cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PowerModelsRestoration.jl: An open-source framework for exploring power network restoration algorithms

Abstract With the escalating frequency of extreme grid disturbances, such as natural disasters, comes an increasing need for efficient recovery plans. Algorithms for optimal power restoration play an important role in developing such plans, but also give rise to challenging mixed-integer nonlinear optimization problems, where tractable solution methods are not yet available. To assist in research on such solution methods, this work proposes PowerModelsRestoration, a flexible, open-source software framework for rapidly designing and testing power restoration algorithms. PowerModelsRestoration constructs a mathematical modeling layer for formalizing core restoration tasks that can be combined to develop complex workflows and high performance heuristics. The efficacy of the proposed framework is demonstrated by proof-of-concept studies on three established cases from the literature, focusing on single-phase positive sequence network models. The results demonstrate that PowerModelsRestoration reproduces the established literature, and for the first time provide an analysis of restoration with nonlinear power flow models, which have not been previously considered.
Black and White Propaganda Triggering the War in Afghanistan

Lone Survivor Film highlights on the American propaganda in Afghanistan war. In analyzing the topic, the writer has two objectives of the research. They are to analyze the American propaganda in Afghanistan war and to describe the situation of Afghanistan war as reflected in Lone Survivor film. This research is done under an interdisciplinary approach, as it applies American multidisciplinary studies. The writer uses descriptive qualitative method to analyze the data adopted from the scenes and dialogues of the film Lone Survivor. The result of this research is that propaganda in the film Lone Survivor can be classified into black and white propaganda. The black propaganda is shown as American pretends to have noble heart in some scenes in the film, in contrast with the truth that they have hidden agenda. Those are to change the audience’s view about America. The white propaganda in the film is shown when American tries showing to the world that there is some bad fact about Ahmad Shah group. Also there are some interesting situation between American soldiers and Taliban rebels which are found in Lone Survivor film.
Pharmacological Considerations for Clinical Trials of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis

The pharmacokinetics (PK) of a drug is commonly explained as ‘what the body does to the drug’ and is typically described in terms of drug disposition—that is: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of the drug. Pharmacologists are keenly interested in characterizing sources of variability in the parameters used to describe PK, either the primary parameters (rate of absorption (ka), volume of distribution (Vd) and clearance (CL)) or the more intuitively understood secondary PK parameters (maximum concentration (Cmax), area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), or time above a parameter of interest for that drug (e.g., time above minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), T > MIC). Linking PK to pharmacodynamics (PD), loosely ‘what the drug does to the body,’ or drug effect, is critically important for understanding exposure-response (or PK-PD) relationships. As all drugs are potential poisons, rational drug use and dose optimization must also take into account relationships between PK and toxic effects, or toxicodynamics (TD). A full characterization of PK-PD and PK-TD relationships helps define the therapeutic index, defined by Encyclopaedia Britannica as the ‘margin of safety that exists between the dose of a drug that produces the desired effect and the dose that produces unwanted and possibly dangerous side effects.’
Characterization of human plasma lipoproteins using anion exchange fast protein liquid chromatography and targeted mass spectrometry assay

We described a targeted mass spectrometry assay based on selected reaction monitoring (SRM) for five apolipoproteins (apoA1, apoB, apoJ, apoD, and apoE) in plasma lipoproteins isolated by anion exchange fast protein liquid chromatography using only 100 μL of plasma. We performed analytical characterization of the SRM assay and evaluated reproducibility of the entire workflow. The limit of detections for apoA1, apoB, apoD, apoJ, and apoE were 0.6, 4.6, 0.8, 1.2, and 0.7 nM, respectively; the limit of quantifications was 8.3 nM for all peptides except apoD (4.2 nM). The SRM assay was linear from 0.4 to 1667 nM. The intra-day and inter-day and total repeatability (CV%) of the assay ranged from 2.2% to 21.7% for all five peptides. The intra-day and inter-day and total reproducibility of the entire workflow ranged from 12.2% to 43.9% for all five peptides in fractionated high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and IDL. In the future, we will apply this workflow to investigate the association of fractionated plasma lipoproteins with amyloid deposition and cognitive changes in the context of Alzheimer's disease.
A new approach to bifurcations in the Kuramoto model

Abstract The Kuramoto model is a standard model for the dynamics of coupled oscillator networks. In particular, it is used to study long time behavior such as phase-locking where all oscillators rotate at a common frequency with fixed angle differences. It has been observed, and been proved rigorously, that phase-locking occurs if the coupling between oscillators is sufficiently strong i.e. is larger than a certain threshold value called the critical coupling. However, if the coupling is below the critical coupling, then many interesting dynamics can occur. In this paper, we study bifurcations in the Kuramoto model on a ring network using a novel vector flow. We derive criteria for certain bifurcations, including bifurcations involving stable phase-locked solutions, and construct concrete examples of arbitrary size. We also note that our examples can be used to demonstrate bistability in the Kuramoto model in some cases.
N-Acetyl-l-leucine improves functional recovery and attenuates cortical cell death and neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury in mice

