cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trauma centre synergies can move injury science to effective injury prevention

Since the advent of trauma systems in the USA in the 1960s, the treatment of traumatic injuries has evolved considerably. Although the magnitude of impact differs across geographies and time frames, the value of trauma centres in reducing mortality from a variety of injury mechanisms has now been well documented. A national evaluation of trauma centres found approximately 20%–25% lower mortality in both inpatients and at 1 year postdischarge for trauma centre-treated patients compared with those treated in non-trauma centres.1 Compared with these national numbers, motor vehicle crash patients had an adjusted improved survival of 9%2 with a third study that used a meta-analysis approach finding a 15% lowered mortality.3 Key features of trauma centres include teams of surgeons and specialists equipped to provide comprehensive medical care through the application of well-developed and timely infrastructure, technology and support personnel. While the criteria for the categorisation of trauma centre capabilities vary across states, …
Linear Regression: The Computer as a Teaching Tool

Computers and software can be used not only to analyze data, but also to illustrate essential statistical topics. Methods are shown for using software, particularly with graphics, to teach fundamen...
Parametrized Hierarchical Procedures for Neural Programming

Neural programs are highly accurate and structured policies that perform algorithmic tasks by controlling the behavior of a computation mechanism. Despite the potential to increase the interpretability and the compositionality of the behavior of artificial agents, it remains difficult to learn from demonstrations neural networks that represent computer programs. The main challenges that set algorithmic domains apart from other imitation learning domains are the need for high accuracy, the involvement of specific structures of data, and the extremely limited observability. To address these challenges, we propose to model programs as Parametrized Hierarchical Procedures (PHPs). A PHP is a sequence of conditional operations, that uses a program counter, along with the observation, to select between taking an elementary action, invoking another PHP as a sub-procedure, and returning to the caller. We develop an algorithm for training PHPs from a mixture of annotated and unannotated demonstrations, and apply it to efficient level-wise training of multi-level PHPs. We show in two benchmarks, NanoCraft and long-hand addition, that PHPs can learn neural programs more accurately from smaller amounts of strong and weak supervision.
Variations of the Radioallergosorbent Test for Measurement of IgE Antibody Levels, Allergens and Blocking Antibody Activity

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) was described in 1967 by Wide, Johansson and Bennich as an in vitro diagnostic test for allergen antibodies [1]. Figure 1 shows the principle of the RAST. Allergens are covalently bound to solid-phase Polysaccharides which have been activated by reaction with cyanogen bromide. In the first step of the RAST solid-phase allergen reacts with serum, and antibodies to the allergens including IgE antibodies bind. In the second step of the RAST, after washing to remove unbound antibodies, the solid-phase allergen-antibody complex reacts with radioiodinated affinity chromatography-purified antibody to IgE. This complex is washed again, and the bound radioactivity is measured. Figure 1 indicates that the quantity of radioactivity bound to the solid-phase allergen-IgE complex is proportional to the quantity of IgE antibodies in the first step. The original procedure utilized allergens covalently bound to solid-phase particles in suspension, such as Sephadex or cellulose. Subsequently, the commercial version of the test has been simplified by use of allergens covalently bound to paper discs; whereas the solid-phase allergen suspensions require centrifugation for washing, the paper disc allergen complex can be washed and the fluid simply aspirated. The RAST has been a considerable stimulus to the investigation of diseases associated with IgE antibodies by permitting quantitative measurement of the levels of IgE antibodies [2].
Remote Sensing and GIS as Counterterrorism Tools for Homeland Security: The case of Afghanistan

The classic buffer state of Afghanistan, created to avoid confrontation in the 19th century, has in the 21st century become a focal point for armed conflict that can only be alleviated by attention to the country’s problems, many of which can be studied or alleviated through geospatial technologies. Instead of the present weakness and ineptitude, a Marshall-Plan style of post-war rebuilding could have led to a robust Islamic democracy instead of re-energization of the Taliban and the creation of other problems hindering the country’s reemergence from its long national nightmare. Winning every battle could still result in losing the overall war for Afghanistan unless stronger redevelopment measures are undertaken promptly.
Mechanisms of Lung Epithelial Cell Injury by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

The interactions between hosts and pathogens have evolved to select for gene combinations that can confer an advantage to either combatant. Bacteria have evolved several methods of inducing cell injury and are an important cause of acute lung injury (ALI). This review focuses on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a soil bacterium that expresses many toxins that damage epithelial cells and can cause significant lung injury in critically ill patients (1). P. aeruginosa is rapidly becoming an important model system to better understand bacterial-host interactions leading to ALI. The recent sequencing and annotation of the P. aeruginosa genome will allow for microarray analyses to test the relevance of bacterial gene expression relative to host responses in several kinds of animal models. Moreover, the Pseudomonas research community already has a wealth of fundamental information regarding virulence gene and protein expression, and the delivery of toxic substances and enzymes to their cellular targets. Many laboratories are moving rapidly toward a phase where the individual virulence attributes, their expression, function, and regulation will be integrated into the biology of this metabolically and genetically versatile organism.
Social Psychological Perspectives on Crowds and Social Movements

