cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum endotoxin, gut permeability and skeletal muscle metabolic adaptations following a short term high fat diet in humans

Abstract Background Our previous work demonstrated that a short-term high fat diet (HFD) increased fasting serum endotoxin, altered postprandial excursions of serum endotoxin, and led to metabolic and transcriptional responses in skeletal muscle in young, healthy male humans. Purpose The purpose of the present study was to determine if a short-term high fat diet: 1) increases intestinal permeability and, in turn, fasting endotoxin concentrations and 2) decreases postprandial skeletal muscle fat oxidation. Methods Thirteen normal weight young adult males (BMI 23.1 ± 0.8 kg/m2, age 22.2 ± 0.4 years) were fed a control diet (55% carbohydrate, 30% fat, 9% of which was saturated, 15% protein) for two weeks, followed by 5 days of an isocaloric HFD (30% carbohydrate, 55% fat, 25% of which was saturated, 15% protein, isocaloric to the control diet). Intestinal permeability (via four sugar probe test) was assessed in the fasting state. Both before and after the HFD, a high fat meal challenge (HFM, 820 kcal, 25% carbohydrate, 63% fat, 26% of which was saturated, and 12% protein) was administered. After an overnight fast, blood samples were collected before and every hour for 4 h after the HFM to assess endotoxin, and other serum blood measures. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis before and 4 h after the HFM in order to assess substrate oxidation (glucose, fatty acid and pyruvate) using radiolabeled techniques. Insulin sensitivity was assessed via intravenous glucose tolerance test. Intestinal permeability, blood samples and muscle biopsies were assessed in the same manner before and following the HFD. Main findings Intestinal permeability was not affected by HFD (p > 0.05), but fasting endotoxin increased two fold following the HFD (p = 0.04). Glucose oxidation and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle homogenates significantly increased after the HFM before the HFD (+97%, and +106% respectively) but declined after the HFM following 5 days of the HFD (−24% and +16% respectively). Fatty acid suppressibility of pyruvate oxidation increased significantly after the HFM (+32%) but this physiological effect was abolished following 5 days of the HFD (+7%). Insulin sensitivity did not change following the HFD. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that in healthy young men, consuming an isocaloric HFD for 5 days increases fasting endotoxin, independent of changes in gut permeability. These changes in endotoxin are accompanied by a broad effect on skeletal muscle substrate metabolism including increases in postprandial fat oxidation. Importantly, the latter occurs independent of changes in body weight and whole-body insulin sensitivity.
Undergraduate Premedical Student Perceptions of an Emergency Department-Based Social Needs Screening Program.

Medical school admission requirements increasingly encompass competencies beyond the traditional premedical curriculum, such as service orientation and knowledge of “social determinants of health.” The Stanford Help Desk is an undergraduate service-learning program that provides didactic and experiential exposure to the social determinants of health through screening for social and legal needs of emergency department (ED) patients. We assessed student perceptions of program impact through student applications, course evaluations, and an online program survey. This course strengthened students' understanding of their career aspirations in medicine. Students were resolved to incorporate consideration of social determinants of health in future practice.
Knowledge Diffusion Through Networks

How do geography and other barriers to the free flow of information shape the rate of knowledge diffusion? To address this question, we develop an empirical model of product discrete choice with Bayesian learning on a social network. Estimating this model using monthly data on the cholesterol-drug prescription decisions of over 50,000 U.S. physicians during January 2000 through December 2010, we find that the evolution of product choice efficiency is highly responsive to network structure changes, particularly targeted friction reductions that strengthen the strongest bilateral links.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Keratitis

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) may infect various organs in the human body, of which the eye is one possible target. Ocular manifestations of HSV include blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, iritis, trabeculitis, or retinitis. HSV keratitis can manifest with epithelial, stromal, and/or endothelial disease. Both systemic and topical antiviral agents are available, and treatment indications depend on clinical presentation and response to therapy. Although HSV keratitis is typically diagnosed based on clinical findings, viral cultures and antigen detection methods are also available in atypical cases. After primary infection, the virus may establish latency in the trigeminal ganglia and cause future recurrences. In these cases, prophylactic antivirals may be indicated. Sequelae of HSV keratitis include neurotrophic keratopathy and corneal opacification, and both medical and surgical options exist to manage these outcomes. Future research may yield the development of an HSV vaccine, with positive early results in animal models.
Descriptive Evidence from Audit Practice on SAS No. 99 Brainstorming Activities

SUMMARY: This paper describes how auditors conduct brainstorming sessions to comply with the requirements of SAS No. 99. We gather evidence by interviewing 22 auditors at all personnel levels across seven audit firms (including all of the Big 4 firms) and by observing actual brainstorming sessions. The results reveal how auditors prepare for brainstorming sessions and allow us to describe a typical four-step brainstorming session process. We describe brainstorming group interactions and provide evidence on brainstorming session outcomes in terms of fraud risk assessments, audit plan modifications, and budget modifications. Finally, we report how audit firms encourage professional skepticism during brainstorming.
Research on Financial Innovations: An Interdisciplinary Review

