cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide testing for the diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of dyspneic patients with diabetes mellitus seen in the emergency department (from the PRIDE Study).

Despite widespread testing, the utility of aminoterminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) for diagnosis or risk assessment in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the emergency department (ED) remains unclear. NT-pro-BNP was measured in subjects with dyspnea in the ED. A final diagnosis of acute heart failure (HF) was determined by blinded study physicians using all available hospital records. Vital status was assessed at 1 year; independent predictors of death were identified using Cox analysis. Of 599 subjects, 157 (26.2%) had DM, which was an independent predictor of a final diagnosis of acute HF. In patients diagnosed with acute HF, median concentrations of NT-pro-BNP were similar in patients with and without DM (4,784 vs 3,382 pg/ml, respectively, p = 0.93). In dyspneic subjects without acute HF, median concentrations of NT-pro-BNP were significantly higher in patients with DM (242 vs 115 pg/ml, p = 0.01), but this difference was no longer significant after adjusting for relevant covariates. The area under the curve for NT-pro-BNP to diagnose acute HF in subjects with DM was 0.94 (p or =986 pg/ml was independently associated with an increased risk of death at 1 year (hazard ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval 1.09 to 10.7, p <0.001). In conclusion, NT-pro-BNP testing offers valuable diagnostic and prognostic information in the evaluation of dyspneic patients with DM in the ED, using identical cutpoints as the population as whole.
Kinematics of a 2D Asymmetric Nonlinear Oscillator

Motion of a point-like massive particle under the influence of two nonidentical linear springs conducive to an irregular planar oscillation is analyzed. For a two dimensional oscillations the equation of motion is a coupled highly nonlinear differential equation. The set of equations cannot be solved analytically. Utilizing a Computer Algebra System (CAS) such as Mathematica [1] 08D0C9EA79F9BACE118C8200AA004BA90B02000000080000000E0000005F005200650066003300390031003500360035003100380030000000 we solve the equations numerically. Kinematics of the particle is presented. For a comprehensive visual understanding the oscillations are simulated. We also include an extended atlas of useful two-dimensional time-folded diagrams.
Technological innovation in services and manufacturing: results from Italian surveys

Abstract This paper provides fresh empirical evidence on technological innovation in the service sector, and highlights major similarities and differences with manufacturing. The main findings are the following. Technological innovation is quite a diffused and variegated phenomenon in market services. Engineering, technical consultancy, computing and software emerge as the most innovative sectors. Innovation expenditure per employee in these industries is rather close to the manufacturing average. Service firms as well as the manufacturing ones rely on a wide range of innovation sources. The acquisition and development of software and investment in machinery are the most cited. Investment, R&D and software are the major components of firms' innovation expenditure. Both in services and manufacturing the most important objective of firms' innovation strategies consist of improving service/product quality, increasing market shares and reducing production costs. Major obstacles for introducing technological innovation in services, as well as in manufacturing, are of an economic nature—i.e. lack of appropriate sources of finance and cost of innovation too high. Technological information is drawn mainly from in-house production departments as well as from outside suppliers of equipment, clients and customers. Again this is a pattern which is quite similar to the one found in the manufacturing sector. Finally, in the near future the importance of technology for firms' performance is expected to increase in all service industries. Overall, service and manufacturing sectors show more similarities than differences with respect to some basic dimensions of innovation processes.
The structure of heredity counseling services

(1958). The structure of heredity counseling services. Eugenics Quarterly: Vol. 5, Heredity Counseling Symposium, pp. 38-40.
Collective Improvisation: A Theoretical Lens for Classroom Observation

(2006). Collective Improvisation: A Theoretical Lens for Classroom Observation. Journal of Curriculum and Pedagogy: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 104-135.
Collisional records in LL-chondrites

One third of all the LL-chondrites have exposure ages of approx. 15 Ma and were exposed to cosmic rays following a collisional break-up. The probability that the 15-Ma peak represents a random signal is calculated to be less than 2%. Considerably lower probabilities are obtained if only LL5s or subgroups of high Ar-40 retention are used. Furthermore, we show that the peak shape agrees with statistical constraints obtained from multiple analyses of samples from the St. Severin LL6-chondrites. The frequency in and out of the 15-Ma peak varies significantly for different petrographic LL-types. The radiogenic Ar-40 retention systematics (most LL-chondrites retained Ar-40(sub rad) shows that no substantial heat pulse resulted in the 15-Ma collisional event. Interestingly, smaller exposure age clusters at approx. 28 Ma and approx. 40 Ma match up well with clusters in the histogram of L-chondrites. The distribution of LL-exposure ages is not consistent with that expected for a quasi-continuous injection of LL material into a resonance zone of the asteroid belt. The near absence of exposure ages shorter than 8 Ma either indicates a lack of recent collisional events or considerably longer transfer times than inferred from dynamical considerations.
Age-dependent consequences of seizures: Relationship to seizure frequency, brain damage, and circuitry reorganization

