cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photosynthesis in Enzymatically Isolated Leaf Cells from the CAM Plant Sedum telephium L.

A technique has been developed for the enzymatic isolation of leaf cells from the Crassulacean acid-metabolism plant Sedum telephium. The cells exhibited high activity in both 14CO2 incorporation (30–70 μmol CO2 mg-1 chlorophyll h-1) and O2 evolution in the presence of bicarbonate (60–110 μmol O2 mg-1 chlorophyll h-1). Half-maximum saturation of 14CO2 incorporation occurred at a bicarbonate concentration of ca. 2 mM (20 μM CO2) at pH 8.4 and 30°C. Two types of light-dependent O2 evolution are reported: O2 evolution in the absence of exogenously supplied bicarbonate (endogenous O2 evolution), and bicarbonate-stimulated O2 evolution. Oxygen evolution in the presence of approximately ambient concentrations of CO2 appeared to be a combination of the endogenous O2 evolution and O2 evolution from fixation of the exogenously supplied CO2.
Fast analog associative memory

Traditional neural networks such as backpropagation begin with a set of decision boundaries and optimize the network by moving the boundaries. The problem with this approach is a large number of iterations is required and the network can easily be stuck in a local minima. The algorithm presented here rapidly creates boundaries when necessary and destroys boundaries when they become obsolete. Optimization is achieved by a 'survival of the fittest' boundaries approach. Since the individual boundaries are not optimized the algorithm does not require iterations and trains the network very quickly. The algorithm is well suited for high- dimensional analog inputs and analog outputs.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Empirical assessment of uncertainties of meteorological parameters and turbulent fluxes in the AmeriFlux network

[1] Terrestrial ecosystem-atmosphere exchange of carbon, water vapor, and energy has been measured for over a decade at many sites globally. To minimize measurement and analysis errors, quality assurance data have been collected over short periods along-side tower instruments at AmeriFlux research sites. Theoretical and empirical error and uncertainty values have been reported for various aspects of the eddy covariance technique but until recently it has not been possible to constrain network level variation based on direct comparison of side-by-side measurements. Paired observations, although rare in practice, offer a possibility to obtain real-world error estimates for flux observations and corresponding uncertainties. In this study, we report the relative instrumental errors from the AmeriFlux quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) site intercomparisons of 84 site visits (2002–2012). Relative errors, including random and systematic instrumental errors, are presented for meteorological and radiation variables, gas concentrations, and the turbulent fluxes. The lowest relative errors (<2%) were found for the meteorological parameters, while the largest relative errors were found for latent heat and CO2 fluxes. The mean relative instrumental error for CO2 flux averaged −8.2% (underestimation by the tower instruments). Sensible and latent heat fluxes exhibited mean errors of −1.7% and −5.2%, respectively. Deviation around the mean was also largest for the turbulent fluxes, approaching 20%. Because the data collected during QA/QC site visits are used to identify and correct errors, our results represent a conservative estimate of instrumental errors in the AmeriFlux database. Overall, the presented results confirm the high quality of the network data and underline its status as a valuable data source for the research community.
The fracture resistance of metal/ceramic/intermetallic interfaces

This paper reports that there are major differences in interface fracture with the homologous temperature, t/t{sub m}, used to produce the interface. Low homologous temperatures (T/T{sub m} {lt} 0.3) processes such as evaporation result in interface mechanical properties dominated by impurities, especially organics present on the original surface prior to deposition. Consequently, thin bond layers, such as Cr and Ti, are often used to enhance the fracture resistance. The presence of these layers apparently results in the formation of carbides and hydrides that 'clean' the surface. The use of high homologous temperatures (T.T{sub m} {gt} 0.5) generally results in 'strong' bonding for a wide range of metals, ceramics, intermetallics and glasses. Such diffusion bonds are emphasized in this article.
Thrust fault vergence directions on Mars: A foundation for investigating global-scale Tharsis-driven tectonics

[1] Insight into the mechanical and thermal structure of the Martian lithosphere and the character of Tharsis-driven tectonics is gained from detailed mapping of the global distribution of thrust fault vergence directions with respect to the center of the Tharsis tectono-volcanic province. Our results reveal sub-equal frequencies of thrust faults that verge away from and toward Tharsis. Based on the observed distribution of thrust fault vergence directions, we conclude that the base of the Tharsis load was effectively welded, by frictional and cohesive strength, to the subjacent Noachian crust throughout its periods of sustained volcanism and faulting during the late Noachian to early Hesperian, rather than being detached along a ductile layer at its base.
Patients, Providers, And Systems Need To Acquire A Specific Set Of Competencies To Achieve Truly Patient-Centered Care

