cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On singularity formation via viscous vortex reconnection

Recognizing the fact that the finite-time singularity of the Navier–Stokes equations is widely accepted as a key issue in fundamental fluid mechanics, and motivated by the recent model of Moffatt & Kimura (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 861, 2019a, pp. 930–967; J. Fluid Mech., vol. 870, 2019b, R1) on this issue, we have performed direct numerical simulation (DNS) for two colliding slender vortex rings of radius . The separation between the two tipping points and the scale of the core cross-section are chosen as ; the vortex Reynolds number ( ) ranges from 1000 to 4000. In contrast to the claim that the core remains compact and circular, there is notable core flattening and stripping, which further increases with – akin to our previous finding in the standard anti-parallel vortex reconnection. Furthermore, the induced motion of bridges arrests the curvature growth and vortex stretching at the tipping points; consequently, the maximum vorticity grows with substantially slower than the exponential scaling predicted by the model – implying that, for this configuration, even physical singularity is unlikely. Our simulations not only shed light on the longstanding question of finite-time singularities, but also further delineate the detailed mechanisms of reconnection. In particular, we show for the first time that the separation distance before reconnection follows 1/2 scaling exactly – a significant DNS result.
Online Learning Readiness.

This paper examines the relationship between student characteristics of online learning readiness and student outcomes in online courses at two higher educational institution. Data were collected f...
Adaptive Bitrate Video Streaming for Wireless nodes: A Survey.

In today's Internet, video is the most dominant application and in addition to this, wireless networks such as WiFi, Cellular, and Bluetooth have become ubiquitous. Hence, most of the Internet traffic is video over wireless nodes. There is a plethora of research to improve video streaming to achieve high Quality of Experience (QoE) over the Internet. Many of them focus on wireless nodes. Recent measurement studies often show QoE of video suffers in many wireless clients over the Internet. Recently, many research papers have presented models and schemes to optimize the Adaptive BitRate (ABR) based video streaming for wireless and mobile users. In this survey, we present a comprehensive overview of recent work in the area of Internet video specially designed for wireless network. Recent research has suggested that there are some new challenges added by the connectivity of clients through wireless. Also these challenges become more difficult to handle when these nodes are mobile. This survey also discusses new potential areas of future research due to the increasing scarcity of wireless spectrum.
Interactions among Triatoma sanguisuga blood feeding sources, gut microbiota and Trypanosoma cruzi diversity in southern Louisiana

Integrating how biodiversity and infectious disease dynamics are linked at multiple levels and scales is highly challenging. Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease, with specificities of the triatomine vectors and Trypanosoma cruzi parasite life histories resulting in a complex multihost and multistrain life cycle. Here, we tested the hypothesis that T. cruzi transmission cycles are shaped by triatomine host communities and gut microbiota composition by comparing the integrated interactions of Triatoma sanguisuga in southern Louisiana with feeding hosts, T. cruzi parasite and bacterial microbiota in two habitats. Bugs were collected from resident's houses and animal shelters and analysed for genetic structure, blood feeding sources, T. cruzi parasites, and bacterial diversity by PCR amplification of specific DNA markers followed by next-generation sequencing, in an integrative metabarcoding approach. T. sanguisuga feeding host communities appeared opportunistic and defined by host abundance in each habitat, yielding distinct parasite transmission networks among hosts. The circulation of a large diversity of T. cruzi DTUs was also detected, with TcII and TcV detected for the first time in triatomines in the US. The bacterial microbiota was highly diverse and varied significantly according to the DTU infecting the bugs, indicating specific interactions among them in the gut. Expanding such studies to multiple habitats and additional triatomine species would be key to further refine our understanding of the complex life cycles of multihost, multistrain parasites such as T. cruzi, and may lead to improved disease control strategies.
Environmental impact and mechanical improvement of microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation-treated coal fly ash–soil mixture

Reuse of coal fly ash (CFA) as construction materials is one of the sustainable methods for mitigating its environmental impacts. However, the potential leaching of heavy metals and the limited eff...
Evaluating Antarctic marine protected area scenarios using a dynamic food web model

Abstract Marine protected areas, especially when they are or include no-take zones, can support conservation objectives by creating an area where marine organisms are protected from human disturbances, particularly fishing. The coast of the Antarctic continent is the only habitat of the iconic Adelie penguin, whose main diet is Antarctic krill. Current threats to Adelie Penguins, other Antarctic krill predators and Antarctic krill itself include sea-ice loss as a result of climate change and krill fishing. We use a spatially and temporally dynamic food web model of the region surrounding the Western Antarctic Peninsula to evaluate the potential impacts of various marine protected area scenarios in the context of climate change. We examine the effects of sustained sea-ice loss on krill and seven monitored krill predators. We evaluate four marine protected area scenarios given two scenarios that describe future changes in sea ice and three scenarios that describe future changes in krill fishing effort. Our results indicate that establishing no-take zones where krill might aggregate in the future and where some krill predators forage could positively affect biomass accumulation of krill and the predators. No-take zones may be particularly important for enhancing the resilience of species that have recently experienced population decline and ensuring positive outcomes from establishing a marine protected area in the region. Our simulations suggest that establishing protected areas in the right locations can play an important role in mitigating the negative effects of climate change on iconic species that many people want to conserve.
Revision ACL Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients

Background:High failure rates have been documented after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in pediatric patients, and revision surgery is indicated due to high activity levels of chi...
Preparing for Outbreaks - Implications for Resilient Water Utility Operations and Services.

