cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resolving neurotransmitters detected by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry.

Carbon-fiber microelectrodes are frequently used as chemical sensors in biological preparations. In this work, we evaluated the ability of cyclic voltammograms recorded at fast-scan rates to resolve neurochemicals when analyzed by principal component regression. A calibration set of 30 cyclic voltammograms was constructed from 9 different substances at a variety of concentrations. The set was reduced by principal component analysis, and it was found that 99.5% of the variance in the data could be captured with five principal components. This set was used to evaluate cyclic voltammograms obtained with one or two compounds present in solution. In most cases, satisfactory predictions of the identity and concentration of analytes were obtained. Chemical dynamics were also resolved from a set of fast-scan cyclic voltammograms obtained with the electrode implanted in a region of a brain slice that contains dopaminergic terminals. Following stimulation, principal component regression of the data resolved the cha...
A distributed asynchronous relaxation algorithm for the assignment problem

Relaxation methods for optimal network flow problems resemble classical coordinate descent, Jacobi, and Gauss-Seidel methods for solving unconstrained non-linear optimization problems or systems of nonlinear equations. In their pure form they modify the dual variables (node prices) one at a time using only local node information while aiming to improve the dual cost. They are particularly well suited for distributed implementation on massively parallel machine. For problems with strictly convex arc costs they can be shown to converge even if relaxation at each node is carried out asynchronously with out-of-date price information from neighboring nodes [1]. For problems with linear arc costs relaxation methods have outperformed by a substantial margin the classical primal simplex and primal-dual methods on standard benchmark problems [2], [3]. However in these particular methods it is necessary to change sometimes the prices of several nodes as a group in addition to carrying out pure relaxation steps. As a result global node price information is needed occasionally, and distributed implementation becomes somewhat complicated. In this paper we describe a distributed algorithm for solving the classical linear cost assignment problem. It employs exclusively pure relaxation steps whereby the prices of sources and sinks are changed individually on the basis of only local (neighbor) node price information. The algorithm can be implemented in an asynchronous (chaotic) manner, and seems quite efficient for problems with a small arc cost range. It has an interesting interpretation as an auction where economic agents compete for resources by making successively higher bids.
High‐Resolution Microscopy of Dissociated Screw Dislocations in GaAs

The structure of dissociated screw dislocations in GaAs is analyzed by high-resolution electron microscopy and image simulation. The stacking fault is invariably found to be intrinsic with a stacking-fault energy of (45 ± 6) mJ/m2. The comparison between experimental and simulated images suggests that partial dislocation motion occurs during observation and the interaction of the dislocation core with point defects severely limits the determination of the dislocation core structure in terms of “glide” or “shuffle” models. Die Struktur von dissoziierten Schraubenversetzungen in GaAs wird mittels Hochauflosungs-elektronenmikroskopie und Abbildungssimulation analysiert. Es wird unverandert gefunden, das die Stapelfehler „intrinsisch” sind mit einer Stapelfehlerenergie von (45 ± 6) mJ/m2. Der Ver-gleich zwischen experimentellen und simulierten Bildern weist darauf hin, das eine Wanderung von Partialversetzungen wahrend der Beobachtung auftritt und die Wechselwirkung des Ver-setzungskerns mit Punktdefekten die Bestimmung der Versetzungskernstruktur mit „glide”- oder „shuffle”-Modellen stark einschrankt.
The induction of mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase by thyroid hormone: Effects of adrenalectomy, thyroidectomy and cortisone administration

Abstract In adrenalectomized animals, a single administration of triiodothyronine triggers off an induction of hepatic mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase ( L -glycero-3-phosphate: cytochrome c oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.99.5) comparable to that seen in intact animals. A qualitatively similar effect is observed in adrenalectomized animals supplemented with cortisone but, in this case, the extent of the induction by triiodothyronine is diminished. The administration of cortisone counteracts the stimulatory effect of adrenalectomy per se on α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase levels but has no effect on the basal levels of this enzyme activity in intact animals. Adrenalectomy has a more pronounced stimulatory effect upon α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase levels of thyroidectomized than of intact animals. Puromycin and actinomycin D inhibit the induction of α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase by triiodothyronine in thyroidectomized animals as effectively as in intact animals.
Preparation of 1,5-methano-2,3,4,5- tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine via Pd-catalyzed cyclization.

A new approach to prepare 1,5-methano-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzanepine (1) is discussed. This strategy utilized a tandem Michael addition and Pd-catalyzed cyclization to afford cyanobenzofulvene acetal 13. This indene intermediate (13) was subjected to hydrogenolysis to provide an amino ester (12) and was cyclized with base to afford lactam 5. The lactam (5) was reduced with borane to afford the desired benzazepine (1).
WebSphere business integration: an architectural overview

Business integration is a set of capabilities that characterize service-oriented architectures for e-business solutions. These capabilities include the ability to integrate and manage business operation systems, enterprise information assets, business partners, and a collaborative network of decision makers to address specific business problems. WebSphere® Business Integration is an IBM software platform that embodies these capabilities to offer rapid time to value for delivering integrated e-business solutions. In this paper, we provide an overview of the WebSphere Business Integration platform-- the architecture, programming model, tools, and runtime.
Is expectancy reality? Associations between tension reduction beliefs and mood following alcohol consumption.

