cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-order time stepping Fourier spectral method for multi-dimensional space-fractional reaction–diffusion equations

Abstract This paper introduces a high-order time stepping scheme, that is based on using Fourier spectral in space and a fourth-order diagonal Pade approximation to the matrix exponential function for solving multi-dimensional space-fractional reaction–diffusion equations. The resulting time stepping scheme is developed based on an exponential time differencing approach such that it alleviates solving a large non-linear system at each time step while maintaining the stability of the scheme. The non-locality of the fractional operator in some other numerical schemes for these equations leads to full and dense matrices. This scheme is able to overcome such computational inefficiency due to the full diagonal representation of the fractional operator. It also attains spectral convergence for multiple spatial dimensions. The stability of the scheme is discussed through the investigation of the amplification symbol and plotting its stability regions, which provides an indication of the stability of the method. The convergence analysis is performed empirically to show that the scheme is fourth-order accurate in time, as expected. Numerical experiments on reaction–diffusion systems with application to pattern formation are discussed to show the effect of the fractional order in space-fractional reaction–diffusion equations and to validate the effectiveness of the scheme.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: a case report and review of the literature

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast is a rare tumor. The prognosis is poor, and hence there is a clinical trend to offer multi-modal treatment options of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. There is no consensus on treatment options due to the paucity of available data. We are reporting the case of a 68-year-old lady who presented with a right breast mass. Upon core biopsy and further workup, she was noted to have primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. She was successfully treated with surgical therapy alone without disease recurrence at 36 months. Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast can be treated successfully with surgical therapy alone. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anti-estrogen therapy should be questioned as these modalities can lead to significant treatment-related morbidities and might not be contributing to disease-free interval or overall survival from this unusual tumor subtype.
Operating Power Grids during Natural Disasters

Optimal dispatch and network reconfiguration have so far been used effectively to improve power grid reliability and economic operation. This paper presents a linearized optimization formulation of best load shedding and topology control strategies under extreme events such as hurricanes. In addition, the algorithm analyzes voltage stability after each optimization cycle and iteratively tightens the constraints until a stable solution is found. The proposed method relies on the hurricane’s trajectory forecast and available fragility curves for civil engineering structures to predict those power grid facilities most likely to be damaged or taken out in the next monitoring period. The developed algorithm also considers the requirements of other interdependent networks such as mobile communication and emergency services to prioritize load shedding for associated load centers.
College and combat trauma: an insider's perspective of the post-secondary education experience shared by service members managing neurobehavioral symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Enrolling in post-secondary education is common among military service members returning from combat deployments, but recent research shows service members who present with neurobehavioral symptoms consistent with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at risk for psychosocial and academic difficulty. OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study was conducted to examine the academic experiences of service members through in-depth qualitative analysis. METHODS: An initial survey was conducted at a public university to measure self-reported academic achievement and neurobehavioral symptoms experienced by service members (n = 48). Then, follow-up interviews were solicited from a sub-sample (n = 5) of participants to gain an in-depth understanding of their transition, social, and academic experiences. RESULTS: The results revealed both the day-to-day challenges participants faced while adjusting to post-secondary life and how neurobehavioral symptoms associated with combat trauma interacted with their learning experiences. The findings indicated participants did not perceive neurobehavioral symptoms as particularly deleterious to their learning thereby highlighting the potentially integral role of coping strategies and motivation in post-secondary success. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the importance of understanding not only the adverse impact of neurobehavioral symptoms but the factors that promote resilience among military service members in post-secondary education. Language: en
T1 Mapping Tissue Heterogeneity Provides Improved Risk Stratification for ICDs Without Needing Gadolinium in Patients With Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Abstract Objectives This study sought to determine whether myocardial tissue heterogeneity scanned by native T1 mapping could improve risk stratification in patients with nonischemic dilated cardio...
Getting Their Feet in the Door: Communication Cues to Action for HIV Testing and Condom Use Behaviors Among Hispanic/Latinx College Students.

Hispanic/Latinx youth in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by HIV, and are in need of culturally, linguistically, and developmentally tailored HIV prevention programs focused on expanding routine screening and environmental prevention efforts. With SAMHSA support, we implemented an HIV prevention campaign targeting 18- to 24-year-old Hispanic/Latinx college students. Based on formative feedback, both traditional communication and social media channels were employed to motivate students to seek free-of-charge on-campus HIV testing. Participants’ attitudes regarding the benefits of and confidence in condom use were also examined. From 2015 to 2018, 1406 Hispanic 18–24 year olds received an on-campus HIV test; for nearly half, this was their first HIV test ever. Among first time testers, the reasons for not getting tested sooner included that over 70% thought they were unlikely to have an HIV infection, over 20% said they did not know where to get tested, and 10% reported being afraid to find out their status. Moreover, participants reported a variety of cues to seeking testing: just under half reported printed flyers, on-campus lawn signs, and word-of-mouth, and almost 15% reported social media. Repeat testers (n = 717) were significantly more likely than first time testers to report hearing about HIV testing through social media. There were significant gains from baseline to the 1-month follow-up in both perceived advantages of condom use and confidence in condom use. Our study showed that messages conveyed through traditional communication channels remain important and serve as cues to seek HIV testing for Hispanic/Latinx college students, especially those who have never before been tested.
Efficacy and Toxicity of Radiation Regimens With or Without Temozolomide for CNS Lymphoma (5166)

