cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular dynamics simulations of soda lime silicate glasses

Molecular dynamics simulations of a series of sodium calcium silicates are reported. The results are discussed in terms of the local co-ordination of the sodium and calcium cations, and how the replacement of sodium with calcium changes the medium range order.
Battered Women: Stages of Change and Other Treatment Models That Instigate and Sustain Leaving

This article incorporates a cognitive problem-solving intervention model in a case report of a chronically abused woman from Roberts’ continuum of the extent and chronicity level of women battering. It depicts Prochaska and DiClemente’s stages of change and Roberts’ crisis intervention model in the progressive movement from living in a battering situation to leaving the relationship and becoming independent. By attempting to understand the nature of the battering experience and how women cope on a daily basis, insights can be illuminated into their survival skills and the strengths that are utilized to make the decision to leave, act upon, and sustain that goal. In addition, the application of the cognitive problem-solving intervention model to the battering experience of clients can assist practitioners in developing treatment assessments and strategies that intend to motivate their clients to move towards freedom of choice, disengagement, and empowerment. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 3:83‐98 (2003)]
Board Holdings, Compensation and Mutual Fund Manager Turnover

This paper examines the relationship between board holdings, compensation and the turnover of underperforming mutual fund managers. Previous studies find that some fund managers consistently underperform their peers over long periods of time. The presence of these consistent underperforming funds might be partially explained by ineffective monitoring whereby board interests are not aligned with those of shareholders. Based on 2003 data collected from 606 mutual funds, our results provide evidence that underperforming fund managers have a lower probability of being replaced when their boards have lower holdings and higher compensation.
DEPENDENCE OF THE MULTIPLICITY FEATURES OF AN ISOTHERMAL CATALYTIC REACTION ON EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL TRANSPORT RESISTANCES

A mathematical model (Robin) which accounts for both internal and external transport resistances is used to determine the multiplicity features of a porous catalytic pellet in which an isothermal Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction occurs. At most three solutions exist for a slab, but an arbitrarily large number of solutions can be found for an infinite cylinder or a spherical pellet. The maximal number of solutions for any finite external mass transfer resistance is bounded between that existing for a model which ignores the external mass transfer resistance and one which ignores intra-particle concentration gradients. The approximate shape of the cross section of the bifurcation set and of the uniqueness boundary of the Robin model can be estimated from the knowledge of the multiplicity features of three simplified (lumped, Dirichlet and Neumann) models, each containing one less parameter.
Inhibition of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase☆

Abstract The affinities of eighteen purines or purine analogs for human erythrocytic hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (EC 2.4.2.8; HGPRTase) were compared to assess the feasibility of obtaining active inhibitors of the enzyme. Three compounds appeared to inhibit the utilization of hypoxanthine by L5178Y cells in vitro due to inhibition of the enzyme rather than depletion of the intracellular 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate pool. The three competitive inhibitors and their affinity constants ( K i ) using 6-mercaptopurine as substrate were: 6-mercapto-9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-purine, 37 μM; 2,6-bis-(hydroxyamino)-9-β- d -ribofuranosyl-purine, 12 μM; and 6-iodo-9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-purine, 108 μM. The K In m for 6-mercaptopurine was 9 μM. Thus, the enzyme tolerates bulky substitution at N 9 . 6-Mercapto-9-(tetrahydro-2-furyl)-purine also potentiated the chemotherapeutic effect of azaserine, an inhibitor of de novo purine biosynthesis, in L5178Y ascites tumor-bearing mice. Four 2-substituted, oxazolo-[5, 4- d ]-pyrimidine-7-ones and 2-methylthiazolo-[5, 4- d ]-pyrimidine-7-one had K i values in the range of 84–173 μM. Consequently, isosteric substitution at N 9 may also be a fruitful and logical course to pursue in the design and synthesis of more potent inhibitors of this important enzyme.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL MINIMAL GRAPHS OVER UNBOUNDED DOMAINS

In this paper we will study solution pairs (u;D) of the minimal sur- face equation dened over an unbounded domain D in R 2 , with u = 0 on @D. It is well known that there are severe limitations on the geometry of D; for ex- ample D cannot be contained in any proper wedge (angle less than ). Under the assumption of sublinear growth in a suitably strong sense, we show that if u has order of growth in the sense of complex variables, then the \asymptototic angle" of D must be at least . In particular, there are at most two such solution pairs dened over disjoint domains. If < 1 then u cannot change sign and there is no other disjoint solution pair. This result is sharp as can be seen by a suitable piece of Enneper's surface which has order = 2 and asymptotic angle 3 2 .
Active Site Metal Ion in UDP-3-O-((R)-3-Hydroxymyristoyl)-N-acetylglucosamine Deacetylase (LpxC) Switches between Fe(II) and Zn(II) Depending on Cellular Conditions

