cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Theory of Line Shapes

The theory of absorption line shapes is reviewed as a special case of the kinetic theory of gases. Correspondence with low-frequency transport results in corrections to the impact theory and the statistical theory of line-broadening. These corrections are observed to be related to the general question of non-Markovian effects in kinetic theory. The various classifications of line-broadening are described in terms of the most important driving mechanisms of the absorbing atom distribution function and the damping mechanisms due to collisions. High-frequency transport on the other hand suggests a modification of the correlation function approach closely related to the results of elementary scattering theory. The wing spectrum of a line may thus be analyzed in terms of the relevant microscopic collisional rates.
Conformational Dynamics and Allostery of Supramolecular Protein Assemblies: from the Nuclear Pore Complex to GroEL

Supramolecular protein assemblies participate in a broad range of cellular functions including transcription, translation, protein synthesis and folding, translocation of biomolecules, and cell division. Single particle cryo-electron microscopy is increasingly revealing the structure of diverse high molecular weight protein assemblies at ever higher resolution. While the static structure of these assemblies provides invaluable insight into their functional mechanism, important additional information is provided by their conformational dynamics. Here we present an unsupervised computational framework that is used to analyze the conformational dynamics of the majority of structures deposited in the Electron Microscopy Data Bank. Conformational dynamics are computed using normal mode analysis based on a recently established finite element framework, which is used to compute equilibrium thermal fluctuations, elastic strain energy distributions associated with specific conformational transitions, and dynamical correlations in distant molecular domains. Results are presented in detail for the nuclear pore complex from Dictyostelium discoideum and the chaperonin GroEL from Escherichia coli, revealing regions that are important to the stability of these molecules, as well as highly coupled dynamically in collective molecular motions. Results are publically available at http://www.cdyn.org and will be extended to include proteins in the Protein Data Bank, offering an important source of dynamical information that may be used to investigate the biological function of a broad range of molecules.
Community pharmacy-based research in Spain (1995-2005): A bibliometric study

Only one study evaluated the scientific activity in community pharmacies in Spain, and it was restricted to articles published in just two journals.Objective: To assess the scientific activity in community pharmacies in Spain through a bibliometric analysis of the original papers published during the years 1995-2005.Methods: IPA, MEDLINE, CSIC database and the journals Seguimiento Farmacoterapeutico y Pharmaceutical Care Espana were used as data sources. Production indicators, consumption indicators and the impact factor (IF) as a repercussion index were analyzed.Results: 122 articles were included in the review. The articles were published in 12 journals, 78.7% of them in Pharmaceutical Care Espana and Seguimiento Farmacoterapeutico. The mean number of authors per article was 4.2 (SD=2.1). The transitivity index was 71.3%. The total number of references cited in the articles was 2110. The mean number of references per article was 17.3 SD=9.3. The value of the insularity index was 57.6%. Self citation was 6.8% and the Price index was 66.5%. No impact factor was available for 6 journals.Conclusions: Publication of articles on community pharmacy-based research in Spain has undergone an important increase in the last 5 years. The existence of authors who publish very few studies, the high insularity index and the lack of randomized, controlled trials may be considered as negative indicators in community pharmacy-based research in Spain.
Release and formation of surface-localized ionic clusters (SLICs) into phospholipid rafts from colloidal solutions during coalescence.

Stimuli-responsive behavior of phospholipids in the presence of ionic surfactants utilized in synthesis of MMA/nBA colloidal particles was investigated. Utilizing 1-myristoyl-2-hydroxy-sn-glycero-phosphocholine (MHPC) phospholipid, and sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (SDOSS) surfactant as dispersing media in H 2 O, narrow unimodal particle size distributions of methyl methacrylate (MMA)/n-butyl acrylate (nBA) copolymers were synthesized. The particle diameters were 154 nm when a SDOSS/MHPC mixture was used and 161 nm using MHPC as the only surface-stabilizing species. When such colloidal dispersions are exposed to 1.7, 3.3, and 6.7 mM aqueous CaCl 2 and KCl electrolyte solutions, surface-localized ionic clusters are generated at the film-air interface that may serve as lipid rafts composed of crystalline phases of MHPC deposited on poly(MMA)/nBA films. These studies illustrate that it is possible to control release and morphology developments of surface phospholipid rafts on artificial surfaces.
Stereospecific synthesis of (E)- and (Z)-1-chloro-1,2-difluorostyrenes

Abstract ( Z )-2-chloro-1,2-difluoro-1-iodoethene and ( E )-2-chloro-1,2-difluoro-1-iodoethene successfully form stable zinc reagents. The zinc reagents successfully undergo Negishi coupling reactions with substituted aryl iodides to form ( E )- and ( Z )-1-chloro-1,2-difluorostyrenes.
From civil relations to racial conflict: Merchant-customer interactions in urban America

