cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biodistribution and virus inactivation efficacy of a silicon phthalocyanine in red blood cell concentrates as a function of delivery vehicle

The silicon phthalocyanine, HOSiPcOSi(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH3)2 (Pc 4), is a new photosensitizer that can inactivate lipid-enveloped viruses in red blood cell concentrates (RBCC) upon exposure to red light. Because Pc 4 is insoluble in water, it was delivered either as an emulsion in saline and cremophor EL (CRM) or as a solution in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). In RBCC, Pc 4 added in either vehicle distributed between the plasma and red blood cells (RBC) in a ratio of 4:6, similar to the ratio of these components in RBCC 3:7 (i.e. a hematocrit of 70%). Light exposure did not affect this distribution and caused only marginal degradation of Pc 4 at a light dose that inactivates > 5 log10 vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Among human plasma proteins, Pc 4 bound mainly (about 70%) to lipoproteins and to a lesser extent to albumin and lower molecular weight proteins when delivered in DMSO. When delivered in CRM, distribution between lipoproteins and albumin became more even. Among the lipoproteins Pc 4 bound almost exclusively to very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) when delivered in DMSO and to both VLDL and low-density lipoproteins when added in CRM. The rate of VSV inactivation was independent of the delivery vehicle but there was less RBC damage, as measured by hemolysis during storage, when Pc 4 was added in CRM. These results indicate that using CRM as emulsifier can enhance the specificity of Pc 4-induced photochemical decontamination of RBCC for transfusion.
Cue-controlled relaxation in reduction of chronic nervous habits.

The present paper documents two case studies in which cue-controlled relaxation was used in the reduction of chronic nailbiting by 2 adults. Results indicated substantial increases in nail-length a...
Supplementary description of Funchalia taaningi Burkenroad, 1940 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Penaeidae) from the Central Pacific Ocean and a new record of F. villosa (Bouvier, 1905) from the Eastern Indian Ocean

The pelagic penaeid shrimp Funchalia taaningi Burkenroad, 1940 is redescribed based on specimens collected mainly in the central Pacific Ocean. The petasma of the male is illustrated for the first time. The distribution of the species is extended into the eastern Indian Ocean based on a female collected in 1964 during the International Indian Ocean Expedition. Two males of Funchalia villosa (Bouvier, 1905), also collected during the International Indian Ocean Expedition, are recorded from the eastern Indian Ocean, extending the known distribution of this species.
High-affinity consensus binding of target RNAs by the STAR/GSG proteins GLD-1, STAR-2 and Quaking.

STAR/GSG proteins regulate gene expression in metazoans by binding consensus sites in the 5' or 3' UTRs of target mRNA transcripts. Owing to the high degree of homology across the STAR domain, most STAR proteins recognize similar RNA consensus sequences. Previously, the consensus for a number of well-characterized STAR proteins was defined as a hexameric sequence, referred to as the SBE, for S TAR protein b inding e lement. C. elegans GLD-1 and mouse Quaking (Qk-1) are two representative STAR proteins that bind similar consensus hexamers, which differ only in the preferred nucleotide identities at certain positions. Earlier reports also identified partial consensus elements located upstream or downstream of a canonical consensus hexamer in target RNAs, although the relative contribution of these sequences to the overall binding energy remains less well understood. Additionally, a recently identified STAR protein called STAR-2 from C. elegans is thought to bind target RNA consensus sites similar to that of GLD-1 and Qk-1. Here, a combination of fluorescence-polarization and gel mobility shift assays was used to demonstrate that STAR-2 binds to a similar RNA consensus as GLD-1 and Qk-1. These assays were also used to further delineate the contributions of each hexamer consensus nucleotide to high-affinity binding by GLD-1, Qk-1 and STAR-2 in a variety of RNA contexts. In addition, the effects of inserting additional full or partial consensus elements upstream or downstream of a canonical hexamer in target RNAs were also measured to better define the sequence elements and RNA architecture recognized by different STAR proteins. The results presented here indicate that a single hexameric consensus is sufficient for high-affinity RNA binding by STAR proteins, and that upstream or downstream partial consensus elements may alter binding affinities depending on the sequence and spacing. The general requirements determined for high-affinity RNA binding by STAR proteins will help facilitate the identification of novel regulatory targets in vivo.
Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria of a non-circular cross-section stellarator

Magnetohydrodynamic equilibria have been calculated numerically for a non-circular crosssection stellarator utilizing a three-dimensional, diffuse-plasma-profile, MHD code. Distinct minima of the poloidal field values were found in the vacuum which confirm the existence of stagnation points.
Triphase catalysis: a correlation for Sherwood number using the rotating disk contactor (RDC) developed earlier

