cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DJ-1, a Parkinson's disease related protein, aggregates under denaturing conditions and co-aggregates with α-synuclein through hydrophobic interaction.

Abstract Background DJ-1, a small ubiquitously expressed protein implicated in several pathways associated with Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, has been found to interact with α-synuclein and modulate its aggregation, yet the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Methods The stability and aggregation properties of wild-type DJ-1 under denaturing conditions, such as low pH, high temperature, presence of denaturants were investigated. The interaction between DJ-1 and α-synuclein was tested by SDS-PAGE gel and native gel electrophoresis and by size-exclusion HPLC. Fibrillization was monitored by thioflavin T fluorescence assays and amorphous aggregation was followed by light scattering measurements. The morphology of aggregated species was observed by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Protein secondary structures were characterized by far-UV circular dichroism. Results DJ-1 fibrillization was first observed at low pH or by adding denaturants. Amorphous aggregates formed at neutral pH, and the aggregation was dramatically accelerated by elevated temperature and the presence of α-synuclein. Aggregation of DJ-1 were enhanced by heating and perturbed by the co-occurrence of α-synuclein but strong interactions between the two proteins were not found. Conclusions Varying environmental factors led to different aggregation pathways of DJ-1 although a simulated physiological condition would not lead to fibrillization. DJ-1 co-aggregating with α-synuclein may result from weak hydrophobic interaction and DJ-1 exhibited chaperon-like activity in the initial time of α-synuclein aggregation at high temperature. General significance This research on DJ-1 presented its aggregation behavior under denaturing conditions and interaction mechanism with α-synuclein that may help to decipher its potential neuroprotective or neurotoxic role in Parkinson's disease.
Can Unspanned Stochastic Volatility Models Explain the Cross Section of Bond Volatilities

In fixed income markets, volatility is unspanned if volatility risk cannot be hedged with bonds. We first show that all affine term structure models with state space ℝ+M×ℝN−M can be drift normalized and show when the standard variance normalization can be obtained. Using this normalization, we find conditions for a wide class of affine term structure models to exhibit unspanned stochastic volatility (USV). We show that the USV conditions restrict both the mean reversions of risk factors and the cross section of conditional yield volatilities. The restrictions imply that previously studied affine USV models are unlikely to be able to generate the observed cross section of yield volatilities. However, more general USV models can match the cross section of bond volatilities. This paper was accepted by Wei Xiong, finance.
The Structure Decomposition for Affine Nonlinear Systems

Abstract In this paper, we mainly discuss the decomposition conditions for nonlinear systems. For a complex nonlinear system, if it can be decomposed into several simple parts, then we can studying this nonlinear systea by studying the decomposed system.
A secure scan chain test scheme exploiting retention loss of memristors

Insertion of scan chains, as the most common DFT technique, provides a powerful way for the structural testing of integrated circuits (IC). However, it can be easily misused by unauthorized parties to acquire critical design information. Scan-based attacks are one kind of side channel attacks that reveal the comprehensive information of IC design noninvasively. Reports have shown many successful scan based side channel attacks against the main stream cryptographic systems, such as RSA, AES, etc. On the other hand, current countermeasure schemes are limited to either the incomplete protection of scan information or the massive redesign complexity. In this paper, we proposed a new secure scan chain design technique using a memristor array. By utilizing the natural and highly unpredictable degradation in the memristor cells, the proposed technique can provide the truely random scan confusion with little design overheads.
Lebanese Women’s Rights Beyond the Cedar Revolution

Whereas the Arab Spring usually refers to the revolts that started in Tunisia in 2011, it is possible to argue that Lebanon is a pioneer of Arab revolutions by virtue of its Cedar Revolution, which began in 2005 as a popular protest movement against the military and political presence of Syria. Women performed an important role in the revolution, and it in turn has played a key part in the evolution of gender standards in Lebanon since. This chapter discusses the revolution from a gendered standpoint, and it highlights the merger of gender advocacy and political/ democratic advocacy.
Transcriptional survey of alveolar macrophages in a murine model of chronic granulomatous inflammation reveals common themes with human sarcoidosis.

To advance our understanding of the pathobiology of sarcoidosis, we developed a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-based murine model that shows marked histological and inflammatory signal similarit...
Assessing crash risk considering vehicle interactions with trucks using point detector data

