cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regularity of mild solutions of nonlinear parabolic equations

Abstract We show that a mild solution of the initial value problem for u' = Au + F(u) is a strict solution, under suitable assumptions for A and F. Two examples show an application and the limitation of the result.
Effects of visual field immersion and sub-threshold plantar vibration on balance

Visual field immersion and plantar vibration effects on balance were examined. Healthy adults stood quietly in a 3-wall immersive virtual environment (VE) and with a 3DTV for four trials while: barefoot, barefoot on foam, and wearing shoes on foam with and without sub-threshold plantar vibration. RMS of center of pressure velocity were significantly larger in VE than 3DTV (p<;0.0002). Responses on foam in the VE were larger than no foam (p<;0.001) or foam with 3DTV (p<;0.003). Vibration reduced RMS values in the VE (p<;0.02) but not with 3DTV. Immersive VE destabilizes more than 3DTV but plantar vibration improves balance.
Covariance selection and multivariate dependence

Considering the covariance selection problem of multivariate normal distributions, we show that its Fenchel dual formulation is insightful and allows one to calculate direct estimates under decomposable models. We next generalize the covariance selection to multivariate dependence, which includes MTP"2 and trends in longitudinal studies as special cases. The iterative proportional scaling algorithm, used for estimation in covariance selection problems, may not lead to the correct solution under such dependence. Addressing this situation, we present a new algorithm for dependence models and show that it converges correctly using tools from Fenchel duality. We discuss the speed of convergence of the new algorithm. When normality does not hold, we show how to estimate the covariance matrix in an empirical entropy approach. The approaches are compared via simulation and it is shown that the estimators developed here compare favorably with existing ones. The methodology is applied on a real data set involving decreasing CD4+ cell numbers from an AIDS study.
Anomalous stability of B+13 clusters

Abstract Electronic and geometric isomers of boron 13 clusters have been calculated in the local density approximation. Simulated annealing was used to identify the lowest energy atomic configuration. The filled icosahedral structure is unstable and evolves with continuously decreasing energy to a locally stable structure based on a capped hexagon. While locally stable, heating and slow cooling leads to a considerably more stable structure (0.68 eV) with high symmetry (C 3v ) and relatively high coordination which is also based on capped hexagons. The remarkable stability of this isomer may explain the measured high survival of B + 13 clusters on collision and its relatively low reactivity.
Impulsivity, Expectancies, and Evaluations of Expected Outcomes as Predictors of Alcohol Use and Related Problems

Background: While the association between outcome expectancies and drinking is well documented, few studies have examined whether evaluations of expected outcomes (outcome evaluations) moderate that association. Objectives: The present study tested the hypotheses that outcome evaluations moderate the outcome expectancy-drinking association and that outcome expectancies mediate the association between impulsive personality and drinking. Methods: College students (N ¼ 201; 55.5% female) enrolled in a midsized metropolitan university completed measures assessing outcome expectancies and evaluations, alcohol consumption, and drinking-related problems. Results: Consistent with study hypotheses, expectation of negative outcomes predicted lower levels of drinking, but only when these outcomes were evaluated as highly aversive. However, impulsivity was found to be a far stronger predictor of both drinking and related problems than were outcome expectancies or evaluations. Conclusion: The association between negative expectancy and drinking was moderated by negative evaluation, such that individuals who both expected that negative outcomes were likely to occur and who judged such outcomes as highly undesirable consumed significantly fewer drinks per week. Impulsivity was found to be a strong predictor of both alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems.
Classification system for serial criminal patterns

The data mining field in computer science specializes in extracting implicit information that is distributed across the stored data records and/or exists as associations among groups of records. Criminal databases contain information on the crimes themselves, the offenders, the victims as well as the vehicles that were involved ill the crime. Among these records lie groups of crimes that can be attributed to serial criminals who are responsible for multiple criminal offenses and usually exhibit patterns in their operations, by specializing in a particular crime category (i.e., rape, murder, robbery, etc.), and applying a specific method for implementing their crimes. Discovering serial criminal patterns in crime databases is, in general, a clustering activity in the area of data mining that is concerned with detecting trends in the data by classifying and grouping similar records. In this paper, we report on the different statistical and neural network approaches to the clustering problem in data mining in general, and as it applies to our crime domain in particular. We discuss our approach of using a cascaded network of Kohonen neural networks followed by heuristic processing of the networks outputs that best simulated the experts in the field. We address the issues in this project and the reasoning behind this approach, including: the choice of neural networks, in general, over statistical algorithms as the main tool, and tile use of Kohonen networks in particular, the choice for the cascaded approach instead of the direct approach, and the choice of a heuristics subsystem as a back-end subsystem to the neural networks. We also report on the advantages of this approach over both the traditional approach of using a single neural network to accommodate all the attributes, and that of applying a single clustering algorithm on all the data attributes.
The Effect of Fin Geometry and Manufacturing Process on Ceramic Regenerator Thermodynamic Performance

