cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lysyl-Phosphatidylglycerol Attenuates Membrane Perturbation Rather than Surface Association of the Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide 6W-RP-1 in a Model Membrane System: Implications for Daptomycin Resistance

The presence of the cationic phospholipid lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol (lysyl-PG) in staphylococcal cytoplasmic membranes has been linked to increased resistance to cationic compounds, including antibiotics such as daptomycin as well as host defense antimicrobial peptides. We investigated the effects of lysyl-PG on binding of 6W-RP-1, a synthetic antimicrobial peptide, to lipid vesicles and on peptide-induced membrane permeabilization. Unexpectedly, physiological lysyl-PG concentrations only minimally reduced membrane binding of 6W-RP-1. In contrast, 6W-RP-1-induced dye leakage was severely inhibited by lysyl-PG, suggesting that lysyl-PG primarily impacts membrane defect formation.
Radiology Stewardship and Quality Improvement: The Process and Costs of Implementing a CT Radiation Dose Optimization Committee in a Medium- Sized Community Hospital System

Purpose: The aims of this study were to measure the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary CT dose optimization committee and estimate its costs and to describe a radiation stewardship quality improvement initiative in one CT departmentatamedium-sizedcommunityhospitalsystemthatusedaparticipatorydesigncommitteemethodology. Methods: A CT dose optimization committee was conceived, funded, and formed, consisting of the following stakeholders:radiologists,technologists,consultantmedicalphysicists,andanadministrator.VolumeCTdoseindex (CTDIvol) and repeat rate were monitored for 1 month, for one scan type, during which iterative protocol adjustments were made through committee interaction. Effects on repeat rate and CTDIvol were quantified and benchmarkedagainstnationaldiagnosticreferencelevelsafterretrospectivemedicalrecordreviewof100consecutive patients before and after the intervention. Labor hours were reported and wage resources estimated. Results: Over 3 months, the committee met in person twice and exchanged 128 e-mails in establishing a process for protocol improvement and measurement of success. Repeat rate was reduced from 13% (13 of 100) to 0% (0 of 100).ScansmeetingtheACRreferencelevelforCTDIvol(75mGy)improvedby34%(38of100before,51of100 after; Fisher’s exact 2-tailedP.09), and those meeting ACR pass/fail criterion (80 mGy) improved by 29% (58 of 100 before, 75 of 100 after; Fisher’s exact 2-tailed P .01). Committee evolution and work, and protocol development and implementation, required 57 person-hours, at an estimated labor cost of $12,488. Conclusions: An efficient process was established as a proof of concept for the use of a multidisciplinary committee to reduce patient radiation dose, repeat rate, and variability in image quality. The committee and process ultimately improved the quality of patient care, fostered a culture of safety and ongoing quality improvement, and calculated costs for such an endeavor.
Presence of met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 in molluscan neural tissues

An extract of pedal ganglia of Mytilus edulis was fractioned by high-pressure liquid chromatography by use of a reverse-phase column. Peak fractions with the same retention time as Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 were subjected to binding assays in invertebrate neural tissue. The results showed that these fractions have the same binding activities as authentic Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7. The heptapeptide from these fractions was purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography under isocratic conditions. Sequential amino acid analysis showed this peptide to have the same primary structure as Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7. These results indicate that invertebrates such as Mytilus edulis possess enkephalinergic systems similar to those found in in higher organisms.
Transgenic miR132 Alters Neuronal Spine Density and Impairs Novel Object Recognition Memory

Inducible gene expression plays a central role in neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory, and dysfunction of the underlying molecular events can lead to severe neuronal disorders. In addition to coding transcripts (mRNAs), non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) appear to play a role in these processes. For instance, the CREB-regulated miRNA miR132 has been shown to affect neuronal structure in an activity-dependent manner, yet the details of its physiological effects and the behavioral consequences in vivo remain unclear. To examine these questions, we employed a transgenic mouse strain that expresses miR132 in forebrain neurons. Morphometric analysis of hippocampal neurons revealed that transgenic miR132 triggers a marked increase in dendritic spine density. Additionally, miR132 transgenic mice exhibited a decrease in the expression of MeCP2, a protein implicated in Rett Syndrome and other disorders of mental retardation. Consistent with these findings, miR132 transgenic mice displayed significant deficits in novel object recognition. Together, these data support a role for miR132 as a regulator of neuronal structure and function, and raise the possibility that dysregulation of miR132 could contribute to an array of cognitive disorders.
Biphasic effects of systemically administered GABA antagonists on cardiac vagal activity.

