cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conditional inhibition of forskolin-activated adenylate cyclase by guanosine diphosphate and its analog.

Forskolin-activated adenylate cyclases (AC) in intact membranes, solubilized with Lubrol or eluted following adsorption on a forskolin-Sepharose column, were examined for inhibition by GDP and GDPβS. AC in intact membranes of rat or rabbit adipocytes was activated by 100 μm forskolin and further potentiated by 10 μm Gpp(NH)p in combination with either 230 μm epinephrine or 50 mU · ml−1 ACTH. GDP (0–1 mm) or GDPβS (0–500 μm) inhibited activation in a dose-dependent manner to a level similar to or slightly below that produced by 100 μm forskolin alone. Forskolin at 100 μm stimulated solubilized AC of rabbit adipocytes and rat liver membranes for 10 ± 4 to 160 ± 10 and from 26 ± 2 to 274 ± 21 pmol(mg · min)−1, respectively, in the absence of GDPβS; forskolin-activated activity decreased from 160 ± 10 to 157 ± 6 and from 274 ± 21 to 238 ± 14 pmol(mg · min)−1 in the presence of 500 μm GDPβS. Forskolin-activated solubilized enzyme was further potentiated by 10 μm Gpp(NH)p from 160 ± 10 to 289 ± 52 and from 274 ± 21 to 702 ± 50 pmol(mg · min)−1. GDPβS at 500 μm inhibited 93 and 103% of the Gpp(NH)p-potentiated activity. AC of rat adipocytes eluted from forskolin-Sepharose affinity column with 500 mm NaCl and 100 μm forskolin was not significantly activated by Gpp(NH)p nor inhibited by GDPβS. However, it was activated by forskolin. The lack of inhibition of unmodified forskolin-activated activity by GDP or GDPβS in contrast to the inhibition of Gpp(NH)p-activated enzyme or Gpp(NH)p-potentiated forskolin-activated enzyme may be a general phenomenon descriptive of the action of forskolin on AC. Furthermore, inhibition of forskolin-activated AC by GDP and its analog may be a useful index in analyzing the degree of guanine nucleotide potentiation of this enzyme.
The Fluorodeoxyglucose 18F Scan in Alzheimer's Disease and Multi-infarct Dementia

• Patients with Alzheimer's disease and multi-infarct dementia were studied with scans using fluorodeoxyglucose tagged with fluorine 18. The rates of glucose metabolism were calculated. Patients with Alzheimer's dementia showed decreased metabolism in all areas of the brain but with preferential sparing of the primary motor and sensory cortex. Patients with multi-infarct dementia also had global reductions in glucose metabolic rates when compared with normal control subjects, but the areas of hypometabolism were focal and asymmetric.
Electrochemically induced adsorption of radio-labeled DNA on gold and HOPG substrates for STM investigations

In a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) electrochemical cell we have studied the effects of electrode potential on both the surface topography and the adsorption of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to graphite and gold surfaces. Images of the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), of the same area, in response to a positive increase in surface potential show degradation of the step edges with little change in the crystal plane. Images of the same area of a gold surface demonstrate the formation of and the progressive increase in nodular structures on the crystal planes, in response to increased potential, with little effect on the step edges. Using radio-labeled DNA we monitored electrochemical absorption onto HOPG and gold surfaces. Although at no applied potential and at negative surface potentials some DNA was bound, at positive potentials 3 to 5 times more DNA was incorporated onto both surfaces. DNA adsorbed to a surface at a positive potential was not removed by reversing the potential.
Effects of Physical Training in Dogs with Coronary Artery Ligation

This experiment was designed to determine whether physical conditioning can be achieved in the presence of acute myocardial infarction and whether such an exercise program is harmful. For this purpose the effects of a 5-weeks' treadmill-exercise program and inactivity were compared in two groups of dogs in which acute myocardial infarction was produced by coronary artery ligation. The exercised group of animals tolerated the training program well, and neither arrhythmia nor sudden death occurred. At the end of the training program the exercised group of animals displayed the characteristic changes of physical conditioning, namely, reduction in exercise heart rate, cardiac output, and blood lactate levels; rise in circulating epinephrine levels with exercise was also suppressed by conditioning. Postmortem examination revealed neither ventricular dilatation nor aneurysm formation.
Untersuchungen an den Nebennieren von genuinen Epileptikern unter besonderer Berücksichtigung des Cholesteringehaltes

Es wurden die NN von 9 Epileptikern und 12 Kontrollpersonen untersucht: Epileptikernebennieren sind schwerer als die der Nichtepileptiker. Bei Epileptikern sind die Lipoide gering und der Gesamtcholesteringehalt um fast 300% vermehrt.
Regular Article: Zak Transforms on Binary Fields

We introduce analogues of the Zak Transform on binary fields, and show that they are bounded linear operators on L^p for p=1 and 2. We also show that positivity of Zak transforms can be used to decide whether orthonormal systems generated by multiplying characters of F by a weight function are complete or not.
The enhancement of chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells by enzymatically regulated RGD functionalities

