cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of MoVOy (y = 2-5) Anion and Neutral Clusters using Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations

The vibrationally resolved anion photoelectron (PE) spectra of MoVOy− (y = 2 − 5) metal suboxide clusters are presented and analyzed in the context of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The electronically congested spectra reflect an increase in cluster electron affinity with increasing oxidation state. Ion beam hole-burning results reveal the features in the PE spectra of MoVO2− and MoVO4− are a result of only one anion isomer, while at least two isomers contribute to electronic structure observed in the PE spectrum of MoVO3−. Spectral features of the binary systems are compared to their pure analogs, Mo2Oy and V2Oy. An attempt to characterize the anion and neutral electronic and molecular structures is made by comparison with results from DFT calculations. However, reconciliation between the cluster spectra and the calculated spectroscopic parameters is not as straightforward as in previous studies on similar systems (Yoder, B. L.; Maze, J. T.; Raghavachari, K.; Jarrold, C. C. J. Chem. Phys. ...
Superoxide-dependent and superoxide-independent pathways for reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium in isolated rat cardiac myocytes.

Abstract Spectroscopic studies indicated that nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) could be reduced to blue formazan by several distinct reactions in suspensions of isolated rat cardiac myocytes. Both NADPH- and NADH-linked pathways for reduction of NBT were observed. NADPH-linked NBT reduction showed little activity in the absence of digitonin, but could be stimulated an average of 9.5-fold by digitonin permeabilization of the plasma membrane. NADH-linked NBT reduction occurred in the absence of digitonin, and could be increased an average of 3.5-fold by digitonin treatment. Analysis of the effects of cell viability on the extent of digitonin stimulation with these substrates suggested that the NADPH-linked reaction involved a cytosolic component, while the NADH-linked reaction involved an intracellular membrane enzyme system. With either NADPH or NADH, NBT reduction was completely inhibited by dicoumarol (100 μ m ). Dicoumarol-insensitive NBT reduction could subsequently be observed following the addition of 2 m m cyanide, a level of cyanide known to inhibit cytosolic superoxide dismutase. Cyanide-stimulated, dicoumarol-insensitive NBT reduction was augmented by the presence of either antimycin or doxorubicin, two agents which enhance superoxide formation by different mechanisms. The results indicate the existence of multiple pathways for both superoxide-independent and superoxide-dependent reduction of NBT. Dicoumarol-insensitive, cyanide-stimulated NBT reduction may be useful as a spectroscopic probe for intracellular superoxide formation.
Heat of Formation of Dodecahedrane

The heat of formation of dodecahedrane is estimated from the difference of ab initio RMP2(FC)/6-31G*//6-31G* energies of dodecahedrane and pagodane, as well as from two homodesmic reactions. The re...
Troubleshooting Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery Lobectomy

Abstract Purpose Surgeons converting their open lobectomy skills to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) techniques have sought traditional technical courses, publications, and physician mentoring. While these are useful in teaching basic principles, it is more difficult to promulgate the numerous advanced techniques or technical "tricks" that deal with anatomical variations or pathologic changes in the lung tissue. Description Engineers have simplified the process of rolling out complex technology by using troubleshooting guides. Accordingly, helpful video-assisted lobectomy maneuvers have been categorized according to the specific problems occasionally encountered at different points in the operation. Evaluation These maneuvers were compiled and reviewed by a panel of thoracic surgeons experienced in video-assisted lobectomies and have been active in teaching and mentoring of thoracic surgeons, residents and fellows. The techniques described have been used successfully by the authors to overcome exposure and instrumentation limitations, to achieve the outcomes reported in their series, and to guide trainees. Conclusions Troubleshooting guides offer an organized means for surgeons to improve the parts of the video-assisted lobectomy procedure that they find tedious or challenging.
Shock-setting behavior as a function of physical attack and extrinsic reward.

This experiment investigated the relative aggressiveness (shock-setting behavior) of Ss competing against aggressive and nonaggressive opponents under conditions in which they could either receive or not receive extrinsic rewards (money) for behaving aggressively. It was observed that Ss behaved in a more aggressive manner when competing with aggressive opponents than when competing with nonaggressive opponents. Ss also selected significantly more intense shocks when given the opportunity to receive monetary rewards for doing so than when not given this opportunity. Aggressive behavior was an additive function of aggressive provocation and extrinsic reward.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Spatial and Temporal Dispersion of Forced Fuel Oscillations

