cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synergistic interaction of 4-aminopyridine with neostigmine at the neuromuscular junction.

Abstract The pre- and postsynaptic events at the neuromuscular junction were studied in vitro in rat skeletal muscle exposed to clinically significant concentrations of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), neostigmine or combinations of the two drugs. Simultaneous application of 4-AP and neostigmine produced increases in the amplitudes of nerve-evoked end-plate potentials which were significantly greater than the summed effects of the drugs applied individually. Such synergism was present at the junctions where transmission was blocked either postsynaptically by d-tubocurarine or presynaptically by low [Ca2+]0 and high [Mg2+0. Quantal content analysis in the latter preparation indicated that the evoked release of acetylcholine was potentiated significantly more than the amplitude of spontaneous miniature end-plate potentials, suggesting that the site of synergism is predominantly presynaptic. For symptomatic relief and long-term management of the neuromuscular junction disorders, we propose a combined medication of aminopyridine and anticholinesterase at reduced dosages. Such therapy would minimize adverse effects and be particularly effective in the treatment of such presynaptic disorders as the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome and botulism.
Blue Gene/L compute chip: memory and Ethernet subsystem

The Blue Gene®/L compute chip is a dual-processor system-on-a-chip capable of delivering an arithmetic peak performance of 5.6 gigaflops. To match the memory speed to the high compute performance, the system implements an aggressive three-level on-chip cache hierarchy. The implemented hierarchy offers high bandwidth and integrated prefetching on cache hierarchy levels 2 and 3 (L2 and L3) to reduce memory access time. A Gigabit Ethernet interface driven by direct memory access (DMA) is integrated in the cache hierarchy, requiring only an external physical link layer chip to connect to the media. The integrated L3 cache stores a total of 4 MB of data, using multibank embedded dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The 1,024-bit-wide data port of the embedded DRAM provides 22.4 GB/s bandwidth to serve the speculative prefetching demands of the two processor cores and the Gigabit Ethernet DMA engine. To reduce hardware overhead due to cache coherence intervention requests, memory coherence is maintained by software. This is particularly efficient for regular highly parallel applications with partitionable working sets. The system further integrates an on-chip double-data-rate (DDR) DRAM controller for direct attachment of main memory modules to optimize overall memory performance and cost. For booting the system and low-latency interprocessor communication and synchronization, a 16-KB static random access memory (SRAM) and hardware locks have been added to the design.
The echo response inGnathonemus petersii (Mormyridae)

1. Gnathonemus petersii respond to each other's electric organ discharge (EOD) with an “echo” discharge of their own at a latency of about 12 msec. This response persists until interfish distances reach about 30 cm (Fig. 4). 2. Artificial electrical stimuli were used to further characterize the response. Response threshold, latency dependence on stimulus intensity, polarity characteristics (Figs. 5–7), and differential regional sensitivity indicate that “medium” electroreceptors in the anterior region of the animal underlie the response. 3. Response probability depends upon the delay of the stimulus after the last EOD and also upon the instantaneous EOD rate (Figs. 8, 9). The echo response in turn resets the EOD rhythm of the responding animal (Fig. 10). These results suggest that the echo input pathway terminates on the presumed mesencephalic command center.
Foveal adaptation abnormalities in early glaucoma.

Foveal sensitivities were measured after onset of adapting background fields for each of the following four groups of subjects aged 40–70 years: (1) low-tension glaucoma subjects with minimal field loss in the test eye, (2) primary open-angle glaucoma subjects with minimal field loss in the test eye, (3) normal control subjects, and (4) subjects originally enrolled as control subjects but subsequently found, on the basis of masked clinical evaluation, to be suspect for glaucoma despite ostensibly normal intraocular pressures. We found that the desensitization of a short-wavelength-sensitive-cone-mediated response after onset of a 580-nm background field was diminished from that of normal observers for low-tension glaucoma subjects but not for primary open-angle glaucoma subjects. The desensitization was also diminished for glaucoma-suspect subjects aged 60–70 years. In contrast, the flicker sensitivity instabilities that persisted after onset of a long-wavelength background field for the majority of subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma [ J. Glaucoma Suppl.3, S19 ( 1994)] occurred only infrequently among the other subject groups. These results imply that glaucoma often involves the fovea, probably by affecting retinal subtractive adaptation processes, although with different consequences for different types of glaucoma. The results also suggest that undiagnosed low-tension glaucoma may not be rare in the general aging population.
On the heat of formation of nitromethane

