cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Statistical Model to Detect Voids for Curled or Warped Concrete Pavements

A statistical classifier was developed to interpret falling weight deflectometer data for the detection of voids under jointed concrete pavement slabs. The classifier was trained with the Seasonal Monitoring Program sections in the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database and data from the Minnesota Road Research Facility. A two-level cross-validation process was used to assess the performance of existing void detection methods, according to a threshold of a single variable, and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) classifier, which is based on several variables. Simple void detection methods based on the normalized 9,000-lb deflection were found to perform better than void detection methods based on variable deflection analysis. The LASSO classifier outperformed any of the existing void detection techniques. The LASSO classifier was validated through two field trials in Pennsylvania and an LTPP general pavement section in which significant faulting had developed.
Abstract 217: The P2Y12 Antagonists, 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX, Inhibit Platelet Activation Through the P2Y12/Gi-Dependent Mechanism

Objective— ADP is an important physiological agonist that induces integrin activation and platelet aggregation through it receptors the P2Y 1 (G q -coupled) and P2Y 12 (G i -coupled). P2Y 12 plays a critical role for platelet activation and thrombosis. Adenosine-based P2Y 12 antagonists, 2-methylthioadenosine 5 ’ -monophosphate triethylammonium salt (2MeSAMP) and AR-C69931MX are widely used to demonstrate the role of P2Y 12 . AR-C69931MX (Cangrelor) is also under clinical trials for thrombotic diseases. However, a recent study reported that both 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX raise intra-platelet cAMP levels and inhibit aggregation through a P2Y 12 -independent mechanism. The present work, by using P2Y 12 deficient mice, sought to clarify previous conflicting reports and to elucidate the mechanisms by which 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX inhibit platelet activation and thrombosis. Methods and Results— We show that 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX inhibited aggregation and ATP release in platelets from wild type but not in P2Y 12 deficient mice. 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX neither raised intracellular cAMP levels nor induced VASP phosphorylation in both mouse and human platelets. Furthermore, unlike the activators (PGI 2 and forskolin) of the cAMP pathway, 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX failed to inhibit platelet aggregation, calcium mobilization, Akt phosphorylation, and Rap1b activation in P2Y 12 deficient platelets. In addition, while injection of AR-C69931MX inhibited thrombus formation in a FeCl 3 -induced thrombosis model in wild type mice, it failed to affect thrombus formation in P2Y 12 deficient mice. Conclusion— These data together demonstrate that 2MeSAMP and AR-C69931MX inhibit platelet function through the P2Y 12 -dependent mechanism both in vitro and in vivo .
Effects of decentralized forest management (DFM) on deforestation and poverty in low‐ and middle‐income countries: a systematic review

The authors conducted a systematic review of studies on the impact of decentralized forest management (DFM) on deforestation and poverty in developing countries. The review is motivated by debates over whether the pursuits of conservation and poverty reduction in developing countries tend to conflict or whether they might be complementary. A search for rigorous evaluation studies identified eleven quantitative and nine associated qualitative evaluation studies on DFM. The methodological rigor of these studies varied widely, meaning that the evidence base for the impact of DFM policies is limited in both quantity and quality. Given the evidence available, the authors found little reason for optimism about the potential for current DFM approaches to achieve both conservation and poverty reduction benefits jointly. They call for the production of much better impact studies, employing randomized field experiments when possible, to assess whether the apparent incompatibility of conservation and poverty reduction might be overcome through programming innovations.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the Iran–Iraq war: an unconventional military’s survival

AbstractAs Iraqi forces invaded the Iranian border shortly after the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) participated in the battle along with the debilitated Iranian A...
Congruent distribution of Neolithic painted pottery and ceramic figurines with Y-chromosome lineages

The authors propose a correlation between certain elements of Neolithic material culture - painted pottery and anthropomorphic figurines - and Y-chromosome haplotypes, suggesting a shared history of dispersal of human populations and cultural ideas.
Composite materials for optical applications

Light is electromagnetic radiation in the visible region, which includes light of colors violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red, in order of increasing wavelength from 0.4 to 0.7 pm. The visible region only constitutes a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes γ-rays, X-rays, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, microwave and radio (TV) radiation, in order of increasing wavelength from 10−14 to 104 m, as shown in Figure 8.1.
Gustave Doré’s Histoire de la Sainte Russie (1854): The Invention of Graphic Rhetoric, or the Artist at War

The Histoire pittoresque, dramatique et caricaturale de la Sainte Russie (1854) by Gustave Dore (1832–83) is unique in the history of nineteenth-century European graphic art and an exceptional proj...
Quantitative Studies of Microcirculatory Structure and Function: I.Analysis of Pressure Distribution in the Terminal Vascular Bed in Cat Mesentery

