cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal stresses in steel girder bridges with integral abutments

This paper demonstrates the use of field measurements to evaluate the performance of integral abutment bridges and to check the validity of the design assumptions. A newly constructed integral abutment bridge was heavily instrumented to monitor its long-term performance under the effects of environmental conditions and traffic loading. The collected data indicate that integral abutments resist the expansion of the bridge superstructure during summer time, leading to excessive axial compressive forces in the steel girders. Under such a condition, the 2002 AASHTO criteria for stability and yield of steel girders are barely satisfied under the effect of dead loads and temperature variations and are not satisfied when considering the effect of HS20-44 live load.
Digital terrain modeling

Abstract This article examines how the methods and data sources used to generate DEMs and calculate land surface parameters have changed over the past 25 years. The primary goal is to describe the state-of-the-art for a typical digital terrain modeling workflow that starts with data capture, continues with data preprocessing and DEM generation, and concludes with the calculation of one or more primary and secondary land surface parameters. The article first describes some of ways in which LiDAR and RADAR remote sensing technologies have transformed the sources and methods for capturing elevation data. It next discusses the need for and various methods that are currently used to preprocess DEMs along with some of the challenges that confront those who tackle these tasks. The bulk of the article describes some of the subtleties involved in calculating the primary land surface parameters that are derived directly from DEMs without additional inputs and the two sets of secondary land surface parameters that are commonly used to model solar radiation and the accompanying interactions between the land surface and the atmosphere on the one hand and water flow and related surface processes on the other. It concludes with a discussion of the various kinds of errors that are embedded in DEMs, how these may be propagated and carried forward in calculating various land surface parameters, and the consequences of this state-of-affairs for the modern terrain analyst.
Cytochrome c Adsorption to Supported, Anionic Lipid Bilayers Studied via Atomic Force Microscopy

The adsorption of membrane-associated protein cytochrome c to anionic lipid bilayers of dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol was studied in low ionic strength physiological buffer using atomic force microscopy. The bilayers were supported on polylysinated mica. The formation of stable, single lipid bilayers was confirmed by imaging and force spectroscopy. Upon addition of low concentrations of cytochrome c, protein molecules were not topographically visible on the lipid bilayer-buffer interface. However, the forces required to punch through the bilayer by indentation using the atomic force microscopy probe were significantly lower after protein adsorption, which suggest that the protein inserts into the bilayer. Moreover, the apparent thickness of the bilayer remained unchanged after cytochrome c adsorption. Yet, mass spectroscopy and visible light absorption spectroscopy confirmed the presence of cytochrome c in the lipid bilayers. These results suggest that 1), cytochrome c inserts into the bilayer and resides in its hydrophobic core; 2), cytochrome c insertion changes the mechanical properties of the bilayer significantly; and 3), bilayer force spectroscopy may be a useful tool in investigating lipid-protein interactions.
Exploring the associations between drug side-effects and therapeutic indications

Display Omitted Prediction of drug side-effects and indications with various information.Statistical association discovery between drug side-effects and indications.Visual interface for exploring the predicted associations.All data and visualization tool are publicly available. Drug therapeutic indications and side-effects are both measurable patient phenotype changes in response to the treatment. Inferring potential drug therapeutic indications and identifying clinically interesting drug side-effects are both important and challenging tasks. Previous studies have utilized either chemical structures or protein targets to predict indications and side-effects. In this study, we compared drug therapeutic indication prediction using various information including chemical structures, protein targets and side-effects. We also compared drug side-effect prediction with various information sources including chemical structures, protein targets and therapeutic indication. Prediction performance based on 10-fold cross-validation demonstrates that drug side-effects and therapeutic indications are the most predictive information source for each other. In addition, we extracted 6706 statistically significant indication-side-effect associations from all known drug-disease and drug-side-effect relationships. We further developed a novel user interface that allows the user to interactively explore these associations in the form of a dynamic bipartitie graph. Many relationship pairs provide explicit repositioning hypotheses (e.g., drugs causing postural hypotension are potential candidates for hypertension) and clear adverse-reaction watch lists (e.g., drugs for heart failure possibly cause impotence). All data sets and highly correlated disease-side-effect relationships are available at http://astro.temple.edu/~tua87106/druganalysis.html.
Delimiting “Thunderstorm Watch” Periods by Real-Time Lightning Location for a Power Utility Company

Abstract During times of thunderstorm activity, the power utility serving metropolitan New York enters a potentially costly “thunderstorm watch” mode of operation which is designed to prevent a major power outage caused by lightning. To evaluate the usefulness of real-time lightning-location data in better defining required watch periods, the recorded log of actual watches is compared to a derived log of watch periods based solely on archived cloud-to-ground lightning data from the SUNY–Albany Lightning Detection Network. The analysis period spans February–July of 1984. Simple objective criteria define the initiation and termination times of network-derived watches. A lightning derived watch begins when two lightning flashes occur within 5 min of each other anywhere within a 20-km extension of the borders of the utility's operating region; a derived watch ends when no lightning is observed within the same region for a period of at least 15 min. Of 36 watches common to both databases, the lightning derived...
Cocaine and alcohol synergism in taste aversion learning

