cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface Enhanced Vibrational Spectroscopy of Proteins with Plasmonic Nanoantenna Arrays

Infrared absorption spectroscopy is a powerful tool for structural and functional studies of biomolecules. The technique enables direct access to the vibrational fingerprints of molecular bonds in the mid-infrared spectral region (3-20µm). Although intrinsic absorption cross-sections are nearly ten orders of magnitude greater than corresponding Raman cross-sections, they are still small in comparison with those of fluorescent molecules. Sensitivity improvements are therefore required for the method to be applicable to single molecule / molecular layer studies. In this work, we demonstrate the use of lithographically patterned arrays of nanoantennas to enhance the absorption signature of the protein amide-I and II backbone vibrations. Strong absorption signals from monolayer thickness films are obtained. By arranging ensembles of tailored antennas in specific lattices, higher quality factor resonances and increased near-field intensities are possible. These features are leveraged to obtain 104-105 fold signal enhancements and the direct measurement of vibrational spectra of proteins at zepto-mole sensitivity levels.
Towards passive analysis of anycast in global routing: unintended impact of remote peering

Anycast has been widely adopted by today's Internet services, including DNS, CDN, and DDoS protection, in which the same IP address is announced from distributed locations and clients are directed to the topologically-nearest service replica. Prior research has focused on various aspects of anycast, either its usage in particular services such as DNS or characterizing its adoption by Internet-wide active probing methods. In this paper, we first explore an alternative approach to characterize anycast based on previously collected global BGP routing information. Leveraging state-of-the-art active measurement results as near-ground-truth, our passive method without requiring any Internet-wide probes can achieve 90% accuracy in detecting anycast prefixes. More importantly, our approach uncovers anycast prefixes that have been missed by prior datasets based on active measurements. While investigating the root causes of inaccuracy, we reveal that anycast routing has been entangled with the increased adoption of remote peering, a type of layer-2 interconnection where an IP network may peer at an IXP remotely without being physically present at the IXP. The invisibility of remote peering from layer-3 breaks the assumption of the shortest AS paths on BGP and causes an unintended impact on anycast performance. We identify such cases from BGP routing information and observe that at least 19.2% of anycast prefixes have been potentially impacted by remote peering.
Plastic hinge behavior and rotation capacity in reinforced ductile concrete flexural members

Abstract Ductile concrete materials, such as high-performance fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (HPFRCCs), are being considered as a new material that can be used in plastic hinge regions of buildings and bridges to reduce damage as compared to ordinary reinforced concrete. In flexure, a highly nonlinear plastic strain distribution of the primary tensile reinforcement is observed at dominant crack locations, leading to significant differences in plastic hinge length and behavior as compared to ordinary reinforced concrete flexural members. In this study, two-dimensional finite element models were validated with experimental results using a recently developed bond-slip constitutive model, which aids in simulating multiple damage states, such as yield and collapse level drift states. After validation, the modeling approach was used to study the plastic hinge region behavior of reinforced HPFRCC flexural members with variations in mechanical properties, boundary conditions, and geometric properties. The particular areas of interest were reinforcement yielding location, plastic strain distribution, and curvature localization region. New expressions were proposed to predict the equivalent plastic hinge length, L p , using variables such as shear-span, tensile strength of HPFRCC, reinforcement ratio, yield strength of the reinforcement, boundary condition, and loading scenario. Proposed equations for plastic hinge length of reinforced HPFRCCs are incorporated into a mechanics-based approach to predict rotational capacity of flexural members. The analytical approach was also shown to estimate yield and nominal flexural strength with reasonable accuracy. The proposed methodology is compared with experimental results and expressions for plastic hinge length found throughout the literature for reinforced concrete and HPFRCC members. The results of the study will help practicing engineers and researchers simulate the performance of reinforced HPFRCC flexural members in a computationally efficient manner.
Rapid Estimation of Parameters for Gelatinization of Waxy Corn Starch.

Starch gelatinization is an important process due to the prevalence of starch usage in industries such as cosmetics and food production. In this study, the gelatinization of waxy corn starch (WCS) was investigated with the goal of providing an option for the rapid determination of starch gelatinization characteristics. The procedure used in the study was solely based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which is an established technique for the determination of thermal characteristics of starches. A sequence of experiments was conducted to determine the excess water condition, an estimate of the minimum gelatinization temperature, and gelatinization time. These parameters were found to be ≥65 wt.% water, 75–85 °C, and 10 min, respectively. The estimation of the minimum gelatinization temperature was determined from the thermal properties of the WCS as obtained by DSC. The obtained parameters resulted in complete WCS gelatinization, and, thus, the sequence of procedures used in the study could possibly be used for rapid waxy starch evaluation.
Estimates of the Time From Seroconversion to Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among People Newly Diagnosed With Human Immunodeficiency Virus From 2006 to 2015, New York City

