cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian Instrumental Variables: Priors and Likelihoods

Instrumental variable (IV) regression provides a number of statistical challenges due to the shape of the likelihood. We review the main Bayesian literature on instrumental variables and highlight these pathologies. We discuss Jeffreys priors, the connection to the errors-in-the-variables problems and more general error distributions. We propose, as an alternative to the inverted Wishart prior, a new Cholesky-based prior for the covariance matrix of the errors in IV regressions. We argue that this prior is more flexible and more robust thanthe inverted Wishart prior since it is not based on only one tightness parameter and therefore can be more informative about certain components of the covariance matrix and less informative about others. We show how prior-posterior inference can be formulated in a Gibbs sampler and compare its performance in the weak instruments case for synthetic as well as two illustrations based on well-known real data.
Is there a mobile social presence

Mobile learning environments are human networks that afford the opportunity to participate in creative endeavors, social networking, organize/reorganize social contents, and manage social acts at anytime, anywhere through mobile technologies. Social acts that elicit identities, develop awareness, cement relationships, ensure connections, and promote interactions are necessary for interactive learning. This study was to understand mobile social presence and how it influences social interaction and relates to online and network social presences. It concluded that mobile social presence is similar to virtual social presence in a way; however, it is different from online and network social presences in the aspects of personalized control, and location-free digital interaction. Mobile social presence is defined as the degree of enriching social context-awareness, managing location-based communication, personalized multi-layered interactivity, and optimized digital and social identities to other intellectuals t...
Transgenic Stra8-EYFP pigs: a model for developing male germ cell technologies

The male germ line in mammals is composed of self-renewing cells, spermatogonia, the meiotic spermatocytes and spermiogenic spermatids. Identification of these cell stages in vitro has been problematic. Transgenic animals expressing a marker gene with a promoter specific to certain cell stages in the testis would be a useful approach to identifying these cells in a viable state. Towards this end, we have produced transgenic pigs expressing mitochondrial localized enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP-mito) under control of the germ cell specific Stimulated by Retinoic Acid 8 (Stra8) promoter. Stra8 has been shown to be expressed in pre-meiotic germ cells of mice. Twelve clones harboring the Stra8-EYFP-mito transgene were produced. Analysis by Western blot indicated that expression of the transgene was limited to testicular tissue in the transgenic pigs. Single cells and seminiferous tubules were cultured in vitro and subsequently examined with epifluorescent microscopy. Expression of EYFP was noted in cells cultured for up to 5 days. Both EYFP-mito and STRA8 antibodies were shown to bind and co-localize in seminiferous tubule cells in whole mounts and in histological sections. EYFP-mito in the transgenic pigs co-localized with the endogenous stem cell marker, NANOG. Expression of the Stra8-EYFP transgene in spermatogenic cells indicates that these pigs will be useful by providing labelled cells for use in such technologies such as germ cell transplantation and in vitro spermatogenic studies.
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy following the use of a nasal decongestant.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of sequential anterior ischemic optic neuropathy temporally related to the sequential use of a decongestant nasal spray. METHODS: A 43-year-old woman was evaluated for sequential bilateral vision loss following the use of oxymetazoline nasal spray. RESULTS: Thorough investigation of possible etiologies causing the bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy was negative. Our patient had several predisposing risk factors for ischemic optic neuropathy, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and crowded optic nerve heads. Before each acute optic neuropathy, the patient used two to three puffs of oxymetazoline nasal spray. CONCLUSION: Decongestants have been associated with ischemic and hemorrhagic vascular events. Vasoconstriction secondary to oxymetazoline use may precipitate anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
Optimizing Power and Performance Trade-offs of MapReduce Job Processing with Heterogeneous Multi-core Processors

Modern processors are often constrained by a given power budget that forces designers to consider different trade-offs, e.g., to choose between either many slow, power-efficient cores, or fewer faster, power-hungry cores, or to select a combination of them. In this work, we design and evaluate a new Hadoop scheduler, called DyScale, that exploits capabilities offered by heterogeneous cores within a single multi-core processor for achieving a variety of performance objectives. A typical MapReduce workload contains jobs with different performance goals: large, batch jobs that are throughput oriented, and smaller interactive jobs that are response-time sensitive. Heterogeneous multi-core processors enable creating virtual resource pools based on the different core types for multi-class priority scheduling. These virtual Hadoop clusters, based on "slow" cores versus "fast" cores can effectively support different performance objectives that cannot be achieved in a Hadoop cluster with homogeneous processors. Using detailed measurements and extensive simulation study we argue in favor of heterogeneous multi-core processors as they provide performance means for "faster" processing of the small, interactive MapReduce jobs (up to 40% faster), while at the same time offer an improved throughput (up to 40% higher) for large, batch job processing.
The role of midline ventral medullary structures in generation of respiratory motor high frequency oscillations.

