cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Matching display resolution and addressability to human visual capacity

Abstract The perceived image quality of a digital display is affected by two independent system characteristics, namely resolution and addressability. This paper discusses a quantitative procedure for selecting optimal levels of resolution and addressability based upon the performance constraints of human vision.
Noradrenergic modulation of arousal.

Abstract Through a highly divergent efferent projection system, the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system supplies norepinephrine throughout the central nervous system. State-dependent neuronal discharge activity of locus coeruleus neurons has long-suggested a role of this system in the induction of an alert waking state. More recent work supports this hypothesis, demonstrating robust wake-promoting actions of the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system. Norepinephrine enhances arousal, in part, via actions of β- and α1-receptors located within multiple subcortical structures, including the general regions of the medial septal area and the medial preoptic areas. Recent anatomical studies suggest that arousal-enhancing actions of norepinephrine are not limited to the locus coeruleus system and likely include the A1 and A2 noradrenergic cell groups. Thus, noradrenergic modulation of arousal state involves multiple noradrenergic systems acting within multiple subcortical regions. Pharmacological studies indicate that the combined actions of these systems are necessary for the sustained maintenance of arousal levels associated with spontaneous waking. Enhanced arousal state is a prominent aspect of both stress and psychostimulant drug action and evidence indicates that noradrenergic systems likely play an important role in both stress-related and psychostimulant-induced arousal. These and other observations suggest that the dysregulation of noradrenergic neurotransmission could well contribute to the dysregulation of arousal associated with a variety of behavioral disorders including insomnia and stress-related disorders.
Miniature acousto-optic image correlator

An acousto-optic (AO) image correlator architecture will be presented that minimizes the overall system size while maintaining excellent image quality for large input scenes. The correlator can accommodate gray-scale input scenes with dimensions of 512 X 244 pixels and gray-scale reference templates of 64 X 64 pixels. The size of the optical system, however, is less than 10 cubic inches, 1" X 1" X 9". This design incorporates a surface emitting laser diode array that has a center-to-center spacing of the laser elements matched to the row spacing on the CCD. Furthermore, the space-bandwidth and center frequency of the AO cell are chosen to match the length of the input image information in the cell to the width of the CCD. These two design decisions allow close to one-to-one imaging through the entire optical system producing the shortest possible path length. The optics were then designed with a goal of producing nearly diffraction-limited image quality.
Warner‐Bratzler Shear Force Repeatability in Beef Longissimus Steaks Cooked With a Convection Oven, Broiler, or Clam‐shell Grill

ABSTRACT: Repeatability of Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force in beef loin strip steaks was determined using a small kitchen clam-shell grill (GRILL), oven roasting (OVEN), or oven broiling (BROIL). Cooking time for the GRILL method (7.0 min) was shorter, and the OVEN method (22.8 min) was longer compared with the BROIL cooking method (17.5 min, P< 0.001). WBS values across all cooking methods ranged from 1.5 to 7.5 kg. Repeatability of WBS was relatively high for BROIL (r = 0.83), GRILL (r = 0.88), and OVEN (r = 0.88) cooking methods. Grilling beef loin steaks with an inexpensive clam-shell grill is an acceptable method for cooking steaks for research purposes.
Sustainability Education: Approaches for Incorporating Sustainability into the Undergraduate Curriculum

The objectives of this study were to describe two approaches to incorporating sustainability into the undergraduate engineering curricula and to list a variety of existing course resources that can easily be adopted or adapted by science and engineering faculty for this purpose. The two approaches described are (1) redesigning existing courses through development of new curricular materials that still meet the objectives of the original course and (2) developing upper division elective courses that address specific topics related to sustainability, such as manufacturing or life-cycle assessment, in depth. Case studies of three courses—Green Industrial Organic Chemistry, Environmentally Conscious Design and Manufacturing (Kettering University), and Sustainable Engineering (University of Oklahoma)—are presented. Assessment results from Green Industrial Organic Chemistry indicate that alternative curricular materials incorporating green chemistry can be used to meet the learning objectives of more traditiona...
A simple polynomial-time rescaling algorithm for solving linear programs

The perceptron algorithm, developed mainly in the machine learning literature, is a simple greedy method for finding a feasible solution to a linear program (alternatively, for learning a threshold function). In spite of its exponential worst-case complexity, it is often quite useful, in part due to its noise-tolerance and also its overall simplicity. In this paper, we show that a randomized version of the perceptron algorithm along with periodic rescaling runs in polynomial-time. The resulting algorithm for linear programming has an elementary description and analysis.
Correlation between species life span and capacity to activate 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene to a form mutagenic to a mammalian cell.

