cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neonate Cottonmouth Spatial Ecology and Habitat Selection: From Parturition to Hibernation

Understanding neonate ecology is imperative for effective knowledge of life-history stages, which have historically been based upon adult ecology. We telemetered 12 neonate Agkistrodon piscivorus (Cottonmouth) and monitored their spatial use, activity, and habitat selection. Neonates did not have large spatial requirements, nor did they disperse far before hibernation. Neonates selected habitat edges, and within edges they used areas with thick vegetative cover. We suggest that the habitat selection and limited use of space by neonate Cottonmouths are products of the migration their mothers make before parturition. Habitat edges appear to be important for both parturition and hibernation. Our study offers valuable insight into the initial life-history stages of Cottonmouths and presents a good baseline for future research on their ontogenetic ecological development.
The Power of Place

While asking voters to make electoral decisions in spaces owned and curated by an interested party would be perceived as outlandish in a political context, labor law encourages it. This chapter presses for reform by highlighting cutting-edge electoral field research, backed by established work on context, memory, and decision-making, suggesting that voting in what is effectively the employer’s campaign headquarters is profoundly preference distorting. That change is possible is highlighted by the reality that although so-called “on-site” voting has long been the National Labor Relations Board’s practice, nothing about it is legally compelled. In fact, the law requires only that polling places be picked on a case-by-case basis through a variety of factors like convenience and integrity. The problem, however, is that non-binding administrative guidance makes workplace voting effectively automatic. Though the guidelines have proved surprisingly durable, the case for rewriting them has never been stronger. Doing so is important not simply to reclaim representation elections from the margins of democratic practice, but to initiate a modern era of neutral-site, mail, and even internet-based voting.
The effects of skeletal asymmetry on accurate sex classification

Abstract Sex estimation is arguably the most important parameter of the biological profile, as estimates of the remaining parameters are often contingent on accurate sex classifications. Most sex estimation methods involve the assessment of bilateral traits or measurements in obtaining a sex prediction. In skeletal research and application, it is typically preferred to analyze the left side if a side is not otherwise recommended. However, in cases of bilateral asymmetry, sex estimates obtained from one side may contradict sex estimates obtained from the other. Therefore, preferential analysis of one side over the other could lead to fundamental biases that compromise method accuracy. Despite skeletal asymmetries having been well documented in the literature, especially with regard to the long bones, most studies investigating skeletal asymmetries do not use the information for the purposes of sex classification. The goals of this chapter are to provide a brief review of literature on the topic, present new research that illustrates the potential and reality of asymmetry to impact accurate sex classification, and provide information that will allow more informed sex estimates to be made when asymmetry is present.
Differential biomechanical responses of elastic and muscular arteries to angiotensin II-induced hypertension.

Abstract Elastic and muscular arteries are distinguished by their distinct microstructures, biomechanical properties, and smooth muscle cell contractile functions. They also exhibit differential remodeling in aging and hypertension. Although regional differences in biomechanical properties have been compared, few studies have quantified biaxial differences in response to hypertension. Here, we contrast passive and active changes in large elastic and medium- and small-sized muscular arteries in adult mice in response to chronic infusion of angiotensin over 14 days. We found a significant increase in wall thickness, both medial and adventitial, in the descending thoracic aorta that associated with trends of an increased collagen:elastin ratio. There was adventitial thickening in the small-sized mesenteric artery, but also significant changes in elastic lamellar structure and contractility. An increased contractile response to phenylephrine coupled with a reduced vasodilatory response to acetylcholine in the mesenteric artery suggested an increased contractile state in response to hypertension. Overall reductions in the calculated gradients in pulse wave velocity and elastin energy storage capability from elastic-to-muscular arteries suggested a possible transfer of excessive pulsatile energy into the small-sized muscular arteries resulting in significant functional consequences in response to hypertension.
Anterior Mediastinal Mass

Anterior mediastinal masses are detectable on chest x-rays when they distort the normal mediastinal contours or fill the retrosternal clear space on the lateral view. CT is often required for detection and may provide specific diagnostic features or important staging information. A variety of anterior mediastinal masses are often related to normal structures including thymus, thyroid, lymph nodes, and vascular structures.
Effects of macronutrient intake on sleep duration and quality: A systematic review.

