cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discretionary Accrual Changes Following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act

We examine changes in discretionary accruals following the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX). SOX imposes considerably greater potential penalties on CEO/CFOs who engage in financial wrongdoing; therefore, risk averse managers are likely to report lower earnings by reducing discretionary accruals following SOX. Our results indicate that (1) Canadian firms subject to SOX report lower discretionary accruals in the post-SOX period; (2) there is no regulatory spillover effect of SOX on Canadian firms not under the jurisdiction of SOX; (3) the impact of SOX on firms' conservative reporting through discretionary accruals in the post-SOX period is not homogeneous; it is more pronounced for firms that were aggressive in the pre-SOX period.
(209) Characterization of the Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger (NCS) in Human DRG Neurons

Because of the importance of intracellular Ca2+ to processes ranging from protein-interactions to cell death, the concentration of cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]c) is tightly regulated by a complex array of pumps, transporters, exchangers, and binding proteins. We have recently demonstrated that the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX), in particular NCX3, plays an important role in attenuating large-increases in [Ca2+]c in a subpopulation of putative nociceptive rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Interestingly, we subsequently demonstrated that inflammation-induced dysregulation of [Ca2+]c in this subpopulation of putative nociceptors was due, at least in part, to a decrease in NCX activity in the sensory neuron cell body. Given the potential importance of this exchanger to nociceptive processing as well as injury-induced changes in nociceptive processing, in the face of a growing list of differences between rodent and human sensory neurons, the purpose of the present study was to characterize NCX activity in human sensory neurons. We employed electrical field stimulation to evoke Ca2+ transients in the presence and absence of LiCl or Choline-Cl bath to block NCX activity. Interestingly, electrical field stimulation of human DRG neurons, at the same parameters used in rat, evoked a much larger Ca2+ transient in both magnitude and duration. We obtained evidence of NCX activity in the majority of neurons tested. Similar to the role of NCX in rat DRG neurons, block of NCX in human DRG neurons increased the duration, but not the magnitude of the electrically evoked Ca2+ transient. However, in contrast to the rat, there appeared to be constitutive NCX activity. Consistent with a number of recent studies, these results highlight potentially important similarities and differences between rodent and human sensory neurons, underscoring the importance of human sensory neurons as a pre-clinical screen of novel therapeutics targeting the primary afferent. Research funded by NIH T32NS073548, 1R01NS083347, and R01DK107966.
Quantum Mechanical Description of Electrostatics Provides a Unified Picture of Catalytic Action Across Methyltransferases.

Methyl transferases (MTases) are a well-studied class of enzymes for which competing enzymatic enhancement mechanisms have been suggested, ranging from structural methyl group CH···X hydrogen bonds...
Coaches' Impact on Youth Athletes' Intentions to Continue Sport Participation: The Mediational Influence of the Coach-Athlete Relationship

About 70% of youth athletes drop out of sport by age 13. Self-determination theory has been utilised to investigate athletes’ motivations for behaviours including sport persistence (i.e. continuati...
Post-windthrow salvage logging increases seedling and understory diversity with little impact on composition immediately after logging

Salvage logging after forest disturbances is a controversial but common practice, yet it remains relatively poorly studied, particularly after windstorms within deciduous forests. Here, we present results from the first growing season following salvage logging on four gaps (3.5–6 ha) created by a 2012 tornado. While salvage logging shifted the distribution of stem heights to smaller sizes, it increased woody species seedling diversity by 33% and total plant richness and diversity by 20%. Salvaging did not alter or homogenize community composition. These short-term differences in richness and diversity were partly driven by a more even distribution of seedlings among species and increased species recruitment from the seed bank after salvaging. Overall, the initial impacts of salvage operations in a mixed deciduous forest redirected forest regeneration towards a more diverse community with a wider pool of species.
Metasurface Integrated Microbolometers

This study reports on the integration of metasurfaces with microbolometers to provide spectral and/or polarized Long Wave Infrared selectivity. Metal antenna elements are in direct contact with Si x Ge y O 1-x-y based microbolometers and modify the electrical/noise performance of the device in addition to engineering the electromagnetic response.
TRENDS: How Internet Search Undermines the Validity of Political Knowledge Measures:

Political knowledge is central to understanding citizens’ engagement with politics. Yet, as surveys are increasingly conducted online, participants’ ability to search the web may undermine the vali...
Profiles of cognitive change in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease using change-point analysis

