cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Method for Collaboratively Developing and Validating a Rubric

Assessing student learning outcomes relative to a valid and reliable standard that is academically-sound and employer-relevant presents a challenge to the scholarship of teaching and learning. In this paper, readers are guided through a method for collaboratively developing and validating a rubric that integrates baseline data collected from academics and professionals. The method addresses two additional goals: (1) to formulate and test a rubric as a teaching and learning protocol for a multi-section course taught by various instructors; and (2) to assure that students’ learning outcomes are consistently assessed against the rubric regardless of teacher or section. Steps in the process include formulating the rubric, collecting data, and sequentially analyzing the techniques used to validate the rubric and to insure precision in grading papers in multiple sections of a course.
Use of manure nutrients from concentrated animal feeding operations

Abstract Over the past few decades, there has been a nationwide trend away from small livestock farms and toward large Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This shift results in concentrated manure production and introduces potential problems associated with its disposal. We analyzed data from 13 permitted CAFOs in southeastern Michigan, including 1187 occurrences of manure application from 12 of the CAFOs with available field-level data. CAFOs applied excess manure nutrients to cropland by applying to fields with soil phosphorus test levels >50 ppm (42% of all cases), applying to soybeans (7% of all cases), over-estimating crop yields in calculating plant nutrient requirements (67% of all cases), and applying beyond what is allowed by state permits (26% of all cases). This represents significant potential for redistribution of manure nutrients. The total amount of manure from all instances of over-application could be redistributed to fertilize over 4775 ha (11,800 acres) per year. Significant barriers to redistribution of manure exist, however, including cost, land availability, crop and soil need, transport logistics, and farmers' reluctance to use manure instead of inorganic fertilizer due to its variable composition. These findings are relevant to the harmful algal bloom and hypoxia issues in Lake Erie, which are driven by excess nutrients, and can be used to better inform science, modeling, and policy in the region.
Development of a Biomechanical Hand Model for Study of Manual Activities

Designing handles, tools, materials, and controls so that they can be used effectively without adverse health effects is of obvious importance. While existing hand size and strength data for some of the most common hand postures are of great value to designers of work equipment and activities, it is difficult to generalize such data from one posture to another. In addition, existing data do not identify stress concentrations that could have a pathological influence on the musculo-tendinous-osseous system. The following describes the development of a simple biomechanical strength model to overcome some of the inherent limitations of existing data.
Theories, Models, and Methods of Health Promotion in Rural Settings

Health promotion interventions are evaluated on both the amount of individual behavior change achieved and the extent to which broader generalizations can be made to other behavior change efforts. This is largely a function of whether the interventions and evaluation methods employed are theory-driven (Elder, Geller, Hovell, & Mayer, 1994). Yet many theories and models current in the field have limited applicability to rural populations since the underlying theories are generally predicated on more urban notions of individual autonomy and purpose, with potentially less relevance for populations in smaller and more traditional communities. In addition, many theories imply detailed, thorough individual measurement, making them less practical for people not accustomed to such instrumentation or with limited literacy, or for programs with no resources for such measurement.
Internationaler Produkt-Lebenszyklus und Technischer Fortschritt

Die Kapitel 5 und 6 haben mit einer komparativ-statischen Wirkungsanalyse die unterschiedlichen Arten technischen Fortschritts untersucht. Dabei konnten abhangig von der unterstellten Nachfragestruktur jeweils fur eine Fortschrittsart Aussagen uber die Wirkungen auf die Wohlfahrtsentwicklung der Handelspartner, hinsichtlich deren relativer technologischer Stellung und damit verbunden dem Catch-up- oder dem Forging-ahead-Prozes, gemacht werden. Diese Effekte darf man nun in realiter nicht als singulare Phanomene betrachten, sondern die dahinterstehenden Prozesse technischen Fortschritts laufen parallel ab.
Trial by Ordeal by Jury in Medieval England, or Saints and Sinners in Literature and Law

Using a miracle tale as a focal point, this paper illuminates the political and cultural context of York at the turn of the twelfth to thirteenth century in order to make sense of England’s rapid transition from trial by ordeal to trial by jury after 1215. More specifically, the paper highlights the possible impact of the period of papal interdict (c. 1208 – 1214), imposed by Pope Innocent III in response to King John’s intransigence over the appointment of a new archbishop of Canterbury, during this transitional period in criminal procedure. It argues that the interdict, with its suspension of liturgies, might have forced experimentation with alternative means of reaching verdicts in felony cases. The paper also suggests that juries might have been involved in the issuance of ordeal verdicts in the late ordeal period in England, in which case the shift from trial by ordeal to trial by jury may be less a moment of rupture than a transition from one form of trial using juries to another, albeit a trial form more starkly desacralized after 1215. It is the author’s hope that the paper will serve as a starting point for further research, not a decisive answer to the questions it raises, including whether England’s rapid adoption of final jury verdicts may owe something to the tussle between King John and a particularly imperial and imperious pope.
An individual differences approach to acoustic context effects in speech categorization

