cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mapping of glacial landforms from Seasat radar images

Glacial landforms in the drumlin drift belt of Ireland and the Alaska Range can be identified and mapped from Seasat synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) images. Drumlins cover 60 percent of the Ireland scene. The width/length ratio of individual drumlins can be measured on the SAR images, allowing regional differences in drumlin shape to be mapped. This cannot be done with corresponding Landsat multispectral scanner (MSS) images because of lower spatial resolution and because of shadowing effects that vary seasonally. The Alaska scene shows the extent and nature of morphological features such as medial and lateral moraines, stagnant ice, and fluted ground moraine in glaciated valleys. Perception of these features on corresponding Landsat MSS images is limited by seasonal diffrences in solar illumination. Because SAR is not affected by such differences or by cloud cover, it is particularly well suited for monitoring glacial movement. The disadvantage of distorted high-relief features on Seasat SAR images can be reduced in future SAR systems by modifying the radar illumination geometry.
Serum cytokines and the eosinophilia myalgia syndrome.

Excerpt To the Editors: Varga and colleagues (1) outline many of the recent advances in our understanding of the eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS). Current theories about the pathogenesis of this...
Validation of an association between the CETP I405V variant and cognitive decline: The Cache County Study

questionnaires to estimate cognitive function and its rate of decline. The effective number of independent tests within each gene in the genome was computed to correct the individual SNP p-values within that gene in order to assess gene-based evidence for association while limiting bias due to the different length of genes. Based on the GWAS and gene-based tests, we performed an Ingenuity pathway analysis. Also, we evaluated two-locus epistasis models within genes and regulatory regions. Results: Significant SNPs were found in genes related to the nervous system, includingMETRN (p<8.2x10-8) and HES-3 (p<1.0x10-10). Most of significant genes are involved in neurological disease functional networks. Evidence of interaction was observed between variants in CSF1R and PDGFRB and APOE e4 (P<1.4-7). CSF1R and PDGFRB were previously reported to be associated with AD and dementia, respectively. Both genes encode membrane protein. CSF1R controls production, differentiation, and function of macrophages. PDGFRB is linked to Notch signaling, and is associated with hereditary stroke disorder. Conclusions: We suggest that functional variants in METRN and HES-3 are associated with cognitive decline. Also, other genes including CSF1R and PDGFRB show epistasis in the presence or absence of APOE e4 alleles.
Ligand Detection in the Allosteric World

Historically, traditional screening for ligands has been optimized to detect standard orthosteric agonists and antagonists. However, with increasing emphasis on cellular functional screens, more allosteric ligands are being discovered as potential drugs. In addition, there are theoretical reasons (increased selectivity, better control of physiological systems, separate control of affinity and efficacy) allosteric ligands may be preferred therapeutic chemical targets. These factors may make it desirable to design high-throughput screens to specifically detect functionally allosteric ligands. This article discusses the unique features of allosteric ligands as drugs as well as the special conditions that should be considered to optimize a high-throughput screen toward the detection of allosteric drugs. Finally, the likelihood of detecting allosteric ligands that have direct effects on cells (either conventional agonism or functionally selective effects) is discussed as well as the optimization of detection o...
Consent for dental therapy in severely ill patients.

Abstract Deliruim, dementia, or depression is frequently seen in association with severe medical illness. Usually transient, it is precipitated by the stress of systemic illness and the medications used to treat the underlying disease. Unrecognized, it may invalidate the informed consent required for the provision of emergency dental care services.
A role for PI 3-kinase and PKB activity in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle.

The role of the PI 3-kinase cascade in regulation of cell growth is well established [1]. PKB (protein kinase B) is a key downstream effector of the PI 3-kinase pathway and is best known for its antiapoptotic effects [2, 3] and the role it plays in initiation of S phase [4]. Here, we show that PKB activity is high in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle in epithelial cells. Inhibition of the PI 3-kinase pathway in MDCK cells induces apoptosis at the G2/M transition, prevents activation of cyclin B-associated kinase, and prohibits entry of the surviving cells into mitosis. All of these consequences of the inhibition of PI 3-kinase are relieved by expression of a constitutively active form of PKB (caPKB), indicating that PKB plays a role in regulation of the G2/M phase. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase results in activation of Chk1, whereas caPKB inhibits the ability of Chk1 to become activated in response to treatment with hydroxyurea. Preliminary data show that PKB phosphorylates the Chk1 polypeptide in vitro on serine 280. These results not only implicate PKB activity in transition through the G2/M stage of the cell cycle, but they also suggest the existence of crosstalk between the PI 3-kinase pathway and the key regulators of the DNA damage checkpoint machinery.
Luminescent Dipyrrinato Complexes of Trivalent Group 13 Metal Ions

