cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intracarotid infusion of leukotriene C4 selectively increases blood-brain barrier permeability after focal ischemia in rats

Intracarotid infusions of leukotriene C4 (LTC4) were used to open selectively the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in ischemic tissue after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in rats. BBB permeability was determined by quantitative autoradiography using [14C]aminoisobutyric acid. Seventy-two hours after MCA occlusion, LTC4 (4 μg total dose) infused into the carotid artery ipsilateral to the MCA occlusion selectively increased the unidirectional transfer constant for permeability K1 approximately threefold within core ischemic tissue and tissue adjacent to the ischemic core. No effect on BBB permeability was seen within nonischemic brain tissue or in ischemic tissue after only 24 h after MCA occlusion. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP) activity was decreased in capillaries in ischemic tissue at 48 and 72 h after infarction, compared to high γ-GTP in normal brain capillaries and moderate γ-GTP in capillaries in the ischemic tissue at 24 h after infarction. These findings suggest that normal brain capillaries r...
Psychotropic Medications in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Synthesis for Evidence-Based Practice.

This paper presents a systematic review, rating and synthesis of the empirical evidence for the use of psychotropic medications in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Thirty-three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals qualified for inclusion and were coded and analyzed using a systematic evaluative method specific to autism research (Reichow et al. in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 38:1311–1319, 2008). Results are presented by agent and primary target symptom(s). The findings suggest established evidence for relatively few agents, with preliminary and promising evidence for a larger group. Challenges and opportunities in the developing field of ASD psychopharmacology are identified, and recommendations for further research are provided.
Outcomes of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in High-Risk Patients: A Multiinstitutional Study

Background The introduction of transcatheter aortic valves has focused attention on outcomes after open aortic valve replacement (AVR) in very high-risk patients. This study analyzes the short-term and midterm outcomes of AVR in this patient cohort in the current surgical era. Methods A retrospective review was performed on 159 patients who underwent isolated, primary AVR with a STS PROM (Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted risk of mortality) of 10% or greater from January 2002 to December 2007 at four US academic institutions. Patients with previous valve operations were excluded. A multivariable model was constructed to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality. Estimates of the cumulative event rate mortality were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The mean age of all patients was 76.1 ± 11.2 years, most were men (92 of 159, 57.9%), and mean STS PROM was 16.3% ± 7.3%. Significant preoperative factors included the following: peripheral vascular disease, 33.3% (53 of 159); stroke, 23.3% (37 of 159); renal failure, 50.3% (80 of 159); New York Heart Association class III-IV heart failure, 78.0% (124 of 159); and previous coronary artery bypass grafting, 39.0% (62 of 159). Mean ejection fraction was 0.461 ± 0.153 and median implanted valve size was 23 mm. Postoperative complications included the following: stroke, 4.4% (7 of 159); heart block, 5.0% (8 of 159); multisystem organ failure, 6.9% (11 of 159); pneumonia, 7.5% (12 of 159); and dialysis, 8.2% (13 of 159). Postoperative length of stay was 12.6 ± 11.0 days and in-hospital mortality was 16.4% (26 of 159). One-, three-, and 5-year survival was 70.9%, 56.8%, and 47.4%, respectively. Conclusions In the current era, high-risk surgical patients undergoing open AVR have respectable short and mid-term survival. These results should serve as a benchmark for evaluating outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation.
DNA strand exchange promoted by RecA K72R. Two reaction phases with different Mg2+ requirements.

Replacement of lysine 72 in RecA protein with arginine produces a mutant protein that binds but does not hydrolyze ATP. The protein nevertheless promotes DNA strand exchange (Rehrauer, W. M., and Kowalczykowski, S. C.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 1292-1297). With RecA K72R protein, the formation of the hybrid DNA product of strand exchange is greatly affected by the concentration of Mg2+ in ways that reflect the concentration of a Mg•dATP complex. When Mg2+ is present at concentrations just sufficient to form the Mg•dATP complex, substantial generation of completed product hybrid DNAs over 7 kilobase pairs in length is observed (albeit slowly). Higher levels of Mg2+ are required for optimal uptake of substrate duplex DNA into the nucleoprotein filament, indicating that the formation of joint molecules is facilitated by Mg2+ levels that inhibit the subsequent migration of a DNA branch. We also show that the strand exchange reaction promoted by RecA K72R, regardless of the Mg2+ concentration, is bidirectional and incapable of bypassing structural barriers in the DNA or accommodating four DNA strands. The reaction exhibits the same limitations as that promoted by wild type RecA protein in the presence of adenosine 5′-O-(3-thio)triphosphate. The Mg2+ effects, the limitations of RecA-mediated DNA strand exchange in the absence of ATP hydrolysis, and unusual DNA structures observed by electron microscopy in some experiments, are interpreted in the context of a model in which a fast phase of DNA strand exchange produces a discontinuous three-stranded DNA pairing intermediate, followed by a slow phase in which the discontinuities are resolved. The mutant protein also facilitates the autocatalytic cleavage of the LexA repressor, but at a reduced rate.
Modeling complex diffusion mechanisms in L12-structured compounds