Trucks have distinct driving characteristics in general traffic streams such as lower speeds and limitations in acceleration and deceleration. As a consequence, vehicles keep longer headways or frequently change lane when they follow a truck, which is expected to increase crash risk. This study introduces several traffic measures at the individual vehicle level to capture vehicle interactions between trucks and non-trucks and analyzed how the measures affect crash risk under different traffic conditions. The traffic measures were developed using headways obtained from Inductive Loop Detectors (ILDs). In addition, a truck detection algorithm using a Gaussian Mixture (GM) model was developed to identify trucks and to estimate truck exposure from ILD data. Using the identified vehicle types from the GM model, vehicle interaction metrics were categorized into three groups based on the combination of leading and following vehicle types. The effects of the proposed traffic measures on crash risk were modeled in two different cases of prior- and non-crash using a case-control approach utilizing a conditional logistic regression. Results showed that the vehicle interactions between the leading and following vehicle types were highly associated with crash risk, and further showed different impacts on crash risk by traffic conditions. Specifically, crashes were more likely to occur when a truck following a non-truck had shorter average headway but greater headway variance in heavy traffic while a non-truck following a truck had greater headway variance in light traffic. This study obtained meaningful conclusions that vehicle interactions involved with trucks were significantly related to the crash likelihood rather than the measures that estimate average traffic condition such as total volume or average headway of the traffic stream.
Application of the New York BitLicense to Initial Coin Offerings

Would New York's BitLicense apply to all forms of initial coin offerings, whether issued as protocol tokens, investment tokens, or utility tokens? After discussing the background, regulatory framework, and application of the BitLicense, I conclude that based on the letter of the law, every Person who sells blockchain-based tokens in an ICO, where New York residents are capable of purchasing tokens, are likely regulated by the law. This will probably be true whether the tokens issued serve an investment or utility purpose, but that distinction could make a difference in the future if the regulation’s intended application is relied on in industry guidance or through the New York Department of Financial Services enforcement actions.
MRI in systems medicine

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the primary medical imaging modalities and a key component of the standard of care in modern healthcare systems. One of the factors that distinguishes MRI from other imaging methods is the ability to program the MRI system to reveal a wide range of imaging contrasts, where each type of contrast offers unique information about the biological sample of interest. This ability stems from the fact that both the amplitude and phase of the magnetization of the underlying tissue can be manipulated to highlight different biological phenomenon. The flexibility and capabilities offered by modern MRI systems have enabled the development of a myriad of techniques for characterizing anatomy, physiology, and function. These include methods to characterize gross anatomy, tissue microstructure, bulk blood flow, tissue perfusion, and functional changes in blood oxygenation. This article is categorized under: Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Imaging Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Diagnostic Methods.
Chinese International Undergraduate Students’ English Language Ability, Advice From Domestic and International Friends, and Psychosocial Adjustment to College:

This study explores how advice from friends predicts Chinese international students’ college adjustment. First-year international Chinese (N = 95) undergraduates reported on their English language ...
Hypersensitivity reactions with allopurinol and febuxostat: a study using the Medicare claims data

Objective To assess the risk of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) with allopurinol and febuxostat in a population-based study. Methods We used the 5% Medicare beneficiary sample (≥65 years) from 2006 to 2012 to identify people with a newly filled prescription for allopurinol, febuxostat or colchicine. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analyses to compare the hazard ratio (HR) of incident HSRs with allopurinol or febuxostat use versus colchicine use; separate analyses were done in people exposed to allopurinol. Propensity-matched analyses (5:1) compared hazards with allopurinol versus febuxostat. Results Crude incidence rates of HSRs were as follows: allopurinol, 23.7; febuxostat, 30.7; and colchicine, 25.6 per 1000 person-years. Compared with colchicine, allopurinol, febuxostat and febuxostat+colchicine were associated with significantly higher HRs of HSRs, 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.60) and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.12) and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.18 to 3.99), respectively. In propensity-matched analyses, febuxostat did not significantly differ from allopurinol; HR for HSRs was 1.25 (95% CI: 0.93 to 1.67). Compared with allopurinol start dose Conclusions Compared with colchicine, allopurinol and febuxostat similarly increased the risk of HSRs. Allopurinol and febuxostat did not differ from each other. In allopurinol users, starting dose, female sex and diabetes increased this risk, findings that need further study.
A sleep apnea prediction model developed for African Americans: the Jackson Heart Sleep Study.

Study Objectives:African Americans have a high prevalence of severe sleep apnea that is often undiagnosed. We developed a prediction model for sleep apnea and compared the predictive values of that...
Diffusion rather than intraflagellar transport likely provides most of the tubulin required for axonemal assembly in Chlamydomonas

Tubulin enters the cilium by diffusion and motor-based intraflagellar transport (IFT). However, the respective contribution of each route in providing tubulin for axonemal assembly remains unknown. Using Chlamydomonas, we attenuated IFT-based tubulin transport of GFP-β-tubulins by altering the IFT74/IFT81 tubulin-binding module and the C-terminal E-hook of tubulin. E-hook deficient GFP-β-tubulin is incorporated into the axonemal microtubules, but its transport frequency by IFT was reduced by ∼90% in control cells and essentially abolished when the IFT81 tubulin-binding site was incapacitated. Despite the strong reduction in IFT, the proportion of E-hook deficient GFP-β-tubulin in the axoneme was only moderately reduced. In vivo imaging showed more GFP-β-tubulin particles entering cilia by diffusion than by IFT. Extrapolated to endogenous tubulin, the data indicate that diffusion provides most of the tubulin required for axonemal assembly. We propose that IFT of tubulin is nevertheless needed for ciliogenesis because it augments the tubulin pool supplied to the ciliary tip by diffusion, thus ensuring that free tubulin there is maintained at the critical concentration for plus-end microtubule assembly during rapid ciliary growth.
Critical Race Theory as a Lens for Examining Primary Care Provider Responses to Persistently-Elevated HbA1c.