Abstract Female Long–Evans rats were given 20-min access to saccharin followed by injections of alcohol and cocaine, alone and in combination. Although there was no significant interaction between alcohol and cocaine when cocaine was given intraperitoneally (IP), aversions induced by the drug combination when cocaine was administered subcutaneously (SC) were significantly greater than those induced by either drug alone. Further, the aversions induced by the combination were significantly greater than the summed effects of the individual drugs administered alone, indicating a synergistic interaction between cocaine and alcohol. It was suggested that this synergism might result from a summation of the effects of alcohol, cocaine, and cocaethylene, a unique and toxic metabolite of cocaine produced when alcohol is coadministered. To assess the role of cocaethylene in the present design, additional taste aversion assessments were performed in which saccharin was paired with either IP or SC injections of cocaethylene. Although cocaethylene was found to induce aversions, the summed changes in consumption from baseline produced by cocaine, alcohol, and cocaethylene were significantly less than the changes produced by cocaine and alcohol in combination. These results indicate that the synergistic interaction between cocaine and alcohol in the present design cannot be attributed solely to summation of the effects of the individual drugs and the metabolite cocaethylene. Additional mechanisms by which cocaethylene might contribute to the synergistic interaction between cocaine and alcohol, as well as the role pharmacokinetic interactions between cocaine and alcohol might have in the interaction, were discussed.
Exercise and Exercise Testing in Fibromyalgia Patients:: Lessons Learned and Suggestions for Future Studies

Objectives: To critically review the current literature on exercise in fibromyalgia patients and suggest potential avenues for future research. Results: Although there is a consensus that fibromyalgia patients are or become aerobically unfit there are conflicting reports as to whether there is a true muscle weakness as opposed to a quasi-weakness resulting from pain inhibition. Recent studies indicating that fibromyalgia patients have problems relaxing their muscles during the short pauses between repetitive movements may be a significant "breakthrough" in the understanding of muscle dysfunction in this condition. Perfecting non-invasive technologies of dynamic muscle function should be a goal of future studies. Conclusions: The study of exercising muscle has the potential to yield important clues as to the etiology of fibromyalgia muscle pain and dysfunction.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha promoter variants and iron phenotypes in 785 hemochromatosis and iron overload screening (HEIRS) study participants.

Abstract We sought to determine if TNF promoter variants could explain iron phenotype heterogeneity in adults with previous HFE genotyping. HEIRS Study participants genotyped for C282Y and H63D were designated as high transferrin saturation (TS) and/or serum ferritin (SF) (high TS/SF), low TS/SF, or controls. We grouped 191 C282Y homozygotes as high TS/SF, low TS/SF, or controls, and 594 other participants by race/ethnicity as high TS/SF or controls. Using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC), we screened the TNF promoter region in each participant. We performed multiple regression analyses in C282Y homozygotes using age, sex, HEIRS Study Field Center, and positivity for TNF − 308G→A and − 238G→A to determine if these attributes predicted ln TS or ln SF. DHPLC analyses were successful in 99.3% of 791 participants and detected 9 different variants; TNF − 308G→A and − 238G→A were the most prevalent. Most subjects positive for variants were heterozygous. The phenotype frequencies of each variant did not differ significantly (p
The effect of soft drink availability in elementary schools on consumption.

Abstract Objective To quantify the association among soft drink availability, school-based purchases, and overall consumption for elementary school children in the United States. Design The study is a cross-sectional, descriptive analysis of children in fifth grade across the United States. Measures of soft drink availability, purchases, and consumption are reported by the child in direct assessments by interviewers. Subjects/setting Subjects in the analysis are from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey-Kindergarten Cohort. The baseline sample from this survey is nationally representative of kindergarten students in the 1998-1999 school year. The analytic sample obtained from the sixth wave includes 10,215 children in fifth grade in 2,303 schools across 40 states. Main outcome measures Consumption of any soft drink in the past week, purchase of any soft drink at school in the past week, overall consumption of soft drinks in the past week, overall purchases of soft drinks at school in the past week, and share of all consumption that was school-based. Statistical analyses performed χ 2 square tests and t tests were conducted to determine significant differences across sociodemographic groups. Multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the effect of availability on the odds of any soft drink consumption and overall consumption level. Results In this study, 26% of children who have access to soft drinks at school consume them. Those who consume more soft drinks at school, such as low-income and black non-Hispanic children, are more likely to consume more soft drinks overall. Controlling for covariates, limiting availability of soft drinks at school is associated with a 4% decrease (odds ratio 1.38) in the rate of any consumption overall. Conclusions These findings suggest that soft drink availability at school may have limited impact on overall consumption for elementary school children. Further research about predictors of consumption, how children respond to reduced availability, as well as food environments at home and at school, may identify next steps toward improving the diets of children.
Case 3-1995. Three patients requiring both coronary artery bypass surgery and orthotopic liver transplantation.

