cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elucidation of insulin degrading enzyme catalyzed site specific hydrolytic cleavage of amyloid β peptide: a comparative density functional theory study

In this B3LYP study, the catalytic mechanisms for the hydrolysis of the three different peptide bonds (Lys28-Gly29, Phe19-Phe20, and His14-Gln15) of Alzheimer amyloid beta (Abeta) peptide by insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) have been elucidated. For all these peptides, the nature of the substrate was found to influence the structure of the active enzyme-substrate complex. The catalytic mechanism is proposed to proceed through the following three steps: (1) activation of the metal-bound water molecule, (2) formation of the gem-diol intermediate, and (3) cleavage of the peptide bond. With the computed barrier of 14.3, 18.8, and 22.3 kcal/mol for the Lys28-Gly29, Phe19-Phe20, and His14-Gln15 substrates, respectively, the process of water activation was found to be the rate-determining step for all three substrates. The computed energetics show that IDE is the most efficient in hydrolyzing the Lys28-Gly29 (basic polar-neutral nonpolar) peptide bond followed by the Phe19-Phe20 (neutral nonpolar-neutral nonpolar) and His14-Gln15 (basic polar-neutral polar) bonds of the Abeta substrate.
Prediction of Sorbent Performance in a Circulating Fluidized Bed Boiler Based on Petrographic Properties

A method for prediction of sorbent consumption is presented here and has been developed based on plant operating data for a boiler in which several limestone and dolostone products were tested under similar firing conditions. The method considers the characteristic partitioning of calcium and sulfur between the flyash and bottom ash stream for the boiler, the feed particle size distribution of the sorbent, and petrographic properties of the sorbents. The predictions of sorbent usage were compared to plant operating data for five sorbents, of two distinct petrographic types. The plant operating data used featured full load operation. The five sorbents tested were all from Pennsylvania, and each contained greater than 40 wt. % CaO. In four of the five cases, the predicted sorbent usage was within 10 wt. % of the average full load sorbent usage by the boiler.
Distributions and trends of serum lipid levels among United States children and adolescents ages 4-19 years: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Abstract Background. Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and progresses into adulthood. The reduction of cardiovascular risk factors, such as elevated serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, in childhood may reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in adulthood. Lipid distributions among children and adolescents were examined using the most recent nationally representative data. Methods. Data from 7,499 examinees in NHANES III (1988–1994) were used to estimate mean and percentile distributions of serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides in children and adolescents aged 4 to 19 years. The estimates were analyzed by age, sex, and race/ethnic groups. Trends in mean total cholesterol were examined for 12- to 17-year-olds using data from NHES III (1966–1970), NHANES I (1971–1974), and NHANES III (1988–1994). Results. For children and adolescents 4 to 19 years of age, the 95th percentile for serum total cholesterol was 216 mg/dL and the 75th percentile was 181 mg/dL. Mean age-specific total cholesterol levels peaked at 171 mg/dL at 9–11 years of age and fell thereafter. Females had significantly higher mean total cholesterol and LDL-C levels than did males ( P Conclusions. The findings provide a picture of the lipid distribution among U.S. children and adolescents and indicate that, like adults, adolescents have experienced a fall in total cholesterol levels. Total cholesterol levels in U.S. adolescents declined from the late 1960s to the early 1990s by an average of 7 mg/dL. This information is useful for planning programs targeting the prevention of cardiovascular disease beginning with the development of heathy lifestyles in childhood.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotypes reveal maternal population genetic affinities of Sea Island Gullah‐speaking African Americans

To better understand the population substructure of African Americans living in coastal South Carolina, we used restriction site polymorphisms and an insertion/deletion in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to construct seven-position haplotypes across 1,395 individuals from Sierra Leone, Africa, from U.S. European Americans, and from the New World African-derived populations of Jamaica, Gullah-speaking African Americans of the South Carolina Sea Islands (Gullahs), African Americans living in Charleston, South Carolina, and West Coast African Americans. Analyses showed a high degree of similarity within the New World African-derived populations, where haplotype frequencies and diversities were similar. Φ-statistics indicated that very little genetic differentiation has occurred within New World African-derived populations, but that there has been significant differentiation of these populations from Sierra Leoneans. Genetic distance estimates indicated a close relationship of Gullahs and Jamaicans with Sierra Leoneans, while African Americans living in Charleston and the West Coast were progressively more distantly related to the Sierra Leoneans. We observed low maternal European American admixture in the Jamaican and Gullah samples (m = 0.020 and 0.064, respectively) that increased sharply in a clinal pattern from Charleston African Americans to West Coast African Americans (m = 0.099 and 0.205, respectively). The appreciably reduced maternal European American admixture noted in the Gullah indicates that the Gullah may be uniquely situated to allow genetic epidemiology studies of complex diseases in African Americans with low European American admixture. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sommerfeld Integrals for Left-Handed Materials

We study the properties of left-handed materials (LHMs) with the precise help of Sommerfeld integrals. First we argue by energy conservation principles that LHM has to be a backward-wave material (BWM). Then we derive the equivalence of the loss and the Sommerfeld far-field radiation conditions for a BWM. Next, we solve the realistic Sommerfeld problem of a point source over an LHM half-space and an LHM slab. This analysis lends physical insight into the interaction of a point source field with an LHM, showing that super-resolution is possible with an LHM slab. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 42: 369–373, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.20307
Cocaine medications, cocaine consumption and societal costs.

