cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Panoramic view of a superfamily of phosphatases through substrate profiling

Large-scale activity profiling of enzyme superfamilies provides information about cellular functions as well as the intrinsic binding capabilities of conserved folds. Herein, the functional space of the ubiquitous haloalkanoate dehalogenase superfamily (HADSF) was revealed by screening a customized substrate library against >200 enzymes from representative prokaryotic species, enabling inferred annotation of ∼35% of the HADSF. An extremely high level of substrate ambiguity was revealed, with the majority of HADSF enzymes using more than five substrates. Substrate profiling allowed assignment of function to previously unannotated enzymes with known structure, uncovered potential new pathways, and identified iso-functional orthologs from evolutionarily distant taxonomic groups. Intriguingly, the HADSF subfamily having the least structural elaboration of the Rossmann fold catalytic domain was the most specific, consistent with the concept that domain insertions drive the evolution of new functions and that the broad specificity observed in HADSF may be a relic of this process.
A genetic component to cholestatic injury resulting from common bile duct ligation

Introduction: Common bile duct ligation (CBDL) triggers endotoxemia by impairing the clearing mechanisms of the hepatic reticuloendothelial system. Endotoxemia is known to induce release of inflammatory cytokines. In sepsis models, disparate cytokine profiles and mortalities have been documented in genetically distinct strains of mice (A/J and B6). We hypothesized that different genetic strains of inbred mice would display different inflammatory responses following CBDL. Methods: Under IACUC/NIH guidelines and using precisely-standardized aneurysm clips, we ligated the CBD in 8-week old A/J and B6 mice (n = 20) for 7 days. Serum was analyzed for liver chemistries. Liver tissue was obtained for hematoxylin/eosin and trichrome stains. Serum cytokine kinetics were determined at 2, 4 and 12 hours post-CBDL (n = 6). Results: At 7 days post-CBDL, 80% of B6 but no A/J mice had developed ascites (p < 0.001). Both strains had marked but similar degrees of cholestatic injury documented histologically. Liver chemistries were markedly elevated in both strains of ligated mice and significantly higher in A/J than B6 mice (p < 0.05). Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels were all elevated in ligated mice. Serum IL-10 levels were significantly higher in A/J than B6 mice for time points 4 and 12 hours (p < 0.05). No strain difference was noted for pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha and IL-6. Conclusions: A/J and B6 mice were bred and raised in identical environments and received the same operation; therefore, the contrasting inflammatory response and injury are largely attributable to genetic differences between the two strains.
Changes in hybridizable nuclear RNA during differentiation of mammary cells.

Abstract RNA-DNA hybridization-competition reactions were used to compare nuclear RNA populations from undifferentiated, virginal mouse mammary gland with those of differentiated mammary cells of pregnancy and lactation. Mammary nuclear RNA preparations reacted with DNA from various species in proportion to their known genetic relatedness, and homologous binding to DNA occurred with sufficient saturation to produce values in hybridization-competition experiments which approached a predicted saturation-dependent competition curve. The specificity of the competition system with mammary 3 H-labeled RNA and homologous DNA was shown by reactions in which heterologous RNA's from various species competed in proportion to the known relatedness of the DNA's from which they were transcribed. Virginal mammary RNA competed incompletely with lactational RNA, as shown by single-label and double-label experiments with different precursors of RNA. This difference was related specifically to the epithelial cells. The results indicate that differentiated mammary cells synthesize species of RNA which are either absent from the undifferentiated cells or present in undetectable concentrations, and support the concept that different regions of the genome are expressed as mammary cell differentiation occurs.
T-Hex: true hexagonal regular topology formation in large scale wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Network (WSNs) have seen a steady rise in their popularity and have become an integral part of a large spectrum of applications. Many of these applications advocate the use of large scale WSNs with dense deployments to provide comprehensive sensing coverage. The formation of clusters or overlay networks has been observed to improve the performance of such large scale networks. Furthermore, regular topologies offer many advantages when dealing with networks of this size. Current schemes focus on creating logical or semi-logical regular overlay networks only. In this paper, we present T-Hex, a distributed true hexagonal overlay network formation scheme for large scale networks, where all the nodes chosen to be a part of the overlay network strictly follow the hexagonal topology. We evaluate T-hex by simulating it on a densely deployed WSN, and demonstrate its overlay formation and self-healing capabilities.
Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Extremely Premature Infants: Are high Carbon Dioxide Pressure or Fluctuations the Culprit?

