cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anti-hypertensive Lipid from Tissue Culture of Renomedullary Interstitial Cells of the Rat

1. Allogenic transplants of cultured renomedullary interstitial cells exert a powerful anti-hypertensive action. The blood pressure of hypertensive animals usually drops slowly over 8–12 h whereas the pulse is unchanged or reduced. 2. Lipids derived from the cultured cells exert a similar anti-hypertensive action. 3. The anti-hypertensive action of transplanted cultured cells almost certainly results from the secretion of a substance(s) that acts in the manner of a hormone. The tissue culture lipid is a prime candidate hormone. 4. The relationship of the kidney to the hypertensive state is considered to entail pro- and antihypertensive actions. The pro-hypertensive actions include (a) activation of the renal pressor system (mainly renin—angiotensin), (b) failure to prevent sodium and fluid overloading because of either an injured or absent kidney or the excessive action of mineralocorticoids (mainly aldosterone). The antihypertensive actions of the kidney include (a) the relief of sodium and fluid overloading through diuresis—natriuresis and (b) the action of the renomedullary interstitial cell hormone (the antihypertensive renomedullary hormone).
The BIOSOLVE II trial: a step forward for the bioresorbable scaffold?

This editorial refers to ‘Sustained safety and performance of the second-generation drug-eluting absorbable metal scaffold (DREAMS 2G) in patients with de novo coronary lesions: 12-month clinical results and angiographic findings of the BIOSOLVE-II first-in-man trial’†, by M. Haude et al ., on page 2701. Bioresorbable scaffolds have captured the imagination of the medical community and patients as well. It is no wonder; the idea of a temporary stent that is in place as long as it needs to be, and then is reabsorbed, is an attractive idea that has many potential advantages. By removing the rigid metallic cage imposed by the permanent metal stent, vascular function could return toward normal, long-term complications such as stent fracture, late stent thrombosis, and in-stent restenosis could be reduced, and in turn obviate the need for prolonged dual antiplatelet therapy; and recurrent in-tent restenosis, often a difficult problem, could be more effectively treated. The early prototypes of a bioresorbable scaffold were introduced in the early 1990s, and the Igaki–Tamai stent was the first to be clinically tested in early 2000.1,2 The most studied bioresorbable stent, the ABSORB BVS scaffold (Abbott Vascular), is an everolimus-eluting scaffold with 150 μm struts made of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA). The early observational studies have shown a good initial success rate, with improvements in outcomes as refinements in the device were introduced.3–8 ( Table 1 ) As hoped, vascular reactivity was restored in 6–12 months at a point when the scaffold was significantly degraded and partially resorbed.9 The 5-year results of initial ABSORB cohort A and B trials have shown excellent long-term outcomes.10 Randomized …
Systemic Elevation of Proinflammatory Interleukin 18 in HIV/HCV Coinfection versus HIV or HCV Monoinfection.

BACKGROUND HIV/HCV coinfection and elevated interleukin (IL)-18 levels are both associated with enhanced progression of hepatic inflammation and increased risk of diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine made upon activation of the inflammasome, an innate sensing system. We assessed whether increased IL-18 could explain the increased incidence and progression of inflammatory conditions seen with HIV/HCV coinfection. METHODS Serum from 559 subjects with HIV monoinfection, HCV monoinfection, HIV/HCV coinfection, or people who inject drugs with neither infection was tested for IL-18 by ELISA and for 16 other analytes by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. IL-18 levels were measured in 14 additional chronically HCV infected subjects who developed incident HIV infection to determine if IL-18 increases with coinfection. RESULTS IL-18 was significantly elevated in coinfected individuals versus both monoinfections (p<0.0001) independent of age, sex, and race. IL-18 levels were significantly higher in HIV monoinfection than in HCV monoinfection. High IL-18 levels were correlated with detectable HIV viremia and inversely with CD4 count (p<0.0001), consistent with HIV activation of the inflammasome resulting in CD4 T cell depletion. Incident HIV infection of chronically HCV infected subjects resulted in increased IL-18 (p<0.001), while HIV suppression was associated with normal IL-18 levels. Four additional analytes (IP-10, IL-12/23p40, IFNy, IL-15) were found to be elevated in HIV/HCV coinfection when compared to both monoinfections. CONCLUSIONS HIV/HCV coinfection results in significantly elevated serum IL-18. The elevated levels of this proinflammatory cytokine may explain the increased incidence and progression of inflammatory illnesses seen in coinfected individuals.
A TPACK Diagnostic Tool for Teacher Education Leaders

Teacher education faculty must incorporate and model effective use of Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK) in the classroom and across the curriculum. Teacher education leaders have a responsibility to set direction, develop people, and redesign their teacher preparation programs into TPACK ready environments. As such, a change process may occur that may be challenging and difficult for some leaders and their faculty. In this article, the authors examine the process and product of creating a TPACK leadership diagnostic tool that provides leaders in teacher education with support and guidance for the process of developing TPACK ready teacher preparation programs. Suggestions for further development and usage of the diagnostic tool are discussed.
Image display visualization in teleoperation

