cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of a low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diet program compared to a low-fat diet on fasting lipoprotein subclasses.

Abstract Background Low-carbohydrate, ketogenic diets (LCKD) are effective for weight loss, but concerns remain regarding cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an LCKD program on serum lipoprotein subclasses. Methods This was a randomized, two-arm clinical trial in an outpatient research clinic involving overweight, hyperlipidemic community volunteers motivated to lose weight. Subjects were randomized to either an LCKD ( n =59) and nutritional supplementation (including fish, borage and flaxseed oil), or a low-fat, reduced-calorie diet (LFD, n =60). The main outcomes were fasting serum lipoprotein subclasses determined by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Results The mean age of subjects was 44.9 years, the mean BMI was 34.4 kg/m 2 , and 76% were women. Comparing baseline to 6 months, the LCKD group had significant changes in large VLDL (−78%), medium VLDL (−60%), small VLDL (−57%), LDL particle size (+2%), large LDL (+54%), medium LDL (−42%), small LDL (−78%), HDL particle size (+5%), large HDL (+21%), and LDL particle concentration (−11%). Compared with the LFD group, the LCKD group had greater reductions in medium VLDL ( p =0.01), small VLDL ( p =0.01) and medium LDL ( p =0.02), and greater increases in VLDL particle size ( p =0.01), large LDL ( p =0.004), and HDL particle size ( p =0.05). Conclusions The LCKD with nutritional supplementation led to beneficial changes in serum lipid subclasses during weight loss. While the LCKD did not lower total LDL cholesterol, it did result in a shift from small, dense LDL to large, buoyant LDL, which could lower cardiovascular disease risk.
Concentrations of N and P in floodwater and uptake of 15N by Spartina alterniflora in oilcontaminatd mesocosms

Abstract Fertilization of salt marshes to enhance oil biodegradation may not be effective if nutrients in floodwater are rapidly removed by plants or adsorbed to sediments. Three 15N labeled fertilizers and two commercial nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) slow-release fertilizers were applied at rates of 75–210 kg N ha−1 with and without 40 kg ha−1 of supplemental P to oil-contaminated, flooded mesocosms growing Spartina alterniflora. Phosphorus concentrations in floodwater ranged between 0.05 and 2.82 μg P ml−1 39 days after P application. Urea and NO3−1 concentrations in floodwater were below detection limits by 2 weeks after N application, but NH4+ remained detectable for approximately 3 weeks. Approximately 20% of N from urea and ammonium fertilizers was recovered in shoots of Spartina, but only 7% from nitrate fertilizer was recovered. Frequent applications of fertilizers may be needed to maintain desirable nutrient concentrations in floodwater for enhancing oil biodegradation.
Photoemission studies of S/Co/Mo(110) and S/Ni/Mo(110) surfaces: Co- and Ni-promoted sulfidation of Mo(110)

Abstract The properties of a series of X Mo (110) and S/X/Mo(110) surfaces (X = Co or Ni) have been examined using photoemission, thermal desorption spectroscopy and ab initio SCF calculations. The bimetallic bonds in the Co Mo (110) and Ni Mo (110) systems are complex, involving Co(3d,4s)→Mo(5s,5p) and Ni(3d,4s)→Mo(5s,5p) electron transfers and a Mo(4d)→Mo(5s,5p) rehybridization. These redistributions of charge lead to positive core-level shifts for all the metals. The exposure of Mo(110) to large amounts of S 2 gas produces only a chemisorbed layer of sulfur, without forming molybdenum sulfides. The sulfidation of Mo occurs after exposing Co Mo (110) and Ni Mo (110) surfaces to S 2 . Co and Ni promote the formation of molybdenum sulfides by transferring charge to Mo (favoring in this way an electrophilic attack of S on Mo), and by changing the structure of the surface (making it easier for the penetration of S into the bulk of the sample). Co and Ni exhibit a unique ability to enhance the Mo↔S interactions. A comparison of the behavior of several admetals on S Mo (110) surfaces indicates that the “promotional effect” of an admetal on the sulfidation of Mo increases in the following order: Ag ≈ Zn TMS y MoS 2 catalysts (TM = Zn, Cu, Co or Ni) in hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reactions and the trends found for the sulfidation of Mo in S/TM/Mo(110) surfaces. Systems that contain Co and Ni display the largest HDS activity and the strongest Mo↔S interactions.
Affect Recognition in Robot Assisted Rehabilitation of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This paper presents a novel affect-sensitive human-robot interaction framework for rehabilitation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The overall aim is to enable the robot to detect and respond to the affective cues of the children in order to help them explore social interaction dynamics in a gradual and adaptive manner. The first part of the proposed framework, namely the 'affect recognition' module is developed in detail in this paper. Two tasks are designed to elicit the affective states of liking, anxiety, and engagement that are considered important in autism rehabilitation. Affective cues are inferred from psychophysiological analysis that uses subjective reports of the affective states from a therapist, a parent, and the child himself/herself. Comprehensive physiological indices are investigated that may correlate with the affective states of children with ASD. A support vector machines based affect recognizer is designed that yielded reliable prediction with approximately 83% success when using the therapist's reports. This is the first time, to our knowledge, such a human-robot interaction framework for autism rehabilitation is proposed. This is also the first time that the affective states of children with ASD have been experimentally detected via physiology-based affect recognition technique.
Substrate modulation of the properties and reactivity of the oxy-ferrous and hydroperoxo-ferric intermediates of cytochrome P450cam as shown by cryoreduction-EPR/ENDOR spectroscopy.

