cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genomic and phylogenetic characterization of luminous bacteria symbiotic with the deep-sea fish Chlorophthalmus albatrossis (Aulopiformes: Chlorophthalmidae)

Bacteria forming light-organ symbiosis with deep-sea chlorophthalmid fishes (Aulopiformes: Chlorophthalmidae) are considered to belong to the species Photobacterium phosphoreum. The identification of these bacteria as P. phosphoreum, however, was based exclusively on phenotypic traits, which may not discriminate between phenetically similar but evolutionarily distinct luminous bacteria. Therefore, to test the species identification of chlorophthalmid symbionts, we carried out a genomotypic (repetitive element palindromic PCR genomic profiling) and phylogenetic analysis on strains isolated from the perirectal light organ of Chlorophthalmus albatrossis. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of 10 strains from 5 fish specimens placed these bacteria in a cluster related to but phylogenetically distinct from the type strain of P. phosphoreum, ATCC 11040T, and the type strain of Photobacterium iliopiscarium, ATCC 51760T. Analysis of gyrB resolved the C. albatrossis strains as a strongly supported clade distinct from P. phosphoreum and P. iliopiscarium. Genomic profiling of 109 strains from the 5 C. albatrossis specimens revealed a high level of similarity among strains but allowed identification of genomotypically different types from each fish. Representatives of each type were then analyzed phylogenetically, using sequence of the luxABFE genes. As with gyrB, analysis of luxABFE resolved the C. albatrossis strains as a robustly supported clade distinct from P. phosphoreum. Furthermore, other strains of luminous bacteria reported as P. phosphoreum, i.e., NCIMB 844, from the skin of Merluccius capensis (Merlucciidae), NZ-11D, from the light organ of Nezumia aequalis (Macrouridae), and pjapo.1.1, from the light organ of Physiculus japonicus (Moridae), grouped phylogenetically by gyrB and luxABFE with the C. albatrossis strains, not with ATCC 11040T. These results demonstrate that luminous bacteria symbiotic with C. albatrossis, together with certain other strains of luminous bacteria, form a clade, designated the kishitanii clade, that is related to but evolutionarily distinct from P. phosphoreum. Members of the kishitanii clade may constitute the major or sole bioluminescent symbiont of several families of deep-sea luminous fishes.
Virtual radios - hardware/software co-design techniques to reduce schedule in waveform development and porting

Todaypsilas military-based communication programs are attempting to leverage software defined radio (SDR) technology for reducing lifecycle costs by promoting the reuse of waveform software. Although an SDR offers the developer flexibility for software development; porting a waveform application from one SDR to another can be challenging due to variations in requirements, software operating environment (OE), compute resources and hardware design. By asserting that the most effective porting does not begin until an engineering design model (EDM) becomes available means SDR product specific issues may not be uncovered until late in the schedule. However, this risk can be mitigated by inserting advanced hardware/software co-design techniques. In this paper, we will address the technical challenges surrounding the development and porting of waveform software through a virtual radio approach which leverages state-of-the-art virtual platform technology common in commercial system-on-a-chip (SoC) developments.
Effects of model specification on tests for unit roots in macroeconomic data

Tests for unit roots in autoregressive models (tests for stationarity) are popular in the macroeconomics literature. Monte Carlo experiments in Schwert (1987) show that unit root tests derived for pure autoregressive processes have different sampling distributions when the true process is a mixed autoregressive-integrated moving average (ARIMA) process. Tests suggested by Said and Dickey (1984, 1985), Phillips (1987), Phillips and Perron (1986), and Dickey and Fuller (1979, 1981) are applied to a variety of monthly and quarterly macroeconomic time series to illustrate the effects of ARIMA model specification on inferences about stationarity.
The influence of strategic retirement on the incumbency advantage in US House elections

Failure to take into account ‘strategic retirement’ leads to inflated estimates of the incumbent electoral advantage. The one attempt to address this issue in the context of US House elections implies that much of the supposed incumbency advantage and most of its presumed increase over time are illusory (Cox and Katz, 2002). This paper identifies possible problems with the Cox and Katz (2002) method and develops a new approach based on simulating the counterfactual condition of incumbents standing for re-election rather than retiring. The results show that when the bias induced by strategic retirement is removed, much of the apparent incumbency advantage and its increase over time remain evident.
Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus K-bZIP is a coregulator of K-Rta: Physical association and promoter-dependent transcriptional repression

