cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid measures of arginine vasopressin secretion in patients with bulimia nervosa and in healthy subjects.

Bulimia nervosa is a psychiatric syndrome associated with intense hunger, deficient satiety mechanisms, an obsessional preoccupation with the adverse consequences of eating, ritualistic binge eating, and subsequent purging to forestall the effects of the binge. The morbidity of this illness reflects both the psychological suffering associated with a life organized around pathological eating behaviors, as well as medical complications such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances that occur largely as a result of purging and laxative abuse. We report here a study of the osmoregulation of plasma arginine vasopressin secretion and of vasopressin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. This study was undertaken because vasopressin not only functions as the antidiuretic hormone, and thus as a principal modulator of fluid and electrolyte balance, but also because, in animals, centrally directed vasopressin delays the extinction of behaviors acquired during aversive conditioning. Thirteen normal-weight female patients wit...
Where's the Diplomacy in Diplomacy? Using a Classic Board Game to Teach Introduction to International Relations

One of the challenges of teaching American undergraduates in an Introduction to International Relations course is finding a way to make topics and themes seem relevant to them. This paper recounts my experiences with the game “Diplomacy” in Introduction to International Relations. The game “Diplomacy” places students in the role of decision-makers in the international arena and simulates the international politics of pre-World War One Europe. As well as being a powerful simulation of the difficulties of International Relations, it also teaches students about one of the most debated wars in the history of the discipline. Every time I have offered Introduction to International Relations, I have had students begin the class by playing two weeks of Diplomacy online (although earlier iterations had used the tabletop game). In the past, feedback from students has indicated that they both enjoyed the game and found it highly educational. In particular, students have a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the international arena. As well as exposing the website and how it may be used in an Introduction to International Relations course, this paper presents the first attempts to measure student learning quantitatively by administering a pre-test, post-test survey.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ARTHROPOD CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Central nervous systems and their func? tions may be studied in many ways and in a variety of different animals. Yet, the amount of research now being done on mammals, and on man in particular, far exceeds that on all other organisms. The justification for such a concentration of effort, however, may well be questioned in view of our present limited understanding, since the very complexity of these systems makes them difficult to analyze anatomically, physiologically and psychologically. For this reason a comparative approach could well be more productive. Comparative physiology has always aimed at contributing not only to a better understanding of the particular animals under study, but also to solution of the more general problems involved, which may yield more readily to investigation of particularly favorable sys? tems.
Implementation of Mind Control Robot

There are billions of neurons interconnected in human brain. Human thoughts and their emotional states affect the interactions between these neurons. Every interaction between these neurons creates an electric discharge which cannot be measured using current technology. However, the activity created by thousands of concurrent electric discharges aggregates into waves which can be measured. The sequences of interactions between these neurons are a result of different brain states. These patterns of interaction produce waves of different amplitudes and frequencies. These wave patterns can be used to determine emotional state of the brain. The goal of this project is to measure electric activity in the brain due to firing of these neurons, parse wave to obtain attention and meditation level of brain and use it to move a robot. There are different techniques available to detect electric activity in brain. One technique is Electroencephalography (EEG). EEG measures voltage fluctuation along the scalp that results from the interaction between the neurons in the brain. These voltage fluctuations are processed and output to a microcontroller by the EEG sensor. The data packets obtained from the EEG sensor are stored in microcontroller. The microcontroller uses different techniques to process and parse the data. The attention and meditation levels are obtained from the processed data. These levels are used to control the direction and motion of the robot.
Cation exchange capacity measurements

Abstract Soil cation exchange capacity (CEC) measurements are important criteria for soil fertility management, vaste disposal on soils, and soil taxonomy. The objective of this research was to compare CEC values for arable Ultisols from the humid region of the United States as determined by procedures varying widely in their chemical conditions during measurement. Exchangeable cation quantities determined in the course of two of the CEC procedures were also evaluated. The six procedures evaluated were: (1) summation of N NH4OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus BaCl2 ‐ TEA (pH 8.0) exchangeable acidity; (2) N Ca(OAc)2 (pH 7.0) saturation with Mg(OAc)2 (pH 7.0) displacement of Ca2+; (3) N NH4OAc (pH 7.0) saturation with NaCl displacement of NH4 +; (4) N MgCl2 saturation with N KCl displacement of Mg2+; (5) compulsive exchange of Mg2+ for Ba2+; and (6) summation of N NH4OAc (pH 7.0) exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, and Na plus N KCl exchangeable AJ. The unbuffered procedures reflect the pH dependent CEC ...
A Metabolic Enzyme of the Short-Chain Dehydrogenase/Reductase Superfamily May Moonlight in the Nucleus as a Repressor of Promoter Activity