Two experimental values (−19.3 ± 0.3 and −17.8 ± 0.1 kcal/mol) for the gas phase heat of formation (δfH) (298k) of nitromethane have been reported. Although these values differ by only 1.5 kcal/mol, substantially greater differences in theoretical and experimental results occur when these differing values are used to calculate thermodynamic properties. This is especially evident when these two values for the δfH of nitromethane are used to calculate thermodynamic properties of polynitro compounds. For example, when density functional theory (DFT) is coupled with the use of isodesmic reactions, the ΔfH of octanitrocubane is calculated to be 160.6 or 172.6 kcal/mol, depending on which value is used. It should also be appreciated that several computational theories depend upon having access to reliable experimental data for testing and development. We have examined this discrepancy using several computational models and several levels of theory. Our results coupled with a comprehensive review of the literature support the lower (−19.3 ± 0.3 kcal/mol) experimental value. This is problematic because the higher value (−17.8 ± 0.1 kcal/mol) has been used in the development and/or testing of several semiempirical quantum mechanical models as well as ab initio Gaussian theory (G2 and G3). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Workforce staffing and scheduling: hospital nursing specific models

Abstract Decisions relating to hospital nurse staffing and scheduling are among the most important decisions made in hospitals today. Staffing and scheduling choices must be made which will result in timely and high-quality care to patients. These choices are complicated by the requirement for round-the-clock staffing in many hospital nursing units, a severe nursing shortage, and an outcry from many quarters to cut costs of health care. In general, patients today are kept in hospitals only if they are in need of highly skilled nursing care. In this paper we present a review of some of the issues in health care currently influencing the hospital nurse staffing and scheduling environment. In addition, we review the literature that illustrates nurse manager's concerns, and approaches taken in the past by operations researchers to address those concerns. We present some data from a recent study of nurse managers in 31 hospitals that illustrates the complexity of the issues. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions in hospital nurse staffing and scheduling.
Ion irradiation-induced amorphization of two GeO2 polymorphs

Abstract The amorphization of two GeO 2 polymorphs, the hexagonal ( P3 2 21 ) and tetragonal forms ( P4 2 /mnm ), were studied using 1.5 MeV Xe + . The polymorphs showed significant differences in their susceptibility to amorphization by irradiation. Hexagonal GeO 2 had a lower amorphization dose (1.7×10 13 ions/cm 2 at room temperature), higher critical temperature (876 K) and higher activation energy for dynamic annealing (0.2 eV) than tetragonal GeO 2 which had a higher amorphization dose (1×10 15 ions/cm 2 at room temperature), lower critical temperature (820 K) and lower activation energy (0.02 eV). Because of their identical composition, the difference in susceptibility to amorphization between the two GeO 2 polymorphs is attributed to the connectivity of polyhedra. The glass-forming ability of hexagonal GeO 2 is much greater than tetragonal GeO 2 because of the three dimensional network formed by corner sharing (GeO 4 ) tetrahedra. The radiation effects of two GeO 2 polymorphs are also compared to the results of irradiation study of two related materials, rutile (TiO 2 ) and quartz (SiO 2 ). Both chemical composition and structure contribute significantly to the susceptibility to irradiation-induced amorphization in these phases.
Theoretical Studies of Inorganic and Organometallic Reaction Mechanisms. 20. Carbon−Hydrogen and Carbon−Carbon Bond Activation of Cyclopropane by Cationic Iridium(III) and Neutral Rhodium(I) and Iridium(I) Complexes

The reactions of cyclopropane with the coordinately unsaturated species produced by mild thermal activation of [Cp*Ir(P(CH3)3)CH3]+L (L = Cl2CH2, OSO2CF3-) and photochemical activation of Cp*Ir(P(C...
Social Burden of Obesity on US Adults

Obesity has become a major public health problem in America. Nearly two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese. This problem is large enough to begin to rival health problems associated with cigarette smoking. Epidemiological evidence suggests that obesity is associated with heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases that can lead to morbidity and even premature death. This paper examines the magnitude of the problem and then suggests several solutions from societal and social work perspectives.
Similarity of Traveling-Wave Delays in the Hearing Organs of Humans and Other Tetrapods

Transduction of sound in mammalian ears is mediated by basilar-membrane waves exhibiting delays that increase systematically with distance from the cochlear base. Most contemporary accounts of such “traveling-wave” delays in humans have ignored postmortem basilar-membrane measurements in favor of indirect in vivo estimates derived from brainstem-evoked responses, compound action potentials, and otoacoustic emissions. Here, we show that those indirect delay estimates are either flawed or inadequately calibrated. In particular, we argue against assertions based on indirect estimates that basilar-membrane delays are much longer in humans than in experimental animals. We also estimate in vivo basilar-membrane delays in humans by correcting postmortem measurements in humans according to the effects of death on basilar-membrane vibrations in other mammalian species. The estimated in vivo basilar-membrane delays in humans are similar to delays in the hearing organs of other tetrapods, including those in which basilar membranes do not sustain traveling waves or that lack basilar membranes altogether.
Dynamic Virtual Machine migration algorithms using enhanced energy consumption model for green cloud data centers