Recent outbreaks have constantly disrupted our global economy and public health in numerous ways, impacting efficiency and prosperity across all sectors. This article focuses on the impacts of outbreaks (epidemics and pandemics) on water - wastewater utilities and water infrastructure and critically evaluates the issues underlining their impact on economic development and highlights the need for preparedness. A perspective on water infrastructure and industry-related impact on our society and economic development in the wake of the pandemic, COVID-19, is presented. Methods that could potentially institute safe, reliable, and efficient procedures for better preparedness and rapid recovery have been explored at length. The purpose of this article is therefore threefold: 1) to discuss the economic and public health impact of outbreaks on water and wastewater utilities and utility workforce; 2) to present case studies demonstrating utilities' preparedness and response to COVID-19, and 3) to review various alternatives for education and training as well as innovative processes and strategies for productivity during and after outbreaks. Strategies discussed in this article could be used as valuable tools for developing resiliency efforts, especially from the context of continuing water and wastewater utility operations and services in emergencies.
Reflections on Truth in Law

This short article was written as part of a Festschrift for Susan Haack (published in the journal, Cosmos + Taxis, vol. 8 (2020)). It focuses on the intricacies of statements of truth within and about law. Truth about particular legal propositions often turns on some combination of “will” and “reason”: the decisions made by officials authorized to make choices for the community, on one hand, and what follows from those decisions, as a matter of the distinct form of practical reasoning known as “doctrinal reasoning.” And where will and reason conflict, sometimes there may be, if only temporarily, more than one legal truth.
Integration Study of Converter-Interfaced Combined Heat and Power Plants

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, as a proven technology, provide numerous benefits to the plant owner by saving electricity bill, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and improving electricity service reliability. However, their integration into the distribution grid faces many barriers including the complexity of grid code requirements and the lack of technical expertise in commercial and small industrial plants to interface with the utility and accelerate the interconnection process. To solve these issues, this study proposes a converter-interfaced solution for CHP integration. Simulations including various fault scenarios and load flow under different grid conditions are carried out to compare technical performances of the proposed solution with directly-coupled CHP. Results show that the generator size of converter-interfaced CHP can be reduced by approximately 25% and it also provides advantageous features such as reduced stress level under fault conditions and a better dynamic stability margin. In addition, a power factor controller is designed and reactive power from CHP is dispatched in such a way that the CHP plant is compliant with power factor requirements from utilities under all operating conditions.
Process development of enzymatically-generated algal protein hydrolysates for specialty food applications

Abstract Lipid-extracted microalgae is a cheaper feedstock alternative to whole cell microalgae for production of protein products. Pre-extraction of high-value lipids significantly reduces biomass costs and concentrates protein in the de-lipidated biomass residue. Protein hydrolysates are one of the most valuable products that could be obtained from lipid-extracted microalgae. Their high solubility makes them particularly suited as supplements in high-value sport and nutritional drinks. Additional advantages of protein hydrolysates over other protein products include enhanced digestibility and potential bioactivity. Still, the development of feasible downstream processes for the economic production of hydrolysates from lipid-extracted microalgae is at an exploratory stage. Previous work has studied the protein hydrolysis reaction but major processing factors such as extraction yield, protein purity, and appearance of the final product are yet to be optimized. This study aimed to develop a process for the production, recovery, and purification of protein hydrolysates from lipid-extracted microalgae. Results showed that mechanical lysis of the lipid-extracted microalgae was necessary to maximize the protein hydrolysis rate and extraction yield. Once hydrolyzed and released, a combination of acidic precipitation, centrifugation, and depth filtration, followed by an ion exchange step for salt removal, yielded a final protein recovery and purity of 64 and 72%, respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first study reporting such high purity and recovery for an algae protein product. The hydrolysate produced was free of chlorophyll and consisted mostly of 1–20 kDa peptides with an amino acid distribution comparable to that of soy protein.
Congenital Heart Disease in the Adult

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is frequently used to evaluate adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) for shunts and thrombus due to its superior spatial resolution and decreased acoustic interference compared with transthoracic echocardiography. Transesophageal echocardiography is central to the evaluation and guidance of procedures in the catheterization laboratory, particularly with novel transcatheter interventions such as transcatheter mitral and tricuspid valve repair, valve-in-valve interventions, and left atrial appendage occlusion. This chapter highlights the indications and contraindications to a TEE in the adult patient, approaches to sedation, and common applications of TEE in adults with CHD.
Chapter 21. Drug Metabolism

