cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogenic upregulation of DNA polymerase beta in oocytes of preovulatory ovine follicles.

The basic premise of this investigation was that local hormonal control of stockpiling of the base excision repair polymerase (poly) β within oocytes of preovulatory follicles occurs as a function of cytoplasmic maturation. There was an increase in immunoreactive poly β in sectioned oocytes of preovulatory ovine follicles during a 12–36-hour interval following the onset of prostaglandin (PG) F2α-induced (Day 14 of the estrous cycle) luteal regression; this response was not observed in subordinate (nonovulatory) follicles. Accumulation of poly β in oocytes at 36 hr after PGF2α was negated by treatment of ewes at 12 hr with the aromatase inhibitor Arimidex or an ovulatory dose of GnRH (which, via surge gonadotropin stimulation, acutely downregulates the proestrous rise in follicular estrogen biosynthesis). Estradiol-17β stimulated poly β expression (transcriptional control) in oocytes of explanted (12 hr after PGF2α) follicles (24-hour incubation). We suggest that a critical period of estrogen amplification in the preovulatory follicle underscores the capacity of its oocyte to efficiently repair DNA and therefore reconcile spontaneous infidelities in genomic integrity that inevitably occur during preimplantation embryogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 58:417–423, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Taylor series solution of a class of diffusion problems in physiology

Abstract A Taylor series technique for obtaining pointwise bounds for the solution of a class of diffusion problems in physiology is presented. Simple analytic bounding functions are obtained using an integral representation for the solution. Computations are performed in interval arithmetic, and thus lower and upper bounds are obtained simultaneously. Higher-order Taylor coefficients are computed using simple recursion relations. The oxygen diffusion problem in spherical cells is presented as an illustrative example. For this example, the present technique is computationally more efficient than the existing ones in that it yields sharper bounds with fewer integration steps.
Cylindrical sound wave fronts in acousto-optics: multiple, local, strong interaction

The results of computer simulation experiments concerning strong interaction with strongly curved wave fronts of sound are presented. Such interaction is found to occur locally, at successive points in the interaction region. This is in agreement with the eikonal theory of acousto-optics and its associated diffracted ray diagrams. Based on the latter, measures are presented for the separation between interaction points, their relative independence, and the effective interaction length. These measures are shown to accurately describe the simulation results. Diffraction efficiency for the various orders shows close correspondence with the eikonal theory of uncoupled local interactions. Following the discussion of theory and simulation, implications for wideband acousto-optic devices are considered.
Stabilization of glucocorticoid receptors in vitro using divalent cations plus cation chelators

Abstract The specific glucocorticoid receptor binding of rat liver cytosol was very unstable in vitro at 25 and 4°C. However, 5 mM CaCl2 added with 5 mM EDTA to cytosol prior to incubation markedly stabilized unbound glucocorticoid receptors at both temperatures. Optimal effectiveness was achieved using equimolar (5 mM) amounts of CaCl2 and EDTA. On the other hand, 5 mM CaCl2 (added alone) further destabilized the unbound glucocorticoid receptor, while 5 mM EDTA (added alone) had no effect at 25°C. EGTA (in lieu of EDTA) added with CaCl2 stabilized hepatic receptor binding at 25°C. On the other hand, citrate added with calcium was ineffective in stabilizing the hepatic glucocorticoid receptor. MgCl2 effectively replaced CaCl2 as a stabilizing agent at 25°C if added with 5 mM EDTA. When added alone, MgCl2 slightly destabilized the unbound receptor. Sucrose density gradient analysis (in low salt) revealed that CaCl2 plus EDTA enhanced the steroid-receptor complex sedimentation coefficient from 2 S to about 10 S. Unlike molybdate, CaCl2 plus EDTA had no apparent effect on steroid-receptor complex thermal transformation into a nuclear binding form, while MgCl2 plus EDTA partially reduced transformation. These results suggest a novel means to chemically stabilize unbound hepatic glucocorticoid receptors in vitro which may be of particular importance for receptor purification studies.
Experimental and Computational Investigation of Rotary Electromagnetic Stirring in a Woods Metal System.

An experimental and computational investigation was carried out in an electromagnetically stirred Woods metal system, and the associated free-surface deformation was studied. The free-surface velocities were measured at various strengths of the applied magnetic fields using high-speed video photography. The effect of the magnetic field strength of the electromagnetic stirrer on the free surface deformation was studied by varying the position of the melt relative to the electromagnetic stirrer. The calculated free surface deformation was compared to experimental observations made on a laboratory-scale installation.
Why do ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack patients get readmitted

