cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
View-adaptation reveals coding of face pose along image, not object, axes.

Abstract High-level adaptation effects reveal important features of the neural coding of objects and faces. View-adaptation in particular is a highly useful means of characterizing how depth rotation of the face is represented and therefore, how view-invariant recognition of the face may be achieved. In the present study, we used view adaptation to determine the extent to which depth rotations of a face are represented in an image-based or object-based manner. Specifically, we dissociated object-based axes from image-based axes via a 90° planar rotation of the adapting face and observed that participants’ responses pre- and post-adaptation are most consistent with an image-based representation of depth rotations of the face. We discuss our data in the context of previous results describing the impact of planar rotation on related aspects of face perception.
Stator-Rotor Interactions in a Transonic Compressor: Part 1 — Effect of Blade-Row Spacing on Performance

Usually less axial spacing between the blade rows of an axial flow compressor is associated with improved efficiency. However, mass flow rate, pressure ratio, and efficiency all decreased as the axial spacing between the stator and rotor was reduced in a transonic compressor rig. Reductions as great as 3.3% in pressure ratio and 1.3 points of efficiency were observed as axial spacing between the blade-rows was decreased from far apart to close together. The number of blades in the stator blade-row also affected stage performance. Higher stator blade-row solidity led to larger changes in pressure ratio, efficiency, and mass flow rate with axial spacing variation. Analysis of the experimental data suggests that the drop in performance is a result of increased loss production due to blade-row interactions. Losses in addition to mixing loss are present when the blade-rows are spaced closer together. The extra losses are associated with the upstream stator wakes and are most significant in the mid-span region of the flow.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Engineering and Applications of Chimeric Nucleases

Each human cell contains about 3xl09 base pairs (bp) within its genome. With the first draft sequence of the human genome now available, biologists estimate that there are about 30,000-40,000 different genes within the genome (IHGSC2001,Venter et al. 2001). This is fewer than originally anticipated, but still a huge number. These genes code for all of the human body’s proteins. Simple mutations within the coding region of critical genes can lead to the formation of abnormal proteins, resulting in disease phenotypes, premature death, or failure of an embryo to develop. Furthermore, mutations that affect the regulatory region of genes can result in aberrant gene expression within cells, and give rise to cancer phenotypes. The ‘Holy Grail’ of the Human Genome Project is ‘Gene Therapy’, that is,how genes might someday be used, modified, or even changed to correct human disease.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed: a clinicopathological study of 12 cases.

summary Twelve cases were reviewed of squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed, with emphasis on the aetiological role of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and radiation damage. Using a hybridization technique, similar HPV genomes were detected in a uterine cervical neoplasia and a subungual squamous cell carcinoma in the same patient.
Asbestos stimulation triggers differential cytokine release from human monocytes and alveolar macrophages.

Inhalation of asbestos fibers results in a variety of lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. Various animal models have demonstrated the importance of cytokines in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Alveolar macrophages from patients exposed to asbestos spontaneously release increased amounts of cytokines. The purpose of these studies was to determine whether asbestos directly stimulates cytokine release from human alveolar macrophages after in vitro exposure. We demonstrate that, although asbestos triggers cytokine release from blood monocytes, normal alveolar macrophages do not respond to asbestos stimulation with cytokine release. However, normal alveolar macrophages are activated by asbestos particles, in vitro, as determined by the upregulation of mRNAs for cytokines, and activation of the p38 kinase, which has been shown to be important in the translation of cytokine message into protein. These studies demonstrate that asbestos stimulates both normal blood monocytes and normal alveolar ma...
Pathologic Complete Response Predicts Recurrence-Free Survival More Effectively by Cancer Subset: Results From the I-SPY 1 TRIAL—CALGB 150007/150012, ACRIN 6657

Purpose Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer provides critical information about tumor response; how best to leverage this for predicting recurrence-free survival (RFS) is not established. The I-SPY 1 TRIAL (Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response With Imaging and Molecular Analysis) was a multicenter breast cancer study integrating clinical, imaging, and genomic data to evaluate pathologic response, RFS, and their relationship and predictability based on tumor biomarkers. Patients and Methods Eligible patients had tumors ≥ 3 cm and received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We determined associations between pathologic complete response (pCR; defined as the absence of invasive cancer in breast and nodes) and RFS, overall and within receptor subsets. Results In 221 evaluable patients (median tumor size, 6.0 cm; median age, 49 years; 91% classified as poor risk on the basis of the 70-gene prognosis profile), 41% were hormone receptor (HR) negative, and 31% were human epidermal gr...
Do Market Oriented Firms Demonstrate Clarity on Their Value Discipline? Evidence from Illinois Beef Producers

