cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gaddum’s test for symmetric cones

A real symmetric matrix A is copositive if $$\left\langle {Ax},{x}\right\rangle \ge 0$$ for all x in the nonnegative orthant. Copositive programming gained fame when Burer showed that hard nonconvex problems can be formulated as completely-positive programs. Alas, the power of copositive programming is offset by its difficulty: simple questions like “is this matrix copositive?” have complicated answers. In 1958, Jerry Gaddum proposed a recursive procedure to check if a given matrix is copositive by solving a series of matrix games. It is easy to implement and conceptually simple. Copositivity generalizes to cones other than the nonnegative orthant. If K is a proper cone, then the linear operator L is copositive on K if $$\left\langle {L \left( {x}\right) },{x}\right\rangle \ge 0$$ for all x in K. Little is known about these operators in general. We extend Gaddum’s test to self-dual and symmetric cones, thereby deducing criteria for copositivity in those settings.
Race but Not Racism: The Jesse Owens Story and Race

An analysis of The Jesse Owens Story (1984) and Race (2016) provides a unique opportunity to examine the portrayal of race relations in popular culture as the biopics offer two different versions o...
A Comprehensive Scheduling Framework Using SP-ADMM for Residential Demand Response With Weather and Consumer Uncertainties

This paper presents a comprehensive scheduling framework for residential demand response (DR) programs considering both the day-ahead and real-time electricity markets. In the first stage, residential customers determine the operating status of their responsive devices such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and electric water heaters (EWHs), while the distribution system operator (DSO) computes the amount of electricity to be purchased in the day-ahead electricity market. In the second stage, the DSO purchases insufficient (or sells surplus) electricity in the real-time electricity market to maintain the supply-demand balance. Due to its computational complexity and data privacy issues, the proposed model cannot be directly solved in a centralized manner, especially with a large number of uncertain scenarios. Therefore, this paper proposes a combination of stochastic programming (SP) and the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) algorithm, called SP-ADMM, to decompose the original model and then solve each sub-problem in a distributed manner while considering multiple uncertain scenarios. The simulation study is performed on the IEEE 33-bus system including 121 residential houses. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for large-scale residential DR applications under weather and consumer uncertainties.
Antenna Model Using Ideal Passive RF Components and Circularly Polarized Antenna Elements

A recently developed and validated model used ideal passive radio-frequency (RF) components (a power splitter/combiner, two attenuators, and two transmission lines) and two collocated orthogonally linearly polarized antenna elements to represent with high fidelity an arbitrary RF antenna. This paper modifies that model to use two orthogonally circularly polarized antenna elements rather than the linearly polarized antenna elements. The paper first derives a technique for decomposing an arbitrarily elliptically polarized electric field into two orthogonally circularly polarized electric-field components. The paper next shows a simple mathematical mapping of a monochromatic source voltage signal to the circularly polarized components composing the empirically observed far-field vector electric field. The paper next isolates the proposed transmit-antenna model, representing its key features with ideal passive RF components. The paper then proposes a companion receive-antenna model based on the theoretical behavior of the transmit-antenna model's ideal RF components. Finally, the paper demonstrates the new receive-antenna model exhibits the same polarization-mismatch loss exhibited by the original antenna model.
Vaginal seeding after cesarean birth: Can we build a better infant microbiome?

In this issue of Med, Song et al. compared 174 maternal and 177 infant microbiota after vaginal and cesarean delivery, including 30 vaginally seeded cesarean-born infants. Vaginal seeding partially corrected the microbial divergence observed between cesarean- and vaginal-born infant microbiomes. Infant microbiota resembled corresponding maternal sites, despite delivery mode or seeding.
Fundamental Physical Problems of Quantum Electrodynamics

It is usually asserted that quantum electrodynamics (QED) is in excellent agreement with experiments and that the only troubles which beset this theory are of a mathematical nature: the removal of divergences by renormalization needs to be given a mathematically meaningful formulation.
The marriage of research and practice [software research]

Some types of research are of interest to all software readers, and all types o f research are of interest to some software readers; but not all types of research are of interest to all Software readers. The key to success for IEEE Software, or any other publication trying to disseminate research results to practitioners, is to identify research that is of interest to "all Software readers.".
Least-Cost Structural Optimization Oriented Preliminary Design