A modified version of the Wiederhielm electronic servo system for micropressure recordings was used to establish the details of the pressure drop across successive segments of the microcirculation from arterioles (150µ) to venules (200µ) in the mesentery of the cat; most of the readings were made in vessels less than 25jz in diameter. Micropressures correlated with central pressure only in arterial vessels larger than 50µ. Frequencydistribution plots of micropressures showed a wider spread in the vessels that were 50-1Oµ in diameter than they did in capillary vessels that were less than 20µ in diameter.Therefore, it appears that classification of vessels on the basis of diameter, which is at present the only practical way of comparing pressure measurements in presumably identical segments of a continuously branching system, is not adequate and makes statistical analysis difficult. In the present study, micropressures remained pulsatile throughout the bed, although the pulse pressure could be narrowed to 2-4 mm Hg in the capillaries. Simultaneous measurement of pressure in two vessels showed that the greatest pressure drop occurred in the region where arterioles (40-50)u) distributed numerous precapillary branches (10-15/x); in this region arteriolar pressures were reduced from a level of 45-65 mm Hg to about 30-35 mm Hg. These data suggest that application of the resistance term for Poiseuille flow in the microcirculation should take into account the relative sizes of the parent vessel and the branch, the entry dimensions into the branch and the length of the neck or junctional segment. Evidence found in this investigation indicated that precapillary branching configurations were self-regulatory. A small number of low-resistance, shunt pathways between arterioles and venules were regularly present, as shown by the extremely small pressure drop in 15-18% of the vessels. The data indicate that much more caution is needed in interpretation of pressure-related phenomena in the microcirculation because of their strong dependence on the anatomical and physical features characteristic of individual tissues.
Optimizing Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation - Much More than Cough Peak Flow.

Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) was introduced in the early 1950s by Barach, Beck, Bickerman, and colleagues[1][1]–[7][2] as a method for improving cough in patients with neuromuscular weakness, respiratory disease, and retained pulmonary secretions. Their work reported enhanced
Personal Goodwill and the Courts: An Analysis

As valuators and analysts have undertaken to ascertain the value of personal goodwill, their myriad approaches have led that valuing to on a life of its own. Add to the mix the numerous federal and state courts that handle business dissolutions, bankruptcy, taxation issues, and it is no wonder that there is a lack of consistency among the approaches used to value personal goodwill. Unfortunately, the need to determine the value of personal goodwill has become more imperative than ever before, because of both the record numbers of small businesses that seek to go public. This article presents an analytical review of court decisions in six states and the federal courts to illustrate the techniques used in ascertaining personal goodwill.
28 A comparison among equine boots and legwraps on leg surface temperature during and after exercise

Boots and legwraps are commonly used to protect the lower limbs of the horse from trauma during exercise. However, previous research suggests such use can result in increased limb temperature that may be detrimental to underlying tendons. This study was designed to explore limb surface temperature during and after exercise when common leg protection was applied, hypothesizing that boots and wraps would increase temperature over the bare limb during exercise, yet show differences in the time required to return to baseline temperature. Six clinically-sound, mature horses (age 15 ± 2 yr; mean ± SEM) were used to test 6 boots or wraps: a neoprene boot, a perforated neoprene boot, an alternative neoprene boot, a cross country boot, a combination fleece and elastic wrap, and a polo wrap. The booted forelimb was selected randomly and the other forelimb served as a bare limb control in each test of a 6 × 6 Latin square design. An iButton hygrochron data logger was placed immediately palmar to the midpoint of the lateral splint bone on both the booted and bare limbs. The data logger recorded temperature and humidity every min during a 20-min standard exercise test and 180-min standing recovery during moderate ambient conditions (22.8 ± 0.9°C; humidity: 53.3 ± 4.8%). Data were analyzed using a mixed model design with repeated measures; significance was set at P
Detection of Cytosine Methylation in Ancient DNA from Five Native American Populations Using Bisulfite Sequencing

While cytosine methylation has been widely studied in extant populations, relatively few studies have analyzed methylation in ancient DNA. Most existing studies of epigenetic marks in ancient DNA have inferred patterns of methylation in highly degraded samples using post-mortem damage to cytosines as a proxy for cytosine methylation levels. However, this approach limits the inference of methylation compared with direct bisulfite sequencing, the current gold standard for analyzing cytosine methylation at single nucleotide resolution. In this study, we used direct bisulfite sequencing to assess cytosine methylation in ancient DNA from the skeletal remains of 30 Native Americans ranging in age from approximately 230 to 4500 years before present. Unmethylated cytosines were converted to uracils by treatment with sodium bisulfite, bisulfite products of a CpG-rich retrotransposon were pyrosequenced, and C-to-T ratios were quantified for a single CpG position. We found that cytosine methylation is readily recoverable from most samples, given adequate preservation of endogenous nuclear DNA. In addition, our results indicate that the precision of cytosine methylation estimates is inversely correlated with aDNA preservation, such that samples of low DNA concentration show higher variability in measures of percent methylation than samples of high DNA concentration. In particular, samples in this study with a DNA concentration above 0.015 ng/μL generated the most consistent measures of cytosine methylation. This study presents evidence of cytosine methylation in a large collection of ancient human remains, and indicates that it is possible to analyze epigenetic patterns in ancient populations using direct bisulfite sequencing approaches.
QTL mapping and gene discovery in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

