cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Density functional calculation of a potential energy surface for alkane thiols on Au(1 1 1) as function of alkane chain length

Abstract Density functional theory calculations of alkane thiols on Au(1 1 1) have been carried out as a function of the alkane chain length from 1 to 12 carbons using a slab geometry with periodic boundary conditions. Geometry optimized structures were obtained and the potential energy was calculated as a function of the binding site and distance from the surface. While the binding site of minimum energy is only subtly different for different chain lengths there is a pronounced difference in the Au–S bonding and side chain interactions of the methyl group of methane thiol compared to ethane thiol or any longer alkane thiol self-assembled monolayer. For example, the barrier to lateral motion along the surface is lowest for motion through fcc sites for methane thiol while the twofold bridge sites present the lowest barrier to ethane thiol and all longer alkane thiols. The hexagonal close-packed (hcp) and face-centered cubic (fcc) threefold sites were found to differ in energy by less than 1 kJ/mol and therefore only fcc sites were considered in the study. According to the calculated potential energy surfaces the top sites have weaker binding than either the bridge or threefold sites in all cases. The calculations show that ethane thiol is a reasonable model for longer alkane chains.
Resource allocation in multi-service networks via pricing: statistical multiplexing

In this paper we investigate the multiplexing of heterogeneous applications and the pricing of transmission services on an ATM network. Pricing is of interest for network management to promote efficient utilization of resources. A framework is presented in which users select from a menu of services, are peak-rate policed, and are charged according to their usage and connection time. We illustrate the considerable improvement in network utilization possible compared to a traditional reservation-based approach.
The energy and emergy of the internet

Recent years have seen a flurry of energy-efficient networking research. But does decreasing the energy used by the Internet actually save society much energy? To answer this question, we estimate the Internet's energy consumption. We include embodied energy (emergy)---the energy required to construct the Internet---a quantity that has often been ignored in previous work. We find that while in absolute terms the Internet uses significant energy, this quantity is negligible when compared with society's colossal energy use.
Effects of isoflurane and enflurane on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in isolated cardiac myocytes.

BACKGROUND Enflurane and isoflurane may reduce cardiac contractility by altering mobilization and clearance of intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i). It was hypothesized that the negative inotropic actions of these agents involve limiting both membrane Ca2+ entry and altering intracellular Ca2+ release. METHODS The Ca2+i transients in rat ventricular myocytes loaded with fura-2 were recorded from a fluorescence microscope. Transients stimulated by membrane depolarization (suction electrode or elevated [K+]o) or 15 mM caffeine to release Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) were analyzed for net amplitude, maximal rate of rise (VR), average rate of decline (VR) in [Ca2+]i, and duration. RESULTS Enflurane and isoflurane reduced electrically stimulated Ca2+i transients in a dose-dependent manner. Enflurane depressed the Ca2+i transient amplitude more than isoflurane. Enflurane was more effective than isoflurane in reducing VR and VF in a concentration-dependent manner. At similar concentrations, both enflurane and isoflurane reduced the steady state elevation of [Ca2+]i by 50 mM K+o. Similarly, enflurane and isoflurane depressed caffeine-sensitive release of Ca2+ from the SR. The reduction in the Ca2+i transient because of SR Ca2+ release was greater in enflurane than in equal concentrations of isoflurane. Rates of elevation and decline in [Ca2+]i were also reduced in enflurane and isoflurane. CONCLUSIONS The negative inotropic actions of enflurane and isoflurane involve a depression of Ca2+ influx during membrane excitation, as well as a reduction in SR Ca2+ release. Slowed rates of elevation in [Ca2+]i indicate that the latter mechanism may, in part, be caused by alterations in the kinetics of SR Ca2+ release.
Rasch analysis of the School Function Assessment provides additional evidence for the internal validity of the activity performance scales.

OBJECTIVE. The internal construct validity of the School Function Assessment (SFA) was determined by examining its unidimensionality and hierarchical structure. METHOD. The SFA was completed for 64 elementary school children (35 with disabilities, 29 without disabilities). Data were examined through Rasch analysis. RESULTS. The majority of test items (252 of 266) within the Activity Performance Scales met the criterion set for Rasch goodness-of-fit statistics. All but three scales were found to be unidimensional, measuring a single construct. Item difficulty analysis yielded a hierarchical structure of the scales similar to the existing item layout of the SFA. CONCLUSION. Internal validity was supported for 15 of the 18 Activity Performance scales. Each scale is psychometrically sound in measuring a specific functional task. The reliable hierarchical pattern of the assessment helps anticipate and document the student's progress in functional performance from easier to more difficult school tasks.
Education of Nonscientists About New Alcohol Research: Results of Two Types of Presentations Plus 6‐Month Follow‐up