Abstract Lesions 1–2 mm deep in the midline of the ventral medulla (VM) abolished high frequency oscillations (HFO) in the respiratory motor output in cat and rabbit. Raising arterial pCO 2 increased phrenic nerve activity to its prelesion level but did not restore HFO. We conclude that the neuronal pathways crossing the midline of the VM are crucial for reinforcement of respiratory activity and HFO generation.
Inverse PCR amplification of rare T cell receptor δ messages from mucosal biopsy specimens

Abstract Reverse transcription (RT) PCR is an important tool in studies of the repertoire of T cell antigen receptors (TCR). In combination with inverse PCR, it can be used to amplify TCR transcripts whose V regions are unknown. Little is currently known regarding the δ TCR repertoire in human intestine. Here, RT inverse PCR was adapted to efficiently amplify low abundance δ TCR sequences from human colonic mucosal biopsy specimens. In this protocol, high yields of PCR products were obtained by optimizing the conditions at which cDNA autoligation was performed.
Induction and prevention of squamous transformation of bronchial epithelial cells by phenolic compounds.

1. The exposure of cultured bovine bronchial epithelialcells to 2-naphthol and catechol (10-100 μM) induced a squamous phenotype and inhibited cell proliferation. Phenol and cresol did not have these effects at up to 100 μM. 2. These effects occurred below cytotoxic levels and cell proliferation resumed subsequent to removal of the exposures. 3. Induction of the squamous phenotype was antagonized by retinoic acid, a known morphogenic hormone for several airway epithelial cell culture model systems. 4. Purified recombinant bovine phenol sulphotransfera se was used to ablate the antiproliferative and squamous inductive effects of catechol on the cultured airway epithelial cells.
SNA flow control: architecture and implementation

To allow better network utilization, Systems Network Architecture (SNA), the IBM data communications architecture, includes flow control procedures to guard against data overrun to devices and to prevent network congestion. The measurement of "congestion" used by SNA to regulate traffic flow is performed by various SNA products. This paper describes the flow control protocols in SNA and the implementation of these protocols in the Network Control Program (ACF/NCP/VS Release 3).
Value of hemoglobin A1c in diagnosing diabetes mellitus within a chronic disease management system illustrated by the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Objective: To develop a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) for diagnosing diabetes mellitus within a chronic disease management system.Methods: A case-...
Ru(II) complexes of crowded delocalized diimine ligands

Abstract The ligands 3,3′-dimethylene-2,2′-bibenzo[ g ]quinoline and bisbenzo[2,3:9,8]-1,10-phenanthroline have been coordinated with Ru(II) to form both tris- and mixed ligand complexes. These species are highly congested about the metal center but can be formed through the use of microwave irradiation. Shielding and deshielding effects on the chemical shifts of the aryl as well as the bridge protons reveal important conformational effects. Bathochromic shifts are observed in the electronic absorption spectra, associated with increased delocalization of the ligand and lowering of the π*-energy level. Similar effects are observed for the reduction potentials while the oxidation potentials are much less sensitive to ligand structure.
Bile acids. LXXVII. Large-scale preparation of 5 alpha-anhydrocyprinol from carp bile.

Abstract An improved method of preparation of 5α-anhydrocyprinol from large quantities of carp bile is reported. The following materials were obtained by this method: 5a-anhydrocyprinol, 5α-cholestane-3α, 7α, 12α, 25-tetrol, 5α-cholestane3α, 7α, 12α, 26-tetrol, an unidentified sterol from the neutral lipid fraction, allocholic acid and allochenodeoxycholic acid from the bile acid fraction. Yields of 5α-anhydrocyprinol and bile acids vary in different batches. The identity and purity of these materials were verified by thin-layer chromatography, gas liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
M2 Proton Channel: Toward a Model of a Primitive Proton Pump

Transmembrane proton transfer was essential to early cellular systems in order to transduce energy for metabolic functions. The reliable, efficient and controlled generation of proton gradients became possible only with the emergence of active proton pumps. On the basis of features shared by most modern proton pumps we identify the essential mechanistic steps in active proton transport. Further, we discuss the mechanism of action of a small, transmembrane M2 proton channel from influenza A virus as a model for proton transport in protocells. The M2 channel is a 94-residue long, α-helical tetramer that is activated at low pH and exhibits high selectivity and directionality. A shorter construct, built of transmembrane fragments that are only 24 amino acids in length, exhibits very similar proton transport properties. Molecular dynamics simulations on the microsecond time-scale carried out for the M2 channel provided atomic level details on the activation of the channel in response to protonation of the histidine residue, His37. The pathway of proton conduction is mediated by His37, which accepts and donates protons at different interconverting conformation states when pH is lower than 6.5. The Val27 and Trp41 gates and the salt bridge between Asp44 and Arg45 further enhance the directionality of proton transport. It is argued that the architecture and the mechanism of action similar to that found in the M2 channel might have been the perfect starting point for evolution towards the earliest proton pumps, indicating that active proton transport could have readily emerged from simple, passive proton channels.
Hydrodesulfurization activity and defect structure of CoMo sulfide catalyst

