cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response of mercury in an Adirondack (NY, USA) forest stream to watershed lime application.

Surface waters in Europe and North America previously impacted by acid deposition are recovering in conjunction with declining precursor emissions since the 1980s. Lime has been applied to some impacted watersheds to accelerate recovery. The response to liming can be considered a proxy for future recovery from acid deposition. Increases in dissolved organic carbon concentrations have been observed in surface waters in response to increased pH associated with recovery from acid deposition. Although not previously described, recovery-related increases in dissolved organic carbon could drive increases in mercury concentrations and loads because of the affinity of mercury for dissolved organic matter. We used a before–after impact-response approach to describe the response of stream mercury cycling to the application of lime to the watershed of a small stream in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, USA. Dissolved organic carbon, total mercury and methylmercury concentrations increased significantly in streamwater within two weeks of treatment, to previously unobserved concentrations. After six months, post-treatment before–after impact-control (BACI) tests indicate that mean dissolved organic carbon concentrations and total mercury to dissolved organic carbon ratios remained significantly higher and limed site fluxes of methylmercury were lower than those at the reference stream. This pattern suggests total mercury is leaching at elevated levels from the limed watershed, but limitations in production and transport to the stream channel likely resulted in increases in methylmercury concentration that were of limited duration.
Bi-directional channel modeling for implantable UHF–RFID transceivers in brain–computer interface applications

Abstract Bi-directional Brain–Computer Interfacing (BBCI) faces major challenges due to, in part, the difficulty of transmission of Electro-corticographical (ECoG) signals from the brain to external devices. For human subjects, safety and convenience would be greatly increased if we could replace the wired interface between the electrodes and the extra-cutaneous receiver with a wireless interface. All the technology that we have today using wires to connect the transmitter which setting on top of the electrodes with a reader located on the scalp which can create brain infection due to scar tissue and that might lead to serious brain injury. We have eliminated this risk by using passive transmitter setting on the electrode and transmit wirelessly to a reader sitting on the scalp using a back-scatter technique which shows a great potential in BCI Applications. This paper investigates the feasibility of passive Ultra High Frequency Radio Frequency Identification (UHF–RFID) for wireless communication between multiple transmitters inside the brain that collect vital data continuously and transmit them to an external controller located on the scalp outside the brain in order to design wireless communication channel inside the human brain considering network lifetime and minimize power consumption. Also, we emphasize the effect of increasing number of transmitters to maximize the throughput. Extensive literature survey shows that there is exists no model has been made for invasive BBCI applications based on UHF passive RFID. Results are presented with calculated Received Signal Strength (RSSI), Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Channel Capacity, Maximum number of the electrode, and Path Loss. These analyses are essential for building a brain–computer interface application. We showcase theoretical and experimental results based on a phantom model of the human brain using passive RFID as the implantable transmitter operating in UHF range. Based on these values we have concluded that UHF–RFID is a viable technology with multiple transmitters to a depth of 4 cm.
Therapeutic Angiogenesis in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Angiogenesis, the growth and proliferation of blood vessels from existing vascular structures, is a tightly regulated process in adult tissues. Abnormalities in angiogenesis are associated with a number of pathological states. Strategies designed to promote angiogenesis to treat disorders of inadequate tissue perfusion, such as occurs in peripheral arterial disease, have led to the area of therapeutic angiogenesis. Angiogenic growth factors of varying types and preparations are being investigated to promote therapeutic angiogenesis and reduce the sequelae of atherosclerotic disease. In addition to promoting blood vessel growth, these angiogenic growth factors have the potential to influence important biological processes such as the response to injury and cell survival. This chapter reviews the use of angiogenic growth factors for therapeutic angiogenesis in peripheral arterial disease.
Central control of arterial pressure by drugs.

During the last decade various antihypertensive drugs were found to lower arterial pressure by activating central noradrenergic neurons with an inhibitory action on the sympathetic nervous system and/or by mimicking the action of norepinephrine at the central adrenoceptors. The presently available data suggest that neurons other than noradrenergic are also involved in the central control of cardiovascular functions. Neurotransmitters, other than norepinephrine, e.g. serotonin, GABA, enkephalins and dopamine may modulate the central control of arterial pressure. Some of the synthetic drugs can conceivably lower arterial pressure by modifying the synthesis, metabolism or activity of these neurotransmitters. This review deals with the central mechanisms of blood pressure control and with the centrally acting antihypertensive drugs.
Management — Art or Science

As stated in Part I the basic ideas of scientific management have thoroughly penetrated the sciences in Great Britain, Germany, and, of course, the United States.
B. F. Skinner

