cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A simple selection test between the Gompertz and Logistic growth models

This paper proposes a simple model selection test between the Gompertz and the Logistic growth models based on parameter significance testing in a comprehensive linear regression. Simulations studies are provided to show the accuracy of the method. Two real-data examples are also provided to illustrate the implementation of the proposed method in practice.
Aspects of cauchy elastic materials

Abstract The Darboux theorem on the classification and canonical forms of first degree exterior differential forms is used to obtain a canonical representation of Cauehy elastic materials. It is shown that the balance of moment of momentum and the principle of material indifference are independent for materials whose Darboux class is greater than 1. By means of the Caratheodory's theorem on inaccessibility it is shown that any homogeneous deformation state can be reached from any other homogeneous deformation state by a path of zero work whenever the Darboux class of the material is 3 or greater.
Acidification of Brined Cherry Peppers

Rates and routes of acetic acid penetration into nonheated cherry peppers (Capsicum annuum) were determined by monitoring pH over time at ten interior areas. The pH was determined for fresh red and green peppers, brined peppers, and brined peppers that had been exposed to oxygen prior to brining. The pH measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and dye penetration observations indicated that the primary avenue for acid penetration was through the stem into the placenta. The last area to become acidified (pH < 4.6) was the interior of the fruit wall. Peppers that had been exposed to oxygen were more rapidly acidified (24 hr) as compared to those not exposed to oxygen (150 hr).
Anti-arrhythmic effects of lidocaine metabolites

Abstract Patients on lidocaine infusions for the control of arrhythmias accumulate significant concentrations of lidocaine metabolites. The potency of lidocaine in suppressing digitalis-induced arrhythmias in guinea pig atria was compared to that of two of the metabolites of lidocaine monoethyglycinexylidide (MEGX), and glycinexylidide (GX). The potency of MEGX relative to lidocaine was 0.833. GX was only 1 10 as potent. Thus, it would seem that MEGX may contribute to the total anti-arrhythmic effect of a lidocaine infusion.
The Gene for Human Phosducin (PDC), a Soluble Protein That Binds G-Protein βγ Dimers, Maps to 1q25-q31.1

G-protein [beta] and [gamma] subunits form specific [beta][gamma] complexes that are required for both efficient coupling of [alpha] chains to receptors and for modulating activity of some effectors, notably adenylyl cyclase. [beta][gamma] dimers may exist in the cytoplasm tightly bound to phosducin, an acidic 33-kDa phosphoprotein that is most abundantly expressed in retinal photoreceptors and pinealocytes but is also present in many other tissues. Although it had been originally suggested that phosducin acts only as a scavenger for [beta][gamma] dimers, more recent work indicates that phosducin may directly regulate G-protein function via inhibition of the GTPase activity of several [alpha] chains. Thus, phosducin may be part of a highly complex regulatory network that controls G-protein-mediated signal transduction. The gene and the cDNA encoding phosducin have been cloned and the mouse gene has been localized to chromosome 1 by linkage to Lamb-2. We report here the mapping of the human gene for phosducin to chromosome 1 and the localization of the gene to 1q25-q31.1 by in situ hybridization. 20 refs., 3 figs.
Some neurochemical properties of a new antidepressant, bupropion hydrochloride (Wellbutrin™)

Bupropion is a novel antidepressant agent. In the present study, an attempt was made to gain some insight into the mechanism of the drug's antidepressant activity. In vitro studies revealed that bupropion was a weak, competitive inhibitor of norepinephrine (NE) uptake into rat hypothalamic synaptosomes and of dopamine (DM) uptake into rat striatal synaptosomes, having IC50 values of 6.5 ± 0.6 × 10−6 M and 3.4 ± 0.4 × 10−6 M, respectively. At 1 × 10−5 M, the drug produced a 20 ± 3% inhibition of serotonin (5-HT) uptake into rat hypothalamic synaptosomes. The drug was also a weak inhibitor of the ATP-Mg+2 stimulated uptake of NE and DM into synaptic vesicles of whole rat brain, having IC50 values of 3.3 × 10−5 M and 6.0 × 10−5 M, respectively. Bupropion had no dose-dependent effect on the spontaneous release of NE, DM, and 5-HT from these synaptosomal preparations in concentrations as high as 1 × 10−4 M. Brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in vitro was not affected by concentrations of the drug ranging from 10−7 M to 10−5 M. Bupropion was also without effect on brain MAO, 1 hr after i.p. doses in rats as high as 100 mg/kg. The ED50 value for bupropion necessary to inhibit the uptake of 3H-catecholamines by 50% into synaptosomes incubated in the serum from rats treated with the drug was 40 mg/kg i.p., while its ED50 value for antidepressant activity, as judged by the ability of bupropion to reverse the immobile posture of “helpless” rats, was 8 mg/kg i.p. These neurochemical properties of bupropion on uptake of biogenic amines and on MAO activity serve to distinguish it from other antidepressant drugs of the tricyclic and MAO inhibitor classes.
Paget's disease of the breast in a man with neurofibromatosis

