cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Assessment of Ranking Accuracies of Conventional and Machine-Learning-Based Scoring Functions for Protein-Ligand Binding Affinity Prediction

Accurately predicting the binding affinities of large sets of protein-ligand complexes efficiently is a key challenge in computational biomolecular science, with applications in drug discovery, chemical biology, and structural biology. Since a scoring function (SF) is used to score, rank, and identify drug leads, the fidelity with which it predicts the affinity of a ligand candidate for a protein's binding site has a significant bearing on the accuracy of virtual screening. Despite intense efforts in developing conventional SFs, which are either force-field based, knowledge-based, or empirical, their limited ranking accuracy has been a major roadblock toward cost-effective drug discovery. Therefore, in this work, we explore a range of novel SFs employing different machine-learning (ML) approaches in conjunction with a variety of physicochemical and geometrical features characterizing protein-ligand complexes. We assess the ranking accuracies of these new ML-based SFs as well as those of conventional SFs in the context of the 2007 and 2010 PDBbind benchmark data sets on both diverse and protein-family-specific test sets. We also investigate the influence of the size of the training data set and the type and number of features used on ranking accuracy. Within clusters of protein-ligand complexes with different ligands bound to the same target protein, we find that the best ML-based SF is able to rank the ligands correctly based on their experimentally determined binding affinities 62.5 percent of the time and identify the top binding ligand 78.1 percent of the time. For this SF, the Spearman correlation coefficient between ranks of ligands ordered by predicted and experimentally determined binding affinities is 0.771. Given the challenging nature of the ranking problem and that SFs are used to screen millions of ligands, this represents a significant improvement over the best conventional SF we studied, for which the corresponding ranking performance values are 57.8 percent, 73.4 percent, and 0.677.
TERMINAL DEOXYNUCLEOTIDYL TRANSFERASE DEVELOPMENT IN THE POSTNATAL HUMAN THYMUS

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activity was studied in 42 whole human thymuses of different ages (2 days to 70 years). The results indicate that enzyme activity is high perinatally, falls soon after birth, rises to maximal activity early in life, and falls thereafter. Enzyme activity in homologous thymocytes of 9 thymuses ranging from 2 days to 105 months was also determined. The relative enzyme activity (thymocyte/thymus) did not remain constant with age. These results suggest that age-related changes in thymus terminal transferase activity occur which do not reflect a simple coordinate regulation of thymocyte and non-thymocyte elements.
Jacques-Joseph Ébelmen, the founder of earth system science

Abstract The fundamental principles of the factors affecting the global carbon cycle, the global sulfur cycle and the levels of atmospheric CO2 and O2 over long-term (multimillion year) time scales were first elucidated by Jacques-Joseph Ebelmen in 1845. He covered all major processes in such a correct manner that no appreciable changes in them have been elucidated since then. Unfortunately, his ideas were forgotten and were independently deduced by others only 100 to 150 years later. In this article, his reasoning is shown in detail, via a number of original quotations, and the results of a mathematical model by the author for CO2 and O2 over the Phanerozoic Eon (past 542 million years) are presented. In agreement with Ebelmen's predictions, there apparently have been large changes in the levels of atmospheric CO2 and O2 over geologic time.
Networks that learn to predict where the food is and also to eat it

Summary form only given, as follows. Neural networks with recurrent memory units were assumed to be contained in small 'animals' moving in a 2-D world with 'food' elements. The networks were first taught to predict the next angle and distance of food given the present angle and distance and the animal's current move as input. These predicting networks were then taught to approach food, i.e. to select a sequence of moves that was more likely to bring the animal to a food element. The prior learning of a prediction ability greatly increases what the network learns during the successive teaching of food-approaching behavior in comparison with networks that learn to approach food without prior prediction learning. Furthermore, the prediction ability, after learning to approach food, is still present, and it is even enhanced by the intervening learning of another task. The results are discussed in terms of how a map of the environment, as evidenced by the prediction ability, can be useful in acting efficiently in the environment. >
Child labor and schooling responses to anticipated income in South Africa

Abstract Forward looking, unconstrained households make child labor and schooling decisions considering their permanent income and weighing the relative returns to child time in various potential activities. The timing of anticipated changes in income should have no effect on child labor and schooling in a setting where households can borrow against permanent income. However, this study documents large increases in schooling attendance and declines in total hours worked when black South African families become eligible for fully anticipatable social pension income. As an explanation, the data are most consistent with liquidity constraints for black elder males forcing rural families into less schooling for boys than they would choose absent the constraint, perhaps because of schooling costs.
Burn Rehabilitation: An Overview

Burn injuries result in significant physical and psychologic complications that require comprehensive rehabilitation treatment and coordination with the acute care burn team. This interdisciplinary rehabilitation treatment is focused on preventing long-term problems with scarring, contractures, and other problems that limit physical function. Adequate pain management and recognition of psychologic issues are important components of treatment after burn injuries. Burn injuries present significant barriers to community integration, but many people can successfully return to work and other activities.
N-glycan targeted gene delivery to the dendritic cell SIGN receptor.

