cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A generalized approximation theory for quadratic forms II: Application to randomized spline type focal/conjugate point problems

This paper continues our earlier work on random quadratic forms. We show that if continuity conditions for a family of quadratic forms holds uniformly on an index set, generalized focal/conjugate point signature approximation results hold. We then apply these results to obtain continuity of thenth focal point in a random (robust) setting.
A quantitative study of worker reproduction in honey bee colonies

In 11 Apis mellifera colonies with laying queens, about 0.12% of the males produced derived from eggs laid by workers. This result requires explanation both of why workers produce any males, and, since they do, why they produce so few. Workers may maximize their inclusive fitness by forgoing reproduction, or their sterility may be due to to enforcement of the interests of the queen or those of other workers. The presence of laying workers might then result from developmental noise in the workers, from a failure of communication of the queen's presence, or a failure of enforcement mechanisms. Selection for worker reproduction in colonies following queen loss may also play a role in shaping worker reproduction in colonies with a queen. The hypothesis of worker sterility enforced by other workers seems most likely to be correct, but further studies on these hypotheses are needed.
Massive sediment bypassing on the lower shoreface offshore of a wide tidal inlet — Cat Island Pass, Louisiana

Abstract Analysis of a series of historical bathymetric and shoreline surveys along the Louisiana coast west of the Mississippi River mouth detected a large area of deposition in water depths of 2.0–8.5 m offshore of a 9-km-wide tidal inlet, the Cat Island Pass/Wine Island Pass system. A 59.9 · 106 m3 sandy deposit formed from the 1930s–1980s, spanning 27 km in the alongshore direction, delineating the transport pathway for sediment bypassing offshore of the inlet on the shoreface. Bypassing connected the shorefaces of two barrier island systems, the Isles Dernieres and the Bayou Lafourche. The processes responsible for formation of this deposit are not well understood, but sediment-transport modeling suggests that sediment is transported primarily by wind-driven coastal currents during large storms and hurricanes. Deposition appears to be related to changes in shoreline orientation, closing of transport pathways into a large bay to the east and the presence of tidal inlets. This newly documented type of bypassing, an offshore bypassing of the inlet system, naturally nourished the immediate downdrift area, the eastern Isles Dernieres, where shoreface and shoreline erosion rates are about half of pre-bypassing rates. Erosion rates remained the same farther downdrift, where bypassing has not yet reached. As this offshore bypassing continues, the destruction of the Isles Dernieres will be slowed.
A Short-Run Monetary Model of Exchange Rate Determination: Stability Tests and Forecasting

The paper develops a short-run econometric monetary model of exchange rate determination. The model assumes a conventional money demand function, markets which are linked by interest arbitrage, adaptive expectations formation, and parameters which are stable over time. One-period-ahead forecasts of the mark/pound rate generated by the model compare favorably with naive model forecasts using monthly data. Stability tests provided evidence of parameter instability in 1976 but correction for it did not improve forecasting accuracy. The inability of monetary models to forecast accurately may be due to the underlying model assumptions rather than parameter instability.
Current perspectives on laboratory markers for the assessment of cardiovascular disease and myocardial damage

The disruption of the endothelim is a prelude to the evolution of arteriosclerosis. Nitric oxide is critical to endothelial function. The oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) mediated by small dense LDL particles contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease. The multiple effects of homocysteine including its potentiating the binding of lipoprotein(a) (LP(a)) to fibrin and its role in the formation of small dense LDL particles highlights its importance in the evolution of cardiovascular disease and justifies its measurement. Problems in measurement of homocysteine should be kept in perspective. The measurement of release of proteins from the cardiac contractile apparatus such as Troponin I has advantages over conventional measurement of cardiac enzymes and isozymes.
Targeted lamellar keratoplasty in the horse: a paradigm shift in equine corneal transplantation.

Summary Many equine keratopathies primarily affect individual layers of the cornea. Targeted lamellar keratoplasty rather than full thickness penetrating keratoplasty (PK) seems most appropriate to the microsurgical management of many of these equine keratopathies. Despite the positive results with PK in the horse the author now suggests that this procedure should be rarely utilised in the treatment of equine keratitis. Selective lamellar surgical replacement of only the diseased corneal layers while retaining unaffected normal corneal layers represents a new paradigm shift in the field of corneal transplantation in the horse.
The morphologic and biologic patterns of chemically induced pancreatic adenocarcinoma in Syrian golden hamsters after homologous transplantation

Summary A pancreatic adenocarcinoma induced by N -nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine in the Syrian golden hamster was successfully transplanted to a homologous host by subcutaneous inoculation through 10 successive passages. The rate of ‘tumor take’ increased progressively with each generation from 60% to 100%, and the latency period after inoculation was reduced simultaneously from 6 weeks to 1 week in the second and following passages. The tumors grew rapidly, ulcerated the overlying skin, and metastasized to the regional lymph nodes and lungs. The animals usually died with multiple lung metastases between the 5th and 20th weeks. All transplanted tumors and their metastases retained the pattern of the original, well-differentiated adenocarcinomas.
Mutational Analysis of the Hydrolytic Activity of Yeast RNA Polymerase III

