cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of linker sequence on the stability of circularly permuted variants of ribonuclease T1

Circularly permuted variants of ribonuclease T1 were constructed with a library of residues covalently linking the original amino and carboxyl terminal ends of the wild-type protein. The library of linking peptides consisted of three amino acids containing any combination of proline, aspartate, asparagine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, alanine, and histidine. Forty two unique linker sequences were isolated and 10 of these mutants were further characterized with regard to catalytic activity and overall thermodynamic stability. The 10 mutants with the different linking sequences (HPD, TPH, DTD, TPD, PYH, PAT, PHP, DSS, SPP, and TPS), in addition to GGG and GPG, were 4.0–6.2 kcal/mol less stable than the wild-type ribonuclease T1. However, these circular permuted variants were only 0.4–2.6 kcal/mol less stable than the direct parent protein that is missing the disulfide bond connecting residues 2 and 10. The most stable linking peptide was HPD.
Effect of Ag−Cu Alloy Nanoparticle Composition on Luminescence Enhancement/Quenching

Metal enhanced/quenched luminescence was explored in the vicinity of AgxCu100-x alloy nanoparticles at different compositions (x = 100, 67, 50, 30, and 0). These Ag−Cu nanoparticles were synthesize...
Calibrated spatial moving average simulations

The spatial moving average (SMA) is a very natural type of spatial process that involves integrals or sums of independent and identically distributed random variables. Consequently, the mean and covariance function of the SMAs can be written down immediately in terms of their integrand or summand. Moreover, simulation from them is straightforward, and it does not require any large-matrix inversions. Although the SMAs generate a large class of spatial covariance functions, can we find easy-to-use SMAs, calibrated to be ‘like’ some of the usual covariance functions used in geostatistics? For example, is there an SMA that is straightforward to simulate from, whose covariance function is like the spherical covariance function? This article will derive such an SMA.
Influence of uniaxial draw on near-surface structure in poly(ethyleneterephthalate)

Relative amounts of surface crystallinity and amorphous structure and their respective surface orientations were examined as a function of depth from the surface for a series of uniaxially drawn poly(ethyleneterephthalate) (PET) films using polarized attenuated total-reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). Qualitative depth resolution on a scale from ca. 0.5 to 5 μm is obtained. The results indicate a higher degree of extended trans segments and a higher degree of extended trans orientation near the surface in the machine direction, relative to the bulk film. These quantities also increase with increasing uniaxial draw ratio. No evidence for orientation of the gauche conformer at the surface as a function of uniaxial draw ratio is observed. All conclusions are consistent with the presence of increased crystallinity at the surface of the films. Increases in trans structure and orientation measured by ATR-IR measurements are consistent with bulk crystallinity measurements from density and x-ray scattering measurements.
Delivery of recombinant follistatin lessens disease severity in a mouse model of spinal muscular atrophy

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the most common genetic cause of infant mortality. SMA is caused by loss of functional survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1), resulting in death of spinal motor neurons. Current therapeutic research focuses on modulating the expression of a partially functioning copy gene, SMN2, which is retained in SMA patients. However, a treatment strategy that improves the SMA phenotype by slowing or reversing the skeletal muscle atrophy may also be beneficial. Myostatin, a member of the TGF-beta super-family, is a potent negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Follistatin is a natural antagonist of myostatin, and over-expression of follistatin in mouse muscle leads to profound increases in skeletal muscle mass. To determine whether enhanced muscle mass impacts SMA, we administered recombinant follistatin to an SMA mouse model. Treated animals exhibited increased mass in several muscle groups, elevation in the number and cross-sectional area of ventral horn cells, gross motor function improvement and mean lifespan extension by 30%, by preventing some of the early deaths, when compared with control animals. SMN protein levels in spinal cord and muscle were unchanged in follistatin-treated SMA mice, suggesting that follistatin exerts its effect in an SMN-independent manner. Reversing muscle atrophy associated with SMA may represent an unexploited therapeutic target for the treatment of SMA.
ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHIC AND BEHAVIOURAL EFFECTS OF ENFLURANE AND HALOTHANE ANAESTHESIA IN THE CAT

The effects of enflurane and halothane on the electroencephalogram (e.e.g) were studied in 10 cats. Animals underwent at least 2 MAC-hours of anaesthesia with either agent, and the e.e.g. was monitored continuously Arterial blood-gas tensions were maintain within normal limits. In addition, e.e.g. and behaviour were monitored during the period following anaesthesia, at fixed intervals, for 4 weeks. Despite the production of the central stimulatory effects of enflurane during anaesthesia, no animal demonstrated any central nervous system sequelae on any occasion following the anaesthetic.
CONSTRAINT RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM DYNAMICS