The 1992 Los Angeles riot, the boycotts of Korean-owned businesses, and the 1995 firebombing of a Jewish-owned store in New York's Harlem brought concerns about race and ethnic relations in black neighborhoods to the fore. Images of conflict seared into the public consciousness that black communities are fraught with racial animosity, with immigrant merchants pitted against black customers. The merchant-customer relationship has been cited as a catalyst to such conflicts. This image of conflict, however, is inconsistent with most merchant-customer interactions and does not reflect the full range of commercial life in black communities. Most merchant-customer interactions are civil and ordinary. Civil relations prevail because merchants foster civility, abate tensions, and thwart conflict. However, under conditions of extreme inequality, small events can trigger racial anger, and the symbolic significance of nonblack-owned businesses can become a stimulus of motivations for protest that leads to boycotts and firebombings. This study is based on 75 in-depth interviews of African American, Jewish, and Korean merchants and on 75 in-depth interviews with black customers and both participant and nonparticipant observation at five research sites in New York City and Philadelphia
Quantum cascade laser progress and outlook

Recent progress and outlook in quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in the mid- to far-infrared wavelength range (3.6-16 μm) are reviewed. Our recent work has focused on the development of high-power continuous-wave (CW) QCLs emitting in wavelengths of 4.3-6.3 μm at room temperature and above. For λ~6 μm, advanced heterostructure geometries, including the use of a thick electroplated gold, epilayer-side heat sink lead to the first remarkable high-power CW QCL performance above room temperature, and a buried-ridge heterostructure are demonstrated to improve significantly laser performance (i.e. , 579 mW at 298 K and operation up to 343 K) when combined with narrow laser ridges. Through re-engineering the optimized strain-balanced design, a similar excellent operation is achieved at 4.3-6.3μm. The pulse operations of the shorter wavelength (3.6-4 μm) and the long wavelength (8-16 μm) QCLs at room temperature are also demonstrated. Lastly, these results are put in the perspective of other reported results and possible future directions are discussed.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Synthesis and characterization of a tetramer, propyl 6-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-d-galactopyraosyl-(1→6)-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d- galactopyranoside

Abstract 6-O-Acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl-α- d -galactopyranosyl chloride (1a) was converted into the 1-sulfonate (1b), which was allowed to react with allyl alcohol in acetonitrile to give allyl 6-O-acetyl-2-O-benzoyl-3,4-di-O-benzyl-β- d -galactopyranoside (2). Compound 2 was O-deacetylated with ammonium hydroxide in methanol to give 3. Reaction of 1b with 3 under the same conditions of glycosidation gave the corresponding disaccharide 4. O-Deallylation of 4 gave with methanesulfonyl chloride or (chloromethylene)dimethylimminium chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide, to form the 1-chloro derivative 7. Compound 7 was converted into the 1-O-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)sulfonyl] derivative (8). O-Deacetylation of 4 followed by glycosidation with 8 gave the corresponding tetrasaccharide derivative 9 in 77% yield. Appropriate deprotection sequences gave the title tetramer. The structures of the glycosides were determined with the aid of both 1H- and 13C-n.m.r. spectroscopy. No evidence of α- d linkages was found.
Trade, Coasters, and Conflict in the Rio Pongo from 1790 to 1808

The movement from ship to shore and to merchant stores occurred prior to 1790 in the Rio Pongo, where an indigenous trading system between the coastal Baga and the Fula of the interior had long existed. Between 1790 and 1808 contact with the interior improved. A vibrant European and Eurafrican trading community developed at the mouth of the river and coalesced to oppose an attempt by the Sierra Leone Company to capture control of the river's commerce. More significant than the threat of monopolistic control was the company's opposition to slave trading. This study of trade, coasters, and conflict in the Rio Pongo outlines the importance of the landlord-stranger relationship, the interaction of slaving and legitimate commerce, the influence of long-distance African traders upon littoral trade and politics, and the manner in which traders and chiefs cooperated to forestall company success.
Laser microprobe analysis of soot precursor particles and carbonaceous soot

Samples of soot precursor particles and carbonaceous soot from a nonsmoking ethene diffusion flame have been analyzed by means of laser microprobe mass spectrometry (LMMS). The mass spectra of soot precursor particles from the lower flame display many peaks in the 200–300-amu range that are characteristic of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The most prominent of these are the masses 252, 276, and 300, which correspond to the isomers of C20H12, C22H12, and C24H12, respectively. These masses are among those predicted by Stein and Fahr to be the most thermodynamically stable (“stabilomers”) under typical hydrocarbon flame conditions, and they have been previously reported as components of soot collected from a variety of fuels and combustion configurations. Carbonaceous soot from the upper region of the flame yields mass spectra composed of carbon-hydrogen clusters, CxHy with x = 3 to 24 and y usually 0, 1 or 2. Smaller amounts of PAH-like species with masses in the 418 to 444 amu range are also found. These results suggest that the carbonization process observed in this flame is the dehydrogenation of the PAH species formed in the lower flame unaccompanied by polymeric growth. The LMMS technique provides a lower bound value of the hydrogen mole fraction XH of 0.36 (CH = 1.8) for precursor particles from the lower diffusion flame and 0.15 (CH = 5.6) for carbonaceous soot aggregates.
RAS mutations: impact on treatment outcome

