cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conversion of ATP into other adenine nucleotides within isolated islet secretory vesicles. Effect of cyclic AMP on phosphorus translocation.

The secretory vesicle fraction (24,000 × g) from rat islets was incubated with labelled ATP and radioactivity recovered as adenine nucleotides and inorganic phosphate. The ATP for incubation was labelled in the adenyl moiety with tritium along with ATP labelled with 32P either in the alpha (ribosyl) or the gamma (terminal) phosphorus position. After a 1-h period of incubation, 51% of the [3H]ATP that underwent conversion was recovered as AMP in the soluble fraction of the secretory vesicle. Forty-three per cent of the radioactivity was recovered as ADP and 5% as cyclic AMP. The insoluble fraction of the secretory vesicle contained substantially less tritium radioactivity- AMP (0.2%), ADP (0.05%), cyclic AMP (0.05%) and ATP (0.20%). In the insoluble fraction of the secretory vesicle, phosphorus radioactivity was found which could not be accounted for by the presence of adenine nucleotides. The ratio of 32P to 3H (incubation with ATP labelled with tritium and in the gamma phosphorus position) increased from...
CONCEPTUALIZING FAMILY MEMBERS OF VIOLENT MENTALLY ILL INDIVIDUALS AS A VULNERABLE POPULATION

A review of literature concerning familial violence and mental illness using the Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Model (VPCM) as an organizing framework is presented. Since family members are most likely to be targets if a person who is mentally ill becomes violent, this review emphasizes the VPCM concepts of resource availability (including capital, stigma, and access to healthcare), risk, and health status of those family members. The population-based VPCM was used in an attempt to move the examination of this phenomenon from a focus on the individual to a conceptualization of it as family violence occurring within a broader, social context.
Synthesis rules for cyclic interactions among processes in concurrent systems

Designing concurrent systems has been shown to be difficult due to state explosion problems. A synthesis technique using Petri nets is proposed to tackle the problem. A set of rules has been proposed to guide designers incrementally expanding Petri nets under design while maintaining the logical correctness. These rules cover the semantics of concurrency, exclusiveness, cyclicity, and interactions. >
High‐resolution auroral observations of the OI(7774) and OI(8446) multiplets

High resolution observations of the OI(7774) and OI(8446) multiplet auroral emissions were made using a Fabry-Perot spectrometer at Churchill, Canada during March, 1984. The intensity of each of these lines, relative to N2+ (4278) may depend on atmospheric composition. The OI(8446) emission linewidths are under 40 mA while the OI(7774) emission linewidths have two components; one narrow (∼ 40 mA) and one broad (∼ 275 mA). The broad to narrow intensity ratio increases with decreasing red to blue ratio. These results are consistent with electron impact excitation of O being the dominant source of both emissions at high altitudes. However, at lower thermospheric altitudes, dissociative excitation of O2 molecules may be an important source of OI(7774) emission.
Building a digital library: the Perseus project as a case study in the humanities

This paper outlines some of our preliminary findings in the Perseus Project, an on-going digital library on ancient Greek culture that has been under development since 1987.
Association of Noninvasively Measured Left Ventricular Mechanics With In Vitro Muscle Contractile Performance: A Prospective Study in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Patients

Methods and Results-—HCM patients (n=122, 5414 years, 54% men) undergoing SM were prospectively recruited. Longitudinal systolic strain and diastolic strain rates were measured at that basal septum (partially removed at SM) by using velocity vector imaging on preoperative echocardiography. Semiquantitative histopathologic grading of myocyte disarray and fibrosis and in vitro measurements of resting tension and developed tension were made in septal tissue obtained at SM. Mean basal septal systolic strain and diastolic strain rate were 8.35% and 0.620.4/s, while mild or greater degree of myocyte disarray and interstitial fibrosis were present in 85% and 87%, respectively. Mean resting tension and developed tension were 2.81 and 1.40.8 g/mm 2 . On regression analysis, basal septal systolic strain, diastolic strain rate, disarray, and fibrosis were associated with developed tension (b=0.19, 0.20, 0.33, and 0.40, respectively, all P<0.01) and resting tension (b=0.21, 0.22, 0.25, and 0.28, respectively, all P<0.01). Conclusion-—In obstructive HCM patients who underwent SM, left ventricular mechanics (echocardiographic longitudinal systolic strain and diastolic strain rates), assessed at the basal septum (myocardium removed during myectomy) and histopathologic findings characteristic for HCM (disarray and fibrosis) were significantly associated with in vitro myocardial resting and developed contractile performance. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3:e001269 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.001269)
Temporal trends in head and neck cancer surgery reconstruction.