Education of nonscientists by scientists is assumed to be beneficial for enhancing public understanding of the research process and increasing public excitement about science. However, evaluation of audience response to receiving such information has rarely been performed. In particular, the effectiveness of communicating new research on alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence has never been evaluated. Evaluation data in the present study show significant knowledge transfer, belief changes, and participant reports of possible behavioral changes in targeted audiences. These occur when alcohol researchers present basic neuropharmacological concepts and new neurobiological research to audiences consisting primarily of chemical dependency counselors, social workers, criminal justice workers, physicians, nurses, family, clergy, and others interested in alcohol-related problems (defined as "clinicians" and the "reachable public"). Together, these results suggest that it is possible to change the beliefs, knowledge, and behavior of chemical dependency clinicians and the reachable public about alcoholism, its causes, and its treatment.
ELECTROKINETIC PHENOMENA : XI. ACTION OF UNI-UNIVALENT ELECTROLYTES ON ELECTRIC MOBILITY OF PROTEINS.

By assuming that the electric charge of proteins is primarily determined by the hydrogen ion activity of the medium, and by making corrections when necessary for the effect of salt, it is possible to derive a simple relationship between the electric mobility of proteins and the effective reciprocal thickness of the electric double layer. The decrease in electric mobility of proteins in solutions is readily predicted for gelatin in acetate buffers and for egg albumin in the presence of the alkali halides, of acetate buffers, and of hydrochloric acid on the basis of the assumptions made.
Magnetic Reversals and Sedimentation Rates in the Arctic Ocean

Major reversals of the earth9s magnetic field have left a good record in sediment cores taken from ice-island T-3 in the Arctic Ocean. Times of major magnetic reversals, such as the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary, can be correlated with radiometric age determinations, and from this figure sedimentation rates can be calculated. These sedimentation rates may be used to calculate and identify times of other magnetic events in contrast to magnetic noise in the cores. The reliability of this can be checked by comparison with the magnetic standard that is based on radiometric determinations. Minor magnetic events (including the Blake, Jaramillo and others in the Matuyama and Gauss Epochs) can be identified in the cores. Color is a good stratigraphic indicator, as well, and certain sediment types have widespread distribution in the 100 cores studied.
Long-term follow-up of Intacs from a single center.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the long-term visual results in patients having Intacs placement for the correction of mild myopia. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the Mount Sinai Hospital of Mount Sinai NYU Health, New York, New York, USA. Methods: Patients with mild myopia (spherical equivalent between −0.75 and −4.50 diopters [D]) were enrolled to have Intacs placement between May 1995 and March 1999 under United States Food and Drug Administration Phase II and Phase III clinical trials for intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRS). Six insert thicknesses were evaluated: 0.21, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, and 0.45 mm. The long-term results evaluated were uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), maintenance of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), predictability and stability of the refractive effect, induced manifest refraction cylinder, slitlamp findings, self-reported visual symptoms, and maintenance of mesopic contrast sensitivity. Results: One hundred fourteen eyes of 73 patients were enrolled; 113 eyes of 72 patients received Intacs. There were no serious intraoperative or postoperative complications. The mean follow-up was 17.5 months ± 8.9 (SD). At the end of this period (number of eyes evaluated=100), the UCVA was 20/40 or better in 95 eyes (95.0%), 20/20 or better in 72 (72%), and 20/16 or better in 41 (41%). None of the 113 eyes lost 10 or more letters or 2 or more lines of preoperative BSCVA. The mean change in the cycloplegic refraction spherical equivalent for the 6 insert thicknesses was as follows: −0.75 ± 0.00 D for 0.21 mm; −1.17 ± 0.42 D for 0.25 mm; −2.00 ± 0.54 D for 0.30 mm; −2.59 ± 0.53 D for 0.35 mm; −3.09 ± 0.54 D for 0.40 mm; and −3.82±0.80 D for 0.45 mm. The refractive correction was within ±1.0 D of the predicted outcome in 103 eyes (92.0%) and within ±0.5 D in 72 eyes (63.7%). Intacs were removed from 6 eyes (5.3%). All 4 eyes for which data were available 3 months after removal returned to within ±0.5 D of their preoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent. Intacs were exchanged because of undercorrection in 2 eyes (1.8%). These eyes gained 3 and 5 lines of UCVA 12 months and 18 months, respectively, after the exchange procedure. Overall, 85.7% (36/42) of the patients were satisfied with the results of the Intacs procedure. Conclusions: Intacs safely and effectively corrected mild myopia. Placement is a brief, easy outpatient procedure. The refractive effect was predictable and stable over long-term follow-up. Results from a limited number of removal and exchange procedures indicate that Intacs are removable and adjustable.
FUS3 encodes a cdc2+/CDC28-related kinase required for the transition from mitosis into conjugation