To elucidate the effect of cobalt on the hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity of molybdenum-sulfide catalysts, experimental studies have been made with a single crystal of MoS2 doped with Co2+. From electrical conductance and Hall coefficient, measurements it was determined that the addition of Co2+ (<0.1 mole%) caused a change from n-type to p-type conductivity on the MoS2. Without the foreign cation additive, the MoS2 catalyst exhibited a range of catalytic properties for the HDS of butyl mercaptan which varied with the density of S2− anion vacancies. But the Co2+-doped catalyst was found to be (1) stable to sulfiding or reduction on exposure to reactants, (2) catalytically active for the production of butane and hydrogen sulfide, and (3) relatively constant for reactant conversion and product distribution. Kinetic analysis showed that the HDS activity is proportional to hole carrier density.
The AMPK signalling pathway coordinates cell growth, autophagy and metabolism

One of the central regulators of cellular and organismal metabolism in eukaryotes is AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is activated when intracellular ATP production decreases. AMPK has critical roles in regulating growth and reprogramming metabolism, and has recently been connected to cellular processes such as autophagy and cell polarity. Here we review a number of recent breakthroughs in the mechanistic understanding of AMPK function, focusing on a number of newly identified downstream effectors of AMPK.
Molecular engineering of a polymer of tetrameric hemoglobins.

We have engineered a recombinant mutant human hemoglobin, Hb Prisca β(S9C+C93A+C112G), which assembles in a polymeric form. The polymerization is obtained through the formation of intermolecular SS bonds between cysteine residues introduced at position β9, on the model of Hb Porto Alegre (β9Ser → Cys) (Bonaventura and Riggs, Science 1967;155:800–802). Cβ93 and Cβ112 were replaced in order to prevent formation of spurious SS bonds during the expression, assembly, and polymerization events. Dynamic light scattering measurements indicate that the final polymerization product is mainly formed by 6 to 8 tetrameric hemoglobin molecules. The sample polydispersity Q = 0.07 ± 0.02, is similar to that of purified human hemoglobin (Q = 0.02 ± 0.02), consistent with a good degree of homogeneity. In the presence of strong reducing agents, the polymer reverts to its tetrameric form. During the depolymerization process, a direct correlation is observed between the hydrodynamic radius and the light scattering of the system, which, in turn, is proportional to the mass of the protein. We interpret this to indicate that the hemoglobin molecules are tightly packed in the polymer with no empty spaces. The tight packing of the hemoglobin molecules suggests that the polymer has a globular shape and, thus, allows estimation of its radius. An illustration of an arrangement of a finite number of tetrameric hemoglobin molecules is presented. The conformational and functional characteristics of this polymer, such as heme pocket conformation, stability to denaturation, autoxidation rate, oxygen affinity, and cooperativity, remain similar to those of tetrameric human hemoglobin. Proteins 2001;44:212–222. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparison of thermal and catalytic cracking of 1-heptene from ReaxFF reactive molecular dynamics simulations

Abstract Endothermic catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon fuels is one of the most effective methods for thermal management in high-speed jet engines. Despite extensive research, improved understanding of fundamental reaction mechanisms and chemical events associated with hydrocarbon cracking reactions remains desirable. In this investigation, we used the ReaxFF force field to investigate the initial reaction pathways involved in hydrocarbon cracking over amorphous silica, hydrated amorphous silica, and amorphous aluminosilicate nanoparticles. We performed ReaxFF simulations at 1750, 1850, and 1950 K on large interface systems (∼2250 atoms) composed of an amorphous silica particle surrounded by 100 hydrocarbon molecules. Hydrocarbon cracking proceeded via complex network of reaction pathways and produced hydrogen and a wide range of saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbon products, consistent with experimental results. Analysis of trajectories from ReaxFF simulations showed complex initiation chemistry for thermal and catalytic cracking of 1-heptene. In general, thermal cracking of 1-heptene was mainly initialed by C C bond scission followed by free radical reaction mechanism, whereas catalytic cracking was predominantly activated by C C bond scission, protonation and dehydrogenation. This work demonstrates that ReaxFF reactive force field can be a useful approach for examining the complex chemistry associated with hydrocarbon cracking.
Characterizing early contrast uptake of ductal carcinoma in situ with high temporal resolution dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of the breast: a pilot study.

