cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of projected cortical epileptiform discharges on neuronal activities in ventrobasal thalamus of the cat: ictal discharge.

Abstract Extracellular recordings were made from neurons in nucleus ventralis posterolateralis during projected ictal discharges from penicillin foci in cat posterior sigmoid cortex. During the initial phase of the electrographic seizure, spike generation in the thalamic nucleus was suppressed. Excitatory effects became prominent during the tonic phase of the ictal episode when rhythmic firing of ventralis posterolateralis neurons occurred. During the clonic phase of the seizure, thalamic cells generated prolonged high frequency bursts of spikes which might begin before the onset of the surface paroxysm. Analysis of interval histograms and autocorrelograms of spike discharges in some thalamocortical relay cells during the clonic phase of the seizure suggested that both orthodromic and antidromic spike generation occurred. The findings together with those from previous studies suggest that the excitability of intracortical axons of thalamocortical relay cells increases as the ictal episode develops and spontaneous bursts originate in these axons and antidromically invade the cell body. Burst generation in thalamocortical relay cells during ictal episodes, and shifts from inhibitory to excitatory behavior in these units during a seizure would provide a powerful positive feedback to the epileptogenic focus. Propagation of bursts throughout the arborizations of thalamocortical fibers to presynaptic terminals would result in a marked increase in excitatory synaptic impingement, and a synchronization of neuronal activity which characterizes the ictal episode.
Parameterized Quantum Gates and Multidimensional Uncertainty of Information

Quantum Computation has shown a lot of promise in being able to provide computational results not possible with the modern computer. However, the design of new algorithms has been slow. One reason for this could be that we simply do not understand this new paradigm of computation enough to fully utilize it. We present here is an improvement of our previous generalization the basic quantum gates and a new perspective on quantum computation and quantum information. The goal is to obtain a more abstract approach to Quantum Computation and Quantum Algorithms in which physical systems are viewed as the implementation for the computing paradigm and not the reason for the it.
Management of perineal endometriosis

Abstract Objective: To demonstrate the appropriate diagnosis and management of perineal endometriosis. Method: Six patients with perineal endometriosis were diagnosed according to their clinical symptoms and signs which included cyclic perineal pain and a tender perineal mass coinciding with the menstrual cycle. Diagnostic tools used included ultrasonography, computerized tomography, fine needle aspiration cytology and laparoscopy. Management comprised both surgical and medical treatment. Postoperative follow-up was carried out at 3-monthly intervals. Results: All six patients were cured following surgical excision of the endometrioma. Conclusion: A detailed history, thorough pelvic examination and sonographic investigation are essential in diagnosing perineal endometriosis. The role of other diagnostic tools remains controversial. Treatment of extrapelvic endometriosis includes surgical intervention and hormonal suppression. If hormonal suppression fails, surgical excision of the perineal endometrioma should be carried out.
Baryon bound state in two-dimensional SU(N) gauge theory

Abstract The bound-state baryon problem with N quarks in an SU( N ) gauge model of strong interactions is investigated in one-space and one-time dimensions. A study of planar diagrams yields color singlet “baryon” states of quarks that have infrared divergence-free mass spectra. The resulting integral equation turns out to be identical to the one obtained in a particular string model.
Two grindelane diterpenoids from Grindelia camporum

Abstract Two new grindelane diterpenoids, termed camporic acid (a labdane-derived diterpenoid with a pyranoid B-ring) and 17-car☐ygrindelic acid, were isolated from Grindelia camporum as methyl esters and characterized mainly by 1 H and 13 C NMR and mass spectral analyses and comparisons with related grindelanes. Chrysolic acid methyl ester and strictanonic acid methyl ester were also obtained from this species for the first time.
Electrostatic contributions to site specific DNA cleavage by EcoRV endonuclease

