cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frontal Plane Tibiofemoral Alignment is Strongly Related to Compartmental Knee Joint Contact Forces and Muscle Control Strategies during Stair Ascent.

Static frontal plane tibiofemoral alignment is an important factor in dynamic knee alignment and knee adduction moments. However, little is known about the relationship between alignment and compartment contact forces or muscle control strategies. The purpose of this study was to estimate medial (MCF) and lateral (LCF) compartment knee joint contact forces and muscle forces during stair ascent using a musculoskeletal model implementing subject specific knee alignments. Kinematic and kinetic data from 20 healthy individuals with radiographically confirmed varus or valgus knee alignments were simulated using alignment specific models to predict MCFs and LCFs. Muscle forces were determined using static optimization. Independent samples t-tests compared contact and knee and frontal plane hip muscle forces between groups during weight acceptance and during pushoff. The varus group exhibited increased weight acceptance peak MCFs, while the valgus group exhibited increased pushoff peak LCFs. The varus group utilized increased vasti muscle forces during weight acceptance and hip adductor forces during pushoff. The valgus group utilized increased hip abductor forces during pushoff. The alignment dependent contact forces provide evidence of the significance of frontal plane knee alignment in healthy individuals, which may be important in considering future knee joint health. The differing muscle control strategies between alignments detail specific neuromuscular responses to control frontal plane knee loads.
Arguing for Adaptive Clinical Trials in Sepsis

Sepsis is life-threatening organ dysfunction due to dysregulated response to infection. Patients with sepsis exhibit wide heterogeneity stemming from genetic, molecular, and clinical factors as well as differences in pathogens, creating challenges for the development of effective treatments. Several gaps in knowledge also contribute: (i) biomarkers that identify patients likely to benefit from specific treatments are unknown; (ii) therapeutic dose and duration is often poorly understood; and (iii) short-term mortality, a common outcome measure, is frequently criticized for being insensitive. To date, the majority of sepsis trials use traditional design features, and have largely failed to identify new treatments with incremental benefit over standard of care. Traditional trials are also frequently conducted as part of a drug evaluation process that is segmented into several phases, each requiring separate trials, with a long time delay from inception through design and execution to incorporation of results into clinical practice. By contrast, adaptive clinical trial designs facilitate the evaluation of several candidate treatments simultaneously, learn from emergent discoveries during the course of the trial, and can be structured efficiently to lead to more timely conclusions compared to traditional trial designs. Adoption of new treatments in clinical practice can be accelerated if these trials are incorporated in electronic health records as part of a learning health system. In this review, we discuss challenges in the evaluation of treatments for sepsis, and explore potential benefits and weaknesses of recent advances in adaptive trial methodologies to address these challenges.
The Habitability Framework: Linking Human Behavior and Physical Environment in Special Education:

The concept of environmental design cybernetics is explained, and its effective use by special educators and architects in creating learning environments is discussed. A proposed habitability frame...
Linking Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Animal Cruelty

For years social science has demonstrated a link between animal abuse and human violence but the legal system has been slow to recognize this link. This article discusses the link among domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse in the home and how one jurisdiction, the District of Columbia, is addressing this complex and integrated cycle of abuse as family abuse. The legal proposals include mandatory cross-reporting of abuse between child services and animal protection services, recognizing pet abuse with the intent of injuring a human family member as grounds for an intra-family abuse protective order, providing companion animal protection in protective orders, and creating safe havens for all abused family members, including the pet.
Alloy Chemistry of Thorium, Uranium, and Plutonium Compounds

This paper is concerned with intermetallic compounds between the A elements thorium, uranium, and plutonium and X elements from the chromium group through the Si group. Thorium, U, and Pu differ from the transition elements in the crystal structure of their com pounds, in that Th, U, and Pu form compounds with definite stoichiometric ratios and never form sigma phases or other compounds which are characterized by variable composition. Furthermore, the thoride elements tend to form compounds with an average atomic volume greater than that predicted from the atomic volumes of the elements, while transition elements generally form compounds which show a contraction in the average atomic volume.
The ERM family member Merlin is required for endometrial gland morphogenesis

Disruption of endometrial gland formation or function can cause female infertility. Formation of endometrial glands via tubulogenesis of luminal epithelial cells requires the establishment and maintenance of cell polarity and cell adhesion. The FERM domain-containing protein Merlin coordinates epithelial cell polarity and cell adhesion and is critical for epithelial tissue function in the skin and kidney. We now demonstrate a requirement for Merlin in endometrial gland development. Conditional deletion of Merlin in the endometrium results in female infertility caused by the absence of gland formation. Interestingly, we observed glandular epithelial markers within discrete groups of cells in the Merlin-deficient luminal epithelium. Wnt signaling, a pathway necessary for endometrial gland development is maintained in Merlin-deficient endometrium, suggesting the glandular fate program is active. Instead, we observe increased levels of apical actin and markers indicative of high membrane tension on the basal surface of the Merlin-deficient luminal epithelium. These findings suggest that the structural integrity of the luminal epithelium during gland formation is required for appropriate endometrial tubulogenesis and tissue function. Moreover, our work implicates Merlin-dependent regulation of mechanical tension in the proper formation of endometrial gland architecture and function.
Environmental gradients in old-growth Appalachian forest predict fine-scale distribution, co-occurrence, and density of woodland salamanders