A novel nonviral gene delivery vector composed of a high-mannose N-glycan conjugated to a polyacridine peptide was prepared. The glycopeptide was designed to bind to plasmid DNA by a combination of polyintercalation and ionic binding, and to the DC-SIGN (dendritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule-3 grabbing nonintegrin) receptor expressed on CHO cells by recognition of the high-mannose N-glycan. The glycopeptide conjugate was prepared by purification of a high-mannose N-glycan from affinity fractionated soybean agglutinin (SBA). The SBA was proteolyzed to release the N-glycan which was then modified on its N-terminus with Tyr and a propionate maleimide. A DNA binding polyacridine peptide, Cys-(Acr-Lys)4, was prepared by solid-phase peptide synthesis using Fmoc-Lys(Acr), then conjugated to the maleimide on the N-glycan to produce a glycopeptide. The glycopeptide bound to DNA with high affinity as determined by fluorophore displacement assay and DNA band shift on agarose gel. When bound to Cy5 ...
Conservation laws, anisotropy, and "self-organized criticality" in noisy nonequilibrium systems.

It is argued in the context of noisy, nonequilibrium Langevin models that systems with conserving deterministic dynamics and noise which violates the conservation law always exhibit self-organized criticality---spatial and temporal correlations that decay algebraically under generic conditions. Systems with both conserving deterministic dynamics and conserving noise require spatial anisotropy to exhibit self-organized criticality.
The Third-Person Effect in Controversial Product Advertising

This research seeks to determine if there is a third-person effect in the realm of controversial product advertising. Survey participants rated their perceived levels of personal offense to product categories as well as the expected offense levels of other groups of people. The results show a significant third-person effect for five of six product categories where an effect was expected. In the case of advertising for racial extremist groups, a first-person effect existed as predicted. The findings suggest previous studies of controversial products may have overestimated actual levels of offense by ignoring the possibility of a third-person effect.
Chemical Imaging of Single Nanoparticles by Photothermal Microscopy

Photothermal imaging detects absorbing nanoparticles with superior dynamic range which makes it an attractive alternative to single particle fluorescence microscopy. Here we focus on its application to the measurement of adsorption and desorption of macromolecules at a nanoparticle surface.
Intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestration: advantages of the thoracoscopic approach

Pulmonary sequestrations are accessory foregut lesions that are most commonly located within the thorax and occasionally in the abdominal cavity. Sequestrations arising within the diaphragm are exceedingly rare. We describe 2 patients found to have left peridiaphragmatic lesions on prenatal ultrasound and postnatal computed tomography. In the first patient, an initial laparoscopic approach was abandoned in favor of a thoracoscopic approach after no intraabdominal mass was found. The second patient had an uncomplicated thoracoscopic resection of a similar lesion. To our knowledge, these represent the first intradiaphragmatic pulmonary sequestrations to be resected via a minimally invasive approach. The rarity of these lesions makes definitive diagnosis without operative intervention challenging. Thoracoscopy appears to be a reasonable approach for resection of such intradiaphragmatic lesions.
Shading and bypass diode impacts to energy extraction of PV arrays under different converter configurations

Abstract A solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion system requires power converters for maximum power extraction and grid integration. At present, typical converter configurations used in a solar PV system include central, string and micro-converter based PV systems. In order to develop efficient and reliable photovoltaic energy conversion technologies, this paper compares the energy extraction characteristics of a PV system for different converter schemes. The paper particularly focuses on how energy extraction characteristics of a PV array are affected by uneven shading and how different bypass diode arrangements improve and affect PV system energy extraction characteristics under different converter configurations. A detailed comparison study is conducted for central, string and micro-converter based PV systems. It is found that compared to micro-converter based PV systems, the central converter PV systems with large-scale distributed bypass diode connections could be an economic solution to enhance PV system efficiency, reliability and performance, in particular for utility-scale PV generators.
Prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus in postmenopausal age women

Abstract Little is known about the prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in older women, or about the association between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use and HPV detection. Like oral contraceptives, HRT hormones may upregulate viral expression and subsequent risk of genital cancer. Postmenopausal women seeking routine gynecologic care were evaluated for HPV infection, testing cervical/vaginal cytology by PCR/DNA sequencing. The prevalence of HPV was 14%; 6% had oncogenic types and 5.8% had persistent infection. Although risk of HPV detection was non-significantly elevated after adjustment for age and HPV-related risk factors among current (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.3) and past (adjusted OR=3.2) hormone users compared to never users, past users had a significantly higher risk using combination HRT regimens with increasing duration (adjusted OR=1.8 per year; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1–3.1). These findings suggest that a significant percentage of older women are infected with HPV. This may put them at increased risk of genital cancers with longer use of HRTs. Additional studies are needed.
Extracellular Matrix Lumican Promotes Bacterial Phagocytosis, and Lum−/− Mice Show Increased Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection Severity