Abstract Triphase catalysis (TPC) has the potential for conducting phase-transfer catalyzed reactions in the continuous mode. However, there is so far no industrial acceptance of this possibility since the reaction rates achieved are usually low due to diffusional limitations. Triphase catalytic systems are strongly influenced by mass transfer, and thus an experimental technique using a rotating disk contactor was specifically designed by the authors to estimate individual mass transfer coefficients for the liquid phases [Glatzer, Desikan, & Doraiswamy, Chem. Eng. Sci. 53 (13) (1998) 2431]. The key to precise measurements is the choice of the model system which should have an almost negligible noncatalytic reaction but yet a high enough catalytic rate to be mass transfer controlled at low agitation speeds. The synthesis of octyl acetate from octyl bromide and potassium acetate has these attributes and was chosen as the test system. The reaction was mediated by polymer-supported tributylmethylammonium chloride or the corresponding phosphonium chloride. Mass transfer coefficients could be determined as a function of the agitation speed. Despite limited available data, an equation that correlates the Sherwood number to the Reynolds and Schmidt numbers has been proposed.
Preferential Segregation of Chromosomes from a Trivalent in Haplopappus gracilis

Crosses between plants of Haplopappus gracilis (n = 2) and a race with three pairs of chromosomes (tribivalens) gave a highly fertile five-chromosome hybrid. In both races the chromosomes with the satellites appear homologous, but the other two tribivalens chromosomes pair with the A chromosome (without a satellite) of H. gracilis. Disjunction from the resulting trivalent is preferential: the A chromosome goes to one pole and the two tribivalens chromosomes to the other.
Experimental demonstration of negative index of refraction in magnetic semiconductors

Homogeneous negative refractive index materials are introduced as an alternative to normally utilized inhomogeneous metamaterials. The theory of such materials was developed several years ago (A. Kussow and A. Akyurtlu, PRB 78, 205202 (2008)), and the effect is due to the coexistence of the spin-wave mode with the plasmonic mode, and both modes are activated by the electromagnetic field with simultaneous negative permittivity and permeability responses within the narrow frequency band close to the ferromagnetic resonance. To justify this theory, the thin films of ferromagnetic semiconductor, Cr-doped indium oxide, were fabricated, with clearly measured ferromagnetism at high saturation magnetization and a Curie temperature which is much higher than room temperature. The refractive index, within mid-IR, was extracted from combined transmittance and reflectance data and was compared with theoretical prediction. Also, a direct standard beam displacement method validates the effect of negative refraction in this material.
A Comparison of the Influence of Mechanical and Acoustical Vibrations on Free Convections From a Horizontal Cylinder

Abstract : The results are presented of an experimental investigation of the influence of horizontal transverse mechanical vibrations (frequency order of magnitude: 100 cps) upon the rate of convective heat transfer from a horizontal cylinder. The results are compared with earlier findings. It is shown that, in spite of a tenfold difference in frequency (and amplitude), the heat-transfer correlation equation previously developed for horizontal acoustical vibrations is also valid for horizontal mechanical vibrations, and that the character of the boundary-layer flow is the same (thermoacoustic streaming) for these two cases.
Metal-overlayer formation on C60 for Ti, Cr, Au, La, and In: Dependence on metal-C60 bonding.

Photoelectron spectroscopy using x rays and synchrotron radiation was used to examine surface bonding and overlayer growth modes when the representative metals Ti, Cr, Au, La, and In were deposited onto thin films of pure C 60 . None of these metals intermixed with C 60 or formed bulk metal-fulleride compounds. Instead, metallic clusters were produced when Au, Cr, and In atoms were condensed on C 60 . For Ti and La, the first layer formed as a monolayer but subsequent depositions produced clusters
Dynamic Analysis of Yarn Unwinding from Cylindrical Packages. Part I: Parametric Studies of the Two-Region Problem

In recent years, the interest in studying balloon formation during unwinding has been rekindled by recent publication of several significant papers on the dynamic analysis of moving yarns in rotational modes. The renewed interest can be partially attributed to the availability of powerful computing tools needed to solve problems of this kind. This paper is the first of a series of papers reporting results of ongoing research at NCSU. In this paper, apart from a critical evaluation of some recently published work, the physics of unwinding as proposed by earlier publications is examined through extensive parametric studies. That is, two parameters of high practical importance, balloon shape and unwinding tension, are calculated as functions of the direction of unwinding (from front-to-back and back-to-front), wind angle, residual tension in the yarn on the package, and the coefficient of yarn-package drag. In addition, limitations of a two-region analysis are addressed.
Comparative study of water reactivity with Mo2Oy− and W2Oy− clusters: A combined experimental and theoretical investigation

