cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soluble Factor of Transformed B Lymphocytes in Patients with HIV Infection Stimulates Monocytes to Produce PGE2

Prostaglandins of the E series (PGE) were measured in the culture supernatants of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Cell culture supernatants from 6 patients with acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS) and 11 patients with AIDS-related complex contained significantly higher concentrations of PGE than those from a group of 6 healthy HIV-negative male homosexual control subjects. The PGE producer cells were among the population of plastic-adherent PBMC. Transformed B lymphocyte cell lines spontaneously derived from the blood of patients with AIDS secrete a factor that stimulates normal donor adherent PBMC to produce PGE. The HIV permissive H9 cell line stimulated a significantly lower level of PGE production, which was not associated with HIV infection.
Effect of CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides on the Immunogenicity of Pfs25, a Plasmodium falciparum Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Antigen

Antibodies directed against Pfs25, a protein present on the surface of zygotes and ookinetes of Plasmodium falciparum, completely block pathogen transmission. We evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on the immunogenicity of recombinant Pfs25 (rPfs25) formulated in alum (Al). Immunization of mice with rPfs25 plus CpG ODN improved both the antibody titer (a 30-fold-higher antibody response than that with rPfs25-Al alone) and avidity. Coadministration of CpG ODN dramatically enhanced the titer of immunoglobulin G2A (IgG2a) compared to the titer of the IgG1-dominant response caused by rPfs25-Al alone, and the sera from the CpG ODN-coadministered group completely blocked the transmission of P. falciparum parasites to mosquitoes, as determined by membrane feeding assays. However, transmission-blocking experiments revealed that blocking efficacy was dependent on high-titer antibody levels, independent of isotypes. These results suggest that CpG ODN can be used as an adjuvant to enhance the immunogenicity of rPfs25 as a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine.
Optic neuropathy of graves disease: results of transantral orbital decompression and long-term follow-up in 215 patients

Abstract Purpose To review demographic characteristics, clinical features, and long-term outcomes of patients with optic neuropathy of Graves disease after transantral orbital decompression. Design Retrospective analysis of noncomparative interventional case series; long-term follow-up by questionnaire. Methods Medical record data (preoperative and postoperative assessments) were collected from patients who had transantral orbital decompression to treat Graves optic neuropathy. Responses to two follow-up questionnaires concerning patient satisfaction were evaluated. Statistical analysis (reflected as P values) compared preoperative and early postoperative (≤182 days) data. Results Between November 1969 and May 1989, 215 patients underwent transantral orbital decompression for Graves optic neuropathy. In 205 eyes with visual acuity of 20/40 or worse before decompression, visual acuity improved by 3 Snellen lines or more in 110 (54%) ( P P P Conclusions Transantral orbital decompression appeared to be effective in treating optic neuropathy of Graves disease. Patient satisfaction was high at 10-year and 20-year follow-up.
Automated tether management system for extravehicular activities

Safe extravehicular activity (EVA) requires astronauts to employ tethers to ensure proximity to their spacecraft. This research strives to improve EVA efficiency by allowing crew members to remotely release and retract their safety tether from extended distances using a tether management system consisting of a remotely releasable robotic gripper and a retractor that controls the length of tether. This circumvents the current need to travel back to the tether anchor and manually release the tether, which requires the crew member to travel three times further than necessary. The automated tether management system is essentially a multifunctional teleoperated robotic system that has the potential to improve EVA efficiency, reduce crew-member fatigue, and improve efficiency of existing robots such as Robonaut. Design and performance requirements are specified to comply with current safety standards. The multifunctional gripper is designed to provide fail-safe self-locking positive engagement on a variety of spacecraft anchors. The retractor employs motorized and passive retraction to minimize power consumption, allow the retractor to mimic existing retractable safety tethers functionality, and facilitate control over gripper flight. A nonconductive fiber-optic core structural tether is designed to transmit commands to the gripper while reducing the risk of developing electrical charges at orbital velocities. Experiments in a simulated microgravity environment evaluate behavior during gripper release and retraction and provide guidelines for improved system operation. Based on these guidelines, the system is then further optimized via simulation for improved retraction considering orbital dynamics. These results provide a recommended operating envelope to allow safe automated gripper retraction. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A 2-D texture study based on a double-slip model of polycrystal plasticity with analysis of thin-walled tubes under torsion

