cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-affinity interaction of hnRNP A1 with conserved RNA structural elements is required for translation and replication of enterovirus 71

Human Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is an emerging pathogen of infectious disease and a serious threat to public health. Currently, there are no antivirals or vaccines to slow down or prevent EV71 infections, thus underscoring the urgency to better understand mechanisms of host-enterovirus interactions. EV71 uses a type I internal ribosome entry site (IRES) to recruit the 40S ribosomal subunit via a pathway that requires the cytoplasmic localization of hnRNP A1, which acts as an IRES trans-activating factor. The mechanism of how hnRNP A1 trans activates EV71 RNA translation is unknown, however. Here, we report that the UP1 domain of hnRNP A1 interacts specifically with stem loop II (SLII) of the IRES, via a thermodynamically well-defined biphasic transition that involves conserved bulge 5'-AYAGY-3' and hairpin 5'-RY(U/A)CCA-3' loops. Calorimetric titrations of wild-type and mutant SLII constructs reveal these structural elements are essential to form a high-affinity UP1-SLII complex. Mutations that alter the bulge and hairpin primary or secondary structures abrogate the biphasic transition and destabilize the complex. Notably, mutations within the bulge that destabilize the complex correlate with a large reduction in IRES-dependent translational activity and impair EV71 replication. Taken together, this study shows that a conserved SLII structure is necessary to form a functional hnRNP A1-IRES complex, suggesting that small molecules that target this stem loop may have novel antiviral properties.
TOWARD CONSISTENCY IN COST-UTILITY ANALYSES: USING NATIONAL MEASURES TO CREATE CONDITION-SPECIFIC VALUES

Objectives.The authors developed an "off-the-shelf" source of health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores for cost-effectiveness analysts unable to collect primary data.Methods.The authors derived and conducted preliminary validation on a set of health-related quality of life scores for chronic
Proof of concept: Partner-Assisted Interpersonal Psychotherapy for perinatal depression

Although poor partner support is a key risk factor for depression in pregnant and postpartum women, partners are not generally involved in treatment beyond psychoeducation. The aim of this "proof of concept" study was to test safety, acceptability, and feasibility of Partner-Assisted Interpersonal Psychotherapy (PA-IPT), an intervention that includes the partner as an active participant throughout treatment. Women more than 12 weeks estimated gestational age and less than 12 weeks postpartum were invited to participate if they fulfilled DSM-IV criteria for Major Depressive Disorder and reported moderate symptom severity (HAM-D17 ≥16). The open trial included eight acute-phase sessions and a 6-week follow-up assessment. Ten couples completed the acute phase treatment and nine presented for a 6-week follow-up assessment. There were no study-related adverse events, and no women had symptomatic worsening from intake to Session Eight. All partners attended all sessions, no couples dropped out of treatment, and all reported positive treatment satisfaction at the conclusion of the study. Nine of ten women (90 %) met the criteria for clinical response (HAM-D17 = 9) at the conclusion of acute phase treatment, and eight of the nine (89 %) presenting at a 6-week follow-up assessment met criteria for symptomatic recovery. Incorporating partners in the treatment of major depressive disorders during the perinatal period is safe, acceptable, and feasible, but needs further testing in a larger population to evaluate efficacy.
Association of self-reported painful symptoms with clinical and neurophysiologic signs in HIV-associated sensory neuropathy

Sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) is a common cause of pain in HIV-infected people. Establishing a diagnosis of HIV-SN is important, especially when contemplating opioid use in high-risk populations. However physical findings of HIV-SN may be subtle, and sensitive diagnostic tools require specialized expertise. We investigated the association between self-report of distal neuropathic pain and/or paresthesias (DNPP) and objective signs of HIV-SN. Data were obtained from the Central Nervous System HIV Antiretroviral Therapy Effects Research (CHARTER) study. Out of 237 participants, 101 (43%) reported DNPP. Signs of HIV-SN were measured by a modified Total Neuropathy Score (TNS), composed of six objective sensory subscores (pin sensibility, vibration sensibility, deep tendon reflexes, quantitative sensory testing for cooling and vibration, and sural sensory amplitude). Self-report of DNPP was associated with all six TNS items in univariate analysis and with four TNS items in multivariate analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of self-report of DNPP in detecting the presence of a sensory abnormality were 52% and 92%, respectively with a PPV of 96% and a NPV of 34%. Increasing intensity of pain measured on a visual analog scale was associated with increasing severity of sensory abnormality. In summary, our results suggest that HIV-infected patients reporting symptoms consistent with HIV-SN, such as tingling, pins and needles, or aching or stabbing pain in the distal lower extremities, usually have objective evidence of HIV-SN on neurologic examination or with neurophysiologic testing. This finding holds true regardless of demographic factors, depression or substance use history.
Use of Ventricular Assist Device as Bridge to Simultaneous Heart and Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Cardiac and Renal Failure

