cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum homocysteine and folate concentrations among a US cohort of adolescents before and after folic acid fortification

Objective—We assessed serum homocysteine (tHcy) and folate concentrations pre- and postfolic acid fortification among US adolescents, and associations with demographic, behavioral, and physiologic factors. Design—Observational study conducted among participants of a randomized trial. Setting—The Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) study. Subjects—Adolescents (N=2,445) in grades 8 (pre-folic acid fortification, mean age 14 y) and 12 (post-folic acid fortification). Results—Average serum concentrations of tHcy, folate and vitamin B6 increased by 17%, 16% and 14%, respectively, while serum concentrations of vitamin B12 decreased by 11% postfortification. Folic acid fortification provided, on average, an additional 118µg/day of folate intake. Male sex and white race were associated with significantly greater increases in tHcy concentration, while increases in BMI and serum folate concentration were associated with significant decreases in tHcys concentration. Female sex, non-smoking, use of multivitamins, and higher dietary intake of folate were associated with significantly greater increases in serum folate concentrations. From grade 8 to grade 12, the upward age trend in serum tHcy concentration was uninterrupted in its course (p-value>0.50); whereas, serum folic acid concentration showed a
Insulin, Prostaglandins, and the Pathogenesis of Hypertension

Hypertension is associated with hyperinsulinemia in the presence or absence of obesity or glucose intolerance. Physiological concentrations of insulin decrease the catecholamine-induced production of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2; prostacyclin) and PGE2, two potent vasodilators, in adipose tissue, one of the largest organs in the body. This finding suggests that hyperinsulinemia increases peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure by inhibiting the stimulatory effect of adrenergic agonists (and perhaps other agonists) on the production of PGI2 and PGE2 in adipose tissue (and perhaps other tissues). This concept is supported by evidence that PGI2 and PGE2 modulate vascular reactivity in states of health and disease. For example, during insulin deficiency, i.e., in diabetic ketoacidosis, PGI2 and PGE2 production by adipose tissue are increased, and peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure are decreased. This hypothesis is also supported by evidence that blood flow through rat and human adipose tissue is decreased in obesity and that insulin decreases the blood flow through adipose tissue in nonobese rats. Thus, insulin may regulate PGI2 and PGE2 production by adipose tissue (and possibly other tissues) through a wide range of concentrations with important physiological and clinical consequences.
An overview of the VMTP transport protocol

Communication in modern distributed systems demands low-latency transaction-oriented communication rather than stream-oriented communication as in the past. The performance and functionality of current standard transport protocols has become a major limitation in the move to higher-speed networks and larger-scale, more sophisticated distributed systems. An overview is presented of the versatile message transaction protocol (VMTP) developed to address these limitations. The authors then present measurements of VMTP performance in actual use in the V distributed system, showing that its performance matches their objectives. >
Delayed embryonic development and impaired cell growth and survival in Actg1 null mice

Actins are among the most highly expressed proteins in eukaryotes and play a central role in nearly all aspects of cell biology. While the intricate process of development undoubtedly requires a properly regulated actin cytoskeleton, little is known about the contributions of different actin isoforms during embryogenesis. Of the six actin isoforms, only the two cytoplasmic actins, beta(cyto)- and gamma(cyto)-actin, are ubiquitously expressed. We found that gamma(cyto)-actin null (Actg1(-/-)) mice were fully viable during embryonic development, but most died within 48 h of birth due to respiratory failure and cannibalization by the parents. While no morphogenetic defects were identified, Actg1(-/-) mice exhibited stunted growth during embryonic and postnatal development as well as delayed cardiac outflow tract formation that resolved by birth. Using primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we confirm that gamma(cyto)-actin is not required for cell migration. The Actg1(-/-) cells, however, exhibited growth impairment and reduced cell viability, defects which perhaps contribute to the stunted growth and developmental delays observed in Actg1(-/-) embryos. Since the total amount of actin protein was maintained in Actg1(-/-) cells, our data suggests a distinct requirement for gamma(cyto)-actin in cell growth and survival.
CD8+ T-Cell Epitope Mapping for Pneumonia Virus of Mice in H-2b Mice

ABSTRACT The paramyxovirus pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) is a rodent model of human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) pathogenesis. Here we characterized the PVM-specific CD8 + T-cell repertoire in susceptible C57BL/6 mice. In total, 15 PVM-specific CD8 + T-cell epitopes restricted by H-2D b and/or H-2K b were identified. These data open the door for using widely profiled, genetically manipulated C57BL/6 mice to study the contribution of epitope-specific CD8 + T cells to PVM pathogenesis.
Episodic Indexing: A Model of Memory for Attention Events