A 46-year-old 63-kg woman with a history of type II diabetes melhtus and heavy tobacco use presented with symptoms of congestive heart failure and angina precipitated by severe anemia. Cardiac enzymes obtained were not elevated. Therapy with digoxin, diuretics, and nitrates was initiated. Endoscopic examination showed bleeding esophageal varices. Past medical history was significant for hepatic cirrhosis believed to be secondary to methotrexate therapy for psoriasis, with no history of alcohol abuse, jaundice, or encephalopathy Cardiac catheterization showed severe quadruple-vessel atherosclerotlc coronary artery disease (CAD) with moderate hypoklnesis of the left ventricle and severe hypokmesis of the inferior and posterobasal walls and an ejection fraction of 0 5 to 0.6. Preoperative laboratory data included hematocrlt (HCT) 37%, prothrombin time (PT) 14.9 seconds, glucose 215 mg/dL, creatmine 0.6
Photoperiodic control of flowering: not only by coincidence

The timing of floral transition has a direct impact on reproductive success. One of the most important environmental factors that affect the transition is the change in day length (photoperiod). Classical experiments imply that plants monitor photoperiods in the leaf, and transmit that information coded within an elusive signal dubbed florigen to the apex to reprogram development. Recent advances in Arabidopsis research indicate that the core of the day-length measurement mechanism lies in the circadian regulation of CONSTANS (CO) expression and the subsequent photoperiodic induction of the expression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene, which might encode a major component of florigen. In this review, we introduce current perspectives on how, when and where the floral signal is generated.
BWR linear stability analysis

Abstract A state-of-the-art analytical model has been developed for investigating the linear stability of boiling water nuclear reactors (BWR). This model has been implemented into a computer code named NUFREQ-NP. The NUFREQ-NP code permits an investigation of the stability of a single heated channel, as well as the multi-channel core of a BWR. It accommodates various neutronics models, including point kinetics, one-dimensional, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional neutron kinetics. It is capable of evaluating system stability in terms of any of the following perturbed state variables: inlet flow rate, external reactivity, and system pressure. This paper presents the modeling principles used in NUFREQ-NP to describe the transient two-phase flow and heat transfer phenomena. Special emphasis is placed on those aspects of the model development which are related to variable system pressure effects. Also, the derivation of various transfer functions is given. The results of NUFREQ-NP testing and verification include a parametric study of the effects of various modeling assumptions, and comparisons with both out-of-core and in-core-experimental data. These comparisons indicate very good agreement between the calculated and measured system transfer functions.
Membrane potential of cerebral cortical cells during spreading depression and asphyxia

Abstract Changes in membrane potential were recorded intracellularly from cortical cells during spreading depression (SD) and asphyxiation. In fourteen cells with a mean membrane potential of 67 mv, SD caused a moderate to severe transient depolarization of about 2-min duration. The depolarization was relatively fast, the repolarization much slower. The mean value of the membrane potential at the maximum of depolarization was 35% of the original, with a range of 74 to 6%. A correction was made in a few instances for the effects of the slow potential change accompanying spreading depression on the membrane potential recorded between an intracellular and indifferent electrode. In one of these cases the corrected membrane potential approached zero. Asphyxiation caused, after a latency of 2 to 3 min, a fast depolarization to a low value of the membrane potential, preceded by a slow decline of the potential (6 mv/min) which started after a short latency (fraction of a minute).
Oxygen radicals--an important mediator of sepsis and septic shock.

