cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foreword, Exceptional Freedom — The Roberts Court, the First Amendment, and the New Absolutism

Yesterday we had one view of the First Amendment; today we have another. Yesterday liberals hailed the First Amendment; today it is conservatives. Yesterday the First Amendment was the rallying cry of anti-federalists, abolitionists, Bolsheviks, Communists, and anti-war demonstrators; today it is the banner flown by corporations, big-money political PACs, tobacco companies, and advertising agents along with a motley crew of crackpots. Yesterday the liberty principle of the First Amendment coexisted with the equality principle of the Fourteenth Amendment; today they often war. Yesterday lofty free speech theories reigned; today various and varying judicial doctrines rule the roost. Yesterday the First Amendment was a treasured freedom; today many deem it to be an amendment in need of amending. And so it has come to pass.“Nothing endures but change.” Heraclitus's maxim takes on new meaning in modernity. Change is here; modernity has arrived. The era of the Roberts Court and the First Amendment is well into the groove of its constitutional mark. To date, the work-product of the Court has produced twenty-nine First Amendment free expression opinions. Constitutional claims were sustained in 14% of those cases. While a notable portion of the cases in which claims were denied were rendered by a unanimous or near-unanimous vote, the Roberts Court has nonetheless been badly divided (and ideologically so) on several key issues such as student speech, government employee speech, and expression related to support for so-called anti-terrorism groups. In that cluster of cases the Court has diminished the staying power of the First Amendment. But in another class of cases involving certain kinds of content-discrimination, the Court has been quite vigorous in its defense of free speech freedom. What emerges from the latter is a new kind of First Amendment absolutism largely premised on the maxim that expression is protected unless it clearly falls within one of the traditional categories of unprotected speech. This “exceptional freedom” is the main focus of what follows in this Foreword. While it represents a new high water mark of constitutional protection for speech, it also signals a stark point of demarcation, on the other side of which certain kinds of speech receive little meaningful protection.
Modeling Trust in Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks

A model for computing trust inwirelessad-hoc networks has been proposed. The model is based on the societal approach towards building a trustedcommunity, where trust is builtup slowly, but decreases to zero on asingle detectable misbehavior.Successive trust build-ups depend on past behavior. Wireless channel loss probability has also been considered in the model.Extensive simulation has been conducted to evaluate the model under different conditions.A system level approach for incorporating the model in a real-life ad-hoc network testbed hasalsobeen discussed.
Atrial fibrillation: mechanisms, therapeutics, and future directions.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 1% to 2% of the general population. It is characterized by rapid and disorganized atrial activation leading to impaired atrial function, which can be diagnosed on an EKG by lack of a P-wave and irregular QRS complexes. AF is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and is a risk factor for embolic stroke and worsening heart failure. Current research on AF support and explore the hypothesis that initiation and maintenance of AF require pathophysiological remodeling of the atria, either specifically as in lone AF or secondary to other heart disease as in heart failure-associated AF. Remodeling in AF can be grouped into three categories that include: (i) electrical remodeling, which includes modulation of L-type Ca2+ current, various K+ currents and gap junction function; (ii) structural remodeling, which includes changes in tissues properties, size, and ultrastructure; and (iii) autonomic remodeling, including altered sympathovagal activity and hyperinnervation. Electrical, structural, and autonomic remodeling all contribute to creating an AF-prone substrate which is able to produce AF-associated electrical phenomena including a rapidly firing focus, complex multiple reentrant circuit or rotors. Although various remodeling events occur in AF, current AF therapies focus on ventricular rate and rhythm control strategies using pharmacotherapy and surgical interventions. Recent progress in the field has started to focus on the underlying substrate that drives and maintains AF (termed upstream therapies); however, much work is needed in this area. Here, we review current knowledge of AF mechanisms, therapies, and new areas of investigation. © 2015 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 5:649-665, 2015.
Proteomics and alcoholism.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of proteomics in alcoholism. Challenges in the alcohol research community continue to focus on how alcohol modifies the brain structure and function differently in individuals at risk for developing alcohol dependence versus those individuals at low or no risk. The use of animal models of alcoholism has been of paramount importance for providing insight into the neurochemical and cellular changes associated with alcohol use and abuse. Several rodent models of alcoholism are used, and the extended amygdala and associated central nervous system (CNS) regions have been implicated in mediating alcohol-reward, and alcohol-seeking behaviors. 2D gel-based experimentation remains an exceptional approach for assessing differential protein expression. It not only enables to separate, detect, and quantify the proteins, but it is also a preparative technique. Proteomic analysis using 2DE separation, and relative quantitation followed by MALDI-TOF MS-identification of relevant protein spots in alcohol-preferring (P) and alcohol-nonpreferring (NP) lines of rat hippocampus and nucleus accumbens demonstrates subtle but significant between-line differences in basal protein expression. However, the more substantive, anticipated differences between them may be masked by limitations of the current proteomics approach.
Experiences building Globus Genomics: a next-generation sequencing analysis service using Galaxy, Globus, and Amazon Web Services