Abstract Background Ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation as a bridge to cardiac transplantation is an effective treatment option for end-stage heart failure. Renal dysfunction is not uncommon but is considered to be a poor prognostic factor. We present our experience with 6 patients who had combined heart and kidney transplantation (HKT) after VAD implantation for advanced cardiac and renal failure. Methods Of 74 patients who underwent VAD implantation as a bridge to transplant from May 2001 to September 2009, 28 patients developed renal failure, and of these, 6 (5 male, 1 female, ages 40–64 years) had HKT. All required hemodialysis because of renal failure before HKT. Immunosuppression consisted of anti-thymocyte globulin followed by triple drug therapy consisting of calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate, and corticosteroids. Results Of the 6 HKT patients, 5 (83%) were alive without hemodialysis at 1 and 2 years; of the 22 patients with renal failure after VAD implantation without subsequent transplant, 1- and 2-year survivals were zero. Interval from VAD implantation to HKT ranged from 36 to 366 days (133 ± 127 days). At 6 months after HKT (100% alive), left ventricular ejection fraction was 60.2 ± 5.8% and serum creatinine 1.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL. Three HKT patients required temporary hemodialysis after surgery. Endomyocardial biopsy showed absence of ISHLT grade 2R-3A or greater cellular rejection, and none showed evidence of definite antibody-mediated rejection. Conclusions Based on our initial experience, simultaneous HKT is a safe treatment option with excellent outcomes for patients with advanced heart failure and persistent renal dysfunction after VAD implantation.
Behaviour problems in institutionalised people with intellectual disability and schizophrenia spectrum disorders

AbstractBackground Although our understanding of dual diagnosis has improved, a deficit still exists in our knowledge of how schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) manifest themselves in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). In addition, little is known about the relationship between behaviour problems and psychopathology in this population.Method Utilising the Behavior Problems Inventory (BPI), three areas of problem behaviour (self-injurious, stereotyped, and aggressive/destructive) were assessed in 58 individuals with ID divided into three groups (with SSD, with a diagnosis of psychopathology other than SSD, and with ID only) and a total BPI score was calculated for each.Results The SSD group was unique when compared to the Control group (ID only) for frequency of stereotyped behaviours. Further, severity of stereotyped behaviours in the SSD group was unique compared to the Psychopathology and Control groups.Conclusion The SSD group was unique compared to the other two groups, particularly for...
Monospecific bivalent scFv-SH: Effects of linker length and location of an engineered cysteine on production, antigen binding activity and free SH accessibility

Development of tumor targeting pharmaceuticals on a modular platform is an attractive paradigm. Design choices for bispecific (anti-tumor and anti-chelate) pretargeting molecules are increased by the use of scFvs. Because a scFv is monovalent and small in size, its functional affinity and in vivo residence time can be improved through multimerization. ScFv multimers can be covalent or non-covalent. In vivo studies indicate that covalent scFv multimers are preferable. Attachment of scFv modules to scaffolds offers a wide range of possibilities for size and valency. A free thiol introduced at the C terminal end of a scFv (scFv-SH) allows for site-specific covalent attachment to a PEG scaffold without interfering with its antigen (Ag) binding. Although in theory, multimerization of 3 or 4 scFvs can be achieved by direct conjugation, as scFv-SH, to a tri or tetrafunctionalized PEG, it is not a practical option since homogeneous tri and tetrafunctionalized PEG are not readily available. However, the generation of (scFv)(3-4)-PEG molecules through attachment of combinations of di-scFv-SH (tandemly expressed scFvs) and scFv-SH or 2 di-scFv-SH to a bifunctional PEG is a sound approach that also allows for better control of the scFv-PEG conjugate molecular composition. Optimization of the molecular format of the di-scFv-SH module for production as soluble proteins in E. coli, Ag binding and conjugation is reported in this study. ScFvs in the VH-VL format were used for the di-scFv constructs since Fv domain inversion to VL-VH, while not yielding more protein, also abolished Ag binding. The effects on production yield, Ag binding and conjugation potential of the scFv joining linker length and the presence and location of an engineered cysteine were assessed in vitro. Our data indicate that for di-scFv-SH, an increase of the scFv joining linker length results in higher production and better Ag binding; a 20 aa long linker (G(4)S)(4) was the longest linker tested. For the engineered cysteine, three locations were tested; within the scFv joining linker, at the C terminus upstream of the E Tag and as the carboxy terminal aa. The accessibility of the free SH assessed by conjugation of di-scFv-SH to HRP-Mal demonstrated that di-scFv-HRP conjugates are formed with comparable efficiencies when the cysteine is located at the scFv carboxy end. This empirical work provides a framework for the development of bispecific scFv multimers via site-specific attachment of scFv-SH and di-scFv-SH modules to a scaffold.
The multimodality imager: reality or fantasy?

improvements in existing techniques such as echocardiography and nuclear medicine and new technologies such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have changed the face of cardiovascular imaging in just a few short years. But how do we ensure that we have the right workforce to
Impact of Dynamic Message Signs on Speeds Observed on a Rural Interstate