Studies show that patients want to be more involved in their own health care. Yet insufficient attention has been paid to the specific competencies of both patients and providers that are needed to optimize such patient engagement and shared decision making. In this article we address the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that patients, physicians, and health care systems require to effectively engage patients in their health care. For example, many patient-physician interactions still follow the traditional office visit format, in which the patient is passive, trusting, and compliant. We recommend imaginative models for redesigned office care, restructured reimbursement schemes, and increased support services for patients and professionals. We present three clinical scenarios to illustrate how these competencies must work together. We conclude that effective shared decision making takes time to deliver proficiently and that among other measures, policy makers must change payment models to focus on value a...
Logit-normal mixed model for Indian monsoon precipitation

Abstract. Describing the nature and variability of Indian monsoon precipitation is a topic of much debate in the current literature. We suggest the use of a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), specifically, the logit-normal mixed model, to describe the underlying structure of this complex climatic event. Four GLMM algorithms are described and simulations are performed to vet these algorithms before applying them to the Indian precipitation data. The logit-normal model was applied to light, moderate, and extreme rainfall. Findings indicated that physical constructs were preserved by the models, and random effects were significant in many cases. We also found GLMM estimation methods were sensitive to tuning parameters and assumptions and therefore, recommend use of multiple methods in applications. This work provides a novel use of GLMM and promotes its addition to the gamut of tools for analysis in studying climate phenomena.
Foreign exchange market inefficiency and exchange rate anomalies

Abstract This paper develops a perfectly general non-linear Uncovered Interest Parity, UIP, framework with foreign exchange (fx) market inefficiency. The latter means that there is always some “unexploited profit” which tends to generate a negative value for Fama's beta coefficient. However, as ID decays over time, this tends to generate a positive value for beta. The sign of beta is uncertain. It is shown that this result implies that the existence of fx market inefficiency is consistent with many puzzling facts about exchange rates, and that the model's implied values for beta are consistent with those obtained via actual data.
Bullous pemphigoid and primary biliary cirrhosis

SUMMARY The occurrence of multiple autoimmune conditions in an individual and in families is well known. We wish to report the simultaneous occurrence of bullous pemphigoid and primary biliary cirrhosis in an individual who also suffered from vitiligo. The association adds to the documentation of bullous pemphigoid co-existing with other autoimmune disorders.
The effect of random precipitation times on the scavenging rate for tropospheric nitric acid

Studies of the effect of averaging the continuity equation for soluble species over wet and dryperiods of a precipitation cycle have shown that the effective scavenging rate which must beused in such averaged models is less than the classical value obtained by a simple average ofthe scavenging rate over a cycle. This is a consequence of the fact that for an intermittent lossprocess such as precipitation wet periods correspond to depressed and dry periods to enhancedsoluble species concentration. There is thus an inherent negative correlation betweendepartures from the mean of the scavenging rate and soluble species concentration which isnot accounted for in the averaging process. This study shows that if the source of the solublespecies is time dependent, then periods of positive correlation between scavenging rate andspecies concentration may also result from temporal averaging. This can result when the endof a precipitation period is coincident with the diminution or termination of the source. Aspecific example considered is the late afternoon rainout of nitric acid occurring just prior tothe night time cessation of its chemical production. Under some assumed precipitationscenarios, the positive correlation may dominate, leading to an effective scavenging rateexceeding the classical value. A model is developed to take account of the effect of randomprecipitation times on the nitric acid scavenging rate. These calculations give effectivescavenging rates about a factor of 2 to 3 greater than those of some other published models.For small wet fractional periods, typically less than 0.1, the effective scavenging rate mayexceed the classical value slightly, although the details of this calculation depend on the meanprecipitation period and on some of the model’s statistical assumptions. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0889.1988.tb00298.x
Static Data Flow Analysis of PL/I Programs with the PROBE System

An experimental data flow analyzer for PL/I programs has been implemented within the PROBE system developed at the GM Research Laboratories. PROBE is an experimental software package that examines the internal structure of PL/I programs in order to expose error-prone design and programming features. This paper describes 1) the algorithms and data structures used by the data flow analyzer, 2) the salient aspects of PL/I usage in the analyzed production-level programs, and 3) the results of the data flow analysis.
Reduced haloperidol: Effects on striatal dopamine metabolism and conversion to haloperidol in the rat

Acute injection of rats with either haloperidol or reduced haloperidol (1 mg/kg, IP) greatly increased the striatal concentrations of the acidic dopamine metabolites, indicating enhanced turnover of dopamine. The effect of reduced haloperidol was almost as great as that of haloperidol. Reduced haloperidol, however, was much less efficient (about 400 times) than haloperidol in displacing [3H]spiperone binding to striatal membranes in vitro. In agreement with the above results, reduced haloperidol was found to be oxidized to haloperidol, so that 2 h after injection of reduced haloperidol the concentrations of haloperidol and reduced haloperidol were equal in the striatum. The apparent conversion of reduced haloperidol to haloperidol was much quicker in liver than in plasma or brain, and it is suggested that the conversion primarily occurs in the liver. Before drawing any definite conclusion about the possible central activity of reduced haloperidol, further studies with other animal species are needed.
Work in progress — Enhancing communications among courses linked with prerequisites