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and long-term disability around the world. Even mild to moderate TBI can lead to lifelong neurological impairment due to acute and progressive neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation induced by the injury. Thus, the discovery of novel treatments which can be used as early therapeutic interventions following TBI is essential to restrict neuronal cell death and neuroinflammation. We demonstrate that orally administered N-acetyl-l-leucine (NALL) significantly improved motor and cognitive outcomes in the injured mice, led to the attenuation of cell death, and reduced the expression of neuroinflammatory markers after controlled cortical impact (CCI) induced experimental TBI in mice. Our data indicate that partial restoration of autophagy flux mediated by NALL may account for the positive effect of treatment in the injured mouse brain. Taken together, our study indicates that treatment with NALL would be expected to improve neurological function after injury by restricting cortical cell death and neuroinflammation. Therefore, NALL is a promising novel, neuroprotective drug candidate for the treatment of TBI.
A mapping algorithm for International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes for congenital heart surgery benchmark procedures.

Abstract Background Administrative billing data are critical to many initiatives in congenital heart surgery. Mapping algorithms for International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision diagnosis and procedure codes to clinical registry procedure definitions will allow identification of surgical cases and account for patient and procedural factors within administrative data. Our objectives were to develop mapping logic to crosswalk International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision procedure codes to 10 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database benchmark and beta-test the algorithm. Methods Patients undergoing Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database benchmark procedures from 2015 to 2019 were identified and served as the gold standard. Cases were linked on direct identifiers to cases from the Pediatric Health Information System Database. Two independent teams developed International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision–based algorithms for cases capture. Algorithms were compared and iteratively refined to optimize sensitivity and specificity. Operative mortalities for cases identified in the administrative versus registry data were compared. Results Overall sensitivity was 91% and specificity was 99% for capture of benchmark operations using International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes. Sensitivity was more than 90% in identifying 6 of the 10 individual benchmark procedures and more than 98% sensitive in identifying Fontan, Glenn, and arterial switch with ventricular septal defect procedures. Specificity was more than 98% for all benchmark operations. There were no statistical differences in operative mortality between cases identified in the administrative versus the registry data. Conclusions Novel mapping algorithm for International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision procedure codes enables identification of congenital heart benchmark procedures within administrative billing data. This crosswalk facilitates population-based congenital heart surgical research and quality assessment.
Quality Consistency: A Predictor of Generics Pruchase?

This study empirically investigates the relationship between quality consistency of national, private, and generic branded products with how much is spent on generic food products. Additionally, demographics are used to characterize the difference between non, light and heavy users of generic food products. Nine products were measured in terms of quality consistency. The major finding of this study was that the heavy and light user groups perceived greater quality consistency in private and generic brands than the non purchasers of generic food products.
Glycosidases in the Nervous System III. SEPARATION, PURIFICATION, AND SUBSTRATE SPECIFICITIES OF β-GALACTOSIDASES AND β-GLUCURONIDASE FROM BRAIN

Abstract The solubilization and partial purification of β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase from rabbit brain, using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-galactopyranoside and 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-d-glucuronide as substrates, were achieved through preparation of an acetone powder, extraction of the powder with buffer, fractionation with ammonium sulfate, ion-exchange chromatography, and Sephadex gel filtration. It is shown that there are two different β-galactosidases and two different β-glucuronidases in rabbit brain active toward the mentioned substrates. The major β-galactosidase was purified approximately 500-fold over the homogenate and the β-glucuronidase approximately 3,000-fold. The purified enzymes were free of β-glucosidase activity. The most highly purified preparations of the two β-galactosidases also hydrolyzed o- and p-nitrophenyl-β-d-galactoside, and lactose but did not catalyze the hydrolysis of galactosylgalactosylglucosyl-ceramide and galactosylglucosyl-ceramide. The estimated molecular weights of the two galactosidases were 81,000 and 103,000, and of the β-glucuronidase, 266,000. A micromethod for the measurement of β-galactosidase activity when using complex glycosphingolipid substrates is described.
On the experimental determination of diamagnetism by its electrical inductive action

(1875). On the experimental determination of diamagnetism by its electrical inductive action. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 49, No. 324, pp. 246-248.
Analogs of host-specific phytotoxin produced by Helminthosporium maydis, race T: II. Biological activities

Abstract Inhibition of dark CO2 fixation by susceptible corn leaves was used to compare the relative toxicity of synthetic analogs with that of the host-specific phytotoxin produced by the fungal corn pathogen, Helminthosporium maydis, race T. Analogs with C15, C25, or C26 chain lengths and 1,5-dioxo-3-hydroxy functions were only slightly less toxic (2–6 × 10−7 M) than native T toxin (C35–C45 chain lengths) or its individual components (3 × 10−8 M). Like native toxin, analogs were host-specific in that they did not inhibit dark CO2 fixation in leaf tissue of resistant corn at concentrations 102–103 times greater than those effective with susceptible corn. These findings support the structures previously proposed for native T toxin.
A comparative study of nonlinear filtering techniques