The financial industry offers a unique setting to study innovations. Financial innovations (FIs) have fueled the growth of economies, markets, and societies. The financial industry has successfully become the breeding ground for innovative services, processes, business models, and technologies. Three market developments are disrupting the industry and opening up a new era for the financial services industry. Disruptions from within and outside the industry offer new generations of radically-innovative services. Moreover, new generations of consumers differ from previous generations in their needs and wants and look for innovative ways to handle their financial needs. Finally, significant developments related to financial innovations have emerged in Asia and developing countries. In light of these market disruptions, this study systematically reviews the academic research literature on FIs in two phases. The first phase provides a quantitative review of 546 journal articles published between 1990 and 2018. This analysis found that disciplines differ with regard to the employed research methodologies, the units of analysis, sources of data, and the innovations they examined. The analysis found a positive trend in the number of published articles during this period. However, studies have primarily focused on the US and Europe and less so on other parts of the world. In the second phase, the study synthesizes the extant research on FIs and maps them in five research areas: firms' introduction and adoption of FIs, financial innovation development, the outcomes of financial innovations, regulations and intellectual property, and consumers. This synthesis further identifies research gaps in the available research that highlight future research opportunities in light of the three market disruptions.
The necessity of time-series simulation for investigation of large-scale solar energy penetration

The current deregulation trend in the electric power generation has led the utilities to adapt solar energy generation into their existing infrastructure. The main challenge of solar energy integration into power grid is its time-varying (intermittency) nature due to cloud shading of PV panels which depends on weather conditions. This paper discusses the impacts of large-scale solar energy penetration into power distribution network. Moreover, the necessity of time-series simulation and field measurement data to investigate the impacts of intermittency of large-scale solar energy penetration is explained. It has been shown that the sampling rate of measurement data has an important role while inadequate sampling rate of measurement data may lead to miss the high-variability points which have significant effects on the operation of system. In this paper, the real field measurement data of a sample circuit form Southern California (SCE) are considered.
Increased Potassium Conductance in Rana Follicles after Stimulation by Pituitary Extract : (amphibian follicle/meiotic maturation/gonadotropin/K+ conductance/gap junctions)

Pituitary gonadotropins are believed to induce the somatic cell portion of the amphibian follicle to synthesize and release progesterone which, in turn, induces the resumption of the meiotic divisions in the follicular oocyte. We report here that pituitary extract, at concentrations that induce ovulation and meiosis, causes a rapid hyperpolarization of the follicular oocyte. A similar hyperpolarization is seen in response to porcine LH but not FSH. Voltage clamp studies indicate that this is due to an increase in follicle K+ conductance. An electrical model of the amphibian follicle suggests that pituitary factors act by increasing the K+ conductance of the oolemma, by increasing the extent of oocyte-follicle cell ionic coupling, or by increasing the conductance of follicle cell plasma membrane. The conductance change does not occur in the absence of follicle cells, is not mediated by progesterone, and is not necessary for meiotic maturation, per se, but may play a role in processes which accompany or follow maturation.
Urban Wind: Effects of Structural Geometry

Wind power continues to be produced by large-scale wind farms in remote areas. Supplying urban areas requires that this power be transmitted over vast distances. Generating power locally in urban cities not only decreases transmission distances but reduces external demand by using the harvested energy on site. A crucial element in the use of wind in the built environment as a source of energy is finding ways to maximize its flow. As flow approaches the windward facade of a building’s structure, it is disturbed, causing an increase in velocity both at the roof’s edge and above the separation bubble. Energy harvesting devices are usually placed in this flow region. The aim of this study is to further investigate the accelerated flow by modifying the building’s structure to be a concentrator of the wind, thereby maximizing the available wind power. Using computational fluid dynamics, sloped facades at varying angles were investigated. Simulations show that at an angle of 30°, the velocity is amplified by more than 100% at the separation point directly above the roof’s leading edge. Currently, wind tunnel experiments simulating flow behavior are being conducted and it is expected that analysis of the data will validate and support the findings presented.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Eating the strangers within: host control of intracellular bacteria via xenophagy

Many bacterial pathogens rely on an intracellular cycle to ensure their proliferation within infected hosts, through their ability to avoid or circumvent host bactericidal pathways. Recent evidence supports an increasingly important role for the autophagy pathway in innate immune defences against intracellular pathogens, as a mechanism of capture of either cytosol-adapted or vacuolar bacteria that redirect them to the lysosomal compartment for killing. Antibacterial autophagy, also referred to as xenophagy, involves selective recognition of intracellular bacteria and their targeting to the autophagic machinery for degradation. Here we review recent advances in our molecular understanding of these processes, and in how bacteria have adapted to avoid xenophagy or even take advantage of this innate immune process.
Robust output feedback linearizing speed sensorless control of PMSM