Systemic administration of the GABA antagonist picrotoxin 6.0 mg/kg i.v. elicited hypertension and a fall in sinus rate wita return to baseline levels in intact rats. Antagonists of GABA act in the supraspinal CNS to augment sympathetic outflow to the heart and vasculature. Therefore, in this study the spinal cord was transected prior to drug administration in order to eliminate sympathetically mediated effects. In spinal rats, picrotoxin 6.0 mg/kg evoked a biphasic sinus rate response characterized by an initial decrease followed by an increase above baseline sinus rate. Bilateral vagotomy or atropine pretreatment blocked sinus rate changes elicited by picrotoxin, demonstrating that these effects were vagally mediated. Midcollicular decerebration altered the biphasic sinus rate response by preventing the late rise but not the initial decrease in sinus rate. Infusion of another GABA antagonist, bicuculline, elicited a similar biphasic sinus rate response, althougthe time-course was shorter. Unexpectedly, picrotoxin or bicuculline administration in spinal rats caused an increase in mean blood pressure whicwas prevented by decerebration and different from that observed in intact rats witrespect to time course. In spinal rats pretreatment wita vasopressin antagonist,d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP, blocked the pressor response induced by picrotoxin infusion without altering the biphasic changes in sinus rate. These results suggest that, in the rat: (1) two GABAergic inhibitory mechanisms at different levels of the neuraxis exert opposite effects on cardiac vagal activity; and (2) GABA antagonists may elevate arterial pressure by a mechanism distinct from their previously described sympathoexcitatiry effects.
Homologous desensitization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing hormone secretion in vitro occurs within the duration of an endogenous GnRH pulse.

A pulsatile GnRH signal is required for the maintenance of LH and FSH secretion. Studies in animals and in perifused pituitary cells have shown that continuous exposure to GnRH leads to decreased gonadotropin secretion and a blunted secretory response to subsequent pulses of GnRH, a process referred to as homologous desensitization. In the current study, we demonstrate that the duration of continuous GnRH exposure required to desensitize the gonadotrope in vitro is less than the durations of most in vivo GnRH pulses. Perifused male rat pituitary cells were tested with 20-sec pulses of 100 nM GnRH at 5-min intervals before, immediately upon termination of, and after GnRH infusions of varying concentration and duration. Desensitization in response to a GnRH infusion was calculated as the decrease in the LH response to the pulse of GnRH immediately after the infusion (Dsn pulse) compared to the mean LH response to GnRH pulses before and after the infusion. Gonadotropes were completely desensitized after a 2-...
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Anchoring and Tilting of the Lung-Surfactant Peptide SP-B1-25 in Palmitic Acid Monolayers

We have performed molecular dynamics simulations of multiple copies of the lung-surfactant peptide SP-B1-25 in a palmitic acid (PA) monolayer. SP-B1-25 is a shorter version of lung-surfactant protein B, an important component of lung surfactant. Up to 30 ns simulations of 20 wt % SP-B1-25 in the PA monolayers were performed with different surface areas of PA, extents of PA ionization, and various initial configurations of the peptides. Starting with initial peptide orientation perpendicular to the monolayer, the predicted final tilt angles average 54 degrees approximately 62 degrees with respect to the monolayer normal, similar to those measured experimentally by Lee et al. (Biophysical Journal. 2001. Synchrotron x-ray study of lung surfactant-specific protein SP-B in lipid monolayers. 81:572-585). In their final conformations, hydrogen-bond analysis and amino acid mutation studies show that the peptides are anchored by hydrogen bond interactions between the cationic residues Arg-12 and Arg-17 and the hydrogen bond acceptors of the ionized PA headgroup, and the tilt angle is affected by the interactions of Tyr-7 and Gln-19 with the PA headgroup. Our work indicates that the factors controlling orientation of small peptides in lipid layers can now be uncovered through molecular dynamics simulations.
Interactions between males and their sperm during multi-male copulatory episodes of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

Abstract Twenty triads of one female and two male deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus bairdi, copulated in tests in which the dynamics of male-male interactions and sperm competition could be analysed. Paternity of offspring was determined with starch-gel electrophoresis. Basic parameters of male copulatory behaviour resembled those of one-male, one-female episodes. Male-male influences on copulatoon were subtle and complex, with a given male somewhat less likely to copulate during the other's copulatory than refractory periods. Males ejaculating first or last gained no reproductive advantage. The male attaining more ejaculations sired more, but not significantly more, offspring than the other male. However, the predictability of litter composition was improved and significant when ejaculations followed by a female post-ejaculatory quiescent period of 1 min or less were discounted. This suggests that male deer mice can essentially cancel the ejaculation of another male by copulating within 1 min of his ejaculation.
Qualitative Prediction Of Image Discrepancies Due To Object-Time Dependence In Several Computed Tomography (CT) Geometries