Historically, the study of crowds and social movements has been animated by three broad and inclusive questions: What are the conditions underlying the emergence or mobilization of the collective phenomenon in question? Who participates and why some individuals or categories of individuals rather than others? And what are the consequences of the collective phenomena in relation to its targets and for its participants and its broader constituents? Although these are not the only questions that students of crowds and social movements have pursued, they clearly encompass the bulk of the research and writing among scholars of both crowd phenomena and social movements. How has social psychology informed the answers to these focal questions? For the most part, social psychological research and theorization on crowds and social movements has addressed issues and questions relating directly to matters of participation, including the individual-level consequences of participation, thus contributing answers to the second and third questions. In this chapter, we elaborate these answers and contributions in terms of four theoretical perspectives and four concepts that have currency in both social psychology and the study of social movements and that are relevant to a broad-based understanding of participation in crowds and social movement activities. The four theoretical perspectives include what we call the dispositional perspective, learning and socialization models, the rational choice approach, and social constructionism. The four cornerstone concepts include grievances, symbolization, emotion, and identity. We focus our assessment of each perspective on these four concepts
Biotransformation of Myricetin: A Novel Metabolic Pathway to Produce Aminated Products in Mice

Scope In this study, whether amination is a novel metabolic pathway of myricetin, one of the major dietary flavonoids found in fruits, vegetables, and tea, and whether the aminated metabolite of myricetin remains bioactive, are investigated. Methods and results It is found that myricetin with a vic-trihydroxyl group on the B ring can chemically react with ammonia via the formation of myricetin quinone to generate the aminated product in vitro. As expected, the amination occurs on position 4´ of the B-ring of myricetin. The structure of this new product is confirmed by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and is named 4´-NH2 -myricetin. Using the synthetic 4´-NH2 -myricetin as a standard, the presence of this compound is searched for in fecal samples collected from myricetin-treated mice using LC-MS, and 4´-NH2 -myricetin is confirmed as the metabolite of myricetin in mice for the first time. Furthermore, two metabolites of myricetin, the mono-methylated myricetin and the microbial-derived metabolite 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylacetic acid, are confirmed to be aminated in vivo based on LC-MS data analysis. After administration of different doses of myricetin through oral gavage, the amination of myricetin shows a dose-dependent response in feces. A similar trend is observed for the amination of the mono-methylated myricetin, but not for the microbial-derived metabolite 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylacetic acid. In plasma, the trend of a dose-dependent response for the amination of myricetin and its mono methylated metabolite is observed, and the plasma concentration of the aminated 3,4,5-trihydroxyphenylacetic acid at 200 mg kg-1 dose is significantly higher than those at the 100 and 400 mg kg-1 doses. Interestingly, it is observed that the aminated myricetin retains the anti-inflammatory activity of myricetin. Conclusion This result demonstrates that amination is a novel biotransformation mechanism of myricetin to produce aminated metabolites.
Molecular mechanism of setron-mediated inhibition of full-length 5-HT3Areceptor.