In a recent work it is shown that importance sampling can be avoided in the particle filter through an innovation structure inspired by traditional nonlinear filtering combined with optimal control formalisms. The resulting algorithm is referred to as feedback particle filter. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comparative study of the feedback particle filter (FPF). Two types of comparisons are discussed: i) with the extended Kalman filter, and ii) with the conventional resampling-based particle filters. The comparison with Kalman filter is used to highlight the feedback structure of the FPF. Also computational cost estimates are discussed, in terms of number of operations relative to EKF. Comparison with the conventional particle filtering approaches is based on a numerical example taken from the survey article on the topic of nonlinear filtering [2]. Comparisons are provided for both computational cost and accuracy. A secondary purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the FPF algorithm, that can aid practitioners to rapidly implement the algorithm. A detailed algorithm (pseudo-code) is included, and compared against an EKF algorithm. Such comparisons also help highlight the feedback structure of the FPF algorithm.extended Kalman filter,
Search for Nemesis Encounters with Vega, epsilon Eridani, and Fomalhaut

We calculate the space motions of 21,497 stars to search for close stellar encounters with Vega, epsilon Eridani and Fomalhaut during the past 1 Myr. We discover that epsilon Eridani experienced three <2 pc encounters over the past 100,000 yr. Within the uncertainties, epsilon Eridani is having a close encounter with Kapteyn's star near the present epoch, with a 42.2 percent probability that the closest approach distance is <1 pc. Vega and Fomalhaut experienced four and six <2 pc encounters, respectively, over the past 1 Myr. Each had one encounter with a roughly 2 percent probability that the closest approach distance is less than 0.5 pc. These encounters will not directly influence the debris disks observed around Vega, epsilon Eridani and Fomalhaut, but they may pass through hypothetical Oort clouds surrounding these stars. We find that two other Vega-like stars, HD 17848 and HD 20010, experienced rare, <0.1 pc stellar encounters that are more likely to directly perturb their circumstellar disks.
The crystallography of hydride formation in zirconium: I. The δ → γ transformation

The phenomenological crystallographic theory of martensitic transformations has been applied to the transformation from δ (fcc) to e (fct) zirconium hydride, using published lattice parameters. The habit plane, orientation relationship, lattice invariant shear, and interface characteristics were determined by transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. The shape strain was observed by interference microscopy. Good agreement between the predictions of the theory and the measured crystallography was obtained. The predicted and observed lattice invariant shear was twinning on 101. These twins which are found within alternating bands of hydride variants produce a herringbone morphology, and the bands produce a roof gable type of surface relief. For a given plate, the measured habit plane, twin plane, unique Bain contraction axis, and orientation relationship were mutually consistent with the respective predictions for a single variant. The magnitude of the lattice invariant shear was in excellent agreement with the predicted value. The interfaces separating the e hydride bands were found to be of two types, which alternated, often filling an entire grain. One of these, termed a spear interface, was found to be a twin plane, across which the twinned regions of the two bands “matched-up”. The other, termed an impingement interface, was found to have twin regions which did not “match-up”. This morphology can be explained as a pair of e-hydride plates which share a spear interface. When two growing spears impinge, the resulting impingement interface is of the second type.
Transcriptional regulation of the apolipoprotein B100 gene: purification and characterization of trans-acting factor BRF-2.

Apolipoprotein B100 (apoB), the only protein of low-density lipoprotein, is produced primarily in the liver and serves as a ligand for the low-density lipoprotein receptor. Hepatic cell-specific expression of the human apoB gene is controlled by at least two cis-acting positive elements located between positions-128 and -70 (H. K. Das, T. Leff, and J.L. Breslow, J. Biol. Chem. 263:11452-11458, 1988). The distal element (-128 to -85) appears to be liver specific since it shows positive activity in HepG2 cells and negative activity in HeLa cells. The proximal element (-84 to -70) acts as a positive element in both these cell lines, and two rat liver nuclear proteins, BRF-1 and C/EBP, bind to two overlapping sites (-84 to -60 and -70 to -50, respectively). By gel mobility shift assay, we have identified a rat liver nuclear protein (BRF-2) which binds to the distal element (-128 to -85) of the apoB gene. This putative trans-acting factor has been purified to apparent homogeneity by DEAE-cellulose, heparin-agarose, and DNA-specific affinity chromatography. The purified BRF-2 has an apparent molecular mass of 120 kDa and was found to specifically recognize sequence -128 to -85; BRF-2 also produced a strong hypersensitive site at nucleotide position -95 with copper-orthophenanthroline reagent. A double-stranded oligonucleotide (-128 to -85) containing a 3-nucleotide (TTC) insertion between position -95 and -94 was found to abolish DNA binding by BRF-2. This result suggests that the region surrounding the hypersensitive site -95 is important for protein-DNA interaction. By using apoB promoter fragments containing various internal deletions as templates for gel mobility shift assay, the region between -104 and -85 was identified to be crucial for binding by BRF-2. We propose that BRF-2 may play an important role in the tissue-specific regulation of apoB gene transcription.
An evidential approach to non-inferiority clinical trials.

