cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mixing Limit Theorems of Maximum of Absolute Sums and their Convergence Rates

Conditioned, in the sense of Renyi (Acta Math. Acad. Sci. Hungar. 9, 215–228 1958), limit theorem in the L p -norm of the maximum of absolute sums of independent identically distributed random variables is established and its exact rate of convergence is given. The results are equivalent to establishing analogous results for the supremum of random functions of partial sums defined on C[0,1], i.e., the invariance principle. New methodologies are used to prove the results that are profoundly different from those used in Renyi (Acta Math. Acad. Sci. Hungar. 9, 215–228, 1958) and subsequent authors in proving the conditioned central limit theorem for partial sums.
Graded coronary stenosis and coronary flow during acute normovolemic anemia.

Acute normovolemic anemia is associated with increase in coronary blood flow to approximately 185% of control at a hematocrit of 20%, and no significant change in peak reactive hyperemia flow. Other parameters of cardiac function are not significantly changed. The effect of varying degrees of accurately graded coronary artery stenosis was studied in 12 dogs with a normal hematocrit and a hematocrit of 20% achieved by bleeding and simultaneous infusion of plasma. There was no significant change in parameters of cardiac function at normal hematocrit with left anterior descending coronary stenosis of up to 67%. Similarly, cardiac function was not significantly affected by acute normovolemic anemia and up to a 50% reduction in luminal diameter of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. However, the combination of anemia and a 67% LAD coronary artery stenosis resulted in electrocardiographic evidence of ischemia in the LAD coronary artery territory and mild deterioration of cardiac function. Resting coronary flow was not affected by up to a 67% reduction of lumen diameter (90% reduction in cross-sectional area) at normal hematocrit, but peak flow after 30 seconds of occlusion was significantly decreased with transient ischemia. At a hematocrit of 20%, resting flow increased as expected in the unobstructed artery and with 50% stenosis, but peak∶resting flow ratio was only 1.34 at 50% stenosis. With 67% stenosis, resting flow was impaired and there was no further increase after a 30-second occlusion period which frequently led to severe arrhythmias. Acute normovolemic anemia compromises coronary reserve and, in the presence of significant coronary stenosis, leads to myocardial ischemia. It should be avoided in patients with coronary occlusive disease.
Distributed fusion using video sensors on multiple unmanned aerial vehicles

Surveillance and ground target tracking using multiple electro-optical and infrared video sensors onboard unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have drawn a great deal of interest in recent years due to inexpensive video sensors and sensor platforms. In this paper, we compare the convex combination fusion algorithm with the centralized fusion algorithm using a single target and two UAVs. The local tracker for each UAV processes pixel location measurements in the digital image corresponding to the target location on the ground. The video measurement model is based on the perspective transformation and therefore is a nonlinear function of the target position. The measurement model also includes the radial and tangential lens distortions. Each local tracker and the central tracker use an extended Kalman filter with the nearly constant velocity dynamic model. We present numerical results using simulated data from two UAVs with varying levels of process noise power spectral density and pixel location standard deviations. Our results show that the two fusion algorithms are unbiased and the mean square error (MSE) of the convex combination fusion algorithm is close to the MSE of the centralized fusion algorithm. The covariance calculated by the centralized fusion algorithm is close to the MSE and is consistent for most measurement times. However, the covariance calculated by the convex combination fusion algorithm is lower than the MSE due to neglect of the common process noise and is not consistent with the estimation errors.
Midportion Antibodies Stimulate Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase D Activity

Limited information is known regarding the regulation, structural features, and functional domains of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase D (GPI-PLD, EC 3. 1.4.50). Previous studies demonstrated that trypsin cleavage of GPI-PLD at or near Arg325 and/or Arg589 in bovine serum GPI-PLD was associated with an increase in enzymatic activity. Since the Arg325 is predicted to be in a region between the catalytic domain and predicted beta-propeller structure in the C-terminal portion of GPI-PLD (T. A. Springer, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 94, 65-72, 1997), we hypothesized that this connecting region is important for catalytic activity. Trypsin cleavage of human serum GPI-PLD, which has an Arg325 but lacks the Arg589 present in bovine serum GPI-PLD, also increased GPI-PLD activity. Peptide-specific antibodies to residues 275-296 (anti-GPI-PLD(275)) and a monoclonal antibody, 191, with an epitope encompassing Arg325, also stimulated GPI-PLD activity. Pretreating human GPI-PLD with trypsin demonstrated that anti-GPI-PLD(275) only stimulated the activity of intact GPI-PLD. These results suggest that trypsin activation and anti-GPI-PPLD(275) may have similar effects on GPI-PLD. Consistent with this is the observation that both manipulations decreased the affinity of GPI-PLD for mixed micelle substrates. These results indicate that the midportion region of GPI-PLD is important in regulating enzymatic activity.
Short- and long-term effects of site factors on net N-mineralization and nitrification rates along an urban-rural gradient