This work addresses the problem of robust output feedback speed sensorless control of a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM). A cascaded observer scheme is proposed comprising a continuous sliding mode observer (SMO) and an extended high-gain observer (EHGO) that provides robust estimation of motor position, speed and lumped system uncertainties. For the speed control problem, a robust feedback linearization controller is presented that uses the estimated lumped disturbance provided by EHGO to actively compensate for uncertainties. This observer based scheme helps to recover the motor speed tracking performance achievable under exact feedback linearization. The overall scheme works in output feedback; that is, without speed sensor, requiring motor current as the only output measurement. Simulations and experiments confirm the efficacy of the proposed scheme.
Head Circumference as an Early Predictor of Autism Symptoms in Younger Siblings of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Siblings of children with autism have an increased risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). As children with autism often exhibit an atypical trajectory of head circumference (HC) growth, HC may be an indicator of vulnerability to autism. This study investigated whether infant siblings of children with ASD (n = 77) with an atypical trajectory of HC growth were more likely than those without an atypical HC trajectory to develop autism symptoms. Results showed that infants who had larger HC at 12 months, and whose HC growth rate decelerated more rapidly between 12 and 24 months were more likely to exhibit autism symptoms than infants with more typical HC trajectories. Among infant siblings of children with autism, atypical HC growth might alert pediatricians to provide screening and/or referral for further evaluation.
Isolation of a non-thionein copper-binding protein from liver of copper-injected rats.

Abstract 1. The characterization of a low molecular weight, non-thionein, Cubinding protein isolated from rat liver is reported. The protein was isolated following chronic administration of Cu(NO 3 ) 2 using a combination of Sephadex G-75 and Sephadex DEAE A-25 chromatography. The protein did not bind to fully equilibrated Sephadex DEAE which formed the basis of the isolation procedure. 2. The final protein pereparation was found to be homogeneous by a variety of electrophoretic techniques and was distinguished from metallothionein on the basis of its behaviour on ion exchange and electrophoretic systems, spectral properties, and amino acid composition and metal content. It contains 6.8% cysteine and was found to bind Cu in a ratio of 1.5:1 based on a molecular weight of 11 000. 3. These results confirm the necessity to use techniques other than gel filtration alone to obtain adequate separation of low molecular weight metal-binding protein fractions.
Predissociation and ionization of excited KrXe observed using resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization-photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract The heteronuclear rare gas dimer KrXe was examined using resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization-photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition to photoelectron peaks due to direct photoionization of the KrXe 1 resonant intermediate state, the spectrum shows a number of peaks due to predissociation of the resonant intermediate state followed by photoionization of the excited atomic fragment.
Biomechanical performance of a new device for medial malleolar fractures.

Background:Displaced medial malleolus fractures require surgical repair because of the critical role the structure plays in normal joint function. Various approaches exist, but options are limited for small fragment fractures. This study compared repair with the Medial Malleolar Sled fixation system (Trimed, Inc, Valencia, CA) to lag screws in 2 modes of biomechanical loading in a cadaveric model.Methods:A Muller type B medial malleolus fracture was simulated on matched pairs of cadaveric lower extremities and repaired with the sled or 2 cancellous lag screws. Tibial distraction (tension, n = 10) or internal rotation (torsion, n = 11) was applied. Fragment movement was measured in the sagittal (tension and torsion) and transverse (torsion-only) planes. Fragment movement at 1 mm and 2 mm (clinical malunion) of gapping during tension and at 2, 4, 6, and 8 N-m during torsion was analyzed via paired t tests.Results:In tension, the load at the 2-mm gap was statistically lower for screws (P = .026). Opening ang...
Cascade Effects in Heterogeneous Populations

We present a model of sequential choice which explains the emergence and persistence of unpopular, inefficient behavioral norms in society. We model individuals as naive Bayesian norm followers, ra...
Classical direct interstring action

We generalize the classical action-at-a-distance theory between point particles to include one-dimensionally extended objects (strings) in space-time. We build parametrization-invariant couplings which lead to equations of motion for strings in each others' influence. The direct coupling of the area elements of the world sheets of the strings is considered in detail, from which we define an antisymmetric adjunct field. We find that, for a given interaction, the nature of the forces depends on the type of strings involved, that is, open- vs closed-ended. Our coupling can be understood in terms of states appearing in the Veneziano and Shapiro-Virasoro models in 26 dimensions. However, we find an additional massive pseudovector field which arises from the interaction between the "Reggeon" and "Pomeron" sectors of this dual model.
In situ genetic differentiation in a Hispaniolan lizard (Ameiva chrysolaema): a multilocus perspective.

