cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Novel Prediction Model for Discovering Beneficial Effects of Natural Compounds in Drug Repurposing

Natural compounds are promising leads in drug discovery due to their low toxicity and synergistic effects existing in nature, providing efficient and low-cost therapeutic solutions. Synergistic effects are observed in highly similar or closely related compounds where the combined effect is much more significant than individual usage. However, multiple hurdles exist in the identification of similar compounds, in particular, accumulation of large volumes of compounds, procurement of authentic information, diversity and complexity of the compounds, convoluted mechanism of action, need of high-throughput screening and validation techniques, most importantly incompleteness of critical information like indications for the natural compounds. Currently, not many comprehensive computational pipelines are available for drug discovery using natural products. To overcome these challenges, in this study, we focus on predicting highly similar candidate compounds with synergistic effects useful in combinatorial/alternative therapies. We developed a molecular compound similarity prediction model for computing four different compound-compound similarity scores based on (i) bioactivity, (ii) chemical structure, (iii) target enzyme, and (iv) protein functional domain, using the data from public repositories. The calculated scores are combined efficiently for predicting highly similar compound pairs with similar biological or physicochemical properties. We evaluate the accuracy of our model with pharmacological and bioassay results, and manually curated literature from PubChem, NCBI, etc. As a use case, we selected 415 compounds based on 13 functional categories, out of which 66 natural compounds with 198 compound-compound similarity scores were identified as top candidates based on similar bioactivities, chemical substructures, targets, and protein functional sites. Statistical analysis of the scores revealed a significant difference in the mean similarity scores for all four categories. Twenty-eight closely interacting compounds, including Quercetin, Apigenin, etc. were identified as candidates for combinational therapies showing synergistic effects. Herbs, including Dill, Basil, Garlic, Mint, etc., were predicted as potential combinations for achieving synergistic effects. Twenty-four compounds with unknown pharmacological effects were associated with 58 potential new pharmacological effects/indications. If applied broadly, this model can address many problems in chemogenomics and help in identifying novel drug targets and indications, which is a critical step in natural drug discovery research and evidence for drug-repurposing.
Impaired phagocytic function in CX3CR1 + tissue-resident skeletal muscle macrophages prevents muscle recovery after influenza A virus-induced pneumonia in old mice.

Skeletal muscle dysfunction in survivors of pneumonia disproportionately affects older individuals in whom it causes substantial morbidity. We found that skeletal muscle recovery was impaired in old compared with young mice after influenza A virus-induced pneumonia. In young mice, recovery of muscle loss was associated with expansion of tissue-resident skeletal muscle macrophages and downregulation of MHC II expression, followed by a proliferation of muscle satellite cells. These findings were absent in old mice and in mice deficient in Cx3cr1. Transcriptomic profiling of tissue-resident skeletal muscle macrophages from old compared with young mice showed downregulation of pathways associated with phagocytosis and proteostasis, and persistent upregulation of inflammatory pathways. Consistently, skeletal muscle macrophages from old mice failed to downregulate MHCII expression during recovery from influenza A virus-induced pneumonia and showed impaired phagocytic function in vitro. Like old animals, mice deficient in the phagocytic receptor Mertk showed no macrophage expansion, MHCII downregulation, or satellite cell proliferation and failed to recover skeletal muscle function after influenza A pneumonia. Our data suggest that a loss of phagocytic function in a CX3CR1+ tissue-resident skeletal muscle macrophage population in old mice precludes satellite cell proliferation and recovery of skeletal muscle function after influenza A pneumonia.
Diffusion Of Anodically Induced Vacancies In Cu/Ag Thin-Film Couples: Implications In The Mechanism Of Scc

Thin, 100-nm films of first silver and then copper were deposited consecutively onto inert substrates by magnetron sputter deposition. Constant anodic current densities were applied at room temperature to dissolve the outer copper film to varying depths. The 50Cu/50Ag interface, derived from the Auger Electron Spectroscopic concentration-depth profile, initially moved into the copper toward the outer dissolving surface, indicating enhanced diffusion of copper into silver. After longer times at all anodic current densities, the interface reversed and moved back toward the underlying silver-rich layer, indicating that eventually diffusion of silver into copper predominated. The reversal time was inversely proportional to the anodic current density. These effects are explained by anodic formation of subsurface vacancies which migrate as divacancies to the copper/silver interface where they affect interface movements by the well known Kirkendall mechanism. Calculated diffusivities up to 10{sup {minus}12} cm{sup 2}/sec at maximum anodic current densities of 900 {micro}A/cm{sup 2} are dramatically above any that are normally observed at room temperature.
Increasing utilization of public health insurance programs: Evidence from an experiment in India

