cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Use of substation IED data for improved alarm processing and fault location

With the advent of technology, substations of modern days are being equipped with different types of IEDs (Intelligent Electronic Devices) such as Digital Protective Relay (DPR), Digital Fault Recorders (DFR), Phasor Measurement Units (PMU), etc. These devices are capable of recording huge amount of data and thus integration and appropriate use of those data can be beneficial to the power industry. There are several issues to be solved in this regard: (1) Which data to be used and when (for what application), (2) Accuracy of such data (in the measurement process from the place of data capture to where it is used), (3) Extraction of useful information from captured data and (4) Use of the information in applications. This paper focuses on these issues and also some new applications which can use those substation IED data.
Reliability of robotic system during general surgical procedures in a university hospital

Abstract Background Data concerning the reliability of robotic systems are scarce, especially for general surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and consequences of robotic malfunction in a teaching institution. Methods From January 2006 to September 2012, 526 consecutive robotic general surgical procedures were performed. All failures were prospectively recorded in a computerized database and reviewed retrospectively. Results Robotic malfunctions occurred in 18 cases (3.4%). These dysfunctions concerned the robotic instruments in 9 cases, the robotic arms in 4 cases, the surgical console in 3 cases, and the optical system in 2 cases. Two malfunctions were considered critical, and 1 led to a laparoscopic conversion (conversion rate due to malfunction, .2%). Overall, there were more dysfunctions at the beginning of the study period (2006 to 2010) than more recently (2011 to 2012) (4.2% vs 2.6%, P = .35). Conclusions The robotic system malfunction rate was low. Most malfunctions could be resolved during surgery, allowing the procedures to be completed safely. With increased experience, the system malfunction rate seems to be reduced.
MicroRNAs in obesity-associated disorders

The emergence of a worldwide obesity epidemic has dramatically increased the prevalence of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, predisposing individuals to a greater risk for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type II diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Current available pharmacological interventions combined with diet and exercise-based managements are still poorly effective for weight management, likely in part due to an incomplete understanding of regulatory mechanisms and pathways contributing to the systemic metabolic abnormalities under disturbed energy homeostasis. MicroRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that regulate posttranscriptional gene expression, have been increasingly described to influence shifts in metabolic pathways under various obesity-related disease settings. Here we review recent discoveries of the mechanistic role that microRNAs play in regulating metabolic functions in liver and adipose tissues involved in obesity associated disorders, and briefly discusses the potential candidates that are being pursued as viable therapeutic targets.
Investigation of photorefractive self-pumped phase-conjugate mirrors in the presence of loss and high modulation depth

Previous theoretical models for linear and ring self-pumped phase-conjugate mirrors are reviewed and modified to include the effects of linear absorption. The nonlinear photorefractive response at high modulation depths, present when large electric fields are applied in semiconductor and sillenite materials, is included in the coupled wave equations for the ring mirror, and the equations are solved numerically. Results of the analysis show that phase-conjugate reflectivities can be severely limited because of both linear absorption and large-signal effects. The calculations are compared with actual measurements of ring mirrors by using InP and Bi12TiO2o.
Oral delivery of oligomeric procyanidins in Apple Poly® enhances type I IFN responses in vivo

Type I IFN signaling is a central pathway that provides critical innate protection from viral and bacterial infection and can have regulatory outcomes in inflammatory settings. We determined previously that OPCs contained in the dietary supplement APP enhanced responses to type I IFN in vitro. Here, we confirm that OPCs from two different sources significantly increased pSTAT1, whereas a monomeric form of procyanidin did not. We hypothesized that similar responses could be induced in vivo following ingestion of APP. Ingestion of APP before injection of polyI:C enhanced in vivo responses to type I IFNs in mice. When human subjects ingested APP, enhanced responses to type I IFN and enhanced pSTAT1 ex vivo were detected, whereas ingestion of RES, a monomeric polyphenol, induced minimal such changes. Polyphenols are best known for induction of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant responses; however, our findings suggest a unique, nonantioxidant aspect of OPCs that is broadly applicable to many disease settings. The capacity of oral OPCs to enhance type I IFN signaling in vivo can augment innate protection and may, in part, contribute to the noted anti-inflammatory outcome of ingestion of OPCs from many sources.
pHi, [Ca2+]i, and Myosin Phosphorylation in Histamine- and NH4+-Induced Swine Carotid Artery Contraction

