cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Grazing History on the Community Structure of Grasshoppers of a Mixed-Grass Prairie

A study was conducted to determine if grazing history affected community composition of plants and grasshoppers by comparing communities in an undisturbed grassland that has not been grazed by livestock for approximately 60 yr (Badlands National Park, South Dakota) with communities on adjacent grasslands that are managed for grazing (Buffalo Gap National Grasslands). Grasshoppers were sampled with sweep nets in August 1986 at 29 sites within the Badlands National Park and Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. Concurrently, plant communities were sampled at the sites to determine species richness of grasses and percentage of coverage of all grass species, forbs, sedges, and bare ground. Detrended correspondence analysis and Spearman correlation analysis of insect abundance and incidence data were used to assess spatial changes in grasshopper community structure and to relate vegetation variables to grasshopper community composition. Results indicated that grasshopper communities changed along habitat gradients defined by grazing history and coverage and species richness of grasses. Sites within the undisturbed grassland habitat had similar community compositions of grasshoppers and were dominated by mixed forb- and grass-feeding species. Grazed sites supported higher populations of obligate grass-feeding grasshoppers. Differences in grasshopper communities between the grazed and undisturbed sites were, in part, due to differences in plant community composition; grazed sites were dominated by short grasses, whereas ungrazed sites were composed mainly of tallgrass species. In general, the mixed forb- and grass-feeding species of grasshoppers increased along vegetation gradients defined by increasing coverage of Agropyron smithii Rydb., Bromus spp., Poa spp., Stipa viridula Trin., and Carex spp., and decreasing coverage of bare ground and Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag. ex Steud. Communities dominated by obligate grass-feeding species were associated with high coverage of bare ground and B. gracilis . Grasshopper species richness was greatest at sites with high richness of grasses and total coverage of grasses and sedges.
Decreased in vivo acetylation of sulfisoxazole in the rabbit in the presence of 4-N-acetylsulfisoxazole

Abstract When 4-N-acetyl-sulfisoxazole, the primary metabolite of sulfisoxazole, is to accumulate by continuous infusion, a decrease in the plasma pritein binding, tissue protein binding and metabolism of sulfisoxazole is observed. A 5-fold decreased in unbound metabolic clearance, which represents the intrinsic ability of the rabit to acetylate sulfisoxazole, supports the idea that product inhibition takes place. However, this decrease in the metabolism appears to be much less pronounced when the total metabolic clearance is considered because the effect is partially obscured by decreased plasma protein binding.
The Rivalry between Charles Lyell and Roderick Murchison

There existed between Charles Lyell and Roderick Impey Murchison, the two most prominent British geologists of the mid-nineteenth century, a rivalry that was personal, professional, and theoretical. This rivalry, which was for the most part friendly, was most keenly felt by Murchison, who was always envious of the popular and professional success of Lyell's theories. Although both were born in Scotland and raised in England, where they lived most of their lives, their early lives were considerably different. Murchison's early career as an army officer and fox hunter contrasts rather strongly with Lyell's academic life at Oxford and as a law student. Each was the eldest child of a well-to-do Scottish family. Although Lyell's family was much the wealthier, Murchison personally always had more money than Lyell since Murchison ultimately inherited the estates of his father, father-in-law, and uncle, while Lyell's inheritance waited until his father's death in 1849, at which time the estate was left in trust for the many Lyell children.
The proportional hazards model: applications in epidemiology

Cox's (1972) Proportioal hazards failure time model, already widely used in the analysis of clinical trials, also provides an elegant formalization of the epidemiologic concept of relative risk. When used to compare the disease experience of a study cohort with that of an external control population, it generalizes the notions of the standardized morbidity ratio (SMR) and the proportional morbidity ratio (PMR). For studies in which matched sets of cases and controls are sampled retrospectively from the population at risk, the model provides a flexible tool for the regression analysis of multiple risk factors.
Quantitative analysis of aortic regurgitation: real-time 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional color Doppler echocardiographic method--a clinical and a chronic animal study

BACKGROUND: For evaluating patients with aortic regurgitation (AR), regurgitant volumes, left ventricular (LV) stroke volumes (SV), and absolute LV volumes are valuable indices. AIM: The aim of this study was to validate the combination of real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) and semiautomated digital color Doppler cardiac flow measurement (ACM) for quantifying absolute LV volumes, LVSV, and AR volumes using an animal model of chronic AR and to investigate its clinical applicability. METHODS: In 8 sheep, a total of 26 hemodynamic states were obtained pharmacologically 20 weeks after the aortic valve noncoronary (n = 4) or right coronary (n = 4) leaflet was incised to produce AR. Reference standard LVSV and AR volume were determined using the electromagnetic flow method (EM). Simultaneous epicardial real-time 3DE studies were performed to obtain LV end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV), end-systolic volumes (LVESV), and LVSV by subtracting LVESV from LVEDV. Simultaneous ACM was performed to obtain LVSV and transmitral flows; AR volume was calculated by subtracting transmitral flow volume from LVSV. In a total of 19 patients with AR, real-time 3DE and ACM were used to obtain LVSVs and these were compared with each other. RESULTS: A strong relationship was found between LVSV derived from EM and those from the real-time 3DE (r = 0.93, P <.001, mean difference (3D - EM) = -1.0 +/- 9.8 mL). A good relationship between LVSV and AR volumes derived from EM and those by ACM was found (r = 0.88, P <.001). A good relationship between LVSV derived from real-time 3DE and that from ACM was observed (r = 0.73, P <.01, mean difference = 2.5 +/- 7.9 mL). In patients, a good relationship between LVSV obtained by real-time 3DE and ACM was found (r = 0.90, P <.001, mean difference = 0.6 +/- 9.8 mL). CONCLUSION: The combination of ACM and real-time 3DE for quantifying LV volumes, LVSV, and AR volumes was validated by the chronic animal study and was shown to be clinically applicable.
Crystal structure of YaeT: conformational flexibility and substrate recognition.

