cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of the small intestine in postpartum weight retention in mice

Background: Approximately 25% of women retain 5 kg of the weight gained during pregnancy, but the physiologic factors underlying excessive postpartum weight gain are not known. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether pregnancy-related adaptive increases in intestinal nutrient transport are retained after parturition and therefore contribute to postpartum weight gain. Design: We measured body weight and intestinal nutrient transport in virgin (V, control), primiparous (P, one pregnancy), and multiparous (M, 3 pregnancies) mice at parturition (day 1), during lactation (days 14 and 21), at weaning (day 28), after weaning (day 40), and during aging (days 70, 120, 200, and 300). Results: In M and P mice, body weight and the weight and length of the small intestine were greatest during lactation; they then decreased but did not return to prepregnancy values until 300 d after parturition. Intestinal villus heights were maximal at lactation and remained high 200 d after parturition. Total intestinal transport capacity for D-glucose, D-fructose, and L-proline was also greatest during lactation, and the lactation-enhanced transport capacity was retained 70 d after parturition. M mice retained more body weight and intestinal transport capacity postpartum than did P mice. Aging per se had little or no effect on body weight or intestinal weight, length, and nutrient transport. The dramatic, lactation-related increases in intestinal nutrient transport capacity were due mainly to increases in intestinal mass. Conclusions: Postpartum retention of pregnancy- and lactationrelated increases in intestinal nutrient uptake capacity may play a significant role in postpartum body weight retention. These adaptive increases may be cumulative and may result in greater weight retention in mice with multiple pregnancies. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78:1178–87.
Tradeoff between energy efficiency and spectral efficiency in a delay constrained wireless system

Because of the inevitable trend of green networking, energy efficiency EE is quickly becoming one of the key performance metrics to evaluate wireless communication systems, together with spectrum efficiency SE and quality of service QoS that have been traditionally used. This paper studies the fundamental tradeoff between EE and SE in the presence of statistical QoS requirements in wireless transmission systems. Earlier studies have shown that the performance with QoS requirements in the wireless transmission can be measured through effective capacity, which can capture the physical layer fading channel characteristics in the link layer QoS requirements, such as delay and data rate. Under this context, SE is defined as effective capacity per unit frequency bandwidth, and EE is defined as energy consumed per effective capacity bit. Both circuit power and transmission power are considered in the energy model, based on which we derive the quasi-convex generalized EE formulation. To exploit the tradeoff between EE and SE with QoS considerations, we propose a generic close-form approximation for EE-SE formulation by employing a curve fitting approach. The impacts of QoS and circuit power consumption on EE-SE tradeoff are respectively analyzed. QoS requirement and circuit power consumption affect the EE-SE tradeoff differently. In the low-SNR regime, circuit power shows more impact on the EE-SE tradeoff, whereas QoS impacts EE-SE tradeoff more in the high-SNR regime. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self-diffusion of Si and O in diopside-anorthite melt at high pressures

Self-diffusion coefficients for Si and O in Di58An42 liquid were measured from 1 to 4 GPa and temperatures from 1510 to 1764°C. Glass starting powders enriched in 18O and 28Si were mated to isotopically normal glass powders to form simple diffusion couples, and self-diffusion experiments were conducted in the piston cylinder device (1 and 2 GPa) and in the multianvil apparatus (3.5 and 4 GPa). Profiles of 18O/16O and 29,30Si/28Si were measured using secondary ion mass spectrometry. Self-diffusion coefficients for O (D(O)) are slightly greater than self-diffusion coefficients for Si (D(Si)) and are often the same within error. For example, D(O) = 4.20 ± 0.42 × 10−11 m2/s and D(Si) = 3.65 ± 0.37 × 10−11 m2/s at 1 GPa and 1662°C. Activation energies for self-diffusion are 215 ± 13 kJ/mol for O and 227 ± 13 kJ/mol for Si. Activation volumes for self-diffusion are −2.1 ± 0.4 cm3/mol and −2.3 ± 0.4 cm3/mol for O and Si, respectively. The similar self-diffusion coefficients for Si and O, similar activation energies, and small, negative activation volumes are consistent with Si and O transport by a cooperative diffusion mechanism, most likely involving the formation and disassociation of a high-coordinated intermediate species. The small absolute magnitudes of the activation volumes imply that Di58An42 liquid is close to a transition from negative to positive activation volume, and Adam-Gibbs theory suggests that this transition is linked to the existence of a critical fraction (∼0.6) of bridging oxygen.
The treatment of hypertension during pregnancy: when should blood pressure medications be started?