In lean premixed combustors of gas turbine engines, fuel-air mixing is considered vital for controlling pollutant emissions as well as combustion instability. Enhancement in mixing may be obtained by modulating the fuel flow rate. Modulation of fuel flow is also a useful technique to actively control combustion instabilities arising from the pressure oscillations in the combustor and thrust augmenters. Effectiveness of the forced oscillations depends on the level of dispersion present in the system. Knowledge of dispersion levels is also important in determining the degree of mixing and therefore, the effectiveness of a premixer. This paper presents the experimental efforts undertaken to study the spatial and temporal dispersion of fuel flow rate oscillation introduced at the premixer inlet. Effects of oscillation amplitude and frequency are investigated at different bulk flow rates and at various locations in the premixer. Also presented is a review of the in-house numerical work done towards this end, using three computational methods. Results show that the degree of dispersion in fuel flow rate oscillations depends on modulation amplitude and frequency as well as advective velocity of the bulk flow.Copyright © 2009 by Crown Copyright in Right of Canada
Deposit Insurance, Capital Adequacy Requirements and Interest Rate Dynamics

This paper examines the long run interaction among deposit insurance, bank deposit rates and capital adequacy requirements. Using analysis similar to the price discrimination model of Lott and Roberts (1991) we find that a competitive environment among banks would link the spread between insured and uninsured deposit rates to the size of the insurance premium. We also find that banks that choose to operate at the regulatory minimum capital level, would increase asset risk with increased capital requirements if (1) the implicit interest paid to insured and uninsured depositors is equally sensitive to changes in risk and capital adequacy and (2) the insurance premium is independent of the level of risk and capital adequacy. Under the present risk-based premium structure, asset risk has the potential to decline when the regulatory agency raises capital requirements. Finally, we examine the time series behavior of insured and uninsured interest rates to see if it is consistent with our theoretical model. We find that insured and uninsured rates, along with deposit insurance premiums, are cointegrated series as suggested by our model.
Decay of Neutron-Deficient Isotopes of Pd and Rh

Pd isotopes of masses 98, 99, and 101 were prepared by $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle bombardment of ruthenium. The radiations of these isotopes and of their Rh daughters were investigated with a scintillation coincidence spectrometer. ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{98}$ decays with a half-life of 8.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 minutes by emission of 2.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 Mev positrons in coincidence with 650\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 kev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. Its ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{98}$ parent was shown by successive daughter extractions to decay with a half-life of 17.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 minutes. ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{99}$ (4.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 hours) showed 0.74-Mev positrons (10%) in coincidence with 335\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 kev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays (70%). Other $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were observed at 615\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15 kev (20%), 890\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}20 kev (weak line coincident with 335-kev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$), 1.26\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 Mev, and 1.41\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 Mev (weak). ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{99}$ (21.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 minutes) was identified by successive Rh daughter extractions. Its maximum positron energy is 2.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1 Mev and the following $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays were observed: 140, 275, 420, and 670 kev. The 140-kev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray is the most intense and the 420-kev peak represents two $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays of about the same energy in cascade. ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{101}$ (4.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 days) decays by electron capture followed by emission of 312\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 kev $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays. ${\mathrm{Pd}}^{101}$ (8.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 hours) emits 0.58\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 Mev positrons (4%) by decay to the ground state of ${\mathrm{Rh}}^{101}$. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays observed were at 288 kev (15%), 590 kev (15%), 720, 1190, and 1280 kev (last three less intense). The photopeak at 288 kev represents two coincident $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays of about the same energy. Tentative spin and parity assignments were made for the ground states of the nuclides investigated. Mass assignments were confirmed by a study of the relative yields of the various radioactive isotopes as the bombarding $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particle energy and isotopic composition of the Ru target were varied.
Skin friction drag measurements by LDV.

A laser Doppler velocimeter employing a microscope objective as the receiving lens has been developed for measuring fluid velocity inside the boundary layer flow field with a spatial resolution of 40 microns. The method was applied for direct measurement of aerodynamic skin friction drag from the measured velocity gradient at the wall. Experimental results obtained on skin friction and on velocity components in a turbulent boundary layer on a low speed wind tunnel showed good agreement with previously reported data using conventional instruments such as hot-wire anemometers and Preston tubes. The method thus provides a tool for measurement and control of skin friction on aerodynamic bodies without perturbing the flow field.
Model-based architecture analysis for wireless healthcare

The primary challenges in deploying a wireless healthcare solution stem from real-time, distributed resource constraints, as well as stringent clinical requirements of reliability, safety, device interoperability, QoS guarantee, and privacy/security. Although optimized solutions exist for each individual element of the system, the complex, distributed, and concurrent interactions among multiple subsystems make system integration a costly bottleneck. We show that end-to-end modeling and analysis using the formalisms of architecture description languages like AADL can alleviate the hurdles of system integration and provide an effective way of addressing these challenges, thereby, making deployments possible.
ROTAS: a rotamer-dependent, atomic statistical potential for assessment and prediction of protein structures

