cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitric oxide circulates in mammalian plasma primarily as an S-nitroso adduct of serum albumin.

Abstract We have recently shown that nitric oxide or authentic endothelium-derived relaxing factor generated in a biologic system reacts in the presence of specific protein thiols to form S-nitrosoprotein derivatives that have endothelium-derived relaxing factor-like properties. The single free cysteine of serum albumin, Cys-34, is particularly reactive toward nitrogen oxides (most likely nitrosonium ion) under physiologic conditions, primarily because of its anomalously low pK; given its abundance in plasma, where it accounts for approximately 0.5 mM thiol, we hypothesized that this plasma protein serves as a reservoir for nitric oxide produced by the endothelial cell. To test this hypothesis, we developed a methodology, which involves UV photolytic cleavage of the S--NO bond before reaction with ozone for chemiluminescence detection, with which to measure free nitric oxide, S-nitrosothiols, and S-nitrosoproteins in biologic systems. We found that human plasma contains approximately 7 microM S-nitrosothiols, of which 96% are S-nitrosoproteins, 82% of which is accounted for by S-nitroso-serum albumin. By contrast, plasma levels of free nitric oxide are only in the 3-nM range. In rabbits, plasma S-nitrosothiols are present at approximately 1 microM; 60 min after administration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine at 50 mg/ml, a selective and potent inhibitor of nitric oxide synthetases, S-nitrosothiols decreased by approximately 40% (greater than 95% of which were accounted for by S-nitrosoproteins, and approximately 80% of which was S-nitroso-serum albumin); this decrease was accompanied by a concomitant increase in mean arterial blood pressure of 22%. These data suggest that naturally produced nitric oxide circulates in plasma primarily complexed in S-nitrosothiol species, principal among which is S-nitroso-serum albumin. This abundant, relatively long-lived adduct likely serves as a reservoir with which plasma levels of highly reactive, short-lived free nitric oxide can be regulated for the maintenance of vascular tone.
A dissimilarity function for geospatial polygons

Similarity plays an important role in many data mining tasks and information retrieval processes. Most of the supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised learning algorithms depend on using a dissimilarity function that measures the pair-wise similarity between the objects within the dataset. However, traditionally most of the similarity functions fail to adequately treat all the spatial attributes of the geospatial polygons due to the incomplete quantitative representation of structural and topological information contained within the polygonal datasets. In this paper, we propose a new dissimilarity function known as the polygonal dissimilarity function (PDF) that comprehensively integrates both the spatial and the non-spatial attributes of a polygon to specifically consider the density, distribution, and topological relationships that exist within the polygonal datasets. We represent a polygon as a set of intrinsic spatial attributes, extrinsic spatial attributes, and non-spatial attributes. Using this representation of the polygons, PDF is defined as a weighted function of the distance between two polygons in the different attribute spaces. In order to evaluate our dissimilarity function, we compare and contrast it with other distance functions proposed in the literature that work with both spatial and non-spatial attributes. In addition, we specifically investigate the effectiveness of our dissimilarity function in a clustering application using a partitional clustering technique (e.g. $$k$$ k -medoids) using two characteristically different sets of data: (a) Irregular geometric shapes determined by natural processes, i.e., watersheds and (b) semi-regular geometric shapes determined by human experts, i.e., counties.
Valproate prevents the induction of sensitization to methylphenidate (ritalin) in rats

Repetitive exposure to methylphenidate (MPD) elicits sensitization to its locomotor effects. Drugs that affect the GABA system may modify adaptations to drug exposure. Therefore, we have examined the effect of sodium valproate, which enhances GABA function, on the development of sensitization to MPD using an automated, computerized animal activity monitoring system to record each rat's motor activities for 15 consecutive days. Rats were recorded before and after saline injection (Days 1-2) to provide baseline activity. Animals were then randomly assigned to the following three groups that received: (1) 2.5 mg/kg MPD (s.c.) for six consecutive days (Days 3-8), (2) a single dose of valproate (50 mg/kg; i.p.) 1 h prior to the first (Day 3) of six daily doses of MPD (2.5 mg/kg; s.c. ), or (3) five daily doses of valproate (50 mg/kg, i.p.) 1 h prior to MPD (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) on Days 4-8. There was no drug treatment during the next 5 days (Days 9-13). All rats were then re-challenged with MPD (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) on Day 14. Group 2 rats were also re-challenged with 50 mg/kg valproate followed by 2.5 mg/kg MPD 1 h later on Day 15. Administration of MPD alone produced a sensitized response. Multiple valproate injections prevented the induction of MPD-elicited sensitization in all four motor indices, while a single valproate injection prevented the induction of MPD-elicited sensitization in two of four motor indices studied. In conclusion, a single injection 50 mg/kg valproate given prior to any MPD treatment partially blocked the induction of MPD sensitization while repeated injections of valproate co-administered with MPD treatment completely prevented this effect.
Intestinal Perforation Secondary to Paclitaxel

