cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-sustained green neuromorphic interfaces.

Incorporating neuromorphic electronics in bioelectronic interfaces can provide intelligent responsiveness to environments. However, the signal mismatch between the environmental stimuli and driving amplitude in neuromorphic devices has limited the functional versatility and energy sustainability. Here we demonstrate multifunctional, self-sustained neuromorphic interfaces by achieving signal matching at the biological level. The advances rely on the unique properties of microbially produced protein nanowires, which enable both bio-amplitude (e.g., <100 mV) signal processing and energy harvesting from ambient humidity. Integrating protein nanowire-based sensors, energy devices and memristors of bio-amplitude functions yields flexible, self-powered neuromorphic interfaces that can intelligently interpret biologically relevant stimuli for smart responses. These features, coupled with the fact that protein nanowires are a green biomaterial of potential diverse functionalities, take the interfaces a step closer to biological integration. For bio-inspired neuromorphic interfaces to emulate biological signal processing and self-sustainability, the mismatch between sensing and computing signals must be addressed. Here, the authors report sensor-driven, integrated neuromorphic systems with signal matching at the biological level.
Spatially and semantically diverse points extraction using hierarchical clustering

Diverse points extraction is an important process in the fields of location-based services and automated driving, among others. While existing research has investigated the selection of semantically diverse locations, the selection of points of interest that are both semantically and spatially diverse may be required in some scenarios. For instance, a diverse points path can be used to simulate automated driving (AD) on various types of roads. We propose a hierarchical clustering process involving graph spectral clustering and mixed data clustering, followed by a diversity selection algorithm. We evaluated our proposed method using OpenStreetMap road network data and determined that the method extracts points with improved semantic diversity compared with random selection. In addition, the proposed method also improved spatial diversity compared with when graph clustering, mixed data clustering and random selection were used. Thus, the proposed method provided an optimal balance for achieving the dual goals of semantic and spatial diversity.
Molecular and cellular biology of the heat-shock response.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the three major aspects of the heat-shock (HS) response including a comparative analysis of HS gene families and their expression, regulation of HS gene transcription, and functions of the heat-shock proteins (HSPs). This major protein family is also referred to as HSP70, reflecting the molecular weight of the major Drosophila HSP. This heat-inducible protein is conserved throughout evolution, and close related proteins are identified in a wide range of organisms including prokaryotes. In all eukaryotic organisms that are carefully examined, the HSP70 genes consist of a family of close related genes. The complexity and number of genes comprising the HSP70 family differ among species. Despite the number of organisms that are investigated, it is difficult to make generalizations about the composition of groups of HSPs from various species. Biochemical and genetic studies indicate that some HSPs or their cognates are present in organisms at normal growth temperatures and perform essential roles in normal cell function. The identification of some of these functions is valuable in providing clues to the function of HSPs at high temperatures.
Murine elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) is posttranslationally modified by novel amide-linked ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol moieties. Addition of ethanolamine-phosphoglycerol to specific glutamic acid residues on EF-1 alpha.

Elongation Factor 1α (EF-1α), an important eukaryotic translation factor, transports charged aminoacyl-tRNA from the cytosol to the ribosomes during poly-peptide synthesis. Metabolic radiolabeling with [3H] ethanolamine shows that, in all cells examined, EF-1α is the major radiolabeled protein. Radiolabeled EF-1α has an apparent Mr = 53,000 and a basic isoelectric point. It is cytosolic and does not contain N-linked oligosaccharides. Trypsin digestion of murine EF-1α generated two major [3H]ethanolamine-labeled peptides. Three peptides were sequenced and were identical to two distinct regions of the human EF-1α protein. Blank sequencing cycles coinciding with glutamic acid in the human cDNA-derived sequence were also found to release [3H]ethanolamine, and compositional analysis of these peptides confirmed the presence of glutamic acid. Dansylation analysis demonstrates that the amine group of the ethanolamine is blocked. These results indicate that EF-1α is posttranslationally modified by the covalent attachment of ethanolamine via an amide bond to at least two specific glutamic acid residues (Glu-301 and Glu-374). The hydroxyl group of the attached ethanolamine was shown by mass spectrometry and compositional analysis, to be further modified by the addition of a phosphoglycerol unit. This novel posttranslational modification may represent an important alteration of EF-1α, comparable to the regulatory effects of posttranslational methylation of EF-1α lysine residues.
LONG-RANGE PLANNING THROUGH PROGRAM BUDGETING

Abstract Program budgeting is designed to strengthen an organization's capability to do long-range planning and to provide a systematic method for resolving major resource allocation issues. The planning-programming-budgeting (PPB) process focuses on the basic function of management, which is to use the organization's available resources in ways that will be most effective in meeting its goals. It establishes and makes explicit the relationships among the organization's objectives, its programs and activities, and the resource implications of projected programs. Perhaps most important is the analytical activity, which contributes directly to management decision making by providing analyses of the consequences, in terms of estimated costs and expected benefits, of possible alternative program decisions.
Adaptive Design of Model-Based Controllers