The essential parameters required for accurate regenerator thermodynamic performance prediction are the basic heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of the matrix fin configuration. The basic heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics evaluated in a “shuttle rig” of the existing “state of the art” matrix fin configurations will be presented. Based on these data, the effect of fin geometry and manufacturing process on ceramic regenerator performance will be discussed. In addition, a simplified analysis for estimating the effect of alterations in package size and/or fin parameters on regenerator performance will be presented.
The Frequency of ConText Lexical Items in Diverse Medical Texts

We assess the relative frequency that lexical items defined in the pyConTextNLP package occur within radiology, history and physical, and emergency department texts. While we found significant disparity in term frequency between the text types nearly half of the lexical items were not found in any of the texts indicating that significant pruning of the lexical knowledge base could be attempted. However, the study is limited by the small number of texts studied.
Time-domain non-destructive evaluation of layered materials using E-pulse technique

The E-pulse technique has been suggested as a method for evaluating the health of material coatings on aircraft. In this Letter, the method is validated using experimental data acquired in the time domain. Results show that changes in the temporal reflected field may be used to determine if the properties of the coating have changed and necessitate a repair, or whether an improper repair has been made.
In vivo magnetic resonance tracking of magnetically labeled cells after transplantation

During the last few years, the therapeutic use of stem and progenitor cells as a substitute for malfunctioning endogenous cell populations has received considerable attention. Unlike their current use in animal models, the introduction of therapeutic cells in patients will require techniques that can monitor their tissue biodistribution noninvasively. Among the different imaging modalities, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging offers both near-cellular (i.e., 25- to 50-mu) resolution and whole-body imaging capability. In order to be visualized, cells must be labeled with an intracellular tracer molecule that can be detected by MR imaging. Methods have now been developed that make it possible to incorporate sufficient amounts of superparamagnetic iron oxide into cells, enabling their detection in vivo using MR imaging. This is illustrated for (neural stem cell-derived) magnetically labeled oligodendroglial progenitors, transplanted in the central nervous system of dysmyelinated rats. Cells can be followed in vivo for at least 6 weeks after transplantation, with a good histopathologic correlation including the formation of myelin. Now that MR tracking of magnetically labeled cells appears feasible, it is anticipated that this technique may ultimately become an important tool for monitoring the efficacy of clinical (stem) cell transplantation protocols.
Probabilistic dynamics of some jump-diffusion systems

Some exact solutions to the forward Chapman-Kolmogorov equation are derived for processes driven by both Gaussian and compound Poisson shot noise. The combined action of these two forms of white noise is analyzed in transient and equilibrium conditions for different jump distributions and additive Gaussian noise. Steady-state distributions with power-law tails are obtained for exponentially distributed jumps and multiplicative linear Gaussian noise. Two applications are discussed: namely, the virtual waiting-time or Takacs process including Gaussian oscillations and a simplified model of soil moisture dynamics, in which rainfall is modeled as a compound Poisson process and fluctuations in potential evapotranspiration are Gaussian.
Remarks on biharmonic maps into spheres

We prove an apriori estimate in Morrey spaces for both intrinsic and extrinsic biharmonic maps into spheres. As applications, we prove an energy quantization theorem for biharmonic maps from 4-manifolds into spheres and a partial regularity for stationary intrinsic biharmonic maps into spheres.
JPEG compression of digital echocardiographic images: Impact on image quality

Routine echocardiograms are not handled digitally because of enormous storage needs. Image compression techniques can reduce memory requirements, but the impact on diagnostic content is unknown. We studied the effect of an internationally accepted compression algorithm called Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) on digital echocardiographic images. Diagnostic and image quality of JPEG compressed, two-dimensional echocardiograms at ratios ranging from 4:1 to 40:1 was compared with that of uncompressed images both subjectively by a blinded expert panel (540 observations) and objectively by quantitative image-processing parameters (180 images). Accuracy of 432 measurements performed on compressed M-mode and spectral Doppler tracings was determined. Simultaneously acquired videotaped images and their never-compressed digital counterparts were compared quantitatively for image fidelity. This study demonstrates that the JPEG compression algorithm produces little degradation of echocardiographic images at compression ratios of at least 20:1, with less measured distortion than is produced by videotape recording. With JPEG, digital storage and retrieval in routine echocardiography are feasible.
Unconditioned modality-dependent activity and its effects on shuttle avoidance learning

Abstract The present studies examined unconditioned, stimulus modality-produced activity in a shuttle box. Generally, the onset of a white noise greatly increased shuttle responding while the onset of a light produced no change. However, termination of the light increased shuttling. Experiment 2 determined that the increase in shuttle produced by the noise was more likely due to apprehension than simply exploration. In experiment 2A, habituation to the shuttle apparatus decreased noise-produced responding. In Experiment 2B, random shock dramatically increased responding to the noise stimulus. Unconditioned shuttle responding to the noise occurred whether or not the shuttle box was continuously lighted (Experiment 3). These unconditioned modality effects were used to make specific performance predictions for two-way shuttle avoidance learning in Experiment 4.
Rapid separation method of polymethoxyflavones from citrus using flash chromatography

