cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced type-A carbohydrate-binding module interactions to cellulose leads to improved endocellulase activity

Dissociation of non-productively bound cellulolytic enzymes from cellulose is hypothesized to be a key rate-limiting factor impeding cost-effective biomass conversion to fermentable sugars. However, the role of carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) in enabling non-productive enzyme binding is not well understood. Here, we examine the subtle interplay of CBM binding and cellulose hydrolysis activity for three model Type-A CBMs (families 1, 3a, and 64) tethered to a multifunctional endoglucanase (CelE) on two distinct cellulose allomorphs (i.e., cellulose I and III). We generated a small-library of mutant CBMs with varying cellulose affinity, as determined by equilibrium binding assays, followed by monitoring cellulose hydrolysis activity of CelE-CBM fusion constructs. Finally, kinetic binding assays using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) were employed to measure CBM adsorption and desorption rate constants K_on and K_off, respectively, towards nanocrystalline cellulose derived from both allomorphs. Overall, our results indicate that reduced CBM equilibrium binding affinity towards cellulose I alone, resulting from increased desorption rates (K_off) and reduced effective adsorption rates (〖nK〗_on), is correlated to overall improved endocellulase activity. Future studies could employ similar approaches to unravel the role of CBMs in non-productive enzyme binding and develop improved cellulolytic enzymes for industrial applications.
Insulin sensing by astrocytes is critical for normal thermogenesis and body temperature regulation

The important role of astrocytes in the central control of energy balance and glucose homeostasis has recently been recognized. Changes in thermoregulation can lead to metabolic dysregulation, but the role of astrocytes in this process is not yet clear. Therefore, we generated mice congenitally lacking insulin receptors (Ir) in astrocytes (IrKOGFAP mice) to investigate the involvement of astrocyte insulin signaling. IrKOGFAP mice displayed significantly lower energy expenditure and a strikingly lower basal and fasting body temperature. When exposed to cold, however, they were able to mount a thermogenic response. IrKOGFAP mice displayed sex differences in metabolic function and thermogenesis that may contribute to the development of obesity and type II diabetes as early as 2 months of age. While brown adipose tissue exhibited higher adipocyte size in both sexes, more apoptosis was seen in IrKOGFAP males. Less innervation and lower BAR3 expression levels were also observed in IrKOGFAP brown adipose tissue. These effects have not been reported in models of astrocyte Ir deletion in adulthood. In contrast, body weight and glucose regulatory defects phenocopied such models. These findings identify a novel role for astrocyte insulin signaling in the development of normal body temperature control and sympathetic activation of BAT. Targeting insulin signaling in astrocytes has the potential to serve as a novel target for increasing energy expenditure.
The Need to Reconcile Concepts that Characterize Systems Facing Threats

Desirable system performance in the face of threats has been characterized by various management concepts. Through semistructured interviews with editors of journals in the fields of emergency response and systems management, a literature review, and professional judgment, we identified nine related and often interchangeably used system performance concepts: adaptability, agility, reliability, resilience, resistance, robustness, safety, security, and sustainability. A better understanding of these concepts will allow system planners to pursue management strategies best suited to their unique system dynamics and specific objectives of good performance. We analyze expert responses and review the linguistic definitions and mathematical framing of these concepts to understand their applications. We find a lack of consensus on their usage between interview subjects, but by using the mathematical framing to enrich the linguistic definitions, we formulate comparative visualizations and propose distinct definitions for the nine concepts. We present a conceptual framing to relate the concepts for management purposes.
Urban evolution of invasive species

Urban areas can drive rapid evolution of species and are hotspots for entry and establishment of invasive species, but it is unclear how urban evolution is impacting the process and risk of invasion by non‐native species. Using a synthesis of current research as a basis, we contend that urban evolution of non‐native species can enhance invader establishment, spread, and ecological impact, which can facilitate invader success under future global change conditions. In addition, we highlight that ecological opportunity in urban areas is a potentially important but unexplored mechanism that could accelerate invader evolution. Urban evolution of invaders is a critical new area of research that could reveal novel pathways and mechanisms in the invasion process, and improve predictions and management of invasive species around the world.
Treatment with Bacterial Biologics Promotes Healthy Aging and Traumatic Brain Injury Responses in Adult Drosophila, Modeling the Gut-Brain Axis and Inflammation Responses.