Phagocytosis is central to bacterial clearance, but the exact mechanism is incompletely understood. Here, we show a novel and critical role for lumican, the connective tissue extracellular matrix small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycan, in CD14-mediated bacterial phagocytosis. In Psuedomonas aeruginosa lung infections, lumican-deficient (Lum−/−) mice failed to clear the bacterium from lungs, tissues, and showed a dramatic increase in mortality. In vitro, phagocytosis of nonopsonized Gram-negative Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa was inhibited in Lum−/− peritoneal macrophages (MΦs). Lumican co-localized with CD14, CD18, and bacteria on Lum+/+ MΦ surfaces. Using two different P. aeruginosa strains that require host CD14 (808) or CD18/CR3 (P1) for phagocytosis, we showed that lumican has a larger role in CD14-mediated phagocytosis. Recombinant lumican (rLum) restored phagocytosis in Lum−/− MΦs. Surface plasmon resonance showed specific binding of rLum to CD14 (KA = 2.15 × 106 m−1), whereas rLumY20A, and not rLumY21A, where a tyrosine in each was replaced with an alanine, showed 60-fold decreased binding. The rLumY20A variant also failed to restore phagocytosis in Lum−/− MΦs, indicating Tyr-20 to be functionally important. Thus, in addition to a structural role in connective tissues, lumican has a major protective role in Gram-negative bacterial infections, a novel function for small leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: The State of Government Document Collections and the Need for Awareness.

Abstract This article surveys the literature on the lack of utilization of government document collections and discusses and evaluates the need for increased awareness among faculty, students, and the general public of their value. It describes the results of the efforts of the staff of the Government Documents Department of Joyner Library of East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina in preparing a series of displays of government documents. An outgrowth of this effort was a series of bibliographies designed to aid those involved with government documents in their efforts to increase awareness of their collections and services.
Origin of deoxycorticosterone sulfate (DOC-SO4) in plasma of pregnant women: Pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate is a placental precursor of DOC-SO4

The plasma levels of deoxycorticosterone sulfate (DOC-SO4) in near-term pregnant women are approximately 100 times those in plasma of men or non-pregnant women. Yet, neither the tissue site of synthesis nor the precursor of DOC-SO4 that enters maternal plasma is known. Several potential sources have been excluded: plasma DOC-SO4 is not derived from plasma DOC; and the secretion of C21-steroids (other than aldosterone) from the maternal adrenals during human pregnancy is not increased. Similarly, the transfer of DOC-SO4 from fetal plasma cannot account for the high level of DOC-SO4 in the maternal compartment, and a reduced clearance of plasma DOC-SO4 during pregnancy cannot account for the high levels of DOC-SO4. Indeed, the rate of clearance of DOC-SO4 from plasma is 10-100 times that of most other steroid sulfates. To address this question further, we evaluated the possibility that fetal plasma pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate serves as a precursor for DOC-SO4 formation in the placenta. The preferential hydrolysis of the 3beta-sulfate of pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate in placenta would give rise to pregnenolone-21-monosulfate, which, if acted upon by placental 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta5 --> 4 isomerase, could give DOC-SO4. [3H]Pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate was incubated with minces of human placental tissue for 5, 20, 60 and 120 min. Radiolabelled DOC-SO4, DOC, and pregnenolone-21-monosulfate were isolated from the incubation media and quantified. After a 5 min incubation, 7.5% of substrate was converted to DOC-SO4; and after 20, 60 and 120 min approximately 30% of the [3H]pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate was recovered from the media of these incubations as [3H]DOC-SO4. [3H]DOC was also present in the incubation media and the concentrations of this product increased as a function of incubation time. Therefore, pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate, which is present in very high concentrations in fetal plasma (approximately 1000 ng/ml), is metabolized in the placenta to DOC-SO4. Because of the fetal and maternal vascular arrangements of the hemochorioendothelial placenta of human pregnancy, steroids produced in syncytiotrophoblasts preferentially enter the intervillous space; thus, fetal plasma pregnenolone-3,21-disulfate may serve as a placental precursor of maternal plasma DOC-SO4.
Identifying Students for Secondary and Tertiary Prevention Efforts: How Do We Determine Which Students Have Tier 2 and Tier 3 Needs?

In comprehensive, integrated, three-tiered models, it is essential to have a systematic method for identifying students who need supports at Tier 2 or Tier 3. This article provides explicit information on how to use multiple sources of data to determine which students might benefit from these supports. First, the authors provide an overview of how to make an assessment schedule for all schoolwide data. Second, the authors outline how to create a blueprint for Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports in a given school, including a description of the strategy or practice; inclusionary criteria; data to monitor progress; and exit criteria. Last, the authors provide an overview of how to connect students to support and monitor their progress.
Looking Into the Earth

Anyone who has taught an introductory course in geophysics to non-geophysics students has faced the challenge of finding an appropriate text. At one end of the spectrum of choices are the classic exploration-oriented texts written for applied geophysics courses. These texts, while good choices for students destined for the oil and mining industries, are either lacking in critical information required by students interested in the upper 10 meters of the Earth's crust, or are much too quantitative for the non-geophysics major. A few authors have extended the audience to include those interested in shallow subsurface investigations. Some of these books, however, lack a comprehensive treatment of surveying methods, or assume a background beyond the level that can be reasonably expected from this fraction of applied geophysics students.
PALATABILITY ATTRIBUTES OF LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICALLY STIMULATED HOT BONED BOVINE MUSCLE