A market orientation has been shown to lead to improved firm performance in a variety of industries (Narver and Slater, 1990; Deshpande et al., 1993). In previous research, it has been argued that performance benefits are a result of a greater awareness of the sources of value the product provides to the consumer, without specifically describing how value was created. Treacy and Wiersema (1993) developed the concept of value disciplines, which are three distinctive means of value provision, namely operational excellence, customer intimacy and product leadership. More recently, Narver et al. (1998) argued that market oriented firms have a clear understanding of how they provide value to customers, but this assertion has yet to be empirically tested. A new scale was developed and tested to measure the choice and clarity of value discipline. Using a sample of 343 Illinois beef producers, results show that organizational learning, innovativeness, and extreme levels of market orientation contribute to value discipline clarity while moderate levels of market orientation have the opposite effect.
RACIAL 'BOUNDARY-POLICING' Perceptions of Black-White Interracial Couples in Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro 1

As people who cross racial boundaries in the family formation process, the experiences of interracial couples can actually reveal the nature of racial boundaries within and across societies. I draw on in-depth qualitative interviews with eighty-seven respondents in interracial Black and White couples in Los Angeles and Rio de Janeiro to compare perceptions of public stigmatization by outsiders, a term I call “boundary-policing.” I find that couples in Los Angeles perceive gendered, Black individuals as perpetrators of this boundary-policing. In Rio de Janeiro, couples perceive regionalized and classed, White perpetrators. These findings suggest that in the United States and Brazil, racial boundaries are intertwined with class and gender boundaries to shape negotiation of boundary-policing in the two contexts. This analysis builds on previous studies of ethnoracial boundaries by showing how individuals reinforce and negotiate them through interpersonal relations. It demonstrates the similarities and differences in the negotiation and reinforcement of racial boundaries in the two sites.
The equatorial thermocline

Abstract In the temporary absence of surface winds, density gradients in the ocean can give rise to an eastward equatorial current which has a width, depth and maximum speed comparable to that of the equatorial undercurrent. This is offered as an explanation for the deeper of the two eastward currents (the one in the thermocline) which Hisard, Merle and Voituriez (1970) observed at the equator in the western Pacific. It also explains the eastward surface current observed at the equator when the trade winds are weak or absent. One striking feature of the meridional circulation is the occurrence of downwelling. It is suggested that this accounts for the downward spreading of the equatorial thermocline and for the deep penetration of water of high oxygen and low phosphate concentration at the equator.
Cumulant-based approach to harmonic retrieval and related problems

A frequently encountered problem in signal processing is that of estimating the frequencies and amplitudes of harmonics observed in additive colored Gaussian noise. In practice, the observed signals are contaminated with spatially and temporally colored noise of unknown power spectral density. A cumulant-based approach to these problems is proposed. The cumulants of complex processes are defined, and it is shown that specific 1-D slices of the fourth-order cumulant of the noisy signal for the direction of arrival (DOA) and retrieval of harmonics in noise (RHN) problems are identical to the autocorrelation of a related noiseless signal. Hence correlation-based high-resolution methods may be used with fourth-order cumulants as well. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is demonstrated through standard simulation examples. >
Patenting Marketing Methods: A Missing Topic in the Classroom

Since the 1998 landmark case that validated the patenting of business methods as intellectual property, a plethora of patents has emerged. Patents for marketing-related processes have been particularly abundant, especially when new marketing processes are tied to a technology component. A review of the marketing literature and textbooks shows an instructor lag in teaching this area. Methods of teaching the area are explored, and suggested materials are noted.
Tradeoffs Among Resource, Social, and Managerial Conditions on Mountain Summits of the Northern Forest

This research examined the relative importance of indicators and standards of quality at three mountain summits in the Northern Forest. The three summits ranged from low to high levels of use, development, and management. Computer-generated photographs were used to present a range of resource, social, and managerial conditions in a stated choice survey. Results suggest that visitors prefer minimal resource impact, few other people, and low intensity management. However, when faced with tradeoffs, respondents accept more intensive management to help ensure resource protection. Findings also suggest that a range of recreation opportunities should be provided at mountain summits in the Northern Forest.
Diacylglycerols activate mitochondrial cationic channel(s) and release sequestered Ca2