For 25 mutant alleles of ret1, encoding the second largest subunit of yeast RNA polymerase III, we have studied the polymerase III nuclease activity, measuring both the total yield and dinucleotide product composition. Mutations affecting amino acids 309-325 gave slightly elevated nuclease activity. In region 367-376, two mutations gave 12-15-fold increased nuclease activity. Our results do not support the catalytic role in nuclease activity proposed for the conserved DDRD motif in this region (Shirai, T., and Go, M. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 88, 9056-9060). Mutations centered on a basic region from amino acids 480 to 490, which aligns with Escherichia coli beta-subunit sequences between Rif(r) clusters I and II, produce changes in the relative yields of A- and G-containing dinucleotides. Four such mutant polymerases pause during elongation at GPy sequences and, in addition, have a reduced frequency of termination at T(5) terminator sequences. We propose that the side chains of these mutationally altered amino acids are in direct contact with bases in the RNA-DNA hybrid very near the growing 3'-end. Two mutations in domain I near the C terminus produced very large increases in exonuclease activity and strongly increased termination, suggesting that this region also contacts the nascent RNA in the hybrid region.
Activation of phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate signal transduction pathway after experimental brain injury: a lipid study.

Abstract Regional levels of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-biphosphate (PIP2), diacylglycerol (DG) and free fatty acids (FFA), involved in the signal transduction pathway of the excitatory neurotransmitter system, were measured after lateral fluid percussion (FP) brain injury in rats. At 5 min postinjury, tissue PIP2 concentrations were significantly reduced in the cortices and hippocampi of both ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. Only levels of stearic and arachidonic acids were substantially decreased in PIP2 in these regions of the brain. At the same time after injury, both DG and FFA were significantly increased in the cortices and hippocampi of both hemispheres. As was true for PIP2, only levels of stearic and arachidonic acids markedly changed in both DG and FFA in these regions of the brain. At 20 min postinjury, a significant decrease in PIP2 concentration and significant increases in levels of DG and FFA were observed only in the injured left cortex. In addition to the increases in stearic and arachidonic acids in FFA, increased amounts of palmitic and oleic acids were also found in the injured left cortex at 20 min after injury. These results suggest that the PIP2 signal transduction pathway is activated in the cortex and hippocampus at the onset of lateral FP brain injury and that the enhanced phospholipase C-catalyzed phosphodiestric breakdown of PIP2 is a major mechanism of liberation of FFA in these sites immediately after such injury.
A REARRANGED B.E.T. PLOT FOR A MORE DIRECT ESTIMATION OF B.E.T. CONSTANTS

The basic equation of Brunauer, Emmett and Teller for calculating the amount of water sufficient for a unimolecular layer of moisture, on which food stability depends, was rearranged to give a more direct estimation of monolayer moisture content and the constant related to heat of adsorption.
Practicality of evaluating soft errors in commercial sub-90 nm CMOS for space applications

Inclusion of commercial technologies in civil spaceflight applications is reality. These technologies enable higher performance, reduce power consumption, and ultimately yield better science. However, the benefits do not come without cost, and radiation-induced soft errors in advanced, sub-90 nm CMOS technologies present new challenges. These challenges include sensitivity to proton direct ionization, memory technology evaluation, as well as testing and evaluation complexity.
Quantum Analysis of Adiabatic Transitions in Photonic Crystals

Quantum analysis of adiabatic transitions in CROWs lends insight into their nature. The correspondence of conditions for which the coherence of the electromagnetic modes relate to the preservation of the quantum state is examined.
A new method to measure the terminal velocity of small particles: A demonstration using ascending eggs of the Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus)

A new method, incorporating video, motion analysis, and a novel experimental apparatus, was used to measure the terminal velocity of particles. The method facilitated the investigation of treatment effects and maximized the number of measurements For each replicate, thus improving the statistics for a population of particles. The eggs of the Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) were used to demonstrate the method by investigating the effects of salinity and stage of development on their ascent rate. Egg ascent rate was greatest at intermediate salinity (36.5‰) and decreased in the late stage of embryonic development. We estimate eggs at oceanic salinities (>35.5‰) in nature to ascend at 0.19–0.25 cm s−1.
Courses of action for effects based operations using evolutionary algorithms