B. F. Skinner promovierte 1931 in Psychologie an der Harvard University. Danach verbrachte er funf Jahre in der Grundlagenforschung, davon drei Jahre als Stipendiat der „Harvard Society of Fellows“. Dann begann seine hochst produktive Karriere in Lehre und Forschung, deren Stationen die University of Minnesota und die Indiana University waren. Seit seiner Ruckkehr nach Harvard ist er „Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology“. Professor Skinner wird als einer der einflusreichsten zeitgenossischen Psychologen angesehen Zu seinen wichtigsten und einflusreichsten Arbeiten zahlt unter anderem die Entwicklung des programmierten Lernens und seine prazise Technik, die er „operantes Kon-ditionieren“nannte. Sein Roman „Waiden II“machte seine Ideen auch einem breiteren Publikum bekannt. Er wurde mit der „Distinguished Scientific Award“der American Psychological Association und der „President’s Medal of Science“ausgezeichnet.
The Impact of Cloud Representation on the Sub-Seasonal Forecasts of Atmospheric Teleconnections and Preferred Circulation Regimes in the Northern Hemisphere

The impact of cloud representation on the simulation of mid-latitude recurrent large-scale flows and forecast skill of mid-latitude atmospheric teleconnections is evaluated using the Community Clim...
High-throughput screening method for evaluating spatial repellency and vapour toxicity to mosquitoes.

Spatial repellents are an essential tool for personal protection against mosquitoes that bite and transmit disease pathogens to humans. Current repellent screening methods, such as olfactometers and alternative choice tests, are complex systems that require a relatively large quantity of compound (mg). The present study validates a high-throughput spatial repellent screening method using a glass tube that has the ends covered with netting, in addition to treated filters and plastic end caps. The apparatus occupies relatively little space, is easy to decontaminate, and requires small amounts of compound (μg). In a horizontal tube orientation, DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide), citronella oil and IR3535 had 1 h half repellent concentration (EC50 ) values of 32, 32 and 298 μg/cm2 , respectively, against the Orlando strain of Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae). Vertical tube orientation increased EC50 values by approximately two-fold, except IR3535, which remained essentially unchanged. Transfluthrin showed concentration-dependent spatial repellency (1 h EC50 = 0.5 μg/cm2 ) without any knockdown, although only in vertical tubes. Transfluthrin showed 50% knockdown in 1 h at 0.5 μg/cm2 and 50% mortality at 0.15 μg/cm2 in horizontal tubes. In conclusion, this high-throughput screening method is useful for assessing vapour toxicity and the spatial repellency of candidate molecules prior to semi-field and field studies.
European Approaches to the Treatment of Behavior Disordered Children.

In Western Europe a variety of approaches have evolved in the therapeutic education of behavior disordered children and youth. Some of the remediation models are intrinsically European; others have...
Phosphorescent and TADF polymers and dendrimers in solution-processed self-host organic light-emitting diodes: structure analysis and design perspectives

Small-molecule emitters that are phosphorescent or exhibit thermally activated delayed fluorescence have permitted, when doped into an appropriate host, the fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes with internal quantum efficiencies approaching 100% and external quantum efficiencies above 25%. However, by omission of the host materials, device fabrication can potentially be simplified. Host-free devices, which utilize a neat thin film of the emitter as the emissive layer, often suffer from issues arising from aggregation, such as luminescence quenching and spectral shift, and in many cases show poor roll-off in efficiency with luminance. Self-host materials – polymers or dendrimers that contain both emitter-like and host-like structural attributes – are one approach to host-free devices. Despite the development of a large number of such materials, only a few have shown external quantum efficiencies in self-host devices that approach those of traditional host:guest emissive layers (ca. 20%). In this review, we attempt to critically analyze the structures of representative examples of materials developed to date in an attempt to correlate their physical properties to electroluminescent properties. It is hoped that our survey will help to identify the design problems, as well as providing directions towards development of new polymers/dendrimers that perform as better self-host materials.
Impact of Substance Use Disorder on Midterm Mortality After Valve Surgery for Endocarditis.

Background Fueled by the burgeoning opioid epidemic, valve surgeries for substance use disorder-related infective endocarditis (SUD-IE) are increasing. The impact of substance use disorder on postvalve replacement morbidity needs further investigation. Methods We queried The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database for all valve surgeries for infective endocarditis at Tufts Medical Center (2002-2016) and collected demographic and disease-related data, including timing of mortality subclassified as short-term ( 5 years). Patients with documentation of illicit drug use before the operation were considered to have SUD-IE. Deaths were confirmed through review of medical record and matching with the Massachusetts Vital Statistics Database. We performed univariate and multivariate proportional hazard regressions examining the impact of substance use disorder mortality in people who received a valve replacement. Results In the cohort of 228 patients, 80 (35%) had SUD-IE. Eight-six people (38%) died, and overall mortality was higher in people with SUD-IE compared with non–SUD-IE (48% vs 32%, P = .025). SUD-IE was associated with a higher risk of overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-4.20; P = .002). Although the difference between short-term or extended-term mortality was not significant, SUD-IE was associated with increased frequency of midterm mortality (53% vs 31%, P = .003). Conclusions Our data reflect high rates of postvalve surgery morbidity and mortality in people with SUD-IE at a tertiary care center. The midterm postoperative period is a vulnerable period for people with SUD-IE worthy of further investigation.
Can linguistic boundaries change the effectiveness of silence as a phonetic cue

