cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malaria and the Decline of Ancient Greece: Revisiting the Jones Hypothesis in an Era of Interdisciplinarity.

Between 1906 and 1909 the biologist Ronald Ross and the classicist W.H.S. Jones pioneered interdisciplinary research in biology and history in advancing the claim that malaria had been crucial in the decline of golden-age Greece (fourth century BCE). The idea had originated with Ross, winner of the Nobel Prize for demonstrating the importance of mosquitoes in the spread of the disease. Jones assembled what, today, we would call an interdisciplinary network of collaborators in the sciences and humanities. But early negative reviews of Jones’s Malaria and Greek History (1909) by classicists and historians ended the project, despite a positive reception among malariologists. Today, the “Jones hypothesis” is often used to exemplify the naivete of past scholarship, and few examine Jones’s evidence and reasoning. In this age of renewed interdisciplinarity, a review of what went wrong is timely. Jones and Ross knew they were opening new methodological territory and struggled with the challenges of multiple ways of knowing. Over 100 years later, malaria remains an important site of historical-biological research, yet integration is elusive. After reviewing the Jones-Ross relationship, Jones’s interdisciplinary campaign, and the reception of the hypothesis among classicists/ancient historians and in malariology, we conclude by highlighting some of the specific challenges faced by those exploring the interface of biology and history.
Reliability guaranteed energy minimization on mixed-criticality systems

Analyze resource demand of MC task set under reliability and deadline constraints.Develop a heuristic approach to solve the formulated problem.Evaluate the proposed approach through simulation under various scenarios.Achieve up to 10% more energy saving comparing with the existing approaches. This paper studies the energy minimization problem in mixed-criticality systems that have stringent reliability and deadline constraints. We first analyze the resource demand of a mixed-criticality task set that has both reliability and deadline requirements. Based on the analysis, we present a heuristic task scheduling algorithm that minimizes system's energy consumption and at the same time also guarantees system's reliability and deadline constraints. Extensive experiments are conducted to evaluate and validate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The empirical results show that the algorithm further improves energy saving by up to 10% compared with the approaches proposed in our earlier work.
Bisphosphonate-induced reductions in rat femoral bone energy absorption and toughness are testing rate-dependent.

Bisphosphonates have been used for years to suppress bone turnover and reduce fracture risk. Bisphosphonates have recently been associated with atypical femoral fractures, which are catastrophic, low trauma, brittle fractures that appear to occur more frequently than in untreated individuals. Previous work using a dog model has demonstrated bisphosphonate-induced reductions in bone toughness (the inverse of brittleness), yet data are lacking to show this occurs in rodents. The goal of this study was to determine if bisphosphonate-induced alterations in toughness could be quantified in rats. At 26 weeks of age, skeletally mature rats (n=32 total) were given an injection of either zoledronate (100 µg /kg body weight) or vehicle (0.5 mL saline). Five weeks post-injection, both femora were collected and analyzed for geometry and mechanical properties. To assess the effect of testing rate on the biomechanical outcomes, the left femora were broken at 2 mm/min, while the right femora were broken at 20 mm/min. The results showed a significantly lower energy to failure in zoledronate-treated animals compared to vehicle at the slow testing rate (−15%, p < 0.05) with no difference at the faster rate. While there was not a significant interaction between drug and testing rate for toughness to fracture (p = 0.07), toughness between ultimate stress and fracture was significantly lower with zoledronate only at the slow rate (−40%, p < 0.05). These data document that bisphosphonate-induced reductions in energy absorption and toughness can be quantified in rats yet they are highly dependent on testing rate.
Neptune Trojans as a Test Bed for Planet Formation

The problem of accretion in the Trojan 1 : 1 resonance is akin to the standard problem of planet formation, transplanted from a star-centered disk to a disk centered on the Lagrange point. The newly discovered class of Neptune Trojans promises to test theories of planet formation by coagulation. Neptune Trojans resembling the prototype 2001 QR322 ("QR")—whose radius of ~100 km is comparable to that of the largest Jupiter Trojan—may outnumber their Jovian counterparts by a factor of ~10. We develop and test three theories for the origin of large Neptune Trojans: pull-down capture, direct collisional emplacement, and in situ accretion. These theories are staged after Neptune's orbit anneals, that is, after dynamical friction eliminates any large orbital eccentricity and after the planet ceases to migrate. We discover that seeding the 1 : 1 resonance with debris from planetesimal collisions and having the seed particles accrete in situ naturally reproduces the inferred number of QR-sized Trojans. We analyze accretion in the Trojan subdisk by applying the two-groups method, accounting for kinematics specific to the resonance. We find that a Trojan subdisk comprising decimeter-sized seed particles and having a surface density ~10-3 times that of the local minimum-mass disk produces ~10 QR-sized objects in ~1 Gyr, in accord with observation. Further growth is halted by collisional diffusion of seed particles out of resonance. In our picture, the number and sizes of the largest Neptune Trojans represent the unadulterated outcome of dispersion-dominated, oligarchic accretion. Large Neptune Trojans, perhaps the most newly accreted objects in our solar system, may today have a dispersion in orbital inclination of less than ~10°, despite the existence of niches of stability at higher inclinations. Such a vertically thin disk, born of a dynamically cold environment necessary for accretion and raised in minimal contact with external perturbations, contrasts with the thick disks of other minor body belts.
The Golgi apparatus and an early stage in cell plate formation.

