cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Grid orthogonalization for curvilinear alternating-direction techniques

Abstract A method is developed for an a posteriori iterative improvement to an arbitrary computational grid. Local corrections to the coordinates of the grid points are used to form a global cost function which is minimized with respect to a single parameter. The local corrections and cost function can be constructed to maximize the local smoothness and/or the local orthogonality of the grid. The advantage of this method is that it allows the user to generate an initial grid using any inexpensive method, and then the grid can be improved with respect to both orthogonality and smoothness. This technique was used to generate grids for a finite element alternating-direction method which uses curved elements. A sample transient diffusion problem was solved on a series of grids to investigate the sensitivity of the curvilinear alternating-direction method to grid orthogonalization. The initial grid was highly nonorthogonal and each grid produced by the automatic grid generation program was smoother and more orthogonal. This work shows that the adaptive grid program can be easily used to generate nearly orthogonal grids and it shows that the curvilinear alternating-direction technique is not highly sensitive to nonorthogonality of the grid. It is shown that as long as a grid is somewhat reasonable, the alternating-direction method will perform quite well.
Optimization of instrumental variables in flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract The optimization of flame atomic absorption instrumental variables such as hollow-cathode lamp current, slit width, slit height, flame type and stoichiometry, burner position, resonance line, and integration time for best precision or signal-to-noise ratio is discussed. Because different types of noise are limiting in different absorbance regions, optimum values of instrumental variables can vary with the absorbance measured.
Double umbilical cord blood transplantation after novel myeloablative conditioning using a regimen of fludarabine, busulfan, and total lymphoid irradiation.

Abstract We conducted a pilot study evaluating double umbilical cord blood transplantation (dCBT) after myeloablative conditioning with fludarabine and busulfan 3.2 mg/kg i.v. × 4, followed by total lymphoid irradiation at 400 cGy (FluBu4/TLI) for any indicated hematological disorder for patients without a suitable donor. Twenty patients with predominantly high-risk disease underwent dCBT according to protocol. The regimen was well tolerated, with mucositis as the primary observed toxicity (n = 19). The cumulative incidence of neutrophil engraftment was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 64% to 97%), with a median time to recovery of 16 days (range, 12 to 31 days). All evaluable patients with neutrophil engraftment achieved complete donor chimerism by day 40. The cumulative incidence of grades III and IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at day 100 was 10% (95% CI, 2% to 27%), and the cumulative incidence of chronic GVHD was 35% (95% CI, 16% to 55%) by the end of the study. At 1 year, the cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 35% (95% CI, 16% to 55%). The leading cause of nonrelapse mortality was acute GVHD (n = 4), followed by graft failure (n = 2) and chronic GVHD (n = 1). TRM was significantly associated with a pretransplantation hematopoietic cell transplantation–specific comorbidity index score ≥ 3 (P = .005). At 1 year, disease relapse occurred in 6 patients and overall survival was 40% (95% CI, 19% to 60%). We conclude that FluBu4/TLI is an adequate preparative regiment before dCBT, providing high engraftment rates and relatively early neutrophil recovery. The best survival outcomes were seen in patients without significant comorbidities before transplantation, and outcomes are comparable to previously published dCBT studies.
Autotoxic antibiotic production by a marine Chromobacterium

An antibiotic-producing Chromobacter was isolated from a sea-water sample from the North Pacific Gyre. The bacterium produces 3 bromine-containing metabolites: tetrabromopyrrole, 2-(2′-hydroxy-3′, 5′-dibromophenyl)-3, 4, 5-tribromopyrrole, and hexabromo-2, 2′-bipyrrole. It also synthesizes n-propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Some of these compounds were shown to be responsible for autoinhibition of the Chromobacterium itself, as well as for antibiotic action against other kinds of bacteria.
A simple competitive graph coloring algorithm III

We consider the following game played on a finite graph G. Let r and d be positive integers. Two players, Alice and Bob, alternately color the vertices of G, using colors from a set X, with |X| = r. A color α ∈ X is legal for an uncolored vertex v if by coloring v with α, the subgraph induced by all vertices of color α has maximum degree at most d. Each player is required to color legally on each turn. Alice wins the game if all vertices of the graph are legally colored. Bob wins if there comes a time when there exists an uncolored vertex which cannot be legally colored. We show that if G is planar, then Alice has a winning strategy for this game when r = 3 and d ≥ 132. We also show that for sufficiently large d, if G is a planar graph without a 4-cycle or with girth at least 5, then Alice has a winning strategy for the game when r = 2.
Studying gene expression for a long time