Multibody potentials accounting for cooperative effects of molecular interactions have shown better accuracy than typical pairwise potentials. The main challenge in the development of such potentials is to find relevant structural features that characterize the tightly folded proteins. Also, the side-chains of residues adopt several specific, staggered conformations, known as rotamers within protein structures. Different molecular conformations result in different dipole moments and induce charge reorientations. However, until now modeling of the rotameric state of residues had not been incorporated into the development of multibody potentials for modeling non-bonded interactions in protein structures. In this study, we develop a new multibody statistical potential which can account for the influence of rotameric states on the specificity of atomic interactions. In this potential, named “rotamer-dependent atomic statistical potential” (ROTAS), the interaction between two atoms is specified by not only the distance and relative orientation but also by two state parameters concerning the rotameric state of the residues to which the interacting atoms belong. It was clearly found that the rotameric state is correlated to the specificity of atomic interactions. Such rotamer-dependencies are not limited to specific type or certain range of interactions. The performance of ROTAS was tested using 13 sets of decoys and was compared to those of existing atomic-level statistical potentials which incorporate orientation-dependent energy terms. The results show that ROTAS performs better than other competing potentials not only in native structure recognition, but also in best model selection and correlation coefficients between energy and model quality. A new multibody statistical potential, ROTAS accounting for the influence of rotameric states on the specificity of atomic interactions was developed and tested on decoy sets. The results show that ROTAS has improved ability to recognize native structure from decoy models compared to other potentials. The effectiveness of ROTAS may provide insightful information for the development of many applications which require accurate side-chain modeling such as protein design, mutation analysis, and docking simulation.
Experience as College Student Activists A Strength and Liability for Prospective Teachers of Color in Urban Schools

Understanding teaching as a political act is often assumed to be a strength for teachers; however, this assumption conceals important aspects of their processes of becoming politicized. I argue that seeing teaching as a political act can be a liability for prospective teachers of color who engaged with college student activism if these assumed qualities are not productively addressed in teacher education programs. I examine trajectories of change in a prospective teacher’s sense-making about activism over the course of her first year in a master’s and credential program and explore the implications of these findings for programs of teacher education.
Molecular Gradients by Colliding Spreading Phospholipid Bilayers

We create compositional gradients of phospholipid membranes on solid supports by engineering collisions between self-spreading bilayers. Lipid sources are deposited in a variety of geometries prescribed by 3D printed elastomer stamps, and once hydrated these stamped lipids spread outward on the surface bilayer. We have determined experimental conditions to reliably produce collisions between two spreading lipid membranes, which subsequently mix by diffusion to form compositional gradients. Measured gradients between similar lipid compositions are fit to solutions of the diffusion equation, yielding a new method to measure diffusion coefficients. By designing collisions between dissimilar lipid compositions (e.g., different cholesterol content or tail length) we produce molecular gradients, and can observe anomalous diffusion. We are using this system to investigate mechanisms of intra-membrane cholesterol transport and partitioning.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Green chemistry tools to influence a medicinal chemistry and research chemistry based organisation

Influencing and improving the environmental performance of a large multi-national pharmaceutical company can be achieved with the help of electronic education tools, backed up by site champions and strong site teams. This paper describes the development of two of those education tools.
The Leeward Coast of Qatar (Khor Al-Adaid ): A model for offshore wind-dominated progradation in an arid environment

The southeastern, leeward coast of Qatar presents a unique example of arid shoreline sedimentation patterns dominated by sand dune fields blown into the sea. The observed sediment dynamics, geospatial data, and facies patterns are analogous to aeolian reservoir systems in ancient rocks, like the Permo-Carboniferous Unayzah Formation of the Middle East or the Permian Rotliegend Formation of Northwest Europe. Oldest sediments exposed along the coastal plain are relicts of a Holocene sea-level highstand of approximately 2 to 4 meters above present day sea level. Oldest radiocarbon age dates reveal marine beaches and lagoonal deposits began forming 4000-6000 years before present. Unlike most coastal depositional systems, the beaches are sourced from onshore, aeolian sand dunes. The coast has prograded 5 to 10 kilometers during the Holocene. The Khor Al-Adid coast is subdivided into two, very distinct sedimentological provinces. The northern part of the coast is linear, reflecting a continuous source of aeolia...
Left ventricular hypertrophy due to volume overload versus pressure overload

Left ventricular hemodynamic overload produces an increase in stroke work (SW), which is compensated by the development of left ventricular hypertrophy. However, recent reports question the adequac...
Mate choice and competition for mates in the boat-tailed grackle

Behavioural studies have implicated both female choice of mates and male competition for access to mates as proximate mechanisms of sexual selection. Few studies have examined the interactions between these mechanisms in a natural setting. In this study, I explored how dominance interactions between male boat-tailed grackles, Quiscalus major, determine the mating success of males and how the behaviour of female boat-tailed grackles influences this process. Male grackles defended colonies of females and performed courtship displays to females that were building nests. These conspicuous displays incited dominance interactions between males, with the result that dominant males interrupted subordinate males' attempts to copulate. Female grackles were receptive only to males that performed courtship displays, but their receptivity to males did not vary with male dominance rank or tail length. Females were more likely to be receptive in a colony than away from a colony, and females became receptive asynchronously during the breeding season. The timing and spacing of females' receptivity to males permitted dominance interactions between males to determine male mating success. By establishing the conditions for male competition, females indirectly chose high-ranking males. Recent studies have emphasized discrimination among potential mates as a behavioural mechanism for mate choice. The results reported here, however, demonstrate that other aspects of females' behaviour can produce mate choice, indirectly rather than directly. ? 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Natural disaster risks: An introduction

published article regarding a national survey of disaster risk beliefs and the public's attitude toward relief efforts
CO2 Adsorption on Supported Molecular Amidine Systems on Activated Carbon

