cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-24-Hour Disorder in Blind Individuals Revisited: Variability and the Influence of Environmental Time Cues.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To assess the interindividual and intraindividual variability in the circadian rhythms of blind individuals with non-24-h disorder and to quantify the influence of environmental time cues in blind subjects lacking entrainment (non-24-h individuals or N-24s). DESIGN An observational study of 21 N-24s (11 females and 10 males, age 9-78 years) who kept a sleep/wake schedule of their choosing. Circadian phase was determined using the melatonin onset (MO) from plasma or saliva samples that were collected every 2 weeks. Melatonin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. A total of 469 MO assessments were conducted over 5,536 days of study. The rate of drift of circadian phase was calculated using a series of MOs (total number of hours the MO drifted divided by the total number of days studied). Stability of the rest/activity rhythm was calculated using chi-squared periodogram analysis of wrist actigraphy data in 19 subjects. SETTING Academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS Paid volunteers. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Subjects lacked entrainment such that circadian phase drifted an average (± standard deviation) of 0.39 ± 0.29 h later per day; however, there was notable intersubject and intrasubject variability in the rate of drift including relative coordination and periods of transient entrainment during which there was little to no drift in the circadian phase. A regular, reproducible, and significant oscillation in the rate of drift was detected in 14 of the 21 subjects. A significant non-24-h rest/activity rhythm was detected in 18 of 19 subjects. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.793, P = 0.0001) between the non-24-h rest/activity rhythm and the rate of drift of the circadian phase. CONCLUSIONS Most N-24s are influenced by unidentified environmental time cues and the non-entrained biological clock in such N-24s is reflected in their rest/activity rhythms. These findings may have diagnostic and treatment implications: this disorder might be diagnosed with actigraphy alone, relative coordination and transient entrainment may result in misdiagnosis and responsiveness to environmental time cues may influence treatment success with oral melatonin. CITATION Emens JS; Laurie AL; Songer JB; Lewy AJ. Non-24-hour disorder in blind individuals revisited: variability and the influence of environmental time cues. SLEEP 2013;36(7):1091-1100.
Transient aphasia with lithium toxicity.

Abstract A case of transient aphasia in a 48-year-old woman is described. The aphasia occurred when progressive renal insufficiency led to accumulation of lithium to toxic levels, and was associated with well-known clinical findings of lithium toxicity.
Cognitive therapy of schizophrenia: Theory and empirical status

The empirical status of cognitive approaches to schizophrenia is presented. A review of outcome studies identifies patient characteristics, describes treatment components, delineates outcome and follow-up status (if available), and considers commonalties among therapy components. A “clinical section,” synthesized largely from the successful outcome studies, presents cognitive therapy principles and strategies adapted to treatment of schizophrenia. Theoretical issues, such as ecological validity and the necessity to target both disordered cognitive content and processing, are briefly addressed. Finally, eight “burning questions” or issues for future research are suggested.
A silicon strip detector telescope in the Mark II detector at the SLC

Abstract In this paper we report on the performance of a telescope made of three Silicon Detector Modules placed inside the Mark II detector at the SLC. We study occupancies, telescope - Mark II Central Drift Chamber (CDC) track matching and spatial resolution.
Photoreceptor mosaic: Number and distribution of rods and cones in the rhesus monkey retina

Video-enhanced differential interference contrast optics was used to determine the number and distribution of photoreceptors across the entire retinal surface of 9 eyes obtained from 7 adult rhesus monkeys. We found that the retina of this primate contains an average of 3,100,000 cones (+/- 130,000) and 61,000,000 rods (+/- 7,500,000). Variation among animals in the number of rods and cones cannot be accounted for by differences in sex, age, or retinal surface area, nor is there a correlation between the number of rods and cones (a retina with a high number of rods does not typically have a high number of cones). Cone density peaks at 141,000 cones/mm2 in the foveola and decreases about 100-fold toward the periphery. Rod density in a central annulus around the fovea is 130,000/mm2 and decreases 6-8-fold toward the periphery. In all 9 retinae, we found that an area 4-5 mm dorsal to the fovea had the highest rod density at 184,000 rods/mm2. The functional significance of this area, which we term the dorsal rod peak (DRP), may be related to high sensitivity vision under scotopic conditions. Outside of the DRP, rod density is symmetrical around the major axes of the retina, whereas cone density is elevated in nasal retina. Among animals, both rods and cones display a 2-fold individual difference in receptor density at any given eccentricity. Although rods and cones differ in absolute number, the location and magnitude of their peak densities, and their central to peripheral density gradients, the ratio of the density of rods to cones (15-30:1) is remarkably stable from 3 mm to 15 mm eccentricity. The relative consistency in the proportion of rods and cones in extrafoveal retina may be related to mechanisms of retinal development and functional interactions between scotopic and photopic systems.
Temperature and deformation measurements in transient metal cutting