SUMMARY RAS proteins belong to the MAPK network, an essential pathway for maintenance of normal vital processes such as proliferation and differentiation. RAS mutations are observed in 30–50% of colorectal carcinomas. The MAPK pathway and RAS proteins are part of a complex system that mediate signaling from the EGF receptors (EGFRs). Our review discusses the most recent evidence highlighting the role of KRAS mutations in patients who are offered anti-EGFR therapy. Furthermore, we discuss emerging evidence of the role of other predictive markers such as PI3K, PTEN, BRAF, NRAS, MET, IGFR-1 and p53 in patients who are receiving anti-EGFR therapy.
Faddeev wave function decomposition using bipolar harmonics

The standard partial wave (channel) representation for the Faddeev solution to the Schroedinger equation for the ground state of 3 nucleons is written in terms of functions which couple the interacting pair and spectator angular momenta to give S, P, and D waves. For each such coupling there are three terms, one for each of the three cyclic permutations of the nucleon coordinates. A series of spherical harmonic identities is developed which allows writing the Faddeev solution in terms of a basis set of 5 bipolar harmonics: 1 for S waves; 1 for P waves; and 3 for D waves. The choice of a D-wave basis is largely arbitrary, and specific choices correspond to the decomposition schemes of Derrick and Blatt, Sachs, Gibson and Schiff, and Bolsterli and Jezak. The bipolar harmonic form greatly simplifies applications which utilize the wave function, and we specifically discuss the isoscalar charge (or mass) density and the /sup 3/He Coulomb energy.
Sugar binding to purified fractions from bovine taste buds and epithelial tissue relationships to bioactivity

Abstract Binding of various sugars was compared in purified subfractions of taste buds isolated from bovine circumvallate papillae and of non-taste bud-bearing epithelium isolated from tissue surrounding these papillae. Binding of 14C-labeled sugars was greater in purified subfractions obtained from taste bud than from non-taste bud-bearing tissue and was, in general, greater in those taste bud subfractions in which a greater membrane purification was achieved. Binding specificity of the 14C-labeled sugars sucrose, fructose, glucose and of 14C-labeled cyclamate and saccharine was measured by competition of each 14C-labeled sugar or synthetic sweetener with its unlabeled homologous sugar in P4(B) taste bud subfractions; this binding, as shown for sucrose, was reversible and temperatue dependent. Essentially no competition of the 14C-labeled sugars, sucrose, fructose, glucose or 14C-labeled cyclamate and saccharine by their respective unlabeled homologues occurred in epithelial tissue P4(B) subfractions; this binding was not reversible. Binding specificity was further observed by the competition of 14C-labeled sucrose, fructose and glucose with each unlabeled sugar for binding sites on P4(B) taste bud subfractions; unlabeled sucrose was more effective in competing with each 14C-labeled sugar than was unlabeled fructose or glucose. The relatively non-sweet sugar lactose did not compete with 14C-labeled lactose in P4(B) subfractions from either taste bud or non-taste bud-bearing epithelial tissue. Binding of 14C-labeled sucrose in purified P4(B) bud subfractions was inhibited by increased concentrations of unlabeled sucrose, phospholipase C, neuraminidase, EDTA, NaCl and urea. Dissociation constants for sugar or synthetic sweetener binding were low (approx. 10−3 M) but in a rank order (sucrose > fructose > glucose ⪢ saccharine) consistent with preference and electrophysiological responses in cow. The cow is behaviorally indifferent to saccharine and lactose consistent with the data obtained in the present study.
Bad Neighbors, Bad Neighborhoods: An Inquiry into the Causes of Refugee Flows

This article provides an overview of the global refugee situation since the end of the Second World War categorizes the conflicts that have generated refugee flows for three selected years since 1969 and identifies the principal determinants for the increase in the number of refugees. The major findings are first that the increases are largely the result of conflicts within states primarily though not exclusively because of ethnic conflicts...; second that the average number of refugees per conflict has been increasing more rapidly than the number of countries producing refugees; and finally that there are `neighborhoods or entire regions containing countries with high levels of violence and refugee flow. (EXCERPT)
Evaluation of a contraction flow field on hydrodynamic damage to entomopathogenic nematodes-A biological pest control agent.