Hypertensive pregnancy disorders (HPD) are important causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In addition, a history of HPD has been associated with an increased risk for maternal cardiovascular disease later in life, possibly because of irreversible vascular and metabolic changes that persist beyond the affected pregnancies. Therefore, treatment of HPD may not only improve immediate pregnancy outcomes, but also maternal long-term cardiovascular health. Unlike the recommendations for hypertension treatment in the general population, treatment recommendations for HPD have not changed substantially for more than 2 decades. This is particularly true for mild to moderate hypertension in pregnancy, defined as a blood pressure of 140–159/90–109 mm Hg. This review focuses on the goals of therapy, treatment strategies, and new developments in the field of HPD that should be taken into account when considering blood pressure targets and pharmacologic options for treatment of hypertension in pregnant women.
Which pointer errors do students make

A model and a taxonomy to characterize pointer manipulations are introduced, along with an instrumentation technology that leverages them to provide students with immediate reports of pointer errors in C++ programs. Data collected from CS2 student assignments show that the vast majority of student pointer errors either would not have been noticed at all, or would have been detected only much later in execution, if this infrastructure were not used. Possible applications of the underlying technology--both to conduct long-term educational research into students' understanding of pointers, and to improve pedagogy directly--are discussed.
Development of an electronic breast pathology database in a community health system.

Background: Health care systems rely on electronic patient data, yet access to breast tissue pathology results continues to depend on interpreting dictated free-text reports. Objective: The objective was to develop a method to electronically search and categorize pathologic diagnoses of patients' breast tissue specimens from dictated free-text pathology reports in a large health system for multiple users including clinicians. Design: A database integrating existing patient-level administrative and clinical information for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services and a web-based application for comprehensive searching of pathology reports were developed by a health system team led by pathologists. The Breast Pathology Assessment Tool and Hierarchy for Diagnosis (BPATH-Dx) provided search terms and guided electronic transcription of diagnoses from text fields on breast pathology clinical reports to standardized categories. Approach: Breast pathology encounters in the pathology database were matched with administrative data for 7332 women with breast tissue specimens obtained from an initial procedure in the health system from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2011. Sequential queries of the pathology text based on BPATH-Dx categorized biopsies according to their worst pathological diagnosis, as is standard practice. Diagnoses ranged from invasive breast cancer (23.3%), carcinoma in situ (7.8%), atypical lesions (6.39%), proliferative lesions without atypia (27.9%), and nonproliferative lesions (34.7%), and were further classified into subcategories. A random sample of 5% of reports that were manually reviewed indicated 97.5% agreement. Conclusions: Sequential queries of free-text pathology reports guided by a standardized assessment tool in conjunction with a web-based search application provide an efficient and reproducible approach to accessing nonmalignant breast pathology diagnoses. This method advances the use of pathology data and electronic health records to improve health care quality, patient care, outcomes, and research.
Nausea and vomiting following thyroid and parathyroid surgery

Abstract Study Objectives: To determine the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) following thyroid and parathyroid surgery. To determine whether PONV is reduced when propofol is used for maintenance of anesthesia as compared to isoflurane and to evaluate the costs and resource consumption associated with these two anesthetic regimens. Design: Randomized, prospective study. Setting: University-affiliated hospital—a referral center for endocrinologic surgery. Patients: 118 ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 18 years and older, undergoing elective thyroid or parathyroid surgery. Interventions: Patients received either isoflurane (0.5 to 1.3% end-tidal) or propofol (50 to 200 μg/kg/min) for maintenance of anesthesia. All patients received propofol for induction of anesthesia, succinylcholine or vecuronium, nitrous oxide, and fentanyl. Prophylactic antiemetics were not administered. Postoperative pain was treated with ketorolac, fentanyl, or acetaminophen. Measurements and Main Results: Signs and symptoms of nausea and vomiting were graded on a four point scale as 1=no nausea; 2=mild nausea; 3=severe nausea; 4=retching and/or vomiting. Grades 3 and 4 were grouped together as PONV. The combined incidence of PONV was 54% over the 24-hour postoperative evaluation period. PONV was significantly more common in patients receiving isoflurane than propofol for maintenance of anesthesia (64% vs. 44%). In women (n = 87), the incidence of PONV was significantly greater in those patients who received isoflurane than those who received propofol for maintenance (71% vs. 42%). However, in men (n = 31), there was no significant difference in PONV between anesthetic regimens (47% with isoflurane vs . 50% with propofol). There were no differences in the duration of stay in the postanesthesia care unit, time to discharge from the hospital, or local wound complications (hematomas) between groups. The use of propofol for maintenance of anesthesia was associated with an additional cost, relative to the isoflurane group, of $54.26 per patient. Conclusion: Patients undergoing thyroid or parathyroid surgery are at high risk for the development of PONV. Propofol for maintenance of anesthesia, although more expensive than isoflurane, reduces the rate of PONV in women.
Molecular analysis of photic inhibition of blood-feeding in Anopheles gambiae.

Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes exhibit an endophilic, nocturnal blood feeding behavior. Despite the importance of light as a regulator of malaria transmission, our knowledge on the molecular interactions between environmental cues, the circadian oscillators and the host seeking and feeding systems of the Anopheles mosquitoes is limited. In the present study, we show that the blood feeding behavior of mosquitoes is under circadian control and can be modulated by light pulses, both in a clock dependent and in an independent manner. Short light pulses (~2–5 min) in the dark phase can inhibit the blood-feeding propensity of mosquitoes momentarily in a clock independent manner, while longer durations of light stimulation (~1–2 h) can induce a phase advance in blood-feeding propensity in a clock dependent manner. The temporary feeding inhibition after short light pulses may reflect a masking effect of light, an unknown mechanism which is known to superimpose on the true circadian regulation. Nonetheless, the shorter light pulses resulted in the differential regulation of a variety of genes including those implicated in the circadian control, suggesting that light induced masking effects also involve clock components. Light pulses (both short and long) also regulated genes implicated in feeding as well as different physiological processes like metabolism, transport, immunity and protease digestions. RNAi-mediated gene silencing assays of the light pulse regulated circadian factors timeless, cryptochrome and three takeout homologues significantly up-regulated the mosquito's blood-feeding propensity. In contrast, gene silencing of light pulse regulated olfactory factors down-regulated the mosquito's propensity to feed on blood. Our study show that the mosquito's feeding behavior is under circadian control. Long and short light pulses can induce inhibition of blood-feeding through circadian and unknown mechanisms, respectively, that involve the chemosensory system.
Distribution temporal logic: Combining correctness with quality of estimation

We present a new temporal logic called Distribution Temporal Logic (DTL) defined over predicates of belief states and hidden states of partially observable systems. DTL can express properties involving uncertainty and likelihood that cannot be described by existing logics. A co-safe formulation of DTL is defined and algorithmic procedures are given for monitoring executions of a partially observable Markov decision process with respect to such formulae. A simulation case study of a rescue robotics application outlines our approach.
On the average order of a class of arithmetical functions, I

Abstract We consider a large class of arithmetical functions generated by Dirichlet series satisfying a very general functional equation with gamma factors. In our previous paper we obtained a “one-sided” Ω result, but here a “two-sided” Ω result is obtained in most cases. Unfortunately, the method fails in the classical circle and Dirichlet divisor problems.
Lithium toxicity from an Internet dietary supplement.

Introduction The widespread availability of medications and herbal products on the Internet has increased the potential for poisonings. We are reporting a case of mild, acute lithium toxicity occurring after the intentional misuse of a lithium-containing “dietary supplement” (Find Serenity Now®) obtained over the Internet.
Effect of ionizing irradiation on normal lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes.

Forty dogs were divided into five groups: (A) control, (B) 1000 rads, (C) 2400 rads, (D) 3000 rads and (E) 3600 rads. The medial aspect of one pelvic limb was irradiated through a port measuring 12 × 8 cm. Prior to irradiation and at intervals after, the pelvic limb lymphatics and popliteal lymph node were visualized by an indirect technique of lymphangiography. The afferent and efferent lymphatic vessels in the control and treated animals remained essentially unchanged except in four animals. These four animals, one in the 2400 rad group and three in the 3600 rad group, exhibited rupture of the afferent lymphatic vessels at the junction of irradiated and nonirradiated tissues several months after treatment. All treated animals showed a marked permanent decrease in size of lymph nodes several months after treatment. There was no evidence of lymphatic obstruction in any group. The authors conclude that ionizing irradiation appears to have little effect on lymphatic vessels. As reported previously, the lymph node undergoes fibrosis without obstruction.
An effective particle tracing scheme on structured/unstructured grids in hybrid finite volume/PDF Monte Carlo methods

Abstract To date, PDF/Monte Carlo simulations, either in stand-alone codes or in hybrid finite volume/PDF Monte Carlo programs, appear to have been mostly carried out with cells of similar size. In many situations, such as capturing sharp gradients in a flow field, fine grids or unstructured solution-adaptive grids must be used in the finite volume code, resulting in a cell system with large variations in cell size. Such grids present a challenge for a combined PDF/Monte Carlo code. In this paper, a new particle tracing scheme is proposed, in which we introduce the concept of variable time steps. Using locally adaptive time steps in the integration of particle equations, the particles' parameters are updated more frequently in regions of strong gradients than in those of flat gradients, which greatly improves the time efficiency of particle tracing. To reduce statistical errors, a particle splitting and combination procedure is also used. The new scheme allows the hybrid finite volume/PDF Monte Carlo code to use any grid that is constructed in the finite volume code. This relaxation of restrictions on the grid makes it possible to couple PDF/Monte Carlo methods to all popular commercial CFD codes and, consequently, extend existing CFD codes' capability to simulate turbulent reactive flow in a more accurate way. The numerical performance of the new particle tracing scheme and the solution procedure are illustrated by considering a turbulent heat transfer problem in a parallel channel and a turbulent diffusion combustion problem in a cylindrical combustor.
A Simulation Platform for Reconfigurable Computing Research

In this paper, we present a full-system reconfigurable computing simulation platform intended to promote innovative new research in reconfigurable computing. Currently, reconfigurable computing researchers frequently use tools such as simple trace-based simulators to provide performance estimates for their designs and methods. However, because the scope of these simulations is generally high-level and limited to the reconfigurable hardware and possibly a host processor, the results presented may unfortunately be less than completely accurate, particularly with respect to memory and processor-hardware communication timing. As reconfigurable computing systems become less theoretical and move closer to widespread realization, more accurate evaluations are necessary to compare new system designs, configuration methods, hardware scheduling algorithms, and hardware structures. We therefore discuss the issues involved in implementing a full-system simulator for reconfigurable computing, presenting specific implementation techniques, and demonstrate the value of reconfigurable computing full-system simulation on an example application.
The emerging field of behavioral gerontology