Model-based regulators and adaptive control mechanisms have attracted tremendous interest and attention during recent years. This paper develops the notion of the "two-port" controller and uses the ensuing framework to analyze its robustness and performance characteristics. A series of new results defines the design procedure for the systemt's controllers. These results are subsequently used to analyze the characteristics of adaptive mechanisms around the two-port regulator. Specific suggestions are drawn as to what constitutes the proper formulation of the adaptive control problem and how an adaptive two-port controller can find its way to chemical process control problems.
El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation impacts on precipitation in the southern and central United States: Evaluation of spatial distribution and predictions

[1] Understanding and predicting regional impacts of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on winter (October–March) precipitation can provide valuable inputs to agricultural and water resources managers. Effects of ENSO and PDO on winter precipitation were assessed in 165 climate divisions throughout the southern United States. A continuous region of significantly (P < 0.05) increased (decreased) winter precipitation in response to El Nino (La Nina) conditions in the preceding summer (June–September Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)) extends across the entire southern United States and as far north as South Dakota. Within this region stronger correlations (r ≤ −0.45) are found along the Gulf of Mexico, southern Arizona, and central Nebraska. Winter precipitation differs significantly (P < 0.1) between warm and cold phase PDO periods only in the south central region, with greatest significance centered in Oklahoma. Enhanced negative La Nina anomalies during PDO cold phases are dominant in the central region (Texas to South Dakota) whereas enhanced positive El Nino anomalies during PDO warm phases are dominant in the southwest (Arizona, Nevada, and California) and southeast (Louisiana to Florida). Validation tests of winter precipitation predictions based on summer SOI and/or PDO-phase show a decrease of 9% to 16% in the relative Mean Absolute Error (MAE) from the MAE obtained by using the mean as a predictor in areas with strong correlation (r < −0.45) between SOI and precipitation. Logistic regression probability models of having above or below average winter precipitation had up to 77% successful predictions. The advantage of having probabilities of exceeding certain precipitation thresholds at the beginning of a hydrologic year makes logistic regression models attractive for decision makers.
The interaction of ribonuclease with metal ions. 3. Gel filtration studies on the relationship between cupric ion and cytidylic acid binding.

Abstract The effect of 2'-cytidylic acid and 3'-cytidylic acid upon the binding of cupric ions by RNase has been studied by gel filtration, together with the effect of cupric ions upon binding of 2'- and 3'-cytidylic acids. The results confirm that binding of 2'-CMP by RNase weakens its affinity for cupric ions; reciprocally, binding of cupric ion diminishes the affinity of RNase for 2'-CMP. The negative interactions between cupric ion and 2'-CMP upon binding to RNase have been shown to lead to distortion of the gel filtration ligand trough. At pH 5.5 these interactions are tentatively interpreted in terms of competition between 2'-CMP and Cu(II) for the strongest Cu(II)-binding site on RNase together with an acetate-dependent increase in the Cu(II) affinity of one of the weaker RNase sites in the presence of bound 2'-CMP. Binding of 3'-CMP to RNase increases the affinity of RNase for 2 cupric ions; similarly binding of cupric ions to RNase increases its affinity for 3'-CMP. Analysis of the binding pattern of Cu(II) to the 3'-CMP-RNase complex indicates co-operative interactions between two Cu(II)-binding sites on the 3'-CMP-RNase complex; at least one of these sites differs from any on free RNase and could involve the phosphate group of 3'-CMP. In further contrast to free RNase, the Cu(II)-binding sites at pH 5.5 on the 3'-CMP-RNase complex have been shown to have a diminished affinity for the cupric ion-monoacetate complex relative to free cupric ion. This suggests that, on the average, Cu(II) is coordinated with more ligands on the 3'-CMP-RNase complex than on free RNase or, alternatively, that binding of Cu(II) to the complex occurs in a more sterically limited environment than on free RNase.
Recapitulating the Structural Evolution of Redox Regulation in Adenosine 5'-Phosphosulfate Kinase from Cyanobacteria to Plants.

In plants, adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (APS) kinase (APSK) is required for reproductive viability and the production of 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS) as a sulfur donor in specialized metabolism. Previous studies of the APSK from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtAPSK) identified a regulatory disulfide bond formed between the N-terminal domain (NTD) and a cysteine on the core scaffold. This thiol switch is unique to mosses, gymnosperms, and angiosperms. To understand the structural evolution of redox control of APSK, we investigated the redox-insensitive APSK from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (SynAPSK). Crystallographic analysis of SynAPSK in complex with either APS and a non-hydrolyzable ATP analog or APS and sulfate revealed the overall structure of the enzyme, which lacks the NTD found in homologs from mosses and plants. A series of engineered SynAPSK variants reconstructed the structural evolution of the plant APSK. Biochemical analyses of SynAPSK, SynAPSK H23C mutant, SynAPSK fused to the AtAPSK NTD, and the fusion protein with the H23C mutation showed that the addition of the NTD and cysteines recapitulated thiol-based regulation. These results reveal the molecular basis for structural changes leading to the evolution of redox control of APSK in the green lineage from cyanobacteria to plants.
Kinetics of chlorophyll photosensitized electron transfer reactions in phospholipid bilayer vesicles electrostatic effects of surface charge and valinomycin addition

