cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dipetalodipin, a Novel Multifunctional Salivary Lipocalin That Inhibits Platelet Aggregation, Vasoconstriction, and Angiogenesis through Unique Binding Specificity for TXA2, PGF2α, and 15(S)-HETE

Dipetalodipin (DPTL) is an 18 kDa protein cloned from salivary glands of the triatomine Dipetalogaster maxima. DPTL belongs to the lipocalin superfamily and has strong sequence similarity to pallidipin, a salivary inhibitor of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. DPTL expressed in Escherichia coli was found to inhibit platelet aggregation by collagen, U-46619, or arachidonic acid without affecting aggregation induced by ADP, convulxin, PMA, and ristocetin. An assay based on incubation of DPTL with small molecules (e.g. prostanoids, leukotrienes, lipids, biogenic amines) followed by chromatography, mass spectrometry, and isothermal titration calorimetry showed that DPTL binds with high affinity to carbocyclic TXA2, TXA2 mimetic (U-46619), TXB2, PGH2 mimetic (U-51605), PGD2, PGJ2, and PGF2α. It also interacts with 15(S)-HETE, being the first lipocalin described to date to bind to a derivative of 15-lipoxygenase. Binding was not observed to other prostaglandins (e.g. PGE1, PGE2, 8-iso-PGF2α, prostacyclin), leukotrienes (e.g,. LTB4, LTC4, LTD4, LTE4), HETEs (e.g. 5(S)-HETE, 12(S)-HETE, 20-HETE), lipids (e.g. arachidonic acid, PAF), and biogenic amines (e.g. ADP, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, histamine). Consistent with its binding specificity, DPTL prevents contraction of rat uterus stimulated by PGF2α and induces relaxation of aorta previously contracted with U-46619. Moreover, it inhibits angiogenesis mediated by 15(S)-HETE and did not enhance inhibition of collagen-induced platelet aggregation by SQ29548 (TXA2 antagonist) and indomethacin. A 3-D model for DPTL and pallidipin is presented that indicates the presence of a conserved Arg39 and Gln135 in the binding pocket of both lipocalins. Results suggest that DPTL blocks platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction, and angiogenesis through binding to distinct eicosanoids involved in inflammation.
Accurate determination of the Landau parameter F o a for 3 He

Results of measurements of the low temperature magnetic susceptibility of normal liquid3He have been performed as a function of pressure from which we have calculated the Fermi Liquid parameter F o a .
On the determination and construction of optimal row-column designs having unequal row and column sizes

In this paper we consider experimental situations requiring usage of a row-column design where v treatments are to be applied to experimental units arranged in b 1 rows and b 2 columns where row i has size k 1i , i=1,..., b 1 and column j has size k 2j , j=1,..., b 2. Conditions analogous to those given in Kunert (1983, Ann. Statis., 11, 247–257) and Cheng (1978, Ann. Statist., 6, 1262–1272) are given which can often be used to establish the optimality of a given row-column design from the optimality of an associated block design. In addition, sufficient conditions are derived which guarantee the existence of an optimal row-column design which can be constructed by appropriately arranging treatments within blocks of an optimal block design.
Results of the senning procedure in infants with simple and complex transposition of the great arteries

Abstract Because of interest in the arterial switch operation, recent experience with the Senning operation in patients with simple and complex transposition of the great arteries (TGA) was examined. Between 1982 and 1985, 35 patients with simple TGA (group I) and 10 patients with complex TGA (group II) underwent a Senning operation. Mean duration of follow-up was 14 months for group I and 24 months for group II. In group I, 1 patient died early and no patient died late; Infrequently, right ventricular dysfunction, tricuspid regurgitation, baffle obstruction or arrhythmias occurred. In group II, no patient died early and 3 died late. In addition, many patients required prolonged digoxin therapy. Because the arterial switch operation has a high early mortality risk and an undetermined long-term morbidity and mortality risk, the Senning operation (or other venous switch operations) is considered the preferred surgical approach for simple TGA. In contrast, an arterial switch operation Is performed in patients with complex TGA (without subpulmonic obstruction). Comparison of the early and late morbidity and mortality of the arterial vs the venous switch operation may be helpful In selecting the appropriate surgical approach to complex TGA.
Hedge Fund Crisis and Financial Contagion: Evidence from Long-Term Capital Management

This article examines the spillover effects of the collapse and bailout of Long-Term Capital Management (LTCM) on the stocks of a large sample of exposed and unexposed banks and brokerage houses to search for evidence of financial contagion. The basic finding is that the LTCM crisis led to widespread losses for financial institutions, including even regional and local banks and those with no known exposure to hedge funds. However, after controlling for characteristics that influence firms9 vulnerability to an exogenous economic shock, the authors find that the unexposed banks and brokerage houses remain virtually unscathed by the crisis. Hence, the results suggest that the market response to the financial turmoil at LTCM was rational, and the crisis only affected firms with exposure to hedge fund activities.
Neodymium, strontium, and lead isotopes in the Maloin Ranch Pluton, Wyoming: Implications for the origin of evolved rocks at anorthosite margins