Serotonin receptor (5-HT3AR) is the most common therapeutic target to manage the nausea and vomiting during cancer therapies and in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. Setrons, a class of competitive antagonists, cause functional inhibition of 5-HT3AR in the gastrointestinal tract and brainstem, acting as effective anti-emetic agents. Despite their prevalent use, the molecular mechanisms underlying setron binding and inhibition of 5-HT3AR are not fully understood. Here, we present the structure of granisetron-bound full-length 5-HT3AR solved by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to 2.92 A resolution. The reconstruction reveals the orientation of granisetron in the orthosteric site with unambiguous density for interacting sidechains. Molecular dynamics simulations and electrophysiology confirm the granisetron binding orientation and the residues central for ligand recognition. Comparison of granisetron-bound 5-HT3AR with the apo and serotonin-bound structures, reveals key insights into the mechanism underlying 5-HT3AR inhibition. Serotonin receptors (5-HT3R) belong to the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel superfamily and mediate excitatory postsynaptic signaling. Here the authors present the high-resolution cryo-EM structure of 5-HT3AR bound with the competitive antagonist granisetron and further validate the granisetron-binding mode with electrophysiology measurements and MD simulations.
An Electronic Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Initiation and Maintenance Home Care System for Nonurban Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly efficacious for preventing HIV but has not yet been brought to scale among at-risk persons. In several clinical trials in urban areas, technology-based interventions have shown a positive impact on PrEP adherence. In rural and small-town areas in the United States, which often do not have geographically proximal access to PrEP providers, additional support may be needed. This may be particularly true for younger persons who are more likely to face multiple barriers to accessing PrEP services. Home-based care, accomplished through a tailored mobile phone app, specimen self-collection (SSC), and interactive video consultations, could increase both PrEP initiation and persistence in care. Objective: The goal of this study is to assess the initiation and persistence in PrEP care for those randomized to a home-care intervention (electronic PrEP, ePrEP) relative to those assigned to the standard of care (control) condition. We will conduct additional assessments, including quantitative and qualitative analyses, to contextualize trial results and facilitate scale-up. Methods: This 2-arm, randomized controlled trial will enroll young men who have sex with men (YMSM) aged between 18 and 24 years from rural areas of Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. The trial will seek to recruit a diverse sample, targeting 50% participation among highly impacted groups of black or Latino men who have sex with men. Intervention participants will receive a study app that incorporates a messaging platform, a scheduling and milestone-based tracking system for PrEP care progress, electronic behavioral surveys, and interactive video consultations with a clinician. Complemented by SSC kits mailed to laboratories for standard PrEP-related monitoring, the ePrEP system will allow participants to access PrEP care without leaving their homes. YMSM randomized to the control condition will receive a listing of nearest local PrEP providers to receive standard PrEP care. Both groups will complete quarterly electronic surveys. The primary outcome, assessed at 6 and 12 months after randomization, will be the difference in the proportion of intervention versus control participants that achieve protective levels of the active metabolite of oral PrEP (tenofovir diphosphate in dried blood spots). Results: Enrollment will begin in May 2019, with study completion in 2022. Conclusions: This trial will determine whether home PrEP care provided through an app-based platform is an efficacious means of expanding access to PrEP care for a diverse group of YMSM in rural and small-town areas of the United States. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03729570; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03729570 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/78RE2Qizf)
Structure of the thermo-sensitive TRP channel TRP1 from the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Algae produce the largest amount of oxygen on earth and are invaluable for human nutrition and biomedicine, as well as for the chemical industry, energy production and agriculture. The mechanisms by which algae can detect and respond to changes in their environments can rely on membrane receptors, including TRP ion channels. Here we present a 3.5-A resolution cryo-EM structure of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel crTRP1 from the alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that opens in response to increased temperature and is positively regulated by the membrane lipid PIP2. The structure of crTRP1 significantly deviates from the structures of other TRP channels and has a unique 2-fold symmetrical rose-shape architecture with elbow domains and ankyrin repeat domains submerged and dipping into the membrane, respectively. Our study provides a structure of a TRP channel from a micro-organism and a structural framework for better understanding algae biology and TRP channel evolution.
Coherently Assisted Wireless Power Transfer Through Barely Transparent Barriers

Wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies are becoming ubiquitous, but unlike wire technologies, they do not allow efficient energy transfer through barely transparent barriers. The proposed solutions to this issue rely on resonantly enhanced transparency of specially designed obstacles and hence are narrowband and require using artificially tailored materials. In this work, we suggest a fundamentally different approach to wireless power transfer through such barriers based on tailoring of a coherent auxiliary wave with a certain amplitude and phase from the side where the energy should be delivered to. This wave facilitates signal transmission and reflects back to the receiver allowing archiving of 100% energy transfer efficiency even for barely transparent barriers. In contrast to the traditional solution, this approach is general, applicable to lossless and lossy barriers and does not require cost-ineffective and complicated artificial structures.
Patient Experience and Perioperative Pathway in Bariatric Surgery

Although bariatric surgery results in significant and durable health improvements, access to care for patients with morbidly obese remains rather limited. Most bariatric surgery programs include the same core tenets of preoperative assessment: medical, dietary, and psychological evaluations. Despite this, there remains variability in some aspects of medical workup (such as preoperative reflux testing and low calorie diets) in addition to differences in self-perceived patient experience. Debate exists, too, regarding elements of intraoperative patient management, such as staple line reinforcement. In the postoperative period, evidence-based recovery pathways result in superior patient outcomes. Hospital adherence to these recommendations regarding standardized management of pain, nausea, diet, and venous thromboembolism prevention is essential.
Optimisation of an auditory azimuth localisation training protocol for military service members.

Objective: Design an optimised auditory azimuth localisation training protocol by: (1) differing the number of training stimuli presentations to determine the highest angular accuracy achieved in t...
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Systematic Review of Imaging Findings in 919 Patients.