Abstract We examined the interaction among changes in pHi, [Ca2+]i, myosin light-chain phosphorylation, and contraction in arterial smooth muscle stimulated by histamine, NH4+, Tris+, and/or changes in extracellular pH (pHo). We loaded swine carotid medial tissues with 2′,7′-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein to measure pHi or aequorin to measure [Ca2+]i. Incubation of tissues in NH4+ increased pHi, [Ca2+]i, myosin phosphorylation, and force. Washout of NH4+ decreased pHi and transiently further increased in [Ca2+]i and force. Incubation of tissues in a similar concentration of Tris+ or increasing pHo also increased pHi; however, there were only modest changes in [Ca2+]i and force. Increasing extracellular pH coincidentally with washout of NH4+ prevented the decrease in pHi but did not affect the NH4+ washout-induced contraction. These data suggest that NH4+ altered [Ca2+]i and contraction by mechanisms other than its effects on pHi. The type of pH buffer did not affect the [Ca2+]i, myosin phosphorylation, or stress response to histamine stimulation. The time course of changes in pHi was much slower than the time course of histamine-induced changes in [Ca2+]i, myosin phosphorylation, and stress. Addition of 10 mmol/L NH4+ concurrently with histamine aborted the histamine-induced decrease in pHi and significantly slowed the histamine-induced increase in [Ca2+]i, myosin phosphorylation, and stress. There was little effect on histamine-induced increases in [Ca2+]i, myosin phosphorylation, or contraction when three other protocols aborted the histamine-induced decrease in pHi. These data show that incubation in NH4+ can alter [Ca2+]i and contraction in both unstimulated and histamine-stimulated smooth muscle. However, these effects were not caused by NH4+-dependent changes in pHi. It appears that histamine-induced changes in pHi have at most minor effects on [Ca2+]i and contraction of swine carotid artery.
Outlier detection in performance data of parallel applications

When an adaptive software component is employed to select the best-performing implementation for a communication operation at runtime, the correctness of the decision taken strongly depends on detecting and removing outliers in the data used for the comparison. This automatic decision is greatly complicated by the fact that the types and quantities of outliers depend on the network interconnect and the nodes assigned to the job by the batch scheduler. This paper evaluates four different statistical methods used for handling outliers, namely a standard interquartile range method, a heuristic derived from the trimmed mean value, cluster analysis and a method using robust statistics. Using performance data from the Abstract Data and Communication Library (ADCL) we evaluate the correctness of the decisions made with each statistical approach over three fundamentally different network interconnects, namely a highly reliable InfiniBand network, a gigabit Ethernet network having a larger variance in the performance, and a hierarchical gigabit Ethernet network.
Older Women’s Descriptions and Understandings of Their Abusers:

Thirty-eight women who were in abusive relationships since age 55 years were interviewed to understand their abuse stories, ways of coping, and health care experiences. In responding to these questions, women described the nature of the abuse perpetrated by their elderly partners and tried to "make sense" of what they had experienced and to define "who" these men were. This took various forms, from personal theories about aging, to labels (ethnic stereotyping, demonizing, pathologizing) to characterizations of the abuser's private versus public behaviors. The authors explore the implications these findings have for assisting the elderly victim and perpetrator.
Spatial distribution of earthquakes: the four-point moment function

Summary. The four-point moment function of the spatial distribution of shallow earthquake hypocentres is studied for the Central California (USGS) catalogue. We consider the numbers of hypocentre quadruplets which have a maximum hypocentre separation less than certain limits. Each of these numbers is proportional to the reciprocal of the volume of the tetrahedron formed by the lines connecting the four points. There is some evidence that for a catalogue of long time duration, this moment is independent of the form (or maximum dimension) of the tetrahedron once the volume is fixed. The results seem to rule out the conventional model of earthquake hypocentres occurring on a single isolated plane or on several planes. The study of four-point and lower-order moments provides a numerical basis for the comparison of different models of fault geometries.
Synthesizing life history theory with sexual selection: Toward a comprehensive model of alternative reproductive strategies

Del Giudice's model of sex-specific attachment patterns demonstrates the usefulness of infusing life history theory with principles of sexual selection. We believe a full synthesis between the two theories provides a foundation for a comprehensive model of alternative reproductive strategies. We extend Del Giudice's ideas based on our own program of research, focusing specifically on the importance of intrasexual competition and the individual phenotype during development.
Trapping of hydrogen to lattice defects in nickel

This paper addresses the energy associated with the trapping of hydrogen to defects in a nickel lattice. Several dislocations and grain boundaries which occur in nickel are studied. The dislocations include an edge, a screw, and a Lomer dislocation in the locked configuration, i.e. a Lomer-Cottrell lock (LCL). For both the edge and screw dislocations, the maximum trap site energy is approximately 0.1 eV occurring in the region where the lattice is in tension approximately 3-4 angstroms from the dislocation core. For the Lomer-Cottrell lock, the maximum binding energy is 0.33 eV and is located at the core of the a/6(110) dislocation. Several low-index coincident site lattice grain boundaries are investigated, specifically the Sigma 3(112), Sigma 9(221) and Sigma 11(113) tilt boundaries. The boundaries all show a maximum binding energy of approximately 0.25 eV at the tilt boundary. Relaxation of the boundary structures produces an asymmetric atomic structure for both the Sigma 3 and Sigma 9 boundaries and a symmetric structure for the Sigma 11 tilt boundary. The results of this study can be compared to recent experimental studies showing that the activation energy for hydrogen-initiated failure is approximately 0.3-0.4 eV in the Fe-based superalloy IN903. From the results of this comparison it can be concluded that the embrittlement process is likely associated with the trapping of hydrogen to grain boundaries and Lomer-Cottrell locks.
Differential effects of cocaine on high and low response rates maintained with and without rate requirements.