Abstract Unlike most social programs that involve regular delivery of benefits (such as subsidized food or monthly cash transfers), public health insurance programs are used based on need. When households face health shocks, they are often unaware of how to avail health insurance benefits. This is especially true for households in remote rural regions of developing countries where the likelihood of low awareness about public health insurance programs is higher due to low levels of literacy, distance from healthcare facilities and limited opportunities to learn from others’ experiences. Conventional information, education and communication (IEC) methods such as information pamphlets and outreach through health camps are not always effective in disseminating information to these hard-to-reach populations. In this paper, we present results from a quasi-experiment that uses village-level awareness meetings to disseminate information about a public health insurance program in 61 villages of a district in southern India. We find that awareness meetings, though relatively more expensive than conventional IEC methods, not only increase utilization of the program but also provide government agencies a unique opportunity to monitor the implementation of the program in remote locations.
Current Treatment of Pediatric Type 2 Diabetes

Treatment of pediatric type 2 diabetes (T2D) is extremely challenging for many reasons. Chief among these are the fact that metformin had been the only drug approved for use in adolescents with T2D for more than 20 years based on the results of a randomized clinical trial. Insulin was approved for use in pediatric T2D, but this was extrapolated from its effectiveness in youth with T1D and in adults with T2D. During the past year, liraglutide (a GLP1 agonist) was also approved for use in youth with T2D. However, the liraglutide study required more than 4 years to complete, and similar challenges are being faced by other randomized clinical trials of new drugs that have been approved for use in adults with T2D. In addition to reviewing the benefits and limitations of currently approved drugs in youth with T2D, we explain some of the challenges faced in trying to complete these trials.
Examining e-cigarette perspectives before and after the EVALI peak in cases.

Abstract Introduction The use of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults has greatly increased, with national media outlets drawing attention to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) hospitalizations. Methods U.S. adults completed an online survey where they were asked to describe their perceptions towards e-cigarettes. There were two surveys collected using separate samples, with one being before the peak of EVALI cases in Time 1: July 2019 (n = 521) and one collected after the peak of EVALI cases in Time 2: October 2019 (n = 536). Results Four themes emerged including describing e-cigarettes as appealing, unappealing, comparing them to other tobacco products, and generally having experience with e-cigarettes. Fewer participants described e-cigarettes as appealing in terms of smell, flavor, and taste in Time 2, after the peak of EVALI cases. Both samples described the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes, with a higher percent describing potential harms in Time 2. Participants in Time 2 less frequently described e-cigarettes as a good alternative to traditional cigarettes. Conclusions Perceptions towards e-cigarettes vary among adults who use or do not use e-cigarettes; however, this study reflected an increase in awareness of the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes after the peak of EVALI cases. Additionally, results suggest that there may have been a decrease in adults who found e-cigarettes appealing. Determining perceptions towards e-cigarettes, especially after growing awareness of the harmful effects of using e-cigarettes, is useful in informing future policies and public health campaigns.
Regulation of tissue regeneration by the circadian clock

Circadian rhythms are regulated by a highly conserved transcriptional/translational feedback loop that maintains approximately 24-hour periodicity from cellular to organismal levels. Much research effort is being devoted to understanding how the outputs of the master clock affect peripheral oscillators, and in turn, numerous biological processes. Recent studies have revealed roles for circadian timing in the regulation of numerous cellular behaviors in support of complex tissue regeneration. One such role involves the interaction between the circadian clockwork and the cell cycle. The molecular mechanisms that control the cell cycle create a system of regulation that allows for high fidelity DNA synthesis, mitosis, and apoptosis. In recent years, it has become clear that clock gene products are required for proper DNA synthesis and cell cycle progression, and conversely, elements of the cell cycle cascade feed back to influence molecular circadian timing mechanisms. It is through this crosstalk that the circadian system orchestrates stem cell proliferation, niche exit, and control of the signaling pathways that govern differentiation and self-renewal. In this review, we discuss the evidence for circadian control of tissue homeostasis and repair and suggest new avenues for research.
Building bridges: the hippocampus constructs narrative memories across distant events

Abstract Life’s events are scattered throughout time, yet we often recall different events in the context of an integrated narrative. Prior research suggests that the hippocampus, which supports memory for past events, can sometimes support integration of overlapping associations or separate events, but the conditions which lead to hippocampus-dependent memory integration are unclear. We used functional brain imaging to test whether the ability to form a larger narrative (narrative coherence) drives hippocampal memory integration. During encoding of fictional stories, the hippocampus supported patterns of activity, including activity at boundaries between events, which were more similar between distant events that formed one coherent narrative, compared with events taken from unrelated narratives. Twenty-four hours later, the hippocampus preferentially supported detailed recall of coherent narrative events, through reinstatement of hippocampal activity patterns from encoding. These findings reveal a key function of the hippocampus: the dynamic integration of events into a narrative structure for memory.
Medical Cannabis State and Federal Regulations: Implications for United States Health Care Entities