Objective This study aims to examine the association between measures of hypercapnia and fluctuation in P co 2 and severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and to evaluate the prevalence of hypercapnia, hypocapnia, and fluctuations in P co 2 in the initial 72 hours of life among premature infants. Study Design Retrospective study of premature infants with birth weight co 2 with severe IVH. Result Our cohort included 285 patients, of whom 84% were intubated. Only 20% patients had all blood gases in the normocapnia range; 9% had at least 1 gas with hypercapnia; 51% had at least 1 gas with hypocapnia, and 20% patients had both hypercapnia and hypocapnia at different times. Infants with severe IVH (n = 41) had significantly higher peak P co 2 and greater fluctuations in P co 2 within a short interval, compared with those without severe IVH (n = 227). After controlling for gestational age, gender, antenatal steroid exposure, presence of hypercapnia, and Apgar score at 5 minutes, fluctuation in P co 2 remained significantly associated with severe IVH. Conclusion Fluctuations in P co 2 within a short period may be more significantly associated with severe IVH than the mere presence of hypercapnia.
Adipose stroma induces branching morphogenesis of engineered epithelial tubules.

The mammary gland and other treelike organs develop their characteristic fractal geometries through branching morphogenesis, a process in which the epithelium bifurcates and invades into the surrounding stroma. Controlling the pattern of branching is critical for engineering these organs. In vivo, the branching process is instructed by stromal–epithelial interactions and adipocytes form the largest component of the fatty stroma that surrounds the mammary epithelium. Here, we used microlithographic approaches to engineer a three-dimensional culture model that enables analysis of the effect of adipocytes on the pattern of branching morphogenesis of mammary epithelial cells. We found that adipocyte-rich stroma induces branching through paracrine signals, including hepatocyte growth factor, but does not affect the branching pattern per se. This tissue engineering approach can be expanded to other organs, and should enable piecemeal analysis of the cellular populations that control patterning during normal development.
Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Spectroscopy and Multinuclear (23Na) Imaging Monitoring of Preoperative Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this prospective study was to investigate using multiparametric and multinuclear magnetic resonance imaging during preoperative systemic therapy for locally advanced breast cancer. Materials and Methods Women with operable stage 2 or 3 breast cancer who received preoperative systemic therapy were studied using dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and 23 Na magnetic resonance. Quantitative metrics of choline peak signal-to-noise ratio, total tissue sodium concentration, tumor volumes, and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors were determined and compared to final pathologic results using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. Hormonal markers were investigated. Statistical significance was set at P Results Eighteen eligible women were studied. Fifteen responded to therapy, four (22%) with pathologic complete response and 11 (61%) with pathologic partial response. Three patients (17%) had no response. Among estrogen receptor–positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative phenotypes, observed frequencies of pathologic complete response, pathologic partial response, and no response were 2, 5, and 0; 1, 4, and 0; and 1, 1, and 3, respectively. Responders (pathologic complete response and pathologic partial response) had the largest reductions in choline signal-to-noise ratio (35%, from 7.2 ± 2.3 to 4.6 ± 2; P P = .13) after the first cycle. Total tissue sodium concentration significantly decreased in responders (27%, from 66 ± 18 to 48.4 ± 8 mmol/L; P = .01), while there was little change in nonresponders (51.7 ± 7.6 to 56.5 ± 1.6 mmol/L; P = .50). Lesion volume decreased in responders (40%, from 78 ± 78 to 46 ± 51 mm 3 ; P = .01) and nonresponders (21%, from 100 ± 104 to 79.2 ± 87 mm 3 ; P = .23) after the first cycle. The largest reduction in Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors occurred after the first treatment in responders (18%, from 24.5 ± 20 to 20.2 ± 18 mm; P = .01), with a slight decrease in tumor diameter noted in nonresponders (17%, from 23 ± 19 to 19.2 ± 19.1 mm; P = .80). Conclusions Multiparametric and multinuclear imaging parameters were significantly reduced after the first cycle of preoperative systemic therapy in responders, specifically, choline signal-to-noise ratio and sodium. These new surrogate radiologic biomarkers maybe able to predict and provide a platform for potential adaptive therapy in patients.
Approximate steering of a plate-ball system under bounded model perturbation using ensemble control

In this paper we revisit the classical plate-ball system and prove this system remains controllable under model perturbation that scales the ball radius by an unknown but bounded constant. We present an algorithm for approximate steering and validate the algorithm with hardware experiments. To perform these experiments, we introduce a new version of the plate-ball system based on magnetic actuation. This system is easy to implement and, with our steering algorithm, enables simultaneous manipulation of multiple balls with different radii.
THE IMPACT OF BLATANT PAY DISCLOSURE IN A UNIVERSITY ENVIRONMENT

Using a self-report survey, this investigation described university employees' reactions to the publication of their salaries in a local campus newspaper. Correlational analyses indicated associations between impact of the disclosure and salary level, salary equity/satisfaction, instrumentality of performance-reward outcomes, internal salary attributions, and salary discussion. Further analysis found differences in respondent perceptions to be contingent upon job category (academic, professional, and support staff) and faculty level. Qualitative analysis suggested that individual responses to the salary disclosure took various forms: no effect at all, planning to leave one's job, attempting to correct salary inequities, reducing personal effort, and working harder. The findings are discussed in relation to the literature on open pay systems and invasion of privacy.
The stomach in food satiation and the regulation of appetite.

