cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemistry of the Aroids I. Dieffenbachia seguine, amoena and picta'

Although numerous chemical and biological studies have been conducted on Dieffenbachia plants, the identity and composition of the toxic constituents has not been established. Bigelow (3) first reported that the acrid property in species of Arum (A. triphyllum) appears to depend upon a distinct vegetable pripcipal which is extremely volatile and disappears almost entirely upon heating, drying or simple exposure. Madaus (18) implicated a poisonous alkaloid, glycoside or a bitter substance to be the toxic substance. Madaus and Koch (19) postulated that it might be of hormonal nature. Calcium oxalate (raphides) was considered but, according to Barnes (1) the amount of soluble or total oxalate was no more than is found in several edible vegetables. Barnes suggested a sapotoxin. He found that water and acid extracts of D. picta and D. seguine contained a low concentration of toxic constituents as compared to expressed juice and that juice from the stem is more irritating than of the petiole or leaf. Drach and Maloney (8) and Dore (7) implicated insoluble and/or soluble oxalate or glycosidal principles. Pohl (21, 22) suggested a protein. In this investigation, the authors found that Dieffenbachia seguine, D. amoena and D. picta all contain L-asparagine and a proteolytic enzyme. Long sharp raphides of calcium oxalate are also present in the leaf blade. Fur-
Environmental Psychology and Health

This article reviews a program of research that takes a transactional person-in-environment approach to the study of disease prevention and health promotion. Four areas of research are described: smoking cessation, AIDS prevention, compliance with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and prognosis after hip fracture. The findings demonstrate that this approach can shape health care interventions that address the patents thoughts, feelings, and values, and can successfully influence patents' health-related behaviors.
Tunable shrink induced graphene composites for chemical sensors and microfluidics

The shrink induced graphene composites based on layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technique reported in this paper demonstrates controllably tunable features different from the conventional graphene composites. By self-assembly of graphene nanoplatelets on a polyolefin (PO) shrink film substrate, the surface morphologies of the graphene composites were capable of turning through controlling the shrink temperature. SEM and AFM were used to analyze the graphene composites, demonstrating that the density of the graphene nanowrinkles was growing with the rising of shrink temperature. The sensitivity of a chemical sensor based on the graphene composites was investigated, and the surface wetting ability of the graphene composites was also studied. The tunable properties with shrink temperatures promise the graphene composites for potential applications to chemical sensing and microfluidics.
Inhibition of droplet flocculation in globular-protein stabilized oil-in-water emulsions by polyols

Abstract The influence of neutral cosolvents (polyols) on the stability of hydrocarbon oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by a globular protein was investigated. Glycerol (0–40 wt%) and sorbitol (0–35 wt%) were added to n -hexadecane oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by β-lactoglobulin (β-lg, pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl), either before or after incubation at 30 °C for 24 h. The stability of the emulsions to flocculation and creaming improved when neutral cosolvents were added, with the effectiveness of the cosolvents depending on their type, concentration and time of addition. Emulsion stability was better for sorbitol than glycerol, improved with increasing cosolvent concentration, and was better when the cosolvents were added immediately after homogenization than when they were added 24 h later. The influence of the cosolvents on emulsion stability is interpreted in terms of their effect on the conformation and interactions of the adsorbed proteins, as well as on the droplet–droplet collision frequency. This study has implications for the development of protein stabilized oil-in-water emulsions for utilization in industrial products.
Vehicle Roll Stabilization Enhancement Using a Variable Stiffness Architecture: Kinematic Control

A variable stiffness architecture is used in the suspension system to counteract the body roll moment, thereby enhancing the roll stability of the vehicle. The variation of stiffness concept uses the “reciprocal actuation” to effectively transfer energy between a vertical traditional strut and a horizontal oscillating control mass, thereby improving the energy dissipation of the overall suspension. The lateral dynamics of the system is developed using a bicycle model. The accompanying roll dynamics are also developed and validated using experimental data. The positions of the left and right control masses are optimally allocated to reduce the effective body roll and roll rate. Simulation results show that the resulting variable stiffness suspension system has more than 50% improvement in roll response over the traditional constant stiffness counterparts. The simulation scenarios examined is the fishhook maneuver.© 2013 ASME
Flanking proline residues identify the L-type Ca2+ channel binding site of calciseptine and FS2.

