cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Odor representations in mammalian cortical circuits

Spatial and temporal activity patterns of olfactory bulb projection neurons underlie the initial representations of odors in the brain. However, olfactory perception ultimately requires the integration of olfactory bulb output in higher cortical brain regions. Recent studies reveal that odor representations are sparse and highly distributed in the rodent primary olfactory (piriform) cortex. Furthermore, odor-evoked inhibition is far more widespread and broadly tuned than excitation in piriform cortex pyramidal cells. Other recent studies highlight how olfactory sensory inputs are integrated within pyramidal cell dendrites and that feedback projections from piriform cortex to olfactory bulb interneurons are a source of synaptic plasticity.
A user-centric network management framework for high-density Wireless LANs

With the ever increasing deployment density of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), more and more access points (APs) are deployed within users' vicinity. The effective management of these APs to optimize users' eventual throughput becomes an important challenge in the high-density deployment environment. In this paper, we propose a user-centric network management framework to optimize the throughput of users operating in the high-density WLANs taking into consideration the network conditions sensed by users and their access priorities. The proposed framework is built around an information pipeline that facilitates the sharing of the information needed for optimal management of communication resources. Theoretical analysis and extensive simulations are presented on two major management activities: AP association and channel selection, and demonstrate that the proposed user-centric network management framework significantly outperforms traditional network management framework in the high-density deployment environment.
TNF-alpha expression patterns as potential molecular biomarker for human skin cells exposed to vesicant chemical warfare agents: sulfur mustard (HD) and Lewisite (L).

Studies were conducted to examine the effect of two vesicant chemical warfare agents (VCWA), one of them an arsenical, on cytokine gene expression in normal human epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) cells. We tested 2,2′-dichlorethylsulfide (sulfur mustard, military designation HD) and 2,chlorovinyldichloroarsine (Lewisite, military designation L), which have significant differences in their chemical, physical, and toxicological properties. Human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (hTNF-α) cytokine was detected by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a protein multiplex immunoassay, Luminex100™, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The messenger RNA expression of hTNF-α was determined to provide a semi-quantitative analysis. HD-stimulated NHEK induced secretion of hTNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. Dose response effect of Lewisite decreased hTNF-α levels. Time-response data indicated that the maximum response for HD occurred at 24 h with an associated cytotoxic concentration of 10–4 mol/L. NHEK cells stimulated with 10–4 mol/L HD for 24 h at 37°C increased detectable levels of hTNF-α from 5 to 28 ng/ml at an index of cell viability between 85 to 93% as detected by Luminex100™. Our results indicated that the increased levels of hTNF-α by HD are dependent on the primary cultures, cell densities, and chemical properties of the stimulation. Lewisite under the same conditions as HD caused a reduction of hTNF-α from control levels of 1.5 ng/ml to 0.3 ng/ml after stimulation (10–4 mol/L), with an index of cell viability of ∽34%. We analyzed the transcriptional of hTNF-α gene and found that HD (10–6 to 10–4 mol/L) activates hTNF-α gene in cultured NHEK and that L at 10–6 to 10–4 mol/L markedly reduces hTNF-α gene. We conclude that the pro-inflammatory mediator, hTNF-α, could be a potential biomarker for differentiating between exposure of HD or L.
Continuing education & development for electrical safety professionals

Electrical safety professionals are not born as electrical safety professionals. We learn, grow, and develop the knowledge and skills to be effective in our field. A number of means are available to us to learn and develop. These include conferences, seminars, workshops, training courses, and self directed study. This paper will examine the stages of development for an electrical safety professional, how this relates to the hazards present in the workplace, what options are available for growing and developing as electrical safety professionals, and how continuing education enables us to improve our ability to make a positive contribution and impact in our field.
Inhibition of intercellular communication by chlordecone (kepone) and mirex in Chinese hamster V79 cells in vitro

Abstract Effects of chlordecone (kepone) and mirex on cytotoxicity and intercellular communication were studied in a cell culture system with Chinese hamster V79 cells. Metabolic cooperation between cocultivated 6-thioguanine-sensitive and resistent Chinese hamster V79 cells was used as a measure of intercellular communication. Under the experimental in vitro conditions, kepone was more cytotoxic than mirex. Although both pesticides inhibited intercellular communication between 6-thioguanine-resistant and sensitive cells, their pattern of response was quite different. These data suggest that the reported carcinogenic and teratogenic potentials of these pesticides might be mediated by their action as inhibitors of intercellular communication rather than as mutagens.
Hydrocarbons in the surface lipids of pupal tobacco budworms, Heliothis virescens

