cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comments regarding Monte Carlo simulation of classical fluids on general purpose supercomputers

Abstract Comments are made in connection with a recent paper by Vogelsang and Hoheisel (Comput. Phys. Commun. 46 (1987) 209–216). A theoretical analysis of the computing requirements shows the usefulness of neighbor list or the cell list method in saving computing time for Monte Carlo simulations. This is demonstrated by sample runs on an IBM-3090 computer with vector facility. The possibility of displacing many particles simultaneously in Monte Carlo simulations is also discussed and this can be useful in parallel processing.
Can economics rank slavery against free labor in terms of efficiency

The standard allocative efficiency criteria used by economists (Pareto efficiency and Kaldor-Hicks efficiency) are fundamentally unable to rank a slave-labor system against a free-labor system. Giv...
Nonrandom chromosome structural aberrations and oncogene loci in human malignant melanoma

Short-term cultures of 10 malignant melanomas derived from 8 patients were analyzed cytogenetically. The chromosome composition of the tumors was found to be similar in terms of modal number and structural and numerical aberrations, especially the nonrandom nature of breakpoints. Six chromosomes were consistently involved in marker formation. Aberrations of chromosomes #1 and #9 were identified in every tumor, whereas structural alterations of chromosome #2 were found in 9 tumors. In contrast, aberrations of chromosomes #6, #3, and #7 were identified in 7, 7, and 8 of the tumors, respectively. The nonrandom breakpoints on these chromosomes frequently coincided with known oncogenic loci and resulted in morphologically identical marker chromosomes. Consecutive lesions were obtained for two patients. Common markers were identified in both cases, indicating the clonal origin of the tumors. In addition, many marker chromosomes characteristic of the individual lesions were also identified. The presence of these lesion-specific markers indicates the nonrandom selective nature of the metastatic process and suggests the possible heterogeneity of the original tumor cell population.
Small-World Network Enabled Energy Efficient and Robust 3D NoC Architectures

Three dimensional (3D) Network-on-Chip (NoC) architectures enable design of low power and high performance communication fabrics for multicore chips. In spite of achievable performance benefits, 3D NoCs are still bottlenecked by the planar interconnects. To exploit the benefits introduced by the vertical dimension, it is imperative to explore novel 3D NoC architectures. In this paper, we propose design of a small-world (SW) network based 3D NoCs. We demonstrate that the proposed 3D SW NoC outperforms its conventional 3D mesh-based counterparts. On average, it provides ~25% reduction in the energy delay product (EDP) compared to 3D MESH without introducing any additional link overhead in presence of conventional SPLASH-2 and PARSEC benchmarks. The proposed 3D SW NoC is more robust in presence of TSV failures and performs better than fault-free 3D MESH even in the presence of 25% TSVs failure.
On the structure of context-sensitive grammars

It is well known that the family of context-sensitive grammars generate languages which are not context-free and that it is undecidable whether a context-sensitive grammar generates a context-free language. However, the mechanism by which the use of context allows a non-context-free language to be generated is not well understood. In this paper we attempt to focus on this problem by surveying some of the results which speak to two questions: (i) What constraints can be placed on the form of the rules of context-sensitive grammars without restricting the weak generative capacity? (ii) What (nontrivial) constraints can be placed on the form of the rules of context-sensitive grammars such that only context-free languages will be generated?
Diurnal patterns of stem extension growth in peach (Prunus persica): Temperature and fluctuations in water status determine growth rate

Field measurements of stem extension growth rate in peach (Prunus persica [L.] Batsch) exhibited a consistent diurnal pattern. Stem extension rate was lowest in the early morning and increased throughout the day. In the late afternoon, 2–3-fold increases in extension rate occurred and were sustained for 2 to 4 h. After this growth surge, rates precipitously declined and remained low during the night. The temperature response of stem growth rate at constant water potential was determined using potted trees in a dark growth chamber. Under such conditions, stem growth rate was strongly dependent on air temperature. In the field, the observed stem growth rate deviated from that predicted on the basis of temperature. These deviations were proportional to the rate of change in stem water potential. A model was constructed to predict diurnal patterns of stem extension rate using temperature and water potential data. The model was tested using data from undisturbed trees and from trees in which water potential was artificially manipulated. Growth patterns predicted by the model were in general agreement with observed rates.
Body satisfaction and couple's daily sexual experience: a dyadic perspective.

