cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A distributed augmented Lagrangian method for model predictive control

In this paper we present a distributed Augmented Lagrangian (AL) algorithm to solve model predictive control (MPC) problems that involve a finite number of subsystems which interact with each other via a general network. We focus on discrete-time control systems with time-varying linear dynamics. Our method relies on the Accelerated Distributed Augmented Lagrangian (ADAL) algorithm, which can handle globally coupled linear constraints in a distributed manner based on a locally estimated AL. We prove that the theoretical complexity of ADAL to reach an e-optimal solution both in terms of primal optimality gap and feasibility residual is O(1/e) iterations. As suggested by our numerical analysis, ADAL achieves very fast convergence rates compared to the popular ADMM for distributed MPC.
A binary matrix for the rapid detection and characterization of small-molecule cardiovascular drugs by MALDI-MS and MS/MS

A mixture of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid and 1,5-diaminonaphthalene was discovered as a novel binary matrix for the qualitative analysis of 14 small-molecule (∼250–550 Da) cardiovascular drugs by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and MS/MS in either positive or negative ion mode.
The Effect of Gentle Handling on Depressive-Like Behavior in Adult Male Mice: Considerations for Human and Rodent Interactions in the Laboratory.

Environmental factors play a significant role in well-being of laboratory animals. Regulations and guidelines recommend, if not require, that stressors such as bright lighting, smells, and noises are eliminated or reduced to maximize animal well-being. A factor that is often overlooked is handling and how researchers interact with their animals. Researchers, lab assistants, and husbandry staff in animal facilities may use inconsistent handling methods when interacting with rodents, but humans should be considered a part of the animal’s social environment. This study examined the effects of different handling techniques on depressive-like behavior, measured by the Porsolt forced swim test, in adult C57BL/6J male mice. The same two researchers handled the mice in a gentle, aggressive, or minimal (control) fashion over approximately two weeks prior to testing. The results demonstrated a beneficial effect of gentle handling: gentle handling reduced swimming immobility in the forced swim test compared to mice that were aggressively or minimally handled. We argue that gentle handling, rather than methodical handling, can foster a better relationship between the handlers and rodents. Although handling is not standardized across labs, consistent gentle handling allows for less challenging behavioral testing, better data collection, and overall improved animal welfare.
Extremum seeking-based perfect adaptive tracking of non-PE references despite nonvanishing variance of perturbation

Abstract This paper presents a novel algorithm for adaptive stabilization of unstable discrete time systems with unknown control directions. In a departure from commonly used recursive least squares and gradient type parameter estimators, the proposed algorithm is based on extremum seeking (ES) method. The perturbation signal is a martingale difference sequence (m.d.s) with a non-decaying (bounded from below) variance. In spite of a non-vanishing perturbation, somewhat surprisingly it is shown that globally, almost surely (a.s.) the tracking error converges to zero, input and output signals are uniformly bounded, and the parameter estimates are convergent sequences.
Acute vitamin C improves cardiac function, not exercise capacity, in adults with type 2 diabetes.

People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have impaired exercise capacity, even in the absence of complications, which is predictive of their increased cardiovascular mortality. Cardiovascular dysfunction is one potential cause of this exercise defect. Acute infusion of vitamin C has been separately shown to improve diastolic and endothelial function in prior studies. We hypothesized that acute vitamin C infusion would improve exercise capacity and that these improvements would be associated with improved cardiovascular function. Adults with T2D (n = 31, 7 female, 24 male, body mass index (BMI): 31.5 ± 0.8 kg/m2) and BMI-similar healthy adults (n = 21, 11 female, 10 male, BMI: 30.4 ± 0.7 kg/m2) completed two randomly ordered visits: IV infusion of vitamin C (7.5 g) and a volume-matched saline infusion. During each visit peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD), reactive hyperemia (RH; plethysmography), and cardiac echocardiography were measured. General linear mixed models were utilized to assess the differences in all study variables. Acute vitamin C infusion improved diastolic function, assessed by lateral and septal E:E’ (P < 0.01), but did not change RH (P = 0.92), or VO2peak (P = 0.33) in any participants. Acute vitamin C infusion improved diastolic function but did not change FMD, forearm reactive hyperemia, or peak exercise capacity. Future studies should further clarify the role of endothelial function as well as other possible physiological causes of exercise impairment in order to provide potential therapeutic targets. Trial registration NCT00786019. Prospectively registered May 2008
A Neurosociological Model of Weberian, Instrumental Rationality: Its Cognitive, Conative, and Neurobiological Foundations