Aim The aim of this systematic review was to characterise and synthesise the literature that explores the effects of macronutrient manipulation on sleep outcomes in order to provide dietary recommendations for sleep improvement. Methods Intervention studies that evaluated the effects of macronutrient manipulations on sleep were identified using four databases. A study was included if it: (a) delivered a macronutrient-based dietary intervention, regardless of length; (b) included healthy human participants aged 18 and older; and (c) measured some aspect of sleep, for example, duration or quality, in some manner. Results A total of 17 papers and 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. Included studies were organised into acute studies lasting less than 24 hours (n = 4), longer-term (≥24 hours) studies (n = 10), and energy restriction studies (n = 5). The greatest amount of support was observed for longer-term administration of higher carbohydrate diets. These interventions positively influenced rapid eye movement sleep; however, non-rapid eye movement sleep was negatively affected. The overall health outcomes of these changes are difficult to assess. Limited evidence suggests higher protein diets under conditions of energy restriction can improve sleep quality, but these effects might be restricted to individuals with overweight or obesity. Current evidence does not support the effects of acute macronutrient manipulation, defined as less than 24 hours, on sleep outcomes. Conclusions Manipulating carbohydrate intake for at least 24 hours appears to alter sleep outcomes among healthy individuals. Interventions were highly varied and methodological shortcomings were identified. More work is required to fully understand how macronutrient intake affects sleep outcomes.
Sufficient Dimension Reduction Through Independence and Conditional Mean Independence Measures

We propose a unified framework for sufficient dimension reduction through independence and conditional mean independence measures. When the interest is the conditional distribution of Y given X, α-distance covariance is used to recover the central space. If the focus is the conditional mean of Y given X, the central mean space can be estimated through α-martingale difference divergence. Compared with existing estimators based on the distance covariance which recover the central space, the new estimators are more accurate when the target is the central mean space. By choosing α smaller than one, the new estimators outperform existing estimators when the predictor distribution is heavy-tailed and when there is data contamination.
Twin-screw extrusion characterization of two varieties of soft white waxy wheat flours

Abstract Two soft white varieties of waxy wheat flours, Waxy Penawawa and Waxy Alpowa, were extruded with different moisture contents (MC), screw speeds (SS), temperatures, and screw profiles (SPs) to identify differences in their extrusion characteristics. An attempt was also made to compare them with a regular non-waxy wheat flour. No significant difference was identified between the two varieties of soft white wheat used. However, it was found that the soft white waxy wheat flour had the potential to have radial expansion ratios that were similar to non-waxy varieties (>4.0) with relatively less specific mechanical energy input (approximately 200 kJ/kg). Extrusion of soft white waxy wheat varieties was found to be more cost-effective when compared with the extrusion of conventional wheat flour extrusion.
Target Classification in Synthetic Aperture Radar Images Using Quantized Wavelet Scattering Networks.

The need to classify targets and features in high-resolution imagery is of interest in applications such as detection of landmines in ground penetrating radar and tumors in medical ultrasound images. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) trained using extensive datasets are being investigated recently. However, large CNNs and wavelet scattering networks (WSNs), which share similar properties, have extensive memory requirements and are not readily extendable to other datasets and architectures—and especially in the context of adaptive and online learning. In this paper, we quantitatively study several quantization schemes on WSNs designed for target classification using X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data and investigate their robustness to low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels. A detailed study was conducted on the tradeoffs involved between the various quantization schemes and the means of maximizing classification performance for each case. Thus, the WSN-based quantization studies performed in this investigation provide a good benchmark and important guidance for the design of quantized neural networks architectures for target classification.
Pseudomembranous enterocolitis

The etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of pseudomembranous enterocolitis are discussed.
Gender and Race in Antebellum Popular Culture

In the decades leading to the Civil War, popular conceptions of African American men shifted dramatically. The savage slave featured in 1830s' novels and stories gave way by the 1850s to the less-threatening humble black martyr. This radical reshaping of black masculinity in American culture occurred at the same time that the reading and writing of popular narratives were emerging as largely feminine enterprises. In a society where women wielded little official power, white female authors exalted white femininity, using narrative forms such as autobiographies, novels, short stories, visual images, and plays, by stressing differences that made white women appear superior to male slaves. This book argues that white women, as creators and consumers of popular culture media, played a pivotal role in the demasculinization of black men during the antebellum period, and consequently had a vital impact on the political landscape of antebellum and Civil War-era America through their powerful influence on popular culture.
CT Angiogram Helps to Predict Ischemic Stroke in Dizzy Patients, but NOT Better than the Clinical Examination (P3.084)

Background: Dizziness is described in a variety of conditions. The ability to differentiate symptoms due to ischemia is critical to determine appropriate work-up and management. The gold standard, MRI, is costly and not readily available at all institutions. Objective: We sought to determine if the presence of calcium within cervical and intracranial vessels on CTA could help to determine stroke risk in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with subjective dizziness. Design/Methods : Medical, imaging, and laboratory data were retrospectively collected for 642 patients presenting to the ED with dizziness over a one year period. CTAs were obtained for 57 patients deemed by the ED to be ‘high risk’. Imaging was reviewed for both the presence of any calcium, and calcium within specific vascular beds (eg., cavernous carotid). Multivariable logistic regression determined factors associated with ischemic stroke, while ROC analysis determined the added benefit of CTA in predicting ischemia. Results: Age and systolic blood pressure were higher in patients with ischemia compared to those without ischemia (p 0.05). Conclusions : In patients with subjective dizziness, stroke risk factors and focal exam findings predict acute ischemic stroke. Calcification on CTA is also predictive, but does not significantly improve sensitivity. Disclosure: Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schneider has nothing to disclose. Dr. Marsh has nothing to disclose.
Chromosomal approaches to oncogenes and oncogenesis.