We report on a procedure developed to create stochastic models of hyperfine interactions for complex diffusion mechanisms and demonstrate its application to simulate perturbed angular correlation spectra for the divacancy and 6-jump cycle diffusion mechanisms in L12-structured compounds.
Marriage, female labor supply, and Asian zodiacs

Marital status and labor supply decisions could be correlated on the unobservable. Using South Korean data, this paper exploits exogenous selection into marriage caused by an eccentric cultural phenomenon—preferences for wives’ zodiacal signs—to estimate the causal effect of marital status on female labor force participation. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Resisting Neoliberal Homogenization The Zapatista Autonomy Movement

The Zapatista autonomy movement in Chiapas, Mexico, is a significant example of rising social-movement resistance to neoliberalism. The neoliberal project in Latin America since the 1980s has led to a retrenchment of the state, opening new space for social movements to contest power from below. In Mexico, the weakening of corporatist and clientelist mechanisms once controlled by the party-state allowed groups like the Zapatistas to assert rights based on both collective (ethnic) identity and Mexican national citizenship. An examination of the Zapatista autonomy movement since 1994 suggests several dilemmas: (1) A territorially based model of autonomy as administrative decentralization would not fundamentally alter existing political hierarchies or the role of the state as broker for global capital. (2) Autonomy conceived as mere disengagement would leave autonomous communities cut off from resources and unprotected from the forces of the global market. (3) Autonomy defined as simply cultural pluralism fal...
Functions on tableau frames

Abstract In a previous paper the authors used an algorithm for a bijection from the set F of all functions with nonnegative integral values defined on a Young tableau frame Φ onto the set E of all reverse plane partitions (rpp) on Φ in their new proof of R.P. Stanley's generating function for rpp. The algorithm gave new and clear combinatorial significance to the hook numbers of Φ as lengths of zigzag paths but left open the question of invariance of the bijection under interchange of the roles of rows and columns. Here this invariance is proved and the bijection is generalized to allow the entries to be in any linearly ordered additive group. The new algorithms involve n -tuples of paths and use the discreteness of the frame to introduce quantum falls or rises in the entries. New light is shed by considering a tableau frame to be a union of certain rectangles and the hook number of a node to be the number of these rectangles containing the node.
The effects of ketoconazole on the intestinal metabolism and bioavailability of cyclosporine.

The pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine were studied in the blood of five normal healthy volunteers (two men and three women) after each received oral and intravenous cyclosporine alone and with concomitant oral ketoconazole. Administration of ketoconazole caused a significant decrease in intravenous cyclosporine clearance (0.18 ± 0.05 L/kg/hr versus 0.32 ± 0.09 L/hr/kg) and a significant increase in cyclosporine oral bioavailability (56.4% ± 11.7% versus 22.4% ± 4.8%) compared with values before ketoconazole administration. Steady-state volume of distribution for intravenously administered cyclosporine was unchanged (1.26 ± 0.44 L/kg versus 1.10 ± 0.27 L/kg). Hepatic bioavailability (1 — hepatic extraction ratio) calculated for intravenous cyclosporine increased by 11% in the presence of ketoconazole (86.3% ± 3.7% versus 75.2% ± 6.6% without ketoconazole), which accounts for only one third of the observed increase in cyclosporine oral bioavailability. Because it is unlikely that ketoconazole had a significant effect on either cyclosporine absorption or hepatic blood flow, the increase in cyclosporine bioavailability observed in this study is most likely explained by inhibition of gastrointestinal cytochrome P450 enzymes. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (1995) 58, 15–19; doi: 10.1016/0009-9236(95)90067-5
Effectively training pediatric residents to deliver diagnoses of Down syndrome

Physicians and parents report a need for pediatricians to have additional training in delivering a diagnosis of Down syndrome (DS). This study tested a web-based tutorial to assess its effectiveness in improving physicians' perceived comfort with both ambiguous and more medically factual situations as they deliver diagnoses of DS. Based on this web tutorial that integrated prenatal and postnatal information into virtual patient scenarios, the study assessed pediatrics residents' knowledge and comfort in delivering a diagnosis of DS pre and postnatally. A separate survey, given at the same time, asked for residents' perception of their need for this training. Ninety-one volunteer residents from 10 pediatric training programs across the country participated. The tutorial yielded significant improvement in knowledge and a significant decrease in perceived level of discomfort in both ambiguous situations and more medically certain contexts related to a DS diagnosis. In addition, across all pediatric resident groups (by year, gender, and performance on the knowledge test and the comfort scale), residents strongly agreed that this type of training was beneficial for themselves, other residents, practicing physicians, and other medical professionals. This study suggests that web-based, interactive, multi-media training may be an effective tool for improving resident physician comfort with both ambiguous and more medically certain situations in delivering a diagnosis of DS to families.
Rat NTE-related esterase is a membrane-associated protein, hydrolyzes phenyl valerate, and interacts with diisopropylfluorophosphate through a serine catalytic machinery.