Mutational analysis of amino acids at the periphery of the EcoRV endonuclease active site suggests that moderate-range electrostatic effects play a significant role in modulating the efficiency of phosphoryl transfer. Asp36 and Lys38 located on minor-groove binding surface loops approach within 7-9 A of the scissile phosphates of the DNA. While the rates of single-site mutations removing the carboxylate or amine moieties at these positions are decreased 10 3 -10 5 -fold compared to that of wild-type EcoRV, we find that double mutants which rebalance the charge improve catalysis by up to 500-fold. Mutational analysis also suggests that catalytic efficiency is influenced by Lys173, which is buried at the base of a deep depression penetrating from a distal surface of the enzyme. The Lysl73 amine group lies just 6 A from the amine group of the conserved essential Lys92 side chain in the active site. Kinetic and crystallographic analyses of the EcoRV E45A mutant enzyme further show that the Glu45 carboxylate group facilitates an extensive set of conformational transitions which occur upon DNA binding. The crystal structure of E45A bound to DNA and Mn 2 + ions reveals significant conformational alterations in a small α-helical portion of the dimer interface located adjacent to the DNA minor groove. This leads to a tertiary reorientation of the two monomers as well as shifting of the key major-groove binding recognition loops. Because the Glu45 side chain does not appear to play a direct structural role in maintaining the active site, these rearrangements may instead originate in an altered electrostatic potential caused by removal of the negative charge. A Mn 2 + binding site on the scissile phosphate is also disrupted in the E45A structure such that inner-sphere metal interactions made by the scissile DNA phosphate and conserved Asp90 carboxylate are each replaced with water molecules in the mutant. These findings argue against a proposed role for Asp36 as the general base in EcoRV catalysis, and reveal that the induced-fit conformational changes necessary for active site assembly and metal binding are significantly modulated by the electrostatic potential in this region.
A Theory of Trading in Stock Index Futures

It is demonstrated that markets in stock index futures or, more generally, in baskets of securities, provide a preferred trading medium for uninformed liquidity traders who wish to trade portfolios, because adverse selection costs are typically lower in these markets than in markets for individual securities. Thus, an explanation is provided for the immense liquidity and popularity of markets in stock index futures. Implications are also developed for the effect of the introduction of a basket on market liquidity and the informativeness and variability of component security prices, and for the price relationship between the basket and its underlying portfolio. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Redox Control and Hydrogen Production in Sediment Caps Using Carbon Cloth Electrodes

Sediment caps that degrade contaminants can improve their ability to contain contaminants relative to sand and sorbent-amended caps, but few methods to enhance contaminant degradation in sediment caps are available. The objective of this study was to determine if, carbon electrodes emplaced within a sediment cap at poised potential could create a redox gradient and provide electron donor for the potential degradation of contaminants. In a simulated sediment cap overlying sediment from the Anacostia River (Washington, DC), electrochemically induced redox gradients were developed within 3 days and maintained over the period of the test (~100 days). Hydrogen and oxygen were produced by water electrolysis at the electrode surfaces and may serve as electron donor and acceptor for contaminant degradation. Electrochemical and geochemical factors that may influence hydrogen production were studied. Hydrogen production displayed zero order kinetics with ~75% coulombic efficiency and rates were proportional to the applied potential between 2.5V to 5V and not greatly affected by pH. Hydrogen production was promoted by increasing ionic strength and in the presence of natural organic matter. Graphite electrode-stimulated degradation of tetrachlorobenzene in a batch reactor was dependent on applied voltage and production of hydrogen to a concentration above the threshold for biological dechlorination. These findings suggest that electrochemical reactive capping can potentially be used to create “reactive” sediments caps capable of promoting chemical or biological transformations of contaminants within the cap.
Investigating the effects of consumption emotions on customer satisfaction and repeat visit intentions in the lodging industry.

ABSTRACT This study addressed the impact of positive and negative consumption emotions on customer satisfaction and repeat visit intentions. A total of 248 cases were used to test the hypotheses using a series of multiple regression analyses. Generally, the findings were consistent with the literature. Two dimensions (positive and negative) of consumption emotions were confirmed in this study using a confirmatory factor analysis. Positive and negative consumption emotions showed significant effects on customer satisfaction and repeat visit intentions. Customer satisfaction was a significant determinant of repeat visit intentions. Customer satisfaction appeared to be a full mediator in the relationship between positive and negative consumption emotions of customers and their repeat visit intentions. Negative emotion had a greater influence on customer satisfaction and customer repeat visit intentions than positive emotion, so the loss aversion of the prospect theory was empirically supported in its explana...
Distribution of Major Elements and Metals in Sediment Cores from the Western Basin of Lake Ontario

An investigation was made of the relationship between the changes in metal concentrations in sediments with the distance from the Niagara River mouth and the chemical and physical characteristics of the sediments. Sediment cores were obtained at nine sampling stations in the western basin of Lake Ontario. In addition, surface sediment was collected at three stations on the Niagara Bar. Minerals present at all stations were silica, feldspars, illite/muscovite, chlorite, kaolinite, and calcite. Dolomite was found at some sampling stations as grains of 2 to 63 μm size. Significantly elevated concentrations of calcite (up to 20%) in the surface sediment (about 0 to 10 cm) at four sampling stations in the western basin and in the entire 25-cm sediment column at the Niagara River mouth indicated increased input of this mineral into Lake Ontario during the past 100 years. Furthermore, sediment concentration profiles of Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu, Ni, and especially Hg at all sampling stations indicated major transport of metals associated with the clay- and silt-size particles from the Niagara River into Lake Ontario (especially north-north-east and east of the river mouth). A significant decrease in Hg loading from the Niagara River during the past 20 years was also observed. Although smaller in magnitude, a similar decrease was found for Pb, Zn, Cr, Ni, and Cu loading. However, elevated Hg concentrations (up to 7 μg g∼l above background values) existed in the surface 10 cm of sediment at eight sampling stations.
State of the Art Survey of Legal Reference Sources