This study investigated the influence of three kinds of linguistic boundaries—word boundaries, prosodic breaks, and syntactic breaks—on the perception of a silent interval at the boundary site as a cue to the presence of a labial stop consonant. The experimental technique involved cross-splicing of portions of four naturally produced pairs of sentences, as well as presentation of excerpts from these sentences. Although one sentence pair showed a pronounced syntactic boundary effect, the other three (including two that were better controlled for semantic bias) did not, which points to a different, stimulus-specific origin of the effect obtained. Prosodic boundary effects were also generally absent, presumably because the stimuli were constructed such that prosodic variation ceased 78 ms prior to the critical silent interval. Only introduction of a word boundary effected a systematic reduction in stop consonant percepts, although this manipulation was confounded with other contextual factors. On the whole, the data provide little evidence for any direct effects of structural linguistic variables on phonetic segment perception; such effects seem to be restricted to the level of word recognition.
Islamophobia as a fundamental fantasy

In this essay, I start by addressing the question of “has Islamophobia reached a tipping point in the United States”? Then I apply Lacanian social theory, drawing on Slavoj Žižek’s analysis of anti-Semitism through the seven veils of fantasy, to Islamophobia in an effort to conceptualize the complex psychosocial phenomenon as a fundamental fantasy, which ideologically sustains the ‘war on terror’ discourse. Finally, I end with a brief remark on the possibility of Islamophobia as a counter-discourse.
Risk for Serious Infection With Low-Dose Glucocorticoids in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis : A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND Low-dose glucocorticoids are frequently used for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other chronic conditions, but the safety of long-term use remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE To quantify the risk for hospitalized infection with long-term use of low-dose glucocorticoids in patients with RA receiving stable disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Medicare claims data and Optum's deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart database from 2006 to 2015. PATIENTS Adults with RA receiving a stable DMARD regimen for more than 6 months. MEASUREMENTS Associations between glucocorticoid dose (none, ≤5 mg/d, >5 to 10 mg/d, and >10 mg/d) and hospitalized infection were evaluated using inverse probability-weighted analyses, with 1-year cumulative incidence predicted from weighted models. RESULTS 247 297 observations were identified among 172 041 patients in Medicare and 58 279 observations among 44 118 patients in Optum. After 6 months of stable DMARD use, 47.1% of Medicare patients and 39.5% of Optum patients were receiving glucocorticoids. The 1-year cumulative incidence of hospitalized infection in Medicare patients not receiving glucocorticoids was 8.6% versus 11.0% (95% CI, 10.6% to 11.5%) for glucocorticoid dose of 5 mg or less per day, 14.4% (CI, 13.8% to 15.1%) for greater than 5 to 10 mg/d, and 17.7% (CI, 16.5% to 19.1%) for greater than 10 mg/d (all P < 0.001 vs. no glucocorticoids). The 1-year cumulative incidence of hospitalized infection in Optum patients not receiving glucocorticoids was 4.0% versus 5.2% (CI, 4.7% to 5.8%) for glucocorticoid dose of 5 mg or less per day, 8.1% (CI, 7.0% to 9.3%) for greater than 5 to 10 mg/d, and 10.6% (CI, 8.5% to 13.2%) for greater than 10 mg/d (all P < 0.001 vs. no glucocorticoids). LIMITATION Potential for residual confounding and misclassification of glucocorticoid dose. CONCLUSION In patients with RA receiving stable DMARD therapy, glucocorticoids were associated with a dose-dependent increase in the risk for serious infection, with small but significant risks even at doses of 5 mg or less per day. Clinicians should balance the benefits of low-dose glucocorticoids with this potential risk. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Pathomechanisms and Predisposing Factors for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Narrative Review

The pathomechanism of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) is not fully understood and is likely to be multifactorial. The primary cause of DLS likely is age-related degeneration of all of the components of the segments and their surroundings. Subsequently, additional factors, such as anatomical, hormonal, and mechanical stress factors, may drive the spinal segments to DLS. Reported predisposing factors that have shown a consistent association with DLS include older age, female sex, sagittal facet joint orientation, and high pelvic incidence. Future prospective epidemiological studies that include large groups of subjects and use multivariate analyses of the possible predisposing factors are needed.
Academic Challenges and School Service Utilization in Children with Sickle Cell Disease.