A 68-year-old white man with type 1 neurofibromafosis presented with a 1 -year history of a pruritic non-healing eruption on his left breast. The persistent lesion had been gradually enlarging. This had been unsuccessfully treated with both corticosteroid and antifungal creams. Physical examination of the involved breast revealed a well-demarcated 5 × 3 cm red, slightly Jnfiltrated piaque with adherent fine white scale and erosions with serous exudate (Fig. 1). The areola was completely obscured by the lesion and the nipple could not be identified. Neither a breast mass nor axillary adenopathy was present. A punch biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Paget's disease. The patient subsequently underwent a left modified radical mastectomy with ipsilateral lymph node dissection. The final pathology revealed intraductal carcinoma, comedo and noncomedo type, with overlying pagetoid cells in the epidermis (Figs 2–4). Special stains included a positive epithelial membrane antigen, focally positive carcinoembryonic antigen, and negative S-100. All 21 lymph nodes submitted from the axillary lymph node dissection were negative for tumor.
“You Introduce All of the Alphabet…But I Do Not Think it Should be the Main Focus”: Exploring Early Educators’ Decisions about Reading Instruction

Early reading development is a complex process that includes the acquisition of skills such as alphabet recognition, phonemic awareness, and vocabulary development. Early educators make important instructional decisions in their classrooms about how to support these skills. Understanding these decisions, and the beliefs and experiences that contribute to them, is critical to informing improvement. This study explored the daily instructional decisions three Head Start teachers made about reading instruction. Specifically, we wanted to examine the relationships between Head Start teachers’ professional, practical and personal experiences and their subsequent instructional choices about reading. Using a multiple case study design, classroom observations, questionnaire, and interview data suggested that teachers held strong beliefs about what constituted appropriate reading instruction. While professional knowledge played a limited role in informing these decisions, their abundant practical and personal knowledge was influential. Understanding teachers’ beliefs about early reading can be an important first step in bringing about change in instructional practices.
Mitigating attacks on open functionality in SMS-capable cellular networks

The transformation of telecommunications networks from homogeneous closed systems providing only voice services to Internet-connected open networks that provide voice and data services presents significant security challenges. For example, recent research illustrated that a carefully crafted DoS attack via text messaging could incapacitate all voice communications in a metropolitan area with little more than a cable modem. This attack highlights a growing threat to these systems; namely, cellular networks are increasingly exposed to adversaries both in and outside the network. In this paper, we use a combination of modeling and simulation to demonstrate the feasibility of targeted text messaging attacks. Under realistic network conditions, we show that adversaries can achieve blocking rates of more than 70% with only limited resources. We then develop and characterize five techniques from within two broad classes of countermeasures--queue management and resource provisioning. Our analysis demonstrates that these techniques can eliminate or extensively mitigate even the most intense targeted text messaging attacks. We conclude by considering the tradeoffs inherent to the application of these techniques in current and next generation telecommunications networks.
Axotomy-induced neurofilament phosphorylation is inhibited in situ by micromjection of PKA and PKC inhibitors into identified lamprey neurons

Close axotomy of identified lamprey neurons induces phosphorylation of somatodendritic neurofilaments (NFs), followed by ectopic regeneration of neurofilamentous sprouts from the dendrites. We used in situ intracellular microinjection to study the mechanism of axotomy-induced NF phosphorylation. We found that inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) block somatodendritic NF phosphorylation for up to 15 days when injected at the time of axotomy. Injection of PKA catalytic subunit, diacylglycerol, or okadaic acid induces somatodendritic NF phosphorylation in intact neurons with the same time course as close axotomy. These results suggest that transient activation of PKC, PKA, and/or serine phosphatase inhibition by axotomy triggers persistent intracellular changes that may be related to polarity loss in these neurons.
The digital rectal examination in pediatric trauma: A pilot study

This pilot study examined the utility of a routinely performed digital rectal examination (DRE) in pediatric trauma patients. A prospective convenience sample of patients 0 to 18 years of age presenting to the pediatric emergency department of an urban level I trauma center with a history of trauma to the spine or trunk was enrolled. An abnormal DRE was defined by the presence of gross or occult blood, decreased sphincter tone, compromised integrity of the rectal vault, or a high riding prostate. We defined DRE-identifiable injuries as spinal injury, pelvic fracture, rectal or other lower intestinal injury, and urethral injury. One hundred thirty-five patients were studied; 8 patients had DRE-identifiable injuries. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of the physical examination with and without the DRE were equivalent. Routine performance of the digital rectal examination may not improve the identification of serious injury during the secondary survey in pediatric trauma patients.
Daily Psychological Adjustment and The Planfulness of Day-To-Day Behavior

