cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lower Concentrations of Circulating Medium and Long-Chain Acylcarnitines Characterize Insulin Resistance in Persons with HIV

Abstract In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative individuals, a plasma metabolite profile, characterized by higher levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), aromatic amino acids, and C3/C5 acylcarnitines, is associated with insulin resistance and increased risk of diabetes. We sought to characterize the metabolite profile accompanying insulin resistance in HIV-positive persons to assess whether the same or different bioenergetics pathways might be implicated. We performed an observational cohort study of 70 nondiabetic, HIV-positive individuals (50% with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) on efavirenz, tenofovir, and emtricitabine with suppressed HIV-1 RNA levels (<50 copies/mL) for at least 2 years and a CD4+ count over 350 cells/μL. We measured fasting insulin resistance using the homeostatic model assessment 2, plasma free fatty acids (FFA) using gas chromatography, and amino acids, acylcarnitines, and organic acids using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. We assessed the relationship of plasma...
Cost-effectiveness of short course radiation therapy versus long-course chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma.

749Background: Long-course chemoradiation (LCRT; 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions with concurrent chemotherapy) followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care in the United States for...
IMAGING LOCALIZATION AND SURGICAL APPROACH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ECTOPIC PARATHYROID ADENOMAS.

Objective: (1) Review the anatomy and epidemiology of ectopic parathyroid adenomas (EPAs), (2) summarize the role of relevant imaging modalities in the localization of EPAs, and (3) characterize surgical approaches for various ectopic locations. Methods: Literature review of published English-language articles from 1995 through August 2017. Results: Summary of the literature indicates that the prevalence of EPA is approximately 20% in unexplored patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, but it is as high as 66% in re-operative patients. EPAs may be located anywhere from the carotid bifurcation to the aorto-pulmonary window. Ultrasound has limited accuracy in identifying EPAs except near the thyroid and thyrothymic ligament and requires expert experience from the user. Among dual-phase 99mTc sestamibi scintigraphy techniques, hybrid imaging with both single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) (SPECT/CT) is superior to planar scintigraphy or SPECT alone at localizing EP...
Clitic-Doubled Arguments

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the phenomena which have been regrouped under the titles of ‘clitic doubled constructions’, ‘clitic doubling’, or ‘argument doubling’. These phenomena have been the subject of extensive discussions in contemporary linguistic studies. I believe that their interest ultimately resides in the fact that they open a window on the formation of arguments; they allow us to better understand how argument structures are formed and how they are syntactically projected.
On Asymptotic Efficiency of Average Derivative Estimates

It is shown, using results of Koshevnik and Levit (1976), that the average derivative estimator of Haerdle and Stoker (1989) is the asymptotically efficient nonparametric estimator of the average derivative of regression function.
On the Origins of Pottery

Renewed research interest in the origins of pottery has illuminated an array of possible precipitating causes and environmental contexts in which pottery began to be made and used. This article is an attempt at synthesizing some of these data in hopes of stimulating further research into this intriguing topic. Following a review of theories on the origins of pottery, discussion proceeds to a survey of geographic and cultural contexts of low-fired or unfired pottery, highlighting the role(s) of pottery among contemporary hunter-gatherers and summarizing data pertaining to varied uses of pottery containers. It is argued that objects of unfired and low-fired clay were created as part of early “prestige technologies” of material representations beginning in the Upper Paleolithic and are part of an early “software horizon.” Clay began to be more widely manipulated by nonsedentary, complex hunter-gatherers in the very Late Pleistocene and early Holocene in areas of resource abundance, especially in tropical/subtropical coastal/riverine zones, as part of more general processes of resource and social intensification (such as “competitive feasting” or communal ritual). Knowledge of making and using pottery containers spread widely as “prestige technology” and as “practical technology,” the kind and timing of its adoption or “reinvention” varying from location to location depending on specific needs and circumstances.
Ancestral Adeno-Associated Virus Vector Delivery of Opsins to Spiral Ganglion Neurons: Implications for Optogenetic Cochlear Implants.

Optogenetics is a transformative technology based on light-sensitive microbial proteins, known as opsins, that enable precise modulation of neuronal activity with pulsed radiant energy. Optogenetics has been proposed as a means to improve auditory implant outcomes by reducing channel interaction and increasing electrode density, but the introduction of opsins into cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) in vivo has been challenging. Here we test opsin delivery using a synthetically developed ancestral adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector called Anc80L65. Wild-type C57BL/6 mouse pups were injected via the round window of cochlea with Anc80L65 carrying opsin Chronos under the control of a CAG promoter. Following an incubation of 6–22 weeks, pulsed blue light was delivered to cochlear SGNs via a cochleosotomy approach and flexible optical fiber. Optically evoked auditory brainstem responses (oABRs) and multiunit activity in inferior colliculus (IC) were observed. Post-experiment cochlear histology demonstrated opsin expression in SGNs (mean = 74%), with an even distribution of opsin along the cochlear basal/apical gradient. This study is the first to describe robust SGN transduction, opsin expression, and optically evoked auditory electrophysiology in neonatal mice. Ultimately, this work may provide the basis for a new generation of cochlear implant based on light.
The Impact of Mesothelin in the Ovarian Cancer Tumor Microenvironment.

