cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Quantitative Analysis of Valproic Acid in Exhaled Breath by Low Temperature Plasma Ionization Mass Spectrometry.

Real-time analysis of exhaled human breath is a rapidly growing field in analytical science and has great potential for rapid and noninvasive clinical diagnosis and drug monitoring. In the present study, an LTP-MS method was developed for real-time, in-vivo and quantitative analysis of γ-valprolactone, a metabolite of valproic acid (VPA), in exhaled breath without any sample pretreatment. In particular, the effect of working conditions and geometry of the LTP source on the ions of interest, protonated molecular ion at m/z 143 and ammonium adduct ion at m/z 160, were systematically characterized. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) with collision-induced dissociation (CID) was carried out in order to identify γ-valprolactone molecular ions (m/z 143), and the key fragment ion (m/z 97) was used for quantitation. In addition, the fragmentation of ammonium adduct ions to protonated molecular ions was performed in-source to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. At optimum conditions, signal reproducibility with an RSD of 8% was achieved. The concentration of γ-valprolactone in exhaled breath was determined for the first time to be 4.83 (±0.32) ng/L by using standard addition method. Also, a calibration curve was obtained with a linear range from 0.7 to 22.5 ng/L, and the limit of detection was 0.18 ng/L for γ-valprolactone in standard gas samples. Our results show that LTP-MS is a powerful analytical platform with high sensitivity for quantitative analysis of volatile organic compounds in human breath, and can have potential applications in pharmacokinetics or for patient monitoring and treatment.
Estimation of Metal Strength at Very High Rates Using Free-Surface Richtmyer–Meshkov Instabilities

Recently, Richtmyer–Meshkov Instabilities (RMI) have been proposed for studying the average strength at strain rates up to at least 107/s. RMI experiments involve shocking a metal interface that has initial sinusoidal perturbations. The perturbations invert and grow subsequent to shock and may arrest because of strength effects. In this work we present new RMI experiments and data on a copper target that had five regions with different perturbation amplitudes on the free surface opposite the shock. We estimate the high-rate, low-pressure copper strength by comparing experimental data with Lagrangian numerical simulations. From a detailed computational study we find that mesh convergence must be carefully addressed to accurately compare with experiments, and numerical viscosity has a strong influence on convergence. We also find that modeling the as-built perturbation geometry rather than the nominal makes a significant difference. Because of the confounding effect of tensile damage on total spike growth, which has previously been used as the metric for estimating strength, we instead use a new strength metric: the peak velocity during spike growth. This new metric also allows us to analyze a broader set of experimental results that are sensitive to strength because some larger initial perturbations grow unstably to failure and so do not have a finite total spike growth.
ASSET VALUATION: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Asset valuation has been discussed in the accounting and economic literature for most of the twentieth century. In the literature, discussions ranged from advocating only historical costing to the use of current value accounting exclusively. This paper traces the development of theoretical and pragmatic discussions on the topic of asset valuation.
Use of Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Adolescent and Young Adult Women and Receipt of Sexually Transmitted Infection/Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Related Services

Abstract Purpose Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods do not require annual clinic visits for continuation, potentially impacting receipt of recommended sexually transmitted infection (STI)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services for young women. We assess service receipt among new and continuing LARC users versus moderately and less effective method users and non-contraceptors. Methods Using 2011–2015 National Survey of Family Growth data from sexually active women aged 15–24 years (n = 2,018), we conducted logistic comparisons of chlamydia, any STI and HIV testing, and sexual risk assessment in the past year by current contraceptive type. Results Less than half of respondents were tested for chlamydia (40.9%), any STI (47.3%), or HIV (25.9%); 66.5% had their sexual risk assessed. Differences in service receipt between new and continuing LARC users as compared with moderately effective method users were not detected in multivariable models, except that continuing LARC users were less likely to be tested for HIV (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = .52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .32–.85). New, but not continuing, LARC users were more likely than less effective method users (aPR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.03–1.76) and non-contraceptors (aPR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.11–1.85) to have their sexual risk assessed, although both groups were more likely than non-contraceptors to be tested for chlamydia (new: aPR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.08–2.15; continuing: aPR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.24–2.29). Conclusions We found little evidence that LARC use was associated with lower prevalence of STI testing. However, new, but not continuing, LARC users, as compared with those not using a method requiring a clinic visit, were more likely to have had their risk assessed, suggesting that initiating LARC may offer an opportunity to receive services that does not persist.
Reconstructing the Administrative State in an Era of Economic and Democratic Crisis

This Review engages Jon Michaels’s important new work, Constitutional Coup, situating it in context of wider battles over social and economic inequality and the crisis of democracy. The defense of the administrative state, this Review argues, is not just about assuring checks and balances; it is about preserving democracy — the idea that, through political institutions, we the people expand our capabilities and capacities to remake social and economic systems that are otherwise beyond the scope of individuals, associations, or ordinary common law. It is also about democracy in its substantive connotation: through the administrative state, we make possible the realization of substantive democratic values of equality and inclusion.
Comment on "Isospin forbidden ( alpha,d) transitions to the low-lying states in 26Al"