Although free dipyrrins (dipyrromethenes) do not strongly luminesce, certain dipyrrinato complexes of BF2 and zinc(II) are known to be intensely luminescent species. Two new dipyrrinato fluorophores, based on complexes with gallium(III) and indium(III), are described. Using a previously described meso-mesityl-substituted dipyrrin, namely 5-mesityldipyrrin (mesdpm), the complexes [Ga(mesdpm)3] and [In(mesdpm)3] were prepared and structurally characterized. The complexes display the expected octahedral geometry about the metal ions. In some solvents, such as hexanes, the complexes emit green light upon excitation with UV light at room temperature, with quantum yields of 2.4% ([Ga(mesdpm)3]) and 7.4% ([In(mesdpm)3]) and lifetimes in the low nanosecond range. Observations are consistent with assignment to ligand-localized transitions, and this interpretation is further confirmed by density functional calculations described herein. The new complexes are important additions to the widely used family of dipyrrin...
The utility of modified thromboelastography with platelet mapping and functional fibrinogen to predict bleeding during catheter-directed thrombolysis: a pilot study

Purpose: To describe experience with an outpatient interventional radiology (IR) vein practice with respect to internal referrals, external referrals, self-referrals, and downstream patient retention into the affiliated parent hospital system. Materials and Methods: An IRB-approved single institution retrospective review of outpatient visits at a newly established IR outpatient clinic was performed between June 2009 and December 2012. Demographic data, type of referral (obtained through a standard questionnaire during the intake process), prior contact with the affiliated parent hospital system and subsequent continuation of care within the hospital system were examined. Results: Between the establishment of this outpatient IR clinic in June 2009 and December 2012, there was a total of 2404 patient visits. Of these, 743 (30.9%) were new patient visits for the evaluation of venous disease. 634 (85.3%) of the new patients were female and 109 (14.7%) were male, with an average age of 53 years old. 248 (33.4%) new patient visits were from internal referrals affiliated with the clinic’s parent hospital system. 495 (66.6%) visits were from external referrals. This included outside practitioners (306 visits, 61.8%) who in part were reached through health fair expos, and patient selfreferrals (189, 38.2%) which were attributed to advertising/ marketing (144, 64.5%), friends (6, 3.2%), internet research (5, 2.6%), and “other” (34, 18%). 229 (46.3%) of the 495 externally referred patients had no prior contact with the affiliated parent hospital system (e.g., antecedent clinic visits, diagnostic testing, etc.). Of these, 50 (21.8%) went on to receive further medical care unrelated to their IR clinic visit in the parent hospital system. Conclusion: External referrals are essential to building a robust outpatient IR clinical practice. While some of these referrals are obtained from consumer marketing, out of network external physician referrers comprise the majority and are a key target in the referring community. Conversion and retention of these externally referred new IR patients generates positive downstream effects for the parent hospital system and may support the establishment of these clinics. Categorical Course Venous Occlusive Disease
Focussing gaseous Cherenkov counters for particle identification at the Brookhaven AGS

Two gaseous Cherenkov counters used at Brookhaven are described, and schematic diagrams of both are shown. One is a small (9 in. long) lens type focusing counter originally designed and used for Cosmotron K/sup +/ production experiments. The second is a much higher resolution cylindrical mirror counter, which was used for most of the high momentum particle separation work at the AGS. TYpical CO/sub 2/ pressure curves for both counters show successive pion, kaon, and antiproton peaks as the pressure is increased. (A.G.W.)
The effects of mandatory Medicaid managed care on surgery

Introduction: Data presented to the American College of Surgeons examined surgical trends from 1988 to 1994 for all Medicaid (MA) and commercially insured (CI) patients for Maryland residents under age 65. Reported differences by payer for MA patients included a lower percent of elective surgery, higher casemix intensity and high utilization of academic medical centers (AMCs). This follow-up study reports on the impact of mandatory Medicaid managed care (MMC) implemented to improve quality of care and reduce costs.
Distinguishing molecular characteristics of aerosol water soluble organic matter from the 2011 trans-North Atlantic US GEOTRACES cruise

Abstract. The molecular characteristics of aerosol organic matter (OM) determines to a large extent its impacts on the atmospheric radiative budget and ecosystem function in terrestrial and aquatic environments, yet the OM molecular details of aerosols from different sources are not well established. Aerosol particulate samples with North American-influenced, North African-influenced, and marine (minimal recent continental influence) air mass back trajectories were collected as part of the 2011 trans-North Atlantic US GEOTRACES cruise and analyzed for their water soluble OM (WSOM) molecular characteristics using electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis (PCA) separated the samples into five groups defined by distinct molecular formula characteristics. An abundance of nitrogen containing compounds with molecular formulas consistent with amino acid derivatives defined the two samples comprising the primary marine group (henceforth referred to as Primary Marine), which suggest a primary marine biological source to their WSOM in spite of their North American-influenced air mass trajectories. A second group of samples (aged marine, henceforth referred to as Aged Marine) with marine air mass trajectories was characterized by an abundance of low O / C (0.15–0.45) sulfur containing compounds consistent with organosulfate compounds formed via secondary aging reactions in the atmosphere. Several samples having North American-influenced air mass trajectories formed another group again characterized by organosulfate and nitrooxyorganosulfate type compounds with higher O / C ratios (0.5–1.0) than the Aged Marine samples reflecting the combustion influence from the North American continent. All the samples with North African-influenced air mass trajectories were grouped together in the PCA and were characterized by a lack of heteroatom (N, S, P) containing molecular formulas covering a wide O / C range (0.15–0.90) reflecting the desert source of this WSOM. The two marine groups showed molecular formulas that, on average, had higher H / C ratios and lower O / C ratios and modified aromaticity indices than the two continentally influenced groups, which suggests that these properties are characteristic of marine vs. continental aerosol WSOM. The final sample group, the mixed source samples (henceforth referred to as Mixed Source), showed intermediate molecular characteristics, which suggests no dominant continental or marine source. The source-specific OM details described here will aid efforts to link aerosol OM source with molecular characteristics and impacts in the environment.
Differential polarized phase fluorometric investigations of diphenylhexatriene in lipid bilayers. Quantitation of hindered depolarizing rotations.