Calciseptine and FS2 are 60-amino acid polypeptides, isolated from venom of the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis), that block voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels. We predicted that these polypeptides contain an identical functional site between residues 43 and 46 by searching for proline residues that mark the flanks of protein−protein interaction sites [Kini, R. M., and Evans, H. J. (1966) FEBS Lett. 385, 81−86]. The predicted Ca2+ channel binding site also occurs in closely related toxins, C10S2C2 and S4C8. Therefore, it is likely that these toxins also will block L-type Ca2+ channels. To test the proposed binding site on calciseptine and FS2, an eight-residue peptide, named L-calchin (L-type calcium channel inhibitor), was synthesized and examined for biological activity. As expected for an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, L-calchin reduced peak systolic and developed pressure in isolated rat heart Langendorff preparations without affecting diastolic pressure or heart rate. Furthermore, L-ca...
Chiral resolution of α,α'-bis[3-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)piperidino]-p-xylene, a novel antiplatelet compound

alpha,alpha'-Bis[3-(N,N-diethylcarbamoyl)piperidino]-p-xylene dihydrobromide, a novel antiplatelet agent, was resolved into three isomers A, B, and C, on a chiral alpha 1-acid glycoprotein analytical column using a mobile phase of 0.025 M phosphate buffer containing 0.025 M tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulfate, at a pH of 6.5. The effect of molarity, temperature, pH, flow rate, and organic modifiers on the enantioselectivity was examined. Based on circular dichroic spectra at 220 nm, A and C appear to be the (-)- and (+)-enantiomers, respectively, and B the meso diastereomer. Attempts at resolution using Pirkle type columns gave unsatisfactory results. It appears that both hydrophobic and polar interactions between the compound and the stationary phase are important determinants of resolution.
Predictive Modeling and Biomechanical Microengineering of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A High Content Screening Platform to Enhance Lineage Specific Differentiation

Recent evidence suggests that stem cell differentiation can be regulated by modulation of the cell’s biomechanics. The cytoskeletal structures and arrangements in stem cells undergoing differentiation are dramatically altered, and these alterations vary by lineage. The complexity of events associated with the transformation of these precursor cells leaves many questions unanswered about morphological, structural, proteomic, and functional changes in differentiating stem cells. A thorough understanding of stem cell behavior, both experimentally and computationally, would allow for the development of more effective approaches to the expansion of stem cells in vitro and for the regulation of their commitment to a specific phenotype.© 2013 ASME
Coronary vasospasm: A neuro-behavioral event?

Evidence exists for the presence of a neuro-anatomy that can produce cardiac vasospasm. Recent experimental and clinical data suggest that this neuro-anatomic mechanism can be activated by behavioral events in the psycho-social surround of the patient with coronary artery disease. I hypothesize that this mechanism can produce myocardial ischemia and can explain the variability in onset of clinical angina.
Early responses predict better outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia: results with four tyrosine kinase inhibitor modalities

Early responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)-chronic phase (CP) are associated with improved outcome. We analyzed the impact of such a response on outcomes among patients treated with 4 TKI modalities as frontline therapy in CML-CP. A total of 483 patients who received 400 or 800 mg imatinib, nilotinib, or dasatinib were analyzed. The median follow-up was 72 mo. Landmark analysis at 3 mo by molecular response showed that the cumulative proportions of 3-y event-free survival (EFS) for 3-mo BCR-ABL levels was 95% for those with ≤1%, 98% for >1% to 10%, and 61% for those with >10% (P = .001). The corresponding values by cytogenetic responses were 97% if Ph+ = 0%, 89% if Ph+ = 1% to 35%, and 81% if Ph+ >35% (P = .001). Cytogenetic response at 3 mo significantly discriminated for 3-y overall survival (OS): 98%, 96%, and 92%, respectively (P = .01). In multivariate analysis, young patients, high Sokal index, and treatment with imatinib 400 significantly predicted for poor (>35%) cytogenetic response at 3 mo. Early responses are predictive for EFS and failure-free survival and to a lesser extent OS, regardless of the treatment modality, although therapies other than standard-dose imatinib result in higher rates of deep early responses. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as ID01-151 NCT00038649, ID01-015 NCT00048672, DM00-163 NCT00333840, ID02-534 NCT00050531, 2005-0422 NCT00254423, and 2005-0048 NCT00129740.
Synthesis, structures, and luminescence properties of ternary supramolecular hydrogen-bonded complexes involving [(o-C6F4)Hg]3, carbazole, and a Lewis base

The interaction of trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylene mercury (1) with carbazole in dichloromethane, THF, and THF/NEt3 leads to the crystallization of [1·C12H8NH] (2), [1·(C12H8NH·THF)] (3), and [1·(C12H8NH·NEt3)] (4), respectively. Adducts 3 and 4 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 3 and 4 have also been determined. Both adducts have extended structures that exhibit supramolecular binary stacks, where molecules of 1 and the carbazole–Lewis base complex alternate. Short Hg–C contacts involving molecules of 1 and carbazole indicate the presence of secondary Hg–π interactions. In addition, adducts 3 and 4 display hydrogen-bonding interactions between the acidic NH moiety of carbazole and the heteroatom of the Lewis base. The presence of this hydrogen bond is also confirmed by IR spectroscopy, which shows that the νNH of 3 and 4 is lower than that of 2. The luminescence spectra of these adducts correspond to the phosphorescence of carbazole, which is induced by the mercury heavy atom effect. In the case of 3 and 4, additional low-energy bands are observed at 578 and 567 nm. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:195–201, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20329
Initiated CVD of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Thin Films