Objective: To estimate the benefits of reduced cocaine consumption in terms of reduced societal costs resulting from the introduction of a medication for cocaine dependence with a small incremental treatment effect. Study design: Cost-benefit analysis is applied to study the implications of reduced cocaine consumption. A modelling approach extrapolates the magnitude of treatment effects. Methods: Epidemiological data on cocaine use and consumption as well as economic methods of cost-benefit analysis are utilised. Estimates of societal costs associated with heavy users of cocaine, who are most likely addicted and in need of immediate treatment, are developed using 1995 data. Main outcome measures and results: In the first analysis, a postulated 1% reduction in consumption of cocaine among heavy users is examined to approximate a small treatment effect, resulting in a minimal consumption benefit. It is estimated that such a reduction would be valued at $US259 million. The cost-benefit analysis indicated that a cocaine medication with a small treatment effect (10 percentage point increase in abstinence rates) would result in a benefit to cost ratio in the range of 1.58 to 5.79, depending on prescribing behaviour and type of patient. Conclusions: Such estimates of the benefits of these small treatment effects are conservative, and they may be biased downwards since the willingness to pay for such a cocaine medication could far exceed the benefit to cost estimation used in this paper. Nevertheless, the substantial benefits found in this paper indicate how important investment in cocaine medication is for public health policy; costs may be reduced with efficient prescribing behaviour. Market and governmental barriers to the utilisation of a cocaine medication could reduce the benefits and increase costs. Clinical trials, cost-effectiveness studies, and cost-benefit studies must be conducted to establish the actual pattern of benefits and costs that could be obtained for an efficacious and effective cocaine medication.
RECOGNITION OF CORE BINDING SITES BY BACTERIOPHAGE INTEGRASES

Abstract Bacteriophage integrases promote recombination between DNA molecules that carry attachment sites. They are members of a large and widely distributed family of site-specific recombinases with diverse biological roles. The integrases of phages λ and HK022 are closely related members of this family, but neither protein efficiently recombines the attachment sites of the other phage. The nucleotides responsible for this specificity difference are located close to the points of recombinational strand exchange, within an integrase binding motif called the extended core binding site. There are four imperfectly repeated copies of this motif in each set of phage attachment sites, but only two, B′ and C, contain major specificity determinants. When these specificity determinants were replaced by the corresponding nucleotides from a site with the alternative specificity, the resulting mutant was recombined by both integrases. Thus, the determinants act by impeding recombination promoted by the non-cognate integrase. We found that identical nucleotide substitutions within different core site copies had different effects on recombination, suggesting that integrase does not recognize each of the extended core binding sites in the same way. Finally, substitution at several positions in λ integrase with the corresponding HK022-specific amino acids prevents recombination of λ attachment sites, and this defect can be suppressed in an allele-specific manner by appropriate substitutions of HK022-specific nucleotides in the extended core binding sites.
Green transistor as a solution to the IC power crisis

IC power consumption is not only a package thermal issue but also a significant and fast growing part of the world electricity consumption. A new low voltage transistor could contribute greatly to the need for a new Vdd scaling scenario. Green transistor (gFET) is based on tunneling and provides Ion and Ioff far superior to MOSFET at 0.2V if suitable low-Eg material is introduced into IC manufacturing.
Hydrograph and chloride pollutograph analysis of Hobbs Brook reservoir subbasin in eastern Massachusetts

Summary Hyetographs, hydrographs, pollutographs, and deicing agent applications are analyzed with linear reservoir theory to explain the fate and transport of water and chloride in a small (1 km2) urban watershed subbasin. The subbasin delivers highway runoff to a public supply reservoir in eastern Massachusetts. Aquifer, vadose zone, and highway drainage systems deliver hydrographs with physically plausible exponential decay constants and seasonally varying discharge fractions. Continuous data from November 2005 to August 2012 suggest that baseflow contributes 48% of the water volume past a USGS gaging station at the subbasin outlet, while interflow and runoff calibration of 162 hydrographs yield respective water volume estimates of 21% and 31%. Specific conductivity, also measured continuously at the gage, is a surrogate for dissolved chloride concentration. The average chloride concentration for the 82 month period of record is 0.334 kg Cl−/m3 at the gage, which exceeds the USEPA secondary drinking water standard of 0.250 kg Cl−/m3 for dissolved chloride. Model calibration of 162 pollutographs suggests that baseflow contributes 61% of the chloride mass past the gage over the period of record, while the interflow and runoff chloride mass fractions are 17% and 22%. Most (85%) of the chloride flux past the gage is attributable to state application of chloride based deicing agents on major highways, with the remaining 15% due to municipal applications on local streets in the subbasin. A perennial stream with a small, urban watershed in a cold climate is likely to discharge an appreciable flux of subsurface chloride all year long.
Regional economic convergence : do policy instgruments make a difference?