Objectives To describe the academic concerns and risk strata of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) as identified through a parent-directed screening tool and to compare the rates of these concerns with actual school service utilization in the clinic population. Study design We completed a retrospective review of patients with SCD referred to the school intervention program during the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years because of a school-related concern raised by parents or noted by the clinical team. All parents completed the Brief School Needs Inventory (BSNI), a validated parent-response tool used to stratify academic risk. Rates of special education services, grade retention, and results from neuropsychologic testing were captured. Clinical history, the use of disease-modifying therapy, and results from laboratory and neuroimaging studies were also obtained. Descriptive statistics were performed to examine demographic information, clinical history, and BSNI results. Results In total, 137 unique patients (age range, 14 months to 19 years) completed the BSNI during the study period, for 181 events. According to BSNI risk-stratification, 45% of patients were deemed low, 36% moderate, and 19% high academic risk. Over one-half of parents were concerned about their ability to advocate for their child's needs. Despite legal qualification for a Section 504 accommodation plan, only 20% had established plans. Academic concerns were common with 31% of children reporting an individualized education program and 20% with grade retention/remediation. Conclusions Concerns for academic challenges remain high among parents of children with SCD; however, school service utilization remains disproportionately low attributable to numerous reasons.
Systematic Review of Sleep Quality Before and After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: Are Improvements Experienced and Maintained?

Background:Poor sleep quality is prevalent among patients with rotator cuff tears (RCTs) and negatively influences the potential for healing and quality of life. However, there is a paucity of lite...
Is The ‘Act of God’ Dead?

In more than twenty years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before joining the legal academy, I saw many communities affected by fires, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. However, I never saw a case where the act of God defense prevailed against environmental liability. Confirming this personal experience, I later learned that the number of reported cases where the act of God defense had prevailed against environmental liability, under all statutes and all federal circuits, was also exactly zero. This raises two obvious questions: (1) why does the act of God defense so often fail? and (2) if the act of God defense has never succeeded in court, does the act of God defense really mean anything today? This essay will attempt to answer both questions. For many good reasons, many legal scholars have suggested that the act of God defense should be effectively retired as it is no longer relevant to our modern world where the hand of Man may be seen behind every “natural” disaster. As submitted by Professor Denis Binder more than twenty years ago, “[t]he time has come to recognize the act of God defense for what it is: anachronistic...” Without rejecting these scholarly criticisms, this essay endeavors to find some life and value remaining within the act of God defense. In particular, the act of God defense, as currently provided within federal environmental law, may provide a viable incentive for industry and other actors to take reasonable precautions in order to save lives, protect the environment, and otherwise avoid or mitigate the impacts of natural disasters.
Fungal–Metal Interactions: A Review of Toxicity and Homeostasis

Metal nanoparticles used as antifungals have increased the occurrence of fungal–metal interactions. However, there is a lack of knowledge about how these interactions cause genomic and physiological changes, which can produce fungal superbugs. Despite interest in these interactions, there is limited understanding of resistance mechanisms in most fungi studied until now. We highlight the current knowledge of fungal homeostasis of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and silver to comprehensively examine associated mechanisms of resistance. Such mechanisms have been widely studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but limited reports exist in filamentous fungi, though they are frequently the subject of nanoparticle biosynthesis and targets of antifungal metals. In most cases, microarray analyses uncovered resistance mechanisms as a response to metal exposure. In yeast, metal resistance is mainly due to the down-regulation of metal ion importers, utilization of metallothionein and metallothionein-like structures, and ion sequestration to the vacuole. In contrast, metal resistance in filamentous fungi heavily relies upon cellular ion export. However, there are instances of resistance that utilized vacuole sequestration, ion metallothionein, and chelator binding, deleting a metal ion importer, and ion storage in hyphal cell walls. In general, resistance to zinc, copper, iron, and manganese is extensively reported in yeast and partially known in filamentous fungi; and silver resistance lacks comprehensive understanding in both.
Origins, fate, and actions of methylated trivalent metabolites of inorganic arsenic: progress and prospects

The toxic metalloid inorganic arsenic (iAs) is widely distributed in the environment. Chronic exposure to iAs from environmental sources has been linked to a variety of human diseases. Methylation of iAs is the primary pathway for metabolism of iAs. In humans, methylation of iAs is catalyzed by arsenic (+ 3 oxidation state) methyltransferase (AS3MT). Conversion of iAs to mono- and di-methylated species (MAs and DMAs) detoxifies iAs by increasing the rate of whole body clearance of arsenic. Interindividual differences in iAs metabolism play key roles in pathogenesis of and susceptibility to a range of disease outcomes associated with iAs exposure. These adverse health effects are in part associated with the production of methylated trivalent arsenic species, methylarsonous acid (MAsIII) and dimethylarsinous acid (DMAsIII), during AS3MT-catalyzed methylation of iAs. The formation of these metabolites activates iAs to unique forms that cause disease initiation and progression. Taken together, the current evidence suggests that methylation of iAs is a pathway for detoxification and for activation of the metalloid. Beyond this general understanding of the consequences of iAs methylation, many questions remain unanswered. Our knowledge of metabolic targets for MAsIII and DMAsIII in human cells and mechanisms for interactions between these arsenicals and targets is incomplete. Development of novel analytical methods for quantitation of MAsIII and DMAsIII in biological samples promises to address some of these gaps. Here, we summarize current knowledge of the enzymatic basis of MAsIII and DMAsIII formation, the toxic actions of these metabolites, and methods available for their detection and quantification in biomatrices. Major knowledge gaps and future research directions are also discussed.
Secondary Tumors in the Bladder