Max Weber’s classical conceptualization of instrumental rationality (formal, practical, scientifically theoretical) is interpreted by its associated social relations and its neurocognitive infrastructure. Such rationality requires calculation, planning, and their interaction. Calculation is linked to a larger cognitive structure, left-hemisphere-dependent logical–analytic cognition, which includes propositional logic, deductive reasoning, linear and numeral thinking, linear time consciousness, and the quantitative assessment of value. Planning is linked to the central-executive functioning of the frontal lobes and associated brain structures. The language-based integration of calculation and planning is interpreted on both sociological and neurobiological levels, the result being a neurosociological level of analysis of instrumental rationality.
Incommensurability and “Multicultural Science”

Responding to criticisms made by Siegel of Kuhn’s views on incommensurability, I argue that “multicultural science” is possible. More exactly, values derived from different cultures underlie the salience of questions (e.g., about seeds) that arise when phenomena are considered explicitly as objects of human experience and social value, and that are open to empirical address but side-lined in mainstream modern scientific inquiry. Attention to such values thus points to the potential importance of identifying alternative approaches to systematic empirical inquiry that may involve interesting developments of approaches deployed in gaining “traditional” knowledge, e.g., in agriculture — as we see when we contrast mainstream approaches to agricultural research (those, e.g., that use biotechnological methods) with practically incompatible competing agroecological approaches.
Medical Evaluation of Health Care Technologies

This paper describes different approaches and technologies used in the evaluation of health care technology. It is intended as an introduction for physicians, economists, and others without formal training in evaluation research, epidemiology, or biostatistics. We will try to develop the concepts and methods with a minimum of jargon and without going into great technical detail. Some examples of specific technology assessments are used to illustrate methodological points.
Post-transcriptional stimulation of gene expression by microRNAs.

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA regulatory molecules that control gene expression by guiding associated effector complexes to other RNAs via sequence-specific recognition of target sites. Misregulation of microRNAs leads to a wide range of diseases including cancers, inflammatory and developmental disorders. MicroRNAs were found to mediate deadenylation-dependent decay and translational repression of messages through partially complementary microRNA target sites in the 3′-UTR (untranslated region). A growing series of studies has demonstrated that microRNAs and their associated complexes (microRNPs) elicit alternate functions that enable stimulation of gene expression in addition to their assigned repressive roles. These reports, discussed in this chapter, indicate that microRNA-mediated effects via natural 3′ and 5′-UTRs can be selective and controlled, dictated by the RNA sequence context, associated complex, and cellular conditions. Similar to the effects of repression, upregulated gene expression by microRNAs varies from small refinements to significant amplifications in expression. An emerging theme from this literature is that microRNAs have a versatile range of abilities to manipulate post-transcriptional control mechanisms leading to controlled gene expression. These studies reveal new potentials for microRNPs in gene expression control that develop as responses to specific cellular conditions.
International survey on anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies after pediatric liver transplantation.

In pediatric LT, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents are regularly used to reduce the risk of vascular thrombosis. As evidence for optimal strategy is lacking, local practices vary greatly. The present survey aimed to compile an international overview of anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies in pediatric LT. An online survey was sent to 98 pediatric LT centers in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Twenty-four centers answered the survey. 20/24 (83%) use some sort of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy, yielding 20 different strategies. Perioperative vascular problems, size of the hepatic artery, and patient weight were the most frequent determinants of changes in anticoagulant and antiplatelet strategy. Early HAT rates were reported to be 5% or less in 79% of responding centers. Anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies were not significantly associated with early HAT rates (P = 0.63), or with the number of pediatric LTs performed per year and center (P = 0.92). Internationally, there is a wide variety in anticoagulation and antiplatelet strategies after pediatric LT. Efforts must be made to design a prospective multicentric trial to identify the optimal antithrombotic strategy.
A Calculational Methodology for Comparing the Accident, Occupational, and Waste-Disposal Hazards of Fusion Reactor Designs

A methodology has been developed for calculating indices of three classes of radiological hazards: reactor accidents, occupational exposures, and waste-disposal hazards. Radionuclide inventories, b...
A Chlorophyte alga utilizes alternative electron transport for primary photoprotection

Desmodesmus armatus is an emerging biofuel platform producing high amount of lipids and biomass in mass culture. We observed D. armatus in light-limiting, excess light and sinusoidal light environments to investigate its photoacclimation behaviors and the mechanisms by which it dissipates excess energy. Chlorophyll a:b ratios and the functional absorption cross section of photosystem II (PSII) suggested a constitutively small light harvesting antenna size relative to other green algae. In situ and ex situ measurements of photo-physiology revealed that nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) is not a significant contributor to photoprotection, but cells do not suffer substantial photoinhibition despite its near absence. We performed membrane inlet mass spectrometry analysis to show that D. armatus has a very high capacity for alternative electron transport (AET) measured as light dependent oxygen consumption. Up to 90% of electrons generated at PSII can be dissipated by AET in a water-water cycle during growth in rapidly fluctuating light environments like those found in industrial scale photobioreactors. This work highlights the diversity of photoprotective mechanisms shown in algal systems, that NPQ is not necessarily required for effective photoprotection in some algae and suggests that engineering AET may be an attractive target for increasing biomass productivity of some strains.
A SPIN-Based Dynamic TDMA Communication for a UWB-Based Infrastructure-Free Cooperative Navigation