Abstract An assay of cell-mediated mutagenesis was used to determine the capacity of cultured fibroblasts from six different mammalian species to convert 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) to a mutagenic form. A very good inverse correlation was found between the potential life span of a species and the apparent capacity of its cultured fibroblasts to activate DMBA.
A new dogfish isolated and perfused heart preparation

Abstract 1. 1. A new type of isolated dogfish heart preparation has been developed in which the cardiac output can be observed under controlled conditions without physical disturbance to the heart itself. 2. 2. Cardiac output in this preparation was determined from the product of heart rate and stroke volume, determined by an electromagnetic flow probe, or by direct measurement. 3. 3. These cardiac outputs have been compared to those measured by dye-dilution technique in resting intact dogfish. 4. 4. The theoretical maximum cardiac output achievable by a dogfish at a given heart rate has also been calculated. 5. 5. The theoretical maximum cardiac output for a 5.7 kg dogfish has been calculated to be 4.6 l/kg per hr, or 76 ml/kg per min.
Effect of environmental enrichment on escalation of cocaine self-administration in rats

Background Previous studies found that environmental enrichment protects against the initiation of stimulant self-administration in rats, but it is unclear if enrichment also protects against the escalation of stimulant use with long-term exposure.
Totally obstructing tracheotomy-associated suprastomal granulation tissue

Abstract Although tracheotomy-associated suprastomal granulation tissue is quite common, suprastomal granulation tissue that totally obstructs the airway is relatively rare and can be associated with serious complications. In this report the complications and management of six cases of totally obstructing suprastomal granulation tissue (TOSGT) are presented. Complications associated with the presence or management of TOSGT included progression of subglottic stenosis, development of posterior laryngeal stenosis, development of supraglottic stenosis following CO 2 laser supraglottoplasty, and dislodgement of the TOSGT with distal tracheal obstruction resulting in anoxic brain injury. It is recommended that the tracheotomy tube remains in position at all times during attempted removal, and that if endoscopic removal is not possible, that open tracheoplasty is the safest method for removal. Measures that may decrease the chances of recurrence include diligent diagnosis and treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and bacterial infection. TOSGT may be a marker for some patients with abnormal wound healing.
Pressure vessel integrity under pressurized thermal shock conditions

Abstract The currently urgent subject of pressure vessel integrity under pressurized thermal shock (PTS) conditions is discussed. A survey of events leading to PTS is made. The position of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission on the subject is given. Finally the action taken by utilities to mitigate the effects of PTS on reactor vessels is described.
Global discretization of continuous attributes as preprocessing for machine learning

Abstract Real-life data usually are presented in databases by real numbers. On the other hand, most inductive learning methods require a small number of attribute values. Thus it is necessary to convert input data sets with continuous attributes into input data sets with discrete attributes. Methods of discretization restricted to single continuous attributes will be called local, while methods that simultaneously convert all continuous attributes will be called global. In this paper, a method of transforming any local discretization method into a global one is presented. A global discretization method, based on cluster analysis, is presented and compared experimentally with three known local methods, transformed into global. Experiments include tenfold cross-validation and leaving-one-out methods for ten real-life data sets.
Grain boundary ductile fracture in precipitation hardened aluminum alloys

Abstract Published microstructural studies of grain boundary (gb) fracture in precipitation hardened aluminum alloys are reviewed with respect to the three main ideas that have been developed to explain the gb fracture surfaces. The ideas are 1. (1) microvoid growth at large gb precipitates, 2. (2) strain localization in the soft, and sometimes solute-free, gb precipitate free zones (pfz) and 3. (3) the influence of matrix precipitate shear giving rise to inhomogeneous “planar” slip that may apply large stress concentrations to the gb at the end of slip bands. Although the last two processes have a supporting role in many cases, the published evidence strongly suggests that the first process is of overwhelming importance. This conclusion has been tested by reversion experiments in model Al-Li alloys in which microstructures with increasing area fractions, A f , of large stable δ precipitates (Al-Li) were produced, but with equivalent matrix structures and yield strengths. The materials show marked falls of toughness and of fracture strain as A f was increased. Studies of surface slip markings in the Al-Li alloys suggested that slip was initiated at the large gb δ precipitates. Only very limited evidence for a role of planar slip in the fracture of the Al-Li alloys was found in contrast to observations on high purity Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys where planar slip seemed to show more importance. Brief studies on a nickel based alloy, MAR-M200, suggested that even in the absence of a pfz, strong room temperature embrittlement by gb precipitates was produced. The results of this study suggest that the marked problems of gb fracture in Al-Li alloys are associated with large gb δ precipitates. Jensrud and Ryum [ Mater. Sci. Engng 64 , 229 (1984)] have shown how gb precipitate growth is facilitated in this system as the gb δ phase is very much less soluble than the strengthening δ′ (Al 3 Li) phase.
Pressure induced phase transformations in nanocrystalline maghemite (γ-Fe2O3)