The present study investigated whether tension reduction expectancies were uniquely associated with self-reported mood following in-lab alcohol administration, given that little research has addressed this association. We also tested whether level of experience with alcohol, which may influence the learning of expectancies, moderated expectancy-mood associations. Regularly drinking college students (N = 145) recruited through advertisements completed self-report measures of positive alcohol expectancies, alcohol involvement, demographics, and pre- and post-drinking mood, and then consumed alcohol ad libitum up to four drinks in the laboratory. Regression analyses controlling for pre-consumption mood, blood alcohol concentration, and all other positive expectancies showed tension reduction expectancies to be a marginally significant positive predictor of negative mood post-drinking. This association was significant only for those who achieved lower blood alcohol concentrations in lab and those who reported less involvement with alcohol (i.e., lower typical quantity, heavy episodic drinking frequency, and years of regular drinking). Findings suggest that associations between expectations for mood and actual post-drinking mood outcomes may operate differently for less versus more involved drinkers. Clinical implications pertain to early intervention, when expectancies may be less ingrained and perhaps more readily modified. Language: en
Filamentous carbon growth on nickel-iron surfaces the effect of various oxide additives

Abstract Controlled atmosphere electron microscopy has been used to follow the growth of filamentous carbon on NiFe surfaces from the catalyzed decomposition of acetylene. Included in this investigation has been an examination of the manner by which various oxide additives, including SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, WO3, Ta2O5, and MoO3, modify the growth characteristics of filaments from the alloy. It was found that all the oxides suppressed growth of this form of carbon at temperatures
Epigenetics in humans: an overview.

Purpose of review The purpose of review is to describe the recent advances in the field of human epigenetics. Recent findings With the completion of the genome project in 2003, high expectations existed for the DNA sequence information to provide answers about the causative mutations for common diseases. However, this was not completely the case. Another interesting finding that resulted from the genome project was that the perceived level of complexity of humans was not accompanied with a relative increase in the number of genes when compared to ‘lower species’. Epigenetics is able to provide answers to previously unanswered health-related questions and can explain differences in level of complexity between organisms. Epigenetic studies accomplished in the last few years have exposed a very complex multilayered regulatory mechanism that is able to answer previously puzzling questions in biology. Summary Understanding and interpretation of the role for epigenetic modifications in the human genome has progressed rapidly over the past decade with the advancement of microarray-based and sequence-based technologies. The complex interaction between DNA methylation, histone modifications, protein complexes and microRNAs has become better appreciated in the context of both local and long range epigenetic control of transcription in both normal cellular differentiation and tumorigenesis.
Neuronal and hormonal influences on the turnover of monoamine oxidase in salivary gland.

Abstract The rate of formation of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in rat submaxillary gland was evaluated from the return of MAO activity after treatment with the irreversible inhibitor drug pargyline. We found that parasympathetic decentralization or sympathetic denervation of the gland had no significant effect on the half-life or the specific activity of the enzyme. The weight of the gland, however, was reduced after both surgical procedures; consequently, the rate of formation of MAO per gland was diminished in direct proportion to the loss of weight. Reserpine treatment, in contrast, had no effect on the weight of the gland, but it increased the T 1 2 of the enzyme from 3.4 to 5.2 days and decreased its specific activity resulting in a diminuation of the rate of formation of the enzyme. Thyroidectomy had no effect on the T 1 2 or the specific activity of the enzyme. Treatment with L -3,3',5-triiodothyronine increased the activity of MAO in the salivary gland of normal and thyroidectomized rats, and it accelerated the return of enzyme activity after pargyline treatment in thyroidectomized animals.
In vitro effects of malathion and O,O,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate on cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses

Abstract Oral administration of O,O,S -trimethyl phosphorothioate (OOS), an impurity present in technical formulations of malathion, has been shown to be associated with a high incidence of pneumonia in rats and to be highly immunosuppressive in mice. Based on these findings, an in vitro model was established to study the effect of this and other organophosphorus compounds on murine cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses. The organophosphorus compounds were tested for their ability to block in vitro generation of CTL responses to alloantigen and/or the expression of these cytotoxic responses. Responses were generated in C57Bl/6 (H-2 b ) spleen cells to mitomycin C-blocked P815 (H-2 d ) tumor cells. The cytotoxicity of the cultured splenocytes to P815 target was measured using a 4-hr chromium release assay. These data demonstrated that malathion was able to block the ability of splenocytes to sensitize to P815 at concentrations as low as 25 μg/ml, but was not able to block the expression of cytotoxicity by mature killer T cells. The same was true for OOS which had been activated by preincubation with rat liver postmitochondrial supernatant (PMS). Activated OOS blocked the generation of CTL responses at concentrations as low as 75 μg/ml while having no effect on mature cytotoxic cells. In fact, both malathion and activated OOS were no longer able to suppress CTL responses if treatment was performed as early as 24 hr after exposure to antigen. Additionally, it was demonstrated that when malathion was preincubated with PMS it was no longer suppressive and that OOS without activation failed to suppress CTL responses.
In hospital cardiac arrest: a role for automatic defibrillation