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecological disease among U.S. women. Poor 5-year survival rates ( 90%. Metastasizing tumor cells grow rapidly and aggressively attach to the mesothelium of all organs within the peritoneal cavity, including the parietal peritoneum and the omentum, producing secondary lesions. In this review, the involvement of mesothelin (MSLN) in the tumor microenvironment is discussed. MSLN, a 40kDa glycoprotein that is overexpressed in many cancers including ovarian and mesotheliomas is suggested to play a role in cell survival, proliferation, tumor progression, and adherence. However, the biological function of MSLN is not fully understood as MSLN knockout mice do not present with an abnormal phenotype. Conversely, MSLN has been shown to bind to the ovarian cancer antigen, CA-125, and thought to play a role in the peritoneal diffusion of ovarian tumor cells. Although the cancer-specific expression of MSLN makes it a potential therapeutic target, more studies are needed to validate the role of MSLN in tumor metastasis.
Social and psychological heterogeneity among binary transgender, non-binary transgender and cisgender individuals

Researchers have identified important psychosocial distinctions between three emergent gender categories: cisgender, binary transgender and non-binary transgender. The present study further examine...
Chapter 19 – Induced lactation and relactation (including nursing the adopted baby) and cross-nursing

Abstract Induced lactation is the process through which a non-puerperal woman is stimulated to breastfeed an infant without a preceding pregnancy. Relactation is when a woman who has given birth but stopped breastfeeding or never initially breastfed is stimulated to lactate. Induced lactation and relactation are important processes for assisting women to nourish infants (their own or others) when circumstances have changed and there is an urgent need for ongoing nutrition and nurturing. These situations can arise at various times throughout the postpartum period. Common situations which lead to the need for induced lactation or relactation include health or social situations for the mother, adoption, and emergencies or disasters that separate infants from their mothers. The recommendations for facilitating the processes of induced lactation or relactation have not been extensively studied through rigorous clinical trials. There are a variety of resources, published and online, which constitute suggestions based on experience or empiric observation for assisting and supporting women in their efforts.
Intelligent IoT Motes: Preventing Their Abuse at the Weakest Entry Point

Editor–s note: This article from Intel Labs, presents security challenges for resource-constrained IoT devices. It points out that, due to the limited resource availability, IoT nodes could be the weakest security link in the massive IoT networks and presents current best-practices and future security needs for IoT devices. — Shreyas Sen, Purdue University
Information systems for supply chain management: a systematic literature analysis

Information systems (IS) impact supply chain management (SCM) on processes such as planning, sourcing, and delivering, and at levels ranging from tactical operations to organisational strategy. The...
LONGITUDINAL CHANGE AND FLUCTUATION IN THE QT INTERVAL AND INCIDENT CARDIOVASCULAR OUTCOMES INSIGHTS FROM A LARGE INTEGRATED HEALTHCARE DELIVERY SYSTEM

The dynamics of within-person linear change over time in regards to prospective risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in a large, integrated healthcare system has not been previously reported. A consolidated database of 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) was developed from
Una nueva propuesta de clasificación de los trastornos de personalidad: la clasificación internacional de enfermedades CIE-11

Resumen La clasificacion formal de los trastornos de personalidad se remonta a los cuatro humores descritos por Hipocrates, pero el proceso iniciado por la OMS tiene como meta un cambio fundamental de conceptualizacion en el CIE-11. La clasificacion categorial se reemplaza en su totalidad por una clasificacion dimensional amplia. 1) Se entregan los criterios generales de un trastorno de personalidad; 2) se diferencian tres niveles de severidad; 3) a continuacion se evaluan cinco dominios de rasgos: afectividad negativa, alejamiento, disociabilidad, desinhibicion y anancasmo. Otros calificadores, como alteraciones del si como tambien de relaciones interpersonales, se dejan para el futuro para probablemente ser usados por los especialistas. La propuesta de clasificacion de trastornos de la personalidad del CIE-11 se muestra como capaz de ser efectuada por clinicos muy ocupados a traves de diversos paises y medios clinicos, y tambien se alinea con la seccion III del DSM-5.
Hybrid Scalable Action Rule: Rule Based and Object Based

