cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A localized meshless approach for modeling spatial-temporal calcium dynamics in ventricular myocytes.

Spatial-temporal calcium dynamics due to calcium release, buffering and re-uptaking plays a central role in studying excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling in both normal and diseased cardiac myocytes. In this paper, we employ a meshless method, namely, the local radial basis function collocation method (LRBFCM) to model such calcium behaviors by solving a nonlinear system of reaction-diffusion partial differential equations. In particular, a simplified structural unit containing a single transverse-tubule (or t-tubule) and its surrounding half sarcomeres is investigated using the meshless method. Numerical results are compared to those generated by finite element methods, showing the capability and efficiency of the LRBFCM in modeling calcium dynamics in ventricular myocytes. The single t-tubule model is also extended to the whole-cell scale with t-tubules excluded to demonstrate the scalability of the proposed meshless method in handling very large domains. The experiments have shown that the LRBFCM is suitable to multi-scale modeling of calcium dynamics in ventricular myocytes with high accuracy and efficiency.
Protein NMR chemical shift calculations based on the automated fragmentation QM/MM approach.

An automated fragmentation quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (AF-QM/MM) approach has been developed to routinely calculate ab initio protein NMR chemical shielding constants. The AF-QM/MM method is linear-scaling and trivially parallel. A general fragmentation scheme is employed to generate each residue-centric region which is treated by quantum mechanics, and the environmental electrostatic field is described with molecular mechanics. The AF-QM/MM method shows good agreement with standard self-consistent field (SCF) calculations of the NMR chemical shieldings for the mini-protein Trp cage. The root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) for 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR chemical shieldings are equal to or less than 0.09, 0.32, and 0.78 ppm, respectively, for all Hartree−Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reported in this work. The environmental electrostatic potential is necessary to accurately reproduce the NMR chemical shieldings using the AF-QM/MM approach. The point-charge models provided by A...
Nucleation and Crystallization of Globular Proteins: What we Know and What is Missing

Recently, much progress has been made in understanding the nucleation and crystallization of globular proteins, including the formation of compositional and structural crystal defects. Insight into the interactions of (screened) protein macro-ions in solution, obtained from light scattering, small angle X-ray scattering and osmotic pressure studies, can guide the search for crystallization conditions. These studies show that the nucleation of globular proteins is governed by the same principles as that of small molecules. However, failure to account for direct and indirect (hydrodynamic) protein interactions in the solutions results in unrealistic aggregation scenarios. Microscopic studies of numerous proteins reveal that crystals grow by the attachment of growth units through the same layer-spreading mechanisms as inorganic crystals. Investigations of the growth kinetics of hen-egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) reveal non-steady behavior under steady external conditions. Long-term variations in growth rates are due to changes in step-originating dislocation groups. Fluctuations on a shorter timescale reflect the non-linear dynamics of layer growth that results from the interplay between interfacial kinetics and bulk transport. Systematic gel electrophoretic analyses suggest that most HEWL crystallization studies have been performed with material containing other proteins at percent levels. Yet, sub-percent levels of protein impurities impede growth step propagation and play a role in the formation of structural/compositional inhomogeneities. In crystal growth from highly purified HEWL solutions, however, such inhomogeneities are much weaker and form only in response to unusually large changes in growth conditions. Equally important for connecting growth conditions to crystal perfection and diffraction resolution are recent advances in structural characterization through high-resolution Bragg reflection profiling and X-ray topography.
Modulation of Apoptosis by Natural Products for Cancer Therapy

Natural products can exhibit many beneficial effects on human health. As far as cancer is concerned, naturally occurring compounds have been reported to prevent tumorigenesis and also to suppress the growth of established tumors. As cancer cells have evolved multiple mechanisms to resist the induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis), the modulation of apoptosis signaling pathways by natural compounds has been demonstrated to constitute a key event in these antitumor activities. This review presents some examples of how apoptosis pathways are targeted by selected naturally occurring agents and how these events can be exploited for cancer therapy.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection in intravenous drug users: a model for primary care.