Woodland salamanders are among the most abundant vertebrate animals in temperate deciduous forests of eastern North America. Because of their abundance, woodland salamanders are responsible for the transformation of nutrients and translocation of energy between highly disparate levels of trophic organization: detrital food webs and high-order predators. However, the spatial extent of woodland salamanders' role in the ecosystem is likely contingent upon the distribution of their biomass throughout the forest. We sought to determine if natural environmental gradients influence the fine-scale distribution and density of Southern Ravine Salamanders (Plethodon richmondi) and Cumberland Plateau Salamanders (P. kentucki). We addressed this objective by constructing occupancy, co-occurrence, and abundance models from temporally replicated surveys within an old-growth forest in the Cumberland Plateau region of Kentucky. We found that Plethodon richmondi had a more restricted fine-scale distribution than P. kentucki (mean occupancy probability [ ψ¯^ ] = 0.737) and exhibited variable density, from 1000 individuals per hectare, associated with increased soil moisture and reduced solar exposure due to slope face. While more ubiquitously distributed ( ψ¯^ = 0.95), P. kentucki density varied from 1,000 individuals per hectare and was inversely related to increased solar exposure from canopy disturbance and landscape convexity. Our data suggest co-occurrence patterns of P. richmondi and P. kentucki are influenced primarily by abiotic conditions within the forest, and that populations likely occur independently and without evidence of biotic interaction. Given the critical role that woodland salamanders play in the maintenance of forest health, regions that support large populations of woodland salamanders, such as those highlighted in this study-mesic forest stands on north-to-east facing slopes with dense canopy and abundant natural cover, may provide enhanced ecosystem services and support the stability of the total forest.
Dermatologic manifestations in end stage renal disease

Skin manifestations are commonly seen in end stage renal disease (ESRD). Skin involvement in this population can be extensive and dramatically worsen quality of life. Close observation of the skin and nails of ESRD patients by clinicians allows for timely diagnosis and treatment, which ultimately improves quality of life and reduces mortality. In this article we focus on the cutaneous changes most commonly seen in ESRD patients. PubMed/Medline database search was done for published literature on skin manifestations in ESRD patients. All the available literature was reviewed and relevant articles were used to discuss about clinical features, pathogenesis, histology and treatment of each skin disorder in ESRD patients. Most commonly encountered skin manifestations in patients with ESRD are pruritus, xerosis, pigmentation changes, nail changes, perforating disorders, calcifying disorders, bullous dermatoses and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. Skin manifestations in ESRD can be difficult to treat and multiple comorbidities in this patient population can exacerbate these disorders. Many of the treatment options are experimental with evidence largely derived from the case reports and small clinical trials. More large-scale trials are needed to firmly establish evidence based treatment guidelines. Prompt evaluation and management of these disorders improve morbidity and quality of life in ESRD patients.
Resilience and Beliefs in the Effectiveness of Current Antiretroviral Therapies Among Recently Disengaged Low-Income People of Color Living with HIV

Consistent antiretroviral adherence is key to viral suppression, but many low-income people of color living with HIV are not optimally adherent due to a wide variety of interrelated social and stru...
Abstract 59: The pioneer transcription factor FOXA2 regulates integrin alpha 1 expression controlling prostate cancer bone colonization

Introduction. Approximately 30,000 men will die from prostate cancer (PCa) in 2018. When localized and detected early, it has a low rate of progression and metastasis, with successful treatment. However, some patients may progress to a more lethal castrate-resistant PCa. While this occurs, frequent bone metastases will arise, and patient prognosis typically falls to 3-5 years due to lack of therapy available. The purpose of this study was to unveil the mechanisms of PCa bone colonization, allowing us to identify novel targeted therapies to prevent and treat PCa. Methods. Gene expression profiling studies revealed a subset of metastatic PCa samples express the pioneer forkhead transcription factor, FOXA2. Consistently, we found FOXA2 abundance in a sample set of human PCa bone metastases, which may suggest a functional role for FOXA2. Protein analysis of common PCa cell lines revealed high levels of FOXA2 in aggressive bone metastatic PCa PC3 cells. To understand the role of FOXA2 in PCa metastasis, FOXA2 was stably knocked down in PC3 cells. Results. PC3 cells with FOXA2 knocked down (FOXA2-KD) failed to generate in vivo bone destruction following intra-tibial injection contradictory to their parental cell line. To elucidate how FOXA2 is orchestrating these changes, we assessed the expression of all integrins and observed that loss of FOXA2 decreased mRNA and protein expression of the collagen-I binding integrin α1. Furthermore, we found FOXA2-KD decreased PC3 cells’ adhesion, spreading, and downstream Integrin α1 signaling cascades on collagen-I (a major component of bone ECM) coated surfaces. Additionally, a neutralizing antibody to integrin α1 was administered to PC3 Control cells, prompting the same adhesion pattern, solidifying that this integrin is critical to collagen-I adherence. Through ChIP analysis, we learned that FOXA2 directly regulates the ITGA1 gene promoter. Lastly, we overexpressed integrin α1 in PC3 FOXA2-KD cells and rescued the adherence properties. Conclusions. Taken together, the FOXA2-controlled expression of integrin α1 resulted in changes to adherence, spreading, and integrin signaling, providing a mechanism for how PCa cells colonize the bones. Funding: This research is supported by DOD grant (W81XWH-12-1-0212), NIH grants (R03 CA212567 and R01 CA226285), LSUHSC startups (FWCC and Office of Research) to XY, and Carroll Feist Pre-doctoral Fellowship to ZC. Citation Format: Zachary M. Connelly, Shu Yang, Nazih Khater, A. Wayne Orr, Renjie Jin, David Degraff, Colm Morrissey, Eva Corey, Robert Matusik, Xiuping Yu. The pioneer transcription factor FOXA2 regulates integrin alpha 1 expression controlling prostate cancer bone colonization [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 59.
Step-Up Therapy in Black Children and Adults with Poorly Controlled Asthma