Objects and events in the sensory environment are not perceived in isolation but in the context of surrounding stimuli. This fact has been widely appreciated in the study of speech perception, as demonstrations of these context effects date back more than a half-century. For example, the spectral composition of surrounding sounds can bias categorization of later speech sounds (spectral context effects). Similarly, temporal characteristics of surrounding sounds can bias categorization of target speech sounds (temporal context effects). The literature features many individual reports of listeners experiencing these context effects, but what do these results mean across studies? If a listener exhibited a large context effect in one experiment, is that suggestive of him/her exhibiting a large context effect in a different experiment (i.e., general sensitivity to acoustic context) or not (i.e., results limited to certain stimuli / acoustic domains)? Here, I will take an individual differences approach to spectral and temporal context effects, evaluating their predictive power within and across domains, and how this might inform future work in these areas.Objects and events in the sensory environment are not perceived in isolation but in the context of surrounding stimuli. This fact has been widely appreciated in the study of speech perception, as demonstrations of these context effects date back more than a half-century. For example, the spectral composition of surrounding sounds can bias categorization of later speech sounds (spectral context effects). Similarly, temporal characteristics of surrounding sounds can bias categorization of target speech sounds (temporal context effects). The literature features many individual reports of listeners experiencing these context effects, but what do these results mean across studies? If a listener exhibited a large context effect in one experiment, is that suggestive of him/her exhibiting a large context effect in a different experiment (i.e., general sensitivity to acoustic context) or not (i.e., results limited to certain stimuli / acoustic domains)? Here, I will take an individual differences approach to spect...
Techniques for Evolution-Aware Runtime Verification

Runtime Verification (RV) can help find bugs by monitoring program executions against formal properties. Developers should ideally use RV whenever they run tests, to find more bugs earlier. Despite tremendous research progress, RV still incurs high overhead in (1) machine time to monitor properties and (2) developer time to wait for and inspect violations from test executions that do not satisfy the properties. Moreover, all prior RV techniques consider only one program version and wastefully re-monitor unaffected properties and code as software evolves. We present the first evolution-aware RV techniques that reduce RV overhead across multiple program versions. Regression Property Selection (RPS) re-monitors only properties that can be violated in parts of code affected by changes, reducing machine time and developer time. Violation Message Suppression (VMS) simply shows only new violations to reduce developer time; it does not reduce machine time. Regression Property Prioritization (RPP) splits RV in two phases: properties more likely to find bugs are monitored in a critical phase to provide faster feedback to the developers; the rest are monitored in a background phase. We compare our techniques with the evolution-unaware (base) RV when monitoring test executions in 200 versions of 10 open-source projects. RPS and the RPP critical phase reduce the average RV overhead from 9.4x (for base RV) to 1.8x, without missing any new violations. VMS reduces the average number of violations 540x, from 54 violations per version (for base RV) to one violation per 10 versions.
Childhood abuse and vasomotor symptoms among midlife women

AbstractObjective:Childhood maltreatment is related to adverse health outcomes. However, the relation of childhood maltreatment to the menopause transition—a universal transition for women often accompanied by troubling symptoms such as vasomotor symptoms—is relatively underexplored. This study test
NAPDH Oxidase-Specific Flow Cytometry Allows for Rapid Genetic Triage and Classification of Novel Variants in Chronic Granulomatous Disease.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an innate immune deficiency, primarily affecting the phagocytic compartment, and presenting with a diverse phenotypic spectrum ranging from severe childhood infections to monogenic inflammatory bowel disease. Dihydrorhodamine (DHR) flow cytometry is the standard diagnostic test for CGD, and correlates with NADPH oxidase activity. While there may be genotype correlation with the DHR flow pattern in some patients, in several others, there is no correlation. In such patients, assessment by flow cytometric evaluation of NADPH oxidase-specific (NOX) proteins provides a convenient and rapid means of genetic triage, though immunoblotting has long been used for this purpose. We describe the clinical utility of the NOX flow cytometry assay through assessment of X-linked and autosomal recessive CGD patients and their first-degree relatives. The assessment of specific NOX proteins was correlated with overall NADPH oxidase function (DHR flow), clinical phenotype and genotype. NOX-specific protein assessment is a valuable adjunct to DHR assessment and genotyping to classify and characterize CGD patients. The atypical clinical presentation of some CGD patients can make genotype–phenotype correlation with DHR flow data challenging. Genetic testing, while useful for confirmation of diagnosis, can take several weeks, and in some patients does not provide a conclusive answer. However, NADPH-oxidase-specific protein flow assessment offers a rapid alternative to identification of the underlying genetic defect in cellular subsets, and can be utilized as a reflex test to an abnormal DHR flow. Further, it can provide insight into correlation between oxidative burst relative to protein expression in granulocytes and monocytes.
Understanding the Effectiveness of a Peer Coach Model in Research-Intensive Undergraduate Courses.

