cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New insights on the Salmon Falls Creek Canyon landslide complex based on geomorphological analysis and multitemporal satellite InSAR techniques

Multitemporal satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) techniques can characterize line-of-sight displacements of active landslide areas with resolution (mm scale) and accuracy comparable to or higher than differential GPS, sensor network, or photogrammetry techniques. This study improves understanding of the rate of movement and the lateral extent of the active domain of a landslide complex within Salmon Falls Creek Canyon near Twin Falls, Idaho. Specifically, we were able to estimate displacement of yearly motion rates in early and late stages of the event by analyzing a collection of archived radar satellite imagery. Small baseline subset (SBAS) InSAR performed better than persistent scatterer (PS) InSAR for analyzing distributed scatterers because of its ability to capture strongly nonlinear displacement rates. In addition, comparison with GPS field measurements showed agreement with InSAR-derived displacements. Geostatistical analysis was used to describe surface and morphometric characteristics of two separate landslides within Salmon Falls Creek Canyon. Each was divided into representative geomorphologic units, and morphometric analysis focused on two key parameters: topographic texture and mean slope. Scarp units are topographically rough because of their greater relief and steep slopes, while a displaced headwall block has retained a smooth topography. Each landslide upper body has a higher topographic texture than the corresponding body unit. Both landslides display a progressive decrease in mean slope from upper body to toe to body. InSAR SBAS results showed that headwall block and transverse scarp of the landslide complex at Salmon Falls Creek Canyon had the highest mean annual velocity in the radar line-of-sight (LOS) direction. Velocity of movement in each landslide toe and body was less, signifying that LOS movement was more active in the upper reaches of the landslides, although lateral translation may have been greater in the body and toe compared to the headwall region due to the curved shape of the landside detachment surface.
Determination of Hydroperoxides in Rubber and Synthetic Polymers

Abstract Ferrous iron has been used as a reagent for the determination of peroxide by numerous investigators. Yule and Wilson estimated peroxide in cracked gasoline by shaking with an acid solution of ferrous thiocyanate and back-titrating the resulting ferric salt with titanous chloride. The method was criticized by Young, Vogt, and Nieuwland, who used the color of the resulting ferric thiocyanate complex as a basis for a colorimetric determination of peroxide. In this procedure methanol was used as the solvent. Bolland, Sundralingam, Sutton and Tristram modified the method to enable rubber samples to be analyzed by changing the solvent to a mixture of benzene and methanol (73 per cent benzene by volume). For determining peroxide in GR-S (butadiene-styrene copolymer) and other butadiene copolymers it would be desirable to employ a solvent rich in benzene, since these polymers tend towards insolubility upon oxidation. A solvent composed largely of benzene would also improve the sensitivity of the determin...
Does cholesterol suppress the antimicrobial peptide induced disruption of lipid raft containing membranes

The activity of antimicrobial peptides has been shown to depend on the composition of the target cell membrane. The bacterial selectivity of most antimicrobial peptides has been attributed to the presence of abundant acidic phospholipids and the absence of cholesterol in bacterial membranes. The high amount of cholesterol present in eukaryotic cell membranes is thought to prevent peptide-induced membrane disruption by increasing the cohesion and stiffness of the lipid bilayer membrane. While the role of cholesterol on an antimicrobial peptide-induced membrane disrupting activity has been reported for simple, homogeneous lipid bilayer systems, it is not well understood for complex, heterogeneous lipid bilayers exhibiting phase separation (or "lipid rafts"). In this study, we show that cholesterol does not inhibit the disruption of raft-containing 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine:1,2-dipalmitoyol-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine model membranes by four different cationic antimicrobial peptides, MSI-78, MSI-594, MSI-367 and MSI-843 which permeabilize membranes. Conversely, the presence of cholesterol effectively inhibits the disruption of non-raft containing 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine or 1,2-dipalmitoyol-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine lipid bilayers, even for antimicrobial peptides that do not show a clear preference between the ordered gel and disordered liquid-crystalline phases. Our results show that the peptide selectivity is not only dependent on the lipid phase but also on the presence of phase separation in heterogeneous lipid systems.
Hemodynamic and myocardial effects of (−)-Δ9-trans-tetrahydrocannabinol in anesthetized dogs