Abstract Neodymium, strontium, and lead isotopic data are used in this study to investigate the origin of chemically evolved rocks in the Maloin Ranch Pluton, a composite body that borders and intrudes the Laramie Anorthosite. The range of rock types present is similar to that found at the margins of Proterozoic anorthosites throughout the world. In the Maloin Ranch Pluton, these include ferrodiorite at the base of the intrusion, overlain progressively by fine-grained monzonite, monzosyenite, and porphyritic granite. Biotite gabbro and fine-grained granitic dikes are present locally at various levels of this sequence. The origin of the evolved rocks and their possible relation to associated anorthositic bodies has been much debated. In the Maloin Ranch Pluton, each rock type has distinct isotopic characteristics which, together with trace-element data previously reported, suggest different source characteristics for each member. Strontium and neodymium isotopic data for Maloin Ranch ferrodiorite and Laramie anorthositic rocks show considerable overlap, consistent with a comagmatic relation. Biotite gabbro is chemically and isotopically the most primitive rock type in the Maloin Ranch Pluton. The data suggest that biotite gabbro has a mantle source, but has undergone extensive fractionation in the crust. Our results suggest that the remainder (and bulk) of the intrusion formed by partial melting of the lower crust due to the emplacement of the Laramie Anorthosite. Maloin Ranch fine-grained monzonite is chemically more evolved than the underlying ferrodiorite (i.e., lower Mg #, higher silica and alkalis), yet has more primitive isotopic characteristics (lower ISr; higher epsilonNd). Formation of fine-grained monzonite by in situ fractionation of ferrodiorite is precluded by both the isotopic data and by mass balance. The isotopic data do not rule out formation of fine-grained monzonite by fractionation or contamination of ferrodiorite at depth, but this model requires that the ferrodiorite is isotopically heterogeneous and that very large volumes of ferrodiorite were present. Alternatively, trace-element and isotopic characteristics of the fine-grained monzonite are explained by partial melting of mantle-derived lower crust, added to the margin of the Archean Wyoming craton at about 1.8 Ga. Neodymium, strontium, and lead isotope data for Maloin Ranch monzosyenite and porphyritic granite also suggest a lower crustal source. These data indicate a > 1.8 Ga source component for the Maloin Ranch monzosyenites, but do not require input of Archean crust from the Wyoming province to the north.
Self-Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Scaffolds Accelerate Wound Healing

Cutaneous wound repair regenerates skin integrity, but a chronic failure to heal results in compromised tissue function and increased morbidity. To address this, we have used an integrated approach, using nanobiotechnology to augment the rate of wound reepithelialization by combining self-assembling peptide (SAP) nanofiber scaffold and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF). This SAP bioscaffold was tested in a bioengineered Human Skin Equivalent (HSE) tissue model that enabled wound reepithelialization to be monitored in a tissue that recapitulates molecular and cellular mechanisms of repair known to occur in human skin. We found that SAP underwent molecular self-assembly to form unique 3D structures that stably covered the surface of the wound, suggesting that this scaffold may serve as a viable wound dressing. We measured the rates of release of EGF from the SAP scaffold and determined that EGF was only released when the scaffold was in direct contact with the HSE. By measuring the length of the epithelial tongue during wound reepithelialization, we found that SAP scaffolds containing EGF accelerated the rate of wound coverage by 5 fold when compared to controls without scaffolds and by 3.5 fold when compared to the scaffold without EGF. In conclusion, our experiments demonstrated that biomaterials composed of a biofunctionalized peptidic scaffold have many properties that are well-suited for the treatment of cutaneous wounds including wound coverage, functionalization with bioactive molecules, localized growth factor release and activation of wound repair.
The relationship between psychological distress and gastrointestinal symptoms in women with irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are reported to experience more symptoms compatible with psychopathologic disorders, abnormal personality traits, and psychological distress. Conversely, individuals with psychiatric disorders report higher levels of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms compatible with IBS. Thus, psychological distress may contribute to GI symptoms in individuals with IBS. OBJECTIVES: To examine psychological distress in women with IBS, women with similar GI symptoms but not diagnosed (IBS nonpatients, IBS-NP), and asymptomatic Control women. METHODS: The women (N=97) were interviewed, completed questionnaires, and maintained daily diaries for 2 months. Across-women and within-woman analyses were used to calculate the results. RESULTS: The IBS and IBS-NP groups had a higher percentage of lifetime psychopathology and recalled psychological distress. At least 40% of the women in the IBS and IBS-NP groups had positive relationships between daily psychological distress and daily GI symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological distress is an important component of the IBS symptom experience and should be considered when treatment strategies are designed.
Relation of job search and choice process with subsequent satisfaction

This study examined whether how one goes about searching for and choosing a job relates to later job satisfaction. Contrary to Wilson and Schooler's [J. Personality Soc. Psychol. 60 (1991) 181] disruption hypothesis, the results suggested that people who engaged in a careful and deliberate search and choice process were more satisfied than people who used a more haphazard or intuitive approach. In addition, people who were dispositionally higher in the tendency to consider future outcomes were more likely to use a careful and deliberate approach to finding a job.
Growth of t-Se Nanowires on the Surfaces of a-Se@Ag2Se Core–Shell Particles through Controlled Release of Se from the a-Se Cores