UDP-3-O-((R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl)-N-acetylglucosamine deacetylase (LpxC) catalyzes the deacetylation of UDP-3-O-((R)-3-hydroxymyristoyl)-N-acetylglucosamine to form UDP-3-O-myristoylglucosamine and acetate in Gram-negative bacteria. This second, and committed, step in lipid A biosynthesis is a target for antibiotic development. LpxC was previously identified as a mononuclear Zn(II) metalloenzyme; however, LpxC is 6–8-fold more active with the oxygen-sensitive Fe(II) cofactor (Hernick, M., Gattis, S. G., Penner-Hahn, J. E., and Fierke, C. A. (2010) Biochemistry 49, 2246–2255). To analyze the native metal cofactor bound to LpxC, we developed a pulldown method to rapidly purify tagged LpxC under anaerobic conditions. The metal bound to LpxC purified from Escherichia coli grown in minimal medium is mainly Fe(II). However, the ratio of iron/zinc bound to LpxC varies with the metal content of the medium. Furthermore, the iron/zinc ratio bound to native LpxC, determined by activity assays, has a similar dependence on the growth conditions. LpxC has significantly higher affinity for Zn(II) compared with Fe(II) with KD values of 60 ± 20 pm and 110 ± 40 nm, respectively. However, in vivo concentrations of readily exchangeable iron are significantly higher than zinc, suggesting that Fe(II) is the thermodynamically favored metal cofactor for LpxC under cellular conditions. These data indicate that LpxC expressed in E. coli grown in standard medium predominantly exists as the Fe(II)-enzyme. However, the metal cofactor in LpxC can switch between iron and zinc in response to perturbations in available metal ions. This alteration may be important for regulating the LpxC activity upon changes in environmental conditions and may be a general mechanism of regulating the activity of metalloenzymes.
Holistic acupuncture approach to idiopathic refractory nausea, abdominal pain and bloating.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a holistic acupuncture approach on nausea, pain, bloating and electrogastrogram (EGG) parameters in patients with intractable symptoms. METHODS: Twelve patients with no or mild nausea (those without nausea had bloating or pain) and 10 with a history of moderate to severe nausea were referred for acupuncture. All underwent an EGG and were treated at acupuncture points PC6, SP4 and DU20. Visual analog scales (VAS) assessing severity of nausea, pain and bloating were obtained before and after acupuncture treatment. Nineteen patients received three and three patients received two treatments. RESULTS: VAS scores for nausea reflected the clinical assessment and differed significantly between mild and moderate/severe nausea groups. Acupuncture significantly improved severity of nausea in both groups with improved pre-treatment nausea between the first and third treatments in the moderate/severe nausea group. Pain scores improved with acupuncture in the mild nausea group only and bloating improved only with the first treatment in this group. Patients with bloating with VAS scores greater than 35 pre-treatment improved with acupuncture and over all VAS scores for pain improved with treatment. Acupuncture increased the power in the 2.7 to 3.5 cpm range in the EGG. CONCLUSION: In this uncontrolled clinical study, a holistic acupuncture approach significantly improved nausea in patients with refractory symptoms and increased the power in the 2.7-3.5 cpm component of the electrogastrogram. Bloating and pain VAS scores improved acutely with treatment. This study suggests that acupuncture may be effective in this refractory group of patients and further study using appropriate controls is warranted.
Ligand design and self-recognition: a copper(II) complex that dimerizes via hydrogen bonds

Abstract The ligand ethylene-dianthranilate (1) can accommodate both tetrahedral and square-planar coordination geometries. When bound to Cu(II) and in the presence of an exogenous axial ligand, 1 adopts an equatorial binding mode. This coordination enforces a parallel geometry of the NH bonds and, by molecular self-recognition, predisposes the complex to dimerization by forming back-to-back hydrogen bonding interactions.
Response of ectomycorrhizal fungus sporocarp production to varying levels and patterns of green-tree retention

Abstract Forest management activities can reduce ectomycorrhizal fungus diversity and forest regeneration success. We examine contrasts in structural retention as they affect sporocarp production of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF)—a functional guild of organisms well suited as indicators of disturbance effects on below-ground ecosystems. Our results are from an experiment that tests the biodiversity assumptions behind current guidelines for ecosystem management. Ours is the first study complete with pre-treatment data that examines the effects of silvicultural manipulations on both epigeous (mushroom) and hypogeous (truffle) sporocarp production by EMF. We tested the effects of two patterns (aggregated [A], dispersed [D]) and four levels (100, 75, 40, and 15%) of green-tree retention on standing-crop sporocarp biomass for spring and fall fruiting seasons. This study employed a randomized block design that replicated six retention treatments in three locations (blocks). A total of 150 mushroom taxa and 58 truffle taxa were identified from the sample plots. Before treatment, the total number of mushroom taxa for each treatment ranged from 58 to 72 while the total number of truffle taxa ranged from 22 to 29. The pre-treatment condition was characterized by mushroom and truffle total fall biomass exceeding total spring biomass in two of three blocks. Although experimental units within blocks were selected for apparent similarity, our results show that uniformity of EMF populations in forests cannot be inferred from stand structure alone. During the post-treatment sample period, the number of mushroom taxa detected in the 100% retention decreased by 34% while the number of truffle taxa increased by 20%. The number of taxa was reduced most in the 15%D treatment followed by the 15%A treatment. The 75%A retention treatment showed the least reduction in number of fruiting taxa. After treatment, sporocarp production declined in all treatments, but these effects varied by season and treatment. Sporocarp production was nearly eliminated from the 15%A retention treatment. Mushroom and truffle production were significantly reduced in the 15%D treatment, though spring truffle biomass was maintained at 33% of the pre-treatment value. No treatment effect was detected on the fall mushroom or truffle standing crop in the 40%D treatment. Our results lend support to the use of dispersed green-tree retention in combination with aggregated retention when maintaining sporocarp production is a goal. Such a mix would ameliorate the effects of clearcutting as demonstrated in this study and may maintain higher levels of sporocarp production in the aggregates by reducing edge effects.
Catalytic palladium-mediated tetraene carbocyclizations: diastereoselective deuteration and its convenient analysis by a difference spin polarization transfer (DSPT) NMR experiment