Action Rule mining is a method to extract actionable pattern from datasets. Classification rules are those which helps predict the object's class, whereas Action Rules are actionable knowledge that provide suggestions on how an objects state or class can be changed to a more desirable state to benefit the user. In the internet era, digital data is wide spread and growing tremendously is such way that it is neccessary to develop systems that process the data in a much faster way. The literature of Action Rule mining involves two major frameworks; Rule-Based method: where extraction of Action Rules is dependent on the pre-processing step of classification rule discovery, and Object Based Method: extracts Action Rule directly from the database without the use of classification rules. Object based method extracts Action Rule in a apriori like method using frequent action sets. Since this method is iterative it takes longer time to process huge datasets. In this work we propose a novel hybrid approach to generate complete set of Action Rules by combining the Rule-Based and Object-Based methods. Our results show a significant improvement, where the existing algorithm does not span for the Twitter dataset. On the other hand the proposed hybrid approach completed execution and produces Action Rules in less than 500 seconds on a Cluster.
A short synthesis of bicyclic dipeptides corresponding to Xxx-L-Pro and Xxx-D-Pro having constrained cis-proline amides

A short synthesis that generates two isomeric bicyclic dipeptides having constrained, cis-proline amide bonds has been developed. One of these bicyclic dipeptides corresponds to an Xxx-L-Pro dipeptide (17), while the other isomer corresponds to an Xxx-D-Pro dipeptide (18).
Utilizing ink composition to tune bulk-electrode gas transport, performance, and operational robustness for a Fe–N–C catalyst in polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Abstract With lower site density and turnover frequency, platinum group metal (PGM)-free catalysts based electrodes are often greater than 50 μm thick in order to increase performance across the fuel cell operating range. Consequently, PGM-free electrodes have an additional bulk electrode transport resistance beyond the local or aggregate level transport in thin platinum-based electrodes. In parallel to the development of more active and durable PGM-free catalysts, advancements in understanding the interplay between PGM-free electrode fabrication, bulk-electrode transport, proton conductivity and performance are needed. Here, the relationship between ionic and gas phase transport through the electrode thickness is modified by adjusting electrocatalyst and ionomer flocculation/interaction at the ink level. The influence of the ink composition (water/n-propanol content) is examined via various in-situ electrochemical and ex-situ characterization techniques and the resulting electrode structure/performance relationship contrasted with electrode performance robustness across a range of relative humidity (RH). For the electrocatalyst examined here, a water-rich (82 wt% H2O) ink formulation was favorable for operation at high RH due to improved molecular diffusion through larger electrode pores. In contrast, the improved interactions between ionomer and electrocatalyst enabled a more robust electrode and higher performance during low RH operation for the 50 wt% H2O content ink.
When Audiences Become Performers and Speech Becomes Music: New Tools to Analyze Speech, Song, and Participation in Chinese Crosstalk:

As a presentational performance in which two actors perform a scripted dialogue that includes several short vocal selections, Chinese crosstalk features animated exchanges between the actors while ...
Adrc Additional Damping for Flexible DC Transmission Control

According to the advantages of flexible dc system with abundant control methods and flexible and reliable regulation means, an adrc based on ac system decoupling control based on ac-dc power decoupling control is proposed to provide damping support for ac system. Firstly, the mechanism of damping torque provided by additional damping controller is analyzed. Then design the excellent robustness since immunity damping controller for the system to provide the damping support and stabilize voltage, a typical 4 machine 2 area system by PSCAD/EMTDC platform building, and has carried on the simulation results under different controller scheme, the results show that the additional damping controller based on the immunity control better suppress the system oscillation and improve the system stability.
Development of View Analysis Metrics and Their Financial Impacts on Office Rents

A view contributes to a person’s visual perception, comfort, and health in a building—reducing stress, improving concentration, increasing productivity, and bolstering creativity. Yet, what makes a view alluring is also what makes it ineffable and difficult to characterize. We introduce two new metrics to quantitatively assess view access in open ﬂoorplans, and using the metrics, we measure the economic impact of views on office rents in Manhattan, New York City. We evaluate spatial view access in 5,154 office spaces; and then, combining the view analysis results with rent transaction data, we model the ﬁnancial performance of rents paid by tenants with varying views whilst controlling for other vital factors impacting office rents. We ﬁnd that spaces with high access to views have a 6% net effective rent premium over spaces with low access to views. This ﬁnancial impact is independent of other values drivers like daylight. In the case where there is both high daylight and view access, there is also a 6% effective rent premium. Office tenants value views and have historically paid for them. The metrics introduced in this work can be used in architectural design and planning to analyze the potential for views in new and existing buildings. The value of views is evident in human health data and, as shown in this paper, in tenant lease prices; the method proposed in this work provides a systematic means by which to further explore the value of views.
Could probability be out of proportion? Self-explanation and example-based practice help students with lower proportional reasoning skills learn probability