Although it is widely believed that body satisfaction positively affects sexual experience, research on this topic has been limited by an almost exclusive focus on women and on individuals and by an overreliance on cross-sectional self-report data. To address these shortcomings, the current study used 1,598 daily sex reports completed by 144 couples over an average of 3 weeks to investigate the impact of satisfaction with one’s own and one’s partner’s body on sexual experience. Results indicated that an individual’s satisfaction with his or her own body was not as important to the overall quality of sexual experience as one’s satisfaction with the partner’s body or as the partner’s satisfaction with the individual’s body. Moreover, although effects were generally similar for men and women, women’s sexual outcomes were more strongly shaped by partner satisfaction with her body than the reverse. Results highlight the need to adopt a dyadic perspective in efforts to understand the effects of body satisfaction on sexual experience.
Broadening the security paradigm: Indian women, anti-nuclear activism, and visions of a sustainable future

Synopsis This article uses the anti-nuclear activism of Indian women as a case study to question the relevance of statist discourses of security in Indian politics. By highlighting their activism against the Indian state (under its recent Hindu Right Bharatiya Janata Party government), this article deconstructs how (in)security imaginaries have been utilized by the Indian state to legitimize India's nuclear policies; how the Indian state's perceptions of (in)security has collided with ‘people-centric’ visions of security; and finally, how activism has enabled these women to de-center a militaristic and communal vision of (in)security that undergirds India's nuclear policy. I also highlight the ways in which women's activism has differed from that of men's including how women activists have used distinctive rationales and strategies to oppose Indian nuclearization. The contribution of this article lies in stitching together the spirit of inclusiveness that brings these women's leadership qualities, capabilities, and preferences to broaden India's security paradigm.
Phytic acid: a phytochemical with complementary and alternative benefits.

Commentary to:The Biochemical Changes Associated with Phytic Acid Induced Breast Proliferative Lesions in Rats: Preliminary FindingsMahmoud R. Hussein, Mohamad A Abd EL-Aziz, Nagwa S Ahmad, Faten Omran and Mohamad Abdulhameed
Cloning, mapping, and expression analysis of TBX15, a new member of the T-Box gene family.

The T-box gene family has been conserved throughout metazoan evolution and codes for putative transcription factors that share a uniquely defining DNA-binding domain. We have previously uncovered six mouse T-box genes with discrete spatial and temporal patterns of expression during embryogenesis. Here, we report a novel mouse T-box gene, Tbx15. The Tbx15 gene produces a 3.7-kb transcript with an open reading frame coding for a polypeptide with 602 amino acid residues. Phylogenetic analysis places the Tbx15 gene into a T-box subfamily that also includes mouse Tbx1, Drosophila H15, and nematode Ce-tbx-12 genes. We have mapped mouse Tbx15 to chromosome 3, at a position 49 cM from the centromere. During development, Tbx15 transcripts are first detected at embryonic day 9.5. The gene is expressed primarily in the cranio-facial region and in the developing limbs. An isolated human homolog, TBX15, has been mapped by in situ hybridization to chromosomal band 1p13. TBX15 appears to be an excellent candidate for the dominantly expressed acromegaloid facial appearance syndrome, which also maps to the short arm of human chromosome 1 and, like TBX15, is expressed prominently in the eyebrow regions.
Blood gene expression profiling of neurologic diseases: a pilot microarray study.

Background Tissue gene expression profiling with arrays measures the transcription of thousands of genes. However, this approach cannot be readily used to guide clinical neurologic practice. Objectives To determine whether clinical neurologic diseases are associated with unique patterns of up- and down-regulated genes in whole blood and to explore the possibility of using peripheral blood as a surrogate tissue in these diseases. Design Case-control study. Setting University-based pediatric and adult neurology clinics. Participants Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, epilepsy, or Tourette syndrome diagnosed using traditional clinical criteria; controls without disease; and controls with neurologic disease. Main Outcome Measure Blood gene expression levels of greater than 12 000 genes, measured using U95A arrays. Results Neurofibromatosis type 1 and childhood epilepsy treated with carbamazepine or valproic acid are associated with distinct patterns of blood gene expression. Patients with valproic acid–responsive vs valproic acid–refractory epilepsy formed distinct subclusters. Tourette syndrome was characterized by several gene expression clusters. In 1 cluster, 6 genes—all associated with immune cell function—were overexpressed. Conclusion Blood gene expression profiling can provide surrogate markers for neurologic diseases without obvious blood phenotypes.
On the photochemical behavior of the [Ru(NH3)4(NO)nicotinamide]3+ cation and the relative stability of light-induced metastable isonitrosyl isomers of Ru complexes.

