cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive value of autologous Serum testing (AST) in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)

Abstract Rationale Auto immune mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of CIU. This study is to assess the clinical predictive value of Autologous Serum testing (AST) in patients with chronic Idiopathic Urticaria (CIU). Methods 74 adult patients (32 males, 42 females) in the age range of 21-60 years (mean age: 42 years) with clinical diagnosis of CIU underwent AST as a part of their routine evaluation. AST was performed as per prescribed protocol. All the patiets were followed for 6 months. They were treated with H1 and H2 blocking antihistamines, anti leukotrienes (Montelukast), Immune modulators (Levamisole) and Systemic steroids in a graded manner to obtain adequate symptomatic control. Results 50/74 (70%) patients (27 females, 23 males) were found to be AST positive. Characteristics of AST positive patients included: History of angioedema (19/50), Dermographism (12/50), Diabetes mellitus type2 (13/50), food sensitivity (9/50), longer duration of symptoms (3.01 years vs 1.88 years), need for Immunomodulators (25/50), use of systemic Steroids (10/50). Conclusions (1) AST is useful in predicting the duration and severity of CIU. (2) AST can be used to assess the need for Immunomodulators and systemic Steroids to achieve clinical control.
Neurotensin levels and receptors in HAS and LAS rat brains: Effects of ethanol

Previous studies of neurotensin (NT) levels and NT receptor densities in specific brain regions of mice selectively bred for differences in sensitivity to ethanol have shown that NTergic processes may mediate some actions of ethanol. In the present study, we have determined the levels of NT and NT receptor densities in specific brain regions of HAS and LAS rats that have been selectively bred for differences in sensitivity to ethanol-induced loss of righting response. Regional differences in NT levels were observed in brains from both HAS and LAS rats and values in hypothalamus, ventral midbrain, and nucleus accumbens from female rats were 25 to 75% higher than levels in corresponding regions from male rats. However, there were no significant line differences in NT-ir levels in corresponding regions from HAS and LAS animals. High-affinity binding (NTH Bmax values), measured by Scatchard analyses, were higher in ventral midbrain from HAS males than from LAS males. NTH receptor densities were higher in HAS males than in HAS females; sex differences were not observed in the LAS line. There were no significant line or sex differences between HAS and LAS in low-affinity (NTL) Bmax values in any brain region. In HAS females, subhypnotic doses of ethanol produced a decrease in NT levels in nucleus accumbens, whereas, hypnotic doses caused an increase in NT levels. Likewise, hypnotic doses elicited increases in NT levels in hypothalamus of female HAS and LAS, but not in ventral midbrain or caudate putamen. These results are consistent with low dose activation of mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in which NT is colocalized with dopamine and with high dose inhibition of these pathways.
Dihydrotestosterone increases hippocampal N-methyl-D-aspartate binding but does not affect choline acetyltransferase cell number in the forebrain or choline transporter levels in the CA1 region of adult male rats.

Testosterone, acting through its androgenic metabolite 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can increase dendritic spine density in the CA1 region of the male rat hippocampus. The mechanisms mediating this increase in spines are presently unknown. In female rats, estrogen (E) has been shown to increase spine density, which is in part mediated by increases in N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the CA1 region and cholinergic forebrain inputs to the hippocampus. Whether similar mechanisms are responsible for the DHT-induced increase in spines in the male remains to be determined. In the first experiment, we used [3H]glutamate NMDA receptor binding autoradiography to assess whether DHT-treated males had higher NMDA receptor levels in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, compared with oil-treated males. In the second set of experiments, we used choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to assess whether DHT could affect ChAT cell number in the forebrain. We also investigated ...
What is analytic infrastructure and why should you care

We define analytic infrastructure to be the services, applications, utilities and systems that are used for either preparing data for modeling, estimating models, validating models, scoring data, or related activities. For example, analytic infrastructure includes databases and data warehouses, statistical and data mining systems, scoring engines, grids and clouds. Note that, with this definition, analytic infrastructure does not need to be used exclusively for modeling but simply useful as part of the modeling process. In this article, we discuss the importance of analytic infrastructure and some of the standards that can be used to support analytic infrastructure. We also discuss some specialized analytic infrastructure applications and services, including applications that can manage very large datasets and build models over them and cloud based analytic services.
Influence of triiodothyronine and growth hormone on growth of dwarf and normal chickens: Interactions of hormones and genotype

The effects of dietary triiodothyronine (T3), injections of a preparation of growth hormone (GH) (purified from chicken pituitary tissue) and their combination on growth were investigated in three lines of chickens. The three lines were the Cornell K strain (K) (a single Comb White Leghorn strain), the Cornell K strain hemizygous for the sex-linked dwarfing gene (SLD), and the Cornell K strain homozygous recessive for the autosomal dwarfing gene (ADW). A dietary T3 treatment by genotype interaction was observed. Dietary T3 (0.1 ppm) decreased growth in the K line, tended to decrease growth in the ADW line while it tended to increase growth in the SLD line. Chicken growth hormone (100 micrograms/kg body wt) alone did not affect growth in any of the lines studied. There was, however, a GH treatment by T3 treatment interaction. Chicken GH overcame the growth-depressing effects of T3 in the K and ADW lines while it tended to promote growth in T3 treated SLD birds. Dwarf (SLD) chickens had higher basal circulating GH concentrations, lower circulating immunoreactive somatomedin C concentrations, and lower circulating T3 concentrations than the K or ADW chickens.
Training scientists in a science center improves science communication to the public.