Long- and short-term effects of urban site factors on net N-mineralization and nitrification rates were investigated in oak stands along an urban-rural land-use transect in the New York City metropolitan area. We used reciprocal transplants of undisturbed soil cores between urban and rural forests to determine the relative importance of long-term effects (mor vs. mull soils, quality of soil organic matter, and deposition of N) vs. short- term effects (soil temperature) of urban factors in controlling field N-transformation rates along the gradient. In addition, undisturbed soil cores from surface (A, Oe horizons) and subsurface (B horizon) soil were collected from urban, suburban, and rural stands and allowed to incubate in these respective sites to compare the net effect of all urban factors with transplanted-core results. The transplant experiment revealed that soil type (long-term) affected net N-mineralization and nitrification rates. Urban soils nitrified nearly 6.3 and 5.4 times more than rural soils incubating in urban and rural stands, respectively ( p = 0.003 and p = 0.002, respectively). Similarly, in rural stands total accumulation of inorganic N was 87% higher in urban than in rural soils, whereas in urban stands, urban soils mineralized 83% more N than rural soils ( p = 0.043 and 0.08, respectively). Comparing soils incubating in their native locations, urban soils incubating in urban stands mineralized more than 2.5 times the amount of N than rural soils incubating in the rural stands ( p = 0.019). By contrast, urban soils incubating in urban stands exhibited a 8-fold increase in nitrification over rural soils incubating in rural stands ( p = 0.008). As with the transplanted cores, the urban and suburban environments had a positive effect on net rates of N-mineralization and nitrification in both surface and subsurface layers of soil. The surface layer of suburban and urban stands had a 3- and 2.3-fold higher accumulation of net inorganic N than rural stands (ANOVA, p = 0.05). Similarly, in the subsurface layer both urban and suburban stands had 2.6-fold higher net N-mineralization rate than rural stands (ANOVA, p = 0.01). Along this urban-rural gradient, soils in oak stands exhibit higher net nitrification and, to a lesser extent, net N-mineralization rates in urban and suburban stands than in rural stands. Results from the transplant experiment and in situ measurements of surface and subsurface soil indicate that long-term effects (mor vs. mull soils, N deposition) contribute to the higher N-transformation rates in urban and suburban stands. As a result of these effects, urban and suburban stands have the potential for higher losses of N than rural stands.
Crop rotation complexity regulates the decomposition of high and low quality residues

While many ecosystem processes depend on biodiversity, the relationships between agricultural plant diversity and soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics remains controversial. Our objective was to examine how temporal plant diversity (i.e. crop rotation) influences residue decomposition, a key ecosystem function that regulates nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil organic matter formation. We incubated soils from five long-term crop rotations, located at W.K. Kellogg Biological Station LTER in southwestern Michigan, USA, with and without four chemically diverse crop residues. Increasing crop biodiversity increased soil potentially mineralizable C by 125%, increased hydrolytic enzyme activity by 46%, but decreased oxidative enzyme activity by 20% in soils before residue was added. After residue additions, soils from more diverse cropping systems decomposed all residues more rapidly (0.2e8.3% greater mass loss) compared to monoculture corn. The fast-cycling, ‘Active C’ pool and microbial biomass N increased with higher cropping diversity, but the differences among rotations in Active C pools was higher for the most recalcitrant residues. Further, the ratio of the cellulose degrading enzyme ( b-glucosidase) to the lignin degrading enzyme (phenol oxidase) was highest in the two most diverse crop rotations regardless of residue additions, providing additional evidence of enhanced microbial activity and substrate acquisition in more diverse rotations. Our study shows that crop diversity over time influences the processing of newly-added residues, microbial dynamics, and nutrient cycling. Diversifying crop rotations has the potential to enhance soil ecosystem functions and is critical to maintaining soil services in agricultural systems.
Solving Nonlinear Equations

In this chapter we’ll deal with finding (or rather approximating) the solution of an equation f(x) = 0. This is a very common problem in Applied Mathematics, but finding the exact solution is not always an easy task.
Efficacy of Fluvoxamine in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Double-blind Comparison With Placebo

• A six- to eight-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial of the potent and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine was conducted in 42 patients with primary obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Approximately one half of the patients also had symptoms of major depression. Fluvoxamine was significantly better than placebo on all measures of obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Nine of 21 patients were responders ("much improved") with fluvoxamine compared with no responders with placebo, and fluvoxamine was effective in patients with OCD both with and without secondary depression. Response of OCD was not correlated with severity of baseline depression. These data lend partial support to the serotonin hypothesis of OCD. However, since a number of patients failed to respond to fluvoxamine, the role of other neurochemical systems in this disorder needs to be explored.
Antidepressant Prescriptions: An Acute Window for Falls in the Nursing Home