The serine hydrolases constitute multi-families of proteins that include lipases, esterases, and proteases. These enzymes contain a signature motif GXSXG, in which the serine residue acts as the nucleophile and initiates catalysis. This report describes the characterization of a novel serine hydrolase from rat. This enzyme exhibits a moderate sequence identity with the neuropathy target esterase (NTE), thus is designated NTE-related esterase (NRE). Transfection with the NRE cDNA resulted in marked increases in the hydrolysis of phenyl valerate and reactivity with diisopropylfluorophosphate. Such increases, however, were markedly or completely abolished in mutants that had a substitution (Ala, Cys, Asp, or His) on the serine residue in the GXSXG motif, providing direct evidence that NRE is a serine hydrolase. By Northern blot analyses, three NRE transcripts were detected and they differed markedly in length (∼2.6, 4.2, and 5.0 kb). The 4.2-kb transcript was present in all organs analyzed except the testis, in which both 2.6- and 5.0-kb transcripts were detected. The testicular transcripts were completely depleted in rats treated with clofibrate, whereas the levels of NRE mRNA in the liver were markedly increased in rats treated with perfluorodecanoic acid. Both clofibrate and perfluorodecanoic acid are efficacious activators of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α). The differential effects on the levels of NRE mRNA suggest that these chemicals regulate the expression of NRE through mechanism(s) rather than the activation of PPAR-α.
High-dose therapy with autologous haemopoietic stem cell support for Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia.

Standard doses of alkylating agents or purine analogues effect response rates of up to 50% in Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia (WM); however, complete responses are infrequent and there are no cures. We have evaluated the feasibility, safety and efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell support in six patients aged 45-69 years (median 51.5) with WM; four patients relapsed after prior therapy inclusive of purine analogues and two patients proceeded with transplant after minimal therapy. Four patients mobilized adequate numbers of stem cells; however, two patients with more extensive fludarabine therapy failed to mobilize and required a second attempt at stem cell collection. Five patients were treated with melphalan 200 mg/m2, including one patient who received tandem transplants and one patient who received melphalan 140 mg/m2 with added total body irradiation (TBI). There was no treatment-related mortality and non-haematological toxicities were manageable. Engraftment was prompt except in one patient with extensive prior use of fludarabine. All the six patients achieved at least partial response (PR), including one who achieved complete response (CR). Five patients are alive and four are event-free at 52+, 15+, 12+ and 2+ months post transplant. This pilot study suggests safety and efficacy of high-dose therapy in WM and suggests that the peripheral blood stem cells should preferably be procured prior to extensive use of purine analogues.
A Proton Spectrometer for Nasa's Apollo Applications Program

A high counting rate particle detector is described to measure trapped protons from 18.5 MeV to 400 MeV and electrons from approximately 1.2 MeV to 10 MeV. The instrument is a directional dE/dx - E telescope composed of solid state and scintillation counters with an acceptance angle of 450 and an energy independent geometric factor of approximately .4 cm2 sterad. The dE/dx detectors are fully depleted silicon surface barrier detectors of 500 micron thickness and 3 cm2 area. The energy detector is a sodium activated cesium iodide crystal of 100 MeV thickness for protons. A plastic scintillator is used as an anticoincidence shield. The detector design, electronics system, and calibration data for protons are presented in this paper.
Applicability of the DAST-C to the images of scientists drawn by students of different racial groups

The perceptions students hold of scientists has been a subject of study since Mead and Metraux first reported having students draw scientists in 1957. Subsequent work in this area by Chambers (1983) and Schibeci and Sorensen (1983) led to the clear identification of a number of attributes or elements comprising stereotypical images students possess about scientists. Building on this work, Finson, Beaver, and Cramond (1995) developed a checklist (the Draw-A-Scientist Test Checklist, or DAST-C) for use in assessing drawings of scientists. One of the advantages of the checklist was that quantifiable scores for drawings could be derived and, hence, be subject to comparative data analysis. Researchers are finding out that stereotypical images can have specific influences on the shaping of children’s perceptions in science. Of particular concern is the impact of negative or stereotypical images of scientists on the career aspirations of females and minorities. Since the DAST-C has been used in a growing number of studies on students’ perceptions of scientists, the validity of the DAST-C for use with multicultural groups needs to be examined. In this study, drawings were obtained from eighth grade students who were Caucasian, Native American, and African American. The drawings were analyzed and scored using the DAST-C. Comparisons of those results showed no significant differences between groups.
Requirement of homologous recombination functions for viability of the Escherichia coli cell that lacks RNase HI and exonuclease V activities.

