cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interactions of glycoproteins with nucleic acids.

Abstract The inhibition of acid precipitation of nucleic acids, as measured turbidimetrically, by purified, electrophoretically homogeneous α1-acid glycoprotein and α2-glycoprotein of human serum has been studied. The α2-glycoprotein was able to inhibit the precipitation of both deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid, whereas the α1-acid glycoprotein was effective against DNA only. The activities of the glycoproteins were not due to contaminating nucleases. The responses of these two glycoproteins to treatments with hot dilute acid or alkali for brief periods of time were qualitatively different. The nucleic acid precipitation inhibitory activity of α1-acid glycoprotein was enhanced while that of α2-glycoprotein was diminished. Qualitative differences were also observed in the presence of salt. The activities of both glycoproteins were rapidly destroyed by incubation with pepsin; a slower rate of inactivation was noted after incubation with trypsin.
The algebraic hypercenter of an algebra over a commutative ring

In [5], Herstein shows that if x is an element of a ring R containing no nil ideals, and for each y E R there exists a positive integer n such that xy” = y’k, then x is in the center of A. Bergen and Herstein [ 1 ] extend this result to algebras over a field in the following way. Let R be an algebra over a field F such that R contains no ideals that consist only of elements algebraic over F. If x is an element of R, and for each y E R there exists a nonconstant polynomial pX, J t) E F[ t] such that xpX, J y) = pX, J y )x, then x is in the center of R. We consider algebras R over a commutative ring C. We do not assume that R contains a unit element. However, we assume that C has a unit element 1 and that lr = r for each r E R. For an ideal 1 of R, define A,(1) to be the set of elements x E R such that for each y E I there exists a monk polynomial of positive degree P,,~( t) E C[ t], such that XJP, Y( y) = pX,,( y )x. It is clear that A,(I) is a subring of R. The ring A,(R) is called the algebraic hypercenter of R (over C). We write AR(J) as A(I) when it is clear which algebra R is being considered. Throughout this paper, a polynomial is assumed to have degree greater than zero. An ideal I of R will be called a C-integral ideal or an ideal integral over C, if for each y E 1, there exists a monk polynomial p,(t) E C[t] such that p,(y) = 0. The ideal I will be called a C-algebraic ideal or dgebraic over C, if for each y E I there exists a polynomial p,(t) E C[t] that is not necessarily manic, such that p,(y) = 0. Suppose that B is a subalgebra of R. Then R is said to be C-integral over B, if for each x E R there exists a manic polynomial f,(t) E C[ t] such that f,(x) 6 B247 0021-8693/90 fE3.00
Predicting risk of drug-resistant organisms in pneumonia: moving beyond the HCAP model.

Background Clinical management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is increasingly complicated by antibiotic resistance. CAP due to pathogens resistant to guideline-recommended drugs (CAP-DRP) has increased. 2005 ATS/IDSA guidelines introduced a new category, healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP), and recommend extended-spectrum antibiotic treatment for patients meeting HCAP criteria. However, the predictive value of the HCAP model is limited and data suggest that outcomes are not improved using HCAP guideline-concordant therapy. Better methods to predict risk of CAP-DRP are needed. Methods We reviewed currently published literature on the performance status of HCAP as a predictive tool and studies describing additional risk factors for CAP-DRP. We also summarize the performance characteristics of the currently published alternative clinical prediction scores and compare them to that of the HCAP model. Results In addition to the five risk factors incorporated in HCAP, at least 13 other factors have been identified. The independent predictive value of any single factor is low, but accumulating factors results in increased risk of CAP-DRP. The performance characteristics of 9 clinical prediction scores are reviewed. Nearly all of the scores outperformed HCAP in their study populations. However, no single model has yet demonstrated adequate specificity to minimize unnecessary antibiotic use, while retaining sufficient sensitivity to prevent inadequate initial empiric antibiotic therapy when validated across a wide range of CAP-DRP prevalence. Conclusions Additional development and validation of prediction scores based upon more refined risk factors for CAP-DRP is needed. Once an accurate, adequately validated prediction score is available, an interventional trial will be needed to determine clinical impact.
Scratched Fingers, Ruined Lives, and Acknowledged Lesser Goods

It is not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. It is not contrary to reason for me to choose my total ruin, to prevent the least uneasiness of an Indian, or person wholly unknown to me. It is as little contrary to reason to prefer even my own acknowledged lesser good to my greater, and have a more ardent affection for the former than the latter. (T 2.3.3.6; SBN 416)1
Morphine tolerance and sensitization in the Hamster

