cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some topological properties of support points of convex sets

It is shown, as a corollary to Trojanski’s renorming theorem, that the set of support points (of certain closed convex sets) is connected. Some connectedness properties are established for support functionals, and it is also shown that the support points form an Fσ.
Tree structure for intermolecular hydrogen abstraction from hydrocarbons (C/H) and generic rate constant rules for abstraction by vinyl radical

Modeling of complex reaction systems is necessary in the design, analysis, and optimization of many technologically important processes such as pyrolysis, steam cracking, coking, partial oxidation, and combustion. The complexity in kinetic modeling of all these processes is introduced both by the feed, which is a hydrocarbon mixture, and the high reactivity of radical intermediates. Recent advances in automated mechanism generation tools, although capable of establishing the complex reaction network, pose a big challenge of assigning rate parameters for all the reactions or devising appropriate estimation rules for all reaction classes in the network. The kinetics of free radical reactions dictates the chemistry of technologically important thermal processes. Intermolecular hydrogen abstraction by radicals is one of the dominant reaction types and constitutes a major part (often >50%) in any thermal reaction network owing to their profound effect on product distribution. While abstraction reactions by H atoms (and to some extent by methyl radicals) have been studied extensively in the past, the abstraction kinetics by vinyl radical is less explored even though vinyl radicals play an important role in molecular weight growth chemistry and in predicting acetylene concentrations in pyrolysis and fuel-rich hydrocarbon flames. This study presents the hierarchical tree structure for intermolecular hydrogen abstraction by vinyl radicals from {C/H} molecules and provides generic rate rules that account for most of the variation in CH bond energy in the family of aliphatic, aromatic, naphthenic, olefinic, and aromatic naphtheno hydrocarbons. Reaction classes developed in this work are still dictated by immediate neighbors within the spirit of group additivity, although some efforts were made to access the effect of non–next neighbors on generic rate parameters. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 44: 327–349, 2012
Consumer use patterns for fresh and processed vegetable products

Consumer use patterns for 43 fresh and processed vegetables were studied in an effort to explain recent shifts in vegetable consumption practices. Data on the appropriateness of each of the vegetables for 10 different uses were collected and analysed to determine food and food use patterns. Nine vegetable factors and two use factors were extracted. Results indicate that in the majority of cases respondents perceive different forms of the same vegetable to be inappropriate substitutes for each other. Patterns were found which reflect the changes in usage patterns for certain forms of vegetables that have occurred in recent years.
Hydrogen bonding of vitamin D and egg lecithin in the solid state. A possible molecular role for vitamin D in calcium binding by membranes.

Abstract Attenuated total reflectance infrared spectra of films of vitamin D-egg lecithin mixtures show low frequency shifts for the vitamin -OH stretching and the [PO 2 − stretching absorption of the phospholipid. These shifts maximize at a 2 sterol:1 phospholipid ratio and appear to represent formation of a hydrogen-bonded complex of lecithin with vitamin D. Films of vitamin D trap nonpolar solvents, e.g. , carbon tetrachloride, but this phenomenon is not seen in phospholipid-vitamin D mixtures. The results are interpreted in terms of a possible interaction of vitamin D with phospholipids in cell membranes and the potential effects of such an interaction on calcium binding by membrane systems.
Inverting a non-major’s biology class: Using video lectures, online resources, and a student response system to facilitate deeper learning

Using pre-recorded video lectures, online resources, and a student response system (iClicker), instructors attempted to facilitate deeper learning in a non-major’s biology class. Following an inverted classroom format, students viewed lecture videos and completed online activities prior to face-to-face meetings with instructors. During face-to-face (traditional “lecture”) time, instructors tested student knowledge and guided students in group activities. Using a quasi-experimental design, researchers compared student performance on a comprehensive final exam with student performance from a previous semester. An independent sample t test indicated that students engaged in the inverted instructional model ( N = 73, M = 74.49, SD = 12.54) performed better than students engaged in a traditionally model of instruction ( N = 76, M = 70.32, SD = 12.19), t (147) = 2.06, p = 0.02. The effect size for this analysis ( d = 0.33) represents a small effect according to Cohen (1988). Researchers also performed a chi-square test of goodness-of-fit to determine if grade distributions from the inverted model differed from the traditional model. Grade distributions from the inverted model were significantly different, X 2 (5, N =100) = 24.85, p < .05.
Isothermal compression of stishovite and coesite up to 85 kilobars at room temperature by X-ray diffraction

Abstract X-ray diffraction (MoK α ) was used to obtain compression data on stishovite and coesite subjected to pressures up to 85 kb at 25°C in a tetrahedral press. Pressure was calculated from the lattice parameter of NaCl dispersed along with the sample in a plastic (Durez) which served as a pressure transmitting medium. Bulk moduli calculated from these data are 3.0 ± 0.3 Mb and 1.47 ± 0.15 Mb for stishovite and coesite respectively. The compression along the a axis ( Δa / a 0 ) is approximately twice the compression along the c axis ( Δc / c 0 ) in stishovite with both axes decreasing monotonically.
Some startling inconsistencies when electing committees