Mitochondria contribute to cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis through several uptake and release pathways. Here we report that 1,2-sn-diacylglycerols (DAGs) induce Ca2+ release from Ca2+-loaded mammalian mitochondria. Release is not mediated by the uniporter or the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, nor is it attributed to putative catabolites. DAGs-induced Ca2+ efflux is biphasic. Initial release is rapid and transient, insensitive to permeability transition inhibitors, and not accompanied by mitochondrial swelling. Following initial rapid release of Ca2+ and relatively slow reuptake, a secondary progressive release of Ca2+ occurs, associated with swelling, and mitigated by permeability transition inhibitors. The initial peak of DAGs-induced Ca2+ efflux is abolished by La3+ (1 mM) and potentiated by protein kinase C inhibitors. Phorbol esters, 1,3-diacylglycerols and 1-monoacylglycerols do not induce mitochondrial Ca2+ efflux. Ca2+-loaded mitoplasts devoid of outer mitochondrial membrane also exhibit DAGs-induced Ca2+ release, indicating that this mechanism resides at the inner mitochondrial membrane. Patch clamping brain mitoplasts reveal DAGs-induced slightly cation-selective channel activity that is insensitive to bongkrekic acid and abolished by La3+. The presence of a second messenger-sensitive Ca2+ release mechanism in mitochondria could have an important impact on intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis.
Densely folded silicon photonic wire biosensors in ring resonator and Mach-Zehnder configurations

We demonstrate silicon photonic wire evanescent field sensors formed by folding long photonic wire waveguides into dense spiral paths that occupy spot sizes less than 150 mum in diameter, and are hence suitable for biochip array formats. These sensors are incorporated into both ring resonator and Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) interrogation circuits, and tested by monitoring streptavidin protein adsorption. The level of detection is less than 1% of a monolayer in either configuration. Using a balanced MZI design, we show that the sensors can be insensitive to temperature and wavelength, while retaining a very high sensitivity to molecular adsorption.
Estimation of the Terrestrial Water Budget over Northern Eurasia through the Use of Multiple Data Sources

AbstractNorthern Eurasia has experienced significant change in its hydrology during the past century. Much of the literature has focused on documenting and understanding the trends rather than documenting the uncertainty that exists in current estimates of the mean hydroclimatology. This study quantifies the terrestrial water budget with reanalysis, hydrologic modeling, remote sensing, and in situ observations and shows there is significant uncertainty in the estimates of precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and terrestrial water storage changes. The spread among the various datasets highlights the scientific community's inability to accurately characterize the hydroclimatology of this region, which is problematic because much attention has focused on hydrologic trends using these datasets. The largest relative differences among estimates exist in the terrestrial storage change, which also is the least studied variable. Seasonally, the spread in estimates relative to the mean is largest in winter, w...
Thermal and rheological properties and textural attributes of reduced-fat turkey batters

Abstract Currently, modified potato and tapioca starches are used as functional additives in formulating reduced- and low-fat frankfurters. However, cornstarches may serve as alternative sources for comminuted meat systems. Meat batters formulated with ground turkey, 2% sodium chloride, 25% distilled-deionized water (ice), and 4% starch, including acid-thinned dent corn (ATDC), cross-linked waxy maize (XLWM), cross-linked dent corn (XLDC), modified potato (MP), acid-thinned dent corn with xanthan gum (ATDCG), or modified tapioca (MT) were compared. Thermal and structural properties of the batters were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic rheological testing. Cooking loss, reheating loss, and texture profile analysis (TPA) were determined for cooked turkey batters. The DSC peak temperatures ranged from 57.5 to 74.9 C, which correlated positively to onset temperatures of the storage moduli (G') for XLWM starch. Incorporation of XLWM, XLDC, MT, or MP starch into turkey batters resulted in significant reductions in cooking and reheating losses. The TPA results showed that 9.42, 8.57, and 8.48 kg of force were required for 75% compression of cooked batter segments containing MP, XLDC, and XLWM starches, respectively. Segments prepared with ATDCG starch were the least firm and most springy of all starch-containing segments.
A BEHAVIORAL MODEL OF LANDSCAPE CHANGE IN THE AMAZON BASIN: THE COLONIST CASE

This paper presents the prototype of a predictive model capable of describing both magnitudes of deforestation and its spatial articulation into patterns of forest fragmentation. In a departure from other landscape models, it establishes an explicit behavioral foundation for algorithm development, predicated on notions of the peasant economy and on household production theory. It takes a 'bottom-up' approach, generating the process of land-cover change occurring at lot level together with the geography of a transportation system to describe regional landscape change. In other words, it translates the decentralized decisions of individual households into a collective, spatial impact. In so doing, the model unites the richness of survey research on farm households with the analytical rigor of spatial analysis enabled by geographic information systems (GIs). The paper describes earlier efforts at spatial modeling, provides a critique of the so-called spatially explicit model, and elaborates a behavioral foundation by considering farm practices of colonists in the Amazon basin. It then uses, insight from the behavioral statement to motivate a GIs-based model architecture. The model is implemented for a long-standing colonization frontier in the eastern sector of the basin, along the Trans-Amazon Highway in the State of Para, Brazil. Results are subjected to both sensitivity analysis and error assessment, and suggestions are made about how the model could be improved.
Deposition of climbing‐ripple beds: a flume simulation

