cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Citrus Blight Found in Yucatan, Mexico.

Citrus blight, a serious tree decline problem of unknown cause in humid citrus-growing areas such as Florida and Louisiana, South America, South Africa, and the Caribbean, has never been reported from Mexico. Citrus blight has no reliable visual symptoms, and physical and chemical tests have to be used for diagnosis. We used water injection into the trunk (2), zinc and potassium analysis of the outer trunk wood (3), and an immunological test for specific blight proteins in the leaves (1). Low uptake when water is injected into the trunk, and high zinc and potassium in the wood, compared with healthy trees, are characteristic of citrus blight (3). Water injection tests and wood analysis of four healthy and four declining trees in the Dzan, Yucatan, Mexico, area in August 1995, showed highly significant differences in water uptake (healthy trees 44.3 ml/min, declining trees 1.0 ml/min), little difference in wood zinc (healthy 2.8 μg/g, declining 3.0 μg/g) and 39% more potassium in the wood (healthy 0.147%, ...
Identifying the Determinants of Protein Function and Stability

Protein sequences encode the information required to form specific three-dimensional structures (Anfinsen, 1973), but it is still not possible to predict protein structure and function from sequence information alone. It is possible, however, to understand the relationship among the structure, function, and sequence of some proteins. Our laboratory has been using genetic and biochemical approaches to define the determinants of protein structure and function for two sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins, the cI repressor and Cro protein of bacteriophage X. We have been able to identify residues that play key roles in maintaining the folded structures of these proteins and residues that allow these proteins to bind specifically to operator DNA. Our interest has also been focused on the factors that determine intracellular protein turnover, since many mutant Cro proteins, but not mutant cl repressors, are hypersensitive to degradation. In this chapter, we review these studies and describe how intragenic, second-site reversion has been used to identify amino acid substitutions that enhance protein function.
Transcription Factor Networks in Drosophila melanogaster

Specific cellular fates and functions depend on differential gene expression, which occurs primarily at the transcriptional level and is controlled by complex regulatory networks of transcription factors (TFs). TFs act through combinatorial interactions with other TFs, cofactors, and chromatin-remodeling proteins. Here, we define protein-protein interactions using a coaffinity purification/mass spectrometry method and study 459 Drosophila melanogaster transcription-related factors, representing approximately half of the established catalog of TFs. We probe this network in vivo, demonstrating functional interactions for many interacting proteins, and test the predictive value of our data set. Building on these analyses, we combine regulatory network inference models with physical interactions to define an integrated network that connects combinatorial TF protein interactions to the transcriptional regulatory network of the cell. We use this integrated network as a tool to connect the functional network of genetic modifiers related to mastermind, a transcriptional cofactor of the Notch pathway.
Mutagenesis of a potential immunoglobulin-binding protein-binding site enhances secretion of coagulation factor VIII

Coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and factor V are homologous glycoproteins that have a domain structure of A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2. FVIII is a heterodimer of the heavy chain (domains A1-A2-B) and the light chain (domains A3-C1-C2) in a metal ion-dependent association between the A1- and A3-domains. Previous studies identified a 110-amino acid region within the FVIII A1-domain that inhibits its secretion and contains multiple short peptide sequences that have potential to bind immunoglobulin-binding protein (BiP). FVIII secretion requires high levels of intracellular ATP, consistent with an ATP-dependent release from BiP. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to elucidate the importance of the potential BiP-binding sites in FVIII secretion. Mutation of Phe at position 309 to Ser or Ala enhanced the secretion of functional FVIII and reduced its ATP dependence. The F309S FVIII had a specific activity, thrombin activation profile, and heat inactivation properties similar to those of wild-type FVIII. However, F309S FVIII displayed increased sensitivity to EDTA-mediated inactivation that is known to occur through metal ion chelation-induced dissociation of the heavy and light chains of FVIII. The results support that Phe309 is important in high affinity heavy and light chain interaction, and this correlates with a high affinity BiP-binding site. Introduction of the F309S mutation into other secretion defective FVIII mutants rescued their secretion, demonstrating the ability of the this mutation to improve secretion of mutant FVIII proteins retained in the cell.
OUR NEW MONETARY STANDARD: THE MEASUREMENT AND EFFECTS OF PRICE UNCERTAINTY, 1880–1973*

U. S. annual inflation rates over the last century are analyzed in an attempt to compare price unpredictability in the recent period with that during the 1880–1915 gold standard period. The movement from negative price change autocorrelations in the earlier period to strongly positive price change autocorrelations in the recent period, is shown to imply an upward shift in the amount of long-term relative to short-term price uncertainty. Empirical evidence on the relationship between the demand for money and actual price change, on the adjustment of interest rates to price changes and on the change in the composition of new corporate debt issues is presented. Evidence suggests that only over the last decade has the public generally recognized the fundamental change from a commodity to a fiduciary standard that has occurred in the underlying monetary framework.
Comparison of human protein--protein interaction maps