This paper addresses the communication barrier exists among courses linked with prerequisite by proposing an active feedback system so that the instructor teaching the prerequisite can proactively report the student performance at each detail subject level and make it available to instructors requiring the course as prerequisite. It serves three purposes: (1) the instructors receiving such information have a better understanding of the incoming student readiness for the class, and if necessary, can offer a review session before starting a new chapter; (2) the prerequisite instructor can assess and improve his or her teaching effectiveness at each subject level by re-assigning the appropriate amount of time in each chapter; (3) the academic advisor can also use this information to recommend additional study between semesters in certain subject areas to help student to achieve academic success, if they demonstrate some weakness in those areas.
A note on some equations of confirmatory factor analysis

The method of deriving the second derivatives of the goodness-of-fit functions of maximum likelihood and least-squares confirmatory factor analysis is discussed. The full set of second derivatives is reported.
Early detection of Alzheimer's disease: a new working memory paradigm.

Objectives Early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) offers the chance to decelerate the patients' cognitive decline and to prolong a self-determined, independent life. Neuropsychological testing is one key approach to establish an early diagnosis. Whereas more global cognitive abilities can be preserved until further progression of the disease, specific executive abilities such as dual-task or active inhibition processes decline very early. Our recently developed working memory paradigm, the Block Suppression Test (BST), requires an active inhibition of irrelevant stimuli and thus should differentiate between Alzheimer patients and controls in early disease stages more accurately than classical screening instruments. Methods In a pilot study we applied the BST, the MMSE, the clock drawing test, a digit-word transformation task as well as verbal and spatial memory span tasks to a group of 13 patients with Alzheimer's disease and 13 elderly controls and compared the instruments' capability to differentiate between patients and controls. Results The BST showed the highest sensitivity among all applied tests with a perfect differentiation of healthy subjects and patients. The patients' backward spans were significantly reduced, in the inhibition condition they showed disproportionally worse performances. Conclusions Our results reveal a specific inhibition deficit in mild AD rather than a global working memory breakdown. The BST thus was superior for early diagnosis. However, these findings must be replicated in a larger sample to prove the BST's applicability for the early diagnostic assessment of AD and other dementias. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of L-dopa upon in vitro dopamine release from the corpus striatum of young and old male rats.

Abstract In the present experiments, we examined the effects of superfusion of l -DOPA upon in vitro dopamine (DA) release from the corpus striatum (CS) in young (2–4 months) and old (24 months) male rats. In Experiment I, responses to two successive increasing doses of l -DOPA (1.0 and 10 μM) indicated a clear age difference with DA release from CS of young rats significantly greater than that of old rats in response to the 10 μM dose of l -DOPA. Interestingly, CS fragments of young and old male rats responded marginally to the 1.0 μM l -DOPA infusion, and no significant differences between these two age groups were obtained. Since we have previously observed that the addition of naloxone to the superfusion medium restored the potassium stimulated DA release of old rats to that of young rats, in Experiment II, responses of CS tissue fragments of young and old rats superfused in medium with or without naloxone (100 μM) were tested with a single 10 μM l -DOPA infusion. The results of Experiment II indicated that the addition of naloxone to the superfusion medium did not alter the responses of CS tissue to l -DOPA in either young or old rats; however, the overall response of the young rats remained significantly greater than that of the old rats. Taken together, these results demonstrate a significant age-related decrement in the capacity of 10 μM l -DOPA to stimulate DA release from CS fragments. The addition of naloxone to the superfusion medium did not change these responses, indicating that the effects of l -DOPA, as well as changes in these effects in the aged rat, do not involve naloxone-sensitive opioid interneurons within the CS.
Effects of resveratrol on the recovery of muscle mass following disuse in the plantaris muscle of aged rats.