Three patients with colonic perforation following paclitaxel therapy are reported. This appears to be a direct drug effect causing mitotic arrest on the gastrointestinal epithelium. Eleven such patients with this complication have now been identified. While infrequent, this is a serious complication with a 57% mortality rate. The exact incidence of this complication is unknown and may have been previously underreported being attributed to progressive disease. A high index of suspicion of this complication should be considered for anyone presenting with abdominal pain following paclitaxel.
Hydrolytic Dealkylation of Organocobaloximes Related to Coenzyme B12: Ligand Influences

The organocobaloxime complexes R−Co(DH)2(L) (R = 5‘-deoxyadenosyl, Ado; 2‘,5‘-dideoxyadenosyl, 2‘dAdo; tetrahydrofurfuryl, THFF; L = 4-tert-butylpyridine, 4-tBuPy; OH2) were prepared and characteri...
Refractive system for generation of high-power diffraction-free laser beams

A refractive system is designed to convert a high-power annular beam into a circular Bessel beam. The input and output surface of the proposed system is derived. We provide cubic polynomial approximation of the surface profiles. A ray tracing through the complete system is provided to verify the design. The design parameters can be selected to choose the desired beam power in the central lobe and length of the refractive system.
Enhancements to SQL server column stores

SQL Server 2012 introduced two innovations targeted for data warehousing workloads: column store indexes and batch (vectorized) processing mode. Together they greatly improve performance of typical data warehouse queries, routinely by 10X and in some cases by a 100X or more. The main limitations of the initial version are addressed in the upcoming release. Column store indexes are updatable and can be used as the base storage for a table. The repertoire of batch mode operators has been expanded, existing operators have been improved, and query optimization has been enhanced. This paper gives an overview of SQL Server's column stores and batch processing, in particular the enhancements introduced in the upcoming release.
Hierarchically partitioned solution strategy for CFD applications Part II—Numerical applications

Abstract Part I of this series presented an analytical investigation of the use of HPT fluid simulations along with extensions to parallel computer environments. This was achieved in a closed form sense for simplified geometries. In Part II, the work will be numerically extended to handle more complex geometric morphologies. Specifically, the structure of the tree is optimized numerically contingent on problem dependent resource requirements. This is followed up with the results of several comprehensive implicit CFD simulation studies which demonstrate the effectiveness of the HPT concept.
An interpreter for Backus's formal functional programming language

Backus's formal functional programming (FFP) language [1] is an extension of his functional programming (FP) language [1] that allows the user to define functional forms. Like FP, it has the property that there are to be no side effects during execution. Unlike FP, it has the advantage that there is no distinction between data and functions: data may be applied (interpreted as a function) to data and functions may operate on functions (interpreted as data). This extends the expressive power of FP by giving the user the ability to create and modify functions and functional forms at will. Furthermore, FFP contains a predefined function APPLY which turns a sequence of two elements into a function application. Such a function would not be possible in FP because of the fundamental distinction between functions and data in FP.
Deadly partners: interdependence of alcohol and trauma in the clinical setting

Trauma is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 1 to 45. Over a third of all fatal motor vehicle collisions and nearly eighty percent of completed suicides involve alcohol. Alcohol can be both a cause of traumatic injury as well as a confounding factor in the diagnosis and treatment of the injured patient. Fortunately, brief interventions after alcohol-related traumatic events have been shown to decrease both trauma recidivism and long-term alcohol use. This review will address the epidemiology of alcohol-related trauma, the influence of alcohol on mortality and other outcomes, and the role of prevention in alcohol-related trauma, within the confines of the clinical setting.
Is salt restriction relevant and feasible as adjunctive treatment of hypertension

Etude demontrant l efficacite d'un regime appauvri en sodium en association avec les antihypertenseurs dans le traitement de l'hypertension arterielle.
Retrograde axonal transport and motor neuron disease

Transport of material between extensive neuronal processes and the cell body is crucial for neuronal function and survival. Growing evidence shows that deficits in axonal transport contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we review recent data indicating that defects in dynein-mediated retrograde axonal transport are involved in ALS etiology. We discuss how mutant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and an aberrant interaction between mutant SOD1 and dynein could perturb retrograde transport of neurotrophic factors and mitochondria. A possible contribution of axonal transport to the aggregation and degradation processes of mutant SOD1 is also reviewed. We further consider how the interference with axonal transport and protein turnover by mutant SOD1 could influence the function and viability of motor neurons in ALS.
Nanocomposites of silicon/titanium carbide synthesized using high-energy mechanical milling for use as anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Abstract Silicon-based nanocomposites containing TiC were synthesized by high-energy mechanical milling (HEMM). Mechanical milling leads to very fine amorphous silicon particles distributed homogeneously inside the TiC matrix. The Si/TiC nanocomposites synthesized using different experimental conditions were evaluated for their electrochemical properties. Results indicate that silicon, in the composite, alloys and de-alloys with lithium during cycling, while the matrix remains inactive providing structural stability. The composite containing 40 mol.% silicon obtained after milling for 6 h exhibits a high capacity ∼340 mAh/g with good capacity retention indicating the good phase and microstructural stability as verified by XRD and SEM analyses.
Rheo-optical properties of polymers: Relaxation and recovery during absorption and desorption of organic liquids