In dynamic radiological modalities the frame duration is often constrained to be comparable to characteristic times of the imaged dynamic process. The results can be interpreted as temporally averaged 'time exposures' only if the regional sensitivity distribution of the instrument is time independent. This condition fails for all transmission and most emission computed tomographic (CT) devices, in which only a fraction of the total number of rays is being measured at any instant. The CT image discrepancies from the ideal temporal average over the scan duration can influence the extraction of quantitative results from the data. A general theory of these discrepancies is difficult because a time dependent data collection geometry imaging a time dependent object is no longer spatially invariant in general. We have developed a conceptual scheme for the qualitative assessment of discrepancies due to time dependence. The scheme is evaluated by comparison of its predictions with computer simulations of two physiologically relevant time dependences imaged in six CT geometries.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Nanostructure of Electrically Conducting Polyaniline Prepared by a Novel Emulsion Polymerization Process

A soluble polyaniline (PANI) salt with moderate conductivity was synthesized by a novel emulsion polymerization process. The conductivity of the processed PANI films can be substantially increased by treating the polymer films with surfactants or with low molecular weight alcohols. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of thin polymer films revealed the existence of small islands of conducting PANI embedded in a non-conducting, dopant matrix. The conductivity of the PANI films is affected by the spatial distribution and the connectivity of these small islands. The conductivity enhancement observed upon treatment with surfactants is due to self-assembly of conducting PANI molecules into an interconnected network morphology. In the case of alcohol treatment the film conductivity is enhanced due to extraction of excess dopant phase and the subsequent densification of PANI islands to form highly conducting pathways.
Sexual Harassment, PTSD, and Criterion A: If It Walks Like a Duck …

Sexual harassment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are two topics that generate heated debate in the social science literature. When the two are combined in the civil litigation context, the intensity of the debate is heightened by the adversarial context of the courts. The current paper examines research on both sexual harassment and PTSD separately, before addressing the issues that arise for psychologists and psychiatrists who serve as expert witnesses in sexual harassment litigation. Proposed resolutions of controversies are offered that attempt to expand the knowledge base for expert witnesses on the topic of sexual harassment as well as work within the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV-TR; American Psychiatric Association 2000) framework of PTSD.
Concurrent non-malleable zero knowledge with adaptive inputs

Concurrent non-malleable zero-knowledge (CNMZK) considers the concurrent execution of zero-knowledge protocols in a setting where the attacker can simultaneously corrupt multiple provers and verifiers. We provide the first construction of a CNMZK protocol that, without any trusted set-up, remains secure even if the attacker may adaptively select the statements to receive proofs of; previous works only handle scenarios where the statements are fixed at the beginning of the execution, or chosen adaptively from a restricted set of statements.
Dynamic scheduling and synchronization synthesis of concurrent digital systems under system-level constraints

We present in this paper a novel control synthesis technique for system-level specifications that are better described as a set of concurrent synchronous descriptions, their synchronizations and constraints. The proposed synthesis technique considers the degrees of freedom introduced by the concurrent models and by the environment in order to satisfy the design constraints.Synthesis is divided in two phases. In the first phase, the original specification is translated into an algebraic system, for which complex control-flow constraints and quantifiers of the design are determined. This algebraic system is then analyzed and the design space of the specification is represented by a finite-state machine, from which a set of Boolean formulas is generated and manipulated in order to obtain a solution. This method contrasts with usual high-level synthesis methods in that it can handle arbitrarily complex control-flow structures, concurrency and synchronization by allowing the scheduling of the operations to change dynamically over time.
The Design, Manufacture, and Reporting of Weak and Pseudo-Tests: The Case of ACT

Scientific testing, including randomly controlled trials, can vary in quality. We describe the Popperian concept of severe testing and delineate ways in which a randomly controlled trial can be weakened and thus made easier to pass. The acceptance and commitment (ACT) publications we have examined appear to instantiate many of these problematic research features. This contributes to the concern regarding overselling of ACT. We call for an explication of these sorts of design features when these occur as well as a minimization of these to decrease the number of false positive results. In addition, we respond to claims of misreading and misinterpretation.
Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: Identification and Response in Primary Care

In the United States more than 1 out of 3 women experiences lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. Short screening instruments such as HITS or the AAS can identify IPV victimization. Nonjudgmental statements that validate an IPV victim's experience should be followed by safety assessment and planning. Intervention includes referral to services, treatment of associated health conditions, mandatory reporting if required, and documentation. Counseling has been shown to reduce IPV victimization. Clinical guidelines recommend IPV screening for all or most women, and providing or referring victims to intervention. The Affordable Care Act will increase coverage of screening and counseling for IPV victims.
Induction therapy for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Summary Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease of older adults. Efforts to intensify therapy along traditional avenues have failed to yield improved results. There remains significant clinical equipoise as to how to “induce” patients and whether or not 7 + 3-style regimens improve outcomes over low-dose cytarabine. What is certain is that even in those not receiving active therapy, AML is an exceptionally morbid disease. Diverse interventions are being explored in the management of older patients with AML and the currently available data will be reviewed.
A comprehensive comparison study of document clustering for a biomedical digital library MEDLINE

