cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the effects of repeated stressor exposures and corticosterone injections on plasma cholesterol, thyroid hormones and corticosterone levels in rats

Abstract Persistently elevated serum cholesterol (CHOL) levels have been observed in rats given repeated stressor exposures and fed a normal laboratory diet. To determine the relative contribution of persistent hormone changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPAA) and thyroid axes to persistent stress-induced CHOL elevations, the present experiment assessed the contribution of persistently elevated corticosterone (CORT) from both endogenous and exogenous sources. Groups of rats were exposed for 7 days to stress sessions (7DS; 40, 2mA tailshocks given over 2 h each day), CORT injections (CI; 10 mg/1 ml vehicle/day) or vehicle injections (VI; sesame oil), or served as noninjected, undisturbed controls (CON). In addition, another group of rats were adrenalectomized (ADX). Basal blood samples were drawn for CORT determination on the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 8th experimental days. The blood samples from the 8th day, 22 h after the last stress session or injection were also assayed for CHOL, T3 and T4. The basal CORT levels of both 7DS and CI rats were elevated on the 4th and 7th experimental days. Contrary to expectations, 7 daily exposures to the stress regimen did not persistently alter plasma CORT, CHOL, T3 or T4 levels. The CI rats did exhibit elevated CORT on the 8th experimental day which was accompanied by elevated CHOL levels and suppressed T4 levels. However, elevated CHOL levels were also found in ADX rats and these elevations were accompanied by suppressed T3 levels. These data suggest that persistent CORT elevations are not necessary for persistent plasma CHOL elevations after stressor exposure, but further research is necessary to clarify the role of the HPAA and thyroid axes in stress-induced plasma CHOL elevations.
Becoming glial in the neural retina.

During development of the vertebrate neural retina, multipotent stem cells give rise to retinal neurons as well as to Muller cells, the principal glial population in the retina. Recent studies have shed light upon the extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways that regulate Muller glial cell genesis. Emerging evidence demonstrates that activation of the Notch signaling pathway can play a role in regulating Muller cell development as well as gliogenesis in other parts of the central nervous system. Cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors of the Cip/Kip subfamily are cell cycle regulators that can regulate progenitor proliferation during retinal development, but also regulate the proliferation of Muller glia when they become activated in response to stress or injury. Surprisingly this class of proteins can also promote the development of Muller glia. In this review we discuss the role of both Notch and the CDK inhibitors in regulating Muller cell development. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Turning on LIGHT.

The delicate balance between the proliferation and elimination of antigen-activated lymphocytes achieves homeostasis in peripheral lymphoid tissues. The TNF-related cytokines activate cellular differentiation, survival, and death pathways that orchestrate tissue development, organization, and homeostasis (1). Several members of the TNF superfamily of cytokines play opposing roles in lymphocyte homeostasis by enhancing effector cell activation and survival, or by cellular elimination through apoptosis.
Polymorphism of ((Tosylimino)iodo)-o-toluene: Two New Modes of Polymeric Association for ArINTs.

Two different polymorphic structures of (tosyliminoiodo)-o-toluene, o-TolylINTs, (1) have been determined. The structure of polymorph A (triclinic form) reveals a unique infinite ladder type polyme...
Energy production: applied environmental evaluation and assessment

Finding solutions to complex environmental issues requires a multidisciplinary approach that involves life sciences, ecology, chemistry, engineering and other disciplines. Historically, environmental problems were studied after they were identified. For example, a power plant intake structure was retrofit to minimize mortalities of fish that were being taken in with cooling water withdrawn from the Columbia River. Currently, 93% of the young salmon impinged on the intake screens survive. More recently, prospective studies have been undertaken to identify and avoid potential environmental problems associated with technology development “a priori.” Combined toxicological, chemical and engineering evaluations have led to the identification of environmentally acceptable coal liquefaction processing options before a large‐scale industry is developed. Selective distillation, heavy ends process recycle, and catalytic hydrotreating can effectively reduce the toxicological activity observed in coal‐derived liquids...
Cation Type Specific Cell Remodeling Regulates Attachment Strength

Single-molecule experiments indicate that integrin affinity is cation-type-dependent, but in spread cells integrins are engaged in complex focal adhesions (FAs), which can also regulate affinity. To better understand cation-type-dependent adhesion in fully spread cells, we investigated attachment strength by application of external shear. While cell attachment strength is indeed modulated by cations, the regulation of integrin-mediated adhesion is also exceedingly complex, cell specific, and niche dependent. In the presence of magnesium only, fibroblasts and fibrosarcoma cells remodel their cytoskeleton to align in the direction of applied shear in an α5-integrin/fibronectin-dependent manner, which allows them to withstand higher shear. In the presence of calcium or on collagen in modest shear, fibroblasts undergo piecewise detachment but fibrosarcoma cells exhibit increased attachment strength. These data augment the current understanding of force-mediated detachment by suggesting a dynamic interplay in situ between cell adhesion and integrins depending on local niche cation conditions.
Supercoiled DNA: hydrodynamic model