This letter presents a negotiation-based dynamic time division multiple access (DTDMA) medium access control (MAC) protocol for ultrawideband (UWB) communication via DWM1000 transceivers for an infrastructure-free cooperative navigation (CN) system. The DTDMA scheme is used to avoid packet collision by dividing the channel access into different time slots and dynamically changing the time schedule, such that the time schedule of the agents accommodates the change of the network topology because of the agents' mobility. The negotiation-based rescheduling method motivated by the sensor protocols information via negotiation protocol is used to schedule CN updates selectively to reduce the communication cost while maintaining an acceptable level of localization performance. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed communication protocol via experiments and complexity analysis.
Knowledge Representation and Ontology Mapping Methods for Product Data in Engineering Applications

This work seeks to create a semantic approach that uses ontologies for sharing knowledge related to product data in CAD/CAE applications and for integrating the design evaluation information that these applications individually provide. Our overall approach is coined OADE, Ontology-based Adaptive Design Evaluation. This paper reports on a piece of our ongoing work in this area. The key contributions of this paper include methods for the design of knowledge representation in product design and analysis, population of product data semantics, creation of ontology mapping methods and mapping representations, and mapping of product data semantics to the target application. The mapping method finds matching concepts between different ontologies based on three basic concept relation types: composition, inheritance, and attribute. A prototype implementation is being created using technologies such as OWL (representation tool), Jena (ontology builder), and Protege (ontology editor) to demonstrate the approach for integrating a parametric CAD system, custom virtual assembly application, and an ergonomics engineering application. An example is given in this paper to illustrate how this approach can help integration between a product design application and an assembly simulation analysis application. The significance of this work is that it will provide the capability to create, share, and exchange knowledge for solving design evaluation challenges involving multiple applications and multiple viewpoints. A design decision can thus be described using the common concepts across the diverse entities.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The Utility of Extended Criteria Donor Livers in High Acuity Liver Transplant Recipients.

BackgroundAlthough the use of extended criteria donor (ECD) liver allografts has gained momentum as a potential method by which to expand the donor pool, their use largely remains relegated to low ...
Conjoined right hepatic artery from branches of the common hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries: a rare anatomic variant

To describe a previously unreported anatomical variant of the hepatic arterial supply: a conjoined right hepatic artery, formed by branches of the common hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery. A 54-year-old female with oligometastatic colorectal cancer with metastases to the liver presented for planning stage arteriography in preparation for Y90 radioembolization. Arteriography of the common hepatic artery demonstrated bifurcation into a right hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery. The gastroduodenal artery gave rise to a proximal branch, from which the left hepatic artery originated and then continued to anastomose in the hilum of the liver to the right hepatic artery originating from the common hepatic artery. It was initially identified on visceral artery arteriography and then retrospectively recognized on pre-procedural CT scan. Anatomical variants of the hepatic arterial supply are important to recognize during planning stage arteriography in preparation for Y90 radioembolization. Knowledge of these variants is also important for pre-operative planning.
Projecting the Future through Political Discourse: The case of the Bush doctrine

This monograph examines the rhetorical nature and function of representations of the future in political discourse, focusing on political actors’ use of hegemonic images of future “reality” to achieve their political goals. It argues that a key ideological dimension of political rhetoric lies in politicians’ use of projections of the future to legitimate policies and actions. This argument is grounded in systemic-functional and critical discourse analyses of the “Bush Doctrine,” the U.S. policy response to the September 11 terrorist attacks which sanctioned a “preemptive” military posture. By focusing on the discursive construction of the future, this project addresses a lacunae in critical discourse studies and calls attention to the crucial role that the discourse and practice of “futurology” has played in post-Cold War politics and society. It will be of value to scholars interested in the discourses of politics, the “war on terror,” U.S. national security, and futurology.
Didacticism and the Male Reader in Samuel Richardson's Pamela

In lieu of an abstract, below is the first paragraph of the paper. One might say that Samuel Richardson's 18th century novel Pamela is essentially a love story that, like the chick lit of today, appeals mostly to a female audience. Contrary to the stereotype that women were the only ones who liked reading such works is the fact that males were also avid novelreaders. Admittedly, male readership is often a barely-trodden segment in the pathway of the study of novels particularly novels such as Pamela, Frances Burney's Evelina, and Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles. Considering Richardson's emphasis on virtue, submissiveness, and obedience, it's fairly straightforward to determine the messages that female readers are supposed to get from reading Pamela. The message intended for male readers, however, may be a bit more complicated. Young women know what they're supposed to get from Richardson's text, but male readers don't, which means that multiple messages can be acquired from reading Pamela from a male perspective This article is available in The Review: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Research: http://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/ur/vol12/iss1/8 Didacticism and the Male Reader in Samuel
Zeaxanthin Formation in qE-Inhibited Chloroplasts

