cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Similarities and Differences between the Halstead-Reitan and Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Batteries

Chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9, provide a review of the relationships between the two major standard neuropsychological test batteries; the Halstead-Reitan (HRB) and the Luria-Nebraska (LNNB). Such a review can serve several purposes. Because the LNNB is a relatively new procedure and the HRB an established one, a high degree of concordance between the two procedures would aid in establishing the concurrent validity of the LNNB. The clinician wishing to do standardized neuropsychological assessment may want to know the relative advantages and disadvantages of the two procedures. Furthermore, the clinician who maintains access to both procedures may require information regarding the type of patient or assessment situation that gives the advantage to one battery over the other. Finally, if both batteries have comparable validity, reliability, and sophistication with regard to the drawing of interpretive inferences, then cost-effectiveness may become an issue, with the more economic procedure becoming the one of choice.
Adaptive Radiation, Dispersal, and Diversification of the Hawaiian Lobeliads

Molecular data provide several key insights into the origin and diversification of the Hawaiian lobeliads, which comprise one-ninth of the flora of the most isolated archipelago on earth. Soon after colonizing the Hawaiian chain from elsewhere in the Southern hemisphere, this group radiated into four major clades, adapted to bogs and other open, wet high-elevation habitats, to inland outcrops and rock walls, to sea cliffs and dry forest, and to rain- and cloud-forest edges and interiors. Woodiness and bird pollination arose long before the lobeliads arrived in Hawaii; fleshy fruits evolved autochthonously in moist to wet forests, and were lost on sea cliffs. Limited seed dispersal (associated with fleshy fruits in forest-interior plants) appears to have triggered substantial speciation in the genus Cyanea, and helped generate convergent radiations in flower length, elevational distribution, and plant height on each of the four major islands. Some of the processes that accelerated speciation in Cyanea —such as limited seed dispersal, narrow ranges, and highly specialized flowers — also appear to have increased the likelihood of extinction. The roles of adaptive radiation vis-a-vis limited dispersal and sexual selection in promoting speciation in other groups (African rift-lake cichlids, coral reef fish, lilies and their relatives) are also discussed, with special reference to the phenomena of convergent adaptive radiations and of visual selection. Natural enemies may exert stronger density-dependent mortality on their hosts under rainier, more humid, warmer, and less seasonal conditions, and help create strong ecological gradients in plant species diversity within the tropics. Adaptive radiation may thus have interacted synergistically with several processes to generate the taxonomic richness and ecological diversity of the largest clade in the Hawaiian flora.
A flow cytometric crossmatch test using endothelial precursor cells isolated from peripheral blood

Flow cytometric crossmatch tests provide a donor-specific, cell based method for the detection of alloreactive antibodies in the sera of transplant patients. Conventional crossmatch tests used in solid organ transplantation utilize lymphocytes as target cells to detect the presence of alloreactive HLA antibodies. Isolation of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs) from peripheral blood now allows testing for antibodies reactive with non-HLA endothelial cell antigens.
A Study of Country of Manufacturer Impact on Consumer Perceptions

This study investigates the importance of country of manufacture (COM) information to U.S. consumers when purchasing a variety of different goods and services. The impact of COM information on consumer perceptions of product quality, price and risk level are also presented. Finally, profiles of consumers sensitive to COM information and predisposed toward expanded trade with the People’s Republic of China are presented.
(Emotion-centered) problem-solving therapy: An update

Problem‐solving therapy (PST) is a psychosocial intervention, typically considered to be a member of the cognitive and behaviour therapies family, and is based on a biopsychosocial, diathesis‐stres...
Porous hydrophobic-hydrophilic composite membranes for direct contact membrane distillation

Abstract Direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) for desalination is attractive for high salt concentrations if low-cost steam/waste heat is available and waste brine disposal cost for inland desalination is factored in. A number of innovations have taken place in DCMD in terms of the structure of the porous hydrophobic membrane. Composite membranes are of increasing interest. Composite membrane structures of great interest include a thin hydrophobic porous layer over a porous hydrophilic layer of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) or a thin porous hydrophobic layer over a more conventional hydrophobic porous membrane. These membranes can be in the form of an integral composite or a stacked composite or a laminated composite. A facile method of fabricating such integral composite membranes is plasma polymerization under vacuum. A class of such membranes yielding quite high water vapor fluxes have been characterized using a variety of characterization techniques: Contact angle, liquid entry pressure (LEP), bubble-point pressure, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), atomic force microscopy (AFM). Stacked composites of a hydrophobic ePTFE membrane over a hydrophilic PVDF membrane or a hydrophobic PVDF membrane over another hydrophobic PVDF membrane were also studied. Novel conditions created lead to very high water vapor fluxes compared to those from conventional hydrophobic membranes supported on a mesh support.
Are lignin-derived carbon fibers graphitic enough?

