cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quasiparticle band structures of short-period superlattices and ordered alloys of AlN and GaN.

Quasiparticle band structures of short-period superlattices and ordered alloys of AlN and GaN are calculated using the GW approximation. The calculated gaps range from 3.1 eV to 5.8 eV. Two types of structural materials are studied: zinc-blende superlattices in the (111) direction and hexagonal wurtzite superlattices and ordered alloys in the (001) direction. Comparisons between band structures of these materials using folding of Brillouin zone points and the transition from an indirect to direct gap semiconductor in the zinc-blende compounds are discussed. All of the wurtzite structures studied are found to have direct band gaps with values between 3.5 and 5.8 eV. The 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 and 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2 AlN/GaN zinc-blende superlattices have direct gaps of 4.4 eV and 4.3 eV, respectively, whereas the 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 AlN/GaN superlattice gap is 4.6 eV and is indirect. Several fundamental gaps are predicted and remain to be tested by experiment.
Hypothetical death rates of patients with implantable defibrillators remain very hypothetical

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are very effective in preventing sudden death.‘-‘* However, controversies still exist with regard to the benefit of the therapy in prolongation of life because of the lack of controlled studies.13J4 In the absence of controlled studies, many investigators have used different approaches to determine survival benefits of ICD therapy.13-r6 One method used by many investigators involves projected survival rates.&‘O By this method, it is assumed that an appropriate discharge from the ICD saves life from a fatal recurrence of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. From this, it is assumed that the patient would have died at the time of the lirst appropriate discharge if it had not been the ICD (hypothetical deaths). The difference between the actual survival rate and the hypothetical survival rate is considered as evidence of the benefit of ICD therapy. This method, however, has several important limitations. A#noprlaae versus inappropriate therapy: It is difficult in many cases to determine appropriateness of a therapy given by the ICD. Many investigators have used symptoms preceding ICD therapy to determine appropriateness of the therapy. Some investigators3-5 consider ICD therapy appropriate if it is preceded by presyncope or syncope. Others include lightheadedness,6 hypotensive symptoms,7 symptoms of a ventricular arrhythmias or breathlessness9 for this purpose. In some reports including one from our gro~p,~J~ all therapies were considered appropriate unless documented to be inappropriate. The widely varied deli&ions of appropriate therapy reflect the difficulty in determining appropriateness of a therapy by preceding symptoms alone. In addition, studiesliJ* suggest that symptoms preceding the therapy are often misleading for this purpose. Many patients with ventricular tachycardia remain asymptomatic before therapy with an ICD, whereas many patients with supraventricular tachycardia may experience significant symptoms before an “inappropriate” therapy with an ICD. It has been reported in abstracts, that up to 63% of episodes of ventricular tachycardia that meet the detection criteria may spontaneously terminate before therapy is begun with the ICD, as documented by a newer
The hypothesis that magnetic fields buoyantly convect in neutron stars

The hypothesis that a magnetic field convects out of the superconducting interior of a neutron star on a time-scale 10 6 -10 7 yr because of its individual quantized magnetic flux tubes is critically examined. The hypothesis in its current form equates the buoyancy force of a magnetic flux tube to the viscous force produced by electrons scattering elastically off the flux tube. The relevant processes is analysed with emphasis on the gravity-induced electric field.
Noise properties of the inverse π-scheme exponential radon transform

Because the effects of physical factors such as photon attenuation and spatial resolution are distance-dependent in single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), it has been widely assumed that accurate image reconstruction requires knowledge of the data function over 2(π) . In SPECT with uniform attenuation, Noo and Wagner recently showed that an accurate image can be reconstructed from knowledge of the data function over a contiguous (π) -segment. More generally, we proposed (π) -scheme SPECT that entails data acquisition over disjoint angular intervals without conjugate views, totaling to (π) radians, thereby allowing flexibility in choosing projection views at which the emitted gamma-rays may undergo the least attenuation and blurring. In this work, we study the general properties of the (π) -scheme inverse exponential Radon Transform, and discuss how to take advantage of the (π) -scheme flexibility to improve noise properties of short-scan SPECT.
Abstract P6-08-10: Cancer as self: a novel assessment of patient identity as it relates to a cancer diagnosis

