cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Output rate of magma from active central volcanoes

For part of their historic records, nine of the most active volcanoes on earth have each erupted magma at a nearly constant rate. These output rates are very similar and range from 0.69 to 0.26 cu m/s. The volcanoes discussed - Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Fuego, Santiaguito, Nyamuragira, Hekla, Piton de la Fournaise, Vesuvius and Etna - represent almost the whole spectrum of plate tectonic settings of volcanism. A common mechanism of buoyantly rising magma-filled cracks in the upper crust may contribute to the observed restricted range of the rates of output.
Electrochemistry of cyclic α-imino carboxylates and their metal complexes: Correlation with physiological activity

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for Δ 1 -pyrroline-2-carboxylate, Δ 3 -thiazoline-4-carboxylate, Δ 2 -thiazoline-2-carboxylate and their complexes with Cu(II), Fe(III), and Fe(II). The free ligands were reduced at about −0.35 V and were oxidized in the range of 0.42–0.52 V. Complexing the imine carboxylates with metal ions produces reduction and oxidation in the ranges of 0.05–0.37 V and 0.52–0.74 V, respectively. Prior reports show that these ligands take part in various biological functions. We propose that electron transfer may be involved in some aspects of the physiological activity. The captodative effect can be applied.
A complete analysis of winter flounder (Pleuronectes americanus) egg contaminants with respect to early reproduction, with a review of their toxicity and other environmental concentrations

Abstract This report explores and interprets statistical associations of Pleuronectes americanus egg contaminants with reproductive success. Winter flounder, a candidate for aquaculture, is at historically low abundance levels and has high prevalences of liver tumors. Pesticide and PCB concentrations of flounder eggs generally exceed those of more commonly analyzed marine samples, some being higher, others lower than egg concentrations linked to diminished reproduction of other resource species. Associations of individual contaminants of all chemical groups were mostly consistent with their uptake, metabolism, cumulation, toxicity, and egg concentration. Pesticides (20% of the mean total organic contaminant load of 3.2 μg/g dry weight) most strongly and significantly associated with increased mortality and defect of flounder embryos, followed by PAHs (10% of the organic contaminant load) and then metals. Total PCBs (70% of the egg organic contaminant load) had the weakest association with increased embryo...
Severe Tracheal Compression Causing Respiratory Failure After Transhiatal Esophagectomy

Complications after transhiatal esophagectomy include pneumonia, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and anastomotic leak. Although damage to the trachea is a potential complication, there are minimal reports of tracheal compression after esophagectomy with gastric pull-through. We report a case of severe tracheal compression and obstruction requiring mechanical ventilation presenting 2 days postoperatively. Placement of a silicone tracheal stent relieved the obstruction in the distal trachea and facilitated extubation.
Proceedings of the 1980 Tel Aviv ethiopianist conference

Goldenberg, Gideon, ed. Ethiopian Studies: Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference, Tel‐Aviv, 14–17 April 1980. Boston: A. A. Balkema, 1986. xiii + 530 pp. including chapter references and notes, photographs, and reproductions of texts. $54.00 cloth.
Complications of opiate pharmacotherapy

Opioid therapy, both short- and long-term, has potential adverse effects related to: (1) occupancy of opioid receptors in the nociceptive system: analgesia (antinociception), biochemical tolerance, physical dependence and hyperalgesia; (2) occupancy of other opioid receptors—gastrointestinal slowing/constipation, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression, pruritus, reward behaviors, immunosuppression; (3) effects on cognitive and psychomotor function, sleep; (4) metabolic by-products (morphine-6-glucuronide, normeperidine); (5) drug interaction, especially with other centrally active agents; (6) method of delivery; and (7) social and legal factors. Management of complications is based on: (1) dose reduction of opioid; (2) optimization of adjuvants; (3) symptomatic management of adverse effects; (4) opioid rotation; and (5) switching route of administration.
Acute neurite retraction triggered by lysophosphatidic acid: timing of the inhibitory effects of genistein

Acute neurite retraction, elicited by diverse agents in several neuronal cell types, has been reported to be inhibited by genistein, a kinase antagonist that is relatively (though not absolutely) selective for tyrosine kinases. It was hypothesized that genistein acts upon some final common pathway that integrates multiple extrinsic and intrinsic signals to regulate whether neurites will execute a retraction response (J. Neurochem., 61 (1993) 340-343). To define this pathway in more detail, a quantitative study of NG108-15 cell rapid-onset neurites was carried out as they retract in response to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 10 microM). Following the application of LPA, most neurites exhibited early morphologic changes between 0.5 and 1.5 min, followed by progressive shortening and eventual retraction, with 50% of neurites completely retracted by 5 min and 80% gone by 10 min. Genistein did not inhibit the formation of subcortical F-actin, nor its functional competence in several assays. Genistein protected neurites when added at any time prior to the onset of the earliest morphologic changes, but failed to block progression when added to neurites that were already undergoing retraction. These findings imply that the final common pathway (i.e. the critical target(s) for genistein) must be activated late, after the increase in F-actin levels has peaked and just before retraction is initiated.
Adaptive neural control for a class of time-delay systems in the presence of backlash or dead-zone non-linearity

