cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The transition from discovery by genome-wide association studies to validation of clinical risk models: Where are we, what will it take, and when can we expect to be there?

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as an important tool for discovering regions of the genome that harbor genetic variants that confer risk for different types of cancers. The success of GWAS has been a consequence of the convergence of new technologies that can genotype hundreds of thousands of common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers together with comprehensive annotation of genetic variation. This approach has provided the opportunity to scan across the genome in a sufficiently set of cases and controls without a set of prior hypotheses in search of susceptibility alleles with low effect sizes. So far, susceptibility alleles discovered thus far are common, namely, with a frequency in one or more population of greater than 5% and each allele confers a small contribution to the overall risk for the disease. In prostate cancer, there could be more than 35 distinct regions harboring common susceptibility alleles identified by GWAS whereas in lung cancer, a disease strongly driven by exposure to tobacco products, so far, only three regions have been conclusively established. To date, over 125 regions have been conclusively associated in over a dozen different cancers, yet no more than six regions have been associated with more than one distinct cancer type. GWAS are an important discovery tool that require extensive follow-up to map each region, investigate the biological mechanism underpinning the association and eventually test the optimal markers for assessing risk for a disease or its outcome, such as in pharmacogenomics. The early fruits of success employed by GWAS have opened new horizons for applying genetic variation to the early diagnosis, treatment and perhaps prevention of different types of cancers. At the same time, it has become apparent that the complex genomic architecture of disease susceptibility will require further discovery of uncommon and rare variants using next generation sequence technologies that contribute to different cancers before we can expect to establish robust tests of germline DNA to be clinically useful. To reach this goal, new studies will need to be designed to validate the utility of known genetic variants in assessing risk for cancer.
The Long Road Out: Exit Stories from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

This study examined 50 exit narratives written by former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints posted on two Web sites, postmormon.org and exmormon.org, to explore organizational exit from a faith-based community. Using a microstoria narrative analysis, we found that the narratives described a long, nonlinear exit process that was advanced through microdisassociations. Members masked their intent to leave and internal doubts as they concurrently disconnected and reconnected with their faith. This study extends research on organizational exit to a third organizational form—totalistic organizations—and explores how organizational form informs the exit process.
Controlling fine grain nonnumeric parallelism on a combinator-based multiprocessor system

ion Rules A X [hd •. tl] = O [ S p ( A X [ h d ] ) (A x [f/])] A X [f g] = O [5 (A X [/]) (A x [g])] A x [.r] = / A x [i/] = K y if X does not occur in y Optimization Rules for Regular Combinators o Is (An ni ° f «' *>1 = ^1/ Optimization Rules for List-Oriented Combinators 0 [ S p { K f ) { K g ) ] = K i f : g ) O [ S p ( K f ) g ] = B p f g O [ S p f { K f l ) ] = C p f g A a; [/]: Abstracting x from /. O [e]: Optimizing expression e. Figure 2.4: Turner's Original Abstraction Algorithm
The effect of an enriched selenium-76 supplement on dietary monitors and glutathione peroxidase activity

The objective of this study was to determine if a stable enriched tracer of Se-76 could be used to establish the delay time between a dietary intake of selenium and its appearance in various matrices. Selenium, an essential trace element, has been investigated at the Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR) for several years. Several matrices have been studied to determine selenium status in humans; these include fingernails, toenails, blood, hair, and urine. A cohort of five women and seven men was utilized for this study. Each subject ingested selenium supplements which were enriched in Se-76 (96.48%). Fingernails, toenails, whole blood, and blood sera were collected as biochemical indicators. Selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activities were determined in blood sera and whole blood to monitor the effect of the selenium supplement in these matrices. Selenium concentrations were determined in fingernails and toenails prior to supplementation and for several months afterward to determine the delay time for the appearance of selenium. The effects of the selenium supplement on the selenium concentrations of the fingernails, toenails, whole blood, and blood sera and the effect of the supplement on glutathione peroxidase activity will be reported.
Coordinating simple and unreliable agents

Coordinating a large number of simple and unreliable agents to achieve a global objective poses a unique design challenge: How to achieve robust system level behavior in spite of the computational/reliability limitations of the agents. We investigate agent coordination in the difficult optimization problem of selecting the subset of sensing devices with distortions that provides the smallest average distortion [1]. We approach problem by assigning an agent to each device and having that agent use a simple reinforcement learning algorithm to determine whether to be part of the aggregate device. Our results show that the right agent reward structure provides significant improvements over both traditional search methods and traditional multi-agent methods. Furthermore, even in extreme cases of agent failures (i.e., half the agents fail during the simulation) this approach still outperforms a failure-free and centralized search algorithm.
Sensitivity of crop yield and water use to change in a range of climatic factors and CO2 concentrations: a simulation study applying EPIC to the central USA

