cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An analysis and taxonomy of unstructured workflows

Most workflow tools support structured workflows despite the fact that unstructured workflows can be more expressive. The reason for this is that unstructured workflows are more prone to errors. In this paper, we describe a taxonomy that serves as a framework for analyzing unstructured workflows. The taxonomy organizes unstructured workflows in terms of two considerations: improper nesting and mismatched split-join pairs. Based on this taxonomy we characterize situations that are well-behaved and others that are not. We also discuss well-behaved unstructured workflows that have equivalent structured mappings. Finally, we also introduce a relaxed notion of correctness called quasi-equivalence that is based on one-directional bisimulation. The results of our research will be useful for researchers investigating expressiveness and correctness issues in unstructured workflows.
Talking biology in logic, and back

While computation of biological information takes center stage in today's research, knowledge-based query processing in biological databases has not gained much attention. The complex relationship among biological entities, and the numerous possibilities make it extremely difficult for a user to query data repositories in traditional ways since the information users seek are often not stored directly as extents. Thus, to meaningfully query such repositories, users often write complex applications to compute the needed response based on universal knowledge, or user specific hypothesis. In this paper, we propose a new data model based on object-oriented deductive databases and ontological concepts to allow knowledge-based querying. We propose a new query language called ConLog (for Concept Logic) in the direction of the acclaimed F-Logic and show that ConLog is able to express biological information and support queries in intuitive and user specific ways.
Photo-plethysmograph nail sensors: for measuring finger forces without haptic obstruction: modeling and experimentation

A new type of touch sensor for detecting contact pressure at human fingertips is presented. A fingernail is instrumented with miniature LEDs and photodetectors in order to measure changes in the nail color pattern when the fingertip is pressed against a surface. Unlike traditional electronic gloves, in which sensor pads are placed between the fingers and the environment surface, this new sensor allows the fingers to directly contact the environment without obstructing the human's natural haptic senses. The finger touch force is detected by measuring changes in the nail color, hence the sensor is mounted on the fingernail rather than on the fingertip. Photo-reflective plethysmography is used to measure the nail color. Haemodynamic modeling is used to investigate the dynamics of the change in blood volume under the fingernail. The model is simulated and then evaluated by comparison with the experimental dynamic response of the sensor. Applications to human-machine interaction are discussed.
Quantitative Models for Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking : Data Envelopment Analysis with Spreadsheets

This article reviews Joe Zhu’s book, “Quantitative Models for Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking: Data Envelopment Analysis with Spreadsheets,” now in its third edition and published by Springer.
Effect of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Ligands on Deoxyribonucleases and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase I of Escherichia coli K-12

Endonuclease I, exonuclease I, and exonuclease II-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase I activities are not vital functions in Escherichia coli, although the latter two enzymes have been indirectly shown to be involved in DNA repair processes. Acridines such as acridine orange and proflavine interfere with repair in vivo, and we find that such compounds inhibit the in vitro activity of exonuclease I and DNA polymerase I but stimulate endonuclease I activity and hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl thymidine-5′-phosphate by exonuclease II. Another acridine, 10-methylacridinium chloride, binds strongly to DNA but is relatively inert both in vivo and in vitro. These experiments suggest that acridines affect enzyme activity by interacting with the enzyme directly as well as with DNA. Resulting conformational changes in the DNA-dependent enzymes might explain why similar acridines which form similar DNA complexes have such a wide range of physiological effects. Differential sensitivity of exonuclease I and DNA polymerase I to acridine inhibition relative to other DNA-dependent enzymes may contribute to the acridine sensitivity of DNA repair.
Information based limits on synaptic growth in Hebbian models

Hebb’s seminal concept that synaptic strength varies as a function of correlated pre- and post-synaptic activity has impacted pharmacologic, physiologic, and computational models of the nervous system [Hebb, 1949]. Specifically, he proposed that correlated pre- and post-synaptic activity leads to an increase in synaptic strength. When computational models incorporate Hebbian synapses, some limit must be placed on synaptic growth if well-defined solutions are to be produced, and it may be necessary to incorporate some means by which synaptic strength can also decrease. Strategies to limit synaptic growth have included some type of limit on individual or total synaptic size. Another approach incorporates a computationally [Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro, 1982] motivated “sliding threshold” for synaptic modification where the sliding threshold is stimulus dependant.
Scaling relation for high-temperature biodiesel surrogate ignition delay times

High-temperature Arrhenius ignition delay time correlations are useful for revealing the underlying parameter dependencies of combustion models, for simplifying and optimizing combustion mechanisms for use in engine simulations, for scaling experimental data to new conditions for comparison purposes, and for guiding in experimental design. We have developed a scaling relationship for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) ignition time data taken at high temperatures in 4%O2/Ar mixtures behind reflected shocks using an aerosol shock tube: τign[ms]=2.24×10-6[ms](P[atm])-0.41(ϕ)0.30(Cn)-0.61exp37.1[kcal/mol]Ru[kcal/mol K]T[K] Additionally, we have combined our ignition delay time data for methyl decanoate, methyl palmitate, methyl oleate, and methyl linoleate with other experimental results in the literature in order to derive fuel-specific oxygen-mole-fraction scaling parameters for these surrogates. In this article, we discuss the significance of the parameter values, compare our correlation to others found in the literature for different classes of fuels, and contrast the above expression’s performance with correlations obtained using leading FAME kinetic models in 4%O2/Ar mixtures.
Synthesis of Cyclic Poly(methyl methacrylate) Directly from Dihalogenated Linear Precursors