Objective: To assess the benefit and toxicity of whole brain RT (WBRT), WBRT with conformal boost, and conformal RT, with or without concurrent temozolomide (TMZ), for CNS lymphoma. Background: WBRT to 45Gy for CNS lymphoma has been shown to have undesirable amounts of neurocognitive toxicity. Radiation is presently used mainly for persistent or recurrent disease, but the optimal regimen has not been defined. Design/Methods: This is a single-center retrospective study of adult patients treated with RT between 01/2004–02/2019 for CNS lymphoma, with a treatment plan formulated at our institution with ≥1 follow-up. Overall survival (OS) was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier, multivariate analysis was performed, and toxicity was assessed using CTCAEv5.0. Long-term neurocognitive impacts were assessed at last follow-up. Results: 93 patients were included, with median age of 60, 45% female, and 73% with primary CNS lymphoma. Radiation modalities included low-dose (≤23.4Gy) WBRT (n=19), high-dose WBRT (n=27), low-dose WBRT + focal boost (n=38) and focal RT (n=9). Twenty-six patients (28%) received concurrent RT+TMZ. Two-year OS was better with low-dose WBRT+boost (60%) compared to low-dose WBRT (45%) or high-dose WBRT (32%). Two-year OS was significantly better with RT+TMZ than RT alone (67% vs 42%, p=0.025). On multivariate analysis, low-dose WBRT+boost+TMZ was significantly associated with improved OS compared to WBRT alone (HR 0.35, p=0.02). Within two months of RT completion, one patient developed grade 3+ hematologic toxicity in both the TMZ and non-TMZ groups; 4 and 5 patients, respectively, developed grade 3+ non-hematologic toxicity. Less than 25% of the patients in each group experienced long-term neurocognitive decline at last follow-up. Conclusions: A regimen of low-dose WBRT with focal boost and the addition of concurrent temozolomide were both associated with improved OS in CNS lymphoma patients, with similar toxicity rates. Radiation regimens with most or all of the brain receiving ≤23.4Gy were associated with fairly low rates of cognitive decline. Disclosure: Dr. Selwa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Laucis has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sun has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lawrence has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cuneo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wahl has nothing to disclose. Dr. Umemura has nothing to disclose. Dr. Junck has nothing to disclose.
Electrically and magnetically switchable nonlinear photocurrent in РТ-symmetric magnetic topological quantum materials

Nonlinear photocurrent in time-reversal invariant noncentrosymmetric systems such as ferroelectric semimetals sparked tremendous interest of utilizing nonlinear optics to characterize condensed matter with exotic phases. Here we provide a microscopic theory of two types of second-order nonlinear direct photocurrents, magnetic shift photocurrent (MSC) and magnetic injection photocurrent (MIC), as the counterparts of normal shift current (NSC) and normal injection current (NIC) in time-reversal symmetry and inversion symmetry broken systems. We show that MSC is mainly governed by shift vector and interband Berry curvature, and MIC is dominated by absorption strength and asymmetry of the group velocity difference at time-reversed ±k points. Taking $${\cal{P}}{\cal{T}}$$ -symmetric magnetic topological quantum material bilayer antiferromagnetic (AFM) MnBi2Te4 as an example, we predict the presence of large MIC in the terahertz (THz) frequency regime which can be switched between two AFM states with time-reversed spin orderings upon magnetic transition. In addition, external electric field breaks $${\cal{P}}{\cal{T}}$$ symmetry and enables large NSC response in bilayer AFM MnBi2Te4, which can be switched by external electric field. Remarkably, both MIC and NSC are highly tunable under varying electric field due to the field-induced large Rashba and Zeeman splitting, resulting in large nonlinear photocurrent response down to a few THz regime, suggesting bilayer AFM-z MnBi2Te4 as a tunable platform with rich THz and magneto-optoelectronic applications. Our results reveal that nonlinear photocurrent responses governed by NSC, NIC, MSC, and MIC provide a powerful tool for deciphering magnetic structures and interactions which could be particularly fruitful for probing and understanding magnetic topological quantum materials.
Lifeways of Intimacy under Duress

The essay reflects on transient migrant life and the yearning for companionship and care that permeates Tsai Ming-liang’s film, I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone (2006). Facing social abandonment, migran...
The Routledge handbook of housing policy and planning, by Katrin B. Anacker, Mai Thi Nguyen, and David P. Varady: New York, Routledge, 2020

The Routledge Handbook of Housing Policy and Planning provides a broad and comprehensive overview of contemporary housing research. The handbook provides a useful foundation for current affordable ...
The effect of chemical structure on hydrolysis pathways of small peptides in coastal seawater