Seizures in the developing brain pose a challenge to the clinician. In addition to the acute effects of the seizure, there are questions regarding the impact of severe or recurrent seizures on the developing brain. Whether provoked seizures cause brain damage, synaptic reorganization, or epilepsy is of paramount importance to patients and physicians. Such questions are especially relevant in the decision to treat or not treat febrile seizures, a common occurrence in childhood. These clinical questions have been addressed using clinical and animal research. The largest prospective studies do not find a causal connection between febrile seizures and later temporal lobe epilepsy. The immature brain seems relatively resistant to the seizure-induced neuronal loss and new synapse formation seen in the mature brain. Laboratory investigations using a developmental rat model corresponding to human febrile seizures find that even though structural changes do not result from hyperthermic seizures, synaptic function may be chronically altered. The increased understanding of the cellular and synaptic mechanisms of seizure-induced damage may benefit patients and clinicians in the form of improved therapies to attenuate damage and changes induced by seizures and to prevent the development of epilepsy.
Characterization of endorphins from the pituitary of the spiny dogfish Squalus acanthias.

Abstract Opioid-like immunoreactive material was extracted from the pituitary and brain of the Spiny Dogfish Shark Squalus acanthias . The immunoreactive material in the pituitary extracts was purified to apparent homogeneity by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and subsequently characterized by amino acid analysis, Edman degradation and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The largest opioid-like peptide isolated contained 30 amino acids and showed 80 percent homology with salmon endorphin-II but less than 50 percent homology with human β-endorphin. Three structural variants of this molecule were also characterized. These variants were shown to be shorter N-terminal fragments, two of which corresponded to cleavage products at the single basic residues arginine 11 and lysine 26 . Cleavage at a single lysine residue has not been reported for posttranslational processing of β-endorphin in mammals and could represent a modification seen only in lower vertebrates. The remaining fragment corresponded to a loss of 3 residues from the C-terminus of the parent molecule. No α-N-acetylated peptides were detected. These results provide the first unequivocal confirmation of β-endorphin in an elasmobranch and provide evidence of novel N-terminal variants of β-endorphin.
Water and electrolyte balance

W ater and electrolyte balance is of relatively little concern to the oral surgeon in the performance of routine minor office procedures, especially when the patient has been judged to bc in excellent physical condition. The traumatic effects of the surgical procedure and anesthesia are then minimal and transient and rarely cause untoward reactions. When a prolonged and complicated surgical procedure is undertaken, however, the patient’s body physiology is changed and fluid requirements are altered. Under these circumstances variations in water and electrolyte metabolism become major factors and neglect may cause delayed healing, prolonged convalescence, and possibly permanent damage to vital tissues. This article does not attempt to present the subject of water balance completcly or to touch upon all of its many facets. It is intended to orient the oral surgeon to a proper evaluation of the fluid needs of the patient and to emphasize t.he major complications that might be encountered when these needs are not met. Water balance may be defined as the balance of water intake against water output by an organism in fluid equilibrium with its environment. Although one speaks of “body water, ” it should be understood that this water is not II,0 but complicated solutions which contain dissociated salts, organic matter, and, in some instances, protein. When one is in good health, approximately 60 to 70 per cent of the body weight is water. This percentage will vary according to sewra.1 factors, such as sex and body fat content. It has been shown that women’s bodies contain less water than men’s and that a lean person has relatively more water than one who has a greater fat content. Only a small amount of water exists in fat, and women usually have more fat than men in proportion to body weight. The normal 70 kg. male contains approximately 42 liters of water. Body fluids are in relatively free and interdependent communication. Because
A crack-like rupture model for the 19 September 1985 Michoacan, Mexico, earthquake