Abstract Introduction Clinical inertia remains a persistent problem in the treatment of diabetes in clinical care. Primary care provider behavior is thought to be a significant contributor to diabetes clinical inertia. This study used the lens of Critical Race Theory to examine whether provider's diabetes management activities differ by patient race and frame implications for future research. Methods Chart abstractors retrospectively reviewed a random sample of charts from primary care patients with persistently-elevated HbA1c to assess providers' diabetes management activities in the subsequent year. Provider activities aligned with the American Diabetes Association's standards of medical care and included HbA1c test ordering, documentation of patient medication adherence, counseling on lifestyle modification, lifestyle modification referral, endocrinologist participation in care, and medication titration. Differences in provider actions by patient race (Black, white, or other) were examined using chi-square tests. Results A total of 188 patient charts were reviewed. For all provider actions, there were statistically-significant differences by patient race. Black patients were least likely to be counseled on dietary changes (72.0%) or physical activity (57.7%) by their primary care provider, but most likely to be referred to an outside specialist for this counseling (46.2%). Black patients were also least likely to have medication adjustments made (72%). Discussion Study findings showed an association between provider diabetes management behaviors and patient race, Future studies showed explore providers' racial beliefs, attitudes and clinical decision-making, and patients’ experiences with historical exclusion from medical care and racism in healthcare encounters In addition, more research is needed to explore the role of structural racism in clinical inertia.
RNA‐Seq identifies genes whose proteins are upregulated during syncytia development in murine C2C12 myoblasts and human BeWo trophoblasts

The fusion of villous cytotrophoblasts into the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast is critical for the essential functions of the mammalian placenta. Using RNA-Seq gene expression, quantitative protein expression, and siRNA knockdown we identified genes and their cognate proteins which are similarly upregulated in two cellular models of mammalian syncytia development (human BeWo cytotrophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast and murine C2C12 myoblast to myotube). These include DYSF, PDE4DIP, SPIRE2, NDRG1, PLEC, GPR146, HSPB8, DHCR7, and HDAC5. These findings provide avenues for further understanding of the mechanisms underlying mammalian placental syncytiotrophoblast development.
How do internationalizing firms emerge

Abstract Entrepreneurship today is truly global: international sources of supplies, services, and customers are available to anyone online, and large-scale operations are no longer required to take advantage of global talent, supply, and distribution networks. Yet we do not have a comprehensive understanding of how international firms emerge. Building on previous research at the intersection of entrepreneurship and international business, we propose a theoretical framework for identifying and examining entrepreneurial emergence that is international from the start. This framework builds on the four well-known qualities of emerging organizations (boundaries, resources, intention, and exchange), and three key aspects of international business operations (speed, scope and intensity of internationalization). The resulting model has the potential to help researchers refocus their attention on everyday forms of emerging international firms that are ubiquitous, yet seldom explored.
Characterization of some interference mitigation schemes in FMCW radar

This paper characterizes interference mitigation schemes in FMCW radar. We consider mitigation techniques at two stages of the processing chain: (a) time-domain and (b) post range-FFT. Time-domain techniques operate on the ADC samples and are useful when the interferer and the victim have widely differing slopes. Post Range-FFT techniques are useful when the interferer and the victim have nominally identical slopes. In both these cases we analyze interference detection requirements and characterize the efficacy of various techniques.
Relationship Between Serum Neurofilament Light and Multiple Sclerosis Disability Progression: Clear as Mud.

Neurofilament light (NfL) is a scaffolding cytoskeletal protein that is expressed exclusively in central and peripheral neurons and is released when there is damage to the neuron, including its axon. NfL can be measured in the CSF and serum, with modest correlations between the two.1,2 This makes serum NfL (sNfL) an attractive potential biomarker for a variety of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Potential applications to neurologic conditions include a prognostic biomarker to predict disease progression and a pharmacodynamic/treatment response biomarker to be used in clinical trials and possibly clinical practice.3 A number of studies have looked into these potential applications.4-8
Differential Regulation of Pulmonary Endothelial Cell Response to Hypoxia by NF-kB Family

Endothelial cells (EC) play a central and critical role in the initiation and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The NF-kB family (NFkB1, NFkB2, RELA, RELB, and C-REL) regulates a wide arr...
Workplace Discrimination and the Wellbeing of Minority Women: Overview, Prospects, and Implications