Cyclic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is prepared by intramolecular radical trap-assisted atom transfer radical coupling (RTA-ATRC) of dihalogenated PMMA precursors. The inclusion of the radical trap nitrosobenzene (NBz) in the coupling sequence affords high yields of cyclic polymers, as observed by gel permeation chromatography and confi rmed by 1 H NMR and electrospray ionization mass spectra, which show the presence of the aromatic group from the NBz incorporated into the cycle. Analogous coupling reactions in the absence of the radical trap do not lead to appreciable cyclization or even intermolecular elongation, consistent with chain-end sterics preventing radical–radical coupling as the predominant termination pathway. Thermolysis of the cyclic PMMA, possible because of the labile C O bond in the alkoxyamine linkage contained in the macrocycle, causes a reversion back to the linear form and is consistent with the role of the radical trap in the coupling sequence. Differential scanning calorimetry is also used to compare cyclic PMMA with its linear analog, with a marked increase in glass transition temperatures found after cyclization.
Chemicals In War

Chemicals used in war fit into five categories: flame agents, incendiaries, smokes and obscurants, incapacitants and riot control agents, and toxic agents. Flame agents, typically hydrocarbons or other readily flammable liquids, are used in flame throwers and flame projectors such as flame rockets. Incendiaries are often metals such as magnesium or aluminum, or oil and metal mixtures. These materials often require a fuse or ignition cup. Smokes and obscurants may be gaseous, liquid, or particulate aerosols. Incapacitants and riot control agents are designed to incapacitate but not permanently damage. These substances may be atropinemetics, or lacrimators, sternutators, vesicants, or urticants. Effects of atropinemetics may last from a few hours to a few days; effects of the latter materials usually dissipate within minutes upon removal from the agent. The toxic agents are generally of two types, vesicants such as the sulfur or nitrogen mustard gases, or the organophosphate nerve agents. Defense against toxic agents requires agent detection and identification; individual and collective protection of personnel and equipment; decontamination materials and procedures; and medical defense.
Fast Occlusion Sweeping

While realistic illumination significantly improves the visual quality and perception of rendered images, it is often very expensive to compute. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for embedding a global ambient occlusion computation within the fast sweeping algorithm while determining isosurfaces. With this method we can approximate ambient occlusion for rendering volumetric data with minimal additional cost over fast sweeping. We compare visualizations rendered with our algorithm to visualizations computed with only local shading, and with a ambient occlusion calculation using Monte Carlo sampling method. We also show how this method can be used for approximating low frequency shadows and subsurface scattering.
Outcome of adenocarcinoma arising in Barrett's esophagus in endoscopically surveyed and nonsurveyed patients.

The value of endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's esophagus and the appropriate management of high-grade dysplasia remain unclear. Seventeen patients who were referred from endoscopic surveillance programs for management of high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma developing in Barrett's esophagus were compared with 35 patients who had a newly recognized Barrett's adenocarcinoma, who had not been in a surveillance program. The referral diagnosis in the surveyed group was adenocarcinoma in six and high-grade dysplasia in 11. After repeat endoscopy with aggressive biopsy, two additional patients with adenocarcinoma were identified. Of the nine patients who underwent esophagectomy for high-grade dysplasia, five had invasive adenocarcinoma in the esophagectomy specimen, which had been missed before the operation, despite the fact that the median number of biopsy specimens obtained per 2 cm of Barrett's mucosa was 7.8 (range 1.5 to 15.0). Overall, 13 patients in the surveyed group had adenocarcinoma, 12 staged early and one staged intermediate by the WNM classification. Surveyed patients were operated on at an earlier stage than the nonsurveyed patients (10 early, 14, intermediate, and 11 late stage tumors; x 2 = 15.6, p x 2 = 5.8, p
Efficient dynamic structural response modelling of bolted flange piping systems

Abstract The dynamic structural response of piping systems is studied and effective analysis techniques are recommended to assess the influence of a bolted flange with an elastic gasket. The influence of an elastic gasket is minimal for dynamic loadings, as shown in both the experimental and numerical results presented. An overhanging piping system at various span lengths with a flange at mid-length is used for a broad evaluation of potential applications. The testing configurations consist of two different diameter pipes, standard 2 (51 mm) and 4 in (102 mm) schedule 40 steel pipes and the corresponding ANSI B16.5 class 300-pound flanges. Included are fundamental resonant frequencies and their respective mode shapes for various span lengths and gasket configurations using experimental and finite element (FE) methods. The complex interaction between the flange and gasket has little impact on the dynamic structural response of a piping system. The results show that simple lumped mass pipe models provide adequate information in assessing dynamic behaviour of piping systems.
Electromagnetic plane-wave forces on homogeneous material