Abstract (−)- Δ 9 - trans -tetrahydrocannabinol ( Δ 9 -THC) (39 μg–2.5 mg/kg, i.v.) decreased blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output and right ventricular contractile force in a dose-related manner in intact dogs under pentobarbital anesthesia. The Δ 9 -THC-induced hypotension appeared to result mainly from a consistent and reproducible attenuation of cardiac output since no marked alteration in total peripheral resistance occured. In these animals the decrease in cardiac output appeared to be related to the bradycardia since there was no change in stroke volume following Δ 9 -THC. However, when the change in heart rate was prevented by atrial pacing or cardiac denervation, a less but significant reduction in cardiac output was induced by Δ 9 -THC. Under these experimental conditions Δ 9 -THC also significantly attenuated stroke volume. In contrast, Δ 9 -THC did not induce any significant changes in cardiac output, blood pressure, and heart rate of dogs pretreated with a ganglionic blocker. Δ 9 -THC appeared to be devoid of any measurable direct effect on the myocardium since the compound neither significantly altered right ventricular contractile force of the denervated or ganglionic blocker-pretreated hearts nor interfered with the positive inotropic responses to i.v. calcium and isoproterenol. In the major vessel occlusion preparation administration of Δ 9 -THC was followed by a reduction in venous tone. Furthermore, measurements of blood and plasma volume excluded an effect of Δ 9 -THC in these parameters. From these findings it is suggested that the reduction in cardiac output induced by Δ 9 -THC is the result of the action of this compound on cardiac rate as well as venous return; no evidence could be documented for a direct effect of this compound on the myocardium.
Bioavailability and chronic toxicity of cadmium in sediment to the estuarine amphipod Leptocheirus plumulosus

Numerous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of interstitial water metal concentrations and simultaneously extracted metals/acid-volatile sulfide (SEM/AVS) ratios in explaining the acute toxicity of sediment-associated metals to benthic organisms. However, no full life-cycle chronic marine or estuarine tests have been conducted for this purpose. In this study, cohorts of newborn amphipods, Leptocheirus plumulosus, were exposed to cadmium-spiked estuarine sediment for 28 d to determine effects on mortality, growth, and reproduction relative to interstitial water and SEM/AVS normalization. Seven treatments of cadmium were tested: 0 (control), 0.34, 0.74, 1.31, 1.55, 2.23, and 4.82 M SEM{sub Cd}/AVS ratios (measured concentrations). Interstitial water cadmium (IW{sub Cd}) and sediment concentrations of SEM{sub Cd} and AVS were monitored periodically and by depth during the exposure. When sediment SEM{sub Cd}/AVS ratios were {le} 1.55, mean IW{sub Cd} concentrations were less than the 96-h water-only cadmium LC50 for juvenile and subadult L. plumulosus, and mortality, growth, and reproduction were not affected. When SEM{sub Cd}/AVD ratios were {ge} 2.23, IW{sub Cd} concentrations were more than 100 times greater than the 96-h water-only cadmium LC50, and all amphipods died. These results are consistent with predictions of metal bioavailability from acute tests with metal-spiked sediments, i.e., that sediments with SEM{submore » Cd}/AVS ratios 1 may be toxic.« less
Making the most of free legal research: a selected annotated bibliography

Purpose - This selected annotated bibliography is designed to aid any user with access to the internet in performing legal research, without requiring access to expensive legal research databases and subscription services. Design/methodology/approach - These online resources are regularly referred to by those hoping to help self-represented litigants or those without access to paid legal resources. Findings - As traditional legal research databases, such as HeinOnline, Lexis, and Westlaw become more and more expensive, while at the same time legal services become more expensive, these free and open legal research resources are increasingly important, particularly for self-represented litigants. This selected bibliography contains resources that will be helpful to librarians in all types of libraries, from public to academic, from county law libraries to large, private law school libraries. Originality/value - This is an original annotated bibliography that may be valuable to those working in libraries, who are regularly asked questions about legal research or resources.
Multidomain modeling and analysis of delaminated stiffened composite shells

A unified method is presented for modeling delaminated stiffened laminated composite shells, synthesizing accurate multiple postbuckling solution paths under compressive loading, and predicting delamination growth. A multidomain modeling technique is presented for modeling the delaminated stiffened shell structures. Error-free formulations are presented for a two-noded curved stiffener element and a three-noded shell element for geometrically nonlinear applications. An accurate and simple automated solution strategy based on Newton-type iterations is presented for predicting the general geometrically nonlinear and postbuckling behavior of structures. Finally, a simple method is derived for predicting the delamination growth by using the pointwise energy release rate at the delamination front as evaluated from the three-dimensional J integral.
Accumulation of dietary methylmercury and effects on growth and survival in two estuarine forage fish: Cyprinodon variegatus and Menidia beryllina

Dietary methylmercury (MeHg) uptake by fish in relation to life stage, species, and level of exposure is poorly understood in lower trophic levels, particularly in estuarine species. The authors compared accumulation of dietary MeHg as well as sensitivity (survival and growth) to dietary MeHg exposure in two species of estuarine forage fish, Cyprinodon variegatus and Menidia beryllina. Fish were fed one of five dietary MeHg concentrations (ranging from 0.04 to 14 µg/g dry wt) over a period of 70 d. Growth rate and the level of dietary exposure influenced MeHg tissue concentrations in both species. Mercury in the diet exhibited a strong linear relationship with fish Hg tissue concentrations. Additionally, the authors found that M. beryllina was more sensitive to dietary MeHg exposure than C. variegatus. Both species showed some decreases in growth related to MeHg exposure, although these patterns were not consistent among treatments. Overall, C. variegatus and M. beryllina were found to have a high tolerance for dietary MeHg exposure. If fish occupying low trophic levels are capable of surviving with high Hg body burdens, this tolerance has important implications for Hg exposure of organisms occupying higher trophic levels. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:848–856. © 2013 SETAC
Effect Of Fluocinolone Acetonide Cream On Human Skin Blood Flow