Summary The envelope of Gram-negative bacteria consists of inner and outer membranes surrounding the peptidoglycan wall. The outer membrane (OM) is rich in integral membrane proteins (OMPs), which have a characteristic β barrel domain embedded in the OM. The Omp85 family of proteins, ubiquitous among Gram-negative bacteria and also present in chloroplasts and mitochondria, is required for folding and insertion of OMPs into the outer membrane. Bacterial Omp85 proteins are characterized by a periplasmic domain containing five repeats of polypeptide transport-associated (POTRA) motifs. Here we report the crystal structure of a periplasmic fragment of YaeT (the Escherichia coli Omp85) containing the first four POTRA domains in an extended conformation consistent with recent solution X-ray scattering data. Analysis of the YaeT structure reveals conformational flexibility around a hinge point between POTRA2 and 3 domains. The structure's implications for substrate binding and folding mechanisms are also discussed.
Custom on-chip sensors for post-silicon failing path isolation in the presence of process variations

This work offers a framework for predicting the delays of individual design paths at the post-silicon stage which is applicable to post-silicon validation and delay characterization. The prediction challenge is mainly due to limited access for direct delay measurement on the design paths after fabrication, combined with the high degree of variability in the process and environmental factors. Our framework is based on using on-chip delay sensors to improve timing prediction. Given a placed netlist at the pre-silicon stage, an optimization procedure is described which automatically generates the sensors subject to an area budget and available whitespace on the layout, in the presence of process variations. Each sensor is then generated as a sequence of logic gates with an approximate location on the layout at the pre-silicon stage. The on-chip sensor delay is then measured to predict the delays of individual design paths with less pessimism. In our experiments, we show that custom on-chip sensors can significantly increase the rate of predicting if a specified set of paths are failing their timing requirements.
SHORT TERM METABOLIC CHANGES AND LONG TERM RESPONSE TO RECOMBINANT IGF-I (rhIGF-I) THERAPY IN A NORTH AMERICAN CHILD WITH GH INSENSITIVITY (GHIS; LARON SYNDROME)

SHORT TERM METABOLIC CHANGES AND LONG TERM RESPONSE TO RECOMBINANT IGF-I (rhIGF-I) THERAPY IN A NORTH AMERICAN CHILD WITH GH INSENSITIVITY (GHIS; LARON SYNDROME)
Aging and Mental Health in the Decade Ahead: What Psychologists Need to Know.

Until relatively recently, most psychologists have had limited professional involvement with older adults. With the baby boomers starting to turn 65 years old in 2011, sheer numbers of older adults will continue to increase. About 1 in 5 older adults has a mental disorder, such as dementia. Their needs for mental and behavioral health services are not now adequately met, and the decade ahead will require an approximate doubling of the current level of psychologists' time with older adults. Public policy in the coming decade will face tensions between cost containment and facilitation of integrated models of care. Most older adults who access mental health services do so in primary care settings, where interdisciplinary, collaborative models of care have been found to be quite effective. To meet the needs of the aging population, psychologists need to increase awareness of competencies for geropsychology practice and knowledge regarding dementia diagnosis, screening, and services. Opportunities for psychological practice are anticipated to grow in primary care, dementia and family caregiving services, decision-making-capacity evaluation, and end-of-life care. Aging is an aspect of diversity that can be integrated into psychology education across levels of training. Policy advocacy for geropsychology clinical services, education, and research remains critical. Psychologists have much to offer an aging society.
A 7Li NMR study of visibility, spin relaxation, and transport in normal human erythrocytes