Introduction: Previous studies have demonstrated that an individual9s attitude towards self may impact how one faces challenges. Those who view themselves as malleable (growth mindset) approach challenges and problems as a learning opportunity and an opportunity to improve and change. In contrast, those who are more fixed in their approach (fixed mindset) have difficulty with challenges or setbacks. In the present study, we applied this conceptual framework to a cohort of breast cancer patients to evaluate their attitudes towards the cancer diagnosis. The goal of this study is to test the internal validity of this questionnaire and to correlate its findings with patient-reported measures of depression, anxiety and insomnia. Methods: Twenty consecutive breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy completed an electronic survey consisting of 4 scales: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; 14 items), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI; 7 items), a validated psychological questionnaire assessing fixed versus growth mindset (8 items), and an experimental questionnaire evaluating whether the patient views their disease as self-defining. Demographic and clinical variables were also collected. A principal components factor (PCF) analysis was used to examine the internal structure of the new questionnaire. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed to assess its relationship to other variables. Results: Twenty patients completed the survey during the first week of radiotherapy. Median age was 57 (range, 31–81). Five patients (25%) had Stage 0 disease, 9 (45%) Stage I, 0 (0%) Stage II, 5 (25%) Stage III, and 1 (5%) Stage IV. Seven patients (35%) received chemotherapy while 13 (65%) did not. Eleven patients (55%) had significant others while undergoing treatment and 9 (45%) were single. The PCF analysis confirmed that the items of the experimental questionnaire were internally consistent (α = .88), such that all were retained in the final scale for subsequent analyses. The extent to which patients saw cancer as self defining was statistically significantly associated with their reported levels of depression ( r = .60, p r = .60, p Conclusions: Patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer who view the cancer diagnosis as self-defining are more likely to self-report depression, anxiety, and insomnia. In this cohort, the experimental questionnaire demonstrated strong internal validity. An intervention that alters patients9 perception of identity as it relates to the cancer diagnosis could be a promising compliment to the standard treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-10.
FINDING THE CONVEX HULL OF A SIMPLE POLYGON IN LINEAR TIME

Abstract Though linear algorithms for finding the convex hull of a simply-connected polygon have been reported, not all are short and correct. A compact version based on Sklansky's original idea (7) and Bykat's counter-example (8) is given. Its complexity and correctness are also shown.
Improved single and multicopy lac-based cloning vectors for protein and operon fusions

We describe several new vectors for the construction of operon and protein fusions to the Escherichia coli lacZ gene. In vitro constructions utilize multicopy plasmids containing suitable cloning sites located between upstream transcription terminators and downstream lac operon segments whose lacZ genes retain or lack translational start signals. Single-copy lambda prophage versions of multicopy constructs can be made genetically, without in vitro manipulation. The new vectors, both single and multicopy, are improved in that they have very low levels of background lac gene expression, which makes possible the easy detection and accurate quantitation of very weak transcriptional and translational signals. These vectors were developed for analysis of the expression of IS10's transposase gene, which is transcribed less than, once per generation, and whose transcripts are translated on average less than once each. Both single and multicopy constructs can also be used to select mutations affecting fusion expression, and mutations isolated in single-copy constructs can be crossed genetically back onto multicopy plasmids for further analysis.
High-frequency deep brain stimulation of the putamen improves bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease.

Deep brain stimulation is effective for a wide range of neurological disorders; however, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. With respect to Parkinson's disease, the existence of multiple effective targets suggests that putamen stimulation also may be effective and raises questions as to the mechanisms of action. Are there as many mechanisms of action as there are effective targets or some single or small set of mechanisms common to all effective targets? During the course of routine surgery of the globus pallidus interna in patients with Parkinson's disease, the deep brain stimulation lead was placed in the putamen en route to the globus pallidus interna. Recordings of hand opening and closing during high-frequency and no stimulation were made. Speed of the movements, based on the am- plitude and frequency of the repetitive hand movements as well as the decay in amplitude, were studied. Hand speed in 6 subjects was statistically significantly faster during active deep brain stimulation than the no-stimula- tion condition. There were no statistically significant dif- ferences in decay in the amplitude of hand movements. High-frequency deep brain stimulation of the putamen improves bradykinesia in a hand-opening and -closing task in patients with Parkinson's disease. Consequently, high-frequency deep brain stimulation of virtually every structure in the basal ganglia-thalamic-cortical system improves bradykinesia. These observations, together with microelectrode recordings reported in the literature, argue that deep brain stimulation effects may be system specific and not structure specific. V C 2011 Movement Disorder Society
An integrated array of multiple thin-film metal oxide sensors for quantification of individual components in organic vapor mixtures

Abstract This paper presents an integrated array consisting of eight thin-film metal oxide sensors and demonstrates its functional performance in analyzing mixtures of methanol and acetone. The sensors are fabricated into a 3.1 mm × 2.9 mm silicon chip in an eleven-mask process sequence. The sensing elements are constituted using single layers and bilayers of reactively sputtered thin films of SnO 2 , ZnO, TiO 2 , and WO 3 with and without Pd catalyst. Elevated sensor temperature is achieved through on-chip boron-diffused heating elements. The sensor responses are processed by an artificial neutral network for calibrating the sensor array and predicting the unknown vapor concentrations. The results show that the concentrations of acetone and methanol corresponding to the sensor responses can be quantitatively discriminated at a low cost of precision.
Evolutionary based moving target cyber defense