Blood flow rate was measured in the forearm skin of human subjects exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. Blood flow was determined by the 133Xe disappearance technique 18 hr after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation with a Westinghouse RS sunlamp held 10 inches from the skin for 10 min. Ultraviolet irradiation caused skin blood flow to increase. Application of fluocinolone acetonide cream, 0.025%, 4 times in the 16 hr following UV irradiation had no effect on either control skin blood flow or the UV-induced hyperemia.
An empirical model of Presidential popularity and Presidential discretion in trade restrictions

Abstract The behavior of identifiable groups in the political market for protection is gaining increased attention because of the rent-seeking implications. Given the indivisibilities in foreign policy decision making and trade policies, the position of the United States President in the market for trade restrictions is especially unique. This paper investigates empirically the President's behavior in international trade restrictions. Results indicate that popular macroeconomic variables are less important than personality factors in explaining Presidential popularity, and that endogenous popularity is not an important determinant in the Presidential decision to impose trade restrictions.
Modeling Time-Dependent Association in Longitudinal Data: A Lag as Moderator Approach

We describe a straightforward, yet novel, approach to examine time-dependent association between variables. The approach relies on a measurement-lag research design in conjunction with statistical interaction models. We base arguments in favor of this approach on the potential for better understanding the associations between variables by describing how the association changes with time. We introduce a number of different functional forms for describing these lag-moderated associations, each with a different substantive meaning. Finally, we use empirical data to demonstrate methods for exploring functional forms and model fitting based on this approach.
Effects of electron-electron interactions on the valence-band photoemission spectra of metals.

The effects of secondary electron-hole pair production on the valence-band x-ray photoemission spectra of metals have been investigated. In the first-order theory, the intensity in the main band diverges due to the production of very weak energy electron-hole pairs. Hole renormalization is therefore included to study the intrinsic, inelastic process in the main band region, the quantum interference between the intrinsic and extrinsic processes, and the tailing of the main band due to elastic hole scatterings. The resulting spectrum is found to be smooth and finite over the entire spectral range. The calculated spectrum for sodium extending from the main band to the tail of the first bulk-plasmon satellite is compared with presently available experimental data.
Effects of methoprene on chemical communication, courtship, and oviposition in the cabbage looper (Lepidoptera : Noctuidae)

Adult cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), moths were topically treated with methoprene to determine the effect of this juvenile hormone mimic on the sequence of reproductive activities. Treatment of adults with a dose of methoprene that interferes with larval development did not alter pheromone production or calling behavior of females, the anemotactic flight of males, or courtship behavior. However, oviposition by virgin and mated females increased significantly after treatment with methoprene. In addition, hatch-ability of eggs laid by mated females was significantly reduced when they were treated with methoprene.
Construction of a dynamic load line

Discusses the load line of amplifiers. Most textbooks explain the meaning of the static load line (usually called the DC load line) rather clearly, but unfortunately the treatment of the dynamic load line is surprisingly brief in many standard texts. The author has given some additional physical insight to the AC (i.e. dynamic) load line concept from basic principles, and has reviewed the popular explanation of the load line concept.
When the Going Gets Tough, Does Support Get Going? Determinants of Spousal Support Provision to Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Although spousal support has been linked to positive outcomes in various health-related contexts, some research has found that the amount of social support provided to those who are chronically ill deteriorates over time. The current study refines the literature by considering multiple factors associated with spouses’ provision of emotional support to partners with Type 2 diabetes. This diary study (N = 126 couples) examined the roles that stressor (disease severity and diabetes-specific anxiety), recipient (negative and positive affect), provider (negative and positive affect), and relationship (tension and enjoyment) factors play in spouses’ provision of emotional support. Daily disease severity, patients’ and spouses’ daily negative affect, and spouses’ daily relationship enjoyment were predictors of support provision. Wives, but not husbands, provided more support on days when patients experienced diabetes-specific anxiety. Results advance understanding of support provision in the context of a chronic...
Rôle of Certain Anaerobic Toxins in Pneumococcus Infection.