Nonphotochemical fluorescence quenching, qE, appears to have several components (1). A slowly relaxing component has been correlated with zeaxanthin formation (2). Development of qE and zeaxanthin formation are both dependent on formation of a trans-thylakoid ΔpH (3,4). Since antimycin inhibits qE without inhibiting ΔpH (3), the relationship between qE and zeaxanthin was investigated with antimycin. We show herein that ascorbate, which is required for zeaxanthin formation in isolated chloroplasts (4), stimulated induction of a qE component possibly related to zeaxanthin formation. However, antimycin inhibited this qE without inhibiting zeaxanthin formation.
TH‐CD‐303‐10: 4D Cone‐Beam CT Reconstruction Using Multi‐Organ Meshes for Sliding Motion Modeling

Purpose: In the simultaneous motion estimation and image reconstruction (SMEIR) algorithm for 4D cone-beam CT (4D-CBCT), the motion model is obtained by enforcing a global smoothness regularization term on the motion fields. The objective of this work is to enhance the performance of the SMEIR for 4D-CBCT by using a multi-organ meshing model to explicitly consider the discontinuity in the motion fields between different organs during the respiration. Methods: In the SMEIR algorithm, the deformable motion between a reference phase 4D-CBCT and other phases is obtained by matching the 4D-CBCT projections at each phase with the corresponding forward projections of the deformed reference phase. In this work, the sliding motion between lung and thoracic cage is considered by a multi-organ meshing model. Specifically, lung and thoracic cage are first segmented from a reference phase 4D-CBCT. Multi-organ tetrahedral meshes are then created from the segmented images to control different motions for different organs during the respiration. In the multi-organ meshes, continuous motion is enforced within each organ and along the normal direction of the organ interface while discontinuous motion is allowed along the tangential direction of the organ interface. The updated motion model is then used in the motion-compensated image reconstruction step in the SMEIR algorithm. Results: In 4D NCAT digital phantom, normalized cross correlations between reconstructed image and the ground truth image for homogeneous and multi-organ mesh-based methods are 0.9893 and 0.9920, respectively; the maximum motion errors along the interface between the lung and thoracic cage for homogeneous and multi-organ mesh-based methods are 6.12 mm and 0.95 mm, respectively. Conclusion: The multi-organ mesh-based 4D-CBCT reconstruction method can estimate the motion fields accurately by considering the sliding motion between different organs. Both image quality and motion estimating accuracy are improved by the proposed method as compared to traditional homogeneous mesh-based approach.
Growth promoting antibiotics in food animal production: an economic analysis.

Objective.Considerable controversy persists regarding the use of human antibiotics to promote growth in animals raised for food. The authors examined the economic effect of removing antibiotics used for growth promotion in commercial broiler chickens.Methods.The authors utilized data published by the Perdue company, the fourth largest poultry producer in the United States, in which a non-randomized controlled trial of growth-promoting antibiotic (GPA) use was conducted with seven million broiler chickens to evaluate the impact of removing GPAs on production.Results.Positive production changes were associated with GPA use, but were insufficient to offset the cost of the antibiotics. The net effect of using GPAs was a lost value of $0.0093 per chicken (about 0.45% of total cost). Based upon these data, the authors found no basis for the claim that the use of GPAs lowers the cost of production. Note that this study does not include veterinary cost changes or changes in performance variability associated with...
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTION OF NITROGEN-CONTAINING STEROIDS

Smith, Rodney F. (University of Maryland, Baltimore), Donald E. Shay, and Norman J. Doorenbos. Antimicrobial action of nitrogen-containing steroids. J. Bacteriol. 85:1295–1299. 1963.—A new group of 16 synthetic nitrogen-containing steroids have been tested against a variety of microorganisms for antimicrobial properties. The gradient plate screening method, serial dilution, and dry weight techniques were used in the studies. The organisms tested consisted of 14 gram-negative bacteria, 10 gram-positive bacteria, 2 actinomycetes, 7 yeasts, and 8 molds. Inhibitory properties were found to be specific and potent in four compounds, with inhibitory concentrations as low as 0.37 μg/ml. Three of the active steroids are 4-aza cholestanes and one is a 4-nor-3,5-secocholestane amide. Sensitivity to the compounds was greatest in the gram-positive bacteria, followed by the yeasts and molds. The gram-negative bacteria were not inhibited. All 16 steroids interfered to some extent with pigmentation in Serratia marcescens but not with pigment production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a few instances, some of the molds were stimulated by the steroids at a concentration of 250 μg/ml.
Spinoza's Radical Theology: The Metaphysics of the Infinite