We carry out a quantization of a classical relativistic particle dynamics, that is, a theory of $N$ spinless point masses in mutual interaction. It is of Hamiltonian form, manifestly covariant, and involves $N$ first-class constraints. In the resultant relativistic quantum dynamics these constraints are $N$ invariant simultaneous "Schr\"odinger equations" involving $N$ invariant time parameters ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{a} (a=1,\dots{},N)$. Since the interaction functions (relativistic "potential energies") can have a complicated momentum dependence, these equations do not become second-order equations in the representation ${p}_{a\ensuremath{\mu}}=\ensuremath{-}\frac{i\ensuremath{\partial}}{\ensuremath{\partial}{q}_{a}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}}$. The integrability condition ensures the existence of a unitary operator that "propagates" the system from one point to another in $N$-dimensional $\ensuremath{\tau}$ space independent of the path. M\o{}ller operators and the scattering operator are defined and the limits ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{a}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\ensuremath{\infty}$ are studied. It is demonstrated how the separability of the interaction functions leads to a factorization of the $S$ matrix (cluster decomposition).
Responses of intramembranous bone and sutures upon in vivo cyclic tensile and compressive loading

Cranial vault and facial sutures interpose between mineralized bones of the skull, and may function analogously to appendicular and cranial base growth plates. However, unlike growth plates that are composed of chondrocyte lineage, cranial and facial sutures possess heterogeneous cell lineages such as mesenchymal cells, fibroblasts, and osteoblasts, in addition to vascular-derived cells. Despite recently intensified effort, the biological responses of intramembranous bone and sutures to mechanical loading are not well understood. This study was designed to investigate whether brief doses of tensile or compressive forces induce modeling and growth responses of intramembranous bone and sutures. In different groups of growing rabbits in vivo, cyclic tensile or compressive forces at 1 N and 8 Hz were applied to the maxilla for 20 min/day over 12 consecutive days. Computerized histomorphometric analyses revealed that the average sutural widths of both the premaxillomaxillary suture (PMS) and nasofrontal suture (NFS) loaded in either tension or compression were significantly higher than age- and sex-matched sham controls (P<0.01). The average cell densities of tension- or compression-loaded PMS and NFS were significantly higher than sham controls (P<0.01). The average osteoblast occupied sutural bone surface loaded under tension was significantly higher than that of sham control (P<0.05). Interestingly, tensile loading significantly reduced the average osteoclast surface, in comparison to sham control (P<0.05). For the NFS, tensile loading significantly increased the average osteoblast occupied sutural bone surface, in comparison with that of sham control (P<0.05). Also for the NFS suture, compression significantly reduced the average sutural osteoclast surface in comparison with sham control (P<0.05). Taken together, the present data suggest that high-frequency cyclic forces in either tension or compression induce modeling and growth changes in cranial sutures. Due to the structural complexity of cranial vault and facial sutures, either tensile or compressive forces likely are transmitted as shear stresses and upregulate genes and gene products responsible for sutural growth.
Minimum total-squared-correlation quaternary signature sets: new bounds and optimal designs

We derive new bounds on the total squared correlation (TSC) of quaternary (quadriphase) signature/sequence sets for all lengths L and set sizes K. Then, for all K, L, we design minimum-TSC optimal sets that meet the new bounds with equality. Direct numerical comparison with the TSC value of the recently obtained optimal binary sets shows under what K, L realizations gains are materialized by moving from the binary to the quaternary code-division multiplexing alphabet. On the other hand, comparison with the Welch TSC value for real/complex-field sets shows that, arguably, not much is to be gained by raising the alphabet size above four for any K,L. The sum-capacity (as well as the maximum squared correlation and total asymptotic efficiency) of minimum TSC quaternary sets is also evaluated in closed-form and contrasted against the sum capacity of minimum-TSC optimal binary and real/complex sets.
Speech Quality Evaluation: A New Application of Digital Watermarking

Speech quality evaluation is a very important research topic. In addition, the real time property of packet-switched network (e.g., the Internet) applications requires a fast and effective audio quality evaluation method. Mean opinion score (MOS) is reliable, but the listening test is very expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes impractical. The existing objective quality assessment methods require either original speech or a complicated computation model, which makes some applications of quality evaluation impossible. We propose to use digital audio watermarking to evaluate the quality of speech. The experimental results show that the method yields accurate quality scores that are very close to the results of PESQ
Tangled Up in Nanofibers