ConclusionsSince the “antipneumotoxic” serum fails to modify the course of pneumococcus infection, as shown in the mice and rabbit experiments, it seems fair to assume that the anaerobically produced toxins are probably products primarily of the enzymatic changes occurring in in vitro autolysis, and play no part in the course of natural infection.
Do inflation targeting handcuffs restrain leviathan? Hard pegs vs. inflation targets for fiscal discipline in emerging markets

Inflation targeting has been increasingly adopted in emerging markets as fixed exchange rates have fallen in popularity. An important question is whether inflation targeting provides the same level of fiscal discipline as a hard peg. Using the methodology of Fatas and Rose (2001), results here indicate that multilateral currency unions and currency boards lead to tighter fiscal policy than inflation targets.
Constructing Fractal Wavelet Frames

Dutkay and Jorgensen developed the concept of wavelets on a σ-finite fractal measure space and demonstrated how to construct fractal wavelets on their enlarged fractal spaces using finite-dimensional orthonormal bases by detailing their construction on an enlarged Cantor fractal space. Their fractal wavelet construction was studied further by D'Andrea, Merrill, and Packer who provided details for constructing fractal wavelets on an enlarged Sierpinski gasket space. Motivated by the correspondence between finite-dimensional orthonormal bases with multi resolution analyses on these enlarged fractal spaces, in this paper we provide a construction for wavelet frames on the enlarged fractal spaces of Dutkay and Jorgensen using finite-dimensional frames.
Sizing up the poly(A) tail: insights from deep sequencing.

Global investigation of poly(A) tails has been hindered by technical challenges. In a recent advance, two groups developed deep sequencing methods to globally interrogate poly(A) tail length and sequence with high precision, opening new avenues for investigation of poly(A) tail functions in mRNA metabolism. Initial applications of these methods reveal insights into the relationship between poly(A) tail length and translational efficiency, and identify widespread uridylation and guanylation at the 3′ ends of transcripts.
Rapid phospholipase A2 stimulation and diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase inhibition in baby hamster kidney cells during initiation of dengue virus infection

Abstract Infection of baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells by dengue type 2 (DEN-2) virus is accompanied by a rapid but transient stimulation of phospholipase A2 activity which reaches a maximum within 40 min. Thereafter, the phospholipase A2 activity, that is associated with the microsomal fraction, returns to normal levels at an equally rapid pace. In contrast, microsomal phospholipase A1, lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase, or lysophospholipase are not altered early in the infection. Microsomal diacylglycerol cholinephosphotransferase was inhibited in phase with phospholipase A2 stimulation. The data obtained on the DEN-2 BHK-21 system suggest that virus-triggered phospholipase A2 activation and ensuing lysophospholipid production may facilitate initial interaction of the virion with the cell plasma membrane and may aid viral penetration.
Graft-versus-host-like colitis associated with malignant thymoma.

A case of a patient with a malignant thymoma who developed an unusual form of colitis is reported. The patient was a previously healthy 20-year-old man who was referred to the Johns Hopkins Medical Institution for biopsy and resection of a mediastinal mass, which proved to be a malignant thymoma. Du
Volatility of Aprotic Ionic Liquids — A Review

Research on the volatility of aprotic ionic liquids is reviewed. This topic is limited to aprotic liquids since measurements have led to a generalization that this class of substances possesses extremely low vapor pressures. For research related to this topic, the period covered is 2003 to 2008. The review begins with a discussion of the earliest successful study of thermal vaporization of aprotic ionic liquids, the earliest indirect measurements of their vapor pressure, the first proof of conventional distillation of ionic liquids, and competition of vaporization with thermal decomposition seen at moderately high temperatures of (200 to 300) °C. The review then briefly discusses the nature of the vapor phase and proceeds to analyze the various approaches used to measure or predict the vapor−liquid equilibrium properties of ionic liquids, including their normal boiling point, vapor pressure, and enthalpy of vaporization. It is proposed that the most reliable thermodynamic data exist solely for the enthalp...
New Trends in Risk Management

Abstract Every time an individual crosses a city street, it involves a risk management decision. Is the light green? How fast is the traffic coming? How important is it to get across the intersection quickly? Is there a $1,000 bill laying on the curb? Is the person being chased by a man with a gun? All these considerations are analyzed in a split second and the decision is made: cross the street now, even against the light; or wait until the “walk” sign lights up.
Blocking and partial reinforcement: Effects of N-R transitions early vs. late in training on resistance to extinction

In Experiment 1, two groups of rats (n = 10) received the same schedules of partial reinforcement in acquisition. The schedules were arranged over days so that, for Group Early, most (12) of the nonrewarded to rewarded (N-R) trial transitions occurred in the first half of acquisition and only a few (4) occurred in the second half. Those conditions were reversed for Group Late. In Experiment 2, (n = 8 rats/group), two groups experienced the early conditions and two groups experienced the late conditions employed in Experiment 1. Groups Early: L-S and Late: L-S received large reward during the first half of acquisition and small reward during the second half. The reward conditions were reversed for Groups Early: S-L and Late: S-L. In Experiment 1, Group Early was more resistant to extinction than Group Late. In Experiment 2, resistance to extinction was greater in Group Early: L-S than in Group Late: L-S, but Group Late: S-L was more resistant to extinction than Group Early: S-L. These results were predicted from implications of blocking experiments for partial reinforcement phenomena.
The analysis and interpretation of DNA distributions measured by flow cytometry.