Proportional reasoning failures seem to constitute most errors in probabilistic reasoning, yet there is little empirical evidence about its role for attaining probabilistic knowledge and how to effectively intervene with students who have less proportional reasoning skills. We examined the contributions of students' proportional reasoning skill and example-based practice when learning about probabilities from a reformed seventh grade curriculum. Teachers in their regular classrooms were randomly assigned to instruct with a reformed textbook (control) or a version revised to incorporate correct and incorrect example problems with prompts to explain (treatment). Students' prior knowledge in proportional reasoning skill separately predicted probabilistic knowledge at posttest, regardless of their prior knowledge in probability or minority status. Overall, students in the treatment condition improved more in their probabilistic knowledge, if they started with less proportional reasoning skills. Our findings suggest that example-based practice is beneficial for students with less prior knowledge of proportions, likely a key concept for developing probabilistic knowledge.
The ‘Bilingual Advantage’ in the Workplace: Theoretical Frameworks and Evidence from the US Labor Market

Multilingual hires are a burgeoning feature of the workplace, but there is little evidence on the returns to language skills. This study puts forth a theoretical framework that comprehensively relates language and non-language skills to labor market outcomes drawing upon a variety of fields: linguistics, economic theory, and sociology. We derive testable hypotheses and evaluate them using US Census data. Non-language skills are instrumented with the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) task descriptors and condensed down to cognitive, manual, and interpersonal components using sparse principal component analysis. Findings validate extant evidence that the US economy does not bestow a premium upon bilingual speakers while not upholding a cognitive advantage of bilinguals that transfers to compensations. Furthermore, late learners have a wage advantage over monolinguals captured by unobservable characteristics rather than non-language skills.
Abstract P277: β-arrestin-2-mediated Vasodilatation In Mouse Mesenteric Arteries

As part of GPCRs-dependent signaling, β-arrestin-2 has been shown to stimulate eNOS activity and thus has the potential to modulate vascular function. We hypothesized that the absence of β-arrestin...
A STUDY OF CRYOPUMP CONFIGURATIONS IN FREE MOLECULAR FLOW REGIONS

Monte carlo computer technique applied to focusing of cryopump configurations in free molecular flow region
Gastrin secretion after weight loss by dieting and intestinal bypass surgery

Abstract Basal and stimulated gastrin levels were measured in 15 massively obese patients before and after weight loss from intestinal bypass surgery. Eight of these subjects were also studied after comparable weight loss on a diet that preceded the bypass surgery. Three lean subjects were studied as controls. Basal gastrin levels were similar in the lean subjects and in the obese subjects before bypass. There was no significant change in basal gastrin with weight loss by dieting, but there was a significant increase (P
Back to the future of AACR

AbstractNew forms of publication have called into question AACR2’s current division of the type of publication into monographs and serials. This paper analyzes the recommendations in the April 1999 report to the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on AACR, “Revising AACR2 to Accommodate Seriality.” The JSC report presents a new type of publication model, which recognizes elements of seriality in resources that do not meet the current AACR2 definition of serial. Recommendations in the JSC report attempt to provide rules for the cataloging of new forms of materials as well as solutions to other current cataloging problems. Some of these solutions are based on incorporating and adapting the best of former rules and practices. Anticipated benefits of the rule revision include harmonization of AACR2 with international standards, reduction of needless title changes, and a more holistic approach to serials cataloging.
Close agreement between pollen-based and forest inventory-based models of vegetation turnover

Aim Fossil records are being increasingly used to help understand the consequences of climate change for biodiversity. Pollen records from the late Quaternary are among the most commonly used fossil data, but pollen-based inferences of biodiversity can potentially be confounded by spatial and taxonomic uncertainties and the influence of non-climatic abiotic factors such as soils on vegetation–climate relationships. Using paired pollen and vegetation inventories, we assess the fidelity of pollen-based estimates of compositional turnover of vegetation along environmental gradients given various sources of uncertainty. Location Eastern United States. Methods We used modern pollen records and forest composition data from Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plots to fit generalized dissimilarity models. To address how uncertainties in pollen records affect estimates of turnover, we coarsened the vegetation data spatially from individual plots to 10- and 30-arcmin resolution and taxonomically from species to genus. To determine whether soil properties influenced turnover, we used deviance partitioning between models including climate or soil variables versus models with a combination of both. Results Pollen-based estimates of turnover were highly correlated with those based on FIA data, but tended to be lower, mainly due to differences in taxonomic resolution and secondarily to differences in spatial resolution. Neither spatial nor taxonomic uncertainty substantially reduced the correlation between pollen- and FIA-based estimates of turnover. FIA data best matched pollen records when they were aggregated to genus and 30-arcmin resolution. Vegetation–climate relationships were similar across datasets, although models sometimes differed. The influence of soil variables was negligible compared with climate variables and did not improve model fit. Pollen thresholds did not greatly affect the form and strength of pollen–vegetation relationships. Main conclusions Pollen can act as a robust proxy for vegetation turnover, thereby supporting the use of pollen-based estimates of turnover to predict temporal changes in vegetation.
Efficient finite element method for grating profile reconstruction

