cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tianeptine treatment induces regionally specific changes in monoamines

Tianeptine is an atypical tricyclic antidepressant that facilitates serotonin (5-HT) reuptake. Tianeptine (10 mg/kg) or saline was administered intraperitoneally to male rats daily for 4 days. Monoamine levels were measured in micropunches of discrete brain nuclei that are implicated in mood and cognition. In addition, the rates of 5-HT and norepinephrine (NE) accumulation were determined by the pargyline method. Few changes were noted in the 5-HT system. 5-HT levels were increased by short-term tianeptine in the CA3 region of hippocampus, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was increased in the ventromedial nucleus of hypothalamus, while 5-HT turnover was decreased in preoptic area (POA). In addition, short-term tianeptine treatment increased NE levels in POA, parietal sensory cortex (SCTX) and dorsal raphe (DR), and decreased NE in dentate gyrus. NE turnover was also decreased in DR, SCTX and parietal motor cortex. These data suggest that the short-term neural and behavioral actions of tianeptine may be attributable, in part, to alterations of the norepinephrine system.
Using a Characteristic Force Approach to Determine the Eigensolutions of an Arbitrarily Supported Linear Structure Carrying Lumped Attachments

In this paper a characteristic force approach is developed that can be used to determine the eigenvalues and mode shapes of any arbitrarily supported linear structure carrying various lumped attachments, including a lumped mass, rotary inertia, grounded translational or torsional spring, grounded translational or torsional viscous damper, and an undamped or damped oscillator with or without a rigid body degree of freedom. Using the proposed approach, each lumped element is first replaced by the load, either a force or moment, that it exerts on the linear structure, thus transforming the free vibration problem into a forced vibration one. By expressing the deflection of the linear structure in terms of these forces or moments and enforcing the compatibility conditions at each attachment points, the roots of the characteristic determinant of these loads can be graphically or numerically solved to find the eigenvalues of the combined system. Once the eigenvalues have been found, the corresponding mode shapes can be readily obtained. The proposed method is easy to code, systematic to apply, and can be easily modified to accommodate any arbitrarily supported one- or two-dimensional linear structure carrying various lumped attachments.
The Effects of Climate Change on the Phenological Interactions of Plants and Pollinators

Symposium title: Interdisciplinary Canary: Linkages between Ecology and Sustainable Decision Making in a Dynamic Environment*1) The responses of pollinators to climate change could include changes in phenology of migratory pollinators and in the routes or destinations for their migration, changes in the phenology and distribution of non-migratory species, and changes in the host plants they visit for nectar and pollen. Plants face similar challenges with regard to changes in their distributions, their reproductive phenology, and interactions with both co-flowering species and pollinators (competition, facilitation, etc.). Unless pollinators and their host plants are responding similarly to changing environmental cues that affect their phenology, their historical patterns of interaction, both mutualistic and competitive, are likely to change. Long-term data are essential to investigating which if any of these potential outcomes are occurring. A 36-year record of abundance and phenology of flowering of 90+ wildflower species, surveys of the altitudinal distribution of bumble bees in the 1970s and the past few years, and data from a long-term Malaise trap sampling program, all near the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (West Elk mountains, Colorado) are used for this investigation. Although the flowering phenology of all species examined to date is affected by a single environmental event, disappearance of the winter snowpack (range 22 April -19 June since 1975), either their responses to that single cue are not uniform, or different species respond to additional cues in addition to snowmelt (e.g., growing degree days). Thus the community of co-flowering species varies temporally and quantitatively among years; differential sensitivity to frost damage is an example of an environmental variable that generates the quantitative variation among years, and is in turn affected by date of snowmelt. Arrival dates of migratory Broad-tailed Hummingbirds are significantly correlated with the amount of snow remaining on 30 April, and with the day of first flowering of Erythronium grandiflorum (glacier lily), the first flower that they visit at this site in the spring. Altitudinal distributions of at least some bumble bee species, and of the flowers they feed on, are also changing, with one bee species occurring about 600m higher than it did 30 years ago and one wildflower (Mertensia cilata) disappearing from lower altitudes where it was historically common. As these communities of plants and pollinators respond to environmental changes with changes in phenology and distribution, new interactions will be created and old ones will be lost.
Should frozen section examination of the ureteral margins be routinely performed during cystectomy

Should frozen section examination of the ureteral margins be routinely performed during cystectomy?
Specialized substance abuse treatment for women and their children: an analysis of program design.