Dynamic message signs (DMSs) are a component of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) used to convey real-time travel information to motorists, enabling them to make better decisions in response to real-time roadway conditions such as congestion, crashes, and adverse weather. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the existing DMS system implemented by the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) along a rural segment of Interstate 80 in southeastern Wyoming between the cities of Laramie and Cheyenne. The research uses speed, weather, and DMS message data collected from the winter season of 2009 to 2010 along the corridor to determine how driver speed behavior is affected by DMS signs. A linear regression model utilizing four different weather severity categories was estimated and the results indicate that the DMS message signs are effective at reducing drivers’ speeds along rural interstate corridors from 8 km/h to 32 km/h (5 mi/h to 20 mi/h) above the speed reductions that can be accounted for by weather conditions alone.
The Actin-binding Protein, Actinin Alpha 4 (ACTN4), Is a Nuclear Receptor Coactivator that Promotes Proliferation of MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

Alpha actinins (ACTNs) are known for their ability to modulate cytoskeletal organization and cell motility by cross-linking actin filaments. We show here that ACTN4 harbors a functional LXXLL receptor interaction motif, interacts with nuclear receptors in vitro and in mammalian cells, and potently activates transcription mediated by nuclear receptors. Whereas overexpression of ACTN4 potentiates estrogen receptor α (ERα)-mediated transcription in transient transfection reporter assays, knockdown of ACTN4 decreases it. In contrast, histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) inhibits estrogen receptor α (ERα)-mediated transcription. Moreover, the ACTN4 mutant lacking the CaM (calmodulin)-like domain that is required for its interaction with HDAC7 fails to activate transcription by ERα. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrate that maximal associations of ACTN4 and HDAC7 with the pS2 promoter are mutually exclusive. Knockdown of ACTN4 significantly decreases the expression of ERα target genes including pS2 and PR and also affects cell proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with or without hormone, whereas knockdown of HDAC7 exhibits opposite effects. Interestingly, overexpression of wild-type ACTN4, but not the mutants defective in interacting with ERα or HDAC7, results in an increase in pS2 and PR mRNA accumulation in a hormone-dependent manner. In summary, we have identified ACTN4 as a novel, atypical coactivator that regulates transcription networks to control cell growth.
System structuring of a two area four machine power system

Today's power systems are undergoing an evolutionary transformation where novel sensors, organized as sensor networks, are providing tremendous amounts of real-time data that is useful for improving situational awareness. It is becoming increasing evident in large-scale power systems, as in many other applications, that the associated big data is both an opportunity and a challenge. In this paper we describe an approach that merges important concepts from information theory, applied to cyber-physical systems (CPS), with a computational method for modeling large-scale cyber-physical systems, referred to as System Structure. An important aspect of the proposal approach is the interpretation of a large-scale cyber-physical system as an information processing network, where System Structure provides an approach for quantify interactions between nodes in the network, through the computation of system measures.
The Value of Splenic Preservation With Distal Pancreatectomy

HYPOTHESIS Splenic-preserving distal pancreatectomy for benign or low-grade malignant disease is associated with decreased perioperative morbidity compared with conventional distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. DESIGN A retrospective review of a prospective database of patients. SETTING Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. PATIENTS All patients (N = 211) undergoing distal pancreatectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perioperative complications, length of postoperative stay, and overall survival times were analyzed. RESULTS After excluding patients with adenocarcinoma and those who had other major organ resection, 125 patients underwent distal pancreatectomy for benign or low-grade malignant disease with splenectomy (n = 79) or splenic preservation (n = 46). Perioperative complications occurred in 39 (49%) of the 79 patients following splenectomy and 18 (39%) of the 46 patients following splenic preservation (P =.21). Perioperative infectious complications and severe complications were significantly higher in the splenectomy group (28% and 11%) compared with the splenic preservation group (9% and 2%) (P =.01 and.05), respectively. Length of hospital stay was 9 days (range, 5-41 days) following splenectomy and 7 days (range, 5-26 days) following splenic preservation (P<.01). No difference in length of surgery, units of blood transfused, or perioperative mortality was noted between groups. CONCLUSIONS Splenic preservation following distal pancreatectomy for benign or low-grade malignant disease is safe and is associated with a reduction in perioperative infectious complications, severe complications, and length of hospital stay compared with conventional distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Therefore, splenic preservation should be considered in this group of patients.
Selective Immobilization of Proteins onto Solid Supports through Split‐Intein‐Mediated Protein Trans‐Splicing

Protein microarrays have emerged as important tools for screening protein-protein interactions and hold great potential for various applications including proteomics research, drug discovery, and diagnostics. This work describes a novel method for the traceless immobilization of proteins to a solid support through split-intein mediated protein trans-splicing. This method has been successfully used for the immobilization of biologically active proteins from very diluted samples ({approx}1{micro}M) and it does not require the purification of the protein to be attached. This makes possible the direct immobilization of proteins from complex mixtures such as cellular lysates and it can also be easily interfaced with cell-free expression systems for high-throughput production of protein microarrays.
Cross-National, Cross-Cultural Organizational Behavior Research: Advances, Gaps, and Recommendations:

The advent of the 21st century has witnessed an increasing interest in developing knowledge of international management to meet the needs of global business development. To take stock of the progress in organizational behavior research with national culture as the major explanatory variable, the authors analyzed 93 empirical studies published in the 16 leading management journals from 1996 to 2005. This analysis shows some advances but also identifies many gaps in both theory and methods. They offer seven recommendations to address these gaps and advance future research.
Comparison of Concordance Correlation Coefficient and Coefficient of Individual Agreement in Assessing Agreement

In method comparison and reliability studies, it is often important to assess agreement between multiple measurements made by different methods, devices, laboratories, observers, or instruments. Fo...
Executive Functioning Skills in Long-Term Users of Cochlear Implants: A Case Control Study

Objective To investigate differences in executive functioning between deaf children with cochlear implants (CIs) and normal-hearing (NH) peers. The cognitive effects of auditory deprivation in childhood may extend beyond speech–language skills to more domain-general areas including executive functioning. Methods Executive functioning skills in a sample of 53 prelingually deaf children, adolescents, and young adults who received CIs prior to age 7 years and who had used their CIs for ≥7 years were compared with age- and nonverbal IQ-matched NH peers and with scale norms. Results Despite having above average nonverbal IQ, the CI sample scored lower than the NH sample and test norms on several measures of short-term/working memory, fluency–speed, and inhibition–concentration. Executive functioning was unrelated to most demographic and hearing history characteristics. Conclusions Prelingual deafness and long-term use of CIs was associated with increased risk of weaknesses in executive functioning.
Assimilation of xylem-transported 13C-labelled CO2 in leaves and branches of sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.)

Previous reports have shown that CO2 dissolved in xylem sap in tree stems can move upward in the transpiration stream. To determine the fate of this dissolved CO2, the internal transport of respired CO2 at high concentration from the bole of the tree was simulated by allowing detached young branches of sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) to transpire water enriched with a known quantity of 13CO2 in sunlight. Simultaneously, leaf net photosynthesis and CO2 efflux from woody tissue were measured. Branch and leaf tissues were subsequently analysed for 13C content to determine the quantity of transported 13CO2 label that was fixed. Treatment branches assimilated an average of 35% (SE=2.4) of the 13CO2 label taken up in the treatment water. The majority was fixed in the woody tissue of the branches, with smaller amounts fixed in the leaves and petioles. Overall, the fixation of internally transported 13CO2 label by woody tissues averaged 6% of the assimilation of CO2 from the atmosphere by the leaves. Woody tissue assimilation rates calculated from measurements of 13C differed from rates calculated from measurements of CO2 efflux in the lower branch but not in the upper branch. The results of this study showed unequivocally that CO2 transported in xylem sap can be fixed in photosynthetic cells in the leaves and branches of sycamore trees and provided evidence that recycling of xylem-transported CO2 may be an important means by which trees reduce the carbon cost of respiration.
Flavored dark matter in direct detection experiments and at the LHC

We consider the possibility that dark matter can communicate with the standard model fields via flavor interactions. We take the dark matter to belong to a ``dark sector'' which contains at least two types, or ``flavors,'' of particles and then hypothesize that the standard model fields and dark matter share a common interaction which depends on flavor. As, generically, interaction eigenstates and mass eigenstates need not coincide, we consider both flavor-changing and flavor-conserving interactions. These interactions are then constrained by meson decays, kaon mixing, and current collider bounds, and we examine their relevance for direct detection and the LHC.
Capital Punishment Decision Making on the Supreme Court of Florida

As they have done with research on the U.S. Supreme Court, judicial politics scholars have studied the influences on state supreme court justices' decision making. Although earlier state court decision-making research focused on extra-legal explanations, more recent studies have integrated both legal and extra-legal variables into their models. However, most of the extant research on state court decision making employs a multi-state design, which has been quite useful, yet it does not capture adequately the influence of state court precedent. Consequently, this paper complements this literature by testing an integrated model of Florida Supreme Court justices' capital punishment decision making. This integrated model is based on a random sample of 150 capital punishment cases decided by the Florida Supreme Court from 1980 to 1997. I examine the 995 individual votes each justice cast, testing the influence of an array of legal precedent, including Florida's, and extra-legal variables. The results confirm the validity of the integrated model.
Pausing during Reverse Transcription Increases the Rate of Retroviral Recombination