The CO(2) capture capacities for typical flue gas capture and regeneration conditions of two tertiary amidine N-methyltetrahydropyrimidine (MTHP) derivatives supported on activated carbon were determined through temperature-controlled packed-bed reactor experiments. Adsorption-desorption experiments were conducted at initial adsorption temperatures ranging from 29 degrees C to 50 degrees C with temperature-programmed regeneration under an inert purge stream. In addition to the capture capacity of each amine, the efficiencies at which the amidines interact with CO(2) were determined. Capture capacities were obtained for 1,5-diazo-bicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) and 1,8-diazobicyclo[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene (DBU) supported on activated carbon at a loading of approximately 2.7 mol amidine per kg of sorbent. Moisture was found to be essential for CO(2) capture on the amidines, but parasitic moisture sorption on the activated carbon ultimately limited the capture capacities. DBN was shown to have a higher capture capacity of 0.8 mol CO(2) per kg of sorbent and an efficiency of 0.30 mol CO(2) per mol of amidine at an adsorption temperature of 29 degrees C compared to DBU. The results of these experiments were then used in conjunction with a single-site adsorption model to derive the Gibbs free energy for the capture reaction, which can provide information about the suitability of the sorbent under different operating conditions.
Determination of serologic and colostral response in late-gestation cows vaccinated with a Mycoplasma bovis bacterin

Objective—To determine whether vaccinating cows during late gestation against Mycoplasma bovis will result in adequate concentrations of M bovis–specific IgG1 in serum, colostrum, and milk. Animals—78 dairy cows. Procedures—Serum samples were obtained 60 and 39 days prior to expected parturition in vaccinated and control cows from a single herd. Serum and colostrum samples were also obtained at parturition. Milk samples were obtained 7 to 14 days after parturition. Samples were analyzed for anti–M bovis IgG1 concentrations. Results—Prior to vaccination, control and vaccinated cows had similar anti–M bovis IgG1 concentrations. After initial vaccination and subsequent booster and at parturition, there was a significant difference between the 2 groups, with vaccinated cows having higher IgG concentrations. Colostrum from vaccinated cows had higher anti–M bovis IgG1 concentrations, compared with control cows; however, IgG1 concentrations in milk did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusions and Clinical Re...
Involvement of Calcium Signaling and the Actin Cytoskeleton in the Membrane Block to Polyspermy in Mouse Eggs

This study examines the effects of actin microfilament-disrupting drugs on events of fertilization, with emphasis on gamete membrane interactions. Mouse eggs, freed of their zonae pellucidae, were treated with drugs that perturb the actin cytoskeleton by different mechanisms (cytochalasin B, cytochalasin D, jasplakinolide, latrunculin B) and then inseminated. Cytochalasin B, jasplakinolide, and latrunculin B treatments resulted in a decrease in the percentage of eggs fertilized and the average number of sperm fused per egg. However, cytochalasin D treatment resulted in an increase in the average number of sperm fused per egg and the percentage of polyspermic eggs. This increase in polyspermy occurred despite the observation that cytochalasin D treatment caused a decrease in sperm-egg binding and did not affect spontaneous acrosome reactions or sperm motility. This suggested that cytochalasin D-treated eggs had an impaired ability to establish a block to polyspermy at the level of the plasma membrane. The effect of cytochalasin D on the block to polyspermy was not due to a general disruption of egg activation because sperm-induced calcium oscillations and cortical granule exocytosis were similar in cytochalasin D-treated and control eggs. However, buffering of intracellular calcium levels with the calcium chelator BAPTA-AM resulted in an increase in polyspermy. Together, these data suggest that a postfertilization decrease in egg membrane receptivity to sperm requires functions of the egg actin cytoskeleton that are disrupted by cytochalasin D. Furthermore, egg activation-associated increased intracellular calcium levels are necessary but not sufficient to affect postfertilization membrane dynamics that contribute to a membrane block to polyspermy.
Muscle Strength and BMI as Predictors of Major Mobility Disability in the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders Pilot (LIFE-P)