Document clustering has been used for better document retrieval, document browsing, and text mining in digital library. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive comparison study of various document clustering approaches such as three hierarchical methods (single-link, complete-link, and complete link), Bisecting K-means, K-means, and Suffix Tree Clustering in terms of the efficiency, the effectiveness, and the scalability. In addition, we apply a domain ontology to document clustering to investigate if the ontology such as MeSH improves clustering qualify for MEDLINE articles. Because an ontology is a formal, explicit specification of a shared conceptualization for a domain of interest, the use of ontologies is a natural way to solve traditional information retrieval problems such as synonym/hypernym/ hyponym problems. We conducted fairly extensive experiments based on different evaluation metrics such as misclassification index, F-measure, cluster purity, and Entropy on very large article sets from MEDLINE, the largest biomedical digital library in biomedicine.
How effective are one-bit protocols?

Congestion control lies at the heart of the general problem of traffic management in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. The primary function of congestion control is to ensure good throughput/delay trade-off performance. This paper presents a fundamental study on the performance limits of one-bit protocols for congestion control-implemented by many ATM switch vendors because of its low hardware requirements-using a new complexity theoretic framework. We derive the first known tight bounds on the buffer size required for one-bit protocols that fully utilize link capacity and guarantee no cell loss under network congestion. In particular, we show that any such one-bit protocol will result in cN/sup 2/+O(dN), where N is the number of greedy sources in the network, d is the link delay, and the constant c is a parameter of the specific protocol.
Proposed mechanisms for the involvement of lactoferrin in the hydrolysis of nucleic acids

Lactoferrin has recently been proposed to have ribonuclease activity in the absence of bound iron. We and others have demonstrated previously that lactoferrin interacts with DNA and will bind a number of transition metal ions via surface-exposed histidyl residues. In the present study, we investigated the possibility that surface-bound copper ions on lactoferrin may catalyze the production of active oxygen species responsible for the hydrolysis of nucleic acids. Purified lactoferrin (apo- and holo-forms) was incubated with CuCl2 in solution to obtain lactoferrin with surface binding sites saturated by Cu(II) ions. The lactoferrin-Cu(II) complex was purified by Bio-Gel P-6 chromatography columns and tested for hydrolytic activity against DNA and RNA as analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Incubation of lactoferrin-Cu(II) complexes with supercoiled plasmid Bluescript II SK DNA led to the rapid formation of relaxed open circular or linear forms of DNA characterized by changed electrophoretic mobility. Lactoferrin with bound Cu(II) also caused extensive degradation of yeast tRNA molecules in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Covalent modification of surface-exposed histidyl residues by carboxyethylation with diethylpyrocarbonate abolished the lactoferrin-associated hydrolytic activity. These results indicate that lactoferrin-bound Cu(II) can indeed facilitate the hydrolysis of DNA and RNA molecules. Copper-binding sites on lactoferrin appear to serve as centers for repeated production of hydroxyl radicals via a Fenton-type Haber-Weiss reaction. Enhanced nuclease activity associated with elevated local concentrations of lactoferrin would promote microbial degradation.
Retardation of Radionuclides by Rock Units Along the Path to the Accessible Environment

The process that can retard the movement of radionuclides in water are sorption, precipitation, and diffusion. The most important retardation mechanism in the tuffs of Yucca Mountain is sorption. Based on information from the mineralogy-petrology data there is a 100-m-thick zeolited zone in the unsaturated Calico Hills and Prow Pass units below the repository horizon in the Topopah Spring Member. These tuffs are 60% zeolited and exist under the entire 8 x 10{sup 6} m{sup 2} of the repository. If an average cation-exchange capacity of the zeolites of 2.5 meg/g is assumed, the unsaturated zeolitized tuff volumes are capable of sorbing by ion exchange 75 x 10{sup 5} metric tons of waste elements if the relatively unfractured rock of these zeolitized tuffs all comes into contact with the waste elements. 9 references.
Human embryoid body-derived stem cells in co-culture with bladder smooth muscle and urothelium.

Abstract Objectives Human pluripotent stem cells have excellent regenerative abilities, making them attractive in bladder regeneration. Porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is an established matrix well-suited to the urinary tract. We evaluated the ability of human embryonic germ (hEG) cell-derived stem cells to form a composite graft on SIS, grown alone or in combination with human bladder smooth muscle cells (SMCs) or urothelial (URO) cells. Methods The hEG cell-derived cell line SDEC had the best-fit profile for smooth muscle, as determined by its gene and protein expression. SDEC cells were seeded on SIS, either on its serosal or mucosal surface, and cultured for 7 or 14 days. Co-cultures of stem cells with URO cells or SMCs were also assessed under similar conditions. The grafts were analyzed by histologic examination for cell growth, morphology, and matrix penetration. Results SDEC cells grew in a monolayer on SIS, with a marked increase in three-dimensional growth when co-cultured with URO cells or SMCs. Penetration of the matrix was evident when seeded on the rough surface of the SIS, progressing with time. Stratification of the cell layers occurred on the smooth side of the SIS. Conclusions This is the first description of hEG cell-derived stem cells in co-culture with bladder cells. hEG cell-derived stem cells grow well on SIS even when seeded at low concentrations in the presence of bladder cells (URO cells or SMCs). These composite grafts will be ideal to evaluate the in vivo functional characteristics of stem cells using an animal model of bladder regeneration.
Evaluating topic-driven web crawlers