Publisher Summary The influence of the structural alterations on drug disposition, metabolic events that lead to pharmacologically active or toxic substances, advances in novel or little studied biotransformations, and species differences in metabolism are discussed in this chapter. The hydroxylation of amobarbital and breath analysis of aminopyrine demethylation is proving to be useful tests to determine a patient's capacity for hepatic drug oxidation. The increased use of hepatocyte preparations demonstrates their utility as models for drug metabolism studies. The simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity of radioimmunoassays have led to the development of a number of practical drug assays in biological fluids. Numerous publications have appeared on the subject of biotransformation of drugs to active metabolites or to reactive intermediates that manifest toxicity. Acetylhydrazine and isopropylhydrazine, metabolites of isoniazid, and iproniazid initiate hepatotoxicity through covalent binding of an electrophilic intermediate. A reactive intermediate involving the furan ring of furosemide is responsible for the hepatic necrosis produced by this diuretic agent. Covalent binding of isoproterenol and rifampicin to macromolecules occur following the phenol oxidation to adrenochrome and quinone, respectively. Methylmercapto replacement of the chloro substituent in the antiviral agent acluraci and sulfoxidation of the pyridyl moiety of bromazepine involve mercapturic and cysteine conjugation. Clonidine is metabolized in rats and dogs by ring cleavage to 2,6-dichlorophenylguanidine.
Reliabilities for feedback systems and their saddlepoint approximation

It is shown how saddlepoint methods may be used to approximate reliabilities and failure rates of finite stochastic systems with feedback loops. Some countably in .nite state systems including birth-death processes are also considered. The use of saddlepoint methods requires as input the moment generating functions (MGFs) for the system failure time distributions. Some new explicit formulas for these MGFs are given that are amenable to symbolic computation and which also make the numerical computation of saddlepoint approximations quite simple and convenient.
Retirement Communities: Linkages to the Locality, State, and Nation

This article analyzes retirement communities from the standpoint of their linkages to their surrounding environments as well as to the state and the nation. A conceptual framework employing five types of linkages—regulators, constituencies, competitors, suppliers, and residuals—is adapted for the analysis. The political economy approach is used to direct attention to ways that the political and economic systems shape the environment in which the retirement communities operate. Uncertainty and risk are explored to examine the adaptability and viability of retirement communities.
Effect of menses on standardized assessment of sexual dysfunction among women with uterine fibroids: a cohort study.

Objective To determine if assessment of sexual dysfunction by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is related to whether the FSFI is administered during or between menses, in women with symptomatic uterine fibroids. Design Prospective cohort. Setting Academic medical centers. Patient(s) Premenopausal women who had symptomatic uterine fibroids and were enrolled in fibroid treatment trials. Intervention(s) Administration of FSFI during and between menses. Main Outcome Measure(s) Mean FSFI scores in each of 6 domains, and a discordance score to report individual differences in assessment. Result(s) Thirty-three women completed the FSFI, during menstruation, and at a time in their cycle when they were not menstruating. The mean FSFI scores for each domain did not differ based on when in the menstrual cycle the instrument was administered. However, on an individual level, nearly half of the women reported sexual dysfunction differently during menses than between menses. Of those that reported differences, the pain and desire domains improved; the lubrication and satisfaction domains worsened during menses. Conclusion(s) Although the mean values of the domain scores were not different, women did report differences in sexual functioning during vs. between menses. Timing of the questionnaire in relation to menses should be considered in sexual-dysfunction assessment for women with uterine fibroids. Clinical Trials Registration Number NCT00995878.
Einsatz von inotropen und vasopressorischen Substanzen bei der akut dekompensierten Herzinsuffizienz

Vom therapeutischen Blickpunkt her stellen die Revaskularisation/Reperfusion bei der Ischamie-getriggerten Herzinsuffizienz und Antiarrhythmika bei der Arrhythmie-getriggerten Herzinsuffizienz wesentliche Saulen der Therapie bei akut dekompensierter Herzinsuffizienz dar. Die medikamentose Therapie mit Inotropika und Vasopressoren kann jedoch als Eckpfeiler in der Behandlung der schweren therapierefraktaren akut dekompensierten Herzinsuffizienz angesehen werden. Die Entscheidung ob Inotropika und/oder Vasopressoren eingesetzt werden, richtet sich dabei v. a. nach der klinischen Prasentation, aber auch nach dem geplanten therapeutischen Vorgehen.
Computing story trees

A theory of understanding (parsing) texts as a process of collecting simple textual propositions into thematically and causally related units is described, based on the concept of macrostructures as proposed by Kintsch and van Dijk. These macrostructures are organized into tree hierarchies, and their interrelationships are described in rule-based story grammars related to the Kowalski logic based on Horn clauses. A procedure for constructing and synthesizing such trees from semantic network forms is detailed. The implementation of this procedure is capable of understanding and summarizing any story it can generate using the same basic control structure.
Metal ion complexes of 2(1H)-tetrahydropyrimidinone (cyclic propylene urea)—I