Secondary tumor involving the bladder is rare; however, when present, it causes diagnostic and treatment difficulties clinically. Herein, we discuss the clinical, pathological features of secondary tumor involving the bladder, including local primaries such as prostatic adenocarcinoma and gynecologic malignancies, or remote metastatic primaries such as the lung.
Addressing the Need for Ethnic and Racial Diversity in the Pipeline for Pharmacy Faculty.

Objective. To analyze the ethnic and racial diversity of faculty in pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry in the United States and suggest how the pipeline for pharmacy academe can be diversified. Methods. A retrospective analysis of the representativeness of faculty at schools and colleges of pharmacy was compared to that in schools and colleges of medicine and dentistry. The range of ethnic and racial diversity across top schools of pharmacy, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and newer schools of pharmacy was evaluated for both faculty and students for the year 2019-2020. The ethnic and racial diversity in residency and fellowship programs along with graduation rates provided insight into the available pipeline for future pharmacy faculty. Results. Faculty in pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry demonstrated similarly low representation of underrepresented minorities (URMs) compared to their composition within the US population. Dentistry had the largest percentage of URMs (13.9%), compared with 8.5% in pharmacy and 7.1% in medicine. Five HBCUs contributed 32.8% of all Black faculty, yet their graduates had comparatively low residency match rates. The ratio of URM students to non-URM students in post-PharmD and graduate training programs is lower than the ratio of URM students to non-URM students in pharmacy programs. Conclusion. Lack of access to postgraduate residency or fellowship training programs is a major barrier to progression to pharmacy academe and impacts URMs more significantly. Barriers to advanced training must be removed or decreased to create the needed diverse faculty candidates for pharmacy academe. Without intervention, students in pharmacy programs will be primarily trained by non-URM faculty, which may impact how graduates provide care in an increasingly diverse patient population.
Subcellular distribution of proteins synthesized in slices of rat cerebral cortex.

Abstract The incorporation of l-[4,5-3H]leucine into slices of rat cerebral cortex has been measured, with emphasis on the time course of the distribution of label in subcellular fractions prepared by zonal isopycnic centrifugation in continuous sucrose gradients. Rapidly labeled proteins are found in both the soluble and membranous components of the nerve end particles. Except for a minor part of the mitochondrial protein, the synthesis of all membrane-bound proteins is inhibited drastically by cycloheximide. When synthesis is blocked by cycloheximide, the supply of label continues for some minutes to certain membrane fractions derived from synaptic structures, apparently by a rapid transport of newly synthesized proteins from cytoplasmic ribosomes in the neuronal perikaryon. An increased extracellular concentration of potassium ion inhibits and ouabain accelerates protein synthesis in some fractions. These effects suggest a coupling of the protein synthesizing system with the (Na+ + K+)-activated ouabain-sensitive adenosine triphosphatase in the plasma membranes.
One trillion operations per second on-board VLSI signal processor for Discoverer II space based radar

A high-performance low-power radar signal processor is being developed for the Discoverer II space-based radar application. The signal processor will perform real-time ground moving target indication (GMTI) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) front-end signal processing functions, which significantly reduces the downlink communication bandwidth. In order to minimize the signal dispersion, the wideband receive signal is first channelized into multiple digital subbands and all the subsequent processing tasks including beamforming, pulse compression, and space-time adaptive processing (STAP) are done in the subband domain. In order to meet over one trillion operations per second (Teraops) computational throughput requirement with low power consumption and small form factor, a highly optimized scalable VLSI bit-level systolic array technology is used. The 1 Teraops on-board processor is currently projected to consume less than 50 watts and to be less than 1/8 cubic foot and 12 kg.
Human stresscopin and stresscopin-related peptide are selective ligands for the type 2 corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor

Adaptive stress responses mediated by the endocrine, autonomic, cardiovascular and immune systems are essential for the survival of the individual. Initial stress-induced responses provide a vital short-term metabolic lift, but prolonged or inappropriate exposure to stress can compromise homeostasis thereby leading to disease. This 'fight-or-flight' response is characterized by the activation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-adrenocorticotropin-glucocorticoid axis, mediated by the type 1 CRH receptor. In contrast, the type 2 CRH receptor mediates the stress-coping responses during the recovery phase of stress. We identified human stresscopin (SCP) and stresscopin-related peptide (SRP) as specific ligands for the type 2 CRH receptor. The genes encoding these peptides were expressed in diverse peripheral tissues as well as in the central nervous system. Treatment with SCP or SRP suppressed food intake, delayed gastric emptying and decreased heat-induced edema. Thus SCP and SRP might represent endogenous ligands for maintaining homeostasis after stress, and could allow the design of drugs to ameliorate stress-related diseases.
Molybdenum Availability is Key to Nitrate Removal in Contaminated Groundwater Environments

The concentrations of molybdenum (Mo) and 25 other metals were measured in groundwater samples from 80 wells on the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) (Oak Ridge, TN), many of which are contaminated with nitrate, as well as uranium and various other metals. The concentrations of nitrate and uranium were in the ranges of 0.1 μM to 230 mM and <0.2 nM to 580 μM, respectively. Almost all metals examined had significantly greater median concentrations in a subset of wells that were highly contaminated with uranium (≥126 nM). They included cadmium, manganese, and cobalt, which were 1,300- to 2,700-fold higher. A notable exception, however, was Mo, which had a lower median concentration in the uranium-contaminated wells. This is significant, because Mo is essential in the dissimilatory nitrate reduction branch of the global nitrogen cycle. It is required at the catalytic site of nitrate reductase, the enzyme that reduces nitrate to nitrite. Moreover, more than 85% of the groundwater samples contained less than 10 nM Mo, whereas concentrations of 10 to 100 nM Mo were required for efficient growth by nitrate reduction for two Pseudomonas strains isolated from ORR wells and by a model denitrifier, Pseudomonas stutzeri RCH2. Higher concentrations of Mo tended to inhibit the growth of these strains due to the accumulation of toxic concentrations of nitrite, and this effect was exacerbated at high nitrate concentrations. The relevance of these results to a Mo-based nitrate removal strategy and the potential community-driving role that Mo plays in contaminated environments are discussed.
The Goddard Problem with Constrained Time-of-Flight

Presently studied is the problem of the vertical flight of a rocket in a resisting medium, with a constraint of isoperimetric type. Only the case of maximum range for given flight-time has been analyzed, but the methodology applies to other types of constraints as well, e.g., the minimum-time problem, due to Mayer reciprocity. Analysis shows that a one-parameter family of singular extremals is generated according to the value of time-of-flight. Three cases of switching structures have been found, varying with the specified duration of flight, with the most interesting case featuring appearance of a second full-thrust subarc at the departure from the singular subarc owing to a low value of the upper bound on the thrust.
RELATIVISTIC TWO-BODY SCATTERING.

Relativistic two-body scattering is treated using the Klein-Gordon equation which admits positive-energy solutions only. The total scattering cross-section is expressed in terms of phase shifts, which are in turn related to the inter-particle potential. A direct calculation of the cross-section, employing a method due to Dirac, is also given. These two methods are applied to the case of a δ-function potential.
Influence of Fiber Length on the Viscous Flow of an Oriented Fiber Assembly

The effective elongational viscosity for an oriented fiber assembly of discontinuous fibers suspended in a viscous matrix fluid is developed for a fiber array with variable overalp length of both s...
Minimal surfaces in seifert fiber spaces

This paper studies the minimal surfaces in Seifert fiber spaces equipped with their natural geometric structures. The minimal surfaces in these 3-manifolds are always either vertical, namely always tangent to fibers, or horizontal, always transverse to fibers. This gives a classification of injective surfaces in these manifolds, previously obtained by Waldhausen for embedded injective surfaces. As usual in this context, equivariant versions of this classification can also be obtained.
Private Returns to an University Education: An Instrumental Variables Approach.

This article examines the determinants of the salaries that Spanish university graduates earn on the labor market. Different earnings equations are estimated that allow us to measure the economic returns to investment in human capital at the university level, demonstrating that: on the one hand, considering schooling to be an exogenous variable gives a downward bias to the estimations of the private rates of return to an university education; on the other hand, not taking into account the aspects of the demand-side of the labor market in the traditional Mincerian earnings function, even though schooling is considered as an endogenous variable, the rates of return estimated for an university education would be given an upward bias. The problem concerning the endogeneity of schooling has been corrected in this article by using the instrumental variables technique.
Calcaneus length determines running economy: Implications for endurance running performance in modern humans and Neandertals