There is considerable evidence to implicate aggressive species of oxygen in the pathogenesis of organ dysfunction consequent to sepsis and septic shock. The inflammatory process appears to participate ubiquitously in this setting. A characteristic of inflammation is the involvement of activated neutrophils and their generation of aggressive oxygen species. Such species may both directly injure cells proximal to the oxidant generating cells, and may inactivate any proteolytic mechanisms normally protective against proteolytic injury caused by neutrophil elastase and other proteolytic enzymes released during inflammation. The offending agent in sepsis is most commonly envisioned as bacterial lipopolysaccharide, or endotoxin. Infusion of endotoxin into animals can reproduce much of the pathophysiology of sepsis and septic shock. In addition, administration of endotoxin to cultured cells, particularly endothelial cells, can cause responses consistent with a sequence of events that occurs in intact animals and humans. In both experimental models, it appears that aggressive oxygen species are important actors in the scenario eventuating in cell or organ injury. Of importance, the toxic consequences of these free radicals probably occurs in relatively protected spaces, including microenvironments created by close adherence between inflammatory cells and endothelial cells and the cell interior. For those reasons, the potential for antioxidants as therapy should include consideration of the volume of distribution of such substances. It is probably important that antioxidants access excluded spaces including cell interiors in order to have their maximum effect in this setting. We have studied in a preliminary way the effects of n-acetyl-cysteine, a highly permeable free radical scavenger and antioxidant, in patients with established ARDS. The preliminary data suggest that this antioxidant may indeed be beneficial and a larger prospective study is underway. Novel, new therapies are on the horizon. The explosion of knowledge concerning the manipulation of DNA and the technologies for delivering functioning foreign genes to intact organisms promise completely new categories of therapies which may be applicable in sepsis and septic shock as well as the acute and subacute clinical situations. Eventual realization of the potential of such therapy must await additional basic and clinical investigation.
Objective performance analysis as a tool for the musical detective

sures in EllY Ney's recording. The two renditions of measures 5-8, however, were virtually identical, within the limits of measurement error. The evidence is presented in Figure 1. Figure 1a shows the differences between the first and second renditions in the inter-onset intervals (lOIs) between sllccessive (clusters of) tones, as measured in the digitized acoustic waveform (see Repp, 1992). The expression and individual character of a musical performance resides in its microstructure, which includes variation in the exact timing and intensities of the tones played, Each performance has a unique microstructure which cannot be reproduced exactly by a human performer, even though repeated performances by the same artist are often highly similar. Objective performance analysis (Seashore, 1936) thus makes it possible to distinguish an identical copy from a repeat performance with a high degree of confidence. A demonstration of this capability was provided by an unexpected discovery during the analysis of 28 different recorded performances of Robert Schumann's famous piano piece, "Traumerei" (Repp, 1992), The measurements revealed beyond any reasonable doubt that one recording of older vintage, by the German pianist Elly Ney (Electrola WDLP 561), contained two identical sections four measures long. The first eight measures of "Traumerei" are followed by a repeat sign in the score, which is obeyed in nearly all performances. When the expressive microstructures of the first and second renditions are measured and compared, they are usually found to be quite similar in any given performance, but never identical. Since artists are not machines, there is always a certain amount of uncontrolled variation in timing and intensity, in addition to any variation introduced deliberately by the artist. Such variation was also observed between the two renditions of the first four mea40
The generalized Benjamin-Bona-Mahony equation in R n with singular initial data

On considere l'equation U t -ΔU t -div(Ψ(u))=0 avec t≥0, x∈Ω ou Ω=R n et on specialise au cas ou chaque Φ j est un polynome de degre γ ou moins. On etablit l'existence et l'unicite des solutions globales fortes
Zinc supplementation of practical channel catfish diets

Abstract A 10-week feeding trial was conducted with fingerling channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus to determine the supplemental zinc level needed in a practical catfish diet. As phytic acid has been demonstrated to reduce zinc bioavailability, diets in this study were formulated to contain a relatively high level of phytic acid as compared to most commercial catfish diets. Incremental levels of zinc (as ZnO) were added to a soybean meal-based diet which contained 54 mg Zn/kg dry diet and 1.1% phytic acid. Catfish growth and feed efficiency were not improved with zinc supplementation. Serum zinc concentration did not increase significantly above a supplemental zinc level of 100 mg Zn/kg diet; whereas, bone zinc concentration plateaued at the 150 mg/kg supplemental zinc level and above. Based on these data a supplemental zinc level of 150 mg Zn/kg diet is recommended for practical catfish feeds to provide enough available zinc to the channel catfish.
Performance Enhancing Electrolyte Additives for Lithium Ion Batteries with Silicon Anodes

The cycling performance of silicon thin film electrodes was investigated in the presence of anode solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) forming additives. Incorporation of vinylene carbonate (VC), flouroethylene carbonate (FEC), and lithium difluorooxalatoborate (LiFOB) improve the cycling efficiency and capacity retention of cells. Ex-situ surface analysis of the silicon anodes after cycling indicates that incorporation of the additives changes the structure of the SEI. Additives decrease the concentration of LiF on the anode surface consistent with inhibition of LiPF6 decomposition. The changes in surface structure correlate with improved cycling performance.
Sleep Quality in Adult Hospitalized Patients With Infection: An Observational Study