FALLS occur commonly in the nursing home at an average rate of 1.5 falls per resident annually (1). Among nursing home residents, falls may result in fractures, disability, and even death (2–4). Medication use is common and a potentially modifiable risk factor for falls (3,5). Both tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) have been associated with a 1.4- to 6-fold increased risk of falls (6,7). It is less clear whether newer antidepressants, such as serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, might also be associated with an increased risk of falls (6,8,9). Regardless, antidepressants are effective in remediating depressive symptoms, and few clinicians chose to withhold these drugs based on risk of falls. Identifying chronic antidepressant users is unlikely to be helpful in reducing falls in the nursing home setting, given the high prevalence and long anticipated duration of use. In contrast, users of antidepressants may be at a particularly high risk of falls in the days following a new prescription or increased dose of a previously used antidepressant. Identifying windows of time associated with an acute increased risk of falls is important because this is likely to lead to the development of successful fall intervention programs. Therefore, we conducted a case-crossover study of nursing home residents with a fall to examine the effect of a new prescription or increasing the dose of a previously used antidepressant on the risk of falls. Because the pharmacologic mechanisms and side effects of antidepressants vary, we examined the effect of a new prescription or increased dose of all antidepressant classes on risk of falls together, as well as SSRI and non-SSRI antidepressant classes separately.
Murder, Insanity, and Medical Expert Witnesses

• Recent advances in the ability to study brain anatomy and function and attempts to link these findings with human behavior have captured the attention of the legal system. This had led to the increasing use of the "neurological defense" to support a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. This article explores the history of the insanity defense and explores the role of the medical expert witnesses in integrating clinical and laboratory findings, eg, computed tomographic scans, magnetic resonance scans, and single-photon emission computed tomographic scans. Three cases involving murder and brain dysfunction are discussed: the first case involves a subarachnoid hemorrhage resulting in visual perceptual and memory impairment; the second case, a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease; and the third case, the controverted diagnosis of complex partial seizures in a serial killer.
A note on the lattice properties of the linear maps of finite rank

It is shown that if E is a barreled locally convex lattice and F is a quasi-complete and order complete locally convex lattice then E ′ ⊗ F equipped with the cone of positive continuous linear maps of finite rank is a lattice if and only if E ′ or F has finite dimensional order intervals.
Underwater Sensing and Processing Networks (USPN)

Underwater Sensor Networks are associated with a number of applications that require real-time delivery of large data. Examples include: still frame images or full-motion videos in seismic monitoring setups, oil pipe leak detection, and capturing sea activities. However, the transmission of large data relying only on acoustic communication is challenging due to the unique characteristics of aquatic channels, mainly, limited available bandwidth and long propagation delays. In this paper, we advocate a new system architecture called Underwater Sensing and Processing Network (USPN). USPN adopts efficient data processing algorithms to reduce data size and hence improve channel utilization and reduce end-to-end delay. We develop an analytical model for two network scenarios. The first scenario includes a single processing node communicates with a gateway while in the second scenario data are communicated via relay nodes. The objective of our model is to maximize the performance gain in terms of reducing the overall end-to-end delay and power consumption. In addition, we analyze the tradeoff between different objective parameters and the obtained gain. Our results show USPN can maximize the performance gain dramatically.
A Comparative Effectiveness Analysis of Three Continuous Glucose Monitors

OBJECTIVE To compare three continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices in subjects with type 1 diabetes under closed-loop blood glucose (BG) control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Six subjects with type 1 diabetes (age 52 ± 14 years, diabetes duration 32 ± 14 years) each participated in two 51-h closed-loop BG control experiments in the hospital. Venous plasma glucose (PG) measurements (GlucoScout, International Biomedical) obtained every 15 min (2,360 values) were paired in time with corresponding CGM glucose (CGMG) measurements obtained from three CGM devices, the Navigator (Abbott Diabetes Care), the Seven Plus (DexCom), and the Guardian (Medtronic), worn simultaneously by each subject. Errors in paired PG–CGMG measurements and data reporting percentages were obtained for each CGM device. RESULTS The Navigator had the best overall accuracy, with an aggregate mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of all paired points of 11.8 ± 11.1% and an average MARD across all 12 experiments of 11.8 ± 3.8%. The Seven Plus and Guardian produced aggregate MARDs of all paired points of 16.5 ± 17.8% and 20.3 ± 18.0%, respectively, and average MARDs across all 12 experiments of 16.5 ± 6.7% and 20.2 ± 6.8%, respectively. Data reporting percentages, a measure of reliability, were 76% for the Seven Plus and nearly 100% for the Navigator and Guardian. CONCLUSIONS A comprehensive head-to-head-to-head comparison of three CGM devices for BG values from 36 to 563 mg/dL revealed marked differences in performance characteristics that include accuracy, precision, and reliability. The Navigator outperformed the other two in these areas.
Selective Activation of Striatal Fast-Spiking Interneurons during Choice Execution