The effects of morphine on hamster locomotor activity were studied. Repeated administration of morphine in doses from 5 to 40 mg/kg produced systematic changes in morphine's biphasic time effect pattern: morphine's sedative effects decreased (tolerance) while morphine's excitatory effects increased (sensitization). These results extend findings of behavioral tolerance and sensitization in the hamster to a range of higher doses than those used previously.
Update on Radiation Therapy in Prostate Cancer

Radiation therapy is a well-established treatment option for patients with localized and locally advanced prostate adenocarcinoma. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been the traditional method for delivering radiation treatments to patients. Technologic advancements have resulted in dramatic changes in planning and delivery techniques over the past 10 to 15 years from conventional radiation therapy to 3-dimensional conformal techniques (3-DCRT) to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Improvements in imaging and radiation delivery techniques have allowed continued escalation of radiation doses without increased morbidity. Interstitial brachytherapy (aka, radioactive implants) also has emerged as a highly effective radiation treatment option for select patients with localized prostate cancer. This method typically involves the permanent implantation of radioactive seed directly into the prostate; however, newer techniques are using temporary high-dose rate sources to deliver local radiation dose. BACKGROUND AND MECHANISM OF ACTION Ionizing radiation kills cancer cells by a variety of mechanisms, but the most important mechanism involves the interaction of ionizing radiation with water molecules to form free radicals. These free radicals subsequently cause irreparable double DNA stand breaks resulting in chromosomal aberrations and reproductive cell death. Apoptotic cell death also occurs after radiation but is varied in prostate adenocarcinomas. Absorbed radiation dose is measured in gray (Gy) or centi-gray (100 cGy ¼ 1 Gy) and represents energy (in joules) absorbed per unit mass (in kilograms). Radiation is usually delivered in multiple smaller daily doses or fractions. The basic purpose of fractionating radiation dose is to maximize tumor cell kill while allowing normal tissue to repair between fractions. A typical prostate radiation prescription may read as 1.8 Gy per fraction � 40 fractions for a total dose of 72 Gy.
Uses and effects of modeling by the therapist in group therapy

Abstract Modeling is often used in groups. It has been used both to reduce fears and to teach a variety of behaviors. The efforts of modeling are examined as well as some influences on its potency. Modeling is suggested as one way that therapists can maximize their impact in group therapy.
Performance modeling of computation and communication tradeoffs in vertex-centric graph processing clusters

Distributed vertex-centric graph processing systems have been recently proposed to perform different types of analytics on large graphs. These systems utilize the parallelism of shared nothing clusters. In this work we propose a novel model for the performance cost of such clusters.We also define novel metrics related to the workload balance and network communication cost of clusters processing massive real graph datasets. We empirically investigate the effects of different graph partitioning mechanisms and their tradeoff for two different categories of graph processing algorithms.
DEM Predictions of NETL Small Scale Challenge Problem

The Discrete Element Method (DEM) coupled to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to predict dense fluid-particle system in a blind study using the in-house code GenIDLEST (Generalized Incompressible Direct and Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulence). The experimental measurements were performed at the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) at three different superficial velocities in a 0.076m×0.23m×1.22m bubbling fluidized bed with 3.26 mm Nylon beads. Experimental measurements include the mean and rms of pressure drop between specific locations, the first four moments of solid velocity components, and time series of pressure drop at selected locations in the bed. The predictions capture the trends in the change in bed hydrodynamics with an increase in the superficial velocity. While good qualitative agreement is found with experiments, quantitative agreement is fair. Factors that might cause deviations in predictions are discussed.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Subtractive effect of charge integration on dual-gate CID readout with correlated double sampling

In this paper we describe the physical mechanisms of the "subtractive effect" on the dual-gate charge-injection device (CID) readout due to on-going charge integration during the time the video waveform is processed with correlated double sampling. Performance degradation of the CID area array caused by the subtractive effect and two correction schemes for eliminating the problems under different irradiation conditions are discussed.
Comparison of Littoral Fish Assemblages Sampled with a Mini‐Fyke Net or with a Combination of Electrofishing and Small‐Mesh Seine in Wisconsin Lakes

Abstract Mini-fyke nets (MFN) were compared with a combination of electrofishing and a small-mesh seine (ESMS) to assess their relative abilities to describe littoral fish assemblages in 19 Wisconsin lakes (110–2,454 ha). Eighteen locations in each lake were sampled by both sampling methods. Each method missed an average of four species per lake that were collected by the other method. Two-thirds of the species missed were species that were caught at 5% or more of the total stations. Two-thirds of the 55 species that were collected by only one method in a lake were only collected in other lakes by that same method. Monte Carlo simulations of sampling intensity for each sampling method showed that the number of stations needed to miss on average fewer than one species of the total caught by that method was 15 stations for the ESMS and 14 stations for the MFN. A better estimate of species composition was obtained by combining the results from both methods than from the individual estimates of either method.
Sharp bounds for the Chinese Postman Problem in 3-regular graphs and multigraphs