Abstract Introduction: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) survival decreases by 10% for each minute of delay in defibrillation, however, survival rates of 98% can be achieved when defibrillation is accomplished within 30s of collapse. Recently, a fully automated external cardioverter-defibrillator (AECD) was approved by the FDA for in-hospital use. The AECD can be programmed to automatically defibrillate when a life threatening ventricular arrhythmia occurs. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential impact of in-hospital AECDs on the critical time to defibrillation in monitored hospital units. Methods: Mock emergency ( n = 18) were conducted using simulated ventricular fibrillation in various monitored units. Observers were stationed to record the time staff responded to the arrhythmia, and the time to shock. These times were compared to an AECD protocol that defibrillates automatically in an average of 38.3s from onset of arrhythmia ( n = 18). Results: Staff versus AECD response time to arrhythmia (s) was 76.3 ± 113.7 (CI 19.8–132.8) versus 7.6 ± 0.6 (CI 7.3–7.9). Staff versus AECD time to shock was 169.2 ± 103.1 (CI 117.9–220.4) versus 38.3 ± 0.7 (CI 37.9–38.6). P -values are Conclusion: The use of AECDs on monitored units would significantly reduce the critical time to defibrillation in patients with SCA. We anticipate this would translate to improved survival rates, and better neurologic outcomes.
Both increased stability and transcription contribute to the induction of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) message by hypoxia.

Both hypoxia and overexpression of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) are associated with a poor clinical outcome in human cancers. Hypoxia has been shown to induce uPAR expression in breast cancer cells and to increase their invasion through Matrigel, a phenomenon which can be blocked using an anti-uPAR antibody. We examined expression of uPAR mRNA in MCF7 human breast carcinoma cells under hypoxia and found that an increase in the level of the message could be detected at 1% oxygen but was most marked at 0.2 or 0.05% oxygen with an induction of 9- to 20-fold over baseline. To determine whether changes in RNA stability contributed to this dramatic increase, we used actinomycin D to inhibit transcription and found that the half-life of the message was much longer under hypoxic conditions (approximately 10 h) than during reoxygenation (approximately 2 h). Transient transfections using a luciferase reporter construct containing 2 kbp of the mouse uPAR promoter showed that promoter activity increased up to 5-fold after exposure to 0.2% oxygen. Thus, hypoxic induction of the uPAR message in MCF7 cells is due to both mRNA stabilization and increased transcriptional activation.
PSYCHOSOCIAL AND CAREER MENTORING: FEMALE AFRICAN AMERICAN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION ADMINISTRATORS' EXPERIENCES

There is a scarcity of knowledge on the mentoring experiences of Black women in social work academia. Using a survey methodology, this pilot study examines the mentoring experiences of 10 Black, female leaders in social work education as protegees. It also examines how they describe their current mentoring behavior toward recent proteges. The results indicate participants provide more psychosocial and career mentoring than they received as doctoral students or as faculty members. Additionally, participants received the least help from their own mentors in balancing career and family and currently give little assistance of this kind to their own proteges.
SRAM Based Random Number Generator for Non-Repeating Pattern Generation

—Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) optimized random number generators (RNGs) are more resource-efficient than software-optimized RNGs because they can take advantage of bitwise operations and FPGA-specific features. A random number generator (RNG) is a computational or physical device designed to generate a sequence of numbers or symbols that lack any pattern, i.e. appear random. The many applications of randomness have led to the development of several different methods for generating random data. Several computational methods for random number generation exist, but often fall short of the goal of true randomness though they may meet, with varying success, some of the statistical tests for randomness intended to measure how unpredictable their results are (that is, to what degree their patterns are discernible).LUT-SR Family of Uniform Random Number Generators are able to handle randomness only based on seeds that is loaded in the look up table. To make random generation efficient, we propose new approach based on SRAM storage device. Keywords: RNG, LFSR, SRAM
Including Defaulted Bonds in the Capital Market Asset Spectrum