EPR/ENDOR studies have been carried out on oxyferrous cytochrome P450cam one-electron cryoreduced by γ-irradiation at 77 K in the absence of substrate and in the presence of a variety of substrates including its native hydroxylation substrate, camphor (a), and the alternate substrates, 5-methylenyl-camphor (b), 5,5-difluorocamphor (c), norcamphor (d), and adamantanone (e); the equivalent experiments have been performed on the T252A mutant complexed with a and b. The present study shows that the properties and reactivity of the oxyheme and of both the primary and the annealed intermediates are modulated by a bound substrate. This includes alterations in the properties of the heme center itself (g tensor; 14N, 1H, hyperfine couplings). It also includes dramatic changes in reactivity: the presence of any substrate increases the lifetime of hydroperoxoferri-P450cam (2) no less than ca. 20-fold. Among the substrates, b stands out as having an exceptionally strong influence on the properties and reactivity of ...
Performance characteristics of cryogenically treated high speed steel drills

This paper describes the results of an experimental study on the effectiveness of cryogenically treated high speed steel (HSS) drills in drilling Hastelloy B and stainless steel work materials. The drills, 6·35 and 5·41 mm in diameter, were cooled at controlled rates in liquid nitrogen for a specific time period. Drilling was conducted at two cutting speeds for each work material at a fixed feedrate. Force and torque signals were collected through an on-line data acquisition system and subsequently analysed for emitted force, torque, power density spectrum and acoustic emission signal. Results indicate significant improvements in tool life of treated drills.
Memory for Instances and Categories in Children and Adults.

Abstract College subjects and 7-year-olds were trained in sorting 16 words into two conceptual categories. Training consisted of either three list presentations (Experiment I) or training to solution (Experiment II). Then either immediately or after a 3 to 4 week delay subjects received a recognition test which assessed memory for the instance vs categorical properties of the task stimuli by embedding words from the original list and from the list categories with confusion items from either the same or different categories as those on the original list. The data indicated that learning and memory were controlled primarily by categorical properties of the task items in adults and by specific instance properties in children. However, there was evidence that children had learned the categorical attributes of the task and may have differed from adults chiefly in their failure to utilize these attributes to assist learning and memory performance. The age differences in learning and memory were independent of the degree of initial training.
Life-Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Shale Gas, Natural Gas, Coal, and Petroleum

The technologies and practices that have enabled the recent boom in shale gas production have also brought attention to the environmental impacts of its use. It has been debated whether the fugitive methane emissions during natural gas production and transmission outweigh the lower carbon dioxide emissions during combustion when compared to coal and petroleum. Using the current state of knowledge of methane emissions from shale gas, conventional natural gas, coal, and petroleum, we estimated up-to-date life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we developed distribution functions for key parameters in each pathway to examine uncertainty and identify data gaps such as methane emissions from shale gas well completions and conventional natural gas liquid unloadings that need to be further addressed. Our base case results show that shale gas life-cycle emissions are 6% lower than conventional natural gas, 23% lower than gasoline, and 33% lower than coal. However, the range in values for shale and conve...
Structural studies of copper catalyzed hydroxylation reactions

Abstract The reaction of 2,6-diacetylpyridine, CuCl2, and semicarbazide hydrochloride was studied as a function of pH to yield three different products: aqua(2-acetylsemicarbazone-3-hydroxo-6-acetylpyridine) chlorocopper(II) hemihydrate, 1, bis(2,6-diacetylpyridinedisemicarbazone)copper(I) chloride dimer, 2, and bis(2,6-diacetylpyridinedisemicarbazone)copper(II) chloride dimer, 3. The reaction of 1 with a mol of semicarbazide hydrochloride gave chloro(3-hydroxo-2,6-diacetylpyridinedisemicarbazone)copper(II) chloride hydrate, 4, and with a mol of semicarbazide hydrochloride and cupric chloride gave aquachlorocopper(II)(μ-chloro)(μ′-[2-acetylsemicarbazone-O,N-3-hydroxy-6-acetylsemicarbazonepyridine-O,N,N])aquacopper(II) trihydrate, 5. The crystal structures of compounds 1–5 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Some observations on the course of the reactions are given.
Cocaine-taking and cocaine-seeking behaviors in rats remain stable after systemic administration of GYKI 52466: A non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist

Given the posited role of enhanced AMPA-mediated synaptic transmission in relapse to drug seeking, we investigated whether systemic administration of the AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 inhibits cocaine-taking and cocaine-seeking behavior in rats. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine until stable self-administration was achieved. Effects of GYKI 52466 (1, 3, or 10mg/kg, i.v.) on cocaine self-administration were assessed. Animals were allowed to re-establish stable cocaine self-administration and were then behaviorally extinguished from drug taking. The effects of GYKI 52466 (3, 10mg/kg, i.v.) on cocaine-induced reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior were assessed. We found that GYKI 52466 failed to inhibit cocaine-taking and cocaine-seeking in both the self-administration and reinstatement paradigms. We suggest that although AMPA receptors may be involved in cocaine reward and addiction, the AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 has low therapeutic potential for cocaine addiction treatment.
Food Proteins and Gut Mucosal Barrier. III. The Influence of Lactation and Prolactin on the in Vitro Binding and Uptake of Bovine Serum Albumin and Ovalbumin in the Rat Jejunum

ABSTRACT: The everted gut sac technique was used to study adaptive changes in small intestinal handling and uptake of radiolabeled bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin during lactation in rats. Binding and uptake of both proteins by the gut sacs of lactating animals were significantly less, compared to controls (p < 0.001, after 30 min of incubation). This change was reversible after lactation ceased. The differences could not be explained by oral immunization since there were no specific antibodies found in sera, mucosal extracts, or breast milk; prior exposure to the protein did not alter the observed differences. No differences in mucosal breakdown of bovine serum albumin could be demonstrated by precipitation with trichloroacetic acid (10%); an increase in breakdown of ovalbumin in the lactating animals was shown under the same conditions. The injection of prolactin produced differences in bovine serum albumin binding and uptake similar to the ones observed in the lactating group (p < 0.01, after 30 min of incubation, compared to solvent-injected controls). Since food protein antigen binding, breakdown and uptake are functions of the local intestinal host defense, these findings suggest that there are adaptive changes of the gut mucosal barrier during lactation which decrease the transfer of dietary antigens from mother to infant. The adaptation of the maternal intestinal host defense was shown to be influenced by prolactin.
Quality control in qualitative research

Abstract Qualitative investigations of human experience typically report linguistic rather than exclusively numeric results, use empathy with participants as an observation strategy, interpret observations contextually and polydimensionally, accommodate nonlinear (technically chaotic) causal processes, and may seek to empower participants. Their interpretations are often tentative rather than lawlike statements, amenable to expression in narrative and hermeneutic forms rather than exclusively in didactic discourse. By revealing rather than avoiding the investigator's orientation and personal involvement in the research and by evaluating interpretations according to their impact on readers, investigators, and participants, qualitative research shifts the goal of quality control from the objective truth of statements to understanding by people.
Prolonged fasting and cortisol reduce myostatin mRNA levels in tilapia larvae; short-term fasting elevates.

Myostatin negatively regulates muscle growth and development and has recently been characterized in several fishes. We measured fasting myostatin mRNA levels in adult tilapia skeletal muscle and in whole larvae. Although fasting reduced some growth indexes in adults, skeletal muscle myostatin mRNA levels were unaffected. By contrast, larval myostatin mRNA levels were sometimes elevated after a short-term fast and were consistently reduced with prolonged fasting. These effects were specific for myostatin, as mRNA levels of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphatase were unchanged. Cortisol levels were elevated in fasted larvae with reduced myostatin mRNA, whereas in addition immersion of larvae in 1 ppm (2.8 μM) cortisol reduced myostatin mRNA in a time-dependent fashion. These results suggest that larval myostatin mRNA levels may initially rise but ultimately fall during a prolonged fast. The reduction is likely mediated by fasting-induced hypercortisolemia, indicating divergent evolutionary mechanisms of glucocorticoid regulation of myostatin mRNA, since these steroids upregulate myostatin gene expression in mammals.
Spin-orbit splitting and tensor force

The second-order effect of the tensor force was calculated in nuclei that had several nucleons outside closed shells. This second-order effect caused a modification of the first-order secular equation of the degenerate shellmodel states (nl)P, where nl is an orbit of the L-S coupling shell model and p is the number of nucleons outside closed shells. This modification is equivalent to the introduction of a slight change in the one-particle energy, one-body spin-orbit interaction SIGMA ?s/sub i/ - l/sub i/, effective nonlocal two- and three-body forces, and an energy depression that is common to all states. Here ? = C/sub 0/ + (p--l)C/sub 1/, where C/sub 0/ and C/sub 1/ are constant as long as the average potential of the shell model does not change. C/sub 0/ and C/sub 1/ were calculated in the (lp)-shell, and C/sub 0/ approximately 4C/sub 1/. The constant C/sub 0/ is about --1.0 to --1.5 Mev. In this numerical calculation, the harmonicoscillator wave functions were adopted as individual wave functions, and either the tensor force suggested by meson theory or the phenomenological strong tensor force was assumed. It is very interesting to note that ? (N/sup 15/ )/? (He/sup 5/) approximately 3.5. If the three-bodymore » effect is neglected, the modified secular equation results in the intermediate-coupling shell-model Hamiltonian, provided that the two-body effective potential is replaced by the usual potential which has the same matrix elements as the effective one. (auth)« less
Sensory Evaluation of Ground Beef Stored in High-oxygen Modified Atmosphere Packaging