A thiol-acrylate photopolymerization was used to incorporate enzymatically cleavable peptide sequences into PEG hydrogels to induce chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). An adhesive sequence, RGD, was designed with an MMP-13 specific cleavable linker. RGD promotes survival of hMSCs encapsulated in PEG gels and has shown to induce early stages of chondrogenesis, while its persistence can limit complete differentiation. Therefore, an MMP-13 cleavage site was incorporated into the peptide sequence to release RGD mimicking the native differentiation timeline. Active MMP-13 production of encapsulated hMSCs was seen to increase from day 9 to 14 and only in chondrogenic differentiating cultures. Seeded hMSCs attached to the material prior to enzymatic cleavage, but a significant population of the cells detach after cleavage and release of RGD. Finally, hMSCs encapsulated in RGD-releasing gels produce 10 times as much glycosaminoglycan as cells with uncleavable RGD functionalities, by day 21 of culture. Furthermore, 75% of the cells stain positive for collagen type II deposition where RGD is cleavable, as compared to 19% for cultures where RGD persists. Collectively, these data provide evidence that temporal regulation of integrin-binding peptides is important in the design of niches in differentiating hMSCs to chondrocytes.
copCAR: A Flexible Regression Model for Areal Data

Non-Gaussian spatial data are common in many fields. When fitting regressions for such data, one needs to account for spatial dependence to ensure reliable inference for the regression coefficients. The two most commonly used regression models for spatially aggregated data are the automodel and the areal generalized linear mixed model (GLMM). These models induce spatial dependence in different ways but share the smoothing approach, which is intuitive but problematic. This article develops a new regression model for areal data. The new model is called copCAR because it is copula-based and employs the areal GLMM’s conditional autoregression (CAR). copCAR overcomes many of the drawbacks of the automodel and the areal GLMM. Specifically, copCAR (1) is flexible and intuitive, (2) permits positive spatial dependence for all types of data, (3) permits efficient computation, and (4) provides reliable spatial regression inference and information about dependence strength. An implementation is provided by R package...
The placental transmission of antibodies and serum γ globulins.

As the maternal and fetal blood course through independent channels, antibodies, as serum proteins, must encounter the placental barrier before their entrance into the fetal circulation can be accomplished. Branches of the umbilical artery and vein of the fetus terminate in villi surrounded by pools of maternal blood within the uterus, and it is through these that interchange of constituents of the two circulations takes place. The passage of substances from the maternal blood to the fetus may occur by several different processes:1-2 simple diffusion, osmosis, selective absorption, activity of the chorionic epithelium, and probably other ill-understood mechanisms.
Integral Equation Study of the Solvation Force between Macroscopic Surfaces Separated by Thin Films of Diatomic, Chain, and Network Solvents

The simple models of associating fluids, i.e., hard spheres with one, two, and four surface-located associatively interacting sites are employed in the singlet approach of integral equation theory to probe the effects of the nonsphericality of solvent molecules: linear and branched (or network) chain formations in the solvent on the interaction between two immersed macroscopic surfaces. We found that the obtained results qualitatively reproduce the most important experimentally observed features of the solvation force. We see what may be called negative solvation forces between macroscopic surfaces in a linear chain solvent, whereas in the case of the network solvent, the solvation force is nearly monotonic, positive, and repulsive at short separations.
Diagnosis of Diffuse Myocardial Fibrosis

Diffuse myocardial fibrosis is a disease of diverse etiology; the commonest cause is coronary artery disease. Physiologically, it produces a restriction of diastolic filling and thus resembles constrictive pericarditis and endocardial fibroelastosis. Clinically, it resembles constrictive pericarditis so closely that in many patients the differential diagnosis between these 2 disorders can be resolved only by thoracotomy and direct observation of the pericardium.
The causes of geomagnetic storms during solar maximum

One of the oldest mysteries in geomagnetism is the linkage between solar and geomagnetic activity. In investigating the causes of geomagnetic storms occurring during solar maximum, the following topics are discussed: solar phenomena; types of solar wind; magnetic reconnection and magnetic storms; an interplanetary example; and future space physics missions.
Improvements to a Range Management System in an Automated Wafer Fabrication Fab

The Range Management system was implemented in IBM's 300 mm fab located in Hopewell Junction, NY. The fab processes a diverse mix of low and high volume production technologies in conjunction with processing development hardware for future technologies. The implementation of the Range Management system was modified to take advantage of the automated functioning of the fab which has resulted in substantial productivity improvements.
Adsorption of Ar, N2, and nC4H10 on MgO smoke, CaF2, and graphitized carbon