Motivation: Large-scale mappings of protein--protein interactions have started to give us new views of the complex molecular mechanisms inside a cell. After initial projects to systematically map protein interactions in model organisms such as yeast, worm and fly, researchers have begun to focus on the mapping of the human interactome. To tackle this enormous challenge, different approaches have been proposed and pursued. While several large-scale human protein interaction maps have recently been published, their quality remains to be critically assessed. Results: We present here a first comparative analysis of eight currently available large-scale maps with a total of over 10 000 unique proteins and 57 000 interactions included. They are based either on literature search, orthology or by yeast-two-hybrid assays. Comparison reveals only a small, but statistically significant overlap. More importantly, our analysis gives clear indications that all interaction maps imply considerable selection and detection biases. These results have to be taken into account for future assembly of the human interactome. Availability: An integrated human interaction network called Unified Human Interactome (UniHI) is made publicly accessible at http://www.mdc-berlin.de/unihi. Contact: m.futschik@biologie.hu-berlin.de Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Current Approaches to Change Blindness

Across saccades, blinks, blank screens, movie cuts, and other interruptions, observers fail to detect substantial changes to the visual details of objects and scenes. This inability to spot changes (“change blindness”) is the focus of this special issue of Visual Cognition. This introductory paper briefly reviews recent studies of change blindness, noting the relation of these findings to earlier research and discussing the inferences we can draw from them. Most explanations of change blindness assume that we fail to detect changes because the changed display masks or overwrites the initial display. Here I draw a distinction between intentional and incidental change detection tasks and consider how alternatives to the “overwriting” explanation may provide better explanations for change blindness.
Strained Si and the Future Direction of CMOS

Uniaxial process induced strain is being adopted in all 90, 65, and 45 nm high performance logic technologies. Uniaxial strain offers large performance improvement at low cost and minimally increased manufacturing complexity and is scalable to future technology nodes.
Minimum‐cost flows in convex‐cost networks

Abstract : An algorithm is given for solving minimum-cost flow problems where the shipping cost over an arc is convex function of the number of units shipped along that arc. This provides a unified way of looking at many seemingly unrelated problems in different areas. In particular, it is shown how problems associated with electrical networks, with increasing the capacity of a network under a fixed budget, with Laplace equations, and with the Max-Flow Min-Cut Theorem may all be formulated into minimum-cost flow problems in convex-cost networks.
Correlating Stem Biomechanical Properties of Hawaiian Canopy Trees with Hurricane Wind Damage1

Hawaiian forests are subject to the effects of periodic hurricane conditions. Hurricane Iniki struck the island of Kauai, Hawaii on September 11, 1992 with winds exceeding 200 km/h and caused defoliation, felling of trees by snapping and uprooting, and standing tree mortality due excessive limb and leaf loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if measured wood mechanical characteristics could be correlated with stem failure of trees under windstorm conditions. A field survey indicated that post-hurricane stem condition (snapped, uprooted, or standing) differed among five common canopy species and was significantly correlated with stem apparent elastic modulus (relative flexibility). Species that tended to snap had significantly higher apparent elastic moduli than those that remained standing or were uprooted. Wood density and stem diameter were not significantly related to stem failure mode. Native trees had a higher percentage per species of standing individuals but also had increased uprooting. Nonnative tree species were more often snapped and fewer were standing after the hurricane. The higher incidence of stem failure for introduced canopy trees may increase the spread of alien understory species following wind disturbance events. These relationships provide a simple means to predict relative differences in stem failure due to high wind conditions and should be considered in planning reforestation efforts on the Hawaiian Islands.
Buchdahl’s glass dispersion coefficients calculated from Schott equation constants

A method for the rapid evaluation of Buchdahl’s dispersion coefficients at an arbitrary base wavelength given the Schott equation constants is presented. Buchdahl’s chromatic coordinate transformation is performed on the Schott equation for the refractive index. A Taylor series expansion of the transformed Schott equation is then equated to the square of the Buchdahl dispersion model. Equations for Buchdahl’s dispersion coefficients are then obtained for any base wavelength by matching the powers of Buchdahl’s chromatic coordinate ω out to fourth order.
Prelinguistic Relational Concepts: Investigating Analogical Processing in Infants

This research asks whether analogical processing ability is present in human infants, using the simplest and most basic relation-the same-different relation. Experiment 1 (N = 26) tested whether 7- and 9-month-olds spontaneously detect and generalize these relations from a single example, as previous research has suggested. The attempted replication failed. Experiment 2 asked whether infants could abstract the relation via analogical processing (Experiment 2, N = 64). Indeed, with four exemplars, 7- and 9-month-olds could abstract the same-different relation and generalize it to novel pairs. Furthermore, prior experience with the objects disrupted learning. Facilitation from multiple exemplars and disruption by individual object salience are signatures of analogical learning. These results indicate that analogical ability is present by 7 months.
Dynamic programming alignment of sequences representing cyclic patterns

String alignment by dynamic programming is generalized to include cyclic shift and corresponding optimal alignment cost for strings representing cyclic patterns. A guided search algorithm uses bounds on alignment costs to find all optimal cyclic shifts. The bounds are derived from submatrices of an initial dynamic programming matrix. Algorithmic complexity is analyzed for major stages in the search. The applicability of the method is illustrated with satellite DNA sequences and circularly permuted protein sequences. >
Estrogen receptor action through target genes with classical and alternative response elements

The estrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ) mediate the changes in gene expression from physiological and environmental estrogens. Early studies identified classical estrogen response elements (EREs) in the promoter region of target genes whose expression is regulated by estrogen and to which the ERs bind via their DNA-binding domain (DBD). EREs in the pituitary prolactin promoter, for example, mediate an activation by both ERα and ERβ albeit with different affinities for different ligands. Full activation in most cell types re- quires the integrity of the activation function 2 (AF-2) in the receptors ligand binding domain (LBD), which is engaged by estrogens and disengaged by tamoxifen, raloxifene, and other antiestrogens. However, in some cells and ERE contexts, the AF-1 in the ERα amino termi- nal domain (NTD) is sufficient. We now know that ERs also regulate expression of target genes that do not have EREs, but instead have various kinds of alternative response elements that bind heterologous tran- scription factors whose activity is regulated by interactions with ERs. Thus, ERα activates genes, including collagenase and cyclin D1, an important mediator of cellular proliferation, by AP-1 and CRE sites, which bind Jun/Fos or Jun/ATF-2 transcription factors. ERα also ac- tivates gene expression through GC-rich elements that bind the SP1 transcription factor. Finally, we also know that ERs mediate inhibition of the expression of many genes. In one well-studied instance, ERs counterexpression of genes involved in the inflammatory response by inhibiting the action at tumor necrosis factor response elements (TNF-REs) that bind the NFkappaB transcription factor. ERβ is especially efficient at this inhibition. ERα activation of AP-1/CRE target genes is of special interest because of the putative role of these target genes in mediating proliferation. The AF-1 and AF-2 functions of ERα are both needed for this activation in most cell types. However, in uterine cells, the AF-1 function is sufficient. Thus, the antiestrogen tamoxifen, which allows AF-1, mimics estrogen and drives activation of AP-1/CRE target genes and proliferation of uterine cells. This estro- gen-like action, which can increase the risk of uterine cancer, complicates the use of tamox- ifen to prevent breast cancer. Surprisingly, ERβ inhibits AP-1/CRE target genes in the pres- ence of estrogen. When both receptors are present, ERβ efficiently opposes activation by ERα. Moreover, ERβ activates the AP-1/CRE target genes in the presence of antiestrogens especially so-called "complete" antiestrogens raloxifene, and ICI 182, 780.
Breathing: Rhythmicity, plasticity, chemosensitivity

▪ Abstract Breathing is a vital behavior that is particularly amenable to experimental investigation. We review recent progress on three problems of broad interest. (i) Where and how is respiratory rhythm generated? The preBotzinger Complex is a critical site, whereas pacemaker neurons may not be essential. The possibility that coupled oscillators are involved is considered. (ii) What are the mechanisms that underlie the plasticity necessary for adaptive changes in breathing? Serotonin-dependent long-term facilitation following intermittent hypoxia is an important example of such plasticity, and a model that can account for this adaptive behavior is discussed. (iii) Where and how are the regulated variables CO2 and pH sensed? These sensors are essential if breathing is to be appropriate for metabolism. Neurons with appropriate chemosensitivity are spread throughout the brainstem; their individual properties and collective role are just beginning to be understood.
Identification and characterization of a luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/CG) receptor precursor in a human kidney cell line stably transfected with the rat luteal LH/CG receptor complementary DNA.

It is well established that the LH/CG receptor expressed in gonadal cells is an 85- to 92-kilodalton (kDa) glycoprotein. Additionally, however, a number of reports have noted the existence of other putative receptor species, but few attempts have been made to characterize these variant receptor species. A cell line [293L(wt1)] had previously been isolated which expresses large numbers of high affinity cell surface LH/CG receptors. Visualization of the LH/CG receptor species expressed in these cells and in rat luteal cells using ligand blots revealed 85- and 90-kDa LH/CG receptors, respectively, while immunoblots revealed another 68-kDa glycoprotein receptor in both cell types. The presence of both the 85- and 68-kDa receptor species was confirmed using immunoprecipitation and affinity purification of metabolically labeled 293L(wt1) cells. Enzymatic deglycosylations established that the 85-kDa receptor is a sialoprotein, while the 68-kDa species contains exposed high mannose residues. Protease digestion be...
A simplified physical model for amplitude distribution of impulsive noise

Analytic representations for the a,mplitude distribution of impulsive noise have generally been presented as numerical approximations to experimental data. While this provides a satisfactory solution to design problems, it is of some interest to consider a simplified physical model of the impulsive noise sources affecting narrow-band receivers, and to compare the results witht he empirical models. In proposing the following model, four characteristic assumptions apply to ther eceived noise: 1) The disturbance is of short enough duration so that the receiver. 2) Separate responses do not overlap in time. 3) Response amplitude is defined as the absolute maximum voltage occuring at the measuring point in the receiver during the given complete response. 4) A response is only considered to be an impulse noise response when its amplitudee xceeds a certaint hreshold value. The model seems to satisfy a degree of physical intuition and may thus serve as a support to the experimentally formulated approsirnation models.
Mutagens from the cooking of food. I. Improved extraction and characterization of mutagenic fractions from cooked ground beef.