Abstract This chapter reviews some of the evidence on short-term satiation and reward effects in hunger. The importance of conditioned taste aversion is stressed both as a source of explanatory concepts and as a factor producing artefacts in gastric and duoednal load experiments and in the work on cholecystokinin. The strategy of using intake as a measure of satiation is examined. Other evidence for short term signalling systems from the upper gastrointestinal tract is reviewed and presented. Reinforcing effects of predigested nutrient in the stomach are described, and evidence is given for gastric, as opposed to duodenal, signalling mechanisms. Investigations are described of the causes of aversion produced by gastric loading of palatable nutrients. Finally, a hypothesis is proposed that nutrient receptors in the stomach are exposed in increasingly large numbers as the stomach wall is stretched. Such a mechanism can in effect measure the absolute amount of nutrient, regardless of volume or concentration.
Complications Associated with Intraperitoneal 32P

The charts of all patients having received intraperitoneal 32P in the Indiana University Department of Radiation Oncology were retrospectively reviewed for complications and potentially related factors. Ninety-five patients had received this therapy, with a mean follow-up of 43.6 months. The majority of patients (81) had ovarian cancer. Complications were defined as mild if no intervention was required, moderate if medical intervention was required, and severe if the event was life-threatening or required surgical correction. Twenty patients (21%) had acute side effects recorded, with 15 of them (16%) being mild. The moderate complications (five patients) consisted of three cases of bowel obstruction, and two cases of abdominal pain requiring narcotics. There were no severe acute side effects. Chronic complications were found in 15 patients (20% actuarial 5-year incidence). Seven cases were mild (12% 5-year incidence), one was moderate (1%), and seven cases were classified as severe (7.4% 5-year incidence). All moderate and severe cases were bowel obstructions. Acute side effects were found to be related only to the volume of instillate (P = 0.049). Chronic complications were found to be related only to adjunctive pelvic/abdominal radiotherapy, with a 44% 5-year rate in patients receiving the combination having complications vs 17% (P = 0.04) (or 4.7% if mild complaints are excluded, P = 0.002) of those with 32P only. Comparison is made to other reports in the literature.
Bubble Razor: Eliminating Timing Margins in an ARM Cortex-M3 Processor in 45 nm CMOS Using Architecturally Independent Error Detection and Correction

We propose Bubble Razor, an architecturally independent approach to timing error detection and correction that avoids hold-time issues and enables large timing speculation windows. A local stalling technique that can be automatically inserted into any design allows the system to scale to larger processors. We implemented Bubble Razor on an ARM Cortex-M3 microprocessor in 45 nm CMOS without detailed knowledge of its internal architecture to demonstrate the technique's automated capability. The flip-flop based design was converted to two-phase latch timing using commercial retiming tools; Bubble Razor was then inserted using automatic scripts. This system marks the first published implementation of a Razor-style scheme on a complete, commercial processor. It provides an energy efficiency improvement of 60% or a throughput gain of up to 100% compared to operating with worst case timing margins.
The Risk of a Safety-Critical Event Associated With Mobile Device Use in Specific Driving Contexts

Objective: We explored drivers’ mobile device use and its associated risk of a safety-critical event (SCE) in specific driving contexts. Our premise was that the SCE risk associated with mobile device use increases when the driving task becomes demanding.Methods: Data from naturalistic driving studies involving commercial motor vehicle drivers and light vehicle drivers were partitioned into subsets representative of specific driving contexts. The subsets were generated using data set attributes that included level of service and relation to junction. These attributes were selected based on exogenous factors known to alter driving task demands. The subsets were analyzed using a case-cohort approach, which was selected to complement previous investigations of mobile device SCE risk using naturalistic driving data.Results: Both commercial motor vehicle and light vehicle drivers varied as to how much they conversed on a mobile device but did not vary their engagement in visual–manual subtasks. Furthermore, co...
Administration of estrogen to ovariectomized rats promotes conditioned place preference and produces moderate levels of estrogen in the nucleus accumbens.

Abstract Estrogen (E 2 ) can modulate a variety of functional processes, including conditioning. However, the precise relationship between E 2 and these processes is not entirely understood. Indeed, the nature of E 2 's effects on conditioning may depend upon several factors, including, but not limited to, the task examined, route of E 2 administration, bioavailability of E 2 administered, and/or duration of E 2 exposure. The present studies examined the effects of E 2 on conditioned place preference (CPP), and E 2 levels produced in plasma and the nucleus accumbens. In Experiment 1, ovariectomized, Long–Evans rats were subcutaneously (SC) administered sesame oil vehicle ( n = 12), 10 μg ( n = 12), or 1 mg ( n = 10), E 2 immediately prior to placement in the CPP apparatus on conditioning days. Only rats administered 10 μg E 2 exhibited a CPP. This regimen of E 2 ( n = 5/group) also produced moderate levels of E 2 in the nucleus accumbens (significantly greater than vehicle and less than 1 mg E 2 ). In Experiment 2, ovariectomized rats were SC administered propylene glycol vehicle ( n = 11), 10 μg ( n = 13), or 1 mg ( n = 14), E 2 immediately prior to conditioning. Administration of 1 mg E 2 in propylene glycol produced a CPP. Notably, 1 mg E 2 in propylene glycol produced moderate levels of E 2 in the nucleus accumbens (significantly greater than vehicle or 10 μg E 2 ) that were similar to those produced by 10 μg E 2 in sesame oil ( n = 5/group). Together, these data suggest that regimen of E 2 that can produce a CPP result in moderate levels of E 2 in the nucleus accumbens.
Preferential cross-linking of matrix-attachment region (MAR) containing DNA fragments to the isolated nuclear matrix by ionizing radiation