the language of science is inherently academic and often inefficient in its delivery of key concepts to nonscientists (10a). When President Obama spoke at the National Academy of Sciences in April 2009 (15b), he issued the following call to think of new ways to engage young people in science,
Robert K. Merton's perspective on priority and the provision of the public good knowledge

This essay examines Robert K. Merton's perspective on how priority relates to the provision of the public good knowledge. Economists have long been interested in the provision of the class of goods that are referred to as “public.” By definition, public goods are not used up when consumed and are goods from which it is difficult to exclude potential users. The provision of public goods presents special challenges to the market that do not exist in the provision of private goods. Scientific research has properties of a public good. Merton recognized the public nature of science. In this he was not alone. The genius of Merton is that he not only recognized that science has properties of a public good but stood the public-private distinction on its head, proposing that the reward structure of science, based on priority, functioned to make a public good private. In economic terms, Merton recognized that it is the public nature of knowledge that facilitates establishing the idea as the private property of the scientist.
Multigrid with inexact minimal residual smoothing acceleration

Abstract We introduce some inexact versions of the minimal residual smoothing (IMRS) technique to accelerate the standard multigrid convergence. These are modified versions of the minimal residual smoothing (MRS) technique introduced in a recent paper (Zhang, to appear). The IMRS acceleration schemes minimize the residual norm of the multigrid iterate in a subspace and reduce the cost of the standard MRS acceleration by about 40% for two-dimensional problems and frequently achieve even faster convergence. Numerical experiments are employed to compare the performance of the exact and the inexact minimal residual smoothing schemes.
A technique for the identification of linear systems

An iterative technique is proposed to identify a linear system from samples of its input and output in the presence of noise by minimizing the mean-square error between system and model outputs. The model chosen has a transfer function which is a ratio of polynomials in z-1. Although the regression equations for the optimal set of coefficients are highly nonlinear and intractable, it is shown that the problem can be reduced to the repeated solution of a related linear problem. Computer simulation of a number of typical discrete systems is used to demonstrate the considerable improvement over the Kalman estimate which can be obtained in a few iterations. The procedure is found to be effective at signal-to-noise ratios less than unity, and with as few as 200 samples of the input and output records.
Attentional fixation in panic disorder.

According to Beck's (1988) clinical observations, patients with panic disorder describe a fixation on their distressing physical and psychological symptoms and an inability to access corrective information during panic attacks. The present study sought to evaluate empirically the notion that attentional fixation is characteristic of these patients. A subset of panic patients participating in 3 cognitive therapy clinical trials completed the Attentional Fixation Questionnaire (AFQ) at intake, during treatment and at termination. The AFQ had adequate internal consistency at all time intervals, and it correlated positively with measures of depression, anxiety and distorted cognitive content. At termination, the AFQ total score and nearly all single items decreased significantly, and patients who continued to meet diagnostic criteria for panic disorder scored higher on most items than patients who no longer met diagnostic criteria for panic disorder. These preliminary data suggest that attentional fixation is...
An online parameter and property database for the TraPPE force field

The transferable potentials for phase equilibria (TraPPE) force field aims to be accurate, computationally efficient and applicable to a wide range of chemical compounds, state points and thermophy...
Soluble inhibitory factor (SIF) in normal human serum

Abstract We have previously noted that dividing T cells release soluble inhibitory factor (SIF) into culture fluids. SIF was distinguished from most other suppressor factors by consisting of two components: a protein and a glycolipid, lipid suppressor substance (LSS). We had noted large quantities of LSS in serum of a patient with a cutaneous lymphoma. This prompted the present study in which SIF was found in normal human serum in a fraction derived by ethanol precipitation. The SIF complex reduced uptake of [ 3 H]thymidine into mixed leukocyte culture (MLC) by 77%. SIF from serum (SIF-serum) resembled SIF in culture fluids (SIF-sup) by chromatography and function at all stages of purification. LSS was extracted from SIF-serum, as measured by an 88% reduction of [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation into phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes. The apparent MW of SIF was between 100, 000 and 150, 000. LSS from serum was purified by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography to apparent homogeneity. The presence of SIF in normal human serum suggests that it may have an in vivo role in immune regulation.
Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate with Gleason Score 9-10 on Core Biopsy: Correlation with Findings at Radical Prostatectomy and Prognosis