Retroviruses package two copies of genomic RNA into viral particles. During the minus-sense DNA synthesis step of reverse transcription, the nascent DNA can transfer multiple times between the two copies of the genome, resulting in recombination. The mechanism for this process is similar to the process of obligate strand transfers mediated by the repeat and primer binding site sequences. The location at which the DNA 3′ terminus completely transfers to the second RNA strand defines the point of crossover. Previous work in vitro demonstrated that reverse transcriptase pausing has a significant impact on the location of the crossover, with a proportion of complete transfer events occurring very close to pause sites. The role of pausing in vivo, however, is not clearly understood. By employing a murine leukemia virus-based single-cycle infection assay, strong pausing was shown to increase the probability of recombination, as reflected in the reconstitution of green fluorescent protein expression. The infection assay results were directly correlated with the presence of strong pause sites in reverse transcriptase primer extension assays in vitro. Conversely, when pausing was diminished in vitro, without changing the sequence of the RNA template involved in recombination, there was a significant reduction in recombination in vivo. Together, these data demonstrate that reverse transcriptase pausing, as observed in vitro, directly correlates with recombination during minus-sense DNA synthesis in vivo.
The Effect of Tap Water, Carbonated Water, Sodium Bicarbonate, and Calcium Chloride on Blood Acid-Base Balance in Cockerels Subjected to Heat Stress

Twenty Hubbard cockerels each weighing 2.4 kg were surgically fitted with plastic cannulae in the carotid artery and crop. A solution of either tap water (TW), carbonated water (CW), 2% sodium bicarbonate (HCO3-), or 3.5% calcium chloride (CaCl2) with pH of 7.8, 5.2, 8.0, and 7.4, respectively, was infused into the crop at .41 ml X min-1 X kg body weight (BW)-1. Blood pH, carbon dioxide partial pressure (PCO2), and respiratory rate (RR) were measured at 15-min intervals during a 90-min thermoneutral period (25 C) followed by a 90-min heat stress (37 C). Polypnea occurred in all treatments in the 37 C environment. Infusion of HCO3- increased blood pH throughout the thermoneutral and heat stress periods, and CaCl2 infusion decreased blood pH throughout the experimental periods. At thermoneutral temperature, TW and CW infusions did not affect blood pH or PCO2. During heat stress, blood pH increased in TW and CW treatments; change and final pH were significantly lower (P less than .05) for CW- compared with TW-infused birds. Although blood PCO2 decreased in all treatments with the imposition of heat stress, blood PCO2 was significantly greater (P less than .05) in birds infused with HCO3- at the end of the heat-stress period. The results demonstrate that CW treatment produced a more favorable acid-base balance during acute heat stress than TW by reducing blood pH change during thermal polypnea. Also, high levels of NaHCO3 and CaCl2 intake can produce abnormal acid-base equilibrium conditions during the heat stress-induced respiratory alkalosis.
Nitroimidazole Radiopharmaceuticals in Hypoxia: Part II Cytotoxicity and Radiosensitization Applications

Feasibility paper explores the cytotoxicity of nitroimidazole on tumor cells and liver cells to establish the 2'-nitroimidazole as radiosensitizer in cancer therapy and hypoxia monitoring. Hypothesis is that the presence of substi- tuted nitro group on 2' position of imidazole ring is more enzyme sensitive and determinant of biochemical cytotoxicity as hypoxia reporter in isolated tumor cells or tumor tissues. Radiolabeling of nitroimidazole imparts tracer properties to lo- cate the distribution (radiosensitizer) of nitroimidazole in the body. A 'theradiagnostic criteria of hypoxia' using nitroimi- dazole radiosensitizer is proposed based on tumor killing by enhanced tumor oxygen tension (therapeutics) and altered metabolizing enzymes (diagnostics) due to cytotoxicity of radiosensitizer. Both properties of nitroimidazole cytotoxicity and oxygen sensitivity place the nitroimidazole compounds in the class of tumor therapy and hypoxia detection. Initially nitroimidazole cytotoxicity was reported as antiparasitic drug. Now radiolabeled 2'-nitroimidazole is potential radiosensi- tizer in hypoxia treatment and monitoring in last two decades. Hydrophilic double radiolabel groups on imidazole ring of- fer multimodal imaging and active nitro- or imidazole ring in nitroimidazoles interact with intracellular metabolism in liver by biotransformation and biooxidation to cause cytotoxicity as biomarker of hypoxia. Nitroimidazole metabolizing and xenobiotic enzymes showed regulatory role to excrete out nitroimidazole from the body and reduced stay time in tis- sue. Nitroimidazoles showed physicochemical properties with poor tissue diffusion, less antioxidant redox potential and long retention time in tissue making them poor choice of hypoxia markers. Key of success is achieving 2'-Nitroimidazole based multimodal radiopharmaceuticals as less cytotoxic, more tumor oxygen specific multifunctional reporters of apop- tosis, proliferation, and hypoxia in theradiagnostics and radiation oncology.
On common quadratic Lyapunov functions for dynamic normal switched systems

In this paper, we investigate when the Euclidean norm is a quadratic Lyapunov function for linear dynamic equations, and use this result to determine the existence of a stabilizing switching pattern for switched systems comprised of normal subsystem matrices. We then expand these results to establish sufficient conditions for the existence of common quadratic Lyapunov functions other than the Euclidean norm for switched systems comprised of normal matrices.
Population declines of the endangered endemic birds on Grenada, West Indies

DAVID E. BLOCKSTEINSummaryThe Grenada Dov Leptotilae wellsi and the Grenada Hook-bille Chondrohieraxd Kiteuncinatus mints have each apparently declined since initial surveys in 1987. In a midwinter1989/1990 census I estimated that there were 75-85 Grenada Doves, compared with 100 in1987. The 1989/1990 numbers include two small populations not located in 1987 Th. e mainpopulation may have declined by 40-50% since 1987. Half as many Hook-billed Kiteswere seen in 1989/1990 as in 1987 when I estimated the total population to be 15-30.Although seasonal factors may be responsible for some of the differences, destruction ofhabitat has led to real declines. Unless the prime habitat is protected, extinction of bothbirds is likely.Introduction
Volume grating preferential-order focusing waveguide coupler.