Single component lignin-derived carbon fibers have been under development for many years, but strength properties are still inferior to those of commercial carbon fibers. The extent of graphitization is an overlooked limitation to lignin-derived carbon fiber development, particularly for high-modulus fibers treated at high temperatures. The tensile moduli of commercial carbon fibers increase with temperature during graphitization, however, lignin-derived carbon fiber moduli stay the same or decrease. This review exposes the inability of lignin-derived carbon fibers to graphitize in a manner similar to commercial carbon fibers, thereby providing rationale for the aforementioned discrepancy in tensile moduli-temperature trends and offering possible tangible future areas of research and development.
Casino Gaming in the U.S.: Past, Present, and Future

The casino segment of the hospitality industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. As a result, many academics and practitioners alike cannot stay abreast of developments in the field. The author addresses the situation by providing an overview of casino development in the United States from an historical perspective, a review of current developments, and some predictions about the future.
Equivariant perturbation in Gomory and Johnson’s infinite group problem. VI. The curious case of two-sided discontinuous minimal valid functions

Abstract We construct a two-sided discontinuous piecewise linear minimal valid cut-generating function for the 1-row Gomory–Johnson model which is not extreme, but which is not a convex combination of other piecewise linear minimal valid functions. The new function only admits piecewise microperiodic perturbations. We present an algorithm for verifying certificates of non-extremality in the form of such perturbations.
Layer upon Layer: Mao-Era History and the Construction of China’s Agricultural Heritage

Chinese scientists and scholars are actively engaged in a transnational movement to preserve agricultural heritage. The author places this current phenomenon in historical context to explore the ch...
Johnny's Journey Toward Usable Secure Email

Since the publication of "Why Johnny Can't Encrypt,"10 there has been interest in creating usable, secure email that is adoptable by the general public. In this article, we summarize research from the usable-security community on this topic, identify open problems, and call for more research on usable key management.
Cost-Benefit Analysis of Discretionary Wars

Policy-makers should perform a cost-benefit analysis before initiating a war. This article describes a methodology for such assessment, and applies it post hoc to five military actions undertaken b...
Manufacturing biological medicines on demand: Safety and efficacy of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in a mouse model of total body irradiation.

Protein therapeutics, also known as biologics, are currently manufactured at centralized facilities according to rigorous protocols. The manufacturing process takes months and the delivery of the biological products needs a cold chain. This makes it less responsive to rapid changes in demand. Here, we report on technology application for on-demand biologics manufacturing (Bio-MOD) that can produce safe and effective biologics from cell-free systems at the point of care without the current challenges of long-term storage and cold-chain delivery. The objective of the current study is to establish proof-of-concept safety and efficacy of Bio-MOD-manufactured granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in a mouse model of total body irradiation at a dose estimated to induce 30% lethality within the first 30 days postexposure. To illustrate on-demand Bio-MOD production feasibility, histidine-tagged G-CSF was manufactured daily under good manufacturing practice-like conditions prior to administration over a 16-day period. Bio-MOD-manufactured G-CSF improved 30-day survival when compared with saline alone (p = .073). In addition to accelerating recovery from neutropenia, the platelet and hemoglobin nadirs were significantly higher in G-CSF-treated animals compared with saline-treated animals (p < .05). The results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of consistently manufacturing safe and effective on-demand biologics suitable for real-time release.
Therapeutic Potential of Lebrikizumab in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing skin condition with a wide disease spectrum. Moderate-to-severe cases often need systemic treatment. Conventional immunosuppressants have extensive side effect profiles and require close monitoring. In recent decades, there has been increasing interest in developing targeted systemic immunomodulators for AD, as they have been shown to have efficacy for AD as well as favorable safety profiles. Herein, we review the recent data on lebrikizumab, an interleukin (IL)-13 inhibitor, and its potential role in the treatment of AD. Objective Review the mechanism of action, and available data on the efficacy and safety of lebrikizumab for the treatment of AD. Methods PubMed, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov searches were performed with the following terms: "atopic dermatitis," "dermatitis," "eczema," "lebrikizumab," "IL-4," and "IL-13." Results Two Phase II randomized controlled clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate the use of lebrikizumab in a total of 289 patients with moderate-severe AD and inadequate response to topical corticosteroids. Patients treated with lebrikizumab experienced significantly more improvement in their AD compared to placebo, as measured by Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)-50 and EASI-75 scores, pruritus scores, and reduction in body surface area (BSA). Its clinical efficacy appears to be dose-dependent, and it has a favorable side effect profile and is generally well tolerated. Conclusion Lebrikizumab appears to be a promising emerging targeted biologic for the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD. Further Phase III studies investigating optimal dosing regimens and safety profile are needed.
Paper Trails: My Letters, My Mother, My Anthropology

