cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Mixed Self-Assembled Monolayers Presenting RGD and (EG)3OH Groups To Characterize Long-Term Attachment of Bovine Capillary Endothelial Cells to Surfaces

This paper describes surfaces that promote the ligand-directed binding of cells and resist the cellular deposition of adhesive proteins. These surfaces are based on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold that present mixtures of arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD), a tripeptide that promotes cell adhesion by binding to cell surface integrin receptors, and oligo(ethyleneglycol) moieties, groups that resist nonbiospecific adsorption of proteins and cells. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy was used to measure the adsorption of carbonic anhydrase and fibrinogen to mixed SAMs comprising RGD groups ((EG)6OGRGD) and tri(ethylene glycol) groups ((EG)3OH); SAMs having values of the mole fraction of RGD (χRGD) ≤ 0.05 adsorbed nearly undetectable levels of carbonic anhydrase or fibrinogen. Bovine capillary endothelial cells attached and spread on SAMs at χRGD ≥ 0.00001, with spreading of cells reaching a maximum at χRGD ≥ 0.001. These mixed SAMs reduced the deposition of proteins by atta...
HIGH-PRESSURE PROTON NMR STUDY OF LATERAL SELF-DIFFUSION OF PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINES IN SONICATED UNILAMELLAR VESICLES

Abstract Effects of pressure on the lateral diffusion of phospholipid molecules in sonicated pure 1,2-dipalmitoylphosphatidyl-choline (DPPC) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC) vesicles (15 wt%) in D2O were examined using the high-pressure proton NMR rotating frame spin-lattice relaxation time (T1π) method. Proton T1ϱ were measured at pressures from 1 bar to 5000 bar and at temperatures of 50°C to 70°C for DPPC and 5°C to 35°C for POPC. The T1ϱ−1 values were plotted as a function of the square root of the spin-locking field angular frequency ( ω 1 1 2 ) and the lateral diffusion coefficient (D) calculated from the slope. Pressure effects on lateral diffusion were observed in the liquid-crystalline (LC) phase. The lateral diffusion coefficient exhibited sharp decreases in response to the various pressure-induced phase transitions encountered. However pressure had little, if any, effect on lateral diffusion in the pressure-induced gel I (GI) phase and pressure-induced interdigitated gel (Gi) phase. The activation volumes for diffusion were calculated from the slopes from plots of ln D versus pressure for both DPPC (37 ml/mol at 50°C, 34 ml/mol at 60°C and 25 ml/mol at 70°C) and POPC (16 ml/mol at 5°C, 9 ml/mol at 20°C and 6 ml/mol at 35°C) sonicated vesicles in the LC phase. The activation energy for diffusion (Ea) was calculated using the slopes from plots of ln D versus the inverse of the temperature ( 1 T ) for both DPPC and POPC in the LC phase (3.5 kcal/mol and 3.9 kcal/mol, respectively) and for both DPPC and POPC in the GI phase (6.0 kcal/mol and 4.4 kcal/mol, respectively). From the lateral diffusion coefficient and line width data pressure-temperature phase diagrams for sonicated pure DPPC and POPC vesicles were constructed. The values of the temperature to pressure equivalence of DPPC (dTm/dP) were estimated to be 22.1°C/kbar for the LC to GI phase transition and 28.6°C/kbar for the GI to Gi phase transition. The value of the temperature to pressure equivalence of POPC for the LC to GI phase transition was estimated to be 19.0°C/kbar.
VISIONING THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL SYSTEMS : EVOLUTIONARY AND DISCONTINUOUS LEAP APPROACHES

Designing a system begins with creating a vision of it to guide the efforts that bring it to life. User-design of social systems involves the stakeholders or users of an enterprise in the collaborative visioning of their enterprise as a purposeful system. Such a process is called idealized systems design when user-designers are guided by deeply meaningful and inspiring shared values to create the most attractive and ideal vision of which they are capable. Two approaches to visioning will be compared and contrasted: evolutionary and discontinuous-leap approaches. In evolutionary approaches, such as appreciative inquiry, users explore ‘the best of what is’ in order to vision ‘what could be’. By contrast, discontinuous-leap approaches ask users to suspend or transcend existing reality to free their creative imaginations from the constraints of ‘what is’ in order to dream of ‘what could be’. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Valine158Methionine Polymorphism Modulates Brain Networks Underlying Working Memory Across Adulthood