ABSTRACT: The quality of ground beef stored in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (80% O2 and 20% CO2) was evaluated and compared to controls stored in oxygen-impermeable chubs. Patties were formed from the stored ground meat at d 1, 6, and 10. Color, microbial load, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number, and sensory acceptability were measured. Patties from both treatments bloomed to red with a* values > 16. Aerobic plate counts increased to 9 × 105CFU/gby 10 d storage, but were not different (p < 0.05) between treatments. TBA number of high-oxygen samples increased to 2.1 after 10 d, compared to 0.8 for controls. The flavor of samples in high-oxygen were rated less desirable after 6 or 10 d.
Multiclass Proximal Support Vector Machines

This article proposes the multiclass proximal support vector machine (MPSVM) classifier, which extends the binary PSVM to the multiclass case. Unlike the one-versus-rest approach that constructs the decision rule based on multiple binary classification tasks, the proposed method considers all classes simultaneously and has better theoretical properties and empirical performance. We formulate the MPSVM as a regularization problem in the reproducing kernel Hilbert space and show that it implements the Bayes rule for classification. In addition, the MPSVM can handle equal and unequal misclassification costs in a unified framework. We suggest an efficient algorithm to implement the MPSVM by solving a system of linear equations. This algorithm requires much less computational effort than solving the standard SVM, which often requires quadratic programming and can be slow for large problems. We also provide an alternative and more robust algorithm for ill-posed problems. The effectiveness of the MPSVM is demons...
Vitamin D studies with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) reared in calcium-free water

Abstract 1. 1. Various levels and forms of vitamin D were fed to channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in rearing water containing 0.0 mg/1 calcium; an experimental system in which fish must rely on a dietary source of calcium. 2. 2. Based on weight gain data, the dietary requirement for vitamin D from these studies appeared to be 250–500 I.U./kg as either cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol. 3. 3. Plasma K, 25-OHD, and 24,25-(OH)2D levels indicated a dietary requirement of 20001.U./kg as cholecalciferol. 4. 4. The discrimination in use of relatively high levels of ergocalciferol appeared to be related to further hydroxylation of the 25-hydroxymetabolite. 5. 5. Effects on calcium and phosphorus levels were not affected by levels or form of the vitamin and emphasize the differences between aquatic and terrestrial vertebrates.
Phase noise spectrum and carrier power modeling of high performance optomechanical oscillators

We present a model for phase noise that fits experimentally observed trends in our high performance optomechanical oscillators (OMO) demonstrating a phase noise of −102dBc/Hz at 1kHz offset from a 74MHz carrier.
On Three-Dimensional Nonlinear Subharmonic Resonant Surface Waves in a Fluid: Part II—Experiment

Les resultats experimentaux impliquent l'existence d'une profondeur d'eau critique en dessous de laquelle l'influence de la frequence sur l'amplitude de l'onde est qualitativement differente de ce qu'elle est pour des profondeurs plus grandes
The Effects of Hormonal Gender Affirmation Treatment on Mental Health in Female-to-Male Transsexuals

Hormonal interventions are an often-sought option for transgender individuals seeking to medically transition to an authentic gender. Current literature stresses that the effects and associated risks of hormone regimens should be monitored and well understood by health care providers (Feldman & Bockting, 2003). However, the positive psychological effects following hormone replacement therapy as a gender affirming treatment have not been adequately researched. This study examined the relationship of hormone replacement therapy, specifically testosterone, with various mental health outcomes in an Internet sample of more than 400 self-identified female-to-male transsexuals. Results of the study indicate that female-to-male transsexuals who receive testosterone have lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, and higher levels of social support and health related quality of life. Testosterone use was not related to problems with drugs, alcohol, or suicidality. Overall findings provide clear evidence that...
Identification of differentially regulated genes in fetal wounds during regenerative repair

During mammalian skin development, wounds heal with regeneration rather than scar. Genomic microarray analysis of fetal (scarless) and postnatal (scarring) cutaneous wounds was performed to identify genes with differential expression and possible proregenerative function. Differentially expressed genes between the scarless and scarring wound transcriptomes were identified with significance analysis of microarrays. At early time points, the fraction of genes with increased expression was greater in the fetal wounds. Conversely, as time after injury increased, the fraction of genes with increased expression in postnatal wounds increased from 0% at 1 hour to 67% at 24 hours. The fetal 1- and 12-hour wound transcriptomes identified genes important in DNA transcription and repair, cell cycle regulation, protein homeostasis, and intracellular signaling. The predominant expression patterns of these genes from 1 to 24 hours predominantly revealed rapid up-regulation, followed by declining expression at 24 hours. Fewer genes with differential expression between the fetal scarless and postnatal scarring wound transcriptomes were identified at 24 hours, most of which had greater expression in the postnatal wound. Our data suggest that multiple gene products may be necessary for the coordination of skin regeneration during wound repair in the fetus.
Discriminating Fever Behavior in House Flies