This paper presents an Evolutionary Algorithms (EAs) based approach to identify effective courses of action (COAs) in Effects Based Operations. The approach uses Timed Influence Nets (TINs) as the underlying mathematical model to capture a dynamic uncertain situation. TINs provide a concise graph-theoretic probabilistic approach to specify the cause and effect relationships that exist among the variables of interest (actions, desired effects, and other uncertain events) in a problem domain. The purpose of building these TIN models is to identify and analyze several alternative courses of action. The current practice is to use trial and error based techniques which are not only labor intensive but also produce sub-optimal results and are not capable of modeling constraints among actionable events. The EA based approach presented in this paper is aimed to overcome these limitations. The approach generates multiple COAs that are close enough in terms of achieving the desired effect. The purpose of generating multiple COAs is to give several alternatives to a decision maker. Moreover, the alternate COAs could be generalized based on the relationships that exist among the actions and their execution timings. The approach also allows a system analyst to capture certain types of constraints among actionable events.
Evaluation of Existing Models for Prediction of Hurricane Evacuation Response Curves

AbstractEffective planning for a hurricane evacuation can significantly contribute to its success. One important planning component is the prediction of an evacuation timing response curve with different policies under consideration. For this purpose, different mathematical models have been developed. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of the most common type of evacuation timing model (S-curves), as well as the more recently developed sequential logit model. Historical evacuation data from four past storms (Hugo, Andrew, Opal, and Fran) is used for this evaluation. Results illustrate that neither model provides consistent prediction accuracy, suggesting the need for improved response curve prediction capability.
Mechanism-Based Inactivation of Benzoylformate Decarboxylase, A Thiamin Diphosphate-Dependent Enzyme

Benzoylformate decarboxylase (BFD) from Pseudomonas putida is a thiamin diphosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the non-oxidative decarboxylation of benzoylformate. Here we report the discovery...
Surface preparation, growth, and characterization of ultrathin gate oxides for scaled CMOS applications

CMOS scaling is requiring increased attention on several aspects of ultrathin oxides, including both physical and electrical properties. In particular, surface preparation and interface quality will play an increasingly important role as the gate oxide thickness is scaled down to below 30 angstroms for sub-0.1 micrometer devices. This means that standard thermal desorption of sacrificial oxides or even H-terminated surfaces will have to be closely investigated to determine if the requirements for interface roughness and uniformity can still be met, or whether new preparation techniques will have to be used. Growth of oxides in the ultrathin regime is also a concern because of uniformity and reproducibility problems using furnaces, including pinhole formation in films. Physical and electrical characterization of ultrathin oxides presents difficulties with most currently used techniques. Measurement of the oxide thickness below 30 angstrom involves substantial uncertainties in standard techniques such as spectroscopic ellipsometry form impurities and interface roughness and in C- V analysis from large tunneling currents and poly-depletion effects. One possibility for overcoming these problems is to use the direct tunneling current to determine the electrical thickness of the oxides. It is important to characterize the effect of decreasing oxide thickness in the ultrathin regime on fundamental parameters such as the electron effective mass m* and the band gap, especially for predicting the electrical behavior of these oxides. Boron penetration effects also present problems for device operation with the ultrathin oxides which need to be addressed. The combination of these concerns leads toward alternate gate dielectric materials with higher dielectric constants and higher resistance to B diffusion.
Magnetic resonance imaging of acquired brown syndrome in a patient with psoriasis

Abstract PURPOSE: To report the occurrence of acquired Brown syndrome and associated magnetic resonance imaging findings in a patient with psoriasis. METHODS: A 42-year-old woman with a history of psoriasis developed pain, double vision, and limited elevation of her left eye in adduction. An orbital magnetic resonance image with gadolinium enhancement was obtained. RESULTS: Orbital magnetic resonance image disclosed abnormal enhancement of the left trochlea/tendon complex. The patient’s symptoms resolved with corticosteroid therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Acquired Brown syndrome may be associated with psoriasis. The inflammation of the trochlea/tendon complex that can cause acquired Brown syndrome can be demonstrated on magnetic resonance image.
Histone deacetylase 3 coordinates commensal-bacteria-dependent intestinal homeostasis

The development and severity of inflammatory bowel diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions can be influenced by host genetic and environmental factors, including signals derived from commensal bacteria. However, the mechanisms that integrate these diverse cues remain undefined. Here we demonstrate that mice with an intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-specific deletion of the epigenome-modifying enzyme histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3(ΔIEC) mice) exhibited extensive dysregulation of IEC-intrinsic gene expression, including decreased basal expression of genes associated with antimicrobial defence. Critically, conventionally housed HDAC3(ΔIEC) mice demonstrated loss of Paneth cells, impaired IEC function and alterations in the composition of intestinal commensal bacteria. In addition, HDAC3(ΔIEC) mice showed significantly increased susceptibility to intestinal damage and inflammation, indicating that epithelial expression of HDAC3 has a central role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Re-derivation of HDAC3(ΔIEC) mice into germ-free conditions revealed that dysregulated IEC gene expression, Paneth cell homeostasis and intestinal barrier function were largely restored in the absence of commensal bacteria. Although the specific mechanisms through which IEC-intrinsic HDAC3 expression regulates these complex phenotypes remain to be determined, these data indicate that HDAC3 is a critical factor that integrates commensal-bacteria-derived signals to calibrate epithelial cell responses required to establish normal host-commensal relationships and maintain intestinal homeostasis.
Rank 3 permutation modules of the finite classical groups