We describe Globus Genomics, a system that we have developed for rapid analysis of large quantities of next-generation sequencing genomic data. This system achieves a high degree of end-to-end automation that encompasses every stage of data analysis including initial data retrieval from remote sequencing centers or storage via the Globus file transfer system; specification, configuration, and reuse of multistep processing pipelines via the Galaxy workflow system; creation of custom Amazon Machine Images and on-demand resource acquisition via a specialized elastic provisioner on Amazon EC2; and efficient scheduling of these pipelines over many processors via the HTCondor scheduler. The system allows biomedical researchers to perform rapid analysis of large next-generation sequencing datasets in a fully automated manner, without software installation or a need for any local computing infrastructure. We report performance and cost results for some representative workloads. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interface Theories for Component-Based Design

We classify component-based models of computation into component models and interface models. A component model specifies for each component howthe component behaves in an arbitrary environment; an interface model specifies for each component what the component expects from the environment. Component models support compositional abstraction, and therefore component-based verification. Interface models support compositional refinement, and therefore componentbased design. Many aspects of interface models, such as compatibility and refinement checking between interfaces, are properly viewed in a gametheoretic setting, where the input and output values of an interface are chosen by different players.
Interpreting VASS Dimensions and Profiles for Physics Students.

Student views about knowing and learning physics have been probed with the Views About Sciences Survey (VASS) along six conceptual dimensions, and classified into four distinct profiles: expert, high transitional, low transitional, and folk. As an aid to interpreting VASS results, this article provides a qualitative analysis of student responses to items within each of the six dimensions and a quantitative analysis of their relation to students' profiles. Students with an expert profile are chiefly scientific realists and critical learners. Students with a folk profile are primarily naive realists and passive learners. Students with transitional profiles hold mixtures of these views. Student profiles correlate significantly with physics achievement. Indeed, they may be major determinants of what students learn in physics courses.
Men Ejaculate Larger Volumes of Semen, More Motile Sperm, and More Quickly when Exposed to Images of Novel Women

Males in many species differentially allocate sperm and seminal fluid depending on certain social variables, including perceived sperm competition and female reproductive status. In some species, males reduce their investment in sperm quantity or quality upon repeated matings with the same female and increase such investment when mated to a novel female. We tested for effects of stimulus habituation and novelty on ejaculated semen parameters in humans. We analyzed ejaculates produced through masturbation with stimulation from sexually explicit films. When males were exposed successively to the same female six times, we saw no change in ejaculate parameters between the first and sixth exposures to the same female. However, ejaculate volume and total motile sperm count significantly increased when males were exposed to a novel female. Time to ejaculation also decreased significantly upon exposure to a novel female. Thus, our results suggest that human males ejaculate more quickly and invest more in ejaculates with novel females.
Effects of a Triadic Parent-Implemented Home-Based Communication Intervention for Toddlers

A series of three multiple-baseline single-case studies with replication across nine parent–child dyads was used to evaluate the effects of a parent-implemented communication intervention on parent...
Examples of Thomas-Whitehead projective connections

Abstract Projective connections on a manifold can be represented by Thomas-Whitehead (TW) connections which are just linear connections on a natural R-bundle over the manifold satisfying certain special properties. We show TW-connections with recurrent curvature are flat, and we characterize the TW-connections which are metric connections. Finally, we classify invariant torsion-free linear connections, invariant projective structures, and invariant TW-conections for a homogeneous space.
OR/MS: Dead or Dying? RX for Survival

An essay about the status of OR/MS in business and academia. Considerations about decreased visibility, disappearance of well-structured problems, and third-generation faculty concerned more with the publishability of results than resolving practical problems are expressed. Some practical steps towards improvement are suggested.
Acute Coronary Syndromes in the Elderly

Elderly patients with acute coronary syndromes suffer higher mortality and more morbidity than their younger counterparts because they have higher prevalence of cardiac risk factors and have lived with those risk factors longer, physiologic effects of aging lead to sicker patients at presentation and impaired healing processes, they are more sensitive to some of the side effects of some of our higher risk therapies, and they are less likely to receive therapies that have been proven to improve outcome. Close attention must be paid to risk assessment. We must continue to strive to match risky therapies to high-risk patients, those more likely to derive benefit. Age remains one of the most powerful cardiac risk factors of all.
A Preliminary Investigation of the Process of Mindfulness

