cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and characterization of novel derivatives of the antiepileptic drug lacosamide that exhibit far greater enhancement in slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels.

The novel antiepileptic drug (R)-N-benzyl 2-acetamido-3-methoxypropionamide ((R)-lacosamide, Vimpat ((R)-1)) was recently approved in the United States and Europe for adjuvant treatment of partial-onset seizures in adults. (R)-1 preferentially enhances slow inactivation of voltage-gated Na+ currents, a pharmacological process relevant in the hyperexcitable neuron. We have advanced a strategy to identify lacosamide binding partners by attaching affinity bait (AB) and chemical reporter (CR) groups to (R)-1 to aid receptor detection and isolation. We showed that select lacosamide AB and AB&CR derivatives exhibited excellent activities similar to (R)-1 in the maximal electroshock seizure model in rodents. Here, we examined the effect of these lacosamide AB and AB&CR derivatives and compared them with (R)-1 on Na+ channel function in central nervous system (CNS) catecholaminergic (CAD) cells. Using whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, we demonstrated that the test compounds do not affect the Na+ channel f...
A vector-parallel scheme for Navier-Stokes computations at multi-gigaflop performance rates

A class of vector-parallel schemes for solution of steady compressible or incompressible viscous flow is developed and performance studies carried out. The algorithms employ an artificial transient treatment that permits rapid integration to a steady state. In the present work a four-stage explicit Runge-Kutta scheme employing variable local step size is utilized for the ODE system integration. The RK-4 scheme is restructured to allow vectorization and enhance concurrency in the calculation for a streamfunction-vorticity formulation of the flow problem. The parameters of the resulting RK scheme can be selected to accelerate convergence of the RK recursion. Four main procedures are considered which permit vector-parallel solution: a Jacobi update, a hybrid of the Jacobi and Gauss-Seidel method, red-black ordering and domain decomposition. Numerical performance studies are conducted with a representative viscous incompressible flow calculation. Results indicate that a scheme involving domain decomposition with a Gauss-Seidel type of update for the RK four-stage scheme is most effective and provides performance in excess of 8 Gflops on the Cray C-90.
An experimental analysis of hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis (HC) involves preoccupation with fears of having a serious medical illness based on the misinterpretation of benign bodily perturbations. Individuals with HC also perform behaviors such as checking and reassurance-seeking presumably to reduce health-related fears. Experimental behavioral analyses of HC symptoms, however, are lacking. In the present study, 27 patients with HC were exposed to personally relevant health-related stimuli under one of two conditions: (a) subsequently performing safety-seeking behaviors (e.g., checking) (n=14) or (b) subsequently being instructed not to perform such behaviors (n=13). In both groups, subjective anxiety and urges to perform safety behaviors were monitored for 1h. Results indicated that exposure to the personally relevant health trigger provoked anxiety and urges to perform safety behaviors. For patients who performed such behaviors, these feelings were reduced. For patients who did not, a more gradual reduction of anxiety and urges was observed. Findings are discussed in terms of the conceptualization and treatment of HC behavior, and are relevant to HC's possible relationship to panic and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Gender-Role Implications on Same-Sex Intimate Partner Abuse

This paper examines sociocultural factors that influence how same-sex intimate partner violence is viewed, studied, reported and treated, with a specific focus on the effects of gender-role socialization and heterosexism. Further it summarizes the similarities and differences experienced by heterosexual and same-sex couples in order to provide a framework for understanding the unique factors that must be considered when working with this population. It also explores how gender-role socializations and heterosexism create and enforce stigmas and obstacles for validation and reporting of this abuse. The exacerbation of same-sex partner abuse by the dominant and sexual minority culture is addressed and problems that exist within the legal system are highlighted. Issues created by the power dynamics of intersecting identities (race, socioeconomic status, age, disability, sexual orientation) and minority stress are discussed. Suggestions for supportive legislation and implications for helping professionals are provided.
A sensitive and specific fluorescence assay for tissue serotonin

Abstract A sensitive and specific method for the estimation of serotonin in biological materials is described. In this method, serotonin is reacted with ninhydrin to form a product whose fluorescence is eight times more intense than the native fluorescence of serotonin in strong acid solution. With this method it is possible to measure serotonin in organs in which endogenous serotonin had not been previously detected and to study the subcellular distribution of this amine in the rat pineal and adrenal glands.
ROARS: a scalable repository for data intensive scientific computing

As scientific research becomes more data intensive, there is an increasing need for scalable, reliable, and high performance storage systems. Such data repositories must provide both data archival services and rich metadata, and cleanly integrate with large scale computing resources. ROARS is a hybrid approach to distributed storage that provides both large, robust, scalable storage and efficient rich metadata queries for scientific applications. In this paper, we demonstrate that ROARS is capable of importing and exporting large quantities of data, migrating data to new storage nodes, providing robust fault tolerance, and generating materialized views based on metadata queries. Our experimental results demonstrate that ROARS' aggregate throughput scales with the number of concurrent clients while providing fault-tolerant data access. ROARS is currently being used to store 5.1TB of data in our local biometrics repository.
Variations on a theme by Schoenberg