Abstract The cross-characteristic permutation modules for the actions of the finite classical groups on singular 1-spaces of their natural modules are studied. The composition factors and submodule lattices are determined.
Narrow linewidth tunable laser using coupled resonator mirrors

A novel fully integrated tunable single mode hybrid silicon laser is demonstrated. We report a linewidth of 260kHz, which is the lowest reported for a monolithically integrated laser. The side-mode suppression ratio is >40dB.
Possible Worlds II: Non‐reductive Theories of Possible Worlds

It is difficult to wander far in contemporary metaphysics without bumping into talk of possible worlds. And, reference to possible worlds is not confined to metaphysics. It can be found in contemporary epistemology and ethics, and has even made its way into linguistics and decision theory. What are those possible worlds, the entities to which theorists in these disciplines all appeal? Some have hoped that a theory of possible worlds can be used to reduce modality to non-modal terms. This paper sets reductive theories aside, and articulates and applies a framework for evaluating non-reductive theories of possible worlds. I argue that, if we abjure reduction, we should aim for a theory of possible worlds that is user-friendly. I then outline four leading contemporary theories and consider objections to each. My conclusions are negative: every theory we discuss fails to be user-friendly in some significant respect.
Mechanisms of Ice Crystallization in Ice Cream Production

ABSTRACT: The smoothness and perceived quality of an ice cream depends in large part on the small size of ice crystals in the product. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for producing the disc-shaped crystals found in ice cream will greatly aid manufacturers in predicting how processing and formulation changes will affect their product. Because ice cream mix is opaque, it has not yet been possible to observe ice crystallization in ice cream in situ. Studies to date, therefore, have used analogues or have related observed effects to a hypothesized mechanism. Still, some elements of the crystallization mechanism are well accepted. Because of the large supercooling at the freezer wall, ice nucleates there before being swept into the bulk of the freezer. In the bulk, heat and mass transfer cause some crystals to melt and others to grow. By the time the ice cream reaches the freezer exit, the ice crystals have become small, rounded discs.
Cocaine and morphine interaction in acute and chronic cancer pain.

An evaluation of the analgesic, mood and side effects of the combination of intramuscular morphine and oral cocaine was conducted in 17 patients with postoperative pain and 19 others with chronic malignant pain for the purpose of assessing the therapeutic merits of so-called 'euphoriant' elixirs in the management of pain in cancer patients. The study was designed as a randomized and double-blind single dose but complete cross-over comparison of the combination of 10 mg intramuscular morphine and 10 mg oral cocaine with morphine alone, cocaine alone, and placebo. While patients clearly discriminated between the analgesic effects of morphine and placebo, there were no differences in the analgesic responses to cocaine and placebo, or in responses to morphine and the combination of morphine and cocaine in either patient group. Side effects were predominantly morphine-like and occurred in 59% of patients after the combination, 43% after morphine, 34% after cocaine and 25% after placebo. Interaction effects between cocaine and morphine were observed in terms of positive changes toward selected aspects of mood (e.g., cheerful, friendly) in postoperative patients but toward negative aspects of mood (e.g., sad, serious) in patients with chronic pain.
Subtypes of receptors for neuropeptide Y: Implications for the targeting of therapeutics

Neuropeptide Y is a 36 amino acid peptide that was originally discovered in extracts of porcine brain. The peptide has a broad distribution in the central or peripheral nervous system. Receptors for this peptide were originally subdivided into postsynaptic Y-1 receptors and presynaptic Y-2 receptors. The Y-1 receptor has recently been cloned and appears to mediate several effects of NPY including vasoconstriction and an anxiolytic effect in animal models of anxiety. The Y-2 receptor inhibits the release of neurotransmitters in the CNS by the inhibition of the mobilization of intracellular calcium. Additional receptors have been proposed including a Y-3 receptor that recognizes NPY but not the related endocrine peptide, PYY. The functional importance of these newer receptors remains to be established. The absence of useful antagonists has made the study of NPY a challenge for investigators in the field. The potential utility of such molecules is discussed.
Development of a novel apparatus for experiments in soft X-ray diffraction imaging and diffraction tomography

We report the development of a novel experimental chamber for experiments in soft x-ray diffraction tomography, diffraction imaging of single biological objects, and magnetic speckle imaging. The chamber will allow for acquisition of nearly full three-dimensional diffraction data sets as well as high magnification zone plate images of holograms for the diffraction tomography experiment.
Comparative metabolism and disposition of ethoxyquin in rat and mouse. I. Disposition.