Abstract Crop production was simulated with the Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator (EPIC) for five representative farms in the Midwestern USA under a variety of climate scenarios. The impact on yields and water use in corn, soybean, winter wheat and sorghum was simulated over a range of temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, humidity and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) conditions. Stomatal resistance and leaf area index, plant physiological factors affected by changes in [CO2], were also varied in some of the simulations. Changes in each of these variables altered crop yields and water use. Increases in temperature accelerated the phenological development for all crops, shortened time to maturity, lowered yields, and decreased water use efficiency. Changes in precipitation and vapor pressure affected crop yield and water use by altering the degree of water stress experienced by the crop. For all crops, changes in precipitation and vapor pressure were positively correlated with changes in yield. Changes in solar radiation, which affect the amount of photosynthetically active radiation captured by the plant, were positively correlated with changes in crop yield. Increases in [CO2] and consequent increases in leaf area index and stomatal resistance increased crop yield and water use efficiency, lessening any negative impacts of changes in temperature, precipitation, vapor pressure and solar radiation and amplifying their positive effects. Interactions between different climate variables resulted in crop yield responses ranging from a multiplicative decrease when humidity and precipitation are decreased.to a reduction in crop yield when solar radiation is increased and precipitation decreased. The demonstrated interactions of climatic factors indicate that future studies of climate change impacts should consider the full spectrum of climate variables and changes in atmospheric CO2 and not just temperature and precipitation.
Do the Effects of Adolescent Employment Differ by Employment Intensity and Neighborhood Context

Research on the effects of adolescent employment on primarily middle-class youth suggests that intense employment, working more than 15 or 20 hours during the school year, is associated with increased participation in risky behavior. Despite these findings, scholars who focus on the development of youth living in low-income urban areas often hypothesize that adolescent employment will have beneficial effects on this population. There is some evidence that adolescent employment is associated with increased educational achievement and adult employment for low-income urban youth. The impact of adolescent employment on future engagement in risky behavior across levels of neighborhood deprivation and employment intensity was investigated on a sample of 1,057 adolescents from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, a longitudinal study of neighborhood effects on development. After controlling for individual characteristics, intense employment during adolescence did predict increased use of cigarettes and alcohol and having a greater number of sexual partners 2 years after employment was measured. There were no significant interactions between neighborhood SES and adolescent employment status on involvement in risky behavior. These findings suggest that intense adolescent employment is associated with detrimental developmental outcomes for youth regardless neighborhood context.
Influence of educational programs on perceived barriers toward living donor kidney exchange programs.

Abstract Living donor kidney exchange programs (LDKEPs) provide significant advantages toward addressing ABO and crossmatch incompatibility in living donor kidney transplantation, however, they have not yet realized their potential. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of an educational conference on perceived barriers toward living donor kidney transplantation and LDKEPs. Methods Between 2002 and 2004, a state-wide living donor/living donor kidney exchange program was established by the Ohio Solid Organ Transplant Consortium (OSOTC). Prior to initiating the OSOTC LDKEP, an educational conference was held and its effect on transplant professional attitudes toward LDKEP barriers were assessed prior to and following the conference using a questionnaire. Questions were answered using a Likert scale (LS) (1 = strongly agree, 5 = strongly disagree). Results Forty-eight participants completed questionnaires prior to and following the conference. The conference was judged to increase understanding of KEPs. The complementary web-based computer matching program was also felt to be an important component for the LDKEP. The conference did not affect the state of decision making regarding KEPs, however. Perceived barriers to LDKEPs not influenced by the educational conference included (1) concerns about donor travel costs, (2) concern about potential medical legal problems, (3) lack of perceived superiority of LDKEPs over desensitization protocols, and (4) concern about donation to strangers. Although numeric trends existed for each of these barriers, none were statistically significantly influenced by the education conference. Conclusions These results suggest that interventions other than large scale educational conferences will be needed to address the barriers to LDKEP.
Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Stent-Assisted Percutaneous Treatment of Saphenous Vein Grafts in the Drug-Eluting Stent Era