In the present study, 36 specialized substance abuse treatment programs for women and their children were identified and chosen for review. These programs provide a wide range of services including substance abuse, mental health and medical treatment, life skills training (i.e. vocational and parenting training), and social services (i.e. child care and transportation). A cluster analysis was conducted, and three distinct patterns of program design were identified. Results suggest that programs vary considerably regarding the extent to which comprehensive services are provided and to whom they are offered. Many programs that appear to be comprehensive fail to provide the full range of services to all those who need them. In particular, many programs for pregnant women seem to focus almost exclusively on pregnancy-related issues. As such, specialized substance abuse treatment for women may be at risk for becoming too specialized. Recommendations are made for future substance-related program planning for women and their children.
Discovery of Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Human Reticulocyte 15- Lipoxygenase-1

There are a variety of lipoxygenases in the human body (hLO), each having a distinct role in cellular biology. Human reticulocyte 15-Lipoxygenase-1 (15-hLO-1), which catalyzes the dioxygenation of 1,4-cis,cis-pentadiene-containing polyunsaturated fatty acids, is implicated in a number of diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative conditions. Despite the potential therapeutic relevance of this target, few inhibitors have been reported that are both potent and selective. To this end, we have employed a quantitative high-throughput (qHTS) screen against ~74,000 small molecules in search of reticulocyte 15-hLO-1 selective inhibitors. This screen led to the discovery of a novel chemotype for 15-hLO-1 inhibition, which displays nM potency and is >7,500-fold selective against the related isozymes, 5-hLO, platelet 12-hLO, epithelial 15-hLO-2, ovine cyclooxygenase-1 and human cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, kinetic experiments were performed which indicate that this class of inhibitor is tight binding, reversible, and appears not to reduce the active-site ferric ion.
Efficient virtual memory for big memory servers

Our analysis shows that many "big-memory" server workloads, such as databases, in-memory caches, and graph analytics, pay a high cost for page-based virtual memory. They consume as much as 10% of execution cycles on TLB misses, even using large pages. On the other hand, we find that these workloads use read-write permission on most pages, are provisioned not to swap, and rarely benefit from the full flexibility of page-based virtual memory.To remove the TLB miss overhead for big-memory workloads, we propose mapping part of a process's linear virtual address space with a direct segment, while page mapping the rest of the virtual address space. Direct segments use minimal hardware---base, limit and offset registers per core---to map contiguous virtual memory regions directly to contiguous physical memory. They eliminate the possibility of TLB misses for key data structures such as database buffer pools and in-memory key-value stores. Memory mapped by a direct segment may be converted back to paging when needed.We prototype direct-segment software support for x86-64 in Linux and emulate direct-segment hardware. For our workloads, direct segments eliminate almost all TLB misses and reduce the execution time wasted on TLB misses to less than 0.5%.
Regioisomeric Synthesis and Characteristics of the α-Hydroxy-1,N2-propanodeoxyguanosine

Acrolein, a known mutagen, undergoes reaction in vitro under physiological conditions with both 2‘-deoxyguanosine and native DNA to give rise to exocyclic adducts of the 5,6,7,8-tetrahydropyrimido[1,2-a]purine-10(3H)-one class having a hydroxyl group at either the 6 or the 8 position (these positions are respectively designated α and γ when referring to the 1,N2-(propano-bridge). Previously, we have shown that the 8-hydroxy derivative has very low mutagenicity probably because, in double-stranded DNA, this residue exists in the open-chain aldehydic form [N2-(3-oxopropyl)-2‘-deoxyguanosine] (5). To continue our investigation in this area, we needed ample supplies of the 6-hydroxy isomers. This current paper describes high-yield simple methods for the synthesis in bulk of the 6-hydroxy and the 6-methoxy exocyclic adducts 1 and 3 and a new efficient synthesis of 1,N2-(prop-1,3-diyl)-2‘-deoxyguanosine (4), previously used as a chemically stable model in studying the physico-biological implications of 1,N2 exo...
A phase II trial of weekly docetaxel in patients with platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal serous cancer, or fallopian tube cancer.

Abstract Objective To determine the activity and tolerability of weekly docetaxel in patients with platinum-resistant mullerian origin tumors. Methods Patients with persistent disease, or those recurring less than 6 months after receiving platinum-containing therapy, were eligible for this phase II study. Docetaxel was initially administered at a dose of 40 mg/m 2 on days 1, 8, and 15, with a cycle length of 28 days. This starting dose was subsequently reduced to 30 mg/m 2 due to toxicity. Dexamethasone prophylaxis was administered at a dose of 4 mg PO every 12 hours for 3 doses, starting 12 hours before each dose of docetaxel. Results Thirty-two patients were enrolled, with a median age of 59 years. The majority of patients received a median of 3 prior regimens, with 45% of the study group having received 4 or more prior regimens. The overall response rate in 29 evaluable patients was 6.9%, with no complete responses. Seventeen percent of patients experienced stable disease. Dose reduction or delay was required in 10 of the first 22 patients enrolled, prompting a reduction in the starting dose to 30 mg/m 2 . Hematologic toxicity was generally tolerable, and no patient experienced febrile neutropenia. Non-hematologic toxicity was generally grade 1 in nature, although a combination of multiple low grade toxicities occurring in an individual patient oftentimes mandated dose reduction. Conclusions Weekly docetaxel demonstrated modest activity in a heavily pre-treated, platinum-resistant population. A starting docetaxel dose of 30 mg/m 2 would be reasonable for future studies exploring the utility of weekly dosing in less heavily pre-treated patients.
Spectroscopic characterization of the [Fe(His)4(Cys)] site in 2Fe-superoxide reductase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris

The electronic and vibrational properties of the [Fe(His)4(Cys)] site (Center II) responsible for catalysis of superoxide reduction in the two-iron superoxide reductase (2Fe-SOR) from Desulfovibrio vulgaris have been investigated using the combination of EPR, resonance Raman, UV/visible/near-IR absorption, CD, and VTMCD spectroscopies. Deconvolution of the spectral contributions of Center II from those of the [Fe(Cys)4] site (Center I) has been achieved by parallel investigations of the C13S variant, which does not contain Center I. The resonance Raman spectrum of ferric Center II has been assigned based on isotope shifts for 34S and 15N globally labeled proteins. As for the [Fe(His)4(Cys)] active site in 1Fe-SOR from Pyrococcus furiosus, the spectroscopic properties of ferric and ferrous Center II in D. vulgaris 2Fe-SOR are indicative of distorted octahedral and square-pyramidal coordination geometries, respectively. Differences in the properties of the ferric [Fe(His)4(Cys)] sites in 1Fe- and 2Fe-SORs are apparent in the rhombicity of the S=5/2 ground state (E/D=0.06 and 0.28 in 1Fe- and 2Fe-SORs, respectively), the energy of the CysS−(pπ)→Fe3+(dπ) CT transition (15,150±150 cm−1 and 15,600±150 cm−1 in 1Fe- and 2Fe-SORs, respectively) and in changes in the Fe–S stretching region of the resonance Raman spectrum indicative of a weaker Fe–S(Cys) bond in 2Fe-SORs. These differences are interpreted in terms of small structural perturbations in the Fe coordination sphere with changes in the Fe–S(Cys) bond strength resulting from differences in the peptide N–H...S(Cys) hydrogen bonding within a tetrapeptide bidentate "chelate". Observation of the characteristic intervalence charge transfer transition of a cyano-bridged [FeIII–NC–FeII(CN)5] unit in the near-IR VTMCD spectra of ferricyanide-oxidized samples of both P. furiosus 1Fe-SOR and D. vulgaris 2Fe-SOR has confirmed the existence of novel ferrocyanide adducts of the ferric [Fe(His)4(Cys)] sites in both 1Fe- and 2Fe-SORs.
Juan Sabeata and Diffusion in Aboriginal Texas

THIS is a "case history" of diffusion in aboriginal Texas. From 1683 to 1692, if not longer, Juan Sabeata was chief of the Jumano and Cibola Indians. During that period he made at least eight journeys across almost the entire breadth of the state of Texas, from the Rio Grande to the Neches, in addition to known journeys to El Paso, Parral, and Julimes in Mexico. The Jumano and Cibola under Sabeata were bison hunters and traders. Sabeata himself was an inveterate gossip and a master at frontier intrigue. He made a deliberate effort to gather "news" and to pass it on to those with whom he visited. He served as a "gossip" not only among such Indians as the Patarabueye of the Rio Grande and the Tejas [Hasinai] of eastern Texas but between the Spanish and French as well. It was Sebeata who informed the Spaniards in Nueva Vizcaya of the presence of La Salle's party in southeastern Texas, and eventually of the destruction of La Salle's fort at the hands of the Indians. Conversely, it was Sabeata or one of his lieutenants who described so well for La Salle's party the habits and settlements of the Spaniards to the west. It was Sabeata who inveigled the Spaniards under Mendoza into serving as his bodyguard on a journey through the territory of his enemies, the Apache. Archeological and ethnological evidence of the activities of Sabeata and his Jumano is available, though rare, and will be discussed. But this is not a paper devoted especially to the diffusion of specific traits or complexes. Interest here lies in the means of diffusion, the process, the functioning machinery itself. There must have been many Sabeatas among the Jumano, and the Jumano were certainly not the only bison nomads who developed a profitable trade between Plains and Southwest, Plains and Southeast, and Southwest and Southeast. And perhaps more important culturally than the bison products, the salt, the bows and arrows, the turquoise and cotton, the feathers and shells, that made up the tangible currency of the trade, was the traffic in "news."
Translating dependency into parametricity

Abadi et al. introduced the dependency core calculus (DCC) as a unifying framework to study many important program analyses such as binding time, information flow, slicing, and function call tracking. DCC uses a lattice of monads and a nonstandard typing rule for their associated bind operations to describe the dependency of computations in a program. Abadi et al. proved a noninterference theorem that establishes the correctness of DCC's type system and thus the correctness of the type systems for the analyses above.In this paper, we study the relationship between DCC and the Girard-Reynolds polymorphic lambda calculus (System F). We encode the recursion-free fragment of DCC into F via a type-directed translation. Our main theoretical result is that, following from the correctness of the translation, the parametricity theorem for F implies the noninterference theorem for DCC. In addition, the translation provides insights into DCC's type system and suggests implementation strategies of dependency calculi in polymorphic languages.
Towards environmentally friendly processing of molecular semiconductors