Due to limited bandwidth, storage, and computational resources, and to the dynamic nature of the Web, search engines cannot index every Web page, and even the covered portion of the Web cannot be monitored continuously for changes. Therefore it is essential to develop effective crawling strategies to prioritize the pages to be indexed. The issue is even more important for topic-specific search engines, where crawlers must make additional decisions based on the relevance of visited pages. However, it is difficult to evaluate alternative crawling strategies because relevant sets are unknown and the search space is changing. We propose three different methods to evaluate crawling strategies. We apply the proposed metrics to compare three topic-driven crawling algorithms based on similarity ranking, link analysis, and adaptive agents.
A regional forest ecosystem carbon budget model: impacts of forest age structure and landuse history

Abstract This study investigated the impacts of landuse history and forest age structure on regional carbon fluxes for the forests in the Pacific Northwest of the United States based on a two-stage modeling strategy. In the first stage, an individual-based forest ecosystem carbon flux model (IntCarb) at stand scale is developed. IntCarb combines components from the ZELIG and CENTURY models to simulate forest development and heterotrophic respiration, respectively. Stand scale carbon fluxes simulated by IntCarb strongly depend on stand age. A forest stand can be a carbon sink for up to 200 years old with a peak at 30–40 years old. Old-growth stands are carbon neutral to the atmosphere in the long term. For any particular year, an old-growth stand can be either a carbon sink or source. The interannual variation of Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) for an old-growth stand is primarily determined by heterotrophic respiration. Due to the high spatial variability of stand ages, forest age structure needs to be taken into account to improve estimation of carbon budgets of forest ecosystems over large areas. In the stand stage, a regional carbon budget model (RegCarb) is developed to estimate regional carbon fluxes over large areas based on forest age structure, adjusting for the nonrespiratory carbon losses (timber harvesting). Our initial estimate with RegCarb for the Pacific Northwest of the United States indicates that this region was a tremendous carbon source to the atmosphere from 1890 to 1990 due to extensive logging of old-growth forest. Projection for the role of forests in this region in global carbon cycle in the future strongly depend on the amount of timber to be harvested, i.e. how the age structure of forests in this region is to be altered.
Inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics for control of a biped walking machine

Analytical techniques are presented for the motion planning and control of a 12 degree-of-freedom biped walking machine. From the Newton-Euler equations, joint torques are obtained in terms of joint trajectories, and the inverse dynamics are developed for both the single-support and double-support cases. Physical admissibility of the biped trajectory is characterized in terms of the equivalent force-moment and zero-moment point. This methodology has been used to obtain reference inputs and implement the feedforward control of walking robots. A simulation example illustrates the application of the techniques to plan the forward-walking trajectory of the biped robot. The implementation of a prototype mechanism and controller is also described.
Mind your vocabulary: query mapping across heterogeneous information sources

In this paper we present a mechanism for translating constraint queries, i.e., Boolean expressions of constraints, across heterogeneous information sources. Integrating such systems is difficult in part because they use a wide range of constraints as the vocabulary for formulating queries. We describe algorithms that apply user-provided mapping rules to translate query constraints into ones that are understood and supported in another context, e.g., that use the proper operators and value formats. We show that the translated queries minimally subsume the original ones. Furthermore, the translated queries are also the most compact possible. Unlike other query mapping work, we effectively consider inter-dependencies among constraints, i.e., we handle constraints that cannot be translated independently. Furthermore, when constraints are not fully supported, our framework explores relaxations (semantic rewritings) into the closest supported version. Our most sophisticated algorithm (Algorithm TDQM) does not blindly convert queries to DNF (which would be easier to translate, but expensive); instead it performs a top-down mapping of a query tree, and does local query structure conversion only when necessary.
Costs of Lethal School Violence

In this chapter, we delve into the psychological and social costs of lethal school violence (LSV), both to students and to faculty/staff/administrators of the schools. We describe the impact of LSV on students with regard to fear and anxiety, including issues related to psychological trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and other psychological sequelae. We then address the effects on students with respect to attendance and academic performance. LSV also negatively impacts school personnel. We again address issues of fear and anxiety (PTSD and other psychological effects) among school personnel who are exposed to a lethal incident at school. We also report on the consequences of LSV on the health of school personnel and conclude with the impact on teachers’ work performance.
Acceptorless dehydrogenation of small molecules through cooperative base metal catalysis