In the 1960s and 70s before the recombinant DNA era we studied the structure and expression of the repetitive Xenopus laevis ribosomal RNA genes and 5S ribosomal RNA genes. They were isolated by physical and chemical means from genomic DNA. These genes revealed transcribed and nontranscribed spacers, pseudogenes, horizontal evolution of tandem repeating genes including the conservation of functional sequences and the divergence of spacer regions. The Xenopus oocyte accumulates enormous numbers of ribosomes for a single cell. The solution for this demand for quantity differs for each component. The genes encoding the large 18S and 28S RNAs are amplified by about 1000 times. This was the first instance of specific gene amplification. The 5S RNA genes are not amplified but encoded in a huge family of about 20,000 members expressed only in the oocyte. The purified 5S RNA genes were convenient for studying gene expression in vitro revealing the DNA signals for initiation and termination of transcription. In 1990 I changed my research to a more complex problem of gene expression, amphibian metamorphosis. Essentially every cell type in each tadpole organ is targeted for change by thyroid hormone (TH). Some organs (for example the limb) complete differentiation by multiple cell autonomous programs. Others (intestine and pancreas) have TH-induced cellcell interaction. This biological problem has not yet revealed its most exciting secrets. Many scientists have contributed to my research. It was my greatest good fortune to have discovered the Carnegie Institution. I am extremely grateful to the NIGMS and the Mathers Foundation for long term funding.
Centrality Preferences in Choices Among Similar Options

Abstract Three explanations were explored for the finding that people prefer the middle option rather than the extremes when choosing from an array of similar options. In Study 1, 68% chose the middle item from a set of three highlighters and three surveys, whereas 32% chose an item from either end, p < .0001. In Study 2, 71% selected the middle chair from a row of three chairs that were either all empty, or had a backpack occupying either one of the two end chairs, p < .0001. These results support a minimal mental effort principle rather than a preference for symmetry rule. In Study 3, 54.2% recalled more graphic items from the center poster of a 3-poster collage, whereas 31.3% and 14.5% recalled more items from the left and right posters, respectively, p < .004. These findings lend additional support to a focus of attention explanation.
The Hylleraas‐CI method in molecular calculations: Two‐electron integrals

In the Hylleraas-CI method, first proposed by Sims and Hagstrom, correlation factors of the type r are included into the configurations of a CI expansion. The computation of the matrix elements requires the evaluation of different two-, three-, and four-electron integrals. In this article we present formulas for the two-electron integrals over Cartesian Gaussian functions, the most used basis functions in molecular calculations. Most of the integrals have been calculated analytically in closed form (some of them in terms of the incomplete Gamma function), but in one case a numerical integration is required, although the interval for the integration is finite and the integrand well-behaved. We have also reported on partial and preliminary computations for the H2 molecule using our four-center general formulas; a basis set of s- and p-type functions yielded at R = 1.4001 A an energy of - 1.174380 a.u. to be compared with Kolos and Wolniewicz value of - 1.174475.
The lateral synovial recess of the knee: Anatomy and role in chronic iliotibial band friction syndrome

The tissue deep to the iliotibial band (ITB) and its relationship to the lateral knee joint capsule was studied anatomically and the histopathology of this tissue in chronic iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) was examined. Findings show that the tissue under the ITB consists of a synovium that is a lateral extension and invagination of the actual knee joint capsule and is not a separate bursa as described in the literature. Additionally, in cases of chronic ITBFS seen in young elite athletes, synovial tissue taken from this lateral synovial recess reveals histological evidence of inflammation and hyperplasia that suggests its involvement in the pathological process.
Detecting Aortic Insufficiency by Echocardiography

Excerpt To the editor: I was happy to see the study by Grayburn and coworkers (1) on the ability of several different techniques to identify aortic insufficiency. Clinicians need to be aware of the...
Picosecond reaction dynamics in photosynthetic and proton pumping systems: picosecond time-resolved Raman spectroscopy of electronic and vibrationally excited states

The population dynamics and structural transformations involving polyene chromophores in biological sytems are examined using picosecond time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. Vibrational spectroscopy provides a view of the configurational and conformational changes undergone by polyene chromophores as different electronic and vibrationally excited states are populated. In addition the picosecond dynamics reflected in the transient population of these excited states are monitored through the time-dependent resonance Raman band intensities. Results for the excited 2''A electronic state in a variety of carotenoids and for vibrational ly-excited ground-state populations in bacteriorhodopsin are described. 1.
Postnatal Development of Binding of Streptococci and Lipoteichoic Acid by Oral Mucosal Cells of Humans