Abstract Complexes of 2(1H)-tetrahydropyrimidinone (cyclic propylene urea, or PU) with the metal ions Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) have been prepared. Infra-red spectra of PU, eight of its complexes formed with halides, and one with an acetate, have been analyzed and compared with similar spectra of complexes formed with cyclic ethylene urea. X-ray powder diffraction data, reflectance spectra of crystals, and magnetic susceptibility data have been determined and used as the basis for proposed structures of complexes.
Hypermethylation of the Human Glutathione S-Transferase-π Gene (GSTP1) CpG Island Is Present in a Subset of Proliferative Inflammatory Atrophy Lesions but Not in Normal or Hyperplastic Epithelium of the Prostate : A Detailed Study Using Laser-Capture Microdissection

Somatic inactivation of the glutathione S-transferase-π gene (GSTP1) via CpG island hypermethylation occurs early during prostate carcinogenesis, present in ∼70% of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (high-grade PIN) lesions and more than 90% of adenocarcinomas. Recently, there has been a resurgence of the concept that foci of prostatic atrophy (referred to as proliferative inflammatory atrophy or PIA) may be precursor lesions for the development of prostate cancer and/or high-grade PIN. Many of the cells within PIA lesions contain elevated levels of GSTP1, glutathione S-transferase-α (GSTA1), and cyclooxygenase-II proteins, suggesting a stress response. Because not all PIA cells are positive for GSTP1 protein, we hypothesized that some of the cells within these regions acquire GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation, increasing the chance of progression to high-grade PIN and/or adenocarcinoma. Separate regions (n =199) from 27 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded prostates were microdissected by laser-capture microdissection (Arcturus PixCell II). These regions included normal epithelium (n = 48), hyperplasticepithelium from benign prostatic hyperplasia nodules (n = 22), PIA (n = 64), high-grade PIN (n = 32), and adenocarcinoma (n = 33). Genomic DNA was isolated and assessed for GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation was not detected in normal epithelium (0 of 48) or in hyperplastic epithelium (0 of 22), but was found in 4 of 64 (6.3%) PIA lesions. The difference in the frequency of GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation between normal or hyperplastic epithelium and PIA was statistically significant (P = 0.049). Similar to studies using nonmicrodissected cases, hypermethylation was found in 22 of 32 (68.8%) high-grade PIN lesions and in 30 of 33 (90.9%) adenocarcinoma lesions. Unlike normal or hyperplastic epithelium, GSTP1 CpG island hypermethylation can be detected in some PIA lesions. These data support the hypothesis that atrophic epithelium in a subset of PIA lesions may lead to high-grade PIN and/or adenocarcinoma. Because these atrophic lesions are so prevalent and extensive, even though only a small subset contains this somatic DNA alteration, the clinical impact may be substantial.
Antepartum aminophylline treatment for prevention of the respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.

The frequency of idiopathic respiratory distress (IRD) among premature offspring born of women who were given aminophylline before the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy was evaluated. Sixty-seven premature deliveries were included in the aminophylline group and 75 in the control group. The perinatal death rate was 7.1% in the aminophylline group and 17.9% in the control group (p
SSME parameter estimation using radial basis function neural networks

Radial basis function neural networks (RBFNN) were used to estimate Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) sensor values for sensor validation. The high pressure oxidizer turbine (HPOT) discharge temperature, a redlined parameter, was estimated during the startup transient of nominal engine operation and during simulated input sensor failures. The K-Means clustering algorithm was used on the data for placement of the basis function centers. The performance of the RBFNN is compared with that of a feedforward neural network trained with the Quickprop learning algorithm. >
Important, But Not for Me: Parents and Students in Kansas and Missouri Talk About Math, Science and Technology Education

This study, conducted to inform the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's 10-year initiative to improve math, science and technology education in the Kansas City region, asks how parents and students in Kansas and Missouri view these issues -- and a host of others relevant to improving results in these important subject areas. The Kauffman Foundation provided funding for the research.The findings are based on a random survey of 1,472 parents and 1,295 middle and high school students in Kansas and Missouri, probing their attitudes on math and science education -- and, to a lesser extent, technology education as well. The survey was preceded by 12 focus groups with parents, students and teachers in the Kansas City region and a series of interviews with local employers, leaders and experts.
On the performance of affine index assignments for redundancy free source-channel coding

Summary form only given. Many popular redundancy free codes are linear or affine, including the natural binary code (NBC), the folded binary code (FBC), the Gray code (GC), and the two's complement code (TCC). A theorem which considers the channel distortion of a uniform 2/sup n/ level scalar quantizer with stepsize /spl Delta/, which uses an affine index assignment with generator matrix G to transmit across a binary symmetric channel with crossover probability q, is given. Using this theorem we compare the NBC and the FBC for any source distribution.
Using linked electronic data to validate algorithms for health outcomes in administrative databases