Results. Among N = 406 participants with baseline measures, lower grip strength was associated with an increased risk for developing major mobility disability, with and without covariate adjustment (p < .01): The hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for the lowest versus high sex-specific quartile of grip strength was 6.11 (2.24–16.66). We observed a U-shaped relationship between baseline BMI and the risk of developing major mobility disability, such that the risk for participants with a BMI of 25–29 kg/m 2 was approximately half that of participants with BMI less than 25 or 30 kg/m 2 or more (p = .04 in fully adjusted analyses). Conclusions. Our data highlight the importance of muscle weakness, low BMI, and obesity as risk factors for major mobility disability in older adults. Being overweight may be protective for major mobility disability.
Adaptive Rule Loading and Session Control for Securing Web-Delivered Services

In this paper, we present Arctic, an adaptive reinforcement learning control technique for web intrusion check. A rule-based model is designed to describe the requirement of vulnerability detection. The whole validation rule set is divided into multiple sections,and each can be enabled in either in-line control mode or off-line monitoring mode based on the observation and analysis of user behaviors, balancing security and system cost. For the different sizes of in-line validation rules, we use the reinforcement learning technique to adjust the session admission control, maintaining the response time in an acceptable level as well as maximizing the utilization of system resources. We design a runtime protection mechanism using a HTTP session listener and servlet filters in the J2EE container to intercept HTTP requests and responses. Preliminary results of our implementation are presented in this paper.
Community Pharmacists' Actions When Patients Use Complementary and Alternative Therapies with Medications

ABSTRACT Objective To assess actions of community pharmacists in response to their patients’ concurrent use of prescription medications and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Design Nonexperimental, cross-sectional mail survey. Setting Texas. Participants 107 community pharmacists. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Pharmacists’ self-reported rate of patient inquiry about CAM use and actions taken in response to CAM use. Results A majority (71.0%) of pharmacists had encountered patients who were using CAM, which was defined broadly in the survey to include herbal products, vitamins and minerals, homeopathic products, massage, meditation, and other types of CAM. Pharmacists documented CAM use by patients in 11.0% of cases and reported monitoring for drug-related problems in 38.4% of users. Among CAM users, pharmacists most often encouraged CAM use if medically appropriate. Pharmacists were not comfortable with responding to CAM inquiries but believed they needed adequate knowledge about CAM. In general, pharmacists rarely asked patients about their CAM use. Pharmacists’ rate of inquiry about CAM use increased significantly when this information could be documented in patient profiles and when pharmacists had additional training in CAM. Also, in pharmacies that stocked herbal or homeopathic products, pharmacists were significantly more likely to encourage the use of CAM when medically appropriate and to recommend other CAM therapies appropriate for patients’ conditions. When no references were available to research CAM, pharmacists tended to neither encourage nor discourage CAM use based on lack of scientific evidence of their effectiveness. Conclusion Most community pharmacists had patients who used CAM, but they were not proactive in inquiring about or documenting this use. They most often encouraged CAM use if deemed medically appropriate. Pharmacists’ actions differed on the basis of professional and practice setting characteristics. To ensure optimal drug therapy outcomes, pharmacists should be more proactive in identifying and documenting CAM use by patients.
Residual air and moisture in impregnated paper insulation-III

The paper describes further experiments on the drying and impregnating processes of impregnated paper insulation for high-voltage cables. Conclusions are reached as to the relative advantages of drying at atmospheric pressure and under vacuum. The qualities of the product are discussed from the standpoint of conductivity, dielectric absorption, and power factor. The influence of electric stress on impregnated paper and the progressive change in power factor under stress are studied in accelerated overvoltage tests. Evidence is presented as to the nature of certain interesting types of progressive change of power factor in their relation to the amount of residual air.
Mobile robot self-localization by iconic matching of range maps

This paper examines techniques for a mobile robot to perform self-localization in natural terrain using stereo vision. The range map computed from a stereo image pair is first processed to generate a three-dimensional occupancy map of the terrain. This occupancy map as then compared to a similar map in a known frame of reference. The optimal relative position between the maps with respect to a Hausdorff measure as determined using efficient search techniques. These techniques allow the localization of a mobile robot to be performed robustly in natural terrain, even in the presence of noise, scene clutter, and missing data. Motivation for studying this problem is the Rocky 7 Mars rover.
Demographic Changes in the Older Adult Population of Persons with Intellectual Disability in Germany