Transcriptional repression often depends on the action of recruited co-repressor complexes with intrinsic enzymatic activities. The composition of these complexes depends on the nicotine amide dinucleotide co-factors and is thus directly reflective of the metabolic state of the cells. This study provides evidence that an enzyme, hRoDH-E2, with cytoplasmic phosphorylated and reduced forms of NAD-dependent retinol dehydrogenase activity may function in the nucleus as a transcriptional repressor. By using the promoter of the epidermal late differentiation marker profilaggrin as a model, we show that both in vivo and in vitro the protein is recruited over the promoter. hRoDH-E2 represses profilaggrin promoter activity by altering the function of other activators, such as Sp1. The repressive function is associated with the ability of nuclear hRoDH-E2 to modulate the acetylation/deacetylation activity in the vicinity of transcription initiation site. These findings add hRoDH-E2 to the small group of metabolic enzymes, which, by being recruited over promoter regions, could directly link the cytoplasmic and nuclear functions within the cell.
Recent advances in high-capacity-transmission technology

This paper describes recent advances in high capacity WDM transmission technologies. The 40 Gbps OTN system-LSI implementation technologies for 40 Gbps WDM transport systems, which accommodate not only 40 Gbps client signals such as STM-256/OC-768, but also STM-64/OC192 and 10 gigabit Ethernet (10 GbE) client signals, and support fully transparent transport are reviewed. A 44.6Gbps RZ-DQPSK WDM transmission experiment utilizing a single chip OTN system-LSI is described. The challenges for over 10 Tbps long haul WDM transmission with the channel rate over 100 Gbps for the WAN (wide area network) transport of 100 gigabit Ethernet (100 GbE) LAN client signals are also reviewed. Feasibility of novel modulation formats and distributed amplification is confirmed by WDM transmission experiments.
Interferon-alpha: A Therapeutic Target in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The long history of elevated IFNα in association with disease activity in patients with SLE has taken on high significance in the past decade with accumulating data strongly supporting broad activation of the type I IFN pathway in cells of lupus patients, association of IFN pathway activation with significant clinical manifestations of SLE, and increased disease activity based on validated measures. In addition, a convincing association of IFN pathway activation with the presence of autoantibodies specific for RNA-binding proteins has contributed to delineation of an important role for TLR activation by RNA-containing immune complexes in amplifying innate immune system activation and IFN pathway activation. While the primary triggers of SLE and the IFN pathway remain undefined, rapid progress in lupus genetics is helping to define lupus – associated genetic variants with a functional relationship to IFN production or response in lupus patients. Together, the explosion of data and understanding related to the IFN pathway in SLE have readied the lupus community for translation of those insights to improved patient care. Patience will be needed to allow the required collection of clinical data and biologic specimens across multiple clinical centers that will support the required testing of IFN activity, IFN-inducible gene expression or target chemokine gene products as candidate biomarkers. Meanwhile, promising clinical trials are moving forward to test the safety and efficacy of monoclonal antibody inhibitors of IFNα. Other therapeutic approaches to target the IFN pathway may follow close behind.
Ogbu's anthropology and the critical ethnography of education: a reciprocal interrogation

This paper reviews the work of educational anthropologist John Ogbu, comparing it with theoretical and methodological approaches in the critical ethnography of education. Ogbu's work is situated in relation to the “cultural difference” approach in the American anthropology of education. Basic concepts are introduced and important theoretical contributions are noted. Conceptual problems then are identified in Ogbu's approach, and his shortcomings from a radical perspective are highlighted. Finally, as a representative of a broader anthropological paradigm, Ogbu is brought into a critical dialogue with more radical educational ethnographers in an attempt to distinguish strengths and weaknesses in each body of research.
Interactions of Volatile Anesthetics with Neurodegenerative-Disease-Associated Proteins

The increased life expectancy of humans is associated with an increased prevalence of age-related disorders, including various disorders of cognition. The most common of such disorders is Alzheimer’s disease, which is estimated to afflict 30 million people worldwide. According to predictions, 13 million people in the United States will have Alzheimer’s disease in 2050. That’s up from 4.5 million people in 2000 [1]. This alarming trend is a product of increasing life expectancy, which is now approaching 80 years of age, and the large bolus of individuals from the post-World War II baby boom now approaching retirement. The current medical and long-term care infrastructure is unprepared for the impending load, and the implications to our economy and culture cannot be understated [2]. Recently, there has been considerable emphasis on defining the risk factors and mechanisms of these cognitive disorders with the goal of reducing the prevalence. While a cure is desirable, the multifactorial nature of the various disorders has made this unlikely. Emphasis has shifted to therapy that can delay symptom onset and the identification of environmental factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of these neurodegenerative diseases. Our modern technological society unavoidably exposes individuals to stresses, conditions, chemicals, and pathogens that can contribute to the progression of many disorders, including dementias. Avoidance strategies receive less attention than novel therapeutics. However, such strategies may be more effective in many cases in reducing the
Tunable Dual-Band Antennas for 0.7–1.1-GHz and 1.7–2.3-GHz Carrier Aggregation Systems