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is a human gammaherpesvirus that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Kaposi's sarcoma and B-cell neoplasms. The genomic organization of KSHV is similar to that of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). EBV encodes two transcriptional factors, Rta and Zta, which functionally interact to transactivate EBV genes during replication and reactivation from latency. KSHV encodes a basic leucine zipper protein (K-bZIP), a homologue of EBV Zta, and K-Rta, the homologue of EBV Rta. EBV Rta and Zta are strong transcriptional transactivators. Although there is ample evidence that K-Rta is a potent transactivator, the role of K-bZIP as a transcriptional factor is much less clear. In this study, we report that K-bZIP modulates K-Rta function. We show that K-bZIP directly interacts with K-Rta in vivo and in vitro. This association is specific, requiring the basic domain (amino acids 122 to 189) of K-bZIP and a specific region (amino acids 499 to 550) of K-Rta, and can be detected with K-bZIP and K-Rta endogenously expressed in BCBL-1 cells treated with tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate. The functional relevance of this association was revealed by the observation that K-bZIP represses the transactivation of the ORF57 promoter by K-Rta in a dose-dependent manner. K-bZIP lacking the interaction domain fails to repress K-Rta-mediated transactivation; this finding attests to the specificity of the repression. Interestingly, this repression is not observed for the promoter of polyadenylated nuclear (PAN) RNA, another target of K-Rta; thus, repression is promoter dependent. Finally, we provide evidence that the modulation of K-Rta by K-bZIP also occurs in vivo during reactivation of the viral genome in BCBL-1 cells. When K-bZIP is overexpressed in BCBL-1 cells, the level of expression of ORF57 but not PAN RNA is repressed. These data support the model that one function of K-bZIP is to modulate the activity of the transcriptional transactivator K-Rta.
Invasive mussels induce community changes by increasing habitat complexity.

Habitat complexity is among the most important factors affecting the diversity, structure, and density of natural communities. The invasive byssate bivalves zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771)) and golden mussel (Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker, 1857)) are sessile suspension feeders that form aggregations (druses), physically changing sediments and increasing habitat complexity, and providing shelter and food for other benthic organisms. In this study, we explored the impact of the change in habitat complexity on benthic community created by druses of L. fortunei and D. polymorpha, formed on various sediments. D. polymorpha was studied in Europe (Naroch Lake, Belarus) and in North America (Glen Lake and Lower Nashotah Lake, USA), and L. fortunei was studied in South America (Rio Tercero Reservoir, Argentina). Druses of D. polymorpha or L. fortunei and samples of bare nearby sediment (without druses of exotic mussels) were collected at each sampling site. We found significant changes in species richness, density, biomass, taxonomic, and trophic structure of communities formed in druses compared to the nearby bare sediments. Community taxonomic richness increased threefold, and density increased sevenfold with increasing complexity of habitat from sand to druse. The feeding functional group approach indicated that the impact of increased complexity was reinforced by an increase in food supply in D. polymorpha and L. fortunei druses. Along with increasing species richness and densities, byssate bivalves homogenized benthic communities.
Triptolide induces cell death independent of cellular responses to imatinib in blast crisis chronic myelogenous leukemia cells including quiescent CD34+ primitive progenitor cells.

The advent of Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) has revolutionized the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). However, resistance evolves due to BCR-ABL mutations and other mechanisms. Furthermore, patients with blast crisis CML are less responsive and quiescent CML stem cells are insensitive to these inhibitors. We found that triptolide, a diterpenoid, at nanomolar concentrations, promoted equally significant death of KBM5 cells, a cell line derived from a Bcr-Abl–bearing blast crisis CML patient and KBM5STI571 cells, an imatinib-resistant KBM5 subline bearing the T315I mutation. Similarly, Ba/F3 cells harboring mutated BCR-ABL were as sensitive as Ba/F3Bcr-Ablp210wt cells to triptolide. Importantly, triptolide induced apoptosis in primary samples from blast crisis CML patients, who showed resistance to Bcr-Abl TKIs in vivo , with less toxicity to normal cells. Triptolide decreased X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein, Mcl-1, and Bcr-Abl protein levels in K562, KBM5, and KBM5STI571 cells and in cells from blast crisis CML patients. It sensitized KBM5, but not KBM5STI571, cells to imatinib. More importantly, triptolide also induced death of quiescent CD34+ CML progenitor cells, a major problem in the therapy of CML with TKIs. Collectively, these results suggest that triptolide potently induces blast crisis CML cell death independent of the cellular responses to Bcr-Abl TKIs, suggesting that triptolide could eradicate residual quiescent CML progenitor cells in TKI-treated patients and benefit TKI-resistant blast crisis CML patients. [Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(9):2509–16]
A finite element method for crack growth without remeshing