The electromagnetic plane-wave force on homogeneous materials having the possible set of constitutive parameter signs is evaluated. The force remains positive in all cases with loss, but a negative force results with gain. A negative force is shown to occur for an evanescent field when there is no component of the electric field in that direction. Both forces have significant magnitude and hence should be observable in experiments.
A comparison of the effects of ketamine and phencyclidine with other antagonists of the NMDA receptor in rodent assays of attention and working memory

N-methyl-d-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists such as ketamine induce cognitive symptoms in man similar to those of schizophrenia and therefore might be useful as models of the disease in animals. However, it is unclear which NMDAR antagonist(s) offer the best means to produce cognitive deficits in attention and working memory and to what extent those deficits can be measured selectively in rats. The present study systematically compared the effects of eight different NMDAR antagonists—MK-801, phencyclidine, (S)-(+)-ketamine, memantine, SDZ-220,581, Ro 25-6981, CP 101-606 and NVP-AAM077—in rats using standard tests of visual attention, the five-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRT), and working memory, the delayed matching to position task (DMTP). Drug-induced responses varied qualitatively and quantitatively in both a compound- and a task-dependent manner. Effects were generally confounded by concomitant motor and motivational disruption, although individual doses of phencyclidine for example appeared to impair selectively cognitive functions. Interestingly, GluN2B selective antagonists were unique in their effects; inducing potential performance benefit in the 5CSRT. Overall, the opportunity to induce a selective cognitive deficit in attention (5CSRT) or working memory (DMTP) in the rat is limited by both the NMDAR antagonist and the dose range used. The importance of a preclinical focus on ketamine, which is used more frequently in clinical settings, is limited by the extent to which cognitive effects can be both detected and quantified using this exposure regimen within these two operant assays.
The syndemics of childhood diarrhoea: A biosocial perspective on efforts to combat global inequities in diarrhoea-related morbidity and mortality

Diarrhoea remains the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years. Moreover, morbidity as a result of diarrhoea is high particularly in marginalised communities. Frequent bouts of diarrhoea have deleterious and irreversible effects on physical and cognitive development. Children are especially vulnerable given their inability to mount an active immune response to pathogen exposure. Biological limitations are exacerbated by the long-term effects of poverty, including reduced nutrition, poor hygiene and deprived home environments. Drawing from available literature, this paper uses syndemic theory to explore the role of adverse biosocial interactions in increasing the total disease burden of enteric infections in low-resources populations and assesses the limitations of recent global calls to action. The syndemic perspective describes situations in which adverse social conditions, including inequality, poverty and other forms of political and economic oppression, play a critical role in facilitating disease-disease interactions. Given the complex micro- and macro-nature of childhood diarrhoea, including interactions between pathogens, disease conditions and social environments, the syndemic perspective offers a way forward. While rarely the focus of health interventions, technologically advanced biomedical strategies are likely to be more effective if coupled with interventions that address the social conditions of disparity.
Three-dimensional exact solution for the vibration of functionally graded rectangular plates

Abstract A three-dimensional exact solution is presented for free and forced vibrations of simply supported functionally graded rectangular plates. Suitable displacement functions that identically satisfy boundary conditions are used to reduce equations governing steady state vibrations of a plate to a set of coupled ordinary differential equations, which are then solved by employing the power series method. The exact solution is valid for thick and thin plates, and for arbitrary variation of material properties in the thickness direction. Results are presented for two-constituent metal–ceramic functionally graded rectangular plates that have a power-law through-the-thickness variation of the volume fractions of the constituents. The effective material properties at a point are estimated by either the Mori–Tanaka or the self-consistent schemes. Exact natural frequencies, displacements and stresses are used to assess the accuracy of the classical plate theory, the first order shear deformation theory and a third order shear deformation theory for functionally graded plates. Parametric studies are performed for varying ceramic volume fractions, volume fraction profiles and length-to-thickness ratios. Results are also computed for a functionally graded plate that has a varying microstructure in the thickness direction using a combination of the Mori–Tanaka and the self-consistent methods. Forced vibrations of a plate with a sinusoidal spatial variation of the pressure applied on its top surface are scrutinized.
Cost of practice in a tertiary/quaternary referral center: Is it sustainable?