Abstract Background Morbidity from asthma is disproportionately higher among black patients than among white patients, and black patients constitute the minority of participants in trials informing...
Gene editing using CRISPR enables FOXP3 gene repair in HSPCs and IPEX patient T cells

Background & Aim Immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked (IPEX) syndrome is the prototypical primary immune regulatory disorder caused by mutations in the forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) gene, a critical transcription factor required for regulatory T cells (Tregs). Patients typically present with severe early onset autoimmune manifestations that can be fatal within the first year of life. Currently, the only cure for IPEX is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), but this comes with risk of complications and the survival probability at 15 years is 73.2% (F. Barzaghi et al 2018). Moreover, a suitable donor is not always available. As a monogenic immune disease with limited treatment options, IPEX is an ideal candidate for a gene therapy approach whereby patient hematopoietic stem cells are gene edited and reinfused for autologous transplant. Methods, Results & Conclusion We developed a CRISPR/Cas9 approach combined with AAV delivery of a donor template to restore FOXP3 expression at the endogenous locus, permitting regulated expression of wild-type FOXP3 irrespective of downstream mutations. We were able to edit CD4+ effector T cells (Teff) and Tregs, showing that they maintain characteristic phenotypic markers and are functional in vitro. IPEX patient Tregs edited with the construct had partial restoration of both FOXP3 expression and functional suppression upon co-culture with responder T cells. Gene edited cord blood hematopoietic stem and progenitor Cells (HSPCs) are capable of long-term engraftment in humanized mice and differentiate into multiple hematopoietic subsets (CD13, CD19, CD56, CD3) and partially reconstitute Tregs (CD4+CD25+FOXP3+). These results demonstrate the feasibility of using gene edited HSPCs and hold promise for autologous transplant in genetic autoimmune diseases such as IPEX syndrome.
The Ethics of Precision Rationing: Human Genetics and the Need for Debate on Stratifying Access to Medication

Rising prices for new, transformative therapies are challenging health systems around the world, leading many payers and providers to begin rationing access to treatments, even in the countries that have been most resistant to doing so. This is the case for direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, little attention has been paid to the increasing role that human genetics might play in rationing decisions. Researchers have already proposed that genetic markers associated with spontaneous HCV clearance could be used to restrict DAA access for some patients, although treatment would be medically beneficial for those patients. Would such forms of rationing present a form of genetic discrimination? And what of the public health implications of these approaches? Here we present an ethical analysis of such proposals for "precision rationing" and raise 4 key areas of concern. We argue that ethical issues arising in this area are not substantively different from the pressing ethical issues regarding rationing and discrimination more broadly, but provide important impetus for motivating broad public debate to find ethically sound ways of managing genomics and new expensive medications.
Effects of bilingualism on age at onset in two clinical Alzheimer's disease variants

Introduction The effect of bilingualism on age at onset has yet to be examined within different clinical variants of Alzheimer's disease. Methods We reviewed the research charts of 287 well-characterized participants with either amnestic Alzheimer's dementia or logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA) and identified bilingual speakers based on regular use of two or more languages and/or ability to communicate with native speakers in two or more languages. We evaluated whether bilingual speakers demonstrated a delay in age of symptom onset relative to monolingual speakers while controlling for other variables known to influence cognitive reserve. Results A 5-year delay in age at symptom onset was observed for bilingual relative to monolingual speakers with lvPPA. This delay in onset was not observed in the amnestic Alzheimer's dementia cohort. Discussion Bilingualism may serve as a unique cognitive reserve variable in lvPPA, but not in amnestic Alzheimer's dementia.
Electrochemical biosensors based on divinyl sulfone conjugation of DNA to graphene oxide electrodes