This paper concerns the reconstruction of grating profiles from scattering data. The inverse problem is formulated as an optimization problem with a regularization term. We devise an efficient finite element method (FEM) and employ a quasi-Newton method to solve it. For the direct problems, the FEM stiff and mass matrices are assembled once at the beginning of the numerical procedure. Then only minor changes are made to the mass matrix at each iteration, which significantly saves the computation cost. Numerical examples show that the method is effective and robust.
THE K104E MUTATION OF THE MYOSIN REGULATORY LIGHT CHAIN ALTERS KINETICS AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORIENTATIONS OF CROSS-BRIDGES IN TRANSGENIC CARDIAC MYOFIBRILS

Cross-bridge (XB) kinetics and the degree of order were examined in contracting myofibrils from the ex-vivo left ventricles of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (FHC) Regulatory Light Chain (RLC) mutation K104E. Since the kinetics and degree of order are best studied when an individual XB makes a significant contribution to the overall signal, the number of observed XBs was minimized to ∼20. Autofluorescence and photobleaching were minimized by labeling the myosin lever arm with a relatively long-lived red-emitting dye containing a chromophore system encapsulated in a cyclic macromolecule. We show that the K104E mutation, when compared with Wild Type (WT) ventricles, had significant effect on both the kinetics of the interaction between actin and myosin and on the degree of order of the myosin lever arm. In particular, the K104E mutation increased the rate of XB binding to thin filaments and the rate of execution of the power stroke, while decreasing the rate of XB dissociation from actin. This implies that the mutated ventricle may be prone to decreased maximal tension and increased muscle relaxation time suggesting a potential for diastolic dysfunction in patients. Mutated XBs were significantly better ordered during steady-state contraction and during rigor but mutation had no effect on the degree of order in relaxed myofibrils.
Plaquette ground state of the Shastry-Sutherland model: Density-matrix renormalization-group calculations

I use the two-step density-matrix renormalization-group (DMRG) method based on two-leg ladder expansion to show numerical evidence of a plaquette ground state for ${J}_{2}=1.3{J}_{1}$ in the Shastry-Sutherland model. I argue that the DMRG method is very efficient in the strong frustration regime of two-dimensional spin models where a spin-Peierls ground state is expected to occur. It is thus complementary to quantum Monte Carlo algorithms, which are known to work well in the small frustration regime but which are plagued by the sign problem in the strong frustration regime.
Influence of incubation in seminal plasma on subsequent metabolic and morphological characteristics of bovine spermatozoa

Abstract Incubation of bovine spermatozoa at 25° C for up to 8 hours in seminal plasma had little influence on oxygen uptake as compared to preincubation values but increased both the number of dead spermatozoa and proportion of spermatozoa with detached acrosomes. Washing spermatozoa and resuspension in either saline or seminal plasma followed by incubation for 4 or 8 hours decreased oxygen uptake and at 8 hours decreased the proportion of cells with deteched acrosomes as compared to 8 hour control values. When spermatozoa were not washed but were extended in egg yolk citrate extender or seminal plasma, oxygen uptake was greater for cells extended with seminal plasma. Storage of spermatozoa for 14 days at −196° C following incubation in seminal plasma showed little influence of incubation time in seminal plasma on postfreeze metabolic or morphological characteristics. These experiments indicate that incubation of spermatozoa in seminal plasma prior to storage has little beneficial effect and, on the contrary, may cause an increase in acrosomal loss.
Mechanical reinformcement and thermal transition behaviors in nylon 6-b-polyimide-b-nylon 6 triblock copolymers

Abstract The mechanical properties and thermal transition behaviors of nylon 6-b-polyimide-b-nylon 6 triblock copolymers have been studied with varying block length and rigidity of the polyimide backbone and compared with those of pure nylon 6, in situ and physical solution blends. From differential scanning calorimetry experiments for liquid nitrogen quenched triblock copolymers, it is found that the crystallization temperature, which appears on successive heating, increases by 10–15°C, indicating relatively slow crystallization kinetics. Dynamic mechanical (DM) experiments show that the triblock copolymers exhibit a storage modulus which is 2 times higher than that of pure nylon 6 in the temperature range of −50°C to 150°C. As the rigidity of the polyimide backbone increases, the storage modulus of the copolymers decreases. In addition, the system with a polyimide block length of 12 000 g mol−1 shows the highest E′ than any others with the block length shorter or longer than this value. Glass transition behaviors of these materials are also studied via α relaxations from DM observations. The relaxation peak temperature of tan δ increases from 60°C of pure nylon 6 to 82°C with 5% incorporation of the polyimide block component in the triblock copolymers. By incorporating a fully aromatic polyimide backbone into the triblock copolymer system, the tan δ peak of the α relaxation increases even further to 105°C with the same weight percentage of polyimide block incorporation.
Are Consumers Myopic? Evidence from New and Used Car Purchases