Cloud data centers consume an enormous amount of energy. Virtual Machine (VM) migration technology can be applied to reduce energy consumption by consolidating VMs onto the minimal number of servers and turn idle servers into power-saving modes. While most existing energy models consider mainly computing energy, an enhanced energy consumption model is formulated, which includes energy consumption for computation, for servers to switch from standby to active modes, and for communication during VM migrations. Next, two new dynamic VM migration algorithms are proposed. They apply a local regression method to predict potentially over-utilized servers, and the 0-1 knapsack dynamic programming to find the best-fit combination of VMs for migration. The time complexity of these algorithms is analyzed, which indicates that they are highly scalable. Performance is evaluated and compared with existing algorithms. The two new heuristics have significantly reduced the number of VM migration, the number of rebooted servers, and energy consumption. Furthermore, one of them has achieved the least overall SLA violations. We believe that the new energy formulation and the two new heuristics contribute significantly towards achieving green cloud computing.
Surface dust redistribution on Mars as observed by the Mars Global Surveyor and Viking orbiters

[1] The variation of surface dust coverage on Mars is mapped using Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) and Viking albedo data. Albedo is shown to correlate well with spectrally derived measurements of surface dust abundance and is subsequently used to gauge dust coverage. Atmospheric aerosols modify the albedo observed from orbit, complicating this analysis. However, opacity cycles are highly repeatable, and simultaneous, independent records of aerosol opacities are available to isolate their impact. The MGS albedo and imaging data contain global coverage on a daily basis, allowing the relationship between dust cover and specific meteorological events to be elucidated. The 2001 global dust storm produced the largest changes in surface dust coverage during the MGS mission. Other processes yielding significant changes include seasonal cap-edge winds, seasonally varying regional winds, local/regional dust storms, and extratropical cyclones. Dust devils and ongoing, small-scale dust lifting do not appear to significantly modify the global patterns of dust cover. Finally, we show that the apparent long-term darkening of the southern mid and high latitudes between the Viking and MGS eras is largely a consequence of the timing of image acquisition relative to global dust storms and surface dust “cleaning” by the seasonal ice cap; it does not represent a steady decadal-scale, secular change. In fact, following the 2001 global dust storm, in late southern spring, the southern hemisphere was brighter in MGS than in Viking data. This study reveals albedo to be a dynamic, climatological variable for Mars, similar to sea-surface temperature for terrestrial meteorology and climate.
Candesartan reduced mortality and hospital admissions in chronic heart failure.

Source Citation Pfeffer MA, Swedberg K, Granger CB, et al. Effects of candesartan on mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure: the CHARM-Overall programme. Lancet. 2003;362:75...
Induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant mutants by hyperoxia and γ-irradiation: effect of compromising cellular antioxidant systems

Abstract Hyperoxia and γ-irradiation were found to be mutagenic in a transformed Syrian hamster cell line in a dose-dependent manner. The frequency of resistance to 6-thioguanine increased from 10 per 10 6 survivors after 48 h of growth in 70% O 2 to 32.6 (highly significant) after 75 h. Increasing the oxygen tension to 95% resulted in a significant mutagenic response in only 44 h. At equitoxic doses, γ-irradiation was 4 times more mutagenic than 70% O 2 . After growth in hyperoxia, the cells showed an enhancement of catalase activity, glutathione peroxidase activity and glutathione levels but there was little effect on superoxide dismutase activity. Diethyldithiocarbamate (3 mM, 1.5 h) was mutagenic in normoxia and potentiated the mutagenic activity of both γ-irradiation and hyperoxia. Cells thus treated showed an 85% reduction in superoxide dismutase activity. When diethyldithiocarbamate was used in conjunction with a direct-acting alkylating agent, the mutagenic response was only additive. Depletion of cellular glutathione with buthionine sulfoximine (0.2 mM) or inhibition of catalase activity with aminotriazole (100 mM) was also effective in potentiating the mutagenic response of γ-irradiation and hyperoxia. The data demonstrates that endogenously produced activated oxygen species are mutagenic to hamster cells in culture and suggest that aerobic organisms are subject to an unavoidable background risk due to living in an oxygen atmosphore.
Sifting Through the Ashes: Processing Arsonists in Juvenile Justice

National estimates have suggested that less than one-in-five arsons are cleared by arrest. Interestingly, juveniles account for nearly 50% of arson arrests, a proportion greater than all other non-status offenses. While the criminological literature on juvenile arson has been fairly consistent, a dearth of applied criminological literature has observed how the juvenile justice system responds to arsonists. Drawing on data on more than 5,000 juveniles from a large southern state, this study was able to differentiate between the system responses for arsonists and other felons. The findings suggested that the juvenile justice system distinguished between arsonists and other felons in some respects, but these distinctions failed to align with the suggested approaches of the criminological literature.
Climate Effects of Global Land Cover Change