SUMMARY An improvement of a new technique for modelling cracks in the nite element framework is presented. A standard displacement-based approximation is enriched near a crack by incorporating both discontinuous elds and the near tip asymptotic elds through a partition of unity method. A methodology that constructs the enriched approximation from the interaction of the crack geometry with the mesh is developed. This technique allows the entire crack to be represented independently of the mesh, and so remeshing is not necessary to model crack growth. Numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the utility and robustness of the proposed technique. Copyright ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi-element Free-Space-Optical spherical structures with intermittent connectivity patterns

Due to its high bandwidth spectrum, free-space-optical (FSO) communication has the potential to bridge the capacity gap between backbone fiber links and mobile ad-hoc links, especially in the last-mile. Though FSO can solve the wireless capacity problem, it brings new challenges, like frequent disruption of physical link (intermittent connectivity) and the line of sight (LOS) requirements. In this paper, we study a spherical FSO structure as a basic building block and examine the effects of such FSO structures to upper layers, especially to TCP behavior for stationary and mobile nodes.
Nonunique Solutions to the Transonic Potential Flow Equation

Steinhoff and Jameson (1981) have shown that within a certain range of angle of attack and freestream Mach number, numerical solutions of the full-potential equation for flow past an airfoil are not unique. This study was mainly concerned with showing that the anomaly is inherent to the partial-differential equation governing the flow and not a result of its discrete representation. Steinhoff and Jameson conjectured that the anomaly may have a physical basis. The present investigation has two objectives. Results are to be presented which indicate that the anomaly is due to a breakdown in the potential approximation, rather than a phenomenon associated with the inviscid flowfield. The second objective is to show that the lift coefficient, predicted by the potential equation, is a smooth but multivalued function of the angle of attack.
The C-Terminal Half of TSG101 Blocks Rous Sarcoma Virus Budding and Sequesters Gag into Unique Nonendosomal Structures

Retroviral late domains (L domains) are short amino acid sequences in the Gag protein that facilitate the process of budding. L domains act by recruiting the ESCRT complexes, which normally function in the formation of multivesicular bodies. The PTAP late domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is believed to specifically recruit this machinery by binding the ESCRT protein TSG101. It was recently demonstrated that expression of a C-terminal fragment of TSG101 (TSG-3′) blocked the budding of both PTAP-dependent and PPPY-dependent retroviruses. We show here that TSG-3′ expression leads to the formation of large spherical entities that we call TICS (TSG-3′-induced cellular structures) in the cytoplasm. Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) and murine leukemia virus (MLV) Gag proteins are selectively recruited to these structures, but HIV type 1 Gag is completely excluded. Experiments with various HIV and RSV vector constructs as well as HIV and RSV chimeras suggest that recruitment to the TICS is late domain independent and does not involve recognition of any single amino acid sequence. TICS appear to have no limiting membrane and do not colocalize with markers for any membranous cellular compartment. Wild-type TSG101 is also recruited to TICS, but most other ESCRT proteins are excluded. These structures are similar in nature to aggresomes, colocalize with the aggresome marker GFP-250, and are highly enriched in ubiquitin but in other ways do not fully meet the description of aggresomes. We conclude that the block to retroviral budding by TSG-3′ may be the result of its sequestration of Gag, depletion of free TSG101, or depletion of free ubiquitin.
Therapeutic misconception and clinical trials in sub-saharan Africa: A review