The sequences that anchor DNA, matrix-attachment regions (MARs), can be identified by their specific and preferential binding to the nuclear matrix. This microenvironment may be hypersensitive to the formation of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage, including DNA-protein cross-links (DPC). To examine the induction of DPC at or near MARs, we developed an in vitro binding assay by using nuclear matrices isolated from murine erythroleukemia cells by high-salt extraction of DNase I-digested nuclei. The cross-linking of nuclear matrix protein to DNA fragments containing kappa-immunoglobulin (kappa-Ig) or an hsp 70 MAR was studied. Fragments of pBR322 of similar size to the MAR-containing fragments served as non-MAR controls. Two types of experiments were conducted: type A in which nuclei were irradiated and nuclear matrices were isolated and assayed for the binding of exogenous 32P-labeled DNA fragments, and type B in which mixtures of isolated nuclear matrices and [32P]DNAs were irradiated and assayed for binding. Poly(dAT) served as a competitor in the binding assays, because it eliminated nonspecific binding of DNA to the nuclear matrix and revealed the radiation-induced increase in tightly bound DNA. When nuclear matrices were isolated from irradiated nuclei (0-200 Gy) and incubated with the kappa-Ig MAR fragment in the absence of poly(dAT) (type A experiments), much nonspecific, non-dose-dependent binding was observed. With poly(dAT) in the incubation mixture, a dose-dependent decrease (p < 0.001) in the binding was revealed, indicating a radiation-induced loss of available binding sites, perhaps due to the cross-linking of endogenous sequences. The pBR322 fragment did not show a similar loss of binding sites. Irradiation of mixtures of isolated nuclear matrices and end-labeled fragments (type B experiments) allowed the study of radiation-induced cross-linking of exogenous fragments to the matrices. If poly(dAT) was present during irradiation, nonspecific binding was eliminated; however, no significant increase (p = 0.5) in the specific binding of the DNA to the nuclear matrix was observed. In contrast, if poly(dAT) was added after irradiation, in addition to the elimination of nonspecific binding, a radiation dose-dependent increase in binding was revealed for both the kappa-Ig MAR and the hsp MAR (p < 0.001), but not for either of the pBR322 fragments. The results indicate that the specific interaction of MARs with proteins of the nuclear matrix provides a radiation-sensitive substrate for the formation of DNA-protein cross-links.
Overcoming obstacles to sketching the design of collections with rhetorical purpose

This research project addresses the design process for creating knowledge organization schemes and presents novel means of supporting the sketching of collections. Based on a recent experience designing a digital media collection using the Open Video Digital Library Toolkit, this research analyzes the two major obstacles encountered in sketching collections.
Mobility of electrons on the surface of liquid helium

A time-of-flight mobility measurement (1.17 < T < 2.7 K) is made on low-density electron pulses (n < 10/sup 4/ cm/sup -1/) moving above the surface of liquid helium with the electrons constrained against the liquid surface by a net dc electric field. Below 1.45 K the mobility starts to level off in the manner predicted by Cole, although at the lowest temperatures the experimental value is slightly higher than Cole's value. This behavior is direct evidence that the electron--ripplon interaction is important at these temperatures. The mobility at high drift fields is also reported. (AIP)
Heavy metal frost on Venus

Abstract Chemical equilibrium calculations of volatile metal geochemistry on Venus show that high dielectric constant compounds of lead and bismuth such as PbS (galena), Bi 2 S 3 (bismuthite) or Pb–Bi sulfosalts condense in the venusian highlands and may be responsible for the low radar emissivities observed by Magellan and Pioneer Venus. Our calculations also show that elemental tellurium is unstable on Venus' surface and will not condense below 46.6 km. This is over 30 km higher than Maxwell Montes, the highest point on Venus' surface. Elemental analyses of Venus' highlands surface by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and/or X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can verify the identity of the heavy metal frost on Venus. The Pb–Pb age of Venus could be determined by mass spectrometric measurements of the Pb 207 /Pb 204 and Pb 206 /Pb 204 isotopic ratios in Pb-bearing frosts. All of these measurements are technologically feasible now.
A generalized Lorenz system

