cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is your brand's loyalty too much, too little, or just right?: Explaining deviations in loyalty from the Dirichlet norm

Abstract This paper formally investigates the factors that relate to the deviations of brand's actual loyalty levels from theoretical norms in packaged goods markets. An aggregate measure of brand loyalty, share of category requirements, commonly tracked by marketing managers is used for this analysis. The comparison is conducted against the estimated share of requirements provided by the well established Dirichlet model of purchasing behavior. We posit that a brand's positioning strategy and marketing mix can influence the magnitude and the direction of the deviation from the norm. We use a two step modeling procedure where we first compute the deviation from the norm for each brand and subsequently conduct a regression analysis of this brand-level data to test the proposed hypotheses. We find that on average, brands that cater to some market niche, are bought in higher quantities, have lower prices, promote to a lesser extent, and have shallower price-cuts and enjoy higher than expected loyalty levels. We discuss possible implications of these results and offer guidelines that managers can use to better assess both the actual and the theoretical loyalty levels of their brands.
Multiband accelerated spin-echo echo planar imaging with reduced peak RF power using time-shifted RF pulses.

Purpose: To evaluate an alternative method for generating multibanded radiofrequency (RF) pulses for use in multiband slice-accelerated imaging with slice-GRAPPA unaliasing, substantially reducing the required peak power without bandwidth compromises. This allows much higher accelerations for spin-echo methods such as SE-fMRI and diffusion-weighted MRI where multibanded slice acceleration has been limited by available peak power. Theory and Methods: Multibanded “time-shifted” RF pulses were generated by inserting temporal shifts between the applications of RF energy for individual bands, avoiding worst-case constructive interferences. Slice profiles and images in phantoms and human subjects were acquired at 3 T. Results: For typical sinc pulses, time-shifted multibanded RF pulses were generated with little increase in required peak power compared to single-banded pulses. Slice profile quality was improved by allowing for higher pulse bandwidths, and image quality was improved by allowing for optimum flip angles to be achieved. Conclusion: A simple approach has been demonstrated that significantly alleviates the restrictions imposed on achievable slice acceleration factors in multiband spin-echo imaging due to the power requirements of multibanded RF pulses. This solution will allow for increased accelerations in diffusion-weighted MRI applications where data acquisition times are normally very long and the ability to accelerate is extremely valuable. Magn Reson Med 69:1261–1267, 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protecting Human Subjects : How Much Responsibility Falls to Editorial Boards?

Editorial policy for biomedical journals increasingly calls on authors to affirm that approval was received from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) (or equivalent) prior to initiating any human subjects research presented in a manuscript submitted for publication. For most investigations and investigators this does not present any problem. However, when research is carried out in a setting where there is no IRB, should editors consider a report of such a study based on the merits alone? There is no simple answer to this question. This commentary explores aspects of the question and presents issues to be considered in developing an answer. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:172-175, 2009. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An evaluation of the induction-coupled, radio-frequency plasma torch for atomic emission and atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract A study has been made of the induction-coupled, 4.8 MHz, plasma torch as a source of atoms for emission and absorption spectrochemical analysis. The factors evaluated include sensitivity, limits of detection, inter-element effects, limitations, and general convenience. In agreement with other reports, the plasma torch was found to give useful emission signals for several elements which are difficult to excite in chemical flames, such as B, Ta, and Ti. The value of the source for atomic absorption spectrometry was found to depend on the availability of bright line sources. Pronounced inter-element effects were found, affecting particularly the emission signals. In most cases, these inter-element effects were enhancements of the emission, although in one case a suppression was observed. Except for a few refractory elements, the 4.8 MHz plasma torch does not appear to be a suitable replacement for the chemical flame.
Effect of physiology on the temperature distribution of a layered head with external convection

Abstract To improve the existing thermal models of the human head, we incorporate the effect of the temperature over the metabolic heat generation, the regulatory processes that control the cerebral blood perfusion and their dependence on physiological parameters like, the mean arterial blood pressure, the partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption. The introduction of these parameters in a thermal model gives information about how specific conditions, such as brain edema, hypoxia, hypercapnia, or hypotension, affect the temperature distribution within the brain. Our work, on a layered head model, shows that variations of the physiological parameters have profound effect on the temperature gradients within the head.
Properties of soy protein isolate/polycaprolactone blends compatibilized by methylene diphenyl diisocyanate ☆