Abstract Elastic-plastic polycrystals are analyzed by means of a planar double-slip model. The analysis uses Taylor's assumption of uniform strain within all grains. Due to the consideration of elastic behavior, a general planar stress and strain state can be determined. Crystal hardening has been incorporated naturally into the framework of texture evolution. The concept of orientation distribution function (ODF) has been used together with its evolution equation. The overall stress components of the polycrystals are obtained analytically by the orientation (ODF) averaging. This model has then been applied to discuss the texture formation of thin-walled tubular specimens subjected to torsion. The differences between simple shear, simple (fixed-end) torsion, and pure (free-end) torsion are discussed in detail and a unified analytical solution is presented. It has been found that the theoretical axial stress of simple torsion is twice as large as that of simple shear. It has also been discovered that the development of hoop strain is directly related to the texture development during a torsion test of tube. The model also predicts the phenomenon of ‘tilting‘ of the ideal texture orientation, which has been experimentally observed. The theoretical results show very good agreement with experimental data of high purity aluminum. It may be concluded that the present model can provide a reasonable description of the torsion tests in the large strain range.
Autologous antibodies eluted from membrane fragments in human ovarian epithelial neoplastic effusions III. Cytotoxic potential in vitro and characterization of antigen(s)

Cyst and ascites fluids from patients with ovarian epithelial neoplasms contain immunoglobulins with antitumor activity. Autologous antibodies bound to the cellular membrane fragments obtained from human ovarian neoplastic effusions react with cell-surface antigens on different human ovarian cell lines, surgical specimens of human ovarian adenocarcinoma, and human ovarian tumors grown in athymic Balb/c mice. The antibodies do not react with tissue preparations from normal human ovaries, other nonovarian normal or neoplastic tissues, and nonovarian human cell lines. These studies indicate that these antibodies are capable of complement-mediated lysis of human ovarian tumor cell lines in vitro. Preliminary characterization of the autologous ovarian tumor-associated antigen(s) indicates that it may be composed of three large-molecular-weight proteins of 182,000, 164,000, and 122,000 d.
Building a Mystery: toward a New Theory of Communication and Identity

When the fit is too tight, there may be only one mutual position that is compatible with the binding of the two molecules; the probability for binding is low and, hence, the information required for finding that position is high. On the other hand, when the fit is too loose, we again get a low probability for binding. Somewhere in between lies the optimal, sloppy fit where the binding probability is highest and the information required, lowest
Effects of chronic nicotine on cerebral glucose utilization in the rat.

Abstract Effects of chronic nicotine on glucose utilization in 45 CNS regions were examined using the 2-deoxy- d -[1- 14 C]glucose technique in rats. Either l -nicotine (1.0 mg/kg) or saline was injected subcutaneously twice daily for 10 days and once the morning of day 11. On the following afternoon, rats received either nicotine challenge (0.3 mg/kg) or saline subcutaneously 2 min before an intravenous pulse of 2-deoxy- d -[1- 14 C]glucose. Drug-naive rats given nicotine challenge showed increases of glucose utilization in thalamic nuclei and components of the visual system. Tolerance to nicotine challenge in rats given nicotine chronically was seen in the ventral tegmental area, some components of visual pathways, the cerebellum, and vestibular nuclei; no regions showed sensitization. The percent of rats manifesting most nicotine-induced behaviors either increased (Straub tail, locomotor stimulation, tremors) or did not change (ataxia) over the 10 days of chronic treatment. Plasma from rats given nicotine chronically showed low concentrations of nicotine (12 ± 1ng/ml) and higher concentrations of cotinine (124 ± 6ng/ml) at the time of assay, with no apparent effect of chronic treatment on nicotine levels after the challenge dose. Changes in regional brain activity, as measured by the 2-deoxy- d -[1- 14 C]glucose technique, generally do not explain the observed sensitization to nicotine in behavioral assays.
Cell-to-cell variability in cell death: can systems biology help us make sense of it all?

One of the most common observations in cell death assays is that not all cells die at the same time, or at the same treatment dose. Here, using the perspective of the systems biology of apoptosis and the context of cancer treatment, we discuss possible sources of this cell-to-cell variability as well as its implications for quantitative measurements and computational models of cell death. Many different factors, both within and outside of the apoptosis signaling networks, have been correlated with the variable responses to various death-inducing treatments. Systems biology models offer us the opportunity to take a more synoptic view of the cell death process to identify multifactorial determinants of the cell death decision. Finally, with an eye toward ‘systems pharmacology', we discuss how leveraging this new understanding should help us develop combination treatment strategies to compel cancer cells toward apoptosis by manipulating either the biochemical state of cancer cells or the dynamics of signal transduction.
Cobalt-iron (oxy)hydroxide oxygen evolution electrocatalysts: the role of structure and composition on activity, stability, and mechanism.

Cobalt oxides and (oxy)hydroxides have been widely studied as electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). For related Ni-based materials, the addition of Fe dramatically enhances OER activity. The role of Fe in Co-based materials is not well-documented. We show that the intrinsic OER activity of Co1–xFex(OOH) is ∼100-fold higher for x ≈ 0.6–0.7 than for x = 0 on a per-metal turnover frequency basis. Fe-free CoOOH absorbs Fe from electrolyte impurities if the electrolyte is not rigorously purified. Fe incorporation and increased activity correlate with an anodic shift in the nominally Co2+/3+ redox wave, indicating strong electronic interactions between the two elements and likely substitutional doping of Fe for Co. In situ electrical measurements show that Co1–xFex(OOH) is conductive under OER conditions (∼0.7–4 mS cm–1 at ∼300 mV overpotential), but that FeOOH is an insulator with measurable conductivity (2.2 × 10–2 mS cm–1) only at high overpotentials >400 mV. The apparent OER activity of ...
A model for estimating metabolic rate of active or resting mammals.