Abstract The hydrolysis pathway of a given peptide or protein in seawater, or how it is hydrolyzed by extracellular enzymes, may depend on its chemical structure or specific amino acid composition. This knowledge is important for a better understanding of the first steps on decomposition of labile organic matter that is often dominated by proteins. The hydrolysis pathway can be estimated from the hydrolyzed fragments of small peptides through incubation experiments. Here we incubated a group of small peptides with different amino acid compositions in coastal seawater, including tetrapeptides alanine-valine-phenylalanine-alanine (AVFA) and its modifications of the N terminal A with valine (V), serine (S), arginine (R) and aspartic acid (D) (i.e., peptides VVFA, SVFA, RVFA, DVFA). Through these incubations, we evaluated the effect of chemical structure or specific amino acid composition on peptide hydrolysis pathways and the roles of different types of peptidases. Our results showed that aminopeptidases preferentially hydrolyzed tetrapeptides with N terminal A and R (29–100% of the total peptidases), followed by V (30–90%) and S (20–51%), but were ineffective with acidic amino acid D (0–14%). This pattern indicates that the N-terminal amino acid affects how a peptide is hydrolyzed in a given environment. For N-terminal amino acids with uncharged side chains, aminopeptidases preferred hydrophobic A, V to polar uncharged S, and for those with charged side chains, they preferred positively-charged R to negatively-charged D. Our results also suggest that if aminopeptidases could not access the N-terminal amino acid of a peptide, carboxypeptidases and/or endopeptidases will hydrolyze it, leading to similar peptide hydrolysis rates among different peptides although their hydrolysis pathways may differ. The effect of amino acid composition on peptide hydrolysis pathways is further demonstrated by comparing trialanine (AAA), AVF, AVFA, VFA, phenylalanine-alanine-serine-tryptophan-glycine-alanine (FASWGA) and SWGA. Overall, results from this study show that the chemical structure of a peptide affects its hydrolysis pathway in coastal seawater, and shed new lights on the early steps of organic nitrogen degradation and further nitrogen cycling in marine environments.
Use of metformin following a population-level intervention to encourage people with pre-diabetes to enroll in the National Diabetes Prevention Program.

Introduction The National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP) and metformin are interventions to slow progression from pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes. When coverage for the NDPP was offered by a public research university’s health insurance plan, proactive strategies were used to combat historically low enrollment. Although not specifically targeted by these strategies, metformin use was higher than expected, leading to this evaluation. Research design and methods We used insurance enrollment, claims, pharmacy, and laboratory data for 64 131 adult employees, dependents, and retirees to identify individuals with pre-diabetes and invite them to enroll in the NDPP at no out-of-pocket cost. The characteristics of individuals with pre-diabetes who used metformin before and after their invitation were compared with NDPP enrollees. Results 8131 individuals with pre-diabetes were identified. Of these, 776 (9.5%) enrolled in a NDPP and 802 (9.9%) used metformin. Metformin users were younger, had higher body mass index, were more likely to have comorbidities, and had higher baseline hemoglobin A1c levels than non-users. Timing of metformin use varied with 107 (13%) discontinuing, 426 (53%) continuing, and 269 (34%) initiating metformin use after their NDPP invitation. Of NDPP enrollees, 13 (2%) discontinued, 56 (7%) continued, and 34 (4%) initiated metformin use when they enrolled. Conclusions Despite no active encouragement, use of metformin was similar to the rate of enrollment in the NDPP. Metformin use was higher for individuals with higher likelihood of responding. With the proven cost-effectiveness of metformin, targeted strategies to increase metformin use in individuals with pre-diabetes who are likely to respond, but not willing to enroll in a lifestyle intervention, are needed.
Software to facilitate remote sensing data access for disease early warning systems

Satellite remote sensing produces an abundance of environmental data that can be used in the study of human health. To support the development of early warning systems for mosquito-borne diseases, we developed an open-source, client-based software application to enable the Epidemiological Applications of Spatial Technologies (EASTWeb). Two major design decisions were full automation of the discovery, retrieval and processing of remote sensing data from multiple sources, and making the system easily modifiable in response to changes in data availability and user needs. Key innovations that helped to achieve these goals were the implementation of a software framework for data downloading and the design of a scheduler that tracks the complex dependencies among multiple data processing tasks and makes the system resilient to external errors. EASTWeb has been successfully applied to support forecasting of West Nile virus outbreaks in the United States and malaria epidemics in the Ethiopian highlands. The EASTWeb software supports early warning systems for mosquito-borne diseases.EASTWeb automates acquisition and processing of remotely-sensed environmental data.Data include temperature, precipitation, spectral indices, and evapotranspiration.These variables are used to develop forecasting models to predict epidemics.EASTWeb has been used to carry out forecasting of West Nile virus and malaria.
The possible Role of Lawn Fertilizers and Pesticide Use in the Occurrence of the Brown Tide