Abstract The surface lipids from pupae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, had five homologous series of alkanes. Normal alkanes from 17 to 34 carbon atoms comprised 33% of the alkanes; heptacosane was the major constituent at 11%. Monomethylalkanes comprised 50% of the alkanes and consisted of terminally branched 2- and 3-methylalkanes and internally-branched components. The 9-, 11-, 13-, and 15-methylhentriacontane isomers were the major constituents at 24%. Dimethylalkanes from 33 to 35 carbon atoms comprised 14% of the alkanes. One GLC peak was tentatively identified as a mixture of 11,19- and 13,21-dimethyltritriacontane. Analyses of the hydrocarbons of four strains of pupae showed no difference in the type of hydrocarbons found in the cuticular surface lipids. However, a non-tanning body mutant of one strain did show an increase in the amount of hydrocarbon present. There was no difference in the amount of cuticular surface lipid on diapausing pupae compared with that on non-diapausing pupae. Furthermore, there was no difference in the amount of cuticular surface lipid on male pupae when compared with female pupae in both diapausing and non-diapausing stages of development.
Optical diffraction tomography for high resolution live cell imaging

We report the experimental implementation of optical diffraction tomography for quantitative 3D mapping of refractive index in live biological cells. Using a heterodyne Mach-Zehnder interferometer, we record complex field images of light transmitted through a sample with varying directions of illumination. To quantitatively reconstruct the 3D map of complex refractive index in live cells, we apply optical diffraction tomography based on the Rytov approximation. In this way, the effect of diffraction is taken into account in the reconstruction process and diffraction-free high resolution 3D images are obtained throughout the entire sample volume. The quantitative refractive index map can potentially serve as an intrinsic assay to provide the molecular concentrations without the addition of exogenous agents and also to provide a method for studying the light scattering properties of single cells.
Specific binding of [3H]nitrendipine to membranes from coronary arteries and heart in relation to pharmacological effects. Paradoxical stimulation by diltiazem

Abstract High affinity binding sites for the calcium channel inhibitor [ 3 H]nitrendipine have been identified in microsomes from pig coronary arteries (K D =1.6 nM; B max =35 fmol/mg) and in purified sarcolemma from dog heart (K D =0.11 nM; B max =230 fmol/mg). [ 3 H]nitrendipine binding to coronary artery microsomes was completely inhibited by nifedipine, partially by verapamil and D600 and, surprisingly, was stimulated by d-cis-diltiazem but not by 1-cis-diltiazem, a less active isomer. Half-maximal relaxation of KCl-depolarized coronary rings occurred in a slow process at 1 nM nitrendipine or 100 nM d-cis-diltiazem. In dog trabecular strips, nitrendipine caused a negative inotropic response (ED 50 =1μM). These results suggest that there may be multiple binding sites for different “subclasses” of calcium channel inhibitors, and that drug binding sites may be different molecular entities from the putative calcium channels.
Practical Equilibrium: A Way of Deciding What to Think about Morality

Practical equilibrium, like reflective equilibrium, is a way of deciding what to think about morality. It shares with reflective equilibrium the general thesis that there is some way in which a moral theory must, in order to be acceptable, answer to one’s moral intuitions, but it differs from reflective equilibrium in its specification of exactly how a moral theory must answer to one’s intuitions. Whereas reflective equilibrium focuses on a theory’s consistency with those intuitions, practical equilibrium also gives weight to a theory’s approval of one’s having those intuitions.
Effect of Stage of the Estrous Cycle and Gonadotrophins Upon Luteinization of Porcine Granulosa Cells in Culture

Effects of the stage of the estrous cycle in addition to the effects of LH, and FSH added in vitro, upon morphology and progestin secretion of porcine granulosa cell cultures were studied. Cultures of granulosa cells harvested from 7–11 mm follicles of pigs in estrus had some of the same morphological traits as do luteal cells and secreted elevated amounts of progestins. Granulosa cells harvested from smaller follicles of the same ovary, from small follicles of pigs in midluteal phase of the cycle, or from 3–5 mm follicles of 4–6 month old pigs secreted small amounts of progestins. Addition of 0.01–1 µg/ml of porcine LH, 0.1 or 1 µg/ml of porcine FSH at each medium change caused cells harvested from 3–5 mm pig follicles to accumulate lipid droplets and small granules and stimulated progestin secretion 10- to 1000-fold from days 2 to 14 of culture.
GENOMIC CLUSTER AND NETWORK ANALYSIS FOR PREDICTIVE SCREENING FOR HEPATOTOXICITY

The present study was undertaken to estimate the usefulness of genomic approaches to predict hepatotoxicity. Male rats were treated with acetaminophen (APAP), carbon tetrachloride (CCL), amiodarone (AD) or tetracycline (TC) at toxic doses. Their livers were extracted 6 or 24 hr after the dosings and were used for subsequent examinations. At 6 hr there were no histological changes noted in any of the groups except for the CCL group, but at 24 hr, such changes were noted in all but the AD group. Regarding genomic analysis, we performed hierarchical cluster analysis using S-plus software. The individual microarray data were clearly classified into 5 treatment-related clusters at 24 hr as well as at 6 hr, even though no morphological changes were noted at 6 hr. In the gene expression analysis using GeneSpring, transcription factor and oxidative stress- and lipid metabolism-related genes were markedly affected in all treatment groups at both time points when compared with the corresponding control values. Finally, we investigated gene networks in the above-affected genes by using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Down-regulation of lipid metabolism-related genes regulated by SREBP1 was observed in all treatment groups at both time points, and up-regulation of oxidative stress-related genes regulated by Nrf2 was observed in the APAP and CCL treatment groups. From the above findings, for the application of genomic approaches to predict hepatotoxicity, we considered that cluster analysis for classification and early prediction of hepatotoxicity and network analysis for investigation of toxicological biomarkers would be useful.
Fiscal Policy and Uncertainty