Purpose: There is a paucity of data on the prognosis after radical prostatectomy for Gleason score 9-10 disease on needle biopsy. To our knowledge we report the largest study to date to specifically analyze the correlation of Gleason score 9-10 on needle core biopsy with radical prostatectomy outcomes.Materials and Methods: We identified 259 men with Gleason score 9-10 on biopsy who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1987 to 2012 at our institution. Preoperative variables analyzed were age, race, preoperative prostate specific antigen, adenocarcinoma site, perineural invasion, number of total biopsy cores, number of total positive cores, number of positive cores with Gleason score 9-10, maximum percent of core length with Gleason score 9-10 and maximum percent of adenocarcinoma overall. We determined pathological outcomes on univariate and multivariate analysis, including organ confinement, seminal vesicle invasion, margin status, lymph node metastasis, and biochemical-free and cancer specific survival....
Some comments on physical properties of chalcogenide glasses

Abstract This paper is a brief review of our previously published results in addition to a recent study of the microhardness of chalcogenide glasses measured as a function of the average covalent coordination number, 〈 r 〉. Glasses in the pseudoternary system Ge–(Sb·As)–(Se·Te) were prepared by vacuum melting of previously distilled 5N to 6N pure raw materials. Several physical properties, namely, density (molar volume), elastic moduli, static and dynamic microhardness, indentation toughness, thermal expansion coefficient, glass transition temperature, viscosity, and acoustic attenuation have been measured and published previously. Most glassy state properties have a monotonic relation with 〈 r 〉. Molar volume and the configurational contribution (difference between liquid state and glassy state properties) to second derivative thermodynamic properties, on the other hand, have minima at the rigidity percolation threshold 〈 r 〉=2.40. Newly obtained microhardness data using a recording indenter show that binary chalcogenide glasses have a dynamic Vickers microhardness, called `DVH' achieving a maximum at 〈 r 〉=2.4. Whereas the energy required for plastic and unrecovered elastic deformations is largest for Se (〈 r 〉=2.0 glass), the elastic energy recovery upon unloading the indenter appears to be a maximum at 〈 r 〉=2.4. Based on these observations I suggest that the 〈 r 〉=2.4 structure has the largest yield strength and, in turn, is the most connected network among the binary glasses.
Spindle cell hemangioma reoccurrence in the hand: case report

Spindle cell hemangioma (SCH) was first described by Weiss and Enzinger in 1986 [44]. They presented the initial 26 cases and at the time concluded that the vascular lesion was a vascular tumor of low-grade malignancy, and therefore, they termed the lesion a spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. Since then, various investigations have been conducted, including immunohistochemical studies, revealing they are benign lesions [4, 13, 14]. These lesions affect both sexes equally and have a predilection for the extremities. There are about 186 cases of SCH reported in the English literature, and 40 of the cases involved the hand [1–11, 13–26, 28–30, 32–47]. SCH can present as a solitary lesion (spindle cell hemangioma) or multifocal lesions (spindle cell hemangiomatosis) [33]; both types have been found in the hand. Lesions tend to develop during childhood or early adulthood. They most often have an indolent coarse [9, 13], but can become painful and disfiguring [8, 17]. Most lesions occur in the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, but have been found in the viscera, spinal cord, cervix, and oral cavity [26, 36, 40, 41, 43]. Spindle cell hemangiomas have features of both cavernous hemangiomas and Kaposi's sarcoma. Microscopically, this vascular lesion consists of vascular proliferations lined by a thin layer of endothelium within solid areas of mostly spindle cells [6]. There is minimal or no mitosis. The percentage of cavernous areas versus solid areas varies greatly [10, 14]. Thrombi or phleboliths can be found within these cavernous spaces [14, 40] and can be evident in radiographs [8]. The standard of care is wide local excision, but caution must be taken when there is multifocal disease not to cause further disability. Additionally, the reoccurrence rate is greater than 50% [33]. We present a case of a female patient who had a local reoccurrence of SCH in her hand 14 years after the original lesion was excised.
Connecting a cognitive architecture to robotic perception

We present an integrated architecture in which perception and cognition interact and provide information to each other leading to improved performance in real-world situations. Our system integrates the Felzenswalb et. al. object-detection algorithm with the ACT-R cognitive architecture. The targeted task is to predict and classify pedestrian behavior in a checkpoint scenario, most specifically to discriminate between normal versus checkpoint-avoiding behavior. The Felzenswalb algorithm is a learning-based algorithm for detecting and localizing objects in images. ACT-R is a cognitive architecture that has been successfully used to model human cognition with a high degree of fidelity on tasks ranging from basic decision-making to the control of complex systems such as driving or air traffic control. The Felzenswalb algorithm detects pedestrians in the image and provides ACT-R a set of features based primarily on their locations. ACT-R uses its pattern-matching capabilities, specifically its partial-matching and blending mechanisms, to track objects across multiple images and classify their behavior based on the sequence of observed features. ACT-R also provides feedback to the Felzenswalb algorithm in the form of expected object locations that allow the algorithm to eliminate false-positives and improve its overall performance. This capability is an instance of the benefits pursued in developing a richer interaction between bottom-up perceptual processes and top-down goal-directed cognition. We trained the system on individual behaviors (only one person in the scene) and evaluated its performance across single and multiple behavior sets.
CERTIFIED NURSE‐MIDWIFE POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT: Regulatory and Licensing Board