Differential polarized phase fluorometry has been used to investigate the depolarizing rotations of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) in isotropic solvents and in lipid bilayers. For DPH dissolved in isotropic solvents, there is a precise agreement between the observed and predicted values for maximum differential tangents, indicating that in these media DPH is a free isotropic rotator. In lipid bilayers the tangent defects (i.e., the differences between the calculated and the observed maximum differential tangents) are too large to be explained by anisotropy in the depolarizing rotations but are accounted for by hindered isotropic torsional motions for the fluorophore [Weber, G (1978) Acta Phys. Pol A 54, 173]. This theory describes the depolarizing rotations of the fluorophore by its rotational rate R (in radians/second) and the limiting fluorescence anisotropy (r) at times long compared with the fluorescence lifetime. Through the combined use of both steady-state anisotropy measurements and differential phase measurements, we have demonstrated that one may obtain unique solutions for both R and r. For DPH embedded in vesicles prepared from dimyristoyl-, dipalmitoyl-, and distearoylphosphatidylcholines, the depolarizing motions are highly hindered at temperatures below the transition temperature (Tc) but are unhindered above Tc. The apparent rotational rates of the probe do not change significantly at Tc. These data suggest that the changes observed in the steady-state anisotropy near Tc derive primarily from changes in the degree to which the probe's rotations are hindered, and only to a small extent from changes in rotational rate. For DPH embedded in bilayers that contained 25 mol % cholesterol, no clear transition occurred and the rotations appeared to be hindered at all temperatures. The rotational motions of DPH embedded in dioleolyphosphatidylcholine were found to be far less hindered, but the rotational rates were similar to those obtained in the saturated phosphatidylcholines. Finally, the data show that in an anisotropic environment, such as that of a lipid bilayer, steady-state fluorescence anisotropy measurements alone cannot yield quantitatively meaningful rotational rates. Extrapolation of steady-state aniosotropy data to the quantitation of membrane viscosity is therefore difficult, if not invalid; however, qualitative comparisons can be useful.
Prediction of hydrocarbon enthalpies of formation by various thermochemical schemes

The correlation consistent composite approach (ccCA) has been used to compute the enthalpies of formation (ΔH(f)'s) for 60 closed-shell, neutral hydrocarbon molecules selected from an established set (Cioslowski et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2000, 113, 9377). This set of thermodynamic values includes ΔH(f)'s for hydrocarbons that span a range of molecular sizes, degrees of aromaticity, and geometrical configurations, and, as such, provides a rigorous assessment of ccCA's applicability to a variety of hydrocarbons. The ΔH(f)'s were calculated via atomization energies, isodesmic reactions, and hypohomodesmotic reactions. In addition, for 12 of the aromatic molecules in the set that are larger than benzene, the energies of ring-conserved isodesmic reactions were used to calculate the ΔH(f)'s. Using an atomization energy approach to determine the ΔH(f)'s, the lowest mean absolute deviation (MAD) from experiment achieved by ccCA for the 60 hydrocarbons was 1.10 kcal mol(-1). The use of the mixed Gaussian/inverse exponential complete basis set extrapolation scheme (ccCA-P) in conjunction with hypohomodesmotic reaction energies resulted in a MAD of 0.87 kcal mol(-1). This value is compared with MADs of 1.17, 1.18, and 1.28 kcal mol(-1) obtained via the Gaussian-4 (G4), Gaussian-3 (G3), and Gaussian-3(MP2) [G3(MP2)] methods, respectively (using the hypohomodesmotic reactions).
Peak-load pricing and reliability under uncertainty