Retroviruses are both agents of disease and useful biotechnological tools—for example, as gene transfer agents. Manipulating viruses by controlling their distribution and infectivity is necessary for use in biotechnological application. To this end, Yolamanova and colleagues describe a new strategy for enhancing retroviral transmission by using self-assembled peptide nanofibers. Semen-derived fibrillar peptides have been shown to mediate HIV infection, which was the starting point for Yolamanova et al . The authors designed a new peptide with homology to HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120) that was able to form predictable nanofibers. These engineered nanofibers boosted virus infection fourfold in a human cancer cell line compared with the naturally occurring semen-derived peptides. Because they also form macromolecular complexes with retroviral particles, the authors were able to quickly isolate and concentrate virus particles via centrifugation. By concentrating the lentivirus particles, Yolamanova et al. achieved efficient viral transduction into a variety of cell types, including human cancer cells and hematopoietic stem cells. When immobilized on the surface of cell culture plates, the virus/nanofiber composites were able to infect mouse bone marrow cells ex vivo and then be engrafted back into mice more quickly than existing technologies. This process could be used to simplify and accelerate ex vivo cell transfection regimens in gene therapy approaches. Yolamanova et al. show how nanofibrous peptides can manipulate viruses, demonstrating a range of functions that have not been appreciated for this class of materials to date. The same peptide can be used for concentrating and redistributing the virus in vitro, or as a transfection enhancer. How the peptide enhances transfection is not yet known, but the material’s synthetic nature should facilitate systematic studies to understand it more deeply for its eventual use in retroviral gene therapy. M. Yolamanova et al. , Peptide nanofibrils boost retroviral gene transfer and provide a rapid means for concentrating viruses. Nat. Nanotechnol. , published online 20 January 2013 (10.1038/nnano.2012.248). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/nnano.2012.248.html
Blended and Fully Online Management Education: Comparisons and Future Research Directions

Although the term has roots in the training and development literature, blended learning has only recently begun to be studied in management education. This paper examines the literatures of blende...
Three-dimensional metamorphosis using multiplanar representation

We introduce a novel method for three-dimensional metamorphosis between two polyhedral objects with different topologies. The 3D objects are represented as multiple 2D images and well-understood 2D morphing techniques are used to morph between their 2D representations. The resulting 2D morphs are used to reconstruct the intermediate 3D objects. The user controls the metamorphosis by matching features during the 2D morphing stage. Our method is simpler and more efficient than existing 3D morphing techniques which handle general topologies since the interaction and morphing is essentially done in 2-space.
Age effects on the P300 to novel somatosensory stimuli

Abstract Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) to somatosensory task-relevant targets and task-irrelevant novel (tactile and shock) stimuli were studied in 30 subjects between the ages of 18 and 79. Target and novel P300 latencies increased linearly with age at comparable rates. P300 amplitudes and scalp topographies also changed with age. P300 amplitudes remained constant at frontal sites and decreased at central and parietal sites for both target and novel stimuli with increasing age. The current results extend the age-related novel P300 changes reported in the auditory and visual modalities to the somatosensory system. The age-related amplitude reduction at posterior scalp sites supports independent contributions of frontal and posterior association cortex to P300 generation.
On minimal order stabilization of multivariable plants

A technique is derived for a MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) plant which uses the SISO (single-input single-output) results to yield an upper bound for the MIMO minimal-order stabilizing compensator. First, the MIMO problem is set up. Some theorems which provide an upper bound for the minimal-order compensator are then presented. Finally, some examples show how this method can be used and where it fails. >
Oil in the family: managing presidential succession in Azerbaijan

This article argues that Azerbaijan did not display a backlash against the ‘colour revolutions’ in the post-Soviet space because the primary threat to the regime came from within, and not from below. Thanks to the overlap of power and property in Azerbaijan, the ruling elite's revenues from oil resources, and the failure of international actors to support the opposition, civil society did not pose a major challenge to the regime's dominance during the ‘revolutionary’ period in the mid-2000s. However, there was a risk that the regime could fragment due to factional in-fighting. President Heydar Aliyev had laboured to consolidate power throughout the 1990s after years of turmoil, and, although Azerbaijan was stable by 2003, his passing did not guarantee a smooth transition. Instead, his successor – his son, Ilham – had to carefully manage rival factions to maintain the political status quo. The article argues that scholars of post-Soviet politics, though usually drawn to formal political opposition as a sou...
Improved staging of liver tumors using laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound.

Background Intraoperative ultrasound has been shown to provide significant assistance in operative staging and management of patients with liver tumors during open surgery. The availability of the 5.0–7.5 Mhz semiflexible ultrasound transducer with gray-scale, color and spectral Doppler capabilities can provide similar information laparoscopically. Methods Twenty-four consecutive patients with liver tumors (18 metastatic and six primary), in technically resectable locations determined by a variety of conventional imaging studies, were brought to the operating room. There was no known extrahepatic disease, and there was no recurrence at the primary site in the metastatic subgroup. These patients were evaluated intraoperatively with laparoscopy and intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasound to assess resectability prior to performing a major laparotomy. Laparoscopy was successful in 23 of the patients and in 19 of 23, laparoscopic ultrasound was also employed, using the 5.0–7.5 MHz semi-flexible transducer. The use of the open entry technique, selection of alternate entry sites, coupled with expertise in laparoscopic lysis of adhesions, has allowed safe laparoscopic tumor staging. Results The laparoscopic evaluation was aborted only once due to dense adhesions, despite the fact that 67% of the patients had undergone previous abdominal surgery. There was only one complication: bleeding from a liver biopsy in an unresectable cirrhotic patient, necessitating laparotomy. Laparoscopy and ultrasound together predicted nonresectability in six of eight unresectable patients, all of whom were spared an unnecessary laparotomy. Conclusions Laparoscopic ultrasonographic evaluation for the staging of liver tumors should be a prerequisite to definitive laparotomy, with the objective of avoiding unncessary surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 64: 63–67 © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
2D and 3D adaptive signal processing in the frequency domain