This study addresses the adaptive tracking control problem for a class of time-delay systems in strict-feedback form with unknown control gains and uncertain actuator non-linearity. The actuator non-linearity can be either backlash or dead zone, and the proposed approach does not require the knowledge of the bounds of non-linearity parameters. By applying an appropriate Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional and utilising the property of the well-defined trigonometric functions, the problems of time delay and controller singularity are avoided. The feasibility of using a static neural network to attenuate the effect of actuator non-linearity is proved with the aid of intermediate value theorem. Furthermore, it is proved that all closed-loop signals are bounded and the tracking error converges to a small residual set asymptotically. Two simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed method.
There's more than one way to build a bridge

Software engineering is essentially about making good design and implementation decisions, which requires first considering design alternatives. Given the advanced programming tools available today, it is tempting to design by rote using the solution a given tool most readily supports. Although many of the problems that system developers face often result from poor management, sound software engineering can make a difference in at least one key area: the bridge connecting the legacy system with other computer systems.
A finite element for the linear analysis of laminated circular plates

Abstract A new finite element for modeling axiysymmetric circular plates is developed. The element is based upon Mindlin's shear-deformable plate theory, and elements may be stacked on top of one another to model laminated plate by the addition of only rotational degrees of freedom for each lamina. The elements assure continuity of the displacements between the layers, but not continuity of the traction vectors. Neither interlaminar slip nor debonding between the layers is considered. The plate element is more efficient at modeling laminated structures than conventional plate elements or solid elements because it accurately models the structure while keeping the degrees of freedom per element to a minimum. If one were to use solid elements to model a laminated circular plate, many more elements would have to be used in the model to avoid loss of accuracy due to a large aspect ratio. Each layer in the laminated plate is allowed an independent rotation: hence, the model gives more accurate results than classical lamination theory models. The new element is also immune from shear locking at least for radius-to-thickness ratios up to 500 without having to incorporate reduced numerical integration schemes. In fact, the element's stiffness matrix may be integrated in closed form: this is not possible for most plate elements in the literature.
Microcomputer-enhanced optical investigation of transport processes with phase change in near-equilibrium thin liquid films

Abstract The near-equilibrium thickness profiles of an extended meniscus in the contact line region of a completely wetting film of octane on an inclined, flat plate were measured using an ellipsometer and a microcomputer-enhanced interferometer. The extreme sensitivity of the system to the nonequilibrium effects associated with volatile liquids is demonstrated and evaluated. The inferred equilibrium profile agreed with theoretical predictions of the width of the transition region, the curvature, and the thickness of the adsorbed film. The procedures allow the interfacial properties of the system to be evaluated in situ at the start of dynamic studies and then to be used to describe the transport processes associated with evaporation and condensation. The effect of transport processes on the thickness profile agreed with previous theoretical models. The convenience of microcomputer-enhanced video microscopy naturally leads to a better understanding of the transport processes in the contact line region. The results demonstrate that the near-equilibrium processes of change-of-phase heat transfer and fluid flow in thin films are intrinsically connected because of their common dependence on the intermolecular force field and gravity.
Posture, speed, and habitat structure: three-dimensional hindlimb kinematics of two species of padless geckos.

Abstract Differences in habitat use are often correlated with differences in morphology and behavior, while animals in similar habitats often exhibit similarities in form and function. However, this has not been tested extensively among lizards, especially geckos. Most studies of gecko locomotion have focused on the ability to adhere to surfaces. However, there are several species of geckos that have either secondarily lost adhesive capabilities or simply lack the capability. We quantified the three-dimensional locomotor kinematics for two desert-dwelling padless geckos, Teratoscincus scincus and Eublepharis macularius , on a level trackway over a range of speeds. Our results indicate that T. scincus landed with a high relative hip height of 48.7 ± 2.4% of total limb length at footfall, while E. macularius exhibited hip heights averaging only 36.0 ± 1.8% of total limb length for footfall. The three-dimensional knee angle of T. scincus averaged 120.6 ± 3.9° at footfall, while E. macularius averaged only 101.6 ± 1.8° at footfall. In addition, the femur of E. macularius was elevated to a much greater extent (i.e., was closer to being perpendicular to the long axis of the body) than that of T. scincus and every other lizard that has been studied, suggesting they move with a “hyper-sprawled” posture. Both of these gecko species live in deserts, but T. scincus is psammophilic while E. macularius inhabits a rocky, more densely vegetated environment. Benefits of the more upright posture of T. scincus on open sandy habitat may include a greater field of view and more efficient locomotion. The more sprawled posture of E. macularius may lower its center of gravity and aid in balance while climbing on rocks or shrubs.
Reaction rate for an idealized collinear three-body exchange scattering