Legal reference has gone public. Ten years ago, tables of cases, Supreme Court digests and legal encyclopedias were confined to an esoteric circle of law libraries. Today, in the wake of activism, consumerism and sunshine laws, the public at large has demanded and received legal reference tools hither‐to unheard of in the public libraries and general academic collections.
The value impact of strategic intent on firms engaged in information systems outsourcing

Abstract While information systems outsourcing has been on the rise in recent years, empirical evidence about whether IS outsourcing is value creating for shareholders is limited. Little is known about what factors influence the relation between information systems outsourcing and firm value. This study examines the effect of information systems outsourcing announcements on firm value by analyzing whether equity market reactions are associated with the management's strategic intent for outsourcing and firm characteristics of the outsourcing firm. After examining 103 IS outsourcing announcements made during the period from 1996 to 2003, results suggest that value is created for firms outsourcing with short-term operational intent rather than for longer term strategic reasons. In addition, the increase in firm value from an IS outsourcing announcement is positively associated with the firm's operating asset efficiency and the firm being in a service industry.
A speculation on a general photoelectrochemical reactor

A proposal is made for a technique of synthesizing a number of different materials in a photoelectrochemical reactor.
Thyroid releasing hormone test in schizophrenic patients with post-psychotic depression.

Abstract Siris, Samuel G., Kathleen Frechen, Alene Strahan, Janice Cutler, Kim Owen, Jose Alvir and Timothy McCorry: Thyroid Releasing Hormone Test in Schizophrenic Patients with Post-Psychotic Depression. Prog. NeuroPsychopharmacol & Biol. Psychiat. 1991, 15 :369–378. 1. 1. TSH response to TRH was assessed in 25 patients meeting operationalized criteria for the post-psychotic depression syndrome and in an age and sex matched control group of 34 primary depressed patients. 2. 2. A blunted TSH response was observed in 36% of the patients with postpsychotic depression. 3. 3. The rate of blunted TSH response was similar for patients with secondary post-psychotic depression to those patients with primary depressions. 4. 4. Demographic and clinical parameters did not distinguish those postpsychotic depressed patients who had a blunted response from those who did not. 5. 5. A blunted TSH response to TRH did not predict which patients were more likely to have a favorable response when adjunctive imipramine was added to their on-going fluphenazine decanoate and benztropine regimen.
Steroid-binding site residues dictate optimal substrate positioning in rat 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD or AKR1C9)

Abstract Rat liver 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD or AKR1C9), a member of the aldo–keto reductase (AKR) superfamily, plays a pivotal role in the inactivation of circulating steroid hormones. It is the most thoroughly characterized HSD of the AKR superfamily and can be used as a template for structure-function studies in other AKR members such as rodent and human 3α-, 17β- and 20α-HSDs. Based on the crystal structure of the E·NADP+ testosterone ternary complex, there are ten residues that line the testosterone binding cavity: T24, L54, Y55, H117, F118, F129, T226, W227, N306 and Y310. Each residue in the cavity, except for the catalytic residues Y55 and H117, was systematically mutated to alanine to determine the role of the individual residues in steroid recognition. Binding data and kinetic parameters (Kd, kcat, Km and kcat/Km) of the homogeneous mutants were compared with that of the wild type (WT) enzyme. Titration of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence with NADPH demonstrated that cofactor binding was unaltered. However, binding of the steroid hormones testosterone and progesterone to the E·NADPH binary complex was affected to varying degrees. The largest effects on Kd were an 8-fold decrease in affinity for testosterone and a 50-fold decrease in affinity for progesterone. The mutants bound both hormones in the same rank-order except for W227A, where the binding of progesterone was more adversely affected. A series of 3α-hydroxysteroid substrates (A/B trans- and cis-ring fused C19 and C21 steroids) were used to determine the ability of each mutant to catalyze steroid turnover. The alanine mutants that retained kcat/Km values similar to WT were those in which alanine substituted short polar residues such as T24A and T226A. The mutants with the lowest catalytic efficiencies were those in which alanine substituted aromatic residues such as W227A and F129A. The loss in catalytic efficiency was due to large changes in kcat (up to 1000-fold), but not Km. Molecular modeling of the alanine mutants showed that changes in the reaction trajectory defined by the angles and distances by groups that participate in catalysis correlate with changes in kcat. These results highlight the importance of steroid binding site residues in dictating the proper orientation of substrates to achieve high catalytic turnover while having minimal effects on hormone affinity.
Large and small medial frontal cortex lesions and spatial performance of the rat