1. The biological fate of the antioxidant [3-14C]ethoxyquin (EQ) was investigated in the male F344 rat and the B6C3F1 mouse following either p.o. or i.v. administration.2. The disposition of single doses up to 25 mg/kg was similar in the rat and mouse. About 90% of a total dose was excreted in urine and faeces within 24 h post-dosing. In contrast, no more than 60% of a higher dose of 250 mg/kg was excreted within 24 h following p.o. administration.3. Metabolism of EQ was rapid in both the rat and mouse following either p.o. or i.v. administration. Little or no parent compound was detected in cumulative 24-h excreta.5. EQ-derived radioactivity bioaccumulated in some tissues following repeated exposure to rat of either 25 or 250 mg/kg by gavage. However, the fold-increases in concentrations of EQ-derived radioactivity in tissues following repeated administration of the higher dose were generally less than those observed following repeated administration of the lower dose. Repeated high dose administration m...
Nonlinear Dynamics of the Chua’s Circuit System Revisited

In this paper, periodic and chaotic behaviors in the Chua’s circuit system are discussed. The solutions of the system in different regions with different parameters are obtained. The switching boundaries are introduced for systems switching because of different system parameters. In the vicinity of the switching boundary, the normal vector-field product is introduced to measure the flow switching on the separation boundary, and the grazing and passable conditions to the discontinuous boundary are presented. The basic mappings are defined and periodic responses of such a system are predicted analytically from the mapping structures. The local stability and bifurcation analysis are carried out.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
An analysis of a bayes inverse regression method of confidence intervals in linear calibration

The model conisdered in this paper is that of simple linear regression . The problem is to make statistical inferences about an unknown value of x, say X, corresponding to an additional observed value of y. Hoadley (1970)showed that the Inverse estimator of X (Krutchkoff, 1967) is Bayes with respect to a particular informative prior. In addition. He obtained the 100 (1 - α) % shortest posterior interval when this particular informative prior is justifiable. In order to determine the worth of Hoadley's interval in practical applications when the distribution of the true value X is unknown (which is usually the case), Monte Carlo experiments were conducted. With the exception of the lower confidences, the confidence interval is found to be always valid for X within the experimental range when using the end-point design.
Glycogen metabolism of human diploid fibroblast cells in culture. II. Factors influencing glycogen concentration.

Extract: Glycogen is stored by human diploid fibroblast cells in culture when sufficient glucose is available in the medium, and is utilized when glucose is removed or exhausted. Restoration of glucose to the medium causes a prompt increase of glycogen; the effects of serum, insulin, and cytochalasin B on this glycogen reaccumulation in glucose-starved cells were investigated. Serum was required for maximal resynthesis of the polysaccharide. Insulin initially appeared to be the needed serum factor; addition of the hormone (4 mg/100 ml) and glucose to the medium restored cell glycogen to maximal levels (i.e., levels comparable with those obtained by addition of fresh serum and glucose). For replenishment of glycogen, insulin could substitute completely for serum after cells had been depleted of glycogen in the presence of serum. If cells were depleted of glycogen in the absence of serum, insulin and glucose did not restore glycogen to the same concentration as fresh serum and glucose, which indicates that cells may require other serum factors in addition to insulin for maximal resynthesis of glycogen. Cytochalasin B added to the medium (1 μg/ml), in the presence or absence of serum and insulin, caused about 80% inhibition of glycogen resynthesis. Speculation: These studies demonstrate that human fibroblast cells store and utilize glycogen in a reproducible way. Such a system will be advantageous in the study of glycogen control mechanisms, and hence in the identification of cells where the control of glycogen metabolism is genetically altered. The observation of an insulin effect on glycogen reaccumulation suggests that this approach might be profitable in the study of diabetes in vitro.
Covering radii and paving diameters of Alexandrov spaces

Covering radii and paving diameters are defined, and the borderline case when covk X = π/2, k = 1,…,n + 1 and pavk X = π/2, k = 1,…,n + 1 is studied (curv X ≥1, dim X = n).
Identifying requirements for end-face quality of polymer waveguides

Surface irregularities on a waveguide are influenced by material composition, the process by which polymer was made, and the technique used to fabricate the end-face. Different end-face preparation techniques (laser ablation, sawing, cleaving, reactive ion etching) produces different kind of surface terrain. Surface features, big compared to the wavelength of light, are represented as phase distortions superimposed on the Gaussian excitation beam, optimized to get maximum coupling efficiency. Similarity between the excitation beam and the fundamental waveguide mode is a measure of coupling loss due to different type of surface errors. To investigate the effect of surface roughness on coupling efficiency, several different surfaces were considered. These included sinusoidal phase gratings, spherical groove, cylindrical groove, wedges and delamination of the waveguide layers. For each tupe of surface error, a critical parameter was identified, and the associated value for that parameter was determined for a given tolerable coupling loss.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Future of Measurements of Abilities II

T he title of this paper was borrowed from on published exactly twenty-five years ago, February 1948, in the British Journal of Educational Psychology.2 The author was an American educational psychologist, Prof. Edward L. Thorndike, then near the close of a long, productive, distinguished career. The educational profession owes a great debt to the formative leadership of E. L. Thorndike in educational research and educational measurement. That would be
Toxicity of the explosive metabolites hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX) and hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX) to the earthworm Eisenia fetida