Abstract Over the course of 21 days, participants provided measures of how carefully they had planned their social and achievement-related activities for each day and how well these plans had been realized. They also provided measures of their psychological adjustment. Compared to participants who were not at-risk for depression, participants who were at-risk planned activities less carefully and their plans were realized less fully. The daily psychological adjustment of all participants was higher on days when their plans were realized more fully than on days when their plans were realized less fully; the size of this relationship did not differ as a function of participants' risk for depression.
Young people's stories of conflict and development in Post-war Croatia

Scholars have begun to study the participation of children in war, but there is little research on the longer term consequences among those born during or after the war. This article explains how a socio-historical discourse perspective can expand research on the psycho-social effects of war. Drawing on a study of stories of conflict by children in post-war Croatia, the authors propose the concept “trans-generational development” to account for the legacies of war on social identity and knowledge. The focus of the analysis is 59 narratives written by 10 to 17 year olds identifying as Serb and Croat in the context of their participation in community center devoted to post-war recovery and development. The analysis identified complexity in young authors' representations of social relations across generations, especially around issues of ethnicity – a major issue fueling the 1990's wars in the former Yugoslavia. For example, the young authors characterized their parents' generation as divided, bitter, and socially impotent, their own generation as collaborative, wise, and resourceful, and future townspeople as active in the face of political and economic challenges. These patterns suggest how young people express identities and knowledge of the war period, yet, with support, also reason beyond the ideological and emotional legacies of war. Such story-telling complexity underscores the need for complex conceptualizations and applications of narrative theory to research and practice in war and other troubled settings.
The effect of fiber architecture on the mechanical properties of carbon/carbon fiber composites

The mechanical performance of carbon-fiber matrix composites with different fiber architectures is investigated for various loading modes. All the composites were fabricated from nominally equal constituents and identical consolidation processes, leaving as the only variables, the variations caused by the different fiber weave structures. The fiber architecture drastically affects both composite strength and deformation characteristics. Some systems are almost linear up to a final brittle failure while others exhibit a pronounced non-linearity prior to failure. It is found that the composite tensile strength is dictated by both fiber volume fraction and weave architecture. The weaving can have a beneficial effect in spite of introducing new fiber flaws and stress concentrations, because it causes the composite to be less flaw sensitive. These features are addressed analytically by considering the statistical aspects of the fiber strength and the formation of critical defects.
Effects of ethanol drinking on central nervous system functional activity of alcohol-preferring rats

The [(14)C]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) technique was used to assess the rates of local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) in key limbic, cerebral cortical, hippocampal, basal ganglionic, and subcortical regions of alcohol-preferring (P) rats following chronic 24-h free-choice ethanol drinking. Adult male P rats were submitted to (1) 8 continuous weeks of two-bottle access to 15% ethanol and water (E-C group); (2) 8 weeks of identical two-bottle access followed by 2 weeks of ethanol deprivation (E-D group); (3) cycles of 2 weeks of two-bottle ethanol access and 2 weeks of deprivation, repeated for four cycles (E-RD group); or (4) water only treatment [ethanol-naive group (E-N group)]. A single pulse of [(14)C]-2-DG (125 microCi/kg) was administered via a venous catheter, and timed arterial blood samples were collected over 45 min and later assayed for plasma glucose and [(14)C]-2-DG concentrations. Quantitative autoradiography was used to determine [(14)C] densities, and LCGU values were calculated. With the exception of a few small differences in the hippocampus, no significant differences were found in any of the central nervous system (CNS) regions examined among the four experimental groups of P rats. Animals in the E-D group had lower LCGU rates in the anterior hippocampal CA1 subregion than animals in the E-N, E-C, and E-RD groups. In the anterior hippocampal CA3 subregion and the anterior hippocampal dentate gyrus, the E-D group had significantly lower LCGU rates than the E-RD group. Overall, the results of this study indicate that 24-h ethanol-drinking experience has little effect on CNS functional neuronal activity in P rats.
Forensic Evaluation of Insanity: Assessing Valid Symptom Report in Defendants with Major Mental Disorder

Psychologists who work in forensic contexts are often called upon to assess an individual's mental state at the time of the offense. An essential component of such evaluations is the assessment of response style. Response style becomes more difficult to assess when the individual has a major mental disorder because such individuals may still feign symptoms to avoid prosecution. Thus, the task of the forensic evaluator is to determine which reported symptoms are valid and consistent with the mental disorder. Use of several principles to assess response style is one approach to determine whether an individual with a major mental disorder is providing reliable self-report information on his or her retrospective symptom presentation and mental state at the time of the offense. This case report illustrates how to use several principles of forensic mental health assessment to detect and differentiate feigned symptoms from genuine symptoms in an individual with a major mental disorder undergoing a forensic evalu...
A comparison of OLSR and OSPF-MDR for large-scale airborne mobile ad-hoc networks