The behavior of the lithium (Li) ion in normal human erythrocytes has been studied by 7Li NMR. The uptake of Li into the cells was followed as a function of solution conditions, temperature, hematocrit, and blood age using dysprosium tripolyphosphate shift reagent. Under our conditions the uptake of Li increases with increasing hematocrit and blood age. For packed cells the extracellular 7Li spin-lattice relaxation time was only slightly longer than the intracellular relaxation time. Thus, T1 may not be useful for separate observation of intra-and extracellular Li in vivo. The intra- and extracellular T2s were substantially shorter than the corresponding T1s. Also, the intracellular T2 was considerably shorter than that for the extracellular compartment, suggesting that T2 may provide a noninvasive handle for observation of intracellular Li. Nuclear Overhauser enhancements could be observed for both extra-and intracellular 7Li, confirming that dipolar coupling to 1H is a contributing relaxation mechanism. The 7Li NMR visibility was esentially 100% at high Li concentrations, decreasing to about 84% at 1 mM Li. Based on time course studies of the invisibility, and a comparison of NMR and inductively coupled plasma results, it appears that the invisibility of the intra- and extracellular compartments for packed cells in the same. Although a 23Na double-quantum signal could be observed for red blood cells, no double-quantum signal was observed for 7Li. © 1991 Academic Press, Inc.
Firewalls: Basic Principles and Some Implications

As part of the overall security plan, a firewall restricts access from one network to another network, with the goal of reducing or preventing the spread of unwanted or malicious programs or data. To do this, firewalls have developed capabilities roughly related to the three generations of firewalls: Packet Filtering, Circuit-Level (Stateful Packet Filtering), and Application Layer Firewalls. As firewalls enforce the information access policy, it is important for librarians to enter the discussion at early levels. In addition, an understanding of firewalls may help the librarian in diagnosing problems with patrons connecting to the information resources.
Loss of neurofibromatosis type I (NFI) gene expression in pheochromocytomas from patients without NFI

The neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene encodes a tumor-suppressor protein termed neurofibromin, which, in adults, is expressed predominantly in neurons, Schwann cells, and the adrenal medulla. Loss of NF1 gene expression has been reported in Schwann cell tumors (neurofibrosarcomas) from patients with NF1 as well as in malignant melanomas and neuroblastomas from patients without NF1. Previously, we demonstrated the lack of neurofibromin expression in six pheochromocytomas from patients with NF1, supporting the idea that neurofibromin might be an essential regulator of cell growth in these cells. To determine whether NF1 gene expression is similarly altered in pheochromocytomas from patients without NF1, we examined 20 pheochromocytomas for the presence of NF1 RNA and neurofibromin by reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Reduced or absent NF1 gene expression was documented in 7 of these 20 tumors (35%) including 1 of 4 sporadic tumors, 3 of 10 tumors from patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) 2A, 2 of 4 tumors from patients with MEN2B, and 1 of 2 tumors from patients with von Hippel-Lindau syndrome. In addition, most of these tumors expressed predominantly the type 1 NF1 isoform (75% type 1 NF1 isoform expression) as opposed to other neural crest-derived tissues such as adrenal gland and Schwann cells, which express predominantly type 2 NF1. This type 1 isoform predominance was also observed in the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line, suggesting that this change in isoform expression may be associated with the genesis of these tumors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relationship between teratogeny and structure in the thalidomide field.

Thalidomid verursacht an trachtigen Neuseeland-Kaninchen nach oraler Verabreichung starke Missbildungen des Wurfes. Geringe strukturelle Abweichungen konnen die Teratogenie zerstoren: Zwei solche Verbindungen,N-Methoxy-thalidomid und 2-Phthalimido-glutaramid, sind nicht teratogen, wahrend ein Esteramid, ein Thalidomidanalog mit offener Kette, hauptsachlich Missbildungen der inneren Organe erzeugt.
Reconciling STEM and X-ray Scattering Data To Determine the Nanoscale Ionic Aggregate Morphology in Sulfonated Polystyrene Ionomers

This paper reports the first quantitative reconciliation of imaging and scattering data for poly(styrene-ran-styrenesulfonate) (P(S-SSx)) ionomers. We examined the morphology of solvent-cast and spin-cast P(S-SS0.019)-M ionomers using the combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and X-ray scattering, where the scattering data were fit with a liquidlike hard-sphere model. Both the ionic aggregate sizes (R1) and the sample volume per ionic aggregate (VP) as measured by both techniques were in good agreement. In addition, STEM found that P(S-SS0.019) ionomers prepared by spin-casting exhibit nanometer spherical ionic aggregates that are indistinguishable in size, shape, and spatial distribution from the bulk solvent-cast ionomers. Six P(S-SS0.019)-M ionomers fully neutralized with various cations have ionic aggregate compositions that are predominately ionic, and the ionic aggregate radius (R1) increases as the cation radii increases. Finally, the influence of copolymer type was studie...
Cognitive function, origin, and evolution of musical emotions

Based on recent advancements in cognitive science and mathematical models of the mind, this paper proposes a hypothesis on a fundamental role of music in cognition, and in the evolution of the mind...
Icosahedral Bond Orientational Order in Supercooled Liquids

Three-dimensional bond orientational order is studied via computer simulations of 864 particles interacting through a Lennard-Jones pair potential. Long-range orientational fluctuations appear upon supercooling about ten percent below the equilibrium melting temperature. The fluctuations suggest a broken icosahedral symmetry with extended correlations in the orientations of local icosahedral packing units.
LACK OF METABOLIC EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE (GH) 36 HOURS AFTER INJECTION