Abstract Ground beef was fried at 200°C (392°F) to a well-done, non-charred state, and the extracted organic base fraction was found to be highly mutagenic in Salmonella strain TA1538 (6300 revertants/100 g equivalent, gE, fresh weight). The neutral and acidic extracts showed no mutagenic activity in any of the 5 standard strains of Salmonella. A new procedure based upon extraction and protein precipitation with acetone is described, which is simpler and more efficient than previously described methods. The organic base fraction was mutagenic only in Salmonella strains TA1537, TA1538, and TA98, all sensitive to frameshift mutations. Strains sensitive to base-substitution mutations showed no activity. Metabolic activation was an absolute requirement for mutagenesis; however cell toxicity was decreased by the presence of S9 activation mixture. After normal cooking, more than 20 times as much mutagenic material remained in the meat as was recovered in the pan grease and vapors. The results confirm that mutagens are formed under conventional frying conditions, and show that mutagen can be isolated by an improved extraction method.
Parathyroid Hormone Causes Translocation of Protein Kinase-C from Cytosol to Membranes in Rat Osteosarcoma Cells

PTH binds to specific receptors that are coupled to adenylate cyclase and activate cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Since it has been shown that PTH activates phospholipid inositol metabolism, we investigated whether PTH influences protein kinase-C (PKC) activity in rat osteosarcoma (ROS) cells 17/2.8 that contain a large number of PTH receptor. Incubation of ROS cells with PTH or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 1-30 min caused a rapid and transient decrease in PKC activity in the cytosol, which was associated with a transient increase in PKC activity in the membrane fraction. After 1, 5, 15, and 30 min of incubation with PTH, cytosolic PKC activity decreased to 57%, 74%, 84%, and 93% of the control value, whereas membrane PKC activity increased to 156%, 122%, 111%, and 106% of the control value, respectively. After PMA treatment for 1, 5, 15, and 30 min, cytosolic PKC activity decreased by 81%, 74%, 63%, and 44%, whereas membrane-bound PKC activity increased by 83%, 44%, 28%, and 17%, respectively. The effects of PTH and PMA on PKC were dose dependent, with ED50 values of 0.3 nM PTH and 4 nM PMA. Chronic treatment of ROS cells for 3 days with PMA caused depletion of total PKC activity in cytosolic and membrane fractions to less than 10% of that in control cells. Conversely, chronic treatment of ROS cells with PTH did not deplete PKC. In addition, chronic treatment of ROS cells with PTH inhibited the responsiveness of PKC activity to subsequent acute PTH challenge, but not to acute PMA challenge, suggesting specific desensitization of this response by PTH. Activation of cytosolic PKC by diolein, phosphatidylserine, and calcium caused phosphorylation of many cytosolic proteins, including those having apparent mol wt of 39K, 35K, 33K, 25K, 19K, and 16K. Pretreatment of ROS cells with PTH resulted in a transient decrease in the phosphorylation of these cytosolic proteins by PKC. This decrease in cytosolic protein phosphorylation by treatment with PTH is temporally associated with PTH-stimulated translocation of PKC activity from the cytosol to the membranes. These data suggest a potential role for PKC in the mechanism of action of PTH in ROS cells.
Melatonin Production by Extra-pineal Tissues

ABSTRACT Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT), which catalyzes the O-methylation of N-acetylserotonin to melatonin, is not confined to pineal glands, as was thought when the enzyme was first described in 1960. Five years later it was noted that HIOMT is present in the brain and eyes of anuran amphibians, fishes, reptiles and birds. Indeed, in anurans, HIOMT in the retina has far greater activity than in the pineal body. Whereas HIOMT can be detected in the retina of fetal rats, not until a few days after birth can it be demonstrated in the pineal gland. In the mole there is two to ten times more HIOMT activity in the eyes than in the pineal gland. The HIOMT in the retina and pineal gland appear to have similar properties. There is also an HIOMT in the Harderian glands of rats, but it has biochemical characteristics that differ from retinal and pineal HIOMT. N-Acetyltransferase (NAT), which converts serotonin to N-acetylserotonin is found not only in the pineal gland but also in the retina of chickens, sparrows and rats. Furthermore, NAT activity varies diurnally like the enzyme of the pineal gland, being higher during the dark phase than during light. Melatonin has been localized by bioassay and immunohistochemical technique to several regions of the brain and the retina of chickens and rats, the retina of trout, the Harderian gland of rats, and the gut of humans, rats and rabbits. The evidence is quite convincing that all these organs synthesize melatonin and do not acquire it totally from the pineal gland via the blood. Indeed, following pinealectomy, melatonin can still be detected in the serum of rats. Melatonin is also present in the brain of rats, the eyes of chickens and trout, and in the blood of trout, mice and sheep after the pineal gland has been ablated. It is evident that melatonin is not a unique or exclusive product of pineal glands. Melatonin is synthesized by and released from a number of tissues. It seems possible that the cells which produce melatonin are within the widely-dispersed APUD system.
Prolonged latency of preterm premature rupture of membranes and risk of neonatal sepsis