Abstract Crystalline MgO smoke produced by burning Mg ribbon in pure oxygen is primarily cubic crystallites with (100) faces. Exposure to the atmosphere with subsequent outgassing leaves behind an imperfect surface. Adsorption isotherms indicate definite signs of adsorbate-adsorbate interaction despite residual heterogeneities. Heterogeneities are explained in terms of surface carbonate and hydroxyl groups. Isotherms on known isoenergetic substrates are compared with MgO.
Multicommodity network flows—A survey

This report aims at a comprehensive survey of the literature dealing with the multicommodity flow problem. This problem arises naturally in network modelling wherever commodities, vehicles, or messages are to be shipped or transmitted from certain nodes of an underlying network to some others. Recent applications of mathematical programming techniques to traffic equilibrium problems in transportation studies as well as computer networks analysis has renewed considerable interest in this problem. This report discusses solution techniques for both linear and nonlinear flow problems. The former includes decomposition, partitioning, compact inverse methods, and primal-dual algorithms. Described is a variety of feasible direction methods for the latter. The report concludes by giving applications and computational experience for both types of problems.
Surface description for urban climate studies: A gis based methodology

Abstract In order to understand the nature of the urban climate, predict the effects of urbanization, or attempt to ameliorate some of the negative hydroclimatic effects of urbanization, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the role and significance of the urban surface. This paper presents a methodology which uses GIS to represent the characteristics and morphology of the urban surface, which can be used to describe a site objectively, model fluxes, or ensure spatial consistency between measured and modelled data, all of which can vary through time. The methodology is illustrated with respect to Chicago, Illinois. Surface data collected at three spatial scales were used to construct a georeferenced database which was linked to an objective, dynamic accessing system. Spatial variability of surface cover, derived hydroclimatic attributes, and modelled fluxes associated with changes in the urban environment are used to illustrate potential applications of the approach.
A Modular Approach to Polymer Architecture Control via Catenation of Prefabricated Biomolecular Segments: Polymers Containing Parallel β-Sheets Templated by a Phenoxathiin-Based Reverse Turn Mimic

A biomolecular Lego set modular method whereby prefabricated building blocks are linked block by block has been developed and applied to the synthesis of peptide-based polymers containing parallel β-sheets induced by phenoxathiin derivatives acting as reverse turn mimics. Spectroscopic studies show that phenoxathiin is an effective template for β-sheet formation allowing even weak hydrogen acceptors such as ester amides to exist almost exclusively in intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded conformations. Replacing the phenoxathiin derivative with flexible hydrocarbon chains results in substantial loss of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. Solid state FTIR of the polymers revealed that the expected parallel β-sheets were retained in the polymer solely due to the presence of the rigid phenoxathiin template. Conformationally unrestricted units incapable of inducing sheet formation provide mostly random coils and contribute to interchain and intersheet antiparallel hydrogen bonding. The nature of the β-sheet domains h...
Caries experience of children one to six years old in two Oregon communities (Corvallis and Albany)

In this, the third phase of a study on the dental caries experience of children one to six years of age in two Oregon com­ munities, the relation of certain aspects of diet and of intake of fluoride from drinking water during infancy to subse­ quent dental caries activity were evalu­ ated. Breast feeding had an inhibiting effect on subsequent dental caries inci­ dence of the children of both communi­ ties. Consumption of sweetened foods seemed to affect the dental caries experi­ ence of only the Albany children.
Dipole-induced structure in aromatic-terminated self-assembled monolayers—A study by near edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy

The structure of self-assembled monolayers presenting aromatic rings at a surface is studied by near edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). Fluorine substitution at asymmetric positions in the aromatic rings is used to generate a layer of dipoles at the surface of the monolayer. We find that fluorine substituted aromatic rings are more ordered than unsubstituted aromatic rings by a factor of two based on the polarization dependence of the lowest C 1s to pi* transition, which is associated with transitions from phenyl carbons attached to hydrogens. This result is consistent with the influence of dipole-dipole interactions and quadrupolar interactions between the aromatic groups due to the substitution of fluorine atoms. The work also serves to illustrate how subtle variations in the orientation of an end group of a self-assembled monolayer can be determined by using NEXAFS.
Isolated single umbilical artery anomaly and the risk for congenital malformations : a meta-analysis