In this paper, we compare the proactive MANET routing schemes of OLSR and OSPF-MDR via high-fidelity simulation, and consider their suitability for large-scale airborne networks. A successful MANET routing scheme must be bandwidth efficient and robust to frequent topology changes. To assess the two protocols, we simulate them in networks with up to 400 mobile nodes, under a variety of network densities. We evaluate them on the basis of the amount of routing overhead generated, the rate of successful packet delivery, and the time it takes until all of the routing tables converge. We find that OLSR requires up to an order magnitude higher router overhead than OSPF-MDR, while providing only a marginal benefit in packet delivery success rates. The largest difference between the two protocols is the time it takes for their routing tables to converge in the presence of packet loss. OLSR has consistent convergence times for networks of all sizes, while the convergence time of OSPF-MDR increases with network size.
Mycorrhizal fungi and growth and development of micropropagated Scutellaria integrifolia plants

Scutellaria species have been used in many traditional medical systems and is well known among the Native American tribes as a strong emmenagogue and as a female medicinal herb. The inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) into the roots of micropropagated plantlets could help not only mass propagate these species, but also help grow in marginal, phosphorus deficient soils. Leaves, shoot apices, and nodal segments from wild as well as from greenhouse-grown plants were used to initiate cultures in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with cytokinins benzyladenine (BA), kinetin, thidiazuron (TDZ), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and indole butyric acid (IBA) Among all the explants tested for shoot bud induction, only shoot tips and nodal explants were responsive. Explants swelled and became rough on the surface at the end of 3-week incubation with many green shoot buds. Two to 3 weeks after transfering to rooting media with or without IBA, all shoots developed roots. In vitro raised plants were acclimatized in a mist chamber and transferred to 6-l containers in the greenhouse to study the role of AMF on plant growth and development. Inoculation with AMF, showed positive effects on plant growth, particularly root development compared with the control plants. Among the five AMF strains tested, S3004 increased plant height and fresh weights of shoot, root, and seed.
Silhouette lookup for monocular 3D pose tracking

Computers should be able to detect and track the articulated 3D pose of a human being moving through a video sequence. Incremental tracking methods often prove slow and unreliable, and many must be initialized by a human operator before they can track a sequence. This paper describes a simple yet effective algorithm for tracking articulated pose, based upon looking up observations (such as body silhouettes) within a collection of known poses. The new algorithm runs quickly, can initialize itself without human intervention, and can automatically recover from critical tracking errors made while tracking previous frames in a video sequence.
The short- and long-term consequences of directed forgetting in a working memory task

Directed forgetting requires the voluntary control of memory. Whereas many studies have examined directed forgetting in long-term memory (LTM), the mechanisms and effects of directed forgetting within working memory (WM) are less well understood. The current study tests how directed forgetting instructions delivered in a WM task influence veridical memory, as well as false memory, over the short and long term. In a modified item recognition task Experiment 1 tested WM only and demonstrated that directed forgetting reduces false recognition errors and semantic interference. Experiment 2 replicated these WM effects and used a surprise LTM recognition test to assess the long-term effects of directed forgetting in WM. Long-term veridical memory for to-be-remembered lists was better than memory for to-be-forgotten lists—the directed forgetting effect. Moreover, fewer false memories emerged for to-be-forgotten information than for to-be-remembered information in LTM as well. These results indicate that directed...
Body banks: a history of milk banks, blood banks, and sperm banks in the United States.

My dissertation traces the invention and development of a new form of banking, body banking. Today, the body bank as an institution that collects, stores, processes, and distributes a human body product is a taken-for-granted aspect of medicine in the United States. We donate to blood banks, we cherish sperm bank babies, and we contemplate many sorts of banks, including cord blood banks, gene banks, and egg banks. Such institutions have existed for the past century in the metaphorical shadow of financial banks, and like those better-studied banks have stirred considerable controversy. The driving question behind my dissertation is simply, why banks? How did we come to use “bank” to apply to bodies as well as to dollars? More intriguingly, what does this analogy show us and what is it hiding?
Silicone radioactive seed carrier for nasal neoplasms

Abstract Treatment of nasal fossa malignancy by radioactive stent (carriers) therapy is a painless, inexpensive, and convenient method. The entire process can be performed on an out-patient basis. However, exact delineation of the extent of the tumor is imperative if radiation therapy is to be effective. For lesions larger than 3 cm, or in patients with possible extranasal fossa extension, external beam radiotherapy and/or surgery might be more effective.
Many‐Parameter Alternant Molecular Orbital Calculations for Large Cyclic Systems with Closed‐Shell Structure

Computer calculations of the energies for various ring systems with closed‐shell structure have been carried out within the framework of the many‐parameter alternant molecular orbital method. A significant improvement is obtained over the corresponding single‐parameter results. Since the explicit energy minimizations are rather time consuming, some semiempirical relations between the relevant parameters are also discussed.
Gatekeeper Training and Access to Mental Health Care at Universities and Colleges