The relationship between public capital, regional output and private sector productivity has been an issue of considerable interest in the regional development literature. There have however been few studies that develop linkages between these issues, and the broader literature on economic convergence. This paper presents an innovative methodology to examine the process of regional economic convergence across U.S. states. We examine the effects of economic variables such as human, and public capital in the convergence process, and control for business cycle and region specific effects in the analysis. Further, specification problems arising from spatial dependence are also addressed. Results from the empirical analysis show that the speed of convergence is influenced by region specific characteristics, and the availability of trained labor in neighboring regions.
Amoebic perforation of the intestine in children.

Three cases of small children with perforations of the large intestine due to Entamoeba histolytica who subsequently died are presented. They highlight the misleading symptomatology and the severe prognosis.
Computers and rodent control research, population monitoring and extension

Computers, especially microcomputers, are becoming a common tool for researchers, rodent control operators and extension personnel. Gradual but important changes in rodent control are forcing us to review control programmes from both the short- and long-term perspective, including assessing the effects of control on populations over time. In addition, our increased understanding of population dynamics is making population forecasting feasible in a limited number of cases. Computers are becoming an essential component of these activities. From the extension perspective, computers are proving extremely valuable. Information can be stored, searched, updated, and retrieved rapidly, making it readily available to our clientele. In addition, benefit/cost analyses and management decision scenarios can be demonstrated easily on the computer. This lets growers actively participate in the decision-making process. The computer is here to stay. We all need to learn its strengths (and weaknesses) and capitalize on them in our rodent control activities.
Use of a spin-refrigerator polarized target for K−p reactions in a multiparticle spectrometer

Abstract The University of Massachusetts polarized target has been employed with the Brookhaven Multiparticle Spectrometer to study K − -proton inelastic processes at 2.3 GeV c.m. energy. The U. Mass. “spin refrigerator” target was the first of its kind to achieve high proton polarization; it is capable of more than 80% polarization with a nonuniform magnetic field of about 11 kG and a temperature of 1.2 K. This study of strange-particle inelastic processes represents the first application of the spin-refrigerator target and is unusual among polarized-target experiments in its use of a multiparticle spectrometer for detection of complex final states. This report discusses the setting up and utilization of the polarized target at the Brookhaven MPS and the subsequent analysis of K − interactions with polarized protons which yield Λπ 0 and Σ ∗ (1385)π → Λπ + π − .
5'-Nucleotidase Activity in Improved Inosine-producing Mutants of Bacillus subtilis

An inosine- and guanosine-producing strain, AJ11100, of Bacillus subtilis could not grow in the minimum medium supplemented with 50 µg of sulfaguanidine per ml. When sulfaguanidine resistant mutants were derived from AJ11100, the sulfaguanidine resistance was frequently accompanied by xanthine requirement. All the xanthine auxotrophic mutants required a large amount of xanthine for cell growth and inosine accumulation. Revertants were then derived from one of the xanthine auxotrophic mutants, AJ11101, and improved inosine producers were obtained. The best mutant, AJ11102, accumulated 20.6 g of inosine per liter.Furthermore, enzyme activities of inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase, 5′-nucleotidase and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) amidotransferase were assayed to investigate why AJ11102 accumulated an increased amount of inosine. The results showed that the increase of specific activity of 5′-nucleotidase contributed much to the increased accumulation of inosine.
Charge transfer shake-up satellites in X-ray photoelectron spectra of cations and anions of SrTiO3, TiO2 and Sc2O3

Abstract Satellite structures have been observed at 12, 19 and 30 eV below the main peaks in the X-ray photoelectron spectra of the Ti, Sr and O levels of BrTiO 3 . It is shown that these satellites are attributable to monopole charge transfer shake-up transitions (O 2pe g → Ti 3de g , O 2pa 1g → Ti 4sa 1g , and O 2se g → Ti 3de g , respectively). Charge transfer shake-up satellites have also been observed in the cations and anions of TiO 2 and Sc 2 O 3 . The first observation of shake-up satellites in the anion levels of these oxides with a 3d 0 configuration is additional evidence to support the interpretation that shake-up satellites in transition-metal compounds arise from monopole charge transfer transitions. In general, the first shake-up satellite occurring on the high binding energy side of the transition-metal compounds can be attributed to 2pe g → 3de g monopole charge transfer transitions because the probability of the first allowed shake-up, 2pt 2g → 3dt 2g , is very low.
Fiber coarsening during eutectic solidification