A computer design package is presented that provides optimum midship scantlings (plating, longitudinal members and frames). Basic characteristics such as L,B,T,C b , the global structure layout, and applied loads are the requested data. It is not necessary to provide a feasible initial scantling. Within about one hour of computation time with a usual PC or laptop the LBR-5 software automatically provides a rational optimum design. This software is an optimization tool dedicated to preliminary design. Its main advantages, in the early stage of design, are ease of structural modeling, rapid 3-D rational analysis of a ship's hold, and scantling optimization. Preliminary design is the most relevant and the least expensive time to modify design scantling and to compare different alternatives. Unfortunately, it is often too early for efficient use of many commercial software systems, such as FEM. This paper explains how it is now possible to perform optimization at the early design stage, including a 3-D numerical structural analysis. LBR-5 is based on the Module Oriented Approach. Design variables are the dimensions of the longitudinal and transversal members, plate thickness and spacing between members. The software contains three major modules. First, the Cost Module to assess the construction cost which is the objective function (least construction cost). So, unit material costs (Euro/kg or $/kg), welding, cutting, fairing, productivity (man-hours/m) and basic labor costs (Euro/man-hour) have to be specified by the user to define an explicit objective function. Then, there is the Constraint Module to perform a rational analysis of the global structure. This structure is modeled using stiffened plate and stiffened cylindrical shell elements. Finally, the Opti Module which contains a mathematical programming code (CONLIN) to solve constrained nonlinear optimization problems with a reduced number of reanalyses. Usually less than 15 analyses are required even with hundreds of design variables and hundreds of constraints. Optimum analysis of a FSO unit (Floating Storage Offloading) is presented as an example of the performance of the LBR-5 tool.
Electrochemistry of methotrexate and its metabolites: Part II. Reduction of 7-hydroxymethotrexate

Abstract The electrochemical reduction of 7-hydroxymethotrexate has been studied in the pH range of 2 to 11. At acidic and neutral pHs, 7-hydroxymethotrexate exhibits two reduction peaks. On the basis of the results obtained from experiments involving polarography, cyclic voltammetry, and high performance liquid chromatographic analysis of constant potential electrolysis of 7-hydroxymethotrexate and its analogs, it seems that the first electrochemical reduction process cleaves the side chain at the C 9 N 10 bond. The electrochemical process at more negative potentials involves the reduction of the N 5 C 6 double bond in the pyrazine ring. At alkaline pH only a single electrochemical peak is observed using polarography or cyclic voltammetry, because the cleavage reaction and the reduction of the ring occur at nearly the same potential, making the peaks indistinguishable from one another. Adsorption and filming of 2,4-diamino-6-methyl-7(8H)-pteridinone on the mercury electrode surface was documented using cyclic voltammetry.
Size and Charge Distinctions Between Endogenous Human Plasma Gastrin in Peripheral Blood and Heptadecapeptide Gastrins

The major fraction of immunoreactive plasma gastrin in peripheral blood, cross-reacting in a radioimmunoassay system with 125I-porcine gastrin I, exhibits less acidic behavior on starch gel and paper electrophoresis and a larger molecular size on Sephadex gel filtration than that shown by heptadecapeptide gastrins. The plasma hormone is not altered by boiling and could not be shown to be converted by antral aqueous extracts to heptadecapeptide-like gastrin. From the electrophoretic and filtration behavior of plasma gastrin, it is suggested that the major fraction of the plasma hormone is a molecule of approximately 7000 mol wt containing heptadecapeptide gastrin linked to a more basic peptide. A small fraction of plasma hormone exhibits characteristics similar to heptadecapeptide gastrin.
A new method for detecting and interpreting biodiversity and ecological community thresholds

Summary 1. Existing methods for identifying ecological community thresholds are designed for univariate indicators or multivariate dimension-reduction of community structure. Most are insensitive to responses of individual taxa with low occurrence frequencies or highly variable abundances, properties of the vast majority of taxa in community data sets. We introduce Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis (TITAN) to detect changes in taxa distributions along an environmental gradient over space or time, and assess synchrony among taxa change points as evidence for community thresholds. 2. TITAN uses indicator species scores to integrate occurrence, abundance and directionality of taxa responses. It identifies the optimum value of a continuous variable, x, that partitions sample units while maximizing taxon-specific scores. Indicator z scores standardize original scores relative to the mean and SD of permuted samples along x, thereby emphasizing the relative magnitude of change and increasing the contributions of taxa with low occurrence frequencies but high sensitivity to the gradient. TITAN distinguishes negative (z−) and positive (z+) taxa responses and tracks cumulative responses of declining [sum(z−)] and increasing [sum(z+)] taxa in the community. Bootstrapping is used to estimate indicator reliability and purity as well as uncertainty around the location of individual taxa and community change points. 3. Using two simulated data sets, TITAN correctly identified taxon and community thresholds in more than 99% of 500 unique versions of each simulation. In contrast, multivariate change-point analysis did not distinguish directional taxa responses, resulting in much wider confidence intervals that in one instance failed to capture thresholds in 38% of the iterations. 4. Retrospective analysis of macroinvertebrate community response to a phosphorus gradient supported previous threshold estimates, although TITAN produced narrower confidence limits and revealed that several taxa declined at lower levels of phosphorus. Re-analysis of macroinvertebrate responses to an urbanization gradient illustrated disparate change points for declining (0·81–3·3% urban land) and increasing (6·8–26·6%) taxa, whereas the published threshold estimate (20–30%) missed the declining-taxa threshold because it could not distinguish their synchronous decline from the gradual increase in ubiquitous taxa. 5.Synthesis and applications. By deconstructing communities to assess synchrony of taxon-specific change points, TITAN provides a sensitive and precise alternative to existing methods for assessing community thresholds. TITAN has tremendous potential to inform conservation of rare or threatened species, develop species sensitivity models, identify reference conditions and to support development of numerical regulatory criteria.
Importance of bleomycin in favorable-prognosis disseminated germ cell tumors: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trial.

