cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aluminum Corrosion Degradation Experiments and ANN Modeling

Corrosion is one of the most damaging mechanisms in aerospace engineering structures. To better understand how corrosion growth process takes place in aircraft AA 2024-T3 materials, research is being conducted to capture and systematically characterize the corrosion process, and develop simulation models. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate the degradation of chemical elements as a function of time during the corrosion process through experiments and develop an artificial neural network (ANN) model for the analysis and prediction. Experiments were conducted on AA 2024-T3 specimens under controlled electrochemical conditions. The chemical element map was developed through EDS technique for evaluation purposes. Based on the experimental data, an ANN model is developed for the analysis and prediction of the mapping between degradation of chemical elements and electrochemical parameters during the corrosion process. A very good performance of the neural network is achieved after training and validation with the experimental data. The relationship between the chemical elements degradation and material loss as a function of time was studied through ANN analysis.
Neurovascular Proteases in Brain Injury, Hemorrhage and Remodeling After Stroke

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) mediate tissue injury during acute stroke. Clinical data show that elevated MMPs in plasma of stroke patients may correlate with outcomes, suggesting its use as a biomarker. MMP-9 signal has also been detected in clinical stroke brain tissue samples. Because tissue plasminogen activator can upregulate MMPs via lipoprotein receptor signaling, these neurovascular proteolytic events may underlie some of the complications of edema and hemorrhage that plague thrombolytic therapy. However, in contrast to its deleterious actions in acute stroke, MMPs and other neurovascular proteases may play beneficial roles during stroke recovery. MMPs are increased in the subventricular zone weeks after focal stroke, and inhibition of MMPs suppress neurogenic migration from subventricular zone into damaged tissue. In peri-infarct cortex, MMPs may mediate neurovascular remodeling. Delayed inhibition of MMPs decrease markers of remodeling, and these phenomena may be related to reductions in bioavailable growth factors. Acute versus chronic protease profiles within the neurovascular unit are likely to underlie critical responses to stroke, therapy, and recovery.
Deep bottom currents off the coast of North Carolina

Abstract The direction of bottom currents and their extent from the seaward margin of the continental shelf (300 m) to the Hatteras Abyssal Plain (5335 m) off North Carolina have been determined on the basis of 150 multishot bottom camera lowerings representing approximately 3000 compass-oriented photographs. Correlative data were obtained from sediment samples, submarine topography studies, and 55 hydrographic samples from the bottom water. There are three major currents on the deep-sea floor : the Gulf Stream with a marked seasonal variation in location, the Western Boundary Undercurrent which may split into sections,and one derived from Antarctic Bottom Water. Zones of no motion are identified between each of the three.
Integrated Upper Gastrointestinal Response to Food Intake

Ingestion of food simultaneously activates gastrointestinal motility, gastric and pancreatic secretion, and release of gastrointestinal hormones that, in turn, modulate motor, secretory, and absorptive functions in the upper gut. The hormones involved in these integrated functions include gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), ghrelin, and pancreatic polypeptide from the upper gut and incretins, such as glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 and peptide YY (PYY), from the distal small intestine. The responses to ingestion of food are complex and have been traditionally considered in 3 phases: cephalic, gastric, and intestinal. While this allows the different functions to be reduced to manageable descriptions, it is important to note that this is an integrated process with overlap between the different phases. Variations in function result in part from the physical properties of meals, the different proportions of macronutrients, and the rate of emptying from the stomach. In contrast, the enormous functional reserve of the pancreas results in a fairly standard response, influenced mainly by the rate of delivery of nutrients to the duodenum and the nature of nutrients that stimulate the release of enteropancreatic hormones. The ingestion of food leads eventually to a sensation of fullness and cessation of food intake. In this report, the term “satiation” refers to the sensation of fullness developed during the end of meal ingestion or during the early postprandial period. Operationally, this is investigated by the maximum tolerated volume of a nutrient drink ingested at a standard rate and the symptoms 30 minutes postchallenge. On the other hand, satiety refers to the appetite level that is manifested by the timing of the subsequent meal and the number of calories ingested. This is measured in practice by means of ad libitum buffet meals in which the calories and types of nutrients preferred from standard meals are calculated.
Pre-SAT180, a simple and effective method for residual water suppression.