The investigations of a possible link between fertilizers and pesticides use and the occurrence of the brown tide blooms has, from the beginning (April 1988), been part of the Brown Tide Comprehensive Assessment and Management Program (BTCAMP).
Shale-derived diesel test fuels for utilization studies

An untreated heavy distillate fraction from a mixture of Geokinetics and Occidental shale oils were hydrogenated at three levels of severity. The three products showed good ignition quality and met most of the current specifications for No. 2-D diesel fuel. Nitrogen contents ranged from 250 to 1890 parts per million. Good oxidation stability was obtained in the product with lowest nitrogen content. Stability of the other two products was marginal but would be improved by use of an antioxidant additive.
Automatic pronunciation verification for speech recognition

Pronunciations for words are a critical component in an automated speech recognition system (ASR) as mis-recognitions may be caused by missing or inaccurate pronunciations. The need for high quality pronunciations has recently motivated data-driven techniques to generate them [1]. We propose a data-driven and language-independent framework for verification of such pronunciations to further improve the lexicon quality in ASR. New candidate pronunciations are verified by re-recognizing historical audio logs and examining the associated recognition costs. We build an additional pronunciation quality feature from word and pronunciation frequencies in logs. A machine learned classifier trained on these features achieves nearly 90% accuracy in labeling good vs bad pronunciations across all languages we tested. New pronunciations verified as good may be added to a dictionary, while bad pronunciations may be discarded or sent to experts for further evaluation. We simultaneously verify 5,000 to 30,000 new pronunciations within a few hours and show improvements in the ASR performance as a result of including pronunciations verified by this system.
Analysis and implementation of an implicitly restarted Arnoldi iteration

The Arnoldi algorithm, or iteration, is a computationally attractive technique for computing a few eigenvalues and associated invariant subspace of large, often sparse, matrices. The method is a generalization of the Lanczos process and reduces to that when the underlying matrix is symmetric. This thesis presents an analysis of Sorensen's Implicitly Re-started Arnoldi iteration, (scIRA-iteration), by exploiting its relationship with the scQR algorithm. The goal of this thesis is to present numerical techniques that attempt to make the scIRA-iteration as robust as the implicitly shifted scQR algorithm. The benefit is that the Arnoldi iteration only requires the computation of matrix vector products w = Av at each step. It does to rely on the dense matrix similarity transformations required by the EISPACK and LAPACK software packages. Five topics form the contribution of this dissertation. The first topic analyzes re-starting the Arnoldi iteration in an implicit or explicit manner. The second topic is the numerical stability of an scIRA-iteration. The forward instability of the scQR algorithm and the various schemes used to re-order the Schur form of a matrix are fundamental to this analysis. A sensitivity analysis of the Hessenberg decomposition is presented. The practical issues associated with maintaining numerical orthogonality among the Arnoldi/Lanczos basis vectors is the third topic. The fourth topic is deflation techniques for an scIRA-iteration. The deflation strategies introduced make it possible to compute multiple or clustered eigenvalues with a single vector re-start method. The block Arnoldi/Lanczos methods commonly used are not required. The final topic is the convergence typical of an scIRA-iteration. Both formal theory and heuristics are provided for making choices that will lead to improved convergence of an scIRA-iteration.
Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases from Euglena gracilis: Purification and physical and chemical characterization

Abstract NAD + -dependent and NADP + -dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G-3-P) dehydrogenases were isolated from Euglena gracilis and characterized as to their physical and chemical parameters. NAD + -G-3-P dehydrogenase was found to have a strong resemblance to similar enzymes from muscle tissue. It has a molecular weight of about 140,000, four subunits of identical size and charge, and a single species of NH 2 -terminal amino acid. Two sulfhydryl groups per subunit are present, one of which is directly involved in the catalytic activity and is rapidly titratable. The enzyme also exhibits the “half the sites reactivity” of sulfhydryl groups as defined by O. P. Malhotra and S. A. Bernhard ((1968) J. Biol. Chem . 243 , 1243). The pH and temperature optima are also similar to those of the enzymes from muscle tissue, as are the reaction kinetics and the strict specificity for NAD + . NADP + -dependent G-3-P dehydrogenase is different in many respects. Its molecular weight is slightly lower (~136,000) than that of the NAD + enzyme, though it also consists of four subunits. It has a higher affinity for the reverse reaction substrates, in line with its probable function in vivo in CO 2 fixation. There is only one sulfhydryl group per subunit, and that is not involved in activity, suggesting a difference in reaction mechanisms between the two enzymes. The NADP + -dependent enzyme exhibits activation by ATP, whereas the NAD + -dependent enzyme is competitively inhibited by this nucleotide. The greatest difference observed is in the physical characteristics of the enzymes. NADP + -G-3-P dehydrogenase was highly hydrophobic. Its solubility in a 10% aqueous solution of p -dioxane was approximately four to five times that of the NAD + -enzyme. Isolation of the enzyme was accomplished by fractionation in 1,2-dimethoxyethane, which also stabilized the enzymatic activity, as did aqueous p -dioxane. The high axial ratio of the NADP + -enzyme (~9) coupled with its very low degree of hydration as well as the high degree of amidation of the dicarboxylic amino acids (>90%) indicates that the exterior of the enzyme molecule is probably hydrophobic in nature. This is in agreement with its in vivo hydrophobic environment in the chloroplast membrane and explains the lability of the enzyme once extracted into an aqueous environment as well as its stabilization in solvents.
The Copper Proteins