This paper describes the growth of t-Se nanowires on the srufaces of a-Se@Ag2Se core−shell colloids. The number and dimension of the t-Se nanowires were controled by adjusting the release of Se through the Ag2Se shells.
Key Issues and Experience in US Water Services Privatization

Privatization of water services has long been an option for US municipal governments and water systems. There was a surge of interest in the prospects for private sector participation in water utility ownership and operations during the 1990s, both in the United States and abroad. This prompted the Water Science and Technology Board of the US National Research Council to appoint an expert committee to review the issues and experience with water services privatization in the United States. The committee was appointed in 1999 and its report, Privatization of Water Services in the United States: An Assessment of Issues and Experience, was approved and released in early 2002 (NRC, 2002). This paper summarizes that committee's report and findings.
Comparison of Direct Eulerian Godunov and Lagrange Plus Remap, Artificial Viscosity Schemes

The authors compare two algorithms for solving the equations of unsteady inviscid compressible flow in an Eulerian frame: a staggered grid, Lagrange plus remap artificial viscosity scheme and a cell-centered, direct Eulerian higher-order Godunov scheme. They use the two methods to compute solutions to a number of one- and two-dimensional problems. The results show the accuracy of the two schemes to be generally equivalent. In a 1984 survey paper by Woodward and Colella, the Lagrange plus remap approach did not compare favorably with the higher-order Godunov methodology. They examine, therefore, how certain features of the staggered grid scheme considered here contribute to its improved accuracy. The critical features are shown to be the use of a monotonic artificial viscosity in the Lagrange step and, in the remap step, the use of a corner transport upwind scheme with van Leer limiters in conjunction with separate advection of internal and kinetic energies.
A second post-transcriptional trans -activator gene required for HTLV-III replication

Evidence is provided for the existence of a seventh gene in the genome of human T-lymphotropic virus type III/lymphadenopathy-associated virus. The gene is necessary for replication and acts post-transcriptionally to relieve negative regulation of the messenger RNA for the virion capsid and envelope proteins. These observations suggest mechanisms for regulating both the latent and lytic phases of the virus life cycle.
Hematological and blood chemistry profiles of American bison grazing on Konza Prairie of Kansas.

Normal hematological and blood chemistry parameters were measured in 45 American bison (Bison bison) that were divided into three age groups for comparison. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increase with advancing age in mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, absolute neutrophil and eosinophil counts, total protein, globulin, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen. There was a statistically significant (P < 0.05) decrease with advancing age in levels of sorbital dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose, sodium, calcium and phosphorus.
Rate equation description of multi-phonon creation of color centers and simultaneous one-phonon annihilation

Abstract Pumping the lowest 4f→5d absorption band of the Ce3+ ions in Ce3+:CaF2 with a 308 nm XeCl laser results in the photoionization of Ce3+ due to an excited-state absorption which terminates in the conduction band. The photo-electron can be trapped at a Ce3+ ion with Oh symmetry thus forming a divalent cerium ion color center. However, these divalent cerium ions are photobleached by both the 308 nm excitation light and the Ce3+ fluorescence. The rate equation which describes the number of divalent cerium ions must include both the two-step creation process, which is quadratic in the laser intensity, as well as a linearly dependent bleaching mechanism. The solutions to the rate equation are in agreement with the observed growth and saturation characteristics of the number of divalent ions.
Service learning in an occupation-based curriculum: student commentary.

Recent trends toward occupation-based practice and the move toward masters-level occupational therapy (OT) education has forced OT educators to reevaluate their programs to meet the needs of the contemporary health care environment. Service learning is one way to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) Program at Cleveland State University (CSU), in keeping with its focus on occupation, incorporates three service-learning components into its curriculum. This paper, written by a second-year MOT student at CSU, discusses two of these experiences in depth. The first, which took place at a homeless shelter, included both a didactic and “clinical” component, with an emphasis on community-based mental health OT services. The second, which included a training component and a structured program, involved co-leading after-school social-emotional learning groups for low-income urban youth. Both experiences served to expand the clinical skills and reasoning of the MOT stu...
pelle encodes a protein kinase required to establish dorsoventral polarity in the Drosophila embryo

Abstract The pelle gene is required for the nuclear import of dorsal protein that establishes dorsoventral polarity in Drosophila embryos. We report here the genetic mapping and molecular characterization of pelle . DNA sequence analysis revealed that pelle encodes a protein of 501 amino acids, the last 292 of which comprise a protein kinase catalytic domain. Microinjection of in vitro synthesized transcripts containing site-directed mutations indicates that the kinase catalytic domain is required for biological activity. This domain is most similar to that of the raf and mos protein kinases and is predicted to have a serine and threonine specificity. These results provide direct evidence for the role of phosphorylation in the in vivo regulation of a rel-like transcription factor.
Isoform-specific effects of charged residues at borders of the M1-M2 loop of the Na,K-ATPase alpha subunit.