The interpretation of the {sup 24}Mn({alpha},{ital d}){sup 26}Al, isospin forbidden reaction as a successive-transfer reaction is very uncertain. The data do not support the existence of significant isospin mixing in low-lying states of {sup 26}Al.
Peter Hustinx and Three Clichés About E.U.-U.S. Data Privacy

This essay is in honor of the retirement of Peter Hustinx, who served as the first European Data Protection Supervisor, from 2004-2014. The essay suggests that key themes in Hustinx’ career show a surprising and deep similarity between the legal cultures of the United States and the European Union in the area of privacy and data protection, in contrast to the differences that often are emphasized. Hustinx has been a major figure in the development of the European data protection regime, as well as the trans-Atlantic engagement with the United States.The career of Peter Hustinx reveals flaws in three cliches about the contrast between U.S. and E.U. approaches to privacy and data protection: (1) Europe believes in fundamental rights to data privacy, but the U.S. legal tradition is different; (2) Europe is concerned about privacy invasions by big corporations, while the U.S. cares instead about privacy invasions by big government; and (3) Europe believes in comprehensive legislation while the U.S. supports self-regulation and multi-stakeholder processes. Contrary to these cliches, Peter’s work has shown, first, the U.S. roots of fundamental rights to data privacy. The U.S. Constitution contains the Fourth Amendment and other fundamental protections of individual liberty and privacy. The right to privacy was famously elaborated by Brandeis and Warren. As Hustinx entered the data protection debates, he was familiar with the 1977 U.S. Privacy Protection Study Commission, the emphasis on fundamental rights championed by President Jimmy Carter, and the proclamation of fundamental human rights in privacy in the 1980 OECD Guidelines, developed with leadership by the US government.Second, Hustinx’ work shows a life-long commitment to addressing privacy invasions by the public sector. He has been a leader in developing a considerable body of European data protection law to govern public-sector databases, and the influence of these developments is likely to grow in coming years.Third, Hustinx has shown longstanding support for industry codes of conduct and multi-stakeholder processes, both in his role as the Dutch data protection supervisor and in his European role.In conclusion, Peter Hustinx was trained in the legal cultures on both sides of the Atlantic, and has brought the virtues of both cultures to his lifetime of leadership in the protection of individual privacy.
P NMR evaluation of hypoxic stress in brain of animal models.

Quantification by NMR of hypoxic stress is best afforded by the ratio of phosphocreatine (PCr) to inorganic phosphate (Pi) (1). The thin cranium and sternum of neonates affords ideal conditions for NMR evaluation of impaired oxidative metabolism (2,3). Brains of animal models (dog and cat) are best studied with muscles retracted with the rf coil placed on the bare skull.31 P and 1H (lactate) signals are time shared with a doubly tuned coil (4). Servo-stabilized hypoxia gives simplified steady state analysis. Hypoxic insults of the brain are evaluated by the integral of the deviation of the PCr/Pi ratio from the normoxic values. Generally, a deviation of 1 unit of PCr/Pi for an interval of 3 hr will lead to a severe metabolic damage and recovery from hypoxia is often 30-fold delayed. Comprehensive monitoring of energy metabolism (PCr/Pi), respiratory chain redox states, intracellular pH and lactate accumulation allow the calculation of integrated pH and lactate “insults” and thus offer new insights on the effects of hypoxia on brain oxidative metabolism.
First-Line Trastuzumab Plus an Aromatase Inhibitor, With or Without Pertuzumab, in Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2–Positive and Hormone Receptor–Positive Metastatic or Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (PERTAIN): A Randomized, Open-Label Phase II Trial

PurposeTo assess pertuzumab plus trastuzumab and an aromatase inhibitor (AI) in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)–positive and hormone receptor–positive metastatic/local...
Embryo Transfer Technologies in Pigs

Embryo transfer (ET) became a reality in the swine industry with the birth of the first live ET piglets in 1950. Since that pioneering achievement more than 68 years ago, significant developments in porcine ET and its related technologies have occurred. Although the volume of commercial ET activity with pigs is low compared to that reported for cattle, substantial porcine ET activity is taking place in private companies and institutes engaged in biomedical research. In vitro production of pig embryos has greatly surpassed that of in vivo-derived embryos, and development of nonsurgical methods for transfer of swine embryos has opened the door to potential widespread commercial application of porcine ET. The historical inability to cryopreserve pig embryos has been overcome to a great extent with development of protocols for vitrification of porcine embryos. The creation of genetically modified pigs via somatic cell nuclear transfer or genome-editing technologies depends upon successful ET, and the needs of the biomedical research community likely will be the impetus for further refinements in pig ET technologies.
Discretization error control for constrained aerodynamic shape optimization

