cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A P2P-based intelligent resource discovery mechanism in Internet-based distributed systems

Internet-based distributed systems enable globally-scattered resources to be collectively pooled and used in a cooperative manner to achieve unprecedented petascale supercomputing capabilities. Numerous resource discovery approaches have been proposed to help achieve this goal. To report or discover a multi-attribute resource, most approaches use multiple messages, with one message for each attribute, leading to high overhead of memory consumption, node communication, and subsequent merging operation. Another approach can report and discover a multi-attribute resource using one query by reducing multi-attribute to a single index, but it is not practically effective in an environment with a large number of different resource attributes. Furthermore, few approaches are able to locate resources geographically close to the requesters, which is critical to system performance. This paper presents a P2P-based intelligent resource discovery (PIRD) mechanism that weaves all attributes into a set of indices using locality sensitive hashing, and then maps the indices to a structured P2P overlay. PIRD can discover resources geographically close to requesters by relying on a hierarchical P2P structure. It significantly reduces overhead and improves search efficiency and effectiveness in resource discovery. It further incorporates the Lempel-Ziv-Welch algorithm to compress attribute information for higher efficiency. Theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of PIRD in comparison with other approaches. It dramatically reduces overhead and yields significant improvements on the efficiency of resource discovery.
Motion on two-dimensional manifolds in rotating coordinates

The two degree-of-freedom system in rotating coordinates: \.u − 2nv = Vx, \.v + 2nu = Vy, \.x = u, \.y = v and its Jacobi integral define a time-dependent velocity field on a differentiable, two-dimensional manifold of integral curves. Explicit time dependence is determined by the dynamical system, coordinate frame, and initial conditions. In the autonomous cases, orbits are level curves of an autonomous function satisfying a second-order, quasi-linear, partial differential equation of parabolic type. Important aspects of the theory are illustrated for the two-body problem in rotating coordinates.
The progesterone receptor and parental behavior in juvenile rats

Juvenile rats exhibit enhanced parental behavior responses to foster pups from 18 to 25 days of age, compared to virgin adults. Previous studies in adult rats and mice suggest that progesterone can inhibit the display of parental care towards offspring. The present study investigated the role of progesterone in juvenile rat parental behavior. It is hypothesized that the decrease in parental responsiveness as juveniles age is due a progesterone-dependent inhibitory mechanism. Groups of male and female juveniles were subcutaneously implanted with the progesterone antagonist RU486, progesterone, or control implants. All juveniles were then tested for parental behaviors. No significant effects of either RU486 or progesterone treatments on parental behavior latencies were detected in male or female juveniles. The current data support the concept that the mechanisms controlling juvenile and adult parental behavior are divergent. Progesterone does not seem to be involved in the display of parental behavior in juvenile rats. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 535–541, 2008.
Reactive Organic Gas Emissions from Livestock Feed Contribute Significantly to Ozone Production in Central California

The San Joaquin Valley (SJV) in California currently experiences some of the highest surface ozone (O(3)) concentrations in the United States even though it has a population density that is an order of magnitude lower than many urban areas with similar ozone problems. Previously unrecognized agricultural emissions may explain why O(3) concentrations in the SJV have not responded to traditional emissions control programs. In the present study, the ozone formation potentials (OFP) of livestock feed emissions were measured on representative field samples using a transportable smog chamber. Seven feeds were considered: cereal silage (wheat grain and oat grain), alfalfa silage, corn silage, high moisture ground corn (HMGC), almond shells, almond hulls, and total mixed ration (TMR = 55% corn silage, 16% corn grain, 8% almond hulls, 7% hay, 7% bran + seeds, and 5% protein + vitamins + minerals). The measured short-term OFP for each gram of reactive organic gas (ROG) emissions from all livestock feed was 0.17-0.41 g-O(3) per g-ROG. For reference, OFP of exhaust from light duty gasoline powered cars under the same conditions is 0.69 +/- 0.15 g-O(3) per g-ROG. Model calculations were able to reproduce the ozone formation from animal feeds indicating that the measured ROG compounds account for the observed ozone formation (i.e., ozone closure was achieved). Ethanol and other alcohol species accounted for more than 50% of the ozone formation for most types of feed. Aldehydes were also significant contributors for cereal silage, high moisture ground corn, and total mixed ration. Ozone production calculations based on feed consumption rates, ROG emissions rates, and OFP predict that animal feed emissions dominate the ROG contributions to ozone formation in the SJV with total production of 25 +/- 10 t O(3) day(-1). The next most significant ROG source of ozone production in the SJV is estimated to be light duty vehicles with total production of 14.3 +/- 1.4 t O(3) day(-1). The majority of the animal feed ozone formation is attributed to corn silage. Future work should be conducted to reduce the uncertainty of ROG emissions from animal feeds in the SJV and to include this significant source of ozone formation in regional airshed models.
Mental health nursing consultation in the General Hospital