Background Cognitive abilities decline with age with large individual variability. Genetic variations have been suggested to be an important source for some of this heterogeneity. Among these variations, those related to the dopaminergic system, particularly the valine 158 methionine polymorphism in catechol- O- methyltransferase (COMTval 158 met), have been implicated in modulating age-related changes in executive function. Methods We studied 75 subjects (age 21–90 years) using functional neuroimaging while they performed a low-level working memory (WM) task to explore the effects of aging, of the COMTval 158 met polymorphism, and their interactions on the physiological patterns of interconnected cortical activity engaged by WM. Results Our results show that val homozygotes and older subjects showed increased activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and decreased activity in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) relative to met homozygotes and younger subjects, respectively. Interestingly, there were also independent effects of the COMTval 158 met polymorphism and age on the strength of connectivity between brain regions within the left prefrontal-parietal network; val homozygotes and older subjects showed greater connectivity between the DLPFC and other brain regions within the network and met homozygotes showed greater connectivity between the VLPFC and other brain regions within the network. Furthermore, the greater functional connectivity strength of DLPFC in val homozygotes relative to met homozygotes was much more pronounced in older adults Conclusions Our findings suggest that the COMTval 158 met polymorphism modulates both the activity and functional connectivity of brain regions within WM networks and most importantly that this effect is exaggerated with increasing age, contributing to the variability in age-related decline in executive cognition.
Changes in alpha-galactosidase activity and oligosaccharides during germination and incubation of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)

Abstract Germination of cowpeas at 24 and 30°C resulted in increased alpha-galactosidase activity during the first 6 to 12 h and leveled off subsequently. Stachyose content declined by 38% during 12 h of germination at 24°C. Incubation of a cowpea flour paste for 24 h at 24°C resulted in a large reduction of the stachyose and sucrose concentrations, and in their practical elimination at 34°C. Incubation for 12 h at 24 and 34°C of a cowpea paste made from 6-h germinated seeds resulted in a large decrease in stachyose content. Incubation of flour or germination of seeds effectively reduced the stachyose concentration of cowpeas.
Glucose disappearance in infants of diabetic mothers I. Relationship to maternal glucose tolerance and insulin production

Abstract Glucose disappearance and insulin response were determined in mother-infant pairs of normal, gestational diabetic and diabetic pregnancies following an intravenous glucose load. Mothers were studied in the third trimester of pregnancy and at least 6 wk postpartum. Significant differences were present in glucose disappearance and insulin response in both gestational diabetic and diabetic mothers during pregnancy compared with the control group. Infants were studied within 4 h of birth while fasting, and glucose and insulin levels followed through the first 3 days of life. Neonatal hypoglycemia did not occur and glucose disappearance (KT) was not different among the three groups. There was no correlation between maternal glucose tolerance or insulin production and that of their infants. The only distinguishing factor among the infants was higher insulin production in infants of diabetic mothers during the 60-min intravenous glucose tolerance test which persisted up to 4 h following the infusion. It is concluded that factors other than the degree of maternal glucose tolerance are responsible for the development of neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers, most notably control of maternal diabetes, the amount of glucose infused immediately before delivery and neonatal glucose production.
A 15-year-old girl with recent onset of ataxia and visual disturbances

CASE PRESENTATION A 15-year-old girl presented to her physician with recent onset of ataxia and visual disturbances, which consisted of 3-5 set periods of vision loss. The patient also reported declining school performance over the past few months. IMAGING FINDINGS A magnetic resonance (MR) study of the head was performed at another institution before and after Gadolinium-DTPA administration. The study showed a 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm x 2.0 cm mass arising from the left thalamus and projecting into the midportion of the third ventricle. The mass was heterogeneous, hypointense to isointense on the Tlweighted image (Figure l], and predominantly hyperintense on the T2-weighted image (Figure 2). The mass showed minimal irregular enhancement after Gadolinium administration (Figure 3). There was dilatation of the lateral and third ventricles with transtentorial herniation; there was lack of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) signal in the region of the cerebral aqueduct, suggesting that the hydrocephalus of the lateral and third ventricles was secondary to obstruction at this level (Figure 4). There was no discrete mass or abnormal enhancement in this region. Small nodules that projected into the left lateral ventricle were present in the region of the septum pellucidurn.
Obsessive compulsive symptoms in the psychosis prodrome: correlates of clinical and functional outcome.

Abstract Objectives: Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a common co-morbid condition in schizophrenia, associated with poor prognosis. However, the prevalence of obsessive compulsive symptomatology (OCS) and its relationship to outcome has not been evaluated in adolescents at ultra high-risk for psychosis (UHR). Methods: Sixty-four UHR and 26 non-prodromal comparison (NPC) youth were ascertained using the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS). Participants completed diagnostic interviews and the Padua Inventory (Sanavio, E., 1988. Obsessions and compulsions: the Padua Inventory. Behav. Res. Ther. 26, 169–177.), a self-report measure of OCS. Results: UHR youth reported significantly higher rates of OCS on the Padua Inventory compared to NPC youth. Clinical diagnosis of OCD (20% of sample) was associated with lower risk of conversion to psychosis over the follow-up period, but was unrelated to clinical severity or psychosocial functioning. However, dimensional ratings of OCS were significantly associated with positive symptom severity, self-reported depression, and a trend toward increased suicidal ideation within the UHR sample. Conclusions: OCS rates in UHR youth are well above estimated prevalence rates in normal populations, and commensurate with rates of comorbidity observed in schizophrenia. Although clinical diagnosis of OCD was not associated with later conversion to psychosis, OCS severity in UHR youth was associated with more acute symptomatic presentation, including more severe depression and suicidality.
Milk fat globule–EGF factor VIII ameliorates liver injury after hepatic ischemia-reperfusion