Government fiscal aggregates are often manipulated over the course of the business cycle in order to provide counter–cyclical stimulus. Changes that are not discretionary – the so–called ‘built–in stabilizers’– also significantly vary over the business cycle, in a manner that is even more predicatable than the periodic discretionary measures. Such measures introduce important bi–directional interactions between policy and uncertainty. On the one hand, activist policy may heighten the general level of uncertainty in the economy, by adding policy ambiguity to the more fundamental sources of uncertainty. On the other hand, the design of optimal policy itself depends crucially on levels of uncertainty concerning the state of the economy in the short and long run. In this paper we review recent work that explores the impact of uncertainty on optimal policy design, proceeding from the short to the long run.
ZnO:B back reflector with high haze and low absorption enhanced triple-junction thin film Si solar modules☆

Abstract We present our development of a ZnO:B back reflector (BR) with high haze and low absorption for highly efficient triple-junction thin film Si solar modules over a large area (1.1×1.3 m 2 ). We try to maximize light trapping by the evaluation of the use of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) and BR for high efficiency. It was verified that the configuration of SnO 2 :F front TCO and ZnO:B BR shows better optical properties than typical configurations for light trapping due to its high transparency at the front and high haze at the back. In addition, we noticed that the absorption of the BR has a strong influence on the solar modules. We obtained a superior ZnO:B BR with high haze and low absorption by controlling the doping gas ratio (B 2 H 6 /DEZ). As the doping gas ratio of ZnO:B BR decreases, the haze increases due to a rougher surface morphology, and the absorption decreases due to reduced free carrier absorption. The solar modules with a ZnO:B BR in a lower doping gas ratio show relatively higher P max for the same i-μc-Si layer thickness. This results from an increased I sc due to higher haze and lower absorption. In addition, the ZnO:B BR with a low doping gas ratio was found to be effective in reducing the i-μc-Si layer thickness because there are more chances for trapping the light at the i-μc-Si layer. We could reduce the i-μc-Si layer thickness by about 28% for the equivalent P max level by lowering the doping gas ratio. We successfully applied the ZnO:B BR with high haze and low absorption into a triple-junction thin film silicon solar cell and achieved a new record, improving on our previous world record.
The research of camera distortion correction basing on neural network

Camera distortion correction is an important part of the camera calibration. Because camera distortion model is too difficult to be established, the BP neural network is used in camera distortion correction. The Hybrid algorithm which is the BP algorithm with PSO algorithm and chaos is introduced to the camera distortion correction. Weights and thresholds is optimized by the hybrid algorithm, and this hybrid algorithm can jump out of local optimum. So camera distortion is corrected by the hybrid algorithm.
Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infection After Dextranomer/Hyaluronic Acid Endoscopic Injection

Purpose: Endoscopic injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid is an option for primary vesicoureteral reflux. Few groups have assessed the rate of urinary tract infection after dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection. We reviewed our experience with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid injection, and determined the incidence of and risk factors for postoperative urinary tract infection.Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of all children with primary vesicoureteral reflux treated with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid from 2002 to 2007 at a single institution. Patient demographics and clinical outcomes were abstracted from the medical record. Risk factors for postoperative urinary tract infection, including female gender, preoperative vesicoureteral reflux grade, recurrent urinary tract infection, bladder dysfunction, nephropathy and persistent vesicoureteral reflux after surgery, were analyzed in a multivariate logistic regression model.Results: We treated 311 children, of whom 87% were female...
Microbial diversity and impact on carbonate geochemistry across a changing geochemical gradient in a karst aquifer

Although microbes are known to influence karst (carbonate) aquifer ecosystem-level processes, comparatively little information is available regarding the diversity of microbial activities that could influence water quality and geological modification. To assess microbial diversity in the context of aquifer geochemistry, we coupled 16S rRNA Sanger sequencing and 454 tag pyrosequencing to in situ microcosm experiments from wells that cross the transition from fresh to saline and sulfidic water in the Edwards Aquifer of central Texas, one of the largest karst aquifers in the United States. The distribution of microbial groups across the transition zone correlated with dissolved oxygen and sulfide concentration, and significant variations in community composition were explained by local carbonate geochemistry, specifically calcium concentration and alkalinity. The waters were supersaturated with respect to prevalent aquifer minerals, calcite and dolomite, but in situ microcosm experiments containing these minerals revealed significant mass loss from dissolution when colonized by microbes. Despite differences in cell density on the experimental surfaces, carbonate loss was greater from freshwater wells than saline, sulfidic wells. However, as cell density increased, which was correlated to and controlled by local geochemistry, dissolution rates decreased. Surface colonization by metabolically active cells promotes dissolution by creating local disequilibria between bulk aquifer fluids and mineral surfaces, but this also controls rates of karst aquifer modification. These results expand our understanding of microbial diversity in karst aquifers and emphasize the importance of evaluating active microbial processes that could affect carbonate weathering in the subsurface.
Effects of temperature on the static and dynamic stress-strain characteristics in torsion of 1100-0 aluminum☆

