cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fungi of the Murine Gut: Episodic Variation and Proliferation during Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotic use in humans has been associated with outgrowth of fungi. Here we used a murine model to investigate the gut microbiome over 76 days of treatment with vancomycin, ampicillin, neomycin, and metronidazole and subsequent recovery. Mouse stool was studied as a surrogate for the microbiota of the lower gastrointestinal tract. The abundance of fungi and bacteria was measured using quantitative PCR, and the proportional composition of the communities quantified using 454/Roche pyrosequencing of rRNA gene tags. Prior to treatment, bacteria outnumbered fungi by >3 orders of magnitude. Upon antibiotic treatment, bacteria dropped in abundance >3 orders of magnitude, so that the predominant 16S sequences detected became transients derived from food. Upon cessation of treatment, bacterial communities mostly returned to their previous numbers and types after 8 weeks, though communities remained detectably different from untreated controls. Fungal communities varied substantially over time, even in the untreated controls. Separate cages within the same treatment group showed radical differences, but mice within a cage generally behaved similarly. Fungi increased ∼40-fold in abundance upon antibiotic treatment but declined back to their original abundance after cessation of treatment. At the last time point, Candida remained more abundant than prior to treatment. These data show that 1) gut fungal populations change radically during normal mouse husbandry, 2) fungi grow out in the gut upon suppression of bacterial communities with antibiotics, and 3) perturbations due to antibiotics persist long term in both the fungal and bacterial microbiota.
Factionalism in Chinese Communist Politics

Factionalism is widely understood to be a distinguishing characteristic of Chinese politics. In this book, first published in 2000, Jing Huang examines the role of factionalism in leadership relations and policy-making. His detailed knowledge of intra-party politics offers an alternative understanding of still-disputed struggles behind the high walls of leadership in Zhongnanhai. Huang traces the development of factional politics from its roots in the 'mountaintops' and the enduring impact of the personal bonds formed between Mao and his supporters at the Yan'an Round Table. Critiquing the predominant theories on leadership and decision-making, he explains that it is not power struggles that give rise to factionalism, but rather the existence of 'factionalism that turns power into an overriding goal in CCP politics'. Huang explains why policy outcomes switched constantly between 'Left-adventurism' and 'Right-conservatism' under Mao's reign and between 'emancipation of mind' and 'socialist spiritual civilization' in the Deng era.
Rheological characteristics of solid‐liquid mixtures

The relationship between the shear stress and strain rate of a mixture consisting of solid particles suspended in a Newtonian fluid depends upon the physical properties of the mixture as well as kinematic features of the flow. Functional relationships for rheological properties of mixtures are derived and compared to measured results obtained by previous investigators.
Primo: Programmable Real-Time Incoherent Matrix Multiplier For Optical Processing

An optical matrix processing system based on an edge-addressed electro-optic modulator can perform matrix-matrix multiplications, correlations, convolutions, cross ambiguity functions, and matrix inversions. Architectures have been developed for handling bipolar and complex data, as well as for the compensation of square-law detection nonlinearities.
Construct Validation of a Revised Strain-Free Negative Affectivity Scale

Based on research demonstrating that many extant measures of negative affectivity (NA) are contaminated with strain content, Fortunato and Stone-Romero developed the Strain-Free Negative Affectivity Scale (SFNA). However, because of several psychometric concerns involving scores on the original scale, a revision of the SFNA was undertaken. The SFNA-Revised (R) was administered to two samples of participants, along with instruments purportedly measuring neuroticism, negative emotionality, trait negative affect, affect intensity, affective disposition, extroversion, and positive affectivity. Estimates of reliability and factor analytic findings indicate that scores on the SFNA-R exhibited better psychometric properties than scores on the original scale. In addition, evidence for the construct validity of scores on the SFNA-R is presented. Based on the above, the authors conclude that the SFNA-R is a worthy alternative to extant measures of NA.
Correlation of both respiratory and cutaneous water losses of lizards with habitat aridity

Respiratory and cutaneous evaporative water losses were measured in dried air from 5 xantusiid lizard species to determine whether adaptations for water conservation were present in one or both components. These species represent the range of arid to mesic habitats occupied by the Xantusiidae. The respiratory proportion of evaporative water loss ranged from 20–50% and did not show consistent patterns of temperature dependence or interspecific differences. However, respiratory water loss expressed as mg H2O per ml O2 consumed and cutaneous water loss (mg H2O· cm−2·h−1) exibited parallel correspondence to habitat aridity. Adaptations for reducing water loss from the skin involved an increased skin resistance to water flux while reduction of respiratory water loss was probably the result of reduced convection requirements for respiratory gas exchange.
TarBase: A comprehensive database of experimentally supported animal microRNA targets