The validity of algorithms used to identify health outcomes in claims-based and administrative data is critical to the reliability of findings from observational studies. The traditional approach to algorithm validation, using medical charts, is expensive and time-consuming. An alternative method is to link the claims data to an external, electronic data source that contains information allowing confirmation of the event of interest. In this paper, we describe this external linkage validation method and delineate important considerations to assess the feasibility and appropriateness of validating health outcomes using this approach. This framework can help investigators decide whether to pursue an external linkage validation method for identifying health outcomes in administrative/claims data.
Hardware implementation for network intrusion detection rules with regular expression support

Signature-based network intrusion detection systems (NIDSs), such as Snort and Bro, rely on a rule database that describes traffic patterns for known attacks. They examine each packets flowing through a network segment and report suspicious packets to assure security. An attack signature may be represented in terms of fields in a packet such as source/destination IP addresses, source/destination ports, protocols, specific contents in payload, etc. Typically, a Perl Compatible Regular Expression (PCRE) is used to describe a specific content in the payload which may identify an attack. Our study shows that over 60% of the execution time in an NIDS is found to perform string comparisons against a signature database of over 5,950 tokens and over 1,763 PCREs. This paper proposes to extend a bit-parallel algorithm to support multi-byte processing and PCRE. This design takes a segment of bytes from the payload of a packet and detects all possible tokens including those crossing text segment boundaries. A tool is designed to generate VHDL code from a rule set automatically. Performance results are reported.
An accurate method for computing shocks in non-linear wave propagation

Abstract The numerical computation of waves in non-linear materials often entails using finite difference schemes. The presence of shocks in the waves causes difficulties for these schemes which would otherwise be entirely satisfactory. These schemes can, however, be modified so as to yield highly resolved solutions even in the presence of shocks. Essentially, the method entails subtracting out the shock, solving the resulting problem, and then adding back the shock to obtain the solution to the original problem. The method is illustrated by non-trivial examples.
Inactivation of glycogen synthase by the tumor inhibitor vernolepin.

Vernolepin, a tumor inhibitor extracted from Vernonia hymenolepis, is known to react with thiol compounds to form thioethers. It has now been found to inactivate the enzyme glycogen synthase (UDPG:glycogen α-4-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.11), purified from rabbit muscle. To measure the stoichiometry of the reaction with the enzyme protein, a procedure for tritiation of vernolepin was developed. Reaction with 3 moles of radioactive reagent per 90 000-dalton subunit caused virtually complete loss of activity. The concurrent disappearance of 3 titratable thiol groups (out of 6) indicates that thioether formation is the major mode of binding to the protein. The persistence of 1 to 2 residual thiol groups in the enzyme subunit, even after incubation with vernolepin in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, points up the selectivity in the reaction with vernolepin. Inactivation is kinetically pseudo-first-order and biphasic, suggesting intermediate formation of partially active enzyme species. In the initial portion of the reaction, a comparison of the rates of incorporation and inactivation suggests a phase transition of previously modified protein. In the final portion of the reaction, the correspondence of the two rates indicates a direct relationship between the two processes. Based on these studies, a model of the reaction course has been formulated.
Transgenic mice overproducing islet amyloid polypeptide have increased insulin storage and secretion in vitro

To determine whether chronic overproduction of islet amyloid polypeptide alters beta-cell function, we studied a line of transgenic mice which overexpress islet amyloid polypeptide in their beta-cells. At 3 months of age, these transgenic mice had greater pancreatic content of both islet amyloid polypeptide and insulin. Further, basal and glucose-stimulated secretion of both islet amyloid polypeptide and insulin were also elevated in the perfused pancreas of the transgenic animals. These findings demonstrate that chronic overproduction and secretion of islet amyloid polypeptide are associated with increased insulin storage and enhanced secretion of insulin in vitro. This increase in insulin storage and secretion may be due to a direct effect of islet amyloid polypeptide on the beta-cell or a beta-cell adaptation to islet amyloid polypeptide-induced insulin resistance.
Computer-Mediated, Self-Directed Computer Training and Skill Assessment for Individuals with Mental Retardation

By and large, people with mental retardation have not experienced the educational benefits, productivity gains, and personal enrichment that can result from the use of personal computers. Computer use has been restricted for individuals with mental retardation for several reasons, including the lack of opportunities to learn how to use computer hardware and software. One potential solution to this problem is to use the computer itself, through computer-delivered instruction, to teach basic computer skills. However, most currently available instructional software has been developed either for adults with full cognitive capacities or specifically for children. This study examined use of a multimedia software program designed for self-directed computer training and skill assessment for adults with mental retardation. Study participants with mental retardation used the software in a self-directed manner to increase their independence, speed, and accuracy in learning basic computer use skills.
Trimethylpsoralen induces small deletion mutations in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract To examine the mutagenic spectrum of 4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP) in Caenorhabditis elegans, we isolated mutations in the unc-22 and pal-1 genes following TMP mutagenesis and analyzed them for restriction fragment length polymorphisms by Southern blot. Eleven of 21 unc-22 mutations exhibited restriction fragment length polymorphisms, 8 of which were deletions of between 0.10 and 15 kb in length. Both of two pal-1 mutations were also small deletions within this size range. Comparison of our results with previous studies on mutagenesis by gamma-rays and x-rays suggests that the mutagenic spectrum of TMP may be similar. TMP should be useful in generating mutations that cause complete loss of function of single genes and that are likely to result in allele-specific DNA polymorphisms.
Correction: Digital PCR provides sensitive and absolute calibration for high throughput sequencing