Mechanized production and delivery of biological pesticides presents challenges because the biological agents must remain viable during these processes. This study evaluates the effect of flow through an abrupt contraction, where flow characteristics similar to that found within bioprocesses and spray equipment are developed, on damage to a benchmark biological pest control agent, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). An opposed-pistons, contraction flow device generated volumetric flow rates ranging between 8.26 cm 3 /s and 41.3 cm 3 /s. Four EPN species were evaluated: Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis megidis, Steinernema carpocapsae, and Steinernema glaseri. Damage was quantified by counting living and dead EPNs. Optical and cold field emission scanning electron microscope (CFE-SEM) images provided qualitative information to describe how the damage occurred. The experimental flow field was completely described using FLUENT, a computational fluid dynamics program. Local flow parameters computed in FLUENT were compared to EPN damage. The type and extent of damage varied between EPN species. Damaged Heterorhabditis spp. generally remained whole with an internal rupture located near the center of the body, while Steinernema spp. most often broke into several pieces. The fast-transient stress field generated at the entrance to the contraction caused a momentary tensile loading and then relaxation that damaged the EPNs. At high flow rates, the tensile stresses became large enough to cause failure of the EPN structural membrane. The relative elasticity of the EPN structural membrane may explain the differences in damage observed between the species. It is speculated that the internal rupture of the Heterorhabditis spp. occurred during the processes of stretching and relaxing at the contraction entrance. Appreciable damage was observed at lower average energy dissipation rates for H. bacteriophora (1.23E + 8 W/m 3 ), H. megidis (1.72E + 8 W/m 3 ), and S. glaseri (2.89E + 8 W/m 3 ) compared to S. carpocapsae (3.70E + 8 W/m 3 ). Energy dissipation rates within an equipment component should be kept below 1 E + 8 W/m 3 to avoid hydrodynamic damage to EPNs. The relationship between average energy dissipation and EPN damage provides important information for future simulation efforts of actual spray equipment components.
Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the female urethra: Clinical and ultrastructural study suggesting a unique neoplasm

A case of clear cell adenocarcinoma arising in the female urethra is described. The tumor had a tubulocystic pattern and intracytoplasmic glycogen, resembling clear cell carcinomas that occur in the vagina and upper female genital tract. Ultrastructural study, however, showed abundant and elongated microvilli on the tumor cells, a feature not seen in clear cell carcinomas or other common forms of carcinoma arising in the female genital tract. Six other cases of similar tumors of the female urethra were found in medical literature, yet there was no example of this tumor in the bladder or male urethra. Clinical and ultrastructural observations suggest that clear cell carcinoma of the female urethra is a distinctive neoplasm. Abundant microvilli provide morphologic evidence supporting the possibility of origin from the mesonephros. Radical extirpative surgery with urinary diversion appears to be the treatment of choice.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamine E, and the proliferation of aortic smooth muscle cells

Smooth muscle cell cultures were obtained from the aortas of prepubertal guinea pigs. Cell proliferation in these cultures was inhibited by 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid, 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid, and their prostaglandin E derivatives, PGE1 and PGE2. Prostaglandin F derivatives, PGF1α and PGF2α, stimulated cell proliferation. Cell proliferation was also inhibited by 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid and 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid. The monoene and diene precursors of the triene acids, 9-octadecenoic acid and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, did not inhibit cell, proliferation. Indomethacin alone had no effect on cell proliferation, and indomethacin did not suppress the inhibition of cell proliferation with a triene acid. The antioxidant α-naphthol alone stimulated cell proliferation and suppressed prostaglandin E formation. α-Naphthol in the presence of either triene or tetraene acids also stimulated cell proliferation and suppressed prostaglandin E formation. The antioxidants butylated hydroxy toluene and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid either alone or in the presence of triene and tetraene acids stimulated cell proliferation and had no effect on prostaglandin E formation. Vitamin E either alone or in the presence of triene or tetraene acids stimulated cell proliferation and had no effect on prostaglandin E formation. More prostaglandin E was formed from 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid than from 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid in the presence of antioxidants. Vitamin E suppressed the inhibitory effects of both PGE2 and palmitic acid on cell proliferation. The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitors, caffeine and papaverine, suppressed the stimulatory effect of vitamin E on cell proliferation and enhanced the inhibitory effect of a triene acid on cell proliferation. Substrate and inhibitor specificities are consistent with the oxidative regulation of cell proliferation through the formation of hydroperoxy fatty acids. We propose that hydroperoxy fatty acids may regulate both cyclase and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase enzymes through sulfhydryl-disulfide interconversions. We suggest that this regulatory mechanism may help to explain the acculation of 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic acid in essential fatty acid deficiency, the effects of antioxidants on cell proliferation, and one of the several effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in proliferative disorders such as cancer and atherosclerosis.
Laser-Assisted Imprinting of Self-Assembled Nanostructures

Nanoscale structuring is a promising area in which the various processing methods are being developed. Based on the advantages of laser processing, associated with improved self-assembly technique, it is very effective to fabricate nanoscale structures, such as 3-D photonic bandgap structures, especially on the materials with high hardness and high melting point. This new approach to fabricating 3-D photonic bandgap structures on silicon will be presented. Self-assembly technique was used to deposit multi-layer of silica microparticles with a size of 0.81 μm. A pulsed KrF excimer laser (23 ns, 248 nm) was applied as the imprinting energy source.© 2006 ASME
Influence of different fats (Soybean oil, palm olein or hydrogenated soybean oil) on chemically-induced mammary tumors in rats