The dehydrogenation of unactivated alkanes is an important transformation both in industrial and biological systems. Recent efforts towards this reaction have revolved around high temperature, organometallic C-H activation by noble metal catalysts that produce alkenes and hydrogen gas as the sole products. Conversely, natural desaturase systems proceed through stepwise hydrogen atom transfer at physiological temperature; however, these transformations require a terminal oxidant. Here we show combining tetra-n-butylammonium decatungstate (TBADT) and cobaloxime pyridine chloride (COPC) can catalytically dehydrogenate unactivated alkanes and alcohols under near-UV irradiation at room temperature with hydrogen as the sole by-product. This noble metal-free process follows a nature-inspired pathway of high- and low-energy hydrogen atom abstractions. The hydrogen evolution ability of cobaloximes is leveraged to render the system catalytic, with cooperative turnover numbers up to 48 and yields up to 83%. Our results demonstrate how cooperative base metal catalysis can achieve transformations previously restricted to precious metal catalysts.
Dam-Break Flood Model Uncertainty Assessment: Case Study of Extreme Flooding with Multiple Dam Failures in Gangneung, South Korea

AbstractDam safety programs are informed by numerical model solutions of dam-break flood depth, extent, and timing that are uncertain owing to an imperfect mathematical and numerical representation of system dynamics as well as uncertain model parameters and input data, yet model uncertainty is rarely reported. The most extreme and damaging events of greatest interest are also the most infrequent to occur and, thus, seldom studied and poorly understood from a model uncertainty perspective. Here an extraordinary event is considered that occurred in Gangneung, South Korea, on August 31, 2002, when Typhoon Rusa dropped nearly 90 cm of rainfall over a 24 h period, causing two dams in tributary valleys to fail only a few moments apart. A two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic flood model is developed using the best available data, calibrated, and validated, and uncertainty is systematically examined. Sources of uncertainty include topographic and bathymetric data, breach geometry data, precipitation data, storm sur...
Current Perspectives on Saccharomyces cerevisiae Sphingolipids

This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of sphingolipid functions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, particularly their role in signal transduction. The sphingoid long-chain bases, dihydrosphingosine and phytosphingosine, have gained prominence in yeast as regulators of the AGC-type protein kinase Pkh1 and Pkh2, homologs of mammalian phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1). Pkh1 and Pkh2 activate the downstream kinases Pkc1, Ypk1, Ypk2 and Sch9. In addition, PHS acts downstream of Pkh1 and partially activates Ypk1, Ypk2 and Sch9. These kinases control a wide range of cellular processes including growth, cell wall integrity, stress resistance, endocytosis and aging. Our appreciation of long-chain bases as second messengers will grow as we learn more about the processes controlled by AGC kinases as well as other yeast kinases that are likely to be regulated by long-chain bases.
International students on campus: A challenge for counselors, medical providers, and clinicians.

Abstract The special needs of growing numbers of international students and other sojourners in the US. can be addressed preventively. Confusion about American academics, customs, and interpersonal relationships may lead to loneliness and stress. Students often present to a medical provider with physical symptoms, but few accept referral to a counselor or clinician. Close teamwork among all staff serving international students is needed to lessen adjustment problems and prevent crises. Special issues of technique in counseling international students are discussed. A model for learning key aspects of an unfamiliar culture, using the student as teacher, is presented.
Thermal Behavior of Metal-Metal-Silicon or Metal-Silicide-Silicon Structures for Pt, Ni, and Cr

We report on a study of thermal interactions between pairs of Ni, Cr, and Pt films and their silicides on a Si substrate. For each pair of metals M 1 , M 2 , four systems were investigated: Si−M 1 − 2 , Si−M 2 −M 2 , Si−M 1 Si−M 2 and Si−M 2 Si−M 1 giving altogether twelve initial combinations. Samples were annealed in the temperature range of 300−700°C and the analysis was made by Backscattering Spectrometry (BS). It is found that double layers of uniform silicides can be grown when the Cr silicide is the top layer. The rate of CrSi 2 formation in this case is less then that reported for CrSi 2 growth on Si substrate. In all other cases we find some intermixing. Impurities are found to effect the growth kinetics and the layer morphology.
Indicator Bacteria-Sediment Relationships: Implications for Water Quality Modeling and Monitoring.