Abstract Background Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious clinical complication that may compromise liver function because of extensive hepatocyte loss. Therefore, the development of novel and effective therapies for hepatic I/R is critical for the improvement of patient outcome. It has been previously shown that administration of milk fat globule–EGF factor VIII (MFG-E8), a membrane-associated secretory glycoprotein, exerts significant beneficial effects under acute inflammatory conditions through multiple physiological processes associated with tissue remodeling. Methods To determine whether administration of recombinant human (rh) MFG-E8 attenuates liver injury in an animal model of hepatic I/R, male adult rats were subjected to 70% hepatic ischemia for 90 min, followed by reperfusion. At the beginning of reperfusion, rats were treated intravenously with normal saline (vehicle) or rhMFG-E8 (160 μg/kg) over a period of 30 min. MFG-E8 levels and various measurements were assessed 4 h after reperfusion. In addition, survival study was conducted in MFG-E8 −/− and rhMFG-E8-treated wild-type (WT) mice using a total hepatic ischemia model. Results Liver and plasma MFG-E8 protein levels were significantly decreased after hepatic I/R. Administration of rhMFG-E8 significantly improved liver injury, suppressed apoptosis, attenuated inflammation and oxidative stress, and downregulated NF-κB pathway. We also noticed that rhMFG-E8 treatment restored the downregulated PPAR-γ expression after hepatic I/R. MFG-E8 −/− mice showed deterioration on survival and, in contrast, rhMFG-E8-treated WT mice showed a significant improvement of survival compared with vehicle-treated WT mice. Conclusions MFG-E8-mediated multiple physiological events may represent an effective therapeutic option in tissue injury following an episode of hepatic I/R.
Cementation and the hydromechanical behavior of siliciclastic aquifers and reservoirs

Progressive cementation and lithification significantly influence the mechanical and hydrologic properties of granular porous media through elastic stiffening and permeability reduction. We use published data that quantify the effect of grain-bridging cement distribution in granular porous media at the grain scale to investigate the influence of variable cement content on the competing roles of hydrologic and mechanical effects on fluid flow and deformation at the reservoir scale. The impact of quartz overgrowths in natural samples was quantified using a bond-to-grain ratio, allowing a geologically meaningful interpretation of percent cement in conceptual models of quartz cementation. An increase in the bond-to-grain ratio from 1 to 2.2 (~1–15% cement by volume) results in a 1.4-fold increase in Young's modulus and an ~1000-fold decrease in permeability. The hydromechanical properties of a suite of variably cemented natural samples are used as input into two-dimensional, kilometre-scale, axially symmetric poroelastic models of an isotropic confined aquifer. Models isolating the hydrologic and mechanical effects of cementation indicate that the hydrologic properties dominate the overall mechanical response, controlling both the volume and magnitude of deformation. Incorporation of changes in hydrologic properties due to cementation is therefore essential to capturing the first-order physics of coupled aquifer behavior.
Binary Data and Quantal Response

Environmental data often occur in discrete form, such as the number of individuals living near a waste site, or whether or not a subject develops cancer after exposure to an environmental agent. This latter example is one of the simplest forms of discrete data: a dichotomous indicator of whether or not an event has occurred, i.e. a ‘success’ or a ‘failure’. Such an outcome can be coded simply as either 1 or 0 – corresponding to success or failure – and we refer to this as a case of binary data. If the data on each subject or unit in the study are coded in this binary fashion, and if each subject contributes one and only one such binary observation to the experimental data, we call this a case of ungrouped binary data. Alternatively, when the subjects have some underlying or coordinating feature that relates them, it is common to group the like subjects and record the proportion of subjects responding; i.e. take the proportion Y/N, where Y is the number of observed successes out of the N observed subjects in the common group. This is grouped binary data.
Ice application effects on peroneus longus and tibialis anterior motoneuron excitability in subjects with functional ankle instability

Evidence that focally cooling the ankle joint facilitates soleus and peroneus longus spinal reflex activity in healthy subjects has been reported. This response has been confirmed in individuals with a history of joint pathology for the soleus but not in the peroneus longus and tibialis anterior. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ankle cooling on isokinetic eversion and inversion torque and in peroneus longus, tibialis anterior H-reflex (H(max):M(max)) in subjects with functional ankle instability (FAI). Twenty-four college aged subjects volunteered for this study. Peroneus longus and tibialis anterior H(max):M(max), and concentric eversion and inversion torque were recorded prior to and following each session. This protocol was used to compare FAI to healthy ankle group. There were no significant differences between groups. There were weak and no significant relationships between the corresponding muscles motoneuron excitability and their peak torque measurements. Ice application to the joint did not alter the peroneus longus or the tibialis anterior.
Feasibility of an Intensive Trial of Modern Dance for Adults with Parkinson Disease