Fever has generally been shown to benefit infected hosts. However, fever temperatures also carry costs. While endotherms are able to limit fever costs physiologically, the means by which behavioral thermoregulators constrain these costs are less understood. Here we investigated the behavioral fever response of house flies (Musca domestica L.) challenged with different doses of the fungal entomopathogen, Beauveria bassiana. Infected flies invoked a behavioral fever selecting the hottest temperature early in the day and then moving to cooler temperatures as the day progressed. In addition, flies infected with a higher dose of fungus exhibited more intense fever responses. These variable patterns of fever are consistent with the observation that higher fever temperatures had greater impact on fungal growth. The results demonstrate the capacity of insects to modulate the degree and duration of the fever response depending on the severity of the pathogen challenge and in so doing, balance the costs and benefits of fever.
Motion parameter estimation by tracking stationary three-dimensional straight lines in image sequences

The purpose of this work is to utilize extracted linear features from imagery collected by a Mobile Mapping System (MMS) for the purpose of motion parameter estimation. The MMS is assumed to be equipped with two or more cameras. The relative relationship between these cameras is rigid, i.e. it does not change from one epoch to the other and can be determined by a calibration procedure. An optimal (minimal) representation of 3-D straight lines that requires only four parameters is discussed. The perspective transformation of the extracted linear features back and forth between image and object space is derived. By tracking stationary linear features in successive image sequences, the motion parameters, rotation and displacement, between the system's position at the corresponding epochs can be estimated. The suggested algorithm works as follows. First, straight-line features are extracted from the imagery. Then, a model space coordinate system is defined for each system position at which an image set is collected. The origin of this system can be chosen as the perspective center of one of the cameras onboard. Then, the linear features in successive image sets are projected into the corresponding model space. It has to be noted that the projection procedure is performed separately for the image sets under consideration. The mathematical model that relates the parameters of the resulting conjugate lines to the motion parameters of the system is derived. The relationship is obtained by imposing four constraints on the four degrees of freedom of any conjugate lines. The suggested algorithm is used to estimate the motion parameters using conjugate linear features in successive stereo-pairs collected by the GPS van of the Ohio State University. This algorithm will be helpful in deriving the motion parameters of the vehicle during periods of failure of the positioning component onboard, e.g. GPS loss of lock for a long time interval.
Differential Regulation of N-Myc and c-Myc Synthesis, Degradation, and Transcriptional Activity by the Ras/Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Myc transcription factors are important regulators of proliferation and can promote oncogenesis when deregulated. Deregulated Myc expression in cancers can result from MYC gene amplification and translocation but also from alterations in mitogenic signaling pathways that affect Myc levels through both transcriptional and post-transcription mechanisms. For example, mutations in Ras family GTPase proteins that cause their constitutive activation can increase cellular levels of c-Myc by interfering with its rapid proteasomal degradation. Although enhanced protein stability is generally thought to be applicable to other Myc family members, here we show that c-Myc and its paralog N-Myc respond to oncogenic H-Ras (H-RasG12V) in very different ways. H-RasG12V promotes accumulation of both c-Myc and N-Myc, but although c-Myc accumulation is achieved by enhanced protein stability, N-Myc accumulation is associated with an accelerated rate of translation that overcomes a surprising H-RasG12V-mediated destabilization of N-Myc. We show that H-RasG12V-mediated degradation of N-Myc functions independently of key phosphorylation sites in the highly conserved Myc homology box I region that controls c-Myc protein stability by oncogenic Ras. Finally, we found that N-Myc and c-Myc transcriptional activity is associated with their proteasomal degradation but that N-Myc may be uniquely dependent on Ras-stimulated proteolysis for target gene expression. Taken together, these studies provide mechanistic insight into how oncogenic Ras augments N-Myc levels in cells and suggest that enhanced N-Myc translation and degradation-coupled transactivation may contribute to oncogenesis.
Advanced parallel processing with supercomputer architectures

This paper investigates advanced parallel processing techniques and innovative hardware/software architectures that can be applied to boost the performance of supercomputers. Critical issues on architectural choices, parallel languages, compiling techniques, resource management, concurrency control, programming environment, parallel algorithms, and performance enhancement methods are examined and the best answers are presented. We cover advanced processing techniques suitable for supercomputers, high-end mainframes, minisupers, and array processors. The coverage emphasizes vectorization, multitasking, multiprocessing, and distributed computing. In order to achieve these operation modes, parallel languages, smart compilers, synchronization mechanisms, load balancing methods, mapping parallel algorithms, operating system functions, application library, and multidiscipline interactions are investigated to ensure high performance. At the end, we assess the potentials of optical and neural technologies for developing future supercomputers.
Estimation of second-order chemical kinetic parameters by using information-based extended Kalman filtering

The extended Kalman filter has been used to estimate initial reactant concentrations and rate constants for rate-based chemical assays employing a second-order chemical reaction. Application of first- and second-order models to data permits reaction order identification by examining either the filter innovations or the evolution of the filter states. Because of non-linearities in the second-order kinetic model, repetitive filtering is necessary for convergence to reliable state estimates. Reduction of the filter calculation burden is investigated through the use of information-based filter methods, and it is demonstrated that substantial decreases in the computational burden are possible without loss of filter accuracy. These decreases make possible the application of second-order filters on large data sets, and they make real-time filtering possible with a fast processor.
Surgical feeding gastrostomy: Are we overdoing it?