Evidence supporting a smooth crack-like rupture process of the Michoacan earthquake of 1985 is obtained from a major earthquake for the first time. Digital strong motion data from three stations (Caleta de Campos, La Villita, and La Union), recording near-field radiation from the fault, show unusually simple ramped displacements and permanent offsets previously only seen in theoretical models. The recording of low frequency (0 to 1 Hz) near-field waves together with the apparently smooth rupture favors a crack-like model to a step or Haskell-type dislocation model under the constraint of the slip distribution obtained by previous studies. A crack-like rupture, characterized by an approximated dynamic slip function and systematic decrease in slip duration away from the point of rupture nucleation, produces the best fit to the simple ramped displacements observed. Spatially varying rupture duration controls several important aspects of the synthetic seismograms, including the variation in displacement rise times between components of motion observed at Caleta de Campos. Ground motion observed at Caleta de Campos can be explained remarkably well with a smoothly propagating crack model. However, data from La Villita and La Union suggest a more complex rupture process than the simple crack-like model for the south-eastern portion of the fault.
Intranasal dexmedetomidine premedication is comparable with midazolam in burn children undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Abstract Preoperative anxiety and emergence delirium in children continue to be common even with midazolam premedication. Midazolam is unpleasant tasting even with a flavored vehicle and as a result, patient acceptance is sometimes poor. As an alternative, we evaluated dexmedetomidine administered intranasally. Dexmedetomidine an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist is tasteless, odorless, and painless when administered by this route. Alpha-2 adrenergic agonists produce sedation, facilitate parental separation, and improve conditions for induction of general anesthesia, while preserving airway reflexes. Institutional review board approval was obtained to study 100 pediatric patients randomized to intranasal dexmedetomidine (2 microg/kg) or oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) administered 30 to 45 minutes before the surgery. Subjects received general anesthesia with oxygen, nitrous oxide, isoflurane, and analgesics (0.05-0.1 mg/kg morphine or 0.1 mg/kg methadone). Nurses and anesthetists were blinded to the drug administered and evaluated patients for preoperative sedation, conditions for induction of general anesthesia, emergence from anesthesia, and postoperative pain. Responses of 100 patients (50 dexmedetomidine and 50 midazolam) were analyzed. Dexmedetomidine (P=.003) was more effective than midazolam at inducing sleep preoperatively. Dexmedetomidine and midazolam were comparable for conditions at induction (P>0.05), emergence from anesthesia (P>0.05), or postoperative pain (P>0.05). Both drugs were equieffective in these regards. In pediatric patients, dexmedetomidine 2 microg/kg administered intranasally and midazolam 0.5 mg/kg administered orally produced similar conditions during induction and emergence of anesthesia. Intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine is more effective at inducing sleep and in some circumstances offers a useful alternative to oral midazolam in children.
Proteome-wide analysis of single-nucleotide variations in the N-glycosylation sequon of human genes

N-linked glycosylation is one of the most frequent post-translational modifications of proteins with a profound impact on their biological function. Besides other functions, N-linked glycosylation assists in protein folding, determines protein orientation at the cell surface, or protects proteins from proteases. The N-linked glycans attach to asparagines in the sequence context Asn-X-Ser/Thr, where X is any amino acid except proline. Any variation (e.g. non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism or mutation) that abolishes the N-glycosylation sequence motif will lead to the loss of a glycosylation site. On the other hand, variations causing a substitution that creates a new N-glycosylation sequence motif can result in the gain of glycosylation. Although the general importance of glycosylation is well known and acknowledged, the effect of variation on the actual glycoproteome of an organism is still mostly unknown. In this study, we focus on a comprehensive analysis of non-synonymous single nucleotide variations (nsSNV) that lead to either loss or gain of the N-glycosylation motif. We find that 1091 proteins have modified N-glycosylation sequons due to nsSNVs in the genome. Based on analysis of proteins that have a solved 3D structure at the site of variation, we find that 48% of the variations that lead to changes in glycosylation sites occur at the loop and bend regions of the proteins. Pathway and function enrichment analysis show that a significant number of proteins that gained or lost the glycosylation motif are involved in kinase activity, immune response, and blood coagulation. A structure-function analysis of a blood coagulation protein, antithrombin III and a protease, cathepsin D, showcases how a comprehensive study followed by structural analysis can help better understand the functional impact of the nsSNVs.
Supernovae in helium star–compact object binaries: a possible γ-ray burst mechanism

Helium star-compact object binaries, and helium star-neutron star binaries in particular, are widely believed to be the progenitors of the observed double-neutron-star systems. In these, the second neutron star is presumed to be the compact remnant of the helium star supernova. In this paper, the observational implications of such a supernova are discussed, and in particular are explored as a candidate γ-ray burst mechanism. In this scenario, the supernova results in a transient period of rapid accretion on to the compact object, extracting via magnetic torques its rotational energy at highly super-Eddington luminosities in the form of a narrowly beamed, strongly electromagnetically dominated jet. Compton scattering of supernova photons advected within the ejecta, and photons originating at shocks driven into the ejecta by the jet, will cool the jet and can produce the observed prompt emission characteristics, including the peak-inferred isotropic energy relation, X-ray flash characteristics, subpulse light curves, energy-dependent time lags and subpulse broadening, and late time spectral softening. The duration of the burst is limited by the rate of Compton cooling of the jet, eventually creating an optically thick, moderately relativistically expanding fireball that can produce the afterglow emission. If the black hole or neutron star stays bound to a compact remnant, late term light curve variability may be observed as in SN 2003dh.
The nature of vertical natural convection flows resulting from the combined buoyancy effects of thermal and mass diffusion

