cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptation to quantum flux by the emerson photosynthetic unit.

The size of the Emerson photosynthetic unit was measured in Chlorella pyrenoidosa strain no. 252 grown at light intensities between 50 and 1000 foot candles. The Emerson photosynthetic unit changed from a minimum size of 1970 molecules chlorophyll a + b /O 2 per flash in cells grown at 1000 foot candles to a maximum size of 3150 molecules chlorophyll a + b /O 2 per flash for cells grown at 50 foot candles. The size changes were interpreted as a partial adaptation where the trapping center antenna responded to changes in incident light intensity. Light-induced changes in chlorophyll content and size of the Emerson photosynthetic unit were directly related. Two strains of Chlorella pyrenoidosa adapted by growth to 500 foot candles were then illuminated at the reduced light intensity of 50 foot candles. Emerson photosynthetic unit size (Emerson strain) increased from 2110 molecules Chlorophyll a + b /O 2 per flash at time zero to a maximum size of 3160 after 65 hours at 50 foot candles. The Emerson photosynthetic unit size for strain 252 transferred from 500 to 50 foot candles was 2260 at zero hours and 3650 after 50 hours at 50 foot candles. Emerson photosynthetic unit sizes for similar cultures which remained at 500 foot candles were almost constant in size. Oxygen yield per flash per cell was nearly constant whereas Emerson photosynthetic unit size increased in cells moved to the reduced incident light intensity.
A role for transcriptional repression during light control of plant development

Light mediates plant development partly by orchestrating changes in gene expression, a process which involves a complex combination of positive and negative signaling cascades. Genetic investigations using the small crucifer Arabidopsis thaliana have demonstrated a fundamental role for the down-regulation of light-inducible genes in response to darkness, thus offering a suitable model system for investigating how plants repress gene expression in a developmental context. Rapid progress in eukaryotic gene repression mechanisms in general, and light control of plant gene expression in particular, sheds new light on how a class of ten pleiotropic COP/DET/FUS genes might function to down-regulate light-inducible genes in plants.
Rotational spectrum, structure and internal motions of the ethylene-OCS weakly bound dimer

The rotational spectra of five isotopomers of the ethylene-OCS dimer have been observed by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and its structure was determined. The dipole moment components and rotational constants for this complex are consistent with a stacked geometry in which the OCS lies above the ethylene molecular plane, approximately parallel to the C=C bond. Two internal motions of the monomer subunits split each rotational transition into four components. The larger tunneling splittings have been analysed to give a twofold barrier for the internal motion of the ethylene subunit about its c inertial axis of 16(3) cm−1. The results are compared with calculations with a semi-empirical model employing electrostatic, dispersion and repulsion interactions.
Appraisal of the cancer experience by older long-term survivors

Cancer survivorship is best viewed as a process that continues across the life span. Appraisals of cancer change over time and may not be explicit until long after treatment completion. The current study, using the Lazarus and Folkman (1984) stress-appraisal-coping framework, explored factors related to both a stressful and an irrelevant appraisal of the cancer experience by older long-term survivors. Hierarchical regression analysis investigated the individual and cumulative effects of person factors (survivors' demographic characteristics, beliefs about the effect of cancer on family members) and situation factors (characteristics of cancer) on survivors' appraisals that cancer was a stressful life event. The strongest correlates of the stress appraisal were person factors. A more stressful appraisal was associated with: (1). the belief that diagnosis/treatment caused greater family distress, (2). being younger, and (3). being White. The irrelevant appraisal had a marginally significant correlate in bivariate analysis and was not included in regression analysis. Implications for health-care professionals and patient/family interventions are discussed.
Induced pluripotent stem cells from ALS patients for disease modeling

The ability to reprogram adult somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into all three germ layers of the developing human has fundamentally changed the landscape of biomedical research. For a neurodegenerative disease like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), which does not manifest itself until adulthood and is a heterogeneous disease with few animal models, this technology may be particularly important. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) have been created from patients with several familial forms of ALS as well as some sporadic forms of ALS. These cells have been differentiated into ALS-relevant cell subtypes including motor neurons and astrocytes, among others. ALS-relevant pathologies have also been identified in motor neurons from these cells and may provide a window into understanding disease mechanisms in vitro. Given that this is a relatively new field of research, numerous challenges remain before iPSC methodologies can fulfill their potential as tools for modeling ALS as well as providing a platform for the investigation of ALS therapeutics. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ALS complex pathogenesis.
Emplacement and Contamination: Mediation of Navajo Identity through Excorporated Blood:

On the heels of colonization, missionization, capitalistic development and globalization, contemporary members of the Navajo Nation are daily inundated with a variety of tensions associated with the `politics of identity'. Based on recent consultations with Navajo of all walks of life about how they accommodate biomedical technologies within their religiously and medically pluralistic world, this article demonstrates how Navajo people anchor relatedness within their sacred space through the use of language, detached bodily substances or parts, and ritualized practices. These speech acts and practices, which are routinely done in the simultaneous process of person-and-place building, are also done to intentionally reinforce fragile social relations or perhaps more importantly to re-embed disrupted social relations through the process of emplacement. Using ethnographic information about Navajo views on the bioeconomy of excorporated bodily substances, this article considers how Navajo people specifically us...
Human-Centered System Architecture: A Framework for Interpreting and Applying User Needs

In the early stages of product development it is crucial to understand users in order to create products that reflect their needs, desires, limitations and capabilities. This paper introduces a user-centered approach for interpreting users’ needs into actionable knowledge for product design. The proposed framework consists of multiple inter-related knowledge sets for representing users’ mental models in relation to product structure and function, and users’ procedures and context-of-use. Structure and function pertain to the product’s behavior and attributes; procedures refers to the tasks users engage in during product interaction; and context-of-use refers to the wide range of influences by which product performance can potentially be affected. The models are interpreted using an event script, an image representation, and a set of influences that allow developers to envision cause and effect, and thereby specify product performance specifications. A case study illustrates the framework and how this methodology can be applied.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Kind toward whom? Mate preferences for personality traits are target specific

Previous mate preference studies indicate that people prefer partners whose personalities are extremely kind and trustworthy, but relatively nondominant. This conclusion, however, is based on research that leaves unclear whether these traits describe the behavior a partner directs toward oneself, toward other classes of people or both. Because the fitness consequences of partners' behaviors likely differed depending on the classes of individuals toward whom behaviors were directed, we predicted that mate preferences for personality traits would change depending on the specific targets of a partner's behavioral acts. Consistent with this, two experiments demonstrated that people prefer partners who are extremely kind and trustworthy when considering behaviors directed toward themselves or their friends/family, but shift their preferences to much lower levels of these traits when considering behaviors directed toward other classes of individuals. In addition, both sexes preferred partners who direct higher levels of dominance toward members of the partner's own sex than toward any other behavioral target category, with women preferring levels of dominance toward other men as high as — or higher than — levels of kindness and trustworthiness. When asked to rate traits for which the behavioral target was left unspecified, furthermore, preferences were very similar to self-directed preferences, suggesting that previous trait-rating studies have not measured preferences for partners' behaviors directed toward people other than oneself. These findings may provide a basic contribution to the mate preference literature via their demonstration that ideal standards for romantic partners are importantly qualified by the targets of behavioral acts.
Electromagnetic Field Mediates Capillary-Like Network Formation via MAPK/ERK Signaling Cascade

Abnormal angiogenesis (formation of capillaries) plays an important role in the impaired diabetic wound healing and has emerged as a new target area for therapeutic interventions. Pulsed magnetic field therapy, which was initially used for healing of bone fractures, has been recently introduced as a potential therapy to treat diabetic and chronic wounds [1], although the mechanisms responsible for improved healing are still unclear. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) have been shown to act as a directional cues in cellular responses such as migration and activations of several signal transduction cascades [2]. Recent literature delineates an important role of GHz EMF (i.e., with an oscillation period of a fraction of a nanosecond) in inducing rapid and sustained phosphorylation of mitrogen-activated kinase and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) [3]. Recent studies have also implicated MAP kinase in mediating the phosphorylation of Connexin-43 (Cx43) that accompanies regulation of cell-cell communication via connexin gap junctions [4]. Importantly, both MAPK/ERK pathway and Cx43 signaling are involved in the process of angiogenesis [5,6]. Therefore, the goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that high-frequency (7.5GHz) EMFs promote angiogenesis in vitro via MAPK/ERK and/or Cx43 signaling. We used a custom-built EMF exposure setup and a self-assembling peptide nanoscaffold as a controlled angiogenic microenvironment [7] to quantify the effect of EMF on capillary formation and underlying cellular responses.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Probing DNA interstrand cross-link formation by an oxidized abasic site using nonnative nucleotides.

The C4′-oxidized abasic site (C4-AP) forms two types of interstrand cross-links with the adjacent nucleotides in DNA. Previous experiments revealed that dG does not react with the lesion and that formation of one type of cross-link is catalyzed by the opposing dA. iso-Guanosine·dC and 2-aminopurine·dT base pairs were used to determine why dG does not cross-link with C4-AP despite its well known reactivity with other bis-electrophiles. 7-Deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine was used to probe the role of the nucleotide opposite C4-AP in the catalysis of interstrand cross-link formation.
Assignment problem in edge detection performance evaluation

