cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Electrodeposition Process for Plating Zn-Ni-Cd Alloys

Zn-Ni-Cd alloy was electrodeposited from an alkaline electrolytic bath under potentiostatic conditions. Bath analyses using a pH concentration diagram reveal that addition of a complexing agent is essential to maintain the bath stability. Introduction of a low concentration of CdSO 4 reduces the anomalous nature of the Zn-Ni deposit. Deposits obtained from the electrolytic bath which contains 60 g/L of ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O, 40 g/L of NiSO 4 .6H 2 O, I g/L of CdSO 4 , and 80 g/L of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 in the presence of additives and ammonium hydroxide at pH 9.3 has a composition of 50 wt % of Zn, 28 wt % of Ni, and 22 wt % of Cd. By optimizing the Cd concentration in the bath, it is possible to control the amount of Ni in the deposit. At large overpotentials, the surface of the electrode is covered with hydrogen which lowers the deposition current density. Rotating disk electrode studies indicated that the deposition of Cd is under mass control, while Ni deposition is under kinetic control.
A CONSIDERATION OF CERTAIN PATHOLOGIC CONDITIONS IN AMBROSIA TRIFIDA

In two former publications (8, 9) the writer has shown certain similarities between the structure of gall and that of traumatic tissue. In one of these articles the structure of an insect gall was described and figured; in the other a fungus gall was given similar consideration. The structures involved in both of these galls were compared with the traumatic tissue of the same species of plant on which the galls occurred. Certain similarities in the structure of both of these galls led to some speculation as to what might result anatomically if the same species of plant were attacked by both a fungus and an animal parasite. Furthermore, what would result if both 'fungus and insect should exert their influence in a gall at the same time, and how would the changes caused by these different stimuli compare with the traumatic tissue of the plant on which the gall occurred? I have been fortunate enough to secure material which illustrates the effects of these different combinations of stimuli. The stems of the great ragweed, Ambrosia trifida L., are sometimesv infected by Protomyces andinus Lagh., causing large galls. The stems of the same plant are parasitized by Papaipema nitela Gn., which causes more or less pronounced swellings on the stem. Furthermore, it is quite often the case that both of thiese organisms are present in the same gall, and that both have evidently exerted an influence on its structure. -Stems which have been wounded and subsequently healed are commonly found along roadsides. A single Protomyces gall was also found which had been wounded.' The structure of the pathologic tissues arising from these various causes will be con'sidered in this article.
Double Jeopardy: Lung Cancer After Cardiac Transplantation

Two heart transplant patients were referred on the same day for evaluation of new chest radiograph abnormalities. Each proved to have advanced stage bronchogenic carcinoma. Review of the recent medical literature reveals that the combination of profound immunosuppression and a heavy smoking history puts cardiac transplant recipients at increased risk for the development of aggressive lung cancers.
Relationship between age of commercial broiler chickens and response to photostimulation

Abstract A study was conducted to determine the relationship between age of commercial broiler chickens and response to photostimulation. The chickens were brooded collectively for 1 wk and then separated into five light treatment groups with each group replicated three times using a completely randomized block design. After Week 1, the five light treatments applied were: 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 wk of continuous supplementary lighting, respectively. Chickens were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 22% CP and 3,300 kcal ME/ kg of feed from day old to 7 wk. At 7 wk of age, chickens in Group 5 treated with supplementary light during the last 2 wk of growth had the highest mean BW when the data on sexes were combined. When the data were separated by sex and analyzed, only male chickens showed a significant response to photostimulation and this was observed at 4 wk of age. Chickens in Group 5 had the best feed conversion with less mortality and no leg disorders. There were no significant differences among the relative organ weights among the treatment groups except for the pancreas. The pancreas taken from Group 5 had the smallest weight relative to BW. There were no significant differences in breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing weights when expressed as relative weight. However, there were significant differences when expressed as absolute weight. The breasts taken from birds in Group 5 were significantly heavier than the control breasts.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with enteric hormone abnormalities

Abstract Basal and postprandial levels of the foregut hormones gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK), motilin, and pancreatic polypeptide, and the distal gut hormones neurotensin and peptide YY were measured in 20 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD was defined by abnormal esophageal exposure to pH less than 4. Ten GERD patients had decreased lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure (mean: 4.5 nun Hg, range: 0.8 to 6.8 mm Hg), and 10 patients had normal LES pressures (mean: 14.1 mm Hg, range: 9.7 to 22.4 mm Hg). Eight age-matched healthy subjects were also studied. Basal levels of peptide YY were moderately decreased in GERD patients compared with controls irrespective of LES pressure. In patients with abnormal LES pressure, basal levels of motilin and the postprandial response of CCK were significantly decreased compared with controls; and basal levels of neurotensin and the postprandial response of gastrin were significantly increased compared with controls. Pancreatic polypeptide levels were similar in all groups. These gut hormone changes, which are more marked in patients with poor LES pressure, may reflect primary or secondary abnormalities in GERD.
The Limulus sperm motility‐initiating peptide initiates acrosome reactions in sea water lacking potassium