The effects of electrostatic surface charge and valinomycin addition in the presence of K* on the kinetics and the inside-outside asymmetry properties of light-induced electron transfer reactions between chlorophyll triplet state and benzoquinone, ferricyanide and methyl viologen in large unilamellar vesicles have been investigated using laser flash photolysis. Modifying the surface charge of the bilayers by incorporating charged surfactants or decreasing the ionic strength of the suspending medium caused large changes in the dynamics of the electron transfer reactions, which could be interpreted in terms of electrostatic interactions between reactants, products and membrane components, and the existence of a spontaneous transmembrane electrical potential corresponding to an excess of negative charge at the outer surface of the vesicle bilayer. The presence of valinomycin had more specific effects on these reactions, which were consistent with an electrostatic influence of the presence of the positively-charged K+-valinomycin complex within the bilayer on the dynamics of only those triplet quenching and radical formation and decay processes which occur in this region of the vesicle structure.
Development of a three-factor neuropsychological approach for detecting minimal hepatic encephalopathy.

Background: Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (HE) has profoundly negative effects on daily functioning ad quality of life. However, standard psychometric procedures have not been widely incorporated into efforts to develop a neuropsychological battery for this condition. Aims: To establish the construct and diagnostic validity of a neuropsychological approach for the recognition of minimal HE in patients with cirrhosis. Methods: A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests was administered to cirrhotic patients with at most grade 1 HE, recruited from the liver transplant and advanced liver disease clinics. An inflammatory bowel disease comparison group was similarly evaluated, thus controlling for the secondary effects of chronic illness on cognition. Testing results for the cirrhosis group were subjected to principal component analysis to establish the relevant cognitive constructs and associated measures. Factor analysis was applied to the neuropsychological battery of 20 tests to determine the cognitive factors to be used. Age-adjusted standardized neuropsychological factor scores were then compared for the two groups. Results: Factor analysis revealed that our battery of 20 tests was measuring three cognitive factors. Based on the pattern of factor loadings, we labeled these important cognitive factors: global cognitive function; psychomotor speed; and learning and memory. Logistic regression revealed that only impaired psychomotor speed distinguished cirrhotics with no more than grade 1 HE from medically ill controls. Conclusions: The cirrhosis group was characterized by a pattern of preserved global cognitive functioning, mild memory impairment, and moderate psychomotor speed impairment. Discussion: This distinctive pattern of focal psychomotor speed deficits is suggestive of subcortical pathway involvement in minimal HE.
Preterm external cephalic version in an outpatient environment.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to study the safety and efficacy of external cephalic version before term (37 weeks' gestation). Study design: We retrospectively reviewed 114 pregnancies in 110 women at 30 to 41 weeks' gestation who had a total of 133 attempts at external cephalic version. Results: Seventy-nine percent of the versions performed before the thirty-seventh week and 53% performed during or after the thirty-seventh week were successful. After adjustment for parity and body mass index, a version performed before the thirty-seventh week was 27 times more likely to be successful than if performed during or after the thirty-seventh week. Ninety-nine percent of the successful versions were delivered with a vertex presentation, and of these only 16% required cesarean delivery. Conclusion: External cephalic version is safe and successful if performed before 37 weeks' gestation, thence substantially reducing the rate of cesarean section among nonvertex presentations and reducing the risks associated with breech delivery.
Franchisor's Cumulative Franchising Experience and Its Impact on Franchising Management Strategies

Abstract Drawing upon an organizational learning and economics framework, this paper proposes that a franchisor's cumulative franchising experience influences its strategies of managing its contractual relationship with franchisees. Analyses based on the fast-food and restaurant industry data from Bond's Franchise Guide 2006 suggest that as a franchisor's cumulative franchising experience increases the franchisor is more likely to (1) offer less support to franchisees, (2) charge lower royalty and franchise fees and to sign longer-term contracts with franchisees, (3) require stricter start-up training for franchisee employees, and (4) display decreased propensity to expand franchise networks.
Behavior of oxide films on high-temperature alloys in carbonaceous gas atmospheres

Formation and deterioration of oxide films on several contemporary high-temperature alloys was studied in various carbonaceous gas atmospheres. Scanning electron microscopy and metallographic examination were applied to films on Fe-Cr-Ni and Ni-Cr-Al type alloy compositions exposed in CH4/H2 and CO/CO2 atmospheres at temperatures up to 900° C and pressures up to 900 psi (6.2 × 106 N/m2). The effects of various preoxidation treatments were evaluated. Reduction of certain oxide phases is observed to promote catalytic gas decomposition. Al2O3components in the films are observed to be stable under the reducing conditions experienced. Carbon uptake by various alloys is found to be quite sensitive to surface finish, with an observed increase in penetration with surface roughness.
Chaotic unbounded differentiation operators