Abstract Objective Readmission is an important indicator for the quality of healthcare services. The authors examined the reasons for 30-day readmission among urban stroke patients, and their clinical consequences. Methods Consecutive patients admitted to a JCAHO certified primary stroke center with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA) were included. Demographics, TOAST mechanism, risk factors, treatments administered and discharge destination were collected. Charts were reviewed for readmissions up to 30 days from discharge. Reasons for readmission and outcomes in terms of disability and discharge destination were determined. Results Two hundred sixty-five patients (50.9% male; 79.6%African American; mean age 60.9 years) were included. There were 205(77.4%) strokes and 60(22.6%) TIAs. Thirteen (5%) patients died during their first admission. Of the remaining 252 patients, 25 (9.9%) were readmitted within 30 days. The reason for readmission was neurological in 8/25 patients (32%; 3 ischemic strokes, 1 hemorrhagic stroke and 4 TIAs); and non-neurological in 17/25 patients (68%). The frequent non-neurological reasons were infections (6/25), electrolyte disturbances (3/25) and trauma related to falls (2/25). Patients with coronary artery disease were more likely to be readmitted (45.5% vs. 14.7%; p = 0.001) An NIH stroke scale ≥ 10 predicted readmission (50.0% vs. 25.4% for NIHSS Interpretation Disabling strokes are more likely to be readmitted. The reason is often non-neurological, and sometimes preventable. Physicians should review cases that return within 30 days and determine best practices that prevent readmission.
Markov-chain Monte-Carlo approach for association probability evaluation

Data association is one of the essential parts of a multiple-target-tracking system. The paper introduces a report-track association-evaluation technique based on the well known Markov-chain Monte-Carlo (MCMC) method, which estimates the statistics of a random variable by way of efficiently sampling the data space. An important feature of this new association-evaluation algorithm is that it can approximate the marginal association probability with scalable accuracy as a function of computational resource available. The algorithm is tested within the framework of a joint probabilistic data association (JPDA). The result is compared with JPDA tracking with Fitzgerald's simple JPDA data-association algorithm. As expected, the performance of the new MCMC-based algorithm is superior to that of the old algorithm. In general, the new approach can also be applied to other tracking algorithms as well as other fields where association of evidence is involved.
Recent work on InSb spin-flip Raman laser

Abstract A review is given of the recent work on InSb spin-flip Raman laser at the M.I.T. National Magnet Laboratory. Using pump radiation in 10 μm region Stokes output power and threshold pump intensity were measured as a function of the magnetic field H, pump wavelength, and crystal orientation. The curves of the Stokes output power versus H show considerable structure which varies with both pump wavelength and crystal orientation. The observed structure between the low-field and high-field cutoffs of the stimulated output is shown to arise from anisotropic intraband and interband multiphoton magnetoabsorptions at the pump and Stokes wavelengths, and not due to electron spin-phonon interactions as reported previously. Additional measurements made with 5 μm pump radiation are also consistent with this interpretation.
Regulatory Role of Guanosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate in Adrenocorticotropin Hormone-Induced Steroidogenesis

The relation between steroidogenesis induced by adrenocorticotropic hormone and the concentrations of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic GMP) was studied at different time intervals in isolated adrenal cells. Submaximal and supramaximal steroidogenic concentrations of the hormone did not cause detectable changes in cyclic AMP during the first 30 minutes, whereas there was an increase in the concentration of cyclic GMP that was accompanied by phosphorylation and steroidogenesis. It is therefore suggested that cyclic GMP, rather than cyclic AMP, is the physiological mediator of adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced adrenal steroidogenesis.
New necessary conditions for abelian hadamard difference sets

Abstract In this paper, we obtain several nonexistence results for abelian Hadamard difference sets. In particular, we prove that there are no Hadamard difference sets in abelian groups G = Z2 × Z2 × P, where |P| = p2α, α is odd and p is a prime congruent to 1 (mod 4). Also, we give a detailed proof for a connection between certain reversible Hadamard difference sets and projective three-weight codes which was claimed in Xiang and Chen (1996).
Forward Surgical Teams provide comparable outcomes to combat support hospitals during support and stabilization operations on the battlefield.

Abstract : Background: Forward Surgical Teams (FST) provide forward deployed surgical care within the battle space. The next level of care in theater, the Combat Sup- port Hospitals (CSH), are distinguished from the FST by advanced resource capabilities including more complex diagnostic imaging, laboratory support with blood banking, and intensive care units. This study was intended to assess the effect of FST capability on the outcome of seriously injured casualties in comparison to the CSH. Methods: We reviewed all casualty records in the Joint Theater Trauma Registry database from April 2004 to April 2006. The study cohort included all US military battle casualties who were admitted to either a FST or a CSH and were not returned to duty within 72 hours. Data were tabulated and assessed for basic demographics, mechanism of injury, injury severity score, ventilator and critical care days, and mortality. Statistical inferences were made using Chi square and Student's t tests. Results: As of April 2006, the above information was available in the Joint Theater Trauma Registry on 2,617 US military battle casualties who survived to reach care at a FST and/or CSH. Of this population, 77 subsequently died of wounds and 2,540 survived. We found no significant difference in died of wounds rates between the sample populations or rates of ventilator or critical care days between the two groups, nor did controlling for injury severity score alter this picture. The most significant predictor of mortality in both these groups was head injury. Conclusions: The disparity between the availability of the highest level of injury care and the ability to care for injury as soon as possible is an issue of central importance to both the civilian and military trauma care communities. Our analysis demonstrates that despite the operational and logistic challenges that burden the FST, this level of surgical care confers equivalent battlefield injury outcome results compared with the CSH.
fac-Bromotricarbonyl[2-(2-pyridylmethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindol-1-one]rhenium(I) methanol solvate.