Summary Basal ganglia circuits are essential for the organization and execution of voluntary actions. Within the striatum, fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs) are thought to tightly regulate the activity of medium-spiny projection neurons (MSNs) through feed-forward inhibition, yet few studies have investigated the functional contributions of FSIs in behaving animals. We recorded presumed MSNs and FSIs together with motor cortex and globus pallidus (GP) neurons, in rats performing a simple choice task. MSN activity was widely distributed across the task sequence, especially near reward receipt. By contrast, FSIs showed a coordinated pulse of increased activity as chosen actions were initiated, in conjunction with a sharp decrease in GP activity. Both MSNs and FSIs were direction selective, but neighboring MSNs and FSIs showed opposite selectivity. Our findings suggest that individual FSIs participate in local striatal information processing, but more global disinhibition of FSIs by GP is important for initiating chosen actions while suppressing unwanted alternatives.
Temporal trends in geographic disparities in small-area breast cancer incidence and mortality, 1988 to 2005

Background: A goal of Healthy People 2010 was to reduce health disparities. We determined the extent of reductions in geographic disparities in five breast cancer screening indicators. Methods: We examined the extent of reductions in geographic disparities in five breast cancer screening indicators using data about women ages 40 years and older from 200 counties in the 1988 to 2005 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program database. County-level trends in five breast cancer indicators ( in situ , stage I, lymph node–positive, locally advanced, and mortality) were summarized using the estimated annual percentage change. Observed county rates were smoothed using hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal methods to calculate measures of absolute and relative geographic disparity and their changes over time. Results: For in situ breast cancer, absolute disparity increased 93.7% during 1988 to 2005. Relative disparity declined 61.5% during the entire study period. Absolute and relative disparity for stage I breast cancer declined 18.5% and 41.4%, respectively. Absolute disparity for lymph node–positive breast cancer declined 37.9% during the study period, whereas relative disparity declined 17.6%. Absolute disparity for locally advanced breast cancer declined 66.5%, whereas relative disparity declined 17.8% during the study period. Absolute disparity in breast cancer mortality declined 60.5%, whereas relative disparity declined 19.8%. Conclusions: Absolute and relative geographic disparities narrowed over time for all breast cancer indicators except for in situ breast cancer. Impact: Progress has been made toward reducing geographic disparities in breast cancer outcomes, particularly in advanced-stage breast cancer incidence and mortality rates, although disparities remain. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 19(4); 1122–31. ©2010 AACR.
Dornase Alfa for Non–Cystic Fibrosis Pediatric Pulmonary Atelectasis

Objective: To review the literature evaluating the efficacy of dornase alfa for non–cystic fibrosis pediatric patients with pulmonary atelectasis. Data Sources: Articles were retrieved after a search of MEDLINE/PubMed (1946 to April 2014), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-April 2014) was performed using the terms dornase alfa, recombinant human deoxyribonuclease, pulmonary, persistent, and atelectasis. Other relevant articles referenced from the MEDLINE search were also utilized. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Data sources were limited to English language clinical trials and case studies including only children; 8 clinical trials and 12 case reports met the criteria. Data Synthesis: Dornase alfa is used as an off-label treatment option for pulmonary atelectasis because limited treatment modalities exist after conventional therapy has failed. We evaluated 8 clinical trials and 12 case reports involving this pediatric population with varying primary diagnoses. The majority of patients ...
The potential bioavailability of organic C, N, and P through enzyme hydrolysis in soils of the Mojave Desert

Increases in the growth rate of plants and microbes in the Mojave Desert in response to predicted increases in precipitation and CO2 due to global climate change may induce nutrient limitations. This study was designed to measure the pool of potentially bioavailable nutrients in soils of the Mojave Desert. Soils were collected from shrub and interspace microsites and then subjected to amendment with buffered solutions of an excess of various enzymes. The products of each enzyme reaction were then measured and the maximum quantity of hydrolyzable substrates was calculated. In interspace and shrub microsite soils, respectively, 14.5 and 9.7% of the organic C in the form cellulose, 60.0–97.8% and 61.2–100.0% of the organic N in the form protein, and 44.0 and 57.5% of the organic P was hydrolyzable. There were significant differences between microsites for hydrolyzable substrate using all enzyme amendments, except protease. We propose that accumulations of hydrolyzable organic C, N, and P in the Mojave Desert could be a result of the persistently dry soil conditions often found in desert ecosystems and the immobilization of enzymes, which may result in low diffusivity of soil substrates and enzymes and, accordingly, little degradation of organic C, N, and P. Alternatively, rapid nutrient cycling and immobilization by soil microorganisms could account for accumulations of organic C, N, and P. Further refinement of the methods used in this study could lead to a valuable tool for the assessment of potential bioavailability of nutrients in a variety of soils.
Gastric bypass surgery for severe obesity.