We generalize the idea of a Condorcet winner to committee elections to select a Condorcet committee of size m. As in the case of a Condorcet winner, the Condorcet committee need not exist. We adapt two methods to measure how far a set of m candidates is from being the Condorcet committee. In particular, we generalize a procedure proposed by Lewis Carroll for selecting the candidate that is closest to being the Condorcet winner to allow the selection of a committee. We also generalize Kemeny’s method, which gives a complete transitive ranking, to the selection of committees and show that it is closely related to the first method.We show that these methods lead to some surprising inconsistencies. For example, the committee of size k may be disjoint from the committee of size j or they may overlap in any manner, the committee arising from Carroll’s method may appear at any locations in the Kemeny ranking, and except for two highly restrictive cases, the members of the committee arising from Kemeny’s method may appear at any location in the Kemeny ranking.
Immunopathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis

Abstract The clinical entity known as Lyme disease or Lyme borreliosis is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (and other recently described Borrelia species, whose differences from B. burgdorferi are currently being defined). It is, however, far from clear how this organism causes multisystem inflammatory damage. 1 Recent studies suggest that persistence of the organism may be implicated in chronic tissue damage, for example, chronic cardiomyopathy. 2–4 In the absence of toxin formation or invasive behavior by the organism, 5 the search for pathogenetic mechanisms has focused on the immunologic reactivity elicited by B. burgdorferi ; of note is the fact that in severe combined immune deficiency (scid) mice, tissue damage develops even in the absence of an intact immune system. 6 This article is a review of the in vitro and in vivo immunologic responses to B. burgdorferi that have been identified and speculation about how these may then cause tissue damage or dysfunction. It deals with three questions: 1.1. What immunologic responses does B. burgdorferi elicit in human or animal hosts? 2.2. What in B. burgdorferi elicits these changes? 3.3. How might these changes elicit tissue damage/cause disease? The ability of B. burgdorferi to elicit antigen-specific and nonspecific responses has been reviewed previously. 7,8 Antigen-specific T-cell 9,10 and humoral 11 reactivities have been used for diagnostic purposes. The immunologic changes elicited by B. burgdorferi are summarized by broad category in Table 1. These mechanisms, activated by live or dead organisms, can then cause chronic inflammation and tissue damage (Table 2) in a number of ways, summarized in this review. It has been suggested that specific immune responses may be implicated in the pathogenesis of certain aspects of the disease. Recent studies have shown differences in antigenic properties of North American and European strains of B. burgdorferi and suggested that these differences might be related to the different clinical features of Lyme disease (borreliosis) on the two continents. 12,13 Worthy of mention, however, is the fact that nonimmune mechanisms may be active in the pathogenesis of tissue dysfunction in Lyme disease; a recent fascinating study documents that a degradation component of tryptophan, produced by lipopolysaccharide-induced mononuclear cells, can diffuse across the blood-brain barrier and cause brain dysfunction (encephalopathy) in the absence of inflammation (encephalitis). Thus, patients may have brain dysfunction without having a central nervous system Borrelia infection. 14
Parasites of Pacific Salmon, Oncorhynchus spp., from the Great Lakes

A comparative summary of the literature on parasites reported from Pacific salmon, Oncorhynchus spp., from the Great Lakes is presented. Seventeen studies on parasites infecting Pacific salmon in these lakes have been published since 1955. Totals of 16 parasite species are reported from pink salmon, O. gorbuscha; 18 from coho salmon, O. kisutch; 24 from steelhead, O. mykiss; 22 from kokanee, O. nerka; and 19 from chinook salmon, O. tshawytscha. The majority of the parasites occur in the gastrointestinal tract. The acanthocephalan, Echinorhynchus salmonis, is the most common parasite infecting Pacific salmon, followed by the nematode, Cystidicola farionis. Thirty four (83%) of the 41 helminth species from Pacific salmon are represented by adults indicating that most species mature in their salmonid hosts. The dominance of these helminth species is attributable to the position of these salmonids in the food web as top predators in the Great Lakes.
BREFELDIN A-INDUCED STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE ENDOMEMBRANE SYSTEM OF A FILAMENTOUS FUNGUS, MAGNAPORTHE GRISEA