Abstract Macro-crystalline γ-Fe 2 O 3 transforms to the α-Fe 2 O 3 structure at a pressure of 35 GPa. We performed a Raman spectroscopic study to explore the pressure induced phase transformation in nanocrystalline γ-Fe 2 O 3 to 57.5 GPa. We found that at a pressure of 26.6 GPa, there was a significant transformation of the γ-phase to α-structure. All Raman modes of the α-Fe 2 O 3 nanophase as extrapolated to 1 atm are higher than those observed in the bulk counterpart, and also exhibit lower pressure shifts, except one mode at 269.1 cm −1 . The α-Fe 2 O 3 phase transforms to a perovskite phase at ∼53.3 GPa, which is the same as that observed in the bulk material. Upon release of pressure to ambient conditions, the perovskite phase transforms to the α-Fe 2 O 3 phase by a slow distortional mechanism. The recovered α-Fe 2 O 3 phase exhibits the same Raman characteristics as those in the bulk sample. Particle size affects the transition pressure of the first phase transformation but does not affect the continuous post-phase transformations.
Raw and Preheated Epimysium and Gelatin Affect Properties of Low-salt, Low-fat, Restructured Beef

Five or 10% raw (5CT, 10CT) and preheated (5PHCT, 10PHCT) connective tissue and 0.5 or 1.0% food-grade gelatin (0.5G and 1.0G) were evaluated in low-salt (0.2% NaCl), low-fat (<5.0%), restructured beef. Analyses of Instron texture, sensory texture and flavor, proximate composition, surface hydrophobicity (So), and collagen were performed. Differences (P<0.05) in Instron tensile strength were greatest between the control (515.53 g/cm2) and both 10CT (806.53 g/cm2) and 10PHCT (810.56 g/cm2). When compared to the control, 10CT resulted in higher cook yields, whereas 1.0G lowered cook yields. Additionally, 10CT and 10PHCT reduced (P<0.05) product initial cohesiveness and juiciness and tended (P<0.09) to reduce beefiness.
Visual motion influences locomotion in a treadmill virtual environment

This paper describes the use of a treadmill-based virtual environment (VE) to investigate the influence of visual motion on locomotion. First, we demonstrate that a computer-controlled treadmill coupled with a wide field of view computer graphics display can be used to study interactions between perception and action. Previous work has demonstrated that humans calibrate their visually-directed actions to changing circumstances in their environment. Using a treadmill VE, we show that calibration of action is reflected in the real world as a result of manipulating the relation between the speed of visual flow, presented using computer graphics, and the speed of walking on a treadmill. Second, we extend the methodology in our treadmill VE to investigate an open question involving human gait transitions and show that the speed of visual motion influences the speed at which the gait transition occurs. These results demonstrate both the effectiveness of treadmill-based VEs in simulating the perceptual-motor effects of walking through the real world and the value of such systems in addressing basic perceptual questions that would otherwise be difficult to explore.
Dissociation of secretory responses to low-calcium and β-adrenergic stimulation in primary hyperparathyroidism

We have used a parathyroid cell perifusion system to evaluate the secretory responses to low-calcium and beta-adrenergic stimuli in series of 13 adenomatous human parathyroid tissues. In cells from all chief cell adenomas PTH secretion could be influenced by changes in extracellular calcium concentrations (either an increase in response to lower calcium concentrations or a decrease following an increase in calcium levels). However, there was marked heterogeneity in the PTH secretory response to adrenergic stimulation. In most instances, adenomatous parathyroid tissue also responded quickly and vigorously to beta-adrenergic agents (mean increase in secretion 322% +/- 52 (SEM) over baseline), although five of the 13 tissues clearly showed no PTH secretory response. Furthermore, there was a dissociation between the responses to adrenergic and low-calcium stimulation in that the presence or magnitude of the response to one type of stimulus could not be used to predict the nature of the response to the other. Studies of cells from an oxyphil adenoma revealed a very vigorous response to adrenergic stimulation (1,400% over baseline), but no response to changes in extracellular calcium concentrations. These results indicate that human parathyroid tissue is capable of a marked secretory response to adrenergic stimulation. The dissociation between secretory responses to low-calcium conditions and adrenergic agents suggests that the mechanisms of secretion by low-calcium and adrenergic stimuli in adenomatous human parathyroid tissue are to some degree independent. Furthermore, aberrancies in the neoplastic parathyroid process apparently may affect either of these two secretory mechanisms.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Teaching the Power of the Word.