Abstract Mammary tumors were induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by a single feeding of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). The rats (21/group) were fed 5 or 20% of soybean oil (SBO), palm oil (PO), or hydrogenated soybean oil (HS). Where needed the diet of the rats fed PO or HS was augmented with SBO to ensure adequate essential fatty acid content. At 5% fat, tumor incidence was highest in SBO-fed rats. Tumor multiplicity, mean tumor weight and tumor burden were all highest in rats fed HS and lowest in those fed PO. At 20% dietary fat, tumor incidence was lowest in rats fed HS and similar in those fed SBO or PO. Tumor multiplicity, mean tumor weight and tumor burden were lowest in rats fed PO and highest in rats fed SBO. Our data suggest that palm oil is less active in the promotion of chemically induced (DMBA) mammary tumors in female rats than either soybean oil or hydrogenated soybean oil.
Identification of twelve mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in patients with pseudoachondroplasia

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH) is an autosomal dominant dwarfing condition characterized by disproportionate short stature, joint laxity, and early-onset osteoarthrosis. PSACH is caused by mutations in the gene encoding cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). We are reporting on mutations in COMP in 12 patients with PSACH, including ten novel mutations. Eleven of the mutations are in exons 17A, 17B, and 18A, which encode the calcium-binding domains, and one mutation is in exon 19, which encodes part of the carboxy-terminal globular domain. Two of the mutations identified are the common delGAC(1430-1444) in exon 17B, which accounts for 36% of identified PSACH mutations. This report increases the range of mutations in COMP that cause PSACH and provides additional evidence for the importance of the calcium-binding domains and the globular domain to the function of COMP.
Probability densitites and pulses

We show that any two densities can be related by an operator transformation. We use the method to obtain approximate densities when partial information is known. We apply it to the case of a propagating pulse and obtain an approximate intensity for an arbitrary time.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Key Roles for E2F1 in Signaling p53-Dependent Apoptosis and in Cell Division within Developing Tumors

Apoptosis induced by the p53 tumor suppressor can attenuate cancer growth in preclinical animal models. Inactivation of the pRb proteins in mouse brain epithelium by the T121 oncogene induces aberrant proliferation and p53-dependent apoptosis. p53 inactivation causes aggressive tumor growth due to an 85% reduction in apoptosis. Here, we show that E2F1 signals p53-dependent apoptosis since E2F1 deficiency causes an 80% apoptosis reduction. E2F1 acts upstream of p53 since transcriptional activation of p53 target genes is also impaired. Yet, E2F1 deficiency does not accelerate tumor growth. Unlike normal cells, tumor cell proliferation is impaired without E2F1, counterbalancing the effect of apoptosis reduction. These studies may explain the apparent paradox that E2F1 can act as both an oncogene and a tumor suppressor in experimental systems.
Psychosocial, ecological, and community perspectives on disaster response

Abstract Psychological intervention has grown in little more than a decade from an occasional afterthought in disaster response systems to a thriving enterprise; with that growth, however, have come features that sometimes resemble cottage industries, social movements, or, in extreme cases, evangelical cults. The social history of this evolution is reviewed from the perspective of participant observers, and the issues and implications of recent research are considered in the context of integrated models of theory, research, and application.
Cocaine exposure shifts the balance of associative encoding from ventral to dorsolateral striatum.

Both dorsal and ventral striatum are implicated in the “habitization” of behavior that occurs in addiction. Here we examined the effect of cocaine exposure on associative encoding in these two regions. Neural activity was recorded during go/no-go discrimination learning and reversal. Activity in ventral striatum developed and reversed rapidly, tracking the valence of the predicted outcome, whereas activity in dorsolateral striatum developed and reversed more slowly, tracking discriminative responding. This difference is consistent with the putative roles of these two areas in promoting habit-like behavior. Dorsolateral striatum has been directly implicated in habit or stimulus–response learning, whereas ventral striatum appears to be involved indirectly by allowing cues associated with reward to exert a general motivational influence on responding. Interestingly cocaine exposure did not uniformly enhance processing across both regions. Instead cocaine reduced the degree and flexibility of cue-evoked firing in ventral striatum while marginally enhanced cue-selective firing in dorsolateral striatum. Thus cocaine exposure causes regionally specific effects on neural processing in striatum; these effects may promote the habitization of behavior by shifting control from ventral to dorsolateral regions.
Encoder rate control for block-based distributed video coding

Distributed video coding is a new paradigm for video compression based on the Slepian-Wolf and Wyner-Ziv theorems. Wyner-Ziv video coding, a lossy compression with receiver side information, enables low-complexity video encoding at the expense of a complex decoder. Most of the existing distributed video coding techniques require a feedback channel to determine the number of parity bits for decoding Wyner-Ziv frames at the decoder. However, a feedback channel is not available for some applications or a feedback channel-based decoder rate control may not be used due to delay constraints in wireless video sensor network applications. In this paper, an encoder-based rate control method for distributed video coding is proposed. The proposed solution consists of a low complexity side information generation method at the encoder and a rate estimation algorithm that determines the number of parity bits to be transmitted to the decoder. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with existing encoder-based rate control methods and a decoder-based rate control algorithm based on a feedback channel.
Seasonal Forecasting of Global Hydrologic Extremes: System Development and Evaluation over GEWEX Basins