Percutaneous treatment of saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions has been associated with higher rates of periprocedural complications and restenosis compared with non-SVG lesions. Whether these outcomes are similar in contemporary clinical practice, particularly when drug-eluting stents are used, is unknown. We evaluated outcomes of 110 consecutive patients who were treated with stent-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention for 145 SVG lesions (drug-eluting stents used in 91.0% of lesions). Embolic protection devices were used in 52.1% of treated grafts. Adverse events were recorded up to 1 year. Major or minor periprocedural myocardial necrosis occurred in 11 patients (10.9%). At 1-year clinical follow-up, we observed 13 myocardial infarctions (13.7%), 8 target lesion revascularizations (8.4%), 18 target vessel revascularizations (19.0%), 2 stent thromboses (2.1%), and 7 deaths (7.4%). The incidence of major adverse cardiac events, defined as death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization, was 30.5% at 1 year. By multivariable analysis, the presence of thrombus inside the graft before the procedure and the length of the stented segment were independent predictors of major adverse cardiac events at 1 year (hazard ratio for thrombus 4.07, 95% confidence interval 1.90 to 8.68, p = 0.0003; hazard ratio per millimeter of stented length 1.02, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.03, p = 0.025). In conclusion, our data show that patients with SVG lesions remain a high-risk subgroup with worse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention compared with native vessel disease even in the era of drug-eluting stents.
Reduction of motion-related artifacts in resting state fMRI using aCompCor

Recent studies have illustrated that motion-related artifacts remain in resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) data even after common corrective processing procedures have been applied, but the extent to which head motion distorts the data may be modulated by the corrective approach taken. We compare two different methods for estimating nuisance signals from tissues not expected to exhibit BOLD fMRI signals of neuronal origin: 1) the more commonly used mean signal method and 2) the principal components analysis approach (aCompCor: Behzadi et al., 2007). Further, we investigate the added benefit of “scrubbing” (Power et al., 2012) following both methods. We demonstrate that the use of aCompCor removes motion artifacts more effectively than tissue-mean signal regression. In addition, inclusion of more components from anatomically defined regions of no interest better mitigates motion-related artifacts and improves the specificity of functional connectivity estimates. While scrubbing further attenuates motion-related artifacts when mean signals are used, scrubbing provides no additional benefit in terms of motion artifact reduction or connectivity specificity when using aCompCor.
Immunological status of patients with recurrent chest infections

Cell mediated immunity (CMI) was assessed in 43 patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma and in 41 healthy subjects. The relative and absolute number of T lymphocytes, delayed hypersensitivity skin tests to tuberculin (PPD), streptokinase-streptodornase (SKSD) andCandida antigens, the in vitro stimulation of protein synthesis in peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) cultured with phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and specific antigens were determined. Serum immunoglobulin levels were also assessed. It has been found that the relative number of T lymphocytes was not changed in the patient group and the absolute number was increased. Eight patients did not respond to any of the skin-test antigens and their serum IgA was increased. PBL of nonresponding patients showed poor stimulation in vitro with PHA and no response to antigens. The clinical course of the illness in patients with depressed CMI was on average more severe when compared to the remaining patients. The results indicate that patients with chronic bronchitis and asthma may have depressed CMI but intact humoral immunity.
Pain management in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease

In a cohort of 2,194 children with sickle cell disease (SCD) treated in community-based services, we explored the types of medications used to treat vaso-occlusive (VOC) pain episodes, and the relative effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and adjunctive antidepressants or anticonvulsant medications on reducing acute VOC pain visits over time. Pharmacologic treatments for VOC pain consisted mainly of NSAIDs and weak opioids. Significantly more patients with more than 3 inpatient or ER VOC pain visits during their first year of SCD treatment were prescribed stronger opioids, SSRIs, SNRI/heterocyclics, and anticonvulsants. Prescription of both stronger opioids and SSRI antidepressants or anticonvulsants was significantly associated with lower cumulative rates of acute VOC pain visits over time. Using an observational study design and existing clinical data, these findings are intended to illustrate the potential clinical advantages of combining adjunctive antidepressants or anticonvulsants with primary pain medications for relief of acute VOC pain over time.
Ultrasound-Guided Thrombin Injection for the Treatment of Postcatheterization Pseudoaneurysms

Background—This prospective study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of using bovine thrombin injection to treat pseudoaneurysms. Methods and Results—From April 1998 through December 1999, 70 pseudoaneurysm were injected with bovine thrombin under the guidance of color duplex ultrasound. The most superficial pseudoaneurysm chamber was entered with a 1.5-inch, 19- to 22-gauge or spinal needle. Bovine thrombin, in a 1000 U/cc solution, was injected into the chamber. A total of 36 women and 34 men underwent ultrasound-guided thrombin injection (UGTI). Their mean age was 69.5 years. Most pseudoaneurysms were associated with diagnostic cardiac catheterization or percutaneous coronary intervention (80%). Two pseudoaneurysms arose from the brachial artery; the remainder were in the groin. Twenty-one patients were being treated with either heparin or warfarin, and the majority of the others were on antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel. UGTI was successful in 66 of the 70 patients (94%). Th...
High temperature radiation effects in lampblack-based graphites☆