Keypecking was maintained by a multiple (tandem random-interval 45-s, differential reinforcement of low rate 3-s) (tandem random-interval 45-s, differential reinforcement of high rate 0.2-s) schedule of food reinforcement in three pigeons. During non-drug sessions these schedule contingencies effectively controlled high and low response rates under approximately equal reinforcement frequencies. The behavioural effects of acute cocaine administration were assessed in the presence and absence of the response rate requirements (i.e. DRL, DRH contingencies). In the absence of response rate requirements cocaine administration consistently decreased high response rates. Low response rates tended to increase after the lower doses of cocaine, while they decreased consistently after the higher doses. High response rates decreased less after the lower doses of cocaine, in two of the three pigeons, when cocaine was administered in the presence of the rate requirements than when cocaine was administered in the absence of the rate requirements, while low rates increased less. Rate of reinforcement remained relatively constant across different lower doses of cocaine in the absence of high-rate requirements, but decreased in the presence of the high-rate requirements. Higher doses of cocaine consistently decreased reinforcement rate. These results support the notion that the behavioral effects of drugs may be a function of the extent to which response rates are directly controlled by schedule variables.
Behavioral Stability Across Time and Situations: Nonverbal Versus Verbal Consistency

Behavioral consistency has been at the center of debates regarding the stability of personality. We argue that people are consistent but that such consistency is best observed in nonverbal behavior. In Study 1, participants' verbal and nonverbal behaviors were observed in a mock interview and then in an informal interaction. In Study 2, medical students' verbal and nonverbal behaviors were observed during first- and third-year clinical skills evaluation. Nonverbal behavior exhibited consistency across context and time (a duration of 2 years) whereas verbal behavior did not. Discussion focuses on implications for theories of personality and nonverbal behavior.
Why dispersal should be maximized at intermediate scales of heterogeneity

Dispersal is a fundamental biological process that results in the redistribution of organisms due to the interplay between the mode of dispersal, the range of scales over which movement occurs, and the scale of spatial heterogeneity, in which patchiness may occur across a broad range of scales. Despite the diversity of dispersal mechanisms and dispersal length scales in nature, we posit that a fundamental scaling relationship should exist between dispersal and spatial heterogeneity. We present both a conceptual model and mathematical formalization of this expected relationship between the scale of dispersal and the scale of patchiness, which predicts that the magnitude of dispersal (number of individuals) among patches should be maximized when the scale of spatial heterogeneity (defined in terms of patch size and isolation) is neither too fine nor too coarse relative to the gap-crossing abilities of a species. We call this the “dispersal scaling hypothesis” (DSH). We demonstrate congruence in the functional form of this relationship under fundamentally different dispersal assumptions, using well-documented isotropic dispersal kernels and empirically derived dispersal parameters from diverse species, in order to explore the generality of this finding. The DSH generates testable hypotheses as to when and under what landscape scenarios dispersal is most likely to be successful. This provides insights into what management scenarios might be necessary to either restore landscape connectivity, as in certain conservation applications, or disrupt connectivity, as when attempting to manage landscapes to impede the spread of an invasive species, pest, or pathogen.
Multifaceted roles of glycolytic enzymes

Although glycolysis is a biochemical pathway that evolved under ancient anaerobic terrestrial conditions, recent studies have provided evidence that some glycolytic enzymes are more complicated, multifaceted proteins rather than simple components of the glycolytic pathway. These glycolytic enzymes have acquired additional non-glycolytic functions in transcriptional regulation [hexokinase (HK)-2, lactate dehydrogenase A, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPD) and enolase 1], stimulation of cell motility (glucose-6-phosphate isomerase) and the regulation of apoptosis (glucokinase, HK and GAPD). The existence of multifaceted roles of glycolytic proteins suggests that links between metabolic sensors and transcription are established directly through enzymes that participate in metabolism. These roles further underscore the need to consider the non-enzymatic functions of enzymes in proteomic studies of cells and tissues.
Dynamical clustering and a mechanism for raft-like structures in a model lipid membrane