The advent of modern science brought deep challenges to traditional religion. Miracles, prophecy, immortal souls, absolute morality; all of these fundamental notions were challenged by the increasingly analytical and skeptical approach of modern scientists. One philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, proposed a new theology, rooted in a close analysis of the Bible, which could fit this new science and provide a sound basis for a social order. Spinoza's Radical Theology explains the mechanics and meaning of Spinoza's ideas and how they can inform the questions with which we still struggle today.
Prolonged intrauterine retention of fetal bones after abortion causing infertility

PIP: This case study discusses a patient with prolonged intrauterine retention of parts of the fetal skeleton. A 22 year old black woman presented with secondary infertility. After almost 1 year of attempted diagnosis, a hysteroscopy was performed and a white-appearing tubular structure which was similar to the noncopper-bearing portion of an IUD appeared to be embedded in the fundus. Removal was difficult and the removed segments proved to be bone. Results indicated there were bits of fetal bone partially embedded at the fundal portion of the uterus for 6 years after an induced abortion. Curettage yielded several more bone bits; repeat hysteroscopy confirmed that the uterus was empty. The patient have an uneventful postoperative recovery and is being followed up. There appears to be no other previously published report of fetal bones retained for up to 5 years after an abortion by dilatation and curettage. These bones could have contributed to this patient's postabortion infection. The value of hysteroscopy was clearly demonstrated in this case. Curettage alone could have missed the bones but hysteroscopy enabled the physicians to visualize the bones and their location. The authors speculate that the presence of the bones acted as a uterine synechia or an IUD and thus prevented pregnancy. It is also possible that the presence of bones near the fundal region elevated endometrial postaglandin F2alpha concentration in that region and rendered her infertile.
Novel results on slow coherency in consensus and power networks

We revisit the classic slow coherency and area aggregation approach to model reduction in power networks. The slow coherency approach is based on identifying sparsely and densely connected areas of a network, within which all generators swing coherently. A time-scale separation and singular perturbation analysis then results in a reduced low-order system, where coherent areas are collapsed into aggregate variables. Here, we study the application of slow coherency and area aggregation to first-order consensus systems and second-order power system swing dynamics. We unify different theoretic approaches and ideas found throughout the literature, we relax some technical assumptions, and we extend existing results. In particular, we provide a complete analysis of the second-order swing dynamics - without restrictive assumptions on the system damping. Moreover, we identify the reduced aggregate models as generalized first or second-order Laplacian flows with multiple time constants, aggregate damping and inertia matrices, and possibly adverse interactions.
Some Parameters Of Population Variability And Their Implications In Plant Breeding

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the genetic and environmental factors that influence variability in populations and the implications of variability in plant breeding. Adaptation and adaptability are antagonistic. Success in improving adaptation requires that the population under selection be genetically variable. But high variability tends to be inadaptive because not all the genotypes in variable populations can be optimally fit and the presence of inferior genotypes is expected to reduce the immediate fitness of the population. Thus, successful breeding, insofar as it achieves even higher adaptation, reduces genetic variability and capacity for change. It is suggested that among available breeding methods, mass reservoirs provide the best opportunity for the required recombination to take place. Mass reservoirs are readily set up on a broad genetic base and are then maintained by mass-propagation methods, thus allowing very large populations to be handled with small effort and cost. Hence, it can be used to survey, recombine, and maintain variability on a scale not possible with conventional techniques. Genetically diverse populations are frequently higher yielding over a range of environments than genetically homogeneous populations, and hence, that optimal yield may depend on breeding varieties in which the appropriate compromise is found between the demands for uniformity and the advantages of diversity.
A Mechanism for Stabilization of Dynamics in Nonlinear Systems with Different Time Scales

There are many natural, physical, and biological systems that exhibit multiple time scales. For example, the dynamics of a population of ticks can be described in continuous time during their individual life cycle yet discrete time is used to describe the generation of offspring. These characteristics cause the population levels to be reset periodically. A similar phenomenon can be observed in a sociological college drinking model in which the population is reset by the incoming class each year, as described in the 2006 work of Camacho et al. With the latter as our motivation we analytically and numerically investigate the mechanism by which solutions in certain systems with this resetting conditions stabilize. We further utilize the sociological college drinking model as an analogue to analyze certain one-dimensional and two-dimensional nonlinear systems, as we attempt to generalize our results to higher dimensions.
The effect of immunoglobulin occurring on human sperm in vivo on the human sperm/hamster ova penetration assay.

: We selected 91 infertile men who were tested for increased sperm-associated immunoglobulin and also tested in the human sperm/hamster ova penetration assay. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of increased sperm-associated IgG alone (p = 0.0218) and both sperm-associated IgG and A (p = 0.0187) when correlated with the failure to penetrate any hamster ova. There was a trend but no statistical significance when sperm-associated immunoglobulin A alone was present. There was a trend but no statistical relationship between the presence of sperm-associated immunoglobulin and the sperm penetration assay when the criteria for normality of the sperm penetration assay was a 15% or greater ovum penetration rate.
Atrial tachycardia causes hydrops in fetal lambs.