During fertilization in Limulus, the spermatozoa first attach to the egg and then undergo an acrosomal reaction. In this reaction, the acrosomal vesicle exocytoses, and a long, preformed acrosomal filament is extruded (and subsequently penetrates the egg chorion). The egg surface component that triggers the acrosome reaction has not yet been solubilized; therefore, previous studies have examined either spontaneous acrosome reactions or acrosome reactions that were triggered by eggs (or insoluble egg fragments), elevated extracellular Ca2+, or Ca2+ ionophores. In this study, we report a new method for initiating acrosome reactions in Limulus sperm. When the Limulus sperm motility-initiating peptide (SMI) is added to sperm in K+-free sea water, greater than 90% acrosome reactions are initiated within 5 min. However, less than 5% acrosome reactions occur either in K+-free sea water lacking SMI or when SMI is added to sperm in either normal sea water or K+- and Ca2+-free sea water. Experiments with K+ ionophores (nigericin and valinomycin), a K+ channel blocking agent (tetraethyl ammonium), an Na+ ionophore (monensin), and reagents that increase the intracellular pH (monensin, nigericin, and NH4Cl) indicate that changes in intracellular K+, Na+, or H+ do not mediate SMI-initiated acrosome reactions. The K+/Ca2+ ratio determines whether or not SMI will initiate acrosome reactions, with greater than 50% acrosome reactions being initiated when this ratio is below 0.3. In that K+ movement does not appear to be the critical event, possibly the K+/Ca2+ ratio either determines the rate of Ca2+ entry or controls the conformation of sperm surface molecules to allow SMI to initiate acrosome reactions in low K+.
Leading the Senate in the 110 th Congress

The 2006 midterm elections were nothing short of stunning. Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress. More surprising than Democratic gains in the House were their gains in the Senate. In order to achieve a majority in the Senate the Democrats needed to reelect all of their incumbents and elect Democrats in three out of four competitive states, all of which had supported George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential elections (Missouri, Montana, Tennessee, and Virginia). Riding a wave of public discontent associated with the president's Iraq War policy, Democrats beat incumbents in Missouri, Montana, and Virginia to take a slim one-seat majority in the Senate. Democrats organized the Senate in the 110 th Congress, with the support of two independents—Bernie Sanders (VT) and Independent Democrat Joseph Lieberman (CT). The authors thank Doug Harris for encouraging us to pursue this project and including it in the forum. Our analysis benefits from our separate experiences as participant-observers in the Senate. While a Presidential Management Intern, Frisch served in the Senate Office of Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ); Kelly was an APSA Congressional Fellow and worked for the Senate Democratic Leadership in the Democratic Policy Committee. nominate data used in this paper are made available by Keith Poole and Howard Rosenthal at www.voteview.com . Data on campaign contributions were supplied by Jamie Pimlott to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.
Decoding the Language of Phosphorylation Site Dynamics

Immune defenses depend on the ability of immunoreceptors to recognize foreign antigens and initiate intracellular signaling when a pathogen is detected. Signal initiation requires spatial reorganization of proteins and site-specific receptor phosphorylation, which leads to engagement of feedback loops. This Journal Club discusses recent work using combined experimental and computational approaches to investigate these processes in B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling. Specifically, the roles of different kinases in the presence and absence of BCR clustering were evaluated. Results indicated that spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) can compensate for loss of Src-family kinase activity when receptors are spatially clustered, in part because receptor clustering enables SYK to trigger a positive feedback loop. This study and its implications suggest additional uses for computational models in studies of immunoreceptor signaling and highlight areas where extensions of current methodology are needed to better understand the complexities of biomolecular interactions.
Fusion mechanism in rigid PVC

A classic approach for studying network effects in carbon-black-containing rubber was applied to PVC with stabilizer. This approach involves measuring the shear modulus with increasing strain. In carbon-black-containing rubber, the modulus drops dramatically at a critical strain level. This is known as the Payne effect and is associated with the breakup of the carbon black network. Rigid PVC that is fused to different levels in a bowl mixer shows exactly the same behavior, and the drop point correlates very well with the fusion peak in the mixing bowl. The relationship between network effects and fusion in PVC is discussed.
Association of Body Mass Index With Peripheral Arterial Disease in Older Adults The Cardiovascular Health Study