The Chinese Postman Problem in a multigraph is the problem of finding a shortest closed walk traversing all the edges. In a ( 2 r + 1 ) -regular multigraph, the problem is equivalent to finding a smallest spanning subgraph in which all vertices have odd degree. In 1994, Kostochka and Tulai established a sharp upper bound for the solution. In this paper, we give simple proofs of their bounds for 3-regular graphs and 3-regular multigraphs and characterize when equality holds in those cases. We conjecture that a more specific construction characterizes equality for r ? 2 .
Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors suppress the production of nitric oxide in mixed glia, microglia-enriched or astrocyte-enriched cultures

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by glial cells has been implicated in the neuropathogenesis of various diseases. However, the signaling transduction pathway(s) for the production of NO in these cells is not well understood. To test whether protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are required for signaling events of NO production in glial cells, this study examined the effects of genistein and tyrphostin A25, two potent inhibitors of PTKs, on the production of NO in mouse primary mixed glia, microglia-enriched or astrocyte-enriched cultures exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or a combination of LPS and interferon-γ (IFNγ). LPS induced a dose-dependent increase in NO production from the mixed glia cultures. The LPS-induced NO production was significantly enhanced by stimulating the cells with IFNγ. Genistein or tyrphostin A25 inhibited the production of NO in both LPS- and IFNγ/LPS-stimulated mixed glia cultures. The production of NO in the stimulated microglia-enriched or astrocyte-enriched cultures was also inhibited by tyrphostin A25. To verify the cellular sources of NO, immunocytochemical staining of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was followed by staining with the microglia marker Mac-1 or the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) in microglia-enriched or astrocyte-enriched cultures. The expression of iNOS and the production of NO in microglia-enriched cultures were significantly higher than those in the identically stimulated astrocyte-enriched cultures. These results demonstrate that PTKs are involved in the signaling events of LPS-induced NO production in microglia and astrocytes, and that microglia are more responsive than astrocytes to stimuli which induce NO. These results may provide insights into therapeutic interventions in the pathway for NO production in the brain.
Pathophysiologic effects of pre-existing hypertension on isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in arteriosclerotic and non-arteriosclerotic rats.

Abstract Male and female, normotensive, virgin Sprague-Dawley rats free of cardiac or vascular complications and male and female, Sprague-Dawley, repeatedly-bred rats having naturally-occurring arteriosclerosis and (mild) hypertension were subjected to unilateral nephrectomy, given 1 % saline drinking water and chronic injections of methylandrostenediol (MAD). In 8 weeks, all of the animals were severely hypertensive. These animals, along with suitable controls, were then subjected to acute and massive myocardial infarction by administration of two, subcutaneous injections of the potent beta adrenergic stimulating agent, isoproterenol. Animals were sacrificed at selected time intervals during the acute phases of myocardial ischemia, necrosis and subsequent repair, Days 1 through 21. Mortality was high due to the induction of severe hypertension and was greatly exacerbated with the acute onset of myocardial ischemia, particularly in the breeder rats having a prior history of arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Serum enzyme levels, CPK, SGOT, SGPT and LDH, were greatly elevated during the myocardial ischemia and necrosis phase (Days 1 to 3) as were lipids ( i.e. , triglycerides, free fatty acids and cholesterol), glucose and BUN. During the repair phase (Days 3 to 21) these physiologic parameters returned to near normal levels. Although most of the animals affected good repair and resolution of their massive cardiac infarcts, subjects with severe hypertension (MAD) developed large, protuberant and saccular left-ventricular aneurysms. Virgin rats with severe hypertension but without significant vascular disease survived. Breeder rats with arteriosclerosis + severe hypertension all died within 7 days post-infarction. These findings demonstrate that pre-existing, severe hypertension plays a key role in the pathogenesis of left-ventricular aneurysm formation following acute myocardial infarction in rats and that severe hypertension combined with arteriosclerosis portends a poor prognosis toward survival.
Persistence of individually distinctive display patterns in fatigued side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana)