The purpose of this project was to study mechanisms responsible for edema formation in fetuses with hydrops. We produced hydrops fetalis in 28 fetal sheep [gestational age of 125 +/- 5 days (mean +...
Anagrelide, a selective thrombocytopenic agent

The pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, and dosage and administration of anagrelide are reviewed. Anagrelide is a selective thrombocytopenic agent with FDA-approved labeling for the treatment of essential thrombocythemia. Clinical trials have shown that the drug may have a role in the treatment of other chronic myeloproliferative disorders, including polycythemia vera, chronic myeloid leukemia, and agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. The mechanism by which anagrelide reduces platelet count is not yet clear. The current hypothesis is that anagrelide affects the late (postmitotic) phases of megakaryocyte development. Anagrelide has a large volume of distribution and is extensively metabolized; less than 1% is recovered unchanged in the urine. Plasma half-life after a 0.5-mg dose is 1.3 hours. Anagrelide's efficacy and safety have been evaluated in open-label, noncomparative trials, in which the response rate was 60-93%. Adverse effects include headache, diarrhea, edema, palpitations, and abdominal pain. Patients with renal or hepatic dysfunction need to be closely monitored for signs of toxicity. The recommended starting dosage is 0.5 mg four times a day or 1 mg twice a day, with dosage adjustment to the lowest effective amount required to reduce and maintain platelet count below 600 x 10(9)/L. The wholesale acquisition price for 0.5-mg capsules is $350 per 100. Whether anagrelide will replace hydroxyurea as first-line therapy in some or all patients remains to be determined. Anagrelide is effective in the treatment of essential thrombocythemia and may have a role in the treatment of other myeloproliferative disorders.
Low-calorie sweeteners and body weight and composition: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies

Background: Replacement of caloric sweeteners with lower- or no-calorie alternatives may facilitate weight loss or weight maintenance by helping to reduce energy intake; however, past research examining low-calorie sweeteners (LCSs) and body weight has produced mixed results. Objective: The objective was to systematically review and quantitatively evaluate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and prospective cohort studies, separately, that examined the relation between LCSs and body weight and composition. Design: A systematic literature search identified 15 RCTs and 9 prospective cohort studies that examined LCSs from foods or beverages or LCSs consumed as tabletop sweeteners. Meta-analyses generated weighted mean differences in body weight and composition values between the LCS and control groups among RCTs and weighted mean correlations for LCS intake and these parameters among prospective cohort studies. Results: In RCTs, LCSs modestly but significantly reduced all outcomes examined, including body weight (−0.80 kg; 95% CI: −1.17, −0.43), body mass index [BMI (in kg/m2): −0.24; 95% CI: −0.41, −0.07], fat mass (−1.10 kg; 95% CI: −1.77, −0.44), and waist circumference (−0.83 cm; 95% CI: −1.29, −0.37). Among prospective cohort studies, LCS intake was not associated with body weight or fat mass, but was significantly associated with slightly higher BMI (0.03; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06). Conclusions: The current meta-analysis provides a rigorous evaluation of the scientific evidence on LCSs and body weight and composition. Findings from observational studies showed no association between LCS intake and body weight or fat mass and a small positive association with BMI; however, data from RCTs, which provide the highest quality of evidence for examining the potentially causal effects of LCS intake, indicate that substituting LCS options for their regular-calorie versions results in a modest weight loss and may be a useful dietary tool to improve compliance with weight loss or weight maintenance plans.
Steady-state coexistence of three pure and simple competitors in a four-membered reactor network.

Abstract In this study we investigate the dynamics of pure and simple competition among three microbial populations in a spatially heterogeneous environment. The environment is modeled as a network of four interconnected bioreactors. Growth has been assumed to be noninhibitory, while maintenance requirements have been neglected. Results of numerical studies indicate that the three competitors may coexist in a stable steady state in a domain of the operating parameters space. Results are presented in the form of two-dimensional operating diagrams. No domain was found in the operating parameter space where more than one steady state is meaningful and stable. Since earlier theoretical studies have shown that two pure and simple microbial competitors may coexist in two interconnected bioreactors while numerical studies have shown that three pure and simple competitors cannot coexist in three interconnected bioreactors, the results of the present study may lead one to speculate the N pure and simple competitors may coexist in a network made of 2 N −1 bioreactors.
The Digital Logic Subject Area

The digital logic course area includes the following four components: digital design concepts; digital logic devices; microprocessor systems; and digital design automation. It is the author's intent to address the basic content philosophy and requirements related to the development of the hardware oriented segments of this curriculum.
Middle and high school students' exposure to alcohol- and smoking-related media: a pilot study using ecological momentary assessment.