For successful teleoperation, an operator must be able to accurately inscribe the desired movement to the manipulandum. The goal of manipulating an image display for teleoperation is to perform visual transformations that minimize mental fatigue, performance time, and enhances the compatibility between the operator and the teleoperated system for successful task completion. A concept based on multiple physical and virtualized displays will identify the areas in which the increasing mental demand reduces the effectiveness of the operator. The effect of physical and virtual display configurations was investigated in an experimental study. A total of 18 participants teleoperated an industrial robot under three display configurations. The results of the study revealed that the virtualization of the display is a more effective way to present information to the operator of a teleoperated system when the goal-to-goal times and the total distance traveled during a task were considered.
Values Embedded in Legal Artificial Intelligence

Technological systems can have values embedded in their design. This means that certain technologies, when they used, can have the effect of promoting or inhibiting particular societal values over others. Although sometimes the embedding of values is intentional, often it is unintentional and, in either case, when it occurs it can be difficult to observe or detect. The embedding of values in technological systems becomes increasingly significant when these systems are used in the application of law. This article explores challenges posed by values embedded in legal technological systems, particularly when such systems employ artificial intelligence.
Incorporating simulation into gynecologic surgical training.

Today's educational environment has made it more difficult to rely on the Halstedian model of "see one, do one, teach one" in gynecologic surgical training. There is decreased surgical volume, but an increased number of surgical modalities. Fortunately, surgical simulation has evolved to fill the educational void. Whether it is through skill generalization or skill transfer, surgical simulation has shifted learning from the operating room back to the classroom. This article explores the principles of surgical education and ways to introduce simulation as an adjunct to residency training. We review high- and low-fidelity surgical simulators, discuss the progression of surgical skills, and provide options for skills competency assessment. Time and money are major hurdles when designing a simulation curriculum, but low-fidelity models, intradepartmental cost sharing, and utilizing local experts for simulation proctoring can aid in developing a simulation program.
Direct Aldehyde C–H Arylation and Alkylation via the Combination of Nickel, Hydrogen Atom Transfer, and Photoredox Catalysis

A mechanism that enables direct aldehyde C–H functionalization has been achieved via the synergistic merger of photoredox, nickel, and hydrogen atom transfer catalysis. This mild, operationally simple protocol transforms a wide variety of commercially available aldehydes, along with aryl or alkyl bromides, into the corresponding ketones in excellent yield. This C–H abstraction coupling technology has been successfully applied to the expedient synthesis of the medicinal agent haloperidol.
Submultiple Data Collection to Explore Spectroscopic Instrument Instabilities Shows that Much of the “Noise” is not Stochastic

As has long been understood, the noise on a spectrometric signal can be reduced by averaging over time, and the averaged noise is expected to decrease as t1/2, the square root of the data collection time. However, with contemporary capability for fast data collection and storage, we can retain and access a great deal more information about a signal train than just its average over time. During the same collection time, we can record the signal averaged over much shorter, equal, fixed periods. This is, then, the set of signals over submultiples of the total collection time. With a sufficiently large set of submultiples, the distribution of the signal’s fluctuations over the submultiple periods of the data stream can be acquired at each wavelength (or frequency). From the autocorrelations of submultiple sets, we find only some fraction of these fluctuations consist of stochastic noise. Part of the fluctuations are what we call “fast drift”, which is defined as drift over a time shorter than the complete mea...
Manganese and iron geochemistry in sediments underlying the redox-stratified Fayetteville Green Lake

Abstract Manganese and iron are redox-sensitive elements that yield clues about biogeochemistry and redox conditions both in modern environments and in the geologic past. Here, we investigated Mn and Fe-bearing minerals preserved in basin sediments underlying Fayetteville Green Lake, a redox-stratified lake that serves as a geochemical analogue for Paleoproterozoic oceans. Synchrotron-source microprobe techniques (μXRF, μXANES, and μXRD) and bulk geochemical analyses were used to examine the microscale distribution and speciation of Mn, Fe, and S as a function of depth in the top 48 cm of anoxic lake sediments. Manganese was primarily associated with calcite grains as a manganese-rich carbonate that precipitated in the chemocline of the water column and settled through the euxinic basin to collect in lake sediments. Iron was preserved in framboidal iron sulfides that precipitated in euxinic bottom waters and underwent transformation to pyrite and marcasite in the sediments. Previous studies attribute the formation of manganese-rich carbonates to the diagenetic alteration of manganese oxides deposited in basins underlying oxygenated water. Our study challenges this paradigm by providing evidence that Mn-bearing carbonates form in the water column and accumulate in sediments below anoxic waters. Consequently, manganoan carbonates preserved in the rock record do not necessarily denote the presence of oxygenated bottom waters in ocean basins.
Liminal politics: Performing feminine difference with Hélène Cixous:

As one of the most influential feminist theorists in Western academic circles, Helene Cixous is often associated with ecriture feminine (feminine writing), a term she coined in 1977, and with a flu...
Planar random graph representations of spatiotemporal surface morphology: Application to finishing of 3-D printed components

Abstract Surface finishing processes consume 20–70% of the cycle time of the emerging additive manufacturing process chains. Effective representations of the spatiotemporal evolution of the surface morphology are imperative towards developing monitoring schemes to arrest cycle time overruns. We present a thermodynamically consistent random planar graph representation to monitor, via in situ imaging, the spatiotemporal evolution of surface morphology during finishing processes. Experimental investigations into the finishing of electron beam printed Ti-6Al-4V components to Sa
Enhancement of methotrexate cytotoxicity by uracil analogues that inhibit deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) activity.

Impairment of DNA synthesis by lack of thymine nucleotides was long considered the critical cytotoxic event in cells exposed to methotrexate (MTX) (1). Recent work has shown, however, that the thymineless state is associated with increases in intracellular dUMP and dUTP with resulting uracil misincorporation into DNA (2-4). Subsequent unrepaired excisions of uracils by uracil-DNA-glycosylase (5,6) lead to DNA fragmentation (7-11).
Genetic specificity of stress-induced anemia in rats.

There is a genetic difference in rat hemoglobin (Hb) β-chain structure, with alternate alleles, A and B, at a single locus. This study was designed to find out whether marrow sensitivity due to γ exposure and experimentally induced anemia in age-matched adult rats is entirely strain specific or is a combination of both strain and Hb genotype. Eight strains of inbred and outbred rats comprising AA and BB types were examined. The data indicate that there is a relationship between marrow sensitivity and Hb genotypes in response to erythropoietic stress caused by three techniques.
Relative Reactivities of Three Isomeric Aromatic Biradicals with a 1,4-Biradical Topology Are Controlled by Polar Effects

Unexpectedly, the 5-dehydroquinoline radical cation was formed in the gas phase from the 5-iodo-8-nitroquinolinium cation upon ion-trap collision-activated dissociation. This reaction involves the cleavage of a nitro group to generate an intermediate monoradical, namely, the 8-dehydro-5-iodoquinolinium cation, followed by rearrangement through abstraction of a hydrogen atom from the protonated nitrogen atom by the radical site. Dissociation of the rearranged radical cation through elimination of an iodine atom generates the 5-dehydroquinoline radical cation. The mechanism was probed by studying isomeric biradicals and performing quantum chemical calculations. The 5-dehydroquinoline radical cation showed greater gas-phase reactivity toward dimethyl disulfide, cyclohexane, and allyl iodide than the isomeric 5,8-didehydroquinolinium cation, which is more reactive than the isomeric 5,8-didehydroisoquinolinium cation studied previously. All three isomers have a 1,4-biradical topology. The order of reactivity is rationalized by the vertical electron affinities of the radical sites of these biradicals instead of their widely differing singlet-triplet splittings.
WHEN THERE IS DOUBT, RIGHT HEART CATH IS THE WAY OUT

A 55-year-old female presented with infero-posterior STEMI and cardiogenic shock with persistent hypoxic respiratory failure despite revascularization. A 55-year-old female presented with worsening chest pain and dyspnea. A 12-lead electrocardiogram showed infero-posterior STEMI. She was noted to
Prevalence of and Characteristics Associated With Self-reported Good Hearing in a Population With Elevated Audiometric Thresholds.