Improvements in the reliable diagnosis of preinvasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) by dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) are needed. In this study, we present a new characterization of early contrast kinetics of DCIS using high temporal resolution (HiT) DCE-MRI and compare it with other breast lesions and normal parenchyma. Forty patients with mammographic calcifications suspicious for DCIS were selected for HiT imaging using T1-weighted DCE-MRI with ~7 s temporal resolution for 90 s post-contrast injection. Pixel-based and whole-lesion kinetic curves were fit to an empirical mathematical model (EMM) and several secondary kinetic parameters derived. Using the EMM parameterized and fitted concentration time curve for subsequent analysis allowed for calculation of kinetic parameters that were less susceptible to fluctuations due to noise. The parameters' initial area under the curve (iAUC) and contrast concentration at 1 min (C1 min) provided the highest diagnostic accuracy in the task of distinguishing pathologically proven DCIS from normal tissue. There was a trend for DCIS lesions with solid architectural pattern to exhibit a negative slope at 1 min (i.e. increased washout rate) compared to those with a cribriform pattern (p < 0.04). This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of quantitative analysis of early contrast kinetics at high temporal resolution and points to the potential for such an analysis to improve the characterization of DCIS.
Development and application of boundary-line release criteria

Identifying releases from suppression represents one of the most fundamental dendroecological procedures for quantifying forest disturbance histories. In this study we evaluate boundary-line release criteria, which incorporates the effects of growth history on release response. In eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis L.) the maximum possible value of a pulse in percent-growth change is dependent on growth decline immediately prior to the pulse. Maximum values of percent-growth-change decline exponentially as prior growth rate increases. This negative exponential rate is quantified as a boundary line, which is used to scale each percent-growth change pulse by the maximum possible value predicted by prior growth rate. The consistency of the relationship between radial growth prior to a release and the magnitude of the release is evaluated in multiple eastern hemlock data sets. Trees from diverse sites show large releases that approach the maximum value predicted by the prior-growth rates. These sites tend to have a history of disturbance, suggesting that disturbance is the most influential variable determining the magnitude of release response. Possible exceptions are sites on the northern and western borders of eastern hemlock's range, which consistently fall short of the boundary line and may be exhibiting unique relationships between prior growth and percent-growth change. Yet overall the relationship between prior growth and percent-growth change appears to be consistent across much of eastern hemlock's range. Furthermore, we demonstrate that similar boundary lines occur in Pinus ponderosa (Laws.), Pinus echinata (Mill.), Quercus alba (L.), and Quercus macrocarpa (Michx.). This suggests that prior growth could form the basis of a more unified set of release criteria better able to standardize release responses within and among species. Standardized release criteria would allow more accurate comparisons of disturbance histories among sites, species, and even across landscapes.
The “Orange Princess” Runs for President: Gender and the Outcomes of the 2010 Presidential Election

A gender analytic perspective is used to explore the outcomes of the 2010 Ukrainian presidential elections. Gender differences within the Tymoshenko and Yanukovych electorates are assessed at the regional level through exit poll data. Comparisons to the outcome of the 2004 presidential election show that the 2010 elections exhibited very different gendered patterns of electoral support. The exit polls suggest that Tymoshenko lost due to “gender bias”—she failed to receive the support of a substantial number of men who voted for Yushchenko in 2004. Meanwhile, Yanukovych achieved victory despite a substantial decline in support among female voters.
Shifts in Symbiotic Endophyte Communities of a Foundational Salt Marsh Grass following Oil Exposure from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

Symbiotic associations can be disrupted by disturbance or by changing environmental conditions. Endophytes are fungal and bacterial symbionts of plants that can affect performance. As in more widely known symbioses, acute or chronic stressor exposure might trigger disassociation of endophytes from host plants. We tested this hypothesis by examining the effects of oil exposure following the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill on endophyte diversity and abundance in Spartina alterniflora – the foundational plant in northern Gulf coast salt marshes affected by the spill. We compared bacterial and fungal endophytes isolated from plants in reference areas to isolates from plants collected in areas with residual oil that has persisted for more than three years after the DWH spill. DNA sequence-based estimates showed that oil exposure shifted endophyte diversity and community structure. Plants from oiled areas exhibited near total loss of leaf fungal endophytes. Root fungal endophytes exhibited a more modest decline and little change was observed in endophytic bacterial diversity or abundance, though a shift towards hydrocarbon metabolizers was found in plants from oiled sites. These results show that plant-endophyte symbioses can be disrupted by stressor exposure, and indicate that symbiont community disassembly in marsh plants is an enduring outcome of the DWH spill.
The Ca2+-dependent binding of calmodulin to an N-terminal motif of the heterotrimeric G protein beta subunit.

Ca2+ ion concentration changes are critical events in signal transduction. The Ca2+-dependent interactions of calmodulin (CaM) with its target proteins play an essential role in a variety of cellular functions. In this study, we investigated the interactions of G protein beta gamma subunits with CaM. We found that CaM binds to known beta gamma subunits and these interactions are Ca2+-dependent. The CaM-binding domain in Gbeta gamma subunits is identified as Gbeta residues 40-63. Peptides derived from the Gbeta protein not only produce a Ca2+-dependent gel mobility shifting of CaM but also inhibit the CaM-mediated activation of CaM kinase II. Specific amino acid residues critical for the binding of Gbeta gamma to CaM were also identified. We then investigated the potential function of these interactions and showed that binding of CaM to Gbeta gamma inhibits the pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of Galpha o subunits, presumably by inhibiting heterotrimer formation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that interaction with CaM has little effect on the activation of phospholipase C-beta 2 by Gbeta gamma subunits, supporting the notion that different domains of Gbeta gamma are responsible for the interactions of different effectors. These findings shed light on the molecular basis for the interactions of Gbeta gamma with Ca2+-CaM and point to the potential physiological significance of these interactions in cellular functions.
Power model validation through thermal measurements