Abstract A nonlinear partial differential equation describing the fiber coarsening process by the radial diffusion of the supersaturated solute in the solid matrix to pre-existing fibers during eutectic solidification was solved through a finite difference method using a computer. The effects of the axial temperature gradient and the radial concentration gradient were coupled to predict the transient changes of the mass fraction of axially aligned eutectic fibers.
Three New Hepatozoon Species (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) Infecting the Florida Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula floridana

Abstract The Florida kingsnake, Lampropeltis getula floridana, is host to 3 species of Hepatozoon at the type locality, Miramar, Broward County, Florida, and 2, possibly all 3, species at Cedar Key, Levy County, approximately 480 km to the northwest. Hepatozoon eurytopis, n. sp. was present also in Diadophis punctatus and Elaphe guttata in Jupiter Farms, Palm Beach County, and in Thamnophis sirtalis at Gainesville, Alachua County. Specific identity in D. punctatus was determined from gamont morphology and from sporogonic stages and gamont morphology in the infections obtained from E. guttata and T. sirtalis. Infection with all 3 species by ingestion of infected mosquitoes was easily obtained in E. guttata, but only H. eurytopis produced experimental infection in T. sirtalis and Storeria occipitomaculata. Hepatozoon eurytopis differed from the other 2 species, H. karyolysi n. sp. and H. rexi n. sp., by its short and broad, recurved gamonts with average dimensions 11.2–13.1 × 4.5–5.4 µm, length × maximum wi...
Current and Future Trends in Military Electronic Warfare Systems and the Role of Thin Films and Related Materials

Modern warfare has made impressive strides in the past century, especially in the areas of communications, RADAR and surveillance. On the opposite side of the coin are the military SIGINT (SIGnal INTelligence) systems which attempt to detect, copy, jam and geolocate signals emitted by radios, RADARs, etc. as a means of providing the commander with a reasonable visualization of the Battlefield and with an EOB (Electronic Order of Battle). Military SIGINT platforms are taxed to the limit of modern technology in trying to cover the spectrum from HF to Ka band, sometimes over an enormous dynamic range. This paper will attempt to present a general overview of current and future Army SIGINT systems along with the role thin films (such as ferrites, ferroelectrics, magnetostatic films, metamaterials, etc) can play in devices such as filters, phase shifters, limiters, smart antennas, etc. for extending their usefulness into the 21st century.
Pulmonary dendritic cells: thinking globally, acting locally

The phrase “think globally, act locally” was coined in the early 1970s and directed individuals to clean up their local environment with the ultimate goal of improving the health of the entire planet. Several recent studies indicate that similar considerations apply to the immune system, in which small numbers of leukocytes, such as pulmonary dendritic cells, can modify the local immune environment in the lung and promote a positive outcome for the organism.
Stearic acid and calcium stearate monolayer collapse

Abstract Stearic acid and calcium stearate monolayers maintained at constant surface pressures of 31 mN m −1 were examined by autoradiographic and electron microscopic techniques. A slow collapse process occurs as crystallites, intermediate multilayer structures, and bulk phase material gradually form. A mechanism of monolayer collapse is proposed and discussed.
The importance of social context in cross-cultural comparisons: first graders in Colombia and the United States.

The authors explored the cultural constructs of individualism and collectivism by investigating the prosocial behavior of 1st graders (N = 202; 110 girls, 92 boys) in countries typically classified as collectivist (Colombia, South America) and individualist (United States). Contrary to expectations, U.S. children shared more than Colombian children did. However, U.S. children were more likely to take candy from another child without permission (demonstrating individualism). Results indicated that in both countries sharing was greater with friends than with other fellow classmates, and children frequently reported friendship as the reason they shared. Findings support the importance of the social context, such as the relationship between participants, in cross-cultural research and suggest that simple dichotomies of culture often overlook complex associations between culture and behavioral differences.
Deep-water subsurface imaging using OBS interferometry

ABSTRACTSeismic interferometry processing is applied to an active seismic survey collected on ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) deployed at 900-m water depth over a carbonate/hydrates mound in the Gulf of Mexico. Common midpoint processing and stacking of the extracted Green’s function gives the subsurface PP reflectivity, with a horizontal resolution of half the receiver spacing. The obtained seismic section is comparable to classical upgoing/downgoing wavefield decomposition and deconvolution applied on a common receiver gather. Seismic interferometry does not require precise knowledge of source geometry or shooting times, but more accurate results are obtained when including this information for segmenting the signals before the crosscorrelations, especially when signals from distant surveys are present in the data. Reflectivity estimates can be obtained with the crosscorrelation of pressure or vertical particle velocity signals, but the pressure data gives the best resolution due to the wider frequency ...
Ultrastructural evidence of adrenergic, as well as cholinergic, nerve varicosities in relation to the lamina propria of the human seminiferous tubules during childhood