During doctoral research in India, between June 1979 and March 1981, I wrote, often twice a week, to my mother, Ruth M. Grodzins, in Chicago. She saved these letters more or less in chronological order by attaching each one to a sheet of notebook paper in a bulging three-ring binder. Approximately forty years later I peruse them gingerly, with mixed feelings. Some of the letters’ content is nearly identical with the ethnographic writing that emerged from my first fieldwork and holds no surprises. Some of them recall fraught interpersonal hassles in all their immediate anguish. These later resolved themselves so thoroughly I totally forgot all about the incidents that, at the time, as evidenced in my letters and daily diary, had consumed me. However, to a retired anthropologist looking back on her first fieldwork, the best parts of these letters are their evocations of intensely experienced discoveries as well as of everyday pleasures, preoccupations and relationships.
War Work and Integrated Analysis: Ernst Kris and E.H. Gombrich in Exile

This chapter explores the work of the psychoanalyst Ernst Kris and the art historian E.H. Gombrich during the Second World War. It traces links between their work and the integrated analyses of social scientists such as Robert S. Lynd. Kris, Gombrich, Lynd, and their wider circle sought not only to join several disciplines from the humanities and the social sciences but also to bridge the pursuit of scholarship to participation in the war effort. During the war, Kris and Gombrich applied integrated research to the analysis of propaganda. Lynd served as an advisor to wartime projects organized by John Marshall and the Rockefeller Foundation, including a book on German propaganda co-authored by Kris. The projects pursued by Kris, Gombrich, and Lynd provided a foundation for similar efforts at intellectual integration after the war.
Babylon Revisited: Reestablishing a Corps of Specialists for the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict

During World War II, the Allied militaries intuitively understood the significance of historic buildings, monuments, and works of art scattered across the battlefields of Europe. Although it took years of planning and preparation, the formation of a special branch of the military dedicated to the protection, preservation, and restitution of cultural property reflected the importance the Allies placed on preserving Europe’s cultural heritage for subsequent generations. Unfortunately, after dedicating the resources to create the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives Branch and to establish a corps of specialists trained to advise commanders on the protection of cultural property, the U.S. military allowed the capability to dissipate in the years after the war. Events in Iraq dramatically highlighted the enduring need to protect and preserve cultural property in armed conflict. The military’s lamentable record of protection in Iraq, however, never precipitated the institutional changes needed to prevent the same issues from arising again. Ultimately, adequately safeguarding and protecting cultural property in future conflicts will require the military’s recommitment to the ideals it embraced when it fielded and supported the “Monuments Men” of World War II.
The Cooperation Between NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering and Sapienza University of Rome

This chapter summarizes international programs in Engineering between New York University and Sapienza University of Rome.
Auditory collusion and a coupled couple of outer hair cells

The discrepancies between measured frequency responses of the basilar membrane in the inner ear and the frequency tuning found in psychophysical experiments led to Bekesy's idea of lateral inhibition in the auditory nervous system. We now know that basilar membrane tuning can account for neural tuning, and that sharpening of the passive travelling wave depends on the mechanical activity of outer hair cells (OHCs)3, but the mechanism by which OHCs enhance tuning remains unclear. OHCs generate voltage-dependent length changes at acoustic rates, which deform the cochlear partition. Here we use an electrical correlate of OHC mechanical activity, the motility-related gating current, to investigate mechano-electrical interactions among adjacent OHCs. We show that the motility caused by voltage stimulation of one cell in a group evokes gating currents in adjacent OHCs. The resulting polarization in adjacent cells is opposite to that within the stimulated cell, which may be indicative of lateral inhibition. Also such interactions promote distortion and suppression in the electrical and, consequently, the mechanical activity of OHCs. Lateral interactions may provide a basis for enhanced frequency selectivity in the basilar membrane of mammals.
On Trans-Saharan Trails: Islamic Law, Trade Networks, and Cross-Cultural Exchange in Nineteenth-Century Western Africa

1. Making history across the African divide 2. Trans-Saharan trade in the longue duree 3. Markets and the movement of caravans: nineteenth-century developments 4. Guelmim and the Wad Nun traders 5. The organization of caravan trade 6. Business practice and legal culture in a paper economy of faith 7. Trade networks and the limits of cooperative behavior 8. On trans-Saharan trails.
MIDLIFE AND OLDER LGBT ADULTS: KNOWLEDGE AND AFFIRMATIVE PRACTICE FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES By Ski Hunter

I begin this review as I ended that of Gay and Lesbian Aging: Research and Future Directions, edited by Herdt and deVries (2004; review, Blank, 2006): As with the inclusion of other groups and othe...
Lateral skull base Inflammatory pseudotumor: A systematic review.