Abstract In this note we discuss three types of polynomial spline approximation: (i) Schoenberg's variation-diminishing approximation, (ii) simple variation-diminishing approximation, and (iii) a natural extrapolated approximation which can be obtained by taking the appropriate linear combination of the first two. The latter method, although not variation diminishing itself, has a number of practical advantages over either (i) or (ii), including higher-order convergence properties with respect to mesh gauge and in order of derivative, specifically, for C 2 functions defined on finite intervals, it exhibits uniform convergence behavior in value, slope, and curvature, whereas the other methods break down on the last and sometimes critical “shape-getting property”, namely, convergence in curvature.
Myocardial degeneration and cardiac arrest in squirrel monkey: physiological and psychological correlates.

Behavioral factors and cardiovascular changes associated with myocardial degeneration and cardiac arrest induced by shock avoidance stress were studied. Pairs of avoidance and yoked squirrel monkeys were exposed to a 24-hr session. Myocardial degeneration and cardiac arrest were more readily induced in avoidance than yoked monkeys. The cardiac lesions were not related to body weight, aggressive behavior, or number of shocks received during stress, but an increased heart rate without hypertension during the first stress hour was more evident in avoidance than yoked monkeys. These cardiac changes were attributed to an autonomic disturbance associated with the response contingencies of the avoidance situation. An autonomic effect also appeared to be involved with stress-induced death. These deaths were characterized by a sudden, severe bradycardia without initial hypotension and cardiac arrest which was attributed to either parasympathetic activation or sympathetic inhibition. While heart rate decreased in all monkeys, stress-induced death followed only in monkeys which gave up and stopped contending with the stress. Thus, stress-induced myocardial changes and death were related to autonomic disturbances precipitated by psychological stress.
Effect of pH, inoculum size, and incubation time on the susceptibility of Ureaplasma urealyticum to erythromycin in vitro

Determinations of the susceptibility of Ureaplasma urealyticum to erythromycin in vitro as measured by the broth dilution method have shown wide variations with minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) from 0.04 to > or = 8 micrograms/mL, indicating a need for standardization. The effects of pH, inoculum size, and incubation were studied. In the broth dilution test, pH had an important effect. The apparent MIC was 4- to 16-fold higher at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.0, with the MIC falling progressively from values of 8 to > or = 8 micrograms/mL to values of 0.25 to 1 microgram/mL as the pH of the medium was increased in steps to pH 7.0. Large inocula also inflated the MICs 2- to 4-fold. In addition, the time of incubation influenced the apparent MIC, with increases of 4- to 16-fold between days 1 and 5. In agar dilution assays, MICs decreased from 2 micrograms/mL at pH 6.2 to 0.5 microgram/mL at pH 6.6. Since pH, inoculum level, and incubation time appear to be responsible for most of the variation in results, we propose that susceptibility testing for ureaplasmas can be improved by using medium with a more neutral pH than that usually used (pH 6) and by standardizing the inoculum size and incubation period.
Growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes on a nanorough surface

We compare the growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on rough and smooth surfaces. Individual raw HiPco (high-pressure CO) SWNTs are deposited onto porous oxide nanoparticles on a silicon or quartz substrate. The HiPco SWNTs are shown to retain their original catalyst particles that are carbon coated as a result of arrested growth due to bundle formation in the HiPco reactor. Overcoated catalysts are activated with O2 oxidation and SWNTs grown at 900 °C in the presence of CO and H2. The typical length of the SWNTs is more than 10 Im when grown on nanorough surfaces such as fumed silica. This is much longer than the original HiPco SWNTs where the average length is approximately 0.5 Im. They are also much longer than SWNTs grown from the same source material with the same growth conditions on a flat silicon oxide surface. These results support the general impression that extensive interaction of both the nanotube and the catalyst particle with an adjacent surface greatly retards growth.
Sharing the burden: the complex practice of wound care in the community

Wound care in the community setting is often far from simple. Chronic wounds are the product of a complex interplay of processes that must all be addressed if healing, or an improvement in quality of life, is to be achieved. This case study highlights some of the complex issues faced in the community, and reinforces the need for all health professionals to continuously update their knowledge and skills.
Bidirectional soliton street