Simulation environments are an indispensable tool in the design, prototyping, performance evaluation, and analysis of computer systems. Simulator must beable to faithfully reflect the behavior of the system being analyzed. To ensure the accuracy of the simulator, it must be verified and determined to closely match empirical data. Modern processors provide enough performance counters to validate the majority of the performance models; nevertheless, the information provided is not enough to validate power and thermal models.In order to address some of the difficulties associated with the validation of power andthermal models, this paper proposes an infrared measurement setup to capture run-time power consumption and thermal characteristics of modern chips. We use infrared cameras with high spatial resolution (10x10μm) and high frame rate (125fps) to capture thermal maps. To generate a detailed power breakdown (leakage and dynamic) for each processor floorplan unit, we employ genetic algorithms. The genetic algorithm finds a power equation for each floorplan block that produces the measured temperature for a given thermal package. The difference between the predicted power and the externally measured power consumption for an AMD Athlon analyzed in this paper has less than 1% discrepancy. As an example of applicability, we compare the obtained measurements with CACTI power models, and propose extensions to existing thermal models to increase accuracy.
Stochastic gradient adaptation under general error criteria

Examines a family of adaptive filter algorithms of the form W/sub k+1/=W/sub k/+/spl mu/f(d/sub k/-W/sub k//sup t/X/sub k/)X/sub k/ in which f(/spl middot/) is a memoryless odd-symmetric nonlinearity acting upon the error. Such algorithms are a generalization of the least-mean-square (LMS) adaptive filtering algorithm for even-symmetric error criteria. For this algorithm family, the authors derive general expressions for the mean and mean-square convergence of the filter coefficients For both arbitrary stochastic input data and Gaussian input data. They then provide methods for optimizing the nonlinearity to minimize the algorithm misadjustment for a given convergence rate. Using the calculus of variations, it is shown that the optimum nonlinearity to minimize misadjustment near convergence under slow adaptation conditions is independent of the statistics of the input data and can be expressed as -p'(x)/p(x), where p(x) is the probability density function of the uncorrelated plant noise. For faster adaptation under the white Gaussian input and noise assumptions, the nonlinearity is shown to be x/{1+/spl mu//spl lambda/x/sup 2///spl sigma//sub k//sup 2/}, where /spl lambda/ is the input signal power and /spl sigma//sub k//sup 2/ is the conditional error power. Thus, the optimum stochastic gradient error criterion for Gaussian noise is not mean-square. It is shown that the equations governing the convergence of the nonlinear algorithm are exactly those which describe the behavior of the optimum scalar data nonlinear adaptive algorithm for white Gaussian input. Simulations verify the results for a host of noise interferences and indicate the improvement using non-mean-square error criteria. >
Helicobacter pylori Uses Motility for Initial Colonization and To Attain Robust Infection

Helicobacter pylori has been shown to require flagella for infection of the stomach. To analyze whether flagella themselves or motility is needed by these pathogens, we constructed flagellated nonmotile mutants. This was accomplished by using both an insertion mutant and an in-frame deletion of the motB gene. In vitro, these mutants retain flagella (Fla+) but are nonmotile (Mot−). By using FVB/N mice, we found that these mutants had reduced ability to infect mice in comparison to that of their isogenic wild-type counterparts. When these mutants were coinfected with wild type, we were unable to detect any motB mutant. Finally, by analyzing the 50% infectious dose, we found that motility is needed for initial colonization of the stomach mucosa. These results support a model in which motility is used for the initial colonization of the stomach and also to attain full infection levels.
Zonulin and Its Regulation of Intestinal Barrier Function: The Biological Door to Inflammation, Autoimmunity, and Cancer

The primary functions of the gastrointestinal tract have traditionally been perceived to be limited to the digestion and absorption of nutrients and to electrolytes and water homeostasis. A more at...
Earth core motions: experiments with spheroids

Summary. A series of Earth core motion experiments was completed using liquid-filled spheroidal cavities with ellipticities (a-b)/a = + 1/55, + 1/400, and -1/400. The +1/400 cavity was tested in both smooth and rough walled versions to assess possible effects of a non-smooth mantle-core boundary. The experiments and analysis continue an earlier paper (Vafiyo & Paltridge), that applied spherical cavity models to Earth core motions driven by precession. The +1/400 spheroid with precession rates Q spin rates achieves Ekman numbers - and indicates energy dissipation rates proportional to precession rates squared, consistent with models that assume liquid motions driven by precession. Results to date suggest stability/turbulence scaling factors may preclude laboratory verification of Earth core $ values. An earth core model extrapolated to $ - lo-'' with an 'effectively rigidized' liquid core separated from the mantle by a coupling layer - 50m thick produces a westward drift - 0.2"yr-' and an energy production rate - lo2' erg s-l.
Ontogenetic and interspecific skeletal allometry in nonhuman primates: Bivariate versus multivariate analysis