Abstract Mental health consultation was provided to the nurses and patients of a general hospital over a three-year period. The purpose of the consultation was to help create a "therapeutic community" within individual nursing units. Through indidual consultation and group discussions nurses increased their skills in caring for patients and in handling the psychosocial aspects of patient care
A new global database of Mars impact craters ≥1 km: 2. Global crater properties and regional variations of the simple‐to‐complex transition diameter

[1] We have generated a new, 384,343-entry global crater database of Mars, statistically complete for craters with diameters D ≥ 1 km. In this release, the database contains detailed morphologic and morphometric data for craters D ≥ 3 km (future releases will extend these to smaller diameters). With detailed topographic data for the largest crater database to-date, we analyzed crater depth-to-diameter ratios for simple and complex morphologies across various terrains and for the planet as a whole and investigated the simple-to-complex morphology transition. Our results are similar to those in the published literature, but we found a substantial terrain dependence of the simple-to-complex transition that occurs at ∼11-km-diameter craters at high latitudes. This suggests a model that requires melting of volatiles during high-latitude crater formation that fill the crater during the modification phase but will still support the simple morphology to larger diameters. We also use this database to reexamine previously observed distributions and patterns to show its fidelity and to further explore other global relationships of fresh craters, those with central peaks, pits, and summit pits. We present the global distribution of craters with different types of ejecta and morphometric properties. Overall, this database is shown to be comparable to previous databases where there is overlap and to be useful in extending prior work into new regimes.
Lessons Learned from the Development and Implementation of the Atmosphere Resource Recovery and Environmental Monitoring Project

The Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) Program's Atmosphere Resource Recovery and Environmental Monitoring (ARREM) Project have been developing atmosphere revitalization and environmental monitoring subsystem architectures suitable for enabling sustained crewed exploration missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO). Using the International Space Station state-of-the-art (SOA) as the technical basis, the ARREM Project has contributed to technical advances that improve affordability, reliability, and functional efficiency while reducing dependence on a ground-based logistics resupply model. Functional demonstrations have merged new process technologies and concepts with existing ISS developmental hardware and operate them in a controlled environment simulating various crew metabolic loads. The ARREM Project's strengths include access to a full complement of existing developmental hardware that perform all the core atmosphere revitalization functions, unique testing facilities to evaluate subsystem performance, and a coordinated partnering effort among six NASA field centers and industry partners to provide the innovative expertise necessary to succeed. A project overview is provided and the project management strategies that have enabled a multidiscipinary engineering team to work efficiently across project, NASA field center, and industry boundaries to achieve the project's technical goals are discussed. Lessons learned and best practices relating to the project are presented and discussed.
Cryogenic engineering for the Brookhaven power transmission project

Abstract This article reviews the Brookhaven project to develop a feasible method of transmitting power underground using a superconducting cable, force-cooled by supercritical hellium. The project started in 1972 and so far good progress has been made on the development of the cryogenic equipment.
Dynamic topology of fullerene coalescence.

Atomic rearrangements leading to the coalescence of fullerene cages are revealed by topological analysis. Paths found for nanotubes and ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ consist exclusively of Stone-Wales bond rotations. Computed intermediate states show gradual evolution from separate clusters to completely fused coherent units. Molecular dynamics simulations follow the predicted routes, overcome the nucleation barrier, and reach a final annealed state. While the overall behavior resembles macroscopic sintering, the nanoscale neck undergoes quantized changes in diameter and crystalline order.
PrPSc accumulation in neuronal plasma membranes links Notch-1 activation to dendritic degeneration in prion diseases

Prion diseases are disorders of protein conformation in which PrPC, the normal cellular conformer, is converted to an abnormal, protease-resistant conformer rPrPSc. Approximately 80% of rPrPSc accumulates in neuronal plasma membranes where it changes their physical properties and profoundly affects membrane functions. In this review we explain how rPrPSc is transported along axons to presynaptic boutons and how we envision the conversion of PrPC to rPrPSc in the postsynaptic membrane. This information is a prerequisite to the second half of this review in which we present evidence that rPrPSc accumulation in synaptic regions links Notch-1 signaling with the dendritic degeneration. The hypothesis that the Notch-1 intracellular domain, NICD, is involved in prion disease was tested by treating prion-infected mice with the γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI) LY411575, with quinacrine (Qa), and with the combination of GSI + Qa. Surprisingly, treatment with GSI alone markedly decreased NICD but did not prevent dendritic degeneration. Qa alone produced near normal dendritic trees. The combined GSI + Qa treatment resulted in a richer dendritic tree than in controls. We speculate that treatment with GSI alone inhibited both stimulators and inhibitors of dendritic growth. With the combined GSI + Qa treatment, Qa modulated the effect of GSI perhaps by destabilizing membrane rafts. GSI + Qa decreased PrPSc in the neocortex and the hippocampus by 95%, but only by 50% in the thalamus where disease was begun by intrathalamic inoculation of prions. The results of this study indicate that GSI + Qa work synergistically to prevent dendrite degeneration and to block formation of PrPSc.
Influence of Capping Groups on the Synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 Nanocrystals