Since GH is only given three times a week we studied whether metabolic effects were still apparent 36h after a shot. Six GH deficient boys aged 13-17 received a stepwise euglycemic insulin clamp (8, then 40 mU/m2.min for 90 mins each) combined with 2H-glucose infusion to independently measure hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity. Children were studied before and after 7-19 weeks of GH treatment (0.05 mg/kg IM qod) which increased growth rate from 4.6±0.9 to 8.9±1.4 cm/yr (p<0.02). At the time of the second study, 36h after the last shot, GH levels had returned to baseline (2.0±0.5 vs 1.7±0.3 ng/ml) while somatomedin C was still markedly elevated (1.29±0.25 vs 0.29±0.06 U/ml, p<0.01). There was no difference in fasting plasma glucose (79.7±3.4 vs 75.9±1.8 mg/dl) or insulin (7.4±2.0 vs 6.0±1.4 mU/l, although basal glucose turnover was slightly higher (2.48±0.28 vs 2.11±0.27 mg/kg.min, p<0.05). However, hepatic glucose production suppressed to the same extent during the low dose clamp (71 vs 85%), and insulin stimulated glucose uptake during the high dose clamp actually tended to be higher after GH treatment (9.4±1.9 vs 7.9±0.9 mg/kg.min). In contrast, in three children studied 12h after a GH shot, insulin sensitivity was decreased. Thus, 36h after GH, no adverse effects on carbohydrate metabolism were detectable, and some children were actually more insulin sensitive, possibly as a result of insulin-like effects of somatomedins.
A new and simpler noncommutative central sets theorem

Abstract Using dynamics, Furstenberg defined the concept of a central subset of positive integers and proved several powerful combinatorial properties of central sets. Later using the algebraic structure of the Stone–Cech compactification, Bergelson and Hindman, with the assistance of B. Weiss, generalized the notion of a central set to any semigroup and extended the most important combinatorial property of central sets to the central sets theorem. Currently the most powerful formulation of the central sets theorem is due to De, Hindman, and Strauss in [3, Corollary 3.10] . However their formulation of the central sets theorem for noncommutative semigroups is, compared to their formulation for commutative semigroups, complicated. In this paper I prove a simpler (but still equally strong) version of the noncommutative central sets theorem in Corollary 3.3 .
On the Vickers Indentation Fracture Toughness Test

The Vickers indentation fracture toughness test, or VIF, is addressed by considering its origins and the numerous equations that have been applied along with the technique to estimate the fracture resistance, or the KIc of ceramics. Initiation and propagation of cracks during the VIF test are described and contrasted with the pre-cracking and crack growth for internationally standardized fracture toughness tests. It is concluded that the VIF test technique is fundamentally different than standard fracture toughness tests. The VIF test has a complex three-dimensional crack system with substantial deformation residual stresses and damage around the cracks. The VIF test relates to an ill-defined crack arrest condition as opposed to the rapid crack propagation of the standardized fracture toughness tests. Previously published fracture toughness results employing the VIF technique are reviewed. These reveal serious discrepancies in reported VIF fracture toughness values. Finally, recent fracture resistance measurements by the VIF technique for the Standard Reference Material SRM 2100 are presented. These are compared with standardized test results for the same material. It is concluded that the VIF technique is not reliable as a fracture toughness test for ceramics or for other brittle materials. What the VIF actually measures in terms of fracture resistance cannot be readily defined. It is recommended that the VIF technique no longer be acceptable for the fracture toughness testing of ceramic materials.
Sensitivity analysis of current generation in organic solar cells—comparing bilayer, sawtooth, and bulk heterojunction morphologies

Abstract Organic solar cells (OSC) show great potential as a low-cost energy source. In addition, their mechanical flexibility allows the added advantage of use on a wide variety of surfaces. In recent years, progress in experimental strategies and modeling approaches have enabled enhancing the power conversion efficiencies of OSC. In particular, simulation based analysis has played a significant role in improving our understanding of the charge transport phenomena in the active layer of these devices. The excitonic drift-diffusion (EDD) model has been used widely to simulate the generation and transport properties of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells. The EDD model – which is derived from the Boltzmann transport is dependent on a number of input parameters such as (1) material properties (mobility and permittivity), (2) operating conditions (illumination and device thickness), and (3) active layer morphology. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis of the short-circuit current, Jsc, to the input parameters is performed. This helps in rank ordering the input parameters and operating conditions – by strength and relevance – on their impact on Jsc. We particularly focus our investigations on understanding how the active layer morphology affects the sensitivity of Jsc. To accomplish this we analyze three classes of morphologies: bilayer, BHJ, and sawtooth. The results show significant differences in sensitivities between BHJ, sawtooth, and bilayer morphologies. Short-circuit current in BHJ structure shows higher sensitivity to material properties than either sawtooth and bilayer structure, suggesting that the necessity for finer control of material properties to counteract the increased disorder in the active layer morphology. The electrode current is found to be most sensitive to illumination intensity for all three morphologies. We report some interesting trends that may help choose the most sensitive parameters to vary for designing OSC's with better performance.
Single- and Dual-Source Modeling of Surface Energy Fluxes with Radiometric Surface Temperature