Metal cutting is a thermomechanically coupled process in which plasticity induced heating and friction play a critical role. The objective of this work is to develop a methodology to understand and quantify this coupling. Temperatures of the workpiece and the chip during transient cutting processes are measured using a linear array of 16 InSb infrared detectors with 200 ns rise time and 27 μm spatial resolution. Three different materials, 1018 CR steel, Al6061-T6 and Ti-6Al-4V, are tested at a cutting speed of 4.3 m s−1. A grid method is used to measure deformations during the above set of experiments. Measured values of temperature and deformation are compared to results of finite element simulations of the experiments.
Self-Rated Health among Pregnant Women: Associations with Objective Health Indicators, Psychological Functioning, and Serum Inflammatory Markers

Background Biobehavioral correlates of self-rated health in pregnancy are largely unknown.
Effect of simulated mission loads on orbiter thermal protection system undensified tiles

The Thermal Protection System (TPS) used on the undersurface of the Shuttle Orbiter consists of several thousand ceramic tiles bonded to sections of low modulus felt material, which are in turn individually bonded to the aluminum skin of the Orbiter. The TPS exhibited low strength at the interface between the tile and the strain isolation pad. Tiles failing a tensile proof test were removed and strengthened by applying a ceramic slurry which provided a densified region at the bonding surface. Because of cost and schedule considerations, many tiles which passed the proof test were not removed and densified before the first Shuttle flight. This paper describes the results of a series of combined static and random dynamic load tests simulating the expected ascent loads during the first flight. The tests were performed to ensure the integrity of the TPS remaining undensified in the wing and midfuselage region before the first flight. All specimens tested survived an equivalent of 72 ascent missions with residual strengths exceeding the original proof loads, indicating that the undensified tiles had sufficient strength to withstand ascent loads.
Preparation and mass spectra of 2,5-diaryl-1,4-dithiins

2 Seven5-diaryl-1,4-dithiins were prepared from phenacyl halides via the corresponding Bunte salts. The mass spectra showed a number of similarities within this series of compounds. Various dipositive ions were observed in all cases while the unsubstituted and p-methyl derivatives formed tripositive ions. Ir, nmr, and chemical analysis were also completed and reported.
An ab initio study of the influence of substituents and intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the carbonyl bond length, and the harmonic and anharmonic stretching force constants. I. Monosubstituted carbonyl compounds

Abstract The CO bond length and the quadratic, cubic and quartic stretching force constants, calculated ab initio using the unscaled 4–31G basis set with full geometry optimization, are reported for three series of monosubstituted carbonyl compounds in which the atom directly bonded to the carbonyl carbon is another carbon, a nitrogen, or an oxygen atom, respectively. The data are analyzed in terms of the In ƒ versus In re relationship, and also the generalized power functions and exponential functions proposed by Herschbach and Laurie. Not only does the atom directly bonded to the carbonyl carbon affect the magnitude of re and the force constants, but the rest of the substituent group is found to be capable of exerting an even greater influence. Within each series of compounds the overall progression from the shortest to the longest CO bonds is tentatively attributed to a diminishing electron density in the bonding region.
Basin-wide circulation and ventilation study in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) using chlorofluorocarbon tracers

Abstract Near-synoptic basin-wide distributions of the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) tracers were observed during the summer of 1999 in the East Sea (Sea of Japan) to study its circulation and ventilation. The CFCs penetrate throughout the water column, and the bottom water (BW) CFC concentrations have increased over measurements made in 1995 and 1996, indicating a continuous weak renewal of deep waters in the East Sea during this recent period. The CFC-11 water-column inventory estimated in 1999 (2000–5500 nmol m−2) is substantially higher than that of the adjacent North Pacific Ocean. A striking anticorrelation between the BW dissolved oxygen and CFC concentrations in the Japan Basin is attributed to more active vertical mixing along the basin boundary, a dynamically isolated deep eastern Japan Basin, and recent changes in deep water ventilation. The BW of the eastern Japan Basin with the lowest CFC content is the oldest water parcel in the East Sea, although it is colder and contains higher oxygen concentration than the surrounding BW. Active entrainment of overlying deep water is inferred from the unexpectedly higher BW CFC concentrations in the Yamato Basin. This may explain why the Yamato Basin BW is warmer and less oxygenated than the other basins in the East Sea, although it is believed to be a terminus of the ventilated DWs. Mesoscale anticyclonic eddies, which have been fused with other deeply convected waters in the northwestern East Sea, seem to play an important role in transferring surface-water properties to depths greater than 2500 m. The subsurface CFC maximum, centered within the typical East Sea Intermediate Water (ESIW) layer, is more widely distributed south of the subpolar front than previously reported. The ESIW consists primarily of the colder and fresher winter surface water in the northern region that has subducted below the subpolar front.
Pneumococcal pneumonia. Predispositions and prevention.