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the copper proteins and hemocyanins. Interest in copper-containing proteins has been greatly enhanced by the high degree of purification of several new copper proteins from both plant and higher animal sources. The hemocyanins are proteins occurring in solution in the blood of certain invertebrates, including species of mollusks and arthropods. They are conjugated proteins with copper as an essential part of the molecule and have the property of forming a loose compound with molecular oxygen, which dissociates at lower oxygen tensions. Thus, the hemocyanins function in the transport of oxygen by the blood in a manner similar to the hemoglobins. Emphasis has been placed on the nature rather than the function of the copper proteins. During the past decade, certain other copper-bearing proteins have been isolated, but as yet little is known of their physiological significance.
Observations on Biological Effects of Low Dietary Copper in Nebraska Beef Cattle

Nutritional disorders involving the trace elements may arise as either a deficiency or toxicity of particular elements, but more often as deficiencies or toxicities conditioned by the extent to which other organic or inorganic nutrients are present in the diet. Copper is an essential trace element whose presence in biological systems was first reported over 150 years ago,1 and is utilized in activity of over a dozen enzyme systems. Low serum copper concentrations have been related to disturbances in iron absorption, failures in erythropoiesis, mental deterioration, and death.2
Use of the cell-attached patch clamp technique to examine regulation of single cardiac K channels by cyclic GMP.

Cyclic nucleotides play a central role in the modulation of ion channels in a variety of tissues, including the heart. In order to determine the possible role of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in the regulation of the background K channel activity of cardiac cells, the effect of 8-Br-cGMP on the inwardly-rectifying K channels of cultured ventricular myocytes from embryonic chick hearts was examined. 8-Br-cGMP (10-4 to 10-3 M) inhibited these single channel currents within 3 to 10 min. Spontaneous recovery of the currents occurred with prolonged (≥ 15 min) exposure to 8-Br-cGMP, but this recovery was accompanied by altered channel behavior. Thus, a new long-lasting open state of the channel appeared, in addition to the open state observed prior to 8-Br-cGMP addition. Superfusion of the cells with the muscarinic agonist carbamylcholine (10-5 M) also resulted in inhibition of the currents, which suggests that the cGMP-mediated inhibition of these channels may occur under physiological conditions. Thus, it appears that cGMP may be an important modulator of the background K conductance (and excitability) of cardiac cells.
Measuring the cooperativeness of behavior in quantity variation duopoly games.

An economic game (Cournot quantity variation duopoly) was employed to create a laboratory market environment in which there were elements of cooperation and competition. Paper profits (scores) were received by players in repeated play of a game which can be defined as a nonzero-sum two-person game with no preplay communication. Each of 12 subjects was matched simultaneously with two robots, one which was programmed to respond cooperatively and one which was programmed to respond noncooperatively toward moves made by the subject. Subjects believed they were matched against other human participants in groups of three. Indices of cooperativeness were defined within the context of the economic theory of the game in such a way that the differential cooperativeness of a subject toward the two robots could be measured dynamically over the path of the game. A two-part hypothesis was formulated which survived statistical tests. It was concluded that: 1) in experimental Cournot markets in which human subjects play with behaviorally stable robots there is a tendency toward stability of behavior in the human players, and 2) there is a tendency for subjects to be more cooperative with cooperative robots than they are with noncooperative robots.
Reported Gamma Glutamyl Activation of Peptide-Bond Synthesis

IN a recent paper in Nature, Hanes et al.1 postulated a γ-glutamyl transfer mechanism in peptide bond synthesis. It is suggested that the amino-acid forms its first peptide bond with the α-carboxyl of glutamic acid by displacing the cysteinyl glycine from glutathione. The amino-acid, now peptide bound, could be further transferred to other peptides. The concept is strengthened in view of the universal and yet unexplained presence of glutathione in all living tissues, the great significance of ‘transferring’ reactions in biochemistry, and the need for some hypothesis to shed light on the mechanism of protein synthesis. Experiments to test this hypothesis are described in this communication.
Effect of surface tension on the retention of various pesticides by apple leaves

Abstract A selection of pesticide solutions were sprayed onto apple leaves until run‐off occurred. Those pesticides formulated as wettable powders were retained by a greater amount than those formulated as emulsifiable concentrates, while water was retained the most. Retention was closely related to the equilibrium, and not the dynamic, surface tension of the solution applied.
The viability of the tube pedicle skin graft