Aging is associated with poor skeletal muscle regenerative ability following extended periods of hospitalization and other forms of muscular disuse. Resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural phytoalexin which has been shown in skeletal muscle to improve oxidative stress levels in muscles of aged rats. As muscle disuse and reloading after disuse increases oxidative stress, we hypothesized that resveratrol supplementation would improve muscle regeneration after disuse. A total of thirty-six male Fisher 344 × Brown Norway rats (32 mo.) were treated with either a water vehicle or resveratrol via oral gavage. The animals received hindlimb suspension for 14 days. Thereafter, they were either sacrificed or allowed an additional 14 day period of cage ambulation during reloading. A total of six rats from the vehicle and the resveratrol treated groups were used for the hindlimb suspension and recovery protocols. Furthermore, two groups of 6 vehicle treated animals maintained normal ambulation throughout the experiment, and were used as control animals for the hindlimb suspension and reloading groups. The data show that resveratrol supplementation was unable to attenuate the decreases in plantaris muscle wet weight during hindlimb suspension but it improved muscle mass during reloading after hindlimb suspension. Although resveratrol did not prevent fiber atrophy during the period of disuse, it increased the fiber cross sectional area of type IIA and IIB fibers in response to reloading after hindlimb suspension. There was a modest enhancement of myogenic precursor cell proliferation in resveratrol-treated muscles after reloading, but this failed to reach statistical significance. The resveratrol-associated improvement in type II fiber size and muscle mass recovery after disuse may have been due to decreases in the abundance of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved caspase 3 and cleaved caspase 9 in reloaded muscles. Resveratrol appears to have modest therapeutic benefits for improving muscle mass after disuse in aging.
Dielectric relaxation in strontium titanate solid solutions containing mixed cations

Abstract The temperature dependence of the dielectric constants of 9 SrTiO 3 · La 1 2 K 1 2 TiO 3 and 9 SrTiO 3 · La 1 2 Na 1 2 TiO 3 indicates that the dielectric relaxation observed may be related to local distortion of the lattice caused by monovalent ions.
Dexamethasone stimulates leptin release from human adipocytes: Unexpected inhibition by insulin

In the present study we have examined the effect of dexamethasone on ob gene mRNA expression and leptin release from isolated human subcutaneous adipocytes. Dexamethasone stimulated leptin release from cultured adipocytes in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A two-fold increase in leptin release was detectable by 36 h of treatment with 10(-7) M dexamethasone. Leptin release was preceded by a significant 83 +/- 30% increase in ob mRNA after 24 h exposure to the compound. Co-incubation of cells with dexamethasone (10(-7) M) and insulin (10(-7) or 10(-9) M) completely blocked the dexamethasone-stimulated increase in ob mRNA and leptin release. These data demonstrate that insulin and glucocorticoids regulate leptin synthesis and release from human adipocytes in vitro.
Video-Based Instruction: Issues of Effectiveness, Interaction, and Learner Control:

Decades of research has shown that television, as a medium for delivering instruction, is at least as effective as classroom lecture. Although many educators have expressed concern over the quality...
Sexual resurgence and possible induction of reproductive synchrony in a captive group of orangutans

In April 1985, a 22-year-old group-living female orangutan gave birth to her second infant, marking an interbirth interval of 12 years, 2 months. The timing and patterning of sexual activity displayed by the group of two females and one male over a 3-year period were analyzed to identify variables that might account for this female's sexual resurgence. Variables considered were (1) movement to a new habitat, (2) opening of a vaginal stricture, (3) addition of a second female to the group, (4) male sexual resurgence, and (5) copulatory synchrony. None of these variables alone could account for the resurgence of fertility, although several of them account for the increase in copulatory frequency. This suggests that a combination of factors may be operating, including the induction of fertility via the presence of another cycling female. This induction effect has been described for rhesus macaques, and since this orangutan group meets the conditions necessary for such an induction effect, it is offered as another possible variable influencing fertility. Indices of pregnancy determination, as they relate to gestation lengths and prematurity of infants, also are evaluated and compared.
Neutron damage in molybdenum irradiated at high temperatures

Abstract Transmission electron microscopy has been used to characterize the microstructure of polycrystalline molybdenum irradiated at elevated temperatures (> 0·3T m). Irradiation at 700°c produces dislocation loops within the grains and denuded zones along grain boundaries, while irradiation at 1000°c results in generally loop-free grains which occasionally contain bands of loops and dislocation debris parallel to grain boundaries. Diffraction contrast analyses show that most of the loops are interstitial edge type, having a/2〈111〉 Burgers vectors, but that a few a〈100〉 loops are also present. Irradiation at these temperatures also produces small voids which are interpreted as representing aggregates of radiation-induced vacancies.
Modeling selective attention: Not just another model of Stroop (NJAMOS)

The Stroop effect has been studied for more than sixty years, and yet it still defies a complete theoretical account. The model presented here offers a new approach that integrates several explanations of the Stroop phenomenon into a hybrid model. Because this model is built within the ACT-R cognitive architecture (Anderson & Lebiere, 1998), it applies a generic, pre-specified set of mechanisms for learning and performance to the particulars of the Stroop task. Besides fitting a variety of already published experimental results, the model offers the potential to capture strategic variation in what is typically considered a low-level attentional phenomenon.
Effect of Maxillary Sinus Augmentation on the Survival of Endosseous Dental Implants. A Systematic Review