The goals of this study were to assess the feasibility of using Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) to measure adolescents’ exposure to alcohol and smoking-related media. A sample of 20 middle and high school students completed a two-week EMA protocol in which they monitored exposures to alcohol and smoking-related media. Results showed that adolescents were highly compliant with the study protocol. A total of 255 exposures to alcohol (67%) and smoking (33%) were captured, representing an average of 8.50 (5.82) alcohol-related media exposures and 4.25 (SD = 3.67) smoking-related media exposures and an average of per participant during the study period. Exposures tended to occur in the afternoon (52% alcohol; 54% smoking), at point of sale (44% alcohol; 65% smoking) and on days leading up to the weekend (57% alcohol; 57% smoking). Exposures were also likely in the presence of family (69% alcohol; 56% smoking). Overall, results of this small pilot provide preliminary evidence that EMA is a useful tool for tracking and characterizing middle and high school students’ real-world exposures to alcohol and smoking-related media. Future studies may suggest mechanisms by which media exposures lead to youth uptake of drinking and smoking behaviors.
Organization structure and the performance of hospital emergency services

A comparative study of 30 hospital emergency departments (EDs) and nearly 1,500 individuals associated with them was conducted. Data were obtained from institutional records, physicians, patients, and other sources. The object was to investigate the relationship between the organization and performance of these health service systems. The study assessed the quality of medical care, the quality of nursing care, and the economic efficiency of hospital EDs. The results show substantial interinstitutional differences in these criteria. They also show a significant relationship between medical and nursing care, but not between the quality of care and economic efficiency. Differences in ED performance are related to medical staffing patterns, medical teaching affiliation, personnel training, scope of emergency services, number of patient visits processed, and hospital size and complexity. Not all of these variables, however, correlate positively with all three criteria of performance, nor are they equally important to each.
Asymmetric localizations of LIN-17/Fz and MIG-5/Dsh are involved in the asymmetric B cell division in C. elegans

LIN-44/Wnt and LIN-17/Frizzled (Fz) function in a planar cell polarity (PCP)-like pathway to regulate the asymmetric B cell division in Caenorhabditis elegans. We observed asymmetric localization of LIN-17/Frizzled (Fz) and MIG-5/Dishevelled (Dsh) during the B cell division. LIN-17∷GFP was asymmetrically localized within the B cell prior to and after the B cell division and correlated with B cell polarity. Asymmetric localization of LIN-17∷GFP was dependent upon LIN-44/Wnt and MIG-5/Dsh function. The LIN-17 transmembrane domain and a portion of the cysteine-rich domain (CRD) were required for LIN-17 function and asymmetric distribution to the B cell daughters, while the conserved KTXXXW motif was only required for function. MIG-5∷GFP was also asymmetrically localized within the B cell prior to and after the B cell division in a LIN-17- and LIN-44-dependent manner. Functions of the MIG-5 DEP, PDZ and DIX domains were also conserved. Thus, a novel PCP-like pathway, in which LIN-17 and MIG-5 are asymmetrically localized, is involved in the regulation of B cell polarity.
Further evidence on the nuclear origin and transfer to the cytoplasm of polyadenylic acid sequences in mammalian cell RNA

Abstract Evidence is given supporting the post-transcriptional nuclear addition of polyadenylic acid sequences to HnRNA followed by the appearance of the poly(A) sequences together with messenger RNA in the polyribosomes. Labeled poly(A), attached to HnRNA, was detected on all sizes of HnRNA (30 to 100 S) within 45 seconds, whereas virtually none ( Accumulation of radioactive poly(A) in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm compared to the rate of accumulation of total radioactivity in nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA indicates that poly(A) is conserved to a much greater extent than is total HnRNA. In addition, at least 30 to 40% of the previously labeled nuclear poly(A) appeared in the cytoplasm within 30 minutes after 3′-dA treatment, after which both nuclear and cytoplasmic poly(A) decreased. These experiments suggest the possibility that a large fraction of nuclear poly(A) exits to the cytoplasm, but the experiments cannot distinguish between turnover of a portion of the nuclear poly(A) or complete transport to the cytoplasm.
The effect of effort and improvisation on self-persuasion produced by role-playing

Abstract Opinion change increased as the amount of effort expended to deliver a persuasive counternorm speech was increased. In two experiments physical effort was manipulated by varying the interval of delay in auditory feedback. No differences were found between Ss who improvised a speech advocating a discrepant attitude position and those who merely read the speech sincerely. The theory of cognitive dissonance appears to offer adequate and parsimonious explanation of the results.
INFLUENCE OF PH ON INCIDENCE OF AUTOMATICITY IN DOG PAPILLARY MUSCLE STIMULATED IN POTASSIUM-DEFICIENT MEDIA.