Abstract 1. 1. A case of grafting of skin to the rectal mucosa by the pedicle flap method is reported. 2. 2. The extraordinary viability of the tube pedicle skin graft and its ability to withstand infection is illustrated.
Electrochemical properties of NaNi1/3Co1/3Fe1/3O2 as a cathode material for Na-ion batteries

Abstract NaNi 1/3 Fe 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 is synthesized by solid-state methods and investigated as a positive electrode material for sodium ion batteries. Galvanostatic cycling of NaNi 1/3 Fe 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 between 2.0 and 4.2 V provides ~ 165 mAh/g of reversible capacity at C/20. This material also demonstrates great rate-capability and is able to de-intercalate 80 mAh/g even at 30C. First principles calculations are used to determine the order of transition metal oxidation within the system and provide lattice parameters with close proximity to the experimental.
Modeling palliative decisions with patient outcomes and preferences: An example with symptomatic malignant jaundice

Abstract Introduction: Patient-centered outcomes should be carefully considered in selecting the use of interventions to palliate symptoms in patients with unresectable malignant disease. Decision analysis may prove to be a useful method to outline issues associated with treatment decisions while incorporating patient preferences. Methods: The role of decision analysis in decision making for palliation of symptomatic malignant jaundice was evaluated using data from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Palliative Database between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2003. Outcomes of 123 patients with symptomatic jaundice who underwent endoscopic (ERCP) or percutaneous interventional radiology (IR) stenting were evaluated. Probability of procedure success, durability of palliation, additional procedures, development of new symptoms, durability of symptom control, and survival were incorporated into the decision tree. Utilities incorporating patient preferences in the form of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were assigned to each outcome. Sensitivity analyses were done by changing probabilities of outcomes to determine if the model was responsive to various clinical scenarios. Results: Using expected QALYs (range 0–10), ERCP and IR stenting were associated with 5.88 QALYs and 5.42 QALYs, respectively. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that as the probability of ERCP success decreased, the expected QALY for IR was greater than for ERCP. Conclusions: Decision analysis is an effective instrument to outline issues associated with surgical palliative therapy as demonstrated with symptomatic malignant obstructive jaundice. This model provides a framework from which patients and physicians can make increasingly informed decisions about palliation treatments.
Date palm as a keystone species in Baja California peninsula, Mexico oases

Based on historical records, Jesuit missionaries were the first to introduce date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., Arecacea) to the mission oases of the Mexican Baja California peninsula. Seedling date palms readily naturalized and have partially, and in some cases almost entirely replaced the native fan palm, Washingtonia filifera and Washingtonia robusta in the oases. These wild and introduced palms form the over-story for smaller cultivated trees, shrubs, and open gardens of mixed perennial and annual cultivars in complex agro-ecosystems. They also grow in dense stands along the oases arroyos where they may be “owned” by various oasis residents and semi- to carefully managed, or comprise wild populations beyond the periphery of the oasis settlements. These palms serve as ecological and cultural keystone species, altering oasis microclimates and providing shade for understory crops, shelter and food resources for resident and migratory fauna, and building materials and food for oasis human residents. I explore the agro-ecological role of the date palm in Baja California peninsula oases.
Generalized Cauchy equations on groups

It is well known ([1], [3]) that any measurable solution of the Cauchy functional equationf(x+y)=f(x)+f(y) must actually be continuous. The same is true of some other functional equations likef(x+y)=f(x)f(y),f(x+y)f(x−y)=f(x) 2 −f(y) 2, etc. (cf. [1]). In this note we prove a general result of this type for functional equations on groups.
Co-morbid Bipolar and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Treatment-Focused Review

Co-morbid bipolar and alcohol use disorders are common, difficult to properly diagnose, and associated with poor outcome. The present article concisely reviews the diagnosis, epidemiology, consequences, and neurobiological similarities among individuals with dual diagnoses and reviews the pharmacological and psychosocial treatment of bipolar and alcohol use disorders both alone and in combination. Evidence for the efficacy of treatments for individuals with dual diagnoses (i.e., divalproex, atypical antipsychotics, naltrexone, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and integrated group therapy) is discussed, and areas for future treatment development and evaluation are identified.
Therapeutic metaphors: Gateways to understanding

Counsellors, in a variety of settings, use counselling “tools” to assist clients in the conceptualization of issues and in developing coping and problem solving strategies. Counsellors are limited only by their creative abilities in selecting and developing tools and methods that will effect client change. This article explores the use of metaphor as a versatile and viable tool to facilitate client growth and transformation. After a brief review of definitions and historical perspectives, this paper outlines skills and considerations for using, creating, and delivering effective metaphors within a variety of theoretical approaches.
Repassivation behavior of X65 pipeline steel in fuel grade ethanol and its implications for the stress corrosion cracking mechanism