Two and three parameter theories have been introduced to describe the sedimentation behavior of the twisted DNA molecule compared to nontwisted DNA molecule. In the first model, the sedimentation equations have been developed using two parameters, namely, the excluded volume and the chain stiffness. However, in the second model, in addition to these two parameters, a third parameter has been introduced to account the number of twists in a supercoiled molecule. Both models predict that the sedimentation ratio becomes a function of molecular weight when non-constancy of excluded volume and/or chain stiffness concept are included. The model II(b), which is more realistic, has been utilized to estimate the chain stiffness in four types of DNA molecules. The predicted order of chain stiffness is polyoma > x174RF > papilloma > SV40.
Nutritional inadequacy in the diets of treated bulimics

Twenty-two female bulimics self-monitored their eating and vomiting before and after receiving 16 weeks of bulimia treatment. Before treatment their food intake averaged nearly 4,500 Kcal/day with a wide range from marked restriction to great excess (450–18,202 Kcal/day). Caloric intake greatly decreased for the group as a whole following treatment, averaging 1,874 Kcal/day, while those who had ceased vomiting averaged 1,458 Kcal/day. There was evidence of nutritional inadequacy in diets of treated bulimics, particularly those who ceased bingeing and vomiting.
Examining cannibalism in relation to recruitment of silver hake Merluccius bilinearis in the U.S. northwest Atlantic

Abstract Cannibalism can be an important feature for several fish species. From an ecological perspective, studying cannibalism in the northwest Atlantic fish community usually results in examining silver hake Merluccius bilinearis population dynamics. From a population dynamics (and hence fisheries assessment) perspective, silver hake pose some unique challenges and have defied easy, standardized approaches for evaluation of stock dynamics. Thus, here we propose to examine one facet of silver hake dynamics in light of their known cannibalistic propensity. We show for the two U.S. northwest Atlantic stocks that the percent diet composition of silver hake in silver hake is quite high and has been quite consistent over time. We also explore the size composition of cannibalized individuals as well, noting that the 0–10 cm grouping is largely cannibalized by the 20–40 cm group, which is itself cannibalized by 40–60 cm group. From this, we fit stock-recruitment models (both Ricker and Beverton–Holt) that were typical and excluded cannibalism, that included cannibalism as an additional factor, and that changed the definition of the spawning stock biomass (SSB) from 20+ to those fish that are >40 cm. This latter shift resulted from the observed offset of recruitment production versus copious cannibalism as seen in the middle size group. Our results show that either the inclusion of cannibalism directly, or accounting for cannibalism indirectly by using a larger cutoff for the definition of SSB, are better model fits for both stocks than ignoring cannibalism for this species. We discuss the broader implications of including cannibalism for this species, for other cannibalistic species, for changes in how we consider recruitment—particularly those species managed with recruitment-based reference points— and for how these might alter perceptions of stock dynamics.
Effects of Consumers’ Efforts on Price and Promotion Fairness Perceptions

Abstract This research examines how consumers’ efforts as a nonmonetary sacrifice influence their price and promotion fairness perceptions in the context of price promotions. Multiple studies using different price promotion tactics demonstrate that consumers’ perceived level of effort to obtain a reduced price negatively influences their fairness perceptions when they deny the promoted price. Exploring the underlying mechanisms of this effect, we show that the amount of effort consumers exert to obtain a promoted price leads to their feeling of deservingness and entitlement. When the promoted price is denied, this feeling of entitlement is violated, causing unfairness perceptions to occur. The research demonstrates that, in addition to retailers’ actions such as price changes, consumers’ actions, in the form of their effort input, are also an important determinant of fairness perceptions.
Orienting during classical conditioning: Acquired versus unconditioned responding

Orienting behavior of turning toward and approaching the conditioning stimulus (CS) during classical conditioning was observed. Animals undergoing classical conditioning developed orienting behavior over trials while control animals showed habituation of unconditioned orienting to the CS.
Logistic Regression Analysis of Customer Satisfaction Data

Variation exists in all processes. Significant work has been done to identify and remove sources of variation in manufacturing processes resulting in large returns for companies. However, business process optimization is an area that has a large potential return for a company. Business processes can be difficult to optimize due to the nature of the output variables associated with them. Business processes tend to have output variables that are binary, nominal or ordinal. Examples of these types of output include whether a particular event occurred, a customer's color preference for a new product and survey questions that assess the extent of the survey respondent's agreement with a particular statement. Output variables that are binary, nominal or ordinal cannot be modeled using ordinary least-squares regression. Logistic regression is a method used to model data where the output is binary, nominal or ordinal. This article provides a review of logistic regression and demonstrates its use in modeling data from a business process involving customer feedback. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative reasoning in introductory environmental science textbooks