The bidirectional long-wave model introduced by Wu (1994)[1] and Yih & Wu (1995)[2] is applied to evaluate interactions between multiple solitary waves progressing in both directions in a uniform channel of rectangular cross-section and undergoing collisions of two classes, one being head-on and the other overtaking collisions between these solitons. For a binary head-on collision, the two interacting solitary waves are shown to merge during a phase-locking period from which they reemerge separated, each asymptotically recovering its own initial identity while both being retarded in phase from their original pathlines. For a binary overtaking collision between a soliton of height α1 overtaking a weaker one of height α1, the two solition peaks are shown to either pass through each other or remain separated throughout the encounter according as α1/α2 or <3, respectively. With no phase locking during the overtaking, the two solitary waves re-emerge afterwards with their initial forms recovered and with the stronger wave being advanced whereas the weaker one retarded in phase from their original pathlines. By extension, the theory is generalized to apply to uniform channels of arbitrary cross-sectional shape.
Estimation of the Effective d31 Coefficients of the Piezoelectric Layer in Rainbow Actuators

We have analyzed the performance of Rainbow (reduced and internally biased oxide wafer) actuators by assuming that the key difference between these devices and unimorph actuators is the presence of internal stress that alters the extrinsic (domain switching) contribution to electromechanical response, and thus, the effective d31 coefficient of the piezoelectric layer. Based on this assumption, we calculated the d31 coefficient as a function of device geometry and electric field and found that the coefficients ranged from approximately −300 to −600 pm/V. The highest d31 value was obtained for a Rainbow actuator that was fabricated by reducing 1/3 of the piezoelectric layer; other studies indicated that this device possessed the highest tensile stress in the surface region of the piezoelectric. We observed that geometric effects on calculated d31 coefficients were as significant as voltage effects. The analytical approach utilized also permitted estimation of the relative contributions of mechanical and stress effects to the performance of these devices, which were determined to be dependent on field and geometry. Although the estimated d31 coefficient for certain geometries is twice the typical low field value, it must be remembered that this value represents an “average” value for the entire piezoelectric layer, which is under a stress gradient; i.e., the lower region of the piezoelectric is in lateral compression, while the upper region is in lateral tension. This suggests that the true electromechanical coefficients of the lead zirconate titanate composition utilized in these devices would display an even broader range of d31 values, if d31 was characterized as a function of uniform lateral stress.
Interrelationships of vitamin D, bone metabolism and blood calcium concentration in the chick

Abstract It is not known if the effects of vitamin D deficiency on chick bone are due to direct actions of the vitamin or if they are secondary to other changes, such as hypocalcemia. Day-old cockerels were fed either a rachitogenic diet containing no Ca (−D-Ca), 1.4% Ca (−D), or 3% Ca (−DHiCa) and given corn oil (−D groups) or vitamin D 3 in corn oil (+D and + D-Ca) p.o. for up to 21 days. Radii were harvested and incubated for 6–8 h in a defined medium. Medium samples were taken every 2 h and analysed for Ca, P 1 and lactate. Some bones were incubated in a respirometer to measure O 2 consumption. Compared to +D, −D birds showed evidence of D deficiency by decreased plasma Ca concentration (33%), bone and body weight (43%) and Ca release from bone (70%) and by histological changes in bone characteristic of rickets. Increases were seen in total and bone alkaline phosphatase activity in plasma (270 and 706%, respectively), P i release (23%), O 2 consumption (23%) and lactate production (52%) by the −D radii. The marked hypocalcemia seen in the −D chicks did not occur in −DHiCa birds. Nevertheless, bone and body weights were decreased in this group and bone lactate production, O 2 consumption and total and bone alkaline phosphatase in plasma were increased. Rachitic bone lesions were only partially corrected by the high-Ca diet. Release of Ca and P i from the −DHiCa bone? was not different than from +D radii. Comparing +D-Ca and −D-Ca groups with +D chicks, both were hypocalcemic with decreased bone weight, body weight and bone Ca release, while showing elevated lactate production and P i release. The only difference between the +D-Ca and −D-Ca groups was a 50% decrease in Ca release by −D-Ca bone. The results suggest that in chicks: ( 1 ) some, but not all, of the effects of vitamin D deficiency on bone can be corrected by normalizing plasma Ca and ( 2 ) evaluation of the effects of vitamin D deficiency on bone may require hypocalcemia, since some responses are masked by normocalcemia.
Assessing the efficacy of molecularly targeted agents by using Kalman filter

A novel preclinical model combining experimental methods and theoretical analysis is proposed to investigate the mechanism of action and identify pharmacodynamic characteristic of a drug. Instead of fixed time point analysis of the drug exposure to drug effect, the time course of drug effect for different doses are quantitatively studied on cell line-based platforms using Kalman filter, where tumor cells' responses to drugs through the use of fluorescent reporters are sampled frequently over a time-course. It is expected that such preclinical study will provide valuable suggestions about dosing regimens for in vivo experimental stage to increase productivity.
Bacterial translocation from the gut: a mechanism of infection