Abstract Blends of soy protein isolate with 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50% polycaprolactone (SPI/PCL) alone or with addition of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 5.0% methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) were prepared by using an intensive mixer at 160°C for 10 min, and then milled through a 1 mm sieve. The blends and SPI were compression-molded at 150°C for 5 min, cooled to 30°C, and removed from the mold. Thermal and mechanical properties and water absorption of the blends were studied by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), a dynamical mechanic analyzer (DMA), an Instron, a water absorption test, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The glass transition temperature ( T g ) of SPI was found to decrease with increasing PCL contents in the blends containing 2 wt% MDI. For 50/50 (SPI/PCL) blends, the T g of SPI decreased with increases in MDI content. Both DSC and DMA results showed that compatibility between SPI and PCL was improved with the addition of MDI. Mechanical properties of the 50/50 (SPI/PCL) blends increased with increasing MDI concentrations. Strength of the SPI/PCL blends with 2 wt% MDI decreased, and elongation of the blends increased with increasing PCL concentration. Water resistance of the blends was improved significantly by increasing PCL concentration and by incorporating MDI.
Oceanic mantle beneath the southern Rio Grande rift

Abstract Major element and modal trends in spinel lherzolites from Salt Lake Crater, Hawaii, and Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico, are essentially identical. These trends have developed through 5–30% partial melting of the same pyrolite-like parent composition. The melting events probably took place at mid-ocean ridges. Using Cr/(Cr + Al + Fe 3+ ) in spinel as an index of the degree of depletion in fusible components in each of a large number of lherzolite inclusions, we have subdivided both suites into relatively parental, intermediate, and refractory groups, and computed an average bulk composition for each group. Compositions of hypothetical melts generated from these rocks are characterized by high MgO (about 18%), low Ti and K, and CaO/Al 2 O 3 around 1.0. The strongly similarity between the two xenolith suites suggests that south central New Mexico is underlain by oceanic mantle. We propose that the Kilbourne Hole lherzolites represent oceanic lithosphere which was buried beneath offshore sediments during a Precambrian ocean basin formation, later to be preserved when subduction further offshore created new additions to the continent above that near-shore oceanic lithosphere. In addition, we propose that the Mg-rich, Ti- and K-poor calculated melts reported here are the primitive precursors to mid-ocean ridge basalts. Early dunite and wehrlite cumulates from some ophiolite sequences may record the fractionation histories these liquids follow prior to eruption at the surface.
Geochemistry of Sedimentary Ore Deposits

Ore deposit geochemists and economic geologists have in the past directed most of their attention toward hydrothermal deposits, but it is becoming increasingly apparent that sedimentary deposits are of key future importance because of their size and other favorable characteristics. In addition, many deposits formerly considered hydrothermal are now recognized as sedimentary or as having important sedimentary affiliations. Geochemistry of Sedimentary Ore Deposits is the first to summarize and discuss the geochemistry of these important deposits, and it is therefore a welcome addition to the literature. The definition for “sedimentary ore deposits” adopted in this book is “formed by sedimentary processes.” Maynard therefore includes Mississippi Valley lead-zinc ores (formed by hot sedimentary brines) and volcanogenic sulfides (deposited on the sea floor) as well as iron formation and sedimentary copper ores. The emphasis is on chemical sediments, so that placers are not included, nor are nonmetallics such as evaporites. The coverage thus encompasses metallic deposits formed by syngenetic and diagenetic processes, plus epigenetic ores formed by sedimentary brines or hydrothermal fluid at the sea floor.
Dissecting the Human Identity

Biometrics has emerged as the key technology for personal identification, with India leading the way in full-scale deployment of a biometric-based universal ID system.
Fluxless flip–chip SnAu solder interconnect on thin Si wafers and Cu laminated polyimide films

Abstract Initial success of new fluxless flip–chip interconnect technique is reported. Non-eutectic Sn-rich Sn Au solder bumps are used to connect thin silicon chip to glass substrate and Cu laminated polyimide film, respectively. Fluxless process development on tin-rich alloys is challenging because tin atoms get oxidized easily. The solder bumps of Sn Au multilayer composite with overall composition of 95 at.% Sn and 5 at.% Au are fabricated by vacuum deposition on thin silicon wafers to prevent solder oxidation. The bonding is performed at 250 °C in hydrogen environment without using any flux. The diameter of the bump is 200 μm and height is 20 μm. Nearly void-free solder joints with randomly distributed AuSn4 intermetallic compound (IMC) are produced using this fluxless bonding process. Continuous layers of Cu3Sn and Cu6Sn5 instead of commonly known scallop-type Cu6Sn5 are formed between laminated Cu layer and the Sn-rich non-eutectic Au Sn solder. The re-melting temperature of solder joints is measured to be 220 °C. The bonding process is entirely flux-free and thus is particularly valuable for many devices that cannot take any flux, such as biomedical, photonic, MEMS, and sensor devices.
Combining Experiments under Gauss-Markov Models

Abstract Consider two experiments with homoscedastic models E(Yi ) = Xi θ + Zi ψ, V(Yi ) = σ2 Ini (i = 1, 2). The matrix gi = X'i (Ini — Zi (Z'iZi )Xi can be called the information matrix of linear estimable functions of θ for experiment i. The information matrix g for the combined data (Y 1, Y 2) may be similarly defined. A proof of g ⩾ g 1 + g 2 (⩾ in the sense of nonnegative definiteness) is given, and equality is interpreted. g = g 1 + g 2 if and only if all best linear unbiased estimators (BLUE's) from the combined experiment are linear combinations of BLUE's from the original experiments. Some characterizations of design matrices are obtained for which the BLUE of p'θ from the combined experiment is a linear combination of the BLUE's of p'θ from the individual experiments, for all p'θ that are estimable in both individual experiments.
Composing hybrid wavelets for optimum and near-optimum representation and accelerated evaluation of N-way data sets