Low-temperature IR experiments on crystalline samples of trans-[Ru(NH3)4(NO) nicotinamide]3+ salts show a light-induced absorption band typical for MS1 NO linkage isomers upon exposure to 300−500 nm light from a Xe source. The formation of a metastable species is confirmed by DSC measurement on a sample irradiated at low temperature with 457 nm light from an Ar+ laser. The light-induced species decays between 250 and 260 K according to both IR and DSC results. This decay temperature (Td) is somewhat below that observed for other high-Td linkage isomers, even though the NO-stretching frequency of the of [Ru(NH3)4(NO) nicotinamide]3+ ion is above that of the other isomers, demonstrating a lack of precise correlation between the two physical properties. The 90 K crystal structure of trans-[Ru(NH3)4(NO)nicotinamide](SiF6)(NO3)·H2O is reported. The geometry from theoretical DFT calculations of the ground-state structure agrees well with the experimental results, except for the orientation of the CONH2 substitu...
Color characteristics of mechanochromic photonic bandgap composites

Actively modulating the interparticle lattice constant and/or refractive index contrast of a three-dimensional dielectric structure which exhibits a periodicity comparable to the wavelength of light can result in a variation of the optical diffraction properties. Achieving this modulation with an imposed strain is refereed to as mechanochromism. The color characteristics of opalescent elastomeric films composed of colloidal crystals have been studied at various strain states. These elastomeric photonic bandgap composites exhibit rejection wavelength shifts of over 200 nm and reflected colors that are characterized by color purities ranging from 0.52 to 0.86 and dominant wavelengths ranging from 597 nm to 464 nm.
Sensitivity enhancement, assignment, and distance measurement in 13C solid-state NMR spectroscopy for paramagnetic systems under fast magic angle spinning

Despite success of previous studies, high-resolution solid-state NMR (SSNMR) of paramagnetic systems has been still largely unexplored because of limited sensitivity/resolution and difficulty in assignment due to large paramagnetic shifts. Recently, we demonstrated that an approach using very-fast magic angle spinning (VFMAS; spinning speed 20kHz) enhances resolution/sensitivity in (13)C SSNMR for paramagnetic complexes [Y. Ishii, S. Chimon, N.P. Wickramasinghe, A new approach in 1D and 2D (13)C high resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy of paramagnetic organometallic complexes by very fast magic-angle spinning, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 125 (2003) 3438-3439]. In this study, we present a new strategy for sensitivity enhancement, signal assignment, and distance measurement in (13)C SSNMR under VFMAS for unlabeled paramagnetic complexes using recoupling-based polarization transfer. As a robust alternative of cross-polarization (CP), rapid application of recoupling-based polarization transfer under VFMAS is proposed. In the present approach, a dipolar-based analog of INEPT (dipolar INEPT) methods is used for polarization transfer and a (13)C signal is observed under VFMAS without (1)H decoupling. The resulting low duty factor permits rapid signal accumulation without probe arcing at recycle times ( approximately 3 ms/scan) matched to short (1)H T(1) values of small paramagnetic systems ( approximately 1 ms). Experiments on Cu(dl-Ala)(2) showed that the fast repetition approach under VFMAS provided sensitivity enhancement by a factor of 8-66 for a given sample, compared with the (13)C MAS spectrum under moderate MAS at 5kHz. The applicability of this approach was also demonstrated for a more challenging system, Mn(acac)(3), for which (13)C and (1)H paramagnetic shift dispersions reach 1500 and 700 ppm, respectively. It was shown that effective-evolution-time dependence of transferred signals in dipolar INEPT permitted one to distinguish (13)CH, (13)CH(2), (13)CH(3), (13)CO2- groups in 1D experiments for Cu(DL-Ala)(2) and Cu(Gly)(2). Applications of this technique to 2D (13)C/(1)H correlation NMR under VFMAS yielded reliable assignments of (1)H resonances as well as (13)C resonances for Cu(DL-Ala)(2) and Mn(acac)(3). Quantitative analysis of cross-peak intensities in 2D (13)C/(1)H correlation NMR spectra of Cu(DL-Ala)(2) provided distance information between non-bonded (13)C-(1)H pairs in the paramagnetic system.
Labor process control in modern organizations: Subtle effects of structure

Abstract Labor process control in today's work organizations is more subtle and sophisticated than in previous eras. Mechanisms such as personnel selection, training and socialization, organizational technology, organizational architecture, organizational structure, and organizational ideology and languages produce strong compliance pressures, often without appearing part of an intricate control network. Studies of organizational control intellectually grounded in systems theory have focused on processes designed to correct the occasional “deviant” action, leaving unfocused mechanisms which tend to ensure routinely compliant behavior. This article identifies subtle controlling influences resulting from the structuring of organizations. Three major dimensions of organizational structure—specialization, hierarchy of authority, and formalization—are analyzed to determine their effects on patterns of employee compliance. Although modern organizational control processes such as structural design subtly produce powerful compliance pressures on employees, conflict in organizations between capital and labor is not suppressed. Workplace struggles are an inevitable aspect of modern organization and emerge even within the confines of sophisticated controls.
Synthesis and application of derivatizable oligonucleotides

To investigate protein-DNA interactions, we have synthesized a versatile phthalimide-protected 5-(3-aminopropyl)-2'-deoxyuridine nucleoside probe. The modified residue was incorporated into deoxyoligonucleotides by automated synthesis. The standard oligonucleotide workup also exposed the pendent amino group, which was found to react with either fluorescent labelling agents or, as detailed below, a photoactivatable cross-linking agent. In the dark, a strand with a photolabile group adjacent to the 3' end served as a primer for synthetic template-directed DNA synthesis by the Klenow fragment of E. coli DNA polymerase I, by bacteriophage T4 DNA polymerase, and by avian myeloblastosis virus (AMV) reverse transcriptase. Brief illumination with 302 nm light afforded covalent complexes between DNA and the polymerases; labelling of AMV reverse transcriptase was predominantly in the beta subunit.
Cerebral ventricular transport and uptake: importance for CCK-mediated satiety.