FUS3 is required for both the arrest of cells in G1 and mating. Upon exposure to mating pheromone, fus3-1 and fus3-2 mutants fail to arrest in G1 and continue to divide while undergoing the transcription induction and morphological changes typical of mating cells. The G1 arrest defect of these fus3 mutants is suppressed by a daf1/whi1 null mutation (also called cln3, a putative cyclin). FUS3 has a positive role in conjugation, because overexpression of FUS3 increases the pheromone sensitivity of wild-type cells, while the absence of FUS3 causes sterility. The suppression of a gpa1 null (G alpha subunit) by a fus3 null also suggests FUS3 is in the signal transduction pathway. The predicted FUS3 protein is 35% identical to the cdc2+/CDC28 kinases and 52% identical to the KSS1 predicted kinase.
Comparison of opioid receptor binding in horse, guinea pig, and rat cerebral cortex and cerebellum

Abstract Objective To compare the density and binding characteristics of opioid receptor subtypes in horse, rat, and guinea pig cerebral cortex and cerebellum. Study design Prospective receptor binding study. Animals Whole brains were obtained from four neurologically normal adult horses during necropsy. Rat and guinea pig brains were obtained commercially. Methods The cerebellum and cerebral cortex were dissected from each brain, and tissue homogenates prepared. A radioligand binding technique with the highly selective ligands [3H]-DAMGO, [3H]-U69593, and [3H]-DPDPE was used to identify the mu- (μ), kappa- (κ) and delta- (δ) opioid receptors, respectively. Competitive binding assays were performed with these ligands and varying concentrations of one of multiple unlabeled ligands. Results While there were marked species differences in relative densities of opioid receptors, all radioligands interacted with their binding sites with high, nanomolar affinity in both the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In the horse cerebral cortex, the percentages of total opioid binding sites for the μ-, κ- and δ-receptors were 71%, 14% and 15%, respectively. In the rat and guinea pig cerebral cortex, the corresponding values were 56%μ-, 4%κ- and 40%δ-receptors, and 25%μ-, 37%κ- and 38%δ-receptors, respectively. In horse and guinea pig cerebellum, the binding was 37%μ-, 59%κ- and 4%δ-receptors, and 15%μ-, 76%κ- and 10%δ-receptors, respectively. For competitive analysis, all competitors of the μ-, κ- and δ-receptors completely displaced [3H]-DAMGO, [3H]-U69593, and [3H]-DPDPE and had inhibitory constants in the nanomolar range. Conclusion and clinical relevance Horses used in this study had a greater density of μ-receptors in the cerebral cortex compared with rats and guinea pigs but without further characterization of the functional role of these receptors it is impossible to determine the clinical significance of these data.
SNARF: a social networking-inspired accelerator remoting framework

The diminishing size and battery requirements of mobile devices restrict the scope of computations possible on such devices and motivate approaches that support the selective offloading of computations to remote resources. With a variety of resources available to potentially host offloaded computations -- such as cloud-provisioned resources, and devices within a user's personal or social network -- a key challenge lies in architecting a framework that enables applications to seamlessly discover available services, effectively and securely communicate with them, and be presented with API interfaces that hide the complexities associated with managing the interactions with a remote device from applications and present the abstraction of a local device. In this paper, we outline a framework that addresses these challenges by layering APIs and an offload infrastructure upon a virtual networking substrate that supports TCP/IP networking and widely-used resource discovery protocols. An intelligent runtime scheduling layer monitors the execution environment and provides opportunistic remote offloads based on the performance requirements, offload benefits and expendable power. We demonstrate the feasibility of the approach through experiments that evaluate end-to-end application execution times and energy consumption in offloaded mobile devices, as well as the ability to support universal plug-and-play (UPnP) resource discovery in both local- and wide-area environments.
Quantitative analysis of the recurrent collaterals derived from Purkinje cells in zone x of the cat's vermis.

Intracellular electrodes filled with 4% horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used to impale Purkinje cells in zone x of the cat's cerebellum. Subsequent to recording responses to bilateral stimulation of the ulnar, radial, and sciatic nerves, the cells were injected with HRP. Intracellularly labeled Purkinje cells were located and correlated with the physiological data. Purkinje cells in zone x respond primarily to stimulation of the ipsilateral forelimb. However, they have broad receptive fields in that most also receive inputs from stimulation of the contralateral forelimb or from more than one forelimb nerve; a few respond to activation of the hindlimb. The distribution of the recurrent collaterals of zone x Purkinje cells has several features that are similar to those from zones a, b, and c: (1) they have a similar number of varicosities within the plexus; (2) they distribute primarily in the sagittal as compared to the transverse plane; and (3) most varicosities in the plexus are located within the Purkinje cell layer. However, several characteristics distinguish the collaterals of zone x Purkinje cells. First, they have a greater transverse extent than those derived from Purkinje cells in zones a, b, and c. Second, they have a higher percentage of collaterals that extend to more superficial aspects of the molecular layer as well as to deep levels of the granule cell layer. The rostral extent of zone x has not been clearly defined in previous studies. On the basis of anatomical and physiological data derived from the present study it appears that Purkinje cells located in lobule Va have physiological and morphological properties similar to those observed for Purkinje cells in more caudal folia of lobule V. Thus, on the basis of the organization of local circuits, it appears that zone x extends at least to the most rostral folia of lobule V. In conclusion, these data suggest that Purkinje cells in zone x may not be involved in controlling the movements of specific muscles, as may be the case in other cortical zones. Rather, it could be hypothesized that Purkinje cells in zone x have a more generalized role in coordinating agonist and antagonist muscle groups in one limb or regulating patterns of movement between limbs.
Finite-Element Analysis of Chemical Transport and Reinforcement Corrosion-Induced Cracking in Variably Saturated Heterogeneous Concrete