Abstract In this paper, we present a method to control the discretization error in constrained aerodynamic shape optimization problems using meshes adapted via adjoint-based error estimates. The optimization constraints may involve outputs that are not directly targeted for optimization, and hence also not for error estimation and mesh adaptation. However, discretization errors in these outputs often indirectly affect the calculation of the objective function. The proposed method takes this effect into account, so that the mesh is adapted and itself optimized to predict both objective outputs and constraint outputs with appropriate accuracy. We use unstructured mesh optimization to maximize accuracy of the results for a given number of degrees of freedom. The error estimates drive a multifidelity optimization process, preventing over-optimization on a coarse mesh and over-refinement on an undesired design. We demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of our proposed method on several airfoil shape optimization problems governed by the compressible Navier-Stokes equations. The framework is expected to be even more important for optimization problems with complex systems, dramatic design changes, or high-accuracy requirements.
Modeling and Verification of Starvation-Free Bitwise Arbitration Technique for Controller Area Network Using SPIN Promela

The Controller Area Network (CAN) is a message based communication service working over high-speed serial bus systems, and mostly used in the automotive industries and real-time communication systems. The CAN bus connects several independent CAN modules and allows them to communicate and work together asynchronously and/or synchronously. All nodes can simultaneously transmit data to the CAN bus, and the collision of multiple messages on the bus is resolved by a bitwise arbitration technique that operates by assigning a node with a low-priority message to switch to a “listening” mode while a node with a high-priority message remains in a “transmitting” mode. This arbitration mechanism results in the starvation problem that lower-priority messages continuously lose arbitration to higher-priority ones. This starvation is seen as a critical section problem with priority scheduling, where a synchronization technique is required at the entry and exit of the bus. The techniques of non-starvation critical section with general semaphore and barrier synchronization are applied to enable the CAN bus to proceed without starvation. In this paper, we present a formal model of a starvation-free bitwise CAN arbitration protocol applying barrier synchronization and starvation-free mutual exclusion. Based on SPIN Promela, we provide that the proposed CAN starvation-free CAN bus model works correctly.
A Rapidly Converging Recursive Approach to Pi

Although the general subject of the present arti cle has been treated in this journal frequently, the algorithm to be presented has not been discussed previously. THE ALGORITHM A geometric approach to the estimation of con sists of approximating a unit circle ever more close ly by a sequence of inscribed regular polygons of sides, each of length sn, and with circumference Cn and area An. For example, a sequence {nn} of values approximating can be obtained from
Mobility Prediction for QoS Provisioning

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in cellular network deployment and mobile device market penetration. With vigorous research that promises higher data rates, future wireless networks will likely become an integral part of the global communication infrastructure. Ultimately, wireless users will demand the same reliable service as of today’s wireline telecommunications and data networks. However, there are some unique problems in cellular networks that challenge their service reliability. In addition to problems introduced by fading, user mobility place stringent requirements on network resources. Whenever an active mobile terminal (MT) moves from one cell to another, the call needs to be handed off to the new base station (BS), and network resources must be reallocated. Resource demands could fluctuate abruptly due to the movement of high data rate users. Quality of Service (QoS) degradation or even forced termination may occur when there are insufficient resources to accommodate these handoffs.
1982 Life history evolution in nature

Abstract The population genetic theory in age-structured populations predicts that “…demographic shifts which tilt the age-structure of the population in favor of younger individuals, or which result in a a more rapid decline in fecundity with age, will cause an increased weighting of sensitivity of fitness toward changes at earlier ages” ( Charlesworth, 1994 , p. 196). Reznick and Endler (1982) studied a natural river system in which demographic shifts in age-structure were induced by predators that fed on different size-classes (ages) of guppies. The different selection pressures caused by these different predators resulted in life history differences among these guppy populations which was consistent with the theory of selection in age-structured populations (Hamilton, 1966).
A metaphysics for the study of religion: A critical reading of Russell McCutcheon:

Russell McCutcheon is one of the foremost proponents of what he calls “the critical study of religion,” that is, the shift to reflect critically on the concepts used in the academic study of religi...
CD20-Negative Nodular Lymphocyte-Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma: A 20-Year Consecutive Case Series From a Tertiary Cancer Center.