A model is presented which allows estimation of mammalian metabolism given: (1) body size, (2) air temperature and (3) velocity of horizontal running. The model will estimate metabolic rate within 10–20% and can be used to compare metabolic adaptation to conditions other than basal states or as a module in energy flow models.
Online coherency analysis of synchronous generators in a power system

In multi-machine power systems, synchronous generators tend to oscillate in several coherent groups, each group being equivalent to a virtual generator. Coherency analysis is fundamental to wide area control of large power systems. Usually, coherency analysis is carried out in an offline mode. However, in response to various events at different operating conditions, the coherent groups may differ. Thus, it is important to develop the analysis to be online. In this paper, K-harmonic means clustering (KHMC) approach is introduced for online analysis. This approach is insensitive to initialization of group centers and is fast. Besides, a second algorithm is developed to automatically determine the optimal number of groups during the online analysis for KHMC. Simulation results are presented using the IEEE 68-bus 16-machine power system. The results indicate that KHMC approach correctly identifies the group centers and assigns each generator to its corresponding group.
Sensitivity and photopigments of R1-6, a two-peaked photoreceptor, inDrosophila, Calliphora andMusca

Low vitamin A rearing decreases sensitivity and eliminates the ultraviolet but not the blue sensitivity maximum in R1-6 inDrosophila, Calliphora andMusca (Figs. 2–4). Spectral adaptation functions for control and vitamin A deprived flies yielded derived stable metarhodopsin absorption spectra from spectral sensitivity. Metarhodopsin has a long wavelength maximum and also has an ultraviolet maximum especially in the normal vitamin A condition (Figs. 2–4). M-potentials (fast early-receptor-like potentials) were obtained (Fig. 1) from all three genera in normal vitamin A rearing and were used for spectral adaptation studies (Figs. 2–3); the latter data are approximate inverses of sensitivity based spectral adaptation data. Thus, sensitivity must reflect proportion of rhodopsin, with metarhodopsin being inert in receptor potential generation. Vitamin A effects on spectral functions were further investigated inDrosophila. Ultraviolet (370 nm) and visible (470 nm) sensitivities varied approximately linearly with dietary vitamin A dose (Fig. 5); 370 nm sensitivity decreased more than 470 nm sensitivity at lower doses. Increasing adaptation intensities of 370 and 470 nm caused parallel decreases in spectral sensitivity assayed at 370 and 470 nm in normal vitamin A flies (Fig. 6); the adapting intensities were sufficient to convert photopigment. These and previous results suggest that the two R1-6 spectral peaks are ultimately mediated by one rhodopsin. R1-6 rhabdomeres were structurally similar in high and low vitamin A flies but emitted a long wavelength fluorescence to ultraviolet excitation in high vitamin A flies only (Fig. 7). These results suggest some form of energy transfer; i.e., a carotenoid may capture ultraviolet quanta and transfer energy to rhodopsin via inductive resonance. Spectral adaptation data are consistent with a calculated high rhabdomeric optical density of ECL=0.26 (i.e., 45% of incident light is absorbed) derived from presently available data onDrosophila. Calculations show electro-retinographic sensitivity to be extremely high, perhaps measurable at less than one absorbed quantum per rhabdomere.
A charged particle theory of oxidation of metals which contain a dispersed oxide phase

Abstract The adsorption of negatively charged oxygen ions on to the surfaces of dispersed oxide particles in a growing oxide scale is suggested to be the cause of a decrease in the concentration of rate-controlling cation vacancies in the matrix oxide nearby. For sufficiently small particles, a change to predominantly anionic transport then allows more second-phase particles to enter the scale.
Acoustic neurinoma diagnostic model evaluation using decision support systems.

• Three acoustic neurinoma (hereafter called acoustic neuroma) diagnostic models (Jenkins, Le Liever, Kaseff) were implemented as rule-based decision support systems and evaluated from the perspective of sensitivity, specificity, and US dollar cost, using a data base of 95 case histories suggestive of acoustic neuroma. The specificities of the models were equivalent (.97). The Jenkins model had the highest sensitivity (.96) and the highest average cost ($1470.99). The sensitivities and average costs of the Le Liever and Kaseff models were comparable (.84 vs.82, and $1092.38 vs $1114.17, respectively). We observed that omitting brain-stem evoked response and electronystagmography testing from the Le Liever model subjected four (4.2%) more patients without acoustic neuroma to aircontrast computed tomography, increased sensitivity to.89, and decreased the average cost to $774.75, without affecting specificity. We discuss the reasons for the slightly improved sensitivity and the impact of decision support systems on the clinician. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg1986;112:830-835)
Effect of the flow continuum on magnetohydrodynamic stability