Background Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with inflammation and infection, and it may involve the loss of a barrier to ascending infection from the vagina, and it is possible that prolonged PPROM could be an independent risk factor for neonatal sepsis. Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether prolonged latency after PPROM is associated with an increased risk of neonatal sepsis. Study Design This secondary analysis of the randomized controlled trial of magnesium sulfate for the prevention of cerebral palsy evaluated whether the time interval between diagnosis of PPROM and delivery was associated with an increased risk of neonatal sepsis. Latency time was categorized by weeks of latency (0 weeks to ≥ 4 weeks). The primary outcome was confirmed neonatal sepsis. Logistic regression was used to control for confounders. Results A total of 1596 patients with PPROM were analyzed, of whom 1390 had a Conclusion Prolonged exposure to an intrauterine environment of PPROM does not increase the risk of neonatal sepsis; prolonged PPROM ≥ 4 weeks was associated with decreased risk of neonatal sepsis.
Inspanning bij chronisch atriumfibrilleren

Inleiding Patienten met atriumfibrilleren krijgen vaak het advies om inspanning te vermijden, omdat deze aanvallen kan uitlokken, maar lichamelijke inspanning heeft mogelijk juist een positief effect op de klachten. Wij onderzochten of lichamelijke inspanning bij eerstelijnspatienten met chronisch atriumfibrilleren een positieve invloed heeft op de inspanningstolerantie, kortademigheid en hartkloppingen zonder dat deze leidt tot verergering van het atriumfibrilleren.
Q estimates using the coda of local earthquake

An extension of the Aki (1969) coda model takes into account the instrument and Earth Q -filter effects on the dispersion of the coda. The coda dispersion and coda shapes are easily derived and plotted as a function of t * = t/Q . Observed data can be overlaid on master curves to directly estimate shear-wave Q and to normalize for earthquake moment to estimate the attenuation coefficient of γ. The method works well when the earthquakes studied have corner frequencies greater than the combined peak response of the instrument and Earth Q -filters. Comparing results from central California and the southeastern United States, there is a slight indication that the excitation of the coda is inversely proportional to Q .
“Dependência do Imperialismo:” Foreign Investment in Brazil, 1935

Prepared for the Brazilian Ambassador to the United States, this document is a review of all foreign investment in that South American nation in 1935. However, as Mr. Berson points out in his introduction, omissions are just as important as inclusions, especially in light of the trade and commerce treaty then being negotiated between the two countries.
Agency Relationships in Marketing: A Review of the Implications and Applications of Agency and Related Theories:

Agency and related theories have proven useful as theoretical frameworks for examining relationships between principals and their agents in many disciplines. However, though marketing involves a wi...
Ependymomas Produced in Syrian Hamsters by Adenovirus 7, Strain E46 (“Hybrid” of Adenovirus 7 and SV40)

SummaryStrain E46 of adenovirus 7 produced ependymomas when inoculated intra-cerebrally in newborn hamsters. These tumors were morphologically identical to those produced by intracerebral inoculation of SV40 and unlike any tumors produced in hamsters by oncogenic adenoviruses. It has been previously shown that strain E46 is a “hybrid” virus containing the portion of the SV40 genome responsible for production of SV40 neoantigen within an adenovirus 7 capsid. The present results indicate that the “hybrid” contains that portion of the SV40 genome responsible for induction of ependymomas.
AORTIC REGURGITATION EXACERBATING HEART FAILURE IN A PATIENT WITH LEFT VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICE

Left Ventricle Assist Devices (LVADs) have been associated with de-novo or progression of aortic regurgitation (AR) after implantation. AR leads to mechanical inefficiency of the LVAD and can worsen heart failure (HF). A range of percutaneous transcatheter or surgical strategies may be employed in
INFILL ASYMPTOTICS FOR A STOCHASTIC PROCESS MODEL WITH MEASUREMENT ERROR

In spatial modeling the presence of measurement error, or "nugget", can have a big impact on the sample behavior of the parameter estimates. This article investigates the nugget effect on maximum likelihood estimators for a one- dimensional spatial model: Ornstein-Uhlenbeck plus additive white noise. Consis- tency and asymptotic distributions are obtained under infill asymptotics, in which a compact interval is sampled over a finer and finer mesh as the sample size increases. Spatial infill asymptotics have a very different character than the increasing domain asymptotics familiar from time series analysis. A striking effect of measurement er- ror is that MLE for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck component of the parameter vector is only fourth-root-n consistent, whereas the MLE for the measurement error variance has the usual root-n rate.
Project-based approach in teaching energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks

Use of project-based approaches in engineering education is widely acknowledged. Experiments are a significant part of research and they are also very rewarding when used in teaching. In particular, for complex and higher level undergraduate courses, as well as graduate courses project-based teaching promises to enhance the learning experience. Teaching wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in undergraduate level is challenging and can benefit from testbeds. As the cost of hardware and testbeds are declining, there is a good opportunity to demonstrate the abstract notion of computer communication protocols using testbeds. In that sense, energy harvesting wireless sensor networks is a fairly new technology and can be effectively learnt by using testbeds. In this paper, we present our work-in-progress in integrating a state-of the art energy harvesting kit for the purpose of teaching Radio Frequency (RF) energy harvesting concept. The observations on the testbed lead to promising future directions that can help integrate WSNs into STEM education.
The affordable care act-a new way forward.