Rats with sham operations, or small or large medial frontal cortex lesions were compared for the acquisition of a position habit and for learning a series of 4 position habit reversals. No differences were found during acquisition of the position habit. On the reversals, the rats with the larger lesions were markedly impaired, while less severe deficits or control-like performance characterized the rats with the smaller ablations. Analyses of the error scores showed that the rats with the larger lesions made more perseverative errors than the other groups and performed more sporadically even after breaking a previous position habit. These results confirm the hypothesis that a strong relationship exists between medial frontal cortex lesion features (depth and length) and performance. The differences found in acquisition vs. reversal learning, and the nature of the errors observed, also suggest that this part of the brain functions as more than simply a spatial analyzer.
TIP-BASED DATA STORAGE USING MICROMECHANICAL CANTILEVERS

Abstract We describe a micromechanical approach to data storage based on the atomic force microscope. The approach uses a sharp tip on the end of a soft micromachined cantilever. The tip sits in contact with a polymer substrate which contains topographic features representing data. Writing is performed by heating the tip with a laser, which softens the polymer substrate and allows the tip to create a pit. Reading is done by measuring the small deflection of the cantilever as the tip rides over the feature. In this way, areal densities more than 20 times that of optical recording have been achieved. For this purpose, we have fabricated Si3N4 cantilevers with integrated pyramidal tips which have mass as low as 0.3 ng, 30 times less mass than the smallest commercially available cantilevers. With these cantilevers, we have demonstrated reading real data at rates exceeding 1 Mbit/s.
Aging, androgens, and female sexual desire: Can we restore what time takes away?

For many women, it's a fact of life: With increasing age comes decreasing sexual desire, paralleling an age-related decline in androgen production. There is substantial evidence that testosterone treatment significantly increases desire. The next step: Getting appropriate therapies approved.
Parallelism versus memory allocation in pipelined router forwarding engines

A crucial problem that needs to be solved is the allocation of memory to processors in a pipeline. Ideally, the processor memories should be totally separate (i.e., one port memories) in order to minimize contention; however, this minimizes memory sharing. Idealized sharing occurs by using a single shared memory for all processors but this maximizes contention. Instead, in this paper we show that perfect memory sharing of shared memory can be achieved with a collection of *two*-port memories, as long as the number of processors is less than the number of memories. We show that the problem of allocation is NP-complete in general, but has a fast approximation algorithm that comes within a factor of 3/2. The proof utilizes a new bin packing model, which is interesting in its own right. Further, for important special cases that arise in practice the approximation algorithm is indeed optimal. We also describe an incremental memory allocation algorithm that provides good memory utilization while allowing fast updates.
Obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum.

Obstruction of the horizontal limb of the duodenum is relatively uncommon. Most of the reported cases have revolved around the controversial entity of the “superior mesenteric artery syndrome”. We describe four patients with obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum due to widely differing disease processes which, however, share some common radiographic findings.
Systematic Testing of Database Engines Using a Relational Constraint Solver

We describe an automated approach for systematic black-box testing of database management systems (DBMS) using a relational constraint solver. We reduce the problem of automated database testing into generating three artifacts: (1) SQL queries for testing, (2) meaningful input data to populate test databases, and (3) expected results of executing the queries on the generated data. We leverage our previous work on ADUSA and the Automated SQL Query Generator to form high-quality test suites for testing DBMS engines. This paper presents a detailed description of our framework for Automated SQL Query Generation using the Alloy tool-set, and experimental results of testing database engines using our framework. We show how the main SQL grammar constraints can be solved by translating them to Alloy constraints to generate semantically and syntactically correct SQL queries. We also present experimental results of combining ADUSA and the Automated SQL Query Generator, and applying our framework to test the Oracle 11g database. Our framework generated 5 new queries, which reveal erroneous behavior of Oracle 11g.
Treatment of an Infected Pacemaker Pocket With an Antimicrobial Envelope

This article reports the successful treatment of an infected permanent pacemaker pocket after pulse generator replacement in an immunosuppressed patient by means of localized surgical revision of the pulse generator pocket and placement of a sustained-release combination antibacterial envelope in the revised pocket.
A general formulation of linear feedback communication systems with solutions