Although preliminary evidence supports the psychophysical benefits of dance for adults with Parkinson disease, guidelines for community-based dance programs await further scrutiny for safety and efficacy. This pilot study was designed to assess the feasibility of an intensive trial of groupdelivered modern dance for 11 adults with early-to-middle stage Parkinson’s. The Timed ‘‘Up and Go’’ test and the Fullerton Advanced Balance scale were administered to assess balance safety and re-administered at closure along with a self-reported feedback questionnaire. Video recordings were analyzed for qualitative behavioral change. Pre/posttest comparisons from the Timed ‘‘Up and Go’’ test were not significant, while those from the Fullerton Advanced Balance Scale were significant at the .05 level for the group as a whole (p ! .01) with an average score change of " 3.1 points. Although qualitative results generally concurred with the social benefits associated with an enjoyable form of expressive exercise, important indicators surfaced bearing on future research and community program designs. These include need for more rigorous stratification of participants and adapting dance class structure to address specific group needs to promote motor learning for sustained functional gains.
A Survey of Therapeutic Substitution Programs in Ten Boston Area Hospitals

To generate descriptive data about the process of therapeutic substitution, a survey was conducted in 10 hospitals in the Boston area. Interviews were conducted with 10 Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P...
The relationship between right-wing authoritarianism and attitudes toward violence: Further validation of the Attitudes Toward Violence Scale

In this study the relationship is examined between attitudes toward violence and right-wing authoritarianism. One hundred and fifty participants completed the Attitudes Toward Violence Scale (ATVS; Anderson, Benjamin, Wood, and Bonacci, 2006) and the Right Wing Authoritarianism Scale (RWA; Altemeyer, 1996). Three of the ATVS subscales (war, penal code violence, and corporal punishment) correlated significantly with the RWA. The findings suggest that the ATVS is linked to authoritarianism and that its subscales tap into attitudes regarding authoritarian aggression.
Coherent parametric echoes in nonlinear resonator ensembles

Use is made of the concept of nonuniform (incommensurate) resonator spacings in order to minimize the linear echo problem. The circuit domain simulation of a general class of parametric coherent echoes, previously modeled by means of uniformly spaced nonlinear resonators, is reexamined. This is accomplished by introducing nonuniform (incommensurate) resonator spacings to represent more closely an actual physical system. The effects of this approach in both nonlinearly coupled and anharmonic resonator ensemble models are investigated. >
A statistical evaluation of three methods for measuring lipid oxidation in a model system

Abstract The extent of oxidation in purified linoleic acid as a simple lipid model system was measured by total carbonyls (TC), peroxide values (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values. Regression equations established relationships between individual methods and between each method and time, temperature and air flow rate independently. Correlation coefficients were statistically significant (P
LibQUAL+: Service Quality Assessment in Research Libraries

LibQUAL + est un projet de recherche et developpement nord-americain entrepris dans le cadre d'un partenariat entre l'Association de Bibliotheques de Recherche (ARL) et l'Universite A&M au Texas. Il a pour objectif de definir et de mesurer la qualite des services a travers les etablissements et de creer des outils d'evaluation de qualite utiles pour la planification locale. Cet instrument a grande echelle, base sur les techniques du web a ete developpe dans le contexte des pressions constantes que les bibliotheques ont actuellement pour arriver a des evaluations/estimations basees sur le revenu. Concue initialement pour bibliotheques de recherche en Amerique du Nord, une aide de 500 000 USD provenant du Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE) cherche a etendre son application a toutes les formes d'enseignement superieur. L'article aborde les outils et les plans permettant de perfectionner l'instrument pendant des phases successives, incluant le test de l'instrument dans d'autres contextes culturels.
Physical Properties of Stainless-steel and Silver-reinforced Glass-ionomer Cements

The purpose of this study was to compare specific physical properties of an experimental stainless-steel-reinforced glass-ionomer cement with those of two commercially available silver-reinforced cements. Properties evaluated were compressive and diametral tensile strengths (one and 24 h), percent solubility in 0.01 mol/L lactic acid over 23 h, and working and setting times. Cylindrical specimens 6 mm (diameter) x 12 mm were prepared and maintained in distilled water at 37 ±2°C and then tested on an MTS mechanical testing machine with a cross-head displacement rate of 0.5 mm/min for the diametral tensile strength test and 1.0 mm/min for the compressive strength test. ANOVA and Tukey's Studentized Multiple Range Test indicated significant differences between the experimental and commercially available cements for both compressive and tensile strengths at one and 24 h (p<0.01). The experimental stainless-steel-reinforced cement appeared to be significantly stronger in both tensile and compressive strengths ...
Establishment of epithelial polarity--GEF who's minding the GAP?