Reinforcement corrosion owing to chemical attack could lead to premature steel-mortar debonding, concrete cracking, and catastrophic failure of structures if not well attended. In conventional design and maintenance practices, heterogeneous concrete matrix is commonly treated as a homogeneous medium when the evolution of chemical ingress and concrete cracking need to be determined. Such oversimplification has caused significantly inaccurate prediction and evaluation of structural service life. This paper presents a finite-element (FE) model developed to evaluate the service life of reinforced concrete (RC) structures in three key steps: chemical ingress, steel corrosion, and concrete cracking. The mass conservation principle is employed in the first step to model the ingress of multiple chemical species into variably saturated heterogeneous concrete matrix. By using Faraday’s law, steel corrosion and the incurred diametric expansion are then formulated as a transient displacement boundary condition for su...
Some cortical projections of the dorsomedial visual area (DM) of association cortex in the owl monkey, Aotus trivirgatus.

The efferent subcortical connections of the dorsomedial cortical visual area (DM) in the owl monkey were determined by tracing degenerating axons following lesions or by tracing axonal pathways following injection of radioactively labeled proline. Areas of termination included structures which are known to receive input from many other regions of cortex such as the claustrum, putamen, caudate nucleus, reticular nucleus of the thalamus and pontine nuclei. Other terminations were in subcortical structures which primarily receive input from visual areas: these included the pregeniculate nucleus, the medial and central divisions of the inferior pulvinar nucleus, two loci in the superior pulvinar complex, the pretectum and the superior colliculus. Terminations were also seen in the lateral posterior nucleus, a part of the thalamus associated with the somatosensory system. These results further identify Area DM as an integral part of the visual system, suggest functional subdivisions of the pulvinar complex, and implicate the lateral posterior nucleus in the mediation of visual, as well as somatosensory, behavior.
Intensive statin therapy after stroke or transient ischemic attack: a SPARCLing success?

Anyone aware of the conflicting data regarding the importance of circulating cholesterol in stroke will welcome the results of the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial.1 Unlike with coronary heart disease, epidemiological studies often failed to demonstrate an association between elevated cholesterol levels and stroke incidence.2 However, many studies did not take into account the distinct underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke and instead examined conflated end points such as a combination of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, or total ischemic stroke without subtyping, and others did not evaluate cholesterol subfractions. In contrast, epidemiological studies that carefully distinguished ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes generally found both a modest association of elevated cholesterol with increased risk of ischemic events and of low cholesterol with an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage.3 HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or “statins,” which inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol that contributes to atheroma development and progression, have been shown to reduce the risk of first stroke in patients with established coronary heart disease, diabetes, or multiple cardiovascular risk factors.4 Indeed, as our cardiology colleagues kept finding the benefit of lower and lower cholesterol targets for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease events,5 the jury remained out as to what role, if any, that statins played in stroke patients without established coronary heart disease. Subset analyses of prior clinical trials had suggested, but not definitely proved, a benefit of statin therapy in patients with prior strokes. A retrospective subset analysis of 3280 subjects with a remote (mean 4.3 years) history of symptomatic ischemic cerebrovascular disease enrolled in the Heart Protection Study (HPS) showed that simvastatin therapy yield a 20% reduction in major vascular events (0.80, 0.71 to 0.92).6 This benefit was driven by a reduction in myocardial infarction and vascular death end …
Flashback: decoupled lightweight wireless control

Unlike their cellular counterparts, Wi-Fi networks do not have the luxury of a dedicated control plane that is decoupled from the data plane. Consequently, Wi-Fi struggles to provide many of the capabilities that are taken for granted in cellular networks, including efficient and fair resource allocation, QoS and handoffs. The reason for the lack of a control plane with designated spectrum is that it would impose significant overhead. This is at odds with Wi-Fi's goal of providing a simple, plug-and-play network.In this paper we present Flashback, a novel technique that provides a decoupled low overhead control plane for wireless networks that retains the simplicity of Wi-Fi's distributed asynchronous operation. Flashback allows nodes to reliably send short control messages concurrently with data transmissions, while ensuring that data packets are decoded correctly without harming throughput. We utilize Flashback's novel messaging capability to design, implement and experimentally evaluate a reliable control plane for Wi-Fi with rates from 175Kbps to 400Kbps depending on the environment. Moreover, to demonstrate its broad applicability, we design and implement a novel resource allocation mechanism that utilizes Flashback to provide efficient, QoS-aware and fair medium access, while eliminating control overheads including data plane contention, RTS/CTS and random back offs.
The WNKs: Atypical Protein Kinases With Pleiotropic Actions