Drosophila are widely used to study neural development, immunity, and inflammatory pathways and processes associated with the gut–brain axis. Here, we examine the response of adult Drosophila given an inactive bacteriologic (IAB; proprietary lysate preparation of Lactobacillus bulgaricus, ReseT®) and a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG). In vitro, the IAB activates a subset of conserved Toll-like receptor (TLR) and nucleotide-binding, oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD) receptors in human cells, and oral administration slowed the age-related decline of adult Drosophila locomotor behaviors. On average, IAB-treated flies lived significantly longer (+23%) and had lower neural aggregate profiles. Different IAB dosages also improved locomotor function and longevity profiles after traumatic brain injury (TBI) exposure. Mechanistically, short-term IAB and LGG treatment altered baseline nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κβ) signaling profiles in neural and abdominal tissues. Overall, at select dosages, IAB and LGG exposure has a positive impact on Drosophila longevity, neural aging, and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)-related responses, with IAB showing greater benefit. This includes severe TBI (sTBI) responses, where IAB treatment was protective and LGG increased acute mortality profiles. This work shows that Drosophila are an effective model for testing bacterial-based biologics, that IAB and probiotic treatments promote neuronal health and influence inflammatory pathways in neural and immune tissues. Therefore, targeted IAB treatments are a novel strategy to promote the appropriate function of the gut–brain axis.
Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Less Likely to Meet Daily Physical Activity Recommendations

Background: Physical activity is a known beneficial, adjunctive therapy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the most common neuropsychiatric disorder affecting 8-10% of children worldwide. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends daily physical activity of 60 minutes or more for children and adolescents 6-17 years of age. To date, studies examining the relationship between ADHD and physical exercise have focused on exercise as a complementary treatment modality in small-scale trials; information regarding national status of physical activity among children …
A novel pediatric presentation of epilepsy, nonanesthetic malignant hyperthermia, and congenital developmental delay associated with likely pathologic RYR1 variant. (P4.080)

Objective: To present a previously unreported case; describe novel variants in two genes, RYR1 and CACNA1H, encoding calcium channel complex proteins; and suggest both a mechanism and reasonable therapeutic approach based on current theories of calcium channel blockade. Background: RYR1 variants have been associated with an incompletely penetrant autosomal dominant phenotype of myopathy with “awake” malignant hyperthermia (MH) in children. There are cases of nonanesthetic MH with global developmental delay, but not epilepsy, arising from compound heterozygosity in RYR1. CACNA1S, but not CACNA1H, has been implicated in pediatric MH. In addition, dantrolene acts at the ryanodine receptor in malignant hyperthermia, and is theorized to ‘rescue’ neurons from injury in status epilepticus via inhibition of nitric oxide-mediated activation. Design/Methods: Our patient underwent whole exome sequencing (WES), microarray, biopsy, neuroimaging, and electrographic studies, which were compared to available literature. WES results were re-analyzed with recent modeling software. Results: WES showed a likely pathologic heterozygous RYR1 variant, F1161L, which prompted deletion/duplication testing for compound heterozygosity. A heterozygous CACNA1H variant, P1134R, was also found. Biopsy showed mild myopathic features with small type II fibers. Electroencephalograms showed electrographic and clinical seizures with multiple episodes of status. Neuroimaging revealed progressive deep gray matter diffusion restriction followed by diffuse white matter injury. Therapeutically, the patient eventually responded to antiepileptics and dantrolene. She was maintained on enteral dantrolene. Conclusions: In a unique clinical presentation, ryanodine receptor blockade appeared to interrupt cycles of white matter injury, hyperthermia, and prolonged seizures. We postulate this may also have prevented further injury from status epilepticus. This study is distinguished by electrographic, genetic, and neuroimaging findings. We propose a genetic explanation and therapeutic approach for this novel case of pediatric epilepsy, developmental delay, and nonanesthetic malignant hyperthermia. Disclosure: Dr. Schwarz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Bauer Huang has nothing to disclose.
[11C]-Methionine PET for Identification of Pediatric High-Grade Glioma Recurrence.

Rationale: Differentiating tumor recurrence or progression from pseudoprogression during surveillance of pediatric high-grade gliomas (PHGGs) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the primary imaging modality for evaluation of brain tumors, can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether 11C-methionine positron emission tomography ([11C]MET -PET), a molecular imaging technique that detects functionally active tumors, is useful for further evaluating MRI changes concerning for tumor recurrence during routine surveillance. Methods: We evaluated 27 lesions in 26 patients with new or worsening MRI abnormalities, where PHGG tumor recurrence was of concern during follow-up visits with [11C]MET -PET. We performed quantitative and qualitative assessments of both [11C]MET-PET and MRI data to predict the presence of tumor recurrence. Further, to assess for an association with overall survival we plotted the time from development of the imaging changes against survival. Results: Qualitative evaluation of [11C]MET-PET achieved 100% sensitivity, 60% specificity, and 93% accuracy to correctly predict the presence of tumors in 27 new or worsening MRI abnormalities. Qualitative MRI evaluation achieved sensitivity ranging from 86% to 95%, specificity ranging from 40% to 60%, and accuracy ranging from 85% to 89%. The interobserver agreement for [11C]MET-PET assessment was 100%, whereas the interobserver agreement was only 50% for MRI (P = <0.01). Quantitative MRI and [11C]MET-PET evaluation using receiver operating characteristics demonstrated higher specificity (80%) than qualitative evaluations (40-60%). Postcontrast enhancement volume, metabolic tumor volume, tumor-to-brain ratio and presence of tumor as determined by consensus MRI assessment were inversely associated with overall survival. Conclusion: [11C]MET-PET has slightly higher sensitivity, and accuracy for correctly predicting presence of tumor recurrence, with excellent interobserver agreement, than does MRI. Quantitative [11C]MET-PET can also predict overall survival. These findings suggest [11C]MET-PET can be useful for further evaluation of MRI changes during surveillance of previously treated PHGG.
Relative Weights on Measures of Past Performance