Abstract Certified nurse-midwife (CNM) membership on boards that license and regulate pratice is one avenue open to improve political awareness, make an impact on health care delivery systems, and increase the visibility of nurse midwifery. This article reviews one CNM's experience with the executive branch of state government.
Preference on Cash-Choice Task Predicts Externalizing Outcomes in 17-Year-Olds

Delay-discounting, the tendency to prefer a smaller-sooner reward to a larger-later reward, has been associated with a range of externalizing behaviors. Laboratory delay-discounting tasks have emerged as a useful measure to index impulsivity and a proclivity towards externalizing pyschopathology. While many studies demonstrate the existence of a latent externalizing factor that is heritable, there have been few genetic studies of delay-discounting. Further, the increased vulnerability for risky behavior in adolescence makes adolescent samples an attractive target for future research, and expeditious, ecologically-valid delay-discounting measures are helpful in this regard. The primary goal of this study was to help validate the utility of a "cash-choice" measure for use in a sample of older adolescents. We used a sample of 17-year-old twins (n = 791) from the Minnesota Twin Family Enrichment study. Individuals who chose the smaller-sooner reward were more likely to have used a range of addictive substances, engaged in sexual intercourse, and earned lower GPAs. Best fitting biometric models from univariate analyses supported the heritability of cash-choice and externalizing, but bivariate modeling results indicated that the correlation between cash-choice and externalizing was determined largely by shared environmental influences, thus failing to support cash-choice as a possible endophenotype for externalizing in this age group. Our findings lend further support to the utility of cash-choice as a measure of individual differences in decision making and suggest that, by late adolescence, this task indexes shared environmental risk for externalizing behavior.
A bibliography of Ceuthorhynchidius horridus (Panzer) (= Trichosirocalus horridus (Panzer)), an introduced weevil for the biological control of Carduus thistles.

Interest in Ceuthorhynchidius Horridus (Panzer) has increased in the past decade because of its potential as a biological control agent for Carduus thistles. C. horridus was imported from Europe on the recommendation of Frick (1969), and underwent host specificity tests (Ward et al. 1974, Kok 1975) and basic biology studies (Kok et al. 1975) prior to official approval for its release in Virginia in 1974. Establishment of this weevil (Kok and Trumble 1979), its life history in Virginia (Trumble and Kok 1979), and incorporation of this species into an integrated pest management program for musk thistle (Carduus nutans L.) and plumeless thistle (c. acanthoides) (Trumble and Kok 1980a) have recently been reported.
An efficient surface intersection algorithm based on lower-dimensional formulation

We present an efficient algorithm to compute the intersection of algebraic and NURBS surfaces. Our approach is based on combining the marching methods with the algbraic formulation. In particular, we propose and matrix computations. We present algorithms to compute a start point on each component of the intersection curve (both open and closed components), detect the presence of singularities, and find all the curve branches near the singularity. We also suggest methods to compute the step size during tracing to prevent component jumping. The algorithm runs an order of magnitude faster than previously published robust algorithms. The complexity of the algorithm is output sensitive.
NOTCH inhibition and glucocorticoid therapy in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Inhibition of NOTCH1 signaling with γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) has been proposed as a molecularly targeted therapy in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). However, GSIs seem to have limited antileukemic activity in human T-ALL and are associated with severe gastrointestinal toxicity resulting from inhibition of NOTCH signaling in the gut. Inhibition of NOTCH1 signaling in glucocorticoid-resistant T-ALL restored glucocorticoid sensitivity and co-treatment with glucocorticoids inhibited GSI-induced gut toxicity. Thus, combination therapies with GSIs plus glucocorticoids may offer a new opportunity for the use of anti-NOTCH1 therapies in human T-ALL.
Effect of Number of Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera:Apidae) Visits on Eggplant Yield

Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) is a crop with perfect flowers capable of self-pollination. Insect pollination enhances fruit set, but little is known about how pollination success varies by number of visits from bumble bees. To quantify the efficiency of bumble bees at pollinating eggplants, we allowed 1, 2, 6, and 12 bumble bees (Bombus impatiens Cresson) to visit eggplant flowers and compared percentage of flowers that set fruit, fruit weight, and seed set after 3 wk. We compared yield from these visit numbers to eggplant flowers that were left open for unlimited visitation. Eggplant flowers set the most fruit from open-pollination and 12 visits. Larger, seedier fruits were formed in open-pollinated flowers. However, fruit characteristics in the 12 visit treatment were similar to lower visitation frequencies. We confirm B. impatiens as an efficient eggplant pollinator and document the greatest benefit from 12 bumble bee visits and open-pollinated flowers. To maintain effective eggplant pollination, local conditions must be conducive for bumble bee colony establishment and repeated pollen foraging trips.
Greenhouse gas emissions from milk production and consumption in the United States: A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment circa 2008