The flow resonance is concealed when the linearized equation of motion in magnetohydrodynamics is written in terms of the Lagrangian displacement vector. Its contribution to the dispersion equation of a rotating cylindrical plasma column, surrounded by a thin resistive wall, is clarified by a simple model calculation, relevant for axisymmetric modes, in the Eulerian representation. Under certain assumptions the flow resonance is shown to damp the resistive wall mode, with the damping proportional to the square of the gradient of vorticity at the resonant surface. It is shown that a flow resonance can stabilize a slightly elliptical plasma, surrounded by a thin resistive wall, against axisymmetric modes.
Predictive Simulation of Human Ladder Climbing

An optimization formulation for human ladder climbing simulation is presented. The human model has 55 degrees of freedom — 49 revolute joints and 6 global translation & rotation joints. It is assumed that the ladder climbing motion is symmetric and periodic. The formulation starts with four contact points with both hands and feet. Then, hand and foot moves up and it ends with four contact points again. Design variables are the joint angle profiles and contact reaction forces. The objective function is combined with dynamic efforts and motion tracking. The dynamic efforts are joint torque square which is proportional to the mechanical energy. The motion tracking is the motion capture data tracking so that the motion follows the natural ladder climb motion as well. The dynamics results with joint torques and reaction forces are recovered and analyzed from the simulation.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Social Emotions and Intertemporal Choice “Hot” Mechanisms for Building Social and Economic Capital

Individuals regularly confront situations in which acceptance of short-term costs may lead to long-term gains. Given that individuals frequently discount the utility of future benefits with respect to more immediate ones, successfully solving such intertemporal choice dilemmas has been theorized to involve self-regulation aimed at controlling emotional responses that are sensitive to immediate rewards. In this article, I argue for a more multifaceted view of the role played by emotions in intertemporal choice. In support of this view, I review emerging evidence demonstrating the ability of specific, socially oriented emotions to facilitate behaviors designed to build social and economic capital in the long run.
Electrically conducting film of silver sub-micron particles as mechanical and electrical interfaces for transfer printed micro- and nano-pillar devices

In this paper we report a novel application of electrically conductive film (ECF) of Ag sub-micron particles that includes both isotropic and anisotropic film technologies in providing simultaneous electrical contact and mechanical anchor between fracture transfer-printed (1-D) single crystal semiconductor micro- and nano-pillars and a carrier substrate. We assembled silver sub-micron particles (AgSP) monolayers with varying particle diameters and investigated their optical and electrical characteristics prior to their incorporation into thermoplastic polymers. It was found that transfer-printing of the Si micropillar arrays, into electrically conductive thermoplastic receiver substrates, made of films of AgSP/PMMA blends atop metallic substrates could be effectively achieved to yield electrically interfaced 1-D Si micropillar arrays with retention of their orientation and integrity according to the SEM images. The carrier substrate can potentially be reused to generate additional Si micropillar arrays that can be similarly harvested.
A proliferation of cyclins.

Abstract Cyclins are regulatory subunits of the serine/threonine protein kinases that play key roles in cell cycle control. The roster of known cyclins has expanded significantly in the past year, revealing a large and very diverse family of proteins. Although cyclins were originally characterized by their periodic accumulation during interphase and destruction in mitosis (these were the ‘mitotic' cyclins that control entry into mitosis), the newly identified cyclins do not conform to this pattern. Here we review what is known about the functions of the nonmitotic cyclins in yeast and in mammalian cells.
India's economic growth: A conundrum

Abstract This article reviews three major works which appeared on Indian economy and economic policy during 1993–1996. The first of these is India: Macroeconomics and Political Economy. 1964–1991 by Vijay Joshi and Ian Little, which was published in 1994 as a part of the World Bank project entitled, Macroeconomic Policies, Crisis, and Growth in the Long Run , involving studies of the macroeconomic histories of 18 countries. The second again by Joshi and Little, is India's Economic Reform, 1991–2001 , was published in 1996 which carried the Indian story up to 1995 within an analytical frame, the authors presented in their first volume, and also speculated about what may happen in future. The third is a book by Ashok Desai, My Economic Affair , published in 1993, which while containing analytical underpinnings and policy biases similar to those of Joshi and Little, presented a wider political and institutional perspectives on the Indian economic policy, enriched by an insider's view of economic policy making. A review article on the first volume of Joshi-Little was prepared by the author but by the time it was due to appear, the second volume of Joshi-Little came out. A delay in the publication of the first Joshi-Little proved to be a blessing in a way as their second volume showed how well the authors' analytical framework in their earlier volume served to assess the direction, content and the limitations of the Indian economic reforms initiated in 1990–1991. Apart from this, the clubbing three books together helped the author of this review to depict a more complete picture of the Indian economy, economic policy and the political constraints faced by the policy makers, as viewed by the academians and the practioners.
The Nosé-Poincaré Method for Constant Temperature Molecular Dynamics

