cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solving Stochastic Reaction Networks with Maximum Entropy Lagrange Multipliers

The time evolution of stochastic reaction networks can be modeled with the chemical master equation of the probability distribution. Alternatively, the numerical problem can be reformulated in terms of probability moment equations. Herein we present a new alternative method for numerically solving the time evolution of stochastic reaction networks. Based on the assumption that the entropy of the reaction network is maximum, Lagrange multipliers are introduced. The proposed method derives equations that model the time derivatives of these Lagrange multipliers. We present detailed steps to transform moment equations to Lagrange multiplier equations. In order to demonstrate the method, we present examples of non-linear stochastic reaction networks of varying degrees of complexity, including multistable and oscillatory systems. We find that the new approach is as accurate and significantly more efficient than Gillespie's original exact algorithm for systems with small number of interacting species. This work is a step towards solving stochastic reaction networks accurately and efficiently.
Design and Capturing of Shock Wave in Ejector by Numerical Simulations

Series of two convergent-divergent nozzles is called ejector; the first or primary nozzle accelerates high pressure primary fluid to low pressure and at supersonic speed. The low pressure developed at the end of primary nozzle entrains the fluid in the secondary nozzle. Eventually, these two fluid streams meet at constant area section resulting in a shock wave. Afterwards, diffuser increases the pressure to desired range. In this paper, numerical simulations are used for designing and shock capturing in ejector using R134a as a refrigerant. The flow analysis is done by Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes equation (RANS) using k-epsilon turbulence model. At first, simulations are done for each nozzle and later they are combined in case of ejector. In case of ejector, rapid fluctuations in pressure and magnitude of velocity showed that there are series of shock waves that result in increase in pressure in ejector. The pressure and Mach number contours explained the physics behind the suction and entrainment of secondary fluid in ejector.
Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondral Lesions of the Tibial Plafond Following Arthroscopic Microfracture.

Background:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and the level of sports activity following arthroscopic microfracture for osteochondral lesions of the tibial plafond.Meth...
Rapid accumulation of motility-activating mutations in resting liquid culture of Escherichia coli

Expression of motility genes is a potentially beneficial but costly process in bacteria. Interestingly, many isolate strains of Escherichia coli possess motility genes but have lost the ability to activate them under conditions in which motility is advantageous, raising the question of how they respond to these situations. Through transcriptome profiling of strains in the E. coli single-gene knockout Keio collection, we noticed drastic upregulation of motility genes in many of the deletion strains compared to levels in their weakly motile parent strain (BW25113). We show that this switch to a motile phenotype is not a direct consequence of the genes deleted but is instead due to a variety of secondary mutations that increase the expression of the major motility regulator, FlhDC. Importantly, we find that this switch can be reproduced by growing poorly motile E. coli strains in nonshaking liquid medium overnight but not in shaking liquid medium. Individual isolates after the nonshaking overnight incubations acquired distinct mutations upstream of the flhDC operon, including different insertion sequence (IS) elements and, to a lesser extent, point mutations. The rapidity with which genetic changes sweep through the populations grown without shaking shows that poorly motile strains can quickly adapt to a motile lifestyle by genetic rewiring.IMPORTANCE The ability to tune gene expression in times of need outside preordained regulatory networks is an essential evolutionary process that allows organisms to survive and compete. Here, we show that upon overnight incubation in liquid medium without shaking, populations of largely nonmotile Escherichia coli bacteria can rapidly accumulate mutants that have constitutive motility. This effect contributes to widespread secondary mutations in the single-gene knockout library, the Keio collection. As a result, 49/71 (69%) of the Keio strains tested exhibited various degrees of motility, whereas their parental strain is poorly motile. These observations highlight the plasticity of gene expression even in the absence of preexisting regulatory programs and should raise awareness of procedures for handling laboratory strains of E. coli.
Hyperbolic plasmon–phonon dispersion on group velocity reversal and tunable spontaneous emission in graphene–ferroelectric substrate

This work presents a new substrate platform, which provides tunability of the group velocity and spontaneous emission of a dipolar scatterer graphene–ferroelectric slab hybrid system in the terahertz ranges. We use analytical models to determine the hybridization of graphene surface plasmon and ferroelectric LiNbO3 type I and type II reststrahlen hyperbolic phonon–polariton. The variation of the chemical potential of graphene and the thickness of the ferroelectric layer results in several distinct features. Flipping the group velocity, strongly coupled hybrid hyperbolic surface plasmon–polaritons, and surface plasmon–polariton mode exists for the same momentum at different frequencies. The group velocity sign reversal for both a single-graphene- and double-graphene-integrated system depends on the thickness of the hyperbolic layer and the chemical potential of graphene. Comparative analysis of Purcell radiation is presented for a quantum emitter positioned at different locations between ferroelectric and graphene-integrated ferroelectric layers, revealing that this system can support strong spontaneous emission that can be modulated with the graphene chemical potential. Changing the chemical potential through selective voltage biasing demonstrates a substantial increase or decrease in the decay rate for spontaneous emission. Further analysis of the emission phenomenon shows a dependence on factors, such as the relative radiating source position and the thickness of the ferroelectric film. These characteristics make graphene–ferroelectric materials promising candidates to modify the light–matter interaction at the low terahertz ranges.
Effects of Lifestyle on Urinary Health