Twelve grain-fed heifers with carcass weights ranging from 163 kg to 232 kg were randomly assigned to low voltage electrical stimulation (45 volts, 1.5 amps, pulsation cycle of 1.5s for duration of 150s) or no stimulation treatments. The semitendinosus (ST) and supraspinatus (SS) muscles were studied using high temperature (10h at 14° C plus 30h at −2° C) and low temperature conditioning (40h at −2° C) periods. Shear force and taste panel data were taken. Shear force data indicated statistically significant differences (P < .05) existed between electrically stimulated and nonstimulated hot boned supraspinatus (SS) and semitendinosus (ST) muscle. The duo-trio test indicated that panelists were able to detect a difference between electrically stimulated and nonstimulated muscle (P < .05).
Significance of childhood conduct problems to later development of conduct disorder among children with ADHD: A prospective follow-up study

This study investigates whether low to moderate levels of childhood oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) behaviors contribute to the development of clinically diagnosed CD in adolescence, in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants were 207 White boys (ages 6-12) with ADHD free of conduct disorder diagnoses. Parent and teacher ratings were obtained. Participants were assessed at mean age 18 by clinicians blind to childhood status. A non-ADHD group (recruited in adolescence) was also studied. ODD behavior ratings did not predict CD in adolescence, whereas CD behavior ratings did. No single ODD or CD behavior predicted adolescent outcome. ADHD probands with very low ratings (Not at all, Just a little) by parents and teachers on all CD behaviors were still at significantly increased risk for CD in adolescence, compared to non-ADHD controls. The same relationships were found between childhood ODD and CD behaviors, and antisocial personality disorder in adulthood (mean age, 25). We conclude that childhood ADHD is a developmental precursor of later antisocial disorder, even in the absence of comorbid ODD or CD in childhood. However, low levels of CD-type problems are not innocuous, because they predict later CD among children with ADHD without comorbid CD.
Studies on Phenolic Steroids in Human Subjects: VI. Biosynthesis of Estriolglucosiduronic Acid-16-14C by Human Liver1

Incubation of homogenates of human liver with uridinediphosphoglucosiduronic acid and estriol leads to the probable formation of estriol-16α-β-d-glucopyranosiduronic acid. The inclusion of uridinediphospho-N-acetylglucosamine in the incubation mixture increases the yield of conjugate. Competition experiments indicate that the 16α-transglucuronidase is probably a separate entity from the 3α-transferase. Optimal conditions for the reaction are investigated and a unit of enzyme activity is denned.
Experience with carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis for 16 Ashkenazi Jewish genetic diseases

The success of prenatal carrier screening as a disease prevention strategy in the Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) population has driven the expansion of screening panels as disease-causing founder mutations have been identified. However, the carrier frequencies of many of these mutations have not been reported in large AJ cohorts. We determined the carrier frequencies of over 100 mutations for 16 recessive disorders in the New York metropolitan area AJ population. Among the 100% AJ-descended individuals, screening for 16 disorders resulted in ∼1 in 3.3 being a carrier for one disease and ∼1 in 24 for two diseases. The carrier frequencies ranged from 0.066 (1 in 15.2; Gaucher disease) to 0.006 (1 in 168; nemaline myopathy), which averaged ∼15% higher than those for all screenees. Importantly, over 95% of screenees chose to be screened for all possible AJ diseases, including disorders with lower carrier frequencies and/or detectability. Carrier screening also identified rare individuals homozygous for disease-causing mutations who had previously unrecognized clinical manifestations. Additionally, prenatal testing results and experience for all 16 disorders (n = 574) are reported. Together, these data indicate the general acceptance, carrier frequencies, and prenatal testing results for an expanded panel of 16 diseases in the AJ population.
Laser cooling via excitation of localized electrons

Under appropriate conditions, absorption of light by a solid can initiate a process by which it is cooled. In particular, energy is extracted from a material when its absorption of a photon is followed by emission of a photon of higher energy. This up-conversion requires some of the solid's electrons to garner energy from atomic vibrations. Here, two schemes for laser cooling via localized electronic states are addressed. The first scheme utilizes the ground state and an excited state of a localized center. In this two-level scheme, the cooling process is initiated with photon absorption in the extreme low-energy tail of a localized state's vibrationally broadened absorption spectrum. The subsequent atomic relaxation transfers energy of especially large vibratory atomic strains into electrical energy that is then extracted via photon emission. The second scheme involves the ground state and two excited states of a localized center. Cooling is facilitated when (i) the photoexcitation of an electron from its ground state to the lower excited level is followed by (ii) electron-phonon-induced promotion to the uppermost level and the subsequent (iii) return of the electron to its ground state with emission of a photon of higher energy than that of the absorbed photon. However, competing relaxation processes contribute to heating. The net cooling power per unit volume is maximized for both schemes, thereby determining characteristics of localized electronic systems that foster optical cooling. The cooling power per unit volume is greatest at high temperatures and falls rapidly as the thermal energy is reduced below each system's luminescence Stokes shift. Moreover, cooling via the three-level scheme is most effective when (i) the energy separation between excited states is smaller than the thermal energy and (ii) the degeneracy of the highest-lying excited state is much larger than that of the center's middle level. These restrictive conditions appear to be satisfied for the three-level systems that to date exhibit laser cooling at or somewhat below room temperature: severely localized crystal-field-split $f$-electron states of rare-earth ions.
An iterative method for solving scattering problems