Glutaraldehyde-fixed, osmium postfixed root apex cells in successive stages of cytokinesis show the involvement of small vesicular bodies in cell plate formation. These bodies apparently are produced by the Golgi apparatus; beginning by metaphase, they invade the spindle, cluster in the equatorial regions of the cell, and seem to set up some condition essential for the fusion of large Golgi vesicles in the same region. The plate is formed by this fusion, during which the small vesicles are incorporated into it. Plate formation proceeds centrifugally, with spindle fibers and clusters of the small vesicular bodies marking the edges, around which vesicle-producing Golgi apparatus are grouped. Puromycin affects either the production of the small vesicular bodies or their movement away from the Golgi cisternae. Colchicine precludes fusion of the larger Golgi vesicles, apparently by preventing clustering of the small ones, perhaps indirectly through effects on the spindle.
Heterotrimeric G proteins, Focal Adhesion Kinase, and Endothelial Barrier Function

Ligands by binding to G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) stimulate dissociation of heterotrimeric G proteins into Gα and Gβγ subunits. Released Gα and Gβγ subunits induce discrete signaling cues that differentially regulate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity and endothelial barrier function. Activation of G proteins downstream of receptors such as protease activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and histamine receptors rapidly increases endothelial permeability which reverses naturally within the following 1-2 h. However, activation of G proteins coupled to the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1) signal cues that enhance basal barrier endothelial function and restore endothelial barrier function following the increase in endothelial permeability by edemagenic agents. Intriguingly, both PAR1 and S1P1 activation stimulates FAK activity, which associates with alteration in endothelial barrier function by these agonists. In this review, we focus on the role of the G protein subunits downstream of PAR1 and S1P1 in regulating FAK activity and endothelial barrier function.
Comparative Analysis of Full-Length Cytochromes P450 in Complexes with Cytochrome B5 in Membrane

Molecular models of complexes of full-length cytochrome P450s with cytochrome B5 (CYB5) were developed based on experimental structures of CYB5 (2m33) and several P450s in closed (2q6n, 1tqn, 3e4e, 3eqm, 3ruk) and open (2bdm) conformations and structural constraints derived from mutagenesis, mass-spectrometry, and NMR studies. Models of transmembrane parts of the complexes formed by two antiparallel α-helices were generated using original energy functions for quantification of helix interactions in membranes. Our PPM method was used to assess the spatial orientations of complexes in membrane. We found that CYB5 (helices 41-43, 48-54, and 60-66) binds to the proximal groove of P450s formed by helices B, C, J', K, L, the C-D loop, and the K''-L meander region. In all models, acidic residues E61 and D65 of CYB5 form ionic pairs with basic residues of P450 (from helices B, C, and the K''-L meander), whereas propionate groups of the heme interact with conserved arginine from helix C (R133 in CYPB4). However, CYB5 orientations vary in complexes with different P450s and depend on the conformational state of P450s. In particular, CYB5 interacts similarly with closed forms of CYP2E1, CYP17A1, and CYP2C19: E58 of CYB5 forms a contact with helix B of P450 and E42/E48 of CYB5 interact with helices J', K, and L of P450. A partly different binding mode was identified for complexes of CYP3A4 and CYP2B4, where E42/E48 of CYB5 contact with the K''-L meander and T70/D71 of CYB5 interact with the C-D loop. Comparison of complexes with CYP2B4 in closed and open conformations shows that open conformation has larger protein-protein contact surface, shorter heme-to-heme distance, deeper penetration of the complex into membrane, and provides additional interprotein hydrophobic interactions (V50-I435 and V66-L437) which stabilize the complex.
Pre‐coated metal cladding – evaluating failures

Outlines the history of pre‐coated metal cladding, its use and the causes of failure. Discusses the process of manufacturing and the types of coating available. Examines the causes of failure, looking at loading requirements, span requirements, substrate type, profile, fixing requirements, pitch, coating type (external and internal faces), design life, site environmental conditions, insulation standards, packaging, handling and storage conditions and evidence of suitability. Suggests that there remains a need for improved national and international standards, the existence of which would help to ensure that products are properly selected for the intended building use, resulting in fewer cladding failures and a simpler method of allocating responsibility in the event of disputes.
Comparison of isoperoxide patterns in tobacco cell culture and in the intact plant