Feeding gastrostomy is a commonly performed procedure in North America. Our aim was to study the outcome of patients undergoing feeding gastrostomy to better define patients who will benefit from the procedure as opposed to those in whom it may be futile. A cohort of the most recent 100 consecutive patients undergoing feeding gastrostomy in a community teaching hospital was retrospectively studied. The main indication for gastrostomy was neurologic disorder interfering with eating/swallowing (group A—54 patients), followed by debilitating systemic disease (group B—26 patients) and obstructive malignancy of the head and neck or esophagus (group C—20 patients). Forty-one patients died within 30 days of the procedure (41%). The overall 30-day survival rates in groups A, B, and C were 70%, 15%, and 85%, respectively. In four patients death was caused by intraperitoneal leak from the gastrostomy site; the remaining patients died of their underlying disease. Five patients required reoperation for gastric leakage around the gastrostomy within 30 days. Only nine patients could be traced who were alive and still using the gastrostomy a year after its placement: two in group A, none in group B, and seven in group C. APACHE II scores at tube insertion also predicted survival; 30-day survival rates in patients with scores of 10 and below, 11 to 15, 16 to 20, and over 20 were 96%, 71%, 48%, and 18%, respectively. No patient with an APACHE score above 15 belonging to group B (debilitating disease) survived more than 30 days. We conclude that to have a beneficial therapeutic effect feeding gastrostomy should be performed selectively. Severe debilitating systemic conditions that interfere with normal eating, when combined with a high APACHE II score, indicate the futility of gastrostomy.
Endoscopic dilation of gastroesophageal anastomosis stricture after gastric bypass.

Background: The management of strictures after gastric bypass procedure using balloon dilation is described. Methods: A retrospective review of all dilations performed is presented. Balloon dilators were used, and all strictures were dilated initially up to 12 to 15 mm for 1 min. Results: The review included 24 patients with a mean age of 42.8 years and a mean body mass index of 49.6. All the patients except one were women. In terms of procedure, 67% required one dilation and 30% required two. In the first 3 months after surgery, 21 patients developed the stricture. Three patients (13%) had leaks. There was no endoscopic appearance suggesting the need for a repeated procedure. All the dilations were successful, and weight loss compared well with that in the rest of the patients. Conclusions: A successful technique for the treatment of anastomotic strictures after gastric bypass is presented. Most of the patients required one dilation. Most strictures appeared during the first 3 months after surgery. Female gender and leak may be high risk factors for the development of stricture.
AGE‐LENGTH RELATIONSHIPS IN HUMPBACK WHALES: A COMPARISON OF STRANDINGS IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC WITH COMMERCIAL CATCHES

Strandings of previously identified individuals, while rare, provide an opportunity to examine age-length relationships in humpback whales (Megaptera novacangliae) from the North Atlantic. Ages and lengths of 23 individuals are presented: 11 females and 12 males, 9 of known age and 14 with estimated minimum ages. Lengths ranged from 853 to 1, 430 cm, ages 0.5–17 yr. These individuals were generally smaller and more variable in size at age than reported from commercial catches. Fifteen of the stranded individuals were four years of age or younger, while few of the animals taken by whalers were this young, and these probably represented the larger individuals in these age categories. Thus the data presented herein help to give more definition to the early growth curve for the humpback whale than has previously been available. Growth equations illustrate a difference of about one meter in asymptotic length through age five between stranding and catch data. The close fit of growth models to data from younger and older animals separately and the difficulty of fitting a single growth model to animals of all ages, could indicate that a dynamic or staged growth pattern exists in this species.
Evidence for an effect on erythrophilic IgG-globulin coat by the haemolytic process

Abstract Erythrophilic IgG globulin coat (IgG E-C) is a fraction separated from serum IgG-globulin by cellulose phosphate column chromatography. It is easily eluted from the red blood cells and may be quantitated by a method described in this paper. This method was applied to 20 completely healthy newborns and to 81 newborns with severe jaundice of various aetiology (i.e. ABO isoimmunisation, haemolysis severe; ABO isoimmunisation, haemolysis mild; G-6-PD deficiency, haemolysis severe; G-6-PD deficiency, haemolysis mild; ABO incompatibility; Rh isoimmunisation and unknown aetiology). It was also applied to 19 children with favism and 10 age matched symptomless children with G-6-PD deficiency. IgG E-C mean values were higher in newborns with severe jaundice due to ABO isoimmunisation or G-6-PD deficiency as compared to those with jaundice of other aetiology or the healthy controls. The difference was even more pronounced in cases with severe haemolysis (0.01 > p > 0.001). They were also higher in children with G-6-PD deficiency only during the crisis of favism (0.01 > p > 0.001). It is concluded that IgG E-C increases during acute haemolysis.
Global heat kernel estimates

In this paper, by rst deriving a global version of gradient estimates, we obtain both upper and lower bound estimates for the heat kernel satisfying Neumann boundary conditions on a compact Riemannian manifold with nonconvex boundary.
Ejaculatory disorders: some psychometric data.