Abstract People often remember what they attend to in the world. Such memory can be cast as a kind of mental catalog or index of attended objects. To investigate how such an index is acquired and used, protocol data were collected from a programmer who scrolled to off-screen objects from time to time as she worked. These protocol data were modeled using Soar, which constrains how the index is constructed. In the model, an index entry is an episodic trace encoded during attention. The trace associates the attention event with a time symbol denoting the event’s occurrence. Later, the model can ask itself whether it saw that object by calling to mind an image of the attention event. If this image retrieves a time symbol, then the model infers that the object exists and can reason about bringing the object back into view. Episodic indexing is a theory of these encoding and retrieval processes. It posits that information about attention events is encoded automatically, but that retrieval requires effort and knowledge. Episodic indexing is congruent with a range of results on episodic and temporal codes and recognition and recall processes. It incorporates source monitoring (Johnson, Hashtroudi, & Lindsay, 1993) and is a simple and pervasive form of long-term working memory (Ericsson & Kintsch, 1995) .
Morphological differentiation of eggs of Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and Ancylostoma braziliense from dogs and cats in the United States.

Abstract: The establishment of cat- and dog-derived laboratory strains of Ancylostoma braziliense allowed for a morphological comparison of the eggs of A. braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, and Ancylostoma tubaeforme. The length, width, and perimeter were determined for images of 10 eggs each of A. braziliense from the feces of a dog infected with a canine isolate and a cat infected with a feline isolate, A. caninum from dog feces, and A. tubaeforme from cat feces. The specific identity of the eggs was verified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism by using HinfI and RsaI restriction digests followed by gel electrophoresis and sequencing. The mean (±SD) length, width, and perimeter and the length-to-width ratio (±SD) (all measurements are in micrometers) for the eggs of each species were as follows: A. braziliense eggs (combined cat and dog source), 53.03 ± 2.33, 36.37 ± 1.35, 140.43 ± 2.56, and 1.46 ± 0.11; A. caninum eggs, 63.92 ± 5.28, 39.21 ± 1.52, 161.99 ± 9.30, and...
Molecular beam epitaxy technology of III-V compound semiconductors for optoelectronic applications

Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is a highly precise and versatile crystal growth technique. Since the first demonstration of quantum-well and superlattice structures in the early 1970's, MBE has continuously played a pivotal role in the development of innovative key optoelectronic devices. The advances in real-time feedback growth control make the MBE technique suitable for the demanding manufacturing environment. This paper reviews the principle and status of MBE technology with emphasis on III-V compound semiconductors for optoelectronic applications.
Circuit size optimization with multiple sources of variation and position dependant correlation

The growing impact of process variation on circuit performance requires statistical design approaches in which circuits are designed and optimized subject to an estimated variation. Previous work [1] has shown that by including extra margins in each of the gate delays and optimizing the gate sizes, the circuit delay variation can be reduced by half. Our work goes further by deploying extended models that include delay variations due to V th and L eff , as well as position dependant variation. Two types of models have been proposed to account for various variations: 1) a model that explicitly adds spatial correlation terms to the design objective; 2) a model that implicitly includes such effect through the use of a modified version of Pelgrom's model. These design models are used to size a 32-bit Ladner-Fischer adder and the circuit delay distributions are obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. The analysis shows that both types of models have a noticeable performance improvements over the model presented in [1]. In addition, the second model appears to be a more adequate method for modeling various variation components and has a better performance over the first model; the drawback is a more complicated object function.
Effect of tire rubber particles on crack propagation in cement paste

Tire rubber particles (NaOH-treated and untreated) were investigated as possible crack stabilizer and toughness enhancer when added to cement paste through in situ crack propagation measurements using two different types of cement, type I/II and an Interground polypropylene Fiber Cement (IFC). Crack deflection and crack bridging were observed in specimens with untreated rubber in cement type I/II. Crack tip mechanisms associated with crack pinning and acrack arrest were present in type I/II cement and IFC with treated rubber particles. Crack tip mechanisms in IFC with treated rubber lead to the increase in CMOD at the ultimate load level. Crack wake mechanisms in IFC with untreated or treated rubber lead to strain hardening and strain softening behavior. Crack wake bridging mechanisms were replaced by multiple cracking mechanisms in the IFC specimens with treated rubber. The IFC specimens with untreated rubber inclusions provided the best results with respect to toughness enhancement.
In vitro fertilization (IVF): a review of 3 decades of clinical innovation and technological advancement

In vitro fertilization, popularly referred to as IVF, has captured the attention of the public since its sensational introduction in 1978. Today assisted reproductive technology is available throughout most of the civilized world, and the practice is largely different from that used during the early days. Refinements in laboratory technology and clinical practice have allowed IVF to evolve into a medical procedure that is efficient, safe, readily accessible, and relatively affordable. More than 2 million IVF children have been born to date, and it is likely that continued enhancements will widen its appeal and applicability.
Influence of Subfacet Heterogeneity and Material Properties on the Urban Surface Energy Budget

AbstractUrban facets—the walls, roofs, and ground in built-up terrain—are often conceptualized as homogeneous surfaces, despite the obvious variability in the composition and material properties of the urban fabric at the subfacet scale. This study focuses on understanding the influence of this subfacet heterogeneity, and the associated influence of different material properties, on the urban surface energy budget. The Princeton Urban Canopy Model, which was developed with the ability to capture subfacet variability, is evaluated at sites of various building densities and then applied to simulate the energy exchanges of each subfacet with the atmosphere over a densely built site. The analyses show that, although all impervious built surfaces convert most of the incoming energy into sensible heat rather than latent heat, sensible heat fluxes from asphalt pavements and dark rooftops are 2 times as high as those from concrete surfaces and light-colored roofs. Another important characteristic of urban areas—t...
The Field of Eyewitness Memory Should Abandon Probative Value and Embrace Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis.