Monodisperse and uniform γ-Fe2O3 (maghemite) nanocrystals of variable size were prepared by thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl [Fe(CO)5] in the presence of surfactants, following controlled oxidation with trimethylamine N-oxide as a mild oxidant. The influence of carboxylic acids with variable alkyl carbon chain lengths on the synthesis of γ-Fe2O3 nanocrystals was investigated. The effect of the molar ratios of surfactant to iron precursor was also studied. The nanocrystals were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD showed the particles were highly crystalline at the nanometer scale. The results showed that the size and shape of the nanocrystal is strongly influenced by the decomposition temperature of iron pentacarbonyl and closely related to the length of carbon chain of the capping groups and the molar ratio of surfactant to iron precursor. Following controlled evaporation from nonpolar solvents, self-assembly into two-dimensional arrays could be observed by TEM. It was also found that the distance between the nanocrystals in self-assembled structures matched the length of the capping molecules very well.
Marlene Dumas: Measuring Your Own Grave

Marlene Dumas's exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, New York, reveals a complicated economy of seeing as her paintings and drawings reject any easy recognition or simplification of aesthetic, cultural, or political meanings. The multiple series of faces rendered in eerie washes of watercolor and oil seem to suspend representation, projecting a discomforting knowledge of subjectivity as an always tense agitated terrain within which the viewer must stand complicit in relational contestation.
Comparison of the content of thymidylate synthetase, deoxycytidylate deaminase and deoxyribonucleoside kinases in normal and regenerating rat liver

Abstract Five enzymes of deoxyribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleoside metabolism were assayed simultaneously in high-speed supernatant fractions prepared from livers of partially hepatectomized rats. The content of each enzyme in 24.5-hr. regenerating liver was compared with its content in the same tissue immediately after surgery. Four- and sixfold increases in the levels of thymidylate synthetase and thymidine kinase, respectively, were found to have occurred before the amount of deoxyeytidylate deaminase had been altered appreciably. In contrast to thymidine kinase, no significant change in the levels of deoxyadenosine kinase or deoxyeytidine kinase was observed. The activity of the deoxyribonucleoside kinases was not altered in the supernatant fractions by the addition of fluoride at a concentration that inhibited deoxyribonucleotide phosphatase activity more than 80%.
DEVELOPMENT OF SCELIO BIPARTITUS KIEFFER (HYMENOPTERA: SCELIONIDAE) IN DIAPAUSE EGGS OF GASTRIMARGUS MUSICUS (F.) (ORTHOPTERA: ACRIDIDAE)

Two new developmental pathways were found in Scelio bipartitus parasitising diapause eggs of Gastrimargus musicus in a temperate region; overwintering as pharate adults within the host egg to emerge in spring; and overwintering as larvae with development to the adult stage and emergence in late spring. A third pathway, nondiapause development to the adult stage in late summer and emergence in autumn was observed for the first time in a temperate region. Parasitism rates ranged from 4.3–11.7% in the first year of an outbreak to 61.5–87.5% in the second (final) year. In Queensland, G. musicus occasionally overwinters as nymphs and oviposits in spring. Overwintering by S. bipartitus as pharate adults is a possible adaptation to this host developmental pathway.
Nanosuspensions in drug delivery

A surprisingly large proportion of new drug candidates emerging from drug discovery programmes are water insoluble, and therefore poorly bioavailable, leading to abandoned development efforts. These so-called 'brickdust' candidates can now be rescued by formulating them into crystalline nanosuspensions. In the process of overcoming issues involving solubility, additional pharmacokinetic benefits of the drugs so formulated have come to be appreciated. As such, insolubility issues of the past have provoked a paradigm change, which now offers novel solutions for innovative drugs of the future.
Prostaglandins mediate the cardioprotective effects of atorvastatin against ischemia–reperfusion injury