Cytogenetic studies are providing clues to the growth regulatory genes involved in human carcinogenesis and to mechanisms that alter their function. Investigations of chromosome translocations in B and T cell lymphomas and in chronic myelogenous leukemia have demonstrated the effects on protooncogenes of transposition within the genome, with or without structural change in the gene. These studies have also provided evidence for many previously unidentified human oncogenes. Similarly, the recognition through cytogenetics of gene amplification units in aggressive forms of certain tumors has helped to define another important type of somatic genetic change in neoplasia, again involving both known and previously unknown oncogenes. The observation of nonrandom chromosomal deletions in other malignancies has contributed to the delineation of an additional major class of tumorigenic genes, called suppressor genes, which appear to have a significant role in inherited malignancies and are now being actively sought...
Chapter 5 Deep-water Bottom Currents and their Deposits

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses deep-water bottom currents and their deposits from oceanographical and sedimentological standpoints. Deep-water bottom currents operate in deep waters of both marine and lacustrine environments. Bottom current covers a variety of bottom currents of different origins, flow directions, and velocities. Five types of bottom currents are recognized at the shelf break based on their origin. These currents are generated by: (1) thermohaline differences, (2) wind forces, (3) tidal forces, (4) internal waves, and (5) surface waves. Four basic types of deep-water bottom currents and their deposits are discussed: (1) thermohaline-induced geostrophic bottom currents, (2) wind-driven bottom currents, (3) deep-water tidal bottom currents, and (4) internal waves and tides (baroclinic currents). Sand or mud rhythmites, double-mud layers, climbing ripples, mud-draped ripples, sigmoidal cross-bedding with mud drapes, and flaser bedding are deposits of deep-marine tidal bottom currents. These features represent alternating events of traction and suspension deposition. Sedimentary structures of bottom-current deposits occur in discrete units. Selected examples of studies that dealt with tidal processes and their deposits in modern and ancient deep-water environments are also reviewed. Traction features interpreted as indicative of deep-water bottom current reworking are also diagrammatically represented.
Tracking the Swimming Motions of C. elegans Worms with Applications in Aging Studies

Quantitative analysis of the swimming motions of C. elegansworms are of critical importance for many gene-related studies on aging. However no automated methods are currently in use. We present a novel training-based method that automatically tracks and segments multiple swimming worms, in challenging imaging conditions. The position of each worm is predicted by comparing its latest motion with a set of previous observations, and then adjusted laterally and longitudinally to fit the image. After segmentation, a variety of measures can be used to assess the evolution of swimming patterns over time, allowing a quantitative comparison of worm populations over their lifetime. The complete software is being evaluated for mass processing in biology laboratories.
The SIRIUS Trial Is Not a Sirius Trial

To the Editor: Acronyms should always be capitalized to avoid confusion with common words.1 In the recent Brief Rapid Communications article by Colombo et al2 about restenosis after implantation of drug-eluting stents, the authors mentioned the SIRIUS trial, which stands for SIRolImUS-coated stent in treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.1 But in the Discussion of the article, the authors did not capitalize the acronym SIRIUS; instead, they referred …
The roles of social stress and decision-making in non-suicidal self-injury

Research suggests that individuals with a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) do not have difficulty generating alternatives to social problems but choose more negative solutions, suggesting a deficit in decision-making. However, studies report no significant differences in risky decision-making on a performance-based task among individuals with and without NSSI histories. A limitation of these studies is that decision-making was only assessed at baseline. As individuals with a history of NSSI typically self-injure when experiencing negative emotions, decision-making ability may become impaired specifically in the presence of these emotions. The aim of the current study was to investigate decision-making ability among individuals with and without NSSI histories both at baseline and following a distressing social exclusion task. We compared individuals with (n=48) and without (n=72) NSSI histories on the Iowa Gambling Task, a behavioral measure of risky decision-making, before and after exclusion or inclusion on the Cyberball task. Results indicated no significant group differences in performance regardless of condition. When participants were grouped by racial/ethnic minority status, results indicated that non-Hispanic White individuals with a history of NSSI exhibited deterioration in risky decision-making ability following social exclusion. Potential explanations for these findings and clinical implications are discussed.
Isolement et identification de la C‐galactosyl‐8 apigénine dans les tiges feuillées de Carlina acanthifolia