AbstractSeasonal hydrologic extremes in the form of droughts and wet spells have devastating impacts on human and natural systems. Improving understanding and predictive capability of hydrologic extremes, and facilitating adaptations through establishing climate service systems at regional to global scales are among the grand challenges proposed by the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and are the core themes of the Regional Hydroclimate Projects (RHP) under the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX). An experimental global seasonal hydrologic forecasting system has been developed that is based on coupled climate forecast models participating in the North American Multimodel Ensemble (NMME) project and an advanced land surface hydrologic model. The system is evaluated over major GEWEX RHP river basins by comparing with ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP). The multimodel seasonal forecast system provides higher detectability for soil moisture droughts, more reliable low and high f low ense...
Muscle power and physical activity are associated with bone strength in older men: The osteoporotic fractures in men study

Abstract The purpose of these analyses was to explore whether physical activity score, leg power or grip strength were associated with tibia and radius estimates of bone strength, cortical density, or total bone area. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) was used to compare tibial and radial bone volumetric density (vBMD, mg/cm3), total (ToA, mm2) and cortical (CoA, mm2) bone area, and estimates of bone compressive strength (bone strength index, BSI) and bending strength (polar strength strain index, SSIp) in a subset (n = 1171) of men (≥ 65 years) who participated in the multi-site Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire (PASE), leg power by Nottingham Power Rig, and grip strength by a hand-held Dynamometer. Participants were categorized into quartiles of PASE, grip strength or leg power. The model was adjusted for age, race, clinic, weight, and limb length. In the tibia, BSI (+ 7%) and SSIp (+ 4%) were highest in the most active physically quartile compared to the least active (p
The spectrum of axonopathies From CMT2 to HSP

Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are characterized by the presence of lower extremity spasticity and weakness. They are genetically heterogeneous and are classified as pure or complicated, depending on the presence of other clinical features, one of which is peripheral neuropathy. Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2 (CMT2) refers to the axonal form of hereditary motor sensory neuropathy. While HSP and CMT2 have historically been viewed as distinct entities, divided by their predilection for central vs peripheral nerve axons, their clinical and genetic overlap is becoming increasingly recognized. Multiple HSP-associated genes, including BSCL2 (SPG17), atlastin-1 (SPG3A), NIPA1 (SPG6), spastin (SPG4), and KIF5A (SPG10), cause substantial involvement of peripheral nerves.1 Mutations in a single gene may cause either HSP or CMT2. Furthermore, HSP and CMT2 share several pathomechanisms, with causative mutations in both diseases occurring in genes involved in myelination, axonal transport, membrane trafficking, cytoskeletal organization, and mitochondrial function.1
Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta: worth waiting for or a novelty worn off?

Background: Since their inception nearly two decades ago, erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) have revolutionized the care of patients with renal anemia. Until recently, treatment options included the epoetins and darbepoetin alfa. As the use of these agents for chronic kidney disease (CKD) became widespread, the introduction of ESAs – touted for their longer-acting properties – was excitedly anticipated. Objectives: To review the option of methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta for ESA therapy in patients with renal anemia. Methods: Peer-reviewed scientific literature, published abstracts and renal business journals were reviewed in the writing of this opinion. Results/conclusion: Methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (CERA) is an effective long-acting ESA approved for treatment of renal anemia and available for use outside of the United States. CERA corrects and maintains hemoglobin (Hb) levels in patients with CKD and its efficacy mirrors that of the epoetins and darbepoetin alfa. CERA holds ...
Battery management for hybrid electric vehicles using supercapacitors as a supplementary energy storage system

Modeling and simulation of the energy storage system in conjunction with the converter system is a judicious and cost-effective method for extending and enhancing the increased life and increased operating range for hybrid and electric vehicles, golf carts, electric scooters, and wheelchairs. Similar optimization techniques are also of paramount significance for battery-powered backup systems such as UPS for computers and telecommunication systems. Considerable effort is put into the selection of the appropriate battery with specific regard to the battery's State-of-Charge (SOC) and battery reserve time during the discharge profile for the various loading conditions. The addition of supercapacitors to the battery in the energy storage system both improves the energy delivery of the system and extends the life of the battery. During peak demands, the battery alone would have to deliver and receive the high peak currents. At low SOC, the battery has a higher internal resistance and would tend to overheat and not be able to handle the current peaks. Using supercapacitors, which have inherently low ESR, allows a realizable and efficient storage system for these high peak currents, and thus the performance of the energy storage system is enhanced, the efficiency and operating time improved, and the battery life extended.
The Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale: Confirming the factor structure with beginning pre-service teachers