Abstract Water located outside the NMR detection coil experiences a reduced RF field intensity. This “faraway water” is known to be very difficult to suppress and often gives rise to a large residual solvent signal. Pre-SAT180 ( Pre-S aturation with A diabatic T oggling of 180 degree pulse inversion) is proposed to cancel the residual water contribution efficiently. Compared with several popular methods such as 1D NOESY with pre-saturation or 270° excitation, Pre-SAT180 has a number of advantages, including: full retention of signal intensity and selectivity, good phase properties, easy setup, and high tolerance to pulse missettings.
Calculation of paramagnetic resonance spectra sensitive to very slow rotational motion

Abstract A numerical solution of a system of diffusion-coupled Bloch equations, including the modulation field, yields nitroxide spin label paramegnetic resonance spectra that are sensitive to rotational correlation times (τ 2 ) in the range 10 −7 sec ⩽ τ 2 ⩽ 10 −3 sec.
Retrieval of Lost Catheters by a Myocardial Biopsy Catheter Device

Nonsurgical retrieval of fragments of polyethylene catheters embolized and lodged in the cardiovascular system was accomplished by means of a myocardial biopsy catheter in two patients. Choice of available retrieval methods should take into consideration the diameter of the catheter, emboli and its location within the cardiovascular system. The method described here, which is simple, effective and safe seems suitable in selected cases.
The solutions to an infinite family of matrix inequalities involving ZME-matrices

Solutions for a certain infinite system of matrix inequalities are determined. In these inequalities, the coefficient matrices are ZME-matrices, which were introduced by Friedland, Hershkowitz, and Schneider. The solutions are shown to have a simple form under certain restrictions on the magnitudes of the minimal eigenvalues of the coefficient matrices. Finally, solutions to the system of inequalities are used to study the structure of reducible ZM-matrices.
Stable Equilibrium Configurations of Elastic Crystals

Nonlinear thermoelasticity theory for crystals is generating some knotty questions in the calculus of variations and in the theory of related partial differential equations. This stems from invariance assumptions which are suggested by molecular theory, and seem to be needed to analyze some commonly observed phenomena, such as twinning. What might be regarded as the simplest problem is to characterize the most stable configurations of unloaded crystals. Even this is difficult, because these are not all unique, but form infinite sets. A number of these do seem to match configurations observed in real crystals. After elaborating this a bit, I will present methods for constructing solutions which are special, but resemble configurations which are observed.
Using multi-hop acknowledgements to discover and reliably communicate over unidirectional links in ad hoc networks

Neighbor discovery protocols are based on the receipt of an acknowledgement in response to a node advertisement. Traditionally, the advertisement and acknowledgement are sent in opposite directions across the same link. As a result, these protocols are only able to discover bidirectional links. The exclusion of unidirectional links can reduce the network's capacity and also lead to network partitioning. These concerns are particularly relevant to ad hoc networks, where bandwidth and transmission power are limited resources and links are not necessarily bidirectional. To support the discovery and subsequent use of unidirectional links, we propose the multi-hop broadcast and unicast relay of link layer acknowledgements. Through simulation of an ad hoc network with reduced transmission power support, we demonstrate that the proposed multi-hop feedback techniques are able to discover nearly all of the unidirectional links, improving network connectivity by 30% and reducing the length of shortest hop paths by 25%.
Environmental Programming and Action Research

A range of techniques have emerged in recent years for the conduct of environmental programming. Such programming techniques are meant to facilitate the systematic application of environment-behavior research to the design process. However, despite the efforts of both researchers and practitioners, the success of environmental programming in bringing about effective research application remains quite limited. This article reviews several reasons for these difficulties in research application, and concludes that the problem is rooted in quite basic conceptions of the nature and goals of behavioral research. An alternative "action research" approach to the conduct of environment-behavior studies is then presented. Some of the benefits of viewing environmental research and programming as interrelated phases within a larger "action" framework are considered.
Partitioning algorithms for layout synthesis from register-transfer netlists

A sliced-layout architecture is presented to alleviate the problems of the general bit-sliced layouts. Also described are partitioning algorithms that are used to generate the floorplan for this layout architecture. The partitioning algorithms not only select the best suited layout style for each component, but also consider critical paths, I/O pin locations, and connections between logic blocks. This approach improves the overall area utilization and minimizes the total wire length. >
Optional front end models for the Neutrino Factory Study II

Options of the phase rotation and the ionization cooling channels was studied in the Neutrino Factory Study II where a muon storage ring is assumed to be built at BNL. Quality of the high intensity muon beam was studied as function of the modified parameters of the front end channels which consists of the pion capture system, non-distorting phase rotation system, and the ionization cooling channel. The purpose of the study is to find the possible start-up options of the system and their performance while the part of the channel elements are available.
The influence of object size on the regions of interest for edge detection-preliminary results

Presents preliminary results from an investigation of edge detection with a principal components analysis. In this way the parameters of an edge detector can be derived from data about edges in images. The preliminary investigations study how the optimal region of interest varies with the size of objects in the image. >
Effect of electron beam treatments on degradation kinetics of polylactic acid (PLA) plastic waste under backyard composting conditions