A principal use of flow cytometers is for the measurement of fluorescence distributions of cells stained with DNA specific dyes. A large amount of effort has been and is being expended currently in the analysis of these distributions for the fractions of cells in the G/sub 1/, S, and G/sub 2/ + M phases of the cell cycle. Several methods of analysis have been proposed and are being used; new methods continue to be introduced. Many, if not most, of these methods differ only in the mathematical function used to represent the phases of the cell cycle and represent attempts to fit exactly distributions with known phase fractions or unusual shapes. In this paper we show that these refinements probably are not necessary because of cell staining and sampling variability. This hypothesis was tested by measuring fluorescence distributions for Chinese hamster ovary and KHT mouse sarcoma cells stained with Hoechst-33258, chromomycin A3, propidium iodide, and acriflavine. Our results show that: a) single measurements can result in phase fraction estimates that are in error by as much as 40% for G/sub 2/ + M phase and 15 to 20% for G/sub 1/ and S phases; b) different dyes can yield phasemore » fraction estimates that differ by as much as 40% due to differences in DNA specificity; c) the shapes of fluorescence distributions and their interpretation are very dependent on the dye being used and on its binding mechanism. 7 figures, 2 tables.« less
Antibodies in sera from patients with myasthenia gravis do not bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from human brain.

Abstract Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) from brains of chickens and rats have recently been purified and characterized (Whiting and Lindstrom, Biochemistry, 25 (1986) 2082–2093; J. Neurosci., 6 (1986) 3061–3069; Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 84 (1987) 595–599). Using both antisera and monoclonal antibodies prepared to AChRs from rat brain, we have demonstrated the existence of a homologous AChR in human brain. Here we report that antibodies to muscle AChRs in the sera of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) do not bind to AChRs from human brain. Similarly, there was no binding of sera from patients with Guillain-Barre, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, or Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. Additionally, no binding of any of these sera to the α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt) binding protein from human brain could be detected. This data is consistent with other data using antibodies to AChRs from muscle and nerve in demonstrating that the AChR in brain is antigenically distinct from the AChR in skeletal muscle AChR, and, together with the lack of central neurological symptoms in MG, suggests that the low concentrations of anti-AChR antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid of MG patients do not bind to AChRs in brain.
Delayed radiation-induced vasculitic leukoencephalopathy.

Purpose Recently, single-fraction, high-dosed focused radiation therapy such as that administered by Gamma Knife radiosurgery has been used increasingly for the treatment of metastatic brain cancer. Radiation therapy to the brain can cause delayed leukoencephalopathy, which carries its own significant morbidity and mortality. While radiosurgery-induced leukoencephalopathy is known to be clinically different from that following fractionated radiation, pathological differences are not well characterized. In this study, we aimed to integrate novel radiographic and histopathologic observations to gain a conceptual understanding of radiosurgery-induced leukoencephalopathy. Methods and Materials We examined resected tissues of 10 patients treated at Yale New Haven Hospital between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010, for brain metastases that had been previously treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery, who subsequently required surgical management of a symptomatic regrowing lesion. None of the patients showed pathological evidence of tumor recurrence. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging data for each of the 10 patients were then studied retrospectively. Results We provide evidence to show that radiosurgery-induced leukoencephalopathy may present as an advancing process that extends beyond the original high-dose radiation field. Neuropathologic examination of the resected tissue revealed traditionally known leukoencephalopathic changes including demyelination, coagulation necrosis, and vascular sclerosis. Unexpectedly, small and medium-sized vessels revealed transmural T-cell infiltration indicative of active vasculitis. Conclusions We propose that the presence of a vasculitic component in association with radiation-induced leukoencephalopathy may facilitate the progressive nature of the condition. It may also explain the resemblance of delayed leukoencephalopathy with recurring tumor on virtually all imaging modalities used for posttreatment follow-up.
Vagus nerve stimulation treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is a severe age-specific epilepsy syndrome that presents with medication-resistant seizures in childhood. Antiepileptic drugs are the mainstay of treatment. Nonpharmacologic treatments include corpus callosum section and the ketogenic diet. However, no single treatment is safe and effective. We treated 13 patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome between the ages of 4 and 44 years (mean, 16.7 years) with vagus nerve stimulation. During the first 6 months of treatment, vagus nerve stimulation produced a median seizure rate reduction of 52% (range, 0% to 93%; P = .04). At 6 months of follow-up, three patients had a greater than 90% reduction in seizures, two had a greater than 75% reduction, one had a greater than 50% reduction, and six had at least a 25% reduction. One patient did not improve. No patient worsened after initial improvement. Side effects, including hoarseness, coughing, and pain in the throat, were transient and tolerable. No patient discontinued vagus nerve stimulation. ...
Kinetics of lymphoproliferative responses following scald injury in a rat burn model