Background The purpose of this study was to analyze changing trends in head and neck cancer reconstructive surgery and analyze the effect of surgeon and hospital volume. Methods Data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) for 133,850 patients who underwent a major ablative procedure for a malignant oral cavity, laryngeal, hypopharyngeal, or oropharyngeal neoplasm in 1993 to 2010 were analyzed using cross-tabulations and multivariate regression. Results Reconstructive surgery in 2001 to 2010 was significantly associated with prior radiation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.4–4.9), comorbidity (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.1–2.2), laryngeal cancer (OR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.6–0.9), oropharyngeal cancer (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.4–0.7), high-volume hospitals (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.5–10.2), and high-volume surgeons (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.1–3.9), compared to 1993–2000. Reconstruction by high-volume surgeons was significantly associated with prior radiation (OR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.1–3.1) and lower in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1–1.0). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between high-volume surgeons and length of hospitalization and hospital-related costs. Conclusion These data reflect changing trends in head and neck cancer reconstructive surgery, with meaningful differences in the type of surgical care provided by high-volume surgeons. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2014
Time-domain cepstral transformations

The realization of homomorphic systems for convolution is addressed, motivated by the limitations of the Fourier-transform-based method commonly used in homomorphic (complex cepstral) filtering. The time-domain cepstral transformation (TDCT) method, which is entirely based on time-domain calculations, thus avoiding or minimizing the problems associated with the FT method, is introduced. Explicit transformations of an ordinary mixed-phase time sequence (belonging to convolution space) into its complex cepstrum time sequence (belonging to additive cepstrum vector space) and vice versa are derived. The method does not require unwrapped phase calculations, and no specific windows are used to precondition the signal in order to produce a more accurate representation of the complex cepstrum. It trades reduced computational efficiency for improved performance. Examples comparing Fourier-based and TD cepstrum transformations are presented. >
Automatic and coordinated job recovery for high performance computing

As the scale of high-performance computing systems continues to grow, the impact of failures on the systems is increasingly critical. Research has been performed on fault prediction and associated precautionary actions. While this approach is valuable, it is not adequate because of the inevitability of failures. Postfailure recovery is equally important; however, most current work relies mainly on checkpoint/restart, not addressing the problem from the system level. We propose AuCoRe, an automatic and coordinated job recovery framework. AuCoRe provides a coordination mechanism for failed-job recovery, taking the execution of regular jobs into account; users specify job recovery policy for their jobs, and an incentive mechanism minimizes gaming. We have implemented AuCoRe in Cobalt, a production resource manager, and evaluated it using real workloads from the Blue Gene/P system at Argonne National Laboratory. Experimental results demonstrate that AuCoRe improves system performance by efficiently managing job recovery.
Formulation of capacitance of rapid thermal annealed junction

This paper provides an analytical expression for charge distribution and electric field of a rapid thermally annealed junction device. A numerical method is used and simulated results are compared with the experimental values. Our results indicate that Rapid Thermal Annealed process is a valid and economical method to produce microwave devices. >
Cutaneous and Systemic Poxviral Disease in Red (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and Gray (Sciurus carolinensis) Squirrels

From September 2005 through October 2006, fibromatosis was diagnosed in 2 red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and 1 gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). All 3 squirrels had multifocal to coalescing, tan, firm alopecic cutaneous nodules. Two squirrels also had pulmonary nodules. Histologically, the cutaneous nodules had marked epidermal hyperplasia, with ballooning degeneration of keratinocytes, spongiosis, and eosinophilic cytoplasmic inclusions. The dermis was expanded by proliferation of atypical mesenchymal cells with cytoplasmic inclusions. Additional findings included pulmonary adenomatous hyperplasia with cytoplasmic inclusions, renal tubular epithelial hyperplasia with cytoplasmic inclusions, atypical mesenchymal proliferation in the liver, and atypical mesenchymal proliferation with cytoplasmic inclusions in the seminal vesicles. Ultrastructurally, poxviral particles were observed in skin scrapings and sections of cutaneous and pulmonary nodules. Polymerase chain reaction targeting the highly conserved Leporipoxvirus DNA polymerase gene was positive using DNA extracted from the cutaneous lesions of all 3 squirrels. Nucleotide sequence of the 390 base PCR amplicons was closely related to that of other members of the genus Leporipoxvirus .T o the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of cutaneous and systemic poxviral disease in American red squirrels with molecular characterization of the squirrel fibroma virus.
Tumor-associated Antigen Arrays for the Serological Diagnosis of Cancer

The recognition that human tumors stimulate the production of autoantibodies against autologous cellular proteins called tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) has opened the door to the possibility that autoantibodies could be exploited as serological tools for the early diagnosis and management of cancer. Cancer-associated autoantibodies are often driven by intracellular proteins that are mutated, modified, or aberrantly expressed in tumor cells and hence are regarded as immunological reporters that could help uncover molecular events underlying tumorigenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that each type of cancer might trigger unique autoantibody signatures that reflect the nature of the malignant process in the affected organ. The advent of novel genomic, proteomic, and high throughput approaches has accelerated interest in the serum autoantibody repertoire in human cancers for the discovery of candidate TAAs. The use of individual anti-TAA autoantibodies as diagnostic or prognostic tools has been tempered by their low frequency and heterogeneity in most human cancers. However, TAA arrays comprising several antigens significantly increase this frequency and hold great promise for the early detection of cancer, monitoring cancer progression, guiding individualized therapeutic interventions, and identification of novel therapeutic targets. Our recent studies suggest that the implementation of TAA arrays in screening programs for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and other cancers should be preceded by the optimization of their sensitivity and specificity through the careful selection of the most favorable combinations of TAAs.
Repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation in neurological disease