We present a new extended phase space method for constant temperature (canonical ensemble) molecular dynamics. Our starting point is the Hamiltonian introduced by Nose to generate trajectories corresponding to configurations in the canonical ensemble. Using a Poincare time-transformation, we construct a Hamiltonian system with the correct intrinsic timescale and show that it generates trajectories in the canonical ensemble. Our approach corrects a serious deficiency of the standard change of variables (Nose?Hoover dynamics), which yields a time-reversible system but simultaneously destroys the Hamiltonian structure. A symplectic discretization method is presented for solving the Nose?Poincare equations. The method is explicit and preserves the time-reversal symmetry. In numerical experiments, it is shown that the new method exhibits enhanced stability when the temperature fluctuation is large. Extensions are presented for Nose chains, holonomic constraints, and rigid bodies.
Overt vs Covert Problem Solving, Transfer Effects and Programming Sequence: 2. Katona Squares

The present experiment was designed to follow-up an earlier investigation on overt vs covert problem solving and transfer (Tsai, 1960) by using a different type of materials known as Katona Squares (Katona, 1940). More specifically, we were interested in answering the following questions: (1) the relative efficiency of overt vs covert method of solving two similar problems of unequal difficulty, (2) the difference in amount of transfer from solving a prior to a subsequent problem, as related to the difficulty of each problem, and (3) the relative efficiency of two opposite sequences of programming rnlo tasks of unequal difficulty. Using two patterns of Katona Squares formed with toothpicks, we presented each subject a reasoning task. Solving Problem A requires a subject to change a pattern of three squares on the table into four squares of the same size by relocating only three tooth-picks, while Problem B requires the subject to turn a pattern of four squares into five squares by altering the positions of only three tooth-picks. The following diagrams represent the two problems and their respective number of possible solutions:
Optical Characterization and Sensitivity Evaluation of Guided-Resonances in Photonic Crystal Slabs for Biosensing Applications

Optical characterization and sensitivity evaluation of an all-dielectric photonic crystal based guided resonance filter sensitive to index-of-refraction changes in aqueous solutions is presented. Measured quality factor values (Q=83, 181) correspond to detectable index-change of 2times10-3.
A turbulent inflow model based on velocity modulation

This article presents a novel turbulent inflow model based on modulation of the velocity field for use with time-domain propulsor calculations. Given an experimental mean and rms turbulent inflow, a model can be constructed by modulating the velocity field over a range of frequencies. Assuming the turbulence is homogeneous, the inflow can be constructed as a Fourier series where the frequencies can also be modulated to smooth the broadband output. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the model, experimental inflow velocity data were acquired for an upstream stator, downstream rotor configuration mounted on an undersea vehicle afterbody. Two main sources of turbulence originated from the vorticity shed from the stator wakes and the boundary layer vorticity produced on the hull body. Three-dimensional, unsteady velocity data were acquired using hot-wire anemometry and reduced to provide mean and rms velocity values. Time-series data were processed to provide velocity power spectra used to calibrate the model. Simulations were performed using a modified version of the propulsor unsteady flow code capable of computing fully turbulent inflows. This solver models the propulsor blade as a vortex lattice and sheds the vorticity into the wake to solve the unsteady potential flow. The no-flux boundary conditions are satisfied at the lattice control points and the resulting unsteady circulation is a function of the instantaneous inflow velocity field over the blade. Vorticity is shed into the wake to account for the full time history of the inflow velocity field. To demonstrate the full effectiveness of the model, computed surface pressure data were exported to a code to compute the far-field radiated noise (both tonal and broadband). Simulated data were compared with experimentally obtained noise data with favorable results. Applications of this methodology in the incompressible flow domain include broadband analysis of propulsor-radiated noise on undersea vehicles and radiator fan noise in cars.
When and how do species achieve niche stability over long time scales