Abstract This study examined the factor structure of the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (TSES; Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001 ) using the scores of pre-service teachers at the beginning stage of teacher development to gather internal structure score validity evidence. Two plausible rival models derived from prior research were tested using CFA. Results showed good fit for both models; however, high inter-factor correlations indicate strong support for the unidimensional model. Findings suggest that pre-service teachers who lack pedagogical knowledge and teaching experience do not differentiate between the different aspects of teaching measured by the TSES. Questions for future research are raised.
Occurrence of Tumor-Bearing Dover Sole (Microstomus pacificus) off Point Arguello, California and off Baja California, Mexico

Abstract Twelve Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus Lockington) with epidermal tumors have been located in museum collections of specimens from coastal waters off central California and off Baja California, Mexico. Data from these specimens extend the known range of tumor-bearing flatfish south along the Pacific Coast of North America and document the occurrence of affected specimens in areas distant from sources of waste discharge.
An Empirical Assessment of the Overlap Between Sexual Victimization and Sex Offending

There has been a recent proliferation in the number of studies that are investigating the phenomenon that has been coined the victim–offender overlap. There has been noticeably less attention toward examining the sexual victimization and sex offending overlap. Acknowledging this gap in the literature, the present study provides an assessment of this overlap among a large sample of male prisoners with a focus on the cycle of violence hypothesis. Bivariate results reveal a considerable degree of overlap between sexual victimization and sex offending, and multivariate results estimated from a series of bivariate probit models simultaneously assessing both outcomes suggest that experiencing emotional abuse early on in the life-course is a robust risk factor for experiencing sexual victimization and demonstrating sex offending behavior. Furthermore, being physically neglected and witnessing family violence also emerged as significant risk factors for sexual victimization. Study limitations and policy implicati...
The molecular Koch's postulates and surgical infection: a view forward.

The only way I know how to make sense out of the last fifty years of molecular biology is to abandon the mechanistic and atomistic ideas of the pre-DNA era and embrace a more organic, cognitive and computational view of cells and genomes. There are no units, only interactive systems. Bacteria continually pick up and process information about the environment, internal conditions and other cells to decide on appropriate biochemical and biomechanical actions. The takehome lesson of more than half a century of molecular microbiology is to recognize that bacterial information processing is far more powerful than human technology.
The importance of negative defensive medicine in the effects of malpractice reform.

This article presents a model of physician and insurer behavior in which the practice of defensive medicine, both positive and negative, can arise. Accounting for negative defensive medicine, and insurers’ reaction to it, leads to different predictions of the effects of changing malpractice pressure compared to past models. Rising malpractice pressure causes both health care spending and quality to increase up to a threshold, and decrease thereafter. This non-monotonicity implies that malpractice reform is not a “silver bullet” capable of achieving both cost reductions and quality improvements for all consumers. The results can further explain inconsistent findings in the empirical literature and suggest alternative specifications for estimating the effects of malpractice reform.
Determinants of post-congressional lobbying employment

This paper studies the determinants of lobbying-employment decisions of former members of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 105th–108th Congresses. The main empirical findings indicate that there are two groups more likely to become lobbyists: members not re-elected who had more conservative voting records and held important committee assignments and longer-serving members who voluntarily retired and voted less conservatively in their last term compared to their previous terms in office. A decomposition analysis confirms that the revolving doors for the two groups of legislators differ because of differences in employer response rather than in legislator characteristics.
Mass spectrometric characterization of performance of a low-temperature oxidation catalyst

Abstract A low-temperature oxidation catalyst (monolithic Pt-TiO 2 ) has been characterized by studying the oxidation of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) at 350–523 K under low pressure conditions. The concentrations of reagents (DMMP and O 2 ) and products (CO, CO 2 and H 2 O) were directly sampled and analyzed with a computer-controlled mass spectrometer during the course of reaction. The major oxidation products detected were CO 2 and H 2 O. The reaction was studied as a function of temperature, pressure and DMMP/O 2 ratios. The apparent activation energies of formation of CO 2 and H 2 O were found to be 3.6 and 4.2 kcal mol −1 respectively. A comparison of performance between the monolithic catalyst and three-way pelleted automotive catalysts was made. It was found that the monolithic catalyst shows performance characteristics superior to three-way automotive catalysts in terms of operating temperature, DMMP destruction efficiency and reaction products. The difference in performance of these two catalysts may be due to the configuration of the substrate and Pt loading. Results of surface spectroscopic analysis (SAM and XPS) reveal the formation of P 2 O 5 on catalyst surfaces.
Mitochondrial dna damage and impaired mitochondrial function contribute to apoptosis of insulin-stimulated ethanol-exposed neuronal cells.