We construct dense sets of hypercyclic vectors for unbounded differention operators, including differentiation operators on the Hardy spaceH 2, and the Laplacian operator onL 2((Ω), for any bounded open subset Ω of ℝ2. Furthermore, we show that these operators are chaotic, in the sense of Devaney.
Isolation and characterization of a mannan from mesosomal membrane vesicles of Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

Abstract The carbohydrate content of mesosomal membranes of Micrococcus lysodeikticus has been shown to be consistently higher (about four times) than that of corresponding plasma membrane preparations. Analysis of washed membrane fractions by gas-liquid chromatography indicated that mannose was the major neutral sugar of both types of membrane (accounting for 95 and 89%, respectively, of the mesosomal and plasma membrane carbohydrate). Small amounts of inositol, glucose and ribose were also detected. We have shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecylsulphate and by precipitation and agar gel diffusion experiments with concanavalin A that a mannan is the major carbohydrate component of both types of membrane. This polymer can be selectively released from mesosomal membranes by a simple procedure involving low ionic strength-shock and heating to 80°C for 1 min, and purified by ultrafiltration and ethanol precipitation. The mannan contains mannose as the only neutral carbohydrate, is not phosphorylated and does not contain significant amounts of amino sugars or uronic acids. Agar gel electrophoresis experiments, however, indicate an anionic polymer whose acidic properties are eliminated upon mild base hydrolysis. Analysis of native mannan by infrared spectroscopy reveals absorption bands attributable to ester carbonyl groups and to carboxylate ions, consistent with the presence of succinyl residues in the polymer (Owen, P. and Salton, M.R.J. (1975) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 63, 875–880). A sedimentation coefficient of 1.39 S was obtained by analytical ultracentrifugation in 1.0 M NaCl and a value of one reducing equivalent per 50 mannose residues by reduction with NaB 3 H 4 . The polysaccharide was only slightly degraded (2%) by jack bean α-mannosidase and could precipitate 15 times its own weight of concanavalin A. The acidic polymer was also detected in the cell “periplasm” and was secreted from cells grown in defined media during the period of decelerating growth.
Friend or foe: behavioral responses to conspecifics in the northern scorpion, Paruroctonus boreus (Scorpionida: Vaejovidae)

We investigated the behavioral response of male Paruroctonus boreus to male and female pheromones of conspecifics. Adult male scorpions actively search for females during the mating season, but lack visual cues to direct their movement. Chemical cues (pheromones) are thought to be responsible for directing movement. In a series of laboratory experiments, in Y-mazes, males were exposed to areas that had contained males and females from the same population and areas that had contained conspecifics from different populations. Males spent significantly more time in areas that had contained females from the same population but did not show a preference for areas exposed to females from different populations. Males also significantly avoided areas exposed to males from the same population. Our results suggest that P. boreus has a sex-specific response to pheromones and that this response may be population-specific.
An Effective and Flexible Multiple Defect Diagnosis Methodology Using Error Propagation Analysis

A multiple defect diagnosis methodology consisting of a defect site identification and elimination method, a path-based defect site elimination method, and a defect site selection and ranking method is described. The flexibility of the diagnosis method in handling various defect behaviors and arbitrary failing pattern characteristics is demonstrated through extensive simulations. Unlike some competing approaches, the search space of the diagnosis method does not grow exponentially with the number of defects. Results from over 1700 simulated and 131 failing ICs show that this method can effectively diagnose circuits that are affected by a large (>20) or small number of defects of various types. Specifically, when diagnosing circuits with more than 20 defects, our method identifies 65% of them, and the number of sites reported per actual defective site is, on average, 1.17. For circuits affected by two defects, these numbers change to 86% and 1.85, respectively. Finally, 84% of our top-ranked sites are actual defect sites.
Glaucoma as treated by the Vienna School during World War II