A previous phylogeographic study of mitochondrial haplotypes for the Hispaniolan lizard Ameiva chrysolaema revealed deep genetic structure associated with seawater inundation during the late Pliocene/early Pleistocene and evidence of subsequent population expansion into formerly inundated areas. We revisit hypotheses generated by our previous study using increased geographic sampling of populations and analysis of three nuclear markers (α-enolase intron 8, α-cardiac-actin intron 4, and β-actin intron 3) in addition to mitochondrial haplotypes (ND2). Large genetic discontinuities correspond spatially and temporally with historical barriers to gene flow (sea inundations). NCPA cross-validation analysis and Bayesian multilocus analyses of divergence times (IMa and MCMCcoal) reveal two separate episodes of fragmentation associated with Pliocene and Pleistocene sea inundations, separating the species into historically separate Northern, East-Central, West-Central, and Southern population lineages. Multilocus Bayesian analysis using IMa indicates asymmetrical migration from the East-Central to the West-Central populations following secondary contact, consistent with expectations from the more pervasive sea inundation in the western region. The West-Central lineage has a genetic signature of population growth consistent with the expectation of geographic expansion into formerly inundated areas. Within each lineage, significant spatial genetic structure indicates isolation by distance at comparable temporal scales. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that vicariant speciation may be the prevailing source of lineage accumulation on oceanic islands. Thus, prior theories of island biogeography generally underestimate the role and temporal scale of intra-island vicariant processes.
SESPOOL, a language for systems programming

SESPOOL is a GOTO-less systems programming language which has been defined and developed at Washington State University. The language is designed to be transportable to a variety of computer systems, from minicomputers to large machines. The language design permits generation of code competitive with that which could be produced by a good assembly language programmer, by giving the user considerable control over the run-time environment. Aspects of SESPOOL discussed in this paper include the design goals, overall language structure, user-defined data types, synchronization of concurrent processes, exception condition handling, and compiler directives.
Motion and stereoscopic tilt perception

— Stereoscopic perception of tilt about a vertical or horizontal axis is influenced by size and shear disparities, respectively. Other researchers have reported that, under certain conditions, stereoscopic perception deficits occur when the dots in a random-dot stereogram move at a velocity that produces optokinetic nystagmus. Here we examine how size disparity and shear disparity affect stereoscopic tilt perception under various motion conditions. We hypothesized that visual stimulus motion may interact with these disparities to affect tilt perception. Our results indicate that shear disparity and size disparity effects under static conditions are maintained under motion conditions. A possible explanation for the conflict between the current and previous results is discussed, as are implications for binocular head-mounted display applications.
A Comparison of 2 Influenza Vaccine Schedules in 6- to 23-Month-Old Children

Background. Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) is recommended for all children ages 6 to 23 months. Delivering 2 doses of TIV at least 4 weeks apart to young children receiving this vaccine for the first time is challenging. Methods. We compared the immunogenicity and reactogenicity of the standard 2-dose regimen of TIV administered in the fall with an early schedule of a single spring dose followed by a fall dose of the same vaccine in healthy toddlers 6 to 23 months of age. Children were recruited in the spring to be randomized into either the standard or early schedule. An additional group was also enrolled in the fall as part of a nonrandomized standard comparison group. The 2002–2003 licensed TIV was administered in the spring; the fall 2003–2004 vaccine contained the same 3 antigenic components. Reactogenicity was assessed by parental diaries and telephone surveillance. Blood was obtained after the second dose of TIV for all children. The primary outcome measure was antibody response to influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B after 2 doses of vaccine, as determined by hemagglutination-inhibition titers ≥1:32 and geometric mean titer (GMT). Results. Two hundred nineteen children were randomized to receive either the standard or early TIV schedule; 40 additional children were enrolled in the fall in the nonrandomized standard group. Response rates in the combined standard versus early groups were similar overall: 78% (GMT: 48) vs 76% (GMT: 57) to H1N1, 89% (GMT: 115) vs 88% (GMT: 129) to H3N2, and 52% (GMT: 24) vs 60% (GMT: 28) to B. Reactogenicity after TIV in both groups of children was minimal and did not differ by dose, age, or time between doses. Reaction rates were higher in those receiving TIV and concomitant vaccines compared with those receiving TIV alone. Overall rates of fever >38°C axillary and injection-site pain, redness, or swelling were 5.4%, 3.1%, 0.9%, and 1.1%, respectively. Conclusions. When the spring and fall influenza vaccines had the same 3 antigenic components, the early vaccine schedule resulted in similar immunogenicity and reactogenicity compared with the standard schedule. When the vaccine components do not change between years, initiating influenza vaccine in the spring at the time of routine office visits would facilitate full immunization of children against influenza earlier in the season.
Vortices with fermions

Abstract Vortex-like solutions of two models involving fermions are found. A method is presented for extracting the anticommuting c-number parameters in the solutions and reducing the equations to ones containing only ordinary numbers.
A novel 3D3C particle tracking method suitable for microfluidic flow measurements