Abstract Splenic lymphocytes from scalded and nonscalded rats were studied for their proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, and to allogeneic cells in a one-way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC). A significant suppression of the proliferation of lymphocytes in both these assays was observed as early as 4 days postinjury as measured by the [ 3 H]thymidine uptake studies. The lymphocyte response to PHA returned to normal levels by Day 21 postiniury, whereas the MLC responses continued to be suppressed. The MLC responses between nonburned and burned animals could be restored by the addition of a lymphokine-rich culture supernatant obtained from concanavalin A-activated lymphocytes from normal nonburned rats, as well as by the addition of purified human interleukin 2 (IL-2) and rat interleukin 2. However, the addition of purified human interleukin 1 and human interferon γ (Hu-IFN-γ) did not bring about a significant change in the proliferation of burned rat spleen cells in MLC. Cells from burned rats were also tested for the development of suppressive activity by adding splenic lymphocytes from 2-week posthurn rats to an ongoing one-way MLC. The addition of lymphocytes from burned rats resulted in significant suppression (81%) of MLC responses among normal nonburned rats. The data suggest that the development of suppressor cells following burn injury along with a defect in production and/or uptake of IL-2 may be partly responsible for immune suppression following burn injury. Since the proliferative response of lymphocytes from thermally injured rats is suppressed in a similar fashion as that found in thermally injured patients, the rat appears to be a good model for the study of kinetics of immune suppression following burn injury.
Exploiting data-level parallelism for energy-efficient implementation of LDPC decoders and DCT on an FPGA

We explore the use of Data-Level Parallelism (DLP) as a way of improving the energy efficiency and power consumption involved in running applications on an FPGA. We show that static power consumption is a significant fraction of the overall power consumption in an FPGA and that it does not change significantly even as the area required by an architecture increases, because of the dominance of interconnect in an FPGA. We show that the degree of DLP can be used in conjunction with frequency scaling to reduce the overall power consumption.
Instructional Videos for Unsupervised Harvesting and Learning of Action Examples

Online instructional videos have become a popular way for people to learn new skills encompassing art, cooking and sports. As watching instructional videos is a natural way for humans to learn, analogously, machines can also gain knowledge from these videos. We propose to utilize the large amount of instructional videos available online to harvest examples of various actions in an unsupervised fashion. The key observation is that in instructional videos, the instructor's action is highly correlated with the instructor's narration. By leveraging this correlation, we can exploit the timing of action corresponding terms in the speech transcript to temporally localize actions in the video and harvest action examples. The proposed method is scalable as it requires no human intervention. Experiments show that the examples harvested are of reasonably good quality, and action detectors trained on data collected by our unsupervised method yields comparable performance with detectors trained with manually collected data on the TRECVID Multimedia Event Detection task.
Revenge: Behavioral and emotional consequences

This commentary discusses dozens of ecologically powerful social-psychological experiments from the1960s and 1970s, which are highly relevant especially for predicting the consequences of revenge. McCullough et al. omitted this work - perhaps because of its misclassification as "catharsis" research. The findings are readily accommodated by Konecni's anger-aggression bidirectional-causation (AABC) model and can be usefully incorporated in an adaptationist view of revenge. Language: en
Waldenström's macroglobulinemia: treatment approaches for newly diagnosed and relapsed disease.

Abstract Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia is a B-cell malignancy characterized by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltration into the bone marrow and a monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) protein in the serum. It remains incurable despite advances in current therapy, and the decision to treat patients as well as the choice of treatment administered can be rather complex. Management of this disease should utilize a risk-adapted approach. Patients with smoldering or asymptomatic Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia with preserved hematological function should be observed without initial therapy. Symptomatic patients with modest hematological compromise, IgM-related neuropathy requiring therapy or hemolytic anemia unresponsive to corticosteroids should receive standard doses of rituximab alone without maintenance therapy. Patients who have significant constitutional symptoms, profound hematological compromise, symptomatic bulky disease or hyperviscosity should be treated with combination therapy. Any patient with symptoms of hyperviscosity should be treated with plasmapheresis. For patients who relapse after an initial response to therapy of greater than two years in duration, the original therapy should be repeated. For patients who had an inadequate response to initial therapy or a response of less than two years duration, an alternative agent or combination should still be used. An autologous stem cell transplant should be considered in all eligible patients with relapsed disease.
A comparison of intercell metrics on discrete global grid systems

Abstract A discrete global grid system (DGGS) is a spatial data model that aids in global research by serving as a framework for environmental modeling, monitoring and sampling across the earth at multiple spatial scales. Topological and geometric criteria have been proposed to evaluate and compare DGGSs; two of which, intercell distance and the “cell wall midpoint” criterion, form the basis of this study. We propose evaluation metrics for these two criteria and present numerical results from these measures for several DGGSs. We also consider the impact of different design choices on these metrics, such as predominant tessellating shape, base modeling solid and partition density between recursive subdivisions. For the intercell distance metric, the Fuller–Gray DGGS performs best, while the Equal Angle DGGS performs substantially worse. For the cell wall midpoint metric, however, the Equal Angle DGGS has the lowest overall distortion with the Snyder and Fuller–Gray DGGSs also performing relatively well. Aggregation of triangles into hexagons has little impact on intercell distance measurements, although dual hexagon aggregation results in markedly different statistics and spatial patterns for the cell wall midpoint property. In all cases, partitions on the icosahedron outperform similar partitions on the octahedron. Partition density accounts for little variation.
Comment on Maize Cultivation in Coastal New York