A 14-dimensional generalized Lorenz system of ordinary differential equations is constructed and its bifurcation sequence is then studied numerically. Several fundamental differences are found which serve to distinguish this model from Lorenz's original one, the most unexpected of which is a family of invariant two-tori whose ultimate bifurcation leads to a strange attractor. The strange attractor seems to have many of the gross features observed in Lorenz's model and therefore is an excellent candidate for a higher dimensional analogue.
Possible use-dependent changes in adult primate somatosensory cortex

Topographic changes in adult primate somatosensory cortical maps have been reported to follow well-regulated manipulations in the animals' experience. We report briefly here cortical mapping data from one monkey which arrived at our laboratory with a chronic paralytic condition in one hand that resulted in a unique pattern of skin surface stimulation. Isolated receptive fields across the mediolateral extent of cortical area 3b were highly unusual with respect to normal topography, but they were completely consistent with the hypothesis that the correlated activation of peripheral afferents acts to shape expressed cortical receptive fields.
Laser nucleation and solid phase crystallization of a-Si:H

The ability to grow large-area, large-grained polycrystalline silicon on inexpensive substrates is becoming increasingly important for photovoltaic (PV) devices. With large-grained (grain size <10 μm) 10 μm thick films it is possible with light trapping to achieve PV efficiencies exceeding 15%. If crystallites could be nucleated and grown for longer times before native nucleation occurs, then potentially these much larger grain, thin film silicon material could be produced.The interaction of sub-crystallization threshold laser fluence with hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) has been demonstrated on a macroscopic scale to shorten the incubation time in subsequently thermally annealed films. Further examination of crystallite laser nucleation, found that nucleation was suppressed around PECVD a-Si:H thin film(50-100nm) sample edges, and scratches, in addition to laser-ablated areas, extending as much as 100-200 μm laterally from these features. Optical microscopy and stepwise high temperature thermal annealing were used to investigate this behavior for the a-Si:H films deposited on glass substrates. The nucleation rates were measured in the treated and untreated regions. The data suggests that these features (edges, scratches, and laser ablated areas) provide stress relief by interrupting the surface connectivity. We confirm the existence of stress and stress relief by μ-Raman measurements of the crystallite transverse optical peak position relative to that of c-Si. PECVD films were annealed at temperatures between 540-600C, to enable a determination of rn at each anneal temperature. The temperature dependent measurements enabled the determination of the nucleation rate activation energies (EA), and how they are affected by film stress.
A Refined Shear Deformation Plate Theory

An improved higher-order shear deformation theory of plates is presented in this paper. The theory is developed from the transverse shear deformation theory presented by Ambartsumian [11]. The present plate theory contains kinematics of higher-order displacement field of plates, a system of higher-order differential equilibrium equations in terms of the three generalized displacements of bending plates, and a system of boundary conditions at each edge of plate boundaries. The present shear deformation theory of plates is validated by applying it to solve torsional plates and simply supported plates. The obtained solutions using the present theory are compared with the solutions of other shear-deformation theories. A good agreement is achieved through these comparisons and the advantages of the present theory are clearly verified. The shear deformation plate theory presented here can be applied to the analysis of laminated composite plates to better predict their dynamic and static behaviors. The proposed ...
Warfarin in vulnerable older adults with atrial fibrillation

Current indications for anticoagulant therapy in the primary or secondary prevention of thromboembolism span a vast array of clinical syndromes in cardiovascular medicine, from nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) to prosthetic mechanical valves, and the prophylaxis of arterial or venous thrombosis [1, 2]. The complexities of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) administration among patients with AF is heightened substantially in older adults who, in addition to comborbid illness, pose a risk for both thrombotic and hemorrhagic events-either of which can be life-altering or life-threatening. VKAs, of which warfarin is the most widely used and investigated coumarin derivative, exerts its anticoagulant effects though modulating c-carboxylation of glutamic acid (GLA) residues of the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X, resulting in the production of coagulation factors with reduced coagulant capacity [3]. The estimated disease prevalence of AF is 9% among octogenarians, and given global aging, the total AF burden of disease is expected to double by 2050 [4]. Complexities in decision making around the use of VKAs are magnified among the population of vulnerable older adults with functional decline, nutritional deficiencies, polypharmacy, frailty, falls, and cognitive dysfunction—clinical and health-related characteristics that collectively define the older adult with prototypical geriatric syndromes [5–7]. Vulnerability has been previously operationalized and defined as ‘‘community-dwelling seniors who have four times the risk for functional decline or death over the next 2 years compared with those not identified as vulnerable’’ [8]. This phenotype has previously been captured, employing either self or proxy reporting on aspects of functional status, and collectively represent conditions frequently encountered in the practice of geriatrics [9]. Accordingly, the direct application of evidence from existing guidelines and clinical studies on the benefits of anticoagulant therapy for conditions, like AF, that are known to increase the risk of thrombosis-related clinical events must be balanced carefully by considering both the number needed to harm (NNH) and the ‘‘values and preferences’’ of care for an individual patient. The absolute benefit of VKA over antiplatelet therapy among the very elderly with geriatric syndromes continues to be an area of uncertainty, despite being encountered frequently in clinical practice. Building upon the overarching theme of hemostasis and thrombosis in older adults [10], herein we consider the landscape of VKA treatment among vulnerable older adults—offering a paradigm of thrombotic risk, bleeding propensity, and individualized decision making to include cessation of treatment when the likelihood of harm outweighs the potential benefit.
A hybrid system for code switch point detection in informal Arabic text

