cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large-scale study of substitutability in the presence of effects

A majority of modern software is constructed using languages that compute by producing side-effects such as reading/writing from/to files, throwing exceptions, acquiring locks, etc. To understand a piece of software, e.g. a class, it is important for a developer to understand its side-effects. Similarly, to replace a class with another, it is important to understand whether the replacement is a safe substitution for the former in terms of its behavior, a property known as substitutability, because mismatch may lead to bugs. The problem is especially severe for superclass-subclass pairs since at runtime an instance of the subclass may be used in the client code where a superclass is mentioned. Despite the importance of this property, we do not yet know whether substitutability w.r.t. effects between subclass and superclass is preserved in the wild, and if not what sorts of substitutability violations are common and what is the impact of such violations. This paper conducts a large scale study on over 20 million Java classes, in order to compare the effects of the methods of subclasses and superclasses in practice. Our comprehensive study considers the exception, synchronization, I/O, and method call effects. It reveals that in pairs with effects, only 8-24% have the same effects, and 31-56% of submethods have more effects, and the effects of a large percentage of submethods cannot be inferred from the supermethod.
Performance of Wide Band Gap Semiconductors Impatts at THz Frequencies

Computer simulation experiment on studies of RF characteristics of high band gap ZnS (3.68 eV) based flat doped p+pnn+ DD Impatt diodes indicate possible generation of high mm wave-power with sufficiently high efficiency and considerable low noise. The interesting features are the realization of very high breakdown voltage (661 V at 12 GHz) and high efficiency (28.1%). The magnitudes of RF negative resistance and avalanche noise for ZnS diode are respectively higher by three times and lower by more than an order compared to Impatts based on conventional low band gap (ex-Si) semiconductors. Performance of Impatt Devices at THz frequencies based on other Wide Band Semiconductors like GaN, SiC and others. The results indicate some favorable features.
PERFORMANCE ENHANCING DRUGS: A RARE CAUSE OF HEART FAILURE

Heart Failure (HF) affects more than 26 million people worldwide and 5.1 million people in the United States with a mean age for diagnosis at approximately 75 years of age. The most common etiologies of HF include coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular disease, cardiomyopathy and congenital
Voluntary wheel running reduces weight gain in mice by decreasing high-fat food consumption.

Abstract We investigated whether wheel running for just 30 min on 5 days each week, an exercise routine based on recommended levels of physical activity for adults, regulates body weight and food intake in mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into groups and given ad libitum access to high-fat food and standard chow or standard chow only. For 30 min on 5 days each week, mice were treated with an in-cage running wheel which was either open to allow voluntary exercise or locked and could not rotate for control. Wheel running reduced weight gain and fat mass among mice fed high-fat food and standard chow, but not mice fed standard chow only. Wheel running decreased high-fat food consumption. Standard chow intake was unchanged. Mice provided with a locked running wheel but pair-fed the same amount of food as wheel running mice also displayed reduced weight gain and fat mass. We conclude that voluntary wheel running for 30 min on 5 days each week reduced weight gain and fat mass in mice by preferentially decreasing high-fat food intake. This model of voluntary wheel running can be used to investigate mechanisms underlying the benefits of exercise on body weight and food intake, informing obesity intervention strategies for humans.
Causal Mechanisms: Lessons from the Life Sciences

This paper reviews recent scholarship on causal mechanisms in both the social and biological sciences. It does so with a particular focus on North America and from the perspective of critical realism. It identifies four conceptions of causal mechanisms within the social sciences: mainstream, analytical, counterfactual and neo-pragmatist. It argues that none are fully realist or sufficiently critical because all are influenced by a physicalist ontology characterized by ‘smallism’ and actualism. It then turns to recent work in the philosophy of biology, focusing in particular on the Chicago School around William Wimsatt. I argue that biological explanation cannot be adequately accounted for in physicalist terms. I conclude with critical reflections on the continuing influence of physicalism, even within critical realism, and on the disanalogies between the biological and social sciences.
Optimizing the Assessment of Patient Clinical Risk at the Time of Cardiac Stress Testing

Due to a marked temporal decline in inducible myocardial ischemia over recent decades, most diagnostic patients now referred for cardiac stress testing have nonischemic studies. Among nonischemic patients, however, long-term risk is heterogeneous and highly influenced by a variety of clinical parameters. Herein, we review 8 factors that can govern long-term clinical risk: coronary risk factor burden; patient symptoms; exercise capacity and exercise test responses; the need for pharmacologic stress testing; autonomic function; musculoskeletal status; subclinical atherosclerosis; and psychosocial risk. To capture the clinical benefit provided by both assessing myocardial ischemia and these additional parameters, the authors propose that a cardiac stress tests report have an additional component beyond statements as to the likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease and/or magnitude of ischemia. This added component could be a comment section designed to make referring physicians aware of aspects of long-term risk that may influence clinical management and potentially lead to changes in the intensity of risk factor management, frequency of follow-up, need for further testing, or other management decisions. In this manner, the increasingly frequent normal stress test result might more commonly influence treatment recommendations and even patient behavior, thus leading to improvement in patient outcomes even in the setting of normal stress test results.
Integration of high-content fluorescence imaging into the metabolic flux assay reveals insights into mitochondrial properties and functions