Importance Audiometric evidence of hearing loss does not always relate to self-reported hearing loss. Objective To determine the prevalence of self-reported good hearing in a population with audiometrically defined hearing loss and identify associated factors. Design, setting, and participants We analyzed audiometric data from adults aged 20 to 69 years from the 1999 to 2002 cycles of the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional, nationally representative interview and examination survey of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population. Logistic regression was used to examine unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted relationships between demographic, hearing health, and general health factors related to self-perceived hearing status. Analysis was conducted between September 4, 2018, and November 30, 2018. Interventions Audiometry and questionnaires. Main outcomes and measure The prevalence of persons reporting good hearing among those with audiometrically defined hearing loss and the variables associated with this population. Results The mean (SD) age was 47.0 (0.4) years for hearing loss defined by any frequency >25 dB HL and 52.5 (1.1) years for hearing loss defined by PTA >25 dB HL. For the sample with hearing loss defined by any frequency >25 dB HL, 744 (56.1%) were men and 629 (43.9%) were women. For the sample with hearing loss defined by PTA >25 dB HL 251 (68.5%) were men and 114 (31.5%) were women. Of the 1373 participants who were found to have hearing loss (at least 1 individual frequency >25 dB HL in either ear) 993 (68.5%) reported good hearing. Younger age, nonwhite race, and women were all more likely to report good hearing. When the definition of hearing loss was made more stringent (pure-tone average >25 dB HL), 365 participants had audiometric hearing loss, but 174 (43%) continued to report good hearing. We observed that better self-perceived general health status (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.25-2.90) and higher dietary quality (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02) were significantly associated with increased self-report of good hearing, whereas tinnitus (OR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.14-0.44), noise exposure (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.26-0.58), and several comorbid conditions were associated with decreased self-report of good hearing. Conclusions and relevance A significant proportion of the study population reported good hearing despite having audiometric evidence of hearing loss; the prevalence was related to how hearing loss was defined. The report of good hearing was significantly associated with demographics and general health status. The high prevalence of mild hearing loss and self-reported good hearing was associated with the low reported use of hearing aids.
Aerosol concentration, deposition, particle size, and exposure interval as mortality factors Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract A series of trials was conducted for an experiment. In the first trial, adults of Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val, the confused flour beetle, were exposed on concrete arenas and treated with a combination aerosol of pyrethrin + methoprene dispensed for 5, 10, and 20 min at particle sizes of 4, 8, 12, and 16 μm, inside an aerosol exposure chamber. Nearly all adult T. confusum were knocked down when immediately removed from the chamber. Among all the exposure time and particle size combinations, recovery increased as the post-exposure holding period increased from one to seven days and when adults were transferred to untreated dishes with flour. A second experiment evaluated the residual effect of the aerosol on concrete arenas at 1, 3, and 6 weeks using 3-4-week-old larvae of T. confusum. Adult emergence of exposed larvae decreased with increasing particle size and exposure time. A biological index that assessed development of exposed larvae to the pupal and adult stages was also related to particle size and exposure interval, and this index was correlated with adult emergence. A third set of experiments investigated effects of particle size on adult fecundity for the 10-min exposure time. Male and female adults were cross-mated: exposed female with exposed male, exposed female with unexposed male, exposed male with unexposed female, and unexposed female and unexposed male. Progeny production was reduced as particle size increased, and there were indications that females were affected more than males by the aerosol treatment. This research could be used to improve insect pest management programs by adjusting application equipment to dispense aerosols at particle sizes that give optimum control of exposed adults and residual control of immatures and would also benefit pest management programs.
Biochemical Features of Androgen Action

Summary Androgenic hormones in mammals exert two principal types of biological action: (a) “organizational” or “morphogenetic” effects, which are manifest during restricted periods of embryonic or early neo-natal life: These essentially irreversible actions include control of the differentiation of male accessory glands and other secondary sexual organs, and differentiation of regions in the central nervous system concerned with control of gonadotropin output and male modes of sexual behavior: (b) “morphogenetic” or “morphogenetic” actions, which are usually reversible, and relate to such phenomena as the size and functions of male secondary sexual tissues, rather generalized anabolic actions, bone growth, sebaceous gland function, spermatogenesis by the germinal epithelium of the testis, and inhibition of gonadotropic hormone production. Very little is known about biochemistry of the “morphogenetic” actions of an drogens, and most of our present knowledge of the biochemical correlates “morphogenetic” actions of androgens is derived from studies on organs such as the prostate gland and seminal vesicles. The following aspects of androgen action are considered: 1 the nature of the “active forms” of androgens in their target organs vis-a-vis the chemical nature of androgenic steroids secreted by the testis and present in the circulating blood; 2 metabolic changes in the accessory glands of immature or castrated animals which result from administration of testosterone. In this regard, special consideration is given to the nature and time sequence of changes in: (i) energy-yielding reactions: (ii) ribonucleic acid and protein biosynthesis; (iii) replication of DNA, mitoses, and other events that underly the hyperplastic element of the growth of certain androgen responsive tissues.
Modeling lamellar disruption within the aortic wall using a particle-based approach.

Aortic dissections associate with medial degeneration, thus suggesting a need to understand better the biophysical interactions between the cells and matrix that constitute the middle layer of the aortic wall. Here, we use a recently extended “Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics” formulation to examine potential mechanisms of aortic delamination arising from smooth muscle cell (SMC) dysfunction or apoptosis, degradation of or damage to elastic fibers, and pooling of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), with associated losses of medial collagen in the region of the GAGs. First, we develop a baseline multi-layered model for the healthy aorta that delineates medial elastic lamellae and intra-lamellar constituents. Next, we examine stress fields resulting from the disruption of individual elastic lamellae, lost SMC contractility, and GAG production within an intra-lamellar space, focusing on the radial transferal of loading rather than on stresses at the tip of the delaminated tissue. Results suggest that local disruptions of elastic lamellae transfer excessive loads to nearby intra-lamellar constituents, which increases cellular vulnerability to dysfunction or death. Similarly, lost SMC function and accumulations of GAGs increase mechanical stress on nearby elastic lamellae, thereby increasing the chance of disruption. Overall these results suggest a positive feedback loop between lamellar disruption and cellular dropout with GAG production and lost medial collagen that is more pronounced at higher distending pressures. Independent of the initiating event, this feedback loop can catastrophically propagate intramural delamination.
A Guide to the Quantitative Proteomic Profiles of the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia

We recently reported the quantitative proteomics of 375 samples as part of the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (Nusinow et al., 2020). Mass spectrometry-based proteomics data is broadly unfamiliar to most biologists in our experience, resulting in questions from analysts about how to use the data. From the proteomics community there was interest about how we normalized the data, as the scope of this project was so much larger than what has been commonly available. This paper serves as a guide to the data set to answer these questions and acts as a supplement to the main manuscript. The first part addresses users of the data, describing the experimental design, interpretation of the values, and dealing with standard issues in proteomics like multiple protein isoforms per gene and missing values. The second part of the manuscript details how we arrived at the normalization procedure reported in the paper, including the diagnostics used to assess multiple normalization schemes.
Personal Values and Ethical Behavior in Accounting Students

This study develops and tests an integrated model that explains how Schwartz’s higher order personal values of Openness to Change, Conservation, Self-Transcendence and Self-Enhancement influence the ethical behavior of accountants. The study further explores the influence of ethics training, gender and religiosity on ethical behavior. A survey instrument was administered to 252 accounting students and the findings reveal that some of the higher order personal values (Conservation, Self-Transcendence, Self-Enhancement) are significant in explaining the ethical behavior of accounting students. The findings also reveal that gender and ethical training influence ethical behavior, and that effect of the personal value Self-Transcendence differs depending on participant gender and also religiosity. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Epistemic feelings, metacognition, and the Lima problem

Epistemic feelings like tip-of-the-tongue experiences, feelings of knowing, and feelings of confidence tell us when a memory can be recalled and when a judgment was correct. Thus, they appear to be a form of metacognition, but a curious one: they tell us about content we cannot access, and the information is supplied by a feeling. Evaluativism is the claim that epistemic feelings are components of a distinct, primitive metacognitive mechanism that operates on its own set of inputs. These inputs are heuristics that correlate with the presence of mental content that can’t be accessed directly. I will argue that evaluativism is unmotivated, unsupported, and ill-conceived. I will critique the philosophical and empirical arguments for evaluativism and conclude that there is no reason to posit a distinct mechanism to explain epistemic feelings. I will conclude, however, that epistemic feelings may constitute a nonconceptual form of metacognition, which if true is a significant claim.
GAN-based sinogram completion for slow triple kVp switching CT

The feasibility of acquiring multi-energy CT data through slow modulation of the kVp as an alternative to photon-counting detectors (PCDs) is currently under exploration. A low kVp-switching rate can be enabled with a conventional CT system but raises challenges due to missing sinogram views. Our previous work used a CNN-based method for sinogram completion by generating full-sampled images from undersampled sinograms, providing an acceptable image quality at a 22°/kVp switching rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate a GAN-based spectral sinogram completion method for enabling a lower kVp switching rate. A Pix2Pix GAN model with paired undersampled sinogram of 45° or 120° projections/kVp and its corresponding full-sampled sinogram was implemented and trained. The completed data was subsequently used to perform sinogram domain material decomposition. Our results on a simulated FORBILD abdomen phantom dataset showed that the GAN-based method can further lower the kVp switching rate to 45° projections/kVp. The proposed GAN-based sinogram completion method facilitates slow-kVp switching acquisitions and thus further relaxes hardware requirements.
Teachers’ Beliefs about Authoritative Teaching: Response and Demand, or Response and Control?

In two studies, 254 secondary teachers completed a survey assessing beliefs about three putative factors of “authoritative teaching,” response , demand, and control . Control was positively associated with response, suggesting that teachers viewed development of relationships with students as congruent with classroom discipline. But demand was not associated with response , suggesting beliefs holding that academic rigor does not necessarily undermine relationships. Teachers apparently view authoritative teaching as combining response and control , not response and demand . Beliefs as such provide a window on classroom practices and provide a starting point for teacher educators who aim to facilitate optimal interactional styles in schools.
Human Evolution in Asia: Taking Stock and Looking Forward

We review the state of paleoanthropology research in Asia. We survey the fossil record, articulate the current understanding, and delineate the points of contention. Although Asia received less att...
Aryne-mediated construction of fluorene skeletons and its applications to total synthesis of selaginpulvilins

Abstract The hexadehydro Diels–Alder (HDDA) reaction has recently emerged as a powerful tool for aryne formation, thereby giving access to highly functionalized aromatic skeletons. In this chapter, we describe an HDDA-based approach to the total synthesis of selaginpulvilins C and D, which relies on generation of an aryne intermediate in situ. The isolation, structural elucidation and biological activities of selaginpulvilins as well as other related alkynyl phenols are discussed, and various synthetic approaches to total synthesis of these natural products are reviewed.
Positive impact of prior military combat exposure on Terrorism Prevention work: Inoculation to stress