The authors use standard deviations and correlations to evaluate defaulted bonds as an asset class in markets with large-capitalization stocks, small-cap stocks, investment-grade bonds, and high-yield bonds. They conclude that defaulted bonds provide diversification benefits for investment-grade but not high-yield bond portfolios. Defaulted bonds are similar to small-cap stocks and high-yield bonds.
Laboratory-Confirmed Transmission of Vaccinia Virus Infection through Sexual Contact with a Military Vaccinee

A laboratory-confirmed, inadvertent transmission of vaccinia virus from an unusual source highlights the importance of epidemiologic tracing, proper biosafety practices in the clinical diagnostic laboratories, and educating clinicians and laboratorians to potential bioterrorism-initiated outbreaks as well as look-alike disease discrimination.
Hidden evolutionary complexity of Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA viruses of eukaryotes

The Nucleo-Cytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses (NCLDV) constitute an apparently monophyletic group that consists of at least 6 families of viruses infecting a broad variety of eukaryotic hosts. A comprehensive genome comparison and maximum-likelihood reconstruction of the NCLDV evolution revealed a set of approximately 50 conserved, core genes that could be mapped to the genome of the common ancestor of this class of eukaryotic viruses. We performed a detailed phylogenetic analysis of these core NCLDV genes and applied the constrained tree approach to show that the majority of the core genes are unlikely to be monophyletic. Several of the core genes have been independently acquired from different sources by different NCLDV lineages whereas for the majority of these genes displacement by homologs from cellular organisms in one or more groups of the NCLDV was demonstrated. A detailed study of the evolution of the genomic core of the NCLDV reveals substantial complexity and diversity of evolutionary scenarios that was largely unsuspected previously. The phylogenetic coherence between the core genes is sufficient to validate the hypothesis on the evolution of all NCLDV from a common ancestral virus although the set of ancestral genes might be smaller than previously inferred from patterns of gene presence-absence.
Sulbactam kinetics and excretion into breast milk in postpartum women

We gave intravenous infusions of sulbactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor, in combination with ampicillin or cephalothin to women 2 days after cesarean section delivery. The elimination t1/2 was 1.0 hours, the volume of distribution at steady state was 268 ml/kg, and renal clearance was 295 ml/min. These values are similar to those in normal young men and in surgical patients and suggest that dose regimens of sulbactam will not need adjustment in the postpartum period. Sulbactam concentrations in breast milk averaged 0.5 micrograms/ml, a value similar to that of several beta-lactam antibiotics.
A prospective study of body mass index and mortality in Bangladesh

Background Body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) has a U- or J-shaped relationship with all-cause mortality in Western and East Asian populations. However, this relationship is not well characterized in Bangladesh, where the BMI distribution is shifted towards lower values. Methods Using data on 11 445 individuals (aged 18–75 years) participating in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) in Araihazar, Bangladesh, we prospectively examined associations of BMI (measured at baseline) with all-cause mortality during ∼6 years of follow-up. We also examined this relationship within strata of key covariates (sex, age, smoking, education and arsenic exposure). Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for these covariates and BMI-related illnesses were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for BMI categories defined by the World Health Organization. Results Low BMI was strongly associated with increased mortality in this cohort (P-trend < 0.0001). Severe underweight (BMI < 16 kg/m2; HR 2.06, CI 1.53–2.77) and moderate underweight (16.0–16.9 kg/m2; HR 1.39, CI 1.01–2.90) were associated with increased all-cause mortality compared with normal BMI (18.6–22.9 kg/m2). The highest BMI category (≥23.0 kg/m2) did not show a clear association with mortality (HR 1.10, CI 0.77–1.53). The BMI–mortality association was stronger among individuals with <5 years of formal education (interaction P = 0.02). Conclusions Underweight (presumably due to malnutrition) is a major determinant of mortality in the rural Bangladeshi population.
Cathepsin and Calpain Inhibitor E64d Attenuates Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activity After Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Rats

Background and Purpose— Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and cysteine proteases (calpain and cathepsin B) play an important role in cell death and are upregulated after focal cerebral ischemia. Bec...
Searching the Literature

Commercial availability, literature preparations, registry number, SciFinder, Reaxys, e-EROS, Organic Syntheses, Organic Reactions.
Ligands of steroid/thyroid receptors induce cone photoreceptors in vertebrate retina

The mechanisms by which multipotent progenitor cells are directed to alternative cell identities during the histogenesis of the vertebrate central nervous system are likely to involve several different types of signaling systems. Recent evidence indicates that 9-cis retinoic acid, which acts through members of the steroid/thyroid superfamily of receptors, directs progenitor cells to the rod photoreceptor cell fate. We now report that another effector of this family of receptors, thyroid hormone, induces an increase in the number of cone photoreceptors that develop in embryonic rat retinal cultures, and that combinations of 9-cis retinoic acid and triiodothyronine cause isolated progenitor cells to differentiate as either rods or cones, depending on the relative concentrations of the ligands. These results implicate thyroid hormone in CNS cell fate determination, and suggest that different photoreceptor phenotypes may be modulated through the formation of thyroid/retinoid receptor heterodimers.
Spatial Updating in Monkey Superior Colliculus in the Absence of the Forebrain Commissures: Dissociation Between Superficial and Intermediate Layers