SUMMARY Metabolic flux technology with the Seahorse bioanalyzer has emerged as a standard technique in cellular metabolism studies, allowing for simultaneous kinetic measurements of respiration and glycolysis. Methods to extend the utility and versatility of the metabolic flux assay would undoubtedly have immediate and wide-reaching impacts. Herein, we describe a platform that couples the metabolic flux assay with high-content fluorescence imaging to simultaneously enhance normalization of respiration data with cell number; analyze cell cycle progression; quantify mitochondrial content, fragmentation state, membrane potential, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Integration of fluorescent dyes directly into the metabolic flux assay generates a more complete data set of mitochondrial features in a single assay. Moreover, application of this integrated strategy revealed insights into mitochondrial function following PGC1a and PRC1 inhibition in pancreatic cancer and demonstrated how the Rho-GTPases impact mitochondrial dynamics in breast cancer.
Fabricating architected zinc electrodes with unprecedented volumetric capacity in rechargeable alkaline cells

Abstract Recasting zinc electrodes into sponge form factors enables dendrite-free, rechargeable zinc batteries. Prior versions of these electrodes suffer from poor volumetric capacity and insufficient mechanical strength to scale beyond a few square centimeters. Most approaches to fortify zinc electrodes involve adding supportive inactive materials that decrease capacity. In contrast, we boost electrode strength through zinc/zinc-oxide fabrication advances that increase capacity. The resulting electrodes reach a tensile strength of 1 ​MPa, which now affords large-format scaling of zinc sponges. The tuned architecture achieves a 102% increase in rechargeable volumetric capacity over previously reported electrodes, yielding 928 ​mA ​h cmZn−3 in a nickel–zinc battery cycled 115 times with a coulombic efficiency near 100%. These advances in strength, scalability, manufacturability, and rechargeable capacity expand Zn-battery capabilities for a variety of applications including grid storage, personal electronics, and electric vehicles.
The “Cinema Remarks”: Wittgenstein on Moving-Image Media and the Ethics of Re-viewing∗

This essay uncovers and analyzes philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein's little-known writings on film and related media, revealing their importance for film and media studies, the field of film philosop...
miR-365 (microRNA): Potential Biomarker in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Exosomes and Extracellular Vesicles

Introduction: miR-365 is a non-coding microRNA that regulates transcription and has been demonstrated to promote oncogenesis and metastasis in some cancers, while suppressing these effects in others. Many microRNAs are produced and then exported extracellularly in exosomes, which are small extracellular vesicles ranging from 30 to 100 nm that are found in eukaryotic fluids and facilitate many cellular functions. Exosomes and extracellular vesicles are produced by many cell types, including oral cancer cells—although no study to date has evaluated miR-365 and oral cancer exosomes or extracellular vesicles. Based on this information, our research question was to evaluate whether oral cancers produce exosomes or extracellular vesicles containing miR-365. Materials and Methods: Two commercially available oral cancer cell lines (SCC25 and CAL27) and a normal oral keratinocyte (OKF4) were grown in serum-free media, supplemented with exosome-depleted fetal bovine serum. Extracellular vesicles and exosomes were then isolated using the Invitrogen total exosome RNA and protein isolation kit for processing using the hsa-miR-365a-5p microRNA qPCR assay kit. Results: RNA was successfully isolated from the exosome-depleted supernatant from each cell line—SCC9, SCC15, SCC25, and CAL27 (oral squamous cell carcinomas) and OKF4 (oral epithelial cell line). Relative concentrations of RNA were similar among each cell line, which were not significantly different, p = 0.233. RNA quality was established by A260:A280 absorbance using a NanoDrop, revealing purity ranging 1.73–1.86. Expression of miR-16 was used to confirm the presence of microRNA from the extracted exosomes and extracellular vesicles. The presence of miR-365 was then confirmed and normalized to miR-16 expression, which demonstrated an increased level of miR-365 in both CAL27 and SCC25. In addition, the normalized relative quantity (RQ) for miR-365 exhibited greater variation among SCC25 (1.382–4.363) than CAL27 cells (1.248–1.536). Conclusions: These results confirm that miR-365 is not only expressed in oral cancer cell lines, but also is subsequently exported into exosomes and extracellular vesicles derived from these cultures. These data may help to contextualize the potential for this microRNA to contribute to the phenotypes and behaviors of oral cancers that express this microRNA. Future research will begin to investigate these potential mechanisms and pathways and to determine if miR-365 may be useful as an oral cancer biomarker for salivary or liquid biopsies.
Pattern Recognition Methods to Separate Forced Responses from Internal Variability in Climate Model Ensembles and Observations