1991;99;2-3 Chest B A Lipsky prevention. Pneumococcal pneumonia. Predispositions and http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/99/1/2.citation can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and services ) ISSN:0012-3692 http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. reserved. No part of this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed Chest Physicians, 3300 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights of been published monthly since 1935. Copyright1991by the American College is the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians. It has Chest
Pineal regulation of circadian rhythms of 2-deoxy[14C]glucose uptake and 2[125I]iodomelatonin binding in the visual system of the house sparrow, Passer domesticus

The pineal gland and its hormone melatonin are crucial for the generation of circadian rhythms in several species of passerine birds. The sites and mechanisms by which they influence avian behavior are therefore of particular interest. Recent research employing several brain imaging techniques has indicated that the sites of melatonin action within the avian brain are wide-spread within the 4 major visual pathways. In this study, we have investigated whether the avian homologue of the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus, the visual suprachiasmatic nucleus (vSCN), and other visually sensitive structures express circadian rhythms of 2-deoxy[14C]glucose (2DG) uptake and 2[125I]iodomelatonin (IMEL) binding in house sparrows,Passer domesticus, under constant environmental conditions in the presence or absence of the pineal gland. The results indicate that 2DG uptake in the vSCN is oscillatory in sham-operated sparrows but damps to arrhythmicity in pinealectomized birds, suggesting this structure contains a damped circadian oscillator independent of pineal input. We have also asked whether IMEL binding is rhythmic under these conditions in the same brains. These results indicate IMEL binding is rhythmic in several structures in the circadian, tectofugal, thalamofugal visual pathways and that pinealectomy increases the level of IMEL binding 2–4 fold suggesting that IMEL binding is down regulated by endogenous melatonin. However, the circadian rhythm of this binding is only gradually abolished, suggesting it too is regulated by a non-pineal circadian clock. These data are discussed in the context of the behavioral neurobiology of avian circadian systems and the neuroendocrine loop model.
Multi-dimensional stability of planar Lax shocks in hyperbolic–elliptic coupled systems

Abstract We study nonlinear time-asymptotic stability of small-amplitude planar Lax shocks in a model consisting of a system of multi-dimensional conservation laws coupled with an elliptic system. Such a model can be found in context of dynamics of a gas in presence of radiation. Our main result asserts that the standard uniform Evans stability condition implies nonlinear stability. The main analysis is based on the earlier developments by Zumbrun for multi-dimensional viscous shock waves and by Lattanzio–Mascia–Nguyen–Plaza–Zumbrun for one-dimensional radiative shock profiles.
Experimental Approach to the Paleocirculation of the Oceanic Surface Waters

Experimental investigations of the pattern of Middle Cretaceous oceanic surface currents in the Northern Hemisphere have been made, using planetary vorticity models developed by Von Arx. The main features of the ocean configuration are an open Tethys seaway and Central American region, an Atlantic Ocean approximately 50 percent of its present size, a Pacific Ocean about 25 percent larger than it is at present, and the ancient Tethys Ocean. Two zonal wind profiles have been considered in the experiments, a “glacial” profile simulating the zonal profile in existence today and a “nonglacial” profile with the westerlies belt about 10° farther north than the glacial profile. Paleoclimatic data support the existence of the non-glacial situation in the Middle Cretaceous, and these results are considered most relevant. The features of this experiment which differ significantly from the present-day oceanic surface circulation are the circum-global flow of the Tethys current, the flow of the Gulf Stream into the Labrador Sea, and cross-polar flow of water from the Atlantic into the North Pacific. In another experiment, the Tethys region was closed off near Malaysia in order to simulate the obstruction of the Tethys current. The Central American region was left open. Weak and variable currents are seen in the Tethys (or ancient Mediterranean), and the circum-global current is absent. North Atlantic circulation occurs from Greenland down to the equator. Atlantic and Pacific waters exchange through the Isthmus of Panama. A net inflow of Pacific water through this gap into the Atlantic maintains the cross-polar flow of “warmer” waters from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Geologic evidence of the first land connections in the Isthmus region can be correlated with the formation of the Labrador Current (3.4 m.y. ago and 3 m.y. ago, respectively). It is proposed that cessation of net inflow of Pacific water into the Atlantic caused cross-polar flow to stop. This, coupled with a deteriorating mean global temperature, was sufficient to trigger the formation of ice in the Arctic region.
A two-step high-order compact scheme for the Laplacian operator and its implementation in an explicit method for integrating the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

We describe and test an easy-to-implement two-step high-order compact (2SHOC) scheme for the Laplacian operator and its implementation into an explicit finite-difference scheme for simulating the nonlinear Schrodinger equation (NLSE). Our method relies on a compact 'double-differencing' which is shown to be computationally equivalent to standard fourth-order non-compact schemes. Through numerical simulations of the NLSE using fourth-order Runge-Kutta, we confirm that our scheme shows the desired fourth-order accuracy. A computation and storage requirement comparison is made between the 2SHOC scheme and the non-compact equivalent scheme for both the Laplacian operator alone, as well as when implemented in the NLSE simulations. Stability bounds are also shown in order to get maximum efficiency out of the method. We conclude that the modest increase in storage and computation of the 2SHOC schemes is well worth the advantages of having the schemes compact, and their ease of implementation makes their use very useful for practical implementations.
Forecasting series-based stock price data using direct reinforcement learning