Context.— Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a rare, indolent Hodgkin lymphoma subtype with distinct clinicopathologic features and treatment paradigms. The neoplastic lymphocyte-predominant cells typically express bright CD20 and other B-cell antigens, which distinguishes them from Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells of lymphocyte-rich classic Hodgkin lymphoma. Objective.— To characterize the clinicopathologic features of CD20-negative NLPHL at a single institution. Design.— A retrospective search for CD20-negative NLPHL in our pathology archives and medical records was conducted. Results.— Of 486 NLPHL patients identified with CD20 available for review, 14 (2.8%) had LP cells with absent CD20 expression. Patients with prior rituximab administration (n = 7) and insufficient clinical history (n = 1) were excluded, leaving 6 patients with rituximab-naive, CD20-negative NLPHL. A broad immunohistochemical panel showed the LP cells in all cases expressed B-cell antigens, particularly Oct-2, although PAX5 and CD79a were frequently also dim. CD30, CD15, and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs were negative in all evaluated cases. Two patients had high-risk variant immunoarchitectural pattern D. One patient had extranodal disease, involving the spleen and bone, and was suspected to have large cell transformation. Standard NLPHL therapy was given, including local radiation and/or chemotherapy. Of 5 patients with available follow-up, 4 are alive in complete remission after therapy, and 1 is alive with relapsed disease. Conclusions.— NLPHL can lack CD20 de novo without prior rituximab therapy. In such cases, extensive immunophenotyping helps distinguish NLPHL from lymphocyte-rich classic Hodgkin lymphoma, which differ in clinical behavior and therapy. In our series, CD20-negative NLPHL showed both classic and variant histologic patterns and the expected range of clinical behavior seen in NLPHL, including 1 case with suspected large cell transformation.
Calcium- and Phosphorus-Supplemented Diet Increases Bone Volume After Four Weeks of High-Speed Treadmill Exercise in Adult Mice

Exercise has long-lasting benefits to bone health. Bone mass and the ability to exercise both decline with age, making it ideal to exercise earlier in life and to maximize gains in bone mass. Increasing strain on bone and frequency of loading during exercise can increase bone formation rate and cross-sectional area. Combining a short-term exercise program with a calcium- and phosphorus-supplemented diet increases cortical bone tissue mineral content (TMC) and area more than exercise alone in adult mice. It was hypothesized that combining high-speed running with a mineral-supplemented diet would lead to greater cortical TMC and area than high-speed running on a standard diet and low-speed running on a supplemented diet after 4 weeks. Male, 15-week old mice were assigned to 7 groups - a baseline group, non-exercised groups fed a control or supplemented diet, low-speed exercised groups fed a control or supplemented diet, and high-speed exercised groups fed a control or supplemented diet. Exercise consisted of 4 weeks of daily treadmill running for 20 min/day at 12 m/min or 20 m/min for low- and high-speed exercise, respectively. High-speed exercised mice had significantly lower body weight and lower tibial length after 4 weeks. Cortical TMC and area were significantly higher in high-speed exercised mice on the supplemented diet than high-speed exercised mice on the control diet. Trabecular bone volume (BV) and bone density were significantly higher in all groups on the supplemented diet than groups on the control diet, regardless of exercise. For mice on the control diet, non-exercised mice had significantly lower trabecular BV than baseline, while both speeds of exercise prevented this decline. There were few effects of exercise or diet on mechanical properties. For mice on the control diet, exercise significantly decreased serum PINP/CTX ratio on day 9 which may be preventing exercise from increasing bone mass or strength after only 4 weeks. For non-exercised mice on the supplemented diet, the serum PINP/CTX ratio on day 30 was significantly greater than for exercised mice, suggesting the supplemented diet may also lead to significantly greater bone mass in non-exercised mice if these interventions were extended beyond 4 weeks. Increasing treadmill speed can lower body weight while maintaining cortical and trabecular bone mass. A mineral-supplemented diet increases cortical and trabecular bone mass with high-speed exercise.
M-theory potential from the G 2 Hitchin functional in superspace

We embed the component fields of eleven-dimensional supergravity into a superspace of the form X × Y where X is the standard 4D, N = 1 superspace and Y is a smooth 7-manifold. The eleven-dimensional 3-form gives rise to a tensor hierarchy of superfields gauged by the diffeomorphisms of Y . It contains a natural candidate for a G 2 structure on Y , and being a complex of superforms, defines a superspace Chern-Simons invariant. Adding to this a natural generalization of the Riemannian volume on X × Y and freezing the (superspin- $$ {\scriptscriptstyle \frac{3}{2}} $$ and 1) supergravity fields on X, we obtain an approximation to the eleven-dimensional supergravity action that suffices to compute the scalar potential. In this approximation the action is the sum of the superspace Chern-Simons term and a super-space generalization of the Hitchin functional for Y as a G 2-structure manifold. Integrating out auxiliary fields, we obtain the conditions for unbroken supersymmetry and the scalar potential. The latter reproduces the Einstein-Hilbert term on Y in a form due to Bryant.
Omni-Resonant Space-Time Wave Packets with Programmable Fabry-Pérot-Cavity Spectra

A unique class of pulsed fields of arbitrary spectral profiles and bandwidths is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally that can traverse a Fabry-Perot Cavity invariantly even when far exceeding cavity resonant linewidth.
PARTICLE DEPOSITION STUDY IN A HORIZONTAL SQUARE CHANNEL USING HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING

The ongoing research at Texas A&M University (TAMU) aims to develop and implement measurement techniques to quantify fission product transport and related phenomena in a Gas-Cooled Fast Reactor (GCFR). This study summarizes the experimental measurements performed in a Proof-of-Concept Facility (PCF) to understand particle transport under various Reynolds numbers. Using high-resolution high-magnification optical measurement techniques, surrogate particle deposition was measured on the bottom wall surface of the PCF. The particle deposition over time was observed to decrease as the Reynolds number increased. In addition, the particle spatial distributions increased approaching the side wall of the PCF. This state-of-the art optical technique allows for the non-intrusive measurements of micron-sized particles near the wall surface.
A novel approach for teaching soil texture estimation: replacing standard protocols with directed self-calibration

Estimation of soil texture is an essential skill for soil scientists, but a difficult skill to learn. We compared two approaches for teaching soil texture: the traditional flowchart approach and an...
Beyond cuts and scrapes: plasmin in malaria and other vector-borne diseases

Plasmodium and other vector-borne pathogens have evolved mechanisms to hijack the mammalian fibrinolytic system to facilitate infection of the human host and the invertebrate vector. Plasmin, the effector protease of fibrinolysis, maintains homeostasis in the blood vasculature by degrading the fibrin that forms blood clots. Plasmin also degrades proteins from extracellular matrices, the complement system, and immunoglobulins. Here, we review some of the mechanisms by which vector-borne pathogens interact with components of the fibrinolytic system and co-opt its functions to facilitate transmission and infection in the host and the vector. Further, we discuss innovative strategies beyond conventional therapeutics that could be developed to target the interaction of vector-borne pathogens with the fibrinolytic proteins and prevent their transmission.
An Overview of General Aviation Propulsion Research Programs at NASA-Lewis Research Center

The review covers near-term improvements for current-type piston engines, as well as studies and limited corroborative research on several advanced g/a engine concepts, including diesels, small turboprops and both piston and rotary stratified-charge engines. Also described is basic combustion research, cycle modeling and diagnostic instrumentation work that is required to make new engines a reality.
The Two Weight Inequality for the Hilbert Transform: A Primer

Given a pair of weights w, σ, the two weight inequality for the Hilbert transform is of the form \(\Vert H(\sigma f)\Vert _{L^{2}(w)}\lesssim \Vert f\Vert _{L^{2}(\sigma )}\). Recent work of Lacey-Sawyer-Shen-Uriarte-Tuero and Lacey have established a conjecture of Nazarov-Treil-Volberg, giving a real-variable characterization of which pairs of weights this inequality holds, provided the pair of weights do not share a common point mass. In this paper, the characterization is proved, collecting details from across several papers; counterexamples are detailed; and areas of application are indicated.
25% "Error Rate" in Ear Temperature Sensing Device

In Reply.— We thank Freed and Fraley for their helpful comments as based on a different manner of data presentation. We agree that reporting standard deviations would have been more informative than reporting confidence intervals (standard error of the mean). However, the following frequency table of absolute value of the differences between the two devices demonstrates that 75% of tympanic membrane thermometer readings were within 0.5°C of [See table in the PDF file] glass-mercury thermometer readings and more than 95% are within 1°C.
Bent Jets and Tailed Radio Galaxies

The observationally defined properties of tailed radio sources are reviewed with particular emphasis on the characteristics of bent jets. A comparison is made between the structures found in straight and bent jets. It is demonstrated that the curvature of jets associated with narrow-angle tailed galaxies can provide a strong constraint on the average velocity of the plasma flow -- a contraint not possible for straight jets. It is also shown that the wide-angle tailed sources must be bent by a mechanism other than dynamic pressure resulting from motion through the ICM.
Effect of fluoride on nitrification of a concentrated industrial waste.

The potential for biological nitrification of an industrial waste containing 4,000 mg of ammonia N (NH4+-N) and 10,000 mg of fluoride per liter was investigated. Ammonium sulfate and sodium fluoride were tested in various combinations of 100 to 2,000 mg of NH4+-N per liter and 0 to 5,000 mg of F− per liter in suspended-growth stirred-tank reactors containing enriched cultures of nitrifying bacteria from a municipal sewage treatment plant. The stirred-tank reactors were fed once per day at a constant hydraulic retention period and cell retention time of 10 days. Temperature was 23°C, and pH was 7.0 to 7.5. Clarified secondary effluent was used to make up feeds and to provide minor nutrients. Steady-state data, confirmed by mass balances, were obtained after five to six retention periods. In the absence of fluoride, nitrification efficiency was near 100% for up to 500 mg of NH4+-N per liter. The influence of fluoride was studied at a low ammonia concentration (100 mg/liter) and exerted no significant effect on nitrification at concentrations of up to 200 mg/liter. Maximum effect of fluoride was reached at 800 mg of F− per liter, and no greater inhibition was observed for up to 5,000 mg of F− per liter. At the highest concentrations studied, ion pairing of ammonium and fluoride may exert a significant effect on kinetic coefficients. Kinetic analyses showed maximum specific substrate removal rates (qmax) of NH4+-N to be about 2.3 mg of N per mg of volatile suspended solids per day in the absence of fluoride and 0.85 mg of N per mg of volatile suspended solids per day in the presence of fluoride. The form of inhibition due to the presence of fluoride was shown to be not competitive, conforming to a mixed inhibition model.
Class B GPCRs: A Hidden Agonist Within?