This paper provides a commentary on the growing field of behavioral gerontology, including a brief synopsis of substantive areas relevant to therapy. It is proposed that both practical and conceptual factors have contributed to the recalcitrance of behavior therapists to undertake the systematic study of the problems of the aged. The existing empirical literature suggests that the elderly do respond to behavioral intevention and can be expected to derive benefits comparable to younger clients. The treatment literature in several topical areas is reviewed, including depression, anxiety, paranoia, alcohol abuse, dementia, geriatric behavioral medicine, and social behavior. Recommendations for future research are made.
A Pepsi challenge.

To the Editor: A 72-year-old man with recurrent dizziness, confusion, and syncope told an internist that cold, carbonated beverages caused him to feel strange, dizzy, and confused and might have triggered several episodes over a one-year study period. A carotid Doppler study, 24-hour Holter monitor, cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan, computed tomographic scan, and echocardiogram were unremarkable. An electroencephalogram showed diffuse slowing. Phenytoin was given but provided no improvement. Another internist evaluated the patient's condition and ordered a treadmill exercise test and another magnetic resonance imaging scan, which were negative. A cardiologist was consulted, and the results of a tilt-table . . .
Shedding light on virus replication

I am pleased to comment on “Visualizing the dynamics of viral replication in living cells via TAT peptide delivery of nuclease-resistant molecular beacons,” by Hsiao-Yun Yeh et al. (1), appearing in this issue of PNAS. I regard it as a very important contribution to animal (including human) virology because it allows observation of early events in virus replication in the host cell.
Cervical cancer outcomes analysis: impact of age, race, and comorbid illness on hospitalizations for invasive carcinoma of the cervix.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of age, race, and comorbid illness with procedures and complications in hospitalized patients with invasive carcinoma of the cervix in a statewide population-based database over a 3-year period. Methods. Hospitalizations were classified into homogeneous subgroups based on a diagnosis of invasive cervical cancer. Cancer-related complications and comorbid diseases were evaluated. χ 2 and t tests determined differences in means or proportions. Linear regression techniques were applied to build models for hospitalization charges and lengths of stay (LOS). Results. There were 1009 admissions. The mean age was 49.5, with a median age of 46 (21–100, SD 15.4). Of the total, 606/1009 (60%) were white, 354/1009 (35%) were African-American (AA), and 5% were "other" races. AAs were more likely to have Medicaid or be uninsured (44% vs 23%, P = 0.001) and were more likely to be admitted for an emergency (unadjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.6; 1.2–2.2), to have a comorbid illness ( P = 0.001), to be admitted for a cancer-related complication ( P = 0.036), to be admitted for a transfusion ( P = 0.01), and to be admitted for radiation therapy rather than surgery ( P = 0.001). The following were associated with LOS and higher hospital costs: emergency admissions for complications of cancer, comorbid illness, and older age. Conclusions. Racial differences exist in patterns of admission, type of therapy, and severity of illness; however, there were no differences in charges or LOS for similar procedures. The large percentage of African-Americans uninsured or insured by government-supported programs indicates the potential impact of public policy on the care of these patients. Socioeconomic status rather than phenotypic appearance may be a more important determinant of outcome.
Response of a diffusion-wave system subjected to deterministic and stochastic fields

This paper presents a general analytical technique for a Fractional Diffusion-Wave (FDW) system subjected to a nonhomogeneous field, which can be deterministic or stochastic. In this formulation, the response of the system is written as a linear combination of the eigenfunctions which are identified using the method of separation of variables. The properties of the eigenfunctions are used to reduce the FDW equation defined in space-time domain into a set of infinite Fractional Differential Equations (FDEs) defined in the time domain only. A Laplace transform technique is used to obtain the fractional Green's function and a Duhamel integral type expression for the system's response. For a stochastic analysis, the input field is treated as a random process with specified mean and correlation functions. An expectation operator is applied on a set of expressions to obtain the stochastic characteristics of the system. Several special cases are discussed and numerical results are presented to show the deterministic and stochastic response of FDW systems. When the order of the fractional derivative of the equation is 1, and 2 the equation represents a model of a sub-diffusion, a diffusion, a diffusion-wave propagation, and a wave propagation system, respectively. Thus the formulation provides a unified approach for stochastic analysis of all these systems. The approach can be equally applied to all those systems for which the existence of eigenmodes is guaranteed.
Selective loss of H-2Ds antigen on a murine B lymphoma due to a post-transcriptional block in expression.