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are approximately 22-nt RNA segments that are involved in the regulation of protein expression primarily by binding to one or more target sites on an mRNA transcript and inhibiting translation. MicroRNAs are likely to factor into multiple developmental pathways, multiple mechanisms of gene regulation, and underlie an array of inherited disease processes and phenotypic determinants. Several computational programs exist to predict miRNA targets in mammals, fruit flies, worms, and plants. However, to date, there is no systematic collection and description of miRNA targets with experimental support. We describe a database, TarBase, which houses a manually curated collection of experimentally tested miRNA targets, in human/mouse, fruit fly, worm, and zebrafish, distinguishing between those that tested positive and those that tested negative. Each positive target site is described by the miRNA that binds it, the gene in which it occurs, the nature of the experiments that were conducted to test it, the sufficiency of the site to induce translational repression and/or cleavage, and the paper from which all these data were extracted. Additionally, the database is functionally linked to several other useful databases such as Gene Ontology (GO) and UCSC Genome Browser. TarBase reveals significantly more experimentally supported targets than even recent reviews claim, thereby providing a comprehensive data set from which to assess features of miRNA targeting that will be useful for the next generation of target prediction programs. TarBase can be accessed at http://www.diana.pcbi.upenn.edu/tarbase.
Experimental Faulting of Serpentinite During Dehydration: Implications for Earthquakes, Seismic Low-Velocity Zones, and Anomalous Hypocenter Distributions in Subduction Zones

Dehydration embrittlement of serpentine was investigated by employing triaxial deformation experiments at high pressure and temperature (P = 1-6 GPa; T = 550-820°C). A modified Griggs apparatus was used up to 3.4 GPa and a Walker-type multi-anvil apparatus was used at 3.5-6 GPa). The investigated specimen is a serpentinized peridotite from Val Malenco, Italy. Dehydration of the sample under differential stress resulted in faults associated with ultrafine-grained solid reaction products, formed as byproducts of antigorite dehydration. This phenomenon was observed under all conditions tested (1-6 GPa, 630-820°C), independent of pressure, even though the sign of total volume change (ΔV) of the dehydration reaction changes from positive to negative at 2.2 GPa. This observation confirms that dehydration embrittlement is a viable mechanism for triggering earthquakes independent of depth, so long as there is a hydrous mineral breaking down under differential stress. Aligned Mode-I cracks and fluid inclusion trai...
A Gaming Management Course and its Impact on Students' Perceptions

The author shared the content, activities, and resources of a gaming man, ment course designed to help hotel and restaurant management students develop an awareness of career opportunities in the game industry and become comfortable to work in the casino environment
Genomic fragments of turnip yellow mosaic virus: appearance during infection.

Abstract Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus RNA was isolated at 5, 8, 11, 14, 20, and 24 days of infection and analyzed for yield, size distribution, 3′ adenosylation and valylation, and coat protein mRNA. Virus accumulation is slow from the third to tenth days and rapid to the third week of infection. Five-day RNA is composed of the 1.9×10 6 D genomic RNA (78%) and the 0.22×10 6 D coat protein in mRNA (6%). Later, intermediate size RNAs appear at 1.03, 0.46, 0.41, and 0.39×10 6 D. The valine tRNA of all RNAs has 80% CpC OH and 6% CpCpA OH 3′ termini.
The optical rotatory dispersion of Bence-Jones proteins

Abstract The optical rotatory dispersion of ten individual specimens of Bence-Jones proteins was studied. Although the specimens displayed a certain variation in their optical rotation, the dispersion constants of all of them were found to be very low, between 178 and 209 mμ. The constants increased upon denaturation to 215–223 mμ, which is the magnitude usually found for denatured proteins.
Status Dystonicus Following Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery in DYT1 Dystonia Patients (P01.227)

Objective: We describe a case series of patients who experienced status dystonicus (SD), also known as dystonic storm, following deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery to implant or remove electrodes in the globus pallidus pars interna (GPi). Background SD is a rare complication of primary and secondary dystonia characterized by acute and severe worsening of dystonic movements, often to the point where it is considered a life-threatening emergency. Of approximately 50 cases described in the literature, 14 used DBS as an acute treatment, whereas one case reported SD arising after lead explantation. To our knowledge, SD following DBS implantation has not yet been described. Design/Methods: Medical records of DBS surgeries for dystonia were reviewed, with criteria being 1) clear documentation of SD event and 2) level of severity requiring critical-care support or the presence of end organ involvement. Demographic data collected included age, ethnicity, duration of disease, DYT1 status and BFMDRS scores. The severity and course of each episode were tracked by the duration of ICU admission, IV sedation requirements, mechanical ventilation, as well as abnormal CK, liver, or renal failure. Results: We found six episodes of SD across 3 patients. Presumed causes included: 1) surgical stress from the DBS lead implantation (n=3); 2) sudden cessation of stimulation (n=2) or baclofen pump function (n=1). The duration of these episodes ranged from 3 to 29 days in the ICU with a similar duration of continuous IV sedation requirements. All patients recovered to their baseline dystonia severity, with early initiation of pallidal stimulation in 4 of 6 episodes. Conclusions: These cases suggest that stereotactic implantation or sudden removal of DBS electrodes may trigger SD. While early DBS activation may improve and expedite SD outcomes, it is important to closely monitor patients post-operatively for unexpected deterioration of symptoms, including SD in extreme cases. Supported by: Dr. Cheung has received travel support from Dystonia Coalition grant #NS067501. Disclosure: Dr. Cheung has received research support from Medtronic, Inc. Dr. Flatow has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ben-Haim has nothing to disclose. Dr. Osborn has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cho has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tagliati has received personal compensation for activities with Medtronic Ipsen, Merz and St.Jude as a speaker, consultant and participant on an advisory board. Dr. Alterman received personal compensation for activities with Medtronic, Inc. Dr. Alterman has received research support from Ceregene, Inc and ANS.
Two Novel Odorant Receptor Families Expressed in Spermatids Undergo 5′-Splicing