Objective Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) of the lateral skull base is a rare nonneoplastic inflammatory process of unknown cause often mistaken for malignancy or infection. This systematic review aims to analyze all reported cases of lateral skull base IPT to date in order to provide insight into the management of this uncommon lesion. Data Sources MEDLINE/PubMed database. Review Methods The MEDLINE/PubMed databases were searched for articles related to lateral skull base IPT. A bibliography review of the search results was then performed for additional articles. Demographics, presentation, radiographic findings, treatment, follow-up, and outcome were analyzed. Results Thirty articles describing 39 patients were reviewed. The most common presenting symptom was hearing loss (53.8%). The mastoid bone had the highest incidence of IPT (61.5%). Computed tomography (CT) was the most utilized imaging modality. The lesion appeared isointense on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (75.0%) and hypointense on T2-weighted MRI (62.5%). Histopathological analysis showed fibrosis (96.9%) with inflammatory cell infiltration (100.0%). Surgical resection (alone or in combination with other treatments) was the most common treatment modality (92.3%), producing the greatest number of disease-free patients overall (96.0%). The mean follow-up time was 21.6 months, at which point 34.4% of patients showed improvement and 31.3% were completely disease-free. Conclusion This review is the most comprehensive analysis of lateral skull base IPT to date. A thorough workup including clinical exam, imaging, and biopsy is essential for diagnosis. Surgical excision is the most common and most successful treatment modality, followed by surgery with corticosteroids. Laryngoscope, 125:2593–2600, 2015
A solid-state external lighting system modification for the KC-135

This paper documents the development and demonstration of a solid-state NVIS-friendly visible and near-IR external lighting system modification for the KC-135. The system addresses current needs of tanker aircraft during night air-toair refueling operations, and consists of solid-state visible and near-IR light-emitting diode based programmable replacements for selected existing incandescent lights on the exterior of the aircraft. The system utilizes a novel means of controlling output modes from light fixtures, is rapidly installable at the unit level, and entails only form-fit replacement of existing controls and light fixtures while utilizing only existing mounting provisions and wiring in the aircraft. Although the current design is specific to the KC-135, the system principle is applicable for installation or retrofit to any aircraft. The genesis of the concept, component design, integration on a KC-135 test aircraft platform, and the results of ground demonstration assessment are described.
Activities of Na2O in CaO-based slags used for dephosphorization of steel.

The activity of Na2O in CaO-based slags has been measured employing a galvanic cell technique with a β-Al2O3 solid electrolyte. The iso-activity lines for Na2O were obtained over the liquidus composition range in the CaO–Na2O–SiO2 system at 1 400°C. The activity of Na2O in CaO–based slag is strongly controlled by the SiO2 content in slag and the activity coefficient of Na2O increases as the CaO content increases. The activity of Na2O in a 50%CaO–40%Al2O3–10%SiO2 (typical ladle slag composition) is extremely high. At a Na2O concentration of about 8 wt% in this slag, the activity of Na2O is nearly equal to that of 50wt%Na2O–SiO2 slag at the same temperature. The Richardson solution model fits the experimental data well and this model was used to compute the activity of CaO in these systems. The addition of Na2O significantly increases the activity of CaO.
Reactivity to laboratory stress provocation predicts relapse to cocaine

Background Cocaine dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by periods of abstinence and high rates of return to drug using behavior. Elevated levels of stress have been associated with relapse to cocaine; however, the nature of this association is not well understood.
Ultrastructure of mammalian venous capillaries, venules, and small collecting veins.

A combination of light microscopical and electron microscopical techniques were used in this investigation of the venous drainage system of the subdermal microvessels of rabbit skin. The vessels were sectioned longitudinally to facilitate analysis of different segments of the venules. By using as criteria the luminal diameter, the perivascular elements, and the relationship of the vessel to the local vascular pattern, the venous part of the microcirculatory bed is divided into the following segments. (a) Venous capillary: capillaries with a diameter of up to about 8 μ which can be identified as being continuous with the larger postcapillary venules. The endothelium is usually thin, and occasionally displays fenestrations. Occasional pericytes occur. The ratio of luminal diameter to vascular wall thickness is about 20:1. (b) Postcapillary venule: microvessels with a diameter of about 8–30 μ , continuous with venous capillaries. With increasing luminal diameter, these vessels show a gradual increase in the number of pericytes and veil cells (fibroblasts). The ratio of luminal diameter to vascular wall thickness averages 10:1. (c) Collecting venule: 30–50 μ . Vessels with one complete layer of pericytes and a complete layer of veil cells. Occasional primitive smooth muscle cells occur. The ratio of luminal diameter to vascular wall thickness is 30:1. (d) Muscular venule: 50–100 μ . Nearly all periendothelial cells are smooth muscle cells that overlap and sometimes form two layers. Myoendothelial junctions occur, but are rare. The ratio of luminal diameter to vascular wall thickness is 50:1. (e) Small collecting veins: 100–300 μ . Vessels with a prominent media consisting of continuous layers of smooth muscle cells. The ratio of luminal diameter to vascular wall thickness averages about 100:1.
Do Holiness Sects Socialize in Dominant Values

Exception is taken to the adequacy of the prevailing sociological view that the function of Holiness religion is to offer underprivileged groups an emotional and other-worldly escape from the realities that beset them. This article presents evidence for the view that Holiness religion may also function as an agency of the socialization of the lower class in the dominant values of American society.
Pore size distribution in an uncompacted equilibrated ordinary chondrite

