cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variability in Wood-Frame Building Damage using Broad-Band Synthetic Ground Motions: A Comparative Numerical Study with Recorded Motions

Earthquake damage to light-frame wood buildings is a major concern for North America because of the volume of this construction type. In order to estimate wood building damage using synthetic ground motions, we need to verify the ability of synthetically generated ground motions to simulate realistic damage for this structure type. Through a calibrated damage potential indicator, four different synthetic ground motion models are compared with the historically recorded ground motions at corresponding sites. We conclude that damage for sites farther from the fault (>20 km) is under-predicted on average and damage at closer sites is sometimes over-predicted.
Plasma lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in the golden-mantled ground squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis): a comparison between pre-hibernators and hibernators.

Abstract 1. 1. The concentrations of total cholesterol (free cholesterol plus cholesteryl ester) in the plasma and in two lipoprotein fractions of golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis) were measured during pre-hibernation and compared to those values measured during hibernation. 2. 2. Hibernating ground squirrels had significantly higher (P 3. 3. Hibernating squirrels additionally exhibited significantly higher (P 0.005) total plasma cholesterol concentration per high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration (TPC/HDL-C) ratios than did pre-hibernating squirrels. 4. 4. The significant differences in the lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations observed in this study suggest that lipoprotein metabolism in pre-hibernators was significantly different from that in hibernators and was a reflection of the marked biochemical and physiological adjustments these animals must undergo during their transition from pre-hibernation to hibernation.
Cationic Photoinitiators: Solid State Photochemistry of Triphenylsulfonium Salts

Abstract Triphenylsulfonium bromide, triflate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluoroarsenate, hexafluorophosphate and hexafluoroantimonate were irradiate in solution and in the solid state. The photoproducts, 2-, 3- and 4-phenylthiobiophenyl are formed by an in-cage fragmentation-recombination mechanism, whereas diphenylsulfide is formed by a cage-escape reaction. In dilute solution, the ratio of cage to escape products is approximately one for each salt. Also in concentrated solutions, an identical cage : escape ratio is observed for all salts except for the bromide, which favors the escape reaction. Photolysis of the salts in the solid state shows remarkable counter ion dependence and cage : escape ratios as high as 5 : 1 are observed. The mechanism for both in-cage and escape reactions is described.
Drinking and driving among college students: the influence of alcohol-control policies.

Abstract Background Studies have reported high rates of heavy episodic drinking and alcohol-related problems, including drinking and driving, among college students. However, most studies have been conducted in single colleges or states. This study used a national sample to examine policy factors associated with alcohol-involved driving. Methods A random sample of full-time students (N=10,904) attending a nationally representative sample of 4-year colleges in 39 states ( n =119) completed self-administered questionnaires. The questionnaire examined driving after consuming any alcohol, driving after ≥5 drinks, and riding with a high or drunk driver. Individual-level data about driving after ≥5 drinks were linked to information on the policy environment at both local and state levels and to ratings of enforcements for drunk driving laws. Results Drinking and driving behaviors are prevalent among a minority of college students and differ significantly among student subgroups. Students who attend colleges in states that have more restrictions on underaged drinking, high volume consumption, and sales of alcoholic beverages, and devote more resources to enforcing drunk driving laws, report less drinking and driving. Conclusion The occurrence of drinking and driving among college students differs significantly according to the policy environment at local and state levels and the enforcement of those policies. Comprehensive policies and their strong enforcement are promising interventions to reduce drinking and driving among college students.
Gas generation from water adsorbed onto pure plutonium dioxide powder

The production of H2 from alpha-particle radiolysis of water adsorbed onto plutonium dioxide powders has been studied. Plutonium dioxide powders with specific surface areas of 1.0 and 21 m2/g were used. The specific surface area strongly affects the amount of water adsorbed. At water coverage between 1 and 2 monolayers the H2 yield per unit of energy deposited into the water is found to be between 0.05 and 0.13 molecules of H2 per 100 eV adsorbed dose (5 to 12 nmols/s W). The H2 yield increases to between 0.29 and 0.58 molecules per 100 eV adsorbed dose (28 to 56 nmol/s W) when the number of adsorbed monolayers of water is between 10 and 20. The latter H2 yield is similar to that of liquid water of 0.45 molecules per 100 eV adsorbed dose
MBE Growth of IV-VI Nanowires on a Self-organized Template

We present the experimental results for the first known molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of quasi-one-dimensional PbSe wires on technologically relevant silicon.In this work, we describe the growth and characterization of low-dimensional IV-VI semiconductors as they evolve from one-dimensional dot/dot-chains to one-dimensional structures on a self-organized template epitaxially grown on Si(110). In situ and ex situ characterization were performed at various stages throughout growth by reflection high energy electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and non-contact atomic force microscopy. Initial growths resulted in some preferential alignment of the PbSe dot-chains parallel to the self-organized template in the [-110] direction. By reducing the substrate temperature and increasing the supplemental Se flux, the morphology of dot-chains extend into lengthened one-dimensional structures. This is an important milestone in the fabrication of PbSe quantum wires on technologically relevant silicon.
Locating a Surveillance Infrastructure in and Near Ports or on Other Planar Surfaces to Monitor Flows