New adaptive two dimensional (2D) spatial and three dimensional (3D) spatiotemporal algorithms are presented and discussed in this paper.
Ontogeny of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary (Growth Hormone)-Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Axis in Birds

The ontogeny of the hypothalamic-pituitary growth hormone (GH)-insulin- Iike growth factor- (IGF-) I axis particularly in birds is considered. Moreover, the ontogeny of IGF-II and IGF-binding proteins (IGF-BPs) are also discussed. Models for the axis in fetal and postnatal mammals, embryonic and posthatching birds, together with nutritionally-deprived mammals and birds are suggested as are the evolutionary changes in the axis
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Modulates the Proinflammatory Milieu in Staphylococcus aureus-Induced Brain Abscess

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a pattern recognition receptor (PRR) that plays an important role in innate immune recognition of conserved structural motifs on a wide array of pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus. To ascertain the functional significance of TLR2 in the context of central nervous system (CNS) parenchymal infection, we evaluated the pathogenesis of S. aureus-induced experimental brain abscess in TLR2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. The expression of several proinflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2, was significantly attenuated in brain abscesses of TLR2 KO mice compared to WT mice during the acute phase of infection. Conversely, interleukin-17 (IL-17), a cytokine produced by activated and memory T cells, was significantly elevated in lesions of TLR2 KO mice, suggesting an association between innate and adaptive immunity in brain abscess. Despite these differences, brain abscess severity in TLR2 KO and WT animals was similar, with comparable mortality rates, bacterial titers, and blood-brain barrier permeability, implying a role for alternative PRRs. Expression of the phagocytic PRRs macrophage scavenger receptor type AI/AII and lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) was increased in brain abscesses of both TLR2 KO and WT mice compared to uninfected animals. However, LOX-1 induction in brain abscesses of TLR2 KO mice was significantly attenuated compared to WT animals, revealing that the TLR2-dependent signal(s) influence LOX-1 expression. Collectively, these findings reveal the complex nature of gram-positive bacterial recognition in the CNS which occurs, in part, through engagement of TLR2 and highlight the importance of receptor redundancy for S. aureus detection in the CNS.
Parallel breadth-first BDD construction

With the increasing complexity of protocol and circuit designs, formal verification has become an important research area and binary decision diagrams (BDDs) have been shown to be a powerful tool in formal verification. This paper presents a parallel algorithm for BDD construction targeted at shared memory multiprocessors and distributed shared memory systems. This algorithm focuses on improving memory access locality through specialized memory managers and partial breadth-first expansion, and on improving processor utilization through dynamic load balancing. The results on a shared memory system show speedups of over two on four processors and speedups of up to four on eight processors. The measured results clearly identify the main source of bottlenecks and point out some intereeting directions for further improvements.
A male of the bee genus Agapostemon in Dominican amber (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Thefirst fossil species of the caenohalictine bee genus Agapostemon Guerin-Meneville (Halictinae: Caenohalictini:Agapostemonina) is described and figured from a single male preserved in EarlyMiocene (Burdigalian) amber from the Dominican Republic. Agapostemon (Notagapostemon) luzziiEngel & Breitkreuz, new species, is compared with modern species and isnoteworthy for the absence of metafemoral modifications [in this regardplesiomorphically resembling the West Indian A. kohliellus (Vachal)and A. centratus (Vachal)], form of the head and protibial antennalcleaner, integumental sculpturing, and male terminalia, the latter of which arefortunately exposed and cleared. Briefcomments are made on the affinity of the species to others in the West Indiesand surrounding regions as well as possible biogeographic implications.
Associations Between Causal Agents of the Beech Bark Disease Complex [Cryptococcus fagisuga (Homoptera: Cryptococcidae) and Nectria spp.] in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

American beech, Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart, is currently threatened by the insect- mediated disease complex known as beech bark disease. The organisms (beech scale, Cryptococcus fagisuga Lindinger, and two pathogenic fungi, Nectria galligena Bresadola and Nectria coccinea variety faginata Lohman, Watson, and Ayers) associated with beech bark disease were assessed using a qualitative rating system and correlated with other biotic and abiotic factors in 10 permanent plots in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from spring 1994 through spring 1997. Tree mortality, as well as the presence of another scale species (Xylococculus betulae (Pergande)), also were documented and analyzed. During this study, incidence of C. fagisuga and overall tree mortality increased (55.6 Ð 87.9 and 16.0 Ð26.8%, respectively). A forward stepwise logistic regression model selected average overall ratings of C. fagisuga, sum of presence of X. betulae, average presence of .X. betulae, average overall ratings of Nectria spp., maximum presence of X. betulae, sum of south ratings of C. fagisuga, average south ratings of C. fagisuga, and diameter at breast height (dbh) of the tree as signiÞcant variables that best explained mortality of American beech. Pearson correlation analysis showed signiÞcant associations between ratings of Nectria spp. and C. fagisuga from both the previous season and previous year during fall 1996 and spring 1997. Moderate correlations between elevation, as well as aspect, and north, south, and overall ratings of C. fagisuga from fall 1995 to spring 1997 were documented. The signiÞcant association between presence of C. fagisuga and infection by Nectria spp. suggests that control of C. fagisuga could decrease occurrence and slow the spread of beech bark disease. Unless appropriate control and/or management of the disease complex is identiÞed and implemented, mortality of American beech is expected to increase throughout most areas in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Structural and Antiferromagnetic Properties of Ba(Fe1−x−yCoxRhy)2As2 compounds