Subcellular compartments comprising the endomembrane system in filamentous fungi are poorly characterized with most showing significant morphological differences from eukaryotic cells. For example, many filamentous fungi lack stacked Golgi-body cisternae, but contain “Golgi equivalents” — single cisternae or tubules which appear to serve the same functions. To help identify fungal endomembrane compartments and interrelationships between them we used a pharmacological agent, brefeldin A, known to affect specific endomembrane organelles in other organisms, most prominently the Golgi apparatus. At 10 μg/ml brefeldin A, radial hyphal growth of the rice blast pathogenMagnaporthe grisea on solid agar medium was reduced by 96% over an initial 48 h, but recovered and was reduced by only 20% over a subsequent 72 h exposure. Light microscopic examination of individual living hyphae showed that apical elongation generally halted within 1 min after exposure to brefeldin A. Acute effects of 14 μg/ml brefeldin A were characterized ultrasiructurally in cells prepared by freeze substitution. These included the appearance of two types of cisternae with unusual morphology, associated with ca. 45 nm diameter vesicles, as well as the unexpected persistence and increase in complexity of the Golgi equivalents. Also observed were (1) reduced numbers of apicale vesicles and disruption of Spitzenkorper organization, (2) apical clusters of 30–35 nm diameter microvesicles and associated tubular arrays, (3) dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, (4) packets of membrane-bounded electron-opaque cell wall inclusions, and (5) altered morphology of some vacuolar compartments. The distribution of concanavalin A binding sites, previously mapped to particular endomembrane compartments, was documented to aid the interpretation of these results. We conclude that brefeldin A effects on cells ofM. grisea differ from those reported with plant and animal cells, perhaps reflecting underlying differences in the endomembrane systems among these eukaryotes.
Covariant superparticle quantization in a super Maxwell background

Abstract We extend our previous result on Lorenz-covariant quantization of a free superparticle in the gauge θ =0 to the case of a super Maxwell background. In a general background, the action contains quintic and higher ghost couplings. We give the complete BRST charge before gauge fixing for the case of x-independent field strengths.
Gender Equality in the Academy: The Pipeline Problem

As part of the ongoing work by the Committee on the Status of Women in the Profession (CSWP), we offer an empirical analysis of the pipeline problem in academia. The image of a pipeline is a commonly advanced explanation for persistent discrimination that suggests that gender inequality will decline once there are sufficient numbers of qualified women in the hiring pool. The CSWP believes that it is important to ask whether this phenomenon is actually occurring, because the implication is that we can explain inequality as a function of insufficient numbers of trained women in the pool, rather than as a result of ongoing discrimination that requires alternate remedies. Data from the American Association of University Professors suggests that merely increasing the pool of qualified women has not led to a commensurate number of women rising to the top in academia. Women are still ending up in lower paid jobs, and they continue to earn less than men in comparable positions. More aggressive policies to end discrimination are required.
Gain and Target Size Effects on Cursor-Positioning Time with a Mouse

Movement time to align a cursor with targets on a computer screen a mouse was examined across settings of gain and target size. Empirical evidence was sought in light of previous suggestions that performance declines observed at higher gains can be explained by decreased effective cursor resolution, not gain per se. We tested this hypothesis by holding the effective cursor resolution constant while systematically varying gain and target size. Analysis of movement times showed a significant gain effect as a function of target size. Specifically, movement time increased with gain at the smallest target size (i.e. 1.5 mm) but decreased with gain at the largest target size (i.e. 12 mm). These results do not support the no-effect of gain hypothesis and suggest that target size is an important factor in determining the effects of gain on mouse movement performance.
Simultaneous and Separable Flux of Pathways for Glucose and Glycogen Utilization Studied by 13C-NMR

Abstract Glucose utilization and glycogen turnover was studied by 13 C-NMR in segments of hog carotid artery smooth muscle. After superfusion of carotid segments for 8-16h at 37°C with C-1 labeled glucose. 13 C-NMR spectra revealed substantial incorporation into glycogen, lactate and into resonances tentatively identified as glutamate at the C-2 and C-4 positions. The rate of net glycogen incorporation was approximately linear over 8h in unstimulated muscle. After washing out the initial labeled glucose, carotids were contracted by 80 mM KCl in the presence of C-2 labeled glucose. During the contraction simultaneous flux of glycogenolysis and glycolysis was observed with production of lactate labeled at the C-2 position (from glucose labeled at the second carbon) and with the magnitude of the glycogen resonance decreasing. However, no lactate labeled at the C-3 position (derived from C-3 glycogen) was observed at the end of a prolonged contraction. If complete mixing of the intermediates of the two pathways occurred, lactate derived from both glucose and glycogen would have been observed. When similar experiments are performed in the presence of 5 mM NaCN to block oxidative metabolism, then lactate derived from glucose and from glycogen was clearly observed. Therefore, when oxidative metabolism was intact, the intermediates of glycogenolysis and glycolysis did not normally appear to fully mix despite simultaneous flux of the two pathways during contraction. These separable cytosolic pathways for carbohydrate utilization are proposed to be governed by a reaction-diffusion class of mechanism. Such an organization of cytosolic enzymes may represent a general feature of cell metabolism.
Randomized controlled trial of three different doses of aerosol beclomethasone versus systemic dexamethasone to promote extubation in ventilated premature infants