Third-party payers are moving toward a bundled care payment system. This means that there will need to be a warranty cost of care—where the cost of complexity and complication rates is built into the bundled payment. The theoretical benefit of this system is that providers with lower complication rates will be able to provide care with lower warranty costs and lower overall costs. This may also result in referring riskier patients to tertiary or quaternary referral centers. Unless the payment model truly covers the higher cost of managing such referred cases, the economic risk may be unsustainable for these centers. We took the last seven patients that were referred by other surgeons as “too high risk” for colectomy at other centers. A contribution margin was calculated using standard Medicare reimbursement rates at our institution and cost of care based on our administrative database. We then recalculated a contribution margin assuming a 3 % reduction in payment for a higher than average readmission rate, like that which will take effect in 2014. Finally, we took into account the cost of any readmissions. Seven patients with diagnosis related group (DRG) 330 were reviewed with an average age of 66.8 ± 16 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists score 2.3 ± 1.0, body mass index 31.6 ± 9.8 kg/m2 (range 22–51 kg/m2). There was a 57 % readmission rate, 29 % reoperation rate, 10.8 ± 7.7 day average initial length of stay with 14 ± 8.6 day average readmission length of stay. Forty-two percent were discharged to a location other than home. Seventy-one percent of these patients had Medicare insurance. The case mix index was 2.45. Average reimbursement for DRG 330 was $17,084 (based on Medicare data) for our facility in 2012, with the national average being $12,520. The total contribution margin among all cases collectively was −$19,122 ± 13,285 (average per patient −$2,731, range −$21,905–$12,029). Assuming a 3 % reimbursement reduction made the overall contribution margin −$22,122 ± 13,285 (average −$3,244). Including the cost of readmission in the variable cost made the contribution margin −$115,741 ± 16,023 (average −$16,534). Care of high-risk patients at tertiary and quaternary referral centers is a very expensive proposition and can lead to financial ruin under the current reimbursement system.
Autoimmune neuromuscular disease induced by a preparation of choline acetyltransferase.

Abstract An apparent fatal autoimmune disease was induced in guinea pigs by injection of a preparation of choline acetyltransferase in complete Freund's adjuvant. The animals probably died from respiratory failure based on the evidence from clinical, histological, and histochemical examination. At autopsy the pathogenic lesions were located at the neuromuscular junctions and near the nerves where choline actyltransferase was found. It is further proposed that this is a presynaptic autoimmune neuromuscular disease based on the finding of numerous target, as well as targetoid, fibers in muscle after histochemical staining. There was also denervation shown by electromyographic measurements in the form of positive sharp waves as well as fibrillation discharges.
Digestion of ribonucleic acid by an alkylated ribonuclease.

Abstract The depolymerase activity of ϵ-carboxymethyllysine-41-ribonuclease, an alkylated derivative of pancreatic RNase, was tested using 5 s RNA as substrate. Incubation of the enzyme and substrate was carried out under a variety of conditions and the products analyzed by gel filtration (Sephadex G100). The effluent profiles thus obtained reveal that ϵ-carboxymethyllysine-41-RNase, although exhibiting a very low degree of hydrolytic activity toward cytidine-2′,3′-cyclic phosphate, can readily depolymerize 5 s RNA with the production of large oligonucleotides. Further experiments demonstrated that the depolymerase activity of the alkylated enzyme is not the result of pancreatic RNase contamination. Nor does ϵ-carboxymethyllysine-41-RNase exhibit any detectable synthetic activity under the digestion conditions employed. However, its specificity of cleavage is the same as for the pancreatic RNase. Modified pancreatic ribonucleases of this type may prove to be quite useful for the splitting of RNA into large fragments.
Sediment accumulation rates west of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (~35°N)

Abstract Although carbonate curves have a long history of use for temporal correlation, only limited agreement concerning the reasons for down-core carbonate variations has been reached. In this study these variations are examined by analyzing absolute accumulation rates of both carbonate and terrigenous sediment components. Carbonate content was determined in nine cores from approximately 3000–5000 m water depth. Down-core variation in carbonate was correlated to an oxygen isotope curve to establish a down-core time stratigraphy. Weight percent carbonate, carbonate accumulation rate, and terrigenous sediment accumulation rate were plotted as a function of water depth and time (0–130,000 yrs B.P.). The weight percent carbonate plot indicates that carbonate content decreases with increasing water depth. However, the carbonate accumulation rate data demonstrates that this decrease in weight percent carbonate does not result from a decrease in the carbonate accumulation rate in the deeper cores. The accumulation rate of carbonate actually increases in these deep cores. The increase in carbonate accumulation rate is offset by a larger increase in the accumulation rate of terrigenous sediment resulting in a decrease in weight percent carbonate. High accumulation rates of both carbonate and terrigenous sediment in cores below 4250 m appears to result from transport and redeposition of sediment. Most of the carbonate sediment deposited in these deep cores appears to be derived from shallow areas of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR); the terrigenous sediment probably results from deposition by deep currents.
Sediments of soft spheres arranged by effective density

Colloidal suspensions often contain mixtures of particles that must be sorted by size or density, but the sediment structure resulting from polydisperse particles settling rapidly remains unclear. Bidisperse colloids with soft-sphere interactions are now shown to spontaneously arrange into two macroscopic layers after sedimentation.
Measurement of nonapeptides in pineal and pituitary using reversed-phase, ion-pair liquid chromatography with post-column detection by radioimmunoassay.