Abstract Background Sleep deprivation may adversely affect host defenses against infection while infection may impact sleep. We studied sleep quality in hospitalized patients with infection-related diagnoses. Methods This was an observational study in a 900-bed tertiary care community teaching hospital involving consecutive patients seen by an infectious disease consultant from June 26, 2008 to December 31, 2011. During routine part of their care, patients were enquired about their sleep quality, categorized into either "sound" or "unsound" sleep and the reason (s) for experiencing unsound sleep. Results Of 1,238 unique patients (mean age, 59 years), 592 (47.8%) reported unsound sleep. Patients of 50 years or younger were more likely to report unsound sleep compared with those in the age groups of 50 to 79 years (57.1% versus 45.7%) and 80 years or older (57.1% versus 36.5%) (OR: 1.58 [95% CI: 1.23–2.0] and OR: 2.32 [95% CI: 1.59-3.38], respectively). Skin and soft tissue infections, central nervous system infections, osteomyelitis/diskitis and the head and neck infections were associated with ≥ 50% rates of unsound sleep. Staff disruptions, pain and anxiety were the most commonly cited reasons for unsound sleep (28.9%, 26.4% and 9.6%, respectively). Patients receiving sedating and/or hypnotic medications were no more likely to report sound sleep, compared with those not receiving such medications (50.7% versus 58.7%, respectively, OR: 0.71 [95% CI: 0.5–1.00]). Conclusions Self-reported unsound sleep is common among hospitalized patients with an infection-related diagnosis, is associated with less advanced age and is often attributed to staff disruptions, pain and/or anxiety. Interventions at improving sleep quality in this patient population seem warranted.
Characteristics of x-ray beams in two commercial multidetector computed tomography simulators: Monte Carlo simulations.

Purpose: As multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanning is routinely performed for treatment planning in radiation oncology, understanding the characteristics of the MDCT x-ray beam is essential to accurately estimate patient dose. The purpose of this study is to characterize the x-ray beams of two commercial MDCT simulators widely used in radiation oncology by Monte Carlo(MC) simulations. Methods: X-ray tube systems of two wide bore MDCT scanners (GE LightSpeed RT 4 and Philips Brilliance Big Bore) were modeled in theBEAMNRC/EGSNRCMC system. All the tube components were modeled from targets to bowtie filters. To validate our MC models, the authors measured half-value layers (HVL) using aluminum sheets and multifunctional radiation detectors and compared them to those obtained from MC simulations for 120 kVp beams. The authors also compared x-ray spectra obtained from MC simulation to the data provided by manufacturers. Additionally, lateral/axial beam profiles were measured in-air using radiochromic films and compared to the MC results. To understand the scattereffect, the authors also derived the scatter-to-primary energy fluence ratio (SPR) profiles and calculated the total SPR for each CT system with the CTdose index (CTDI) head and body phantoms using the BEAMNRC system. Results: The authors found that the HVL, x-rayspectrum and beam profiles of the MC simulations agreed well with the manufacturer-specified data within 1%–10% on average for both scanners. The total SPR were ranged from 7.8 to 13.7% for the head phantom and from 10.7 to 18.9% for the body phantom. Conclusions: The authors demonstrate the full MC simulations of two commercial MDCT simulators to characterize their x-ray beams. This study may be useful to establish a patient-specific dosimetry for the MDCT systems.
Returns to R&D, and regulation of the U.S. pharmaceutical industry

In this study, a model of the U.S. ethical pharmaceutical industry is developed and used to evaluate the effects of past industry regulation. Although previous studies have evaluated the possible effects of consumer protection legislation directed at the pharmaceutical industry, none has evaluated the overall comprehensive effects in the context of a simultaneous equation framework. The model includes a demand and supply function for prescription drugs, relationships explaining the determination of R&D and promotional expenditures, the flow of new drugs, profits, and the role of the prescribing physician. Once developed, the model is used to test a number of hypotheses concerning the effects of various policy options and how these affected the customer and the industry.
Synthesis of imido analogs of the uranyl ion.

Here we describe the synthesis of two imido analogs of the uranyl ion, UO2+2, in which the oxygens are replaced by divalent alkyl or aryl nitrogen groups: U(NtBu)2I2(THF)2 (1) and U(NPh)2I2(THF)3 (2) (where tBu is tert-butyl and THF is tetrahydrofuran). Both compounds have been fully characterized by standard analytical techniques, including x-ray crystallography, and the chemical bonding between the metal center and the nitrogen ligands was quantified by using hybrid density functional theory calculations. As expected for a uranyl analog, these complexes exhibit linear N-U-N linkages and very short U-N bonds. In addition, the theoretical calculations show strong involvement of the 5f and 6d electrons in the U-N bonding.
BLOOD DONOR MOTIVATION: A SURVEY OF MINORITY COLLEGE STUDENTS

Ninety-five percent of all blood donors are Caucasian. To investigate why minorities are under-represented as blood donors, a random sample of 120 minority college students were surveyed about atti...
IFN-α expression and antiviral effects are subtype and cell type specific in the cardiac response to viral infection