The Na,K-ATPase is specifically inhibited by the cardiac glycoside, ouabain. Via a largely undefined mechanism, the ouabain affinity of the Na,K-ATPase can be manipulated by mutating the residues a...
Sources of Fatty Acids in Sediments of the York River Estuary: Relationships with Physical and Biological Processes

Fatty acid (FA) composition (neutral FA and phospholipid-linked FA) was examined in surface sediments at two sites of the York River estuary (VA, Chesapeake Bay) with contrasting benthic dynamics, Clay Bank (CB) and Gloucester Point (GP), in order to study organic carbon sources and their relationship to biological and physical processes. Our results suggest that FA composition in surface sediments was driven by biological and physical events, occurring mostly during the period of high river discharge, including: (1) the spring phytoplankton bloom, likely responsible for high concentrations of FA of algal origin at CB in March 2007, (2) the fall phytoplankton bloom, causing a secondary peak of algal FA and an increase in viable microbial biomass at CB in October 2007, and (3) a physical event in May 2007, resulting in high concentrations of terrestrial and bacterial FA at GP. FA concentrations tended to be higher but more variable during periods of high freshwater discharge, with trends more pronounced at the upstream site, suggesting connectivity between biological and physical processes.
Effectiveness of concept maps in economics: Evidence from Australia and USA

Abstract This paper evaluates the effectiveness of concept maps as a teaching and learning tool in university level Principles of Microeconomics courses in Australia and USA. Concept mapping was incorporated in the teaching material in both courses at different countries and, at the end of the semester, the students completed a survey regarding the use, effectiveness, and accessibility of concept maps. It was revealed that USA students valued concept maps relatively less than Australian students. We provide two explanations: First, there may be differences in prior training in economic and/or concept mapping between Australian and USA students. Second, there were significant differences in class structure, which caused the link between collaborative study-groups and the construction of concept maps to not be maintained in the case of USA students.
The scientific contributions of M. Judah Folkman to cancer research.

M. Judah Folkman is regarded by many as the father of research into the therapeutic targeting of angiogenesis. For cancer research, what were his most notable achievements?
The ability of several short-term measures of RR variability to predict mortality after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUNDWe studied 715 patients 2 weeks after myocardial infarction to test the hypothesis that short-term power spectral measures of RR variability (calculated from 2 to 15 minutes of normal RR interval data) will predict all-cause mortality or arrhythmic death.METHODS AND RESULTSWe performed power spectral analyses on the entire 24-hour RR interval time series. To compare with the 24-hour analyses, we selected short segments of ECG recordings from two time periods for analysis: 8 AM to 4 PM and midnight to 5 AM. The former corresponds to the time interval during which short-term measures of RR variability would most likely be obtained. The latter, during sleep, represent a period of increased vagal tone, which may simulate the conditions that exist when patients have a signal-averaged ECG recorded, ie, lying quietly in the laboratory. Four frequency domain measures were calculated from spectral analysis of heart period data over a 24-hour interval. We computed the 24-hour power spectral density and ca...
MLSM of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake

Abstract The use of regional attenuation in computing the local magnitude, ML, from strong motion data gathered at distances less than 100 km may lead to systematic underestimates approaching 0·5 magnitude units (Trifunac & Herak, Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering, 1992, 18, 229-41). The use of the attenuation law Att(Δ), for example, with synthetic estimates of Wood-Anderson seismometer response, during the Loma Preita earthquake, leads to estimates of ML which agree with the surface wave and moment magnitudes, and which are essentially distance-independent.
Imaging mining hazards within coalbeds using prestack wave equation migration of in-seam seismic survey data: A feasibility study with synthetic data

Gas and water accumulations in old mine workings, voids and fault zones are threats to safety in coal mining. There are a variety of measures that can be taken to extract fluids prior to, or during mining; therefore, the ability to locate geological structures and old abandoned working and voids which may not have been mapped accurately are the key to overall success. However, current techniques are of limited use because of either high cost or low resolution. We simulate and evaluate use of high-frequency seismic data acquired in an in-seam geometry through the use of synthetic two-component elastic data for 2-D models. Elastic common-source seismic data collected at the mining coalface contain body waves reflected at coalbed interfaces such as faults and old workings. Reverse-time prestack elastic migration is used to image the interfaces. Numerical tests on synthetic data indicate that this approach is expected to be effective to detect abandoned mining workings containing different fluids (such as water or gas/air) and faults. However, the use of this approach is restricted to the nearest in-seam interface from the mine face. The three items that are new in this paper are (1) the application of wave equation migration to in-seam data, (2) use of a multiplicative (data derived) mask to enhance the migrated image, and (3) the demonstrated potential to distinguish fluids in mine voids from seismic data.
Radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine for the treatment of neuroblastoma