Severe obesity is associated with a number of co-morbidities. Medical weight reduction programs have not been proven to have long-term efficacy for these severely obese patients. Surgically induced weight loss has been found to completely reverse or markedly ameliorate obesity-related problems. Gastric bypass has been found to provide significantly more weight loss than a purely restrictive procedure such as a vertical banded gastroplasty or adjustable silicone gastric banding. Gastric bypass may be associated with micro-nutrient deficiencies such as iron, vitamin B12, and calcium. These patients require life-long supplementation. Laparoscopic gastric bypass has been shown to be feasible and safe and equivalent to the weight loss seen following open gastric bypass. The mortality in most series of gastric bypass surgery, whether open or laparoscopic, is <1%. Problems of stomal stenosis and marginal ulcer can almost always be treated medically with endoscopic dilatation or acid suppression therapy, respecti...
Presidential Succession and the Cold War: An Analysis of Soviet-American Relations, 1948-1988

This study examines the effects of presidential succession on selected patterns of American foreign policy behavior. Our empirical test case consists of the principal foreign policy preoccupation of the last eight presidencies--diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union. This examination is conducted in the context of a partial theory of dynamic foreign policy interaction which serves as a kind of theoretical template through which the potentially varying effects of successive presidential administrations are given precise empirical interpretations. Our central results suggest that U.S. foreign policy behavior exhibits a characteristic persistence that seems relatively immune from the potentially disruptive effects of presidential succession. Presidential administrations do appear to be associated with periodic shifts in long-term behavioral tendencies toward friendlier or more hostile relations, but there are no detectable systematic differences in the way administrations regularly build on their own pas...
Tachycardia and bradycardia coexisting in the same pulmonary vein.

Dissociated Pulmonary Vein Rhythms. During segmental isolation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, there was a PV bradycardia that was dissociated from the left atrium in a segment of the right superior PV, whereas the remaining segments showed passive activation of a PV fascicle during sinus rhythm. Rapid atrial pacing induced a PV tachycardia in the nonisolated fascicles, and the dissociated PV bradycardia persisted in a segment of the same PV. These observations indicate that PV fascicles are insulated from each other and that a dissociated PV rhythm does not necessarily indicate complete isolation of a PV.
Modeling Supravalvular Aortic Stenosis Syndrome With Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Background—Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) is caused by mutations in the elastin (ELN) gene and is characterized by abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) that can lead to narrowing or blockage of the ascending aorta and other arterial vessels. Having patient-specific SMCs available may facilitate the study of disease mechanisms and development of novel therapeutic interventions. Methods and Results—Here, we report the development of a human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from a patient with SVAS caused by the premature termination in exon 10 of the ELN gene resulting from an exon 9 four-nucleotide insertion. We showed that SVAS iPSC-derived SMCs (iPSC-SMCs) had significantly fewer organized networks of smooth muscle α-actin filament bundles, a hallmark of mature contractile SMCs, compared with control iPSC-SMCs. The addition of elastin recombinant protein or enhancement of small GTPase RhoA signaling was able to rescue the formation of smooth muscle α-actin filament...
Middguard at dinofun world

Middguard is a platform for creating modular, interconnected, visual analytic tools. In this paper, we discuss how Middguard was used to tackle the VAST 2015 Mini-Challenge 1.
Contra-Whig History of Economic Ideas and the Problem of the Endogenous Past

This paper provides a critical challenge to the Whig view of economic ideas which hold that good ideas from the past are embodied in the common scientific wisdom. In contrast to this position, we contend that the market for ideas, while no doubt competitive in terms of scientific rivalry, is not free of distortions in the incentives and signals that guide economic scientists. As a result, ideas which are flawed can come to dominate the profession, while useful ideas are left on the proverbial side-walk of intellectual affairs. The smooth evolution of economic thought from falsehood to truth that underlies the Whig perspective is complicated by both historical circumstances and the intimate relationship between economics and politics that follows from the attraction of public policy for those who enter the discipline.
Gradient networks: Explicit shape matching without extracting edges

We present a novel framework for shape-based template matching in images. While previous approaches required brittle contour extraction, considered only local information, or used coarse statistics, we propose to match the shape explicitly on low-level gradients by formulating the problem as traversing paths in a gradient network. We evaluate our algorithm on a challenging dataset of objects in cluttered environments and demonstrate significant improvement over state-of-the-art methods for shape matching and object detection.
Improved Statistical Sampling and Accuracy with Accelerated Molecular Dynamics on Rotatable Torsions