Ich bin im Jahre 1940 in die Klinik von Professor Josef Melier eingetreten. Der Vorstand der 2. Universitatsaugenklinik war Karl Lindner. Jede Klinik hatte etwa 100 bis 120 liegende Patienten innerhalb des Allgemeinen Krankenhauses mit 3.000 Betten. 1. Chronisches Weitwinkelglaukom: Die Behandlung war im allgemeinem konservativ. Der Patient wurde aufgenommen und alle Medikamente weggelassen. Der Zustand der Augen wurde ermittelt. Fur die Untersuchung der Gesichtsfelder benutzten wir das Zeiss-Maggiore-Projektionsperimeter, die Bjerrum-Tangente und das Stereocampimeter von Lloyd. Der Augendruck wurde fur einige Tage und Nachte alle vier Stunden gemessen. So erhielt man eine Augendruckkurve fur 24 Stunden. Wir waren ofters erstaunt zu sehen dass manche Patienten in den fruhen Morgenstunden hohe Druckwerte zeigten obwohl der Druck wahrend des Tages normal war. Man fragt sich ob das sogenannte „low tension glaucoma“ uberhaupt existiert. Mit Pilokarpin-1%-Tropfen 3x bis 4x taglich und Pilokarpin-1%-Salbe uber Nacht wurde der Druck normalisiert. Pilokarpin hat uns die dauerhaftesten und verlasslichsten Resultate gegeben. Die Patienten wurden alle 3 bis 6 Monate nachuntersucht. Wenn die lokale Behandlung nicht genugend war, die Erkrankung zu kontrollieren, dann wurde operiert. Meiler bevorzugte die Elliot-Trepanation, sein Nachfolger Pillat die Iridenkleisis, Lindner hat beide Operationen benutzt. Wir hatten einige Spatinfektionen nach Elliot gesehen die im Englischen Text, Ref. No. 9 beschrieben sind. Als sekundare Operation wurde die Zyklodialyse gemacht. 2. Akutes Glaukom [narrow angle Glaucoma]: Alle 10 Minuten wurde im Auge Pilokarpin 1% eingetropft, abwechselnd mit 0,5% Eserin fur etwa 60 Minuten. Wenn die Pupille noch weit war wurde ein Augenbad mit denselben Losungen fur 10 Minuten gegeben. Wenn die Behandlung erfolglos war wurde das Auge mit einer totalen Iridektomie von Graefe operiert wobei angestrebt wurde die Iriswurzel abzureissen. Die periphere Iridektomie von Curran und die Arbeiten von Otto Barkan uber die Pathogenese des Eng-Winkel-Glaukoms waren noch nicht in Wien eingedrungen. 3. Malignes Glaukom hatten wir von Zeit zu Zeit. Beide, Meller und Lindner, glaubten dass es durch pathologische Ansammlung von Flussigkeit in den Vitreus-Raum verursacht war. Die entgultige Pathogenese und Behandlung dieses Krankheitsbildes wurde von den Amerikanern Chandler, Grant und Shaffer spater eruiert. Dass eine intumescente Linse und eine hypermature Katarakt-Glaukom verursachen kann war uns bekannt. Das Posner-Schlossman-Syndrom war als Iritis serosa bekannt. Im Sekundarglaukom vom perforierten ulcus serpens haben wir eine totale Iridektomie ausgefuhrt.
Fine topology, Šilov boundary, and (ddc)n

On considere la topologie fine des fonctions plurisousharmoniques. On etablit des theoremes de convergence. On etudie les definitions de (dd c ) n . L'operateur (dd c ) n converge pour des limites monotones des fonctions plurisousharmoniques bornees
Software for Measuring Root Characters from Digital Images

Root research methods are often tedious, labor intensive, and prone to large variability. Minirhizotron technology has the potential to greatly enhance root research capabilities, but quantifying minirhizotron data is very time consuming. This note presents new software that allows rapid, accurate measurement of root length from digital images-Root Measurement System (RMS). In addition to measuring root lengths and diameters, RMS records number of roots in an image and calculates their total volume, total surface area, and length density. Ten untrained RMS users averaged 654 ± 42 s to measure the length of a 24 mm s-shaped line 10 times. The standard error of the mean for repeated length measurements was <0.1 mm for all but one of the operators. In a subsequent test with 10 different operators having various levels of experience, operators averaged a total of 2324 ± 213 s to measure the lengths and diameters of 10 images of pseudo roots made from wires. There was no significant difference among operators for total length measured, but operators did differ in lengths apportioned among 0.1-mm-diam. classes. For minirhizotron images collected in a field study, an experienced operator could analyze from 17 to 38 images h -1 depending on number and length of roots in the images. With its speed, accuracy, and versatility, RMS offers the possibility to analyze sufficient numbers of minirhizotron images to allow detection of treatment effects in field research.
Heat shock paradox: subsequent heat shock increases lethality of polymicrobial sepsis in vivo

Previous in vitro studies have shown that induction of the heat shock response (HSR) prior to an inflammatory stimulus is cytoprotective, whereas induction of HSR after an inflammatory stimulus can cause apoptosis (the heat shock paradox). We sought to determine whether induction of HSR in an animal model of sepsis caused similar, order-dependent effects on survival. In pilot studies to calibrate the murine HSR, 20–25 g ND4 mice were anesthetized and immersed in a water bath for a total of 20 min to raise core body temperature to 37, 40 or 41.5°C (n = 3 per group). Livers were harvested 24 hours later. Western blot analyses for Heat Shock Protein-72 (HSP-72, a widely-accepted marker of HSR) showed the expression of HSP-72 at 41.5°C for 20 min but not at or below 40°C. This pattern is strain independent. Next, the effect of HSR prior to or subsequent to cecal ligation and puncture via halothane anesthetic (CLP) upon survival was tested. 20–25 g male inbred C57-BL6 mice were randomized to one of six groups (n = 15#8211;20 per group) and heated for 20 min to either 37 or 41.5°C alone or in combination with CLP. Survival was 70% and 15% for HSR induction prior, or subsequent, to CLP respectively (P = 0.001). To exclude the possibility that the order-dependent response was strain specific, the study was repeated with outbred ND4 mice (n = 11–13 per group). In the ND4 mice, survival for HSR induction prior to CLP was 25% but following CLP was nil (P = 0.0001, Fig. 1). Though beneficial and somehow protective when induced prior to insult, the heat shock response paradoxically increases mortality when activated after severe stress. This paradoxical potentiation of injury also appears independent of the specific strain. The susceptibility of infected animals to devastating HSR at 41.5 degrees may explain, at least in part, why human fevers are generally self-limited to 40 degrees or less. Figure
Technical Note-Shortest-Path Algorithms: A Comparison

In this note we present some computational evidence to suggest that a version of Bellman's shortest-path algorithm outperforms Treesort-Dijkstra's for a certain class of networks.
Complete all-atom hydrodynamics of protein unfolding in uniform flow.