Abstract Common fuel grade ethanol (FGE) constituents affect SCC susceptibility of pipeline steels. Scratch testing employed to study effects of chloride, oxygen, water, and pHe on repassivation kinetics of X65 steel in simulated FGE and FGE revealed increased current density and decreased current decay rate from the bared steel as Cl − concentration increased, and incomplete current decay in deaerated environments. Using an Avrami kinetics-based film growth model, current was deconvoluted into dissolution and film formation components. The relationship between repassivation kinetics SCC of the pipeline steel/FGE system is discussed in terms of the previously proposed film rupture/anodic dissolution SCC mechanism.
Optical spectra of Ni porphin, Pd porphin and free base porphin in single crystal triphenylene

Abstract Polarized optical absorption spectra and luminescence spectra of palladium porphin, nickel porphin, and porphin free base doped into triphenylene host crystals have been obtained. The d 8 metalloporphin spectra obtained here allow a comparison to be made with other metalloporphin spectra reported previously from this laboratory and suggest a general description of the polarized absorption spectra of metalloporphins in this host. The observation of many spectral lines which occur at the same wavelength in absorption and fluorescence suggests that band I of free base porphin may be of greater complexity than previously thought.
Specificity for fibroblast growth factors determined by heparan sulfate in a binary complex with the receptor kinase.

A divalent cation-dependent association between heparin or heparan sulfate and the ectodomain of the FGF receptor kinase (FGFR) restricts FGF-independenttrans-phosphorylation and supports the binding of activating FGF to self-associated FGFR. Here we show that in contrast to heparin, cellular heparan sulfate forms a binary complex with FGFR that discriminates between FGF-1 and FGF-2. FGFR type 4 (FGFR4) in liver parenchymal cells binds only FGF-1, whereas FGFR1 binds FGF-1 and FGF-2 equally. Cell-free complexes of heparin and recombinant FGFR4 bound FGF-1 and FGF-2 equally. However, in contrast to FGFR1, when recombinant FGFR4 was expressed back in epithelial cells by transfection, it failed to bind FGF-2 unless heparan sulfate was depressed by chlorate or heparinase treatment. Isolated heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) from liver cells in cell-free complexes with FGFR4 restored the specificity for FGF-1 and supported the binding of both FGF-1 and FGF-2 when complexed with FGFR1. In contrast, FGF-2 bound equally well to complexes of both FGFR1 and FGFR4 formed with endothelial cell-derived HSPG, but the endothelial HSPG was deficient for the binding of FGF-1 to both FGFR complexes. These data suggest that a heparan sulfate subunit is a cell type- and FGFR-specific determinant of the selectivity of the FGFR signaling complex for FGF. In a physiological context, the heparan sulfate subunit may limit the redundancy among the current 18 FGF polypeptides for the 4 known FGFR.
Preventive health care measures before and after start of renal replacement therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe utilization of preventive health care measures in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), both in the year prior to onset of renal replacement therapy (RRT), and in the first year of RRT.
Towards an Automatic Health Monitor for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles using Parameter Identification

In the last few years, interest has grown in the use of autonomous underwater vehicles for commercial, scientific and military missions. Reliability is critical and autonomous fault detection with programmed recovery procedures have to be built into their control logic. It is important that the mission controller have information concerning the current status of the maneuverability subsystems of the vehicle to perform requested motions. The normal techniques of servo error monitors, limit and trend checks, and Kalman filter state estimators with innovations checks go a long way to providing sensor fault detection. However, the inherent capability of a vehicle to determine the state of health of its steering, diving, and speed subsystems (including fin jams) is not easily discovered by these methods. This paper discusses the use of both batch least squares and Kalman Filters for system parameter identification as a means to detect a change in performance. Applied to the experimental maneuvering responses of the NPS AUV II autonomous underwater vehicle we wish to determine the range of varability of key steering system response parameters that would form the basis of a health monitor. In this application we are not seeking parameter values for the purpose of adaptive control. Instead, we wish to determine if key parameters such as input gain have changed or are out of range.
Carbohydrate composition of particulate preparations from mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) shoots

Abstract The carbohydrate compositions of mung bean ( Phaseolus aureus ) shoots and particulate preparations obtained from these plants, which synthesize polysaccharides in vitro , have been compared. Both types of tissue contained hot water soluble polysaccharides (starch, galactan and arabinan), pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose, but generally at much lower levels in the particulate preparations. Whole shoot hemicellulose contained d -galactose and d -glucose as the major monosaccharides, with a lesser amount of d -xylose and arabinose, and only traces of d -mannose. In contrast, the particulate hemicellulose contained d -glucose, d -galactose, arabinose and d -mannose in significant amounts, but only traces of d -xylose. The major lipid-bound sugar in the tissues was d -glucose, but lipid-bound d -galactose, l -rhamnose, and possibly arabinose and d -xylose were also present. A partial acid hydrolysis of the particulate preparation yielded the following oligosaccharides: cellobiose, 6- O -β- d -galactosyl- d -galactose, 3- O -β- l -arabinosyl- l -arabinose, di- and tri- d -galacturoni acids, d -galacturonosyl- l -rhamnose, d -glucuronosyl- d -galactose and d -glucuronosyl- d -galactosyl- d -mannose.
An investigation into the cladistic relationships and monophyly of therocephalian therapsids (Amniota: Synapsida)