Abstract The palladium-catalyzed cascade cyclization of certain tetraene substrates proceeds in the presence of a deuterium source with stereoselective deuteration exocyclic to the newly formed carbocycle. The diastereoselectivity is established via the novel application of a difference spin polarization transfer (DSPT) NMR experiment.
Errors in alignment of center of pressure and foot coordinates affect predicted lower extremity torques

The purpose of the study was to quantify the effect of errors in spatial alignment between the center of pressure recorded from a force platform and the coordinates of the foot recorded from film on resultant joint torques in the lower extremity during the stance phase of gait. Two-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data from eight subjects performing walking and running were analyzed using inverse dynamics with the obtained center of pressure values and with +/- 0.5 and +/- 1.0 cm shifts in the anteroposterior location of the center of pressure under the support foot. Shifting the center of pressure posteriorly increased the flexor (dorsiflexor) torques at the hip and ankle and decreased the extensor (plantarflexor) torques at these joints. This shift also caused an increase in the extensor and a decrease in the flexor torques at the knee. Shifting the center of pressure anteriorly caused the opposite effects at each joint. The +/- 0.5 and +/- 1.0 cm shifts in the location of the center of pressure caused, on average, 7 and 14% changes, respectively, in maximum joint torque and angular impulse values. Relative transition times between flexor and extensor torques were either increased or decreased, on average, by 7 and 13%, respectively for the two conditions over all trials. Based on these results, it is concluded that due to potential errors in the spatial alignment of kinetic and kinematic data, joint torques in the literature on gait should be considered as approximations of the true values.
Individual variability in tail tendon fiber break time in three age cohorts of ifferent strains of mice

Individual variability in mouse tail tendon fiber denaturation in urea was investigated. Differences in break time between fibers within tendons and between tendon groups were examined. Mean break times for each strain increased with age with the shorter-lived DBA/2 mice exhibiting higher break times within age cohorts than the C57BL/6 animals. Fibers from the two ventral tendon groups had consistently higher break times than those from the two dorsal groups, implying differential rates of collagen maturation between these two areas within the tail. Histological examination revealed conspicuous morphological dorsal/ventral differences in tendon number, proximity to a major blood vessel, and the amount of surrounding muscle tissue. These findings have methodological and experimental design implications for the use of tail tendon break time (TTBT) as a biomarker of aging. Furthermore, they suggest possible physiological mechanisms for differential rates of collagen aging.
Using Hidden Markov Models to Detect Mode Changes in Aircraft Flight Data for Conflict Resolution

Verification and validation of conflict detection and resolution aids is critical in the air traffic management domain. With increasing capacity and safety constraints, the automation of critical tasks to reduce controller workload becomes essential. Classic aircraft conflict resolution strategies involve separating projected conflicting aircraft via altitude. However, the ability to sense, process and actuate upon aircraft data is a non-trivial task. Models of aircraft trajectories are non-linear and stochastic in nature; and their internal parameters are often poorly defined. Verifiable techniques for mode detection are critical in order to enable the accurate projection of aircraft conflicts, and for the enactment of altitude separation resolution strategies. In this paper, we use learning techniques from hidden Markov modeling in order to tune the discrete and continuous parameters of a stochastic hybrid model in order to perform mode detection upon actual flight track data. Comparisons of aircraft in ascending, descending and level flight are performed, and unknown flight track data is evaluated probabilistically against the tuned model.
The field and carrier waves in a semi-infinite semiconductor

A rigorous treatment of the transverse magnetic field waves and carrier waves is given without use of the so-called quasi-static approximation. The assumption of zero diffusion is not used. The field waves are characteristic of EM waves in a lossy medium ; the carrier waves consist of two types : the solenoidal and non-solenoidal waves. It is found that the solenoidal wave may include leaky modes. Equivalent surface admittance and a dielectric constant are obtained on using Barybin's free boundary conditions.
SIMULATION OF METHANE PARTIAL OXIDATION OVER SILICA-SUPPORTED MOO3 AND V2O5