Background:Grafting the floor of the maxillary sinus has become the most common surgical intervention for increasing alveolar bone height prior to the placement of endosseous dental implants in the posterior maxilla. Outcomes of this procedure may be affected by specific surgical techniques, simultaneous versus delayed implant placement, use of barrier membranes over the lateral window, selection of graft material, and the surface characteristics and the length and width of the implants. Rationale:The primary objective of this systematic review was to determine the efficacy of the sinus augmentation procedure and compare the results achieved with various surgical techniques, grafting materials, and implants. Focused Question: In patients requiring dental implant placement, what is the effect on implant survival of maxillary sinus augmentation versus implant placement in the non-grafted posterior maxilla? Search Protocol: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Oral Health Group Specialized Trials Register, and the Database...
The identification and the education of a pediatric neurosurgeon at an international level.

Although the field of application of pediatric neurosurgery is easily identified by the age criterion as well as the specific illnesses of children, the “pediatric neurosurgeon” is still fairly undefined. In fact, the evolution of the process by which the pediatric neurosurgeon is identified is quite different in the various countries, depending on the cultural environment, the socioeconomic level and the age distribution of the population. In North America, in recent years there has been activity aimed at obtaining full independence for pediatric neurosurgery. On the other hand, as a result of inertia, academic tradition and the health care system, Europe only appears to be willing to recognize this subspecialty culturally and to oppose its actual independence from general neurosurgery.
Performance tuning of imaging applications through pattern-based code transformation

The benefits of an object-oriented approach and pattern based design for complex software systems are well known. But most software engineers believe that these techniques have a run time performance cost that is too high for real-time imaging applications. Unfortunately, no usable data to support or disprove this contention exists. In this work we describe a set of experiments that challenge the conventional wisdom. We report on our results and we further introduce a strategy to thoroughly investigate the issues of run-time performance in any real-time imaging system.
Explosive cutting of thick-walled steel pipes in the reactor HDR

Abstract Cutting of a real pipe system by explosive technique has been tested and proven feasible inside the HDR reactor containment. Circumferential cuts were performed on a pipe loop with 400 mm diameter, 20 mm wall thickness. The cutting tool consists of an array of modular explosive charges which are wrapped around the pipe in a collar like mode. Mounting of the charge array is performed manually in a quick and easy way. In order to retain the fragments originating from the charge a fragment retaining structure was used in the experiments. This ring shape structure (fragment catcher) also substantially reduces the explosive blast load on the immediate vicinity. However, handling a fragment catcher of 700 kg weight requires a pulley or crane and, consequently, rather restricts the application of this technique. In addition to the control of the fragments and the blast wave in the area of cutting operation the transient load on the pipe system and on the reactor containment structure has to be kept below critical values. In principle, the load produced in pipe cutting by explosive methods must be subdivided into the local and the global loads acting on the HDR. The various contributions of the dynamic loading have been measured and analyzed carefully. Fourier analyses conducted on the basis of displacement measurements indicate the frequencies. The ground mode, of the long pipe branch are between 2.5 Hz and 3.5 Hz, and for the second ground mode, between 7.5 Hz and 8.5 Hz. Predictions of the axial momentum on the basis of short pipe segment cutting are a factor of 3 too high in the calculated deflection of the separated pipe ends, while the calculated pipe excitation frequencies (2.5 to 10 Hz) are in rather good agreement with the measurement. Plastification outside the cutting seam of the pipe can be excluded because of the rather small deflection. This conclusion is backed by the stresses calculated on the basis of the strains measured at critical points of the pipe system. The vibrations generated in the plant as a result of the impulsive loads besides the pipe system vibrations have very high frequencies, which will cause no damage to the HDR containment. The handling and economic feasibility of the method depend critically on two major aspects: • - Fast and safe installation of the explosive charge collar around pipes of different nominal widths, and subsequent fast and safe installation of the fragment retaining device (fragment catcher). • - Fragment retention of the confinement material must be ensured, if necessary, and must be economically meaningful.
Thermodynamic properties of thin films of superfluid 3 He − A

The pairing correlations in superfluid ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}$ are strongly modified by quasiparticle scattering off a surface or an interface. We present theoretical results and predictions for the order parameter, the quasiparticle excitation spectrum, and the free energy for thin films of superfluid ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}.$ Both specular and diffuse scatterings by a substrate are considered, while the free surface is assumed to be a perfectly reflecting specular boundary. The results are based on self-consistent calculations of the order parameter and quasiparticle excitation spectrum at zero pressure. We obtain results for the phase diagram, free energy, entropy, and specific heat of thin films of ${\mathrm{superfluid}}^{3}\mathrm{He}.$
RNA Polymerases in the Germinal Vesicle Contents of Ranapipiens Oocytes