Our objective was to determine the safety and efficacy of aerosol beclomethasone vs. systemic dexamethasone for extubation in premature infants at high risk for chronic lung disease (CLD). Intubated preterm infants who were identified as being at high risk for moderate-severe CLD on day 14 of life were randomized to one of four groups. The control group received systemic dexamethasone and aerosol placebo, while the other three groups received either high (2.40-3.69 microg/kg/day delivered to lungs), medium (1.0-1.85 microg/kg/day), or low (0.48-0.74 microg/kg/day) dose aerosol beclomethasone and systemic placebo. Those receiving aerosol steroids who remained ventilator-dependent after 7 days were switched to standard 42-day tapering doses of systemic dexamethasone. The primary outcome was extubation within 1 week of starting steroids, using predefined criteria. Secondary variables included changes in lung function, rates of side effects, and tracheal aspirate white blood cell counts. Sixty-one infants with birth weights of 761 +/- 18 g (mean +/- SEM) and gestational ages of 25.7 +/- 0.2 weeks were randomized to one of the four groups. Seven of 15 infants in the control systemic dexamethasone group were successfully extubated compared with 3/16 in the high-dose beclomethasone group, 1/15 in the medium-dose group, and 2/15 in the low-dose group (P < 0.01). Only dexamethasone subjects demonstrated improvements in lung function over the study period. These infants also had significant increases in blood pressure and blood glucose levels, as well as a decline in their tracheal aspirate white blood cell count. In conclusion, aerosol beclomethasone at the very low doses used in this study did not facilitate extubation in intubated premature infants at high risk for moderate-severe CLD.
Symptomatic pulmonary venous obstruction in adolescence after Mustard's repair of transposition in infancy

Abstract Pulmonary venous obstruction is a major source of morbidity and mortality after the Mustard intraatrial repair of transposition of the great arteries (TGA).1–6 The signs and symptoms of pulmonary venous obstruction have been reported as early as the immediate postoperative period and as late as 28 months after operation.1–4 We report 2 adolescent patients presenting with symptomatic pulmonary venous obstruction after Mustard's repair 13 and 14 years earlier.
Binocular luminance detection: Availability of more than one central interaction

Abstract Predictions of the theory that there exists two separate central interactions, summing and differencing, between signals from two eyes were investigated. Similar monocular stimuli to two eyes, such as binocular increments, are more masked by identical luminance noise in the two eyes than are dissimilar monocular stimuli, like an increment to one eye and a decrement to the other. The converse also holds. Further, equally detectable, though different binocular stimuli (e.g. a pair of luminance increments compared to an increment/decrement pair) are discriminable. These results rule out a single binocular combination mechanism but are consistent with the theory under test.
Price elasticity and pharmaceutical selection: The influence of managed care

State Medicaid programs are turning increasingly to managed care to control expenditures, although the types of managed care programs in use have changed dramatically. Little is known about the influence of the shifting Medicaid managed care arena on treatment decisions. This paper investigates factors affecting the selection of treatments for depression by providers participating in either of two Medicaid managed care programs. Of particular interest is the influence of medication price on the choice of treatment, since one vehicle through which managed care organizations can reduce total expenditures is by increasing the price sensitivity of participating providers. We take a new approach by phrasing the problem as a discrete choice, using a nested multinomial logit model for the analyses. Contrary to earlier literature, we find some evidence that physicians in both programs do take price into consideration when selecting among treatment options. HMO providers in particular demonstrate increased price sensitivity in the two most commonly prescribed categories of antidepressants.
Ice thickness and isostatic imbalances in the Ross Embayment, West Antarctica: model results

Abstract Thermomechanical flowline simulations indicate that the Siple Coast ice streams of West Antarctica have experienced only small deglacial thickness changes, are thinning more rapidly than their beds are rising isostatically, and can continue to retreat. Thickness changes of O (100)m are modelled at the modern grounding line through the last glacial cycle. The accumulation-rate increase accompanying warming out of the last glacial maximum (LGM) leads to a maximum simulated thickness change at the modern grounding line approximately 8 ka. Idealized isostatic simulations support coupling the ice-sheet model to an underlying elastic-lithosphere and relaxed-asthenosphere bedrock model. Dynamic interactions between ice and bedrock over the last glacial cycle indicate that isostatic rebound is raising the ice sheet at the modern grounding line faster than the rising sea level is submerging it. While, in and of itself, this could potentially lead to a grounding-line re-advance, ice flow is modelled to respond to recent changes in temperature, accumulation rate, and basal processes more rapidly than it does to bedrock-elevation and/or sea-level fluctuations. Previous results based on thermal controls on ice-stream behavior [Parizek et al., 2002: Geophysical Research Letters 29 (2002); Parizek et al., 2003: Annals of Glaciology 36 (2003) 251] support the view that thinning of the ice streams at the retreating grounding line will likely continue. While results indicate an additional few tens of meters of rebound remaining, land- and air-based observations will help constrain this magnitude with potential implications for uncovering past ice-loading history and future ice-sheet stability.
Knowledge, beliefs, and prior screening behavior among blacks and whites reporting for prostate cancer screening.