We immobilized unmodified, single-stranded (ss) DNA oligonucleotides on graphene oxide (GO) using divinyl sulfone (DVS). This is a new and useful method for generating DNA biosensors that avoids the need for modified oligonucleotides with synthetic attachment chemistry. This technique yields time and cost savings. The synthesis of unmodified oligonucleotides is simpler, quicker, and less expensive than modified DNA. DVS has two reactive vinyl groups that can link labile functional groups on the GO surface to the DNA. We show that the DNA nucleobase is covalently bonded to DVS. This opens the use of ubiquitous glassy carbon electrodes (GCE) for fabricating DNA biosensors by drop-casting GO. Reverse-complimentary DNA was detected using multiple electrochemical methods. The results show that DNA can be successfully conjugated to conductive carbon for electrochemical sensors. This is simpler than other methods for functionalizing carbon electrodes. This has clear advantages over gold electrodes in terms of its electrochemical potential window.
Mechatronic Systems, Sensors, and Actuators: Fundamentals and Modeling

Overview of Mechatronics What Is Mechatronics? R.H. Bishop and M.K. Ramasubramanian Mechatronic Design Approach, R. Isermann System Interfacing, Instrumentation, and Control Systems, R. Homkes Microprocessor-Based Controllers and Microelectronics, O. Novak and I. Dolezal An Introduction to Micro- and Nanotechnology, M. Goldfarb, A. Strauss, and E.J. Barth NEW! Mechatronics Engineering Curriculum Design, M. Grimheden Physical System Modeling Modeling Electromechanical Systems, F.C. Moon Structures and Materials, E.T. Enikov Modeling of Mechanical Systems for Mechatronics Applications, R.G. Longoria Fluid Power Systems, Q. Zhang and C.E. Goering Electrical Engineering, G. Rizzoni Engineering Thermodynamics, M.J. Moran NEW! Numerical Simulation, J. Sullivan Falcon Modeling and Simulation for MEMS, C. Purdy Rotational and Translational Microelectromechanical Systems: MEMS, Synthesis, Microfabrication, Analysis, and Optimization, S.E. Lyshevski The Physical Basis of Analogies in Physical System Models, N. Hogan and P.C. Breedveld Mechatronic Sensors and Actuators Introduction to Sensors and Actuators, M. Anjanappa, K. Datta, T. Song, R. Angara and S. Li Fundamentals of Time and Frequency, M.A. Lombardi Sensor and Actuator Characteristics, J. Parker Sensors, K.M. Lynch, M.A. Peshkin, H. Eren, M.A. Elbestawi, I.J. Garshelis, R. Thorn, P.M. Norris, B. Hosticka, J.F. Figueroa, H.R. (Bart) Everett, S.S. Ipson, C. Liu, N. Vazquez, and D. Nair Actuators, G.T.-C. Chiu, C.J. Fraser, R.H. Bansevicius, R.T. Tolocka, M. Sorli, S. Pastorelli, and S.E. Lyshevski Index
Intra-Seasonal Patterns of Rainfall from Daily Values

To understand rainfall climatology at the short period end of the spectrum, it is necessary to understand patterns in the day-by-day temporal and spatial variability of rainfall. Rain-fed agriculture thrives best under low-intensity, high-frequency rain days. Plans for flood management and erosion control need to account for the likelihood of intense, though infrequent, storm days. Unfortunately, the years for which daily data are available are limited for the three study sites in the East Sahel (Gedaref, Kassala, and Khartoum), and gauge data for this area at intervals of less than a day are non-existent in the WMO-GHCN archives. Daily gauge data are largely available before 1991 and after 1957. Recognizing their limited period of record, this chapter draws statistics from 6,570 daily values for Gedaref (GED); 12,045 daily values for Kassala (KAS); and 10,950 daily values for Khartoum (KHA). Several common procedures are described for analyzing the frequency and expected intensity of rain days—methods that should have application to other databases as they become available. As determined from prior studies by others in the Sahel (primarily the West Sahel), the three-station daily data in the East Sahel show that while most of the rain days have low intensity (mm/d), most of the annual rainfall is contributed by the fewer, high intensity events likely associated with local scale intense convective storm systems. The monsoon season in the Northeast Sahel (KHA) tends to be 20–30 days shorter than the season to the south at KAS and GED. The mid-seasonal behaviors of the three datasets are quite similar, with close to identical values for the cumulative percent (60 %) of annual precipitation by Day 225 (Aug. 13). Analytical “models” are developed to represent the expected seasonal distribution of daily rainfall using iterative least-squares. The expected timing of peak daily precipitation in percent of the annual total typically occurs about Day 223 (Aug. 11), differing among these three stations by only a matter of a few days.
Orderings and partition of PDE computations for a fixed-size VLSI architecture

The parallel iterative solution of systems arising from the finite element discretization of elliptic PDEs, is the problem considered here. A red-black ordering is introduced to increase the degree of parallelism of the computation. Space-time domain expansion techniques are used to partition the computation for a proposed fixed-size VLSI architecture.
Potemkin Portals or the Real Revolution? The State of E-Government in Egypt