The effects of electron beam irradiation on backyard composting behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA) polymer were evaluated. Samples (10 mm2 × 0.75 mm) from thermoformed PLA drinking cups were exposed to 10 MeV electron beam irradiation at doses of 0, 72, 144 and 216 kGy. Irradiated PLA samples were placed in heat-sealed, plastic screen and added to organic feedstock in a rotating composter within a computer-controlled environmental chamber for 10 weeks at 35°C. Changes in weight, structural integrity and molecular weight were assessed over time. Results show that irradiation enhanced PLA breakdown. PLA weight decreased by increasing amounts as irradiation dose increased. Sample brittleness increased with irradiation dose and composting time. Finally, PLA molecular weight decreased as irradiation dose and compost time increased. Molecular weight D values for irradiated PLA were found to be about 430 kGy. After 1 week in a typical backyard composter, molecular weight D values increased to about 560 kGy and then fell to about 380 kGy after 2 weeks of composting. Samples irradiated at 216 kGy showed a reduction in weight of 9.4% after 10 weeks of composting, and a reduction of weight-average molecular weight of 93.7% after 6 weeks. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorigenic Substrates for the Protease Activities of Botulinum Neurotoxins, Serotypes A, B, and F

The seven botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are zinc metalloproteases that cleave neuronal proteins involved in neurotransmitter release and are among the most toxic natural products known. High-throughput BoNT assays are needed for use in antibotulinum drug discovery and to characterize BoNT protease activities. Compared to other proteases, BoNTs exhibit unusually stringent substrate requirements with respect to amino acid sequences and polypeptide lengths. Nonetheless, we have devised a strategy for development of fluorigenic BoNT protease assays, based on earlier structure-function studies, that has proven successful for three of the seven serotypes: A, B, and F. In synthetic peptide substrates, the P 1 and P 3 ′ residues were substituted with 2,4-dinitrophenyl-lysine and S -( N -[4-methyl-7-dimethylamino-coumarin-3-yl]-carboxamidomethyl)-cysteine, respectively. By monitoring the BoNT-catalyzed increase in fluorescence over time, initial hydrolysis rates could be obtained in 1 to 2 min when BoNT concentrations were 60 ng/ml (about 1 nM) or higher. Each BoNT cleaved its fluorigenic substrate at the same location as in the neuronal target protein, and kinetic constants indicated that the substrates were selective and efficient. The fluorigenic assay for BoNT B was used to characterize a new competitive inhibitor of BoNT B protease activity with a K i value of 4 μM. In addition to real-time activity measurements, toxin concentration determinations, and kinetic studies, the BoNT substrates described herein may be directly incorporated into automated high-throughput assay systems to screen large numbers of compounds for potential antibotulinum drugs.
Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis

The fundamental philosophy of prenatal genetic diagnosis is to enable prospective parents at risk to have children selectively, unaffected by a specific hereditary disorder.1 In practice, this new technology has allowed healthy children to be born to many couples who, without the reassurance that it is now possible to extend to them, would not have had any on any further children. Indeed, it is clear that the number of children born because of the opportunities provided by prenatal diagnosis exceeds the number of pregnancies terminated on account of fetal genetic disease. Despite the availability of prenatal diagnosis for more than a decade, utilization has been slow. Even today, the vast majority of states provide studies for less than 10% of women aged 35 years or more. In Massachusetts, where strenuous efforts at professional and public education have been made, utilization in this age category is about 20%. In the United States, the remarkable tardiness in the application of this valuable technology may be related to earlier concerns about the risk and accuracy of second trimester amniocentesis. Today, however, the explanations are more likely to be a lack of awareness of the indications for prenatal genetic studies and antipathy to abortion. Virtually all states now have at least a single prenatal diagnostic facility or are able to use laboratories in an adjoining state.
Object localization using affine invariant substructure constraints.

In this paper we propose a novel method for generic object localization. The method is based on modeling the object as a graph at two levels: a local substructural representation and a global object graph. In the first level, an object substructure is a quasi affine-invariant canonical encoding of a set of four straight contour lines of the object. The second level is a connectivity graph of these substructures that defines the object. The candidate substructures in an observed image are selected probabilistically using the model distribution. To extract the object graph from these candidates, we exploit the strong inter-structural affinities within the object. We consider the connected graph of all candidates and find a bi-partition of this graph. Finally, the partition with higher density (and hence with higher affinity) is selected and labeled as the object structure. This method is independent of affine transformations of objects and robust to intra-class variability and partial occlusion.
Zeolite as a reagent and as a catalyst: Reduction and isomerization of alkenes by Ca Y