Abstract A series of tests is described in which tubular specimens of a commercially pure polycrystalline aluminum were loaded in torsion at either of two dynamic rates, 300 and 600 sec −1 , up to shear strains of about 2 and 4 per cent, respectively, at temperatures in the range −180 to 250°C. The tests were performed in a torsional split-Hopkinson bar. In the past when this apparatus was employed at an elevated or reduced temperature multiple reflections were encountered along the bars due to the temperature gradients. These reflections required elaborate computational corrections. In the present tests the reflections were eliminated by tapering the Hopkinson bars appropriately so their mechanical impedance in torsion remained constant in spite of the temperature gradients. The results, in the form of stress-strain curves, are compared to the corresponding “static” curves obtained by testing similar specimens in torsion at about 10 −3 sec −1 . The influence of strain rate and of temperature is generally as expected, i.e. the flow stress increases with an increase in strain rate or a decrease in temperature. The strain rate sensitivity parameter varies non-linearly with temperature, and has a minimum value in the neighborhood of room temperature.
The biomechanical effects of angulated boxer's fractures.

Many clinical studies have demonstrated that in the conservative care of boxer's fractures (casting, with or without reduction), between 20 degrees and 70 degrees of dorsal angulation is acceptable. This biomechanical study characterized how boxer's fracture angulation affects the ability of the intrinsic muscles to initiate grip. The flexor digiti minimi and third volar interosseous were modeled in this study. Muscular excursion of the intrinsics were modeled with a cable and sheath device. Metacarpophalangeal joint flexion per unit excursion curves were collected when the metacarpal neck was at a fracture angle of 0 degree, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, and 75 degrees . As fracture angles increased, the distance between the origin and insertion of the flexor digiti minimi decreased, creating shortening, or slack, of the modeled muscle. Slack was defined as excursion generating no joint flexion. Muscle shortening data were integrated with Jacobsen's muscle fiber length data and Elftmann's fiber length/tension relationship to estimate how the fracture angle affects the initiation of metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and the strength of grip. According to this model's data, fracture angles of up to 30 degrees are compatible with nearly normal mechanics. A 30 degrees angulation is associated with a flexor digiti minimi grip strength of 92% maximum and preserves 78% of the intact finger's range of motion. We therefore conclude that 30 degrees is the upper limit for acceptable final angulation.
Cloud fraction at the ARM SGP site: reducing uncertainty with self-organizing maps

Instrument downtime leads to uncertainty in the monthly and annual record of cloud fraction (CF), making it difficult to perform time series analyses of cloud properties and perform detailed evaluations of model simulations. As cloud occurrence is partially controlled by the large-scale atmospheric environment, this knowledge is used to reduce uncertainties in the instrument record. Synoptic patterns diagnosed from the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) during the period 1997–2010 are classified using a competitive neural network known as the self-organizing map (SOM). The classified synoptic states are then compared to the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Southern Great Plains (SGP) instrument record to determine the expected CF. A number of SOMs are tested to understand how the number of classes and the period of classifications impact the relationship between classified states and CFs. Bootstrapping is utilized to quantify the uncertainty of the instrument record when statistical information from the SOM is included. Although all SOMs significantly reduce the uncertainty of the CF record calculated in Kennedy et al. (Theor Appl Climatol 115:91–105, 2014), SOMs with a large number of classes and separated by month are required to produce the lowest uncertainty and best agreement with the annual cycle of CF. This result may be due to a manifestation of seasonally dependent biases in NARR. With use of the SOMs, the average uncertainty in monthly CF is reduced in half from the values calculated in Kennedy et al. (Theor Appl Climatol 115:91–105, 2014).
M cell-targeted DNA vaccination

DNA immunization, although attractive, is poor for inducing mucosal immunity, thus limiting its protective value against most infectious agents. To surmount this shortcoming, we devised a method for mucosal transgene vaccination by using an M cell ligand to direct the DNA vaccine to mucosal inductive tissues and the respiratory epithelium. This ligand, reovirus protein σ1, when conjugated to polylysine (PL), can bind the apical surface of M cells from nasal-associated lymphoid tissues. Intranasal immunizations with protein σ1-PL-DNA complexes produced antigen-specific serum IgG and prolonged mucosal IgA, as well as enhanced cell-mediated immunity, made evident by elevated pulmonary cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. Therefore, targeted transgene vaccination represents an approach for enabling DNA vaccination of the mucosa.
A Chi-Squared Goodness-of-Fit Test for Randomly Censored Data