The structure of the title compound, fac-[ReBr(C 14 H 12 N 2 O)-(CO) 3 ].CH 4 O, consists of neutral mononuclear molecular units of distorted octahedral geometry, with the three carbonyl donors in a facial orientation. The remaining coordination sites are occupied by the Br atom, the pyridine N atom and the ketone O-atom donor of the ligand. The molecules pack in stacks of antiparallel tapes, with a network of classical (O-H...Br) and non-classical (C-H...O) hydrogen bonds between the methanol solvent molecule and the complex molecule.
Logical verification and equational verification

There were some errors in the last article of the Logic Column. Thanks to Claudia Zepeda for spotting them. They have been corrected in the online version of the article, available from the CORR archive at http://arxiv.org/abs/cs.LO/0502031. All articles published in this column are archived at CORR; the following URL will return them all: http://arxiv.org/find/grp_cs/1/ti:+AND+logic+column.
Linear mixture modeling of Europa's non-ice material based on cryogenic laboratory spectroscopy

[1] Linear mixture modeling has been applied to Galileo Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (NIMS) spectra of Europa's dark, non-water-ice terrain using cryogenic laboratory spectra of hydrated compounds. Water ice alone could not account for the distorted and asymmetric spectral features attributed to water of hydration in the Europa spectrum. The modeling was conducted using cryogenic reference spectra of hexahydrite, epsomite, bloedite, sodium sulfide nonahydrate, mirabilite, magnesium sulfate dodecahydrate, sulfuric acid hydrate, and saturated brines of magnesium sulfate, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate. All were measured between 77 and 130K. The best model fit was attained using abundances of 14% hexahydrite, 11% bloedite, 12% mirabilite, and 62% sulfuric acid hydrate. Results indicate that sulfuric acid hydrate and hydrated sulfate salts, taken together, produce a better spectral match than either class of compound considered alone.
Information access across languages on the web: From search engines to digital libraries

Information access across languages challenges researchers and practitioners in many disciplines, especially machine translation (MT) and Cross-language Information Retrieval (CLIR). Google's cross-language search is a model that integrates MT and CLIR technologies to help users find information on the Web that is not written in their familiar languages. This paper overviews the functions of Google's cross-language search and its performance. It proposes strategies that digital libraries can apply for implementing multilingual information access through the discussion of the cases of five bilingual or multilingual digital libraries.
Helpers, mothers, and preachers: the multiple roles and discourses of family child care providers in an African-American community

Abstract This article examines the communication and discourse styles of African American family child care providers serving low-income families. In particular, I look at the kinds of advice and help providers offer parents. Interpretive techniques borrowed from literary theory are employed in the analysis of qualitative interview transcripts conducted with 7 African American family child care providers. The analysis reveals the ways providers draw on both mainstream, professional ideas of how to provide appropriate family support and more indigenous conceptions of effective help-giving in an African American community. Providers’ abilities to use communication strategies from both the professional world of education and from their own cultural world indicate a strength that may not be recognized in training classes or program planning. The multiple discourses–both professional and personal–illustrated in these interviews suggest alternative models of family support and effective help-giving for early childhood caregivers and educators. Suggestions for how training programs could build on providers’ strengths are offered.
Observations of increased wind-driven coastal upwelling off central California

[1] Alongshore wind speed and sea surface temperature (SST) from coastal National Data Buoy Center buoys are used to study the variability of wind-driven coastal upwelling from 1982 to 2008. A long-term increase in upwelling is observed in central California (35°N–39°N) with stronger upwelling-favorable winds, colder water, and more frequent occurrences of upwelling days during the upwelling season (March–July). Further, a longer upwelling season is observed in the same region, starting earlier in the spring and persisting later in the fall. These interannual changes in upwelling strength and seasonal duration are investigated in this study. Changes in alongshore wind (forcing of upwelling) are poorly correlated with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation or the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, but the Northern Oscillation and the North Pacific Gyre Oscillation correlate with the geostrophic upwelling-favorable winds in the region. However, changes in SST (an upwelling response) are correlated with both changes in wind (upwelling forcing) and the climate indices. Although this short record cannot differentiate between multidecadal cycles and persistent trends, this data-based result does corroborate model-based projections of increased upwelling in this region due to global climate change. This increase in upwelling is understood to be a response to the strengthening of large-scale pressure gradient fields partially due to global-scale climate change. Farther north and farther south in California, other processes also have a significant influence on coastal conditions, such that the tendency for increased upwelling is not evident in the same way.
Polymerase chain reaction fingerprinting in fungi using single primers specific to minisatellites and simple repetitive DNA sequences: strain variation in Cryptococcus neoformans