: A safety and security issue of concern for traffic managers and homeland security is the monitoring of flows on “planar surfaces,” such as ports and border areas. This article addresses the problem of locating surveillance radars to cover a given target surface that may have barriers through which radar signals cannot penetrate. The area of coverage of a radar is assumed to be a disc, or a partial disc when there are barriers, with a known radius. The article shows that the corresponding location problems relate to two well studied problems: the set-covering model and the maximal covering problem. In the first problem, the minimum number of radars is to be located to completely cover the target area; in the second problem a given number M of radars are to be located to cover the target area as much as possible. Based on a discrete representation of the target area, a Lagrangian heuristic and a two-stage procedure with a conquer-and-divide scaling are developed to solve the above two models. The computational experiences reported demonstrate that the developed method solves well the radar location problems formulated here.
The Use and Evolution of Stories as a Mode of Problem Representation: Soviet and French Military Officers Face the Loss of Empire

stories and those after the losses of empire are examined to test the hypothesis that when a military experiences the loss of its state's empire, officers willformulate a new story that justifies the change in its status, and that this new story will motivate new patterns of civil-military relations in the post-imperial era. The hypothesis finds general support, and stories are found to be a useful vehicle in understanding differences between groups of military officers. An analysis of how officers' stories change over time yields intriguing results as to how mutable stories are and which elements of a story are most likely to change first. In particular, expansion of the level of a goal is found to be a representational response to the political stimulus of loss of empire.
Normative emotion-modulated startle response in individuals at risk for schizophrenia–spectrum disorders

The nature of the affective deficit that characterizes social anhedonia is not well understood. Emotionally evocative visual stimuli were presented to undergraduates identified as anhedonic or normal, based on their scores on the revised Social Anhedonia Scale. The affective stimuli were chosen to elicit positive and negative emotion; a subset of slides were specifically chosen to include social-interpersonal content. In the acoustic startle paradigm, participants were administered startle probes (50-ms 95 dB white noise bursts) while viewing images from the International Affective Picture System. Socially anhedonic individuals did not differ from normally hedonic individuals in terms of their physiological response to the stimuli, regardless of the nature of the content of the stimuli. However, on the self-report measures of trait affectivity, the socially anhedonic individuals reported significantly lower levels of positive affect and higher levels of negative affect. These findings suggest that the affective deficits reported by socially anhedonic individuals are not global in nature.
The role of low clouds in determining climate sensitivity in response to a doubling of CO2 as obtained from 16 mixed-layer models

The effects that low clouds in sub-tropical to tropical latitudes have in determining a given model’s climate sensitivity is investigated by analyzing the cloud data produced by 16 “slab” or mixed-layer models submitted to the PCMDI and CFMIP archives and their respective response to a doubling of CO2. It is found that, within the context of the 16 models analyzed, changes of these low clouds appear to play a major role in determining model sensitivity but with changes of middle cloud also contributing especially from middle to higher latitudes. It is noted that the models with the smallest overall cloud change produce the smallest climate sensitivities and vice versa although the overall signs of the respective cloud feedbacks are positive. It is also found that the amounts of low cloud as simulated by the respective control runs have very little correlation with their respective climate sensitivities. In general, the overall latitude-height patterns of cloud change as derived from these more recent experiments agree quite well with those obtained from much earlier studies which include increases of the highest cloud, decreases of cloud lower down in the middle and lower tropospheric and small increases of low clouds. Finally, other mitigating factors are mentioned which could also affect the spread of the resulting climate sensitivities.
Heparin Displaces Interferon-γ-Inducible Chemokines (IP-10, I-TAC, and Mig) Sequestered in the Vasculature and Inhibits the Transendothelial Migration and Arterial Recruitment of T Cells

Background— Heparin, used clinically as an anticoagulant, also has antiinflammatory properties and has been described to inhibit interferon (IFN)-γ responses in endothelial cells. We investigated the effects of heparin on the IFN-γ–inducible chemokines IP-10/CXCL10, I-TAC/CXCL11, and Mig/CXCL9, which play important roles in the vascular recruitment of IFN-γ–producing Th1 cells through interactions with their cognate receptor, CXCR3. Methods and Results— Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were studied because coronary atherosclerosis is recognized as a Th1-type inflammatory disease and the subjects required systemic heparinization. Plasma levels of IP-10, I-TAC, and Mig increased immediately after heparin administration and diminished promptly after heparin antagonism with protamine. These effects were independent of detectable circulating IFN-γ or the IFN-γ inducer interleukin-12. We confirmed previous reports that heparin inhibits the IFN-γ–dependent production of CXCR3 chemokine ligands...
Role of Intimal Hyperplasia and Arterial Remodeling After Balloon Angioplasty: An Experimental Study in the Atherosclerotic Rabbit Model