Abstract purpose: Intravenous drug users (IVDUs) often encounter barriers to primary care. To improve access, we developed a primary care clinic—Central Medical Unit (CMU)—for substance abusers in drug treatment. We report outcomes for services offered to IVDUs with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. patients and methods: During 1990, 24% (120 of 509) of IVDUs eligible for CMU were HIV positive. Diagnostic therapeutic and preventive goals for IVDUs with HIV infection were evaluated for acceptance and compliance by chart review for these 120 patients. results: On admission, 65% (78 of 120) of patients reported having no source of primary care, 64% (77 of 120) were male, and 77% (92 of 120) were in methadone maintenance. All were screened for tuberculosis, syphilis, and hepatitis; 94% (15 of 16) of eligible patients accepted tuberculosis prophylaxis and 83% (5 of 6) accepted syphilis treatment, but only 36% (5 of 14) accepted hepatitis B vaccine. Of those who accepted therapy, 87% (13 of 15) were compliant with tuberculosis prophylaxis, and 100% (5 of 5) were compliant with syphilis treatment. Influenza vaccine was accepted by 49% (59 of 120) and pneumococcal vaccine by 81% (97 of 120). Ninety-eight percent (118 of 120) accepted T-cell testing: 61% had T-helper counts less than 500/mm 3 and 25% were less than 200/mm 3 . Of those eligible, 89% (70 of 79) accepted antiretroviral therapy, and 100% (35 of 35) accepted Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis. Six-month compliance rates for these therapies were 84% (59 of 70) and 77% (27 of 35), respectively. conclusion: By offering primary care services with drug treatment, the CMU model may be an effective way of providing access to primary care for HIV-infected IVDUs and for facilitating compliance.
Efficacy and Safety of Hylan G-F 20 for Symptomatic Glenohumeral Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Pilot Study

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of 2 intra-articular, fluoroscopically guided hylan G-F 20 injections for painful glenohumeral osteoarthritis. Design This study was a prospective open-label pilot investigation with both U.S. Food and Drug Administration and institutional review board approval. Setting Private, outpatient practice within a tertiary care, university medical school. Participants Thirty-six subjects with moderate to severe glenohumeral osteoarthritis, with pain (visual analog scale [VAS] 40 mm or greater) despite following a 3-month standard, nonsurgical treatment program. Interventions Two injections of 2 mL hylan G-F 20, under fluoroscopic guidance confirmed by arthrography, 2 weeks apart. No new treatments were allowed during the course of the study. Analgesics were discontinued 24 hours before visits. Main Outcome Measurements Data collected were radiographs; rotator cuff integrity as determined with magnetic resonance imaging; VAS for pain at rest, at night, and with activity; and shoulder-related quality of life (Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index [WORC]). Subjects were re-evaluated after each injection and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Changes from baseline for VAS and WORC were recorded in Excel and analyzed using SPSS. Intent-to-treat analysis was performed. The type and severity of adverse events were recorded. Results Mean VAS at baseline was 63 mm (SD 14.5). Clinically (≥20% improvement) and statistically significant improvements ( P P Conclusion Two hylan G-F 20 injections improved pain and function, and should be considered as part of a multimodal shoulder osteoarthritis treatment program.
Reading speed with a pixelized vision system.

A visual prosthesis based on electrical stimulation of the visual cortex with an array of penetrating electrodes is expected to produce pixelized visual images consisting of punctate spots of light (phosphenes). We measured reading speed in subjects viewing text with optically simulated phosphene fields in order to obtain estimates of the following design parameters for such an electrode array: pixel number, pixel spacing, and visual-field size. Comparisons were made between scanning the text with eye movements and scanning the text with head movements. The results indicate that a 25 × 25 array of pixels representing four letters of text projected on a visual field of 1.7° is sufficient to provide reading rates near 170 words/min with scrolled text and near foveal 100 words/min with fixed text.
Adhesive Force Reduction and Molecular Aggregation on Lubricin-Coated Contacts

The atomic force microscope (AFM) was employed in dry conditions in order to test the surface modifying ability of lubricin. The present work shows that lubricin forms independent aggregates, which coalesce once a threshold concentration is reached providing uniform coating of a hydrophobic surface.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Calibration of complex subsurface reaction models using a surrogate-model approach

Abstract Automatic calibration of complex subsurface reaction models involves numerous difficulties, including the existence of multiple plausible models, parameter non-uniqueness, and excessive computational burden. To overcome these difficulties, this study investigated a novel procedure for performing simultaneous calibration of multiple models (SCMM). By combining a hybrid global-plus-polishing search heuristic with a biased-but-random adaptive model evaluation step, the new SCMM method calibrates multiple models via efficient exploration of the multi-model calibration space. Central algorithm components are an adaptive assignment of model preference weights, mapping functions relating the uncertain parameters of the alternative models, and a shuffling step that efficiently exploits pseudo-optimal configurations of the alternative models. The SCMM approach was applied to two nitrate contamination problems involving batch reactions and one-dimensional reactive transport. For the chosen problems, the new method produced improved model fits (i.e. up to 35% reduction in objective function) at significantly reduced computational expense (i.e. 40–90% reduction in model evaluations), relative to previously established benchmarks. Although the method was effective for the test cases, SCMM relies on a relatively ad-hoc approach to assigning intermediate preference weights and parameter mapping functions. Despite these limitations, the results of the numerical experiments are empirically promising and the reasoning and structure of the approach provide a strong foundation for further development.
Endothelin-1 and the pulmonary vascular response to altitude: a new therapeutic target?