Abstract The extraordinarily uncompacted nature of the ordinary L chondrite fall Baszkowka gives a unique opportunity to investigate the potentially pre-compaction pore size distribution in an equilibrated ordinary chondrite. Using X-ray microtomography and helium pycnometry on two samples of Baszkowka, we have found that on average, two-thirds of the 19.0% porosity resides in inter- and intra-granular voids with volumes between ∼3×10 −5 and 3 mm 3 . We show the cumulative number density of pore volumes observable by X-ray microtomography obeys a power law distribution function in this equilibrated ordinary chondrite. We foresee these data adding to our understanding of the impact processing of chondrites and their parent asteroids, where porosity and pore size play significant roles in the parameterization of impact events.
Business Communication What Does It Include

There are many unanswered questions about content in the business communi cations course. This study on the subject (performed in the state colleges of California in November, 1970) is particularly...
Jugular bulb catheterization does not increase intracranial pressure.

Cerebral venous monitoring through jugular bulb catheterization (JBC) allows assessment of global oxygen delivery adequacy. Because of concern that venous obstruction by catheterization may cause or exacerbate intracranial hypertension, physicians are reluctant to puncture this vessel in brain-injured patients. We evaluated the impact of JBC on intracranial pressure (ICP). 37 consecutive pediatric patients with jugular bulb catheters and ICP monitoring were studied. ICP was monitored in 28 patients during JBC. Also immediately after JBC and daily thereafter the contralateral, ipsilateral, and bilateral jugular veins were compressed in all 37 patients to assess patency of these vessels. Change in ICP was noted. If ICP increased more than 5 torr, compression was stopped. Preinsertion ICP was 17.3±5.1 and postinsertion 17.2±5.1 torr. The maximum rise in ICP was 2 torr in a single patient while 6 others had a decrease in ICP. 120 compression tests were performed. Compression ipsilateral to the catheter caused the ICP to rise from 16.0±4.3 to 18.4±4.4 torr, and in contralateral compression 15.9±4.2 to 17.0±4.4. Neither the duration of catheterization nor the precompression ICP correlated with the rise in ICP. These data revealed no evidence of jugular venous obstruction in the catheterized vessel. We conclude that JBC can be performed in patients without aggravating and elevated ICP.
Sympathetic Blocks of the Upper Extremity and Their Complications

Sympathetic blocks of the upper extremity are widely employed in pain management clinics for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons, often in patients with suspected reflex sympathetic dystrophy and causalgia (complex regional pain syndrome, types I and II). The most common approach to the cervical sympathetic block (C6 paratracheal approach) often fails to block the stellate ganglion, which is located at the level of the T1 vertebral body. Computerized tomography (CT)-guided techniques at the level of T1 or T2-T3 are useful to block the stellate ganglion and the sympathetic innervation to the arm. Additional techniques, such as intravenous bretylium Bier blocks and intravenous phentolamine, an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker have been employed to achieve a sympathetic block of the arm. All of these techniques have sideeffects and potential complications, some of which can be serious or even fatal. Therefore, a risk/benefit analysis of the expected outcome should be made before a patient is subjected to these sympathetic block procedures. The relevant anatomy, techniques, and complications of each technique are described in this article.
In vitro assembly of the mouse U14 snoRNP core complex and identification of a 65-kDa box C/D-binding protein

The eukaryotic nucleolus contains a diverse population of small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) that have been categorized into two major families based on evolutionarily conserved sequence elements. U14 snoRNA is a member of the larger, box C/D snoRNA family and possesses nucleotide box C and D consensus sequences. In previous studies, we have defined a U14 box C/D core motif that is essential for intronic U14 snoRNA processing. These studies also revealed that nuclear proteins that recognize boxes C/D are required. We have now established an in vitro U14 snoRNP assembly system to characterize protein binding. Electrophoretic mobility-shift analysis demonstrated that all the sequences and structures of the box C/D core motif required for U14 processing are also necessary for protein binding and snoRNP assembly. These required elements include a base paired 5',3' terminal stem and the phylogenetically conserved nucleotides of boxes C and D. The ability of other box C/D snoRNAs to compete for protein binding demonstrated that the box C/D core motif-binding proteins are common to this family of snoRNAs. UV crosslinking of nuclear proteins bound to the U14 core motif identified a 65-kDa mouse snoRNP protein that requires boxes C and D for binding. Two additional core motif proteins of 55 and 50 kDa were also identified by biochemical fractionation of the in vitro-assembled U14 snoRNP complex. Thus, the U14 snoRNP core complex is a multiprotein particle whose assembly requires nucleotide boxes C and D.
Inhibition of Thioredoxin Reductase Potentiates Paraquat-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Neurotoxicity in N27 Dopaminergic Cells

Previous work in the lab has shown that isolated brain mitochondria rapidly consume exogenously added H2O2 and inhibition of the Trx/Prx system by Auranofin inhibits this H2O2 consumption up to 80%. Inhibition of thioredoxin reductase potentiates paraquat-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and neurotoxicity in N27 dopaminergic cells Pamela Lopert and Manisha Patel Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO 80045
Clustering Millions of Tandem Mass Spectra