Abstract The arterial response to injury appears to be an important factor in the development of restenosis. Traditionally, intimal hyperplasia has been thought to be the primary mechanism responsible for restenosis. However, recent studies have found that arterial remodeling is a major determinant of lumen loss after balloon angioplasty. In this study, we evaluated the actual separate contributions of intimal hyperplasia and arterial remodeling to the restenotic process after balloon angioplasty in the atherosclerotic rabbit model. One month after induction of focal atherosclerotic lesions, femoral arteries were randomized to receive treatment with either two or six balloon inflations. One group of rabbits was euthanized immediately after angioplasty to evaluate the initial degree of injury with each dilatation strategy (“acute group”), and the rest were euthanized 28 days after angioplasty (“chronic group”). Arteries that had been treated with six inflations had a higher injury score than those treated with two (4.0±3.0 versus 1.9±1.5, P <.05). In the chronic group, there was a significant increase in intimal area in the six inflation–treated arteries compared with the two-inflation group (0.617±0.06 versus 0.432±0.05 mm2, P <.004). However, there was no significant difference in lumen cross-sectional area between groups. By multivariate analysis, the most important independent predictor of lumen area was the external elastic lamina (EEL) area, although the degree of intimal thickening was also a significant independent predictor. There was a strong, positive correlation between intimal area and EEL area: the larger the intimal area, the larger the EEL area ( r =.703, P <.0001). The intimal area was similar in both restenotic and nonrestenotic lesions. In contrast, EEL area was significantly larger (due to remodeling) in nonrestenotic lesions. This study confirms previous findings that the degree of injury determines the degree of neointimal proliferation and supports recent findings that chronic arterial remodeling plays a major role in the final lumen area. Understanding and controlling the remodeling process rather than concentrating solely on intimal hyperplasia may yield better results after balloon angioplasty in the future.
A different look at secure distributed computation

We discuss various aspects of secure distributed computation and look at weakening both the goals of such computation and the assumed capabilities of adversaries. We present a new protocol for a conditional form of probabilistic coordination and present a model of secure distributed computation in which friendly and hostile nodes are represented in competing interwoven networks of nodes. It is suggested that reasoning about goals, risks, tradeoffs, etc. for this model be done in a game theoretic framework.
A Visual Obstruction Technique for Photo Monitoring of Willow Clumps

Abstract Quantifying woody plant biomass has often proven difficult in the field for reasons that include irregular plant morphology, between-observer variability, and lack of standardized techniques. One potential solution to these challenges is the use of ground-based photographic technology. Our objective was to develop a photo-based technique that could be used to monitor changes in willow ( Salix spp.) biomass over time and estimate changes in biomass associated with herbivory. We focused on young willows (≤ 2 m in height) because this size class represents a critical life history stage for establishment of willow clumps. In August 2000 and 2001, we harvested 25 willow ( Salix boothii Dorn.) clumps and clamped them in front of a fluorescent orange photoboard (150 × 200 cm). Clumps were defoliated of leaves and tips of current annual stem growth (referred to as “biomass”) by hand in 4 to 7 increments and photographed before and after each removal. Images were scanned to digital format and the degree of photoboard obstruction was determined with Adobe® Photoshop® 4.0 software. Regression analysis indicated that visual obstruction of the photoboard was a good predictor of total clump biomass ( r 2 = 0.89, P r 2 = 0.92, P
Use of membrane‐covered rotating‐disk electrode to study binding of drugs to macromolecules: Competitive binding of 2‐(4′‐hydroxybenzeneazo)benzoic acid and α‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)‐α‐methylpropionic acid to serum albumins

A new technique is introduced to study the binding of drugs to macromolecules. The method utilizes rotating-disk polarography in which a semipermeable membrane covers the surface of the electrode. The membrane permits passage of an electroactive drug but restricts permeability of the macromolecule and of bound drug. The current generated at the electrode at steady state is directly proportional to the concentration of free drug in bulk solution, from which a calculation of the amount of drug bound may be made. The methodology used provides a complete characterization of binding within about 1 hr. and is, therefore, faster than conventional techniques presently used. Another advantage of this technique is that relatively small amounts of the compounds being studied are required. The method is compared with equilibrium dialysis and ultrafiltration techniques by studying the binding of 2-(4′-hydroxybenzeneazo)benzoic acid (I) to serum albumin and is found to give precisely the same results. α-(4-Chlorophenoxy)-α-methylpropionic acid (II), in previous spectrophotometric studies, showed an anomalous effect on the binding of I to rat serum albumin. At low concentrations, there was an indication that II may increase the binding of I to rat serum albumin. This phenomenon was reinvestigated using the new electrochemical method; it was found that II competitively inhibits the binding of I at all concentration levels of the inhibitor. The conclusion is reached that II affects the nature of the I binding site rather than the number of molecules bound.
Buchdahl's glass dispersion coefficients calculated in the near infrared.