The authors examine how the demographic structure of older adults with intellectual disability in Germany is changing. Using the example of Westphalia-Lippe, a region with 8.3 million inhabitants, an alteration of the age structure is projected through to the year 2030. The projection is based on personal data of current recipients of services for people with disability from the regional funding authority (Landschaftsverband), as well as on educational statistics. Assumptions were drawn from the current utilization of support services. It is projected that the percentage of older adults among the German adult population with intellectual disability will increase from 10% in 2010 to 31% in 2030. In 2030, one of two residents of residential institutions will be 60 years old or older, and one of three adults will be 60 years or older who live in supported living. The authors provide a forecast for the numbers of people who will need any kind of support during the day after retirement or who will be in need of care when they get older. In cooperation with other social sectors (care for the elderly, health service system) and the local authorities, the authors suggest that providers have to adjust their services to these age-related demands.
Management of upper aerodigestive tract bleeding on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Introduction: Bleeding complications are often encountered on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In a review of our own series, it was found that upper aero digestive tract bleeding was common and that its management was often difficult. We propose an algorithm to help manage upper aerodigestive tract bleeding in the anticoagulated, ECMO patient. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of the patients who underwent veno-venous or venoarterial ECMO at our institution between July 2010 and July 2012. The patients that had upper aerodigestive tract bleeding that required an otolaryngology consultation were identified. They were further investigated to determine the location of bleed, and procedures were performed to control the bleeding. Results: Among the 37 consecutive patients on ECMO, 11 (30%) had upper aerodigestive tract bleeding events. Of these 11, 7 (63.6%) were secondary to an iatrogenic incident, such as placing a nasogastric tube or transesophageal echo probe. All 11 patients were treated at bedside with conservative management and 3 were treated in the operating room. Four patients (36%) treated with conservative management required repeated procedures due to incomplete hemostasis, compared to no repeated procedure required once surgical intervention in the operating room was complete. Conclusion: Approximately one-third of the ECMO patients developed upper aerodigestive tract bleeding. This bleeding should be controlled in a timely manner; otherwise it may result in massive transfusions. Delaying intervention or conservative management may not be effective. We recommend surgical intervention, if the initial conservative management failed and continued to bleed for more than 24-36 hours. Keywords: ECMO; upper aerodigestive tract; bleeding; anticoagulation; management (Published: 8 February 2013) Citation: Mechanical Circulatory Support 2013, 4 : 20333 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/mcs.v4i0.20333
Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone inhibit the proliferation of experimental non-small cell lung carcinoma.

Recent studies show that antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GH-RH) inhibit proliferation of various cancers indirectly through blockage of the endocrine GH-insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I axis and directly by an action on tumor cells involving the suppression of autocrine/paracrine IGF-I, IGF-II, or GH-RH. The effectiveness of therapy with GH-RH antagonist JV-1-38 and its mechanisms of action were investigated in NCI-H838 non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) xenografted s.c. into nude mice and in vitro. Treatment with GH-RH antagonist JV-1-38 significantly (P < 0.05-0.001) inhibited tumor growth as demonstrated by a 58% decrease in final tumor volume, 54% reduction in tumor weight, and the extension of tumor-doubling time from 8.5 +/- 1.38 to 12 +/- 1.07 days as compared with controls. Using ligand competition assays with (125)I-labeled GH-RH antagonist JV-1-42, specific high-affinity binding sites for GH-RH were found on tumor membranes. Reverse transcription-PCR revealed the expression of mRNA for GH-RH and splice variant 1 (SV(1)) of GH-RH receptor in H838 tumors. Reverse transcription-PCR analysis also demonstrated that H838 tumors express IGF-I and IGF-I receptors. Tumoral concentration of IGF-I and its mRNA expression were significantly decreased by 25% (P = 0.05) and 65% (P < 0.001), respectively, in animals receiving JV-1-38, whereas serum IGF-I levels remained unchanged. In vitro studies showed that H838 cells secreted GH-RH and IGF-I into the medium. The growth of tumor cells in vitro was stimulated by IGF-I and inhibited by GH-RH antagonist JV-1-38 and a GH-RH antiserum. Our results extend the findings on the involvement of IGF-I in NSCLC and suggest that GH-RH may be an autocrine growth factor for H838 NSCLC. The antitumorigenic action of GH-RH antagonists could be partly direct and mediated by SV(1) of tumoral GH-RH receptors. The finding of GH-RH and SV(1) of GH-RH receptors in NSCLC provides a new approach to the treatment of this malignancy based on the use of antagonistic analogues of GH-RH.
1-to-40 10-Gb/s Channel Multicasting and Amplification in Wideband Parametric Amplifier

All-optical 1-to-40 multicasting of 10-Gb/s intensity modulated nonreturn-to-zero data is experimentally demonstrated in an architecture based on a one-pump modulated wideband parametric optical amplifier. The unique combination encompassing a wideband multicasting function and a gain function resulted in less than 0.5-dB power penalty and a minimum of 11.5-dB conversion efficiency with less than 1.35 dB of gain ripple.
Modeling, Clustering, and Segmenting Video with Mixtures of Dynamic Textures

A dynamic texture is a spatio-temporal generative model for video, which represents video sequences as observations from a linear dynamical system. This work studies the mixture of dynamic textures, a statistical model for an ensemble of video sequences that is sampled from a finite collection of visual processes, each of which is a dynamic texture. An expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm is derived for learning the parameters of the model, and the model is related to previous works in linear systems, machine learning, time- series clustering, control theory, and computer vision. Through experimentation, it is shown that the mixture of dynamic textures is a suitable representation for both the appearance and dynamics of a variety of visual processes that have traditionally been challenging for computer vision (for example, fire, steam, water, vehicle and pedestrian traffic, and so forth). When compared with state-of-the-art methods in motion segmentation, including both temporal texture methods and traditional representations (for example, optical flow or other localized motion representations), the mixture of dynamic textures achieves superior performance in the problems of clustering and segmenting video of such processes.
Collaboration between grass seedlings and rhizobacteria to scavenge organic nitrogen in soils.