We report the identification of two novel families of odorant receptor (OdR)-like proteins, termed spermatid chemoreceptors (SCRs), in rat spermatids of the testis. The full-length genomic clones encode seven transmembrane domain receptors that share 35–40% identity with certain OdRs and are among the most divergent members of the OdR superfamily based on phylogenetic analysis. RNase protection assays and in situ hybridization studies confirmed the expression of SCRs in spermatids, the post-meiotic, differentiating cell population in the testis. SCR transcripts were undetectable in the prepubertal testis but were readily identified in spermatids of sexually maturing and mature testis. Rapid amplification of cDNA end-polymerase chain reaction and genomic clone sequencing led to the discovery that SCRs are spliced upstream of their presumptive starting methionines. 5′-Splicing of OdRs may regulate the expression of functional chemoreceptors.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Overview of New Agents and Comparative Analysis

Discovery of targeted BCR-ABL protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in the therapy of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is perhaps the most popular success story in oncology. Imatinib is the most common TKI modality used as a frontline therapy in CML across the world. Lately, randomized control trials have shown that second-generation TKI, such as dasatinib and nilotinib, are superior to imatinib in terms of tolerability and efficacy. Therefore, second-generation TKI have been used increasingly as a first choice for patients with CML in chronic phase (CML-CP). Recently, ponatinib has shown significant efficacy against the most resistant cases (including those with T315I mutations) with CML. Omacetaxine is a non-TKI agent with a different mechanism of action and has shown benefit in resistant CML. Analysis of other novel agents and newer mechanisms affecting CML stem cells are under exploration. With these developments, the life expectancy of the majority of patients (>90 %) with CML-CP has become comparable to a healthy age-matched individual. The focus has now shifted to achieving faster and deeper responses, considering these parameters as a surrogate for long-term outcome and possibly cures in patients with CML. Adherence to therapy with TKI, proper monitoring by standardized techniques, and adequate use of the available therapies are established rules of managing patients with CML. However, even with these advances, problems of drug resistance, loss of response, kinase domain mutations, transformations in CML (accelerated and blast phase), and patient noncompliance prevail in the community practice. Early identification of resistant cases, feasibility for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT), and enrollment in clinical trials with newer drugs is warranted. This article compares the efficacy and safety results of various TKI and non-TKI modalities and other novel pharmacological agents in the therapy of CML.
Effect of continuation treatment on residual symptoms in late-life depression: How well is "well"?

The objectives of this report were (1) to describe residual depressive symptoms in elderly patients during continuation therapy with combined nortriptyline and interpersonal psychotherapy; (2) to determine which symptoms were persistent; (3) to determine the clinical correlates of residual depressive symptoms; and (4) to document distinct response pattern clusters during combined continuation therapy. Method: Box plot analyses of Hamilton depression scores and Global Assessment Scale scores, repeated twice monthly over 4 months, were conducted using data from 105 elderly depressives. Temporal trends in the data were examined via random regression analysis. Individual trajectories for each of the 105 patients were examined for patterns of response during continuation therapy. Results: We observed a low mean Hamilton rating of 7 (SD = 2.3) at the start of continuation therapy and 5 (SD = 3.0) at the end. Both Hamilton and GAS scores showed modest but significant improvement over time. Hamilton variability was most apparent in symptoms of mood lowering, apathy, anxiety (psychological and somatic), feelings of guilt, anergia, insomnia, and loss of libido; other symptoms (retardation, agitation, hypochondriasis, loss of appetite, loss of weight, suicidal ideation, and loss of insight) showed clear resolution. A diagnosis of RDC situational depression was associated with higher levels of residual symptoms, while level of chronic medical burden, personality dysfunction, and social support were not. Examination of response patterns showed that a quarter of patients experienced one or more brief symptomatic exacerbations. Conclusion: On average, an excellent level of symptom resolution was achieved for most patients with Hamilton scores comparable to those seen in healthy elderly controls. These data support a position of therapeutic optimism in late-life depression and underscore full remission as an achievable therapeutic goal. Depression and Anxiety 4:312–319, 1996/1997.© 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of plant germplasm imported into the United States.