Abstract We investigate whether car buyers are myopic about future fuel costs. We estimate the effect of gasoline prices on short-run equilibrium prices of cars of different fuel economies. We then compare the implied changes in willingness-to-pay to the associated changes in expected future gasoline costs for cars of different fuel economies in order to calculate implicit discount rates. Using different assumptions about annual mileage, survival rates, and demand elasticities, we calculate a range of implicit discount rates similar to the range of interest rates paid by car buyers who borrow. We interpret this as showing little evidence of consumer myopia. (JEL D12, H25, L11, L62, L71, L81)
Priapulus abyssorum , New Species, the first Abyssal Priapulid

A SINGLE example of Priapulus was collected on November 27, 1958 by the R.V. Vema from a depth of 5680–5690 m. (corrected) at the southern end of the Mid-America Trench. Besides being a new species and the first abyssal record for the genus, this specimen represents the first priapulid collected from off the west coast of Central America. The specimen is a ‘missing link’ in what was considered a classic case of bipolar distribution for a benthic genus. The bipolarity of Priapulus is discussed in detail by Ekman1. He states ‘Here the present day discontinuity may be regarded as proved’. The species Priapulus horridus Theele (1911) from Argentina customarily has been dismissed from the problem on account of its distinctive and unusual morphology. Possibly horridus belongs in another genus. The same can not be said for the species reported here. The animal is allied so closely to Priapulus tuberculatospinosus Baird, the species characterizing the Antarctic, that some may doubt whether the two are distinct species. A positive decision can not be reached without additional specimens of various sizes. Nevertheless, with this record the tropical submergence of Priapulus may be considered a fact and its ‘bipolarity’ only a matter of historical interest.
Indomethacin potentiates the vasoconstrictor actions of angiotensin II in normal man

The blood pressure response to graded infusions of angiotensin II was assessed under control conditions and following short term (16 hour) indomethacin treatment utilizing normal men equilibrated on a constant diet of normal sodium and potassium content. Although basal mean blood pressure was unchanged, the increase in blood pressure with all rates of angiotensin II infusion ranging from 200 to 1000 ng/min was significantly greater with indomethacin treatment. Pre-infusion body weight and plasma renin activity were similar under the two conditions. These results suggest that prostaglandins modulate the systemic vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II.
Nonstoichiometry in Undoped BaTiO3

Equilibrium electrical conductivity data for large-grained, poly crystalline, undoped BaTiO3, as a function of temperature, 750° to 1000°C, and oxygen partial pressure, 10−20<PO2<10−1 MPa, were quantitatively fit to a defect model involving only doubly ionized oxygen vacancies, electrons, holes, and accidental acceptor impurities. The latter are invariably present in sufficient excess to control the defect concentrations through the compensating oxygen vacancies, except under the most severely reducing conditions. Singly ionized oxygen vacancies play no discernible role in the defect chemistry of BaTiO3 within this experimental range. The derived accidental acceptor content has a slight temperature dependence which may reflect some small amount of defect association. Deviation of the conductivity minima from the ideal shape yields a small PO2-independent conductivity contribution, which is tentatively identified as oxygen vacancy conduction.
Piloted simulator evaluation of a relaxed static stability fighter at high angle-of-attack

A piloted simulator evaluation of the stability and control characteristics of a relaxed static stability fighter aircraft was conducted using a differential maneuvering simulator. The primary purpose of the simulation was to evaluate the effectiveness of the limiters in preventing departure from controlled flight. The simulation was conducted in two phases, the first consisting of open-loop point stability evaluations over a range of subsonic flight conditions, the second concentrating on closed-loop tracking of a preprogrammed target in low speed, high angle-of-attack air combat maneuvering. The command limiters were effective in preventing departure from controlled flight while permitting competent levels of sustained maneuvering. Parametric variations during the study included the effects of pitch control power and wing-body static margin. Stability and control issues were clearly shown to impact the configuration design.
Disconcordance in Statistical Models of Bisphenol A and Chronic Disease Outcomes in NHANES 2003-08

Background Bisphenol A (BPA), a high production chemical commonly found in plastics, has drawn great attention from researchers due to the substance's potential toxicity. Using data from three National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles, we explored the consistency and robustness of BPA's reported effects on coronary heart disease and diabetes. Methods and findings We report the use of three different statistical models in the analysis of BPA: (1) logistic regression, (2) log-linear regression, and (3) dose-response logistic regression. In each variation, confounders were added in six blocks to account for demographics, urinary creatinine, source of BPA exposure, healthy behaviours, and phthalate exposure. Results were sensitive to the variations in functional form of our statistical models, but no single model yielded consistent results across NHANES cycles. Reported ORs were also found to be sensitive to inclusion/exclusion criteria. Further, observed effects, which were most pronounced in NHANES 2003-04, could not be explained away by confounding. Conclusions Limitations in the NHANES data and a poor understanding of the mode of action of BPA have made it difficult to develop informative statistical models. Given the sensitivity of effect estimates to functional form, researchers should report results using multiple specifications with different assumptions about BPA measurement, thus allowing for the identification of potential discrepancies in the data.
Kinetic characterization of novel NR2B antagonists using fluorescence detection of calcium flux.