Abstract High-temperature radiation damage in lampblack-based graphites heat treated to 3000°C has been studied in an effort to understand the mechanism of high temperature, radiation-induced contraction in graphites. Properties measured include length change, sonic modulus, thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, electrical resistivity, and crystallite parameters. Annealing at 3000°C after irradiation at 650°C has demonstrated the presence of a small annealable component of radiation-induced contraction in this material. Subsequent irradiation to a maximum neutron exposure of 2600 MWD /At followed by annealing has shown that the annealed samples display significantly higher contraction than unannealed control samples. These results suggest that high-temperature, radiation-induced contraction in graphite is associated with stresses generated during cooling from graphitization temperatures.
Characterization and Comparison of Galactomannan Enzyme Immunoassay and Quantitative Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Experimental Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is widely used for evaluation of patients with suspected invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). However, the diagnostic yield of BAL for detection of IPA by culture and direct examination is limited. Earlier diagnosis may be facilitated by assays that can detect Aspergillus galactomannan antigen or DNA in BAL fluid. We therefore characterized and compared the diagnostic yields of a galactomannan enzyme immunoassay (GM EIA), quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR), and quantitative cultures in experiments using BAL fluid from neutropenic rabbits with experimentally induced IPA defined as microbiologically and histologically evident invasion. The qPCR assay targeted the rRNA gene complex of Aspergillus fumigatus. The GM EIA and qPCR assay were characterized by receiver operator curve analysis. With an optimal cutoff of 0.75, the GM EIA had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% in untreated controls. A decline in sensitivity (92%) was observed when antifungal therapy (AFT) was administered. The optimal cutoff for qPCR was a crossover of 36 cycles, with sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of qPCR also decreased with AFT to 50%. Quantitative culture of BAL had a sensitivity of 46% and a specificity of 100%. The sensitivity of quantitative culture decreased with AFT to 16%. The GM EIA and qPCR assay had greater sensitivity than culture in detection of A. fumigatus in BAL fluid in experimentally induced IPA (P ± 0.04). Use of the GM EIA and qPCR assay in conjunction with culture-based diagnostic methods applied to BAL fluid could facilitate accurate diagnosis and more-timely initiation of specific therapy.
Luni-solar 18.6- and 10 11-year solar cycle signals in South African rainfall

Spectrum analysis of 59 South African rain-gauge records yields evidence for two peaks with periods 18.2·1.4 years (57 out of 59 series covering virtually the entire country) and 10.3·0.5 years (in 37 series covering almost all except easternmost South Africa). They are identified as the luni-solar 18.6-year Mn and 10–11-year solar cycle Sc signals in climate; their phases and amplitudes are non-stationary with respect to both time and geography and, in particular, 180° phase changes in wave polarity are observed. These phase changes occurred in the early part of the century and by mid-epochs 1964.0 and 1982.6 (mid-epochs are dates of minimum in Mn tidal forcing) a unipolar cell of drought encompassed virtually the entire nation. Constructive interference by the Sc wave, which reached a minimum near 1981, exacerbated the droughts of mid-epoch 1982.6 which were more severe than even those of the 1960s. The results confirm and extend in many respects those found by P. D. Tyson and his co-workers in the 1970s.
Inadequacy for mice of a synthetic diet supplemented with all known vitamin B factors.

SummaryWhen fed a basal diet containing extracted casein. sucrose, salts, cod liver oil, corn oil, and butter fat, together with supplements consisting of thiamin chloride, riboflavin, pyridoxin hydrochloride, nicotinic acid, calcium pantothenate, choline hydrochloride, ascorbic acid, inositol and p-aminobenzoic acid, young mice grew at a good rate but after some weeks did not present consistently clean and good looking fur. Increasing the casein and salts or doubling the daily quota of the supplements, or both, failed to improve the appearance or growth of the mice. Feeding fresh beef liver increased the growth rate and improved the pelage. A concentrate of a liver extract had similar but not as pronounced effects. Pimelic acid had no significant effect on growth and certainly no beneficial effect on the pelage, for the time range of these experiments.
Competitive feeding behaviours in captive Terrapene c. carolina

Abstract Two groups of box turtles ( Terrapene carolina carolina ) were observed for 15 weeks in pens where they competed for daily rations of meal worms. Hierarchies based on competitive-encounters won or lost were reliably stable and were accompanied by behaviours ranging from biting to pushing. Hierarchies based on precedence to initial meal worms within sessions were not reliable as the turtles did not anticipate or respond quickly to the onset of food availablity.
Medical Complications of Lung Transplantation

As short- and long-term survival rates for lung transplantation continue to improve, and as more lung transplantations are occurring with each year, a multitude of medical complications are encountered by the clinician. This article reviews the long-term non-pulmonary noninfectious medical complications that arise beyond the postoperative period in patients who have undergone lung transplantation. This article reviews the development of renal failure, diabetes, cardiovascular complications of hypertension and atherosclerosis, osteoporosis and avascular necrosis, hematologic complications, thromboembolic disease, gastrointestinial complications, neurologic complications, and malignancy, including post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder.
The Biosynthesis of δ-Aminolevulinic Acid in Chlorella