To investigate the role of measures of past performance and accomplishments in determining compensation, we develop a principal-agent model where the agent's ability is not observed directly by the principal. To the extent managerial ability persists over time, past performance and accomplishments signal how the agent's innate ability is likely to affect future performance which, in turn, should affect his value to the firm as well as the wage level he can command in the labor market for his services. We show that the principal's optimal solution for employing and compensating the agent can be implemented by a simple take-it-or-leave-it offer mechanism in which the optimal compensation level can be expressed as a nonlinear function of two linear aggregates of measures of past performance. We show that the optimal aggregate measure places a greater weight on measures of past performance that are more precise and more sensitive to the agent's ability. The results are analogous to those in moral hazard models, but they stem from the posterior expectation about the agent's ability in creating value for the firm and in commanding a higher market price rather than the slope of the loglikelihood function in inferring his unobservable effort.
Seizures: A Rare Presentation of Autonomic Dysreflexia in a Young Adult with Complete Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Background: Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a common complication for individuals with cervical or upper-mid thoracic spinal cord injury (SCI). It is a life-threatening emergency; however, it is rarely encountered by many emergency physicians, thus, ongoing awareness of the topic is necessary. Case Report: An 18-year-old man with cervical spinal cord injury presented to the Emergency Department with headache, nausea, elevated blood pressure, and seizures. He was treated with antiepileptics and transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The PICU care team recognized AD as the cause of the seizure, secondary to a clogged suprapubic catheter causing overdistension of his bladder. Once replaced, over 1 liter of urine drained from his bladder and his autonomic symptoms resolved. He became hypotensive and required fluid resuscitation, but no further seizures occurred. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Although rare, AD can result in seizures, intracerebral hemorrhage, or even death if not recognized or treated appropriately. Emergency physicians should recognize headaches, facial flushing, and sweating as early symptoms of AD, along with acute elevation in blood pressure (noting that baseline blood pressure may be lower in individuals with SCI). Management involves evaluating and treating noxious stimuli below the level of neurologic injury. Symptom management alone, without resolution of the underlying issue, can add to morbidity and mortality.
A Retinoic Acid Receptor β2 Agonist Attenuates Transcriptome and Metabolome Changes Underlying Non-Alcohol-Associated Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcohol-associated fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive hepatic accumulation of fat that can progress to steatohepatitis, and currently, therapeutic options are limited. Using a high fat diet (HFD) mouse model of NAFLD, we determined the effects of the synthetic retinoid, AC261066, a selective retinoic acid receptor β2 (RARβ2) agonist, on the global liver transcriptomes and metabolomes of mice with dietary-induced obesity (DIO) using genome-wide RNA-seq and untargeted metabolomics. We found that AC260166 limits mRNA increases in several presumptive NAFLD driver genes, including Pklr, Fasn, Thrsp, and Chchd6. Importantly, AC261066 limits the increases in the transcript and protein levels of KHK, a key enzyme for fructose metabolism, and causes multiple changes in liver metabolites involved in fructose metabolism. In addition, in cultured murine hepatocytes, where exposure to fructose and palmitate results in a profound increase in lipid accumulation, AC261066 limits this lipid accumulation. Importantly, we demonstrate that in a human hepatocyte cell line, RARβ is required for the inhibitory effects of AC261066 on palmitate-induced lipid accumulation. Finally, our data indicate that AC261066 inhibits molecular events underpinning fibrosis and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, changes in the transcriptome and metabolome indicate that AC261066 affects molecular changes underlying multiple aspects of NAFLD, including steatosis and fibrosis. Therefore, we suggest that AC261066 may have potential as an effective therapy for NAFLD.
Nonlinear dynamics and control of a four–wheel steering vehicle using symbolic–numerical approach

A symbolic–numerical approach is used to analyse the response of a road vehicle equipped with a four–wheel steering system using a nonlinear model with a low number of DOF. A quadratic law to control the rear wheels is derived in closed–form, which shows better characteristics under steering and braking manoeuvres than its linear equivalent. The stability of the straight line motion for four–wheel steering and front–wheel steering vehicles is analysed using symbolic manipulation to characterize the stability in terms of eigenvalues computed in closed–form. This approach can provide formulas to assess dynamic stability and significantly enhance the vehicle design process.
Monitoring information leakage during query aggregation