Effective and optimized e-government in Egypt faces daunting challenges that are less technical in nature and more over the issues of institutional resistance and of political will. A review of the state of e-government in Egypt is presented with analysis focusing on the state of service implementation in 2012. The points of discussion on e-government covered here include: E-subjugation in the guise of e-government via information control and cyber-snooping; Institutional resistance to the transformation of routine functions into automated systems; Institutional resistance to transparency of government operations; Analysis of the state of Egyptian ministry websites on six dimensions of e-government development; Discussion on implementation of Egypt's e-government master plan; Commentary on the revolutionary potential of e-government augmented by vision, competence, and leadership; and Caveats that are important to note in moving the vision of e-governance from concept to practice.
Evaluation of fatigue-crack growth rates by polynomial curve fitting

Fundamental characterization of the constant-amplitude fatigue crack propagation is achieved by an analysis of the rate of change of crack length with change in number of applied loading cycles, defining the rate values such that they are consistent with the basic assumption of smoothness and continuity in the fatigue crack growth process. The technique used to satisfy the analytical conditions and minimize the effects of local material anomalies and experimental errors is that of fitting a smooth curve to the entire set of basic data by least square regression. This yields a well-behaved function relating the number of cycles to the crack length. By taking the first derivative of the function, the crack growth rate is obtained for each point. The class of curve fitting functions used in the analysis is the polynomial of degree n.
Electrical isolation of both left pulmonary veins by a single left atrial endocardial radiofrequency energy application: ablation of marshall bundle bypass

The muscular sleeve contained within the ligament of Marshall (Marshall Bundle, MB) has been implicated in triggering and/or maintaining atrial fibrillation. Its connections may form a conduit between the left atrium (LA) and the left pulmonary veins (PVs) and challenge PV isolation attempts. In this case, radiofrequency (RF) ablation at antra of both left PVs failed to affect venous electrical activity. However, isolation of both PVs occurred simultaneously with a single, short (14 seconds) RF energy application at the mitral isthmus. This was delivered at a site recording a complex continuous electrogram (duration 100 ms), interpreted as the site of a single connection between LA and MB.
Just-in-Time Smoothing Through Batching

This paper presents two methods to solve the production smoothing problem in mixed-model just-in-time (JIT) systems with large setup and processing time variability between different models the systems produce. The problem is motivated by production planning at a leading U.S. automotive pressure hose manufacturer. One method finds all Pareto-optimal solutions that minimize total production rate variation of models and work in process (WIP), and maximize system utilization and responsiveness. These Pareto-optimal solutions are found efficiently in polynomial time with respect to total demand by an algorithm proposed in the paper. The other method relies on Daniel Webster's method of apportionment for production smoothing, which produces periodic, uniform, and reflective production sequences that can improve operations management of the JIT systems. Finally, the paper presents the results of a computational experiment with the two methods.
Metabolism of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by Desulfovibrio sp. (B strain)

A sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfovibrio sp. (B strain) isolated from an anaerobic reactor treating furfural-containing waste-water was studied for its ability to metabolize trinitrotoluene (TNT). The result showed that this isolate could transform 100 ppm TNT within 7 to 10 days of incubation at 37°C, when grown with 30 mm pyruvate as the primary carbon source and 20 mm sulfate as electron acceptor. Under these conditions, the main intermediate produced was 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene. Under culture conditions where TNT served as the sole source of nitrogen for growth with pyruvate as electron donor and sulfate as electron acceptor, TNT was first converted to 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene within 10 days of incubation. This intermediate was further converted to toluene by a reductive deamination process via triaminotoluene. Apart from pyruvate, various other carbon sources such as ethanol, lactate, formate and H2 + CO2 were also studied as potential electron donors for TNT metabolism. The rate of TNT biotransformation by Desulfovibrio sp. (B strain) was compared with other sulfate-reducing bacteria and the results were evaluated. This new strain may be useful in decontaminating TNT-contaminated soil and water under anaerobic conditions in conjunction with toluene-degrading denitrifiers (Pseudomonas spp.) or toluene-degrading sulfate reducers in a mixed culture system.
The Adams–Novikov E2-term for Behrens' spectrum Q(2) at the prime 3

Abstract We compute the Adams–Novikov E 2 -term of a spectrum Q ( 2 ) constructed by M. Behrens. The homotopy groups of Q ( 2 ) are closely tied to the 3-primary stable homotopy groups of spheres; in particular, they are conjectured to detect the homotopy beta family of Greek letter elements at the prime 3. Our computation leverages techniques used by Behrens to compute the rational homotopy of Q ( 2 ) , and leads to a conjecture that the Adams–Novikov E 2 -term for Q ( 2 ) detects the algebraic beta family in the BP-based Adams–Novikov E 2 -term for the 3-local sphere.
Lim sup behavior of sums of geometrically weighted i.i.d. random variables

Abstract Geometrically weighted i.i.d. random variables { Y n } which are bounded above are shown to exhibit iterated logarithm type behavior. Specifically, if b > 1 and if the lower tail of the distribution of Y 1 approaches 0 fast enough, then lim sup n →∞ ( b −1) Σ n j =1 b 1 Y j ⧸ b n +1 = L , almost certainly, where L is the essential supremum of Y 1 .
Layer growth and dynamics of xenon films deposited on Ag(111)