The importation of plant germplasm into the United States involves the risk that certain plant species may carry plant pests hazardous to US agriculture. On the basis of a pest risk analysis, plants or plant parts of a plant species from a particular country are assigned an entry status which constitutes the least drastic quarantine action necessary to exclude hazardous pests that could be imported with this germplasm. Quarantine procedures necessary for entry range from foreign site field inspections (preclearance) or visual inspection at a port of entry (low-risk seeds) for low-risk plant material to testing high-risk introductions for hazardous pests in quarantine facilities (prohibited). The recent revision of Quarantine 37 for the importation of nursery stock reflects changes in the assignment of certain plant genera to either a more or less restrictive entry status on the basis of risk assessments for quarantine pests of the particular genus. Pest risk analyses on certain seeds and also vegetative propagations of grasses, legumes, conifers, and certain fruits and nuts are now underway to determine if future changes in US quarantine laws are necessary to protect US agriculture.
Sb interactions with TaC precipitates and Cu in ion-implanted α-Fe☆

The interactions of Sb with the other species implanted into Fe to form Fe-Ta-C-Sb and Fe-Cu-Sb alloys have been examined with transmission electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering following annealing at 873/sup 0/K. Trapping of Sb at TaC precipitates is observed in the former alloy just as was previously observed in Fe-Ti-C-Sb. In Fe-Cu-Sb, Sb interactions are governed by the atomic ratio of Sb to Cu. For ratios between 0.2 to 0.4, the compound ..beta..-Cu/sub 3/Sb was observed to form. For Sb to Cu ratios approx.< 0.1, fcc Cu precipitates were observed. In addition to the expected Sb dissolution in Cu, Sb trapping by Cu precipitates is also observed. The binding enthalpy of Sb at both TaC and Cu precipitates with respect to a solution site in the bcc Fe is the same as observed for TiC, approx. 0.4 eV. The constancy of the binding enthalpy at such chemically dissimilar precipitates supports the hypothesis that the trapping is due to the structural discontinuity of the precipitate-host interface. The observed Sb trapping at precipitates is of potential significance for the control of temper embrittlement in bcc steels.
Stochastic Residual-Error Analysis for Estimating Hydrologic Model Predictive Uncertainty

A hybrid time series-nonparametric sampling approach, referred to herein as semiparametric, is presented for the estimation of model predictive uncertainty. The methodology is a two-step procedure whereby a distributed hydrologic model is first calibrated, then followed by brute force application of time series analysis with nonparametric random generation to synthesize serially correlated model residual errors. The methodology is applied to estimate uncertainties in simulated streamflows and related flow attributes upstream from the mouth of a rapidly urbanizing watershed. Two procedures for the estimation of model output uncertainty are compared: the Gaussian- based l-step forecast and the semiparametric ensemble forecast. Results show that although both methods yielded comparable uncertainty bands, the Gaussian l-step forecast underestimated the width of the uncertainty band when compared to the semiparametric method. An ensemble of streamflows generated through Latin-hypercube Monte Carlo simulations showed relatively larger values of the coefficient of variation for long-term average annual maximum daily flows than for long-term daily, monthly maximum daily, and monthly median of daily flows. Ensemble of flow duration curves is generated from the error-adjusted simulated flows. The computed low flows displayed greater values of the coefficient of variation than flows in the medium and high range. The ensemble flow durations allow for the estimation of daily flow range upstream from the outlet with 95% confidence for a specified design recurrence period. The computed uncertainties of the predicted watershed response and associated flow attributes provide the basis for communicating the risk to stake- holders and decision makers who are involved in the future development of the watershed.
Pain and fatigue in community-dwelling adults.

background. Pain and fatigue are common debilitating symptoms reported by both patient and community-dwelling populations. However, population-based studies typically focus on psychosocial variables as correlates of fatigue, with little effort toward assessing pain as a risk factor. This study examines the specific relationship between pain and fatigue and the importance of mood and sleep as covariates of fatigue in a community-dwelling sample of adults. We also assessed the prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe fatigue for this sample. methods. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics and symptoms, including pain, fatigue, mood, and sleep disturbance, in a sample (N=274) of community-dwelling adults. results. Regression analyses showed pain, mood, and sleep as significantly associated with fatigue, with pain being the most highly correlated. However, while pain accounted for the largest proportion of the variability in fatigue, mood modified the relationship between pain and fatigue. We also found that 9% of the sample reported no fatigue, 41% reported mild fatigue, 42% reported moderate fatigue, and 8% reported severe fatigue. conclusions. Our findings provide empirical support of the importance of assessing pain as an important risk factor of fatigue and examining mood as a covariate in population-based studies of fatigue.
Identifying the serials librarian: : serials-related position titles in the United States and around the world