Winter hardiness is a complex quantitative trait that limits geographic distribution of ryegrass. Improving winter hardiness is an important breeding goal in ryegrass breeding programs. An understanding of the genetic basis for the component traits of winter hardiness would allow more efficient selection. A three-generation interspecific population of an annual x perennial ryegrass consisting of 152 progenies was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) that control winter hardiness related traits including fall growth (FG), freezing tolerance (FT), and winter survival (WS) over two years. A total of twenty-six QTLs were identified for the three traits from both the female parental (MFA) and the male parental maps (MFB), of which seven were for FG, six for FT, and thirteen for WS. The proportion of phenotypic variation
Application to Mechanical Behavior of Metals

In Part I of this work, a theory of viscoplasticity (of which the theory of plasticity was a part) was developed on the basis of the concept that the current state of stress is a functional of the entire history of deformation and temperature, but the history was defined with respect to a time scale which is in itself a property of the material at hand.
Determinants of anemia among school-aged children in Colombia and the United States (LB456)

Anemia globally affects a quarter of all school-aged children (SAC) and is frequently ascribed to iron deficiency (ID). Other nutritional, demographic and socio-economic factors are often unmeasured. We obtained data from two national cross-sectional surveys – 2010 Encuesta Nacional de Nutricion Situacion Colombia and the 2003 to 2006 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We analyzed data for 10570 Colombian and 3605 US children aged 5 to 15 years. Associations were studied using survey regression methods with adjustment for inflammation, potential confounders and complex survey design effects. Colombian data showed 51% males, 85% non-minority status, 13% stunted, 4% wasted, 4% overweight, 0.5% obese. Prevalence of anemia was 1.6%; ID was 9.2%. US data showed 52% males, 59% non-Hispanic White, 2% stunted, 2% wasted, 19% overweight, 5% obese. Prevalence of anemia was 0.8%; ID 12%. In Colombia, anemia was associated with serum ferritin levels (OR 0.98, 95%CI=0.96–1.00, p=0.056) and socio-demo...
Nanocalorimetry measurements of materials having small dimensions

Summary form only given. The trend in microelectronic technology is toward nanometer size scales. Thermodynamic properties of material having small nanometer dimensions can be considerably different as compared to material in bulk form (e.g., the reduction of melting point). This occurs because of the tremendous influence of the surface energy. Calorimetry is the standard experimental technique used to measure thermodynamics properties such as the melting point and the heat of fusion. However, conventional differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) techniques are extremely difficult to apply to the study of small structures because the total amount of heat generated during the transformation is too small as compared with the background beat capacity of the calorimeter. In this talk I=9211 discuss a new nanocalorimetry technique which we have developed for the measurement of nanoscale systems. This nanocalorimeter is fabricated using standard MEMS thin film techniques and it has the capability of measuring the dynamics of the energy exchange at the level of 0.2 nanojoule. This technique is so sensitive that it can easily measure the melting process of 1 Angstrom of Sn which has been deposited on a Si-N surface. Results of specific materials studies will be discussed including the size-dependent melting point depression of small particles of Sn and Al and preliminary work on the coalescence of small clusters.
An Empirical Study of Advertised Reference Price on Consumers' Behaviors

This study is directed to the business community regarding the planning of advertisements and more specifically implementing their reference prices. The aim is to investigate the effects of the presentation of reference prices of the consumers' behaviors. It is an empirical study in which the researcher has used literature reviews and survey to investigate the issue. A survey is delivered to 116 randomly selected respondents, where 86 people have replied. The researcher has investigated different areas related to reference prices such as the importance of advertised reference prices for firms, the effects of advertised reference prices to consumers purchase behaviors; the effects on the consumers purchase decisions; the products characteristics that influence consumers purchase behaviors, and finally the impact of the firms' variables to the consumers' behaviors. Reference prices may be defined as the cost that customers consider reasonable to pay or expect paying for a typical product. The market department of the organizational consistently engages in assessing the product's reference prices in order to set the level of prices affordable to customers or target markets. Today's customers are more knowledgeable than the customers in the past. This research will help in providing positive and easily acceptable tool to launch a new product in the market. Furthermore, it might be of great benefit to the business communities in the industries.
Human induced instability in powered hand controllers

The dynamic behavior of a hand controller when it is maneuvered by a human is described. A general control architecture is developed which guarantees various impedances on the hand controller. It is shown that some compliancy either in the hand controller or in the human arm is necessary to achieve stability of the hand controller and the human arm taken as a whole. The actuators' backdrivability and the dynamics of the hand controller mechanisms are discussed as they relate to system stability. A set of experiments performed on a prototype hand controller is presented to show the system performance. >
Propionibacterium acnes infection in shoulder arthroscopy patients with postoperative pain.