Microkinetic simulations have been carried out to describe the partial oxidation of methane over silica-supported molybdena and vanadia. The objective of this study was to formulate a physically reasonable reaction network to capture the basic aspects of the surface catalytic chemistry and to use this network to link methane oxidation kinetics with the kinetics observed for the oxidation of subsequent gaseous products, i.e., methanol, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide. The most abundant reactive intermediates on the catalyst surface are suggested to be oxygen and hydroxyl groups. This reaction network successfully predicts the catalytic activities, selectivities, activation energies, and reaction orders observed over silica-supported molybdena and vanadia; and the microkinetic model also semiquantitatively explains the kinetic trends for related catalyst systems and is consistent with surface bonding energetics reported in the literature over various oxide catalysts. The microkinetic reaction network properly reduces to the more simple macrokinetic model reported previously for methane partial oxidation.
Ligand trapping in epithelial layers and cell cultures

We analyze a stochastic model that describes receptor-mediated ligand trapping in epithelial layers and cell culture assays. In both cases, the problem is reduced to diffusion of a Brownian particle between the partially absorbing and reflective surfaces. We derive an analytical expression for the spatial distribution of the trapping points and identify the domains of applicability of the two limiting regimes. We conclude that a thin layer approximation is applicable for ligand trapping in epithelial layers while a typical cell culture experiment is appropriately described within an infinite layer approximation.
Models for Verdoheme Hydrolysis. Paramagnetic Products from the Ring Opening of Verdohemes, 5-Oxaporphyrin Complexes of Iron(II), with Methoxide Ion

Studies of the reaction of 5-oxaporphyrin iron complexes (verdohemes) with methoxide ion have been undertaken to provide models for the initial step in hydrolysis of verdohemes. Treatment of both low-spin [(py)2FeII(OEOP)]Cl and high-spin {ClFeII(OEOP)} (OEOP is the monoanion of octaethyl-5-oxaporphyrin) with methoxide ion in either pyridine or methanol solution is shown to cause ring opening and addition of methoxide to one end of the tetrapyrrole. Black {FeII(OEBOMe)}2 has been isolated in crystalline form from the reaction of {ClFeII(OEOP)} with methoxide in methanol and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecule has a centrosymmetric dimeric structure composed of two helical Fe(OEBOMe) units with FeN4 coordination which are connected by a pair of Fe−O bonds. Each iron ion has approximately trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Evidence is presented which suggests that {FeII(OEBOMe)}2 dissolves in dichloromethane in the presence of methanol or pyridine to form high-spin {(MeOH)nFeII(OEBOMe)} or...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Invasive Evaluation of Development of Heart Failure in Transgenic Mice With Myocardial Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Background—Transgenic mice expressing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in cardiac myocytes develop dilated cardiomyopathy, but the temporal progression to cardiac dysfunction is not well characterized. We asked (1) Does magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provide a reproducible assessment of cardiac output in mice that correlates with invasive measurements obtained with thermodilution? (2) What is the time course of left ventricular (LV) remodeling in transgenic mice with myocardial expression of TNF-α? Methods and Results—Transgenic mice from 2 different lineages with differing amounts of myocardial TNF-α expression [lineage 1 (L1) and lineage 2 (L2)] and littermate controls (LC) were studied. In protocol 1, cardiac output (CO) and stroke volume (SV) were measured by MRI and thermodilution (TD) in 15 mice (3 L1, 4 L2, 8 LC). In protocol 2, 23 mice (7 L1, 8 L2, 8 LC) were scanned at 1 month of life and every 4 weeks thereafter. In both protocols, cine-MRI was performed with the use of a 1.5-T clinical system ...
Time-resolved resonance Raman (TR3) spectroscopy. structural identification of an intermediate in the photolysis of trans-stilbene dianions

Abstract Time-resolved resonance Raman (TR3) spectroscopy was used to monitor the photolysis of the dianion of (trans-stilbene (T2−) induced by pulsed laser excitation at 532.0 nm. Reaction times were between 2 and 500 μs. A short-lived intermediate formed in the photolysis was identified by its TR3 spectrum as the trans-radical anion of stilbene (T—). The reformation of T2− from T− was qualitatively monitored by TR3 spectroscopy and found to be completed in less than 300 μs.
Rearing conditions alter social reactivity and D1 dopamine receptors in high- and low-aggressive mice

As a result of selective breeding, NC900 mice exhibit isolation-induced attacks in a social interaction test, whereas NC100 mice do not attack but freeze instead. Administration of the D1 receptor agonist dihydrexidine was previously shown to reduce aggression in NC900 mice and nonagonistic approaches in NC100 mice. This resulted from induction of a marked social reactivity in both selected lines. Because isolation rearing also induces social reactivity, the present experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that D1 dopamine receptors mediate isolation-induced social reactivity. Isolation was expected to potentiate the effects of a D1 agonist and to increase D1 dopamine receptor density. Thus, isolated and groupreared mice were administered dihydrexidine, and their social behavior was compared to vehicle-injected controls. Dihydrexidine induced higher levels of reactivity among isolated than among group-reared animals, especially in NC900 mice. In independent experiments, increased densities of D1 dopamine receptors in the striatum of isolated animals were found, with no change in affinity. These studies suggest an important role for the D1 dopamine receptor as a mediator of isolation-induced social reactivity.
Decoupled torque control of tendon-driven fingers with tension management