Abstract Analysis by ion-exchange chromatography of the enzymes from cultured tobacco cells and root or leaf tissues of the tobacco plant revealed that the cultured cells contain exclusively cationic peroxidases and the leaf tissues mainly anionic and neutral peroxidases.
The target of therapies: pathophysiology of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The fundamental abnormality in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is exposure of esophageal or supraesophageal epithelium to gastric secretions resulting in either histopathological injury or in the elicitation of symptoms. Some degree of gastroesophageal reflux and esophageal epithelial acid exposure, however, is considered normal or ‘‘physiological’’. GERD results at the time when the balance between what the epithelium is exposed to (related to the frequency of acid reflux, the effectiveness of acid clearance, and the constituents of that reflux) and what that epithelium can tolerate tilts in favor of the aggressive forces. Significant aberrations in one or more potential pathophysiological factors can thus result in shifting from a compensated condition to a decompensated one with the consequent development of esophagitis or reflux symptoms, such as heartburn. Of the primary defensive factors preventing the clinical manifestations of GERD, esophagogastric junction (EGJ) competence, is the most fundamental and also the focus of new endoscopic therapies for GERD that are the subject of this monograph. Under normal conditions, reflux of gastric juice into the distal esophagus is prevented as a function of the EGJ. The EGJ is an anatomically complex zone which functional integrity as an antireflux barrier has been variably attributed to intrinsic lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, extrinsic compression of the LES by the crural diaphragm, the intra-abdominal location of the LES, integrity of the phrenoesophageal ligament, and maintenance of the acute angle of His promoting a ‘‘flap valve’’ function. Possibly each of these potential mechanisms of function is operant under specific conditions and the global function of the EGJ as an antireflux barrier is dependent the sum of the parts. The greater the
Site-directed and random enzyme immobilization on functionalized membranes: kinetic studies and models

Abstract A comparison of Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters, K m and V max has been made between a randomly immobilized and a site-specifically immobilized β-galactosidase on macroporous membranes. A biotinylated β-galactosidase conjugate (SDBG), was prepared by posttranslational modification of a recombinant fusion protein in E. coli . This conjugate had biotin attached at a specific location on a polypeptide tag fused to the N-terminus of β-galactosidase. Avidin, which has a very strong interaction with biotin, was immobilized on a pre-activated aldehyde modified polysulfone (MPS) membrane; both, commercial biotin-labeled β-galactosidase and the enzyme conjugate mentioned above, (SDBG) were immobilized on this membrane separately. The immobilized β-galactosidase showed a dramatic drop in activity for the directly, randomly immobilized case; a relative activity (RA) of 1.8% compared to the RA of SDBG which was 87.7%. The RA of the commercial biotin-labeled β-galactosidase, immobilized through an avidin-biotin complex as a spacer was 12.6% compared to a corresponding RA of SDBG of 25%. Thus, site-directed immobilization of β-galactosidase offers significant advantages over random immobilization. The diffusion-reaction process which occurs inside the pores of a membrane was modeled to extract intrinsic data from the experiments performed. The values of the effectiveness factor for directly attached SDBG were closely matched with the values of x k x , the reaction-limited reactor length.
Perceiving and encoding two kinds of item-information

Perception and encoding of item-information about the occurrence of simple, well-known events (numbers) for retrieval by either same-order recall or serial-order recall was investigated by specifying kind of recall to be used either before or after perception and encoding. Both same-order and serial-order recall were less when kind of recall was specified after presentation, but serial-order recall decreased more than same-order recall. These results indicate that the same numbers may be perceived differently for same-order or serial-order recall: different kinds of item-information may be encoded either in terms of presentation characteristics (serial position for same-order recall) or event characteristics (ordinal position for serial-order recall).
Proteinase activity and stability of natural bromelain preparations

Abstract Bromelain is a complex mixture of proteinases typically derived from pineapple stem. Similar proteinases are also present in pineapple fruit. Beneficial therapeutic effects of bromelain have been suggested or proven in several human inflammatory diseases and animal models of inflammation, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. However, it is not clear how each of the proteinases within bromelain contributes to its anti-inflammatory effects in vivo. Previous in vivo studies using bromelain have been limited by the lack of assays to control for potential differences in the composition and proteolytic activity of this naturally derived proteinase mixture. In this study, we present model substrate assays and assays for cleavage of bromelain-sensitive cell surface molecules can be used to assess the activity of constituent proteinases within bromelain without the need for biochemical separation of individual components. Commercially available chemical and nutraceutical preparations of bromelain contain predominately stem bromelain. In contrast, the proteinase activity of pineapple fruit reflects its composition of fruit bromelain>ananain∼stem bromelain. Concentrated bromelain solutions (>50 mg/ml) are more resistant to spontaneous inactivation of their proteolytic activity than are dilute solutions, with the proteinase stability in the order of stem bromelain>fruit bromelain∼ananain. The proteolytic activity of concentrated bromelain solutions remains relatively stable for at least 1 week at room temperature, with minimal inactivation by multiple freeze–thaw cycles or exposure to the digestive enzyme trypsin. The relative stability of concentrated versus dilute bromelain solutions to inactivation under physiologically relevant conditions suggests that delivery of bromelain as a concentrated bolus would be the preferred method to maximize its proteolytic activity in vivo.
Optical networks for earth-space communications and their performance