Abstract To facilitate the discovery of novel N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, we have developed a high-throughput functional assay based on fluorescence detection of free intracellular calcium concentrations. Mouse fibroblast L(tk-) cells expressing human NR1a/NR2B NMDA receptors were plated in 96-well plates and loaded with florescence calcium indicator fluo-3 AM. NR2B antagonists were added after stimulation of NMDA receptors with 10 μM glutamate and 10 μM glycine. Changes in fluorescence after the addition of the antagonists were fitted by a single exponential equation providing kobs. The concentration dependence of kobs was linear for all NR2B antagonists at concentrations where kobs
Simulation of Dilatation Curve Associated with Martensitic Transformation in a Dual-Phase Steel

The specific volume of alloys can be calculated using Thermo-Calc® for the problem of diffusion transformation in equilibrium or a single phase. The martensite transformation in a displacive manner can not be treated directly with Thermo-Calc®. A method to calculate the thermal dilatation curves for a dual-phase steel was established in this research associated with martensitic transformation from ferrite plus austenite after intercritical annealing. The equilibrium phase diagram, martensite starting temperature, as well as transformed martensite fraction have been involved in the calculations. The results showed that the calculated dilatation curves were in accordance with the measured curves by dilatometer, and indicated the reason for the ambiguous volume change in the dual-phase steel owing to its small fraction of austenite associating with martensite transformation.
The interaction of 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol with copper(II) and nickel(II) ions

Abstract Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol have been studied in aqueous solution at 25° and at an ionic strength of 0·10 M. The equilibrium constants for the various species present in solution have been determined from potentiometric measurements of hydrogen ion concentration. With both metal ions, the “ordinary” complexes of the neutral ligand, which first formed, undergo further dissociation as the pH is increased, forming polynuclear chelates in which alcoholate groups are probably involved in metal ion coordination. With copper(II), no polynuclear complexes are formed in the presence of excess ligand. On the other hand, nickel(II) forms polynuclear species even in the presence of excess ligand.
Anti-sickling nature of dimethyl adipimidate.

Dimethyl adipimidate (DMA), a bifunctional cross-linking agent, is known to be a powerful anti-sickling agent in vitro . The hemoglobin isolated from DMA-treated erythrocytes is heterogeneous with respect to charge and size as shown by starch gel electrophoresis and sedimentation velocity studies; some hemoglobin tetramers being cross-linked together resulting in high molecular weight species. Measurement of transverse water proton relaxation times of DMA-treated sickle erythrocytes shows that while some aggregation may take place within deoxygenated erythrocytes, it is not of sufficient extent to cause the cells to change shape. Therefore, it is suggested that the anti-sickling effect of DMA is due to its ability to react with hemoglobin S inside sickle erythrocytes and inhibit the aggregation process.
Symmetry Breaking in a Field Theory of Currents. I

We present a model of symmetry breaking for a field theory of currents through the divergences of vector and axial-vector currents. The assumption of partial conservation of vector current (PCVC) and partial conservation of axial-vector current (PCAC) for the nonvanishing divergences allows us to make an explicit connection between the form of the symmetry-breaking part of the energy-momentum tensor and the nonlinear realization of the internal symmetry. It is shown that for SU(2) and SU(3) the vanishing of exotic commutators fixes uniquely the symmetry breaking as well as the nonlinear realization for the divergences of the currents.
Democratic Sanctions: Connecting the Democratic Peace and Economic Sanctions

The democratic peace literature has focused primarily on militarized conflict; however, aspects of the democratic peace may influence how states use economic sanctions. This article investigates ho...
Blood pressure management in patients with intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage

Derangements in blood pressure (BP) have been associated with the pathophysiology of both subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Although there are few high-quality studies regarding optimal BP management in these conditions, mounting data support a critical role for BP in modulating the extent of acute brain injury in these patients. We undertook this review of the literature to identify the best current data regarding BP management in SAH and ICH.
Evaluation of liver function using gadoxetate disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced MR imaging

Indocyanine green (ICG) is widely used for its clearance test in the evaluation of liver function. Gadoxetate disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA) is a targeted MR contrast agent partially taken up by hepatocytes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an estimation of the liver function corresponding to plasma disappearance rate of indocyanine green (ICG-PDR) by use of the signal intensity of the liver alone in Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MR imaging (EOB-MRI). We evaluated fourteen patients who had EOB-MRI and ICG clearance test within 1 month. 2D-GRE T1 weighted images were obtained at pre contrast, 3 min (equilibrium phase) and 20 min (hepatobiliary phase) after the intravenous administration of Gd-EOB-DTPA, and the mean signal intensity of the liver was measured. The correlation between ICG-PDR and many parameters derived from the signal intensity of the liver in EOB-MRI was evaluated. The correlation coefficient between ICG-PDR and many parameters derived from the signal intensity of the liver in EOBMRI was low and not significant. The estimation of the liver function corresponding to ICG-PDR by use of the signal intensity of the liver alone in EOB-MRI would not be reliable.
Columbia River Sand Waves: ABSTRACT