We use molecular dynamics simulations to examine the dynamical heterogeneity of a model single-component lipid membrane using a coarse-grained representation of lipid molecules. This model qualitatively reproduces the known phase transitions between disordered, ordered, and gel membrane phases, and the phase transitions are accompanied by significant changes in the nature of the lipid dynamics. In particular, lipid diffusion in the liquid-ordered phase is hindered by the transient trapping of molecules by their neighbors, similar to the dynamics of a liquid approaching its glass transition. This transient molecular caging gives rise to two distinct mobility groups within a single-component membrane: lipids that are transiently trapped, and lipids with displacements on the scale of the intermolecular spacing. Most significantly, lipids within these distinct mobility states spatially segregate, creating transient “islands” of enhanced mobility having a size and time scale compatible with lipid “rafts,” dynamical structures thought to be important for cell membrane function. Although the dynamic lipid clusters that we observe do not themselves correspond to rafts (which are more complex, multicomponent structures), we hypothesize that such rafts may develop from the same universal mechanism, explaining why raft-like regions should arise, regardless of lipid structural or compositional details. These clusters are strikingly similar to the dynamical clusters found in glass-forming fluids, and distinct from phase-separation clusters. We also show that mobile lipid clusters can be dissected into smaller clusters of cooperatively rearranging molecules. The geometry of these clusters can be understood in the context of branched equilibrium polymers, related to percolation theory. We discuss how these dynamical structures relate to a range observations on the dynamics of lipid membranes.
Spatial and Temporal Variation of Goldstripe Darter Abundance in First-order Streams in North-central Mississippi

Little is known about the spatial and temporal dynamics of abundance and habitat use of the goldstripe darter (Etheostoma parvipinne). We assessed population dynamics, species associates and habitat use of this rarely studied darter in 14 first-order streams within pine plantations in north-central Mississippi. The pattern of goldstripe darter abundance among sampling periods differed among streams. Three streams with the greatest abundance of goldstripe darters exhibited significant differences in abundance among sampling periods, while the remaining 10 streams did not differ in abundance among sampling periods. Goldstripe darters exhibited the greatest associations with creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus), brown madtom (Noturus phaeus) and least brook lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera). Goldstripe darter abundance was positively correlated with canopy cover, water temperature and sand. Our results suggest that management plans designed to maintain and develop forested riparian zones adjacent to first-order streams would assist with the conservation of goldstripe darters.
Brief State estimation of continuous-time radial basis function networks

This paper presents state estimators for previously trained RBF networks based on a minimax approach. The uncertainty class is characterized in terms of an approximation error vector. Minimizing the objective function over this uncertainty class is used to obtain state estimates. The initial portion of the paper presents the derivation and properties of such a minimax state estimator for RBF networks. In the later portion, this is extended to the problem of minimax adaptive state estimation. This approach is useful in the cases where the pretrained RBF network is to be used in state estimation, since the latest information is used in improving estimates of the RBF weights. A special class of estimators for the appended state estimation problem is also considered where a constant gain estimator matrix can be obtained. This section gives sufficient conditions for the existence of such an observer and follows directly from the structure of the RBF networks. Finally, example applications of the minimax and adaptive minimax estimation for nonlinear problems are presented. The results show the accuracy of state estimation using the proposed minimax estimator.
Critical Scale for a Continuous AIMD Model

A scaled version of the general AIMD model of transmission control protocol (TCP) used in Internet traffic congestion management leads to a Markov process x(t) representing the time dependent data flow that moves forward with constant speed on the positive axis and jumps backward to γx(t), 0 < γ < 1 according to a Poisson clock whose rate α(x) depends on the interval swept in between jumps. We give sharp conditions for Harris recurrence and analyze the convergence to equilibrium on multiple scales (polynomial, fractional exponential, exponential) identifying the critical case xα(x) ∼ β. Criticality has different behavior according to whether it occurs at the origin or infinity. In each case, we determine the transient (possibly explosive), null—and positive—recurrent regimes by comparing β to ( − ln γ)− 1.
Duration of Cord Clamping and Neonatal Outcomes in Very Preterm Infants.

Background Delayed cord clamping (DCC, ≥30s) increases blood volume in newborns and is associated with fewer blood transfusions and short-term neonatal complications. The optimal timing of cord clamping for very preterm infants should maximize placental transfusion without interfering with stabilization and resuscitation.
Caffeine, Through Adenosine A3 Receptor-Mediated Actions, Suppresses Amyloid-β Protein Precursor Internalization and Amyloid-β Generation

Intraneuronal accumulation and extracellular deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein continues to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), be it familial in origin or sporadic in nature. Aβ is generated intracellularly following endocytosis of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP), and, consequently, factors that suppress AβPP internalization may decrease amyloidogenic processing of AβPP. Here we tested the hypothesis that caffeine decreases Aβ generation by suppressing AβPP internalization in primary cultured neurons. Caffeine concentration-dependently blocked low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol internalization and a specific adenosine A3 receptor (A3R) antagonist as well as siRNA knockdown of A3Rs mimicked the effects of caffeine on neuronal internalization of LDL cholesterol. Further implicating A3Rs were findings that a specific A3R agonist increased neuronal internalization of LDL cholesterol. In addition, caffeine as well as siRNA knockdown of A3Rs blocked the ability of LDL cholesterol to increase Aβ levels. Furthermore, caffeine blocked LDL cholesterol-induced decreases in AβPP protein levels in neuronal plasma membranes, increased surface expression of AβPP on neurons, and the A3R antagonist as well as siRNA knockdown of A3Rs mimicked the effects of caffeine on AβPP surface expression. Moreover, the A3R agonist decreased neuronal surface expression of AβPP. Our findings suggest that caffeine exerts protective effects against amyloidogenic processing of AβPP at least in part by suppressing A3R-mediated internalization of AβPP.
EmrE dimerization depends on membrane environment.