The endurance running (ER) hypothesis suggests that distance running played an important role in the evolution of the genus Homo. Most researchers have focused on ER performance in modern humans, or on reconstructing ER performance in Homo erectus, however, few studies have examined ER capabilities in other members of the genus Homo. Here, we examine skeletal correlates of ER performance in modern humans in order to evaluate the energetics of running in Neandertals and early Homo sapiens. Recent research suggests that running economy (the energy cost of running at a given speed) is strongly related to the length of the Achilles tendon moment arm. Shorter moment arms allow for greater storage and release of elastic strain energy, reducing energy costs. Here, we show that a skeletal correlate of Achilles tendon moment arm length, the length of the calcaneal tuber, does not correlate with walking economy, but correlates significantly with running economy and explains a high proportion of the variance (80%) in cost between individuals. Neandertals had relatively longer calcaneal tubers than modern humans, which would have increased their energy costs of running. Calcaneal tuber lengths in early H. sapiens do not significantly differ from those of extant modern humans, suggesting Neandertal ER economy was reduced relative to contemporaneous anatomically modern humans. Endurance running is generally thought to be beneficial for gaining access to meat in hot environments, where hominins could have used pursuit hunting to run prey taxa into hyperthermia. We hypothesize that ER performance may have been reduced in Neandertals because they lived in cold climates.
GaAs nonlinear transmission lines for picosecond and millimeter-wave applications

The GaAs Nonlinear Transmission Line (NLTL) is a transmission line loaded by reverse-biased Schottky diodes. Through generation of shock waves on the NLTL, we have generated stepfunctions with amplitudes of several volts and ~1 ps falltimes. NLTL-strobed diode sampling bridges have attained bandwidths beyond 300 GHz. Soliton propagation on the NLTL can be used for picosecond impulse compression and broadband mm-wave frequency multiplication. Applications include millimeter-wave network analysis both on-wafer and in free-space.
Integral representations for scattering amplitudes I: Formalism

Abstract In this first paper, the scattering amplitude given by its partial waves expansion is shown to obey an integral representation of the form of a Bessel transform. This integral representation appears to be valid for all energies and in the whole angular domain (0,π) and coincides with the expression previously proposed by Blankenbecler and Goldberger for high energy amplitudes. The expression of the spectral function in terms of the partial waves is given together with its inversion. Decomposing the amplitude in its even and odd part (with respect to cosθ), an alternate equivalent integral representation is similarly deduced which exhibits in a simpler way the even/odd character of the amplitude. The connections between the two representations is then discussed. Spin complications are ignored throughout the whole paper.
Screening for Fragile X Syndrome: Parent attitudes and perspectives

Purpose This study examined the attitudes and beliefs of 442 parents of children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) regarding different screening options for FXS. Methods A survey was administered to parents of children with FXS across the U.S. Results Parents indicated their support for voluntary screening for FXS, especially carrier and newborn screening. They also thought advantages of widespread screening to be more likely than disadvantages. Conclusion Parents' support for FXS screening is at odds with current screening criteria, but as new genetic knowledge and technologies reconfigure these criteria, it will be important to take parents' perspectives into account.
Research: Design of loosely coupled processes capable of time-bounded cooperative recovery: the PTC/SL scheme

Design of loosely coupled distributed computer systems (DCS) required to tolerate propagated errors caused by software and/or hardware is a technological challenge that has been inadequately dealt with. In this paper, we adopt the view that a truly loosely coupled DCS consists of loosely coupled interacting processes distributed among multiple physical sites where each process is designed in the 'partitioned design' mode, i.e. designed with its interface specification only, rather than with full knowledge of interfaces between other processes (or sites). It then follows naturally that fault tolerance capabilities must be designed into loosely coupled processes in such systems without violating the partitioned design policy. The programmer-transparent coordination (PTC) scheme is one such approach that has been evolving since 1978. While the basic PTC scheme, called PTC/OR (PTC with obedient receiver) scheme, is a scheme for facilitating various forms of cooperative backward recovery in systems of loosely coupled processes, it has one drawback: the difficulty of bounding worst-case recovery time. After discussing various fundamentally different solution approaches and their limitations, a promising approach. called the PTC/SL (PTC with session leaders) scheme, which superimposes additional rules on structuring process interactions onto those of the PTC/OR scheme, is presented. Under the PTC/SL scheme, various flexible forms of process interactions are still allowed while the task of ensuring bounded recovery time is made a simple one.
Hemodynamic monitoring during CPR

Real-time hemodynamic monitoring provides useful information that can be used to assess and optimize mechanical and pharmacological interventions during CPR. The standard algorithms should always be the initial approach to resuscitation, because they offer a rapid, logical, coordinated series of treatments with proven success. Pressure and flow measurements during conventional, closed-chest CPR in humans indicate that the technique typically produces a hemodynamic state resembling profound cardiogenic shock, with a low systemic arterial pressure, markedly reduced cardiac output, and high intravascular filling pressures. End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring provides useful, noninvasive information during clinical resuscitation. A low end-tidal carbon dioxide value during resuscitation should alert the rescuers that something is wrong with ventilation, perfusion, and/or carbon dioxide production and should prompt a search for correctable causes. If one or more hemodynamic parameters are being monitored at the time the patient develops cardiac arrest (eg, an intensive care unit patient who has an arterial line and a pulmonary artery catheter in place), it is appropriate for the resuscitation team to pay attention to the data that are generated during the resuscitation, particularly if the initial algorithm approach is not successful. For patients who are not being monitored at the time of their arrest, end-tidal carbon dioxide measurements provide noninvasive, semiquantitative information that can help the team detect and troubleshoot problems during resuscitation. Further research and better, more affordable technologies are needed to provide in- and out-of-hospital resuscitation teams feedback on the hemodynamic effectiveness of their resuscitative efforts.
Study on the release of invertase from enzymatically degradable dextran hydrogels