Ceci's re-examination of the nature of prehistoric cultivation in Coastal New York (1980) is of considerable interest. There are some unresolved aspects of the conclusion that the prehistoric agricultural yield was marginal which deserve comment. Furthermore, Ceci does not clearly demonstrate that maize cultivation had no role in the prehistoric economy or in the establishment of sedentism. The extent of maize cultivation by Coastal New York Indian cultures is still equivocal. More data is required before conclusive statements can be formulated.
Policy decisiveness and responses to speculative attacks in developed countries

Why are some countries able to defend their currencies when there are speculative attacks, while others fail to do so and devalue their currencies? This article suggests that intragovernment factors as well as government-legislature relations should be considered because many of the policy responses to speculative attacks do not require legislative acquiescence, so that intragovernment attributes will have more substantial effects on the policy responses than those of government-legislature relations. This article suggests that cleavages within government and its instability have a negative effect on decisiveness. Data regarding speculative attacks in developed countries from the 1970s to the 1990s and the Heckman selection model show that governments with many veto players and with less durability have had difficulty in defending their currencies in the face of speculative attacks. The article also finds that governmental institutional effects can be constrained by central bank independence. The effects become substantially smaller and statistically insignificant when central banks are very independent. The overall results imply that policy indecisiveness induced by some political factors makes governments less able to adopt a new policy equilibrium that is necessary to respond to an exogenous shock such as speculative attack.
Upwind and downwind effects of numerical approximations to wave equations

A wave equation such as ut + cux = 0 propagates effects downwind only, but upwind effects resulting from a numerical approximation to the equation can be equally strong. Several common numerical approximations are considered, and asymptotic effects for small timesteps are evaluated. An extension to vector equations in several variables (related to the Euler equations of computational fluid mechanics) is made.
Habitat dominance of a nonindigenous tropical bivalve, Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758), in a subtropical estuary in the Gulf of Mexico

The green mussel Perna viridis (Mytilidae) is a recent invader in the Atlantic basin including the Caribbean region and southeastern USA. In this study we examined the relative abundance of P. viridis across habitats in Tampa Bay, Florida, and density patterns at specific sample sites. Pilings, piers and floating objects were favourable habitats for P. viridis, while mangroves, flats and seawalls were not, although these were occasionally inhabited by P. viridis. Density and size-class distribution of P. viridis were estimated from approximately monthly samples collected between April 2002 and March 2003. Density of P. viridis varied significantly with sample date, reaching a maximum of 4,000 m 22 in September. Perna viridis exhibited the ability to dominate some habitats within the Tampa Bay ecosystem and the potential to compete for space with native species such as the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, but the impacts were neither consistent nor widespread. Crassostrea virginica appears to have some refuges from P. viridis, while a small native mussel, Brachidontes cf. exustus, co-occurs with P. viridis in most sites; its density appears to be independent of P. viridis density.
Measuring Gravity Currents in the Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois

Recent studies of the Chicago River have determined that gravity currents are responsible for persistent bidirectional flows that have been observed in the river. A gravity current is the flow of one fluid within another caused by a density difference between the fluids. These studies demonstrated how acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) can be used to detect and characterize gravity currents in the field. In order to better understand the formation and evolution of these gravity currents, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has installed ADCPs and other instruments to continuously measure gravity currents in the Chicago River and the North Branch Chicago River. These instruments include stage sensors, thermistor strings, and both upward-looking and horizontal ADCPs. Data loggers and computers installed at gaging stations along the river are used to collect data from these instruments and transmit them to USGS offices.
Age-dependent sensitization of cutaneous nociceptors during developmental inflammation

Background: It is well-documented that neonates can experience pain after injury. However, the contribution of individual populations of sensory neurons to neonatal pain is not clearly understood. Here we characterized the functional response properties and neurochemical phenotypes of single primary afferents after injection of carrageenan into the hairy hindpaw skin using a neonatal ex vivo recording preparation. Results: During normal development, we found that individual afferent response properties are generally unaltered. However, at the time period in which some sensory neurons switch their neurotrophic factor responsiveness, we observe a functional switch in slowly conducting, broad spiking fibers (“C”-fiber nociceptors) from mechanically sensitive and thermally insensitive (CM) to polymodal (CPM). Cutaneous inflammation induced prior to this switch (postnatal day 7) specifically altered mechanical and heat responsiveness, and heat thresholds in fast conducting, broad spiking (“A”-fiber) afferents. Furthermore, hairy skin inflammation at P7 transiently delayed the functional shift from CM to CPM. Conversely, induction of cutaneous inflammation after the functional switch (at P14) caused an increase in mechanical and thermal responsiveness exclusively in the CM and CPM neurons. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that inflammation at either time point induced TRPV1 expression in normally non-TRPV1 expressing CPMs. Realtime PCR and western blotting analyses revealed that specific receptors/channels involved in sensory transduction were differentially altered in the DRGs depending on whether inflammation was induced prior to or after the functional changes in afferent prevalence. Conclusion: These data suggest that the mechanisms of neonatal pain development may be generated by different afferent subtypes and receptors/channels in an age-related manner.
Metastable [C4H8O]+˙ ions: Additional decompositions via the [2‐butanone]+˙ ion