A significant amount of work has been done in the area of price series forecasting using soft computing techniques, most of which are based upon supervised learning. Unfortunately, there has been evidence that such models suffer from fundamental drawbacks. Given that the short-term performance of the financial forecasting architecture can be immediately measured, it is possible to integrate reinforcement learning into such applications. In this paper, we present the novel hybrid view for a financial series and critic adaptation stock price forecasting architecture using direct reinforcement. A new utility function called policies-matching ratio is also proposed. The need for the common tweaking work of supervised learning is reduced and the empirical results using real financial data illustrate the effectiveness of such a learning framework.
HEAVY TAILS OF DISCOUNTED AGGREGATE CLAIMS IN THE CONTINUOUS-TIME RENEWAL MODEL

We study the tail behavior of discounted aggregate claims in a continuous-time renewal model. For the case of Pareto-type claims, we establish a tail asymptotic formula, which holds uniformly in time.
Correlation of Cerium Anomalies with Indicators of Paleoenvironment

ABSTRACT Among 21 whole-rock samples of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation from Colorado, the abundance of cerium relative to other rare earth elements (Ce anomaly), the weight percent organic carbon (%Corg), and the intensity of bioturbation all covary. This covariation is provocative because %Corg and intensity of bioturbation track changes in the concentration of oxygen in the local water column at the time of deposition (Savrda and Bottjer 1989). Ce anomalies in apatite-rich fractions of the Maastrichtian Zumaya-Algorta Formation from France and Spain and the Miocene Monterey Formation from California show changes that also may coincide with changes in ancient oxygen levels. Our results for the Niobrara samples are the closest correspondence demonstrated betwe n paleo-redox conditions and Ce anomalies, but we cannot yet determine whether the correspondence reflects a cause-and-effect relationship. Variation in Ce anomalies is influenced by a number of factors, including terrigenous input, depositional environment, and diagenetic conditions. Potential interplay of these factors prevents a unique interpretation of our whole-rock data; dissecting whole-rock Ce anomalies through analysis of isolated sedimentary components, though, is a promising avenue of research.
On Shaping With Motion

Mechanical parts are modeled as (predominantly rigid) solid shapes that may move in space in order to function, be manufactured (for example, machine or be machined), and be assembled or disassembled. While it is clear that such mechanical shapes are greatly influenced by collision, interference, containment, and contact constraints through prescribed motions, the motion itself is usually not part of these shape models. This in turn leads to proliferation of computational methods for modeling and analysis of various motion-related constraints. We show that all motion-related constraints can be formulated and applied within the same computational framework that treats motion as an integral part of the model. Our approach relies on two computational utilities. The first one is the unsweep operation which, given an arbitrary n-dimensional subset of Euclidean space E and a general motion M, returns the largest subset of E that remains inside E under M. The second modeling utility is a disjoint decomposition of space induced by the operations of unsweep and the standard set operations. The proposed approach subsumes and unifies the traditional sweep-based modeling of moving parts, and provides improved computational support for mechanical shape design.
Spillover compensation for extra-cardiac activity to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of cardiac SPECT perfusion imaging

Abstract Background: In recent Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) studies comparing combined iterative reconstruction compensation for attenuation (AC), Compton scatter (SC) and distance dependent resolution (RC) with filtered backprojection it was determined that extra-cardiac activity decrease the accuracy of defect detection particularly in the right coronary artery territory. The objective of the study was to determine to what extent the impact of spillover from extra-cardiac activity on cardiac perfusion defect detection can be diminished in the right coronary artery territory. Methods: A 3D binary image of each structure with extra-cardiac activity segmented from the SPECT perfusion map is projected with inclusion of distance-dependent spatial resolution, and non-uniform attenuation. The projections are reconstructed using the same algorithm as the emission slices to yield the fractional spillover at each voxel outside the extra-cardiac structures. These fractions are then multiplied by the average count per voxel in the central region of the structure to estimate the spillover from the structure to each voxel which is subtracted from the reconstructed voxel count. Previously acquired Tc-99m SPECT perfusion data of patients (n=10) with a right coronary artery narrowing larger than 50% were selected to investigate feasibility of this method. Ten low likelihood controls with significant amounts of extra-cardiac activity present were also included. Results: Compensation for spillover reduced the voxel counts in the occluded region as much as 48% leaving the normal myocardium unchanged. No artifacts were visible in the normal controls. Conclusions: We have determined that it is possible to successfully correct cardiac SPECT slices for distortions in regional localization of radioactivity uptake due to spillover using segmented extra-cardiac distributions. Although the method as described only used segmented extra-cardiac radioactive distributions, the emerging combined SPECT/CT technology can play a vital role in identifying and segmenting extra-cardiac structures.
Vector form EM and suboptimal joint state and parameter estimation