Depending on the number of Bronsted acid sites present, Ca Y can act either as a reagent and reduce stilbenes to 1,2-diarylethanes or act as a catalyst and isomerize cis-stilbenes to the more stable trans form; Lewis acid sites generated by the activation process yield radical cations from stilbenes but these do not yield any stable products.
Setting the record wrong: A Sanskrit vision of Mughal conquests

avya (Poem on the Teacher of the World). The work primarily eulogizes the life of a Jain religious leader named Hbut Padmasdevotes one-third of the text to detailing the military exploits of Humayun and Akbar. Moreover, Padmasdeparts significantly from known Indo-Persian his- toriography and imagines a startlingly innovative storyline for the early days of the Mughal Empire. Through this substantial rewriting, he furthermore consistently depicts the coerced establishment of Mughal rule as engendering the flourishing of Indian cultural and religious traditions. In this article, I provide the first detailed account of Padmaspresentation of the battles of Humayun and Akbar to secure their claims over the subcontinent. I then seek to understand the motivations that fuelled this par- ticular narrative by placing Jagadguruk¯ avya in the context of Gujarati relations with the Mughal court, Jain religious interests and historical sensibilities in early modern India. In his account of the early Mughal Empire, Padmas¯ agara crafts a political vision in which history is not constituted by a set of unchangeable facts but rather by a range of potential cultural implications that can be best realized through literature. His ambi- tious narrative about the recent past has important implications for how we understand early modern Sanskrit historiography and its relationship to Mughal power.
Adolescents' Perceptions of Social Status: Development and Evaluation of a New Indicator

Objective. Eliminating health disparities, including those that are a result of socioeconomic status (SES), is one of the overarching goals of Healthy People 2010. This article reports on the development of a new, adolescent-specific measure of subjective social status (SSS) and on initial exploratory analyses of the relationship of SSS to adolescents9 physical and psychological health. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 10 843 adolescents and a subsample of 166 paired adolescent/mother dyads who participated in the Growing Up Today Study was conducted. The newly developed MacArthur Scale of Subjective Social Status (10-point scale) was used to measure SSS. Paternal education was the measure of SES. Indicators of psychological and physical health included depressive symptoms and obesity, respectively. Linear regression analyses determined the association of SSS to depressive symptoms, and logistic regression determined the association of SSS to overweight and obesity, controlling for sociodemographic factors and SES. Results. Mean society ladder ranking, a subjective measure of SES, was 7.2 ± 1.3. Mean community ladder ranking, a measure of perceived placement in the school community, was 7.6 ± 1.7. Reliability of the instrument was excellent: the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.73 for the society ladder and 0.79 for the community ladder. Adolescents had higher society ladder rankings than their mothers (μ teen = 7.2 ± 1.3 vs μ mom = 6.8 ± 1.2; P = .002). Older adolescents9 perceptions of familial placement in society were more closely correlated with maternal subjective perceptions of placement than those of younger adolescents (Spearman9s rho teens = 0.31 vs Spearman9s rho teens ≥15 years = 0.45; P society = 0.89, 95% confidence interval = 0.83, 0.95; odds ratio community = 0.91, 95% confidence interval = 0.87, 0.97). For both depressive symptoms and obesity, community ladder rankings were more strongly associated with health than were society ladder rankings in models that controlled for both domains of SSS. Conclusions. This new instrument can reliably measure SSS among adolescents. Social stratification as reflected by SSS is associated with adolescents9 health. The findings suggest that as adolescents mature, SSS may undergo a developmental shift. Determining how these changes in SSS relate to health and how SSS functions prospectively with regard to health outcomes requires additional research.
Properties of slotted dielectric interfaces

A theoretical analysis of slotted dielectric interfaces based on an application of the Rayleigh-Ritz method is presented. Formulas for calculating the equivalent circuit parameters are derived for arbitrary polarization and angles of incidence. Numerical results are given which show that the slotted dielectric interface behaves essentially as a homogeneous anisotropic dielectric interface. Formulas and numerical values of the equivalent dielectric constants are also given.
PERCEIVED COMPETENCE, SOCIAL ANXIETY ABOUT PHYSIQUE, AND ENJOYMENT IN TESTING SITUATIONS AMONG GROUPS OF MIXED SEX AND GIRLS ONLY