The losses of methyl and ethyl through the intermediacy of the [2-butanone]+˙ ion are shown to be the dominant metastable decomposition of 14 of 19 [C4H8O]+˙ ions examined. The ions that decompose via the [2-butanone]+˙ structure include ionized aldehydes, unsaturated and cyclic alcohols and enolic ions. [Cyclic ether]+˙ [cyclopropylmethanol]+˙ and [2-methyl-1-propen-1-ol]+˙ ions do not decompose through ionized 2-butanone. The rearrangements of various [C4H8O]+˙ ions the the 2-butanone ion were investigated by means of deuterium labeling. Those pathways involve up to eight steps. Ions with the oxygen on the end carbon rearrange to a common structure or mixture of structures. Those ions which ultimately rearrange to the [2-butanone]+˙ ion then undergo oxygen shifts from the terminal to the second and third carbons at about equal rates. However, this oxygen shift does not precede the losses of water and ethylene. Losses of water and ethylene were unimportant for ions with the oxygen initially on the second carbon. Ionized n-butanal and cyclobutanol, but not other [C4H8O]+˙ ions, undergo reversible hydrogen exchange between the oxygen and the terminal carbon. Rearrangement of ionized n-butanal to the [cyclobutanol]+˙ ion is postulated.
Trade, Exchange Rate Exposure, and the Currency Composition of Debt

This paper develops a quantitative structural model of trade and the currency composition of debt for firms in a small open economy with exchange rate risk. Monopolistic competition in the product market generates exchange rate exposure for all firms - exporting and local. Due to financial frictions, firms optimally issue foreign debt as a hedge against this exposure. The model is estimated using a firm level dataset of traded Mexican firms. The estimated model fits the data well and is able to rationalize the observed magnitude of foreign debt issued by both local and exporting firms in Mexico. Counterfactual experiments are used to quantify the consequences of cheap foreign debt and high costs of equity issuance on debt and default policies of firms.
Development of a charge-perturbed particle-in-a-sphere model for nanoparticle electronic structure

The complex surface structure of gold-thiolate nanoparticles is known to affect the calculated density functional theory (DFT) excitation spectra. However, as the nanoparticle size increases, it becomes impractical to calculate the excitation spectrum using DFT. In this study, a new method is developed to determine the energy levels of the thiolate-protected gold nanoparticles [Au25(SR)18]−, Au102(SR)44 and Au144(SR)60. A 3 nm thiolate-protected nanoparticle is also modeled. The particle-in-a-sphere model is used to represent the core while the ligands are treated as point charge perturbations. The electronic structures obtained with this model are qualitatively similar to DFT results. The symmetry of the arrangement of the perturbations around the core plays a major role in determining the splitting of the orbitals. The radius chosen to represent the core also affects the orbital splitting. Increasing the number of perturbations around the core shifts the orbitals to higher energies but does not significantly change the band gaps and orbital splitting as long as the symmetrical arrangement of the perturbations is conserved. This model can be applied to any gold nanoparticle with a spherical core, regardless of its size or the nature of the ligands, at very low computational cost.
Protein co-expression network analysis (ProCoNA)

Background Biological networks are important for elucidating disease etiology due to their ability to model complex high dimensional data and biological systems. Proteomics provides a critical data source for such models, but currently lacks robust de novo methods for network construction, which could bring important insights in systems biology.
High-efficiency high-power GaInAsSb-AlGaAsSb double-heterostructure lasers emitting at 2.3 mu m

Double-heterostructure Ga/sub 0.84/In/sub 0.16/As/sub 0.14/Sb/sub 0.86/-Al/sub 0.5/Ga/sub 0.5/As/sub 0.04/Sb/sub 0.96/ diode lasers emitting at 2.27 mu m were grown by molecular beam epitaxy on GaSb substrates. For pulsed operation of broad-stripe lasers 300 mu m wide, differential quantum efficiencies as high as 50% and output power as high as 900 mW/facet were obtained for a cavity length of 300 mu m. Values of approximately 100% for the internal quantum efficiency and 43 cm/sup -1/ for the internal loss coefficient were determined from the measured dependence of differential quantum efficiency on cavity length. The threshold current density was as low as 1.5 kA/cm/sup 2/ for a cavity length of 700 mu m. >