The impact of peer coaches embedded in classrooms are outlined in the literature. There is, however, a lack of evidence on when their services should be introduced into the curriculum to have the most impact possible. The goals of this exploratory research project, therefore, were to aim to provide baseline evidence on the most effective and efficient application of ‘Research Coaches’. A total of 129 undergraduate students took part in a cross-sectional design by completing a series of original surveys on the research process and qualities about their research identity. Our research suggests that peer coaches can most benefit those with the least previous research experiences as related to perceived increases in understanding of fields, research skills, previous knowledge of the subject of study and confidence in research abilities. Such quantitative findings are reinforced through our qualitative findings, suggesting that overall, peer coaches and faculty can be perceived as complimentary support systems for effective research-focused course implementation. Future implications of the use of ‘Research Coaches’ in the classroom are discussed.
Abstinence-contingent wage supplements to promote drug abstinence and employment: A randomised controlled trial

Background Poverty, unemployment and substance abuse are inter-related problems. This study evaluated the effectiveness of abstinence-contingent wage supplements in promoting drug abstinence and employment in unemployed adults in outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder. Methods A randomised controlled trial was conducted in Baltimore, MD, from 2014 to 2019. After a 3-month abstinence initiation and training period, participants (n=91) were randomly assigned to a usual care control group that received employment services or to an abstinence-contingent wage supplement group that received employment services plus abstinence-contingent wage supplements. All participants were invited to work with an employment specialist to seek employment in a community job for 12 months. Abstinence-contingent wage supplement participants could earn training stipends for working with the employment specialist and wage supplements for working in a community job, but had to provide opiate and cocaine-negative urine samples to maximise pay. Results Abstinence-contingent wage supplement participants provided significantly more opiate and cocaine-negative urine samples than usual care control participants (65% vs 45%; OR=2.29, 95% CI 1.22 to 4.30, p=0.01) during the 12-month intervention. Abstinence-contingent wage supplement participants were significantly more likely to have obtained employment (59% vs 28%; OR=3.88, 95% CI 1.60 to 9.41, p=0.004) and lived out of poverty (61% vs 30%; OR=3.77, 95% CI 1.57 to 9.04, p=0.004) by the end of the 12-month intervention than usual care control participants. Conclusion Abstinence-contingent wage supplements can promote drug abstinence and employment. Trial registration number ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02487745.
Progress in safety management of anticoagulants in USA

Clinical benefit of anticoagulants in the treatment of thrombotic events, stroke or myocardial infarction is obvious, but their clinical risk should be weighed in each clinical setting. The improper use of anticoagulants may not only increase risk of readmission, lengthen hospitalization due to bleeding or thrombotic events, but also increase the risk of mortality. The unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of each anticoagulant in a specific patient with different pathophysiology increases the challenge for medication safety management. Medication error is also one of the important reasons for the risk of anticoagulants in clinic. In December 2018, Joint Commission of the United States made safe use of oral anticoagulants among national patient safety goals. The standard for the safety use of anticoagulants in the certification requirement were increased from six to eight. The American Institute for Safe Medication Practices has also listed anticoagulants as high-alert medications. It calls for clinical pharmacists and multidisciplinary experts to create protocols to safe guard anticoagulant usage to improve patient safety. Key words: Anticoagulants; United States; Safety management; Medication errors
Functional consequences of pravastatin isomerization on OATP1B1 mediated transport

Pravastatin acid (PVA) can be isomerized to its inactive metabolite 3'α-iso-pravastatin acid (3αPVA) under acidic pH conditions. Previous studies reported interindividual differences in circulating concentrations of PVA and 3αPVA. This study investigated the functional consequences of PVA isomerization on OATP1B1-mediated transport. We characterized 3αPVA inhibition of OATP1B1-mediated PVA uptake into human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing the four different OATP1B1 proteins (*1a, *1b, *5, and *15). 3αPVA inhibited OATP1B1-mediated PVA uptake in all four OATP1B1 gene products but with lower IC50/Ki values for OATP1B1*5 and *15 than for the reference proteins (*1a and *1b). PVA and 3αPVA were transported by all four OATP1B1 proteins. Kinetic experiments revealed that maximal transport rates (Vmax values) for OATP1B1 variants *5 and *15 were lower than for *1a and *1b for both substrates. Apparent affinities for 3αPVA transport were similar for all four variants. However, the apparent affinity of OATP1B1*5 for 3αPVA was higher (lower Km value) than for PVA. These data confirm that PVA conversion to 3αPVA can have functional consequences on PVA uptake and impacts OATP1B1 variants more than the reference protein, thus highlighting another source variation that must be taken into consideration when optimizing the PVA dose-exposure relationship for patients. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: 3'α-iso-pravastatin acid inhibits pravastatin uptake for all OATP1B1 protein types; however, the IC50 values were significantly lower in OATP1B1*5 and *15 transfected cells. This suggests that a lower concentration of 3'α-iso-pravastatin is needed to disrupt OATP1B1-mediated pravastatin uptake, secondary to decreased cell surface expression of functional OATP1B1 in variant-expressing cells. These data will refine previous pharmacokinetic models that are utilized to characterize pravastatin interindividual variability with an ultimate goal of maximizing efficacy at the lowest possible risk for toxicity.
Quantum hydrodynamic simulation of hysteresis in the resonant tunneling diode at 300 K