In previous studies, we demonstrated that the forebrain commissures are the primary pathway for remapping from one hemifield to the other. Nonetheless, remapping in lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP) across hemifield is still present in split brain monkeys. This finding indicates that a subcortical structure must contribute to remapping. The primary goal of the current study was to characterize remapping activity in the superior colliculus in intact and split brain monkeys. We recorded neurons in both the superficial and intermediate layers of the SC. We found that across-hemifield remapping was reduced in magnitude and delayed compared with within-hemifield remapping in the intermediate layers of the SC in split brain monkeys. These results mirror our previous findings in area LIP. In contrast, we found no difference in the magnitude or latency for within- compared with across-hemifield remapping in the superficial layers. At the behavioral level, we compared the performance of the monkeys on two conditions of a double-step task. When the second target remained within a single hemifield, performance remained accurate. When the second target had to be updated across hemifields, the split brain monkeys' performance was impaired. Remapping activity in the intermediate layers was correlated with the accuracy and latency of the second saccade during the across-hemifield trials. Remapping in the superficial layers was correlated with latency of the second saccade during the within- and across-hemifield trials. The differences between the layers suggest that different circuits underlie remapping in the superficial and intermediate layers of the superior colliculus.
Genetic and Economic Implications of Fetal Effects on the Dam

Abstract The genetic model for fetal effect on production of the dam is described, and studies on genetic and economic implications are reviewed. The effect on production from the sire of the cow has 1.58 to 3.02 times as much economic value as the effect from the sire of the fetus. The use of mate records in evaluating a sire in addition to daughter records could increase economic gain from selection by 1 to 2% depending on the variation from sire of fetus. Mate records alone do not appear valuable for sire selection. About 1% of the variation in milk yield appears to be due to the effect of sire of fetus as indicated by a summary of various estimates and from consideration of the data and methods used to obtain the estimates. The correlation between effects of sire of fetus and sire of cow appears to be nearly zero. A method of joint evaluation of bulls as sires of cows or as sires of fetuses is described.
Atmospheric Circulation Response to an Instantaneous Doubling of Carbon Dioxide. Part II: Atmospheric Transient Adjustment and Its Dynamics

Thedynamicalmechanismsunderlyingthetransientcirculationadjustment intheextratropicalatmosphere after the instantaneous doubling of carbon dioxide are investigated using the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model version 3 coupled to a Slab Ocean Model. It is shown that the transient process during the first few months of integration is important in setting up the extratropical circulation response in equilibrium such as the poleward shift of the tropospheric jet streams. Three phases are found during the transient thermal/dynamical adjustment in the Northern Hemisphere: 1) a radiatively driven easterly anomaly in the subpolar stratosphere, 2) an acceleration of the westerly anomaly in the subpolar stratosphere as a result of anomalous planetary-scale eddy momentum flux convergence, and 3) a‘‘downwardmigration’’ ofthe westerlyanomalyfromthe lowerstratospheretothe troposphere, followed bythe tropospheric jetshift.Severalproposed mechanismsforinducingthe polewardshift ofthetropospheric jet streams are examined. No significant increase in eddy phase speed is found. The rise in tropopause height appears to lead the tropospheric jet shift but no close relation is observed. The length scale of transient eddies does increase but does not lead the tropospheric jet shift. Finally, the tropospheric jet shift can be captured by changes in the index of refraction and the resulting anomalous eddy propagation in the troposphere.
Pitavastatin calcium: clinical review of a new antihyperlipidemic medication.

Abstract Background Pitavastatin calcium is a new addition to the class of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors ("statins") approved for use in the United States for the treatment of primary hyperlipidemia and mixed dyslipidemia. Objective The purpose of this review was to evaluate the literature related to the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetic properties, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of pitavastatin in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Methods A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Journal Archive for English-language literature was conducted for articles published through January 2011 using the following search terms: itavastatin, Livalo, nisvastatin, NK 104 , and pitavastatin . Articles were reviewed if they pertained to the clinical efficacy, pharmacology, pharmacokinetic properties, or tolerability of pitavastatin. Clinical trials were systematically included in the analysis of clinical efficacy if they used a randomized design to study the effects of the drug on hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, or heart disease. Trials were excluded if they did not signify the statin used, did not pertain to clinical efficacy, or enrolled Results A total of 16 studies were identified and reviewed for clinical efficacy. Based on findings from pharmacokinetic studies, pitavastatin may be given at any time of the day, with or without food. The drug had a mean plasma elimination t 1/2 of 12 hours, is expected to be associated with minimal drug–drug interactions because it is not metabolized by the cytochrome P450 3A4 isozyme, and is primarily excreted unchanged in the bile with little renal elimination. Clinical trials described the effects of pitavastatin on cholesterol, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and progression of atherosclerosis. Pitavastatin at doses of 1 to 4 mg/d was reported to be associated with reductions in LDL-C of 38% to 44% and in triglycerides of 14% to 22%, and with increases in HDL-C of 5% to 8% (all, P Conclusions Based on the findings from previously published clinical trials, pitavastatin is an effective lipid lowering agent and is another therapeutic option of currently available statins.
Carbonate platform facies and new stratigraphic nomenclature of the Morrowan Series (Lower and Middle Pennsylvanian), northeastern Oklahoma