Background Recent studies have identified Propionibacterium acnes as the causal organism in an increasing number of postoperative shoulder infections. Most reports have found a high rate of P acnes infection after open surgery, particularly shoulder arthroplasty. However, there are limited data regarding P acnes infections after shoulder arthroscopy. Materials and methods We prospectively collected data on all shoulder arthroscopies performed by the senior author from January 1, 2009, until April 1, 2013. Cultures were taken in all revision shoulder arthroscopy cases performed for pain, stiffness, or weakness. In addition, 2 cultures were taken from each of a cohort of 32 primary shoulder arthroscopy cases without concern for infection to determine the false-positive rate. Results A total of 1,591 shoulder arthroscopies were performed during this period, 68 (4.3%) of which were revision procedures performed for pain, stiffness, or weakness. A total of 20 revision arthroscopies (29.4%) had positive culture findings, and 16 (23.5%) were positive for P acnes . In the control group, 1 patient (3.2%) had P acnes growth. Conclusions The rate of P acnes infection in patients undergoing revision shoulder arthroscopy is higher than previously published and should be considered in cases characterized by refractory postoperative pain and stiffness.
What's causing toxicity in sediments? Results of 20 years of toxicity identification and evaluations

Sediment toxicity identification and evaluation (TIE) methods have been used for 20 yr to identify the causes of toxicity in sediments around the world. In the present study, the authors summarize and categorize results of 36 peer-reviewed TIE studies (67 sediments) into nonionic organic, cationic, ammonia, and "other" toxicant groups. Results are then further categorized according to whether the study was performed in freshwater or marine sediments and whether the study was performed using whole-sediment or interstitial-water TIE methods. When all studies were grouped, nonionic organic toxicants, either singly or in combination with other toxicants, were implicated in 70% of all studies. When studies were divided into interstitial-water TIE methodology compared with whole-sediment TIE methodology, results indicated that studies performed using interstitial-water TIE methods reported nonionic organic toxicity slightly more often than toxicity from cationic metals (67% compared with 49%). In contrast, studies using whole-sediment TIE methods report nonionic organic chemical toxicity, either singly or in combination with another toxicant, in 90% of all sediments tested. Cationic metals play a much smaller role in whole-sediment TIE studies-fewer than 20% of all sediments had a metals signal. The discrepancy between the 2 methods can be attributed to exposure differences. Contrary to earlier findings, ammonia generally plays only a minor role in sediment toxicity.
Coupled spatiotemporal variability of temperature and spring phenology in the Eastern United States

While warmer spring temperatures frequently led to earlier vegetation phenology during the past decade in the eastern United States, detailed geographic patterns of this coupled relationship have not been investigated previously. Additionally, a record early greenup onset that occurred in the U.S. Northeast in 2010 and over a majority of the eastern United States in 2012 offered unique opportunities to assess spatiotemporal variations of phenology–climate interactions in the context of climate change. In this study, we examined interannual variations of land surface phenology (LSP) of the forested eastern U.S., coupled with both spring and winter temperature changes from 2000 to 2012, highlighting the different geographic patterns of phenological responses in 2010 and 2012. We employed S-mode canonical correlation analysis and extended principal component analysis to detect the coupled spatiotemporal variations of LSP and cumulative temperature variables. For the U.S. Northeast, these methods allowed us to identify potentially offsetting interactions in which reduced chilling during a warm 2011–2012 winter delayed dormancy break and lessened the advance in greenup onset during the very warm spring in 2012. In the Upper Midwest, however, winter chilling seemed sufficient and greenup closely tracked springtime warming. These geographic details of phenology–climate interactions unveiled how vegetation phenology is closely coupled with both spring and winter temperatures in time and space. This study further implied that both different temperature regimes and geographically varied climatic dependencies of vegetation could be responsible for spatially diverse phenological responses to climate change.
Improving the Quality of Long-term Care

Quality of long-term care can be improved by changing the strategies used to monitor it. Nursing home care has been the subject of intensive regulations, while it has been neglected by physicians. Newer forms of long-term care are coming under stricter oversight, which may stifle the innovations they offer. Greater but different attention is needed: more creativity can be fostered with better accountability by emphasizing long-term care outcomes. It is unrealistic to require that long-term care patients will improve; good outcomes are defined as doing as well as or better than expected. The Minimum Data Set for nursing homes offers a mechanism to generate data on many pertinent outcomes. An outcomes focus would encourage more collective action by the various parties involved in providing long-term care, including physicians. Clinicians are reluctant to assume responsibility for outcomes they feel unable to strongly influence, but they must recognize that part of their role is to engender cooperation from the myriad participants in long-term care, including patients and their families. Better-quality long-term care may cost more, but it may be possible to use less expensive personnel more creatively if current regulations are modified. Managed care arrangements offer one vehicle for reorganizing care and could provide the appropriate incentives to make positive changes. However, they could also lead to minimalist strategies. Accountability for realistic outcomes can provide the needed countervailing regulatory pressure. ( JAMA . 1995;273:1376-1380)
Origins of American Health Insurance: A History of Industrial Sickness Funds – By John E. Murray