Toxicity of hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitroso-1,3,5-triazine (TNX) to earthworm was evaluated. Both MNX and TNX had lethal and sublethal effects on earthworms. Exposure to MNX- or TNX-contaminated soil caused a significant concentration-dependent decrease in earthworm survival and growth. The lowest observed lethal concentration (LOLC) for both MNX and TNX was 100 and 200 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight in the sandy loam soil and in the silt loam soil, respectively. No earthworms survived for 14 days in MNX- or TNX-spiked soil at 500 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight. After 7 days exposure, the lowest observed effect concentration (LOEC) for earthworm growth was 50 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight for TNX and 100 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight for MNX in both soil types. The LC20 and LC50 for MNX in sandy loam soil were 114 and 262 mgkg(-1) and for TNX, they were 114 and 254 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight, respectively. The corresponding values for MNX and TNX in silt loam soil were 234 and 390 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight, respectively, and 200 and 362 mgkg(-1) soil dry weight, respectively. After 35 days exposure, earthworm growth was reduced 8-39% by TNX in sandy loam soil, whereas TNX only inhibited earthworm growth 5-18% at the same concentration range in silt loam soil. LC20 and LC50 for TNX were slightly lower than for MNX; this indicates that TNX was more toxic than MNX. No significant morphological or developmental abnormalities were observed in earthworms surviving exposure.
Extended stability of intravenous acetaminophen in syringes and opened vials.

Purpose The stability of i.v. acetaminophen beyond the manufacturer-recommended usage limit of six hours for opened vials was evaluated. Methods Intravenous acetaminophen (10 mg/mL) was obtained. Three identical samples of 100 mg (10 mL in a 10-mL syringe), 250 mg (25 mL in a 30-mL syringe), 500 mg (50 mL in a 60-mL syringe), 250 mg (25 mL in the original vial), and 900 mg (90 mL in original vial) were prepared. A 0.5-mL volume of each sample was withdrawn, diluted with mobile phase to an expected concentration of 50 μg/mL, and assayed in duplicate using high-performance liquid chromatography immediately after preparation and at 24, 48, 72, and 84 hours. The samples were visually inspected for any change in color, and pH was assessed at each time of analysis. The stability of the solutions was determined by calculating the percentage of the initial acetaminophen concentration remaining at each test hour. Stability was defined as the retention of at least 90% of the initial acetaminophen concentration. Results At least 99% of the initial concentration of acetaminophen remained in the original vials and polypropylene syringes throughout the 84-hour study period. There were no detectable changes in color, pH, visible microbial growth, or visible drug precipitation. Conclusion Intravenous acetaminophen (10 mg/mL) was physically and chemically stable in a range of volumes for up to 84 hours in the opened vials and in polypropylene syringes at room temperature. Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2012; 69:1999-2001
Mechanism and Origin of Enantioselectivity in the Rh2(OAc)(DPTI)3-Catalyzed Cyclopropenation of Alkynes

The mechanism of cyclopropenations of alkynes with ethyl diazoacetate catalyzed by Rh2(OAc)4 and Rh2(OAc)(DPTI)3 (1) is studied by a combination of kinetic isotope effects and theoretical calculations. With each catalyst, a significant normal 13C KIE was observed for the terminal acetylenic carbon, while a very small 13C KIE was observed at the internal acetylenic carbon. These isotope effects are predicted well from canonical variational transition structures for cyclopropenations with intact tetrabridged rhodium carbenoids. A viable mechanism based on the recently proposed importance of a [2 + 2] cycloaddition on a tribridged rhodium carbenoid could not be identified. An explanation for the enantioselectivity with DPTI ligands is described.
Unique Peptide Substrate Binding Properties of 110-kDa Heat-shock Protein (Hsp110) Determine Its Distinct Chaperone Activity

The molecular chaperone 70-kDa heat-shock proteins (Hsp70s) play essential roles in maintaining protein homeostasis. Hsp110, an Hsp70 homolog, is highly efficient in preventing protein aggregation but lacks the hallmark folding activity seen in Hsp70s. To understand the mechanistic differences between these two chaperones, we first characterized the distinct peptide substrate binding properties of Hsp110s. In contrast to Hsp70s, Hsp110s prefer aromatic residues in their substrates, and the substrate binding and release exhibit remarkably fast kinetics. Sequence and structure comparison revealed significant differences in the two peptide-binding loops: the length and properties are switched. When we swapped these two loops in an Hsp70, the peptide binding properties of this mutant Hsp70 were converted to Hsp110-like, and more impressively, it functionally behaved like an Hsp110. Thus, the peptide substrate binding properties implemented in the peptide-binding loops may determine the chaperone activity differences between Hsp70s and Hsp110s.
Educating Electrical and Computer Engineers for the Global Renaissance