This article presents a novel method for determining the three-dimensional location of fluorescent particles that is suitable for three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry measurements in microfluidic flows. This method determines the depth of a particle by inserting a convex lens and axicon into the optical path between a microscope and camera. For particles close to the focal plane, this converts the wavefront from a particle into a Bessel beam, the frequency, and center of which can be directly related to the three-dimensional position of the particle. A robust image analysis method is presented that can determine the properties of the Bessel beam necessary to calculate the particle position. The theory and data analysis method are verified by comparing the calculated position of 1-μm particles to the known position of the particles which scanned through a depth of 100 μm. The average error in the calculated position was 4 μm. Finally, the method is applied to 3D3C particle tracking velocimetry of Poiseuille flow in a 200-μm-deep channel. Uniquely, this method requires no calibration procedure and is insensitive to variations in particle size and brightness.
α-Fluorination of β-keto sulfoxides

Abstract We have developed an efficient new procedure for α-fluorination of β-keto sulfoxide enolate anions which are generated in situ via nucleophilic addition reactions to cyclopentenone sulfoxide 7. Perchloryl fluoride is used as the fluorinating agent. Characterization of the product α-fluoro β-keto sulfoxides includes 19F NMR spectroscopy.
Measurement and Analysis of Total-Pressure Unsteadiness Data From an Axial-Flow Compressor Stage

A fast-response, total-pressure probe was used with a periodically sampling and averaging data acquisition system to study the unsteady total-pressure field in an axial-flow turbomachine. Periodically unsteady total-pressure data were used to demonstrate some of the ways in which turbomachine blade wake transport and interaction influences the energy transfer involved. Observed trends of periodic variations in local total-pressure values could be explained in terms of the details of energy transfer associated with the different kinds of fluid particles (freestream, wake segment, blade surface boundary layer, mixed) moving through a blade row.
n-3 fatty acids and lipoproteins: comparison of results from human and animal studies.

The impact of n-3 fatty acids (FA) on blood lipoprotein levels has been examined in many studies over the last 15 yr in both animals and humans. Studies in humans first demonstrated the potent triglyceride-lowering effect of n-3 FA, and these were followed up with animal studies to unravel the mechanism of action. This paper reviews the reported effects of n-3 FA on blood lipoproteins in 72 placebo-controlled human trials, at least 2 wk in length and providing 7 or less g of n-3 FA/day. Trials in normolipidemic subjects (triglycerides <2.0 mM; 177 mg/dL) were compared to those in hypertriglyceridemic patients (triglycerides ≥2.0 mM). In the healthy subjects, mean triglyceride levels decreased by 25% (P<0.0001), and total cholesterol (C) levels increased by 2% (P<0.009) due to the combined increases in low density lipoprotein (LDL)-C (4%,P<0.02) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-C (3%,P<0.008). In the patients, triglyceride levels decreased by 28% (P<0.0001), LDL-C rose by 7% (P<0.0001), but neither total C nor HDL-C changed significantly. Although the effect on triglyceride levels is also observed in rats and swine, it is rarely seen in mice, rabbits, monkeys, dogs, and hamsters. Whereas n-3 FA have only a minor impact on lipoprotein C levels in humans, they often markedly lower both total C and HDL-C levels in animals, especially monkeys. These differences are not widely appreciated and must be taken into account when studying the effects of n-3 FA on lipoprotein metabolism.
Novel Genetically Encoded Ratiometric Calcium Indicators

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have recently undergone dramatic improvements in brightness, dynamic range, kinetics, and calcium sensitivity and now are capable of reporting single neuronal action potentials - comparing favorably to synthetic calcium dyes. Nevertheless, GECIs still lag behind synthetic calcium dyes in applications requiring quantitation of absolute intracellular calcium concentration. Here, we describe a novel approach to achieve dual-color ratiometric calcium measurements.When expressed individually, GCaMP and mCherry, respectively, exhibit calcium-dependent and -independent fluorescence intensities; and when present at the same level, their fluorescence intensity ratio should provide an estimate of absolute calcium concentration. Unfortunately, the two proteins do not always express equally in all locations in a cell. A simple tandem construct ensures equal levels everywhere of the two proteins, but non-radiative energy transfer from GCaMP to mCherry reduces the dynamic range of GCaMP signals and leads to apparent calcium-dependent fluorescence changes of mCherry. We introduced a rigid alpha helix, the ER/K helix, between the fluorophores, in order to prevent significant Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET). In parallel experiments, we demonstrated in vitro and in cellulo that the tandem GCaMP-ER/K-mCherry construct provides quantitative estimates of calcium concentration, without suffering reduction in dynamic range due to FRET activity.
Effects of Hand‐Drawing and CAD Techniques on Design Development: A Comparison of Design Merit Ratings