Thirteen runs were made in a small recirculating flume to simulate the deposition of the climbingripple sequences commonly present in fine-grained facies of fluvial and deltaic deposits. These sequences consist of intergradational climbing-ripple cross laminae and draped laminae. The experiments were based on the assumption that stratification type depends mainly on near-bottom flow structure and uniform sediment fallout from an overloaded flow. Various combinations of curves of velocity versus time and of sediment feed versus time in runs lasting from 45 to 840 min were used in an exploratory program; conditions for each run were selected on the basis of experience in previous runs. The runs verified that Type A (erosional-stoss) climbing ripples are produced by aggradation rates that are small relative to ripple migration rate, and Type B (depositional-stoss) climbing ripples are produced by aggradation rates that are large relative to ripple migration rate. Draped lamination results from continued fallout of sediment from suspension after ripple migration ceases or almost ceases. Comparison of geometric details of the ripple stratification produced in the flume runs with that in natural sequences, supplemented by considerations on maximum and minimum migration rates of ripples, suggests times of no more than a few tens of hours for the deposition of the climbing-ripple portions of sequences 10-20 cm thick. Runs in which deposition of a 20 cm sequence took more than 10 h produced such atypical features of ripple geometry as sharp crests, planar lee-side laminae, and angular toeset-foreset contacts.
Determination of Acid α-Glucosidase Activity in Blood Spots as a Diagnostic Test for Pompe Disease

Background: Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of glycogen metabolism that is characterized by a deficiency of the lysosomal acid α-glucosidase. Enzyme replacement therapy for the infantile and juvenile forms of Pompe disease currently is undergoing clinical trials. Early diagnosis before the onset of irreversible pathology is thought to be critical for maximum efficacy of current and proposed therapies. In the absence of a family history, the presymptomatic detection of these disorders ideally can be achieved through a newborn-screening program. Currently, the clinical diagnosis of Pompe disease is confirmed by the virtual absence, in infantile onset, or a marked reduction, in juvenile and adult onset, of acid α-glucosidase activity in muscle biopsies and cultured fibroblasts. These assays are invasive and not suited to large-scale screening. Methods: A sensitive immune-capture enzyme activity assay for the measurement of acid α-glucosidase protein was developed and used to determine the activity of this enzyme in dried-blood spots from newborn and adult controls, Pompe-affected individuals, and obligate heterozygotes. Results: Pompe-affected individuals showed an almost total absence of acid α-glucosidase activity in blood spots. The assay showed a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for the identification of Pompe-affected individuals. Conclusions: The determination of acid α-glucosidase activity in dried-blood spots is a useful, noninvasive diagnostic assay for the identification of Pompe disease. With further validation, this procedure could be adapted for use with blood spots collected in newborn-screening programs.
Clergy and the politics of gender

Using data from a new survey of mainline Protestant clergy, we explore the extent to which a political gender gap exists between male and female mainline Protestant ministers. Analysis reveals major partisan, ideological, attitudinal, and participatory disparities among clergymen and clergywomen. Women are far more liberal than their male counterparts, and even though they face the constraint of being a professional minority, clergywomen tend to participate in politics at higher rates than clergymen.
Fire and persistence of montane chaparral in mixed conifer forest landscapes in the northern Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe Basin, California, USA1

Abstract Nagel, T. A. and A. H. Taylor (Department of Geography, The Pennsylvania State University, 302 Walker Building, University Park, PA 16802). Fire and persistence of montane chaparral in mixed conifer forest landscapes in the northern Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe Basin, California J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 132: 442–457. 2005.— Tree cover in the mixed conifer zone in the Sierra Nevada is often interrupted by large shrub fields, or stands of montane chaparral. Chaparral stands are thought to be associated with either poor site conditions, or locations that have experienced severe fire. Fires have been excluded from mixed conifer forests for nearly a century because of a management policy of suppressing fire. This study quantifies the intervals between fires, and the response of chaparral shrubs and trees to fire and fire exclusion in six montane chaparral stands. Quercus vaccinifolia and Arctostaphylos patula were the dominant shrubs on all sites and the last fires burned in the six sites between 1861 and 188...
Using occupancy-based surveys and multi-model inference to estimate abundance and distribution of crested gibbons (Nomascus spp.) in central Laos

Reliable assessments of species' status are prerequisites for monitoring the success of conservation programmes. However, survey conditions such as terrain and inaccessibility, compounded by the low densities of many species across Southeast Asia and other parts of the world are considerable barriers to obtaining robust populations estimates. We used an occupancy-based approach and multi-model inference to generate occupancy and abundance estimates for northern white-cheeked crested gibbons Nomascus leucogenys and southern white-cheeked crested gibbons N. siki in the Nam Kading National Protected Area (NKNPA) in central Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic (hereafter Laos). We present these estimates for gibbons within the context of a strategy designed to monitor multiple species and discuss the practical challenges to obtaining sufficient data for robust population estimates to detect change in gibbon status over time. We surveyed approximately 210 km2 of habitat and estimate an abundance of 45 (SE = 17, CV = 37%) groups, giving an average site abundance of 0.21 (SE = 0.08, CV = 37%) groups per km2 . We make recommendations for ongoing gibbon monitoring and discuss the wider implications for cost effective wildlife monitoring in Laos. Am. J. Primatol. 78:462-472, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strains of Digital Money