Serials are a familiar academic job responsibility, but serials librarians are becoming difficult to identify. While serials continue to exist, the transition from print to electronic resources contributes to a trend in which the job titles of librarians who manage serials no longer include the word “serials.” A content analysis was conducted to examine the prevalence of the word “serials,” as well as common synonyms including “continuing resources” and “periodicals,” in U.S. and non-U.S. academic library job titles. In a sample of 98 U.S. national and regional universities and colleges, 18 librarian and 98 staff job titles were found that included the word “serials” or a synonym for serials. By comparison, a sample of 71 universities from 8 non-U.S. countries revealed 17 librarian and 85 staff job titles that included the word “serials” or a synonym for serials.
MicroRNA regulation of tumorigenesis, cancer progression and interpatient heterogeneity: towards clinical use

In the past two decades, microRNAs have emerged as crucial mediators of organ development and human disease. Here, we discuss their role as drivers or suppressors of the hallmarks of cancer during tumorigenesis and progression, in defining interpatient heterogeneity and the promise of therapeutic application.
Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient in acute chest syndrome of sickle cell disease

In 44 episodes of acute chest syndrome of sickle cell disease occurring in 37 children, simple clinical severity score, duration of hospital stay, transfusion data, and alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient were analyzed as indicators of severity of disease. The alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, measured during breathing of room air, proved, on multivariate analysis, to be the strongest predictor of both clinical severity and the need for blood transfusion.
The Submucosal Implantation of Human Allogeneic Decalcified Dentin

Decalcified human dentin was implanted into the buccal oral mucosa of 10 human volunteers and was later recovered for histologic examination. Extensive resorption took place. Bone did not form. Human dentinal matrix is not a bone inducer. Differences between the two methods of decalcification were not relevant.
A Joint Test of Market Segmentation and Exchange Risk Factor in International Capital Market

Market segmentation and exchange risk are two main factors that distinguish international financing and investment decisions from domestic ones. Existing studies of market segmentation have been conducted within a framework in which exchange risk is not explicitly recognized. This paper performs a joint test of market segmentation and exchange risk pricing based on individual stock data from seven major countries, outside of the U.S., for the period January 1981 to December 1989. The theoretical framework used is a multifactor model with domestic and world market factors and an exchange risk factor. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate risk premia, and factor analysis is used to provide additional evidence on the pricing of risk factors. The results indicate that (a) the factor structure of asset returns is internationally heterogeneous, (b) many national capital markets can be described as partially segmented, rather than the polar cases of complete segmentation or integration, and (c) exchange risk is a significant factor affecting asset returns in addition to the domestic and world market risk factors.
Reference coordinate systems and frames: Concepts and realization

Geodynamics has become the subject of intensive international research during the last decade, involving plate tectonics, both on the intra-plate and inter-plate scale, i.e., the study of crustal movements, and the study of earth rotation and of other dynamic phenomena such as the tides. Interrelated are efforts improving our knowledge of the gravity and magnetic fields of the earth. A common requirement for all these investigations is the necessity for a well-defined reference coordinate system (or systems) to which all relevant observations can be referred and in which theories or models for the dynamic behavior of the earth can be formulated. In view of the unprecedented progress in the ability of geodetic observational systems to measure crustal movements and the rotation of the earth, as well as in theory and model development, there is a great need for the theoretical definition, practical realization, and international acceptance of suitable coordinate system(s) to facilitate such work. This article deals with certain aspects of the establishment and maintenance of such a coordinate system.
Computational complexity of optimum multiuser detection

Optimum centralized demodulation of the independent data streams transmitted simultaneously by several users through a Code Division Multiple-Access channel is considered. Each user sends an arbitrary assigned signal waveform, which is linearly modulated by symbols drawn from a finite alphabet. If the users are asynchronous, the optimum multiuser detector can be implemented by a Viterbi algorithm whose time-complexity is linear in the number of symbols transmitted by each user and exponential in the number of users. It is shown that the combinatorial problem of selecting the most likely transmitted data stream given the sufficient statistics (sequence of matched filter outputs), and the signal energies and cross-correlations is nondeterministic polynomial-time hard (NP-hard) in the number of users. And it remains so even if the users are restricted to be symbol-synchronous.
Minimizing execution time in MPI programs on an energy-constrained, power-scalable cluster

Recently, the high-performance computing community has realized that power is a performance-limiting factor. One reason for this is that supercomputing centers have limited power capacity and machines are starting to hit that limit. In addition, the cost of energy has become increasingly significant, and the heat produced by higher-energy components tends to reduce their reliability. One way to reduce power (and therefore energy) requirements is to use high-performance cluster nodes that are frequency- and voltage-scalable (e.g., AMD-64 processors).The problem we address in this paper is: given a target program, a power-scalable cluster, and an upper limit for energy consumption, choose a schedule (number of nodes and CPU frequency) that simultaneously (1) satisfies an external upper limit for energy consumption and (2) minimizes execution time. There are too many schedules for an exhaustive search. Therefore, we find a schedule through a novel combination of performance modeling, performance prediction, and program execution. Using our technique, we are able to find a near-optimal schedule for all of our benchmarks in just a handful of partial program executions.
Connectivity of iterated line graphs