This ethnodrama communicates the lived experience of an outstanding teacher of English who worked in the Chicago Public Schools for more than 20 years. Excerpts from three semi-structured interviews have been constructed into a one-woman show that uses music, dance, and the art of theater to convey the spiritual beauty of ambitious, urban teaching and to challenge and enlighten researchers, teachers, and the public-at-large “in a manner that cannot be dismissed.” Lessons, relationships, and the joy and suffering of schoolwork come to life on stage. The script is accompanied by a poem by Ruth Nicole Brown that discusses the ethnodrama in relation to culturally responsive pedagogy.
The role of environmental risk analysis in the cost-effective development and operation of emerging energy technologies

Abstract The use of risk analysis to guide the acquisition and application of environmental data necessary to reduce uncertainty regarding the potential environmental impacts of emerging energy technologies is discussed in general terms and illustrated by describing the formulation and current status of a program initiated specifically for this purpose. From this perspective the potential utility of, and limitations to the use of risk analysis to identify research needs is discussed in the light of presently-available technical information and risk analytical methodologies. Special consideration is given to the matter of employing risk analysis to improve the utilization of scientific information in the overall process of formulating and implementing strategies that will guide the cost-effective development, installation and operation of emerging energy technologies.
Insights from pre-service teachers using science-based augmented reality

This research examined the results of an exploratory case study on the use of the augmented reality (AR) platform Aurasma in the higher education science classroom. Thirty-one pre-service students, enrolled in an undergraduate science methodology course, participated in the study. Research methods included data collection of teaching reflections regarding pre-service teachers’ experiences using the platform Aurasma for learning. Findings included student perceptions regarding the usability of AR in the classroom setting and insights into how the Aurasma platform facilitated inquiry and understanding of science concepts. An analysis of the data suggested that AR has the potential to positively impact classroom learning experiences including an increase in motivation and engagement, teacher enthusiasm, and the facilitation of a community of practice. However, the incorporation of AR into the classroom was not without challenges, highlighting the fact that AR may be time consuming, teachers may not have the skills needed to use such technology, or there may be a lack of infrastructure. Each topic is discussed and supported by relevant literature and excerpts from the student reflections. Recommendations are given for future classroom implementation.
Modeling HERG Isoforms

The delayed rectifier, IKr, is formed by homo/heterotetramers of the 2 HERG splice variants HERG1a and HERG1b. The only difference between isoforms is that HERG1b has a shorter N-terminal than HERG1a. Despite their similarities, HERG1a and 1b have profoundly different gating kinetics: HERG1b has faster activation and deactivation kinetics than HERG1a. HERG activation is a complex multi-step process involving voltage-dependent and voltage independent transitions.We used an envelope of tails protocol to isolate activation from the fast overlapping inactivation for both HERG1a and 1b. The activation rate of both HERG1a and 1b reaches an identical saturation value at very positive potentials, which suggests that the voltage-independent step is rate limiting at these potentials for both isoforms. This suggests that the voltage-insensitive step is not affected by isoform, i.e., the presence or absence of the N-terminal. At lower potentials, activation was strongly voltage dependent and was significantly different between isoforms. This indicates that the N-terminal modifies at least one voltage-sensitive step in the activation pathway. Deactivation is also strongly affected by the presence or absence of the N-terminal. This suggests that the N-terminal affects voltage-dependent transitions near the open state. Sensitivity analysis of our HERG model suggests that the effects may be more broad. Manipulation of only the early states failed to optimize the rate of deactivation, but optimization of only the final voltage dependent steps fails to recapitulate the combination of shifted steady-state activation and slope factor for the HERG1b isoform. In conclusion, our data indicate that the N-terminal interacts primarily through modification of voltage-sensitive transitions.
Transfection of CYP4A1 cDNA decreases diameter and increases responsiveness of gracilis muscle arterioles to constrictor stimuli

Cytochrome P-450-4A1 (CYP4A1) is an omega-hydroxylase that catalyzes the metabolism of arachidonic acid to 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). The goal of this study was to determine the vasomotor consequences of vascular overexpression of CYP4A1. Isolated rat gracilis muscle arterioles transfected ex vivo with an expression plasmid containing CYP4A1 cDNA expressed more CYP4A protein than vessels transfected with the control plasmid. In arterioles pressurized to 80 mmHg, the internal diameter of vessels transfected with CYP4A1 cDNA (55 +/- 3 microm) was surpassed (P < 0.05) by that of vessels transfected with control plasmid (97 +/- 4 microm). Treatment with a CYP4A inhibitor (N-methylsulfonyl-12,12-dibromododec-11-enamide; DDMS) or with an antagonist of 20-HETE actions [20-hydroxyeicosa-6(Z),15(Z)-dienoic acid; 20-HEDE] elicited robust dilation of arterioles transfected with CYP4A1 cDNA, whereas the treatment had little or no effect in vessels transfected with control plasmid. Examination of the intraluminal pressure-internal diameter relationship revealed that pressure increments over the range of 40-100 mmHg elicited a more intense (P < 0.05) myogenic constrictor response in arterioles transfected with CYP4A1 cDNA than in those with control plasmid. Arterioles transfected with CYP4A1 cDNA also displayed enhanced sensitivity to the constrictor action of phenylephrine. Treatment with DDMS or 20-HEDE greatly attenuated the constrictor responsiveness to both constrictor stimuli in vessels overexpressing CYP4A1, whereas the treatment had much less effect in control vessels. These data suggest that CYP4A1 overexpression promotes constriction of gracilis muscle arterioles by intensifying the responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle to constrictor stimuli. This effect of CYP4A1 overexpression appears to be mediated by a CYP4A1 product.
When Is U(n) Cyclic? An Algebraic Approach