The future success of the Affordable Care Act depends on doctors' willingness to take the lead in identifying reforms that will lead to high-quality, cost-effective health care.
SU-F-R-42: Association of Radiomic and Metabolic Tumor Volumes in Radiation Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Purpose: High-throughput extraction of imaging and metabolomic quantitative features from MRI and MR Spectroscopy Imaging (MRSI) of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) results in tens of variables per patient. In radiotherapy (RT) of GBM, the relevant metabolic tumor volumes (MTVs) are related to aberrant levels of N-acetyl Aspartate (NAA) and Choline (Cho). Corresponding Clinical Target Volumes (CTVs) for RT planning are based on Contrast Enhancing T1-weighted MRI (CE-T1w) and T2-weighted/Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) MRI. The objective is to build a framework for investigation of associations between imaging, CTV, and MTV features better understanding of the underlying information in the CTVs and dependencies between these volumes. Methods: Necrotic portions, enhancing lesion and edema were manually contoured on T1w/T2w images for 17 GBM patients. CTVs and MTVs for NAA (MTVNAA) and Cho (MTVCho) were constructed. Tumors were scored categorically for ten semantic imaging traits by neuroradiologist. All features were investigated for redundancy. Two-way correlations between imaging and RT/MTV features were visualized as heat maps. Associations between MTVNAA, MTVCho and imaging features were studied using Spearman correlation. Results: 39 imaging features were computed per patient. Half of the imaging traits were replaced with automatically extracted continuous variables. 21 features were extracted from MTVs/CTVs. There were a high number (43) of significant correlations of imaging with CTVs/MTVNAA while very few (10) significant correlations were with CTVs/MTVCho. MTVNAA was found to be closely associated with MRI volumes, MTVCho remains elusive for characterization with imaging. Conclusion: A framework for investigation of co-dependency between MRI and RT/metabolic features is established. A series of semantic imaging traits were replaced with automatically extracted continuous variables. The approach will allow for exploration of relationships between sizes and intersection of imaging features of tumors, RT volumes, metabolite concentrations and comparing those to therapy outcome, quality of life evaluation and overall survival rate. This publication was supported by Grant 10BN03 from Bankhead Coley Cancer Research Program, R01EB000822, R01EB016064, and R01CA172210 from the National Institutes of Health, and Indo-US Science & Technology Forum award #20-2009. Bhaswati Roy received financial assistance from University Grant Commission, New Delhi, India.
Further possibilities regarding the acrostic at aratus 783–7

Recently in the pages of The Classical Quarterly Mathias Hanses convincingly demonstrated the existence of a fourth occurrence of the programmatic adjective λeπτός in Aratus, Phaen. 783–7. This new example occurs in the form of a diagonal acrostic alongside the known ‘gamma-acrostic’ (formed by the λeπτή that is the first word of the passage and the vertical acrostic λeπτή made up of the first letters of each line) and the occurrence of the same form of the adjective in line 784. Jerzy Danielewicz has now proposed yet a fifth instance of λeπτή in the form of an acronym spread over two lines and meant to be read anticlockwise.
Natural Language Processing For Intelligent Information Retrieval

An ongoing research effort at NLM's Lister Hill National Center for Biomedical Communications concerns natural language processing (NLP) for improved repmentation and retrieval of biomedical information. The primary focus of this research program is the development of SPECIALIST, an experimental system for parsing and accessing biomedical text. The system uses lexical, morphologic, syntactic and semantic information as it builds structured representations of sentences and phrases in biomedical texts. It includes a database retrieval facility to allow for testing and evaluation of natural language processing techniques in information retrieval. The system is currently being augmented with information from the two recently released Unified Medical Language System (Urnm) knowledge sources, Meta-lm and the UMLS Semantic Network. The SPECIALIST system is implemented in Quintus Prolog and C and runs on Sun 4 workstations.
Instagram Use, Loneliness, and Social Comparison Orientation: Interact and Browse on Social Media, But Don't Compare

Abstract Ever since the emergence of social networking sites (SNSs), it has remained a question without a conclusive answer whether SNSs make people more or less lonely. To achieve a better understanding, researchers need to move beyond studying overall SNS usage. In addition, it is necessary to attend to personal attributes as potential moderators. Given that SNSs provide rich opportunities for social comparison, one highly relevant personality trait would be social comparison orientation (SCO), and yet this personal attribute has been understudied in social media research. Drawing on literature of psychosocial implications of social media use and SCO, this study explored associations between loneliness and various Instagram activities and the role of SCO in this context. A total of 208 undergraduate students attending a U.S. mid-southern university completed a self-report survey (Mage = 19.43, SD = 1.35; 78 percent female; 57 percent White). Findings showed that Instagram interaction and Instagram brows...
Plasma Activated Bonding for an Enhanced Alignment Electrostatic Lens