This paper develops the welfare foundations of peak-load pricing under uncertainty, building on Brown and Johnson (1969), Crew and Kleindorfer (1976), and Chao (1983). The context is that of a welfare-maximizing public enterprise facing uncertain and nondeferrable demand, and uncertain supply. The paper first describes various elements of outage cost, including rationing costs, disruption costs, and surplus losses due to unsatisfied demand. Exact welfare-optimal results are then derived, in contrast to the earlier approximations by Turvey and Anderson (1977) and Chao (1983). The results are generalized to take account of diverse technologies and multiple planning periods, and their implications for utility pricing and investment in an integrated resource planning context are discussed.
Interactions of the hyperparasitoidsCatolaccus aeneoviridis [Hym.: Pteromalidae] andSpilochalcis side [Hym.: Chalcididae] with the microsporidansNosema heliothidis andN. Campoletidis

The interactions of the hyperparasitoidsCatolaccus aeneoviridis (Girault) andSpilochalcis side (Walker) with the microsporidansNosema heliothidisLutz & Splendor andN. campoletidisBrooks & Cranford are described. Neither hyperparasitoid species was infected upon parasitization of pupae of the primary parasitoidCampoletis sonorensis infected withN. heliothidis. However, upon development inCampoletis pupae infected withN. campoletidis, adults ofC. aeneoviridis were infected systemically; trassovarian transmission of the microsporidan to F3 individuals was also shown.S. side was also infected byN. campoletidis but in this hyperparasitoid, microsporidan development was arrested in the sporoblast stage. Mature spores were not observed in infectedS. side adults and the microsporidan was not transmitted transovarially. The interactions of the hyperparasitoids with the two microsporidans were not demonstrably detrimental as data on the developmental period and adult longevity of infected or exposed hyperparasitoids were similar to those of control individuals.
Overperfusion of poorly ventilated alveoli in patients with severe airways obstruction

Summary The volume and ventilation of the poorly ventilated alveoli were measured in five patients with severe chronic airways obstruction by the open circuit helium method. Distribution of blood perfusion to these alveoli was estimated from these data and from oxygen uptake and arterial oxygen saturation. These patients differed from others studied in the same way in that the fractional perfusion of the poorly ventilated alveoli in relation to their volume was equal to or greater than unity. There seemed to be a relationship between the patient's prognosis and the degree of overperfusion of the poorly ventilated alveoli.
The use of external within-person variance estimates to adjust nutrient intake distributions over time and across populations.

Objective: To examine the utility of using external estimates of within-person variation to adjust usual nutrient intake distributions. Design: Analyses of the prevalence of inadequate intake of an example nutrient by the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-point method using three different methods of statistical adjustment of the usual intake distribution of a single 24-hour recall in Russian children in 1996, using the Iowa State University method for adjustment of the distribution. First, adjusting the usual intake distribution with day 2 recalls from the same 1996 sample (the correct method); second, adjusting the distribution using external variance estimates derived from US children in 1996; and third, adjusting the distribution using external estimates derived from Russian children of the same age in 2000. We also present prevalence estimates based on
Hash-based and index-based join algorithms for cube and ring connected multicomputers

The authors compare the performance of two join algorithms on both cube and ring interconnections for message-based multicomputers, and investigate the effects that the number of processors and the type of interconnection scheme have on the performance. First, the parallel hybrid-hash join algorithm and the parallel join-index join algorithm for both the cube and ring connected multicomputers are presented. The performance of these algorithms is then compared through analytical cost modeling. The result shows that the join-index join algorithm gives good performance only when the join selectivity is very small, and the hybrid-hash join algorithm performs consistently well under most situations. It is shown that the cube topology yields better execution time than the same algorithm on the ring topology. Furthermore, increasing the number of processors has a more significant improvement on the execution time of the cube than for the ring configuration. The applicability of join indexes on the parallel database algorithms is also discussed. >
Phonemic and graphemic consistency: Effects on decoding for German and American children

Speed, accuracy, and types of errors in decoding lists of words and pseudo words and performance in two phonemic awareness tasks were assessed for German and American children in the first and second grades. German children were significantly better than American children only in pseudo word decoding measures across grades. Between group analyses showed that American children committed more vowel and word substitution errors in both decoding accuracy tasks than German children. Word substitution errors were more likely in word decoding than in pseudo word decoding for children in both languages. Within group analyses indicate that variance in decoding errors and speed accounted for by word substitution versus nonword and vowel versus consonant errors differed dependent on grade and whether real or pseudo words were read. Results suggest successful reading in English depends upon more complex grapheme to phoneme correspondence rules than does reading in German.
Congenital Interruption of the Inferior Vena Cava

In the usual form of interruption of the inferior vena cava (IVC), the post-renal IVC continues as the azygos and hemiazygos vein. We report a patient with complete interruption of the IVC in whom no direct continuity existed between the IVC and the azygos system. Connection between these two systems was via the vertebral plexus and ascending lumbar veins. Associated venous malformations included bilateral azygos veins and anomalous connection of pulmonary and hepatic veins.
Effectiveness of eBrochures: An Analysis of Use Patterns

Destination Websites typically offer print brochure request forms in addition to the information already presented on the Website. Also, more sophisticated sites increasingly offer the ability to view brochures online, and others even provide users with an opportunity to create customised brochures. The log file data of a destination Website was analysed to investigate whether the use of the different brochure formats was complementary and whether differences in use patterns occurred. The findings suggest that there is almost no overlap between interactive trip planner uses and print brochure requests. Also, the sessions that include interactive trip planner usage are longer and more active. Thus, analyses of use and use patterns can provide important indicators of effectiveness.
Peer and social networks in job search