The interferon-β (IFN-β) response is critical for protection against viral myocarditis in several mouse models, and IFN-α or -β treatment is beneficial against human viral myocarditis. The IFN-β response in cardiac myocytes and cardiac fibroblasts forms an integrated network for organ protection; however, the different IFN-α subtypes have not been studied in cardiac cells. We developed a quantitative RT-PCR assay that distinguishes between 13 highly conserved IFN-α subtypes and found that reovirus T3D induces five IFN-α subtypes in primary cardiac myocyte and fibroblast cultures: IFN-α1, -α2, -α4, -α5, and -α8/6. Murine IFN-α1, -α2, -α4, or -α5 treatment induced IRF7 and ISG56 and inhibited reovirus T3D replication in both cell types. This first investigation of IFN-α subtypes in cardiac cells for any virus demonstrates that IFN-α is induced in cardiac cells, that it is both subtype and cell type specific, and that it is likely important in the antiviral cardiac response.
Coping with the possibility of testing HIV-positive

Abstract This study examined the relationship between the coping styles of monitoring and blunting, and emotional distress in individuals confronted with the possibility of being HIV infected. A sample of 200 men and 49 women undergoing an HIV antibody test were administered measures of emotional distress and asked to predict whether the result of their test would be positive or negative. All of these subjects subsequently tested seronegative. In subjects who predicted the result of their HIV test to be positive, those high or low on both monitoring and blunting experienced substantial emotional distress. However, subjects who used primarily either a monitoring or a blunting coping style and predicted their HIV test result to be positive experienced a moderate level of distress. The results suggest that individuals who do not use a specific coping style, or attempt to use two conflicting coping styles at once may cope ineffectively and feel more emotional distress when confronted with a health threat.
Fluidized Bed Electropolymerization of Thin Films: Modeling and Experimentation

A one-dimensional mathematical model is developed to describe the electropolymerization of diacetone acrylamide in a two-compartment cylindrical coaxial fluidized bed reactor. This is believed to be the first mathematical model to describe the complex electro-organic process of electropolymerization in a fluidized bed reactor. The particulate and electrolyte phase were considered as two overlapping continuous homogenous media obeying Ohm's law. A cathodic polarization equation with exchange current density varying with bed expansion, suggesting that the reaction kinetics vary with the extent of fluidization, described the electrode kinetics with good accuracy. The potential distribution for different bed expansions predicted by the model compared well to experimental results reported earlier by Teng (F. S. Teng, Ph.D Thesis, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 1979.) The predicted current distribution confirmed that the two phases obeyed Ohm's law. The reaction rate was also studied as a function of bed expansion and radial position in the bed. The model predicts an increase in the electropolymerization reaction rate with an increase in bed expansion. A single reaction and a constant current efficiency are assumed for all bed expansions. The experimental results showed a decline in the mass of polymer formed at higher bed expansions. Since the amount of polymer formed in a given time can be considered indicative of the reaction rate under the assumptions used, the present model is useful in understanding the electropolymerization process at bed expansions up to about 20%.
A potent "fat base" nucleotide inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase.

Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a target for anticancer, antiviral, immunosuppressive, and antimicrobial chemotherapy. Thus, IMPDH inhibitors have great potential as chemotherapeutic agents. Here we show that imidazo[4,5-e][1,4]diazapine nucleotide (I) is a potent inhibitor of both human type II and Escherichia coli IMPDH. I is a slow-binding inhibitor. The values of Kd are 1.4 nM and 53 nM for human and E. coli IMPDH, respectively. Inhibition is reversible, as demonstrated by the recovery of activity upon denaturation and renaturation of the enzyme·I complex. I is not a substrate for IMPDH. I may form a covalent adduct with the active-site Cys of IMPDH. Such an adduct would serve as an analogue for an intermediate in the IMPDH reaction.
The Polarized gluon distribution and large transverse momentum jets

Abstract The Carlitz-Collins-Mueller proposal to measure the polarized gluon distribution in the proton by measuring two-jet events is examined in greater detail. It is shown that an experiment with a proton target at rest in the laboratory cannot be used to measure the polarized gluon distribution. However, one can measure the polarized gluon if a relativistic proton beam is used instead. The resulting jet cross-section is calculable; the gluon contribution to the total cross-section is not − α s /2 π .
Subunit composition of hemocyanins of Callinectes sapidus: phenotypes from naturally hypoxic waters and isolated oligomers