Abstract The clinical manifestation of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents a spectrum; while many men will not experience any urinary symptoms, others experience significant symptomatic distress. The underlying pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) may include any combination of outlet obstruction, oxidative stress, acute and/or chronic inflammation, and sympathetic hyperactivity, all factors that may manifest in the prostate, bladder, spinal cord control of pelvic function, or even more central processing of signal from the male pelvis. This chapter reviews the growing evidence of association between BPH/LUTS and diet and between BPH/LUTS and other indicators of systemic illness or inflammation. The role of caloric intake, food type, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and prostatic inflammation clearly hold heavy influence in the maintenance of urinary and prostatic health. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of these associations, though the interplay of these factors likely represents an intricate web of influence.
Concurrent Quantification of Emerging Chemicals of Health Concern in e-Cigarette Liquids by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Open in a separate window Emerging chemicals of concern (ECCs), including phthalate plasticizers, flame retardants, and phenolic compounds, are likely present in electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) replacement solutions (e-liquids) which are often packaged, stored in, and/or can contact with, plastic, glass, and metal materials. Developing and validating an efficient analytical method for concurrent quantification of ECCs in e-liquids are thus needed to inform evidence-based safety evaluation of ENDS products. In this study, we developed and validated a “dilute-and-shoot” method using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry to simultaneously measure organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), phthalate plasticizers, and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in e-liquids. We analyzed samples in positive electrospray ionization mode (ESI+) for OPFRs and phthalates and negative ESI– for TBBPA. The method has a total runtime of 10 min. The optimized procedure was able to deliver broad dynamic linearity ranges with coefficients of determination (R2) above 0.995, limits of detection ranging from 0.020 to 10 ng/mL, average accuracy within ±15%, and imprecision ≤ 15.0% for all analytes. To our knowledge, this is the first multianalysis method for measuring ECCs in e-liquid samples, and the validation results show that it is sensitive, accurate, precise, and efficient.
Susceptibility of Eastern Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.) Cultivars to Powdery Mildew

Abstract Powdery mildew disease severity was assessed on ten eastern ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim.) cultivars. The green foliage cultivar ‘Nanus’ was resistant to powdery mildew. Am...
Impact of prophylactic intrathecal chemotherapy on CNS relapse rates in AML patients presenting with hyperleukocytosis.

AbstractCentral nervous system (CNS) relapse in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) confers a poor prognosis. Despite the identification of risk factors for CNS relapse (e.g. hyperleukocytosis), there is ...
Subfascial Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Capsular Contracture.

Background Subfascial breast augmentation is a technique originally developed to reduce the risks of capsular contracture while decreasing the postoperative pain associated with subpectoral augmentation. It was pioneered in Brazil by Dr. Graf and others, and recently this technique has gained interest in the aesthetic world. Objectives The goal of this study was to provide a systematic analysis of subfascial breast augmentation to assess the combined reported rates of capsular contracture, animation deformity and complications. Methods The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for the use of the subfascial plane for breast augmentation. We included studies that reported on capsular contracture and other outcomes following subfascial breast augmentation. Results Through the initial search, 26 articles were identified. Of which, 22 were included in the final study. A total of 3743 patients were identified across these studies with a total number of 38 cases of capsular contracture representing a rate of 1.01% of capsular contracture. Several articles reported on demographics, perioperative and long-term complications, and outcomes with regards to the aesthetic outcome from the surgeon's perspective. Several infections were reported representing a rate of 0.1%. Animation deformity was not reported, although rippling was occasionally reported as was malrotation, axillary banding, sensory deficit, and asymmetry. Subfascial breast augmentation appears to have a low complication rate and an extremely low rate of capsular contracture at approximately 1%. Conclusions Subfascial breast augmentation may provide the benefits of low rates of capsular contracture while avoiding the discomfort and future animation deformity of subpectoral augmentation. Level of Evidence 4
Venogram before long-interval repeat cannulation for pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation:

It is rare for children to receive more than one course of support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and in those who do undergo multiple episodes, the interval is usually days to weeks between events. Little data exists on re-cannulation years after an initial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation run, and late repeat cannulation can pose unique challenges. We report the case of a 10-year-old male patient with right jugular vein occlusion due to a previous course of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a neonate, who was successfully supported via central cannulation. This case demonstrates the importance of adequate imaging of target vasculature prior to attempting re-cannulation of a previously used vessel. Establishing a thoughtful strategy for late repeat cannulation is essential to achieve safe access in unusual and challenging situations.
The color of class politics: economic position, racial resentment, and attitudes about redistribution