In hyphenated measurement devices, temporal, spatial, and spectral resolutions continue to increase. While this is advantageous from a chemical sensing perspective, the amount of data grows exponentially; this imposes challenges on Chemometric algorithms resulting in long computation times. In online sensing, however, time resolution is of vital importance and time delays introduced by lengthy computations become unacceptable. Further, in many applications, data need to be documented and a continuous stream of large data sets presents another technical burden regarding archiving space. This work builds on the previous wavelet studies that have already been published. It was found that there is no reason to use the same wavelet for all dimensions of a data set. ‘Hybrid wavelets’ were introduced which combine different wavelets; this facilitates fine-tuning of the compression. The challenge in using hybrid wavelets lies in the very large number of possible wavelet combinations. A method is presented that automatically determines the optimum and near-optimum wavelet combinations for a given data set. These wavelet combinations are found by evaluating each dimension of the data set separately. This procedure enables an optimization of computation speed, compressed data set size and accuracy of the Chemometric model. Two data cubes acquired from two different experiments are used to show the selection algorithm's capabilities. These examples demonstrate that this algorithm selects hybrid wavelets that are superior to randomly selected wavelet combinations regarding data approximation, compressed data set size, and acceleration of computations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Susceptibility of dematiaceous fungi to amphotericin B, miconazole, ketoconazole, flucytosine and rifampin alone and in combination

The dematiaceous fungi comprise a group of organisms that are deeply pigmented and found in soil or on decaying organic material, such as wood. The majority of infections with these fungi presumably results from traumatic inoculation. Although various forms of infection have been appreciated for some time, none of the presently available antifungal drugs have been shown to have predictable activity against these organisms. We report on the activity in vitro of various antifungal agents alone and in combination against various dematiaceous fungi.
The Pilates Method and Ballet Technique: Applications in the Dance Studio.

Summary There are many body therapies from which dancers may choose in order to gain and maintain strength, flexibility, and balance and to avoid injury or facilitate rehabilitation from injury. The questions are: which system is best for the given student, and how can educators incorporate the many somatic perspectives into their curriculums. This article describes how Pilates can be integrated into ballet technique class. Attention is given to the potential physical benefits of Pilates, how Pilates mat work can support the movement objectives of a ballet technique class, and the technical and anatomical knowledge gained by the instructor and student through the use of the method.
The Role of Negative CT of the Abdomen and Pelvis in the Decision to Admit Adults From the Emergency Department After Blunt Trauma

Rationale and Objectives Computed tomography (CT) is widely used in the initial evaluation of blunt trauma patients and is associated with a high rate of negative imaging. A described benefit of negative imaging is prompt discharge. This study examined a single level 1 trauma center to determine whether adult blunt trauma patients are discharged from the emergency department (ED) after negative CT of the abdomen and pelvis (CT AP). Materials and Methods The authors retrospectively created a data set of adult blunt trauma patients who received CT AP in the ED from August to November 2003. Statistical analysis of admission rates on the basis of positivity or negativity on CT AP was performed to determine if the test influenced admission rates. Additional subgroup analysis was made between the patients admitted with negative CT AP and those who were discharged from the ED. Results Two thirds (316/469) had negative CT AP. Whereas 80.4% of the patients (254/316) with negative CT AP were admitted, 98.0% (148/151) with positive CT AP were admitted, a statistically significant difference in admission rate ( P Conclusion Under current practice, negative CT AP after blunt trauma results in a statistically significant decrease in admissions.
Progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth: indications, when to initiate, efficacy and safety

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity and long-term disability of non-anomalous infants. Previous studies have identified a prior early spontaneous preterm birth as the risk factor with the highest predictive value for recurrence. Two recent double blind randomized placebo controlled trials reported lower preterm birth rate with the use of either intramuscular 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (IM 17OHP-C) or intravaginal micronized progesterone suppositories in women at risk for preterm delivery. However, it is still unclear which high-risk women would truly benefit from this treatment in a general clinical setting and whether socio-cultural, racial and genetic differences play a role in patient’s response to supplemental progesterone. In addition the patient’s acceptance of such recommendation is also in question. More research is still required on identification of at risk group, the optimal gestational age at initiation, mode of administration, dose of progesterone and long-term safety.
ALBUTEROL TREATMENT BLOCKS EXERCISE-INDUCED RETENTION OF RESPIRABLE H 2 O 2 AND BRONCHOSPASM IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA. ▴ 2330