Abstract We examine how Dartmouth College seniors use social networks to obtain their first jobs. We do this by analyzing self reports of networking and by examining the correlation in employment outcomes among randomly assigned freshman roommates and hallmates. We find that the use of social networks differs for men and women and for white and nonwhite students. Networking also differs greatly across career types. Students networking with fraternity and sorority members and alumni are the most likely to obtain high paying jobs. There is a strong connection between own employment outcomes and outcomes for randomly assigned freshmen hallmates.
Thirty-day hospital re-admission for Medicaid enrollees with schizophrenia: the role of patient comorbidity and local health-care systems

Fifty-one percent of the study population had a cooccurring substance use disorder; nearly 47 percent had a co-occurring chronic general medical condition. Enrollee comorbidity was associated with higher predicted probability of 30-day behavioral health re-admission, particularly for enrollees with substance use disorders (predicted probability [95% CI] = 23.9% [21.5%–26.3%]) versus without (14.7% [13.9%–15.4%]). Chronic medical conditions were associated with increased re-admissions in a dose-response manner (e.g., ≥ three: 25.1% [22.1%– 28.2%] versus none: 17.7% [16.3%–19.1]). Higher county rate of behavioral health visits within 7 days post-hospitalization was associated with lower re-admission for individual enrollees (e.g., for county rates of 7-day follow-up of 55% versus 85%, re-admission predicted probability = 16.1% [15.8%–16.4%] versus 13.3% [12.9%– 13.6%]). In contrast, higher county rate of behavioral health hospitalization was associated with higher readmission probability for individual enrollees (e.g., for country admission rates 10% versus 30%, re-admission predicted probability for an individual = 11.3% [11.0%– 11.6%] versus 16.7% [16.4%–17.0%]). Conclusions
On structural features of global transactions in multidatabase systems

Supporting the isolation and atomicity of global transactions in multidatabase systems has become an increasingly difficult task. Local autonomy requires that the maintenance of the isolation and atomicity of global transactions must hold when their execution is interleaved with local transactions. The paper proposes the utilization of both the syntactic and semantic characteristics of global transactions to formulate such a condition. An enriched combination of two theories, hybrid serializability and global committability, is presented as a vehicle for the maintenance of the isolation and atomicity of global transactions. The authors then explore the structural features of global transactions which provide the necessary conditions for supporting the theory. The present findings represent a new research direction in the management of global transactions. Instead of seeking restrictions on local transaction management systems, they show that local autonomy may be well preserved by placing conditions on global transactions to accommodate the autonomous local environment. >
Micro-plasticity of surface steps under adhesive contact Part I-Surface yielding controlled by single-dislocation nucleation

Abstract Mechanics of nano- and meso-scale contacts of rough surfaces is of fundamental importance in understanding deformation and failure mechanisms of a solid surface, and in engineering fabrication and reliability of small surface structures. We present a micro-mechanical dislocation model of contact-induced deformation of a surface step or ledge, as a unit process model to construct a meso-scale model of plastic deformations near and at a rough surface. This paper (Part I) considers onset of contact-induced surface yielding controlled by single-dislocation nucleation from a surface step. The Stroh formalism of anisotropic elasticity and conservation integrals are used to evaluate the driving force on the dislocation. The driving force together with a dislocation nucleation criterion is used to construct a contact-strength map of a surface step in terms of contact pressure, step height, surface adhesion and lattice resistance. Atomistic simulations of atomic surface-step indentation on a gold (1 0 0) surface have been also carried out with the embedded atom method. As predicted by the continuum dislocation model, the atomistic simulations also indicate that surface adhesion plays a significant role in dislocation nucleation processes. Instabilities due to adhesion and dislocation nucleation are evident. The atomistic simulation is used to calibrate the continuum dislocation nucleation criterion, while the continuum dislocation modeling captures the dislocation energetics in the inhomogeneous stress field of the surface-step under contact loading. Results show that dislocations in certain slip planes can be easily nucleated but will stay in equilibrium positions very close to the surface step, while dislocations in some other slip planes easily move away from the surface into the bulk. This phenomenon is called contact-induced near-surface dislocation segregation. As a consequence, we predict the existence of a thin tensile-stress sub-layer adjacent to the surface within the boundary layer of near-surface plastic deformation. In the companion paper (Part II), we analyze the surface hardening behavior caused by multiple dislocations.
Loop transfer recovery for general nonminimum phase discrete time systems - part 1: analysis