Abstract Introduction Change-point analyses are increasingly used to identify the temporal stages of accelerated cognitive decline in the preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). However, statistical comparisons of change-points between specific cognitive measures have not been reported. Methods 165 older adults (baseline age range: 61.1-91.2) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging developed AD during follow-up. Linear and non-linear mixed models were fit for 11 cognitive measures to determine change-points in rates of decline before AD diagnosis. Bootstrapping was used to compare the timing of change-points across cognitive measures. Results Change-points followed by accelerated decline ranged from 15.5 years (Card Rotations) to 1.9 years (Trail-Making A) before AD diagnosis. Accelerated decline in Card Rotations occurred significantly earlier than all other measures, including learning and memory measures. Discussion Results suggest that visuospatial ability, as assessed by Card Rotations, may have the greatest utility as an early predictive tool in identifying preclinical AD.
Transient heat loss analysis of fabrics using a dynamic sweating guarded hot plate protocol

Moisture management is important for the human comfort of clothing, especially while perspiring. Ideally, the fabric chosen for a garment enables moisture to migrate away from the skin surface, fac...
Under the rug: Abandoning persistent misconceptions that obfuscate organelle evolution

The advent and advance of next generation sequencing over the past two decades made it possible to accumulate large quantities of sequence reads that could be used to assemble complete or nearly complete organelle genomes (plastome or mitogenome). The result has been an explosive increase in the availability of organelle genome sequences with over 4000 different species of green plants currently available on GenBank. During the same time period, plant molecular biologists greatly enhanced the understanding of the structure, repair, replication, recombination, transcription and translation, and inheritance of organelle DNA. Unfortunately many plant evolutionary biologists are unaware of or have overlooked this knowledge, resulting in misrepresentation of several phenomena that are critical for phylogenetic and evolutionary studies using organelle genomes. We believe that confronting these misconceptions about organelle genome organization, composition, and inheritance will improve our understanding of the evolutionary processes that underly organelle evolution. Here we discuss four misconceptions that can limit evolutionary biology studies and lead to inaccurate phylogenies and incorrect structure of the organellar DNA used to infer organelle evolution.
Trauma of Turkish Women and Children in an Era of Political Unrest

The chapter Turkish Women and Children in an Era of Unrest highlights through a series of vignettes drawn from interviews conducted by the author how recent developments in the Justice and Development Party (AKP)/Hizmet Gulen Movement (HGM) split has affected women and children’s rights. While recognizing violations of women’s and children’s rights has been present for some time, the author limits her discussion to one particular group, the HGM Turkish women and children caught in the web of persecution perpetrated by Erdogan’s policies initiated after the July 15, 2016 coup attempt. The chapter explores human rights violations, displacement, and individual and communal trauma. Through family stories, the author explores political, ethical, psychological, and cultural factors impacting refugee Turkish women and children. Reports of this trauma can potentially awaken the global community to action understanding the plight and resilience of the human spirit of these Turkish women and children.
Association between emotional intelligence and effective brain connectome: A large-scale spectral DCM study

Abstract Introduction Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a well-documented aspect of social and interpersonal functioning, but the underlying neural mechanisms for this capacity remain poorly understood. Here we used advanced brain connectivity techniques to explore the associations between EI and effective connectivity (EC) within four functional brain networks. Methods The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) was used to collect EI data from 55 healthy individuals (mean age = 30.56±8.3 years, 26 males). The MSCEIT comprises two area cores – experiential EI (T1) and strategic EI (T2). The T1 core included two sub-scales – perception of emotions (S1) and using emotions to facilitate thinking (S2), and the T2 core included two sub-scales – understanding of emotions (S3) and management of emotions (S4). All participants underwent structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) scans. The spectral dynamic causal modeling approach was implemented to estimate EC within four networks of interest – the default-mode network (DMN), dorsal attention network (DAN), control-execution network (CEN) and salience network (SN). The strength of EC within each network was correlated with the measures of EI, with correlations at pFDR Results There was no significant association between any of the measures of EI and EC strength within the DMN and DAN. For CEN, however, we found that there were significant negative associations between EC strength from the right anterior prefrontal cortex (RAPFC) to the left anterior prefrontal cortex (LAPFC) and both S2 and T1, and significant positive associations between EC strength from LAPFC to RAPFC and S2. EC strength from the right superior parietal cortex (SPC) to RAPFC also showed significant negative association with S4 and T2. For the SN, S3 showed significant negative association with EC strength from the right insula to RAPFC and significant positive association with EC strength from the left insula to dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (DACC). Conclusions We provide evidence that the negative ECs within the right hemisphere, and from the right to left hemisphere, and positive ECs within the left hemisphere and from the left to right hemisphere of CEN (involving bilateral frontal and right parietal region) and SN (involving right frontal, anterior cingulate and bilateral insula) play a significant role in regulating and processing emotions. These findings also suggest that measures of EC can be utilized as important biomarkers to better understand the underlying neural mechanisms of EI.
Metformin Exposure and Risk of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Objective Metformin has been found to have a role in promoting vascular remodeling and angiogenesis which may reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. Prior studies have shown a decrease in the incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in patients with type 2 and gestational diabetes taking metformin. We hypothesize metformin exposure decreases the risk of developing hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes. Study Design Retrospective cohort study from 2009 to 2019 of singleton pregnancies was complicated by type 2 diabetes. We compared patients who received metformin throughout pregnancy to those with no metformin exposure. The primary outcome was a hypertension composite defined as gestational hypertension, preeclampsia with or without severe features, HELLP syndrome, or eclampsia. Individual hypertensive outcomes and neonatal outcomes were secondarily evaluated. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables. Results A total of 254 pregnancies were included. Women exposed to metformin were significantly less likely to develop hypertension composite compared with nonexposed women (22.7 vs. 33.1%, aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29–0.96). The incidence of preeclampsia with severe features was also significantly lower in those who received metformin compared with those who did not (12.1 vs. 20.7%, aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.18–0.81). There were no differences in preterm birth prior to 34 or 37 weeks, fetal growth restriction, or birth weight between the study groups. A subgroup analysis of women without chronic hypertension also had a significantly lower risk of developing preeclampsia with severe features (7.6 vs. 17.8%, aOR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13–0.94). Conclusion Metformin exposure was associated with a decreased risk of composite hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in patients with pregestational type 2 diabetes. These data suggest that there may be benefit to metformin administration beyond glycemic control in this patient population. Key Points
Does Globalization Drive a Simple Pattern of Taxation