Objectives : Statins attenuate myocardial ischemic injury by activating nitric oxide synthase (NOS). It is unknown whether cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), which mediates late ischemic preconditioning, also mediates statins-induced cardioprotection. We investigated the involvement of the prostaglandins and NOS in the cardioprotective effect of atorvastatin (ATV) in the rat. Methods : Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized to a 3-day oral treatment with ATV 10 mg/kg, valdecoxib, a selective COX2 inhibitor (VAL) 3 mg/kg, ATV+VAL or water alone. Rats underwent 30-min myocardial ischemia followed by 4-h reperfusion. Results : Infarct size was smaller in the ATV group (31.3 ± 1.9%) than controls (44.5 ± 3.1%; p =0.011) and VAL (44.5 ± 3.1%; p =0.008). VAL attenuated the protective effect of ATV when administered together (40.2 ± 2.5%). ATV pretreatment increased myocardial content of 6-keto-PGF1α (69.5 ± 1.5 pg/mg) and PGE2 (57.9 ± 0.6 pg/mg) compared with controls (16.2 ± 0.2 and 42.1 ± 2.0 pg/mg, respectively) and ATV+VAL (15.8 ± 0.3 and 39.9 ± 1.9 pg/mg, respectively). ATV increased myocardial content of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) (174.8 ± 0.5%), COX2 (446.2 ± 0.9%), PGI2 synthase (201.8 ± 1.1%) and PGE2 synthase (122 ± 0.7%), whereas ATV+VAL did not (123.0 ± 7.9%, 93.8 ± 8.5%, 103.0 ± 1.6% and 99.0 ± 0%, respectively). ATV did not change the myocardial content of eNOS and nNOS, but increased the concentration of phosphorylated eNOS (231.8 ± 2.4%) and iNOS (154.5 ± 1.2%). This effect was not blocked by coadministration of VAL (231.5 ± 3.0% and 154.5 ± 1.8%, respectively). Conclusions : Our results suggest that the prostaglandins are essential for mediating the myocardial protective effects of ATV and their production is downstream to eNOS phosphorylation and iNOS.
Control of aggression in a nursery school class

Abstract The rate of emission of aggressive responses of 27,3- and 4-year-old boys in a nursery school class was successfully manipulated by teachers systematically ignoring aggression and attending acts incompatible with aggression.
The development of habituation in the rat

In each of two studies, rats of different ages were given one prolonged open-field trial. Animals of 21 days and older displayed within-session activity decrements, while 15-day-olds failed to habituate. The abrupt transition from a pattern of nonhabituation to one of habituation to a novel environment parallels the development of forebrain cholinergic mechanisms during the third and fourth postnatal weeks. These experiments conform to the suggestion that the 2-week-old rat is behaviorally similar to the hippocampectomized adult.
The effect of food intake on mood

Abstract Literature consistently demonstrates that individuals experiencing emotional distress, especially depression, report a craving and preference for sweet carbohydrate/fat rich foods. This relationship exists in individuals experiencing fall/winter seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual syndrome, and some obse individuals. The cravings and preference for these foods occur only during the fall and winter in indivuduals with seasonal affective disorder and in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle in individuals with premenstrual disorder which is the time when symptoms of depression are experienced. Additionally, unipolar depressed individuals increase their preference for sweet carbohydrate/fat rich foods as they become depressed. They also increase their consumption of carbohydrates from sucrose. Several studies indicate that sweet carbohydrate/fat rich foods are consumed because of the resulting mood enhancement. However, other studies have revealed that elimination of intake of added sucrose and/or caffeine from the diet of unipolar depressed individuals results in an amelioration of depression that is maintained as long as the substance they are sensitive to, added sucrose or caffeine, is not consumed. The cravings and preference which some depressed individuals have for sweet carbohydrate/fat rich foods seems to result from the enhancement in mood following consumption. Paradoxically, however, a better long-term strategy for mood enhancement may be to totally eliminate added sucrose and caffeine from the diet of depressed individuals.
AT-1 is the ER membrane acetyl-CoA transporter and is essential for cell viability

The transient or permanent modification of nascent proteins in the early secretory pathway is an essential cellular function that ensures correct folding and maturation of membrane and secreted proteins. We have recently described a new form of post-translational regulation of the membrane protein β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) involving transient lysine acetylation in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The essential components of this process are two ER-based acetyl-CoA:lysine acetyltransferases, ATase1 and ATase2, and a membrane transporter that translocates acetyl-CoA into the lumen of the ER. Here, we report the functional identification of acetyl-CoA transporter 1 (AT-1) as the ER membrane acetyl-CoA transporter. We show that AT-1 regulates the acetylation status of ER-transiting proteins, including the membrane proteins BACE1, low-density lipoprotein receptor and amyloid precursor protein (APP). Finally, we show that AT-1 is essential for cell viability as its downregulation results in widespread cell death and induction of features characteristic of autophagy.
Flash Ignition and Initiation of Explosives-Nanotubes Mixture