OBJECTIVE. Available information on CT features of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is scattered in different publications, and a cohesive literature review has yet to be compiled. MAT...
Advances in the management of pediatric genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma

Recent clinical trials have revealed several unanticipated complexities in the optimal management of genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Improvement in outcomes for low- and intermediate-risk RMS over the past several decades led to the design of clinical trials aimed at reducing acute and late toxicity from extirpative surgeries, conventional radiotherapy, and cytotoxic chemotherapy. Results from these studies are mixed and have illuminated areas where historical risk stratification strategies need refining. Although radiotherapy has now become the standard for local control for most patients with genitourinary RMS, recent studies are demonstrating that there may be opportunities to minimize radiation toxicity while maintaining acceptable failure-free survival. A reduction in cyclophosphamide exposure may benefit select low-risk RMS patients but recent results illustrate that decreasing therapy intensity for most genitourinary RMS patients will require careful consideration in future prospective trials. Finally, recent studies highlight differences in perspective between European and North American investigators regarding the optimal balance of increased local failure rates but less toxicity versus improved event-free survival at a cost of higher toxicity. This review focuses on the results from the most recent RMS clinical trials and discusses their implications for the management of pediatric genitourinary RMS.
Heart Failure With Recovered Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction: JACC Scientific Expert Panel.

Reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling and recovery of LV function are associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. A growing body of evidence suggests that even among patients who experience a complete normalization of LV ejection fraction, a significant proportion will develop recurrent LV dysfunction accompanied by recurrent heart failure events. This has led to intense interest in understanding how to manage patients with heart failure with recovered ejection fraction (HFrecEF). Because of the lack of a standard definition for HFrecEF, and the paucity of clinical data with respect to the natural history of HFrecEF patients, there are no current guidelines on how these patients should be followed up and managed. Accordingly, this JACC Scientific Expert Panel reviews the biology of reverse LV remodeling and the clinical course of patients with HFrecEF, as well as provides guidelines for defining, diagnosing, and managing patients with HFrecEF.
Optimal design of feedback control by inhibition: dynamic considerations.

Summary. The local stability of unbranched biosynthetic pathways is examined by mathematical analysis and computer simulation using a novel nonlinear formalism that appears to accurately describe biochemical systems. Four factors affecting the stability are examined: strength of feedback inhibition, equalization of the values among the corresponding kinetic parameters for the reactions of the pathway, pathway length, and alternative patterns of feedback interaction. The strength of inhibition and the pattern of feedback interactions are important determinants of steady-state behavior. The simple pattern of end-product inhibition in unbranched pathways may have evolved because it optimizes the steadystate behavior and is temporally most responsive to change. Stability in these simple systems is achieved by shortening pathway length either physically or, in the case of necessarily long pathways, kinetically by a wide divergence in the values of the corresponding kinetic parameters for the reactions of the pathway. These conclusions are discussed in the light of available experimental evidence.
The Path to Enlightenment: Progress and Opportunities in High Efficiency Halide Perovskite Light-Emitting Devices

Besides the flourishment in photovoltaics, halide perovskites hold great promise to compete with leading contenders among solution-processed emitters, such as organics and semiconductor colloidal n...
Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of alternative and conventional fuel vehicles in India

India is the third largest contributor of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the world after US and China. The transportation sector currently constitutes 18% of total India GHG emissions. Electrifying the current fleet and future transportation could hold the potential to reduce emissions and its associated damages. In this work, we provide a holistic cradle to grave life cycle approach to estimate GHG emissions for representative passenger vehicles driven in Indian states/union territories (UTs). We use publicly available Government of India data and review previously conducted life cycle assessment (LCA) studies for various life cycle stages to present the first state-specific LCA study associated with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plugin hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Subsequently, we draw policy implications for large-scale electric vehicle implementation in these states/UTs based on the grid mix in the different regions of the country. Our results show that besides the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Jharkhand which have higher use phase emissions, life-cycle GHG emissions associated with BEVs are lowest compared to all other conventional and alternative vehicles.
Acute obstructive pyelonephritis due to pelvic organ prolapse: a case-based review of the literature.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) can lead to acute bilateral obstructive pyelonephritis (ABOP) due to bilateral ureteral compression. When this occurs, conservative treatment through POP reduction, intr...
Discrete Curve Flows in Two-Dimensional Cayley–Klein Geometries

Using the method of equivariant moving frames, we study geometric flows of discrete curves in the nine Cayley–Klein planes. We show that, under a certain arc-length preserving flow, the curvature invariant κn evolves according to the differential-difference equation \(\frac {\partial \kappa _n}{\partial t} = (1+\epsilon \kappa _{n+1}^2)(\kappa _{n+1}-\kappa _{n-1})\), where the value of 𝜖 ∈{−1, 0, 1} is linked to the geometry of the Cayley–Klein plane.
Impacts of the COVID-19 economic slowdown on ozone pollution in the U.S.