This exploratory study examined interior design projects developed using traditional hand-drawing and computer-aided design (CAD) techniques to determine if differences exist on seven aspects of design merit in the resulting design solutions. Junior-level, interior design students (N=40) were matched into two groups based on their preference for hand-drawing or CAD design technique and a baseline creativity rating taken on a previous project. Groups completed the same project with one group using hand-drawing and the second group using CAD. Interior design educators used a previously developed instrument to rate each project on seven aspects of design merit: appropriateness, complexity, creativity, liking, novelty, originality, and thematic expression. Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) tested each of the seven design merits to determine if significant differences in design merits existed for projects generated by the two groups. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) determined if differences existed between the hand-drawing and CAD groups when the seven design merits were analyzed simultaneously. The univariate and multivariate analyses revealed no significant differences between the two design techniques on the seven aspects of design merit when they were used in developing an interior solution. Both hand-drawn and CAD techniques were used effectively to generate viable design solutions. However, additional research examining the effects of these techniques is necessary before assumptions can be completely formulated regarding their impact on the design process.
Developing the strategic plan

Abstract Is strategic planning at a crossroad and of questionable value? This study shows that a majority of Fortune 1000 firms are committed to the process. More environmental turbulence is increasing the use of scanning methods, strategic issue management and real-time planning systems as progressive companies move from strategic planning to more integrated strategic management.
Demethylation and expression of methylated plasmid DNA stably transfected into HeLa cells

In vitro methylation at CG dinucleotides (CpGs) in a transfecting plasmid usually greatly inhibits gene expression in mammalian cells. However, we found that in vitro methylation of all CpGs in episomal or non-episomal plasmids containing the SV40 early promoter/enhancer (SV40 Pr/E) driving expression of an antibiotic-resistance gene decreased the formation of antibiotic-resistant colonies by only approximately 30-45% upon stable transfection of HeLa cells. In contrast, when expression of the antibiotic-resistance gene was driven by the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat or the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, this methylation decreased the yield of antibiotic-resistant HeLa transfectant colonies approximately 100-fold. The low sensitivity of the SV40 Pr/E to silencing by in vitro methylation was probably due to demethylation upon stable transfection. This demethylation may be targeted to the promoter and extend into the gene. By genomic sequencing, we showed that four out of six of the transfected SV40 Pr/E's adjacent Sp1 sites were hotspots for demethylation in the HeLa transfectants. High frequency demethylation at Sp1 sites was unexpected for a non-embryonal cell line and suggests that DNA demethylation targeted to certain aberrantly methylated regions may function as a repair system for epigenetic mistakes.
Ribonucleotides Are Signals for Mismatch Repair of Leading-Strand Replication Errors

To maintain genome stability, mismatch repair of nuclear DNA replication errors must be directed to the nascent strand, likely by DNA ends and PCNA. Here we show that the efficiency of mismatch repair in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is reduced by inactivating RNase H2, which nicks DNA containing ribonucleotides incorporated during replication. In strains encoding mutator polymerases, this reduction is preferential for repair of mismatches made by leading-strand DNA polymerase e as compared to lagging-strand DNA polymerase δ. The results suggest that RNase-H2-dependent processing of ribonucleotides transiently present in DNA after replication may direct mismatch repair to the continuously replicated nascent leading strand.
A long-duration balloon system for middle-atmosphere measurements

Abstract The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) collaborated with several universities on a superpressure balloon flight program for studies of the Electrodynamics of the Middle Atmosphere (EMA). Measurements were made at 26 km for periods ranging from 15 to 60 days. All flights took place in the southern hemisphere. This paper discusses the unique features of the EMA vehicle as a platform for long-duration measurements at stratospheric altitudes. These include solar power supplies and batteries in space, temperature control of the gondola utilizing a heat pipe, magnetometers, a CMOS data control system, data transmission to the ARGOS data collection system and a balloon launching technique.
Dimensional stability of adsorbents subjected to thermal cycling

The dimensional stability of adsorbent beads subjected to varying temperature conditions must be understood to assess the effect of thermal cycling on both the adsorbent and the structure that contains it. Most of the literature on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of adsorbents relates to zeolite crystals or clusters of crystals with application to membranes. Such crystals or powder materials have been shown to exhibit both positive and negative volume expansion coefficients depending upon the temperature range. This duality in the CTE with increasing temperature and the large variation in the CTE magnitude for a given zeolite structure suggest that the dimensional stability of zeolite crystals under varying thermal conditions is not likely a good indicator of the thermal stability of agglomerated zeolites. In this study, a method has been developed and applied to measure the CTE of activated alumina and 13X molecular sieve adsorbent beads. A McBain gravimetric microbalance was modified in a simple manner to be used as a dilatometer. The method was validated by measuring the CTE of a 316 stainless steel rod and showing that the measured CTE of this study agreed with the published CTE within 3.3 %. Average CTEs for alumina and 13X adsorbents were determined as 4.88 × 10−6 and 2.96 × 10−6 mm/mm/ °C, respectively for the range of temperature 20–400 °C.
Organization and function of glycosphingolipids in membrane