The sanitary quality of water is routinely monitored by testing for fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci (indicator bacteria). Indicator bacteria may not be…
Changes in the distribution and function of leukocytes after whole-body iron ion irradiation

High-energy particle radiation could have a considerable impact on health during space missions. This study evaluated C57BL/6 mice on Day 40 after total-body 56Fe26+ irradiation at 0, 1, 2 and 3 gray (Gy). Radiation consistently increased thymus mass (one-way ANOVA: P < 0.005); spleen, liver and lung masses were similar among all groups. In the blood, there was no radiation effect on the white blood cell (WBC) count or major leukocyte types. However, the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and the CD8+ T cytotoxic (Tc) cell count and percentage all decreased, while both the CD4:CD8 (Th:Tc) cell ratio and spontaneous blastogenesis increased, in one or more irradiated groups compared with unirradiated controls (P < 0.05 vs 0 Gy). In contrast, splenic WBC, lymphocyte, B cell and T helper (Th) counts, %B cells and the CD4:CD8 ratio were all significantly elevated, while Tc percentages decreased, in one or more of the irradiated groups compared with controls (P < 0.05 vs 0 Gy). Although there were trends for minor, radiation-induced increases in %CD11b+ granulocytes in the spleen, cells double-labeled with adhesion markers (CD11b+CD54+, CD11b+CD62E+) were normal. Splenocyte spontaneous blastogenesis and that induced by mitogens (PHA, ConA, LPS) was equivalent to normal. In bone marrow, the percentage of cells expressing stem cell markers, Sca-1 and CD34/Sca-1, were low in one or more of the irradiated groups (P < 0.05 vs 0 Gy). Collectively, the data indicate that significant immunological abnormalities still exist more than a month after 56Fe irradiation and that there are differences dependent upon body compartment.
A Characterization of Power Method Transformations through The Method of Percentiles

ABSTRACTThis article derives closed-form solutions for fifth-ordered power method polynomial transformations based on the Method of Percentiles (MOP). A proposed MOP univariate procedure is compared with the Method of Moments (MOM) in the context of distribution fitting and estimating the shape functions. The MOP is also extended from univariate to multivariate data generation. The MOP procedure has an advantage because it does not require numerical integration to compute intermediate correlations and can be applied to distributions, where conventional moments do not exist. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed MOP procedure is superior in terms of estimation, bias, and error.
Constitution, US (1789)

Since its adoption, the Constitution not only has defined the authority of the federal government and states; it also has functioned to “secure the blessings of liberty” for “the people of the United States.” Its amendments have rendered the definition of the people more inclusive over time. From its framing at the Constitutional Convention, delegates preserved slavery. Abolition had begun in the North, but the institution was robust in the South. James Madison of Virginia noted that “States were divided into different interests not by their difference of size, but ... principally from the effects of their having or not having slaves.” Compromises were hammered out to bridge that divide and assure ratification. Article I, Section 2 counted “three-fifths” of the enslaved with the free population in allocating Congressmen and direct taxes; Section 8 empowered Congress to “suppress insurrections”; and Section 9 forbad outlawing the slave trade before 1808. Article IV, Section 2 provided for the return of fugitive slaves. Meantime, pressured by Anti-Federalist demands for individual liberties, Congress adopted the first ten amendments or “the Bill of Rights” (1791). The Amendment I prohibits establishment of religion or barring its free exercise; abridging freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and right to petition the government for redress. II authorizes a militia for securing the people's right to keep and bear arms. III bars the arbitrary quartering of troops. IV bars unreasonable search and seizure. Similarly, V ensures a person accused of a felony “due process of law,” including immunity from double jeopardy and self-incrimination. VI establishes the right to counsel for defense, to face accusing witnesses, to a public and timely jury trial. VII provides for a civil jury trial. VIII disallows excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment. IX protects rights “retained by the people” with those enumerated in the Constitution. X reserves to the states powers not delegated to the United States. Constitutional inclusion evolved after the Civil War. Amendment XIII (1865) abolished slavery. XIV (1868) made “all persons born or naturalized” in the United States citizens, entitling them to “due process of law” and “equal protection of the laws.” XV (1870) guaranteed citizens’ right to vote regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” African Americans, among other groups formerly excluded, struggled for equal citizenship. Seeking “due process” and “equal protection,” they protested and sued against racial discrimination, segregation, and violence.
Effect of dietary acids on the formation of aflatoxin B2a as a means to detoxify aflatoxin B1

ABSTRACTAflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a class 1 carcinogen and a common food contaminant worldwide with widely uncontrolled human exposure. The ability of organic acids to transform AFB1 into a known detoxified form, aflatoxin B2a (AFB2a), was investigated using high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI/TOF/MS). The identity of the transformation product was confirmed by accurate mass measurement, chromatographic separation from other aflatoxins, H1-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. Of the weak acids tested, citric acid was found to be the most effective for AFB2a formation. At room temperature, 1 M citric acid was able to convert > 97% of AFB1 to AFB2a over 96 h of treatment. Up to 98% transformation was achieved by boiling AFB1 in the presence of citric acid for 20 min. AFB1 hydration after ingestion was explored by spiking AFB1 into simulated gastric fluid containing citric acid. Under these conditions, > 71% of AFB...
Optimizing Flight Paths for RNP Aircraft in Busy Terminal Areas - First Step Towards 4-D Navigation