The authors hypothesized that the absence of cross-sectional associations of body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in prior studies may reflect lower weight among persons who smoke or have poor health status. They conducted an observational study among 5,419 noninstitutionalized residents of 4 US communities aged ≥ 65 years at baseline (1989-1990 or 1992-1993). Ankle brachial index was measured, and participants reported their history of PAD procedures. Participants were followed longitudinally for adjudicated incident PAD events. At baseline, mean BMI was 26.6 (standard deviation, 4.6), and 776 participants (14%) had prevalent PAD. During 13.2 (median) years of follow-up through June 30, 2007, 276 incident PAD events occurred. In cross-sectional analysis, each 5-unit increase in BMI was inversely associated with PAD (prevalence ratio (PR) = 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.85, 1.00). However, among persons in good health who had never smoked, the direction of association was opposite (PR = 1.20, 95% CI: 0.94, 1.52). Similar results were observed between BMI calculated using weight at age 50 years and PAD prevalence (PR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.11, 1.51) and between BMI at baseline and incident PAD events occurring during follow-up (hazard ratio = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.76) among never smokers in good health. Greater BMI is associated with PAD in older persons who remain healthy and have never smoked. Normal weight maintenance may decrease PAD incidence and associated comorbidity in older age.
Bandwidth study of microstrip reflectarray and a novel phased reflectarray concept

A microstrip reflectarray is a flat reflector antenna that can be conformally mounted onto its supporting structure without consuming a significant amount of real estate and without adding significant mass. The article concentrates on the bandwidth study of a form of reflectarray that uses identical patches with different-length transmission delay lines attached to compensate for the spatial phase delays. This antenna suffers from one major shortcoming, its limited bandwidth. A new concept of mechanically phased reflectarray is also presented.
The trace minimization method for the symmetric generalized eigenvalue problem

Abstract In this paper, the trace minimization method for the generalized symmetric eigenvalue problems proposed by Sameh and Wisniewski [35] is reviewed. Convergence of an inexact trace minimization algorithm is established and a variant of the algorithm that uses expanding subspaces is introduced and compared with the block Jacobi–Davidson algorithm.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs): views of aficionados and clinical/public health perspectives

SUMMARY Background: Electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) have experienced a rapid growth in popularity but little is known about how they are used. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the e-cig products used by experienced e-cig users, their pattern of e-cig use and the impact on tobacco use. Method: Face-to-face survey of 104 experienced e-cig users. Results: Of all the e-cig users, 78% had not used any tobacco in the prior 30 days. They had previously smoked an average of 25 cigarettes per day, and had tried to quit smoking an average of nine times before they started using e-cigs. Two-thirds had previously tried to quit smoking using an FDAapproved smoking cessation medication. The majority of the sample had used e-cigs daily for at least a year. Three quarters started using e-cigs with the intention of quitting smoking and almost all felt that the e-cig had helped them to succeed in quitting smoking. Two-thirds used e-cig liquid with a medium to high concentration of nicotine (13 mg +). Only 8% were using the most widely sold types of cigarette-sized e-cigs that are typically powered by a single 3.7 volt battery. Instead most used e-cigs designed to enable the atomizer to more consistently achieve a hotter more intense vapour. Conclusion: Until we have more evidence on the safety and efficacy of e-cigs for smoking cessation, smokers should be advised to use proven treatments (e.g. counselling and FDA-approved medicines). However, for those who have successfully switched to e-cigs, the priority should be staying off cigarettes, rather than quitting e-cigs. What’s known
A historical view of hybrid simulation/analytic models

A description of hybrid simulation/analytic models and modeling is presented. Then a historical view of them is given, divided into three periods: pre-1978, 1978-1984, and post-1984. Finally, conclusions are drawn based upon this historical view.
Computations of Heat Transfer in Transitional Turbine Flows

*† ‡ A computational study of heat transfer in transitional flows in turbines is performed employing γ-ReѲ transition model. The model and the numerical approach have been previously validated against PAK-B blade cascade experiments under a wide range of Reynolds numbers and freestream turbulence intensities. This paper extends validation of γReѲ transition model against detailed heat transfer measurements on a vane subjected to inlet turbulence generated by a mock combustion system configuration representative of recently developed catalytic and dry low NOx combustors. The experiments include six different inlet turbulence conditions and a range of Reynolds numbers. The results indicate that the model is able to predict transition onset and length accurately at low and medium levels of freestream turbulence. However at higher turbulence intensities and higher Re cases the discrepancies between experiments and computations were observed.
Stability of autorefrigerated chemical reactors

Stability of exothermic chemical reactors with cooling jackets or internal cooling coils has been extensively studied by steady state, phase plane, and linear analysis techniques. The purpose of this paper is to apply these techniques to the frequently encountered case of autorefrigerated or boiling liquid reactors. In these reactors the exothermic heat of reaction is removed, not by conductive and convective heat transfer, but by vaporization of a liquid phase or, more generally, by any kind of endothermic change in phase. Open-loop and closed-loop stability of a continuous stirre-tank autorefrigerated reactor is studied. General equations are derived and illustrated by numerical examples. Both constant and variable latent heats of vaporization are considered. A particularly interesting aspect of autorefrigerated reactor stability is operation near the critical temperature. Since the latent heat approaches zero, instability of the system is increased, representing a form of positive feedback in a chemical system.
Biological Control of Pierce's Disease in the Vineyard with Strains of Xylella fastidiosa Benign to Grapevine