PURPOSEThis prospective, randomized trial was designed to determine if three cycles of cisplatin plus etoposide (PVP16) can produce therapeutic results comparable to three cycles of cisplatin, etoposide, and bleomycin (PVP16B) in patients with disseminated germ cell tumors.PATIENTS AND METHODSOne hundred seventy-eight patients with minimal- or moderate-stage disease (Indiana staging system) were randomized to receive cisplatin (20 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5) plus etoposide (100 mg/m2 on days 1 to 5) with or without weekly bleomycin (30 IU/wk for 9 consecutive weeks). Following three cycles of chemotherapy over 9 weeks, patients with residual radiographic disease underwent surgical resection. If persistent carcinoma was noted, two additional 3-week courses of chemotherapy were administered.RESULTSOne hundred seventy-one patients were fully assessable for response and survival. The two treatment groups were similar with respect to patient characteristics. The toxicities were comparable between the two arms. No cl...
Traditional software development's effects on safety

Faults in a system can result in catastrophic consequences such as death, injury or environmental harm. For example, the Therac 25 incident killed two patients and severely injured a third patient due to a software error. The Therac 25 is a computer-controlled therapeutic radiation machine. Governmental, industrial, and academic researchers are searching for new ways to prevent and detect hazardous faults when developing and certifying safety-critical software systems. To determine the effects of these new techniques, this paper discusses an experiment where developers in the control group followed a traditional methodology while the experimental group followed a modified methodology, which consisted of the control group's methodology along with certain safety-specific methods and guidelines for the following life-cycle phases: specification, design, and verification. The results showed that the experimental group had fewer latent safety-critical faults than the control group. >
Interactions of liguleless1 and liguleless2 Function During Ligule Induction in Maize

The maize ligule is an adaxial membranous structure on the leaf that develops at the boundary of the sheath and blade. The ligule and the associated auricle are dispensable structures, amenable to genetic manipulation. We present here a genetic analysis of liguleless1 (lg1) and liguleless2 (lg2), the two genes known to be uniquely necessary for ligule and auricle development. We show that both reference mutant alleles, lg1-R and lg2-R, are null alleles. The double mutant phenotype suggests that lg1 and lg2 act in the same pathway. Indeed, the dosage of a functional allele at either gene affects the null phenotype of the other. While lg1 function has previously been shown to be cell-autonomous, here we show that the lg2-R phenotype is cell-nonautonomous, suggesting lg1 and lg2 play different roles in the ligule-auricle induction mechanism. We present a model in which early lg2 function specifies the precise position where ligule and auricle will develop. Later lg2 function interacts with lg1 function (either directly or indirectly) to transmit and receive a make-ligule-make-auricle inductive signal.
On the heat setting and thermomechanical behavior of polyethylene terephthalate and nylon 66 monofilaments

Abstract The force-temperature history of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and nylon 66 monofilaments was explored at annealing temperatures of 100,125, 150,175, and 200°C. Annealing was carried out at constant length with 0, 5, 10, and 15% pre-strain. Unexpected difference in behavior was observed during the cooling stage subsequent to the annealing stage. The PET monofilament behavior is attributed to its very high degree of crystallinity.
The effects of long-term immobilization on the histomorphology of human cortical bone.

The cortical bone histomorphometrics, total visible osteon density, and mean osteonal cross-sectional area were determined for the major long bones and sixth ribs of two individuals with neurological deficit. One was a multiple sclerosis patient who had been in a wheelchair for 15 years. The other was a quadriplegic as a result of poliomyelitis. Statistically significant differences in osteon densities occurred only in the case of the quadriplegic. Nevertheless, in that subject, the total visible osteon densities for bones of the right arm were not statistically different from those of their age-matched (control) radii. Medical history records revealed that there had been partial use of this limb. These results support the belief that mechanical stress is an important factor in the maintenance of normal cortical bone remodeling. In addition, since there were subnormal osteon densities and normal mean osteonal cross-sectional areas, immobilization appears to be characterized by reduced activation frequency with a normal amount of bone turnover per BMU.
Comparison in women versus men of composition of atherosclerotic plaques in native coronary arteries and in saphenous veins used as aortocoronary conduits