Abstract Objectives A survey to determine prostate cancer-related knowledge, beliefs, and prior screening behavior was administered to men participating in prostate cancer screening events at nine major sites in the southeast. Since prostate cancer disproportionately affects blacks, a primary focus of the analysis was to determine if differences in responses exist between racial groups. Methods A 20-question, multiple-choice survey to ascertain prostate cancer knowledge and beliefs, demographics, and health care access information was administered at nine major southeastern sites participating in Prostate Cancer Awareness screening events. Potential differences between the responses of blacks and whites were tested using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test ( P Results Major findings of this study on 286 black and 1218 white men are as follows: (1 ) only 28% of black or white men report that their doctor ever discussed a test for prostate cancer with them; (2) blacks were less likely to have a regular doctor ( P = 0.03) or ever to have had a digital rectal examination ( P P = 0.005); (3) blacks were less likely to report knowing someone with prostate cancer ( P P = 0.03); they were less likely to report that "a man with prostate cancer can lead a normal life" ( P P Conclusions There are a number of similarities among black and white men regarding knowledge and beliefs related to prostate cancer. Important differences, however, in access to screening, perception of the disease and its treatment, and knowledge of risk factors exist between racial groups and represent significant barriers to early detection among African Americans.
Project pokerface: building a user-centered culture at scale

We describe a project ('Pokerface') we ran at Google to increase our collective focus on the user. It involved hundreds of Eng/PM across multiple locations. This immersion project allowed non-UX professionals to feel firsthand the delight and, and at times, pain of our users when using our products. It strengthened the bond between colleagues and users and called to attention issues that needed immediate action.
Gravitational wave excitation of the 160-min solar oscillation?

Recent γ-ray observations1 of the, apparently, nearby source Geminga suggest the possibility that it is a close binary pair of compact stellar objects orbiting with a period of 160 or perhaps 320 min (Delache1 speculates that a 160-min periodicity in the γ-ray flux might still be a signature of a 320-min orbital period). The coincidence of this period with the observed 160-min periodicity in the full disk solar velocity data has led G. Isaak (personal communication) and others to speculate that the gravitational waves emitted by the binary pair are exciting a normal mode of the Sun. Solar velocity data2–4 confirm the existence of an approximately 50 cm s−1 oscillation in integrated Doppler shift observations that has been phase coherent for ∼9 yr. We report here a calculation of the solar cross-section for gravitational wave excitation and discuss why such a mechanism is an extremely unlikely explanation of the observed solar oscillation.
Backscatter gauge description for inspection of neutron absorber content

This paper describes design, calibration, and testing of a dual He-3 detector neutron backscatter gauge for use in the Savannah River Site Mixed Oxide Fuel project. The gauge is demonstrated to measure boron content and uniformity in concrete slabs used in the facility construction.
Serum digoxin concentrations in healthy dogs treated without a loading dose

Healthy dogs were treated once-a-day for 20 days, with a liquid oral dosage form of digoxin (0.022 mg/kg). Serum digoxin concentrations, measured by radio immunoassay technique, were in the therapeutic range 8 h after the second daily dose of digoxin had been administered. Of the ten dogs treated, four had digoxin serum concentrations above those accepted to be moderately toxic. Results of a blood urea nitrogen and a phenolsulfonphthalein test, determined at days 0, 5, 8, 12, 15 and 19 after the beginning of the investigation all were within normal limits. Serum osmolality, calcium, potassium, and sodium, determined daily, evidenced no significant difference from control values. Lengthening of the PR interval and a decrease in the heart rate were observed. Digitalization of dogs can be achieved without the use of a loading dose and within a much shorter time than was previously reported.
Pathogenesis of bladder calculi in the presence of urinary stasis.

Purpose: Although minimal evidence exists, bladder calculi in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia are thought to be secondary to bladder outlet obstruction induced urinary stasis. We performed a prospective, multi-institutional clinical trial to determine whether metabolic differences were present in men with and without bladder calculi undergoing surgical intervention for benign prostatic hyperplasia induced bladder outlet obstruction.Materials and Methods: Men who elected surgery for bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia with and without bladder calculi were assessed prospectively and compared. Men without bladder calculi retained more than 150 ml urine post-void residual urine. Medical history, serum electrolytes and 24-hour urinary metabolic studies were compared.Results: Of the men 27 had bladder calculi and 30 did not. Bladder calculi were associated with previous renal stone disease in 36.7% of patients (11 of 30) vs 4% (2 of 27) and gout was associated in 13.3% (4 ...
Bounded solutions of linear and weakly nonlinear differential equations in a Banach space with an unbounded operator in the linear part

For linear and weakly linear differential equations in a Banach space, we obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of bounded solutions on the entire real line under the assumption that the homogeneous equation dx/dt = A(t)x(t) admits an exponential dichotomy on the half-lines.
Elevated Temperature Fiber Push-Out Testing

The potential use of fiber-reinforced composite materials for high temperature applications makes the development of interface test methodology at those high temperatures very desirable. A facility for performing high temperature fiber push-out tests will be described with emphasis on critical issues in experimental procedure. Examples from several composite systems illustrate the temperature dependence and environmental sensitivity of fiber debonding and sliding. Interpretation of the temperature dependence will be made primarily in terms of changes in residual stresses along with additional effects due to changes in matrix ductility and interfacial wear. Examples will show that high temperature fiber push-out testing can often distinguish between chemical and frictional fiber/matrix bonding in cases where room temperature only testing cannot.
Event-driven programming facilitates learning standard programming concepts

We have designed a CS 1 course that integrates event-driven programming from the very start. In cite BDMITiCSE1 we argued that event-driven programming is simple enough for CS 1 when introduced with the aid of a library that we have developed. In this paper we argue that early use of event-driven programming makes many of the standard topics of CS 1 much easier for students to learn by breaking them into smaller, more understandable concepts.
Concentrations of energy metabolites and cyclic nucleotides during and after bilateral ischemia in the gerbil cerebral cortex.