Hopkins, D. L. 2005. Biological control of Pierce’s disease in the vineyard with strains of Xylella fastidiosa benign to grapevine. Plant Dis. 89:1348-1352. Naturally occurring strains of Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. that were weakly virulent or avirulent to grapevine were inoculated into the lower internodes of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Carignane plants in the greenhouse and challenge inoculated with pathogenic strains 2 weeks later. Several strains provided some reduction in symptom development. Most effective in preventing or slowing the development of Pierce’s disease in the greenhouse tests were a strain from sycamore and two from elderberry. In a 2-year test on ‘Himrod’ grape in the vineyard, strain Syc86-1 (from sycamore), but not strain PD-1 (from grapevine), was effective in limiting the development of Pierce’s disease. In tests on new vineyard plantings of ‘Flame Seedless’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, six strains of X. fastidiosa were evaluated for biological control of the natural progression of Pierce’s disease. Only strain EB92-1 (from elderberry) provided good control of the disease in both Flame Seedless and Cabernet Sauvignon. Strain Syc86-1 was ineffective in these vineyard tests. Grape strain PD95-6 did lower disease severity in Flame Seedless when compared with nontreated vines, and grape strain PD91-2 delayed symptoms in Cabernet Sauvignon for 12 to 18 months. Biological control by inoculation of susceptible grapevines with benign strains of X. fastidiosa, especially strain EB92-1, appears to have the potential to control Pierce’s disease in commercial vineyards in Florida and other areas where the disease occurs.
Measuring finite‐frequency body‐wave amplitudes and traveltimes

SUMMARY We have developed a method to measure finite-frequency amplitude and traveltime anomalies of teleseismic P waves. We use a matched filtering approach that models the first 25 s of a seismogram after the P arrival, which includes the depth phases pP and sP. Given a set of broad-band seismograms from a teleseismic event, we compute synthetic Green's functions using published moment tensor solutions. We jointly deconvolve global or regional sets of seismograms with their Green's functions to obtain the broad-band source time function. The matched filter of a seismogram is the convolution of the Green's function with the source time function. Traveltimes are computed by cross-correlating each seismogram with its matched filter. Amplitude anomalies are defined as the multiplicative factors that minimize the RMS misfit between matched filters and data. The procedure is implemented in an iterative fashion, which allows for joint inversion for the source time function, amplitudes, and a correction to the moment tensor. Cluster analysis is used to identify azimuthally distinct groups of seismograms when source effects with azimuthal dependence are prominent. We then invert for one source time function per group. We implement this inversion for a range of source depths to determine the most likely depth, as indicated by the overall RMS misfit, and by the non-negativity and compactness of the source time function. Finite-frequency measurements are obtained by filtering broad-band data and matched filters through a bank of passband filters. The method is validated on a set of 15 events of magnitude 5.8 to 6.9. Our focus is on the densely instrumented Western US. Quasi-duplet events (‘quplets’) are used to estimate measurement uncertainty on real data. Robust results are achieved for wave periods between 24 and 2 s. Traveltime dispersion is on the order of 0.5 s. Amplitude anomalies are on the order of 1 db in the lowest bands and 3 db in the highest bands, corresponding to amplification factors of 1.2 and 2.0, respectively. Measurement uncertainties for amplitudes and traveltimes depend mostly on station coverage, accuracy of the moment tensor estimate, and frequency band. We investigate the influence of those parameters in tests on synthetic data. Along the RISTRA array in the Western US, we observe amplitude and traveltime patterns that are coherent on scales of hundreds of kilometres. Below two sections of the array, we observe a combination of frequency-dependent amplitude and traveltime patterns that strongly suggest wavefront healing effects.
Alattin: Mining Alternative Patterns for Detecting Neglected Conditions

To improve software quality, static or dynamic verification tools accept programming rules as input and detect their violations in software as defects. As these programming rules are often not well documented in practice, previous work developed various approaches that mine programming rules as frequent patterns from program source code. Then these approaches use static defect-detection techniques to detect pattern violations in source code under analysis. These existing approaches often produce many false positives due to various factors. To reduce false positives produced by these mining approaches, we develop a novel approach, called Alattin, that includes a new mining algorithm and a technique for detecting neglected conditions based on our mining algorithm. Our new mining algorithm mines alternative patterns in example form "P1 or P2", where P1 and P2 are alternative rules such as condition checks on method arguments or return values related to the same API method. We conduct two evaluations to show the effectiveness of our Alattin approach. Our evaluation results show that (1) alternative patterns reach more than 40% of all mined patterns for APIs provided by six open source libraries; (2) the mining of alternative patterns helps reduce nearly 28% of false positives among detected violations.
Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Clostridium difficile-associated Disease in Children: Comparison between Community- and Hospital-acquired Infections