After this article [1] appeared online, an error was called to our attention. The "universal probe" sequence UPL #149 in Table 6 appears with the 5' and 3' ends reversed. The correct sequence of this locked nucleic acid (LNA) probe is 5'-TCGCCGCC-3'. This typographical error does not affect any of the conclusions drawn in the article.
6-Hydroxydopamine injections into the nigrostriatal pathway attenuate striatal malonate and 3-nitropropionic acid lesions

The mitochondrial inhibitors malonate and 3-nitropropionic (3NP) acid are potent neurotoxins in vivo. Administration of these compounds results in neuronal loss similar to that seen in Huntington's disease. Although the mechanism of cell death produced by these compounds likely involves activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, it remains unclear why the striatum demonstrates regional susceptibility to the toxicity of these and other mitochondrial poisons. We hypothesized that dopamine, a weak neurotoxin that occurs in high concentrations in the striatum, may contribute to the neuronal damage caused by mitochondrial inhibition. We investigated whether depletion of striatal dopamine using the catecholaminergic toxin 6-hydroxydopamine would attenuate lesions induced by mitochondrial inhibition. We found that dopamine depletion reduced significantly the extent of histological damage in the striatum elicited by both intraparenchymal injections of 0.8 micromol malonate and 20 mg/kg systemic administration of 3NP. These data suggest that dopamine or one of its metabolites may contribute to mitochondrial toxin-induced cell death.
India's emissions in a climate constrained world

Scientific studies have repeatedly shown the need to prevent the increase in global emissions so that the planet's average temperature does not exceed 2 °C over pre-industrial levels. While the divisions between Annex 1 and non-Annex nations continue to prevent the realization of a comprehensive global climate treaty, all members of the G-20 (incidentally also major emitters) have agreed to prevent the rise in global temperatures above 2 °C. This requires that nations consider budgeting their carbon emissions. India presents a unique case study to examine how a major emitter facing a desperate need to increase energy consumption will meet this challenge. The Greenhouse Development Rights (GDR) framework, perhaps considered the most favorable with respect to the responsibility and capacity of India to reduce emissions, was used to explore India's emissions trajectory. India's emissions have been pegged to the pathway required to meet the 2 °C target by non-Annex countries. The results have been compared to the expected emissions from 11 energy fuel mix scenarios up to the year 2031 forecasted by the Planning Commission of India. Results reveal that none of the 11 energy scenarios would help India meet its emissions target if it were to follow the 2 °C pathway. A thought experiment is followed to explore how India may meet this target. This includes a sensitivity analysis targeting coal consumption, the biggest contributor to India's emissions.
Modern resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock: what is on the horizon?

Purpose Mortality rates among the severely injured remain high. The successful treatment of hemorrhagic shock relies on expeditious control of bleeding through surgical ligation, packing, or endovascular techniques. An important secondary concern in hemorrhaging patients is how to respond to the lost blood volume. A single method that is able to adequately address all needs of the exsanguinating patient has not yet been agreed upon, despite a large growth of knowledge regarding the causative factors of traumatic shock.
Indications for Antiarrhythmic Therapy: A Wealth of Controversy, A Dearth of Data

Excerpt Few situations in medicine are comparable to that involving antiarrhythmic drugs, in which so many potentially toxic agents are given to so many patients without proof of benefit. Will usin...
Metal complexing by phosphorus compounds—VIII complexing of tin (II) by polyphosphates

Abstract The stability of complexes of pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate ions with Sn(II), which occur in the pH region 5–7, have been determined by equilibrating phosphate solutions at unit ionic strength with solid SnO at 25°C. The following formation constants were calculated for the simplest equilibria that are consistent with the data: where x is one or two. Also, The constant for the hydrolysis reaction was also measured: The trend of the Sn(II) complexing by long chain polyphosphates with average chain lengths up to fourteen is discussed.
Photoelectron diffraction azimuthal patterns from different atomic sites in the layer compound Sb2Te2Se

Abstract We present azimuthal intensity plots of photoelectrons emitted from the Te 4d, Sb 4d, and Se 3d core levels of the layered compound Sb 2 Te 2 Se. This system allows us to separate and identify the emission from three different atomic sites well oriented with respect to the cleavage plane. The results demonstrate the structural sensitivity of diffraction of photoemitted electrons even three layers below the sample surface. The emission from the Te atoms at the cleavage plane is dominated by strong interlayer backscattering over an extended range of final state energies ( E f = 30 to 80 eV ).
Three-dimensional imaging of lower limb neuropathies.