Racial resentment has been linked to opposition towards welfare programs for the poor and other redistributive policies. Theoretical work implies that because redistributive polices have been rheto...
Dopamine neuron synaptic connectivity defines physiological striatal domains

Abstract Dopamine neurons projecting to the striatum control movement, cognition, and motivation. They do so via slower, dopamine volume transmission and also via faster synaptic dopamine, glutamate and GABA transmission. To define the scope of these synaptic actions, we recorded dopamine neuron synaptic currents in the four major classes of striatal neurons. This revealed that dopaminergic and GABAergic synaptic actions are widespread; glutamatergic synaptic actions are robust in the medial nucleus accumbens and the anterolateral dorsal striatum, mediating fast and slow excitation, respectively. Dopamine neuron synaptic actions in cholinergic interneurons are the strongest and most complex, involving all three transmitters, their multiple receptors, and are the most regionally heterogeneous. The caudal striatum forms a single domain with overall weak dopamine neuron synaptic actions. This synaptic mapping reveals that dopamine neuron synaptic actions extend across the entire striatum, are regionally heterogeneous and organized in physiological domains, determined mainly by their excitatory actions.
Case Report: Epiglottitis in the setting of COVID-19.

Epiglottitis is an uncommon, potentially fatal infection of the epiglottis that can lead to complete upper airway obstruction. Isolated pathogens are usually nasopharyngeal bacteria, most commonly Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). While the incidence of epiglottitis has diminished significantly over the years due to widespread vaccination against Hib, the proportion of epiglottitis caused by other pathogens has increased. In this report, we introduce an unseen presentation of acute epiglottitis associated with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome--coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2), who presented to the emergency department with throat pain and odynophagia that quickly resulted in respiratory distress. Clinicians should be aware of airway edema's concomitant presence in patients with acute epiglottitis and COVID-19 and maintain a low threshold for intubation. The rapidly progressive nature of COVID-19 and its complications may preclude intubation later on in the patient's clinical course, potentially necessitating an emergent surgical airway.
Clinical trial transparency and data sharing among biopharmaceutical companies and the role of company size, location and product type: a cross-sectional descriptive analysis.

Objectives To examine company characteristics associated with better transparency and to apply a tool used to measure and improve clinical trial transparency among large companies and drugs, to smaller companies and biologics. Design Cross-sectional descriptive analysis. Setting and participants Novel drugs and biologics Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 2016 and 2017 and their company sponsors. Main outcome measures Using established Good Pharma Scorecard (GPS) measures, companies and products were evaluated on their clinical trial registration, results dissemination and FDA Amendments Act (FDAAA) implementation; companies were ranked using these measures and a multicomponent data sharing measure. Associations between company transparency scores with company size (large vs non-large), location (US vs non-US) and sponsored product type (drug vs biologic) were also examined. Results 26% of products (16/62) had publicly available results for all clinical trials supporting their FDA approval and 67% (39/58) had public results for trials in patients by 6 months after their FDA approval; 58% (32/55) were FDAAA compliant. Large companies were significantly more transparent than non-large companies (overall median transparency score of 95% (IQR 91–100) vs 59% (IQR 41–70), p Conclusions It was feasible to apply the GPS transparency measures and ranking tool to non-large companies and biologics. Large companies are significantly more transparent than non-large companies, driven by better data sharing procedures and implementation of FDAAA trial reporting requirements. Greater research transparency is needed, particularly among non-large companies, to maximise the benefits of research for patient care and scientific innovation.
Exclusion of EDNRB and KIT as the basis for white spotting in Border Collies

White spotting patterns in mammals can be caused by mutations in the genes for the endothelin B receptor and c-Kit, whose protein products are necessary for proper migration, differentiation or survival of the melanoblast population of cells. Although there are many different dog breeds that segregate white spotting patterns, no genes have been identified that are linked to these phenotypes. An intercross was generated from a female Newfoundland and a male Border Collie and the white spotting phenotypes of the intercross progeny were evaluated by measuring percentage surface area of white in the puppies. The Border Collie markings segregated as a simple autosomal recessive (7/25 intercross progeny had the phenotype). Two candidate genes, for the endothelin B receptor (EDNRB) and c-Kit (KIT), were evaluated for segregation with the white spotting pattern. Polymorphisms between the Border Collie and Newfoundland were identified for EDNRB using Southern analysis after a portion of the canine gene had been cloned. Polymorphisms for KIT were identified using a microsatellite developed from a bacterial artificial chromosome containing the canine gene. Both EDNRB and KIT were excluded as a cause of the white spotting pattern in at least two of the intercross progeny. Although these genes have been implicated in white spotting in other mammals, including horses, pigs, cows, mice and rats, they do not appear to be responsible for the white spotting pattern found in the Border Collie breed of dog.
Ray-tracing study of electron-cyclotron heating in toroidal geometry