WNKs are serine/threonine kinases that comprise a unique branch of the kinome. They are so-named owing to the unusual placement of an essential catalytic lysine. WNKs have now been identified in diverse organisms. In humans and other mammals, four genes encode WNKs. WNKs are widely expressed at the message level, although data on protein expression is more limited. Soon after the WNKs were identified, mutations in genes encoding WNK1 and -4 were determined to cause the human disease familial hyperkalemic hypertension (also known as pseudohypoaldosteronism II, or Gordon's Syndrome). For this reason, a major focus of investigation has been to dissect the role of WNK kinases in renal regulation of ion transport. More recently, a different mutation in WNK1 was identified as the cause of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type II, an early-onset autosomal disease of peripheral sensory nerves. Thus the WNKs represent an important family of potential targets for the treatment of human disease, and further elucidation of their physiological actions outside of the kidney and brain is necessary. In this review, we describe the gene structure and mechanisms regulating expression and activity of the WNKs. Subsequently, we outline substrates and targets of WNKs as well as effects of WNKs on cellular physiology, both in the kidney and elsewhere. Next, consequences of these effects on integrated physiological function are outlined. Finally, we discuss the known and putative pathophysiological relevance of the WNKs.
Review of Biodegradability Tests for the Purpose of Developing Regulations

The goal of this review is to propose acceptable testing method(s) for the measurement of the biodegradability of a chemical under both waste treatment and typical environmental conditions, particularly those relevant to Canada. A multitier biodegradability test system is recommended for the protection of the environment and human health. The tiers are comprised of International Organisation for Standardisation (IS01 standard tests for rapid biodegradability (headspace carbon dioxide evolution test, IS0 #9439), for inherent biodegradability (activated sludge simulation test, IS0 #11733) under oxidative conditions, and for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions (ultimate anaerobic biodegradability test, IS0 #11734).
Adolescent pornography use and dating violence among a sample of primarily Black and Hispanic, urban-residing, underage youth

This cross-sectional study was designed to characterize the pornography viewing preferences of a sample of U.S.-based, urban-residing, economically disadvantaged, primarily Black and Hispanic youth (n = 72), and to assess whether pornography use was associated with experiences of adolescent dating abuse (ADA) victimization. The sample was recruited from a large, urban, safety net hospital, and participants were 53% female, 59% Black, 19% Hispanic, 14% Other race, 6% White, and 1% Native American. All were 16-17 years old. More than half (51%) had been asked to watch pornography together by a dating or sexual partner, and 44% had been asked to do something sexual that a partner saw in pornography. Adolescent dating abuse (ADA) victimization was associated with more frequent pornography use, viewing pornography in the company of others, being asked to perform a sexual act that a partner first saw in pornography, and watching pornography during or after marijuana use. Approximately 50% of ADA victims and 32% of non-victims reported that they had been asked to do a sexual act that their partner saw in pornography (p = 0.15), and 58% did not feel happy to have been asked. Results suggest that weekly pornography use among underage, urban-residing youth may be common, and may be associated with ADA victimization.
Multi-objective optimal trajectory design and tracking with non-periodic tracking-transition switching for non-minimum phase linear systems

ABSTRACTIn this paper, the problem of trajectory design and tracking of non-periodic tracking-transition switching for non-minimum phase linear systems is considered. Such a problem exists in various applications, where the output trajectory consists of application-dependent tracking sessions and to-be-designed transition sessions. The challenge arises when multiple control objectives are considered, including the smooth transition from one output tracking session to the next one without large oscillations during the transition, smooth tracking-transition switching without inducing pre- and/or post-switching oscillations, input-energy minimisation without saturation under amplitude constraint, and furthermore, minimisation of the overall transition time. The proposed approach extends the previous work that attained smooth output transition and smooth tracking-transition switching to further achieve amplitude-constrained input-energy minimisation and transition time minimisation. First, the constrained inp...
POST-HEART TRANSPLANT SURVIVAL: PERIPARTUM CARDIOMYOPATHY WORSE THAN OTHER FORMS OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an important cause of end-stage heart failure in young women. We aimed to compare survival in this group with other causes of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) post isolated heart transplant. The United Network for Organ Sharing thoracic dataset was queried (inception
Diatom responses to microenvironment structure within metaphyton mats