There are two competing effects of global land cover change on climate: an albedo effect which leads to heating when changing from grass/croplands to forest, and an evapotranspiration effect which tends to produce cooling. It is not clear which effect would dominate in a global land cover change scenario. We have performed coupled land/ocean/atmosphere simulations of global land cover change using the NCAR CAM3 atmospheric general circulation model. We find that replacement of current vegetation by trees on a global basis would lead to a global annual mean warming of 1.6 C, nearly 75% of the warming produced under a doubled CO{sub 2} concentration, while global replacement by grasslands would result in a cooling of 0.4 C. These results suggest that more research is necessary before forest carbon storage should be deployed as a mitigation strategy for global warming. In particular, high latitude forests probably have a net warming effect on the Earth's climate.
Thermodynamics of pairing in mesoscopic systems

Using numerical and analytical methods implemented for different models, we conduct a systematic study of the thermodynamic properties of pairing correlations in mesoscopic nuclear systems. Various quantities are calculated and analyzed using the exact solution of pairing. An in-depth comparison of canonical, grand canonical, and microcanonical ensembles is conducted. The nature of the pairing phase transition in a small system is of a particular interest. We discuss the onset of discontinuity in the thermodynamic variables, fluctuations, and evolution of zeros of the canonical and grand canonical partition functions in the complex plane. The behavior of the invariant correlational entropy is also studied in the transitional region of interest. The change in the character of the phase transition due to the presence of a magnetic field is discussed along with studies of superconducting thermodynamics.
Ordered-disordered ternary III-V semiconductor alloys

Ternary III - V semiconductor alloys show ordering specially when they grow lattice matched to a substrate. The ordered ternary alloys have different crystal structures and bandgaps from their corresponding disordered ones. We review the advantages of growing these ordered alloys. We also report on our efforts to grow the ordered alloys by the atomic layer epitaxy technique.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Geomorphic, Water Quality and Fish Community Patterns Associated with the Distribution of Notropis topeka in a Central Missouri Watershed

Abstract The Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) is a small native cyprinid species that has declined throughout its range in the Central Great Plains Region of the United States. Declines of the species have been associated with numerous factors including water quality, physical habitat alteration and predation. The N. topeka occurs in the Moniteau Creek Watershed of Cooper and Moniteau Counties of Central Missouri. We studied the Moniteau Creek population of N. topeka over a 1 y period to identify the primary physical, chemical and biological factors associated with population distributions. Fish community composition, water quality data and physical habitat variables were collected at 20 sites distributed across 8 sub-watersheds. Notropis topeka were collected at 8 of the 20 locations; 3 of these sites represent a recent within-watershed range expansion. Notropis topeka were confined to upper reaches of the sub-watersheds in areas typified by relatively high gradient and coarse substrate conditions. Water ...
Detection of unresolved target tracks in infrared imagery

Two methods for detecting dim, unresolved target tracks in infrared imagery are presented. Detecting such targets in a sequence of noisy images is very challenging from the standpoint of algorithm design as well as detection performance evaluation. Since the signal-to-noise ratio per pixel is very low (a dim target) and the target is unresolved (of spatial extent less than a pixel), one must rely on integration over target tracks which span over many image frames. In addition, since there is a large amount of uncertainty as to the pattern and location of target tracks, good algorithms must consider a large number of possibilities. The first method is based on a generalization of the Hough transform-based algorithm using the Radon transform. The second approach is an extension of a detection theory algorithm to 3-D. Both algorithms use a 3-D volume of spatial-temporal data.
Beyond the past, present, and future: towards the semantics of ‘graded tense’ in Gĩkũyũ

In recent years, our understanding of how tense systems vary across languages has been greatly advanced by formal semantic study of languages exhibiting fewer tense categories than the three commonly found in European languages. However, it has also often been reported that languages can sometimes distinguish more than three tenses. Such languages appear to have ‘graded tense’ systems, where the tense morphology serves to track how far into the past or future a reported event occurs. This paper presents a formal semantic analysis of the tense-aspect system of Gĩkũyũ (Kikuyu), a Northeastern Bantu language of Kenya. Like many languages of the Bantu family, Gĩkũyũ appears to exhibit a graded tense system, wherein four grades of past tense and three grades of future tense are distinguished. I argue that the prefixes traditionally labeled as ‘tenses’ in Gĩkũyũ exhibit important differences from (and similarities to) tenses in languages like English. Although, like tenses in English, these ‘temporal remoteness prefixes’ in Gĩkũyũ introduce presuppositions regarding a temporal parameter of the clause, in Gĩkũyũ these presuppositions concern the ‘event time’ of the clause directly, rather than the ‘topic time’. Consequently, the key difference between Gĩkũyũ and languages like English lies not in how many tenses are distinguished, but in whether tense-like features are able to modify other, lower verbal functional projections in the clause.
The Cohesin SMC3 Is a Target the for β-Catenin/TCF4 Transactivation Pathway