Abstract Brain cholecystokinin (CCK) peptides have been proposed to be involved in the control of feed intake. We have examined the importance of the cerebral ventricular system in CCK-mediated satiety in sheep. Continuous injection of 0.64 pmol/min CCK-8 into the lateral ventricles (LV) decreased feeding, whereas injection of neither 0.64 nor 2.55 pmol/min CCK-8 into the cisterna magna (CM) significantly affected feeding. Thus, it is likely that the rostral, but not caudal, ventricular compartments and/or adjacent brain areas are involved in CCK-8 mediated satiety. The rate of injection of carrier solution (synthetic cerebrospinal fluid [sCSF]) was found to affect feed intake during a continuous 75 min injection: feed intakes were greater during injection of sCSF at 0.10 ml/min than during either 0.03 ml/min sCSF or no injection (sham). Injection of 0.64 pmol/min CCK-8 in either 0.03 or 0.10 ml/min decreased feeding. The increased feeding during 0.10 ml/min sCSF injection may have been due to dilution of endogenous CCK released into CSF during the meal. To determine the percent recovery from CSF of exogenous CCK-8, CSF samples from CM were collected during 3 hr continuous LV injections of CCK-8 and inulin (for measurement of bulk absorption). Only 20 to 40 percent of administered CCK-8 was recovered in CM CSF. The loss of CCK-8 was probably not due to degradation in the CSF by proteolytic enzymes, since CCK-8 concentrations did not decrease during in vitro incubation at 37°C for up to 24 hr. We propose that CCK-8 is released during feeding into the ventricular system, and subsequently taken up from CSF by specialized ependymal cells for transport to sites of action.
Revisiting classic water erosion models in drylands: The strong impact of biological soil crusts

Soil erosion and subsequent degradation has been a contributor to societal collapse in the past and is one of the major expressions of desertification in arid regions. The revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE) models soil lost to water erosion as a function of climate erosivity (the degree to which rainfall can result in erosion), topography, soil erodibility, and land use/management. The soil erodibility factor (K) is primarily based upon inherent soil properties (those which change slowly or not at all) such as soil texture and organic matter content, while the cover/management factor (C) is based on several parameters including biological soil crust (BSC) cover. We examined the effect of two more precise indicators of BSC development, chlorophyll a and exopolysaccharides (EPS), upon soil stability, which is closely inversely related to soil loss in an erosion event. To examine the relative influence of these elements of the C factor to the K factor, we conducted our investigation across eight strongly differing soils in the 0.8 million ha Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We found that within every soil group, chlorophyll a was a moderate to excellent predictor of soil stability (R 2 ¼ 0.21–0.75), and consistently better than EPS. Using a simple structural equation model, we explained over half of the variance in soil stability and determined that the direct effect of chlorophyll a was 3� more important than soil group in determining soil stability. Our results suggest that, holding the intensity of erosive forces constant, the acceleration or reduction of soil erosion in arid landscapes will primarily be an outcome of management practices. This is because the factor which is most influential to soil erosion, BSC development, is also among the most manageable, implying that water erosion in drylands has a solution.
Structural and remote sensing studies of the southern Betsimisaraka Suture, Madagascar

Abstract An assessment of the southern Betsimisaraka Suture (B.S.) of southeastern Madagascar using remote sensing and field investigation reveals a complex deformation history. Image processing of Landsat ETM+data and JERS-I Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery was integrated with field observations of structural geology and field petrography. The southern B.S. divides the Precambrian basement rocks of Madagascar in two parts. The western part includes Proterozoic rocks whereas the eastern part is an Archean block, named the Masora block. The southern part of the B.S. includes high-grade metamorphic rocks, recording strong deformation and has mineral deposits including chromite, nickel, and emerald, characteristic of oceanic material that is compatible with a suture zone. Large-scale structural features indicate ductile deformation including three generations of folding (F1, F2, and F3) associated with dextral shearing. The first folding event (F1) shows a succession of folds with NE striking axial planes. The second folding event (F2) mainly has north–south striking axial planes and the last event (F3) is represented by mega folds that have ENE–WSW axial plane directions and have NNW and SSE contractional strain patterns. Closure of the Mozambique Ocean between two components of Gondwana sandwiched rocks of the B.S. and formed upright folds and shortening zones which produced N–S trending lineaments. Later dextral movements followed the contraction and formed NW–SE trending lineaments and N–S trending normal faults associated with dextral strike slip faults and fractures.
Postnatal development of phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase activity of rat retina