The smooth quantum hydrodynamic model is an extension of the classical hydrodynamic model for semiconductor devices that can handle in a mathematically rigorous way the discontinuities in the potential energy that occur at heterojunction barriers in quantum semiconductor devices. Smooth quantum hydrodynamic model simulations of a GaAs resonant tunneling diode at 300 K with a 5-nm quantum well and 2.5-nm 280 meV double quantum barriers are presented that successfully produce realistic negative differential resistance and hysteresis in the current–voltage curve. This is the first quantum hydrodynamic simulation of hysteresis in the resonant tunneling diode at 300 K, demonstrating that fluid dynamical concepts can model this fundamental quantum mechanical effect even at room temperature. A dispersive quantum term $$\hbar ^2 n u_{xxx}/(8 m)$$ in the energy transport equation, where n is the electron density, u is the electron velocity, and m is the effective electron mass, is essential here in obtaining a realistic hysteresis loop in the current–voltage curve.
P-glycoprotein inhibition with verapamil overcomes mometasone resistance in Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Background P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a membrane efflux pump which is overexpressed in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) and promotes Type 2 inflammation. Glucocorticoids (GC) are substrates of P-gp suggesting that overexpression may additionally contribute to GC resistance in CRSwNP. This study aims to determine whether P-gp inhibition using verapamil enhances mometasone retention and efficacy in nasal polyp explants. Methodology IRB approved study in which organotypic polyp explants were exposed to mometasone (4.15 μg/mL) and verapa- mil (125 μg/mL) as mono and combination therapy. The effect of verapamil on mometasone tissue retention over time was deter- mined using HPLC. The effect of verapamil on mometasone anti-inflammatory function was determined using ELISA for secreted IL-5. Groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results P-gp expression strongly and significantly inversely correlated with mometasone retention 1hr after exposure, with a ne- arly 6-fold reduction in tissue retention between the lowest and highest P-gp expressing polyp explants. P-gp inhibition reversed this effect and significantly improved mometasone retention at 1hr relative to mometasone alone. The combination of mome- tasone and verapamil significantly reduced IL-5 secretion relative to vehicle control and outperformed either treatment alone. Conclusions Our study confirms that P-gp contributes to mometasone resistance. This P-gp mediated resistance was successfully reversed by addition of the P-gp inhibitor verapamil. Verapamil further significantly enhanced the anti-inflammatory effect of mometasone when given as a combination therapy.
Fold2Seq: A Joint Sequence(1D)-Fold(3D) Embedding-based Generative Model for Protein Design

Designing novel protein sequences consistent with a desired 3D structure or fold, often referred to as the inverse protein folding problem, is a central, but non-trivial, task in protein engineering. It has a wide range of applications in energy, biomedicine, and materials science. However, challenges exist due to the complex sequence-fold relationship and difficulties associated with modeling 3D folds. To overcome these challenges, we propose Fold2Seq, a novel transformer-based generative framework for designing protein sequences conditioned on a specific fold. Our model learns a fold embedding from the density of the secondary structural elements in 3D voxels, and then models the complex sequence-structure relationship by learning a joint sequence-fold embedding. Experiments on high-resolution, complete, and single-structure test set demonstrate improved performance of Fold2Seq in terms of speed and reliability for sequence design, compared to existing baselines including the state-of-the-art RosettaDesign and other neural net-based approaches. The unique advantages of fold-based Fold2Seq becomes more evident on diverse real-world test sets comprised of low-resolution, incomplete, or ensemble structures, in comparison to a structure-based model.
Tissue-specific activation of gene expression by the Synergistic Activation Mediator (SAM) CRISPRa system in mice

CRISPR-based transcriptional activation is a powerful tool for functional gene interrogation; however, delivery difficulties have limited its applications in vivo. Here, we created a mouse model expressing all components of the CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNA-directed Synergistic Activation Mediator (SAM) from a single transcript that is capable of activating target genes in a tissue-specific manner. We optimized Lipid Nanoparticles and Adeno-Associated Virus guide RNA delivery approaches to achieve expression modulation of one or more genes in vivo. We utilized the SAM mouse model to generate a hypercholesteremia disease state that we could bidirectionally modulate with various guide RNAs. Additionally, we applied SAM to optimize gene expression in a humanized Transthyretin mouse model to recapitulate human expression levels. These results demonstrate that the SAM gene activation platform can facilitate in vivo research and drug discovery. CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene editing tool that can be used to modulate gene expression. Here, the authors report the generation of a mouse model that express all components of the CRISPR-Cas9 guide directed Synergistic Activation Mediator (SAM), demonstrate that gene activation can be achieved with various delivery methods and include generation of a disease model of hypercholesterolemia
Chronic depressions. Part 1. Clinical and familial characteristics in 137 probands.