We have characterized novel glycosphingolipids (GSLs) of antigenic or functional importance, including type 3 and type 4 blood group ABH antigens, globo-series gangliosides, sialosyl dimeric Lex, myeloglycan, β1-4GalNAc disialyl-Lc4Cer, etc. Many GSLs have been identified as developmentally-regulated, tumor-associated antigens, suggesting their role in defining stage of development, and tumor cell phenotype. Out of the many types of GSLs, relatively few have been studied and shown to control cellular functions. Our studies indicate that functional effects of these GSLs are based on their interaction with specific target molecules in membrane, including (i) signal transducers (e.g., cSrc, Src family kinases, small G-proteins), to initiate signal transduction; (ii) integrin receptors (e.g., α3β1), to modulate cell adhesion and motility; (iii) growth factor receptors (e.g., for FGF, EGF), to modulate cell growth; (iv) tetraspanins (e.g., proteolipid CD9, CD81, CD82), to affect complex formation with integrin or with growth factor receptor; (v) GSL itself, through GSL-to-GSL interaction; (vi) microbial "adhesin". In many cases, these GSL interactions take place through GSL clusters at GSL-enriched microdomain (GEM). Some GEM show properties similar to those of "lipid rafts", whereas others, particularly those highly enriched in proteolipid/tetraspanin and involved in cell adhesion and cell growth, are distinguishable from "lipid rafts" since they are independent of cholesterol but are non-resistant to (soluble in) 1% Triton X-100. Such microdomains, showing GSL-dependent or -modulated cell adhesion and growth, are termed "glycosynapse". Further studies on GSL structure and function through glycosynapse will help clarify cell social behavior and various disease processes based on malfunction of cellular interaction, or of adhesion with concurrent signaling. (Communicated by Tamio YAMAKAWA, M.J.A.)
Novel method for the determination of solubility in aerosol propellants

A new on-line reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method to determine the solubility of compounds in propellant-based metered-dose inhaler (MDI) formulations was developed. The new method uses a direct injection from an MDI vial into the port of a manual injector. The MDI vials were coupled with a filtration and injection assembly to filter the excess compound, and deliver the filtrate of the MDI vials to the injector port of the manual injector. A backpressure regulator was connected to the manual injector, to maintain the propellant in the liquid state after injection from the MDI vial. Phase separation studies were conducted to investigate the miscibility of hydrofluoroalkane 134a with different mobile-phase solvent compositions. Characterization of the new direct injection method was done by evaluating sample presentation and chromatography variables to determine the robust nature of the method. Beclomethasone dipropionate in ethanol/hydrofluoroalkane 134a was used as a model system for development. A chemically diverse set of nine compounds was used to evaluate solubility measurement reproducibility. Solubilities were determined at two different temperatures (25 and 37°C) and the average relative standard deviation for all of the solubility measurements was <4%.
Preparation of free-standing metal wire arrays by in situ assembly

Highly oriented wire arrays have been formed by an in situassembly method. Porous alumina templates (AAO) are used to electrochemically grow Au–Ni superlattice wires. After removal of the template, the gold segments of the wires are linked to each other via a combination of thiols and gold nanoparticles. Subsequent removal of the nickel layer produces freestanding arrays containing highly aligned gold wires. Robust, large area (>1 cm2), freestanding single or multilayered wire arrays, sub-micron to multi-microns thick, can be readily obtained. The potential of these anisotropic materials for applications in electronics and sensor devices is discussed.
Stabilizing function of trunk flexor-extensor muscles around a neutral spine posture.

STUDY DESIGN: This study examined the coactivation of trunk flexor and extensor muscles in healthy individuals. The experimental electromyographic data and the theoretical calculations were analyzed in the context of mechanical stability of the lumbar spine. OBJECTIVES: To test a set of hypotheses pertaining to healthy individuals: 1) that the trunk flexor-extensor muscle coactivation is present around a neutral spine posture, 2) that the coactivation is increased when the subject carries a load; and 3) that the coactivation provides the needed mechanical stability to the lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Theoretically, antagonistic trunk muscle coactivation is necessary to provide mechanical stability to the human lumbar spine around its neutral posture. No experimental evidence exists, however, to support this hypothesis. METHODS: Ten individuals executed slow trunk flexion-extension tasks, while six muscles on the right side were monitored with surface electromyography: external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, and thoracic erector spinae. Simple, but realistic, calculations of spine stability also were performed and compared with experimental results. RESULTS: Average antagonistic flexor-extensor muscle coactivation levels around the neutral spine posture as detected with electromyography were 1.7 +/- 0.8% of maximum voluntary contraction for no external load trials and 2.9 +/- 1.4% of maximum voluntary contraction for the trials with added 32-kg mass to the torso. The inverted pendulum model based on static moment equilibrium criteria predicted no antagonistic coactivation. The same model based on the mechanical stability criteria predicted 1.0% of maximum voluntary contraction coactivation of flexors and extensors with zero load and 3.1% of maximum voluntary contraction with a 32-kg mass. The stability model also was run with zero passive spine stiffness to simulate an injury. Under such conditions, the model predicted 3.4% and 5.5% of maximum voluntary contraction of antagonistic muscle coactivation for no extra load and the added 32 kg, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that antagonistic trunk flexor-extensor muscle coactivation was present around the neutral spine posture in healthy individuals. This coactivation increased with added mass to the torso. Using a biomechanical model, the coactivation was explained entirely on the basis of the need for the neuromuscular system to provide the mechanical stability to the lumbar spine.
Central melanocortins modulate mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior in the rat