This paper explores what Furceri and Karras in a 2011 article call “the Hines-Summers Hypothesis”: “the smaller the size and the greater the openness of the economy, the more it will rely on expenditure taxes and the less on income taxes” They confirm the hypothesis for the OECD countries over the period 1965-2007. But the original exploration by James Hines and Lawrence Summers in 2009 uses a different measure of size and was not confined to the advanced countries. This paper suggests that some of the patterns found by Hines and Summers do not extend into a more recent time period with a larger group of countries. Moreover, the most straightforward formulation of the hypothesis does not hold beyond the OECD.
Spontaneous Electric Fields Play a Key Role in Thermochemical Catalysis at Metal-Liquid Interfaces.

Large oriented electric fields spontaneously arise at all solid-liquid interfaces via the exchange of ions and/or electrons with the solution. Although intrinsic electric fields are known to play an important role in molecular and biological catalysis, the role of spontaneous polarization in heterogeneous thermocatalysis remains unclear because the catalysts employed are typically disconnected from an external circuit, which makes it difficult to monitor or control the degree of electrical polarization of the surface. Here, we address this knowledge gap by developing general methods for wirelessly monitoring and controlling spontaneous electrical polarization at conductive catalysts dispersed in liquid media. By combining electrochemical and spectroscopic measurements, we demonstrate that proton and electron transfer from solution controllably, spontaneously, and wirelessly polarize Pt surfaces during thermochemical catalysis. We employ liquid-phase ethylene hydrogenation on a Pt/C catalyst as a thermochemical probe reaction and observe that the rate of this nonpolar hydrogenation reaction is significantly influenced by spontaneous electric fields generated by both interfacial proton transfer in water and interfacial electron transfer from organometallic redox buffers in a polar aprotic ortho-difluorobenzene solvent. Across these vastly disparate reaction media, we observe quantitatively similar scaling of ethylene hydrogenation rates with the Pt open-circuit electrochemical potential (EOCP). These results isolate the role of interfacial electrostatic effects from medium-specific chemical interactions and establish that spontaneous interfacial electric fields play a critical role in liquid-phase heterogeneous catalysis. Consequently, EOCP-a generally overlooked parameter in heterogeneous catalysis-warrants consideration in mechanistic studies of thermochemical reactions at solid-liquid interfaces, alongside chemical factors such as temperature, reactant activities, and catalyst structure. Indeed, this work establishes the experimental and conceptual foundation for harnessing electric fields to both elucidate surface chemistry and manipulate preparative thermochemical catalysis.
Public justifications for the US minimum wage

This research draws on four macroeconomic approaches to examine survey data, in order to understand how the US public justifies their positions on the US minimum wage. Using data collected from the 2018 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, survey responses are coded to understand the public's justifications for minimum wage in the United States. Findings show that respondents had myriad justifications for the minimum wage beyond economic justifications. Moreover, the justifications that people use to support their minimum wage positions seem to be more patterned with political than economic variables. Discussions about the minimum wage in the United States have tended to prioritise the minimum wage's effects on economic variables, but more recent theories consider the social and political implications of minimum wage policies. Policymakers and scholars should keep the political and social character of the minimum wage in the United States in mind, especially during contemporary rare moments of political institutional unity that allow for major shifts in minimum wage policy.
Interface Dynamics in Phase Transitions

The problems discussed in this paper have the following common theme. An, in time t, evolving, in time t, order parameter that, depending on the specific context, describes the different phases of a material or the total (averaged) magnetization of a stochastic system or the temperature of a reacting-diffusing system, etc., approaches, typically as t →∞, the equilibrium states of certain systems. Depending on the values of a threshold parameter, such systems either have a unique or more than one equilibrium state. The existence of multiple equilibrium states can be associated to phase transitions.
Studies on immunosuppression by purine nucleoside analogues. II. Effects on skin-graft rejection and immediate hypersensitivity in mice.