Class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate a wide range of endocrine and neuroendocrine functions and are endogenously stimulated by moderately large peptide hormones. Current evidence suggests that the carboxyl termini of cognate peptides bind to the amino terminus of their G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and that the peptides' amino terminal segments then dock to the heptahelical receptor portion to induce signaling. In this issue of Molecular Pharmacology, Dong et al. (p. 206) propose an alternative model of ligand-induced class B GPCR activation. Based primarily on studies with the secretin receptor, a prototype class B family member, they provide evidence that the endogenous peptide hormone does not function as an activator per se. Instead, this hormone (secretin) exposes a hidden, built-in agonist epitope that is present within the amino terminus of its target GPCR. Isolated oligopeptide fragments containing this epitope act as full agonists on the secretin receptor despite their lack of amino acid homology with the secretin hormone. These nonconventional agonists can be minimized to tripeptide molecules and still maintain biological activity. The study to be discussed introduces a novel paradigm of class B GPCR function, and may facilitate the elusive goal of finding small molecule agonist drugs for this therapeutically attractive group of receptors.
Economic assessment of technology adoption in summer rice production in the Konkan region (M.S.) – methodology for excess adoption

An attempt has been made in this article to study the economic assessment of technology adoption in case of summer rice, and to suggest the methodology for measurement of technology adoption in case of excess adoption. Study is based on primary data collected from 120 summer paddy growers from Raigad district of Maharashtra. An attempt is also made to suggest a methodology for excess use of inputs up to any level which is more than the recommended level of input use. The adoption index in case of excess adoption gives conceptually appropriate results. As the per cent use of inputs more than the recommended level increases, the technology adoption index also decreases in same proportion. The adoption index value ranges from zero to 100. It attains maximum value at recommended level. It increases up to recommended level and decreases thereafter as per the proportionate excess use of inputs in a given data set. The study revealed that seed was utilized in excess quantity in all groups and use of fertilizers was more in higher adoption group. Input gap was ranging from 33 per cent to 48 per cent which was higher in low adoption group. The total yield gap was 10.42 quintals (22.53 %). However, yield gap I and yield gap II were low, such as 2.75 and 7.67 quintals, respectively. The increase in yield was 17.25 per cent more in high adoption group than the check (low adoption). The per quintal cost in high adoption group was lesser by 24 per cent (i.e. Rs. 888/-) than low adopters group (Rs. 1170/-). It is concluded that in addition to increase in adoption of technology by more number of farmers, the extent of adoption also need to be increased for increasing productivity of rice, reducing yield gap and per quintal cost of rice production.
Readability Formulas: Cautions and Criteria

Health care practitioners are being confronted with the uneven fit between the reading skill level of patients and the reading difficulty level of health-based literature. Readability formulas are being used to obtain a seemingly precise measure of the latter. However, excess emphasis placed on readability scores may cause the practitioner to overlook other important factors in the reading process. This paper examines the readability formula process, discusses other factors which contribute to the readability of healthbased literature and raises some cautions for the patient educator manager responsible for matching patient and text.
Transvalued values and common sense

A mbassador Kirkpatrick once again furnishes an articulate conceptual underpinning for the foreign policy impulses of President Ronald Reagan. Far from criticizing that role, we recognize the indispensable intellectual function performed similarly for President Carter by Zbigniew Brzezinski, and for Presidents Nixon and Ford by Henry Kissinger. I propose to examine Kirkpatrick's argument at two levels, one abstract, the other concrete.
Low gain and low-and-high gain feedback: A review and some recent results

Low gain feedback refers to a family of stabilizing state feedback gains that are parameterized in a scalar and go to zero as the scalar decreases to zero. Low gain feedback was initially proposed to achieve semi-global stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation. It was then combined with high gain feedback in different ways for solving various control problems. The resulting feedback laws are referred to as low-and-high gain feedback. Since the introduction of low gain feedback in the context of semi-global stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation, there has been effort to develop alternative methods for low gain design, to characterize key features of low gain feedback, and to explore new applications of the low gain and low-and-high gain feedback. This talk reviews the developments in low gain and low-and-high gain feedback designs. Most of the results mentioned in the talk have appeared in the literature. A few recent results are still under review for publication.
Interannual variations in the local spatial autocorrelation of tropospheric temperatures

Many dimensions of the global temperature pattern have been explored intensely over the past few decades. In this investigation, we explore the underlying spatial autoregressiveness of annual tropospheric temperature anomalies measured by polar-orbiting satellites. We found that the percent of the Earth covered by areas of significantly high local autocorrelation ranged from 11.92% to 25.90% over the 1979 to 2008 study period. We gathered 13 different teleconnection indices that have been linked to regional to global temperatures and found two (Polar/Eurasia pattern and North Atlantic Oscillation) that were positively correlated to the percent area with high local spatial autocorrelation. The magnitude but not the sign of the El Nino Southern Oscillation is also an important factor in the variation of spatial autocorrelation. The physical mechanism driving high local spatial autocorrelation is thought to be zonal and hemispheric flow governed by the subtropical and polar jet streams.
Isolation and characterization of guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells that retain differentiated function in long-term subculture.