This paper provides a basic framework that explains how the major types of known digital money solutions relate to each other, i.e. what are the similarities and differences, and hence the pros and cons, of each. The broader purpose is to offer fresh new perspectives on how digital money grids might be pieced together in the future, so as to make them: (i) safer, technologically and operationally; (ii) more convenient, user friendly, and useful by making them easier to integrate into broader digital solutions (i.e. more programmable); (iii) more contestable by different providers, creating more of a level playing field and stronger incentives to innovate; and (iv) much cheaper than current systems, especially for micro-transactions, which to this day remain unsupported by efficient payment mechanisms and yet constitute the vast majority of transactions in the mass market.
Peer Violence Prevention Programs in Middle and High Schools.

As the place where adolescents spend a significant portion of their time-and the place where an increasing amount of violence is occurring-schools have become a primary location for violence-prevention activities. This chapter describes the range of school-based interventions currently being employed, comments on the availability of data regarding their effectiveness, and offers recommendations for improving the research and practice of violence prevention in school settings. Language: en
Effect of Packing Parameter on Amphiphilic Self-Assembly: A Brownian Dynamics Study

We investigate the role of packing parameter in dictating the shape and size of micelles in amphiphilic self-assembly by varying the size of the hydrophilic head for a fixed tail size using a stochastic molecular dynamics simulation.
Prospective heart tracking for whole-heart magnetic resonance angiography.

PURPOSE To develop a prospective respiratory-gating technique (Heart-NAV) for use with contrast-enhanced three-dimensional (3D) inversion recovery (IR) whole-heart magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) acquisitions that directly tracks heart motion without creating image inflow artifact. METHODS With Heart-NAV, one of the startup pulses for the whole-heart steady-state free precession MRA sequence is used to collect the centerline of k-space, and its one-dimensional reconstruction is fed into the standard diaphragm-navigator (NAV) signal analysis process to prospectively gate and track respiratory-induced heart displacement. Ten healthy volunteers underwent non-contrast whole-heart MRA acquisitions using the conventional diaphragm-NAV and Heart-NAV with 5 and 10-mm acceptance windows in a 1.5T scanner. Five patients underwent contrast-enhanced IR whole-heart MRA using a diaphragm-NAV and Heart-NAV with a 5-mm acceptance window. RESULTS For non-contrast whole-heart MRA with both the 5 and 10-mm acceptance windows, Heart-NAV yielded coronary artery vessel sharpness and subjective visual scores that were not significantly different than those using a conventional diaphragm-NAV. Scan time for Heart-NAV was 10% shorter (p < 0.05). In patients undergoing contrast-enhanced IR whole-heart MRA, inflow artifact was seen with the diaphragm-NAV but not with Heart-NAV. CONCLUSION Compared with a conventional diaphragm-NAV, Heart-NAV achieves similar image quality in a slightly shorter scan time and eliminates inflow artifact. Magn Reson Med 77:759-765, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Spatially Selective Au Nanoparticle Deposition and Raman Analysis of Ion-Irradiated Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Electroless deposition of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) onto ion-irradiated single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) represents a selective method to spatially profile defects by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). High purity SWCNT papers were irradiated with 150 keV 11B+ and subsequently exposed to 0.01 M KAuBr4(aq) to nucleate Au-NPs. Based on statistical image analysis, a 30 s KAuBr4(aq) exposure is sufficient to indicate the presence of defects by Au-NP nucleation, resulting in particle radii of ∼14 nm and minimal coalescence. A decrease in interparticle distance along individual SWCNT bundles and an increase in Au-NP areal density from 3 to 58 Au-NPs/μm2 are measured over the fluence range of 1 × 1013–1 × 1015/cm2, respectively. Raman analysis shows that the G′-band peak position progressively downshifts for the SWCNTs due to ion irradiation, whereas purified SWCNTs exhibit an upshift from charge transfer with KAuBr4(aq). A strong correlation between the Au-NP areal density from SEM and the relative rati...
Sociobiology: A New Synthesis?