Data sharing and information exchange have grown exponentially with the information explosion in the last few years. More and more data are being shared among different types of users residing in different places, performing different kinds of tasks for different kinds of applications. Privacy control is a major issue for today's data managers. In this research, we presented two models to solve the information leakage problem occurring during query aggregation. The first model is the base model that uses a single inference dispersion value for each user where as the second model uses multiple inference dispersion values for each user with a view to provide more accessibility.
Expectancy for Life in Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia

Survival data were calculated for 125 patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia seen at the University of Minnesota Hospitals during the years 1945 to 1957 and followed for another 4 years. An actuarial method and modified maximum likelihood method were used for the statistical analyses. The survival times in this study are significantly longer than those reported previously in large reference series of chronic leukemia. They more nearly approximate the results reported by Osgood for patients treated by his method of total body irradiation. It is suggested that in a disease with a wide clinical spectrum such as chronic lymphatic leukemia, differences in survival may be mainly related to differences in the composition of the groups being studied.
Analysis and design of single-phase PFC converters for airborne systems

The stringent limits on harmonic current distortion for airborne equipment call for the development of power-factor-corrected (PFC) ac-dc converters with performance not offered by existing designs for terrestrial applications. The design challenge is further compounded by the use of high-frequency (400 Hz at the present, 360-800 Hz variable frequency in the future) ac sources. Different causes that contribute to input current distortions of single-phase PFC converters are analyzed in this paper to develop a quantitative understanding of various distortion generation mechanisms. Particular emphasis is placed on current harmonic distortion around zero crossing points of the input voltage. A new cause for current crossover distortion is discussed based upon a simple analytical model of the current control loop. Cusp distortion, distortion due to discontinuous conduction mode of operation, and the effects of dc-side filter capacitor are also discussed. Various distortion reduction techniques, including adding a phase delay to the reference, adaptive current loop gain, and feedforward control, are presented along with numerical simulation and experimental results to validate the analysis.
Semi-implicit time integration for PN thermal radiative transfer

Implicit time integration involving the solution of large systems of equations is the current paradigm for time-dependent radiative transfer. In this paper we present a semi-implicit, linear discontinuous Galerkin method for the spherical harmonics (P"N) equations for thermal radiative transfer in planar geometry. Our method is novel in that the material coupling terms are treated implicitly (via linearizing the emission source) and the streaming operator is treated explicitly using a second-order accurate Runge-Kutta method. The benefit of this approach is that each time step only involves the solution of equations that are local to each cell. This benefit comes at the cost of having the time step limited by a CFL condition based on the speed of light. To guarantee positivity and avoid artificial oscillations, we use a slope-limiting technique. We present analysis and numerical results that show the method is robust in the diffusion limit when the photon mean-free path is not resolved by the spatial mesh. Also, in the diffusion limit the time step restriction relaxes to a less restrictive explicit diffusion CFL condition. We demonstrate with numerical results that away from the diffusion limit our method demonstrates second-order error convergence as the spatial mesh is refined with a fixed CFL number.
Characterization of CD8+ T Lymphocytes That Persist After Peripheral Tolerance to a Self Antigen Expressed in the Pancreas

As a result of expression of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) in the pancreatic islets, the repertoire of HA-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in InsHA transgenic mice (D2 mice expressing the HA transgene under control of the rat insulin promoter) is comprised of cells that are less responsive to cognate Ag than are HA-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes from conventional mice. Previous studies of tolerance induction involving TCR transgenic T lymphocytes suggested that a variety of different mechanisms can reduce avidity for Ag, including altered cell surface expression of molecules involved in Ag recognition and a deficiency in signaling through the TCR complex. To determine which, if any, of these mechanisms pertain to CD8+ T lymphocytes within a conventional repertoire, HA-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes from B10.D2 mice and B10.D2 InsHA transgenic mice were compared with respect to expression of cell surface molecules, TCR gene utilization, binding of tetrameric KdHA complexes, lytic mechanisms, and diabetogenic potential. No evidence was found for reduced expression of TCR or CD8 by InsHA-derived CTL, nor was there evidence for a defect in triggering lytic activity. However, avidity differences between CD8+ clones correlated with their ability to bind KdHA tetramers. These results argue that most of the KdHA-specific T lymphocytes in InsHA mice are not intrinsically different from KdHA-specific T lymphocytes isolated from conventional animals. They simply express TCRs that are less avid in their binding to KdHA.
Robust unit commitment problem with demand response and wind energy

Currently, both demand response (DR) strategy and renewable energy have been adopted to improve power generation efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emission. However, the uncertainty and intermittent generation pattern in wind farms and the complexity of demand side management pose huge challenges. In this paper, we analytically investigate how to integrate DR and wind energy with fossil fuel generators to (i) minimize power generation cost; and (2) fully take advantage of the wind energy with the managed demand to reduce greenhouse emission. We first build a two-stage robust unit commitment (UC) model to obtain day-ahead generator schedules where wind uncertainty is captured by a polytopic uncertainty set. Then, we extend our model to include DR strategy such that both price levels and generator schedules will be derived for the next day. For these two challenging models, we derive their mathematical properties and develop a novel solution method. Our computational study on an IEEE 118-bus system with 36 units shows that robust UC models can fully make use of wind generation with less generation cost. Also, the developed algorithm is computationally superior to classical Benders decomposition method.
The impact of mental health films on inpatient psychotherapy.