Environmental science courses often are taken by nonscience majors to fulfill core undergraduate requirements. Because of this, these courses should provide students with the necessary skills used to interpret quantitative information from graphs. In this study, 10 environmental science textbooks were evaluated based on their incorporation of quantitative visuals. The mean graph density for the 10 textbooks was 0.22 figures per page. Across the 10 textbooks in the sample, the density of quantitative visuals ranged from 0.069 to 0.41 graphs per page. The type of graph that was represented most frequently was line (54%) followed by bar (29%), pie (12%), scatter (4%), and combination (1%). Other factors were taken into consideration, such as presence of error bars and a graph-interpreting supplemental section. Fifty percent of the textbooks contained at least one graph with error bars, and 30% of textbooks had at least one section dedicated to building graph comprehension. The wide variation in figure densities indicates that there are opportunities to expand the use of quantitative visuals in future editions of introductory environmental science textbooks when current editions have comparatively low figure densities.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Surgical-Site Infections in Patients with Cancer: a Case–Control Study

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. We experienced an increased incidence of MRSA surgical-site infections (MRSA SSIs) at our institution. However, to our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the risk factors and outcomes of MRSA SSIs in cancer patients. We conducted a case–control study and identified all patients who had developed MRSA SSIs at our institution from July 1, 2002 to July 30, 2003, and all patients who had undergone surgery by the same surgical team during the same time period but who had not developed MRSA SSIs. Cases and controls were age-matched at 1:2 ratio. The study included 29 cases and 58 controls. Mean interval between surgery and MRSA SSI onset was 17.8 days (range 3–75 days). Cases were more likely than controls to have progressive cancer (72 versus 38%), have received antibiotics (mainly quinolones) within 24 h of surgery (17 versus 2%), have had ongoing infection (10 versus 0%), and have had longer hospital and intensive care unit stays (11.0 versus 7.8 days and 3.4 versus 1.5 days) (all P < 0.05). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of MRSA SSI in cancer patients were antibiotics use <24 h of surgery and progressive cancer. No surgical factors (i.e., procedure time or timing of perioperative antibiotics) were associated with increased risk of MRSA SSI. Several clinical and postoperative factors were associated with increased risk of MRSA SSI in cancer patients, but antibiotic use before surgery (especially quinolones) and progressive cancer were the only independent predictors.
Acquisition of two-way shuttle-box avoidance after selective hippocampal lesions

Abstract Rats with lesions in both the anterior and posterior hippocampus (APH) acquired shuttle-box avoidance in fewer trials, with fewer shocks and with a larger proportion of avoidance responses than control animals. Their escape, but not avoidance, latencies were shorter than control latencies throughout training. Although not hyperactive on a jiggle-platform, they showed somewhat greater tendency to spontaneous activity in the shuttle-box than controls. However, neither the shorter escape latencies nor the increased spontaneous activity could account for their superior avoidance learning. Rats with lesions restricted to only the anterior (AH) or the posterior (PH) hippocampus showed no facilitation of avoidance learning over controls. A cortical lesion group was statistically indistinguishable from any other group on any of the measures.
Long-term effects on bladder function following radical hysterectomy with and without postoperative radiation

Abstract Sixty-one patients with Stage IB cervical carcinoma treated initially by Type III radical hysterectomy underwent water cystometry 6 or more months after surgery. Adjunctive pelvic radiation in 10 patients was associated with significantly more contracted ( P P P
High-performance logic circuits using solution-based, low-temperature semiconductors for flexible electronics

In this work we demonstrate high performance and low-power n-type inverters using solution-based CdS as the semiconductor in thin film transistors. Our fabrication process consists of five mask levels and a maximum temperature of 150 °C. The CdS is deposited using chemical bath deposition at 70 °C to provide full compatibility with flexible substrates. Isolated TFTs showed mobilities up to 10 cm 2 /V-s and threshold voltages of approximately 0.5V. Inverters were biased at 1, 3 and 5 V, resulting in maximum gains in the range of 60 at V DD = 3V. The devices and circuits are fully patterned using standard photolithographic techniques that can be used to design more complex circuitry for flexible and large area electronic applications. In addition we used an extraction parameter method for our TFTs that allows the use of regular SPICE simulation software to design and test the circuits. Our simulations are in good agreement with the experimental data for isolated devices and inverters. Other circuits such as NAND gates are also demonstrated.
A Perspective on Copper and Liver Disease in the Dog

Copper is a ubiquitous trace metal necessary for normal function of a variety of cellular proteins. Intracellular copper metabolism is complex, and only a few of the proteins/genes involved are known. Copper deficiency does not appear to be a clinical problem in dogs. Excess copper accumulation in the liver as a cause of hepatitis and cirrhosis was first demonstrated among Bedlington terriers. Subsequently, copper accumulation in the liver has been shown to occur in several other breeds of dogs. Excess hepatic copper has been found in dogs with normal liver histology, dogs with hepatitis, and dogs with end stage cirrhosis. Evidence is accumulating that copper is a cause of liver disease in breeds of dogs other than Bedlington terriers. Moreover, as more data are accumulated, the copper storage disease appears to have characteristics that are very similar among all of the affected breeds.
Large igneous provinces and giant dike swarms: proxies for supercontinent cyclicity and mantle convection