Abstract Controversy exists concerning the presence of arginine vasotocin (AVT) in the mammalian pineal. While this peptide exerts clear antigonadal effects in mammals, little is known about its natural history for want of a highly specific assay method. A system of reversed-phase, ion-pair high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractionation coupled to post-column radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed and allows the simultaneous, specific measurement of AVT, arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) in biological samples. This method was employed to detect nonapeptide hormones in mammalian and non-mammalian pineal and pituitary glands. While rat and bovine pineals were found to contain small amounts of AVP and OXT, AVT was barely detectable over background. In contrast, chicken and frog pineals (and pituitaries) contained readily measurable amounts of AVT, but no AVP or OXT. These data suggest that AVT is probably not present in the mammalian pineal.
The disulfide bonds of rabbit γ-globulin and its fragments

Abstract The number and reactivity of the free sulfhydryl groups and disulfide bonds has been determined for rabbit γ-globulin and its fragments. Rabbit γ-globulin has somewhat over two groups which react with silver ions in the presence of Duponol C. They exhibit an unusually low reactivity toward reagents regarded as specific for SH groups. It is concluded that the anomalous behavior is due to interactions with neighboring groups rather than to a hidden position in the molecule. They are probably located in the portion of the molecule which corresponds to papain fraction III. The number of “available” disulfide bonds (reducible with 2-mercaptoethylamine (MEA) in the absence of urea or detergent at pH 7.5, 37 °C.) as well as the total disulfide content (reducible by MEA in 10 M urea, pH 7.5, 37 °C.) has been determined for intact γ-globulin, unfractionated pepsin digest of the same, isolated 5 S (pepsin) fragment, and isolated papain fractions I, II, and III. The sum of the number of available bonds in the individual fragments does not exceed that found in the intact γ-globulin, indicating that splitting of the molecule into fragments does not expose new disulfide bonds for the action of the reducing agent. This observation along with others in the literature suggests that proteolytic action on γ-globulin proceeds along lines which mark preformed subdivisions in the molecule. The fragments produced by proteolysis are probably not identical with the recently discovered individual peptide chains derived by reduction in urea without the use of proteolytic enzymes (15–17). The total number of SH groups obtained by reduction with the MEA-urea mixture is in good agreement with the 1 2 - cystine content of rabbit γ-globulin (1).
Insulin-like growth factors in rat leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma

Abstract The molecular physiologic factors responsible for leiomyoma tumor initiation and growth are poorly understood. Gene expression of insulinlike growth factors (IGFs) is increased in leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma. We examined the functional properties of the members of the IGF family in cell lines derived from uterine tumors in Eker rats (ELT3, ELT5A, ELT5B) for neoplastic characteristics using assays for cellular transformation and invasion. All cell lines tested expressed IGF-I and the type I IGF receptor (IGF-IR). IGF-II mRNA was detectable only in the ELT 5A cells. IGF-IR protein staining intensity was ELT3>ELT5A>ELT5B. Colony formation in soft agar was similar in ELT3 and ELT5B cells, whereas ELT5A cells did not form colonies. ELT3 cells displayed the most invasive phenotype followed by ELT5B. ELT5A cells were minimally invasive in Matrigel. These results show that there is a possible correlation between IGFs and neoplastic growth and cellular transformation in rat uterine cells.
Twin-size effects on the deformation of nanotwinned copper

The strength and ductility of nanolayered materials are determined by a delicate balance between dislocation and interface motion under applied mechanical loading. We present here studies of dislocation and interface motion in single crystal and nanotwinned copper, utilizing molecular dynamics simulations. Motion of twin boundary interfaces themselves is dictated by the stress state at the interface, and is found to be maximum for applied shear loads parallel to the boundary. The mechanism of twin boundary migration is shown to be a result of Shockley partial nucleation and growth at twin interfaces. The stress state at twin boundaries is found to play a significant role in determining the deformation mode. While deformation twinning is found to be the dominant mode under tensile loading, shear loading is found to favor twin boundary migration. The influence of the twin lamella thickness on the deformation behavior of nanotwinned Cu is determined under constant applied strain rate and constant applied stress, and the conditions for dislocation confinement within nanotwins are determined. The stacking fault density and the number of nucleated dislocations are compared for different size lamellae of twin structures. The present simulations reveal the origins of strengthening caused by nanotwins as the restriction of dissociated dislocation loop motion in narrow channels. A critical twin thickness for the maximum strength in twinned copper is found to be around 4 nm.
The interaction of d-amphetamine and naloxone differs for rats trained on separate fixed-interval or fixed-ratio schedules of reinforcement

Abstract The effects of d-amphetamine and naloxone were investigated using two groups of rats trained on either an FR30 or F12 schedule of reinforcement. Amphetamine (0.1–1.0 mg/kg), and naloxone (1.0 and 10 mg/kg) administered separately reduced responding on the FR procedure in a dose-dependent manner. The combined administration of naloxone with amphetamine had an additive suppressive effect on responding. The same doses of amphetamine and naloxone, when given separately, did not significantly depress responding in the FI procedures. However, naloxone/amphetamine combinations produced a marked inhibition of lever-pressing. Naloxone did not alter the characteristic pattern of responding engendered by amphetamine in this schedule, as measured by the quarter-life and Index of Curvature. It appears that the type of procedure used is a critical factor in demonstrating the effects of naloxone on behavior, and the nature of naloxone/amphetamine interactions.
Acute Affective Response to a Moderate-intensity Exercise Stimulus Predicts Physical Activity Participation 6 and 12 Months Later.