Research on employee wellbeing in the workplace has increased. However, the examination of workplace wellbeing for minority women has been particularly limited. In this chapter, we explore the relationship between discrimination and wellbeing paying particular attention to the impact of discrimination on the wellbeing of minority women. We borrow from the literatures regarding gender discrimination to illuminate the intersectionality of race and gender and its impact on the workplace wellbeing of minority women. In addition, we offer several examples to illustrate the impact of multiple forms of discrimination on minority women’s wellbeing and show that work disengagement is one of the most salient buffers minority women use to shield themselves from daily discrimination. Finally, we offer prescriptions for organizations and racial/ethnic minority women to ensure a productive work environment where minority women may thrive.
NH4Cl activates AE2 anion exchanger in Xenopus oocytes at acidic pHi.

In the course of experiments to define regulation by intracellular pH (pHi) of the AE2 anion exchanger expressed in Xenopus oocytes, we discovered an unexpected regulation of AE2 by NH4+. Intracell...
Factors promoting tumor angiogenesis.

(1999). Factors Promoting Tumor Angiogenesis. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 17, No. 8, pp. 594-623.
Distortions to capital mobility

Abstract This paper examines the effects of a threat of expropriation, by a host government, on the level of capital invested by a joint venture involving a multinational firm.
Native Speakers: Ella Deloria, Zora Neale Hurston, Jovita González, and the Poetics of Culture

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Maria Eugenia Cotera Year: 2008 Pages: 300 Publisher: University of Texas Press ISBN: 978-0-292-71868-5 (hard cover). Prices: $60.00 USD(hard cover).
Neutral Atom Imaging of the Plasma Sheet: Fluxes and Instrument Requirements

We use the results of three-dimensional self-consistent MHD simulations of magnetotail dynamics to provide a time-varying source density and temperature as a model of the plasma sheet proton population. Assuming Maxwellian distribution functions, we can then derive energy dependent proton fluxes as a function of position and time. Assuming observed radial distributions of exospheric hydrogen neutrals and fitting the energy dependence of the proton-hydrogen cross-section, we can calculate the neutral hydrogen fluxes generated by charge exchange between the two species. We then line-of-sight integrate these resulting fluxes to yield images such as would be observable by suitably equipped spacecraft missions. By investigating separate energy ranges, we can derive time and spatial resolution, and sensitivity requirements for observing instrumentation.
Examining Zero Expected Family Contribution as a New Criterion for “Low Income”: Comparing the Impact on Student Persistence at Two- and Four-Year Institutions

The designation “low income” is often assigned to students who are Federal Pell Grant eligible; however, family incomes for these recipients range from $0 to as high as $60,000 (Baum & Payea, 2011). Over 93% of all zero expected family contribution (EFC) students have a family income of $30,000 or less and constituted 67.4% of all Federal Pell Grant disbursements in 2009–2010. Given the wide range of family incomes, state need-based grant eligibility requirements, and current fiscal constraints, the purpose of this study was to compare predictors of student first- to second-year persistence, for zero and nonzero EFC students at two- and four-year institutions, as suggested by Davidson (2013). Logistic regressions showed differences between students at two- and four-year institutions as well as zero and nonzero students. Using a zero EFC as a criterion for low income could prove a valuable alternative to Federal Pell Grant eligibility for state and institutional policy makers when allocating need-based fin...
Growth Of Quantum Wire Superlattices And Tilted Superlattices By Molecular Beam Epitaxy

We report the successful growth of tilted superlattices (TSLs) obtained by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) deposition of fractional monolayer superlattices, (GaAs)m(AlAs)n, (m,n < 1), on vicinal (001) GaAs substrates. In these structures, the tilt angle of the TSL interfaces with respect to the (001) orientation and the TSL period may be adjusted Independently by choosing the values of m + n and the mis-orientation angle of the vicinal substrate plane. The TSL permits the control of a second dimension in crystal growth and offers a wealth of new opportunities for devices and structures. We present the analysis of several TSL structures by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and low temperature cathodoluminescence (CL). The experimental results confirm that growth conditions on vicinal (001) surfaces can be selected to assure that growth proceeds as layer-by-layer step propagation with minimal island nucleation on the step terraces. Furthermore, the agreement with theory demonstrates directly the monoatomic nature of the surface steps. The power of this new growth technique is demonstrated by growing superlattices of quantum wire-like structures in a single growth.
Continuous solid-substrate fermentation of feedlot waste with grain