Plants require nitrogen (N) to make proteins, nucleic acids and other biological molecules. It is widely accepted that plants absorb inorganic forms of N to fill their needs. However, recently it has become clear that plants also have the capacity to absorb organic N from soils. In this paper we describe a new kind of symbiosis involving seed- vectored rhizobacteria and grasses that is targeted at enhancing acquisition of organic N from soils. Our proposal is based on results of experiments on seedlings of grass species Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Lolium perenne L. and Poa annua L. that suggest: (i) seed-vectored rhizobacteria colonize seedling roots and influence their development; (ii) reactive oxygen secretion by seedling roots plays a role in organic N procurement by denaturing microbial proteins in the vicinity of roots (daytime activity); and (iii) plant root and microbial proteases degrade denatured proteins prior to absorption by roots (night-time activity). This research involved the following types of studies: (i) seedling root development experiments with and without rhizobacteria on a variety of substrates in agarose media and (ii) iso- topic N-tracking experiments to evaluate the absorption into seedlings of N obtained from degradation of proteins. We hypothesize that grasses, in particular, are adapted to scavenge organic N from soils through application of this 'oxidative nitrogen scavenging' symbiosis with rhizobacteria, and their soil-permeating root systems. This newly discovered symbiosis in grass species could lead to new ways to cultivate and manage grasses to enhance efficiency of N utilization and reduce applications of inorganic fertilizers.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is an upstream regulator of the phosphodiesterase 3B pathway of leptin signalling that may not involve activation of Akt in the rat hypothalamus.

Leptin, the product of the obese gene, regulates energy homeostasis by acting primarily at the level of the hypothalamus. Leptin action through its receptor involves various pathways including the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B)-cAMP signaling in the CNS and peripheral tissues. In the hypothalamus, leptin stimulates STAT3 activation, and induces PI3K and PDE3B activities, among others. We have previously demonstrated that PDE3B activation in the hypothalamus is critical for transducing anorectic and body weight reducing effects of leptin. Similarly, PI3K has been implicated toplay a critical role in leptin signaling in the hypothalamus. Whereas in insulin signaling pathway, PI3K is known to be an upstream regulator of PDE3B in non-neuronal tissues, it is still unknown whether this is also the case for leptin signaling in the hypothalamus. To address this possibility, the effect of wortmannin, a specific PI3K inhibitor, was examined on the leptin-induced PDE3B activity in the hypothalamus of male rats. Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of leptin (4 μg) significantly increased PDE3B activity by 2-fold in the hypothalamus as expected. However, prior administration of wortmannin completely reversed the stimulatory effect of leptin on PDE3B activity in the hypothalamus. To demonstrate whether leptin stimulates p-Akt levels and there by a possible upstream regulator of PDE3B, we examined the effects of icv leptin on p-Akt levels in the hypothalamus and compared that with the known stimulatory effect of insulin on p-Akt. We observed that insulin increased p-Akt levels but leptin failed to do so although it increased p-STAT3 levels in the rat hypothalamus. Immunocytochemistry confirmed the biochemical finding in that leptin failed but insulin increased the number of p-Akt positive cells in various hypothalamic nuclei. Altogether these results implicate PI3K but not Akt as an upstream regulator of the PDE3B pathway of leptin signaling in the rat hypothalamus.
Effects of Vaginal Intercourse with and without a Condom on Vaginal Flora and Vaginal Epithelium

Effects of a single episode of intercourse on vaginal flora and epithelium were examined in subjects randomly assigned to groups that used no condom or lubricated nonspermicide condoms. Subjects were evaluated at visits before (1 month and 1-2 days) and after (8-12 h, 2-3 days, and 6-8 days) an index episode of sexual intercourse. The 22 subjects who used no condoms had significantly more Escherichia coli and a high concentration (> or =10(5) cfu/mL) of E. coli in the vagina (both, P<.001) and urine (all <10(5) cfu/mL; P=.004) at visit 3 than at visits 1 and 2. The 20 subjects who used condoms had a trend toward more vaginal E. coli (P=.06) and a significant increase in other enteric gram-negative rods (P=.001) after intercourse. Intercourse was not associated with gross, colposcopic, or histologic vaginal epithelial abnormalities.
Peroxidase-catalysed interfacial adhesion of aquatic caddisworm silk