Cell polarization is a fundamental process that underlies epithelial morphogenesis, cell motility, cell division and organogenesis. Loss of polarity predisposes tissues to developmental disorders and contributes to cancer progression. The formation and establishment of epithelial cell polarity is mediated by the cooperation of polarity protein complexes, namely the Crumbs, partitioning defective (Par) and Scribble complexes, with Rho family GTPases, including RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42. The activation of different GTPases triggers distinct downstream signaling pathways to modulate protein–protein interactions and cytoskeletal remodeling. The spatio-temporal activation and inactivation of these small GTPases is tightly controlled by a complex interconnected network of different regulatory proteins, including guanine-nucleotide-exchange factors (GEFs), GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), and guanine-nucleotide-dissociation inhibitors (GDIs). In this Commentary, we focus on current understanding on how polarity complexes interact with GEFs and GAPs to control the precise location and activation of Rho GTPases (Crumbs for RhoA, Par for Rac1, and Scribble for Cdc42) to promote apical–basal polarization in mammalian epithelial cells. The mutual exclusion of GTPase activities, especially that of RhoA and Rac1, which is well established, provides a mechanism through which polarity complexes that act through distinct Rho GTPases function as cellular rheostats to fine-tune specific downstream pathways to differentiate and preserve the apical and basolateral domains. This article is part of a Minifocus on Establishing polarity. For further reading, please see related articles: ‘ERM proteins at a glance’ by Andrea McClatchey (J. Cell Sci. 127, 3199–3204). ‘Integrins and epithelial cell polarity’ by Jessica Lee and Charles Streuli (J. Cell Sci. 127, 3217–3215).
MIPgen: optimized modeling and design of molecular inversion probes for targeted resequencing

Summary Molecular inversion probes (MIPs) enable cost-effective multiplex targeted gene resequencing in large cohorts. However, the design of individual MIPs is a critical parameter governing the performance of this technology with respect to capture uniformity and specificity. MIPgen is a user-friendly package that simplifies the process of designing custom MIP assays to arbitrary targets. New logistic and SVM-derived models enable in silico predictions of assay success, and assay redesign exhibits improved coverage uniformity relative to previous methods, which in turn improves the utility of MIPs for cost-effective targeted sequencing for candidate gene validation and for diagnostic sequencing in a clinical setting. Availability and implementation: MIPgen is implemented in C++. Source code and accompanying Python scripts are available at http://shendurelab.github.io/MIPGEN/. Contact: ude.wu@erudnehs or ude.wu@eelyob Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Convergence in Evolutionary Programs with Self-Adaptation

Evolutionary programs are capable of finding good solutions to difficult optimization problems. Previous analysis of their convergence properties has normally assumed the strategy parameters are kept constant, although in practice these parameters are dynamically altered. In this paper, we propose a modified version of the 1/5-success rule for self-adaptation in evolution strategies (ES). Formal proofs of the long-term behavior produced by our self-adaptation method are included. Both elitist and non-elitist ES variants are analyzed. Preliminary tests indicate an ES with our modified self-adaptation method compares favorably to both a non-adapted ES and a 1/5-success rule adapted ES.
Development and validation of shortened, restructured Treatment Outcomes in Pain Survey instrument (the S-TOPS) for assessment of individual pain patients’ health-related quality of life

Chronic pain produces major functional disability and quality-of-life impairment. Monitoring of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in chronic pain patients during treatment is of great importance. Nevertheless, monitoring individual chronic pain patients remains a challenge due to the lack of a validated and efficient HRQoL assessment instrument. The Treatment Outcomes in Pain Survey (TOPS) is a validated HRQoL tool with sufficient accuracy and sensitivity to monitor the overall pain experience of individual patients while receiving multidisciplinary chronic pain management. However, the amount of time required to complete the TOPS questionnaire limits routine clinical utility and patient compliance. The full 14 TOPS scales are not needed to monitor routine clinical outcomes. Therefore, we developed and initially validated a shortened and restructured instrument, the S-TOPS, for individual patient monitoring in multidisciplinary chronic pain treatment. The reliability and validity of the S-TOPS were analyzed using data from 964 chronic pain patients who were treated in a single interdisciplinary pain clinic and completed >1 TOPS. The 7 scales of the S-TOPS have excellent construct validity, high reliabilities, and improved sensitivity to change for monitoring individual patient outcomes. Patients accepted the S-TOPS well, finding it brief enough for routine repeated administration.
Oscillations in a size-structured prey-predator model

This article introduces a predator-prey model with the prey structured by body size, based on reports in the literature that predation rates are prey-size specific. The model is built on the foundation of the one-species physiologically structured models studied earlier. Three types of equilibria are found: extinction, multiple prey-only equilibria and possibly multiple predator-prey coexistence equilibria. The stabilities of the equilibria are investigated. Comparison is made with the underlying ODE Lotka-Volterra model. It turns out that the ODE model can exhibit sustain oscillations if there is an Allee effect in the net reproduction rate, that is the net reproduction rate grows for some range of the prey's population size. In contrast, it is shown that the structured PDE model can exhibit sustain oscillations even if the net reproductive rate is strictly declining with prey population size. We find that predation, even size-non-specific linear predation can destabilize a stable prey-only equilibrium, if reproduction is size specific and limited to individuals of large enough size. Furthermore, we show that size-specific predation can also destabilize the predator-prey equilibrium in the PDE model. We surmise that size-specific predation allows for temporary prey escape which is responsible for destabilization in the predator-prey dynamics.
SOX and bondholders' reliance on monitors