Abstract Polymethoxyflavones (PMF’s) are a sub class of flavonoids, present in citrus species. Due to their potential use as a chemopreventive agent based on in vitro studies, a rapid reproducible method for the purification of PMF’s is critical. In the present study, a rapid separation method of PMF’s from Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) and Marrs sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) using flash chromatography is developed. Dried peels were powdered and extracted using hexane in a Soxhlet extractor. The extract was concentrated, impregnated with silica gel and subjected for flash chromatography using silica gel column. A gradient solvent system of hexane and acetone was used for the separations. The separation of PMF’s were monitored at wavelengths of 254 nm, 340 nm and all wavelength scan. The separated peaks were collected as individual fractions and pooled after HPLC analysis. Four PMF’s were separated with high purity in gram level quantity. These were identified on the basis of mass spectral and NMR studies as tangeretin, nobiletin, tetramethoxyflavone and sinensitin. The developed method was tested for repeatability with low RSD (%) and also determined as robust. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on isolation of PMF’s from Cleopatra mandarin and Marrs sweet orange.
Load and resistance factor design (LRFD) approach for reinforced-plastic channel beam buckling

Abstract Pultruded fiber reinforced plastic (PFRP) structural sections are rapidly gaining impetus in civil engineering applications. Thin-walled open beams with channel, I-shaped, and other types of sections are of practical importance to designers. In this paper, a load and resistance factor design (LRFD) approach for lateraltorsional buckling is presented based on an experimental and theoretical study of the behavior of PFRP channel section beams under the influence of gradually increasing static loads. Some experimental results for combined bending and torsion are also presented. Single span members with unrestrained end warping are considered with concentrated vertical loads passing through (a) the shear center, (b) the geometric centroid, and (c) a location which is neither at the shear center nor at the centroid. A pair of concentrated loads are applied symmetrically about the beam midspan, through a system of loading plates and tie rods in order to allow an unrestrained deformation of the beam. The loads are increased gradually and the resulting midspan vertical, lateral, and torsional deflections are recorded. The loads are generated with hydraulic jacks and recorded by means of calibrated load cells. Strains are also recorded at key locations using electrical resistance gages. Relationships between the applied load and the resulting deflections and strains are plotted and compared for the three load cases. The magnitude and significance of the warping stresses in comparison to the flexural stresses are identified. For the case of shear center loading, the deflections are monitored for various clear spans of the beam. This information is then utilized to generate the relationship between the lateral torsional instability load versus the minor axis slenderness ratio. An approximate theoretical formula is also developed to predict the lateral-torsional buckling load as possible prelude to the evolution of a formal construction specification formula for use by design engineers. The predicted buckling loads found using the formula are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. A comparison of the results from the formula applied to the case of compression flange loading is also made to those using the current AISC-LRFD specification. Lastly, the use of a proposed LRFD approach is demonstrated by means of analysis and design examples. The effect of the applied load height on the buckling load capacity is explained using the buckling formula.
Vegetative and reproductive development of Halarachnion ligulatum (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)

The vegetative and reproductive development of Halarachnion ligulatum has been investigated using haematoxylin stain and Differential Interference Contrast microscopy. Growth is multiaxial, initiated by five to seven apical cells. Each axial cell bears a single determinate lateral that forms the two-layered cortex and medulla. Rhizoids traverse the thallus and terminate by wedging between cells of the opposite cortical layer. Secondary pit connections are absent. Auxiliary cells are cytologically modified and are distinguishable by the number of laterals they bear. Connecting filaments and auxiliary cells exhibit a specific interactive behaviour prior to fusion and gonimoblast initiation. These observations are discussed with reference to the diagnosis and circumscription of the Furcellariaceae and its relationship to the Nemastomataceae and Solieriaceae of the Gigartinales.
The type of stromal feeder used in limiting dilution assays influences frequency and maintenance assessment of human long-term culture initiating cells