In enhanced sampling techniques, the precision of the reweighted ensemble properties is often decreased due to large variation in statistical weights and reduction in the effective sampling size. To abate this reweighting problem, here, we propose a general accelerated molecular dynamics (aMD) approach in which only the rotatable dihedrals are subjected to aMD (RaMD), unlike the typical implementation wherein all dihedrals are boosted (all-aMD). Nonrotatable and improper dihedrals are marginally important to conformational changes or the different rotameric states. Not accelerating them avoids the sharp increases in the potential energies due to small deviations from their minimum energy conformations and leads to improvement in the precision of RaMD. We present benchmark studies on two model dipeptides, Ace-Ala-Nme and Ace-Trp-Nme, simulated with normal MD, all-aMD, and RaMD. We carry out a systematic comparison between the performances of both forms of aMD using a theory that allows quantitative estimation of the effective number of sampled points and the associated uncertainty. Our results indicate that, for the same level of acceleration and simulation length, as used in all-aMD, RaMD results in significantly less loss in the effective sample size and, hence, increased accuracy in the sampling of φ-ψ space. RaMD yields an accuracy comparable to that of all-aMD, from simulation lengths 5 to 1000 times shorter, depending on the peptide and the acceleration level. Such improvement in speed and accuracy over all-aMD is highly remarkable, suggesting RaMD as a promising method for sampling larger biomolecules.
Characterization of plantaris tendon constructs for ankle ligament reconstruction.

Background:Many techniques have been described for lateral ligament reconstruction. One frequently overlooked autograft option is the plantaris tendon, potentially due to the paucity of data on its mechanical characteristics. This study examined the structural properties of double and quadruple plantaris tendon constructs.Methods:Plantaris tendons were harvested from 35 fresh-frozen human cadaver specimens (mean age, 66 years [range, 43-89 years]; 17 female, 13 male). The tendon ends were sutured in a running locking technique and then woven onto a template board to create double or quadruple graft constructs with a 20-mm functional length. If additional tendon length remained, a single 40-mm specimen was isolated to provide tissue material properties. Structural properties were calculated from the results of cyclic and failure uniaxial tensile tests.Results:Quadruple-strand constructs had a tensile strength of 205.8 ± 68.2 N and a stiffness of 133.1 ± 46.3 N/mm. Single strands had a tensile strength of 6...
Development of Virtual Sculpting System With Haptics in PowerWall 3-D Virtual Environment

This paper presents the research work on developing a virtual sculpting system with haptic interface integrated with PowerWall system for complex product design. The PowerWall is a large scale (10 ft by 7.5 ft) immersive Virtual Environment (VE). The approach is to apply virtual sculpting method by interactively carving a workpiece using a virtual tool. With the implementation of stereoscopic visual feedback and haptic force feedback in the PowerWall, the designer would appreciate a much better understanding of the 3D shape geometry and can explore through the 3D scene like he/she can do in the real world. The “hybrid interaction technique” is presented as solution to solve the mismatch between the small workspace of the haptic device and the large size of PowerWall system.© 2012 ASME
Attachment of modified erythrocytes to phagocytic cells in absence of serum.

SummaryHomologous or heterologous red cells subjected to a number of treatments attached to mouse peritoneal macrophages in a saline, protein free medium in contrast to the lack of attachment of untreated red cells. Effective treatments included heat, glutaralde-hyde, tannic arid, periodate, polylysine and colloidal silica. Under the same conditions, the modified erythrocytes showed little or no attachment to polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Trypsin or n-ethylmaleimide treatment of erythrocytes did not promote attachment to either cell type. Attachment of treated red cells was temperature dependent, and was abolished or reduced by premcubation of the macrophages with trypsin.
A Tale of Two Textbooks: Experiments in Genre

ABSTRACTThough the notion of a scientific textbook has been around for almost three centuries, the category has hardly been stable. The plasticity of the textbook genre may be illustrated by recent variations as well as long-term trends. In this brief essay I examine two idiosyncratic but highly successful physics books, each published in the mid 1970s, whose production, marketing, and adoption reveal some of the slippage between such categories as textbook, scholarly monograph, and popular best seller.
ROBUST TO NOISE MICROGRAVITY ISOLATION CONTROL SYSTEM DESIGN VIA HIGH-ORDER SLIDING MODE CONTROL

Vibration isolation control system design for a microgravity experiment mount is considered. The controller design based on dynamic sliding manifold (DSM) technique is proposed to attenuate the accelerations transmitted to an isolated experiment mount either from a vibrating base or directly generated by the experiment, as well as to stabilize the internal dynamics of this nonminimum phase plant. An auxiliary DSM is employed to maintain the high-order sliding mode on the primary sliding manifold in the presence of uncertain actuator dynamics of second order. The primary DSM is designed for the closedloop system in sliding mode to be a filter with given characteristics with respect to the input external disturbances.
Study on the integrated management countermeasure for fly control in Liaocheng city