Factors associated with chronicity in 137 probands with 2 or more years of low-grade intermittent depression were evaluated in a naturalistic setting. Four groups were tentatively identified and chronicity related to: (1) early onset (<25 years) intermittent sub-syndromal or dysthymic depressions with positive family history for both unipolar and bipolar illness; (2) a spectrum of ‘unstable’ characterologic disorders with history for childhood object loss; (3) pre-existing non-affective psychiatric or incapacitating medical disorders, especially in combination; (4) incomplete remission from late-onset primary unipolar episode(s) with strong familial background for affective illness, multiple object losses, alcohol and sedative hypnotic dependence, superimposed incapacitating medical disorders, use of depressant antihypertensive agents, disabled spouses, and ‘marital deadlock’. Beneficial effects of thymoleptic drugs and practical psychotherapy occured in 45% of the total sample and were largely limited to groups 1 and 4. These findings argue against a common clinical stereotype that equates all chronic depressions with character disorder.
Some Properties of Query Languages for Bags

In this paper we study the expressive power of query languages for nested bags. We define the ambient bag language by generalizing the constructs of the relational language of Breazu-Tannen, Buneman and Wong, which is known to have precisely the power of the nested relational algebra. Relative strength of additional polynomial constructs is studied, and the ambient language endowed with the strongest combination of those constructs is chosen as a candidate for the basic bag language, which is called BQL (Bag Query Language). We prove that achieveing the power of BQL in the relational language amounts to adding simple arithmetic to the latter. We show that BQL has shortcomings of the relational algebra: it can not express recursive queries. In particular, parity test is not definable in BQL. We consider augmenting BQL with powerbag and structural recursion to overcome this deficiency. In contrast to the relational case, where powerset and structural recursion are equivalent, the latter is stronger than the former for bags. We discuss problems with using structural recursion and suggest a new bounded loop construct which works uniformly for bags, sets and lists. It has the power of structural recursion and does not require any preconditions to be verified. We find relational languages equivalent to BQL with powerbag and structural recursion/bounded loop. Finally, we discuss orderings on bags for rigorous treatment of partial information.
Unifying the Law of Cross-Border Securitization: Lex Juris

The author maintained elsewhere that "the laws governing cross-border securitization are developed first by decentralized lawmaking "markets," and then absorbed by centralized lawmaking of communities, large intermediaries, and corporations." This paper explores the process by which cross-border securitization law becomes standardized and the law applicable to it becomes uniform. How can decentralized "markets" produce laws that are even approximately uniform? The lawmaking of cross-border securitization has been analogized to lex Merchantoria, the law created by merchants in their dealings, and the rules created by their institutions. However, unlike the merchants and their institutions, the parties to cross-border securitization, are not organized or repeat players. They do not structure the transactions or the rules under which they operate. Rather, they express their needs, which are then addressed in the transaction documents. The transactional documents are prepared by the lawyers with the consent of the actors. Some of the innovative structures on which the success of the transactions may depend are created by lawyers and other professionals, such as investment bankers. Unlike other contract documents to which the parties rarely resort, the documents of cross-border securitization provide guidelines to which the parties refer more often. Therefore, a more accurate name and description of cross-border securitization lawmaking is lex Juris. The paper examines the reasons for the emergence of lawyer-made law (LML) in the United States and in civil law countries. It explains the differences between the usual LML and lex Juris governing cross-border securitization, emphasizing its breadth, its scope and its far-reaching coverage. It also addresses the question of how this type of law creation can be, and is, standardized, in a decentralized, contract-driven market. The paper suggests that lex Juris belongs to a growing group of cross-border contract-based legal systems; for example, the laws of the Internet. Lex Juris may be the forerunner of laws governing global activities, which, by their very nature, escape tight controls of domestic laws. But these activities still require laws to regulate the relationships among interacting actors and those who affect them, and to maintain a peaceful co-existence with applicable domestic laws.
Blue Clusters, Populous Clusters, and Globulars

The introduction of new photometric techniques for faint objects has tremendously increased our understanding of the MC clusters, especially at the old end of the age spectrum. Many of the well-studied clusters of the past have gone through several transformations, starting as true globulars in 1960, becoming intermediate-age objects in the 1970's, but now returning to the true globular classification in the 1980's. LW 868 is an example of a cluster with such a history. Better photometric accuracy is also greatly improving our understanding of younger clusters, allowing detailed comparisons with theoretical evolutionary models, and a more reliable determination of the age-abundance relationship. The dynamical history of MC clusters can also be examined from the new data. The cluster formation rate, as well as the destruction rate, can be reconstructed from modern, deep cluster surveys.
Peroxynitrite-induced rat colitis--a new model of colonic inflammation.