Ascent to high altitude is normally associated with a modest increase in pulmonary artery pressure.1 The increased right ventricular afterload, coupled with hypobaric hypoxia-induced reductions in blood oxygen content, may lead to diminished peripheral oxygen delivery and result in dyspnea, fatigue, and exercise intolerance.2 The predominant mechanism responsible for the increase in pulmonary artery pressure at altitude is hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, which is mediated through an oxygen-sensitive pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell voltage-gated K+ channel.3 The primary site of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is the small (50 to 200 μm) muscular pulmonary arteries, although the pulmonary venous circuit may contribute up to 20% of the pressor response.4 A more clinically significant and potentially fatal cardiovascular consequence of exposure to altitude is the development of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). Risk factors for HAPE include gender, rate of altitude ascent, recent respiratory infection, and prior acclimatization5; a genetic susceptibility also has been suggested.6 Although the mechanisms responsible for the development of HAPE remain unclear, it is associated with greater increases in pulmonary artery pressure and increased pulmonary capillary pressure, which results in hydrostatic pulmonary edema.7 The increased capillary pressure …
Prevention of Development of Hydrolytic Rancidity in Milk

Summary The development of hydrolytic rancidity in raw milk by a naturally active lipase present in high concentration can be successfully prevented by mixing with normal milk within an hour after milking. The amounts to be mixed depend upon the concentration of the lipase. The mixing of “lipase milk” with normal milk in a proportion of 1:4 or higher will always prevent rancidity. To insure the effectiveness of this method the mixing must be made within an hour after milking, before cooling or immediately after cooling. If a milk containing a naturally active lipase is allowed after cooling to age separately and thus to become rancid, then the addition of very small amount to a normal supply will impart the rancid flavor to the whole mixture.
Evidence for and consequences of chronic heme deficiency in Belgrade rat reticulocytes.

The Belgrade rat has a microcytic, hypochromic anemia inherited as an autosomal recessive trait (gene symbol b). Transferrin-dependent iron uptake is defective because of a mutation in Nramp2 (now DMT1, also called DCT1), the protein responsible for endosomal iron efflux. Hence, Belgrade reticulocytes are iron deficient. We show that a chromatographic method is able to measure the amount of ‘free’ heme in reticulocytes. Most of the ‘free’ heme is the result of biosynthesis. Succinylacetone, an inhibitor of heme synthesis, decreases the level of ‘free’ heme and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of globin synthesis, increases the ‘free’ heme level. In a pulse-chase experiment with 59Fe-transferrin, the ‘free’ heme pool behaves as an intermediate, with a half-life of just over 2 h. Belgrade reticulocytes contain about 40% as much ‘free’ heme as do heterozygous or homozygous reticulocytes. This deficiency of ‘free’ heme slows initiation of translation in Belgrade reticulocytes by increasing the level of an inhibitor of initiation. Thus the Belgrade rat makes a whole animal model available with chronic heme deficiency.
Endolymphatic hydrops after fenestration: A temporal bone study with implications on the function of the utriculo-endolymphatic valve☆

A temporal bone specimen demonstrating endolymphatic hydrops 13 years after fenestration of the lateral semicircular canal is presented. Fibro-osseous tissue extending from the lateral semicircular canal and reaching the vestibule produced fixation of the membranous wall of the utricle to the bony wall. Fixation and retraction of the utricule appears to have resulted in a permanently open utriculo-endolymphatic valve leaflet. Similar findings of fibro-osseous changes arising from the area of the crus commune and an open valve were found in a Meniere's disease specimen. The implications of these findings on the function of the valve are discussed.
Implementing China's national energy conservation policies at state-owned electric power generation plants

Abstract China’s 11th Five-Year Guideline identified energy conservation as one of the country’s fundamental policies and established a mandatory target: 20% reduction in national average energy intensity by 2010. Despite the various policies, laws, and administrative reforms to support energy conservation, China fell behind schedule for meeting its conservation targets in 2006 and 2007. Using a combination of available literature and an interview-based case study, this paper examines the implementation of energy conservation and investigates impediments to achieving China’s conservation goal in the electric power generation sector. Three key impediments are detailed: (1) municipal governments’ incentives to overlook conservation-related central directives primarily because of budget pressures linked to financial decentralization, (2) procedural obstacles in the form of time required to obtain project approvals for high-efficiency power generation units, and (3) financial obstacles making it difficult for power generation enterprises to raise capital for energy conservation projects. An interview-based case study of a state-owned coal-fired electric power generation company demonstrates the influence of the aforementioned obstacles. While procedural obstacles are notable, they can be managed. However, electricity pricing reforms and/or stronger subsidy programs will be needed to address the financial obstacles facing Chinese power generation companies.
Controversy and consensus regarding myosin II function at the immunological synapse