Background: Ethanol inhibition of insulin signaling may contribute to impaired central nervous system development in fetal alcohol syndrome. An important consequence of ethanol inhibition of insulin signaling is increased apoptosis due to reduced levels of insulin-stimulated phosphoinositol-3-kinase activity. Methods: We used viability assays, end-labeling, Western blot analysis, and MitoTracker (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR) fluorescence labeling to determine whether ethanol-induced central nervous system neuronal cell death was mediated in part by increased mitochondrial (Mt) DNA damage and impaired Mt function. Results: In ethanol-exposed, insulin-stimulated PNET2 central nervous system–derived human neuronal cells, reduced viability was associated with increased Mt DNA damage, reduced Mt mass (manifested by reduced Mt protein expression and MitoTracker Green fluorescent labeling), and impaired Mt function (manifested by reduced levels of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide activity, cytochrome oxidase-Complex IV, Subunit II expression, and MitoTracker Red fluorescence). The adverse effects of ethanol on Mt function were reduced by pretreating the cells with broad-spectrum caspase inhibitors and nearly abolished by nerve growth factor stimulation, with or without concomitant treatment with global caspase inhibitors. Conclusions: These results suggest that ethanol-induced death of insulin-stimulated immature neuronal cells is mediated in part by impaired Mt function associated with Mt DNA damage and reduced Mt mass, and therefore it is likely to contribute to neuronal loss associated with fetal alcohol syndrome. The findings also suggest that the adverse effects of ethanol on insulin-stimulated survival and metabolic function could be overcome by stimulating with growth factors that support Mt function through insulin-independent pathways.
Perceived Effectiveness of Acupuncture: Findings From the National Health Interview Survey

ABSTRACT Background: Knowledge of perceived benefit from acupuncture treatment is important to predict who is using acupuncture, to inform physicians of the possible benefits of acupuncture, to determine where rigorous research should be focused, and to help policy makers predict future demand. Objectives: To determine the proportions of survey respondents who reported perceived effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for specific conditions; and to determine the association of specified demographic variables with perceived effectiveness. Design, Setting, and Participants: Publicly available data from 31,044 noninstitutionalized US adults who participated in the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, a cross-sectional in-home computer-assisted interview. Outcome Measures: The proportions of participants reporting “any help” and “great help” for perceived effectiveness across conditions treated and per condition treated; and the association of the subgroups within age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), along ...
Calibration, sharpness and the weighting of experts in a linear opinion pool

Linear opinion pools are the most common form of aggregating the probabilistic judgments of multiple experts. Here, the performance of such an aggregation is examined in terms of the calibration and sharpness of the component judgments. The performance is measured through the average quadratic score of the aggregate. Trade-offs between calibration and sharpness are examined and an expression for the optimal weighting of two dependent experts in a linear combination is given. Circumstances where one expert would be disqualified are investigated. Optimal weights for the multiple, dependent experts are found through a concave quadratic program.
Detection thresholds for isolated vowels.

A series of experiments on the detectability of vowels in isolation has been completed. Stimuli consisted of three sets often vowels, one synthetic, one from a male talker, and one from a female talker. Vowel durations ranged from 20–160 ms. Thresholds for detecting the vowels in isolation were obtained from well‐trained, normal‐hearing listeners using an adaptive‐tracking paradigm. Detection thresholds for vowels calibrated for equal sound pressure at the earphones differed by as much as 20 dB across vowels. However, the same patterns of thresholds obtained for the vowel set were obtained for all vowel durations. An orderly decrease in vowel thresholds was obtained for increased duration, as predicted from temporal integration for pure tones. Several different analyses have been conducted in an attempt to explain the differential detectability for the various vowels within each set. The most detailed of these analysis involved a model developed by Moore and Glasberg (1987) for calculating excitation patterns and the corresponding loudness level in phons. While that model provided improved explanatory power over other models tried, further refinements of perceptual models of loudness will be needed to explain these data. [Research supported by NIH and AFOSR.]
Decreasing river discharge in northern Canada

[1] Freshwater discharge to high-latitude oceans in 64 Canadian rivers is investigated. The mean annual discharge rate attains 1252 km3 yr−1 for an area of 5.6 × 106 km2, equating to a sink of 225 mm yr−1 in the surface water budget of northern Canada (excluding the Arctic Archipelago where insufficient data exist). Application of the Mann-Kendall test to the data reveals a 10% decrease (−125 km3 yr−1 or −22 mm yr−1) in the total annual river discharge to the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans from 1964 to 2003. This trend in river runoff is consistent with a 21 mm yr−1 decline in observed precipitation over northern Canada between 1964 and 2000. We find evidence of statistically-significant links between the Arctic Oscillation, El Nino/Southern Oscillation, and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation to the total annual freshwater discharge in northern Canada's rivers at interannual-to-decadal timescales.
A 34% PAE, 18.6dBm 42–45GHz stacked power amplifier in 45nm SOI CMOS

A two-stack 42–45GHz power amplifier is implemented in 45nm SOI CMOS. Transistor stacking allows increased drain biasing to increase output power. Additionally, shunt inter-stage matching is used and improves PAE by more than 6%. This amplifier exhibits 18.6dBm saturated output power, with peak power gain of 9.5dB. It occupies 0.3mm2 including pads while achieving a peak PAE of 34%. The PAE remains above 30% from 42 to 45GHz.