The unfolding dynamics of a protein, ubiquitin, pinned in several uniform flows, was studied at low and high flow rates in an all-atom style through a non-equilibrium molecular dynamics approach with explicit water molecules included. Atomic hydrodynamic force components on individual amino acids, as a function of time, due to the collisional interactions with the flowing water molecules were calculated explicitly. The protein conformational change in response to those time-varying forces was computed completely at the high flow rate up to nanosecond until the fully stretched state was reached. The end-to-end length of the single ubiquitin protein molecule at high flow rate is smoothly increasing. The step-like jumps between metastable states that describe the µm ms − 1 scale force pulling experiments conducted on polyubiquitins at low flow rates, are not seen at the high flow speeds necessary to computationally probe the ns nm − 1 scale regime. No unfolding was observed in the low flow rate atomic computations at nanosecond scale while partial and complete unfolding was observed in the coarse-grained low flow rate computations at microsecond scale. Examination of the all-atom computation of the time variation of the hydrodynamic forces on, and the velocity components of, the protein molecule unveiled to some extent the details of the complexity of the hydrodynamic friction variation in the nm ns − 1 regime of high rate flow-driven protein unfolding. This demonstrates quantitatively that all-atom computations are more suitable than the Langevin equation or Brownian dynamics methods for probing the interaction dynamics and resulting conformational dynamics of protein unfolding in strong flows on nm ns − 1 time/length scales while the reverse is true for investigation of slow, diffusively driven systems.
Binding of fusion protein FLSC IgG1 to CCR5 is enhanced by CCR5 antagonist Maraviroc

The CCR5 chemokine receptor is crucial for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, acting as the principal coreceptor for HIV-1 entry and transmission and is thus an attractive target for antiviral therapy. Studies have suggested that CCR5 surface density and its conformational changes subsequent to virion engagement are rate limiting for entry, and consequently, infection. Not all CCR5 antibodies inhibit HIV-1 infection, suggesting a need for more potent reagents. Here we evaluated full length single chain (FLSC) IgG1, a novel IgG–CD4–gp120BAL fusion protein with several characteristics that make it an attractive candidate for treatment of HIV-1 infections, including bivalency and a potentially increased serum half-life over FLSC, the parental molecule. FLSC IgG1 binds two domains on CCR5, the N-terminus and the second extracellular loop, lowering the levels of available CCR5 viral attachment sites. Furthermore, FLSC IgG1 synergizes with Maraviroc (MVC), the only licensed CCR5 antagonist. In this study, we used both microscopy and functional assays to address the mechanistic aspects of the interactions of FLSC IgG1 and MVC in the context of CCR5 conformational changes and viral infection. We used a novel stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM), based on high resolution localization of photoswitchable dyes to visualize direct contacts between FLSC IgG1 and CCR5. We compared viral entry inhibition by FLSC IgG1 with that of other CCR5 blockers and showed FLSC IgG1 to be the most potent. We also showed that lower CCR5 surface densities in HIV-1 infected primary cells result in lower FLSC IgG1 EC50 values. In addition, CCR5 binding by FLSC IgG1, but not CCR5 Ab 2D7, was significantly increased when cells were treated with MVC, suggesting MVC allosterically increases exposure of the FLSC IgG1 binding site. These data have implications for future antiviral therapy development.
Sounds produced by spawning fishes

Low frequency sounds are shown to be associated with the spawning of two Caribbean coral reef fishes: the hamlet, Hypoplectrus unicolor (Serranidae) and the striped parrotfish, Scarus iserti (Scaridae). Both fishes produce distinctive sounds while broadcasting gametes in midwater. H. unicolor produces sounds via muscle stimulation of the swimbladder. Fin movements among group spawning S. iserti produce hydrodynamic noise. Although reproductive behaviors of these two species have been previously studied in detail, the association of sounds with mating is new. The mating sounds cannot be easily detected by human hearing underwater but are recordable using a hydrophone. The sounds are distinct and recognizable enough to allow counting and acoustic mapping of mating events in these species.
Failure of notched columns

A theoretical basis is given for recent experimental results[1, 2] for the maximum load-carrying capacity of sharply notched aluminum columns loaded eccentrically in compression. A failure criterion is developed. The failure criterion is successfully applied to 13·25-in. columns, of 12- by 12-in. cross section, which have notches of 0.170 in. depth or less.
Differential roles of inflammation and apoptosis in initiation of mid-gestational abortion in malaria-infected C57BL/6 and A/J mice.