Initiated CVD (iCVD), a dry method, is able to produce poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films by utilizing a reactive gaseous mixture of the monomer methyl methacrylate and the initiator triethylamine. The deposition rate is twenty times faster with the use of the initiator. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show high structural resemblance between iCVD PMMA and conventional PMMA, and the degree of functionality retention increases with decreasing residence time in the vacuum chamber. XPS detection of nitrogen incorporation is consistent with the incorporation of the initiator into the polymer chains. NMR spectroscopy on completely dissolved films shows that the tacticity of iCVD PMMA resembles that of conventional, radically polymerized PMMA. Altogether these observations support the hypothesis that, for iCVD PMMA, the polymerization is by a free-radical mechanism.
STUDIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AXILLARY BUDS

IN MOST INVESTIGATIONS on the development of axillary buds, emphasis has been placed on the early stages of development with little attention being given to the later phases. As a result, there has been no clear concept of the timing and of the sequence of events in the growth of buds from their origin until maturity. It seemed desirable, therefore, that a series of investigations on the ontogeny of axillary buds be undertaken in several species of angiosperms. The first two papers of such a series described the origin and development of axillary buds in Syringa vulgaris L., Betula papyrifera Marsh. and Euptelea polyandra Sieb. et Zucc. (Garrison, 1949a, b). In this paper the progressive developmental stages of buds of seven other species are considered. The possible implication of the findings reported here to an understanding of the development and inhibition of buds and their use in horticultural practise will be discussed in a later paper.
Increased transcript levels of a methionine synthase during adhesion-induced activation of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii gametes

Chlamydomonas gametes of opposite mating types interact through flagellar adhesion molecules called agglutinins leading to a signal transduction cascade that induces cell wall loss and activation of mating structures along with other cellular responses that ultimately result in zygote formation. To identify molecules involved in these complex cellular events, we have employed subtractive and differential hybridization with cDNA from mt+ gametes activated for fertilization and non-signaling, vegetative (non-gametic) cells. We identified 55 cDNA clones whose transcripts were regulated in activated gametes. Here we report the molecular cloning and characterization of the complementary DNA (cDNA) for one clone whose transcripts in activated gametes were several-fold higher than in normal gametes. Regulation of the transcript was not related simply to protein synthesis because it was not increased in cells synthesizing new cell wall proteins. The cDNA contained a single open reading frame (ORF) of 815 amino acids encoding a polypeptide of calculated relative mass of 87 kDa. Database search analysis and sequence alignment indicated that the deduced amino acid sequence exhibited 42% identity and 62% similarity to a class of prokaryotic methyl transferases (5-methyltetrahydrofolate-homocysteine methyl transferase; EC 2.1.1.14) known to be involved in the terminal step of de novo biosynthesis of methionine. This enzyme catalyzes transfer of a methyl group from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to homocysteine resulting in methionine formation. Affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies raised against a bacterially produced GST-fusion protein identified a 85 kDa soluble protein in Chlamydomonas gametes. Southern blot hybridization indicated that the enzyme is encoded by a single-copy gene. The evidence presented in this paper raises the possibility that, in addition to its participation in de novo biosynthesis and regeneration of methionine, Chlamydomonas methionine synthase may play a role in adhesion-induced events during fertilization.
Coronary heart disease in black populations. I. Mortality and morbidity.

Abstract Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death among black Americans (57,999 deaths in 1977) despite the widely held belief that CHD is not common in blacks. CHD death rates were lower in black men than in white men in the United States in the 1940s but rose rapidly until they exceeded those of whites in 1968. Since 1968 CHD death rates in blacks have fallen by about 30%, to levels similar to whites but still higher than 1940 rates. Black women have higher CHD mortality than white women. The few population studies of myocardial infarction in the 1970s suggest similar or lower age-specific incidence in black than white men but higher case fatality and more out-of-hospital deaths. Trends in death certification practice and access to medical care may be of particular importance in these differences between blacks and whites.
Simple, Highly Active Palladium Catalysts for Ketone and Malonate Arylation: Dissecting the Importance of Chelation and Steric Hindrance

A remarkably active catalyst system for α-arylation of ketones and malonates was developed by proposing that sterically hindered alkylphosphines would accelerate the catalytic reaction rates. We initially tested the bisphosphine ligand DtBPF (1,1‘-bis-(di-tert-butylphosphino)ferrocene) for this palladium-catalyzed chemistry. This catalyst system led to fast reaction rates for reactions of aryl bromides with ketones, including room temperature chemistry in many cases. In some cases turnover numbers were 20 000. The catalyst also gave mild reactions with aryl chlorides with yields that were similar to the chemistry with aryl bromides. Independent synthesis of the arylpalladium enolate complexes with isobutyrophenone enolate showed that only one phosphorus of the bisphosphine ligand DtBPF was coordinated in the enolate complex. Thus, we tested sterically hindered alkylphosphine ligands for the ketone and malonate arylation process and found that P(t-Bu)3 gave exceptionally fast rates and high turnover number...
The Fisheries Management Structure and Process under the MFCMA: A North Pacific Perspective