Well-established rules of translational initiation have been used as a cornerstone in molecular biology to understand gene expression and to frame fundamental questions on what proteins a cell synthesizes, how proteins work and to predict the consequences of mutations. For a group of neurological diseases caused by the abnormal expansion of short segments of DNA (e.g. CAG•CTG repeats), mutations within or outside of predicted coding and non-coding regions are thought to cause disease by protein gain- or loss-of-function or RNA gain-of-function mechanisms. In contrast to these predictions, the recent discovery of repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation showed expansion mutations can express homopolymeric expansion proteins in all three reading frames without an AUG start codon. This unanticipated, non-canonical type of protein translation is length-and hairpin-dependent, takes place without frameshifting or RNA editing and occurs across a variety of repeat motifs. To date, RAN proteins have been reported in spinocerebellar ataxia type 8 (SCA8), myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), fragile X tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) and C9ORF72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD). In this article, we review what is currently known about RAN translation and recent progress toward understanding its contribution to disease.
An Analysis of Reference Laboratory Testing in a Large Urban Academic Medical Center: The Impact of New Molecular Diagnostic Technologies

Virtually all hospitals send laboratory tests to outside reference laboratories. Typically, these “send-outs” are low-volume, esoteric tests or use assays that require special skills or expensive technologies beyond the scope of the hospital laboratory. Over time, there has been an increase in the complexity of the test menu with the emergence of a large number of molecular-based diagnostics. As a consequence, reference laboratory testing on the national level has become a multi-billion-dollar business. National commercial reference laboratories have the capacity to transport and process large volumes of samples and, by virtue of their size, they offer a diverse test menu. Typically, this results in a lower unit cost (although charges will be higher) than can be achieved in the hospital setting. In a previous study based on 2002 data, the authors reported various metrics on reference laboratory testing in their hospital. 1 At that time, reference laboratory testing comprised only 1% of the total test volume but accounted for 65.7% of the test menu and 12.4% of the total laboratory budget. 1 Molecular diagnostic testing was beginning to emerge as an important contributor to the test menu while increasing reference laboratory costs. In this study, the authors reevaluate the scope of the current reference laboratory testing in their institution and assess the impact of new molecular-based testing on hospital reference laboratory services in 2006.
A neurotoxic regimen of methamphetamine exacerbates the febrile and neuroinflammatory response to a subsequent peripheral immune stimulus

Methamphetamine (MA) use is associated with activation of microglia and, at high doses, can induce neurotoxicity. Given the changes in the neuroinflammatory environment associated with MA, we investigated whether MA administration would interfere with the thermoregulatory and neuroinflammatory response to a subsequent peripheral immune stimulus. C57BL6/J mice were given four i.p. injections of either 5 mg/kg MA or saline at two hour intervals. Twenty-four hours following the first MA injection, mice were given 100 μg/kg LPS or saline i.p. and blood and brains were collected. Here we report that mice exposed to MA developed higher fevers in response to LPS than did those given LPS alone. MA also exacerbated the LPS-induced increase in central cytokine mRNA. MA alone increased microglial Iba1 expression and expression was further increased when mice were exposed to both MA and LPS, suggesting that MA not only activated microglia but also influenced their response to a peripheral immune stimulus. Taken together, these data show that MA administration exacerbates the normal central immune response, most likely by altering microglia.
DVD: A Secure Unicast Based Pairwise Key Generation Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks

Secure communications among large numbers of wireless sensor nodes that are randomly scattered in an environment is necessary to avoid unauthorized access to data. Secure communication among sensor nodes requires pairwise key distribution prior to the actual data transmission. In this work, we consider pairwise key generation and distribution problem in wireless sensor networks where large amount of resource limited wireless sensor nodes are randomly scattered around. Unlike most other schemes, our scheme does not require the sensor nodes to broadcast and store a key chain in their memory from a universal key space. The individual and the common pair wise keys are generated and unicasted inside the network. Simulation and results indicate that there is a significant decrease in the transmission cost and storage cost by the sensor nodes.
Prescribed fire in a Great Basin sagebrush ecosystem: Dynamics of soil extractable nitrogen and phosphorus