Abstract Purpose Gatekeeper training (GKT) programs are an increasingly popular approach to addressing access to mental health care in adolescent and young adult populations. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a widely used GKT program, Mental Health First Aid, in college student populations. Methods A randomized control trial was conducted on 32 colleges and universities between 2009 and 2011. Campus residence halls were assigned to the intervention (Mental Health First Aid plus pre-existing trainings) or control condition (pre-existing trainings only) using matched pair randomization. The trainings were delivered to resident advisors (RAs). Outcome measures include service utilization, knowledge and attitudes about services, self-efficacy, intervention behaviors, and mental health symptoms. Data come from two sources: (1) surveys completed by the students (resident advisors and residents; N = 2,543), 2–3 months pre- and post-intervention; and (2) utilization records from campus mental health centers, aggregated by residence. Results The training increases trainees' self-perceived knowledge (regression-adjusted effect size [ES] = .38, p p = .01), and confidence to help (ES = .17, p = .04). There are no apparent effects, however, on utilization of mental health care in the student communities in which the trainees live. Conclusions Although GKT programs are widely used to increase access to mental health care, these programs may require modifications to achieve their objectives.
Explaining Shell-Tempered Pottery in Prehistoric Eastern North America

Explanations for the rise in frequency of shell-tempered pottery in the Eastern United States have vacillated between historical and functional accounts. Using evolutionary theory, the historical records of first appearance and diffusion are woven with physical properties of shell-tempered pottery that may have led to its selection. An appreciation of the scale at which change occurs and the units of analysis most appropriate for understanding that change is necessary for an explanation that can account for the widespread use of shell-tempering and the more-or-less coincident rise in its frequency. A hypothesis with empirical consequences is offered as a starting point for understanding this phenomenon.
Upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms among female office workers: Associations with video display terminal use and occupational psychosocial stressors

The relationships between musculoskeletal symptoms and both video display terminal (VDT) use and occupational psychosocial stress were assessed among women office workers by self-administered questionnaires. Significantly increased odds ratios for neck or shoulder symptoms were observed from subjects who had ever used a VDT, had less job security, and had more stressful work during the 2 weeks prior to completion of the questionnaire. Significantly increased odds ratios for arm and hand symptoms were observed for subjects who had used a VDT for more than 6 years, reported a very crowded workplace, or reported very stressful work during the 2 weeks prior to completion of the questionnaire. Among current non-users, those who previously used VDTs were more likely to report upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms than those who had never used VDTs. This suggests that individuals with symptoms may be more likely to reduce their VDT usage, distorting results of cross-sectional studies. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of tracking errors on the performance of point focusing solar collectors

Abstract An important parameter in the design of point focusing solar collectors is the intercept factor which is a measure of efficiency and of energy available for use in the receiver. Using statistical methods, and expression for the expected value of the intercept factor is derived for various configurations and control law implementations. The analysis assumes that a radially symmetric flux distribution (not necessarily Gaussian) is generated at the focal plane due to the sun's finite image and various reflector errors. The time-varying tracking errors are assumed to be uniformly distributed within the threshold limits and allows the expected value calculation.
Estimating the effect of crop classification error on evapotranspiration derived from remote sensing in the lower Colorado River basin, USA

Abstract In the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Lower Colorado River Accounting System (LCRAS), crop classifications derived from remote sensing are used to calculate regional estimates of crop evapotranspiration for water monitoring and management activities on the lower Colorado River basin. The LCRAS accuracy assessment was designed to quantify the impact of crop classification error on annual total crop evapotranspiration (ETc), as calculated from the Penman–Monteith method using the map crop classification as input. The accuracy assessment data were also used to generate a sample-based estimate of total ETc using the crop type identified by direct ground observation of each sample field. A stratified random sampling design was implemented using field size as the stratification variable. The stratified design did not markedly improve precision for the accuracy assessment objective, but it was highly effective for the objective of estimating ETc derived from the ground-observed crop types. The sampling design and analysis methodology developed for LCRAS demonstrates the utility of a multi-purpose approach that satisfies the accuracy assessment objectives, but also allows for rigorous, sample-based estimates of other collective properties of a region (e.g., total ETc in this study). We discuss key elements of this multi-purpose sampling strategy and the planning process used to implement such a strategy.
Ion Exchange in Selected Low Rank Coals. Part II: Kinetics