As part of a study in elucidating the mechanisms by which crazing is initiated in polymers, we have measured the force and birefringence decay which occurs in several polymers when placed in contact with methanol. In all cases, the force decay can be used to determine the rate of bulk diffusion of the liquid into the polymer. In contrast, the birefringence decay appears to be related to shear relaxation mechanisms which are highly dependent on the type of material. For example, in the case of simple rubbers such as polyisoprene, the rates of decay of force and birefringence are identical within experimental error. In contrast, in amorphous thermoplastics the force decay is typically an order of magnitude faster than the birefringence decay. These results are discussed in terms of distortional and orientational birefringence and with respect to the morphology of the glassy state.
Philadelphia chromosome positive essential thrombocythemia evolving into lymphoid blast crisis

The Philadelphia chromosome with the classic translocation t(9;22) was detected in all metaphases of a patient with essential thrombocythemia who presented without hematologic signs of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). After 12 months of treatment with hydroxyurea followed by 6 months of busulfan, the disease transformed into lymphoid blast crisis with the immunophenotype of pre-pre-B cells frequently seen in lymphoid blast crisis of CML. This progression was not associated with karyotypic evolution because lymphoblasts contained only the Philadelphia chromosome. Further clinical course in this patient confirmed the development of a Philadelphia chromosome positive stem cell with predominantly megakaryocytic committment through partially megakaryocytic/lymphoid differentiation to purely lymphoid committment, a previously unreported transformation.
Correcting CGD safely, iPSo facto

Patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) represent a novel and powerful tool for in vitro modeling and correction of human diseases. 1 In this issue of Blood, Zou et al report on the generation and correction of iPSCs from a patient with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD), 2 a severe primary immunodeficiency (PID) because of defects of the NADPH oxidase. 3 .
Exact-to-precision generalized perturbation theory for eigenvalue problems

Abstract This manuscript extends the exact-to-precision generalized perturbation theory (EpGPT), introduced previously, to eigenvalue problems whereby previous developments focused on source driven problems only. The EpGPT collectively denotes new developments in generalized perturbation theory (GPT) that place high premium on computational efficiency in order to render GPT a standard analysis tool in routine design and safety reactor calculations. Unlike GPT, EpGPT defines a small number of what is referred to as the ‘active’ responses which are solely dependent on the physics model rather than on the responses of interest, the number of input parameters, or the number of points in the state phase space. The active responses are captured by determining all possible state variations resulting from all possible parameters perturbations. If r (the number of active responses) is much smaller than n (the size of the state space), one can show that by recasting GPT equations in terms of the active responses, all higher order responses variations can be determined to a user-defined accuracy criterion. In addition to presenting the mathematical theory of EpGPT to eigenvalue problems, illustrative numerical experiments will be conducted serving as proof of principle.
Effect of solution variables on the binding of vinblastine to tubulin.

Abstract Vinblastine binding to tublin was measured in different buffers using tubulin prepared by two different methods and three different binding assay methods. In 100 mM 1,4-piperaz-inediethanesulfonic acid (Pipes) buffer containing 1 mM MgSO4 and 1 mM ethylene glycol bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), the data appeared to be consistent with one site with a Ka value of 3.4 × 106 M−1 and another site with a Ka value of 2.8 × 105 M−1. However, in buffers of lower ionic strengths and without Mg2+ the Ka values were lower. The lowest value (2 × 104 M−1) was obtained in 10 mM phosphate buffer, in which only one site was evident under the conditions used. Neither the binding assay used nor the method for tubulin preparation affected the Ka, value. Using HPLC, aggregation induced by vinblastine was evident in buffers which gave the largest Ka values. Tubulin aggregation in the presence of vinblastine was also confirmed by analytical ultracentrifugation. The results support the proposal of Na and Timasheff [Biochemistry25, 6214 (1986)] that the apparent Ka value is influenced by the degree of aggregation induced by vinblastine and that the intrinsic binding constant to the dimer is represented by the lowest value, about 2 × 104 M−1.
Work process analysis: a necessary step in the development of decision support systems. An aviation safety case study

Abstract This paper demonstrates the importance of work process modeling and supporting data analysis in system development. To illustrate the process of modeling for system development, we describe how traditional task analysis was used in our effort to understand the work processes associated with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) airworthiness and operations surveillance inspection activities. Further, the integration of risk assessment techniques resulted in a validated task analysis providing a review of the as-is state of surveillance activities. It is also shown how the as-is surveillance work processes that resulted from these studies were used as the foundation for a re-engineered (re-eng) surveillance work process model. We conclude by describing a follow-on activity, the development of a safety critical work process model, which reflects an integration of the as-is and re-engineered work process descriptions, the human factors literature, inspection data analysis, federal aviation regulations and identified areas of safety criticality.
Synthesis of optically active mevinic acid subunits via acetal initiated/vinylsilane terminated polyene cyclizations