Toray, a ray tracing code has been developed to study electron cyclotron heating and current drive in toroidal geometry. Ray patterns are initiated similar to those of an actual antenna and a full graphics package has been developed for displaying the behavior of the rays. We study the interplay of the plasma and wave parameters in order to establish which parameters are most important in determining the energy deposition.
An Underwater Vehicle Monitoring System and Its Sensors

This paper describes a virtual collaborative world simulator, DVECS (Distributed Virtual Environment Collaborative Simulator), for underwater robots and its underwater vehicle, SAUVIM (Semi-Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for Intervention Missions). DVECS is used for testing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) of both real and simulated worlds where interaction and cooperation of other real and simulated vehicles, obstacles, situations, conditions and disturbances in a hybrid, synthetic, virtual environment can be observed without physical intervention. This virtual system can be used to determine: (1) the optimal performance and criteria for the cooperating vehicles and its relative application; (2) the determination of the advantages and disadvantages of collaborative application tasks between multiple UUVs; and (3) the optimal communication links between the cooperating vehicles and its remote control stations. DVECS is used as a monitoring system.
Intrathecal baclofen and motor function in cerebral palsy.

Aim The aim of this retrospective analysis was to determine the impact of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy on motor function in patients with cerebral palsy (CP). Method We studied 37 patients (18 males, 19 females) with CP treated with ITB (mean age at implant 13y 7mo, SD 7y). Eighteen patients were affected by spastic diplegia, 12 by spastic quadriplegia, six by dystonic quadriplegia, and one by hemidystonia. Nine participants were in Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level II, 13 in level III, seven in level IV, and eight in level V. Motor function was assessed by the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) before the treatment and 12 months after the implant. Results The collected data showed an increase in the total median GMFM score in the overall population (p<0.001) and in every GMFM dimension (p<0.05) except for dimension D (standing). The analysis by degree of impairment revealed that patients with severe impairment and those with mild to moderate impairment improved the total median GMFM score (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). Analysis by age showed that the best improvements in GMFM scores were reached by patients younger than 18 years old (p<0.05). Spasticity and dystonia, assessed by means of the Ashworth and Barry–Albright Dystonia scales, significantly decreased 12 months after the implant (p<0.001 and p<0.05 respectively). Finally, a subjective questionnaire administered to patients/caregivers revealed an overall improvement in participants’ functional abilities. Interpretation The results suggest that ITB therapy is an effective treatment for managing spasticity and dystonia, and for improving motor function in children with CP.
Sheathed Cells in Cultures of Clostridium sporogenes

Many strains of Clostridium sporogenes were shown to contain two types of cells which exhibited strikingly different growth habits. Over 99% of the population of most strains were motile bacilli which occurred singly or in short chains. Infection by any of several C. sporogenes bacteriophages lysed most of these cells and revealed a minority population component consisting of cells which grew in extremely long chains. Each chain was surrounded by and contained in a long tubular polysaccharide sheath which was ultrastructurally quite separate and distinct from the cell walls of the enclosed cells. The sheathed cells were identical to “normal” cells of C. sporogenes in anaerobiosis, Gram reaction, sporulation, deoxyribonucleic base composition, general morphology, and ultrastructure. They differed from the “normal” cells in having a sheath, in being nonmotile, and in that they were infected by C. sporogenes bacteriophages but not usually lysed by them. The sheathed cells appeared spontaneously in cultures cloned from single colonies and were demonstrably present in cultures before bacteriophage infection. Thus, they were not contaminants but were normal, although inconspicuous, growth forms of C. sporogenes which were selected but not induced by bacteriophage infection. Images
Consequences of the Schwarz Lemma

The familiar classical Schwarz lemma deals with functions defined in the open unit disc U ⊂ ℂ, and asserts the following: (a) Iff: U → U is holomorphic, then |f′(0)| < 1, except when f(λ) = cλ for some c∈ℂ with |c| = 1. (b) If also f(0) = 0, then |f(λ)| < |λ| for every λ ∈ U\{0}, except when f(λ) = cλ, as in (a).
On remote procedure call

The Remote Procedure Call (RPC) paradigm is reviewed. The concept is described, along with the backbone structure of the mechanisms that support it. An overview of works in supporting these mechanisms is discussed. Extensions to the paradigm that have been proposed to enlarge its suitability, are studied. The main contributions of this paper are a standard view and classification of RPC mechanisms according to different perspectives, and a snapshot of the paradigm in use today and of goals for the future of RPC.
Most large topic models are approximately separable