Purpose: Recent studies have reported an increase in the incidence of community-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CA-CDAD) among children. There is an overall lack of information on CA-CDAD in the pediatric population. The aim of our study was to compare the epidemiologic and clinical features between CA-CDAD and hospital-acquired C. difficile-associated disease (HA-CDAD) in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who were diagnosed with C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) at Gil Hospital between April 2008 and March 2009. The diagnosis of CDAD was made when patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had positive results for C. difficile toxins A and B assay or stool culture. Results: Sixty-one (male, 32 and female, 29) patients were included. The mean age was 3.79±4.54 years. Of the 61 patients, 22 (36.1%) were <1 year of age. Twenty-three patients (37.7%) had a history of antibiotic exposure in the previous 3 months. Forty-one patients (67.2%) were diagnosed with CA-CDAD. There were no significant differences in age, gender, symptoms, laboratory findings, recovery period, complications, and recurrence between the CA-CDAD and HA-CDAD groups. On the other hand, exposure to antibiotics was significantly more frequent among patients in the HA-CDAD group (p=0.005). Conclusion: This study suggests that the occurrence of CA-CDAD is increasing in the pediatric population, especially in younger children with no history of exposure to antibiotics and in outpatients. Awareness of the increasing incidence of CA-CDAD and prompt investigation of C. difficile in susceptible patients is needed to avoid misdiagnosis and for appropriate therapy. (Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2010; 13: 146∼153)
DEF-1, a novel Src SH3 binding protein that promotes adipogenesis in fibroblastic cell lines.

The Src homology 3 (SH3) motif is found in numerous signal transduction proteins involved in cellular growth and differentiation. We have purified and cloned a novel protein, DEF-1 (differentiation-enhancing factor), from bovine brain by using a Src SH3 affinity column. Ectopic expression of DEF-1 in fibroblasts resulted in the differentiation of a significant fraction of the culture into adipocytes. This phenotype appears to be related to the induction of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), since DEF-1 NIH 3T3 cells demonstrated augmented levels of PPARγ mRNA and, when treated with activating PPARγ ligands, efficient induction of differentiation. Further evidence for a role for DEF-1 in adipogenesis was provided by heightened expression of DEF-1 mRNA in adipose tissue isolated from obese and diabetes mice compared to that in tissue isolated from wild-type mice. However, DEF-1 mRNA was detected in multiple tissues, suggesting that the signal transduction pathway(s) in which DEF-1 is involved is not limited to adipogenesis. These results suggest that DEF-1 is an important component of a signal transduction process that is involved in the differentiation of fibroblasts and possibly of other types of cells.
Studies in cyclocopolymerization. IV. Evidence of charge‐transfer complexes as intermediates in cyclocopolymerization of 1,4‐dienes with alkenes

Charge-transfer complexes in solutions of comonomers such as divinyl ether and maleic anhydride have been identified by use of ultraviolet spectroscopy. Equilibrium constants and molar extinction coefficients were determined for several of these complexes. It appears reasonable that the cyclic units formed in these copolymers result from free-radical initiation of the charge-transfer complex, which preorients the comonomers into a conformation favorable for formation of copolymer in the observed comonomer ratio of 1:2. Copolymers prepared and studied were those of divinyl ether with N-substituted maleimides having the following substituents on nitrogen: (a) hydrogen, (b) methyl, (c) ethyl, (d) n-propyl, (e) isopropyl (f) n-butyl, (g) isobutyl, (h) benzyl, (i) α-naphthyl, (j) phenyl, (k) p-methoxyphenyl. These copolymers were characterized by elemental analyses to establish the comonomer ratios and by viscosity measurements and in certain instances by determination of molecular weights by the vapor-pressure osmometry method. The copolymer of divinyl ether and maleic anhydride has been found to be an effective antitumor agent by the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center, National Institutes of Health. Consequently, these copolymers were also submitted for evaluation in this program, and several have been found to possess favorable inhibiting action on tumor growth.
Newly Discovered Components and Actions of the Renin–Angiotensin System

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is the best understood and arguably most important hormonal system in the control of blood pressure (BP) and the pathophysiology of hypertension.1 In the classical RAS, the enzyme renin cleaves its substrate angiotensinogen (Agt) forming the decapeptide angiotensin I that is in turn cleaved by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to produce the angiotensin II (Ang II), the biologically active peptide of the system. Although several other peptide products of Agt had been identified and studied, Ang II was generally accepted as the physiological and pathophysiological driving force of the classical RAS.2 Ang II activates its AT1 receptor (AT1R) to induce a large array of biological responses, including vasoconstriction, renal sodium (Na+) reabsorption, cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, and growth and aldosterone secretion, increasing BP and contributing to the development of hypertension. However, we appreciate that the RAS is far more complex than the simple hormonal cascade represented by the classical system. In recent years, we have recognized several essential components and actions of the RAS, including those of local tissue RASs functioning independently of the circulating system, the (pro)renin receptor as a potential direct biological target for renin and prorenin, and 2 counter-regulatory pathways, the ACE-2–angiotensin (1–7)– Mas receptor cascade and the Ang type-2 receptor (AT2R) pathway, that generally oppose the actions of Ang II via AT1Rs (Figure).1 Indeed, our understanding of the RAS has been transformed into one of the most complex hormonal systems known with internal balance and interplay among its multiple enzymatic peptide and receptor constituents. This brief review will encompass selected recent publications identifying additional new components and actions of the RAS. Figure. Schematic depiction of the renin–angiotensin system components and selected actions. The enzymes of the system are shown in red. Newly described …
Robustness of protein folding kinetics to surface hydrophobic substitutions