The major histocompatibility (MHC) class I antigens are coordinately expressed in most cells. However, some tumors or virus-infected cells lack expression of one MHC class I antigen, while expression of the other MHC class I antigens is unaffected. We previously described the selective expression of MHC class I antigens on a B-cell lymphoma from SJLJ mice called RCSS. This tumor expresses H-2Ks, but has lost cell surface expression of H-2Ds. To understand the mechanism responsible for the selective loss of H-2Ds on the cell surface, we analysed H-2Ds mRNA and protein in the RCS5 tumor. Here we report that H-2Ds mRNA was expressed in RCS5, but H-2Ds protein was not detected in cell lysates. To determine whether the H-2Ds mRNA from RCSS was able to direct the synthesis of H-2Ds protein, we performed cDNA cloning, in vitro translation and gene transfer experiments using a cell line related to RCSS (cRCS-X). Our results indicated that the inhibition of H-2Ds expression in cRCS-X occurred after transcription of a non-defective H-2Ds mRNA. Furthermore, H-2Ds antigen expression was restored in cRCS-X using a retroviral vector to express the recombinant H-2Ds cDNA. These results indicate that the inhibition of H-2Ds expression could be overcome either by out competing an inhibitor that functions in trans or by removing cis-acting regulatory sequences from the endogenous H-2Ds mRNA.
Factor XIII from human platelets: Effect on fibrin crosslinking

Abstract Human platelets were separated from plasma proteins by gel filtration on Sepharose in order to study the fibrin crosslinking activity of platelet factor XIII and the release of factor XIII during platelet aggregation. It was found that the platelet soluble fraction prepared from sonicated, gel-filtered platelets contained two enzymes which had activity in the fluorescent amine incorporation assay for factor XIII. One of these was heat stable and required thrombin activation and was identified as platelet factor XIII. The crosslinking activity of this enzyme was examined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. When platelet soluble fraction was the only source of factor XIII, electrophoretic analysis showed the typical pattern of crosslinked fibrin, consisting of β-chain, γ-γ-dimer and α-polymer. When platelets were aggregated by adenosine diphosphate sufficient platelet factor XIII was released to form γ-γ-dimer crosslinks. However plasminogen was also activated during aggregation which degraded α-chains of fibrin. The crosslinking pattern of this plasmin degraded fibrin suggested that an α-chain fragment of molecular weight 46,000 to 49,000 consisting of two crosslinked α-chain fragments was formed. α-chain fragments of molecular weight 17,000 and 26,000 were also found.
The kinematic evolution of the Nepalese Himalaya interpreted from Nd isotopes

Neodymium (Nd) isotopes from the Himalayan fold-thrust belt and its associated foreland basin deposits are useful for distinguishing between Himalayan tectonostratigraphic zones and revealing the erosional unroofing history as controlled by the kinematic development of the orogen. Neodymium isotopic data from the Himalayan fold-thrust belt in Nepal (n=35) reveal that the Lesser Himalayan zone consistently has a more negative ϵNd(0) value than the Greater and Tibetan Himalayan zones. Our data show the average ϵNd(0) value in the Lesser Himalayan zone is −21.5, whereas the Greater and Tibetan Himalayan zones have an average ϵNd(0) value of −16. These consistently distinct values throughout Nepal enable the use of Nd isotopes as a technique for distinguishing between Lesser Himalayan zone and Greater Himalayan zone rock. The less negative ϵNd(0) values of the Greater Himalayan rocks support the idea that the Greater Himalayan zone is not Indian basement, but rather a terrane that accreted onto India during Early Paleozoic time. Neodymium isotopic data from Eocene through Pliocene foreland basin deposits (n=34) show that sediment provenance has been dominated by Greater and Tibetan Himalayan detritus across Nepal. The ϵNd(T) values in the synorogenic rocks in western and central Nepal generally show an up-section shift toward more negative values and record the progressive unroofing of the different tectonostratigraphic zones. At ∼10 Ma in Khutia Khola and ∼11 Ma in Surai Khola, a shift in ϵNd(T) values from −16 to −18 marks the erosional breaching of a large duplex in the northern part of the Lesser Himalayan zone. This shift is not seen in eastern Nepal, where the ϵNd(T) values remain close to −16 throughout Miocene time because there has been less erosional unroofing in this region.
Shallow ohmic contacts to p-type InAs

A new Pd/Pt/Au ohmic contact to p-InAs provides a lower specific contact resistance as deposited (9.6×10−7 Ω cm2) than Ti-based ohmic contacts prepared on the same epilayer (2.6×10−6 Ω cm2 or higher). The effect of the metal deposition method and annealing conditions on the resistance of the contacts is also reported.
Stochastic Choice: An Optimizing Neuroeconomic Model

A model is proposed in which stochastic choice results from noise in cognitive processing rather than random variation in preferences. The mental process used to make a choice is nonetheless optimal, subject to a constraint on available information-processing capacity that is partially motivated by neurophysiological evidence. The optimal information-constrained model is found to oer a better t to experimental data on choice frequencies and reaction times than either a purely mechanical process model of choice (the drift-diusion
Stressed to quaking point

The Earth's crust can deform catastrophically in earthquakes, but it's difficult to predict exactly what causes such failure. Analysing thousands of small shocks might help us better understand how earthquakes occur.
Congressional oversight committee influence on U.S. monetary policy revisited