When autotrophically growing cultures of Chlorella are treated with levulinic acid, δ-aminolevulinic acid is excreted into the medium, providing a direct demonstration of α-aminolevulinic acid production in a green plant. Evidence is presented which indicates that α-aminolevulinic acid formation may be the the rate-controlling step of chlorophyll synthesis in Chlorella, and that control of the rate of α-aminolevulinic acid synthesis may be exerted at the level of production and breakdown of an enzyme which catalyzes its formation.
Effect of macro-bending on resonant wavelength and intensity of long-period gratings in photonic crystal fiber

We report the spectral characteristics of CO2-laser inscribed long-period gratings (LPGs) in endlessly single mode photonic crystal fiber (PCF) subject to macro-bending. The coupling modes as a result of bending were studied by examining the shifts of resonant wavelengths, the splits of attenuation bands, and the variation in coupling strength of the transmission spectra. A bending coefficient of ~ 27.9 nm∙m was determined in the PCF at 180° rotational orientation relative to the point of laser inscription in the curvature range from 2.6 m-1 to 3.5 m-1. Compared with conventional fiber LPGs fabricated using the same method, the PCF-based LPGs possess higher sensitivity both to bending and orientation, making them promising for sensor applications.
Ethical aspects of genetic testing.

Abstract No research study or significant medical treatment can be done involving patients without their informed consent. In workplaces and environmental settings, individuals are often exposed to mutagenic or carcinogenic substances, usually without their knowledge, and not with their informed consent. Such exposures can lead to evermore easily documentable genetic changes. As genetic testing becomes more widespread, there are significant ethical implications regarding employment, insurance coverage, and confidentiality regarding medical information. With an increased ability to detect genetic changes, or `unfavorable' genetic polymorphisms, this information should not be used to deny employment or increase insurance rates. Rather, such information should be used to increasingly provide appropriately safe workplaces, and place workers in less hazardous settings.
Conformal anomaly and the interaction of instantons

Abstract We study the conformal transformation properties of the one-loop tunneling amplitudes described by SU(2) multi-instanton solutions. The conformal anomaly for the tunneling amplitude is directly derived. In the case of the two-instanton solution, the long range part of the interaction between the instantons is determined by the conformal anomaly. If the number of fermion flavours is equal to or larger than 2, the interaction of the multi-instanton system is such that it is always expansive.
LSD but not lisuride disrupts prepulse inhibition in rats by activating the 5-HT2A receptor

Rationale Compounds that activate the 5-HT2A receptor, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), act as hallucinogens in humans. One notable exception is the LSD congener lisuride, which does not have hallucinogenic effects in humans even though it is a potent 5-HT2A agonist. LSD and other hallucinogens have been shown to disrupt prepulse inhibition (PPI), an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, by activating 5-HT2A receptors in rats.
Studies on nucleoli of leukemic agranulocytes and plasmacytes in multiple myeloma

Abstract Light and electron microscopic studies on the morphology of the nucleoli of lymphocytes and monocytes from leukemic patients and plasmacytes from patients with multiple myeloma showed that maturation of the cells was accompanied by appearance and enlargement of the central light areas of the nucleoli. Although the staining of the nucleoli of the immature cells with toluidine blue was intense, that of the mature cells was less intense and ring-like nucleoli were frequently found. The distribution of ribonucleoprotein components of nucleoli in electronmicrographs corresponded to the staining patterns seen by light microscopy. Similar but less marked changes occurred in the monocytic series. The similarity of the light central areas of the nucleoli of the mature agranulocytes and plasmacytes to those seen in actinomycin D-treated cells suggests that there is a gradual cessation of production of nucleolar ribonucleoprotein particles in the maturing cells.
Primate aggression, territorially, and Xenophobia: Current research trends

Ralph L. Holloway, ed. Primate Aggression, Territoriality, and Xenophobia: A Comparative Perspective. New York: Academic Press, 1974. xiv + 513 pp. References, figures, tables, map, and index. $29.50.
Evaluation of Security Vulnerabilities by Using ProtoGENI as a Launchpad

In this paper we analyze the security architecture of ProtoGENI. ProtoGENI is a prototype control framework implementation of GENI (Global Environment for Network Innovations). We perform a variety of experiments in an effort to identify potential vulnerabilities presented in the current implementation. We classify our attacks into three types: data plane to data plane, data plane to control plane, and data plane to Internet. Our results indicate the potential for a breach of confidentiality and availability internally within ProtoGENI, as well as risks to external Internet. We make suggestions outlining possible defense strategies to improve ProtoGENI security and aid in future development.
A generalized unitary Hessenberg matrix