Objectives. This study quantifies and compares the components of atherosclerotic plaques in native coronary arteries and in saphenous vein grafts used for aortocoronary bypass surgery in women versus those in men. Background. Plaque composition has been described in various manifestations of fatal coronary artery disease and after the bypass operation, but no reports have investigated this composition according to gender. Methods. A total of 979 5-mm segments of native coronary arteries and 842 5-mm segments of saphenous vein grafts were examined by computerized planimetric technique in 11 women and 11 men who were matched for survival time after the bypass operation. Results. Comparison of the plaque components revealed that atherosclerotic plaques in women, compared with those in men, contained significantly more cellular fibrous tissue, both in native coronary arteries (mean 38% vs. 4%, p < 0.001) and in saphenous vein grafts (mean 70% vs. 36%, p < 0.05). In contrast, the proportion of dense fibrous tissue was significantly less in the atherosclerotic plaques of women than in those of men, both in native coronary arteries (mean 50% vs. 85%, p < 0.001) and in saphenous vein grafts (mean 25% vs. 57%, p < 0.05). Conclusions. Cellular fibrous tissue is often found at an early stage of plaque development, whereas dense fibrous tissue is a major component in later stages. Thus, the plaque composition of the native coronary arteries and saphenous venous conduits differed in men and women, with the plaques of the women appearing younger than those of the men.
Deletion of the Structural Gene for the NADH-Dehydrogenase Subunit 4 of Synechocystis 6803 Alters Respiratory Properties'

Chloroplasts and cyanobacteria contain genes encoding polypeptides homologous to some subunits of the mitochondrial respiratory NADH-ubiquinol oxidoreductase complex (NADH dehydrogenase). Nothing is known of the role of the NADH dehydrogenase complex in photosynthesis, respiration, or other functions in chloroplasts, and little is known about the specific roles of the perhaps 42 subunits of this complex in the mitochondrion. Inactivation of a gene for subunit 4 (ndhD-2, ndh4) of this complex in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis 6803 has no effect on photosynthesis, judging from the rate of photoautotrophic growth of mutant cells, but the mutant9s respiratory rate is about 6 times greater than that of wild-type cells. Respiratory electron transport activity in cyanobacteria is associated both with photosynthetic thylakoid membranes and with the outer cytoplasmic membrane of the cell. Cytoplasmic membranes of mutant cells have much greater NADH-dependent cytochrome reductase activity than preparations from wild-type cells; this activity remains at wild-type levels in isolated thylakoid membranes. It is suggested that the 56.6-kD product of ndhD-2 is not essential for the activity of a cytoplasmic membrane-bound NADH dehydrogenase but that it regulates the rate of electron flow through the complex, establishing a link between this ndh gene and respiration. The activity of the molecularly distinct thylakoid-bound NADH dehydrogenase is apparently unaffected by the loss of ndhD-2.
Social Work Knowledge of Community-Based Services for Older Adults: An Educational Model for Social Work Students

Social workers are often the key link between older adults, their families and community-based services. Thus, knowledge about older adults and community-based care is imperative for social work practice. Evaluation data are provided on a national multisite effort (N = 353) from 35 schools to assure graduate social work student's competency related to community services for older adults. Results suggest that the educational model as described in this article sets forth positive outcomes in the education of aging savvy social workers. Ongoing social work education is needed to meet the burgeoning needs of the geriatric population.
Heterologous charging of Neurospora crassa phenylalanine tRNA by Escherichia coli valyl-tRNA synthetase.

Abstract We have used tRNAs protected against periodate oxidation by charging with specific amino acids to show that Escherichia coli valyl-tRNA synthetase ( l -valine : tRNA ligase (AMP), EC 6.1.1.9) can charge several Neurospora crassa tRNAs, including tRNAPhe. Maximum heterologous charging required the presence of dimethylsulfoxide and large concentrations of synthetase. In a mixed N. crassa tRNA preparation, E. coli valyl-tRNA synthetase charged primarily tRNAs other than tRNAPhe; but in a preparation of tRNAPhe further purified about 11-fold on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose, tRNAPhe was the predominant tRNA charged. We conclude if a number of tRNAs can be charged in a heterologous system such as this, then such reactions provide a limited insight into the mechanism of specific recognition of tRNAs by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases.
Natural ecosystem design and control imperatives for sustainable ecosystem services