Abstract This paper examines the relatively new theory of sociobiology, which is an attempt to explain the social behavior of animals to a significant extent genetically. This theory is characterized in terms of its origins, its relation to biology and evolutionary theory, and its explanations of human behavior patterns such as aggression, parenthood, and the like. Moreover, the implications which this theory holds for society and the social sciences are examined and criticized with the conclusions that sociobiology, in its present form, cannot be held as a scientifically acceptable account of all the factors determining animal behavior, but that it does have the effect of giving greater impetus to the idea that the social and natural sciences are inseparable.
Comparisons of Volatile N-Containing Compounds in the Smoke of Lamina and Midrib of Flue-cured Tobacco Leaves

Smoke condensates of lamina and midrib cigarettes of flue-cured tobacco leaves were subjected to glass capillary column gas chrornatography without fractionation. A flame thermionic detector (FTD), which is specific for N-containing organic compounds, was used. By this method, pyridines, pyrroles and lactams were determined simultaneously. Nicotine was a major component, in both smokes. In regard to the other components, degradation products of nicotine predominated in lamina smoke, while pyrazines and oxygenated N-compounds predominated in midrib smoke. In this study, several N-containing compounds were found for the first time in tobacco smoke.
Delayed Consequences of Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an increasingly common complication of hospitalization and acute illness. Experimental data indicate that AKI may cause permanent kidney damage through tubulointerstitial fibrosis and progressive nephron loss, while also lowering the threshold for subsequent injury. Furthermore, preclinical data suggest that AKI may also cause distant organ dysfunction. The extension of these findings to human studies suggests long-term consequences of AKI including, but not limited to recurrent AKI, progressive kidney disease, elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular events, and mortality. As the number of AKI survivors increases, the need to better understand the mechanisms driving these processes becomes paramount. Optimizing care for AKI survivors will require understanding the short- and long-term risks associated with AKI, identifying patients at highest risk for poor outcomes, and testing interventions that target modifiable risk factors. In this review, we examine the literature describing the association between AKI and long-term outcomes and highlight opportunities for further research and potential intervention.
Research on VSC-HVDC Damping Characteristics and Damping Control

By use of complex torque analysis method,the electromagnetic torque of voltage source converter based HVDC(VSC-HVDC) system is approximately derived,the phenomena of electric damping decreasing or negative damping in AC/DC transmission system caused by fast power control of VSC-HVDC are quantitatively analyzed.On the basis of establishing a small signal model for AC/DC hybrid power grid in which the VSC-HVDC and its controller are included and by use of optimal control theory,an optimal damping controller is designed.Numerical simulation results of AC/DC hybrid power grid show that the supplementary damping control method is efficient.
Study on the surveillance of adverse events following immunizationin Hubei Province(2010)

Objective To analyze the features of the adverse events f following immunization(AEFI) in the whole province in 2010,andevaluate the function/situation of AEFI monitoring system,national immunization programs(National Immunization Program,NIP) and the safety of vaccines and vaccination service.Methods Through the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System for suspected abnormal reaction to vaccination information management system,the data from January 1,to Dec.31,2010 were collected.Descriptive epidemiological method forrelevant indicators was applied.Results 1 770 cases of AEFI were reported in 2010.The coverage rate at county level was 100%.55 counties(53.40%) reported the number of cases under 10.The rate of timely reporting within 48 hours was 88.76%,and the rate of timely investigation within 48 hours was 97.74%The questionnaire completion rate was 100%.Among the 1 770 cases of AEFI,the ratio of male to female was 1.41 ∶1≤2-year-old children accounted for 77.46%,the majority were reported in September.The top five AEFI were in turn: measles vaccine(mv),tetanus and acellular pertussis combined vaccine(DTaP),tetanus and pertussis combined vaccine(DTP),group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine,Japanese encephalitis vaccine.The AEFI rate of the first dose accounted for 65.42%,the AEFI of ≤1 day accounted for 84.18%.The estimation of adverse reaction of NIP vaccine was 0.28/100 million doses-25.43/100 million doses.The classified diagnosis of AEFI showed that,the adverse reaction accounted for 96.10%,others,3.90%.The top three clinical damages were allergic reaction,aseptic abscess,BCG lymphadenitis.Conclusions The completion and sensitivity of the AEFImonitoring in 2010 were improved,however,the quality of surveillance still needs to be improved.Since AEFI occurred mostly in the lower-age group and the first dose of NIP for 0-1 d group,hence the strengthening of surveillance is of great importance.The result showed that the quality of the vaccination service was quite good.
Radioactive sodium chromate for the study of survival of red blood cells. III. The abnormal hemoglobin syndromes.

Cr51 erythrocyte survival times are reported in a group of patients with a variety of abnormal hemoglobin syndromes. Marked decreases in survival time are demonstrated in pure sickle cell anemia. Shortened survival times are reported in one case each of hemoglobin C disease and sickle cell-hemoglobin C disease with compensated hemolysis. Normal survival times are reported in sickle cell trait and hemoglobin C trait. Red cell life span as measured by the Cr51 technic agrees well with most published reports of survival times in these disorders in cases performed with the Ashby technic. The Cr51 method appears to be as useful in measuring the survival of erythrocytes containing abnormal hemoglobins as it has been shown to be in other hemolytic disorders as well as in normals. Its decided advantages are its simplicity, adaptability, and reliability.
Neurologic syndromes from repetitive trauma at work.