Buchdahl’s chromatic coordinate provides a rapidly converging polynomial form for describing the dispersion of glass. A method of generating Buchdahl’s chromatic coordinate coefficients with a Code V sequence file is presented. The quadratic model coefficients for eighty-two glasses at a base wavelength of 0.830 μm are listed. When evaluating Buchdahl coefficients across different wavelength ranges (i.e., infrared or ultraviolet), the chromatic coordinate constant α can be changed to improve convergence of the refractive-index model.
The apparent inversion time for optimal delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging differs between the right and left ventricles.

Background. Delayed post-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging involves suppression of signal from myocardium using inversion times (TI) between 150–225 ms, when the myocardium appears dark and fibrotic scar appears bright. We noticed that at a TI optimized for signal suppression of the left ventricle (LV), the right ventricle (RV) appeared brighter. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the TI for signal suppression in RV compared to LV, and to try and identify the cause of this observation. Methods. We studied 31 patients (ages ranged from 17–79 years, 11 females) who had an MR scan on a 1.5 T GE scanner. Delayed post-contrast short-axis images were obtained 20 minutes after injection of 0.2 mmol/kg of intravenous gadolinium chelate. TI optimization was performed by acquiring a range of TI times within a single breath hold, in increments of 25 msec. The TI time that resulted in lowest signal for the RV and LV was recorded. Results. With the imaging sequence employed, the TI leading to LV signal suppression ranged from 150–225 ms. At the TI that resulted in LV signal suppression, the corrected signal from the RV was significantly higher as compared to the LV (29 ± 13 au vs. 15 ± 8 au, p < 0.001). The findings were similar using only the body coil. The TI required to suppress the RV was usually 150 msec. The observation persisted before and after gadolinium infusion. Conclusion. The TI for myocardial signal suppression appears to be different between LVand RV. Potential mechanisms include partial volume averaging with fat or blood pool (related to increased trabeculation) in the RV. Alternatively, increased blood pool signal (within Thebesian veins or arterioluminal communications) in RV compared to LV leads to altered TI times due to similar partial volume effects.
Evaluation of a Physician-Focused Educational Intervention on Medicaid Children with Asthma

BACKGROUND:The 1990 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act mandated drug utilization review in response to inappropriate drug use. In the Pennsylvania Medicaid program, pediatric asthma is associated with high healthcare utilization and cost.OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of a physician-focused educational intervention on asthma drug use and healthcare utilization.METHODS:Pre- and postintervention comparison design was used in children 5–18 years of age who were enrolled in the Pennsylvania Medicaid fee-for-service program from July 1, 1998, to March 31, 1999 (preintervention), and July 1, 1999, to March 31, 2000 (postintervention). The intervention packet included patients' drug profiles, medical history, monograph with national asthma management guidelines, and patient education materials to physicians. Main outcome measures are changes in asthma drug utilization among high-users of short-acting β2-agonists (SAB).RESULTS:The intervention focused on 2 asthma drug use criteria: (1) high-use of quick-relief...
Mixing of Solid-Liquid Suspensions

Abstract The physical principles relating to the mixing of solid-liquid suspensions are applied to the dispersion of solids in liquid by different types of equipment.
Ultralow Voltage Nanoelectronics Powered Directly, and Solely, From a Tree

Complex patterns of electrical potential differences exist across the structure of a tree. We have characterized these voltages, and measured values ranging from a few millivolts to a few hundred millivolts for Bigleaf maple trees. These potential differences provide a unique opportunity to power nanoelectronic circuits directly from a tree. We have designed, constructed, and successfully tested two ICs, powered solely through a connection to Bigleaf maple trees. The first circuit, built in a 130-nm technology, creates a stable 1.1 V supply from input voltages as low as 20 mV, and can be deployed to generate a usable voltage level for standard circuits. The second circuit, fabricated in 90-nm technology is a timer, operating at 0.045 Hz and can be used for time keeping in stand-alone sensor network nodes. The boost circuit and timer consume 10 and 2.5 nW of power during operation, respectively.
Plasmodium prevalence across avian host species is positively associated with exposure to mosquito vectors

The prevalence of vector-borne parasites varies greatly across host species, and this heterogeneity has been used to relate infectious disease susceptibility to host species traits. However, a few empirical studies have directly associated vector-borne parasite prevalence with exposure to vectors across hosts. Here, we use DNA sequencing of blood meals to estimate utilization of different avian host species by Culex mosquitoes, and relate utilization by these malaria vectors to avian Plasmodium prevalence. We found that avian host species that are highly utilized as hosts by avian malaria vectors are significantly more likely to have Plasmodium infections. However, the effect was not consistent among individual Plasmodium taxa. Exposure to vector bites may therefore influence the relative number of all avian Plasmodium infections among host species, while other processes, such as parasite competition and host-parasite coevolution, delimit the host distributions of individual Plasmodium species. We demonstrate that links between avian malaria susceptibility and host traits can be conditioned by patterns of exposure to vectors. Linking vector utilization rates to host traits may be a key area of future research to understand mechanisms that produce variation in the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens among host species.
Abstract T P413: Early Executive Dysfunction Predicts Poor Stroke Outcomes One Year Following Mild Ischemic Stroke