Abstract Reaction rate constants of a collinear model with a step function type of potential are obtained from the reaction probabilities. The activation energy is found to agree almost exactly with that obtained from a much more sophisticated potential surface.
The Impact of Consumer-Generated Media and Social Networking in Hospitality: The Implications for Consumers and Hospitality Managers

The Internet has had an undeniable impact and influence on hospitality industry. Within the last decade, the introduction of Web 2.0 has fashioned countless opportunities for hospitality organizati...
Passivation Properties of Atomic-Layer-Deposited Hafnium and Aluminum Oxides on Si Surfaces

This paper studies the chemical and field effect passivation properties of silicon surfaces by thin hafnium oxide (HfO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) layers grown by chemical-vapor-based atomic layer deposition method. Using a rigorous metal-oxide-semiconductor model and results from capacitance-voltage measurements, the density of fixed charges (Nf) and the density of interface traps (Dit) at the HfO2/Si and Al2O3/Si interfaces were obtained. Microwave photoconductivity decay measurements were used to characterize interface recombination velocities at these interfaces.
Biofeedback-induced relaxation training as an alternative for the elementary school learning-disabled child.

This study examined the effects of biofeedback-induced relaxation training on attention to task, impulsivity, and locus of control among 32 learning-disabled children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. Attention to task and impulsivity were measured by the Matching Familiar Figures Test and locus of control was measured by the Nowicki-Strickland Scale. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (N=16) and control (N=16) groups. The study spanned a total of 8 weeks, with the experimental treatment consisting of three sessions spaced approximately 2 weeks apart. The treatment included EMG biofeedback training used with relaxation tapes. Univariate F values and discriminant analysis procedures revealed that the attention to task and impulsivity measures proved to be valid discriminators, respectively beyond the .01 and .05 levels of significance. Experimental group subjects had significantly fewer number of errors on the attention to task measure and significantly lower impulsivity scores. It was concluded that the biofeedback-induced relaxation training affords promise in assisting learning-disabled children in reaching their education potentials. It was recommended that future research examine the long-term efficacy and the transfer to school-related tasks of this intervention.
Isolated renal sarcoidosis: a rare presentation of a rare disease treated with infliximab.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease characterized by noncaseating granulomatous reaction frequently involving the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, skin, and eyes. Acute renal failure (ARF) as an isolated manifestation of sarcoidosis is rare. We describe a case of sarcoidosis presenting as transient polyarthritis and ARF due to isolated granulomatous infiltration of the renal parenchyma. Renal biopsy showed granulomatous interstitial nephritis with noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. Bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial infections were excluded. There was no evidence of extrarenal sarcoid involvement. Prednisone of 60 mg daily resulted in significant improvement in renal function. Because of recurrent flares on steroid taper and steroid toxicity, treatment with infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antibody, was instituted and resulted in stabilization of renal function despite steroid taper. Although uncommon, renal sarcoidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute or chronic renal failure of uncertain etiology, as early diagnosis and treatment can lead to recovery of renal function and prevent interstitial fibrosis. Corticosteroids are mainstay of therapy. Steroid-dependant or refractory cases may respond to other immunosuppressants including anti-TNF-α agents.
Identification of Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites in the C2-domain of Phospholipase C γ2 (PLCγ2) using TRPM7-kinase

PLC-isozymes are central elements of cellular signaling downstream of numerous receptors. PLCγ2 is a pivotal component of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling. The regulation of PLCγ2-dependent signaling functions by Tyr-phosphorylation is well characterized, however, the potential role of Ser/Thr phosphorylation events remains undefined. TRPM7 is the fusion of a Ser/Thr kinase with an ion channel, and an essential component of Mg(2+)-homeostasis regulation. Although the interaction between the C2 domain of several PLC-isozymes and TRPM7 is well established, previous studies have focused on the effect of PLC-activity on TRPM7. Here, we investigated whether Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites in the C2 domain of PLCγ2 could be identified using TRPM7-kinase. We show that TRPM7-kinase phosphorylates PLCγ2 in its C2-domain at position Ser1164 and in the linker region preceding the C2-domain at position Thr1045. Using a complementation approach in PLCγ2(-/-) DT40 cells, we found that the PLCγ2-S1164A mutant fully restores BCR mediated Ca(2+)-responses under standard growth conditions. However, under hypomagnesic conditions, PLCγ2-S1164A fails to reach Ca(2+)-levels seen in cells expressing PLCγ2 wildtype. These results suggest that Mg(2+)-sensitivity of the BCR signaling pathway may be regulated by Ser/Thr phosphorylation of PLCγ2.
Specific oxygen-containing functional groups on the carbon surface underlie an enhanced sensitivity to dopamine at electrochemically pretreated carbon fiber microelectrodes.