While a substantial amount of clinical opinion exists in regard to the syndrome of premature and retarded ejaculation, few objective psychometric data are available. In an effort to obtain such obj...
VICTORY AND THE PROMISE OF REFORM: LABOR AND THE 2008 ELECTION

Unions worked very hard to elect Barack Obama in 2008. Labor leaders made a concerted effort to counter defections to Republican John McCain among white workers, who some commentators predicted would be reluctant to vote for an African-American candidate. Obama received 59 percent of the vote from those residing in union households. This was precisely the share of the labor vote won by the Democratic presidential nominee in 1996, 2000, and 2004. The Obama victory and expanded Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate enhanced the prospects for the passage of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). This legislation would facilitate union organizing in the U.S. Despite Democratic control of the executive and legislative branches, the ferocious opposition to EFCA by business interests made it difficult to predict the fate of EFCA in early 2009.
A Power-Managed Protocol Processor for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor network applications, such as environmental control in smart building and ecological monitoring, require low-power nodes that operate their entire lifetime without changing batteries. This paper describes the power management architecture for a digital protocol processor for a sensor network node. Eight subsystems implement the baseband through application protocol layers and are controlled by a centralized power manager. The prototype chip, implemented in 130nm CMOS, operates at 1.0V with an average power consumption of 150muW during normal operation
Spatial patterns of fish communities along two estuarine gradients in southern Florida

In tropical and subtropical estuaries, gradients of primary productivity and salinity are generally invoked to explain patterns in community structure and standing crops of fishes. We documented spatial and temporal patterns in fish community structure and standing crops along salinity and nutrient gradients in two subtropical drainages of Everglades National Park, USA. The Shark River drains into the Gulf of Mexico and experiences diurnal tides carrying relatively nutrient enriched waters, while Taylor River is more hydrologically isolated by the oligohaline Florida Bay and experiences no discernable lunar tides. We hypothesized that the more nutrient enriched system would support higher standing crops of fishes in its mangrove zone. We collected 50 species of fish from January 2000 to April 2004 at six sampling sites spanning fresh to brackish salinities in both the Shark and Taylor River drainages. Contrary to expectations, we observed lower standing crops and density of fishes in the more nutrient rich tidal mangrove forest of the Shark River than in the less nutrient rich mangrove habitats bordering the Taylor River. Tidal mangrove habitats in the Shark River were dominated by salt-tolerant fish and displayed lower species richness than mangrove communities in the Taylor River, which included more freshwater taxa and yielded relatively higher richness. These differences were maintained even after controlling for salinity at the time of sampling. Small-scale topographic relief differs between these two systems, possibly created by tidal action in the Shark River. We propose that this difference in topography limits movement of fishes from upstream marshes into the fringing mangrove forest in the Shark River system, but not the Taylor River system. Understanding the influence of habitat structure, including connectivity, on aquatic communities is important to anticipate effects of construction and operational alternatives associated with restoration of the Everglades ecosystem.
EONS: An Online Synaptic Modeling Platform

Chemical synapses, although representing the smallest unit of communication between two neurons in the nervous system constitute a complex ensemble of mechanisms. Understanding these mechanisms and the way synaptic transmission occurs is critical for our comprehension of CNS functions in general and learning and memory in particular. Here we describe a modeling platform called EONS (Elementary Object of Neural System) accessible online, which allows neuroscientists throughout the world to study qualitatively, but also quantitatively the relative contributions of diverse mechanisms underlying synaptic efficacy: the relevance of each and every elements that comprise a synapse, the interactions between these components and their subcellular distribution, as well as the influence of synaptic geometry (presynaptic terminal, cleft and postsynaptic density).
Teaching applet programming to non-majors - virtually

We discuss the development and deployment of a "partially virtual" computer science course for non-majors in which the Web mediates a significant fraction of the course. In particular, approximately a quarter of the course is dedicated to teaching Java applet programming through the use of a Web-based programming environment. We address the development of the curriculum, the integration of several Web-based tools, and make some preliminary observations about the pedagogical effectiveness of and student response to this approach.
The evolution of reproductive isolation in a simultaneous hermaphrodite, the freshwater snail Physa