Abstract The ultrastructure of autonomic nerve fibers and terminal varicosities is described in relation to the lamina propria of the human seminiferous tubules during childhood (age 3 to 10 years). Autonomic nerve varicosities are classified as: Type I with numerous small (30–60 nm) agranular vesicles and variable numbers of large (100 nm) granular vesicles, and Type II with numerous small (30–60 nm) granular vesicles and sporadic large granular vesicles. These two varicosity types are consistent in morphology with cholinergic and adrenergic nerve terminals, respectively. Nerve varicosities are found, associated with Schwann cells, in proximity to the cells of the lamina propria. Although not found in direct ‘synaptic’ contact, these autonomic endings are often within a few hundred nanometers of the cellularity of the lamina propria. The Schwannian sheath is interrupted over the varicosities at these sites and occasionally the terminal varicosities are totally lacking a Schwann sheath. These findings are consistent with the structural relationship of autonomic nerve ‘terminals’ and effector in other endocrine and non-endocrine systems. This is the first evidence of adrenergic nerve varicosities in proximity to the lamina propria in humans (at any age). Evidence is also presented which suggests a locational difference in the distribution of cholinergic (Type I) and adrenergic (Type II) nerve varicosities in this region, with only cholinergic endings observed directly adjacent to the basal lamina of the seminiferous tubules.
Generating the wideband high resolution RCS data from sparse and incomplete data

In this paper we apply the Cauchy method to interpolate/extrapolate the radar cross section (RCS) data (amplitude-only data) over a frequency band. This is accomplished by approximating the amplitude-only RCS data by a ratio of two polynomials, the coefficients of which are calculated by using the total least square (TLS) implementation of a singular value decomposition (SVD) technique so as to properly estimate the dimension of the null space. By applying the Cauchy method, an electromagnetic system is represented by a set of poles and zeros in the s-plane. Once these coefficients in the numerator and the denominator polynomials in the Cauchy method are computed using the amplitude-only RCS data, the response can be interpolated/extrapolated over other frequencies of interest. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the applicability of the Cauchy method in interpolating/extrapolating RCS data over a frequency band.
Scope and the development of epistemic modality: evidence from ought to

Discussions of modality (e.g. Bybee, Perkins & Pagliuca, 1994; Coates, 1983; Lyons, 1977; Palmer, 1986; Traugott, 1989) typically center around two issues: deonticity vs. epistemicity, and degree of subjectivity. Using diachronic evidence from the quasi-modal ought to, this paper argues for the need to recognize a third, crosscutting these two: narrow vs. wide scope. We argue that the epistemic use of ought to developed out of a wide-scope deontic construction, in which the modal was used with deontic meaning, but with propositional scope (contra Bybee, 1988). Rather than attributing an obligation to the subject (i.e. having narrow scope), the modal in this construction makes an assertion about the proposition as a whole, like an epistemic. However, such ought to constructions are found some four hundred years before the first epistemic examples, and thus can be shown to be distinct from epistemic uses (contra Gamon, 1994).
A psychological model for aggregating judgments of magnitude

In this paper, we develop and illustrate a psychologically-motivated model for aggregating judgments of magnitude across experts. The model assumes that experts' judgments are perturbed from the truth by both systematic biases and random error, and it provides aggregated estimates that are implicitly based on the application of nonlinear weights to individual judgments. The model is also easily extended to situations where experts report multiple quantile judgments. We apply the model to expert judgments concerning flange leaks in a chemical plant, illustrating its use and comparing it to baseline measures.
How Luxury Fashion Brands Utilize YouTube to Engage Consumers and Promote Brand Identity

As the world becomes more technologically advanced, the demand for two-way communication between brand and consumer has become stronger. This study tried to develop a relationship between the rise in new media and luxury brands by content analyzing Chanel, Dior, and Burberry’s YouTube channels that aims to categorize their video content into the following three categories: musical performances, historical narratives, and behind-the-scenes footage. The study found that as social media becomes more prevalent in today’s society, these three luxury brands are steering away from brand advertisements and now promoting brand entertainment to engage consumers. Companies across all industries can utilize these findings to create advertising content that is entertaining, which will help them better reach their target consumer.
Auditory evoked potential variability in schizophrenia. II. The application of discriminant analysis

The data recorded by Callaway et al. in a study of degree of dissimilarity of two-tone average evoked potentials (AEPs) in normal and schizophrenic patients were analyzed by the Step-Wise Discriminant Analysis (SWDA) technique. The analysis was undertaken to determine if (a) groups of single-trial records obtained with two dissimilar tones show a greater dispersion than groups of single-trial records obtained with identical tones, and (b) the degree to which the dissimilarity of two-tone AEPs, if found, is consistent between subjects (i.e., the same evoked potential components contribute to the dissimilarity in an equivalent manner). The application of this analysis to the two-tone AEPs demonstrates that although there is indeed a somewhat increased dissimilarity between the AEPs to dissimilar tones, there is no appreciable difference in this respect between schizophrenic and normal subjects. Furthermore, there is little consistency in the AEP components that differentiate the two AEPs from one subject to the next. The results of this analysis in conjunction with those reported in a companion paper by Callaway et al. (1970) suggest that the previously reported differences between normal and schizophrenic subjects are largely the result of the increased variability in the AEP of schizophrenics rather than of a consistent tendency of the patients to concentrate on trivial differences between the tones.
Reliability evaluation of composite power systems using parallel genetic algorithms: Some conceptual and simulation studies