Abstract Background/Purpose: Single umbilical artery (SUA) is an associated finding in many chromosomal abnormalities and congenital malformations. However, SUA can also be seen as an isolated finding. The extent of diagnostic investigation and follow-up needed in infants with SUA as an isolated finding has long been debated. In this study the authors examined this issue by an analysis of the published papers concerning SUA anomaly. Methods: A meta-analysis of 37 studies related to SUA published over a 40-year period was performed. Eleven of 37 studies were considered group 1 because the diagnosis of SUA was made using specimens obtained from early abortuses, fetal deaths, or autopsies. The remaining 26 studies were considered group 2 because the diagnosis of SUA was made from examining placental and umbilical cord specimens obtained from live-born infants or by examination of the umbilicus soon after birth. Results: The mean (and 95% CI) SUA incidence was 2.13% (1.92%, 2.34%) in group 1, and 0.55% (0.44%, 0.66%) in group 2. The mean incidence of congenital malformation associated with SUA was 66.3% (67.7%, 70.8%) in group 1, and 27% (21.6%, 32.3%) in group 2; these differences were significant ( P Conclusions: When SUA is an isolated anomaly in an otherwise healthy infant, there is a slight increase in the risk for renal malformations. This association is of similar magnitude to the coexistence of another anomaly with the presence of one anomaly. Most renal anomalies in isolated SUA cases are minor and self limiting, and even major anomalies are no different from those that are diagnosed during routine pediatric follow-up in otherwise healthy infants. Therefore, unless additional risk factors for malformations exist, the current data do not justify extensive urologic radiographic investigations in asymptomatic newborns having an isolated SUA anomaly.
An evaluation of sample dispersion media used with accelerated solvent extraction for the extraction and recovery of arsenicals from LFB and DORM-2

An accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) device was evaluated as a semi-automated means for extracting arsenicals from quality control (QC) samples and DORM-2 [a standard reference material (SRM)]. Unlike conventional extraction procedures, the ASE requires that the sample be dispersed in an inert dispersion media prior to the extraction. The need to disperse the sample in a support matrix prior to extraction is demonstrated by a 58% reduction in the extraction efficiency of arsenic (AsExtraction Efficiency) from DORM-2 if the sample is not homogeneously suspended in the dispersion media. Three dispersion media (Filter Aid, Q-Beads, Teflon) were evaluated in terms of the arsenic extraction recoveries (AsExtraction Recovery) from laboratory fortified blanks (LFB) and matrices (LFM). The arsenicals investigated were arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenite [As(III)], dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), disodium methylarsenate (MMA) and arsenate [As(V)]. The first dispersion medium, Filter Aid (a high density glass bead, ∼0.04 mm particle size) produced near-quantitative removal of As(III) and As(V), while ∼90% of the MMA and ∼10% of the DMA was removed by the Filter Aid. This is contrary to the 99.6% ± 0.8 (±2σ) AsExtraction Recovery obtained for an AsB in a LFB. The lack of retention of AsB on the Filter Aid is consistent with the 94.8% ± 11.8 (±2σ) AsExtraction Efficiency for DORM-2 which contains predominately AsB. Fortifying DORM-2 with an AsB, As(III), As(V), MMA and DMA mixture produces a LFM AsExtraction Recovery of 70.0% ± 9.8 (±2σ). The low AsExtraction Recoveries are a result of the Filter Aid binding and retaining certain anionic arsenicals. The second dispersion media, Q-beads (a soda lime glass bead, 0.8 mm spherical), did not exhibit these binding interactions. The AsExtraction Recovery in a LFB for Q-Beads was 98.7% ± 5.6 (±2σ). The AsExtraction Efficiency and the LFM AsExtraction Recovery from DORM-2 using Q-beads were 88.2% ± 14.6 and 83.2% ± 11.8 (±2σ), respectively. Finally, two Teflon particle sizes were evaluated (250 µm and 1000 µm diameter) as dispersion media. The Teflon dispersion media produced LFB AsExtraction Recoveries of 98.7% ± 3.4 (±2σ) (for the 250 µm particle) and 95.2% ± 3.6 (±2σ) (for the 1000 µm particle). The AsExtraction Efficiencies for DORM-2 were 88.6% ± 2.2 and 84.8% ± 2.2 (±2σ) for the 250 µm and 1000 µm Teflon dispersion media, respectively. AsExtraction Recoveries of the LFMs for DORM-2 using the 250 µm and 1000 µm Teflon were 101.9% ± 2.6 and 101.5% ± 1.8 (±2σ), respectively. ASE cell components and the ASE solvent reduction vials were evaluated for potential analyte losses. The stainless steel frit located at the exit of the ASE cell was found to bind up to 13% of the arsenicals present in a LFB. The resolubilization of As(III) from the Pyrex ASE vials using 18 MΩ water required greater than 8 h. The slow resolubilization after the solvent reduction was not observed for the other analytes.
End users creating effective software

Is it possible to bring the benefits of rigorous software engineering methodologies to end users? End users create software when they use spreadsheet systems, web authoring tools and graphical languages, when they write educational simulations, spreadsheets, and dynamic e-business web applications. Unfortunately, however, errors are pervasive in end-user software, and the resulting impact is sometimes enormous. A growing number of researchers and developers are working on ways to make the software created by end-users more reliable. This special interest group meeting will help start to form a community of researchers who are addressing this topic.
Discretion in Financial Reporting: The Voluntary Adoption of Fair Value Accounting for Employee Stock Options