This paper describes the use of a generalized isometric Arnoldi algorithm to reduce a unitary matrix, via unitary similarity, to a product of elementary reflectors and permutations. The computation is analogous to the reduction of a unitary matrix to a unitary Hessenberg matrix using the isometric Arnoldi algorithm. In the case in which A is a shift matrix, the reduction provides a novel recurrence for the factor R in the QR factorization of a Toeplitz-like matrix.
Equations governing single and tandem DMA configurations and a new lognormal approximation to the transfer function

The basic equations governing the responses of single and tandem differential mobility analyzer (DMA) systems are summarized. Particle diffusion within the DMA resulting in broadening of the transfer function is included in this analysis. For tandem DMA (TDMA) work, a given particle diameter exiting the first DMA is modeled in the following conditioner as growing into a multi-modal lognormal distribution before entering the second DMA. Approximations and solution techniques for both single and tandem DMA systems are discussed. A new lognormal approximation to the DMA transfer function is introduced leading to a simple lognormal form for the TDMA response function. The maximum absolute error of the transfer function is 0.10 at 200 nm in the range plus or minus one and a half standard deviations of the lognormal fit. It is 0.035 at 3 nm in the range plus or minus two standard deviations of the lognormal fit. The maximum fractional error in the calculated TDMA response is no more than 0.08 at 200 nm and 3 nm...
Submicron void formation in amorphous NiZr alloys.

A trilayer thin film of amorphous alloys ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{40}$${\mathrm{Zr}}_{60}$/${\mathrm{Ni}}_{73}$${\mathrm{Zr}}_{27}$/${\mathrm{Ni}}_{40}$${\mathrm{Zr}}_{60}$ has been deposited on nitrided Si surface, annealed at 200, 250, and 300 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C in He, and analyzed by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Interdiffusion occurred without crystallization. When Ni was the dominant diffusing species, no voids were seen. When both Ni and Zr diffuse, submicron size voids were observed within the alloy. These observations indicated that self-diffusion in the amorphous alloy can be mediated by localized vacancylike defects as well as by nonlocalized free-volume defects. Also, void formation as a result of the slower diffusing species is opposite to Kirkendall effect in diffusion couples of crystalline solids.
PARETO-OPTIMAL SOLUTIONS IN HELICOPTER DESIGN PROBLEMS

The design of a complex engineering system involves several competing objectives which cannot be combined into a single objective function. This paper introduces the concept of a Pareto-optimal solution in the context of multiple objective helicopter design problems. Commonly used techniques for generating Pareto-optimal solutions are discussed. The use and effectiveness of multiple objective optimization techniques in the formulation and solution of design problems are developed and demonstrated via an application to two types of helicopter design problems. The first problem deals with the determination of optimum flight parameters to accomplish a specified mission in the presence of three competing objectives. The second example addresses an optimum design of the main rotor blades of a helicopter involving eight objective functions. Results obtained using seven different multi-objective optimization techniques are presented. A comparison is made between the relative efficiency of these techniques in ter...
John Calvin and the Rhetorical Tradition

The purpose of this essay is to bring another candle to an understanding of John Calvin as a theologian, by way of a look at some rhetorical traits in his Institutes of the Christian Religion. That Calvin was an eminent theologian or that the Institutes is a classic of theological literature is not examined, for neither is generally disputed. Our specific concern is with the question of what happens to theological subject matter when it is put in rhetorical form. Accordingly, this essay is divided into three parts: I—The proper marks of a style suitable to theology, and how the humanists, including Calvin, felt about this; II—A look at some rhetorical traits in the Institutes; and III—Some conclusions.
Emission, distribution and leaching of methyl isothiocyanate and chloropicrin under different surface containments.

Abstract The environmental fate of fumigants methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) and chloropicrin (CP) is of great concern for potential air and groundwater contamination while retaining sufficient concentrations for pest control efficacy. The emission, gas phase distribution, leaching, and persistence of MITC and CP were examined in repacked columns filled with sandy soils under three surface conditions: tarp without irrigation, tarp with limited irrigation, and 5-d irrigation without tarp cover. For MITC, cumulative emission constituted 62%, 36%, and 0.3% of the amount applied under tarp without irrigation, tarp with limited irrigation, and 5-d irrigation without tarp surface conditions, respectively. The corresponding cumulative emission losses were 45%, 30%, and 5.4% for CP. During the first 24 h after injection, soil air concentrations of the two fumigants were much higher in the 15–25 cm depth range than other depths in the soil profile. Small amounts of leaching occurred for both fumigants, indicating potential for groundwater contamination should heavy rain fall or irrigation occurs immediately after soil fumigation. Very small amounts of residual MITC and CP (
In Epigenetic Therapy, Less Is More