We have used a surface-plasmon-resonance technique to probe Xe multilayer-film growth dynamics on vapor-deposited Ag(111) from 67 to 85 K. At low temperature, more than 10 statistical layers are observed, but above 75 K, films complete only about 2 layers before nucleating islands. We discuss activation energies, long-term instabilities, and annealing trends, and show that the island nucleation correlates with underlying features of the substrate.
Species-specific polymorphism in the promoter of the apolipoprotein A-I gene: restoration of human transcriptional efficiency by substitution at positions −189, −144 and −48 bp

Previous studies indicate that species-specific differences in apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) expression could be largely explained by cis-acting factors located within or near the 5' flanking region (-231 to +223 bp, where +1 is the start site of transcription). In the present studies, we have localized 7 sites within the (-231 to -15 bp) region of the African green monkey apo A-I gene that differ from the human apo A-I gene 5' flanking region. To identify which of the 7 polymorphic sites were essential for the species-specific differences in apo A-I gene expression, mutated promoter constructs were transfected into HepG2 cells and reporter gene expression was measured. Each of the 7 sites within a defined 5' flanking region of the human gene was individually mutated to the African green nucleotide sequence found at that position. Three of the sites (-189, -144 and -48) were found to raise the human apo A-I promoter activity to approx. 60-65% of the African green promoter. While double mutations (-144/-48 bp and -189/-144 bp), restored the human apo A-I promoter activity to 100% of that found with the African green monkey promoter. Additional studies revealed similar DNA: protein interactions with DNA probes from either human or African green monkey and HepG2 cell nuclear extract. In conclusion, these studies demonstrate that double and triple nucleotide substitutions within the human apo A-I promoter are sufficient to restore gene expression in HepG2 cells to levels seen with the African green monkey promoter. These data suggest that sites -189, -144 and -48 bp are involved in significantly altering the binding affinity of a nuclear factor determining the species-specific level of apo A-I gene transcription.
Isolation and partial characterization of bovine and equine factor D.

Abstract Bovine and equine factor D were purified to apparent homogeneity as evidenced by a single protein staining band on 7.5–17.5% SDS-PAGE slab gels under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. An apparent mol. wt of 15,000 for bovine D and 22,500 for equine D were noted after SDS-PAGE gel analysis of both reduced and non-reduced preparations. A single polypeptide chain for both proteins was evidenced by the lack of any change in the electrophoretic mobility under each of these conditions. The bovine and equine D were enriched 3347- and 9447-fold, with a 20 and 29% yield of hemolytic activity, respectively. Functionally, both equine and bovine D would reconstitute a human reagent deficient in D (RD), while human or equine D would substitute for bovine D when using a bovine RD. Neither bovine, equine or human D would, however, reconstitute an equine RD.
Spatial structures in predator-prey communities with hereditary effects and diffusion

Abstract We study a continuous time delay interaction model for predator-prey communities in which the species can also diffuse. Oscillatory traveling wave solutions are obtained. The amplitudes (and also the wavenumbers and frequencies) are seen to evolve slowly in time and to vary significantly over large regions of space due to the effects of small nonlinear terms in the model. These modulations (amplitude and dispersion relation) are found in terms of the parameters of the problem. Other authors have conjectured that these waves (which are nonlinear perturbations of linear waves) are stable, based on various restricted stability analyses. Based on a full stability analysis, we show that all such waves (both steadily progressing and steady solutions) are unstable. We conclude that periodic bifurcations from an equilibrium state are unstable, but periodic structure bifurcating from a finite amplitude spatially homogenous limit cycle can be stable.
PROJECTED OFFENDING AND CONTEMPORANEOUS RULE‐VIOLATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR HETEROTYPIC CONTINUITY*

This study integrated two methodologies, the vignette-based survey and the randomized laboratory experiment, to investigate the relationship between projected and actual offending behavior. Findings indicate that respondents' estimates of the likelihood they would drive drunk in a hypothetical vignette were positively correlated with whether they simultaneously cheated on a laboratory task to earn a cash bonus. Implications are discussed for both the prospective measurement and heterotypic continuity of criminal and antisocial behavior.
Type A and hardiness

The study examined the relationship between the Type A behavior pattern and personality hardiness and predicted an interaction between the two that would be influential for illness onset. Type A and hardiness were found to be conceptually different and empirically independent factors. Under high stressful life events, male executives who were high in Type A and low in hardiness tended toward higher general illness scores than any other executives. Type A and hardiness emerge from this study as bases for extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, respectively.
Hydrogen release from Ni/faujasite catalysts

Mono- and multimetallic Ni/NaY samples have been studied by static and dynamic techniques. The reducibility of Ni is dramatically enhanced by Pt clusters in supercages and by Mn ions blocking small zeolite cages. No H2 is trapped by NaY, but for Ni/NaY, NiPt/NaY, or NiPtMn/NaY more H2 is released in temperature programmed “desorption” (TPD) than can be adsorbed at 25 °C. Two phenomena are responsible for the apparent discrepancy between ad- and desorption: (1) Ni inside small cages can ad- and desorb hydrogen only when cage windows are widened by thermal vibration to permit passage of H2. (2) Above 500 °C the original reduction process Ni2+ + H2 = Ni0 + 2H+ is reversed, i.e. Ni atoms are oxidized by hydroxyl groups. This is confirmed by the H2 consumption in subsequent reduction. The high-temperature TPD feature can be used to estimate the amount of reduced Ni that is located in small cages.
Effects of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate on hepatic metabolism of free fatty acids.