(1999). When Is U(n) Cyclic? An Algebraic Approach. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 72, No. 2, pp. 139-142.
Time-efficient computations for topological functions in 3D images

An important issue in 3D image processing is the identification of points (voxels) which could be altered while leaving the topology unchanged-such points are referred to as simple points. We need time-efficient algorithms for identifying such points, since such computations are typically evoked over many iterations on large 3D images. We report new very fast algorithms for computing functions which identify 3D simple points and related topological conditions using "table-based" approaches which use a hierarchy of small tables of pointers. We also demonstrate time-storage tradeoffs which can be achieved by mixing table-based algorithms with more traditional techniques.
Comparison of lateral controllers for following linear structures using computer vision

This paper presents a comparison of lateral controllers for vision-based control of a small autonomous aircraft following a road. Control strategies are designed to stabilize the aircraft lateral control using only the vision measurements and inertial sensors. Methods compared here include several aim-ahead controllers, sliding surface controllers, linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) regulators, and a receding horizon controller (RHC). Simulation results are given comparing the controllers under ideal conditions as well as with background wind, a zero-roll assumption in the vision system, and realistic quantization of the control output by the low-level flight control system.
MicroRNA-125b Potentiates Macrophage Activation

MicroRNA (miR)-125b expression is modulated in macrophages in response to stimulatory cues. In this study, we report a functional role of miR-125b in macrophages. We found that miR-125b is enriched in macrophages compared with lymphoid cells and whole immune tissues. Enforced expression of miR-125b drives macrophages to adapt an activated morphology that is accompanied by increased costimulatory factor expression and elevated responsiveness to IFN-y, whereas anti–miR-125b treatment decreases CD80 surface expression. To determine whether these alterations in cell signaling, gene expression, and morphology have functional consequences, we examined the ability of macrophages with enhanced miR-125b expression to present Ags and found that they better stimulate T cell activation than control macrophages. Further indicating increased function, these macrophages were more effective at killing EL4 tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, miR-125b repressed IFN regulatory factor 4 (IRF4), and IRF4 knockdown in macrophages mimicked the miR-125b overexpression phenotype. In summary, our evidence suggests that miR-125b is at least partly responsible for generating the activated nature of macrophages, at least partially by reducing IRF4 levels, and potentiates the functional role of macrophages in inducing immune responses.
Hopelessness and Suicidal Ideation in Older Adults

This study examined the role that hopelessness plays in geriatric suicidal ideation. Sixty institutionalized elderly males were recruited. Multiple regression analyses revealed that while hopelessness was strongly related to suicidal ideation, the relationship between hopelessness and suicidal ideation was dependent on level of depression. Participants who reported moderate or higher levels of depressive symptoms were more likely to have suicidal ideation with increasing hopelessness, whereas hopelessness had little effect on level of ideation at mild or lower depressive symptom levels. Unlike previous studies in younger adults, hopelessness did not predict suicidal ideation better than depressive symptoms, although the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation was stronger within higher levels of hopelessness. These findings highlight the importance of considering depression and hopelessness simultaneously when assessing and treating geriatric suicidal ideation.
Implications of Population Phases on the Integrated Pest Management of the Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis

The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, has three population phases. In the latent phase, southern pine beetle-initiated infestations are absent, and southern pine beetle functions as a secondary bark beetle when present. The outbreak phase results when one or more multi-tree infestations are detected per 1,000 acres of susceptible host type, and the southern pine beetle acts as an aggressive primary colonizer. The intermediate phase consists of population levels between latent and outbreak. The characteristics of these three phases have management implications, and the integrated pest management (IPM) program for the southern pine beetle should be tailored for each phase. Recommendations for each phase are provided and discussed. Prevention and restoration are primary management concerns in the latent phase, whereas suppression takes precedence during an outbreak.
Dynamics of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Populations in Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid over the Full Course of Infection