How to detect the switch between a standard and a dialectal form of a language in written text and why this is important for natural language processing tasks.
The Impact of a Peer Mediation Program on an Elementary School Environment

A growing preoccupation of the nation's educational community involves violence in schools, which causes disruption of the educational process, fear and absenteeism among students, staff burnout, and urban flight. One response to this problem has been conflict resolution and Peer Mediation Programs (PMPs). This two-year study analyzes the impact of a Peer Mediation Program on an elementary school's conflict management environment. A nonequivalent control group design with two closely matched urban elementary schools totaling one thousand students was used. Results indicate significant improvements in win/win outcomes of student conflict. Primary intervenors in conflict shifted from adult dominance to greater student involvement. The incidence of student conflicts declined significantly at the treatment school, as did the amount of time teachers devoted to dealing with student conflicts.
Variance tracking MIS in interdependent manufacturing contexts: an initial examination

Abstract There are many conflicting signals concerning the effectiveness of variance-tracking management information systems (MIS) in manufacturing contexts. Though there are anecdotal references to dissatisfaction with the systems and conceptual arguments concerning inaccuracy, no empirical evaluation of the effects of such system deficiencies could be found. This, combined with the widespread use of such MISs makes it of interest to further investigate them in manufacturing context. This paper provides an exploratory empirical examination of variance tracking MIS deficiencies. Via a simulation experiment, we find that, in an interdependent manufacturing context, variance-tracking MISs may severely misrepresent whether production departments are in or out of control. We thus agree with those who suggest that variance-tracking MISs may not be appropriate in interdependent manufacturing contexts. Contributions include an empirical demonstration of the kind and extent of MIS deficiencies that can occur in these contexts. However, the exploratory nature of this study imposes significant problems of external validity.
Effects of nicotine on two types of motor activity in rats.

Effects of injections of two doses of nicotine (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg body wt) were tested on general activity (in a photocell chamber) and on locomotor activity (in an activity wheel) in male and female rats of two ages (40 and 90 days). Behavior was monitored under light and dark conditions at 15, 30, and 45 min post-injection over a period of 12 days. A general excitatory effect of nicotine was observed in the photocell chamber, with the high dosage greatly increasing activity for younger and female animals. In the activity wheel an initial depressant effect was observed followed by excitation at the lower dose. No evidence for tolerance or difference between light and dark test conditions was found.
Disorder-driven first-order phase transformations: A model for hysteresis

Hysteresis loops in some magnetic systems are composed of small avalanches (manifesting themselves as Barkhausen pulses). Hysteresis loops in other first‐order phase transitions (including some magnetic systems) often occur via one large avalanche. The transition between these two limiting cases is studied, by varying the disorder in the zero‐temperature random‐field Ising model. Sweeping the external field through zero at weak disorder, we get one large avalanche with small precursors and aftershocks. At strong disorder, we get a distribution of small avalanches (small Barkhausen effect). At the critical value of disorder where a macroscopic jump in the magnetization first occurs, universal power‐law behavior of the magnetization and of the distribution of (Barkhausen) avalanches is found. This transition is studied by mean‐field theory, perturbative expansions, and numerical simulation in three dimensions.
pKa and Volume of residue one influence δ/μ opioid binding: QSAR analysis of tyrosine replacement in a nonselective deltorphin analogue

[Gly(4)]deltorphin (Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Val-Val-Gly-NH(2)) is a nonselective analogue of the opioid heptapeptides isolated from Phyllomedusa amphibian skin. Its nonselective nature allows for simultaneous characterization of the effects of sequence modification on both delta (delta) and mu (mu) receptor binding. The N-terminal regions of opioid peptides are considered to be responsible for receptor recognition, and the tyrosine at position one is relatively intolerant to alteration. In order to further investigate the role of the phenolic hydroxyl group in receptor interaction, a series of peptides was synthesized in which the position-one tyrosine residue was replaced with analogues of varying electronic, steric, and acid/base character, including ring-substituted tyrosines, para-substituted phenylalanines, and other nonaromatic and heterocyclic amino acids. The effects of these replacements on delta and mu receptor affinities were measured and then analyzed through quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) calculations. Results support a dual hydrogen bond donor/acceptor role for the Tyr(1) hydroxyl moiety, with less acidic hydroxyl groups exhibiting stronger binding to opioid receptors. In addition, steric bulk in the Tyr(1) position independently strengthens mu and possibly delta binding, presumably by either a ligand conformational effect or enhanced van der Waals interactions with a 'loose' receptor site. The pK(a) effect is stronger on delta than on mu binding, generating an increase in delta selectivity with increasing residue-one pK(a).
Phylogenetic study of heliconiine butterflies based on morphology and restriction analysis of ribosomal RNA genes