Abstract This paper concerns the laminar flows which arise in fluids due to the interaction of the force of gravity and density differences caused by the simultaneous diffusion of thermal energy and of chemical species. Species concentration levels are assumed small, as is typical for many processes in water and in atmospheric air. The usual Boussinesq approximations yield a set of equations which are shown to have solutions of similarity form for combined buoyancy effects, for vertical flows adjacent to surfaces and in plumes. This similarity is of the same form as that found for single buoyancy mechanism flows. The resulting equations were integrated for air and water for various practical values of the Schmidt number and for multiple buoyancy effects aiding and opposing. The results show many interesting effects on velocity, heat and mass transfer, and on laminar stability. A comparison of the results with those of integral method analysis shows the limits and reasons for failure of these approximate calculations in the more complicated of such combined buoyancy mechanism flows.
Structural study of surface tungstate in WO3 ? Al2O3: Effects of Hydration and 18O Exchange

The Raman spectra of a series of WO3AI2O3 catalysts containing 1-30 wt-% of WO3 were investigated with respect to the effect of O2 calcination and H2OD2O exposure. These studies showed that the frequencies of bands due to surface tungstate species can be shifted reversibly by as much as 6% of their values during alternate O2 calcination and H2O exposure cycles. The exchange of 18O for l6O in the surface tungstate was also investigated with Raman spectroscopy and ion-scattering spectrometry. The results were used to assign Raman bands to fundamental vibrations of the surface tungstate and to propose a mechanism of interaction between H2O and the surface tungstate that hitherto has not been addressed for WO3AI2O3.
Solar set asides and renewable electricity certificates: Early lessons from North Carolina's experience with its renewable portfolio standard

Abstract This paper assesses the market developments in North Carolina's solar energy industry following the state's adoption of a renewable portfolio standard (RPS). It first reviews how solar renewable electricity certificates (SRECs) are intended to act as a support mechanism for the installation and financing of solar power in North Carolina's RPS compliance market. The paper then analyzes why SRECs have not precipitated growth in the solar industry thus far. Instead of attracting a diversity of solar installation and SREC trading businesses to create a competitive market to North Carolina, the RPS has only enabled a few large solar power producers to compete with utility companies to finance, install, and operate solar generating systems. A comparison between the SREC markets in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey reveals that transparency in prices and volumes of SRECs, limits on utility company self-ownership of solar generators, and more aggressive solar set-aside targets are required to create a competitive market environment that will attract a sustainable and growing solar industry.
Computing magnetospheric force equilibria

[1] We describe a method to compute three-dimensional force equilibria in the Earth's magnetosphere. The method is embodied in a code called the MagnetoFriction code which solves a set of ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations that are modified to include a frictional dissipation term in the momentum equation. The friction takes the form of a force which is directed against the fluid motion and is therefore an energy sink. This allows the system to settle into a minimum energy equilibrium. A nonuniform cartesian grid is used along with initial conditions supplied by empirical magnetic field and pressure models. These initial conditions do not, in general, satisfy the force balance condition , and the code must iterate until approximate force balance is achieved. Pressure and magnetic field solutions are presented for several different configurations of the magnetosphere.
Rapid evolution of life history traits in populations of Poa annua L.

Two populations of Poa annua L., one from an irrigated area and one from a dry area, were studied to test the following hypothesis: different life cycles should be selected in habitats of contrasting mortality regime. Plants from the irrigated area exhibited a typical perennial habit (indeterminate growth and low reproductive effort) while those from the dry area showed traits characteristic of annuals (determinate growth, high reproductive effort and flowering synchrony) although total annuality was not achieved. The antagonism between growth and reproduction was expressed at the individual tiller level and was reflected in the life history traits of the populations. The characters studied exhibited a high broad sense heritability which is required for a rapid evolution of life cycles when selection pressures are strong. Different levels of constraints (ecological, evolutionary, physiological and developmental) have to be taken into account in order to understand this evolution.
ReadingMate: The Impact of a Content Stabilization Technique on Reading-While-Running Performance

The goal of this study is to help people read while running on a treadmill, which is challenging because runners' eyes should be adjusted to vigorous, mainly vertical, movements. To unload the burden on the eyes, we developed a technology, called “Reading-Mate,” which basically adjusts the positions of content (e.g., text) on a computer display along with the head movements of a runner. To test the effectiveness of ReadingMate and the influence of visual cues from surrounding environments, we conducted a two-factor within-subject study with 20 participants. ReadingMate showed statistically significant effects on decreasing various adverse experiences, such as shaking, dizziness, distraction, and fatigue. However, we failed to find evidence showing that visual cues disrupt the effects of ReadingMate. The study partially proved that ReadingMate could help runners read while running on a treadmill.
The Effects of Mitral Regurgitation on the Pattern of Instantaneous Aortic Blood Flow Clinical and Experimental Observations

Instantaneous ascending aortic blood flow was recorded at operation in five patients with severe, pure mitral regurgitation, and in nine dogs in which mitral regurgitation was produced experimentally under controlled conditions. In both the patients and the experimental animals, the pattern of aortic flow was abnormal during mitral regurgitation: peak flow occurred early, the percentage of total forward flow was abnormally high during the first half of the ejection period and abnormally low during the last quarter. When stroke volume, heart rate, and aortic pressure were maintained constant, mitral regurgitation also resulted in increases in peak flow, mean ejection rate, and maximum acceleration of flow. These abnormalities of the aortic flow patterns are attributable to inability of the ventricle to sustain forward ejection during late systole in the presence of severe regurgitant flow through the mitral valve.
Evaluation of transformations in forecasting age specific birth rates.