Niche conservation is not ubiquitous among all species or all environmental changes. Identifying the underlying basis for variable species responses is important for conservation efforts and macroevolutionary theory and requires comparing multiple clades and types of environmental change. To examine this issue, niche stability was analyzed for a phylogenetically diverse suite of invertebrates that inhabited the epicontinental seas of eastern North America during the Late Ordovician Period (∼450 Ma). These taxa experienced fluctuating sea level and a regional biotic invasion event, the Richmondian invasion, during nine time slices spanning approximately three million years. Niche models were generated with Maxent and niche stability was assessed via geographic overlap, niche similarity, and environmental parameters. These taxa exhibited high fidelity habitat tracking and stable ecological niches during the pre-invasion interval characterized by gradual sea-level changes, whereas taxa exhibited statistically lower niche stability and more niche evolution during and after the Richmondian invasion. Conversely, environmental parameter similarity between niche models of adjacent time slices was lowest during the pre-invasion interval and increased following the Richmondian invasion. Declining niche similarity and geographic stability coincident with increasing environmental parameter similarity indicates ecological niche change resulted from contracting species' realized niches to a subset of the original fundamental niche dimensions rather than shifting to new ecospace. Niche contraction is interpreted as a response to increased competition from invasive species, which may have arisen from adaptation, sorting (differential birth and death processes) and/or ecological fitting. These results indicate that consideration of multiple hierarchical levels, temporal scales and ecological contexts will yield new insights into the processes that generate both macroevolutionary and ecological patterns. They also suggest the widely employed assumption of niche conservatism through time and space may be more frequently valid for intervals of gradual abiotic change than for biotic changes caused by invasive species.
Factors associated with diabetic control and utilization patterns in a low-income, older adult population

Abstract The importance to health educators of identification of factors associated with diabetic control is underscored by the prevalence of the disease and its physical, psychological and economic impacts, all of which appear greatest for the poor. An investigation of social, attitudinal, and physical characteristics of 161 low income, predominantly black and female diabetic clinic patients was conducted. Results indicate that the factors associated with poor control (higher mean fasting blood glucose) include being older, lack of belief in control over health, lack of belief in the efficacy of treatment, a belief that diabetes is less serious than three curable illnesses, reported lack of social support in a crisis with diabetes, reported low satisfaction with the clinic, and finally, higher levels of reported problems with the self-care regimen, particularly diet. Moreover, poor control was also significantly associated with an increase in the number of emergency room visits and clinic visits. Increased clinic visits were also significantly associated with younger age, a higher number of prescribed medications and the requirement for insulin therapy, higher knowledge scores, and two health beliefs, the belief that diabetes is more serious than curable illnesses, and the belief that the treatment is likely to help. More frequent emergency room visits were also associated with being white, a higher number of complications of the disease, and more reported problems with self care. A higher number of days hospitalized was significantly associated with more complications, lower satisfaction with the clinic, and lack of belief in control over health. The results suggest the potential usefulness of a number of activities by health educators to positively influence diabetes control and decrease negative utilization patterns, such as hospitalizations. These include education aimed at refocusing health beliefs to emphasize the individual's control outcomes as well as the efficacy of treatment, and behavioral training to increase practical dietary skills. Finally, altering structural characteristics of clinics to better meet patient needs, such as decreasing waiting times, may encourage patient efforts towards diabetic control.
Outcome prediction in intracranial tumor surgery: the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005–2010

Accurate knowledge of individualized risks is crucial for decision-making in the surgical management of patients with brain tumors. Precise delineation of those risks remains a topic of debate. We attempted to create a predictive model of outcomes in patients undergoing craniotomies for tumor resection (CTR). We performed a retrospective cohort study involving patients who underwent CTR from 2005 to 2010 and were registered in the American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Project database. A model for outcome prediction based on individual patient characteristics was developed. Of the 1,834 patients, 457 had meningiomas (24.9 %) and 1377 had non-meningioma tumors (75.1 %). The respective 30-day postoperative risks were 2.1 % for stroke, 1.3 % for MI, 2.7 % for death, 2.4 % for deep surgical site infection, and 6.6 % for return to the OR. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that pre-operative tumor-related neurologic deficit, stroke, altered mental status, and weight loss, were independently associated with most outcomes, including post-operative MI, death, and deep surgical site infection. An additive effect of the variables on the risk of all outcomes was observed. A validated model for outcome prediction based on individual patient characteristics was developed. The accuracy of the model was estimated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, which was 0.687, 0.929, 0.749, 0.746, and 0.679 for postoperative risk of stroke, MI, death, infection, and return to the OR, respectively. Our model can provide individualized estimates of the risks of post-operative complications based on pre-operative conditions, and can potentially be utilized as an adjunct in the decision-making for surgical intervention in brain tumor patients.
Paleozoic to modern marine ecological shift displayed in the northern Adriatic Sea

One of the major changes in the history of life was the decline from abundant sedentary, suspension-feeding animals living on the seafloor during the Paleozoic to their relative scarcity afterward, while animal life within the sediment burgeoned after the end-Paleozoic extinction. In the northern Adriatic Sea there is a quantitative change from abundant exposed sedentary suspension feeders in eastern oligotrophic water to their virtual absence under western higher-nutrient waters, where prolific animal life occurs within sediments. This geographic gradient supports the hypothesis that an increase in neritic nutrients drove—and continues to drive—the Paleozoic to post-Paleozoic marine ecological transition.
Heterogeneous immunosensing using antigen and antibody monolayers on gold surfaces with electrochemical and scanning probe detection.