Abstract The effects of several purine nucleoside analogues on skin-graft rejection and immediate hypersensitivity in mice have been investigated. It was found, by measuring tritiated thymidine uptake into the DNA of lymphoid tissues, that β- D -arabinofuranosyI-6-mercaptopurine (Ara-6-MP) and the periodate oxidation product of β- D -ribosyl-6-methylthiopurine (MMPR-OP) induced only partial impairment of the cell proliferation taking place in the lymph nodes draining a skin graft. Suppression by β- D -ribosyl-6-methylthiopurine (MMPR) was much more effective. Complete suppression of rapidly dividing precursors of cytotoxic lymphocytes was found. The biochemical blockades imposed by these compounds are somewhat limited and recovery from inhibition was relatively rapid, sometimes leading to enhanced proliferative activity. The blockade imposed by Ara-6-MP obviously can be easily overcome; extension of drug treatment had no effect on the duration of the blockade. MMPR-OP seems to have a protective effect on the graft itself since pretreatment of the skin-graft donor increases graft survival on the recipient significantly compared to treatment of the recipient only. A good deal of the pharmacological action of Ara-6-MP seems to be on nonspecific peripheral mechanisms, as indicated by its anti-inflammatory activity in the Arthus type of hypersensitivity and its protective effect against general anaphylaxis. Anti-complementary activity was excluded as a possible explanation for this effect of Ara-6-MP.
Human X Chromosome

The normal female chromosome complement contains, in addition to 44 autosomes, two X chromosomes that are members of the medium-sized C group. The X chromosome constitutes 5.3 percent of the length of the haploid karyotype, and its centromere index is 0.38. The fluorescent pattern of the X chromosome is shown in Fig. 20.1a. In the short arm, two main regions can be seen: a brighter distal segment (a), and a less Q- bright region (b), next to the centromere. On the other side of the centromere is another Q-dark segment (c), which is shorter than the corresponding region on the Xp (b). The rest of the Xq is Q-bright (d) and is divided into two almost equal parts by a narrow darker band.
The Effects of Statutory Minimum Wages

This discussion will explore the various theories regarding the effects of minimum wages on employment and relative earnings for the low-paid in an economy. Then, we will examine the research to consider which side the data supports—that is, if it does indeed conclusively decide the case one way or the other. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol6/iss1/16
A general model for PVD aluminum deposition

A model for free molecular transport, surface diffusion and heterogeneous reactions in features during low pressure deposition processes is specialized to simulate film profile evolution during sputtered Al PVD. The dimensionless parameter which results from nondimensionalizing the governing equation dictates film profiles. Feature size dependent step coverages are demonstrated in trenches of aspect ratio one. >
The Development of 2000-Ampere Diodes for High Current Ferrite Biasing Supplies

Ferrite tuning circuits of the RF system for the 200-GeV machine require specialized components, because of the requirements for high current and for reliability under pulsing conditions. The present status of the LRL program to provide high-current supplies for ferrite biasing is described here.
The impact of parental substance abuse on the stability of family reunifications from foster care

Abstract Alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse by caretakers is frequently cited as a precipitating reason for the entry of children into foster care, however, little research has been done to examine the impact of alcohol and other drugs on the stability of family reunification. This study examined the likelihood of reentry into foster care following reunification for children whose primary caretakers were stratified into groups based on the type of substance abuse cited as a primary reason for the initial removal: those with alcohol only involvement, those with drug only involvement, those with both alcohol and other drug involvement, and those with no alcohol or drug involvement. Event history analysis showed that children whose reasons for initial placement in foster included caretakers with both alcohol and drug involvement were much more likely to reenter care following reunification than any of the other three groups. However, drug or alcohol involvement as the initial reason for removal was also associated with higher risk of reentry.
Coal-Mine Hollow Fill and Settling Pond Influences on Headwater Streams in Southern West Virginia, USA

The influences of coal-mine hollow fills and associated settling ponds in three headwater streams were assessed in southern West Virginia, USA. Fill drainage waters had elevated conductivities and metal concentrations, compared to a regional reference. Benthic macroinvertebrate richness was not affected consistently by the hollow fill drainages, relative to a regional reference, although a more tolerant community, lacking in Ephemeroptera taxa at most locations, was evident. Collector-filterer populations were elevated at monitoring stations directly below the settling ponds, indicating that the ponds' presence influenced macroinvertebrate community structure by means of organic enrichment. Corbicula fluminea growth was enhanced in monitoring locations directly below the settling ponds, also an apparent result of organic enrichment. Results of acute water column toxicity testing with Ceriodaphnia dubia, sediment chronic toxicity testing with Daphnia magna, and in-situ ecotoxicological assessments with C. fluminea demonstrated no mortality or toxic influence at most of the sites tested below the ponds. The settling ponds appear to serve as sinks in collecting some, but not all, trace metals.
Calculation of molecule-molecule intermolecular potentials using electron gas methods

