, education, execution, and rigorous evaluation. A "team checkup tool" was developed to help senior leaders assess their role in ensuring compliance. Results Of 108 ICUs in the study, 103 reported data. Analysis included data from 1981 ICU-months and 375,757 catheter-days. The regression model showed a significant decrease in CR-BSI rates from baseline, with incidence-rate ratios decreasing from 0.62 at zero to 3 months after implementing the intervention to 0.34 at 16 to 18 months. Preliminary analysis suggested CR-BSI rates were sustained 4 years after implementation of the intervention. Conclusion Results suggest that this program model can be generalized and be implemented on a large scale in the United States or the world to significantly reduce the rate of CR-BSIs and their associated morbidities, mortalities, and costs of care.
Development of cleaning robot system for live-line suspension insulator strings

A new cleaning robot system for suspension insulator strings was developed to prevent a power failure, which can have severe effects on the national industry and economy. Compared with existing cleaning robots using jets of water or water/air, this robot mechanism is superior in insulation as it uses a porcelain-clamping method, and is more useful in mountainous or salt damage areas by adopting a dry cleaning method without water. In addition, in order to increase its cleaning efficiency and to prevent arc generation under live-line conditions, a set of mechanized brush bristles and a voltage-balancing contactor are devised, respectively. Moreover, a manual device for its installation and removal is presented. We confirmed its effectiveness through experiments.
A day in the life of PubMed: analysis of a typical day's query log.

Objective: To characterize PubMed usage over a typical day and compare it to previous studies of user behavior on Web search engines. Design: We performed a lexical and semantic analysis of 2,689,166 queries issued on PubMed over 24 consecutive hours on a typical day. Measurements: We measured the number of queries, number of distinct users, queries per user, terms per query, common terms, Boolean operator use, common phrases, result set size, MeSH categories, used semantic measurements to group queries into sessions, and studied the addition and removal of terms from consecutive queries to gauge search strategies. Results: The size of the result sets from a sample of queries showed a bimodal distribution, with peaks at approximately 3 and 100 results, suggesting that a large group of queries was tightly focused and another was broad. Like Web search engine sessions, most PubMed sessions consisted of a single query. However, PubMed queries contained more terms. Conclusion: PubMed's usage profile should be considered when educating users, building user interfaces, and developing future biomedical information retrieval systems. J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2007;14:212-220. DOI 10.1197/jamia.M2191.
Group support systems in practice: experience at IBM

The authors present the results of a group support system field study conducted at an IBM site. Data collected included session pre- and postquestionnaires and facilitator observations plus follow-up interviews with managers and participants. Process and outcome effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction were consistently higher with group support systems. A comparison of man-hours expended showed a 56% savings attributable to group support system use. The results of this field study contradict some laboratory experiment findings and support others. Directions for future field and experimental research to solve apparent differences and provide further clarification are identified. >
Sex scandals in the gender-integrated military

The military sex scandals of the 1990s, notably Tailhook in 1991 and the Aberdeen scandals of 1996, indicate the deeply rooted nature of sexism, misogyny, sexual misconduct, and discrimination in the military. The recruitment of large numbers of women, and their integration into many service branches during the 1980s and 1990s led to a great increase in the number of female victims, most of whose cases are never reported. Men are rarely court-martialed for sexual offenses. When they are, their punishments far exceed those given out by civilian courts. Punishments for adultery are also severe but, as with other forms of sexual misconduct, they are infrequent and arbitrary. As a result of numerous studies, the military has long known about the extent to which women are abused. None of them resulted in major change. It is unlikely that the latest round of scandals, reports, and efforts at reform will accomplish anything either.
Age, Socioeconomic Status, and Exercise Self-Efficacy

The value of exercise to the health and well-being of older adults has received considerable attention in recent years. Factors that influence older adults to move from an inactive to an active stage of exercise have received much less attention, but it is generally concluded that exercise self-efficacy (i.e., judgments of one's competence) holds more promise than any other factor. Accordingly, this article develops a conceptual model of exercise self-efficacy and its predictors among older adults. The special circumstance of low socioeconomic status older adults is given particular attention, because of their poor health and low activity levels. Data from two focus group sessions are drawn upon to supplement what is otherwise a conceptual discussion of age, socioeconomic status, sense of control, and self-efficacy.
Macrophage LRP-1 controls plaque cellularity by regulating efferocytosis and Akt activation