The structural maintenance of chromosome protein SMC3 is a component of the cohesin complex that mediates sister chromatid cohesion and segregation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It is also present extracellularly in the form of a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan known as bamacan. We have found previously that SMC3 expression is elevated in a large fraction of human colon carcinomas. The additional finding that the protein is significantly increased in the intestinal polyps of ApcMin/+ mice has led us to hypothesize that SMC3 expression is linked to activation of the APC/beta-catenin/TCF4 pathway. The immunohistochemical analysis of colon adenocarcinomas from clinical specimens revealed that beta-catenin and SMC3 antigens co-localize with maximal stain intensity within the transformed areas. Cloning and sequencing of 1578 bp of the human SMC3 promoter unveiled the presence of seven putative consensus sequences for beta-catenin/TCF4 binding, two of which are conserved in the mouse Smc3 promoter. Transient transfection experiments in HCT116 and SW480 human colon carcinoma cells using deletion and mutated promoter constructs in luciferase reporter vectors confirmed that the putative sites, the first located at -48 bp and the second located at -701 bp, are susceptible to beta-catenin/TCF4 transactivation. Co-transfection with a beta-catenin expression vector enhanced the promoter activity whereas E-cadherin had the opposite effect. Binding of beta-catenin/TCF4 complexes from SW480 nuclear extracts to these sequences was confirmed by electrophoretic shift and supershift mobility assays. Altogether these results are consistent with the idea that the beta-catenin/TCF4 transactivation pathway contributes to SMC3 overexpression in intestinal tumorigenesis.
Association between the "seat belt sign" and intra-abdominal injury in children with blunt torso trauma.

Objectives: To determine the association between an abdominal ‘‘seat belt sign’’ (SBS) and intra-abdominal injury (IAI) in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) after blunt trauma. Methods: The authors performed a prospective, observational study of children at risk for IAI who presented to a Level 1 trauma center following a motor vehicle collision (MVC) during a two-year period. Physical examination findings were recorded prior to abdominal imaging or surgery. The SBS was defined as an area of erythema, ecchymoses, and/or abrasions across the patient’s abdominal wall resulting from a seat belt restraint. Patients were divided into two cohorts based on the presence or absence of an SBS, then further subdivided based on abdominal tenderness or pain. The authors compared patients with and without SBS, and those with and without abdominal pain or tenderness for the presence of IAI. Results: Three hundred ninety children, of whom 46 (12%, 95% CI = 9% to 15%) had an SBS, were enrolled. IAIs were more common in patients with, versus without, an SBS (14/46 vs. 36/344, relative risk 2.9; 95% CI = 1.7 to 5.0; p , 0.001). Patients with an SBS were more likely to have gastrointestinal injuries than those without an SBS (12/46 vs. 7/344, relative risk 12.8; 95% CI = 5.3 to 31; p = 0.001). Pancreatic injuries were also more common among patients with an SBS (3/46 vs. 1/344, relative risk 22; 95% CI = 2.4 to 211; p = 0.006). There was no difference in the prevalence of solid organ injuries between those with and without an SBS (4/46 vs. 34/344, relative risk 0.9, 95% CI = 0.3 to 2.4; p = 1.00). None of the six patients (0%, 95% CI = 0 to 39%) with an SBS, but without abdominal pain or tenderness, had IAIs. Conclusions: Patients with an SBS after an MVC are more likely to have IAIs than patients without an SBS, predominately due to a higher rate of gastrointestinal injuries. Patients with an SBS but without abdominal pain or tenderness appear to be at low risk for IAI. Key words: blunt abdominal trauma; seat belt sign; restraint; pediatric; motor vehicle collisions. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2005; 12:808–813.
Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan (Perlecan) Expression by Mouse Embryos during Acquisition of Attachment Competence

Cell surface expression of the basement membrane form of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), perlecan, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) binding forms of heparan sulfate, and laminin has been examined by immunofluorescence during the attachment and outgrowth phases of mouse embryo development in vitro and in utero. The results indicate that both HSPG and laminin are expressed at the exterior surface of the trophectoderm during the attachment phase of implantation in vivo. HSPG expression correlated with acquisition of attachment competence by embryos in vitro. The intensity of immunofluorescence signal appeared to decrease by the outgrowth stage of development in vitro. It is concluded that expression of HSPG at the trophectodermal surface is coordinated with development of attachment competence by mouse embryos in vitro and in utero.
Improved estimation in multiple linear regression models with measurement error and general constraint