Abstract The temporal distribution of large igneous provinces (LIPs) and giant dike swarms (GDS) indicates that both occur periodically and are the result of insulation of the mantle following supercontinent assembly. These data define seven possible supercontinent events since 3.0 Ga. The periodicity of these events (300 to 500 Myr) is consistent with previous estimates of mantle and supercontinent cycling rates. The Mackenzie Dike Swarm (1267 Ma) and the Siberian Traps (250 Ma) are synchronous with two dramatic increases in the rate of GDS production. These events define three episodes of mantle activity since 3.0 Ga. A 475 million year gap in the LIP record occurs during a time of relatively dispersed continents between ∼725 and 250 Ma. This `LIP gap' coincides with a period of Earth history characterized by marine oxygen, carbon, strontium, and sulfur isotope ratios indicative of relatively small mantle fluxes.
Clinical target promiscuity: lessons from ras molecular trials

Mutated ras has been identified in approximately 30% of human tumors, and dysregulation of ras function and signal transduction pathways is a critical step in tumorigenesis. Herein, we review the early data that supports the concept that the intrinsic radiosensitivity of tumor cells can be altered by oncogenic ras expression and that this impacts the PI3K-dependent signaling cascade. This ras-induced radioresistance can be reversed using prenyl transferase inhibitors (PTIs.). We discuss the effects of PTIs as a radiosensitizer in both in vivo and in vitro studies and show that PTIs can lead to increased radiosensitization in vivo through a variety of potential mechanisms that enhance radiation-induced cell kill. We critically evaluate the use of ras biomarkers in predicting the clinical response to PTIs that may explain the mixed results seen thus far in clinical trials using PTIs as a clinical radiosensitizer. We conclude that Ras-mediated radioresistance is the result of multiple intercommunicating pathways functioning against a complex genetic background and a solitary biomarker may not be adequate to predict for PTI-mediated radiosensitization. Nonetheless, our knowledge of the ras-signaling pathway has led to development and testing of specific therapies directed against PI3K-AKT signaling pathways as a future approach towards clinical radiosensitization.
The reel deal: Michael Moore, political documentary and the discourse of celebrity

While Michael Moore has been credited with transforming the look and feel of the contemporary documentary film, perhaps his most indelible effect has been upon the popular image of the contemporary documentarian. From his debut as a jovial, anti-corporate rabble-rouser in 1989, to his infamous Oscar speech in 2003, to his public attempt to sway the 2004 presidential election, Moore has transformed the role of documentarian from ‘fly-on-the-wall’ observer to highly visible celebrity; but while this celebrity-status has won Moore a large, loyal audience, it has also undermined his legitimacy as a ‘working-class’ filmmaker and political analyst. This essay analyses three ways in which popular discursive understandings of ‘celebrity’ have worked to undermine Moore's political goals: by re-framing Moore's structural critique of the economic system within narratives of individual success; by transforming his image from working-class activist into that of audacious celebrity provocateur; and by re‐articulating h...
A Theory of Wage Dispersion and Job Market Segmentation

Job market segmentation refers to the idea that there tends to be a correlation among high wages, high productivity, high capital intensity, high value added, few quits relative to layoffs, and low labor turnover. This paper develops a model of wage dispersion and job market segmentation based on the very sparse assumption that the only departure from a strictly orthodox neoclassical world consists of wages being sticky in the short run. Implications of the model are explored and discussed.
Monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the insecticide imidacloprid

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid, 1-[(6-chloro-3-pyridinyl)methyl]-N-nitro-2-imidazolidinimine using monoclonal antibodies (MAb). Three MAbs, designated as E6A6, E6F3 and H7F7, were raised from mice immunized with an imidacloprid hapten–ovalbumin conjugate. These MAbs performed similarly in indirect competition ELISA (icELISA), so one, E6F3, was selected for detailed study. The equilibrium constants (Kd) and association and dissociation rate constants ( kon, koff ) for five neonicotinoids and one imidacloprid metabolite to E6F3 were determined by kinetic exclusion fluoroimmunoassay (KinExA). Affinities (1/ Kd) of E6F3 for acetamiprid and clothianidin were similar, but 50-fold weaker than that of imidacloprid. MAb E6F3 had no measurable affinity for the other neonicotinoids. The icELISA can tolerate up to 15% (v/v) acetone or 20% (v/v) methanol. Assay sensitivity was similar at pH 4–9, 1–10-fold concentration of PBS with or without 0.05% Tween 20, and incubation times of 30–180 min. The half-maximal inhibition and the limit of detection were approximately 0.8 and 0.1 g/l of imidacloprid in icELISA, and 0.3 and 0.03g/l in direct competition ELISA (dcELISA), respectively. Analysis of imidacloprid-fortified water and cucumber samples by the icELISA showed average recoveries from 70 to 120%. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The “I's” Have It: A Framework for Serious Educational Game Design:

Serious educational games have become a topic that has seen increased popularity in recent years. This article describes lessons learned and a framework for people interested in designing educational games. Although there are many critical components of a quality educational game, a nested model of 6 elements for educational game design is presented. These nested elements are grounded in research and theory in both education and psychology, along with instructional technology and the learning sciences. The 6 elements of educational game design are derived from several studies on game design and development from Grade 5 through graduate school.
A continuum damage mechanics model for unidirectional composites undergoing interfacial debonding

Abstract A continuum damage mechanics (CDM) model is developed in this paper for fiber reinforced composites with interfacial debonding. The model is constructed from rigorous micromechanical analysis of the Representative Volume Element (RVE) using the Voronoi cell FEM (VCFEM) that is followed by homogenizing microscopic variables using asymptotic homogenization. The microstructural damage mode considered in this paper is fiber–matrix interfacial debonding that is simulated using cohesive zone models in VCFEM. Following a systematic consideration of various order damage tensors, an anisotropic CDM model using fourth order damage tensor with stiffness characterized as an internal variable, is found to perform most accurately for this class of materials. The comparison of this CDM results with those obtained by homogenization of micromechanical analysis show excellent agreement between the two. Hence the CDM model is deemed suitable for implementing in macroscopic finite element codes to represent damage evolution in composites with significant efficiency.
Processing of Porous Zirconium Tungstate and Their Thermomechanical Properties

This paper explores a new processing method to fabricate porous zirconium tungstate (ZrW2O8 or ZT) with the porosity content up to 40% in volume. The method uses spherical graphite powders that are mechanically stable, allowing us to compact with ceramic powders in dry condition. Thus, the ceramic powders mixed with spherical graphite powders can be compacted and sintered to a near full density. During sintering, the graphite powders burn out without damaging the powder compact due to their inherent near-zero thermal expansion. The processing route discussed in this paper is applicable to all oxide ceramics where the sintering can take place in air and above 700°C to dissociate the graphite. In this paper, we have applied this processing technique to fabricate porous ZrW2O8. Many porous ZrW2O8 with a range of porosity levels were fabricated and tested for their theromomechanical properties including elastic modulus (E) and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). The experimentally determined properties were compared with the predictions based on the micromechanical Mori-Tanaka scheme.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Gender- and science-related attitudes as predictors of college students' academic choices

Abstract Attitudes toward women's combining scientific careers with family roles, perception of scientific careers as demanding, acceptance of the stereotype that scientists are asocial, and rated importance of a list of work-related values were measured in 253 female and 235 male first-year university students and used as predictors of intent to take mathematics and science courses, intended major, career goal, and number of mathematics and science courses attempted over 3 years. Males disagreed more than females that women can combine scientific careers and family. Females agreed less than males that scientists are asocial. The two groups rated work-related values differently: females placed more importance than males on people-related values, enjoyment of their work, and self-efficacy. For both females and males, agreement with the asocial scientist stereotype related inversely to all of the criterion variables. Perception of scientific careers as demanding related positively to attempting science and mathematics courses and to selecting mathematics or science career goals, especially for males. Only modest support was obtained for a relation between women's beliefs or concerns about combining career and family responsibilities and their academic and vocational choices with respect to mathematics and science.
New technique for endourologic treatment of cystine nephrolithiasis

Cystine renal calculi are fragmented using a unique combination of ultrasonic and electrohydraulic lithotripsy. This endourologic application of a mining principle can be used to fragment any hard urinary stones.
A Brief Tutorial on the Development of Measures for Use in Survey Questionnaires

The adequate measurement of abstract constructs is perhaps the greatest challenge to understanding the behavior of people in organizations. Problems with the reliability and validity of measures us...
Bounds on the distribution of extreme values for the stress in composite materials

Abstract Suitable macroscopic quantities beyond effective elastic properties are used to assess the distribution of stress within a composite. The composite is composed of N anisotropic linearly elastic materials and the length scale of the microstructure relative to the loading is denoted by e . The stress distribution function inside the composite λ e ( t ) gives the volume of the set where the norm of the stress exceeds the value t . The analysis focuses on the case when 0 e ⪡1. A rigorous upper bound on lim e →0 λ e ( t ) is found. The bound is given in terms of a macroscopic quantity called the macro stress modulation function. It is used to provide a rigorous assessment of the volume of over stressed regions near stress concentrators generated by reentrant corners or by an abrupt change of boundary loading.
Teacher involvement as a protective factor from the association between race-based bullying and smoking initiation