Abstract Introduction Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric extracranial solid cancer. This tumor is characterized by metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) avidity in 90% of cases, prompting the use of radiolabeled MIBG for targeted radiotherapy in these tumors. Methods The available English language literature was reviewed for original research investigating in vitro , in vivo and clinical applications of radiolabeled MIBG for neuroblastoma. Results MIBG is actively transported into neuroblastoma cells by the norepinephrine transporter. Preclinical studies demonstrate substantial activity of radiolabeled MIBG in neuroblastoma models, with 131 I-MIBG showing enhanced activity in larger tumors compared to 125 I-MIBG. Clinical studies of 131 I-MIBG in patients with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma have identified myelosuppression as the main dose-limiting toxicity, necessitating stem cell reinfusion at higher doses. Most studies report a response rate of 30–40% with 131 I-MIBG in this population. More recent studies have focused on the use of 131 I-MIBG in combination with chemotherapy or myeloablative regimens. Conclusions 131 I-MIBG is an active agent for the treatment of patients with neuroblastoma. Future studies will need to define the optimal role of this targeted radiopharmaceutical in the therapy of this disease.
Effects of bile acid oxazolines on gallstone formation in prairie dogs.

The effects of 2 bile acid analogs, chenodeoxy-oxazoline [2-(3α,7α-dihydroxy-24-nor-5β-cholanyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline] and ursodeoxy-oxazoline [2-(3α, 7β-dihydroxy-24-nor-5β-cholanyl)-4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazoline] were examined in the prairie dog model of cholesterol cholelithiasis. Gallstones and biliary cholesterol crystals were induced in 5 out of 6 male prairie dogs fed a semisynthetic diet containing 0.4% cholesterol for 8 weeks. Six animals maintained on a low cholesterol control diet (0.08% cholesterol) exhibited neither gallstones nor biliary cholesterol crystals. The addition of 0.06% chenodeoxy-oxazoline to the lithogenic diet did not prevent induced cholelithiasis or the appearance of cholesterol crystals in bile. In contrast, 0.06% dietary ursodeoxy-oxazoline prevented gallstones in 5 out of 6 prairie dogs (but cholesterol crystals were present in the bile of 4 of these animals). Histologically, most of the livers from the prairie dogs fed the cholesterol-supplemented semisynthetic diet showed bile duct proliferation, inflammatory infiltration and fibrosis along the portal tracts. These pathologic changes were generally not ameliorated by adding chenodeoxy-oxazoline or chenodeoxy-oxazoline plus chenodeoxycholic acid to the diet. Portal tract pathology was markedly reduced in most animals by adding ursodeoxy-oxazoline to the cholesterol-supplemented diet. The pathologic changes overall could best be correlated with the presence of gallstones, but not with the incidence of biliary cholesterol crystals.
Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in algae and detritus from the Orinoco River floodplain, Venezuela

Abstract Stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in autotrophs and detrital organic matter were investigated during inundation of the Orinoco River floodplain in Venezuela. Sampling emphasized microalgae and fine particulate detritus and included organic matter on submersed surfaces of C3 and C4 vascular plants as well as organic matter suspended in the water column and in surficial sediments. Algae and detritus were separated and collected for isotopic analysis by density gradient centrifugation in colloidal silica. Fine particulate organic matter in floodplain waters contains variable proportions of algal material, and the isotopic composition of the algal fraction was often distinct from that of the detrital fraction. Because most floodplain vascular plants assimilate atmospheric CO2, their δ13C values proved to be typical of those reported for terrestrial plants. Algae were quite variable in δ13C; phytoplankton were most depleted (δ13C, −34.0 to −37.2%.), while epiphytic algae spanned a different and wider range in δ13C(−23.4 to −33.0%.). Depletion in 13C of organic matter mixtures relative to the range for C3 vascular-plant sources is caused by the presence of algal carbon, whereas enrichment is caused by algal carbon or by carbon from C4 vascular plants that grow on the floodplain. Phytoplankton and aquatic macrophytes varied relatively little in δ15N (1.5 to 4.1%.), but epiphytic algae were more variable (0.1 to 6.5%.). Algal samples in which N-fixing cyanobacteria were abundant were most depleted in 15N.
A Sensitivity-Enhancing Control Approach for Structural Model Updating

Model updating plays an important role in structural design and dynamic analysis. The process of model updating aims to produce an improved mathematical model by correlating the initial model with the experimentally measured data. There are a variety of techniques available for model updating using dynamic and static measurements of the structure’s behavior. This paper focuses on the model updating methods using the measured natural frequencies of the structure. The practice of model updating using only the natural frequencies encounters two well-known limitations: deficiency of frequency measurement data, and low sensitivity of measured natural frequencies with respect to the physical parameters that need to be updated. To overcome these limitations, a novel model updating method is presented in this paper. First, closed-loop control is applied to the structure to enhance the sensitivity of natural frequencies to the updating parameters. Second, by including the natural frequencies based on a series of sensitivity-enhanced closed-loop systems, we can significantly enrich the frequency measurement data available for model updating. Using the natural frequencies of these sensitivity-enhanced closed-loop systems, an iterative process is utilized to update the physical parameters in the initial model. To demonstrate and verify the proposed method, case studies are carried out using a cantilevered beam structure. The natural frequencies of a series of sensitivity-enhanced closed-loop systems are utilized to update the mass and stiffness parameters in the initial FE model. Results show that the modeling errors in the mass and stiffness parameters can be accurately identified by using the proposed model updating method.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Implied human influence reduces landscape beauty