Bacterial infection is a common and serious problem in burn victims who survive the shock phase of thermal injury. Our experimental work, plus the clinical studies of others, suggests that the gut can serve as a reservoir for systemic infections caused by bacteria that cross (translocate) the gastrointestinal (GI) epithelium. Bacterial translocation from the GI tract does not normally occur in the healthy animal owing to (1) the presence of an indigenous GI microflora preventing bacterial overgrowth, (2) an intact intestinal epithelial barrier, and (3) normal host immune defenses. However, a thermal injury, as well as other stressors, can result in the disruption or impairment of any of these protective mechanisms, potentially leading to lethal systemic infections with bacteria colonizing the gut.
Fatigue life prediction of fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites

A micromechanical model was developed to predict the fatigue life of SiC fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites. The propagation of matrix cracks was modeled by calculating the stress concentration factor at the matrix crack tip in a fiber bridged center matrix crack. The residual stiffness was then predicted by using the partial-crack shear-lag model, and the post-fatigued tensile strength was predicted by using the load carrying capacity of fibers proposed previously for brittle matrix composites. Finally, the catastrophic failure and fatigue life of the composite was determined by Monte Carlo simulation. An integrated computer simulation code was developed to simulate the evolution of fatigue damage, degradation of mechanical properties, and to predict fatigue life. The predicted matrix crack propagation rates, residual stiffness, residual tensile strength, and fatigue life were also correlated with experimental results.
Minimum-Perimeter Polygons of Digitized Silhouettes

The minimum-perimeter polygon of a silhouette has been shown to be a means for recognizing convex silhouettes and for smoothing the effects of digitization in silhouettes. We describe a new method of computing the minimum-perimeter polygon (MPP) of any digitized silhouette satisfying certain constraints of connectedness and smoothness, and establish the underlying theory. Such a digitized silhouette is called a ``regular complex,'' in accordance with the usage in piecewise linear topology. The method makes use of the concept of a stretched string constrained to lie in the cellular boundary of the digitized silhouette. We show that, by properly marking the virtual as well as the real vertices of an MPP, the MPP can serve as a precise representation of any regular complex, and that this representation is often an economical one.
MRI Diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse Compared with Clinical Examination

Rationale and Objectives The aims of this study were to determine agreement between clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (rectal contrast and noncontrast MRI) for pelvic organ prolapse using both the pubococcygeal line (PCL) and the midpubic line (MPL) and to assess the relationship between measurements performed relative to each line. Materials and Methods Dynamic MRI exams in 88 women (with rectal contrast, n = 39; noncontrast, n = 49) were evaluated, followed by review of clinical exam notes. Agreement between clinical exam and MRI and the difference between PCL and MPL measurements were evaluated. Results Agreement of rectal contrast MRI with clinical exam was 79% for PCL and 85% for MPL (P = .17) for cystoceles, 50% for PCL and 59% for MPL (P = .20) for vaginal prolapse, 56% for PCL for enteroceles, and 61% for rectoceles. Agreement of noncontrast MRI with clinical exam was 67% for PCL and 78% for MPL (P = .19) for cystoceles, 58% for PCL and 71% for MPL (P = .10) for vaginal prolapse, 65% for enteroceles, and 40% for rectoceles. The average difference between the PCL and the MPL was 3.12 ± 0.24 cm at the bladder base and 4.88 ± 0.37 cm at the vaginal apex. Conclusions Agreement of MRI with clinical exam was highest for cystoceles. There was no significant difference in agreement using the MPL or PCL, suggesting that either line can be used on MRI. The average differences between the PCL and MPL at the bladder base and vaginal apex were approximately 3 and 5 cm, respectively.
Intro to WebM

Last year at Google IO, we launched the WebM Project(webmproject.org) a project that aims to develop a high-quality, open video format for the web that is freely available to everyone. In this session, we'll explore the history of the project and discuss the long term goals we have for WebM. We'll also deep dive in all the pieces that make up the WebM format, review related projects and present the technical features that make WebM work especially well for web video. Finally, we'll compare the performance of WebM to other formats used on the Internet and open up the floor for discussion.
Cadherin-2 and cadherin-4 in developing, adult and regenerating zebrafish cerebellum

Abstract Cadherins are cell adhesion molecules that regulate development of a variety of tissues and maintenance of adult structures. In this study, we examined expression of two zebrafish classical cadherins, cadherin-2 and cadherin-4, in the cerebellum of developing, normal adult, and regenerating adult zebrafish using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical methods. Cadherin-2 was widely expressed by the cerebellum of embryonic (24–50-h post fertilization) and larval zebrafish (3–14 days). Cadherin-2 expression became much reduced in the adult cerebellum, but it was greatly up-regulated in the regenerating adult cerebellum. Cadherin-4 was not detected in the embryonic cerebellum, but it was expressed in the Purkinje cells of the larval and adult cerebellum. To gain insight into cadherin-2 role in the formation of the cerebellum, we analyzed embryos injected with a specific cadherin-2 antisense morpholino oligonucleotide ( cdh2 MO1), and found that the cerebellar development of the cdh2 MO1-injected embryos was severely disrupted. This phenotype was confirmed by examining a cadherin-2 mutant, glass onion . Our results suggest that cadherins are crucial for the normal development of the zebrafish cerebellum, and they may also be involved in the regeneration of injured fish cerebellum.
Common and Distinct Elements in Cellular Signaling via EGF and FGF Receptors