Forty-four Israeli security agents employed by the Israeli Government Terrorism Prevention Agency providing security services for the national Israeli airlines and the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles were administered the Subjective Stress Experience Scale (SSES). This scale measures stress at terrorism-prevention work, past stress during combat exposure, and subjects’ most stressful life events. Results support the hypothesis that terrorism prevention personnel who are also combat veterans appraise their work as less stressful than their noncombat exposed counterparts. Combat veterans also rated their combat experience as significantly more stressful than prevention team member’s other stressful life events. Subjects presented a uniform stress- inoculation effect but, combat veterans of the prevention team were more stress-inoculated than their noncombat exposed counterparts.
Livestock policy alternatives: national and interregional analysis

Four policies dealing with concerns and perceived problems in the livestock sector of the agricultural economy are investigated. The four issues examined are increased meat exports, increased use of roughage feeds in beef production, greater beef imports and lower beef marketing weights;Offsetting feed grain and soybean exports with meat exports benefits both livestock and crop farmers. Net farm income increases as much as 140 percent at high levels of meat exports. Also, employment in the agricultural sector increases 81 percent as we substitute the value added export of meat for feed grains and soybeans;Increasing production of roughage-fed beef as a substitute for grain-fed benefits most regions with relative advantages in roughage production. Nationally, net farm income declines by less than 1 percent, but employment in the agricultural sector increases by 3 percent;Increasing beef imports decreases land use by nine million acres as feed demands decline. With lower domestic beef production and feed production net farm income falls by 12 percent. Employment in the agricultural sector is adversely affected, falling by 8 percent;Feeding beef animals to lighter weights increases feed efficiencies per animal, but also increases total feed demands since a larger breeding herd is required to produce more feeder cattle. Net farm income is higher by 4.6 percent and employment in the agricultural sector increases by nearly 2 percent.
A Membrane Form of TNF-α Presented by Exosomes Delays T Cell Activation-Induced Cell Death

In common with many other cell types, synovial fibroblasts produce exosomes. In this study, we show that the exosomes produced by synovial fibroblasts obtained from individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RASF), but not exosomes produced by synovial fibroblasts obtained from individuals with osteoarthritis, contain a membrane bound form of TNF-α as demonstrated by colloidal gold immunostaining of TNF-α and confirmed by both Western blot and mass spectrometry. The RASF-derived exosomes, but not exosomes derived from fibroblasts obtained from individuals with osteoarthritis, are cytotoxic for the L929 cell, a TNF-α-sensitive cell line, and stimulate activation of NF-κB and induction of collagenase-1 in RASF. These effects are blocked by addition of soluble TNFR1 (sTNFbp), suggesting that a TNF-α-signaling pathway mediates these biological activities. sTNFbp also reduced the production of exosomes by RASF, suggesting the interruption of a positive amplification loop. Exosomes can transmit signals between cells, and RASF exosomes, effectively taken up by anti-CD3-activated T cells, activated AKT and NF-κB and rendered these activated T cells resistant to apoptosis. Neutralization of exosomal membrane TNF-α by sTNFbp partially reversed this resistance, suggesting that not only TNF-α but also additional exosomal proteins may contribute to the development of apoptosis resistance.
The challenge of complexity and scale

Summary form only given. Systems built from commodity processors dominate high-performance computing, with systems containing thousands of processors now being deployed. As node counts for multi-teraflop systems grow to tens of thousands, with proposed petaflop system likely to contain hundreds of thousands of nodes, and with a tsunami of new experimental and computational. The mean time before failure (MTBF) for the individual components (i.e., processors, disks, memories, power supplies, fans and networks) is high. In contrast to parallel systems, distributed software for networks, whether transport protocols or Web/Grid services, are designed to be resilient to component failures. Our thesis is that these "two worlds" of software-distributed systems and parallel systems. In this paper, we describe possible approaches for the design and effective use of large-scale systems. The approaches range from intelligent hardware monitoring and adaptation, through low-overhead recovery schemes, statistical sampling and differential scheduling and to alternative models of system software, including evolutionary adaptation.
TA-PSV—Timing Analysis for Partially Specified Vectors

We propose a new concept-timing analysis for partially specified vectors (TA-PSV)-that enables the computation of tight timing windows. At one extreme, when the vectors are completely unspecified, TA-PSV reduces to static timing analysis (STA). At the other extreme, when the vectors are completely specified, TA-PSV performs timing simulation (TS). We present a systematic approach to construct a computationally feasible TA-PSV framework using a delay model that captures simultaneous to-controlling switching effects. We also demonstrate how TA-PSV can improve timing validation and also that TA-PSV significantly improves efficiency of timing-oriented test generation by reducing the search space.
Arterial spin labeling CMR perfusion imaging is capable of continuously monitoring myocardial blood flow during stress