The next generation air transportation system (NGATS) concepts, defined by the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), consider 4D navigation as one of the core elements. During intervals of heavy traffic, establishing and achieving 4D operations for arrivals in busy terminal areas will be a major challenge. This paper presents the development and demonstration of a decision support tool called logical expansion of arrivals and departures to enhance RNP (required navigation performance) (LEADER). This human-in-the-loop simulation tool (with controller, pilot and traffic management coordinator (TMC) workstations) permits each aircraft, based on its capabilities, to fly desired 3D flight paths (shortest flight paths with continuous descent) under varying wind conditions. A flexible terminal area route structure is developed that eliminates all traffic merge points prior to the traffic converging on to the final approaches. The design of the tool is based on minimizing the variations between the aircraft flight planning and actual operations by defining routes all the way to touchdown and establishing landing schedules using accurate flight time estimates and pair-wise wake vortex separations. Traffic under high density conditions at a major airport during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) was simulated. The results show significant savings in distance traveled and flight times, as well as a reduction in air/ground communications that would provide reduced operating costs for the users and lower workload for the operators. On an average, the flights saved 10.94 nmi in distance flown, 2 minutes and 16 seconds in flying time and reduced air/ground communications by 30 percent. Since the terminal areas involve most complex traffic patterns due to continuously climbing and descending flights, the tool offers a foundation and a first step towards realizing the future goal of using 4D navigation from end to end in the entire National Airspace System (NAS)
Formulation of modern signal control operations as a non-linear mixed integer program

This paper presents a mathematical formulation for the problem of optimizing the operations of a modern traffic signal in a possibly offline evaluation mode. The demand is assumed to be known for the entire optimization period. The signal operations are acyclic, with no fixed staging or stage durations. Solution techniques for the resulting nonlinear mixed integer program are discussed. It is envisaged that the technique can be used to obtain the optimal signal control over a time horizon as a benchmark to compare the performance of other signal control techniques including adaptive control schemes.
Body size in early life and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer

B94 Adult body mass index (BMI) has been positively associated with ovarian cancer risk in some studies, but few studies have examined the role of body size during earlier periods of life. Therefore, we prospectively examined associations of body shape at ages 5 and 10, BMI at age 18, height, and birthweight with risk of epithelial ovarian cancer among participants in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS II). Ovarian cancer risk factors were assessed on biennial mailed questionnaires, beginning in 1976 and 1989 for the NHS and NHS II, respectively. Women recalled their body shapes at ages 5 and 10 using a validated nine-level somatotype pictogram. Height was reported at baseline and was used with recalled weight at age 18 to calculate BMI at age 18. Birthweight was recalled in categories. Incident cases of ovarian cancer during follow-up - through June 1, 2004 for the NHS and June 1, 2005 for the NHS II - were confirmed by review of pathology reports. Analyses included up to 110,311 women and 735 ovarian cancer cases in the NHS and 113,059 women and 138 cases in the NHS II. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for established ovarian cancer risk factors. Average body shape at ages 5 and 10 was inversely associated with ovarian cancer risk in the NHS (RR for most overweight compared to most lean = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.53-1.24, P trend = 0.04) and positively associated with risk in the NHS II (comparable RR = 2.09, 95% CI = 0.97-4.47, P trend = 0.10) (P for heterogeneity = 0.01). Combining both cohorts and stratifying by menopausal status, greater body shape at ages 5 and 10 was associated with reduced risk in postmenopausal women (RR for most overweight compared to most lean = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.54-1.31) and increased risk in premenopausal women (comparable RR = 1.38, 95% CI = 0.70-2.71), although neither of these trends was statistically significant. Greater BMI at age 18 was not significantly associated with risk in premenopausal or postmenopausal women. Height was positively associated with risk in both cohorts (pooled RR for ≥ 1.75 meters compared to
Impact of Timing of Intervention Among 397 Consecutively Treated Brainstem Cavernous Malformations

Background Surgical resection of brainstem cavernous malformations (BSCMs) is challenging, and patient selection and timing of intervention remain controversial. Objective To evaluate the impact of surgical timing and predictors of neurological outcome after surgical resection of BSCMs. Methods Consecutive adult patients (≥18 years) with BSCMs undergoing surgical resection between 1985 and 2014 by the senior author (RFS) were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics, lesion characteristics, imaging results, surgical approach, and perioperative and long-term neurological morbidity were analyzed. Results Data were analyzed for a total of 397 adult patients (160, 40% male). On univariate analysis, a greater proportion of patients treated within 6 weeks of hemorrhage had an improved Glasgow Outcome Scale score (P = .06). On logistic regression analysis, patients treated within 6 weeks of hemorrhage experienced improved clinical outcomes (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval = 1.06-2.83; P = .03). Conclusions Although BSCM surgery is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality, favorable long-term hemorrhage rates and symptom resolution can be achieved in a carefully selected group of patients. Overall, patients treated acutely, within 6 weeks, benefited the most from surgical intervention.