cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utilization of peroxide and its relevance in oxygen insertion reactions catalyzed by chloroperoxidase.

Abstract Chloroperoxidase (CPO) catalyzed oxygen insertions are highly enantioselective and hence of immense biotechnological potential. A peroxide activation step is required to give rise to the compound I species that catalyzes this chiral reaction. A side reaction, a catalase type peroxide dismutation, is another feature of CPO’s versatility. This work systematically investigates the utilization of different peroxides for the two reactions, i.e. the catalase type reaction and the oxygen insertion reaction. For the oxygen insertion reaction, indene and phenylethyl sulfide were chosen as substrate models for epoxidation and sulfoxidation respectively. The results clearly show that CPO is stable towards hydrogen peroxide and has a total number of turnovers near one million prior to deactivation. The epoxidation reactions terminate before completion because the enzyme functioning in its catalatic mode quickly removes all of the hydrogen peroxide from the reaction mixture. Sulfoxidation reactions are much faster than epoxidation reactions and thus are better able to compete with the catalase reaction for hydrogen peroxide utilization. A preliminary study towards optimizing the reaction system components for a laboratory scale synthetic epoxidation is reported.
Effect of partial phase coherence on Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in metal loops.

The averaging of Aharonov-Bohm oscillations caused by incomplete phase coherence has been studied in two Sb rings. In these devices, the phase-coherence length ${L}_{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$ can be determined independently from an analysis of the weak localization contribution to the magnetoconductance ($\ensuremath{\Delta}{G}_{C}$) or from the amplitude of the conductance fluctuations. We find that the Aharonov-Bohm oscillations decrease as $\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}\frac{L}{{L}_{\ensuremath{\varphi}}})$ where $L$ is the sample length. The values of ${L}_{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$ inferred from $\ensuremath{\Delta}{G}_{C}$ qualitatively predict the temperature dependence of the conductance fluctuations.
An internal normalization technique for unmixing total-spiked mixtures with application to MC-ICP-MS

Isotopic analyses of a total-spiked sample by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MCICP-MS) are often corrected for mass fractionation by dopingthe sample with an external tracer element of known isotopic composition and similar mass. However, because of the potential for elemental fractionation on the ICP-MS, internal normalization methods should be used whenever possible. Here, we present a weighted non-linear inversion of the mass spectra of a total-spiked sample, usinglinear, power, and exponential laws. This method was applied to the calibration of an Osmium tracer solution enriched in 190 Os, and the results agree with iterative unmixing
An object-oriented database design for improved performance

Abstract Object-oriented databases (OODBs) are known to be rich in functionality but poor in performance. One of the important factors that affect performance is the physical database design. We developed a methodology for the design of an efficient storage structure of OODB that minimizes the database operating costs. The input for our method is the logical OODB schema and set of user transactions of retrieval and update types. The output of our method is the determination of which instance variables should be inherited from direct and indirect superclasses and stored in which subclasses. We used a genetic algorithm (GA) to solve this intractable problem. The methodology was applied on a university database. Compared to previous storage models, the storage model produced with our methodology showed database performance improvement ranging from 26% to 31%, on the average. Our results demonstrate a cost-effective storage structure design that boosts the operating performance of OODBs.
Averaging scan patterns and what they can tell us

While fixation data and saccadic indices have been employed as individual measures, less frequent analysis has been attempted on the sequence or pattern data that these two indices together create. The patterns of fixations and saccades are rich and complex, and hence, they are typically studied as individual paths or parts of paths that are isolated. Analysis is usually a visual comparison, although more recently there have been studies that have compared scan patterns statistically [Josephson and Holmes 2002; Pan et al. 2002; Yarbus 1967]. In the current work we explore a method for deriving an "average" scan pattern aggregated from many users viewing the same visual stimulus (web site).
Heat Transfer of Modified Silicon Surfaces

The heat transfer between silicon surfaces and perfluorohexane has been measured for fluxes ranging from 0 to 2.2 W/cm2. Data are presented for ten different surface treatments designed to encourage thermal nucleation.
On the flow of a fluid–particle mixture between two rotating cylinders, using the theory of interacting continua

Abstract Mixture theory is used to develop a model for a flowing mixture of solid particulates and a fluid. Equations describing the flow of a two-component mixture consisting of a Newtonian fluid and a granular solid are derived. These relatively general equations are then reduced to a system of coupled ordinary differential equations describing Couette flow between concentric rotating cylinders. The resulting boundary value problem is solved numerically and representative results are presented.
Effect of dose and route of administration of thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) on the concentration of prolactin (PRL) and thyroxine (T4) in cyclic gilts