An iterative method is developed for computing the current induced by plane wave excitation on conducting bodies of arbitrary shape. In this method, the scattering body is divided into lit- and shadow-side regions separated by the geometric optics boundary. The induced current at any point on the surface of the scatterer is expressed as the sum of an approximate optics current and a correction current. Both of these currents are computed by iteration for the lit and shadow regions separately. The general theory is presented and applied to the problems of scattering from a two-dimensional cylinder of circular and square cross sections. The results are compared with the method of moments and good agreement is obtained. This method does not give erroneous results at internal resonances of the scatterer, does not suffer from computer storage problems and can be extended to nonperfect conductors as well as to three-dimensional bodies.
Expression of cytochrome oxidase in hair cells of the teleost utricle

Ultrastructural variation in some cytoplasmic organelles and synaptic structures is one characteristic distinguishing the types of hair cells in the teleost ear. In this study, we explored differences in mitochondria by analyzing mitochondrial reactivity for cytochrome oxidase (COX) in hair cells of the teleost utricle. The reactivity for COX within mitochondria in the subcuticular compartment directly beneath the cuticular plate differentiated among hair cells in utricles of three teleost species, Carassius auratus, Pantodon buchholzi, and Astronotus ocellatus. Mitochondria in the subcuticular region of hair cells in the striola reacted intensely. Within juxtastriola and extrastriolar hair cells near the striola, mitochondria reacted at a lowered intensity than in striolar hair cells. Subcuticular mitochondria of extrastriolar hair cells located distant from the striola reacted negligibly. The reactivity of mitochondria in other cytoplasmic compartments did not provide similar evidence for distinguishing among teleost hair cells. Mitochondria within intraepithelial branches of the eighth nerve terminals in the different utricular regions reacted to COX histochemistry commensurate with their respective presynaptic hair cells. Branches of sensory afferent neurons innervating striolar hair cells displayed a dense COX reaction. Sensory afferents innervating the extrastriolar hair cells did not display many mitochondria at synapses nor, when present, was the staining as dense. The presynaptic side of the hair cell-afferent nerve synapse usually, but not always, contained reactive mitochondria. The presynaptic side of the efferent nerve-hair cell synapse did not necessarily contain mitochondria. Mitochondria filling the cytoplasm in a type of juxtamacula cell revealed uniformly dense COX reactivity.
A blinded study of the suppressibility of involuntary movements in Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskinesia, and L-DOPA-induced chorea

Videotapes of patients with Huntington's chorea, tardive dyskinesia (TD), and L-DOPA-induced chorea in Parkinson's disease were taken while the patients were seated with their legs dangling. The videotapes were scored in a blinded fashion for suppressibility of dyskinesias. Most patients with TD or L-DOPA-induced chorea substantially suppressed their involuntary movements, whereas most patients with Huntington's chorea did not. There was a small overlap between the TD and Huntington's chorea groups and suppressibility therefore could not absolutely distinguish between them. Suppressibility testing may nonetheless be a valuable clinical tool since a good, excellent, or complete suppressibility rating was highly suggestive of TD but not Huntington's chorea. TD and L-DOPA-induced chorea may be more pathophysiologically similar to each other than either is to Huntington's chorea.
Conductive polymer-high modulus polymer alloys. A solution route to Kevlar-polypyrrole hybrid fibers

Abstract Electrically conductive and mechanically strong PPTA [Kevlar]-polypyrrole hybrid fibers have been prepared by an approach that capitalizes upon the solubility of metalated PPTA in certain polar organic solvents. Thus, DMSO solutions of NNa PPTA were dry-jet wet-spun into an FeCl 3 ·6H 2 O-containing coagulation bath to yield flexible PPTA-polypyrrole hybrid fibers containing greater than 50 wt % of polypyrrole. Room temperature conductivities approaching 10 S/cm are observed. Variable-temperature conductivity and thermoelectric power data correspond closely to those of high-quality polypyrrole films.
Co-administration of an adjuvanted FeLV vaccine together with a multivalent feline vaccine to cats is protective against virulent challenge with feline leukaemia virus, calicivirus, herpes virus and panleukopenia virus