Abstract rnhA224 and rnhA339::cat mutants which lack RNase HI activity were found to constitutively express the sfiaA::lacZ operon fusion in a recA + lexA + -dependent manner. The sfiA::lacZ expression (indicating SOS induction) in rnhA mutants was increased to higher levels by the introduction of the recD1903 or recB21 mutation. The SOS induction in these cells was further enhanced by nutritional shift up from casamino acid medium to Luria broth. Although the extent by which the recD and recB mutations increased the sfiA expression in rnhA mutants was similar, the rnhA224 recB21 double mutant had plating efficiencies that were 25-fold lower on casamino acid plates and 5 × 10 5 -fold lower of Luria broth plates than the respective plating efficiencies of either rnhA224 recD or rnhA::cat recD double mutants. Whereas the recD mutation inactivates the exonuclease activity of the RecBCD (Exo V) enzyme without reducing the recombination proficiency of the mutant, the recB21 mutation abolishes both the exonuclease activity and recombination capability. Therefore, in the absence of both RNase HI and Exo V activities, homologous recombination functions become crucial for viability, particularly in Luria broth. Introduction of mutations in recA, recJ and recN exacerbated the phenotypes. It is proposed that R-loops which persist due to the lack of RNase HI activity can be removed by two alternative routes of DNA repair: one involving Exo V, Exo I and DNA polymerase I, and the other involving both the RecBCD and RecF pathways of homologous recombination activities. The isolation of RNA polymerase mutants that constitutively express the SOS response at high levels and exhibit remarkable broth-sensitivity lend strong support to the concention that increased amounts of the persisting R-loop in rnhA mutants growing in Luria broth give rise to a stronger SOS response.
Left ventricular pressure and volume data acquisition and analysis using LabVIEWTM

To automate analysis of left ventricular pressure-volume data, we used LabVIEW to create applications that digitize and display data recorded from conductance and manometric catheters. Applications separate data into cardiac cycles, calculate parallel conductance, and calculate indices of left ventricular function, including end-systolic elastance, preload-recruitable stroke work, stroke volume, ejection fraction, stroke work, maximum and minimum derivative of ventricular pressure, heart rate, indices of relaxation, peak filling rate, and ventricular chamber stiffness. Pressure-volume loops can be graphically displayed. These analyses are exported to a text-file. These applications have simplified and automated the process of evaluating ventricular function.
Electronic Diaries: A Feasible Method of Assessing Emotional Experiences in Youth?

The primary goal of this study was to examine whether electronic diaries are a feasible method of monitoring transitory emotional states with a school-age, community sample of youth. A second goal was to examine preliminary relations between indices of emotional functioning captured via electronic diaries and other measures of child emotional and psychological functioning. Participants included 38 youth between the ages of 7 and 12 (51% males, M age = 9 [1.52] years and 49% females, M age = 9 [1.94] years) and their mothers (M age = 39 years) and fathers (M age = 42 years). Children were prompted to indicate the intensity of their current emotion four times a day for 1 week using Palm Tungsten E2s. Youth also completed self-report measures of emotion intensity, awareness, and dysregulation. Parents completed measures of child emotion regulation and symptoms of externalizing and internalizing psychopathology. Sixty percent of the prompts were answered as intended. Higher levels of positive emotion intensity based on electronic diary ratings were negatively related to parent reports of adaptive emotion regulation and were positively related to youths’ reports of emotion dysregulation and poor emotion awareness. Given that the electronic diary data offered unique information on youth emotional functioning, strategies to increase compliance with the diaries are suggested.
Metabolic pathways of isolated Malpighian tubules of the blowfly functioning in an artificial medium

Malpighian tubules of Calliphora will survive in an artificial medium for 60 hr. The rate of urine production varies considerably during adult life and can be correlated with events during the oviposition cycle. Tubules showing highest rates of urine flow were obtained from insects immediately after emergence when large volumes of fluid are being excreted. Tubules removed from insects during yolk deposition had the lowest rates. Tubules lack an endogenous supply of energy but are capable of using a wide variety of substrates, including various oligosaccharides, hexoses, phosphorylated compounds, organic, and amino acids. Consideration of these indicates that tubule cells probably possess a classical glycolytic-Krebs cycle pathway. Sensitivity of tubule cells to cyanide, azide, and dinitrophenol also indicates that energy production is geared to oxidative phosphorylation.
A quantitative analysis of the ipsilateral retinocollicular projection in the cat: An EM degeneration and EM autoradiographic study

The ipsilateral projection to the binocular segment of the superior colliculus in the cat was quantified by means of electron microscopic (EM) degeneration and electron microscopic autoradiography. Because of the patchy distribution of ipsilateral terminals, contiguous samples were taken across the mediolateral extent of the colliculus. The results from both EM degeneration and EM autoradiography are in substantial agreement: In the binocular segment, the ipsilateral projection represents 5.3% and 5.6%, respectively, of the total retinal input to the superior colliculus. As the contralateral projection extends over the whole colliculus but is greatest in the caudal region, while the ipsilateral projection is restricted to the middle one-third of the colliculus, it follows that the total ipsilateral retinocollicular projection is less than earlier estimates (5--10%, Kanaseki and Sprague, '74) and probably closer to 1%, as suggested by Sterling ('73) on the basis of an electron microscopic degeneration study. A significant finding is that there are many more terminals per axon in the contralateral than in the ipsilateral superficial gray. The ratio of degenerated terminals in SGS1 and SGS2 to degenerated axons in SGS3 is 3.1 contralaterally, while in the ipsilateral colliculus the figure is 1.2. This may reflect a difference in the arborization pattern of Y-type and W-type retinal ganglion cells in the colliculus.
Utilizing Dynamic Cognitive Feedback to Facilitate Learning on Diagnostic Tasks