Clark (2012) highlights an important issue that has received inadequate attention in the eyewitness memory literature: lineup procedures that reduce the false identification rate (a desirable effec...
A digital simulation strategy for the block-structured control systems

A hybrid strategy utilizing the equivalent-transition, fitting-transition, and predictor-corrector methods is developed for simulating a block-structured system. A block-structured control system is a coupling of functional blocks. Each of these functional blocks stands for a subsystem in the original system. In control systems, a functional block can be classified into two categories: linear and nonlinear. Linear blocks (i.e. units described by differential equations, state-space models, differentiators, etc.) and nonlinear blocks (i.e. units described by algebraic functions) are discussed. The simulation strategy is developed to analyze general control systems. >
Familial and Parental Clinical Characteristics

In this chapter the characteristics of both parents are explored, and associations between features of the clinical disorder and children’s dysfunction are examined. Factors such as greater severity or chronicity of maternal disorder, as well as earlier age of onset, may indicate a more pernicious course that is likely to influence risk to children. The characteristics of first-degree relatives of the parents also are considered. Evidence of “loaded” family pedigrees may imply different outcomes for children. Finally, characteristics of the biological fathers of the children in the study are explored and discussed in relation to children’s outcomes.
Nitrogen-Fixing Endophytic Bacteria for Improved Plant Growth

The interior of plants provides habitat for a wide range of bacteria and fungi (endophytes) that benefit the plant host in a variety of ways including by phytohormone production, pollutant degradation, increasing nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and pathogen resistance. The use of nitrogen-fixing (diazotrophic) endophytes has the potential of decreasing our dependency on synthetic nitrogen fertilizer that has a number of negative effects on the environment. Nitrogen fixed biologically by plant-symbiotic bacteria is ecologically friendly and has been effectively exploited for important leguminous crop species, but associations of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria with non-legume crop species have only recently been investigated. Nitrogen-fixing microorganisms have been isolated from food crops including sugarcane, rice, maize, sweet potato, and coffee, and from bioenergy crops including poplar and willow. Unlike the legume–rhizobium symbiosis in which nitrogen fixation occurs in concentrated areas (root nodules), the plant–endophyte symbiosis is more challenging to decipher with the microorganisms living throughout the plant interior. Research on the association of nitrogen-fixing bacteria in non-legumes could lead to an understanding of how to utilize diazotrophic endophytes to positively impact many types of crops, with the long-term goal of providing a sound method for improving crop growth while lessening our dependence on environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers.
Longitudinal associations between residential mobility and early academic skills among low-income children

Abstract The present study examines the direct and indirect relations between residential mobility during the year prior to kindergarten and academic skills (math, letter-word identification, and spelling) in the early elementary years for children from low-income families. Data were obtained from the Head Start Impact Study. The sample included 3627 children (50% male) who were eligible for Head Start. At baseline, children were on average a little over 4-years-old ( M = 49.12 months, SD = 6.79). The sample was ethnically/racially diverse and had a range of maternal education levels. Residential mobility was conceptualized as either not moving (70% of the sample) or moving one or more times (30% of the sample) during prekindergarten. Data were collected at baseline (fall of 2002) and in the spring of prekindergarten, kindergarten and 1st grade. When controlling for a set of demographic, family, and child covariates, results from three separate path analyses indicated that mobility had consistently negative associations with children’s academic skills but that these links were quite small, especially when looking beyond the prekindergarten year. Mobility during prekindergarten had small direct associations with all three skill areas (math, letter-word identification, spelling) at the end of prekindergarten, and significant but even smaller links with two of the three skills at the end of kindergarten and 1st grade. In addition, mobility had small indirect relations with all three skill areas in kindergarten and 1st grade, mediated through these same skills in prekindergarten and kindergarten. Implications of study findings for supporting low-income families and directions for future research are discussed.
Biogeochemistry of Tidal Freshwater Wetlands