To facilitate human assembly tasks, Robonaut 2 is equipped with a dexterous, compact hand featuring fingers driven remotely by tendons. This work outlines the force-control strategy for the fingers, which are actuated by an ân + 1â tendon arrangement. Existing tendon-driven fingers have applied force control through independent tension controllers on each tendon, in other words, in the tendon space. The coupled kinematics of the tendons, however, cause such controllers to exhibit a transient coupling in their response. This problem can be resolved by alternatively framing the controllers in the joint space of the finger. A joint-space torque control law is proposed here that demonstrates a decoupled response with a faster settling time than an equivalent tendon-space formulation. In addition, a tension distribution algorithm is presented here to translate joint torque commands into tendon tensions. It guarantees that each tendon tension respects both an upper and a lower bound, using an efficient, finitely-convergent algorithm. These two contributions provide for a compliant, well-controlled hand, aptly suited for unstructured interaction.
A robust SN-DG-approximation for radiation transport in optically thick and diffusive regimes

We introduce a new discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method with reduced upwind stabilization for the linear Boltzmann equation applied to particle transport. The asymptotic analysis demonstrates that the new formulation does not suffer from the limitations of standard upwind methods in the thick diffusive regime; in particular, the new method yields the correct diffusion limit for any approximation order, including piecewise constant discontinuous finite elements. Numerical tests on well-established benchmark problems demonstrate the superiority of the new method. The improvement is particularly significant when employing piecewise constant DG approximation for which standard upwinding is known to perform poorly in the thick diffusion limit.
Pricing dericative securities in incomplete markets

We propose the algorithms for pricing American and European options in incomplete markets. We consider a non-self-financing replicating portfolio and minimize the hedging error consisting of the self-financing error of the portfolio dynamics and the error of the option's payoff replication. We treat the pricing problem as regression with constraints and reduce it to a quadratic minimization problem. The algorithms of pricing American and European options differ in imposing one additional type of constraints. Prices of options for different initial and strike prices can be found in one optimization run. The algorithms create a table representing the option price as a function of time and the underlying stock price for the whole lifetime of the option. We illustrate the numerical performance of the algorithms with options on futures contracts in natural gas market.
Berlin without Borders?: Urban Anthems in Twenty-First-Century Popular Music

Popular Berlin “anthems” both attest and contribute to the social, political, and cultural tensions that accompany the complex process of identity formation in the urban capital and the projection of its global image. An integral aspect of its cosmopolitan identity, Berlin hosts an international party scene that incorporates the city's history of divisions and borders into a discourse about its own brand of “hipness.” This article analyzes several Berlin-based musicians and the songs that reflect a process of deterritorialization, recoding, and reterritorialization, consciously inserting Berlin-specific signifiers into the syntax of cultural globalization. These contemporary anthems acknowledge social realities while recoding musical genres in the service of a more multicultural, creative, and tolerant metropolis. The marketing and mainstreaming of edgy, urban soundscapes include the dislocations characteristic of a globalizing capital. Increasingly, songs about Berlin engage in remapping the local, provi...
Efficacy Expectations and Adherence: Evidence of Consumer Biases and Heuristics in Pharmaceutical Marketing

Pharmaceutical non-adherence is a major issue in both the United States and worldwide. In fact, lack of medication adherence has been called “America’s other drug problem.” It is estimated that globally only about 50 % of patients take their medicines as prescribed, and in the United States the annual cost of poor adherence has been estimated to be approximately $177 billion. In this chapter, we cull from the vast body of work in consumer behavior those theories of consumer processing that are directly relevant to this behavioral problem. Although many factors influence (non)adherence to medicines, we focus our chapter on perceived efficacy since a consumer’s perception of poor product efficacy is one of the primary reasons for non-adherence with a particular medicine and a major cause of brand switching. We identify the biases, heuristics, and lay theories consumers use to infer and judge pharmaceutical product efficacy at two primary stages of the evaluation process: pre-consumption efficacy expectations that drive initial adherence and post-consumption efficacy judgments that drive continued adherence. For example, consumers employ a no-pain-no-gain rule of thumb when judging product efficacy such that products with stronger side effects or bad taste are judged more effective than those without. Given the detrimental consequences of non-adherence in terms of health risks to consumers and losses for the pharmaceutical industry in general, we suggest that efforts to enhance efficacy perceptions are key in creating value for all constituents in the pharmaceutical marketing chain—from manufacturers to end users.
The Inflammatory Syndrome: The Role of Adipose Tissue Cytokines in Metabolic Disorders Linked to Obesity