Abstract Efficient routes to optically active octahydronaphthalenol mevinic acid subunits via vinylsilane-mediated polyene cyclizations initiated by trimethylenedioxy acetals are detailed. Enantioselective alkynone reductions and Ireland-Claisen rearrangements serve to establish and transfer absolute stereochemistry.
Progressive muscular dystrophy in a golden retriever dog: light microscope and ultrastructural features at 4 and 8 months

The clinical and morphological features of a congenital myopathy in a young male golden retriever dog were studied. Muscle biopsies at 4 and 8 months of age were examined with light and electron microscopy. Clinical features included early onset of generalized muscle weakness with selective muscle atrophy and hypertrophy, splaying of the limbs, stiff gait, and marked elevation of serum creatine kinase (CK). An electromyograph revealed spontaneous electrical activity characterized by sustained high-frequency activity, which was not abolished by neuromuscular blockade. Morphologically there was marked hypercontraction and segmental necrosis of muscle fibers with phagocytosis and regeneration. Ultrastructurally, dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum was the most consistent feature associated with early fiber degeneration. No abnormalities were noted in the central or peripheral nervous system. Progression of the disease was evident at 8 months. It was concluded that the findings are consistent with a dystrophic process of primary muscle origin. The probable genetics and comparison to other animal models of muscular dystrophy and to Duchenne dystrophy are discussed.
Atomic interdiffusion in Au/amorphous NiNb/ semiconductor systems☆

Abstract Backscattering measurements were performed to assess the stability of amorphous NiNb for contacts of high temperature electronics. The interdiffusion of amorphous NiNb and three semiconductors—silicon, GaAs and GaP—was measured to study the stability for primary metallization applications. Diffusion of gold with amorphous NiNb and the same three semiconductors was also investigated in order to address diffusion barrier applications of amorphous metals. The results indicate that the use of amorphous NiNb as a contact or a diffusion barrier could extend the useful operation temperature range for GaP devices to above 550°C.
Human Resource Development: An Emerging Profession--An Emerging Purpose.

ln this article,we attempt to see Human Resource Development(HRD), and everything that could be called HRD, as it currently exists in U.S. organisations, and to understand its emergence from narrow, fragmented, and mechanical conceptualizations to more holistic ones. It is our view that any intentional organisational activity centered on human development, whether on individual development or on the development of cultures that enable individuals to work together effectively, could legitimately be seen as HRD. This view of HRD, we further believe, enables us to see more fully what is happening and why. Later in this paper, we will offer a definition of the field that is consistent with this comprehensive conceptualization.
Charge Transport in the Transition From Hydrogenated Amorphous Silicon to Microcrystalline Silicon

The electronic transport properties of a series of samples prepared by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition with a transition from a-Si:H to μc-Si:H were measured applying the photoconductive frequency mixing technique. We found both improved stability against light-soaking and different values for the photomixing electron lifetime and mobility close to the onset of microcrystallinity as compared to the amorphous state. In particular, the mobility-lifetime product of charge carriers in some of the μc-Si:H samples turns out to lie about two orders of magnitude higher than that of a-Si:H films. The mobility on the other hand, is shown rather to decrease in the transition to the μc-region. Additional measurements of the range and the depth of long range potential fluctuations yield a possible explanation for our results in that grain boundaries may serve as scattering centers and barriers against recombination.
Management of ventricular arrhythmias in diverse populations in California.

Abstract Background The use of coronary angiography and revascularization is lower than expected among black patients. It is uncertain whether use of other cardiac procedures also varies according to race and ethnicity and whether outcomes are affected. Methods We analyzed discharge abstracts from all nonfederal hospitals in California of patients hospitalized for a primary diagnosis of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation between 1992 and 1994. We compared mortality rates and use of electrophysiologic study (EPS) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) procedures according to the race and ethnicity of the patient. Results Among 8713 patients admitted with ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, 29% (n = 2508) had a subsequent EPS procedure, and 9% (n = 818) had an ICD implanted. After controlling for potential confounding factors, we found that black patients were significantly less likely than white patients to undergo EPS (odds ratio 0.72, CI 0.56-0.92) or ICD implantation (odds ratio 0.39, CI 0.25-0.60). Blacks discharged alive from the initial hospital admission had higher mortality rates over the next year than white patients, even after controlling for multiple confounding risk factors (risk ratio 1.18, CI 1.03-1.36). The use of EPS and ICD procedures was also significantly affected by several other factors, most notably by on-site procedure availability but also by age, sex, and insurance status. Conclusions In a large population of patients hospitalized for ventricular arrhythmia, blacks had significantly lower rates of utilization for EPS and ICD procedures and higher subsequent mortality rates. (Am Heart J 2002;144:431-9.)
Speakers Discuss Science Policy Challenges in the Water-Energy Nexus