In this paper, we define two restricted estimators for the regression parameters in a multiple linear regression model with measurement errors when prior information for the parameters is available. We then construct two sets of improved estimators which include the preliminary test estimator, the Stein-type estimator and the positive rule Stein type estimator for both slope and intercept, and examine their statistical properties such as the asymptotic distributional quadratic biases and the asymptotic distributional quadratic risks. We remove the distribution assumption on the error term, which was generally imposed in the literature, but provide a more general investigation of comparison of the quadratic risks for these estimators. Simulation studies illustrate the finite-sample performance of the proposed estimators, which are then used to analyze a dataset from the Nurses Health Study.
F18-Fluorodeoxyglucose–Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Screening in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Context Individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) have an inherited cancer predisposition to a diverse array of malignancies beginning early in life; survivors of one cancer have a markedly elevated risk of additional primary tumors. The underlying genetic defect in the majority of the families is a germline mutation in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene. The diversity of tumors and rarity of families have contributed to the difficulty in devising effective screening recommendations for members of LFS kindreds. Objective To gather preliminary data with which to evaluate F18-fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging as a potential surveillance modality to detect early malignancies in asymptomatic members of LFS kindreds. Design, Setting, and Participants Members of LFS families with documented germline TP53 mutations or obligate carrier status, no history of cancer within 5 years of enrollment, and no symptoms of cancer or ill-health were offered FDG-PET/CT scanning as a screening test in a comprehensive US cancer center from 2006 to 2007. Scans were initially reviewed clinically, then centrally reviewed by an expert radiologist. Main Outcome Measure The primary outcome was the detection of new primary cancers using FDG-PET/CT scanning. Results Of 15 individuals, baseline FDG-PET/CT scan identified asymptomatic cancers in 3 (20%). Two individuals had papillary thyroid cancers (stage II and stage III) and one individual had stage II esophageal adenocarcinoma. Conclusions These preliminary data provide the first evidence for a potential cancer surveillance strategy that may be worthy of further investigation for patients with LFS. Concerns about radiation exposure and other challenges inherent in screening high-risk patients will require further consideration.
Auditory comprehension and aging: Decline in syntactic processing

Comprehension of six syntactic structures was tested across four age groups. Each structure was presented with both plausible and implausible content. The contribution of cognitive nonlinguistic factors important for comprehension (attention, short-term memory, and mental control) was tested via standard neuropsychological tasks. Sixty-six women aged 30–79 were tested. Both errors and reaction times increased with age, especially for more complex syntactic types and implausible sentences. The neuropsychological factors tested contributed minimally to an age-related decline in comprehension, suggesting that the subtle breakdown seen in syntactic processing may be a language-specific impairment.
Protein requirements in humans.

The general principles underlying protein requirements are outlined and daily allowances for protein are derived appropriate to the various age and sex population subgroups of the United States. Median body weights are however used for all age groups of the population rather than the desirable body weights used previously for adults. Following the recommendations of the FAO/WHO/UNU international working group, the protein requirement for male and female adults was taken as 0.6 g.kg-1.d-1 of high-quality highly digestible protein. By use of an age-specific scoring system and the mean amino acid composition and digestibility of the US diet, this allowance became 0.83 g.kg-1.d-1 of mixed US dietary protein--a value similar to the previous RDA but derived in a different manner. Tabulated daily protein allowance data are presented for reference age and sex groups for the US population (child-adult) together with the additional needs of pregnancy and lactation.
Inhibition of Cul4A neddylation causes a reversible block to SAMHD1-mediated restriction of HIV-1

The deoxynucleoside triphosphohydrolase SAMHD1 restricts retroviral replication in myeloid cells. Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and a simian immunodeficiency virus from rhesus macaques (SIVmac) encode Vpx, a virion-packaged accessory protein that counteracts SAMHD1 by inducing its degradation. SAMHD1 is thought to work by depleting the pool of intracellular deoxynucleoside triphosphates but has also been reported to have exonuclease activity that could allow it to degrade the viral genomic RNA or viral reverse-transcribed DNA. To induce the degradation of SAMHD1, Vpx co-opts the cullin4a-based E3 ubiquitin ligase, CRL4. E3 ubiquitin ligases are regulated by the covalent attachment of the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8 to the cullin subunit. Neddylation can be prevented by MLN4924, a drug that inhibits the nedd8-activating enzyme. We report that MLN4924 inhibits the neddylation of CRL4, blocking Vpx-induced degradation of SAMHD1 and maintaining the restriction. Removal of the drug several hours postinfection released the block. Similarly, Vpx-containing virus-like particles and deoxynucleosides added to the cells more than 24 h postinfection released the SAMHD1-mediated block. Taken together, these findings support deoxynucleoside triphosphate pool depletion as the primary mechanism of SAMHD1 restriction and argue against a nucleolytic mechanism, which would not be reversible.
Optoelectronic property and sensing applications of crystalline nano/microwires of decacyclene

The characterisation and potential sensing applications of nano- and microwires of decacyclene are reported in this study. Attenuated total reflection infrared and differential thermal analyses reveal that the nano/microstructures are composed of aggregated decacyclene molecules that are held by p –p interactions. Transmission electron microscopy images and the electron diffraction patterns show that, in the nanowires, the decacyclene molecules are oriented with their long axis perpendicular to the wires and the p –p stacking direction parallel to the wire. Cross-optical polarised microscopy results shows a birefringent crystal structure of the decacyclene crystalline wires. Fluorescent imaging shows that the crystalline wires might be used as a waveguide material. Both the conductivity and fluorescence of the nanobelts change selectively in the presence of vapour of nitrobenzene, a representative nitroaromatic, suggesting that the nanowires of decacyclene may be used for selective detection of explosives.
Maternal Nutrition and Perinatal Outcomes