This paper investigates the market reaction to announcements by firms of their decision to adopt the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123 in accounting for their employee stock option (ESO) expense. Additionally, this paper examines ESO usage and expense of adopting firms and compares the impact of the expense on profitability measures for adopting firms relative to a matched set of control firms. We find a positive and significant abnormal return in the three days around the adoption announcements, suggesting that the decision to expense using the fair value method is value relevant. The positive abnormal announcement returns are mainly attributable to the earlier announcements, consistent with early announcements serving as a credible signal of a commitment to transparency in financial reporting. We find evidence that in the three years prior to the announcement year, adopting firms report significantly higher earnings than control firms yet fail to earn higher market returns, suggesting that adopters ...
Acoustic Interactions of a Pulse Detonation Engine Array with a Gas Turbine

*† ‡ Peak pressure attenuation data is presented for pulse detonation combustor (PDC) firing into a single stage axial flow turbine. Cases are presented for both single PDC tubes and for an annular array of six PDC tubes. Pressure attenuation is characterized for a wide array of PDC operating parameters, including fill fraction, equivalence ratio, nitrogen dilution percentage, and firing frequency. Effects of additional cold air flow mixed into the PDC exhaust prior to the turbine inlet are also quantified. It is shown that certain PDC operating conditions lead to a maximum peak pressure attenuation, which should correspond to the greatest energy extraction by the turbine from the PDC exhaust flow.
Enhanced Histopathology of the Immune System A Review and Update

Enhanced histopathology (EH) of the immune system is a tool that the pathologist can use to assist in the detection of lymphoid organ lesions when evaluating a suspected immunomodulatory test article within a subchronic study or as a component of a more comprehensive, tiered approach to immunotoxicity testing. There are three primary points to consider when performing EH: (1) each lymphoid organ has separate compartments that support specific immune functions; (2) these compartments should be evaluated individually; and (3) semiquantitative descriptive rather than interpretive terminology should be used to characterize any changes. Enhanced histopathology is a screening tool that should be used in conjunction with study data including clinical signs, gross changes, body weight, spleen and thymus weights, other organ or tissue changes, and clinical pathology. Points to consider include appropriate tissue collection, sectioning, and staining; lesion grading; and diligent comparison with concurrent controls. The value of EH of lymphoid organs is to aid in the identification of target cell type, changes in cell production and cell death, changes in cellular trafficking and recirculation, and determination of mechanism of action.
Chemical changes in concrete due to the ingress of aggressive species

Chemical changes in field concretes due to the ingress of sodium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, and carbonate are analyzed. Each of these species participated in the deterioration of these concretes. Magnesium compounds formed were brucite and magnesium silicate hydrates. Sulfate form gypsum, ettringite, and thaumasite. Chloride intrusion permitted the formation of Friedel's salt. Finally, sodium carbonate was formed. The mechanisms by which these compounds were formed are discussed.
The biological importance of measuring individual variation

Functional genomics research using Fundulus heteroclitus has focused on variation among individuals because of the evolutionary importance and value of Fundulus in explaining the human condition (why individual humans are different and are affected differently by stress, disease and drugs). Among different populations and species of Fundulus, there are evolutionarily adaptive differences in gene expression. This natural variation in gene expression seems to affect cardiac metabolism because up to 81% of the variation in glucose utilization observed in isolated heart ventricles is related to specific patterns of gene expression. The surprising result from this research is that among different groups of individuals, the expression of mRNA from different metabolic pathways explains substrate-specific metabolism. For example, variation in oxidative phosphorylation mRNAs explains glucose metabolism for one group of individuals but expression of glucose metabolism genes explains this metabolism in a different group of individuals. This variation among individuals has important implications for studies using inbred strains: conclusions based on one individual or one strain will not necessarily reflect a generalized conclusion for a population or species. Finally, there are surprisingly strong positive and negative correlations among metabolic genes, both within and between pathways. These data suggest that measures of mRNA expression are meaningful, yet there is a complexity in how gene expression is related to physiological processes.
Network correlates of sexual health advice seeking and substance use among members of the Los Angeles House and Ball communities

House and Ball communities (HBCs), represent a prime context for human immunodeficiency virus prevention with African American young men who have sex with men and transgender persons. This study sought to understand the composition and function of social support and sexual networks of HBC members in Los Angeles, California (N = 263). Participants were recruited using venue-based sampling and asked to report on sexual health advice seeking, alcohol use and illicit substance use. Participants were more likely to seek sexual health advice from social support network members compared with sexual network members [odds ratio (OR): 2.50, P < 0.001]. HBC members were more likely to get drunk (OR: 1.57; P < 0.05) and use illicit substances (OR: 1.87; P < 0.10) with House members and sexual network members compared with non-House members and social support network members. Health promotion programs tailored for the HBC should encourage open communication regarding sexual health; these interventions must include information about the role of substance use in sexual risk taking.
Appetite regulation is independent of the changes in ghrelin levels in pregnant rats fed low-protein diet.