The postnatal development of rat retinal phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity was measured by radiometric assay. Activity was detected on day 1 of life. Retinal PNMT activity of day 1 neonates approximated 10% that of the adult. There is an increase in enzyme activity before eye opening. By day 30, enzyme activity has peaked. The enzyme during this early period possesses the same substrate specificity and inhibitor sensitivity as that of the adult enzyme. PNMT activity is detected before tyrosine hydroxylase activity.
A Simple Characterization of Commutative Rings Without Maximal Ideals

In a coLrse in abstract algebra in which the instructor presents a proof that each ideal in a ring with identity is contained in a maximal ideal, it is customary to give an example of a ring without maximal ideals. The usual example is a zero-ring whose additive group has no maximal subgroups (e.g., the additive group of (dyadic) rational numbers; actually any divisible group will do; see [1, p. 67]). This may leave the impression that all such rings are artificial or at least that they abound with divisors of 0. Below, I give a simple characterization of commutative rings withoLt maximal ideals and a class of examples of such rings, including some without proper divisors of 0. To back up the contention that this can be presented in such a course in abstract algebra, I outline proofs of some known theorems including a few properties of radical rings in the sense of Jacobson. The Hausdorff maximal principle states that every partially ordered set contains a maximal chain (i.e., a maximal linearly ordered subset). It is equivalent to the axiom of choice [4, Chapter XI]. Since the union of a maximal chain of proper ideals in a ring with identity is a maximal ideal, and since the union of a maximal chain of linearly independent stubsets of a vector space is a maximal linearly independent set, we have:
Response to “CT Screening for Lung Cancer: Update 2007”

UNDER “KEY CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS” 1. The authors tell readers that the staging system for lung cancer “is based on differences in lung cancer survival.” Their reference is to the update on lung cancer staging by Mountain, which states that the lung cancer staging system is based on identifying the intersection of similar treatment options and similar outcome expectations [2]. 2. The authors present the term “curability rate,” although it has no concrete meaning in epidemiology. Their reference is to Martini and colleagues, where the concept of “curability rate” does not appear [3]. 3. The authors present, in Figure 1, estimates of “cure rates,” a concept that is not found in conventional epidemiology. They cite as their source for the cure rate estimates the “American Cancer Society Facts and Figures: 2006.” Yet, no cure rates appear in that report. 4. The authors claim that there is a distinction between “baseline” and “subsequent” rounds of screening. They cite Morrison [4]. In that article, no such distinction appears. In fact, Morrison focuses on a hypothetical scenario in which only a single round of screening (i.e., only the baseline round) has been performed. 5. The authors assert that “length bias” only affects the first round of screening, again referencing Morrison [4]. Morrison’s article explicitly contradicts the authors on this point, noting that length bias cannot be sequestered to certain patients in a single-arm noncomparative design (such as Early Lung Cancer Action Project [ELCAP]). The Morrison article more generally critiques the type of design pursued by ELCAP, while implicitly endorsing randomized trials such as the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). He states that “the observed case-fatality (the ELCAP endpoint) is not an appropriate measure of the beneficial effect of screening. Outcome evaluation of a screening programme is best carried out by comparison of mortality rates in the screened population with those in another otherwise comparable unscreened population (i.e., the NLST design).”
Hospital-Acquired Infections after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Nationwide Analysis

Background This is the first nationwide study to evaluate the factors associated with developing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and analyze their impact on the efficiency of hospital care. Methods Data from patients with SAH who underwent aneurysm repair were extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2008–2011). Urinary tract infections, pneumonia, central venous catheter (CVC)-associated blood stream infection, and meningitis/ventriculitis were evaluated. Independent predictors of HAIs used in multivariable logistic regression modeling were chosen using forward selection; hierarchical multivariable linear regression assessed length of stay and charges. Results Seven thousand five hundred sixteen admissions were included. Independent predictors in the logistic regression for developing a urinary tract infection (23.9%) included older age, female sex, noninfectious complications ( P P = 0.009), and diabetes with complications ( P = 0.04). Pneumonia (23.0%) was associated with older age ( P = 0.003), congestive heart failure, severity of SAH, and noninfectious complications ( P P ≤ 0.02), whereas intracerebral hemorrhage and noninfectious complications were predictors of CVC-associated infections (1.0%; P ≤ 0.02). All HAIs were associated with significantly longer hospitalizations and higher charges. Pneumonia (odds ratio [OR], 2.85; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.44–3.34) and CVC-associated infections (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.26–4.66) were also independently associated with greater odds of poor outcome (death or institutional care). Conclusion In this nationwide analysis, urinary tract infections and pneumonia were the most common hospital-acquired infections after SAH. Although all infections were associated with significantly longer hospitalizations and greater charges, pneumonia and CVC-associated infections were also associated with increased likelihood of a poor outcome.
Deliberately Added and “Cryptic” Antioxidants in Three Artificial Diets for Insects