Signaling pathways that are activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors have been identified and compared (detailed Connections Maps are available at Science's Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment). Both receptors stimulate a similar complement of intracellular signaling pathways. However, whereas activated EGF receptors (EGFRs) function as the main platform for recruitment of signaling proteins, signaling through the FGF receptors (FGFRs) is mediated primarily by assembly of a multidocking protein complex. Moreover, FGFR signaling is subject to additional intracellular and extracellular control mechanisms that do not affect EGFR signaling. The differential circuitry of the intracellular networks that are activated by EGFR and FGFR may affect signal specificity and physiological responses.
Reconstruction of longitudinal distributed incoherent sources.

We describe measurement of the degree of coherence induced by a random light source distributed along the longitudinal z axis. If this degree of coherence is measured only between all the in-plane pairs of points placed along the radial lines it is proportional to the Fourier transform of the source’s three-dimensional intensity distribution as seen from the paraxial far zone. A reconstruction of the source shape from the measured degree of coherence is also demonstrated.
Self-reported health and fitness habits of certified athletic trainers.

Abstract Context: As health care providers, certified athletic trainers (ATs) should be role models for healthy behaviors. Objective: To analyze the self-reported health and fitness habits of ATs. ...
High-energy flare observations from the Solar Maximum Mission.

We review high-energy observations of solar flares with emphasis on measurements by instruments on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Those observations show that, contrary to prior expectation, high-energy emission is a common property of solar flares. Direct interpretation of the measurements shows that both energetic ion and relativistic electron acceleration are ubiquitous flare phenomena and that those particles can be accelerated to high energies very rapidly. We present evidence that the high-energy emission from flares is anisotropic. We also review how studies of the nuclear line spectra have allowed derivation of characteristics of both the energetic ions and the target material. Altogether, these results clearly refute many of the old ideas about energetic flare particles and have stimulated new thinking about how particles are accelerated and transported during flares.
Promoting sustainability through green chemistry

Green chemistry is an important tool in achieving sustainability. The implementation of green chemistry, the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances, is essential if the expanding global population is to enjoy an increased standard of living without having a negative impact on the health of the planet. Cleaner technologies will allow the chemical enterprise to provide society with the goods and services on which it depends in an environmentally responsible manner. Green chemistry provides solutions to such global challenges as climate change, sustainable agriculture, energy, toxics in the environment, and the depletion of natural resources. A collaborative effort by industry, academia, and government is needed to promote the adoption of the green chemistry technologies necessary to achieve a sustainable society.
Assembly of ER-associated protein degradation in vitro: dependence on cytosol, calnexin, and ATP.

To investigate the mechanisms of ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD), this process was reconstituted in vitro. Established procedures for post-translational translocation of radiolabeled prepro-alpha factor into isolated yeast microsomes were modified to inhibit glycosylation and to include a posttranslocation "chase" incubation period to monitor degradation. Glycosylation was inhibited with a glyco-acceptor peptide to compete for core carbohydrates, or by using a radio-labeled alpha factor precursor that had been genetically engineered to eliminate all three glycosylation sites. Inhibition of glycosylation led to the production of unglycosylated pro-alpha factor (p alpha F), a processed form of the alpha factor precursor shown to be a substrate of ERAD in vivo. With this system, both glycosylated and unglycosylated forms of pro-alpha factor were stable throughout a 90-min chase incubation. However, the addition of cytosol to the chase incubation reaction induced a selective and rapid degradation of p alpha F. These results directly reflect the behavior of alpha factor precursor in vivo; i.e., p alpha F is a substrate for ERAD, while glycosylated pro-alpha factor is not. Heat inactivation and trypsin treatment of cytosol, as well as addition of ATP gamma S to the chase incubations, led to a stabilization of p alpha F. ERAD was observed in sec12 microsomes, indicating that export of p alpha F via transport vesicles was not required. Furthermore, p alpha F but not glycosylated pro-alpha factor was found in the supernatant of the chase incubation reactions, suggesting a specific transport system for this ERAD substrate. Finally, the degradation of p alpha F was inhibited when microsomes from a yeast strain containing a disrupted calnexin gene were examined. Together, these results indicate that cytosolic protein factor(s), ATP hydrolysis, and calnexin are required for ER-associated protein degradation in yeast, and suggest the cytosol as the site for degradation.
The induction of chromosome aberrations by cis-platinum(II) diamminodichloride in Drosophila melanogaster.