Abstract This article presents the design and fabrication of an electrostatic lens unit for the focusing of an electrospray beam. In our design, the post fabrication assembly is eliminated when silicon electrodes and glass spacers are permanently bonded using plasma activated wafer bonding. Minimizing fabrication errors and electrodes misalignment are essential in order to minimize geometrical aberration sources such as astigmatism. Our fabrication process allows etching each electrode in a separate step and eliminates aperture size mismatch. The glass standoffs in the lens unit provide a breakdown voltage of up to 22kV for focusing in vacuum.
Palawa Kani and the Value of Language in Aboriginal Tasmania

Over the past forty years the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, long marked as an iconic case of extinction, have revitalized many elements of their ‘lost’ culture. Palawa kani, the constructed Tasmanian Aboriginal language, is an example of such efforts. The construction and utilization of palawa kani is one element of a broader Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural politics working to strengthen the Indigenous status, authenticity, and presence in Tasmania specifically and Australia more generally. In this article I recount the historical documentation of Tasmanian Aboriginal languages and analyze the process through which multiple historical languages were utilized in the construction and consecration of a single ‘official’ Tasmanian Aboriginal language. Rather than existing strictly as a tool for communication, I argue palawa kani is a cultural artifact that, like an emblem, works to distinguish the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, one that lacks many of the stereotypical components of Australian Aboriginality, within Tasmanian society. As such, it is best understood in relation to Clifford's ‘indigenous articulations’ (2001) and Cowlishaw's mythopoeia of Aboriginality in Australia (2010, 2011). I examine what palawa kani does for, and what it represents to, the larger Tasmanian Aboriginal community.
Plasmoelectronic sensor for real-time on-chip wavelength selective biosensing

Using resistive losses induced by optically excited surface plasmons has shown promise as a CMOS-compatible plasmonic light detector. Increased electron scattering introduced by surface plasmons in an applied current results in a measurable decrease in electrical conductance of a grating, allowing a purely electronic readout of surface plasmon excitation. Accordingly, because of its plasmonic nature, such a detector is dependent on both the wavelength and polarization of incident light with a response time limited by the surface plasmon lifetime. Our ultrafast measurements with electronic read-out indicate that the response time of this detector is on the order of 1ps. Thus such a detector would enable time-resolved biomedical applications such as real-time monitoring of protein structural dynamics for pharmacological applications and research.
Biosynthesis of Prenylated Alkaloids Derived from Tryptophan

The biosynthesis of prenylated indole alkaloids and related natural substances derived from tryptophan is reviewed. The families of compounds covered in this review include the brevianamides, austamides, paraherquamides, marcfortine, roquefortine, aszonalenin, echinulin, verruculogen, the fumitremorgins, a-cyclopiazonic acid, and the ergot alkaloids. Although other families of naturally occurring prenylated indole alkaloids exist, such as the iridoids, this review is intended to examine the biosynthesis of the groups selected based on their structural and biogenetic similarities. In addition, the biosynthesis of the families selected for this chapter have not, to the best of our knowledge, been previously reviewed.
Women and Microfinance in the Global South: Empowerment and Disempowerment Outcomes

Originally conceived as small-scale loans allowing impoverished women to invest in informal sector economic opportunities, microfinance programs have grown rapidly across the globe over the past two decades to become the most common development tool used to empower women in low- and middle-income countries. Women and Microfinance in the Global South incorporates a meta-synthesis of thirty qualitative empirical cases from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to explore the links between microfinance and women's empowerment, questioning how microfinance facilitates the economic and socio-political empowerment of women. The theoretical framework assesses both positive and negative outcomes of microfinance at the grassroots level, considering how such market-based interventions intersect with patriarchal beliefs and practices, and analyses the different mechanisms through which microfinance can empower or disempower women. It will interest scholars of developmental studies and women's issues, as well as practitioners, NGOs, and policymakers.
Mitochondrial genome of an Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister).

The Allegheny woodrat (Neotoma magister) is endemic to the eastern United States. Population numbers have decreased rapidly over the last four decades due to habitat fragmentation, disease-related ...
Lesion of the OVLT markedly attenuates chronic DOCA-salt hypertension in rats.