We use both combinatorial and site-directed mutagenesis to explore the consequences of surface hydrophobic substitutions for the folding of two small single domain proteins, the src SH3 domain, and the IgG binding domain of Peptostreptococcal protein L. We find that in almost every case, destabilizing surface hydrophobic substitutions have much larger effects on the rate of unfolding than on the rate of folding, suggesting that nonnative hydrophobic interactions do not significantly interfere with the rate of core assembly.
A Network for Image Segmentation Using Color

We propose a parallel network of simple processors to find color boundaries irrespective of spatial changes in illumination, and to spread uniform colors within marked regions.
Recent progress in autism spectrum disorder

119 ISSN 1758-2008 10.2217/NPY.13.17 © 2013 Future Medicine Ltd Neuropsychiatry (2013) 3(2), 119–122 *Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Medical School, 250 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA; & Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA 02421, USA; cmcdougle@partners.org It has been a tremendous opportunity and experience to act as Guest Editor for this special issue of Neuropsychiatry with its focus on current topics in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In collaboration with the editorial staff of Future Medicine, I had the privilege of inviting the world’s experts in ASD to write articles on their area of interest. I hope you agree that they have provided us with an outstanding update on many of the important topics in the field of ASD. Georgiades and colleagues begin with an editorial addressing heterogeneity in ASD [1]. ‘Heterogeneity’ has become an oftenused word for all of those involved with ASD, from special educators to policy makers. This editorial proposes we approach heterogeneity in ASD in a different manner than we have. Rather than compare autism cases to typically developing individuals in research studies, the authors suggest using phenotypic and genotypic variability to ‘capture’ individual and subgroup differences ‘within’ ASD. In other words, they view heterogeneity as an opportunity, rather than a barrier, to expand the knowledge base in ASD. Hetero geneity also finds itself at the center of the editorial by Mandy [2]. His comments address the pros and cons of the diagnostic criteria for ASD that appear in the recently published DSM‐5. Sensitivity and specificity of the new criteria are addressed, as they have been in a number of previously published studies and commentaries. The fact that Mandy addressed the ‘utility’ of one of the DSM-IV diagnostic subtypes, Asperger’s disorder, from the individual patient’s perspective, is enlightening. Until our field discovers the fundamental bio logical causes of a number of ASD subgroups, we will likely continue to construct diagnostic criteria for ASD based on clinical phenomenology, alternating our approach somewhere between that of ‘lumpers’ and ‘splitters’. One day soon, we will be able to characterize the subtypes of ASD based upon the identifiable pathophysiologies that have begun to emerge. “One day soon, we will be able to characterize the subtypes of autism spectrum disorder based upon the identifiable pathophysiologies that have begun to emerge.” FOREWORD
The Relevance of Law to Sovereign Debt

The literature on sovereign debt treats law as of marginal significance, largely because the doctrine of sovereign immunity leaves creditors few potent legal remedies against sovereign borrowers. Although sovereign debts can indeed be hard to enforce, the goal of this article is to demonstrate that law plays a central, and constantly evolving, role in structuring sovereign debt markets. To list just a few examples, legal rules and institutions (a) decide when a borrower is sovereign, (b) define the consequences of sovereignty by drawing (or refusing to draw) artificial boundaries between the sovereign and other legal entities, (c) play some role in cases of state and government succession, and (d) determine the extent to which the rules of sovereign immunity can be changed by contract. These legal rules and institutions are not set in stone; they evolve in response to the political, economic, and social forces that shape the market for sovereign debt.
A new on-line certificate validation method using LDAP component matching technology

This paper presents a new on-line certificate validation method which provides higher degree of security, scalability, and interoperability than do the pre-existing approaches. It combines two basic data structures for certificate revocation, certificate revocation list (CRL) and the authenticated dictionary such as certificate revocation tree (CRT), into a single framework by utilizing the component matching enabled lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) service. With the new method, end entities that want to check the validity of certificates can request an extended LDAP search operation with a component matching assertion against all revoked certificate components in a CRL and check whether a revoked certificate having the asserted serial number is found. In order to ensure strong security without requiring trusted directories, CRLs are represented as an authenticated dictionary when decoded from distinguished encoding rules (DER) to an internal ASN.1 representation. The information required to construct the authenticated dictionary is conveyed from the certificate authority (CA) via a new CRL extension. The proposed method facilitates a number of advantages over the previous approaches like online certificate status protocol (OCSP): 1) it enables higher security because it does not require trusted entities other than the CA such as trusted LDAP servers and trusted OCSP responders; 2) it improves scalability and performance because it does not require responses to be signed as in OCSP; 3) it can intemperate well with the existing CRL framework; and 4) it does not need support for additional protocols for on-line certificate validation because it is built on LDAP which is the main access method to download CRLs. The proposed method can also be used as a CRL back-end of OCSP to offload CRL management and to enhance its trust model.
Effect of a 21 day Daniel Fast on metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk factors in men and women