Abstract A procedure for extending electron gas calculations to molecule-molecule interactions is presented which allows rapid determination of the dependence of intermolecular potentials on all vibration and rotation coordinates. Results for HF-HF agree well with accurate SCF calculations.
Clinical practice guidelines and specific antigen immunotherapy

Allergy immunotherapy is a safe, effective treatment modality in selected patients. The length of therapy and the wide variety of patient sensitivities make it difficult to develop and test evidence-based guidelines in all areas of immunotherapy. A review of techniques and the evidence supporting them is provided in this article.
Interleukin-1β increases 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid release in the hypothalamus in vivo

Push-pull perfusion technique was used to infuse interleukin-1β (IL-1β) into and collect perfusate from the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) of conscious, freely moving rats. The serotonin metabolite, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), was measured in the perfusate by high performance liquid chromatography. Infusion of the vehicle, PBS-0.1%BSA, had no significant effect on 5-HIAA release except near the end of the perfusion period (325 min) when the release was below the pretreatment level (p < 0.05). Infusion of 25 ng of IL-1β prevented this decrease, whereas infusion of 50 ng produced an increase of more than 50% (p < 0.05) at 25 min and maintained it at that level during the remaining posttreatment period. In the animals infused with 100 ng of IL-1β, 5-HIAA release increased by more than 70% at 25 min and was more than 120% (p < 0.05) above the pretreatment level at the end of the posttreatment period. We concluded that IL-1β affects the metabolism of serotonergic system in the hypothalamus and that this is a component of the mechanism by which IL-1 produces its central actions.
Tip optics for illumination NSOM: extended-zone approach

Abstract We examine the coupling of light from a metal-coated fiber through a tapered conic section to a sub-wavelength aperture at the taper's apex. Using geometric optics and introducing a repeated-zone scheme, we develop expressions for throughput and gain of this linear taper. The expressions allow for consideration of arbitrary angular distribution of light at the large end of the taper, and thus permit analysis in terms of distributions which represent light in propagating modes of a fiber. Solutions for throughput and gain of a taper pulled from a fiber are presented. Extension to geometric optics analysis of non-linear tapers is outlined.
Focus on the Three A's: Accountability, Articulation, Achievement.

Rather than a threat to job security, teacher accountability should be a means to improved instruction and renewed professionalism. Accountability should alleviate problems of articulation between the various levels of a student's foreign language study. Case histories of specific classes indicate that too many students are unprepared for a given level; placed in a ‘sure-fail’ situation, they have little choice but to give up their study or begin again. In any case, they have not profited or grown as a result of their experience. We can decrease the chances of failure and increase the rewards of study, however, by rejecting the practice of measuring achievement in terms of time spent at a given level and by initiating positive evaluation based on minimal performance objectives. The first step must be the establishment and acceptance of such objectives on an institutional basis. Next, regular communication between schools in the area will insure clear understanding of one another's goals. Optimally, we must aim for the establishment of performance objectives on a broader, statewide basis. Instructional effectiveness and articulation demand honest assessment of achievement in terms of clearly defined goals, and for this teachers at every level must be held accountable.
The New Occupational Therapy Paradigm: Implications for Integration of the Psychosocial Core of Occupational Therapy in All Clinical Specialties

In this paper, it is argued that the new occupational therapy paradigm includes a core of psychosocial skills, consistent with the profession's historical roots in mental health. It is proposed that contrary to the declining presence of occupational therapy in mental health, psychosocial interventions should be explicitly integrated in all professional practice, such that occupational therapy will become the profession of choice in addressing psychosocial issues of all clients irrespective of clinical specialty. A case study is presented as an example to demonstrate how this explicit integration may be achieved in physical rehabilitation.
Application of magnetically stabilized fluidized beds to bioseparations

Abstract Magnetically stabilized fluidized beds (MSFBs) have many advantages over current column separation techniques. The backmixing of solids seen in normal fluidized beds is eliminated, making countercurrent solids/fluid contact possible. Compared to the fixed bed, the MSFB allows continuous processing of the feed material while operating at a low bed pressure drop. Although other methods are available for carrying out continuous chromatographic separations, no other methods that we are aware of allow continuous bed treatment or replacement and few achieve a system which is as simple to operate. We have tested one application of MSFBs in bioprocessing: continuous affinity chromatography. The experimental results obtained using human serum albumin, Cibacron Blue F3GA®, and dried calcium alginate / magnetite beads agree with our mathematical model.
Identification of two previously unrecognized genes (guaA and argC) important for uropathogenesis