As more organizations rely on computer-based training, greater emphasis should be placed on constructive feedback information to improve performance. Providing effective information support for decision tasks such as medical diagnosis is a challenging problem for interface designers. Dynamic cognitive feedback based on the Lens Model was provided for 36 medical experts-in-training and 36 medically untrained participants. Participants examined 50 dental patient case studies consisting of color photographs, demographic information, and feedback information. Task predictability and feedback content were manipulated. Trained participants scored higher and applied their decision policies more consistently. Results also indicated performance differences based on feedback type and participants' experience level. Trained participants relied more on information between the judgment and individual environmental cues, whereas untrained participants performed better with feedback pertaining to their own decision poli...
Cold ischemia time and allograft outcomes in live donor renal transplantation: Is live donor organ transport feasible?

One of the greatest obstacles to the implementation of regional or national kidney paired donation programs (KPD) is the need for the donor to travel to their matched recipient's hospital. While transport of the kidney is an attractive alternative, there is concern that prolonged cold ischemia time (CIT) would diminish the benefits of live donor transplantation (LDTx). To examine the impact of increased CIT in LDTx, 1-year serum creatinine (SCr), delayed graft function (DGF), acute rejection (AR) and allograft survival (AS) were analyzed in 38 467 patients by 2 h CIT groups (0-2, 2-4, 4-6 and 6-8 h) using data from the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (UNOS/OPTN). Adjusted probabilities of DGF and AR were estimated in multivariate logistic regression models and AS was examined in multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Although some increase in DGF was observed between the 0-2 h (4.7%) and 4-6 h (8.3%) groups, prolonged CIT did not result in inferior SCr, increased AR or compromised AS in any group with >2 h CIT compared with the 0-2 h group. Comparable long-term outcomes for these grafts suggests that transport of live donor organs may be a feasible alternative to donor travel in KPD regions where CIT can be limited to 8 h.
Reactions of C3 with alkenes, alkynes and allenes

Abstract C3 disappearance rate constants at room temperature are reported for reactions with alkenes, alkynes, and allenes. C3 radicals are generated by multiphoton UV excimer laser photolysis of benzene and monitored using laser induced fluorescence. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.
Enabling Role-Based Delegation and Revocation on Security-Enhanced Linux

An increasing number of attacks experienced in existing enterprise networks and applications have recently created a huge demand for security mechanisms of operating systems. As a consequence, security-enhanced Linux (SELinux) was proposed by NSA and the industries have adopted SELinux at a fast rate. More and more enterprises are planning to move their business operations to such a secure computing environment, re quiring the features of delegation and revocation. In this paper we seek to address the issue of how to leverage a role-based delegation in SELinux while minimizing the modification of SELinux system modules. Our approach is to utilize the flexible policy system used in SELinux that allows for custom rules to be defined for supporting access control requirements. We also demonstrate the feasibility of our framework through a proof-of-concept implementation.
The Asian connection: preliminary report on Indonesian trepang sites on the Kimberley coast, N.W. Australia

Indonesian trepang sites along the Kimberley coastline provide evidence for recent, regular contact between Asia and Australia. This paper summarises the known history of the Indonesian trepang industry in the Kimberley, then describes a number of sites recorded as part of a larger research project on Asian cultural contact in the region. It concludes that recent Indonesian sites along the Kimberley coast contain a range of information not otherwise documented, while older Indonesian sites could shed light on important aspects of Australian prehistory.
Structural biology: fibres hinge on swapped domains.

When proteins assemble themselves into fibres, there can be grave pathological consequences. Designing an otherwise soluble protein to make fibres provides a general mechanism for the construction process.
Smart Sensor For Terminal Homing

The practical scene matching problem presents certain complications which must extend classical image processing capabilities. In this paper, we consider certain aspects of the scene matching problem which must be addressed by a smart sensor for terminal homing. In the first section, we outline a philosophy for treating the matching problem for the terminal homing scenario. Later, we consider certain aspects of the feature extraction process and symbolic pattern matching.
Effects of Subgrid Spatial Heterogeneity on GCM-Scale Land Surface Energy and Moisture Fluxes

Abstract The results of simulation experiments are reported in which two 1° lat × 1° long regions were discretized into pixels of size roughly 180 m × 120 m and modeled using a hydrologically based, spatially distributed water and energy balance model. Fluxes aggregated from the distributed model (ADM), and computed using a macroscale equivalent model (MSE), which treats the entire region as a point, were compared for 2 years for two regions in Montana: one in the mountainous, semihumid western part of the state, and another in the drier, less mountainous east. The forcings for MSE were the spatial averages of precipitation, downward shortwave and longwave radiation, air temperature, wind, and vapor pressure over the respective regions spatially averaged from the distributed model. In the western region, major differences in predicted snow water equivalent between ADM and MSE were observed during the spring snowmelt period, primarily due to snow at high elevations, which is not represented by MSE. These d...
Flexible Specification of Mixed Demand Systems