This part focuses on the design of controllers for the recovery of target loop transfer function or sensitivity and complimentary sensitivity functions for general nonminimum phase discrete time systems. For general systems, loop transfer recovery is not completely feasible although there exists considerable amount of freedom to shape the inevitable recovery error. Here the necessary design constraints and the available design freedom are reviewed. In view of the available freedom, possible specifications on the eigenstructure of the observer dynamic matrix are formulated. Three different types of controllers which are respectively based on prediction, current and reduced order estimators, are considered. For each one of such controllers, three different design techniques are developed. The first one is an eigen-structure assignment scheme, and the other two are optimisation based designs. Eigenstructure assignment method yields a controller design which achieves any chosen recovery error matrix among a set of admissible recovery error matrices. On the other hand, one of the optimisation based design methods leads to a controller that achieves a recovery error matrix having the infimum H∞ norm, while the other does the same except it achieves a recovery error matrix having the infimum H2 norm. All the developed design methods are implemented in a 'Matlab' software package.
N availability does not modify plant-mediated responses of Trichoplusia ni to elevated CO2

Aims Elevated CO2 and increased N availability can alter a variety of plant physiological processes leading to changes in the nutritional quality of leaf tissue for herbivores. Numerous experiments have examined the responses of herbivores to environmental change; however the potential effects of simultaneous change in multiple factors on leaf-chewing insect herbivores are less well understood. The plant-mediated effects of elevated CO2 and high N on the performance of a generalist leaf-chewing insect herbivore, Trichoplusia ni, were investigated. Methods Newly hatched T. ni larvae were introduced to Amaranthus viridis and Polygonum persicaria plants grown under ambient and elevated CO2 and low and high N conditions. Insect performance was assessed by measuring larvae weight after ten days of feeding. Plant photosynthesis, biomass, leaf area and specific leaf weight were measured to determine the effects of elevated CO2, N and insect feeding on plant performance. Important Findings Elevated CO2 did not have strong effects on plant or insect performance, only affecting a few responses under low or high N conditions, but not both. Growth under high nitrogen improved almost all measures of plant performance.Trichoplusiani performed significantly better onAmaranthus viridis (C4 )c ompared toPolygonum persicaria (C3), despite similar leaf C:N ratios in both species. The performance ofT.ni caterpillars was only improved by the high nitrogen treatment when they were feeding on P. persicaria, the host they performed poorly on. The only interactions between N and CO2 affecting plant performance were seen for leaf photosynthesis of P. persicaria and leaf area of A. viridis. Contrary to the predictions, there were no significant CO2 by N interactions affecting T. ni performance.
Androgenic modulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent meiotic arrest.

This study investigated further our previous finding that testosterone synergizes with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) to arrest the meiosis of a very high proportion of cumulus-enclosed (intact) pig oocytes in vitro, suggesting that estradiol may have mediated in this synergism. The effects of androgens [testosterone (T), 0.5 MM; dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 0.5 MMI, estradiol (E2), 0.5 MM, gonadotropins [NIH follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 0.1 to 10 pg/mI; highly purified (hp) FSH, 0.1 pg/mI; luteinizing hormone (hpLH), 30 ng/mlJ, and dbcAMP, 1 mM, on the maturation of liberated intact or cumulus-free (denuded) oocytes were investigated. In one series of experiments, intact oocytes were cultured in medium containing T with NIH-FSH (10 pg/mI) with or without the steroid biosynthesis inhibitor, cyanoketone (0.7 X 10” M). After culture for 6 to 48 h, oocytes were air dried for cytogenetic analysis, the meiotic stage was scored and in some cases spent media were analyzed by radioimmunoassay for E3 and progesterone (P4) content. After 24 h of culture, FSH and dbcAMP similarly and significantly arrested meiosis of intact oocytes (45% and 43% matured, respectively), but the arresting actions of these compounds were modulated quite differently by androgen; that of dbcAMP was significantly enhanced by T, while that of FSH was significantly depressed by both T and DHT. Nevertheless, FSH with T transiently maintained meiotic arrest since a very high proportion of oocytes remained at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage after 12 h of culture, compared with controls (95% and 45% at GV stage, respectively). No difference was detected between impure NIH-FSH and hpFSH relative to the meiotic progression of intact oocytes and hpLH with T did not duplicate the arresting actions of either FSH preparation. This transient arresting action of FSH with T was mediated by the adherent cumulus cells since the maturation of denuded oocytes was not affected by FSH, T or FSH with T. While substitution of T with E3 did not duplicate this cumulus cell-mediated androgenic effect, the modulations exerted by DHT on either dbcAMP- or FSH-induced meionc arrest were not as marked as those exerted by T. Furthermore, analysis of E2 and P4 in the spent media of intact oocytcs cultured for 6 or 12 h in the presence of FSH with T revealed positive correlations between the proportion of immature oocytes and the E2 :P4 ratio in the media. Compared with controls, meiotic arrest was maintained for up to 24 h in medium containing cyanoketone with T and FSH, and positive correlations were established between the proportion of GV oocytes and the E2 P4 ratio in the spent media. These results indicate that androgens have the capacity to modulate cyclic AMP-dependent meiotic arrest in vitro and suggest that the expression of this modulation may be regulated by the aromatase system and/or the Ea :P4 status of the adherent cumulus cells. These findings are considered in light of the two currently popular hypotheses regarding the mechanisms which control meiotic maturation.
Auto-Segmentation Based Partitioning and Clustering Approach to Robust Endpointing