Thirty-six states and four territories in the United States have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use. Marijuana, however, continues to be classified as a schedule I substance under the Federal Controlled Substance Act and remains illegal under US federal law. The incongruity between state and federal legislation creates various challenges for stakeholders: patients, medical trainees, providers, and health care institutions. This communication provides an overview of the major policies impacting Cannabis sativa use within the United States, various state and federal regulations, and highlights potential implications for health care institutions moving forward. Existing literature, regulations, and policies on medical marijuana (MMJ) use in health care settings were searched, reviewed, analyzed, and distilled. As a consequence of legislative inconsistencies, there is insufficient clarity and resultant challenges regarding MMJ usage, prescription, possession, education, and research-related policies for health care stakeholders across the United States. Coupled with limited scientific evidence on the clinical efficacy of MMJ, the needs of the patient and the quality of health care delivery may be affected as hospitals balance the competing risks of being legislatively compliant while protecting the rights of patients and health care employees. There is a recognized need to better define acceptable MMJ policies and regulations in health care settings that are evidence-based, legally compliant, and adequately address the needs of both patients and providers. Given the complexity of the legal and policy landscape, there are potential opportunities for improvement, including in medical education and training, research, and usage oversight of MMJ for stakeholders in the United States.
Influence of substrate size, Cladophora, and caddisfly pupal cases on colonization of macroinvertebrates in Sagehen Creek, California.

Colonization of stream macroinvertebrates onto artificial substrates was examined in Sagehen Creek, California, during 1993. Substrate size and presence or absence of pupal cases of the caddisfly Anagapetus (Glossosomatidae) were examined as possible influences on macroinvertebrate colonization. Macroinvertebrates were collected from substrates after 60 d of incubation and identified to the lowest feasible taxonomic unit. Dry weight of the filamentous green alga Cladophora also was determined for each substrate. A general linear model indicated a significant positive relationship between both substrate size and presence of pupal cases on richness ( P Anagapetus cases on Micrasema bactro , Epeorus , and Rhyacophila sp. 1, and of substrate size on Hydropsyche occidentalis and Epeorus . Neither cases nor substrate size had a significant effect on Cladophora density ( P > 0.05). There were significant negative correlations between Cladophora density and both Shannon H′ and J′ indices. There were significant positive relationships between Cladophora density with Baetis , Simulium , and Chironomidae density. Combined main effects of substrate size, Anagapetus pupal cases, and Cladophora have dynamic influences on this macroinvertebrate fauna. This study demonstrates the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors that determine macroinvertebrate distribution and abundance in this system.
Biochemical and Molecular Markers in Plant Breeding

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Concepts and General Theory for Using Marker Technology in Plant Breeding Applications Desired Attributes of Markers for Plant Breeding Application Development of Molecular-Marker Linkage Maps in Plants Marker Associations Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs)Manipulation of Quantitative Traits Using Marker-Facilitated MethodsConclusions/Prospects Literature Cited
Ethnicity and consumer choice

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explain the level of involvement of Asian‐Indian consumers residing in the US when purchasing Indian ethnic apparel and contemporary American clothing at different levels of acculturation.Design/methodology/approach – Data were gathered by a questionnaire administered to 254 Asian‐Indian consumers from the southeastern United States.Findings – Low levels of acculturation among Asian‐Indians did result in a higher level of involvement in Indian ethnic apparel. Consumers who were moderately acculturated to western culture were less involved in Indian ethnic apparel but became increasingly involved as they became more acculturated to the US culture. In conclusion, Asian‐Indians, who were new to the US, may try to identify with the new culture leading to a decline in involvement with Indian ethnic apparel. As these consumers became more comfortable in their new environment they may have felt a need to connect with their original culture, and this could have led to a r...
A comparison of gender role portrayals in magazine advertising: The United States, China and Thailand

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to try to determine to what extent differences and similarities in sociopolitical, cultural and economic backgrounds are reflected in gender role portrayals in magazine advertisements in the USA, China and Thailand.Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis is used. Five different magazine categories are selected from the USA, China and Thailand in 2007: news and general interest; sports; entertainment; women's and business. The coding system employed is modified from Courtney and Lockeretz.Findings – Overall, the paper finds that advertisers in Thailand, China and America shared some gender stereotyping. In addition, Chinese and Thai magazine advertisements show more gender stereotyping, while US advertisements show more egalitarian representations. These findings are consistent with their respective culture backgrounds.Research limitations/implications – The use of content analysis is limited because it is mainly descriptive in nature and adequate causal explan...
The Word Problem for Thue Rewriting Systems