Abstract In this article, procedures analogous to Karl Pearson's well-known chi-squared goodness-of-fit test for a simple null hypothesis are developed under the random censorship model. It is shown that one straightforward analog of Pearson's statistic is diminished in applicability due to the form of its limiting distribution. This leads to the development of an asymptotically exact test based on a Wald-type statistic with a chi-squared limiting null distribution. This test is compared and contrasted theoretically and via a simulation with Akritas’ test with respect to significance levels, asymptotic local powers, and finite sample powers. The general conclusions from the simulation study are that the proposed test usually achieves the desired significance levels when the probability of observing a censored or an uncensored value in the last interval is not small, whereas Akritas’ test tends to be a bit anticonservative. On the other hand, Akritas’ test is more powerful than the proposed test in a model...
The estimated rate of depressed mood in US adults: recent evidence for a peak in later life

Abstract Objective: The main aim of this study is to add new evidence on the descriptive epidemiology of depressed mood, and to investigate suspected determinants for depressed mood in adulthood. Methods: The data are from a continuing survey of a nationally representative sample of adult household residents in the United States, conducted in 1995 and 1996, totaling 26,883 respondents. Multiple logistic regression procedures yielded estimated associations. Results: We found that an estimated 1.9% of adult females and 1.0% of adult males experience a spell of sustained depressed mood during a span of ∼2 weeks duration (i.e. point prevalence). For most of these cases, this is not the first spell. Among women, the smoothed curve for the prevalence estimates shows a peak in the youngest age stratum and decreases across age strata before 60 years, and has a slight secondary peak thereafter. In contrast, for males, the prevalence estimates of depression show no peak in the older age strata. Evidence from logistic regression analyses supports the inference of this later life peak in frequency of depressed mood among women. These new findings add to a growing body of epidemiological evidence on age and depression, and provoke new questions about the possibly etiological relationships involving social structural characteristics of local neighborhoods in combination with individual-level risk factors that have received primary attention in recent psychiatric epidemiology. Conclusions: These findings point to the need for further etiological research, including studies of relationships between social structural characteristics of local neighborhoods and the occurrence of spells of depressed mood, as well as clinical implications for depression mood in late life.
Amarts: A class of asymptotic martingales B. Continuous parameter

Abstract A continuous-parameter ascending amart is a stochastic process (Xt)t∈ R + such that E[Xτn] converges for every ascending sequence (τn) of optional times taking finitely many values. A descending amart is a process (Xt)t∈ R + such that E[Xτn] converges for every descending sequence (τn), and an amart is a process which is both an ascending amart and a descending amart. Amarts include martingales and quasimartingales. The theory of continuous-parameter amarts parallels the theory of continuous-parameter martingales. For example, an amart has a modification every trajectory of which has right and left limits (in the ascending case, if it satisfies a mild boundedness condition). If an amart is right continuous in probability, then it has a modification every trajectory of which is right continuous. The Riesz and Doob-Meyer decomposition theorems are proved by applying the corresponding discrete-parameter decompositions. The Doob-Meyer decomposition theorem applies to general processes and generalizes the known Doob decompositions for continuous-parameter quasimartingales, submartingales, and supermartingales. A hyperamart is a process (Xt) such that E[Xτn] converges for any monotone sequence (τn) of bounded optional times, possibly not having finitely many values. Stronger limit theorems are available for hyperamarts. For example: A hyperamart (which satisfies mild regularity and boundedness conditions) is indistinguishable from a process all of whose trajectories have right and left limits.
Stable isotope-coded proteomic mass spectrometry

Developing the ability to quantify changes in protein abundance between cells subjected to a variety of physiological and environmental conditions is an extremely active area of proteome research. Although advances in chromatography, mass spectrometry instrumentation, and bioinformatics have contributed to producing a viable method for comparative proteome-wide analyses, the highest precision of quantitation is based, in part, upon improved methods for chemical and metabolic stable isotope labeling of proteins and peptides. The ability to quantify differences in protein expression and post-translational modifications using stable isotope labeling has been achieved, but insights into the biochemical mechanisms that will contribute to the development of new biotechnologies have yet to be realized.
Spectroscopic and optically detected magnetic resonance studies of PO2−in potassium chloride. I. Electronic and vibrational states

Abstract The phosphorescence and phosphorescence excitation spectra of phosphorus activated single crystals of potassium chloride have been examined at 4.2 K. The “color center” responsible for the blue emission in these samples is identified as PO 2 − by isotopic substitution and optically detected magnetic resonance measurements. The observed vibrational frequencies of the PO 2 − ion have been used to compute the normal coordinates of the ground state totally symmetric modes as well as the valuence angle in the valence force approximation. The vibrational analysis of the phosphorescence spectrum has been used together with the computed ground state normal coordinate description to compute the geometrical changes associated with excitation to the lowest triplet state of PO 2 − . The results for PO 2 − are compared with the results of similar calculations and measurements for other 18-electron AB 2 type molecules of the isoelectronic sequence PO 2 − , SO 2 , NO 2 − and O 3 .
Infrared spectra of some isotopomers of isopropylamine: A theoretical study†