Peripheral nerve pathology can be detected on high-resolution MRI on the basis of primary or secondary findings. Primary findings of nerve pathology include alterations in signal, course, and caliber; secondary findings include skeletal muscle denervation. Although two-dimensional (2D) MRI sequences comprised of a combination of fluid-sensitive and non–fat-suppressed anatomical sequences can detect changes in nerve size, signal, course, and architecture, three-dimensional (3D) imaging can play an important role in the detection and characterization of nerve pathology including caliber changes at typical compression sites, anomalous course, and nerve discontinuity. This article discusses the benefits of 3D MRI with respect to lower limb neuropathies. The article also reviews the normal anatomy of the nerves in the lower extremity from the hip joint to the foot, and it illustrates common causes and the imaging appearance of lower limb peripheral neuropathy.
The PDZ Binding Motif of the β1 Adrenergic Receptor Modulates Receptor Trafficking and Signaling in Cardiac Myocytes

β1 and β2adrenergic receptors (AR) regulate the intrinsic contraction rate in neonatal mouse cardiac myocytes through distinct signaling pathways. It has been shown that stimulation of β1ARs leads to a protein kinase A-dependent increase in contraction rate. In contrast, stimulation of β2ARs has a biphasic effect on contraction rate, with an initial protein kinase A-independent increase followed by a sustained decrease that is blocked by pertussis toxin. The β2AR undergoes agonist-induced endocytosis in cardiac myocytes while the β1AR remains on the cell surface. It has been shown that a PDZ domain binding motif at the carboxyl terminus of β1AR interacts with the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95 when both are expressed in HEK293 cells. We found that mutation of this PDZ binding motif in the β1AR (β1AR-PDZ) enabled agonist-induced internalization in cardiac myocytes. Moreover, stimulation of β1AR-PDZ had a biphasic effect on the myocyte contraction rate similar to that observed following stimulation of the β2AR. The secondary decrease in the contraction rate was mediated by Gi and could be blocked by pertussis toxin. Furthermore, a non-selective endocytosis inhibitor, concanavalin A, inhibited the internalization of wild type β2AR and the mutated β1AR-PDZ, and blocked the coupling of both receptors to Gi. Finally, treating myocytes with a membrane-permeable peptide representing β1AR PDZ motif caused the endogenous β1AR to behave like β1AR-PDZ. These studies suggest that association of the β1AR with PSD-95 or a related protein dictates signaling specificity by retaining the receptor at the cell surface and preventing interaction with Gi.
TWENTY QUESTIONS: KANT'S APPLIED ETHICS

L'A. determine la consistance morale des vingt questions casuistiques, que Kant examine dans la «Doctrine de la vertu», au regard de la subordination des maximes aux maximes et de l'argument de l'education morale, qui annoncent la discipline moderne de l'ethique appliquee
KSRP Modulation of GAP-43 mRNA Stability Restricts Axonal Outgrowth in Embryonic Hippocampal Neurons

The KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KSRP) promotes the decay of AU-rich element (ARE)-containing mRNAs. Although KSRP is expressed in the nervous system, very little is known about its role in neurons. In this study, we examined whether KSRP regulates the stability of the ARE-containing GAP-43 mRNA. We found that KSRP destabilizes this mRNA by binding to its ARE, a process that requires the presence of its fourth KH domain (KH4). Furthermore, KSRP competed with the stabilizing factor HuD for binding to these sequences. We also examined the functional consequences of KSRP overexpression and knockdown on the differentiation of primary hippocampal neurons in culture. Overexpression of full length KSRP or KSRP without its nuclear localization signal hindered axonal outgrowth in these cultures, while overexpression of a mutant protein without the KH4 domain that has less affinity for binding to GAP-43's ARE had no effect. In contrast, depletion of KSRP led to a rise in GAP-43 mRNA levels and a dramatic increase in axonal length, both in KSRP shRNA transfected cells and neurons cultured from Ksrp(+/-) and Ksrp(-/-) embryos. Finally we found that overexpression of GAP-43 rescued the axonal outgrowth deficits seen with KSRP overexpression, but only when cells were transfected with GAP-43 constructs containing 3' UTR sequences targeting the transport of this mRNA to axons. Together, our results suggest that KSRP is an important regulator of mRNA stability and axonal length that works in direct opposition to HuD to regulate the levels of GAP-43 and other ARE-containing neuronal mRNAs.
Techniques in Endourology Holmium:YAG Lithotripsy for Large Renal and Bladder Calculi: Strategies for Efficient Lithotripsy

ABSTRACT Holmium:YAG lithotripsy is effective for all stone compositions, and high success rates may be expected. Large renal and bladder calculi may be treated effectively with Ho:YAG lasertripsy. Using angled optical fibers and increasing power settings may be particularly useful to increase lithotripsy speed.
Local planarity in one-dimensional continua