This paper is divided into two parts that can be read independently. Part I is devoted to examples of undecidable Thue rewriting systems. Part II presents the results obtained so far on the conjecture that one-relation Thue systems are decidable.
The Phosphate Mineralogy of Meteorites

Nine phosphate minerals are found in meteorites: whitlockite, Ca3(PO4)2; chlorapatite, Ca5(PO4)3Cl; hydroxyapatite, Ca5(PO4)3OH; sarcopside, (Fe, Mn)3(PO4)2; graftonite, (Fe, Mn)3 (PO4)2; farringtonite, Mg3(PO4)2; stanfieldite, Ca4(Mg, Fe)5(PO4)6; brianite, Na2MgCa(PO4)2; and panethite, Na2Mg2(PO4)2. The last four have been found only in meteorites.
Regulatory Bargaining and Public Law: Bargaining in Decentralized Lawmaking

When a federalist system allocates decision-making power between national and state governmental bodies, while also disfavoring federal regulation of an activity, bargaining is often relegated to the spheres of state and local politics. In the United States, the preference for state or local regulation in many industries, including electric power and telecommunications, is largely historical and may not survive the next century if true national markets emerge – and especially if Congress and federal regulators take serious actions to establish these markets. As long as state and local regulation continues to play a major role in these industries, however, firms in deregulated markets will often find themselves in situations in which there is a jurisdictional gap (i.e., no regulation of private conduct) or in which there is concurrent jurisdiction between the federal and state agencies (i.e., two or more potential regulators). Such gaps and overlaps not only present challenges (and some opportunities) for regulators, but also allow private firms many opportunities for strategic manipulation of forum in bargaining for regulation. As the filed tariff doctrine illustrates, the regulatory void presented by gaps and concurrent jurisdiction can encourage private firms to make tariff filings or to add tariff terms to the regulatory contract that suit their private interests, leading to particularly worrisome forum selection implications under the filed tariff doctrine where regulators lack jurisdiction or do not actively evaluate the content of tariffs. Ideally, Congress will establish a truly national market by detariffing electric power, as it has telecommunications.
Aha Malawi! Envisioning Field Experiences that Nurture Cultural Competencies for Preservice Teachers

This theoretical study uses the context of the writer’s personal encounters in Malawi, Africa, to propose a conceptual model for creating diverse field experiences based on best practices in critical pedagogy, service learning, and the underpinnings of transformational learning theory, for the purpose of increasing the probability of meaningful and sustainable personal growth that impacts classroom practice over time. The visual framework proposed illustrates the overlap and the unique qualities of these three often-used perspectives for building cultural competencies for teachers and makes the case for incorporating all three when designing experiential learning opportunities with recommendations for how to do so.
Unilateral Effects Under the Guidelines: Models, Merits, and Merger Policy

This paper models Federal Trade Commission unilateral effects merger policy using a sample of 184 investigations undertaken between 1993 and 2010. A review of the files suggests that roughly half of the sample is evaluated with a dominant firm/monopoly model, while the rest of the cases require a more complex unilateral effects analysis. Statistical analysis shows the number of significant rivals represents the best structural proxy for the Federal Trade Commission’s policy choice, although other variables, such as fringe share, market leadership entry, effects’ evidence, and vertical issues also affect the outcome. Some of these variables suggest that the innovations in the 2010 Merger Guidelines were already applied in merger analysis. Material on deterministic models and case study review of merger investigations, discussed in a previous draft of this paper, is now available in Unilateral Effects Analysis and the Upward Pricing Pressure Model: Evidence from the Federal Trade Commission, 2011, Available at SSRN. http://ssrn.com/abstract=1837645
Lymph imbalance in the genesis and perpetuation of the ascites syndrome in hepatic cirrhosis

Despite extensive study, the pathogenesis of cirrhotic ascites and its relationship to salt and water retention and the hepatorenal syndrome remain unclear. This article reexamines the underlying disturbance in microcirculatory exchange of fluid and protein in the liver and digestive tract and specifically stresses that, in keeping with current interpretation of the Starling hypothesis, ascites appears when the driving force of elevated portal pressure overwhelms the "safety factors" of widened transmural colloid asmotic pressure gradient and accelerated regional lymph flow. In light of recent findings that enhancement of ascitic fluid returned to the bloodstream produces a natriuresis, diuresis, and amelioration of ascites, a "lymph imbalance" theory distinct from the "classic" and "overflow" theories is advanced. This theory proposes that a circulatory imbalance between the rate of fluid leaving and returning to the bloodstream (i.e., the relative rates of lymph formation and lymph absorption) is responsible for a maldistribution of extracellular fluid, which, in turn, stimulates renal salt and water retention, progression of ascites, and finally, the hepatorenal syndrome. Should compensatory factors suffice to prevent or reverse this lymph imbalance, the full cycle is not activated or, if already operating, is deactivated. Thus, portacaval shunt (by reducing the rate of lymph formation) or peritoneovenous shunt (by acting as a megalymphatic collateral to accelerate resorption as well as prevent sequestration of peritoneal fluid), both tend to restore the lymph balance and thereby suppress salt and water retention, correct functional oliguria, and ameliorate ascites.
The 2-8 keV X-Ray Number Counts Determined from Chandra Blank Field Observations