We present likelihood methods for defining the non-inferiority margin and measuring the strength of evidence in non-inferiority trials using the ‘fixed-margin’ framework. Likelihood methods are used to (1) evaluate and combine the evidence from historical trials to define the non-inferiority margin, (2) assess and report the smallest non-inferiority margin supported by the data, and (3) assess potential violations of the constancy assumption. Data from six aspirin-controlled trials for acute coronary syndrome and data from an active-controlled trial for acute coronary syndrome, Organisation to Assess Strategies for Ischemic Syndromes (OASIS-2) trial, are used for illustration. The likelihood framework offers important theoretical and practical advantages when measuring the strength of evidence in non-inferiority trials. Besides eliminating the influence of sample spaces and prior probabilities on the ‘strength of evidence in the data’, the likelihood approach maintains good frequentist properties. Violations of the constancy assumption can be assessed in the likelihood framework when it is appropriate to assume a unifying regression model for trial data and a constant control effect including a control rate parameter and a placebo rate parameter across historical placebo controlled trials and the non-inferiority trial. In situations where the statistical non-inferiority margin is data driven, lower likelihood support interval limits provide plausibly conservative candidate margins. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypospadias and halogenated organic pollutant levels in maternal mid-pregnancy serum samples.

Background Environmental contaminants that disrupt endocrine function may contribute to hypospadias etiology.
Temperature Rise of Stationary Electrical Apparatus as Influenced by Radiation, Convection and Altitude

Part I of the paper takes up first the division of losses by radiation and convection from tall vertical planes. It is shown that the loss by convection from tall planes can be expressed by the formula W c = 0.0014 A ?5/4 in which W c is the watts, A the square inches of surface and?the temperature rise in degrees centigrade. It is then shown that the division of losses from a black plane is, for temperature rises up to 100 deg. cent., approximately 45 per cent convection and 55 per cent radiation. Based upon this division, a simple formula is given for determining the ratio of losses for an irregular surface where the greater part of the loss is by convection. The effect of various colors on the temperature rise of transformerse having both plain and corrugated tanks is discussed. In Part II it is shown that altitude does not affect radiation. The general average of the results obtained by various investigators shows that convection varies as the square root of the air density. Based on this, it is shown that for a constant loss by convection the temperature rise increases about 4.6 per cent for each 1000 meters increase in altitude. For transformers where a part of the loss is by radiation (unaffected by air density) the effect is reduced by the ratio of the convection loss to the total loss.
Evaluation of the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia

Abstract Background Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of death in the United States. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) encompasses > 50% of all S aureus strains in infected hospitalized patients and increases mortality, length of stay and healthcare costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the treatment of MRSA bacteremia with daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin. Methods Patients with MRSA bacteremia between June 2008 and November 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. A microbiology laboratory report identified patients with ≥ 1 positive MRSA blood culture. Patients ≥ 18 years receiving daptomycin, linezolid or vancomycin for ≥ 7 consecutive days were included. Polymicrobial blood cultures and patients treated concomitantly with > 1 anti-MRSA agent were excluded. Results Of 122 patients included, 53 received daptomycin, 15 received linezolid and 54 received vancomycin. Clinical and microbiologic cure rates were similar between daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin (58.5% versus 60% versus 61.1%; 93.6% versus 100% versus 90%, respectively). Thirteen patients (daptomycin 4/24 versus linezolid 1/9 versus vancomycin 8/49, P = 0.5960) had recurrence while 12 patients had re-infection (daptomycin 5/42 versus linezolid 0/9 versus vancomycin 7/49, P = 0.4755). Treatment failure occurred in 11 patients treated with daptomycin, 4 with linezolid and 9 with vancomycin ( P = 0.662). Compared with daptomycin and vancomycin, linezolid-treated patients had higher mortality ( P = 0.0186). Conclusions No difference in clinical or microbiologic cure rates was observed between groups. Daptomycin and vancomycin appear equally efficacious for MRSA bacteremia, whereas linezolid therapy was associated with higher mortality.
The role of apoptosis in wound healing