The cosmopolitan freshwater snail Physa acuta has recently found widespread use as a model organism for the study of mating systems and reproductive allocation. Mitochondrial DNA phylogenies suggest that Physa carolinae, recently described from the American southeast, is a sister species of P. acuta. The divergence of the acuta/carolinae ancestor from the more widespread P. pomilia appears to be somewhat older, and the split between a hypothetical acuta/carolinae/pomilia ancestor and P. gyrina appears older still. Here we report the results of no-choice mating experiments yielding no evidence of hybridization between gyrina and any of four other populations (pomilia, carolinae, Philadelphia acuta, or Charleston acuta), nor between pomilia and carolinae. Crosses between pomilia and both acuta populations yielded sterile F1 progeny with reduced viability, while crosses between carolinae and both acuta populations yielded sterile F1 hybrids of normal viability. A set of mate-choice tests also revealed significant sexual isolation between gyrina and all four of our other Physa populations, between pomilia and carolinae, and between pomilia and Charleston acuta, but not between pomilia and the acuta population from Philadelphia, nor between carolinae and either acuta population. These observations are consistent with the origin of hybrid sterility prior to hybrid inviability, and a hypothesis that speciation between pomilia and acuta may have been reinforced by selection for prezygotic reproductive isolation in sympatry. We propose a two-factor model for the evolution of postzygotic reproductive incompatibility in this set of five Physa populations consistent with the Dobzhansky-Muller model of speciation, and a second two-factor model for the evolution of sexual incompatibility. Under these models, species trees may be said to correspond with gene trees in American populations of the freshwater snail, Physa.
ORLANDO MASON Y LAS RAÍCES DEL PENSAMIENTO SOCIAL DE PABLO NERUDA

The theory of Pablo Neruda's poetic and political conversion during the Spanish Civil War suggests that the poetry of the Chilean Nobel Laureate prior to this event was devoid of any political signifi cance, while his subsequent poetry was oriented by his Marxist ideology. In this article I explore the development of Neruda's early social consciousness in his poetry and prose written prior to the publication of Crepusculario in 1923 The term I use to characterize his political beliefs is "social justice," and I pay special attention to the role of Neruda's uncle Orlando Mason in his formation.
Small Bowel Obstruction

A patient presenting with small bowel obstruction in the presence of an abdominal scar, suggesting that an adhesive band may be present, is an ideal case for a laparoscopic approach. The first step is localization of the site of the initial obstruction. This is accomplished by a thorough physical examination and imaging to identify the area of maximal bowel distention using a plain abdominal X-ray and a CT scan to find a transition point. The laparoscope is inserted on the side opposite to the site of maximal intestinal distension.
Fiber bundle estimation and parameterization

Individual white matter fibers cannot be resolved by current magnetic resonance (MR) technology. Many fibers of a fiber bundle will pass through an individual volume element (voxel). Individual visualized fiber tracts are thus the result of interpolation on a relatively coarse voxel grid, and an infinite number of them may be generated in a given volume by interpolation. This paper aims at creating a level set representation of a fiber bundle to describe this apparent continuum of fibers. It further introduces a coordinate system warped to the fiber bundle geometry, allowing for the definition of geometrically meaningful fiber bundle measures.
Evolution of biological catalysis: ribozyme to RNP enzyme

The enzymes that perform biological catalysis in contemporary organisms are usually proteins, occasionally ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, and in rare instances pure RNA (ribozymes). Because RNA can serve as both an informational molecule and a biocatalyst, it has been attractive to consider a primordial RNA World in which RNA enzymes catalyzed the replication of RNA genomes and an array of other metabolic steps, before the advent of protein enzymes and DNA genomes. By what pathways, then, did the RNA World evolve to the present state? Here, I describe plausible pathways for the evolution of biological catalysis, with special emphasis on the origin of RNP enzymes. Recent findings support the argument that RNP enzymes are not undergoing extinction, but instead, they are continuing to evolve and to elaborate new functions.
Synthesis of platelet-activating factor by human monocytes stimulated by platelet-activating factor

Abstract The capacity of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to stimulate its own synthesis by human monocytes was examined. Adherent human monocytes of >85% purity were incubated with 100 fM to 10 nM of PAF in the presence of 20 μCi of [ 3 H]acetic acid to radiolabel newly synthesized PAF. After incubation for 15 minutes to 15 hours, PAF was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography, and newly synthesized PAF was quantified by its radioactivity. PAF stimulated its own synthesis in a dose-related manner with a maximal twofold to threefold increase in synthesis at 10 pM to 100 pM of PAF. Maximal PAF synthesis occurred after incubation for 6 to 8 hours. There was a good correlation ( r = 0.95) between PAF quantified by [ 3 H] acetic acid incorporation and by rabbit platelet aggregation bioassay, indicating that the radioactive material is PAF. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not inhibit delayed PAF synthesis, indicating that delayed PAF synthesis does not require protein synthesis. PAF is metabolized rapidly in vivo. The capacity of PAF to stimulate its own synthesis would result in a prolonged effective half-life in vivo. This prolonged half-life could contribute to the capacity of PAF to induce prolonged inflammatory reactions in vivo.