Abstract Single- and dual-source models of the surface energy transfer across the soil-vegetation-atmosphere interface were used in conjunction with remotely sensed surface temperature for computing the surface energy balance over heterogeneous surfaces. Both models are relatively simple so that only a few parameters are specified, making them potentially useful for computing surface fluxes with operational satellite observations. The models were tested with datasets collected from a semiarid rangeland environment with canopy cover generally less than 50% and a subhumid tallgrass prairie environment having canopy cover typically greater than 50%. For the semiarid site, differences between the single-source and dual-source model estimates of the sensible heat flux (H) and the observations averaged about 25%. For the tallgrass prairie, the disagreement between observations and single-source model estimates of H was significantly larger, averaging nearly 55%. The average difference between observations and t...
TCOF1 gene encodes a putative nucleolar phosphoprotein that exhibits mutations in Treacher Collins Syndrome throughout its coding region

Treacher Collins Syndrome (TCS) is the most common of the human mandibulofacial dysostosis disorders. Recently, a partial TCOF1 cDNA was identified and shown to contain mutations in TCS families. Here we present the entire exon/intron genomic structure and the complete coding sequence of TCOF1. TCOF1 encodes a low complexity protein of 1,411 amino acids, whose predicted protein structure reveals repeated motifs that mirror the organization of its exons. These motifs are shared with nucleolar trafficking proteins in other species and are predicted to be highly phosphorylated by casein kinase. Consistent with this, the full-length TCOF1 protein sequence also contains putative nuclear and nucleolar localization signals. Throughout the open reading frame, we detected an additional eight mutations in TCS families and several polymorphisms. We postulate that TCS results from defects in a nucleolar trafficking protein that is critically required during human craniofacial development.
DESC: energy-efficient data exchange using synchronized counters

Increasing cache sizes in modern microprocessors require long wires to connect cache arrays to processor cores. As a result, the last-level cache (LLC) has become a major contributor to processor energy, necessitating techniques to increase the energy efficiency of data exchange over LLC interconnects. This paper presents an energy-efficient data exchange mechanism using synchronized counters. The key idea is to represent information by the delay between two consecutive pulses on a set of wires, which makes the number of state transitions on the interconnect independent of the data patterns, and significantly lowers the activity factor. Simulation results show that the proposed technique reduces overall processor energy by 7%, and the L2 cache energy by 1.81 × on a set of sixteen parallel applications. This efficiency gain is attained at a cost of less than 1% area, overhead to the L2 cache, and a 2% delay overhead to execution time.
The impact of selective solvents on the evolution of structure and function in solvent annealed organic photovoltaics

This study examines the development of structure and performance in an organic photovoltaic (OPV) thin film comprised of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Specifically, the influence of P3HT and PCBM solubility in the solvents utilized for vapor annealing on the morphological properties and OPV performance of the resultant active layer is examined. The evolution of P3HT crystallinity as well as the growth of PCBM aggregates in the solvent annealed thin films were examined by Grazing Incidence Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (GIWAXS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Energy Filtered Transmission Electron Microscopy (EFTEM). It is shown that P3HT crystallinity increases initially, then decreases with time for solvents that have a finite P3HT solubility. Alternatively, PCBM aggregates grow continuously with SVA, but are modulated by the PCBM solubility. High P3HT crystallinity and moderate PCBM phase separation correlates to improved power conversion efficiency (PCE). Hence, the relative P3HT and PCBM solubility plays a crucial role in choosing the best SVA time of different annealing solvents. Specifically, for samples annealed using solvents that prefer P3HT, PCE benefits from further SVA after the peak P3HT crystallinity time, which is ascribed to additional PCBM phase separation. On the other hand, solvents that prefer PCBM induce excess PCBM phase separation at longer SVA times, which limits exciton dissociation and PCE. EFTEM cross section images indicate that PCBM is distributed toward the bottom of the film, whereas SVA in a solvent with high PCBM solubility may induce PCBM to segregate towards the air surface, which benefits charge transport processes by preventing electron–hole recombination.
Optimal treatment with telaprevir for chronic HCV infection.