The colonization of mucosal cells in the oral cavity of newborn infants was studied at various intervals after birth in an attempt to define the nature of the epithelial binding sites for group A streptococci and their lipoteichoic acid (LTA). Stained smears of buccal mucosal cells showed that the average number of naturally acquired bacteria/cell was zero to one in infants less than one day old, one to four in infants one day old, and 11-19 in infants two days old. Samples of the same mucosal cells were incubated with group A streptococci, and the average number of streptococci bound per cell was 10-31 in infants less than one day old, 33-62 in one-day-old infants, and 75-100 in two-day-old infants. Experiments that were repeated with group B streptococci type III produced similar results. LTA, the substance that mediates the binding of streptococci to epithelial cells, was similarly bound by fewer buccal mucosal cells obtained within 6 hr of birth than cells obtained during the next 48 hr. Streptococcal and LTA binding reached adult levels between 48 and 72 hr after birth. No difference was shown in the streptococcal binding capacity of oral epithelial cells obtained from mothers at term and cells obtained from other normal adults. Preincubation of adult buccal cells with amniotic fluid did not decrease streptococcal binding. These studies demonstrated a scant capacity of the oral mucosal cells of neonates to bind LTA and streptococci and suggest that LTAbinding sites are developed or unmasked during the first few days after birth.
The Activity of Topoisomerase I Is Modulated by Large T Antigen during Unwinding of the SV40 Origin

When simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen binds to the virus origin of replication, it forms a double hexamer that functions as a helicase to unwind the DNA bidirectionally. We demonstrate in this report that T antigen can unwind and release an origin DNA single strand of less than full length in the presence of purified human topoisomerase I. The sites nicked by topoisomerase I in the strands released by T antigen during DNA unwinding were localized primarily to the "late" side of the origin, and the template for lagging strand synthesis was preferred significantly over the one for leading strand synthesis. Importantly, these sites were, for the most part, different from the sites nicked by topoisomerase I in the absence of T antigen. These data indicate that T antigen activates topoisomerase I nicking at discrete sites and releases these nicked strands during unwinding. We hypothesize that a single molecule of topoisomerase I can form a functional complex with a double hexamer of T antigen to simultaneously relax and unwind double-stranded origin-containing DNA.
Overpressures in the Anadarko basin, southwestern Oklahoma: Static or dynamic?

Fluid pressures were estimated from mud weights and wellhead shut-in pressures along a north-south linear trend through the Anadarko basin in southwest Oklahoma. Fluid pressures above hydrostatic start at a depth of about 2.5 km. On a normalized scale where hydrostatic pressure equals 0 and lithostatic pressure equals 1, estimates of fluid pressures were found to range from 0.4 to 0.8 over a depth range of 4-7 km. Using scale analyses and a simple numerical model, we evaluated two end-member hypotheses (compaction disequilibrium and hydrocarbon generation) as possible causes of overpressuring in the Anadarko basin. If compaction disequilibrium is the primary cause of present-day overpressures in the Anadarko basin, the Anadarko basin is required to have an average permeability of 10-23 m2 (10-8 md) or lower. If geopressures in the Anadarko basin result from hydrocarbon generation, average basin permeabilities can be as high as 10-21 m2 (10-6 md). Scaling these average permeabilities down to thicknesses of 100 m or less implies permeabilities lower than 10-25 m2 (10-10 md) are required in the most optimistic scenario. The lowest permeabilities ever measured on sedimentary rocks are in the neighborhood of 10-22-10-23 m2 (10-7-10-8 md). Thus it is not possible to reconcile the existence of overpressures in the Anadarko basin with classic hydrodynamic theories that maintain that aquicludes do not exist. Either some unknown process is generating excess fluid pressures, or the Anadarko basin contains pressure seals. Geopressure models that invoke compaction disequilibrium and are commonly applied to Cenozoic basins undergoing rapid sedimentation (e.g., the Gulf Coast basin of the southeastern United States) do not appear to apply to the Anadarko basin. The Anadarko basin belongs to a group of cratonic basins that are tectonically quiescent and characterized by the association of abnormal pressures with natural gas. (Begin page 146)
The Bio-Networking Architecture: a biologically inspired approach to the design of scalable, adaptive, and survivable/available network applications

We believe that the challenges faced by future network applications, such as scalability, adaptability, and survivability/availability, have already been overcome by large scale biological systems and that future network applications will benefit by adopting key biological principles and mechanisms. Our initial effort at applying biological principles and mechanisms to the design and implementation of network applications has produced the Bio-Networking Architecture. In the Bio-Networking Architecture, a collection of autonomous mobile agents, called cyber-entities, are used to implement an application. The desirable characteristics of an application, i.e. scalability, adaptability, and survivability/availability, emerge from the collective actions and interactions of its constituent cyber-entities. We describe a Web content distribution application called Aphid, and show through simulations that Aphid adapts to changing user demand and location. Aphid's scalability and survivability/availability are also demonstrated.
A 0.5-V sub-mW wireless magnetic tracking transponder for radiation therapy

As the position of the tumor in a patient moves during radiation therapy, real-time knowledge of the position of the tumor is necessary in order to allow the maximum amount of radiation to be focused on the tumor and the minimum damage on the surrounding healthy tissues. A 0.5-V sub-mW wireless active transponder for a magnetic tracking system is designed in 130-nm CMOS technology to track the position of the tumor. The transponder consumes only 912 µW and an error of less than 5 mm is achieved with the tracking system.
Chlorobium tepidum Mutant Lacking Bacteriochlorophyll c Made by Inactivation of the bchK Gene, Encoding Bacteriochlorophyll c Synthase