Abstract The electrophoretic banding pattern of hemocyanin monomers in blue crabs caught in natural waters indicates that the phenotypes associated with normoxia or hypoxia in the laboratory can also be found in those conditions in nature. PAGE of pure fractions of 1 × 6-mers isolated by HPLC revealed only the two invariant plus one slightly variable band. In contrast, the 2 × 6-mer fraction contained those three plus the three highly variable bands. These results support the hypothesis formulated by earlier workers that monomers other than the linker chains stabilize the 2 × 6-meric conformation. However, correlations of 2 × 6-mer content with various combinations of monomer contents suggest that one of the three variable chains has little or no stabilizing effect.
High-frequency switching limitations in Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices for boost converter applications

The dv/dt switching limitations of power semiconductor devices in a boost DC-DC power converter are evaluated using circuit simulations and accurate circuit simulation models. State-of-the-art commercial silicon CoolMOS devices, commercial Silicon Carbide (SiC) power Schottky Barrier Diodes (SBD's), and emerging Gallium Nitride (GaN) power transistors are considered. It is shown that although SiC and GaN power devices have low stored charge and small capacitances, these devices will experience high switching dv/dt stresses which may pose serious switching limitations especially in high-frequency power converters. This problem is likely to be further exacerbated by the presence of a high density of crystal defects in SiC and GaN materials which will manifest in the form of poor field-reliability. Specific guidelines for device selection are developed in order to optimize both performance and field-reliability.
Severe Hemolytic Anemia and Acute Kidney Injury After Percutaneous Continuous-Flow Ventricular Assistance

The incidence of hemolysis after ventricular assist device implantation is low and has been estimated at ≈3%.1 The Impella 2.5 (Abiomed; Danvers, MA) continuous-flow left ventricular assist device uses a microaxial pump that draws blood from the left ventricular cavity and expels it into the ascending aorta. The device is percutaneously inserted via the femoral artery and used as temporary circulatory support. In this case, we describe a patient who developed severe hemolytic anemia and acute kidney injury shortly after insertion of an Impella 2.5 ventricular assist device. A 50-year-old male patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and an ejection fraction of 15%, receiving home dobutamine infusion therapy, presented to the emergency department with multiple firings of his biventricular automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator. The night before admission, the patient felt 2 shocks from his device. Interrogation of his automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator revealed ventricular fibrillation before each firing. He …
The right to print arms: the effect on civil liberties of government restrictions on computer-aided design files shared on the Internet

This article explores the ways in which government restrictions on information related to the production of firearms with three-dimensional printing 3DP technology have a broader impact on civil liberties, as they highlight the unreviewable decisions of government bodies tasked with export control. Rather than inspiring panic at wider availability of guns, 3DP should be a reminder that current restrictions on the production of undetectable firearms do work and need to be renewed, and that judicial review should be a part of government efforts to restrict the export of information with military applications.
Molecular Regulation of Platelet-Dependent Thrombosis

Hemostasis is a normal process preventing the sequelae of uncontrolled hemorrhage. In certain settings, these same processes cause adverse clinical events due to thrombotic occlusion of a vessel. The majority of unstable coronary syndromes result from disruption of an atherosclerotic plaque, leading to the exposure of subintimal contents, which triggers coagulation and the formation of a platelet-rich thrombus. The central role of platelet activation in the events that lead to vessel occlusion is well known. However, this process is complex and influenced by a myriad of cellular and plasma-derived mediators that regulate the balance between occlusive and nonocclusive thrombosis.
Reverse electrowetting as a new approach to high-power energy harvesting

High-power mechanical energy harvesting could be an alternative to batteries, but efficient energy conversion technology has been missing. Here, a novel mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion method is described that is based on reverse electrowetting and is uniquely suited for high-power energy harvesting.
Can We Predict Hypertension Among Preterm Children

Prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) cause hypertension (HTN), ischemic heart disease, and obesity in young adults. The objective of the study was to identify risk factors for the development of HTN in children born preterm or at a LBW and to assess pediatricians’ awareness of the problem. A retrospective review of 160 cases was conducted. In total, 22% of babies born preterm/LBW developed HTN by age 15 years. The odds of developing HTN were 1.6 times greater for every one standard deviation increase in body mass index. Higher risk posses for those born small for gestational age and under 1000 g. Of the 35 cases of HTN identified, only 31% were recognized as abnormal by the primary care providers. The development of obesity and HTN appear related in preterm/LBW children. Awareness of prematurity or LBW as a risk factor for HTN should be raised among pediatric primary care providers.
Current Combat-Related Mental Health Issues