The normal-mode frequencies and the corresponding vibrational assignments of some isotopomers of isopropylamine are examined theoretically using the Gaussian 94 set of quantum chemistry codes at the MP2 level of theory using a 6-311g** basis set. In particular deuteration of the NH2 hydrogen atoms as well as the deuteration of the CH3 hydrogen atoms, the α-CH hydrogen atom, and various combinations of deuteration of isopropylamine are examined. Correction factors for predominant vibrational motions are reported and compared for a number of isotopomers of s-trans- and gauche-isopropylamine. Comparison of theoretically predicted infrared spectra with experimental spectra is made for isotopomers for which experimental data exist. Enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy changes are considered for the trans→gauche transformation. An amino torsional potential is deduced and barrier heights are calculated for the trans→gauche, gauche→trans, and gauche→gauche transformations. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 72: 109–126, 1999
One-Dimensional Transient Waves in Anisotropic Plates

The stresses and displacements induced in anisotropic plates by short-duration impact line forces are calculated in this paper. The anisotropy is related to the lay-up angles of the fibers of a laminated fiber composite plate. A modification of Mindlin's theory of crystal plates is used. The plate responses are calculated for various fiber lay-up angles and inclination of the line load to the axes of symmetry. Use is made of the computational method of the fast Fourier transform.
Protein separation by capillary gel electrophoresis: A review

Capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) has been used for protein separation for more than two decades. Due to the technology advancement, current CGE methods are becoming more and more robust and reliable for protein analysis, and some of the methods have been routinely used for the analysis of protein-based pharmaceuticals and quality controls. In light of this progress, we survey 147 papers related to CGE separations of proteins and present an overview of this technology. We first introduce briefly the early development of CGE. We then review the methodology, in which we specifically describe the matrices, coatings, and detection strategies used in CGE. CGE using microfabricated channels and incorporation of CGE with two-dimensional protein separations are also discussed in this section. We finally present a few representative applications of CGE for separating proteins in real-world samples.
Performance Modeling for RDMA-Enhanced Hadoop MapReduce

Hadoop MapReduce is a popular parallel programming paradigm that allows scalable and fault-tolerant solutions to data-intensive applications on modern clusters. However, the performance behavior of this framework shows its inability to take advantage of high-performance interconnects. Recent studies show that by leveraging the benefits of high-performance interconnects, the overall performance of MapReduce jobs can be greatly enhanced by using additional features like in-memory merge, pipelined merge and reduce, and pre-fetching and caching of map outputs. Existing performance models are not sufficient to predict the performance behavior for RDMA-enhanced MapReduce with these features. In this paper, we propose a detailed mathematical model of RDMA-enhanced MapReduce based on a number of cluster-wide and job-level configuration parameters. We also propose a simplified version of this model for prediction of large-scale MapReduce job executions and validate it in various system and workload configurations. Results derived from the proposed model match the experimental results within a 2-11% range. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first model that correctly predicts the behavior for RDMA-enhanced Hadoop MapReduce.
Toward a molecular Coulter® counter type device

The Coulter® counter is a device used to count biological cells and colloidal particles. It consists of a small aperture that separates two electrolyte solutions, one of which contains the particles to be counted. The size of the particle that can be counted is related to the size of the aperture used. We have recently shown that metal nanotubules can be electrolessly plated within the pores of microporous filtration membranes. Tubules with inside diameters that approach molecular dimensions (<2 nm) have been prepared. Because the inside diameter of these nanotubules can be of molecular dimensions, it seemed possible that a Coulter®-type device based on the nanotubule membranes might be able to count molecules. If so, this device might provide a new and general approach for determining trace concentrations of molecules in solution. A prototype device was constructed and used to determine the concentrations of the cations Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine) and methylviologen in aqueous solution. Concentrations of Ru(bpy)32+ as low as 10−9 M could be detected.
Dehydrohalogenations of cis- and trans-1-bromo-2-flourocyclohexanes

Abstract Reactions of both diastereomeric vicinal bromofluorocyclohexanes with sodamide, sodium methoxide, potassium tert -butoxide, and triethylamine were studied. cis -1-Bromo-2-fluorocyclohexane eliminated almost exclusively hydrogen bromide giving mainly 1-fluorocyclohexene and a small amount of 3- fluorocyclohexene. trans -1-Bromo-2-fluorocyclohexane eliminated preferentially hydrogen fluoride on treatment with sodamide. Potassium tert - butoxide eliminated hydrogen bromide and yielded 3-fluorocyclohexene and a small amount of 1,3-cyclohexadiene, whereas sodium methoxide converted trans -1-bromo-2-fluorocyclohexane to 3-fluorocyclohexene and 3-methoxycyclohexene. Possible mechanisms and stereochemistry of the preferential elimination of hydrogen fluoride are discussed and new interpretations are offered.
Outcomes after transanal endoscopic microsurgery with intraperitoneal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND:Transanal endoscopic microsurgery has gained increasing popularity as a treatment alternative for early stage rectal neoplasms. With continued advances in technique and experience, more proximal rectal tumors are being surgically managed by using transanal endoscopic microsurgery with an
Coevolution of Function and the Folding Landscape: Correlation with Density of Native Contacts