Abstract The effects of dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (Bu 2 cAMP) on metabolism of free fatty acids by perfused livers from normal fed male rats were investigated. In one group of experiments, Bu 2 cAMP was added to the medium and infused at a constant rate to maintain concentrations of 0. 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, or 10.0 × 10 −5 M nucleotide in the perfusate plasma, assuming the nucleotide was not metabolized by the liver. Oleic acid was infused as the complex with albumin at the rate of 124.3 μmoles/hr. Uptake of free fatty acid by the liver was identical in all groups. Production of ketone bodies, however, increased, and output of triglyceride decreased with increasing concentration of Bu 2 cAMP. The nucleotide also stimulated output of glucose. Maximal effects were observed when the concentration of Bu 2 cAMP was approximately 2–3 × 10 −5 M . The output of very low density lipoproteins, as judged by flotation in the zonal ultracentrifuge, was also diminished by the nucleotide. In other experiments, 1- 14 C-oleate was infused (120.8 μmoles/hr)along with 2 × 10 −5 M Bu 2 cAMP, and the disposition of 14 C into CO 2 , ketone bodies, and esterified lipids was evaluated. Bu 2 cAMP depressed the proportion of 1- 14 C-oleate converted to triglyceride and increased the fraction converted to ketone bodies and CO 2 . Not only was ketogenesis stimulated, but a larger proportion of the ketone bodies was derived from exogenous fatty acid.
Common metrics for web-based mapping applications in academic libraries

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to establish common metrics for web-based mapping applications to facilitate user decision making and enhance information providers’ product design. Design/methodology/approach – The metrics were developed from a combination of literature review and case studies. From the literature review, the authors identified three major areas of assessment for web-based mapping applications. The authors then studied six online applications to refine the metrics. Findings – The results suggest that web-based mapping applications can be evaluated from three major aspects: data content, geographic information systems (GIS) functionality and usability. The authors have developed detailed measures for each factor through the evaluation of the six applications. Practical implications – The metrics developed from this study could be used as a standard for online spatial information users to choose appropriate products according to their needs. It can also provide valuable information f...
Glycosylated Hemoglobins and Long-Term Blood Glucose Control in Diabetes Mellitus

The glycosylated minor hemoglobin components Hb A1a+b and HbA1c are elevated in insulin-dependent juvenile diabetic patients, 3.2+/-0.7 (+/-1 SD) and 10.0+/-1.9% of total hemoglobin respectively, versus 2.1+/-0.4 and 4.9+/-0.7% in a normal non-diabetic control population. Total glycosylated hemoglobin components, Hb A1a+b+c, correlated with the degree of diabetic blood glucose regulation as measured by antecedent 24-h urinary glucose excretion determined in 220 diabetic patients immediately before, 1, 2, and 3 months prior to the HB A1a+b+c measurement. This assay for long-term blood glucose regulation was utilized to determine the effect of hyperglycemia on plasma cholesterol levels in 112 diabetic patients. Hb A1a+b+c levels correlated with plasma cholesterol levels, suggesting that long-term hyperglycemia is associated with hypercholesterolemia. It is suggested that glycosylated hemoglobin measurement is a good index of long-term blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.
Measurement of the amplitude and phase of pulses from passively mode-locked lasers

The amplitude and phase of ultrashort optical pulses generated by modelocked lasers yield information about the physical mechanisms that shape the pulse inside the laser. The form of the electric field of pulses with a duration of several tens of femtoseconds can only be retrieved through indirect diagnostic techniques, however. A number of protocols for determining the pulse field envelope have been developed in the past several years and, in this paper, we discuss the application of two pulse measurement techniques, including a novel linear interferometric method, to the measurement of the pulses from a colliding pulse modelocked (CPM) dye laser and a self-modelocked Ti:Sapphire laser.
ON THE PRESERVATION OF TYPHUS FEVER RICKETTSIAE IN CULTURES

1. Cultures of typhus fever rickettsiae were as a rule found to remain viable and virulent after being stored at 37 degrees and -20 degrees C. for several months, whereas they failed to survive when stored at the intermediate temperatures of 20 degrees and -4 degrees C. for 4 weeks and 10 days respectively. In one instance cultures were stored at 37 degrees C. for 8 months without having been transferred, and were subsequently found to be viable and infectious. 2. The conditions influencing such long survival of an organism which seems to require living tissue for multiplication (as filterable viruses do in general) are discussed. 3. Typhus-infected tissues (minced guinea pig tunica) suspended in a serum-Tyrode mixture in sealed flasks remained infectious at 37 degrees C. for at least 10 weeks. 4. Additional evidence for the etiological significance of the rickettsiae in typhus fever is obtained from the experiments described.
Interplay among Folding, Sequence, and Lipophilicity in the Antibacterial and Hemolytic Activities of α/β-Peptides