Background: Cognitive dysfunction has been considered a primary deficit to be addressed after mild stroke. Higher order cognitive deficits immediately after mild stroke may lead to poor longitudinal outcomes. However, existing stroke outcome studies tend to focus on physical capacity and mood rather than cognitive function. Aim: To examine contribution of acute impairment of executive function(EF) and verbal memory (VM) after mild stroke to one year outcomes on Stroke Impact Scale (SIS, health-related quality of life), Activity Card Sort (ACS, activity participation), and Reintegration to Normal Living (RNL, life satisfaction), independent of demographics, ADL and depression. Methods: Patients with ischemic stroke and initial NIHSS ≤ 5 enrolled in PROTECT-DC trial were included. Multiple linear regression analyses identified baseline variables significantly associated with each outcome of interest for all patients completing both baseline and one-year assessments. For each outcome, Model 1 included covariates: age, sex, race, education, lesion side, NIHSS, Barthel Index, Lawton IADL, and depression. In Model 2, all Model 1 variables and dichotomized cognitive variables (impaired versus not impaired) were entered into the equation. Examination of R2 change between Models 1 & 2 identified unique contributions of impaired EF or VM to each one-year outcome beyond Model 1 variables. Results: A total of 86 participants completed baseline assessment and one-year SIS were included for analyses. Our results show that EF was significantly and independently associated with the SIS total score beyond other baseline variables. Participants with acute EF deficits at baseline had poorer SIS outcome at one year: mean 7.47 lower SIS score compared to patients without EF deficits (p = .021). Similar results were found for ACS and RNL. Conclusion: Analyses suggest impact of EF deficits on activity participation, health-related quality of life, and life satisfaction one year after mild stroke. The findings highlight importance of assessment of EF deficits after mild stroke. We suggest that rehabilitation interventions aimed at improving long-term outcomes require careful consideration of assessing and treating EF deficits during the acute phase of mild stroke.
Pampers: the Launch of Pampers Rash Guard (a)

In this case, students must estimate the size of the market for Rash Guard diapers, a disposable diaper designed to treat and prevent diaper rash. In addition, students must evaluate P&G's proposed price for the new diapers.
EFFECTS OF L- AND D-THYROXINE ON CHOLESTEROL SYNTHESIS AND TURNOVER IN THE CHICK.

SummaryThe effect of L- and D-thyrox-ine on cholesterol synthesis and turnover in thyroidectomized and in normal untreated chicks has been compared using acetate-2-C14 and cholesterol-4-C14. (a). Although liver weights and liver cholesterol levels were not significantly different between the normal (EU) and iodoamino acid treated thyroidectomized chicks and those thyroidectomized without treatment, serum cholesterol levels were elevated only in the last group, (b). Appearance of labeled serum cholesterol after acetate-2-C14 injection, cholesterol synthesis after incubation of liver slices with acetate-2-C14, and cholesterol-4-C14 turnover in these various groups indicate that both L-thyroxine and D-thyroxine in the quantities used can stimulate cholesterol biosynthesis and turnover in a manner comparable to that found in the normal, (c). The data are discussed in the light of present concepts of the mode of action of thyroid substances on cholesterol metabolism, and the applicability of the findings to ma...
Use of Low Viscosity Expoxy Plastic Casts to Study Mammillary Core and Mammillary Knob Organization of Avian Eggshells

Abstract A technique has been developed to facilitate scanning electron microscopic analysis of eggshell mammillary formations with minimal physical disturbance to the shell. The method employs a low viscosity epoxy resin to make a negative replica of the mammillary surface. The cast can be viewed after decalcification using the scanning electron microscope without further physical manipulation which may cause structural artifacts.
The Origins and Evolution of Infrastructures for Peace: A Personal Reflection

I first began to formulate the concept of an infrastructure for peace in the 1980s. During several local and national peace processes, particularly a mediation effort in Nicaragua, the support mech...
Three-dimensional Mean Flow and Turbulence around a Spur Dike

This paper presents an experimental study conducted at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University of Minnesota. Flow field at the neighborhood of a spur dike was measured by using a SonTek 10 MHz Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV). Timehistory of velocities in all three spatial dimensions was recorded at 650 nodes near the dike. The time-averaged mean velocity and Reynolds stresses were calculated from the measurements. The results showed two counter-rotating secondary flow cells formed immediately downstream of the dike. The secondary flow cell at one side of the channel having the dike grows gradually, while the other cell decades until separated flows rejoin. These measurements clearly demonstrated the spatial distributions of turbulent normal stresses and Reynolds stresses. Additionally, bed shear stresses were calculated by using mean flow and turbulence Reynolds stresses. Bed shear stresses calculated by using Reynolds’ stresses are more accurate for approximating bed shear stresses field around the dike.
COMPARATIVE EVOLUTIONARY ANALYSIS OF METABOLISM IN NINE DROSOPHILA SPECIES.