Let k>=0 be an integer and L^k(G) be the kth iterated line graph of a graph G. Niepel and Knor proved that if G is a 4-connected graph, then @k(L^2(G))>[email protected](G)-6. We show that the connectivity of G can be relaxed. In fact, we prove in this note that if G is an essentially 4-edge-connected and 3-connected graph, then @k(L^2(G))>[email protected](G)-6. Similar bounds are obtained for essentially 4-edge-connected and 2-connected (1-connected) graphs.
Dichotomies in equilibrium computation, and complementary pivot algorithms for a new class of non-separable utility functions

After more than a decade of work in TCS on the computability of market equilibria, complementary pivot algorithms have emerged as the best hope of obtaining practical algorithms. So far they have been used for markets under separable, piecewise-linear concave (SPLC) utility functions [23] and SPLC production sets [25]. Can his approach extend to non-separable utility functions and production sets? A major impediment is rationality, i.e., if all parameters are set to rational numbers, there should be a rational equilibrium. Recently, [35] introduced classes of non-separable utility functions and production sets, called Leontief-free, which are applicable when goods are substitutes. For markets with these utility functions and production sets, and satisfying mild sufficiency conditions, we obtain the following results: • Proof of rationality. • Complementary pivot algorithms based on a suitable adaptation of Lemke's classic algorithm. • A strongly polynomial bound on the running time of our algorithms if the number of goods is a constant, despite the fact that the set of solutions is disconnected. • Experimental verification, which confirms that our algorithms are practical. • Proof of PPAD-completeness. Next we give a proof of membership in FIXP for markets under piecewise-linear concave (PLC) utility functions and PLC production sets by capturing equilibria as fixed points of a continuous function via a nonlinear complementarity problem (NCP) formulation. Finally we provide, for the first time, dichotomies for equilibrium computation problems, both Nash and market; in particular, the results stated above play a central role in arriving at the dichotomies for exchange markets and for markets with production. We note that in the past, dichotomies have played a key role in bringing clarity to the complexity of decision and counting problems.
A manganese(IV)/iron(IV) intermediate in assembly of the manganese(IV)/iron(III) cofactor of Chlamydia trachomatis ribonucleotide reductase.

We recently showed that the class Ic ribonucleotide reductase from the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis uses a Mn(IV)/Fe(III) cofactor to generate protein and substrate radicals in its catalytic mechanism [Jiang, W., Yun, D., Saleh, L., Barr, E. W., Xing, G., Hoffart, L. M., Maslak, M.-A., Krebs, C., and Bollinger, J. M., Jr. (2007) Science 316, 1188-1191]. Here, we have dissected the mechanism of formation of this novel heterobinuclear redox cofactor from the Mn(II)/Fe(II) cluster and O2. An intermediate with a g = 2 EPR signal that shows hyperfine coupling to both 55Mn and 57Fe accumulates almost quantitatively in a second-order reaction between O2 and the reduced R2 complex. The otherwise slow decay of the intermediate to the active Mn(IV)/Fe(III)-R2 complex is accelerated by the presence of the one-electron reductant, ascorbate, implying that the intermediate is more oxidized than Mn(IV)/Fe(III). Mossbauer spectra show that the intermediate contains a high-spin Fe(IV) center. Its chemical and spectroscopic properties establish that the intermediate is a Mn(IV)/Fe(IV)-R2 complex with an S = 1/2 electronic ground state arising from antiferromagnetic coupling between the Mn(IV) (S(Mn) = 3/2) and high-spin Fe(IV) (S(Fe) = 2) sites.
Intracellular transport of vitellogenin in Xenopus oocytes: an autoradiographic study.

Abstract The role of primordial yolk platelets (PYPs) in the transport of the yolk precursor vitellogenin to the yolk platelets in Xenopus laevis oocytes has been demonstrated by electron microscopic autoradiography. Within 20 min after exposure of the oocyte to 3 H-labeled-vitellogenin, silver grains are associated with small PYPs which are formed by the fusion of endosomes. At 40 min after incorporation of 3 H-labeled vitellogenin, autoradiographic silver grains are associated with larger PYPs and with the superficial layer of yolk platelets. Thus, the results demonstrate that PYPs are an intermediate in the transport of vitellogenin from endosomes to yolk platelets. These observations are consonant with the general hypothesis that vitellogenin first associates (binds?) with the plasma membrane, then is incorporated by endocytosis into endosomes which fuse to form PYPs, and finally the contents of the PYPs are eventually deposited into yolk platelets.
Topographic domes on Ganymede: Ice vulcanism or isostatic upwarping

Two formation processes are considered for two gently sloping domeshaped features on the surface of Ganymede, lying on grooved terrain and having diameters of roughly 250 km: (1) water vulcanism, triggered by a major impact, and (2) the isostatic upwarping of a crater formed in a thin crust. Numerical simulations show the volume of the domes to be consistent with eruption through fractures created by an impact that excavates partly through a thin crust. Isostatic upwarp rates calculated as a function of effective crustal temperature indicate that upwarping could also create such a dome if the impact excavated to a depth where the crust was sufficiently warm and mobile. Morphologic evidence suggests that both processes may have been important and, if either of the proposed models is correct, it is strongly implied that grooved terrain formation occurred prior to the thickening and stiffening of Ganymede's crust.
ORBITAL MAGNETISM OF MESOSCOPIC METALS: BEYOND THE PERTURBATION THEORY