Abstract This article presents a cradle-to-grave analysis of the United States fluid milk supply chain greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are accounted from fertilizer production through consumption and disposal of milk packaging. Crop production and on-farm GHG emissions were evaluated using public data and 536 farm operation surveys. Milk processing data were collected from 50 dairy plants nationwide. Retail and consumer GHG emissions were estimated from primary data, design estimates, and publicly available data. Total GHG emissions, based primarily on 2007 to 2008 data, were 2.05 (90% confidence limits: 1.77–2.4) kg CO 2 e per kg milk consumed, which accounted for loss of 12% at retail and an additional 20% loss at consumption. A complementary analysis showed the entire dairy sector contributes approximately 1.9% of US GHG emissions. While the largest GHG contributors are feed production, enteric methane, and manure management; there are opportunities to reduce impacts throughout the supply chain.
Stimulation of glycogenolysis by epinephrine and glucagon and its inhibition by insulin in isolated rat liver hepatocytes

Abstract Rat liver hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase in vitro perfusion technique and the effect of epinephrine, glucagon and insulin on glycogenolysis was studied. Both glucagon and epinephrine at the concentration of 10−6M, stimulated gluconeogenesis by 80–100%. Addition of insulin (33 μUnits/ml) completely abolished the epinephrine-stimulated glycogenolysis whereas only 50% inhibition was observed with insulin in glucagon stimulated glycogenolysis. This stimulation was observed within 2–5 min after the addition of the hormones. These results suggest that hepatocytes isolated with low concentrations of collagenase retain glucagon, epinephrine and insulin receptor sites.
Power management in heterogeneous networks with energy harvesting base stations

In this paper, heterogeneous cellular networks (HCNs) with base stations (BSs) powered from both renewable energy sources and the grid power are considered. Based on a techno-economic analysis, we demonstrate that by controlling both transmit power and stored energy usage of BSs, energy costs can be effectively reduced. Specifically, we propose a two-stage BS operation scheme where an optimization and control subproblem is solved at each stage, respectively. For the first subproblem, transmit power of BSs is adjusted while quality of service (QoS) experienced by users is preserved. In the second subproblem, we consider the strategic scheduling of renewable energy used to power the BSs. That is, harvested energy may be reserved in the battery for future use to minimize the cost of on-grid power that varies in real-time. We propose: (1) an optimization approach built on a lattice model with a method to process outage rate constraint, and (2) a control algorithm based on nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) theory to solve the two subproblems, respectively. Simulation results include a collection of case studies that demonstrate as to how operators may manage energy harvesting BSs to reduce their electricity costs.
Death and family life in the past

As recently as 1970 about one-fifth of the children living in single-parent households resided in ones created by the death of a father. In colonial and nineteenth-century America, death was a much more important factor in disrupting parent-child relationships than it is today. Past societal reaction to the death of a parent continues to influence social policy; for example, widows and their dependent children receive more public assistance than divorced mothers or single mothers with children born out-of-wedlock. Although the material conditions for widows have improved over time, the social network available to help them cope with the emotional distress caused by the death of a husband probably has diminished.
AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma of the lung: radiographic findings and staging system with bronchoscopic correlation.

PURPOSE: To determine the chest radiographic findings in patients with tracheobronchial Kaposi sarcoma (KS) and to develop a radiographic staging system that allows comparison of radiographic to bronchoscopic findings and allows assessment of the typical temporal progression of pulmonary KS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chest radiographs and medical records of 76 male patients, aged 23-60 years (mean, 36 years 4 months) with bronchoscopically proved KS were retrospectively reviewed. Tumor extent at bronchoscopy (grade 1-3) was compared with severity of parenchymal disease (radiographic stage 0-3). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant relationship between extent of tracheobronchial disease and radiographic stage (P = .01). However, in some patients, parenchymal KS of advanced stage was present with no visible endobronchial disease. CONCLUSION: The proposed staging system describes features of early, moderate, and advanced KS. Although there is a correlation between tracheobronchial and parenchymal ...
Behavior of sparrows of the genus Zonotrichia, in orientation cages during the lunar cycle.