A Moving Target (MT) defense constantly changes a system's attack surface, in an attempt to limit the usefulness of the reconnaissance the attacker has collected. One approach to this defense strategy is to intermittently change a system's configuration. These changes must maintain functionality and security, while also being diverse. Finding suitable configuration changes that form a MT defense is challenging. There are potentially a large number of individual configurations' settings to consider, without a full understanding of the settings' interdependencies. Evolution-based algorithms, which formulate better solutions from good solutions, can be used to create a MT defense. New configurations are created based on the security of previous configurations and can be periodically implemented to change the system's attack surface. This approach not only has the ability to discover new, more secure configurations, but is also proactive and resilient since it can continually adapt to the current environment in a fashion similar to systems found in nature. This article presents and compares two genetic algorithms to create a MT defense. The primary difference between the two is based on their approaches to mutation. One mutates values, and the other modifies the domains from which values are chosen.
Effects of precursors on serially propagated Digitalis lanata leaf and root cultures

Abstract Serially propagated Digitalis lanata leaf and root cultures established from germinated seeds were studied for digoxin production. Leaf cultures were grown and maintained in a medium containing benzyl adenine, and root cultures in the same medium with indoleacetic acid. A consistently high digoxin content, as determined by radio-immunoassay, is present in the leaf culture (9.0 mg % dry wt) and in root culture (1.9 mg % dry wt) as compared to unorganized cells (0.06 mg % dry wt). Leaf liquid cultures grew very rapidly as compared to the root cultures and the unorganized cell suspension cultures. The concentration of digoxin increased in both leaf and root cultures by adding to the medium either sodium glycocholate, cholesteryl acetate, or progesterone. Smilageninacetate increased the digoxin content of root cultures but not that of leaf cultures. Lanosterol and 5β-androstan-3,17-dione did not significantly increase the concentration of digoxin. Deoxycholic acid was toxic to the tissues studied.
Dimerization of multiple maize ADHs studied in vivo and in vitro.

Anaerobically induced primary roots simultaneously express two alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) genes which specify three types of electrophoretically separable dimers: Set I, II, and III ADH. The S inbred line yields a particular activity ratio among these three sets. By use of an Adh1 null mutant allele and in vitro chemical dissociation and reassociation of ADH dimers, these studies extrapolate from an ADH activity ratio to the actual ratio of ADH protein. Conclusions are that (1) ADH1 and ADH2 promoters dimerize randomly in vivo and in vitro, (2) the heterodimeric isozyme (Set II) is approximately the enzymological sum of its subunits under these assay conditions, and (3) ADH-2 subunits are from 10 to 20% as active as ADH1 subunits under these assay conditions. These conclusions imply that the unlinked Adh genes are coordinately regulated and reconfirm the two-gene-three-dimer model for the maize ADH isozymes.
METABOLIC ACTIONS AND FATE OF INTRAVENOUSLY ADMINISTERED ADRENOCORTICOTROPIC* HORMONE IN MAN†§

THE metabolic alterations following the administration of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route have been reported by a number of investigators (1, 2, 3). The present study concerns the metabolic actions and fate of single large doses of ACTH injected intravenously. Special attention has been paid to the temporal relationship between the dynamic changes which occurred in certain constituents of the body fluids and the titer of tropic hormone in the plasma. Renal excretion of the administered hormone has also been studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 2 subjects of these experiments were healthy male medical students; M.L. was 26 years old and weighed 84 Kg., and M.J. was 29 years old and weighed 89 Kg. They were on a controlled diet and lived in the metabolic ward of the Department of Medicine for a number of days before and during the hormone studies. Subject M.L. consumed 3100 calories per day which included 360 Gm. of carbohydrate. Subject M.J. received 245...
Maxillary Transverse Discrepancies and Potentially Impacted Maxillary Canines in Mixed-dentition Patients

Abstract Objective: To investigate the correlation between maxillary transverse discrepancy and the occurrence of impacted canines in patients during the mixed-dentition stage. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs and dental casts were evaluated of randomly selected patients in the mixed dentition. The experimental group consisted of 84 orthodontic patients with a maxillary transverse discrepancy. The control group included 100 orthodontic patients without a maxillary transverse discrepancy. Intermolar widths of the experimental group were measured and recorded. The permanent canines of both groups were placed into a sector classification by using a panoramic radiograph. The experimental group was then analyzed to identify whether these patients had an impacted maxillary canine associated with the transverse discrepancy. The results were further evaluated based on type of impaction (unilateral or bilateral). Results: Results of this study showed that patients with a transverse discrepancy are more...
Histone deacetylase inhibitors: molecular mechanisms of action