Abstract This work investigate the changes in the market participants' reliance on five types of monitors/monitoring mechanisms (auditors, corporate governance, equity analysts, credit analysts, and banks) after the implementation of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act (SOX). By focusing on changes in weights associated with the monitoring mechanisms across implementation of SOX, the results indicate that bondholders appear to rely more on the monitoring of equity analysts, the audit committee, and lenders, and less on auditors and credit rating agencies. Importantly, the results indicate that SOX reduced the bond yield interest spread. However, while SOX may have strengthened the debt market's reliance on some monitoring mechanisms, it seems to have weakened the debt market's reliance on other monitoring mechanisms some might have assumed should have been strengthened by SOX. There are three possible explanations for the finding that SOX's extensive reform in auditing has not increased bondholders' reliance on auditors. One explanation is that it may take a longer time for investors to value the effectiveness of this monitoring mechanism after the implementation of SOX, and this impact is beyond the post-SOX period analyzed. An alternative explanation is that SOX may not solve the real problems underlying the massive corporate failures. The third explanation is the potential substitution effects of the other monitoring mechanisms.
Broadband communication between earth and mars using linear circular commutating chain

Presents a collection of slides covering the following topics: existing deep space communication challenges; variable orbital geometry; interim investication and analysis work; LC3 heliocentric orbits; LC3 orbits (2010a); Earth SOI issues; spacecraft; 1Gbps Earth-Mars LC3; linear circular commutating chain; and LC3 space mission concept.
Teaching with the Case Study Method To Promote Active Learning in a Small Molecule Crystallography Course for Chemistry Students

Implementing the case study method in a practical X-ray crystallography course designed for graduate or upper-level undergraduate chemistry students is described. Compared with a traditional lecture format, assigning small groups of students to examine literature case studies encourages more active engagement with the course material and stimulates improved class discussion. In particular, a judicious selection of case studies either from high-profile publications or from literature directly pertaining to students’ fields of research allows students to draw an immediate connection between the lecture material and their own academic/research interests.
Linking structure and chemistry in the schorl-dravite series

Nine tourmaline crystals for which major and minor element composition data are available have been examined by single-crystal X-ray structure refinement. The single crystals were then analyzed for major elements (by electron microprobe methods), Fe (super 3+) /Fe (super 2+) (by synchrotron micro X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy), B and Li (by secondary ion mass spectrometry), and bulk H content (by uranium extraction). Despite recent claims based on chemical analyses, structure analysis suggests that no B exists in tetrahedral coordination in these samples. Analysis of cation ordering between the Y and Z octahedral sites suggests that the occurrence of an Fe (super 2+) atom on a Y octahedral site may be locally associated with the absence of Mg at both of the neighboring Z sites, as substitutions of Fe (super 2+) on Y and Mg on Z require antithetic shifts of the O6 anion.
Design Optimization and Challenges of Large Folding Origami Structures

Reconfigurable structures based on origami design are useful for multi-functional applications, such as deployable shelters, solar array packaging, and tunable antennas. Origami provides a framework to decompose a complex 2D to 3D transformation into a series of folding operations about predetermined fold lines. Recent optimization toolsets have begun to enable a systematic search of the design space to not only optimize geometry, but mechanical performance criteria as well. However, selecting optimum fold patterns for large folding operations is challenging as geometric nonlinearity influences fold choice throughout the evolution. The present work investigates strategies for design optimization to incorporate the current and future configurations of the structure in the performance evaluation. An optimization method, combined with finite element analysis, is used to distribute mechanical properties within an initially flat structure to determine optimal crease patterns to achieve desired motions. Out-of-plane and twist displacement objectives are used in three examples. The influence of load increment and geometric nonlinearity on the choice of crease patterns is studied and appropriate optimization strategies are discussed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Effects of Sanzi Pingchuan Granule on Treating Children with Asthmatic Respiratory Tract Infection

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Sanzi Pingchuan granule on treating children with asthmatic respiratory tract infection.Method: Fifty cases of asthmatic respiratory tract infection in children were randomly divided into control group and treatment group(25 cases each).Control group was given conventional western treatment(antibiotics,antivirotic,aerosol inhalation,corticosteroids and necessary supportive therapy).Treatment group was given Sanzi Pingchuan granule on the basis of western treatment.Both groups were treated for seven days as a course,then to evaluate the clinical efficacy.Result: Both groups showed significant effect after treatment compared to before,respectively.Although there were no significant differences in the degree of improvement in cough,sputum,pulmonary wheezing sound and coarse rales,composite score and the total effective rate between control group and treatment group,treatment group significantly alleviated wheezing and panting symptom on fifth and seventh day compared with control group(0.28±0.84 vs 0.92±0.57,0.08±0.28 vs 0.32±0.56,respectively,P0.05).Conclusion: Sanzi Pingchuan granule combined with western treatment for treating children with asthmatic respiratory tract infection appears to be significantly effective on alleviating wheezing and panting compared with western treatment alone.The therapeutic approach might be widely applied.
Operative technique in myocardial revascularization.