Experiencing bullying as a victim is associated with negative health and health behavior outcomes, including substance use, among adolescents. However, understandings of protective factors—factors that enhance adolescents’ resilience to the negative consequences of bullying—remain limited. The current study investigates whether teacher involvement protects adolescent students from the association between being bullied due to race and smoking initiation. Students were recruited from 12 Kindergarten through 8th grade schools in an urban school district in the Northeast United States. The analytic sample included 769 students who responded to surveys in 5th or 6th grade (2009), and two years later in 7th or 8th grade (2011). Students primarily identified as Latino and/or Black, and 90 % were eligible for free or reduced lunch. Fifty-four (7 %) students initiated smoking between survey time points. Among students reporting lower teacher involvement, race-based bullying was associated with higher likelihood of smoking initiation (OR $$=$$ 1.69, $$p =0.03$$ ). In contrast, among students reporting higher teacher involvement, race-based bullying was not associated with higher likelihood of smoking initiation (OR $$=$$ 0.95, $$p =0.81$$ ). Results suggest that teacher involvement may protect students from the association between race-based bullying and smoking initiation. Enhancing teacher involvement among students experiencing race-based bullying in schools may limit smoking initiation.
The Ellsworth terrane, coastal Maine: Geochronology, geochemistry, and Nd-Pb isotopic composition - Implications for the rifting of Ganderia

The Ellsworth terrane is one of a number of fault-bounded blocks that occur along the eastern margin of Ganderia, the westernmost of the peri-Gondwanan domains in the northern Appalachians that were accreted to Laurentia in the Paleozoic. Geologic relations, detrital zircon ages, and basalt geochemistry suggest that the Ellsworth terrane is part of Ganderia and not an exotic terrane. In the Penobscot Bay area of coastal Maine, the Ellsworth terrane is dominantly composed of bimodal basalt-rhyolite volcanic sequences of the Ellsworth Schist and unconformably overlying Castine Volcanics. We use new U-Pb zircon geochronology, geochemistry, and Nd and Pb isotopes for these volcanic sequences to constrain the petrogenetic history and paleotectonic setting of the Ellsworth terrane and its relationship with Ganderia. U-Pb zircon geochronology for rhyolites indicates that both the Ellsworth Schist (508.6 ± 0.8 Ma) and overlying Castine Volcanics (503.5 ± 2.5 Ma) are Middle Cambrian in age. Two tholeiitic basalt types are recognized. Type Tb-1 basalt, present as pillowed and massive lava fl ows and as sills in both units, has depleted La and Ce ([La/Nd] N = 0.53‐0.87) values, fl at heavy rare earth element (REE) values, and no positive Th or negative Ta anomalies on primitive mantle‐ normalized diagrams. In contrast, type Tb-2 basalt, present only in the Castine Volcanics, has slightly enriched LREE ([La/Yb] N = 1.42‐ 2.92) values and no Th or Ta anomalies. Both basalt types have strongly positive e Nd (500) values (Tb-1 = +7.9‐+8.6; Tb-2 = +5.6‐+7.0) and relatively enriched Pb isotopic compositions ( 206
Effect of antimicrotubule agents on secretion of relaxin by large luteal cells derived from pregnant swine.

The role of microtubules in the modulation of secretion of the ovarian protein hormone, relaxin, by porcine large luteal cells (LLCs) was examined by use of a reverse hemolytic plaque assay. In this assay, luteal cells were cocultured in monolayers with protein-A-coupled ovine erythrocytes. In the presence of porcine relaxin antiserum and complement, a zone of hemolysis, a plaque, developed around relaxin-releasing LLCs. The rate of development of plaques in time-course experiments (1-12 h) and the detection of discontinuities in the pattern of plaque formation were used in this study as an index of the rate of relaxin release and a method to detect differential responsiveness of individual LLCs, respectively. Monolayers were bathed in medium containing three different antimicrotubule agents that bind to tubulin and induce microtubule loss through depolymerization. Exposure of luteal cell-containing monolayers to colchicine (100 μM), vinblastine (1 μM), and nocadazole (30 μM) resulted in a reduction in th...
OR PRACTICE---R&D Project Portfolio Analysis for the Semiconductor Industry