How DNA methylation inhibitors exert their anticancer effects in patients is not well understood. In the latest issue of Cancer Cell, Tsai et al. (2012) use low-dose drug treatment to induce persistent attenuation of tumorigenicity by targeting tumor-initiating cells.
Coherent 2D IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Structure and Dynamics in Solution

Two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) vibrational spectroscopy is an experimental tool for investigating molecular dynamics in solution on a picosecond time scale. We present experimental and theoretical methods for obtaining a 2D IR correlation spectrum and modeling the underlying microscopic information. Fourier transform 2D spectra are obtained from heterodyne-detected third-order nonlinear signals using a sequence of broad bandwidth femtosecond IR pulses. A 2D IR correlation spectrum with absorptive line shapes results from the addition of 2D rephasing and nonrephasing spectra, which sample conjugate frequencies during the initial evolution time period. The 2D IR spectrum contains peaks with different positions, signs, amplitudes, and line shapes characterizing the vibrational eigenstates of the system and their interactions with the surrounding bath. The positions of the peaks map the transition frequencies between the ground, singly, and doubly excited states of the system and thus describe the anharmoni...
T7 Early messenger RNAs are the direct products of ribonuclease III cleavage

Abstract T7 early RNAs were synthesized in vitro by transcribing T7 DNA with Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and treating the resulting precursor molecule with ribonuelease III. Oligonucleotide fragments from the 5′ and 3′ termini of several of the cleaved species were then selectively isolated. Structural analysis revealed sequences identical to the corresponding in vivo RNAs. Thus, the T7 early RNAs found in phage-infected cells appear to be the direct products of RNAase III cleavage of a large precursor molecule. We conclude further that RNAase III action on this particular natural substrate is a sequence-specific event.
The production of sub-micron sodium nitrate particles by laser ablation

Laser ablation is a useful source of particles for chemical analysis by inductively coupled mass spectroscopy in many applications. Optimum particle transport and ionization requires particles with sizes in the range 0.1–2 μm. Significant questions remain as to the mechanisms behind particle production by laser ablation. In this work, we collect and observe particles produced from single-crystal sodium nitrate during irradiation at 1.06 μm as a function of fluence and explore the possibility that laser-induced fracture may produce suitable particles. At fluences between 3 and 4 J/cm2, single laser pulses incident on cleaved samples produce large numbers of fracture particles as a result of the fracture of undercut cleavage steps. Polished samples, lacking cleavage steps, yield few, if any, particles. As the fluence is raised to 5 J/cm2, a small breakdown plume is observed and large melted droplets (∼10 μm in diameter) are produced from both cleaved and polished targets, presumably by spallation of a thick melted layer. Particle generation by fracture has the potential to produce particles whose composition closely matches the local sample composition.
Coral Snake Venom : Antibody Response in Rabbits

CORAL snake venom is one of the most toxic venoms of American snakes1. Reports of coral snake bites in humans2,3 suggest the venom acts as a neurotoxin causing paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Experiments in our laboratory indicate that coral snake venom produces neurotoxic effects in various species of animals.
Research Note: Sensory Analysis and Instron Measurements of Variable-Power Microwave-Heated Baking Hen Breasts

Abstract Baking hen breasts were cooked at four microwave power levels: 100% (600 W), 80% (442 W), 60% (332 W), and 40% (229 W). Cooking time, cooking rate, and cooking losses were measured. Texture was measured by a sensory panel and by using an Instron Universal Testing Machine with a star-probe compression attachment. Cooking time increased and rate decreased as the power level decreased, but cooking losses were not affected. Samples cooked at 60% power were judged to be the most tender by the sensory panel and produced the lowest Instron compression values. Overall, Instron compression values correlated significantly with sensory tenderness scores.
Biomechanical models, motor control theory, and development

The role of biomechanics can be critical in understanding the development of control and coordination only when theory recognizes the role that physical constraints of the environment and tasks in helping shape movement patterns and their development. A systems-theoretic approach and biomechanical model are briefly outlined that capture the interplay of organism, environment and task constraints. When such a model and theory are employed, the tools of biomechanics can play a much greater role than a simple description of changes in development. They can be used to show how control and coordination develop according to biomechanical laws and optimality criteria. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
β-Hydroxybutyrate Modulates N-Type Calcium Channels in Rat Sympathetic Neurons by Acting as an Agonist for the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor FFA3