Copyright © 2010 The Author(s) T he Scioli, Otis, and Keane article, “Psychological Problems Associated With Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Deployment,” presents a timely overview of mental health risks associated with deployment and combat exposure related to military service in the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Health practitioners who are not directly involved in providing services for veterans, military members, or their families will benefit from this article’s basic information about the most common psychological disorders (combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance abuse), as well as assessment methods, effective treatments, and available resources for practitioners. The scientific basis for information about the mental health consequences of deployment and combat exposure has improved greatly with the emergence of current studies featuring longitudinal designs with random selection of active-duty participants. This allows for predeployment, postdeployment, and follow-up assessments to be made on randomly selected service members representing all branches of the activeduty military, National Guard, and reserves. A large study of this type, the Millennium Cohort Study (www. millenniumcohort.org), is particularly important for this journal’s focus on lifestyle factors in health because it shows how key health risk behaviors (eg, alcohol and tobacco use) are adversely affected by deployment and combat exposure. For example, another study from the Millennium Cohort data archive produced a key finding showing that risk for smoking relapse was significantly higher among service members who were deployed (39%) than for those members who did not deploy (28%). Another Millennium Cohort–based study found that service members with a history of physical or sexual assault prior to deployment were at twice the risk for developing warzones. Of particular importance is the need for studies examining effects of multiple deployments. AJLM
Pharmacotherapy for Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension During the Past 25 Years

Objective. To review the current pharmacotherapy for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods. A search of the primary literature was conducted by using MEDLINE, the National Institutes of Health medical research Web site (www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the United States Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Web site (www.fda.govcder). Results. Until the early 1980s, conventional therapy for IPAH consisted of anticoagulation, diuretics, digitalis extracts, and supplemental oxygen, yet the 5-year mortality rate remained at 66%. Calcium channel blocker therapy was introduced with the hope that it would improve survival in patients with IPAH, but it was found to be effective in only approximately 25% of patients. In 1996, intravenous epoprostenol was the first drug to show long-term benefit on hemodynamics, exercise capacity, and survival. However, administration of epoprostenol requires a permanently indwelling central venous catheter, and tachyphylaxis is common, necessitating continuous dosage escalations. Subsequently, treprostinil, a prostacyclin analog of epoprostenol that can be administered by continuous subcutaneous infusion, was introduced, followed by aerosolized iloprost, a prostacyclin analog for inhalation. An increasing understanding of the multiple pathogeneses of IPAH led to the discovery of another target for drug therapy, and bosentan, an orally administered agent, became the first endothelin-receptor antagonist approved for treatment of IPAH. Most recently, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor, sildenafil, has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of IPAH. Conclusion. Recently developed pharmacotherapies offer greater effectiveness and safety than traditional agents for the treatment of IPAH.
Physical linkage of metabolic genes in fungi is an adaptation against the accumulation of toxic intermediate compounds.

Genomic analyses have proliferated without being tied to tangible phenotypes. For example, although coordination of both gene expression and genetic linkage have been offered as genetic mechanisms for the frequently observed clustering of genes participating in fungal metabolic pathways, elucidation of the phenotype(s) favored by selection, resulting in cluster formation and maintenance, has not been forthcoming. We noted that the cause of certain well-studied human metabolic disorders is the accumulation of toxic intermediate compounds (ICs), which occurs when the product of an enzyme is not used as a substrate by a downstream neighbor in the metabolic network. This raises the hypothesis that the phenotype favored by selection to drive gene clustering is the mitigation of IC toxicity. To test this, we examined 100 diverse fungal genomes for the simplest type of cluster, gene pairs that are both metabolic neighbors and chromosomal neighbors immediately adjacent to each other, which we refer to as “double neighbor gene pairs” (DNGPs). Examination of the toxicity of their corresponding ICs shows that, compared with chromosomally nonadjacent metabolic neighbors, DNGPs are enriched for ICs that have acutely toxic LD50 doses or reactive functional groups. Furthermore, DNGPs are significantly more likely to be divergently oriented on the chromosome; remarkably, ∼40% of these DNGPs have ICs known to be toxic. We submit that the structure of synteny in metabolic pathways of fungi is a signature of selection for protection against the accumulation of toxic metabolic intermediates.
Spreading of Greenland meltwaters in the ocean revealed by noble gases

We present the first noble gas observations in a proglacial fjord in Greenland, providing an unprecedented view of surface and submarine melt pathways into the ocean. Using Optimum Multiparameter Analysis, noble gas concentrations remove large uncertainties inherent in previous studies of meltwater in Greenland fjords. We find glacially modified waters with submarine melt concentrations up to 0.66 ± 0.09% and runoff 3.9 ± 0.29%. Radiogenic enrichment of Helium enables identification of ice sheet near-bed melt (0.48 ± 0.08%). We identify distinct regions of meltwater export reflecting heterogeneous melt processes: a surface layer of both runoff and submarine melt and an intermediate layer composed primarily of submarine melt. Intermediate ocean waters carry the majority of heat to the fjords' glaciers, and warmer deep waters are isolated from the ice edge. The average entrainment ratio implies that ocean water masses are upwelled at a rate 30 times the combined glacial meltwater volume flux.