We present the 2-8 keV number counts from the 1 Ms Chandra observation of the Chandra Deep Field-North. We combine these with the number counts from a 78 ks exposure of the Hawaii Survey field SSA22 and with the number counts obtained in independent analyses of the Chandra Deep Field-South and the Hawaii Survey field SSA13 to determine the number counts from 2 × 10-16 to 10-13 ergs cm-2 s-1. Over this flux range, the contribution to the X-ray background is 1.1 × 10-11 ergs cm-2 s-1 deg-2. When the contributions above 10-13 ergs cm-2 s-1 from BeppoSAX or ASCA observations are included, the total rises to 1.4 × 10-11 ergs cm-2 s-1 deg-2. However, there appears to be substantial field-to-field variation in the counts in excess of the statistical uncertainties. When the statistical and flux-calibration uncertainties (in both the background and source measurements) are taken into account, as much as 0.5 × 10-11 ergs cm-2 s-1 deg-2 could still be present in an unresolved component.
A Survey of Recent IP Lookup Schemes;V

Internet (IP) address lookup is a major bottleneck in high performance routers. IP address lookup is challenging because it requires a longest matching prefix lookup It is compounded by increasing routing table sizes, increased traffic, higher speed links, and the migration to 128 bit IPv6 addresses.
Usefulness of a home affluence scale administered to urban adolescents with asthma to estimate the family's socioeconomic status

Purpose Measurement of socioeconomic status (SES) is traditionally based on education, income, and occupation. This information may not be readily available from adolescents participating in research. Methods Using data from school-based randomized trial of an asthma intervention targeting urban adolescents, we compared percent poverty in zip code of residence (% poverty), median housing value, and parental income and education, to teen responses on the Home Affluence Scale for Children (HASC), which included home, car, and computer ownership for the family and eligibility for free school lunch. The association of HASC with measures of asthma control was also assessed. Results Of 422 adolescents, 390 (92%) responded to HASC items (mean HASC = 2.5). HASC was associated with mother's education and household income (both P < .001), and significantly correlated with % poverty (P < .0001) and median home value (P = .003). The association of HASC <2.0 to indicators of uncontrolled asthma was in the direction hypothesized, especially for nighttime symptoms, odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 1.59 (0.95–2.66) and restricted activity, odds ratio = 1.87 (1.12–3.12). Conclusions HASC correlates well with more traditional measures of SES, and the risk estimates for HASC less than 2.0 and indicators of uncontrolled asthma were mostly in the hypothesized direction. Methods of obtaining SES indicators from youth are needed for research studies.
Chemical vapor deposition diamond nucleation induced by sp2 carbon on unscratched silicon

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond nucleation is enhanced on most substrates by scratching with diamond grit prior to growth. The damage induced by such scratching makes this an unsuitable technique for many applications, and sheds little light on fundamental nucleation mechanisms, since the bulk of the crystals on such substrates probably grow homoepitaxially on diamond fragments embedded in the substrate during scratching. In this paper, we describe recent results in which unscratched silicon substrates overlaid with carbon fibers undergo very rapid and heavy CVD diamond nucleation when exposed to CVD diamond growth conditions. Exposure of such fiber-treated substrates to high temperature in an ultrahigh vacuum induces the formation of etch pits and trails of particulate debris which are extremely efficient diamond nucleators. Both the pits and the debris are carbon rich, and thus satisfy two criteria for “spontaneous”, i.e. non-epitaxial growth; (1) carbon saturation of the substrate surface, and (2) the presence of high-energy edge sites. The specific relationships between these characteristics and CVD diamond nucleation are discussed.
Pleochroic Halos and the Constancy of Nature: A Reexamination

A thorough reanalysis of the early measurements of pleochroic halos in light of today's standards and knowledge indicates that, contrary to widespread belief, these halos do not provide proof that the laws of radioactive decay are constant in time.
A T21 analyzing power standard for tensor polarized deuteron beams