Wound healing involves a series of rapid increases in specific cell populations that prepare the wound for repair, deposit new matrices and finally, mature the wound. Upon completing their tasks, these specific cell types must be eliminated from the wound prior to the progression to the next phase of healing. The most logical method of cellular down-regulation is through apoptosis. Apoptosis allows for the eliminations of entire populations without tissue damage or an inflammatory response. This review discusses which cells dominate the various phases of tissue repair and how the cellular pattern may vary after differing types of injury. The potential mechanisms involved in the down-regulation of inflammation and fibrosis are also covered. The studies that support the hypothesis that apoptosis is involved in the regulation of wound healing are discussed. The evidence supporting potential cell signals involved in the induction of apoptosis in tissue repair are examined. Finally, the review ends with a presentation of how dysregulation of apoptosis can lead to pathologic forms of healing such as excessive scarring and fibrosis. By understanding the mechanisms controlling apoptosis and tissue repair, one may eventually develop therapeutic modalities to minimize scarring, a final pathway for many disease processes.
PRELIMINARY READING LITERACY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK: FOUNDATION AND RATIONALE FOR ASSESSMENT AND SYSTEM DESIGN

This report describes the foundation and rationale for a framework designed to measure reading literacy. The aim of the effort is to build an assessment system that reflects current theoretical conceptions of reading and is developmentally sensitive across a prekindergarten to 12th grade student range. The assessment framework is intended to document the aims of the assessment program, define the target constructs to be assessed, and describe the assessment designs that are aligned with the aims and constructs. This framework report is preliminary in that we are engaged in an iterative process of writing and revising the framework, based on what we learn from efforts to instantiate the ideas in new assessment designs and the results we garner from piloting novel designs. We also anticipate drafting further sections to address issues such as the scoring models and analytic plans once assessments have been designed and piloted.
Dkk1 in the Peri-Cloaca Mesenchyme Regulates Formation of Anorectal and Genitourinary Tracts

Anorectal malformation (ARM) is a common birth defect but the developmental history and the underlying molecular mechanism are poorly understood. Using murine genetic models, we report here that a signaling molecule Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1) is a critical regulator. The anorectal and genitourinary tracts are major derivatives of caudal hindgut, or the cloaca.Dkk1 is highly expressed in the dorsal peri-cloacal mesenchymal (dPCM) progenitors. We show that the deletion of Dkk1 causes the imperforate anus with rectourinary fistula. Mutant genital tubercles exhibit a preputial hypospadias phenotype and premature urethral canalization.Dkk1 mutants have an ectopic expansion of the dPCM tissue, which correlates with an aberrant increase of cell proliferation and survival. This ectopic tissue is detectable before the earliest sign of the anus formation, suggesting that it is most likely the primary or early cause of the defect. Deletion of Dkk1 results in an elevation of the Wnt/s-catenin activity. Signaling molecules Shh, Fgf8 and Bmp4 are also upregulated. Furthermore, genetic hyperactivation of Wnt/s-catenin signal pathway in the cloacal mesenchyme partially recapitulates Dkk1 mutant phenotypes. Together, these findings underscore the importance ofDKK1 in regulating behavior of dPCM progenitors, and suggest that formation of anus and urethral depends on Dkk1-mediated dynamic inhibition of the canonical Wnt/s-catenin signal pathway.
Substrates for the assay of α-l-iduronidase

Abstract Procedures are described for the preparation of two disaccharides, 4-O -α -L-iduronosyl-2, 5-anhydro[3H]mannitol and 3-O-α- l -iduronosyl -2,5-- anhydro [ 3 H]-talitol , from heparin and dermatan sulfate, respectively. These disaccharides lend themselves to an easy assay of α-L-iduronidase which is based on the fractionation of the liberated neutral anhydro[3H]mannitol or anhydro[3H]talitol from the unreacted substrate by adsorption of the latter to Dowex 1. Investigation of the reaction conditions showed that the α-L-iduronidase activity (enzyme from human fibroblasts and Helix pomatia) was optimal at pH 3.6 in acetate buffer containing 0.01 M NaCl with iduronosyl-2,5-anhydro[3H]mannitol as substrate. For iduronosyl-2,5-anhydro[3H]talitol the pH optimum was 4.0 with the H. pomatia enzyme. The Km for iduronosyl-2,5-anhydro[3H]mannitol was 0.23 mM with human fibroblasts and 0.04 mM with Helix enzyme; a KM value of 0.02 mM was determined for iduronosyl-2,5-anhydro[3H]talitol with the Helix α- l -iduronidase.
Urban heat island effect on energy application studies of office buildings

Abstract Because of the urban heat island (UHI) effect a metropolitan area is typically warmer than its surrounding rural area. This has led to a growing concern that the use of standard (mostly rural) weather data leads to inadequate decision-making with regard to the energy efficiency of buildings in metropolitan areas. This paper conducts a series of computational studies that explore the UHI effect on two routine applications of building energy simulation: (1) predicting the magnitude of energy use and (2) predicting energy savings. We present the results based on case studies of office buildings in 15 representative cities across different climate zones in the U.S. The results show that the UHI considerably modifies the urban climate measured by cooling and heating degree days. As a consequence, ignorance of the UHI effect remarkably underestimates building total energy use in hot climate zones where cooling energy use is dominant, yet causes overestimation in cold climate zones where heating energy use is prevalent. In mild climate zones, the UHI effect only has a moderate effect because the effects on cooling and heating mostly average out. When building simulation is used to assess energy savings that is measured as the ratio to the corresponding baseline such as in a comparative analysis of retrofit measures, the UHI effect is less of a factor.
Are Oral Contraceptives a Significant Contributor to the Estrogenicity of Drinking Water