The feedback coding problem for additive noise systems, in which the noise may be colored, nonstationary, and correlated between channels, is formulated in terms of arbitrary linear operations at the transmitting and receiving points. This rather general linear formulation provides a unified approach for deriving new results, as well as previous results obtained under more restrictive assumptions, in a straightforward manner. Thus the sequential form of the optimum linear feedback code with an average power constraint on the transmitter is derived for noiseless feedback but forward noise of arbitrary covariance. It is shown explicitly that noiseless feedback increases the capacity of a channel with colored noise. The noisy feedback problem is considered and upper and lower bounds on the performance presented.
Nonlinear Stability Analysis of Miscible Displacements

A simulator for three-dimensional horizontal miscible displacements in porous media is developed. Using this simulator, we examine the initiation and development of instabilities, viscous fingers and gravity tongues. With the only perturbations to the system being truncation and round-off errors, a density ratio (the ratio of the density of the displacing fluid to that of the displaced fluid) different from one is responsible for the initiation of the instabilities, and an unfavorable mobility ratio (the ratio of the viscosity of the displaced fluid to that of the displacing fluid) is responsible for the growth of the instabilities. When macroscopic perturbations attributable to initially imperfect contact between the displaced fluid and the displacing fluid at the injection boundary are introduced, an unfavorable mobility ratio is again responsible for the growth of instabilities. Macroscopic perturbations play the same role as a density ratio different from one in initiation of the instabilities, although the manner in which instabilities develop is different.
Impact of Two Psychosocial Interventions on White and African American Family Caregivers of Individuals With Dementia

Purpose: We developed manual-guided, replicable interventions based on common needs and cultural preferences of White and African American family caregivers (CGs) of individuals with dementia, and we evaluated these interventions after a 6-month follow-up. Design and Methods: We randomly assigned White (n = 70) and African American (n = 48) CGs of individuals with dementia to either a skills training condition or a minimal support control condition. Results: The degree of treatment implementation was methodically assessed, and findings demonstrated that both interventions were delivered according to protocol and were well received by CGs. CGs in both groups reported decreasing levels of problem behaviors and appraisals of behavioral bother, and increased satisfaction with leisure activities over time. On a measure of appraisal of distress related to behavior problems, White CGs showed more improvement in the minimal support control condition, and African American CGs showed the greatest improvements in the skills training condition. Spouse and nonspouse CGs also showed differential responses to intervention. Implications: Brief manual-guided interventions can be effective with White and African American CGs, and greater attention should be paid to possible differential responses to
The Quantitative Methods Boot Camp: Teaching Quantitative Thinking and Computing Skills to Graduate Students in the Life Sciences

The past decade has seen a rapid increase in the ability of biologists to collect large amounts of data. It is therefore vital that research biologists acquire the necessary skills during their training to visualize, analyze, and interpret such data. To begin to meet this need, we have developed a “boot camp” in quantitative methods for biology graduate students at Harvard Medical School. The goal of this short, intensive course is to enable students to use computational tools to visualize and analyze data, to strengthen their computational thinking skills, and to simulate and thus extend their intuition about the behavior of complex biological systems. The boot camp teaches basic programming using biological examples from statistics, image processing, and data analysis. This integrative approach to teaching programming and quantitative reasoning motivates students’ engagement by demonstrating the relevance of these skills to their work in life science laboratories. Students also have the opportunity to analyze their own data or explore a topic of interest in more detail. The class is taught with a mixture of short lectures, Socratic discussion, and in-class exercises. Students spend approximately 40% of their class time working through both short and long problems. A high instructor-to-student ratio allows students to get assistance or additional challenges when needed, thus enhancing the experience for students at all levels of mastery. Data collected from end-of-course surveys from the last five offerings of the course (between 2012 and 2014) show that students report high learning gains and feel that the course prepares them for solving quantitative and computational problems they will encounter in their research. We outline our course here which, together with the course materials freely available online under a Creative Commons License, should help to facilitate similar efforts by others.
A novel thermomechanical energy conversion cycle

Abstract This paper presents a new power cycle for direct conversion of thermomechanical energy into electrical energy performed on pyroelectric materials. It consists sequentially of (i) an isothermal electric poling process performed under zero stress followed by (ii) a combined uniaxial compressive stress and heating process, (iii) an isothermal electric de-poling process under uniaxial stress, and finally (iv) the removal of compressive stress during a cooling process. The new cycle was demonstrated experimentally on [0 0 1]-poled PMN-28PT single crystals. The maximum power and energy densities obtained were 41 W/L and 41 J/L/cycle respectively for cold and hot source temperatures of 22 and 130 °C, electric field between 0.2 and 0.95 MV/m, and with uniaxial load of 35.56 MPa at frequency of 1 Hz. The performance and constraints on the operating conditions of the new cycle were compared with those of the Olsen cycle. The new cycle was able to generate power at temperatures below those of the Olsen cycle. In addition, the new power cycle can adapt to changing thermal and mechanical conditions.
Malaria in the emergency department