The small multi-drug resistant (SMR) transporter EmrE functions as a homodimer. Although the small size of EmrE would seem to make it an ideal model system, it can also make it challenging to work with. As a result, a great deal of controversy has surrounded even such basic questions as the oligomeric state. Here we show that the purified protein is a homodimer in isotropic bicelles with a monomer-dimer equilibrium constant (KMD(2D)) of 0.002-0.009mol% for both the substrate-free and substrate-bound states. Thus, the dimer is stabilized in bicelles relative to detergent micelles where the KMD(2D) is only 0.8-0.95mol% (Butler et al. 2004). In dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (DLPC) liposomes KMD(2D) is 0.0005-0.0008mol% based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements, slightly tighter than bicelles. These results emphasize the importance of the lipid membrane in influencing dimer affinity.
Cooperative singlet and triplet exciton transport in tetracene crystals visualized by ultrafast microscopy

Singlet fission presents an attractive solution to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit by generating two triplet excitons from one singlet exciton. However, although triplet excitons are long-lived, their transport occurs through a Dexter transfer, making them slower than singlet excitons, which travel by means of a Forster mechanism. A thorough understanding of the interplay between singlet fission and exciton transport is therefore necessary to assess the potential and challenges of singlet-fission utilization. Here, we report a direct visualization of exciton transport in single tetracene crystals using transient absorption microscopy with 200 fs time resolution and 50 nm spatial precision. These measurements reveal a new singlet-mediated transport mechanism for triplets, which leads to an enhancement in effective triplet exciton diffusion of more than one order of magnitude on picosecond to nanosecond timescales. These results establish that there are optimal energetics of singlet and triplet excitons that benefit both singlet fission and exciton diffusion.
EVALUATION OF SOIL AND FOLIAR INSECTICIDE TREATMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LEPIDOPTERAN PESTS IN CABBAGE IN VIRGINIA, 2007

The objective of our experiment was to assess the efficacy of various soil-applied and foliar insecticides to control lepidopteran pests on cabbage. Treatments were arranged in a RCB design with four replicates. Cabbage was transplanted on 5 Sep at the Virginia Tech Eastern Shore AREC near Painter, VA. Plots consisted of 1 row 20 ft (6.1 m) long with unplanted guard rows on each side. Rows were planted on a 3 ft row center (0.9 m) in a 4 tier field design with 8 ft (2.4 m) alleys between tiers and a 16 ft (4.9 m) center alley. All plots were maintained according to local standard practices. All insecticides were applied with a CO2 backpack sprayer set at 40 psi. Soil insecticide treatments were applied to transplants on 6 Sep with a one nozzle boom directed at the base of each plant. Each plant received 125 ml of spray. All foliar treatments were applied on 19 Sep and 1 Oct at 48 gpa with a 3-nozzle boom equipped with D4 tips and 45 cores. The number of lepidopteran larvae was recorded per 5 randomly selected plants in each plot on 24 Sep and 5, 10 and 23 Oct. Also on 5 Oct, when cabbage heads were forming, the total number of damaged heads in each plot was recorded. At harvest on 19 Nov, the number of marketable heads per plot was recorded after detailed visual inspection of each head. All data were analyzed using ANOVA. Proportion data were arcsine square root transformed prior to analysis. Means were separated using Fisher’s Protected LSD at the 0.05 level of significance.
A Comparison of Two Methods for Feeding the Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)

A simple, effective device for feeding the stable fly, Sttomoxys calcitrans , consists of a plastic vial filled with blood and covered at the open end with swine intestine (chitterlings). When this type of feeder and the sponge method were compared, females fed daily by the vial produced a significantly greater mean number of eggs per female per day (17.5) than did those fed daily by the sponge feeder (10.3), although daily female mortality did not differ appreciably. However, when neither the vial nor the sponge was replenished with blood for 2 days (a simulated weekend), females fed via the sponge feeder had significantly greater mortality than those fed via the vial feeder. There were no significant differences between the mean number of eggs laid per female for the 2 days following the simulated weekend for either feeder, regardless of feeding schedule, although there was significantly greater egg production on the first day of the simulated weekend by flies fed via vials. When additional blood was provided on the weekends to both feeders, egg production increased significantly in both groups. The optimum amount of blood required by flies fed by the vial method to obtain maximum egg production was 0.03 ml per female per day. Although set-up time for the sponge feeder was significantly less than that for the vial, the increased egg production and decreased weekend mortality of the flies may be more important.
Partitioning of Functional Monomers in Emulsion Polymerization: Distribution of Carboxylic Acid Monomers between Water and Multimonomer Systems

We have studied of the partitioning behavior of both acrylic (AA) and methacrylic (MAA) acids between water and a variety of styrene, acrylate and methacrylate co- and ter-monomer phases. As in sin...
The effect of coprophagy prevention on amino acid deficiency.