Abstract The biogeochemistry of tidal freshwater wetlands is unique in the coastal landscape because of their position at the limit of tidal influence, where processes are influenced by both tidal flushing and the chemical milieu of freshwater. In this chapter, we describe the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silicon in tidal freshwater wetlands and how these cycles are affected by major biotic (e.g., plant and microbial communities) and abiotic drivers (e.g., organic matter chemistry, environmental conditions). Carbon cycling is a fundamental driver of biogeochemical transformations in ecosystems. Primary production largely establishes the upper limit of heterotrophic activity, whereas decomposition drives the release or retention of nitrogen and other nutrients in organic matter. The quantity and lability of organic carbon plays an important role in regulating microbial transformations such as denitrification. Much of the study of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in tidal freshwater wetlands has focused on the role of these ecosystems in improving water quality (e.g., through denitrification and trapping of particulate phosphorus) and controlling wetland primary productivity, with additional research addressing the transformations between organic and inorganic forms that can affect nutrient availability and soil storage. The open hydrology of tidal freshwater wetlands means that transformations that occur within wetland soils can influence adjacent riverine and estuarine systems. For example, tidal freshwater wetlands are an important location for the transformation of silicon from biogenic to dissolved forms, increasing the availability of silicon to aquatic primary producers. As environmental conditions change, the biogeochemistry of tidal freshwater wetlands is likely to be altered, leading to shifts in how these ecosystems perform valuable ecosystem functions (e.g., carbon storage, nutrient removal) and affect global climate.
Recognizing and preventing childhood obesity: Challenging pediatricians with averting this epidemic even in their littlest patients.

Childhood obesity is one of the most challenging problems facing pediatricians today. Approximately 10% of children younger than 2 years old and 21% of children between 2 and 5 years of age are overweight.1 However, there are disparities in the prevalence of childhood obesity. For example, non-Hispanic black and Hispanic preschool-aged children have a higher prevalence of obesity than non-Hispanic white children; in older children, socioeconomic disparities also exist.2,3 Young children with excess weight have an increased risk for obesity in the future.4 Unfortunately, few effective treatments exist for children who already are overweight. Therefore, prevention of obesity is paramount. How early should prevention begin? Experts have suggested that gestation to early infancy is a critical period in which physiologic changes occur that greatly influence a child’s later risk for obesity.5 Will recognizing the early signs and red flags associated with the development of obesity lead to a change in the growth trajectory and long-term health of the next generation?
Shock compression of a polyvinylchloride based elastomer and polyvinylchloride

Shock compression of a polyvinychloride based elastomer, commercially known as Isodamp, to 7.8 GPa, shows evidence for an onset of glass transition around 3.5 GPa. The values of pressure derivatives of bulk modulus of Isodamp below and above the transition pressure are 9.36 and 2.21, respectively.
A Fourth-Order Scheme for the Compressible Navier-Stokes Equations

This study focuses on a fourth-order nite-volume scheme to solve the compressible Navier-Stokes equations on a Cartesian grid. Two approaches for handling boundary conditions are presented, one approach employs one-sided-di erence methods and the other approach almost completely supports using centered-di erence methods everywhere. Both approaches are genuinely fourth-order in space and time for the treatment of viscous terms. For time integration, a fourth-order Runge-Kutta method is used. The fourth-order scheme was applied to an unsteady boundary layer at plate ow and the solution accuracy was qualitatively veri ed.
The Effects of the Louisiana Scholarship Program on Student Achievement after Two Years

The Louisiana Scholarship Program (LSP) is a statewide initiative offering publicly-funded vouchers to enroll in local private schools to students in low-performing schools with family income no greater than 250 percent of the poverty line. Initially established in 2008 as a pilot program in New Orleans, the LSP was expanded statewide in 2012. This paper examines the experimental effects of using an LSP scholarship to enroll in a private school on student achievement in the first two years following the program’s expansion. Our results indicate that the use of an LSP scholarship has negatively impacted both ELA and math achievement, although only the latter estimates are statistically significant. Moreover, we observe less negative effect estimates in the second year of the program.
Toxicities of several insecticides on Musca domestica and Blattella germanica

Objective To test toxicities of several insecticides on susceptible strains of Musca domestica and Blattella germanica in the laboratory. Methods Topical application. Results The abamectin showed the strongest toxicity to Musca domestica and LD50 was 0.004 μg/♀, which were 3.0, 3.5, 13.8, 30.0 and 40.0 fold of it for the fipronil, cypermethrin, spinosad, indoxacarb and chlorfenapyr respectively. The most toxic insecticide to Blattella germanica was fipronil and LD50 was 0.004 μg/♂, which was 1.3, 2.3, 30.0, 102.5 and 692.5 fold of it for the fipronil, cypermethrin, spinosad, chlorfenapyr and indoxacarb respectively. Conclusion These insecticides showed great effect on controlling Musca domestica and Blattella germanica.
Financial Innovation Based on Reciprocity:the Sustainable Development of Rural Microfinance in China

Game theory and behavior economics are both applied to the analysis on the sustainable development of rural microfinance in China.It is found that microfinance is not only the foundation of the "Rational Player" hypotheses in games theory,but also an important factor of mutual beneficiation between institutions and farmers.The key to micro credit rests on the exterior environment(macro,middle micro),instead of farmers themselves.
Etiological analysis of HFMD in Linhai in 2010-2011