Pinyon and juniper have been expanding into sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecosystems since settlement of the Great Basin around 1860. Herbaceous understory vegetation is eliminated as stand densities increase and the potential for catastrophic fires increases. Prescribed fire is increasingly used to remove trees and promote recovery of sagebrush ecosystems. We quantified the effects of prescribed fire, vegetation type, and time following fire on soil KCl extractable nitrogen and NaHCO3 extractable phosphorus in a pinyon–juniper woodland and its associated sagebrush ecosystem immediately before and for 4 years after a spring prescribed burn. Potassium chloride extractable NH4 and total inorganic-N increased immediately following prescribed fire, and extractable NO3 decreased immediately after the burn. In the surface layer (top 8 cm), extractable NH4 remained elevated compared to the control through year 2 after the burn. By the first fall postburn extractable NO3 and total extractable inorganic-N increased and remained elevated over the control through year 3 after the burn in the surface layer. For the entire soil profile (52 cm), the burn had no effect on NH4 , and the effects on total extractable inorganic-N were no longer significant after year 1. However, NO3 remained elevated over the control through year 2 post-fire for the soil profile. Near surface NaHCO3 extractable ortho-P increased immediately following fire, and remained elevated through year 2 post-fire. No fire effects were observed for extractable ortho-P in deeper horizons. Our data show that plant available nitrogen can remain elevated for extended
Combination of a Hepatitis C Virus NS3-NS4A Protease Inhibitor and Alpha Interferon Synergistically Inhibits Viral RNA Replication and Facilitates Viral RNA Clearance in Replicon Cells

The present standard of care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is pegylated alpha interferon (IFN-α) in combination with ribavirin. However, specific antivirals such as HCV NS3-NS4A protease inhibitors are now in clinical development, and these agents can potentially be used in combination with the present treatments. Therefore, it is important to investigate the potential benefits or adverse effects of these new combinations by using available in vitro HCV culture systems first. In the present study we demonstrate that the combination of a specific HCV NS3-NS4A protease inhibitor and IFN-α synergistically inhibits HCV RNA replication in replicon cells, with little or no increase in cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the benefit of the combination was sustained over time, such that a greater than 3-log reduction in HCV RNA levels was achieved following 9 days of treatment. The viral RNA appeared to be cleared from the replicon cells after 14 days of treatment, and no viral RNA rebound was observed upon withdrawal of the inhibitors. In each case, the antiviral effects obtained with higher concentrations of either the protease inhibitor alone or IFN-α alone can be achieved by a combination of both agents at lower concentrations, which may potentially reduce the risk of possible adverse effects associated with high doses of either agent.
Cellular ultrastructure of jojoba seed

Jojoba seed, examined with an electron microscope, appeared ultrastructurally similar to other oilseeds, even though liquid wax, rather than triglyceride, comprises the reserve lipid of the seed. This observation indicates that liquid wax and triglyceride are stored in the same manner-in spherosomes-within seeds.
Endocytic cycling of glucose transporters and insulin resistance due to immunosuppressive agents

For many investigators studying type 2 diabetes, the term “insulin resistance” has become synonymous with impaired signaling immediately downstream of the insulin receptor (IR). There is good reason for this. Early studies of impaired insulin action in diabetes identified “receptor” and “postreceptor” defects; most impairment was in the postreceptor category. Subsequent studies of normal insulin action proceeded stepwise from the IR, often using biochemical methods to elucidate signaling molecules. This body of work led to a linear conception of pathways leading from the IR to various actions, including the stimulation of glucose uptake in fat and muscle. Yet, occasional reports suggested that this notion of a stepwise linear pathway might be overly simplistic. As with metabolism itself, signal transduction involves a network of interconnected pathways (1). Moreover, the response to insulin stimulation depends, to some degree, upon the state of the responding cell. It follows that insulin resistance may involve a range of alterations, not limited to reduced signaling immediately downstream of the IR. In this issue of the JCEM, Pereira et al (2) show that immunosuppressive agents cause insulin resistance not by affecting major signaling molecules, but by accelerating the removal of GLUT4 glucose transporters from the cell surface. This unexpected finding suggests a more nuanced view of mechanisms that cause insulin resistance—including those associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Rapid imaging of surgical breast excisions using direct temporal sampling two photon fluorescent lifetime imaging

Two photon fluorescent lifetime imaging is a modality that enables depth-sectioned, molecularly-specific imaging of cells and tissue using intrinsic contrast. However, clinical applications have not been well explored due to low imaging speed and limited field of view, which make evaluating large pathology samples extremely challenging. To address these limitations, we have developed direct temporal sampling two photon fluorescent lifetime imaging (DTS-FLIM), a method which enables a several order of magnitude increase in imaging speed by capturing an entire lifetime decay in a single fluorescent excitation. We use this greatly increased speed to perform a preliminary study using gigapixel-scale imaging of human breast pathology surgical specimens.
Magnesium alloys: Ready for the road.