The critical problem confronting all allometric studies is the choice of an appropriate size variable, especially when body mass or some other measure of total size is unavailable. A method proposed by Jolicoeur (1963a,b) claims to generate an internal size variable by a principal components analysis of the covariance matrix of logarithmically transformed data, from which allometric coefficients can be computed. Despite the current popularity of this method, the precise relationship and degree of compatibility between such multivariate coefficients and the exponent of the bivariate power function (Y = βXα) is unknown. This study evaluates the comparability and interpretability of allometric values computed by Jolicoeur's procedure and by standard bivariate regressions (least squares and major axis). Two primate data sets with known measures of size were utilized for these purposes: (1) longitudinal growth data from radiographs of two species of capuchin monkeys, Cebus apella and Cebus albifrons; and (2) interspecific osteometric data from a series of adult lemurs, species of prosimians from Madagascar. Consistent differences exist between multivariate and bivariate allometric coefficients for both ontogenetic and static data sets. Multivariate analysis underestimated the coefficients in the former and overestimated them in the latter. The internal size variable generated by principal components analysis is clearly not equivalent to, and hence not a suitable substitute for, known measures of size. Moreover, multivariate coefficients are very sensitive to the composition of variables in a given data set; α values of a variable changed appreciably depending on the other variables included in the analysis. The multivariate coefficients are also sample-specific, and provide misleading biological information when compared between samples (e.g., between species of capuchin monkey). For allometric investigations designed to evaluate scaling parameters relative to total size, alternative analytical solutions to the Jolicoeur method should be considered.
Racial Disparities in Hospitalized Elderly Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of race on length of hospital stay (LOS) and number of procedures on elderly persons hospitalized with chronic heart failure (CHF). Secondary data analysis was used to obtain data on 99,543 hospitalized Medicare patients with CHF age 65 years or older. MANOVA was utilized to examine the effects of race, age, and total hospital charges on LOS, number of procedures, and diagnosis. Asian American Pacific Islanders had significantly higher number of procedures and LOS compared to Whites. The combined dependent variables were significantly affected by race, F(9, 99,543) = 121.95, p = .000; the covariates of age, F(3, 99,543) = 720.65, p = .000; and total charges F(3, 99,543) = 38,962.95, p = .000. LOS accounted for 50% of the variance. Studies that examine cultural variables and their effect on LOS and number of procedures are needed.
Cyclin D3 compensates for the loss of cyclin D1 during ErbB2-induced mammary tumor initiation and progression.

Cyclin D1 regulates cell proliferation and is a candidate molecular target for breast cancer therapy. The current work addresses whether Cyclin D1 is indispensable for ErbB2-associated mammary tumor initiation and progression using a breast cancer model in which this cell cycle regulator can be genetically ablated prior to or after neoplastic transformation. Deficiency in Cyclin D1 delayed tumor onset but did not prevent the occurrence of mammary cancer in mice overexpressing wildtype ErbB2. The lack of Cyclin D1 was associated with a compensatory upregulation of Cyclin D3, which explains why the targeted downregulation of Cyclin D1 in established mammary tumors had no effect on cancer cell proliferation. Cyclin D1 and D3 are overexpressed in human breast cancer cell lines and primary invasive breast cancers, and Cyclin D3 frequently exceeded the expression of Cyclin D1 in ErbB2-positive cases. The simultaneous inhibition of both cyclins in mammary tumor cells reduced cancer cell proliferation in vitro and decreased the tumor burden in vivo. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that only the combined inhibition of Cyclin D1 and D3 might be a suitable strategy for breast cancer prevention and therapy.
Epidemiologic features and clinical subgroups of anotia/microtia in Texas.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated the epidemiologic features of clinically defined subgroups of anotia/microtia. METHODS: Data on cases of anotia and/or microtia among 1999–2005 deliveries were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry, a population-based active surveillance system. We determined crude and adjusted associations between selected factors and seven clinical subgroups of anotia/microtia. RESULTS: In total, 742 cases were diagnosed with anotia and/or microtia, corresponding to a prevalence of 2.86 per 10,000 live births. Of those, 45% had no other major birth defect (“isolated”), 77% were unilateral, and 22% bilateral. Anotia alone made up 6%, whereas microtia made up 94%. Birth prevalence was higher with increasing maternal age and among Mexico-born Hispanics. Compared to white mothers, Hispanic mothers were two-to-three times more likely to have infants with all but the syndromic and bilateral groups (adjusted prevalence ratios [aPRs] = 2.05–2.61). Non-Hispanic blacks had significantly lower risk for total anotia/microtia, and for the isolated, unilateral, and microtia subgroups (aPRs = 0.42–0.64). Less educated mothers were three-to-four times more likely to have children with anotia (aPRs = 2.98 for less than high school, 3.97 for high school graduates). Males were more likely to be born with total anotia/microtia and with syndromic, unilateral, and microtia subtypes (aPRs = 1.27–1.41). CONCLUSIONS: In Texas, most anotia/microtia cases were in the unilateral and microtia groups, and 45% were isolated. Several clinical subgroups exhibited higher prevalence in males and among older mothers. Relative to whites, blacks were at lower risk and Hispanics (especially Mexico-born mothers) were at higher risk for selected types of anotia/microtia. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simplification of manipulator dynamic model for nonlinear decoupled control