Zusammenfassung Das nachtliche Zugverhalten verschiedener Zonotrichia-Arten wurde im beschriebenen 8-Stangen-Orientierungskafig automatisch registriert. Die Tiere blieben einige Tage bis mehrere Monate darin. Ein Index fur Gesamtaktivitat, mittleres Azimut (Richtung) und Richtungsbevorzugung (Starke der Orientierung) wurde fur jede der 4198 Vogelstunden uber den ganzen Lunarzyklus berechnet. Die nachtliche Orientierung wurde auf verschiedene Umweltvariable analysiert, speziell auf Azimut des Mondes und seiner Hohe uber dem Horizont. Starke Nachtaktivitat ging allgemein mit deutlicher Richtungsbevorzugung einher, solange der Mond nicht storte. In mondhellen Nachten war die Aktivitat leicht erhoht und hing bei einigen Vogeln deutlich von Helligkeit und Hohe des Mondes ab und war dann nicht immer vor Mitternacht (im Fruhling) am grosten. Die Nachtaktivitat blieb unbeeinflust von Umgebungstemperatur, Bewolkung oder Fangen und Wiegen der Vogel am Vortage. Der Mond anderte die Azimutrichtung einiger Vogel, die dann phototaktisch reagierten (ausgenommen wenn der Mond durch Wolken schien oder kunstlich nachgeahmt wurde). Meist folgte die Vorzugsrichtung dieser Vogel dem Mond in masig grosem Winkel im Uhrzeigersinn; vermutlich wurde der Mond als Sonne angesehen. Die Zugrichtung der Vogel wechselte von Nacht zu Nacht, meist um etwa ± 20°; als signifikant gelten Anderungen von 45° oder mehr, die selten ohne, meist mit Mondsicht (groser Mond uber mehrere Std.) vorkam. Auch gab es mondabhangige stundliche Richtungsanderungen. Mond-beeinfluste Vogel konnten in Vollmondnachten keine konstante Richtung halten; die meisten von ihnen waren als Jungtiere eingefangen worden. Auch ein anscheinend mondunabhangiger Vogel orientierte sich in manchen Mondnachten schlechter. Bewolkung verschlechterte die Gesamtnachtorientierung, nicht aber die Richtungskonstanz innerhalb der Mes-Stunden. Trotz solcher Storungen wiesen die Vogel im Fruhling nach Norden, im Herbst nach Suden, aber mit groser Streuung sowohl zwischen Individuen als auch zwischen verschiedenen Zeiten desselben Tieres. Der einzige am Brutplatz gefangene Vogel bevorzugte die Heimatrichtung. Drehung des Kafigs erzeugte Storungen, die ein heuristisches kybernetisches Modell nahelegen. Das die Sterne zur Orientierung dienen, ist auch hier nicht bewiesen, es spricht aber manches dafur.
Retinal vessel caliber among people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: relationships with disease-associated factors and mortality.

Purpose To evaluate relationships between retinal vessel caliber, AIDS-related factors, and mortality. Design Longitudinal, observational cohort study. Methods We evaluated data for participants without ocular opportunistic infections at initial examination (baseline) in the Longitudinal Studies of the Ocular Complications of AIDS (1998–2008). Semi-automated evaluation of fundus photographs (1 eye/participant) determined central retinal artery equivalent (CRAE), central retinal vein equivalent (CRVE), and arteriole-to-venule ratio (AVR) at baseline. Multiple linear regression models, using forward selection, identified independent relationships between indices and various host- and disease-related variables. Results Included were 1250 participants. Mean follow-up for determination of mortality was 6.1 years. Smaller CRAE was related to increased age ( P P P = .002). Larger CRAE and CRVE were associated with black race ( P P = .004); smaller CRVE was related to age ( P P = .001). We observed the following relationships with AIDS-associated factors: smaller CRAE and larger CRVE with history of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART; P P = .04). We did not identify independent relationships with human immunodeficiency virus RNA blood levels. There was a 12% (95% CI, 2%–21%) increase in mortality risk per quartile of decreasing AVR ( P = .02). Conclusions Variations in retinal vascular caliber are associated with AIDS-specific factors and are markers for increased mortality risk. Relationships are consistent with the hypothesis that the vasculature is altered by known atherogenic effects of chronic HAART or the prolonged inflammatory state associated with AIDS.
Approximate ellipsoidal tolerance regions for multivariate normal populations

Abstract For the approximate computation of an ellipsoidal tolerance region for multivariate normal distributions, an approximation due to Liu et al. (2008) for the cdf of a positive linear combination of independent non-central chisquare random variables is used, along with Monte Carlo simulation. Such a computational approach is originally due to Krishnamoorthy and Mondal (2006, 2008), and the present work provides an improvement.
A method for estimating the GNP loss from a future oil embargo

This article develops a theoretical model to estimate the loss in GNP to the U.S. economy that would result from a future oil embargo. The model is based on an input-output matrix of the economy, but modifies the traditional input-output analysis in order to take account of conservation and substitution possibilities. Data generated from the 1973–74 embargo is used as a bench mark for this study in order to assure that the model produces reasonable estimates. Based upon estimates of future economic and energy growth, this study concludes that the United States will become increasingly vulnerable to economic damage as a result of a future embargo.
Mineralization of invertebrate cartilage.

Although invertebrate cartilage tissues do not mineralize in nature, it is now reported for the first time that when excised gill cartilage tissue fromLimulus (horse shoe crab) is placed in an appropriate incubation medium metastable to hydroxyapatite, mineralization will occur. The mineralization is temperature dependent, and takes place at 37° but not at 20°. Incubations in media metastable to calcite have not produced mineralization. Histologic examination of mineralized tissues showed mineral deposits predominantly within cells, and to a lesser extent in the matrix. X-ray diffraction of the deposited mineral revealed a typical biological hydroxyapatite pattern.
Repeated ingestion of aspartame-sweetened beverages: further observations in individuals heterozygous for phenylketonuria