Abstract Objective Examine the relationship between acute affective responses during a moderate-intensity exercise stimulus and future physical activity participation. Design Longitudinal, observational study in the context of a randomized controlled trial. Methods Healthy, sedentary adults (n=37) reported their basic affective response (i.e., feel good versus bad) prior to and during an acute, moderate-intensity exercise stimulus presented prior to randomization in a controlled physical activity promotion trial. At 6 and 12 months, 31 of the 37 participants reported their total weekly minutes of physical activity. Results As hypothesized, basic affective response to the moderate-intensity stimulus predicted 6-month physical activity (β=.51, p=.013) when controlling for baseline physical activity and self-reported affect prior to the initial exercise stimulus, and 12-month physical activity (β=.45, p=.047) when also controlling for 6-month physical activity. Conclusions Affective response to an acute moderate-intensity exercise stimulus predicted self-reported physical activity 6 and 12 months later. The findings could have implications for prescription of exercise intensity, as exercising at an intensity that yields a positive affective response may lead to greater participation in physical activity programs among previously sedentary adults.
Hooked: drug war films in Britain, Canada and the United States

by Susan C. Boyd, New York, Routledge, 2008, 262 pp., $95.00 (cloth), ISBN 0–415–95706–0 While the presentation of illegal drug use in film has been the topic of several scholarly inquiries, Susan ...
Functional networks and dynamics in human seizure activity

Epilepsy, the condition of recurrent unprovoked seizures, is the world's most prominent serious brain disorder, affecting some 50 million people worldwide. For an estimated 30% of these patients, seizures remain poorly controlled despite maximal medical management. Moreover, control of epilepsy through medication and surgery often results in significant, sometimes debilitating, side effects. Advancing the therapeutic management of epilepsy requires a detailed understanding of the focal initiation and subsequent spread of seizure dynamics over a network of interconnected brain regions. The human brain is naturally conceived as a network generating rhythmic fluctuations of coordinated neuronal activity. This “brain network” consists of two fundamental components: nodes (e.g., cortical columns) and edges (e.g., synaptic connections) that connect node pairs. In neuroscience, brain networks are typically divided into two categories: persistent structural networks based on anatomical connections between brain regions, and transient functional networks representing the coupling between dynamic activity recorded from separate brain areas. Ongoing research suggests common topological properties emerge in these brain networks, including small-worldness, hierarchical organization, and the presence of densely connected hubs [1]. In epilepsy --- perhaps best characterized as a disease of brain rhythms [2] --- the relationship between dynamic functional networks and pathological brain rhythms remains incompletely understood. Here we present a general paradigm for the inference of dynamic functional networks from time series data, and apply this paradigm to the analysis of multielectrode invasive voltage recordings made directly from cortex and deep brain regions of human subjects during seizure. We first describe the implementation of this paradigm for a computationally efficient choice of coupling measure and consider the robustness of this measure for simulated data sets. We then apply this procedure to the analysis of electrocorticogram (ECoG) data recorded from a population of human subjects during seizure. We investigate how the dynamic functional networks evolve during seizure, and propose three new insights [3]: 1) At the spatial scale of ECoG recordings, brain regions decouple during seizure, 2) Network topologies coalesce at seizure onset and just before termination, while fragmenting during seizure, and 3) Similar functional network topologies appear from seizure-to-seizure. We conclude that the seizure consists of characteristic neuronal dynamics (i.e., the rhythmic voltage fluctuations of seizure) and network dynamics. Our ongoing work focuses on understanding the relationships between the dynamic networks and rhythms of the seizure, specifically how changing network connectivity (i.e., dynamics of networks) affects neuronal activity produced at individual nodes (i.e., dynamics on networks). Combined, a deeper understanding of the network dynamics and neuronal rhythms of the seizure promises to provide new insights, and perhaps therapeutic strategies, for the treatment of epilepsy.
Low temperature pseudomorphic growth of Ge on Si(100)-(2 × 1)

Abstract We have studied the structure of 1 to 10 monolayer (ML) Ge films grown at room temperature on Si(100)-(2 × 1). Using transmission ion channeling spectroscopy, we have uncovered the first evidence for pseudomorphic structure in these films, contradicting the widely-held belief of amorphous growth at temperatures below 500 K. A model is proposed for growth of pseudomorphic domains, which constitute roughly half of the Ge films up to a critical thickness ( ∼ 4 ML) after which strain is relieved through defect introduction.
Influences of secondary metal–ligand subunits on molybdenum oxide structures: the hydrothermal syntheses and structures of [M(tpytrz)2Mo4O13] (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Zn; tpytrz = tripyridyltriazine), [Ni(tpytrz)Mo2O7] and [Zn2(tpytrz)Mo2O8]