Abstract In this paper we address a problem posed by W. Lewis at the Second International Conference on Continuum Theory held at BUAP, Puebla, Mexico. Lewis asked for a characterization of local-planarity in inverse limit spaces of finite graphs in terms of the dynamics of the bonding maps. We give some sufficiency conditions and show that points at which our sufficiency conditions do not guarantee the space is locally planar, the problem requires a solution to the harder problem of characterizing planarity in inverse limits of graphs. We also examine the case of an inverse limit generated by a single map, f, on a single graph, G. Assuming that f has finitely many turning points and is non-contracting, we characterize local planarity in terms of the dynamics of f.
R69-5 The Statistics of Discrete-Event Simulation

This paper discusses the problems of simulating systems in which some random behavior exists. The title refers to "discrete-event simulation," but this remains undefined and unemphasized throughout most of the paper. (The expression refers to svstems in which events, such as customer arrivals, occur at a countable set of points on the continuous time axis–this as opposed to a continuous-event simulation in which important properties of the system must be accounted for over a continuum in a given time interval.) The authors trace the elements of a typical experiment and identify the statistical problems along with a discussion of their possible solutions. They isolate a number of frequently overlooked considerations in the random input process, particularly the independence of adjacent samples. Similarly, in estimating system performance, the problem of correlated outputs must be solved. In short, in any simulation, the input data and the system structure must be understood and examined carefully.
Systematic study of coulomb absorption in heavy ion scattering

Abstract Sub-Coulomb heavy ion scattering of 20 Ne on 148,150,152 Sm at 70 MeV has revealed a strong depletion of the elastic scattering flux at backward angles, systematically increasing with the collectivity of low-lying target states. A comparison with a semiclassical Coulomb absorption model and coupled channel calculations is given.
On the Design of Highly Accurate and Efficient IIR and FIR Filters

We describe a systematic method for designing highly accurate and efficient infinite impulse response (IIR) and finite impulse response (FIR) filters given their specifications. In our approach, we first meet the specifications by constructing an IIR filter with, possibly, a large number of poles. We then construct, for any given accuracy, an optimal IIR version of such filter (with a minimal number of poles). Finally, also for any given accuracy, we convert the IIR filter to an efficient FIR filter cascade (either serial or parallel). Since in this FIR approximation the non-causal part of the IIR filter only introduces an additional delay (as a function of the desired accuracy), our IIR construction does not have to enforce causality. Thus, we obtain a simple method for constructing linear phase filters if the specifications so require. All of these procedures are accomplished via robust, fast algorithms. We provide several illustrative examples of our method.
Role of microbial iron reduction in the dissolution of iron hydroxysulfate minerals

[1] Iron-hydroxysulfate minerals can be important hosts for metals such as lead, mercury, copper, zinc, silver, chromium, arsenic, and selenium and for radionuclides such as 226Ra. These mineral-bound contaminants are considered immobilized under oxic conditions. However, when anoxic conditions develop, the activities of sulfate- or iron-reducing bacteria could result in mineral dissolution, releasing these bound contaminants. Reduction of structural sulfate in the iron-hydroxysulfate mineral jarosite by sulfate-reducing bacteria has previously been demonstrated. The primary objective of this work was to evaluate the potential for anaerobic dissolution of the iron-hydroxysulfate minerals jarosite and schwertmannite at neutral pH by iron-reducing bacteria. Mineral dissolution was tested using a long-term cultivar, Geobacter metallireducens strain GS-15, and a fresh isolate Geobacter sp. strain ENN1, previously undescribed. ENN1 was isolated from the discharge site of Shadle Mine, in the southern anthracite coalfield of Pennsylvania, where schwertmannite was the predominant iron-hydroxysulfate mineral. When jarosite from Elizabeth Mine (Vermont) was provided as the sole terminal electron acceptor, resting cells of both G. metallireducens and ENN1 were able to reduce structural Fe(III), releasing Fe+2, SO4−2, and K+ ions. A lithified jarosite sample from Utah was more resistant to microbial attack, but slow release of Fe+2 was observed. Neither bacterium released Fe+2 from poorly crystalline synthetic schwertmannite. Our results indicate that exposure of jarosite to iron-reducing conditions at neutral pH is likely to promote the mobility of hazardous constituents and should therefore be considered in evaluating waste disposal and/or reclamation options involving jarosite-bearing materials.
Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis

Neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis based on immunoreactive trypsin in dried blood spots detects approximately 90% of cases with severe disease. Milder forms of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator dysfunction are likely to be missed. A second blood sample is required from at least 0.5% of babies if screening is based on immunoreactive trypsin alone but this may be avoided by analysing for the ΔF508 cystic fibrosis mutation instead. DNA-based screening raises other problems, however. There are definite short-term benefits from neonatal screening for cystic fibrosis and increasing evidence that it reduces morbidity in the longer term.