— The concentrations of metabolites which reflect energy production or use (P-creatine, ATP. ADP. 5′AMP, glucose, glycogen and lactate) and cyclic nucleotides (cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP) were measured in gerbil cortex during ischemia and recirculation. Bilateral ischemia of the gerbil brain was chosen as a model to ensure the assessment of short periods of ischemia without ambiguity. The metabolites and cyclic nucleotides were measured after, 1, 5. 20. 30 and 60 min of ischemia; and 1, 5, 30, 60 and 360 min after circulation was reestablished. The greatest changes in metabolites and cyclic nucleotides due to ischemia occurred during the 1st min; ischemia of longer duration had little further effect. However, the restoration of the metabolic profile was altered by the duration of the ischemic period. In general, the longer the period of ischemia, the slower the replenishment of high-energy phosphate compounds and energy sources. Cyclic AMP increased 5- to 13-fold during ischemia; cyclic GMP decreased to as little as one-fifth control values 60min after occlusion. During recirculation, cyclic AMP increased as much as 100-fold, while cyclic GMP increased up to 6-fold. The temporal derangements in cyclic nucleotide concentrations coincide with the loss and restoration of cortical activity; a possible mechanism has been suggested.
Microsomal Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylase Comparison of the Direct, Indirect and Radiometric Assays

Abstract The direct fluorometric assay of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase has been compared to the more commonly used indirect fluorometric and radiometric assays. Although rat hepatic microsomal activities measured by the direct assay were consistently higher than those obtained by the other assays, the relative changes in activity following enzyme induction and/or inhibition were similar. The direct assay provides an accurate and rapid measure of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity and avoids several problems inherent in the indirect and radiometric assays.
El diálogo intergeneracional de la familia Crecente en "Os libros arden mal" de Manuel Rivas

Este articulo tiene la intencion de estudiar el dialogo intergeneracional de la familia Crecente en la novela Os libros arden mal (2006) del escritor gallego Manuel Rivas. A partir de los conceptos teoricos de la memoria colectiva , la memoria cultural y del trauma colectivo , desarrollados en las Ciencias Sociales y Culturales por Halbwachs (1925), Assmann (1992) y Kuhner (2008), se procede al analisis del campo traumatico de la memoria familiar y la transmision de recuerdos de la Guerra Civil y el Franquismo.
Cytoplasmic ankyrin repeats of transient receptor potential A1 (TRPA1) dictate sensitivity to thermal and chemical stimuli

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are polymodal signal detectors that respond to a wide array of physical and chemical stimuli, making them important components of sensory systems in both vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. Mammalian TRPA1 channels are activated by chemically reactive irritants, whereas snake and Drosophila TRPA1 orthologs are preferentially activated by heat. By comparing human and rattlesnake TRPA1 channels, we have identified two portable heat-sensitive modules within the ankyrin repeat-rich aminoterminal cytoplasmic domain of the snake ortholog. Chimeric channel studies further demonstrate that sensitivity to chemical stimuli and modulation by intracellular calcium also localize to the N-terminal ankyrin repeat-rich domain, identifying this region as an integrator of diverse physiological signals that regulate sensory neuron excitability. These findings provide a framework for understanding how restricted changes in TRPA1 sequence account for evolution of physiologically diverse channels, also identifying portable modules that specify thermosensitivity.
A framework for the application of group decision support systems to the problem of planning for catastrophic events

During the last two years the US has endured extensive property damage and loss of life from the Hurricane Hugo and Loma Prieta natural disasters and expended billions of dollars in the aftermath of a major oil spill in Prince William Sound. Ineffective precrisis planning was, according to most observers, a primary factor contributing to the failure of these response efforts. The application of decision analysis methods and decision support tools to the development of a scenario-driven planning process is discussed. The methodology and structured group interactions on which this technology should be based are demonstrated and are discussed in the context of planning for earthquakes and catastrophic oilspills. The improvement of the contingency planning process through the application of group decision support technology could provide a new foundation for the management of the response to catastrophic natural and technological events. >
Method for Casting Large Numbers of Clay Eggs for Use in Studies of Artificial Nests

Abstract We describe a method for making clay mimics of bird eggs. These eggs can be used in experiments that require many uniform, accurate artificial eggs. We developed methods and made about 1,000 clay eggs at a cost of $0.55 each.
Trust Management and Security in the Future Communication-Based "Smart" Electric Power Grid