Characteristics of both deliberately added and “cryptic” antioxidants were assayed from hydrophilic and lipophilic extracts from artificial diets for plant bugs, lepidopteran larvae, and green lacewings. Cryptic antioxidants are defined as substances naturally existing in diet ingredients but not deliberately added because of their antioxidant potential. Diets were tested after 1) being freshly produced, 2) stored for 48 h at 4°C, or 3) held for 48 h under rearing room conditions at 27°C. Tests included 1) a general assay of antioxidant capacity known as the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, 2) a cation radical-scavenging assay, 3) an ascorbic acid assay, and 4) an assay of inhibition of lipid peroxidation. In all assays, the lepidopteran diet had the highest values for protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS). The lepidopteran diet (with 0.17–0.23-mg equivalents of gallic acid equals total phenolic compounds per gram of diet) had three- to four-fold higher concentrations of phenolic compounds than did either the plant bug diet or the lacewing diet. Unexpectedly, the plant bug and the lacewing diets caused more lipid peroxidation than did the positive controls. This was attributed to the high concentrations of iron in these diets (mainly from chicken eggs), causing an ascorbate-ferric ion-induced lipid peroxidation. Diet storage, measured after 2 d at 27 or 4–6°C, caused no significant declines in overall antioxidant potential. However, storage did lead to decline in ascorbic acid. The FRAP assay offered the best potential as a general, routine test of the potential of various insect diets to resist the destructive effects of ROS. The importance of addressing issues of protection against ROS in insect diets is discussed.
A Comparison of Antegrade and Retrograde Mesenteric Bypass

Mesenteric artery bypass originating from the supraceliac aorta (antegrade bypass) has been the standard orientation of visceral artery bypass grafts. Retrograde bypass, in which the bypass originates from the iliac arteries, has not been as widely accepted. The purpose of our study was to compare the results of these two types of bypass in a similar population. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients undergoing mesenteric artery bypass at two tertiary care medical centers (UCLA Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center). Between February 1992 and January 2001, 37 patients underwent 39 mesenteric bypass procedures. The choice of bypass orientation (antegrade versus retrograde) was determined by the individual surgeon. Chart review, duplex ultrasonography, and/or telephone interviews were used to assess symptom-free survival. Actuarial analysis was completed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates. From this assessment we were able to determine that symptom-free survival of patients undergoing retrograde mesenteric bypass is similar to that seen in antegrade bypass. Primary retrograde bypass is a valid option for patients undergoing mesenteric bypass.
Extension of the operating point of the Mercury IVA from 6 to 8 MV

The output voltage of the NRL Mercury generator has been successfully increased to 8 MV. Mercury was originally designed for 6 MV, 300 kA operation in negative polarity [1]. However, new experiments required a bremsstrahlung x-ray source with a higher endpoint voltage [2],[3]. The threshold energy for photofission in targets of interest is about 5.5 MeV and, given the roughly Gaussian shape of the Mercury output pulse, very few x rays above threshold could be generated by Mercury with a 6-MV peak output voltage. Also, the cross section for fission rises sharply above the threshold energy. It was therefore decided to increase the output voltage of Mercury to the maximum possible without imposing undo cost or risk. A new center conductor was designed for Mercury that increased the effective output impedance of the MITL from about 23 to 40 Ω, thereby increasing the maximum output voltage to 8 MV. The new center conductor has carefully designed tapers (steps down in diameter) at each stage of the adder so that the adder cell voltages are equally balanced at the design limit of 1.3 MV. One limiting factor is the breakdown probability of the insulator stack in the adder cells. However, simulations have shown that the new center conductor only increases the breakdown probability a small amount. The 40 Ω output impedance was selected because it allowed us to reuse several pieces of the existing center conductor. Aluminum was used for most of the new parts. These steps allowed us to save time and keep material costs to a minimum. PIC and circuit simulations were performed to validate the design. Mercury has now been successfully operated for over 200 shots at 8 MV.
Quadrupolar Nuclei in Solids

In this article, the reader is introduced to the fundamental concepts underlying NMR of quadrupolar nuclei in solid samples. In a section on the basic spin properties, the fundamental concepts of the nuclear quadrupolar coupling constant, the quadrupolar frequency, and the quadrupolar splitting are defined, while the characteristics of NMR and NQR spectra are introduced and compared. Typical values of quadrupolar coupling constants are tabulated. The following section is concerned with the behavior of quadrupolar spins under RF irradiation. It is followed by a survey of the wide range of experimental NMR methods developed for quadrupolar nuclei. While the descriptions mentioned so far keep quantum mechanical modeling and mathematical expressions to a minimum, the final section introduces the theoretical aspects of quadrupolar spin interactions. Keywords: quadrupolar coupling; electric field gradient; quadrupolar splitting; NQR; central transition; satellite transitions; spin locking; MQMAS
MIMO Broadcast Scheduling with Quantized Channel State Information