The metabolic effects of obesity have made this highly prevalent disease one of the most common risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, the leading causes of end-stage renal failure. However, obesity per se, as defined by body mass index, is less predictive of the development of these diseases than is the presence of a constellation of obesity-related abnormalities now known as the metabolic syndrome. Recognition of this syndrome, which can readily be identified in clinical settings using defined threshold values for waist circumference, BP, fasting glucose, and dyslipidemia, allows for earlier intervention in these high-risk patients. Systemic insulin resistance has been implicated as one possible factor that links visceral obesity to adverse metabolic consequences; however, the mechanism whereby adipose tissue causes alterations in insulin sensitivity remains unclear. Infection and inflammation are commonly associated with insulin resistance, and visceral obesity is associated with a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state, suggesting that inflammation may be a potential mechanism whereby obesity leads to insulin resistance. Moreover, adipose tissue is now recognized as an immune organ that secretes numerous immunomodulatory factors and seems to be a significant source of inflammatory signals known to cause insulin resistance. Therefore, inflammation within white adipose tissue may be a crucial step contributing to the emergence of many of the pathologic features that characterize the metabolic syndrome and result in diabetes and atherosclerosis. This review describes the role of proinflammatory cytokines and hormones released by adipose tissue in generating the chronic inflammatory profile associated with visceral obesity.
Spectral Analysis of Pulsed Volume Breakdown in $ \hbox{SF}_{6}$ at High Pressures

The Z-machine, which is located at Sandia National Laboratories, is currently undergoing refurbishment to increase the output drive current. Due to increased switching voltage requirements, some switch failure modes have been identified with the laser-triggered gas switch design, including envelope surface flashover. In order to improve the performance and lifetime of these switches, a basic understanding of the underlying physics of the failure mechanisms is required. A small-scale experimental setup has been constructed to approximate conditions within the switch. The possible impact of the SF6 volume spark between the switch electrodes on the envelope surface flashover is investigated. Measured optical spectra of the SF6 volume spark over a wide pressure range, from rough vacuum to 40 psig overpressure, are analyzed regarding their potential to contribute to switch failure.
A quantitative analysis of the response of short-finned pilot whales, Globicephala macrorhynchus, to biopsy sampling

Remote biopsy sampling has been used for almost 40 yr (Winn et al. 1973) to obtain tissue samples for various analyses, and is particularly important because most cetaceans are difficult or impossible to capture safely at sea (Noren and Mocklin 2011). It is generally assumed that there are few, if any, detrimental effects on the fitness of sampled animals. In support of this assumption, there has only been one documented case of death of a cetacean from a biopsy dart (Bearzi 2000), although it is possible deaths have occurred that have not been described in the published literature. Failure of the dart stopper and the poor body condition of the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) were believed responsible for the death of this animal, as the dart penetrated through its thin blubber layer. Many studies have reported qualitative and semiquantitative descriptions of the reactions of individual whales and dolphins to biopsy attempts. In most cases, descriptions of the response to biopsy sampling used qualitative and sometimes subjective observations, all limited to the behavior of sampled animals at the surface. Furthermore, the criteria used to assess response varied across studies, hindering comparisons across species and sites. Recently Noren and Mocklin (2011) performed an extensive and very useful review of the behavioral and physical reactions of mysticetes and odontocetes to biopsy attempts and standardized categories of behavioral response. They concluded that most odontocetes exhibit a low level of response (e.g., short-term startle response, immediate dive, increase of speed), while low and moderate levels of responses were equally prevalent for mysticetes. Their review also revealed that wounds from biopsy darts typically heal quickly, with no signs of infection. It is apparent from Noren and Mocklin’s (2011) review that there has been little quantitative analysis of the behavioral reactions of cetaceans to biopsy sampling due
PYK2/CAKβ Represents a Redox-Sensitive Tyrosine Kinase in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells☆

Abstract In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), the focal adhesion kinase-related tyrosine kinase PYK2/CAKβ is activated by vascular mitogens. Because reactive oxygen species (ROS) are assumed to mediate mitogenic signals by these agonists, we examined the possible link between ROS and PYK2 in cultured rat VSMCs. Here we present several lines of evidence showing that PYK2 is activated by ROS in VSMCs. The inhibitory effect of an antioxidant, N -acetyl-cysteine, on PYK2 activation by its specific agonists further suggests the pivotal role of PYK2 in vascular remodeling associated with enhanced ROS production.
An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Two Tactics to Reduce Arousal in Crowded Mass Transit Settings1

Studies of crowding in various settings have shown that individuals are aroused and frequently suffer from ill health. Several studies have shown that it is possible to successfully intervene in residential, shopping, and classroom settings to reduce the negative effects of crowding. The present laboratory experiment assessed the effectiveness of two tactics commonly used by passengers in crowded mass transit settings. Results indicated that the two tactics, reading a newspaper or talking to others, failed to reduce arousal. An explanation for the failure of these tactics is offered.
FSK demodulation with an adaptive direct form II filter