Ensembles of climate model simulations are commonly used to separate externally forced climate change from internal variability. However, much of the information gained from running large ensembles is lost in traditional methods of data reduction such as linear trend analysis or large-scale spatial averaging. This paper demonstrates how a pattern recognition method (signal-to-noise-maximizing pattern filtering) extracts patterns of externally forced climate change from large ensembles and identifies the forced climate response with up to ten times fewer ensemble members than simple ensemble averaging. It is particularly effective at filtering out spatially coherent modes of internal variability (e.g., El Nino, North Atlantic Oscillation), which would otherwise alias into estimates of regional responses to forcing. This method is used to identify forced climate responses within the 40-member Community Earth System Model (CESM) large ensemble, including an El-Nino-like response to volcanic eruptions and forced trends in the North Atlantic Oscillation. The ensemble-based estimate of the forced response is used to test statistical methods for isolating the forced response from a single realization (i.e., individual ensemble members). Low-frequency pattern filtering is found to skillfully identify the forced response within individual ensemble members and is applied to the HadCRUT4 reconstruction of observed temperatures, whereby it identifies slow components of observed temperature changes that are consistent with the expected effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gas and aerosol forcing.
Activated Protein Phosphatase 2A Disrupts Nutrient Sensing Balance Between Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 and Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase, Causing Sarcopenia in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite the high clinical significance of sarcopenia in alcohol-associated cirrhosis, there are currently no effective therapies because the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We determined the mechanisms of ethanol-induced impaired phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) with consequent dysregulated skeletal muscle protein homeostasis (balance between protein synthesis and breakdown). APPROACH AND RESULTS Differentiated murine myotubes, gastrocnemius muscle from mice with loss and gain of function of regulatory genes following ethanol treatment, and skeletal muscle from patients with alcohol-associated cirrhosis were used. Ethanol increases skeletal muscle autophagy by dephosphorylating mTORC1, circumventing the classical kinase regulation by protein kinase B (Akt). Concurrently and paradoxically, ethanol exposure results in dephosphorylation and inhibition of AMPK, an activator of autophagy and inhibitor of mTORC1 signaling. However, AMPK remains inactive with ethanol exposure despite lower cellular and tissue adenosine triphosphate, indicating a "pseudofed" state. We identified protein phosphatase (PP) 2A as a key mediator of ethanol-induced signaling and functional perturbations using loss and gain of function studies. Ethanol impairs binding of endogenous inhibitor of PP2A to PP2A, resulting in methylation and targeting of PP2A to cause dephosphorylation of mTORC1 and AMPK. Activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3Kγ), a negative regulator of PP2A, was decreased in response to ethanol. Ethanol-induced molecular and phenotypic perturbations in wild-type mice were observed in PI3Kγ-/- mice even at baseline. Importantly, overexpressing kinase-active PI3Kγ but not the kinase-dead mutant reversed ethanol-induced molecular perturbations. CONCLUSIONS Our study describes the mechanistic underpinnings for ethanol-mediated dysregulation of protein homeostasis by PP2A that leads to sarcopenia with a potential for therapeutic approaches by targeting the PI3Kγ-PP2A axis.
Use of Ultrasound in Introducing Anatomical Pathology to Preclinical Medical Students, in Correlation with Physical Exam Curricula

Introduction Point-of-care ultrasound has become an important diagnostic tool in many clinical settings. Many medical schools have responded by incorporating instruction on ultrasound into the curr...
Dissemination of child abuse clinical decision support: Moving beyond a single electronic health record.

Abstract Background Child maltreatment is a leading cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality. We previously reported on development and implementation of a child abuse clinical decision support system (CA-CDSS) in the Cerner electronic health record (EHR). Our objective was to develop a CA-CDSS in two different EHRs. Methods Using the CA-CDSS in Cerner as a template, CA-CDSSs were developed for use in four hospitals in the Northwell Health system who use Allscripts and two hospitals in the University of Wisconsin health system who use Epic. Each system had a combination of triggers, alerts and child abuse-specific order sets. Usability evaluation was done prior to launch of the CA-CDSS. Results Over an 18-month period, a CA-CDSS was embedded into Epic and Allscripts at two hospital systems. The CA-CDSSs vary significantly from each other in terms of the type of triggers which were able to be used, the type of alert, the ability of the alert to link directly to child abuse-specific order sets and the order sets themselves. Conclusions Dissemination of CA-CDSS from one EHR into the EHR in other health care systems is possible but time-consuming and needs to be adapted to the strengths and limitations of the specific EHR. Site-specific usability evaluation, buy-in of multiple stakeholder groups and significant information technology support are needed. These barriers limit scalability and widespread dissemination of CA-CDSS.
Organic Acid Sanitizers for Natamycin and Other Fungicides in Recirculating Application Systems for Citrus Postharvest Decay Management.