Background We estimated the time from HIV seroconversion to ART initiation in a population-based sample of people diagnosed with HIV during an era of expanding HIV testing and treatment efforts. Methods Applying CD4 depletion model parameters from seroconverter cohort data to our population-based sample, we related the square root of the first pre-treatment CD4 count to time of serconversion though a linear mixed model and estimated the time from seroconversion to diagnosis and ART initiation. Results Among 28,162 people diagnosed with HIV during 2006-2015, 89% initiated ART by June 2017. The median CD4 count at diagnosis increased from 326 (Interquartile range (IQR):132-504) to 390 (IQR:216-571) cells/µL from 2006-2015. The median time from estimated seroconversion to ART initiation decreased by 42% from 6.4 years (IQR:3.3-11.4) in 2006 to 3.7 years (IQR:0.5-8.3) in 2015. Contributing to the reduction in time to ART initiation, the time from estimated seroconversion to diagnosis decreased by 28%, from a median of 4.6 years (IQR:0.5-10.5) to 3.3 years (IQR:0-8.1) from 2006-2015, and the time from diagnosis to ART initiation reduced by 60%, from a median of 0.5 years (IQR:0.2-2.1) to 0.2 years (IQR:0.1-0.3) from 2006-2015. Conclusions The estimated time from seroconversion to ART initiation was reduced in tandem with expanded HIV testing and treatment efforts. While the time from diagnosis to ART initiation decreased to a median of 0.2 years, the time from seroconversion to diagnosis was 3.3 years among people diagnosed in 2015, highlighting the need for more effective strategies for earlier HIV diagnosis.
Evolutionary aspects and enzymology of metazoan carotenoid cleavage oxygenases

The carotenoids are terpenoid fat-soluble pigments produced by plants, algae, and several bacteria and fungi. They are ubiquitous components of animal diets. Carotenoid cleavage oxygenase (CCO) superfamily members are involved in carotenoid metabolism and are present in all kingdoms of life. Throughout the animal kingdom, carotenoid oxygenases are widely distributed and they are completely absent only in two unicellular organisms, Monosiga and Leishmania. Mammals have three paralogs 15,15'-β-carotene oxygenase (BCO1), 9',10'-β-carotene oxygenase (BCO2) and RPE65. The first two enzymes are classical carotenoid oxygenases: they cleave carbon‑carbon double bonds and incorporate two atoms of oxygen in the substrate at the site of cleavage. The third, RPE65, is an unusual family member, it is the retinoid isomerohydrolase in the visual cycle that converts all-trans-retinyl ester into 11-cis-retinol. Here we discuss evolutionary aspects of the carotenoid cleavage oxygenase superfamily and their enzymology to deduce what insight we can obtain from their evolutionary conservation.
Are Native Palms “Pollinator Hogs”? A Field Experiment in Pine Rocklands of Southern Florida

Plants blooming simultaneously may interfere with each other's pollination (competition for pollinators) or enhance each other's pollination (pollinator sharing). In this study we asked the question: What is the effect of native palm flowering on the pollination of a native wildflower species? Using potted plants of pineland golden trumpet Angadenia berteroi (Apocynaceae), we placed plants with flowers about to open in the field in two positions: within 5 m of flowering palms (Sabal palmetto and Serenoa repens, Arecaceae), and within 5 m of palms that were not flowering. We observed visitors to the flowers of A. berteroi on plants in both situations. We collected the corollas of the one-day flowers to look for pollen deposition on the receptive stigmatic surface. The same flowers were monitored to see if they set fruit. Flowers on plants in both situations were visited, but the ones near flowering palms less frequently. More of the flowers from plants near non-flowering palms had pollen deposited on the stigma, but fruit from flowers presented did not differ between treatments. This experiment demonstrates that flowering palms, with their large floral displays full of pollen and nectar, diminished pollinator visits to one of the most beautiful of the pine rockland wildflowers, resulting in less pollination in A. berteroi. As fire suppression can lead to an understory with overrepresentation of understory palms in pine rocklands, practitioners should manage natural areas to prevent these super-attractive species from hogging floral visitors to the detriment of less numerous native wildflowers.
Effect of rehydration schedule after four-hour head-out water immersion on running performance and recovery.