ALBUTEROL TREATMENT BLOCKS EXERCISE-INDUCED RETENTION OF RESPIRABLE H 2 O 2 AND BRONCHOSPASM IN CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA. ▴ 2330
Management survey on justifying new manufacturing technologies

Abstract This paper presents the results of a select survey of medium and top managers concerning the justification procedures used for advanced manufacturing technologies in their firms. It describes the techniques used as well as the results for eight different types of new manufacturing technologies. It also probes into the managers' attitudes about such justification procedures and the difficulties in using them. Finally, the overall thrust of open-ended comments relating to their experiences with justifying, planning for, and implementing such technologies is discussed.
NASA RESEARCH ON RESISTANCE HEATED HYDROGEN JETS

Experimental results concerning the design of resistance-heated hydrogen thrustors, including performance considerations
Chlordecone interaction of calmodulin binding with phosphodiesterase.

The effects of organochlorine (O.C.) compounds, such as aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, isodrin, chlordecone and mirex, on calmodulin (CaM) activity were investigated. Changes induced by O.C. compounds on biological and physical properties of CaM were monitored in terms of phosphodiesterase stimulation and tyrosine fluorescence, respectively. None of the O.C. compounds altered tyrosine fluorescence of CaM in the presence of Ca2+. Except for chlordecone, none of the O.C. compounds inhibited CaM-activated phosphodiesterase (PDE). Chlordecone significantly decreased (P less than 0.05) CaM-activated PDE in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting the basal enzyme. Combination of chlordecone with W-7 (CaM antagonist) increased the inhibitory effect of W-7 on CaM activity. These results suggest that O.C. compounds may not be changing the tyrosine fluorescence of CaM. Among the O.C. compounds tested, chlordecone is a specific inhibitor of CaM-activated PDE.
Phase II trial of thalidomide as maintenance therapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer after response to chemotherapy

Summary Background Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy for which little therapeutic progress has been made over the past 20 years. SCLC is a highly angiogenic tumor and targeting angiogenesis is being investigated. The putative mechanism of action of thalidomide is through inhibition of new blood vessel formation. This trial was designed to evaluate thalidomide in ES-SCLC. Patients and methods Patients who had received first-line chemotherapy without disease progression were eligible. Patients received thalidomide 200 mg daily as maintenance therapy starting 3–6 weeks after completion of chemotherapy. Results Thirty patients were enrolled. Toxicity was minimal with grade 1 neuropathy in 27% of patients and only one case of grade 3 neuropathy. Median survival from time of initiation of induction chemotherapy was 12.8 months (95% CI: 10.1–15.8 months) and 1-year survival of 51.7% (95% CI: 32.5–67.9%). Median duration on thalidomide was 79 days. Conclusion Thalidomide 200 mg daily is well tolerated when given as maintenance therapy for ES-SCLC after induction chemotherapy. Further evaluation of anti-angiogenic agents in SCLC is warranted.
Viewpoint: use of King's conceptual system, nursing informatics, and nursing classification systems for global communication.

PURPOSE. To propose a common nursing language for communication among members of the nursing community worldwide. DATA SOURCES. The Taxonomy of Nursing Practice, nursing informatics literature, King's Theory of Goal Attainment applied to the nursing process. DATA SYNTHESIS. Several milestones in nursing in the 20th century indicated the need for a universal language for nursing. The nursing process provides a method for synthesis of nursing data, information, and knowledge and is congruent with Imogene King's Theory of Goal Attainment. CONCLUSIONS. The authors advocate for a common nursing language (nursing classification and terminology systems) that would unify nurses worldwide. Supported by nursing theory and technology, global communication would be enhanced for nurses and the interdisciplinary teams of which they are a part. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE. Use of Imogene King's Conceptual System and Theory of Goal Attainment and the nursing specialty of Nursing Informatics are examples of nursing theory and technology to frame global communication.
Microbial abundance and composition influence litter decomposition response to environmental change

Rates of ecosystem processes such as decomposition are likely to change as a result of human impacts on the environment. In southern California, climate change and nitrogen (N) deposition in particular may alter biological communities and ecosystem processes. These drivers may affect decomposition directly, through changes in abiotic conditions, and indirectly through changes in plant and decomposer communities. To assess indirect effects on litter decomposition, we reciprocally transplanted microbial communities and plant litter among control and treatment plots (either drought or N addition) in a grassland ecosystem. We hypothesized that drought would reduce decomposition rates through moisture limitation of decomposers and reductions in plant litter quality before and during decomposition. In contrast, we predicted that N deposition would stimulate decomposition by relieving N limitation of decomposers and improving plant litter quality. We also hypothesized that adaptive mechanisms would allow microbes to decompose litter more effectively in their native plot and litter environments. Consistent with our first hypothesis, we found that drought treatment reduced litter mass loss from 20.9% to 15.3% after six months. There was a similar decline in mass loss of litter inoculated with microbes transplanted from the drought treatment, suggesting a legacy effect of drought driven by declines in microbial abundance and possible changes in microbial community composition. Bacterial cell densities were up to 86% lower in drought plots and at least 50% lower on litter derived from the drought treatment, whereas fungal hyphal lengths increased by 13–14% in the drought treatment. Nitrogen effects on decomposition rates and microbial abundances were weaker than drought effects, although N addition significantly altered initial plant litter chemistry and litter chemistry during decomposition. However, we did find support for microbial adaptation to N addition with N-derived microbes facilitating greater mass loss in N plots than in control plots. Our results show that environmental changes can affect rates of ecosystem processes directly through abiotic changes and indirectly through microbial abundances and communities. Therefore models of ecosystem response to global change may need to represent microbial biomass and community composition to make accurate predictions.
New iridoids from the medicinal plant Barleria prionitis with potent activity against respiratory syncytial virus