Six adults heterozygous for phenylketonuria (PKU) ingested eight successive servings of unsweetened and aspartame (APM)-sweetened beverage at 1-hour intervals in a randomized, balanced, crossover design. In one part, the eight beverage servings were not sweetened. In the other, each of the eight beverage servings provided 600 mg of APM, a dose equivalent to the amount provided by 36 oz of an APM-sweetened diet beverage. Plasma aspartate concentration was not significantly increased after ingestion of unsweetened or APM-sweetened beverage. Similarly, ingestion of the unsweetened beverage had no significant effect on plasma phenylalanine concentration. However, ingestion of APM-sweetened beverage significantly increased plasma phenylalanine concentrations 2.35 to 4.03 mumol/dL above baseline 30 minutes after ingestion. Plasma phenylalanine values reached a steady-state after administration of five servings of APM-sweetened beverage and were slightly, but significantly higher than usual postprandial values for adults heterozygous for PKU. Similarly, the ratio of the plasma phenylalanine concentration to the sum of the concentration of the large neutral amino acids was significantly higher than usual postprandial values. Blood methanol and formate concentrations remained within normal limits. These data indicate that a fasting adult heterozygous for PKU could consume the equivalent of 24 12-oz servings of APM-sweetened beverage over an 8-hour period and only increase plasma phenylalanine concentration to a modest degree.
Nav1.7 Inhibitor, PF-05089771, Inhibits Fast- and Slow-Inactivated Channels with Similar Affinities

Voltage-gated sodium channel (Nav) inhibitors are used clinically as analgesics and local anesthetics. However, the absence of Nav channel isoform selectivity of current treatment options can result in adverse cardiac and CNS side effects, limiting their therapeutic utility. Human hereditary gain- or loss-of-pain disorders have demonstrated an essential role of Nav1.7 sodium channels in the sensation of pain, thus making this channel an attractive target for new pain therapies. We have identified a novel, human Nav1.7 selective inhibitor (PF-05089771, IC50 = 11 nM) that preferentially interacts with, and stabilizes, inactivated conformation(s) of the channel via an interaction with the voltage-sensor domain (VSD) of Domain 4. The current study demonstrates that PF-05089771 exhibits concentration-dependent slowly developing inhibition (tau = 209 sec and 33 sec, at 100 nM and 1 μM, respectively), and a similarly slow recovery from block upon washout (tau ∼7 min). PF-05089771 exhibits minimal use-dependent inhibition until concentrations exceed 10-fold the IC50, which is consistent with the observed slow onset of block and/or a low affinity for resting or fast-inactivated channel conformations. To evaluate this further, we employed whole cell patch clamp protocols to separate channels into predominantly fast- or slow-inactivated Nav populations. Inhibition by PF-05089771 develops with similar rates using protocols that biases for either fast- or slow-inactivated states, suggesting that preference for a particular inactivated state (fast, intermediate or slow) appears less critical than the relative time that the channel is in an inactivated state during compound exposure. The inhibition profile of PF-05089771 suggests that a conformational change in the Domain 4 VSD couples to multiple downstream inactivated states and immobilizing the voltage-sensor via a small molecule interaction with this site may lock the channel into long term inactivation from which recovery is slow.
Runtime models for automatic reorganization of multi-robot systems

This paper presents a reusable framework for developing adaptive multi-robotic systems for heterogeneous robot teams using an organization-based approach. The framework is based on the Organizational Model for Adaptive Computational Systems (OMACS) and the Goal Model for Dynamic Systems (GMoDS). GMoDS is used to capture system-level goals that drive the system. OMACS is an abstract model used to capture the system configuration and allows the team to organize and reorganize without the need for explicit runtime reorganization rules. While OMACS provides an implicit reorganization capability, it also supports policies that can either guide or restrict the resulting organizations thus limiting unexpected or harmful adaptation. We demonstrate our framework by presenting the design and implementation of a multi-robot system for detecting improvised explosive devices. We then highlight the adaptability of the resulting system.
Modelling cropping decisions in a rural developing country: a multiple-objective programming approach

Abstract Subsistence level farming characterizes most of the agricultural production in Western Samoa. In recent years, the Samoan Government has encouraged farmers to increase the production of exportable crops in order to improve the national trade balance. Recent efforts to stimulate export production have had limited success. In Western Samoa, farmers' decisions are heavily influenced by factors that reside outside of the market. Agricultural policies developed around the premise that farmers solely maximize profits have inevitably failed. This research evaluates market and nonmarket crop values for a rural subsistence farm in Western Samoa. The model includes multiple crops; market and nonmarket crop uses; and seasonality in production, consumption, and labor supply. Results show that an important exportable crop in Western Samoa has a nonmarket imputed value that is three to five times greater than the market price.
Quality assurance for endoscopists

Quality assurance for gastrointestinal endoscopy addresses numerous aspects of unit management and patient care. Quality measures pertinent to patient care delivered by the individual endoscopist include optimal practices in the pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and post-procedure timeframes. Measures commonly employed to monitor colonoscopy care are discussed in detail. Several quality assurance techniques are well defined and useful for application to identified gaps in care. Quality improvement projects and ongoing quality assurance benchmarking against local and national norms are greatly facilitated by use of electronic report generators and computerized databases.
Hydrogen Exchange at the Core of Escherichia coli Alkaline Phosphatase Studied by Room-Temperature Tryptophan Phosphorescence†