SummaryAnimals were fed diets free of threonine, lysine or protein with or without tail cups to prevent coprophagy. The animals fed the threonine- and protein-free diets lost weight rapidly whereas those fed the lysine-free diet lost weight slowly regardless of whether coprophagy was prevented or not. It is concluded that the modest weight loss caused by the lysine-free diet is not due to the availability of lysine from fecal material.
The Realization of Extreme Tornadic Storm Events under Future Anthropogenic Climate Change

AbstractThis research seeks to answer the basic question of how current-day extreme tornadic storm events might be realized under future anthropogenic climate change. The pseudo global warming (PGW) methodology was adapted for this purpose. Three contributions to the CMIP5 archive were used to obtain the mean 3D atmospheric state simulated during May 1990–99 and May 2090–99. The climate change differences (or Δs) in temperature, relative humidity, pressure, and winds were added to NWP analyses of three high-end tornadic storm events, and this modified atmospheric state was then used for initial and boundary conditions for real-data WRF Model simulations of the events at high resolution. Comparison of an ensemble of these simulations with control simulations (CTRL) facilitated assessment of PGW effects.In contrast to the robust development of supercellular convection in each CTRL, the combined effects of increased convective inhibition (CIN) and decreased parcel lifting under PGW led to a failure of convec...
Hydrosalpinx: Effect Of Oviductal Dilatation On Egg Transport *

Ligation of the ovarian end of the oviduct was used to induce hydrosalpinges in rabbits and monkeys. This procedure resulted in an accumulation of clear serous fluid within the lumen and distention of the ampullary wall. The ampullary endosalpinx responded with a general flattening of the surface architecture, especially a decrease in the prominence of the longitudinal mucosal folds. However, this flattened epithelial surface showed normal ciliation. Two to five months after ligation, direct observations were made in vivo of luminal transport of cumulus egg masses and surrogates. These observations were followed by study in vitro of ciliary currents on the exposed luminal surface. The results demonstrated conclusively that tubal dilatation had no adverse effect on cilia-mediated ovum transport within the ampulla. The implication of these results in terms of tubal infertility is discussed.
I Approve This Candidate: The Strategic Use of Ad Endorsements in the 2008 Election

Contextual and strategic factors that influence the use of endorsements in political advertisements represent an underexplored area of the scholarly literature, resulting in a gap between the art and science of campaigning and the advertising-effects literature. This article uses data from the Wisconsin Ad Project to study endorsements in ads aired during the 2008 election cycle. We show that endorsements are used strategically by campaigns and that four factors—candidate characteristics, campaign characteristics, ad format, and timing—affect whether an ad containing an endorsement is aired. Specifically, endorsements are more likely to appear in positive ads, are primarily used by incumbents and female candidates, are less likely to appear in competitive races, and tend to air less frequently as a campaign progresses.
No Fits at Uffizi

This case discusses a pharmacokinetic interaction between cyclosporine and phenytoin, leading to organ rejection. Cyclosporine is a cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate and phenytoin is a 3A4 inducer.
Abstract 040: Complement Activation in Placental Ischemia-induced Hypertension is not Dependent on Endothelin A Receptor Activation

Early onset preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension, reduced placental perfusion, intrauterine growth restriction and increased activation of complement, part of innate immunity. We previously reported that inhibiting complement activation attenuates reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP)-induced hypertension in pregnant rat and the concomitant increase in complement activation product C3a. Studies by other groups indicate endothelin A receptor (ET A ) activation plays a significant role in RUPP-induced hypertension. We hypothesized that ET A was important in placental ischemia-induced complement activation leading to hypertension. Thus, the effect of ET A antagonist atrasentan on hypertension and complement activation following placental ischemia in rat was determined. Dams received drinking water with or without 5 mg/kg/day atrasentan on gestation day (GD)13-19. On GD14, rats underwent Sham or RUPP surgery with clip placement on abdominal aorta and uterine arteries to decrease placental perfusion. On GD19, mean arterial pressure (MAP) via arterial catheter and serum C3a as indicator of complement activation were measured. RUPP surgery significantly increased MAP (109±5 mm Hg; n=7) compared to Sham (94±4 mm Hg; n=10) as well as C3a (0.36±0.08 to 0.69±0.12 units/ul). MAP was significantly reduced by atrasentan in RUPP (96±3 mm Hg; n=12) and unchanged by atrasentan in Sham (88±2 mm Hg; n=12). RUPP did not change preproendothelin mRNA in kidney cortex versus Sham, but did decrease fetal weight. In Sham, atrasentan significantly increased fetal weight (2.52±0.04 g; n=12) compared to no atrasentan (2.38±0.05 g; n=12). Importantly, atrasentan treatment did not significantly change RUPP-induced increase in C3a with 0.57±0.11 units/ul in RUPP atrasentan and 0.27±0.05 units/ul in Sham atrasentan. In contrast to other ET A antagonists (A-127722, FR-139317), the present data indicate atrasentan may promote fetal growth. However, the ET A receptor does not mediate increased complement activation and its subsequent involvement in placental ischemia-induced hypertension. Thus, our data suggest complement activation may precede involvement of endothelin in development and maintenance of high blood pressure due to placental ischemia.
Use of locking plates for fixation of the greater trochanter in patients with hip replacement