Casemaker caddisfly ( Hesperophylax occidentalis ) larvae use adhesive silk fibres to construct protective shelters under water. The silk comprises a distinct peripheral coating on a viscoelastic fibre core. Caddisworm silk peroxinectin (csPxt), a haem-peroxidase, was shown to be glycosylated by lectin affinity chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Using high-resolution H2O2 and peroxidase-dependent silver ion reduction and nanoparticle deposition, imaged by electron microscopy, csPxt activity was shown to be localized in the peripheral layer of drawn silk fibres. CsPxt catalyses dityrosine cross-linking within the adhesive peripheral layer post-draw, initiated perhaps by H2O2 generated by a silk gland-specific superoxide dismutase 3 (csSOD3) from environmental reactive oxygen species present in natural water. CsSOD3 was also shown to be a glycoprotein and is likely localized in the peripheral layer. Using a synthetic fluorescent phenolic copolymer and confocal microscopy, it was shown that csPxt catalyses oxidative cross-linking to external polyphenolic compounds capable of diffusive interpenetration into the fuzzy peripheral coating, including humic acid, a natural surface-active polyphenol. The results provide evidence of enzyme-mediated covalent cross-linking of a natural bioadhesive to polyphenol conditioned interfaces as a mechanism of permanent adhesion underwater.
Hot-blooded lizard illuminates endothermy origins

![Graphic][1] Understanding the evolution of endothermy in birds and mammals is a central question in evolutionary physiology, because thermal biology intertwines with numerous ecologically important life-history traits, such as body size and shape, foraging ranges, growth rates and the
A spectral channel order preserving technique for wavelength conversion based on FWM and its application in label switching optical network

We have experimentally demonstrated, for the first time, a FWM-based wavelength conversion that does not invert the spectral order of consecutive wavelength channels. We utilize this important outcome to successfully implement wavelength conversion of the optical labeled packets generated by the OCSS technique and maintain the spectral order of the converted label and payload. (2 pages)
Activated metallic gold as an agent for direct methoxycarbonylation.

We have discovered that metallic gold is a highly effective vehicle for the low-temperature vapor-phase carbonylation of methanol by insertion of CO into the O–H bond to form methoxycarbonyl. This reaction contrasts sharply to the carbonylation pathway well known for homogeneously catalyzed carbonylation reactions, such as the synthesis of acetic acid. The methoxycarbonyl intermediate can be further employed in a variety of methoxycarbonylation reactions, without the use or production of toxic chemicals. More generally we observe facile, selective methoxycarbonylation of alkyl and aryl alcohols and secondary amines on metallic gold well below room temperature. A specific example is the synthesis of dimethyl carbonate, which has extensive use in organic synthesis. This work establishes a unique framework for using oxygen-activated metallic gold as a catalyst for energy-efficient, environmentally benign production of key synthetic chemical agents.
Carrier-Grade Backbone Transmission Technology

The Metro Ethernet Forum(MEF) put forward the concept of Carrier Ethernet(CE) to improve Ethernet technology and make it a transmission convergence layer solution for Next Generation Network(NGN).Provider Backbone Transport(PBT) is the result of the enhancement and improvement of the early Ethernet technologies and it is the new version of CE implementation technology and standard which is promising.Through studying the PBT-related technologies,PBT network structure,PBT advantages as the transmission convergence layer solution and its trend of future development,it is concluded that PBT can be used as the preferred technology of the transmission convergence layer in the NGN,though there are some problems to be solved for PBT.
DISSIDENCE TO “THE ELIMINATION OF GROUND ARCING FAULTS CAUSED OVERVOLTAGE BY PETERSON’S COILS”

All presently used Peterson's coils which can automatically trace or tune are designed to work under power frequency. During a single line to ground fault caused by an intermittent arc, both the overvoltage on the healthy phases and the arcing current flowing through the faulty position are of high frequency properties. The frequency characteristics of the network capacitance and the inductance of Peterson's coil are totally different under high frequency, which means that three phase compensation or tuning is impossible under high frequency. Therefore, it is impossible to eliminate the ground arcing faults caused overvoltage by automatically traced or tuned Peterson's coils, so the guidance based on this theory is improper.
Pregnancy Desire, Partner Serodiscordance, and Partner HIV Disclosure among Reproductive Age HIV-Infected Women in an Urban Clinic

Women comprise 25% of the US HIV epidemic, with many women of reproductive age. There is a need for providers to address the reproductive needs and desires of women with HIV given that effective antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV into a chronic disease. This cross-sectional study shows high rates of partner serodiscordance (61%) and moderate HIV disclosure to partners (61%). Patients surveyed reported practitioners discuss condoms (94%) and contraception (71%) more often than pregnancy desire (38%). In our sample, 44% of the surveyed women intended future pregnancy, whereas women who did not intend future pregnancy cited HIV/health and serodiscordance as the most common reasons (56% and 35%, resp.). There was no difference in the knowledge of mother-to-child transmission risk between women who intended or did not intend future pregnancy (p = 0.71). These results underline the need for provider training in reproductive counseling to promote risk reduction and education.