The gene encoding bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) c synthase was identified by insertional inactivation in the photosynthetic green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum and was named bchK. The bchK mutant of C. tepidum was rusty-orange in color and completely lacked BChl c. Because of the absence of the BChl c antenna, the mutant grew about seven times slower than the wild type at light intensities that were limiting to the wild type (<90 mol m 2 s 1 ). Various pheophorbides, which probably represent precursors of BChl c which had lost magnesium, accumulated in the mutant cells. A small fraction of these pheophorbides were apparently esterified by the remaining chlorophyll (Chl) a and BChl a synthases in cells. The amounts of BChl a, Chl a, isoprenoid quinones, carotenoids, Fenna-Matthews-Olson protein, and chlorosome envelope protein CsmA were not significantly altered on a cellular basis in the mutant compared to in the wild type. This suggests that the BChl a antennae, photosynthetic reaction centers, and remaining chlorosome components were essentially unaffected in the mutant. Electron microscopy of thin sections revealed that the mutant lacked normal chlorosomes. However, a fraction containing vestigial chlorosomes, denoted “carotenosomes,” was partly purified by density centrifugation; these structures contained carotenoids, isoprenoid quinones, and a 798nm-absorbing BChl a species that is probably protein associated. Because of the absence of the strong BChl c absorption found in the wild type, the bchK mutant should prove valuable for future analyses of the photosynthetic reaction center and of the roles of BChl a in photosynthesis in green bacteria. An evolutionary implication of our findings is that the photosynthetic ancestor of green sulfur bacteria could have evolved without chlorosomes and BChl c and instead used only BChl a-containing proteins as the major lightharvesting antennae.
Active site dynamics in protein molecules: a stochastic boundary molecular-dynamics approach.

Synopsis The stochastic boundary moleculardynamics approach for studying chemical events in liquids is extended to proteins. A method for simulating the localized dynamics of a portion of a protein is developed and illustrated by an application to the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). The dynamics of the aromatic ring atoms of Tyr 21 of BPTI are targeted as the “active site,” and the results from several different localized models are compared with those from a simulation of the entire molecule. The most consistent results are obtained with a model that consists of a buffer region composed of harmonically constrained Langevin atoms surrounding the active site region whose atoms are treated by molecular dynamics. Possible applications of the model are discussed.
Substrate Ambiguous Enzymes within the Escherichia coli Proteome Offer Different Evolutionary Solutions to the Same Problem

Many enzymes exhibit some catalytic promiscuity or substrate ambiguity. These weak activities do not affect thefitness of the organism under ordinary circumstances, but can serve as potential evolutionary precursors of new catalytic functions. We wondered whether different proteins with the same substrate ambiguous activity evolve differently under identical selection conditions. Patrick et al. (Patrick WM, Quandt EM, Swartzlander DB, Matsumura I. 2007. Multicopy suppression underpins metabolic evolvability. Mol Biol Evol. 24:2716‐2722.) previously showed that three multicopy suppressors, gph, hisB, and ytjC ,r escue"serB Escherichia coli cells from starvation on minimal media. We directed the evolution of variants of Gph, histidinol phosphatase (HisB), and YtjC that complemented "serB more efficiently, and characterized the effects of the amino acid changes, alone and in combination, upon the evolved phosphoserine phosphatase (PSP) activity. Gph and HisB are members of the HAD superfamily of hydrolases, but they adapted through different, kinetically distinguishable, biochemical mechanisms. All of the selected mutations, except N102T in YtjC, proved to be beneficial in isolation. They exhibited a pattern of antagonistic epistasis, as their effects in combination upon the kinetic parameters of the three proteins in reactions with phosphoserine were nonmultiplicative. The N102T mutation exhibited sign epistasis, as it was deleterious in isolation but beneficial in the context of other mutations. We also showed that the D57N mutation in the chromosomal copy of hisB is sufficient to suppress the "serB deletion. These results in combination show that proteomes can offer multiple mechanistic solutions to a molecular recognition problem.
An Overview of Homocysteine Metabolism

Mammals, in contrast to bacteria and plants, cannot make their own methionine (Met). Thus, in humans and animals, Met is an essential amino acid that is provided in the form of proteins ingested as food. In our digestive tract dietary proteins are hydrolyzed to amino acids. Met released from dietary proteins is taken up by the epithelium of the digestive tract and transported in the blood to cells of various organs. In every cell of the body Met is metabolized by two major pathways ( Fig. 1.1): (1) as a building block to make new proteins in the ribosomal protein biosynthetic apparatus and (2) as a precursor of S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet), a universal donor that provides methyl groups for biological methylation reactions and propyl groups for polyamine biosynthesis (both derived from Met). In metabolic pathways (1) and (2), Met is activated by reactions with ATP, albeit in a pathway-specific manner: the carboxyl group of Met is activated in pathway (1), while the thioether sulfur atom is activated in pathway (2).
Predatory violence during mass murder.