Water and energy are linked in the ever-increasing demand for these resources in the United States. Most energy production requires an abundant, reliable, and predictable source of water, a resource that is, unfortunately, already in short supply throughout large portions of the United States. In addition, developing water supplies can require large amounts of energy for their extraction, transportation, treatment, and distribution. As such, the ­water-­energy nexus presents a significant challenge for America's water resource and energy developers and distributers as well as for policy makers.
Condition of Live Fire-Scarred Ponderosa Pine Twenty-one Years After Removing Partial Cross-Sections

Abstract Concern over the effects of removing fire-scarred partial cross-sections may limit sampling of live ponderosa pine to reconstruct fire history. We report mortality rates for ponderosa pine trees 20 to 21 years after removing fire-scarred partial cross-sections to reconstruct fire history. In 2015, following surveys every five years since 2000, we revisited 138 trees that were alive when we sectioned them in 1994/95 and 386 similarly sized, un-sectioned neighbor trees of the same species that were also alive in 1994/95. Between 1994/95 and 2015, a significantly greater proportion of sectioned than neighbor trees died, yielding average annual mortality rates of 3.3% versus 2.2%. However, many of the trees that died were likely killed by prescribed fires in 2002 and 2003 (64 sectioned plus neighbor trees). When we excluded these trees to assess the effect of fire-scar sampling rather than the effect of modern fires, the difference in proportion of dead trees was no longer significant and yielded ave...
Efficient startup segment selection and scheduling for mesh-pull peer-to-peer live streaming system

Recently, using peer-to-peer (P2P) techniques for streaming live events becomes more popular. A mesh-pull-based P2P architecture is desirable because it is easy to implement, robust to peer churn and has relatively low maintenance overhead despite higher streaming delay. In this paper, we focus on two factors that cause streaming delay in a mesh-pull-based P2P network - 1).startup segment selection, and 2). segment scheduling, and propose efficient and adaptive schemes respectively to reduce streaming delay and improve P2P performances.
Measurement of effective temperature range of fire service thermal imaging cameras

The use of thermal imaging cameras (TIC) by the fire service is increasing as fire fighters become more aware of the value of these tools. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is currently developing a consensus standard for design and performance requirements of TIC as used by the fire service. The National Institute of Standards and Technology facilitates this process by providing recommendations for science-based performance metrics and test methods to the NFPA technical committee charged with the development of this standard. A suite of imaging performance metrics and test methods, based on the harsh operating environment and limitations of use particular to the fire service, has been proposed for inclusion in the standard. The Effective Temperature Range (ETR) measures the range of temperatures that a TIC can view while still providing useful information to the user. Specifically, extreme heat in the field of view tends to inhibit a TIC's ability to discern surfaces having intermediate temperatures, such as victims and fire fighters. The ETR measures the contrast of a target having alternating 25 °C and 30 °C bars while an increasing temperature range is imposed on other surfaces in the field of view. The ETR also indicates the thermal conditions that trigger a shift in integration time common to TIC employing microbolometer sensors. The reported values for this imaging performance metric are the hot surface temperature range within which the TIC provides adequate bar contrast, and the hot surface temperature at which the TIC shifts integration time.
Evaluation of Permanents

The permanent of an m x n matrix A = (aij), m ≤ n, is defined bywhere the summation is over all one-to-one functions σ from {1, … , m} to { 1, …, n}. In other words, the permanent of A is the sum of all the diagonal products of A, that is, all the products of m entries of A no two of which lie in the same row or in the same column. Thus the permanent of A may be evaluated by first multiplying all the row sums of A and then subtracting from the product all terms that contain as factors two or more entries from the same column of A. This is the idea behind the formulas of Binet and of Ryser.
Electron polaron effects in heavy-electron systems.

Heavy-electron materials exhibit Fermi-liquid behavior at low temperatures and single-site spin-fluctuation behavior at high temperatures. There is strong experimental evidence that the fermion excitations at low temperatures are itinerant f electrons. It is shown in this paper that the Coulomb correlation between an f hole and the conduction-band electrons causes the f electrons to propagate like small polarons in insulators and semiconductors, and the accompanying screening cloud is formed by broadband electrons. At elevated temperatures the polaron is increasingly attenuated that it gradually becomes localized. This mechanism may explain many anomalous properties of heavy-electron materials up to the crossover temperature, suggesting that the crossover could be driven by the polaron effect.
Hidden symmetries of finite-size clusters with periodic boundary conditions.