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments often generate redundant data sets containing multiple spectra of the same peptides. Clustering of MS/MS spectra takes advantage of this redundancy by identifying multiple spectra of the same peptide and replacing them with a single representative spectrum. Analyzing only representative spectra results in significant speed-up of MS/MS database searches. We present an efficient clustering approach for analyzing large MS/MS data sets (over 10 million spectra) with a capability to reduce the number of spectra submitted to further analysis by an order of magnitude. The MS/MS database search of clustered spectra results in fewer spurious hits to the database and increases number of peptide identifications as compared to regular nonclustered searches. Our open source software MS-Clustering is available for download at http://peptide.ucsd.edu or can be run online at http://proteomics.bioprojects.org/MassSpec.
Cholesterol dissolution rate in micellar bile acid solutions: retarding effect of added lecithin.

In vitro studies on the dissolution rate of cholesterol monohydrate crystals in micellar bile acid solutions showed that the addition of lecithin decreases the dissolution rate even though lecithin increases the equilibrium solubility of cholesterol in these solutions. The reduction in rates caused by lecithin was attributed to a large crystal-solution interfacial barrier. An effective permeability coefficient for the interfacial barrier was calculated to be around 1.5 x 10 -5 centimeter per second for the transport of cholesterol molecules.
Network coding aware resource allocation to improve throughput

In the past decade, remarkable progress has been made in the area of network coding in terms of theory, code design, and applications. However, from a cross-layer perspective, the understanding of resource allocation for random network coding (RNC) and its impact on network throughput has been limited. In this article we address the problem of resource allocation for RNC in a general wireless network, using the recent framework that models the dynamics of RNC using a system of differential equations. Based on this framework, we design a gradient algorithm that can be used to improve a variety of throughput objectives.
Phase diagrams for coupled spin-gauge systems

Using Monte Carlo techniques, we study ${Z}_{N}$ lattice gauge theory coupled to a Higgs field represented by spins situated on the lattice sites. We present phase diagrams for the ${Z}_{2}$ and ${Z}_{6}$ theories with Higgs field in the fundamental representation of the gauge group and for ${Z}_{6}$ gauge theory coupled to ${Z}_{3}$ Higgs fields.
A Self-tuning Scientific Framework using Model-Driven Engineering for Heterogeneous Execution Platforms

This article presents an ongoing work towards the extension of Sm@rtConfig -- a dynamic scheduling tool with self-tuning load-balancing functionalities targeting CPUs, GPUs, and other co-processors. This extension is based on the introduction of a high-level modeling phase for scientific applications. These applications are commonly complex, use (heterogeneous) high performance execution platforms, and require stakeholders of several disciplines. This way, it is important to raise abstraction level in earlier stages of development in order to deal with such complexities in an efficient way. By using Model-Driven Engineering, we propose an approach to transform Sm@rtConfig into a scientific framework comprising requirements engineering up to code generation for the target Processing Unit in which a task is scheduled at runtime. We advocate that our envisioned methodology facilitates not just cross-stakeholders development, but also replication of experimentations by the research community.
Anomalous behavior of blazed gratings.

A numerical integration method based on Kirchhoff’s diffraction integral is used to determine the approximate location and shape of so-called anomalies of a blazed grating in both polarizations. Although a scalar theory is used, the phase shift on reflection accounts for the differences in polarization. Multiple diffraction within the single grating groove accounts for the anomalous behavior. The theory is compared with new experimental data on two microwave gratings.
Reformulation of the Brouwer Geopotential Theory for Improved Computational Efficiency

The theory, as derived by Brouwer and later modified by Lyddane, of the motion of an artificial Earth satellite perturbed by the first five zonal harmonics is reformulated in terms of an alternate set of variables. This alternate set of variables produces an equivalent solution, has no small eccentricity or small inclination restrictions, and allows calculation of position and velocity with considerably fewer algebraic and trigonometric operations. In addition, the alternate set of variables avoids one solution of Kepler's equation.
A two-parameter nondiffusive heat conduction model for data analysis in pump-probe experiments

Nondiffusive heat transfer has attracted intensive research interests in last 50 years because of its importance in fundamental physics and engineering applications. It has unique features that cannot be described by the Fourier law. However, current studies of nondiffusive heat transfer still focus on studying the effective thermal conductivity within the framework of the Fourier law due to a lack of a well-accepted replacement. Here, we show that nondiffusive heat conduction can be characterized by two inherent material properties: a diffusive thermal conductivity and a ballistic transport length. We also present a two-parameter heat conduction model and demonstrate its validity in different pump-probe experiments. This model not only offers new insights of nondiffusive heat conduction but also opens up new avenues for the studies of nondiffusive heat transfer outside the framework of the Fourier law.
Bubble behaviors in a slowly rotating helium dewar in a Gravity Probe-B spacecraft experiment