Objectives: To identify possible existence of therapeutic misconception and its effects on clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa. Data source: Original research findings and reviews published in the English literature and author’s professional experience with clinical trials in some East, Central and West African countries. Design: Review of peer-reviewed articles. Data extraction: Online searches and requests for reprints from corresponding authors and institutional subscription. Data Synthesis: Information categorised accordingly. Results: Therapeutic misconception, defined as a conflation by research subjects of research goals and those of routine health care is considered widely prevalent globally. The subjects misunderstand the disclosures during consenting process and enroll hoping to derive personal benefits from the study. Though no study has looked at therapeutic misconception specifically in sub-Saharan Africa, available evidence suggests that it is prevalent. Therapeutic misconception is incompatible with informed voluntary consent. It may affect participation in clinical trials, subjects’ safety and well-being and possibly the research findings. Conclusions: There is need for studies to identify the prevalence and effects of therapeutic misconception in the region. Researchers in sub-Saharan Africa should be aware of its existence, thus design trials in which it will not have significant effects and strengthen the consent process to reduce it.
A complete pursuit-evasion algorithm for two pursuers using beam detection

We present an algorithm for a pair of pursuers, each with one rotating beam (flashlight, laser or a camera), searching for an unpredictable, moving target in a 2D environment (simple polygon). Given a polygon with n edges, the algorithm decides in time O(n/sup 4/) whether it can be cleared by the pursuers, and if so, constructs a search schedule. The pursuers are allowed to move on. the boundary and in the interior of the polygon. They are not required to maintain mutual visibility throughout the pursuit.
Rheology and microstructure of solutions of the microbial polysaccharide from Pseudomonas elodea

Abstract Rheological studies of solutions and gels of the microbial polysaccharide from the organism Pseudomonas elodea have been combined with X-ray diffraction studies of fibres and pulsed electric-birefringence studies of dilute solutions, to investigate the conformation and interaction of the polymer molecules. Rheological data are suggestive of a locally rigid conformation for the biopolymer in solution. X-Ray diffraction studies suggest that the molecules adopt a three-fold helical structure. O-Acetyl substituents have been shown to inhibit the packing of these helices into crystalline domains. Studies of pulsed electric-birefringence suggest an extended, kinetically rigid structure in solution. Dissolving the polysaccharide in dimethyl sulphoxide inhibits the gelation and shear-thinning characteristics of aqueous solutions. Comparative studies of electric birefringence of solutions in water and dimethyl sulphoxide suggest that the differences in rheological properties may result from a change in molecular conformation.
Light and electron microscopic observations on the normal structure of the vomeronasal organ of garter snakes

The vomeronasal epithelium of adult garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis and T. radix) was studied by light and electron microscopy. The sensory epithelium is extraordinarily thick, consisting of a supporting cell layer, a bipolar cell layer, and an undifferentiated cell layer. The supporting cell layer is situated along the luminal surface and includes supporting cells and the peripheral processes (dendrites) of bipolar neurons. The luminal surfaces of both supporting cells and bipolar neurons are covered with microvilli. Specializations of membrane junctions are always observed between adjacent cells in the subluminal region. Below the supporting cell layer, the epithelium is characterized by a columnar organization. Each column contains a population of bipolar neurons and undifferentiated cells. These cells are isolated from the underlying vascular and pigmented connective tissue by the presence of a thin sheath of satellite cells and a basal lamina. Heterogeneity of cell morphology occurs within each cell column. Generative and undifferentiated cells occupy the basal regions and mature neurons occupy the apical regions. Transitional changes in cell morphology occur within the depth of each cell column. These observations suggest that the vomeronasal cell column is the structural unit of the organ and may represent the dynamic unit for cell replacement as well. A sequential process of cell proliferation, neuronal differentiation, and maturation appears to occur in the epithelium despite the adult state of the animal.
Preparation of 13C and 15N labelled RNAs for heteronuclear multi-dimensional NMR studies

A procedure is described for the efficient preparation of isotopically enriched RNAs of defined sequence. Uniformly labelled nucleotide 5'triphosphates (NTPs) were prepared from E.coli grown on 13C and/or 15N isotopically enriched media. These procedures routinely yield 180 mumoles of labelled NTPs per gram of 13C enriched glucose. The labelled NTPs were then used to synthesize RNA oligomers by in vitro transcription. Several 13C and/or 15N labelled RNAs have been synthesized for the sequence r(GGCGCUUGCGUC). Under conditions of high salt or low salt, this RNA forms either a symmetrical duplex with two U.U base pairs or a hairpin containing a CUUG loop respectively. These procedures were used to synthesize uniformly labelled RNAs and a RNA labelled only on the G and C residues. The ability to generate milligram quantities of isotopically labelled RNAs allows application of multi-dimensional heteronuclear magnetic resonance experiments that enormously simplify the resonance assignment and solution structure determination of RNAs. Examples of several such heteronuclear NMR experiments are shown.
The Micropolitics of Educational Inequality: The Case of Teacher' Student Assignments