Our objective was to examine the ability of thyroid releasing hormone (TRH) to stimulate not only the release of the thyroid hormones, but also prolactin (PRL) in the female pig. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dose and route of administration of TRH on the concentration of PRL and thyroxine (T4) in cyclic gilts. Six gilts were injected with 0, 5, 25, 125, and 625 μg TRH and fed 0, .5, 2.5, 12.5 and 62.5 mg TRH. Gilts received TRH once daily. During the 10-day treatment period, route of TRH administration alternated between i.v. injection and feeding. The dose of TRH progressed from the lowest to the highest. Blood samples were taken prior to TRH injection and thereafter at 15-min intervals for 3 hr. Sampling continued for an additional 3 hr at 30-min intervals when TRH was fed. Concentrations of PRL and T4 were determined by radioimmunoassay. Intravenous injection of gilts with 125 and 625 μg TRH resulted in an increase in PRL from 0 to 15 min (P .5). The feeding of 62.5 mg TRH elevated T4 from 0 to 6 hr (P <.01). Thus, TRH injection increased PRL rapidly and T4 gradually. When TRH was fed, only a gradual elevation in T4 was observed. We conclude that TRH can elicit the release of both PRL and T4 in the cyclic gilt, but magitude and duration of the PRL and T4 response depends on the dose and route of TRH administration.
A narrative approach to bioethical decision making: The missing link between bioethics and conflict management?

Beginning in the 1990s and continuing today with increasing velocity, advances in science and medicine have profoundly affected not only health and health care, but also ethical thinking as well. Physicians, researchers, patients, and families are increasingly called on to make difficult decisions between competing values, which provides fodder for serious conflict. This article discusses a narrative approach to bioethical decision making and suggests that lessons from the field of conflict management could enhance its promise.
Direct transitions, indirect transitions, and surface photoemission in the prototypical system Ag(111)

Abstract The sp band of Ag(111) is nearly free-electron like near the Fermi level. Photoemission from this band in the surface-normal direction gives rise to a direct-transition peak which disperses with varying photon energies. Contrary to predictions of the standard three-step model, the line shape is significantly asymmetric. The lower binding-energy side of this peak has a higher intensity, and is joined by a broad indirect-transition plateau extending to a rounded cut-off at the sp band edge. This study is an analysis of the asymmetry of the direct-transition peak and the intensity and line shape of the indirect-transition region. The optical transition-matrix element consists of two terms. One is the usual momentum-matrix element dominated by the direct band-to-band transitions in the bulk, with a small contribution from the surface due to the finite mean-free path. The other is a ∇· A term, which dominates the surface contribution and gives rise to indirect transitions involving all valence states without any restrictions on the crystal momentum. Interference between the bulk and surface contributions results in an asymmetric line shape for the direct-transition peak. The contribution from ∇· A is shown to be well correlated with the difference in dielectric function between Ag and vacuum. The effects discussed in this paper are fairly general in nature, and should be taken into account in high-resolution photoemission work.
Failure of Antisera to J5 and R595 Rough Mutants to Reduce Endotoxemic Lethality

Rabbit antisera to J5 (Rc) Escherichia coli and R595 (Re) Salmonella minnesota rough mutants were selected for the highest content of hemagglutinating antibodies to their respective core glycolipids. Despite titers of 1:2560 vs. J5 and 1:640 vs. R595 core glycolipids, the antisera failed to passively protect ICR or CF-1 mice against lethality induced by endotoxins from a variety of wild-type, smooth enterobacteria: E. coli O111:B4, E. coli O127:B8, Salmonella typhimurium, S. minnesota, and Citrobacter freundii. J5 antisera, however, reduced lethality from J5 core glycolipid. In contrast, O-specific rabbit antisera were consistently protective against the lethal activity of wild-type, smooth enterobacterial endotoxins, but such protection was limited to the homologous endotoxin. These findings are consistent with in vitro demonstrations of a highly restricted ability of antibodies to J5 and R595 core glycolipids to bind to endotoxins from wild-type, smooth enterobacteria.
Cocultures of human thyroid monolayer cells and autologous T cells: impact of HLA class II antigen expression

Normal human thyroid cells in monolayer culture were induced to express surface HLA class II antigens (DR and DQ) by lectin stimulation. HLA class II positive thyroid cells caused proliferation of autologous T cells, a phenomenon not found in the absence of detectable HLA class II antigen expression. Autologous T cell proliferation was further stimulated by the presence of lectin-free interleukin-2, a known stimulator of activated T cells, and inhibited by monoclonal antibody to HLA-DR antigen. These data demonstrated that normal human thyroid cells, following HLA class II antigen expression, have the capacity to stimulate the immune system. Since over 90% of the monolayer cells were thyrocytes, based on staining with antithyroid microsomal serum, and cells of the monocyte⁄ macrophage series were absent, it is suggested that HLA class II antigen positive human thyroid cells were the principal activators of autologous T cells. Such a mechanism may be important in the target site amplification of human auto...
Implications of the Revised Definition of Marketing: From Exchange to Value Creation