abstract The results of four challenge studies following co-administration of cats with a trivalent vaccine (felinecalicivirus, feline herpes virus and feline panleukopenia virus; Versifel CVR) and feline leukaemia virusvaccine (Versifel FeLV) are described. Nine week old cats received two vaccinations, 21 days apart,administered concurrently (two vaccinations) or simultaneously (single vaccination) while non-vacci-nated control cats received sterile water. Three weeks after the second dose all cats were challenged;clinical observations, rectal or tympanic temperatures and blood samples were collected throughoutthe study.In all studies tympanic temperatures remained normal throughout the study. In the FeLV study mild,transient local reactions were seen in vaccinated cats. Following challenge, persistent antigenaemia wasdetected in 10/11 (91%) of non-vaccinated cats compared to 4/16 (25%) concurrent and 3/15 (20%) simul-taneous vaccinated cats. Following challenge with FHV, cats in all groups showed abnormal clinical signs;however, there were signiﬁcant differences in clinical scores between both the vaccinated groups and thenon-vaccinated group. Antibody responses to FHV in vaccinated and non-vaccinated cats showed a rapidincrease following challenge. Following challenge with FPV no abnormal clinical observations were seenin any of the treatment groups. All (6/6) non-vaccinated cats demonstrated a greater than 50% reductionin white blood cells counts, and also showed a reduction in lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. Two of 6concurrently vaccinated cats also had a greater than 50% reduction in neutrophil counts and another cat(1/6) had similar reductions in monocytes. The antibody responses to FPV following vaccinationincreased rapidly, peaking prior to second vaccination and remaining stable thereafter; non-vaccinatedcats sero-converted following challenge. Following challenge with FCV, non-vaccinated cats had a highincidence of ulcers, with two to three vaccinated cats also observed with this clinical sign. However, therewere highly signiﬁcant (P < 0.0001) differences between both vaccinated treatment and the non-vacci-nated groups in clinical scores. The antibody responses to FCV in vaccinated and non-vaccinated catsshowed a rapid increase following challenge.In conclusion, the results from this study demonstrate that concurrent or simultaneous administrationof these two vaccines resulted in equivalent efﬁcacy; both vaccine administration regimes showingsigniﬁcant differences in clinical scores or lower levels of persistent antigenaemia when compared tonon-vaccinated control cats following challenge. 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Youth–community–university partnerships and sense of place: two case studies of youth participatory action research

This paper describes two youth participatory action research initiatives undertaken in East Palo Alto, CA, USA, as part of university–community partnerships. We discuss the process of engaging youth researchers to build youth skills, facilitate relationships with community-based organizations, and enhance study integrity. We report interview and artifact data that address: (1) how the youths' involvement in the research process affected their sense of place and self-efficacy for creating community change; (2) how the youths' interactions with adult community leaders shifted adult perceptions of youths' abilities and roles in the community; and (3) how the initiatives affected youth and adult participants' perspectives of the university.
Potency ratios of morphine and morphine-6β-glucuronide analgesia elicited from the periaqueductal gray, locus coeruleus or rostral ventromedial medulla of rats

The present study examined whether morphine and morphine-6beta-glucuronide (M6G) analgesia on the tail-flick and jump tests differed in potency in the periaqueductal gray, the locus coeruleus or the rostral ventromedial medulla. Morphine and M6G significantly and dose-dependently elicited analgesia on both nociceptive tests from each site. Site-specific differences were observed in the potency of M6G, but not morphine analgesia on both tests. Periaqueductal gray placements displayed analgesic ED50s on the tail-flick (morphine: 2.1 microgram, M6G: 0.2 microgram) and jump (morphine: 2.2 microgram, M6G: 0.4 microgram) tests with respective potency ratios of 12.9 and 6.5. Locus coeruleus placements displayed analgesic ED50s on the tail-flick (morphine: 1.7 microgram, M6G: 0.1 microgram) and jump (morphine: 3.4 microgram, M6G: 0.2 microgram) tests with respective potency ratios of 15.9 and 15.1. Rostral ventromedial placements displayed analgesic ED50s on the tail-flick (morphine: 1.4 microgram, M6G: 0.06 microgram) and jump (morphine: 1.9 microgram M6G: 0.08 microgram) tests with potency ratios of 21.9 on both tests. The greater analgesic sensitivity of the rostral ventromedial medulla to M6G may be due to either pharmacodynamic (splice variants of the MOR-1 gene) and/or pharmacokinetic (lipid solubility) factors.
Coronary aneurysms in a young woman: angiographic documentation of the natural course.