We present a systematic investigation of the electrical, structural, and antiferromagnetic properties for the series of $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{y})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ compounds with fixed $x\ensuremath{\approx}0.027$ and $0\ensuremath{\le}y\ensuremath{\le}0.035$. We compare our results for the Co-Rh doped $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{y})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ compounds with the Co doped $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ compounds. We demonstrate that the electrical, structural, antiferromagnetic, and superconducting properties of the Co-Rh doped compounds are similar to the properties of the Co doped compounds. We find that the overall behaviors of $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{y})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ compounds are very similar when the total number of extra electrons per Fe/$\text{TM}$ $(\text{TM}=\text{transition}$ metal) site is considered, which is consistent with the rigid band model. Despite the similarity, we find that the details of the transitions, for example, the temperature difference between the structural and antiferromagnetic transition temperatures and the incommensurability of the antiferromangetic peaks, are different between $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x\ensuremath{-}y}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Rh}}_{y})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ and $\mathrm{Ba}{({\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{As}}_{2}$ compounds.
Inadvertent retention of angled drill guides after volar locking plate fixation of distal radial fractures. A report of three cases.

Advances in locking plate technology have proven especially valuable for fixation of distal radial fractures, and preliminary results have been excellent1-6. However, new technology can sometimes lead to new complications. In some systems, the locking plates are preloaded with angled drill guides to allow for easy placement of locking screws in the proper direction (Fig. 1). The drill guides are designed to be removed prior to closure. We report the cases of three patients in whom the angled drill guides were retained after surgery. Institutional review board approval was obtained for this study, and the patients were informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and they consented. Fig. 1 The Hand Innovations Distal Volar Radius (DVR) locking plate. The proximal and distal rows are preloaded with angled drill guides. Case 1. A sixty-three-year-old woman sustained a closed distal radial fracture after a fall. Attempted closed reduction was unacceptable, and the patient elected to proceed with open reduction and internal fixation. Fixation consisted of open reduction and application of a Distal Volar Radius (DVR) plate (Hand Innovations, Miami, Florida) with use of intraoperative fluoroscopy. The first formal radiographs were obtained at two-week follow-up in the office showing three retained drill guides. The patient was offered surgery to remove the guides but declined. By six weeks after the operation, she had attained full range of motion of the wrist and had returned to work with no pain. Nine months postoperatively, she presented …
Energy requirements for racing endurance sled dogs.

Endurance sled dogs have unique dietary energy requirements. At present, there is disparity in the literature regarding energy expenditure and thus energy requirements of these dogs. We sought to further elucidate energy requirements for endurance sled dogs under field conditions. Three sled dog teams completing the 2011 Yukon Quest volunteered to provide diet history. Nutritional content was evaluated and a mock meal was analysed for each team. Race data were obtained from www.yukonquest.com. Dogs were weighed at the start of the race in Whitehorse Yukon (WH), a mid-way checkpoint in Dawson Yukon (DS) and at the finish in Fairbanks Alaska. Data are average value per dog or per dog per d. Linear regression compared average weight loss to average kcal/dog consumed daily. Diets and feeding regimes were similar for all three teams. The average daily energy intake and nutrient content was similar for all diets. During leg one (WH to DS), team 1 gained weight overall, whereas the other two teams experienced weight loss. Linear regression revealed 37 638 kJ/dog/d (8995 kcal/dog/d) was required for weight maintenance. During leg two (DS to Fairbanks Alaska), average weights decreased for all three teams. The extrapolated kcal requirement was approximately 57 734 kJ/dog/d (13 799 kcal/dog/d). The carbohydrate contents of these diets also suggest that presumed fat intake for endurance sled dogs may be slightly less than previously thought. Finally, these data support the concept that dietary energy requirements vary substantially with additional variables such as load pulled, terrain and ambient temperature.
Nucleotides regulate NaCl transport in mIMCD-K2 cells via P2X and P2Y purinergic receptors.