Abstract Background: Excessive production of nitric oxide, characteristic of inflamed states, may have deleterious effects through its facile conversion (in the presence of O 2 ) to peroxynitrite, which promotes lipid and sulfhydryl oxidation. This study assessed the effect of peroxynitrite on the rat colon. Methods: Peroxynitrite was administered intrarectally to rats. One, 3,7, and 21 days after treatment, a distal colonic segment was isolated and tissue was obtained for histological evaluation and determination of myeloperoxidase activity and NO x , and eicosanoids generation. Results: Within 24 hours, the exposed segment was edematous and congested with occasional hemorrhagic mucosal ulceration. On day 7, the lumen was narrow; at day 21, there were signs of stenosis. Histological analysis showed transmucosal necrosis, acute inflammation, and exudative edema 24 hours after treatment. Surface re-epithelization and infiltration of granulation tissue were present at 1 week. Resolution of edema, mucin repletion, thickening of muscularis mucosa and propria, and fibrosis were observed at 3 weeks. Significant increase in NO x generation and myeloperoxidase and NO synthase activities were observed at 24 hours, whereas enhanced leukotriene generation was observed only at 21 days. Conclusions: Peroxynitrite-induced colonic inflammation provides a novel model of NO-related tissue injury and offers the opportunity to further explore the potential role of NO in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.
Discussion: “The Association between Firms' Values and Accounting Numbers after Adoption of Fresh Start Reporting”:

This paper has several nice features. First, the topic—fresh start reporting (FSR) of firms emerging from bankruptcy reorganization under Chapter 11—is inherently very interesting. The palates of researchers and teachers, accustomed to a diet of information on surviving firms, might well be stimulated by the institutional appetizers Reuven Lehavy serves up. For example, I was unaware of the FSR arrangements under SOP No. 90-7 and discovered that it provides a rare case in which U.S. accounting rules provide for revaluation of nonmarketable assets. While it is not exploited in this study, I was intrigued by the financial recontracting that occurs in the reorganization when debt in the failed firm is swapped for equity in the emerging firm.
Degradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Under ligninolytic conditions, the white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium mineralizes 2,4-dinitrotoluene (I). The pathway for the degradation of I was elucidated by the characterization of fungal metabolites and oxidation products generated by lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP), and crude intracellular cell extracts. The multistep pathway involves the initial reduction of I to yield 2-amino-4-nitrotoluene (II). II is oxidized by MnP to yield 4-nitro-1,2-benzoquinone (XII) and methanol. XII is then reduced to 4-nitro-1,2-hydroquinone (V), and the latter is methylated to 1,2-dimethoxy-4-nitrobenzene (X). 4-Nitro-1,2-hydroquinone (V) is also oxidized by MnP to yield nitrite and 2-hydroxybenzoquinone, which is reduced to form 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (VII). 1,2-Dimethoxy-4-nitrobenzene (X) is oxidized by LiP to yield nitrite, methanol, and 2-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (VI), which is reduced to form 2-methoxy-1,4-hydroquinone (IX). The latter is oxidized by LiP and MnP to 4-hydroxy-1,2-benzoquinone, which is reduced to 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene (VII). The key intermediate 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene is ring cleaved by intracellular cell extracts to produce, after reduction, beta-ketoadipic acid. In this pathway, initial reduction of a nitroaromatic group generates the peroxidase substrate II. Oxidation of II releases methanol and generates 4-nitro-1,2-benzoquinone (XII), which is recycled by reduction and methylation reactions to regenerate intermediates which are in turn substrates for peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation leading to removal of the second nitro group. Thus, this unique pathway apparently results in the removal of both aromatic nitro groups before ring cleavage takes place.
Virtual surgical planning improves surgical outcome measures in obstructive sleep apnea surgery.

Objectives/Hypothesis Determine the feasibility and accuracy of using virtual surgical planning (VSP) to direct the surgical and polysomnography (PSG) outcomes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Study Design Prospective case series. Methods Skeletal and soft tissue dimensions were measured from computed tomography (CT) to include posterior airway space (PAS) diameters at the occlusal (PAS-O) and mandibular (PAS-M) plane, position of the maxilla, and tooth-to-lip distance. All patients underwent an in-lab attended PSG whereby apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), respiratory disturbance index (RDI), and lowest oxyhemoglobin saturation percent (LSAT) were measured preoperatively and at least 9 months postoperatively. Results Four patients with OSA demonstrated a mean AHI and RDI of 60.1 and 69.5 events per hour, respectively. The mean preoperative LSAT was 76%. Mean CT-based measures for PAS-O and PAS-M were 3.08 mm and 9.03 mm, respectively. VSP was used to direct the amount of advancement and impaction in maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgery. The mean PAS-O and PAS-M postoperative measures significantly increased to 8.15 and 14 mm (P < .004), whereas the mean tooth-to-lip relationship stayed the same, 3.17 to 3.18, P = .98. The AHI and RDI significantly improved to 2.83 and 4.5 events per hour, respectively, P = .03, whereas the LSAT improved from 76% to 87%. Conclusions VSP for MMA in OSA patients is feasible and safe while offering improvements in the predictability of airway change and tooth-to-lip measures. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 124:1259–1266, 2014
Effects of T antigen and replication protein A on the initiation of DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase alpha-primase.