The expectation maximization (EM) algorithm combined with the Kalman filter (KF) can be applied iteratively to yield state estimates and ML estimates of the parameters of a linear dynamical system. In this paper new recursive forms of the accumulated second-order state moments which constitute the core of the joint state and parameter estimator are derived. The new recursions are in vector form and follow directly from the state smoothing formula as well as the properties of the Kronecker product. By loosening the optimal constraints, the new recursion forms lead to efficient suboptimal algorithms that are time-recursive. Convergence control of these recursive algorithms by exponential weighting is also considered.
Structural adaptations for gliding in mammals with implications for locomotor behavior in paromomyids

The gliding abilities of paromomyid plesiadapiforms are evaluated through a functional analysis of long bone morphology in a comparative sample of modern gliders and related nongliders. Relationships between body mass, long bone lengths, and long bone midshaft cross-sectional areas are explored. Theory suggests that gliders should have long humeri and femora to improve aspect ratio, and that larger gliders should have relatively longer limb bones than smaller gliders to minimize drag and patagial loading at greater body masses. Comparisons between extant taxa support these predictions: gliders have relatively longer humeri and femora than those of nongliders, and glider long bone lengths scale with positive allometry, while the scaling of nonglider long bones does not differ from isometry. Preliminary analysis of distal to proximal limb segment proportions further suggests that bone lengthening is, to some extent, related to patagial attachment site, although humeri and femora are relatively long in all of the gliders, regardless of attachment site. The proportions of paromomyids relative to those of extant mammals do not support a gliding interpretation for these fossils. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sexual activity as a trigger for cardiovascular events: what is the risk?

An important component in the rehabilitation program of patients with cardiac disease is assisting them in resuming sexual activity. In many cases, cardiac disease creates fear, particularly in the spouse, that sexual activity will trigger a cardiac event. Assessment of the possibility that sexual activity may lead to cardiac disease has been aided by advances in the study of triggers of cardiovascular disease. The acute onset of cardiovascular disease has, in many cases, proved to result from the exposures and activities of patients. Nonfatal myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death, stroke, transient myocardial ischemia, and most arrhythmias have a marked peak during the period between 6:00 A.M. and noon. Wake-time-adjusted data indicate that peak occurrence follows waking and rising. In addition to this marked dependence of disease onset on time of day and awakening, it has been established that there are numerous other triggers of cardiovascular events. For nonfatal infarction, the triggers of heavy exertion, anger, sexual activity, and awakening account for approximately 17% of all cases. Other triggers are still being identified. A new epidemiologic method, the case-crossover method, has greatly enhanced identification of triggering. Regular exertion can reduce the incidence of triggering. It is possible, though unproved, that an acute event can be triggered by rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. With regard to sexual activity, the low absolute risk generated by a potential trigger is useful information with which to reassure patients.
Hardware/software partitioning of floating point software applications to fixed-pointed coprocessor circuits

While hardware/software partitioning has been shown to provide significant performance gains, most hardware/software partitioning approaches are limited to partitioning computational kernels utilizing integers or fixed point implementations. Software developers often initially develop an application using built-in floating point representations and later convert the application to a fixed point representation - a potentially time consuming process. In this paper, we present a hardware/software partitioning approach for floating point applications that eliminates the need for developers to rewrite software applications for fixed point implementations. Instead, the proposed approach incorporates efficient, configurable floating point to fixed point and fixed point to floating point hardware converters at the boundary between the hardware coprocessors and memory. This effectively separates the system into a floating point domain consisting of the microprocessor and memory subsystem and a fixed point domain consisting of the partitioned hardware coprocessors, thereby providing an efficient and rapid method for implementing fixed point hardware coprocessors.
Phylogenetic diversity of bacterial symbionts of Solemya hosts based on comparative sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes

The bacterial endosymbionts of two species of the bivalve genus Solemya from the Pacific Ocean, Solemya terraeregina and Solemya pusilla, were characterized. Prokaryotic cells resembling gram-negative bacteria were observed in the gills of both host species by transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructure of the symbiosis in both host species is remarkably similar to that of all previously described Solemya spp. By using sequence data from 16S rRNA, the identity and evolutionary origins of the S. terraeregina and S. pusilla symbionts were also determined. Direct sequencing of PCR-amplified products from host gill DNA with primers specific for Bacteria 16S rRNA genes gave a single, unambiguous sequence for each of the two symbiont species. In situ hybridization with symbiont-specific oligonucleotide probes confirmed that these gene sequences belong to the bacteria residing in the hosts gills. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences by both distance and parsimony methods identify the S. terraeregina and S. pusilla symbionts as members of the gamma subdivision of the Proteobacteria. In contrast to symbionts of other bivalve families, which appear to be monophyletic, the S. terraeregina and S. pusilla symbionts share a more recent common ancestry with bacteria associating endosymbiotically with bivalves of the superfamily Lucinacea than with other Solemya symbionts (host species S. velum, S. occidentalis, and S. reidi). Overall, the 16S rRNA gene sequence data suggest that the symbionts of Solemya hosts represent at least two distinct bacterial lineages within the gamma-Proteobacteria. While it is increasingly clear that all extant species of Solemya live in symbiosis with specific bacteria, the associations appear to have multiple evolutionary origins.
Partitioning adaptive differentiation across a patchy landscape: shade avoidance traits in impatiens capensis.

Adaptation to different habitat types across a patchy landscape may either arise independently in each patch or occur due to repeated colonization of each patch by the same specialized genotype. We tested whether open- and closed-canopy forms of Impatiens capensis, an herbaceous annual plant of eastern North America, have evolved repeatedly by comparing hierarchical measures of FST estimated from AFLPs to morphological differentiation measured by QST for five pairs of populations found in open and closed habitats in five New England regions. Morphological differentiation between habitats (QHT) in elongation traits was greater than marker divergence (FHT), suggesting adaptive differentiation. Genotypes from open- and closed-canopy habitats differed in shade avoidance traits in several population pairs, whereas patterns of AFLP differentiation suggest this differentiation does not have a single origin. These results suggest that open- and closed-canopy habitats present different selective pressures, but that the outcome of diversifying selection may differ depending on specific closed- and open-canopy habitats and on starting genetic variation. Hierarchical partitioning of FST and QST makes it possible to distinguish global stabilizing selection on traits across a landscape from diversifying selection between habitat types within regions.
Radon inversion and Kalman reconstructions: A comparison

Some of the recent applications of computerized tomography (CT) such as gated cardiac scanning and dynamic scanning are challenging the capabilities of the convolution/backprojection reconstruction algorithm. Increased attention is being directed toward techniques which take advantage of apriori information (e.g., measurement noise statistics, average pixel (picture element) correlations, shape of scanning beam). Such algorithms (e.g., Kalman filter) are generally characterized (and controlled) by a pixel error-covariance matrix. It is important to be able to compare these algorithms with convolution/ backprojection techniques. This paper provides that capability by deriving a convenient expression for the pixel error-covariance for algorithms based on the Radon inversion formula. The expression is than adapted to a specific fan-beam data acquisition scheme. Using this expression, the convolution/backprojection algorithm is compared with two algorithms based on the Kalman filter for a variety of scanning configurations.
Dopamine D4 receptor isoform mRNA and protein are expressed in the rat cortical collecting duct.

We reported previously [Am. J. Physiol. 271 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 40): F391–F400, 1996] that dopamine inhibits vasopressin (AVP)-dependent water permeability and Na+ transport in the ra...
Rapid and Effective Removal of Perfluorooctanoic Acid from Proteomics Samples

We recently demonstrated that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a volatile surfactant, is as effective as sodium dodecyl sulfate at solubilizing the membrane proteins. PFOA can be removed by repeated evaporation prior to mass spectrometry analysis. However, the removal of PFOA by evaporation is a lengthy process that takes approximately 6 h. Toward the goal of decreasing the length of time required to remove PFOA from protein digests, we tested the efficiency of PFOA removal and subsequent peptide recovery using strong cation exchange (SCX) chromatography, hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC), fluorous solid phase extraction (FSPE), and anion exchange (ANX) chromatography. We found that all these chromatographic techniques except ANX chromatography remove PFOA thoroughly from protein digest. Peptide recovery rates from the SCX chromatography varied widely; nonacidic peptides were recovered at a rate of up to 95%, while acidic peptides were recovered at a rate of less than 10%. On the other hand, acidic peptides were recovered well from HILIC, while peptides whose pIs are greater than 6 were recovered poorly. Peptide recovery using FSPE was considerably lower, less than 10% for most of the peptides. These results indicate that the SCX and HILIC chromatography provide a more rapid alternative to the evaporation method for applications in which recovery of entire set of peptides is not required.
Examining playground engagement between elementary school children with and without autism spectrum disorder

Little is known about the social behavior of children with and without autism spectrum disorder during recess. This study documented the naturally occurring recess engagement and peer interaction behaviors of children with and without autism spectrum disorder in inclusive school settings. Participants included 51 children with autism spectrum disorder and 51 classmates without autism spectrum disorder who served as peer models matched on gender, classroom, grade, age, and ethnicity. Using a timed-interval behavior-coding system, children with autism spectrum disorder spent approximately 30% of their recess time engaged in solitary activities, whereas their classmates only spent approximately 9% of recess unengaged. In addition, children with autism spectrum disorder spent about 40% of the recess period jointly engaged with peers in a reciprocal activity, conversation, or game as compared to 70% for matched classmates. These findings provide a context for which to interpret intervention outcomes and gains for children with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive settings.
Comprehensively Evaluating cis-Regulatory Variation in the Human Prostate Transcriptome by Using Gene-Level Allele-Specific Expression