Finite-size clusters with periodic boundary conditions resemble isolated clusters for a small number of sites, and infinite lattices for a large number of sites. The transition from a self-contained system to an infinite lattice passes through an intermediate region with increased (hidden) symmetry. In this high-symmetry region irreducible representations of the space group may stick together to form higher-dimensional representations of the complete symmetry group. This transition is examined for a class of simple-, body-centered-, and face-centered-cubic lattice clusters and the two-dimensional square lattice cluster. The implications of an enlarged symmetry group are also studied for a model of strongly correlated electrons interacting on eight-site clusters.
Access: A powerful communications package

Access is an unusually well planned and executed communications package that has virtually all the features anyone could want, now and for the foreseeable future. It is easily as powerful as any other communications package on the market today, and it has enough special features to satisfy a diverse group of users.
Development and validation of a sensitive radioimmunoassay for naturally occuring β-endorphin-like peptides in human plasma

Abstract β-Endorphin-like peptides in blood plasma of normal human subjects were studied by means of a radioimmunoassay (RIA) and gel filtration. Plasma was extracted with silica gel, which was washed with water and 1 n HCl, and eluted with 50% acetone. Plasma extracts thus obtained and standard synthetic human β-endorphin yielded parallel RIA curves. Total immunoreactivity in normal donors ranged from 1.2 to 10.4 fmol/ml (21 subjects). The immunoreactivity was completely destroyed by treatment with papain. Gel filtration indicated the presence of three components-one of unknown nature at the void volume and the others at elution positions characteristic of β-lipotropin and β-endorphin. Recoveries of human β-endorphin and β-lipotropin added to plasma were 53 and 58%, respectively. Addition of N -ethylmaleimide to plasma or of aprotinin to blood immmediately following collection had no effect on the amount of total immunoreactivity. Furthermore, a large amount of β-endorphin-like immunoreactivity. The above results lead us to conclude that a β-endorphin-like immunoreactive peptide occurs naturally in plasma of normal human subjects.
Relaxation mechanisms and effects of motion in albite (NaAlSi 3 O 8 ) liquid and glass: A high temperature NMR study

The nuclear magnetic relaxation of 23Na and 29Si in albite glass and liquid has been studied from 800 K to 1400 K. The dominant spin-lattice relaxation mechanism for 23Na is found to be nuclear quadrupole interaction arising from the Na+ diffusion. The activation energy of the Na diffusion is found to be 71±3 kJ/mol, in close agreement with the results on electrical conductivity and on Na self-diffusion from radio-tracer experiments. The correlation time of the Na motion is estimated to be about 8.5×10−11 s near the melting point (∼1390 K). Both nuclear dipole-dipole interaction and chemical shift anisotropy interaction are large enough to contribute to the 29Si relaxation. However, calculations based on a simplified model which employ single correlation time and exponential correlation function, with interactions typical of crystalline silicates, cannot completely account for the experimental data. NMR relaxation data also reveal that the Si motion is correlated to the Na motion and that the Si is relatively immobile. Several possible motions of SiO4 tetrahedra that can cause 29Si relaxation are suggested. The motion responsible for 29Si relaxation differs from that which is responsible for viscosity: the apparent activation energy for the former is much lower. Measurements of spin-spin relaxation times and linewidths are also presented and the significance of their temperature dependence is discussed.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Sacred Architecture: Faith, Form and Building Technology

A book focusing exclusively on the religious architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright seems like such a natural that it is hard to believe that no one had thought of it before Anat Geva, who teaches arch...
On the performance behavior of ATM end-stations

Shaping of traffic at its source is a prominent congestion control solution in ATM networks. The "leaky bucket" with a "cell spacer" is a very popular traffic shaping approach. By sizing the leaky bucket and spacer parameters, an end-station shapes its traffic to conform to a "good behavior" contract with the network. The leaky bucket delays the transmission of selected number of cells, while the spacer forces a minimum time-distance between transmitted cells. When a contracted transmission rate is close to the traffic generation rate by the end-station, this traffic stream will utilize most of the bandwidth available on its virtual connection. The high utilization of such a connection leads to large queues of frames and cells at the end-station, With high adverse consequences to the end-to-end delay and jitter. In this paper, based on the negotiated traffic parameters and source traffic characteristics, we study, through simulations, the contribution of the leaky bucket plus cell spacer subsystem to the delay and jitter in an end-station. We also study the distribution of the size of the burst of cells leaving the end-station and entering the network. Finally, we derive the theoretical upper bound for the size of bursts of cells.
GENETIC DISSECTION OF SEGREGATION DISTORTION. I. SUICIDE COMBINATIONS OF SD GENES

Two major loci in the Tft–cn region of an SD chromosome have been separated by recombination and identified. The allele at the left-hand locus on an SD chromosome is called Sd; the allele at the right-hand locus is called Rsp. Both Sd and Rsp are necessary to bring about a distortion of the segregation ratio in heterozygous SD males, although the particular degree of distortion exhibited by an SD chromosome is influenced by the constellation of polygenic modifiers of SD in the genome. The coupling phase of the alleles, Sd Rsp/Sd+Rsp+, produces about 89-90% of Sd Resp-bearing progeny. The repulsion phase, Sd Rsp+/Sd+ Rsp, produces 10-20% of Sd Rsp+-bearing progeny. No coupling-repulsion effects between Sd and Rsp are apparent.
A critique of the methodology of Robert Redfield: ‘Folk culture’ and other concepts

(1966). A critique of the methodology of Robert Redfield: ‘Folk culture’ and other concepts. Ethnos: Vol. 31, No. 1-4, pp. 161-172.
The role of imagistic simulation in scientific thought experiments.