The goal of this study was to evaluate if differences in culture conditions used in long-term culture assays affect enumeration of LTC-IC in freshly sorted or ex vivo expanded CD34+/HLA-DRdim/CD2-/CD7- (34+/Lin-) cells. The variables examined included different stromal feeders (murine bone marrow fibroblast cell line, M2-10B4 and murine fetal liver cell line, AFT024) and presence or absence of cytokines (MIP-1alpha + IL-3). The absolute LTC-IC frequency in 34+/Lin- cells measured in limiting dilution assays (LDA) on AFT024 (4.45 +/- 0.69%) was significantly higher than in M2-10B4 (1.45 +/- 0.20%) LDA. Addition of MIP-1alpha and IL-3 to AFT024 LDA increased the measured LTC-IC frequency to 6.8 +/- 0.9%. We also determined the fraction of LTC-IC that persisted after 34+/Lin cells were cultured for 5 weeks by replating progeny in the three LDA readout systems. The measured LTC-IC maintenance was significantly lower when M2-10B4 LDA (13.1 +/- 3.5%, P < 0.05) were used compared with AFT024 LDA (36.6 +/- 5.5%) or AFT024 LDA supplemented with MIP-1alpha and IL-3 (29.1 +/- 6.3%). Thus, the number of LTC-IC measured in freshly sorted 34+ cells depends on the stromal feeder used in LDA assays. Furthermore, and most important, assessment of LTC-IC expansion or maintenance may vary significantly depending on the type of stromal feeder used to enumerate LTC-IC.
Prevalence and distribution of adnexal findings suggesting endometriosis in patients with MR diagnosis of adenomyosis

The purpose of this investigation was to establish the prevalence and distribution of MR findings associated with pelvic endometriosis in patients with a MRI diagnosis of adenomyosis. Retrospective review of the pelvic MRI in 59 patients (age 32–54 years, mean 42 years) who met strict MRI criteria for adenomyosis was performed. T1 weighted fat saturated and T2 weighted images in these patients were reviewed for the presence or absence of T1 bright signal suggesting endometriosis in any of nine locations (uterine serosa, right and left ovary, right and left fallopian tube, right and left broad ligament, and right and left pelvic side wall). 20 (20/59) patients (34%), showed characteristic MRI features associated with endometriosis. A total of 54 sites of involvement were identified (uterine serosa n = 17, ovaries n = 14, broad ligaments n = 10, fallopian tubes n = 8, pelvic side walls n = 5) in 20 patients with an average of 2.7 sites per patient. Implants (n = 43) were more common than endometriomas (n = ...
Permanent or reversible conjugation of 2′-O- or 5′-O-aminooxymethylated nucleosides with functional groups as a convenient and efficient approach to the modification of RNA and DNA sequences

2'-O-Aminooxymethyl ribonucleosides are prepared from their 3',5'-disilylated 2'-O-phthalimidooxymethyl derivatives by treatment with NH(4)F in MeOH. The reaction of these novel ribonucleosides with 1-pyrenecarboxaldehyde results in the efficient formation of stable and yet reversible ribonucleoside 2'-conjugates in yields of 69-82%. Indeed, exposure of these conjugates to 0.5 M tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) in THF results in the cleavage of their iminoether functions to give the native ribonucleosides along with the innocuous nitrile side product. Conversely, the reaction of 5-cholesten-3-one or dansyl chloride with 2'-O-aminooxymethyl uridine provides permanent uridine 2'-conjugates, which are left essentially intact upon treatment with TBAF. Alternatively, 5'-O-aminooxymethyl thymidine is prepared by hydrazinolysis of its 3'-O-levulinyl-5'-O-phthalimidooxymethyl precursor. Pyrenylation of 5'-O-aminooxymethyl thymidine and the sensitivity of the 5'-conjugate to TBAF further exemplify the usefulness of this nucleoside for modifying DNA sequences either permanently or reversibly. Although the versatility and uniqueness of 2'-O-aminooxymethyl ribonucleosides in the preparation of modified RNA sequences is demonstrated by the single or double incorporation of a reversible pyrenylated uridine 2'-conjugate into an RNA sequence, the conjugation of 2'-O-aminooxymethyl ribonucleosides with aldehydes, including those generated from their acetals, provides reversible 2'-O-protected ribonucleosides for potential applications in the solid-phase synthesis of native RNA sequences. The synthesis of a chimeric polyuridylic acid is presented as an exemplary model.
Use of observation followed by outpatient stress testing in chest pain patients with prior coronary artery disease history: An evaluation of prognostic utility

Abstract Objective To determine the outcomes of patients with chest pain (CP) and prior history of coronary artery disease (CAD) managed with observation followed by outpatient stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods Retrospective analysis of patients with CP managed with observation followed by outpatient stress MPI, comparing cardiovascular (CV) event rates stratified by CAD history. Results 375 patients were included: 111 with and 264 without a CAD history. All patients underwent outpatient stress MPI within 72 h of observation. MPI identified patients at risk for CV events. However, while patients with negative MPI and without a CAD history had very low rates of short- and long-term CAD events (0.8%, 0.8%, and 1.3% at 30 days, 1 year, and 3 years, respectively), event rates of those with a negative test but a CAD history were significantly higher (2.6%, 5.3%, and 6.6% at 30 days, 1 year and 3 years, respectively; p = 0.044 and p = 0.034 compared to CAD− patients at 1 year and 3 years, respectively). In a multivariable logistic regression model, a positive MPI proved to be an independent predictor of long-term CV events in patients with CP and prior CAD. Conclusion Observation followed by stress MPI can effectively risk stratify CP patients with prior CAD for CV risk. These patients are at increased risk of CV events even after a low-risk stress MPI study. Patients presenting with CP and managed with a strategy of observation followed by a negative stress MPI warrant close short- and long-term monitoring for recurrent events.
Addressing language barriers and improving quality of transitions and discharge