Extracellular nucleotides regulate NaCl transport in some epithelia. However, the effects of nucleotide agonists on NaCl transport in the renal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) are not known....
Obesity and trauma mortality: Sizing up the risks in motor vehicle crashes

Summary Background Protective effects of safety devices in obese motorists in motor vehicle collisions (MVC) remain unclear. Aim of our study is to assess the association between morbid obesity and mortality in MVC, and to determine the efficacy of protective devices. We hypothesised that patients with morbid obesity will be at greater risk of death after MVC. Methods A retrospective analysis of MVC patients (age ≥16 y.o.) was performed using the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2010. Patients with recorded comorbidity of morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40) were identified. Patients dead on arrival, with isolated traumatic brain injury, or incomplete data were excluded. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results Our sample of 214,306 MVC occupants included 10,260 (4.8%) morbidly obese patients. Mortality risk was greatest among occupants with morbid obesity (ORcrude 1.74 [1.54–1.98]). After adjusting for patient demographics, safety device and physiological severity, odds of death was 1.52 [1.33–1.74] times greater in motorists with morbid obesity. Motorists with morbid obesity were at greater risk of death if no restraint (OR 1.84 [1.47–2.31]), seatbelt only (OR 1.48 [1.17–1.86]), or both seatbelt and airbag were present (OR 1.49 [1.13–1.97]). No significant differences in the odds of death exist between drivers with morbid obesity and non-morbidly obese drivers with only airbag deployment (OR 0.99 [0.65–1.51]). Conclusions Motorists with morbid obesity are at greater risk of MVC. Regardless of safety device use, occupants with morbid obesity remained at greater risk of death. Further research examining the effectiveness of vehicle restraints in drivers with morbid obesity is warranted.
Teaching Who Killed Vincent Chin? – 1991 and 2001

For the purposes of this article, I have chosen to present six student responses, three from students taking my Asian American courses in 1991 and three from a decade later in 2001. These responses are excerpts from students' weekly class journals, in which they are asked to discuss their reactions to texts, or in this case the film, Who Killed Vincent Chin? In their tone and content, these six responses are very typical and thus representative of the hundreds of student responses I have collected over the years. I have chosen to present each of the six selected responses in its entirety, without interruptions by my comments, so that readers can follow the writer's unbroken train of thought. For each of the responses, I include the college class, gender, and the racial self-identification of the student.
Influences of Ions, Enzymes, and Detergents on γ-Aminobutyric Acid-Receptor Binding in Synaptic Membranes of Rat Brain

The effects of ions, detergents, and enzymes on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding to synaptic receptor sites in membranes of rat brain in the absence of sodium is contrasted with influences on sodium-dependent GABA binding. The anions thiocyanate, iodide, and nitrate increase the potency of the GABA antagonist bicuculline 10-fold in inhibiting sodium-independent GABA-receptor binding without affecting the potency of GABA agonists. Very low concentrations of the detergent Triton X-100 increase sodium-independent GABA-receptor binding up to 5-fold. In the presence of Triton X-100, GABA-receptor binding can be detected with considerable sensitivity using fresh or previously frozen tissue in the presence of sodium, facilitating studies of GABA receptors in small tissue samples and increasing the sensitivity of radioreceptor assays for endogenous GABA.
A case study of the performing arts production program as a means of inclusive community building within the performing arts management domain

OF THE THESIS A CASE STUDY OF THE PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCTION PROGRAM AS A MEANS OF INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING WITHIN THE PERFORMING ARTS MANAGEMENT DOMAIN by Kawachi Ahmon Clemons Florida International University, 2000 Miami, Florida Karen Fuller, Major Professor The problem examined in this study involved the lack of inclusiveness within upper level positions in the performing arts production arena. Traditionally, the production domain has centered on a Eurocentric Model where homogeneity is favored. The study was conducted with three major phases in mind. The first was to bring the reader to an awareness of what it means to build an inclusive community. The second included historical data to confirm the industry's bias practices of exclusion of minorities and women. The third and final phase shows the development and implementation of programming which lends itself to diversifying the performing arts production domain. Findings concluded an effectiveness of both the content and process of the Performing Arts Production program as a means of providing opportunities for minorities and women toward attaining a successful management careers in performing arts management. Furthermore, this study illustrated a number of programs and opportunities available for minorities and women who wish to embark upon upper level positions within performing arts production.
This Benevolent Experiment: Indigenous Boarding Schools, Genocide, and Redress in Canada and the United States. By Andrew Woolford

This Benevolent Experiment: Indigenous Boarding Schools, Genocide, and Redress in Canada and the United States . Indigenous Education Series. By Andrew Woolford. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2015. xv + 432 pp. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $90.00.) One of Andrew Woolford’s vital contributions in this work is his convincing argument that the distinction between cultural genocide and biological genocide is unsustainable. If genocide is the conscious destruction of a group, then, Woolford argues, taking culture seriously as a group marker means acknowledging that destruction of existing culture, as well as the ability to create new culture, means the death of a group just as readily as the physical death of all of its members. In short, forced assimilation is genocide. This assertion is particularly helpful in the context of … johnrgram{at}missouristate.edu
The B-H···H-P Dihydrogen Bonding in Ion Pair Complexes [(CF3)3BH-][HPH3-n(Me)n] (n = 0-3) and Its Implication in H2 Elimination and Activation Reactions