Dietary modification via caloric restriction is associated with multiple effects related to improved metabolic and cardiovascular health. However, a mandated reduction in kilocalories is not well-tolerated by many individuals, limiting the long-term application of such a plan. The Daniel Fast is a widely utilized fast based on the Biblical book of Daniel. It involves a 21 day ad libitum food intake period, devoid of animal products and preservatives, and inclusive of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The purpose of the present study was to determine the efficacy of the Daniel Fast to improve markers of metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk. 43 subjects (13 men; 30 women; 35 ± 1 yrs; range: 20-62 yrs) completed a 21 day period of modified food intake in accordance with detailed guidelines provided by investigators. All subjects purchased and prepared their own food. Following initial screening, subjects were given one week to prepare for the fast, after which time they reported to the lab for their pre-intervention assessment (day 1). After the 21 day fast, subjects reported to the lab for their post-intervention assessment (day 22). For both visits, subjects reported in a 12 hr fasted state, performing no strenuous physical activity during the preceding 24-48 hrs. At each visit, mental and physical health (SF-12 form), resting heart rate and blood pressure, and anthropometric variables were measured. Blood was collected for determination of complete blood count, metabolic panel, lipid panel, insulin, HOMA-IR, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Subjects' self-reported compliance, mood, and satiety in relation to the fast were also recorded. Diet records were maintained by all subjects during the 7 day period immediately prior to the fast (usual intake) and during the final 7 days of the fast. Subjects' compliance to the fast was 98.7 ± 0.2% (mean ± SEM). Using a 10 point scale, subjects' mood and satiety were both 7.9 ± 0.2. The following variables were significantly (p 0.05). As expected, multiple differences in dietary intake were noted (p < 0.05), including a reduction in total kilocalorie intake (2185 ± 94 vs. 1722 ± 85). A 21 day period of modified dietary intake in accordance with the Daniel Fast is 1) well-tolerated by men and women and 2) improves several risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Larger scale, randomized studies, inclusive of a longer time period and possibly a slight modification in food choice in an attempt to maintain HDL cholesterol, are needed to extend these findings.
Role of colloids in upper ocean biogeochemistry in the northeast Pacific Ocean elucidated from 238U-234Th disequilibria

Detailed upper ocean profiles of 234Th in dissolved ( 0.45 pm) f;,Brms were measured at a station (46”45’N, 126”W) in the northeast Pacific Ocean. On average, dissolved, colloidal, and particulate 234Th accounted for - 78, 12, and 10% of the total 234Th in the cuphotic zone (O-100 m). A highly positive correlation exists between colloidal 234Th and chlorophyll a; both are characterized by higher concentrations in surface waters, a subsurface maximum at 55 m in the seasonal thermocline, and undetectable levels below the euphotic zone. POC : Chl a ratios in the water column suggest phytoplankton as primary producers of the colloidal material. Scavenging residence times of dissolved, colloidal, ,and particulate 234Th with respect to their removal processes in the euphotic zone are -50, 6, and 8 d. The scavenging rate constant of Th apparently increases with the concentration of colloids. Within the past few years, the role of colloids in oceanic biogeochemical processes has been increasingly recognized from laboratory experiments (Niven and Moore 1988; Honeyman and Santschi 199 1) and field observations (Moran and Moore 1989; Balskaran et al. 1992; Moran and Buesseler 1992, 1993). Although the term “colloids” is still subject to an operational definition, there is a general consensus that coliloids fall largely in the nanometer to submicrometer si;!e range (Hurd and Spencer 199 1). The conventional procedure of using membrane filters with pore sizes in the range of 0.2-l pm does not isolate colloidal material, but includes it in the “dissolved” (<0.2-l pm) fraction. As a consequence, what is elucidated from the sampling scheme about the kinetic and equilibrium behavior of chemical s may be misleading or even at odds with theory. A case in point is the socalled particle concentration effect on1 the distribution coefficient of Th, which, after taking into account the role of colloids, can be dismissed for most oceanic conditions (Honeyman and Santschi 199 1; Moran and Buesseler 1993).
"Poetic" Statistical Machine Translation: Rhyme and Meter

As a prerequisite to translation of poetry, we implement the ability to produce translations with meter and rhyme for phrase-based MT, examine whether the hypothesis space of such a system is flexible enough to accomodate such constraints, and investigate the impact of such constraints on translation quality.
Bovine Serum–Based Bilirubin Calibrators Are Inappropriate for Some Diazo Methods