Separability has recently been leveraged as a key structural condition in topic models to develop asymptotically consistent algorithms with polynomial statistical and computational efficiency guarantees. Separability corresponds to the presence of at least one novel word for each topic. Empirical estimates of topic matrices for Latent Dirichlet Allocation models have been observed to be approximately separable. Separability may be a convenient structural property, but it appears to be too restrictive a condition. In this paper we explicitly demonstrate that separability is, in fact, an inevitable consequence of high-dimensionality. In particular, we prove that when the columns of the topic matrix are independently sampled from a Dirichlet distribution, the resulting topic matrix will be approximately separable with probability tending to one as the number of rows (vocabulary size) scales to infinity sufficiently faster than the number of columns (topics). This is based on combining concentration of measure results with properties of the Dirichlet distribution and union bounding arguments. Our proof techniques can be extended to other priors for general nonnegative matrices.
Detection of Thorium-234/Protactinium-234m in Sediments from the Ribble Estuary, Lancashire, England

SAMPLES of silt and sand are collected regularly from the estuary of the River Ribble as part of the programme of environmental monitoring conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to measure the distribution of radioactivity discharged into the Irish Sea. This discharge occurs from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority's factories at Windscale (in Cumberland), and Springfields (in Lancashire).
Molecular and Neuroanatomical Properties of the Endogenous Opioid System: Implications for Treatment of Opiate Addiction

Abstract This review describes the emergence of the opioid field, in terms of both endogenous peptides and their receptors. It discusses the basic elements of the opioid system with special attention to the way a large number of endogenous ligands interact with a limited number of opioid receptors. The contribution of the recent cloning of the opioid receptors to our understanding of the system is discussed, including the mechanisms of high affinity and selectivity for endogenous and exogenous ligands, and the mechanisms of signal transduction following acute and sustained exposure to opiates. The expression of opioid receptors and ligands in dopaminoceptive systems relevant to drug reward is described. Finally, the implications of these fundamental observations for new directions in drug abuse research are discussed.
Genetic variants associated with cisplatin-induced hearing loss.

Genetic variants in TPMT and COMT are associated with hearing loss in children receiving cisplatin chemotherapy Ross et al. (2009) Nature Genetics 41:1345–1349
Effects of Δ1-tetrahydrocannabinol and food deprivation level on responding maintained by the opportunity to attack

Abstract Pigeons responded in a two key situation for food presentation and access to a restrained target bird that could be attacked. Doses of Δ 1 -tetrahydrocannabinol (0.125 and 0.25 mg/kg) which resulted in minimal changes in the rate of food reinforced responding, produced a marked suppression of attack responses and responding for target presentation, relative to their vehicle control rates. Manipulations of the level of food deprivation failed to mimic the effects of Δ 1 -tetrahydrocannabinol. As the percent of free-feeding weights of the birds was increased (5–10%) the rate of attack responses and responding for target presentation was unchanged or slightly increased, while the rate of food reinforced responding was decreased, in terms of percent change from the vehicle control rate. The selective suppressing effect of Δ 1 -tetrahydrocannabinol on attack rate and responding for target presentation does not appear to be due to a general depressant action of the drug or a change in the level of food deprivation.
Formation of the Interstellar Molecules HNC 3 and HC 3 N from a C 3 Carbon Cluster and Ammonia

The reaction of the carbon cluster, C3, with ammonia (NH3) in cryogenic argon matrices (at 12 K), conditions that mimic, at least in part, interstellar ice, has been monitored by infrared spectroscopy. We present evidence that, in the first reaction step, a C3-NH3 complex is formed without an entrance barrier. The calculated [MP2/6-311++G(d,p)] zero-point-corrected binding energy of the complex is 14.39 kJ mol-1 at its equilibrium geometry. After UV-visible photolysis, the complex dissociates and forms the HNC3 molecule. Upon further photolysis, HNC3 is destroyed, and HC3N (cyanoacetylene) is generated. The calculated potential energy surface for this reaction reveals that HNC3 is produced from the C3-NH3 complex by loss of H2, while HC3N is formed from HNC3 by H migration along the NC3 backbone.
AMNIOTE PHYLOGENY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FOSSILS