We report the use of antibody and antigen monolayer immunosurfaces as detection elements in a competitive heterogeneous immunoassay employing either electrochemical or scanning probe detection. Antibody or antigen monolayers were prepared by covalent attachment of the desired immunoreagent to a two-component self-assembled monolayer via amide linkages. More specifically, mixed monolayers of a carboxylic acid-terminated thiol (thioctic acid) and a methyl-terminated thiol (butanethiol) were used to control the surface epitope density. The microscopic structure of the resulting antibody and antigen arrays was characterized by AFM (atomic force microscopy). Individual, surface-confined rabbit IgG antibodies could be directly imaged in contact mode. The average height of the capture antibodies was found to be 7.1 nm; the average antibody diameter, after correcting for tip convolution effects, was determined to be between 7 and 10 nm. The surface epitope density could be varied over approximately 2 orders of ma...
Cross-species studies of orbitofrontal cortex and value-based decision-making

Recent work in a number of species has emphasized the role of orbitofrontal cortex in value-based decision-making. However, discrepancies have arisen when comparing the findings from animal models to those from humans. In this review, the author examines several possibilities that might explain these discrepancies.
Risk and prevention: Building bridges between theory and practice

Doing research in the context of programs designed to promote the psychological competence of children and adolescents is an important road to understanding the fundamental anatomy of social development.
Programmed cell death. Activation of lysis by a mechanism involving the synthesis of protein.

Abstract The death of the intersegmental muscle of saturniid silkmoths is controlled by a complex series of events involving the endocrine and neural system. The signal to initiate lysis is produced anterior to the abdomen. The actual initiation of the lytic phase can be blocked by puromycin, actinomycin D, or cycloheximide at levels consonant with their ability to inhibit synthesis of proteins and RNA. The action of the antibiotics is manifested in an isolated denervated abdomen. The activity of the lytic enzymes already present in the muscle is not significantly inhibited by either puromycin or actinomycin D. The data suggest that the lysosomes present in the muscle are activated by a process involving the synthesis of RNA and protein.
Targeting Investments for Neighborhood Revitalization

How should we allocate public resources for revitalizing low-income urban neighborhoods? Once public investments in an area reach some minimum threshold, do they leverage substantial private resour...
Affinity Chromatography of Recombinant Peptides/Proteins Based on a Calmodulin Fusion Tail

An affinity chromatography system has been developed for the separation of recombinant fusion proteins based on the Ca 2+ -dependent binding of calmodulin (CaM) to the drug phenothiazine. Specifically, in the presence of Ca 2+ , a recognition site for phenothiazine is exposed on calmodulin, allowing the binding of this drug to CaM. Upon removal of Ca 2+ with EGTA, the conformation of calmodulin changes, and the phenothiazine-CaM complex dissociates. This Ca 2+ -dependent binding has been exploited in the development of a fusion tail approach for the affinity purification of recombinant proteins and peptides. Protein A (ProtA) was employed as a model protein to demonstrate the advantages of this approach. In particular, the developed affinity chromatography system was used to isolate several ProtA-CaM fusion proteins. These recombinant fusion proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae from appropriately designed plasmids. Four different plasmids (two each for the bacteria and yeast) were used that encoded the fusion of CaM to the immunoglobulin-binding portion of protein A. After expression of the fusion protein, the crude cell lysates were loaded onto the phenothiazine affinity column in the presence of a Ca 2+ -containing buffer. Upon elution with an EGTA buffer, the ProtA-CaM fusion protein was purified, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and Western blot analysis.
Radiationless transitions in electron donor-acceptor complexes: selection rules for S1 → T intersystem crossing and efficiency of S1 → S0 internal conversion

Abstract Evidence is presented which indicates that singlet → triplet intersystem crossing from the charge-transfer singlet state of electron donor-acceptor complexes is efficient only when a locally excited triplet state of a component molecule (donor or acceptor) lies below the charge-transfer singlet state.
A theory of multidimensional servo systems

Abstract An n -dimensional servo system is defined as a combination of n simple servo-mechanisms with coupled error-measuring devices. The system is to reproduce n inputs, and the controlling feedbacks consist of linear combinations of the differences between the n inputs and outputs. The analysis undertaken in this paper is to supply the designer of such systems with general performance criteria. They are essentially of three different types. First, error coefficient matrices are established which give a measure for the quality of reproduction of some typical inputs.In the second part the stability of n -dimensional servo systems is investigated with special emphasis on the possibilities of combining stable and unstable servos into stable systems by judicious coupling. There are several results to the effect that this is possible, and that the time delay of the response can be diminished in most cases where there is a sufficient number of design parameters (including the coupling coefficients) at the designer's disposal. In the third part, rms.-error and integrated-square error criteria are established for multidimensional servo systems. By developing expressions in which these errors appear formally identical with the corresponding errors for one-dimensional servos, it is shown how the design techniques developed for one-dimensional servos, such as attenuation-phase diagrams, can be applied to multidimensional systems whenever theoretical minimization of the errors is impossible or impractical.
An Integrated Automated Layout Generation System for DSP Circuits