The in vivo use of carbon-fiber microelectrodes for neurochemical investigation has proven to be selective and sensitive when coupled with background-subtracted fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). Various electrochemical pretreatments have been established to enhance the sensitivity of these sensors; however, the fundamental chemical mechanisms underlying these enhancement strategies remain poorly understood. We have investigated an electrochemical pretreatment in which an extended triangular waveform from −0.5 to 1.8 V is applied to the electrode prior to the voltammetric detection of dopamine using a more standard waveform ranging from −0.4 to 1.3 V. This pretreatment enhances the electron-transfer kinetics and significantly improves sensitivity. To gain insight into the chemical mechanism, the electrodes were studied using common analytical techniques. Contact atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to demonstrate that the surface roughness was not altered on the nanoscale by electrochemical pretreatme...
Gas-liquid chromatography in the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Abstract A gas-liquid Chromatographic method to measure 17-hydroxyprogesterone, pregnanetriol, and 17-hydroxypregnanolone in serum is described. This method has been applied to the diagnosis of congenital adrenal hyperplasia with success. All three compounds are elevated and fall rapidly upon treatment. This method, as described, does not detect these steroids in normal human serum, although the levels reported by some radioimmunoassay techniques are high enough to have been discerned.
β-Carboline analogues of N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP): Endogenous factors underlying idiopathic parkinsonism?

Abstract A remarkable structural similarity exists between the parkinsonian neurotoxin, N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), and 2-[N]-methyl-tetrahydro-β-carboline (2M-THBC), a tryptamine-derived alkaloid which can be biosynthesized in brain. To explore whether the β-carboline also has neurotoxic effects, owl monkeys were treated daily with MPTP or 2M-THBC. Acute behavioral similarities were seen, but 2M-THBC did not induce persistent parkinsonism, nor did it cause apparent loss of nigral cells. However, 2M-THBC resembled MPTP in reducing 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels in caudate and in altering levels of serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in substantia nigra. These limited similarities should be considered in the light of relationships between neurotoxicity, MPTP versus 2M-THBC oxidation, and the chronicity of human Parkinson's disease. We suggest that N-methylated β-carboline species, possibly accumulating during stress and aging, could well be causative factors in parkinsonism.
Regulation of Bacterial Metabolism by Small RNAs Using Diverse Mechanisms

Bacteria live in many dynamic environments with alternating cycles of feast or famine that have resulted in the evolution of mechanisms to quickly alter their metabolic capabilities. Such alterations often involve complex regulatory networks that modulate expression of genes involved in nutrient uptake and metabolism. A great number of protein regulators of metabolism have been characterized in depth. However, our ever-increasing understanding of the roles played by RNA regulators has revealed far greater complexity to regulation of metabolism in bacteria. Here, we review the mechanisms and functions of selected bacterial RNA regulators and discuss their importance in modulating nutrient uptake as well as primary and secondary metabolic pathways.
Flame Fusion Synthesis of Mullite Single Crystals

In conjunction with the Office of Naval Research project on tourmaline synthesis, an incongruently melting silicate, mullite, has been grown by the flame fusion process. The equipment and the feed materials are described. X-ray and petro-graphic evidence that identifies the boule as a single crystal of mullite is given; no other crystalline phase or glass is present. The results and the possibilities of the growth of other silicates by flame fusion are discussed. This synthesis indicates that the flame fusion technique is feasible for the study of and the possible single-crystal growth of certain anhydrous silicates.
Pneumococcal vaccination in pennsylvania nursing homes: factors associated with vaccination level.

Objectives To determine the levels of knowledge and beliefs about pneumococcal disease and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV), the level of PPV use, PPV-related practices, and factors associated with PPV use in Pennsylvania's nursing homes. Design/Setting A 68-item, cross-sectional survey of Nursing Directors at a random sample of PA nursing homes (291) was conducted between April and June 1999. Survey results and facility characteristics were used to describe vaccination practices, estimate the vaccination level and determine through bivariate analysis, associations between vaccination level and facility characteristics and practices. Results Respondents are knowledgeable about PPV and recommendations for its use but less knowledgeable about financial reimbursement. Pneumonia is believed to be a serious threat to nursing home residents; PPV is thought to be important, effective, cost-effective, and safe for use in nursing homes. The estimated PPV rate is 49%, and vaccination practices are variable. Factors associated with higher vaccination level include: knowledge of financial reimbursement, strong belief in the importance of vaccinating residents and the effectiveness of the vaccine, practices related to policies, assessment, consent and orders, and organizational factors of size, ownership, average length of stay, and identification of a staff “vaccine advocate.” Conclusion Staff members are knowledgeable about the vaccine and believe it should be used in nursing homes. Efforts aimed at improving vaccination rates should concentrate on examples of effective vaccination programs and practices rather than basic information about the vaccine. Development of institutional policies, which guide vaccination practice and institutionalize the use of automated patient management systems that prompt staff to assess vaccination status and order vaccination, could have considerable impact in meeting the recommendation for vaccination of nursing home residents.
Extracting rebar's reflection from measured GPR data