In this book, economist John E. Murray challenges historians who contend that Progressive activists' attempts to enact compulsory state insurance plans failed because of strong opposition from unio...
Construction of yeast xylulokinase mutant by recombinant dna techniques

ASaccharomyces cerevisiae xylulokinase mutant was constructed by using the cloned yeast xylulokinase gene, XYK-Sc, and the gene disruption technique. TheS. cerevisiae LEU2 gene was used to disrupt the XYK-Sc gene cloned on pLSK4 by insertion into the unique HindIII site of the gene. The disrupted gene was liberated from the remainder of the plasmid with Xhol digestion, yielding a 4.4 kb DNA fragment. Transformation of aS. cerevisiae leu2 mutant with this fragment and selection for Leu+ complementation resulted in the isolation of transformants that were unable to grow in pure xylulose medium. The ability to grow in xylulose medium and increased xylulokinase activity were obtained by transforming the mutant with a plasmid-borne wild-type XYK-Sc gene. Insertional inactivation of the chromosomal XYK-Sc gene was also demonstrated by xululokinase assays.
Modeling Opinion Dynamics in a Social Network

Opinion dynamics is a complex procedure that entails a cognitive process when dealing with how a person integrates influential opinions to form a revised opinion. In this work, we present a new approach to model opinion dynamics by treating the opinion on an issue as a product inferred from one's knowledge bases, where the knowledge bases keep growing and updating through social interaction. A general impact metric is proposed to evaluate the likelihood of a person adopting the opinions from others. Specifically, a set of domain-independent influential factors is selected based on social and communication theories, but the weights of these factors are missing. Though the opinions from different actors are not integrated linearly like traditional methods, we show that the factor weights can be efficiently learned via regression. We validated the effectiveness of our model by comparing against a baseline model on both synthetic and real datasets. The contribution of this paper lies with 1) a novel opinion dynamics model that emphasize the dependencies between knowledge pieces, 2) proof that the classical DeGroot model is a special case of our model under certain conditions, and, 3) to the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to try and uncover the mechanism that guides the selection of opinions in the real world by modeling opinion change.
Organography of Gambusia patruelis (baird and girard)

The left side of the coelom of the fish is occupied by the large liver and the right side by the remaining digestive organs. The alimentary tract makes one complete coil upon itself in the coelom and terminates in an anus behind the ventral fin. The spleen is in a position dorsolateral to the liver, and its typical histological structure is modified by the presence of pancreatic tissue. The pancreas is scattered through the mesenteries of the organs in this region. The swim bladder is dorsal to the visceral organs and outside of the abdominal peritoneum. It is extensively bifurcated in the male, but only slightly bifurcated in the female. The two kidneys lie posterior to the gills and ventral to the spinal column. Two wolffian ducts arise from their posterior ends and extend posteriorly, uniting near the end of the coelom to form one duct which extends to the urinary bladder which opens into the urogenital sinus. The gonads are posterior to the anterior portion of the digestive tract. Posteriorly, the gonads open into the urogenital sinus which opens anterior to the anal fin. The anatomy of the circulatory system is unusual in that the dorsal aorta is situated on the left side of the spinal column. The right posterior cardinal vein remains as the continuation of the caudal vein.
Field Survey and Numerical Simulations: A Review of the 1998 Papua New Guinea Tsunami

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) tsunami of 1998 is re-examined through a detailed review of the field survey as well as numerous numerical computations. The discussion of the field survey explores a number of possible misinterpretations of the recorded data. The survey data are then employed by a numerical model as a validation tool. A Boussinesq model and a nonlinear shallow water wave (NLSW) model are compared in order to quantify the effect of frequency dispersion on the landslide-generated tsunami. The numerical comparisons indicate that the NLSW model is a poor estimator of offshore wave heights. However, due to what appears to be depth-limited breaking seaward of Sissano spit, both numerical models are in agreement in the prediction of maximum water elevations at the overtopped spit. By comparing three different hot-start initial profiles of the tsunami wave, it is shown that the initial shape and orientation of the tsunami wave is secondary to the initial displaced water mass in regard to prediction of water elevations on the spit. These numerical results indicate that agreement between numerical prediction of runup values with field recorded values at PNG cannot be used to validate either a NLSW tsunami propagation model or a specific landslide tsunami hot-start initial condition. Finally, with the use of traditional tsunami codes, a new interpretation of the PNG runup measurements is presented.
Inadvertent retrobulbar administration of hypertonic saline prior to cataract extraction

A 36-year-old woman with retinitis pigmentosa was scheduled for removal of posterior subcapsular cataracts and experienced inadvertent retrobulbar administration of hypertonic saline. The patient developed retrobulbar pain and ophthalmoplegia that slowly improved over time. Hypertonic saline may cause ophthalmoplegia and pain if inadvertently given as a retrobulbar injection.
Diacylglycerol Kinase ζ in Hypothalamus Interacts with Long Form Leptin Receptor: RELATION TO DIETARY FAT AND BODY WEIGHT REGULATION *