Marine carbonates dominate the Morrowan Series in northeastern Oklahoma and contain abundant megafossils in beds that correlate with sparsely fossiliferous strata in the type area of the series in Arkansas. Greatly refined biotic zonations are feasible for brachiopods, coelenterates, and pelmatozoans, all sparsely represented in northwestern Arkansas. The type area should be extended 64 km (40 mi) westward to include this highly fossiliferous facies. A regional unconformity within the Morrowan Series in northeastern Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas occurs at the base of the Dye Shale Member (Bloyd Shale) in Arkansas and separates the Sausbee Formation from the overlying McCully Formation (both new names) in Oklahoma. The Sausbee Formation (Lower Pennsylvanian) is divided into the Braggs and Brewer Bend Limestone Members (both new names), correlating eastward with the Hale Formation plus the Brentwood Limestone and Woolsey Members of the Bloyd Shale. The McCully Formation (lower Middle Pennsylvanian) includes the Chisum Quarry, shale “A,” Greenleaf Lake Limestone, and shale “B” members (all new names) and correlates with the Dye Shale Member and possibly the Kessler Limestone and Trace Creek Shale Members (upper Bloyd Shale) in Arkansas. The Sausbee Formation represents marine transgression across an irregularly eroded surface cut into Mississippian strata, followed by widespread, shallow, open-marine carbonate deposition (Braggs Member). The shelf subsequently shoaled, and a widespread carbonate mudbank developed (Brewer Bend Limestone Member). This regressive cycle terminated with regional emergence of the shelf and limited erosion. The McCully Formation was subsequently deposited on the resubmerged shelf, with periodic, widespread influxes of terrigenous mud from the northeast (shale “A” and shale “B” members), which prevented normal carbonate deposition except in limited areas (Chisum Quarry and Greenleaf Lake Limestone Members). Morrowan to Atokan deposition was continuous in Arkansas and easternmost Oklahoma, but a regional tilting to the south in the area west of Tenkiller Reservoir produced subareal erosion of the post-Morrowan surface in that area. Fluviatile and deltaic complexes of early Atokan age were deposited on the erosional surface and were derived from the northwest, in contrast to a predominantly northeastern terrigenous source during the time of deposition of the Morrowan series.
Effects of domain knowledge, working memory capacity, and age on cognitive performance: an investigation of the knowledge-is-power hypothesis.

Domain knowledge facilitates performance in many cognitive tasks. However, very little is known about the interplay between domain knowledge and factors that are believed to reflect general, and relatively stable, characteristics of the individual. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the interplay between domain knowledge and one such factor: working memory capacity. Adults from wide ranges of working memory capacity, age, and knowledge about the game of baseball listened to, and then answered questions about, simulated radio broadcasts of baseball games. There was a strong facilitative effect of preexisting knowledge of baseball on memory performance, particularly for information judged to be directly relevant to the baseball games. However, there was a positive effect of working memory capacity on memory performance as well, and there was no indication that domain knowledge attenuated this effect. That is, working memory capacity contributed to memory performance even at high levels of domain knowledge. Similarly, there was no evidence that domain knowledge attenuated age-related differences (favoring young adults) in memory performance. We discuss implications of the results for understanding proficiency in cognitive domains from an individual-differences perspective.
The role of androgen receptors in sexual differentiation of the brain: Effects of the testicular feminization (Tfm) gene on androgen metabolism, binding, and action in the mouse

The effects of the testicular feminization (Tfm) mutation on androgen metabolism, binding, and action were studied in the mouse. Cytosolic binding of [3H] dihydrotesterone (DHT) was reduced by approximately 90% in the brains, pituitaries, submaxillary glands, and kidneys of Tfin/Y males, as compared to wild-type male controls. Nuclear [3H] DHT binding was abolished in tissues from Tfm male animals. Implantation of testosterone-containing (T-containing) Silastic capsules elevated nuclear estrogen receptor (ERn) concentrations to a similar extent in the brains of all four genotypes studied (normal males, Tfm-affected males, normal females, and Tfm carrier females). Administration of T to normal males led to elevations of cytosolic progestin receptors (PRc) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in the brain, and of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) in the kidney. In Tfm-affected males, only the PRc response to T was observed, at a somewhat reduced level compared to that in normal male and female controls: no effect of T was observed with respect to either MAO in the brain, or ADH and G6PDH activities in the kidney. Estradiol (E2) administration increased the activity of pituitary G6PDH and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in all four genotypes. However, brain MAO activity was increased by E2only in normal and carrier females. The lack of an MAO response to E2 in Tfm-affected males is consistent with the hypothesis that the central nervous system of this genotype is at least partially masculinized, despite the loss of androgen receptor-mediated responses—most probably as a result of local conversion of T to E2 within the brain itself.
TOPICAL TREATMENT OF GALACTOSE CATARACTS