PreviewWhat do assembly line workers and musicians have in common? Neurologic syndromes caused by repeated exposure to trauma in their chosen vocation or avocation. This form of trauma can, over time, have devastating consequences for a patient's health and livelihood. In this article, Dr Mandel discusses how to recognize and treat the most common overuse and entrapment syndromes but also emphasizes the ultimate—and often attainable—goal of prevention.
Precision medicine informatics.

This special issue on precision medicine informatics flowed from the AMIA 2015 Translational Bioinformatics Summit theme of “Accelerating Precision Medicine”1 and President Obama’s 2015 State of the Union call “to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier.”2 The goal is to focus on the inherent translational informatics challenges, concerns, and opportunities afforded by precision medicine to provide an accurate, personalized characterization of patient populations based on various characteristics including molecular (eg, genomic, proteomic), clinical (eg, comorbidities), environmental exposures, lifestyle, patient preferences, and other information.4–13 Informatics is a necessary component in a comprehensive initiative to tackle precision medicine. Its roles include (1) managing big data,15–17 (2) creating learning systems for knowledge generation,18–21 (3) providing access for individual involvement,22–25 and (4) ultimately supporting optimal delivery of precision treatments derived from translational research.26–29 The papers submitted for this special issue cover these 4 areas and expand on the themes of informatics emerging in the field of precision medicine. Data become “big” when the scale of the data and analyses challenge our traditional systems in size, velocity, or complexity.8 The large scale of the Million Veterans Program is an example, with systems and analysis methods being developed for application in a repository that has established policies and procedures. The Million Veterans Program can serve as a model for involving thousands of individuals in precision medicine research.30 Similarly, the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort …
Human disease-causing mutations affecting RNA splicing and NMD

Mutations at the coding sequences of genes are primarily predicted to affect encoded protein by altering amino acids. However, mutations can also affect encoded protein by altering pre-mRNA splicing, which has been arisen as a potential patho mechanism in many human diseases. Skipping of an exon can generate a protein isoform lacking an essential domain or signal. In contrast, inclusion of a non-functional exon can affect the structural integrity or stability of the encoded protein isoform. Besides these, alternative splicing can also give rise to a premature termination codon (PTC), which can generate a truncated protein with abnormal function, or may elicit nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway, followed by mRNA degradation. Therefore, aberrant splicing can exploit the mRNA surveillance pathway for detrimental consequences to cells. This review focuses different underlying mechanistic bases of human genetic mutations associated with aberrant splicing and NMD. Understanding the molecular basis of the disease can be extrapolated to treat genetic mutation for therapeutic intervention by manipulating splicing misregulation and/or NMD-regulatory pathway.
Renoprotective Effects of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide 38 (PACAP38)

Pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide 38 (PACAP38) is a naturally occurring pleiotropic neuropeptide with immunomodulatory actions. Research over the past two decades have revealed potent renoprotective properties of this peptide in diverse renal disorders including myeloma kidney, ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), nephrotoxic injury mediated by cisplatin, aminoglycosides, calcineurin inhibitors, iodinated radiocontrast dyes, and others. The kidney expresses both PACAP and PACAP receptors, and the renoprotective properties of PACAP are mediated through modulation of inflammatory pathways within the kidney as well as circulation derived cells. In this chapter we review the data on the effects of PACAP38 on immune pathways in various kidney injury models. In general, PACAP38 restrains heightened immune responses by inhibiting phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and inhibits nuclear transcription factors including NF-кB. PACAP38 blocks hyperactivation of innate immunity related genes and reduces the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) as well as their adaptor proteins. PACAP38 may be a promising therapy in a broad range of renal disorders.
Performance Evaluation of Multi-Hop Packet Radio Networks using Simulation

Design of a multi-hop store-and-forward packet radio network with mobile stations is quite complex due to the changing connectivity environment. In view of this, a number of heuristic procedures for retransmission control, congestion control, updating of routing tables, etc. become necessary as can be found in the existing literature on packet radio networks (mostly related to the packet radio program of the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency). Since such procedures are not easily amenable to analysis, simulations and hardware/software testbeds are required to obtain a meaningful assessment of performance of the networks. In this paper, we describe a preliminary simulation model for packet radio networks, developed using the discrete event simulation language, SIMSCRIPT, on a VAX 11/780. In the present model, a number of functions such as routing, passive and active acknowledgments, determination of good neighbor nodes, carrier sense multiple access, and pacing are incorporated. Some numerical results are obtained using a topology with five stations. In future work, the model will be enhanced and used as a vehicle to analyze performance with different medium access and routing schemes and with higher level protocols such as the transport layer.
Space launch system, core stage, structural test design and implementation