An adaptive second-order direct-form II digital filter is used for frequency-shift keying (FSK) demodulation. The adaptive filter is a bandpass filter, whose filter coefficients are self-adjusted to minimize the mean square of an error signal, which is formed by subtracting the band-pass output from the input signal. The gradient of adaptation can be found by correlating the error signal with the output of a sensitivity filter. After adaptation the resonant frequency of the adaptive filter equals the frequency of the sinusoidal input signal, which is corrupted with noise. Explicit formulas are derived for the noise variance in the filter coefficients and the frequency detector. Optimum transmitter carrier frequencies are calculated for an M-ary FSK, as well as the optimum threshold frequencies, which are used in the detector to determine the transmitted value. A formula for the number of samples needed for convergence of the adaptive filter has been derived. Using this formula one can calculate the optimum value of the adaptation constant mu for an adaptive direct-form II digital filter with a given bandwidth and a given adaptation time. >
Wrong-way behavior of packed-bed reactors; Influence of reactant adsorption on support

Wrong-way behavior refers to a large transient temperature increase caused by a sudden reduction in the feed temperature or increase in the feed rate to a packed-bed reactor operating at an intermediate or high level of conversion. This dynamic temperature rise may be affected by reactant adsorption on the inert catalyst support. The wrong-way behavior usually leads to formation of a downstream-moving temperature front. In such cases, reactant adsorption tends to moderate and decrease the maximal transient temperature of these fronts. However, when the wrong-way behavior generates an upstream-moving temperature front, reactant adsorption may substantially increase the temperature rise over that attained in its absence and ignite the reactor. Reactant adsorption may also lead to surprising dynamic effects upon changes in feed velocity.
Sleep-disordered breathing in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to assess the prevalence and severity of sleep apnea in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) referred for overnight polysomnography (PSG) and to explore the radiographic and clinical features that might signal risk for undiagnosed sleep apnea. Methods: Apnea-hypopnea (AHI) and central apnea indices (CAI) from laboratory-based PSG among 48 patients with MS were compared with those of group A, 84 sleep laboratory−referred patients without MS matched for age, gender, and body mass index; and group B, a separate group of 48 randomly selected, referred patients. Results: Mean AHI was higher among patients with MS than among control groups A or B (2-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression, p = 0.0011 and 0.0118, respectively). Median and mean CAI were also increased among patients with MS in comparison to control groups (Wilcoxon signed rank and multiple linear regression, p = 0.0064 and 0.0027, respectively). Among MS patients with available data, those with evidence of brainstem involvement, compared with groups A and B, showed particularly robust differences in AHI ( p = 0.0060 and 0.0016) and CAI ( p = 0.0215 and Conclusions: These data suggest a predisposition for obstructive sleep apnea and accompanying central apneas among patients with MS, particularly among those with brainstem involvement.
Development of a method for estimation of food and fluid intakes by nursing assistants in long-term care facilities: a pilot study.

Abstract The objective of this study, conducted at a 180-bed nursing home in Miami, FL, was to develop and evaluate a food and fluid intake estimation method designed specifically for practical, day-to-day use in nursing homes. Nursing assistants assisted in the development of the Food and Fluid Estimation Diagram (FFED) by providing feedback on existing estimation methods. The FFED employs depictions of generic foods/food groups commonly served in nursing homes that are partially to fully shaded to represent 5 consumption levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%). To evaluate the FFED, nursing assistant (n=12) estimates of 32 food and fluid items across 4 simulated resident trays (n=384 total estimates) were compared to weighed values. Percent agreement and Cohen's κ were used to evaluate validity, and Cronbach's α and the κ statistic were used to evaluate reliability. Results revealed that 85% of the 384 intake estimates for the simulated food items were correct (Cohen's κ=0.80, P P P J Am Diet Assoc. 2003;103:873-877.
Frequency notched UWB elliptical dipole tag with multi-bit data scattering properties

A novel method is presented to assign and recover multi-bit data in a metallic tag structure. A planar elliptical dipole tag was used as an ultra wideband structure. Two arms of this dipole were connected to each other through a metallic strip. Notch frequencies were introduced by placing slots in the elliptical dipole structure. The simulation results revealed that these frequencies could be recovered in the RCS spectrum.
Agonistic screams differ among four species of macaques: the significance of motivation-structural rules

Abstract We compared screams of four species of macaques (rhesus monkey, Macaca mulatta ; pigtailed monkey, M. nemestrina ; Sulawesi crested black macaque, M. nigra ; stumptailed macaque, M. arctoides ) with respect to predictions of Morton's motivation-structural rules (Morton 1977, American Naturalist , 111, 855–869). We examined screams produced by victims of attack that involved contact aggression (pulling, pushing, slapping, grappling and biting) from a higher-ranking opponent. For each macaque species, we digitized 100 screams from females 3 years of age or older and measured acoustic features of each call. We used discriminant function analysis to determine whether the 400 vocalizations could be assigned to the correct caller species on the basis of their acoustic structure. Calls were assigned to the correct species at a significantly higher rate (93.5%) than expected by chance (25%). Each of the four macaque species used acoustically distinct screams in a shared context. While the differences in the macaque species' vocalizations suggest no simple correlation between immediate context and the acoustic forms of screams, there was general correspondence between the acoustic structure predicted by motivation-structural rules and inferences about the internal state of the vocalizer derived from the typical intensity of aggressive patterns that characterize each of the four species.
SAMPLING VARIANCES OF HETEROZYGOSITY AND GENETIC DISTANCE