A 19-year-old woman is reported with saccular aneurysms of the left anterior descending coronary artery and of diagonal branches. A scratchy systolic-diastolic murmur, heard on several occasions, gave the clinical impression that one of the aneurysms was in the process of rupturing. The patient's condition, however, remained stable until she developed an acute myocardial infarction. Postinfarction coronary arteriography showed complete occlusion of the anterior descending artery, most likely caused by thrombosis in one of the aneurysms which extended into the coronary artery.
Mobilized side and tip resistances of piles in clay

Abstract This paper presents a procedure to assess the mobilized pile side and tip resistance versus pile head and tip settlement under axial load in clay soil. The load transfer (t–z) curve is evaluated at any point on the loaded pile based on the combined pile tip/side resistance–displacement mechanisms along the length of the pile. Unlike current methods that assume the pile settlements as a percentage of the pile/shaft diameter, the presented technique determines the side and tip resistance of the pile and the associated pile settlement under existing load based on the current stress/strain level in the surrounding soil up to failure (excessive settlement). The technique employs the concepts of the elastic theory and Ramberg–Osgood characterization of the stress–strain behavior of the clay soil. Case studies are also presented to exhibit the capabilities of the proposed procedure. The good agreement between measured and calculated load transfer curves along the pile and pile tip resistance versus pile head, side, and tip displacements shows the consistency of the proposed procedure. A computer code is developed to employ the presented technique.
Finite Element Analysis of Multilayered and Functionally Gradient Tribological Coatings With Measured Material Properties (Preprint)

A model has been developed to study the stress distribution in Ti1 − xCx multilayered functionally gradient (FG) coatings, with a top coating of diamond-like carbon (DLC), on 440C stainless steel substrates. Using the finite element method, these gradient coatings were assumed as a series of perfectly bonded layers with unique material properties and layer thickness. In addition, a matrix of nanoindentation experiments were performed to measure material properties of each Ti1 − xCx layer on separate coating blocks. The yield strength of the coating materials was then determined by coupling the finite element analysis model in connection with the nanoindentation technique. Once developed, this model was used to examine the threshold of plasticity and identify the plastic deformation zone inside the multilayered coatings and substrate. This work shows how the multilayered FG Ti/TiC/DLC coating system improves the coating integrity under heavy loading conditions.
Toward the Cutting Edge With Strategic Planning and Futuring Techniques

Directing an academic department and counselor training program in these times of rapid change can be a challenging experience and a golden opportunity. Practical guidelines for success using futuring and strategic planning in university departments with counselor training programs will be offered.
Whale barnacles: exaptational access to a forbidden paradise

Abstract Of all sessile filtrators, only some species of acorn barnacles managed to permanently settle on whales. Their key exaptation was probably a kind of biochemical cleaning process, which could be modified to penetrate into the host's dead cutis. Anchorage was further increased by coring prongs out of the whale skin (Coronula) or by transforming the wall into a cylindrical tube that added new rings at the base, while old ones flaked off at the surface in tandem with skin shedding (Tubicinella). Xenobalanus even everted its naked body into a stalked structure and reduced the wall plates to a minute, but highly efficient, anchor. Cryptolepas combines the strategies of Tubicinella and Coronula, but with a different structure of the radial folds. Because of a shared exaptational inventory, it is impossible to unravel phylogenetic relationships within the Coronulida from skeletal morphology alone.
Connectivity Service for Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks

We present a distributed connectivity service that allows agents in a mobile ad-hoc network to move while preserving connectivity. This allows unmodified motion planning algorithms to control the trajectories of each robot independently, these trajectories are fed to the service which modifies them as little as possible to ensuring global connectivity. Since we require only short term targets the service can be used with online motion planning where the complete trajectory is not known a priori. For most motions the algorithm requires only local knowledge of the graph, and therefore scales up with the number of agents.
Detonation Measurements on Damaged LX-04

We have applied thermal insults on LX-04 at 185 °C and found that the material expanded significantly, resulting in a bulk density reduction of 12%. Subsequent detonation experiments (three cylinder tests) were conducted on the thermally damaged LX-04 samples and pristine low-density LX-04 samples and the results showed that the fractions reacted were close to 1.0. The thermally damaged LX-04 and pristine low-density LX-04 showed detonation velocities of 7.7–7.8 mm μs−1, significantly lower than that (8.5 mm μs−1) of pristine high-density LX-04. Detonation energy densities for the damaged LX-04, low-density pristine LX-04, and hot cylinder shot of LX-04 were 6.48, 6.62, and 6.58 kJ cm−3, respectively, lower than the detonation energy density of 8.11 kJ cm−3 for the high density pristine LX-04. The break-out curves for the detonation fronts showed that the damaged LX-04 had longer edge lags than the high density pristine LX-04, indicating that the damaged explosive is less ideal.
Effects of lα,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and Solanum Glaucophyllum on Intestinal Calcium and Phosphate Transport and on Plasma Ca, Mg, and P Levels in the Rat

The responses elicited by a single dose of either S. glaucophyllum (SG) or lα,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (lα,25-(OH)2D3) in vitamin D-deficient rats were qualitatively identical. Both compounds stimulated duodenal absorption of calcium and phosphate 3 h after administration, and the effects persisted for 96 h. The SG effects on calcium transport were maximal at 6 h and exceeded the greatest response to lα,25-(OH)2D3 which occurred at 48 h. While the early SG effects on phosphate absorption exceeded those of lα,25-(OH)2D3, the latter compound had a much greater effect at 48 h. Both SG and lα,25-(OH)2D3 produced marked hyperphosphatemia that was accompanied by hypocalcemia and transient hypermagnesemia at 3–6 h. The phosphatemia increased for 48 h in the lα,25-(OH)2D3 group and fell toward baseline between 48 and 96 h, while this parameter was maximal in the SG group at 3–12 h and returned to baseline values by 96 h. Plasma calcium levels tended to vary inversely with phosphorus concentrations and did not excee...
Fatal unintentional occupational poisonings by hydrofluoric acid in the U.S.