Single- and dual-feed, dual-frequency, low-profile antennas with independent tuning using varactor diodes have been demonstrated. The dual-feed planar inverted F-antenna (PIFA) has two operating frequencies which can be independently tuned from 0.7 to 1.1 GHz and from 1.7 to 2.3 GHz with better than $-10\,{\mathrm{ dB}}$ impedance match. The isolation between the high-band and the low-band ports is ${>}13\,{\mathrm{ dB}}$ ; hence, one resonant frequency can be tuned without affecting the other. The single-feed antenna has two resonant frequencies, which can be independently tuned from 1.2 to 1.6 GHz and from 1.6 to 2.3 GHz with better than $-10\,{\mathrm{ dB}}$ impedance match for most of the tuning range. The tuning is done using varactor diodes with a capacitance range from 0.8 to 3.8 pF, which is compatible with RF MEMS devices. The antenna volumes are $63 \times 100 \times 3.15\, {\mathrm{ mm}}^3$ on $\epsilon_{r}=3.55$ substrates and the measured antenna efficiencies vary between 25% and 50% over the tuning range. The application areas are in carrier aggregation systems for fourth generation (4G) wireless systems.
Titanium-Based Metallic Glass Composites with Good Plasticity

Three types of Ti-based alloys (an amorphous material, an amorphous composite with intermetallic crystals, and an intermetallic compound) of the compositions Ti41.5Zr2.5Hf5Cu42.5−x Ni7.5+x Si1 (x = 0, 5, and 15) were fabricated to study the effect of composition on glass formability and microstructure, and the dependence of mechanical properties on microstructure were investigated at room temperature. The results show that the amorphous composite has an excellent combination of both ultrahigh strength (2245 MPa) and large plastic strain (9 pct), which is a significant improvement compared to both the fully amorphous and intermetallic structures. In addition, it is also found that the crystal phases in the amorphous matrix can obstruct the shearing-off of the shear bands by inducing them to interact, deflect, and branch, resulting good plasticity in the amorphous composite.
Integrity assessment of the Pharos of Alexandria during the AD 1303 earthquake

Abstract The Pharos of Alexandria is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world which reflects the glory of ancient engineering and construction skills. It remains the tallest stone tower that stayed intact for more than 15 centuries and survived from more than 20 major earthquakes. This paper describes inelastic dynamic simulations of the response and failure scenario of the Pharos during the most damaging earthquake in 1303 AD. Finite element models of the Pharos structure were established and natural ground motion records from recent earthquakes were selected based on similar earthquake parameters. Response history analyses were performed and the results were used to identify the location and extent of damage leading to failure. Comparison of analytical observations with the possible failure mode reported in historical documentations confirms the realism of the models, methods and input motion used.
Transition to Science Teacher Educator: Tensions Experienced While Learning to Teach Lesson Sequencing.

This self-study investigated the tensions that I (Heidi) encountered when teaching elementary preservice teachers how to develop a coherent sequence of five science lessons. Four lesson planning components guided me in developing a series of lessons to support the preservice teachers with this exercise. Employing self-study methodology, data sources included preservice teachers' artifacts, an audio-recording of the preservice teachers discussing the planning of their lesson sequence, and two reflection journals, one kept personally and one kept collaboratively with my co-author and critical friend (Meredith). Findings indicate that a tension of telling and growth developed gradually during the three weeks of teaching. The collaborative journal revealed that this tension was promoted by two other tensions: confidence and uncertainty, and planning and being responsive. Implications regarding the need for explicit teacher educator coursework and reflective practice opportunities are discussed as potential av...
Context-sensitive delta inference for identifying workload-dependent performance bottlenecks

Software hangs can be caused by expensive operations in responsive actions (such as time-consuming operations in UI threads). Some of the expensive operations depend on the input workloads, referred to as workload-dependent performance bottlenecks (WDPBs). WDPBs are usually caused by workload-dependent loops (i.e., WDPB loops) that contain relatively expensive operations. Traditional performance testing and single-execution profiling may not reveal WDPBs due to incorrect assumptions of workloads. To address these issues, we propose the DeltaInfer approach that predicts WDPB loops under large workloads via inferring iteration counts of WDPB loops using complexity models for the workload size. DeltaInfer incorporates a novel concept named context-sensitive delta inference that consists of two parts: temporal inference for inferring the complexity models of different program locations, and spatial inference for identifying WDPB loops as WDPB candidates. We conducted evaluations on two popular open-source GUI applications, and identified impactful WDPBs that caused 10 performance bugs.
Evaluation of a new screening system for enteric pathogens

The two-hour Rapid SST strip (DMS Laboratories, Inc.) was compared with our standard screening system (triple sugar iron agar, lysine iron agar, and urea) for enteric pathogens. We tested 50 stock cultures of enteric pathogens and 213 stool cultures received in the Barnes Hospital Clinical Microbiology Laboratory over a two-month period. All enteric pathogens from the stock cultures and clinical specimens were identified correctly with the Rapid SST system. More false-positive reactions were observed with the Rapid SST system (34%) than with the conventional system (23%). However, the costs associated with using both systems were equivalent and the test results were available one day faster with the Rapid SST system. Thus, the Rapid SST is a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective method for screening stool specimens for enteric pathogens.
Chemical biology: bring them back alive.