Abstract The fishery management process established under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation Management Act (MFCMA) is reviewed using the North Pacific Fishery Management Council (NPFMC) as a model. The council's responsibility is primarily to develop and maintain Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) and has established committees and staff to fulfill this responsibility. The secretary of commerce has the responsibility to evaluate, approve, and implement the FMPs. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is responsible for resource assessment but state agencies contribute. Formal public participation is mandated in the MFCMA but there is extensive informal participation. Once a FMP or amendment has been drafted, a review process ensues involving regional and Washington offices of the NMFS, and the public. In-season management is accomplished by the Regional Office of NMFS. Although many problems face councils today, five seem most important: communication, goals, obtaining timely data, lobbying, and region...
Smart Homes that Monitor Breathing and Heart Rate

The evolution of ubiquitous sensing technologies has led to intelligent environments that can monitor and react to our daily activities, such as adapting our heating and cooling systems, responding to our gestures, and monitoring our elderly. In this paper, we ask whether it is possible for smart environments to monitor our vital signs remotely, without instrumenting our bodies. We introduce Vital-Radio, a wireless sensing technology that monitors breathing and heart rate without body contact. Vital-Radio exploits the fact that wireless signals are affected by motion in the environment, including chest movements due to inhaling and exhaling and skin vibrations due to heartbeats. We describe the operation of Vital-Radio and demonstrate through a user study that it can track users' breathing and heart rates with a median accuracy of 99%, even when users are 8~meters away from the device, or in a different room. Furthermore, it can monitor the vital signs of multiple people simultaneously. We envision that Vital-Radio can enable smart homes that monitor people's vital signs without body instrumentation, and actively contribute to their inhabitants' well-being.
The dispersibility and stability of carbon black in media of low dielectric constant. 1. Electrostatic and steric contributions to colloidal stability

Abstract The dispersibility of carbon black in dodecane at various concentrations of a commercial polyisobutene succinamide clearly demonstrates the two mechanisms by which dispersants minimize attractive forces between colliding particles. At dispersant levels of about 1 wt% of the carbon black, steric protection is evidenced by a million-fold decrease in particle-to-particle electrical conductance and twenty-fold decrease in viscosity, but the rates of flocculation are unchanged from those found with no dispersant for these 50 A films are too thin to effectively stabilize the particles as predicted by London—Hamaker theory. At dispersant levels of about 4 wt% of the carbon black, negative zeta potentials climb well above 120 m V and complete deflocculation results, with stability ratios in excess of 5 × 104 as is predictable from DLVO theory.
A comparison of CSTR and SBR bioslurry reactor performance

Abstract A continuous-flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a soil slurry-sequencing batch reactor (SS-SBR) were maintained in 8 l vessels for 180 days to treat a diesel fuel-contaminated soil. The SS-SBR provided markedly enhanced contaminant degradation relative to the CSTR. Diesel fuel removal efficiency was 96% in the SS-SBR, compared with 75% in the CSTR. Microbial growth was approximately 25% greater in the SS-SBR than the CSTR. However, significant biosurfactant production and foaming occurred in the SS-SBR, whereas none was observed in the CSTR. Surfactants were produced in the SS-SBR at concentrations up to 70 times the critical micelle concentration (CMC), but were biodegraded by the end of the cycle. Reactor operation was reversed after 80 days. The reactor converted from an SS-SBR to a CSTR lost surfactant production and showed reduced diesel fuel degradation. Converting the CSTR to an SS-SBR resulted in surfactant production and enhanced diesel fuel degradation. These results indicate that fill-and-draw operation selected for microbes with a greater ability to produce surfactants and degrade diesel fuel than the CSTR operation. Decreasing the diesel fuel addition rate in the SS-SBR by four times on day 160 reduced the maximum surfactant concentration and foam thickness by more than three times without affecting diesel fuel removal.
Mass spectrometric studies of the vaporization of phosphorus oxides

Abstract Mass spectrometric investigations of the evaporation of commercially available “phosphorus pentoxide” have shown that at temperatures below 150°C, the equilibrium vapor consists primarily of P4O10(g) with small amounts of P4O9(g). At temperatures between 175°C and approximately 350°C, the vapor contains P4O10(g), P4O9(g) and P4O8(g), while at temperatures greater than 400°C, the molecular species P4O7(g) is observed as well. Second-law heats of reaction for equilibria among the gaseous molecular species have been obtained. Also, free evaporation studies of both solid and liquid P4O6 indicate that the vapor consists primarily of P4O6(g). Average values for the (PO) and (PO) bond energy have been calculated.
MicroRNAs and their potential for translation in prostate cancer