Eleven patients with malaria seen over five years in one emergency department demonstrate a trend toward more efficient diagnosis and outpatient treatment. Ten patients were diagnosed using a routine Wright's stained peripheral blood smear (three fortuitously). Because treatment of hospitalized patients consists of no more than oral chloraquine, the current regimen allows for outpatient management. Determination of species and extent of drug resistance, as well as eradication of Plasmodium vivax and P ovale, are referred to a consultant after 2 days of oral chloraquine therapy.
Study of cell‐free protein synthesis in aqueous two‐phase systems

Protein synthesis in an aqueous two-phase system is reported here as a novel type of extractive bioconversion. Translation of BMV RNA was studied using either rabbit reticulocyte lysate or wheat-germ extract in aqueous dextran-PEG systems. Both polymers inhibited protein synthesis and the translation system partitioned into both phases. In the rabbit reticulocyte two-phase system, protein synthesis reached 30% of that in free solution, while in wheat-germ extract it was 60% of that in free solution. Protein was found mainly in the dextran (lower) phase but its partitioning was related to the polymer concentration, and molecular weight, as well as the ionic strength of the system. Protein synthesis was highly influenced by PEG concentration, potassium chloride concentration, and dextran molecular weight.
Broken Hearts and Broken Bones: A Neural Perspective on the Similarities Between Social and Physical Pain

Although it is common to describe experiences of social rejection or loss with words typically reserved for physical pain, the idea that these social experiences might actually be experienced as painful seems more far-fetched. However, accumulating evidence demonstrates that social pain—the painful feelings following social rejection or loss—may rely on pain-related neural circuitry. Here, I summarize a program of research that has explored whether social pain relies on pain-related neural regions, as well as some of the expected consequences of a physical–social pain overlap. I also discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of social pain.
Is Structural Equation Modeling Advantageous for the Genetic Improvement of Multiple Traits

Structural equation models (SEMs) are multivariate specifications capable of conveying causal relationships among traits. Although these models offer insights into how phenotypic traits relate to each other, it is unclear whether and how they can improve multiple-trait selection. Here, we explored concepts involved in SEMs, seeking for benefits that could be brought to breeding programs, relative to the standard multitrait model (MTM) commonly used. Genetic effects pertaining to SEMs and MTMs have distinct meanings. In SEMs, they represent genetic effects acting directly on each trait, without mediation by other traits in the model; in MTMs they express overall genetic effects on each trait, equivalent to lumping together direct and indirect genetic effects discriminated by SEMs. However, in breeding programs the goal is selecting candidates that produce offspring with best phenotypes, regardless of how traits are causally associated, so overall additive genetic effects are the matter. Thus, no information is lost in standard settings by using MTM-based predictions, even if traits are indeed causally associated. Nonetheless, causal information allows predicting effects of external interventions. One may be interested in predictions for scenarios where interventions are performed, e.g., artificially defining the value of a trait, blocking causal associations, or modifying their magnitudes. We demonstrate that with information provided by SEMs, predictions for these scenarios are possible from data recorded under no interventions. Contrariwise, MTMs do not provide information for such predictions. As livestock and crop production involves interventions such as management practices, SEMs may be advantageous in many settings.
Hydroxyl radical yields from reactions of terpene mixtures with ozone.

UNLABELLED Chamber studies were conducted to quantify hydroxyl radical (OH·) yields and to determine whether water vapor affected OH· formation in the reactions of ozone (O(3)) with a single terpene, two-component terpene mixtures, and a commercial pine oil cleaning product (POC). Solid-phase microextraction fibers (SPME) were used for sampling the terpenes and the 2-butanone formation from the hydroxyl reaction with 2-butanol as a measure of OH· yields. Analyses were performed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The individual terpenes' OH· yields from α-terpineol, limonene, and α-pinene were 64 ± 8%, 64 ± 6%, and 76 ± 6%, respectively. OH· yields were also measured from two-component mixtures of these terpenes. In each mixture that contained α-terpineol, the overall OH· yield was lower than the modeled OH· yields of the individual components that comprised the reaction mixture. Reactions of a commercial POC with O(3) were also studied to determine how the individual terpenes react in a complex mixture system, and an OH· formation yield of 51 ± 6% was measured. Relative humidity did not have a significant effect on the OH· formation in the mixtures studied here. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The data presented here demonstrate that mixtures may react differently than the sum of their individual components. By investigating the chemistry of mixtures of chemicals in contrast to the chemistry of individual compounds, a better assessment can be made of the overall impact cleaning products have on indoor environments.
Submerged Funicular Arches