We propose to use the combinatorial assignment problem to model the issue of associating ground-truth and declared edge pixels in the objective empirical performance evaluation of edge detectors. The assignment problem is adapted to the maximal assignment problem to incorporate the need for tolerating certain amount of localization error for the detected ground-truth pixels. The solution to this problem yields a maximal one-to-one association between ground-truth and declared edge pixels. Performance evaluation based on this association has the attitude of making the most positive interpretation of the declared edge map. Synthetic test data is used in the experiment to allow unambiguous subjective judgement of edge detection performance. The preciseness and reasonableness of the performance evaluation from the proposed method is observed. The usefulness of this method in other performance evaluation applications is also discussed.
Best-First Model Merging for Dynamic Learning and Recognition

"Best-first model merging" is a general technique for dynamically choosing the structure of a neural or related architecture while avoiding overfitting. It is applicable to both learning and recognition tasks and often generalizes significantly better than fixed structures. We demonstrate the approach applied to the tasks of choosing radial basis functions for function learning, choosing local affine models for curve and constraint surface modelling, and choosing the structure of a balltree or bumptree to maximize efficiency of access.
Impact of increased oxygen delivery via bovine red blood cell supplementation of culturing media on select metabolic and synthetic functions of C3A hepatocytes maintained within a hollow fiber bioreactor.

Hepatocytes are highly dependent upon appropriate oxygen provision for activity and viability. However, oxygen delivery to hepatocytes cultured within a hollow fiber bioreactor is believed to be problematic because of large diffusion distances, a high hepatocyte oxygen consumption rate and low aqueous media oxygen solubility. Supplementation of bioreactor media with bovine red blood cells (bRBCs) is one means of improving oxygen delivery to hepatocytes as hemoglobin contained within bRBCs binds oxygen. The impact of supplementing hepatocyte culturing media with bRBCs (∼5 × 108 bRBCs/ml) on hepatocyte activity (albumin and lactate production and glucose consumption) was studied. Decreased hepatocyte lactate production to glucose consumption ratios were found for the case when bRBCs were added to circulating culturing media, which indicated the presence of a more aerobic environment in comparison to the control (no bRBC supplementation). Additionally, albumin synthesis was found to be improved when the circ...
Synthesis of geraniol-9-14C. methods for obtaining labeled geraniols free of citronellol

Geraniol-9-14C has been prepared starting with methyl lithium-14C. Methods have been developed for obtaining radiolabeled geraniol free of citronellol and other by-products.
Interaction of Microwaves in Gaseous Plasmas Immersed in Magnetic Fields

The phenomenon of radio frequency electromagnetic wave interaction in gaseous plasmas is reviewed. The application of microwave interaction to the study of plasmas immersed in magnetic fields is discussed. Attention is focused on the effects produced in such plasmas when one of the simultaneously propagating microwaves is in electron-cyclotron resonance. It is demonstrated that, for relatively modest amplitudes of the resonating wave, the kinetic energy of the electrons increases considerably, which in turn affects 1) the electron collision frequency and 2) the magnetic field control of the plasma confinement.
Visions from the Forests: The Art of Liberia and Sierra Leone

This work is a exhibition and catalogue review considering Visions from the Forests: The Art of Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Quantum Mechanics of Hydrogen on Nickel and Palladium Clusters

Within the broad class of metal-hydrogen systems, clusters are of particular importance. Their high surface to volume ratio makes them ideal candidates for catalytic applications. Surface and bulk studies have shown that transport and vibrational spectroscopy of hydrogen are very sensitive to substrate structure. The wide variety of geometries exhibited by clusters offers a noteworthy opportunity to examine the effect of substrate geometry on hydrogen. Further, hydrogen’s small mass and uniquely large isotopic variation gives rise to a number of intrinsically quantum mechanical effects. For example, inverse isotope effects have been observed for hydrogen chemisorption on palladium clusters. Comparing classical and quantum mechanical Monte Carlo methods, the effects of quantum mechanics on cluster structure, population distribution, vibrational spectra, and rates for hydrogen motion are discussed for a single hydrogen on nickel and palladium clusters.
Predator cues have contrasting effects on lifespan of Pardosa milvina (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Abstract Predators can affect prey indirectly by eliciting changes in behavior, morphology, and life history. These nonconsumptive effects are often mediated by predator cues used by prey to avoid capture. However, predator cues can cause stress responses in prey that negatively impact survival and reproduction. We explored responses of the wolf spider Pardosa milvina (Hentz 1844) to cues from the larger wolf spider Tigrosa helluo (Walckenaer 1837) and the ground beetle Scarites quadriceps Chaudoir 1843. We exposed Pardosa to cues from both predators and measured changes in body size, weight, consumption, and lifespan. We found significant effects of predator cues only on female longevity: females exposed to Tigrosa cues had shorter lifespans than those exposed to cues from Scarites. The lack of treatment effects on energy intake suggests that predator cues act through physiological pathways. Future experiments may uncover opposing hormonal mechanisms underlying the observed differences in lifespan.
Medical Comorbidity in Schizophrenia