Objective To understand the etiological features of HFMD in Linhai from 2010 to 2011.Methods Throat-swab specimens collected periodically from clinically diagnosed HFMD cases in sentinel hospitals were tested for enterovirus(EV)RNA by real-time RT-PCR.Results Out of 157 specimens tested,112 were EV positive with the positive rate of 71.34%.Among those positive samples,there were 28 found to be EV71 positive(25.89%)and 33 to be coxA16 positive(29.46%).Most of HFMD patients were under the age of 5,which accounted for 95.54% cases.The positive rates of EV71 and coxA16 were 17.44% and 24.42% in 2010 and 18.31% and 16.90% in 2011 with no significant differences between 2010 abd 2011.Also the positive rate of EV was higher among male cases compared to that of female ones.Severe cases were all EV positive.A typical dynamic change of etiological feature was spotted from 2010 to 2011.Conclusions EV71 and coxA16 were the major pathogens of HFMD in Linhai city.Children under 5 were more vulnerable to EV infection.EV71 was the major pathogen of severe HFMD.
Juggling family and career: parents’ pathways to a balanced and happy life

Welcoming a child into the family is often met with new challenges to balance the demands of the parents’ careers with the needs of their families. Parents may be confronted with seemingly endless tasks associated with caring for a child – arranging childcare, preparing meals, and sleepless nights in the early years. Without any adjustments to demanding work schedules – early meetings, project deadlines, and concerns about maintaining productivity – parents may feel overwhelmed with the sheer number of unavoidable daily tasks. Perhaps not surprisingly, more than half of workers report difficulties balancing the responsibilities of work and family (Parker and Wang, 2013), and parents frequently experience fatigue associated with being ‘on call’ 24/7 (Feldman and Nash, 1984). Despite these stresses, however, we suggest that both work and family provide unique benefits, and, that when parents can maximize the benefits and minimize the stresses, they will achieve work–life balance and wellbeing. Drawing from research on work–life interaction (e.g., Eby et al., 2010, for a review), parenthood (e.g., Nelson et al., 2014a), and ways to improve wellbeing (e.g., Lyubomirsky and Layous, 2013), we suggest multiple strategies for parents to juggle family and career and lead full, balanced, and happy lives.
Strategies in the Microsurgical Management of Brachial Plexus Injuries

The authors’ experience in the management of brachial plexus injuries over three periods of evolution is presented. Developments in microsurgery have expanded the strategies in brachial plexus management, and these are discussed in full.
Approximate solutions to the inverse normal mode problem

abstract Observed normal mode periods in the range 1.388 min to 53.90 min are compared to two approximate solutions to the inverse normal mode problem. Each solution fits the observed periods with an r.m.s. relative error less than 3.1 × 10 −3 and a maximum relative error less than 1.29 × 10 −2 . Each solution fits the observed mantle surface wave periods with a maximum relative error less than 3.9 × 10 −3 , a phase velocity error of 0.016 km/sec. The two solutions have S velocity distributions in the upper mantle that have a mean relative difference of 1.5 × 10 −2 and a maximum relative difference of 2.8 × 10 −2 . The mantle surface wave periods of the two solutions have a maximum relative difference of 8.5 × 10 −4 , a phase velocity difference of 0.004 km/sec. The structural details of the two solutions are significantly different in the upper mantle. Two additional solutions are presented for mantle surface wave modes in the period range 1.388 min to 6.044 min. The spectrum of each solution fits the data with a maximum relative error less than 2.2 × 10 −3 , a phase velocity error of 0.009 km/sec. The spectra of the two solutions have a maximum relative difference of 4.0 × 10 −4 , a phase velocity difference of 0.002 km/sec. Both solutions have a zone of low-shear velocity with a minimum at a depth of 86 km. Other features of the two solutions are dissimilar.
Overview of the Cornea: Structure, Function, and Development

The cornea is a transparent tissue with significant refractive and barrier functions. The epithelium serves as the principal barrier to fluid and pathogens, a function performed through production of tight junctions, and constant repopulation through differentiation and maturation of dividing cells in its basal cell layer. It is supported posteriorly by basement membrane and Bowman's layer and assists in maintenance of stromal dehydration. The stroma composes the majority of corneal volume, provides support and clarity, and assists in ocular immunity. The posterior cornea, composed of Descemet membrane and endothelium, is essential for stromal dehydration, maintained through tight junctions and endothelial pumps. Corneal development begins with primitive formation of epithelium and lens, followed by waves of migration from cells of neural crest origin between these two structures to produce the stroma and endothelium. Descemet membrane is secreted by the latter and gradually thickens.
Gliwicz, J. (ed.). 2002. Theriology at the Turn of the Century. Acta Theriologica, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mammal Research Institute, Bialowieza, Poland, Vol. 47, Supplement 1, 244 pp. Price (paper), $22.00