The identification of cis-acting regulatory variation in primary tissues has the potential to elucidate the genetic basis of complex traits and further our understanding of transcriptomic diversity across cell types. Expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) association analysis using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data can improve upon the detection of cis-acting regulatory variation by leveraging allele-specific expression (ASE) patterns in association analysis. Here, we present a comprehensive evaluation of cis-acting eQTLs by analyzing RNA-seq gene-expression data and genome-wide high-density genotypes from 471 samples of normal primary prostate tissue. Using statistical models that integrate ASE information, we identified extensive cis-eQTLs across the prostate transcriptome and found that approximately 70% of expressed genes corresponded to a significant eQTL at a gene-level false-discovery rate of 0.05. Overall, cis-eQTLs were heavily concentrated near the transcription start and stop sites of affected genes, and effects were negatively correlated with distance. We identified multiple instances of cis-acting co-regulation by using phased genotype data and discovered 233 SNPs as the most strongly associated eQTLs for more than one gene. We also noted significant enrichment (25/50, p = 2E−5) of previously reported prostate cancer risk SNPs in prostate eQTLs. Our results illustrate the benefit of assessing ASE data in cis-eQTL analyses by showing better reproducibility of prior eQTL findings than of eQTL mapping based on total expression alone. Altogether, our analysis provides extensive functional context of thousands of SNPs in prostate tissue, and these results will be of critical value in guiding studies examining disease of the human prostate.
Unexpected peak near!15!C in CloudSat echo top climatology

[1] We examine a radar-derived climatology of Earth's cloudiness, focusing on the vertical distribution echo tops. Between the two main peaks at ∼2 km and ∼14 km associated with low and high clouds, respectively, lie two distinct midlevel peaks in the tropics. One is in the 5–6 km layer, the other between 7 and 8 km. Both are seen day and night, over land and sea, over each tropical ocean basin, and in published ground radar climatology. In the extratropics, the vertical echo top distribution by temperature reveals a strikingly sharp peak in the −15 to −20°C layer (corresponding to the 7–8 km peak in the tropics). Again the signal is robust (night-day, land-sea, summer-winter). We consider interpretations of the −15°C peak ranging from data artifacts (unlikely), to mere radar brightening, to possible true microphysical or dynamical cloudiness enhancement mechanisms.
Women, Genocide, and Memory The Ethics of Feminist Ethnography in Holocaust Research

This article explores the ethical dilemmas of doing a feminist ethnography of gender and Holocaust memory. In response to the conflicts the author experienced as both a participant/Jewish woman and an observer/feminist ethnographer, she engaged in a critical examination of her research methods and goals that led to an exploration into the complex moral issues that inform research on women and genocide specifically and feminist ethnographies of violence more generally. Drawing on her fieldwork at Holocaust sites in Eastern Europe, she identified three sources of methodological tension that developed during the research process: Role conflicts in the research setting, gender selectivity in studies of ethnic and racial violence, and the sexual objectification of women in academic discourse on violence and genocide. Each of these ethical tensions is examined from the standpoint of research on gender and the Holocaust.
Revising the scope and standards for nurse administrators

In the fall of 2013, the American Nurses Association began the process of redesigning the scope and standards for the nurse administrator. This article provides a synthesis of the top 10 changes in the new Scope and Standards for Nurse Administrators that are being reviewed for approval. These changes reflect the continuing evolution of practice for nurses serving as leaders across the United States.
Beneficial Effect of Erythropoietin Short Peptide on Acute Traumatic Brain Injury

There is currently no effective medical treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Beyond the immediate physical damage caused by the initial impact, additional damage evolves due to the inflammatory response that follows brain injury. Here we show that therapy with JM4, a low molecular weight 19-amino acid nonhematopoietic erythropoietin (EPO) peptidyl fragment, containing amino acids 28-46 derived from the first loop of EPO, markedly reduces acute brain injury. Mice underwent controlled cortical injury and received either whole molecule EPO, JM4, or sham-treatment with phosphate-buffered saline. Animals treated with JM4 peptide exhibited a large decrease in number of dead neural cells and a marked reduction in lesion size at both 3 and 8 days postinjury. Therapy with JM4 also led to improved functional recovery and we observed a treatment window for JM4 peptide that remained open for at least 9 h postinjury. The full-length EPO molecule was divided into a series of 6 contiguous peptide segments; the JM4-containing segment and the adjoining downstream region contained the bulk of the death attenuating effects seen with intact EPO molecule following TBI. These findings indicate that the JM4 molecule substantially blocks cell death and brain injury following acute brain trauma and, as such, presents an excellent opportunity to explore the therapeutic potential of a small-peptide EPO derivative in the medical treatment of TBI.
Experimental Investigation of a Lab-Scale, Cross-Flow Grain Dryer for Testing of Drying Efficiency and Characteristic Profiles of a Packed Bed