Abstract Objective Patients die of prostate cancer (CaP) because predictably after a period of response to androgen withdrawal, their CaP becomes castrate resistant. In this paper, we discuss the role that microRNAs (miRNAs) may play in this process. Methods miRNAs are a group of endogenous, small non-coding RNA molecules that are thought to be responsible for the regulation of up to 30% of gene expression. The miRNA expression profile between androgen responsive and castrate resistant CaP cell lines is compared. Functional studies were carried out to identify the importance of the miRNA targets in controlling this process. Results There were 17 differentially expressed miRNAs found, 10 up-regulated and 7 down-regulated. Among these, miRNA-125b was found to have the ability of rendering LNCaP cells resistant to androgen withdrawal. It was found to be androgen regulated and one of its targets, BAK1, was identified as being involved in how these CaP cells undergo apoptosis functionally. Conclusion miRNA-125b, at least in the CaP cell lines tested, is involved in the development of castrate resistance. While clearly this miRNA is only part of the answer, miRNAs may lead us in a new direction in trying to solve the central problem in CaP.
Nonparametric Estimation of a Regression Function: Limiting Distribution2

Summary Consider the regression model Yi= g(xi) + ei, i = 1,…, n, where g is an unknown function defined on [0, 1], 0 = x0 < x1 < … < xn≤ 1 are chosen so that max1≤i≤n(xi-xi- 1) = 0(n-1), and where {ei} are i.i.d. with Ee1= 0 and Var e1 - s2. In a previous paper, Cheng & Lin (1979) study three estimators of g, namely, g1n of Cheng & Lin (1979), g2n of Clark (1977), and g3n of Priestley & Chao (1972). Consistency results are established and rates of strong uniform convergence are obtained. In the current investigation the limiting distribution of &in, i = 1, 2, 3, and that of the isotonic estimator g**n are considered.
New Crystal-Assisted Pair-Creation Process

The electron-positron pair production for a beam of very energetic photons (or ultra-relativistic charged particles) is predicted to be significantly enhanced when the beam is aligned along crystallographic rows of atoms. Channeling in crystals lowers the total energy of the created electron thus enabling the photon to decay in a one-step process. The new mechanism yields a rapidly increasing flux of electrons and positrons of comparable energies above a threshold near 30 GeV.
Histopathologic correlation of the three-layered intravascular ultrasound appearance of normal adult human muscular arteries

The purpose of this study was to correlate intravascular ultrasound images from normal peripheral muscular arteries with the microscopic arterial components by using surgical microdissection techniques. There has been uncertainty about the precise anatomic constituents that are represented by the intravascular ultrasound three-layer image in human peripheral arteries. Forty of 66 grossly normal human femoropopliteal arterial segments obtained at autopsy were found to have a three-layered appearance and were subjected to selective surgical microdissection of intima, media, or adventitia. After microdissection, arteries were imaged with a 30 MHz intravascular ultrasound system; two observers blindly reviewed video tapes to assess for the presence or absence of a one-, two-, or three-layered arterial appearance. Removal of internal elastic lamina and/or intima results in a weak but evident inner ultrasound acoustic interface as a result of the media, which is normally echo-lucent. Removal of the adventitia and/or external elastic lamina results in a weak outer ultrasound acoustic interface. Isolated removal of the media does not alter the three-layered ultrasound image. In normal adult human femoropopliteal arteries the inner bright acoustic reflection (layer) is derived from the interface of blood with the intima and internal elastic lamina and the second bright interface (third layer) is from the external elastic lamina and adventitia. The mid-echo-lucent zone is the result of the media. However, any portion of the arterial wall, including muscular media, can act as an acoustic interface.
Fluorescence and Absorption Spectra of Biological Dyes

Data include charts and tables of absorbance and fluorescence of 4 coupling agents for immunity reactions, 34 typical fluorescent dyes and reagents, and 12 dyes or reagents having no fluorescence in solution but which may be fluorescent in the dry state. Since this report consists largely of reference data, the original must be consulted for details. Reprint source: The Perkin-Elmer Corporation, Norwalk, Connecticut, U. S. A.
Shorter Communication: Quick Confounding

This article describes two quick, easily applied methods for obtaining the blocks of an experimental design that confound a specified set of effects in a factorial experiment.
THE FISCAL IMPACT OF PAY EQUITY

For most working women, being in the job market doesn't pay. Women earn the most in professions where men predominate—operations research, law, engineering, medicine—but they earn less than their male colleagues. Women predominate in the low‐paid occupations—clerical, retail sales, health services—and yet, even in these lower‐paid occupations, they still earn less than men.
Application specific low power hybrid FPGA architecture design