Abstract The distinctive difference between the 1985 and the 2004 American Marketing Association definitions of marketing is the lack of exchange. In the new definition, a focus on creating and delivering value through customer relationships replaces the historical focus on the exchange paradigm. The authors welcome this change and discuss its implications, the limits of the exchange paradigm, the merits of value creation, and the future paradigm for marketing.
Environmental data management: The identification of outliers

Abstract Increased emphasis on pollution control and abatement has often necessitated development of large scale data bases. While sophisticated techniques have been developed and employed for data storage and manipulation, parallel developments in analyzing the accuracy and reliability of the data have been absent (see, for instance, the broad spectrum of requirements outlined in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972). This paper centers on the latter and sets out a procedure for data editing and “outlier” identification based on an application of discriminant analysis. A hypothetical example is included along with some suggested applications.
Reinforcer Magnitude and Progressive Ratio Responding in the Rat: Effects of Increased Effort, Prefeeding, and Extinction

Abstract Using a between-subjects design, three experiments investigated the effects of two different magnitudes of reinforcement (one or three sucrose pellets) on lever-press acquisition and subsequent responding under a progressive-ratio 5 schedule of reinforcement. Reinforcer magnitude did not differentially affect lever-press response acquisition, but did affect the acquisition and performance of progressive-ratio responding. Rats reinforced with three sucrose pellets maintained higher break points, and responded more efficiently as indicated by shorter interresponse times and response durations. When the effort required to execute each response was increased by raising the lever above the cage floor, three-pellet rats were more resistant to the effects of lever height, and during repeated exposure to the lever height manipulation learned to adopt an efficient response style compared to rats receiving one pellet. Prefeeding the rats immediately prior to testing produced similar decreases in break points in both groups, whereas extinction resulted in greater decreases in break point in three-pellet subjects. Results from this series of experiments suggested that larger magnitudes of reinforcement increased resistance to effort, but not resistance to prefeeding or extinction, and further, that larger reinforcers enhanced the development of efficient lever-press responding.
A chipset level network backdoor: bypassing host-based firewall & IDS

Chipsets refer to a set of specialized chips on a computer's motherboard or an expansion card [12]. In this paper we present a proof of concept chipset level rootkit/network backdoor. It interacts directly with network interface card hardware based on a widely deployed Intel chipset 8255x, and we tested it successfully on two different Ethernet cards with this chipset. The network backdoor has the ability to both covertly send out packets and receive packets, without the need to disable security software installed in the compromised host in order to hide its presence. Because of its low-level position in a computer system, the backdoor is capable of bypassing virtually all commodity firewall and host-based intrusion detection software, including popular, widely deployed applications like Snort and Zone Alarm Security Suite. Such network backdoors, while complicated and hardware specific, are likely to become serious threats in high profile attacks like corporate espionage or cyber terrorist attacks.
The occurrence of cocaine, heroin and metabolites in hair of drug abusers.

The analysis of hair for drugs of abuse reveals information regarding past drug exposure. We developed methods for washing, extraction and analysis of hair samples for cocaine, heroin and metabolites. Twenty paired head- and arm-hair samples, collected from known heroin/cocaine abusers, were analyzed with a new comprehensive GCMS assay for cocaine, heroin and metabolites. Cocaine and 6-acetylmorphine (6-AM) were the major analytes present in both head- and arm-hair samples. Cocaine was detected in all head- and 17 arm-hair samples. The concentration of cocaine found was 4–760 ng10 mg in head hair and 0–1090 ng10 mg in arm hair. Less benzoylecgonine was present in a concentration range of 0–158 ng10 mg of head hair and 0–125 ng10 mg of arm hair. Heroin was found in only 2 head-hair samples, whereas 6-AM was present in 14 head and 6 arm-hair samples. The concentration of 6-AM was 0–8 ng10 mg in head hair and 0–31 ng10 mg in arm hair. Morphine was present in 3 head-hair samples in a range of 2–9 ng10 mg and was not detected in arm-hair samples. When results were compared by groups (head hair versus arm hair, Caucasoid versus Africoid), only two significant differences were found. Cocaine concentrations in both head and arm hair were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the Africoid group than in the Caucasoid group. The reasons for these differences were not readily apparent, but could have been due to differences in the level of cocaine use or to ethnic differences in the deposition of drug in hair.
Interleukin-1 homologues IL-1F7b and IL-18 contain functional mRNA instability elements within the coding region responsive to lipopolysaccharide