A volume grating focusing waveguide coupler has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The volume grating is designed to couple a 633-nm wave guided in a single-mode polyimide waveguide preferentially into the air cover. The beam is outcoupled normally to the surface of the waveguide and focused to a line 25 mm above the waveguide. The slanted-fringe volume grating is holographically recorded by the interference of two coherent 364-nm ultraviolet waves focused with a cylindrical lens to produce the chirped grating. The 1-mm-long volume grating coupler exhibits a preferential-coupling ratio of 0.98, a coupling efficiency of 95%, and an almost diffraction-limited focal line with a full width at half-maximum of 10.49 µm.
The Winner of the Vector-Model Look-Alike Contest

In the previous talks, Fritzsch and Barnett have discussed the b quark as a possible explanation of the high-y anomaly. The important question is, how can we incorporate the V+A coupling of the b quark to the u quark in a unified model of weak and electromagnetic interactions. The simplest model with the u-b coupling is the vector model,1 an SU(2) × U(1) model in which both left- and right-handed components of all quarks are in SU(2) doublets. Alas, it is ruled out by neutral current data,2 which shows significant parity violation in the hadronic neutral current. The standard SU(2) × U(l) model,3 in which only left-handed quarks are in doublets, agrees well with neutral current data (see Fig. 1), but has no V+A u-b coupling. In the standard model, the high-y anomaly must be attributed to the Q2 dependence of antiquark and strange-quark distributions in the nucleon induced by QCD. This is probably not enough to explain data.4 Furthermore, as we have heard in Bouchiat’s talk, the standard model may be in trouble with experiments detecting parity violation in atomic physics.
Structure and Reactivity of Semiconducting Mineral Surfaces: Convergence of Molecular Modeling and Experiment

Semiconducting minerals are a unique class of materials that have a broad range of influence in near-surface geochemical environments. Many are electroactive and play an important role as natural solid phase electron sources and sinks. This property gives them the capacity to control the availability of electrons in the environment, with direct and indirect effects on many redox-based geochemical and biogeochemical processes. Examples include the natural cycling of redox-active elements (Calmano et al. 1994; Nimick and Moore 1994), dissimilatory metal reduction in microbial respiration (Lovley and Phillips 1988; Lovley et al. 1991), the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants (Schwarzenbach and Gschwend 1990; Matheson and Tratnyek 1994), and precious metal ore deposit formation (Nash et al. 1981; Bakken et al. 1989). The surfaces of semiconducting minerals are therefore, in a sense, an important threshold for the natural flux of electrons in the subsurface. The transfer of electrons across the boundary occurs in the form of redox reactions at the surface, and these are influenced by specific behavior at the mineral surface. Aside from this important characteristic, this class of minerals also presents chemically distinct surfaces to the environment that can uniquely influence non-redox based processes. For instance, sites in the structures of these materials are compatible with the incorporation of many types of heavy metals (Manceau and Combes 1988; Ford et al. 1997). Their surfaces can also catalyze organic decomposition reactions (Bell et al. 1994). The significance of semiconducting mineral surfaces in natural settings, as well as in technological applications, have generated a great deal of cross-disciplinary interest in understanding their physical and chemical properties at a fundamental level. Research with the goal of determining the structure of these surfaces and the physical basis underlying the way in which they react is a vast and …
Does Fortune Foul Fidelity

Kenneth Kipnis hypothesizes that a company paying a physician for services related to one of its products merits a share of responsibility for harmful outcomes (Kipnis 2011). His arguments fail bec...
Are Glutathione S-Transferase Null Genotypes “Null and Void” of Risk for Ischemic Vascular Disease?