There are 160–170 million people with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection worldwide. The marketing of protease inhibitors (PIs) has been a milestone in the history of HCV therapy. In phase III studies, up to 75% of the patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR) after triple therapy with pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN)-α, ribavirin (RBV) and boceprevir (BOC). However, triple regimens are more expensive and associated with drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and more adverse events (AEs). According to results in ‘real-world’ settings, safety seems to be limited, in particular in patients with advanced liver disease. To optimize efficacy while minimizing AEs as well as costs, the optimal treatment strategy must be determined for BOC. Optimizing treatment is based on patient selection, the most efficient treatment design, management of side effects and the challenge of DDIs. Therapy-associated risks, treatment urgency and chances of SVR must all be considered for patient selection. In addition, certain differences between the two approved PIs may help identify the ideal candidates for each HCV PI. Optimal treatment design is based on the results of phase II and III studies, in which different approaches have been tested including ‘lead-in’ and response-guided strategies. Treatment regimens and stopping rules recommended by the FDA and EMA should normally be followed. Still, there are some cases in which more personalized strategies may be more promising. Management of side effects is a major challenge and plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and adherence.
Therapeutic targeting of the thrombospondin-1 receptor CD47 to treat liver cancer

CD47 is a signaling receptor for the matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 and a counter-receptor for signal regulatory protein-α (SIRPα) on macrophages. Following its initial discovery in 1992 as a cell surface protein that is over-expressed by ovarian carcinoma, elevated CD47 expression has emerged as a negative prognostic factor for a variety of cancers. CD47 is also a potential therapeutic target based on the ability of CD47 blockade to cause regression of tumors in mice, and a humanized CD47 antibody has recently entered phase I clinical trials. CD47 blockade may control tumor growth by inhibiting thrombospondin-1 signaling or by preventing inhibitory SIRPα signaling in tumor-associated macrophages. A recent publication by Lee et al. (Hepatology 60:179–191, 2014) provides evidence that blocking CD47 signaling specifically depletes tumor-initiating stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma and implicates cathepsin-S/protease-activated receptor-2 signaling in mediating this therapeutic response.
Factors affecting the distribution of the mole (Talpa europaea) in Snowdonia (North Wales)

Moles are widespread in the uplands of Snowdonia, North Wales, and their distribution has been studied in relation to soil physical and chemical characteristics. Moles are significantly associated with freely drained mineral soils of pH greater than about 4.0. They are not present in soils with a very stony matrix which would preclude the construction of an effective tunnel system. Data are presented showing that moles are associated with sites showing a high return of sheep dung and the reason for this may be an increase in arthropod populations associated with decaying dung. The sites sampled which were not selected with this study in mind show that no factors other than soil characteristics need be invoked to explain the present distribution of moles.
Markers of Exposure to Carcinogens

Methods have been developed for the detection of exposure to carcinogens and other DNA damaging agents in experimental animals and man through the detection of carcinogens or their metabolic derivatives in body fluids, or through adducts bound covalently to DNA or hemoglobin. The successful use of urinary markers of genotoxic exposures has been reported with respect to nitrosoproline as an indicator of exposure to N-nitroso compounds. The same approach has been used to detect AFB1 and AFB1-N7-Gua as markers of exposure to aflatoxin B1; of 3-methyladenine produced as a result of exposure to methylating agents; and thymine glycol as an indicator of exposure to agents causing oxidative damage to DNA. Detection of adducts formed between genotoxic agents and hemoglobin has been reported in studies of populations occupationally exposed to ethylene oxide, in which 3-hydroxyhistidine and 3-hydroxyvaline have been measured, and in smokers, whose hemoglobin has been found to contain levels of 4-aminobiphenyl and 3-hydroxyvaline that were correlated with the frequency of cigarette smoking. Detection of DNA adducts of genotoxic agents in the cells and tissues of exposed individuals has also been accomplished through the use of several types of analytical methods. Immunoassays and physicochemical methods have been applied to detect adducts formed through the major intermediate in the activation of benzo(a)pyrene, the 7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE). This adduct has been found in the DNA of peripheral leukocytes of workers in foundries, aluminum manufacturing plants, roofers, and coke oven plants, and also in cigarette smokers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Real Time Observation and Quantification of Shear-Induced Collagen Self-Assembly

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of vertebrates and is distributed widely throughout connective tissues. Fibrillar collagen is the principal load-bearing molecule in vertebrates (e.g. type I in tendon and ligament and type II in cartilage). Its inherent biocompatibility makes collagen an attractive scaffolding material candidate for tissue engineering. Although use of 2-D or 3-D collagen networks as a substrate for cell culturing have provided invaluable information about cell-ECM interactions, it has not been very successful in producing load-bearing tissue-engineered constructs. We attribute the fundamental problem to the use of disorganized collagen which may interfere with the ability of cells to generate organization. Several research groups have developed methods to produce organized layer(s) of collagen fibrils de novo (often with the intention of using them for guiding cell culture systems). Methods employed to influence collagen fibril organization during self-assembly include, electro-spinning [1], the use of strong magnetic fields [2–4], electrical gradients [5], flows through a microfluidic channel [6, 7], a combination of fluid flow and magnetic field [8], dip-pen nanolithography [9], cholesteric methods [10], and even freezing and thawing [11]. Although there has been some progress in controlling the alignment of collagen fibrils in vitro, there are many unknown factors which govern directed collagen self-assembly.© 2009 ASME
Developing Second Graders’ Creativity Through Literacy-Science Integrated Lessons on Lifecycles