Strength, ductility and corrosion resistance have been simultaneously obtained in a low-density lithium-containing magnesium alloy, thereby enhancing its potential use in transportation.
Fever, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-6 in young, mature, and aged Fischer 344 rats

The purpose of this study was to compare the febrile responses of Fischer 344 rats of different ages [young (3-5 mo), mature (12-15 mo), and aged (24-27 mo; n = 8)] to two psychological stress paradigms, cage switch and exposure to an open field, as well as to injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) and interleukin-6 were also measured in the plasma of these rats at 90 min postinjection with LPS. There was no significant difference among groups in febrile responses to switching their cages. Exposure to an open field for 30 min resulted in a smaller rise in temperature in the aged rats (0.62 degree C) than in the young rats (1.26 degrees C). This difference disappeared if rats were exposed to an open field for 60 min. Injection of LPS led to fevers that developed at a slower rate in aged rats than in the mature groups. The peak fevers, however, were not different. The activity of interleukin-6 90 min after injection of LPS was higher in aged rats (297,858 U/ml) than in young (17,462 U/ml) and mature rats (28,819 U/ml). TNF levels were also higher in aged rats (16,380 U/ml) compared with young (574 U/ml) and mature rats (36 U/ml). We conclude that although the magnitude of the febrile response is not different among rats of different ages, the rise in body temperature occurs slower in aged rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Translocation of DDT and Heptachlor in Soybeans

Heavy rates of DDT and heptachlor are used for the control of certain soil insects. The translocation of these insecticides to the seeds of crops could create an important problem in connection with residue tolerances.
Carbothermal reduction of Ti-modified IRMOF-3: an adaptable synthetic method to support catalytic nanoparticles on carbon.

This work describes a novel method for the preparation of titanium oxide nanoparticles supported on amorphous carbon with nanoporosity (Ti/NC) via the post-synthetic modification of a Zn-based MOF with an amine functionality, IRMOF-3, with titanium isopropoxide followed by its carbothermal pyrolysis. This material exhibited high purity, high surface area (>1000 m2/g), and a high dispersion of metal oxide nanoparticles while maintaining a small particle size (∼4 nm). The material was shown to be a promising catalyst for oxidative desulfurization of diesel using dibenzothiophene as a model compound as it exhibited enhanced catalytic activity as compared with titanium oxide supported on activated carbon via the conventional incipient wetness impregnation method. The formation mechanism of Ti/NC was also proposed based on results obtained when the carbothermal reduction temperature was varied.
Using Discontinuity Mapping to Investigate the Origins of Rock City and Mountain Lake, Giles County, VirginiaOrigins of Rock City and Mountain Lake

Mountain Lake’s unusual location, near the summit of Salt Pond Mountain, VA, in the non-glaciated portion of the Appalachian Mountains, has prompted geologists to study its origin for decades. The northeastern end of the lake abuts an area of heterogeneous colluvial deposits that contain large rectangular blocks of hard Tuscarora Sandstone. This area is known as “Rock City” because of the resemblance of the gaps between the rock blocks to streets and alleys in a city. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin of Rock City and whether the colluvial deposits within its boundaries are part of a landslide that is possibly responsible for the formation of Mountain Lake. Mapping of Rock City included taking global positioning satellite readings at the corners of rock blocks and along the boundaries of other outcrops, then using ArcMap software to generate maps. Using stereonet analysis, the mode of rock-block displacement was investigated by comparing the measured orientations of principal discontinuity sets forming the rock-block boundaries with discontinuity orientations of undisturbed outcrops. Discontinuity data analysis indicates that Rock City is most likely a landslide that dammed the valley of Pond Drain, forming the lake. The primary mode of slope movement involves lateral spreading associated with extension occurring along discontinuities. The Tuscarora Sandstone blocks comprising Rock City were detached from a scarp face along a northwest-southeast–trending joint set and were displaced laterally toward the west. A seismic event may have triggered slope movement; however, more extensive analysis must be done to rule out other interpretations.
Engaging Students in the Community of College

This chapter describes a civic engagement project aimed at connecting first semester community college students more meaningfully to their college community in an effort to promote greater student persistence. Using college inquiry as a frame through which to help students develop the knowledge and skills they need to flourish in college, this project sought to engage students in the college community as the site of civic engagement. This chapter considers both the successes and limits of curricular and pedagogical innovations to ameliorate the challenges community college students face to reaching graduation. The author further considers how civic engagement efforts in community colleges might honor students’ commitments to their home communities while building their bonds to college and argues in favor of a new conceptualization of civic engagement that positions community college students’ academic success as part of an expanded definition of what it means to be an engaged student, community member, and citizen.
Analysis of Influencing Factors of Civic Charitable Donation Based on Theory of Planned Behavior——Data from Liaoning Province

Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior,this paper uses PPS method to extract 811 residents to conduct a questionnaire survey from the system-generated CATI in order to analyze the impact of charitable donation and perceived behavior control on donation intention and behavior.The results got by SPSS17.0 and MPLUSS 5.2 show that: charitable donation behavior was affected greatly by donation intention while the intention was affected greatly by perceived behavior control;and subjective donation norms and attitude are the second elements that affected the behavioral intention.At last,the author made recommendations to promote civic charitable donation.
ANF inhibits norepinephrine-stimulated fluid absorption in rat proximal straight tubules