Abstract The results of three experiments reported here demonstrate that implied landscape meaning or significance can influence judgments of relative landscape beauty even when no other variables except meaning change. Three groups of subjects ordered 15 landscape photographs with attached descriptive labels from most to least beautiful. In one treatment four experimental photographs had natural labels: lake, pond, stream bank, and forest growth. In the second treatment these photographs had labels implying human influence: reservoir, irrigation, road cut and tree farm. The two sets of photographs including the four experimental photographs were identical. Rank sums were compared using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test. In each experiment the photographs ranked higher when natural labels were attached than when labels implying human influence were attached. Differences were significant beyond the 5% level.
Patterns and Predictors of Proton Pump Inhibitor Overuse among Academic and Non-Academic Hospitalists

Objective In the hospital setting, several studies have reported proton pump inhibitor (PPI) overuse, a majority of which is continued after discharge. In addition to being expensive, PPIs are associated with an increased risk of infections, osteoporosis and serious drug interactions. We examined the trends and predictors of PPI guidelines non-compliance among academic and non- academic hospitalists in USA. Methods and Patients Oral PPI prescriptions initiated by 2 academic and 2 non-academic hospitalist groups were reviewed. Prescription indications were recorded when explicitly stated in the chart. Otherwise, qualified physicians reviewed the chart to make such determination. Indications were then compared to the published guidelines. Several variables were tested to determine independent predictors of initiation and post discharge continuation of guideline non-compliant prescriptions. Results Of the 400 PPI prescriptions 39% were guideline compliant. Academic hospitalists were significantly more compliant with PPI prescription guidelines (50 vs 29%). Gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding prophylaxis (GIP) for low risk patients was the most common indication for non-compliant prescriptions, while that of guideline compliant prescriptions was dyspepsia treatment. Independent predictors of the initiation of guideline non-compliant prescriptions were non-academic hospitalist group, PPI indication not documented in the chart, and GIP as part of the admission orderset. The latter was an independent predictor of those prescriptions continuation post-discharge (protective) in addition to non-academic hospitalists group. Conclusion Hospitalists overprescribe PPI to a level comparable to that of the non-hospitalist providers in the literature. Understanding the determinants of increased compliance among academic groups is instrumental to design interventions aimed at increasing PPI prescription compliance.
The pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase of the protist, Trichomonas vaginalis, and the evolutionary relationships of protist phosphofructokinases.

The pyrophosphate-dependent phosphofructokinase (PPi-PFK) of the amitochondriate protist Trichomonas vaginalis has been purified. The enzyme is a homotetramer of about 50 kDa subunits and is not subject to allosteric regulation. The protein was fragmented and a number of peptides were sequenced. Based on this information a PCR product was obtained from T. vaginalis gDNA and used to isolate corresponding cDNA and gDNA clones. Southern analysis indicated the presence of five genes. One open reading frame (ORF) was completely sequenced and for two others the 5′ half of the gene was determined. The sequences were highly similar. The complete ORF corresponded to a polypeptide of about 46 kDa. All the peptide sequences obtained were present in the derived sequences. The complete ORF was highly similar to that of other PFKs, primarily in its amino-terminal half. The T. vaginalis enzyme was most similar to PPi-PFK of the mitochondriate heterolobosean, Naegleria fowleri. Most of the residues shown or assumed to be involved in substrate binding in other PPi-PFKs were conserved in the T. vaginalis enzyme. Direct comparison and phylogenetic reconstruction revealed a significant divergence among PPi-PFKs and related enzymes, which can be assigned to at least four distantly related groups, three of which contain enzymes of protists. The separation of these groups is supported with a high percentage of bootstrap proportions. The short T. vaginalis PFK shares a most recent common ancestor with the enzyme from N. fowleri. This pair is clearly separated from a group comprising the long (>60-kDa) enzymes from Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica pfk2, the spirochaetes Borrelia burgdorferi and Trepomena pallidum, as well as the α- and β-subunits of plant PPi-PFKs. The third group (``X'') containing protist sequences includes the glycosomal ATP-PFK of Trypanosoma brucei, E. histolytica pfk1, and a second sequence from B. burgdorferi. The fourth group (``Y'') comprises cyanobacterial and high-G + C, Gram-positive eubacterial sequences. The well-studied PPi-PFK of Propionibacterium freudenreichii is highly divergent and cannot be assigned to any of these groups. These four groups are well separated from typical ATP-PFKs, the phylogenetic analysis of which confirmed relationships established earlier. These findings indicate a complex history of a key step of glycolysis in protists with several early gene duplications and possible horizontal gene transfers.
Studies on “allergoids” prepared from naturally occurring allergens II. Evaluation of allergenicity and assay of antigenicity of formalinized mixed grass pollen extracts