This study investigates the drying mechanisms of corn when it is exposed to air at elevated temperature and velocity within a cross-flow packed bed dryer. A highly-instrumented laboratory-scale experimental test dryer was constructed to batch-dry samples of 0.03 m3 (1 ft3) of high moisture corn. This is achieved using a perforated wall drying chamber with forced air at temperatures ranging from 180–240°F. The high temperature, high velocity air entering the column is supplied by a variable speed fan and a variable Wattage electric heating coil through a 0.09 m2 (1 ft2) square air duct. This device is able to precisely control the drying air temperate and flow rate, while also measuring the temperature and humidity of the air exiting the dryer. In creating and instrumenting this apparatus, tests were performed to analyze both energy use and drying rate to determine the operating conditions that find a balance between energy and time requirements for moisture removal. This study used a variety of supply air temperatures and air flow rates in drying samples of corn at two initial moisture contents (19%MC and 24%MC) to 15%MC. This is done to determine if there are notable differences in energy requirements (Btu/pound water removed) between different operating conditions. This study determined that corn undergoes a significant pre-heating process before peak drying efficiency is achieved. Current grain dryer designs should focus the most energy just after that pre-heating process for highest overall efficiencies. Additionally, this study found an inverse relationship between dry time and energy efficiency, which showed that an optimum balance between those two factors should be identified.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A Novel Method for Assessing Task Complexity in Outpatient Clinical-Performance Measures.

BACKGROUND Clinical-performance measurement has helped improve the quality of health-care; yet success in attaining high levels of quality across multiple domains simultaneously still varies considerably. Although many sources of variability in care quality have been studied, the difficulty required to complete the clinical work itself has received little attention.
Research on DSP-based Direct Torque Control Systems

To solve the problem in field orient control system, which is very much complicated and easily affected by the changing of motor's parameter, the complex theory of DTC is introduced. The construction and the cooperation of flux adjuster and torque adjuster are analyzed respectively. The characteristic on how to work coordinately and how to decide the on-off of the inverter is introduced. A design of DTC via TMS320LE2407A DSP is given. The experimental results show the effectiveness of method.
Abstract B13: Akt-independent PDK1 signaling in regulation of purine biosynthesis

Molecular association of cancer cell metastasis with signaling pathways has been explicated so as to aid in the development of new prognostic models for better cancer therapies. However, those metastatic signaling pathways are barely explored to take account of the functions of enzymes involved in cellular metabolism. Particularly, the metabolic enzymes in de novo purine biosynthesis have been overlooked for their potential roles in cancer cell metastasis even though they have been successfully validated anti-cancer drug targets. Meanwhile, several lines of recent discoveries on de novo purine biosynthesis suggest that the spatiotemporal assembly of purine biosynthetic enzymes, the purinosome, is under controls of signaling pathways in cancer cells. The results of the inquiry reveal an unanticipated mechanism of action of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) signaling pathways in regulation of purine biosynthesis in an Akt-independent manner. Considering the biological action of the Akt-independent PDK1 signaling in anchorage-independent growth of breast cancer cells, we hypothesize that purinosome assembly and disassembly are regulated by Akt-independent PDK1 signaling pathways during breast cancer cell migration and invasion. Collectively, the research coupling two druggable anti-cancer targets will reveal the importance of the heretofore unrecognized molecular interaction between the Akt-independent PDK1 signaling and the purinosome, leading to therapeutic intervention in the management of breast cancer metastasis. Citation Format: Songon An. Akt-independent PDK1 signaling in regulation of purine biosynthesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Metabolism and Cancer; Jun 7-10, 2015; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2016;14(1_Suppl):Abstract nr B13.
Exercise in Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Approximately half of all patients with type 2 diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy, which contributes to functional decline and significantly reduces quality of life. Type 2 diabetes and consequent diabetic peripheral neuropathy share several pathogenic mechanisms and are both positively influenced by increased physical activity and exercise even prior to disease diagnosis. Successful exercise interventions in individuals with diabetic peripheral neuropathy have employed continuous endurance, resistance, balance and agility, and high-intensity interval training protocols and have been associated with improvement in stability, gait, sensory function, nerve regeneration rates, pain, mood, and quality of life. Recent evidence has shown no increased prevalence of foot trauma in those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy suggesting that weight-bearing exercise is safe in the absence of active ulceration. While exercise is often associated with improved glycemic control, several studies suggest improvement in neuropathy is independent of improved glycemic control or weight reduction, suggesting other metabolic effects, or exercise-related physiologic changes are important.