Optical ignition and initiation of energetic materials could thus far be only accomplished through lasers, with specific characteristics of high power, pulse length, wavelength, and a small target area that greatly inhibit their applications. Here, we report that an ignition and an initiation process, further leading to actual detonation, does occur for energetic materials in lax contact with carbon nanotubes that are prone to opto-thermal activity via a conventional flashbulb. Our results show that, for the first time, optical initiation of energetic materials is possible on a large surface area and using ordinary light intensity of several W/cm2. The implication is that energetic materials mixed with optically active nanotubes could be new ideal candidates for safety apparatus, such as the firing of bolts on space shuttle rockets and aircraft exit doors.
All glutathione forms are depleted in blood of obese and type 1 diabetic children

Pastore A, Ciampalini P, Tozzi G, Pecorelli L, Passarelli C, Bertini E, Piemonte F. All glutathione forms are depleted in blood of obese and type 1 diabetic children. Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D), where an increase in reactive oxygen species may contribute to the initial destruction of β-cells. Accumulating evidence also suggests a role for oxidative stress in obesity, where it may potentiate the development of complications. Objective: To analyze the in vivo homeostasis of glutathione in children with T1D at onset and in children who are obese, to evaluate the systemic content of all glutathione forms (total, reduced, oxidized, and protein-bound glutathione) and the balance among them. Moreover, since glutathione bound to hemoglobin is a clinical marker of oxidative stress in human blood, we analyzed glutathionyl-hemoglobin in T1D and in obese children. Subjects: Children with T1D at onset (n = 30) or obesity (n = 30) at the first observation, and 30 healthy subjects chosen from the children who attended the outpatient clinic for minor problems. Methods: We assessed circulating levels of various glutathione forms by performing reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Glutathionyl-hemoglobin analysis was carried out by cation-exchange chromatography. Results: In children with T1D and in obese children, we found a significant decrease of all glutathione forms including, for the first time, the content of total glutathione and glutathionylated proteins. The comparison among forms shows no significant imbalance in T1D patients, whereas in obese children it seems to suggest an attempt to rebalance the glutathione system homeostasis. Conclusions: Our findings consistently show in vivo evidence of glutathione depletion upon early onset of T1D and in obese children, thus evidencing glutathione as an early marker in these two metabolic conditions.
A relativistic nuclear field theory with π and ρ mesons

Abstract The relativistic quantum field theory of Walecka is extended to include the interactions of π and ρ mesons. The proposed model is a non-abelian gauge theory and is renormalizable. The corresponding mean-field theory is derived and applied to calculations of cold nuclear matter.
Hydrodynamic interactions in hard-sphere suspensions.

We study the effects of hydrodynamic interactions on the diffusion of hard spheres in concentrated suspensions. Using a multiple-light-scattering technique, we measure [H(q)], a weighted average of H(q), a function that characterizes the hydrodynamic interaction. By changing the size of the spheres we probe the particle size dependence of [H(q)] and find reasonable agreement with recent calculations for volume fractions \ensuremath{\varphi}0.45. For large spheres (diameter 2Rg2\ensuremath{\mu}m), [H(q)]\ensuremath{\rightarrow}H(\ensuremath{\infty}) and thus, we measure the short-time self-diffusion coefficient ${\mathit{D}}_{\mathit{s}}$==${\mathit{D}}_{0}$H(\ensuremath{\infty}) where ${\mathit{D}}_{0}$ is the free-particle diffusion coefficient. We find that H(\ensuremath{\infty})=1-1.77(\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07)\ensuremath{\varphi} for \ensuremath{\varphi}\ensuremath{\le}0.45. This agrees with the linear (low-concentration) term calculated for short-time self-diffusion. The short-time diffusion coefficient is also found to be continuous across the freezing transition.
Solids flow and mixing model for a fluidized bed coating and calcination process

A model of the fluidized bed calcination process based on solids flow and mixing has been developed to calculate the change in the bed particle size distribution as a function of time and calciner operating conditions. The model is based on a mechanistic approach for determining the particle size distributions resulting from feed deposition, particle attrition, elutriation, seed addition and product removal. Comparison between the model results and data from a pilot plant calciner show good agreement. Because the model is based on mechanisms occurring in the fluidized bed calciner, it should be able to accurately scale up pilot plant results to predict operations in a full-scale calciner.
A new class of platinum (II) vapochromic salts.

Luminescent chloride and hexaflurophosphate salts of Pt(Me2bzimpy)Cl+ (Me2bzimpy = 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine) are reported. As solids, both compounds are vapochromic, undergoing pronounced and reversible changes of color and emission in the presence of volatile organic compounds. The chloride salt responds to vapors of methanol, chloroform, ethanol, and acetonitrile, undergoing a distinct change in color from yellow to red within seconds. The PF6- salt responded selectively to acetonitrile vapor, changing from yellow to violet while sorbing 1.0 ± 0.1 equiv. For either salt, leaving vapor-exposed samples in air for several days or heating for several minutes restored the original color. UV−visible absorption spectra and solid-state room temperature and 77 K emission spectra are reported, and the accumulated data are consistent with a decrease in Pt···Pt separation accompanying vapor sorption.
Changes in multiple health outcomes at 12 and 24 weeks resulting from 12 weeks of exercise counseling with or without dietary counseling in obese adults.