Abstract Studies of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA replication in a reconstituted cell-free system have established that T antigen and two cellular replication proteins, replication protein A (RP-A) and DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex, are necessary and sufficient for initiation of DNA synthesis on duplex templates containing the SV40 origin of DNA replication. To better understand the mechanism of initiation of DNA synthesis, we analyzed the functional interactions of T antigen, RP-A, and DNA polymerase alpha-primase on model single-stranded DNA templates. Purified DNA polymerase alpha-primase was capable of initiating DNA synthesis de novo on unprimed single-stranded DNA templates. This reaction involved the synthesis of a short oligoribonucleotide primer which was then extended into a DNA chain. We observed that the synthesis of ribonucleotide primers by DNA polymerase alpha-primase is dramatically stimulated by SV40 T antigen. The presence of T antigen also increased the average length of the DNA product synthesized on primed and unprimed single-stranded DNA templates. These stimulatory effects of T antigen required direct contact with DNA polymerase alpha-primase complex and were most marked at low template and polymerase concentrations. We also observed that the single-stranded DNA binding protein, RP-A, strongly inhibits the primase activity of DNA polymerase alpha-primase, probably by blocking access of the enzyme to the template. T antigen partially reversed the inhibition caused by RP-A. Our data support a model in which DNA priming is mediated by a complex between T antigen and DNA polymerase alpha-primase with the template, while RP-A acts to suppress nonspecific priming events.
Excluded volume effects on polymer reaction rates

The rates of reaction of acid chloride groups with nitrophenol groups were measured with the groups attached to polymer chains. The average degree of substitution was kept low, near to one or less groups per chain. It was found that the interpolymer reaction rates decreased several fold in dilute solution for high polymers compared with the rates in more concentrated solutions or with those for low-molecular-weight polymers. The results were compared with the models proposed by Morawetz and the effect was of the predicted magnitude. The results also confirmed Morawetz' prediction that smaller effects could be expected for terminally substituted than for randomly substituted polymers.
The bis-phenyltin-substituted, lone-pair-containing tungstoarsenate [(C(6)h(5)Sn)(2)as(2)W(19)O(67)(H(2)O)](8)(-).

The bis-phenyltin-substituted, lone-pair-containing tungstoarsenate [(C6H5Sn)2As2W19O67(H2O)]8- (1) has been synthesized and characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on (NH4)7Na[(C6H5Sn)2As2W19O67(H2O)]·17.5H2O (NH4−1), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with a = 18.3127(17) A, b = 24.403(2) A, c = 22.965(2) A, β = 106.223(2)°, and Z = 4. Polyanion 1 consists of two B-α-(AsIIIW9O33) Keggin moieties linked via a WO(H2O) fragment and two SnC6H5 groups leading to a sandwich-type structure with nominal C2v symmetry. Polyanion 1 is stable in solution as indicated by the expected 6-line pattern (4:4:4:4:2:1) in 183W NMR and the expected 119Sn, 13C, and 1H NMR spectra. Synthesis of 1 was accomplished by reaction of C6H5SnCl3 and K14[As2W19O67(H2O)] in a 2:1 molar ratio in aqueous acidic medium (pH 2). In the solid-state structure of NH4−1, neighboring polyanions are weakly bound via W−O−Na bonds leading to chains whi...
"All Power Is Saved": The Physics of Protest in Muriel Rukeyser's The Book of the Dead

rites alluded to in its title, Muriel Rukeyser's twentydied from acute silicosis contracted in the early 1930s while they were digging a large tunnel for Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation at Gauley Bridge, West Virginia. Transformation provides the main trope for the sequence in several notable ways. First, water is changed into electricity: in representing the massive hydroelectric project for which the Gauley tunnel was constructed, the poems follow the generation of electrical power from the potential energy in the water vapor of clouds to the kinetic energy of sparks in live wires. Next, natural resources, including human lives, are transformed into monetary value: the poems trace the conversion of silica and acute silicosis into the daily stock quotations for Union Carbide as its profits rise along with water behind a dam. The transfer of human energy into public-works projects, such as roads and hydroelectric plants that serve people's needs long after the builders have gone, complements this conversion. The many roads that "take you into your own country" (10) and the Gauley tunnel complex become enduring monuments in the poems to the toil and suffering that made and modified them. Finally, historical evidence is transformed into lyrical poetry in the sequence. Throughout The Book of the Dead, documents including transcriptions of Senate hearings, legislative petitions, and personal testimony become confluent with hydrology and verbal imagery to establish what Walter
Liquidity constraints in sequential economics

Abstract This paper models an individual trader's optimization problem as he visits a number of markets in sequence, paying and receiving cash with each transaction. Since traders can sometimes sell before they buy, Clower's rigid dichotomized budget constraint need not hold. In fact, the neoclassical budget constraint and Clower's dichotomized constraint turn up as polar cases of the more generalized temporal sequence of constraints presented here. The analysis is primarily microlevel, though there is some informal discussion of related systemwide monetary problems.
Attachment: A Life-Span Concept