Potential problems for the Gravity Probe-B (GP-B) spacecraft design requirements and the operational considerations could arise because of the free surface configurations between liquid helium and helium vapor in the rotating dewar. This free surface is present in the partially filled liquid helium dewar. The liquid helium in the dewar is depleted as it is consumed as propellant for the spacecraft. In this study, the doughnut-shaped helium bubble equilibrium profiles in the rotating dewar have been numerically calculated. These calculations were performed under the conditions imposed during the period of the GP-B experiment instrument calibration (gyro spinup period) and also during the normal operational stages of the GP-B spacecraft.
Endodontic cellulitis ‘flare-up’. Case report

Endodontic cellulitis involves facial swelling which can vary from mild to severe and can occur as a primary case or a flare-up following initial treatment of asymptomatic teeth with periapical lesions. The microbial spectrum in primary cases involves a significant mixture of anaerobic and facultative aerobic microbes, chiefly streptococci. In a previous study, cultures from flare-up cases, utilizing the same anaerobic techniques as in primary cases, revealed an absence of obligate anaerobes and an 80 per cent incidence of facultative aerobic streptococci. These cases also revealed a significant time lapse from onset of symptoms to the cellulitis phase. No sex or age factors were noted in the primary or flare-up cases. The purpose of this case report is to restate a traditional theory, namely, the alteration of the oxidation/reduction potential (Eh), as a major factor for endodontic cellulitis flare-ups; to confirm the pathogenic potential of oral facultative streptococci; and that asymptomatic endodontic lesions tend to exist with mixed aerobic/anaerobic microbial flora.
U.S. Geological Survey Assessment 2000: Estimates of undiscovered oil and gas resources for the world

Abstract Worldwide supply of oil and natural gas is ultimately linked to the geologic abundance and distribution of those fossil fuels. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has completed a new assessment of the technically recoverable undiscovered oil and gas resources of the world. Nearly 1000 provinces were defined and known petroleum resources exist in 406 of these. A total of 76 priority provinces, containing over 95 percent of the world's known oil and gas, and 52 “boutique”;, or prospective, provinces were assessed. Based upon our initial analyses, several observations are clear. First, our estimates of total undiscovered technically recoverable petroleum (oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids) resources do not differ greatly (+9.5 percent) from the world totals determined in the 1994 USGS world assessment. However, our estimates of undiscovered oil are up considerably (+24.3 percent), and the regional distribution differs significantly from previous estimates. Secondly, estimates of global undiscovere...
The effects of the inhibition of connexin 43 on pre-osteoblasts and their response to mechanical stimulation

It is well established that bone can adapt to the demands of daily mechanical usage. Mechanical loading can result in bone formation depending on the magnitude, duration, and frequency. Unloading, which can occur during bed rest, micro-gravity exposure and a variety of clinical conditions, can result in bone resorption. In vitro studies have demonstrated that osteoblasts and osteocytes respond to mechanical stimulation, especially oscillatory fluid shear stress. Mechano-responses have included increases in inter- and intra-cellular communication through gap junctions and soluble factors such as nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 [1]. Bone cell gap junctions are primarily comprised of connexin 43 (Cx43). Mice lacking Cx43 have an osteopenic phenotype and when subjected to cyclic 4 pt. bending loads have an increased tibia bone marrow area [2, 3]. These observations may represent altered cell signaling. To investigate the role of Cx43 in cell signaling and bone mechanotransduction the Cx43 gene was silenced in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells subjected to oscillatory fluid shear stress.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Fabrication and performance of silicon immersion gratings for infrared spectroscopy

Silicon immersion gratings open up the possibility of compact infrared spectrometers with high throughput, high spectral resolution, and extensive instantaneous coverage. The performance of the diffraction gratings that we have been developing over the past 15 years has reached the level where it can exceed that of commercially available diffraction gratings. We have produced science-grade immersion grating echelles with coarsely spaced grooves on silicon substrates appropriate for applications in the near-infrared (1.1-5μm). Devices in the current generation have excellent throughput (60%-80%) and display diffraction-limited performance over apertures of 20 mm or more. Tests of the gratings done in reflection are in good agreement with tests done in immersion. We assess the current state of the silicon grating technology as well as discuss further developments necessary for making gratings on larger silicon substrates.
Response of the Mitotic Spindle to Mechanical Force