Common flexible functional forms are not very useful for modeling mixed demand systems because derivation of mixed demands requires closed forms for both direct and indirect utility functions. In this paper we study the alternative of using a direct approximation to mixed demands. We develop a new approach to Slutsky relations for mixed demand functions allowing formulation of a Rotterdam mixed demand model. The resulting mixed demand system is illustrated with an application to meat demand in Canada.
Mineral-fluid partitioning and isotopic fractionation of boron in synthetic calcium carbonate

Aragonite, high-Mg calcite, and Mg-free calcite have been grown under monitored laboratory conditions to investigate mineral-fluid partitioning and isotopic fractionation of boron into carbonates. At pH ≈ 8, both polymorphs have boron isotopic compositions I6.5%0 lower than the boron isotopic composition of the experimental fluid (δ11B = 0 ± 0.7ℵ.). The isotopic composition of the synthetic minerals is identical to the calculated boron isotopic composition of the B(OH)4− species in the parent solutions, consistent with only B(OH)4− interacting with the crystal surface. The fractionation factor calculated from this isotopic offset is within analytical error of that measured between seawater and modern marine carbonates. The boron concentrations of the experimentally grown aragonite are 13.4, 85.1, and 379 ppm for total fluid boron concentrations of 0.59, 5.1, and 37.0 ppm, respectively. High-Mg calcite (HMC) coprecipitating with the aragonite has bulk boron concentrations of 5.6, 56.2, 260, and 1771 ppm for fluid boron concentrations of 0.59, 5.1, 37, and 272 ppm, respectively. Calcite boron concentrations are 1.78, 14.0, 137.7, and 1228 ppm for fluid boron concentrations of 0.45, 4.0, 44.l, and 499 ppm, respectively. Boron uptake by aragonite is greater than boron uptake by calcite grown under nearly identical conditions, while boron uptake by HMC is intermediate. Synthetic calcite crystals grown in solutions with greater than 4 ppm boron exhibit habit modification with the appearance of a subordinate form {1120} in addition to the dominant {1014}, the perfect cleavage rhombohedron, found in low-boron calcites. This is evidence of strong interaction of the borate with the crystal surface.
A naturally-inspired algorithm for Routing, Wavelength assignment, and Spectrum Allocation in flexible grid WDM networks

Flexible grid networks enable elastic bandwidth transmission with higher spectral efficiency. In this paper, we address the Routing, Wavelength assignment, and Spectrum Allocation (RWSA) problem in flexible grid networks with the goal of maximizing spectral efficiency. We design a novel algorithm using a hybrid application of naturally-inspired procedures such as genetic evolution and simulated annealing. The performance of the proposed sequential meta-heuristic algorithm is evaluated with existing solutions and a lower bound. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the existing solutions and performs very close to the lower bound. Furthermore, the algorithm converges to the optimization in a limited number of evolution and annealing iterations.
SITE-SPECIFIC LOUVERED SHELLS FOR SHADING HARMFUL ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract Excessive Ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure results in various health hazards for humans. The United States Environmental Protection Agency maintains that moderate health risk starts at a UV Index of three, where protection such as built shade should be sought. However, commercially available shading structures often fail to take into account varying solar positions at different geographic locations and times of the day. They are typically designed with a “one-design-fits-all” mentality which ignores the site-specificity and time dependency of the position of the sun. This paper proposes and tests a design methodology for a large span louvered shell system that mitigates the harmful effects of UV radiation exposure. The structural beams of the presented grid shell are integrated and optimized as louvers that block out harmful UV radiation only when it poses health risks. The design approach incorporates algorithms that allow for the identification of critical solar positions using a UV Index algorithm, shade analysis, structural form finding and definition of louver orientations and depth. To validate the methodology, a physical prototype is designed, built, equipped with UV sensors and monitored over a period of four months. The presented and tested approach allows for the design of site-specific louvered shells that effectively shade large scale urban spaces (such as public squares, outdoor play and sports grounds and entertainment areas). The resulting novel shades offer an effective strategy for the prevention of UV radiation health risks through the interaction of the built environment.
Impurity modes in a two-dimensional photonic crystal: coupling efficiency and Q factor