The authors have determined the in vivo effects of cis-platinum(II)diamminodichloride (cis-PDD) treatment on the induction of chromosome aberrations in Drosophila melanogaster germ cells. cis-PDD treatment induces significant increases in chromosome breakage in all stages of spermatogenesis in a battery of test systems using ring or rod-X males and repair-proficient or deficient females. Since no increase in nondisjunction was induced by cis-PDD in either male or female germ cells, any aneuploidy inducing effects of this compound should result from its clastogenic action. They also find that mei-9 excision repair function is involved in the repair of cis-PDD-induced DNA lesions in a manner that provides additional evidence that partital and ring chromosome losses are not completely homologous.
Conservation and management implications of fine‐scale genetic structure of Gulf sturgeon in the Pascagoula River, Mississippi

Summary The anadromous Gulf sturgeon occurs along the north central coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is federally listed as threatened. We analyzed fine-scale patterns of Gulf sturgeon population structure, focusing on the Pascagoula River drainage of Mississippi, in reference to movement patterns as determined via telemetry and capture data. We genotyped 361 Gulf sturgeon using eight microsatellite loci including samples from the Pascagoula, Pearl, Escambia, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, and Apalachicola river drainages. Pairwise FST estimates indicated that genetic structure occurs at least at the drainage level. The Pascagoula and Pearl rivers form a western group, demonstrating 100% bootstrap support for a division with drainages to the east. Assignment tests detected non-natal genotypes occurring in all drainages. According to assignment tests, the Pascagoula supports an admixture of individuals, containing minimal influence from drainages to the east (2%) and substantial interaction with the Pearl River (14.1%). The occurrence of Pascagoula River fish in the Pearl was non-reciprocal, observed at 1.1%. After accounting for non-natal genetic diversity within the Pascagoula, there remained a disparity between a pooled Pascagoula group and the only documented spawning site within the drainage located in the Bouie River. We interpret this as an indication of a second genetic stock within the Pascagoula River drainage. Radio telemetry data suggest that spawning likely occurs in the Chickasawhay River, in areas isolated from the Bouie River spawning site by about 350 river kilometers. We emphasize the utility of integrating field and molecular approaches when delineating fine-scale patterns of population structure in anadromous fishes.
Montmorillonite impregnated with bismuth nitrate: a versatile reagent for the synthesis of nitro compounds of biological significance

Montmorillonite impregnated with bismuth nitrate has been found to be an excellent reagent for the synthesis of several nitro compounds of biological significance in high yield.
Otitis media: immediate antibiotics or watchful waiting?

Immediate antibiotic treatment for children with acute otitis media (AOM) has been shown to improve symptoms, although failure, relapse and recurrence are common following antibiotic treatment. Until recently, almost all children in the USA received antibiotics for the immediate management of AOM. However, widespread use of antibiotics for AOM has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Studies indicate that antibiotic prescribing for AOM can be reduced in children with nonsevere AOM by as much as 50% without serious harmful consequences, because symptoms can be effectively controlled in such children with analgesic medication alone. Substantial data now exist, and guidelines support, the use of watchful waiting or a wait-and-see prescription for selected children with AOM. This paper will summarize the reasons why watchful waiting may be an appropriate alternative treatment for selected children with AOM. We will also describe a simple screening method that can facilitate clinical decision ...
An application of formal analysis to software in a fault-tolerant environment

The paper describes work that represents the culmination of a comprehensive hardware/software modeling and analysis project concerning the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Fault-Tolerant Processor (FTP). The FTP performs a safety related function at the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR, previously known as the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II) operated by Argonne National Laboratory for the Department of Energy. Previously, we demonstrated the tolerance to hardware failures of data exchange instructions on the FTP (G.H. Chisholm et al., 1987; A.J. Kljaich et al., 1989; A.S. Wojcik et al., 1984; A.S. Wojcik, 1983). We describe a methodology for assuring that the software executing on the FTP is also tolerant to hardware failures. This methodology is based on an abstraction of the program data and control flows in terms of the specification of an abstract application program that operates on the FTP. We then prove the fault tolerance of the abstract application program to hardware and sensor failures. Based on a more detailed specification and analysis of the code that is used in the application software, we demonstrate that this code satisfies the sufficient conditions developed for the abstract application program to claim system fault tolerance.
Creating data resources for designing user-centric frontends for query by humming systems

Advances in music retrieval research greatly depend on appropriate database resources and their meaningful organization. In this paper we describe the data collection efforts related to the design of query by humming (QBH) systems. We also provide a statistical analysis for categorizing the collected data, especially focusing on inter-subject variability issues. In total, 100 people participated in our experiment resulting in around 2000 humming samples drown from a predefined melody list consisting of 22 different well known music pieces, and over 500 samples of melodies that were chosen spontaneously by our subjects. These data will be made available for the research community. The data from each subject were compared to the expected melody features, and an objective measure was derived to quantify the statistical deviation from the baseline. The results showed that the uncertainty in the humming varies with respect to the melodies' musical structure and subjects' musical background. Such details are important for designing robust QBH systems.
Testing the “Learning Journey” of MSW Students in a Rural Program