The authors develop simplified manipulator dynamic models which satisfy the desired steady-state error specification in the joint-variable space or the Cartesian space under a nonlinear decoupled controller. The formulas which relate the tracking errors of joint variables in the joint-variable space or the manipulator hand in the Cartesian space to the dynamic modeling errors are derived and used to obtain the maximum error tolerance for each dynamic coefficient of the equations of motion. Then each simplified dynamic coefficient of the equations of motion can be expressed as a linear combination of the product terms of sinusoidal and polynomial basis functions. To illustrate the approach, a computer simulation was carried out to obtain two simplified dynamic models of a Stanford robot arm which satisfy the above condition. >
Investigation of rapid thermal annealing on Cu(In,Ga)Se2 films and solar cells

Rapid thermal annealing (RTA), with fast ramp rate, was performed on several Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) films and solar cells under various peak annealing temperatures and holding times. Characterizations were made on CIGS films and cells before and after RTA treatments to study effects of RTA on the CIGS film properties and cell performance. In addition, AMPS-1D device simulation program was used to study effects of defect density on the cell performance by fitting the experimental data of RTA-treated CIGS cells. The results show that RTA treatments under optimal annealing condition can provide significant improvements in the electrical properties of CIGS films and cell performance while preserving the film composition and microstructure morphology. r 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PATTERNS OF WHITE MUSCLE ACTIVITY DURING TERRESTRIAL LOCOMOTION IN THE AMERICAN EEL (ANGUILLA ROSTRATA)

Eels (Anguilla rostrata) are known to make occasional transitory excursions into the terrestrial environment. While on land, their locomotor kinematics deviate drastically from that observed during swimming. In this study, electromyographic (EMG) recordings were made from white muscle at various longitudinal positions in eels performing undulatory locomotion on land to determine the muscle activity patterns underlying these terrestrial movements. As during swimming, eels propagate a wave of muscle activity from anterior to posterior during terrestrial locomotion. However, the intensity of EMG bursts is much greater on land (on average approximately five times greater than in water). In addition, anteriorly located musculature has higher-intensity EMG bursts than posteriorly located muscle during locomotion on land. EMG duty cycle (burst duration relative to undulatory cycle time) is significantly affected by longitudinal position during terrestrial locomotion, and duty cycles are significantly greater on land (0.4-0.5 cycles) than in water (0. 2–0.3 cycles). Finally, as in swimming, a phase shift in the timing of muscle activity exists such that posteriorly located muscle fibers become activated earlier in their strain cycle than do more anteriorly located fibers. However, fibers become activated much later in their muscle strain cycle on land than in water. Therefore, it is clear that, while eels propagate a wave of muscle activity posteriorly to generate backward-traveling waves that generate propulsive thrust both in water and on land, the specific patterns of timing and the intensity of muscle activity are substantially altered depending upon the environment. This suggests that physical differences in an animal's external environment can play a substantial role in affecting the motor control of locomotion, even when similar structures are used to generate the propulsive forces.
Pheochromocytoma Masquerading as a Cardiomyopathy

Abstract A case of left adrenal pheochromocytoma manifesting clinically as a cardiomyopathy is described. The symptoms of persistent sinus tachycardia and profuse sweating and an abnormal glucose tolerance test prompted the diagnosis, which was confirmed by the finding of increased urinary catecholamine excretion and observations at surgery. The predominant epinephrine secretion of the tumor could explain the relative normotension and abdominal cramps observed in this patient. Marked improvement in the hemodynamic findings and disappearance of the symptoms of congestive heart failure after removal of the tumor are supportive evidence of an underlying catecholamine-induced “myocarditis.”
Probability Distributions for the Inner Scale and the Refractive Index Structure Parameter and Their Implications for Flux Averaging

Abstract Defining the averaging time required for measuring meaningful turbulence statistics is a central problem in boundary layer meteorology. Path-averaging scintillation instruments are presumed to confer some time-averaging benefits when the objective is to measure surface fluxes, but that hypothesis has not been tested definitively. This study uses scintillometer measurements of the inner scale (l0) and the refractive index structure parameter (C2n) to investigate this question of required averaging time. The first conclusion is that the beta probability distribution is useful for representing C2n and l0 measurements. Consequently, beta distributions are used to set confidence limits on C2n and l0 values obtained over various averaging periods. When the C2n and l0 time series are stationary, a short-term average of C2n or l0 can be as accurate as a long-term average. However, as with point measurements, when time series of path averaged C2n or l0 values are nonstationary, turbulent surface fluxes in...
Receptors for Platelet Agonists