Relationships of ten heliconiine butterflies (genera Dryas and Heliconius, family Nymphalidae) were elucidated by phylogenetic analysis of characters based on ribosomal DNA restriction site variation and morphology. Agraulis vanillae, also a heliconiine, was used as the outgroup species. Although neither the morphological nor the molecular data unambiguously resolve relationships among the heliconiines, a combined analysis of both data sets results in a tree that is similar to traditional systematic arrangements and previous views of radiation in the group. Both pupal-mating and nonpupal-mating species group as clades in the combined analysis. However, the restriction site data alone do not support the monophyly of the pupal-mating clade, and the morphological data alone do not support the monophyly of the non-pupal-mating clade. Furthermore, relationships of H. melpomene, H. cydno and the silvaniform species depart from traditional arrangements based on morphology and reproductive compatibility experiments. All trees support the independent evolution of similar wing patterns of species previously suggested to be members of mimicry complexes. Several mimicry complexes appear to have a member in each of the two major monophyletic groups (pupal-mating and non-pupal-mating clades).
SH2-Bβ Is a Rac-binding Protein That Regulates Cell Motility

The Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein SH2-Bβ binds to and is a substrate of the growth hormone (GH) and cytokine receptor-associated tyrosine kinase JAK2. SH2-Bβ also binds, via its SH2 domain, to multiple activated growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. We have previously implicated SH2-Bβ in GH and platelet-derived growth factor regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. We extend these findings by establishing a potentiating effect of SH2-Bβ on GH-dependent cell motility and defining regions of SH2-Bβ required for this potentiation. Time-lapse video microscopy, phagokinetic, and/or wounding assays demonstrate reduced movement of cells overexpressing SH2-Bβ lacking an intact SH2 domain because of a point mutation or a C-terminal truncation. An N-terminal proline-rich domain (amino acids 85–106) of SH2-Bβ is required for inhibition of cellular motility by SH2 domain-deficient mutants. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that Rac binds to this domain. GH is shown to activate endogenous Rac, and dominant negative mutants of SH2-Bβ are shown to inhibit membrane ruffling induced by constitutively active Rac. These findings suggest that SH2-Bβ is an adapter protein that facilitates actin rearrangement and cellular motility by recruiting Rac and potentially Rac-regulating, Rac effector, or other actin-regulating proteins to activated cytokine (e.g. GH) and growth factor receptors.
A blocking antibody to the hyaluronan receptor for endocytosis (HARE) inhibits hyaluronan clearance by perfused liver.

Hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate clearance from lymph and blood is mediated by the hyaluronan receptor for endocytosis (HARE). The purification and molecular cloning (Zhou, B., Weigel, J. A., Saxena, A., and Weigel, P. H. (2002)Mol. Biol. Cell 13, 2853–2868) of this cell surface receptor were finally achieved after we developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against HARE. There are actually two independent isoreceptors for HA, which in rat are designated the 175-kDa HARE and 300-kDa HARE. Only one mAb (number 174) effectively and completely blocked the specific uptake of 125I-HA at 37 °C by rat liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. 125I-HA binding to both the 175-kDa and 300-kDa HARE proteins in a ligand blot assay was almost completely inhibited by
An evaluation of the XR-10 intensifier in dental radiography.

Abstract The effectiveness of a commercial radiographic toning solution on dental screen and nonscreen films is studied.
The effect of surface active agents on the permeability to dye of the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites cells.

Abstract A study has been made of the action of a number of surfactants in promoting the penetration of a dye, nigrosin, through the plasma membrane of Ehrlich ascites cells. Of the anionic surfactants tested, the sulfates and sulfonates with C 12 or C 14 side chains were most effective. A similar effect could be obtained with a series of nonionic phenoxy polyoxyethylene ethanols. Dye entrance was facilitated at detergent concentrations slightly lower than those necessary to produce membrane lysis.
Relative cost of fault-tolerant transmission for connecting distributed resources

There exists a need for additional transmission capacity to connect distributed resources such as wind energy from remote locations to the power grid. The high cost of running transmission lines necessitates having a way to minimize the length of transmission required to connect the distributed resources to load centers. In addition, the substations that connect to the transmission lines need to be fault tolerant by ensuring that the loss of any one transmission line does not result in the loss of power to any substation. In this paper, the relative cost of connecting a range of sources to a range of loads with and without fault tolerance is presented. Fault tolerance is achieved through a 2-path redundant graph approach. Studies show that the additional cost of ensuring fault tolerance for selected schemes ranges between 8% and 33%. This percentage value can support decision making in practice.
Preliminary results from studies of nocturnal bioluminescence with subsurface moored photometers