Introduction Head-out water immersion (HOWI) results in diuresis, which could potentially limit performance after egress to land. We examined the effect of rehydration on endurance, cardiovascular stability, and overnight recovery following a four-hour thermoneutral HOWI on 12 subjects. Methods Twelve males completed a crossover design consisting of no hydration, replacement of fluid loss during immersion (RD), and replacement of fluid after the immersion period (RA). Sixty minutes following immersion, subjects ran to exhaustion at ~80% maximum heart rate. After completing the run, each subject submitted to a head-up tilt test (HUTT). Vital signs and ECG were monitored overnight. Results HOWI resulted in a transient diuresis in NH and RA, while it was sustained throughout immersion in the RD protocol, resulting in greater urine [l] output (1.27 ± 0.48 (NH), 1.18 ± 0.43 (RA), 2.32 ± 0.77 (RD) (p ⟨ 0.001). Body mass change (%) was greater in NH than RD, but not RA (-1.58 ± 0.56 (NH), -0.66 ± 0.47 (RD), and -0.92 ± 0.76 (RA)). Run times were 17% versus 20% in NH compared to RD and RA, respectively, but were not statistically different. Time to orthostasis during the HUTT did not differ by condition. Overnight heart rate variability and blood pressures were not different. Conclusion Rehydration during water immersion resulted in a large, sustained diuresis without improving performance or recovery after exiting the water. Loss of body water during thermoneutral HOWI was modest, and both rehydration strategies minimally affected aerobic performance and overnight recovery in young, healthy males.
Use of a portable ultrasound machine to determine pregnancy and uterine litter size for wild Gunnison’s prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni)

Accurate estimates of population dynamics play a major role in formulating conservation strategies for Gunnison’s prairie dogs (Cynomys gunnisoni) and other keystone species. Over 5 years (2014–2018) at Valles Caldera National Preserve in NM, USA, we used a portable ultrasound machine (PUM) to investigate the presence or absence of pregnancy, and to determine uterine litter size for 238 pregnant female Gunnison’s prairie dogs from two colonies. We compared litter size at weaning for 168 of these 238 females and we found no significant difference between uterine litter size and litter size at weaning. For 76 of these 168 females (45%), estimates of uterine litter size and litter size at weaning were identical. We detected no significant variation among years for uterine litter size versus litter size at weaning. To our knowledge, our research is the first to compare uterine litter size to litter size at weaning for the same group of females living under natural conditions.
Rate of Communicative Gestures and Developmental Outcomes in Toddlers With and Without Autism Spectrum Disorder During a Home Observation

Purpose Most toddlers with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental delays receive early intervention at home and may not participate in a clinic-based communication evaluation. However, there is limited research that has prospectively examined communication in very young children with and without autism in a home-based setting. This study used granular observational coding to document the communicative acts performed by toddlers with autism, developmental delay, and typical development in the home environment. Method Children were selected from the archival database of the FIRST WORDS Project (N = 211). At approximately 20 months of age, each child participated in everyday activities with a caregiver during an hour-long, video-recorded, naturalistic home observation. Inventories of unique gestures, rates per minute, and proportions of types of communicative acts and communicative functions were coded and compared using a one-way analysis of variance. Concurrent and prospective relationships between rate of communication and measures of social communication, language development, and autism symptoms were examined. Results A total of 40,738 communicative acts were coded. Children with autism, developmental delay, and typical development used eight, nine, and 12 unique gestures on average, respectively. Children with autism used deictic gestures, vocalizations, and communicative acts for behavior regulation at significantly lower rates than the other groups. Statistically significant correlations were observed between rate of communication and several outcome measures. Conclusion Observation of social communication in the natural environment may improve early identification of children with autism and communication delays, complement clinic-based assessments, and provide useful information about a child's social communication profile and the family's preferred activities and intervention priorities. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14204522.
Correlations Among Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability and Treatment With Antihypertensive Medication With Long-Term Adverse Outcomes in a Large Veteran Cohort.

Background Blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with adverse events (AE) independently of hypertension. It has been suggested that calcium channel blockers (CCB) may reduce BPV, and thus be particularly valuable in hypertensives with high BPV. We sought to investigate how CCB affect BPV progression and whether long- term adverse effects of BPV differ after CCB treatment than after treatment with other anti-hypertensives. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 25,268 US veterans who had been followed for three years without hypertensive therapy, started on a single class of anti-hypertensive agents (thiazides, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or beta blockers), treated for six years, and then followed for three additional years. BPV was calculated as standard deviation of systolic or diastolic blood pressures from at least 10 measurements over each three-year period. A combined AE endpoint included hospitalization, coronary artery bypass grafting, carotid endarterectomy, angioplasty, amputation, arteriovenous fistula creation, and mortality was assessed in years 9-12. Results Post medication high BPV and beta blocker or thiazide use were associated with increased AE risk. Medication type also affected mean post medication BPV. The effects of medications except for beta blockers on AE and mortality was independent of the patient BPV. Conclusions The possible deleterious effects of thiazides should be considered within the context of the study population, who were mostly male and received only a single class of hypertensives. While CCB may ameliorate BPV over time, this study does not support choosing CCB over other agents specifically to lessen BPV-associated risk.
Quantifying flow-ecology relationships across flow regime class and ecoregions in South Carolina.