Iguanian lizards perform conspicuous species-typical push-up displays, which are used in territory advertisement, threat, and courtship contexts. Subtle individually distinctive differences in push-up characteristics have been suggested to play a role in the recognition of social partners. However, if the structure of push-ups is responsive to changing physiological states then their capacity to promote recognition may be limited. The current study evaluated whether the push-ups performed while in an experimentally imposed state of fatigue by male side-blotched lizards (Uta stansburiana), retain the individually distinctive characteristics apparent in rested lizards. We found repeatable among-individual differences in the duration and the relative height of push-up components. Repeatability values did not change consistently between the rested and fatigued conditions, nor when both conditions were pooled, indicating that these push-up characteristics do not change with fatigue. Similarly, discriminant functions that were generated using push-ups from one state assigned push-ups performed in an alternate state to the correct individuals. Furthermore, when analyzed independently of individual identity, the values of display parameters examined in the current study did not change significantly between states, and discriminant function analysis could not reliably classify push-ups to the correct state. Taken together the results show that individually distinctive push-up characteristics are robust to effects of fatigue, consistent with their suggested role in social recognition. In the future, video playback experiments can test whether lizards utilize the signature-like characteristics of push-ups to discriminate among individuals.
Navigational cues on user interface design to produce better information seeking on the World Wide Web

The study of navigation through information space has been a topic of considerable interest among researchers over the past decades. This paper discusses the importance of navigating through the Internet, and the fundamental issues of human computer interaction in the arena of people searching the information on the WWW. An empirical study was conducted on the usability of user interfaces on the WWW and examined users with different styles of learning based upon the comparison of different techniques on user performance, confidence, and satisfaction. Implications of the study in navigation through Web-based systems are discussed as well.
Role of stromal cell-derived factor-1 expression in the injured mouse auditory nerve

Objective. The degeneration of hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) is an important pathologic process in the development of sensorineural hearing loss. In a murine model, predictable and reproducible damage to SGNs occurs through the application of ouabain to the round window. Recent evidence has shown that the chemokine stromal cell- derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a potent chemoattractant of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and provides trophic sup- port to injured tissues during development and maturation. The hypothesis for the current study is that expression of SDF-1 plays an important role in protecting SGNs and pre- venting further degeneration in the setting of cochlear injury. Study Design. Prospective, controlled. Setting. Academic research laboratory. Subject and Methods. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and the expression of SDF-1 mRNA and protein were examined 1, 3, 7, 14, and 30 days after application of oua- bain in 35 adult mice. Results. Following ouabain application, real-time reverse- transcription polymerase chain reaction for SDF demon- strates increased mRNA expression following ouabain injury in nontransplanted mice. A significant increase in SDF pro- tein expression was also observed using immunolabeling techniques and Western blot analysis. Conclusions. SDF-1 expression is increased in the auditory nerve following cochlear injury. Further knowledge about the cochlear microenvironment, including SDF-1, is critical to maximizing HSC engraftment in the injured cochlea and pro- viding a therapeutic option for sensorineural hearing loss.
Asymmetric effects of inflation shocks on inflation uncertainty

The empirically documented regularity that dis-inflationary shocks are associated with larger output changes than are positive shocks presents an interesting puzzle to macroeconomists. This paper presents, and empirically supports, a new explanation for this asymmetry. The authors show, using a TARCH model, that negative inflationary shocks result in greater inflation uncertainty than positive shocks. As Friedman [1977] argues, and a body of empirical evidence demonstrates, inflation uncertainty leads to lower output growth. Drawing on this explanation, this essay points to an avenue by which the output asymmetry of inflationary shocks can be explained.
Computational Modeling of Retinotopic Map Development to Define Contributions of EphA-EphrinA Gradients, Axon-Axon Interactions, and Patterned Activity

The topographic projection of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons to mouse superior colliculus (SC) or chick optic tectum (OT) is formed in three phases: RGC axons overshoot their termination zone (TZ); they exhibit interstitial branching along the axon that is topographically biased for the correct location of their future TZ; and branches arborize preferentially at the TZ and the initial exuberant projection refines through axon and branch elimination to generate a precise retinotopic map. We present a computational model of map development that demonstrates that the countergradients of EphAs and ephrinAs in retina and the OT/SC and bidirectional repellent signaling between RGC axons and OT/SC cells are sufficient to direct an initial topographic bias in RGC axon branching. Our model also suggests that a proposed repellent action of EphAs/ephrinAs present on RGC branches and arbors added to that of EphAs/ephrinAs expressed by OT/SC cells is required to progressively restrict branching and arborization to topographically correct locations and eliminate axon overshoot. Simulations show that this molecular framework alone can develop considerable topographic order and refinement, including axon elimination, a feature not programmed into the model. Generating a refined map with a condensed TZ as in vivo requires an additional parameter that enhances branch formation along an RGC axon near sites that it has a higher branch density, and resembles an assumed role for patterned neural activity. The same computational model generates the phenotypes reported in ephrinA deficient mice and Isl2-EphA3 knockin mice. This modeling suggests that gradients of counter-repellents can establish a substantial degree of topographic order in the OT/SC, and that repellents present on RGC axon branches and arbors make a substantial contribution to map refinement. However, competitive interactions between RGC axons that enhance the probability of continued local branching are required to generate precise retinotopy.
Effects of Inversions on Within- and Between-Species Recombination and Divergence