Abstract Objective We compared health outcomes in obese adults who underwent 12 wk of exercise counseling with or without dietary counseling, followed by 12 wk of observational monitoring. Methods Ninety adults (77 women and 13 men; 42.6 ± 6.0 y; body mass index, 31.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to exercise-only (EX) or diet-plus-exercise (DEX) groups and counseled weekly by exercise physiologists on a 12-wk walking program. DEX subjects were also counseled by dietitians on a hypocaloric diet (−500 kcal/d). From weeks 12 to 24, subjects were monitored but not counseled. At weeks 0, 12, and 24, data collection included body composition (air displacement plethysmography), fitness (maximum oxygen consumption, 3-min step-test, and timed mile), plasma lipids, weight loss efficacy (Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire), quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey—Short Form 36), and mood (Profile of Mood States). Results At 12 and 24 wk, weight and body mass index decreased in DEX subjects (both P Conclusions Exercise counseling for 12 wk in obese adults improves some body composition indices that can be sustained over 12 wk of monitoring. The addition of dietary counseling increases improvements in body composition, lipid profiles, and several psychological parameters.
Subclavian Revascularization in the Age of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair and Comparison of Outcomes in Patients with Occlusive Disease

Objective Open surgical revascularization for subclavian artery occlusive disease (OD) has largely been supplanted by endovascular treatment despite the excellent long-term patency of bypass. The indications for carotid-subclavian bypass (C-SBP) and subclavian transposition (ST) have been recently expanded with the widespread application of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), primarily to augment proximal landing zones or treat endovascular failures. This study was performed to determine the outcomes of patients undergoing C-SBP/ST in the context of contemporary endovascular therapies and evolving indications. Methods A prospective database including all procedures performed at a single institution from 2002 to 2012 was retrospectively queried for patients who underwent subclavian revascularization for TEVAR or OD indications. Patient demographics and perioperative outcomes were recorded. Patency was determined by computed tomography angiography in the TEVAR group. Noninvasive studies were used for the OD patients. Life-table methods were used to estimate patency, reintervention, and survival. Results Of 139 procedures identified, 101 were performed for TEVAR and 38 for OD. All TEVAR patients underwent C-SBP/ST to augment landing zones (49% preoperative; 41% intraoperative), treat arm ischemia (8% postoperative), or for internal mammary artery salvage (2%). OD patients had a variety of indications, including failed stent/arm fatigue, 49%; asymptomatic >80% internal carotid stenosis with concurrent subclavian occlusion, 18%; symptomatic cerebrovascular OD, 13%; redo bypass, 8%; and coronary-subclavian steal, 5%. Differences in postoperative stroke and death, primary patency, or freedom from reintervention were not significant. The 30-day postoperative stroke, death, and combined stroke/death rates were, respectively, 10.8%, 5.8%, and 13.7% for the entire cohort; 8.9%, 7.1%, and 12.9% in TEVAR patients; and 15.8%, 2.6%, and 15.8% in OD patients. The 1- and 3-year primary patencies were, respectively, 94% and 94% for TEVAR and 93% and 73% for OD patients. Survival was similar between the groups, with an estimated survival rate of 88% at 1 year and 76% at 5 years. Conclusions Stroke risk in this contemporary series of C-SBP/ST performed for TEVAR and OD indications may be higher than previously reported in historical series. In TEVAR patients, this may be attributed to procedural complexity of the TEVAR in patients requiring subclavian revascularization. In OD patients, this is likely due to the changing patient population that requires more frequent concomitant carotid interventions. Despite the short-term morbidity, excellent bypass durability and equivalent long-term patient survival can be anticipated.
Mechanical and histological evaluation of amorphous calcium phosphate and poorly crystallized hydroxyapatite coatings on titanium implants