Abstract The natural flow regime (i.e. magnitude, frequency, duration, timing and rate of change of flow events) is crucial for maintaining freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem services. Protecting instream flow from anthropogenic alterations first requires an understanding of the relationship between aquatic organisms and the flow regime. In this study, we used a unique framework based on random forest modeling to quantify effects of natural flow regime metrics on fish and macroinvertebrate assemblages across ecoregions and flow regime types in the state of South Carolina, USA. We found that all components of the natural flow regime affected both fish and benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, suggesting that maintaining natural aspects of all flow regime components is critical for protecting freshwater diversity. We identified hydrologic metrics and flow regime components such as magnitude, frequency, and duration of flow events, that were associated with the greatest ecological responses for individual stream classes to help managers prioritize hydrologic and biological metrics of interest during environmental flow standard development. The response of aquatic organisms to hydrologic metrics varied across stream classifications and ecoregions, highlighting the importance of accounting for differences in flow regime and ecoregion when designing environmental flow standards. We provide a flexible framework based on statistical flow-ecology relationships that can be used to inform instream flow management and assess effects of flow alteration on riverine assemblages.
Screening and Interventions for Social Risk Factors: Technical Brief to Support the US Preventive Services Task Force

Importance Evidence-based guidance is limited on how clinicians should screen for social risk factors and which interventions related to these risk factors improve health outcomes. Objective To describe research on screening and interventions for social risk factors to inform US Preventive Services Task Force considerations of the implications for its portfolio of recommendations. Data Sources Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, Sociological Abstracts, and Social Services Abstracts (through 2018); Social Interventions Research and Evaluation Network evidence library (January 2019 through May 2021); surveillance through May 21, 2021; interviews with 17 key informants. Study Selection Individual-level and health care system–level interventions with a link to the health care system that addressed at least 1 of 7 social risk domains: housing instability, food insecurity, transportation difficulties, utility needs, interpersonal safety, education, and financial strain. Data Extraction and Synthesis One investigator abstracted data from studies and a second investigator evaluated data abstractions for completeness and accuracy; key informant interviews were recorded, transcribed, summarized, and integrated with evidence from the literature; narrative synthesis with supporting tables and figures. Main Outcomes and Measures Validity of multidomain social risk screening tools; all outcomes reported for social risk–related interventions; challenges or unintended consequences of screening and interventions. Results Many multidomain social risk screening tools have been developed, but they vary widely in their assessment of social risk and few have been validated. This technical brief identified 106 social risk intervention studies (N = 5 978 596). Of the interventions studied, 73 (69%; n = 127 598) addressed multiple social risk domains. The most frequently addressed domains were food insecurity (67/106 studies [63%], n = 141 797), financial strain (52/106 studies [49%], n = 111 962), and housing instability (63/106 studies [59%], n = 5 881 222). Food insecurity, housing instability, and transportation difficulties were identified by key informants as the most important social risk factors to identify in health care. Thirty-eight studies (36%, n = 5 850 669) used an observational design with no comparator, and 19 studies (18%, n = 15 205) were randomized clinical trials. Health care utilization measures were the most commonly reported outcomes in the 68 studies with a comparator (38 studies [56%], n = 111 102). The literature and key informants described many perceived or potential challenges to implementation of social risk screening and interventions in health care. Conclusions and Relevance Many interventions to address food insecurity, financial strain, and housing instability have been studied, but more randomized clinical trials that report health outcomes from social risk screening and intervention are needed to guide widespread implementation in health care.
Compliance in Historical Context

The chapter identifies compliance in its modern form as the product of conscious design—the application of learned principles of internal control in which compliance itself is conceived as a topic of analysis. Although compliance in its modern form experienced its greatest early development in the United States, it is now a worldwide phenomenon. The paper argues that the modern form of compliance is a product of two vectors of public policy: one moving from the bottom up, as policymakers apply lessons learned from experience to the formulation of compliance strategies for the future, and one moving from the top down, as policymakers enlist general principles and ideas in the design of concrete programs.
Tumor and serum levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) in hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal malignancy.

Background There has been significant controversy over the carcinogenic potential of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Study design A total of 37 serum and tumor samples from patients with hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal malignancy were tested for 24 analytes of PFAS. Results At least one PFAS analyte was found in 97% (36/37) of the serum samples and 41% (15/37) of the tumor samples. The serum Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) levels were significantly higher than the national levels (6.77 ng/mL vs. 5.20 ng/mL; p = 0.038). Patients with PFOS in tumor samples had significantly higher levels in serum when compared to tumor samples without PFOS (9.4 ng/mL vs 5.5 ng/mL; p = 0.015). Conclusions Patients were found to have significantly higher levels of PFOS when compared to the reported national levels. Additionally, the patients with higher serum levels of PFOS also had tumor positive samples.
A strategy for characterizing homogeneous, diffusion-controlled, indoor sources and sinks