The room-temperature tryptophan (Trp) phosphorescence lifetime is sensitive to details of the local environment and has been shown to increase significantly in some proteins following H−D exchange. Careful analysis of the phosphorescence lifetime distribution of Trp 109 in Escherichia coli alkaline phosphatase (AP) in solution as a function of time during the H−D exchange shows that this process corresponds to a two-state reaction resulting from the deuteration of a single, specific hydrogen in the core of the protein. The absence of a pH dependence of the exchange rate suggests that the exchange is not an EX2 process, and therefore, a certain degree of unfolding is required for exchange to occur. This discovery opens up the use of phosphorescence-detected hydrogen exchange as a sensitive tool for monitoring the local susceptibility and activation energy for exchange in proteins having a phosphorescent Trp and, for example, for studying the effects of local mutations upon that susceptibility.
Theory and application of fluorescence homotransfer to melittin oligomerization

Fluorescence homotransfer (electronic energy transfer between identical fluorophores) has the potential to quantitate the number of subunits in membrane protein oligomers. Homotransfer strongly depolarizes fluorescence emission as a result of intermolecular excitation energy exchange between an initially excited, oriented molecule and a randomly oriented neighbor. We have theoretically treated fluorescein labeled subunits in an oligomer as a cluster of molecules that can exchange excitation energy back and forth among the subunits within that group. We find that the larger the number of subunits, the more depolarized is the emission. The general equations to calculate the expected anisotropy for complexes composed of varying numbers of labeled subunits are presented. Self-quenching of fluorophores, orientation, and changes in lifetime are also discussed and/or considered. To test this theory, we have specifically labeled melittin on its N-terminal with fluorescein and monitored its monomer to tetramer equilibrium both in solution and in lipid bilayers. The calculated anisotropies are close to the experimental values when non-fluorescent fluorescein dimers are taken into account. Our results show that homotransfer may be a promising method to study membrane-protein oligomerization.
Inactivation of betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase by adenosylmethionine and adenosylethionine

Preincubation of betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase, prepared from rat liver, with either S-adenosylmethionine or S-adenosylethionine results in a marked loss of enzyme activity. Gel filtration did not restore activity. However both S-adenosylhomocysteine and L-homocysteine, when added to the preincubation medium, inhibited the inactivation of betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase.
Improving economic incentives in hospital prospective payment systems through equilibrium pricing

Under the Prospective Payment System PPS implemented by Medicare in 1983, hospitals are paid a set price for each Medicare patient treated, rather than being reimbursed for the patient's costs as had been done previously. An increasing number of other insurers have adopted a similar method of hospital payment. In these systems, the price, which depends on the patient's Diagnosis Related Group DRG, is derived from the average cost over all hospitals of all patients in that DRG. We propose an alternative method for setting prices in hospital prospective payment systems, called equilibrium pricing, in which prices are derived from a linear programming model of competitive equilibrium. To evaluate the improvement in incentives associated with equilibrium pricing, we define a measure, called the disincentive index, of the extent to which a set of prices creates economic disincentives to efficient behavior. In the situation in which all hospitals compete in a single market area, we show that equilibrium pricing creates the best possible economic incentives, i.e., by reducing the disincentive index to zero. The analysis is then extended to the more realistic situation where hospitals compete in limited geographical market areas, whereas prices must be uniformly set for a number of such market areas. We prove that, with an appropriate generalization of the disincentive index, equilibrium prices for a single market area are also optimal for multiple market areas. Finally, actual cost and utilization data from hospitals that compete in eastern Massachusetts are used to determine prices and to evaluate the associated disincentive index for a simulated prospective payment system. This empirical study shows a dramatic improvement in the incentives created by equilibrium pricing compared to average-cost pricing.
Fumed-Alumina-Derived Nanoporous Alumina as a New Low-k Dielectric Material for Microelectronics Packaging

Dielectric materials with low relative dielectric constants (low-k dielectrics) are needed for electrical insulation to reduce signal propagation delay in microelectronics packaging. This paper reports use of nanoporous alumina of pore size mainly <50 nm and relative dielectric constant 2.0 (measured at frequencies from 100 kHz–2 MHz). Both values are lower than those previously reported. The material is innovatively made by compacting aggregates of submicron particles of fumed alumina. On compaction at 200 kPa, the aggregates are squashed, resulting in mechanical interconnection among the aggregates and formation of a nanostructured sheet with porosity 88%. Because the compacted material is, electrically, equivalent to solid alumina and air in parallel, its relative dielectric constant is 9, that of solid alumina. Reducing the pressure from 200 kPa to 50–100 kPa results in greater porosity (92–93%) and higher relative dielectric constant (2.0–2.3) for the compacted material, in addition to higher relative dielectric constant (13–21) for the solid alumina (because of the increase in the surface capacitance associated with surface charges). For a compaction pressure of 200 kPa, the thermal conductivity of the compacted material is 0.134 W/(m·K) and the upper bound of the thermal conductivity of the solid alumina is 0.94 W/(m·K). The fumed alumina is moldable by compaction.