Diet and patterns of eating during pregnancy can affect perinatal outcomes through direct physiologic effects or by stressing the fetus in ways that permanently affect phenotype. Supplements are not a magic nutritional remedy, and evidence of profound benefit for most supplements remains inconclusive. However, research supports calcium supplements to decrease preeclampsia. Following a low glycemic, Mediterranean-type diet appears to improve ovulatory infertility, decrease preterm birth, and decrease the risk of gestational diabetes. Although women in the United States have adequate levels of most nutrients, subpopulations are low in vitamin D, folate, and iodine. Vitamin D has increasingly been shown to be important not only for bone health, but also for glucose regulation, immune function, and good uterine contractility in labor. To ensure adequate vitamin and micronutrient intake, especially of folate before conception, all reproductive age women should take a multivitamin daily. In pregnancy, health care providers need to assess women's diets, give them weight gain recommendations based on their body mass index measurement, and advise them to eat a Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids (ingested as low–mercury risk fatty fish or supplements), ingest adequate calcium, and achieve adequate vitamin D levels through sun exposure or supplements. Health care providers should continue to spend time on nutrition assessment and counseling.
A non-invasive method for measuring preimplantation embryo physiology

Summary The physiology of the early embryo may be indicative of embryo vitality and therefore methods for noninvasively monitoring physiological parameters from embryos could improve preimplantation diagnoses. The self-referencing electrophysiological technique is capable of non-invasive measurement of the physiology of individual cells by monitoring the movement of ions and molecules between the cell and the surrounding media. Here we use this technique to monitor gradients of calcium, potassium, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide around individual mouse preimplantation embryos. The calcium-sensitive electrode in self-referencing mode identified a region of elevated calcium concentration (~0.25 pmol) surrounding each embryo. The calcium gradient surrounding embryos was relatively steep, such that the region of elevated calcium extended into the medium only 4 µm from the embryo. By contrast, using an oxygen-sensitive electrode an extensive gradient of reduced dissolved oxygen concentration was measured surrounding the embryo and extended tens of micrometres into the medium. A gradient of neither potassium nor hydrogen peroxide was observed around unperturbed embryos. We also demonstrate that monitoring the physiology of embryos using the self-referencing technique does not compromise their subsequent development. Blastocysts studied with the self-referencing technique implanted and developed to term at the same frequency as did unexamined, control embryos. Therefore, the self-referencing electrode provides a valuable non-invasive technique for studying the physiology and pathophysiology of individual embryos without hindering their subsequent development.
Aphasia in senile dementia of the alzheimer type

We assessed language function, using a brief clinical Aphasia Battery and psychometric measures, in 150 subjects with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT) and 83 elderly controls. Aphasia occurred only in demented subjects, and its prevalence increased with severity of dementia. Aphasia in mildly demented subjects was associated with both an earlier age of onset and more rapid progression of SDAT than in similarly demented nonaphasics. Language dysfunction in SDAT subjects was characterized by early decline in measures of comprehension and written expression, whereas other components, including oral naming, were less profoundly affected. Performance on the verbal psychometric measures, the Sentence Repetition and the Token tests, correlated strongly with Aphasia Battery scores and declined only minimally in nonaphasics, despite increasing dementia. We conclude that aphasia is a common feature of SDAT subjects and identifies a subgroup with more rapid progression of dementia. Furthermore, it represents language-specific dysfunction beyond the global cognitive impairment of SDAT.
Stress and African American Women’s Smoking/Drinking to Cope: Moderating Effects of Kin Social Support

Associations of urban poverty-related stress with smoking and drinking to cope and the moderating role of kin social support were assessed in African American women. Findings revealed that among a sample of 101 poor African American women residing in economically and socially disadvantaged neighborhoods, depressive symptoms and relationship stress were significantly associated with smoking. Similarly, perceptions of neighborhood crime were marginally associated with alcohol use. Kinship support was hypothesized to buffer women from the deleterious impacts of stress. The results revealed that kin social support moderated the association of poverty-related stress with smoking and drinking. For women with higher levels of kin support, the positive association of neighborhood crime and drinking was less apparent compared with women with low support. Also, the links between relationship stress, depressive symptoms, and smoking were less apparent for women with higher kin support compared with those with lower support. Findings are discussed in terms of the need for additional research on the social networks available to economically disadvantaged African American families and the manner in which networks operate.
A technique for throughput and register optimization during resource constrained pipelined scheduling

This paper presents a novel method for resource constrained and registers aware pipelined scheduling of data flow graphs. In a VLSI circuit, it is essential to minimize area, and to obtain a schedule that requires as few registers as possible. A technique that combines path-based scheduling algorithm and retiming heuristic has been developed to produce a schedule with maximum throughput while minimizing the register requirement. The effectiveness of the proposed technique is demonstrated by experimentation with several representative high level synthesis benchmarks and loop kernels. It is observed that our technique produces an average of 22.76% reduction in register requirements in comparison with rotation scheduling as stated in L.-F. Chao et al. (1993) when a bottom-up scheduling method is used. For the top-down scheduling case the technique produces an average reduction of 20.22% in register requirements.
Free Resolutions and Change of Rings

Abstract Projective resolutions of modules over a ring R are constructed starting from appropriate projective resolutions over a ring Q mapping to R . It is shown that such resolutions may be chosen to be minimal in codimension ≤2, but not in codimension 3. This is used to obtain minimal resolutions for essentially all modules over local (or graded) rings R with codimension ≤2. Explicit resolutions are given for cyclic modules over multigraded rings, and necessary and sufficient conditions are obtained for their minimality.
The Gender Gap in Funeral Directors: Burying Women with Ready-to-Embalm Laws?