Our knowledge of the traits possessed by extraintestinal isolates of Escherichia coli, necessary for growth and survival in urine, is limited. To identify such determinants, transposon (TnphoA′1,4) mutant libraries of a clinical isolate (CP9) were generated and screened for derivatives exhibiting decreased growth in urine in vitro, and for mutants with active lacZ fusions that were induced in urine relative to laboratory medium. Using this approach we identified two genes, guaA (CPA24) and argC (CPI-1), which were previously unrecognized as being important for growth in human urine. Unexpectedly, not only does CPA24 (guaA) not grow in human urine in vitro, but it is sensitive to its effects, undergoing a 2–3 log loss of viability over 6 h. By contrast, CPA24 neither grows nor is killed in M9 minimal medium and artificial urine. Therefore, we postulate that lack of guanine or its derivatives in urine, and the inability of CPA24 to synthesize these compounds de novo, prevents CPA24 from synthesizing other guanine (or derivatives)-dependent products that are critical for growth and survival in urine. Although it seems logical that decreased growth in urine in vitro should correlate with diminished urovirulence, this concept was tested by challenging mice with CPA24 in vivo in a mouse model of urinary tract infection (UTI). Indeed, CPA24 was found to be significantly less virulent compared with its wild-type parent CP9. CPI-1(argC) was identified because of the significant induction of its argC::lacZ fusion in urine. Subsequent testing in urine demonstrated that its growth was significantly diminished in all urine samples tested (four females, three males). Polyamine synthesis is dependent upon, in part, the arginine biosynthetic pathway. Therefore, we tested whether the induction of argC in urine and/or the decreased growth of CPI-1 was a result of low levels of polyamines or arginine in urine. The results suggest that low levels of arginine, but not polyamines, in human urine are responsible. When tested in vivo in the mouse model of UTI, CPI-1 was also found to be significantly less virulent than CP9. In summary, we have established that guaA and argC are the first genes, which we are aware of, that have been shown to contribute to the growth of E. coli in urine in vitro and both have diminished urovirulence in vivo. These results support the concept that urine can be used in vitro as a screening tool to identify urovirulence traits.
Temporal and spatial dynamics of macroalgal communities along an anthropogenic salinity gradient in Biscayne Bay (Florida, USA)

The seasonal and spatial dynamics of two groups of macroalgae, drift algae and rhizophytes, commonly found in tropical seagrass meadows were studied. The aim of this study was to provide insight into how freshwater discharges may be altering seagrass-dominated nearshore tropical habitats. Species composition, biomass, and percent cover of macroalgae were collected at six Thalassia testudinum Konig dominated sites within Biscayne Bay, Florida, representing three salinity regimes: canal-influenced, natural sheet-flow, and oceanic conditions. Mean annual salinities in these three regimes correspond to 10, 25 and 35 psu, respectively, with much greater variability in the canal and sheet-flow regimes, than in the oceanic condition. There were distinct changes in the composition of the macroalgal community along this salinity gradient. Drift algae (Chondria spp., Laurencia spp.) were most commonly found at canal-disturbed sites (10-85 g m � 2 ), while rhizophytic calcareous green algae (Halimeda spp., Penicillus spp.) were most abundant at the higher salinity oceanic sites (20-105 g m � 2 ). Seasonal patterns exhibited by the two groups differed also, with drift algae being more abundant in the cooler dry-season months, while rhizophytic algae were more abundant during the warmer wet- season months. These periods of higher abundance correlated with higher growth rates (drift = 2.3% day � 1 , rhizophytes = 0.85% day � 1 ) measured in representative species for each group. Grazing rates on drift algae were found to be low for tropical habitats and did not differ much between canal (0.44% h � 1 ) and oceanic sites (0.42% h � 1 ).
Solution chemistry of lanthanide complexes.5. Circularly polarized luminescence studies on Tb(III) mixed-ligand complexes containing L-aspartic acid

Abstract The complexation of L-aspartic acid by a series of mixed-ligand Tb(III) complexes has been studied by means of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectroscopy. In several Tb(TDL) 2 (ASP) and Tb(MDL)(ASP) complexes (TDL = terdentate ligand, and MDL = multidentate ligand), it was established that the L-ASP ligand bound in a bidentate manner between the two carboxyl groups. However, the resulting CPL spectra were found to be vastly different in the two series of compounds, an effect whose origin probably lies in different ASP conformations in the mixed-ligand complexes. A systematic variation of the concentration of L-ASP enabled calculation of the formation constants associated with binding of this ligand by Tb(TDL) − 2 and Tb(MDL) − . The bindings of L-ASP by the Tb(MDL) series is more facile than that of the Tb(TDL) 2 series, but in all cases the formation constants are greatly reduced from the analogous value known for Tb(ASP).
Obstructive nephropathy: lessons from cystic kidney disease.