Increasing demand for configuration time aware processing with stringent constraints for flexibility necessitates the design and development of a dynamically fast reconfigurable processor. This research work presents results obtained from hybrid FPGA architecture design methodology proposed in earlier work. Hybrid architecture is formed of ASIC units and LUT based processing elements. ASIC units represent tasks or core clusters obtained through common sub-graph analysis between basic blocks within and across routines of computation intensive applications and are basically recurring patterns. Results show that partial reconfiguration with the use of computation cores embedded in a sea of LUTs offer potential for massive savings in gate density by eliminating the need for redundant sub-circuit pattern configurations. Since ASICs cover only parts of data flow graphs, remaining computations are implemented on LUT based reconfigurable hardware. A new packing algorithm is proposed to form LUT based processing elements. Packing cost function prioritizes reduction of input/output pins of the clusters being formed. Results show that significant savings in number of nets to be routed are obtained through proposed method.
Inequivalent solutions for Dirac spin-(1/2) particles under conservation of parity II

By law of conservation of parity we show that Dirac equation in an electromagnetic field can be split up into two uncoupled two-component equations. As a result, we shall find twice as many as the conventional solutions. For free particles four linearly independent plane wave solutions which hold for E > 0 and also for E < 0 can be established. In a Coulomb field we shall easily find the stationary solutions.
Multiple perceptible signals from a single olfactory glomerulus

Glomeruli are functional units in the olfactory system. The mouse olfactory bulb contains roughly 2,000 glomeruli, each receiving inputs from olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) that express a specific odorant receptor gene. Odors typically activate many glomeruli in complex combinatorial patterns and it is unknown which features of neuronal activity in individual glomeruli contribute to odor perception. To address this, we used optogenetics to selectively activate single, genetically identified glomeruli in behaving mice. We found that mice could perceive the stimulation of a single glomerulus. Single-glomerulus stimulation was also detected on an intense odor background. In addition, different input intensities and the timing of input relative to sniffing were discriminated through one glomerulus. Our data suggest that each glomerulus can transmit odor information using identity, intensity and temporal coding cues. These multiple modes of information transmission may enable the olfactory system to efficiently identify and localize odor sources.
A spintronics full adder for magnetic CPU

Spintronics devices are based on the up or down spin of the electrons rather than on electrons or holes as in the traditional semiconductor electronics devices. Magnetic processors using spintronics devices in principle are much faster and with the potential features of nonvolatile, lower power consumption and higher integration density compared with transistor-based microprocessor. Full adder is one of the most important basic units of the arithmetic/logic unit for any processors. The design of the full adder determines the speed and chip-density of a processor. In this paper, a novel spintronics full adder is proposed based on novel programmable spintronics logic devices. Only seven magnetic tunnel junction elements are needed for this full adder design.
On the relation between counterfactual and causal reasoning

We critique the distinction Byrne makes between strong causes and enabling conditions, and its implications, on both theoretical and empirical grounds. First, we believe that the difference is psychological, not logical. Second, we disagree that there is a strict “dichotomy between the focus of counterfactual and causal thoughts.” Third, we disagree that it is easier for people to generate causes than counterfactuals.
C− Outgrowths in C+ Thin Films of LiNbO3 on Al2O3-c

Thin-film waveguides of LiNbO3 have been grown on Al2O3-c by off-axis rf magnetron sputtering. The films have been characterized optically by prism coupling measurements, crystallographically by x-ray diffraction, and morphologically by atomic force microscopy. We find that optical losses can be dominated by scattering from large outgrowths that litter the surface of the film. These outgrowths are c− grains imbedded in a c+ matrix. Although some grains nucleate c−, others have their polarity reversed from c+ to c− after nucleation. A model will be presented to explain the preferential nucleation of c+ grains on Al2O3-c. The c− grains grow much faster than the c+ ones because of attractive coulombic forces between the c− grains and the ionized Li and Nb species in the sputter plume.
Curve segmentation using directional information, relation to pattern detection

We propose an extension of the conformal (or geodesic) active contour framework in which the conformal factor depends not only on the position of the curve but also on the direction of its tangent. We describe several properties for variational curve segmentation schemes that justify the construction of optimal conformal factors (i.e., learning) in strong connection with pattern matching. The determination of optimal curves (i.e., segmentation) can be performed using either the calculus of variations or dynamic programming. The technique is illustrated on a road detection problem for different signal to noise ratios.
Is weekend discharge associated with hospital readmission

BACKGROUND Although recent evidence suggests worse outcomes for patients admitted to the hospital on a weekend, the impact of weekend discharge is less understood. METHODS Utilizing the 2012 California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database, the impact of weekend discharge on 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), congestive heart failure (CHF), or pneumonia (PNA) was investigated. RESULTS Out of 266,519 patients, 60,097 (22.5%) were discharged on a weekend. Unadjusted 30-day hospital readmission rates were similar between weekend and weekday discharges (AMI: 21.9% vs 21.9%; CHF: 15.4% vs 16.0%; PNA: 12.1% vs 12.4%). Patients discharged on a weekday had a longer length of stay and were more often discharged to a skilled nursing facility. However, in multivariable logistic regression models, weekend discharge was not associated with readmission (AMI: odds ratio [OR] 1.02 [95% CI: 0.98-1.06]; CHF: OR 0.99 [95% CI: 0.94-1.03]; PNA: OR 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98-1.07)). CONCLUSIONS Among patients in California with AMI, CHF, and PNA, discharge on a weekend was not associated with an increased hospital readmission rate. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;10:731–737. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Variations in the polarized leaf reflectance of Sorghum Bicolor