Isolation and Identification of 8-C-Galactosylapigenin from Leaves of Carlina acanthifolia 8-C-galactosylapigenin was isolated from the leaves of Carlina acanthifolia (Compositae). This identification represents only the third report of a mono C-galactosylapigenin in plants and the first report in the Compositae.
The economic safety net for low-income families with children

Abstract Following the passage of welfare reform in the mid-1990s and the end of entitlement benefits under Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the U.S. economic safety net has become increasingly individualized. In fact, it is no longer clear whether low-income families tend to rely on particular types of public benefits, or whether there are characteristics that differentiate benefit “packaging”. This study examines the combinations of various income sources comprising economic safety nets for low-income families participating in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The income sources we explore include earnings, child support, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, childcare subsidies, unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), housing subsidies, and Medicaid. We use cluster analysis to determine the most common patterns of income and benefit sources, and identify four distinct clusters of income and benefits that are associated with different family demographic characteristics. The findings from this investigation may be useful to social service programs as they attempt to identify relevant safety net resources for economically struggling families, and to policymakers attempting to reconcile requirements associated with programs and benefits that are regularly combined by beneficiaries.
Least-biased fuzzy clustering method for inhomogeneous data

We have extended the least biased fuzzy clustering algorithm to inhomogeneous data sets. The resolution parameter is generalized from a scalar to a vector with the dimension of the feature space. We fix the orientation of the resolution vector to measure the relative inhomogeneities of each cluster of data points in the different dimensions; and we study the effect of the magnitude of the resolution parameter on the phase transitions yielding the clusters. Based on the detection of the onset of a phase transition, a new technique for truncating the iteration scheme of solution reduces the computational complexity to the order of the number of data points. The actual computational load of the algorithm is discussed and examples are given to illustrate the performance of the algorithm in clustering inhomogeneous data sets.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A three-node mindlin plate element with improved transverse shear

Abstract A displacement methodology for Mindlin elements, recently employed in the development of an efficient, four-node quadrilateral (MIN4), is the basis for a three-node, explicitly integrated triangular element (MIN3). The approach, herein referred to as anisoparametric , is founded upon two kinematic requirements that are auxiliary to the standard convergence criteria. The initial, complete quadratic deflection field is constrained by ‘continuous’ shear edge constraints to achieve an isoparametric-like, three-node configuration. Much success of the element is due to an innovative shear correction factor concept. Several numerical experiments are performed in the linear elasto-static regime to ascertain the element performance.
Speciation of bio-available chromium in soils by solid-phase extraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Speciation of bio-available chromium in soils was performed using extraction with 0.05 M EDTA followed by strong anionic solid-phase extraction. The step gradient elution technique with 0.1 and 0.5 M NaCl as eluent in sequence was sufficient to separate Cr(III) and Cr(VI) with recoveries of 99.7 and 93.4%, respectively. During the determination of separated chromium species by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS), 10% ammonium nitrate solution was co-injected with the sample to eliminate the interferences from the eluent matrix containing high concentrations of chloride. Linear calibration curves over the range of 0–15 ng mL−1 were obtained with good correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.9976 for Cr(III)EDTA−, and 0.9897 for Cr(VI)). The sum of the chromium species determined after separation was in good agreement with total chromium from EDTA extraction of NIST soil standard SRM2709 (0.688 μg g−1 Cr(III), 0.127 μg g−1 Cr(VI), 0.742 μg g−1 total Cr) and a local soil sample (0.030 μg g−1 Cr(III), 0 μg g−1 Cr(VI), 0.053 μg g−1 total Cr).
The UVH2O2 process: quantitative EPR determination of radical concentrations

Abstract A quantitative electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic technique was developed and used to measure the absolute concentration of the spin trap radical adduct DMPOOH produced from the photolysis of H2O2 by UV light in the presence of the spin trap 5,5′-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). A kinetic model of the UVH2O2 process, developed recently to predict the loss rate of organic pollutants, is in good agreement with these EPR results.
Knowledge transferability in partially distributed conceptual design teams

In this paper, we aim to identify different types of knowledge that needs to be conveyed during a conceptual design task. We hypothesize that different types of knowledge has different transferability in a partially distributed team setting, and thus influences team members' communication behaviors. The impacts due to different transferability of design knowledge are discussed.
Tritium sequence analysis of oligoribonucleotides: a combination of post-labeling and thin-layer chromatographic techniques for the analysis of partial snake venom phosphodiesterase digests

Abstract A tritium derivative method for sequence analysis of polyribonucleotides is detailed, which is based on borotritide reduction of oligonucleotide-3′ dialdehydes generated by controlled snake venom phosphodiesterase/alkaline phosphomonoesterase digestion and periodate treatment of time point aliquots of the incubation mixture. Radioactive oligonucleotide derivatives are resolved according to chain length by PEI-cellulose1 anion-exchange TLC and their 3′-termini identified by techniques described in the preceding paper of this series2. The present tritium derivative method is compared with the one described previously2.
The Locomotor Activity of Fish: An Analogy to the Kinetics of an Opposed First-Order Chemical Reaction