In this work, we use observations and experimental emissions in a version of NOAA's National Air Quality Forecasting Capability to show that the COVID-19 economic slowdown led to disproportionate impacts on near-surface ozone concentrations across the contiguous U.S. (CONUS). The data-fusion methodology used here includes both U.S. EPA Air Quality System ground and the NASA Aura satellite Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) NO2 observations to infer the representative emissions changes due to the COVID-19 economic slowdown in the U.S. Results show that there were widespread decreases in anthropogenic (e.g., NOx) emissions in the U.S. during March-June 2020, which led to widespread decreases in ozone concentrations in the rural regions that are NOx-limited, but also some localized increases near urban centers that are VOC-limited. Later in June-September, there were smaller decreases, and potentially some relative increases in NOx emissions for many areas of the U.S. (e.g., south-southeast) that led to more extensive increases in ozone concentrations that are partly in agreement with observations. The widespread NOx emissions changes also alters the O3 photochemical formation regimes, most notably the NOx emissions decreases in March-April, which can enhance (mitigate) the NOx-limited (VOC-limited) regimes in different regions of CONUS. The average of all AirNow hourly O3 changes for 2020-2019 range from about +1 to -4 ppb during March-September, and are associated with predominantly urban monitoring sites that demonstrate considerable spatiotemporal variability for the 2020 ozone changes compared to the previous five years individually (2015-2019). The simulated maximum values of the average O3 changes for March-September range from about +8 to -4 ppb (or +40 to -10%). Results of this work have implications for the use of widespread controls of anthropogenic emissions, particularly those from mobile sources, used to curb ozone pollution under the current meteorological and climate conditions in the U.S.
Changes in Sewage Sludge Chemical Signatures During a COVID-19 Community Lockdown, Part 2: Nontargeted Analysis of Sludge and Evaluation with COVID-19 Metrics.

Sewage sludge and wastewater include urine and feces from an entire community, and it is highly likely that this mixture contains chemicals whose presence is dependent on levels of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. We analyzed primary sewage sludge samples collected in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry and performed an exploratory investigation of correlations between chemical features and COVID-19 metrics including concentrations of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the sludge and local COVID-19 case numbers and hospital admissions. Inclusion of all chemical features in this analysis is key for discovering potential indicator compounds for COVID-19, whose structures may not be known. We found correlations with COVID-19 metrics for several identified chemicals as well as many unidentified features in the data, including three potential indicator molecules that are recommended for prioritization in future studies on COVID-19 in wastewater and sludge. These features have molecular weights of 108.0935, 318.1214, and 331.1374. While it is not possible to achieve prediction of COVID-19 epidemiological metrics from the one data set used in the present study, advances in this research area are important to share as scientists worldwide work on discovering efficient methods for tracking SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;00:1-9. © 2021 SETAC.
Buckling and Initial Postbuckling Behavior of Sandwich Beams Including Transverse Shear

An asymptotic solution is presented for the buckling and initial postbuckling behavior of sandwich beams. The effect of transverse shear is included, and the shear correction is calculated from energy equivalency. The asymptotic procedure is based on the nonlinear beam equation (with transverse shear included ), and closed-form solutions are derived for the critical load and for the load and midpoint dee ection and axial shortening vs applied compressiveload during theinitial postbuckling phase.Illustrativeresultsarepresented fora few typical sandwich construction cone gurations, in particular, with regard to the effect of face sheet and core material system. Nomenclature A = total cross-sectional area c = subscript for the core E = Young’ s modulus e = distance of the neutral axis of the section from the core midline .EI/eq = equivalent rigidity f1 = subscript for the top face sheet f2 = subscript for the bottom face sheet G = shear modulus N G = “ effective” shear modulus of the section L = beam length P = axial force Pcr = critical load s = distance along the dee ected beam V = shear force (normal to the dee ected beam axis) v = vertical displacement ® = shear correction coefe cient ¯ = slope of the dee ected beam axis °eq = equivalent for the section shear angle µ = rotation of the cross section due to bending
Anomaly, gauge and gaugino mediation in brane worlds with messenger matter

Theories in which supersymmetry is broken on another brane, which is separated from the minimal supersymmetry standard model (MSSM) matter fields in an extra dimension, are attractive because they may solve the supersymmetric flavor problem. We consider the effects in such theories of new messenger fields with standard model gauge charges and with direct couplings to the supersymmetry breaking sector. The effect on the masses of the MSSM superpartners can be dramatic. In particular, the tachyonic slepton problem of anomaly mediation and the stable slepton problem of gaugino mediation can be cured.
DO Military Forces Need Ph.D.’s?