A computational investigation of the Mo2Oy− + H2O (y = 4, 5) reactions as well as a photoelectron spectroscopic probe of the deuterated Mo2O6D2− product have been carried out to understand a puzzling question from a previous study: Why is the rate constant determined for the Mo2O5− + H2O/D2O reaction, the terminal reaction in the sequential oxidation of Mo2Oy− by water, higher than the W2O5− + H2O/D2O reaction? This disparity was intriguing because W3Oy− clusters were found to be more reactive toward water than their Mo3Oy− analogs. A comparison of molecular structures reveals that the lowest energy structure of Mo2O5− provides a less hindered water addition site than the W2O5− ground state structure. Several modes of water addition to the most stable molecular and electronic structures of Mo2O4− and Mo2O5− were explored computationally. The various modes are discussed and compared with previous computational studies on W2Oy− + H2O reactions. Calculated free energy reaction profiles show lower barriers fo...
Pan–Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis for the Severe Rheumatoid Forefoot Deformity

The standard approach for correction of severe painful rheumatoid forefoot deformities has involved resection of the metatarsal heads with realignment of the lesser toe deformities and first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) arthrodesis. Modifications of this procedure may include a pan–metatarsal head resection, including the first metatarsal head, or resection of the lesser metatarsal heads in conjunction with an interpositional arthroplasty of the first MTPJ. The authors describe a novel surgical approach that involves the correction of severe rheumatoid forefoot deformities through a pan-MTPJ arthrodesis. Arthrodesis of all five MTPJs for the surgical treatment of the painful rheumatoid forefoot deformity with chronic plantar callosities and dislocated digits has yet to be reported in the scientific literature. The goal of this article is to provide the treating physician with another alternative and safe surgical approach when dealing with the painful rheumatoid forefoot deformity.
Factors affecting winter distribution and migration distance of wood ducks from southern breeding populations

We used direct band-recovery records of Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) banded 1 April15 September (1960-1987) in the southern and southeastern reference areas of Bowers and Martin (1975, Fig. 1) to test whether winter distribution and migration distance were ageand sex-specific. Effects of variation in early-autumn temperature and precipitation conditions on winter distribution patterns also were studied. Latitude and longitude of winter band recoveries did not differ by age and sex in the southern reference area; but adult Wood Ducks tended to migrate shorter distances than young. In the southeastern reference area, recovery distributions of males and females also did not differ; but adults were distributed north and east of young birds, and migrated shorter distances. We predicted that Wood Ducks would move farther south in winter when early-autumn (October-November) temperature and spring-summer (April-September) precipitation were below normal. Adults were recovered farther south when precipitation was below average, but deviations from average temperatures were not associated with winter distribution. Young Wood Ducks occurred farther south when rainfall in spring-summer was less than normal and when average November temperature was colder than normal. We conclude that winter distributions of male and female Wood Ducks did not differ, but that adults migrated shorter distances than young. Variation in winter distribution was associated with early-autumn habitat suitability.
Polynomial interpolation, an L-function, and pointwise approximation of continuous functions

We show that if {s"k}"k"="1^~ is the sequence of all zeros of the L-function L(s,@g)@[email protected]?"k"="0^~(-1)^k(2k+1)^-s satisfying Res"[email protected]?(0,1),k=1,2,..., then any function from span {|x|^s^"^k}"k"="1^~ satisfies the pointwise rapid convergence property, i.e. there exists a sequence of polynomials Q"n(f,x) of degree at most n such that @?f-Q"[email protected]?"C"["-"1","1"]="~(|f(x)-Q"n(f,x)|)/E"n(f)=0, where E"n(f) is the error of best polynomial approximation of f in C[-1,1]. The proof is based on Lagrange polynomial interpolation to |x|^s, Res>0, at the Chebyshev nodes. We also establish a new representation for |L(x,@g)|.
SCENEDESMUS MORPHOGENESIS. COLONY CONTROL IN DILUTE MEDIA1

SUMMARY Morphological stability, with the elimination of the unicellular singe, was achieved by culturing several strains of Scenedesmus in media with, low inorganic salt levels. Organisms stabilize and form only colonies at specific nutrient levels. One became colonial only when the salt level was dropped to 3.07 mg inorganic salts per liter, with N and P at levels found in nature.
Understanding Depth of Vocabulary Online With Bilingual and Monolingual Children

The sheer quantity of words known (breadth) is strongly predictive of reading comprehension, yet little is understood about how quality of word knowledge (depth) affects comprehension. A group of 35 bilingual and monolingual 5th-grade students worked on developing depth of knowledge of 8 words, culminating in an activity in which the students produced captions for images related to each word. The captions were scored using a 4-point depth scale, and similarities and differences between bilingual and monolingual students were assessed. Results indicated a significant effect of depth of word knowledge in predicting reading comprehension, particularly for students with average to strong oral language skills.
Working with translators and interpreters in research: lessons learned.