Physically based models for predicting the source and sink behavior of homogeneous, diffusion-controlled polymer materials are described. The source model was initially developed to interpret emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the polymer backing of new carpets measured in a chamber study. That work is extended here to include the equivalent sink model. Analogous models should be applicable to the uptake and release of volatile compounds by other homogeneous, diffusion controlled indoor materials. Key parameters for the models may be inferred from experimental chamber data. The use of more direct methods to measure these parameters is proposed. Possible analytical methods to quantify the concentration of VOC in the polymer are briefly discussed and the use of a microbalance to directly measure diffusion and partition coefficients is described using illustrative experimental data. These procedures can eliminate, to a large extent, the need for chamber studies, which are costly, time consuming, and may be subject to confounding sink effects. Results from the carpet study are presented showing that the diffusion coefficients generally decrease as the molecular weight of the VOCs increase, while the partition coefficients generally increase as the vapor pressure of the compounds decreases. Evidence suggests that correlations based solelymore » on commonly available properties such as molecular weight, and vapor pressure can be developed. Ultimately, the prediction of the diffusion controlled source/sink behavior of indoor materials may be possible based solely on a knowledge of the properties of the relevant volatile compounds and the indoor material.« less
A Mean-Variance Model of MNF Location Strategy

The purpose of this paper is to show that a portfolio theoretic model which directly incorporates the effect of interdependence among national markets can be useful in the analysis of an MNF's explicit location decisions. A numerical mean-variance portfolio model is developed and applied to the case of geographical expansion of the MNF. While international diversification may not be considered a necessary and sufficient cause for FDI, its effect on firm earnings should not be ignored in the MNF's location decisions.
Fractionation of rabbit anti-horse cytochrome c—I: Specificity of the isolated fractions

Abstract A method has been devised to fractionate rabbit antibodies to horse cytochrome c by affinity chromatography. Immune serum was passed through a series of affinity columns (immunoadsorbents) each prepared with cytochromes c from closely related species. Antibody sub-populations were isolated by selection of the proper sequence of columns, and displayed unitary stoichiometry of reaction (one Fab' molecule bound per cytochrome c molecule) in fluorescence quenching experiments. The localization of the antigenic determinants towards which these tractions were directed was deduced from the pattern of the cross-reactions of such fractions with cytochromes c of known amino acid sequence. Analysis of these fractions reveals that residues 44 (proline). 60 (lysine) and 92 (glutamic acid) influence the structure of individual antigenic determinants of horse cytochrome c .
Effect of 21-Gene RT-PCR Assay on Adjuvant Therapy and Outcomes in Patients With Stage I Breast Cancer.

Abstract Background Recurrence score (RS) derived from a 21-gene reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay is used to stratify patients with early-stage estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-normal breast cancer into 3 groups on the basis of 10-year distant metastasis risk: low, intermediate, and high. Published data are limited regarding the effect of RS on choice of adjuvant therapy for T1 breast cancer. We investigated the relationship between RS and choice of adjuvant therapy, prognosis, and benefit of chemotherapy (CT) in stage I breast cancer. Materials and Methods We reviewed the records of 1030 patients with estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-normal stage I breast cancer and RS available. RSs were correlated with clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and outcome. Results Patients with pathologic (p)T1a, pT1b, and pT1c disease did not differ in distribution of low, intermediate, and high RS ( P = .673). Overall, fewer than 10% of patients had a high RS. Histologic grade 1, nuclear grade 1, and low Ki-67 expression had only 1%, 0%, and 6% of high RSs, respectively. Among patients with intermediate RSs, 41% with pT1b and 46% with pT1c disease received CT. Among patients with intermediate RSs, for pT1b disease, distant disease-free survival (DDFS) did not differ between hormonal therapy (HT) alone and CT with HT ( P = .752); for pT1c, DDFS was superior for CT with HT ( P = .020). Histologic grade was the only independent prognostic factor of DDFS ( P = .0007, 1 vs. 3; P = .035, 2 vs. 3); RS did not predict DDFS ( P = .083, high vs. low; P = .066, intermediate vs. low). Conclusion The added value of RS to known prognostic factors appears limited to patients with pT1b breast cancer. However, this study lacked long-term follow-up.
An extended target tracking model with multiple random matrices and unified kinematics

This paper presents a model for tracking of extended targets whose extent cannot be described by a simple geometric shape such as an ellipse or a rectangle. The extended target shape is represented by a number N s of elliptic subobjects, where N s is assumed known. Because an extended target is a rigid body, the subobject positions must necessarily be estimated as a single state with unified kinematics, and the full covariance matrix must be estimated. In addition to the position and kinematics, for each subobject the proposed model also estimates the number of measurements generated by the shape, as well as a random matrix as representation of the size and shape. A Gamma Gaussian inverse Wishart implementation is proposed, and the state prediction and update are given. A simulation study shows the merits of the model compared to extended target modeling without unified kinematics.
The Inhibition of Human Plasmin by Human Antithrombin-Heparin Cofactor