The article by Rayan et al., “Transitions from Hospital to Community Care: the Role of Patient-Provider Language Concordance”, highlights the importance of language-concordant communication and care during the hospital discharge process. These findings are completely in line with previous research on the impact of language barriers on quality of care. We strongly agree with Rayan et al. and the findings of this important research, and support efforts that help meet the cultural and linguistic needs of patients. Undoubtedly, patient–provider language concordance during the hospitalization discharge process and post discharge follow-up have important implications for health care transitions, quality, and costs. How can hospitals improve their performance in this area? Based on extensive research, there are currently two major hospital guides that were developed in the United States that focus on this area—improving communication and care for patients of diverse backgrounds and with language barriers. One, Project RED—or Re-Engineered Discharge, and the second, Improving Patient Safety Systems for Patients With Limited English Proficiency: A Guide for Hospitals, both aim to address these challenges. If we are to truly delivery high-quality, safe, cost-effective care, meeting the needs of patients who experience language barriers during health care will be essential as global migration and diversity increases every day.
Superquadric representation of automotive parts applying part decomposition

Superquadrics are able to represent a large variety of objects with only a few parameters and a single equation. We present a superquadric representation strategy for automotive parts composed of 3-D triangle meshes. Our strategy consists of two ma- jor steps of part decomposition and superquadric fitting. The origi- nalities of this approach include the following two features. First, our approach can represent multipart objects with superquadrics suc- cessfully by applying part decomposition. Second, superquadrics re- covered from our approach have the highest confidence and accu- racy due to the 3-D watertight surfaces utilized. A novel, generic 3-D part decomposition algorithm based on curvature analysis is also proposed. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed part decomposition algorithm is able to segment multipart objects into meaningful single parts efficiently. The proposed superquadric rep- resentation strategy can then represent each individual part of the original objects with a superquadric model successfully. © 2004
A novel cyclic reaction system involving CaS and CaSO4 for converting sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur without generating secondary pollutants. 2. Kinetics of the reduction of sulfur dioxide by calcium sulfide powder

The process feasibility for converting sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur by the cyclic reaction involving calcium sulfide and calcium sulfate was established in part 1 of this series. In this part, detailed experimental results are presented on the kinetics of the reaction between calcium sulfide and sulfur dioxide, which produces elemental sulfur and calcium sulfate. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range of 973−1153 K under sulfur dioxide partial pressures between 9 and 60 kPa by the use of a thermogravimetric analysis technique. As an example, about 60% of the calcium sulfide powder from the hydrogen reduction of fresh calcium sulfate was converted in 10 min at 1153 K under a sulfur dioxide partial pressure of 25.8 kPa. The reactivity decreased somewhat during the first five cycles of reaction and regeneration but remained largely intact thereafter up to the tenth cycle. A pore-blocking model was found to fit the reaction rate. The reaction is first order with respect to sulfur diox...
Evaluation of methods for determining demand-limiting setpoint trajectories in buildings using short-term measurements

This paper presents the evaluation of three different methods for determining zone temperature setpoint variations that limit peak electrical demand in buildings. The methods were developed in a companion paper [Lee K-H, Braun JE. Development of methods for determining demand-limiting setpoint trajectories in buildings using short-term measurements. Building and Environment 2007, in press, doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2007.11.004] and are evaluated in the current paper through simulation for a small, medium, and large commercial building. Inverse models were employed for the simulation where the parameters were estimated with nonlinear regression techniques using hourly data. Two of the demand-limiting methods are based on the use of simple building models that capture dynamics of the building cooling loads in response to setpoint variations over a short time scale. The third method is data driven and only relies on load data to directly determine setpoint variations that minimize peak cooling demand. All three demand-limiting methods work well in terms of peak demand reduction for individual buildings. However, the data-driven method has slightly better performance than the other methods, is easier to implement, and is directly applicable for peak load reduction of aggregated buildings.
Network Engineering and Traffic Forwarding (NETF): An Integrated Design for Inter-Gateway QoS Handoffs in Infrastructure Wireless Mesh Networks

Inter-domain handoffs in wireless mesh networks (WMNs) must evaluate the resource conditions of the target handoff domain in order to make QoS handoff decisions. Performance degradations to either or both handoff and existing QoS-aware traffic occur when resources on gateways and mesh routers in the handoff domain are over-utilized, while on the other hand, global resources across domains might still be underutilized. In this paper, we introduce a QoS-handoff framework for WMNs which includes 1) a resilient mesh architecture that offers dynamic gateway selection for inter-gateway handoffs under the assumption that different gateways belong to different domains and 2) a resilient forwarding scheme that allows intermediate mesh routers to make resilient next-hop decisions for traffic forwarding. With an integrated design and inter-dependency linkage of network architecture and traffic management, handoff resource utilization across domains can be realized. QoS requirements for both handoff and existing traffic can be achieved before and after handoffs in the inter-gateway WMN environment.
Scalability of frequency-hopping time-spreading OCDMA code matrix