The purpose of this special section is to describe culturally competent approaches for working with translators or interpreters who participate in transcultural studies. This article provides backg...
Axis Determination: Proteolytic generation of a morphogen

Ventral activation of a transmembrane receptor, Toll, is a crucial step in dorsoventral axis establishment in Drosophila embryos. The ventral ligand for Toll seems to be a proteolytic fragment of the Spatzle protein.
SCARS: Scalable Self-Configurable Architecture for Reusable Space Systems

Creating an environment of ldquono doubtrdquo for mission success is essential to most critical embedded applications. With reconfigurable devices such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), designers are provided with a seductive tool to use as a basis for sophisticated but highly reliable platforms. We propose a two-level self-healing methodology for increasing the probability of success in critical missions. Our proposed system first undertakes healing at node-level. Failing to rectify system at node-level, network-level healing is undertaken. We have designed a system based on Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGAs and Cirronet DM2200 wireless mesh nodes to demonstrate autonomous wireless healing capability among networked node devices.
Discovery of epilepsy susceptibility genes: implications for therapy development and pharmacogenomics.

Gene therapy as a potential treatment in epilepsies The ultimate treatment for a disease caused by a deleterious mutation in a single gene may be envisioned as restoring gene function via genetic engineering. For example, the success of straightforward gene replacement therapy has been demonstrated recently in hemophilia B, where transfer of the gene for factor IX improved bleeding symptoms in patients harboring factor IX gene mutations [1]. In the epilepsies, monogenic forms of the disease are very rare. It is hypothesized that the vast majority of cases of epilepsy, which is present in about 1% of the global population, result from interactions between multiple genetic susceptibility alleles and environmental factors. This heterogeneity in particular complicates attempts at restorative gene therapy, and preclinical studies have focused more on genetic manipulation of neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems such as GABA and neuropeptide Y, respectively [2]. It is noteworthy, however, that the gene mutated most frequently in monogenic forms of epilepsy is SCN1A, which encodes a subunit of the major neuronal sodium channel (Na V 1.1), and although the absolute number of epilepsy patients with known causative mutations in SCN1A is relatively small, more attention should be given to devising restorative gene transfer treatment strategies in this population.
Conformational stability, structural parameters, and vibrational frequency assignments of ethylcyclobutane using infrared and Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

Abstract Mid-infrared spectra (3500–400 cm −1 ) of gaseous and polycrystalline solid ethylcyclobutane have been recorded, as well as the far-infrared (400–50 cm −1 ) spectrum of ethylcyclobutane in the annealed solid phase. Additionally, the Raman spectra (4000–20 cm −1 ) of liquid and annealed solid ethylcyclobutane have also been obtained. Spectroscopic evidence for the coexistence of the equatorial–gauche , axial–gauche and equatorial–cis conformers of the title compound is found in the fluid phase, with the equatorial–gauche rotamer the most stable form, and the only rotamer present in the annealed solid. Ab initio calculations have been carried out with different basis sets up to MP2/6-31G ∗ , from which the structural parameters, conformational stabilities, force constants, infrared and Raman intensities, and vibrational frequencies have been determined. By incorporating the results from the ab initio calculations, a normal coordinate analysis of the title compound has also been performed and this aids in the vibrational assignments of the normal modes. The weak features at 172 and 161 cm −1 in the far-IR and Raman spectra of the solid have been assigned to the ring puckering vibrations, and a theoretically predicted ring-puckering potential function has been determined.
Political Generations and the Acceptance or Rejection of Nuclear Warfare.

The paper examines differential attitudes toward the use in war of nuclear weapons among age strata, analyzed from the perspective of political generations. Data for the study came from a probability sample of 477 adults living in a metropolitan area. On the basis of historical events and the differing climates of public opinion pertaining to war, three political generations are discriminated: Dissent (those born 1943–1949), Cold War (those born 1927–1942), and World War II (those born before 1927). Results suggest the viability of political generations thus defined. The generation of Dissent is most likely to reject nuclear war, while those of the generation of World War II are most likely to accept nuclear warfare. The basic relationship between age and attitudes toward nuclear war is examined within the context of occupation, sex, fear of communism, and patriotism.
Genetic Analysis of the Caenorhabditis elegans pax-6 Locus: Roles of Paired Domain-Containing and Nonpaired Domain-Containing Isoforms

PAX-6 proteins are involved in eye and brain development in many animals. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans the pax-6 locus encodes multiple PAX-6 isoforms both with and without a paired domain. Mutations in the C. elegans pax-6 locus can be grouped into three classes. Mutations that affect paired domain-containing isoforms cause defects in epidermal morphogenesis, epidermal cell fates, and gonad cell migration and define the class I (vab-3) complementation group. The class II mutation mab-18(bx23) affects nonpaired domain-containing isoforms and transforms the fate of a sensory organ in the male tail. Class III mutations affect both paired domain and nonpaired domain isoforms; the most severe class III mutations are candidate null mutations in pax-6. Class III mutant phenotypes do not resemble a simple sum of class I and class II phenotypes. A comparison of class I and class III phenotypes indicates that PAX-6 isoforms can interact additively, synergistically, or antagonistically, depending on the cellular context.
Large Deletions in the pAtC58 Megaplasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens Can Confer Reduced Carriage Cost and Increased Expression of Virulence Genes