An auto segmentation based partitioning and clustering approach to robust Voice Activity Detection (VAD) is proposed. It is done in two successive steps: homogeneous frame partitioning and segment clustering. The first step, due to its auto segmentation nature, does not need a noise model, and is applicable to different noise types and SNR's. The algorithm is a dynamic programming based procedure and provides a graceful performance in finding segmentation thresholds. Multiple parameters like energy, pitch and voicing information can be easily incorporated into the procedure. The algorithm is evaluated on the test sets in the Aurora2 database. The algorithm shows its robustness at low SNR operating environments; the endpoint estimate errors are shown to have small variance.
Adequacy of Malignant Pleural Effusion for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Analysis Using the Pyrosequencing Method

Background:Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation analysis is a standard approach for initial therapeutic decision in patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung (MAL). The feasib...
Liuliu Pangpang

Liuliu Pangpang is an interactive optical illusion. A projected floor dynamically tilts like a see-saw in different directions when people interact with it. Balls on the floor move according to natural physical laws. The floor's directions and angles are influenced by the locations and numbers of viewers. The game-like environment encourages viewers to explore body movements and interact with each other. For more information: deproject.com/liupang
In Situ Raman Spectroscopic Study of Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) and Epsomite (MgSO4·7H2O) Dehydration Utilizing an Ultrasonic Levitator

We present an original apparatus combining an acoustic levitator and a pressure-compatible process chamber. To characterize in situ the chemical and physical modifications of a levitated, single particle while heated to well-defined temperatures using a carbon dioxide laser, the chamber is interfaced to a Raman spectroscopic probe. As a proof-of-concept study, by gradually increasing the heating temperature, we observed the variations in the Raman spectra as 150 μg of crystals of gypsum and epsomite were dehydrated in anhydrous nitrogen gas. We display spectra showing the decreasing intensities of the ν1 symmetric and ν3 asymmetric stretching modes of water with time and the simultaneous shift of the ν1(SO4(2-)) symmetric stretch mode to higher wavenumbers. Our results demonstrate that the new apparatus is well suited to study the dehydration of levitated species such as minerals and offers potential advantages compared with previous experiments on bulk samples.
The Nature Conservancy Preserves

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the preservation, in their natural state, of biologically or geologically significant samples of the American landscape. It had its inception in 1917 as a Committee on Natural Areas of the Ecological Society of America. In 1946 the members of this Committee, desirous of establishing an effective action group, formed the Ecologists Union, and four years later the name was changed to the present one, borrowed from the British governmental agency concerned with the preservation of natural areas for scientific research.
Masked macrocytosis and the use of serum vitamin B12 and folate assays.

A case of "masked" macrocytosis in an iron and folate deficient male alcoholic is presented. Reliance on algorithms based on mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values for decision-making in the workup of anemic patients may, occasionally, produce diagnostic difficulties, and combination deficiencies or concomitant disease states may affect test interpretation. Appropriate use of radioisotopic dilution assays for vitamin B12 and folate depends on careful clinical observation, blood count, and screening examination of the peripheral smear before confirmatory tests are ordered.
An Optogenetic Method for Controlling Full-Length Myosin VI through its Cargo Binding Domain

Motor proteins are force-producing proteins that play countless critical roles in the cell, each requiring them to be activated at a specific location and time. Therefore, if researchers could control motor proteins with the same specificity they could much better understand motor protein function and mechanical processes in the cell. A promising technique for doing this is optogenetics, which involves the engineering of optically gated, genetically encoded protein tools that activate biomolecules upon absorption of light. One available method for putting proteins under optogenetic control is through coupling with the light-sensitive LOV2 domain. LOV2 is a 150 AA region in Avena sativa phototropin1 that undergoes a conformational change involving the unfolding of its terminal helices upon absorbing blue light. This conformational change can be engineered to control the binding of a peptide fused to the LOV2 C-terminus in a light-dependent manner.Here we present our results of controling full-length myosin VI activity using a LOV2 with a C-terminal fusion to a peptide derived from Dab2 (LOV2-Dab2pep), an adaptor protein that recruits and activates myosin VI in vivo. Because LOV2-Dab2pep activates myosin VI through a single event involving the dimerization of the cargo binding domain, our approach can be applied to activating endogenous myosin VI. Thus, this strategy is appealing because it harnesses the native activation mechanism of myosin VI and it avoids the use of a constitutively active forced-dimer that can interfere with normal cell function. We are able to demonstrate light-dependent activation of processive motion of myosin VI on actin in an in vitro gliding filament assay, as well as reversible recruitment of myosin VI in vivo.
Failure of loading with sodium bicarbonate to protect against acute renal failure induced by mercuric chloride in the rat.