Abstract A process was developed to rapidly and continuously recycle animal waste by fermenting it in a mixture with coarsely cracked corn. The particulate waste-grain substrate at 40–45% moisture was tumbled in a three-chambered cylinder equipped with mixing baffles and rotated horizontally on its long axis at 0·5 rpm. The fermentor operated with a retained quantity of 7·5 kg waste-grain mixture and a throughput of 205 kg day −1 . Small amounts of waste and grain were introduced simultaneously at short intervals into one end of the cylindrical vessel to achieve residence times of 54–108 h. Lactobacilli (10 10 g −1 ) and yeasts (10 8 g −1 ) invariably dominated the fermentation regardless of residence time. The fermented product had a silage-like odor, and the lactic and acetic acids produced during the fermentation essentially eliminated fecal coliforms when the pH stabilized at approximately 4·1 over a residence time of 100 h or more.
Two-directional skin friction measurement utilizing a compact internally mounted thin-liquid-film skin friction meter

A new, compact oil film skin friction meter capable of measuring skin friction in two directions has been designed and constructed. The instrument allows the thin liquid film technique to now be applied in flight and in a wider variety of laboratory conditions. The instrument was tested by comparing measurements with those given by a floating element gage in laminar, transitional, and turbulent boundary layers with zero pressure gradient. Both instruments agreed satisfactorily with each other and with the expected curves for the laminar and turbulent boundary layers. Significant differences were at first seen between the oil film meter and two floating element gages in the case of a favorable pressure gradient, but when a correction is applied to account for the normal force acting on the pendulum-type gage, the three instruents are much closer. The directional sensitivity of the oil film gage is also demonstrated.
Size class structure and tree dispersion patterns in old-growth cedar-hemlock forests of the northern Rocky Mountains (USA)

Tree population size structures and dispersion patterns were studied using stem maps in three old-growth western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla Sarg.)-western redcedar (Thuja plicata Donn.) stands in the Rocky Mountains of northern Idaho and adjacent Washington. The two species were codominant in one stand, hemlock dominated the second, and cedar the third. Shade intolerant species such as western white pine (Pinus monticola Dougl.) were present only as canopy individuals. Hemlock, but not cedar, was well represented in size classes with dbh less than 20 cm. Althrough large individuals of both species have substantial influences on soil properties beneath them, forming distinct cedar or hemlock patches, nearest neighbor analyses did not indicate that these patches influence tree recruitment patterns. Juvenile trees were generally found in monospecific groups and their location was most dependent on rotting wood and other safe sites. Aggregation decreased as size class increased for both species in all cases except for cedar in the mixed stand, where the largest size class was aggregated. Aggregation of large cedars suggests that proximity to conspecifics increases survivorship among cedar in mixed stands. This may be due to the formation and maintainance of soil patches favoring a cedar nutrient cycling regime.
Epistasis between QTLs for bone density variation in Copenhagen × dark agouti F2 rats

The variation in several of the risk factors for osteoporotic fracture, including bone mineral density (BMD), has been shown to be strongly influenced by genetic differences. However, the genetic architecture of BMD is complex in both humans and in model organisms. We previously reported quantitative trait locus (QTL) results for BMD from a genome screen of 828 F2 progeny of Copenhagen and dark agouti rats. These progeny also provide an excellent opportunity to search for epistatic effects, or interaction between genetic loci, that contribute to fracture risk. Microsatellite marker data from a 20-cM genome screen was analyzed along with weight-adjusted bone density (DXA and pQCT) phenotypic data using the R/qtl software package. Genotype and phenotype data were permuted to determine genome-wide significance thresholds for the full model and epistasis (interaction) LOD scores corresponding to an alpha level of 0.01. A novel locus on chromosome 15 and a previously reported chromosome 14 QTL demonstrated a strong epistatic effect on BMD at the femur by DXA (LOD = 5.4). Two novel QTLs on chromosomes 2 and 12 were found to interact to affect total BMD at the femur midshaft by pQCT (LOD = 5.0). These results provide new information regarding the mode of action of previously identified QTL in the rat, as well as identifying novel loci that act in combination with known QTL or with other novel loci to contribute to BMD variation.
Congenital Melanocytic Nevi

The relative risk for melanoma arising within a congenital nevus is related to the size of the lesion. The timing of and clinical presentation of development of melanoma is also related to the size of the lesion. Medical decisions are individualized taking into account the perceived risk of malignancy, psychosocial impact, and anticipated treatment outcome. In this article, the common features of congenital nevi are discussed as well as the potential individual variations and their impact on treatment recommendations.
Preconditioners for the spectral multigrid method

The systems of algebraic equations which arise from spectral discretizations of elliptic equations are full and direct solutions of them are rarely feasible. Iterative methods are an attractive alternative because Fourier transform techniques enable the discrete matrix-vector products to be computed with nearly the same efficiency as is possible for corresponding but sparse finite difference discretizations. For realistic Dirichlet problems preconditioning is essential for acceptable convergence rates. A brief description of Chebyshev spectral approximations and spectral multigrid methods for elliptic problems is given. A survey of preconditioners for Dirichlet problems based on second-order finite difference methods is made. New preconditioning techniques based on higher order finite differences and on the spectral matrix itself are presented. The preconditioners are analyzed in terms of their spectra and numerical examples are presented.
Empowering Patients: Partnering in Pain Management Using Medication on Demand