This article necessarily deals exclusively with vein and artery bypass grafts. The venous autograft remains the most versatile operation and data thus far accumulated verify its reliability. We advocate normotensive, normothermic perfusion and recommend the interrupted suture technique for most anastomoses.
Assuming “Responsibility for Your Rose”

Humans were once a tiny part of nature, no more consequential than any of the other flora and fauna of Earth and substantially less numerous or powerful than most. However, over the millennia, and especially over the last several hundred years, and most especially the last few decades, humans have become the dominant species on Earth (Turner 1990; Willis 1998; Smil 2002; Williams 2003). We have transformed what was once a “natural” environment of which we were only a small part, into a largely and increasingly “artificial” environment of our own creation.
Regiospecific ligand addition to the donor–acceptor compound Ru2(CO)6(bpcd): syntheses and X-ray diffraction structures of Ru2(CO)5L(bpcd) and Ru2(CO)5L[μ-C=C(PPh2)C(O)CH2C}(O)](μ2-PPh2) (where L = PMe3 and tBuNC)

Thermal and Me3NO-assisted activation of the donor–acceptor complex Ru2(CO)6(bpcd) (1) [where bpcd = 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione] with PMe3 or tBuNC affords the mono-substituted complexes Ru2(CO)5L(bpcd), as a result of regiospecific ligand attack at the diphosphine-substituted ruthenium center. Solution NMR measurements (1H and 31P) reveal that the PMe3 derivative exists as a noninterconverting mixture of axial (3a) and equatorial (3e) isomers, with the only the equatorial isomer being observed for Ru2(CO)5(tBuNC)(bpcd) (5). Near-UV irradiation of 1 in the presence of added ligand yields Ru2(CO)5L(bpcd), in addition to the known μ2-phosphido complex Ru2(CO)6 [μ-C=C(PPh2)C(O)CH2C(O)](μ2-PPh2) (2) and the corresponding phosphido-substituted complexes Ru2(CO)5L[μ-{C =C(PPh2)C(O)CH2C}(O)]μ2-PPh2)[4 (L = PMe3); 6 (L = tBuNC)]. As with compounds 3a, 3e, and 5, both 4 and 6 exhibit ligand attachment at the diphosphine-substituted ruthenium center. The molecular structures of 3e, 4, 5, and 6 were determined by X-ray crystallography. 3e, as the 1/2 C6H6 solvate, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c: a = 40.573(3) A, b = 10.2663(9) A, c = 18.347(1) A, β = 95.371(6)°, V = 7609(1) A3 and Z = 8; 4, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n: a = 10.8241(8) A, b = 18.074(1) A, c = 19.194(1) A, β = 96.968(6)°, V = 3727.3(5) A3, and Z = 4; 5, as the 1/2CH2Cl2 solvate, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c: a = 40.955(3) A, b = 9.7230(6) A, c = 20.542(1) A, β = 106.596(5)°, V = 7839.2(9) A3, and Z = 8; 6, as the 1/2C5H12 solvate, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c: a = 21.773(2) A, b = 10.907(3) A, c = 18.744(4) A, β = 114.68(1)°, V = 4045(1) A3, and Z = 4. The site occupied by the PMe3 and tBuNC ligands in these compounds is discussed relative to the steric size/electronic properties of the ancillary ligand and its interaction with the bpcd ligand.
Socio-political attitudes across the world: to what extent are they affected by one’s religion, its importance, majority status and relative income?†

This paper relates four aspects of an individual’s religion (the religion itself, its importance to the individual, and their interactions with each other, whether or not that religion is the dominant one in the country and with the individual’s relative income) to six important socio-political attitudes. Two of these reflect socio-economic objectives (the responsibilities that government should assume, and adherence to the norm of not cheating on taxes), and the other four different political means of achieving these objectives (willingness to engage in political activity, to defend freedom of speech, to ‘give people more say’ and to maintain order). The primary objective is to shed light on the political economy and governance issues in countries like those of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) where religious, economic and political differences are strongly interrelated, and already giving rise to social tension and in some cases political instability. It makes use of data on over 215,000 individu...
Genetic Variations in the Genes for Selenoproteins Implicate the Encoded Proteins in Cancer Etiology