Abstract The value of power transformations in forecasting age specific birth rates is expressed in terms of a relative mean squared forecast error for five powers and two ARIMA models. Of the transformations studied, the reciprocal of birth rates appears to be of greatest value, but the gains from using the transformation are quite modest, even when the model fitted to the data is chosen with care.
Effects of L-dopa on self-stimulation and brain biogenic amines in rats.

Abstract Effects of various doses of L -DOPA were tested on self-stimulation behaviour in rats with electrodes implanted in the posterior hypothalamus (PH) or area ventralis tegmentum (A10 area) as well as on the concentration of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in the caudate nucleus (CN), diencephalon-midbrain (DM) and pons-medulla (PM). L -DOPA (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg. i.p.) showed a biphasic action on self-stimulation responding with an initial decrease for 40–60 min, followed by an increase for about an hour or more in rats with both PH and A10 electrodes. Both effects were more marked in rats with A10 electrodes. The effects of these doses on spontaneous motor activity were not significant. L -DOPA markedly increased DA levels in the CN and DM, and moderately decreased 5-HT, without significantly altering NE levels in the DM and PM. It appears that L -DOPA-induced changes in self-stimulation responding cannot be correlated with the increase of DA levels in the CN and DM. It is possible that this behaviour involves a system of several neurotransmitters, including biogenic amines and acetylcholine, and a sudden increase of one, such as DA, causes an imbalance in the multitransmitter system and disrupts the behaviour.
Reactions of antimicrobial species to imidazole-microwave plasma reacted poly(dimethylsiloxane) surfaces.

Microwave plasma reactions of imidazole, 2-methylimidazole, and 2-ethylimidazole on poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) surfaces resulted in the formation of species containing conjugated surface domains which can be utilized for further reactions. When imidazole and its derivatives were used, polymerization of imidazole and the formation of CC and C⋮N conjugated species occurred. However, the extent of reactions for each monomer depends on not only the reaction time but also the molecular structure. For methyl- and ethyl-substituted imidazole, more stable radical species are generated and sustain their excited state in the high-energy plasma environments. Specifically, dehydrogenated 2-methyl, 2-ethylimidazole radicals and •NCRNH• (R = −CH3, −CH2CH3) species exhibit higher stability than dehydrogenated imidazole radicals and •NCH−NH• species under plasma reaction conditions. Such prepared surfaces are capable of attaching antimicrobial drugs via the Pinner synthesis. These studies show that it is possible to r...
Computer monitoring of cardiodynamics in the newborn

Abstract We believe we have arrived at a satisfactory method for determining cardiac output using a new pulse contour method for the tiny subject and that this is in acceptable agreement with more conventional methods of measuring cardiac output. The availability of approximate cardiac output every minute hopefully will increase the ability of the clinician to identify crises more rapidly in newborns, to follow progress of drug and other therapy, and to evaluate the place of cardiac output when used in conjunction with other tests in clinical evaluation. The computer, moreover, makes significant contributions in updating nursing and medical data, encourages independent thinking in research-oriented projects, and permits frequent integration of a variety of situations. The quality of an intensive care facility is dependent upon the ability of physicians to utilize all available information and to identify alterations in physiologic trends, rather than on monitoring devices alone.
Synthesis of nickel base alloys for use as magnetic standards

The goal of this research is to prepare a series of alloys having sharp, reproducible magnetic transitions for calibrating temperature in thermogravimetry from the magnetic transition temperature of pure cobalt (1121°C) to below room temperature. Alloys in the Ni-Co and Ni-Cu systems were prepared by the thermal decomposition of coprecipitated oxalates in argon. The alloys were subsequently annealed under 5% hydrogen. Magnetic transition temperatures were measured using simultaneous thermomagnetometry/differential thermal analysis. Transition temperatures were corrected using well known meltingpoint standards. Magnetic transition temperatures along with precision are reported as a function of composition.
Entropy inequalities for some multivariate distributions

Abstract In this paper, we derive some monotonicity properties of generalized entropy functionals of various multivariate distributions. These include the distributions of random eigenvalues arising in many hypothesis testing problems in multivariate analysis; the multivariate Liouville distributions; and the noncentral Wishart distributions.
Isomer-specific biodegradation of nonylphenol in an activated sludge bioreactor and structure-biodegradability relationship.