In experimental galactosemia, topical administration of aldose reductase inhibitor, l,3-dioxo-lH-benz-[de]-isoquinoline-(3H)-acetic acid (Alrestatin) was observed to decrease the level of dulcitol accumulated in the lens as compared to that in the control lens of the contralateral eye receiving the placebo only. In addition, topical application of Alrestatin led to a significant delay in the appearance of nuclear cataracts in eyes of galactosemic rats. The results are thus in conformity with the concept that aldose reductase plays a key role in initiating the formation of galactose cataracts and suggest the possibility of the usefulness of aldose reductase inhibitors in therapeutic ocular treatment of sugar cataracts. The formation of cataracts in galactosemia is initiated by accumulation of excessive dulcitol (galactitol) in the lens (Kinoshita, Merola, Satoh & Dikmak, 1962). Dulcitol, which is a hexahydric sugar alcohol, is formed in the lens by the reduction of galactose catalyzed by the enzyme aldose reductase (Van Heyningen, 1959). Previous studies have demonstrated that the cataractous changes can be attenuated, both in vitro (Kanoshita, Dvornik, Kraml & Gabbay, 1968) and in vivo (Dvornik, Duquesne, Krami, Sestanj, Gabbay, Kinoshita, Varma & Merola, 1973) by the use of compounds which inhibit aldose reductase. The obvious next step in the treatment of this form of cataract is to develop means of administering aldose reductase inhibitor directly in the eye in the form of aqueous drops or ointment. These studies may not only be of practical importance but can also serve to substantiate the findings of the earlier feeding experiments which required that control animals form a separate group. In the present studies, the experimental design was considered to be more ideal with one eye serving as a control while the contralateral eye is treated with aldose reductase inhibitor in the same galactosemic rat.
No Net Loss: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

While P. J. O'Rourke, recalling the federal government’s response to the Whiskey Rebellion, directed his invective against farmers in the context of modern-day agricultural subsidies, a similar sentiment could be adopted by wetland activists. Agricultural activities have been the primary cause of historical wetland losses in the United States. But farmers did not act on their own; here the federal and state governments were their partners. Indeed, through a series of Swamp Lands Acts beginning in 1849, the federal government encouraged states to reclaim wetlands (areas “wet and unfit for cultivation”) and put them to more productive use to feed a growing nation. It was not until much later that the federal government, public, and even farmers recognized the value of wetlands in their natural state.
Efficient particulate scrubber for glass melter off-gas

Operation of joule-heated, continuous slurry-fed melters has demonstrated that off-gas aerosols are generated by entrainment of feed slurry and vaporization of volatile species from the melt. Effective off-gas stream decontamination for these aerosols can be obtained by utilizing a suitably designed and operated wet scrubber system. Results are presented for performance tests conducted with an air aspirating-type venturi scrubber processing a simulated melter off-gas aerosol. Mass overall removal efficiencies ranged from 99.5 to 99.8%. Details of the testing program and applications for melter off-gas system design are discussed.
Genetics: Genetic basis of human reproductive endocrine disorders

Disturbed human reproductive function may be caused by environmental and/or genetic factors. Much information related to single gene defects underlying reproductive failure has become available in recent years due to advances in molecular biology. In this review, techniques currently applied for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis are addressed. We also highlight underlying molecular mechanisms and the corresponding clinical presentation of single gene defects affecting (i) the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, resulting in disturbed gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neuron migration, or leading to defective gonadotrophins, gonadotrophin receptors and the Gs alpha protein; (ii) gonadal and adrenal steroid biosynthesis and (iii) steroid and insulin receptors. The potential genetic basis of polycystic ovary syndrome is also discussed. Although disease states caused by well-defined genetic abnormalities appear to represent only a small proportion of those found in the patient population, it should be considered that these affected individuals represent only the most severe cases in a wide spectrum of genetic abnormalities underlying disturbed fertility. Comprehension of these extreme cases will provide the basis for the elucidation of more common reproductive disorders as the result of subtle genetic changes or increased susceptibility to environmental factors.
MobiSweep: Exploring Spatial Design Ideation Using a Smartphone as a Hand-held Reference Plane