Using a quasi-experimental one-group, pretest–posttest design with non-random convenience sampling, the researchers assessed 61 advanced standing MSW students who matriculated at a rural intermountain Northwest school of social work. Changes in students' knowledge and attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people were measured using subscales of the LGB-KASH scale and include knowledge of LGB history, religious conflict, internalized affirmation of LGB people and issues, hatred and violence toward LGB people, and knowledge and attitudes toward extension and exclusion of civil rights for LGB people. Completion of required, highly experiential bridge course content regarding LGB history and experience appears to be significant in reducing religious conflict, increasing knowledge of LGB issues, and enhancing internalized affirmation of LGB individuals.
Improving the Quality of Ability Estimates Through Multidimensional Scoring and Incorporation of Ancillary Variables

For one reason or another, various sources of information, namely, ancillary variables and correlational structure of the latent abilities, which are usually available in most testing situations, are ignored in ability estimation. A general model that incorporates these sources of information is proposed in this article. The model has a general formulation that allows incorporation of either source or both sources of information in scoring the examinees using various item response models and subsumes the traditional method of expected a posteriori as a special case. Results show that using the different sources of information singly or simultaneously provides better ability estimates (i.e., higher correlation with the true abilities and smaller posterior variance and mean squared error). The optimal condition occurs when several short tests measuring highly correlated abilities that also correlate highly with the covariates are used. Markov chain Monte Carlo parameter estimation algorithms corresponding t...
Watermarking space curves

This paper describes an imperceptible, non-blind, fragile watermarking technique for space curves. The proposed technique employs a wavelet-based approach, and computes a multi-resolution representation of the space curve to embed a watermark so that it has widespread presence in the curve. A variety of wavelet families are exploited and experimental results provide a comparison of the performance of different wavelets in terms of the watermark's imperceptibility and tolerance to attacks. To quantify space curve distortion, a signal-to-noise ratio is used, and a linear correlation measure is employed to determine the resistance of the watermark to modifications.
Estimation in real-time affinity-based biosensors

Recently developed real-time affinity-based biosensors are capable of acquiring not only the steady-state data but the entire kinetics of the sensing process. The paradigm shift in data acquisition requires development of optimal detection algorithms. In this paper, molecular binding process is modeled by a stochastic differential equation, and the analyte quantification is performed by finding the solution to a parameter estimation problem. Simulation results indicate feasibility of applying the proposed approach to the target estimation in real-time affinity-based biosensors.
THE INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT GROUND COVER TREATMENTS ON THE GROWTH AND SURVIVAL OF TREE SEEDLINGS ON REMINED SITES IN EASTERN TENNESSEE 1

There is growing interest in the reforestation of surface mined lands for various land uses including forest products and wildlife habitat. These objectives can be met by planting native tree species and seeding a ground cover to control erosion. However, many ground covers compete aggressively with tree seedlings in this region, preventing establishment. A research project was designed with two main objectives; to investigate the competitive effects of different ground cover species on the growth and survival of tree seedlings, and to identify the relationship between the growth and function of tree seedlings and microsite variables. Five tree species, native to the eastern hardwood forest surrounding the mine site, were planted in 2005: yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.), sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.), northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.), eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis L.), and Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.). Five different ground cover treatments were applied to the planted area. Two mixes consisted of native warm season grasses (NWSG), two standard reclamation mixes, and one control. Growth and survival, seedling transpiration, soil respiration, and groundcover biomass were analyzed. At each seedling, light measurements and percent herbaceous cover based on the Braun-Blanquet scale were collected. Seedling survival was related to size at planting, and to the density of ground cover. Survival was highest in moderate amounts of cover, although root collar diameter growth decreased with increasing cover in redbud and pine. Tree seedling growth and survival tended to be greatest in the native warm season grass treatments.
Panorama: a database system that annotates its answers to queries with their properties

When responding to queries, humans often volunteer additional information about their answers. Among other things, they may qualify the answer as to its reliability, and they may characterize it abstractly. This paper describes a relational database system that similarly annotates its answers with their properties. The process assumes that various assertions about properties of the data have been stored in the database (meta-information). These assertions are then used to infer properties of each answer provided by the system (meta-answers). Meta-answers are offered to users along with each answer issued, and help them to assess the value and meaning of the information that they receive. The advantages of the method described include: (1) It is extensible in that it allows users to determine the kinds of properties that the system will maintain and manipulate. (2) It has a built-in mechanism for determining the relevance of computed meta-information. (3) It is efficient: the number of operations required for meta-processing a given query can be expressed as a polynomial in the size of the meta-database. (4) It can be implemented externally with any commercial relational database system.
SOCIAL NETWORKS AND STATUS ATTAINMENT