The relationship between the folding landscape and function of evolved proteins is explored by comparison of the folding mechanisms for members of the flavodoxin fold. CheY, Spo0F, and NtrC have unrelated functions and low sequence homology but share an identical topology. Recent coarse-grained simulations show that their folding landscapes are uniquely tuned to properly suit their respective biological functions. Enhanced packing in Spo0F and its limited conformational dynamics compared to CheY or NtrC lead to frustration in its folding landscape. Simulation as well as experimental results correlate with the local density of native contacts for these and a sample of other proteins. In particular, protein regions of low contact density are observed to become structured late in folding; concomitantly, these dynamic regions are often involved in binding or conformational rearrangements of functional importance. These observations help to explain the widespread success of Gō-like coarse-grained models in reproducing protein dynamics.
The Turin Manuscript of Oppian' Halieutica

The Turin manuscript containing the first three books of Oppian' Halieutica was almost completely destroyed in the fire of 1904, but a collation of it has recently come to light. In 1811 the noted classical scholar and Orientalist Vittorio Amedeo Peyron collated the manuscript against Schneider' first edition of the poem (Strasbourg, 1776) and also transcribed the scholia. He sent his results to Schneider for use in the preparation of his second edition (Leipzig, 1813), but they apparently arrived too late. Although the original plan of this second edition called for the inclusion of the scholia, Schneider published only a text of the poem and turned over his materials on the scholia to G. H. Schaefer, including no doubt Peyron' collation of the Turin manuscript. Schaefer never did manage to produce his edition of the scholia and in some unknown way Peyron' collation and some of the other material came on to the open market in 1969.
Autophagy proteins play cytoprotective and cytocidal roles in leucine starvation-induced cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Autophagy is essential for prolonging yeast survival during nutrient deprivation; however, this report shows that some autophagy proteins may also be accelerating population death in those conditions. While leucine starvation caused YCA1-mediated apoptosis characterized by increased annexin V staining, nitrogen deprivation triggered necrotic death characterized by increased propidium iodide uptake. Although a Δatg8 strain died faster than its parental strain during nitrogen starvation, this mutant died slower than its parent during leucine starvation. Conversely, a Δatg11 strain died slower than its parent during nitrogen starvation, but faster during leucine starvation. Curiously, although GFP-Atg8 complemented the Δatg8 mutation, this protein made ATG8 cells more sensitive to nitrogen starvation, and less sensitive to leucine starvation. These results were difficult to explain if autophagy only extended life but could be an indication that a second form of autophagy could concurrently facilitate either apoptotic or necrotic cell death.
Politics without parties: Reflections on the union government proposals in Ghana

Ghana, the first sub-Saharan African country to achieve independence after World War II, has experienced several diverse forms of government, including a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, a socialist single-party republic, and two military regimes following coups d'etat in 1966 and 1972. Like most of the developing states of West Africa, Ghana has been plagued by post-independence political instability. In fact, the search for a permanent and viable solution to what appears almost as a persistent governmental crisis-a crisis of political legitimacy, of credibility, confidence and trust in existing political institutions-seems to be the dominant public preoccupation in most West African nations today. In a recent, perceptive review of three major works on contemporary Ghanaian politics, Paul Ladouceur concludes that "the 'political kingdom' has come to mean, not to govern, or to govern wisely, but rather to win by election or by a coup. Ghana has entered a period of political stagnation parallel to the economic stagnation of the last decade or two. Hopefully it will nonetheless find its way to a representative and a stable form of government, perhaps different from what it might be expected" (1977: 348) [emphasis added]. Toward the end of 1976 the ruling Supreme Military Council (SMC) headed by General I. K. Acheampong initiated an historic proposal for a Union Government, a plan designed to provide a real solution to Ghana's quest for a stable and representative government. The idea of a Union Government addresses the need for a constitutional "third way," for a representative democracy based neither on the Westminster-style twoparty system nor on military rule, but on the tradition, values, and indigenous political beliefs, ideals and practices of Ghanaians. It is almost a truism that a constitution ought to accord with the political culture in which it operates (see WolfPhillips, 1972). This proposal, insofar as it represents a novel constitutional experiment in that direction, demands close scrutiny by students of comparative politics, especially political and legal anthropologists. This paper proceeds along five paths. In the first section, some theoretical and substantive implications of the current public constitutional debate in Ghana-the debate on Union Government-are reviewed and critically analyzed. Basic to the
Epidemiologic assessment of measures used to indicate low-level exposure to mercury vapor (Hg).