Interest in thought experiments (TEs) derives from the paradox: ‘‘How can findings that carry conviction result from a new experiment conducted entirely within the head?’’ Historical studies have established the importance of TEs in science but have proposed disparate hypotheses concerning the source of knowledge in TEs, ranging from empiricist to rationalist accounts. This article analyzes TEs in think-aloud protocols of scientifically trained experts to examine more fine-grained information about their use. Some TEs appear powerful enough to discredit an existing theory—a disconfirmatory purpose. In addition, confirmatory and generative purposes were identified for other TEs. One can also use details in transcript data, including imagery reports and gestures, to provide evidence for a central role played by imagistic simulations in many TEs, and to suggest that these simulations can generate new knowledge using several sources, including the ‘‘extended application’’ of perceptual motor schemas, implicit prior knowledge, and spatial reasoning operations, in contrast to formal arguments. These sources suggest what it means for TEs to be grounded in embodied processes that can begin to explain the paradox above. This leads to a rationalistic view of TEs as using productive internal reasoning, but the view also acknowledges the historical role that experience with the world can play in forming certain schemas used in TEs. Understanding such processes could help provide a foundation for developing a larger model of scientific investigation processes grounded on imagistic simulation (Clement, 2008).
Salience of working-memory maintenance and manipulation deficits in schizophrenia.

© 2010 by Cambridge University Press, Psychological Medicine DOI: 10.1017/S003329171000019X
Boundary Treatment of the Diffusion Synthetic Acceleration Method for Fixed-Source Discrete-Ordinates Problems in x-y Geometry

A study on fhe de~~l~rlopment ofur-r-elerution equationsfor boundary cells and the associ- ated boundary wndiriotzs for the diffusio~l sjnihetic uccelernrion tnethod of neurro,t lranspor! pr~b- kctns in x-y geome1r.v is described. AI~-oujye'J- aIgebraic mort~puluiion of tht* P, equations resultrn_e rn a single d$Jlsion equation is tnodrfied 10 obiuin e~/?iil.if uccelcrutimn rquu~ions for the bo~rrrliury cells. To uccomplrsh {his, the di~cretizarion In space is psJonned according ro (lie ordinory bnx-cmler~d rnivhod. Thr r~sulling synzhetic cotnpurarivn schorr~. is linear in ir r dzfferenced form. The boundary cell dtjl-erence eqiraf ions uri) derived in u m~nncr Ihal rracfi-v pnrullei~ (he di~crw~zurion of rhe d!f- fiaron equation for interior mesh cells atld thaz qf rhe /r~?~.rporf ryuorion. The lntportunce of rhese equurrons in impro vrng overall eJ!icieprc_l: w~rhouf sacr!fil tng sfubilily i~ iii~ctassed, us is rhe oprirnum choice of Ihe Bor~ndary condiriotls ussociured wmirh fhese eguafions.
The role of site features, user attributes, and information verification behaviors on the perceived credibility of web-based information

Data from 574 participants were used to assess perceptions of message, site, and sponsor credibility across four genres of websites; to explore the extent and effects of verifying web-based information; and to measure the relative influence of sponsor familiarity and site attributes on perceived credibility.The results show that perceptions of credibility differed, such that news organization websites were rated highest and personal websites lowest, in terms of message, sponsor, and overall site credibility, with e-commerce and special interest sites rated between these, for the most part.The results also indicated that credibility assessments appear to be primarily due to website attributes (e.g. design features, depth of content, site complexity) rather than to familiarity with website sponsors. Finally, there was a negative relationship between self-reported and observed information verification behavior and a positive relationship between self-reported verification and internet/web experience.The find...
Base excision repair apurinic/apyrimidinic endonucleases in apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

DNA repair is essential for cell viability and proliferation. In addition to reactive oxygen produced as a byproduct of their own metabolism, intracellular parasites also have to manage oxidative stress generated as a defense mechanism by the host. The spontaneous loss of DNA bases due to hydrolysis and oxidative DNA damage in intracellular parasites is great, but little is known about the type of DNA repair machineries that exist in these early-branching eukaryotes. However, it is clear, processes similar to DNA base excision repair (BER) must exist to rectify spontaneous and host-mediated damage in Toxoplasma gondii. Here we report that T. gondii, an opportunistic protozoan pathogen, possesses two apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases that function in DNA BER. We characterize the enzymatic activities of Toxoplasma exonuclease III (ExoIII, or Ape1) and endonuclease IV (EndoIV, or Apn1), designated TgAPE and TgAPN, respectively. Over-expression of TgAPN in Toxoplasma conferred protection from DNA damage, and viable knockouts of TgAPN were not obtainable. We generated an inducible TgAPN knockdown mutant using a ligand-controlled destabilization domain to establish that TgAPN is critical for Toxoplasma to recover from DNA damage. The importance of TgAPN and the fact that humans lack any observable APN family activity highlights TgAPN as a promising candidate for drug development to treat toxoplasmosis.
Allometric scaling and locomotor function in the primate pelvis.