Compare to the core sampling method for obtaining pavement layer parameters, which is time consuming, labor intensive, and provides limited coverage, GPR method is far more economical, faster, and easier to use. However, one defect of the GPR method is that the measurement tolerance is, so far, lower than the core sampling method. To improve the measuring accuracy of GPR method is a very important task to the GPR developers. For the rebar-free pavement, many algorithms have been proposed to accurately determine the layer parameters from GPR data. For the rebar-reinforced concrete pavement, the rebar's effect is an important factor that influences the determination of pavement thickness from GPR data. Though some features of rebar's reflection have been studied, like the data collected along traverses showing rebar as individual scattering hyperbola, or rebar responding strongly to the incident GPR waves only when the rebar is located parallel to the polarization of GPR antennas, how to extract rebar?s scattering fields from the measured GPR data and cancel rebar?s influence in pavement thickness estimation have not been reported. In this paper, a new algorithm for extracting rebar's reflection fields from measured GPR data is proposed. This algorithm uses two-dimensional GPR data to establish a set of functional, the variables of which include rebar depths, rebar spacing, pavement thickness, pavement electrical parameters, GPR transmitted waveform and rebar?s reflection fields. By minimizing the established functional, the above variables can be determined. The proposed algorithm not only extracts the rebar's reflection fields, but also solves the other pavement parameters. With the implementation of the proposed algorithm, the measured results on highways show that the measurement tolerance is less than 5%.
Claims on the Bones of Saint Stephen: The Partisans of Melania and Eudocia

As Peter Brown has so eloquently described in The Cult of the Saints: Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity, bones became an avenue to power in late antiquity.' Wealthy Christians who could lay claim to the bodies of the holy dead gained status through their willingness to share the gratia thus acquired with those lacking relics of their own; Paulinus of Nola, proprietor of Saint Felix's remains, affords an illuminating example.2 Patronage was restyled, Brown argues, as the royal, priestly, or monastic controllers of bones became the intermediaries through whom the saints' generosities were bestowed on sinful humans.3 Yet cooperation was not always the dominant spirit in the dispensing of gratia: relics could provide new opportunities for competition, as is dramatically illustrated by a rivalry confused and perhaps forever obfuscated by contradictory texts. The rivals are the heiress-turnedascetic Melania the Younger and the empress Eudocia, wife of Theodosius II. The bones are Stephen's. Although Stephen was depicted in Acts 7 as the first Christian martyr, he was nonetheless a relative latecomer to the world of cultic exaltation. We are
Rational design of organic electro-optic materials

Quantum mechanical calculations are used to optimize the molecular first hyperpolarizability of organic chromophores and statistical mechanical calculations are used to optimize the translation of molecular hyperpolarizability to macroscopic electro-optic activity (to values of greater than 100 pm V−1 at telecommunications wavelengths). Macroscopic material architectures are implemented exploiting new concepts in nanoscale architectural engineering. Multi-chromophore-containing dendrimers and dendronized polymers not only permit optimization of electro-optic activity but also of auxiliary properties including optical loss (both absorption and scattering), thermal and photochemical stability and processability. New reactive ion etching and photolithographic techniques permit the fabrication of three-dimensional optical circuitry and the integration of that circuitry with semiconductor very-large-scale integration electronics and silica fibre optics. Electro-optic devices have been fabricated exploiting stripline, cascaded prism and microresonator device structures. Sub-1 V drive voltages and operational bandwidths of greater than 100 GHz have been demonstrated. Both single-and double-ring microresonators have been fabricated for applications such as active wavelength division multiplexing. Free spectral range values of 1 THz and per channel modulation bandwidths of 15 GHz have been realized permitting single-chip data rates of 500 Gb s−1. Other demonstrated devices include phased array radar, optical gyroscopes, acoustic spectrum analysers, ultrafast analog/digital converters and ultrahigh bandwidth signal generators.
Neurovascular Dysfunction and Faulty Amyloid β-Peptide Clearance in Alzheimer Disease

Neurovascular dysfunction is an integral part of Alzheimer disease (AD). Changes in the brain vascular system may contribute in a significant way to the onset and progression of cognitive decline and the development of a chronic neurodegenerative process associated with accumulation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) in brain and cerebral vessels in AD individuals and AD animal models. Here, we review the role of the neurovascular unit and molecular mechanisms in cerebral vascular cells behind the pathogenesis of AD. In particular, we focus on blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, decreased cerebral blood flow, and impaired vascular clearance of Aβ from brain. The data reviewed here support an essential role of the neurovascular and BBB mechanisms in AD pathogenesis.
PRIMEGENS-v2

Motivation: DNA methylation plays important roles in biological processes and human diseases, especially cancers. High-throughput bisulfite genomic sequencing based on new generation of sequencers, such as the 454-sequencing system provides an efficient method for analyzing DNA methylation patterns. The successful implementation of this approach depends on the use of primer design software capable of performing genome-wide scan for optimal primers from in silico bisulfite-treated genome sequences. We have developed a method, which fulfills this requirement and conduct primer design for sequences including regions of given promoter CpG islands. Results: The developed method has been implemented using the C and JAVA programming languages. The primer design results were tested in the PCR experiments of 96 selected human DNA sequences containing CpG islands in the promoter regions. The results indicate that this method is efficient and reliable for designing sequence-specific primers. Availability: The sequence-specific primer design for DNA meth-ylated sequences including CpG islands has been integrated into the second version of PRIMEGENS as one of the primer design features. The software is freely available for academic use at http://digbio.missouri.edu/primegens/. Contact: xudong@missouri.edu
Assessment of pericardial disease by magnetic resonance and computed tomography