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication and compartmentalization in the central nervous system, including in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), are associated with severe neurological disease and may contribute to viral persistence during antiretroviral therapy. To understand the relationships between viral populations in multiple compartments, we performed a systematic longitudinal characterization of viral populations in blood plasma and CSF obtained at short time intervals over the full course of infection in 3 macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVsm strain E660). METHODS Complex viral genetic populations in blood plasma and CSF were characterized using a heteroduplex tracking assay targeted to the V1/V2 hypervariable region of env. To identify signs of neurological disease, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 levels in CSF and CD68(+) monocyte/macrophage infiltration in brain tissues were quantified. RESULTS Two patterns of blood/CSF viral dynamics were apparent as infection progressed: concordant blood/CSF viral evolution and discordant blood/CSF viral evolution. Perivascular CD68(+) cells in autopsy brain tissue and elevated CSF MCP-1 levels accompanied blood/CSF viral population discordance but not concordance. CONCLUSIONS Two distinct patterns of blood/CSF viral population dynamics can be observed in SIV-infected macaques, and the patterns may be associated with different neurological disease outcomes.
Climate change mitigation policies and poverty

Climate change mitigation policies include a wide range of actions, including efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel combustion, energy efficiency and end-use innovations, and reducing carbon emissions through avoided deforestation. Such policies can affect poverty in developing countries either directly or indirectly. Direct impacts on poverty include payments for avoided deforestation that affect the livelihoods of the poor, reduced GHG emissions that also produce co-benefits of improved air quality and health, and clean energy and energy efficiency effects on energy poverty. Indirect impacts on the poor in developing countries occur through the changes in trade, economic growth, and other economy-wide effects. To date, there is a lack of systematic or comprehensive analyses of these direct and indirect impacts of mitigation policies on the poor. Although such policies may benefit the poor, some actions may worsen poverty and hinder its alleviation. This suggests that a more comprehensive approach should be employed in analyzing how mitigation policies affect the poor in developing countries, and in particular, in assessing how policy design and implementation can influence the potential trade-offs between the positive and negative impacts on poverty alleviation. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. Conflict of interest: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest for this article.
The effect of resting ST segment depression on the diagnostic characteristics of the exercise treadmill test.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effect of resting ST segment depression on the diagnostic characteristics of the exercise treadmill test. BACKGROUND Previous studies evaluating the effect of resting ST segment depression on the diagnostic characteristics of exercise treadmill test have been conducted on relatively small patient groups and based only on visual electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis. METHODS A retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively was performed on consecutive patients referred for evaluation of chest pain. One thousand two hundred eighty-two patients without a prior myocardial infarction underwent standard exercise treadmill tests followed by coronary angiography, with coronary artery disease defined as a 50% narrowing in at least one major epicardial coronary artery. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive accuracy and area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots were calculated for patients with and without resting ST segment depression as determined by visual or computerized analysis of the baseline ECG. RESULTS Sensitivity of the exercise treadmill test increased in 206 patients with resting ST segment depression determined by visual ECG analysis compared with patients without resting ST segment depression (77 ± 7% vs. 45 ± 4%) and specificity decreased (48 ± 12% vs. 84 ± 3%). With computerized analysis, sensitivity of the treadmill test increased in 349 patients with resting ST segment depression compared with patients without resting ST segment depression (71 ± 6% vs. 42 ± 4%) and specificity decreased (52 ± 9% vs. 87 ± 3%) (p CONCLUSIONS The diagnostic accuracy and high sensitivity of the exercise treadmill test in a large cohort of patients with resting ST segment depression and no prior myocardial infarction support the initial use of the test for diagnosis of coronary artery disease. The classification of resting ST segment depression by method of analysis (visual vs. computerized) did not affect the results.
Fourier inversion and the Hausdorff distance

This paper continues research done by F.H. Ruymgaart and the author. For a function f on R d we consider its Fourier transform F f and the functions f M (M > 0) derived from F f by the formula f M (x) = (F(e M .F f))(-x), where the e M are suitable integrable functions tending to 1 pointwise as M → ∞. It was shown earlier that, relative to a metric d H , analogous to the Hausdorff distance between closed sets, one has d H (f M , f) = O(M - 1 / 2 ) for all f in a certain class. We now show that, for such f, the estimate O(M - 1 / 2 ) is optimal if and only if f has a discontinuity point.
Different Approaches to Teaching the Mechanics of American Psychological Association Style.