Szrmmay.-The purpose of the present study was to assess whether there are differences in agility and coordination performance, anxiety about physique, perceived competence, and enjoyment benveen girls (12 =56) performing within mixed-sex versus all-female high school classes in physical education. A series of benveen-group comparisons yielded no significanr differences benveen groups on measures of performance, perceived competence, and anxiery abour physique; however, the mixed-sex group reported significandy greater enjoyment on both psychomotor tests than the 3Ufemale group (ps 5.05). Results are discussed within other contexts such as sport rnotivation and Weiss and Chaumeton's (1992) theory of youth sport development. It has been recently hypothesized that the structure and sex composition of physical activity settings may influence differently perceived competence and physical performance of female and male participants (Lirgg, 1993). Specifically, perceived competence scores on psychomotor tests appear greater among females who participate in same-sex classes than those in coeducational groups (Lirgg, 1993). According to Roberts and Duda (1984), expectations of ability among young female athletes are highly related to their perceptions of personal performance as well as amount of participation. Lower self-concept, perceived abhty, and expectations of future performance have been observed among females participating in coeducational settings when compared with all female classes and males in mixed-sex classes (Kroff, fierden, & Stubbs, 1990; Stipek & Grahslu, 1991). It appears that the perceptions females hold about their ability to complete physical tasks significantly affects their persistence, effort, and self-confidence within the setting. In applying social cognitive theory to the realm of physical activity, Dzewaltowslu, Noble, and Shaw (1990) found that heightened self-efficacy during physical activity led to greater performance and participation. Investigating the role of estimations of physical competence on achievement characteristics among children, Faucette and Patterson (1990) found that girls who underestimated their actual physical abhty were more Uely to discontinue regular participation. Likewise, Blair, Corbin, and Stewart (1981) reported that among girls completing an unfamhar psychomotor test, lower
Clay mineral thermometry : a critical perspective

Diagenetic clay minerals usually occur as heterogeneous assemblages of submicroscopic layers consisting of different structure types such as illite, smectite and chlorite, with variable composition within a given structure type, and with highly variable concentrations of imperfections. The dimensions of mixed-layering, the semi-coherent to coherent nature of the structures across the layering, and compo- sitional heterogeneity occur at a scale well below that of an individual thermodynamic phase. These relations imply that most clays are not distinct minerals or phases, and that assemblages of clays in shales and mudstones are incompatible with the phase rule. Such relations are better evaluated in terms of the formation of metastable materials with each small unit having unique chemical properties, rather than as a small number of stable homogeneous phases. Consequently, treatment of most clay minerals in terms of equilibrium stability with either a thermodynamic or experimental approach is subject to error. Chemical reactions involving most clay minerals are best understood with kinetic models. These involve a great variety of parameters such as time, fluid/rock ratio, deformation history, nature of starting materials and transformation mechanisms, as well as the variables, such as temperature, pressure and composition, that are commonly used to define equilibrium. Solubility experiments on the stabilities of clay minerals are unlikely to attain equilibrium at low temperatures. Moreover, the activity of soluble species may be controlled by surface equilibria, or by absorbed or exchangeable cations. Interpretations of available experiments on the solubility of illite vs. other mineral assemblages are in violation of Schreinemakers' rules and indicate lack of equilibrium. Predictable sequences of clay minerals as a function of temperature are best understood through the Ostwald step rule, in which clay mineral assemblages undergo reactions in response to kinetic factors that represent reaction progress rather than an approach to equilibrium. Currently used clay mineral ther- mometers (illite crystallinity, smectite/illite reaction, chlorite composition) are not based on equilibrium reactions. Such systems are not accurate thermometers and therefore have questionable utility.
Comparison of boundary element and finite element methods in the inelastic torsion of prismatic shafts

The accuracy and computational efficiency of the boundary element and the finite element methods are compared in this paper for problems of time-dependent inelastic torsion of prismatic shafts. Several cross-sections and two types of twisting history are considered in the numerical examples. The shaft material is assumed to obey an elastic-time hardening creep constitutive model.
Maya: a multi-paradigm network modeling framework for emulating distributed applications

We present Maya, a multiparadigm, scalable and extensible network modelling framework for emulating distributed applications. A novel three tier architecture is proposed to integrate three disparate modelling paradigms, namely, discrete event models, analytical models and physical network interfaces into one unified framework of Maya. As the first effort to integrate all three paradigms into one framework, we discuss the implementations of Maya using Qualnet, fluid flow-based TCP model and physical network interface. It addresses the performance issues involved in attaining the real time constraints imposed by distributed applications and demonstrates the effectiveness of using analytical models in Maya. Furthermore, it identifies the negative impact on real time performance through the computation intensive ordinary differential equation (ODE) solver in the fluid flow model. A new approach to interleaved executions of the fluid flow model is proposed to hide ODE solver turnaround time. As a result, the percentage of packets missing their deadlines has been reduced from more than 6% to less than 0.2%.
Nut consumption and risk of heart failure in the Physicians' Health Study I