New standards and initiatives in the U.S. electric power grid are moving in the direction of a smarter grid. Media attention has focused prominently on smart meters in distribution systems, but big changes are also occurring in the domains of protection, control, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. These changes promise to enhance the reliability of the electric power grid and to allow it to safely operate closer to its limits, but there is also a real danger concerning the introduction of network communication vulnerabilities to so-called cyber attacks. This article advocates the use of a reputation-based trust management system as one method to mitigate such attacks. A simulated demonstration of the potential for such systems is illustrated in the domain of backup protection systems. The simulation results show the promise of this proposed technique.
Frequency-temperature and aging performance of microcomputer compensated crystal oscillators

Evaluation of five samples of the microcomputer-compensated crystal oscillator built during a development program has verified the feasibility of achieving frequency vs. temperature stability of +or-5*10/sup -8/, aging of 1*10/sup -10//day, and hysteresis of no worse than +or-3*10/sup -8/, with an input power of 45 mW. A simulated compensation was performed on several samples of each of two dual-mode oscillator designs. One design uses a lateral-field resonator and the other uses a conventional thickness-field resonator. The frequency could be compensated to better than +or-2*10/sup -8/ for a -55 degrees C to +85 degrees C temperature range for both designs. >
IP caching for terabit speed routers

As network speeds continue to grow, current methods of translating destination IP addresses to output port numbers during routing become inadequately slow. Even though this lookup is often performed in hardware, it may still be limited by DRAM access latencies. We present a method of speeding up access to DRAM based lookup mechanisms by more than a factor of 10 using CPU style memory caches. Real IP router traces taken from several sites are used to validate the caching scheme over a variety of parameters as well as used to study IP address properties that may affect caching performance.
Differentiation of adherent human monocytes into macrophages markedly enhances tissue factor protein expression and procoagulant activity

Circulating monocytes as well as resident monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in the atherosclerotic plaque express tissue factor. We tested the hypothesis that differentiation of monocytes into macrophages increases their tissue factor expression. This was done by isolating monocytes from human blood and culturing them for 24 h or allowing their differentiation into macrophages for 8 days before assay. Tissue factor procoagulant activity was assessed by recalcification clotting assay while Western blotting quantitated tissue factor protein. Immunocytochemistry was applied to localize antigenic tissue factor in cells. The results showed that freshly-isolated monocytes expressed low baseline procoagulant activity (0.0004+/-0.0003 ng rhTF/10(6) cells) which increased 100-fold in 24-h cultured monocytes (0.04+/-0.01 ng/10(6) cells, P<0.0001) and was associated with detectable tissue factor protein by Western blotting. Furthermore, MDMs expressed 25-fold higher procoagulant activity (1.0+/-0.5 ng/10(6) cells, P<0.04) and increased tissue factor protein content compared with 24-h monocytes as corroborated by immunocytochemistry. LPS stimulation increased baseline binding activity of transcription factor kappaB three-fold (P<0.03) and 2.6-fold (P<0.09) in monocytes and in macrophages, respectively. The results demonstrate that differentiation of human monocytes into macrophages in culture enhances their tissue factor expression. The observed tissue factor increase that can be further stimulated by LPS may contribute to thrombogenicity of macrophage-rich atheroma. Activation of the TF-kappaB transduction pathway suggests its potential role in the transcriptional regulation of TF gene in response to acute stimulation in these cells. This cell-culture model may provide the opportunity to evaluate the effect of various interventions on macrophage procoagulant activity.
Fe L-Edge XAS Studies of K4[Fe(CN)6] and K3[Fe(CN)6]: A Direct Probe of Back-Bonding

Distinct spectral features at the Fe L-edge of the two compounds K3[Fe(CN)6] and K4[Fe(CN)6] have been identified and characterized as arising from contributions of the ligand π* orbitals due to metal-to-ligand back-bonding. In addition, the L-edge energy shifts and total intensities allow changes in the ligand field and effective nuclear charge to be determined. It is found that the ligand field term dominates the edge energy shift. The results of the experimental analysis were compared to BP86 DFT calculations. The overall agreement between the calculations and experiment is good; however, a larger difference in the amount of π back-donation between Fe(II) and Fe(III) is found experimentally. The analysis of L-edge spectral shape, energy shift, and total intensity demonstrates that Fe L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides a direct probe of metal-to-ligand back-bonding.
Prevalence and significance of postexercise hypotension in apparently healthy subjects.