Abstract The interaction of purified human antithrombin-heparin cofactor and human plasmin was studied in the presence and absence of heparin. Antithrombin is a progressive, timedependent inhibitor of the proteolytic and esterolytic activities of plasmin. Incubation of plasmin with antithrombin for 15 to 30 min results in 90 to 100% inhibition of both activities of the enzyme. The presence of heparin dramatically accelerates the rate of interaction of antithrombin and plasmin, with nearly complete inhibition within 30 s of incubation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of reduced and nonreduced proteins indicates that antithrombin functions as a potent antiplasmin by forming an undissociable complex which is stable in the presence of denaturing or reducing agents (or both). This complex represents a 1:1 stoichiometric combination of enzyme and inhibitor. Heparin increases the rate of formation of this complex without affecting its dissociability or stoichiometry.
Pattern recognition for humanitarian de-mining

Landmine detection has become a humanitarian problem of great magnitude. It is estimated that there are between 60 and 100 million landmines buried around the world and that someone is killed or injured by landmines every 20 minutes. Pattern recognition problems in this area are discussed. A brief overview of sensors used to collect data is given. Current pattern recognition methodologies in use are described. Future challenges are outlined.
Virtual Physical Education

(2012). Virtual Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 83, No. 3, pp. 6-10.
The future of reliability engineering as a profession

Quality and productivity improvement, leadership and effective management are key for global growth for any enterprise. In the last Century, there has been a tremendous evolution of the ideas to improve quality in any organization. Many programs, methods and strategies were developed and continuously changed with conflicting objectives. There have been many new initiatives based on new "buzz" words to market and implement them. This has resulted in cynicism in many organizations about these methods, including recent initiatives such as TQM, Six Sigma, ISO standards, etc. In addition, with rightsizing and streamlining, many organizations may be downsizing and integrating reliability activities with other activities. Based on these trends and reality, some reliability professionals may be concerned about their future. The future for reliability engineering as a profession in very bright and will offer tremendous opportunities to reliability engineers with the "right" education, skills, attitudes and implementation capabilities based on the following ten principles.
Achievement Gap in Reading Is Present as Early as First Grade and Persists through Adolescence.

Objectives To determine if differences between dyslexic and typical readers in their reading scores and verbal IQ are evident as early as first grade and whether the trajectory of these differences increases or decreases from childhood to adolescence. Study design The subjects were the 414 participants comprising the Connecticut Longitudinal Study, a sample survey cohort, assessed yearly from 1st to 12th grade on measures of reading and IQ. Statistical analysis employed longitudinal models based on growth curves and multiple groups. Results As early as first grade, compared with typical readers, dyslexic readers had lower reading scores and verbal IQ, and their trajectories over time never converge with those of typical readers. These data demonstrate that such differences are not so much a function of increasing disparities over time but instead because of differences already present in first grade between typical and dyslexic readers. Conclusions The achievement gap between typical and dyslexic readers is evident as early as first grade, and this gap persists into adolescence. These findings provide strong evidence and impetus for early identification of and intervention for young children at risk for dyslexia. Implementing effective reading programs as early as kindergarten or even preschool offers the potential to close the achievement gap.
Neighborhood context and racial/ethnic differences in young children's obesity: structural barriers to interventions.

Numerous studies in the last ten years have investigated racial/ethnic disparities in obesity for young children. Increasing attention is paid to the influence of neighborhood environments - social and physical-on a variety of young children's health outcomes. This work identifies resource-based and community-based mechanisms that impede on the maintenance of healthy weights for young children in socioeconomically depressed areas, and shows consistently higher rates of obesity in more deprived areas. None of this work, however, has explored whether area deprivation or the race/nativity composition of neighborhoods contributes to racial/ethnic disparities in young children's obesity. Utilizing restricted geo-coded data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (Kindergarten) (N = 17,540), we utilize multilevel logistic regression models to show that neighborhood level measures do little to explain racial and ethnic differences in childhood obesity. However, living in neighborhoods with higher levels of poverty, lower levels of education, and a higher proportion of black residents is associated with increased child obesity risk after considering a host of relevant individual level factors. In addition, living in neighborhoods with a higher proportion of foreign-born residents is associated with reduced child obesity risk. Although well-intentioned childhood obesity intervention programs aimed at changing individual-level behaviors are important, our results highlight the importance of considering neighborhood structural factors for child obesity prevention.
An improved bolus configuration for commercial multielement ultrasound and microwave hyperthermia systems