Given the recent proliferation of mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, there is a growing need for clarification of the construct of mindfulness and how to evaluate its progression during these treatments. Although mindfulness has been conceptualized as a process, it has been primarily operationalized as an outcome; therefore, important aspects of this construct may be overlooked in current research. This two-part study presents a theoretical examination of mindfulness as a process, along with the preliminary development of a new, process-oriented mindfulness questionnaire (Mindfulness Process Questionnaire [MPQ]) to measure and further investigate this conceptualization of mindfulness. In Study 1, 410 participants from an urban university campus completed measures of mindfulness, emotional responding, and well-being. We examined the relationship between the MPQ and both the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, as well as the incremental ability of the new measure to predict outcomes of interest, including psychological symptoms, emotional processing, and well-being. Findings from Study 1 indicate that the MPQ captures a unique aspect of mindfulness, beyond what is already measured by existing mindfulness questionnaires. In Study 2, 18 participants were randomly assigned to an Acceptance-Based Behavioral Therapy condition for generalized anxiety disorder. We examined the ability of the changes in MPQ scores from pre- to posttreatment to predict changes in similar outcomes of interest, including psychological symptoms, emotional processing, and well-being. Consistent with findings from Study 1, results suggest a significant relationship between the MPQ and these outcome measures, indicating a need for further study.
Energy angular momentum closed-loop guidance

Abstract A novel guidance algorithm for launch vehicle ascent to the desired mission orbit is proposed. The algorithm uses total specific energy and orbital angular momentum as new state vector parameters. These parameters are ideally suited for the ascent guidance task, since the guidance algorithm steers the launch vehicle along a pre-flight optimal trajectory in energy angular momentum space. The guidance algorithm targets apogee, perigee, inclination and right ascension of ascending node. Computational complexities are avoided by eliminating time in the guidance computation and replacing it with angular momentum magnitude. As a result, vehicle acceleration, mass, thrust, length of motor burns, and staging times are also eliminated from the pitch plane guidance calculations. The algorithm does not involve launch vehicle or target state propagation, which results in minimal computational effort. Proof of concept of the new algorithm is presented using several numerical examples that illustrate performance results.
Organic–inorganic hybrid melting gels

Melting gels are a class of organically modified silica gels that are rigid at room temperature, flow at temperature T1 and consolidate at temperature T2 (T2 > T1), when crosslinking is complete. The process of (a) softening, (b) becoming rigid and (c) re-softening can be repeated many times. Mixtures of mono-substituted alkoxysilanes and di-substituted alkoxysilanes have been studied in a systematic way to identify suitable melting gel compositions. The mixtures and the resulting melting gels have been characterized for their softening temperatures and consolidation temperatures. With an interest in using these materials for sealing microelectronics, their physical properties have been measured.
Determination of free aspartic acid enantiomers in rat brain by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

Abstract Quantification of aspartic acid enantiomers in rat brain by using a chiral capillary electrophoresis procedure is described. Amino acids were pre-column derivatized with naphthalene-2,3-dialdehyde. Enantiomeric separation was achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatography in the presence of methanol and β-cyclodextrin as chiral selector. The chiral separation was coupled with laser-induced fluorescence detection. Contents of d - and l -aspartic acids in rats at different stages of growth (from 1 day before birth to 90 days after birth) were determined. d -Aspartic acid was detected in all the brain tissue samples tested, but at different levels. In the cerebrum of rats 1 day before birth, d -aspartic acid was found to be at the highest concentration of 81 nmol/g wet tissue. The level of d -aspartic acid in rat brain falls rapidly after birth, while the l -aspartic acid level increases with age.
Changing Social Relations of Production and Peruvian Peasant Women's Work

Nevertheless it has been demonstrated convincingly that womens contribution toward social production is not a sufficient condition for the development of female status within peasant groupings (Sanday 1974; Michaelson and Goldschmidt 1971). Although the division of labor in the organization of production is an important variable for the analysis of womens socio-economic position it is not totally adequate for the task at hand. Rather it is essential to go beyond the characterization of the forces of production in pre- capitalist and capitalist social formations to an examination of the content of the various relations of production in which women participate. I propose that the analysis of changes in womens socio-economic position should be based on an empirical assessment of the dynamic interaction between the forces and relations of production which simultaneously transform rural society and the lives of rural women. This interaction is captured by the concept of the rate of exploitation. Exploitation exists under pre-capitalist as well as capitalist modes of production if the total labor hours worked is greater than the total labor hours required for the production and reproduction of the workers subsistence (the value of labor power); and if those surplus labor hours are subject to appropriation. The rate of exploitation is then defined as the ratio of surplus labor hours appropriated to the value of labor power. (excerpt)
The elephant population of Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves, Kenya