Objective— The balance between apoptosis susceptibility and efferocytosis of macrophages is central to plaque remodeling and inflammation. LRP-1 and its ligand, apolipoprotein E, have been implicated in efferocytosis and apoptosis in some cell types. We investigated the involvement of the macrophage LRP-1/apolipoprotein E axis in controlling plaque apoptosis and efferocytosis. Method and Results— LRP-1 −/− macrophages displayed nearly 2-fold more TUNEL positivity compared to wild-type cells in the presence of DMEM alone or with either lipopolysaccharide or oxidized low-density lipoprotein. The survival kinase, phosphorylated Akt, was barely detectable in LRP-1 −/− cells, causing decreased phosphorylated Bad and increased cleaved caspase-3. Regardless of the apoptotic stimulation and degree of cell death, LRP-1 −/− macrophages displayed enhanced inflammation with increased IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α expression. Efferocytosis of apoptotic macrophages was reduced by 60% in LRP-1 −/− vs wild-type macrophages despite increased apolipoprotein E expression by both LRP-1 −/− phagocytes and wild-type apoptotic cells. Compared to wild-type macrophage lesions, LRP-1 −/− lesions had 5.7-fold more necrotic core with more dead cells not associated with macrophages. Conclusion— Macrophage LRP-1 deficiency increases cell death and inflammation by impairing phosphorylated Akt activation and efferocytosis. Increased apolipoprotein E expression in LRP-1 −/− macrophages suggests that the LRP-1/apolipoprotein E axis regulates the balance between apoptosis and efferocytosis, thereby preventing necrotic core formation.
Miniature low cost DDS single sideband upconverters-packaging options using Si and GaAs ICs

A family of upconverters integrating a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS), a Single Side-Band Modulator (SSBM), and voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) was fabricated using different packaging technologies. Results indicate that the packaging option has direct impact on the speed of the digital circuit and on component interactions in the RF circuit. As the number of interfaces was reduced, the DDS output frequency increased from 200 to 560 MHz. Likewise, impedance matching on both IF and LO ports of the Ku-band subharmonic SSBM increased carrier and sideband suppressions over 10 dB to 32 and 43 dB, respectively. The paper discusses design trade-offs associated with the selection of the type of SSBM, available packaging options that influence performance, size, cost, and an approach to evaluate the effect of component interactions in the design of MCMs and MMICs. >
Impact of States’ Nurse Work Hour Regulations on Overtime Practices and Work Hours among Registered Nurses

Objectives To examine the degree to which states' work hour regulations for nurses—policies regarding mandatory overtime and consecutive work hours—decrease mandatory overtime practice and hours of work among registered nurses. Methods We analyzed a nationally representative sample of registered nurses from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses for years 2004 and 2008. We obtained difference-in-differences estimates of the effect of the nurse work hour policies on the likelihood of working mandatory overtime, working more than 40 hours per week, and working more than 60 hours per week for all staff nurses working in hospitals and nursing homes. Principal Findings The mandatory overtime and consecutive work hour regulations were significantly associated with 3.9 percentage-point decreases in the likelihood of working overtime mandatorily and 11.5 percentage-point decreases in the likelihood of working more than 40 hours per week, respectively. Conclusions State mandatory overtime and consecutive work hour policies are effective in reducing nurse work hours. The consecutive work hour policy appears to be a better regulatory tool for reducing long work hours for nurses.
Challenges for the Basis of Practice in Heart Failure

Although evidence from clinical trials has significantly informed the management of patients with heart failure, many patients and many clinical situations encountered on a daily basis do not fit neatly into the narrow definitions of trials. In subsequent issues, Circulation: Heart Failure will feature a new series entitled “Challenges for the Basis of Practice,” in which readers may submit challenging cases that call for management considerations and decisions that extend well beyond the evidence. An expert consultant will be invited to comment, and readers can also submit responses to these challenging situations so that numerous viewpoints can be explored.
Advanced Lyapunov control of a novel laser beam tracking system