A simple modification is presented for two commercially available hyperthermia applicators which dramatically improves the regulation and dynamic control of the temperature at the bolus/tissue interface. This alteration requires the addition of a variable speed pump, bubble trap, simple heat exchanger, and a few minor changes to the existing system. With this modified design, the water within the bolus is directly circulated and temperature controlled. The convective nature of the circulating system ensures uniform temperature throughout the extended bolus and increases the thermal energy transfer at the bolus/tissue interface. This modification also provides significantly improved flexibility in controlling the treatment temperature distributions since the bolus/tissue interface temperature can now be dynamically varied during a treatment, in addition to adjusting the applicator power output and frequency.
Risks, diagnosis and outcomes of invasive fungal infections in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) continue to cause considerable morbidity and mortality in haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. This review focuses on the risks for, and diagnosis of, IFIs (candidiasis, aspergillosis and other mould infections), and factors that affect current outcomes. Diagnosis of IFI is difficult, with the sensitivity of the gold standard tests (culture and histopathology) often <50%. Therefore, physicians rely on a constellation of clinical signs, radiography, culture, histopathology and adjunctive tests to establish diagnosis. HSCT recipients often have multiple co-morbidities, and understanding the current outcomes and prognostic variables is therefore important for overall management. This paper reviews historical trends and current data.
Identity Construction Among Confederate Civil War Reenactors: A Study of Dress, Stage Props, and Discourse

Despite the fact that the U.S. Civil War ended over 135 years ago, the Confederacy still resonates at a symbolic level for many Americans, particularly reenactors who claim they interpret history for public appreciation. This research suggests, however, that there was more than presentation of history occurring among Confederate reenactors. Examining Confederate reenactors from the perspective of Goffman’s (1959) work on construction of identity, elements of their identity, as developed through presentation of self, were actually symbolic manifestations of discomfort with the eroding condition of white hegemony in the United States. Since these expressions of whiteness were embedded within the pageantry of a widely accepted public pastime, Confederate reenactors were essentially able to veil their protestations symbolically and keep them publicly palatable.
The Application of Microcomputers in Automated Arc Welding Systems

An overview is presented of the functions, capabilities, and operation of the microcomputer as it relates to automated arc welding. This is followed by examples of the use of the microcomputer ranging from automatic joint tracking to complete weld system programming and data logging. A discussion of future applications of the microcomputer in the role of full, adaptive weld automation is given.
THE COLD SHOULDER: EMISSION MEASURE DISTRIBUTIONS OF ACTIVE REGION CORES

The coronal heating mechanism for active region core loops is difficult to determine because these loops are often not resolved and cannot be studied individually. Rather, we concentrate on the "inter-moss" areas between loop footpoints. We use observations from the Hinode EUV Imaging Spectrometer and the X-Ray Telescope to calculate the emission measure distributions of eight inter-moss areas in five different active regions. The combined data sets provide both high- and low-temperature constraints and ensure complete coverage in the temperature range appropriate for active regions. For AR 11113, the emission can be modeled with heating events that occur on timescales less than the cooling time. The loops in the core regions appear to be close to equilibrium and are consistent with steady heating. The other regions studied, however, appear to be dominated by nanoflare heating. Our results are consistent with the idea that active region age is an important parameter in determining whether steady or nanoflare heating is primarily responsible for the core emission, that is, older regions are more likely to be dominated by steady heating, while younger regions show more evidence of nanoflares.
Developmental interrelationships of uridine uptake, nucleotide formation and incorporation into RNA by early mammalian embryos

Abstract Studies on uridine uptake, nucleotide formation and incorporation into RNA by preimplantation mouse embryos have demonstrated a complex developmental interrelationship of these processes not previously appreciated. Concurrent with an increase in the incorporation of uridine-3H into embryonic RNA between the second and third days of development, there is an increase in the uptake of uridine-3H. In day 2 embryos, both uptake and incorporation are dependent on substrate concentration (up to 20 μM). In day 3 embryos, uptake is also concentration dependent but incorporation is independent of substrate concentration above 1 μM. At all preimplantation stages of development, uridine kinase activity exceeds uptake, and conversion of uridine to UTP is not a limiting factor for incorporation into RNA. These findings suggest that the rate of uptake of uridine-3H increases relative to the size of the endogenous UTP pool between days 2 and 3. They also indicate that although total RNA synthesis probably increases significantly during this period, accurate measurement of the true rate of RNA synthesis at different stages of development requires the determination of the specific activity of the UTP pool.
Cyclooxygenase competitive inhibitors alter tyrosyl radical dynamics in prostaglandin H synthase-2.