Natamycin is a new postharvest biofungicide for citrus and some other fruit crops in the United States that can be effectively used in recycling drench or flooder treatments. These applications nec...
Systemic Constraints and the Human Rights Obligations of States and State Owned Enterprises

The state occupies a curious place in the contemporary global order constructed through markets and multilateral frameworks of regulatory governance. The state retains its core function as an apex form of regulation within its territories (even as the forms that this regulation takes shifts from statutes, to administrative rules, to data driven accountability based governance). At the same time, the state has become an important participant within the markets it itself regulates. Through its state owned enterprises (SOEs) and other instruments, the state engages in economic activities within its territories as regulator and producer; outside its territories those instruments of state economic power operate within complex and evolving law, norms and rules functioning like other commercial ventures in global markets. SOEs also share the state's dual character—as market participant and as the projection of state power in markets. This dual character poses challenges and opportunities for the development of a rules based approach to the responsibilities of SOEs to respect, and the duty of their state owners to protect, human rights. Section 2 considers fundamental issues of the nature of state obligations and the definition of SOEs. Section 3 then examines the central question of this essay—given the structures and trends in the development of frameworks for business and human rights, where and how do SOEs fit into these structures? The section first examines the way that emerging international soft law regulatory structures envision the role of SOEs within these human rights based regulatory standards. It then considers future challenges. The section ends with a set of brief recommendations.
Atomistic simulation of volumetric properties of epoxy networks: effect of monomer length.

Properties of epoxy thermosets can be varied broadly to suit design requirements by altering the chemistry of the component agents. Atomistically-detailed molecular dynamics simulations are well-suited for molecular insight into the structure-property relationship for a rational tailoring of the chemistry. Since the macroscopic properties of interest for applications emerge hierarchically from molecular-scale chemical interactions, seamless integration of experiment, computation, and theory is of great interest. Recently, a Specific Volume--Cooling Rate analysis protocol was successfully developed to quantitatively compare the volumetric properties of an epoxy network model with experimental results in the literature, in spite of the nine orders of magnitude mismatch in the accessible time-scales. Here, we extend the application of the method for two epoxy networks in the same class of chemistry but whose monomers have a higher number of repeating units compared to the previous one for validating the generality of our approach. We observed that atomistic simulations are able to predict the experimental temperature trend of the specific volume within 0.4% for both these networks. Using the William-Landel-Ferry equation to account for rate differences, we also see good agreement between the computational and experimental values of the glass transition temperature.
Fusing an insoluble protein to GroEL apical domain enhances soluble expression in Escherichia coli.

Abstract A protocol for increasing soluble protein expression by fusing the chaperone GroEL apical domain with a gene of interest is described herein. GroEL apical domain, the minichaperone that functions independently of GroES and ATP in protein folding, is cloned downstream of the lambda CII ribosome binding site in the parent pRE vector. The pRE vector has tightly controlled transcription suitable for expressing toxic proteins. The GroEL minichaperone is fused to a glycine–serine rich linker followed by the enterokinase protease recognition sequence. A number of genes that are recalcitrant to protein production in the parent pRE vector 5were cloned into the pRE:GroEL fusion vector and successfully expressed as fusion proteins in Escherichia coli.
Academic Entrepreneurship and Community Engagement: Scholarship in Action and the Syracuse Miracle

Contents: Preface PART I: TECHNOLOGY ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 1. The Five Keys to Success of Academic Entrepreneurship 2. Transforming a Professional Curriculum through Engagement with Practice: The Global Enterprise Technology Program at Syracuse University 3. Tapping Our Fountain of Youth: The Guiding Philosophy and First Report on the Syracuse Student Startup Accelerator 4. Syracuse University Technology Commercialization Clinics PART II: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP 5. Community Development Law and Legal Education 6. The Syracuse Miracle: Inspiring Entrepreneurs Through Conversations 7. South Side Newspaper Project PART III: ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ENGAGEMENT, AND NEW MODELS OF EDUCATION 8. Bridging a Traumatic Past to an Envisioned Future: A Case Study Social Entrepreneurship 9. Inclusive Entrepreneurship 10. The Role of Information and Motivation in the Process of Innovation 11. 'Do it Again!': Students Serving as Catalysts Within a Teacher Education Innovation
Do‐It‐Yourself (DIY)