ALBEI~TA_ JACOBY, B.A. In recent years, a number o,f mental heal~ fi,lms have been produced for varieu,s c o~n~mnity purposes. By early 1957, the Mental Health Film Boa,rd had a listing of 14. The writers a.sked t~hem~selves whether these fill'ms c o~.ld be used for psychothera,p,eutic p~rpo.ses., ,serving--with di,sc~u.s.sion--either ,as therape~iic toels in their .own r~ght or as adjutants to existir~g therapies. W~ile the writer,s' study vca,s in f~rvcess, they feund ~he intere,s.ting p~aper that Behy~ner, Cianida, Coeper, Faden and Ka~ne h~a~d ju~st, published. ~ These authers reviewed the literatu,r:e, .a~d po.inted eut that t~here had been no p reviou:s ,st~stained attempt, within group structure, to. u,se mental health films for the .p,urp.o~se,s ef reh,abilitation and treat~nent o,f the mentally ill. There is a m,arked difference in the methedele~T ef Behym, er's gro~p and that ef the present report. In the w~iters' project, the aim was to ~answer the ques~ien, "Can mental health film,s in any way influence existing the~a.peutic experiences ?" by studyin,g in detail ,a sm,alll ~ number o,f patien.t~s, u~si:n.g psyeholo,gical and :c]in~ica] dat, a to ev.aluate b,o~h cons,ciou~s ,and unco,nscieus reaction,s to the film sho~vin.~s. METHOD The group conducting the s~.u'dy consisted of the director o,f the p syahiatric service, the chief p syc:helogist of the hospit~al, the ahief resident in p,syc'h~a.try, ,a p~sycholo~st es,pecially ,a,ssigned te the projec,t, ,and the executive .secretary of the Mental Healt~ Fil~ Beard. This gro.up met every two weeks during the, life o.f the pro.jeer to .disc~,ss methods ~and data, and to revise .methods when neces~s,ary. The e~peT:imental p,opulation consisted o.f ward patients on the p.sychiatric ,seI~ice ef the Meun.t ,Sinai H~spit~l, New York City, during the period from February 13 to June 30, 1957. T.he capacity ef the unit is 21 be~s (men ,and wo~,en); th:e average ,census during the ~stu~dy period was 19, of whieh one or two represent priwate o.r semi-private patients (not inaluded .in ~h.e ,sCudy, except
Amdinocillin plus cefoxitin versus cefoxitin alone in therapy of mixed soft tissue infections (including diabetic foot infections)

Abstract In a randomized comparative trial, 45 patients were treated with amdinocillin plus cefoxitin or cefoxitin alone for bacterial soft tissue infections. Most patients were diabetic and had polymicrobial foot infections. The combination of amdinocillin plus cefoxitin was active in vitro against 71 percent of the isolates obtained before therapy as compared with 65 percent for cefoxitin alone. The combination demonstrated synergy for 29 percent of the isolates tested. A satisfactory clinical response occurred in 90 percent and 71 percent of patients treated with the combination regimen and cefoxitin, respectively, (p > 0.1). An increase in serum creatinine thought to be due to interstitial nephritis occurred in one patient treated with the combination regimen. The combination of amdinocillin and cefoxitin was effective in mixed soft tissue infections including diabetic foot infections.
Effect of heterogeneity in fracture permeability on the potential for liquid seepage into a heated emplacement drift of the potential repository

Abstract A numerical model was used to investigate the effect of spatial variability in fracture permeability on liquid seepage and moisture distribution in the vicinity of a waste emplacement drift in the unsaturated zone (UZ) of Yucca Mountain. The model is based on a two-dimensional, cross-sectional, dual-permeability model of the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain and uses a stochastic approach to investigate the effect of small-scale heterogeneous features. The studies were conducted using one uniform fracture permeability case, three realizations of stochastically generated fracture permeability, one discrete permeability feature case, and one increased ambient liquid flux case. In all cases, the models predict that completely dry drift conditions will develop above and below the drift in 10–100 years and remain dry for 1000–2000 years. During this period, the models predict no seepage into drifts, although liquid flux above the drifts and within the drift pillars may increase by up to two orders of magnitude above ambient flux. This is because the heat released by the emplaced waste is sufficient to vaporize liquid flux of one to two orders of magnitude higher than present-day ambient flux for over 1000 years. The results also show that unsaturated zone thermal–hydrological (TH) models with uniform layer permeability can adequately predict the evolution of seepage and moisture distribution in the rock mass surrounding the repository drifts. The models further show that although variability in fracture permeability may focus and enhance liquid flow in regions of enhanced liquid saturation (due to condensation above the drifts), vaporization and vapor diffusion can maintain a dry environment within the drifts for thousands of years.
Plasmon hybridization in metallic nanostructures