Politics of education researchers have long recognized the role of micropolitics in school decision-making processes. We argue that investigating micropolitical dynamics is key to an important set of school decisions that are fundamental to inequities in access to high-quality teachers: assignments of teachers and students to classrooms. Focusing on the intraorganizational political power of experienced teachers, our analysis of survey and administrative data from a large urban district suggests that more experienced teachers have more influence over which students are assigned to their classrooms. By a variety of measures, we also find that more experienced teachers are assigned fewer disadvantaged students, on average, a pattern inconsistent with goals of ameliorating educational inequality by matching more qualified teachers with the students who need them most.
The movement of radioactive sodium in normal pregnant, nonpregnant, and pre-eclamptic women

Abstract The rate at which radioactive sodium disappears from the bloodstream during the second to fifth or sixth hour after intravenous injection does not differ among normal pregnant and nonpregnant women and patients with pre-eclampsia. The data do not support the hypothesis of altered permeability of capillaries and cellular membranes in women with pre-eclampsia. Together with certain physiologic phenomena, the findings constitute some slight evidence against the hypothesis.
Production control in a complex production system using approximate dynamic programming

Development of an efficient production and inventory control policy for a production system with multiple working stations, intermediate components and end products is difficult. In particular, uncertain demand and large changeover times at the work stations cause significant problems. In this paper, we consider an assembly line for dishwashers which require multiple types of wire racks that must be fabricated and coated at different work centres before supplying the assembly lines. An approximate dynamic programming (ADP) method is proposed to address the complexities associated with such a system. In addition, an Artificial Neural Network model is designed to approximate state values of the system, thus helping the system to make decisions at particular states. A near optimal production and inventory control policy is developed through an ADP algorithm. The proposed method can be extended to any similar system.
Healthcare Systems and Equality Rights

Health and equality are inextricably linked. More unequal societies are associated with lower life expectancy, higher rates of infant mortality, lower birth weight, and greater rates of depression, among other poor health indicators. For individuals, lower social status correlates to worse health outcomes at every level of the social hierarchy. In short, inequality at both the individual and societal level is simply unhealthy. Moreover, unequal healthcare systems in most countries – so-called tiered systems – exacerbate unequal health outcomes and other inequalities in society because they inevitably provide the least healthcare benefits to those most in need. In this light, this article examines the provisions on equality and non-discrimination in the International Bill of Human Rights and proposes that these rights be interpreted in a manner that would contribute more effectively to promoting the right to health for all.
Junior League Football: risks versus benefits

Major concerns about physical injury, emotional stress, poor adult leadership, and interference with junior high school football programs contribute to the Junior League Football controversy. In the final analysis, benefits of participation in these football programs are shown to far outweigh the risks.
Interaction of Mycoplasma arthritidis and Other Mycoplasmas with Murine Peritoneal Macrophages

Neither mouse nor rat peritoneal macrophages were able to kill Mycoplasma arthritidis to any observable degree in the absence of specific hyperimmune rabbit antiserum. Although convalescent mouse and rat serum were somewhat inhibitory to M. arthritidis in the absence of macrophages, these sera did not promote active phagocytosis by peritoneal macrophages. In fact, the macrophages appeared to protect the mycoplasmas against the inhibitory effects of the antisera by stimulating their growth. Hyperimmune rabbit antiserum against M. arthritidis initiated phagocytic action and resulted in a 50-fold decrease in numbers of viable mycoplasmas by 6 h. In contrast with M. arthritidis, M. pulmonis rapidly adsorbed to the surface of peritoneal macrophages. Upon addition of specific rabbit antiserum, a rapid decrease in viable organisms occurred, and a more complete destruction of organisms ensued in comparison with M. arthritidis. M. gallinarum, as with M. arthritidis, did not adsorb to the macrophages to any great extent. Phagocytic action was observed only in the presence of homologous rabbit antiserum and was not marked until after 6 h of incubation.
Surface-Chemistry Effect on Cellular Response of Luminescent Plasmonic Silver Nanoparticles