We analyze the scalability constraint on 2D OCDMA code matrices due to wavelength and time domain crosstalk. Code matrix size of 7000 is obtained for 100 nm total bandwidth at 2.5 Gbps
Effect of Hydrolysis on the Nutritive Value of Casein

Abstract INTRODUCTION IT IS generally believed that the hydrolyzed products of proteins have the same nutritive value as the proteins from which they are derived. During investigations at this laboratory on protein concentrates, it was observed that hydrolysis of a protein by any method decreased its nutritive value. In view of the fact that protein must be hydrolyzed in the intestine before it can be absorbed, it is difficult to understand why predigestion should lower its nutritive value. The work of early investigators on the nutritive value of protein hydrolysates is reviewed by Cathcart (1921). He concludes that protein hydrolysates do have a nutritive value. However he cites no experiment in which an enzyme digested protein is as efficient as the intact. Mayeda (1932) fed Witte’s peptone, Teruchi’s peptone (a trypsin digest of casein), fish meat, and a mixture of alkaline and acid digests of fish meat. While no definite controls . . .
Multi-Scale Spectral Decomposition of Massive Graphs

Computing the k dominant eigenvalues and eigenvectors of massive graphs is a key operation in numerous machine learning applications; however, popular solvers suffer from slow convergence, especially when k is reasonably large. In this paper, we propose and analyze a novel multi-scale spectral decomposition method (MSEIGS), which first clusters the graph into smaller clusters whose spectral decomposition can be computed efficiently and independently. We show theoretically as well as empirically that the union of all cluster's subspaces has significant overlap with the dominant subspace of the original graph, provided that the graph is clustered appropriately. Thus, eigenvectors of the clusters serve as good initializations to a block Lanczos algorithm that is used to compute spectral decomposition of the original graph. We further use hierarchical clustering to speed up the computation and adopt a fast early termination strategy to compute quality approximations. Our method outperforms widely used solvers in terms of convergence speed and approximation quality. Furthermore, our method is naturally parallelizable and exhibits significant speedups in shared-memory parallel settings. For example, on a graph with more than 82 million nodes and 3.6 billion edges, MSEIGS takes less than 3 hours on a single-core machine while Randomized SVD takes more than 6 hours, to obtain a similar approximation of the top-50 eigenvectors. Using 16 cores, we can reduce this time to less than 40 minutes.
Effect of a Monensin Controlled-Release Capsule on Rumen and Blood Metabolites in Florida Holstein Transition Cows*

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a monensin controlled-release capsule administered intraruminally at dry-off on rumen volatile fatty acids, NH3, lactate, pH, and energy blood metabolites in transition dairy cows fed Florida typical diets. In March 2003, 24 cows (10 primiparous and 14 multiparous) dried-off 50 to 70 d before expected parturition were randomly assigned to a treatment (n=12, oral capsule of monensin) or a control group (n=12, no capsule). Both groups received the same diet and were exposed to the same environment and management conditions. At assignment, at 21 d before expected parturition, at calving, and at 7, 14, and 21 d postpartum, blood samples were taken and body condition scores were determined. At 10 d postpartum, rumen and blood samples were obtained in the morning before the first feeding and at 2, 4, and 6 h after feeding. Serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and glucose were measured. Rumen samples were analyzed for concentrations of acetic, propionic, butyric, L- and D-lactic acids, and NH3. Data for rumen and blood metabolites were analyzed by ANOVA, mixed models for repeated measures. Volatile fatty acids were not different between groups. Multiparous treated cows had a significant reduction in rumen NH3 at 6 h after feeding. Treatment with monensin significantly increased body condition score at calving in multiparous cows. During the postpartum period, NEFA and BHBA were noticeably lower in treated than in control primiparous cows. This difference was not observed in multiparous cows.
The clustered-star graph: a new topology for large interconnection networks

The authors propose a flexible network called the clustered-star (CS) network. An (n-1)-dimensional CS of order m, denoted by CS/sub n-1//sup m/ is an n-dimensional star with (n-m) of its (n-1)-stars missing. The advantage of CS/sub n-1//sup m/ is that from the network size viewpoint, it is scalable by a factor of 1 >
Studies of local and intermediate range structure in crystalline and amorphous materials at high pressure using high-energy X-rays

The method of high-energy total elastic X-ray scattering to determine the atomic structure of nanocrystalline, highly disordered, and amorphous materials is presented. The current state of the technique, its potential, and limitations are discussed with two successful studies on the pressure induced phase transition in mackinawite (FeS) and the high-pressure behavior of liquid gallium.
Lipoprotein metabolism in chronic renal insufficiency

Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) is associated with a characteristic dyslipidemia. Findings in children with CRI largely parallel those in adults. Moderate hypertriglyceridemia, increased triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) and reduced high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are the most usual findings, whereas total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) remain normal or modestly increased. Qualitative abnormalities in lipoproteins are common, including small dense LDL, oxidized LDL, and cholesterol-enriched TRL. Measures of lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activity are reduced, and concentrations of apolipoprotein C-III are markedly elevated. Still an active area of research, major pathophysiological mechanisms leading to the dyslipidemia of CRI include insulin resistance and nonnephrotic proteinuria. Sources of variability in the severity of this dyslipidemia include the degree of renal impairment and the modality of dialysis. The benefits of maintaining normal body weight and physical activity extend to those with CRI. In addition to multiple hypolipidemic pharmaceuticals, fish oils are also effective as a triglyceride-lowering agent, and the phosphorous binding agent sevelamer also lowers LDL-C. Emerging classes of hypolipidemic agents and drugs affecting sensitivity to insulin may impact future treatment. Unfortunately, cardiovascular benefit has not been convincingly demonstrated by any trial designed to study adults or children with renal disease. Therefore, it is not possible at this time to endorse general recommendations for the use of any agent to treat dyslipidemia in children with chronic kidney disease.
Performance analysis of polarization receive diversity in correlated Rayleigh fading channels

The reduction in the average required transmit power in order to achieve the desired system performance is determined when using a receive antenna array employing polarization diversity as opposed to spatial diversity only. Cross-polar-discrimination (XPD) and envelope correlation are used to model the correlation between the horizontal and vertical polarizations. The characteristic function for an M-branch diversity receiver, using maximal-ratio-combining, is used to obtain the analytical expressions for the average required transmit power, assuming Rayleigh fading channels, perfect channel information at the transmitter and the receiver, and perfect fast or average power control. Based on the measurement data of XPD and envelope correlation in an urban environment, two spatially separated dual-polarized antennas are shown to outperform two spatially separated vertical antennas between 2.25-2.4 dB and 4-4.3 dB for the perfect fast power control and the perfect average power control, respectively.
Investigation of Turbulent Processes in the Lower Troposphere with Water Vapor DIAL and Radar–RASS

Abstract High-resolution water vapor and wind measurements in the lower troposphere within the scope of the Baltic Sea Experiment (BALTEX) are presented. The measurements were performed during a field campaign with a new water vapor differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system and a radar–radio acoustic sounding system (radar–RASS). The analysis of a continuous 24-h measurement period shows that the resolution and the accuracy of these instruments are capable of measuring profiles of water vapor and vertical wind fluctuation moments up to the second order to investigate turbulent processes in the convective boundary layer. Besides the high-resolution data obtained with each instrument it is their combination that yields a further important variable in the boundary layer: the turbulent latent heat flux measured directly using the eddy correlation method. The results demonstrate that active remote sensing instruments like DIAL and radar–RASS can be routinely applied to provide previously unavailable datasets...
Corporate Real Estate and Corporate Sustainability Reporting: An Examination and Critique of Current Standards

This article examines Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) corporate sustainability reporting standards and identifies existing and missing linkages with corporate real estate disclosures. Based on ...
Establishing benzodiazepines as oral reinforcers: midazolam and diazepam self-administration in rhesus monkeys.

Oral benzodiazepine self-administration was examined in four adult male rhesus monkeys with histories of ethanol- and pentobarbital-reinforced behavior. Drug solutions and vehicle were concurrently available for 3-hr each day under fixed-ratio (FR) reinforcement schedules. Initially, the monkeys rejected a midazolam solution (0.1 mg/ml) after direct substitution of the drug for an 8% ethanol solution. However, midazolam self-administration was subsequently established by using a fading procedure in which increasing amounts of drug (0.0125-0.2 mg/ml) were gradually added to an 8% ethanol solution, followed by gradual reduction of the ethanol concentration to zero. Midazolam was an effective reinforcer for three of four monkeys tested, i.e., responding that was maintained by the drug solution exceeded that maintained by the drug vehicle. The fourth monkey also self-administered midazolam but drug-maintained responding was not consistently greater than vehicle-maintained responding. The responding maintained by the drug was an inverted-U-shaped or bitonic function of midazolam concentration. The midazolam intake (in milligrams per kilogram) increased as a function of increases in the drug concentration. At the higher concentrations, marked sedative intoxication was observed. There was an inverse relationship between FR size (varied from FR 8 to FR 32) and the amount of drug self-administered. The three monkeys in which midazolam functioned as a reinforcer were then tested with diazepam (0.2 mg/ml), which maintained drug self-administration behavior on direct substitution for 0.2-mg/ml midazolam. Diazepam-maintained responding usually exceeded water responding as the diazepam concentration was increased to 0.8 mg/ml. These data demonstrate robust reinforcing effects of both "short-" and "long-acting" benzodiazepines delivered by the oral route.
Board Globalisation in the World’s Largest TNCs 1993–2005