The effect of amorphous calcium phosphate (Ca/P) and poorly crystallized (60% crystalline) hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on bone fixation to “smooth” and “rough” (Ti-6Al–4V powder sprayed) titanium-6Al-4V (Ti) implants was investigated. Implants were evaluated histologically, mechanically, and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after 4 and 12 weeks of implantation in a rabbit transcortical femoral model. Histological evaluation of amorphous vs. poorly crystallized HA coatings showed significant differences in bone apposition (for rough-coated implants only) and coating resorption (for smooth- and rough-coated implants) that were increased within cortical compared to cancellous bone. The poorly crystallized HA coatings showed most degradation and least bone apposition. Mechanical evaluation, however, showed no significant differences in push-out shear strengths between the two types of coatings evaluated. Differences between 4 and 12 weeks were significant for coating resorption and push-out shear strength but not for bone apposition. Significant enhancement in interfacial shear strengths for bioceramic coated as compared to uncoated implants were seen for smooth-surfaced implants (3.5–5 times greater) but not for rough-surfaced implants at 4 and 12 weeks. Rough implants showed greater mean interfacial strengths than uncoated smooth implants at 4 and 12 weeks (seven times greater) and to coated smooth implants at 12 weeks only (two times greater). Mechanical failure of the bone/coating/implant interface consistently occurred within the bone, even in the case of the poorly crystallized HA coatings, which had almost completely resorbed on rough implants. These results suggest that once early osteointegration is achieved biodegradation of a bioactive coating should not be detrimental to the bone/coating/implant fixation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Canine Cystine Urolithiasis

Cystine uroliths form as a result of a complex metabolic disturbance in amino acid metabolism and transport. The inheritance of this disease is obscure because it does not follow a standard mendelian pattern. Uroliths are a vexing clinical problem because the recurrence rate is high. Accurate diagnosis of uroliths requires use of crystallographic methods. The renal defect leading to excessive excretion of cystine is variable. The only effective method of prevention of recurrence is use of D-penicillamine, which is poorly tolerated by some dogs.
Distributed scheduling for real-time data collection in Wireless Sensor Networks

We study real time periodic query scheduling for data collection in multihop Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Given a set of heterogenous data collection queries in WSNs, each query requires the data from the source sensor nodes to be collected to the control center within a certain end-to-end delay. We first propose almost-tight necessary conditions for a set of different queries to be schedulable by a WSN. We then develop a family of efficient and effective data collection algorithms that can meet the real-time requirement under resource constraints by addressing three tightly coupled tasks: (1) routing tree construction for data collection, (2) link activity scheduling, and (3) packet-level scheduling. Our theoretical analysis for the schedulability of these algorithms show that they can achieve a constant fraction of the maximum schedulable load. For the case of overloaded networks where not all queries can be possibly satisfied, we propose an efficient approximation algorithm to select queries to maximize the total weight of selected schedulable queries. The simulations corroborate our theoretical analysis.
Conditional multi-output regression

In multi-output regression, the goal is to establish a mapping from inputs to multivariate outputs that are often assumed unknown. However, in practice, some outputs may become available. How can we use this extra information to improve our prediction on the remaining outputs? For example, can we use the job data released today to better predict the house sales data to be released tomorrow? Most previous approaches use a single generative model to model the joint predictive distribution of all outputs, based on which unknown outputs are inferred conditionally from the known outputs. However, learning such a joint distribution for all outputs is very challenging and also unnecessary if our goal is just to predict each of the unknown outputs. We propose a conditional model to directly model the conditional probability of a target output on both inputs and all other outputs. A simple generative model is used to infer other outputs if they are unknown. Both models only consist of standard regression predictors, for example, Gaussian process, which can be easily learned.
Ancient DNA supports southern survival of Richardson's collared lemming (Dicrostonyx richardsoni) during the last glacial maximum

Collared lemmings (genus Dicrostonyx) are circumpolar Arctic arvicoline rodents associated with tundra. However, during the last glacial maximum (LGM), Dicrostonyx lived along the southern ice margin of the Laurentide ice sheet in communities comprising both temperate and boreal species. To better understand these communities and the fate of these southern individuals, we compare mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data from three LGM-age Dicrostonyx fossils from south of the Laurentide ice sheet to sequences from modern Dicrostonyx sampled from across their present-day range. We test whether the Dicrostonyx populations from LGM-age continental USA became extinct at the Pleistocene–Holocene transition ~11000 years ago or, alternatively, if they belong to an extant species whose habitat preferences can be used to infer the palaeoclimate along the glacial margin. Our results indicate that LGM-age Dicrostonyx from Iowa and South Dakota belong to Dicrostonyx richardsoni, which currently lives in a temperate tundra environment west of Hudson Bay, Canada. This suggests a palaeoclimate south of the Laurentide ice sheet that contains elements similar to the more temperate shrub tundra characteristic of extant D. richardsoni habitat, rather than the very cold, dry tundra of the Northern Arctic. While more data are required to determine whether or not the LGM southern population is ancestral to extant D. richardsoni, it seems most probable that the species survived the LGM in a southern refugium.
Influence of biomolecule size on performance of nanostructured sensing devices

Porous silicon is an excellent material for biosensing because of its large surface area and ability to filter out large contaminant species. In order to characterize the sensitivity of porous silicon based biosensors for biomolecules of different sizes, a mesoporous silicon waveguide with average pore diameter of 20 nm is used to detect single strand DNA oligos with different numbers of base pairs at different concentrations. Experimental results indicate that 16-mer DNA is detected most sensitively with the mesoporous silicon waveguide.
ATVB in focus: Diabetic vascular disease: pathophysiological mechanisms in the diabetic milieu and therapeutic implications.