Gestational protein restriction causes hypertension in the adult offspring. Very little is known about the food intake regulation and ghrelin signaling in pregnant dams fed a low-protein (LP) diet. We hypothesized that diet intake and ghrelin signaling are altered in pregnant rats fed the low-protein diet. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a control (CT) or LP diet from Day 3 of pregnancy. Diet intake and body weight were monitored daily. Expression of ghrelin production-related genes in the stomach and appetite-related genes in the hypothalamus was analyzed by real-time PCR. Plasma levels of total and active ghrelin, growth hormone and leptin were measured by ELISA. Main results include: (1) Daily diet intake was greater in the LP group than in the CT group in early pregnancy, but substantially lower in late pregnancy; (2) Daily gain in body weight was substantially lower in the LP group in late pregnancy; (3) Expression of ghrelin production-related genes in the stomach and plasma total ghrelin levels were increased in LP group in late pregnancy; (4) Plasma active ghrelin levels were elevated in the LP group at mid-late pregnancy, but growth hormone and leptin levels were uncorrelated with active ghrelin in late pregnancy; and (5) Hypothalamic expression of ghrelin-stimulated genes in LP rats was unassociated with the changes in both plasma ghrelin levels and the diet intake. Taken together, the appetite in LP rats is greater in early pregnancy but reduced at late pregnancy, possibly due to ghrelin insensitivity in appetite regulation.
A modular approach to numerical EM modeling

Discusses the components of numerical EM modelling codes. The authors go on to discuss a modular approach to EM software development which would allow developers to focus on one component at a time. The modular approach relies on standard format input and output files for each component (or module) of the code. >
System level approach for assessing and mitigating differential skew for 10+ Gbps SerDes applications

Weave-induced skew on printed wiring boards (PWB) for 10+ Gbps SerDes data rates can be very significant. In this paper, we not only investigate weave-induced skew but also look at other sources of skew. We show the weave skew results taken from measurements of three different test boards. Results from a fourth board are presented to examine PWB differential via skew. Measurements from a fifth board are analyzed to determine total channel skew. We propose a budget such that a certain amount of skew can be tolerated with a small increase in channel insertion loss. We then present a case study to project overall performance on PWB yield. We observe a number of anomalies with our test results and suggest additional studies to guard against unpredicted high skew.
The limiting amino-acids in groundnut meal provided at optimal and suboptimal protein levels to growing chickens†

When groundnut meal, providing 12 and 24% protein levels in the diet of growing chickens, was supplemented with lysine, methionine and threonine, lysine was the first limiting amino-acid at both protein levels. At the 12% protein level, threonine was the second and methionine the third limiting amino-acid; at the 24% protein level, methionine was the second limiting amino-acid and threonine was not limiting. Groundnut meal at a suboptimal protein level (12%), supplemented with the three limiting amino-acids, gave a NPU value essentially equal to those obtained with good-quality fish meal. Methionine, added in combination with lysine and in the absence of threonine, depressed growth below that obtained with lysine as the sole amino-acid supplement.
Oxide-supported tetraethylenepentamine for CO2 capture

CO2 capture capacity of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) supported on beta zeolite, SiO2, and Al2O3 has been studied by transient flow switching approach and temperature programmed desorption (TPD) technique coupled with diffuse infrared reflectance Fourier transform spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS). TEPA/beta zeolite shows the highest CO2 capture capacity. Adsorbed CO2 on TEPA/beta zeolite can be characterized as weakly and strongly adsorbed CO2. The former desorbs when CO2 partial pressure decreases; the latter desorbs during TPD. Strongly adsorbed CO2 is in the form of carbonates interacting with the NH functional groups of TEPA. This interaction caused the NH and CH intensity to decrease. TEPA/Al2O3 showed the lowest CO2 capture capacity. The infrared results revealed that TEPA/Al2O3 possessed high content of H2O, which inhibited CO2 adsorption. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
The Language Divide—The Persistence of English Proficiency as a Gateway to the Internet: The Cases of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

Understanding sociodemographic barriers to adoption and use of the Internet continues to be an important research topic, especially considering the increased importance of access and use of information and communication technologies around the world. Extending a digital divide framework, this study analyzes the influences on and relations among awareness, adoption, and (frequent) use of the Internet in the developing countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Data from nationally representative samples fit a model predicting that age, economic well-being, education, urbanness, and English proficiency all influence each Internet digital divide. Age, education, and urbanness are the primary determinants of awareness of the Internet. Language proficiency is the second most important determinant of adoption and the most important influence on use. Despite growing Internet adoption, inequality remains, based on sociodemographic and economic status at each Internet divide. In addition, for these linguistically isolated states, English proficiency being a strong influence on adoption and use indicates a further divide between elites and nonelites.
The Oxidation of Butterfat: I. The Catalytic Effect of Light