Genetic algorithm (GA) has shown its promise in dealing with reliability evaluation of complex power systems. However, it may be computationally expensive due to its stochastic search mechanism coupled with the problem complexity. Especially, when each system state needs a load flow calculation to determine its status, the reliability evaluation process may take a long time. Parallel computation is being more widely used because of the increasing computing capability. In this paper, the parallel computation mechanism is incorporated into the GA in order to increase its computational efficiency. Several parallel computation topologies are introduced, and conceptual comparisons with respect to parallel Monte Carlo simulation are detailed. Also some preliminary numerical studies are carried out to examine their performance in terms of computing cost and solution quality.
An open source approach to information scent

Several theories of how novices explore a new interface have arisen in HCI and have led to methods and tools for UI practitioners to predict users' behavior on proposed interfaces and improve their design ideas before implementation. These tools depend on obtaining quantitative estimates of information scent, which usually requires a large corpus of documents representing the background knowledge of target users and an algorithm that uses this corpus to calculate the information scent between a user's goal and the labels in the GUI. Prior work has often used proprietary algorithms and propriety, now outdated corpora. This note presents an open source approach to information scent that is as good a foundation for research and practice as a previously published proprietary system, exemplifies its use in CogTool-Explorer, and opens the door for researchers to explore many important questions about novice exploration of interfaces.
Protograph E²RC Codes

We propose a construction of rate-compatible punctured codes based on protographs that have a special E2RC structure in their parity part (E2RC codes were introduced in Kim, Ramamoorthy and McLaughlin '06) . The protograph representation of these codes facilitates their asymptotic performance analysis and allows the implementation of high speed decoders. The construction process starts with a good high rate protograph. The protographs of lower rate codes are derived from the higher rate protographs via the process of check-splitting. The check-splitting is done in a specific manner so that the parity nodes in the protograph have the special E2RC structure. We also present additional design rules that ensure that the gap to capacity remains low across the range of rates. Using our approach we exhibit protographs that have a gap of at most 0.27 dB to capacity across the range of rates 1/2 to 8/9. These conclusions are supported by our simulation results. Our work, therefore presents a systematic method for the design of E2RC-like codes.
Mutation in the Glycosylated Gag Protein of Murine Leukemia Virus Results in Reduced In Vivo Infectivity and a Novel Defect in Viral Budding or Release

All gammaretroviruses, including murine leukemia viruses (MuLVs), feline leukemia viruses, and gibbon-ape leukemia virus, encode an alternate, glycosylated form of Gag polyprotein (glyco-Gag or gPr80gag) in addition to the polyprotein precursor of the viral capsid proteins (Pr65gag). gPr80gag is translated from an upstream in-frame CUG initiation codon, in contrast to the AUG codon used for Pr65gag. The role of glyco-Gag in MuLV replication has been unclear, since gPr80gag-negative Moloney MuLV (M-MuLV) mutants are replication competent in vitro and pathogenic in vivo. However, reversion to the wild type is frequently observed in vivo. In these experiments, in vivo inoculation of a gPr80gag mutant, Ab-X-M-MuLV, showed substantially lower (2 log) initial infectivity in newborn NIH Swiss mice than that of wild-type virus, and revertants to the wild type could be detected by PCR cloning and DNA sequencing as early as 15 days postinfection. Atomic force microscopy of Ab-X-M-MuLV-infected producer cells or of the PA317 amphotropic MuLV-based vector packaging line (also gPr80gag negative) revealed the presence of tube-like viral structures on the cell surface. In contrast, wild-type virus-infected cells showed the typical spherical, 145-nm particles observed previously. Expression of gPr80gag in PA317 cells converted the tube-like structures to typical spherical particles. PA317 cells expressing gPr80gag produced 5- to 10-fold more infectious vector or viral particles as well. Metabolic labeling studies indicated that this reflected enhanced virus particle release rather than increased viral protein synthesis. These results indicate that gPr80gag is important for M-MuLV replication in vivo and in vitro and that the protein may be involved in a late step in viral budding or release.
Lactational, In Vitro, and Chemical Evaluation of Untreated and Formaldehyde-Treated Casein Supplements