To attain balanced and efficient metabolism, the genes encoding enzymes involved in intermediary metabolism must be coordinately regulated. Gross misregulation of these genes can result in deleterious metabolic imbalances, as seen in transgenic laboratory organisms with altered gene dosage. By quantifying the expression of enzymes in nine related species of Drosophila, we hoped to see patterns of coordinated changes that could be related to evolutionary constraints on regulation. The storage pools of triacylglycerols and glycogen were measured, and the activities of 12 enzymes in intermediary metabolism were also quantified. When these phenotypes were placed on the phylogeny of the Drosophila species, quantitative cladistic hypotheses could be tested. The method of independent phylogenetic contrasts provides a formal statistical test of the null hypothesis that phenotypic changes of pairs of characters on a phylogenetic tree are independent. For example, G6PD and 6PGD exhibited a wide range of activity variation among species, and interspecific comparisons suggested significant coregulation. Significant coordinated changes among clades of the Drosophila phylogeny were also seen for 6PGD-malic enzyme, glycogen synthase-fatty acid synthase, G6PD-GPDH, and 6PGD-glycogen synthase, which in most cases exhibited positive intraspecific genetic correlation. This was to be contrasted with the relation between fatty-acid synthesis and fat storage, which exhibits a strong positive correlation within D. melanogaster but no significant interspecific correlation. Limitations of inferring evolutionary constraints by contrasting intraspecific phenotypic variation to interspecific divergence are briefly discussed.
The Application of Propidium Iodide Staining to the Study of the Macronucleus and Micronuclei in the Suctorian, Heliophrya Sp

Morphological changes in the macronucleus and micronuclei of the ciliated protozoon Heliophrya chapmani were investigated using the nucleic acid-specific stain propidium iodide. The fluorescence patterns of nuclei observed in propidium iodide preparations correspond well with those observed using more conventional DNA-specific methods, such as the Feulgen stain. The advantages of propidium iodide staining (minimal cell loss during staining, rapidity of the staining process, and the avoidance of cell damage during hydrolysis) make this method a quick and efficient alternative in the cytochemical study of the protozoan nucleus.
Cell Mechanosensitivity Is Enabled by the LINC Nuclear Complex

Mechanoresponses in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) guide both differentiation and function. In this review, we focus on advances in0 our understanding of how the cytoplasmic cytoskeleton, nuclear envelope and nucleoskeleton, which are connected via LINC (Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton) complexes, are emerging as an integrated dynamic signaling platform to regulate MSC mechanobiology. This dynamic interconnectivity affects mechanical signaling and transfer of signals into the nucleus. In this way, nuclear and LINC-mediated cytoskeletal connectivity play a critical role in maintaining mechanical signaling that affects MSC fate by serving as both mechanosensory and mechanoresponsive structures. We review disease and age related compromises of LINC complexes and nucleoskeleton that contribute to the etiology of musculoskeletal diseases. Finally we invite the idea that acquired dysfunctions of LINC might be a contributing factor to conditions such as aging, microgravity and osteoporosis and discuss potential mechanical strategies to modulate LINC connectivity to combat these conditions.
Determination of residue of triazophos pesticide in aquiculture products by capillary gas chromatography

The residue of triazophos insecticide in aquiculture products sample was extracted with benzene and separated by HP-5 capillary column(30 m×0.32 mm×0.25 μm) and detected by GC-NPD.Ranges of linearity of the triazophos in aquiculture products sample were obtained from 0.005 to 1.0 mg/L.Detection limit was 0.0035 mg/kg.Recovery and precision of the method were tested,giving value of recovery in the rang of 93.5%~98.0%,and values of RSD(n=6) in the rang of 2.10%~3.54%.
Nutrition, Aging, and Sirtuin 1

Scientific evidence indicates that intake of good nutrition while reducing calories, especially in the later years of life, can increase longevity. A detailed understanding of the cellular pathways and molecular events involved in aging is required for externally manipulating longevity. In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made to pinpoint the molecular players that directly impact aging and longevity. In this chapter, the scientific knowledge that correlates the impact of nutrition on the process of aging is discussed. The chapter focuses on SIRT1, a protein known to enhance longevity in model organisms.
A Nonhuman Primate Brain–Computer Typing Interface

Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) record brain activity and translate the information into useful control signals. They can be used to restore function to people with paralysis by controlling end effectors such as computer cursors and robotic limbs. Communication neural prostheses are BCIs that control user interfaces on computers or mobile devices. Here we demonstrate a communication prosthesis by simulating a typing task with two rhesus macaques implanted with electrode arrays. The monkeys used two of the highest known performing BCI decoders to type out words and sentences when prompted one symbol/letter at a time. On average, monkeys J and L achieved typing rates of 10.0 and 7.2 words per minute (wpm), respectively, copying text from a newspaper article using a velocity-only 2-D BCI decoder with dwell-based symbol selection. With a BCI decoder that also featured a discrete click for key selection, typing rates increased to 12.0 and 7.8 wpm. These represent the highest known achieved communication rates using a BCI. We then quantified the relationship between bitrate and typing rate and found it approximately linear: typing rate in wpm is nearly three times bitrate in bits per second. We also compared the metrics of achieved bitrate and information transfer rate and discuss their applicability to real-world typing scenarios. Although this study cannot model the impact of cognitive load of word and sentence planning, the findings here demonstrate the feasibility of BCIs as communication interfaces and represent an upper bound on the expected achieved typing rate for a given BCI throughput.
An update on the role of proximal occlusion devices in carotid artery stenting