Students have to learn two distinctly different tasks when writing research papers: a) creating and organizing prose, and b) formatting a manuscript according to the nuances and mechanics of a pre-determined format, such as Modern Language Association (MLA) or American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines. Two studies examined different approaches for teaching the details of APA style, including: a template, a checklist, and a combined approach that used both the template and checklist. The results demonstrated that while each technique individually helped students to learn APA style, using both together appeared to provide the most help to students.
Obesity prevention in early adolescence: student, parent, and teacher views.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a significant health problem among today's youth; however, most school-based prevention programs in this area have had limited success. Focus groups were conducted with seventh- to eighth-grade students, parents, and teachers to provide insight into the development of a comprehensive program for the prevention of adolescent obesity: the Teen Eating and Activity Mentoring in Schools project (TEAMS). METHODS: Questions addressed (1) beliefs about the relationship between early adolescent behavior and health; (2) early adolescents' physical activity habits, preferences, influences, and barriers; (3) early adolescents' dietary habits, preferences, influences, and barriers; and (4) recommendations for interventions to promote physical activity and healthy eating in early adolescence. RESULTS: Qualitative analyses revealed that early adolescents had a good understanding of the relationship between their behavior and their health, although they had a limited understanding of what constitutes healthy eating. Youth participants reported preferences for a number of healthy foods and physical activities, but identified numerous barriers preventing their engagement. The major difference between students, parents, and teachers reflected the operation of the fundamental attribution error with early adolescents attributing their unhealthy behaviors to situational factors, teachers blaming parents, and parents blaming their children. CONCLUSIONS: Implications of these findings for the development of school-based, integrated strategies for obesity prevention among early adolescents are discussed.
A framework to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the NADiA ProsVue slope to guide adjuvant radiotherapy among men with high-risk characteristics following prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

Objectives: The NADiA ProsVue is a prognostic system that measures prostate-specific antigen slope to identify men at lower risk of clinical recurrence of prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy. We developed a decision-modeling framework to evaluate its cost-effectiveness to guide the use of adjuvant radiotherapy (ART). Methods: We populated the model using patient-level data and external sources. Patients were classified as intermediate risk or high risk on the basis of Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment-Postsurgical (CAPRA-S) nomogram and then stratified by the ProsVue slope (r 2p g/mL/mo;42 pg/mL/mo) and receipt of ART. In sensitivity analyses, we varied the effect of the ProsVue slope on the use of ART and other model parameters. Results: The cost-effectiveness of the ProsVue-guided strategy varied widely because of small differences in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) at 10 years. In the intermediate-risk group, when the use of ART decreased from 20% (standard care) to 7.5% among patients with a ProsVue slope value of 2 pg/mL/mo or less, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $25,160/QALY. In the high-risk group, the use of ART would have to decrease from 40% (standard care) to 11.5% among those with a ProsVue slope value of 2 pg/mL/mo or less to obtain a ratio of $50,000/QALY. The cost-effectiveness ratios were sensitive to varying benefits of salvage therapy, quality of life, and costs of ART and ProsVue testing. Conclusions: The effect of the ProsVue system on costs will be dependent on the extent to which ART decreases among men identified as having a low risk of recurrence. Its effect on QALYs will remain conditional on uncertain clinical and quality-of-life benefits associated with ART.
Adenosine 5′-triphosphate, uridine 5′-triphosphate, bradykinin, and lysophosphatidic acid induce different patterns of calcium responses by human articular chondrocytes

Small calcium-mobilizing inflammatory mediators have been implicated in joint pathology. Here we demonstrate that bradykinin, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, uridine 5'-triphosphate, and lysophosphatidic acid raise the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in human articular chondrocytes. Heterologous cross-desensitization experiments showed that the uridine 5'-triphosphate response was abolished by prior treatment with adenosine 5'-triphosphate and, conversely, that the adenosine 5'-triphosphate response was abolished by prior treatment with uridine 5'-triphosphate; this indicated competition for the same receptor site, whereas bradykinin and lysophosphatidic acid did not compete with other ligands. Pretreatment with thapsigargin abolished ligand-mediated Ca2+ responses but not vice versa; this confirmed that Ca2+ release occurred from intracellular stores. Single-cell analysis of Fura-2 acetoxymethyl ester loaded chondrocytes showed mediator-dependent patterns of oscillatory Ca2+ changes in a subset of cells when challenged with submaximal concentrations of bradykinin, adenosine 5'-triphosphate, or uridine 5'-triphosphate in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. However, no oscillatory responses were seen after a challenge with lysophosphatidic acid. Therefore, although a number of different Ca2+-mobilizing ligands activate chondrocytes, the differences that occur in the temporal patterning of Ca2+ responses may result in unique mediator-dependent changes in cellular activity.
Disease modification in Parkinson’s disease: are we there yet with currently available therapies?