Two new iridoid glycosides (1 and 2), together with the known compounds barlerin (3) and verbascoside (4), were isolated from Barleria prionitis. The new iridoid glycosides were determined to be 6-O-trans-p-coumaroyl-8-O-acetylshanzhiside methyl ester (1) and its cis isomer (2) by using spectroscopic, especially 2D NMR, data. A 3:1 mixture of 1 and 2 was shown to have potent in vitro activity against respiratory syncytial virus (EC50 2.46 microgram/mL, IC50 42.2 microgram/mL).
A pain in the…ventricle.

A 29-year-old woman presented with headache, blurry vision and somnolence. The headache had persisted for four months and she failed treatment for atypical migraines. She was raised on a farm in Mexico, but denied travel outside of the US for 11 years. Non-contrast computed tomography of the head demonstrated diffuse ventriculomegaly and parenchymal punctate calcifications (Fig. 1). Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed cysts in the fourth ventricle (Fig. 2). She received a temporary external ventricular drain, endoscopic ventriculostomy, dexamethasone and high dose albendazole. Serum Taniae solium antibody returned positive. Her symptoms improved, and she was well three months later with repeat imaging showing normalization of ventricular size and decreased signal intensity consistent with treatment response. Figure 1. Non-contrast computerized tomography image demonstrating a single calcification. Figure 2. Sagittal T2 fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance image. The arrow demonstrates viable cysts in the fourth ventricle. Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system and often presents with seizure, although it can also lead to obstructive hydrocephalus.1,2 NCC symptoms depend on cyst location and whether they are viable (as in our patient), degenerating or inactive.3 Medical management is controversial and may lead to ependymal inflammation from cyst death. If treatment is pursued, dexamethasone may decrease the inflammatory response. High dose albendazole may lead to greater cyst reduction, and was successfully utilized in this case.4
Combining SELEX Screening and Rational Design to Develop Light-up Fluorophore-RNA Aptamer Pairs for RNA Tagging

We report here a new small molecule fluorogen and RNA aptamer pair for RNA labeling. The small-molecule fluorogen is designed on the basis of fluorescently quenched sulforhodamine dye. The SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) procedure and fluorescence screening in E. coli have been applied to discover the aptamer that can specifically activate the fluorogen with micromolar binding affinity. The systematic mutation and truncation study on the aptamer structure determined the minimum binding domain of the aptamer. A series of rationally modified fluorogen analogues have been made to probe the interacting groups of fluorogen with the aptamer. These results led to the design of a much improved fluorogen ASR 7 that displayed a 33-fold increase in the binding affinity for the selected aptamer in comparison to the original ASR 1 and an 88-fold increase in the fluorescence emission after the aptamer binding. This study demonstrates the value of combining in vitro SELEX and E. coli fluorescence screening with rational modifications in discovering and optimizing new fluorogen-RNA aptamer labeling pairs.
Optimised HEMT structure with an Al0.45 Ga0.55As spacer and an Al0.20Ga0.80As doped region

We have obtained an optimised HEMT structure with a high 2DEG sheet concentration of 1×1012 cm−2 while maintaining a high 77 K electron Hall mobility of 120,000 cm2/Vs. The structure utilises a 45% Al mole fraction AlGaAs barrier and a 20% Al mole fraction doped region. It has little or no light sensitivity at 77 K.
Thiocyanate is an efficient endogenous scavenger of the phagocytic killing agent hypobromous acid.

Second-order rate constants for the reaction of HOBr/OBr- (a putative killing agent of eosinophils and a reactive oxygen species that is implicated in mutagenesis and in human inflammatory diseases) with SCN- (an endogenous species in human physiologic fluids) are determined by stopped-flow spectroscopy. The proposed mechanism includes parallel pathways with Br+ transfer to SCN- by general acid catalysis and by direct reaction with HOBr. HOBr reacts with SCN- with a second-order rate constant (2.3 × 109 M-1 s-1) that is 2 orders of magnitude larger than that previously measured for the reaction of HOCl with SCN- (2.3 × 107 M-1 s-1), and very close to the diffusion limit. In contrast to OCl-, OBr- exhibits a measurable rate of reaction with SCN- (3.8 × 104 M-1 s-1). On a molar basis, SCN- is the most effective scavenger of HOBr to be reported to date (200 times more effective than cysteine and 650 times more effective than methionine). Computational models suggest that SCN- is competitive with respect to o...
Renal cytochrome P-450's-electrophoretic and electron paramagnetic resonance studies.