Identification of positional behavior adaptation in the pelvis of primates is complicated by possible confounding effects of body size and phylogeny. Previous work on primate pelvic allometry has focused primarily on sexual dimorphism and its relationship to obstetric constraints in species with large fetal size relative to maternal size. This study investigates patterns of pelvic scaling with a specific aim to understand how pelvic scaling relates to locomotor function. Patterns of scaling of nine pelvic dimensions were examined in a broad comparative sample of 40 species of primates, covering both haplorhines and strepsirrhines, while accounting for phylogenetic nonindependence. Phylogenetic reduced major axis regressions on pelvic scaling patterns suggest that primate-wide patterns are reflected in haplorhine- and strepsirrhine-specific analyses. Many measures scale isometrically with pelvis size, but notably, features of the ilium tend to scale allometrically. As predicted, ilium width and lower ilium cross-sectional area scale with positive allometry, while lower iliac height scales with negative allometry. Further regression analyses by locomotor group suggest that these ilium measures, as well as pubic symphysis and ischium lengths, differ in their scaling patterns according to locomotor mode. These results suggest that scaling differences within primates, when present, are related to functional differences in locomotor behavior and mechanics. This study supports recent work that identifies adaptations to locomotor loading in the ilium and highlights the need for a better understanding of the relationship between pelvic structural mechanics and the mechanical requirements of primate locomotion. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:511–530, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring the association of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene and Alzheimer disease.

Background: Previous linkage studies have shown that chromosome 12 harbors susceptibility genes for late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD). However, association studies of several candidate genes on this chromosome region have produced ambiguous results. A recent study reported the association between the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase ( GAPD ) gene on chromosome 12p and the risk of LOAD. Methods: The authors conducted family-based and case-control association studies in two independent LOAD data sets on 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GAPD gene and its paralogs. Results: No association was found of the GAPD gene with LOAD in the family-based data set, but marginal evidence of association was seen in the later-onset subgroup when age at onset was stratified. The SNP rs2029721 in one GAPD pseudogene was also found to be associated with risk for LOAD in the unrelated case-control data set ( p = 0.003). Conclusions: The GAPD gene and its pseudogene may play a role in the development of late-onset Alzheimer disease. However, the effect, if any, is likely to be limited.
Useful Government Spending and Macroeconomic (In)stability under Balanced-Budget Rules

It has been shown that an otherwise standard one-sector real business cycle model may exhibit indeterminacy and sunspots under a balanced-budget rule that consists of fixed and “wasteful” government spending and proportional income taxation. However, the economy always displays saddle-path stability and equilibrium uniqueness if the government finances endogenous public expenditures with a constant income tax rate. In this paper, we allow for productive or utility-generating government purchases in either of these specifications. It turns out that the previous indeterminacy results remain unchanged by the inclusion of useful government spending. By contrast, the earlier determinacy results are overturned when public expenditures generate sufficiently strong production or consumption externalities. Our analysis thus illustrates that a balanced-budget policy recommendation which limits the government’s ability to change tax rates does not necessarily stabilize the economy against belief-driven business cycle fluctuations.
An Adolescent Fearful of AIDS: A `New' Disease Presents Some Old Clinical Problems

I recently received a phone call from an anxious 18-year-old first-year college student. She had become sexually intimate with a male partner: specifically, she had engaged in oralgenital sex. The "chief complaint" of the phone call was her fear that she would contract the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A few more medical details were obtained. The patient had not previously had similar sexual experiences, nor had she ever had intercourse. The patient felt certain that her partner had not had many sexual partners, including high-risk partners, (eg, prostitutes). Neither the patient nor her partner had engaged in any other high-risk activities for AIDS, such as intravenous drug abuse.
Effects of Teacher- and Self-Administered Procedures on the Spelling Performance of Learning-Handicapped Children.

Abstract Four educationally handicapped children participated in a study designed to compare the relative effectiveness of teacher-administered and self-administered procedures. A modified reversal design was used to compare the two procedures. Measures of on-task behavior and arithmetic performance were gathered to assess response generalization. Both the teacher- and self-administered interventions resulted in gains in spelling performance. However, self-administered procedures during treatment phases produced greater gains that were maintained at a higher level after treatment was withdrawn. Concurrent increases in the untreated on-task behavior were found, but no increases were obtained in arithmetic performance.