Regulated actin dynamics play a central role in modulating signaling events at the immunological synapse (IS). Polymerization of actin filaments at the periphery of the IS, coupled to depolymerization near the center, generates a centripetal flow of the actin network and associated movement of signaling molecules. A recent flurry of papers addresses the role of myosin II in facilitating these events. Investigators agree that myosin II is present at the IS, where it forms actomyosin arcs within the peripheral supramolecular activation cluster, a region corresponding to the lamellum of migrating cells. However, there is substantial disagreement about the extent to which myosin II drives IS formation and signaling events leading to T cell activation.
Cost analysis in the time domain

Abstract Government cost analysts must often construct models using production data that are limited by a contract between the producer and the government. The producer usually does not share cost data with the government unless the contract requires that data are reported. Also, the data that are reported are often not in the proper form for constructing mathematical models; that is, cost data are often provided by production unit or lot, while economic and accounting data are usually reported by time period. This paper provides a mathematical link between unit or lot data and time series data; that is, between the units domain and the time domain. The analysis is relevant for made-to-order production, the case where a relatively small number of specialized items are produced to contractual order, as in defense and other government contract situations.
Wound Infections Following Spinal Fusion with Posterior Segmental Spinal Instrumentation

Twenty-three of 238 patients (9.7%) developed wound infections following segmental spinal instrumentation. When the infected group and a matched control group were compared, the infected group had a significantly higher number of patients with cerebral palsy and myelodysplasia (non-ambulatory), patients with wound hematomas, patients with fusions that extended into the sacral region, and patients who were incontinent of urine. A high incidence of infections with gram-negative aerobic bacilli correlated with the extension of the surgery into the sacral region and bowel andlor bladder incontinence. Prophylactic antibiotics with broader coverage for gram-negative bacilli may be warranted for these procedures. Postoperative wound infections were managed by surgical drainage and debridement as well as antibiotics. Removal of the hardware was not necessary to control the infection in these patients who underwent segmental spinal instrumentation.
Search for a field-induced nematic-isotropic critical point

Temperature versus concentration phase diagrams are obtained for octylcyanobiphenyl (8CB) doped with biphenyl in magnetic fields up to 187 kOe. The data show no observable decrease in the nematic-isotropic latent heat with field. These results seem to be in contrast to the claim by Keyes and Shane that a field-induced critical point may be nearby.
Introducing WLab—Going from Wpt (Waypoint) to a uniform material color equivalency space

A set of invertible non-linear transforms was derived that adjusts Wpt (Waypoint) coordinates (based on Wpt normalization) to and from a perceptually more uniform coordinate system (WLab or Waypoint-Lab) than that provided by Wpt that allows for the advantageous features of Wpt to be directly applied to situations where other standard color spaces are typically used. The proposed transformations were found by optimizing for perceptual uniformity over both large and small color difference scales. The Munsell color order system was used as a representation for optimizing large-scale perceptual uniformity. Correlations with Munsell value, chroma and hue along with comparisons with CIELAB and CAM02-UCS were used to correct and assess overall large-scale uniformity. The ΔE*94 color difference formula was used for optimization purposes for small-scale uniformity. A STRESS analysis was applied to compare color differences based on Euclidean WLab distances with color differences based upon ΔE*ab, ΔE*94, ΔE00, DIN99o, CIECAM02, and CAM02-UCS. It was found that WLab is a reasonably uniform material color equivalency space with small Euclidean WLab distances not being statistically different from ΔE*94, ΔE00, and Euclidean distances of DIN99o and CAM02-UCS under reference observing conditions. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 40, 550–563, 2015
Complete turnover of poly(A) on maternal mRNA of sea urchin embryos

Abstract Measurement of the incorporation of radioactive adenosine into precursor pools and into poly(A) of fertilized sea urchin eggs showed that the amount of adenosine incoporated into poly(A) after a 2 hr incubation approximated the total poly(A) content of the embryos. This was observed whether the incubation was begun at fertilization when the poly(A) content is tripling or at 2.5 hr after fertilization when the poly(A) levels are not changing, and thus indicates that poly(A) turns over continually and completely. The turnover appears to take place on polysomal mRNA, since after either 10 or 120 min of incubation, 75% of the 3 H-adenosine incorporated into poly(A) is on polysomes. Poly(A) lengths before and after fertilization are not significantly different, indicating that the increase in poly(A) content reflects the addition of poly(A) sequences onto mRNA molecules which previously contained no poly(A) sequences or only short poly(A) sequences. Both the new as well as the preexisting poly(A) tracts must turn over to produce the incorporation we observe. The radioactive poly(A) tracts measured by alkaline release of adenosine begin as short sequences and gradually extend their lengths until they have reached a size consistent with the idea that the poly(A) sequences have become fully radioactive. This labeling pattern shows that the poly(A) is turning over from the 3′ end terminal probably by a shortening and lengthening mechanism.
Explanatory Generalizations, Part I: A Counterfactual Account