The do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit associated with anti-corporatism and alternative music scenes was first articulated in sociological circles in Vance Packard's celebration of the “do-it-yourself” handyman in Status Seekers. DIY in general refers to a range of consumer practices in which individuals or groups demonstrate self-reliance in the production (and consumption) of material objects, representations, and cultural events. The articulation of the DIY and anti-establishment spirit emerged in the late 1960s, and coincided with a shift from DIY material practices to the production, distribution, and consumption of culture. Advocates of lifestyle movements extolled the virtues of naturalness and authenticity, in newsletters and small-batch consumer goods, for an ethically reflexive clientele. The DIY spirit was also manifest in the intentional communities of Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco and elsewhere, as well as the Vortex Festival (1970 and 1971), the Rainbow Gathering (established 1972), and more recently the Burning Man Festival (established 1986). On remote sites, festival revelers constructed temporary autonomous spaces to celebrate free love, egalitarianism, cooperation, and altered states of consciousness. Keywords: authenticity; consumerism; music; popular culture; taste
Studies of amines in the striatum in monkeys with nigral lesions. The disposition, biosynthesis and metabolites of [3H]dopamine and [14C]serotonin in the striatum.

— The effects of ventromedial tegmental lesions on the biosynthesis and disposition of biogenic amines in the striatum of monkeys were investigated. The concentrations of endogenous dopamine and of the intraventricularly injected [3H]dopamine were distinctly lower in the striatum on the lesion side than on the intact side. The storage of [3H]dopamine in the caudate nucleus was impaired to a much greater extent than the storage of the newly synthesized [3H]norepinephrine. The concentrations of endogenous serotonin and of the intraventricularly injected [14C]serotonin were lower in the striatum on the lesion side than on the intact side. However following MAO inhibition, the concentration of [14C]serotonin did not differ significantly on the two sides of the caudate nucleus. The in vivo biosynthesis of dopamine from tyrosine was significantly reduced in the striatum on the lesion side. Tyrosine hydroxylase and DOPA decarboxylase activities were decreased on the lesion side of the striatum as compared with the intact side. Thus, the ventromedial tegmental lesions affect the storage and the synthesis of dopamine and serotonin in the ipsilateral striatum.
The endothelial cell tissue plasminogen activator receptor. Specific interaction with plasminogen.

Human endothelial cells (EC) assemble plasmin-generating proteins on their surface. We have previously identified an EC membrane protein (Mr approximately 40,000) which specifically binds tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) but not urokinase (Hajjar, K.A., and Hamel, N. M. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 2908-2916). In the present study, t-PA receptor protein (t-PA-R) was purified to apparent homogeneity from a detergent extract of human placental tissue by diisopropyl fluorophosphate-t-PA affinity chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis. In a solid phase binding assay wells coated with t-PA-R bound both 125I-t-PA and 125I-Lys-plasminogen (PLG), but not 125I-urokinase in a specific, reversible, and noncompetitive fashion. Binding of 125I-Lys-PLG, but not 125I-t-PA, to t-PA-R was 80% inhibited by a 20-100-fold molar excess of the PLG-like lipoprotein(a), or by the lysine analog, epsilon-aminocaproic acid (50 mM). A polyclonal anti-t-PA-R antibody inhibited 66 and 79% of the specific 125I-t-PA and 125I-Lys-PLG binding, respectively, to EC monolayers. Biosynthetically labeled 40-kDa protein coprecipitated with t-PA- or Lys-PLG-Sepharose beads, but not with unconjugated Sepharose. In a functional assay, t-PA associated with immobilized t-PA-R generated 6.4 times more plasmin than an equivalent amount of t-PA in the fluid phase. These results suggest that t-PA-R can bind both t-PA and Lys-PLG in a manner that mimics the EC surface. This protein may play a role in modulating plasmin generation on cell surfaces.
Are there algorithms that discover causal structure

There have been many efforts to infer causation from association byusing statistical models. Algorithms for automating this processare a more recent innovation. In Humphreys and Freedman[(1996) British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 47, 113–123] we showed that one such approach, by Spirtes et al., was fatally flawed. Here we put our arguments in a broader context and reply to Korb and Wallace [(1997) British Journal for thePhilosophy of Science 48, 543–553] and to Spirtes et al.[(1997) British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 48, 555–568]. Their arguments leave our position unchanged: claims to have developed a rigorous engine for inferring causation from association are premature at best, the theorems have no implications for samples of any realistic size, and the examples used to illustrate the algorithms are indicative of failure rather than success. The gap between association and causation has yet to be bridged.
An Exploration of Strategy-Based Reading Instruction Using Expository Science Texts in the Elementary Grades

This qualitative exploration was designed to examine strategy-based reading instruction using science expository text in grades 2-5. This study centered on case studies of six elementary teachers and how they used reading strategies during science instruction. Findings revealed that although the teachers’ use of expository text was limited, teachers utilized particular reading strategies that extended and elaborated the students’ oral discussions during science instruction. The classroom conversations about science topics extended the students’ background knowledge of the science concepts that related to science expository text materials in grades 2-5. Further research could include alignment of reading strategy instruction with science instruction using print materials that are matched with the students’ instructional reading levels. Key words: Expository Text; Reading; Classroom Teacher; Comprehension; Strategies
The costs of food at home and away from home and consumption patterns among U.S. adolescents.