The accessory plasmid pAtC58 of the common laboratory strain of Agrobacterium tumefaciens confers numerous catabolic functions and has been proposed to play a role in virulence. Genomic sequencing of evolved laboratory strains of A. tumefaciens revealed the presence of multiple deletion events in the At plasmid, with reductions in plasmid size ranging from 25% to 30% (115–194 kb). Flanking both ends of the sites of these deletions is a short-nucleotide repeat sequence that is in a single copy in the deleted plasmids, characteristic of a phage- or transposon-mediated deletion event. This repeat sequence is widespread throughout the C58 genome, but concentrated on the At plasmid, suggesting its frequency to be nonrandom. In this study, we assess the prevalence of the larger of these deletions in multiple C58 derivatives and characterize its functional significance. We find that in addition to elevating virulence gene expression, this deletion is associated with a significantly reduced carriage cost to the cell. These observations are a clear demonstration of the dynamic nature of the bacterial genome and suggest a mechanism for genetic plasticity of these costly but otherwise stable plasmids. Additionally, this phenomenon could be the basis for some of the dramatic recombination events so ubiquitous within and among megaplasmids.
Struvite precipitation in anaerobic swine lagoon liquid: effect of pH and Mg:P ratio and determination of rate constant.

Because of increased concern about surface water eutrophication from nutrient-enriched agricultural runoff,many swine producers are encouraged to decrease application rates of waste-based P. Precipitation and subsequent removal of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH4PO4 � 6H2O),commonly known as struvite,is a promising mechanism for N and P removal from anaerobic swine lagoon effluent. The objectives of this research were to (i) quantify the effects of adjusting pH and Mg:P ratio on struvite precipitation and (ii) determine the rate constant pH effect for struvite precipitation in anaerobic swine lagoon liquid. Concentrations of PO4-P in liquid from two anaerobic swine lagoons were determined after 24 h of equilibration for a pH range of 7.5–9.5 and Mg:P ratios between 1:1 and 1.6:1. Struvite formation reduced the PO4-P concentration in the effluents to as low as 2 mg l � 1 . Minimum concentrations of PO4-P occurred between pH 8.9 and 9.25 at all Mg:P ratios. Struvite precipitation decreased PO4-P concentrations by 85% within 20 min at pH 9.0 for an initial Mg:P ratio of 1.2:1. The rate of PO4-P decrease was described by a first-order kinetic model,with rate constants of 3.7,7.9,and 12.3 h � 1 at pH 8.4,8.7 and 9.0 respectively. Our results indicate that induced struvite formation is a technically feasible method to remove N and P from swine lagoon liquid and it may allow swine producers to recover nutrients for off-farm sale. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Spectator: detection and containment of JavaScript worms

Recent popularity of interactive AJAX-based Web 2.0 applications has given rise to a new breed of security threats: JavaScript worms. In this paper we propose Spectator, the first automatic detection and containment solution for JavaScript worms. Spectator performs distributed data tainting by observing and tagging the traffic between the browser and the Web application. When a piece of data propagates too far, a worm is reported. To prevent worm propagation, subsequent upload attempts performed by the same worm are blocked. Spectator is able to detect fast and slow moving, monomorphic and polymorphic worms with a low rate of false positives. In addition to our detection and containment solution, we propose a range of deployment models for Spectator, ranging from simple intranet-wide deployments to a scalable load-balancing scheme appropriate for large Web sites. In this paper we demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of Spectator through both large-scale simulations as well as a case study that observes the behavior of a real-life JavaScript worm propagating across a social networking site. Based on our case study, we believe that Spectator is able to detect all JavaScript worms released to date while maintaining a low detection overhead for a range of workloads.
Error Analysis of GPS Signals From USRP Using GPS Receivers

In this paper the USRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) will be explored to characterize GPS receivers. The main receiver will be the Ublox receiver. The errors added to the recorded signals, by the USRP, will also be quantified and analyzed in order to observe any trends. These trends will then be compared to known models to validate the type of error seen. This paper hopes to expand the uses of the USRP, and validate its use as an acceptable, convenient tool for processing GPS data. The paper will also give a better understanding of the errors inserted by the USRP.
How to write a case report for publication. A practical guide

This article provides a practical guide on how to write a case report and to try to publish it in a medical journal. With a teaching purpose intended for young physicians the author provides thoughts on the importance of communicating case studies for the progress of medicine, how to find out if the clinical case provides novelties and deserves to be published, how to conduct a literature search and how to handle it for drafting the manuscript, tips on how to write a case report, how to choose the journal in which to try to publish the manuscript, and some rules that should be followed to improve the chances of it being accepted and published.
The Melanocortin-4 Receptor Integrates Circadian Light Cues and Metabolism