Abstract A T21 analyzing power standard has been established at Ed = 8.06 MeV and θlab = 45° by using the properties of the 16 O( d , α 3 ) 14 N reaction. The relative accuracy of the measurement is better than 1 2 %. On the basis of this standard we have calibrated a deuteron polarimeter and have also established a secondary standard, accurate to 2 %, by calibrating 6 Li( d , α) 4 He against the 16 ( d , α 3 ) 14 N reaction.
Software and system level tests of a test flight mercury ion thruster subsystem

A U.S. Air Force technology spacecraft flight is scheduled to carry an Ion Auxiliary Propulsion System (IAPS) as part of its experimental payload. This paper presents the results of the successful flight-software qualification and system-level tests which were performed on IAPS. The software tests were performed with an operating engineering model ion thruster and power processing unit, and failure/off-normal recovery modes, operation with and without temperature telemetry from the thruster vaporizers, and with closed-loop control or fixed setpoint operation of the thruster vaporizers. The system-level tests cover a wide range of thermal and operating conditions with the entire system exposed to a simulated space environment.
Progress in Integrated 2-D Models for Analysis of Scrape-Off Layer Transport Physics

We present the status of comprehensive two-dimensional (2-D) transport modeling for the tokamak scrape-off layer (SOL) using the UEDGE and B2.5 codes. These codes are now able to integrate a variety of physics, including coupling of plasma and neutral transport leading to detachment, complicated divertor-plate geometries, multispecies impurities, and currents and E x B drifts. These new models are outlined and the capabilities are illustrated by a number of examples that emphasize the importance of including the 2-D geometry.
Magnetospheric substorm energy dissipation in the atmosphere

Abstract The mechanisms of energy dissipation in the atmosphere for magnetospheric substorm energy sources are examined quantitatively, and the height-integrated energy budget is determined for average auroral conditions. Under steady-state conditions (1) at least 60% of the energy deposited by typical auroral particle bombardment heats the neutral atmosphere; about 11% maintains the enhanced level of ionization. Only about 4% is radiated in the visible, near i.r., and near u.v. spectral regions, which are detectable by ground-based and airborne observations, and 6% is known to be radiated in the medium and far u.v. spectrum. Another 3% of the energy is expended in maintaining enhanced electron and ion temperatures, bremsstrahlung radiation, and long-wave radio emissions. This leaves about 16% of the energy unaccounted for; it is argued that the bulk of this energy must reside in extreme u.v. radiation originating from highly excited atomic, molecular, and ionic states. Both laboratory and field evidence support this suggestion. (2) Orthogonal electric fields dissipate substantial energy in the atmosphere; the amount is governed by the ionospheric conductivity profile. In fact, the energy dissipated by electric fields can exceed the energy deposited by particle bombardment. About one-half of this energy goes into heating the neutral gas. (3) Plasma heat conduction is a small energy source that may have a large spatial extent. Its principal effect is heating of the electron gas, which, in turn, raises the electron temperature. Only 3% of the energy goes into radiation of OI(λ6300), the spectroscopic signature of SAR-ARCS.
Protein-Functionalized Proton Exchange Membranes

Protein-functionalized biomimetic membranes, based upon a triblock copolymer simulating a natural lipid bilayer in a single chain, serves as a core technology for applications in bioenergetics. Monolayers of block copolymer, which simulates the hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic chain of a natural cell membrane, can be formed by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) deposition and provides a favorable environment for protein refolding. Large-scale membrane formation is achieved using LB deposition on a variety of substrates, such as gold, quartz, silicon, and Nafion®. We have successfully inserted membrane proteins, such as the light-activated proton pump, bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and the pH/voltage-gateable porin, Outermembrane Protein F (OmpF), into large-area LB monolayers. We have also established sustained protein functionality in films through the measurement of light-activated proton transport.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
HELIOS: A New Approach to Reactions in Inverse Kinematics

The study of nuclear structure with transfer reactions has enjoyed a great revitalization with the advent of radioactive beams. Worldwide, many facilities are now capable of delivering radioactive-ion beams at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Measurements that have built up the basis of much of what we know about the structure of atomic nuclei can now be made far away from the valley of stability [1–6]. Many sophisticated charged-particle detector arrays have been developed to take advantage of these beams. These arrays, typically combining silicon-detector and gas-ionization or scintillator technologies, revealed many new and interesting facets of nuclear structure. Discoveries include new features of orbitals in the shell model, better data on effective single-particle energies, and demonstrated the effects of aspects of the nucleon-nucleon interactions in nuclei such as the tensor force. All of these become much more interesting as nuclei approach the limits of stability.
An XAD-2 resin method for efficient extraction of mutagens from fried ground beef☆