We present the design and synthesis of molecular organic semiconductors enabling processing from environmentally friendly solvents, including ethyl acetate. The structural changes employed do not adversely influence the attractive optical or electronic properties of the parent chromophore. Thin film transistors demonstrate the semiconducting ability of the new structures when processed from ethyl acetate.
Unit stream power equations for total load

Abstract A dimensionless unit stream power equation for the computation and prediction of total sediment concentration is obtained without using any criterion for incipient motion. This equation is compared with a similar dimensionless unit stream power equation proposed by the author in 1973 with the inclusion of criteria for incipient motion. Comparisons between the measured results from laboratory flumes and natural rivers and the computed results from these two unit stream power equations indicate that they are equally accurate in predicting the total sediment concentration in the sand size range. For the 1259 sets of data compared, the average computed result from these equations is only 3% higher than the measured result.
Determination of half-dose depth in skin for soft x-rays

Unlike superficial x-rays, the soft x-rays normally used in dermatologic practice spare unaffected underlying organs during treatment of cutaneous malignancies. However, since the dose with depth from soft x-rays varies markedly, it is important to know this relationship for optimal therapeutic results. The peak kilovoltage, and thus the energy of the beam, is generally selected so that the dose to the base of the lesion is one-half the surface dose. An absorbed dose of 3,400 rads to the surface and a dose of about one-half this amount to the base of most malignant lesions is one standard protocol for optimal therapeutic results. An accurate value of half-depth dose in skin is therefore necessary and is readily obtained from ordinary half-value layer measurements using the technic described.
Identification of the NC1 Domain of α3 Chain as Critical for α3α4α5 Type IV Collagen Network Assembly

The network organization of type IV collagen consisting of α3, α4, and α5 chains in the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) is speculated to involve interactions of the triple helical and NC1 domain of individual α-chains, but in vivo evidence is lacking. To specifically address the contribution of the NC1 domain in the GBM collagen network organization, we generated a mouse with specific loss of α3NC1 domain while keeping the triple helical α3 chain intact by connecting it to the human α5NC1 domain. The absence of α3NC1 domain leads to the complete loss of the α4 chain. The α3 collagenous domain is incapable of incorporating the α5 chain, resulting in the impaired organization of the α3α4α5 chain-containing network. Although the α5 chain can assemble with the α1, α2, and α6 chains, such assembly is incapable of functionally replacing the α3α4α5 protomer. This novel approach to explore the assembly type IV collagen in vivo offers novel insights in the specific role of the NC1 domain in the assembly and function of GBM during health and disease.
Monomials and Basin Cylinders for Network Dynamics

We describe methods to identify cylinder sets inside a basin of attraction for Boolean dynamics of biological networks. Such sets are used for designing regulatory interventions that make the system evolve toward a chosen attractor, for example, initiating apoptosis in a cancer cell. We describe two algebraic methods for identifying cylinders inside a basin of attraction, one based on the Groebner fan that finds monomials that define cylinders, and the other on primary decomposition. Both methods are applied to current examples of gene networks.
Finite computable dimension does not relativize

In many classes of structures, each computable structure has computable dimension 1 or $\omega$. Nevertheless, Goncharov showed that for each $n < \omega$, there exists a computable structure with computable dimension $n$. In this paper we show that, under one natural definition of relativized computable dimension, no computable structure has finite relativized computable dimension greater than 1.
Identification of a core motif that is recognized by three members of the HMG class of transcriptional regulators: IRE‐ABP, SRY, and TCF‐1α

Insulin induces glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) gene transcription in part by regulating one or more proteins that bind a cis-acting element, IRE-A. We have recently cloned a protein, IRE-ABP, that binds the IRE-A element. IRE-ABP is a member of the HMG class of transcriptional regulators and is 67% identical within its HMG box domain to the candidate gene for the testis-determining factor, SRY. IRE-ABP and SRY share binding specificity for the IRE-A motif. This sequence is also highly conserved with a core motif, 5'-Py-ctttg(a/t)-3', contained in T-cell specific genes that have high affinity for TCF-1 alpha, another member of the HMG class of transcriptional regulators. Thus, diverse members of the HMG family interact with similar nucleotide sequences to regulate expression of genes that initiate and maintain the differentiated phenotype. We have found this core motif in the upstream region of many genes that are positively and negatively regulated by insulin. These observations suggest that IRE-ABP or a related family member may coordinate the expression of these genes. The HMG family of proteins has diverse functions ranging from the regulation of differentiation and mating type in yeast to the regulation of tissue- and species-specific gene expression in mammals. Insulin regulates GAPDH gene transcription in a tissue-specific manner. We propose that members of the IRE-ABP family play an important role in controlling tissue specificity of the insulin response.
Impaired cardiomyocyte relaxation and diastolic function in transgenic mice expressing slow skeletal troponin I in the heart