Host-defense peptides inhibit bacterial growth but manifest relatively little toxicity toward eukaryotic cells. Many host-defense peptides adopt α-helical conformations in which cationic side chain...
High-pressure liquid chromatography of carcinogen-nucleoside conjugates: Separation of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene derivatives

Abstract Conditions for obtaining rapid, high resolution separations of nucleic acid derivatives of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene using reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography are described. Direct reaction of dimethylbenzanthracene-5,6-oxide with poly(G) or poly(A) yields four and two major dimethylbenzanthracene-nucleoside conjugates, respectively. Incubation of [3H]dimethylbenzanthracene with poly(G) in a microsomal system leads to the formation of numerous guanosine derivatives, most of which differ from the 5,6-oxide products. The high sensitivity and resolution obtained in these studies demonstrate that high-pressure liquid chromatography will be a valuable technique for identification and characterization of other carcinogen-nucleic acid complexes.
Geomagnetic storms affect ozone in mesosphere

During geomagnetic storms, energetic electrons enter the upper mesosphere around 70 kilometers above the Earth's surface. These energetic electrons enhance the chemical reactions that produce nitrogen oxides (NOx), which can destroy ozone. If the nitrogen oxides are transported downward to lower altitudes in the stratosphere (below about 40 kilometers in altitude), they can destroy ozone in the ozone layer that protects life on Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Large solar energetic particle events have been shown to cause decreases in stratospheric ozone, but those large events are uncommon. The extent to which more common moderate-sized geomagnetic storms affect middle atmosphere chemistry has been uncertain.
Avoidance theory: Old wine, older bottles, a few new labels

Masterson & Crawford (~f & C) are to be commended for addreSSing a substantial range of the interpretive problems and empirical relationships that cluster under the label "avoidance." Further, I heartily endorse their identifying· the shortcomings of traditional two-factor theory, a theory that is stili taken seriously in spite of its continued inadequacy for handling relevant data that were available as long ago as 1957 (e.g. Sidman 1957; Sidman & Boren 1957b). On the other hand, their approach . shares a key weakness of hvo-factor theory, namely an adherence to the assumption of contiguous causation as essential to explanation. Further, most of the features that they add to motivational theorv under the fashionable buzzwords of "information" and "ecoiogy" involve relationships that have been ,handled within environment-based theory as it has developed . during the past decade. The existence of this alternative approach is acknowledged by ~I &. C, under the label of "descriptive theory"; yet they dismiss that theory, and seem unaware of its developments since 1969 or of recent experiments done \Ioithin its tradition, even eireriments that could be taken as supporting their position. Some of these developments that parallel but antedate their proposal are: a) There is a distinction between functions of proximal and of distal stimuli, delineated in rigorous detail by ~lyer(1971) in a volume that ~I & C include
Today's Forecast: Higher Thinking With a Chance of Conceptual Growth

Weather has all the characteristics of a motivating, authentic subject: Everybody has an interest in it and strong opinions about it. This interest has provided a way to tie science to a meaningful learning activity in an introductory meteorology course for nonscience students. The pedagogical foundation of such a course is that it is more important for students in science classes to learn to think like scientists than to accumulate facts; weather forecasting allows them to progressively apply their knowledge about the atmosphere by hypothesizing the next day's weather. By forecasting tomorrow's weather repeatedly throughout the course, students are given the opportunity to link what they are learning in class to a topic to which they all relate.
Re-evaluation of the effect of early nutritional experience on body weight

Abstract Male rats suckled in litters of 4, 10 and 14 pups showed significant differences in body weight at weaning, with the pups from the small litters being 20–30 g heavier than the pups from the large litter. Unlike the results of other published studies, these differences of body weight did not become larger as the rats grew to adulthood. It was concluded that overfeeding early in life may not reliably produce a marked elevation in the set point for body weight regulation.
When Experimental Findings Conflict with Everyday Observations: Reflections on Children's Category Learning.

Attempts to reconcile the ease with which young children naturally learn everyday categories with their frequent difficulty in acquiring artificial categories in the laboratory have taken different forms. Kemler Nelson suggested that one reason for the discrepancy may be that many everyday object categories have a family-resemblance structure that can be learned by means of a holistic mode of processing. While Ward et al. have recently questioned this account of why children learn family-resemblance categories easily, conclusions based on their laboratory data fail to provide a good explanation of the real-world case. Accordingly, it is suggested that the laboratory family-resemblance task used by these previous investigators may be unrepresentative and may fail to mimic crucial aspects of the everyday category-learning context. It is also suggested that aspects of Ward et al.'s methodology may lead them to underestimate holistic (or nonselective) processing.