The extent and consequences of medical comorbidity in patients with schizophrenia are generally underrecognized. Patients with comorbid conditions are usually excluded from research studies, although they probably represent the majority of individuals with schizophrenia. Elderly patients are especially likely to have comorbid disorders. In this article, we review selected literature on medical comorbidity in schizophrenia, including physical illnesses, substance use, cognitive impairment, sensory deficits, and iatrogenic comorbidity. Data from the University of California, San Diego Clinical Research Center on late-life psychosis are also presented. Older schizophrenia patients report fewer comorbid physical illnesses than healthy comparison subjects, but their illnesses tend to be more severe. These results suggest that schizophrenia patients may receive less than adequate health care. Substance abuse is more common in patients with schizophrenia than in the general population and may exacerbate psychiatric symptoms in these patients. Although generalized cognitive impairment is associated with schizophrenia, the main contributors to dementia in older patients are more likely to be comorbid neurological and other physical disorders, substance abuse, and medication side effects. Iatrogenic comorbidity results primarily from the use of neuroleptic (e.g., tardive dyskinesia) and anticholinergic (e.g., confusion) medications. Clinical and research recommendations are made for management of comorbidity in schizophrenia.
The use of riparian environments in the rural Peruvian Amazon

River margins are valued for agriculture in the western Amazon because of their fertile soils and level surfaces. Riparian forests along river margins also provide valuable ecosystem services by protecting water quality and providing resources to aquatic organisms. Because inhabitants of the region rely on these aquatic resources, riparian deforestation may have unintended negative feedbacks on the health and well-being of rural communities. A survey of 79 households of mixed cultural background investigated how riparian environments were used, what mechanisms were in place for their conservation, and how local people valued them. Corn, beans and peanuts were cultivated preferentially in riparian areas, complementing the manioc and plantains grown on upland soils. People valued riparian areas for their ecosystem services and generally left a protective buffer of forest along rivers. Both the agricultural and ecological values of riparian areas may be preserved through proper management.
Low detectable prostate specific antigen after radical prostatectomy--treat or watch?

Purpose: We determined whether the pattern of low detectable prostate specific antigen during the first 3 years of followup after radical prostatectomy would predict subsequent biochemical recurrence.Materials and Methods: An institutional database was queried to identify 1,136 patients who underwent open retropubic or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy between January 5, 1993 and December 29, 2008. After applying exclusion criteria we used serum prostate specific antigen and the prostate specific antigen pattern during the first 3 years of followup to divide 566 men into 3 groups, including 1) undetectable prostate specific antigen (0.03 ng/ml or less), 2) low detectable-stable prostate specific antigen (greater than 0.03 and less than 0.2 ng/ml, no 2 subsequent increases and/or prostate specific antigen velocity less than 0.05 ng per year) and 3) low detectable-unstable prostate specific antigen (greater than 0.03 and less than 0.2 ng/ml, 2 subsequent increases according to NCCN criteria and/or prosta...
New multilayer planar transmission lines for microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits

New types of planar transmission lines employing multilayer structures are proposed for possible applications in microwave and millimeter-wave integrated circuits. Detailed investigations are presented through numerical results calculated using the spectral domain technique. The newly proposed transmission lines have many attractive features such as a large impedance range, flexibility and ability to realize complicated, densely packed integrated circuits, as well as miniaturization through the use of thin dielectric layers. Additionally, they possess all of the inherent advantages of the CPW and microstrip line. Their use in microwave circuits is exemplified through a low-pass filter realized using the new slot-coplanar lines with less than 0.5-dB insertion loss and better than 20-dB return loss. The filter's measured and calculated performances also agree well. >
Gpr177/mouse Wntless is essential for Wnt‐mediated craniofacial and brain development

We have previously demonstrated that Gpr177, the mouse orthologue of Drosophila Wls/Evi/Srt, is required for establishment of the anterior–posterior axis. The Gpr177 null phenotype is highly reminiscent to the loss of Wnt3, the earliest abnormality among all Wnt knockouts in mice. The expression of Gpr177 in various cell types and tissues lead us to hypothesize that reciprocal regulation of Wnt and Gpr177 is essential for the Wnt-dependent developmental and pathogenic processes. Here, we create a new mouse strain permitting conditional inactivation of Gpr177. The loss of Gpr177 in the Wnt1-expressing cells causes mid/hindbrain and craniofacial defects which are far more severe than the Wnt1 knockout, but resemble the double knockout of Wnt1 and Wnt3a as well as β-catenin deletion in the Wnt1-expressing cells. Our findings demonstrate the importance of Gpr177 in Wnt1-mediated development of the mouse embryo, suggesting an overlapping function of Wnt family members in the Wnt1-expressing cells. Developmental Dynamics 240:365–371, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Generalized band anticrossing model for highly mismatched semiconductors applied to Be Se x Te 1 − x