Free fatty acids receptor 3 (FFA3, GPR41) and 2 (FFA2, GPR43), for which the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) acetate and propionate are agonist, have emerged as important G-protein-coupled receptors influenced by diet and gut flora composition. A recent study (Kimura et al., 2011) demonstrated functional expression of FFA3 in the rodent sympathetic nervous system (SNS) providing a potential link between nutritional status and autonomic function. However, little is known of the source of endogenous ligands, signaling pathways, or effectors in sympathetic neurons. In this study, we found that FFA3 and FFA2 are unevenly expressed in the rat SNS with higher transcript levels in prevertebral (e.g., celiac-superior mesenteric and major pelvic) versus paravertebral (e.g., superior cervical and stellate) ganglia. FFA3, whether heterologously or natively expressed, coupled via PTX-sensitive G-proteins to produce voltage-dependent inhibition of N-type Ca2+ channels (Cav2.2) in sympathetic neurons. In addition to acetate and propionate, we show that β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), a metabolite produced during ketogenic conditions, is also an FFA3 agonist. This contrasts with previous interpretations of BHB as an antagonist at FFA3. Together, these results indicate that endogenous BHB levels, especially when elevated under certain conditions, such as starvation, diabetic ketoacidosis, and ketogenic diets, play a potentially important role in regulating the activity of the SNS through FFA3.
Total Synthesis of the Proposed Structure of Briarellin J

The total synthesis of the originally proposed structure of briarellin J is reported in 15 steps from a known compound and in 23 steps from readily available materials. Key reactions include an exo-selective intramolecular Diels−Alder and a substrate-controlled hydroboration. Discrepancies in the spectroscopic data of the synthetic and natural material led to a revision of the assigned structure.
Farm safety and federal responses to occupational health

: There is always a trade-off in occupational safety policy between the right for one person to make decisions and the right for others to avoid the consequences of that person's decisions. This conflict has driven the federal response to agricultural safety. Agriculture was an integral part of the original Occupational Safety and Health Administration bill, but farm owner and farm group lobbying contributed to the granting in 1976 of an exemption for all farms with 10 or fewer workers. Finding a proper balance between farm owners' and farm employers' interests is important, but copying the federal response to safety in other occupations will not lead to resolution. Comparing current federal safety expenditures on different federal occupational safety programs, such as to mine safety, slights fundamental differences between agriculture and other occupations, and improperly implies that agriculture is being discriminated against by federal safety efforts. The rights issue and the unavoidable value judgments they entail cannot be ignored. Because the people who would be protected by regulations are also largely the people who would be restricted by those regulations, the decision to create mandatory safety rules in agriculture is much more difficult than in other occupations.
Tracking Dramatic Changes at Hawaii's Only Alpine Lake

Lake Waiau is a small lake (normally 100 meters in diameter) just below the summit of Mauna Kea Volcano (elevation of 4207 meters) on the island of Hawaii. The only alpine lake in the Hawaiian Islands, it is fed mainly by sporadic winter storms that drop snow in the otherwise arid summit region.
The Islet β Cell-enriched MafA Activator Is a Key Regulator of Insulin Gene Transcription *

The islet-enriched MafA, PDX-1, and BETA2 activators contribute to both β cell-specific and glucose-responsive insulin gene transcription. To investigate how these factors impart activation, their combined impact upon insulin enhancer-driven expression was first examined in non-β cell line transfection assays. Individual expression of PDX-1 and BETA2 led to little or no activation, whereas MafA alone did so modestly. MafA together with PDX-1 or BETA2 produced synergistic activation, with even higher insulin promoter activity found when all three proteins were present. Stimulation was attenuated upon compromising either MafA transactivation or DNA-binding activity. MafA interacted with endogenous PDX-1 and BETA2 in coimmunoprecipitation and in vitro GST pull-down assays, suggesting that regulation involved direct binding. Dominant-negative acting and small interfering RNAs of MafA also profoundly reduced insulin promoter activity in β cell lines. In addition, MafA was induced in parallel with insulin mRNA expression in glucose-stimulated rat islets. Insulin mRNA levels were also elevated in rat islets by adenoviral-mediated expression of MafA. Collectively, these results suggest that MafA plays a key role in coordinating and controlling the level of insulin gene expression in islet β cells.
Voltammetric Reductions of Ring-Substituted Acetophenones. 2. A Senior-Level Experiment Requiring Classification of an Electrochemical Mechanism as Stepwise or Concerted

An experiment suitable for upper-level undergraduates in which they determine the characteristics of a chemically coupled electron transfer (EC) mechanism is described. Students examine the free-energy barrier between an unstable radical anion and the products of its decomposition for ring-substituted and alpha-substituted acetophenones, acetanilides, and alkyl halides. Digital simulation is used to estimate the value of the standard potential, E°. Calculation of the electrochemical transfer coefficient, α, allows a determination of whether the electron transfer occurs in a single step (concerted) or follows the generation of the intermediate radical anion (stepwise).