Abstract— Several prominent cladists have questioned the importance of fossils in phylogenctic inference, and it is becoming increasingly popular to simply fit extinct forms, if they are considered at all, to a cladogram of Recent taxa. Gardiner's (1982) and Lovtrup's (1985) study of amniote phylogeny exemplifies this differential treatment, and we focused on that group of organisms to test the proposition that fossils cannot overturn a theory of relationships based only on the Recent biota. Our parsimony analysis of amniote phylogeny, special knowledge contributed by fossils being scrupulously avoided, led to the following best fitting classification, which is similar to the novel hypothesis Gardiner published: (lepidosaurs (turtles (mammals (birds, crocodiles)))). However, adding fossils resulted in a markedly different most parsimonious cladogram of the extant taxa: (mammals (turtles (lepidosaurs (birds, crocodiles)))). That classification is like the traditional hypothesis, and it provides a better fit to the stratigraphic record. To isolate the extinct taxa responsible for the latter classification, the data were successively partitioned with each phylogenetic analysis, and we concluded that: (1) the ingroup, not the outgroup, fossils were important; (2) synapsid, not reptile, fossils were pivotal; (3) certain synapsid fossils, not the earliest or latest, were responsible. The critical nature of the synapsid fossils seemed to lie in the particular combination of primitive and derived character slates they exhibited. Classifying those fossils, along with mammals, as the sister group to the lineage consisting of birds and crocodiles resulted in a relatively poor fit to data; one involving a 2—4 fold increase in evolutionary reversals! Thus, the importance of the critical fossils, collectively or individually, seems to reside in their relative primitive-ness, and the simplest explanation for their more conservative nature is that they have had less time to evolve. While fossils may be important in phylogenetic inference only under certain conditions, there is no compelling reason to prejudge their contribution. We urge systematists to evaluate fairly all of the available evidence.
Similarity-based reasoning about diagnosis of analog circuits

This paper advocates the use of similarity-based reasoning to improve the efficacy of AI applications dealing with diagnosis of electronic circuits. A paradigm for similarity-based matching is presented, application of this paradigm to diagnosis of electronic circuits is discussed, and a system architecture that supports this concept is described.
Phage-neutralizing activity in light polypeptide chains of rabbit antibody☆

Abstract Neutralization of T1 bacteriophage by fragments and polypeptide chains of rabbit antibody was studied by the use of specific anti-rabbit globulin sera to enhance the efficacy of neutralization. The neutralization given by L polypeptide chains from anti-T1 γ-globulin was markedly enhanced by goat anti-papain fragment I seru which had been absorbed with papain fragment III. The neutralization given by H polypeptide chains was sharly amplified by goat anti-papain fragment III serum which had been absorbed with papain fragment I. The latter antiserum had no demonstrable effect on neutralization by L polypeptide chains, indicating that the activity of L chains was not due to contamination by H chains. The phage neutralizing activity of Fd-piece was also markedly enhanced by fragment III-absorbed anti-fragment I serum. However, when this serum was absorbed with L chains, its enhancing property was entirely abolished. Absorption of the antiserum with Fd-piece eliminated its enhancing effect on neutralization by L chains. Attempts to stimulate production of specific anti-Fd serum in guinea pigs were unsuccesssful.
Political pressures and the choice of the optimal monetary policy instrument

Abstract This paper extends Cukierman’s (1992) model of monetary policy discretion, private information, and credibility to an environment in which the quantity of money is endogenous and in which a monetary authority must choose between bank reserves or an interest rate as its instrument of monetary policy. This model is used to explore the determinants of credibility for the alternative policy instruments and to evaluate the manner in which political pressures on a monetary authority can influence the authority’s instrument choice. A key implication of the model is that such political pressures can influence the credibility of monetary policy differentially depending upon the choice of policy instrument, thereby inducing a monetary authority to choose an instrument that otherwise would fail to meet standard Poole (1970) criteria. Keywords: Optimal monetary policy; Monetary policy instruments; Monetary politics JEL classification: E52; E58
Oxidative phosphorylation in Ascaris muscle mitochondria

Abstract 1. 1. An improved method of preparing Ascaris muscle mitochondria illustrates for the first time the presence of both respiratory control and oxiditive phosphorylation in these mitochondria. 2. 2. Oxidative phosphorylation was demonstrated by the stimulation of oxygen uptake by ADP, the inhibition of the ADP-stimulated respiration by oligomycin and its subsequent relieve of inhibition by the uncoupler. p-trifluoromethoxy-carbonyl-cyanide-phenylhydrazone (FCCP). 3. 3. Ascaris muscle mitochondria contain both coupled Site II and Site III. These were demonstrated by using succinate or α-glycerophosphate for Site II and ascorbate plus N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD) for Site III.
An analytical impedance-based compact model for capturing the resonance wavelength of a nanoshell resonator under dipole approximation

Nanoshells have been utilized in a wide range of applications, from cancer treatment to sensing of chemicals and biological materials. Such applications are based on Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) oscillations that nanoshells support, where resonance peaks in the extinction of electromagnetic waves are observed at certain wavelengths that depend on the size of the nanoshell as well as its composite material. In this paper, we develop an impedance model that captures the resonance wavelength of nanoshells allowing for the design of nanoshells to meet specific requirements, depending on the application in which the nanoshell is used. The nanoshell is modeled as a resonator, and the model can accurately and efficiently predict the resonance wavelength of the nanoshell.
Nonlinear vibrations of orthotropic thick annular plates using higher order shear deformation theory