Background: Heart failure is highly prevalent among older adults and is associated with high cost and societal burden. Although previous studies have reported beneficial effects of dietary factors on heart failure predictors, no previous study has examined whether frequent consumption of nuts is associated with a lower risk of heart failure in a large prospective cohort. Objective: We examined the association between nut consumption and incident heart failure to determine whether such a relation is modified by overweight or obesity. Design: This was a prospective cohort study of 20 976 participants from the Physicians' Health Study I. Nut consumption was assessed with a simple abbreviated food questionnaire, and self-reported heart failure was ascertained by follow-up questionnaires. We used Cox regression to estimate relative risks of heart failure. Results: After an average follow-up of 19.6 y, 1093 new cases of heart failure occurred. Nut consumption was not associated with the risk of developing heart failure in this cohort: multivariable adjusted hazard ratios were 1.0 (reference), 0.98 (95% CI: 0.83, 1.15), 1.06 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.27), and 1.01 (95% CI: 0.84, 1.22) for nut consumption of <1, 1, and ≥2 servings/wk, respectively (P for linear trend: 0.64). The lack of a meaningful relation between nut intake and incident heart failure was seen in both lean and overweight or obese participants (P for interaction: 0.96). Conclusion: Our data do not provide evidence for an association between nut consumption and incident heart failure in US male physicians. However, our data cannot rule out possible benefits of nut consumption on subtypes of heart failure not prevalent in this cohort.
Measurement of endogenous lithium levels in serum and urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry: A method with potential clinical applications

Abstract A highly sensitive flameless atomic absorption method has been adapted for the determination of endogenous trace lithium levels in serum and urine. With ammonium nitrate as the only matrix modifier, serum levels of Li as low as 0.03 μmol/liter are measured accurately and there is no requirement for standard additions. The need for background correction during analysis was clearly established, and tungsten and Zeeman-effect background corrections were compared. The tungsten correction offered superior sensitivity and linearity of standards. Recoveries in urine and serum average 94.8 ± 7.7 and 95.3 ± 6.1% (±SD), respectively. The endogenous serum Li levels were 0.16 ± 0.08 μmol/liter for normal subjects dwelling in the Denver metropolitan area. The mean 24-h excretion rate was 5.24 ± 1.4 μmol/day. The mean fractional excretion of endogenous Li (clearance Li/clearance creatinine) was 23.2 ± 3.0%, a value similar to values published for exogenously administered Li and measured by conventional methods.
Pleasurable Suspension: Erotic Asphyxiation in the Nineteenth Century

Darkling I listen; and, for many a timeI have been half in love with easeful Death,Called him soft names in many a mused rhyme,To take into the air my quiet breath.—John Keats, “Ode to a Nightingal...
When to Treat Adults Like Children: Optimizing Therapy for Lymphoblastic Lymphoma in Young Adults

A 23-year-old man was urgently referred for evaluation of rapidly enlarging cervical lymphadenopathy, progressive dyspnea, fatigue, night sweats, and an unintentional weight loss of 25 pounds. A computed tomography scan of the neck performed 30 days before referral revealed bilateral cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy (6 × 5 cm). A fine-needle aspirate of nasopharyngeal tissue demonstrated fibroadipose tissue. Tissue collected by core needle biopsy of a left internal jugular lymph node demonstrated a reactive lymph node but no malignancy. The patient was admitted to an academic medical center hospital. His physical examination was remarkable for bulky cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. A testicular examination was normal. The patient's lactate dehydrogenase concentration was 327 U/L (normal range, 118-225 U/L). A positron emission tomography scan revealed bilateral cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy (6 × 5 cm with a standardized uptake value [SUV] of 14), a 1.3-cm subcutaneous nodule in the left thigh (SUV 16), and two 2.7-cm liver lesions (SUV 14). He underwent an excisional lymph node biopsy. The lymph node revealed effacement of the architecture by an interfollicular infiltrate of lymphoid cells (Fig 1). Mitotic figures were abundant (Ki-67 stain 80% to 90% positive) and there were multiple foci of tissue necrosis. The lymphoblasts were examined by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry and expressed the T-cell markers CD2, CD3, CD4, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. A subpopulation of T cells was positive for both CD4 and CD8. Polymerase chain reaction studies revealed a clonal rearrangement of the T-cell receptor γ gene. A marrow aspirate and biopsy revealed normal trilineage hematopoiesis with no evidence of lymphoma and a normal male karyotype (46, XY). A lumbar puncture sample did not contain lymphoma cells. The patient's diagnosis was T-lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Vina-Carb: Improving Glycosidic Angles during Carbohydrate Docking

Molecular docking programs are primarily designed to align rigid, drug-like fragments into the binding sites of macromolecules and frequently display poor performance when applied to flexible carbohydrate molecules. A critical source of flexibility within an oligosaccharide is the glycosidic linkages. Recently, Carbohydrate Intrinsic (CHI) energy functions were reported that attempt to quantify the glycosidic torsion angle preferences. In the present work, the CHI-energy functions have been incorporated into the AutoDock Vina (ADV) scoring function, subsequently termed Vina-Carb (VC). Two user-adjustable parameters have been introduced, namely, a CHI- energy weight term (chi_coeff) that affects the magnitude of the CHI-energy penalty and a CHI-cutoff term (chi_cutoff) that negates CHI-energy penalties below a specified value. A data set consisting of 101 protein–carbohydrate complexes and 29 apoprotein structures was used in the development and testing of VC, including antibodies, lectins, and carbohydrat...
A Single Mechanism of Governance: State Law, Federal Dialogues, and the Mediation of Popular Opinion