The plasmon hybridization method is a powerful approach for calculating the energies of plasmon resonances in composite nanostructures. It is shown that the plasmons of a complex nanostructure can be viewed as resulting from hybridization of the elementary plasmon modes associated with the different surfaces of the nanostructure. This interaction leads to the formation of bonding and anti-bonding plasmon modes. The picture is entirely analogous to the interaction of electronic levels in molecular orbital theory. We present an application to spherical nanoparticles such as metallic nanoshells and concentric nanoshells (nanomatrushkas), nanoparticle dimers, and nanoparticles interacting with metallic surfaces.
Effect of Low Temperatures on Infra-Red Spectra

A MAJOR portion of infra-red spectroscopy to-day is directed toward the determination of characteristic vibrational frequencies of polyatomic molecules. In almost all cases the information is limited because the broad bands overlap. Cooling the sample to low temperatures offers the possibility that the natural width of each band is reduced sufficiently to resolve individual vibrational frequencies. The extent of the improvement has recently been the subject of a considerable amount of controversy. Walsh and Willis1 and we2 have pointed out that, in general, quantized rotation does not occur in condensed phases, so that one cannot agree with Avery, Morrison and Ellis3, who stated that narrowing would obey the very strong law, ∼ T½, characteristic of rotational structure. However, we cannot agree with Walsh and Willis that narrowing can only occur through a change of state. On the contrary, on very general grounds2,4, some narrowing would be expected from depopulation of the Debye acoustic waves, which are coupled with the molecular vibrations to give width to the bands.
Collateral Damage and the "Incident" at Haditha

In his paper, "Collateral Damage and the 'Incident' at Haditha," Tom Engelhardt provides a comparative analysis of the massacres of innocent civilians in the Viet Nam and Iraqi wars. Focusing on the events of My Lai, Haditha, Abu Ghraib, and Fallujah, Engelhardt traces the uncanny resemblance between the ways that the military attempted to contain the flow of information about these atrocities. Engelhardt analyzes the rhetorical tropes of media coverage via the favored terms of "collateral damage" and "incident" and the preferred statistics that always claim that 99.9% of the military conducts itself professionally. The fact that the media not only accepts but also promotes such specious terms and statistics has dire consequences for the public's ability to make sense of the atrocities of war. Engelhardt's analysis reveals how the practice of war and the language it depends on create a mass of unknowable enemies that are easy to kill and even easier to forget. Tom Engelhardt, "Collateral Damage and the 'Incident' at Haditha" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 9.1 (2007): Thematic Issue, Representing Humanity in an Age of Terror. Ed. Sophia A. McClennen and Henry James Morello
Peripheral suppression of first pain and central summation of second pain evoked by noxious heat pulses

Psychophysical experiments were carried out on 6 huma subjects to determine how first and second pain are influenced by peripheral receptor mechanisms and by central nervous system inhibitory and facilitatory mechanisms. For these experiments, brief natural painful stimuli delivered to the hand were a train of 4-8 constant waveform heat pulses generated by a contact thermode (peak temp. = 51-5% C). The magnitude of first and second pain sensations was estimated using cross-modality matching procedures and reaction times were determined. The latter confirmed the relationship between first and second pain and impulse conduction in Adelta and C noxious heat afferents, respectively. The intensity of first pain decreased with each successive heat pulse when the interpulse interval was 80 sec or less. This decrease was most likely the result of heat induced suppression of Adelta heat nociceptors since it did not occur if the probe location changed between successive heat pulses. In contrast, second pain increased in intensity with each successive heat pulse if the interval was 3 sec or less. This summation was most likely due to central nervous system summation mechanisms since it also occurred after blockage of first pain by ulnar nerve compression and when the location of the thermode changed between heat pulses. These observations and their interpretations are supported by our recording of responses of singlt Adelta heat nociceptive afferents, C polymodal nociceptive afferents, and "warm" afferents of rhsus monkeys to similar trains of noxious heat pulses. Their responses to these heat pulses show a progressive suppression. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that wide dynamic range dorsal horn neurons show summated responses to repeated volleys in C fibers (greater than 1/3 sec). These spinal cord summation mechanisms could account for the summation of second pain.
Feline Laparoscopy for Gastrointestinal Disease