Abstract A crude dialyzed mixed grass pollen extract was modified under mild conditions with formaldehyde in the presence or absence of low molecular weight additives which participate in the chemical reaction. By scratch and intradermal skin testing of grass-sensitive subjects, certain of the derivatives (allergoids) were found to be about 200 to 2,000 times less allergenically reactive than the native pollen extract (allergen). The allergoids largely retained their capacity to induce guinea pigs to produce antibody which strongly cross-reacted with the allergen, as measured by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in normal guinea pigs. Cross-antigenicity between the allergen and allergoids was also observed by immunodiffusion analysis with the use of antiallergen and antiallergoid sera. One of the formalinized derivatives also was studied by bronchial inhalation challenge experiments in 5 asthmatic subjects.
Scheduling of network access for feedback-based embedded systems

Technological advances are delivering devices that can be ubiquitously embedded in the physical world and that have sensing and communication capabilities. Examples range from smart dust embedded in building materials to networks of appliances in the home. Embedded devices will be deployed in unprecedented numbers, will enable pervasive distributed computing, and will radically change the way people interact with the surrounding environment. 1 The paper targets embedded systems and their real-time (RT) communication requirements. RT requirements arise from the feedback loops among distributed sensing and actuation elements plus the physical characteristics of their surrounding environment. A natural choice for modeling the feedback requirements is control theory and engineering. 2 The major thrust of this paper is to investigate the implications of control theory on network QoS. A control-theoretical analysis of the physical system dynamics yields error bounds functions, which, in turn, can be minimized by achieving novel QoS objectives in the network infrastructure. We aim at RT control-theoretical objectives in inexpensive LAN's, such as those that can be installed in houses or in small industrial plants. Such QoS objectives are achieved by a middleware that regulates network access through a polling scheme. The paper focuses on the middleware scheduling of network access. The middleware can also provide flexible support for fault-tolerance, error-recovery, and bandwidth monitoring. The advantages of our approach are its scalability, flexibility, evolvability, co-design of control systems and middleware, portability, provisioning for peak or catastrophic occurrences, high bandwidth utilization, self-clocking, link sharing across application, and reuse of existing plug-and-play solutions.
Spectroscopic measurements of nitric oxide in spark ignition engines

Abstract A previous study of nitric oxide formation in fuel-lean mixtures using the NO + O continuum technique has been extended to fuel-rich mixtures. The results of the experiment show that the bulk of nitric oxide production occurs in the burned gas and that the contribution of the flame zone is negligible over the range of equivalence ratios 0.85 ≤ φ ≤ 1.1 and for normal engine conditions. The measurements compare favorably with calculations based on a previously developed kinetic model and show that for the purposes of engine studies, nitric oxide formation can be adequately described by an extended Zeldovich mechanism.
Chemisorption kinetics of hydrogen on evaporated iron films

Measurements were made of the isothermal adsorption-desorption kinetics for H2 chemisorbed onto Fe films. The chemisorption process is observed to proceed via a precursor state of adsorbed molecular hydrogen similar to the H2-Ni system. The first measurements of the activation energy for desorption, and estimates of the values of the fast kinetic rates between the precursor and chemisorbed states are reported. Adsorption into the precursor state does not appear to be activated, but the process connecting the precursor state with the chemisorbed state will, under certain circumstances, be a rate limiting step for adsorption. The effects of contamination of the surface are evidenced in the measurements.
There’s no sex in your violence: Patriarchal translation in Ezekiel 16 and 23

Ezekiel 16 and 23 describe shocking scenes of sexual debauchery and gendered violence, which the prophet uses to personify God’s judgment of Jerusalem and Samaria. In turning these chapters into Sc...
The effect of prolonged anoxia at 3 degrees C on tissue high energy phosphates and phosphodiesters in turtles: a 31P-NMR study

Selected tissues (skeletal muscle, heart ventrical, and liver), sampled from turtles (Chrysemys picta bellii) at 3°C either under normoxic conditions or after 12 weeks of anoxic submergence were quantiaatively analysed for intracellular pH and phosphorus metabolites using 31P-NMR. Plasma was tested for osmolality and for the concentrations of lactate, calcium, and magnesium to confirm anoxic stress. We hypothesized that, in the anoxic animals, tissue ATP levels would be maintained and that the increased osmolality of the body fluids of anoxic turtles would be accounted for by a corresponding increase in the concentrations of phosphodiesters. The responses observed differed among the three tissues. In muscle, ATP was unchanged by anoxia but phosphocreatine was reduced by 80%; in heart, both ATP and phosphocreatine fell by 35–40%. The reduction in phosphocreatine in heart tissue at 3°C was similar to that observed in isolated, perfused working hearts from turtles maintained at 20°C but no decrease in ATP occurred in the latter tissues. In liver, although analyses of several specimens were confounded by line-broadening, neither ATP nor phosphocreatine was detectable in anoxic samples. Phosphosdiesters were detected in amounts sufficient to account for 30% of normoxic cell osmotic concentration in heart and 11% and 12% in liver and muscle, respectively. The phosphodiester levels did not change in anoxia. Heart ventricular phosphodiester levels in turtles at 3°C were significantly higher than those determined for whole hearts from turtles at 20°C. 1H, 13C and 31P NMR analyses of perchloric acid extracts of heart and skeletal muscle from 20°C turtles con firmed that the major phosphodiester observed by NMR in these tissues is serine ethanolamine phosphate. We conclude that the three types of tissues studied differ substantially in their ability to maintain levels of ATP during anoxia, and that liver may continue to function despite NMR-undetectable levels of this metabolite. In addition, we conclude that phosphodiesters do not serve as regulated osmolytes during anoxia, and that the functional significance of their high concentrations in turtle tissues remains uncertain.
Synthesis and evaluation of α-cyclodextrin-aldonamide conjugates for D-glucose recognition