Abstract The kinetic behavior of a laboratory population of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) under defined laboratory conditions is shown to be analogous to the reaction kinetics described by a population of molecules engaged in an opposed (reversible) first-order reaction. Thus as in chemical kinetics, the locomotor activity of fish can be described quantitatively in the form of rate constants.
Introduction: towards a critical understanding and investigation of political violence – one adjunct’s humble contributions to the study of terrorism

As I write, volleys of rockets and missiles are being fired to and from the Gaza Strip. In what the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has termed “Operation Protective Edge,” an asymmetric ground, air and...
Evaluating the Improved Research Capacity of EPSCoR States: R&D Funding and Collaborative Networks in the NSF EPSCoR Program

States vary considerably in their ability to attract federal research and development (R&D) sources. The National Science Foundation (NSF) Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) was created in the late 1970s and was designed to enhance the research capacity of less competitive states in seeking federal research funds. How has EPSCoR improved research capacity in its member states? To date, little evaluation of EPSCoR as a program, or even within individual states, has occurred, and those studies that have been conducted have taken a statewide, macro-level approach. We argue that a social-capital-based approach that addresses capacity development among EPSCoR recipients provides important scientist-level data that can best address capacity development issues. In this article, we first examine the data of federal academic R&D obligations in order to analyze one of the direct outcomes of capacity building. We conduct a descriptive statistical analysis on the changing share of federal academic R&D obligations for individual states in recent years. Second, using an NSF-sponsored survey of scientists in the 50 states, we present data on distinctions between scientists in EPSCoR versus non-EPSCoR states, as well as differences between scientists who have been involved in EPSCoR versus those who have not. From our analysis we find important evidence of capacity development in EPSCoR states. Perhaps most importantly, our results provide an important first step in identifying relevant evaluative issues for EPSCoR.
Acute toxicity of ammonia to fathead minnows

Abstract The acute toxicity of ammonia to fathead minnows Pimephales promelas was measured in 35, 96-hour, flow-through tests. The fish were from both wild and hatchery-reared stocks, and ranged in size from 0.1 to 2.3 g. The 96-hour median lethal concentrations (LC50) ranged from 0.75 to 3.4 mg/liter un-ionized ammonia (34 to 108 mg/liter total ammonia-nitrogen). The toxicity of ammonia decreased as temperature increased over the range 12 to 22 C. There was no significant relationship between ammonia toxicity and dissolved oxygen concentration, over the range of the latter from 3 to 9 mg/liter. Toxicity was not related to the size or the source of test fish. Received July 12, 1982 Accepted June 20, 1983
Comments on the article: MW construct in fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis (Eben A. Carroll, Jeffrey Scott Shilt, Laura Jacks).

The authors have chosen to report on a series of patients treated by the MW sacropelvic fixation. This is the first clinical published report since we described the surgical technique in 1998 [2]. For a long time, Luque Galveston Instrumentation has been considered as the gold standard for the surgical management of pelvic obliquity in neuromuscular scoliosis. Initially described in the early 1980s by Allen and Ferguson, this brilliant and original breakthrough was the first truly segmental instrumentation that would control the pelvis and allow satisfactory correction of pelvic obliquity [1]. However, with increased follow-up it became recognized that some problems were inherent to the technique: Windshield wiper signs around the intrapelvic portion of the rods, broken rods and pseudarthroses were not infrequent [3]. Finally, the inability to achieve distraction or compression over the high or low side of the pelvis after having cantilevered the rods to the spine resulted in incomplete correction of the pelvic obliquity. Dubousset using an original concept based on ilio-sacral screws addressed the possibility to compress or distract the pelvis to level it under the trunk [5]. However, in our opinion the lack of true control of the iliac wings would result in insufficient segmental fixation of the sacro-pelvis, especially in stiff and large curve. By combining iliac screws inserted in a Galveston fashion and iliosacral screws, the best of the two worlds would therefore be together in a same construct. Such a strong sacropelvic fixation would allow cantilevering and compression distraction. The credit for such an advanced fixation should go to Marc Asher who did (without our knowledge) an initial experiment slightly before we published our surgical technique which we coined as MW fixation. We had at McGill a very large population of cerebral palsy with pelvic obliquity. The average curve of our patient population was 84° with a pelvic obliquity of 42° in average. Our rate of correction for such stiff curves was 50% of the main lumbar curve, but the pelvic obliquity was corrected to 80% on an average. Comparing our results to the literature, we achieved a better correction than the Galveston Fixation where smaller curves had been addressed in most papers [4]. Looking at the results of Shilt and colleagues and our unpublished data, it is now clear that the MW fixation has by far superseded the classic Gold Standard represented by the Galveston pelvic fixation. By using the MW fixation, the need for an anterior release of the lumbar spine becomes unnecessary in most cases. As such, a strong sacropelvic fixation allows cantilevering of the pelvis and compression distraction of the low, high side of the pelvis in order to perfectly level the pelvis and achieve maximum correction of the pelvic obliquity. We therefore, congratulate the authors for their results and their report on this technique.
Nucleation precursors in protein crystallization