Background Myocardial arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a non-invasive non-contrast CMR perfusion imaging technique [Zun et al., ‘09] that is compatible with adenosine stress testing [Zun et al., ‘11]. Here, we demonstrate its ability to continuously monitor MBF during stress, which has a variety of potential applications including interventional CMR and the study of endothelial function. We used mild sustained isometric handgrip stress.
The physics and experimental program of the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC)

The primary motivation for studying nucleus-nucleus collisions at relativistic and ultrarelativistic energies is to investigate matter at high energy densities (e ≫1 GeV/fm3). Early speculations of possible exotic states of matter focused on the astrophysical implications of abnormal states of dense nuclear matter.1 Field theoretical calculations predicted abnormal nuclear states and excitation of the vacuum.2 This generated an initial interest among particle and nuclear physicists to transform the state of the vacuum by using relativistic nucleus-nucleus collisions.3 Extremely high temperatures, above the Hagedorn limiting temperature, were expected and a phase transition to a system of deconfined quarks and gluons, the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP),4 was predicted. Such a phase of matter would have implications for both early cosmology and stellar evolution. The understanding of the behavior of high temperature nuclear matter is still in its early stages. However, the dynamics of the initial stages of these collisions, which involve hard parton-parton interactions, can be calculated using perturbative QCD.5 Various theoretical approaches have resulted in predictions that a high temperature (T ∼ 500 MeV) gluon gas will be formed in the first instants (within 0.3 fm/c) of the collision.6 Furthermore, QCD lattice calculations7 exhibit a phase transition between a QGP and hadronic matter at a temperature near 250 MeV. Such phases of matter may have existed shortly after the Big Bang and may exist in the cores of dense stars. An important question is whether such states of matter can be created and studied in the laboratory. The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC)8 and a full complement of detector systems are being constructed at Brookhaven National Laboratory to investigate these new and fundamental properties of matter. 9
Carboxy-terminated immuno-SERS tags overcome non-specific aggregation for the robust detection and localization of organic media in artworks

Methods combining immunology and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have been developed for the simultaneous detection, identification, and localization of proteinaceous binding media found in artworks. However, complex surface topographies and heterogeneous compositions of art samples represent significant challenges for the general optimization of this technique. In particular, aggregation of immuno-SERS nanoparticles can lead to non-specific SERS response across the sample surface, resulting in inaccurate identification of binding media or dubious localization maps. This aggregation also diminishes the sample area available for analysis, as excitation of visible nanoparticle aggregates by the Raman laser must be avoided during data collection. In the present work, we synthesize several types of immuno-SERS nanoparticles and investigate their applicability for the detection and localization of ovalbumin-rich (egg-based) binding media in art samples. Dimers of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) connected by a Raman-active dithiolated linker are conjugated to secondary antibodies through either an amino or a carboxyl functional group (SERS tags). The SERS tags display localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at 532 nm. SERS spectra are acquired at 633 nm (SERS-633) in order to maximize tuning between laser excitation and LSPR, while avoiding sample burning. In an indirect immunoassay applied to replica art samples, carboxy-terminated SERS-633 tags show strong Raman reporter signal, specificity for the target protein, robust response in the presence of various inorganic pigments, and reduced aggregation on sample surfaces compared to amino-terminated or commercial SERS tags. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to visualize Au NPs bound to egg media in situ, demonstrating that carboxy-terminated SERS-633 tags remain as discrete dimer units throughout the assay.
A Systematic Application of Density Functional Theory to Some Carbon-Containing Molecules and Their Anions

Eight medium-sized carbon-containing molecules: linear carbon chains Cn (n = 6−9), triacetylene (C6H), tetracyanoethylene (C6N4), 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone enolate (CF3CHCHO), and C4O have been studi...
Nucleotide sequence of the Caulobacter crescents flaF and flbt genes and analysis of codon usage in organisms with G+C-rich genomes

Abstract The Caulobacter crescentus flaFG region encodes trans -acting, regulatory factors that modulates flagellin synthesis during flagellum biogenesis. In this study, sequence analysis and experiments utilizing a promoterless cat gene demonstrated that the flaF and flbT genes have overlapping transcripts with the same orientation. In addition, the 5′ ends of the flgL and flbA genes were located. A sequence resembling an Rho-factor-independent terminator was found in the 3′ region of the flaF gene. This region was uniquely A + T-rich and the encoded mRNA contained an inverted repeat sequence which could form a stable stem-loop strucuture followed by nine U-residues. The codon usage of C. crescentus genes was examined and indicated a preference for specific codons from each of the synonymous codon groups. Furthermore, comparison to the codon usage of other organisms with G + C-rich genomes indicated a strong preference for the same codons prefered by C. crescentus .
Behavior problems in children at time of first recognized seizure and changes over the following 3 years.