A case of mass murder by a 35-year old male is reported. Following a week of separation from his spouse and temporary loss of custody of his son, the subject went to his wife's worksite and murdered her and the store manager, wounded a passerby in a car, and murdered a police officer arriving on the scene. Weapons used were a .32 caliber revolver, a 9-mm pistol, a 7.62-mm assault rifle, and a .50-caliber rifle. The fact pattern of the case is shown to be quite consistent with a predatory mode of aggression-violence that is planned, purposeful, emotionless, and not preceded by autonomic arousal. The forensic importance of considering mode of violence, whether predatory or affective, independently of psychiatric diagnosis, is emphasized.
Loan period distribution in academic libraries

Abstract The length of time that borrowers keep books out of a library may be represented as the cumulative percent of books out vs the percent of the maximum loan period. This loan period distribution has been computed for a variety of academic libraries, with a variety of maximum loan periods and with a variety users. The results are quite consistent and suggest that the loan period distribution may possess universally consistent characteristics.
The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine does not alter consummatory concentration-dependent licking of prototypical taste stimuli by rats.

Serotonin and the 5HT1A receptor are expressed in a subset of taste receptor cells, and the 5HT3 receptor is expressed on afferent fibers innervating taste buds. Exogenous administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, paroxetine, has been shown to increase taste sensitivity to stimuli described by humans as sweet and bitter. Serotonergic agonists also decrease food and fluid intake, and it is possible that modulations of serotonin may alter taste-based hedonic responsiveness; alternatively, or in combination, serotonin may interact with physiological state to impact ingestive behavior. In this study, the unconditioned licking of prototypical taste stimuli by rats in brief-access taste tests was assessed following paroxetine administration (0.3–10 mg/kg intraperitoneal). We also measured sucrose licking by rats in different deprivation states after paroxetine (5 mg/kg). In neither experiment did we find any evidence of an effect of paroxetine on licking relative to water to any of the taste stimuli in the brief-access test at doses that decreased food intake. However, in some conditions, paroxetine decreased trials initiated to tastants. Therefore, a systemic increase in serotonin via paroxetine administration can decrease appetitive behavior in brief-access tests but is insufficient to alter taste-guided consummatory behavior.
Experimental analysis of mode switching techniques in pen-based user interfaces

Inking and gesturing are two central tasks in pen-based user interfaces. Switching between modes for entry of uninterpreted ink and entry of gestures is required by many pen-based user interfaces. Without an appropriate mode switching technique, pen-based interactions in such situations may be inefficient and cumbersome. In this paper, we investigate five techniques for switching between ink and gesture modes in pen interfaces, including a pen-pressure based mode switching technique that allows implicit mode transition. A quantitative experimental study was conducted to evaluate the performance of these techniques. The results suggest that pressing a button with the non-preferred hand offers the fastest performance, while the technique of holding the pen still is significantly slower and more prone to error than the other techniques. Pressure, while promising, did not perform as well as the non-preferred hand button with our current implementation.
MK CLASSIFICATIONS OF SPECTROSCOPIC BINARIES

New MK spectral classifications are given for 145 spectroscopic binaries (SBs) with AF primaries because two-dimensional types are lacking for more than one-third of the AF SBs with known orbital elements in the current catalog. Compared with the classifications by Morgan, Keenan, and their students, the new classifications give types that are 1.1 ± 0.2 subclasses later and 0.7 ± 0.1 luminosity classes fainter. Also listed are selected published MK types from Brian Skiff's recent compilation.
Evaluation of ocean crustal Sites 1256 and 504 for long-term CO2 sequestration

[1] Geologic storage of CO2 in ocean basalt reservoirs is a potentially long-term solution to offset anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Prior drilling at Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)/Ocean Drilling Program (ODP)/Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Sites 1256 and 504 provides evidence that the extrusive ocean crust has sufficient porosity and permeability to enable storage of large volumes of CO2. Six intervals are identified as potential reservoirs in the shallow crust at Sites 1256 and 504, with new and reprocessed estimates of porosity from electrical resistivity logs ranging from 6% to 14% and permeability from ∼10−14 to 10−15 m2. Calculations using specific reservoir thickness and porosity estimates suggest that even the smallest reservoir could provide storage capacity for decades of global anthropogenic carbon emissions. In situ hydrologic experiments and pilot injection studies are needed to confirm high permeability and porosity estimates at Sites 1256 and 504, as well as the potential for CO2 injection and retention in these basalt reservoirs.
Persistence of toluene diisocyanate-induced asthma despite negligible workplace exposures

Six polyurethane foam workers were shown to have TDI-induced asthma by specific inhalation challenge testing. All remained in the workplace in jobs with minimal TDI exposures. Mean and time-weighted average exposure concentration for the asthmatic group was 0.64 ± 0.46 ppb, less than 5 percent of the permissible exposure limit and significantly less (p 1 on one of the days of spirometric testing over the five-year period from 1982 to 1986. Although we could not have predicted the outcome of asthma had these workers left the workplace and ceased isocyanate exposure entirely, occupational asthma persisted despite negligible ongoing TDI exposures. (Chest 1990; 97:121-25)
Alzheimer’s disease: the new promise.