A finite two-dimensional photonic crystal with a triangular lattice of air columns in a dielectric background is designed with a waveguide and a resonant cavity. By a time-domain solution of Maxwell’s equations we observe the existence of impurity modes inside the photonic bandgap. An electromagnetic wave launched through the waveguide, with an appropriate frequency, can enhance the field inside the cavity and yield a peak in the transmission. Considering a manufactured structure, in which the columns are not perfectly equal, we repeat our calculations and analyze how the impurity modes are modified. For both cases, periodic and real, we measure the quality factor of the cavity.
Targeting Akt to increase the sensitivity of neuroblastoma to chemotherapy: lessons learned from the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB signal transduction pathway.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a neural crest precursor cell-derived extracranial solid tumor in children. Patients with a poor prognosis are often resistant to chemotherapy and have tumors that express the neuronal growth/survival factor brain-derived neurotrophic factor and its tyrosine kinase receptor, TrkB. In this article, the authors discuss a growth/survival factor-stimulated mechanism leading to chemoresistance in NB that is mediated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Besides brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB, other growth/survival factors and their receptors also activate the PI3K/Akt pathway and have the potential to mediate chemoresistance in NB. These findings raise the possibility of a new therapeutic approach in NB that would target Akt, the common downstream mediator of multiple growth/survival factor signaling pathways, to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. Several classes of Akt inhibitors, including phosphatidylinositol ether lipid analogs, alkylphospholipid analogs, allosteric Akt k...
Inhibition of the development of Dictyostelium discoideum by isolated plasma membranes

Abstract The life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum can be divided into two mutually exclusive phases: growth and development. A distinguishing characteristic of the two phases is the absence of intercellular communication during vegative growth, and the many forms of such interaction during development. We have investigated the role of the cell surface membrane during the aggregation and development of this organism. We have asked the question: Are there molecules on the cell surface which are necessary for aggregation, and if so, can they be isolated in a biologically active membrane preparation? Further, when do these molecules appear during normal development, and does the interaction between two neighboring cell surfaces signal the cell or affect their subsequent development in any way? We have been able to isolate a partially purified plasma membrane fraction which is capable of specifically blocking the aggregation of other cells. Additional characterization of this preparation suggests that isolated aggregation phase membranes display a new, or newly exposed, heat-stable component which is capable of interacting with vegetative cells in such a way as to halt development.
The Spectral Energy Distribution of the High-z Blazar Q0906+6930

We describe further observations of QSO J0906+6930, a z = 5.48 blazar likely to be detected in γ-rays. New radio and X-ray data place significant constraints on any kiloparsec-scale extension of the VLBA-detected jet. Improved optical spectroscopy detects absorption from an intervening galaxy at z = 1.849 and raises the possibility that this distant, bright source is lensed. We combine the new data into an improved spectral energy distribution for the blazar core and comment on the Compton keV-GeV flux component.
Indirect effects in dual radiation action

Abstract In this paper we examine the consequences for models of radiation of allowing energy transfer events to diffuse before interacting with biological targets. In particular we describe a formulation of the theory of dual radiation action in which indirect action is explicitly included. The application of this formalism is illustrated by reanalyzing some of the data reported by Chapman et al. (Radiat. Environ. Biophys. 1979, 16, 29) on the effects of the radioprotector dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) on mammalian cell survival.
Neuroticism and quality control in health services: A laboratory simulation

This study was designed to examine the effects of neuroticism on performance in checking prescriptions using a pharmacy simulation task. A sample of 91 participants who had completed an inventory to assess neuroticism performed a prescription-checking task while hit rates and false alarms were assessed. ANOVAs were conducted and results indicated that higher levels of neuroticism, as compared with lower levels of neuroticism, were related to fewer false alarm rates without corresponding hit rate reductions. In addition, the relationships between dependent variables and signal probability groups supported previous research. Limitations of the study are considered and implications for future research are discussed.
Optimal sensor deployment in a large-scale complex drinking water network: Comparisons between a rule-based decision support system and optimization models

Abstract Many models or algorithms have been suggested for sensor placement in the drinking water distribution networks, such as genetic algorithms, multiobjective optimization models, and heuristic methods. Because these models or algorithms have high computational demands, however, the requirement of expensive technical computing software is unavoidable. This study presents a rule-based decision support system (RBDSS) to analyze and generate a set of sensor placement locations and compares the performance against 10 optimization models based on four indexes. Our findings show that the RBDSS demands relatively lower computational time and still exhibits outstanding performance in terms of all our indexes when dealing with a large-scale complex drinking water network.
Assessment of Cardiac Function During Mechanical Circulatory Support: A Simulation Study

Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) have emerged as the standard of care for advanced heart failure (HF) patients, requiring mechanical circulatory support [1]. Regardless of the intended use, a small — yet significant — portion of implanted patients exhibits signs of recovery of the left ventricular function [2].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Errors in LiDAR-derived shrub height and crown area on sloped terrain

Abstract This study developed and tested four methods for shrub height measurements with airborne LiDAR data in a semiarid shrub-steppe in southwestern Idaho, USA. Unique to this study was the focus of sagebrush height measurements on sloped terrain. The study also developed one of the first methods towards estimating crown area of sagebrush from LiDAR. Both sagebrush height and crown area were underestimated by LiDAR. Sagebrush height was estimated to within ± 0.26–0.32 mm (two standard deviations of standard error). Crown area was underestimated by a mean of 49%. Further, hillslope had a relatively low impact on sagebrush height and crown area estimation. From a management perspective, estimation of individual shrubs over large geographic areas can be accomplished using a 0.5 m rasterized vegetation height derivative from LiDAR. While the underestimation of crown area is substantial, we suggest that this underestimation would improve with higher LiDAR point density (>4 points/m 2 ). Further studies can estimate shrub biomass using LiDAR height and crown area derivatives.
High school science enrollment of black students