Young children need to develop creative problem-solving skills to ensure success in an uncertain future workplace. Although most teachers recognize the importance of creativity, they do not always know how integrate it with content learning. This repeated measures study on animal and plant lifecycles examined student learning of vocabulary and enjoyment of schoolwork under two conditions: a control condition of drawing and labeling the parts of the lifecycle and the experimental condition of transforming simple figures into drawings of lifecycle elements (figural transformations). Twenty-two second-grade students (15 females, 7 males) alternated between the two conditions for four different 1-week lifecycle lessons featuring these organisms: dragonfly, sea turtle, horse, and bean plant. Results showed that students learned more vocabulary with a medium effect size in the experimental condition. Students also perceived the experimental condition as more conducive to learning. Both conditions were considered by students to be nearly equally enjoyable, although they at first resisted the more challenging creative tasks. Future research might explore the effects of ongoing, longer-term exposure to integration of creative skills with content learning.
Molecular dynamics simulations of heat and momentum transfer at a solid–fluid interface: Relationship between thermal and velocity slip

Abstract The thermal resistance of a model solid–liquid interface in the presence of laminar shear flow is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Two model liquids – a monoatomic liquid and a polymeric liquid composed of 20 repeat units – are confined between walls which are modeled as idealized lattice surfaces composed of atoms identical to the monomers. We find that in the absence of a velocity slip (discontinuity) at the solid–fluid interface, the mass flow does not affect the thermal interfacial resistance, but the presence of velocity slip results in an increase in the interfacial thermal resistance by about a factor of two.
Selective hydrogenolysis of methylcyclopropane over bifunctional catalysts

Hydrogenation of methylcyclopropane proceeds at vastly different rates to yield isobutane or n-butane. The ratio of these rates at 0 °C, called here selectivity, has been studied at 0 °C on a platinum catalyst supported on silica gel. The selectivity was about 20 when the catalyst was used alone or was mixed with a 19-fold excess of Vycor or Cabosil silica gel. But when the catalyst was mixed with alumina or silica gel diluents containing more acidic sites, the selectivity dropped to values as low as 0.1. This change is attributed to isomerization on the diluent to n-butene followed by hydrogenation to n-butane on the metal. True bifunctional catalysis is indicated by enhanced activity of the acidic function as a result of its being kept clean by the hydrogenating function of the metal.
Quantification of hydroxyl radical and its lack of relevance to myocardial injury during early reperfusion after graded ischemia in rat hearts.

To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the hydroxyl radical (.OH) during the postischemic reperfusion of the heart, we measured the .OH product in the coronary effluent from isolated perfused rat heart during a 30-minute reperfusion period after various ischemic intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 60 minutes. Salicylic acid was used as the probe for .OH, and its derivative, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5-DHBA), was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. 2,5-DHBA was negligible in the effluent from nonischemic hearts, but a significant amount was detected from the hearts rendered ischemic for 10 minutes or longer. The peak of 2,5-DHBA was seen within 90 seconds after the onset of reperfusion in every group. The accumulated amount of 2,5-DHBA was maximal in the group with 15-minute ischemia (6.73 +/- 1.04 nmol/g wet heart wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion); it decreased as the ischemic time was prolonged and was 2.38 +/- 0.84 nmol/g wet wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion in the group with 60-minute ischemia. In the model of 15-minute ischemia/30-minute reperfusion, there was no correlation between the accumulated amount of 2,5-DHBA and functional recovery (+/- dP/dt, heart rate, and coronary flow), lactate dehydrogenase release, and morphological damage. Although treatment with 0.5 mM deferoxamine, an iron chelator, significantly decreased 2,5-DHBA (from 6.73 +/- 1.04 to 2.29 +/- 0.80 nmol/g wet wt after 30 minutes of reperfusion, p less than 0.01), it failed to reduce the postischemic myocardial injury in the group with 15-minute ischemia. The results suggest that .OH production is influenced by the preceding ischemic interval and that .OH does not exert an immediate direct effect on postischemic damage during early reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat heart, although a possibility remains that the small portion of .OH trapped by salicylic acid may not be intimately associated with myocardial injury.
Mathematical models based on singular integral equations with non-Carleman shift. Analysis of solvability and numerical methods of solution

We consider some examples of systems whose functionality can be described with the help of mathematical models based on singular integral equations with non-Carleman shift. For this type of equations, we have obtained an estimate for the dimension of the kernel of the corresponding operator and proposed numerical methods for both evaluating the dimension of the kernel and constructing solutions.
The virtues of gossip: Reputational information sharing as prosocial behavior.