Abstract Background Fixation of the greater trochanter with total hip replacement is challenging and associated with short- and long-term complications. Locking plate technology has been used for fixation of other bones and may be applied successfully in trochanteric fixation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the utility of the use of trochanteric locking plates in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients. Methods From 2004 to 2014, 32 procedures were performed to fix the greater trochanter in patients with trochanteric fracture, osteotomy, or nonunion in the setting of THA. The median age at the time of surgery was 69 years. This was a primary arthroplasty in 8 of the patients, conversion from prior hip surgery in 5, and a revision in 19. The greater trochanter was fixed with locking plate alone in 15 hips and with the addition of a single cerclage cable in 17 hips. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically until healing occurred. The median duration of radiographic follow-up was 41.6 months (range: 10-112 months). Results Osseous union occurred in 29 (90.6%) of 32 hips. The median Harris hip score was 94 (range 54-100, standard deviation = 10.4) at latest follow-up. Complications included broken hardware in 5 (15.6%) patients, of which 3 underwent subsequent hardware removal. Two additional patients elected hardware removal due to trochanteric pain. Conclusions Locking plate technology is a successful method of fixation of the greater trochanter in patients with THA. Postoperative trochanteric pain and reoperation for hardware-related issues remain a challenge.
Calibrating Reaction Enthalpies: Use of Density Functional Theory and the Correlation Consistent Composite Approach in the Design of Photochromic Materials

Acquisition of highly accurate energetic data for chromium-containing molecules and various chromium carbonyl complexes is a major step toward calibrating bond energies and thermal isomerization energies from mechanisms for Cr-centered photochromic materials being developed in our laboratories. The performance of six density functionals in conjunction with seven basis sets, utilizing Gaussian-type orbitals, has been evaluated for the calculation of gas-phase enthalpies of formation and enthalpies of reaction at 298.15 K on various chromium-containing systems. Nineteen molecules were examined: Cr(CO)6, Cr(CO)5, Cr(CO)5(C2H4), Cr(CO)5(C2ClH3), Cr(CO)5(cis-(C2Cl2H2)), Cr(CO)5(gem-(C2Cl2H2)), Cr(CO)5(trans-(C2Cl2H2)), Cr(CO)5(C2Cl3H), Cr(CO)5(C2Cl4), CrO2, CrF2, CrCl2, CrCl4, CrBr2, CrBr4, CrOCl2, CrO2Cl2, CrOF2, and CrO2F2. The performance of 69 density functionals in conjunction with a single basis set utilizing Slater-type orbitals (STO) and a zeroth-order relativistic approximation was also evaluated for ...
Predictors of the multidimensional symptom experience of lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

Few studies have examined interindividual variability in the symptom experience of lung cancer patients. We aimed to identify the most prevalent, severe, and distressing symptoms, and risk factors associated with increased symptom burden. Lung cancer patients (n = 145) reported occurrence, severity, and distress for 38 symptoms on the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale 1 week after chemotherapy. Using multidimensional subscales, risk factors for higher global distress, physical, and psychological symptoms were evaluated using simultaneous linear regression. Mean age was 64.0 years and 56.6% were female. Mean Karnofsky Performance Status score was 79.1 (SD 14.6) and mean Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire score was 7.3 (SD 3.9). The most distressing and prevalent symptom was fatigue. Problems with sexual interest/activity had the highest mean severity rating. Patients with lower functional status (p = 0.001) and higher comorbidity (p = 0.02) reported higher global distress. Similarly, lower functional status (p = 0.003) and higher comorbidity (p = 0.04) were associated with a higher physical symptom burden along with lower body mass index (p = 0.02). Higher psychology symptom burden was associated with lower functional status (p = 0.01), younger age (p = 0.02), non-metastatic disease (p = 0.03), higher number of prior treatments (p = 0.04), and income (p = 0.03). Fatigue was the most distressing and prevalent symptom among lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Lower functional status was associated with a higher burden of global distress, physical, and psychological symptoms. Younger age and non-metastatic disease were additional risk factors for increased psychological symptoms. Together, these risk factors can help clinicians identify lung cancer patients at increased need for aggressive symptom management.
Pharmaceutical removal in synthetic human urine using biochar