A simple 30-min enzyme digestion procedure has been used to release guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle cells that retain differentiated function in long-term subculture. Primary cell cultures initially consist of numerous epithelial colonies and 70–1000 morphologically differentiated smooth muscle cells per 600 mg (wet weight) tracheal tissue depending on the age of the animal. Both cell types proliferate to form a confluent monolayer within 5–17 days. Pure subcultures of tracheal smooth muscle cells are obtained by limited trypsin digestion of the primary culture. Eighty percent of these subcultured smooth muscle cells retain the ability to contract in response to histamine (10-6 M) and to form reaggregates even after 20 or more passages. Examination of these cells by electron microscopy reveals both biosynthetic and contractile components of smooth muscle. Analysis of this dual phenotype may provide valuable information about the regulation of tracheal smooth muscle cell growth and differentiation.
Toward a history-based model for scientific invention: Problem-solving practices in the invention of the transistor and the development of the theory of superconductivity

This paper argues that historical research is an important tool for modeling problem-solving in scientific invention and discovery. Two important cases in the history of modern physics—the invention of the transistor by John Bardeen and Walter Brattain and the development of the theory of superconductivity by Bardeen, Leon Cooper, and J. Robert Schrieffer—reveal factors essential to include in such a model. The focus is on problem-solving practices: problem decomposition, analogy, bridging principles, team-work, empirical tinkering, and library research. A complete framework must encompass the full range of factors, including contingent individual traits and environmental circumstances.
Normal macrophage migration inhibition in dexamethasone-treated guinea-pigs

L'inhibition de la migration des macrophages se voit chez les cobayes immunises a la tuberculine, meme au cours d'un traitement in vivo au dexamethasone. In vitro le dexamethasone abolit cette inhibition de meme que la reponse au facteur inhibitif de la migration des cellules des cobayes temoins.
Relationships among Dispositional Attributional Style, Trauma-Specific Attributions, and PTSD Symptoms

The learned helplessness model and its various revisions suggest that causal attributions influence responses to events. This study examined relationships among the 3-factor symptom clusters of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represented in the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM–IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and the individual dimensions of dispositional attributional style and trauma-specific attributions (i.e., internal–external, stable–unstable, global–specific). Relationships among attributions and clusters of PTSD symptoms represented by the 4-factor dysphoria model were also examined. Trauma-specific attributions were most predictive of PTSD symptoms, with higher associations for avoidance and numbing symptoms compared to arousal symptoms in the three-factor model and higher associations for dysphoria symptoms compared to arousal and avoidance symptoms in the four-factor dysphoria model. Results suggest that cognitive vulnerabilities coul...
Mp3 bit rate quality detection through frequency spectrum analysis

The proliferation of the lossy MP3 format as the standard for audio transferred over the internet is of great concern to audiophiles, those who deeply care about good audio quality. Typically, the bit rate of an MP3 file is used as a relative measure of audio quality, however, this check fails if the audio has been transcoded from a lower bit rate to a higher bit rate. In this paper, we propose a method of detecting the original lower bit rate of a given audio file by analyzing its high frequency spectrum. Using a Support Vector Machine classifier and five classes of bit rates (CBR 128 kbps, 192 kbps, 256 kbps, 320 kbps, and VBR-0), our algorithm returned an average success rate of 97% in correctly detecting the original compressed bit rate of an audio file in the absence of any coding format knowledge other than the audio signal itself. Furthermore, our algorithm also detected the original lower bit rates of 320 kbps MP3s transcoded from 128 kbps and 192 kbps sources with a success rate of 99%.
Congenital hypoplastic thumb with absent thenar muscles: Anomalous digital neurovascular bundle

Congenital hypoplastic thumb with absent thenar muscles and an associated single midline digital neurovascular bundle is reported in four patients. Several other anomalies localized to the hand were encountered in all patients, including instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb and anomalous extrinsic tendons of the involved thumb. Multiple congenital abnormalities were also found in all patients, especially in relation to the spine.
Sidechain interactions in parallel β sheets: the energetics of cross-strand pairings