Microscale conditions within metaphyton mats affected the distribution of diatom genera. We investigated the conditions within layers of floating filamentous algal mats and changes in diatom genera over 57 days using microprobes every 2, 4, and 6 cm down through mats held in floating nets. Mats were then collected, frozen, and sliced into 2 cm layers for analysis. Filamentous algae and their diatom epiphytes were identified, counted, and analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, silicon, ash-free dry mass (AFDM), and chlorophyll a . Light intensity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, dry mass, and AFDM all fell significantly with increasing depth in the mat. Diatom coverage per filament was calculated as an epiphyte area index (EAI) and was significantly higher at the edge versus the center of the mat. The uppermost 2 cm layer showed the greatest downward trend in EAI over the sampling period. The density of Gomphonema , Cocconeis and Fragilaria were significantly positively correlated with lower light intensity and lower layers of the mat. Cymbella/Encyonema density was significantly correlated with higher light intensity. Gomphonema , Cocconeis and Nitzschia were positively correlated with filaments with higher chlorophyll a content. Achnanthidium , Cymbella/Encyonema and Nitzschia required higher levels of silicon. Diatoms with different growth habits responded similarly to measured variables. Stalk-forming Gomphonema and adnate Cocconeis both occurred in lower light areas and grew well under low nitrogen and phosphorus conditions.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Synergize with 635, 532, and 405 nm Laser Wavelengths in Renal Fibrosis: A Pilot Study.

Abstract Objective: To address whether a single treatment of one of three visible light wavelengths, 635, 532, and 405 nm (constant wave, energy density 2.9 J/m2), could affect the hallmarks of established renal fibrosis and whether these wavelengths could facilitate mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) beneficence. Background Data: Chronic kidney disease is a global health problem with only 20% receiving care worldwide. Kidneys with compromised function have ongoing inflammation, including increased oxidative stress and apoptosis, peritubular capillary loss, tubular atrophy, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Promising studies have highlighted the significant potential of MSC-based strategies to mitigate fibrosis; however, reversal of established fibrosis has been problematic, suggesting that methods to potentiate MSC effects require further development. Laser treatments at visible wavelengths have been reported to enhance mitochondrial potential and available cellular ATP, facilitate proliferation, and inhibit apo...
Where is the theory to support infusion nursing

Even though there has been a dramatic increase in both the type and number of nursing theories, the infusion nursing specialty remains without a theoretical base. This article addresses the need for and types of infusion nursing theory. The obstacles to theory development, including the theory-practice gap in nursing, are examined in terms of their relevance to the infusion specialty. Suggestions for beginning to create a professional environment conducive to generating infusion theory and simultaneously bridging the theory-practice gap are introduced.
Movements and site fidelity of grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio and P. vulgaris) in salt marsh intertidal creeks

Grass shrimp are abundant residents of shallow-water habitats in US Atlantic and Gulf coast estuaries. Mark-recapture events determined the extent and direction of their movements in meso-tidal salt marsh creeks at North Inlet, South Carolina. Microwire-tagged Palaemonetes vulgaris demonstrated high fidelity for a dock in a subtidal channel. In the 48 days following release, 11 % of the 422 tagged shrimp were recaptured and 99 % of all recaptures were made there an average of 14 days post-release. Palaemonetes pugio, which favored the use of shallow intertidal areas, exhibited moderate fidelity for pools within creek beds with 53 % of the recaptured shrimp collected at the release site. Higher fidelity was observed for confluences of intertidal creeks and the subtidal channels. Of the 5565 shrimp released with coded microwire tags, 7.5 % were recaptured and 98 % of those recaptures were at release sites up to 53 days later. During another event, P. pugio released 235 m from their origin demonstrated relatively low fidelity for the new site and a lack of homing behavior. Of the 544 tagged shrimp, 3 % were recaptured; only 40 % of those recaptured were from the release site. Site fidelity is a mechanism by which previously discovered large and consistent differences in grass shrimp use of neighboring intertidal creek basins can be sustained over weeks, seasons, and years. Spatial variations and the tendency of these keystone organisms to resist relocation by tidal currents and occupy certain areas for extended periods should be considered in decisions about proposed alterations to creeks and shorelines.
The United States’ Cold War Priorities and the Middle East, 1945–53

This study advances the claim that US policy toward the Middle East derived from a Cold War outlook that ultimately proved irreconcilable with the direction of Egypt’s policy. At a time of intense Cold War confrontation, the US was determined to mobilize the Middle East for the task of containment. A globalist Eisenhower administration sought to exert influence over credible nationalists in order to expedite America’s security vision. Egypt would be the key to the Middle East conundrum, for if Egypt exerted her considerable powers in the right direction, the doctrine of containment would be implemented easily. However, in the aftermath of the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the objectives of Cairo would defy the US Cold War paradigm. This was the age of Arab nationalism, since the ideals of progressive reform and independence resonated through a region that was recently humiliated by the state of Israel. Nasser’s Egypt successfully appealed to the Arab nationalists’ desire for greater unity and elimination of external influence as a means of establishing its area hegemony. In the 1950s, Egypt would embody the Arab masses’ hopes and calls for the construction of a new society.
Case series: mental health needs and perspectives of rural children reared by parents who abuse methamphetamine.