4 methods of extraction of mutagens from fried ground beef were compared for total mutagen recovery and chromatographic profile of isolated substances. A method which employs Amberlite XAD-2 resin to isolate mutagenic activity from an initial aqueous acid extract of fried beef was found to yield approx. 4 times more activity than other aqueous or organic solvent extraction procedures. Chromatographic profiles of mutagenic extracts isolated by the 4 methods suggest that the XAD-2 resin method does not recover different mutagens, but is primarily a more efficient isolation procedure. The resin method is rapid, inexpensive, simple, and requires approx. half the time of the other methods.
Strong electrospun nanometer-diameter polyacrylonitrile carbon fiber yarns

Abstract Nanometer-diameter electrospun PAN yarns with different degrees of alignment were stabilized and carbonized and their properties evaluated. The parameters varied during production included draw ratio, temperature, heating rate and time in order to determine the ideal oxidation and carbonization conditions. The 10% PAN carbon yarn made at 16 kV and 9.8 m s −1 take-up velocity had the highest ultimate strength of approximately 1 GPa while maintaining constant length conditions during the process. The ultimate strength increased to approximately 1.7 GPa after the yarns were impregnated with an adhesive to make nano-sized unidirectional composite samples. The ultimate strength of PAN yarns generally increased with increasing take-up velocity because of the increase of molecular orientation.
The Impact of Primary Schools on the Differential Distribution of Samoan Adolescents’ Competence with Honorific Language

In the Western Polynesian society of Samoa, cultural learning and the acquisition of competency in many domains is substantially influenced by the hierarchical structure of social relations and interactions. From a population-level perspective, this pattern of intergenerational transmission of culture can generate differential distributions of competencies in many domains of cultural knowledge on the basis of children’s relative household rank. However, because the local primary school provides children with opportunities to learn without regard to their household rank, the possibility exists that it may act as a countervailing force in the distribution of cultural competency. This report examines this possibility through an analysis of children developing competency with the Samoan honorific lexicon, a basic yet important element of the larger category of respectful behavior that all adults in this culture are expected to acquire. A multiple-choice test of the Samoan honorific lexicon was administered to...
Polycythemia vera: myths, mechanisms, and management.

Polycythemia vera is a clonal disorder arising in a multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cell that causes the accumulation of morphologically normal red cells, white cells, platelets, and their progenitors in the absence of a definable stimulus and to the exclusion of nonclonal hematopoiesis.[1][1
Acquisition and processing of data for isotope-ratio-monitoring mass spectrometry

Methods are described for continuous monitoring of signals required for precise analyses of 13C, 18O, and 15N in gas streams containing varying quantities of CO2 and N2. The quantitative resolution (i.e. maximum performance in the absence of random errors) of these methods is adequate for determination of isotope ratios with an uncertainty of one part in 10(5); the precision actually obtained is often better than one part in 10(4). This report describes data-processing operations including definition of beginning and ending points of chromatographic peaks and quantitation of background levels, allowance for effects of chromatographic separation of isotopically substituted species, integration of signals related to specific masses, correction for effects of mass discrimination, recognition of drifts in mass spectrometer performance, and calculation of isotopic delta values. Characteristics of a system allowing off-line revision of parameters used in data reduction are described and an algorithm for identification of background levels in complex chromatograms is outlined. Effects of imperfect chromatographic resolution are demonstrated and discussed and an approach to deconvolution of signals from coeluting substances described.
Multidecadal Sea Level and Gyre Circulation Variability in the Northwestern Tropical Pacific Ocean

AbstractSea level rise with the trend >10 mm yr−1 has been observed in the tropical western Pacific Ocean over the 1993–2009 period. This rate is 3 times faster than the global-mean value of the sea level rise. Analyses of the satellite altimeter data and repeat hydrographic data along 137°E reveal that this regionally enhanced sea level rise is thermosteric in nature and vertically confined to a patch in the upper ocean above the 12°C isotherm. Dynamically, this regional sea level trend is accompanied by southward migration and strengthening of the North Equatorial Current (NEC) and North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC). Using a 1½-layer reduced-gravity model forced by the ECMWF reanalysis wind stress data, the authors find that both the observed sea level rise and the NEC/NECC’s southward migrating and strengthening trends are largely attributable to the upper-ocean water mass redistribution caused by the surface wind stresses of the recently strengthened atmospheric Walker circulation. Based on the lo...
Information theoretic capacity bounds for burst transmissions with imperfect carrier synchronization

Burst transmissions are used in multiple access schemes such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) or ALOHA type of access. Burst transmissions are especially important in military satellite communication networks which use fast frequency hopping for providing resistance to intentional jamming of signals, where very low Signal-to-Noise Ratios (SNR) are common. In this paper we develop information theoretic bounds for capacity for burst transmissions with M-PSK modulated signals when carrier synchronization is imperfect, which is especially true in low SNR operation. Developing these bounds also results in a method for “optimal” encoding for burst transmissions. From a signal-processing perspective, open-loop and closed-loop partially data aided synchronization schemes which are optimal in the maximum-likelihood sense are developed for M-PSK modulated signals. These will help achieve the best possible throughput with burst transmissions.
The obesity epidemic in children and adults: current evidence and research issues.