Background Case reports have identified hydrofluoric acid (HF) as causing fatal work injury, and HF has both local and systemic toxicity. Surveillance for HF-related mortality is problematic because of the lack of unique coding for this acid in hospital records and vital statistics. Methods We identified HF-related fatal work injuries investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 1984‐94 from coding of Hazardous Substance 1460 (HF) and requested case investigation files under the Freedom of Information Act. We attempted to identify HF-related deaths in the US for the same period through literature case reports, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). Results For the 11 year period, OSHA investigated nine deaths in eight incidents which involved HF. Four deaths were from skin contact with concentrated HF, and five deaths involved both skin contact and inhalation of vapor. Unsafe work practices were factors in all of the deaths. Calcium chloride or gluconate was noted to have been administered to five of the nine victims. Calcium was administered 90 min after exposure to two victims, and more than 6 h after exposure to a third. We were able to establish that the regional poison control center had been contacted in regard to only one victim. For the period 1984‐94, we were able to identify no additional deaths from CPSC reports, one additional death from AAPCC annual reports, and four other deaths from case reports in the medical literature. Conclusions For the period of this study, OSHA records identified the greatest number of HF-related fatalities. The limited information in the records suggest that some victims did not receive appropriate medical care, nor was the regional poison center contacted regarding care. The full extent of health problems related to HF could be better quantified if usual surveillance sources, such as vital records, included unique coding for this acid. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:215‐220, 2001. fl 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Brief report: Accelerated atherosclerosis in low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice lacking the membrane-bound complement regulator CD59

Objective— Whereas studies in humans and animal models have suggested a role for complement activation in atherosclerosis, there has been little analysis of the importance of complement regulators. We tested the hypothesis that the terminal pathway inhibitor CD59 plays an essential role in limiting the proinflammatory effects of complement activation. Methods and Results— CD59 gene targeted mice ( CD59a −/− ) mice were crossed with low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient ( Ldlr −/− ) mice. CD59-deficient Ldlr −/− mice had significantly more extensive en face Sudan IV staining of thoracoabdominal aorta than Ldlr −/− single knock-outs, both after a low-fat diet (6.51±0.36% versus 2.63±0.56%, P P CD59a −/− / Ldlr −/− mice on a high-fat diet was associated with increased lesional vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) number and fibrous cap formation. Conclusion— Our data show that CD59 deficiency accelerates the development of lesions and increases plaque VSMC composition. Assuming that the main function of CD59 is to prevent the development of C5b-9 membrane attack complexes, our observations are consistent with the terminal complement pathway having proatherogenic potential in the Ldlr −/− mouse model, and highlight the importance of complement regulation.
Long-term intrathecal baclofen: outcomes after more than 10 years of treatment.

Objective To report outcomes of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy for spasticity management in a cohort of patients who had received this treatment for at least 10 years. Design A cross-sectional survey and retrospective chart review. Setting An academic rehabilitation outpatient clinic. Participants Adult patients with spasticity treated with ITB for at least 10 years. Main Outcome Measurements Surveys included the Brief Pain Inventory, Penn Spasm Frequency Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, Diener Satisfaction with Life, Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, and Intrathecal Baclofen Survey. Results Twenty-four subjects completed the surveys. The subjects had been treated with ITB from 10.0-28.4 years, with a mean (standard deviation) of 14.7 ± 4.2 years. The mean (standard deviation) dose of ITB was 627.9 ± 306.7 μg/d, with only 6 subjects averaging daily dose changes of more than 10% compared with 3 years earlier. The mean (standard deviation) scores on outcomes surveys were the following: 2.6 ± 2.3 for pain severity on the Brief Pain Inventory, 1.4 ± 0.7 for spasm severity on the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale, 7.9 ± 5.4 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, 4.1 ± 1.6 on the Fatigue Severity Scale, 19.4 ± 8.1 on the Diener Satisfaction with Life, 3.9 ± 0.9 on the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, and 8.8 ± 1.9 for overall satisfaction with ITB on the Intrathecal Baclofen Survey. On the Brief Pain Inventory, the mean scores for pain severity and interference of pain with life showed moderate inverse correlations with ITB dose ( r = −0.386, P = .115; and r = −0.447, P = .062, respectively). On the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, the mean scores for life satisfaction showed statistically significant positive correlation with ITB dose ( r = 0.549, P = .021). Conclusions The subjects reported low levels of pain, moderate levels of life satisfaction, normal levels of sleepiness, low-to-moderate levels of fatigue, infrequent spasms at mild-to-moderate severity, and high levels of satisfaction. The efficacy and favorable adverse effect profile of ITB therapy was sustained in this cohort of subjects with more than a decade of treatment.