We develop and analyze a simple, low-complexity system architecture for scheduling over a Gaussian multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel with infinite message backlogs. In the system of interest, there is a transmitter with m antennas, and n receiving users, where n » m. We show that the proposed architecture is strongly asymptotically optimal with respect to average throughput. We further characterize the feedback requirements of the architecture, and highlight various tradeoffs available to the system designer.
A SIMPLE SELF-TRIGGERED PLASMA SHUTTER*

Abstract A simple self-triggered plasma shutter for switching a high power laser beam was demonstrated. The triggering action comes from the surface plasma of a metal target. Several materials were tested and it was found that for copper, the amplitude fluctuation in the triggering was only 5%.
Search and Rescue in Yosemite National Park: A 10-Year Review

Abstract Objective.—To describe the general characteristics and epidemiology of search and rescue (SAR) in Yosemite National Park (YNP) and identify possible areas for intervention directed at reduction in use of these services. Methods.—Yosemite Search and Rescue (YOSAR) personnel record every search and rescue mission on a Search and Rescue Incident Report. The information contained in these reports was used to perform a retrospective review of all SAR missions within YNP during the 10-year study period between January 1990 and December 1999. Results.—YOSAR performed 1912 SAR missions, assisting 2327 individuals and recording 2077 injuries and illnesses. Popular trails in and around Yosemite Valley collectively accounted for 25% of all individuals needing SAR services. Lower extremity injuries and dehydration/hypovolemia/hunger were commonly identified reasons to need SAR services. The duration of SAR missions averaged 5 hours, used 12 SAR personnel, and cost $4400. Helicopter was the primary mode of tr...
Impact of Weight Regain on Metabolic Disease Risk: A Review of Human Trials

Dietary restriction interventions are effective for weight loss and reduction of chronic disease risk. Unfortunately, most people tend to regain much of this lost weight within one year after intervention. While some studies suggest that minor degrees of weight regain have no effect on metabolic disease risk parameters, other studies demonstrate a complete reversal in metabolic benefits. In light of these conflicting findings, it is of interest to determine how complete weight maintenance versus mild weight regain affects key risk parameters. These findings would have important clinical implications, as they could help identify a weight regain threshold that could preserve the metabolic benefits of weight loss. Accordingly, this review examined the impact of no weight regain versus mild regain on various metabolic disease risk parameters, including plasma lipids, blood pressure, glucose, and insulin concentrations, in adult subjects.
Preliminary experience with cinacalcet use in persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation.

Background There is limited experience with the use of cinacalcet in the treatment of persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation. Methods We retrospectively analyzed our experience in 18 renal allograft recipients who initiated cinacalcet therapy from 1 month to 23 years (median 3 years) posttransplantation and were maintained on the drug for 6 months. The daily dose was titrated from 30 mg up to a maximum of 180 mg to achieve a reduction in serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Results Sustainable, significant decreases in mean calcium and alkaline phosphatase were noted at 1 month and intact PTH by 3 months, with 50% of patients achieving at least a 30% drop in PTH levels at 6 months. Serum phosphorous increased at 6 months, whereas urine N-telopeptides decreased. There were no significant changes in serum osteocalcin, albumin, and hemoglobin levels. We did not observe a tachyphylaxis phenomenon. Two patients reported occasional nausea, but did not require medication discontinuation. Estimated glomerular filtration rate did decrease progressively over the 6-month period. Conclusion Cinacalcet appears to be an effective drug for the treatment of posttransplant hypercalcemia due to persistent secondary hyperparathyroidism. Further studies with more patients and longer follow-up will be needed to better elucidate the efficacy/safety profile for this agent, particularly with regard to long-term bone histology and renal outcomes.
Webmasters Reveal the Rules: Do Regulations Compromise Legislators' Online Communication with Constituents?.

In a nationwide study of state legislative Web sites, Narro, Mayo, and Miller found that the communication tools (i.e., weblogs, electronic newsletters, online polling) that state legislators offer vary more from state to state than legislator to legislator. Taking their information into account, this article addresses regulations put on legislators’ home pages.The author interviewed Webmasters in 44 states and found that having less limitations and allowing legislators freedom to manipulate their home pages encourage them to use these home pages for active communication. Although most states do not allow state legislators to use home pages as a campaign tool, some allow free flow of communication between legislators and constituents. The researcher found that legislators would use their home pages more as a communication tool if given the freedom. However, change begins with legislators, who are the policy makers. Whether they have freedom is their own choice.
Body size, geometry, longevity and metabolism: do plant leaves behave like animal bodies?