J. Gliwicz (ed.). 2002. Theriology at the Turn of the Century. Acta Theriologica, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mammal Research Institute, Bialowieza, Poland, Vol. 47, Supplement 1, 244 pp. Price (paper), $22.00. This volume is a festschrift to honor 2 extraordinary contributors to mammalogy in general and the discipline in Poland in particular. Zdzislaw Pucek and Roman Andrzejewski have each been publishing in the field of mammalogy for more than 45 years. These gentlemen, and numerous colleagues in Poland and neighboring countries, were part of a magnificent group of scientists who accomplished both excellent empirical studies and significant modeling efforts for a number of decades under Soviet domination. These efforts, largely on the ecology of small mammals, are clearly a major feature of the biological sciences in Eastern Europe during the Soviet era. There are 13 contributed articles arranged in 3 sections. The title of the volume is a bit misleading in that the topics are rather selected and do not cover the range of topics found in mammalogy. However, Gliwicz notes this discrepancy in a fine preface that illuminates the rationale for the volume and its contributors. The articles themselves are, for the most part, quite thought provoking and worthwhile. All articles are authored primarily by senior scientists, so there often is a historical perspective on individual topics. Admittedly I have a bias, but I liked the 1st section best. It includes 6 articles on ecology, …
Computational Study of the Radical Mediated Mechanism of the Formation of C8, C5, and C4 Guanine:Lysine Adducts in the Presence of the Benzophenone Photosensitizer.

The oxidation of guanine by triplet benzophenone in the presence of lysine has been shown to produce mono- and dilysine-substituted spiroiminodihydantion products, 8-Lys-Sp and 5,8-diLys-Sp. The potential energy surfaces for C8, C5, and C4 nucleophilic addition have been mapped out using the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of density functional theory with the SMD solvation model and employing methylamine as a model for the side chain of lysine. Enthalpies, barrier heights, pKa’s, and reduction potentials were calculated for intermediates to find the lowest energy paths. For neutral methylamine plus guanine radical and neutral methylamine radical plus guanine, the barrier for addition at C8 is ca. 10 kcal/mol lower than that for addition at C5 and C4. The barriers for water addition at C8, C5, and C4 of guanine radical are 13–20 kcal/mol higher than that for methylamine addition at C8. Further oxidation and loss of a proton leads to 8-methylaminoguanine, the methylamino analogue of 8-oxo-7,8-di...
Multi-Institutional Experience of Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy for Stage I Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose For inoperable stage I (T1-T2N0) small cell lung cancer (SCLC), national guidelines recommend chemotherapy with or without conventionally fractionated radiation therapy. The present multi-institutional cohort study investigated the role of stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for this population. Methods and Materials The clinical and treatment characteristics, toxicities, outcomes, and patterns of failure were assessed in patients with histologically confirmed stage T1-T2N0M0 SCLC. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the survival outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified predictors of outcomes. Results From 24 institutions, 76 lesions were treated in 74 patients (median follow-up 18 months). The median age and tumor size was 72 years and 2.5 cm, respectively. Chemotherapy and prophylactic cranial irradiation were delivered in 56% and 23% of cases, respectively. The median SABR dose and fractionation was 50 Gy and 5 fractions. The 1- and 3-year local control rate was 97.4% and 96.1%, respectively. The median disease-free survival (DFS) duration was 49.7 months. The DFS rate was 58.3% and 53.2% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. The median, 1-year, and 3-year disease-specific survival was 52.3 months, 84.5%, and 64.4%, respectively. The median, 1-year, and 3-year overall survival (OS) was 17.8 months, 69.9%, and 34.0% respectively. Patients receiving chemotherapy experienced an increased median DFS (61.3 vs 9.0 months; P =.02) and OS (31.4 vs 14.3 months; P =.02). The receipt of chemotherapy independently predicted better outcomes for DFS/OS on multivariate analysis ( P =.01). Toxicities were uncommon; 5.2% experienced grade ≥2 pneumonitis. Post-treatment failure was most commonly distant (45.8% of recurrence), followed by nodal (25.0%) and "elsewhere lung" (20.8%). The median time to each was 5 to 7 months. Conclusions From the findings of the largest report of SABR for stage T1-T2N0 SCLC to date, SABR (≥50 Gy) with chemotherapy should be considered a standard option.
Uncertainty in simulated groundwater-quality trends in transient flow

In numerical modeling of groundwater flow, the result of a given solution method is affected by the way in which transient flow conditions and geologic heterogeneity are simulated. An algorithm is demonstrated that simulates breakthrough curves at a pumping well by convolution-based particle tracking in a transient flow field for several synthetic basin-scale aquifers. In comparison to grid-based (Eulerian) methods, the particle (Lagrangian) method is better able to capture multimodal breakthrough caused by changes in pumping at the well, although the particle method may be apparently nonlinear because of the discrete nature of particle arrival times. Trial-and-error choice of number of particles and release times can perhaps overcome the apparent nonlinearity. Heterogeneous aquifer properties tend to smooth the effects of transient pumping, making it difficult to separate their effects in parameter estimation. Porosity, a new parameter added for advective transport, can be accurately estimated using both grid-based and particle-based methods, but predictions can be highly uncertain, even in the simple, nonreactive case.
L ife-cycle modeling for adaptive and variant design. Part 1: Methodology