A 21-month individual identification project on the Samburu and Buffalo Springs National Reserves' elephant population was conducted between November 1997 and July 1999. The free ranging population, of at least 767 elephants, which relied heavily on areas outside the reserves, was individually identified. The numbers of elephants observed per day fluctuated but were greater during dry periods then wet. However, the sizes of aggregations were greater during wet periods. Preliminary investigation suggested that the population could be divided into two groups, which were designated resident and non-resident family units. The groups comprised approximately equal numbers of cows and calves, but temporally had different reserve use patterns and calving peaks. The daily numbers of males and musth males were correlated with numbers of females. The reserves appeared to be a focal area for calving, indicating that the study area was of reproductive importance to the population. Demographic data indicated a female biased population sex ratio, with over twice the number of mature females to males. The observed sex skew was greatest for older age classes, and the density of musth bulls in the study area was low. The population was affected by poaching. Continued monitoring will assist conservation efforts by alerting authorities of major demographic or range use changes. Resume Entre novembre 1997 et juillet 1999, on a mene un projet d'identification individuelle des populations d' elephants des Reserves Nationales de Samburu et de Buffalo Springs. On a identifie individuellement toute la population sauvage, qui compte au moins 767 elephants, qui depend fortement de zones exterieures aux Reserves. Le nombre d'elephants observes chaque jour variait mais il etait plus important en saison seche qu' en saison des pluies. Cependant, la taille des groupes etait superieure durant la saison des pluies. Les premieres recherches laissent penser qu' on peut diviser la population en deux groupes, que l'on a designes comme les unites familiales residentes et les non residentes. Les groupes comprenaient a peu pres le meme nombre de femelles et de jeunes, mais leur mode d' utilisation de la reserve etait different de meme que les periodes de mises bas. Chaque jour, le nombre de mâles et celui de mâles en musthetaient lies au nombre de femelles. Les reserves semblent etre une region centrale pour les mises bas, ce qui indique que la region etudiee est importante pour la reproduction de la population. Les donnees demographiques indiquaient un sex-ratio biaise en faveur des femelles adultes, celles-ci etant plus de deux fois plus nombreuses que les mâles adultes. Cette difference etait plus forte pour les classes d' âge superieures, et la densite des mâles en musth dans la region etait faible. La population subissait les effets du braconnage. Une surveillance reguliere aidera a la conservation en alertant les autorites des changements demographiques ou d'utilisation de l'habitat majeurs.
Recovery of Ca2+ current, charge movements, and Ca2+ transients in myotubes deficient in dihydropyridine receptor beta 1 subunit transfected with beta 1 cDNA

The Ca2+ currents, charge movements, and intracellular Ca2+ transients of mouse dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) beta 1-null myotubes expressing a mouse DHPR beta 1 cDNA have been characterized. In beta 1-null myotubes maintained in culture for 10–15 days, the density of the L-type current was approximately 7-fold lower than in normal cells of the same age (Imax was 0.65 +/- 0.05 pA/pF in mutant versus 4.5 +/- 0.8 pA/pF in normal), activation of the L-type current was significantly faster (tau activation at +40 mV was 28 +/- 7 ms in mutant versus 57 +/- 8 ms in normal), charge movements were approximately 2.5-fold lower (Qmax was 2.5 +/- 0.2 nC/microF in mutant versus 6.3 +/- 0.7 nC/microF in normal), Ca2+ transients were not elicited by depolarization, and spontaneous or evoked contractions were absent. Transfection of beta 1-null cells by lipofection with beta 1 cDNA reestablished spontaneous or evoked contractions in approximately 10% of cells after 6 days and approximately 30% of cells after 13 days. In contracting beta 1-transfected myotubes there was a complete recovery of the L-type current density (Imax was 4 +/- 0.9 pA/pF), the kinetics of activation (tau activation at +40 mV was 64 +/- 5 ms), the magnitude of charge movements (Qmax was 6.7 +/- 0.4 nC/microF), and the amplitude and voltage dependence of Ca2+ transients evoked by depolarizations. Ca2+ transients of transfected cells were unaltered by the removal of external Ca2+ or by the block of the L-type Ca2+ current, demonstrating that a skeletal-type excitation-contraction coupling was restored. The recovery of the normal skeletal muscle phenotype in beta 1-transfected beta-null myotubes shows that the beta 1 subunit is essential for the functional expression of the DHPR complex.
Confusion between multiple and aggregate fruits

The definitions of aggregate and multiple fruits, and the classification of these fruits, are reviewed chronologically, beginning in 1751 with Linnaeus’Philosophia botanica. In 1788, Joseph Gaertner defined a multiple fruit as one derived from many ovaries in a single flower, and a compound fruit as one derived from many ovaries of many flowers; in 1813, Augustin de Candolle referred to Gaertner’s compound fruits as aggregate fruits. Gaertner’s 1788 definition of multiple and de Candolle’s 1813 definition of aggregate (compound) fruits have been employed in non-English botanical textbooks for nearly two centuries, but equivalent English books currently give opposite meanings for these terms. We have traced the modern English definitions of aggregate and multiple fruits to John Lindley’s 1832Introduction to botany. The long history of confusion over the meanings of multiple and aggregate (compound) fruits is only one example of a need to stabilize descriptive fruit terminology; in such cases where an established meaning is not clear we suggest that priority be applied—i.e., application of those terms follow Gaertner. Since classification of fruits is in chaos, we urge authors to reference their use of fruit terminology to an authoritative source.
The Kinetics and Mechanism of the Selective Oxidation of 20Fe–40Ni–10Mn–30Cr Alloy