Mathematical formulae for the sampling variances of average heterozygosity and Nei's genetic distance are developed. These sampling variances are decomposed into their two components, i.e. the inter-locus and intra-locus variances. The relationship between the number of loci and the number of individuals per locus to be examined for estimating average heterozygosity and genetic distance is also discussed. The utility of the inter-locus variance of heterozygosity for studying the mechanism of maintenance of genetic variability in populations is indicated.
Blushing Beauty. Characterizing Blushes in Chariton's Callirhoe

This paper contributes to the study of the characterization of Callirhoe, the heroine in Chariton of Aphrodisias' ancient Greek novel of the same name (first/second century AD). By proposing a new reading of Callirhoe's character, I suggest that it is time to revise some of the widely-held views on the characterization of Greek novel protagonists. Starting from the assumption that both invariable and variable physical features of a literary character's appearance were likely to be understood by the ancient readers as indices of its character, I briefly deal with the absence of invariable physical features in Callirhoe's representation. Subsequently, I focus on one variable physical feature, namely blushing, and argue that Chariton uses this feature to construct an evolution in Callirhoe's character.
Insights into the Mechanism of Deubiquitination by JAMM Deubiquitinases from Cocrystal Structures of the Enzyme with the Substrate and Product.

AMSH, a conserved zinc metallo deubiquitinase, controls downregulation and degradation of cell-surface receptors mediated by the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. It displays high specificity toward the Lys63-linked polyubiquitin chain, which is used as a signal for ESCRT-mediated endosomal–lysosomal sorting of receptors. Herein, we report the crystal structures of the catalytic domain of AMSH orthologue Sst2 from fission yeast, its ubiquitin (product)-bound form, and its Lys63-linked diubiquitin (substrate)-bound form at 1.45, 1.7, and 2.3 A, respectively. The structures reveal that the P-side product fragment maintains nearly all the contacts with the enzyme as seen with the P portion (distal ubiquitin) of the Lys63-linked diubiquitin substrate, with additional coordination of the Gly76 carboxylate group of the product with the active-site Zn2+. One of the product-bound structures described herein is the result of an attempt to cocrystallize the diubiquitin substrate ...
Normal Functions and Constructive Ordinal Notations

An r-normal function is a strictly increasing continuous function from r to r where r is a regular ordinal > ω (identify an ordinal with the set of smaller ordinals). Given an r-normal function f one can form a sequence {f(x, −)} x 0, f(x, −) enumerates in order {z ∣ f(y, z) = z for all y r of r-normal functions which extend the Veblen hierarchy on f. We will show how these sequences—Bachmann hierarchies—yield extremely natural constructive notations for ordinals in various initial segments of the second number class. We will also consider various other techniques for obtaining constructive ordinal notations and relate them to the notations obtained by Bachmann's and Isles's techniques. In particular, we will use these notations to characterize as directly and as usefully as we can various of Takeuti's systems of constructive ordinal notations, which he calls ordinal diagrams ([31], [32]).
Linking Information Sharing And Supplier Network Responsiveness With Delivery Dependability Of A Firm

The twenty first century organization is required to provide accurate on time deliveries in addition to providing high quality products at low costs. This can be achieved if various processes within and between the organizations are streamlined and well defined. Several studies have indicated the significance of various manufacturing (or internal) practices that are instrumental in creating time-based competitive capability. Collaborative relations and information sharing practices with suppliers have long been believed to positively impact the responsiveness and delivery performance of organizations and supply chains. Responsive suppliers can play a key role in affecting a firm’s own delivery performance. This research investigates and tests the relationships between information sharing practices of a firm, supplier network responsiveness, and delivery dependability of a firm. The large scale web-based survey yielded 294 responses from industry professionals in the manufacturing and supply chain area. The proposed relationships were tested using structural equation modeling. The research findings point out that higher level of information sharing practices can lead to improved supplier network responsiveness, and higher levels of supplier network responsiveness can have a direct positive impact on delivery dependability of a firm. The implications of our findings are discussed and directions for future research are provided.
Adaptive strategy for restricted-sampling noisy low-rank matrix completion

In this paper we propose a novel adaptive algorithm that provably performs low-rank matrix completion (LRMC) from restricted sets of observations, under ideal or noisy measurements, in lieu of coherence assumptions, with minimal sampling rates and optimal computational complexity. We discuss the main advantages of the adaptive setting of LRMC, and complement our theoretical analysis with experiments, illustrating the effectiveness of our algorithm.