In 2003, the College of American Pathologists (CAP)1 included in the Neonatal Bilirubin Surveys a human serum–based sample enriched solely with unconjugated bilirubin (UBIL). This sample, shipped frozen in a cold pack, resembled closely a clinical sample from a healthy neonate and was commutable, as expected. The mean of all results submitted to CAP (CAP All Data) for bilirubin (199.4 mg/L) was close to that of the reference method (194.4 mg/L)(1). In subsequent years, the bias has increased(2). Most recently (2009, neonatal bilirubin NB-01), the difference between the mean value for CAP All Data and the reference method value was 9 mg/L, and the differences for the Olympus, Ortho Vitros, and Siemens ADVIA assays were closer to 25 mg/L. Because ditaurobilirubin (DTB), which is present in most commercial calibrators, and bovine serum, which is used instead of human serum for preparing calibrators, have been shown to interfere with the measurement of bilirubin(3), we investigated the effects of DTB and bovine serum on the measurement of total bilirubin by diazo methods. UBIL and DTB were purchased from Lee Biosolutions. Human serum pools (nos. 1 and 2) were obtained from volunteers from the laboratory personnel of the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Bovine sera and donor calf serum were purchased from Sigma–Aldrich and MP Biomedicals. Fresh bovine serum was obtained from a local abattoir in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stock solutions of UBIL and DTB were prepared in all of the above-described protein matrices. The concentrations of UBIL (210 mg/L) …
High-Temperature Creep and Microstructural Evolution of Chemically Vapor-Deposited Silicon Carbide Fibers

The creep behavior of three types of silicon carbide fibers that have been fabricated via chemical vapor deposition is described. The fibers exhibit only primary creep over the range of conditions studied (1200°–1400°C, 190–500 MPa). A transmission electron microscopy study of the microstructural development that is induced by the creep deformation of SCS-6 silicon carbide fibers at 1400°C is presented. Significant grain growth occurs in all silicon carbide regions of the fiber during creep, in contrast to the reasonably stable microstructure that is observed after annealing at the same temperature and time.
Semigeostrophic theory as a Dirac-bracket projection

This paper presents a general method for deriving approximate dynamical equations that satisfy a prescribed constraint typically chosen to filter out unwanted highfrequency motions. The approximate equations take a simple general form in arbitrary phase-space coordinates. The family of semigeostrophic equations for rapidly rotating flow derived by Salmon (1983, 1985) fits this general form when the chosen constraint is geostrophic balance. More precisely, the semigeostrophic equations are equivalent to a Dirac-bracket projection of the exact Hamiltonian fluid dynamics onto the phase-space manifold corresponding to geostrophically balanced states. The more widely used quasi-geostrophic equations do not fit the general form, and are instead equivalent to a metric projection of the exact dynamics on to the same geostrophic manifold. The metric, which corresponds to the Hamiltonian of the linearized dynamics, is an artificial component of the theory, and its presence explains why the quasi-geostrophic equations are valid only near a state with flat isopycnals.
Dynamic call-blocking algorithms for telecommunications networks

Mass-calling events can cause significant congestion in the phone network due to the high volume of redial attempts. This paper presents dynamic algorithms which randomly block some calls at their origination points, thus reducing traffic in the network. The algorithms respond to changing congestion levels by observing whether or not previous calls have been answered. The algorithms reduce call attempts by 50% during periods of 80% blocking, with little disruption in blocking levels to the dialing customers (blocking increases by less than 1%). We also derive an improved blocking heuristic which is more effective under periods of heavier congestion.
Signal Detection Theory and the Effect of Criterion on Response

This exercise illustrates how discrimination can be measured in a signal detection experiment. Due to the large number of trials, it uses perceived heaviness of different lifted weights. Penalties for incorrect responses and rewards for correct responses are varied in two different payoff matrices. The payoffs/penalties are changed to influence the panelists to change their criteria for responding (i.e., their response bias). The concept of d′ (d-prime) as an index of discrimination is introduced and is related to the theory. The simple paired t-test is reinforced in the analysis.
Local retention of antibodies in vivo with an injectable film embedded with a fluorogen-activating protein.

Abstract Herein we report an injectable film by which antibodies can be localized in vivo . The system builds upon a bifunctional polypeptide consisting of a fluorogen-activating protein (FAP) and a β-fibrillizing peptide (βFP). The FAP domain generates fluorescence that reflects IgG binding sites conferred by Protein A/G (pAG) conjugated with the fluorogen malachite green (MG). A film is generated by mixing these proteins with molar excess of EAK16-II, a βFP that forms β-sheet fibrils at high salt concentrations. The IgG-binding, fluorogenic film can be injected in vivo through conventional needled syringes. Confocal microscopic images and dose–response titration experiments showed that loading of IgG into the film was mediated by pAG MG bound to the FAP. Release of IgG in vitro was significantly delayed by the bioaffinity mechanism; 26% of the IgG were released from films embedded with pAG MG after five days, compared to close to 90% in films without pAG MG . Computational simulations indicated that the release rate of IgG is governed by positive cooperativity due to pAG MG . When injected into the subcutaneous space of mouse footpads, film-embedded IgG were retained locally, with distribution through the lymphatics impeded. The ability to track IgG binding sites and distribution simultaneously will aid the optimization of local antibody delivery systems.