[Introduction] The nomothetic conception of explanation, according to which all successful explanations must appeal to laws, has dominated the discussion of scientific explanation in the second half of the twentieth century. The best known formulation of the nomothetic conception of explanation is, of course, Hempel’s Deductive-Nomological theory of explanation. While few philosophers today accept the D-N theory of explanation in its original formulation, there is widespread consensus that laws play a central role in explanation, even among prominent critics of the D-N model such as Wesley Salmon (see, e.g., Salmon 1984, p. 262).
Linearization principle for a toroidal Hall current plasma with viscosity and resistivity

In this paper the stability analysis of an incompressible toroidal Hall Current plasma with resistivity and viscosity on the basis of the linearization of the governing equations and boundary condition is rigorously justified. A nonlinear local existence theorem for an initial-boundary value problem is first proved, and local stable and unstable invariant manifolds of a nonlinear resolving operator are then constructed. It is shown that linear stability implies nonlinear stability and global existence, and linear instability implies nonlinear instability in some sense.
Posttraining brain norepinephrine concentrations: Correlation with retention performance of avoidance training and with peripheral epinephrine modulation of memory processing

Posttrial epinephrine injections can enhance or impair later retention performance of inhibitory (passive) avoidance training in rats. The findings reported here indicate that the effects on retention of epinephrine injections and of footshock level are closely related to transient posttraining decreases in whole brain norepinephrine concentrations. Posttraining norepinephrine levels, as measured 10 min after training and treatment, predict the later retention performance of groups of rats trained with high or low footshock and, in addition, predict the retroactive effects (enhancement or impairment) of posttrial epinephrine injections. These findings are consistent with the view that hormonal responses to training may modulate memory storage processing. In addition, the results suggest that memory modulation may involve neuroendocrine mechanisms that include the central noradrenergic system.
Multivariate analysis of remote laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy spectra using partial least squares, principal component analysis, and related techniques

Abstract Quantitative analysis with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy traditionally employs calibration curves that are complicated by chemical matrix effects. These chemical matrix effects influence the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy plasma and the ratio of elemental composition to elemental emission line intensity. Consequently, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy calibration typically requires a priori knowledge of the unknown, in order for a series of calibration standards similar to the unknown to be employed. In this paper, three new Multivariate Analysis techniques are employed to analyze the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy spectra of 18 disparate igneous and highly-metamorphosed rock samples. Partial Least Squares analysis is used to generate a calibration model from which unknown samples can be analyzed. Principal Components Analysis and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy are employed to generate a model and predict the rock type of the samples. These Multivariate Analysis techniques appear to exploit the matrix effects associated with the chemistries of these 18 samples.
Choosing between a Student–Run and Professionally Managed Venture Accelerator*:

This case presents challenges facing a student-run venture accelerator at a major university in the United States. The student-run model has attracted much media attention for its uniqueness, but it has also raised questions about its sustainability. Signals from a new dean, not invested in the student model, are putting much pressure on the student-chief executive officer to change course—to tweak the student-run model and fight for its future or cave in to pressures to “professionalize” it and let students take a backseat in management. The case highlights challenges in entrepreneurial leadership of a student-run accelerator at the point of initial growth.
Biosorption of phenol onto bionanoparticles from Spirulina sp. LEB 18.

Abstract The biosorption of phenol onto bionanoparticles from Spirulina sp. LEB 18 was studied. Firstly, the bionanoparticles were prepared from Spirulina sp. strain LEB 18 and characterized. After, response surface methodology was employed to optimize the biosorption process as a function of pH (3.2–8.8) and bionanoparticles dosage (0.15–1.85 g L −1 ). Finally, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies were performed at different temperatures (298–328 K). The bionanoparticles presented hydrodynamic diameter of 232 ± 3 nm and polydispersity index of 0.150. It was found that the more adequate condition for the phenol biosorption was pH of 6.0 and bionanoparticles dosage of 1.85 g L −1 . The Langmuir model presented satisfactory fit with the equilibrium experimental data. The maximum biosorption capacity was 159.33 mg g −1 , obtained at 298 K. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the biosorption was a spontaneous, favorable and exothermic process. Based on these results, it can be affirmed that the bionanoparticles are an alternative, renewable and eco-friendly biosorbent to removal phenol from aqueous solutions.
Red blood cell hemolysis during processing