The melanocortin system directs diverse physiological functions from coat color to body weight homoeostasis. A commonality among melanocortin-mediated processes is that many animals modulate similar processes on a circannual basis in response to longer, summer days, suggesting an underlying link between circadian biology and the melanocortin system. Despite key neuroanatomical substrates shared by both circadian and melanocortin-signaling pathways, little is known about the relationship between the two. Here we identify a link between circadian disruption and the control of glucose homeostasis mediated through the melanocortin-4 receptor (Mc4r). Mc4r-deficient mice exhibit exaggerated circadian fluctuations in baseline blood glucose and glucose tolerance. Interestingly, exposure to lighting conditions that disrupt circadian rhythms improve their glucose tolerance. This improvement occurs through an increase in glucose clearance by skeletal muscle and is food intake and body weight independent. Restoring Mc4r expression to the paraventricular nucleus prevents the improvement in glucose tolerance, supporting a role for the paraventricular nucleus in the integration of circadian light cues and metabolism. Altogether these data suggest that Mc4r signaling plays a protective role in minimizing glucose fluctuations due to circadian rhythms and environmental light cues and demonstrate a previously undiscovered connection between circadian biology and glucose metabolism mediated through the melanocortin system.
A perspective on the theory of MOSFET scaling and its impact

For more than two decades following the publication of the MOSFET scaling theory, CMOS engineers focused their efforts on scaling down the physical size of CMOS transistors. The opportunity for scaled CMOS to break into high-end applications came when the industry worked together to established voltage standards below 5 volt. Two of the limits of CMOS scaling were reached in the early 2000's: high tunneling current through the thin gate insulator and high device off current. Today, device engineers focus primarily on technology innovations for continued device performance improvement from one generation to the next.
Dementia and life expectancy: what do we know?

Background Dementia is a common geriatric syndrome. It is unclear how best to predict survival among dementia patients, which leaves clinicians, patients, and families uncertain as to how to proceed with medical decisions and reassessing goals. Methods We performed a MEDLINE systematic review of studies that evaluated dementia prognosis and survival; 48 studies (cohort, cross-sectional, retrospective, and case-control studies) were included. Results Increased age, male gender, decreased functional status, and medical comorbidities such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and malignancy were associated with a higher mortality rate in dementia patients. Patients' baseline education level showed no influence on survival. There was no consensus regarding the association among dementia type, baseline cognitive function, and neuropsychiatric symptoms with dementia prognosis. Conclusion Despite much data, we lack a unifying guideline for dementia prognostication. Moving forward, the creation of a risk score for dementia could be helpful for patients and families in reassessing goals of care and possible enrollment in services such as hospice or palliative care.
A Modified Approach to Component Separation Using Biologic Graft as a Load-Sharing Onlay Reinforcement for the Repair of Complex Ventral Hernia:

Background. Components separation has been proposed as a means to close large ventral hernia without undue tension. We report a modification on open components separation that allows for the incorp...
Applying associative retrieval techniques to alleviate the sparsity problem in collaborative filtering

Recommender systems are being widely applied in many application settings to suggest products, services, and information items to potential consumers. Collaborative filtering, the most successful recommendation approach, makes recommendations based on past transactions and feedback from consumers sharing similar interests. A major problem limiting the usefulness of collaborative filtering is the sparsity problem, which refers to a situation in which transactional or feedback data is sparse and insufficient to identify similarities in consumer interests. In this article, we propose to deal with this sparsity problem by applying an associative retrieval framework and related spreading activation algorithms to explore transitive associations among consumers through their past transactions and feedback. Such transitive associations are a valuable source of information to help infer consumer interests and can be explored to deal with the sparsity problem. To evaluate the effectiveness of our approach, we have conducted an experimental study using a data set from an online bookstore. We experimented with three spreading activation algorithms including a constrained Leaky Capacitor algorithm, a branch-and-bound serial symbolic search algorithm, and a Hopfield net parallel relaxation search algorithm. These algorithms were compared with several collaborative filtering approaches that do not consider the transitive associations: a simple graph search approach, two variations of the user-based approach, and an item-based approach. Our experimental results indicate that spreading activation-based approaches significantly outperformed the other collaborative filtering methods as measured by recommendation precision, recall, the F-measure, and the rank score. We also observed the over-activation effect of the spreading activation approach, that is, incorporating transitive associations with past transactional data that is not sparse may "dilute" the data used to infer user preferences and lead to degradation in recommendation performance.
Re: A CT reconstruction artefact that mimics acute subdural haemorrhage

We had stated in this article that multiplanar reformats using thick-section source images resulted in poorly reconstructed images in other planes with “stair-step” artefacts as the sections are “stacked.” This is accentuated in the specific situation where angled reconstruction of previously reconstructed images is undertaken to correct for patient position. This occurs due to the projection of the “corner” of the stair step into the sections above and below after the images was angled. A detailed explanation with figures is provided in our paper. I agree that this is an artefact to be aware of and recommend that the thin-section source images should be inspected prior to the reformats. I hope that the reference cited helps to explain the technical reasons for the artefact and how to avoid it.
Pixel based reconstruction (PBR) techniques