Abstract Nonylphenol (NP), one of the priority hazardous substances, is in fact a mixture of numerous isomers. It is inconclusive whether or not biodegradation during wastewater treatment process is isomer-specific, leading to the environmental release of NP in different isomer profiles. In this study, we evaluated the isomer selectivity of 19 NP isomers in a laboratory-scale continuous flow conventional activated sludge bioreactor under various operational conditions. The removal efficiency of NP isomers ranged from 90 to 99%, depending on the operational conditions and isomer structures. Isomer selective biodegradation resulted in the increase of composition of recalcitrant isomers, such as, NP193a/b, NP110a and NP194 in the effluent. Moreover, biodegradability was related to the bulkiness of α-substituents and followed α-dimethyl > α-ethyl-α-methyl > α-methyl-α-n-propyl > α-iso-propyl-α-methyl. Steric effect index, a quantitative descriptor of steric hindrance, was linearly correlated with residues of NP isomers in the effluent (R2 = 0.76). Decrease of temperature to 10 °C decreased the overall biodegradability and also enhanced the relative enrichment of recalcitrant isomers. These findings suggest that isomer compositions of NP entering the environment may be different from those in technical mixtures and that isomeric selectivity should be taken into account to better understand the occurrence, fate, and ecological risks of NP.
Evidence of old carbon in the deep water column of the Panama Basin from natural radiocarbon measurements

Radiocarbon (Δ14C) analyses were performed on sinking and suspended particulate matter, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), sediment and sediment fluff from a deep-water station in the Panama Basin. Δ14C signatures for sinking particulate inorganic and organic carbon (PIC, FOC) collected at 3354 meters depth were lower than surface DIC Δ14C values, and higher than the inorganic and organic carbon from the sediment (SIC, SOC). We compare these data with those obtained for other Pacific and Atlantic sites and show that the gradient between surface DIC Δ14C and deep suspended POC Δ14C is the same irrespective of distance from the coast. This indicates that: 1) resuspended SOC is an equally important contributor to deep POC at locations close to and far from continental slopes, and/or 2) DOC sorption is a significant contributor for causing low Δ14C values of deep POC.
Human activity recognition from frame’s spatiotemporal representation

This paper presents an approach for human activity recognition by representing the frames of the video sequence with the distribution of local motion features and their spatiotemporal arrangements. In this approach, the local motion features used for the representation of a frame are integrated from the ones detected in this frame and its temporal neighbors. The featurespsila spatial arrangements are captured in a hierarchical spatial pyramid structure. By using frame by frame voting for the recognition, experiments have demonstrated improved performances over most of the other known methods on the popular benchmark data sets while approaching the best known results.
Succinimide formation at Asn 55 in the complementarity determining region of a recombinant monoclonal antibody IgG1 heavy chain

We investigated the formation and stability of succinimide, an intermediate of deamidation events, in recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). During the course of an analytical development study of an IgG1 mAbs, we observed that a specific antibody population could be separated from the main product by cation-exchange (CEX) chromatography. The cell-based bioassay measured a ∼70% drop in potency for this fraction. Liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC–TOF/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) analyses showed that the modified CEX fraction resulted from the formation of a succinimide intermediate at Asn 55 in the complementarity determining region (CDR) of the heavy chain. Biacore assay revealed a ∼50% decrease in ligand binding activity for the succinimide-containing Fab with respect to the native Fab. It was found that the succinimide form existed as a stable intermediate with a half-life of ∼3 h at 37°C and pH 7.6. Stress studies indicated that mildly acidic pH conditions (pH 5) favored succinimide accumulation, causing a gradual loss in potency. Hydrolysis of the succinimide resulted in a further drop in potency. The implications of the succinimide formation at Asn 55, a highly conserved residue among IgG1 (mAbs), are discussed. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:3509–3521, 2009
Vascular channels formed by subpopulations of PECAM1 + melanoma cells

Targeting the vasculature remains a promising approach for treating solid tumours; however, the mechanisms of tumour neovascularization are diverse and complex. Here we uncover a new subpopulation of melanoma cells that express the vascular cell adhesion molecule PECAM1, but not VEGFR-2, and participate in a PECAM1-dependent form of vasculogenic mimicry (VM). Clonally derived PECAM1(+) tumour cells coalesce to form PECAM1-dependent networks in vitro and they generate well-perfused, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-independent channels in mice. The neural crest specifier AP-2α is diminished in PECAM1(+) melanoma cells and is a transcriptional repressor of PECAM1. Re-introduction of AP-2α into PECAM1(+) tumour cells represses PECAM1 and abolishes tube-forming ability, whereas AP-2α knockdown in PECAM1(-) tumour cells upregulates PECAM1 expression and promotes tube formation. Thus, VM-competent subpopulations, rather than all cells within a tumour, may instigate VM, supplant host-derived endothelium, and form PECAM1-dependent conduits that are not diminished by neutralizing VEGF.
Integrating algorithm animation into a declarative visual programming language