Spatial and temporal patterns of bioluminescent flashes were recorded from fall 1982 through Spring 1983 by photometers moored offshore in Scripps Canyon, La Jolla, California, USA. From depths between 8 and 90 m, realtime data were transmitted by cable to a laboratory on land approximately one mile (1.7 km) away. In addition, temperature, depth and current velocity and direction were monitored either in real time by direct coupling to a laboratory-based system, or by internal data storage-systems that were retrieved at regular intervals and subsequently analyzed. Our studies showed that our field station is largely uncoupled from wave action effects usually associated with luminescence measurements made from ships. Bioluminescent activity varied greatly both during a single night and between different nights. Vertical profiling of the water column between 8 and 90 m showed evidence of vertical migration, patchiness of distribution and large-scale spatial differences in total bioluminescent activity. Currents had a major impact on patterns of bioluminescent activity; however, sometimes high levels of luminescence were recorded in complete absence of currents. Diel cycles, organism patchiness, the level of downwelling ambient light, and currents appeared to interact in controlling the levels and patterns of bioluminescence.
Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

The trait cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) is common in higher plants. Edwardson (1) reported that the cms trait had been observed in at least eighty unique plant species. Although the trait may manifest itself in different fashions among the various species, cms plants have in common the inability to produce viable pollen. In maize, plants are terminated by an inflorescence called the tassel. The tassel is composed of many male spikelets (flowers) which, at maturity, exert their anthers from which pollen is shed. The young male gametophyte is borne within the pollen grain. In its most severe manifestation (e.g., cms-T), the tassel of a cytoplasmic male-sterile plant does not exert anthers and no pollen is shed. Frequently, as in the case of the S sterile cytoplasm (cms-S), deformed anthers, termed “sticks”, are exerted. However, they contain only aborted pollen grains. The cms trait normally does not affect female fertility.
Modeling of Thermal Conductivity of Graphite Nanosheet Composites

Recent experiments demonstrated a very high thermal conductivity in graphite nanosheet (GNS)/epoxy nanocomposites; however, theoretical analysis is lacking. In this letter, an effective medium model has been used to analyze the effective thermal conductivity of the GNS/polymer nanocomposites and has shown good validity. Strong influences of the aspect ratio and the orientation of the GNS are evident. As expected, interfacial thermal resistance still plays a role in determining the overall thermal transport in the GNS/polymer nanocomposites. In comparison with the interfacial thermal resistance between carbon nanotubes and polymers, the interfacial thermal resistance between GNS and polymers is about one order of magnitude lower, the reason for which is discussed.
Transpiration and Calcium Deposition by Unifoliate Leaves of Phaseolus vulgaris Differing in Maturity

Unifoliate leaves were individually enclosed in clear, plastic chambers for the 24 hour treatment periods and then sacrificed for Ca analysis. Two transpiration rates were obtained by passing dry air through the chambers tising flow rates of 160 and 260 cm3/min. A third rate was obtained by a combination of shade and the lower air flow rate. Neither the transpiration rate nor solution-Ca concentration (0.5mM and 2.5 mM of 0.1, and 0.5 strength Hoagland solution) altered the amount of Ca deposited in the unifoliate leaves of 22 day old bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris). The transpiration rate per unit area of leaf remained constant for all ages studied (1l–20 days) and was 1.8, 2.7, 3.6 g H2O per dm2 day for the three different imposed conditions. A definite pattern of Ca deposition occurred. With all the transpiration rates there was a maximum rate of calcium deposition at 13 days of growth and a gradual decrease thereafter. When the Ca concentration of the nutrient solution was 20 μg/ml the daily Ca deposition in terms of water transpired by the unifoliate leaves exceeded this amount, except for the oldest leaf tested, and, the maximum Ca to water ratios were 250, 320, and 430 (μg Ca/g) in order of decreasing transpiration rates. The uptake of Ca against a concentration gradient and approximately the same total uptake regardless of transpiration rates and solution concentrations used, firmly suggest that Ca secretion into root-xylem elements from a surrounding low level Ca solution requires energy expenditure by the plant. A possible explanation was proposed for the decreased rate of Ca deposition by the unifoliate leaves subsequent to the 13th day.
Ethanol Plus Caffeine (Caffeinol) for Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: Preclinical Experience

Background and Purpose— Ethanol and caffeine are 2 common psychoactive dietary components. We have recently shown that low-dose ethanol plus caffeine results in a 70% to 80% reduction of infarct volume after reversible common carotid/middle cerebral artery (CCA/MCA) occlusion in rats. The combination (caffeinol) was effective after either oral pretreatment or intravenous administration starting up to 2 hours after stroke onset. Ethanol alone aggravated ischemic damage, while caffeine alone was without effect. Daily caffeinol for 2 weeks before ischemia eliminated the neuroprotection seen with acute treatment (tolerance). The purpose of our present study was to further characterize the properties of caffeinol as a possible treatment for ischemic stroke. Methods— The transient CCA/MCA occlusion model was used in all experiments. Five sets of experiments were conducted (1) to test the effectiveness of various doses of ethanol (0.2 to 0.65 g/kg) and caffeine (3 to 10 mg/kg) in the caffeinol mixture; (2) to te...