In this paper, we explore quick 3D shape composition during early-phase spatial design ideation. Our approach is to re-purpose a smartphone as a hand-held reference plane for creating, modifying, and manipulating 3D sweep surfaces. We implemented MobiSweep, a prototype application to explore a new design space of constrained spatial interactions that combine direct orientation control with indirect position control via well-established multi-touch gestures. MobiSweep leverages kinesthetically aware interactions for the creation of a sweep surface without explicit position tracking. The design concepts generated by users, in conjunction with their feedback, demonstrate the potential of such interactions in enabling spatial ideation.
Inferring geo-spatial neutral similarity from earthquake data using mixture and state clustering models

Traditionally, earthquake events are identified by prescribed and well formed geographical region boundaries. However, fixed regional schemes are subject to overlook seismic patterns typified by cross boundary relations that deem essential to seismological research. Rather, we investigate a statistically driven system that clusters earthquake bound places by similarity in seismic feature space, and is impartial to geo-spatial proximity constraints. To facilitate our study, we acquired hundreds of thousands recordings of earthquake episodes that span an extended time period of forty years, and split them into groups singled out by their corresponding geographical places. From each collection of place affiliated event data, we have extracted objective seismic features expressed in both a compact term frequency of scales format, and as a discrete signal representation that captures magnitude samples in regular time intervals. The distribution and temporal typed feature vectors are further applied towards our mixture model and Markov chain frameworks, respectively, to conduct clustering of shake affected locations. We performed extensive cluster analysis and classification experiments, and report robust results that support the intuition of geo-spatial neutral similarity.
Lewis Acid Induced β-Elimination from a Nickelalactone: Efforts toward Acrylate Production from CO2 and Ethylene

The Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane was found to rapidly promote ring-opening β-hydride elimination in a 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) nickelalactone complex under ambient conditions. The thermodynamic product of nickelalactone ring-opening was characterized as (dppf)Ni(CH(CH3)CO2BArf3), the result of β-hydride elimination and subsequent 2,1-insertion from a transient nickel(II) acrylate hydride intermediate. Treatment of (dppf)Ni(CH(CH3)CO2BArf3) with a nitrogen-containing base afforded a diphosphine nickel(0) η2-acryl borate adduct. Formation of the diphosphine nickel(0) η2-acryl borate adduct completes a net conversion of nickelalactone to acrylate species, a significant obstacle to catalytic acrylate production from CO2 and ethylene. Displacement of the η2-acrylate fragment from the nickel center was accomplished by addition of ethylene to yield a free acrylate salt and (dppf)Ni(CH2═CH2).
Uncertainty analysis of energy harvesting systems

This paper presents the relation between uncertainty in the excitation and parameters of vibrational energy harvesting systems and their power output. Nonlinear vibrational energy harvesters are very sensitive to the frequency of the base excitation. If the excitation frequency does not match with the resonance frequency of the energy harvester, the power output significantly deteriorates. The mismatch can be due to the inherent changes of the ambient oscillations. The fabrication errors or gradual changes of material properties also result in the mismatch. This paper quantitatively shows the probability density function for the power as a function of the probability densities of the excitation frequency, excitation amplitude, initial deflection of the energy harvester, and design parameters. Recently developed the conjugated unscented transformation methodology is used in conjunction with the principle of maximum entropy to compute the probability distribution for the base response and power. The computed nonlinear density functions are validated against Monte Carlo simulations.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Faraday Rotation Spectroscopy of Radicals Relevant to Combustion

Faraday rotation spectroscopy is studied for optical detection of radical species important in combustion chemistry. Preliminary experimental results for a spectroscopic measurement targeting HO2 detection are presented.
The Spread of Misinformation in Social Media

As social media become major channels for the diffusion of news and information, they are also increasingly attractive and targeted for abuse and manipulation. This talk overviews ongoing network analytics, data mining, and modeling efforts to understand the spread of misinformation online and offline. I present machine learning methods to detect astroturf and social bots, and outline initial steps toward computational fact checking, as well as theoretical models to study how truthful and truthy facts compete for our collective attention. These efforts will be framed by a case study in which, ironically, our own research became the target of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
Wrestlers and Jugglers: Etzioni on Happiness

In “Happiness Is the Wrong Metric,” Amitai Etzioni challenges the dominant metaconception of human nature that focuses solely on happiness, suggesting it be replaced by the view of a person as a “moral wrestler,” who is “subject to an irreconcilable conflict between the quest for happiness…and the quest to fulfill their moral values.” I have two minor issues with the way Etzioni characterizes happiness. First, I argue that it is a mistake to reduce happiness to a state of pleasure. Second, I take issue with the image of the moral wrestler, for it seems to imply the domains of happiness and morality are not just independent but mutually exclusive. This view omits the possibility of achieving happiness through moral behavior and ignores the kinds of conflicts that arise when our moral values are incompatible. These conflicts are not between happiness and morality; instead our unhappiness arises precisely because we have failed morally.