▪ Abstract This essay traces the development of the research enterprise, known as the social resources theory, which formulated and tested a number of propositions concerning the relationships between embedded resources in social networks and socioeconomic attainment. This enterprise, seen in the light of social capital, has accumulated a substantial body of research literature and supported the proposition that social capital, in terms of both access and mobilization of embedded resources, enhances the chances of attaining better statuses. Further, social capital is contingent on initial positions in the social hierarchies as well as on extensity of social ties. The essay concludes with a discussion of remaining critical issues and future research directions for this research enterprise.
The overlap of two allyl radicals or a four-centered transition state in the cope rearrangement☆

Abstract From the fact that meso-3,4-dimethylhexa-1,5-diene rearranges to cis, trans-octa-2,6-diene and that rac-3,4-dimethylhexa-1,5-diene rearranges to a mixture of trans trans-octa-2,6-diene (90%) and cis, cis-octa-2,6-diene (9%),it is concluded that the four-centered,chair-like transition state is favored in the Cope rearrangement over the six-centered,boat-like structure.
Chronic exercise alters caudal hypothalamic regulation of the cardiovascular system in hypertensive rats

Previous studies have documented a deficit in the GABA neurotransmitter system within the caudal hypothalamus (CH) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The reduction in inhibitory influence on this cardiovascular excitatory brain region is associated with an increased neuronal activity and resting blood pressure. The purpose of this study was to determine if chronic treadmill and wheel-running activities alter the ability of the CH to regulate cardiovascular function. SHR were exercised on a treadmill (5 times/wk) at moderate intensity or allowed free access to running wheels (7 days/wk) for a period of 10 wk. Resting blood pressures were obtained before and after the exercise training periods. After the exercise period, rats were anesthetized and microinjection experiments were performed. Treadmill-trained SHR exhibited a significantly blunted developmental rise in resting blood pressure after 10 wk of exercise. A similar yet less marked effect was observed in wheel-run rats. Microinjection of the GABA synthesis inhibitor 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MP) into the CH of nonexercised SHR did not produce any change in arterial pressure. In contrast, microinjection of 3-MP into the CH produced significant increases in blood pressure and heart rate in exercised SHR. These results demonstrate that exercise training can alter CH cardiovascular regulation in hypertensive rats and therefore may play a role in increasing cardiovascular health.
Antifragile Electronic Warfare

This letter introduces the concept of antifragile electronic warfare (EW), which we define as the ability to allow a communications link to improve performance due to the presence of a jammer. This concept should not be confused with jamming countermeasures (a.k.a. anti-jamming or electronic protection). Rather, antifragile EW can be thought of as the next step beyond simply avoiding or mitigating jamming. After introducing the concept we narrow down the subset of jammers this concept can be applied to, and provide a brief example of an antifragile EW strategy.
PROPERTIES AND DESIGN OF FIBER REINFORCED ROLLER COMPACTED CONCRETE

Extensive experimentation in pavement construction has been conducted using steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC). Although SFRC has demonstrated outstanding mechanical properties, its commercial application has been limited because of high cost. Cost savings could be realized for paving projects constructed with the emerging roller compacted concrete (RCC) technology. In particular, pavement thickness reduction due to the inclusion of fibers in RCC can allow single-lift construction where two lifts of unreinforced concrete would be required. Alternatively, for two or more lifts, SFRC can be confined to the most stressed layer(s). This paper presents compression and split tension results of laboratory cylinders and field cores reinforced with different types of steel fiber in various percentages. The concrete matrix contained fly ash, either Class F (used as a filler) or Class C (used as a binder). Fiber inclusion disturbed the consolidation of laboratory specimens, whereas field cores did not indicate any loss of density or compressive strength. Post-cracking characteristics were greatly enhanced by fibers with ultimate strength and toughness indexes derived from stress-strain curves for split tension. Sample design calculations compare the preliminary pavement thickness of unreinforced and fiber reinforced RCC with cost estimates for each.
Discrete Quantum Gravity and Quantum Field Theory

We introduce a discrete 4-dimensional module over the integers that appears to have maximal symmetry. By adjoining the usual Minkowski distance, we obtain a discrete 4-dimensional Minkowski space. Forming universe histories in this space and employing the standard causal order, the histories become causal sets. These causal sets increase in size rapidly and describe an inflationary period for the early universe. We next consider the symmetry group $G$ for the module. We show that $G$ has order 24 and we construct its group table. In a sense $G$ is a discrete approximation to the Lorentz group. However, we note that it contains no boosts and is essentially a rotation group. Unitary representations of $G$ are constructed. The energy-momentum space dual to the discrete module is obtained and a quantum formalism is derived. A discrete Fock space is introduced on this structure and free quantum fields are considered. Finally, we take the first step in a study of interacting quantum fields.