Pericardial disease and its consequences can be well shown with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Here I review the normal and pathologic anatomy and physiology of the pericardium, approaches to MRI and CT imaging of the pericardium, and some specific considerations in common conditions affecting the pericardium.
Laplace Approximations in Bayesian Lifetime Analysis

We provide some background on Laplace approximations based on the work by Tierney and Kadane and illustrate the method's use in obtaining posterior distributions as well as the associated parameter estimates in Bayesian lifetime analysis. The advantages and the disadvantages of using this approach compared to other numerical alternatives are also discussed. Finally, a few examples from the relevant literature where the approximation has been successfully employed are provided. Keywords: Laplace approximation; Bayesian statistics; parameter estimation; asymptotic approaches; expectations
Thermodynamics of protein folding: A statistical mechanical study of a small all-β protein

The thermodynamic properties of a 46-mer β-barrel protein model are investigated using Langevin dynamics and the histogram analysis method. By obtaining the density of states distribution and using the methods of statistical mechanics, we are able to identify the thermodynamic transitions for this model protein and characterize the nature of these transitions. Consistent with an earlier study of this model, we find that the transition from a random coil state to a manifold of collapsed but nonnative states is a continuous transition, and the transition from the manifold of collapsed states to the native state is first order-like. However, our calculations indicate that the folding transition is only weakly first order. Most importantly, we are able to characterize the free energy surface of the protein model, as well as the processes of compaction and native structure formation, from a statistical point of view. We also examined the thermodynamic transition state. By combining the earlier kinetic analysis for the same protein model, we provide a more complete description of this model protein and propose possible further modifications of the model to improve its stability and foldability. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 42: 745–757, 1997
Image Segmentation and Shape Analysis for Road-Sign Detection

This paper proposes an automatic road-sign recognition method based on image segmentation and joint transform correlation (JTC) with the integration of shape analysis. The presented system is universal, which is able to detect traffic signs of any countries with any color and any of the existing shapes (e.g., circular, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, and octagonal) and is invariant to transformation (e.g., translation, rotation, scale, and occlusion). The main contributions of this paper are: 1) the formulation of two new criteria for analyzing different shapes using two basic geometric properties, 2) the recategorization of the rectangular signs into diamond or nondiamond shapes based on the inclination of the four sides with the ground and 3) the employment of the distortion-invariant fringe-adjusted JTC (FJTC) technique for recognition. There are three main stages in the proposed algorithm: 1) segmentation by clustering the pixels based on the color features to find the regions of interest (ROIs); 2) traffic-sign detection by using two novel shape classification criteria, i.e., the relationship between area and perimeter and the number of sides of a given shape; and 3) recognition of the road sign using FJTC to match the unknown signs with the known reference road signs stored in the database. Experimental results on real-life images show a high success rate and a very low false hit rate and demonstrate that the proposed framework is invariant to translation, rotation, scale, and partial occlusions.
The Spatial Variability of Energy and Carbon Dioxide Fluxes at the Floor of a Deciduous Forest

Fluxes of carbon dioxide, water and sensible heat were measured using three different eddy covariance systems above the forest floor of a closed deciduous forest (leaf area index 6). The primary objective was to examine the representativeness of a single eddy covariance system in estimating soil respiration for time scales ranging from one-half hour to more than one week. Exper- iments were conducted in which the eddy covariance sensors were in one of three configurations: i) collocated, ii) separated horizontally or iii) separated vertically. A measure of the variation between the three systems (CV 0 , related to the coefficient of variation) for half-hour carbon dioxide fluxes was 0.14 (collocated systems), 0.34 (vertically separated systems at 1, 2 and 4 m above the surface), and 0.57 (systems horizontally separated by 30 m). A similar variation was found for other scalar fluxes (sensible and latent heat). Variability between systems decreased as the number of half-hour sampling periods used to obtain mean fluxes was increased. After forty-eight hours (means from ninety-six half-hour samples), CV 0 values for carbon dioxide fluxes were 0.07, 0.09 and 0.16 in the collocated, vertically separated and horizontally separated experiments, respectively. The time de- pendence of variability has implications on the appropriateness of using short-term measurements in modelling validation studies. There are also implications concerning the appropriate number of half- hour samples necessary to obtain reliable causal relationships between flux data and environmental parameters. Based on the longer-term measurements, we also discuss the representativeness of a single eddy covariance system in long-term monitoring of soil respiration and evaporation beneath forest canopies using the eddy covariance method.
Ion Selectivity by Weathered Micas as Determined by Electron Microprobe Analysis

Electron probe micro-analysis studies on individual particles (40–60 mesh) of weathered micas treated with solutions containing equivalent amounts of Rb and Sr showed partial segregation of these elements. Rb was concentrated at particle and step edges, at cracks, and, in the case of partially K-depleted biotite, at boundaries of vermiculite and mica zones (“wedge zones”). The scarcity of wedge zones in mica from which nearly all of the K had been removed reduced the overall selectivity for Rb. The restricted exchange of interlayer Mg ions from vermiculite-like zones by a mixed Rb-Sr solution was observed in earlier studies with these micas. The proposed explanation for these results was a closing down of the interlayer space at the edge of the particle due to Rb concentration in these positions. This explanation is confirmed by the present study.
Proposal to list ATCC 43642 as the type strain of Leptospira interrogans in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names. Request for an opinion.