AT least three forms of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase have been observed in eukaryotic organisms1–5. The multiple forms of the enzyme have been designated as types I, II and III, based on elution of RNA polymerase activity from ‘DEAE-Sephadex’1. It has been shown that type I is localized in the nucleolus and type II in the nucleoplasm of the cell2,6. The specific site of RNA polymerase III is not clear7,8, although some evidence indicates it may be of mitochondrial origin9. The role of multiple forms of RNA polymerase in developing systems is of particular interest and is under investigation in several laboratories10.
Assessment and treatment of equine humeral fractures: retrospective study of 54 cases (1972–1990)

Summary Fractures of the humerus were diagnosed in horses at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Twenty-four horses (44.4%) were destroyed after radiographic assessment (mean age of 5.0 years). Surgical treatment was elected in 13 horses (24.1%, mean age of 0.42 years). Conservative management, consisting of prolonged stall rest, was chosen for 17 horses (31.5%, mean age of 2.2 years). In the surgically treated group, 3 foals (23.1%) all less than 2 months of age at the time of fracture and treated with intramedullary stack pinning, survived and became athletically sound. After conservative treatment, 9 (52.9%) horses were considered successful, 4 becoming athletically sound and 5 becoming pasture sound. The mean age at the time of presentation in the 9 horses considered successful was 1.81 years. With current fixation techniques, conservative management of equine humeral fractures appears to be as good an option as surgical treatment.
No Benefit from Chronic Lithium Dosing in a Sibling-Matched, Gender Balanced, Investigator-Blinded Trial Using a Standard Mouse Model of Familial ALS

Background: In any animal model of human disease a positive control therapy that demonstrates efficacy in both the animal model and the human disease can validate the application of that animal model to the discovery of new therapeutics. Such a therapy has recently been reported by Fornai et al. using chronic lithium carbonate treatment and showing therapeutic efficacy in both the high-copy SOD1G93A mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and in human ALS patients. Methodology/Principal Findings: Seeking to verify this positive control therapy, we tested chronic lithium dosing in a sibling-matched, gender balanced, investigator-blinded trial using the high-copy (average 23 copies) SOD1G93A mouse (n=27–28/group). Lithium-treated mice received single daily 36.9 mg/kg i.p. injections from 50 days of age through death. This dose delivered 1 mEq/kg (6.94 mg/kg/day lithium ions). Neurological disease severity score and body weight were determined daily during the dosing period. Age at onset of definitive disease and survival duration were recorded. Summary measures from individual body weight changes and neurological score progression, age at disease onset, and age at death were compared using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analysis. Our study did not show lithium efficacy by any measure. Conclusions/Significance: Rigorous survival study design that includes sibling matching, gender balancing, investigator blinding, and transgene copy number verification for each experimental subject minimized the likelihood of attaining a false positive therapeutic effect in this standard animal model of familial ALS. Results from this study do not support taking lithium carbonate into human clinical trials for ALS.
The seismic mid-lithosphere discontinuity

Abstract Seismic S-wave receiver functions (SRF) are a uniquely powerful tool for imaging velocity discontinuities within the upper mantle. SRF data frequently contain negative phases at depths between ∼80 and 100 km within the continental lithosphere, indicative of large and sharp velocity drops at these depths. In young, actively tectonic areas with thin lithosphere, this feature is generally interpreted as the lithosphere–asthenosphere boundary. However, in tectonically stable areas it occurs within the continental lithospheric mantle and has been termed the mid-lithosphere discontinuity (MLD). A significant velocity drop at such depths is unexpected and its cause is unknown. In this manuscript, we summarise the current observations and assess the main mechanisms that could produce such a feature. We find that changes in mantle iron content (Mg#) and elastically-accommodated grain-boundary sliding are unlikely to result in sufficiently large velocity decreases to produce an observable SRF response, while partial melt will generally only exist at greater depths within stable lithosphere. Radial and azimuthal seismic anisotropy are both capable of producing negative SRF phases. However, azimuthal anisotropy will not produce consistently negative phases independent of back-azimuth. Some geometries of radial anisotropy can produce consistent negative phases but such geometries are not observed universally and are hard to explain tectonically. Low-velocity minerals can cause sharp and large decreases in seismic velocity. Amphibole-rich layers are likely to form at MLD depths in metasomatised regions, making amphibole a possible cause for the MLD. However, some xenolith sections contain no amphibole, suggesting this may not be a universal explanation. A careful assessment of SRFs shows that the continental lithospheric mantle generally contains numerous positive and negative velocity discontinuities and is spatially heterogeneous. Long-period band-pass filtering can combine smaller features and may lead to the appearance of a larger and more coherent velocity decrease at the MLD than actually exists. We propose that many of the assessed mechanisms may be acting at different depths in different locations to produce numerous velocity discontinuities. The large MLD phase is likely to be commonly associated with amphibole but on current evidence there is no universal cause for the MLD.
Multi-agent deployment to a family of planar Arcs