We report a new model for highly mismatched semiconductor (HMS) alloys. Based on the Anderson impurity Hamiltonian, the model generalizes the recent band anticrossing (BAC) model, which successfully explains the band bowing in highly mismatched semiconductors. Our model is formulated in empirical tight-binding (ETB) theory and uses the so-called $s{p}^{3}{s}^{*}$ parameterization. It does not need extra parameters other than bulk ones. The model has been applied to $\mathrm{Be}{\mathrm{Se}}_{x}{\mathrm{Te}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ alloy. BeTe and BeSe are wide-band gap and highly mismatched semiconductors. Calculations show large band bowing, larger on the Se rich side than on the Te rich side. Linear interpolation is used for an arbitrary concentration $x$. The results are applied to calculation of electronic and optical properties of $\mathrm{Be}{\mathrm{Se}}_{0.41}{\mathrm{Te}}_{0.59}$ lattice matched to Si in a superlattice configuration.
Complete Temporal Characterization of the Polarization State of Weak Ultrashort Signals

We demonstrate that dual-channel spectral interferometry in conjunction with Frequency Resolved Optical Gating can be used to completely time resolve the polarization state of weak ultrashort signals from linear and nonlinear optical experiments by measuring the intensity and the phase of two orthogonal polarization components. In this way the signal is completely characterized.
Teaching Behaviors of Middle School and High School Band Directors in the Rehearsal Setting

The study was designed to investigate specific rehearsal behaviors exhibited by band directors in rehearsal settings. Of particular interest was the amount of time band directors engaged in concept...
Quantitative analysis of dicamba residues in raw agricultural commodities with the use of ion-pairing reagents in LC-ESI-MS/MS

A sensitive and selective HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the quantitative analysis of dicamba residues in raw agricultural commodities (RACs). Instead of analysis in the traditionally used negative electrospray ionization (ESI) mode, these anionic compounds were detected in positive ESI with the use of ion-pairing reagents. In this approach, only a small amount (60µM) of a commercially available dicationic ion-pairing reagent was introduced into the post-column sample stream. This method has been validated in six different types of RACs including corn grain, corn stover, cotton seed, soybean, soy forage and orange with satisfactory quantitative accuracy and precision. The limits of quantitation (LOQ) values for these analytes were 1.0 to 3.0µg/kg. The standard curves were linear over the range of the tested concentrations (3.0 to 500µg/kg), with correlation coefficient (r) values≥0.999. Evaluation of ionization effects in RAC matrix extracts using diluent blanks for comparison showed no significant matrix effects were present.
Complications and Mortality in Chronic Renal Failure Patients Undergoing Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Comparison Between Dialysis and Renal Transplant Patients.

Abstract Background In total joint arthroplasty (TJA) literature, there is a paucity of large cohort studies comparing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) vs non-CKD/ESRD patients. Thus, the purposes of this study were (1) to identify inhospital complications and mortality in CKD/ESRD and non-CKD/ESRD patients and (2) compare inhospital complications and mortality between dialysis and renal transplantation patients undergoing TJA. Methods We queried the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for patients with and without diagnosis of CKD/ESRD and those with a renal transplant or on dialysis undergoing primary or revision total knee or hip arthroplasty from 2007 to 2011. Patient comorbidities were identified using the Elixhauser comorbidity index. International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision , codes were used to identify postoperative surgical site infections (SSIs), wound complications, deep vein thrombosis, and transfusions. Results Chronic kidney disease/ESRD was associated with greater risk of SSIs (odds ratio [OR], 1.4; P P =.01), transfusions (OR, 1.6; P P =.03), and mortality (OR, 2.1; P Conclusion Chronic kidney disease/ESRD patients had a greater risk of SSIs and wound complications compared to those without renal disease, and the risk of these complications was even greater in CKD/ESRD patients receiving dialysis. These findings emphasize the importance of counseling CKD patients about higher potential complications after TJA, and dialysis patients may be encouraged to undergo renal transplantation before TJA.
Mice subjected to aP2-Cre mediated ablation of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein are resistant to high fat diet induced obesity.

Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) is essential for the assembly of lipoproteins. MTP has been shown on the surface of lipid droplets of adipocytes; however its function in adipose tissue is not well defined. We hypothesized that MTP may play critical role in adipose lipid droplet formation and expansion. Plasmids mediated overexpression and siRNA mediated knockdown of Mttp gene were performed in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes to evaluate the effects of MTP on cell differentiation and triglyceride accumulation. Adipose-specific knockdown of MTP was achieved in mice bybreeding MTP floxed (Mttp fl/fl ) mice with aP2-Cre recombinase transgenic mice. Adipose-specific MTP deficient (A-Mttp -/- ) mice were fed 60 % high-fat diet (HFD), and the effects of MTP knockdown on body weight, body fat composition, plasma and tissues lipid composition, glucose metabolism, lipogenesis and intestinal absorption was studied. Lipids were measured in total fasting plasma and size fractionated plasma using colorimetric assays. Gene expression was investigated by Real-Time quantitative PCR. All data was assessed using t-test, ANOVA. MTP expression increased during early differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells, and declined later. The increases in MTP expression preceded PPARγ expression. MTP overexpression enhanced lipid droplets formation, and knockdown attenuated cellular lipid accumulation. These studies indicated that MTP positively affects adipogenesis. The ablation of the Mttp gene using aP2-Cre (A-Mttp -/- ) in mice resulted in a lean phenotype when fed a HFD. These mice had reduced white adipose tissue compared with wild-type Mttp fl/fl mice. The adipose tissue of A-Mttp -/- mice had increased number of smaller size adipocytes and less macrophage infiltration. Further, these mice were protected from HFD-induced fatty liver. The A-Mttp -/- mice had moderate increase in plasma triglyceride, but normal cholesterol, glucose and insulin levels. Gene expression analysis showed that the adipose tissue of the A-Mttp -/- mice had significantly lower mRNA levels of PPARγ and its downstream targets. These data suggest that MTP might modulate adipogenesis by influencing PPARγ expression, and play a role in the accretion of lipids to form larger lipid droplets. Thus, agents that inactivate adipose MTP may be useful anti-obesity drugs.
Modeling Aggregation of Ionic Surfactants Using a Smeared Charge Approximation in Dissipative Particle Dynamics Simulations.

Using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations, we explore the specifics of micellization in the solutions of anionic and cationic surfactants and their mixtures. Anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) are chosen as characteristic examples. Coarse-grained models of the surfactants are constructed and parameterized using a combination of atomistic molecular simulation and infinite dilution activity coefficient calibration. Electrostatic interactions of charged beads are treated using a smeared charge approximation: the surfactant heads and dissociated counterions are modeled as beads with charges distributed around the bead center in an implicit dielectric medium. The proposed models semiquantitatively describe self-assembly in solutions of SDS and CTAB at various surfactant concentrations and molarities of added electrolyte. In particular, the model predicts a decline in the free surfactant concentration with the increase of the...
The Values and Viewpoints Affecting Judicial Review of Agency Actions: A Focus on the Hard-Look Doctrine

The administrative state has proliferated since the New Deal, and in the near future, particularly with sweeping legislative enactments regarding health care and financial services reform, the growth of administrative regulations will continue to escalate. With more and more agencies promulgating more and more regulations, the chances are almost certain that more and more agency actions will be subject to judicial review. Therefore, with the courts becoming more active in reviewing agency actions, it is more important to explore the purposes and values affecting the determination of the scope and nature of that review. In producing rules or guidelines for agency decisionmaking, courts often maneuver between various interests and concerns. Ever since, for instance, the Supreme Court decisions in Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (producing the Chevron Doctrine) and Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Comany (producing the Hard-Look Doctrine), the scope of judicial review and the application of the standards for reviewing administrative action has been controversial and often times inconsistent and confusing.In the course of judicial review, courts may strive to accomplish an array of concerns, such as achieving fairness, transparency, accountability, or policymaking autonomy; or the court might see its role as mediating the needs of both political branches for control of agency decisionmaking, consistent with separation of powers. Given these various concerns and interests, it is difficult to arrive at a clear definition of the role and scope of judicial review of administrative agencies. Thus, a complex web of competing theories and viewpoints interact to produce confusing or conflicting standards of judicial review. To examine this complex web of theories and viewpoints, this Article will focus on the hard-look doctrine. Obviously, the Chevron doctrine is highly relevant in this regard and has been widely examined, but this Article will not examine that doctrine.Although both doctrines can be used to illustrate the complexities of judicial review, the hard-look and Chevron doctrines appear to differ in a fundamental manner. While the Chevron doctrine, at least on its surface, seems to confer greater deference to administrative agencies, the hard-look doctrine subjects agencies to greater judicial scrutiny. In addition, while the hard-look doctrine entails greater judicial scrutiny of agency action, it also seems to diverge from the rule laid down in Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
In situ studies of microbial inactivation during high pressure processing

ABSTRACTHigh pressure processing (HPP) has been shown to reduce microbial concentration in foods. The mechanisms of microbial inactivation by HPP have been associated with damage to cell membranes. The real-time response of bacteria to HPP was measured to elucidate the mechanisms of inactivation, which can aid in designing more effective processes. Different pressure cycling conditions were used to expose Enterobacter aerogenes cells to HPP. Propidium iodide (PI) was used as a probe, which fluoresces after penetrating cells with damaged membranes and binding with nucleic acids. A HPP vessel with sapphire windows was used for measuring fluorescence in situ. Membrane damage was detected during pressurization and hold time, but not during depressurization. The drop in fluorescence was larger than expected after pressure cycles at higher pressure and longer times. This indicated possible reversible disassociation of ribosomes resulting in additional binding of PI to exposed RNA under pressure and its release ...
Interaction of Small Zinc Complexes with Globular Proteins and Free Tryptophan