In this essay, I argue that state law can serve as a source of meaning for federal courts asserting federal constitutional meaning, especially when seeking to determine popular opinion on a given issue. The essay argues that state law, especially but not only constitutional law, can perform this mediating role because it translates popular opinion into a legal language familiar to those institutions (i.e., federal courts) that assert the power to discuss and define the federal Constitution's meaning. Particular features of state governments' institutional design make this so. As a result, state law is one mechanism by which the Supreme Court can be made aware of popular opinion, which can then influence and ultimately define federal constitutional meaning.
Insulin stimulation of muscle protein synthesis in obese Zucker rats is not via a rapamycin-sensitive pathway.

The obese Zucker rat is resistant to insulin for glucose disposal, but it is unknown whether this insulin resistance is accompanied by alterations of insulin-mediated muscle protein synthesis. We e...
National trend in prevalence, cost, and discharge disposition after subdural hematoma from 1998-2007.

Objectives: Subdural hematoma is a common type of intracranial hemorrhage, particularly among the elderly, yet, despite the aging U.S. population, little has been published in the last 10 yrs. This study aimed to determine national trends in prevalence, discharge disposition, length of stay, and cost of subdural hematoma over time. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Adult patients hospitalized in the United States between 1998 and 2007 identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Participants: Seven hundred twenty thousand, two hundred ninety-seven adult patients hospitalized in subdural hematoma. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Discharge disposition, hospital length of stay, and national cost (adjusted to 2007 dollars) were examined. Hospitalizations for subdural hematoma increased from 59,373 (30 per 100,000 hospitalizations) in 1998 to 91,935 (42 per 100,000) in 2007, constituting a 39% per-capita increase. The prevalence of subdural hematoma increased with age (p 80 yrs of age (36% of subdural hematoma cohort), in lower income patients, in patients with acquired abnormalities of the coagulation cascade, and in patients with trauma. Inhospital mortality decreased from 15% to 12% (p = .001), but unsatisfactory discharge disposition increased from 17% to 20% (p < .001). National cost increased from $1.0 to $1.6 billion (p < .001). Unsatisfactory discharge disposition and cost were both independently predicted by higher comorbidity index, alcohol abuse, history of trauma, and acquired abnormal coagulation or platelet factors (p < .05). Neurosurgical intervention for subdural hematoma decreased from 41% in 1998 to 31% in 2007 (p < .001). Subdural hematoma evacuation was associated with decreased mortality but did not significantly protect against poor discharge disposition and was associated with significantly higher cost. Conclusions: The prevalence and total cost for subdural hematoma has increased significantly in the last decade nationwide. Health resource consumption for subdural hematoma is increasing without clear evidence that management practices are leading to improved outcomes.
Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition, and in vitro protein digestibility of Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as affected by differential processing methods

Chickpea is an important food legume and is a major source of nutrient in many diets. We investigated the effects of different processing methods, soaking and non-soaking followed by moist heating (pressure cooking and microwave cooking) and dry heating (roasting), on chemical composition, amino acid profile, mineral concentration, anti-nutritional factors, protein solubility and in vitro digestibility of chickpeas. Oil content significantly (P < 0.05) increased in all processed samples, except soaked/microwave cooked sample. All processing methods improved amino acid profile, with the greatest increase caused by soaking/microwave cooking. There was a significant reduction in mineral content after processing except in soaked sample that showed the highest level of mineral retention. All processes significantly reduced tannin and phytate concentrations. The soaked/microwave cooked sample had the largest reduction of tannins, while soaking/pressure cooking caused the highest reduction in phytate. Compared to raw counterpart, protein solubility in all processed samples significantly decreased, while in vitro protein digestibility significantly improved, with the highest values for soaked/pressure cooked and soaked/microwave cooked samples. In-vitro protein digestibility showed a positive correlation with both total amino acids (r = 0.774) and total essential amino acids (r = 0.838), but a negative correlation with total macroelements (r = −0.925), tannins (r = −0.847) and phytate (r = −0.818). Soaking/microwave cooking seems to the best method for improving the nutritional quality of chickpea samples analyzed in the present study.
Prothrombin synthesis in rat hepatoma H4IIEC3 cells : response to the proposed coagulopoietin factor

Based on studies in intact animals, the presence of humoral factors, "coagulopoietins", which regulate the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent plasma proteins has been proposed. These proposed factors are produced in response to vitamin K deficiency, coumarin treatment, or specific antibody depletion of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. The production of prothrombin by rat hepatoma H4IIEC3 cells has now been shown to be dependent on the source of bovine serum in the media. Cells grown in serum from cows treated with dicoumarol produce about 20% more prothrombin in 24 h than those cells grown in control serum. The humoral factor causing this response is present early in the course of dicoumarol treatment, and the increase in prothrombin production is dependent on the amount of serum from a dicoumarol-treated cow in the media. Based on membrane filtration studies, the factor appears to be associated with the protein fraction of serum.
Cloning of a Eukaryotic Molybdenum Cofactor Gene