Protein crystal nucleation is a central problem in biological crystallography and other areas of science, technology and medicine. Recent studies have demonstrated that protein crystal nuclei form within crucial precursors. Here, methods of detection and characterization of the precursors are reviewed: dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and Brownian microscopy. Data for several proteins provided by these methods have demonstrated that the nucleation precursors are clusters consisting of protein-dense liquid, which are metastable with respect to the host protein solution. The clusters are several hundred nanometres in size, the cluster population occupies from 10−7 to 10−3 of the solution volume, and their properties in solutions supersaturated with respect to crystals are similar to those in homogeneous, i.e. undersaturated, solutions. The clusters exist owing to the conformation flexibility of the protein molecules, leading to exposure of hydrophobic surfaces and enhanced intermolecular binding. These results indicate that protein conformational flexibility might be the mechanism behind the metastable mesoscopic clusters and crystal nucleation. Investigations of the cluster properties are still in their infancy. Results on direct imaging of cluster behaviors and characterization of cluster mechanisms with a variety of proteins will soon lead to major breakthroughs in protein biophysics.
A Case History of Nuclear Power Plant Site Selection

This paper discusses a multidisciplinary study conducted to select a site for a nuclear power plant. A series of screening steps was carried out to identify candidate sites for the plant, as well as candidate water sources. Multiobjective decision analysis methods were used to evaluate and rank these candidate sites and water sources; a risk analysis was carried out to determine the effects of major uncertainties. The evaluation concerns considered in the study are discussed, as well as the scales used to measure impacts with regard to these concerns.
Colonization by Enterobacteriaceae of the respiratory tract of children with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas and their antibody response

Of 72 patients with cystic fibrosis, 49 harbored Enterobacteriaceae in the respiratory tract, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella , and Enterobacter . Colonization by two to four genera was documented in 29 subjects. Staphylococcus aureus was recovered from 44 of these 49 patients. The distribution of serogroups of E. coli was similar to that seen in patients with urinary tract infection. Antibody response against the O antigens of the patients' own Enterobacteriaceae was documented in 29 of these 49 children and encountered more often in patients with severe disease. Colonization by Enterobacterianceae in the absence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was seen more frequently in children with the mild form of the illness.
Causes of the liability insurance crisis

In this article the reasons for recent dramatic premium increases for liability insurance are explored by examination of available data on industry premiums, losses, and expenses. The suggestions that the premium increases were primarily caused by collusion among insurers, cyclical behavior, or systematic errors in forecasting losses are rejected. Instead, the evidence indicates that the jump in liability insurance premiums is most plausibly due to the growth in the discounted value of expected liability losses.
The mitek bone anchor: Application to the hand, wrist and elbow

Mitek (Norwood, MA) bone anchors were used to attach soft tissue to the bones of the hand, wrist, and elbow in 66 procedures (166 anchors). The technical difficulties, initial fixation, long-term stability, and postoperative complications were retrospectively reviewed. The technique was easy to learn and to use. Intraoperatively, secure fixation of soft tissue to bone was accomplished in every case, and follow-up x-ray films showed that 65 of the implants remained securely anchored in bone. The far cortex was penetrated six times, resulting in two complications. The Mitek bone anchor is an excellent technique for achieving soft-tissue fixation in the hand and upper extremity, but penetration of the far cortex should be avoided.
Modeling of acute spinal cord injury in the rat: neuroprotection and enhanced recovery with methylprednisolone, U-74006F and YM-14673.