A series of eight water soluble anionic, cationic, and neutral zinc(II) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The interaction of these complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), lysozyme, and free tryptophan (Trp) was investigated using steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Static and dynamic fluorescence quenching analysis based on Stern-Volmer kinetics was conducted, and the decrease in fluorescence intensity of the Trp residue(s) can be ascribed predominantly to static quenching that occurs when the Zn complex binds to the protein and forms a nonfluorescent complex. The role played by the nature of the ligand, the metal, and complex charge in quenching Trp fluorescence was investigated. The binding association constants () ranged from 104 to 1010 M−1 and indicate that complexes with planar aromatic features have the strongest affinity for globular proteins and free Trp. Complexes with nonaromatic features failed to interact with these proteins at or in the vicinity of the Trp residues. These interactions were studied over a range of temperatures, and binding was found to weaken with the increase in temperature and was exothermic with a negative change in entropy. The thermodynamic parameters suggest that binding of Zn complexes to the proteins is a highly spontaneous and favorable process.
SOAP - Sea of atomic processors

This paper proposes a massively parallel computer architecture appropriate for implementation in late and post silicon technologies. These technologies promise to integrate more than a billion components on a chip or other substrates, but of which some may fail temporarily or permanently. In the proposed architecture, programs and data are organized in entities that are created, exist, move, adapt, and share a sea of atomic processors. If component failures render one or more atomic processors not functional, the functional integrity of the system as a whole is not affected. The architecture maximizes the exploitation of instruction and thread level parallelisms inherently available in traditional programs. The paper presents the architecture's organization, communications protocols, and operation. Lower and upper bounds for the effective execution time of 100% sequential and 100% parallel code, respectively, are obtained using analytical methods. Further evaluation is performed using a few relevant examples. Although the proposed architecture shares traits with several known architectures, its organization, operation, and performance characteristics are unique.
Icosahedral Platinum Alloy Nanocrystals with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Activities

This communication describes the synthesis of Pt-M (M = Au, Ni, Pd) icosahedral nanocrystals based on the gas reducing agent in liquid solution method. Both CO gas and organic surface capping agents play critical roles in stabilizing the icosahedral shape with {111} surfaces. Among the Pt-M alloy icosahedral nanocrystals generated, Pt(3)Ni had an impressive ORR specific activity of 1.83 mA/cm(2)(Pt) and 0.62 A/mg(Pt). Our results further show that the area-specific activity of icosahedral Pt(3)Ni catalysts was about 50% higher than that of the octahedral Pt(3)Ni catalysts (1.26 mA/cm(2)(Pt)), even though both shapes are bound by {111} facets. Density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that this improvement may arise from strain-induced electronic effects.
Improving antiulcer agent prescribing in a health maintenance organization

A study was made of the effect of one-to-one educational meetings between prescribers and a pharmacist on the prescribing of antiulcer agents for outpatients in a health maintenance organization (HMO). Ten-minute presentations were developed that communicated the same basic facts through the use of case studies (vivid interventions) or statistical data (nonvivid interventions). After a control group (n = 8) was selected, prescribers (n = 16) were randomly assigned to receive vivid interventions or nonvivid interventions. Data on the prescribing of cimetidine, ranitidine, and sucralfate were collected for one month before the interventions and for two months afterward. Three clinical pharmacy professors independently evaluated prescriptions for appropriateness of indication, dosage, and duration. No differences in appropriateness were found between the two intervention groups, but in the first postintervention month the mean rate of inappropriate prescribing per control practitioner was 80%, versus less than 32% for the intervention groups (p less than 0.01). Each prescription in the first postintervention month entailed a mean cost of $31 per control practitioner for inappropriate prescribing, compared with less than $12 for the intervention groups (p less than 0.01). Mean costs of inappropriate prescriptions per practitioner per patient visit were $0.88 and less than or equal to $0.41 for the control and intervention groups, respectively (p less than 0.05). During postvisit month 2, inappropriate prescribing for both intervention groups increased slightly and was no longer significantly less than that in the control group. One-to-one educational meetings improved the prescribing of antiulcer agents for outpatients in an HMO.
Analysis on the mutton price fluctuations based on the threshold autoregressive model

A modest rise of mutton price will stimulate the development of mutton industry,but a rapid rise of mutton price will damage the stability of mutton market.For policy makers,it is necessary to find early indicators of mutton price's sharp rise,put forward reasonable and moderate regulation at the appropriate time.Therefore,this paper will provide reference for the government to implement regulation by establishing a system of two TAR models.The sample interval of mutton price time series is from June 1994 to February 2014,the TAR model estimation results show that the threshold of mutton price index series is 4.678,and the corresponding price index is 107.57%;If the lamb price index is higher than107.57%,mutton price volatility will increase,which will have a large impact on the mutton market,and the government then needs to take measures timely;If the mutton price index is lower than 107.57%,the fluctuation of price index is relatively stable,and the government don't have to take measures at this time.In addition,the government should fully consider the time lag of the implementation effect of policy,in order to avoid promoting the mutton price volatility.
Chronic pain due to nontraumatic joint disease.