Recent observed feminization of aquatic animals has raised concerns about estrogenic compounds in water supplies and the potential for these chemicals to reach drinking water. Public perception frequently attributes this feminization to oral contraceptives (OCs) in wastewater and raises concerns that exposure to OCs in drinking water may contribute to the recent rise in human reproductive problems. This paper reviews the literature regarding various sources of estrogens, in surface, source and drinking water, with an emphasis on the active molecule that comes from OCs. It includes discussion of the various agricultural, industrial, and municipal sources and outlines the contributions of estrogenic chemicals to the estrogenicity of waterways and estimates that the risk of exposure to synthetic estrogens in drinking water on human health is negligible. This paper also provides recommendations for strategies to better understand all the potential sources of estrogenic compounds in the environment and possibilities to reduce the levels of estrogenic chemicals in the water supply.
CREB Is Activated by Muscle Injury and Promotes Muscle Regeneration

The cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) plays key roles in differentiation of embryonic skeletal muscle progenitors and survival of adult skeletal muscle. However, little is known about the physiologic signals that activate CREB in normal muscle. Here we show that CREB phosphorylation and target genes are induced after acute muscle injury and during regeneration due to genetic mutation. Activated CREB localizes to both myogenic precursor cells and newly regenerating myofibers within regenerating areas. Moreover, we found that signals from damaged skeletal muscle tissue induce CREB phosphorylation and target gene expression in primary mouse myoblasts. An activated CREB mutant (CREBY134F) potentiates myoblast proliferation as well as expression of early myogenic transcription factors in cultured primary myocytes. Consistently, activated CREB-YF promotes myoblast proliferation after acute muscle injury in vivo and enhances muscle regeneration in dystrophic mdx mice. Our findings reveal a new physiologic function for CREB in contributing to skeletal muscle regeneration.
Conditions that give rise to unusually large long period ground motions

Several ground motion conditions that are of little concern for conventional structures can be quite important for structures having natural periods longer than 1 s. Firstly, a large long-period pulse of motion, due to the effect of rupture propagation (directivity), is observed in the direction normal to the fault at strong motion stations located close to the fault. The fault-normal motions are about twice as large as the fault-parallel motions for periods longer than about 1 s. The importance of this effect, especially in strike-slip earthquakes, has probably been underestimated in existing ground motion attenuation relations because until very recently most of the near-fault strong motion data from large earthquakes have come from thrust earthquakes, for which directivity effects are usually less pronounced. Near-fault recordings of the 1971 San Fernando, 1979 Imperial Valley, 1989 Loma Prieta, and 1992 Landers, California, earthquakes show large directivity effects. We describe the systematic characteristics of the directivity effect derived from empirical analysis of recorded data and from synthetic seismogram modeling of these data. Secondly, the trapping and amplification of long period waves by sedimentary basins can generate amplitudes that are significantly larger than those calculated from simple ID models of site resonance. Using a ID model with a plane wave incident from below, it is not possible to trap energy in the near-surface sediment layers. However, for 2D and 3D basin models, waves become trapped as they enter the thickening edge of a basin, and partially escape as they reach the thinning edge of the basin. We show evidence from both recorded data and synthetic seismogram modeling of the San Fernando and Loma Prieta earthquakes that the surface waves are confined to the basin and are not recorded at rock sites adjacent to the basin. This implies that the long period ground motion response at sites within these basins is not adequately represented by the conventional approach of vertically propagating an adjacent rock recording through a ID soil column.
Total Dose Hardness of Microwave GaAs Field Effect Transistors

GaAs MESFET devices are becoming increasingly desirable for satellite communication systems and other microwave applications because of their performance and high reliability. Low power, low noise MESFETs are used in satellites such as INTELSAT V. Medium to high-power GaAs MESFET amplifiers have been developed for the next generation satellites. A variety of radiation tests have been run, primarily on GaAs optoelectronic devices such as LED over the past 15 years. Neutron displacement damage and transient dose rate effects have dominated the research while total dose testing has been minimal. In this paper, the total dose test results of five types of GaAs MESFET devices are presented. These MESFETs range from high-power (2.5 watt) to very low-power, low-noise (0.01 watt, 0.5 ?m gate length) devices, from four manufacturers. A total of 22 amplifiers/devices were exposed to cobalt -60 ? radiation source under biased and unbiased conditions. All devices were irradiated up to 2 × 108 rad (GaAs). The damage was minimal and all devices were functionally operable after irradiation.
Vision egg: an open-source library for realtime visual stimulus generation.