Process environments of high carbon activity (a c > 1) and low oxygen partial pressures (p O2) are often encountered in the petrochemical industry. Under these conditions a type of corrosion known as metal dusting occurs. Previous work has identified a 20Fe–40Ni–10Mn–30Cr high temperature alloy as a potential metal dusting resistant material. Knowledge of the kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of the alloy under low p O2 conditions would provide a better understanding of its corrosion resistant behavior and guide future alloy development. The present work examines the selective oxidation of Mn and Cr in the 20Fe–40Ni–10Mn–30Cr alloy under low p O2 conditions. The conditions for oxidation were selected by fixing the p O2 value such that only Mn and Cr would oxidize. These p O2 values are representative of the conditions that exist in metal dusting type environments. A comparison of the oxide film chemistry and morphology with those formed under metal dusting conditions will inform whether the high carbon activity is playing a role in protective oxide film formation. Low p O2 values are obtained by using a 90:10 CO:CO2 mixture at 1,000 K. Under these conditions an oxide film rapidly forms on the surface of the alloy. Analysis of the oxidized alloy by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals that the oxide consists of a continuous spinel with the approximate stoichiometry of MnCr2O4, as well as islands of MnO and fibrillar structures of MnCr2O4 stoichiometry. The parabolic rate constant for the growth of the spinel is determined from thermogravimetric analysis [k p = (3.72 ± 0.01) × 10−14 g2 cm−4 s−1], TEM analysis [k p = (6 ± 3) × 10−14 g2 cm−4 s−1] and cross-sectional SEM [k p = (3 ± 1) × 10−14 g2 cm−4 s−1].
Multi-material topology optimization with strength constraints

A heuristic approach to handle strength constraints based on material failure criteria in multi-material topology optimization is presented. This is particularly advantageous if different materials have different failure criteria. The change in the material failure function in an element due to a contemplated material change is estimated without the need for expensive matrix factorizations. This change is used along with the changes to the objective and deflection-based constraint functions, computed using pseudo-sensitivities, to determine a single aggregated ranking parameter for the element. Elements are ranked on the basis of their ranking parameters and this rank is used to modify the material ID-s of a few top-ranked elements during an optimization iteration. The working of the algorithm is demonstrated on a few example problems showing its effectiveness and utility in deriving optimal topologies with multiple materials in the presence of stress and strain-based failure criteria, in addition to the conventional stiffness-based constraints.
Regression analysis with censored autocorrelated data

Abstract For many studies in which data are collected sequentially in time, the sensitivity of the measurement is limited and an exact value can be recorded only if it falls within a specified range. This gives rise to a censored time series. In this article, we present a methodology for regression analysis of censored time series data. We fit autoregressive models to account for the time dependence. Two numerical methods for full likelihood estimation and an approximate method are discussed. The methods are illustrated with air pollution data subject to lower limits of detection.
Are backup BM harvests worthwhile in unrelated donor allogeneic transplants

The Cleveland Clinic blood and marrow transplant program has routinely performed ‘backup’ autologous harvests in unrelated recipients with hematological malignancies in remission, lymphoma without marrow involvement and CML in chronic phase. We reviewed all adult or cord unrelated donor (URD) transplants performed from January 1995 through September 2008 to evaluate the value of this procedure. Of 130 patients who had backup harvests, 15 (11%) had their backup harvests re-infused, all for graft failure. No patients undergoing fully ablative preparation and unmanipulated or T-depleted grafts from well-matched adult donors required infusion of backup marrow. Nine of 42 patients who underwent T cell grafts from partially matched or mismatched donors, five patients undergoing partially matched ablative transplants from adult donors or cord blood, and one patient undergoing non-myeloablative transplant required infusion of their back-up harvest. Five of 15 patients who received their backup marrow are alive in CR 2–11.6 (median 7.6) years from infusion. Two of these five were bridged to a second URD transplant; the other three showed durable disease-free survival without a second allogeneic transplant. Backup harvest is unnecessary for HLA well-matched myeloablative transplants, but may be useful in patients at higher risk of graft failure.
Improved techniques for acute and chronic cannulation of renal artery in the rat

Selective cannulation of the renal artery is necessary for the performance of certain studies of intrarenal physiology and pharmacology. For acute studies in the rat, a no. 30 gauge needle has been introduced into the left renal artery [1, 2] but problems with needle movements, bleeding, and eventually thrombosis limit the usefulness of the technique. To minimize these side-effects, the needle has been replaced by a piece of stretched polyethylene tubing (PE 10), but its introduction requires some local tissue dissection and delayed complete obstruction of renal blood flow. Nevertheless, if the animal was completely immobilized, the cannula could remain patent for up to 2 to 3 days [2, 3], thus allowing chronic studies to be performed. Over the past 8 years we have been perfecting an access pathway to the left renal artery via the left common carotid artery which does not involve local dissection or significant blood flow obstruction. In the process, cannulas have been developed that remain patent for at least 4 days in freely moving animals. We have performed over one hundred successful cannulations thus far and decided to communicate the techniques as they stand, hoping to stimulate new ideas leading to further progress in this area.
Water Adsorption in Porous Metal–Organic Frameworks and Related Materials