This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors (HDACi), a group of recently discovered 'targeted' anticancer agents. There are 18 HDACs, which are generally divided into four classes, based on sequence homology to yeast counterparts. Classical HDACi such as the hydroxamic acid-based vorinostat (also known as SAHA and Zolinza) inhibits classes I, II and IV, but not the NAD+-dependent class III enzymes. In clinical trials, vorinostat has activity against hematologic and solid cancers at doses well tolerated by patients. In addition to histones, HDACs have many other protein substrates involved in regulation of gene expression, cell proliferation and cell death. Inhibition of HDACs causes accumulation of acetylated forms of these proteins, altering their function. Thus, HDACs are more properly called 'lysine deacetylases.' HDACi induces different phenotypes in various transformed cells, including growth arrest, activation of the extrinsic and/or intrinsic apoptotic pathways, autophagic cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cell death, mitotic cell death and senescence. In comparison, normal cells are relatively more resistant to HDACi-induced cell death. The plurality of mechanisms of HDACi-induced cell death reflects both the multiple substrates of HDACs and the heterogeneous patterns of molecular alterations present in different cancer cells.
Direct evidence for DNA intrastrand cross-linking by the nitrogen mustard mechlorethamine in synthetic oligonucleotides

Abstract Direct evidence for DNA intrastrand cross-link formation by mechlorethamine ( 1 ) is reported. Following treatment with 1 , duplex and single strand DNAs possessing two or more contiguous dG residues contained intrastrand cross-links, as revealed by the release of 2 following acid hydrolysis.
Automated Digital Image Based Measurement of Boundary Fractal Dimension for Complex Nanoparticles

There is a growing realization that complex nanoparticles produced by combustion reaction, precipitation, and spray technology using supercritical fluids, are fractally structured. The boundary fractal dimension is linked to the flow, packing and consolidation dynamics of nanopowders. It also contains information on the formation dynamics of the nanoparticles produced by various methods. Extraction of the fractal dimension information embodied in the nanoparticle's fractal structure is hampered by the lack of automated characterization algorithms for processing images of particles. This paper describes an efficient algorithm for analyzing digitized images of fractally structured nanoparticles and presents a computer program that automates the procedure using digital image processing techniques. The program functionality is demonstrated and discussed using digital images of typical pigment, ceramic and pharmaceutical powders.
A new “Smart Parking” System Infrastructure and Implementation

This paper proposes a new “smart parking” system for an urban environment. The system assigns and reserves an optimal parking space for a driver based on the user's requirements that combine proximity to destination and parking cost, while also ensuring that the overall parking capacity is efficiently utilized. The approach solves a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP) problem at each decision point in a time-driven sequence. The solution of each MILP is an optimal allocation based on current state information and subject to random events such as new user requests or parking spaces becoming available. The allocation is updated at the next decision point ensuring that there is no resource reservation conflict and that no user is ever assigned a resource with higher than the current cost function value. Implementation issues including parking detection, reservation guarantee and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) or Infrastructure-to-Vehicle (I2 V) communication are resolved in the paper. This system can save driver time, fuel and expense, while reducing the traffic congestion and environment pollution. A deployment and testing pilot study of the system in a garage at Boston University is also described.
Training and Development for Developing Countries.

Importance of Training and Development, Few would disagree that one of the most critical challenges facing the Third World is the training and development of its people. This challenge is being faced daily by thousands of training professionals in all parts of the developing world; in addition consultants from the West and from the developing countries are struggling with the questions of what kind of training and how much is appropriate in each situation.
Liver Stem Cells: A Potential Source of Hepatocytes for the Treatment of Human Liver Disease

Severe liver injury often leads to the proliferation of oval cells, which differentiate along hepatocytic and biliary lineages. Because oval cells proliferate only when hepatocyte replication is impaired, they are considered to be the progeny of facultative liver stem cells (FLSCs). Identification and isolation of FLSCs has been hampered by the lack of markers that delineate these bipotential progenitors. We hypothesized that transition ductal cells are FLSCs because they are located in a unique anatomical niche sharing tight junctions with a neighboring hepatocyte and another terminal ductular cell. Alternatively, it has been proposed recently that bone marrow-derived stem cells are FLSCs since these cells differentiate along the hepatic lineage following colonization of the liver. The intent of this review is to provide insight into the nature and origin of liver stem cells and to explore the possibility that stem cell technology may lead to the development of clinical modalities for the treatment of human liver disease.
Long-Term Effects of Acidic Deposition on Water Quality in a High-Elevation Great Smoky Mountains National Park Watershed: Use of an Ion Input–Output Budget