Red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis has been reported in units of RBC for transfusion. This has significant clinical implications for transfused patients because the free hemoglobin dissociates into dimers that have to be bound to haptoglobin to be removed by the reticuloen-dothelial system. Once the binding capacity of haptoglobin has been exceeded, hemoglobinemia occurs. Hemolysis is caused by the breakdown of the RBC, causing release of hemoglobin and resulting in the discoloration of the plasma. Abnormal hemolysis in an individual RBC unit may be caused by several factors including inappropriate handling during processing of blood, inappropriate storage conditions, bacterial hemolysins, antibodies that cause complement lysis, defects in the RBC membrane, or an abnormality in the blood donor. The degree of hemolysis is described as the percent of free hemoglobin in relation to the total hemoglobin with appropriate correction for the hematocrit. The acceptable level of hemolysis has not been established in North America, but the value of 1% currently is used to assess biocompatibility of blood storage materials, whereas the Council of Europe has set the standard at 0.8%. This report emphasizes the need for the adequate control of the various processes that are involved in the preparation of RBCs from whole blood to minimize the occurrence of hemolysis. Careful evaluation of manufacturing processes will minimize RBC wastage caused by hemolysis.
Liberal Citizenship and American National Identity

I will discuss Civic Ideals in three contexts. The first is external to Smith's book: I propose a framework for a counternarrative, one that uses Smith's three-part classification of liberalism, republicanism, and ascriptive values, but in order to carry a very different story. This counternarrative stresses the decisive role played by the “ascriptive values” of common law, religion, and nationalism in infusing both substance and power into the “thin” liberal and “thick” republican principles constituting the distinct political regimes of our political history. The second context is internal: here I explore the way Smith's argument is premised on the assumption that civic ideals are equated with national identity, making his argument and this book a “partisan” struggle for the soul of America. This is the case even though his method of analysis privileges (slightly thickened) national liberal civic ideals above more locally based republicanism as political democracy and above any and all ascriptive claims. In Smith's view, liberalism exists on a plane of rationality and truth that places it above the battle even though it must compete with traditions that have great power to elicit powerful political and moral loyalties. I extend this critique from theory to history by showing that Smith's legal-theoretical mode of analysis “works” as a plausible historical explanation only because it replicates a particular (that is, “partisan”) tradition of political discourse in America, namely the national republicanism of “reform liberalism.” Smith's “party” today is that of liberal perfectionism, a term currently in use to distinguish liberalism as a positive set of values from liberalism as a set of neutral procedures and principles. This replication is paradoxical, however, because that mode of discourse, exemplified in the rhetorical form of the jeremiad, was always part of a national political theology – “Americanist to the core” – institutionally anchored in an informal national intellectual-cultural-religious reform establishment that claimed nevertheless to embody universal or world-historical philosophical, moral, and religious values.
Tourism Students’ Mental Imagery Ability: Implications for Multimedia Learning Environments

Students increasingly engage with multimedia technologies and expect learning environments to support similar interactions. Although hospitality and tourism educators have started to integrate technologies into their teaching, the learning applications they use are often restricted to text posted on Web sites. This article argues that immersive systems are not only more engaging but can actually support students with difficulties regarding mental imagery processing. A study was conducted to investigate whether differences in mental imagery ability can be found among students. The findings suggest that significant differences in mental imagery processing exist and need to be recognized when designing and evaluating learning applications.
Estimation of gestational ages in the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) from published prenatal growth curves.

This report compares estimated gestational ages from published cubic spline curves to gestational ages estimated retrospectively from delivery dates in 28 pregnancies from ten common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Both CRL- and BPD-based estimates of gestational age were closely correlated with delivery-based gestational age estimates. Of the three ultrasound machines used, the one with 16 shades of gray and a sequential linear array overestimated gestational age during early pregnancy, based on CRL measures. Measures from the other two machines (64 or 264 shades of gray; linear sector and annular array or electronic phase array) were similar and resulted in a correlation of the two estimates of gestational age of 0.94 and a mean difference between the two estimates of 0.16 days with 80% of CRL-based gestational age estimates being within +/- 5 days of the delivery-based estimate. The reliability of BPD-based estimates of gestational age was strongly related to pregnancy outcome. BPD-based estimates underestimated gestational age in poor outcome pregnancies (i.e., those in which infants died within 7 days of birth) but not in good outcome pregnancies. The combined CRL- and BPD-based estimates on poor outcome pregnancies suggest that there was less growth in BPD in late gestation for those pregnancies that resulted in nonviable offspring. For good outcome pregnancies, the correlation between BPD-based and delivery-based estimates of gestational age was 0.871 and the mean difference between the two estimates was -0.06 days with 83.3% of BPD-based estimates falling within +/- 5 days of delivery-based estimates.
A two-level topology control strategy for energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks

This paper presents a two-level topology control strategy for energy efficiency in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). There are two types of energy saving approaches: active-subnetwork and transmission-range. The active-subnetwork approach increases the nodes' average sleeping time to save energy in a wireless sensor network, while the transmission-range approach reduces the energy consumption during packet delivery by adjusting the nodes' transmission ranges. By dynamically integrating the two approaches, our two-level approach achieves further energy saving. The simulation shows the performance advantage of our approach in different communication scenarios.
Mud volcano response to the 4 April 2010 El Mayor‐Cucapah earthquake