Leptin and its long form receptor, Ob-Rb, in hypothalamic nuclei play a key role in regulating energy balance. The mutation of Ob-Rb into one of its natural variants, Ob-Ra, results in severe obesity in rodents. We demonstrate here that diacylglycerol kinase zeta (DGKzeta) interacts, via its ankyrin repeats, with the cytoplasmic portion of Ob-Rb in yeast two-hybrid systems, in protein precipitation experiments in vitro and in vivo. It does not interact, however, with the short form, Ob-Ra, which mediates the entry of leptin into the brain. Furthermore, we show by in situ hybridization that DGKzeta is expressed in neurons of hypothalamic nuclei known to synthesize Ob-Rb and to participate in energy homeostasis. The mutant ob-/ob- and db-/db- mice exhibit increased hypothalamic DGKzeta mRNA level compared with their wild-type controls, suggesting a role for the leptin/OB-Rb system in regulating DGKzeta expression. Further experiments show that hypothalamic DGKzeta mRNA level is stimulated by the consumption of a high-fat diet. In addition, DGKzeta mRNA is statistically significantly lower in rats and inbred mice that become obese on a high-fat diet compared with their lean counterparts. In fact, it is strongly, negatively correlated with both body fat and circulating levels of leptin. Taken together, our evidence suggests that DGKzeta constitutes a downstream component of the leptin signaling pathway and that reduced hypothalamic DGKzeta mRNA, and possibly activity, is associated with obesity.
Developing a National Registry for conditions identifiable through newborn screening

Purpose: State newborn screening programs are rapidly expanding with the inclusion of a large number of uncommon conditions. There remains significant uncertainty about many aspects of these conditions including their natural history, variability, treatment modalities being used, genotype-phenotype correlations, developmental outcomes, effect on families, and costs of care, among others. Data on these important outcome variables are not collected systematically through state programs. Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the federal Health Resources and Services Administration have promoted the development of a data collection system on the long-term outcomes of children with conditions identified through newborn screening. This article provides an overview of the justification for such a system and recommendations for a design. Methods: Recommendations were developed through a multidisciplinary collaboration of regional and national scholars supported through a Health Resources and Services Administration funded project. Results: We propose a registry system with data inputs from subspecialists, the Medical Home, families, and schools. Further, the proposed system would utilize emerging communication technology to provide an interactive web-based system to support families and professionals in their care of children with these complex conditions.
Infecciones por Fusarium

Las distintas especies de Fusarium son principalmente patogenos de plantas que ocasionalmente pueden originar enfermedades en humanos. Varios miembros de este genero de hongos han causado una gran destruccion de cultivos alimentarios.
Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing continuation of assisted reproductive technology with conversion to intrauterine insemination in patients with low follicle numbers.

Objective To compare the cost effectiveness of proceeding with oocyte retrieval vs. converting to intrauterine insemination (IUI) in patients with ≤4 mature follicles during assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles. Design Probabilistic decision analysis. The cost effectiveness of completing ART cycles in poor responders was compared to that for converting the cycles to IUI. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Not applicable. Intervention(s) Cost-effectiveness analysis. Main Outcome Measure(s) Cost effectiveness, which was defined as the average direct medical costs per ongoing pregnancy. Result(s) In patients with 1–3 mature follicles, completing ART was more cost effective if the cost of a single ART cycle was between $10,000 and $25,000. For patients with 4 mature follicles, if an ART cycle cost Conclusion(s) In patients with ≤4 mature follicles following ovarian stimulation in ART cycles, it was on average more cost effective to proceed with oocyte retrieval rather than convert to IUI. However, important factors, such as age, prior ART failures, other fertility factors, and medications used in each individual case need to be considered before this analysis model can be adapted by individual practices.
Tree growth and recruitment in a leveed floodplain forest in the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley, USA

Flooding is a defining disturbance in floodplain forests affecting seed germination, seedling establishment, and tree growth. Globally, flood control, including artificial levees, dams, and channelization has altered flood regimes in floodplains. However, a paucity of data are available in regards to the long-term effects of levees on stand establishment and tree growth in floodplain forests. In this study, we used dendrochronological techniques to reconstruct tree recruitment and tree growth over a 90-year period at three stands within a ring levee in the Mississippi River Alluvial Valley (MAV) and to evaluate whether recruitment patterns and tree growth changed following levee construction. We hypothesized that: (1) sugarberry is increasing in dominance and overcup oak (Quercus lyrata) is becoming less dominant since the levee, and that changes in hydrology are playing a greater role than canopy disturbance in these changes in species dominance; and (2) that overcup oak growth has declined following construction of the levee and cessation of overbank flooding whereas that of sugarberry has increased. Recruitment patterns shifted from flood-tolerant overcup oak to flood-intolerant sugarberry (Celtis laevigata) after levee construction. None of the 122 sugarberry trees cored in this study established prior to the levee, but it was the most common species established after the levee. The mechanisms behind the compositional change are unknown, however, the cosmopolitan distribution of overcup oak during the pre-levee period and sugarberry during the post-levee period, the lack of sugarberry establishment in the pre-levee period, and the confinement of overcup oak regeneration to the lowest areas in each stand after harvest in the post-levee period indicate that species-specific responses to flooding and light availability are forcing recruitment patterns. Overcup oak growth was also affected by levee construction, but in contrast to our hypothesis, growth actually increased for several decades before declining during a drought in the late 1990s. We interpret this result as removal of flood stress following levee construction. This finding emphasizes the fact that flooding can be stressful to trees regardless of their flood tolerance and that growth in floodplain trees can be sustained provided adequate soil moisture is present, regardless of the source of soil moisture. However, future research efforts should focus on the long-term effect of hydrologic modification on stand development and on how hydrologic modifications, such as elimination of surface flooding and groundwater declines, affect the vulnerability of floodplain forests to drought.
Influence of singularities on perturbation theory for the effective Hamiltonian