Modern computer hardware makes it possible to produce visual stimuli in ways not previously possible. Arbitrary scenes, from traditional sinusoidal gratings to naturalistic 3D scenes can now be specified on a frame-by-frame basis in realtime. I have developed a programming library called the Vision Egg that aims to make it easy to take advantage of these innovations. The Vision Egg is a free, open-source library making use of OpenGL and written in the high-level language Python with extensions in C. Careful attention has been paid to the issues of luminance and temporal calibration, and several interfacing techniques to input devices such as mice, movement tracking systems, and digital triggers are discussed. Together, these make the Vision Egg suitable for many psychophysical, electrophysiological, and behavioral experiments. This software is available for free download at http://www.visionegg.org/.
The Effect of Zinc and Copper on the Osmolality of Blood Serum of the Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque, and Golden Shiner, Notemigonus crysoleucas Mitchill

Abstract A new, and possibly primary, effect of heavy metals on fishes is described. It is demonstrated that heavy metals so affect fishes as to cause a drop in the salt concentration in the blood serum. This change in the ionic content of the blood can cause the fish to become weakened, and pronounced change can be fatal. Salt changes in the blood were monitored by osmometry. The effects of both zinc and copper were evaluated.
Plasma Kallikrein Promotes Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transactivation and Signaling in Vascular Smooth Muscle through Direct Activation of Protease-activated Receptors

The kallikrein-kinin system, along with the interlocking renin-angiotensin system, is a key regulator of vascular contractility and injury response. The principal effectors of the kallikrein-kinin system are plasma and tissue kallikreins, proteases that cleave high molecular weight kininogen to produce bradykinin. Most of the cellular actions of kallikrein (KK) are thought to be mediated by bradykinin, which acts via G protein-coupled B1 and B2 bradykinin receptors on VSMCs and endothelial cells. Here, we find that primary aortic vascular smooth muscle but not endothelial cells possess the ability to activate plasma prekallikrein. Surprisingly, exposing VSMCs to prekallikrein leads to activation of the ERK1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade via a mechanism that requires kallikrein activity but does not involve bradykinin receptors. In transfected HEK293 cells, we find that plasma kallikrein directly activates G protein-coupled protease-activated receptors (PARs) 1 and 2, which possess consensus kallikrein cleavage sites, but not PAR4. In vascular smooth muscles, KK stimulates ADAM (a disintegrin and metalloprotease) 17 activity via a PAR1/2 receptor-dependent mechanism, leading sequentially to release of the endogenous ADAM17 substrates, amphiregulin and tumor necrosis factor-α, metalloprotease-dependent transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptors, and metalloprotease and epidermal growth factor receptor-dependent ERK1/2 activation. These results suggest a novel mechanism of bradykinin-independent kallikrein action that may contribute to the regulation of vascular responses in pathophysiologic states, such as diabetes mellitus.
Relationship between salivary flow rates and Candida albicans counts.

Seventy-one persons (48 women, 23 men; mean age, 51.76 years) were evaluated for salivary flow rates and Candida albicans counts. Each person was seen on three different occasions. Samples of unstimulated whole, chewing-stimulated whole, acid-stimulated parotid, and candy-stimulated parotid saliva were collected under standardized conditions. An oral rinse was also obtained and evaluated for Candida albicans counts. Unstimulated and chewing-stimulated whole flow rates were negatively and significantly (p or = 500 count. Differences in stimulated parotid flow rates were not significant among different levels of Candida counts. The results of this study reveal that whole saliva is a better predictor than parotid saliva in identification of persons with high Candida albicans counts.
Effects of a phospholipid cosurfactant on external coalescence in water-in-oil-in-water double-emulsion globules

Abstract The activated form of N -glutaryl-phosphatidylethanolamine ( a NGPE) has been incorporated into water-in-oil-in-water (W 1 /O/W 2 ) double-emulsion globules. Preparation of individual globules within a cylindrical capillary and video microscopy of their behavior enabled determination of the rate of coalescence of internal aqueous droplets (W 1 ) with the external aqueous phase (W 2 ), termed external coalescence. The presence of Tween 80 in the external phase at concentrations of 0.01 and 0.012 M effected such coalescence. The concentration of Span 80 in the oil phase exceeded that of a NGPE considerably, with the ratio of Span 80 to a NGPE molecules ranging from 60 to 1363. Despite the low relative concentration of a NGPE, external coalescence of the internal droplets was prolonged in globules containing this cosurfactant as compared to globules containing only Span 80. Increasing the amount of phospholipid in the oil phase did not significantly affect the rate of release, indicating that within our range of concentrations (22.0–91.3 μM) there was little variation in the amount of phospholipid adsorbing at the interface. These results indicate that, in addition to its suitable protein-binding functionality, a NGPE can prolong the release of internal droplets in a W 1 /O/W 2 globule; its use as a cosurfactant shows potential benefits for drug-delivery applications.
Clinical appraisal of cleft palate rehabilitation problems