[1] Mud volcanoes sometimes respond to earthquakes, but the mechanisms by which earthquakes trigger changes in ongoing eruptions or initiate new eruptions are not completely understood. We measured gas discharge at a field of mud volcanoes near the Salton Sea, southern California, before and after the 4 April 2010 El Mayor-Cucapah earthquake and observed an increase in gas flux immediately following the earthquake and a subsequent recovery to pre-earthquake values. This earthquake-eruption pair is of particular interest because the earthquake produced large strains, up to 1.2%, near the mud volcano location, allowing us to test two competing triggering mechanisms: (1) shaking-induced bubble mobilization and (2) permeability enhancement. We measured the rheology of erupted mud from the mud volcanoes to quantify the importance of mechanism 1 and found that this mechanism is unlikely to be important. We therefore favor the explanation that the increased gas flux was caused by a transient increase in permeability.
Electroretinograms from Odontosyllis enopla (polychaeta; syllidae): Initial observations on the visual system of the bioluminescent fireworm of Bermuda

In the waters of Bermuda, spawning of the polychaete annelid, Odontosyllis enopla, is intriguing due to the brilliant bioluminescent displays and lunar periodicity characteristic of the mating behavior. At 50–55 minutes after sunset, 2–5 days after the full moon, females become luminescent at the surface and thereby attract males for synchronizing the release of gametes. Previous studies have shown that bioluminescence in this species is maximal in the green portion of the visible spectrum (λmax from 504–507 nm). The eyes of Odontosyllis exhibit maximum ERG amplitudes to green light as well (λ max at around 510–520 nm), as determined by electroretino‐gram recordings made in response to light stimuli at various wavelengths. Color sensitivity in the eyes of Odontosyllis would therefore appear to be appropriate for sensing bioluminescent mating signals. Otherwise, the electroretinogram is a cornea‐negative, monophasic potential of up to 8.0 mV in amplitude. Positive waveforms can be recorded away from the co...
Problematic standard errors and confidence intervals for skewness and kurtosis

Many statistics packages print skewness and kurtosis statistics with estimates of their standard errors. The function most often used for the standard errors (e.g., in SPSS) assumes that the data are drawn from a normal distribution, an unlikely situation. Some textbooks suggest that if the statistic is more than about 2 standard errors from the hypothesized value (i.e., an approximate value for the critical value from the t distribution for moderate or large sample sizes when α = 5%), the hypothesized value can be rejected. This is an inappropriate practice unless the standard error estimate is accurate and the sampling distribution is approximately normal. We show distributions where the traditional standard errors provided by the function underestimate the actual values, often being 5 times too small, and distributions where the function overestimates the true values. Bootstrap standard errors and confidence intervals are more accurate than the traditional approach, although still imperfect. The reasons for this are discussed. We recommend that if you are using skewness and kurtosis statistics based on the 3rd and 4th moments, bootstrapping should be used to calculate standard errors and confidence intervals, rather than using the traditional standard. Software in the freeware R for this article provides these estimates.
Employee rights and capital mobility

In this article I analyze the impact that capital mobility has on employee rights in the workplace by studying the effects of the relocation of General Motor’s Corvette plant from St. Louis to Bowling Green, Kentucky. This relocation not only afforded GM an opportunity to increase its control over its hourly work force, but it also set in motion a process in which the rights’ claims of management and workers were redefined. Through a number of planned and unplanned mechanisms, management invaded spaces created by workers, and, as a result, workers’ ability to pursue their interests was diminished. In the concluding section, I discuss the implications of this for research on employee rights and for combining the concern for rights with labor process theory.
Developing a tourism impact attitude scale

Abstract A multiple item tourism impact attitude scale (TIAS) was developed in response to the need for standardized measurement of resident attitudes toward tourism development. The scale development process and testing of the scale is described in this paper. The tourism impact literature cites a number of key independent variables that influence attitudes toward tourism. Using the TIAS, a multiple regression model was used to test the effects of these independent variables on resident attitudes toward tourism development in the Columbia River Gorge region of Oregon and Washington, USA. Implications for tourism development and planning are described.
The effect of insemination volume on pregnancy rates of pony mares.