Life-cycle modeling for design (LCMD) is a methodology for assessing the life-cycle impacts for a complex product with many individual components starting from initial design phases when few design specifications have been made. The methodology combines life-cycle assessment (LCA) with probabilistic design methods in a way that forecasts attributes of possible final designs yet reduces information needs. Specifically, LCMD is a methodology for generating arrays of design scenarios that communicate the range of designs being considered by a design team, and estimating missing data for those design scenarios. The main contribution to enhancing standard LCA is the incorporation of methods to estimate physical attributes of individual components for various design options and in four analyses for evaluating the arrays of design scenarios. An automotive case study presented in part 2 of this work demonstrates one application of LCMD.
A Blueprint for an Ecosystem for Supporting High Quality Education for Engineering

This paper presents the idea and a proposed implementation of a network of Gurukuls or Centers of Excellence for engineering education in India. Facilitated by Indo Universal Collaboration for Engineering Education (IUCEE) in partnership with institutions in India, the IUCEE Gurukuls for Learning and Outcomes Based Education (iGLOBE) program addresses a vital need for institutions to develop self-reliance towards achieving excellence in engineering education. The primary role of the Gurukul in an institution is to provide an ecosystem for faculty development in a manner that will directly contribute to enhance students' learning experience. The mission of the Gurukul is to guide and mentor its faculty in improving their teaching and learning methods, in implementing outcomes based education and in conducting engineering education research. There is a large body of literature available on effective teaching and learning through engineering education conference proceedings and journals, and in wider outlets.However, one of the key observations over the last two decades is that adoption of research based instructional techniques into engineering classrooms is extremely low. We believe that the main reason for such non-adoption is that potential adopters are unable to contextualize the pedagogical research. The paper lays out a vision for a network of discipline-based education researchers to contextualize and coordinate efforts between the Gurukuls and participants/practitioners. The paper considers lessons learned and best practices from efforts in the United States and lays out a blueprint for catalyzing high quality instruction in engineering colleges in India.
Plasma fatty acyl-carnitines during 8 weeks of overfeeding: relation to diet energy expenditure and body composition: the PROOF study.

Abstract Objective Overfeeding is a strategy for evaluating the effects of excess energy intake. In this secondary analysis we tested the possibility that different levels of dietary protein might differentially modify the response of fatty acyl-carnitines to overfeeding. Methods Twenty-three healthy adult men and women were overfed by 40% for 8 weeks while in-patients with diets containing 5% (LPD), 15% (NPD) or 25% (HPD) protein. Plasma fatty acyl-carnitines were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) at baseline and after 8 weeks of overfeeding. Measurements included: body composition by DXA, energy expenditure by ventilated hood and doubly-labeled water, fat cell size from subcutaneous fat biopsies, and fat distribution by CT scan. Results Analysis was done on 5 groups of fatty acyl-carnitines identified by principal components analysis and 6 individual short-chain fatty acyl carnitines. Higher protein intake was associated with significantly lower 8 week levels of medium chain fatty acids and C2, C4-OH and C 6:1, but higher values of C3 and C5:1 acyl-carnitines derived from essential amino acids. In contrast energy and fat intake were only weakly related to changes in fatty acyl-carnitines. A decease or smaller rise in 8 week medium chain acyl-carnitines was associated with an increase in sleeping energy expenditure (P = 0.0004), and fat free mass (P Conclusion Protein intake was the major factor influencing changes in fatty acyl carnitines during overfeeding with higher values of most acyl-fatty acids on the low protein diet. The association of dietary protein and fat intake may explain the changes in energy expenditure and metabolic variables resulting in the observed patterns of fatty acyl carnitines
Developing Shared Appraisals of Diabetes Risk Through Family Health History Feedback: The Case of Mexican-Heritage Families.

Background Collecting complete and accurate family health history is critical to preventing type 2 diabetes. Purpose We seek to identify the optimal risk feedback approach that facilitates risk communication between parents and their adult children and helps them develop shared appraisals of family history of type 2 diabetes. Methods In a sample of parent-adult child dyads from 125 Mexican-heritage families residing in Houston, Texas, we examine change in parent-child dyadic (dis)agreement with respect to their shared family health history from baseline to 10 months after receipt of risk feedback generated by Family Healthware. A 2 × 2 factorial design is applied to test how the recipient (one parent or all family members) and the content (risk assessment with or without behavioral recommendations) of the feedback affect (dis)agreement through interpersonal ties, particularly dyadic risk communication. Results Providing risk assessment without behavioral recommendations to the parent, but not the adult child, shifts the dyads toward agreement (relative risk ratio [RRR]= 1.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.18-2.67]), by activating reciprocal risk communication between parents and children (RRR =2.70, 95% CI [1.81-4.03]). Dyads with close interpersonal ties are more likely to shift toward agreement (RRR = 3.09, 95% CI [1.89-5.07]). Conclusion Programs aimed at improving family health history knowledge and accuracy of reports should tailor risk feedback strategically for better intervention effect and leverage a network approach in disease prevention among at-risk minority and/or immigrant populations. Trial registration number NCT00469339.
Delivery of Methotrexate and Characterization of Skin Treated by Fabricated PLGA Microneedles and Fractional Ablative Laser.