Abstract We used a new injury device that produces consistent spinal cord contusion injuries (T8) in rats to compare the behavioral and histologic effects of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) administration, the clinical standard of therapy after acute spinal cord injury (ASCI), with the 21-aminosteroid, U-74006F (U74), and the TRH analogue, YM-14673 (YM), at different trauma doses. Three sequential experiments were conducted: Experiment 1 . U74 (3.0/1.5/1.5 mg/kg; 10/5/5 mg/kg; 30/15/15 mg/kg), MPSS (30/15/15 mg/kg), or vehicle were administered intravenously (iv) at 5 min, 2 and 6 h after the injury (n = 8/group). U74 (10/5/5 mg/kg) and MPSS animals scored better than controls (Days 8-43) in open field walking (OFW); no other differences were seen between groups. Experiment 2. Dose-response evaluation of MPSS determined more effective doses. Groups (n = 16) receiving 30/30/30/30 mg/kg and 60/60/60/60 mg/kg iv at 5 min and 2, 4, and 6 h after the injury had better OFW scores than controls (Days 8-29; Day 29). Both groups performed better than controls (Days 8-29) on inclined plane (IP); 30 mg/kg animals scored higher on Day 29. Percentage tissue spared (%TS) at the lesion center was greater for 60 mg/kg animals (23.4%) than controls (17.3%). Experiment 3. Compounds were administered as in experiment 2 (n = 15/group); MPSS (60/30/30/30 mg/kg) and YM (1/1/1/1 mg/kg and 1 mg/kg/day ip) were most effective. YM and MPSS combination produced no additive effects. YM animals scored better than MPSS and control animals in OFW (Days 8-29) and better than controls on IP (Days 8-29; Day 29) and grid walking (Day 29), MPSS animals scored better than controls on IP (Days 8-29 ). YM and MPSS groups had greater %TS than controls. This series of experiments demonstrates the utility of this injury model and simple behavioral measures for preclinical assessment of pharmacologic agents. Under these experimental conditions, U74 demonstrated equivalent efficacy to MPSS, and YM demonstrated greater efficacy than MPSS in the treatment of ASCI.
Psychological Consultation to a Police Training Academy: Problems and Opportunities

Police departments are systems of social regulation affecting the lives of many citizens. Psychological instruction to trainees can increase the armamentarium of police techniques in dealing with civil disturbances. Such instruction must be cognizant of attitudinal resistances toward new police instructors, particularly those with an intellectual or university orientation. Crisis situations that are handled by a proper balancing of coercive and negotiation types of techniques generate the most effective solution to disturbance situations. An approach is offered for effective teaching of a balanced coercive alliance model.
Heat flow between species in one-dimensional particle plasma simulations

The theory of Eldridge and Feix (1962) is presently applied to characterize the rate of heat flow between two one-dimensional particle species. Formulas derived assuming initial Maxwellian distributions, while complex, are judged applicable to simulators. Tests of the theory by simulations using Langdon and Birdsall's (1985) standard code yield results which indicate that heat flow between species may become rapid when the actual (not necessarily the intended) temperatures differ: thereby presenting a substantial hazard.
Temperature Estimation in a Battery String Under Frugal Sensor Allocation

In electric vehicle applications, batteries are usually packed in modules to satisfy the energy and power demand. To facilitate the thermal management of a battery pack, a model-based observer could be designed to estimate the temperature distribution across the pack. Nevertheless, cost target in industry practice drives the number of temperature sensors in a pack to a number that is not sufficient to yield observability of all the temperature states. This paper focuses on formulating the observer design and sensor deployment strategy that could achieve the optimal observer performance under the frugal sensor allocation. The considered observer performance is the estimation errors induced by model and sensor uncertainty. The observer aims at minimizing the worst-case estimation errors under bounded model and sensor uncertainty.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Biosensor development at the University of Utah

Describes three biosensors: a silicon retina chip, CHEMFET sensors and an optical immunoassay chip utilizing a planar waveguide. These three examples of sensors give a small flavor of the biosensor work ongoing at the University of Utah. Although there are obvious differences between each of these three sensors in terms of their application areas, the parameters measured, and the technologies used, there are several similarities that are shared by many biosensor developments. These include the move toward smaller device sizes, inexpensive fabrication, large-scale manufacturing methods, and improved reliability in actual applications. The extent to which each of these sensors can meet those real-world requirements will largely determine their eventual commercial viability. >
Surfacing Tension: Toward a Political Ecological Critique of Surfing Representations

Historically, surfing has been perceived as an environmentally conscious endeavor. Some attribute this environmentalism to the ways in which surfing became a manifestation of American counter-cultural political movements of the 1960s and 1970s, although others, like deep ecologists, indicate an inherent environmentalism in surfing, which makes surfing an important tool in developing an ecologically mature ‘self’. The evolution of surf culture, however, presents complexities to these representations; the commodification of surfing introduces contradictions to surfing as ecologically benign. Technological advances, while dramatically changing the face of surfing, have also had significant impacts on the environment. Surfparks, world travel, and the construction of surfboards bring to light not only the complications of an environmentally conscious surfer, but also the complexities which all humans face as ecological actors. Surfing may lead to an ecological ethic, but at what cost to the environment? Using the critical theory of political ecology, this research aims to illuminate the contradictory relationship between representations of surfing and the environment.
Effects of age and platelet-rich plasma on ACL cell viability and collagen gene expression.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has shown in vivo potential to stimulate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) healing at early time points in large animal models. However, in animal models, the healing potential of the ACL is dependent on animal age. In this study, we hypothesized that there are age-dependent differences in ACL cell metabolism, collagen gene expression and the ability of the cells to respond to growth factors in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). To test this hypothesis, ACL cells were obtained from skeletally immature, adolescent and adult pigs and cultured in a collagen type I hydrogel with or without PRP for 14 days. When cultured in collagen-only hydrogel, ACL cells from adult pigs had a 19% lower apoptotic rate as compared to immature pigs (p=0.001) and a 25% higher cellular metabolic activity as compared to adolescent pigs (p=0.006). The addition of PRP to the collagen hydrogel resulted in a significantly increased cellular metabolic activity, reduced apoptotic rate and stimulation of collagen production in the cells from the immature and adolescent animals (p<0.05 for all comparisons) but had less of an effect on adult cells. These findings suggest that skeletal maturity may influence ACL cells’ metabolic activity, apoptosis, collagen production, and response to PRP.
A note on the flow of a fluid with pressure-dependent viscosity in the annulus of two infinitely long coaxial cylinders