Impacts from acidic deposition on stream water quality in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) have long been reported; however, a better understanding of the biogeochemical processes that regulate stream acidification is needed for resource management. Water quality monitoring of Noland Divide Watershed (NDW), a high-elevation watershed in the GRSM, was used to generate an ion input–output budget in order to evaluate what processes have influenced stream pH and acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) over the long term. NDW was equipped with wet deposition, throughfall, soil lysimeters, and stream collection stations, and monitoring began in 1991 and continues to the present. Using data from 1991 to 2006, this study found annual deposition fluxes of SO4 2− and NO3 − averaged 1,735 and 863 eq ha−1 year−1, respectively. Data indicated that 61% of the net SO4 2− entering the watershed was retained, suggesting soil adsorption dominates as a biogeochemical process. Although net SO4 2− retention was observed, SO4 2− appeared to move rapidly through NDW during large precipitation events causing stream acidification, as evidenced by significant inverse correlations between biweekly throughfall SO4 2− flux and stream event pH and ANC. Nitrogen uptake by forest vegetation and nitrification play key roles in regulating NO3 − export to the stream as observed by 32% retention of net inorganic nitrogen, and 96% of NH4 + input was converted to NO3 − in the uppermost soil horizon. Net export of base cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+) is observed and apparently moderates stream acidification. In contrast, 71% of net K+ input was retained, which is likely due to forest vegetation uptake. Net export of Ca2+ was 867 eq ha−1 year−1 compared to net throughfall of 790 eq ha−1 year−1. Long-term cation depletion from the NDW soils could limit recovery potential in stream water quality. Findings from this NDW study suggest that future stream acidification conditions in high-elevation GRSM watersheds are dependent on interrelated biogeochemical processes and precipitation patterns, illustrating the need to better understanding potential impacts of climate variability on stream water quality.
Quadrat Analysis of Urban Dispersion: 2. Case Studies of Urban Retail Systems

This is the second part of a two part paper; the first part reviewed the methodology of quadrat analysis and in this part, two case studies are presented. A brief introduction outlines the spatial structure of retailing in urban areas and it is then demonstrated how compound and generalized distributions offer a variety of models that can be fitted to empirical data about retail spatial structure. The empirical tests use data from Ljubljana, Yugoslavia and San Francisco, California. Conclusions are drawn which relate to the description, analysis and sampling of intra-urban retail spatial dispersions.
Influence of hetero-association on the precipitation of proteins by poly(ethylene glycol)

Abstract The influence of hetero-association on the precipitation of proteins by poly(ethylene glycol) was investigated by comparing the precipitation of binary mixtures to that of the individual proteins. Pronounced enhancement of precipitation was observed for several mixtures, with maximum effect at low ionic strength at a pH between the pI's. Measurements of sedimentation velocity and/or fluorescence polarization of dansyl-labeled components revealed that conditions fostering precipitation of a given mixture also enhanced the formation of soluble hetero-complexes in the absence of poly(ethylene glycol). Conversely, enhanced precipitation was not observed under conditions where complexes were shown to be absent. Poly(ethylene glycol) does not appear to influence such interactions and thus can be used to detect the presence of hetero-complexes in a binary mixture whose precipitation curve is shifted relative to those of its components.
Analysis of neuraminidase isozyme phenotypes in mammalian tissues: an electrophoretic approach

A simple cellulose acetate electrophoretic method for visualizing mammalian neuraminidase isozymes has been developed. Application of the method with rat and mouse liver extracts reveals the presence of two distinct isozymes in each species. Each isozyme exhibits tremendous variation in activity between inbred strains. The two isozymes vary independently of one another suggesting that their activities are controlled by different genes. The neuraminidase phenotypes detected in these inbred strains via electrophoresis are consistent with published accounts of neuraminidase phenotypes determined fluorometrically in whole liver homogenates, but also indicate the presence of a second isozyme not perceived by this other procedure.
Biochemical and behavioral responses of pilocarpine at muscarinic receptor subtypes in the CNS. Comparison with receptor binding and low-energy conformations

Pilocarpine was tested biochemically in vitro for its ability to stimulate phosphoinositide (PI) turnover in the hippocampus (M1/M3 responses) where it displayed 35% of the maximal carbachol response with an EC50 value of 18 μM, andlow-Km GTPase in the cortex (M2 response), where it had 50% of the maximal carbachol response with an EC50 value of 4.5 μM. Behaviorally, pilocarpine was able to restore deficits in a representational memory task (sensitive to M1 antagonists) produced by intrahippocampal injections of AF64A. Twenty-three low-energy conformations of protonated pilocarpine were generated using the program McroModel. The data indicate that pilocarpine is a partial agonist at both M1 and M2 muscarinic receptors in the CNS. Behaviorally, with respect to the memory task, M1 effects of pilocarpine apparently predominate. It also is conceivable that different conformations of pilocarpine are active as agonist at different muscarinic receptor subtypes.
Diets of Experience: Food Culture and Political Ecology in Northern Canada and Northern Finland 1

Historical patterns of land use and subsistence in circumpolar communities often coexist in complex and novel ways with rapidly emerging wage labor markets and global political economic forces. The integration of traditional environmental knowledge and practice into contemporary contexts, as manifested in food culture, is explored as both a routine behavioral reality and a profound symbolic process. This paper examines the creative role of historical experience in procurement, processing, and presentation of food in (re)defining cultural identity and relationships with the environment and social others. Similarities and contrasts are drawn from active participation ethnographic field research among Dene (Chipewyan) hunter-fishers in north-central Canada and subarctic farmers in northeastern Finland.
The effects of lactate loading on alanine and glucose metabolism in the conscious dog