Laparoscopy offers a minimally invasive route by which to evaluate the abdominal cavity, assess abdominal organs and tissues, and obtain a histopathologic diagnosis in a variety of feline gastrointestinal diseases. This article concentrates on the diagnostic utility of the procedure, but there are a number of surgical procedures that can be performed with laparoscopy as well. The most common use of diagnostic laparoscopy in the feline is to obtain a biopsy of the liver, but a variety other extra-intestinal tissues can be sampled relatively easily; biopsy of the pancreas and aspiration of the gallbladder are particularly relevant to feline gastrointestinal disease. Laparoscopy is often performed on an outpatient basis, there are very few absolute contraindications to the procedure, and laparoscopy results in minimal morbidity or mortality. The skill set required for the use of laparoscopy in the vast majority of feline cases can be readily mastered by the practitioner to a level of proficiency that makes this procedure a high-yield, efficient, and cost-effective diagnostic tool.
Detection of e Antigen during Acute and Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infections in Chimpanzees

Sera from 35 chimpanzees that developed infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) were tested for the presence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBe Ag) and its antibody (antiHBe). HBe Ag was detected early in the course of the disease in the sera of six of eight chimpanzees, which became chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HB, Ag), and in the sera of three of 27 chimpanzees, which recovered from acute infection with HBV. Of the nine chimpanzees with HBe Ag, all had the previously described HBe Ag/1 and HBe Ag/2 specificities, and one appeared to have a third specificity. None of the 35 chimpanzees developed detectable titers of anti-HBe. Weekly samples of serum from four chimpanzees (three of which developed chronic HBV infections and one with an acute infection) were further studied to determine the pattern of acquisition of HBe Ag. In each animal, HBe Ag appeared eight to 12 weeks after the appearance of HB, Ag detected by radioimmunoassay and up to four weeks before elevation of levels of liver enzymes. In the three chronically infected chimpanzees, HBe Ag was undetectable after four, nine, and 95 weeks, although HB, Ag persisted. In the animal with acute hepatitis, HBe Ag was undetectable before clearance of HB, Ag. The observed pattern of HBe Ag detectability suggests that the appearance of HBe Ag in the course of HBV infection in chimpanzees may signal the progression of the disease to chronic infection.
Optimizing cloud utilization via switching decisions

This paper studies a control problem for optimal switching on and off a cloud computing services modeled by an M=M=1 queue with holding, running and switching costs. The main result is that an average-optimal policy either always runs the system or is an (M; N)- policy defined by two thresholds M and N, such that the system is switched on upon an arrival epoch when the system size accumulates to N and it is switched off upon a departure epoch when the system size decreases to M. We compare the optimal (M; N)-policy with the classical (0; N)-policy and show the non-optimality of it.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of cervicovaginal human papillomavirus.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intravaginal 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and placebo for the treatment of cervical and/or vaginal human papillomavirus (HPV). METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial was performed. Women with HPV detected visually or by Papanicolaou (Pap) test and confirmed by colposcopic biopsy were randomized to receive either intravaginal 5-FU cream or an intravaginal placebo cream. Women with cervical or vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia were excluded. The primary outcome measure was cytologic regression of HPV as determined by Pap test screening 4 to 6 months after treatment. The secondary outcome was cytologic evidence of disease progression at both the 4-6-month and 12-month follow-up evaluations. Data were analyzed using the Chi square test with significance established at P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of forty patients were randomized, and thirty patients had a follow-up Pap test 4 to 6 months after treatment. Of those patients treated with 5-FU, 28% demonstrated regression of HPV on cytologic evaluation, compared with 69% of those treated with placebo (P < 0.05). Twelve-month follow-up cytology was available from 18 of the study participants. There were no significant differences in the frequency of cytologic progression or regression between groups at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Four to six months post treatment, the use of intravaginal 5-FU for the treatment of cervical or vaginal HPV is associated with a lower rate of regression than the use of placebo.
The Bee Kind Garden: a qualitative description of work with maltreated children

Although overwhelming numbers of children experience maltreatment in the U.S.A., less than half receive mental health services. Furthermore, those seeking treatment frequently find a lack of available and/or appropriate services, thus many communities look for alternative ways to provide services to maltreated children. In this article we describe the Bee Kind Garden, an innovative project for maltreated children. Because the combination of strategies employed in the Garden was not found in any other comparable, published program, our goal is to describe the program from treatment providers' perspectives and to provide a theoretical basis for the program's conceptualization. We conducted semistructured interviews with providers from a wide variety of professional backgrounds and roles (e.g. child therapists, animal-assisted therapists, environmental educators). Through qualitative analyses, we identified five primary themes that encompassed providers' descriptions: Metaphorical environment, garden environment, one-on-one relationship, child-centered focus, and challenging representational models. Results and conclusions describing this innovative program are presented in the context of current child maltreatment literature. Discussion of collaboration between community-based organizations and academic researchers is suggested.
Alignment of Ne7+ following electron capture by Ne8+ ions in a sodium target.