This research addresses the potential for biochar to remove pharmaceuticals from synthetic urine, thereby allowing the treated urine to be used as a contaminant-free nutrient product. Four biochars and one activated carbon from different source materials were tested: activated coconut carbon, coconut shell, bamboo, southern yellow pine, and northern hardwood. Batch tests were conducted for 24 hours using different compositions of synthetic urine and secondary wastewater effluent with biochar doses of 0.8 and 40 g L−1 and an initial pharmaceutical concentration of 0.2 mmol L−1. Seven pharmaceuticals were tested in this study: acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, citalopram, carbamazepine, and diclofenac. Activated coconut carbon, bamboo, and southern yellow pine biochars had the highest pharmaceutical removal in urine compositions at 40 g L−1, adsorbing greater than 90% of each pharmaceutical. These biochars also demonstrated the ability to remove pharmaceuticals in the presence of nutrients, where the maximum removal of phosphorus and nitrogen was 36% by activated coconut carbon, 9% by bamboo, and 23% by southern yellow pine in all waste waters. Due to the high concentrations of nutrients naturally present in urine, there remains a high concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus after biochar treatment. The interactions between biochar, nutrients, and pharmaceuticals suggest that biochar has the ability to remove pharmaceuticals while maintaining nutrient concentrations in solution for future use as a nutrient product.
Orange is the warmest color: mood and chromatic temperature in Robert Altman’s McCabe & Mrs. Miller

This article examines the aesthetic, affective, and character-based significance of the color orange in Altman’s revisionist western. Drawing on the concept of Stimmung (“mood” or “attunement”), it...
Marriages and Coronations

This chapter explores in detail the personal and political circumstances that led the two Henrys to marry their queens. Their decisions departed from the traditional practice of choosing foreign consorts. The Wars of the Roses, the death of Arthur, prince of Wales, and the lack of a male heir from Henry’s marriage to Katherine of Aragon all created atypical circumstances, making it politically expedient for the two kings to select for their wives five Englishwomen. It next examines briefly the English courtships and marriages before turning to those of Katherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves, the two foreign-born queens. Finally, it discusses the coronations of the three queens who were favoured with these rituals, which embodied symbolic and political differences.
LSD1 protects against hippocampal and cortical neurodegeneration

To investigate the mechanisms that maintain differentiated cells, here we inducibly delete the histone demethylase LSD1/KDM1A in adult mice. Loss of LSD1 leads to paralysis, along with widespread hippocampus and cortex neurodegeneration, and learning and memory defects. We focus on the hippocampus neuronal cell death, as well as the potential link between LSD1 and human neurodegenerative disease and find that loss of LSD1 induces transcription changes in common neurodegeneration pathways, along with the re-activation of stem cell genes, in the degenerating hippocampus. These data implicate LSD1 in the prevention of neurodegeneration via the inhibition of inappropriate transcription. Surprisingly, we also find that transcriptional changes in the hippocampus are similar to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) cases, and LSD1 is specifically mislocalized to pathological protein aggregates in these cases. These data raise the possibility that pathological aggregation could compromise the function of LSD1 in AD and FTD. “LSD1 is a histone demethylase that plays many roles during development. Here, the authors provide evidence that loss of LSD1 in adult mice leads to paralysis and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cortex and suggest a potential link between LSD1 and human neurodegenerative disease.
An Investigation of Atomic Structures Derived from X-ray Crystallography and Cryo-Electron Microscopy Using Distal Blocks of Side-Chains.

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a structure determination method for large molecular complexes. As more and more atomic structures are determined using this technique, it is becoming possible to perform statistical characterization of side-chain conformations. Two data sets were involved to characterize block lengths for each of the 18 types of amino acids. One set contains 9131 structures resolved using X-ray crystallography from density maps with better than or equal to 1.5 A resolutions, and the other contains 237 protein structures derived from cryo-EM density maps with 2–4 A resolutions. The results show that the normalized probability density function of block lengths is similar between the X-ray data set and the cryo-EM data set for most of the residue types, but differences were observed for ARG, GLU, ILE, LYS, PHE, TRP, and TYR for which conformations with certain shorter block lengths are more likely to be observed in the cryo-EM set with 2–4 A resolutions.
Transitions from home to nursing home in a capitated long-term care program: the role of individual support systems.

Objective This study calculated the risk of nursing home admission for clients receiving home- and community-based (HCB) care in a capitated long-term care system. Data sources Program administrative data for non-institutionalized elderly and physically disabled (EPD) clients who had an HCB long-term care placement in the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) during the period from January 1989 through December 1991. Study design The program experience of clients who were initially placed in HCB care (N = 2,923) was tracked from the date on which they entered the program until the end of December 1992. Data extraction methods Program administrative data were used to create spans of program experience for each client. Cox proportional hazards regression models were then used to assess the individual factors associated with the risk of nursing home entry during the study period. Principal findings The greatest risk of nursing home entry was observed for those who were older or white, and for those clients with Alzheimer's disease. Little significant effect was observed for support system variables. Conclusions Study results suggest that efforts to prevent nursing home entry may be most productive if they focus on the point at which clients are first assessed for placement into the ALTCS program. Once in HCB care, subsequent risk of nursing home placement may be more related to the client's health and frailty than to support system factors.
Hands-on security labs to increase student learning in information security courses

This workshop will present the attendees with two different Information Security Labs that can be used to demonstrate wireless security and network security techniques.