Obstructive nephropathy is one of the most important causes of renal failure in infants and children, while polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a major cause of renal failure in the adult population. This review summarizes the evidence that there may be a number of mechanisms common to the pathophysiology of both conditions. In animal models of obstructive nephropathy and PKD, the renal tubular expression of epidermal growth factor is suppressed, and expression of clusterin is increased, both of which suggest arrested maturation or dedifferentiation of the tubular cell. There is a marked increase in apoptosis of epithelial cells in dilated tubules, associated with an increase in apoptotic stimuli. The renin-angiotensin system is activated in both obstructive nephropathy and PKD, which may contribute to tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis, which characterize the progression of both conditions. Focal cystic dilatation of the tubule is found in obstructive nephropathy, while tubular obstruction is present in cystic kidney disease. It is therefore likely that elucidation of the effects of mechanical stretch on renal tubular epithelial cells will contribute to our understanding of both conditions.
Dielectric boundary smoothing in finite difference solutions of the poisson equation: An approach to improve accuracy and convergence

Finite difference methods are becoming very popular for calculating electrostatic fields around molecules. Due to the large amount of computer memory required, grid spacings cannot be made extremely small in relation to the size of the van der Waals radii of the atoms. As a result, the calculations make a rather crude approximation to the molecular surface by defining grid line midpoints discontinuously as either interior or exterior. We present a method which “smoothes” the boundary, but more accurately models the potential from the analytic solution of the discontinuous dielectric problem and improves convergence in electrostatic energy calculations. In addition, a small improvement in convergence rate is observed.
From aspiring presidential candidate to accidental racist? An analysis of Senator George Allen's image repair during his 2006 reelection campaign

Abstract This study analyzes how Senator Allen responded to the negative public relations incidents that occurred during his 2006 reelection campaign. Through a content analysis of Allen's media releases and interviews with Allen's communication staffers this study identifies Allen's image repair discourse strategies and tactics. This study also evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies and tactics through a content analysis of the newspaper coverage Finally, this study identifies three new image repair tactics.
The Dawn of Language

Current studies in anthropology, archeology, prehistory, and biology point to the conclusion that man, language, and culture all began at the same time, some two million years ago, in southeast Africa. The dawn of language for the race is recapitulated for the individual as each child, in the first two years of life, seizes upon ihe knack of putting sounds together in a systematic way that permits him to symbolize, in communicable form, the segments of reality around and within him. The universal occurence of this remarkable phenomenon strongly suggests that only a genetic factor can account for the cradle learning of spoken speech. But the dawn of language as the all-embracing prerequisite of man's status as man has not yet come to the academic world. And it will not come until language is established as a discipline in its own right, a discipline called, quite simply, ‘Language,’ that will support, envigorate, and enlighten all areas of study having to do with the intellect of man.
Deicing Chemicals as Source of Constituents of Highway Runoff

The dissolved major and trace constituents of deicing chemicals as a source of constituents in highway runoff must be quantified for interpretive studies of highway runoff and its effects on surface water and groundwater. Dissolved constituents of the deicing chemicals—sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and premix (a mixture of sodium and calcium chloride)—were determined by analysis of salt solutions created in the laboratory and are presented as mass ratios to chloride. Deicing chemical samples studied are about 98 and 97 percent pure sodium chloride and calcium chloride, respectively; however, each has a distinct major and trace ion constituent signature. The greatest impurity in sodium chloride road salt samples was sulfate, followed by calcium, potassium, bromide, vanadium, magnesium, fluoride, and other constituents with a ratio to chloride of less than 0.0001 by mass. The greatest impurity in the calcium chloride road salt samples was sodium, followed by potassium, sulfate, bromide, silica, fluorid...
Analysis of stress distribution by endodontic posts

Abstract Three commonly used endodontic post designs, their lengths, their methods of insertion, and their abilities to transmit occlusal forces to supporting structures were compared. According to this photoelastic stress analysis, post design affects stress distribution. Stresses tended to concentrate under the post shoulder, especially if sharp angles were present. Also ascertained was the fact that the post length should approximate the length of the anatomic crown.
Carnations and the Floriculture Industry: Documenting the Cultivation and Marketing of Flowers in Colorado

ABSTRACT The Records of the Colorado Flower Growers Association (CFGA) is an archival collection documenting the association prior to its 1979 name change. The CFGA was founded in 1928 to support the production and marketing of greenhouse flowers grown commercially in the state. In 1979, the organization changed its name to the Colorado Greenhouse Growers Association to reflect the increasing diversification of the industry. The collection consists of documents dated 1928 to 1980 (with the bulk falling between 1958 and 1972), and includes minutes from general, board, and committee meetings; correspondence; newsletters; financial reports; scrapbooks; clippings; and photographic materials. This article provides a history of Colorado carnations, information on the collection, and describes a digital project supported by a cooperative agreement between the Agriculture Network Information Center (AgNIC) and the Colorado State University (CSU) Libraries to make a selection of the scrapbooks, clippings, newslett...
A new genus of cardinalfish from tropical Australia and southern New Guinea (Percomorpha: Apogonidae)