A deep search has turned up an RNA that can carry out the chemically complex 'aldol' reaction involved in sugar metabolism. Could this be similar to an ancestral catalyst that existed billions of years ago?
Structure and extinction of diffusion flames with flame radiation

Using droplet combustion as a model problem, and capitalizing on the temperature-sensitive nature of radiative heat transfer, the structure and extinction of diffusion flames with flame radiation is studied via multi-scale activation energy asymptotics. The flame structure analyzed consists of an O(∈) reaction zone embedded within an O(δ) radiation zone which in turn is situated in the O(1) diffusive-convective flow field, where ∈≪δ≪1. The analysis yields the structure equation for the reaction zone, which can be cast in the same form as that of Linan's adiabatic diffusion flame problem such that his extinction results can be readily used. Present results show that radiative heat loss promotes flame extinction in general, as expected. Furthermore, it can also lead to the phenomenon of dual extinction turning points in which flame extinction due to reactant leakage and thereby kinetic limitation occurs not only for sufficiently small droplets, as is well established, but also for sufficiently large droplets as a result of excessive heat loss from the correspondingly large flame. Consequently there exist diffusive-reactive-radiative systems for which steady combustion is not possible for all droplet sizes. An estimation of the dimensional radiative extinction droplet size is also given for the sample system studied.
A boundary element formulation for planar time-dependent inelastic deformation of plates with cutouts

Abstract A boundary element formulation for planar, time-dependent, inelastic deformation problems for bodies with cutouts is presented in this paper. A stress function description for these nonlinear problems leads to a non-homogeneous biharmonic equation for the stress function rate. An integral representation of the solution uses modified kernels which guarantee that the cutout boundary is traction free for all time. This incorporation of the effect of the cutout on the stress field into the kernels leads to an accurate determination of stresses in the near field of the cutout. Illustrative analytical examples for circular plates with circular cutouts are presented in this paper. In a companion paper [14], numerical solutions are presented for problems of finite plates with very narrow elliptic cutouts. These problems are of considerable importance in inelastic fracture.
Numerical Studies of Three-dimensional Stochastic Darcy’s Equation and Stochastic Advection-Diffusion-Dispersion Equation

Solute transport in randomly heterogeneous porous media is commonly described by stochastic flow and advection-dispersion equations with a random hydraulic conductivity field. The statistical distribution of conductivity of engineered and naturally occurring porous material can vary, depending on its origin. We describe solutions of a three-dimensional stochastic advection-dispersion equation using a probabilistic collocation method (PCM) on sparse grids for several distributions of hydraulic conductivity. Three random distributions of log hydraulic conductivity are considered: uniform, Gaussian, and truncated Gaussian (beta). Log hydraulic conductivity is represented by a Karhunen-Loeve (K-L) decomposition as a second-order random process with an exponential covariance function. The convergence of PCM has been demonstrated. It appears that the accuracy in both the mean and the standard deviation of PCM solutions can be improved by using the Jacobi-chaos representing the truncated Gaussian distribution rather than the Hermite-chaos for the Gaussian distribution. The effect of type of distribution and parameters such as the variance and correlation length of log hydraulic conductivity and dispersion coefficient on leading moments of the advection velocity and solute concentration was investigated.
A Note on Zeckhauser's “Majority Rule with Lotteries on Alternatives”: The Case of the Paradox of Voting

I. Introductory remarks, 705. — II. The paradox of voting under uncertainty: a special case, 706. — III. The unconstrained case and the importance of strategy constraints, 708.
Androgen and estrogen dynamics in women with vertebral crush fractures

Abstract Using constant infusions of [3h]androgen/[14c]estrogen we measured metabolic clearance and production rates and aromatization of androgens to estrogens in post-menopausal women with vertebral crush fractures and compared these results to similar measurements in a similar population of postmenopausal women who did not have vertebral crush fractures. The mean ±SEM values for the metabolic clearance rates of testosterone and estrone, 220±10 and 880±50 1/day per m2, were significantly less in the crush fracture group than the respective mean values in the control group, 280±15 and 1110±70 1/day per m2. The mean concentration of estradiol was higher in the crush fracture group, 18±2 pg/ml, compared to that in the control group, 13±1 pg/ml. However, for the crush fracture group the mean blood production rates of both androstenedione, 0.7±0.1 mg/day, and testosterone, 56±9 μg/day, were significantly less than the respective values in the control group, 1.2±0.2 mg/day and 115±15 μg/day. The production rates for estrone and estradiol were not different for the two groups. In addition the mean value for the fraction of adrostenedione converted to testosterone ([ϱ]BBA.T) was lower in the crush fracture, 0.030±0.002 compared to the control group, 0.041±0.004. Thus the amount of biologically available androgen is less in the vertebral crush fracture group than in the control group. However, since these measurements represent an isolated point temporally removed from major changes in bone morphology, their exact relationship to the crush fracture and osteoporotic process remains uncertain.
Autonomous undulatory serpentine locomotion utilizing body dynamics of a fluidic soft robot