Abstract Sustainability of ecosystem services to humanity will depend on knowledge of how ecosystems work in their natural states, which can then be carried over to managed states. The objective of this paper is to describe four properties of ecosystems taken as natural conditions to be maintained under exploitation. Three of these are design properties: near-steady-state or extremal dynamics, dominance of indirect effects, and positive utility in network organization. One is a regulatory property: distributed multivariable control. The methodology of the paper is mathematical modeling. The design properties are drawn from the inherent formalism in models. The control property is demonstrated by manipulating model parameters to achieve a management goal. The results show that: (1) natural ecosystems operate near, but not at, steady states or extrema, and ecosystems exploited for human purposes should be similarly maintained (near-steady-state imperative); (2) indirect effects are dominant in natural ecosystem networks, and should be taken into account in managing ecosystems for human benefits (nonlocal imperative); (3) natural ecosystems enhance positive relationships among their constituents, and ecosystems maintained for human services should be managed to maximize their expression of mutualistic and synergistic network properties (nonzero imperative); and (4) natural ecosystems are regulated by checks and balances distributed across many control variables in interactive networks, so that obtaining human services from ecosystems should similarly be through coordinated use of many, not few, control variables (multifactorial control imperative). The conclusion from these results is that ecosystems under natural conditions evidence organizational properties evolved over evolutionary time, and management for sustainable extraction of ecosystem services should seek to preserve and emulate these properties in the new exploited states.
What causes population cycles of forest Lepidoptera

Hypotheses for the causes of regular cycles in populations of forest Lepidoptera have invoked pathogen-insect or foliage-insect interactions. However, the available data suggest that forest caterpillar cycles are more likely to be the result of interactions with insect parasitoids, an old argument that seems to have been neglected in recent years.
Practitioner Perspectives of Implementing Check & Connect

While there is a growing reserve of evidence-based practices (EBPs) available to practitioners, much can be learned about how to implement EBPs in real-world settings. Evidence of the effects of a widely disseminated student engagement intervention, Check & Connect (C&C), is emerging yet little is known about the implementation of C&C in community-based settings. The purpose of the authors in this study was to examine practitioner attitudes and perspectives related to the C&C intervention and implementation to gain an understanding of core implementation components that facilitated or impeded implementation. A researcher-developed survey instrument was used to assess practitioner attitudes related to the C&C model and implementation among 14 school-based practitioners working in a dropout prevention program. Findings indicate that practitioners were highly positive about the C&C intervention and in their attitudes about implementing EBPs. Benefits of C&C identified by practitioners included increased rela...
Asymmetrical cross‐generalization in drug discrimination with lorazepam and pentobarbital training conditions

Depressants have been characterized as showing lower specificity as training drugs than drugs from other pharmacological groups, because drug–lever responding has been occasioned by drugs that are very diverse. In contrast, recent work with lorazepam as a training drug under a food-maintained drug vs. no-drug discrimination procedure found unreliable pentobarbital generalization, although pentobarbital-trained animals showed generalization to lorazepam. Exploration of the limits of this asymmetrical cross-generalization has included manipulation of species and training doses and studies with a variety of classic and novel sedative-anxiolytic drugs. To date, comparison of lorazepam to other benzodiazepines used as training drugs suggests that the lorazepam training condition appears to result in a lower probability of generalization to other sedative/anxiolytic drugs than other benzodiazepine training conditions. Review of drug discrimination studies with sedative/anxiolytic drugs suggests that there may be more specificity among the depressants as training drugs than initially appeared to be the case.
Recent and Future Directions in CT Imaging

Computed tomography (CT) has made enormous technical advances since its introduction into clinical use. The engineering improvements have in turn led to important clinical applications and large impact in patient care. This paper reviews the technology development trends in CT since its introduction and uses these trends to help illuminate likely future progress. The prediction is that significant further improvements in speed, spatial resolution and dose efficiency can be expected in the next decade.
Nonconscious temporal cognition: Learning rhythms implicitly

Two experiments demonstrate that people can implicitly learn rhythms. Participants responded to a series of fast-paced beeps by pressing a key as soon as possible after each beep. They were not told that the duration (180, 450, or 1,125 msec) between each keypress and the next beep was specified by a repeating sequence. In both experiments, participants responded significantly faster to predictable, sequenced timing than to random timing but did not show more knowledge of the sequence than did control participants on explicit memory measures. This dissociation was obtained even with an explicit memory test in Experiment 2 that maintained the same context and response metric as the implicit task to maximize the transfer of relevant knowledge. Implications for temporal cognition are discussed.
Engagement and Arousal: Optimism’s Effects During a Brief Stressor:

Optimism is usually associated with better psychological and physiological adjustment to stressors, but some contradictory findings exist. The purpose of this study was to investigate how optimism could result in negative immunological changes following difficult stressors. Because optimists are likely to see positive outcomes as attainable, they may invest greater effort to achieve their goals. It is proposed that such engagement would be more physiologically demanding when pursuing difficult goals. Participants (N = 54) worked on 11 difficult or insoluble anagrams. Optimism when combined with high self-awareness increased time spent working on the anagrams and skin conductance and salivary cortisol during the recovery period. The results support the notion that the increased engagement that arises from optimism may lead to short-term physiological costs.
The genetic code: an archaeal path to literacy.