ABSTRACT The kinetics of ion exchange in a subbituminous coal have been investigated. The rate determining step in the exchange processes was determined to be intraparticle diffusion for particle sizes of 9,500 × 4,000 μm, 425 × 250 μm and 180 × 125 μm. The kinetics of exchange for the 180 × 125 μm particles was very rapid and approached film diffusion control. A relatively simple mathematical model developed by Helfferich (1) describe adequately ion exchange kinetics. The model was effective in predicting the extent of exchange as a function of time and the time required to reach complete exchange. Interdiffusion coefficients at 298 K obtained from the model for exchange of H for Na +, Mg2+and Ca2+ranged from 2.0 × 1010−6to 2.6 × 10−8cm2/s with the values decreasing in the order: $
IP3 receptors in cell survival and apoptosis: Ca2+ release and beyond

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs) serve to discharge Ca2+ from ER stores in response to agonist stimulation. The present review summarizes the role of these receptors in models of Ca2+-dependent apoptosis. In particular we focus on the regulation of IP3Rs by caspase-3 cleavage, cytochrome c, anti-apoptotic proteins and Akt kinase. We also address the evidence that some of the effects of IP3Rs in apoptosis may be independent of their ion-channel function. The role of IP3Rs in delivering Ca2+ to the mitochondria is discussed from the perspective of the factors determining inter-organellar dynamics and the spatial proximity of mitochondria and ER membranes.
Basics of research (part 3): Research study design

Abstract There are a large number of clinical research designs that have stood the test of time. There is no single research design that is best to answer all research questions, and every research design has appropriate applications. This article describes the most common designs and a recommended classification system. However, in the process of performing research, there are always other options and “hybrid” studies combining elements from different designs, are not uncommon. Though it is a good practice to think of research designs in terms of degree of scientific integrity or rigor, it must be recognized that every design type has both advantages, as well as disadvantages. In addition, there are usually many different ways to answer the same research question. Which design is most appropriate is dependent largely on a stage of evolution of the investigative process. An understanding of the full breadth and spectrum of research study designs is necessary to select the model that is most appropriate for a given investigation. In general, it is best to use the most scientifically valid design that the circumstances will allow. However, the actual decision regarding the research design usually represents a compromise between lofty scientific goals and the clinical or resource limitations of the research setting. Therefore, be realistic about the resources available for the research, including the time frame that is available. Realize that research is done in incremental steps, and it is unusual to be able to answer the entire research question in a single study. It must be emphasized that the process of planning and revising the protocol, prior to starting the actual data collection, is critically important. The extra time spent planning will pay off in time savings during the actual study itself. Involvement of a statistician during the planning process, before collecting any actual data also is important. Once you have a sense of which research study design is most appropriate to answer your research question, the next step is to flesh out the actual research protocol itself. That process will be addressed in the next part of this series.
Political Ecologies of Electronic Waste: Uncertainty and Legitimacy in the Governance of E-Waste Geographies

Geographers broadly, and political ecologists in particular, have been at the forefront of analyzing the progressive linking of Northern consumption practices with livelihoods elsewhere, problematizing the devolution that places ‘citizen-consumers’, NGOs, and corporate actors as key political agents of protecting workers and environments, promoting ‘ethical’ trade, and ‘greening’ economies through their purchasing choices. Utilizing empirical work on the development of certification and labeling schemes designed to ensure the safe recycling of used electronics, or e-wastes, across a global supply chain, this paper extends lessons learned from these critical analyses of consumer politics to ongoing debates about e-waste, trade, and recycling. I highlight the ambiguities and democratic deficits that emerge from promoting global environmental justice politics through market-driven disposal choices. I analyze the practices of representation through which NGOs and institutions produce e-waste as an object of r...
A COMMERCIAL OFF-THE-SHELF IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ANALOG NEURAL COMPUTER

For most applications, analog electrical circuit implementations of continuous-valued neural networks have been abandoned in favor of digital simulations. This is not surprising, as both precision and accuracy can be more easily ensured in digital computers. Still, because they use far fewer transistors and support components, analog circuits can still be orders of magnitude smaller than their digital simulations. In some application, like micro-robotics and embedded control, one might be willing to tolerate less accuracy and precision for the size and power benefits. One would not under any condition, however, tolerate significant behavioral mismatches between the differential equation and electrical circuit forms of the neural networks in question. In this paper, we will present a design for an analog neural computer that embodies the commonly used continuous time recurrent neural network. We will show that the computer possesses excellent behavioral congruence to the differential equation form even in the presence of significant practical compromises. We will also discuss the implications of this work for both practical Commercial, Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) devices.
Water distribution across the mantle transition zone and its implications for global material circulation