Soft robotics offers the unique promise of creating inherently safe and adaptive systems. These systems bring man-made machines closer to the natural capabilities of biological systems. An important requirement to enable self-contained soft mobile robots is an on-board power source. In this paper, we present an approach to create a bio-inspired soft robotic snake that can undulate in a similar way to its biological counterpart using pressure for actuation power, without human intervention. With this approach, we develop an autonomous soft snake robot with on-board actuation, power, computation and control capabilities. The robot consists of four bidirectional fluidic elastomer actuators in series to create a traveling curvature wave from head to tail along its body. Passive wheels between segments generate the necessary frictional anisotropy for forward locomotion. It takes 14 h to build the soft robotic snake, which can attain an average locomotion speed of 19 mm s−1.
Should Children Have Equal Access to Neuroenhancements

Persuasive arguments have been put forward for the permissible use of neuroenhancements (Bostrom and Sanberg 2009; Dees 2008). It is argued that in the same way that adults are (and should be) free...
Prostate Screening in Patients With 46,XY Disorders of Sex Development—Is it Necessary?

Purpose: We used current methods of screening for prostate cancer, digital rectal examination and serum prostate specific antigen as an initial assessment of risk in a young group of adult 46,XY patients affected by disorders of sex development.Materials and Methods: Adult intersex patients older than 21 years, under long-term followup at the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic of the Johns Hopkins Hospital, with a diagnosis of male psuedohermaphroditism and raised as male or female were included in analysis. After written consent all participants underwent digital rectal examination and blood sampling for prostate specific antigen and testosterone measurements.Results: Prostate specific antigen values were available for analysis in 26 patients. Diagnoses included micropenis (8), complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (3), partial androgen insensitivity syndrome (9) and mixed gonadal dysgenesis (6). Of the 26 patients 9 had been raised as female (complete androgen insensitivity syndrome in 3, partial androge...
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulates 45Ca2+ uptake in the mouse corticotroph cell line AtT-20.

Abstract Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) stimulates adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) release via the adenylate cyclase/cAMP-dependent protein kinase system. Because calcium is necessary for receptor-mediated release of ACTH, we have examined the effect of CRF on 45 Ca 2+ uptake in a corticotroph cell line model, AtT-20. Treatment of AtT-20 cells with CRF (10 −9 − 10 −6 M) resulted in dose- and time-dependent increases in 45 Ca 2+ uptake, up to 2.2-fold above control values. The effect was statistically significant at 1 min and persisted for at least 10 min. Treatment with forskolin (1–30 μM), 8-Br-cAMP (0.5 mM), cholera toxin (CT, 100 ng/ml) and K + (20 mM) also increased cell-associated 45 Ca 2+ . The effect of K + was completely blocked by nifedipine (100 μM), whereas the effects of CRF (10 −8 M) were only partially inhibited by this calcium channel antagonist. These data suggested a role of voltage-dependent calcium channels in 45 Ca 2+ uptake. Short term pretreatment (1–2 h) of AtT-20 cells with CRF (10 −8 M) significantly desensitized both CRF-stimulated cAMP accumulation and ACTH release, but did not attenuate CRF-stimulated 45 Ca 2+ uptake. Pretreatment with CRF (10 −8 M) for 4 h did not alter CT- or forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation and ACTH release. This suggests that the molecular mechanisms of desensitization are proximal to adenylate cyclase. Conversely, long term pretreatment (24 h) of AtT-20 cells with CRF (10 −8 M) induced significant desensitization of CRF-stimulated 45 Ca 2+ uptake. These results indicate that CRF stimulates calcium uptake in AtT-20 cells via cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent mechanisms, and that the cellular mechanisms involved in desensitization of cAMP accumulation and ACTH release and those involved in desensitization of calcium uptake are qualitatively different.
From union hegemony to union disintegration: Collective bargaining in cement and related industries

The cement industry provides an interesting example of the impact of collective bargaining where management determines that it cannot afford a strike, yields to extreme union demands, but deludes itself that it can withstand the economic impact of unionism under such circumstances because almost all competitors are similarly situated and labor costs can be partially offset by automation. The small Cement, Lime, and Gypsum Workers Union won not only high wages and benefits, but imposed restrictive rules as severe as those in any industry. Eventually, however, foreign competition and economic realities forced the companies to revolt, and the union found that it could not sustain strikes. An ill-conceived merger broke up, an independent union was formed, and today unionism, once so strong, is weak and divided as management imposes or forces acceptance of its conditions. The story, while unique in many ways, resembles what has occurred in other industries with high fixed costs, militant unions, and the reluctance of management to sacrifice current gains for longer run needs.
Simultaneous removal of perchlorate and energetic compounds in munitions wastewater by zero-valent iron and perchlorate-respiring bacteria