As part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Space Launch System (SLS) Program, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama are working to design, develop and implement the SLS Core Stage structural testing. The SLS will have the capability to return humans to the Moon and beyond and its first launch is scheduled for December of 2017. The SLS Core Stage consist of five major elements; Forward Skirt, Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank, Intertank (IT), Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) tank and the Engine Section (ES). Structural Test Articles (STA) for each of these elements are being designed and produced by Boeing at Michoud Assembly Facility located in New Orleans, La. The structural test for the Core Stage STAs (LH2, LOX, IT and ES) are to be conducted by the MSFC Test Laboratory. Additionally, the MSFC Test Laboratory manages the Structural Test Equipment (STE) design and development to support the STAs. It was decided early (April 2012) in the project life that the LH2 and LOX tank STAs would require new test stands and the Engine Section and Intertank would be tested in existing facilities. This decision impacted schedules immediately because the new facilities would require Construction of Facilities (C of F) funds that require congressional approval and long lead times. The Engine Section and Intertank structural test are to be conducted in existing facilities which will limit lead times required to support the first launch of SLS. With a SLS launch date of December, 2017 Boeing had a need date for testing to be complete by September of 2017 to support flight certification requirements. The test facilities were required to be ready by October of 2016 to support test article delivery. The race was on to get the stands ready before Test Article delivery and meet the test complete date of September 2017. This paper documents the past and current design and development phases and the supporting processes, tools, and methodology for supporting the SLS Core Stage STA test stands and related STE. The paper will address key requirements, system development activities and project challenges. Additionally, the interrelationships as well as interdependencies within the SLS project will be discussed.1
Life History and Development of Oligocene Larger Benthic Foraminifera: A Test of the Environmental Control on Heterochrony

Larger benthic foraminifera (LBF) comprise a heterogeneous group of protists that typically reach more than three cubic millimeters in test volume and have complex internal morphologies. For most extant species, large size and complex tests are related to algal symbiosis. Living forms are associated with coral reefs and related oligotrophic carbonate environments, where symbiotic relationships with algae are especially advantageous. Extinct larger foraminifera are almost invariably associated with similar (paleo)environments. It has been argued on theoretical grounds (and supported by some empirical data) that in stable (i.e., low energy) but stressful (e.g. , low light for photosymbionts) conditions, the semelparous LBF will delay reproduction, grow to larger sizes, and produce larger embryons (Juvenile tests) during asexual reproduction. To test these relations, test size and embryon size of the LBF Nummulites panamensis, Lepidocyclina mantelli, L. yurnagunensis, and L. undosa, were examined along a Lower Oligocene forereef-to-deep shelf transect across Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. The results of this study indicate that intraspecific LBF body size and embryon size are predicted to be greatest at the extremes of a species' range. At these limits, however, it is suggested that large size is attained for different reasons. At the deep end of the ecogradient, LBF delay reproduction and grow longer. Large juveniles (with much symbiont-rich protoplasm) are favored under these low light conditions. Such populations are under stress-selection. At the shallow end of the range, reproduction is also delayed (to increase either fecundity or juvenile size because of low juvenile survival in high energy conditions), but because of the optimality of the environment (i.e., low stress), growth rate is normal or even accelerated. These populations are under K-selection. Environmental variables exert a direct influence on the life history and development of larger foraminifera. By delaying reproduction (hypermorphosis) to increase fecundity or juvenile size at the extremes of a species' range, larger intraspecific body sizes result.
Do Energy Drink Consumers Study More

The use and motivations for use of energy drinks (EDs) in college students has been documented in the literature. Many college students identify academic reasons, such as a need to study more, as a motivation for ED use. However, research has not determined if users who claim academic motivations actually study more than those who claim other motivations. A sample of 692 undergraduate students at a large, private university completed a paper survey that inquired about demographics, ED use, motivations for ED use, sleep quality, and average amount of time spent sleeping and studying per week. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographics, and analysis of variance was used to compare ED users with different motivations to amount of time spent sleeping and studying per week. Regression analysis was also used to determine if ED use could be predicted by any of the other variables. Increased ED consumption was predicted by being male (B = −0.394, p < .001) and having a decreased sleep quality (B = 0.586, p < .001). Reported study hours by subjects who claimed academic reasons as motivation for ED use were not significantly different in comparison to ED users who claimed other motivations. In our sample, ED users who reported academic reasons as motivations for use did not report significantly more study hours per week when compared to those who claimed other motivations. This demonstrates a disconnect between reported motivations for energy drink use and outcomes that are expected to be associated with those motivations.