The B-H(delta-)...(delta+)H-P dihydrogen bonding (DHB) in ion pair complexes [(CF(3))(3)BH(-)][HPH(3-n)(Me)(n)(+)] (n = 0-3) and its role in the combination of proton and hydride with the release of H(2) or, reversibly, the heterolytic activation of H(2) by Lewis pairs (CF(3))(3)BPH(3-n)(Me)(n) have been theoretically investigated at the MP2 and DFT levels. It is found that the B-H...H-P bonds behave similarly to those in neutral pairs and ion-molecule complexes in most respects, such as the linearity of the H...H-P moiety, the characteristics of the electron transfer and rearrangement, and the topological properties of the DHB critical point, except that in certain cases, a blue-shifting of the H-bond vibrational frequency is observed. In [(CF(3))(3)BH(-)][HPH(3-n)(Me)(n)(+)], the proton shifting within the complexes leads to the formation of the dihydrogen complex B(CF(3))(3)(eta(2)-H(2)), which is followed by a subsequent H(2) release. The stability of B(CF(3))(3)(eta(2)-H(2)) (D(e)/D(0) = 10.8/6.0 kcal/mol) makes the proton-hydride combination proceed in a fashion similar to the protonation reactions in transition-metal hydrides rather than those in group 13 hydrides EH(4)(-) (E = B, Al, Ga). As for the H(2)-splitting reaction R(3)BPR'(3) + H(2) --> [R(3)BH(-)][HPR'(3)(+)], classical Lewis pair (CLP) (CF(3))(3)BPH(3) exhibits a high barrier and results in an unstable ion pair product [(CF(3))(3)BH(-)][HPH(3)(+)] compared with the "frustrated Lewis pair" (FLP) (C(6)F(5))(3)BP(tBu)(3). A detailed analysis of the mechanistic aspects of H(2) activation by (CF(3))(3)BPH(3) and (C(6)F(5))(3)BP(tBu)(3), supported by another CLP (CF(3))(3)BP(tBu)(3) which has a binding energy comparable to (CF(3))(3)BPH(3) but a reaction exothermicity comparable to (C(6)F(5))(3)BP(tBu)(3), allows us to suggest that the low stability of FLP (C(6)F(5))(3)BP(tBu)(3) is the determining factor for the low reaction barrier. The relative stability and other properties of the ion pair products [R(3)BH(-)][HPR'(3)(+)] have also been analyzed. Results strongly support the view proposed by Rokob et al. [ Rokob , T. A. ; Hamza , A. ; Stirling , A. ; Soos , T. ; Papai , I. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2008 , 47 , 2435 ] that the frustration energy lowers the energy barrier and increases the exothermicity of the reaction.
Characteristics of Catastrophic Hospital Expenditures

Financially catastrophic illness occurs relatively infrequently. Depending on how it is defined, in any one year it affects 1.0 to 2.0% of the non-institutionalized population but accounts for about 20% of health care expenditures. This report of a study of the incidence and characteristics of catastrophic inpatient episodes is based on the analysis of all discharges (586,319) from all hospitals (54) in Maryland during 1981 and all patients with multiple discharges (141,187) from 28 Maryland hospitals with unique patient identifiers during three years (1979–1981). The first set of analyses are based on discharges; for the second, the unit of observation is the patient.
Diagnostic Approach to the Newborn with Ambiguous Genitalia

When assessing an infant with ambiguous genitalia, there are some important points to remember: Do not delay the evaluation of a patient with ambiguous genitalia. A delay may expose the patient unnecessarily to a life-threatening situation, such as a salt-losing crisis associated with 21-hydroxylase deficiency or one of the testosterone biosynthetic defects. Also, it is unfair to expect the family to be able to deal emotionally with the uncertainty of unresolved gender assignment. Never perform a buccal smear. There is absolutely no indication for performing a buccal smear at any point in the evaluation of any patient with ambiguous genitalia. Use of a buccal smear to determine gender assignment was helpful decades ago, before analysis of human chromosomes was possible. With current cytogenetic methodologies that can detect chromosomal mosaicism and subtle abnormalities of the X and Y chromosomes, there is never an indication to perform a buccal smear. Never make a gender assignment on the basis of the appearance of the external genitalia alone. The chromosomal sex and gonadal sex need to be determined first. The parents' feelings regarding the desired sex of the child, gender identity and fertility need to be discussed. Once there are sufficient data, gender assignment can be made. Gender assignment should be made as soon as possible after birth, but absolutely should be made by 18 months of age, when children develop gender identity. Never equivocate in the assignment of gender. The parents and the physicians must be absolutely certain of the gender assignment and must view their decision as final. Follow-up visits with the family ideally include an assessment of their acceptance of the gender assignment of the child. If there is ambivalence, steps must be taken to identify the source of ambivalence and to clarify the issues.
Diverse regulation of Bcl-2 in microvascular endothelial cells leads to altered pattern of gene expression