Objective To discuss the countermeasure for reducing the density of flies density and reinforcing the achievement of flies control.Methods Flies and seasonal fluctuation of the population,based on the development of environmental management,chemical control as the major means to meet the health education,prevention and control regulations,physical integrated control of the flies control measures.Results The density of flies was under the national standard for five years.Conclusion The integrated flies control countermeasure is practical and should be generalized.
The Lacustrine Carbonates and their Sedimentary Environment of Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation in Western Liaoning

The Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation is the basal formation of the Jehol biota where the abundant and exceptionally well-preserved fossils were discovered.However,deuteric late stage tectonic destructive disturbances and weathering effects have hampered field investigations on the Jehol biota's palaeogeographic and basin sedimentary characteristics,making it difficult to do detailed research.Our recent systematic field study of the depositional environment indicates that there were several lacustrine carbonate intervals in the four sedimentary beds of the Yixian Formation.We have systematically studied the distribution and the lithotypes of lacustrine carbonates both in the field and with laboratory analysis.Five main carbonate lithofacies have been differentiated in the lacustrine limestones,and they are further grouped into two main facies associations.Combining the relationship between the carbonates and other sedimentary beds,we find that the lacustrine carbonate sedimentary environment in the Yixian basin represents short-lived isolated ponds developed in very shallow depressions on the floodplain as well as brackish water in offshore lakes.Finally,we propose a lacustrine carbonate sedimentary facies model for the Yixian Formation.
Acetaminophen glucuronidation accurately reflects gluconeogenesis in fasted dogs

To assess whether acetaminophen glucuronide accurately reflects uridyl diphosphate-glucose (UDP-glucose) derived from gluconeogenesis during fasting, three mongrel dogs received infusions of [U-14C]lactate, [1-13C]galactose, and [6-3H]glucose (after fasting overnight or for 2.5 days). After initiation of the isotopes (3 h), acetaminophen was given, and the urinary acetaminophen glucuronide was isolated. The mean plasma [14C]glucose specific activity (SA) was similar to the mean urinary acetaminophen glucuronide SA both after fasting overnight [299 +/- 19 vs. 296 +/- 14 disintegrations.min-1 (dpm).mumol-1, respectively] and after 2.5 days of fasting (511 +/- 8 vs. 562 +/- 32 dpm/mumol, respectively). Mean plasma glucose flux calculated using [6-3H]glucose decreased (P < 0.05) with two additional days of fasting (18.7 +/- 1.2 vs. 13.6 +/- 0.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1), as did intrahepatic (P < 0.05) UDP-glucose flux measured using [1-13C]galactose (8.6 +/- 0.7 vs. 5.5 +/- 0.3 mumol.kg-1.min-1). We conclude that, in fasted dogs, plasma glucose and UDP-glucose, as sampled by acetaminophen, equally reflect gluconeogenesis and appear to come from the same pool of glucose 6-phosphate. In addition, cycling of glucose moieties through UDP-glucose and glycogen decreases with an increased period of fasting.
Non-chemical proton-dependent steps prior to O2-activation limit Azotobacter vinelandii 3-mercaptopropionic acid dioxygenase (MDO) catalysis.

Abstract 3-mercaptopropionate dioxygenase from Azotobacter vinelandii ( Av MDO) is a non-heme mononuclear iron enzyme that catalyzes the O 2 -dependent oxidation of 3-mercaptopropionate ( 3mpa ) to produce 3-sulfinopropionic acid ( 3spa ). With one exception, the active site residues of MDO are identical to bacterial cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). Specifically, the CDO Arg-residue (R50) is replaced by Gln (Q67) in MDO. Despite this minor active site perturbation, substrate-specificity of Av MDO is more relaxed as compared to CDO. In order to investigate the relative timing of chemical and non-chemical events in Av MDO catalysis, the pH/D-dependence of steady-state kinetic parameters ( k cat and k cat / K M ) and viscosity effects are measured using two different substrates [ 3mpa and l -cysteine ( cys )]. The pL-dependent activity of Av MDO in these reactions can be rationalized assuming a diprotic enzyme model in which three ionic forms of the enzyme are present [cationic, E (z+1) ; neutral, E z ; and anionic, E (z−1) ]. The activities observed for each substrate appear to be dominated by electrostatic interactions within the enzymatic active site. Given the similarity between MDO and the more extensively characterized mammalian CDO, a tentative model for the role of the conserved ‘ catalytic triad ’ is proposed.
Bezugsrahmen Change Management

Das folgende Kapitel beschaftigt sich mit dem Thema Change Management. Dazu wird eine Einfuhrung in das Thema gegeben und Begriffe voneinander abgegrenzt. Ansatze der Veranderungen konnen auf Mikro- und Makroebene durch Modelle des Wandels dargestellt werden.
Ties That Bind: Academic Advisors as Agents of Student Relationship Management