Chromosomal inversions disrupt recombination in heterozygotes by both reducing crossing-over within inverted regions and increasing it elsewhere in the genome. The reduction of recombination in inverted regions facilitates the maintenance of hybridizing species, as outlined by various models of chromosomal speciation. We present a comprehensive comparison of the effects of inversions on recombination rates and on nucleotide divergence. Within an inversion differentiating Drosophila pseudoobscura and Drosophila persimilis, we detected one double recombinant among 9,739 progeny from F1 hybrids screened, consistent with published double-crossover frequencies observed within species. Despite similar rates of exchange within and between species, we found no sequence-based evidence of ongoing gene exchange between species within this inversion, but significant exchange was inferred within species. We also observed greater differentiation at regions near inversion breakpoints between species versus within species. Moreover, we observed strong “interchromosomal effect” (higher recombination in inversion heterozygotes between species) with up to 9-fold higher recombination rates along collinear segments of chromosome two in hybrids. Further, we observed that regions most susceptible to changes in recombination rates corresponded to regions with lower recombination rates in homokaryotypes. Finally, we showed that interspecies nucleotide divergence is lower in regions with greater increases in recombination rate, potentially resulting from greater interspecies exchange. Overall, we have identified several similarities and differences between inversions segregating within versus between species in their effects on recombination and divergence. We conclude that these differences are most likely due to lower frequency of heterokaryotypes and to fitness consequences from the accumulation of various incompatibilities between species. Additionally, we have identified possible effects of inversions on interspecies gene exchange that had not been considered previously.
The role of protein N-glycosylation in neural transmission

Recent studies have explored the function of N-linked glycosylation in the nervous system, demonstrating essential roles of carbohydrate structures in neural development. The function of N-glycans in neural physiology remains less understood; however, increasing evidence indicates that N-glycans can play specific modulatory roles controlling neural transmission and excitability of neural circuits. These roles are mediated via effects on synaptic proteins involved in neurotransmitter release, transporters that regulate nerotransmitter concentrations, neurotransmitter receptors, as well as via regulation of proteins that control excitability and response to milieu stimuli, such as voltage-gated ion channels and transient receptor potential channels, respectively. Sialylated N-glycan structures are among the most potent modulators of cell excitability, exerting prominent effects on voltage gated Na(+) and K(+) channels. This modulation appears to be underlain by complex molecular mechanisms involving electrostatic effects, as well as interaction modes based on more specific steric effects and interactions with lectins and other molecules. Data also indicate that particular features of N-glycans, such as their location on a protein and structural characteristics, can be specifically associated with the effect of glycosylation. These features and their functional implications can vary between different cell types, which highlight the importance of in vivo analyses of glycan functions. Experimental challenges are associated with the overwhelming complexity of the nervous system and glycosylation pathways in vertebrates, and thus model organisms like Drosophila should help elucidate evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying glycan functions. Recent studies supported this notion and shed light on functions of several glycosylation genes involved in the regulation of the nervous system.
'I shot an arrow in the air' the performing arts as weapons of social change.

Application of the performing arts as social change agents is illustrated and discussed. Motivations and effectiveness of various groups are exposed and challenged. A review of communication goals and results of the “problem-solving theater” is drawn from recent studies sponsored by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. Based upon this review, the author poses some characteristics of those enterprises with the greatest promise of effectiveness in the area of resocialization: (1) clients become involved in creative artistic achievement, (2) there are exercises in cooperation and communal activity, (3) there are opportunities for public view and criticism of artistic products, and (4) activities center around adult leadership of stature. The author conclitdes that application of available communication theory calls for programs which change members of “andiences” into participants in meaningful experience.
The Quad Pill, a Once-Daily Combination Therapy for HIV Infection

The quad pill is the newest single-pill, once-daily option for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 infection. In addition to tenofovir difumarate (TDF) and emtricitabine (FTC), the quad pill includes cobicistat (COBI; an inactivator of cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A without anti-HIV activity) and a new integrase inhibitor, elvitegravir (EVG). The quad does not have drug interactions with H2-receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors, does not cause central nervous system (CNS) side effects, and is pregnancy category B. It does have substantial drug interactions with medications that are metabolized using CYP3A and causes reversible declines in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) owing to inhibition of renal tubule transport of creatinine. In clinical trials, the virologic and immunologic efficacy of the quad pill is equivalent to that of other comparator regimens with low rates of discontinuation. The major side effect is nauseam which is self-limited, and the primary mutations associated with treatment failure frequently lead to cross-resistance with raltegravir (RAL).
Current plate motions across the Red Sea