We have previously shown that atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) only inhibits fluid absorption in the proximal straight tubule after the tissue has been exposed to angiotensin (ANG) II. In this paper, the interaction between ANF and norepinephrine (NE) in the proximal straight tubule was investigated. ANF alone (10(-9) M) added to the bath had no significant effect on fluid absorption. In contrast, when tubules were first treated with 10(-7) M NE, 10(-9) M ANF reduced fluid absorption from 0.63 +/- 0.09 to 0.41 +/- 0.04 nl.mm-1.min-1. NE alone stimulated fluid absorption by 33%. Dibutyryl-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP; 50 microM) mimicked the effects of ANF, reducing fluid absorption from 0.73 +/- 0.06 to 0.35 +/- 0.07 nl.mm-1.min-1 in NE-treated tubules. However, it had no effect on fluid absorption in the absence of NE. These studies suggest that 1) ANF can regulate fluid absorption in the proximal nephron; 2) this inhibition occurs only after transport has been stimulated by agents such as NE (or ANG II); 3) cGMP is part of the second messenger system of ANF in the rat proximal straight tubule; and 4) the primary interaction between ANF and NE (or ANG II) occurs in the second messenger cascades subsequent to steps that affect levels of cGMP.
Furosemide-induced airway relaxation in guinea pigs : relation to Na-K-2Cl cotransporter function

This study tested the hypothesis that airway relaxation to furosemide is mediated via the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter. If this mechanism exists in airway smooth muscle like in vascular smooth muscle, ch...
Observed Medical and Surgical Complications of Prolonged Barbiturate Coma for Refractory Status Epilepticus

Background:Refractory status epilepticus is often treated with third-line therapy, such as pentobarbital coma. However, its use is limited by side effects. Recognizing and preventing major and minor adverse effects of prolonged pentobarbital coma may increase good outcomes. This study retrospectively reviewed direct and indirect medical and surgical pentobarbital coma.Methods:Retrospective chart review of all patients with refractory status epilepticus treated with pentobarbital over a 1 year period at a large tertiary care center. We collected baseline data, EEG data, and complications that were observed.Results:Overall, nine patients [median age 46.4 (IQR 21.7, 75.5) years] were induced with pentobarbital coma median 11 (IQR 3, 33) days after seizure onset for a median of 9 (IQR 3.5, 45.4) days. A total of four to eight concurrent antiepileptics were tried prior to the pentobarbital coma. Phenobarbital, due to recurrence of seizures on weaning pentobarbital coma, was required in seven patients. Observed...
Experience with 3 SDN Controllers in an Enterprise Setting

Interest in OpenFlow and software-defined network (SDNs) has resulted in a boom in SDN hardware and controller offerings, with varying degrees of maturity, popularity and support. However, few studies have been conducted to investigate the interaction between SDN hardware and software, as well as its impact on controller design and implementation. In this paper, we chronicle our experience with deploying two commodity SDN controllers and a new system, IronStack, of our own design in a production enterprise network at Cornell University, and describe the lessons learnt. We also report on several practical limitations of SDN and controller technology, and detail important future challenges for SDN adopters and developers.
Infant-directed speech in English and Spanish: Assessments of monolingual and bilingual caregiver VOT

Abstract It has been shown that monolingual caregivers exaggerate acoustic speech cues in infant-directed speech (IDS), but less is known about the characteristics of IDS in late second-language (L2) bilingual caregivers. Furthermore, there is inconsistency in the literature regarding voice onset time (VOT) of stop consonants in IDS. The present study explores VOT of English and Spanish stops in English monolingual and Spanish-dominant bilingual caregivers, in infant- versus adult-directed speech registers. Both monolinguals and bilinguals exaggerate VOT in IDS; however, different patterns are noted across consonant type and language context. Also, bilinguals produced English stops with Spanish-like and English-like properties, depending upon their L2-proficiency. The characteristics of late-L2 Spanish–English bilingual IDS may create a complex phonetic environment for infants, which may in turn affect the perception and later production of stop consonants in dual language-learning infants.
Mechanical response of collagen networks to nonuniform microscale loads