Abstract Purpose This study examined the associations of prices of food at home groceries, prices of fast food away from home and the availability of food stores and restaurants with the number of days over the past week that adolescents consumed fruit and fruit juices, vegetables, meat, nonmeat protein, dairy, grains, and sweets. Methods Individual-level data on adolescents were drawn from the Child Development Supplement of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics combined at the zip code level with external economic contextual data. Multivariate regression analyses were used to estimate the associations between food consumption categories and the economic contextual factors. Regressions were also estimated by households' poverty status. Results Fast food and food at home prices were not significantly associated with any of the food consumption categories in the full sample. However, among poor adolescents, higher fast food prices were associated with higher levels of nonmeat protein consumption. Food store outlet availability was found to have very small significant associations with some food consumption categories but no significant associations were found for restaurant outlets. Conclusions Food away from home prices such as fast food prices and supermarket and grocery store availability were associated with some food consumption categories among low-income youths and related policies deserve further examination.
Atrial fibrillation at baseline and during follow-up in ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial).

Objectives The ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) determined that treatment with amlodipine, lisinopril, or doxazosin was not superior to thiazide-like diuretic (chlorthalidone) in preventing coronary heart disease (CHD) or other cardiovascular events. This subanalysis examines baseline prevalence and in-trial incidence of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter (AFL) and their influence on clinical outcomes. Background Limited information is available on whether atrial fibrillation incidence is affected differentially by different classes of antihypertensive medications or treatment with statins. Methods AF/AFL was identified from baseline and follow-up electrocardiograms performed biannually. Analyses were performed to identify characteristics associated with baseline AF/AFL and its subsequent incidence. Results AF/AFL was present at baseline in 423 participants (1.1%), more frequent in men (odds ratio: 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.37 to 2.17) and nonblacks (odds ratio: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.58 to 2.75). Its prevalence increased with age (p Conclusions In this high-risk hypertensive population, pre-existing and new-onset AF/AFL were associated with increased mortality. Excluding doxazosin, treatment assignment to either antihypertensive drugs or pravastatin versus usual care did not affect AF/AFL incidence. (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial [ALLHAT]; NCT00000542 )
Insulin therapy and colorectal cancer risk among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Background & Aims: Endogenous hyperinsulinemia in the context of type 2 diabetes mellitus is potentially associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. We aimed to determine whether insulin therapy might increase the risk of colorectal cancer among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study among all patients with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the General Practice Research Database from the United Kingdom. We excluded patients with Results: The incidence of colorectal cancer in insulin users (n = 3160) was 197 per 100,000 person-years, compared with 124 per 100,000 person-years in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients not receiving insulin (n = 21,758). The age- and sex-adjusted HR of colorectal cancer associated with ≥1 year of insulin use was 2.1 (95% CI: 1.2–3.4, P = 0.005). The positive association strengthened after adjusting for potential confounders. The multivariable odds ratio associated with each incremental year of insulin therapy was 1.21 (95% CI: 1.03–1.42, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Chronic insulin therapy significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.
Lipid metabolites as metabolic messengers in inter-organ communication

Metabolic homeostasis is achieved through coordinated regulation across several tissues. Studies using mouse genetic models have shown that perturbation of specific pathways of lipid metabolism in metabolically active tissues impacts systemic metabolic homeostasis. The use of metabolomic technologies combined with genetic models has helped to identify several potential lipid mediators that serve as metabolic messengers to communicate energy status and modulate substrate utilization among tissues. When provided exogenously, these lipid metabolites exhibit biological effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, indicating a therapeutic potential for treating metabolic diseases. In this review we summarize recent advances in inter-organ communication through novel mechanisms, with a focus on lipid mediators synthesized de novo or derived from dietary sources, and discuss challenges and future directions.
Three faces of organometallic bonding

Abstract According to MOVB theory, a method based on a fusion of MO and VB, there exist three types of organometallic bonding; (a) classical (covalent or ionic); (b) overlap induction, in which initial electron transfer creates a field which directs the remaining electrons to interstitial positions from where they can form covalent bonds with local nonmetal AOs; and (c) overlap dispersion, in which overlap bonding is assisted by an overlap-independent mechanism-dispersion. Possible examples of these three bonding modalities are cited.
Symmetry energy and the isospin dependent equation of state