We extend our investigation of orbital magnetic response of mesoscopic metallic systems to the limit of temperature and inelastic level broadening being comparable or less than the average interlevel spacing. We address the role of level repulsion and derive a level density correlation function which interpolates between the perturbation result and the Wigner-Dyson statistics. We plot out the magnetic field dependence of the sample magnetic moment for the entire range of experimentally relevant temperatures. We briefly discuss the relationship of our results to quantum chaos.
Atomic motions in an unusual molecular semiconductor: NaSn.

Recent investigations of the compound NaSn (1:1) have indicated that both fast conduction of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ cations and rapid reorientations of (${\mathrm{Sn}}_{4}$${)}^{4\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ anions are present in the high-temperature solid phase, \ensuremath{\alpha}-NaSn. We have used $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ and $^{119}\mathrm{Sn}$ nuclear magnetic resonance to separately monitor the motions of Na and Sn in the low-temperature ordered solid phase, \ensuremath{\beta}-NaSn, where the correlation times of the motions are much longer. The ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ motions are evident in ${\mathit{T}}_{1}$, ${\mathit{T}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{\rho}}}$, ${\mathit{T}}_{2}$, and ${\mathit{T}}_{2}^{\mathrm{*}}$ (linewidth) $^{23}\mathrm{Na}$ data at magnetic fields of 8.0 and 2.0 T. The Na motions are described by a single time constant with thermal activation parameters ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{a}}$/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$=9700 K and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{D}}$(\ensuremath{\infty})=1.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{14}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. Sn motions are evident in ${\mathit{T}}_{2}$, line shape, and stimulated echo data taken at 8.0 T. $^{119}\mathrm{Sn}$ stimulated echo data unequivocally show the Sn motion to be reorientations of ${\mathrm{Sn}}_{4}$ tetrahedra; any diffusion of Sn between tetrahedra is much slower. The combined ${\mathit{T}}_{2}$ and stimulated echo data for $^{119}\mathrm{Sn}$ demonstrate that the ${\mathrm{Sn}}_{4}$ reorientations are thermally activated with ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{a}}$/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{B}}$=13 800 K and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{R}}$(\ensuremath{\infty})=2.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{15}$ ${\mathrm{s}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The temperature dependence of the $^{119}\mathrm{Sn}$ ${\mathit{T}}_{1}$ fits an activation energy of 7000 K; the Sn ${\mathit{T}}_{1}$ is believed to be due to thermally activated charge carriers.
Energies and Grooving Kinetics of [001] Tilt Boundaries in Nickel Oxide

Relative energies of symmetrical [001] tilt boundaries in nickel oxide bicrystals were determined from the dihedral angle at the groove root with a surface profilometer. At 1535°C in air, the relative grain boundary energy increases with tilt angle up to about 20 degrees and then remains relatively constant with increasing angle. A strong temperature dependence of boundary energy is explained by segregation of point defects to the boundary. Grooving kinetics are controlled by volume diffusion of nickel, and a theoretical discussion of mass transport in nonstoichio-metric solids is given, predicting this behavior under certain conditions.
Interosseous membrane: The anatomic basis for combined ankle and common fibular (peroneal) nerve injuries.

Common fibular (peroneal) nerve palsy has many etiologies. A rare cause with a poorly understood pathophysiology is common fibular nerve palsy that follows an ankle injury. Since the original description of this pathologic entity a century ago, several mechanisms have been posited. We present two cases of common fibular nerve palsy following ankle injury. These cases provide anatomic and radiologic evidence to support a hypothesis that the interosseous membrane provides the anatomic basis for this combined pattern of injury. This theory unifies previously postulated mechanisms. Clin. Anat. 25:401–406, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identity of peroxy radicals produced from arachidonic acid in oxygenated solutions as studied by pulse radiolysis technique.

Abstract The transient optical absorption spectra of the free and peroxy radicals of arachidonic acid were observed in aqueous solutions (and containing O2) using the fast reaction technique of pulse radiolysis and kinetic absorption spectrometry. From the change in absorbance of the transient spectra with pH, the ionization constants (pK) for these radicals were determined. The pK values for the free and peroxy radical adducts of AA were found to be 5.9 and 5.2 with t 1 2 of 14.6 and 6.0 μsec, respectively. The efficiency and rate of electron transfer from these peroxy radicals to p-benzoquinone (BQ) were determined. Electron transfer from the peroxy radical anion to BQ is efficient (48%) leading to the formation of •BQ−. The importance of production of peroxy radicals (in vitro) and their possible involvement as intermediates in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins (in vivo) are discussed.
Promoting West African Ownership of the Power Sector: Alternative Financing for Distributed Generation of Renewable Electricity

Centralized generation remains the prevailing approach to expanding electrification in West Africa. In contrast, distributed generation (DG) of renewable electricity emphasizes generation close to the point of consumption and offers possibilities for more effective models. However, its adoption remains ad hoc and marginal despite significant advancement in the technologies. This article provides an overview of DG, its costs, and the market failures associated with adoption. We discuss specific financing mechanisms that could make DG affordable in West Africa. Finally, we recommend DG as a viable paradigm for electricity planning that is more amenable to flexible financing, local ownership, and widespread electrification.
Real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography: an integral component of the routine echocardiographic examination in adult patients?