Abstract Chemically crosslinked dextran hydrogels were prepared for application in the controlled delivery of bioactive proteins. Dextran was functionalized by reacting with glycidyl acrylate to introduce reactive double bonds. Upon exposure to γ-irradiation the functionalized dextran formed a crosslinked gel which could be degraded by dextranase. The effect of dextranase-induced degradation on the swelling kinetics of the prepared hydrogels was examined. Enzymatic degradation of the gels became slower as the γ-irradiation dose increased for the formation of the gels. The dextran hydrogels were examined as a potential delivery system for proteins by using invertase as a model protein. Invertase was incorporated into the hydrogel by mixing it with the purified, functionalized dextran before exposure to γ-irradiation. The effect of γ-irradiation on the bioactivity of the incorporated invertase was determined. The γ-irradiation did not change the bioactivity of the incorporated invertase as long as the total γ-irradiation dose was limited below 0.4 Mrad. The release study showed that the release of invertase from the dextran gel was controlled by dextranase-induced degradation rather than diffusion through the dextran network. The release study also showed that the invertase release was pulsatile. Parameters such as the degree of functionalization, dextran molecular weight, and γ-irradiation dose can be adjusted to prepare delivery systems which meet the desired degradation kinetics and protein release profiles.
Utilization of a psychiatric consultation service

Abstract In an effort to clarify the role of the psychiatrist as a consultant in a general hospital, a survey was made of how frequently physicians on various services requested consultations, what problems led to the consultation requests, and which psychiatric services the requesting physicians considered most valuable. Results showed wide variations between and within the medical services, pointing up the need for the psychiatric consultant to be trained in a multiplicity of consulting roles.
Varda at work: Les Plages d'Agnès

ABSTRACTAgnes Varda's autobiographical documentary, Les Plages d'Agnes (2008), uses techniques of collage and discontinuity to explore and memorialize her work in photography, film and multi-media installations. The film departs from the traditional concerns of autobiographical documentary, such as the exploration of personal crisis, in favour of an emphasis on Varda's aesthetic vision, her self-invention, and her links to social and political history.
A Comparison of Methods for Analyzing Criminological Panel Data

We demonstrate that fixed- and random-effects models for pooled cross-sectional and time series data, and latent growth curve models for panel data are special cases of a more general model. We compare the estimates obtained from each type of model for a data set consisting of homicide rates and a vector of explanatory variables for 400 US counties over a 15-year period. Most, but not all, estimates are similar in the two models. We identify circumstances under which one approach may be advantageous to the other.
Structural stability and functional remodeling of high-density lipoproteins

Lipoproteins are protein–lipid nanoparticles that transport lipids in circulation and are central in atherosclerosis and other disorders of lipid metabolism. Apolipoproteins form flexible structural scaffolds and important functional ligands on the particle surface and direct lipoprotein metabolism. Lipoproteins undergo multiple rounds of metabolic remodeling that is crucial to lipid transport. Important aspects of this remodeling, including apolipoprotein dissociation and particle fusion, are mimicked in thermal or chemical denaturation and are modulated by free energy barriers. Here we review the biophysical studies that revealed the kinetic mechanism of lipoprotein stabilization and unraveled its structural basis. The main focus is on high-density lipoprotein (HDL). An inverse correlation between stability and functions of various HDLs in cholesterol transport suggests the functional role of structural disorder. A mechanism for the conformational adaptation of the major HDL proteins, apoA-I and apoA-II, to the increasing lipid load is proposed. Together, these studies help understand why HDL forms discrete subclasses separated by kinetic barriers, which have distinct composition, conformation and functional properties. Understanding these properties may help improve HDL quality and develop novel therapies for cardiovascular disease.
Generalization of drug-seeking behavior in dogs

Drug-naive dogs which do not spontaneously initiate morphine self-administration were given one of three treatments and tested for subsequent morphine self-administration. Neither the dogs given the treatment of response-contingent drinking water nor those given d-amphetamine by passive infusions subsequently showed significant self-administration of morphine. However, the third group which self-administered d-amphetamine did subsequently self-administer morphine. The data suggest that self-administration of one reinforcing psychoactive drug may increase the probability of subsequently self-administering another.