As force is applied to fibrous proteins such as collagen or fibrin, the fibers respond by bending, stretching, or buckling, which together bring about a nonlinear relationship between force and displacement. The nonlinearity is typically understood in terms of strain stiffening in uniform extension or shear, but there remains a critical lack of data on how fibrous materials respond to other more complicated loadings. Here we study the mechanics of collagen networks in response to nonuniform loads applied on the local scale of the fibers. For this, we use particles made of an active hydrogel that undergoes a temperature-induced phase transition causing a large decrease in volume. We embed these particles in networks of fibrous collagen and use them as microactuators to apply controlled microscale loading. The resulting fiber displacements propagate over a long range with radial displacements u scaling as r−n with n ≈ 1. By contrast, we find linear homogeneous materials have n ≈ 2, in agreement with classical linear elastic theory. Our experimental data supports the notion that the long range displacements result from buckling of fibers in compression and local straightening of fibers in tension, in agreement with previous studies. Surprisingly, global network anisotropy appears to have only a modest effect on the displacement propagation. These insights into the microscale mechanics demonstrate that the decay power n provides a useful metric to quantify the mechanics of fibrous materials. We therefore suggest it is a means to compare new theories with experimental data.
Phosphorus-Doped SnTe-Type Needle-like Crystals: Band Structure Modifications and Electronic Properties

SnTe has recently emerged as a 3D crystalline topological insulator exhibiting band inversion at the L point where certain crystalline symmetries allow the protection of robust topological surface states. Synthesis and development of new Dirac materials by disturbing the SnTe symmetry was accomplished by substitution of a Sn vacancy by P that maintains the intrinsic band inversion at the L point but also the direct bandgap reduction upon the incorporation of spin orbit coupling. The exotic morphology of the synthesized P-doped SnTe microneedles produces signal amplification arising from the topological surface states due to the alteration of surface area to volume ratio. Moreover, the modified effective mass, lattice imperfection, and conductivity results in a large memory window ∼3.1 V for field effect transistors accompanied by a large change in current within a certain potential range.
The 2-Pebbling Property and a Conjecture of Graham's

The pebbling number of a graph G, f(G), is the least m such that, however m pebbles are placed on the vertices of G, we can move a pebble to any vertex by a sequence of moves, each move taking two pebbles off one vertex and placing one on an adjacent vertex. It is conjectured that for all graphs G and H, f(G×H)≤f(G)f(H).¶Let Cm and Cn be cycles. We prove that f(Cm×Cn)≤f(Cm) f(Cn) for all but a finite number of possible cases. We also prove that f(G×T)≤f(G) f(T) when G has the 2-pebbling property and T is any tree.
Understanding the feasibility of machine learning algorithms in a game theoretic environment for dynamic spectrum access

The key enabling technology in dynamic spectrum access is Cognitive Radio that allows unlicensed secondary users to access the licensed bands without causing any interference to the primary users. In any situation where there are a certain number of secondary networks trying to get an available channel, there arises a game theoretic competition where they want to get the channel for themselves by incurring as minimum cost as possible. The increase in cost is equivalent to the increase in time caused by the need of a search for an available channel. This process could be sped up if the networks had a predictive mechanism to determine the optimal strategy. In this paper, we investigate various predictive algorithms: Linear regression, Support Vector Regression and Elastic Net and compare them with other traditional non-predictive game theoretic mechanisms. We measure the accuracy of these algorithms in terms of time taken to reach the system convergence. We also observe how a self-learning approach can be helpful in maximizing utilities of the players in comparison to traditional game theoretic approaches.
Mapping rock forming minerals at Boundary Canyon, Death Valey National Park, California, using aerial SEBASS thermal infrared hyperspectral image data

Abstract Aerial spatially enhanced broadband array spectrograph system (SEBASS) long-wave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral image data were used to map the distribution of rock-forming minerals indicative of sedimentary and meta-sedimentary lithologies around Boundary Canyon, Death Valley, California, USA. Collection of data over the Boundary Canyon detachment fault (BCDF) facilitated measurement of numerous lithologies representing a contact between the relatively unmetamorphosed Grapevine Mountains allochthon and the metamorphosed core complex of the Funeral Mountains autochthon. These included quartz-rich sandstone, quartzite, conglomerate, and alluvium; muscovite-rich schist, siltstone, and slate; and carbonate-rich dolomite, limestone, and marble, ranging in age from late Precambrian to Quaternary. Hyperspectral data were reduced in dimensionality and processed to statistically identify and map unique emissivity spectra endmembers. Some minerals (e.g., quartz and muscovite) dominate multiple lithologies, resulting in a limited ability to differentiate them. Abrupt variations in image data emissivity amongst pelitic schists corresponded to amphibolite; these rocks represent gradation from greenschist- to amphibolite-metamorphic facies lithologies. Although the full potential of LWIR hyperspectral image data may not be fully utilized within this study area due to lack of measurable spectral distinction between rocks of similar bulk mineralogy, the high spectral resolution of the image data was useful in characterizing silicate- and carbonate-based sedimentary and meta-sedimentary rocks in proximity to fault contacts, as well as for interpreting some mineral mixtures.
Spatial and temporal variations in resilience to tropical cyclones along the United States coastline as determined by the multi-hazard hurricane impact level model