Clinical vignette: A 59-year-old aeronautical engineer is referred to you for evaluation because of increasing difficulty with job performance over the last several years. Difficulty managing home finances, getting lost driving, and forgetting appointments have become common. Previously outgoing, he is now depressed and irritable. After appropriate neurologic assessment, including brain imaging and metabolic studies, you make the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia and are asked by the patient’s family what treatment is available.
A localized protein‐folding problem

This paper is concerned with a localized protein-folding problem. In computational biology, the prediction of a three-dimensional protein from its amino acid sequence is a major outstanding problem. In this paper, we will first present this problem as a computational geometry problem. Then we will describe a pattern recognition method for the localized prediction problem. Since protein-folding plays a central role in understanding the structure and function of life—building molecular computers, designing drugs and biotech products—we will provide an intelligent system approach to these practical domains. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reliability-based evaluation of the performance of the damage locating vector method

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has the potential to be an effective way to maintain and improve the public safety of a nation. In recent years, numerous SHM methods have been developed by various researchers. Among these, the damage locating vector (DLV) method proposed by Bernal has received significant attention because of demonstrated efficacy when implemented on a wireless sensor network. However, the DLV method is a model-based approach requiring a numerical model of the structure. This numerical model cannot perfectly represent the physical structure due to intrinsic model idealization and environmental uncertainty. In this paper, the performance of the DLV method in the presence of model uncertainty is examined using a system reliability analysis by using the first order reliability method (FORM) and compared with Monte Carlo simulation. In addition, the validity of the threshold value, that is critical but empirically determined in previous research, is also examined. c 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Modeling the Response of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Beam-Column Joints Subjected to Earthquake Loading

Experimental investigation of the response of older and newly constructed reinforced concrete beam-column bridge joints indicates that inelastic joint action may contribute to global bridge response under earthquake loading. A model is proposed to simulate the response of these components under reversed-cyclic loading. This model provides a simple representation of the primary mechanisms that determine inelastic behavior: failure of the joint core under shear loading and anchorage failure of reinforcement embedded in the joint. The model is implemented as a 4-node, 12-degrees-of-freedom element that is appropriate for use with typical hysteretic beam-column elements in two-dimensional nonlinear analysis of reinforced concrete structures. A simple calibration procedure is proposed to define load-deformation response on the basis of material, geometric, and design parameters. The proposed joint model and calibration procedure are evaluated through comparison of simulated and observed response for a subassem...
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced contraction of urethral and vaginal muscle.

Pressure studies were carried out in 10 women to determine whether TRH stimulates muscular contractions in the genitourinary system. TRH (500 μg) or saline was administered iv as a bolus injection. Whereas saline had no effect, TRH increased intraurethral pressures in all women, vaginal pressure in 7, and bladder pressure in none. These findings suggest that TRH, acting centrally, peripherally, or both, may play a role in initiating muscular contractions in the female genitourinary tract.
LOGnets: a hybrid graph spatial representation for robot navigation

In this article we present a novel, hybrid graph spatial representation for robot navigation. This representation enables our mobile robot to build a model of its surroundings which it can then use for navigation. The models or maps that use this representation are hybrid graphs, the nodes being analogical local maps of landmark locations in the robot's environment, the arcs being the actions the robot executes to travel between the locations. This representation yields a reliable navigation tool, one which ensures that the robot can re-orient itself to recover from errors in path execution and encounters with unexpected obstacles. The LOGnet approach also meshes with human's natural approach of mapping with landmarks, instead of using angular and translational data.
Understanding nest success and brood parasitism in the endangered Black-capped Vireo: comparisons with two sympatric songbirds

Abstract Nest predation and brood parasitism likely cause declines in many songbird species, yet the rate of these declines varies among species. Simultaneously studying co-occurring species with overlapping territories provides an opportunity to identify differences among the species that may explain differential reproductive success. We monitored nests of three co-occurring songbird species to determine whether the federally endangered Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) experienced lower reproductive success than Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) and White-eyed Vireos (V. griseus) on private lands with and without trapping of brood parasites. We assessed if habitat metrics and nesting phenology were associated with nest success and frequency of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) to determine if these characteristics explain poor reproductive success. We monitored 188 nests in shrubland and ecotones with woodlands in central Texas from 2006–2008. We found species-spec...
Association between reproductive and hormonal factors and age-related maculopathy in postmenopausal women.