This paper evaluates momentless, or funicular, arches designed using Bernoulli-Euler beam theory and evaluates the errors associated with the Bernoulli-Euler and straight-beam approximations. When arches support hydrostatic pressure imposed by water of finite depth, the funicular arch shape depends on the ratio of the water depth to the arch height. Shallow momentless arches [in which the arch height is less than (1/10) the arch span] under deep water (where the water depth is greater than 10 times the arch height) are nearly parabolic in shape. On the other hand, tall momentless arches [in which the arch height is almost (1/2) the arch span] under deep water are nearly semicircular in shape. Momentless arches of intermediate aspect ratios are neither semicircular nor parabolic. The error arising from using straight beam theory (for the bending stresses only) is less than 5% for ratios of beam-depth to radius of curvature less than (1/2). Analyses including bending, shear, and axial deformations and hydro...
Clinical results of bony fixation methods in digital replantation

Clinical results comparing different techniques of fixation in replanted digits have not been described in detail, and bony deformities after replantation have been documented only in limited series. We retrospectively analyzed our population of phalangeal replants over a 5-year period to assess the outcome of different fixation methods with regard to frequency of angulation, fracture instability, nonunion, and need for corrective osteotomy. Techniques evaluated included: single and crossed Kirschner wires, intraosseous wires with and without Kirschner wire support, and the tetrahedral (Cassel) wire. Initial results show similar early angulation deformities in all groups. Intraosseous wires alone were found to have the lowest nonunion and complication rate. The Cassel wire was found to have the highest number of digits with fixation problems. Overall, bony problems were seen in nearly 50% of replants in our series.
Corporate political strategy: A framework for understanding nonprofit strategy

Nonprofit organizations operate in environments characterized by institutional demands for legitimacy. The authors argue that, given this environment, corporate political strategy is critical to a nonprofit's ability to achieve its goals, gain access to resources, and achieve a sustainable advantage. The authors develop this thesis by providing a conceptual argument that corporate political strategy is critical given the institutional nature of the environment, the conflicting demands of multiple stakeholders, and the role of the funder; and by providing contextual evidence of the role of corporate political strategy in nonprofit strategy.
Aortic valve replacement for aortic insufficiency: valve type as a determinant of systolic strain recovery.

Background and aim Left ventricular (LV) 3D systolic strain decreases in absolute value postoperatively and does not recover in patients who undergo aortic valve replacement (AVR) for chronic aortic insufficiency (AI). We investigated whether choice of valve prosthesis (mechanical [St. Jude], bioprosthetic [bovine pericardial], Ross procedure) had a significant impact on strain recovery in this surgical population. Methods MRI with tissue-tagging was performed on 14 patients with chronic AI both before and 28 +/- 13 months after AVR. Average values of LV systolic strain and end-systolic stress (ESS) were computed from MRI data for the LV. Three types of prosthetic valve were examined (Ross procedure n = 4, bovine pericardial n = 5, and St. Jude n = 5). Results Overall, systolic strain, ESS, LV volumes, ejection fraction, and LV mass all changed significantly following AVR. Comparisons between individual valve types revealed no differences in any of these measurements. Patients who received a mechanical valve had a greater decrease in the absolute value of systolic strain following surgery compared to patients from the nonmechanical group (Ross procedure and bioprosthetic valve). Comparisons between the Ross group and the prosthetic group (St. Jude and bioprosthetic) produced no significant differences in strain, ESS, LV volume, and mass. Conclusions These early results suggest that valve prosthetic type may be a factor in efforts to improve strain recovery after AVR for AI, although further investigation is warranted. MRI with tissue-tagging may be a useful tool for comparing the impact of prosthetic valve choice on incompletely recovered systolic strain following AVR for chronic AI.
Cloud chamber observations of cosmic rays at 4300 meters elevation and near sea-level

Cloud chamber photographs at 4300 meters elevation show positive and negative electron tracks similar to those observed at sea-level, but positive-negative electron showers occur more frequently and, in general, consist of more numerous tracks. Showers of 2-4 tracks, 5-10 tracks, and 11-100 tracks occur respectively, 8.6, 21 and 29 times as frequently per unit time at 4300 meters as they do near sea-level. Further measurements on the energy loss in lead of electrons up to 400 MEV, are given. They show that in this range of energies the energy loss in lead is roughly proportional to the incident energy. About one percent of the exposures on Pike's Peak reveal the presence of strongly ionizing particles which in most cases seem to be protons. The proportion of such tracks is considerably greater than at Pasadena. These heavy tracks in general bear only little relation in direction to that of the incoming beam, and usually arise from a type of nuclear disintegration not heretofore observed. The energies of these heavily ionizing particles may rise to values so high as 150 MEV, thus indicating that the source of the particle energies is in the cosmic rays.
Ground and Excited Electronic State Analysis of PrF2+ and PmF2+