Cell division is an inherently mechanical process, from chromosome congression, error correction and segregation to furrow ingression. Although the molecules involved in cell division are becoming better characterized, surprisingly little is known about the underlying mechanical principles and interactions. The spindle is a complex assembly and its response to mechanical force should yield insight into its structure, the mechanisms governing its shape and size, and how forces are transmitted from the spindle apparatus to the chromosomes. Here, we develop an assay to mechanically flatten mitotic spindles in live mammalian cells and use fluorescence microscopy to monitor the response of the microtubule cytoskeleton and kinetochores. We show that, upon flattening, the spindle deforms asymmetrically: it widens rapidly as the kinetochore-microtubule bundles pivot around the poles, and lengthens slowly in a tubulin polymerization-dependent manner. Interestingly, spindle length can double reversibly under the mechanical perturbation, providing insight into spindle size determination. In addition, we find that kinetochore motion is robust to changes in spindle shape and size, and to forces resulting in drastic bends of kinetochore-microtubule bundles, suggesting that kinetochore motion is locally driven. Finally, the data point towards a framework where mechanical forces are locally transmitted and generated by the spindle and the method introduced provides a useful tool to probe mechanical interactions between spindle components.
Molecular structures of 4-nitro-, 4-methyl- and 4-chloro-pyridine-N-oxides

Abstract The molecular structures of 4-nitro-, 4-methyl- and 4-chloro-pyridine- N -oxides have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction. The structural parameters are obtained by least-squares fitting of the calculated molecular intensity functions to the observed intensities. A C 2v symmetry was assumed for 4-nitro- and 4-chloro-pyridine- N -oxides and C s for 4-methylpyridine- N -oxide. The deduced structural parameters are as follows: 4-nitropyridine- N -oxide; N 1 O 8 = 1.281 ± 0.022, N 7 O 13 = 1.262 (assumed), N 1 C 2 = 1.469 ± 0.066, C 2 C 3 = 1.386 ± 0.025, C 3 C 4 = 1.447 ± 0.019, C 4 N 7 = 1.628 ± 0.013, CH = 1.050 A (averaged); 4-methylpyridine- N -oxide; N 1 C 2 = 1.430 ± 0.034, C 2 C 3 = 1.354 ± 0.048, C 3 C 4 = 1.321 ± 0.062, C 4 C 7 = 1.577 ± 0.027, N 1 O 8 = 1.405, C 2 H 9 = 1.040, C 7 H 13 = 1.095 A; 4-chloropyridine- N -oxide; N 1 C 2 = 1.438 ± 0.017, C 2 C 3 = 1.363 ± 0.024, C 3 C 4 = 1.448 ± 0.027, N 1 O 8 = 1.262 ± 0.028, C 4 Cl 7 = 1.714 ± 0.025, CH = 1.10 A (averaged).
A mutational analysis of the active site loop residues in cis-3-Chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase.

cis-3-Chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase (cis-CaaD) from Pseudomonas pavonaceae 170 and a homologue from Corynebacterium glutamicum designated Cg10062 are 34% identical in sequence (54% similar). The former catalyzes a key step in a bacterial catabolic pathway for the nematocide 1,3-dichloropropene, whereas the latter has no known biological activity. Although Cg10062 has the six active site residues (Pro-1, His-28, Arg-70, Arg-73, Tyr-103, and Glu-114) that are critical for cis-CaaD activity, it shows only a low level cis-CaaD activity and lacks the specificity of cis-CaaD: Cg10062 processes both isomers of 3-chloroacrylate with a preference for the cis isomer. The basis for these differences is unknown, but a comparison of the crystal structures of the enzymes covalently modified by an adduct resulting from their incubation with the same inhibitor offers a possible explanation. A six-residue active site loop in cis-CaaD shows a conformation strikingly different from that observed in Cg10062: the loop close...
Cytochemical bioassay of circulating concentrations of rat parathyroid hormone: application to a study of age and sex.

We have found that the cytochemical bioassay (CBA) method, originally developed to measure circulating levels of biologically active parathyroid hormone (bioPTH) in humans, also can measure endogenous concentrations of PTH in rats. Therefore, we have applied this assay method to examine the relationships between age and sex and the circulating levels of bioPTH, calcium, and phosphorus in Fischer rats. The concentration of bioPTH increased in both males and females from 5 to 15 months of age (p less than .001) with no significant sex-related difference. Mean bioPTH values ranged from 2.3 to 3.6 pg (human PTH equivalents)/ml; these values were much lower (1 to 2 orders-of-magnitude) than those reported by others who used radioimmunoassays for PTH that do not discriminate between biologically active and inert PTH fragments. The CBA values for bioPTH were also 1/4-1/5 those obtained in rat serum by newer, more sensitive methods, the N-terminal specific PTH radioimmunoassay and the bioassay based on stimulation of chick renal adenylate cyclase. Regression analysis did not reveal any significant correlation between serum calcium and age. However, serum inorganic phosphorus decreased significantly (p less than .001) from 5 to 15 months of age in both male and female rats and was much lower in females than in males (p less than .001). The fall in serum phosphorus was negatively correlated with the rise in bioPTH (p less than .001). This study, the first to our knowledge to use a CBA to detect physiological changes in the circulating levels of bioPTH in rats, demonstrates the usefulness of the assay in experiments in this species.
The binary quantizer

The binary quantizer is a new device for translating a time-varying voltage into a binary number. Although primarily designed for computing work, this apparatus may find use where quantization of a continuously varying function is desired, as in pulse code modulators, automatic metering devices, and recording machines employing typed or printed numbers.