Integrated circuit technology is causing rapid change in governments and industry. Never before has so much information been available so quickly and easily. Globally governments and industries are in a period of rebirth-a global renaissance. More than ever before engineers must be prepared for a period of rapid change. More and more powerful and complex hardware and software will be embedded in our systems. Electrical and computer engineers are developing these powerful technologies, and they must be prepared and encouraged to assume more leadership in industry, government, and the university.
Topic-based Pagerank: toward a topic-level scientific evaluation

Within the same research field, different subfields and topics may exhibit varied citation behaviors and scholarly communication patterns. For a more effect scientific evaluation at the topic level, this study proposes a topic-based PageRank approach. This approach aims to evaluate the scientific impact of research entities (e.g., papers, authors, journals, and institutions) at the topic-level. The proposed topic-based PageRank, when applied to a data set on library and information science publications, has effectively detected a variety of research topics and identified authors, papers, and journals of the highest impact from each topic. Evaluation results show that compared with the standard PageRank and a topic modeling technique, the proposed topic-based PageRank has the best performance on relevance and impact. Different perspectives of organizing scientific literature are also discussed and this study recommends the mode of organization that integrates stable research domains and dynamic topics.
Laboratory diagnosis of factitious disorders

Self-induced factitious disorders are defined and distinguished from conditions they may resemble. Review of the literature since 1965 indicates much more frequent reporting in recent years, but most health care providers are still not sufficiently aware of the common factitious disorder. Up to 5% of physician-patient encounters may be because of factitious disorders, but these are only suspected when the workup leads to contradictory findings. Laboratory tests are often the only definitive diagnostic method, and clinicians may not be familiar with current technologies. Some clinical clues are listed; heightened awareness and the need for early diagnosis are emphasized. Discordant laboratory results should raise the possibility of a factitious disorder. Sophisticated laboratory tests that can accurately assay very small amounts of specific hormones or foreign substances in body fluids facilitate the diagnosis. The primary physician can now confirm an initial clinical diagnosis of factitious disorder promptly and directly rather than only by exclusion.
Bronchiolar carcinoma (alveolar cell), another great imitator; a review of 41 cases.

Forty-one cases of bronchiolar carcinoma in 15 years were studied for incidence, symptomatology, methods for diagnosis, treatment, and survival. This disease, once considered rare and incurable, now appears to have clear-cut characteristics and a hopeful outcome. It is unicentric in origin, slow growing, but can spread early by air embolization, lymphatics or blood stream, and can mimic any acute or chronic pulmonary disease. As early surgery offers the only cure, aggressive diagnostic work-up for suspicious pulmonary infiltrate is imperative. Half of our cases were considered inoperable at the time of admission; these have all died. Ten showed diffuse but operable lesions and palliative resections were performed; two are living, one over four years, and a third survived two years before succumbing. Ten cases had localized disease and curative resections were attempted; seven are still living and six have reached the two-year survival mark.
Contrasuppression in autoimmunity

Since our long-term research interest is in immune-mediated interstitial renal disease, these are the models in which we have studied the role of contrasuppression in autoimmunity. Clearly, there is no a priori reason why this should be an immunopathogenic mechanism limited to T cell-mediated tubulointerstitial disease. Indeed, early support for this kind of mechanism was previously obtained in a model of systemic autoimmunity induced by polyclonal B cell activators [25]. There are other autoimmune diseases in which Ts cells have been implicated as tolerogenic mechanisms. These include experimental type I diabets (BB rats [26] and NOD mice [8]), thyroiditis [4], oophoritis [27], and experimental allergic encephalomyelitis [28]. Contrasuppression may well be operative, at least as one process in determining susceptibility to these organ-specific autoimmune lesions. It is important to note that since the effector and regulatory T cells may belong to the same phenotypic subset, identifying a T cell subset which ‘transfers disease’ does not eliminate the possibility that regulatory cells are involved. The investigator must specifically design experiments to look for these complex interactions in order to observe them. Further elucidation of the mechanisms by which Tcs and Ts cells mediate their opposing effects will likely come from comparisons of the protein structure and receptors for their soluble factors.
Comment on the rank two spherical harmonic model for nematic liquid crystals

Abstract Both order parameters of the uniaxial nematic phase are calculated from the conventional rank two spherical harmonic model. The conclusion, based on the calculation and experimental values of the order parameters, is drawn that the rank two model fails more seriously than previously realized to describe the nematic state.
Kinetic properties of DM-nitrophen and calcium indicators: rapid transient response to flash photolysis.