How can the high school science enrollment of black students be increased? School and home counseling and classroom procedures could benefit from variables identified as predictors of science enrollment. The problem in this study was to identify a set of variables which characterize science course enrollment by black secondary students. The population consisted of a subsample of 3963 black high school seniors from The High School and Beyond 1980 Base-Year Survey. Using multiple linear regression, backward regression, and correlation analyses, the US Census regions and grades mostly As and Bs in English were found to be significant predictors of the number of science courses scheduled by black seniors.
Computer Simulation of Adaptive Drug Infusion

Clinical drug infusion protocols, such as a single bolus followed by a constant drip, do not establish and maintain therapeutic drug levels in an optimal manner. We have investigated a system in which the patient, drug pump, drug assay, and a pump controller are incorporated into an adaptive configuration. The system, which we have simulated on a computer, uses an adaptive approach in which the pump controller operates with a model of the subject response. The model is fit to the specific subject by a regression analysis of the subject's response, obtained by assay of the subject's blood.
Mechanism of Halogen Exchange in ATRP

Detailed mechanistic studies reveal that halogen exchange (HE) in ATRP can occur not only by a radical pathway (atom transfer) but also by an ionic pathway (SN2 reaction) because Cu(I)(L)X and Cu(I...
DISINVESTMENT FROM SOUTH AFRICA: THEY DID WELL BY DOING GOOD

This paper uses standard event-study methodology to analyze the effect of announcing disinvestment or withdrawal of U.S. firms from South Africa during the 1980s on those firms' returns. Several different measures of abnormal return indicate a consistent and significant positive announcement effect, particularly for the two- and three-day periods surrounding the public announcement. With one exception, these results hold even when the variables are normalized by their respective standard deviations to account for possible changes in variance due to the announcement. Using the “ordinary cross-sectional” test statistic rather than the usual t-statistic explicitly accounts for a change in variance at announcement throughout the analysis.
Pyridine Adducts of Chiral Arene Ruthenium Compounds. Diastereoselective Synthesis and Characterization

The compounds [CyRu(η2-Ph2PCH(Me)Ph2PO)L][SbF6]2, where Cy = p-CH3C6H4CH(CH3)2; L = pyridine, 2; 3,5-lutidine, 3; isoquinoline, 4, were synthesized by chloride abstraction from [CyRu(η2-Ph2PCH(Me)Ph2PO)Cl][SbF6], 1, followed by treatment of the intermediate Lewis acid [CyRu(η2-Ph2PCH(Me)Ph2PO)][SbF6]2 with the appropriate ligand. Characterization by elemental analysis, 1H, 31P{1H}, VT NMR spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy indicated that 2−4 were obtained as a mixture of exo and endo diastereomers (de = 14−60%). The endo diastereomer of compound 2 was also characterized by X-ray crystallography which revealed the (RRu*,RC*) relative configuration of the two stereogenic centers within the molecule. In contrast to analogues with other neutral donors, 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy experiments demonstrated that 2−4 were stable to diastereomer interconversion in solution. This suggests that epimerization of the ruthenium center in an intermediate exo-[CyRu(η2-Ph2PCH(Me)Ph2PO)][SbF6]2 occurred by a path unavailable t...
Signal generators for cost effective BIST of ADCs

Conventional approach to linearity testing of ADCs requires a signal generator that is more linear than the device under test (DUT). Recently introduced ADC testing algorithms dramatically relax the linearity requirements on the signal generator in exchange for maintaining a known functional relationship between two unknown nonlinear test signals. Simple signal generators that can be used to generate the two non-linear signals are discussed. Simulation results show that the generated signals can be used to test ADCs with resolution ranging between 6 and 17bits.
Intravital Microscopy of the Peripheral Lymph Node Microcirculation in Mice

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a model for microscopic in situ observation of the murine peripheral lymph node (LN) microcirculation and to characterize the function of the lymphocyte homing receptor L-selectin (CD62L) and the peripheral node addressin (PNAd). The latter is a high-affinity ligand for L-selectin in LN high endothelial venules (HEV).Methods: The subiliac (superficial inguinal) LN was microsurgically dissected in anesthetized adult mice. The nodal microvascular architecture and venular hemodynamics were characterized by bright field and epifluorescence video microscopy. L1-2 pre-B cells that were either mock transfected (L1-2Vector) or stably transfected to express human L-selectin (L1-2L-selection) were labeled fluorescently and injected into a feeding artery. Cell adhesion in LN venules was studied in both the presence and absence of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAb) to PNAd and L-selectin.Results: The preparation allowed a detailed analysis of hemodynamic param...