The major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) relate to intrinsic changes in cholesterol metabolism or blood pressure regulation or to diseases such as diabetes. In addition, it has been found that chemical and pollutant exposure has adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Although we have known about the harmful effects of smoking on heart disease for a long time, recent research shows that exposure to other environmental pollutants such as ambient air particles, automobile exhaust, and pesticides can also increases CVD risk.1 It is therefore reasonable to expect that CVD risk could be modified by metabolic processes that detoxify foreign chemicals (xenobiotics) or even endogenous toxins (eg, products of lipid peroxidation). The concept that the mechanisms of detoxification regulate disease susceptibility is one of the cornerstones of cancer research; however, only recently have we begun to appreciate the cardiovascular implications of this concept. Article see p 418 For the most part, the relationships between CVD and detoxification mechanisms remain unknown. Glutathione S -transferases (GSTs), however, are one exception. These enzymes catalyze the conjugation of glutathione with electrophilic xenobiotics.2 In Phase II detoxification reactions, they transform xenobiotics into usually less reactive, water-soluble compounds that are excreted in urine or bile. Genetic variations and deletion genotypes of GSTs are relatively prevalent in human populations. Several studies have suggested that variations in GSTs alter CVD risk particularly in smokers, but the data are inconsistent. Some studies report strong interactions between GST genotypes and smoking, whereas others have found no significant association. The current study by Norskov et al,3 published in this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics , is the most highly powered epidemiological study to date that investigates the contribution of GSTs to CVD risk specifically for ischemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease. Norskov et al studied the gene …
The Antarctic Treaty and the law of the sea: fifty years on

Since the Antarctic Treaty was negotiated in 1959, it has undergone major substantive legal transformations as it grew into a multifaceted regime known as the Antarctic Treaty system. Many of those transformations stemmed from actions by the principal decision makers, the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs), as they adopted new strategies and values alongside binding legal agreements for managing their activities in circumpolar southern waters. This essay examines the evolution of the modern law of the sea and seeks to explain how it embellished (has it at times challenged?) the character, significance and purposes of the Antarctic Treaty.
PLC and Linux based control system for the CAMD Linac

Louisiana State University Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) began operations in the fall of 1992. At the time, the facility had separate control systems for the storage ring and Linac. In 1997, CAMD began a control system upgrade project with the goal of producing a single unified control system running on the PC/Linux platform. After completion of the storage ring control system, the Linac control system was designed utilizing AutomationDirect.com PLCs for the real-time components, and PC/Linux for the user interface. The new Linac control system has been completed, and has been operational since July 2002. This paper will discuss the objectives, design, and future upgrade plans for the Linac control system, as well as the experiences with replacing the CGR-MeV VME/OS/9 control system with a PLC/PC/Linux based system.
Improving Classifier Fusion Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Both experimental and theoretical studies have proved that classifier fusion can be effective in improving overall classification performance. Classifier fusion can be performed on either score (raw classifier outputs) level or decision level. While tremendous research interests have been on score-level fusion, research work for decision-level fusion is sparse. This paper presents a particle swarm optimization based decision-level fusion scheme for optimizing classifier fusion performance. Multiple classifiers are fused at the decision level, and the particle swarm optimization algorithm finds optimal decision threshold for each classifier and the optimal fusion rule. Specifically, we present an optimal fusion strategy for fusing multiple classifiers to satisfy accuracy performance requirements, as applied to a real-world classification problem. The optimal decision fusion technique is found to perform significantly better than the conventional classifier fusion methods, i.e., traditional decision level fusion and averaged sum rule
Rat tissue DPNH-cytochrome c reductase activity in altered thyroid states.

SummaryChanges in the activity of DPNH-cytochrome c reductase in heart, liver, bladder, and uterus were determined after thyroidectomy and thyroxine treatment. Liver and heart showed decreases in enzyme activity in the hypermetabolic state. Bladder and uterus were unresponsive. Enzyme activity increased and DNA content decreased in uteri after estrogen stimulation irrespective of metabolic status of the animal.
PREDICTION METHOD FOR RESPONSE OF STEEL BRIDGE BEAMS AND GIRDERS TO BLAST AND FRAGMENT LOADS

The military requires methods of predicting the response of steel bridge beams and girders to blast and fragment loads. The methods must provide quick answers to analysts who have very little experience, if any, in the blast response of structures. Similar tools also would be beneficial to transportation engineers who must evaluate bridges against terrorist events. Because data on the response of these beams to blast and fragments are extremely limited, finite element simulations were performed to create a numerical database that includes the typical range of steel bridge and girder dimensions. The simulation results were used to determine the loading characteristics that significantly affect the response. Loading characteristics were reduced to a load measure, a single number that can be easily computed for any combination of fragment and blast loads. If the load measure is exceeded for a given combination of blast and fragment loads, then beam failure is predicted. A computer code was developed to predict fragment and blast loads from conventional weapons and to determine the load measure for any given load case so an analyst with knowledge of weapon and beam geometry can easily predict whether a beam will fail. Model development and validation are presented. The model was developed to predict the response of bridge beams and girders to conventional weapons but could be extended to a model for predicting the response to terrorist weapons.
Genesis and Evolution of Diagnostic and Clinical Immunology

The spectacular success of Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology as a relatively new journal indicates the maturation of immunology as an important component of medical science and practice. This essay reflects upon the birth and rapid development of diagnostic and clinical applications of immunology and draws some lessons for their future.
The Psychological Bases of Regime Support among Urban Workers in Venezuela and Mexico: Instrumental or Expressive?