The isoscaling parameter $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, from the fragments produced in the multifragmentation of $^{58}\mathrm{Ni}+^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$, $^{58}\mathrm{Fe}+^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ and $^{58}\mathrm{Fe}+^{58}\mathrm{Fe}$ reactions at 30, 40 and $47\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}∕\text{nucleon}$, was compared with that predicted by the antisymmetrized molecular dynamic calculation based on two different nucleon-nucleon effective forces, namely the Gogny and Gogny-AS interaction. The results show that the data agree better with the choice of Gogny-AS effective interaction, resulting in a symmetry energy of $\ensuremath{\sim}18--20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MeV}$. The observed value indicates that the fragments are formed at a reduced density of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.08\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{fm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.
Complexes of silver ion with natural and synthetic polynucleotides

A study of silver-ion binding by nucleic acids and synthetic ribo and deoxyribopolynucleotides, has been carried out by means of potentiometric titration, thermal transition, and difference spectra. It is clearly demonstrated that a strong complex between Ag+ and nitrogen atoms of bases is made reversibly. Binding constants and site numbers are determined for each type of polynucleotide. Base reactivity varies strongly with chain length, and a cooperative phenomenon is found in each case. Two successive complexes with DNA are seen in all the three techniques, and they have the same characteristics as complexes with respectively poly-dGC and poly dAT. In the first complex, Ag+ is linked to four bases, provided two of them are a G-C pair. Calculated and experimental values of site numbers agree very well for DNA of different G-C content. Thermal stabilization occurs simultaneously, and the increase of melting temperature corresponds to calculated changes of stacking energy between base pairs. In the second complex a new ordered structure insensitive to temperature is formed, with simultaneous release of protons. The stoichiometry can be related to base sequence. Complexing with silver increases the resistance of TMV RNA to both temperature and ribonuclease; a tentative explanation is given in the latter case.
Rhetorical strategies of the radical ‐ revolutionary

This article classifies the rhetorical strategies of the action agents of the New Left in America. The author begins by describing the national scene in 1968 which led to a major shift from protest to militancy. He then lists the terms which characterize the ideology of the radical movement and unite its diverse elements. The key term which marks the change after 1968 is “revolutionary.” The five strategies which identify the movement are: political revolutionary, cultural revolutionary, urban guerrilla, political anarchist and superstar. The author then deals with each of these five in turn, providing a rationale for its strategy and offering some examples from recent history which epitomize that strategy in action. The author concludes that while different, the five strategies complement one another. He suggests that assessment of the effectiveness of the movement may consider any one of the five individually or in context with the others.
Managing Ancillary Transportation Assets: The State of the Practice

Historically, transportation asset management has focused more on pavements and bridges, and less on ancillary assets such as traffic signs and guardrails. This paper synthesizes the state of practice of ancillary transportation asset management to assess the needs for successful implementation of such programs by highlighting data collection strategies and costs, data analysis tools, and data use in decision making, especially as it relates to asset prioritization and quantifying the benefits of ancillary asset management. The paper focuses on 10 asset classes selected from a review of literature: culverts, earth retaining structures, guardrails, mitigation features, pavement markings, sidewalks and curbs, street lighting, traffic signals, traffic signs, and utilities and manholes. The findings indicate that a number of agencies are making significant efforts to manage these assets with a range of asset management policies, system/program integration approaches, data collection methods and costs, benefit quantification, and asset category prioritization approaches. The results highlight the state of practice of managing ancillary transportation assets, revealing the dynamic nature of these activities as agencies evolve their activities to higher levels of program maturity.
Measurements Of Optical Loss In Transparent Solids Using A Novel Spectrometer Based On Optical Cavity Decay

Recent advances in High Average Power (HAP) solid state lasers and the development of new concept lasers with the potential of ultra-high average power output have put increasing demands on the transparency of optical window materials. To gain a better understanding of the current status of window materials and to direct research towards more nearly transparent materials, we have constructed an optical characterization facility with the purpose of making quantitative optical loss measurements in the sensitivity range of 10-3 to 10-6 cm-1. The cornerstone of this facility is a scanning optical lossmeter in which loss is determined by comparing the decay time of an optical cavity with and without a transparent solid present. The lossmeter has been successfully applied to measurements of the optical loss of witness samples of highly transparent fused silica. A description of the lossmeter and a compilation of preliminary loss measurements are presented here.
Effects of guanine nucleotides and parathyroid hormone on inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate metabolism in canine renal cortical tubular cell membranes