The authors have reinvestigated algebraic reconstruction algorithms for computed tomography, with some new heuristics and some new methodologies, which indicate that they merit serious consideration for practical applications. Methods of implementing these iterative methods more efficiently by reducing the computations, reducing memory requirement, and using accelerating techniques are discussed. It is shown by simulations, using the pixel-based reconstruction (PBR) methods proposed by R.S. Fager et al., that excellent reconstructions of a complex object can be obtained with very few projections. PBR methods are simultaneous in nature, i.e. at each iteration, any pixel value does not depend on any other pixel value in the reconstructed image. Because of this, in principle, each pixel can be assigned to its own computer and advantage can be taken of parallel structured computers. Two methods of improving these algorithms have been investigated: region of interest; and the steepest descent approach. >
Distinctive 16 PF Personality Traits of Librarians

ABSTRACTWhile there is a fairly extensive literature on core competencies of librarians, there is a paucity of research on personality traits that distinguish them from those in other occupations. The present study compared the personality traits of 88 librarians with a general norm group using the 16 PF, a widely researched normal-personality inventory. We found that librarians are more apprehensive, cautious, flexible, focused, imaginative, open-minded, respectful, self-reliant, serious, tender-minded, and trusting as well as higher on general reasoning skills than those in the norm group. Findings are discussed in terms of consistency with core competences of librarians. Practical implications were noted, including recruitment and coaching of job incumbents.
CLEAR: Whole Person Care Model for the Health Sciences Professions

Whole-person care has been important throughout the 150-year history of Loma Linda University and Hospital system (now Loma Linda University Health - LLUH). Since the 1950s, the motto is, “To make man whole.” However, up to 2011 there was no corporate-wide understanding of whole-person care, or a model to guide teaching and practice. Connected to this has been the question of whether spiritual care and whole person care were similar categories of understanding.Objective / Methods: In 2011 a group of nine researchers and clinicians designed a research/development project for the purpose of developing a whole-person care model to guide all teaching and practice at LLUH. A consultation group of approximately 300 researchers, clinicians, students and staff of LLUH were invited to give feedback during the course of the project through online avenues and group forums. This larger group was open to all interested people throughout LLUH. The research / development group considered all comments, critiques and suggestions made by the larger consultation group, with all work public to both groups.Results / Conclusions: From the process emerged the first draft of a whole-person care model in March of 2012, with the following qualities: measureable, memorable, practical, flexible, and teachable. After several pilot tests, the model was adopted by LLUH as the model to guide all teaching and practice at LLUH. Since that time, the model has been integrated into the orientation of new employees (clinical and university), the teaching practices of three schools (medicine, nursing, and religion) and is being integrated into the remaining four schools by 2014. It is also guiding the development of the online wellness website for the corporation. Finally, it is used to guide two new developments for the School of Medicine: 1) a Narrative Project designed for the first year School of Medicine students, and 2) the Integrative Whole-Person Care Simulation Labs developed for second year School of Medicine students.The poster presentation will describe the whole-person care model itself, the research/development process behind it, and give examples of how it has transformed teaching and practice in the university and clinical/hospital arenas.
Water Regimes of Soils and Vegetation

Growth of land plants is sustained by the water supply in the soil. How the soil receptacle is filled up and how it is drained by roots are questions of fateful concern to agriculture and forestry. Unlike the water in ponds and lakes, stored soil water is “hanging water.”
Stability conditions for derived categories

The notion of stability condition on a triangulated category has been introduced by Bridgeland in [65], following ideas from physics by Douglas [104] on π-stability for D-branes. A stability condition on a triangulated category ℑ is given by abstracting the usual properties of μ-stability for sheaves on complex projective varieties; one introduces the notion of slope, using a group homomorphism from the Grothendieck group K(ℑ) of ℑ to ℂ, and requires that a stability condition has generalized Harder-Narasimhan filtrations and is compatible with the shift functor. The main property is that there exists a parameter space Stab(ℑ) for stability conditions, endowed with a natural topology, which is a (possibly infinitedimensional) complex manifold. The space of stability conditions Stab(ℑ) thus yields a geometric invariant naturally attached to a triangulated category ℑ.
Plasmin potentiates induction of nitric oxide synthesis by interleukin-1 beta in vascular smooth muscle cells