Abstract Objectives The purposes of this 36-month study of children with first recognized seizures were: (1) to describe baseline differences in behavior problems between children with and without prior unrecognized seizures; (2) to identify differences over time in behavior problems between children with seizures and their healthy siblings; (3) to identify the proportions of children with seizures and healthy siblings who were consistently at risk for behavior problems for 36 months; and (4) to identify risk factors for behavior problems 36 months following the first recognized seizure. Risk factors explored included demographic (child age and gender, caregiver education), neuropsychological (IQ, processing speed), seizure (epileptic syndrome, use of antiepileptic drug, seizure recurrence), and family (family mastery, satisfaction with family relationships, parent response) variables. Methods Participants were 300 children aged 6 through 14 years with a first recognized seizure and 196 healthy siblings. Data were collected from medical records, structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and neuropsychological testing. Behavior problems were measured using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher's Report Form. Data analyses included descriptive statistics and linear mixed models. Results Children with prior unrecognized seizures were at higher risk for behavior problems at baseline. As a group, children with seizures showed a steady reduction in behavior problems over time. Children with seizures were found to have significantly more behavior problems than their siblings over time, and significantly more children with seizures (11.3%) than siblings (4.6%) had consistent behavior problems over time. Key risk factors for child behavior problems based on both caregivers and teachers were: less caregiver education, slower initial processing speed, slowing of processing speed over the first 36 months, and a number of family variables including lower levels of family mastery or child satisfaction with family relationships, lower parent support of the child's autonomy, and lower parent confidence in their ability to discipline their child. Conclusions Children with new-onset seizures who are otherwise developing normally have higher rates of behavior problems than their healthy siblings; however, behavior problems are not consistently in the at-risk range in most children during the first 3 years after seizure onset. When children show behavior problems, family variables that might be targeted include family mastery, parent support of child autonomy, and parents’ confidence in their ability to handle their children's behavior.
Drug prescribing: patterns, problems and proposals.

Abstract The focus of this paper is on physicians as gatekeepers to public access to prescribed drugs. Variations in drug prescription and consumption are examined and the factors associated with varying factors of prescribing are discussed. We look at models of the prescribing process and assess their comparative merits. The paper concludes with a consideration of the priorities that need to be taken into account when planning future research of which nine possible key questions are proposed.
COMPRESSIBLE FLOW THROUGH A POROUS PLATE

Abstract A simple one-dimensional theory is given for the steady, compressible, adiabatic flow of a perfect gas through a porous plate. The Dupuit-Forcheimer relation, valid for incompressible flow, is replaced by an isentropic compression when the gas enters the plate and a non-isentropic sudden enlargement process when it exits. Darcy's equation is used in a form applicable to compressible adiabatic flow. A consequence of this study is that the Mach number at the downstream surface may be much smaller than unity, even when the flow through the plate is choked. As the pressure at the downstream surface of the plate decreases, the flow remains choked, but the downstream Mach number increases. For a sufficiently small downstream pressure this Mach number will be greater than unity. A wide range of downstream Mach numbers from subsonic to supersonic is thus possible, even though the flow is choked. For incompressible flow, the volumetric flow rate is usually determined by the pressure differential across the plate. The equivalent compressible relation is shown to consist of a plot of upstream Mach number versus the pressure ratio across the plate. The incompressible result can also be shown on this plot; it differs from the compressible one, except when the plate is thick.
The Effects of Indexical and Phonetic Variation on Vowel Perception in Typically Developing 9- to 12-Year-Old Children

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate how linguistic knowledge interacts with indexical knowledge in older children's perception under demanding listening conditions created by extensive talker variability. Method Twenty-five 9- to 12-year-old children, 12 from North Carolina (NC) and 13 from Wisconsin (WI), identified 12 vowels in isolated /hVd/ words produced by 120 talkers representing the 2 dialects (NC and WI), both genders, and 3 age groups (generations) of residents from the same geographic locations as the listeners. Results Identification rates were higher for responses to talkers from the same dialect as the listeners and for female speech. Listeners were sensitive to systematic positional variations in vowels and their dynamic structure (formant movement) associated with generational differences in vowel pronunciation resulting from sound change in a speech community. Overall identification rate was 71.7%, which is 8.5% lower than for the adults responding to the same stimuli in ...
Complexity in transition metal oxides

The competition of antiferromagnetic and d -wave superconductivity order parameters in cuprates is studied within a phenomenological model. An unbiased numerical analysis is carried out. The results suggest that the transition from the antiferromagnetic to the superconducting region is not universal. When disorder is present, a glassy state forms leading to the possibility of "colossal" effects in some cuprates, analog of those in other transition metal oxides, in particular manganites. Non-superconducting Cu-oxides could rapidly become superconducting by the influence of weak perturbations. Consequences of this mechanism for thin-film and angle-resolved photoemission experiments are discussed. In addition, a recent study of the strong-coupling region in d-wave superconductors with a numerically exact technique is briefly reviewed.