IL-1F7b, a novel homologue of the IL-1 (interleukin 1) family, was discovered by computational cloning. We demonstrated that IL-1F7b shares critical amino acid residues with IL-18 and binds to the IL-18-binding protein enhancing its ability to inhibit IL-18-induced interferon-γ. We also showed that low levels of IL-1F7b are constitutively present intracellularly in human blood monocytes. In this study, we demonstrate that similar to IL-18, both mRNA and intracellular protein expression of IL-1F7b are up-regulated by LPS (lipopolysaccharide) in human monocytes. In stable transfectants of murine RAW264.7 macrophage cells, there was no IL-1F7b protein expression despite a highly active CMV promoter. We found that IL-1F7b-specific mRNA was rapidly degraded in transfected cells, via a 3′-UTR (untranslated region)-independent control of IL-1F7b transcript stability. After LPS stimulation, there was a rapid transient increase in IL-1F7b-specific mRNA and concomitant protein levels. Using sequence alignment, we found a conserved ten-nucleotide homology box within the open reading frame of IL-F7b, which is flanking the coding region instability elements of some selective genes. In-frame deletion of downstream exon 5 from the full-length IL-1F7b cDNA markedly increased the levels of IL-1F7b mRNA. A similar coding region element is located in IL-18. When transfected into RAW264.7 macrophages, IL-18 mRNA was also unstable unless treated with LPS. These results indicate that both IL-1F7b and IL-18 mRNA contain functional instability determinants within their coding region, which influence mRNA decay as a novel mechanism to regulate the expression of IL-1 family members.
Effect of chaotic mixing on enhanced biological growth and implications for wastewater treatment: A test case with Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mixing patterns and modes have a great influence on the efficiency of biological treatment systems. A series of laboratory experiments was conducted with a controlled, small-scale analog of a pilot wastewater aeration tank, consisting of two eccentrically placed cylinders. By controlling the rotation direction and speed of the two cylinders, it has been possible to develop chaotic flow fields in the space between the walls of the cylinders. Our experiments utilized Saccharomyces cerevisiae as the biological oxidation organism and air bubbles as the mixing agent supplied by a large fine pore diffuser to the cells in their exponential growth phase. The effect of various mixing patterns on cell growth was studied at different cylinder eccentricities, rotation directions and speeds. It was found that chaotic advection flow patterns: (a) enhanced growth, and (b) sped up the onset of maximal growth of the organism by 15-18% and 14-20%, respectively.
Exertional syncope and a congenital cardiac anomaly

We report on a 9-year-old healthy boy with a left main coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva coursing between the aorta and pulmonary artery who experienced a myocardial infarction after a syncopal episode during exercise. The high risk of sudden death associated with this anomaly during or immediately after vigorous activity makes immediate diagnosis and surgical intervention paramount. Diagnosis was made by transthoracic echocardiogram and confirmed by autopsy.
Magnetostrictive strains in some light rare earth-aluminum laves phase compounds

Abstract Magnetostriction measurements of some RAl 2 (R = Pr, Nd and Sm) compounds were carried out from 4.2 K up to above their magnetic ordering temperature ( T c ) and in applied field up to 2.1 T. PrAl 2 exhibited a huge magnetostriction (≈10 −3 ) and well-defined saturation below 30 K and at about 0.8 T. For SmAl 2 no saturation was observed up to the highest available applied field. This implies that the material is highly anistropic. The strain for NdAl 2 exhibited a change is sign at higher fields. Variation of strain with temperature for PrAl 2 is found to be in good agreement with the single-ion magnetoelastic theory. Large volume strains are observed for the compounds studied. These strains are attributed to a volume dependence of the crystal field interaction.
Copyright in light of ethics

Purpose – This article aims to explore the relationship between copyright law and how an academic reference librarian could and should ethically comply with copyright when considering the Code of Ethics of the American Library Association and the Library Bill of Rights.Design/methodology/approach – The Code of Ethics and the Library Bill of Rights are examined to determine how they would affect a reference librarian's ability to comply with copyright rules while conducting a reference interview.Findings – Adhering to the Code of Ethics would prevent reference librarians from entering into difficult situations. The Code of Ethics serves as an ethical framework on which librarians can rely to prevent the need to choose between complying with copyright rules and providing a patron with the information s/he is requesting. In addition, the author explains why supplemental instruction or volunteering information on copyright to patrons above that which is required by law should be provided only after careful co...
The Last Line of Defense Against Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis of the blood vessels that feed the brain, heart, and limbs is the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Damage to the endothelial lining of arterial blood vessels, which causes the disease, can be triggered by a variety of stressors—metabolic, immune, and oxidative—all of which are highly prevalent in patients at risk for atherosclerosis. Impaired endothelial cells can lead to a dysfunctional endothelium, influx of cholesterol, and promotion of atherosclerotic lesions. To date, cardiologists have few tools in their armamentarium to preserve this vital protective barrier function of the endothelial lining. In work by Schober et al. , the authors find a new contributor to atherosclerosis that points to a potential treatment approach to preserve endothelial health. Because deletion of the gene encoding pre-miR-126 affects vascular integrity, the authors tested the hypothesis that a pre-miR-126 derivative, miR-126-5p, contributes to vascular repair. They crossed mice lacking the pre-miR-126 gene with mice deficient in the APOE gene, which develop hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. The offspring showed impaired endothelial recovery after endothelial damage and increased atherosclerotic lesion size. This effect was mediated by an inhibitor of NOTCH1, Dlk1, which is a direct target of miR-126-5p. In ApoE -deficient mice fed a high-cholesterol diet, miR-126-5p was down-regulated at sites that are predisposed to atherosclerosis (because of turbulent blood flow), leading directly to the development of atherosclerosis through the up-regulation of Dlk. To demonstrate the translational potential of their findings, the authors treated these mice with mimics of miR-126-5p, improving endothelial cell proliferation and reducing atherosclerosis. The authors conclude that mir-126-5p protects against atherosclerosis by maintaining the health of the endothelial lining. This proof-of-concept study in mouse models lays the foundation for new therapeutics designed around mir-126-5p in humans. Small RNA molecules can be delivered systemically (or locally on the tip of a catheter) to sites of atherosclerosis to mimic (or antagonize) the effects of the miRNA, making this approach feasible. As a consequence, doctors may have a new tool to prevent atherosclerosis. A. Schober et al. , MicroRNA-126-5p promotes endothelial proliferation and limits atherosclerosis by suppressing Dlk1. Nat. Med ., published online 2 March 2014 (10.1038/nm.3487). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nm.3487.html
The role of information in perpetuating urban highway dominance over transit