The hydrothermal reactions of the appropriate salts of the first row transition metal dipositive cations M′(II), MoO3 and 2,4,6-tri(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tpytrz) yielded the bimetallic oxide hybrid solids [M′(tpytrz)2Mo4O13] [M′ = Fe (1), Co (2), Ni (3), Zn (4)], [Ni(tpytrz)Mo2O7] (6) and [Zn2(tpytrz)Mo2O8] (7) and the molecular compound [Ni(H2O)4(Htpytrz)2][Mo8O26]·1.2H2O (5·1.2H2O). The isomorphous series 1–4 exhibits a two-dimensional bimetallic oxide network constructed from chains of corner-sharing Mo(VI) octahedra and tetrahedra, linked by {M′O4N2} octahedra. The inorganic layers are tethered by bidentate tpytrz ligands, each of which bonds to an M′ site of one layer and an octahedral {MoO5N} site of an adjacent layer, with one pyridyl group adopting a pendant mode in the interlamellar region. In contrast, the structure of [Ni(tpytrz)Mo2O7] (6), while adopting the prototypical motif of alternating bimetallic oxide networks and bridging ligand domains, is characterized by an oxide layer constructed from bimolybdate units {Mo2O7}2− linked through {NiO4N2} octahedra. Curiously, the {Zn2Mo2O8} network of [Zn2(tpytrz)Mo2O8] (7) is constructed from {MoO4} tetrahedra linked through binuclear units of edge-sharing {ZnO4N} square pyramids.
Photoinactivation of measles virus

Abstract Measles virus in the fluid state is rapidly inactivated by exposure to visible light. Vaccinia and poliovirus exposed under the same conditions retained their infectivity. There is a relationship between the rate of inactivation, the intensity of illumination, and the wavelength. It appears that the shorter the wavelength, the more rapid is virus destruction. Certain proteinaceous materials had a protective effect on the irradiated virus and reducing substances also decreased the photoinactivation. It is suggested that flavoproteins, possibly derived from the cell substrate, may serve as the sensitizing agents for measles virus.
Outpatient intravenous antibiotics for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus sinusitis.

Background The widespread use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has resulted in an increase in the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Its presence in sinonasal cultures in patients with sinusitis suggests its pathogenicity. However, the efficacy and safety of treatment modalities for MRSA sinusitis remain incompletely described. Methods A retrospective chart review of six patients treated for MRSA sinusitis with outpatient intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics was performed for patient demographics, history of antibiotic use, history of prior sinus surgery, and treatment-related complications. A quality-of-life survey and endoscopically guided cultures before and after therapy were used to measure treatment outcomes. Results The cohort consisted of five women and one man with a mean age of 50.8 years. All patients had undergone multiple sinus procedures with a mean number of 2.7 procedures per patient (range, 1-6 procedures). Five patients (83.3%) experienced negative cultures after outpatient i.v. antibiotics. The single patient who had persistent cultures experienced clinical and endoscopic improvement in her symptoms. The quality-of-life scores improved in five of the six patients (83.3%) after therapy. Four patients (66.7%) experienced five adverse events including allergic reaction (four events) and neutropenia (one event), all of which resolved with a change in medication. Conclusion Outpatient i.v. antibiotics may be an effective therapy for the treatment of MRSA sinusitis. The occurrence of adverse events requires a dedicated protocol to therapy. Future studies are required to investigate long-term efficacy.
Landslide Hazard Zoning Using Genetic Programming

Genetic programming (GP) is presented as a technique to induce models that can be used with GIS data to map landslide-hazard zones. GP is a data-mining technique frequently used to solve engineering and scientific problems; in recent years it has been applied to several spatial questions. This paper describes attempts to optimize the GP system, to evolve models that are then tested in different locations. GP map accuracy is evaluated by comparison to landslide-hazard maps of the same California locations created by the USGS (United States Geological Survey; Wentworth et al., 1997). GP maps are compared to maps created using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In three out of the four study sites, GP models produce more accurate hazard maps than the LDA process. The highest accuracy attained by GP models is 84% and by LDA is 69%. Map accuracies at the training site (Yountville and Capell Valley) are higher than at other locations, highlighting the need for care when choosing a training site. Inaccuracies c...
When conjugated polymers meet amyloid fibrils.

In the early 1900s, Alois Alzheimer diagnosed one of his patients with a devastating neurological impairment, and this form of dementia became known as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Much research over the past century has clearly established that numerous human diseases, ranging from AD and Parkinson’s disease to dialysis-related amyloidosis, are best characterized by the abnormal aggregation of specific proteins. However, in the case of AD, the true toxic molecular species is still debated. Thus, the recent development of new diagnostic agents capable of distinguishing between different morphologies of aggregated proteins is of much interest.
Nominative case-marker deletion in spoken Japanese: an analysis from the perspective of information structure