Genetic variations in the genes for selenium-containing proteins have been investigated in human epidemiological studies with regard to their association with the risk and/or outcome of a variety of cancer types. For several of these, including those known to be involved in anti-oxidant functions and selenium transport, positive associations of specific polymorphisms within their corresponding genes have revealed significant associations as well as interactions with intrinsic and extrinsic effect modifiers. These studies provide evidence for a contributing role of specific selenoproteins in the prevention of cancer and contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms involved.
Association Between Long-Term Blood Pressure Variability and 10-Year Progression in Arterial Stiffness: The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Experimental studies conducted on animal and human endothelium suggested that higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) variability reduces bioavailability of nitric oxide and increases vascular smooth ...
Creation of a Gene Expression Signature-Based Prediction Model Specific to Proteasome Inhibitor Response in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second-most common hematopoietic malignancy in the United States with significant complexity and heterogeneity at the molecular level. Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) including Bortezomib/Bz (Velcade), carfilzomib/Cz (Krypolis) and recent orally active second generation PIs MLN9708 (Ixazomib/Ix) and Oprozomib/Opz are becoming effective chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of MM, used alone or in combination with other anti-cancer agents. However, despite these recent improvements in treatment strategies, MM still remains an incurable disease with median survival rate of around 7 years. Wide inter-individual variation in response/resistance to PI treatment is a major limitation in achieving consistent therapeutic effect in MM. Such heterogeneity in response to PI-based treatment is likely governed by the underlying molecular characteristics of the MM tumor cells including genomic and transcriptomic alterations. In the current study, we used in vitro chemosensitivity data to develop a gene expression-based model to predict therapeutic response to proteasome inhibitors that were cross-validated in other cell-based MM models and clinical trials on MM patients. A panel of 50 human multiple myeloma cell lines (HMCLs) representing the biological and genetic heterogeneity of MM was used to generate single-agent cytotoxicity profiles for 4 the PIs Bz, Cz, Ix and Opz based on half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values. Gene expression profiling (GEP) was performed using llumina9s HiSeq 2000 next-generation high-throughput sequencing technology (RNAseq) for 50 paired-end reads with depth of >20 million reads per sample. Subsequently, GEP data was used to perform relevant gene selection and eventually develop a gene-based prognostic prediction model associated with PI response. In terms of statistical methodology, we used a locally additive polynomial regression model, which is a nonparametric regression model, on multivariate responses generated by our data. This was coupled with a sparsity-driven statistical model for dimension reduction and grouping of GEP data corresponding to drug response of the different cell-lines. Our GEP-based prediction model could successfully distinguish between good or poor PI response with high level of significance (p Therefore, we could successfully generate a gene expression signature-based prediction model qualitatively and quantitatively associated with PI response that could be effectively cross-validated on in vitro tumor models and human MM clinical trials. Our research will benefit clinical decision-making through the pre-identification of non-responders to PI treatment prior to initiating MM therapy and the development of novel treatment strategies specifically targeted at PI-resistant MM patients. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Dynamic modeling of a sensible thermal energy storage tank with an immersed coil heat exchanger under three operation modes

In this paper we consider control-oriented modeling of a sensible thermal energy storage (TES) tank with a helical immersed heat exchanger (IHX) coil. A key focus of the modeling approach is to minimize the number of dynamic states required to adequately describe the system dynamics. The resulting model is well-suited for model-based control design, real-time simulation, and hardware-in-the-loop testing aimed at intelligent operation of TES systems. We use a discretized approach to model the temperature dynamics of the water within the storage tank. We use a quasi-steady approach to model the IHX coil dynamics, thereby limiting computational complexity. In simulation, the model runs up to 1200× faster than real-time. A simulated case study of model-based feedback control demonstrates the utility of the modeling approach. The model contains four tuning parameters that are empirically determined using experimental data collected from a commercially available domestic hot water storage tank. The model is then validated, both temporally and spatially, against data collected during the simultaneous charge/discharge mode. Finally, we quantify the trade-off between model fidelity and increased control volume discretization, showing that a 60 node model yields a RMSE value under 4.5%.
The magnitude of angular and translational displacement of dens fractures is dependent on the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine rather than the force of injury

Abstract Background Context Although it is generally believed that the magnitude of dens fracture displacement is proportional to the amount of force applied to the cervical spine during injury, the factors responsible for displacement have not been studied. Purpose Our aim was to determine factors that contribute to horizontal and angular displacement of dens fractures. Study Design/Setting We conducted a retrospective review of adult patients who were admitted to our level 1 trauma center between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2013. Patient Sample Angular and horizontal displacements of the fractured dens in 57 patients were measured. Subjects were grouped based on mechanism of fracture: motor vehicle accident, ground level fall, and higher falls. Outcome Measures Cervical lordosis was measured between C2 and T1. C3–C4, C4–C5, C5–C6, and C6–C7 disc inclination angles were measured. Anteroposterior sagittal balance was assessed by comparing the sagittal position of the C2 body with the C7 body. Methods Data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, independent t tests, and support vector regression to construct predictive models that determine factors contributing to the angular and horizontal displacements. Results The mean horizontal displacement of the fractured dens was not significantly different among groups. However, the dens in those with ground level falls had a significantly greater mean fracture angle compared with the higher energy trauma groups (p=.01). There were positive correlations between angular displacement and C5–C6 disc space inclination angle (r=0.67, p Conclusions Disc space inclination angles of the lower cervical spine and the cervical sagittal balance most contribute to the magnitude of angular and horizontal displacement of the dens after fracture.
Science matters for the census

In 1787, James Madison conceived of a scientific method to distribute political power in the United States. He proposed a decennial census of population to ensure that the membership of the House of Representatives would reflect the pattern of growth of the fledging nation. From that first census emerged a whole system of social and economic measurement serving the country. As the 2020 U.S. census approaches, the science in the census—and the value of the census for science—can easily be threatened by politics.