ABSTRACT Objective: This case-based, mixed-methods study was undertaken to understand the perspectives and mental health needs of rural children exposed to parental methamphetamine abuse. Method: Participants were 23 children involved with a state child protective agency because of parental methamphetamine abuse. A semistructured interview provided information on children's perspectives of their families. Information on children's mental health needs was obtained from the Child Behavior Checklist and Trauma Symptom Checklist. Case records and caseworker reports provided information on children's family experiences. Results: Children described emotional pain; few social resources for coping with emotions, problem solving, or talking about their experiences; and avoidant or passive coping skills. Sixty-five percent of children evidenced significant dissociative or posttraumatic symptoms on standardized assessments; 57% had other significant emotional and behavioral problems. Challenges to understanding children's perspectives included children's perceptions that talking about methamphetamine abuse was taboo and underreporting of significant symptoms on the Trauma Symptom Checklist. Conclusions: The high rate of mental health problems suggests the need for nontraditional strategies for services delivery in rural areas that are targeted toward these vulnerable children. Early identification and treatment of mental health problems should be a priority. Clinicians should be alert to the complexities in assessing children's mental health needs.
On a Unified Characterization of Capacity

The notion of capacity as a fundamental quantity associated with a smooth surface was treated exhaustively by Polya and Szego in a series of papers over more than twenty years following earlier work by Fekete (1923) and many others who considered the problem of determining the charge accumulated on an electrostatic condenser maintained at a constant potential. See Polya and Szego (1951) and Payne (1967) for extensive references.
Barrier coverage in energy harvesting sensor networks

Abstract Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can be used effectively to form barriers that monitor strips of land for applications such as homeland security and critical infrastructure protection. When WSNs are used as barriers, they are typically deployed for extended period of time, so it is of great importance that the network has a long lifetime. Sensors are highly constrained in their energy usage, even when deploying the current energy-harvesting technology. It is necessary that the harvested energy be used effectively. The lifetime problem for WSNs with no energy harvesting has been studied extensively. In this paper, we study lifetime issues of the k-barrier coverage problem for energy harvesting WSNs. First we develop an algorithm that finds a repeating sleep/wakeup schedule that can provide the perpetual operation of the maximum number of barriers in an energy harvesting WSN. Then in the case that perpetual operation can not be achieved, we give an exact solution to the problem of achieving maximum lifetime for the application of k-barrier coverage in energy harvesting WSNs.
Role of Hypoxia and Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor 1α (HIF1A) In the BM Microenvironment-Mediated Protection of Leukemic Cells.

Abstract 2586 Resistance to chemotherapy can be mediated by genetic, epigenetic and microenvironmental causes. Only recently the connection between leukemia growth and survival and the hypoxic state of the BM microenvironment has been appreciated, by work conducted by us and others (Fiegl M et.al. Blood 2009; 113: 1504–1512; Harrison JS et. al., Blood 2002; 99). In extension of this concept we investigated the role of Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor 1α (HIF1A), the master regulator of hypoxia induced responses, in the microenvironment and its relevance for leukemia progression. Here we focused on the role of hypoxia and HIF transcription factors in cells contributing to the BM microenvironment, the mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC). Co-culture of lymphoid (NALM6) and myeloid (OCI-AML3) leukemic cell lines with BM-derived MSC under hypoxic conditions (1% O2) stimulated the secretion of a number of pro-survival cytokines and chemokines (including IL-6, VEGF, Beta-NGF and SDF-1α) that were quantified in co-culture supernatants by Luminex flow cytometry (Table 1). These findings suggest that hypoxia, and possibly its main mediator, the transcription factor HIF1A, may be responsible for the increased production of these factors. Since the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is involved in the attraction of leukemic cells towards cells of the BM microenvironment, we next investigated the role of HIF1A expression in MSC and its effect on SDF-1 secretion and migration of leukemic cells under hypoxic conditions. To this end, we generated primary human BM MSC stably transduced with lentiviral-encoded shRNA against HIF1A. SDF-1α transcription levels measured by qRT-PCR were diminished (∼30%, p Disclosure: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Challenges and Lessons Learned From a Prevention Research Center Partnership

For more than a decade, the West Virginia Prevention Research Center, Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department, and the Wood County Schools have built and sustained a partnership to reduce health disparities and promote population health. Specifically, this partnership has contributed significantly to the peer-reviewed literature on children's physical activity, fitness, and academic achievement, as well as identifying possible areas for physical activity interventions (within the school and community settings) that would improve health and academic outcomes. This case study describes the partnership among a University Prevention Research Center, a local health department, and a local school system. In the description of the partnership, this paper sequentially explores characteristics of the partnership that were advantageous or challenging over time. It details the interface among state and local partner interest, resources, and goals all directed toward enhancing children's physical activity, fitness, cardiovascular risk, and academic improvement. The paper concludes with lessons learned that may contribute to the science and practice of multilevel collaborations in child health.
If You Give Amoxicillin/Clavulanate to Six- to 23-Month-Olds with AOM, 10 Days Is Preferable to Five days