This study investigated in vitro transdermal delivery of methotrexate through dermatomed porcine ear and cadaver human skin treated with poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) acid microneedles or fractional ablative laser. PLGA microneedles were fabricated and characterized using scanning electron microscopy and mechanical assessment techniques. The integrity of treated skin was evaluated by rheometer, transepidermal water loss, and skin electrical resistance measurements. Successful skin microporation was demonstrated by dye binding, histology, pore uniformity, confocal laser microscopy, and DermaScan studies. In vitro permeation experiment was performed on Franz diffusion cells to determine drug delivery into and across the skin. Both physical treatments resulted in a considerable decrease in skin resistance and an increase in transepidermal water loss value. The laser-created microchannels were significantly larger than those formed by microneedles (p < 0.05). An effective force of 41.04 ± 18.33 N was required to achieve 100% penetration efficiency of the microneedles. For both porcine ear and human skin, laser ablation provided a significantly higher methotrexate permeability into the receptor chamber and skin layers compared to microneedle poration and untreated skin (p < 0.05). Both fractional ablative laser and polymeric microneedles markedly enhanced in vitro transdermal delivery of methotrexate into and across skin.
Physiology of Mitochondria

This chapter discusses the physiology of mitochondria. It is mentioned that the complex of enzymes that couples substrate oxidation to adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis is located in mitochondria, The chapter discusses several concepts related to the physiological setting of mitochondria—namely, chemiosmotic theory, factors of respiration rate in cells, factors of the rate of ATP synthesis in cells, ion leaks in mitochondria, mitochondrial proton cycle and the uncoupling proteins, anion exchange carriers, mitochondrial calcium cycle, mitochondrial potassium cycle, physiological role of MitOK ATP in heart, MitOK ATP as the end effector of protection, against ischemia-reperfusion injury, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), and mitochondrial involvement in apoptosis. Mitochondria have their own unique physiology, which is directed toward maintenance of vesicular integrity and proper functioning in energy transduction. The setting in which this physiology takes place is explained by the elegant postulates of the chemiosmotic theory. The very high electrical membrane potential required for ATP synthesis is stated to have particular importance. The internal aqueous compartment of mitochondria, called the matrix , contains the enzymes of the Krebs tricarboxylic acid cycle. The matrix is enclosed by a highly folded, insulating membrane called the inner membrane , and this structure is separated from the cytosol by a more permeable outer membrane. The electrical driving force causes significant inward leak of protons, which dissipates energy and reduces the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. The high membrane potential also drives significant diffusive uptake of K + across the membrane, resulting in osmotic swelling of the matrix and threatening the vesicular integrity of the organelle. The high driving force for K + uptake has also been exploited to drive K + inward through the highly regulated K ATP channel. Mitochondria have exploited the high membrane potential to drive Ca 2+ rapidly, both inward, via the Ca 2+ channel, and outward, via the Na + - Ca 2+ antiporter. The mitochondrial Ca 2+ cycle, thus, allows oscillatory cytosolic Ca 2+ signals to be transmitted to the matrix, where the high frequency of oscillations causes sustained activation of enzymes that synthesize NADH, a major substrate for the electron transport chain. The great resurgence of interest in mitochondrial physiology is because of the realization that mitochondria play a more central role in pathophysiology than previously thought. The apoptotic pathway is activated by cytochrome “c” and other proteins released from the intermembrane space. The new uncoupling proteins are thought to participate in the pathways that regulate body weight.
HYDROGEN ENERGY SCENARIO

Predictions on a “Hydrogen Energy Scenario” are dependent on the primary energy source and time frame. Hydrogen energy systems (production, transmission, storage and conversion) will have the biggest impact in the “Nuclear, Solar and Fusion Era,” somewhat less in the “Coal Era” and still less in the “Natural Gas and Petroleum Era.” Water electrolysis and fuel cell technologies will play a predominant role in a “Hydrogen Economy.” Methods to approach ideal efficiencies and lower capital costs of water electrolyzers include development of technologies utilizing solid polymer or solid oxide electrolytes, as well as increasing operating temperature and using better electrocatalysts in alkaline electrolytes. The phosphoric acid fuel cell power plants are in advanced states of development for utilization as peaking devices, spinning reserves and as total energy (electric and thermal) systems. Molten carbonate and solid electrolyte fuel cell power plants, coupled with coal gasifiers, are being developed for base load and intermediate load power generation, as well as for cogeneration of electricity and heat. In a “Hydrogen Economy” fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicles provide a promising option as replacements for internal combustion and diesel engine powered vehicles. The reformed methanol-air phosphoric acid fuel cell and the hydrogen-air alkaline electrolyte fuel cell appear to be the most likely candidates for these types of electric vehicles.