Women’s Health Poster Presentation Purpose To provide high-quality and efficient nursing care in a safe environment using medication on demand (MOD). This is a device ordered by the physician, programmed and loaded with the narcotic analgesic by the registered nurse (RN), and used on demand by the patient to facilitate postop pain relief. The MOD device does not replace the nurse's interaction with the patient. Frequent communication about postoperative pain relief is still necessary and required. Proposed Change Striving to increase our patients’ satisfaction in pain management, we are implementing a new method of administering a narcotic analgesic to our postoperative cesarean patients. This method is a patient-controlled oral medication devise that allows the patient to take acetaminophen-oxycodone every 2 hours as needed. This autonomy given to a patient to relieve pain increases her satisfaction in pain control during hospitalization. Implementation The hospital MOD pilot team conducted a literature review and sought assistance from the MOD device representative. Women's Health Unit nurses reviewed an e-learning prior to attending a live training session with the MOD device and the representative. MOD brochures were available. During the pilot, weekly e-mail updates were sent to the nurses on patient and RN feedback, questions, or issues. The nurses learned how to screen patients in labor and delivery for those who could safely use MOD and how to set up the device, teach the patient, and document in power chart. Outcomes and Evaluation Responses to date have been positive. Implications for Nursing Practice The nurse must screen the patient, and postoperative cesarean patients must be selected for MOD using the following criteria: the patient must be awake and alert and able to accept the device responsibilities; have no swallowing difficulties or trouble taking pills; have no history of drug abuse or drug seeking; and have no physical disability to prevent the device being used. The nurse must continue to assess the patient's pain relief and document it. The nurse must document the remaining tablets in the kit at shift change and must continue to relieve the patient's pain with nonmedication pain relief measures, such as splinting the incision and proper positioning. Security is a priority. The device IV pole clamp can only be loosened using a special locking wrench. The confirmation screen requires an RN to verify that the order is correctly entered and to give the patient a secure identification band to keep unauthorized users away from accessing the device.
Isolation of pulmonary Artery smooth muscle cells from neonatal mice

Pulmonary hypertension is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in infants. Historically, there has been significant study of the signaling pathways involved in vascular smooth muscle contraction in PASMC from fetal sheep. While sheep make an excellent model of term pulmonary hypertension, they are very expensive and lack the advantage of genetic manipulation found in mice. Conversely, the inability to isolate PASMC from mice was a significant limitation of that system. Here we described the isolation of primary cultures of mouse PASMC from P7, P14, and P21 mice using a variation of the previously described technique of Marshall et al.26 that was previously used to isolate rat PASMC. These murine PASMC represent a novel tool for the study of signaling pathways in the neonatal period. Briefly, a slurry of 0.5% (w/v) agarose + 0.5% iron particles in M199 media is infused into the pulmonary vascular bed via the right ventricle (RV). The iron particles are 0.2 μM in diameter and cannot pass through the pulmonary capillary bed. Thus, the iron lodges in the small pulmonary arteries (PA). The lungs are inflated with agarose, removed and dissociated. The iron-containing vessels are pulled down with a magnet. After collagenase (80 U/ml) treatment and further dissociation, the vessels are put into a tissue culture dish in M199 media containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and antibiotics (M199 complete media) to allow cell migration onto the culture dish. This initial plate of cells is a 50-50 mixture of fibroblasts and PASMC. Thus, the pull down procedure is repeated multiple times to achieve a more pure PASMC population and remove any residual iron. Smooth muscle cell identity is confirmed by immunostaining for smooth muscle myosin and desmin.
Market-based coordination strategies for physical multi-agent systems

Market-based mechanisms for real-time dynamic coordinated task assignment of physical multi-agent systems are studied. Specifically, a number of auction mechanisms and bidding strategies, as well as swapping, are considered. The physical robot experiments require addressing real-time and fault-tolerance issues in a dynamic environment. We provide a small scale validation for work with software simulations.
The Spatial Distribution of Pulvinar Neurons That Project to Two Subregions of the Inferior Parietal Lobule in the Macaque

The distribution of pulvinar neurons that project to the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) and area 7a, two subregions of the inferior parietal lobule in monkeys, was determined using small injections of retrogradely transported fluorescent dyes. Both LIP and 7a received the majority of their thalamic input from contiguous but distinct zones within the medial pulvinar nucleus. Thalamocortical cell bodies that projected to LIP were arranged in a dense, horizontally oriented cluster that was sandwiched between two similar clusters of neurons that projected to 7a. There was minimal overlap of the respective clusters. LIP also received an appreciable input from the dorsal half of the lateral pulvinar nucleus, but tracer placements in 7a resulted in only occasional labeled neurons in the lateral pulvinar.
In situ measurement of fluorescein release by collagen shields in human eyes