The energy-independent effective Hamiltonian $\mathcal{H}(z)$ is considered as an analytic function of the coupling parameter $z$. It is shown that a point ${z}_{b}$ is not a singularity of $\mathcal{H}(z)$ unless the energy of some state that is selected for representation in the model space (${L}_{P}$) coincides, at $z={z}_{b}$, with the energy of a state that is excluded from representation in ${L}_{P}$. This result establishes the correctness of previous conjectures by Schucan and Weidenm\"uller, and implies that perturbation theory for $\mathcal{H}(z)$ will generally have a larger radius of convergence than perturbation theory for the individual energies. For the case of a cut ("intruder-state cut") joining an isolated pair of branch points close to the real axis, the singular behavior of $\mathcal{H}(z)$ is examined in detail. The residue of the cut is expressed in terms of quantities that can be calculated by diagonalization of a real, symmetric modification ("minimal smoothing") of the Hamiltonian matrix. A formula is given for the contribution of an intruder-state cut to the error incurred by $n\mathrm{th}$ order perturbation theory for the physical quantity $\mathcal{H}(1)$. Consideration of a numerical example shows that if the values of sufficiently high orders of perturbation theory are known, the residues of intruder-state cuts may be evaluated. This allows estimation of the errors that intruder-state cuts produce in perturbation theory summed to finite order, and yields a criterion for the optimal truncation of divergent perturbation series.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Effective Hamiltonian for $^{18}O{J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={0}^{+}$; estimated errors of perturbation theory produced by intruder state.
Critical volume in diffusion through random media.

It has been found, very generally, that there is a critical volume of the diffusion space, ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$, for a class of diffusions in random media, characterized by V(r) with a zero mean. If the size of the diffusion space is bigger than ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$, the total population increases with time. Otherwise, the total population decreases with time and will eventually vanish. An estimation of ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathit{c}}$ is obtained by a variation method.
An optional stopping theorem for nonadapted martingales

The definition of a (discrete-time) martingale is generalized, allowing the process to be nonadapted, and it is shown that the optional stopping theorem still holds. This result was motivated by and is applied to the study of gambling systems, especially at games such as craps in which bets are not immediately resolved.
Effects of Biochar and Anaerobic Digester Effluent on Soil Quality and Crop Growth in Karnataka, India

The application of biochar and anaerobic digester effluent together has the potential to improve soil quality while simultaneously addressing critical environmental challenges. A field experiment was conducted in Karnataka, India to assess the effects of these amendments on soil properties and radish (Raphanus sativus L.) growth over a 15-month period between January 2011 and March 2012. Biochar was applied at the rate of 30 Mg ha−1 and incorporated in the surface 0–10 cm layer to the biochar plots (BC) and biochar + effluent plots (BC + EF). Anaerobic digester effluent was added at a rate of 56.25 m3 ha−1 to effluent plots (EF) and the BC + EF treatment. In the first growing season, yields were 90, 1,291, and 1,374 % greater than the control (Ct) in the BC, EF, and BC + EF plots, respectively. One year after application, soil bulk density (ρ b) decreased by 7.3 % and total porosity (f t) increased by 9.3 % with biochar application (BC) compared to the Ct. These effects were less apparent in BC + EF. The impact of amendments on soil moisture storage was not significant. Application of biochar increased soil pH from 7.21 (Ct) to 7.57 (BC) and 7.50 (BC + EF). In the second year, two new treatments were introduced—conventional fertilizer (C + F) and conventional fertilizer plus biochar (BC + F). BC + F and C + F did not differ significantly in crop yields. Overall, while there were some positive responses to both biochar and effluent addition seen in soil chemical properties and crop growth, respectively, there was limited evidence of nutrient retention by biochar in the second year.
Glycosidic Torsional Motions in a Bicelle-associated Disaccharide from Residual Dipolar Couplings