Abstract The cytochrome P-450's of the microsomal mixed function oxidase systems from the rabbit renal cortex, outer medulla, inner medulla, and the liver were compared. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-(SDS) gel electrophoresis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies detected cytochrome P-450 proteins in the liver, renal cortex, and outer medulla but not the inner medulla of normal animals. Two cytochrome P-450 peptides, which had molecular weights of 54,500 and 58,900 and which comigrated with known hepatic cytochrome P-450's on SDS gels, were identified in the cortex and outer medulla. Treatment of animals with 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) enhanced the 54,500 and 58,900 peptides in the liver and cortex but produced little change in outer medulla. MC treatment induced faint cytochrome P-450 bands in the inner medulla. The EPR studies detected low spin heme iron absorption lines at g = 2.42, 2.26, and 1.92 in liver, cortex, and outer medulla from untreated animals. The amplitude of the low spin absorption lines was increased by ethanol, a reverse type I compound, and reduced by chloroform, a type I compound, in these tissues. MC treatment increased the amplitude of the heme absorption lines in these tissues, and it induced a barely detectable heme spectrum in the inner medulla. Differences in exogenous substrate binding between hepatic and renal microsomes from MC-treated animals were detected by EPR and optical difference spectroscopy. Acetone, 1-butanol, and 2-propanol gave evidence of binding to the hepatic cytochrome P-450's but no evidence of binding to renal cortical microsomes. These results, along with previous enzymatic studies, suggest that the liver and each area of the kidney contain different substrate specificities and pathways for the metabolism of organic compounds.
Design of Bridge Foundations Using a Performance-Based Soil-Structure Interaction Approach

The design of deep foundations must consider soil-structure interaction in order to properly model the side and tip resistance components. A soil-structure interaction model such as the t-z model method allows for the settlement analysis of a deep foundation over a range of applied vertical loads. The developed load-settlement curve can be analyzed using performance-based design criteria, such as a limiting tolerable settlement and a serviceability settlement. The limiting tolerable settlement can be selected to correspond to a movement that will either cause excessive stresses in the structure or render a structure inoperable while a serviceability settlement would correspond to a movement that would cause adverse performance or excessive maintenance issues with the structure. In this paper, a performance-based soilstructure interaction design approach for axial design of deep foundations under the AASHTO Strength and Service Limit States is presented. The design approach can be integrated within the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) framework to develop an efficient methodology for satisfying these limit state criteria.
The OCT Plasmid Encodes D-Lysine Membrane Transport and Catabolic Enzymes in Pseudomonas putida

Abstract Pseudomonas putida (oleovorans) (Pp(OCT)) cured of its OCT plasmid (Pp) no longer grows on D-lysine. Conjugation of PpTrp - with three different methionine auxotrophs carrying the OCT plasmid resulted in PpTrp - (OCT) organisms that grew on D-lysine. Three early D-lysine catabolic enzymes encoded by the OCT plasmid are a lysine racemase, the proposed conversion of D-lysine to Δ 1 -piperideine-2-carboxylate (P2C), for which we provide evidence, and P2C reductase which converts P2C to pipecolate. In Pp the rate of active D-lysine transport is reduced by 30 to 50%. We consider this to reflect a loss of the gene for the D-lysine carrier while the remaining activity is due to a chromosomally coded L-lysine or D-ornithine carrier or both. The membrane carriers and catabolic enzymes for D- and L-lysine in P. putida P2 and for L-lysine in Pp(OCT) are chromosomally coded.
Volatility Behavior of Exchange Rate Future Contracts

The increasing globalization of economies and the concurrent increase in the risk of currency exposure has stimulated the development of new instruments to allow both investors and traders to hedge their currency risk. The expansion of these derivatives, however, has raised some concerns. This paper studies the determinants of the dynamics of exchange rate future contracts as a means to identify the sources of such concerns. By using a mean-exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (M-EGARCH) model for five different future contract lengths and six developed economies, it is found that an M-EGARCH(1,1) effectively describes the exchange rate futures' daily dynamic. Sign, size, and persistence effects on the volatility of future contracts are all significant, thus providing important information to both policy makers and market participants.
Multilevel performance probability: a meta-analytic integration of expectancy and self-efficacy.