Abstract Supplemental feeding of casein treated with .8% wt/wt formaldehyde was compared with untreated casein or no supplement for eight Holsteins averaging 29kg milk/day. Compared to untreated casein, formaldehyde-treated casein supplementation had no significant effect on yield of milk or milk components except for a small increase in secretion of milk urea. When supplemental treated casein was compared with no supplement, yields of milk, total protein, "true" protein, and urea in milk increased. Urea and albumin concentrations in plasma were not affected by dietary treatments, and there was a small correlation between urea in plasma and milk. Ruminal in vitro and chemical tests on the treated casein and small batches of casein treated with .2 to 4.0% wt/wt formaldehyde showed curvilinear decreases in the in vitro release of ammonia and total amino acids with increased formaldehyde. Although the release of ammonia and amino acids from treated casein in the feeding study was near zero, release of ammonia was negative for preparations treated with more than 1.5% formaldehyde. Acid-labile formaldehyde analysis indicated that recovery of applied formaldehyde was low. Formaldehyde treatment resulted in smaller losses in available lysine than expected, and most of the reacted formaldehyde was bound to amino acid residues other than lysine.
The economic impact of state cigarette taxes and smoke-free air policies on convenience stores

Objectives To investigate whether increasing state cigarette taxes and/or enacting stronger smoke-free air (SFA) policies have negative impact on convenience store density in a state, a proxy that is determined by store openings and closings, which reflects store profits. Methods State-level business count estimates for convenience stores for 50 states and District of Columbia from 1997 to 2009 were analysed using two-way fixed effects regression techniques that control for state-specific and year-specific determinants of convenience store density. The impact of tax and SFA policies was examined using a quasi-experimental research design that exploits changes in cigarette taxes and SFA policies within a state over time. Results Taxes are found to be uncorrelated with the density of combined convenience stores and gas stations in a state. Taxes are positively correlated with the density of convenience stores; however, the magnitude of this correlation is small, with a 10% increase in state cigarette taxes associated with a 0.19% (p Conclusions Contrary to tobacco industry and related organisations9 claims, higher cigarette taxes and stronger SFA policies do not negatively affect convenience stores.
Assignment of (n, m) Raman and Optical Features of Metallic Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Raman spectroscopy performed between 565 and 627 nm and also between 458- and 514.5-nm laser excitation was used to map the lowest-energy van Hove singularities of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes suspended in aqueous solution using sodium dodecyl sulfate. The interband transitions of distinct metallic nanotubes were observed directly and assigned using a correlation of the diameter and radial breathing mode (RBM) in the Raman spectrum. The results were extrapolated to all metallic nanotubes using a generalized scaling derived from the tight-binding formalism and were shown to be valid for describing the electronic structure of semiconducting nanotubes as well. The model results are compared using excitation profiles outside of the above-reported scan ranges with excellent agreement between observed and predicted profile widths and transition energies.
Developmental Differences in Medial Temporal Lobe Function during Memory Encoding

The ability to recollect details about past events improves during childhood. Most researchers favor the view that this improvement depends largely on the development of the prefrontal cortex, which is thought to have a protracted course of development relative to the medial temporal lobes (MTL). The primary goal of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the development of detail recollection is also associated with changes in MTL function. We collected functional magnetic resonance imaging data during an incidental encoding task in 80 participants, divided equally across four age groups: 8-year-olds, 10- to 11-year-olds, 14-year-olds, and young adults. Developmental differences in MTL activation profiles were observed. Fourteen-year-olds and adults engaged regions of the hippocampus and posterior parahippocampal gyrus selectively for subsequent detail recollection, whereas 8- and 10- to 11-year-olds did not. In 8-year-olds, these regions were recruited indiscriminately for detail recollection and item recognition; in 10- to 11-year-olds, activation in these regions did not consistently predict subsequent memory. These results suggest there are changes in the functional organization of the MTL, such that the hippocampus and posterior parahippocampal gyrus become increasingly specialized for recollection; these changes may be in part responsible for long-term memory improvements during childhood.
So You Want to Change Practice: Recognizing Practice Issues and Channeling Those Ideas

Applying the best evidence to support nursing practice and generating new knowledge for use in practice are the hallmarks of excellence and allow practitioners to meet patient care quality and safety priorities. Although identifying a patient care problem comes easily to staff nurses, the process of clarifying the problem and channeling those ideas through to a practice change can be daunting for bedside nurses. This article provides guidance to staff nurses who want to identify a clinical problem and change practice.
Mechanism of Asymmetric Production of d-Amino Acids from the Corresponding Hydantoins by Pseudomonas sp.