Over the last few decades, the gender composition of funeral directors in the United States has changed dramatically as women have entered this traditionally male-dominated occupation. To practise as funeral directors, women (and men) must be licensed in all but one state. The most extensive training requirements exist in the 27 states with ‘ready-to-embalm’ laws, which require funeral directors to be embalmers. Using a sample of 45,989 licensing records from 40 states, we find that 18.1 per cent of funeral directors were women in 2006. However, the proportion is significantly lower in states with ready-to-embalm laws. Our regressions imply that these laws reduce the proportion of female funeral directors by 24 per cent. More generally, we find that the number of funeral directors per capita is 17 per cent lower, on average, in states with ready-to-embalm laws.
A survey of free boundary value problems in the theory of fluid flow through porous media: variational inequality approach — Part II

Abstract A survey is presented of work done using variational inequalities in solving free-boundary problems arising in the filtration of liquids through porous materials. In 1971 Baiocchi proposed this new method for solving such problems. This method proved effective not only from the purely theoretical point of view, that is, for proving the existence and uniqueness of a solution, but also from the point of view of yielding new, simple and efficient numerical solution schemes. This new method was systematically and extensively developed by mathematicians at the Laboratory of Numerical Analysis at the National Research Centre in collaboration with the Institute of Hydraulics of the University of Pavia. The aim of this survey is to present the basic ideas of this method, its applications, and other problems to which various researchers have extended the method. Also, the paper is written in such a manner as to be understood by a more general audience other than mathematicians, who are the ones who have done the majority of work in this area.
The Potential for Herbicide Resistance in Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas

Abstract There are several alternative herbicides with different modes of action for control of invasive plants in natural areas. Of the four classes of herbicides commonly used on invasive plants in natural areas of Florida, the acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors, imazapyr, imazapic, and metsulfuron methyl, are the most likely to select for resistance. Invasive plants that have attributes such as numerous seed or spore production and log distance dispersal capabilities are most likely to develop resistance to herbicides following repeated application. In Florida, these species include Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), torpedo grass (Panicum repens), and tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum). The best scenario for treatment of invasive plants in Florida's natural areas, to minimize potential for development of resistance, is to rotate herbicides with different modes of action or use tank mixtures of two or more herbicides with different modes of action.
Bioproduction of lauryl lactone and 4-vinyl guaiacol as value-added chemicals in two-phase biotransformation systems.

Recombinant Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalysts harboring either a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase or ferulic acid decarboxylase were employed in organic-aqueous two-phase bioreactor systems. The feasibility of the bioproduction of water-insoluble products, viz., lauryl lactone from cyclododecanone and 4-vinyl guaiacol from ferulic acid were examined. Using hexadecane as the organic phase, 10∼16 g of lauryl lactone were produced in a 3-l bioreactor that operated in a semicontinuous mode compared to 2.4 g of product in a batch mode. For the decarboxylation of ferulic acid, a new recombinant biocatalyst, ferulic acid decarboxylase derived from Bacillus pumilus, was constructed. Selected solvents as well as other parameters for in situ recovery of vinyl guaiacol were investigated. Up to 13.8 g vinyl guaiacol (purity of 98.4%) were obtained from 25 g of ferulic acid in a 2-l working volume bioreactor by using octane as organic phase. These selected examples highlight the superiority of the two-phase biotransformations systems over the conventional batch mode.
Fossil Record and Dates of Diversification

The fossil record of the grasses has been comprehensively reviewed by Thomasson (1987), Jacobs et al. (1999), and most recently by Stromberg (2011), and what follows is based heavily on those papers. Available fossils consist of pollen, macrofossils (leaf fragments, spikelets, fruits), and phytoliths (silica bodies).
Water Consumption in a Vehicle Life Cycle

Numerous studies have pointed out the growing need to assess the availability of water sources in numerous regions around the world as future forecasts suggest that water demands will increase significantly with population growth while freshwater resources are being depleted. This paper will discuss the water consumption occurring in the life cycle of a vehicle. The paper will highlight the difference between water use versus consumption. Although water use is typically metered at the factory level, water consumption (i.e., water lost through evaporation and/or incorporation into a material, part, and/or product) is much harder to quantify. As will be shown, the difference can be an order of magnitude or more.