Laser communication systems developed for mobile platforms, such as satellites, aircraft, and terrain vehicles, require fast wide-range beam-steering devices to establish and maintain a communication link. Conventionally, the low-bandwidth, high-steering-range part of the beam-positioning task is performed by gimbals that inherently constitutes the system bottleneck in terms of reliability, accuracy and dynamic performance. Omni-WristTM, a novel robotic sensor mount capable of carrying a payload of 5 lb and providing a full 180-deg hemisphere of azimuth/declination motion is known to be free of most of the deficiencies of gimbals. Provided with appropriate controls, it has the potential to become a new generation of gimbals systems. The approach we demonstrate describes an adaptive controller enabling Omni-WristTM to be utilized as a part of a laser beam positioning system. It is based on a Lyapunov function that ensures global asymptotic stability of the entire system while achieving high tracking accuracy. The proposed scheme is highly robust, does not require knowledge of complex system dynamics, and facilitates independent control of each channel by full decoupling of the Omni-WristTM dynamics. We summarize the basic algorithm and demonstrate the results obtained in the simulation environment.
Development of fine structure of spinal cord in monkey fetuses. II. Pre-reflex period to period of long intersegmental reflexes.

A series of 13 macaque fetuses of estimated ovulation ages 42 to 51 days (17 to 41 mm) was subjected to behavioral analysis with umbilical cord intact (in and out of the amnion), and to light and electron microscopic analysis of the cervical spinal cord. This period is a critical one in terms of onset and early development of spontaneous activity and of cutaneous reflexes. Behavioral criteria, reinforced by well-defined microscopic characteristics, suggested a grouping of specimens into three major stages, namely, a pre-reflex group (Stage 1: 17–22 mm); a group in the period of onset of primitive spontaneous activity and of precocious local cutaneous reflexes in the trigeminal-cervical region (Stage 2: 24 to 28 mm); and a group characterized by the development of more vigorous activity, spontaneous and otherwise, and of long intersegmental and crossed reflexes (Stage 3: 32 to 41 mm). The evidence suggests that junctional differentiation and occurrance of a cluster of agranular spheroid synaptic vesicles characterize the primitive synaptic knobs which appear on motoneuron dendrites coincident with earliest reflexes. Onset of active long intersegmental reflexes in Stage 3 is coincident with development of axosomatic synaptic knobs, and of F type (flattened) synaptic vesicles in a rapidly increasing fraction of all synaptic bulbs in the motoneuron neuropil. Total volume of all synaptic bulbs increases gradually as a fraction of the volume of the motoneuron neuropil until birth, but a steep increase in proportionate number of F type synaptic knobs occurs in Stage 3.
Thorium and uranium concentrations and isotope ratios in river sediments

Abstract Sediments from five rivers in the eastern and southern United States have been divided into several size fractions and analyzed for thorium and uranium isotope concentrations. The238U decay series exhibits disequilibrium as a result of weathering. The234U/238U activity ratio is less than unity in sediment derived from well-leached soils and greater than unity in sediment containing relatively large amounts of organic material from organic-rich surface layers of soil profiles.230Th exists in excess of equilibrium amounts relative to its parent234U in the fine fraction of most of the sediments analyzed. The thorium concentration and230Th excess are significantly higher in the 2-0.2μ and less than 0.2μ size fractions than in the 2–20μ fractions, indicating adsorption by clays, complexing with sesquioxides, or possible concentration in resistates. Unsupported230Th is being added to deep-sea sediments at a maximum rate of 0.5 dpm/cm2/1000 y; therefore, detrital material is not a significant source of excess230Th in deep-sea sediments.
Palmitate increases the susceptibility of cells to drug-induced toxicity: an in vitro method to identify drugs with potential contraindications in patients with metabolic disease