The rate of technological advancement and the relative disparity of military power amongst many countries have fueled an oncoming revolution in warfare. To prepare to defend against the new emerging technology threats, forces must invest time and resources to develop a corps of soldiers capable of using and defending against advanced technology.
Circadian control of islet function

Circadian clocks are evolutionarily conserved from single-celled organisms all the way to humans. These oscillators generate rhythms in gene expression and in physiological processes in cells and organisms that maintain a ~24 h periodicity to coincide with the light and dark cycles generated by the earth’s rotation around its own axis. These clocks are self-sustaining and entrainable by external cues. They are generated by transcriptional and translational auto-feedback loops present in every cell. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the
Friction force microscopy investigations of potassium halide surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum: structure, friction and surface modification

Friction force microscopy measurements on the vacuum-cleaved (001) surfaces of KF, KCl and KBr have been carried out. All surfaces exhibit atomically flat terraces with monatomic steps aligned preferentially along low-index lattice directions. Stick-slip lateral forces with the lattice periodicity are observed on all surfaces. Tip-sample contact creates higher friction domains on the terraces of all three materials. The structure, topography and degree of friction force contrast of these domains is material dependent. The dependence of friction upon load generally does not coincide with the behavior expected for an elastic contact. We propose that the observed domains result from surface structural changes created by low load tip-sample contact on these relatively soft materials.
Loss of the Metastatic Phenotype by a Human Epidermoid Carcinoma Cell Line, HEp-3, Is Accompanied by Increased Expression of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 2

The human epidermoid carcinoma cell line HEp-3 gives rise to spontaneous metastases in nude mice and in the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay system. Cells passaged continuously on the CAM retain their ability to form metastases, while cells carried in vitro lose metastatic potential with time. A HEp-3 cell line derived from a highly metastatic CAM tumor was grown continuously in vitro for 16 weeks. At 2-week intervals the cells were tested on the CAM for metastatic ability and assayed for expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and the M(r) 92,000 and M(r) 72,000 gelatinase/type IV collagenases, enzymes the expression of which has previously been shown to correlate with tumor cell dissemination. Expression of proteins which modulate the degradative potential of these enzymes, plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2 (PAI-1, PAI-2), uPA receptor, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases 1 and 2 (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2), were also assayed. As previously reported the metastatic ability of these cells decreased with time in culture and was almost completely lost by 8 weeks in vitro. Secreted uPA activity remained essentially unchanged, even though uPA mRNA levels decreased with time. There was also a decrease in PAI-1 and PAI-2 mRNA. However, PAI-1 protein concentration in conditioned medium remained relatively constant, and only trace amounts of PAI-2 protein could be detected in cell lysates. Steady-state levels of uPA receptor were lowest at 2 weeks then increased sharply at 4 weeks and remained relatively constant thereafter. A decrease in secreted M(r) 92,000 and M(r) 72,000 gelatinase activities and their corresponding mRNAs was observed well after the loss of the metastatic phenotype. During the 16 weeks in culture TIMP-1 mRNA levels changed slightly, while TIMP-2 mRNA increased more than 2-fold. These data suggest that a metalloproteinase other than the gelatinase/type IV collagenases may be involved in HEp-3 metastasis.
An extension to the relational model for indefinite databases

This paper presents an extension to the relational model to represent indefinite/disjunctive and “maybe” information, in addition to the definite information, within relations. The semantics of the generalized relational algebraic operators are precisely defined. Answers to queries expressed as a combination of the extended relational operators may contain, in addition to definite, indefinite and maybe information that may be useful in many applications. Also discussed are certain optimization strategies and the effect of functional dependencies on updates to the database.
Static analysis of executables to detect malicious patterns

Malicious code detection is a crucial component of any defense mechanism. In this paper, we present a unique viewpoint on malicious code detection. We regard malicious code detection as an obfuscation-deobfuscation game between malicious code writers and researchers working on malicious code detection. Malicious code writers attempt to obfuscate the malicious code to subvert the malicious code detectors, such as anti-virus software. We tested the resilience of three commercial virus scanners against code-obfuscation attacks. The results were surprising: the three commercial virus scanners could be subverted by very simple obfuscation transformations! We present an architecture for detecting malicious patterns in executables that is resilient to common obfuscation transformations. Experimental results demonstrate the efficacy of our prototype tool, SAFE (a static analyzer for executables).
Computer vision for foreign body detection and removal in the food industry