Platelet function is initiated by agonist interactions with specific receptors on the membrane surface. A broad spectrum of physiological agonists is capable of activating human platelets. These include a protease (thrombin), an adenine nucleotide (ADP), a structural protein (fibrillar collagen), and α-adrenergic agonists (e.g., epinephrine). Many agents not normally found in blood will also elicit an activation response. These include calcium ionophores (A23187), proteases (trypsin and thermolysin), phorbol esters (e.g., phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate), lectins (wheat germ agglutinin), and antiplatelet antiserum. A variety of responses can occur, depending on the strength and concentration of the agonist. With a weak agonist such as ADP, platelets will change shape and aggregate. With stronger agonists such as collagen and thrombin, platelets will secrete the contents of their storage organelles in addition to changing shape and aggregating.
Intravenous Dipyridamole: Use in Thallous Chloride TL 201 Stress Imaging

An intravenous form of dipyridamole has been approved for cardiac stress testing with thallous chloride Tl 201 (201Tl) imaging. The procedure provides an alternative method for stress testing of patients who cannot perform strenuous physical exercise because of physical limitations or those in the immediate postinfarction period. Dipyridamole simulates the physiologic effects of physical exercise by increasing adenosine concentrations, which in turn increases coronary blood flow. Dipyridamole maximizes the differences in uptake of radioactive thallium in myocardial regions supplied by normal coronary arteries and those distal to stenosed arteries where blood flow is reduced. The sensitivity and specificity of dipyridamole–201Tl stress imaging for the detection of coronary disease are comparable to those of traditional exercise–201Tl stress testing. The intravenous dipyridamole usually is well tolerated, and the majority of adverse effects can be reversed with the administration of aminophylline.
Postpartum hemolytic uremic syndrome.

A 22-year-old. gravida 1, para 1, abortus 1 woman was readmitted to the hospital with abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea of 2 days' duration. Pregnancy had been uncomplicated; blood pressure readings and urinalyses showed normal results. Labor and delivery at 39 weeks' gestation had been uncomplicated, and the patient had been discharged on the third postpartum day. Examination at readmission on the fifth postpartum day revealed diffuse abdominal tenderness with rebound and hypoactive bowel sounds. The patient was afebrile, and results of a test for occult blood in the stool were positive. Laboratory data included hematocrit, 48%; platelet count, 67,000/mm3 ; white blood cell count, 21 ,300/mm3 ; creatinine, 1.0 mg/dl; normal electrolyte count; urinalysis results showing protein uria (4+), 13 to 20 white blood cells per high-power field, 15 to 20 red blood cells per high-power field, and hyaline and granular casts. A coagulation profile revealed a normal fibrinogen level (308 mg/dl), a normal prothrombin time (12.5 seconds), normal protamine sulfate test results, and elevated fibrin split products (10 to 40 ng/ml). AsCites was present on x-ray evaluation of the abdomen. Cultures of urine, blood, stool, and ascitic fluid showed no growth. During the first 5 days after admission the hematocrit de-
Single Carbon Nanotube Photonics and the Role of Excitons

Ultrafast optical measurements determined that Auger recombination in isolated single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) involves excitons and not free electrons, while Raman spectra of SWNTs under electrochemical bias allows for a determination of exciton binding energies.
Wind Turbine Performance Losses in Array Operation as a Function of Turbine Spacing and Upstream Wake Number

The Purdue University Micro Reconfigurable Wind Farm facility, with four 900 W wind turbines in an in-field environment, was used to create wind turbine wake scenarios and measure performance losses with variable wind turbine spacing’s and configurations. These experimental results are compared to analytical models predicting single and multiple wake test cases, for single and double wake operation. Relative contribution to the wake-operated wind turbine power loss from torque and rotational speed losses are compared for the cases tested.
Dysprosium-DOTA-PAMAM dendrimers as macromolecular T2 contrast agents. Preparation and relaxometry.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES.The authors have investigated dysprosium [Dy]-DOTA-PAMAM, generation 5 (G=5) dendrimers as a possible new class of macromolecular T2 contrast agents. The use of DOTA provides a metal complex with greater stability than can be achieved using DTPA as ligand, an important facto
Summary on 2006 Power System Operation and Control and Recommendations

In this paper publications on power system operation and control in IEEE PES General Meeting 2006 and CIGRE 2006 are summarized.It represents the state-of-art of power system technology,recent trend of research and development works in the world,and therefore it is very good and useful for our research and operation works.Main contents of this paper include: Dynamic Security Assessment(DSA),Wide Area Measurement System(WAMS) and Wide Area Control System(WACS),System restoration after a blackout.Some recommendations concerning research works in the near future are given in the conclusion.