ATCC 23581T has been cited as the type strain of Leptospira interrogans since 1980. In 1986, the Centers for Disease Control informed the ATCC that this strain was Leptospira interrogans serovar budapest, not serovar icterohaemorrhagiae as deposited originally. An authentic culture of the Leptospira interrogans serovar icterohaemorrhagiae RGAT strain was then submitted and assigned ATCC 43642, which was designated as the type strain of Leptospira interrogans in an article by Yasuda et al. [ Yasuda et al. (1987) . Int J Syst Bacteriol 37, 407–415]. In this Request for an Opinion to the Judicial Commission, it is proposed that a correction be made in the Approved Lists of Bacterial Names to acknowledge ATCC 43642 as the type strain of Leptospira interrogans.
Life on the edge: early maritime cultures of the Pacific Coast of North America

A variety of evidence suggests that the Americas may have been colonized, at least in part, by maritime peoples moving around the North Pacific Rim near the end of the Pleistocene. Understanding the geography of late glacial and early postglacial landscapes and the antiquity of human societies along the Pacific Coast continues to be a challenge, however, due to geological dynamics associated with glaciation, tectonism, submergence of coastal lowland landscapes by rising postglacial seas, and coastal erosion. Nonetheless, archaeological research has pushed back the antiquity of human settlement along the Pacific Coast of North America to the terminal Pleistocene or early Holocene, providing important new data on the nature of the earliest coastal peoples in the Pacific Northwest, Alta California, and Baja California. In this paper, we summarize what is known about the earliest peoples of the Pacific Coast of North America and evaluate the current viability of the coastal migration theory via a Pacific Rim route. Archaeological evidence now shows that Palaeocoastal peoples occupied each major region of the Pacific Coast by at least 13,000–11,500 calendar years ago (cal BP) (13–11.5 ka), essentially contemporaneous with Clovis and Folsom peoples of the interior. Although it is too early to conclude that the initial human colonization of the Americas took place via a migration by maritime or coastal peoples, it seems increasingly likely that such a migration played a role in the early peopling of the Americas.
VITAMIN D AND PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

Chronic kidney disease ‐ mineral and bone disorder (CKD‐MBD) is a cause of significant morbidity and mortality in patients with long-standing kidney disease. Management of secondary hyperparathyroidism includes the use of phosphorus-binding agents and treatment with activated vitamin D compounds, better referred to as vitamin D receptor agonists (VDRAs). In an effort to maximize the therapeutic response while reducing the adverse effects of calcitriol, the naturally synthesized hormone, the use of intravenous administration and several selective VDRAs have been developed. Recently, oral preparations of these selective VDRAs have become available, enabling their use in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) population. The present report reviews the data concerning the use of oral VDRAs for the treatment of hyperparathyroidism in PD patients. The data, although limited, appear to support the use of oral paricalcitol as the VDRA in PD patients. In addition, traditional teaching focuses only on therapy with VDRAs, ignoring vitamin D replacement in CKD stage 5. However, given the potential benefits of calcidiol (25-OH-D) repletion and the rampant 25-OH-D deficiency in the PD population, our opinion is that screening for and treating that deficiency should extend beyond early CKD and also include PD patients.
Characterization and distribution of the neuronal glutamate transporter EAAC1 in rat brain

The extracellular concentration of glutamate and other related excitatory amino acids (EAA) is regulated by the action of transporter proteins located on either presynaptic terminals or adjacent astroglial processes. Recent molecular advances have led to the cloning of three separate cDNAs encoding for Na(+)-dependent glutamate transporters; two are thought to be primarily glial in origin (GLAST and GLT-1) and the third (EAAC1) is localized to neurons in the brain and other nonneural tissues. An EAAC1 cDNA was initially cloned from rabbit small intestine (13). In this study, we report isolation and characterization of the homologous clone from rat brain. Northern blot hybridization revealed high levels of EAAC1 mRNA in rat brain and kidney and low levels in heart, lung, and skeletal muscle. Transient expression of EAAC1 in HeLa cells resulted in an increase in Na(+)-dependent high-affinity L-[3H]glutamate and D-[3H]aspartate transport. The pharmacological profile of EAAC1 was very similar to that reported for the rabbit and human EAAC1 homologues. Transport activity was potently inhibited by D- and L-threo-beta-hydroxyaspartate and L-trans-pyrrolodine-2,4-dicarboxylate. Dihydrokainate and L-alpha-aminoadipate did not inhibit transport at concentrations below 1 mM. Oligonucleotide cDNA probes (45-mer) were constructed and labeled with 35S-ATP for film- and emulsion-based in situ hybridization of rat brain. EAAC1 mRNA had the highest density in the cerebellar granule cell layer, hippocampus, superior colliculus, and neocortex. Sections that were emulsion-dipped and counterstained with cresyl violet revealed EAAC1 labeling localized exclusively over neuronal cell bodies, including some nonglutamatergic neurons such as spinal cord ventral horn cells.
Diphenylhydantoin and fragility of erythrocytes in normal subjects and in patients with hereditary spherocytic anemia.