A small library of α -cyclodextrin aldonamide (CDA) conjugates has been synthesized and their glucose sensing behavior examined. The partially substituted aldonamides of α -cyclodextrin were found to recognize glucose, but were unable to form the hydrogel. However, the solution of hexaaldonamides of α -cyclodextrin transformed into a hydrogel upon complexation with glucose. SEM studies revealed the presence of fibrous, intertwined, reticulate networks in the hydrogels. This type of glucose-sensitive hydrogel may be useful in developing glucose-sensors and glucose-sensitive drug delivery systems.
A reciprocal relationship between the induction of -aminolevulinic acid synthetase and drug metabolism produced by m-dichlorobenzene.

Abstract The daily administration of large doses of m-dichlorobenzene (m-DCB) causes experimental hepatic porphyria in rats by induction of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALA synthetase). However, smaller doses of m-DCB produce a biphasic stimulation of both urinary coproporphyrin excretion and liver ALA synthetase. The decline of ALA synthetase and urinary coproporphyrin despite continued daily dosage is associated with an increase in activity of the liver drug-metabolizing systems and decreasing serum m-DCB levels. The most probable explanation for the self-limiting action of m-DCB is stimulation by the drug of its own metabolism.
Burden of Clostridium difficile infection in long-term care facilities in Monroe County, New York.

Background.Long-term care facility (LTCF) residents are at increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). However, little is known about the incidence, recurrence, and severity of CDI in LTCFs or the extent to which acute care exposure contributes to CDI in LTCFs. We describe the epidemiology of CDI in a cohort of LTCF residents in Monroe County, New York, where recent estimates suggest a CDI incidence in hospitals of 9.2 cases per 10,000 patient-days.Design.Population-based surveillance study.Setting.Monroe County, New York.Patients.LTCF residents with onset of CDI while in the LTCF or less than 4 calendar-days after hospital admission from the LTCF from January 1 through December 31, 2010.Methods.We conducted surveillance for CDI in residents of 33 LTCFs. A CDI case was defined as a stool specimen positive for C. difficile obtained from a patient without a C. difficile-positive specimen in the previous 8 weeks; recurrence was defined as a stool specimen positive for C. difficile obtained between 2 and 8 weeks after the last C. difficile-positive stool specimen.Results.There were 425 LTCF-onset cases and 184 recurrences, which yielded an incidence of 2.3 cases per 10,000 resident-days (interquartile range [IQR], 1.2–3.3) and a recurrence rate of 1.0 case per 10,000 resident-days (IQR, 0.3–1.4). The cases occurred in 394 LTCF residents, and 52% of these residents developed CDI within 4 weeks after hospital discharge. Hospitalization for CDI occurred in 70 cases (16%). Of those cases that involved hospitalization for CDI, 70% were severe CDI, and 23% ended in death within 30 days after hospital admission.Conclusion.CDI incidence in Monroe County LTCFs is one-fourth the incidence among hospitalized patients. Approximately 50% of LTCF-onset cases occurred more than 4 weeks after hospital discharge, which emphasizes that prevention of CDI transmission should go beyond acute care settings.
Corn, Sunflower, and Soybean Emergence Influenced by Soil Temperature and Soil Water Content

The influence of soil temperature and initial soil water content on subsequent germination and emergence of corn (Zea mays L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] needs to be understood. Previous research has not determined whether emergence of corn and sunflower is reduced by soil water content that is high enough for seed imbibition but too low for radicle emergence from the testa. Our objective was to evaluate corn, sunflower, and soybean emergence influenced by initial seed-zone soil water content of 0.05, 0.07, and 0.09 kg kg -1 and soil drying at three day/night (17/8, 21/12, 25/16°C) soil temperature regimes as the number of days of soil water deficit and temperature stress increased. A factorial experiment with two replicates was conducted under controlled temperature conditions in an incubator. This experiment was conducted using a Glyndon silty clay loam (coarse-silty, frigid Aeric Calciaquolls). Corn emergence was >85% at all three initial soil water contents and temperature regimes. Sunflower emergence increased from 59% at the low initial soil water content to 90% at the higher initial soil water content. Soybean emergence was 22% after stress was imposed by a 0.07 kg kg -1 initial soil water content (high enough for seed imbibition but too low for germination). If soil water content is sufficient to imbibe seeds of soybean and sunflower, but too low for germination during the 6 d after planting, producers may need to replant, especially when soil temperature is above 21/12°C.