In most archaea, the enzyme TiaS post-transcriptionally modifies a cytidine in the anticodon of tRNAIle, converting it to agmatidine (agm2C or C+). This unique nucleoside allows translation at the AUA isoleucine codon and prevents misreading of the AUG methionine codon.
Structural characterization of the hemocytes of Plodia interpunctella

Six types of hemocytes were identified in fifth instars of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella. The morphology of these cells was characterized by phase contrast and electron microscopy, with Sudan black B, Giemsa, Janus green B, and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Reaction of the hemocytes with seven fluorescing lectin conjugates revealed distinctive binding patterns by their plasma and nuclear membranes and cytoplasmic inclusions. A direct line of descent from prohemocytes to plasmatocytes to granulocytes is suggested from these morphological observations.
Oxidative risk for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease

In the vasculature, reactive oxidant species, including reactive oxygen, nitrogen, or halogenating species, and thiyl, tyrosyl, or protein radicals may oxidatively modify lipids and proteins with deleterious consequences for vascular function. These biologically active free radical and nonradical species may be produced by increased activation of oxidant-generating sources and/or decreased cellular antioxidant capacity. Once formed, these species may engage in reactions to yield more potent oxidants that promote transition of the homeostatic vascular phenotype to a pathobiological state that is permissive for atherothrombogenesis. This dysfunctional vasculature is characterized by lipid peroxidation and aberrant lipid deposition, inflammation, immune cell activation, platelet activation, thrombus formation, and disturbed hemodynamic flow. Each of these pathobiological states is associated with an increase in the vascular burden of free radical species-derived oxidation products and, thereby, implicates increased oxidant stress in the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic vascular disease.
Complementary medicine: legal status of the non-licensed provider in the USA

Abstract European providers of complementary medicine may be surprised by the formal structures which their US counterparts face. A major hurdle to holistic practice in the USA is the statutory prohibition against the unlicensed practice of medicine. State statutes define ‘medicine’ broadly, creating a legal risk for unlicensed providers of holistic healthcare, as well as for licensed providers whose services are deemed to exceed their legislatively authorized scope of practice and cross into ‘diagnosis’ and ‘treatment’ of disease. This paper does not address scope of practice; rather, it focuses on the legal status of non-licensed (or ‘unenfranchised’) providers. For these providers, seeking occupational licensure will provide some protection against medical practice acts, as well as opportunity to elevate professional competence and prestige. However, many holistic providers prefer to remain outside the regulatory scheme. Mandatory licensure, title licensure and registration offer means of upgrading professional status and achieving state sanction for professional practice.
The Flight Behavior of Migrating Birds in Changing Wind Fields: Radar and Visual Analyses

This paper examines the influence of atmospheric structure and motion (principally winds aloft) on the flight behavior and altitudinal distribution of migrating songbirds. Bird migration data that I gathered using surveillance radars operated by the United States National Weather Service and the Federal Aviation Administration and a vertically directed fixed-beam marine radar mounted on a mobile laboratory are analyzed in relation to winds aloft. Migrating birds appear to fly at altitudes where winds will minimize the cost of transport and assist movements in seasonally appropriate directions. When migratory flights occur at altitudes that are higher than usual, a significant correlation exists between the altitude of densest migration and the altitude of most favorable wind. Lower altitudes may be favored over slightly more favorable winds at much higher altitudes. Radar data on the flight behavior of migrating birds in the vicinity of frontal systems is also examined. The flight strategies of migrants (fly over the front, change the direction of flight, or land and terminate the flight) differ depending on season and the “thickness” of the front. Recent migration studies that are related to atmospheric structure and motion are summarized and related to atmospheric processes operating simultaneously at vastly different spatial and temporal scales.
Exercise reverses photoperiodic anestrus in golden hamsters.

ABSTRACTIncontrast tothe inhibitory effects ofendurance exercise onreprodutive function inwomenathletes, voluntary running induces estrous cyclicity inanestrous female hamsters maintained inthe nonstimulatory short-day photoperiod. Increased concentrations ofcirculating prolactin (Prl)seen inthese animals arenot responsible forthereversal ofphotoperiodic anestrus asdemonstratedby experimental manipulations ofprolactin secretion. Voluntary running also factilitates growthhormone (GU) release and somatic growth inhamsters independently ofthephotoperiod. Thus, itappears that endurance exercise can have fadiitatory aswell asinhibitory effects onthe repro-ductive function infemale mammals.INTRODUCTIONSome of the least understood effects ofexercisearealterationsinneuroendocrine function which outlast the occurrence of movement and which affect biological func-tions unrelated to its performance. For in-stance, itisnot clear why professional dancing or long-distance running should delay theonset
Potential orbital use of the Space Shuttle External Tanks