SUMMARY A new objective method is used to estimate precisely 64 rates of seafloor spreading since chron 2A (3.2 Ma) from all the Red Sea magnetic profiles available from 15.9° to 26°N. The fastest spreading rate, #16 mm yr’1, occurs near 18°N, whereas the slowest rate, 10 mm yr’1, occurs at 25.5°N and is consistent with the rate predicted from Arabia‐Nubia data to the south. The standard deviation of the spreading rates is 0.8 mm yr’1, much smaller than the median standard deviation of 4 mm yr’1 previously assigned to spreading rates in the global plate-motion model NUVEL-1 (DeMets et al. 1990). The fit to the spreading rates, as well as the locations of earthquakes in and near the Red Sea, indicate that spreading south of approximately 17.7°N is less than the full rate of spreading between the Arabian and Nubian plates. The Red Sea spreading centre is instead usefully interpreted as the boundary between the Arabian Plate and a Danakil microplate that includes the subaerial Danakil block and a larger oceanic portion of lithosphere. Despite the absence of reliable azimuths of transform faults in the Red Sea, all components of the angular velocity of Arabia relative to Nubia are usefully constrained from just the 45 relevant spreading rates. The new compact 95 per cent confidence region of the angular velocity excludes prior estimates based on only four and two spreading rates by Chase (1978) and Jestin et al. (1994), respectively. 19 spreading rates in the southern Red Sea are used to estimate the angular velocity between the Danakil microplate and Arabia. An approach based on singular value decomposition shows that without slip vectors only two of the three components of the angular velocity of the Danakil microplate relative to Arabia or Nubia are usefully constrained, but that all three components are usefully constrained if one earthquake slip vector is included.
Non-thrombotic occlusion of the cavernous carotid from subdural empyema.

Scattered reports of the significant angiographic findings in intracranial bacterial infection have demonstrated several types of vascular changes, many of which are non-specific. These include narrowing or spasm of the major vessels at the base of the brain, segmental arterial dilatation, peripheral arterial occlusions, aneurysmal formation due to vessel wall involvement by infection, arterio-venous shunting and a thickened vascular wall of the dura (Ferris et al., 1968). The angiographic appearance of narrowing of a vessel may result from cellular infiltration, oedema of the wall, extrinsic compression or irritability of the vessel wall with actual vasospasm (Ferris and Levine, 1973). Progression of these changes to non-thrombotic occlusion has been observed in the smaller arteries of the brain. This is the first case demonstrating radiographic and pathologic documentation of non-thrombotic occlusion of the internal carotid artery secondary to intracranial infection.
CuPON: the Copper alternative to PON 100 Gb/s DSL networks [Accepted from Open Call]

This article investigates the ultimate bandwidth limits of a copper DSL binder of 200 telephone line connections, finding the ultimate available shared data bandwidth to be 100 Gb/s. A new "Copper-PON" or, more compactly CuPON1 multidropping DSL architecture enables DSL bandwidth sharing and increases data rates through exploitation of all modes of crosstalk, particularly with the use of vectored2 dynamic spectrum management. The inevitable emerging conclusion raises an intriguing question about the broadband access evolution of telecommunications networks: Why deploy currently available or contemplated passive fiber systems when the existing last kilometer of copper can provide broadband gigabits per second to everyone?
When Heparins Promote Thrombosis Review of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT; sometimes known as HIT type II) is a serious, immune system–mediated complication of heparin therapy often resulting in devastating thromboembolic outcomes. Although nomenclature distinctions have been made historically between this condition and the non–immune system–mediated, asymptomatic transient drop in platelet count in some patients receiving heparin (sometimes known as HIT type I), the term “HIT” is now preferably reserved for the immune system–mediated condition.1 An estimated 1 in 100 patients who receive unfractionated heparin for at least 5 days will develop HIT-associated thrombosis.2 The pervasive use of heparins makes HIT one of the most important adverse drug reactions confronting physicians. Heparin is routinely used for thromboprophylaxis or treatment in many clinical settings, including cardiovascular surgery and interventional procedures, acute coronary syndromes, venous thromboembolism, atrial fibrillation, peripheral occlusive disease, dialysis, and extracorporeal circulation. It is among the most frequently prescribed medications in the United States, with >1 trillion units used3 and 12 million patients treated4 annually. Because thrombocytopenia is common in hospitalized patients, occurring in up to 58% of critically ill patients, and can be caused by a variety of factors,5 HIT unfortunately often remains unrecognized. However, consistent with standard clinical practice for life-threatening conditions, HIT should be suspected in a heparin-treated patient who has thrombocytopenia with or without thrombosis. Increased awareness and a high degree of suspicion for HIT are critical to ensure its prompt recognition, diagnosis, and treatment. Advances in understanding the pathophysiology of HIT and its natural history have led to current treatment recommendations—specifically, that heparin must be discontinued immediately and alternative anticoagulation must be initiated.6 Herein we review the pathogenesis, frequency, natural history, diagnosis, and treatment of HIT. Unfractionated heparin is a heterogeneous group of negatively charged, sulfated glycosaminoglycans (molecular weight 3000 to 30 000 Da) from animal …
A review of the use of insect tissue culture for the study of insect-associated viruses.