A meta-analysis of one approach to measuring expectancy and self-efficacy was conducted. Although used for over 25 years, this measure has yet to be named or integrated across the two theoretical domains. We proposed to label this measure a Multilevel Performance Probability and conducted a meta-analysis. The search for empirical tests of expectancy and self-efficacy using this procedure yielded 16 studies with ratings which could be subjected to meta-analysis. Five studies with 8 tests were taken from expectancy studies and 11 studies with 47 tests from studies of self-efficacy. In total, the analyses involved 7,444 subjects across 55 tests of the Multilevel Performance Probability to performance relationship. Examination of the measure as a predictor of performance gave a mean r of .51 (p<.001) which is in the same direction and larger than values from other meta-analyses conducted within each of the two theoretical domains (rs of .21 and .38).
Maximization of recombinant protein yield in the insect cell/baculovirus system by one-time addition of nutrients to high-density batch cultures

Suspension cultures of Sf-9 cells at different stages of growth were infected with a recombinant baculovirus expressing β-galactosidase, using a range of multiplicities of infection (MOI) of 0.05 to 50. Following infection, the cells were resuspended either in the medium in which they had been grown or in fresh medium. Specific β-galactosidase yields were not markedly affected by either MOI or medium change in cultures infected in early exponential phase (≤ 3 × 106 cells mL-1). In cultures infected at later growth stages, β-galactosidase yields could only be maintained by medium replacement. The possibility that this requirement for medium replacement is due either to the accumulation of an inhibitory byproduct or nutrient limitation was examined. Alanine, a major byproduct of cultured insect cell metabolism, did not significantly reduce recombinant protein yield when added to infected cultures in concentrations of up to 40 mM. Following a factorial design, various nutrient concentrates were added alone or in combination to cultures infected in late exponential phase. Additions that included both yeastolate ultrafiltrate and an amino acid mixture restored specific β-galactosidase yields to levels observed at earlier growth stages or in late stages with medium replacement; the addition of these concentrates, by permitting production at higher cell density, led to increases in the volumetric yield of recombinant protein. Together or separately, the concentrates when added to uninfected late exponential phase cultures, lead to a doubling of the maximum total cell protein level normally supported by unamended medium.
Pools and Fluxes of Biogenic Carbon in the Former Soviet Union

The Former Soviet Union (FSU) was the largest country in the world. It occupied one-sixth of the land surface of the Earth. An understanding of the pools and fluxes of biogenic C in the FSU is essential to the development of international strategies aimed at mitigation of the negative impacts of global climate change. The territory of the FSU is represented by a variety of climate conditions. The major part of the FSU territory is in the boreal and temperate climatic zones. The climate in the FSU changes from arctic and subarctic in the North to subtropical and desert in the South. From west to east, the climate makes a transition from maritime to continental to monsoon. The vegetation of the FSU includes the following principal types: forest, woodland, shrubland, grassland, tundra, desert, peatlands and cultivated land. Arctic deserts and tundra formations are found in the northern part of the FSU; deserts and semi-deserts are found in the southern part.
Pre-deployment daytime and nighttime sleep complaints as predictors of post-deployment PTSD and depression in National Guard troops

There is growing evidence that disturbed sleep is a risk factor for the development of a number of psychiatric diagnoses including depression, PTSD and substance use. The goal of this study was to use a subset of participants from a larger prospective longitudinal study to examine whether preexisting daytime and nighttime sleep disturbances predict depression, PTSD and substance use in US National Guard Soldiers deployed to Iraq. Data on daytime and nighttime sleep complaints, baseline symptoms and personality variables were gathered prior to deployment to Iraq. Measures of psychopathology were collected at three time points post-deployment over the course of two years using both questionnaires and interviews. Multiple regressions were used to predict diagnoses and symptoms of depression, PTSD and substance use. Pre-deployment daytime and nighttime sleep complaints contributed significantly to the prediction of PTSD and depression up to two years after deployment, but not substance use. This study suggests that daytime and nighttime sleep complaints are a risk factor for internalizing disorders including PTSD and depression.
Methods for High Resistivity Measurements Related to Spacecraft-Charging

A key parameter in modeling differential spacecraft-charging is the resistivity of insulating materials. This parameter determines how charge will accumulate and redistribute across the spacecraft, as well as the timescale for charge transport and dissipation. American Society for Testing and Materials constant-voltage methods are shown to provide inaccurate resistivity measurements for materials with resistivities greater than ~1017 Omegamiddotcm or with long polarization decay times such as are found in many polymers. These data have been shown to often be inappropriate for spacecraft-charging applications and have been found to underestimate charging effects by one to four orders of magnitude for many materials. The charge storage decay method is shown to be the preferred method to determine the resistivities of such highly insulating materials. A review is presented of methods to measure the resistivity of highly insulating materials-including the electrometer in resistance method, the electrometer in constant-voltage method, and the charge storage method. The different methods are found to be appropriate for different resistivity ranges and for different charging circumstances. A simple macroscopic physics-based model of these methods allows separation of the polarization current and dark current components from long-duration measurements of resistivity over day- to month-long timescales. Model parameters are directly related to the magnitude of charge transfer and storage and the rate of charge transport. The model largely explains the observed differences in resistivity found using the different methods and provides a framework for recommendations for the appropriate test method for spacecraft materials with different resistivities and applications
An improved Taura syndrome virus (TSV) RT-PCR using newly designed primers.