Reaction of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) isoforms 1 or 2 with peroxide forms a radical at Tyr385 that is required for cyclooxygenase catalysis and another radical at Tyr504, whose function is unknown. Both tyrosyl radicals are transient and rapidly dissipated by reductants, suggesting that cyclooxygenase catalysis might be vulnerable to suppression by intracellular antioxidants. Our initial hypothesis was that the two radicals are in equilibrium and that their proportions and stability are altered upon binding of fatty acid substrate. As a test, we examined the effects of three competitive inhibitors (nimesulide, flurbiprofen, and diclofenac) on the proportions and stability of the two radicals in PGHS-2 pretreated with peroxide. Adding nimesulide after ethyl peroxide led to some narrowing of the tyrosyl radical signal detected by EPR spectroscopy, consistent with a small increase in the proportion of the Tyr504 radical. Neither flurbiprofen nor diclofenac changed the EPR line width when added after pe...
Mindful mating: exploring the connection between mindfulness and relationship satisfaction

Mindfulness is commonly defined as a state of heightened awareness of and attention to the present moment while taking a nonjudgmental and non-evaluative approach to one's experience. Several authors have suggested that the heightened attention and understanding, which defines mindfulness, may have considerable usefulness for promoting higher quality romantic relationships. This illustrative literature review explores the connection between mindfulness and romantic relationship satisfaction. Findings from this review suggest that higher levels of mindfulness, both dispositional and learned, are consistently correlated with greater relationship satisfaction. Research indicates a handful of specific mechanisms, seemingly fostered through mindfulness, that may account for the repeatedly demonstrated association between mindfulness and relationship enhancement. Proposed mechanisms that may explicate this connection are examined, including individual wellbeing, emotion skillfulness, enhancements in sexual sati...
Antioxidant Capacity of Honeys from Various Floral Sources Based on the Determination of Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity and Inhibition of in Vitro Lipoprotein Oxidation in Human Serum Samples

Honeys from seven different floral sources were analyzed for in vitro antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content. Antioxidant capacity was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and by monitoring the formation of conjugated dienes as an index of the inhibition of copper-catalyzed serum lipoprotein oxidation. ORAC values ranged from 3.1 to 16.3 micromol Trolox equivalent/g honey. The darkest colored honeys, such as buckwheat honey, had the highest ORAC values. A linear correlation was observed between phenolic content and ORAC activity of the investigated honeys (p < 0.0001, R (2) = 0.9497). The relationship between the ORAC activity and inhibition of lipoprotein oxidation by the honeys yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.6653 (p = 0.0136). This work shows that honey may be used as a healthy alternative to sugar in many products and thereby serve as a source of dietary antioxidants.
Air Temperature Variability in Illinois Based on Weather Station Records and the North American Regional Reanalysis from 1979 to 2006

Spatial and temporal near-surface air temperature variabilities and trends were analyzed for 30 locations in Illinois based on annual data derived from station records and the North American Region...
Pot1, the Putative Telomere End-Binding Protein in Fission Yeast and Humans

Telomere proteins from ciliated protozoa bind to the single-stranded G-rich DNA extensions at the ends of macronuclear chromosomes. We have now identified homologous proteins in fission yeast and in humans. These Pot1 (protection of telomeres) proteins each bind the G-rich strand of their own telomeric repeat sequence, consistent with a direct role in protecting chromosome ends. Deletion of the fission yeast pot1+ gene has an immediate effect on chromosome stability, causing rapid loss of telomeric DNA and chromosome circularization. It now appears that the protein that caps the ends of chromosomes is widely dispersed throughout the eukaryotic kingdom.
Ethnic Minority Experience in Higher Education

It appears that institutions of higher education in Britain are far behind the schools and colleges of further education in assessing the experience and success of ethnic minorities, and in developing and monitoring equal opportunity policies. The article starts with a review’ of currently available evidence from the literature on the participation rate of various ethnic groups in higher education. This is followed by a brief discussion of some key factors influencing their entry into higher education institutions. The information available to date indicates an uneven distribution of ethnic minorities between these institutions and the subjects they offer. The article contains the preliminary findings, from a research project, on the performance of students f om ethnic minority groups at Bradford & Ilkley Community College and four other institutions of higher education in the North of England. There is a brief discussion of some important issues, including racial discrimination and racial harassment, acting as barriers to the success of ethnic minorities in higher education. It is suggested that further research in this area is urgently needed to ensure that students from ethnic minority communities benefit equally from the higher education provision in Britain.
A container adsorption study of cadmium using109Cd spiking and liquid scintillation counting

109Cd may be used as a radiolabel in tracer studies of Cd(II) because of the ease and efficiency with which it may be counted by liquid scintillation counting. It has been found that ppm solutions of Cd2+, spiked with109Cd, may be stored for at least 200 d, in either amber glass or polypropylene containers, without measurable container adsorption, at pH's of 5 or less. At pH's above 5, there is some evidence of container adsorption, particularly in the case of polypropylene containers. Amber glass is recommended if pH's between 5 and 7 must be used for storage.