Viruses are associated with insects in a variety of host-pathogen relationships. The viruses may be specific pathogens of insects, as for example, are the polyhedrosis viruses; or they may be pathogens of higher animals or of plants, with the insects only the intermediate hosts and the vectors. Because of these diverse relationships, there is considerable interest among research workers in many areas of biology in the use of insect tissue culture as a tool for the study of viruses. Indeed the interest has often outdistanced progress in the field of insect tissue culture. Therefore, some discussion of several of the problems involved in the culture of insect tissue seems justified before reviewing the history and present status of the study of viruses.
Multi-runway Flights Landing Schedules Using an Improved GA-PSO Algorithm

The airport runway is an import resource in air traffic management system. The purpose is to rationally allocate the flight landing runway and landing sequence and reduce flight delays. This paper analyzes the principle of the adaptive genetic algorithm and the particle swarm optimization algorithm,and then improved each of them. Using the improved GA algorithm combine with the improved PSO algorithm,establish the multi-runway flights schedule model. Apply the improved GA-PSO algorithm to solve the established model,and then gives the simulation results at last. The results show that,the improved GA-PSO algorithm can reduce the total delay time and accelerate the convergence speed effectively.
Analysis on Genetic Diversity of Rice Varieties from Different Countries

To reveal the genetic basic of rice varieties from different countries and use rice germplasm resources effectively,the genetic diversity of 36 rice varieties from different countries was analyzed by using 63 SSR markers. As the result,269 alleles were detected between these varieties. And 4. 54 alleles were on per gene locus averagely, the average effective number of alleles was 3. 22,the average gene diversity of these rice varieties was 0. 64,and the average Shannon's information index was 1. 21. The marker RM206,RM257,RM410,RM235,and RM266 had more than 7 alleles. Rice verities from countries at the similarity latitude were aggregated together,while from countries with more different latitude were assigned to different groups. The results indicated that genetic difference between the rice varieties from different countries had a close relationship with the geographical position and the latitude.
Fast Golomb coding parameter estimation using partial data and its application in hyperspectral image compression

The efficiency of a Golomb code depends on how well its coding parameter reflects the input data to be compressed. Typically, such a coding parameter is estimated from the entire dataset. We propose a fast processing method, which estimates the coding parameter based on a very sparse sampling of the dataset. Simulations on both synthetic data and hyperspectral image data showed that the fast method achieves compression efficiency closely resembling the full-data estimation method. By involving only a small portion of the original data, the proposed method tends to incur less processing delays and memory usage.
The correlation between self esteem and risky sexual behaviors in young African American women

I the US, African Americans (AA) face the most rigorous burden of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. In actual fact, HIV has reached epidemic proportions in African American women (AAW). Therefore, reducing risky sexual behaviors in AA women is a vital component of preventative initiatives for this vulnerable population. Despite the many studies conducted on HIV in the AA community, factors that influence sexual risk taking, such as self-esteem, have yet to be understood. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self esteem and sexual risk taking behaviors in young AAW. The participants were a convenience sample of 33 AAW from three Metropolitan regions within Michigan. Data collection materials specific to this study are a sociodemographic questionnaire, an interview questionnaire, and a semi-structured qualitative interview guide. The sociodemographic questionnaire was obtained by self-report and information collected included age, race, education level, marital status, income level, religious affiliation and participation, sexual activity, current relationship duration, and confidence that the current relationship is monogamous. Participants also completed an interview questionnaire that consisted of eight, five point likert scales that measured three broad categories: a) condom use intentions, b) interpersonal factors and c) relationship characteristics and dynamics. The Modified AIDS Risk Reduction Model provided the framework for the semistructured interview questions used for the focus group session. Following attainment of a written consent, participants completed the questionnaires before the focus group session. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods used in the study allowed the researchers to gain a better understanding of how self esteem influences risky sexual behaviors in AAW. The results offer important insight into how AAW define self esteem and the relationship self esteem has on risky sexual behaviors. Moreover, findings from the study can be used to develop strategies that facilitate self-efficacy and sexual assertiveness programs for this vulnerable population. Laura I. Pittiglio, J AIDS Clin Res 2013, 4:9 http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2155-6113.S1.002
Diversity, Poverty, and Resources: The Role of Incentives and Capacity in the Presence of Highly Resourced Neighborhood Associations