One of the most significant developments of the last decade in ultrasound imaging of the heart was the evolution of 3-dimensional (3D) imaging from slow and labor-intense offline reconstruction to real-time volumetric imaging. This imaging modality provides valuable clinical information that empowers echocardiographers with new levels of confidence in the diagnosis of heart disease. We have previously described the technological milestones in the development of real-time 3D echocardiographic (RT3DE) imaging and its major advantages over conventional 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and reviewed the published literature that supported the use of this new methodology in clinical practice.1 Since 2006, the growing availability of RT3DE technology, its ease of use, and its multiple attractive features have sparked significant interest in the research community, resulting in a large number of publications, most of which have endorsed RT3DE imaging for clinical use by demonstrating its unique capabilities in different scenarios. In parallel, the clinical acceptance of this new tool has broadened significantly. The most recent clinically significant addition is matrix-array transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which provides images of unprecedented quality that aid surgeons and interventional cardiologists in planning and guiding procedures and evaluating their outcomes. The purpose of the present article is to review the most recent RT3DE literature and provide readers with an update on the latest developments and the current status of this noninvasive imaging tool. Because different potential applications of RT3DE imaging have been explored to various extents, they are described here separately, and each is discussed with an emphasis on the scientifically established facts, along with the known stumbling blocks and difficulties. A firmly established advantage of 3D imaging over cross-sectional slices of the heart is the improvement in the accuracy of the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) volumes and ejection fraction (EF) by eliminating the need for geometric modeling, which …
Broad-band deconvolution of GDSN data

Summary Advances in the theory of wave propagation and source mechanism have coincided with the recent deployment of a global network of digitally recording seismographs, the GDSN (Global Digital Seismograph Network). We demonstrate that broad-band records of body-wave ground displacement and velocity with spectral information from several hertz to tens of seconds can be obtained by the simultaneous deconvolution of the long- and short-period components of the GDSN seismographs. Frequency-dependent effects in body waves that may arise from source complexity or from propagation through the Earth are much more apparent and measurable in the broad-band records than in the original seismograms.
Multiple vibration intensities and frequencies for bone mineral density improvement

Devices that deliver controlled quantum vibration intensities at multiple frequencies (QVIMF) provide optimal stress to the musculoskeletal system for improved bone mineral density and muscle strength. This paper presents development of a QVIMF system and pilot study to determine device performance. Development is centered on specially-designed actuators that comprise multiple nodes of controlled and smooth, but variable rates of contact on a telescoping platform through sets of damping subsystems. The combination of specially-designed actuators and damping subsystems, powered by a DC controlled motor, delivers quantum busts of vibration at multiple frequencies resulting in whole body vibration. An initial feasibility study involved a 79 year old adult male. After IRB approval from both the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) and the Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, the subject's bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual x-ray absorptimetry (DXA) at baseline. The subject then visited the UWM laboratory for two fifteen-minute vibration sessions per visit, three times a week for a total of 60 visits. Post-vibration BMD was again measured by DXA. Comparison pre- and post-vibration test results showed increases in BMD at the femoral neck, trochanter, total hip, forearm and lower lumbar spine (L1-4).
Dissimilarity in the oxidative folding of onconase and ribonuclease A, two structural homologues

The oxidative folding of frog onconase (ONC), a member of the ribonuclease A family, was examined and shows markedly different behavior compared to its structural homologue bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) under similar conditions. Application of a reduction pulse (using a small amount of reduced dithiothreitol) during the oxidative regeneration of ONC indicated the survival of the native protein along with three other (structured) species, I(1), I(2) and I(3), with the rest of the unstructured species being converted to fully reduced protein. Mass spectrometry indicates that I(1) has two disulfide bonds, whereas I(2) and I(3) have three disulfide bonds each. A disulfide mapping method, based on cyanylation, was used to identify I(2) and I(3) as des-[30-75] and des-[19-68], respectively. On enzymatic digestion using trypsin, I(1) was identified as des-[19-68, 30-75]. Differences in the intermediates that are generated during the oxidative folding of the two structural homologues, RNase A and ONC, demonstrate that regenerative pathways are not necessarily influenced by tertiary structure. This indicates that the lack of a disulfide bond in ONC, analogous to the (65-72) disulfide bond in RNase A which plays an important role in its oxidative regeneration, does not adversely affect the oxidative folding of ONC.