Until now, only users of textual programming languages have enjoyed the fruits of algorithm animation. Users of visual programming languages (VPLs) have been deprived of the unique semantic insights algorithm animation offers. To begin solving this shortcoming, we have seamlessly integrated algorithm animation capabilities into the VPL Forms/3. Our research shows how a declarative VPL that is responsive can provide features not found in other algorithm animation systems.
Evaluation of micro-electrospray ionization with ion mobility spectrometry/mass spectrometry

In recent years, the resolving power of ion mobility instruments has been increased significantly, enabling ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) to be utilized as an analytical separation technique for complex mixtures. In theory, decreasing the drift tube temperature results in increased resolution due to decreased ion diffusion. However, the heat requirements for complete ion desolvation with electrospray ionization (ESI) have limited the reduction of temperatures in atmospheric pressure ion mobility instruments. Micro-electrospray conditions were investigated in this study to enable more efficient droplet formation and ionization with the objective of reducing drift tube temperatures and increasing IMS resolution. For small molecules (peptides), the drift tube temperature was reduced to ambient temperature with good resolution by employing reduced capillary diameters and flow rates. By employing micro-spray conditions, experimental resolution values approaching theoretically predicted resolution were achieved over a wide temperature range (30 to 250 °C). The historical heat requirements of atmospheric pressure IMS due to ESI desolvation were eliminated due to the use of micro-spray conditions and the high-resolution IMS spectra of GLY-HIS-LYS was obtained at ambient temperature. The desolvation of proteins (cytochrome c) was found to achieve optimal resolution at temperatures greater than 125 °C. This is significantly improved from earlier IMS studies that required drift tube temperatures of 250°C for protein desolvation. (Int J Mass Spectrom 213 (2002) 191‐202) © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.
Defining the subcellular sites of innate immune signal transduction

Innate immune activation by microbial detection receptors is a complex process involving at least 100 proteins and multiple signaling pathways. Although there continues to be a need to identify additional regulators of host–microbe interactions, a larger conceptual challenge is our lack of understanding of how the known regulators interact in space and time. This review offers a framework to explain the long appreciated (but poorly understood) observation that innate immune signaling pathways are activated from multiple organelles. Using the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and the retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 protein (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) as examples, I propose that the receptors do not necessarily define the sites of signaling. Rather, a structurally unrelated class of proteins called ‘sorting adaptors' functions in this capacity.
Modeling Failure in Composite Materials with the Extended Finite Element and Level Set Methods

When modeling crack growth in composite materials, one encounters strong (cracks) and weak (material interface) discontinuities. Traditional finite element methods require the mesh to conform to the material interface and crack surface. In addition, costly remeshing is required as crack growth occurs. In this paper, the extended finite element method (XFEM) coupled with the level set method is presented to model both strong and weak discontinuities. For the material interface, an element-based enrichment function is introduced, which shows more consistent behavior than the node-based enrichment function. The XFEM crack implementation and element-based bi-material implementation are validated using analytical solutions.
An economic value of remote sensing information: Application to agricultural production and maintaining ground water quality

• This application would not be possible without MRLI, and VOI cannot be estimated without an application. • An estimate of VOI for MRLI and the Landsat Data Continuity Mission is $38.1B ± $8.8B for northeastern Iowa. • VOI estimate could be lower with additional constraints, land use policies, and management practices. • VOI estimate could be higher with larger regions or different applications. • By soft-coupling complex geospatial, agricultural production, hydrogeologic and groundwater vulnerability models, our results give regional decision makers natural resource management tools to use in context of protecting public health.
DNA helicases: Enzymes with essential roles in all aspects of DNA metabolism

DNA helicases catalyze the disruption of the hydrogen bonds that hold the two strands of double-stranded DNA together. This energy-requiring unwinding reaction results in the formation of the single-stranded DNA required as a template or reaction intermediate in DNA replication, repair and recombination. A combination of biochemical and genetic studies have been used to probe and define the roles of the multiple DNA helicases found in E. coli. This work and similar efforts in eukaryotic cells, although far from complete, have established that DNA helicases are essential components of the machinery that interacts with the DNA molecule.
Gas Chromatographic/Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Polar Components in “Weathered” Gasoline/Water Matrix as an Aid in Identifying Gasoline

Abstract The identification of “weathered” gasoline solely through gas chromatographic “fingerprints” of hydrocarbon portion is difficult. The polar components of three different “weathered” gasoline/water samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and compared to similar comeonents of the Same three gasolinos by this technique. This study shows that large portionsof gasoline additives are partitioned into the aqueous phase, and this information can be used as an aid in identifying a “weathered” gasoline samp1e.
Models of permeability contrasts in subduction zone mélange: Implications for gradients in fluid fluxes, Syros and Tinos Islands, Greece