This article describes optical subnets of ground based receiving stations for earth-space optical communications. The optical subnet concepts presented here provide full line-of-sight coverage of the ecliptic, 24 hours a day, with high weather availability. The technical characteristics of the optical station and the user terminal are presented as well as the effects of cloud cover, transmittance through the atmosphere, and impact of background noise for day or night time operation upon the communication link. In addition, candidate geographic sites are identified, and a link design for a hypothetical Pluto mission in 2015 is included.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polycations. 4. Synthesis and antihydrophobic effect of polycationic strings

Two categories of polycationic “strings” have been synthesized and investigated for their effect on the aqueous solubility of hydrophobic organic compounds (benzene and 4-bromotoluene, the latter discussed here). Polycationic “strings” are compounds in which cationic sites (quaternary ammonium sites) are incorporated into the covalent structure along a linear chain with free-floating associated anions. The categories are: 1) defined length chains consisting of quaternized dabco units connected by intervening lengths of methylene groups, terminating with ω-alkanol units, and 2) α,ω-dimethylaminoalkane units quaternized with chain extending ω-alkanol units. The observed antihydrophobic effect depends on the total charge, the length of the charge-intervening linkages, and the terminating groups.
Composition of government spending as an additional policy instrument: Reply

In their article, Professors Chang and Lai argue that the policy assignment rule I develop in Section II of my contribution (Ramirez 1986) generates invalid results with regard to the assignment solutions offered. The discussion undertaken in this section, however, was designed solely to motivate the analysis of uncertainty undertaken in Section III, because, as I stated in my article, “the assumptions of policymaker ignorance and certainty [undertaken in Section II] are clearly inconsistent” (p. 221). In fact, the whole thrust of my argument was designed to generate a conceptual framework that emphasizes the importance of additional instruments—such as the composition of government spending—in attaining desired targets in an uncertain world. The novelty of my model lies not so much in the need for additional instruments, but in the type of instrument chosen. In this regard, I found it puzzling that Professors Chang and Lai did not include the composition of government spending in the aggregate supply (AS) function—only the level of government expenditures. After all, the statistical evidence presented for Mexico in Section III of my article (p. 234) suggests that the impact of g on y is uncertain because c2 and i2 are opposite in sign (see Looney 1985, Table 13.1). Specifically, government spending has a direct impact on private investment spending, but an inverse one on private consumption spending. Thus, if α is decreased, while g is held fixed, both the aggregate demand (AD) and AS curves would shift to the right, thereby rendering the impact on the price level uncertain. In reality, the AD curve would probably shift first and then the AS curve because of the well-documented lagged impact of public investment on private investment expenditures.
Relationship of bispectral index to hemodynamic variables and alveolar concentration multiples of sevoflurane in puppies.

The relationships between bispectral index (BIS), cardiovascular variables and minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) multiples of sevoflurane in puppies were determined. Five puppies were anesthetized with sevoflurane on two occasions. First, the individual sevoflurane MAC values were determined for each puppy. Secondly, dogs were anesthetized with sevoflurane at each of 5 MAC multiples, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5 and 1.75 MAC administered in random order. Hemodynamic parameters and BIS data were collected for 20 min. Somatic stimulus was then applied and the same parameters and data were collected for 6 min. Correlation between BIS and end tidal sevoflurane and between BIS and hemodynamic parameters were studied. We found positive significant correlation in both cases. BIS is lower in puppies that in adults at the same alveolar anesthetic concentrations and sevoflurane appears to be a safe anesthetic in puppies.
An LQG optimal controller for salinity regulation in the Mekong Delta

We study the problem of salinity regulation in a section of the Mekong Delta in the Tra Vinh district of Vietnam where sluice gates are used to control the sea water flow. An optimal control theoretic method is used to derive a gate closure rate that will minimize the salinity effects and associated costs. We use a linearized version of the shallow water equations and salinity transport equations to represent the system. We derive a linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) optimal controller for the gate operation. Results are verified via simulations.
COMPARATIVE ACCURACY OF POSITRON EMISSION TOMOGRAPHY AND SINGLE-PHOTON EMISSION COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: A META-ANALYSIS

Positron emission tomography (PET) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) offers technical benefits over single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) MPI, but there has been no systematic evaluation of their comparative diagnostic accuracy. To compare the sensitivity and specificity of PET versus
Anatomical Localization of Corneal Afferent Cells in the Trigeminal Ganglion

Corneal afferent cells were identified in the trigeminal ganglion in the cat and monkey by the method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. The corneal cells were found only in the ophthalmic portion of the ganglion and were scattered randomly within that division. These data are compatible with clinical and other experimental descriptions of the organization of the trigeminal ganglion and sensory root.
TerpyridineCuII-mediated reversible nanocomposites of single-wall carbon nanotubes: towards metallo-nanoscale architectures.