The United States coastline, where over 50% the population lives, is vulnerable to hurricanes along the East and Gulf coasts. However, the question remains as to whether these two areas are equally resilient to a landfalling hurricane. In addition, while it is assumed that improvements in building codes, infrastructure protections, and changing policy over the past century have been effective in reducing the impacts to a community from historically extreme hurricane events, such an assumption is still to be validated. Here, a multi-hazard artificial neural network model is used to address these questions. The Hurricane Impact Level Model is the first prediction model to utilize machine-learning techniques (artificial neural networks) to established complex connections between all meteorological factors (wind, pressure, storm surge, and precipitation resulting in inland flooding) of a tropical cyclone and how those interact with the location of landfall to produce a certain level of economic damage. This model allows for a more all-encompassing assessment of how the impacts of tropical cyclones vary along the coastline. The Hurricane Impact Level Model was trained with historical tropical cyclone events from 1998 to present day, resulting in established locational associations to modern relevant building codes and mitigation practices. Simulating the meteorological factors from historical events allows for a new assessment of economic impact changes due to infrastructure improvements and policy adaptations over time. In essence, if Hurricane Sandy hit Florida instead of New York, it would have a lower economic impact due to lower population density and more stringent building codes, which the artificial neural network has associated with the latitudes and longitudes within the state of Florida. If the Galveston hurricane were to hit today, the seawall would not succeed in lowering the economic impact to the Texas coastline. Over the years, significant effort has been put in to improving the resiliency of the United States coastline, mainly in the southern states, but it has not been enough to counteract the effects of population growth within coastal counties.
Self-Fertilization and Herbivory in a Rare Alpine Plant in California, Claytonia megarhiza (Montiaceae)

Reproduction in alpine habitats is challenging because of the short growing season, low temperatures, and high winds. This predicts alternative strategies for sexual reproduction in plants: compensatory measures such as larger floral displays and greater floral longevity to attract scarce pollinators and maintain outcrossing, or high levels of autonomous self-fertilization to assure reproduction in the absence of reliable pollinators. Here, we assessed the roles of animals (crawling insects, flying insects, and vertebrates) on the reproductive success of Claytonia megarhiza (A. Gray) S. Watson (alpine spring beauty). We measured fruit set and leaf herbivory while excluding animals from individual plants at a single site in Yosemite National Park, California. We found that plants were capable of setting fruit in the absence of pollinators and that, in the presence of animals, there was a 42% reduction in fruit set and a 159% increase in leaf damage. This suggests that Claytonia megarhiza may reproduce primarily by self-fertilization, and that herbivory may limit the reproductive success of this species near its southern range edge in California.
Mechanical Characteristics of High Temperature Ceramic Superconductors

Mechanical properties of high-temperature ceramic superconductors, as well as their microstructural characteristics are examined. The properties include elastic constants and their behavior and anomalies at various temperatures, compressive and flexural strengths, hardness, and fracture toughness. Various experimental procedures used for measurement of those properties are also discussed. An extensive reference list is supplied.
A High Transconductance β-SiC Buried-Gate Junction Field Effect Transistor

An improved performance buried-gate junction field effect transistor (JFET) has been fabricated and evaluated. This structure employs an n-type R-SiC (111) thin film grown on the Si (0001) face of a p-type 6H β-SiC substrate. Electron-beam evaporated Ti/Au was used as an ohmic contact to the n-type β-SiC layer and thermally evaporated A1 was used to contact the n-type gate (substrate). Devices with 4μm gate lengths had a maximum room temperature transconductance of 20mS/mm, which is the highest reported for any β-SiC FET structure. The fabrication and performance of the improved devices will be compared with those of JFETs fabricated in similar β-SiC layers grown on a Si substrate. In addition, the experimental data have been analyzed using a charge control model. This analysis shows that the effective field-effect mobility (565 cm2/V-s) is close to the measured Hall mobility (470 cm2/V-s). Calculated drain current versus drain voltage (ID-VD) characteristics for a buried-gate JFET are in good agreement with the experimental data. Further improvements in device performance are anticipated as gate dimensions approach one micron or less.
Synthesis of Inhomogeneous Cylindrical Focusing Structures

For inhomogeneous permittivity along cylinder radius the two methods of electrodynamics analysis was developed. The methods have high accuracy and small needing computer resources. Synthesis of cylindrical focusing structures was made.
Pediatric pyosalpinx without sexually transmitted infection: A report of 3 cases

Pelvic inflammatory disease commonly occurs in adults and is most frequently caused by sexually-transmitted organisms. When left untreated, it can progress to abscess formation and subsequent infertility due to tubal scarring. This condition rarely occurs in the pediatric population and even less frequently in the absence of sexual activity. The cases presented here depict 3 cases of pyosalpinx due to noncommunicable infectious agents. Since children are typically not subjected to transvaginal ultrasound, they are particularly at risk for delays in diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Cases described here also demonstrate the value of the pediatric interventional radiology service in treating this gynecological source of infection. Both transabdominal and transrectal approached to ultrasound-guided drainage are described.