ABSTRACTHighly resourced neighborhood associations are not spread evenly across U.S. urban neighborhoods. It is not the neediest or the wealthiest neighborhoods that have these associations but those that have needs-based incentives and the capacity to act upon them, leaving those that most lack capacity without these valuable resources. The incentives and capacities needed for highly resourced neighborhood associations are rooted in the composition of the neighborhood. Diverse and impoverished neighborhoods have the requisite incentives to organize, but only neighborhoods with individual and organizational resources have the capacity to act on these incentives. It is the interaction between incentives and capacities that enable large neighborhood associations to locate in a neighborhood. This argument finds support in statistical analyses of census-tract-level variation in the presence of highly-resourced neighborhood associations in the 100 most populated metropolitan statistical areas in 2009.
Kinetic Analysis Reveals the Identity of Aβ-Metal Complex Responsible for the Initial Aggregation of Aβ in the Synapse

The mechanism of Aβ aggregation in the absence of metal ions is well established, yet the role that Zn2+ and Cu2+, the two most studied metal ions, released during neurotransmission, paly in promoting Aβ aggregation in the vicinity of neuronal synapses remains elusive. Here we report the kinetics of Zn2+ binding to Aβ and Zn2+/Cu2+ binding to Aβ-Cu to form ternary complexes under near physiological conditions (nM Aβ, μM metal ions). We find that these reactions are several orders of magnitude slower than Cu2+ binding to Aβ. Coupled reaction-diffusion simulations of the interactions of synaptically released metal ions with Aβ show that up to a third of Aβ is Cu2+-bound under repetitive metal ion release, while any other Aβ-metal complexes (including Aβ-Zn) are insignificant. We therefore conclude that Zn2+ is unlikely to play an important role in the very early stages (i.e., dimer formation) of Aβ aggregation, contrary to a widely held view in the subject. We propose that targeting the specific interaction...
Safety of perioperative ketorolac administration in pediatric appendectomy

Abstract Background Recent studies in adults undergoing gastrointestinal surgeries show an increased rate of complications with the use of ketorolac. This calls into question the safety of ketorolac in certain procedures. We sought to evaluate the impact of perioperative ketorolac administration on outcomes in pediatric appendectomy. Methods The Pediatric Health Information System database was queried for patients aged 5-17 y with a primary diagnosis of appendicitis and a primary procedure of appendectomy during the period 2010-2014. Patients with procedures suggesting incidental appendectomy, those records with data quality issues, deaths, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were excluded. Variables recorded included age, sex, race, ethnicity, discharge year, complex chronic conditions, geographic region, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and whether appendicitis was coded as complicated. The exposure variable was ketorolac administration on the day of or day after operation. The primary outcomes of interest were any surgical complications during the initial encounter, postoperative length of stay (LOS), total cost for the initial visit, any readmission to ambulatory, observation, or inpatient status within 30 d, and readmission with a diagnosis of peritoneal abscess or other postoperative infection or with transabdominal drainage performed. Results A total of 78,926 patients were included in the analysis cohort. Mean age was 11.4 y (standard deviation 3.3 y), the majority were males (61%), White (70%), and non-Hispanic (65%). Few had a complex chronic condition (3%) or required mechanical ventilation (2%) or an intensive care unit admission (1%). Patients with complicated appendicitis comprised 28% of the cohort. Most (73%) received ketorolac on postoperative day 0-1; those with complicated appendicitis were more likely to receive ketorolac. In all, 2.6% of the cohort had a surgical complication during the index visit, 4.3% were readmitted within 30 d, and 2% had a postoperative infection or transabdominal drainage (1% in the uncomplicated group and 5% in the complicated group). Median postoperative LOS was 1 d and mean cost was $9811 ± $9509. On bivariate analysis, ketorolac administration was associated with a decrease in same-visit surgical complications (P = 0.004) and cost ($459 decrease, P Conclusions Based on a large, contemporary data set from children's hospitals, ketorolac administration in the immediate postoperative period after appendectomy for appendicitis is common and was not associated with an increase in postoperative LOS, postoperative infection, or any-cause 30-d readmission. Ketorolac was, however, independently associated with a lower overall rate of postoperative complications and cost in this population.
Unique Presentations and Etiologies of Myocardial Infarction in Women

Despite recent efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease, it remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among women, particularly younger women. When compared to men, women have more inpatient complications, mortality, heart failure, and stroke following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) despite having less obstructive coronary artery disease. Moreover, women are less likely to have AMI from plaque rupture than men, and more likely to experience alternate etiologies of AMI including plaque erosion and spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Herein, we discuss current knowledge regarding women’s unique experience of AMI, including demographics, presentation, etiologies, and acute and outpatient care.