The self-assembly of Oxi-SWNTs, based on terpyridineCuII coordination, produces a thermally stable, neutral [(Oxi-SWNT)(tpyCuII)m]n nanocomposite possessing notable luminscence properties; quantitative disassembly occurred by treatment with aqueous KCN.
Growth and Mineral Metabolism in preterm infants receiving a novel human milk fortifier

Preterm human milk (PHM) initially contains high levels of nutrients to help meet most premature infant needs. However, calcium and phosphorus and, after 2 to 4 weeks, some other nutrient levels in PHM are lower than required for optimal nutrition. A human milk fortifier (HMF) was designed to be added to PHM after 2 weeks post-partum to raise nutrient levels to approximate requirements. HMF increased protein (60:40 whey:casein) by 0.7 g/dl, calories by 4 kcal/oz, and minerals (mg/dl) as follows: Ca 60, P 33, Na 6.9, K 16, Cl 18, Mg 4, Cu 0.04, Zn 0.8. Ten preterm infants received PHM alone, 8 received PHM plus HMF (FPHM), and 12 received Enfamil Premature Formula (EPF). * p < .05 compared to the other groups. Serum values determined after 2 to 4 weeks on study. BMC = Bone mineral content of mid humerus at study conclusion. Cal effic = caloric efficiency. Those infants receiving HMF responded comparably to those receiving EPF, but grew faster and tended to have better mineral status (not statistically significant) than those receiving PHM alone. No clinically significant differences were observed in metabolic parameters, feeding tolerance, or complications. This data supports the use of HMF in human milk fed preterm infants.
Minimalism and the Syntax of Graphs: II. Effects of Graph Backgrounds on Visual Search

Tufte (1983) proposed a measure, the data-ink ratio, and a rule that the data-ink ratio be maximized. The present research tested this rule by examining the effect of the relation between the physical features in the graph indicators and those in the background on graph reading performance. Eighteen participants performed comparison and difference tasks with bar graphs (rectangular indicators) or line graphs (circular indicators). Graphs had no background, a pictorial background containing circles, or a pictorial background containing rectangles. Accuracy was highest for the difference task when the features in the indicators and background of a graph differed. The role of preattentive processing during visual search in graph reading and the pop-out effect that occurs when background and search target features differ are discussed.
Baby boomers and beyond: Crossing racial boundaries in search for love

Abstract This study investigates interracial dating preferences between black and white daters over the age of 45. Using data from one of the largest matchmaking website ( N = 1335), logistic regression is used to examine the odds of one's willingness to date someone of a different race or ethnicity. The findings suggest that older s in the present sample are more likely to cross the color line when seeking a potential mate compared to their white counterparts. The results also reveal that higher education increases the willingness among whites to date a person of color; however, this was not the case for older educated blacks who were more resistant to cross racial boundaries. Finally, the results indicate significant differences in dating preferences based on various socio-demographic characteristics. The variation in mate selection between older whites and blacks may be explained in part by both the historical and present socio-cultural racial climate.
Regulation of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis Receptor Protein (TWEAKR) Expression by Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus MicroRNA Prevents TWEAK-Induced Apoptosis and Inflammatory Cytokine Expression

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the causative agent of KS, the second most common AIDS-associated malignancy. KSHV expresses at least 18 different mature microRNAs (miRNAs) during latency. To identify cellular targets of KSHV miRNAs, we have analyzed a previously reported series of microarrays examining changes in cellular gene expression in the presence of KSHV miRNAs. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) receptor (TWEAKR) was among the most consistently and robustly downregulated genes in the presence of KSHV miR-K12-10a (miR-K10a). Results from luciferase assays with reporter plasmids containing the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of TWEAKR suggest a targeting of TWEAKR by miR-K10a. The mutation of two predicted miR-K10a recognition sites within the 3' UTR of TWEAKR completely disrupts inhibition by miR-K10a. The expression of TWEAKR was downregulated in cells transfected with miR-K10a as well as during de novo KSHV infection. In a KS tumor-derived endothelial cell line, the downregulation of TWEAKR by miR-K10a resulted in reduced levels of TWEAK-induced caspase activation. In addition, cells transfected with miR-K10a showed less induction of apoptosis by annexin V staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays. Finally, the downregulation of TWEAKR by miR-K10a in primary human endothelial cells resulted in a decrease in levels of expression of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in response to TWEAK. These results identify and validate an important cellular target of KSHV miRNAs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a viral miRNA protects cells from apoptosis and suppresses a proinflammatory response, which may have significant implications in the complex context of KS lesions.
Nonextractable cyanopropyl polysiloxane stationary phases for capillary chromatography

Crosslinkable cyanopropylpolysiloxane stationary phases have been difficult to produce because of steric effects of the large cyanopropyl groups or because of the interaction between the polar cyanopropyl groups and the groups added for crosslinking. Various polymers containing 50% to 90% cyanopropyl were synthesized which contained vinyl,p-tolyl, or 4-vinylphenyl groups for crosslinking. Thep-tolyl group was found to give satisfactory crosslinking if there were two such groups attached to one silicon atom.
Heat transfer predictions for IR domes

A successful model of the aerodynamic heat transfer to nose-mounted IR domes on hypersonic missile interceptors is presented. This paper describes a transitional flow heating algorithm, and presents a model for predicting the onset of boundary layer transition on a hemispherical forebody. In addition, this paper discusses the results of temperature predictions for IR domes, including a description of the analytical models and favorable comparisons with experimental data taken at Mach 4.6.
Respiratory kinematics in profoundly hearing-impaired speakers.