Molybdenum requiring enzymes have been identified in virtually every species. All molybdoenzymes, with the single exception of nitrogenase, require a molybdopterin cofactor for catalytic activity. Mutations leading to a simultaneous loss of all molybdoenzyme activities have been identified in organisms including, E.coli (1), higher plants such as Nicotiana and Arabidopsis (2,3), as well as Drosophila (4,5), and humans (6). Such mutations identify genes involved in the synthesis and/or activiation of the cofactor. Much of the current interest in MoCF genes stems from the crucial roles of the molybdoenzymes. One example is nitrate reductase,which is the key enzyme in nitrogen assimilation by plants. At least 90% of the total nitrogen assimilated by plants is from the mineral nitrogen, mostly in the form of nitrate (7). A mitochondrial molybdoenzyme, sulfite oxidase (SO) catalyzes the terminal step in the oxidative degradation of sulfur containing amino acids and is responsible for the detoxification of sulfite (8). Complete lack of sulfite oxidase activity leads to a buildup of toxic sulfites which (perhaps combined with a deficiency in sulphates) results in a severely debilitating human genetic defect involving abnormal neurological development.
Agenda-Setting Research: Where Has It Been, Where Is It Going?

Understanding the processes of influence in societies has intrigued generations of scholars. One method of studying such influence in modern democracy is to investigate mass media, public, and policy agendas, defined as issues or events that are viewed at a point in time as ranked in a hierarchy of importance. Research by communication scholars and other social scientists has typically conceptualized either the mass media agenda, the public agenda, or the policy agenda as a dependent variable in order to explain how it is influenced by other factors. This chapter (1) analyzes past research on agenda-setting in order to learn where this research literature is deficient and where it is sufficient and (2) synthesizes this research literature with a view toward learning important theoretical and methodological lessons for future agenda-setting research.
Compatibility of Livestock Grazing and Recreational Use on Coastal California Public Lands: Importance, Interactions, and Management Solutions☆

While the primary use of rangelands for over a century has been livestock grazing to produce food and fiber, elevated demand for recreational land has increasingly brought livestock-recreation interactions to the forefront. California's coastal range is a hotspot for graziers and recreationists alike and is an important region in which to address the challenges and opportunities of concurrent grazing and recreation. Here we review issues related to livestock grazing on publicly owned recreational lands, discuss potential areas of conflict, and highlight promising avenues for fostering positive livestock-recreation interactions. Managers grazing livestock on public lands have adopted a variety of management practices to minimize conflicts and maximize benefits derived from multiple uses of public lands. However, even a few perceived negative recreationist experiences may prompt some public land agencies to remove livestock grazing entirely. California's grasslands—a large component of public lands—are the most “at-risk” habitat type for development, and increasing economic and social pressures on ranchers who utilize leased public lands make it more likely that ranchers would sell their private lands to developers if access to public grazing land were eliminated, further increasing threats to our already dwindling rangelands. The continued accessibility of public lands for grazing is thus inextricably linked to the protection of private rangelands and the critical resources they provide. Novel approaches to public education and collaborative land management are critical to reducing negative livestock-recreation encounter and ensuring continued conservation of wildlands.
Transgenic and Genetic Animal Models

Development of approaches to manipulate the murine genome has greatly expanded our capability to perform mechanistic studies to examine the molecular underpinnings of endocrine-based behaviors. These approaches have spawned novel models of human disease and instigated the production of animals where molecular processes can be directly probed in the brain. It is anticipated that use of genetic methodology will continue to grow and revolutionize our understanding of the precise interplay between genes and their environment in regulating diverse behaviors. This chapter focuses on the techniques used to construct various genetically based animal models including transgenic mice, knockout and knockin animals, and techniques for regulating the temporal and spatial pattern of a targeted genetic change. Specific examples are included that demonstrate the utility of these approaches to answer questions relevant to the mechanistic basis of hormonal control of behavior.
Strategies for Achieving Scale within Communities of Practice Aimed at Pedagogical Reform in Higher Education.

The purpose of this article is to describe the strategies that four undergraduate faculty STEM reform communities of practice utilize to grow and expand their impact as they attempt to scale up reforms in higher education. This study is informed by the communities of practice literature and analyzes data gathered through document analysis, interviews, and observations. We identify six focal areas in which these communities engage to spread reforms and promote growth of their communities: disciplinary, institutional, sector-focused, constituent-based, national, and international. We highlight leverage points, strategies, and challenges within each focal area, concluding with implications for future community development and research.