Large-scale sand waves (dunes) occur over much of the Columbia River bottom from near the mouth at Astoria, Oregon, upstream to The Dalles (including Bonneville Reservoir), a distance of 280 kilometers. The waves range in height from less than a meter to 7 meters, but most are 2-2½ meters high. Common lengths are 40-60 meters. Virtually all waves are asymmetrical, with steep slopes facing downstream. The mean particle size of bottom sediment is in the range of fine to very coarse sand. The migration rate for a group of waves in Bonneville Reservoir was approximately 0.6 meter/day during a 2-week period of high water in mid-June, 1966 (average current speed, 0.7 meter/second), decreasing to 0.3 meter/day in the following month at lower stages of the river. Sand waves are not uniformly developed throughout the river. Within Bonneville Reservoir the location of waves apparently is determined by the availability of sand-size sediment and the river's flow characteristics. Just below Bonneville, the patchy wave distribution may be caused by coarse sediment (gravel) and (or) high current speed; near the mouth, waves apparently are not well developed because of variable directions of current flow during the tidal cycle. Water depth has no consistent effect on the location or size of the waves. End_of_Article - Last_Page 485------------
The Trousers Test for Rupture

Using an energy-balance criterion of the Griffith type, it is shown that in the trousers test for rupture of an elastic material, which undergoes large deformations, the force required to tear a test-piece of given width depends on the relative widths of the two legs. If the material of the test-piece undergoes small deformations, so that its behavior can be described by the equations of classical elasticity theory, the tearing force is independent of the relative widths of the two legs.
Influence of balanced rotor anisotropy on helicopter aeromechanical stability

The influence of balanced anisotropy in elastic, inertial, and aerodynamic properties on the aeromechanical stability of a soft-in-plane rotor is examined. Balanced anisotropy will not produce large 1/rev vibratory loads experienced when one blade is dissimilar. Dissimilarities in flap stiffness, lag dampers, and aerodynamic properties have virtually no Influence on the minimum damping. Dissimilarities in blade radius, mass, and lag stiffness are most effective in improving aeromechanical stability. Stability continues to improve as the degree of balanced anisotropy increases unlike the case of one dissimilar blade. A 20% reduction in the radius of two opposite blades is able to stabilize ground resonance at 0-deg collective. For balanced anisotropy in radius, the destabilizing trend at roll resonance with increasing collective and decreasing body roll inertia is diminished. Balanced anisotropy in radius is less effective in stability augmentation for an articulated rotor. Appropriately combining dissimilarity in radius and lag stiffness can result in additional benefits for aeromechanical stability if the initial levels of anisotropy are moderate to small.
Reducing the risk of surgical site infections: Does chlorhexidine gluconate provide a risk reduction benefit?

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been available as a topical antiseptic for over 50 years, having broad clinical application throughout the health care environment. Evidence-based clinical studies have shown chlorhexidine gluconate to be a safe and effective perioperative skin-prepping agent. Renewed interest has emerged for use of the antiseptic bath/shower to reduce the microbial skin burden prior to hospital admission. Recent clinical studies have documented that multiple applications of 2% or 4% CHG using a standardized protocol results in high skin surface concentrations sufficient to inhibit/kill skin colonizing flora, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A new focus for the use of CHG in surgical patients involves irrigation of the wound prior to closure with 0.05% CHG followed by saline rinse. Recent laboratory studies suggest that, following a 1-minute exposure, 0.05% CHG produces a >5-log reduction against selective health care-associated pathogens and reduces microbial adherence to the surface of implantable biomedical devices. General, orthopedic, cardiothoracic, and obstetrical surgical studies have documented the safety of selective CHG formulations in elective surgical procedures. The following discussion will address both the evidence-based literature and preliminary findings suggesting that CHG has a broad and safe range of applications when used as an adjunctive interventional strategy for reducing the risk of postoperative surgical site infections (SSI).
Augmented group systems and shifts of finite type

Let (G, χ, x) be a triple consisting of a finitely presented groupG, epimorphism χ:G →Z, and distinguished elementx ∈G such that χ(x)=1. Given a finite symmetric groupS r, we construct a finite directed graph Γ that describes the set Φ r of representations π: Ker χ →S r as well as the mapping σ x :Φ r →Φ r defined by (σ x ϱ)(a) = ϱ(x −1 ax) for alla ∈ Ker χ. The pair (Φ r ,σ x has the structure of a shift of finite type, a well-known type of compact 0-dimensional dynamical system. We discuss basic properties and applications of therepresentation shift (Φ r ,σ x ), including applications to knot theory.