Abstract Isolated dog papillary muscles stimulated in potassium-free media for 5- 1 2 hours at pH 7.4 show an incidence of automaticity of 23 per cent (17 of 73). At low pH (6.5 – 6.6), however, none of 11 muscles developed automaticity. Epinephrine (3 × 10 −7 M) did not initiate automaticity in any muscles, regardless of pH. Sudden increases in voltage resulted in automaticity in all 11 muscles studied at pH 7.4 but in only 1 of 11 studied at the low pH.
Importance of deposition velocity for sulfur gas to sulfate particle transformation rates at the four corners power plant

Abstract Sulfate (SO4) is known to contribute to visibility degradation. The rate of sulfur dioxide (SO2) transformation to SO4 in the real atmosphere is, therefore, a very important measurement parameter and model component. The rate of deposition or deposition velocity (vd) to the ground influences the determination of the SO2→SO4 rate, and must therefore be carefully stated. vd has rarely been consistently defined or carefully considered in transformation rate estimations. This paper will discuss the effect of uncertainty in our knowledge of vd values on previously estimated transformation rates. Emphasis will be placed on a data base for the Four Corners power plant located in Farmington, New Mexico. This power plant is situated in the broad valley of the San Juan River having relative humidity rarely above 40% and with the power plant being the predominant source of anthropogenic particles in the valley. Thus, transformation rates are expected to be less variable than in environments subject to wide fluctuations in relative humidity and background pollution. Calculation of the transformation rate using earlier field studies but with the vd range for SO2 of 0.3, 0.8 and 1.2 cm s−1 as low confidence, mean and high confidence values, results in a range of possible transformation rates from 0 to as much as 8.2% h−1. It appears that uncertainty in vd for SO2 may hamper attempts to specify transformation rates in which plume loss to the ground is present. Given this, it is recommended that direct SO4 measurements be taken in the plume.
Ion channels versus ion pumps: the principal difference, in principle

The incessant traffic of ions across cell membranes is controlled by two kinds of border guards: ion channels and ion pumps. Open channels let selected ions diffuse rapidly down electrical and concentration gradients, whereas ion pumps labour tirelessly to maintain the gradients by consuming energy to slowly move ions thermodynamically uphill. Because of the diametrically opposed tasks and the divergent speeds of channels and pumps, they have traditionally been viewed as completely different entities, as alike as chalk and cheese. But new structural and mechanistic information about both of these classes of molecular machines challenges this comfortable separation and forces its re-evaluation.
Emotional Reactions to Observing Misogyny: Examining the Roles of Gender, Forecasting, Political Orientation, and Religiosity

The purpose of this study was to examine the reactions of women and men who observe misogyny. The authors examined the emotional distress associated with observing misogyny, and the degree to which this varied based on (a) reading about or actually observing the incivility, (b) political orientation, and (c) religiosity. Participants (n = 205 US college students) took part in a between subjects experiment where they either heard or read about one of two scenarios: two men making a disparaging comment about a woman while she was out of the room, or a situation in which no comment was made. Results indicate that women, but not men, overestimated their emotional distress to observing misogyny. For women, but not men, whether or not the misogynistic comment was heard also interacted with religiosity to predict emotional distress. Political orientation did not have an effect on women and men’s reactions. The authors discuss contributions and implications.
Shaping the Borrelia burgdorferi genome: crystal structure and binding properties of the DNA-bending protein Hbb.

Summary The genome of the Lyme disease-causing spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi encodes only a single polypeptide from the integration host factor (IHF)/HU or ‘DNABII’ family of nucleoid-associated proteins – Hbb. DNABII proteins induce large bends in DNA and serve as architectural factors in a variety of prokaryotic cellular processes. We have solved the crystal structure of an Hbb–DNA complex in which the DNA is bent by over 180°. We find that like IHF, Hbb relies exclusively on indirect readout to recognize its cognate site. Additional binding studies show that the sequence preferences of Hbb are related to, yet distinct from those of IHF. Defining these binding characteristics may help to uncover additional roles for Hbb in Borrelia DNA metabolism as well as further our understanding of the mechanism of indirect readout.
A multipurpose EM field measurement and antenna calibration facility

Details of a multipurpose electromagnetic (EM) field measurement facility are described. A three-dimensional robotic probe positioner, modern computer-based instrumentation and specially developed hardware and software for data acquisition, and analysis and graphical presentation permit a large number of measurements in a relatively short time. Flexible and modular design of system components, subsystems, instrumentation, and software renders the facility useful in many diverse applications. Some of the measurement programs undertaken include: Measurement of antenna input impedance as a function of frequency and height. Three-dimensional distribution of E-field due to a variety of antennas in the presence of associated environment such as the walls of an imperfect absorber lined chamber and a reflecting ground plane. Calibration of antennas to be used as probes for EM field measurements. Measurement of scattering properties of absorbing material. Measurement of EM emission characteristics of electronic equipment.