Introduction Plasmodium chabaudi AS-infection in pregnant A/J and C57BL/6J mice results in mid-gestational pregnancy loss. Although associated with increased systemic and placental pro-inflammatory responses and coagulopathy, the molecular mechanisms that underlie poor pregnancy outcomes in these mice are not yet fully understood. This study investigates the relationships between inflammation, apoptosis and malaria-induced pregnancy loss.
Augmentation of impaired tumoricidal function in alveolar macrophages from lung cancer patients by cocultivation with allogeneic, but not autologous lymphocytes

It has been reported that the in vitro development of tumoricidal function in alveolar macrophages from lung cancer patients is reduced significantly when compared to that in peripheral blood monocytes from the same patients or alveolar macrophages from control patients. In the present investigation, a method for potentiating the development of tumoricidal function in alveolar macrophages from lung cancer patients is described. This method, which relies on priming the macrophages with purified, allogeneic peripheral blood lymphocytes from normal donors, could not be demonstrated when autologous lymphocytes from lung cancer patients were used in the priming coculture. The augmentation of tumoricidal function appears to be mediated by one or more soluble factors, since supernatants from cocultures of alveolar macrophages and allogeneic peripheral blood lymphocytes could enhance the cytotoxic function of freshly obtained alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, it appears that NK cells are necessary for this effect, since depletion of CD56+/CD57+ cells from allogeneic lymphocytes eliminated their capacity to enhance alveolar macrophage cytotoxic function. The augmentation of cytotoxic function elicited in alveolar macrophages by this method was not associated with changes in the secretion of tumor necrosis factor α, or interleukin 1β.
Equus caballus Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Is an Entry Receptor for Equine Herpesvirus Type 1

In this study, Equus caballus major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) was identified as a cellular entry receptor for the alphaherpesvirus equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1). This novel EHV-1 receptor was discovered using a cDNA library from equine macrophages. cDNAs from this EHV-1-susceptible cell type were inserted into EHV-1-resistant B78H1 murine melanoma cells, these cells were infected with an EHV-1 lacZ reporter virus, and cells that supported virus infection were identified by X-Gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside) staining. Positive cells were subjected to several rounds of purification to obtain homogeneous cell populations that were shown to be uniformly infected with EHV-1. cDNAs from these cell populations were amplified by PCR and then sequenced. The sequence data revealed that the EHV-1-susceptible cells had acquired an E. caballus MHC-I cDNA. Cell surface expression of this receptor was verified by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. The MHC-I cDNA was cloned into a mammalian expression vector, and stable B78H1 cell lines were generated that express this receptor. These cell lines were susceptible to EHV-1 infection while the parental B78H1 cells remained resistant to infection. In addition, EHV-1 infection of the B78H1 MHC-I-expressing cell lines was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by an anti-MHC-I antibody.
Molecular structure and thermal/mechanical properties of polymer thin films

Abstract The molecular structure and chain packing morphology are shown to be the fundamental factors in determining the thermal-mechanical properties of polymer thin films. This is demonstrated for two polyimides, PMDA-ODA and BPDA-PDA, which have contrasting molecular structures with semi-flexible and rigid rod-like chain morphologies. We first examine the effect of molecular structure on the chain morphologies, then the influence of chain morphology on the materials properties. By examining the degree of anisotropy in materials properties between the lateral and vertical directions with respect to the film plane, a clear correlation between molecular structure and properties is observed. This is further manifested in the fracture behavior of metal-polyimide fine line structures, where the fracture characteristics are found to be largely controlled by the mechanical properties of the polyimide. A strong polyimide, BPDA-PDA, is found to have a fracture toughness about threefold higher than a soft polyimide, PMDA-ODA.
Mortality variability after endovascular versus open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in a large tertiary vascular center using a Medicare-derived risk prediction model

Objective Previous reports have documented better outcomes after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair in tertiary centers compared with lower-volume hospitals, but outcome variability for endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) vs open AAA repairs in a large tertiary center using a Medicare-derived mortality risk prediction model has not been previously reported. In the current study, we compared the observed vs predicted mortality after EVAR and open AAA repair in a single large tertiary vascular center. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent repair of a nonruptured infrarenal AAA in our center from 2003 to 2012. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to evaluate 30-day mortality. Patients were stratified into low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk groups, and mortality was predicted for each patient based on demographics and comorbidities according to the Medicare risk prediction model. Results We analyzed 297 patients (EVAR, 72%; open AAA repair, 28%; symptomatic, 25%). Most of our patients were of high and moderate risk (48% and 28%, respectively). The observed 30-day mortality was 1.9% after EVAR vs 2.4% after open repair (odds ratio [OR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-4.29; P = .67). There was no difference in mortality with EVAR vs open repair after adjusting for predefined patient characteristics (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.16-7.43; P = .93); only preoperative renal disease was predictive of 30-day mortality after AAA repair in our cohort (OR, 8.39; 95% CI, 1.41-67.0). The observed mortality within our study was significantly lower than the Medicare-derived expected mortality for each treatment group within patients stratified as high risk or medium risk ( P ≤ .0002 for all). Conclusions Despite treating patients with high preoperative risk status, we report a 10-fold decrease in operative mortality for EVAR and open AAA repair in a tertiary vascular center compared with national Medicare-derived predictions. High-risk patients should be considered for aneurysm management in dedicated aortic centers, regardless of approach.
Quantum trajectory dynamics in imaginary time with the momentum-dependent quantum potential