The polarized reflectance factor, Rq, of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor, L.) leaves from field-grown plants was measured in situ in the summers of 1983 and 1984. In 1983, three leaves of two randomly selected plants were measured at 2-week intervals. The value of Rq varied, depending on leaf and day of measurement. Measured values of Rq for the adaxial leaf surface ranged from 16 to 53; for the abaxial leaf surface the values ranged from 28 to 69. In 1984, measurements consisted of repeated observations made on the same leaf at biweekly intervals. The values of Rq from the adaxial leaf surface ranged from 26 to 38. Values of Rq from the abaxial leaf surface increased throughout the season, from 16 to 45. Differences in Rq were attributed to changes in surface details of the leaf.
Throughput evaluation and enhancement in 802.11 WLANs with access point

In 802.11 infrastructure mode some stations that are located far away from an access point may face signal fading and interference. In this case, the wireless station changes its data rate to some lower value. In 802.11b protocol, wireless stations can operate at data rates 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps. From the literature and our simulation we found that when some wireless stations use a lower data rate than others, the performance of all stations is degraded. The throughput of all wireless stations, including fast and slow, ones is decreased to the order of magnitude of the slow station. This is due to the CSMA/CA channel access method used in 802.11, which guarantees that the long term channel access probability is equal for all wireless stations. In this paper, we propose a solution that avoids slow stations from penalizing other ones transmitting at higher rates. The solution is based on using frames of different sizes according to the link data rate.
Architecture of epigenetic reprogramming following Twist1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to impart metastasis and stemness characteristics in breast cancer. To characterize the epigenetic reprogramming following Twist1-induced EMT, we characterized the epigenetic and transcriptome landscapes using whole-genome transcriptome analysis by RNA-seq, DNA methylation by digital restriction enzyme analysis of methylation (DREAM) and histone modifications by CHIP-seq of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in immortalized human mammary epithelial cells relative to cells induced to undergo EMT by Twist1. EMT is accompanied by focal hypermethylation and widespread global DNA hypomethylation, predominantly within transcriptionally repressed gene bodies. At the chromatin level, the number of gene promoters marked by H3K4me3 increases by more than one fifth; H3K27me3 undergoes dynamic genomic redistribution characterized by loss at half of gene promoters and overall reduction of peak size by almost half. This is paralleled by increased phosphorylation of EZH2 at serine 21. Among genes with highly altered mRNA expression, 23.1% switch between H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 marks, and those point to the master EMT targets and regulators CDH1, PDGFRα and ESRP1. Strikingly, Twist1 increases the number of bivalent genes by more than two fold. Inhibition of the H3K27 methyltransferases EZH2 and EZH1, which form part of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), blocks EMT and stemness properties. Our findings demonstrate that the EMT program requires epigenetic remodeling by the Polycomb and Trithorax complexes leading to increased cellular plasticity. This suggests that inhibiting epigenetic remodeling and thus decrease plasticity will prevent EMT, and the associated breast cancer metastasis.
A theory of hung juries and informative voting

Abstract This paper investigates a jury decision when hung juries and retrials are possible. When jurors in subsequent trials know that previous trials resulted in hung juries, informative voting cannot be an equilibrium regardless of voting rules unless the probability that each juror receives the correct signal when the defendant is guilty is identical to the one when he is innocent. Thus, while Coughlan (2000) claims that mistrials facilitate informative voting, our result shows that such an assertion holds only in limited circumstances.
The autonomic innervation of the interstitial gland of the rat ovary during pregnancy

The autonomic innervation of the interstitial gland of the rat ovary was studied on days 4, 6, 10, 14 and 18 of pregnancy with the acetylcholinesterase procedure, the Falck-Hillarp technique and electron microscopy after 5-hydroxydopamine treatment. Acetylcholinesterase-positive nerves were present as perivascular plexuses at all stages studied. Adrenergic nerves were present in the interstitial gland in all stages studied. The number and intensity of interstitial fluorescent adrenergic nerves increased as pregnancy progressed. Measurement of norepinephrine with the fluorometric procedure showed a highly significant (p less than 0.05) increase in the neurotransmitter in the ovary on days 14 and 18 as compared to day 4. Fine-structural studies after administration of the false transmitter, 5-hydroxydopamine, showed that the innervation of the steroidogenic cells of the interstitial gland is adrenergic.
Approximation Algorithms for Partial-Information Based Stochastic Control with Markovian Rewards