Ozichthys is described as a new monotypic genus, type species Apogon albimaculosus . This species is restricted to tropical Australia and southern New Guinea. The combination of first dorsal fin with VIII visible spines, fused first and second hypurals, epineural on ninth rib, ossified lower preopercle edge, serrated edge of the preopercle, more than three flute canals on post orbit, 23–24 pored lateral- line scales, elongate last lateral-line scale, and sixteen rows of free neuromasts on principal caudal fin-rays will identify this genus from other brownish ground-colored apogonids. This genus is placed in the clade with Apogonichthys , Foa , Fowleria , and Neamia based on color patterns present on the head, body and vertical fins and in having a single pore above and below the raised median canal on each pored lateral-line scale.
Treatment of cerebral edema

Background:Cerebral edema is a potentially devastating complication of various acute neurologic disorders. Its successful treatment may save lives and preserve neurologic function.Review Summary:Different pathophysiological mechanisms are responsible for the formation of cytotoxic and vasogenic edem
A dimensionless variable for the scale up and transfer of a roller compaction formulation

AbstractRoller compaction is the most commonly employed dry granulation process in the pharmaceutical industry. While this process is increasingly used as an alternative to wet granulation, there are no parameter sets or system of equations to quickly scale up or transfer a formulation between two pieces of equipment. In this work, dimensionless variable was examined as a method to transfer the operating parameters of a formulation between two different pieces of equipment. This work was completed to establish the ground work for the development of a dimensionless relationship relating the operating parameters of the equipment to the porosity of the ribbon. The working hypothesis was three-fold, namely (i) that ribbons of the same porosity made with different equipment will have similar properties, (ii) that it is possible to establish an objective relationship between ribbon porosity and a combination of operating parameters and raw material attributes and (iii) that by expressing such parameter combinat...
Theoretical studies of type II–V chiral stationary phases

Abstract A review of atomic-level molecular modeling in chiral chromatography is given. The focus of this review is on non-brush-like stationary phases with emphasis on cyclodextrin and cellulosic stationary phases. Most of the theoretical papers reviewed invoke regression models to understand where and how chiral discrimination takes place.
The E-domain region of mechano-growth factor inhibits cellular apoptosis and preserves cardiac function during myocardial infarction

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) isoforms are expressed via alternative splicing. Expression of the minor isoform IGF-1Eb [also known as mechano-growth factor (MGF)] is responsive to cell stress. Since IGF-1 isoforms differ in their E-domain regions, we are interested in determining the biological function of the MGF E-domain. To do so, a synthetic peptide analog was used to gain mechanistic insight into the actions of the E-domain. Treatment of H9c2 cells indicated a rapid cellular uptake mechanism that did not involve IGF-1 receptor activation but resulted in a nuclear localization. Peptide treatment inhibited the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in H9c2 cells subjected to cell stress with sorbitol by preventing the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Therefore, we administered the peptide at the time of myocardial infarction (MI) in mice. At 2 weeks post-MI cardiac function, gene expression and cell death were assayed. A significant decline in both systolic and diastolic function was evident in untreated mice based on PV loop analysis. Delivery of the E-peptide ameliorated the decline in function and resulted in significant preservation of cardiac contractility. Associated with these changes were an inhibition of pathologic hypertrophy and significantly fewer apoptotic nuclei in the viable myocardium of E-peptide-treated mice post-MI. We conclude that administration of the MGF E-domain peptide may provide a means of modulating local tissue IGF-1 autocrine/paracrine actions to preserve cardiac function, prevent cell death, and pathologic remodeling in the heart.
Chemistry of Olefin-Terminated Homogeneous and Mixed Monolayers on Scribed Silicon

We describe the preparation of homogeneous olefin-terminated monolayers on scribed silicon made from 1,9-decadiene, and mixed monolayers with varying degrees of olefin termination prepared from 1,9-decadiene and 1-decene or 1-octene, and their subsequent reactions with bromine, osmium tetroxide, dicholorocarbene, and Grubbs' catalyst. Each of these reagents contains a heteroatom, which allows straightforward monitoring of the surface reactions by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface reactions of mixed monolayers made from 1,9-decadiene and 1-octene are consistently more efficient than surface reactions of mixed monolayers made from 1,9-decadiene and 1-decene, presumably because of steric effects. After chemisorbtion of Grubbs' catalyst, ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene is demonstrated. The kinetics of Grubbs' catalyst adsorption and of polynorbornene growth is monitored by XPS and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). A principal components analys...