1To assess the specific functions of the cardiac isoform of troponin I (cTnI), we produced transgenic mice that expressed slow skeletal troponin I (ssTnI) specifically in cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocytes from these mice displayed quantitative replacement of cTnI with transgene-encoded ssTnI. 2The ssTnI transgenic mice were viable and fertile and did not display increased mortality or detectable cardiovascular histopathology. They exhibited normal ventricular weights and heart rates. 3Permeabilized transgenic cardiomyocytes demonstrated an increased Ca2+ sensitivity of tension and a lack of contractile responsiveness to cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). Isolated cardiomyocytes from transgenic mice had normal velocities of unloaded shortening but unlike wild-type controls exhibited no enhancement of the velocity of shortening in response to treatment with isoprenaline. Transgenic cardiomyocytes exhibited greater extents of shortening than non-transgenic cardiomyocytes at baseline and after treatment with isoprenaline. 4The rates of rise of intracellular [Ca2+] and the peak amplitudes of the intracellular [Ca2+] transients were similar in transgenic and wild-type myocytes. However, the half-time of intracellular [Ca2+] decay was significantly greater in the transgenic myocytes. This change in decay of intracellular [Ca2+] was correlated with an increase in the re-lengthening time of the transgenic cells. 5These changes in cardiomyocyte function in vitro were manifested in vivo as impaired diastolic function both at baseline and after stimulation with isoprenaline. 6Thus, cTnI has important roles in regulating the Ca2+ sensitivity of cardiac myofibrils and controlling cardiomyocyte relaxation and cardiac diastolic function. cTnI is also required for the normal responsiveness of cardiomyocytes to β-adrenergic receptor stimulation.
Effects of microcomputer‐administered diagnostic testing on immediate and continuing science achievement and attitudes

This investigation had three purposes: (1) to document any immediate and continuing benefits associated with the use of microcomputer-administered testing; (2) to determine what type of student might benefit most from microcomputer-administered diagnostic testing; and (3) to document the feasibility of microcomputer-administered diagnostic testing. The subjects of the study were enrolled in a biology course based on the BSCS Blue text. A random half of the students received behaviorally-stated performance objectives, while the remaining half received behaviorally-stated performance objectives in conjunction with microcomputer-administered diagnostic testing. The results of this study indicate that microcomputer-administered diagnostic testing can positively influence the immediate, but not the continuing, achievement of students in science. In addition, neither student aptitude nor achievement motivation level were found to interact with treatment or influence achievement. Affective data indicate that students react favorably to the use of objectives, computers, and diagnostic testing. Cost summary data reveal that when the expense of administering diagnostic testing by microcomputer is prorated over a five-year period, the cost of a diagnostic test is reduced to approximately three cents.
Complex amplitude of an ultrashort pulse with femtosecond resolution in a waveguide using a coherent NSOM at 1550 nm

Nanoscale science is playing an increasingly important role in developing future technologies for information systems including computing, telecommunications, display, high-resolution imaging and sensing. Optical and photonic technologies are recognized as enablers in most of these applications. However, construction of artificially engineered nanostructured optical and optoelectronic materials, resonant nanostructures such as photonic crystals, and integrated nanophotonic active and passive devices is one of the most challenging tasks. In order to improve device performance, good characterization tools for structural and functional testing of nanophotonic devices are required. One technique that may be promising for improving visualization, imaging, and characterization tools is based on coherent Near-field Scanning Optical Microscopy (NSOM). This instrument enables quantitative detection of the complex amplitude of the optical near-field of various nanophotonic devices on nanoscale. Amplitude, phase and topography are measured simultaneously by combining an NSOM and a heterodyne interferometer. Its continuous wave (CW) design has been extended with ultra-short femtosecond laser pulses at 1550 μm to investigate phenomena in the optical near field with femtosecond time resolution. The evanescent light of a short pulse has been observed in a waveguide, allowing the investigation of both its spatial and temporal device characteristics.
Human cornea: individual responses to hypoxic environments

Using a micropolarographic system, the responses of seven human corneas to oxygen atmospheres ranging from 20.9% to 0% were measured. Under normal atmospheric conditions, ratios of oxygen demand were observed between corneas as great as 1.23:1. Following 0% oxygen conditions, however, these ratios rose to a maximum of 1.93:1, i.e., representing demand differences between particular corneas of nearly 2:1. Such differences may prove increasingly important in the gauging of patient suitability and safety in relation to hypoxic stress, e.g., the extended wear of contact lenses.
Effects of oil exposure on pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, alevins in a simulated intertidal environment

Abstract Pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha , alevins (5 and 60 days after hatching) were continuously or intermittently exposed for 30 days to the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil in fresh water or in a simulated freshwater-seawater cycle. Alevins exposed to 0·7−2·4 mg/liter WSF in the simulated tidal cycle were more sensitive to oil, had reduced yolk reserves, and accumulated more hydrocarbons than did alevins exposed to the same concentrations in fresh water. Alevins in fresh water were more sensitive to continuous than to intermittent exposures. In all exposures, 60-day alevins were more severely affected than were 5-day alevins.
Does Exurban Housing Development Affect the Physiological Condition of Forest-Breeding Songbirds? A Case Study of Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) in the Largest Protected Area in the Contiguous United States.