The mechanism of asymmetric production of d-amino acids from the corresponding hydantoins by Pseudomonas sp. AJ-11220 was examined by investigating the properties of the enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of dl-5-substituted hydantoins. The enzymatic production of d-amino acids from the corresponding hydantoins by Pseudomonas sp. AJ-11220 involved the following two successive reactions; the d-isomer specific hydrolysis, i.e., the ring opening of d-5-substituted hydantoins to d-form N-carbamyl amino acids by an enzyme, d-hydantoin hydrolase (d-HYD hydrolase), followed by the d-isomer specific hydrolysis, i.e., the cleavage of N-carbamyl-d-amino acids to d-amino acids by an enzyme, N-carbamyl-d-amino acid hydrolase (d-NCA hydrolase).l-5-Substituted hydantoins not hydrolyzed by d-HYD hydrolase were converted to d-form 5- substituted hydantoins through spontaneous racemization under the enzymatic reaction conditions.It was proposed that almost all of the dl-5-substituted hydantoins were stoichiometrically and...
Association of falls with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older cancer survivors: a population based study

Abstract Objective To examine the association between falls and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older cancer survivors. Materials and Methods Using the 2006–2011 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry system and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS) linkage database, a cross-sectional analysis was performed including 17,958 older cancer survivors. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the association of falls with HRQOL measured by the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores on the Veteran RAND 12-item health survey after controlling for demographic, health- and cancer-related factors. A longitudinal analysis using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models was also conducted comparing changes in HRQOL of older cancer survivors who fell with HRQOL of older patients with cancer who did not fall. Results In the cross-sectional analysis, 4524 (25%) cancer survivors who fell reported a significantly lower PCS (−2.18; SE=0.16) and MCS (2.00; SE=0.17) scores compared to those who did not ( N =13,434). In the longitudinal analysis, after adjusting for baseline HRQOL scores and covariates, patients who fell reported a decline in mean HRQOL scores of both PCS (−1.54; SE=0.26) and MCS (−1.71; SE=0.27). Presence of depression, functional impairment and comorbidities was significantly associated with lower HRQOL scores. Conclusion Falls are associated with lower HRQOL scores and are associated with a significant prospective decline in HRQOL in older cancer survivors. Further research is necessary to determine if assessment and intervention programs can help improve HRQOL by reducing the likelihood of falls.
Effect of Health Literacy on Decision-Making Preferences among Medically Underserved Patients

Introduction. Participation in the decision-making process and health literacy may both affect health outcomes; data on how these factors are related among diverse groups are limited. This study ex...
Acid mucopolysaccharide determination. A useful adjunct for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma with effusion.

Acid mucopolysaccharide (AMP) content in pleural and peritoneal fluid is quantified by precipitating the AMP with acid ethanol, solubilized in a dilute NaOH solution, and reacting the hexuronic acid with the carbazole reagent. An Allen correction in the final reading step eliminates the effects of interfering substances. This simplified analysis for AMP, by only partially purifying the AMP prior to color development, has been found suitable for use in the clinical laboratory. Studies on effusions from 11 patients have shown no detectable AMP by this method in seven patients without mesotheliomas and significant elevations of AMP in all three patients with untreated mesotheliomas. One patient with mesothelioma, previously treated with chemotherapy, had no detectable levels on two separate occasions. The determination of AMP in pleural and peritonea] fluid is a useful and practical adjunct to the clinical diagnosis of mesothelioma.
Abstract ES3-3: Management of Women with a High Predisposition to Breast Cancer: Standard of Care

Women who have inherited germ line mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 are at significantly increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Fortunately, our understanding of the management of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers has increased significantly in the 15 years since these genes were identified. There have been improvements in genetic testing techniques resulting in fewer “missed” BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, as well as a better understanding of the risks of these mutations. Incorporating breast MRI into screening results in earlier detection of breast cancer. Prophylactic mastectomy significantly reduces breast cancer risk, while improvements in reconstructive surgery allow women more options. Risk reducing salpingo-oophorectomy in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers decreases breast cancer risk, ovarian cancer risk and improves breast cancer specific-, ovarian cancer specific-and overall survival. Emerging data suggest that BRCA1/2 mutation testing can play a role in newly diagnosed breast cancer, particularly from the standpoint of surgical decision making. Finally, knowledge of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status has the potential to impact decisions on systemic therapy as will be reviewed. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr ES3-3.
The Relationships of the Australasian Whistlers Pachycephala as Indicated by DNA-DNA Hybridization

The taxonomic relationships of the Australasian whistlers, or thickheads, were examined by comparing the radioiodine-labelled single-copy DNA sequences of the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis with the DNAs of fifty-five other species, representing fifty genera of oscine passerine birds (Passeres). Of the taxa examined, Pachycephala was found to be most closely related to other species of Pachycephala, to Pitohui, Colluricincla, Oreoica, Falcunculus, Rhagologus, and Daphoenositta, in that order.
Classification,Identification,and Correlated Features of a Photobacterium ganghwense Strain

A bacterium strain M-1 was isolated from a mantis shrimp(Squilla spp.),and it was systematically classified by routine isolation methods,and identified with morphological features,cultural,physiological and biochemical characteristics,and molecular biological methods etc.The results showed that it belongs to Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium with width at 1 μm;16S rDNA sequencing was similar to Photobacterium ganghwense with the similarity at 99%(1 455/1 467),and its physiological and biochemical features were similar to P.ganghwense too.Therefore,it is concluded that M-1 is a Photobacterium strain.