Abstract: A broad range of solutions have been devised to remove foreign body contaminants, prompted by the many injuries and lawsuits that they cause each year. This chapter details the use of computer vision inspection systems to detect the wide variety of these contaminants and remove them from the product stream. Two major approaches are discussed: optical inspection systems, which use images generated using visible or near infrared wavelengths to inspect the exterior of the product, and X-ray inspection systems, which use X-ray imaging to non-destructively search the interior of packages and products.
The Jamming Avoidance Response of High Frequency Electric Fish

Using a frequency difference (Δ F) clamp to maintain a stimulus and frustrate the normal escape from a jamming frequency, the response is found to be a characteristic function of the ΔF between stimulus and fish (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 6). It is graded on both sides of a best ΔF of about 3 Hz (= 0.3% in Sternarchus, 1.0% in Eigenmannia). There is no systematic response when F stimulus = F fish, regardless of phase.
β-Galactosidase AMINO- AND CARBOXYL-TERMINAL STUDIES

β-Galactosidase was analyzed for NH2-terminal amino acids by the Sanger procedure. About two-thirds of a mole of threonine per 135,000 g was obtained, even with the use of dinitrophenyl-threonine-14C as internal control. The same result was obtained with protein treated by a variety of dissociating conditions before analysis. However, the Stark and Smyth carbamylation method yielded 1 mole of threonine per 135,000 g of protein. Labeled enzyme was prepared from a culture to which acetate-1-14C was added. Treatment with methanolic HCl and with Pronase showed that N-acetyl groups were absent from β-galactosidase. Carboxypeptidase A released no amino acid from denatured protein. Carboxypeptidase B removed 1 mole of lysine per 135,000 g, and lysine was shown to be the only COOH-terminal amino acid when performic acid-oxidized and carboxymethylated β-galactosidase were treated with carboxypeptidase B. The hydrazinolysis method also released lysine. On the basis solely of these end group studies, it seems possible that the β-galactosidase monomer is a single long chain.
Investigating the Effects of Trees and Butterfly Barriers on the Performance of Optimistic GVT Algorithm

There is two approaches for handling timing constraints in a heterogeneous network; conservatives and optimistic algorithms. In optimistic algorithms, time constraints are allowed to be violated with the help of a time wrap algorithm. Global Virtue Time (GVT) is a necessary mechanism for implementing time wrap algorithm. Mattern [2] has introduced an algorithm for GVT based computation using a ring structure. which showed high latency. The performance of this optimistic algorithm is optimal since it gives accurate GVT approximation. However, this accurate GVT approximation comes at the expense of high GVT latency. Since this resultant GVT latency is not only high but may vary, the multiple processors involve in communication remain idle during that period of time. Consequently, the overall throughput of a parallel and distributed simulation system degrades significantly In this paper, we discuss the potential use of trees and (or) butterflies structures instead of the ring structure. We present our analysis to show the effect of these new mechanisms on the latency of the system.
Tropical Ecosystems and Ecological Concepts

Preface 1. The tropical environment 2. Hot deserts and environmental factors 3. Grasslands and primary production 4. Savanna and population dynamics 5. Lakes, energy flow and biogeochemical cycling 6. Rivers, floodplains and estuaries: the flood-pulse and river continuum concepts 7. Wetlands and succession 8. Tropical rain forest and biodiversity 9. Mountains, zonation and community gradients 10. Mangroves, seagrasses and decomposition 11. Coral reefs and community ecology 12. Isolated habitats and biogeography: islands in the sea, air and land 13. Cities and human ecology 14. Global ecology: biodiversity, conservation, climate change and sustainable development Glossary References Index.
Optimizing energy efficient low-swing interconnect for sub-threshold FPGAs

FPGA interconnect traditionally dominates energy and delay, and designs such as low-swing interconnect have been proven to reduce the interconnect burden for low energy FPGAs. This paper presents an optimized low-swing interconnect for FPGAs operating in the sub-threshold region. We also address signal degradation along lengthy interconnect paths and examine strategies for inserting low-switching-threshold repeaters. A 130nm test chip implementing low-swing interconnect meshes with different circuit parameters is measured. The results show that optimization of the low-swing interconnect provides up to 60.2% lower energy-delay-product (EDP) than a straightforward, un-optimized low-swing design at V DD = 0.4V. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the optimized low-swing interconnect is 97.7% faster and 42.7% lower energy than a traditional uni-directional interconnect at V DD = 0.4V.
3D fibre deposition and stereolithography techniques for the design of multifunctional nanocomposite magnetic scaffolds