Abstract Grier (1991) shows that monetary policy is influenced by Congress in that increases in the liberality of the Senate Banking Committee leadership are significantly positively correlated with monetary base growth. Chopin, Cole, and Ellis (1996) claim that the House leadership statistically dominates the Senate leadership for predicting money growth, but that the direction of the effect is perverse: a more liberal House leadership is associated with a lower rate of base growth. In this paper, I show that Chopin, Cole, and Ellis's claims are unfounded. Properly measured, both House and Senate leadership have a significant positive effect on base growth over Grier's (1991) original sample. In later periods, money growth regressions are not sufficiently stable to support hypothesis tests.
Friends, Aliens, and Enemies: Fictive Communities and the Lusitania Riots of 1915

In May, 1915, a wave of anti-alien rioting spread through the poorer neighborhoods of Liverpool, Manchester, London, and other English cities, resulting in the most wide-spread civic unrest in modern British history. The ostensible cause of the rioting was the sinking of the passenger liner Lusitania on May 7, 1915 by a German U-boat hiding off the Irish coast. This essay examines the riots in the context of neighborhood politics and family life, focusing particularly on the impact of the riots on interpersonal relations. While the German navy sank the Lusitania, ordinary Britons ransacked, beat, and looted German neighbors who were often long-time associates and friends. Unable to stem the riots though police measures and legal action alone, the government responded to popular hostility with the internment of enemy aliens and the repatriations of large numbers of ethnic Germans. This paper draws on archival and published materials to make sense of the local and interpersonal dimensions of the Lusitania riots and to explore the emotional dimensions of civic expulsion.
Axotomy alters neurotrophin and neurotrophin receptor mRNAs in the vagus nerve and nodose ganglion of the rat

Neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors play an important role in survival and growth of injured peripheral nerves. To study the injury-mediated neurotrophic response in autonomic nerves, we investigated changes in mRNA expression of neurotrophins and their receptors in the transected vagus nerve and nodose ganglion. Studies using in situ hybridization histochemistry showed that axotomy of the cervical vagus nerve resulted in increased expression of mRNAs for nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and for TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC receptors in non-neuronal cells at both the proximal and distal segments of the transected cervical vagus nerve. Moreover, NGF protein was increased in the distal end, and NT-3 protein was increased in both the proximal and the distal ends of the transected nerve 3 days after axotomy. No change of p75(NTR) mRNA was detected in the transected vagus nerve. The induction of each neurotrophin and Trk receptor mRNA was apparent within 1 day after the axotomy and was sustained at least 14 days. By 45 days after the axotomy, a time when axonal reconnection with target tissue is made (integrity of the nerve-target connection was confirmed by the retrograde transport of FluoroGold from the stomach to vagal cell bodies), the levels of neurotrophin and Trk mRNAs in the vagus nerve declined to pre-axotomy levels. TrkA, TrkC, and p75(NTR) mRNA-containing vagal sensory neurons in the nodose ganglion were reduced in number after cervical vagotomy. Neurotrophin-mRNA-containing neurons were not found in the nodose ganglia from either intact or vagotomized rats. The axotomy-induced up-regulation of neurotrophins and Trk receptors mainly in the non-neuronal cells at or near the site of transection suggests that neurotrophins are involved in the survival and regeneration process of the vagus nerve after injury.
Differentiation of F9 embryonal carcinoma cells. Differences in the effects of retinoic acid, 5-bromodeoxyuridine, and N'-N'-dimethylacetamide.

Abstract We found that monolayer cultures of F9 cells induced to differentiate with trans -retinoic acid (RA) contain two major subpopulations of cells. These two cell types can be distinguished by their cellular morphology, their pattern of laminin accumulation, and their ability to undergo further differentiation in response to N 6 -O 2 -dibutyryl adenosine 3′:5′cyclic monophosphoric acid (dBcAMP). Furthermore, the developmental pathway induced by RA appears to lead to two alternative pathways, and differentiation at the branch point is either directly or indirectly controlled by cAMP. Differentiation along one branch of this pathway can be induced by 5-bromodeoxyuridine, whereas differentiation along an unrelated pathway is induced by N-′N′ -dimethylacetamide. In all cases, differentiation is closely paralleled by suppression of the tumorigenic pheno-type, indicating that these two processes are tightly linked and probably share a common step.
Wetting behavior in the iron-silver system

Abstract Sessile drop experiments of molten Ag on Fe at 1000°C and partial pressures of oxygen of 10−5 and 10−15 Pa show acute contact angles that vary with oxygen content of the Fe and experimental conditions. Surface energies of Fe and correspondingly contact angles, are sensitive to the degree of saturation of the Fe with oxide and to the degree of adsorptivity of oxygen which is dependent on the activity of oxide in Fe and the pO2 in the ambient atmosphere. Obtuse angles form when surface energy of solid is sufficiently decreased by formation of oxide layer on the Fe surface. Adherence of chemical bonding type occurs when thermodynamic stable phase equilibrium is attained and maintained at the interface, represented by saturation of each phase by the other, which is the case for the FeAg system in the absence of a discrete oxide phase.
Analysis of Secondary Flows for Tube-Launched Rocket Configurations