Summary The end of the induction period during the oxidation of butterfat in the absence of light is well marked by a rapid bleaching of the color and a rapid increase in peroxides, followed by an increase in volatile acids. The development of peroxides ordinarily precedes the appearance of a tallowy flavor but the tallowy flavor is not always apparent at the same peroxide number. Light, especially ultra-violet light, exerts a marked catalytic effect on the oxidation of butterfat. Aluminum foil wrappers, which excluded the light entirely, prevented the oxidation of the butterfat. Of the colored transparent wrappers dark green and dark red were the most effective. To protect butter from the catalytic effect of light a transparent wrapper should exclude at least the ultra-violet light and decrease the transmission of the longer rays as much as possible. The authors wish to express their thanks to Professor L. C. Thomsen for the help given in judging the flavor of the butter samples.
Computer databases for the sentinel lymph node program.

At the Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Comprehensive Cancer Center, the authors have used FileMaker Pro (Claris Corp) to establish a database of 700 patients who have undergone sentinel lymph node (SLN) dissection since 1993. This internally developed database program runs atop a host of other software programs and is accessible through networked computers located in the clinic, the operating room, and the laboratory. Demographic data, primary tumor prognostic factors, staging information, preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, intraoperative observations, surgical pathology results, and follow-up status are some of the many elements that are chronicled for each patient, from preoperative work-up, through the diagnostic and surgical procedures, to routine follow-up visits. Prospective data entry and immediate accessibility ensure accurate and updated database.
Maintaining the Stability of Neural Function: A Homeostatic Hypothesis

▪ Abstract The precise regulation of neural excitability is essential for proper nerve cell, neural circuit, and nervous system function. During postembryonic development and throughout life, neurons are challenged with perturbations that can alter excitability, including changes in cell size, innervation, and synaptic input. Numerous experiments demonstrate that neurons are able to compensate for these types of perturbation and maintain appropriate levels of excitation. The mechanisms of compensation are diverse, including regulated changes to synaptic size, synaptic strength, and ion channel function in the plasma membrane. These data are evidence for homeostatic regulatory systems that control neural excitability. A model of neural homeostasis suggests that information about cell activity, cell size, and innervation is fed into a system of cellular monitors. Intracellular- and intercellular-signaling systems transduce this information into regulated changes in synaptic and ion channel function. This re...
Numerical and Experimental Characterization of the Transient Effectiveness of a Water to Air Heat Exchanger for Data Center Cooling Systems

The cross flow heat exchanger is at the heart of most cooling systems for data centers. Air/Water or air/refrigerant heat exchangers are the principal component in Central Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) units that condition data room air that is delivered through an underfloor plenum. Liquid/air heat exchangers are also increasingly deployed in close-coupled cooling systems such as rear door heat exchangers, in-row coolers, and overhead coolers. In all cases, the performance of liquid/air heat exchangers in both steady state and transient scenarios are of principal concern. Transient scenarios occur either by the accidental failure of the cooling system or by intentional dynamic control of the cooling system. In either scenario, transient boundary conditions involve time-dependent air or liquid inlet temperatures and mass flow rates that may be coupled in any number of potential combinations. Understanding and characterizing the performance of the heat exchanger in these transient scenarios is of paramount importance for designing better thermal solutions and improving the operational efficiency of existing cooling systems. In this paper, the transient performance of water to air cross flow heat exchangers is studied using numerical modeling and experimental measurements. Experimental measurements in 12 in. × 12 in. heat exchanger cores were performed, in which the liquid (water) mass flow rate or inlet temperature are varied in time following controlled functional forms (step jump, ramp). The experimental data were used to validate a transient numerical model developed with traditional assumptions of space averaging of heat transfer coefficients, and volume averaging of thermal capacitances. The complete numerical model was combined with the transient effectiveness methodology in which the traditional heat exchanger effectiveness approach is extended into a transient domain, and is then used to model the heat exchanger transient response. Different transient scenarios were parametrically studied to develop an understanding of the impact of critical variables such as, the fluid inlet temperature variation and the fluid mass flow rate variation, and a more comprehensive understanding of the characteristics of the transient effectiveness. Agreement between the novel transient effectiveness modeling approach and the experimental measurements enable use of the models as verified predictive design tools. Several studies are designed based on the practical problems related to data center thermal environments and the results are analyzed.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Does the Natural Resource Curse Exist for Electricity Exports in African Nations