Fluorescein (F) and FITC Dextran (FD; MW 4400) have been used as inert analogs of active drugs to examine the factors controlling the rate of loss of drugs from collagen shields in vivo. The diffusion constants in the shield (120 microns thick) determined from in vitro release experiments were found to be 0.42 x 10(-6) for F and 0.16 x 10(-6) cm2/sec for FD at 34 degrees C and these values correspond to 0.7 and 0.27 min-1 rates of loss for the exponential parts of their release. In the eyes of 6 subjects, the F loaded shields lost the dye at an average rate of 0.016 min-1 initially, increasing to 0.026 min-1 at the end of an hour. Somewhat higher values were noted with FD and were attributed to variations of manufacturing of the shields. Comparing the rates of loss in in vitro and in vivo, it is clear that the latter is not controlled by the rate of diffusion in the shield, but is limited by the rates of tear secretion and flow over the surfaces of the shield. The penetration of F into the anterior chamber from a series of four drops applied 12 min apart was compared with that from a shield soaked in the drop solution to determine the enhancement in the bioavailability. This showed that the shield increased the penetration into the eye by about 16 times over that from a single drop. However, the rate of loss of F from the shield in vivo is only about 8 times slower than that from a drop instilled in the eye.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A re-evaluation of auditors’ opinions versus statistical models in bankruptcy prediction

Existent empirical evidence on the relative performance of auditors’ going concern opinions versus statistical models in predicting bankruptcy is mixed. This study attempts to add new reliable evidence on this important issue by conducting the comparison based upon an improved statistical model. The improved statistical model incorporates some new developments advocated by recent bankruptcy prediction research (e.g., Shumway, 2001). First, the following non-traditional variables are added: a composite measure of financial distress, industry failure rate, abnormal stock returns, and market capitalization. Secondly, a hazard model is employed. The prediction ability of the hazard model with incorporation of non-financial-ratio variables is superior to that of auditors’ going concern opinions in the holdout sample. This suggests that a well-developed statistical model could serve as a decision aid for auditors to better make going-concern judgments. Further analyses reveal some evidence that industry failure rate does not have a significant impact upon auditors’ going concern judgments as it should be; auditors could improve their going concern judgments by considering industry-level information in addition to firm-specific information. Finally, we find that auditors’ opinions do have incremental contribution beyond stock-market information and industry failure rate in predicting bankruptcy.
Case files of the University of Massachusetts fellowship in medical toxicology: lethal dose of opioids contained in an elastomeric capsule labeled as vancomycin.

This case describes the adulteration of a vancomycin elastomeric capsule with opioids that likely arose from degradation of heroin [29–31]. Although the clinical management of patients suffering the effects of contaminated drugs may be straightforward, the public health risk associated with adulterated pharmaceuticals and drug delivery devices should mandate a brisk response from governmental regulatory agencies.
Experimental demonstration of dynamic focusing of a relativistic electron bunch by an overdense plasma lens

Dynamic focusing of a 3.8 MeV electron bunch, a few collisionless skin depths long \ensuremath{\sim}3c/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{p}}$, by an overdense, thick plasma lens has been demonstrated. Because of electron inertial effects, the head of the bunch is virtually unaffected by the lens while the rest is focused to varying degree. Time-resolved measurements performed 31 cm downstream of the plasma lens show that, in time, the bunch pinches from an initial size of 2.7 mm (FWHM) to about 0.57 mm and then expands, in reasonable agreement with theory.
Note on the Spectrum of Boron Fluoride

The spectrum of boron fluoride was photographed in the first order of a 21-foot concave grating. Three new bands were found in the ultraviolet, the structure of which appears to be similar to that of the third positive bands of CO. The visible bands, most of which were known previously, are unlike those in the ultraviolet, having a very diffuse appearance.
Induction of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) expression and radioiodine uptake in non-thyroid cancer cells.

Background This study was designed to explore the therapeutic potential of suppressing MAP kinase and PI3K/Akt pathways and histone deacetylase (HDAC) to induce the expression of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and radioiodine uptake in non-thyroid cancer cells.
An esthetic transitional treatment for amelogenesis imperfecta: report of two cases.