What is often called arthritis may be any one of a variety of nontraumatic joint diseases resulting in chronic pain. Accurate diagnosis is essential.
DOE and Regression Theory

As is the case for other six sigma-related methods, practitioners of six sigma have demonstrated that it is possible to derive value from design of experiments (DOE) and regression with little or no knowledge of statistical theory. However, understanding the implications of probability theory can be intellectually satisfying and enhance the chances of successful implementations.
Approaches to the Depth Recovery Problem

In this chapter, the various approaches used to recover depth information are discussed. The first section describes the different sensing modalities that can be used. The second section describes some of the merits and limitations of choosing vision as a primary mode of sensing, and the final section in this chapter is a review of existing vision-based approaches to the depth recovery problem. The primary works in the areas of stereo, optical flow, analysis of spatio-temporal solids, and depth from focus are described, as well as several other approaches. Table 2.1, included at the end of this chapter, provides a qualitative summary of the features and limitations of many of the approaches described in this chapter.
Multiyear Simulation Study Provides Breakthrough in Membrane Protein Research

A research team based at the University of Chicago used supercomputing resources at the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Argonne National Laboratory to gain a deep mechanistic view of a critical ATP-driven calcium pump. The team's recent discovery fills in essential information inaccessible to experimentalists, and potentially crucial to new therapeutic drug design.
Solubility Measurements and Predictions of Gypsum, Anhydrite, and Calcite Over Wide Ranges of Temperature, Pressure, and Ionic Strength with Mixed Electrolytes

Today’s oil and gas production from deep reservoirs permits exploitation of more oil and gas reserves but increases risks due to conditions of high temperature and high pressure. Predicting mineral solubility under such extreme conditions is critical for mitigating scaling risks, a common and costly problem. Solubility predictions use solubility products and activity coefficients, commonly from Pitzer theory virial coefficients. However, inaccurate activity coefficients and solubility data have limited accurate mineral solubility predictions and applications of the Pitzer theory. This study measured gypsum solubility under its stable phase conditions up to 1400 bar; it also confirmed the anhydrite solubility reported in the literature. Using a novel method, the virial coefficients for Ca2+ and $${\text{SO}}_{4}^{2 - }$$ (i.e., $$\beta_{{{\text{CaSO}}_{4} }}^{(0)} ,\beta_{{{\text{CaSO}}_{4} }}^{(2)} ,C_{{{\text{CaSO}}_{4} }}^{\phi }$$ ) were calculated over wide ranges of temperature and pressure (0–250 °C and 1–1400 bar). The determination of this set of virial coefficients widely extends the applicable temperature and pressure ranges of the Pitzer theory in Ca2+ and SO 4 2− systems. These coefficients can be applied to improve the prediction of calcite solubility in the presence of high concentrations of Ca2+ and SO 4 2− ions. These new virial coefficients can also be used to predict the solubilities of gypsum and anhydrite accurately. Moreover, based on the derived $$\beta_{{{\text{CaSO}}_{4} }}^{(2)}$$ values in this study, the association constants of $${\text{CaSO}}_{4}^{\left( 0 \right)}$$ at 1 bar and 25 °C can be estimated by $$K_{\text{assoc}} = - 2\beta_{{{\text{CaSO}}_{4} }}^{(2)}$$ . These values match very well with those reported in the literature based on other methods.
Spinal Extradural Meningiomas

Spinal extradural meningiomas are rare. They can be mistaken for the more common etiologies in this location like metastases or lymphomas. An initial approach could involve biopsy to obtain a diagnosis. Symptomatic tumors should be operated on. The goal of surgery is to decompress the spinal cord and/or the spinal nerves. Complete resection may not be achievable especially in the cervical spine due to proximity to the vertebral artery.
Leader-Follower Models in Facility Location

Facility location models deal, for the most part, with the location of plants, warehouses, distribution centers, retail facilities among others. In this chapter we review the game theoretical concept of the leader-follower in facility location models which addresses specific circumstances: (i) competitive location of two facilities anywhere on the plane; (ii) covering a large area by chain facilities so that a future competitor will not be able to attract much demand; (iii) competitive location of two facilities applying the gravity (Huff) rule; (iv) competitive location of multiple facilities using the cover-based rule; and (v)locating facilities on the nodes of a network to cover as much demand as possible following a removal of a link by a follower.