Since the mid-1990s researchers have been trying to explain why countries blessed with large endowments of natural resources experience lower rates of economic growth, termed the natural resource curse. While many empirical studies investigate if the curse exists for minerals, oil, and natural gas, we examine the effects electricity exports have on the quality of life in25 African nations. As electricity is derived from natural resources, its export could bring substantial revenues into an economy and, if mismanaged, a natural resource curse could arise. Results demonstrate that electricity exporting nationsare not prone to a resource curse; however, nations with large oil deposits are prone to the curse.
Abstract P6-14-04: Rosehip extracts prevent triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation by regulation the phosphorylation of p70S6 Kinase.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer, characterized by its lack of the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2), the estrogen receptor (ER), and the progesterone receptor (PR). Due to the lack of these hormone receptors, TNBC has abnormal therapeutic results; leading to the need for unique treatment methods. TNBC has a partial response to chemotherapy, which is associated with the lack of clinically established targeted therapies. Plant extracts have shown to be useful as chemopreventive agents due to their disruption of pro-survival and proliferative mechanisms on cancer cells. Rosehip extracts have shown potential anti-proliferative activity against cancer cells in vitro. This study investigated the effect of rosehip extracts in TNBC cell lines (HCC1806 and MB157) and basal-like breast cancer cell lines (HCC70 and HCC1500). To determine the inhibitory role of rosehip extracts in cell proliferation, MTT assays were conducted, following treatment with varying concentrations of rosehip extracts (1mg/ml, 250ug/ml, 25ug/ml, and 25ng/ml) for 48 hours. The data suggests that rosehip extracts, can significantly decrease cell proliferation in all the breast cancer cell lines assayed. Preliminary studies suggest that this is accomplished without toxic effects. Western blot analysis was used to investigate which signaling pathway rosehip extracts were affecting. Western Blot analysis suggests that rosehip extracts are inhibiting p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation and its ability to act as a kinase for S6 ribosomal protein. Based on these findings, rosehip extracts prevent cell proliferation by interfering with the p70 S6 kinase signaling. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-14-04.
High incidence of neutropenia in patients with prolonged ceftaroline exposure.

Objectives We sought to determine the rate of incident neutropenia and identify potential clinical factors associated with incident neutropenia among patients treated with long courses of ceftaroline. Methods We retrospectively identified adult patients who received ceftaroline for ≥7 days consecutively at two large academic medical centres in Boston, USA between November 2010 and March 2015. Clinical characteristics (age, gender, medication allergies, baseline renal function, duration of ceftaroline exposure, total daily ceftaroline dose, body mass-adjusted ceftaroline dose and development of rash and neutropenia) were recorded and the rate of incident neutropenia was calculated. The Naranjo probability scale was used to assess whether ceftaroline exposure was associated with neutropenia. We assessed whether clinical factors were associated with neutropenia. Results The overall rate of incident neutropenia was 10%-14% with ≥2 weeks and 21% with ≥3 weeks of ceftaroline exposure. The median duration of ceftaroline exposure [26 days (IQR 22-44; range 13-68) in patients who developed neutropenia and 15 days (IQR 9-29; range 7-64) in patients without neutropenia] was associated with incident neutropenia (P = 0.048). The median total number of ceftaroline doses received [63 (IQR 44-126; range 36-198) by neutropenic patients and 32 (IQR 22-63; range 14-180) by non-neutropenic patients] was also associated with incident neutropenia (P = 0.023). Conclusions The overall rate of neutropenia was high and associated with duration of ceftaroline exposure and total number of doses received. Close laboratory monitoring is warranted with long-term ceftaroline use.
The development of Army relevant peptide-based surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensors for biological threat detection

The utility of peptide-based molecular sensing for the development of novel biosensors has resulted in a significant increase in their development and usage for sensing targets like chemical, biological, energetic and toxic materials. Using peptides as a molecular recognition element is particularly advantageous because there are several mature peptide synthesis protocols that already exist, peptide structures can be tailored, selected and manipulated to be highly discerning towards desired targets, peptides can be modified to be very stable in a host of environments and stable under many different conditions, and through the development of bifunctionalized peptides can be synthesized to also bind onto desired sensing platforms (various metal materials, glass, etc.). Two examples of the several Army relevant biological targets for peptide-based sensing platforms include Ricin and Abrin. Ricin and Abrin are alarming threats because both can be weaponized and there is no antidote for exposure. Combining the sensitivity of SERS with the selectivity of a bifunctional peptide allows for the emergence of dynamic hazard sensor for Army application.
Using Modern Social Network Techniques to Expand Link Analysis in a Nuclear Reactor Console Redesign

As part of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s recertification of Texas A&M University’s AGN-201M nuclear reactor, a human factors analysis was performed to evaluate the drawbacks of the current system and make design recommendations for a new console layout. The process involved three phases. Background development consisted of a literature review and expert interviews (both structured and unstructured). Process analysis was performed using hierarchical task analysis, critical incident analysis, and heuristic usability walkthroughs. Control panel redesign utilized an expanded version of link analysis through adding modern social networking analysis techniques. While social network analysis has previously been used for design, particular emphasis in this paper is placed on the novel application of faction and centrality analysis to identify group categories for console redesign.
Distinguished Scholar Invited Essay: Exploring Identity and Identification in Organizations: Time for Some Course Corrections

Identity and identification remain very popular constructs for organizational scholars, regularly generating a bounty of provocative research. To help maintain the generativity of these root constr...