Abstract Usually in Japanese, each NP in an argument position must be accompanied by an appropriate case-marker; however, in spontaneous spoken Japanese, the NPs often appear without case-markers (see e.g., Kuno, Susumu, 1973a. Nihon bunpoo kenkyuu. Taishukan Shoten, Tokyo; Kuno, Susumu, 1973b. The Structure of the Japanese Language. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass.; Tsutsui, Michio, 1984. Particle Ellipsis in Japanese. PhD dissertation, University of Illinois; Masunaga, Kiyoko, 1987. Non-thematic Positions and Discourse Anaphora. PhD dissertation, Harvard University; Ono, Tsuyoshi, Thompson, S.A. and Suzuki, R., 2000. Discourse Studies 2, 55–84). This study particularly focuses on the deletion of the nominative case-marker ga from the perspective of information structure. The framework of information structure assumed here is not the binary frameworks such as ‘given/new’, or ‘discourse-old/discourse-new’ (see e.g., Chafe, Wallace, 1976. In: Li, C. (Ed.), Subject and Topic. Academic Press, New York, pp. 25–55, Prince, Ellen, 1981. In: Cole, P. (Ed.), Radical Pragmatics. Academic Press, New York, pp. 223–255; Prince, Ellen, 1992. In: Mann, W.C., Thompson, S.A. (Eds.), Discourse Description: Diverse Linguistic Analysis of a Fund-raising Text. John Benjamins, Amsterdam/Philadelphia, pp. 295–325), but the framework in which degrees of importance are recognized as a continuum (see e.g., Kuno, Susumo, 1982. Journal of Semantics 1, 120–154). It is demonstrated that the binary frameworks cannot distinguish the entire subject NP deletion from just the nominative case-marker deletion. The most relevant notion for the nominative case-marker deletion in Japanese is the notion of ‘Semiactive’ information proposed by Chafe (Chafe, Wallace, 1994. Discourse, Consciousness and Time: The Flow and Displacement of Conscious Experience in Speaking and Writing. Chicago University Press, Chicago). The generalization proposed in the present study is that when the information status of the subject NP is ‘Inactive’, no element can be deleted from the NP- ga ; when it is ‘Semiactive’, ga can be deleted; and when it is predictable, hence ‘Active’, the entire subject NP- ga can be deleted.
Ratios for Predicting Field Populationis of Soybean Insects and Spiders from Sweep-net Samples

Calibration ratios were computed to predict field populations of 40 arthropod groups per m2 from sweep-net samples in soybean. First, absolute populations were estimated by a combination of cage-aerosol and D-Vac techniques. These counts were then related to numbers in 50-sweep samples. The tests were conducted at the beginning of flowering, late pod set, and mid-pod fill in wide-row (76-cm) and narrow-row (38-cm) plantings. A statistical comparison of 11 of these groups demonstrated that the sweep-net collected some groups more effectively than others. Immatures of Hemiptera, Homoptera, and Thysanoptera required especially high ratios to convert to populations per m2 Soybean growth stage also influenced effectiveness of the sweep net for some groups, with a smaller percentage of the total population being collected during pod development than at the beginning of flowering or during pod fill. Row spacing had little effect on the calibration ratios, with one exception; i.e., adults of the soybean thrips, Sericothrips variabilis (Beach), were most effectively sampled in the narrow-row (38-cm) planting. Procedures are outlined for converting economic thresholds from number per row-m (or m2) to number per 50 sweeps. Relative variation of the sweep data is also discussed, and methods are presented for determining the optimum number of samples for experimental analysis.
Quadratic kinetic equations are linear in the tensor product space

On montre que des equations cinetiques quadratiques sont lineaires dans l'espace produit tensoriel
Glucose in Parenteral Nutrition: A Survey of US Medical Centers

Background A previous report suggested that glucose administration in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) should not exceed 4 mg/kg/min with a respiratory quotient (RQ) >1.0. This rate would not be exceeded, in most patients, with a TPN glucose concentration of 15%. Our previous survey of hospitals, 7 years ago, of TPN composition revealed use of excessive glucose. Our purpose was to reevaluate glucose usage in TPN. Methods A subset of data from 45 hospitals participating in Novation's Medication Use Evaluation program, "Parenteral Nutrition for Adults and Neonates" study, was analyzed to document glucose administration in TPN. Results Data of 629 adult patients from 44 hospitals receiving TPN were analyzed. Of these, 30 hospitals with 478 patients had 100 patients (15.9% of the total) with TPN glucose infusion rates >4 mg/kg/min, whereas 27 hospitals, or 61%, had average TPN glucose concentrations above 15%. This could be associated with an RQ >1.0, implying increased net lipogenesis. Conclusions The majority of hospitals surveyed were found, as in a previous survey, to be using amounts of glucose in TPN which would be expected to be associated with an RQ >1.0, implying increased net lipogenesis.
Functional assessment of intrinsic disorder central domains of BRCA1

The most studied function of BRCA1 is that of tumor suppression through its role in DNA repair and transcription regulation. Germline mutations discovered in a larger cohort of patients, abrogate BRCA1 interactions with reported cellular partners, and are responsible for breast and ovarian cancer. The different functional regions of BRCA1 interact with nearly 30 different cellular partners. Thus, it becomes clinically significant to understand the detailed protein-protein interactions associated with functional regions of BRCA1. Different overlapping central domains of BRCA1 have been characterized using in silico, in vitro and biophysical approaches. To our conclusions, it has been observed that central domains of BRCA1 are intrinsically disordered and has large hydrodynamic radius with random coil like structures.