Carotid artery stenting performed with distal embolic protection devices continues to show elevated rates of periprocedural stroke, in particular with high-risk groups. This article discusses the factors associated with protection devices that may contribute to this complication, performs a literature review to assess outcomes of carotid stenting with proximal occlusion devices, and assesses the role of proximal occlusion devices in the management of patients with carotid artery stenosis.
Copper Deficiency Remains An Underappreciated Cause of Ineffective Hematopoiesis

Copper deficiency has long been recognized as cause of hematopoietic dysfunction, and diagnosis is straightforward if it is pursued. Over a three year period, we diagnosed copper deficiency in seven pts referred to our university-based hematology and BMT outpatient clinics for evaluation and treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or neutropenia/anemia. This represents approximately 3% of new outpatient referrals carrying an ICD-9 code corresponding to MDS or neutropenia. Patient characteristics are shown in Table 1. Three of the seven pts carried a presumptive diagnosis of MDS, and one had received several months of decitabine therapy. Two patients were actually referred for consideration of stem cell transplantation; the others were referred for evaluation of cytopenias. Six of the seven patients had been evaluated by a hematologist prior to referral. Only 3 of 7 pts in our series had recognized risk factors for copper deficiency such as prior gastric bypass or other GI dysfunction; postulated risk factors in the other pts are included in Table1. All pts in our series were anemic and leukopenic, with absolute neutropenia at presentation. In contrast, platelet counts were normal or elevated in all pts, consistent with most previous reports. Five of the seven pts in our series had neuropathy or myelopathy of variable severity. The hematologic abnormalities responded rapidly and completely to oral and/or IV copper replacement in all pts, although neurologic recovery was slow and incomplete. Conclusions: Our experience indicates that copper deficiency is a relatively common cause of neutropenia and anemia, and the consequences of missing the diagnosis may be substantial, including performance of unnecessary transfusion, chemotherapy, and even stem cell transplantation. Normal or elevated platelet counts and concomitant neuropathy or myelopathy are important clues to the diagnosis. Furthermore, copper deficiency must be considered even in pts without obvious GI absorption abnormalities. Serum copper and ceruloplasmin assays should be incorporated into the routine evaluation of most pts with cytopenias and suspected MDS. | Age/gender | Ref. diagnosis | Risk factor | Associated symptoms | Serum copper (80–155 mcg/dl) | Ceruloplasmin (21–53 mg/dl | |:----------:| ------------------- | ---------------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------- | | 53F | MDS–RAEB | unknown | Severe sensory-motor neuropathy | 29 | 7 | | 43F | MDS–RA | Excess carbonated soda intake? | Severe sensory-motor neuropathy | 2 | < 2 | | 55F | Anemia, neutropenia | Gastricbypass | sensory-motor neuropathy | 4 | 3 | | 45F | Possible MDS | Gastricbypass | None | 4 | 3 | | 66F | Anemia, neutropenia | Excess tea intake? | Bone pain | 2 | Link | | 56F | Anemia, neutropenia | Partial gastrectomy | Severe sensory-motor neuropathy | 2 | < 2 | | 36F | Anemia, neutropenia | Tetrathiomolybdate exposure (lubricants) | Moderate sensory-motor neuropathy | 1 | 2 |
Structure-Activity Relationships of the Competence Stimulating Peptides (CSPs) in Streptococcus pneumoniae Reveal Motifs Critical for Intra-group and Cross-group ComD Receptor Activation.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a highly recombinogenic human pathogen that utilizes the competence stimulating peptide (CSP)-based quorum sensing (QS) circuitry to acquire antibiotic resistance genes from the environment and initiate its attack on the human host. Modulation of QS in this bacterium, either inhibition or activation, can therefore be used to attenuate S. pneumoniae infectivity and slow down pneumococcal resistance development. In this study, we set to determine the molecular mechanism that drives CSP:receptor binding and identify CSP-based QS modulators with distinct activity profiles. To this end, we conducted systematic replacement of the amino acid residues in the two major CSP signals (CSP1 and CSP2) and assessed the ability of the mutated analogs to modulate QS against both cognate and noncognate ComD receptors. We then evaluated the overall 3D structures of these analogs using circular dichroism (CD) to correlate between the structure and function of these peptides. Our CD analysis reveal...
Statistical-Computational Phase Transitions in Planted Models: The High-Dimensional Setting