Minisatellites and simple repetitive DNA sequence motifs are used as conventional oligonucleotide probes in DNA-hybridization-based fingerprinting. The same oligonucleotides can be used as single primers in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate individual PCR fingerprints. In this study, the simple repetitive sequences, (CA)8, (CT)8, (CAC)5, (GTG)5, (GACA)4 and (GATA)4, and a minisatellite core sequence derived from the wild-type phage M13 (5' GAGGGTGGCGGTTCT 3') were used as specific, single primers to amplify hypervariable repetitive DNA sequences during PCR analysis. The potential applications of this techniques are demonstrated with clinical isolates of the human pathogenic yeast, Cryptococcus neoformans. PCR fingerprint patterns have remained stable after long-term in vitro passage ( > 2 1/2 years to date). Hybridization of the primers to blots of electrophorectically separated chromosomes demonstrated that the target sequences recognized by most of the primers are dispersed through the entire yeast genome. Sequence analysis of the cloned bands obtained by PCR fingerprinting indicated that if the same or extremely similar, inversely oriented tandem repeats are located close to each other, when only one repeat-specific primer is used in the PCR, the region between these repeats is amplified. PCR fingerprinting has a wide range of current and potential applications to fungi, such as clarifying taxonomic questions, facilitating epidemiological studies and improving the diagnosis of mycotic diseases.
Preliminary investigation of the strength and durability of superplastic formed aluminum

This paper describes a program to evaluate the potential of superplastic formed (SPF) aluminum for loadbearing structural applications. The alloy evaluated was Supral 220—the British alloy roughly comparable to the U.S. 7075. Components for the T-46 (Next Generation Trainer) Aircraft were formed, treated to the T6 condition, and cut into test coupons. Tensile yield and ultimate strengths, and fatigue crack growth rates all fell between the values expected for 6061-T6 and 7075-T6. Fatigue initiation times were shorter than expected, but most initiation sites were at the specimen surfaces, indicating that surface finish and cladding may be more of a factor than cavitation. The overall first impression is that SPF aluminum alloys behave predictably and have the potential for load-bearing applications, provided that an "initial flaw" concept is used during design.
Reassessment of CD62L as a marker of pre-effector T cells in the tumor draining lymph nodes of head and neck cancer patients.

Abstract Objectives: CD62L was evaluated as a determinant of human pre-effector T cells. Study Design and Setting: Phenotype and cytokine secretion profiles of CD62L cells were determined based on activation status. Results: CD62LLow T cells demonstrated significantly higher secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ than did CD62LHigh T cells. After activation, the majority of cells expressed high levels of the CD62L surface marker. Postactivation levels of IL-10 production remained elevated or unchanged. In a murine B16 melanoma model, freshly isolated CD62LLow tumor draining lymph nodes (TDLN) T cells showed increased secretion of IL-2 and IL-4 but not of IL-10 or IFN-γ. The surface expression of CD62L and cytokine secretion patterns were maintained after activation with concomitant increases in IL-10. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that CD62LLow T cells in TDLNs of progressively growing squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck differ phenotypically and functionally from those of mouse origin. Significance: Characterization of this human CD62LLow T cell population provides initial insight regarding novel surface markers in TDLN T cells that might correlate with antitumor reactivity. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:180-7.)
Hepatic patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 sequence, single nucleotide polymorphism presence, protein confirmation, and responsiveness to energy balance in dairy cows

Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3), commonly known as adiponutrin, is part of a novel subfamily of triglyceride lipase enzymes with potential effects on triglyceride metabolism in adipose and hepatic tissues. The predicted bovine PNPLA3 sequence has been identified, but expression of the gene had not been examined. The objectives of this study were to confirm the predicted bovine PNPLA3 gene sequence, determine expression of the bovine PNPLA3 gene in response to whole-animal energy balance, identify single nucleotide polymorphisms present in dairy cows, and verify the presence of the protein in the liver. Using liver biopsy samples collected from cows at +28d relative to calving (DRTC), RNA was isolated and used to generate a cDNA template for amplification of the entire predicted coding sequence of PNPLA3 via PCR. To determine if energy balance alters the expression of PNPLA3, RNA was isolated and mRNA expression quantified in liver samples from mid-lactation cows after a 5-d ad libitum period (n=5) and after a subsequent 5-d 50% feed restriction period (n=5), and in samples collected from cows at -14, +1, +14, and +28 DRTC (n=16). The presence of PNPLA3 protein was detected by Western blot in liver protein samples collected at +28 DRTC. Expression of hepatic PNPLA3 was decreased after a period of feed restriction (8.14 vs. 1.08±2.17 arbitrary units, ad libitum vs. fasted). Expression of PNPLA3 mRNA was decreased at +1 and +14 DRTC compared with -14 DRTC (23.35, 7.28, 10.17, and 14.5±4.9 arbitrary units, -14, +1, +14, and +28 DRTC, respectively). The presence of PNPLA3 protein was detected as a 55-kDa band in hepatic protein isolations from liver tissue collected at +28 DRTC. These data confirm the presence and sequence of the bovine hepatic PNPLA3 gene and single nucleotide polymorphisms. Furthermore, these data indicate responsiveness of bovine hepatic PNPLA3 to energy balance.
SU-8 passivation of type-II InAs/GaSb strained layer superlattice detectors