The Space Shuttle was designed so that major components would be reusable; however, it has been shown that it would not be cost-effective to reuse the external tanks in the same manner as the solid rocket boosters. Studies have been conducted to investigate using the external tanks on orbit. Utilizing an external tank on-orbit appears simple enough, since the tank obtains 98 percent of orbital velocity during the Space Shuttle's ascent phase. However, there are many requirements, issues, and difficulties that users must be aware of and satisfy. Studies for converting an external tank into a gamma-ray imaging telescope (GRIT), conducted at NASA Marshall, have identified many of these specific issues. Results of the GRIT studies and other considerations for the potential conversion of external tanks into useful space resources are summarized.
Abstract 2447: Activation of Chk1 critical for Piperine induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in melanoma cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The National Cancer Institute estimates that about 76,250 new cases of melanomas will be diagnosed in 2012 in the United States leading to at least 9810 related deaths. Therefore, novel strategies to control and treat melanoma are of prime importance. In this study, we determined the cytotoxic effects of Piperine, a major constituent of black (Piper nigrum Linn) and long pepper (Piper longum Linn), in melanoma cell lines. Piperine treatment inhibited the growth of SKMEL-28 and B16-F0 cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. The growth inhibitory effects of piperine were mediated by cell cycle arrest of both the cell lines in G1 phase. The G1 arrest by piperine was correlated with the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and induction of p21. The growth arrest was associated with DNA damage as indicated by phosphorylation of H2A.X at Ser139, activation of ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) and checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1). The G1 arrest by piperine was also associated with the down-regulation of E2F1 and decreased phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb), hence indicating the inhibition of the dynamic transcription complex. In addition, apoptosis induced by piperine was associated with down-regulation of XIAP and Bid (uncleaved) and cleavage of Caspase-3 and PARP. Pretreatment of SK-MEL-28 with AZD 7762, a Chk1 inhibitor not only abrogated the activation of Chk1 but also piperine mediated G1 arrest. Silencing of Chk1 in SK-MEL28 cells with Chk1 siRNA completely protected the cells from G1 arrest induced by piperine treatment showing the involvement of Chk1. Through immunofluorescence of Phospho Chk1 (Ser 256), we found significant activation of Chk1 in the cells that were treated with piperine hence, establishing the role of Chk1 activation. Furthermore, our results showed that piperine treatment caused ROS generation in melanoma cells. Blocking ROS generation by Tiron pre-treatment prevented the cells from piperine mediated cell cycle arrest. Moreover, western-blotting results showed that Tiron pre treatment prevented the activation of Chk1 hence, confirming the role played by Chk1 in piperine mediated cell cycle arrest. Taken together, our results demonstrate that piperine induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest by generating ROS and inducing DNA damage with activation of Chk1 being a critical event. [Supported in part by R01 grants CA106953 and CA129038 (to S.K.S) awarded by the National Cancer Institute]. Citation Format: Neel M. Fofaria, Sanjay K. Srivastava. Activation of Chk1 critical for Piperine induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in melanoma cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2447. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2447
Effect of hypophysectomy on hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing factor content and release in the rat

The possible regulation of hypothalamic GHreleasing factor (GRF) by GH was studied in untreated and GHtreated hypophysectomized rats by measurement of rat hypothalamic GRF content and release in vitro with a specific GRF RIA. Two weeks after hypophysectomy, animals not receiving hormone replacement snowed a marked reduction in hypothalamic GRF content (to 28% of sham-operated control values; P < 0.001). Replacement therapy with T4, cortisone, and testosterone for 9 days did not correct the decrease in hypothalamic GRF content in hypophysectomized rats, though the addition of GH therapy partially restored GRF levels (to 55% of control values; P < 0.001). GRF release from incubated mediobasal hypothalamic fragments of hypophysectomized rats was decreased both basally and in response to 30 mM K+. This defect was completely corrected by prior GH treatment. The results suggest an impair; ment of GRF synthesis and release in the presence of GH deficiency. (Endocrinology 120: 1079–1082, 1987)
Managing the Risks Associated with Using Biomedical Ethics Advice

This paper discusses the criticisms that exist about corporate use of ethics advice by bioscience companies and offers suggestions on how ethics advisors can be used so as to maximize their utility and avoid the criticism.
Battlefield awareness overview

The Information Systems Office (ISO) at DARPA develops, applies, integrates, and transitions information technology and systems to enable domination of the battlespace. To that end, ISO is engaged in three thrusts: comprehensive battlespace awareness; intelligent and timely force management and battle execution; and, realistic and affordable simulation for training, mission rehearsal, and course of action evaluation. In each thrust, ISO concentrates on enduring and future threats and solutions. The development approach involves creating the next generation of infrastructure, technology, and applications to build, sustain, and maintain a tightly-coupled system of systems. ISO information systems drive evolving concepts and doctrine for implementing a new warfare paradigm in which knowledge, not mass and fire power, is key to battlespace dominance across the ever-expanding spectrum of conflict. DARPA views its Battlespace Awareness Program as the catalyst for accelerating the implementation of a continually-evolving system of information technology that will enable the information-based warfare paradigm described above. The roadmap being followed by DARPA is to design, develop and transition a pilot infrastructure of information systems that can be used to enable emerging new operational concepts and guide future system developments and acquisitions. This infrastructure requires integrated system applications and a common information support environment.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Chemical equilibrium in a mixture of paraffins