Abstract It has recently been reported that large insemination volumes might affect fertility of mares. The results from these studies are confounded by other factors, however, such as inadequate number of spermatozoa in the inseminate. We conducted a study to test whether volume alone affects fertility when sufficient numbers of spermatozoa are present. Semen from one stallion was collected, extended at 50 × 10 6 spermatozoa/ml, and stored in a commercial semen cooling device for 18 to 30 h before insemination. Ten pony mares were assigned during estrus in random pairs to be bred every other day with either 30 or 120 ml of extended cooled semen. Pregnancy was diagnosed by ultrasonography per rectum on Days 11, 12 and 13 after ovulation. On Day 13, the mares were given a luteolytic dose (5 mg) of PGF 2α . On the subsequent cycle, the mares were given the alternate treatment. The pregnancy rates in the 30- and 120-ml insemination volume groups were 7 9 and 10 10 , respectively; this difference was not significant (P=0.2). Embryonic growth from Day 11 to Day 13 was not different (P>0.05) between groups. We conclude that insemination volumes as large as 120 ml have no adverse effect on fertility.
Recurrence of head and neck cancer after surgery or irradiation: prospective comparison of 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose PET and MR imaging diagnoses.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of positron emission tomography (PET) with administration of 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) relative to that of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and/or computed tomography (CT) in recurrent head and neck cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve adult patients (mean age, 63 years) with previously treated head and neck cancers and clinical suspicion of recurrence underwent FDG PET and MR imaging and/or CT. All images were blindly and independently interpreted without histopathologic findings (obtained within 1 week of imaging). The level of confidence in image interpretation was graded by using a five-point rating system (0 = definitely no recurrence to 4 = definite recurrence). RESULTS: Recurrence was confirmed in eight patients. With a rating of 4 as a positive finding, FDG PET yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 88% (seven of eight) and 100% (four of four), respectively; MR imaging and/or CT, 25% (two of eight) and 75% (three of four), respect...
A development of APL 2 syntax

This paper develops the rules governing the writing of APL2 expressions and discusses the principles that motivated design decisions.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF AN IMMUNOELECTRON MICROSCOPE TRACER CONSISTING OF A HEME-OCTAPEPTIDE COUPLED TO Fab

A heme-octapeptide (mol wt 1,550) has been obtained from cytochrome c by successive pepsin and trypsin hydrolysis and purified by gel filtration and countercurrent distribution. It possesses peroxidatic activity characterized by an apparent Km of 0.2 M, an apparent v max of 4 mmol/min per mg of peptide, and a pH optimum of 7.0. Using a novel two-step conjugation procedure, the heme-octapeptide was coupled to rabbit Fab antibody fragments by first derivatizing it with the N -hydroxysuccinimide ester of p -formylbenzoic acid and subsequently allowing it to form a Schiff base with the amino groups of Fab. Stable covalent linkages were then obtained by reduction of the Schiff bases with sodium borohydride. The conjugate consists of ∼2 heme-octapeptides attached to each Fab molecule. The molecular weight is 45,000 daltons when coupled to sheep Fab and 50,000 daltons with a Stokes radius of 32 A, when conjugated to rabbit Fab. Its peroxidatic activity is characterized by an apparent Km of 0.4 M, an apparent v max of 0.4 mmol/min and per mg of attached heme-octapeptide and a pH optimum of 7.0. The conjugate has been used for the localization at the electron microscope level of secretory immunoglobulins in the mammary gland of lactating rabbits.
Efficient algorithms for error correction and compression of NGS data

Summary form only given. In this talk we present our algorithms for two important problems in processing next generation sequencing (NGS) data. We live in an era of data explosion. As an example, NCBI houses petabytes of genomic data and biologists around the world are generating 15 petabases of sequence per year. The size of metagenomic data from multiple samples could be petabytes. Biologists want to store these datasets for several reasons. Standard compression algorithms fail to do a good job on these datasets. Several approaches for compressing genomic data have been proposed in the literature. These approaches differ based on the particular type of data being compressed. Some example types are genomic data (with and without a reference), reads data (FASTA files), and FASTQ files. We have come up with algorithms for genomic data (with a reference) and FASTA file (without a reference) that perform better than some of best known algorithms for these two versions. In NGS technology, the chances of low read coverage in some regions of the sequences are very high. The reads are short and very large in number. Due to erroneous base calling, there could be errors in the reads. As a consequence, sequence assemblers often fail to sequence an entire DNA molecule and instead output a set of overlapping segments that together represent a consensus region of the DNA. The error rate of the reads can be reduced with trimming and by correcting the erroneous bases of the reads. It helps to achieve high quality data and the computational complexity of many biological applications will greatly reduce if the reads are first corrected. We have developed a novel error correcting algorithm called EC and compared it with three other well-known algorithms using both real and simulated reads. We have done extensive and rigorous experiments that reveal that EC is indeed an effective and efficient error correction tool.
Cerebrovascular muscle atrophy is a feature of Alzheimer's disease

We examined vascular amyloid-β deposition and other abnormalities in the posterior cerebral artery of consecutive cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD) compared to controls. Smooth muscle atrophy was a consistent feature in the cases of AD examined (p<0.01) and was surprisingly independent of adjacent amyloid-β deposition. These findings suggest that vascular abnormalities are a consistent feature in AD and may be an important contributor to the pathogenesis and complications of AD.