We report on surface passivation studies for type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice (SL) PIN detectors designed to operate in the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) region and the long wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectrum. The two SL structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy and processed into mesa diodes using standard lithography. A simple spin on photoresist, SU-8, was used to passivate the sample after a wet etch. Optical and electrical measurements were then undertaken on the two devices. The dark current density of a single pixel device with SU-8 passivation is reduced by four orders of magnitude and by a factor of eight compared to devices without any passivation for the MWIR and LWIR pin detectors, respectively, at 77K.
Ds DALITZ PLOT ANALYSES FROM THE B-FACTORIES

The resonant sub-structure of three-body charm meson decays can be effectively studied with Dalitz plot analyses. By using coherent sums of amplitudes, interference between different intermediate states can be described. Such interference effects can yield information on states, such as the scalar resonances, that is difficult to obtain in other ways. In this summary, we report on BABAR collaboration Dalitz plot analyses of two modes: and .
The modification of choreal movements

Abstract Training in an incompatible response was used to decrease the symptomatic movements associated with Sydenham's Chorea. Training was conducted for 30 sessions on a lever pull-button press apparatus. Results indicated a decrease in inappropriate spasmodic movements both during the treatment sessions and on the ward. The results were maintained 16–20 weeks after treatment termination.
Comorbidity-Polypharmacy Score as Predictor of Outcomes in Older Trauma Patients: A Retrospective Validation Study.

Introduction Traditional injury severity assessment is insufficient in estimating the morbidity and mortality risk for older (≥45 years) trauma patients. Commonly used tools involve complex calculations or tables, do not consider all comorbidities, and often rely on data that are not available early in the trauma patient’s hospitalization. The comorbidity–polypharmacy score (CPS), a sum of all pre-injury medications and comorbidities, was found in previous studies to independently predict morbidity and mortality in this older patient population. However, these studies are limited by relatively small sample sizes. Consequently, we sought to validate previous research findings in a large, administrative dataset.
Empirical Power and Type I Error Rates for an IRT Fit Statistic that Considers the Precision of Ability Estimates

Model-data-fit of item response theory (IRT) models is generally assessed by comparing observed performance by examinees on individual items with performance that is predicted under the chosen IRT model. However, use of traditional chi-square methods to evaluate goodness-of-fit of IRT models is not appropriate when the underlying trait/ability is estimated imprecisely (e.g., shorter assessments). This article describes a goodness-of-fit statistic that considers directly the uncertainty with which ability is estimated as well as a resampling-based hypothesis testing procedure. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the empirical power and Type I error rates for the proposed procedure. Results of the study indicated that the procedure should be useful for evaluating goodness-of-fit of IRT models for most testing applications where uncertainty in ability estimation is an issue.
Concomitant treatment with topiramate and ketogenic diet in pediatric epilepsy.

Summary: Purpose: Topiramate (TPM) is widely used as add-on therapy for epilepsy. TPM inhibits carbonic anhydrase, which may result in metabolic acidosis from decreased serum bicarbonate. The ketogenic diet (KGD) predisposes patients to metabolic acidosis, especially during induction. In children with refractory epilepsy, cotreatment with TPM and KGD may be considered, but special attention should be paid to the combined risks for metabolic acidosis and nephrolithiasis. We report our experience in 14 children cotreated with TPM and the KGD. Methods: Medical records of 14 children cotreated with the KGD and TPM for medically refractory epilepsy were reviewed retrospectively. Bicarbonate levels were analyzed and correlated with clinical profiles, including duration of cotreatment, TPM dose, KGD ratio, and seizure control. Results: Nine children had a <20% decrease in bicarbonate levels, from 5.3 to 12.3 mEq/L (mean, 7.6 mEq/L). Cotreatment was continued in all patients for duration of 33 to 544 days (seven had remained on cotreatment at the end of the study period), although two children required bicarbonate supplements to continue the KGD. No patient had nephrolithiasis. Conclusions: Although a large decrease in bicarbonate level occurred in the majority of children, the decrease appeared mostly at the time of KGD induction when added to prior TPM therapy. Bicarbonate levels should be monitored carefully with TPM and KGD cotreatment, and bicarbonate supplements given when symptomatic.
The crystallography of Na3FeF6

Abstract Analysis of the x-ray diffraction powder data shows the compound Na 3 FeF 6 to have the monoclinic symmetry of a cryolite-like structure with a o = 5.50 6 A , b o = 5.71 9 A , c o = 7.92 5 A and β = 90.47°. Intermediate members of the composition series Na 3 (Al x Fe 1−x )F 6 have been observed.
Integration of V2H/V2G hybrid system for demand response in distribution network