Abstract The paper examines the role of technical information processing and production in the development of urban mass transit in the United States. In particular, evidence suggests that information processing ability in urbanized areas may be associated with obtaining aid and, hence, improving transit service and usage.
Effect of Eugenol on Constrictor Responses in Blood Vessels of the Rabbit Ear

Aqueous solutions of eugenol depressed vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous norepinephrine (NE), histamine, and peri-arterial sympathetic nerve stimulation in the isolated central artery of the rabbit ear and in the isolated perfused whole rabbit ear. The depression was dose- and time-dependent, and was slowly reversible. Eugenol appeared to act as an inhibitor of smooth muscle contractility.
Hurricane impacts on a pair of coastal forested watersheds: implications of selective hurricane damage to forest structure and streamflow dynamics

Hurricanes are infrequent but influential disruptors of ecosystem processes in the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Every southeastern forested wetland has the poten- tial to be struck by a tropical cyclone. We examined the im- pact of Hurricane Hugo on two paired coastal South Carolina watersheds in terms of streamflow and vegetation dynamics, both before and after the hurricane's passage in 1989. The study objectives were to quantify the magnitude and timing of changes including a reversal in relative streamflow dif- ference between two paired watersheds, and to examine the selective impacts of a hurricane on the vegetative composi- tion of the forest. We related these impacts to their poten- tial contribution to change watershed hydrology through al- tered evapotranspiration processes. Using over 30 years of monthly rainfall and streamflow data we showed that there was a significant transformation in the hydrologic charac- ter of the two watersheds - a transformation that occurred soon after the hurricane's passage. We linked the change in the rainfall-runoff relationship to a catastrophic change in forest vegetation due to selective hurricane damage. While both watersheds were located in the path of the hurricane, extant forest structure varied between the two watersheds as a function of experimental forest management techniques on the treatment watershed. We showed that the primary dam- age was to older pines, and to some extent larger hardwood trees. We believe that lowered vegetative water use impacted both watersheds with increased outflows on both watersheds due to loss of trees following hurricane impact. However, one watershed was able to recover to pre hurricane levels of evap- otranspiration at a quicker rate due to the greater abundance of pine seedlings and saplings in that watershed.
Significance of Anti-retinal Autoantibodies in Cancer-associated Retinopathy with Gynecological Cancers

Background: The presence of autoantibodies (AAbs) is the primary serological indicator of autoimmunity. Cancerassociated retinopathy (CAR) is associated with AAbs and different types of cancer. The goal of the study was to examine the profile of serum autoantibodies in women with gynecological cancers with and without paraneoplastic visual manifestation. Methods: Retrospective studies of a cohort of 46 women with symptoms of CAR and gynecological tumors, including endometrial, cervical, ovarian, and fallopian tubes, 111 women with similar tumors without symptoms of CAR, and 60 age-matched healthy controls. Presence of serum AAbs and the identity of targeted antigens were performed by western blotting and their significance was evaluated using an Fisher’s exact test. Results: The patients with gynecological CAR had the highest proportion of seropositivity (80%), followed by patients with gynecological cancers without CAR (61%) and healthy controls (58%). Differences in recognition frequencies were found for 17 antigens and 5 retinal antigens were frequently targeted: enolase, aldolase C, carbonic anhydrase II, recoverin and GAPDH. The occurrence of anti-glycolytic enzymes was 2-3 times more frequent in CAR and cancer patients than healthy controls. Anti-recoverin AAbs were prevalent in endometrial CAR. Anti-CAII antibodies were not significantly different between groups of women. In this cohort, cancer was diagnosed before the onset of retinopathy with latency from 2 months to 30 years. The discovery of the ovarian and endometrial cancers and manifestation of visual problems often coincided but Fallopian tube carcinoma was found after visual onset. Conclusion: New retinal targets were identified for gynecological CAR. Each gynecological-CAR has its own autoantibody profile different from non-CAR profile, implying that a complex autoantibody signature may be more predictable for diagnosis than a singular AAb. Specific anti-retinal AAbs were most prevalent in women with CAR but their profiles were not fully distinguished from cancer controls.
Does nest-site selection influence bobwhite nesting success in south Florida?