An integrated CAD system for the automated design of digital signal-processing (DSP) circuits for audio and telecommunication applications is described. The system uses as unique input a symbolic description of algorithm. This representation is translated into an actual layout using a two-step process. First, the symbolic input is mapped into the target architecture, which consists basically of a set of concurrent processors and dedicated I/O circuitry. The resulting hardware configuration is compiled into a layout description through a full exploitation of the hierarchy and the modularity of the architecture, calling consecutively a tiler, a floorplanner, and a global placement and routing tool. All these layout generation tools are able to support a wide range of technologies. The provision of a dedicated register transfer level simulator allows for the efficient debugging and algorithmic checking of the real-time operating signal-processing algorithms. The efficiency and the usefulness of this design methodology has been demonstrated by multiple examples. Experiments have shown that the use of these techniques can reduce the complete design process to a few months.
Interactions between Rydberg-dressed atoms

We examine interactions between atoms continuously and coherently driven between the ground state and a Rydberg state, producing ``Rydberg-dressed atoms.'' Because of the large dipolar coupling between two Rydberg atoms, a small admixture of Rydberg character into a ground state can produce an atom with a dipole moment of a few debye, the appropriate size to observe interesting dipolar physics effects in cold atom systems. We have calculated the interaction energies for atoms that interact via the dipole-dipole interaction and find that because of blockade effects, the $R$ dependent two-atom interaction terms are limited in size and can be $R$ independent up until the dipolar energy is equal to the detuning. This produces $R$ dependent interactions different from the expected $1/{R}^{3}$ dipolar form that have no direct analogy in condensed-matter physics and could lead to interesting quantum phases in trapped Rydberg systems.
GC/MS Analysis of the Competitive Alkylation of 2-Methylcyclohexanone: A New Experiment for Undergraduate Students

In this organic chemistry laboratory experiment, students perform two different alkylations of α-methylcyclohexanone. Conditions have been established that allow the students to achieve efficient anion formation using lithium diisopropylamide in tetrahydrofuran. First, the enolate is alkylated with either allyl bromide or benzyl bromide and the product analyzed by GC/MS. Subsequently, a competitive alkylation is performed using both electrophiles and the reaction mixture analyzed by GC/MS.
The role of reinforcement and motivation in biofeedback performance

Abstract Results of several studies were discussed in order to illustrate the relative importance of reinforcement and incentives to performance in biofeedback experiments. Data were taken from studies employing essential hypertensives, brain damaged patients, and normals as subjects. Both somatic and autonomic physiological responses were monitored. Results indicate that motivational variables play a predominant role in controlling performance on relatively easy biofeedback tasks, while in difficult biofeedback learning tasks, reinforcement plays a predominant role in controlling performance.
Next-Generation Sequencing of the Porcine Skeletal Muscle Transcriptome for Computational Prediction of MicroRNA Gene Targets

Background MicroRNA are a class of small RNAs that regulate gene expression by inhibiting translation of protein encoding transcripts through targeting of a microRNA-protein complex by base-pairing of the microRNA sequence to cognate recognition sequences in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNA. Target identification for a given microRNA sequence is generally accomplished by informatics analysis of predicted mRNA sequences present in the genome or in databases of transcript sequence for the tissue of interest. However, gene models for porcine skeletal muscle transcripts in current databases, specifically complete sequence of the 3′ UTR, are inadequate for this exercise. Methodology/Principal Findings To provide data necessary to identify gene targets for microRNA in porcine skeletal muscle, normalized cDNA libraries were sequenced using Roche 454 GS-FLX pyrosequencing and de novo assembly of transcripts enriched in the 3′ UTR was performed using the MIRA sequence assembly program. Over 725 million bases of sequence were generated, which assembled into 18,202 contigs. Sequence reads were mapped to a 3′ UTR database containing porcine sequences. The 3′ UTR that mapped to the database were examined to predict targets for previously identified microRNA that had been separately sequenced from the same porcine muscle sample used to generate the cDNA libraries. For genes with microRNA-targeted 3′ UTR, KEGG pathways were computationally determined in order to identify potential functional effects of these microRNA-targeted transcripts. Conclusions Through next-generation sequencing of transcripts expressed in skeletal muscle, mapping reads to a 3′ UTR database, and prediction of microRNA target sites in the 3′ UTR, our results identified genes expressed in porcine skeletal muscle and predicted the microRNA that target these genes. Additionally, identification of pathways regulated by these microRNA-targeted genes provides us with a set of genes that can be further evaluated for their potential role in skeletal muscle development and growth.
Access of medical information and radiological images through a local area network

Today's radiology practice in a large medical center requires information from multimedia databases utilizing text, images, and voice. Establishing access to this information provides convenience, efficiency, and a robust decision support environment for the radiologist. This paper describes these databases and a method to access this information through a local area network at a radiologist's desktop computer.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.