An analysis of torsional motions about glycosidic bonds in a disaccharide is undertaken using residual dipolar coupling measurements and selective immobilization of the reducing end sugar to provide a suitable motional reference. The immobilization is accomplished by using the short chain of an alkyl glycoside to anchor the disaccharide to a bilayer medium aligned in magnetic field. Motions about the β-(1−4) linkage of the n-butyl-4-O-β−d-galactopyranosyl-α−d-mannopyranoside are shown to be substantial (±40°) and in good agreement with predictions of a fully solvated molecular dynamics simulation.
Sharing the private in public: indigenous cultural property and online media

Cultural Intellectual Property is a difficult concept to define and even harder to protect. This brief exploration raises issues relating to: the existing protections of CIPs; the history of appropriation of cultural materials; the current expectations of accessibility by the dominant society; the conflicting attitudes regarding the capturing and posting of cultural events in online forums; and the strategies employed by Native communities to safeguard against appropriation of their cultural events. Case examples highlight the complex nature of these issues and will be provided from the Zuni and Hopi pueblos, and the Northwest coastal groups, the Ahousaht, and the Makah.
Polymer pendant ligand chemistry-5. The selective and competitive removal of Ag+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solution utilizing a n-sulfonylethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) ligand anchored on macroporous polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads

Abstract An important new focus for environmental inorganic chemistry is the selective removal and recovery of metals ions from aqueous solution with organic ligands anchored to modified polymer backbones. Several significant criteria for facile metal ion removal from aqueous solution includes the hydrophilicity of the pendant organic ligand when it is anchored to a hydrophobic, pH stable polymer backbone such as modified, macroporous polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads, as well as the kinetics and thermodynamics of the pendant ligand reaction with the selected metal ion. We report on an example of a polymer pendant ligand that is highly selective for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solution at pH 3.0 in a competitive environment. Thus, a predisposed polymer pendant N-sulfonyl-ethylenebis(dithiocarbamate) ligand (PS-SED, 1.12 mmol/g), anchored on modified, macroporous 6% polystyrene-divinylbenzene beads, was synthesized and found to be highly selective for the removal of Ag+ ions (2.17 mmol/g, 2:1 Ag+/PS-SED complex, t 1 2 = 7 min ) from aqueous solution at pH 3.0 in the presence of a variety of competing trivand divalent metal ions such as Fe3+, Cr3+, Al3+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, and Pb2+. When Hg2+ ions (1.24 mmol/g, 1:1 Hg2+/PS-SED complex, t 1 2 = 10 min ) are added to this mixture of metal ions, including Ag+ ions, there is a pronounced selectivity toward Hg2+ ions for the PS-SED ligand. In the absence of Ag+ and Hg2+, then Pb2+ ions (1.06 mmol/g, 1:1 Pb2+/PS-SED complex, t 1 2 = 6 min ) are moderately selective in the presence of other competing metal ions including Cd2+ ions; Cu2+ ions are the exception ( 0.93 mool/g , ∼1:1 Cu 2+ / PS-SED complex , t 1 2 = 3 min ). As well, in the absence of Pb2+ ions, Cd 2+ ions (00.65 mmol/g , ≈1:1 Cu 2+ / PS-SED complex , t 1 2 ⩾ 10 min ) also are moderately selective in the presence of other competing metal ions; but again, Cu2+ is the exception. Whereas Cu2+ has a selectivity over Pb2+ and Cd2+ in a competitive reaction, Fe3+ ion is more selective in competition with Cu2+, while in competition with Fe3+ ion, Ag+, Hg2+, Pb2+ and Cd2+ are all more selective. The overall selectivity was found to be: Hg2+⩾Ag+> Cu2+ > Pb2+ Cd2+ > Fe3+ ≈ Al3+ ∼ Cr3+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ > Mn2+ ⪢ Mg2+. Furthermore, a facile recovery of Ag+, Cu2+, and Cd2+, and Cd2+ ions from the respective metalionPS-SED complexes on the beads were readily accomplished (∼99% recovery) using a 10% NaCN solution at pH 11. A full discussion of these results will be presented.
Non-local charges for the supersymmetric σ-model☆

Abstract The classical non-local currents for the two dimensional supersymmetric non-linear σ-model are constructed recursively. They are polynomial in the canonical fields and generalize naturally the corresponding currents of the constituent Gross-Neveu and ordinary σ -models.
Kaon partial-conservation-of-axial-vector-current anomaly and k(l) ---> gamma gamma decay

The low-energy theorem is derived which relates the invariant vertex function of KL→γγ to the corresponding function of 〈2γ|[Q56, Lw]|0〉, where it is assumed that Schwinger and seagull terms, if present, cancel against each other. A chiral Lagrangian model is studied which satisfies PCAC and which has an octet weak Lagrangian with [Q56, Lw]=0. In this model, the effective KL→γγ coupling constant produced by certain baryon loop graphs is found to remain finite as the momentum of the kaon goes to zero. This contradicts the low-energy theorem and indicates the failure of seagull and Schwinger terms to cancel. The effective coupling produced by this anomaly is estimated to give a rate roughly comparable to the experimental one. Implications for mesonic effective-Lagrangian studies of K decays are discussed.