Taura syndrome virus (TSV)-specific primers, designated as 7171F/7511R, were designed to improve the sensitivity of RT-PCR detection. This pair of primers was shown to detect TSV isolates representative of four phylogenetic lineages: Belize, Americas, SE Asia, and Venezuela. Its detection limit was determined to be 20 copies of the TSV genome, 100 times more sensitive than the TSV primers 9992/9195 currently being used by many laboratories and recommended for surveillance and diagnostic applications by the Office International des Epizooties. Primers 7171F/7511R were found to be specific to TSV and did not to react to either Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV), White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), Yellow head virus (YHV), or Infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). This new RT-PCR method was shown to detect TSV in chronically infected Penaeus vannamei that had survived up to 236 days after exposure to TSV.
The Effect of Lower Stratospheric Shear on Baroclinic Instability

Using a hierarchy of models, and observations, the effect of vertical shear in the lower stratosphere on baroclinic instability in the tropospheric midlatitude jet is examined. It is found that increasing stratospheric shear increases the phase speed of growing baroclinic waves, increases the growth rate of modes with low synoptic wavenumbers, and decreases the growth rate of modes with higher wavenumbers. The meridional structure of the linear modes, and their acceleration of the zonal mean jet, changes with increasing stratospheric shear, but in a way that apparently contradicts the observed stratosphere–troposphere northern annular mode (NAM) connection. This contradiction is resolved at finite amplitude. In nonlinear life cycle experiments it is found that increasing stratospheric shear, without changing the jet structure in the troposphere, produces a transition from anticyclonic (LC1) to cyclonic (LC2) behavior at wavenumber 7. All life cycles with wavenumbers lower than 7 are LC1, and all with wavenumber greater than 7 are LC2. For the LC1 life cycles, the effect of increasing stratospheric shear is to increase the poleward displacement of the zonal mean jet by the eddies, which is consistent with the observed stratosphere–troposphere NAM connection. Finally, it is found that the connection between high stratospheric shear and high-tropospheric NAM is present by NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data.
The legacy effect: 4.5 years of a chlorthalidone-based antihypertensive regimen reduces cardiovascular mortality and prolongs cardiovascular disease-free survival at 22 years for older patients with isolated systolic hypertension

Commentary on: Kostis JB, Cabrera J, Cheng JQ, et al. Association between chlorthalidone treatment of systolic hypertension and long-term survival. JAMA 2011;306:2588–93.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Due to decreased vascular compliance, hypertension in older patients is commonly limited to systolic blood pressure; pulse pressures are wider than for younger patients. Decades ago, physicians commonly withheld treatment for older patients with isolated systolic hypertension due to a belief that this was a ‘normal’ or acceptable consequence of ageing that carried no excess morbidity. Since the early 1990's, multiple large-scale treatment trials disproved this hypothesis. These included the Syst-Eur and Syst-China trials of nitrendipine, and the MRC(Medical Research Council) trial of hydrochlorothiazide plus amiloride. One of the largest and most influential trials was the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) study.1 In this trial, eligible patients were above the age of 60 (mean 71.6 years), had no pre-existing … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJAMA%26rft.stitle%253DJAMA%26rft.issn%253D0002-9955%26rft.aulast%253DKostis%26rft.auinit1%253DJ.%2BB.%26rft.volume%253D306%26rft.issue%253D23%26rft.spage%253D2588%26rft.epage%253D2593%26rft.atitle%253DAssociation%2BBetween%2BChlorthalidone%2BTreatment%2Bof%2BSystolic%2BHypertension%2Band%2BLong-term%2BSurvival%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Fjama.2011.1821%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F22187278%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/jama.2011.1821&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=22187278&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmed%2F17%2F6%2F183.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000298276800020&link_type=ISI
Difficulties in Understanding the Metabolic Complications of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, changes in fat distribution and serum metabolites were reported. These included increased central fat (“buffalo hump,” abdominal, and visceral); decreased peripheral fat (in the face, legs, and arms); increased levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol, glucose, and insulin; and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Many of these changes predict increased atherosclerosis. It has been proposed that these findings are part of a single syndrome, much like metabolic syndrome. Our data indicate that many of these changes are independent. Some changes are antiretroviral drug (but not necessarily class)–specific, some represent the restoration to health, and others are due to effects of the host response to human immunodeficiency virus itself. With the introduction of effective therapy for HIV infection, a large variety of changes was reported both in the distribution of fat [1‐19] and in levels of plasma metabolites [5, 20‐37]. The abnormalities of fat redistribution include the appearance of buffalo hump, increased abdominal size, breasts, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and decreased fat in the face, arms, legs, and buttocks. The changes in plasma metabolites include increased levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol, glucose, and insulin; the latter two indicate insulin resistance. Low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were also found. Some of these changes, particularly increased VAT, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol levels, and insulin resistance resemble metabolic syndrome or syn