The Northwestern University Cleft Lip and Palate Institute has adopted a modification of the classification system of Veau, the new system listing four major types of clefts plus a subgroup of unusual types. Rehabilitation of the patient with a cleft involves the correction of problems relating to speech defects, deformities in appearance, feeding, chronic otological conditions and upper respiratory infections. The solution usually requires the cooperation of all members of the cleft palate team, including the family dentist.
In Situ Photo-Cross-Linking of Cinnamate Functionalized Poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) Fibers during Electrospinning

A novel methodology for in situ cross-linking of polymeric fibers during electrospinning is described. The electrospinning apparatus was modified to facilitate UV irradiation of the electrospun fibers while in flight to the collector target. Three polymers with different mol % of the photoreactive cinnamate functional group (4, 9, and 13 mol %) were synthesized and utilized for this study. Fibers of cinnamate functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) were cross-linked in situ by UV irradiation during electrospinning. Subsequent FTIR measurements on irradiated and nonirradiated electrospun fibers indicated both [2π + 2π] cycloaddition of the vinylene CC and trans−cis photoisomerization of the cinnamate group. Furthermore, the irradiated copolymers were observed to form insoluble gels which indicated that the photodimerization was the primary photoprocess during UV irradiation, leading to the formation of a cross-linked network. As expected, it was found that the gel fraction incre...
Affinity of SSB/La nuclear antigen to small nuclear ribonucleic acids.

Abstract Anti- SSB La antibody is one kind of antinuclear antibody and is found predominantly in patients with Sjogren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus. SSB La antigen is present in the nucleus as ribonucleoprotein in particle form and is composed of peptide and RNAs. SSB La antigen can be partially purified through several sequential procedures including salt fractionation and ion exchange chromatography. SSB La antigen is capable of binding to 4 RNAs from uninfected KB cells and 6 RNAs from Epstein-Barr virus transformed WiL2 cells. These RNAs can bind to SSB La peptide in vitro and form ribonucleoprotein complexes which could be reprecipitated by anti- SSB La antibody. SSB La associated RNAs are labile and subjected to degradation easily. Anti- SSB La antibody may be a useful probe to investigate the potential role of Epstein-Barr virus involvement in cutaneous pathology.
Muscarinic receptor modulation of glucose‐induced electrical activity in mouse pancreatic B‐cells

Acetylcholine (1–10 μM) depolarized the membrane and stimulated glucose-induced bursts of electrical activity in mouse pancreatic B-cells. The acetylcholine effects were mimicked by muscarine while nicotine had no effect on membrane potential. Pirenzepine, an antagonist of the classical M1-type muscarinic receptors, but not gallamine (1–100 μM), an antagonist of the classical M2-type receptors, antagonized the acetylcholine action on glucose-induced electrical activity (IC50 = 0.25 μM). Bethanechol, an agonist of the classical M2-type muscarinic receptors, was approximately 100 times less effective than acetylcholine in stimulating the electrical activity. In addition, acetylcholine (1 μM) induced a marked increase (25%) in input resistance to the B-cell membrane. The results indicate that acetylcholine exerted its effects on the B-cell membrane by inhibiting K+ conductance via activation of a muscarinic receptor subtype distinct from the classical M2-type receptor.
Electromyographic Analysis of Oral Habituation in Rat Pups

Rat pups show decreases in mouthing activity in response to a series of repeated oral infusions of a diet. This decrease in mouthing activity has been termed "oral habituation" and these changes have been readily recorded with simple behavioral observations. Oral habituation appears to be a component of satiety in young rats. In the present study, to more specifically characterize changes in motor response topography during habituation in muscle groups used for mastication, mouthing activity was recorded by implanting fine wire electromyographic electrodes in the superficial masseter, anterior digastric, sternohyoideus, and genioglossus muscles of 12-day-old rat pups. During testing, pups received a series of brief oral infusions of a 10% sucrose diet delivered through an oral cannula. The results demonstrated that mouthing activity as observed and scored behaviorally was highly correlated with mouthing behavior recorded by EMG, with oral habituation distinctly emerging in both measures. In addition, the pattern of motor activity in the four masticatory muscles changed during the course of oral habituation. Within the minute following a single infusion, the cycle frequency, duration of activity, and relative onset time of activity in the four muscles changed. In addition, across the course of habituation, both cycle frequency and relative onset times of muscle activity changed. These results demonstrate the general reliability of behavioral observations of masticatory motor activity in young rats and provide further information on how the pattern of activity of muscles involved in the mouthing motor pattern is altered during the course of oral habituation.
HALF-LIFE OF SAMARIUM-147

A liquid scintillation counting technique is applied to the determination of the half life of Sm/sup 147/ by specific alpha activity measurement. A value of (1.05 plus or minus 0.02) x lO/sup 11/ years is obtained. (auth)