Abstract Geological and geochemical evidence from previous studies suggest limited fluid flow through the interiors of many blocks of subducted oceanic crust within meta-ultramafic or metasedimentary melange matrix on the islands of Syros and Tinos, Cyclades, Greece. This finding is provocative because metamorphic devolatilization of igneous and sedimentary rocks during subduction should have liberated substantial volumes of fluid. In an effort to address this problem, two-dimensional numerical models incorporating permeability anisotropy and devolatilization are used to investigate spatial patterns of steady-state fluid flow through subduction zone melange under high-pressure/low-temperature (HP/LT) conditions. The modeling shows that as the permeability of the melange blocks decreases relative to the melange matrix, more flow is diverted around the blocks into the matrix. The ratio of the maximum flux (in matrix) relative to the minimum flux (in blocks) increases with the permeability contrast between the matrix and the less permeable blocks. Order-of-magnitude variations in permeability produce order-of-magnitude spatial variations in fluid fluxes between block interiors and surrounding matrix; flux variations of a factor of 10 or more can be present over very short length scales (as little as meter scale). The largest fluxes are produced in the matrix adjacent to block margins lying sub-parallel to regional foliation and flow direction. Fluid–rock reaction on block margins would be greatest in these areas, leading to asymmetrical distributions of reaction progress around blocks (illustrated herein by field mapping of a melange block on Syros). However, syn-metamorphic deformation can rotate blocks and strip off reaction zones at their margins, so it is likely that reaction zone asymmetries are commonly disrupted in nature. The inferred absence of strong fluid–rock reaction within melange blocks on Syros and Tinos could reflect low permeabilities in block interiors which acted to divert flow into melange matrix. Consequently, fluxes of subduction zone fluids through the melange matrix could have easily been very large, while low permeabilities shielded block interiors from the regional flow to varying degrees.
Expanding criteria for resectability of colorectal liver metastases

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice in patients with colorectal liver metastases, with 5-year survival rates reported in the range of 40%–58%. Over the past 10 years, there has been an impetus to expand the criteria for defining resectability for patients with colorectal metastases. In the past, such features as the number of metastases (three to four), the size of the tumor lesion, andamandatory1-cmmarginofresectiondictatedwho was “resectable.” More recently, the criteria for resectability have been expanded to include any patient in whom all disease can be removed with a negative margin and who has adequate hepatic volume/reserve. Specifically,insteadofresectabilitybeingdefinedbywhatis removed, decisions concerning resectability now center aroundwhatwillremainafterresection.Underthisnew paradigm, the number of patients with resectable disease can be expanded by increasing/preserving hepatic reserve (e.g., portal vein embolization, two-stage hepatectomy), combining resection with ablation, and decreasing tumor size (preoperative chemotherapy). The criteria for resectability have also expanded to include patientswithextrahepaticdisease.Ratherthanbeingan absolute contraindication to surgery, patients with both intra- and extrahepatic disease should potentially be considered for resection based on strict selection criteria. The expansion of criteria for resectability of colorectal liver metastases requires a much more nuanced and sophisticated approach to the patient with advanceddisease.Atherapeuticapproachthatincludesall aspects of multidisciplinary and multimodality care is required to select and treat this complex group of patients. The Oncologist 2008;13:51–64
Assessing the performance of the haplotype block model of linkage disequilibrium.

Several recent studies have suggested that linkage disequilibrium (LD) in the human genome has a fundamentally “blocklike” structure. However, thus far there has been little formal assessment of how well the haplotype block model captures the underlying structure of LD. Here we propose quantitative criteria for assessing how blocklike LD is and apply these criteria to both real and simulated data. Analyses of several large data sets indicate that real data show a partial fit to the haplotype block model; some regions conform quite well, whereas others do not. Some improvement could be obtained by genotyping higher marker densities but not by increasing the number of samples. Nonetheless, although the real data are only moderately blocklike, our simulations indicate that, under a model of uniform recombination, the structure of LD would actually fit the block model much less well. Simulations of a model in which much of the recombination occurs in narrow hotspots provide a much better fit to the observed patterns of LD, suggesting that there is extensive fine-scale variation in recombination rates across the human genome.
Thermally driven diurnal tide in the atmosphere

The theory for the diurnal tide in the atmosphere is reviewed and the appropriate Hough Functions (including those with negative equivalent depths) are described. The main thermal drives for the diurnal tide — insolation absorption by O3 and H2O — are described. The theory is then used to compute the atmosphere's response to the thermal drives. It is shown that the small amplitude of the diurnal surface pressure oscillation results from most of the thermal drive being used to activate trapped modes. The calculated winds are in reasonable agreement with observations of the diurnal wind oscillation from the troposphere to the upper mesosphere. In addition the tidal wind agrees strikingly with single time observations of the total wind in the upper-air. The temperature and vertical wind distributions and the upward flux of energy due to the diurnal tide are also calculated. The last item amounts to 6·8 ergs cm−2 sec−1 at the Equator which is about 2·5 times the downward solar flux in bands absorbable in the thermosphere. The average tidal flux over all latitudes is, however, considerably smaller.