Abstract Various methods for inferring the water distribution in Earth's mantle are reviewed including geochemical and geophysical methods. The geochemical approach using the water contents of basalts shows that the water content in the source regions of ocean island basalt is generally larger than that of the source region of mid-ocean ridge basalt, but the location of the source regions of ocean island basalts is poorly constrained. Geophysical approaches have potential of providing constraints on the spatial distribution of water but their usefulness depends critically on the sensitivity of geophysical observations to water content relative to other factors, in addition to the resolution of geophysical observations. Existing experimental data on the influence of water on seismologically observable properties and on electrical conductivity are reviewed. Frequently used seismological observations such as the anomalies in seismic wave velocities and of the topography on the mantle discontinuities are only weakly sensitive to water content but more sensitive to other factors such as the major element chemistry and temperature for a typical range of water contents. In contrast, electrical conductivity is highly sensitive to water content and only modestly sensitive to other factors such as temperature, oxygen fugacity and major element chemistry. Models of electrical conductivity–depth profiles are constructed where the influence of hydrogen and iron partitioning among coexisting minerals and of the depth variation in oxygen fugacity are incorporated. It is shown (i) that the electrical conductivity varies more than two orders of magnitude for a plausible range of water content in the mantle (~ 10 ppm wt to ~ 1 wt.%) and (ii) that if water content is constant with depth, there will be a drop in electrical conductivity at ~ 410-km. Although the resolution is not as high as seismological observations, geophysically inferred electrical conductivity distributions generally show higher conductivity in the mantle transition zone than the upper mantle, suggesting that the water content in the transition zone is higher than that in the upper mantle with some lateral variations. Implications of inferred water distribution are discussed including the possible partial melting near 410-km and its role in global water circulation.
High capacity image barcodes using color separability

Two-dimensional barcodes are widely used for encoding data in printed documents. In a number of applications, the visual appearance of the barcode constitutes a fundamental restriction. In this paper, we propose high capacity color image barcodes that encode data in an image while preserving its basic appearance. Our method aims at high embedding rates and sacrifices image fidelity in favor of embedding robustness in regions where these two goals conflict with each other. The method operates by utilizing cyan, magenta, and yellow printing channels with elongated dots whose orientations are modulated in order to encode the data. At the receiver, by using the complementary sensor channels to estimate the colorant channels, data is extracted in each individual colorant channel. In order to recover from errors introduced in the channel, error correction coding is employed. Our simulation and experimental results indicate that the proposed method can achieve high encoding rates while preserving the appearance of the base image.
An efficient powertrain simulation model for vehicle performance

It is well established that interaction between powertrain and vehicle dynamics contributes significantly to the vehicle handling and ride response. This paper proposes a simple and efficient powertrain model for a Front-Wheel-Drive (FWD) vehicle to support vehicle design studies. This model captures the major interactions that impact vehicle ride and handling and is capable of real-time execution. A detailed description of the model is provided as well as how it is coupled to the vehicle model. Simulation results are presented for an example vehicle. The ability to predict vehicle acceleration performance is demonstrated. The model is also used to investigate dynamic responses in throttle tip-in events and for road disturbance.
Use of short-term efficacy/toxicity tradeoffs to select second-line drugs in rheumatoid arthritis. A metaanalysis of published clinical trials.

Objective Preferred drugs for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) should be those that have maximal efficacy with the least toxicity. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity tradeoffs for drugs frequently used in the treatment of RA. Methods We updated 2 metaanalyses of published clinical trials, by adding trials published through 1990 and trials of azathioprine (AZA). We tested 3 different definitions of efficacy, each plotted against 3 different toxicity measures, for antimalarial drugs, methotrexate (MTX), auranofin, injectable gold, D-penicillamine, sulfasalazine (SSZ), AZA, and placebo. Efficacy measures included composite efficacy (a combination of joint count, grip strength, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate), tender joint count alone, and a measure based on how many patients dropped out due to inefficacy. Toxicity measures were the proportion dropping out due to toxicity, the same dropouts with side effects weighted for severity using a modification of a published toxicity index, and the proportion with severe toxicities (defined as a score of at least 7 of 10 on the toxicity index). The latter were usually organ toxicities (e.g., cytopenias and renal involvement). Results All 9 efficacy/toxicity tradeoff plots suggested that MTX and antimalarial drugs had the highest efficacy relative to toxicity. MTX scored among the most efficacious of the drugs and, of these, had the least toxicity. Antimalarial drugs, though showing only moderate efficacy, had the lowest toxicity rate of all the drugs. SSZ scored close to MTX but was, in general, slightly more toxic. Conclusion In the short-term context of clinical trials, antimalarial drugs and MTX have the best efficacy/toxicity tradeoffs and may, therefore, be the preferred drugs.
Leptin resistance exacerbates diet-induced obesity and is associated with diminished maximal leptin signalling capacity in rats.