The effect of lactate per se on alanine and glucose metabolism was studied in five overnight-fasted conscious dogs. Somatostatin was infused to inhibit endogenous pancreatic insulin and glucagon release and the hormones were replaced intraportally at basal rates. Saline (n = 5) or lactate (at 25 and 50 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 for 90 minutes each) was infused, and blood samples were taken during the last 30 minutes of each 90-minute period. Insulin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol levels remained unchanged during saline or lactate infusion. Glucagon level decreased slightly during lactate (94 ± 7 to 74 ± 9 and 79 ± 8 pg/mL) and saline (91 ± 8 to 90 ± 4 and 81 ± 11 pg/mL) infusions. There were no significant changes in lactate or alanine levels or net hepatic balances with saline infusion. Blood lactate level increased from 657 ± 74 to 1,718 ± 126 and 3,300 ± 321 μmol/L (both P < .05) during the low- and high-lactate infusion periods, respectively. The liver produced lactate during the control (5.57 ± 2.92 μmol · kg−1 · min−1) and low-lactate infusion (1.75 ± 2.58 μmol · kg−1 · min−1) periods, but consumed lactate (3.89 ± 3.31 μmol · kg−1 · min−1; P < .05) during the high-lactate infusion period. Plasma alanine level increased from 400 ± 31 to 541 ± 56 and 606 ± 71 μmol/L (both P < .05) during the low- and high-lactate infusion periods, respectively, while net hepatic alanine uptake increased from 1.95 ± 0.27 to 2.71 ± 0.26 and 3.30 ± 0.30 μmol · kg−1 · min−1 (both P < .05). Hepatic alanine fractional extraction remained constant throughout the experiment. Glucose level decreased from 108 ± 5 to 96 ± 4 and 83 ± 7 mg/dL (both P < .05) with low- and high-lactate infusion, respectively, but did not change with saline infusion. Glucose production and utilization did not change significantly in either group. Despite the accelerated delivery of precursors to the liver during lactate infusion, gluconeogenic conversion of alanine to glucose and the intrahepatic efficiency of the process were similar in both groups. In conclusion, lactate loading stimulated peripheral production of alanine and increased lactate and alanine uptake by the liver. The large change in net hepatic lactate balance did not diminish gluconeogenesis from alanine, and overall gluconeogenesis increased. This increase was not manifested in an increased rate of hepatic glucose production, indicating that the increase in gluconeogenesis was associated with a decrease in glycogenolysis.
Assessing the Prayer Lives of Older Whites, Older Blacks, and Older Mexican Americans: A Descriptive Analysis

The purpose of this study was to see whether differences emerge between older whites, older blacks, and older Mexican Americans in 12 measures of prayer. These measures assess four dimensions of prayer: The social context of prayer, interpersonal aspects of prayer, beliefs about how prayer operates, and the content or focus of prayers. Data from two nationwide surveys of older adults suggest that with respect to all four dimensions, the prayer lives of older whites appear be less developed than the prayer lives of older blacks and older Mexican Americans. In contrast, relatively few differences were found in the prayer lives of older African Americans and older Mexican Americans. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Organic matter oxidation and aragonite diagenesis in a coral reef

ABSTRACT A combination of field and theoretical work is used to study controls on the saturation state of aragonite inside a coral-reef framework. A closed-system ion-speciation model is used to evaluate the effect of organic-matter oxidation on the saturation state of aragonite. The aragonite saturation state initially drops below 1 but becomes oversaturated during sulfate reduction. The C:N ratio of the organic matter affects the degree of oversaturation, with N-poor organic material resulting in a system more corrosive to aragonite. Precipitation of sulfide as FeS strongly affects the aragonite saturation state, and systems with much FeS formation will have a stronger tendency to become oversaturated with respect to aragonite. Both precipitation and dissolution of aragonite are predicted at different stages of the organic reaction pathway if the model system is maintained at aragonite saturation. Field data from a coral-reef framework indicate that the system maintains itself at aragonite saturation, and model-predicted changes in dissolved calcium follow those observed in the interstitial waters of the reef. Aragonite probably acts as a solid-phase buffer in regulating the pH of interstitial waters. Because interstitial water in the reef has a short residence time, the observed equilibration suggests rapid kinetics.
Numerical simulation of flow behind active vortex generators with direct forcing immersed boundary method