Given their differing geometry, evolutionary history and hierarchical position, plant leaves and animal bodies provide a useful comparison in evaluating the roles of size and geometry in the scaling of biological form and function. Metabolism and longevity scale similarly with specific surface area (surface area per unit mass) for both plant leaves and animal organs and bodies, indicating a fundamental allometry between geometry, area- and mass-based gas exchange and biochemical processes. By contrast, metabolism and longevity scale with size (mass) in animals but not in leaves. These findings provide evidence for the general phenomenon of geometrically based, but not size-based, scaling relationships in nature.
Muscle β1D Integrin Reinforces the Cytoskeleton–Matrix Link: Modulation of Integrin Adhesive Function by Alternative Splicing

Expression of muscle-specific β1D integrin with an alternatively spliced cytoplasmic domain in CHO and GD25, β1 integrin-minus cells leads to their phenotypic conversion. β1D-transfected nonmuscle cells display rounded morphology, lack of pseudopodial activity, retarded spreading, reduced migration, and significantly enhanced contractility compared with their β1A-expressing counterparts. The transfected β1D is targeted to focal adhesions and efficiently displaces the endogenous β1A and αvβ3 integrins from the sites of cell–matrix contact. This displacement is observed on several types of extracellular matrix substrata and leads to elevated stability of focal adhesions in β1D transfectants. Whereas a significant part of cellular β1A integrin is extractable in digitonin, the majority of the transfected β1D is digitonin-insoluble and is strongly associated with the detergent-insoluble cytoskeleton. Increased interaction of β1D integrin with the actin cytoskeleton is consistent with and might be mediated by its enhanced binding to talin. In contrast, β1A interacts more strongly with α-actinin, than β1D. Inside-out driven activation of the β1D ectodomain increases ligand binding and fibronectin matrix assembly by β1D transfectants. Phenotypic effects of β1D integrin expression in nonmuscle cells are due to its enhanced interactions with both cytoskeletal and extracellular ligands. They parallel the transitions that muscle cells undergo during differentiation. Modulation of β1 integrin adhesive function by alternative splicing serves as a physiological mechanism reinforcing the cytoskeleton– matrix link in muscle cells. This reflects the major role for β1D integrin in muscle, where extremely stable association is required for contraction.
Psychopharmacological Treatment of Youth in Juvenile Justice Settings

In 2008, there were 2.11 million arrests of persons younger than age 18 in the USA. (Puzzanchera 2009) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 2008 report “Crime in the United States” compiles the data reported within the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program which collects arrest statistics from law enforcement agencies across the USA. The data reflects the number of arrests, not the number of individuals arrested, and only records a count of the most serious charge for a particular arrest. Therefore it does not reflect the number of offenses resulting in a single arrest. Despite this limitation, the database offers information on the number of juvenile arrests, the number of individuals entering the justice system, the trends in these arrests and the ethnic and gender differences. For the period 1999–2008, there is a decline in all juvenile offenses leading to arrest, with the exception of robberies, which increased. Juveniles accounted for 16% of all violent crime arrests and for 26% of all property crime arrests in 2008. The violent crime index has fallen significantly from a high in 1994. There was a 10-year decline trend in the violent crime index for the period 1994–2004, reaching a 49% decrease in 2004, then a 12% increase for 2004–2006 and a new 5% decline for 2006–2008. Youth younger than 15 accounted for more than one-fourth of all juvenile arrests, 29% for violent crime offenses and 27% for property crime offenses. Only 1% of juvenile arrests are of youth younger than age 10. In 2008, the number of reported forcible rape offenses was at its lowest since 1980. In 2008, the juvenile arrest rate on murder charges was 3.8 arrests per 100,000 juveniles ages 10–17, a decline of 5% from 2007, and 74% down from a 1993 peak of 14.4. Between 1999 and 2008, juvenile arrests for aggravated assault decreased for males, more than for females (22% vs. 17%). During the same period, juvenile male arrests declined 6%, but female arrests increased 12% for simple assault. In 2008, females accounted for 17% of juvenile violent crime arrests, 36% of juvenile property crime arrests, and 44% of the juvenile larceny-theft arrests. In 2008, there were 629,800 arrests of females younger than age 18; accounting for 30% of the total juvenile arrests. Simple assaults, larceny-theft and driving under the influence, all increased in females from 1999 to 2008, while male arrests decreased in these categories. The data shows a downward trend in juvenile crime; but increase in crime committed by females, especially “petty” crime. This may mean that the population of female delinquents in detention is on the rise, gender ratios are changing and so are pathology and emotional issues encountered in juvenile justice settings, posing a new set of challenges for service programming.