Experiments were performed to examine the effect of the major fibrinolytic protease, plasmin, on the production of nitric oxide from interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta)-treated cultured human and rat aortic smooth muscle cells. Incubation of vascular smooth muscle cells with IL-1 beta resulted in significant accumulation of nitrite and nitrate in the culture media. Plasmin, either added exogenously or generated by the reaction of tissue plasminogen activator with plasminogen, potentiated the IL-1 beta-mediated release of nitrite and nitrate from smooth muscle cells in a concentration-dependent manner, without affecting the production of nitrite and nitrate from cells untreated with IL-1 beta. This potentiating effect was abolished when plasmin was incubated with the protease inhibitor, alpha 2-antiplasmin. The perfusates from columns containing IL-1 beta-treated smooth muscle cells relaxed detector blood vessels without endothelium, and the addition of IL-1 beta-treated smooth muscle cells to suspensions of indomethacin-treated platelets inhibited their aggregation. Untreated smooth muscle cells or cells treated with plasmin alone did not have such effects. However, the simultaneous treatment of smooth muscle cells with IL-1 beta and plasmin markedly enhanced both the relaxing activities of the perfusates and the inhibition of platelet aggregation. Treatment of smooth muscle cells with NG-nitro-L-arginine inhibited the cytokine-mediated effects as well as the potentiating effect of plasmin. These results demonstrate that the plasmin can enhance the production of nitric oxide by IL-1 beta-treated vascular smooth muscle cells.
Differential Gaze Patterns on Eyes and Mouth During Audiovisual Speech Segmentation

Speech is inextricably multisensory: both auditory and visual components provide critical information for all aspects of speech processing, including speech segmentation, the visual components of which have been the target of a growing number of studies. In particular, a recent study (Mitchel and Weiss, 2014) established that adults can utilize facial cues (i.e., visual prosody) to identify word boundaries in fluent speech. The current study expanded upon these results, using an eye tracker to identify highly attended facial features of the audiovisual display used in Mitchel and Weiss (2014). Subjects spent the most time watching the eyes and mouth. A significant trend in gaze durations was found with the longest gaze duration on the mouth, followed by the eyes and then the nose. In addition, eye-gaze patterns changed across familiarization as subjects learned the word boundaries, showing decreased attention to the mouth in later blocks while attention on other facial features remained consistent. These findings highlight the importance of the visual component of speech processing and suggest that the mouth may play a critical role in visual speech segmentation.
AN EPIDEMIOLOGIC STUDY OF HOMICIDES IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

Extensive demographic data concerning homicide victims and perpetrators in Allegheny County, 1966-1974, were obtained retrospectively from the records of the County Coroner's Office and Police Department. Analysis revealed that the demographic characteristics describing perpetrators and victims were essentially identical. Rates of homicide peaked in the young adult years of life. The race ratio (B/W) among victims was 18.7 for males and 6.7 for females, while sex ratio (M/F) was 5.4 for blacks and 1.9 for whites. An inverse relationship between the rate of homicide and socioeconomic status was present among both black and white races. The majority of victims were killed by a spouse, relative, or friend (66%), usually in familiar locations, i.e., residence or place of work (60%), and usually during an alteration (68%). Shooting was the method used to perpetrate 61% of the killings, most of which were by means of a handgun. An increasing trend of homicide was noted, particularly for the type perpetrated by shooting. Language: en
Insect cell transformation vectors that support high level expression and promoter assessment in insect cell culture

A somatic transformation vector, pDP9, was constructed that provides a simplified means of producing permanently transformed cultured insect cells that support high levels of protein expression of foreign genes. The pDP9 plasmid vector incorporates DNA sequences from the Junonia coenia densovirus that are involved in integration of the densovirus in insect cell chromosomes and a promoter/enhancer system that results in high levels of expression. The plasmid also contains two markers that permit selection of transformed insect cells by antibiotic resistance or by cell-sorting for fluorescent protein expression. Transformation of Bombyx mori Bm5 or Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cultured cells with the pDP9 vectors results in the integration of the pDP9 plasmid into genomic DNA of Bm5 and Sf9 cells. pDP9 contains a multiple cloning site (MCS) 3' of the densoviral P9 promoter and insertion of a protein coding sequence within the MCS results in high level expression by pDP9 transformed cells. P9 driven transcription in the pDP9 transformed Sf9 cells produced foreign gene transcript levels that were 30 fold higher than actin 3 driven transgenes and equivalent to hr5IE1 driven transgenes. The pDP9 vector transformation results in the efficient selection of clones for assessment of promoter activity.
Cyanobacteria as a Platform for Direct Photosynthesis-to-Fuel Conversion

Expression of heterologous genes allows to introduce novel biosynthetic pathways in cyanobacteria, more prone to genetic transformation than eukaryotic microalgae. Cyanobacteria are consequently endowed with the biosynthesis of fuel molecules, such as alcohols, free fatty acids, and terpene hydrocarbons, from photosynthesis-associated metabolism.
Pecan food potential in prehistoric North America

Pecans are native to a number of states in southern and midwestern United States and to scattered locations in Mexico, but are most common in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. They have been growing over their present range in the U. S. for at least 8000 years and, based on archaeological and ethnohistoric data, were an important source of food for people who inhabited certain areas within this range in prehistoric and early historic times. In addition to being fixed in space and highly productive, pecan groves produce a food that requires little processing to be suitable for human consumption. However, the groves have strong biennial production cycles so that yield in a given region can vary dramatically from year to year. The groves comprising the greatest concentrations of pecans in the U. S. may have influenced the formation of prehistoric territories and thus affected interregional exchange through reciprocal resource-sharing alliances.