Abstract The responses of nonlinear axisymmetric free vibrations of cylindrically orthotropic thick annular plates are studied. The effects of inplane deformation and inertia, shear deformation and rotatory inertia are all included. A finite element method is utilized to formulate the basic equation of motion. Orthotropic thick annular plates with the boundary supports of free inner edge and clamped outer edge, and free inner edge and simply supported outer edge, are both considered. The effects due to shear deformation, rotatory inertia, inplane deformation and inplane inertia are investigated, and the result shows the effects of reducing frequency responses. Meanwhile, the effect due to material orthotropy on the vibrating plate shows significant changes in the frequency responses.
Preferential Biofunctionalization of Carbon Nanotubes Grown by Microwave Plasma- Enhanced CVD

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition using dendrimer-templated Fe nanoparticles as a catalyst. Variation of the dc bias voltage and the calcination temperature of the dendrimer-templated Fe2O3 catalyst yielded a matrix of CNT arrays. Samples were immobilized with glucose oxidase, which were used for amperometric cyclic voltammetry experiments. Spectroscopic and electron microscopic characterizations indicate that enzyme adsorption per unit CNT area is higher for samples with lower quality, suggesting that CNTs with higher levels of defect densities are desirable for biosensing applications.
Genetics of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids: Linkage of human genes for isocitrate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase

Based on somatic cell genetic analysis, autosomal gene linkage is reported for the supernatant enzymes of human isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in human-mouse cell hybrids. The IDH, MDH linkage was not linked to the X and E17 chromosomes or to 12 additional human enzyme markers.
Developmental counseling and the educational process

This paper has presented a model that includes a cooperative effort of the teacher and the school counselor. The goal is a more productive and healthy learning environment for the child in school. First, a recognition that today's emphasis is on remedial and orises situations was discussed. Second, although many persons are responsible for a child's learning, efforts are often fragmented and lack continuity. Finally, a model was presented in which the teacher and the counselor act cooperatively as a team, each one assuming the active or supportive role according to the needs of the child and the recognized expertise of the adult.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Contemporary Literature Overview.

This article reviews the literature from the 3 years since the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health's (ICF's) endorsement, focusing on those articles that discuss (a) what the ICF means and how it can be used; (b) the general utility of the ICF for specific fields, such as nursing, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and audiology; (c) examples of applications for classification in particular disorders, such as chronic health conditions, neuromusculoskeletal conditions, cognitive disorders, mental disorders, sensory disorders, and primary and secondary conditions in children; (d) uses of the ICF to recode prior work across multiple surveys and across country coding schemes on disability-related national survey items; and (e) governmental uses of the ICF in the United States and selected countries abroad. Future directions needed to effectively implement the ICF across rehabilitation policy, research, and practice are discussed. This article reviews the literature in psychology and health and human services, and rehabilitation more generally, from the 3 years since the endorsement of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). For this review, we narrowed our searches to articles focused on clinical research or specific implementations of the
Nonexponential decay in relaxation phenomena and the spectral characteristics of the heat bath

Abstract After a brief survey of the characteristics of a heat bath and its role in relaxation phenomena leading to the familiar exponential decay, it is argued that the nonexponential form found commonly in many condensed matter systems indicates that the energy spectrum of the heat bath plays a crucial part in these phenomena. In equilibrium statistical mechanics, the mean energy of a heat bath determines the temperature of a system placed in contact with it. We show that the relaxation of a system placed in contact with this heat bath is determined by the distribution of the energy level spacings for level spacings small as compared to the mean spacing. After presenting arguments in favor of a linear behavior of this distribution, we show, in a somewhat heuristic way, that the resulting relaxation function has a nonexponential form.
Efficacy of fungicides and a systemic acquired resistance activator (acibenzolar-S-methyl) against tobacco blue mould.

Abstract Tobacco blue mould, caused by Peronospora tabacina Adam (Peronospora hyoscyami f. sp. tabacina Skalicky 1964) can be an economically devastating leaf spot disease in shade and broadleaf cigar wrapper tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) types grown in Connecticut and Massachusetts. We investigated the effects of dimethomorph plus mancozeb and azoxystrobin fungicides as well as acibenzolar-S-methyl, a systemic acquired resistance inducer, on disease severity over 2 years in both shade-grown and broadleaf tobaccos. All fungicide and fungicide plus acibenzolar-S-methyl treatments applied were effective in reducing the number of blue mould lesions per plant. Treatments containing acibenzolar-S-methyl were the most effective, resulting in almost complete control. Substituting two or three applications of acibenzolar-S-methyl at label rates for dimethomorph plus mancozeb treatments in a spray program increased blue mould control over the same number of dimethomorph plus mancozeb applications by 28–94 percent. The effects of acibenzolar-S-methyl application on cured leaf quality were determined in commercial shade tobacco fields in 2000 and 2001. Leaves were cured, processed and commercially evaluated for quality in a blind test. Standard fungicide applications of dimethomorph plus mancozeb applied on a 14-d interval were compared to three acibenzolar-S-methyl treatments. Economic value was not different between treatments in 2000, but acibenzolar-S-methyl applied at 10-d intervals was associated with reduced value in 2001 when plants were more subject to drought and heat stress.
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies

Over a 20 year period 26 patients were admitted because of ingesting foreign bodies. Ten patients, mostly children, remembered swallowing a metallic foreign body. Most of the patients were asymptomatic and were admitted for observation. Sixteen patients underwent operation. The distal large bowel was the area most commonly involved, not the ileocecal region as in the reviews published a number of years ago. Blunt as well as pointed foreign bodies caused bowel perforations, probably through slow pressure necrosis. Most of the patients had signs of localized peritonitis.. Unlike previous studies, roentgenographic studies were found helpful in the preoperative diagnosis.
Simulation of pure metal melting with buoyancy and surface tension forces in the liquid phase

Abstract Analytical results are presented for the melting of a pure metal from an isothermal vertical wall. The investigation focuses on the influence of surface tension on the flow and heat transfer in the liquid phase as well as the resultant shape and motion of the solid-liquid interface. A control volume-based discretization scheme is used to solve the governing partial differential equations in the irregular melt domain while the moving boundary is immobilized by invoking the quasi-steady assumption. Numerical predictions reveal a complex interaction between buoyancy forces in the melt and the Marangoni effects at the melt free surface. The surface tension-driven convection causes isotherm compaction near the top of, and adjacent to the melting front. The associated high heat transfer at the intersection of the solid-liquid interface and the melt free surface results in significant ‘notching’ of the solid. Hence, the influence of Marangoni convection is felt strongly in the timewise shape and motion of the solid-liquid interface. Predicted global melting rates, however, exhibit less sensitivity to the inclusion of thennocapillary forces in the analysis. Representative results for the flow and temperature distribution in the melt are shown graphically in the form of liquid phase isotherm and stream function distributions.
Electrolytic lesions and knife cuts in the region of the zona incerta impair sodium appetite

Abstract Bilateral lesions in the anterior zona incerta of male rats produced reliable impairments of need-related sodium appetite which were more severe than those seen after bilateral lesions in the thalamic gustatory nucleus. Horizontal knife cuts dorsal to the zona incerta, separating it from the ventral thalamus, seemed to reproduce the effects of thalamic lesions on sodium appetite. Horizontal knife cuts ventral to the zona incerta, separating it from the hypothalamus, produced a greater reduction in sodium intake than did the dorsal knife cuts. Neural pathways that might mediate regulatory sodium intake were discussed.
Antiarrhythmic Induced Electrical Storm in Brugada Syndrome: A Case Report

Brugada syndrome (BS) may be "unmasked" by several pharmacological and/or physiological agents in an otherwise normal electrocardiogram. Once diagnosed the possibility of persistent ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation exists. Although this is treated with various antiarrhythmic agents, there remains a cohort of patients who fail to respond to conventional antiarrhythmic therapy therefore, amplifying the electrical storm. We report a case of a BS diagnosed via procainamide challenge, the resultant near fatal electrical storm aggravated by amiodarone and the eventual resolution with isoproterenol.
Endorepellin Affects Angiogenesis by Antagonizing Diverse Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-evoked Signaling Pathways TRANSCRIPTIONAL REPRESSION OF HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR 1α AND VEGFA AND CONCURRENT INHIBITION OF NUCLEAR FACTOR OF ACTIVATED T CELL 1 (NFAT1) ACTIVATION

Endorepellin, the angiostatic C-terminal domain of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan, inhibits angiogenesis by simultaneously binding to the α2β1 integrin and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR2) on endothelial cells. This interaction triggers the down-regulation of both receptors and the concurrent activation of the tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1, which leads to a signaling cascade resulting in angiostasis. Here, we provide evidence that endorepellin is capable of attenuating both the PI3K/PDK1/Akt/mTOR and the PKC/JNK/AP1 pathways. We show that hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) transcriptional activity induced by VEGFA was inhibited by endorepellin independent of oxygen concentration and that only a combination of both PI3K and calcineurin inhibitors completely blocked the suppressive activity evoked by endorepellin on HIF1A and VEGFA promoter activity. Moreover, endorepellin inhibited the PKC/JNK/AP1 axis induced by the recruitment of phospholipase γ and attenuated the VEGFA-induced activation of NFAT1, a process dependent on calcineurin activity. Finally, endorepellin inhibited VEGFA-evoked nuclear translocation of NFAT1 and promoted NFAT1 stability. Thus, we provide evidence for a novel downstream signaling axis for an angiostatic fragment and for the key components involved in the dual antagonistic activity of endorepellin, highlighting its potential use as a therapeutic agent.