AbstractExurban development (low-density development in rural areas) can significantly alter wildlife community composition, but it is largely unknown whether it also affects wildlife at the individual level. We investigated individual-level impacts of exurban development in New York State’s Adirondack Park by comparing the physiological condition of 62 male ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapillus) breeding in forests with low-density housing development with those in contiguous forests. We used hematocrit (HCT) volume and plasma triglyceride (TRIG) levels to compare energetic condition, plasma uric acid (UA) and total plasma protein (TPP) levels to compare diet quality, and heterophil∶lymphocyte ratios (H∶L) to compare chronic stress. HCT was the only parameter to differ, with birds near houses exhibiting lower values. The comparable TRIG, UA, and TPP that we found between treatment types suggest that ovenbird food quality and availability are unaffected by exurban development in our study area. Similar H∶L sugg...
Cancer detection on a cell-by-cell basis using a fractal dimension analysis

We show that the application of imaging and pattern recognition techniques developed for basic heavy ion research has useful applications in medical imaging. In particular, we utilize the fractal dimension of the perimeter surface of cell sections as a new observable to characterize cells of different types. We propose that it is possible to distinguish cancerous from healthy cells with the aid of this new approach. As a first application we show in an exploratory study that it is possible to perform this distinction between patients with hairy-cell lymphocytic leukemia and those with normal blood lymphocytes.
Resource allocation in a general equilibrium model of production under uncertainty

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of uncertainty for resource allocation, real income, and income distribution in terms of a simple two-sector general equilibrium model of a small country where uncertainty is introduced by assuming that production in one sector occurs in a stochastic environment. Assuming decreasing risk aversion, we show that an increase in uncertainty causes the movement of the resources away from the uncertain sector, a decline in expected real income, and a shift in the distribution of income against the factor employed intensively by the uncertain sector.
Variation between Electrofishing and Otter Trawling for Sampling Black Crappies in Two Florida Lakes

Abstract We compared trawling with electrofishing for assessing populations of black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus in two shallow central Florida lakes. Lakes Jackson and Weohyakapka were sampled with both gears from November 2005 through March 2006. Size-selective biases were apparent, the trawl nets consistently collecting small individuals less than 100 mm in total length (TL), whereas electrofishing collected significantly larger, more adult fish exceeding 200 mm TL. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test indicated that the size structure of the fish captured in the two types of gear differed significantly. The total annual mortality estimates were 28% and 72% for electrofishing on both lakes, 55% for otter trawls on Lake Jackson. The age ranges for catch curves derived from the two gears also displayed large differences in mortality estimates or gave no mortality estimate at all. Trawls tended to collect younger age-classes, whereas electrofishing tended to collect larger age-classes; thus, data col...
Event detection and conditional averaging in unsteady aeolian systems

Abstract Traditional models of sediment flux ignore wind unsteadiness, and there are sound empirical and theoretical arguments that implicate this deficiency as being fundamental to explaining their limited predictive abilities. Drawing on concepts and theories from the fluid mechanics literature on turbulent boundary layers, and with the implementation of fast-response instrumentation (hot-film anemometers and continuously-weighing sand traps) this study begins to address a series of inter-related questions regarding the character of wind and transport events. Foremost among these is whether an event-based analysis of wind speed time series bears close resemblance to sediment flux events. The research demonstrates that fluid ‘ejection’ events identified by the Variable-Interval Time Averaging (VITA) method are only crudely associated with those identified using the quadrant-threshold method. Moreover, VITA events show poor correspondence with sediment flux events. The reasons for this are unclear, although it is likely that the character of events in this beach boundary layer differ substantively from the character of structural events typically associated with the sublayer bursting process. Additional unresolved issues include whether the inner/outer layer model applies to the grain-laden/grain-free zones of a saltation system, and whether the structural events evident in velocity time series from wind tunnels and natural beaches are analogous. Event-detection and conditional-averaging techniques hold promise for characterizing the fundamental nature of unsteadiness in aeolian systems.
Chemically Augmented String Kernel for Extraction and Classification of Chemical Compounds from Text