In this paper the theory of chemical equilibrium is applied to a mixture of paraffins C n H2 n +2, and it is shown that the equilibrium composition of the vapour and liquid phases can be approximately calculated at any given tempera­ture and pressure. Such a mixture has two independent constituents so that according to the phase rule the composition of the phases, whenever there are two, will be determined by two independent variables such as the temperature and pressure. Consider the reaction C n -1H2( n -1)+2 + C n +1H2( n -1)+2 = 2C n H2 n +2.
Microprocessor employs mainframe performance design techniques

During the infancy of integrated circuit technology, designers still grappled with the problem of getting enough transistors on a reasonably sized die to enable them to design more than fundamental types of logic chips. Little more than a decade later, designers no longer are faced with that problem. On the contrary, with the hundred thousand and more transistors that can now be economically integrated, their task becomes one of deciding whether to add ancilliary functions on the same die as a microprocessor, or to use these transistors to embellish and speed up the microprocessor's activities.
Initial lymphatics are present in the loose areolar connective tissue of the golden hamster's cheek pouch

Abstract The immunologically privileged status of the hamster cheek pouch has been attributed to both the loose, areolar connective tissue that lines the pouch and to the lack of lymphatics in it. Although early reports described an absence of demonstrable lymphatics by classical histologic and lymphangiographic methods, issue has been taken recently as to whether the cheek pouch is alymphatic. We became interested in this issue accidentally during a study of microembolic microvascular injury. Our results, which were obtained by the coordinated use of intravital, light, and transmission electron microscopy, showed that a small population of initial lymphatics are present in the loose, areolar connective tissue. The areal density of initial lymphatics in 12 cheek pouches averaged 1.5 lymphatics/cm 2 of pouch connective tissue. We conclude that the hamster cheek pouch is drained by a small population of initial lymphatics, the general paucity of which probably contributes to the delayed egress of antigens to regional lymph nodes.
Synthesis of (−)‐Viriditoxin: A 6,6′‐Binaphthopyran‐2‐one that Targets the Bacterial Cell Division Protein FtsZ

The inhibition of bacterial cell division offers a new approach to controlling resistant bacterial infections.[1, 2] FtsZ is a protein of central importance to cell division that is often described as the prokaryotic homolog of tubulin because of the structural similarity of these two proteins, in spite of low sequence homology.[3–5] Both proteins undergo GTP-driven oligomerization and the active sites of both proteins are similar. Tubulin forms microtubules in the bipolar spindle assembly, which mediates chromosome separation in eukaryotes. FtsZ oligomerizes at midcell during bacterial cell division to form the Z-ring, which constricts to induce septation. Inhibition of FtsZ has been validated as a potential new therapeutic strategy for fighting resistant infections, including MRSA.[6–8] In stark contrast to tubulin, few FtsZ-targeting natural products are known and no information regarding the molecular basis of their inhibition of FtsZ has been documented.[9–12] The development of efficient syntheses for FtsZ-targeting natural products will enable elucidation of their mechanisms of inhibition and enable further development of this target. This communication describes the synthesis of viriditoxin, one the most potent FtsZ-targeting natural products and the first 6,6'-binapthopyranone to be synthesized.[13]
Precipitation Changes near Three Gorges Dam, China. Part I: A Spatiotemporal Validation Analysis

AbstractIn October 2010, the water level upstream of the Three Gorges Dam (TGD) reached the designated 175-m level. The associated inundation and land use–land cover changes have important implications for water resource management, agriculture, ecosystems, and the hydroclimate. Ultimately, it is important to quantify whether the dam-related changes have altered precipitation patterns. Since rain gauges are limited in the region, satellite-based methods are viable. This study is the first to validate NASA Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) data from 1998 to 2009 using 34 national meteorological rain gauges in the Three Gorges region. Areal average satellite estimates are first verified with areal average rain gauge data both annually and seasonally. Then based on empirical orthogonal functions, the study area is divided into two subregions, and similar validation procedures are performed for both subregions. TMPA data are found to have high correlations...
A Post-Reflation Monetary Framework for Japan

Modifications to Japan's monetary policy framework will be needed as positive inflation resumes because the current monetary regime and operations are tailored to ending deflation. The paper suggests that the monetary regime should move from an 'anti-deflation' objective to an inflation objective, complemented by a shift of monetary operations from a quantitative operating target to an interest rate target. There are also questions about the timing of these shifts and the particulars of such arrangements, but decisive answers are elusive.