B162 The tumor microenvironment plays a major role in establishing and maintaining tumoral angiogenesis. Previously we demonstrated that Bcl-2 expressing prostatic tumors, are not only more tumorigenic but are more angiogenic. Increased rates of angiogenesis could be due to these cancer cells overexpressing and secreting more angiogenic factors, specifically Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). We now report that VEGF stimulation induces Bcl-2 expression, stabilizes mRNA Bcl-2, and protects these endothelial cells from apoptosis. Indeed the importance of Bcl-2 expression is evident by the fact that four distinct pathways (i.e., mTOR, PI3K, PKC, and ERK) contribute to Bcl-2 expression in endothelial cells. Microarray analysis of VEGF stimulated Bcl-2 expressing endothelial cells triggered a transcriptional program of genes involved in cellular metabolism, cell recognition and communication, transport, and signal transduction. Collectively, these data suggest that Bcl-2 expression in endothelial cells plays a major role in differentiation, proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Furthermore, these data provide a possible explanation for the observed association between Bcl-2 expression and enhanced angiogenesis.
Mitral Regurgitation: Acute

Diagnosis of presence and determination of etiology are urgent in order to initiate appropriate interventional therapy, which may be lifesaving
Analyte-induced spectral filtering in femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy

Abstract We discuss the influence of spectral filtering by samples in femtosecond transient absorption measurements. Commercial instruments for transient absorption spectroscopy (TA) have become increasingly available to scientists in recent years and TA is becoming an established technique to measure the dynamics of photoexcited systems. We show that absorption of the excitation pulse by the sample can severely alter the spectrum and consequently the temporal pulse shape. This “spectral self-filtering” effect can lead to systematic errors and misinterpretation of data, most notably in concentration dependent measurements. The combination of narrow absorption peaks in the sample with ultrafast broadband excitation pulses is especially prone to this effect.
SD-SEM: sparse-dense correspondence for 3D reconstruction of microscopic samples

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging has been a principal component of many studies in biomedical, mechanical, and materials sciences since its emergence. Despite the high resolution of captured images, they remain two-dimensional (2D). In this work, a novel framework using sparse-dense correspondence is introduced and investigated for 3D reconstruction of stereo SEM images. SEM micrographs from microscopic samples are captured by tilting the specimen stage by a known angle. The pair of SEM micrographs is then rectified using sparse scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) features/descriptors and a contrario RANSAC for matching outlier removal to ensure a gross horizontal displacement between corresponding points. This is followed by dense correspondence estimation using dense SIFT descriptors and employing a factor graph representation of the energy minimization functional and loopy belief propagation (LBP) as means of optimization. Given the pixel-by-pixel correspondence and the tilt angle of the specimen stage during the acquisition of micrographs, depth can be recovered. Extensive tests reveal the strength of the proposed method for high-quality reconstruction of microscopic samples.
High performance computing (HPC) 3 dimensional integrated (3DI) thermal test vehicle validation effort

As system performance requirements for high performance computing (HPC) systems become more demanding, the need to increase component packaging density to shorten interconnect distances becomes more stringent. One technique for accomplishing this requirement is to implement 3-dimensional heterogeneous integration of system components. In an earlier publication, we described the design of a processor-memory module for a high performance computing (HPC) application space using a 3D integration (3DI) approach [1]. The design was based on interconnection and power delivery requirements for a processor-memory module capable of supporting 64 full-duplex 30 Gb/second SerDes, routing for 800 processor-to-memory pins, an integrated multi-tiered power delivery network, and a thermal management solution capable of dissipating a nominal processor heat flux of 100 W/cm2. Using thermal test chips (TTC), we designed and assembled a 3D processor-memory module with an integrated power delivery network to investigate interconnect density, integration, testability, and rework issues with 3D integrated packaging in an HPC environment. The technologies selected—semi-rigid flex, power connectors, land grid array (LGA) attachment with an anisotropic film, and cold plate-based cooling—are all commercially available, which were adapted for the test module. We were able to fabricate and conduct thermal testing of this design. This paper includes an overview of our HPC 3DI thermal test vehicle (3DI TTV) design, and compares test results between measured and simulated temperatures for the TTCs used to emulate both the memory and the processor. Unexpected differences were observed between the measured and simulated results at a corner location on the TTC. After ruling out device and test equipment issues, we discovered a silicon defect that, although it could not be modeled using our standard computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods, appeared to explain the measured results. A rudimentary finite element analysis (FEA) analysis agreed more closely with the measured results, indicating the need for awareness of possible limitations with assumptions used in our CFD analysis.
Target location estimation for single channel electromagnetic induction data

This work describes a target location estimation procedure for single channel 2-D electromagnetic induction (EMI) scan data for both a rotating and non-rotating sensor head. The location estimation technique is based on a new low-rank model for electromagnetic induction data and and addresses difficulties in how to efficiently construct the dictionary for inverting the single channel EMI data. The location estimation technique is tested on simulated data for a single z-directed wire loop for both a rotating and non-rotating sensor head, and on non-rotating sensor head laboratory measurements for four different mine types. The technique is shown to accurately estimate the target location for simulated data and experimental data, and is able to estimate the location of strong mine targets at depths of 20 – 30 cm with ±2 cm error.