Chemical compounds provide key information for text documents in the material science domain. For extraction and classification of chemical compounds in text, we present a novel kernel - Chemically Augmented String Kernel (CASK) - which incorporates periodic table properties of chemical elements. To evaluate the performance of CASK, we performed experiments on a corpus of 14,656 journal paper abstracts in the field of Thin Film Solar Cells (TFSCs) published during 1990-2014. TFSCs are devices which typically contain four layers, each composed of different materials. Each abstract was treated as a bag of words and its words were classified into one of the five classes: four classes corresponding to each of the four layers of TFSCs, and one class categorizing unrelated words that do not belong to any of the layers. CASK was found to outperform string subsequence kernel and other kernels such as radial basis function, polynomial and linear.
Direction recording equipment for the grinnell wind speed instrument

Equipment for recording wind direction to eight points on the chart of the Grinnell Wind Speed Recorder or a similar instrument is here outlined.
Anti-C5a Ameliorates Coagulation/Fibrinolytic Protein Changes in a Rat Model of Sepsis

Sepsis and trauma are the two most common causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Both disseminated intravascular coagulation and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome often lead to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. The current studies have evaluated the relationship between the anaphylatoxin, C5a, and changes in the coagulation/fibrinolytic systems during the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis in rats. CLP animals treated with anti-C5a had a much improved number of survivors (63%) compared to rats treated with pre-immune IgG (31%). In CLP rats treated with pre-immune IgG there was clearly increased procoagulant activity with prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time, reduced platelet counts, and increased levels of plasma fibrinogen. Evidence for thrombin formation was indicated by early consumption of factor VII:C, subsequent consumption of factors XI:C and IX:C and anti-thrombin and increased levels of the thrombin-anti-thrombin complex and D-dimer. Limited activation of fibrinolysis was indicated by reduced plasma levels of plasminogen and increased levels of tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor. Most of these parameters were reversed in CLP rats that had been treated with anti-C5a. Production of C5a during sepsis may directly or indirectly cause hemostatic defects that can be reduced by blockade of C5a.
Addition of an N-terminal dimerization domain promotes assembly of hCG analogs: implications for subunit combination and structure-function analysis.

Abstract Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a heterodimeric placental glycoprotein hormone that acts through ovarian lutropin receptors (LHR) to maintain early pregnancy. Its ability to distinguish LHR and follitropin receptors (FSHR) is controlled by 20 β-subunit ‘seatbelt’ residues that surround α-subunit loop 2. Positively charged amino acids between residues 93–100, a small loop within the seatbelt, have been postulated to make essential LH receptor contacts. Previous studies showed that analogs containing negatively charged amino acids in this small loop had 5–10% the activity of hCG and 1–10% the lutropin activities of hCG/hFSH chimeric analogs capable of binding LHR and FSHR. These effects might be due to the influence of these residues on receptor contacts or on hormone conformation. During efforts to distinguish these possibilities, we increased and decreased the number of residues in this loop, mutations we anticipated would distort its conformation. Consistent with this supposition, these changes inhibited dimer formation, precluding assessment of these mutations on hormone activity. Addition of Fos and Jun dimerization domains to the N-termini of hCGα- and hCG/hFSHβ-subunit chimeras overcame the effects of the seatbelt mutations on subunit combination and enabled preparation of heterodimers containing six, seven, or nine residues in their seatbelt loops. These had 0.1–10% the lutropin and 3–60% the follitropin activities of bifunctional chimeras containing 8 residues derived from hCG in the seatbelt loop. The abilities of N-terminal dimerization domains to promote subunit combination may permit structure/function analysis of other residues that influence heterodimer formation.
The HSAB principle and extended solubility theory

Abstract A semiquantitative approach to the prediction of the hard-soft character of Lewis acid-base species is proposed based on the use of empirical sorting maps, and a map employing Hansen's extended solubility parameters is reported for common basic molecular solvents. This map is compared with previously reported sorting maps for ionic acids and bases and is use to calculate an empirical softness index for the species involved.
Concerning the inferior portion of the spinal radiotherapy field for malignancies that disseminate via the cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract Purpose : Many radiotherapists widen the inferior aspect of the craniospinal irradiation field to encompass the sacroiliac joints and “cover the sacral nerve roots.” This is commonly referred to as a “spade” field. Other therapists, however, reject the notion of widening the bottom of the field—feeling that straight field borders are adequate. We have evaluated this controversy by an anatomical study. Methods and Materials : Twenty-five skeletons were measured to ascertain the distance between the outermost portions of the posterior pedicles of L3, L4, and L5; the distance between the outermost portions of the intervertebral foramina between L3–L4, L4–5, and L5–Sl through which the spinal nerves pass; and the width of the most lateral portions of the posterior and anterior foramina of S1 and S2 through which the sacral spinal nerves would pass. Twenty-two cranial spinal irradiation simulator films of patients with medulloblastoma were used to measure the distance between the outermost portions of the posterior pedicles of L3, L4, and L5 and the foramina of S1 and S2. These measurements were then corrected for film magnification. Results : Skeleton measurements showed that the mean width between the outer portions of the posterior pedicles of L3 and 4.1 cm, for L4 it was 4.4 cm, and for L5 it was 5.1 cm. Measurements of the mean maximum width of the intervertebral foramen for nerve root exit at the bottom of L3 was 4.1 cm, for L4 4.4 cm, and for L5 4.7 cm. The mean distance between the outermost portions of the intervertebral foramen for nerve root exit at the front of S1 was 5.9 cm while it was 5.0 cm for the back of St. The mean distance between the outermost portions of the anterior foramen of S2 was 5.7 cm and 4.8 cm for the back. Measurements from the 22 simulation films show that the mean maximum width between the outer portion of the posterior pedicles of L3 was 3.3 cm, for L4 3.5 cm, and for L5 3.8 cm. The mean maximum width of the intervertebral foramen for nerve root exit at the bottom of S1 was 4.4 cm and 4.5 cm for S2. Conclusions : While the caudal end of the craniospinal field needs to be widened by 1.2 to 1.8 cm to encompass the increase in distance between nerve root exits as one moves inferiorly down the spine, coverage of the sacroiliac joints is not necessary.
A Coarse-Grain Hierarchical Technique for 2-Dimensional FFT on Configurable Parallel Computers*This work was supported in part by the US Department of Energy under grant DE-FG02-03CH11171.

FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays) have been widely used as coprocessors to boost the performance of data-intensive applications [1], [2]. However, there are several challenges to further boost FPGA performance: the communication overhead between the host workstation and the FPGAs can be substantial; large-scale applications cannot fit in a single FPGA because of its limited capacity; mapping an application algorithm to FPGAs still remains a daunting job in configurable system design. To circumvent these problems, we propose in this paper the FPGA-based Hierarchical-SIMD (H-SIMD) machine with its codesign of the Pyramidal Instruction Set Architecture (PISA). PISA comprises high-level instructions implemented as FPGA functions of coarse-grain SIMD (Single-Instruction, Multiple-Data) tasks to facilitate ease of program development, code portability across different H-SIMD implementations and high performance. We assume a multi-FPGA board where each FPGA is configured as a separate SIMD machine. Multiple FPGA chips can work in unison at a higher SIMD level, if needed, controlled by the host. Additionally, by using a memory switching scheme and the high-level PISA to partition applications into coarse-grain tasks, host-FPGA communication overheads can be hidden. We enlist the two-dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (2D FFT) to test the effectiveness of H-SIMD. The test results show sustained high performance for this problem. The H-SIMD machine even outperforms a Xeon processor for this problem.
Is there a progression from abuse disorders to dependence disorders

Background Recent studies suggest that a progression occurs from alcohol abuse to alcohol dependence. Although DSM-IV criteria for all substance use-related diagnoses are based largely on the alcohol dependence syndrome, progression from abuse to dependence might not generalize to other substances. Aims This study tested whether a progression from DSM-IV abuse to dependence occurs related to the use of cannabis, cocaine and opiates. Design Retrospective data from the DSM-IV Substance Use Disorders Work Group (n = 1226) were reanalysed using McNemar's χ2, configural frequency analyses and survival analyses. Participants were men and women who were primarily African-Americans or Caucasians. Settings Participants were recruited from community and clinical settings. The measure was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview–Substance Abuse Module. Findings For all substances, life-time dependence in the absence of life-time abuse was rare. Results were consistent with a progression occurring for alcohol and cannabis, but not for cocaine and opiates. Abuse and dependence occurred in the same year for 66% of the cocaine users who experienced both disorders (57% of users with any cocaine disorder) and 65% of the opiate users who experienced both disorders (46% of users with any opiate disorder). Because cocaine and opiate dependence in the absence of abuse were rare, it is possible that progressions in cocaine and opiate disorders occur more rapidly than cannabis and alcohol. Conclusions Research is needed to clarify the mechanisms that influence progressions of substance use disorders. Potential factors leading to between-drug variation in rate of progression of disorders are discussed.
Chronic exposure of human ovarian carcinoma cells to free or HPMA copolymer-bound mesochlorin e6 does not induce P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance

Abstract The acquisition of multidrug resistance in human ovarian carcinoma A2780 cells was investigated after chronic exposure to free mesochlorin e 6 monoethylenediamine (Mce 6 ) and N -(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer-bound Mce 6 (P(GG)-Mce 6 ). The dose that inhibits growth by 50% (IC 50 ) was determined for free Mce 6 (2.09±0.32 μ m ) and P(GG)-Mce 6 (204.15±28.97 μ m ) to utilize similar effective doses of drug. A total of 14 drug exposures were performed over a period of 78 days. Cells were characterized by IC 50 dose, MDR1 gene expression and anti-human P-glycoprotein (P-gp) antibody binding after each drug exposure. At the conclusion of the experiment, neither the A2780 cells habitually exposed to free Mce 6 or P(GG)-Mce 6 were significantly different than the control A2780 cells indicating cells did not acquire a MDR phenotype. The doxorubicin (DOX)-resistant A2780/AD cells served as a positive control.