Water adsorption in porous materials is important for many applications such as dehumidification, thermal batteries, and delivery of drinking water in remote areas. In this study, we have identified three criteria for achieving high performing porous materials for water adsorption. These criteria deal with condensation pressure of water in the pores, uptake capacity, and recyclability and water stability of the material. In search of an excellently performing porous material, we have studied and compared the water adsorption properties of 23 materials, 20 of which are metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Among the MOFs are 10 zirconium(IV) MOFs with a subset of these, MOF-801-SC (single crystal form), −802, −805, −806, −808, −812, and −841 reported for the first time. MOF-801-P (microcrystalline powder form) was reported earlier and studied here for its water adsorption properties. MOF-812 was only made and structurally characterized but not examined for water adsorption because it is a byproduct of MOF-841 s...
Day of Surgery Urine Cultures Identify Urogynecologic Patients at Increased Risk for Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection

Purpose: Despite preoperative screening and treatment for urinary tract infections, a postoperative urinary tract infection develops in approximately 1 in 5 urogynecologic patients. In this study we assess the proportion of urogynecologic patients with a positive day of surgery urine culture, the clinical consequences of a positive day of surgery culture and differences in postoperative urinary tract infection risks based on day of surgery culture.Materials and Methods: After institutional review board approval, patients undergoing urogynecologic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center were recruited for the study. Catheterized urine samples were collected in the operating room before intravenous antibiotic administration. Clinical cultures were considered positive if 1,000 colonies per ml or more bacteria were found on routine culture. For analysis we matched each woman with a positive culture with 2 women with negative culture by age within 10 years and within surgical groups (ie prolapse and/or inc...
Application of the Feynman-Kac path integral method in finding the ground state of quantum systems

Abstract Numerical methods of applying the Feynman-Kac path integral approach to quantum mechanics are presented. Themethods are demonstrated on simple quantum mechanical systems, including the hydrogen atom, the simple harmonic oscillator and infinite square wells. New analytic results for the Wiener integrals are obtained and compared with numerical results. A measure of the statistical uncertainty is introduced and rates of convergence are investigated. Implementation of the method on both serial and parallel computers is discussed
Determination of prescription dose for Cs-131 permanent implants using the BED formalism including resensitization correction.

Purpose: The current widely used biological equivalent dose (BED) formalism for permanent implants is based on the linear-quadratic model that includes cell repair and repopulation but not resensitization (redistribution and reoxygenation). The authors propose a BED formalism that includes all the four biological effects (4Rs), and the authors propose how it can be used to calculate appropriate prescription doses for permanent implants with Cs-131. Methods: A resensitization correction was added to the BED calculation for permanent implants to account for 4Rs. Using the same BED, the prescription doses with Au-198, I-125, and Pd-103 were converted to the isoeffective Cs-131 prescription doses. The conversion factor F, ratio of the Cs-131 dose to the equivalent dose with the other reference isotope (F{sub r}: with resensitization, F{sub n}: without resensitization), was thus derived and used for actual prescription. Different values of biological parameters such as α, β, and relative biological effectiveness for different types of tumors were used for the calculation. Results: Prescription doses with I-125, Pd-103, and Au-198 ranging from 10 to 160 Gy were converted into prescription doses with Cs-131. The difference in dose conversion factors with (F{sub r}) and without (F{sub n}) resensitization was significant but varied with different isotopesmore » and different types of tumors. The conversion factors also varied with different doses. For I-125, the average values of F{sub r}/F{sub n} were 0.51/0.46, for fast growing tumors, and 0.88/0.77 for slow growing tumors. For Pd-103, the average values of F{sub r}/F{sub n} were 1.25/1.15 for fast growing tumors, and 1.28/1.22 for slow growing tumors. For Au-198, the average values of F{sub r}/F{sub n} were 1.08/1.25 for fast growing tumors, and 1.00/1.06 for slow growing tumors. Using the biological parameters for the HeLa/C4-I cells, the averaged value of F{sub r} was 1.07/1.11 (rounded to 1.1), and the averaged value of F{sub n} was 1.75/1.18. F{sub r} of 1.1 has been applied to gynecological cancer implants with expected acute reactions and outcomes as expected based on extensive experience with permanent implants. The calculation also gave the average Cs-131 dose of 126 Gy converted from the I-125 dose of 144 Gy for prostate implants. Conclusions: Inclusion of an allowance for resensitization led to significant dose corrections for Cs-131 permanent implants, and should be applied to prescription dose calculation. The adjustment of the Cs-131 prescription doses with resensitization correction for gynecological permanent implants was consistent with clinical experience and observations. However, the Cs-131 prescription doses converted from other implant doses can be further adjusted based on new experimental results, clinical observations, and clinical outcomes.« less
The amino terminal domain of HIV-1 Rev is required for discrimination of the RRE from nonspecific RNA.