Although a decrease in systolic blood pressure (BP) occurring during treadmill exercise is often a sign of severe left ventricular dysfunction, the prevalence and significance of postexertional hypotension is unclear. The postexercise systolic BP response to maximal treadmill exercise was analyzed in 781 asymptomatic volunteers, aged 21 to 96 years (mean 51 ± 16) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging. Fifteen subjects (1.9%) had a postexercise decrease in systolic BP of at least 20 mm Hg from preexercise sitting values, to a level of 90 mm Hg or less. The prevalence of postexercise hypotension was 3.1% (14 of 449) in subjects younger than 55 years, but only 0.3% (1 of 332) in those older than 55 (p < 0.01). Before exercise these 15 subjects demonstrated a slight orthostatic decrease in systolic BP of −1.7 ± 4.8 mm Hg compared with an increase of 5.3 ± 5.1 mm Hg in age-matched control subjects (p < 0.001). The lowest systolic BP averaged 78 ± 9 mm Hg (range 62 to 90) and occurred between 4 and 9 minutes after exercise in 80% of cases. All but 3 episodes were symptomatic, with dizziness dominant. In only 2 subjects was the hypotension associated with vagal symptoms and bradycardia. Compared with control subjects, subjects with postexercise hypotension had higher maximal heart rates (184 ± 15 vs 173 ± 11 beats/min, p < 0.05), but showed no difference in exercise tolerance or systolic BP at submaximal or maximal effort. Postexercise ST-segment abnormalities suggesting ischemia occurred in one-third of the hypotensive subjects but none of the control subjects (p < 0.05). No subject with hypotension experienced cardiovascular morbidity or mortality over a follow-up period averaging 4 years. Thus, in a general population, hypotension after treadmill exercise occurs primarily in younger persons with high maximal heart rates. It may be a cause for an ischemic electrocardiographic response but appears to have a benign prognosis.
Culturally Competent and Spiritually Sensitive Therapy with Lesbian and Gay Christians

This article presents results from a retrospective qualitative study of 27 lesbian and gay (LG) Christians that examined religious and spiritual issues and resolutions. Participants were also asked to identify the necessary knowledge and skills that practitioners (social workers, therapists, pastoral care providers, and so on) working with clients who are coming out need to help such clients integrate their sexual orientation and religion or spirituality. By analyzing the stories of participants, the authors identified information to enhance practitioners' cultural competence and spiritual sensitivity. Themes identified as important were having a historical perspective, self-awareness, and a nonjudgmental attitude; expanding definitions; and understanding the power of words. Participants described both their negative and positive experiences in integrating their faith and sexual orientation, and offered pragmatic suggestions for LG Christians. Themes identified were reframing scripture and tradition, supportive pastoral relationships, affirming Christian communities, peer support, and educational resources. This article will increase practitioner understanding of how to support the integration of sexual orientation and Christianity for LG clients who are coming out. It is also a resource for LG Christians who can benefit from reading stories of those who have successfully integrated their faith and sexual orientation.
optibin: a computer program to bin alleles similarly distributed across populations

Genetic studies of fish and wildlife populations are increasingly based on highly polymorphic DNA loci. The large number of alleles, and particularly the large number of alleles that are observed in low frequency, have led many researchers to bin alleles. However, most strategies for binning alleles are subjective and may lead to loss of discriminatory power. A computer program that implements the allele-binning algorithm of Bromaghin and Crape (2005 ) is described.
Engineering angiogenesis following spinal cord injury: a coculture of neural progenitor and endothelial cells in a degradable polymer implant leads to an increase in vessel density and formation of the blood–spinal cord barrier

Angiogenesis precedes recovery following spinal cord injury and its extent correlates with neural regeneration, suggesting that angiogenesis may play a role in repair. An important precondition for studying the role of angiogenesis is the ability to induce it in a controlled manner. Previously, we showed that a coculture of endothelial cells (ECs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) promoted the formation of stable tubes in vitro and stable, functional vascular networks in vivo in a subcutaneous model. We sought to test whether a similar coculture would lead to the formation of stable functional vessels in the spinal cord following injury. We created microvascular networks in a biodegradable two-component implant system and tested the ability of the coculture or controls (lesion control, implant alone, implant + ECs or implant + NPCs) to promote angiogenesis in a rat hemisection model of spinal cord injury. The coculture implant led to a fourfold increase in functional vessels compared with the lesion control, implant alone or implant + NPCs groups and a twofold increase in functional vessels over the implant + ECs group. Furthermore, half of the vessels in the coculture implant exhibited positive staining for the endothelial barrier antigen, a marker for the formation of the blood-spinal cord barrier. No other groups have shown positive staining for the blood-spinal cord barrier in the injury epicenter. This work provides a novel method to induce angiogenesis following spinal cord injury and a foundation for studying its role in repair.
Accurate Bit-Error-Rate estimation for efficient high speed I/O testing

We introduce a bit-error-rate (BER) estimation technique for high-speed serial links, which utilizes the jitter spectral information extracted from the transmitted data and some key characteristics of the clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit in the receiver. In addition to offering insight into both the behavior of the CDR loop and the contribution of the jitter to the BER, the estimation technique can be used to accelerate the jitter tolerance test by eliminating the conventional BER measurement process. We will discuss two different versions of the estimation technique: one for use with linear CDR circuits and the other for non-linear CDR circuits. Experimental results comparing the estimated BER and the measured BER demonstrate the high accuracy of the proposed technique.