The dependence of the viscosity of fluids on pressure has been well established by experiments and it needs to be taken into consideration in problems where there is a large variation of pressure in the flow domain. In this paper we consider the flow of a fluid in the annulus between two cylinders whose viscosity depends on the pressure. First we consider the steady flow in the annulus due to the rotation of one cylinder with respect to the other. Then we study the problem of flow in the annular region due to torsional and longitudinal oscillations of one cylinder with respect to the other. In both the problems considered the flow is found to be markedly different from that for the incompressible Navier–Stokes fluid with constant viscosity.
Managing the second phase of enclosure

Abstract With the signing of the UNCLOS III Convention (1982), the first phase of enclosure of the oceans has been achieved. New authority structures have been created for EEZ's but new rules embodying rights and liabilities, as well as behavioral prescriptions, must be developed. Therefore the issue of ocean management is not a closed chapter and more difficult tasks lie ahead. There is a need to clarify our definitions of important concepts. ‘Enclosure’ and ‘common (not communal) property’ are not well understood, and attempts to apply to the oceans these terms as they pertain to land can be misleading. It is necessary to recognize the peculiar nature of the ocean which will always remain a ‘physical common’ by virtue of its indivisibility and open access. Despite human laws and boundaries, oceans can never become property in the same way land can. Thus metaphors of management policies implemented in the enclosure of the American West are of limited applicability.
Effects of Adsorbed Water Vapor on the Adsorption Rate Constant and the Kinetic Adsorption Capacity of the Wheeler Kinetic Model

A recent trend in occupational safety and health has focused on the use of respiratory protective equipment to supplant engineering controls as the primary means of protecting workers from toxic substances. Respirator adsorbent cartridges have been demonstrated to have a finite capacity to adsorb toxic vapors. The knowledge of when this limit is approached or has been exceeded is crucial to the user. The Wheeler kinetic breakthrough model has been shown to describe accurately organic vapor penetration through beds of activated carbon. The model, however, does not account for competitive adsorption of water vapor or other organic vapors. The investigations reported here demonstrate the effect of adsorbed water vapor on the kinetic adsorption parameters (kinetic rate constant and kinetic saturation capacity) of the Wheeler equation. Adsorbent beds were equilibrated at varying concentrations of water vapor and then challenged with carbon tetrachloride vapor-laden air. Dry carbon had an initial rate constant ...
Alternative 5' exons and differential splicing regulate expression of protein 4.1R isoforms with distinct N-termini.

Among the alternative pre-mRNA splicing events that characterize protein 4.1R gene expression, one involving exon 2′ plays a critical role in regulating translation initiation and N-terminal protein structure. Exon 2′ encompasses translation initiation site AUG1 and is located between alternative splice acceptor sites at the 5′ end of exon 2; its inclusion or exclusion from mature 4.1R mRNA regulates expression of longer or shorter isoforms of 4.1R protein, respectively. The current study reports unexpected complexity in the 5′ region of the 4.1R gene that directly affects alternative splicing of exon 2′. Identified far upstream of exon 2 in both mouse and human genomes were 3 mutually exclusive alternative 5′ exons, designated 1A, 1B, and 1C; all 3 are associated with strong transcriptional promoters in the flanking genomic sequence. Importantly, exons 1A and 1B splice differentially with respect to exon 2′, generating transcripts with different 5′ ends and distinct N-terminal protein coding capacity. Exon 1A-type transcripts splice so as to exclude exon 2′ and therefore utilize the downstream AUG2 for translation of 80-kDa 4.1R protein, whereas exon 1B transcripts include exon 2′ and initiate at AUG1 to synthesize 135-kDa isoforms. RNA blot analyses revealed that 1A transcripts increase in abundance in late erythroblasts, consistent with the previously demonstrated up-regulation of 80-kDa 4.1R during terminal erythroid differentiation. Together, these results suggest that synthesis of structurally distinct 4.1R protein isoforms in various cell types is regulated by a novel mechanism requiring coordination between upstream transcription initiation events and downstream alternative splicing events.