Reputation systems promote cooperation and deter antisocial behavior in groups. Little is known, however, about how and why people share reputational information. Here, we seek to establish the existence and dynamics of prosocial gossip, the sharing of negative evaluative information about a target in a way that protects others from antisocial or exploitative behavior. We present a model of prosocial gossip and the results of 4 studies testing the model's claims. Results of Studies 1 through 3 demonstrate that (a) individuals who observe an antisocial act experience negative affect and are compelled to share information about the antisocial actor with a potentially vulnerable person, (b) sharing such information reduces negative affect created by observing the antisocial behavior, and (c) individuals possessing more prosocial orientations are the most motivated to engage in such gossip, even at a personal cost, and exhibit the greatest reduction in negative affect as a result. Study 4 demonstrates that prosocial gossip can effectively deter selfishness and promote cooperation. Taken together these results highlight the roles of prosocial motivations and negative affective reactions to injustice in maintaining reputational information sharing in groups. We conclude by discussing implications for reputational theories of the maintenance of cooperation in human groups.
Effects of apomorphine on escape performance and activity in developing rat pups treated with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Abstract The effects of apomorphine and escape learning were examined in normal developing rat pups and littermates preferentially depleted of brain dopamine by the intracisternal administration of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) at 5 days of age, a treatment which resulted in a rapid and permanent reduction in brain dopamine to concentrations 12–29% of littermate controls while norepinephrine was not significantly altered. At 19 days of age both 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg doses of apomorphine increased general motor activity in normal but not 6-OHDA treated pups (though these pups were significantly hyperactive prior to apomorphine). At 26 days only the 1.0 mg/kg dose increased motor activity in both normal and 6-OHDA pups. Exploratory activity at 30 days in both normal and 6-OHDA pups was first reduced then abolished by progressive doses of apomorphine. Stereotyped activity was increased by 0.1 1.0 mg/kg apomorphine at 19 days in both normal and 6-OHDA pups. By 26 days, apomorphine no longer produced intense stereotypies in normal pups, but did effect such responses in 6-OHDA treated animals. Administration of apomorphine resulted in a disruption of escape performance in a T-maze and shuttle box in normal pups only at 1.0 mg/kg but disrupted performance in 6-OHDA treated animals at both 0.1 and 1.0 mg/kg dosages. These results indicate a peak effect of apomorphine on general motor activity at three weeks of age in normal pups. Our results also suggest that apomorphine will disrupt escape learning, effects that appear to be correlated with the apomorphine induced increase in motor activity.
Fields associated with the solid immersion lens

The principles of operation of the solid immersion lens (SIL) are described. Two types of SIL, the hemisphere and super-sphere, and their tolerances, are discussed. Several application of the SIL to microscopy, lithography, and optical storage are reviewed, along with a description of the theoretical considerations for determining the spot size, the effect of the air gap, and the effect of multiple- layer structures on the ellipticity of the spot.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Community convergence in a simple microbial food web

Previous studies of communities implicate many potential mechanisms that can create alternate stable states. These include density-dependent foraging behavior, size refuges reached by early colonists, environmental feedback following disturbance, and different initial densities of intraguild predators. Previous work shows that alternate states of varying stability can occur in food webs containing the intraguild predators Blepharisma americanum and Tetrahymena vorax. Differences in colonization history could create the alternate states, consisting of dominance by either Blepharisma or Tetrahymena, but it was unclear whether results depended on effects of initial density or only on changes in the resource base. We manipulated initial densities of both species to determine if density effects alone could create alternate stable states. Convergence of these communities over time indicated that differences in initial density did not create alternate stable states. By default, other factors influenced by colonization history, such as resource availability, may produce alternate states. Models of alternate stable-state phenomena should incorporate differences in resource availability in addition to direct competitive and predatory interactions to provide a more complete depiction of the causes of differences in community composition in otherwise similar habitats.
Detecting spam web pages through content analysis

In this paper, we continue our investigations of "web spam": the injection of artificially-created pages into the web in order to influence the results from search engines, to drive traffic to certain pages for fun or profit. This paper considers some previously-undescribed techniques for automatically detecting spam pages, examines the effectiveness of these techniques in isolation and when aggregated using classification algorithms. When combined, our heuristics correctly identify 2,037 (86.2%) of the 2,364 spam pages (13.8%) in our judged collection of 17,168 pages, while misidentifying 526 spam and non-spam pages (3.1%).
Rapid quantitation of (-)-2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

A rapid, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay was developed and validated for the measurement of (-)-2'-deoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC) in human serum. The method included precipitation of serum proteins by trichloroacetic acid (20%, w/v) treatment followed by centrifugation. The resulting supernatant was directly injected and 3TC was isocratically chromatographed on a reversed-phase C18 column using a mixture of phosphate buffer and methanol (88.3:11.7. v/v) and monitored at 280 nm. The limit of quantitation was 20 ng/ml using 100 microl of serum. The standard curve was linear within the range of 20-10,000 ng/ml. Replicate analysis of three quality control samples (40-1500 ng/ml) led to satisfactory intra- and inter-assay precision (coefficient of variation from 3.0 to 12.9%) and accuracy (deviation from 6.3 to 9.7%). Moreover, sample treatment processes including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) heat-inactivation, exposure at room temperature and freezing-thawing cycles did not influence the stability of the analyte. This assay was successfully applied to the determination of 3TC serum levels in HIV-infected patients. In addition, preliminary results indicated that this procedure may also be extended to the measurement of 3TC in human plasma and urine.