Anteroposterior diameters of the rib cage and abdomen were measured in profoundly hearing-impaired individuals in a standing position during respiratory maneuvers and utterance tasks. Data were cha...
Reforming Aid: Toward More Predictable, Performance-Based Financing for Development

Summary We explore ways of mitigating the costs of aid volatility: in particular, we show that these can be dramatically reduced by a flexible pre-commitment rule which adjusts flows in the case of drastic improvements or deteriorations in country performance ratings. Such a system can further reduce variability with only minor efficiency costs. Our simulations suggest that a buffer stock of the order of 50–100% of annual aid-financed spending might enable a corrective feedback loop, with the necessary buffer depending on the size and variability of aid flows. Our proposed mechanism is similar in principle to natural resource funds, which have worked well in some countries but not in others; we briefly discuss some issues in design and implementation.
Fever control and its impact on outcomes: What is the evidence?

Fever is common in a variety of neurological disorders. There is abundant experimental evidence suggesting that fever leads to, or exacerbates, neuronal injury in conditions such as cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury. However, conclusive evidence linking control of fever to improved outcomes is lacking. It has been difficult to design studies looking at the impact of fever control on outcome, in part because traditional methods of fever control are ineffective. Recently, several new devices to control temperature have become available. These devices appear to be more effective than conventional means and might allow us to design studies that definitively answer the question: "Does controlling fever improve outcome?"
Rapid analytical method for the determination of aflatoxins in plant-derived dietary supplement and cosmetic oils.

Consumption of edible oils derived from conventional crop plants is increasing because they are generally regarded as healthier alternatives to animal-based fats and oils. More recently, there has been increased interest in the use of alternative specialty plant-derived oils, including those from tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, and walnuts) and botanicals (borage, evening primrose, and perilla) both for direct human consumption (e.g., as salad dressings) and for the preparation of cosmetics, soaps, and fragrance oils. This has raised the issue as to whether or not exposure to aflatoxins can result from such oils. Although most crops are subject to analysis and control, it has generally been assumed that plant oils do not retain aflatoxins due to the high polarity and lipophobicity of these compounds. There is virtually no scientific evidence to support this supposition, and available information is conflicting. To improve the safety and consistency of botanicals and dietary supplements, research is needed...
The Effect of Altered pH on Zooplankton Community Structure in a Disturbed New Jersey Pine Barrens Pond

Abstract The role of pH in controlling crustacean community structure (species composition and abundance) in Nescochague Lake, a disturbed New Jersey Pine Barrens pond, was experimentally investigated using in situ enclosures. Four experimental treatments were tested: acidification to pH 4.4, alkalinization to pH 7.4, alkalinization to pH 7.8 using a weak NaHCO3 buffer, and a control (pH 6.3). Chl a and total P did not change as a result of the treatments. Zooplankton species composition did not respond in any consistent manner to the altered pH. All treatments were dominated by the same five taxa: Bosmina coregoni, Ceriodaphnia sp., Simocephalus sp., Chydorus sp., and cyclopoid copepods. There were also no significant alterations in the abundance patterns of the dominant taxa in response to changing pH. Work at other locations has shown that pH changes from 4–8 have a dramatic impact on the zooplankton community. The failure of zooplankton in Nescochague Lake to respond to these pH changes confirmed earl...
Determination of the Surface pK of Carboxylic- and Amine-Terminated Alkanethiols Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy

When using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with ionizable functional groups, such as COOH and NH2, the dissociation constant (pKd) of the surface is an important property to know, since it defines the charge density of the surface for a given bulk solution pH. In this study, we developed a method using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy for the direct measurement of the pKd of a SAM surface by combining the ability of SPR to detect the change in mass concentration close to a surface and the shift in ion concentration over the surface as a function of surface charge density. This method was then applied to measure the pKd values of both COOH- and NH2-functionalized SAM surfaces using solutions of CsCl and NaBr salts, respectively, which provided pKd values of 7.4 and 6.5, respectively, based on the bulk solution pH. An analytical study was also performed to theoretically predict the shape of the SPR plots by calculating the excess mass of salt ions over a surface as a function of the difference ...
Multipixel Retrieval of Structural and Optical Parameters in a 2-D Scene With a Path-Recycling Monte Carlo Forward Model and a New Bayesian Inference Engine