Context. Nest-site selection can influence nesting success, and thus population dynamics, of many species of groundnesting birds. Despite the economic importance as a game species, populations of northern bobwhites have been declining throughoutthesouthernUnitedStates.Thispaperreportsthenestingecologyofnorthernbobwhites(Colinusvirginianus)on Babcock-Webb Wildlife Management Area, Florida, USA, and illustrates the influence of landscape composition and structure on bobwhite nest-site selection and nest fate. Aim.Toinvestigatenest-siteselectionbybobwhites,toevaluatetheinfluenceoflandscapecompositionandstructureon nest-site selection, and to identify factors influencing nesting success. Methods. We used distance-based habitat-selection methods and logistic regression to test for nest-site selection and to investigate the influence of landscape characteristics on nesting success. Keyresults.Bobwhitespreferredtoestablishnestsclosertofoodplotsandfartherawayfromwaterbodiesthanexpected; otherhabitatswereneither preferrednoravoided.Nesting successdidnotvaryacrossyears,differ amonghabitatsoramong burn treatments, and none of the habitat and landscape variables we measured significantly influenced the probability that a nest would be successful. Conclusions. Bobwhites preferred to place nests closer to food plots. However, habitat features of nest sites did not influence bobwhite nesting success. These results may indicate that random nest predation by meso-mammalian predators may currently determine fates of bobwhite nests in south Florida, or that population density is lowenoughthat only suitable nesting sites are occupied. Implications. Our results suggest that increasing the density of linear food plots, and maintaining a structurally diverse pine–palmettoanddryprairiehabitatthatprovidesadequatenestingcovercouldcontributetoaugmentingbobwhitenesting habitat.
Evaluation of a Potential Flow Model for Wind Turbine Design

#* The aerodynamic performance of a two-bladed wind turbine was studied using a threedimensional, potential-flow based, unsteady, numerical method. Such methods, from the computational point of view are significantly faster and simpler, and allow the modeling of vortex wakes without any numerical dissipation. Based on the hypothesis that for an efficient wind turbine design, flow separation on the rotating blades must be avoided, realistic engineering results can be generated. Consequently, for the attached flow case, such inviscidflow methods are capable of calculating the surface pressure distributions, aerodynamic loads, and the resulting performance parameters. This was demonstrated by comparing computational results for the torque, axial force, and efficiency with data published by NREL (National Research Energy Laboratory) on a two-bladed wind turbine. In addition, detailed surface pressures on the rotating blade were calculated for various advance ratios, information which is necessary for proper airfoil selection or design. Computed results and a comparison with a baseline wind turbine data indicate that improvements in both power and efficiency are possible in spite of the highly developed baseline design. Therefore, it is concluded that by using this tool a more detailed redesign of the turbine-blade shape, its twist and airfoil sections is possible leading to significant performance gains. Furthermore, this method can be easily extended to study and design other horizontal axis wind turbines having two, three, or any number of blades, or even to study the interaction of two such wind turbines.
Self-Affirmation Underlies Facebook Use

Social network sites, such as Facebook, have acquired an unprecedented following, yet it is unknown what makes them so attractive to users. Here we propose that these sites' popularity can be understood through the fulfillment of ego needs. We use self-affirmation theory to hypothesize why and when people spend time on their online profiles. Study 1 shows that Facebook profiles are self-affirming in the sense of satisfying users' need for self-worth and self-integrity. Study 2 shows that Facebook users gravitate toward their online profiles after receiving a blow to the ego, in an unconscious effort to repair their perceptions of self-worth. In addition to illuminating some of the psychological factors that underlie Facebook use, the results provide an important extension to self-affirmation theory by clarifying how self-affirmation operates in people's everyday environments.
Estrogen Regulates Epithelial Cell Deformability by Modulation of Cortical Actomyosin through Phosphorylation of Nonmuscle Myosin Heavy-Chain II-B Filaments

The objective of the study was to understand how estrogen modulates the rigidity of the cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. Estrogen depletion decreased, and treatment with 17β-estradiol increased deformability of cervical-vaginal epithelial cells. Estrogen also induced redistribution of nonmuscle myosin II-B (NMM-II-B); lesser interaction of NMM-II-B with actin; increased phosphorylation of NMM-II-B-heavy chains at threonine and serine residues; and decreased filamentation of NMM-II-B in vitro. The effects of 17β-estradiol were time and dose related and could be mimicked by diethylstilbestrol. The effects of estrogen were blocked by cotreatment with antisense oligonucleotide for the estrogen receptor-α and inhibited by ICI-182,780 and tamoxifen; omission of epithelial growth factor (EGF) from the culture medium; and cotreatments with the EGF receptor inhibitor AG1478, the ERK-MAPK inhibitor PD98059, the casein kinase-II (CK2) inhibitor 5,6-dichloro-1-β-(D)-ribofuranosylbenzimidazole, the Rho-associated kin...
A Mississippian conflagration at East St. Louis and its political-historical implications