We introduce a decision-support framework for the research and development (R&D) portfolio selection problem faced by a major U.S. semiconductor manufacturer. R&D portfolio selection is of critical importance to high-tech operations such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, because it determines the blend of technological development the firm must invest in its R&D resources. This R&D investment leads to differentiating technologies that drive the firm's market position. We developed a general, three-phase decision-support structure for the R&D portfolio selection problem. First is the scenario generation phase, where we transform qualitative assessment and market foresight from senior executives and market analysts into quantitative data. This is combined with the company's financial data (e.g., revenue projections) to generate scenarios of potential project revenue outcomes. This is followed by the optimization phase, where a multistage stochastic program (SP) is solved to maximize expected operating income (OI) subject to risk, product interdependency, capacity, and resource allocation constraints. The optimization procedure generates an efficient frontier of portfolios at different OI (return) and risk levels. The refinement phase offers managerial insights through a variety of analysis tools that utilize the optimization results. For example, the robustness of the optimal portfolio with respect to the risk level, the variability of a portfolio's OI, and the resource level usage as a function of the optimal portfolio can be analyzed and compared to any qualitatively suggested portfolio of projects. The decision-support structure is implemented, tested, and validated with various real-world cases and managerial recommendations. We discuss our implementation experience using a case example, and we explain how the system is incorporated into the corporate R&D investment decisions.
Reporting of sex as a variable in cardiovascular studies using cultured cells

Chromosomal complement, including that provided by the sex chromosomes, influences expression of proteins and molecular signaling in every cell. However, less than 50% of the scientific studies published in 2009 using experimental animals reported sex as a biological variable. Because every cell has a sex, we conducted a literature review to determine the extent to which sex is reported as a variable in cardiovascular studies on cultured cells. Articles from 10 cardiovascular journals with high impact factors (Circulation, J Am Coll Cardiol, Eur Heart J, Circ Res, Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, Cardiovasc Res, J Mol Cell Cardiol, Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, J Heart Lung Transplant and J Cardiovasc Pharmacol) and published in 2010 were searched using terms 'cultured' and 'cells' in any order to determine if the sex of those cells was reported. Studies using established cell lines were excluded. Using two separate search strategies, we found that only 25 of 90 articles (28%) and 20 of 101 articles (19.8%) reported the sex of cells. Of those reporting the sex of cells, most (68.9%; n = 31) used only male cells and none used exclusively female cells. In studies reporting the sex of cells of cardiovascular origin, 40% used vascular smooth-muscle cells, and 30% used stem/progenitor cells. In studies using cells of human origin, 35% did not report the sex of those cells. None of the studies using neonatal cardiac myocytes reported the sex of those cells. The complement of sex chromosomes in cells studied in culture has the potential to affect expression of proteins and 'mechanistic' signaling pathways. Therefore, consistent with scientific excellence, editorial policies should require reporting sex of cells used in in vitro experiments.
Rapid Three-Dimensional Thermal Characterization of Large-Scale Computing Facilities

We demonstrate a mobile measurement technology which allows for fast and systematic 3-D temperature mapping of data centers. This technology yields the first experimental 3-D temperature images of an actual data center. The experimental temperature distributions reveal strong hot spots in the data center suggesting that current cooling schemes can be readily improved.
Percutaneous Treatment of Varicocele with Microcoil Embolization: Comparison of Treatment Outcome with Laparoscopic Varicocelectomy

Successful treatment of a testicular varicocele, which can result in scrotal pain and swelling as well as male subfertility, can be accomplished via operative ligation of the varicocele or interventional treatment with coil embolization of the testicular vein. This study compared the treatment outcome of percutaneous embolization treatment versus laparoscopic varicocelectomy in patients with symptomatic varicoceles. Patients with varicoceles undergoing either laparoscopic varicocelectomy or percutaneous coil embolization of the testicular vein during a recent 5-year period were analyzed. Treatment outcome and hospital costs of these two minimally invasive treatment modalities were compared. Forty-one patients underwent percutaneous coil embolization of the testicular vein, which were compared with a cohort of 43 patients who underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy. Technical success in interventional and laparoscopic treatment was 95% and 100%, respectively. The mean operative time or procedural time was 63 +/- 13 minutes and 52 +/- 25 minutes for interventional and laparoscopic cohorts (not significant), respectively. Embolization treatment resulted in two recurrent varicoceles (4.8%) compared to one patient following laparoscopic repair (2.3%, not significant). Embolization treatment was associated with a lower complication rate than laparoscopic repair (9.7% vs 16.3%, p = .03). Regarding cost analysis, no significant difference in hospital cost was noted between the interventional or laparoscopic treatment strategies. Both laparoscopic varicocelectomy and coil embolization are effective treatment modalities for varicoceles. With lower treatment complication rates in the interventional treatment group, coil embolization of the testicular vein offers treatment advantage compared with laparoscopic repair in patients with varicoceles.
Evaluation of healthcare software from usability perspective

This paper provides a framework for evaluating healthcare software from a usability perspective. The framework is based on a review of both the healthcare software literature and the general literature on software usability and evaluation. The need for such a framework arises from the proliferation of software packages in the healthcare field, and from an historical focus on the technical and functional aspects, rather than on the usability, of these packages. Healthcare managers are generally unfamiliar with usability concepts, even though usability differences among software can play a significant role in the acceptance and effectiveness of systems. Six major areas of usability are described, and specific criteria which can be used in the software evaluation process are also presented.
The Cultural Mediation of Postpartum Depression