Theoretical solutions have been computed for the flowfields which exist when an underexpanded nozzle is exhausted into a constant-area launch tube such that the impingement shock wave is relatively weak and the downstream flow remains supersonic. The theoretical flows are compared with experimental data for various nozzle/launch-tube configuration s. For the test program, unheated air was accelerated to supersonic speed through convergent-divergent nozzles over a wide range of stagnation pressure. In the present paper, an engineering model for the impingement flowfield is presented and the computed flowfield solutions are compared with experimental results to verify the validity of the flow model. Theoretical wall static pressure distributions in the impingment region are in good agreement with the experimental data. The theoretical flow model provides a reasonable estimate of the reservoir (i.e., stagnation) pressure for which there is no secondary flow in the annular gap.
Serum Bactericidal Activity of the Methoxyfluoroquinolones Gatifloxacin and Moxifloxacin against Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus Species: Are the Susceptibility Breakpoints Too High?

Healthy volunteers received a single dose of gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin (400 mg each), and serum samples were obtained from these volunteers over a 24-h period. Prolonged (> or =12 h) serum bactericidal activity (SBA) was observed for both agents against staphylococcal isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of gatifloxacin of < or =0.5 mug/mL. In strains with gatifloxacin MICs of 1.0 mug/mL, SBA was observed for < or =6 h, and, for isolates with gatifloxacin MICs of 2.0 mug/mL, little or no SBA was observed for either drug. The relative lack of SBA against less susceptible strains of staphylococci suggests that the current susceptibility breakpoint concentration (MIC, 2.0 mug/mL) for these methoxyfluoroquinolones against Staphylococcus is too high.
A novel gene, lstC, of Listeria monocytogenes is implicated in high salt tolerance.

Listeria monocytogenes, causative agent of human listeriosis, has been isolated from a wide variety of foods including deli meats, soft cheeses, cantaloupes, sprouts and canned mushrooms. Standard control measures for restricting microbial growth such as refrigeration and high salt are often inadequate as L. monocytogenes grows quite well in these environments. In an effort to better understand the genetic and physiological basis by which L. monocytogenes circumvents these controls, a transposon library of L. monocytogenes was screened for changes in their ability to grow in 7% NaCl and/ or at 5 °C. This work identified a transposon insertion upstream of an operon, here named lstABC, that led to a reduction in growth in 7% NaCl. In-frame deletion studies identified lstC which codes for a GNAT-acetyltransferase being responsible for the phenotype. Transcriptomic and RT-PCR analyses identified nine genes that were upregulated in the presence of high salt in the ΔlstC mutant. Further analysis of lstC and the genes affected by ΔlstC is needed to understand LstC's role in salt tolerance.
High Performance Memory Read Using Cross-Coupled Pull-up Circuitry

A novel design for decreasing energy and delay during the read cycle of a standard six-transistor differential SRAM cell is presented in this paper. Removal of the pre- charge transistors from the bit-lines of the SRAM reduces energy consumption. This also eliminates the need for a pre- charge phase which decreases the total delay of a read cycle. Additional logic to improve the speed of a read and to ensure that the bit-lines retain a sufficient voltage difference is placed just before the output on the bit-lines. This is especially significant in the design of pipelined memories where the delay per stage is determined by the time it takes to read a value from a cell as opposed to decoding an address or generating the output of the SRAM. Circuit simulations in 180-nm CMOS show a decline in energy consumption by a minimum of 9.2% and up to 98.6%. Worst case delay is reduced by 27.6%. The following paper explains the proposed read logic in detail, describes the techniques used for the analysis, and compares the results with the standard method for fast, low-power read accesses.
Hyperglycemia and apoptosis: mechanisms for congenital malformations and pregnancy loss in diabetic women

Congenital malformations are the leading cause of perinatal death among infants of diabetic women. Abnormal fuel metabolism and hyperglycemia have been shown to disturb embryogenesis during the earliest pre- and postimplantation stages in mice. This review presents a new model to explain, in part, adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with diabetes. In this model, by altering gene expression in developing tissues, raised glucose concentrations led to premature programmed cell death in key progenitor cells of the mouse blastocyst or in emerging organ structures in the mouse postimplantation embryo, resulting in abnormal morphogenesis or miscarriage. Although recent studies are still somewhat speculative and have currently only been explored in the mouse, this paradigm is supported by examples in other cell systems, which include human-derived cell lines, thereby suggesting that these findings are also applicable to human pregnancy.
Health-related quality of life in patients with acute coronary syndromes and treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel

Evaluation of: Levin LA, Wallentin L, Bernfort L et al. Health-related quality of life of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndromes results from the PLATO trial. Value Health 16(4), 574–580 (2013).Antiplatelet therapy is considered essential treatment for acute coronary syndromes with or without ST-segment elevation and after stent procedures. The PLATelet inhibition and patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial compared ticagrelor or clopidogrel for the prevention of cardiovascular events. Prespecified substudies included a health-related quality of life (HRQL) study; the EQ-5D, a self-report, standardized, nondisease-specific utility measure with a single index value for health status, was used to assess HRQL. In the primary HRQL analysis, the mean 12-month HRQL score in 15,212 patients was reported to be 0.840 in the ticagrelor group and 0.832 in the clopidogrel group (p = 0.046). Excluding patients who died resulted in no difference in HRQL between patients treated with ticagrelor o...
Search for photinos in e + e - annihilation

Abstract We discuss the pair production of massive photinos or other neutral gauginos in e + e − annihilation. We present cross sections for e + e − → γ γ γ including finite mass effects for both the selectron and the gaugino. Experimental signatures are a possible pair of photons from γ decay each with 〈E γ〉 = 1 4 E cm and a single soft photon in the case of radiative pair production. We exhibit the domains of selectron and gaugino masses and of the supersymmetry breaking scale parameter that could be probed by dedicated searches, pointinf out that the present PETRA and PEP centre-of-mass energies are nearly ideal for light gaugino hunts.
Dielectric properties and thickness metrology of strain engineered GaN/AlN/Si (111) thin films grown by MOCVD

Abstract Maturity of silicon nanoelectronics and the high quality of 300 mm epi-Si wafers make these substrates an ideal choice for the growth of high quality III-Nitride devices. The results of our substrate engineering technique, which involves implantation of nitrogen into Si through an AlN thin film, have shown to simultaneously and significantly reduce the dislocation density and macro-cracks in epitaxially grown 2 μm GaN films. In this study, high quality strain engineered GaN films were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to characterize the dielectric properties, thickness, and stress of the complex structure. The uniaxial, anisotropic dielectric functions of wurtzite GaN and AlN were determined for the processes used in this study, and using this information, the thickness of each layer was determined in the completed film stack. IR spectroscopic ellipsometry (IRSE) was used as the non-destructive characterization technique to identify the IR sensitive phonon modes in AlN. The stress evolution in the films was investigated as a function of the phonon frequency shift and the broadening of the phonon modes. The results obtained by IRSE were further complemented by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and Raman scattering measurements.
Environmental correlates of anuran beta diversity in the Brazilian Cerrado

Evolutionary processes are known to influence contemporary patterns of biological diversity, yet disentangling the effects of current and historical drivers of biodiversity patterns remain challenging. We use spatial analyses of community dissimilarity to generate hypotheses about the current and historical processes underlying patterns of beta diversity in anuran species in the Brazilian Cerrado. Specifically, we use a generalized dissimilarity modeling (GDM) approach to model compositional dissimilarity of anuran species and endemics as a function of geographic separation and local (within-Cerrado) environmental conditions. To gain insight about potential historical processes, we incorporate information from biomes adjacent to the Cerrado to investigate whether environmental conditions in neighboring areas can help explain patterns of beta diversity within the Cerrado. Patterns of anuran beta diversity of both endemics and all species in the Cerrado appear to be strongly influenced by local environmental gradients, with elevation as one of the most important variables in all models. However, in models using endemic species only, environmental conditions of adjacent biomes were related to beta-diversity patterns, and more strongly so, than to total species models. These results suggest that phylogenetic niche conservatism within species groups that invaded the Cerrado from adjacent biomes may cause these species to be restricted to environmental conditions within the Cerrado that are most similar to the conditions in the adjacent biome where they originated. Time-calibrated phylogenies of Cerrado endemics and studies of ancestral and current ranges of Cerrado species are needed to test this hypothesis.
Determining Actinobacillus succinogenes metabolic pathways and fluxes by NMR and GC-MS analyses of 13C-labeled metabolic product isotopomers

Actinobacillus succinogenes is a promising candidate for industrial succinate production. However, in addition to producing succinate, it also produces formate and acetate. To understand carbon flux distribution to succinate and alternative products we fed A. succinogenes [1-(13)C]glucose and analyzed the resulting isotopomers of excreted organic acids, proteinaceous amino acids, and glycogen monomers by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The isotopomer data, together with the glucose consumption and product formation rates and the A. succinogenes biomass composition, were supplied to a metabolic flux model. Oxidative pentose phosphate pathway flux supplied, at most, 20% of the estimated NADPH requirement for cell growth. The model indicated that NADPH was instead produced primarily by the conversion of NADH to NADPH by transhydrogenase and/or by NADP-dependent malic enzyme. Transhydrogenase activity was detected in A. succinogenes cell extracts, as were formate and pyruvate dehydrogenases, which the model suggested were contributing to NADH production. Malic enzyme activity was also detected in cell extracts, consistent with the flux analysis results. Labeling patterns in amino acids and organic acids showed that oxaloacetate and malate were being decarboxylated to pyruvate. These are the first in vivo experiments to show that the partitioning of flux between succinate and alternative fermentation products can occur at multiple nodes in A. succinogenes. The implications for designing effective metabolic engineering strategies to increase A. succinogenes succinate production are discussed.