We introduce an approach for stable deployment of agents into planar arc formations, including full circles and spirals. These deployments correspond to the equilibrium profiles of a nonlinear PDE model. The model incorporates the follower agents' control laws, which employ a spatial internal model principle, enabling them to achieve a family of arc deployments while utilizing only local information. Anchor agents are used to manipulate the geometry of the group, but are not required for stability. We obtain control laws for the discrete agents by spatially discretizing the PDE model with respect to the continuous agent index.
Grid decoupling in finite element solutions for Maxwell's equations

Certain finite-element discretization methods used in time-domain electromagnetic modeling reduce to a type of finite-difference method when applied on a regular mesh. The form of this underlying finite-difference method is unusual; it consists of two decoupled grids, rotated 45 degrees from the original finite element mesh. >
Ultrafast electron diffraction of transient cyclopentadienyl radical: A dynamic pseudorotary structure

Ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) is applied here in the study of the reaction of cylcopentadienyl cobalt dicarbonyl (CpCo(CO)_2) which proceeds to give product structures. These structures were probed by picosecond electron pulses. The major product of the fragmentation was found to be the cyclopentadienyl radical. The dynamic nature of the radical was best represented by a pentagonal molecular structure having D_(5h) symmetry with elevated mean amplitudes of vibration. Comparisons between theory and experiment are presented. The structure is that of the transition state between the compressed (dienylic) and the elongated (allylic) conformations but with longer bond distances, reflecting the dynamics of the pseudorotary surface.
Errors in confocal fluorescence ratiometric imaging microscopy due to chromatic aberration

Confocal fluorescence ratiometric imaging is an optical technique used to measure a variety of important biological parameters. A small amount of chromatic aberration in the microscope system can introduce a variation in the signal ratio dependent on the fluorophore concentration gradient along the optical axis and lead to bias in the measurement. We present a theoretical model of this effect. Experimental results and simulations clearly demonstrate that this error can be significant and should not be ignored.
Histamine and Skin Barrier: Are Histamine Antagonists Useful for the Prevention or Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis?

Atopic Dermatitis (AD), the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, is characterized by an overactive immune response to a host of environmental allergens and dry, itchy skin. Over the past decade important discoveries have demonstrated that AD develops in part from genetic and/or acquired defects in the skin barrier. Histamine is an aminergic neurotransmitter involved in physiologic and pathologic processes such as pruritus, inflammation, and vascular leak. Enhanced histamine release has been observed in the skin of patients with AD and antihistamines are often prescribed for their sedating and anti-itch properties. Recent evidence suggests that histamine also inhibits the terminal differentiation of keratinocytes and impairs the skin barrier, raising the question whether histamine might play a role in AD barrier impairment. This, coupled with the notion that histamine’s effects mediated through the recently identified histamine receptor H4R, may be important in allergic inflammation, has renewed interest in this mediator in allergic diseases. In this paper we summarize the current knowledge on histamine and histamine receptor antagonists in AD and skin barrier function.
Statistics and dynamics of procaryotic cell populations

Cell population mathematical theory, predicting statistical and dynamic behavior of cells from analysis of cellular and subcellular structure and function
Asymptotic capacity of beamforming with limited feedback

We study the capacity of a single-user channel with multiple antennas and limited feedback. The receiver has perfect channel knowledge, and can relay B bits, which specify a beamforming vector, to the transmitter. We show that a random vector quantization scheme is asymptotically optimal, and give a simple expression for the associated capacity.
Does Multiplicity Matter more than Ownership in the Efficiency of Infrastructure Services

The services from infrastructure systems have, for historical reasons or as a result of specific local contingencies, been totally state-owned in certain countries, entirely privatized in others, and sometimes provided through a mixture of public, private, and self-help arrangements. Many governments are re-evaluating the manner in which services have been provided in the past, and are searching for ways of increasing the efficiency of service delivery. One of the options considered is privatization, whereby a transfer of ownership of infrastructure assets from the public to the private sector is undertaken as a measure to increase efficiency. Another option is introducing multiplicity in the production of infrastructure services by: introducing competition in and for service production; and devolving responsibilities to regional, state, or local authorities.
Multiple drugs and multiple targets: An analysis of the electrostatic determinants of binding between non‐nucleoside HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase inhibitors and variants of HIV‐1 RT