We describe a high temporal resolution confocal spot microfluorimetry setup which makes possible the detection of fluorescence transients elicited by Ca2+ indicators in response to large (50–200 μM), short duration (<100 ns), free [Ca2+] transients generated by laser flash photolysis of DM-nitrophen (DM-n; caged Ca2+). The equilibrium and kinetic properties of the commercially available indicators Fluo-3, Rhod-2, CalciumOrange-5N (COr-5N) and CalciumGreen-2 (CGr-2) were determined experimentally. The data reveal that COr-5N displays simple, fast response kinetics while, in contrast, Fluo-3, Rhod-2 and CGr-2 are characterized by significantly slower kinetic properties. These latter indicators may be unsuitable for tracking Ca2+ signaling events lasting only a few milliseconds. A model which accurately predicts the time course of fluorescence transients in response to rapid free [Ca2+] changes was developed. Experimental data and model predictions concur only when the association rate constant of DM-n is approximately 20 times faster than previously reported. This work establishes a quantitative theoretical framework for the study of fast Ca2+ signaling events and the use of flash photolysis in cells and model systems.
Structure and function of neuronal Ca2+ channels and their role in neurotransmitter release

Electrophysiological studies of neurons reveal different Ca2+ currents designated L-, N-, P-, Q-, R-, and T-type. High-voltage-activated neuronal Ca2+ channels are complexes of a pore-forming alpha 1 subunit of about 190-250 kDa, a transmembrane, disulfide-linked complex of alpha 2 and delta subunits, and an intracellular beta subunit, similar to the alpha 1, alpha 2 delta, and beta subunits previously described for skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels. The primary structures of these subunits have all been determined by homology cDNA cloning using the corresponding subunits of skeletal muscle Ca2+ channels as probes. In most neurons, L-type channels contain alpha 1C or alpha 1D subunits, N-type contain alpha 1B subunits, P- and Q-types contain alternatively spliced forms of alpha 1A subunits, R-type contain alpha 1E subunits, and T-type contain alpha 1G or alpha 1H subunits. Association with different beta subunits also influences Ca2+ channel gating substantially, yielding a remarkable diversity of functionally distinct molecular species of Ca2+ channels in neurons.
Bayesian adaptive survey protocols for resource management

Transparency in resource management decisions requires a proper accounting of uncertainty at multiple stages of the decision-making process. As information becomes available, periodic review and updating of resource management protocols reduces uncertainty and improves management decisions. One of the most basic steps to mitigating anthropogenic effects on populations is determining if a population of a species occurs in an area that will be affected by human activity. Species are rarely detected with certainty, however, and falsely declaring a species absent can cause improper conservation decisions or even extirpation of populations. We propose a method to design survey protocols for imperfectly detected species that accounts for multiple sources of uncertainty in the detection process, is capable of quantitatively incorporating expert opinion into the decision-making process, allows periodic updates to the protocol, and permits resource managers to weigh the severity of consequences if the species is falsely declared absent. We developed our method using the giant gartersnake (Thamnophis gigas), a threatened species precinctive to the Central Valley of California, as a case study. Survey date was negatively related to the probability of detecting the giant gartersnake, and water temperature was positively related to the probability of detecting the giant gartersnake at a sampled location. Reporting sampling effort, timing and duration of surveys, and water temperatures would allow resource managers to evaluate the probability that the giant gartersnake occurs at sampled sites where it is not detected. This information would also allow periodic updates and quantitative evaluation of changes to the giant gartersnake survey protocol. Because it naturally allows multiple sources of information and is predicated upon the idea of updating information, Bayesian analysis is well-suited to solving the problem of developing efficient sampling protocols for species of conservation concern.
Hypnotic use and fatigue in multiple sclerosis

Abstract Objectives Sleep disturbances and fatigue are common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but little is known about hypnotic use patterns in MS, or the relationship between these medications and fatigue. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) hypnotic use among MS patients, and to assess the relationships between fatigue severity and hypnotic use among persons with MS. Methods Data on hypnotic use frequency, hypnotic agents of choice, and clinical characteristics were extracted from medical records and a survey dataset from 190 MS patients who completed questionnaires regarding sleep quality, sleep quantity, nocturnal symptoms, sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), obstructive sleep apnea risk (STOP-Bang questionnaire), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index), and fatigue level (Fatigue Severity Scale – FSS). Results Eighty-nine subjects (47%) endorsed hypnotic use occasionally, frequently, or always. OTC diphenhydramine-containing products accounted for the majority of utilization, reported by 47 (25%). The occurrence of occasional or more frequent hypnotic use correlated with daytime fatigue (Spearman rho = 0.28, P = 0.0002), but not sleepiness. Regression of FSS scores on hypnotic use confirmed the association [beta (SE) = 0.55 (0.21), P = 0.0092] after adjustment for clinical and sleep-related confounds. In separate, similarly adjusted models, the use of OTC hypnotics but not prescription hypnotics was independently associated with higher FSS scores [0.54 (0.22), P = 0.0159]. An analogous association was observed more specifically for the use of diphenhydramine-containing products (0.49 (0.24), P = 0.044). Conclusions Hypnotic use is highly prevalent among MS patients. Carryover effects from hypnotic agents, and in particular OTC diphenhydramine-containing products, could contribute to daytime fatigue.