To affect college retention, academic advisors should act as agents of student relationship management by strengthening the connection between students and their institutions. Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with academic advising as perceived by 29 college students at 3 midwestern comprehensive institutions are described. Discussion is framed in the context of student relationship management theory and the critical incident technique. Recommendations for academic advising practice are offered.
Macrophages, Adipocytes, and Obesity

Obesity induces an inflammatory response, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated complications. Adipose tissue is an important, perhaps an initiating, site in the development of obesity-induced inflammation. Macrophages are present in adipose tissue and their number and activation status correlate with measures of adiposity. Production of pro-inflammatory molecules and activation of intracellular pathways that regulate inflammatory responses in adipose tissue macrophages implicate these cells in development of obesity-induced complications, including insulin resistance.
A simplified model for churn and annular flow regimes in small- and large-diameter pipes

Abstract This paper presents an improved model for gas-liquid two-phase flow in the churn and annular flow regimes for small- and large-diameters in vertical and near-vertical pipes. Many investigators consider churn flow to be the least understood flow regime in upward gas-liquid flows in vertical pipes. Nevertheless, this flow regime occurs commonly in several applications in the oil and gas industry, such as: gas-lift operations, production of gas-condensate wells, and two-phase flows with high gas-liquid-ratio in general. Additionally, the accuracy of two-phase flow models for large pipe diameters, irrespective of flow regimes, is still questionable. Only a limited number of studies can be found in the open literature that validates two-phase flow models for pipe diameters larger than 0.203 m (8 in.). The model developed in this study proposes a modification to an approach originally proposed in previous studies for pipe diameters smaller than 0.0508 m (2 in.). These modifications have proven to improve accuracy in the prediction of pressure gradient and liquid holdup for small and large pipe diameters under churn and annular flow conditions. The absolute average error in the prediction of experimental pressure gradient decreases from 155% (for the original model) to 36% (for the modified version). This study validates the proposed model with field and laboratory experimental data from several different studies from the literature, in terms of pressure-gradient and liquid holdup results, for pipe diameters ranging from 0.0318 to 0.279 m (1.25–11 in.), pressures from 1 to 613 bara (14.6–8900 psia), and fluids types such as air-water and oil-natural gas systems. This study also compares its results with other widely accepted models in the commercial packages. When compared to field and laboratory data, the simulation results show that this new model has an overall better performance compared to other models widely used in the oil and gas industry.
THE INFLUENCE OF MATHEMATICAL REASONING AND COGNITIVE STYLE TOWARD STUDENT’S COMUNICATION AND CONNECTION ABILITY TO THE STATISTICAL TOPIC IN CLASS XI EXACT OF PUBLIC SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL PALU

The research is an expost facto research which aims to discover there is influence of mathematical reasoning ability and cognitive style toward student’s communication and connectionability to the statistical topic in class XI Exact of public senior high school in Palu. The population of the research was all of the students of class XI Exact of Public Senior High Schools in Palu of academic year 2015/2016. The sample was selected by two-stage proportional stratified simple random sampling. The sample of the research was students of XI IPA-1 in SMAN 1 Palu, XI IPA-1 in SMAN 3 Palu, XI IPA-2 in SMAN 4 Palu, XI IPA 1 in SMAN 6 Palu, and XI IPA in SMAN 8 Palu. The number of sample was 138 students. The instrument of the research were mathematical reasoning test, Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT), Communication ability to the statistical topic test, and Connection ability to the statistical topic test. The data obtained were analyzed by using descriptive statistical and inferensial statistical analysis with Multivariate Analysis of Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The results of the research show that: (1) there is no interaction between mathematical reasoning ability and cognitive style toward students’ communication and connection ability to the statistical topic, (2) there is no difference of communication ability to the statistical topic between students with FI style and students with FD style, (3) there is no difference of the connection ability to the statistical topic between students with FI style and students with FD style, (4) there is a difference of communication ability to the statistical topic between students with high mathematical reasoning and students with low mathematical reasoning, and (5) there is a difference of connection ability to the statistical topic between students with high mathematical reasoning and students with low mathematical reasoning
Deferring, Deliberating, or Dodging Review? Examining the Mechanisms Behind Panel Effects

While panel effects -- the notion that panel composition effects the votes cast by judges on the U.S. Courts of Appeals, have been widely documented -- scholars are unsure why these empirical regularities persist. In this paper, we outline three possible mechanisms, consensual, deliberative, and strategic, through which panel effects might occur, develop indicators for each mechanism, and test the three theories using a unique dataset of search and seizure cases. Our evidence, fitting the complicated nature of judicial choice, suggests that panel effects likely stem from a mixture of consensual, deliberative, and strategic reasons rather than a single explanation. The results have important implications for our understanding of judicial decisionmaking, the effects of proposed circuit splits, and the internal procedures used by judicial bodies.