Physics-based retrievals of atmosphere and/or surface properties are generally multi- or hyperspectral in nature; some use multi-angle information as well. Recently, polarization has been added to the available input from sensors and accordingly modeled with vector radiative transfer (RT). At any rate, a single pixel is processed at a time using a forward RT model predicated on 1-D transport theory. Neighboring pixels are sometimes considered but, generally, just to formulate statistical constraints on the inversion based on spatial context. Herein, we demonstrate the power to be harnessed by adding bona fide multipixel techniques to the mix. We use a forward RT model in 2-D, sufficient for this demonstration and easily extended to 3-D, for the response of a single-wavelength imaging sensor. The data, an image, is used to infer position, size, and opacity of an absorbing atmospheric plume somewhere in a deep valley in the presence of partially known/partially unknown aerosol. We first describe the necessary innovation to speed-up forward multidimensional RT. In spite of its reputation for inefficiency, we use a Monte Carlo (MC) technique. However, the adopted scheme is highly accelerated without loss of accuracy by using “recycled” MC paths. This forward model is then put to work in a novel Bayesian inversion adapted to this kind of RT model where it is straightforward to trade precision and efficiency. Retrievals target the plume properties and the specific amount of aerosol. In spite of the limited number of pixels and low signal-to-noise ratio, there is added value for certain nuclear treaty verification applications.
Annexin-2 is a regulator of stromal cell-derived factor-1/CXCL12 function in the hematopoietic stem cell endosteal niche

Objective Previously, we reported that annexin-2 (anxa2) plays an important role in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) localization to the endosteal/osteoblastic marrow niche. This study explored the role that annexin-2 plays in presenting stromal cell-derived factor−1 (or CXCL12) to HSCs. Materials and Methods Competitive long-term bone marrow transplant assays were used to determine if HSC engraftment is altered in annexin-2−deficient animals. Colony-forming cell assays, CXCL12 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to determine stem or progenitor cell mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation, binding assays, and chemotactic assays were employed to determine if annexin-2 is associated with CXCL12. Degradation assays were also used to determine if annexin-2 and CXCL12 protect each other from proteolytic degradation. Results Anxa2 −/− animals had fewer HSCs in their marrow, and the HSCs in anxa2 −/− animals express less CXCR4 and CXCR7, suggesting a cell intrinsic defect. Transplantation studies of wild-type marrow into anxa2 −/− animals demonstrated a cell-extrinsic defect in the anxa2 −/− animals. CXCL12 binds directly to annexin-2, and this interaction facilitates presentation of CXCL12 to HSCs. Yet the binding of CXCL12 to annexin-2 did not protect CXCL12 from proteolytic cleavage after stem or progenitor cell mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Conclusions These results suggest that annexin-2 serves as an anchor for CXCL12 to help in the localization of HSCs to the niche.
MaxWeight vs. BackPressure: Routing and scheduling in multi-channel relay networks

We study routing and scheduling algorithms for relay-assisted, multi-channel downlink wireless networks (e.g., OFDM-based cellular systems with relays). Over such networks, while it is well understood that the BackPressure algorithm is stabilizing (i.e., queue lengths do not become arbitrarily large), its performance (e.g., delay, buffer usage) can be poor. In this paper, we study an alternative - the MaxWeight algorithm - variants of which are known to have good performance in a single-hop setting. In a general relay setting however, MaxWeight is not even stabilizing (and thus can have very poor performance). In this paper, we study an iterative MaxWeight algorithm for routing and scheduling in downlink multi-channel relay networks. We show that, surprisingly, the iterative MaxWeight algorithm can stabilize the system in several large-scale instantiations of this setting (e.g., general arrivals with full-duplex relays, bounded arrivals with half-duplex relays). Further, using both many-channel large-deviations analysis and simulations, we show that iterative MaxWeight outperforms the BackPressure algorithm from a queue-length/delay perspective.
Some substitutional chemistry in known ternary and quaternary chalcogenides

Abstract New ternary and quaternary transition-metal chalcogenides have resulted from substitutional chemistry of known phases. Ta 2 Ni 3 S 8 and Ta 2 Pt 3 Se 8 have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray techniques. These compounds adopt the Nb 2 Pd 3 Se 8 structural type. Hence in Ta 2 Ni 3 S 8 Ni occupies both square-planar and square-pyramidal sites as similarly does Pt in Ta 2 Pt 3 Se 8 . The electrical conductivity of Ta 2 Ni 3 S 8 establishes its semiconducting behavior. Ta has been substituted for Nb in the Nb 2 Pd 0.71 Se 5 type to yield Ta 2 Pd 0.89 S 5 which has been characterized by single crystal X-ray techniques. The square-planar Pd sites in the van der Waals' gap of this layer structure are 78.6(4)% occupied. This compound shows metallic behavior. The compound Co 2 Nb 4 PdSe 12 has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray techniques. It is of the Co 2 Ta 4 PdSe 12 structural type and thus contains Nb in both trigonal prismatic and octahedral sites.
Heparanase: a target for therapy of brain invasive tumors?