Abstract Mercury (Hg) concentrations in individual spot urine samples collected over consecutive I'd periods were compared with Hg concentrations measured in combined 24-h urine samples from 69 practicing dental professionals with low exposure to Hg vapor (Hg°) in order to validate the use of spot urine samples as an indicator of Hg exposure. The level of Hg° in air as an exposure measure was also evaluated by comparing air concentrations of Hg° in dental offices with both spot and 24-h urine Hg° levels. The results showed: (1) There was little diurnal variation (∼9%) in urinary Hg values; (2) a strong correlation (R2=.85) exists between the Hg concentration in the first morning void and that in a complete 24-h urine sample; (3) adjustment of urinary Hg levels for creatinine concentrations did not improve this correlation; (4) there was no added value in the speciation of total urinary Hg into the inorganic Hg fraction; and (5) concentrations of Hg° in air did not significantly correlate with measures of ...
Prenatal diagnosis of mosaic tetrasomy 21q confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization

We describe the first case of a live-born neonate with mosaic tetrasomy 21q confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). A 38-year-old Caucasian female presented for amniocentesis for maternal age. Initial chromosome analysis of the amniocytes using GTG-banding showed a mos47,XY, +?i(12p)/46,XY karyotype. Follow-up studies with FISH identified the isochromosome as an i(21q); mos47,XY, +i(21q)/46,XY. The patient was delivered at 38+ weeks gestation and umbilical cord blood samples were obtained. Chromosome analysis of 43 cord blood lymphocytes demonstrated a 46,XY karyotype in all cells. However, peripheral lymphocytes taken 1 day after birth showed 1 out of 120 lymphocytes to have an extra chromosome determined to be an i(21q). While initial clinical exam of the neonate revealed similarities to Down syndrome, long-term follow up of our patient will be required to provide the first definitive description of the mosaic tetrasomy 21 syndrome.
Cooling performance of micromachined self-oscillating reed actuators in heat transfer channels with integrated diagnostics

This paper presents heat transfer (HT) performance of small-scale MEMS-enhanced self-powered oscillating actuators for applications in highly-compact high-power air-cooled heat exchangers. Commercial air-cooled heat sinks are typically much larger than the systems they must cool due to large air-side thermal resistance. Our work is applying MEMS technologies to reduce this thermal resistance via the integration of small-scale oscillating actuators into small heat exchangers. Improved HT performance either yields smaller heat sinks or higher heat fluxes. These mm-scale actuators were built using MEMS manufacturing technologies such as laser micromachining, lamination, and/or metal patterning and etching. Conceptually, oscillating reeds inserted into the channels of an air-cooled heat sink induce small-scale motions in low-Reynolds number flows, which increases HT efficacy. Using MEMS-enhanced reed actuators, we experimentally demonstrated local HT enhancement up to 250% in microfabricated channels monitored by integrated temperature sensors.
6000 x 2000 display prototype

While electronic technology has evolved enormously, there are no displays which are both very large and of high resolution. This paper describes our 6 K X 2 K, 60 inch by 20 inch, display prototype which consists of three 2 K X 2 K CRT displays connected seamlessly. Using a custom frame and a half-silvered mirror, the three images are joined by reflecting the center display image from above and transmitting the two side display images directly. Two problems must be solved to achieve a truly seamless effect. First, viewers can still see seams between regular screen images even if the displays are strictly aligned. Second, each physical display has a different geometrical space, and the center display image must be drawn in reverse because it will be reflected by the mirror. We developed a seamless window system to solve these problems. The window system displays overlapping images with translucent borders to enable better blending of the three display screens. Custom application software treats the system as a single 6 K X 2 K area. A concept named ''virtual framebuffer architecture'' enables us to implement the two kinds of seamlessness easily. To evaluate the visual effects, we developed some application systems which include video in a window, stereo sound and a high speed channel to the Connection Machine II for image processing.
Reassessing the HPI: The Chronology of Present Illness (CPI)

The history of present illness provides the initial data to generate the differential diagnoses, guide medical decisionmaking, investigate the patient’s problem, and ultimately analyze the patient’s illness. Yet, physician-teachers often hear or read a patient’s history that is not clear. Why are histories difficult to obtain, present, and analyze? Admittedly, it can be the complexity of the case or the challenges in acquiring and relating the patient’s story. However, an unclear history frequently exists because of the lack of an overt chronological structure used to organize the patient’s story. In this paper, I present a strategy—the Chronology of Present Illness (CPI)—that emphasizes time as the core structural element. It is simple, clarifying, and often enables the trainee or fully trained physician to not only effectively take and report a comprehensive and relevant history, but also be a more effective diagnostician. Although sometimes used in complex clinical areas, such as oncology and intensive care units, it is seldom taught as a preferred approach for taking and communicating the patient’s history. In over three decades of my teaching this method, it has consistently appeared “new” to students and houseofficers. Therefore, I have chosen to publish it for consideration by teachers and trainees as a model for patient histories deserving further study.