Transnational corporations (TNCs) are driving globalisation, but is there any evidence that the boards who govern these corporations are becoming more global? The question is intriguing to those who study corporate governance and those interested in the sociology of global capitalism, but up to now evidence on the extent of TNC board globalisation is largely anecdotal or weak. To address this issue I conducted a follow-up to Gillies’ and Dickinson’s (1999Corporate Governance: An International Journal, 7, 237–247) study of 80 of the world’s largest TNCs. These authors reported that in 1993 36.3 per cent of these companies had at least one non-national board member. In late 2005 I found, in contrast, that 75 per cent of these companies had at least one non-national board member. However, the evidence also shows that while this trend has certainly become more widespread, it is not yet very deep; on average, only 25 per cent of these boards consisted of non-nationals, while non-nationals made up a majority of the board in only 10 per cent of these cases. Nevertheless, this trend toward more multinational boards is worth monitoring because such boards provide a transnational social infrastructure which may facilitate the emergence of a global business class.
New York State and the National Assessment of Educational Progress Tests

This paper compares the performance of New York State students with students from the rest of the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress Tests.
MET Exon 14 Alterations in Lung Cancer: Exon Skipping Extends Half-Life

MET exon 14 alterations are a diverse group of mutations, many of which disrupt splice acceptor or donor sites leading to exon 14 skipping, impaired receptor degradation, and oncogenic transformation. These alterations are clinically targetable with MET-directed therapy.
Plasminogen and proactivator concentration in human plasma.

SummaryWhen the concentration of SK was carefully controlled, a strong covariance relationship was found between the plasminogen and proactivator concentration in 12 normal human plasma samples. It is suggested that lack of such control had led earlier investigators to the erroneous conclusion that they had demonstrated the presence of a proactivator other than plasminogen or plasmin in human plasma. The euglobulin precipitate at pH 5.3 contained virtually all of the plasminogen present in the original plasma.
Dynamical Theory of Segmental Relaxation and Emergent Elasticity in Supercooled Polymer Melts

We generalize the force-level Elastically Collective Nonlinear Langevin Equation theory of supercooled molecular liquid dynamics to polymer melts based on mapping chains to disconnected and noninterpenetrating Kuhn-sized spheres. This allows first-principles, no adjustable parameter calculations to be performed for the temperature-dependent mean segmental relaxation time of chemically diverse van der Waals polymers over a wide range of molecular weights. Despite the simplicity of the mapping, the theory does a good job of a priori predicting the glass transition temperature (Tg), the dynamic fragility, and full temperature dependence of the α-relaxation time for some high molecular weight polymers and the chain length dependence of Tg as the consequence of the molecular weight dependence of backbone stiffness. The minimalist model does not capture the unusually low and high fragilities of certain long chain polymers which are not typical of van der Waals molecular liquids. This seems likely due to the sim...
A free energy functional for thermorheologically simple materials

A systematic procedure developed byColeman for establishing thermodynamically consistent constitutive equations is used to develop the thermomechanical constitutive equations for the stress and dissipation functions for thermoheologically simple materials. A comparison is made with similar expressions developed using phenomenological model theory. The influence of thermorheologically simple behavior is illustrated in the solution of the problem of a solid rod undergoing torsional oscillations with temperature dependent properties.
Quantity and quality of nocturnal sleep affect morning glucose measurement in acutely burned children.

Hyperglycemia after severe burn injury has long been recognized, whereas sleep deprivation after burns is a more recent finding. The postburn metabolic effects of poor sleep are not clear despite reports in other populations demonstrating the association between sleep insufficiency and deleterious endocrine consequences. The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship between sleep and glucose dynamics exists in acutely burned children. Two overnight polysomnography runs (2200 to 0600) per subject were conducted in 40 patients with a mean (± SEM) age of 9.4 ± 0.7 years, 50.1 ± 2.9% TBSA burn, and 43.2 ± 3.6% full-thickness injury. Serum glucose was drawn in the morning (0600) immediately after the sleep test. Insulin requirements during the 24-hour period preceding the 0600 glucose measurement were recorded. Generalized linear models were used by the authors to evaluate percent time in each stage of sleep, percent wake time, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and morning serum glucose, accounting for insulin use. Increased time awake (P = .04, linear; P = .02, quadratic) and reduced time spent in stage 1 sleep (P = .03, linear) were associated with higher glucose levels. Sleep efficiency (P = .01, linear; P = .02, quadratic) and total sleep time (P = .01 linear; P = .02, quadratic) were inversely associated with glucose level. Morning glucose levels appear to be affected by the quality and quantity of overnight sleep in children who have sustained extensive burn injuries. Future research is needed to elucidate the metabolic and neuroendocrine consequences of sleep deprivation on metabolism after burns.