Mechanisms responsible for the progression of malignant melanoma to highly aggressive brain-metastatic disease remain largely unknown. Brain neurotrophins can modulate the brain invasion of melanoma cells and the activity of an enzyme called heparanase. Heparanase is an endo-β-D-glucuronidase that degrades the heparan sulfate chains of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, essential and ubiquitous macromolecules associated with the cell surface and the extracellular matrix of a wide range of cells and tissues. Human heparanase has been recently cloned as a single gene family and found to be a potential target for anticancer drugs because of its critical roles in angiogenic and invasive processes. The potential relevance of heparanase, as a cellular switch from noninvasive to the invasive phenotype and novel therapeutic target for invasive brain tumors, is introduced.
Carbon-carbon bond activation in the 1,2-ethanedioxy heterometallacycle by atomic oxygen on Ag(110)

Abstract The effects of coadsorbed oxygen atoms on the decomposition of the 1,2-ethanedioxy surface species (OCH 2 CH 2 O (a) ) formed during the partial oxidation of ethylene glycol (CH 2 OH) 2 on the Ag(110) surface has been studied using temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS), isotope labelling and high resolution electron energy loss vibrational spectroscopy (EELS). Surface oxygen atoms react with OCH 2 CH 2 O (a) at 300 K to form gaseous water and formaldehyde, and surface formate (HCOO (a) ), which decomposes at 415 K to yield CO 2 and H 2 . Through the use of isotopic labelling it was found that the oxygen in the formaldehyde originates solely from the 1,2-ethanedioxy surface species, while in the surface formate one comes from OCH 2 CH 2 O (a) and the other from coadsorbed oxygen atoms. The kinetic isotope effect for the reaction of adsorbed d 4 -1,2-ethanedioxy with surface oxygen indicates that the rate limiting step is the abstraction of a proton from a methylene carbon in OCH 2 CH 2 O (a) to form OH a and OCHCH 2 O (a) . Nucleophilic attack by surface oxygen at the carbonyl carbon of OCHCH 2 O (a) , followed by C-C bond cleavage then releases H 2 CO and forms HCOO (a) . This study underscores the importance of looking at a wide range of concentrations of the pertinent surface species in order to probe a wider variety of reaction channels.
Tutorial for Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST): Detailed Description of the Treatment Protocol with Corresponding Theoretical Rationale

Verb Network Strengthening Treatment (VNeST) is a theoretically motivated aphasia treatment that has resulted in promising generalization to untrained sentences and discourse in persons with aphasia. As with all speech and language therapies, it is critical that clinicians understand the theoretical motivation behind VNeST's protocol in order to make informed decisions during provision of the treatment. This article provides a detailed VNeST tutorial, including characteristics of participants who might be suitable, dosage information, and detailed instructions for each treatment step, including rationale, cueing guidelines, and frequently asked questions. Further guidance is provided regarding verb selection, and a score sheet is included for easy recording of responses and cueing levels.
Two Hearts That Beat as One

“Two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one” Maria Lovall (1803-1877), Ingomar the Barbarian Although the right and left ventricles develop from the same primitive heart tube during morphogenesis, they evolve into two relatively independent structures with so many different characteristics that with some justification they may be regarded as two different organs. Despite that, they are closely linked physically, mechanically, and electrically and appear to “beat as one.” This intimate ventricular–ventricular relation is believed to have important functional implications during physiological and pathological states.1 2 3 4 5 6 The article by Fogel and colleagues in this issue of Circulation is a welcome addition to the literature, as it addresses certain aspects of ventricular–ventricular interaction and raises many issues relating to the similarities and differences between the two ventricles, including an instantaneous pattern of wall motion as defined by new imaging techniques, their relation to congenital abnormalities, and different forms of semicorrective operations with resultant adaptation, remodeling, and/or damage. The shape of each ventricle is genetically determined to suit its exact function.7 Thus, the left ventricle is “flask” shaped with the inlet and outlet sharing one orifice. This enables the ventricle to deliver a bolus of blood against high …
Strategic R&D policy under vertically differentiated oligopoly

In this paper strategic RD and the high-tech firm's government always gains in the R&D policy game, in contrast to the standard prison-
Age- and Gender-Related Ventricular-Vascular Stiffening A Community-Based Study

Background— Increases in vascular (Ea), ventricular systolic (Ees), and ventricular diastolic (Ed) elastance (stiffness) may contribute to the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFnlEF). The prevalence of HFnlEF increases strikingly with age, particularly in women. We hypothesized that ventricular-vascular stiffening may occur with age and be more pronounced in women in the general community. Methods and Results— In a cross-sectional sample of Olmsted County, Minn, residents ≥45 years old (n=2042), clinical data, Doppler echocardiography, and blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained. Ea was calculated from stroke volume and systolic BP and indexed to body size (EaI). Ees was calculated by a modified single-beat method using systolic and diastolic BP, stroke volume, ejection fraction, timing intervals, and an estimated normalized ventricular elastance at arterial end diastole. Operant Ed was calculated from Doppler indices reflective of atrial pressures and the diast...