These authors begin with the assumption that we should treat children who have AOM with amoxicillin/clavulanate. The greatest benefit was in children one to two years of age who had more severe pain and fever. In children with less severe symptoms, observation should still be the preferred option, as recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians guidelines, accompanied by appropriate treatment of pain and fever.
Physical and chemical model of ion stability and movement within the dynamic and voltage-gated STM tip–surface tunneling junction

The interaction and mobility of ions in complex systems are fundamental to processes throughout chemistry, biology, and physics. However, nanoscale characterization of ion stability and migration remains poorly understood. Here, we examine ion movements to and from physisorbed molecular receptors at solution–graphite interfaces by developing a theoretical model alongside experimental scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) results. The model includes van der Waals forces and electrostatic interactions originating from the surface, tip, and physisorbed receptors, as well as a tip–surface electric field arising from the STM bias voltage (Vb). Our model reveals how both the electric field and tip–surface distance, dtip, can influence anion stability at the receptor binding sites on the surface or at the STM tip, as well as the size of the barrier for anion transitions between those locations. These predictions agree well with prior and new STM results from the interactions of anions with aryl-triazole receptors that order into functional monolayers on graphite. Scanning produces clear resolution at large magnitude negative surface biases (−0.8 V) while resolution degrades at small negative surface biases (−0.4 V). The loss in resolution arises from frequent tip retractions assigned to anion migration within the tip–surface tunneling region. This experimental evidence in combination with support from the model demonstrates a local voltage gating of anions with the STM tip inside physisorbed receptors. This generalized model and experimental evidence may help to provide a basis to understand the nanoscale details of related chemical transformations and their underlying thermodynamic and kinetic preferences.
Development of iron homeostasis in infants and young children

Healthy, term, breastfed infants usually have adequate iron stores that, together with the small amount of iron that is contributed by breast milk, make them iron sufficient until ≥6 mo of age. The appropriate concentration of iron in infant formula to achieve iron sufficiency is more controversial. Infants who are fed formula with varying concentrations of iron generally achieve sufficiency with iron concentrations of 2 mg/L (i.e., with iron status that is similar to that of breastfed infants at 6 mo of age). Regardless of the feeding choice, infants' capacity to regulate iron homeostasis is important but less well understood than the regulation of iron absorption in adults, which is inverse to iron status and strongly upregulated or downregulated. Infants who were given daily iron drops compared with a placebo from 4 to 6 mo of age had similar increases in hemoglobin concentrations. In addition, isotope studies have shown no difference in iron absorption between infants with high or low hemoglobin concentrations at 6 mo of age. Together, these findings suggest a lack of homeostatic regulation of iron homeostasis in young infants. However, at 9 mo of age, homeostatic regulatory capacity has developed although, to our knowledge, its extent is not known. Studies in suckling rat pups showed similar results with no capacity to regulate iron homeostasis at 10 d of age when fully nursing, but such capacity occurred at 20 d of age when pups were partially weaned. The major iron transporters in the small intestine divalent metal-ion transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin were not affected by pup iron status at 10 d of age but were strongly affected by iron status at 20 d of age. Thus, mechanisms that regulate iron homeostasis are developed at the time of weaning. Overall, studies in human infants and experimental animals suggest that iron homeostasis is absent or limited early in infancy largely because of a lack of regulation of the iron transporters DMT1 and ferroportin.
Writing the Body: The Partition and Narratives of Rape

(2002). Writing the Body: The Partition and Narratives of Rape. South Asian Review: Vol. 23, No. 2, pp. 11-12.
Teaching Tip: A Simpler (and Better) SQL Approach to Relational Division

A common type of database query requires one to find all tuples of some table that are related to each and every one of the tuples of a second group. In general those queries can be solved using the relational algebra division operator. Relational division is very common and appears frequently in many queries. However, we have found that the phrasing of this operator in SQL seems to present an overwhelming challenge to novice and experienced database programmers. Furthermore, students seem to have the most problems with the SQL version commonly recommended in the database literature. We present an alternative solution that is not only more intuitive and easier to deliver in the classroom but also exhibits a better computational performance.
Cassandra/Cornucopian Debate

The Cassandra/Cornucopian debate is one of many names given to an argument between two extreme positions on the prospects for human society and the environment in the face of population and economic growth. So-called Cassandras contend that unchecked growth in numbers of people and material consumption rates will inevitably lead to environmental and social catastrophe. Cornucopians believe that human ingenuity and free markets will allow the human species to adapt to any conceivable pressures caused by growth of the human enterprise. The debate originated at least as far back as Malthus in the eighteenth century, flared up with special intensity in the late 1960s and 1970s over the issue of exhaustible natural resources, and continues in more subdued form today as reflected in the issue of global environmental change. While both sides can claim to have been right in some cases, they have also been wrong in many others—most conspicuously several dire forecasts made by Cassandras. Despite the lack of a definitive resolution, the debate offers lessons on the importance of multiple perspectives and the need for making transparent the assumptions and uncertainties of analyses of complex issues.