The alignment of excited Ne{sup 7+} ions produced in collisions of low-energy Ne{sup 8+} ions in a sodium beam target was studied. The linear polarization of both the 434-nm ({ital n}=9{r arrow}8) and the 298-nm ({ital n}=8{r arrow}7) emission lines was measured for beam energies from 4.8 to 32.8 keV/amu.
Constructing Mentors: Latina Educational Leaders' Role Models and Mentors.

This article reports on the mentoring aspects of a qualitative study of 6 Mexican American female school leaders in west Texas. One goal of the study was the identification of any individuals who had been role models or mentors important to the careers of these women. A role model was defined as someone whose characteristics or traits another person would want to emulate; a mentor was defined as someone who actively helps, supports, or teaches someone else how to do a job so that she will succeed. The findings indicate that for the Latina educational leaders in the study, significant role models and mentors, primarily from nonprofessional areas of the women’s lives, mitigated the absence of a formal, traditional mentoring relationship. Moreover, the experiences of these school leaders demonstrate that these Latinas assembled or constructed a mentor from varied sources that collectively met their specific needs and priorities.
Detection of off-flavour in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus Rafinesque) fillets by trained dogs

Richard A Shelby, Lawrence J Myers, Kevin K Schrader & Phillip H Klesius U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Aquatic Animal Health Research Laboratory, Auburn, AL 36830, USA Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL, USA U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, University, MS, USA
Silent ischemia: a clinical update.

Silent ischemia is a common finding in coronary artery disease and occurs more frequently than painful episodes in the total ischemic burden. Since painless ischemia places limits on the history, it can encourage physicians to spend more time studying and treating the electrocardiogram and less time with patients, potentially leading to a deterioration in doctor-patient relationship and care. Silent ischemia should be considered only in patients 35 years of age or older who: (a) have a strong family history of early coronary artery disease, or (b) have two major coronary risk factors. Verification is made by performing an electrocardiographic exercise stress test and followed by a thallium-201 electrocardiographic stress test when the electrocardiograms are equivocal. In females it is best to proceed directly to a thallium-201 electrocardiographic stress test because of the frequency of false positives on the exercise electrocardiograms. The results will help determine the indications for further studies and subsequently the need for drug or interventional management. Frequently a history in which symptoms of lower esophageal disorders, hiatal hernia, gastric disease and arthritic pains mimic angina or in fact coexist with ischemic heart disease makes the clinical diagnosis of angina more elusive and difficult. However, a careful unhurried history and an exercise stress test can often differentiate the etiology of the chest pains. A 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recording aids in measuring the total ischemic burden. When the diagnosis and severity of the ischemic syndrome is established, a course of medical therapy tailored to the symptoms and with defined end points is initiated. Since silent ischemia and angina frequently coexist, suppression of the frequency and severity of the anginal episodes will also reduce the episodes of silent ischemia. Symptomatic improvement is thus a guide in the treatment of the total ischemic syndrome. Drug management will usually consist of two or more of the following drugs: a nitrate, beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, and aspirin. A 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recording is helpful in assessing the efficacy of medical management of silent ischemia. Failures in drug management should proceed with coronary angiography, and when indicated, followed by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft surgery. (Chest 1990; 97:186-91)
Zostera marina spathes as a habitat for Platynereis dumerilii (Audouin and Milne-Edwards, 1834)

Abstract Platynereis dumerilii (Aud. and M.Edw.) has been found at Roscoff, France, inhabiting the spathes of Zostera marina L. The polychaetes entered the spathes during anthesis and occurred in the space between the developing fruits.
OCT speckle reduction with angular compounding by B-scan Doppler-shift encoding

We propose a novel method for speckle reduction based on angular compounding by B-scan Doppler shift encoding (ACBD). By de-centering the beam from the pivot of a scanning mirror, the illumination angle can be encoded by Doppler shift detected by B-scan analysis. Compounding multiple images reconstructed from different Doppler-shift bands, we can suppress speckle without sacrificing image acquisition speed. Speckle reduction with ACBD is demonstrated by imaging a phantom and a living avian embryo
High capacity hydrogen generation on-demand from (NH3 + LiAlH4)

Abstract Hydrogen storage materials with high capacity are highly desirable. Currently none of the existing storage materials can meet the requirement of motor vehicle applications. We report a new hydrogen storage generation system, LiAlH4 + NH3. The two components are stored in separate containers when there is no demand for hydrogen, while the two components mix, hydrogen can be generated, up to 13 wt.% H2 at ambient temperature, on-demand. The H2 formation is exothermic with a high rate, suggesting that this is unlikely to be a reversible hydrogen storage material. More investigation is needed to improve or to maximize the degree of conversion.