SUMMARY Management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is currently based primarily on dopamine-replacement therapy for the alleviation of motor symptoms. Current medical and surgical therapies can provide long-lasting symptomatic benefit, but they do not modify progression of the disease. Research is ongoing to find a therapy that can provide neuroprotection, defined herein as preventing vulnerable neurons from dying. Studies of neuroprotection are limited by a lack of adequate biomarkers of PD progression and by the confounding symptomatic effects of many putative neuroprotective therapies. Studies have shown that levodopa prolongs life, but they have not clearly shown that it modifies disease progression. Trials of dopamine agonists have demonstrated symptomatic effect but no unequivocal neuroprotective benefits. While some studies of monamine oxidase B inhibitors have been promising, they have not conclusively proven disease modification. Exercise provides many benefits to patients with PD, may modify the pro...
Groundwater geochemistry in bench experiments simulating CO2 leakage from geological storage in the Newark Basin

Abstract To learn the effect of CO2 leakage on shallow drinking water aquifers, laboratory experiments were conducted to measure the chemical changes of aquifer water, in which the fine fraction of sedimentary rock from the Triassic Newark Basin Series were immersed. Elevated CO2 concentrations caused a decrease in pH, an increase in the concentrations of major ions including Ca, Mg, Si, K, and alkalinity, an enhanced dissolution of carbonate minerals, and an increase in the concentrations of trace elements including Mn, Fe, Be, Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Rb, Zr, Cd, Sb, Ba, Pb, and U in water under both continuous CO2 flow and one-time injection batch experiments. The magnitude of concentration increase was significantly lower in batch experiments with one-time CO2 injection than in experiments with continuous CO2 flow, although less rigorous agitation was maintained in the batch experiment. The logarithmic elemental release rates of Ca, Mg, Si, Mn, Fe and Zn normalized by reactive surface area, when plotted together with those from field injection experiments, decreased with the increase of pH (or the decrease of log (pCO2)) following linear trends. The laboratory elemental release rates were 1-3 orders of magnitude higher than field injection experiment rates extrapolated to incubation pH conditions. Hydrogeochemical parameters including pH, major and trace elements, particularly Fe, Mn, Cd, Tl, and sulfate, can be used as early indicators for leakage detection and need to be monitored in compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drinking water regulations.
Regulatory Framework for Ecotoxicology

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary responsibility for much of environmental decision making in the United States. This responsibility is derived from a number of statutes and Executive Orders. In this chapter are reviewed seven such pieces of legislation with relevancy to ecotoxicology; specifically, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); the Clean Water Act (CWA); the Clean Air Act (CAA); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund); the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Much of each of these pieces of legislation relates to administrative or procedural details or other considerations not central to the science of ecotoxicology; consequently, the review here extracts only those elements of relevance to ecotoxicology.
Intercellular Conduits in Tumors: The New Social Network

The role of intercellular communication is increasingly recognized as being critical to tumoral invasion, metastasis, and development of resistance to therapy. The recent discovery of cellular protrusions – tumor microtubes – connecting cancer cells in gliomas, and tunneling nanotubes in several other forms of cancer, sheds light on a novel mechanism for molecular networking. Interrupting and disrupting vital lines of intercellular crosstalk via these membranous cellular tubes has strong potential as a novel form of cancer-directed therapy.
Designer Micelles Accelerate Flux Through Engineered Metabolism in E. coli and Support Biocompatible Chemistry

Synthetic biology has enabled the production of many value-added chemicals via microbial fermentation. However, the problem of low product titers from recombinant pathways has limited the utility of this approach. Methods to increase metabolic flux are therefore critical to the success of metabolic engineering. Here we demonstrate that vitamin E-derived designer micelles, originally developed for use in synthetic chemistry, are biocompatible and accelerate flux through a styrene production pathway in Escherichia coli. We show that these micelles associate non-covalently with the bacterial outer-membrane and that this interaction increases membrane permeability. In addition, these micelles also accommodate both heterogeneous and organic-soluble transition metal catalysts and accelerate biocompatible cyclopropanation in vivo. Overall, this work demonstrates that these surfactants hold great promise for further application in the field of synthetic biotechnology, and for expanding the types of molecules that can be readily accessed from renewable resources via the combination of microbial fermentation and biocompatible chemistry.
Foreign Born Healthcare Workers in the U.S., Quality of Care, and Leadership

The focus of the article is a midsize community hospital in New York City, where the percentage of foreign-born workers, healthcare workers, doctors and nurses is higher than national levels. The hospital is located in the area containing more immigrants and higher concentrations of immigrant groups than any other part of the city. Dynamics related to the hospital’s 90% non-white, mostly foreign-born, multilingual workforce appeared to influence hospital’s capability to change and improve performance. Also, observations and issues about community and organizational demographics, language context and proficiency, immigrant assimilation rates, contrasting country cultures and other related topics are explored in the article. This exploratory study revealed numerous areas that could be relevant to the quality of care, patient safety and organizational effectiveness, including language proficiency and context, cultural perceptions, immigrant assimilation and demographics of the area, in which the hospital is located.