The immersed boundary method with discrete direct forcing approach was combined with a direct numerical simulation (DNS) code to study the time-dependent response of boundary-layer flow over a flat plate to the active vortex generators (AVG) that consist of a pair of deployable circular wing lip type blades driven by a pre-defined duty cycle. The DNS code solves the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations for compressible flow in general curvilinear coordinates using a fully implicit LU-SGS method. A fourth-order finite difference scheme is used to compute the spatial derivatives. The underlying curvilinear mesh near the vortex generator is designed properly with a large portion of the immersed boundary intersecting with the grid nodes to reduce the number of near-boundary nodes that require interpolation. The current immersed boundary technique was tested and verified on backward-facing step flow and flow past a circular cylinder. Numerical experiments have shown that the discrete direct forcing approach is very effective. In numerical simulation of flow behind the AVG, the computational results are comparable to the experimental data.
Intratendinous injections of platelet-rich plasma: feasibility and effect on tendon morphology and mechanics

Intratendinous injections may have important effects on the properties of collagen microarchitecture, morphology, and subsequent mechanical properties of the injected tendon. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of intratendinous PRP injections; the injectant retention within tendons, the distribution of intratendinous injectant, and whether intratendinous injection or needle fenestration alters tendon morphology or mechanics. Design: Controlled Laboratory Study. Interventions: In the first part of the study, 18 lamb extensor tendons were selected to receive methylene blue-containing PRP injection (PRP/MB), methylene blue only injection (MB), or needle fenestration. The volume of retained injectant was measured and injectant distribution and tendon morphology were examined microscopically. In the second portion of the study, 18 porcine flexor tendons were divided into control, needle fenestration, or saline injection groups. Young’s Modulus was then determined for each tendon under 0-4% strain. Main outcome measures: 1) Injectant volume retained; 2) Injectant distribution; 3) Post-injection/fenestration alterations in morphology, biomechanics. Intratendinous injectant is retained within the tendon. The difference between PRP and PRP/MB groups was not significant (p = 0.78). Intratendinous spread of the injectant solution within the tendon occurs primarily in the proximodistal direction, with very little cross-sectional penetration. Intratendinous injections resulted in microscopic morphology disruption (e.g., separation and disorganization of both the collagen bundles and cellular distribution). There were significant differences in Young’s Modulus between control (Ectrl = 2415.48) and injected tendons (Einj = 1753.45) at 4% strain (p = 0.01). There were no differences in Young’s Modulus between fenestrated and control tendons. Intratendinous PRP injections are retained within the tendon, and primarily distributes longitudinally with minimal cross-sectional spread. Intratendinous injections may alter tendon morphology and mechanics.
Temporal turnover of common species in avian assemblages in North America

Aim We examine patterns of temporal turnover of common species in avian assemblages in North America to test the hypothesis that changes in avian diversity structure observed in these assemblages were associated with the colonization of common species. Location The contiguous United States and southern Canada. Methods We measured temporal turnover from 1968 to 2003 for 547 avian species at 1673 North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) routes. We used the Euclidian distance between expected and observed presence/absence vectors and randomization tests to place species into two categories, common and notcommon, and into three categories for common species: (1) always common, (2) common and colonizing, and (3) common and extirpated. We used these categories to identify species experiencing extreme colonization and extirpation events and to examine changes in species composition at BBS routes. We also determined how these patterns were associated with changes in species richness and changes in similarity in species composition. Results Nine of the 547 species represented outliers, where the number of BBS routes colonized greatly exceeded the number extirpated; no species showed extreme values for extirpation. The nine species colonized BBS routes primarily in the upper Midwest and north-eastern United States. Presence of the nine species at BBS routes was correlated with increasing net gain in common species (difference between common colonized and common extirpated), higher levels of species richness and increasing species richness over time, more similar species compositions and increasing similarity over time, and a greater prevalence of common species over not-common species. The literature indicates that all nine species experienced some form of geographical range expansion during the time of the survey involving four elements: (1) introduction and invasion; (2) the ability to use human-altered environments, including habitats associated with agricultural, suburban, or urban areas; (3) intensive management activities, including habitat improvements and reintroductions and (4) the ability to use habitats formed through forest regeneration. These factors in combination point to anthropogenic activities and related land use histories as the primary drivers of change. One of the nine species colonized regions well outside its historic geographical range and the remaining eight species were native within the regions they colonized. Main conclusions Our results suggest that a combination of anthropogenic activities promoted, within certain regions of North America, the geographical expansion of a limited number of common species that were native to those regions. These colonization events were correlated with changes in diversity structure, implying that large-scale diversity patterns were being influenced by anthropogenic activities. These changes can be characterized primarily by gains in
Dissecting the Role of the N-Terminal Region of the Escherichia coli Global Transcription Factor FNR

The role of the N-terminal region of the transcription factor FNR, which immediately precedes the first ligand (Cys20) of the [4Fe-4S] cluster, was investigated. We found that truncation mutants that removed residues 2 to 16 and 2 to 17 had wild-type levels of FNR protein but surprisingly altered O2 regulation.
Collaborative scheduling of DAG structured computations on multicore processors