The quantum trajectory dynamics is extended to the wave function evolution in imaginary time. For a nodeless wave function a simple exponential form leads to the classical-like equations of motion of trajectories, representing the wave function, in the presence of the momentum-dependent quantum potential in addition to the external potential. For a Gaussian wave function this quantum potential is a time-dependent constant, generating zero quantum force yet contributing to the total energy. For anharmonic potentials the momentum-dependent quantum potential is cheaply estimated from the global Least-squares Fit to the trajectory momenta in the Taylor basis. Wave functions with nodes are described in the mixed coordinate space/trajectory representation at little additional computational cost. The nodeless wave function, represented by the trajectory ensemble, decays to the ground state. The mixed representation wave functions, with lower energy contributions projected out at each time step, decay to the excited energy states. The approach, illustrated by computing energy levels for anharmonic oscillators and energy level splitting for the double-well potential, can be used for the Boltzmann operator evolution.
Domain-Specific Knowledge and Task Characteristics in Decision Making

Recent theory and research has highlighted the importance of domain-specific knowledge in allowing superior performance. Previous studies have shown that task characteristics affect decision making performance, yet few (if any) studies have varied task characteristics in the context of knowledge differences. In this study, two task characteristics (the labeling of alternatives and the structure of the decision) were identified and hypothesized to interact with decision-maker knowledge level in affecting information acquisition and decision accuracy. A computerized information board study using high and low knowledge individuals in the domain of basketball found that both task characteristics interacted with knowledge level to affect information acquisition and decision accuracy. High knowledge individuals were significantly more accurate than low knowledge individuals on well-structured decisions but not on ill-structured decisions. Further, high knowledge individuals reduced information search when decisions were well-structured and when alternatives were descriptively labeled, and acquired considerably more contextual information than low knowledge individuals across all conditions. On the other hand, low knowledge information acquisition appeared to be largely unaffected by decision structure or descriptive labeling. The discussion highlights the need to view superior performance as a complex function of existing knowledge, task demands and information search.
Online maintenance of life domains: Uses of social network sites during graduate education among the US and international students

Students who pursue graduate degrees often do so under the burden of great geographic displacement. This study takes a uses and gratifications approach to examining the usage of Social Networking Sites (SNS) by both American and international graduate students studying at an American university. Specifically, it examines how SNS are used in relationship maintenance with friends and family, news consumption from one's home state or country, political expression, and social and political transition to one's new home. Our findings suggest that geographic and physical displacements do not always influence students in maintaining relationships via social media.
Insulator boundary layers in magnetohydro- dynamic channels

The laminar, compressible boundary layer on the insulating walls of an MHD channel is studied for cases of equilibrium conductivity at the local gas temperature and of equilibrium at the local electron temperature It is found that the increase in friction and heat transfer due to electromagnetic effects is appreciable for the former case and very large for the latter case, for which a typical Nusselt number is about 10 times that for a normal flat-plate boundary layer
IQ and economic growth: Further augmentation of Mankiw–Romer–Weil model

Abstract Solow's growth model is further augmented to include IQ in addition to proxies for education and health. The estimates indicate that IQ variable greatly erodes the size and significance of education and health parameters and dominates even a measure of institutional quality.
Linear algebraic solution for multicomponent adsorption on Porous media

We describe an exact solution for the thermodynamic monolayer model, developed by Minka and Myers (1973), for k components
Weight loss causes increased mortality: cons.

Short-term studies indicate that intentional weight loss (IWL) among obese persons significantly improves health variables that are often precursors or markers of chronic diseases (e.g. heart diseases, type-2 diabetes). Hence, it is logical to assume that IWL among obese persons would lead to increased longevity. On the whole, epidemiological studies, including recent ones that use conservative analytic approaches such as distinguishing between apparently IWL and unintentional weight loss (UWL), adjusting for potential confounders and excluding apparently unhealthy subjects, indicate that apparently IWL appears to neither increase nor decrease mortality rate. However, it is important to note that none of the existing studies were designed specifically to test the hypothesis that IWL reduces mortality rate, and given methodological problems, these studies do not provide a satisfactory way to address the body mass index (BMI)-mortality question. Several controlled clinical trials suggest that IWL may reduce mortality rate. However, even in these studies, it is important to acknowledge that subjects are randomized to conditions that produce more or less weight loss and not to distinct levels of weight loss per se. Nevertheless, while we await additional data from better designed studies, given our incomplete knowledge, we conclude that it seems more likely than not that IWL achieved by medically recommended methods does not increase and probably decreases mortality rate.