Lesions of the anteroventral third ventricle (AV3V region) are known to prevent many forms of experimental hypertension, including mineralocorticoid [deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt] hypert...
Vasodilator Therapy for Chronic Aortic and Mitral Regurgitation

The use of vasodilator therapy in chronic AR and MR may be beneficial in selected patients and harmful in others. The hemodynamics of the two conditions are different and must be taken into account. In AR, vasodilators reduce afterload mismatch and can preserve LV function and delay the need for surgery. However, if the patient has severely reduced diastolic blood pressure, vasodilators could potentially impair coronary perfusion. In MR, vasodilators may reduce regurgitant volume and LV preload depending on the mechanism of MR. In patients with MR caused by dilated cardiomyopathy, vasodilators reduce symptoms, and improve functional class. However, in mitral valve prolapse or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, vasodilators may worsen the MR and should be avoided. In other primary causes of MR, vasodilators could potentially mask the development of LV dysfunction and lead to unnecessary and harmful delays in surgery.
Hydrogen storage properties of magnesium nanotrees investigated by a quartz crystal microbalance system

Abstract We report enhanced low temperature hydrogen storage properties of magnesium “nanotrees” fabricated by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) method. The arrays of nanotrees and conventional thin films of elemental Mg have been deposited directly onto gold coated unpolished quartz crystal substrates. Mg nanotrees were about 15 μm in height, 10 μm by 1 μm in lateral size, and were composed of “nanoleaves” of about 20 nm in thickness, 2 μm length, and 1 μm width. Hydrogen absorption and desorption properties of Mg nanotrees and thin films were investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) testing system that is capable of measuring weight changes with a nanogram sensitivity. QCM absorption tests were performed at temperatures 100, 200, and 300 °C under 30 bars of H 2 pressure. Measurements revealed that Mg nanotrees can absorb hydrogen at significantly higher weight percentage (wt%) and faster rates compared to conventional Mg films under similar conditions. Hydrogen storage of Mg thin film was observed to be at 0.02, 0.30 and 3.91 wt% (weight percentage), while it reached to 1.26, 3.75, and 5.86 wt% for nanotrees at temperatures 100, 200, and 300 °C, respectively, after 150 min. In addition, the results of desorption experiments show that Mg nanotrees can start to release hydrogen at temperatures as low as 100 °C at a rate of 0.11 wt% (vs. 0.01 wt% for thin film at the same temperature) with desorption rates reaching to 1.05 wt% at 200 °C (0.26 wt% for thin film) and 2.57 wt% at 300 °C (1.45 wt% for thin film), which are considerably lower desorption temperatures compared to previously reported values for bulk Mg (>300 °C). The enhancement in hydrogen absorption and desorption properties of Mg nanotrees is believed to originate from their thin and isolated nanoleaves that also have an improved oxidation resistance property.
Highly active and selective Cu-ZnO based catalyst for methanol and dimethyl ether synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation

Abstract Highly active and selective Cu-ZnO based catalysts with high BET surface areas and Cu surface areas were prepared using the co-precipitation method. The Cu-ZnO based catalysts were systematically characterized and studied for methanol synthesis. Bifunctional catalysts, composed of Cu-ZnO based catalysts and HZSM-5 were studied for one-step dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation. The effects of catalyst preparation conditions, reaction temperature, and pressure on methanol and DME synthesis were investigated and the optimum reaction conditions were determined. The optimized catalyst showed a BET surface area of 128 m2/g and a Cu surface area of over 59.3 m2/g, and demonstrated a high catalytic activity for CO2 hydrogenation. A bifunctional catalyst, prepared by a synthesized Cu-ZnO catalyst and HZSM-5, showed a high DME selectivity in one-step CO2 hydrogenation and methanol dehydration. The high activity and selectivity of the catalysts were attributed to the microstructure of the catalysts, which can be greatly affected by the catalyst preparation process. A long-term stability test showed a considerable decrease in activity within the first 20 h; however, the CO2 conversion (21.4%) and DME selectivity (55.5%) were still very high after 100 h.
Building Better Bridges: Toward a Transdisciplinary Science Communication

In this article the authors envision a more durable and portable model of scholarship on public engagement with science through partnerships between rhetoricians of science and quantitative social ...
Sleep Problems in the Elderly

Refreshing sleep requires both sufficient total sleep time as well as sleep that is in synchrony with the individual's circadian rhythm. Problems with sleep organization in elderly patients typically include difficulty falling asleep, less time spent in the deeper stages of sleep, early-morning awakening and less total sleep time. Poor sleep habits such as irregular sleep-wake times and daytime napping may contribute to insomnia. Caffeine, alcohol and some medications can also interfere with sleep. Primary sleep disorders are more common in the elderly than in younger persons. Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder can disrupt sleep and may respond to low doses of antiparkinsonian agents as well as other drugs. Sleep apnea can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness. Evaluation of sleep problems in the elderly includes careful screening for poor sleep habits and other factors that may be contributing to the sleep problem. Formal sleep studies may be needed when a primary sleep disorder is suspected or marked daytime dysfunction is noted. Therapy with a benzodiazepine receptor agonist may be indicated after careful evaluation.
Filled Milk Act

This act, commonly called the Filled Milk Act, was passed “To prohibit the shipment of filled milk in interstate and foreign commerce.” The only amendment has been to add a Section 4 relating to the promulgation of regulations to enforce the act. The Secretary of Agriculture first was given the responsibility for enforcement, then in 1940, through a reorganization plan, this function was delegated to the Federal Security Administrator. Finally, in 1953, through another reorganization plan, the Federal Security Agency was abolished and authority to enforce the act was given to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.