Ammonium perchlorate is one of the main constituents in Army's insensitive melt-pour explosive, PAX-21 in addition to RDX and 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN). The objective of this study is to develop an innovative treatment process to remove both perchlorate and energetic compounds simultaneously from PAX-21 production wastewater. It was hypothesized that the pretreatment of PAX-21 wastewater with zero-valent iron (ZVI) would convert energetic compounds to products that are more amenable for biological oxidation and that these products serve as electron donors for perchlorate-reducing bacteria. Results of batch ZVI reduction experiments showed that DNAN was completely reduced to 2,4-diaminoanisole and RDX was completely reduced to formaldehyde. Anaerobic batch biodegradation experiments showed that perchlorate (30 mg L(-1)) in ZVI-treated PAX-21 wastewater was decreased to an undetectable level after 5 days. Batch biodegradation experiments also confirmed that formaldehyde in ZVI-treated wastewater was the primary electron donor for perchlorate-respiring bacteria. The integrated iron-anaerobic bioreactor system was effective in completely removing energetic compounds and perchlorate from the PAX-21 wastewater without adding an exogenous electron donor. This study demonstrated that ZVI pretreatment not only removed energetic compounds, but also transformed energetic compounds to products that can serve as the source of electrons for perchlorate-respiring bacteria.
Writing efficient programs: performance issues in an undergraduate CS curriculum

Performance is an essential aspect of many software systems, and it is important for programmers to understand performance issues. However, most undergraduate curricula do not explicitly cover performance issues---performance monitoring and profiling tools, performance improvement techniques, and case studies---in their curricula. This paper describes how we address this topic as part of a third-year programming course. We focus on tools and techniques for monitoring and improving performance, as well as the interaction between clean program design and performance tuning.
The combined influences of solution resistance and charge-transfer kinetics on microelectrode cyclic voltammetry

Abstract : The effects of heterogeneous kinetics on cyclic voltammograms at microdisk electrodes are examined by digital simulation. The increased diffusive efficiency at microelectrodes raises the upper limit of measurable rate constant relative to a large electrode. Solution resistance, often considered to be insignificant at microelectrodes, is shown to have potentially serious influence on the shape of the voltammogram. When solution resistance and heterogeneous kinetics are combined, the results suggest complex coupling between the effects of these parameters, thus making their separation difficult. Keywords: Microelectrode, Cyclic voltammetry, Heterogeneous kinetics, Solution resistance, Digital simulation, Reprints.
Transmural differences in sympathetic coronary constriction during exercise in the presence of coronary stenosis.

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of sympathetic neural activation on the transmural distribution of myocardial perfusion distal to a flow-limiting coronary artery stenosis. Treadmill exercise in conscious dogs was used as a physiological stimulus to activate the sympathetic nervous system. In the experimental model, the anterior region of the circumflex artery was innervated, but the posterior circumflex region was treated with phenol to produce regional sympathectomy within the stenotic territory. Myocardial perfusion to innervated and sympathectomized left ventricular regions was measured before and after inflation of the occluder to reduce distal coronary pressure to 45 mm Hg. Measurements were obtained during control conditions with the animal standing on the treadmill, during inflation of the occluder with the animal standing, during exercise alone, during exercise with beta-adrenergic blockade, and during exercise with combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade. Exercise (6 km/hr) resulted in a marked increase in heart rate from 128 +/- 9 (standing) to 218 +/- 7 beats/min. beta-Adrenergic blockade blunted the tachycardia during exercise (146 +/- 6 beats/min). Under control conditions (while standing), there were no differences in myocardial perfusion between the innervated and sympathectomized regions, 187 +/- 26 and 181 +/- 24 ml.min-1.100 g-1, respectively. During exercise or in combination with beta-adrenergic blockade, subepicardial perfusion was significantly less (18-25%) in the innervated stenotic region than that in the sympathectomized stenotic region. In contrast, subendocardial perfusion was significantly greater in the innervated stenotic region (17-26%) than that in the sympathectomized stenotic region. The subendocardial-to-subepicardial blood flow ratio during exercise was 0.60 +/- 0.08 in the innervated stenotic region and 0.42 +/- 0.07 in the sympathectomized stenotic region (p less than 0.05). During exercise with beta-adrenergic blockade, the endocardial-to-epicardial blood flow ratios in the innervated and sympathectomized stenotic regions were 0.47 +/- 0.09 and 0.37 +/- 0.07, respectively (p less than 0.05). These differences were abolished during alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade. These data indicate that alpha-adrenergic coronary constriction distal to a flow-limiting stenosis facilitates redistribution of blood flow toward the subendocardium. This redistribution was produced by alpha-adrenergic constriction in the outer layers of the left ventricle.
Successful endovascular management of an acute iliac venous injury during lumbar discectomy and anterior spinal fusion

A 61-year-old woman experienced laceration of the left common iliac vein with significant hemorrhage during lumbar discectomy. An endovascular approach using stent grafts provided a minimally invasive and successful solution to the problem.
Matching logic: an alternative to hoare/floyd logic