We consider a variant of the classic multi-armed bandit problem (MAB), which we call feedback MAB, where the reward obtained by playing each of n independent arms varies according to an underlying on/off Markov process with known parameters. The evolution of the Markov chain happens irrespective of whether the arm is played, and furthermore, the exact state of the Markov chain is only revealed to the player when the arm is played and the reward observed. At most one arm (or in general, M arms) can be played any time step. The goal is to design a policy for playing the arms in order to maximize the infinite horizon time average expected reward. This problem is an instance of a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP), and a special case of the notoriously intractable "restless bandit" problem. Unlike the stochastic MAB problem, the feedback MAB problem does not admit to greedy index-based optimal policies. Vie state of the system at any time step encodes the beliefs about the states of different arms, and the policy decisions change these beliefs - this aspect complicates the design and analysis of simple algorithms. We design a constant factor approximation to the feedback MAB problem by solving and rounding a natural LP relaxation to this problem. As far as we are aware, this is the first approximation algorithm for a POMDP problem.
The Roles of Self-discrepancy and Social Support in Young Females’ Decisions to Undergo Cosmetic Procedures

Advertising appeals emphasizing unrealistic body images are increasingly linked to depression, loss of self-esteem, and unhealthy eating habits. Understanding the motivation of young and vulnerable populations to undergo cosmetic procedures can help modify marketing and public policy practices. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this paper confirms the motivating role of self-concept discrepancy in young women seeking cosmetic procedures. It also reveals conflicting moderating influences of different types of social support on the relationship between self-discrepancy and choice of cosmetic procedures. Our findings show that family-based social support attenuates the effect of perceived actual-ideal self-discrepancy on the choice of cosmetic procedures, while social support from friends amplifies this effect. Actual-ought discrepancy appears to negatively affect the propensity for cosmetic procedures. Discussion of the findings and implications for public policy and marketing managers are presented. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of EMG signals of trunk muscles in manual lifting using a neural network model

An EMG (electromyography) signal prediction model is built using artificial neural network. Kinematics variables and subject variables are selected as inputs of this model. A novel structure of feedforward neural network is proposed in This work to obtain better accuracy of prediction. By adding regional connections between the input and the output, the new architecture of the neural network can have both global features and regional features extracted from the input. The global connections put more emphasis on the whole picture and determine the global trend of the predicted curve, while the regional connections concentrate on each point and modify the prediction locally. Back-propagation algorithm is used in the modeling. A basic structure of neural network designed for this problem is discussed. Then to overcome its drawbacks, we propose a new structure.
An Integrative Conceptual Framework for Friendship Research

In light of the increase in the number and rigor of studies on adult friendship and the tendency of kin and neighbor relationships to have become more structurally similar to friendship, this is a crucial juncture at which to pause and assess what we know and do not know about adult friendship, to begin a needed theoretical synthesis, to identify gaps in the literature and to produce guidelines for future research. The purpose of this article is to present an integrative conceptual framework, incorporating both sociological and psychological perspectives, for use in these endeavors. The framework posits that the social structural and psychological aspects of individual characteristics operate together to shape behavioral motifs which, in turn, influence friendship patterns (dyadic and network structure and phases). Furthermore, dyadic and network structure and phases affect one another through interactive friendship processes. The elements of this integrative framework and the relationships among them var...
Elbow arthroscopy for arthrofibrosis after type I radial head fractures

The purpose of this study was to provide emphasis on recognizing arthrofibrosis as a potential complication of nondisplaced radial head fractures and the role of arthroscopy in its management. This series consists of five patients treated with arthroscopic debridement for arthrofibrosis after type I radial head fractures. Arthroscopy was considered only if the patient's range of motion had plateaued with significant residual loss of motion after an aggressive physical therapy program. Arthroscopy was performed an average of 6 months postinjury, and follow-up averaged 24 months. The primary complaint was limitation of motion, especially extension, which was improved in all cases. A secondary complaint, painful crepitation, was also subjectively improved in all patients. There were no complications. Arthrofibrosis after type I radial head fractures is a well-recognized entity. Arthroscopic debridement may be a useful adjunct in its management for patients with significant residual functional deficit after an aggressive conservative program.
Integrating fundamental concepts of ecology, biogeography, and sampling into effective ecological niche modeling and species distribution modeling

Abstract Correlative techniques for estimating environmental requirements of species – variably termed ecological niche modeling or species distribution modeling – are becoming very popular tools for ecologists and biogeographers in understanding diverse aspects of biodiversity. These tools, however, are frequently applied in ways that do not fit well into knowledge frameworks in population ecology and biogeography, or into the realities of sampling biodiversity over real-world landscapes. We offer 10 “fixes” – adjustments to typical methodologies that will take into account population ecological and biogeographic frameworks to produce better models.