We present a systematic, computational analysis of the electrostatic component of binding of three HIV-1 RT inhibitors—nevirapine (NVP), efavirenz (EFV), and the recently approved rilpivirine (RPV)—to wild-type (WT) and mutant variants of RT. Electrostatic charge optimization was applied to determine how suited each molecule's charge distribution is for binding WT and individual mutants of HIV-1 RT. Although the charge distributions of NVP and EFV are rather far from being optimal for tight binding, RPVs charge distribution is close to the theoretical, optimal charge distribution for binding WT HIV-1 RT, although slight changes in charge can dramatically impact binding energetics. Moreover, toward the L100I/K103N double mutant, RPVs charge distribution is quite far from optimal. We also determine the contributions of chemical moieties on each molecule toward the electrostatic component of binding and show that different regions of a drug molecule may be used for recognition by different RT variants. The electrostatic contributions of certain RT residues toward drug binding are also computed to highlight critical residues for each interaction. Finally, the charge distribution of RPV is optimized to promiscuously bind to three RT variants rather than to each one in turn, with the resulting charge distribution being a compromise between the optimal charge distributions to each individual variant. Taken together, this work demonstrates that even in a binding site considered quite hydrophobic, electrostatics play a subtle yet varying role that must be considered in designing next-generation molecules that recognize rapidly mutating targets. Proteins 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New approaches to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric cancers

About 30 years have passed since the first children underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Since then, there have been major improvements to identifying and expanding pools of donors, mobilizing and harvesting hematopoietic stem cells, conditioning therapies, transfusion medicine, antimicrobials, immunosuppression, and supportive care. These advances have broadened the application of HSCT to treat malignant and nonmalignant pediatric disorders. Currently, most children and young adults with cancer who undergo allogeneic HSCT are identified as having a malignancy that would be lethal if not for the biologic therapy that HSCT imparts, and remarkably, many of these patients can be cured. However, this cure still comes with costs, including infections, graft-versus-host disease, loss of potential, and psychosocial and financial stresses. New approaches are increasingly available that focus on immune modulation to reduce the burdens of HSCT while improving its therapeutic benefit.
Face recognition using OPRA-faces

This paper presents a method named "orthogonal projection reduction by affinity", or OPRA-faces, for face recognition. As its name indicates, the method consists of an (explicit) orthogonal mapping from the data space to the reduced space. In addition, the method attempts to preserve the local geometry, i.e., the affinity of the points in a geometric representation of the data. The method starts by computing an affinity mapping W, of the data, which optimally expresses each point as a convex combination of a few nearest neighbors. This mapping can be viewed as an optimal representation of the intrinsic neighborhood geometries and is computed in a manner that is identical with the method of locally linear embedding (LLE). Next, and in contrast with LLE, the proposed scheme computes an explicit linear mapping between the high dimensional samples and their corresponding images in the reduced space, which is designed to preserve this affinity representation W. OPRA-faces shares some properties with Laplacianfaces, a recently proposed technique for face recognition, which computes the linear approximation of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on the image manifold. Laplacianfaces aims at preserving locality but does not explicitly consider the intrinsic geometries of the neighborhoods as does OPRA. As a result of the preservation of the affinity mapping W, OPRA will tend to produce a linear subspace which captures the essential geometric characteristics of the dataset. This feature, which appears to be crucial in representing images, makes the method very effective as a tool for face recognition. OPRA is tested on standard face databases and its effectiveness is compared with that of Laplacianfaces, eigenfaces and Fisherfaces. The experimental results indicate that the proposed technique produces results that are sharply superior to the other methods, at a comparable or lower cost.
An electrorheological fluid and siloxane gel based electromechanical actuator: Working toward an artificial muscle

provided by the General Electric Silicones Division,Waterford, NY, was used. The PDMS gel was preparedStriated skeletal muscle responds to a nerve impulse by mixing equal parts of A and B and allowing thein less than 100 ms. In the past, polymeric gels (1) and mixture to cure. A swollen gel was made by mixingconducting polymers (2) have been investigated for use silicone ﬂuid with the RTV 6136 before it had cured.as artiﬁcial muscle. However, the main problem with The gels had a cure time of about 1 h.these materials is their relatively slow response (œ3 The ERF used was a commercial sample, Rheobays).
V-Flexing the Hexahexaflexagon

(1979). V-Flexing the Hexahexaflexagon. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 86, No. 6, pp. 457-466.
Mathematical modeling of wastewater-derived biodegradable dissolved organic nitrogen

ABSTRACTWastewater-derived dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) typically constitutes the majority of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) discharged to surface waters from advanced wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). When considering the stringent regulations on nitrogen discharge limits in sensitive receiving waters, DON becomes problematic and needs to be reduced. Biodegradable DON (BDON) is a portion of DON that is biologically degradable by bacteria when the optimum environmental conditions are met. BDON in a two-stage trickling filter WWTP was estimated using artificial intelligence techniques, such as adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems, multilayer perceptron, radial basis neural networks (RBNN), and generalized regression neural networks. Nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, TDN, and DON data were used as input neurons. Wastewater samples were collected from four different locations in the plant. Model performances were evaluated using root mean square error, mean absolute error, mean bias error, and coefficient...