Integration of Electrical Vehicles (EVs) with power grid not only brings new challenges for load management, but also opportunities for distributed storage and generation in distribution network. With the introduction of Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), EVs can help stabilize the operation of power grid. This paper proposed and implemented a hybrid V2H/V2G system with commercialized EVs, which is able to support both islanded AC/DC load and the power grid with one single platform. Standard industrial communication protocols are implemented for a seamless respond to remote Demand Respond (DR) signals. Simulation and implementation are carried out to validate the proposed design. Simulation and implementation results showed that the hybrid system is capable of support critical islanded DC/AC load and quickly respond to the remote DR signal for V2G within 1.5kW of power range.
The decomposition of apparent stresses in disturbed pulsatile flow in the presence of large scale organized structures.

Flow disturbance phenomena that occur in unsteady-in-the-mean flows (i.e. pulsatile or oscillating) at moderate Reynolds numbers are analyzed in both the time domain and the frequency domain. The analysis utilizes variable decomposition into a time-varying underlying waveform and flow disturbances which are composed of large scale organized structures and random fluctuations. A practical technique which incorporates time domain phase conditioning, trend removal, and frequency domain matched filtering, is presented and examined using simulated data of known statistical behavior. The applicability of the method is shown by the decomposition of the simulated data and the technique is then applied to experimental data obtained in pulsatile flow through a constricted tube by means of a laser Doppler anemometer. The cross-sectional area reduction at the constriction throat was 90%. The Womersley parameter in the experiments was 5.3 and the Reynolds number based on the average flow rate per cycle was 300 with a minimum/maximum value of 55/600 based on the instantaneous flow rate. Measurements were taken in the flow region downstream of the constriction throat which included several interesting flow disturbance phenomena. The results of the decomposed flow phenomena demonstrate the significant role of large scale organized structures in such flows. This is particularly important when analyzing blood flow in the large arteries in the presence of severe stenosis or behind prosthetic devices in an attempt to estimate the 'turbulent' stress which act on cellular elements. Estimation of the apparent stress tensor is of importance in an effort to elucidate the mechanical factors which influence the durability of red blood cells under abnormal conditions.
Evidence for a 1-Electron Oxidation Mechanism in N-Dealkylation of N,N-Dialkylanilines by Cytochrome P450 2B1 KINETIC HYDROGEN ISOTOPE EFFECTS, LINEAR FREE ENERGY RELATIONSHIPS, COMPARISONS WITH HORSERADISH PEROXIDASE, AND STUDIES WITH OXYGEN SURROGATES

Many enzymes catalyze N-dealkylations of alkylamines, including cytochrome P450 (P450) and peroxidase enzymes. Peroxidases, exemplified by horseradish peroxidase (HRP), are generally accepted to catalyze N-dealkylations via 1-electron transfer processes. Several lines of evidence also support a 1-electron mechanism for many P450 reactions, although this view has been questioned in light of reported trends for kinetic hydrogen isotope effects for N-demethylation with a series of 4-substituted N,N-dimethylanilines. No continuous trend for an increase of isotope effects with the electronic parameters of para-substitution was seen for the P450 2B1-catalyzed reactions in this study. The larger value seen with the 4-nitro derivative is consistent with a shift in mechanism due to either a reversible electron transfer step preceding deprotonation or to a hydrogen atom abstraction mechanism. With HRP, the trend is to lower isotope effects with para electron-withdrawing substituents, due to an apparent shift in rate-limiting steps. Biomimetic model high-valent porphyrins showed reduction rates with variously 4-substituted N,N-dialkylanilines that were consistent with a positively charged intermediate; such relationships were not seen for anisole O-demethylation with P450 2B1. In contrast to the case with the NADPH-supported P450 reactions, high deuterium isotope effects (∼7) were seen in the N-dealkylations supported by the oxygen surrogate iodosylbenzene. With iodosylbenzene, colored aminium radicals were observed in the oxidations of aminopyrine, N,N-dimethyl-4-aminothioanisole, and 4-methoxy-N,N-dimethylaniline. With the latter compound, a substantial intermolecular deuterium isotope effect was observed for N-demethylation. In the N-dealkylation of N-ethyl,N-methylaniline by P450 2B1 (NADPH-supported), the ratio of N-demethylation to N-deethylation was 16. Although it is probably possible for P450s to catalyze amine N-dealkylations via hydrogen atom abstraction when such a course is electronically or sterically favored, we interpret the evidence to favor a 1-electron pathway with N,N-dialkylamines with P450 2B1 as well as HRP and several biomimetic models.
State rate-setting programs. Do they reward efficiency in hospitals?