In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology begins a series of review articles on recent research advances into the mechanisms of diabetic vascular complications. The goal of this series is to review basic mechanisms by which diabetes accelerates vascular disease, an intense area of current interest. Research into diabetic vascular complications has received increased attention over the last 10 years as indicated by the number of articles published annually in ATVB that featured the term “diabetes” in the title, abstract, or text (Figure). Looking at the Figure, you might wonder what accounts both for the increase, and for the apparent lack of interest before this. This burst of activity was preceded by a greater realization that both type I and type II diabetes dramatically increase the risk for the development of macrovascular disease and its complications. The increase in published articles is also undoubtedly caused by many interdependent factors. First, it is now generally accepted that risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia have relatively acute effects on vascular cells to which their chronic adverse effects on vascular structure and function can be ascribed. For instance, in the case of diabetes, this principle is based on results from short-term cellular and physiological models in which vascular or blood cells in both animal models and in vitro are exposed to elevated concentrations of glucose for relatively brief periods of time. These are reasonably easy experiments to do, and bolstered by the fact that elevated …
Endoplasmic Reticulum Retention Signal-Dependent Glycylation of the Hsp70/Grp170-Related Pgp1p in Tetrahymena

Glycylation is an uncommon posttranslational modification. It has been found that tubulin glycylation is essential for cell survival in Tetrahymena. Here we describe PGP1, a Tetrahymena gene encoding an Hsp70 homologue that is a novel glycylated protein. Pgp1p is a conserved glycoprotein that localizes within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We demonstrate that PGP1 is essential for viability and present evidence that both glycosylation and ER retention are necessary but not sufficient for glycylation.
Computerized Adaptive Diagnosis and Testing of Mental Health Disorders

In this review we explore recent developments in computerized adaptive diagnostic screening and computerized adaptive testing for the presence and severity of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and mania. The statistical methodology is unique in that it is based on multidimensional item response theory (severity) and random forests (diagnosis) instead of traditional mental health measurement based on classical test theory (a simple total score) or unidimensional item response theory. We show that the information contained in large item banks consisting of hundreds of symptom items can be efficiently calibrated using multidimensional item response theory, and the information contained in these large item banks can be precisely extracted using adaptive administration of a small set of items for each individual. In terms of diagnosis, computerized adaptive diagnostic screening can accurately track an hour-long face-to-face clinician diagnostic interview for major depressive disorder (as an example) in less than a minute using an average of four questions with unprecedented high sensitivity and specificity. Directions for future research and applications are discussed.
Reaction time of the tongue to auditory and tactile stimulation.

Measures of reaction time of the tongue to tactile stimulation on the lips and to a 1000-cps tone at sensation levels of 10, 50, and 70 db were obtained from 26 normal young adults. Results reveale...
A Novel Technique for Teaching Challenging Ultrasound-Guided Breast Procedures to Radiology Residents

Ultrasound-guided breast interventions (core biopsies, needle-wire localizations, and fine-needle cyst aspirations) are common procedures performed by radiologists. Residents must gain competency in these interventions during training. Phantoms and simulations have been advocated for teaching interventions, and various systems are available for standard breast interventions. However, simulations for difficult/high-risk interventions are not readily available. We describe an inexpensive method for simulating difficult ultrasound-guided breast procedures, including masses over breast implants, deep masses along the chest wall, and lymph nodes adjacent to axillary vessels.
Development of a Genomics-Based PCR Assay for Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a Large Outbreak in New York State

A genomics-based PCR method was developed and used to test specimens from patients involved in a large outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in a closed religious community in New York State. New P1 adhesin gene primers were designed to bind to 9 of 10 target sequences in the repetitive-element sequences obtained from the whole genome sequence of M. pneumoniae. This PCR method had a sensitivity of 0.006 CFU and a specificity of 100% for M. pneumoniae. The PCR was validated by testing a subset of patient samples by culture and comparing the results to those obtained by PCR. Of the initial 280 samples tested, 73 were positive by PCR and 22 were positive by culture. All samples positive by culture were also positive by PCR. Follow-up testing of selected patients 3 to 6 weeks after antibiotic treatment revealed that eight samples remained positive by PCR and that three samples remained positive by culture. Additionally, no nonspecific PCR inhibition was detected as a result of the specimen type, transport medium, or sample preparation methodology. The study demonstrates that the PCR described here is a rapid, sensitive, and specific method for the identification of M. pneumoniae and was helpful for the detection and monitoring of the outbreak.