Abstract Purpose The relationships between reproductive risk factors, including use of hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives and severity of age-related maculopathy (ARM) among postmenopausal women were evaluated. We hypothesized that exposure to endogenous or exogenous estrogens would be associated with a reduced risk of advanced ARM. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods The 394 subjects were postmenopausal women with ARM. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the effects of several reproductive factors across two groups: 193 subjects with nonadvanced ARM and 201 subjects with advanced ARM. Results Women with ARM who had used postmenopausal estrogen therapy in the past had significantly lower odds of advanced ARM than nonusers, after controlling for other known and potential risk factors (odds ratio [OR] = 0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30 to 0.98). Older age at menarche was associated with increased odds of advanced ARM (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00 to 1.35). Conclusions These findings suggest that exposure to exogenous estrogens may have a beneficial effect of reducing the risk of advanced types of ARM in postmenopausal women with ARM. Few therapeutic or preventive measures currently exist for ARM; therefore, these results deserve further evaluation.
Mechanistic Studies of Methanol Oxidation to Formaldehyde on Isolated Vanadate Sites Supported on Mcm-48

The mechanism of methanol oxidation to formaldehyde catalyzed by isolated vanadate species supported on silica has been investigated by in situ Raman and TPD/TPO experiments. Raman, XANES, and EXAFS were used to characterize the V-MCM-48 sample, prepared with a loading of 0.3 V/nm2, and it is concluded that the oxidized form of the vanadium is isolated VO4 units. The VO4 species consist of one VO bond and three V−O−Si bonds in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Methanol reacts reversibly, at a ratio of approximately 1 methanol per V, with one V−O−Si to produce both V−OCH3/Si−OH and V−OH/Si−OCH3 group pairs in roughly equivalent concentrations. Formaldehyde is formed from the methyl group of V−OCH3, most likely by the transfer of one H atom to the VO bond of the vanadium containing the methoxide group. Formaldehyde is formed in nearly equal concentrations both in the presence and in the absence of gas-phase oxygen. CO and H2 are produced by the decomposition of CH2O at higher temperature. In the absence of ...
Bullying: Dilemmas, Definitions, and Solutions.

Bullying has become an increasingly serious problem in today’s schools. Many states have passed legislation to ensure schools do all they can to prevent and address bullying. Even though the school is a place that is to be safe for all children, in some instances this is not the case. This paper discusses bullying and focuses on the different tactics students who bully use at middle levels. Educators can prevent problems by becoming aware of where bullying takes place and how educators can cope and confront this problem. Discussed are tactics to create new programs and policies and what process it takes to implement the most sound and fair policy in a school. Different roles and procedures are discussed to help educators include all stakeholders in the process. Detailed analysis and descriptions are presented and differentiated and various plans to be implemented are described.
CDK6-mediated repression of CD25 is required for induction and maintenance of Notch1-induced T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a high-risk subset of acute leukemia, characterized by frequent activation of Notch1 or AKT signaling, where new therapeutic approaches are needed. We showed previously that cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) is required for thymic lymphoblastic lymphoma induced by activated AKT. Here, we show CDK6 is required for initiation and maintenance of Notch-induced T-ALL. In a mouse retroviral model, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells lacking CDK6 protein or expressing kinase-inactive (K43M) CDK6 are resistant to induction of T-ALL by activated Notch, whereas those expressing INK4-insensitive (R31C) CDK6 are permissive. Pharmacologic inhibition of CDK6 kinase induces CD25 and RUNX1 expression, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in mouse and human T-ALL. Ablation of Cd25 in a K43M background restores Notch-induced T leukemogenesis, with disease that is resistant to CDK6 inhibitors in vivo. These data support a model whereby CDK6-mediated suppression of CD25 is required for initiation of T-ALL by activated Notch1, and CD25 induction mediates the therapeutic response to CDK6 inhibition in established T-ALL. These results both validate CDK6 as a molecular target for therapy of this subset of T-ALL and suggest that CD25 expression could serve as a biomarker for responsiveness of T-ALL to CDK4/6 inhibitor therapy.
The History of the Soybean

Publisher Summary Unfortunately, the popular literature concerned with the historical development of the Soybean (SB) is fraught with errors and misconceptions that keep recycling from one publication or website to another without proper documentation. In the past, studies on the domestication of the soybean were extremely difficult for two main reasons: (1) the soybean is autochthonous to the Orient, where Western scientists were at a linguistic disadvantage with respect to historical records. However, in the past 40 years, classical Chinese works were translated into English; establishment of international soybean symposia enables Chinese and Western academicians interested in soybean history to meet and discuss common issues on a regular basis; and molecular studies on soybean germplasm resources are beginning to answer questions that were not asked previously and (2) many libraries were loathe to permit research scholars to handle fragile pages of archived manuscripts, books, and newspapers. However, today, commercial companies scan and digitize many key documents and place them on the Internet and these documents are available on commercial and public websites, especially at large research institutions. This chapter attempts to combine information from many disciplines to establish a solid foundation for understanding the history of the soybean.
Climatic and structural comparison of yellow pine and mixed-conifer forests in northern Baja California (México) and the eastern Sierra Nevada (California, USA)