Abstract The ability of HIV-1 Rev to successfully discriminate between specific Rev-responsive elements (RRE) and nonspecific binding sites in the presence of excess nonspecific RNA was examined using filter binding, gel shift, and gel filtration techniques, using purified M4 Rev mutant protein and endoproteinase Lys-C cleaved wild-type Rev. The M4 Rev displayed a slightly reduced binding affinity to the RRE, as well as a tenfold decrease in its ability to discriminate the RRE from non-specific RNA compared to the wild-type Rev. Gel shift and gel filtration chromotography data also showed decreased ability of the mutant to multimerize in the absence or presence of the RRE. The Lys-C cleaved Rev, which lacks the amino-terminal 20 amino acids of the protein, displayed less ability to discriminate the RRE from nonspecific RNA compared to either wild-type or the M4 mutant Rev and appeared unable to form protein–protein interactions, yet still bound sense and antisense RNA species with high affinity (Kdwas in the nanomolar concentration range). A 40 amino acid peptide containing the arginine-rich RRE binding domain of Rev was also observed to interact with both the RRE and antisense RNA fragments with a binding constant of about 1 x 10-9M. However, the peptide displayed almost no ability to discriminate between the RRE and a comparably sized antisense RRE. The loss in ability to discriminate correct from incorrect binding sites correlates with overall decreases in the α-helical character of the protein and perturbations within the amino terminus. The amino terminus of Rev is likely to maintain the conformational integrity of the arginine rich RRE binding domain which is required for specific RNA binding site discrimination or stabilization of specific Rev-RRE interaction.
Hydraulic resistance in bones of the canine shoulder

Abstract The hydraulic properties of trabecular bone were explored in both sides of normal canine shoulders by following the hydrostatic pressure response to transchondral injections of saline. In a series of isovolumetric injections at sites 9 mm beneath either joint surface, the pressure consistently rose higher and lasted longer in the humerus than it did in the scapula. Hydraulic resistance, the linear function of pressure per unit flow, averaged 8.8 times higher within the humerus than in the scapula in a second series of experiments. Hydraulic resistance fell by average factors of 9.6 in the humerus and 4.3 in the scapula when the surrounding bone was cut away to leave the injection site centered within a 1 cm ‘cube’ of trabecular bone. Direct determinations of hydraulic resistance provide a useful tool for the study of normal and abnormal physiology in trabecular bone.
The watershed deposition tool: a tool for incorporating atmospheric deposition in water-quality analyses.

A tool for providing the linkage between air and water-quality modeling needed for determining the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) and for analyzing related nonpoint-source impacts on watersheds has been developed. Using gridded output of atmospheric deposition from the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model, the Watershed Deposition Tool (WDT) calculates average per unit area and total deposition to selected watersheds and subwatersheds. CMAQ estimates the wet and dry deposition for all of its gaseous and particulate chemical species, including ozone, sulfur species, nitrogen species, secondary organic aerosols, and hazardous air pollutants at grid scale sizes ranging from 4 to 36 km. An overview of the CMAQ model is provided. The somewhat specialized format of the CMAQ files is not easily imported into standard spatial analysis tools. The WDT provides a graphical user interface that allows users to visualize CMAQ gridded data and perform further analyses on selected watersheds or simply convert CMAQ gridded data to a shapefile for use in other programs. Shapefiles for the 8-digit (cataloging unit) hydrologic unit code polygons for the United States are provided with the WDT; however, other user-supplied closed polygons may be used. An example application of the WDT for assessing the contributionsmore » of different source categories to deposition estimates, the contributions of wet and dry deposition to total deposition, and the potential reductions in total nitrogen deposition to the Albemarle-Pamlico basin stemming from future air emissions reductions is used to illustrate the WDT capabilities.« less
De/framed visions: Reading two collections of gardens at the Xi'an International Horticultural Exposition

In landscape, we form meaning through placefulness; as Martin Heidegger observed, ‘“place” places man in that dimension which reveals the revealing meaning of being’. 1 Gardens infer a more acceler...
Vegetation clustering by means of isodata: Revision by multiple discriminant analysis

An iterative, nonhierarchical, divisive, polythetic method of clustering phytosociological data is described and an efficient means of revising the results is presented. The procedures are applied to two sets of forest vegetation in western Washington (U.S.A.) and found to produce ecologically interpretable results. The clustering technique, ISODATA, produces clusters in n-species space on the basis of distance between cluster means. The iterations are truncated much sooner than is recommended by its originators, but the provisional clusters are analyzed by stepwise multiple discriminant analysis. This produces an effective and efficient analysis of the individual contribution of species to the classification and arranges the samples in canonical space, the axes of which are mutually orthogonal. This last procedure results in the clusters displayed in a reduced dimensional space and establishes the relationship between stands. The combination of procedures appears superior to several with which it was compared.
The role of commercial digging of mudflats as an agent for change of infaunal intertidal populations