Several advantages and disadvantages of a life-span concept are reviewed. The particular life-span concept of attachment is examined with respect to theory and methodology. Suggestions are offered whi
A CONCEPTUAL MODEL FOR GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND REPRODUCTION IN THE LADYBIRD BEETLE, HIPPODAMIA CONVERGENS (COLEOPTERA: COCCINELLIDAE)

A simple model for growth and development of the ladybird beetle (Hippodamia convergens G-M.) which partitions aphid biomass eaten into components of excretion, assimilation, growth and/or reproduction, and metabolic costs associated with searching and maintenance respiration is reported. All parameters in the model were estimated from simple minimal laboratory experiments, and have biological and/or physical meaning. The effects of predator nutrition on aging, survival, and emigration were also modelled. Most rates in the model for growth, reproduction, and respiration are controlled by the interplay between prey consumption and maximum prey biomass demands. The model for biomass flow is related to standard predator/prey theory.
Splenectomy in Felty's syndrome.

The syndrome of rheumatoid arthritis, splenomegaly, leukopenia, and neutropenia is rare. When it occurs, it could become complicated by infection that does not respond to antibiotics and steroid therapy. We feel that splenectomy should be carried out once the diagnosis of Felty's syndrome is made. In the presence of infection, prompt splenectomy should be done, even if the patient shows signs of systemic toxicity. Splenectomy is the most beneficial treatment and may prevent a fatal outcome in these cases. Splenectomy is usually followed by immediate hematologic response. Steroid therapy may alter the arthritic symptoms but has no effect in altering or controlling the infection in these cases, even if accompanied by antibiotic therapy. Radiation of the spleen may reduce its size, but does not prevent or control the infections in patients with Felty's syndrome.
Beta-cell hypersensitivity for glucose precedes loss of glucose-induced insulin secretion in 90% pancreatectomized rats

Glucose-induced insulin secretion is impaired in the presence of chronic hyperglycaemia. Insulin secretion was studied in a diabetic rat model prior to the beta cells becoming non-responsive to glucose in order to map out the sequence of changes that accompany chronic hyperglycaemia. In vitro pancreas perfusions were carried out 1 and 2 weeks after a 90% pancreatectomy; controls underwent a sham pancreatectomy. One week post 90% pancreatectomy: (i) non-fasting plasma glucose values were 2-3 mmol/l above normal, (ii) the in vitro insulin response to 16.7 mmol/l glucose was 20 +/- 4% of shams, a response that was appropriate for the surgical reduction in beta-cell mass, (iii) the beta-cell sensitivity for glucose was increased as reflected by left-shifted dose-response curves for glucose-induced insulin secretion (half maximal insulin output 5.7 mmol/l glucose vs 16.5 mmol/l glucose in shams) and glucose potentiation of arginine-induced insulin secretion (half maximal insulin output 3.5 mmol/l glucose vs 14.8 mmol/l glucose in shams). This heightened beta-cell sensitivity for glucose was not a result of the hyperglycaemia, because similarly reduced half-maximal insulin responses were found after a 60% pancreatectomy, a surgical procedure in which plasma glucose values remained normal. In summary, a rise in beta-cell sensitivity for glucose precedes the loss of glucose-induced insulin secretion in diabetic rats.
Transient charge-carrier diffusion in high-purity silicon☆

Abstract This paper presents the results of an experimental and theoretical study of the transient current resulting from the diffusion of a pulse of charge carriers photoinjected into high-resistivity silicon, i.e. ca. 1900 Ω-cm p -type and 590 Ω-cm n -type material. The charges diffuse to and are detected as a photovoltaic current by the metal-to-silicon contact which, in all cases, is found to be rectifying at room temperature. Experimentally, it is found that the initial slope of the curve of α 2 (α is the distance from the point of injection to the junction) versus the time of occurrence of the maximum in the diffusion current average about 6 D for electrons in p -type silicon and 12 D for holes in n -type silicon ( D is the appropriate diffusion constant). The theory developed here predicts a slope of 6 D for both electrons and holes. Discrepancies are attributed to (a) effect of light scattered from source to junction, (b) inaccuracies in the measurement of α and (c) errors in extrapolating to zero total resistance. Two peak photocurrents are distinguished: one due to diffusion of carriers to the junction, and one due to carriers generated at the junction by scattered light; as a consequence of the total circuit resistance, the first of these decreases more slowly than the second. The phenomenon is explained on the basis of a variational analysis of the total-current-density equation. An effective sample lifetime and an effective junction electric field for each external resistance are determined from the experimental data and the theoretical equations. Values of lifetime obtained in this way are 15–20 μsec for the p -type specimen and 30–40 μsec for the n -type (values on these same specimens obtained by the decay of the photoconductivity are larger by a factor of 2). The junction electric field values obtained when the total circuit resistances are extrapolated to zero range from tenths to several V/cm.