Fatty acids are an important source of energy. Excessive energy intake results in elevated levels of free fatty acids that are thought to be the pathogenic factors causing metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia, obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and fatty liver. Underlying metabolic disorders have been suggested to be a predisposing factor for drug-induced liver injury. The steadily expanding population with metabolic disease may pose a higher risk for drug-induced toxicity. In order to understand the interaction of free fatty acids and drug-induced toxicity at the cellular level, we explored whether the saturated free fatty acid palmitate could modulate drug-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. A number of drugs known to induce hepatotoxicity in humans were selected to test this hypothesis. Drugs without reported hepatotoxicity were also tested to evaluate the specificity of the palmitate-induced effects. We demonstrate that palmitate, at sublethal concentrations, was able to potentiate the cytotoxicity and/or apoptosis induced by some but not all drugs tested. The palmitate and drug coincubation potentiated toxicity, which when combined with the plasma maximum concentration (C(max)), allowed us to identify idiosyncratic toxic drugs that were not flagged in previously deployed cytotoxicity assays. Our data suggest that treatment of cells with palmitate improves the sensitivity to detect compounds with risk of inducing idiosyncratic liver toxicity. Furthermore, this assay may be used to identify compounds that have higher safety risks in a population with metabolic syndrome.
Reversed-Phase HPLC. Determination of Ionic Surfactants As UV-Absorbing Ion Pairs

Abstract Ionic and amphoteric surfactants were separated on reversed-phase columns. Ultraviolet photometry and differential refractometry were employed so that ion pairing and nonpairing compounds could be distinguished. Analysis of ionic surfactants as ultraviolet (UV) absorbing ion pairs improved detection limits 100 fold compared to detection by differential refractometer (RI).
Biogenicity of Earth’s Earliest Fossils

The abundant and diverse assemblage of filamentous microbial fossils and associated organic matter permineralized in the ~ 3465 Ma Apex chert of northwestern Australia—widely regarded as among the oldest records of life—have been investigated intensively. First reported in 1987 and formally described in 1992 and 1993, the biogenicity of the Apex fossils was questioned in 2002 and in three subsequent reports. However, as is shown here by use of analytical techniques unavailable twenty years ago, the Apex filaments are now established to be bona fide fossil microbes composed of three-dimensionally cylindrical organic-walled (kerogenous) cells. Backed by a large body of supporting evidence of similar age—other microfossils, stromatolites, and carbon isotopic data—it seems clear that microbial life was present and flourishing on the early Earth ~ 3500 Ma ago.
A Diamond in the Rough: Carat’s Organizational and Administrative Leadership (COAL) Program

A diamond is a chunk of coal that stood up under pressure. Carat’s Organizational and Administrative Leadership (COAL) program is a diamond in the rough—experiencing strong political pressure from multiple sides. As the state’s premiere educational leadership preparation program, expectations are high. While striving to live up to its national ranking and flagship university status, COAL is feeling the heat—to improve and to be unique, cutting-edge, and innovative. This case raises questions regarding strong, persistent leadership; faculty resistance; and the nature of the change process. Force field analysis, a classic approach in change theory, is suggested as one effective decision-making model.
A Prospective, Randomized Trial of Intravenous Hydroxocobalamin Versus Whole Blood Transfusion Compared to No Treatment for Class III Hemorrhagic Shock Resuscitation in a Prehospital Swine Model

Abstract : The objective was to compare systolic blood pressure (sBP) over time in swine that have had 30% of their blood volume removed (Class III shock) and treated with intravenous (IV) whole blood or IV hydroxocobalamin, compared to nontreated control animals. Methods: Thirty swine (45 to 55 kg) were anesthetized, intubated, and instrumented with continuous femoral and pulmonary artery pressure monitoring. Animals were hemorrhaged a total of 20 mL/kg over a 20-minute period. Five minutes after hemorrhage, animals were randomly assigned to receive 150 mg/ kg IV hydroxocobalamin solubilized in 180 mL of saline, 500 mL of whole blood, or no treatment. Animals were monitored for 60 minutes thereafter. A sample size of 10 animals per group was determined based on a power of 80% and an alpha of 0.05 to detect an effect size of at least a 0.25 difference (greater than 1 standard deviation) in mean sBP between groups. sBP values were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance (RANOVA). Secondary outcome data were analyzed using repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance (RMANOVA). Intravenous hydroxocobalamin was more effective than no treatment and as effective as whole blood transfusion, in reversing hypotension and inhibiting rises in serum lactate in this prehospital, controlled, Class III swine hemorrhage model.
A Positive Corona-Based Ion Wind Generator