Abstract Background: Both backbone hydrogen bonding and interactions between sidechains stabilize β sheets. Cross-strand interactions are the closest contacts between the sidechains of a β sheet. Here we investigate the energetics of cross-strand interactions using a variant of the B1 domain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding protein G ( β 1) as our model system. Results: Pairwise mutations of polar and nonpolar residues were made at a solvent-exposed site between the two central parallel β strands of β 1. Both stabilizing and destabilizing interactions were measured. The greatest stabilizations were observed for charge–charge interactions. Our experimental study of sidechain interactions correlates with statistical preferences: residue pairs for which we measure stabilizing interaction energies occur together frequently, whereas destabilizing pairs are rarely observed together. Conclusions: Sidechain interactions modulate the stability of β sheets. We propose that cross-strand sidechain interactions specify correct strand register and ordering through the energetic benefit of optimally arranged pairings.
Influence of a bias voltage on surface-driven orientational transitions for liquid crystal-based chemical and biological sensors

The influence of a bias voltage on the surface-driven orientational transitions of liquid crystals (LCs) resulting from the weakening anchoring and anchoring transition was analysed theoretically and experimentally. The continuum theory of nematic LCs was used to model the LC deformation under different anchoring energies. A microelectroplated interdigitated Au structure was used in the nematic LC-based chemical and biological sensors. With a suitable bias electric field, the processes of the weakening anchoring energy and the uniform surface-driven orientational transition due to targeted molecules binding to a functionalized surface were observed optically. These results can be used to improve the sensitivity, response speed and signal strength of LC-based chemical and biological sensors.
Reading (with) the Enemy

Associate editor in chief Marc Donner explains why it's still worth reading "bad-guy writing"—and publishing book reviews about those works.
Hyperspectral information compression

This paper investigates a new concept, called Hyperpsectral Information Compression (HIC) as opposed to Hyperspectral Data Compression (HDC) commonly used in the literature. A key feature that differentiates the HIC from the HDC is its focus on compression of information rather than data size. Such information compression is completely determined by a specific application in data exploitation. Accordingly, the HIC can be also referred to as exploitationbased compression. In order to substantiate the utility of the HIC, experiments are conducted to demonstrate that the HIC is indeed more effective than traditional HDC.
Detecting clinal and balanced selection using spatial autocorrelation analysis under kin‐structured migration

Recently spatial autocorrelation has been employed to infer microevolutionary processes from patterns of genetic variation. In theory, different processes should show characteristic signature correlograms; e. g., clinal selection should produce correlograms decreasing from positive to negative autocorrelation, whereas uniform balanced selection should lead to no spatial autocorrelation. The ability of a statistical method such as spatial autocorrelation analysis to distinguish between these selective regimes or even to detect departures from neutrality is dependent on the strength of the evolutionary force and the population structure. Weak selection or migration will not be apparent against the expected background of stochastic noise. Moreover, the population structure may generate sufficient stochastic variation such that even strong evolutionary forces may fail to be detected. This study uses computer simulation to examine the effects of kin-structured migration and three different selective regimes on the shape of spatial correlograms to assess the ability of this technique to detect different microevolutionary processes. Genetic variation among 8 loci is simulated in a linear set of 25 artificial populations. Kin-structured stepping-stone migration among adjacent populations is modeled; directional, balanced, and clinal selection, as well as neutral loci are considered. These experiments show that strong selection produces correlograms of the predicted shape. However, with an anthropologically reasonable population structure, considerable stochastic variation among correlograms for different alleles may still exist. This suggests the need for caution in inferring genetic process from spatial patterns. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Economic analysis of robotic operations: A case study of a thermal spraying robot

Abstract There is growing interest in the industrial applications of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) and robotic technology. The economic analysis methods which are currently available to assess the cost effectiveness of robotic systems are, however, limited. This paper presents a methodology to address this issue. To demonstrate the methodology, a case-study is presented which uses a thermal spraying robot in a rapid tool manufacturing system. The interdependencies between tolerance, robot accuracy, and the probability of a successful spraying operation are demonstrated. The economic effects of using robots in the spraying process are analyzed. Analytical models are developed to estimate the productivity of components without any defects and the improvement in tool life attributable to robotic spraying. The economic analysis method presented in the paper is also applicable to other operations such as robotic assembly and robotic welding.
EFFECT OF CORTICOSTEROIDS ON TADPOLE HEPATIC TRANSAMINASES.

Activities of aspartate-α-ketoglutarate (E.C.2.6.1.1), alanine-α-ketoglutarate (E.C.2.6.1.2) and tyrosine-α-ketoglutarate (E.C.2.6.1.5) transaminases in the livers of tadpoles were determined and the effect of corticoids and tyrosine upon the hepatic activities of these three transaminase studied. In contrast to mammalian livers, neither hydrocortisone nor tyrosine caused an appreciable increase in hepatic transaminase activities in tadpoles. The hepatic transaminase activities were not affected by treatment of the tadpoles with Metopirone, an inhibitor which blocks the biosynthesis of corticoids in vivo.