This paper introduces matching logic, a novel framework for defining axiomatic semantics for programming languages, inspired from operational semantics. Matching logic specifications are particular first-order formulae with constrained algebraic structure, called patterns. Program configurations satisfy patterns iff they match their algebraic structure and satisfy their constraints. Using a simple imperative language (IMP), it is shown that a restricted use of the matching logic proof system is equivalent to IMP's Hoare logic proof system, in that any proof derived using either can be turned into a proof using the other. Extensions to IMP including a heap with dynamic memory allocation and pointer arithmetic are given, requiring no extension of the underlying first-order logic; moreover, heap patterns such as lists, trees, queues, graphs, etc., are given algebraically using fist-order constraints over patterns.
Online battery state of health estimation based on Genetic Algorithm for electric and hybrid vehicle applications

Abstract State of health (SOH) of batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles can be observed using some battery parameters. Based on a resistance–capacitance circuit model of the battery and data obtained from abundant experiments, it was observed that the diffusion capacitance shows great correlation with SOH of a lithium-ion battery. However, accurate measurement of this diffusion capacitance in real time in an electric or hybrid electric vehicle is not practical. In this paper, Genetic Algorithm (GA) is employed to estimate the battery model parameters including the diffusion capacitance in real time using measurement of current and voltage of the battery. The battery SOH can then be determined using the identified diffusion capacitance. Temperature influence is also considered to improve the robustness and precision of SOH estimation results. Experimental results on various batteries further verified the proposed method.
A single-lead ECG enhancement algorithm using a regularized data-driven filter

We presented a novel way of deriving a subspace filter for enhancing a noisy electrocardiogram (ECG) signal contaminated by electromyogram (EMG). The new subspace filter was based on a multiple cycle prediction (MCP) modeling of a single-lead ECG. The adoption of an MCP model resulted in a data matrix more suitable for separating noise and signal subspaces than the linear prediction (LP) model that is implicitly assumed in many existing subspace filters. Alignment of ECG cycles of different length is required for MCP modeling and was handled by a dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm. A run-time procedure was designed for automatically determining the signal space dimension adaptively. To validate the new filter in a quantitative way, 12 clean realistic ECG segments with different degrees of heart rate variability generated using the ECGSyn program were mixed with different realizations of EMG noise in the MIT-BIH Noise Stress Test Database and locally acquired EMG at a typical 10-dB signal-to-noise ratio. The performance of the proposed method was compared to three existing ECG enhancement algorithms and achieved encouraging results. In addition, various ECG recordings from MIT-Arrythmia database were also mixed with EMG noise and subjected to the same four filters resulting in a qualitative comparison of them.
Nutritional Requirements of Selenomonas ruminantium for Growth on Lactate, Glycerol, or Glucose.

The nutritional requirements of Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 for growth on glucose, glycerol, or lactate were investigated to clarify the results of previous studies and to relate the nutrition of the organism to its physiology. The organism required l-aspartate, CO2, p-aminobenzoic acid, and biotin for growth on a lactate-salts medium that contained small amounts of dithiothreitol. Aspartate could be replaced by l-malate or fumarate but not by succinate or l-asparagine. Requirements for growth with glycerol as an energy source were similar, except that aspartate was not required. With glucose as the energy source, neither aspartate nor p-aminobenzoic acid was required, but a requirement for volatile fatty acids, which could be met by n-valerate, was observed. CO2 was required for growth on lactate or glycerol but not on glucose on complex media containing Trypticase and yeast extract. Sulfide could be used as the sole source of sulfur.
Isolation of persistent air leaks and placement of intrabronchial valves

Objectives Alveolar-pleural fistulas causing persistent air leaks are conditions associated with prolonged hospital courses, high morbidity, and possibly increased mortality. Intrabronchial valves serve as a noninvasive therapeutic option for the closure of alveolar-pleural fistulas. Methods The present review describes a brief history of, and indications for, the placement of intrabronchial valves in patients with persistent air leaks. The essential steps necessary for placement are air leak isolation, airway sizing, and valve deployment. Additionally, the indications and methods for intrabronchial valve removal, along with the potential complications from intrabronchial valve placement, are described. Conclusions The increased use of intrabronchial valves in the treatment of persistent air leaks requires bronchoscopists and clinicians to understand the procedural steps and techniques necessary for intrabronchial valve placement.
Effect of Pralidoxime on Electrical Activity of the Cat Brain

SummaryIn cats, pralidoxime in doses of 30-75 mg/kg produces sedation and an EEG pattern like that seen after administration of CNS depressants. These doses also prevent convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol or physostigmine. Apparently significant amounts of pralidoxime cross the blood-brain barrier in cats.
Designing small, nonsugar activators of antithrombin using hydropathic interaction analyses.