The planted models assume that a graph is generated from some unknown clusters by randomly placing edges between nodes according to their cluster memberships; the task is to recover the clusters given the graph. Special cases include planted clique, planted partition, planted densest subgraph and planted coloring. Of particular interest is the high-dimensional setting where the number of clusters is allowed to grow with the number of nodes. We show that the space of model parameters can be partitioned into four disjoint regions: (1) the impossible regime, where all algorithms fail; (2) the hard regime, where the computationally intractable Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) succeeds, and no polynomial-time method is known; (3) the easy regime, where the polynomial-time convexified MLE succeeds; (4) the simple regime, where a simple counting/thresholding procedure succeeds. Moreover, each of these algorithms provably fails in the previous harder regimes. Our theorems establish the first minimax recovery results for the high-dimensional setting, and provide the best known guarantees for polynomialtime algorithms. These results demonstrate the tradeoffs between statistical and computational considerations.
Application of the Q-DFT Hartree Uncorrelated Approximation to Atoms

The Q-DFT of Hartree theory (Sect. 6.1) [1] maps the interacting system as described by Hartree theory [2, 3] to one of noninteracting fermions such that the equivalent density ρ(r) and energy E are obtained. For this mapping, the corresponding expressions for the local electron-interaction potential energy \(v^{{\rm H}}_{{{\rm ee}}}(r)\) of the model fermions, and the energy E, contain Correlation-Kinetic components. If the model system is constructed with the Correlation-Kinetic contribution to these properties neglected, then one obtains the Q-DFT Hartree Uncorrelated Approximation (Sect. 6.1.1). As the wave function of these fermions is assumed to be a product of spin-orbitals, the neglect of the correlation contributions to the potential and kinetic energy, ensures that the model fermions are noninteracting in the rigorous sense of the word (see Sect. 9.2.1). This is thus the lowest level of approximation within Q-DFT and in quantum mechanics. In this chapter we apply the Q-DFT Hartree Uncorrelated Approximation to determine the ground state electronic structure of atoms [4,5]. The self-consistently determined results are thus for atoms constructed of uncorrelated particles with external potential energy of v(r) = −Z/r. (Note that the local effective potential energy v s (r) of these particles is not −Z/r, in which case the solutions would be Hydrogenic.) What is remarkable is that even at this lowest level of approximation where the wave function satisfies neither the Pauli exclusion principle requirement of antisymmetry, nor contains any Coulomb correlations, certain atomic properties are determined very accurately. For example, atomic shell structure is observed throughout the Periodic Table, with highly accurate core–valence separations thereby obtained [4]. Thus, the requirement that the wave function be antisymmetric is not fundamental to obtaining the shell structure of atoms. The results of other properties determined are also compared with those of Hartree theory [5], thereby demonstrating the insignificance of Correlation-Kinetic effects for ground state properties so obtained.
Investigation of Alumina Concentration Gradients Within Hall-Héroult Electrolytic Bath

Aluminium reduction cells consume about 1.9 kg of alumina for each kilogram of aluminum they produce. Control of the alumina concentration within the electrolyte is of prime importance to achieve high metallurgical and energy efficiency and to reduce environmental footprint related to PFC and CO2 emissions. However, modern high amperage reduction cells, oftentimes operated at much higher amperage than their nominal design, are facing challenging conditions to ensure a homogeneous alumina concentration over time and across the pot at a given time. This has negative impact on the cell efficiency. This paper presents findings from different sampling campaigns performed at different amperage and pot condition for a given cell technology. It is shown that large gradients of alumina concentration are present over time and spatially.
Portable Sleep Monitoring for Diagnosing Sleep Apnea in Hospitalized Patients with Heart Failure

Background Sleep apnea is an underdiagnosed condition in patients with heart failure. Efficient identification of sleep apnea is needed, as treatment may improve heart failure–related outcomes. Currently, use of portable sleep monitoring in hospitalized patients and those at risk for central sleep apnea is discouraged. This study examined whether portable sleep monitoring with respiratory polygraphy can accurately diagnose sleep apnea in patients hospitalized with decompensated heart failure. Methods Hospitalized patients with decompensated heart failure underwent concurrent respiratory polygraphy and polysomnography. Both recordings were scored for obstructive and central disordered breathing events in a blinded fashion, using standard criteria, and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was determined. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to examine the concordance among the overall, obstructive, and central AHI values derived by respiratory polygraphy and polysomnography. Results The sample consisted of 53 patients (47% women) with a mean age of 59.0 years. The correlation coefficient for the overall AHI from the two diagnostic methods was 0.94 (95% CI, 0.89-0.96). The average difference in AHI between the two methods was 3.6 events/h. Analyses of the central and obstructive AHI values showed strong concordance between the two methods, with correlation coefficients of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.84-0.95), respectively. Complete agreement in the classification of sleep apnea severity between the two methods was seen in 89% of the sample. Conclusions Portable sleep monitoring can accurately diagnose sleep apnea in hospitalized patients with heart failure and may promote early initiation of treatment.