Abstract This study assessed the influence of commercial digging for worms and clams of a mudflat on the associated benthic infaunal community in Lowes Cove, Walpole, Maine, USA. Four replicate experimental sites were established within each of which were two 1 m 2 digging plots and one 1 m 2 undug, control plot. Digging was done with a four-tined hoe by thrusting the tines into the sediment surface and pulling the sediment towards the digger. Such digging was repeated until an entire plot was dug. Two digging intensities were analyzed: low frequency digging (plot was dug twice a month) and high frequency digging (plot was dug twice a week). By the end of the 2.5 month experiment, the density of polychaetes Heteromastus filiformis (Claparede), Streblospio benedicti (Webster and Benedict), and Tharyx acutus (Webster and Benedict) as well as the total number of taxa were significantly reduced in the plots that had been dug (regardless of frequency) relative to those of the control. Other densities (total number of individuals, Scoloplos fragilis (Verrill), Exogone hebes (Webster and Benedict), Hydrobia totteni (Morrison), total oligochaetes) were not affected by the digging. The lack of undug mudflats in Maine makes comparison of these results to benthic communities in undisturbed areas virtually impossible.
On the dynamics of the general circulation

The dominant features of large-scale atmospheric motion emerge from a relatively simple treatment of the hydrodynamic equations, thus providing clear, intuitive understanding of the relation between cause and effect in the general circulation. The analysis is made possible by applying the perturbation equations to a sloping stream surface located in the middle troposphere. For reasonable values of the arbitrary parameters, the results show that baroclinic disturbances are unstable poleward of a critical latitude, roughly 35°, and that the preferred number of such unstable disturbances at any one time decreases from about 10 at 45°, to 2 at 80°. Greatest intensity occurs at about 60°. Jet streams must form close to the critical latitude and, in the case of long disturbances, at higher latitudes. Anticyclonic shear has a stabilizing influence, so that the normal velocity distribution in middle latitudes offers considerable resistance to penetration of disturbances to low latitudes. Below the critical latitude unstable disturbances are possible only in relatively small areas where the hydrostatic stability is nearly zero. Growth of these disturbances is favoured by anticyclonic shear, as well as by baroclinicity and by high latitude. Disturbances of maximum rate of growth are practically non-dispersive so that their growth depends mostly on available potential energy. If sufficient energy is available, the identity of individual disturbances can be maintained over extended time periods. Wave speed relative to the zonal current exhibits a maximum positive value at a high latitude.
Human interferon enhances gunaylate cyclase activity.

Abstract Partially purified human leukocyte interferons, partially purified human lymphoblastoid interferon, and human fibroblast interferon enhanced rat liver, kidney, and splenic guanylate cyclase {E.C.4.6.1.2.} activity 2–4 fold at 5 μIU concentration. Dose-response relationships revealed that the human leukocyte interferons enhanced splenic guanylate cyclase activity at concentrations as low as 0.01 μIU while a concentration of 1 μIU for partially purified human lymphoblastoid interferon and 10 μIU concentration for human fibroblast interferon were necessary to see any effect on guanylate cyclase activity.
Tensile failure of notched fiber-reinforced composite materials

The weibull brittle failure model is used to described the tensile strength degradation of a fiber-reinforced composite material in the presence of a notch. This model uses the description of the state of stress near the notch and the Weibull shape parameter from a series of unnotched tensile tests. The Weibull-model strengtyh degradation is evaluated using numerical integration of a reduced, one-dimensional tensile volume. The numberical Weibull integral results are compared with the point stress failure theory. The comparison suggests that the two parameters of the point stress theory stem form the single Weibull shape parameter. The integral results are shown to be conservative when compared with data for two graphite. epoxy systems.
Receptor specificity of the 5HT2 receptor antagonist, LY53857

LY53857 is a potent antagonist at vascular 5HT2 receptors that lacks prominent α1 or dopamine antagonist activity. The present report investigates the interaction of LY53857 with other receptor mechanisms. LY53857 showed no agonist activity in the guinea pig trachea, guinea pig atria, guinea pig ileum, or rat vas deferens. Furthermore, LY53857 did not antagonize histamine (H1) or β2 receptors in the guinea pig trachea, β1 in the guinea pig atria, muscarinic, or angiotensin I receptors in the guinea pig ileum. However, LY53857 did block α2 receptors (−log KB = 6.51) as determined by antagonism of the inhibitory effects of the selective β2 agonist, UK-14,304, on the twitch response in the guinea pig ileum. LY53857 antagonized β2 receptors at concentrations approximately 6000-fold higher than necessary to block 5HT2 receptors (−log KB = 10.3). Taken in concert, these data support the contention that LY53857 is a highly selective antagonist of 5HT2 receptors, and that LY53857 is a useful tool with which to probe 5HT2 receptors and serotonergic mechanisms.