A comprehensive phylogenetic investigation was performed to elucidate the cladistic relationships and possible monophyly of therocephalian therapsids (Amniota: Synapsida). The phylogenetic positions of 30 therapsid taxa were examined under maximum parsimony, including 23 therocephalian genera. The analysis incorporated 110 cranial and postcranial characters in order to assess the interrelationships of basal therocephalians and eutherocephalians and their relationships to Cynodontia, representing the most complete review of therocephalian phylogeny to date. The analysis supports the hypothesis that Therocephalia represents the monophyletic sister taxon to Cynodontia, with as many as 15 morphological synapomorphies, in contrast with other recent analyses of lesser taxon sampling. The results also support the hypothesis that Scylacosauridae is more closely related to Eutherocephalia than to the basal therocephalian family Lycosuchidae, supporting a ‘Scylacosauria’ clade. The taxa suggested here to be neotenic forms (e.g. Ictidosuchoides and Ictidosuchops) are positioned near the base of a monophyletic Baurioidea. Neotenic development of the therocephalian feeding apparatus and evolutionary parallelism with cynodonts are suggested to have been important trends in the early evolution of baurioid therocephalians into the Late Permian and Early Triassic.
Stabilized viral nucleic acids in plasma as an alternative shipping method for NAT.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of the integrity of viral nucleic acids in blood specimens during shipping and handling is crucial for NAT and viral load monitoring. An economical and convenient method is described for nucleic acid stabilization by using an RNA stabilizing solution (RNAlater, Ambion) in plasma that is designed for the shipment of samples to tropical countries. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: HCV, HIV, and HBV FFP were compared with RNAlater-treated plasma and dried plasma spots (DPSs) after incubation at 37°C, which was chosen as an upper limit of ambient shipping temperature, for up to 28 days. HCV-infected chimpanzee plasma was shipped at either room temperature after RNAlater treatment or as frozen plasma in liquid nitrogen from Liberia to New York City. They were then compared for HCV RNA levels. The nucleic acid stabilities were determined by quantitative PCR by using a molecular beacon assay on a sequence detection system (ABI 7700, PE-Biosystems) and by visualizing the PCR components on an acrylamide gel. RESULTS: Quantitative PCR data showed that a 60:40 or greater ratio of RNAlater:plasma volume successfully stabilized HCV RNA and HIV RNA in plasma for up to 28 days at 37°C. HBV DNA in plasma was stable for up to 14 days at 37°C without any stabilizing solution. DPSs on filter paper stabilized viral nucleic acids, but the recoveries were 3 to 10 times less than those with frozen plasma. The integrity of the 5′ UTR region of HCV RNA in RNA later-treated chimpanzee plasma was intact when its PCR component was viewed on an acrylamide gel. CONCLUSION: The DPS method stabilized nucleic acids, at least with the extraction method used, was less sensitive than use of RNAlater, and required tedious manual handling. RNAlater provides a convenient way of stabilizing viral nucleic acid in plasma at ambient temperature during sample transportation.
Functional Analysis of Nodulin 26, an Aquaporin in Soybean Root Nodule Symbiosomes

Upon infection of soybean roots, nitrogen-fixing bacteria become enclosed in a specific organelle known as the symbiosome. The symbiosome membrane (SM) is a selectively permeable barrier that controls metabolite flux between the plant cytosol and the symbiotic bacterium inside. Nodulin 26 (NOD 26), a member of the aquaporin (AQP) water channel family, is a major protein component of the SM. Expression of NOD 26 in Xenopus oocytes gave a mercury-sensitive increase in osmotic water permeability (Pf). To define the biophysical properties of NOD 26 water channels in their native membranes, symbiosomes were isolated from soybean root nodules and the SM separated as vesicles from the bacteria. Permeabilities were measured using stopped-flow fluorimetry in SM vesicles with entrapped carboxyfluorescein. Osmotic water permeability (Pf) of SM was high, with a value of 0.05 +/- 0.003 cm/s observed at 20 degrees C (mean +/- S.E.; n = 15). Water flow exhibited a low activation energy, was inhibited by HgCl2 (0.1 mM), and exhibited a unit conductance of 3.2 +/- 1.3 x 10(-15) cm3/s, a value 30-fold lower than that of AQP 1, the red blood cell water channel. Diffusive water permeability (Pd) was 0.0024 +/- 0.0002 cm/s, and the resulting Pf to Pd ratio was 18.3, indicating that water crosses the SM in single file fashion via the NOD 26 water channel. In addition to high water permeability, SM vesicles also show high mercury-sensitive permeability to glycerol and formamide, but not urea, suggesting that NOD 26 also fluxes these solutes. Overall, we conclude that NOD 26 acts as a water channel with a single channel conductance that is 30-fold lower than AQP 1. Because the solutes that permeate NOD 26 are far larger than water, and water appears to cross the channel via a single file pathway, solute flux across NOD 26 appears to occur by a pathway that is distinct from that for water.