To study the effects of diphenylhydantoin (Dilantin, DPH) on membrane function, DPH was incubated with erythrocytes from normal individuals and from patients with congenital spherocytic hemolytic anemia and osmotic fragility measured. The resulting curves show that DPH reduces the osmotic fragility of normal and spherocytic erythrocytes. In the presence of ouabain, DPH still had a protective effect on erythrocytes even though ouabain alone increases hemolysis of erythrocytes at certain saline concentrations. This study shows that erythrocyte fragility can be manipulated in vitro and provides a basis for studies in vivo .
Increasing Social Work Students’ Political Interest and Efficacy

ABSTRACTDespite the inclusion of policy practice skills as one of 10 core competencies in social work education, many social workers do not feel adequately prepared to engage in political advocacy. This mixed-methods study explored how undergraduate students respond to social welfare policy instructors’ efforts to prepare them for political engagement. A model for social welfare policy instruction is proposed, which includes seven key aspects of the students’ learning experience and 11 recommended teaching methods for more effectively supporting students in the development of political interest, internal political efficacy, and ultimately policy practice.
Studies on the nature and reactions of protein-bound lipoic acid.

Studies on the activation of an apopyruvate dehydrogenation system obtained from extracts of lipoic acid-deficient Streptococcus jaecalis cells indicated that in its functional form lipoic acid is bound to protein in covalent linkage through its carboxyl group, i.e. as “lipoyl enzyme” (1). Further support for this proposal is furnished by the present finding that a partially purified enzyme, “lipoyl-X hydrolase,” obtained from S. juecalis extracts, liberated lipoic acid from the protein-bound form present in the Escherichia coli (Crookes strain) pyruvate dehydrogenation system, thereby inactivating the latter system. Reactivation required the same components and conditions as were found necessary to activate the S. jaecalis apopyruvate dehydrogenation system. A preliminary communication of this work has been reported elsewhere (2). The availability of a method of releasing lipoic acid from the proteinbound form and of reactivating the apoenzyme has enabled us to study the mechanism of certain enzymatic reactions which have been carried out with free lipoic acid or structurally related compounds. Gunsalus and his collaborators reported (3-6) that E. coli Fraction A, in the presence of CoA’ and phosphotransacetylase, catalyzed Reactions 1 and 2, and that Fraction B, in the presence of DPN and lactic dehydrogenase, catalyzed Reaction 3.
Targeted gene silencing of CCL2 inhibits triple negative breast cancer progression by blocking cancer stem cell renewal and M2 macrophage recruitment

// Wei Bin Fang 1 , Min Yao 1 , Gage Brummer 1 , Diana Acevedo 1 , Nabil Alhakamy 2 , Cory Berkland 2 , Nikki Cheng 1 1 Department of Pathology and Laboratory, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA Correspondence to: Nikki Cheng, email: ncheng@kumc.edu Keywords: CCL2, TAT cell penetrating peptide, breast cancer, macrophage, cancer stem cell Received: January 20, 2016 Accepted: May 20, 2016 Published: June 7, 2016 ABSTRACT Triple negative breast cancers are an aggressive subtype of breast cancer, characterized by the lack of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and Her2 expression. Triple negative breast cancers are non-responsive to conventional anti-hormonal and Her2 targeted therapies, making it necessary to identify new molecular targets for therapy. The chemokine CCL2 is overexpressed in invasive breast cancers, and regulates breast cancer progression through multiple mechanisms. With few approaches to target CCL2 activity, its value as a therapeutic target is unclear. In these studies, we developed a novel gene silencing approach that involves complexing siRNAs to TAT cell penetrating peptides (Ca-TAT) through non-covalent calcium cross-linking. Ca-TAT/siRNA complexes penetrated 3D collagen cultures of breast cancer cells and inhibited CCL2 expression more effectively than conventional antibody neutralization. Ca-TAT/siRNA complexes targeting CCL2 were delivered to mice bearing MDA-MB-231 breast tumor xenografts. In vivo CCL2 gene silencing inhibited primary tumor growth and metastasis, associated with a reduction in cancer stem cell renewal and recruitment of M2 macrophages. These studies are the first to demonstrate that targeting CCL2 expression in vivo may be a viable therapeutic approach to treating triple negative breast cancer.