1. To investigate the mechanism by which sodium loading protects against acute renal failure we compared the effects of prior chronic loading with NaCl, or with NaHCO 3 , on renal function after injection of HgCl 2 . 2. Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups of eight rats. One group drank isotonic NaCl solution, a second drank isotonic NaHCO 3 solution and the third control group drank deionized water. Acute renal failure was induced by HgCl 2 on day 9, and the rats were killed 48 h after injection. 3. Net sodium balances and plasma volumes were similar in both groups of sodium-loaded rats. After HgCl 2 serum creatinine was significantly less and urinary volume was greater in NaCl-loaded than in both NaHCO 3 -loaded and water-drinking animals. 4. Plasma renin activity of both NaCl- and NaHCO 3 -loaded animals was less than that of control rats. However, renal renin content was suppressed by NaCl but not by NaHCO 3 loading. 5. Loading with NaCl afforded greater protection against HgCl 2 -induced acute renal failure than NaHCO 3 . Since this difference was not related to changes in sodium balance or plasma volume before HgCl 2 , or plasma renin activity after HgCl 2 , the results support the hypothesis that intrarenal renin plays a role in the pathogenesis of HgCl 2 -induced acute renal failure in the rat.
Comments on binary and ternary gas adsorption selectivity

Abstract The selectivity of adsorption of a component of a binary or a ternary gas mixture can be a complex function of equilibrium gas phase pressure, temperature and composition and it must be experimentally measured for reliable design of adsorptive gas separation processes. The results of a literature search (1995–2015) using the search engine ‘Web of Science’ for experimental data on binary and ternary gas adsorption selectivity and their estimation from the corresponding pure gas adsorption isotherms by Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST) are summarized. The published data cover a large range of equilibrium gas phase conditions and adsorption systems having different adsorbate (molecular size, polarity) and adsorbent (energetic heterogeneity, polarity) properties. The estimation of selectivity by IAST vis a vis the experimental data was good to reasonable for certain systems, while the deviation was large for others. Potential reasons for such observations are discussed.
The Heat Energy of the Underground

This chapter discusses the heat energy of the underground. At a certain depth below the earth's surface, the temperature and pressure reach a level at which the rocks are in a liquid, molten state. This molten rock is called magma. If the magma breaks into the solidified outer crust of the earth, it crystallizes and forms igneous rocks. The solid crust of the earth is broken up into rigid continental shields, forming the central flat parts of continents. Caused by extraterrestrial events, these shields tend to shift with respect to each other. In this process, the regions around the edges of the continental shields are weakened by faults and bends in the earth's layers. Through these weakened regions, the hot molten magma of the earth's depths can intrude toward the surface. The heat content of the earth's depths can be extracted in several forms, depending on the underground geological conditions. The most developed form is the one that is easiest to tap, that is, the utilization of dry underground steam for power generation.
Getting what you’re worth: Implications that affect firm value in a brand acquisition

To enhance brand equity, firms can deploy different marketing communication elements, such as advertising, promotions, and sponsorships, which create brand awareness (i.e., recall and recognition) and ultimately positive, unique associations. Instead of starting from scratch, though, companies often prefer to avoid costly development by acquiring existing brands. Prior research, however, has indicated that acquiring firms suffer from a “winner’s curse,” which results from the information asymmetries inherent in valuing intangible assets. Drawing from established marketing and finance literature theory and methods, in this paper we provide evidence regarding how equity markets perceive brand acquisition strategies, and whether these strategies reduce the acquirers’ perceived risk relative to a control sample of firms. Our results suggest that shareholders view brand acquisitions, unlike other intangible asset acquisitions, as fairly valued. Yet, the market appears to value brand acquisitions differently based on the brand’s characteristics, which also affect performance after acquisition. Furthermore, we document a decline in systematic risk following brand acquisitions.
Including Students who Are Visually Impaired in the Classroom: Attitudes of Preservice Teachers:

IntroductionThis study examines the perceptions of preservice teachers concerning the inclusion of students with blindness or low vision (visual impairments) in their classrooms.MethodsUsing a modi...
Effect of Cross-linking on the Performance and Stability of Photocatalytic Photosystem I Films

Abstract Extracted from the chloroplasts of green plants, Photosystem I (PSI) is a multi-subunit protein complex that can be deposited as a thin film onto electrodes and incorporated into biohybrid photovoltaic devices to convert sunlight into usable energy. Previously, our group characterized persistent photocurrents over nine months using PSI multilayer films in an aqueous solution of redox mediators. However, the loss of periphery PSI proteins upon exposure to mediator solutions is known to affect the photocatalytic performance of the overall film. The cross-linker 2-iminothiolane (2IT) is capable of connecting protein molecules with covalent bonds, and is herein used to stabilize PSI multilayer films on gold substrates against significant desorption/degradation. Results showed that the thickness retainment of the cross-linked PSI films was superior to that of non-cross-linked films. PSI films modified by 2IT maintained production of photocurrent with long-term exposure to aqueous solutions in contrast to non-cross-linked control films.