Aims/hypothesis Leptin resistance is generally considered a consequence of obesity. We postulated that leptin resistance is associated with diminished hypothalamic leptin signalling capacity and that leptin resistance is causal to obesity. We assessed maximal leptin-mediated binding of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and the response to high-fat feeding in lean leptin-resistant rats.
Tuition and the outcomes of community college attendance: simulations for academic-program and occupational-program students

I estimate the impacts of higher 2-year and 4-year tuition on the outcomes of community college attendance. Higher 2-year tuition is associated with higher dropout rates in both academic and occupational programs and lower rates of terminal degree receipt in occupational programs. Dropout increases are especially large in late semesters and are stronger among men than women. Higher 4-year tuition reduces dropout rates in the early semesters of both academic and occupational programs. Much of the effects of tuition on academic-program enrollment disappear when including campus fixed effects.
Risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is low in patients with chronic liver disease exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents.

Author(s): Smorodinsky, Emmanuil; Ansdell, David S; Foster, Zeke W; Mazhar, Sameer M; Cruite, Irene; Wolfson, Tanya; Sugay, Sebastian B; Iussich, Gabriella; Shiehmorteza, Masoud; Kono, Yuko; Kuo, Alexander; Sirlin, Claude B | Abstract: PurposeTo determine the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in a cohort of patients with chronic liver disease.Materials and methodsThis retrospective, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant study was performed at a single tertiary liver center. The study cohort comprised 1167 patients with chronic liver disease followed in a liver clinic and exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) between February 2004 and October 2007. A retrospective review of medical records was performed. For each patient, data were collected on demographics, history of GBCA exposure, presence of purported risk factors for NSF, and histopathological evidence of NSF.ResultsOf the 1167 patients with chronic liver disease, 58% (n = 678) had cirrhosis. The patients had a total of 2421 separate GBCA exposures. Fifty-five percent (n = 646) had a single exposure, 19% (n = 218) had two exposures, and 26% (n = 303) had three or more exposures. Seventy-two percent (n = 843) of patients had renal insufficiency, 25 patients (2.1%) had hepatorenal syndrome, 80 patients (6.8%) were in the perioperative liver transplant period, and 49 patients (4.2%) had one or more additional risk factors for NSF. None of the 1167 patients developed NSF.ConclusionChronic liver disease does not appear to be a significant risk factor for NSF.
The core-inversible micelles for hydrophilic drug delivery

A unique core-inversible micelle (CIM) was formed via PEG5kCA8 for hydrophilic drug delivery. An amyloid-fibril-inhibiting water-soluble molecule, congo red (CR), has been loaded into the hydrophilic core of CIMs. The targeting folate-CIMs significantly enhanced the intracellular delivery of hydrophilic CR in a folate receptor-expressing cell line.
Isolation and characterization of a zebrafish homologue of the cone rod homeobox gene.

PURPOSE. To isolate and characterize a zebrafish Crx homologue. Mammalian Crx genes are expressed specifically in photoreceptors and pinealocytes, regulate photoreceptor gene expression, are necessary for normal photoreceptor differentiation, and when mutated cause a variety of photoreceptor degenerations. METHODS. A zebrafish retinal cDNA library was screened with a human CRX cDNA probe. Radiation hybrid mapping, Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and transient transfection studies were performed using standard methods. RESULTS. Based on amino acid sequence comparisons, zebrafish crx shows 50% identity with human CRX, and 85% identity in the homeodomain. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that zebrafish crx is most closely related to the mammalian Crx proteins, and more distantly related to the Otx proteins. Zebrafish crx maps between 49.6 and 54.5 cm from the top of linkage group LG05C, a map position consistent with the location of the mouse and human CRX genes. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization indicate that zebrafish crx is expressed in the retina and pineal gland. In adult zebrafish, crx is expressed by both rods and cones in the outer nuclear layer, and in cells in the outer zone of the inner nuclear layer, in the region occupied by bipolar cells. Similar to mammalian Crx, zebrafish crx interacts with neural retinal leucine zipper (Nrl) to activate, although weakly, rhodopsin promoter activity. CONCLUSIONS. Based on molecular phylogeny, chromosomal location, expression pattern, and ability to activate rhodopsin promoter activity in transient transfection assays, zebrafish crx appears to be an orthologue and functional homologue of mammalian Crx. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2001;42:481‐ 487)
Frankenstein as Science Fiction and Fact

Often called the first of its kind, Frankenstein paved the way for science fiction writing. Its depiction of a then impossible scientific feat has in our time become possible and is essentially rec...
Exposure of HeLa cells to 06-alkylguanines increases sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of alkylating agents

Abstract Exposure of HeLa S3 cells to 0.4mM 0 6 -methylguanine or 0 6 -n-butylguanine for 24 h led to a substantial decrease in the activity of 0 6 -alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase. Such pretreatment caused a marked increase in the sensitivity of the cells to the cytotoxic effects of the cross-linking alkylating agent 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-cyclohexylurea and a smaller increase in the sensitivity to N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine. These results indicate that the repair of DNA by the alkyltransferase plays an important role in the protection of cells from the cytotoxic effects of certain alkylating agents particularly those such as 1-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitroso-3-cyclohexylurea which ultimately lead to the formation of lethal interstrand cross-links.