cess of rate-setting programs in restraining the rate of increase in hospital expenditures.1-3 Generally, these evaluations have found that mature rate-setting programs are able to reduce the rate of increase in hospital expenditures by two to four percentage points per year. More recently, the focus of the evaluations has been expanded to include an examination of how hospital administrators have responded to controls. These evaluations have studied how scope of service, wage levels, level and skill mix of hospital employees, admission rates, length-of-stay patterns, and other factors respond to state rate-setting programs.4-6 We propose to examine another aspect of
Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Type III Receptor in Vascular Endothelial Cells Increases Their Responsiveness to Transforming Growth Factor β2

Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) express both type I and type II receptors for transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). These cells respond to TGFβ1 but are relatively refractory to another isoform of TGFβ, termed TGFβ2. TGFβs are thought to signal through receptor complexes composed of type I and/or type II receptors, both of which appear to be functional serine-threonine kinases. The TGFβ type III receptor, on the other hand, does not seem to have any direct signaling capacity. We have now stably transfected BAECs with the type III receptor cDNA. These cells displayed surface expression of the type III receptor protein, as determined by cross-linking with iodinated TGFβ1 and immunoprecipitation with antibodies to the type III receptor protein. Transfected BAECs exhibit increased responsiveness to TGFβ2 by several different criteria including an increase in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 protein and inhibition of migration and proliferation. Thus, the type III receptor protein may play a role in presenting TGFβ2 to the type II receptor and increase responsiveness to TGFβ2 to a level comparable to that of TGFβ1.
The outcome of total hip replacement in obese and non-obese patients at 10- to 18-years

We studied a consecutive series of 285 uncemented total hip replacements in 260 patients using the Taperloc femoral component and the T-Tap acetabular component. The outcome of every hip was determined in both living and deceased patients. A complete clinical and radiological follow-up was obtained for 209 hips in 188 living patients, followed for a mean of 14.5 years (10 to 18.9). They were divided into two groups, obese and non-obese, as determined by their body mass index. There were 100 total hip replacements in 89 patients in the obese cohort (body mass index > or = 30 kg/m(2)), and 109 in 99 non-obese (body mass index or = 35 kg/m(2)) (30 hips) was also carried out. In the obese group five femoral components (5%) were revised and one (1%) was loose by radiological criteria. Femoral cortical osteolysis was seen in eight hips (8%). The acetabular component was revised in 57 hips (57%) and a further 17 (17%) were loose. The mean Harris hip score improved from 52 (30 to 66) pre-operatively to 89 (49 to 100) at final follow-up. Peri-operative complications occurred in seven patients (7%). In the non-obese group six (6%) femoral components were revised and one (1%) was loose. Femoral cortical osteolysis occurred in six hips (6%). The acetabular component was revised in 72 hips (66%) and a further 18 (17%) were loose. The mean Harris hip score increased from 53 (25 to 73) prior to surgery to 89 (53 to 100) at the time of each patient's final follow-up radiograph. No statistically significant difference was identified between the obese and non-obese patients with regards to clinical and radiological outcome or complications. The subgroup analysis of patients of normal weight and those who were morbidly obese showed no statistically significant difference in the rate of revision of either component. Our findings suggest there is no evidence to support withholding total hip replacement from obese patients with arthritic hips on the grounds that their outcome will be less satisfactory than those who are not obese.
Predicting the Long-Term Effects of Hunting on Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Tropical Forests

Hunting can change abundances of vertebrate seed predators and seed dispersers, causing species-specific changes in seed dispersal and seed predation and altering seedling communities. What are the consequences of these changes for the adult plant community in the next generation and beyond? Here, I derive equations showing how reduced seed dispersal reduces plant reproduction by intensifying kin competition, increasing vulnerability to natural enemies, and reducing the proportion of seeds passing through disperser guts. I parameterize these equations with available empirical data to estimate the likely effects on next-generation abundances. I then consider the indirect effects and longer-term feedbacks of changed seed or adult abundances on reproductive rates due to density-dependent interactions with natural enemies and mutualists, as well as niche differentiation with competitors, and discuss their likely qualitative effects. The factors limiting seed disperser and seed predator populations in natural and hunted forests emerge as critical for determining the long-term effects of hunting on rates of seed dispersal and seed predation. For example, where seed dispersers are held to a constant abundance by hunters, decreases in the availability of their preferred food plants are expected to lead to increased per-seed dispersal probabilities, potentially to the point of compensating for the initial disperser decline. I close by discussing the likely reversibility of hunting-induced changes in tropical forests and key questions and directions for future research.
The Pursuit of Happiness: The Virtue of Consumption and the Consumption of Virtue

: In a consumer culture we seek fulfillment and happiness through the act of consumption, often conflating purchasing power with freedom. The Christian tradition, however, teaches us that our telos is nothing less than friendship with God. It is through incorporation into a community of faith that we participate in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and thereby receive a foretaste of true happiness.
Unsupervised learning of invariant features using video