Magnetic nanocomposite scaffolds based on poly(e-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol) were fabricated by 3D fibre deposition modelling (FDM) and stereolithography techniques. In addition, hybrid coaxial and bilayer magnetic scaffolds were produced by combining such techniques. The aim of the current research was to analyse some structural and functional features of 3D magnetic scaffolds obtained by the 3D fibre deposition technique and by stereolithography as well as features of multimaterial scaffolds in the form of coaxial and bilayer structures obtained by the proper integration of such methods. The compressive mechanical behaviour of these scaffolds was investigated in a wet environment at 37 °C, and the morphological features were analysed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray micro-computed tomography. The capability of a magnetic scaffold to absorb magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in water solution was also assessed. confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to assess the in vitro biological behaviour of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) seeded on 3D structures. Results showed that a wide range of mechanical properties, covering those spanning hard and soft tissues, can be obtained by 3D FDM and stereolithography techniques. 3D virtual reconstruction and SEM showed the precision with which the scaffolds were fabricated, and a good-quality interface between poly(e-caprolactone) and poly(ethylene glycol) based scaffolds was observed for bilayer and coaxial scaffolds. Magnetised scaffolds are capable of absorbing water solution of MNPs, and a preliminary information on cell adhesion and spreading of hMSCs was obtained without the application of an external magnetic field.
Floristic Studies of Seaweeds from Cobscook Bay, Maine

Abstract The benthic marine algal flora of Cobscook Bay, ME, which is located near the mouth of the Bay of Fundy and is contiguous with Passamaquoddy Bay, NB, Canada, consists of 148 taxa, including 38 green, 46 brown, and 64 red algae. The seaweed flora of Cobscook Bay contains 47% of the total taxa (315) known from the Bay of Fundy and 37% of the 403 taxa recorded from the northeast coast of North America. Cobscook Bay's floristic affinities range from 63.8%) (Bay of Fundy) to 74.3%» (Casco Bay), with Passamaquoddy Bay having a 68.8%) affinity. Of the 37 sites in Cobscook Bay, Eastport Harbor (70 taxa) and Reversing Falls Park (51 taxa) had the highest number of species, and the lowest was found at one Lubec site near Lead Mine Road (only “brackish” water taxa found). The Bay's overall (R + C)/ P floristic ratio ([red + green]/ brown algae) is 2.2, which indicates a cold-temperate flora. Six introduced seaweeds were found in the Bay. The expanded vertical distribution of intertidal (and subtidal) taxa w...
On the parameterization of surface momentum transport via drag coefficient in low‐wind conditions

[1] The subgrid-scale surface momentum transport, which plays an important role in determining the exchange between the atmosphere and the underlying surface, is often parameterized in terms of the surface mean wind speed via drag coefficient (CD), a parameter that needs to be determined externally often through the Monin-Obukhov Similarity (MOS) Theory. However, some characteristics of CD derived from observations for overland conditions, particularly the substantial increase of CD with a decrease in wind speed in low-wind conditions, cannot be explained by MOS. This issue is investigated using data collected by a portable meteorological tower. By analyzing the turbulent kinetic energy budget, a novel parameterization framework for momentum fluxes is proposed. The new parameterization not only appropriately describes the observed variation of CD but also can be simplified to MOS with certain assumptions. Moreover, the effect of stability, which traditionally has to be determined empirically, can now be determined internally within the new framework.
The Temperature Variation of the Thermal Diffusion Factors for Binary Mixtures of Hydrogen, Deuterium, and Helium

Experimental values of the thermal diffusion factor, $\ensuremath{\alpha}$, have been measured by the twin bulb method for mixtures of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$, ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and He, and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ and He. Analyses were made by means of a mass spectrometer. The value of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ for a mixture of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ was found to increase slightly with temperature. For a mixture of ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ and He the value of $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ was found to decrease slightly as the temperature is raised. The thermal diffusion factor was found to be measurable for a mixture of ${\mathrm{D}}_{2}$ and He and also appeared to decrease with temperature.
A subspace modal superposition method for non‐classically damped systems

For structures with non-proportional damping, complex eigenvectors or mode shapes must be used in order to decoe the equations of motion. The resulting equations can then be solved in a systematic way. The necessity of solvie complex eigenvalue problem of a large system remains an obstacle for the practical application of the method. This stres utilizes the fact that in practice only a small number of the complex modes are needed. Therefore, these complex modes be approximated by a linear combination of a small number of the undamped modes, which can be obtained by established methods with less cost. An additional eigenvalue problem is then solved in a subspace with a much sm dimension to provide the best combination coefficient for each complex mode. The method of solution for the decoue equations is then carried over, using the approximate complex modes expressed in undamped mode shapes, to resue simple formulas for the time- and frequency-domain solution. Thus, an efficient modal superposition method is develoe for non-proportionally damped systems. The accuracy of this approximate method is studied through an example. Comparing the frequency response result using the approximate method with that using the exact complex modes, found that the error is negligible.