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-γS) increase levels of the second messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) and other inositol phosphates (IP) in several membrane preparations of PTH-responsive cells. We present evidence here indicating that in a membrane preparation of canine renal cortical tubular cells bPTH-(1–84), bPTH-(1–34), [N-Leu8,18Tyr34]bPTH-(3–34)NH2, and the human PTH related peptide fragment hPTHrP-(1–34)NH2 all increase levels of inositol phosphate (IP) but [Tyr34]-bPTH-(7–34)NH2 and hPTHrP-(7–34)NH2 have no significant effects on IP accumulation. Increases in IPs are generally attributed to increased formation of IPs and appear to be mediated by a G protein. However, increased levels of IPs may also result from inhibition of the phosphatases that are responsible for their metabolism. We investigated the effect of PTH and GTP-γS on the metabolism of IP3 in canine renal cortical tubular membranes. These membranes rapidly metabolize [3H]IP3 (47% at 15 s). Decreases in [3H]IP3 at all time points are accounted for quantitatively by increases in the sum of its breakdown products: [3H]IP2, [3H]IP1, and [3H]inositol. After 5 minutes of exposure to membranes, the vast majority of [3H]IP3 (84%) is converted to its terminal metabolite, [3H]inositol. GTP-γS (100 μM) inhibits the amount of [3H]IP3 metabolized in 15 s by 70% and reduces the amount of [3H]inositol ultimately formed in 5 minutes by 64%. ATP-γS, ATP, and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (100 μM) also inhibit [3H]IP3 hydrolysis in this preparation. The results demonstrating that nucleotides, such as GTP-γS, at concentrations used to demonstrate G protein-mediated increases in IP3 formation, can inhibit the metabolism of IP3 suggest that their effect to increase levels of IP3 may be due in part to inhibition of IP3 metabolism. In contrast, PTH-(1–34), PTH-(3–34), and hPTHrP-(1–34) (1 μM) do not reduce the amount of [3H]IP3 metabolized in 15 s, indicating that the site of action of PTH on IP3 levels is predominantly at steps before the hydrolysis of IP3.
Natural fiber composites with plant oil-based resin

Abstract Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding or resin vacuum infusion process was used to make composite panels out of plant oil-based resin [acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO)] and natural fiber mats made of flax, cellulose, pulp and hemp. The composites formed by room temperature cure with natural fiber reinforcement of about 10–50 wt% increased the flexural modulus to a range between 1.5 and 6 GPa depending on the nature of the fiber mat. The AESO resin reinforced with woven E-glass fiber was tested as a reference and gave a flexural modulus of 17 GPa, while a room temperature curing of the neat resin gave a flexural modulus of about 1.1 GPa. Recycled paper was used as a cheap resource of cellulose fiber and found to work well with AESO resin in terms of flow, impregnation, and surface bonding, giving a modulus of over five times that of the neat resin. These low-cost natural composites were found to have mechanical strength and properties suitable for applications in housing construction materials, furniture and automotive parts.
Codon usage and nucleotide composition in Coxiella burnetii

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is an obligate intracellular bacterium. With the development of molecular biology techniques, there have been increasing efforts on gene cloning and other genetic analyses of this organism. In this report, we tabulate the codon usage (CU) and nucleotide (nt) co-occurrence in C. burnetii, based on available nt sequence data. The average G+C content of the C. burnetii genome is 42.4%, where the G+C content is 42.7% for the chromosome and 38.7% for the plasmid. In comparison to Escherichia coli, there is biased CU. Some codons are frequently used in C. burnetii, but rarely used in E. coli and vice versa. Plasmid genes prefer A or T at the first or third position of a codon. However, TAA remains the most used stop codon. In the AT-rich DNA of C. burnetii, A or T tend to occur together, forming A or T tracks.
Dimensions of Moral Intensity and Ethical Decision Making: An Empirical Study

Moral intensity is a construct that relates to issues in terms of their perceived moral significance. Individuals' perceptions of moral intensity should impact their recognition of issues as posing moral dilemmas and should also affect ethical judgments and behavioral intentions regarding issues. This study examined the relationship between 4 dimensions of moral intensity and the ethical decision-making process. Two work-related actions were presented to respondents, who then completed measures of the 4 dimensions of moral intensity, whether the actions posed an ethical issue, ethical judgments regarding the actions, and the likelihood that they would engage in the actions. Results indicate that moral intensity dimensions were associated with individuals' ethical decisions. Social consensus and seriousness of consequences were particularly important influences on the ethical decision-making process.
A positive correlation between turnout and plurality does not refute the rational voter model

Many papers have tested the prediction of the rational voter model that, ceteris paribus, turnout will be low when potential voters expect the winner's plurality to be large. The appropriate null hypothesis, however, is unclear. We show that statistical models of voting in which each voter's decision of whether to vote does not vary with the expected plurality can nonetheless generate data which lead to both positive and negative correlations between turnout and plurality.
Least-squares fitting of data by rational functions: Levy's method (Part 1) [By the Numbers]

In this article, we will provide a brief introduction to least-squares fitting of data by rational functions by presenting Levy's method, a classical approach that is relatively straightforward in concept and easy to program, and which gives respectable results in a broad range of circumstances.