Using an electrical discharge to control airflow has recently been an active area of research. This is mostly because of the interest in the manipulation of free airflow for aerodynamic applications. Corona discharges are well suited for these applications. In this paper, we present photographs illustrating the ion wind effect in a clear visual manner. The device used is a positive corona discharge between the end of sharp wires and a grounded mesh electrode. Measurements of the average wind speed as a function of the applied voltage for two different gap distances are presented.
Sources for Optically Pumped Solid-State Lasers

Electron beam pumped semiconductor lasers can provide high efficiency and wavelengths selectively over a wide range, by proper choice of materials, now readily available. In addition, the use of penetrating high energy electrons results in higher pulse energy density.
HPLC Analysis of Creatinine in Human Plasma and Urine

A simple, rapid, reproducible HPLC method is described for the analysis of creatinine in human plasma and urine. Creatinine is isolated from plasma proteins prior to HPLC analysis by ultrafiltration using a micropartition system. The technique requires only 0.2 ml of plasma and the recovery of creatinine is complete. Results from the HPLC analysis are compared with those from an automated (colorimetric) analysis. The retention time of creatinine is 2.6 min.
GENETIC VARIATION IN HAWAIIAN DROSOPHILA I. CHROMOSOME AND ALLOZYME POLYMORPHISM IN D. SETOSIMENTUM AND D. OCHROBASIS FROM THE ISLAND OF HAWAII.

Despite their small area, the Hawaiian Islands are populated by a diverse biota of organisms of which the great preponderance are endemics. In the insects, especially, most of the species are endemic to single islands. As the islands themselves are geologically new, this means that these species must have been formed quite recently in situ on individual islands. Accordingly, the study of genetic variability within and between populations of selected single species has been started. Hopefully, the data can be used to infer what evolutionary processes have been instrumental in producing the extraordinary diversity at the species level. The two near-sibling Drosophila species that are the subject of this paper were among the species chosen for close study. They are moderately large species (5 mm in length) belonging to the adiastola subgroup of the "picture-winged" group of flies (Carson and Stalker, 1968). Like most of this group, they culture well in the laboratory and have extremely favorable giant polytene chromosomes in the salivary glands. Of the 15 species of the adiastola subgroup, these are the only two found on the Island of Hawaii. This island is the newest in the archipelago, being apparently somewhat less than a million years old. Polytene chromosome banding patterns in these species point unequivocally to ancestry from certain species now inhabiting the slightly older nearby island of Maui. Both species are quite widely distributed on the island and collections yield a moderate number of specimens. Like most Hawaiian
Impact of Undervine Management on Vine Growth, Yield, Fruit Composition, and Wine Sensory Analyses in Cabernet franc

Four undervine management treatments were established in a Cabernet franc vineyard in Lansing, NY, in 2010: cultivation (CULT), native vegetation (NV), white clover (WC, Trifolium repens seeded annually at 10 kg/ha), and glyphosate herbicide (GLY, the control). Pruning weight and fruit yield of vines in the NV and WC treatments were reduced by up to 57 and 49%, respectively, compared to vines in the GLY plots. Juice chemistry was not affected by treatments, and panelists were unable to consistently differentiate wines from treatments in any vintage (2011 to 2013). In spring 2014, primary bud survival in NV and CULT vines was 52 and 48% greater than that in GLY vines. The smaller vine size and yield in NV and WC vines compared to GLY vines suggest that undervine cover crops can limit vine vigor relative to conventional practices. Greater yield of GLY vines, similarity in juice chemistry among treatments, and a lack of wine sensory differences among treatments suggest that herbicide use promotes higher yields without sacrificing fruit and wine composition. Partial budget analysis revealed that GLY as an undervine management strategy can produce up to $6891 more revenue per hectare than other treatments.