AbstractA walled portion of the extensive Precolumbian civic-ceremonial precinct of East St. Louis, near present day St. Louis, Missouri, enclosed a cluster of as many as 100 small buildings or huts. The huts were associated with a walled ritual-residential zone or elite compound dating to the late Stirling phase (a.d. 1150–1200) and, importantly, were burned in a single conflagration. The burning of East St. Louis may have resulted from a ritual commemoration, an act of aggression, or an accidental fire; circumstantial evidence primarily supports the first scenario. With strongly diminished mound and architectural construction at the site in subsequent decades, and with the coeval disappearance of key ritual-residential buildings from the regional landscape after the burning, the ancient East St. Louis fire was part of a larger pattern of historical events that mark a downward turning point in the social and political history of Greater Cahokia.
Ninety day mortality and its predictors after primary shoulder arthroplasty: an analysis of 4,019 patients from 1976-2008

Background Examine 90-day postoperative mortality and its predictors following shoulder arthroplasty
Segmental pigmentation disorder.

Summary Background There is little published information about segmental hypo- and hyperpigmentation pigmentation disorder (SegPD) although it is a relatively common problem in paediatric dermatology. Objectives To define the spectrum of disease, clinical presentation and associations in cases of SegPD and to clarify further the terminology in defining patterned hypo- and hyperpigmentation in children. Methods This was a retrospective review of cases in an academic paediatric dermatology practice. Thirty-nine patients referred for dermatological evaluation were diagnosed with SegPD. Demographic and clinical features, and distribution and frequency of extracutaneous abnormalities were measured. Results Twenty female and 19 male patients were included in the study; 33 out of the 39 were referred specifically for a pigmentation abnormality. The mean age at onset was 3·4 months (median age 0·25 months). Family history was positive in two patients. Most (30/39; 77%) had segmental hyperpigmentation whereas nine of 39 (23%) had hypopigmentation. Patches were more often delineated at the ventral midline (32/39) than on the dorsal midline (7/39). The distribution of lesions was as follows: areas of the torso were most often affected (77%) and when the face, neck, arms and legs were affected pigmentation usually extended onto the torso; six patients had SegPD localized to the face. Only three of the 39 patients had extracutaneous abnormalities – atrial septal defect, strabismus with retinal hypopigmentation and a bronchogenic cyst – but the relationship to SegPD was uncertain and none had neurological abnormalities. Conclusions SegPD is a relatively common pigmentary anomaly and most affected individuals are otherwise healthy. We propose reviving the term ‘segmental pigmentation disorder’ coined by Metzker and colleagues to describe children with segmental and block-like hypo-/hyperpigmentation with midline demarcation.
HYDROGEN-ION EQUILIBRIA OF WHEAT GLUTEN IN GUANIDINE-HYDROCHLORIDE SOLUTIONS.

Abstract Hydrogen-ion titration curves of wheat gluten have been studied in 2 and 4 M guanidine-hydrochloride (G-HCl) at 25 °C. The data were analyzed by equations treating the electrostatic effect as an empirical factor. The ionizing groups per 10 5 gm gluten and their intrinsic p K 's at 25 °C in 2 and 4 M G-HCl are: 29 carboxyl (4.54, 4.48), 15 imidazole (6.49, 6.56), 2 α-amino (8.5, 7.7), 1 sulfhydryl (10.0, 9.5), 20 tyrosyl (9.97, 9.97), and 9 lysyl (10.4, 10.4). The number and intrinsic p K of guanidyl groups cannot be determined in G-HCl solutions. The ionizing groups all appear normal. The empirical electrostatic factor w at acid pH was considerably larger than it was at alkaline pH, and a larger decrease in w was observed in alkaline than in acid solutions when the solvent was changed from 2 to 4 M G-HCl. These changes in w suggest that the conformation of gluten depends on pH and that the conformation in acid solution is more stable. Different methods for purifying G-HCl are discussed.
Efficacy of Hydroxocobalamin for the Treatment of Acute Cyanide Poisoning in Adult Beagle Dogs