Most recent studies of political behavior in Latin America have stressed the instrumental basis of lower-class political preferences and activity. This study examines empirically the relative influence of symbolic and normative orientations to politics and of economic utility on the political preferences and attitudes of urban workers in Mexico and Venezuela. In both countries, symbolic and normative orientations are found to exert a more powerful influence on regime support than does economic advantage or receipt of material benefits. We speculate on conditions that might shape the relative influence of instrumental versus expressive orientations to politics on the political preferences and behavior of the lower classes in Latin America.
Investigations of prussian blue films using surface plasmon resonance

A fiber-optic based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) instrument is used to characterize electrodeposited prussian blue (PB) films. PB films are deposited potentiostatically or galvanostatically onto the gold sensing surface. When reduced to prussian white (PW), the film undergoes a reversible refractive index change that is observed using SPR. The strong absorbance of PB films within the sensing region of the instrument inhibits quantitative characterization of these films; however qualitative characterization has been achieved. The PB coated SPR probe can be used as an optical transducer of electrochemical phenomena. A PB film is deposited on the gold SPR sensing surface; the probe is submerged in 0.1 M KNO3 in a tube terminated with a porous vycor frit. The isolated PB half-cell and a AgCl-coated Ag wire are placed in a beaker containing 0.1 M KNO3 and connected by a variable battery. Addition of chloride to the bulk solution changes the potential of the AgCl wire, which induces a change in the PB film that can be observed using SPR. A change in chloride concentration of 40 mM can be detected using this system. # 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Inequality, the welfare system and satisfaction with democracy in South Korea

In an emerging democracy one of the most important components of democratic consolidation is the public’s attitude toward democracy. In this regard, emerging democracies in the East Asian region po...
Innovative Management Pattern of University Students——Monitorial System

This paper analyzes the necessity of implementing monitorial system in our country's student management from the following aspects: university students' characteristics,school's actual situation,credit system reform and so on,and elaborates on the evalution and incentive mechanism of monitorial system.
Control of Protein Orientation on Gold Nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) have attracted much attention due to their potential applications in nanomedicine. While numerous studies have quantified biomolecular adsorption to Au NPs in terms of equilibrium binding constants, far less is known about biomolecular orientation on nanoparticle surfaces. In this study, the binding of the protein α-synuclein to citrate and (16-mercaptohexadecyl)trimethylammonium bromide (MTAB)-coated 12 nm Au NPs is examined by heteronuclear single quantum coherence NMR spectroscopy to provide site-specific measurements of protein–nanoparticle binding. Molecular dynamics simulations support the orientation assignments, which show N-terminus binding to the Au NP for citrate-capped NPs and C-terminus binding for the MTAB-capped NPs.
Theories of Electrolyte Solutions

The systematic study of electrolyte solutions by van’t Hoff and Arrhenius (1887) established physical chemistry as a scientific discipline. Electrolytes are important not only in solution chemistry and in the chemistry of electrode processes, but also in geochemistry and oceanography and in many areas of biophysics and biochemistry. “Salt solutions”, as they are often referred to by chemists, are ubiquitous; they are easily handled in the laboratory and their properties accurately measured. Reams of experimental data on these solutions have been collected but their explanation and correlation in terms of the molecular (or microscopic) properties of the system continue to present major challenges to theoretical chemists. This has also lead to the formulation of sophisticated new techniques in statistical mechanics and the extensive use of computer simulation to study ionic fluids.
Differential wind dispersal of cladoceran ephippia in a rock pool metacommunity

Dispersal connects patches within metapopulations and is crucial to the persistence of many species, particularly those living in discontinuous habitat. Rock pools are excellent habitats in which to study dispersal in time as well as space, because many of the organisms that live within them make resistant long-lived dormant stages, they are often abundant, and they are easy to sample. The rock pools on Appledore Island, Gulf of Maine, USA, are home to several cladocerans, including Moina macrocopa and Daphnia pulex × pulicaria hybrids. Both taxa exist in extremely high abundances in some pools and make diapausing eggs enclosed in ephippia that are dispersed in time by hatching long after they are produced, and are also known to spatially disperse via pool overflows and by adhering to gulls. I hypothesized that ephippia of both taxa would also be spatially dispersed by wind. I found that while Moina are present in more pools, more abundant in those pools, and produce more ephippia, many more Daphnia ephippia dispersed into traps placed around the island. This may be explained, in part, by differences in the buoyancy of ephippia between the two species. A higher propensity to disperse may result in Daphnia relying more heavily on the spatial context of rock pools than Moina.
Network requirements for resource disaggregation

Traditional datacenters are designed as a collection of servers, each of which tightly couples the resources required for computing tasks. Recent industry trends suggest a paradigm shift to a disaggregated datacenter (DDC) architecture containing a pool of resources, each built as a standalone resource blade and interconnected using a network fabric.A key enabling (or blocking) factor for disaggregation will be the network - to support good application-level performance it becomes critical that the network fabric provide low latency communication even under the increased traffic load that disaggregation introduces. In this paper, we use a workload-driven approach to derive the minimum latency and bandwidth requirements that the network in disaggregated datacenters must provide to avoid degrading application-level performance and explore the feasibility of meeting these requirements with existing system designs and commodity networking technology.