Abstract Effects of fire suppression policies on semi-arid yellow pine and mixed conifer (YPMC) forests in the western US have been well documented, and restoration of forest structure and natural fire regimes are high management priorities to ensure the health and resilience of such forests. However, determining reference conditions for ecological restoration is difficult due to the near absence of undegraded forests in the US. YPMC forests of the Sierra de San Pedro Martir (SSPM) in northern Baja California, Mexico, are highly similar to forests of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA, have experienced little to no logging, and until relatively recently supported a natural fire regime. As such, these Mexican YPMC forests are thought by many to represent reference ecosystems for restoration and resource and fire management in the US. However, to this point there has been no direct climatic comparison to determine to what extent SSPM is validly compared to California YPMC sites, nor a direct statistical comparison of forest conditions to see in what ways northern California forests might differ from SSPM. We compared climatic data from SSPM with 17 meteorological stations in the range of Jeffrey pine in Alta and Baja California. Based on this comparison, we determine that SSPM clearly belongs to the general class of Jeffrey pine-dominated YPMC forests found along the eastern edge of the California Floristic Province. We used field sampling to measure forest structure, fuels, and vegetation and ground cover in SSPM and in multiple National Forests along the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada. Live tree density was nearly twice as high in the eastern Sierra Nevada as in SSPM, and dead tree density was 2.6 times higher. Basal area was about 30% higher in the eastern Sierra Nevada, even though average tree size was larger in SSPM. Fuel loads and coarse woody debris were very similar between the two sites, and fine fuels (1-hour fuels) were actually higher in SSPM. Logging and fire suppression have resulted in denser YPMC forests dominated by smaller trees in the US, but our results suggest that fire suppression in SSPM over the last 30 years has increased fuel loads. Nonetheless, the Baja California forests still retain an overstory structure created and maintained by centuries of frequent fire. This study provides important reference information for the management of eastern Sierra Nevada forests, and indicates that continued full fire suppression in SSPM carries significant ecological risks.
The Power of Knowledge: How Information and Technology Made the Modern World

This book is a five-hundred-year history chronicling the transformation of information from medieval belief systems to the factual, evidence-based scientific information of the twenty-first century...
Are self-identified “disadvantaged” students less likely to enter surgical residencies? A single-institution study

Abstract Background Given more emphasis on training primary care physicians for underserved areas, we hypothesized that students self-identifying as “disadvantaged” would be less likely to pursue surgical training. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical school data on students graduating 2005-2014. Students were stratified into “disadvantaged” and “nondisadvantaged”. Data were recorded on age, grade point average, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), gender, surgery grade, United States Medical Licensing Examination step 1 score, and residency match into a surgical field. A comparison of the proportion of students matching into a surgical field was assessed with chi-square test. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess the factors that predict the choice of general surgery versus another surgical field. Results Of the 1140 students who graduated during the study period, 219 (19.2%) students self-identified as “disadvantaged”. Of all students, 158 (13.9%) chose a surgical field. The disadvantaged group was older at entry and had lower grade point average and total MCAT scores. Twenty-seven (12.3%) disadvantaged students chose a surgical residency versus 130 (14.1%) nondisadvantaged students ( P = 0.56). On multivariate logistic regression, female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 3.9; 95% confidence interval = [1.9-8.3], P P = 0.03), and United States Medical Licensing Examination step 1 score ≥ 227 (OR = 0.43 [0.21-0.88], P = 0.02) were significantly associated with matching into general surgery versus another surgical specialty. Discussion Although the disadvantaged cohort was older and had lower undergraduate GPAs and MCAT scores, the proportion of disadvantaged students matching into a surgical residency was not statistically different. To address the future shortage of general surgeons in underserved areas, increasing enrollment of “disadvantaged” students may alleviate the “surgical desert”.
Persistent Family Stress in the Course of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for a 7-Year-Old Girl with Social Anxiety Disorder

This case study describes the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for a 7-year-old girl, “Lauren,” who was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD) and was experiencing significant family...
IT Infrastructure Problems for Asset Management

Transportation infrastructure asset management efforts normally focus on collecting data on items with low volumes and higher capital costs, such as bridges. Road signs and pavement markings, on the other hand, are high volume, low capital cost items but are critical elements of the transportation infrastructure. These high volume assets serve a critical function, safety, and thus they are receiving attention. In particular, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has been working to establish minimum retroreflectivity standards for signs and pavement markings. This paper seeks to address information technology (IT) problems that emerge when developing an overall asset management system for high volume assets and to identify their unique characteristics. These IT problems include asset identification, asset location, data availability, data fragmentation, automated data collection, software selection, and system size and resources. A discussion of the issues related to these problems is presented herein to facilitate the development of more comprehensive systems to manage the automation of infrastructure asset management systems (AMS).