Introduction. The efficacy of hydroxocobalamin for acute cyanide poisoning was compared with that of saline vehicle in dogs. Methods. Anesthetized adult beagle dogs were administered potassium cyanide (0.4 mg/kg/min, IV) until 3 min after the onset of apnea. Hydroxocobalamin (75 mg/kg [n = 19] or 150 mg/kg [n = 18], IV) or saline vehicle [n = 17] was then infused over 7.5 min while animals were ventilated with 100% oxygen, which was stopped after 15 min. Results. In vehicle-treated animals cyanide produced deterioration that culminated in a moribund state requiring euthanasia within 4 h in 10 of 17 animals and in neurological deficits necessitating euthanasia within 2–4 d in an additional 4 animals (mortality rate 82%). Survival through 14 d was observed in 15 of 19 animals administered hydroxocobalamin 75 mg/kg (mortality rate 21%), and 18 of 18 administered hydroxocobalamin 150 mg/ kg (mortality rate 0%). Conclusion. Hydroxocobalamin reversed cyanide toxicity and reduced mortality in a canine model.
Bowel symptoms in women planning surgery for pelvic organ prolapse

Objective The objective of the study was to measure associations between bowel symptoms and prolapse. Study design Baseline data were analyzed from 322 women in the Colpopexy And Urinary Reduction Efforts trial of sacrocolpopexy with or without Burch colposuspension. Women completed the Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory and Colorectal-Anal Impact Questionnaire and underwent Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification. Associations between symptoms and questionnaire scores and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification measures were assessed. Results Mean age was 61 ± 10 years. Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification stages were II (14%), III (67%), and IV (19%). Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory symptoms did not increase with prolapse stage. Colorectal-Anal Distress Inventory obstructive subscale scores were higher in stage II women (median 29 [interquartile range 8,92] versus 17 [0,33] and 25 [0,38] for stages III and IV, respectively; adjusted P = .01). The few statistically significant correlations between symptoms and vaginal descent were negative and weak (less than 0.2). Conclusion Bowel symptoms and questionnaire scores do not increase with prolapse stage in women presenting for sacrocolpopexy.
Clinical T2-T3N0M0 esophageal cancer: the risk of node positive disease.

Background No consensus exists on the optimal treatment strategy for clinical T2-T3N0M0 esophageal cancer. This study was conducted to determine rates of nodal positivity (N+) and to evaluate results of treatment strategies in this cohort. Methods Surgically treated patients with cT2-T3N0M0 esophageal cancer were reviewed. Adequacy of lymph node dissection was assessed by guidelines applied to clinical stage. Survival was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done for predictors of N+ and survival. Results We identified 102 patients, 51 cT2N0 and 51 cT3N0, 39 (38%) of whom had induction therapy. Despite being clinically node negative, 61 patients (60%) had nodal metastases. Applied to cT classification, adequate nodal dissection was achieved in 64 patients (63%). Transthoracic esophagectomy was more likely than transhiatal esophagectomy to achieve adequate nodal dissection (69% versus 31%, p = 0.005). Adequate nodal dissection was more likely to document pN+ disease in both the surgery alone group (70% versus 50%, p = 0.13) and induction therapy group (71% versus 33%, p = 0.02). Five-year overall survival was 44% with surgery alone and 55% with induction therapy. On multivariate analysis, pN+ was the strongest predictor of overall survival (relative risk 2.73, confidence interval: 1.29 to 5.78). Conclusions Most cT2-T3N0M0 patients have pN+ disease. Despite induction therapy, more than 50% have persistent nodal disease. Transthoracic esophagectomy is more likely to detect pN+ disease and more likely to meet criteria of adequate nodal dissection than is transhiatal esophagectomy. Therefore, the majority of patients with cT2-T3N0M0 should be considered for neoadjuvant protocols and should be treated by transthoracic resection whenever possible.
Current Progress in Static and Dynamic Modeling of Biological Networks

The relentless advance of biochemistry has enabled us to take apart biological systems with ever more fine-grained and precise instruments. The fruits of this dissection are millions of measurements of base pairs and biochemical con- centrations. Yet to make sense of these numbers, we need to reverse our dissection by putting the system back together on the computer. This first step in this process is reconstructing molecular anatomy through static modeling, the determination of which pieces (DNA, RNA, protein, and metabolite) is present, and how they are related (e.g., regulator, target, inhibitor, cofactor). Given this broad outline of com- ponent connectivity, we may then attempt to reconstruct molecular physiology via dynamic modeling, computer simulations that model when cellular events occur (ODE), where they occur (PDE), and how frequently they recur (SDE). In this review we discuss techniques for both of these modeling paradigms, illustrating each by reference to important recent papers.
Polarization diversity of the general nonuniformly spaced adaptive array

The ability of a least-mean-square (LMS) array of arbitrarily spaced and oriented elements to adapt to the electromagnetic polarization of signals, as well as their arrival angles, is considered. If an adaptive array uses elements responding to an arbitrary polarization of the incoming wave, the array feedback loops will automatically combine the signals from these elements tracking a desired signal with one polarization while nulling interference with a different polarization. The author examines the output signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) from an array of arbitrarily located and oriented dipoles of finite length as a function of both angles of arrival and separation between the signal polarizations on the Poincare sphere for a desired signal and an interference signal. >