Current theories of the etiology ofpostpartum depression provide three models for understanding women's affective functioning during the postpartum period: a biological model, which emphasizes the role of hormonal changes; a psychological model, which gives primacy to women's enduring personal characteristics; and a stress model, which construes postpartum depression as the outcome of the stress of childbirth in interaction with other factors. In this article I criticize these theories, based on anthropological and psychological research in a rural Kipsigis community of Kenya. Data on the cultural structuring of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period among the Kipsigis constitute the principal source for this critique. In addition, the affective functioning of a sample of ten women in the community during pregnancy and the postpartum period was studied using reports of memories and dreams as measures of affective valence and thematic concern. The women's reports are compared to each other at three different time points (during the last half ofpregnancy, at two to three weeks postpartum, and at two to three months postpartum), and to responses of a matched comparison group. At both the cultural and individual levels, there seems to be no evidence ofpostpartum depression in this setting, and it is suggested that culture is a powerful mediating factor between the physiological processes related to childbirth and their psychological outcomes. Psychological distress during the postpartum period is a common occurrence for American women. "Maternity blues," a transient state that occurs in the first week following childbirth, has been estimated to affect 50% to 80% of American women, and mild to moderate clinical depression is thought to occur among about 20% (Hopkins, Marcus, and Campbell 1984). Despite the high frequency of these disorders and the social concern they have generated, there is little consensus as to their etiology. In this article I offer a critique of current theories of postpartum depression, based on a study of the cultural structuring of affective experience during pregnancy and the postpartum period in a rural Kipsigis community of Kenya. The research to be reported here includes ethnographic investigation of beliefs and practices concerning pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, as well as psychological research on the moods and thoughts of individual mothers in the community. The results suggest that culture is a powerful mediating factor between the physiological processes related to childbirth and the emotional experiences of women during this period.
Ornithine decarboxylase activity during rat spermatogenesis in vivo and in vitro: Selective effect of hormones and growth factors

We have established the patterns of ornithine decarboxylase activity (an enzyme related to cell growth, differentiation, and proliferation) during rat testicular development and studied the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-type beta (TGF-beta), and a serum-free, hormone/growth factor-supplemented medium (TKM) on ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures and cultured seminiferous peritubular cells prepared from sexually immature rats (20-22 days old). Results were correlated with timing of ODC activities during rat testicular development. We have found that: (1) although EGF, alone or combined with PDGF and TGF-beta, and TKM stimulated ODC activity in Sertoli-spermatogenic cell cocultures after 6 and 24 h of stimulation, PDGF exerted an inhibitory effect, and (2) cultured peritubular cells stimulated with EGF, PDGF, TGF-beta (and their combinations), and TKM displayed an increase in ODC activity after 6 h of stimulation, but ODC activities for most of these treatments declined considerably 24 h after stimulation. Light microscopic autoradiographic studies of [3H]thymidine labeled samples demonstrated that (1) clones of spermatogenic cells traverse S phase synchronously, (2) Sertoli cells are not significantly radiolabeled, probably because of contact inhibition achieved by high cell plating density, and (3) peritubular cells are significantly [3H]thymidine labeled in the presence of TKM, a culture medium that facilitates spermatogenic cell long-term viability and differentiation. We conclude that TKM and EGF have stimulatory effects on the biochemical pathway that precedes synchronous DNA synthesis in spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes, and that ODC activity is a sensitive marker for monitoring these events.
Satellite and subsatellite formation in capillary breakup

An investigation of the interfacial-tension-driven fragmentation of a very long fluid filament in a quiescent viscous fluid is presented. Experiments covering almost three orders of magnitude in viscosity ratio reveal as many as 19 satellite droplets in between the largest droplets; complementary boundary-integral calculations are used to study numerically the evolution of the filament as a function of the viscosity ratio of the fluids and the initial wavenumber of the interface perturbation. Satellite drops are generated owing to multiple breakup sequences around the neck region of a highly deformed filament. In low-viscosity ratio systems, p < O(0.1), the breakup mechanism is self-repeating in the sense that every pinch-off is always associated with the formation of a neck, the neck undergoes pinch-off, and the process repeats. In general the agreement between computations and experiments is excellent; both indicate that the initial wavenumber of the disturbance is important in the quantitative details of the generated drop size distributions. However, these details are insignificant when compared with the large variations produced in the drop size distributions owing to variation in the viscosity ratio.
Novel anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is about three-times more prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease and the prevalence of AF increases with the degree of renal impairment. Clinical studies have shown increased risk of stroke, bleeding and death in patients with chronic kidney disease and AF. Despite, this increased risk, anticoagulation is underutilized due to increased bleeding risk in this population. Recently direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors have been shown to be more efficacious in stroke prevention with reduced bleeding than warfarin. As the usage of these novel anticoagulants increases it is important to understand the data available in regard to these high risk patients.