Many computational solutions can be expressed as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), in which the nodes represent tasks to be executed. A fundamental challenge in parallel computing is to schedule such DAGs onto multicore processors while preserving the precedence constraints. In this paper, we propose a lightweight scheduling method for DAG structured computations on multicore processors. We distribute the scheduling activities across the cores and let the schedulers collaborate with each other to balance the workload. In addition, we develop a software lock-free local task list for the scheduler to reduce the scheduling overhead. We experimentally evaluated the proposed method by comparing with various baseline methods on state-of-the-art multicore processors. For a representative set of DAG structured computations from both synthetic and real problems, the proposed scheduler with lock-free local task lists achieved 15.12x average speedup on a platform with four quadcore processors, compared to 8.77x achieved by lock-based baseline methods. The observed scheduling overhead of the proposed scheduler was less than 1% of the overall execution time.
Long‐term quality of life outcomes and retreatment rates after robotic sacrocolpopexy

Objective To evaluate the long-term outcomes and potential predictors of treatment failure after robotic sacrocolpopexy. Methods We identified 70 consecutive patients from 2002 to 2012 with symptomatic post-hysterectomy vaginal vault prolapse that underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy. Multiple clinical and surgical variables were evaluated for potential association with treatment failure, which was defined as any repeat operation for recurrent prolapse or mesh-related complications. Results The median age at surgery was 67 years (interquartile range 59–74 years) and median follow up was 72 months (interquartile range 39–114 months). Overall, six out of 70 patients (8.6%) underwent a total of six secondary surgeries, including four for recurrent prolapse (two anterior repairs, one posterior repair, one apical) and two mesh complications. No patient-related factors were associated with the risk of repeat surgery: age (P = 0.45), diabetes mellitus (P = 0.24), tobacco use (P = 0.61) or prior prolapse surgery (P = 0.1) on univariate analysis. Freedom from repeat prolapse surgery or surgery for mesh complication was 98% at 1 year, 95% at 3 years and 90% at 6 years. At last follow up, 80% of patients reported that they would or probably would recommend robotic sacrocolpopexy to a family member or friend. Conclusions Robotic sacrocolpopexy is associated with excellent long-term outcomes. Recognition of long-term success is important for preoperative patient counseling.
Impact of an educational intervention on the frequency of daily blood test orders for hospitalized patients.

Objectives: During hospitalizations, blood is drawn for diagnostic laboratory tests to help guide patient care. Often, blood tests continue to be ordered even in the face of clinical and laboratory stability. Blood draws are painful and costly, and they may be associated with anemia. We hypothesized that provider education could reduce the frequency of daily blood tests ordered for hospitalized patients. Methods: During a 2-month intervention period, internal medicine providers were educated through flyers displayed in providers’ offices and periodic email communications reminding them to order daily blood tests only if the results would change patient care. Two-month preintervention data from 982 patients and 2-month postintervention data from 988 patients were analyzed. The primary outcome measured was the number of daily blood tests ordered per patient per day. Results: Mean orders of CBC decreased from 1.46 to 1.37 tests per patient per day ( P < .05) after the intervention. Basic metabolic panel orders were reduced from 0.91 to 0.83 tests per patient per day ( P < .05). Cost analyses showed a reduction of $6.33 per patient day based on the decrease in the number of daily laboratory tests ordered. Conclusions: Provider education and reminders can reduce the frequency of daily blood tests ordered by providers for hospitalized patients. This can decrease health care costs and may reduce the risk of complications such as anemia.
Multiuser detection of alamouti signals

In a MIMO multiple-access channel where users employ Space-Time Block Codes (STBC), interference cancellation can be used to suppress co-channel interference and recover the desired signal of each user at the receiver. Leveraging the special properties of Alamouti matrices, we first show that spatial multiplexing of Alamouti signals retains the space-time diversity gain of Alamouti signaling using our proposed low-complexity Alamouti BLAST-MMSE (A-BLAST) Algorithm. Next, in contrast to traditional transmit diversity that focuses on STBC construction at the transmitter, this paper looks at transmit diversity from the perspective of the receiver. In other words, the receiver gets to choose the STBCiquests, which are favourable to the channel assuming a fixed BLAST receive algorithm. In a multiuserMAC setting, we first present a systematic methodology to exploit different decomposition structure in Alamouti matrices, each with different tradeoff between performance and decoding complexity using possibly different MIMO receive algorithms. We then demonstrate that the notion of angles (the inner product of two quaternionic vectors) between multiuser channels determines the performance of MIMO receive algorithms. As an application of the general theory, we transform the decoding problem for several types of Quasi-Orthogonal STBC (QOSTBC) into multiuser detection of virtual Alamouti users. Building upon our A-BLAST Algorithm, we propose new algorithms for decoding single-user and multiuser QOSTBC. In particular, we show that bit error probability is a function of the quaternionic angle between virtual users (for a single user) or multiple users. This angle varies with the type of QOSTBC and leads to a new form of adaptive modulation called code diversity, where feedback instructs the transmitter how to choose from a plurality of codes.