The hypothalamic melanocortin system is known for its role in regulating energy homeostasis through it actions within hypothalamic brain centers. However, emerging evidence suggests that this system regulates addictive behaviors through signaling within mesolimbic neurons. Here, we hypothesized the melanocortin system modulates feeding behavior through its actions on mesolimbic neurons. In particular, we predicted that central administration of the melanocortin antagonist agouti-related peptide (AgRP) would activate midbrain dopamine neurons, increase mesolimbic dopamine turnover, and alter food seeking behaviors. We found that intraventricular administration of agouti-related peptide increased neuronal activation within midbrain dopamine neurons in addition to increasing dopamine turnover in the medial prefrontal cortex. Additionally, using the conditioned place preference paradigm to assay food seeking behavior, we report that central injection of agouti-related peptide attenuates the acquisition of a conditioned place preference for sucrose, but not high fat diet. These results suggest that the melanocortin system is capable of regulating mesocorticolimbic activity and food seeking behavior.
Application of molecular dynamics simulations to the study of ion-bombarded metal surfaces

Abstract This article has two primary objectives: to present a status report on our present understanding of the physics of atom ejection by ion bombardment and to indicate the contributions of molecular dynamics simulations to this research area. Because this application of molecular dynamics is relatively unfamiliar, basic simulation techniques useful in open systems are described in some detail. While this review discusses the current situation, explanations and historical background are necessarily included to place problems in perspective.
Child and Adolescent Interpersonal Relations with Parents, Peers, and Teachers: A Factor Analytic Investigation

This study investigated the factor structure of the Assessment of Interpersonal Relations scale, an instrument designed to assess children's and adolescents' relationships with their mothers, fathe...
Breeding bird response to habitat and landscape factors across a gradient of savanna, woodland, and forest in the Missouri Ozarks

Abstract Savanna and woodland were once common in the Midwest, but land use changes have led to increasing scarcity of these communities. These transitional habitats are being restored across the Midwest, but few studies have evaluated the response of wildlife to restoration or the vegetative gradient created by management. We conducted point counts for 25 songbirds at sites undergoing savanna or woodland restoration and nearby non-managed forest sites across the Ozark Highlands of Missouri during the 2009–2011 breeding seasons; these sites represented a gradient of canopy cover and tree density from savanna to woodland to forest. We estimated density of 17 species with ⩾50 detections using distance-based models, which adjust estimates by the detection probability. Bird densities were more strongly related to habitat structure, fire history, and landscape composition than simply whether a site was managed or non-managed. Mature forest species such as Acadian Flycatcher ( Empidonax virescens ), Northen Parula ( Setophaga americana ), Red-eyed Vireo ( Vireo olivaceous ), and Worm-eating Warbler ( Helmitheros vermivorum ) were generally more abundant at points with more trees, higher canopy cover, lower shrub density, and less frequent or no fire in the 20 years prior to surveys. Woodland generalists such as Blue-gray Gnatcatcher ( Polioptila caerulea ), Eastern Wood-Pewee ( Contopus virens ), Great Crested Flycatcher ( Myiarchus crinitus ), Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra ), and Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus ) were generally more abundant at points with less landscape forest cover (10-km scale), more large and fewer small trees, intermediate to high canopy cover, lower shrub density, and recent or frequent fire. Early-successional species such as Eastern Towhee ( Pipilo erythrophthalmus ), Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla ), Indigo Bunting ( Passerina cyanea ), Kentucky Warbler ( Geothlypis formosa ), Prairie Warbler ( Setophaga discolor ), White-eyed Vireo ( Vireo griseus ) and Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteria virens ) were generally more abundant at points with lower canopy cover, recent or frequent fire, and higher shrub density. Brown-headed Cowbirds ( Molothrus ater ) were more abundant at points with intermediate landscape forest cover and lower canopy cover. Restored sites provided breeding habitat for woodland generalists and early-successional species of conservation concern; however, managed landscapes with more open canopy and herbaceous ground cover may be required for species more indicative of open savannas.
A measure of success

Cell and Bioscience is on track to receive its first Impact Factor in mid-2013. What is the role of the Impact Factor as a measure of a journal’s success?
Growing through Organizational Change

This paper describes the author's experience as an organizational change agent. The need to enhance client access to mental health care was the rallying cry for clinic transformation. The author describes how facility management, staff development, and therapeutic community were used to improve clinic functioning. The paper ends with suggestions for how the reader might engage in organizational change.