The maxillary anterior teeth of an 18-year-old girl and a 16-yearold boy with severe amelogenesis imperfecta are restored with a pit and fissure sealant and composite resin. The literature pertaining to amelogenesis imperfect is reviewed as it applies specifically to two reports of cases. Psychologic, mechanical, or economic factors may warrant a transitional treatment of the teeth. Treatment with the use of an etchant and composite material and glaze is described.
The illusion of the decisive Napoleonic victory

(1988). The illusion of the decisive Napoleonic victory. Defense Analysis: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 329-346.
The negative functional effect of C-type natriuretic factor is attenuated in hypertrophic myocytes due to diminished cyclic GMP production

Abstract Body. We tested the hypothesis that the negative functional effects of C-type Natriuretic Peptide (CNP) would be diminished in renal hypertensive (One-Kidney-One-Clip, 1K1C) cardiac hypertrophic rabbits and that this attenuated effect is due either to decreased cGMP production or to an altered downstream signaling pathway. Using isolated control and 1K1C ventricular myocytes, cell shortening data (video edge detection) were collected: (1) at baseline and after the addition of CNP 10−8,−7 M, followed by KT8523, a cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor; or (2) at baseline, following KT pretreatment and following subsequent CNP 10−8,−7 M. In addition, cGMP levels were determined by radioimmunoassay at baseline and following CNP 10−7 M. We found that in control myocytes, CNP decreased the percent shortening (5.7 ± 0.4 versus 4.0 ± 0.4%), maximal rate of shortening (58.7 ± 5.1 versus 45.2 μm/s) and maximal rate of relaxation (57.1 ± 4.9 versus 44.1 ± 3.4 μm/s) in a dose-dependent manner (P
Computer Simulation of Edge Effects in a Small-Area Mesa N-P Junction Diode

The influence of edges on the performance of small-area solar cells is determined using a modified commercial, finite-element software package. The n+/p mesa device is modeled as having a sub-oxide layer on the edges, which acquires positive charges that result in development of an electric field within the device. Our computer simulations include generation/ recombination at the diode edges as well as the influence of light on the recombination characteristics of the edges. We present a description of our model, dark and illuminated characteristics of devices with various surface charge concentrations, and the dynamics of carrier generation/recombination. The influence of edge geometry on diode performance is determined.
The Effects of Behavioral Objectives Relevant and Incidental Learning at Two Levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy

AbstractSixty-four undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three groups, one of which was given knowledge level objectives, another, evaluation level objectives, and the third group, no objectives. All subjects subsequently responded to two sets of knowledge level test items (one set of which was directly referenced from the knowledge level objectives) and one set of evaluation level test items which was directly referenced from the evaluation level objectives. The results showed there were no differences in total learning between the three groups, the objectives had no facilitative effect on relevant learning, and they did not have a detrimental effect on incidental learning when the measurement was taken at a level equal to or lower than the level of the objectives earlier provided. Incidental learning was substantially depressed, however, when the measurement was taken at a level higher than the level of the objectives provided. The results were interpreted in terms of a "taxonomic set"...
Evaluating MODIS active fire products in subtropical Yucatán forest

The Yucatan Peninsula has experienced increasingly frequent wildfire activity associated with drought and forest clearing during the last two decades. Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite data provide timely, although not invariably, consistent estimates of fire dynamics for reasons that are not fully explicated. This research evaluates the accuracy of the MODIS active fire products (MOD14/MYD14) using field inventory reports for the 2011 fire season. Results show that 23% of fires in forest were detected by MODIS Terra and Aqua and that a higher detection rate (70%) occurs in pasture and milpa/secondary forest. Analysis of detection omission reveals that the 310-K MODIS 4-μm threshold is higher than the temperature of the majority of forest fires. This article recommends the use of a lower detection threshold at 305 K for densely forested locations and use of forest versus non-forest masks to improve forest fire detection in subtropics.
The need for family planning

The purpose of this paper is to examine the evidence on the need for family planning. The available evidence on current levels of unmet need for contraceptives, fertility preferences, and the non-contraceptive benefits of family planning is reviewed. I argue that expansion of family planning programs is still needed. These programs provide couples with tools to reach their desired family size; can significantly impact maternal and child mortality by decreasing fertility and optimizing child spacing; and by decreasing fertility, slow population growth. It is therefore imperative to continue to expand the provision of family planning services.
Exact F Tests for the Method of Unweighted Means in a 2 k Experiment

Abstract The analysis of a general k-factor factorial experiment having unequal numbers of observations per cell is complex. For the special case of a 2 k experiment with unequal numbers of observations per cell, the method of unweighted means provides a simple vehicle for analysis that requires no matrix inversion and can be used with existing software programs for the analysis of balanced data. All numerator sums of squares for testing main effects and interactions are χ2 with one degree of freedom. In addition, for tests having one degree of freedom in any factorial experiment, the method of unweighted means may be modified to yield exact tests.
An experimental investigation of factors influencing perceived control over a failing IT project

Abstract IT project managers may sometimes continue to pour more resources into a failing project, a phenomenon known as ‘escalation of commitment’. If project managers believe that the failing project is under their control, they may be more likely to recommend continuation of a failing project. An experiment using a computer simulated task investigated the influence of self-efficacy and project risk characteristics on perceived control over a failing IT project. The study found that participants with higher task-specific self-efficacy were likely to perceive greater control over a failing project even when the project risk factors were less within their control.