Purpose: The term epidemic of obesity implies that obesity is a characteristic of populations. not only of individuals. The purpose of this paper is to review evidence on obesity in populations and to identify future research issues. Methods: To examine recent increases in the population prevalence of overweight or obesity, a literature search was undertaken. Results: Trends in overweight or obesity among adults showed considerable variability internationally. Some countries, including Canada, Finland (men), New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Western Samoa showed large increases in prevalence (>5 percentage points), whereas several other countries showed smaller or no increases. Overweight is also increasing among children and adolescents, at least in some countries. It is not clear what the expected prevalence of overweight or obesity might be in the current environment, and these findings may be most usefully viewed as shifts in the distribution of a population characteristic. The reasons for these shifts are not clear. The health implications of these shifts are also not clear, in part because trends in cardiovascular risk factors do not always parallel trends in obesity. Of the classic epidemiologic triad of host, agent, and environment, the environment has often received the least attention. Conclusions: The economic, social, and cultural factors that influence the distribution of body mass index in a population are not well understood. Future research needs include continued monitoring of trends in obesity and in related health conditions and observational studies to examine the causes of these trends. Public health research should aim at defining realistic goals and strategies to improve health in an environment conducive to high levels of overweight and obesity.
The additionality problem with offsets: Optimal contracts for carbon sequestration in forests ☆

Abstract Carbon offsets are a frequently discussed tool for reducing the costs of an emissions reduction policy. However, offsets have a basic problem stemming from asymmetric information. Sellers of offsets have private information about their opportunity costs, leading to concerns about whether offsets are additional. Non-additional offsets can undermine a cap-and-trade program or, if the government purchases them directly, result in enormous government expenditures. We analyze contracts for carbon sequestration in forests that mitigate the asymmetric information problem. Landowners are offered a menu of two-part contracts that induces them to reveal their type. Under this scheme, the government is able to identify ex post how much additional forest each landowner contributes and minimize ex ante its expenditures on carbon sequestration. To explore the performance of the contracting scheme, we conduct a national-scale simulation using an econometric model of land-use change. The results indicate that for an increase in forest area of 61 million acres, government expenditures are $5.3 billion lower under the contracting approach compared to a uniform subsidy offered to all landowners. This compares to an increase in private opportunity costs of just $110 million dollars under the contracts. Thus, the contracting scheme is preferable from society's perspective.
Anderson Localization for Time Periodic Random Schrödinger Operators

Abstract We prove that at large disorder, Anderson localization in Z d is stable under localized time-periodic perturbations by proving that the associated quasi-energy operator has pure point spectrum. The formulation of this problem is motivated by questions of Anderson localization for non-linear Schrodinger equations.
The biological myth of human evolution

The most significant paradox in the study of human evolution is that human evolution over the last few million years has been bio-cultural evolution, and it is thus perversely unscientific to try and imagine it as simply a succession of biological processes and effects. Without confronting the cultural aspects of human evolution, one cannot approximate the reality of human origins or human nature. The failure to do so explains why biologically reductive theories of human evolution are generally rejected by anthropology.
Regenerating Tissues from the Cockroach Leg: A System for Studying in vitro

Regenerating leg tissue of Leucophaea maderae shows considerable activity in vitro. Migrations of ameboid and fiber-like cells from the explant take place, vesicles are produced, and interaction occurs between tissues. The system described facilitates the study of these activities in vitro.
Alveolar macrophage plasminogen activator.

Plasminogen activator is a neutral serine protease secreted by many different cells, including activated peritoneal macrophages, which can mediate both inflammation and fibrinolysis and perhaps cytolysis of tumor cells. Secretion of plasminogen activator by rabbit alveolar macrophages derived from normal animals and rabbits pretreated with bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) to activate these macrophages was examined. Plasminogen activator was secreted into media of cultured alveolar macrophages, but was not present within the cells. Secretion, which was dependent upon the presence of viable cells, could be blocked by protein synthesis inhibitors and enhanced by concan-avalin A and phorbol myristate acetate. The inhibition profile of rabbit alveolar macrophage plasminogen activator is consistent with that of a serine protease. Plasminogen activator is present in two forms with molecular weights of 28,000 and 45,000. Alveolar macrophage plasminogen activator was secreted in cultures from most rabbits (17 of 23)...