The ground state and excited state manifolds are computed for PrF2+ and PmF2+ at the CASSCF (n,8) level of theory where the active space spans the Ln 4f orbitals as well as the F 2pz orbital. Dynamical correlation is included using second-order multireference quasidegenerate perturbation theory (MCQDPT2). The spin–orbit multiplets for each of the excited states are resolved, and spin–orbit coupling constants are computed using the Breit–Pauli spin–orbit operator. Equilibrium geometries for each of the ground and excited states are computed, and the nature of the Ln–F bond is examined. Potential energy curves for the lowest four triplet states and lowest two quintet states are computed for PrF2+, which split into 14 levels upon application of the spin–orbit Hamiltonian. Likewise, the lowest six quintet states are computed for PmF2+ as well as the lowest triplet state and the lowest two septet states. These nine states split into 43 terms upon application of the spin–orbit Hamiltonian.
Optimizing the Arrangement and Shape of Grooves in Microfluidic Components

The Toolbox approach to the automated design of microfluidic components chooses combinations of features based on a precomputed library of shapes in order to optimize tasks such as mixing and surface delivery in channel-based microfluidic components. This approach is extended to include parameterization of feature shapes, meaning that the design algorithm can now blend discreet shapes from the library to produce intermediate groove shapes. Based on the user-supplied performance metric (and not a user-supplied prototype), the Toolbox identifies promising prototypes and then refines them into optimized designs. Components previously optimized for mixing in pressure-driven flow using a limited set of groove shapes are compared to new designs that exploit the additional degrees of freedom in the geometries.
Intestinal lactase: maturational excess expression of mRNA over enzyme protein

The mechanism of decline of intestinal lactase during mammalian development remains uncertain. Despite a major loss of catalytic activity, lactase mRNA appears to persist at detectable concentrations in adult rats. We quantified lactase activity, total lactase protein, and lactase mRNA in rats aged 7, 11, 15, 18, 22, 30, and 60 days using the 7S ribosomal RNA as the developmental control. The active lactase fraction was 0.81 of total lactase for all age groups except 60-day-old animals, in which it declined to 0.60 (P = 0.004), indicating that conversion of active lactase to inactive species contributed to the lower activity in the adult. Northern blots revealed a single discrete 6.8-kb message at all ages. Although lactase activity and immunoprotein decreased coordinately to a minimum by day 30 (20% of the 7-day value), lactase mRNA doubled to a maximum at day 22 and was maintained at 7-day concentrations even in 60-day adults. The lactase mRNA-to-protein ratio was low at 7 days (0.19) but more than doubled (0.50) by 22 days, achieved a fivefold increase (1.0) by 30 days, and persisted at 0.77 in adults. The relative excess of lactase message during maturation suggests that translational or post-translational events may be paramount in the developmental regulation of lactase gene expression.
Study on Positioning Model in Smart Space

Due to the noise interference, distance errors of unknown node can be occurred in the 3-D smart space.The errors due to positioning an regional are studied, and some conclutions are deduced that errors of uknown node are smallest when positioning reference nodes and unknown node meet certain conditions.Thus, the layout model theorem of space positioning refrence nodes is proposed.Simulation results indicate that the positioning reference point placement theorems can meet the requirement of samrt terminal's real-time positioning and possesses the preferable positioning precision.
High-performance carbon nanofibers and nanotubes

Abstract In this chapter, a brief review of various synthesis techniques and theoretical aspects of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) followed by CNT-based composite filaments are discussed. Several polymers including polyacrylonitrile (PAN) for carbon fibers have been reinforced with various amounts of CNT and they have shown certain levels of improvement in tensile properties. Commercially available CNT yarns are also discussed with respect to their microstructure, strength, and modulus, and compared with the physical properties of CNTs. A short introduction to carbon nanofibers (CNFs) followed by synthesis techniques and their structure are discussed. Wet spinning of CNFs reinforced in PAN precursor and their conversion to carbon fiber is discussed. Surface modifications of CNTs and CNFs are also discussed for reinforcement in polymer filaments. Finally, applications of CNTs and CNFs are reviewed.
Encouraging Inclusiveness in Doing Sociology: Public and Private, Applied and Clinical

Presidential Address at the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology Annual meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, October 11, 2014.The following address provides my thoughts about how the discipline of sociology could enhance it effectiveness as an agent of positive social change while simultanously increasing its professional legitimacy.