Conformational activation of antithrombin is a critical mechanism for the inhibition of factor Xa, a proteinase of the blood coagulation cascade, and is typically achieved with heparin, a polyanionic polysaccharide clinically used for anticoagulation. Although numerous efforts have been directed toward the design of better activators, a fundamental tenet of these studies has been the assumed requirement of an oligo- or a polysaccharide backbone. We demonstrate here a concept that small nonsaccharidic nonpolymeric molecules may be rationally designed to interact with and activate antithrombin for enhanced inhibition of factor Xa. The rational design strategy is based on a study of complexes of natural and mutant antithrombins with heparinbased oligosaccharides using hydropathic interaction (HINT) technique, a quantitative computerized tool for analysis of molecular interactions. A linear correlation was observed between the free energy of binding for antithrombin-oligosaccharide complexes and the HINT score over a wide range of 13 kcal/mol, indicating strong predictive capability of the HINT technique. Using this approach, a small, nonsugar, aromatic molecule, (-)-epicatechin sulfate (ECS), was designed to mimic the nonreducing end trisaccharide unit DEF of the sequence specific heparin pentasaccharide DEFGH. HINT suggested a comparable antithrombin-binding geometry and interaction profile for ECS and trisaccharide DEF. Biochemical studies indicated that ECS binds antithrombin with equilibrium dissociation constants of 10.5 and 66 I Ma t pH 6.0, I 0.025, and pH 7.4, I 0.035, respectively, that compare favorably with 2 and 80 IM observed for the natural activator DEF. ECS accelerates the antithrombin inhibition of factor Xa nearly 8-fold demonstrating for the first time that conformational activation of antithrombin is feasible with appropriately designed small nonsugar organic molecules. The results present unique opportunities for de novo activator design based on this first-generation lead.
Effects of Estrogen on the Sexual Behavior of Male Rats

The effects of 17β-estradiol benzoate (EB) on the homotypical and heterotypical sexual behavior of male rats were studied. Lordosis was readily induced by daily administration of EB for periods of a week or more, commencing one week after castration. Intact males were somewhat less responsive. Estrogen-induced lordosis in the male differed from that in the female in the following respects: 1) Large doses of EB were required in the male. 2) The responses were less consistent in the male than in the female. 3) The effects of submaximal EB doses were not facilitated by progesterone, even when as much as 5 mg was used. Large doses of EB suppressed the homotypical behavior of normal males, but had a slight stimulatory effect in long-term castrates. When EB was administered from the time of castration, it produced “androgenic” effects on homotypical behavior. Some maintenance of ejaculatory patterns was observed, and the effects on intromission latency, intromission frequency and post-ejaculatory interval resem...
Global Methylation Pattern of Genes in Androgen-Sensitive and Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells

Promoter DNA methylation of CpG islands is an important epigenetic mechanism in cancer development. We have characterized the promoter methylation profile of 82 genes in three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC3, and DU145) and two normal prostate cell lines (RWPE1 and RWPE2). The methylation pattern was analyzed using a Panomics gene array system that consists of immobilized probes of known gene promoters on a nitrocellulose membrane. Methylation binding protein-purified methylated DNA was hybridized on the membrane and detected by the chemiluminescence method. We analyzed methylation profile in normal (RWPE1) versus cancerous cells and androgen receptor (AR)-sensitive (LNCaP) versus AR-negative cells (DU145 and PC3). Our study shows that >50% of the genes were hypermethylated in prostate cancer cells compared with 13% in normal cell lines. Among these were the tumor suppressor (RB, TMS1, DAPK, RBL1, PAX6, and FHIT), cell cycle (p27KIP1 and CDKN2A), transporters (MDR1, MLC1, and IGRP), and transcription factor (STAT1, CIITA, MYOD, and NPAT) genes. Relative methylation pattern shows that most of these genes were methylated from 5-fold to >10-fold compared with the normal prostate cells. In addition, promoter methylation was detected for the first time in target genes such as RIOK3, STAT5, CASP8, SRBC, GAGE1, and NPAT. A significant difference in methylation pattern was observed between AR-sensitive versus AR-negative cancer cells for the following genes: CASP8, GPC3, CD14, MGMT, IGRP, MDR1, CDKN2A, GATA3, and IFN. In summary, our study identified candidate genes that are methylated in prostate cancer.
A novel synthesis of trifluoromethyl fluoroformate from trifluoromethyl hypofluorite and carbon monoxide in the presence of fluorine gas

Abstract Trifluoromethyl fluoroformate is prepared through a radical reaction between CF 3 OF and CO initiated by elemental fluorine. The reaction could be integrated into a continuous synthesis process. This method represents a convenient synthesis of the title compound under mild condition.
Mission Statement Quality and Financial Performance

Mission statements are widely considered to be important to business success. This paper reports on the relationship of mission statement quality (based on the inclusion of stakeholders, components, and the meeting of objectives) to financial performance. Our findings indicate that most elements in mission statements are not associated with firm performance. Mission statements that include phrases that refer to what many may view as the fundamental rules of business have a significant positive relationship with financial performance: be concerned with your employees, be responsible to the society in which you do business, and emphasize and communicate your value system.