We present an algorithm that learns invariant features from real data in an entirely unsupervised fashion. The principal benefit of our method is that it can be applied without human intervention to a particular application or data set, learning the specific invariances necessary for excellent feature performance on that data. Our algorithm relies on the ability to track image patches over time using optical flow. With the wide availability of high frame rate video (eg: on the web, from a robot), good tracking is straightforward to achieve. The algorithm then optimizes feature parameters such that patches corresponding to the same physical location have feature descriptors that are as similar as possible while simultaneously maximizing the distinctness of descriptors for different locations. Thus, our method captures data or application specific invariances yet does not require any manual supervision. We apply our algorithm to learn domain-optimized versions of SIFT and HOG. SIFT and HOG features are excellent and widely used. However, they are general and by definition not tailored to a specific domain. Our domain-optimized versions offer a substantial performance increase for classification and correspondence tasks we consider. Furthermore, we show that the features our method learns are near the optimal that would be achieved by directly optimizing the test set performance of a classifier. Finally, we demonstrate that the learning often allows fewer features to be used for some tasks, which has the potential to dramatically improve computational concerns for very large data sets.
Electron crystallographic methods for investigating gap junction structure.

Gap junctions are clusters of closely packed intercellular membrane channels embedded in the plasma membranes of two adjoining cells. The central pore of the membrane channels serves as a conduit between cell cytoplasms for molecules less than 1000 Da in size. Advances in the purification of gap junctions and electron cryocrystallography and computer reconstruction techniques have produced new insights into the intercellular channel structure. Methods are described here for the purification of gap junction membranes, biochemical treatments to produce hemichannel layers ("split junctions"), assessment of the purity of gap junction preparations, electron cryomicroscopy, image processing and reconstruction, three-dimensional visualization, and interpretation. The critical step in electron crystallographic structure determination remains the isolation of crystalline material in sufficient and pure quantities for recording of electron microscope images. Along with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting, the quality of gap junction purification is assessed using electron microscopy of negatively stained preparations. Electron microscopy is also used to assess the crystallinity of the purified gap junctions and split junctions. Electron cryocrystallography is a powerful technique for high-resolution structural characterization. Image processing is used to combine and enhance two-dimensional images. Electron crystallographic analysis is used to generate a three-dimensional structure from a set of electron micrographs. This three-dimensional information is extracted from a set of images recorded after tilting the specimen in the electron microscope stage and recombined using Fourier analysis techniques analogous to those used in X-ray crystallography. Computer modeling of the three-dimensional gap junction structures is a useful tool for analyzing hemichannel docking.
Direct payments to conserve biodiversity

International donors and private citizens have invested billions of dollars to protect biodiversity in developing nations. The most popular investments aim to encourage economic activities that indirectly protect ecosystems and species. An alternative form of investment is to pay directly for conservation outcomes, as is commonly done in high-income nations. While not a "silver bullet," direct approaches may, in many cases, be more effective and efficient than indirect ones, and thus merit greater attention in developing nations.
Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke

An 81-year-old man presents to the ER with an acute ischemic stroke; IV thrombolytic therapy is recommended. Administered as a therapeutic agent within 4.5 hours after stroke, tissue plasminogen activator has been shown to improve neurologic outcomes.
Assessing Social Skills in Early Elementary-Aged Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Social Skills Q-Sort

This study employed a newly developed measure, the Social Skills Q-Sort (SSQ), to assess paraprofessionals’ and teachers’ reports of social skills for children with and without ASD. Paraprofessiona...
Creep rupture induced silica-based nanofibers formed on fracture surfaces of Ti3SiC2

After creep failure at 1300 °C, silica-based nanofibers with diameters of ∼250 nm and lengths of up to a few tens of microns were observed on the fracture surfaces of Ti3SiC2. A possible mechanism for the formation of these fibers is proposed.
User-Modulated Impedance Control of a Prosthetic Elbow in Unconstrained, Perturbed Motion

Humans use the agonist-antagonist structure of their muscles to simultaneously determine both the motion and the stiffness of their joints. Designing this feature into an artificial limb may prove advantageous. To evaluate the performance of an artificial limb capable of modulating its impedance, we have created a compact series elastic actuator that has the same size and similar weight as commercially available electric prosthetic elbows. The inherent compliance in series elastic actuators ensure their safety to the user, even at high speeds, while creating a high-fidelity force actuator ideally suited for impedance control. This paper describes three serial studies that build on each other. The first study presents modeling of the actuator to ensure stability in the range of impedance modulation and empirically tests the actuator to validate its ability to modulate impedance. The actuator is found to be stable and accurate over a wide range of impedances. In the second study, four subjects are tested in a preliminary experiment to answer basic questions necessary to implement user-modulated impedance control. Findings include the superiority of velocity control over position control as the underlying motion paradigm and the preference for high stiffness and non-negative inertia. Based on the findings of the second study, the third study evaluates the performance of 15 able-bodied subjects for two tasks, using five different impedance paradigms. Impedance modulation, speed, and error were compared across paradigms. The results indicate that subjects do not actively modulate impedance if it is near a preferred baseline. Fixed impedance and viscosity modulation provide the most accurate control.