Cellular response of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) is strongly dependent on their surface chemistry. By taking advantage of robust single-particle fluorescence and giant Raman enhancements of unique polycrystalline silver NPs (AgNPs), we quantitatively investigated effects of two well-known surface chemistries, passive PEGylation and active c-RGD peptide conjugation, on in vitro behaviors of AgNPs at high temporal and spatial resolution as well as chemical level using fluorescence and Raman microscopy. The results show that specific c-RGD peptide−αvβ3 integrin interactions not only induced endosome formation more rapidly, enhanced constrained diffusion, but also minimized nonspecific chemical interactions between the NPs and intracellular biomolecules than passive PEGylation chemistry; as a result, surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals of c-RGD peptides were well resolved inside endosomes in the live cells, while Raman signals of PEGylated AgNPs remained unresolvable due to interference of surr...
Multilocus genetic characterization of two ant vectors (Group II "Dirty 22" species) known to contaminate food and food products and spread foodborne pathogens.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration utilizes the presence of filth and extraneous materials as one of the criteria for implementing regulatory actions and assessing adulteration of food products of public health importance. Twenty-two prevalent pest species (also known as the ''Dirty 22'' species) have been considered by this agency as possible vehicles for the spread of foodborne diseases, and the presence of these species is considered an indicator of unsanitary conditions in food processing and storage facilities. In a previous study, we further categorized the Dirty 22 species into four groups: group I includes four cockroach species, group II includes two ant species, group III includes 12 fly species, and group IV includes four rodent species. Here, we describe the development of three nested PCR primer sets and multilocus genetic characterization by amplifying the small subunit rRNA, elongation factor 1-alpha, and wingless (WNT-1) genes of group II Dirty 22 ant species Monomorium pharaonis and Solenopsis molesta. These novel group II Dirty 22 species-specific nested PCR primer sets can be used when the specimens cannot be identified using conventional microscopic methods. These newly developed assays will provide correct identification of group II Dirty 22 ant species, and the information can be used in the control of foodborne pathogens.
The Effect of VDT Command Line Location on Data Entry Behavior

An experiment was conducted to study user behavior while entering data in two different locations on a visual display (VDT) screen. Sixteen subjects (eight experienced and eight novice VDT users) performed a data entry task which emphasized screen-keyboard interaction. The entry area was placed either at the top (line 2) or bottom (line 23) of the display, with trials blocked for a given condition. Statistically significant differences were obtained for three anthropometric measures and one time measure on main effects of line location and user experience level. Although significant differences in absolute measures were found, both user groups show the same proportionate improvement when the command line is presented at the bottom, compared with when it is at the top.
Supplemental conditionally essential nutrients in cardiovascular disease therapy

Conditionally essential nutrients (CENs) are organic compounds that are ordinarily produced by the body in amounts sufficient to meet its physiological requirements. However, in disorders, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), and in other physiologically stressful conditions, their biosynthesis may be inadequate. Under these circumstances, CENs become essential nutrients, comparable to vitamins. The CENs of primary importance in CVD, based on the quantity and quality of human clinical studies, are l-arginine, l-carnitine, propionyl-l-carnitine, and coenzyme Q10. Controlled studies of these CENs are reviewed in depth. Taurine is a CEN of secondary importance caused by a limited human database. Other putative CENs include alpha-lipoic acid, betaine, chondroitin sulfate, glutamine, and d-ribose, each of which is mentioned in passing. Collectively, CENs have demonstrated favorable clinical effects in CVDs, including chronic heart failure, myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, and in CVD risk factors, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and lipoprotein(a). Limited research has pointed to possible benefits in CVD therapy accruing from supplementation with several CENs in combination. Additional controlled clinical studies of CENs in CVD are urgently needed. In view of the efficacy and safety of appropriate supplementation with CENs, it is strongly suggested that healthcare professionals become knowledgeable of these potentially important additions to the CVD therapeutic armamentarium.
Absorption of digoxin from different oral preparations in normal subjects during steady state

Digoxin bioavailability was studied in 6 normal volunteers during chronic dosing. The absorption of digoxin was estimated by: (1) steady-state serum dtgoxin levels; (2) the area IInder the serllm concentration-time curve (AUC) du ring a dosittg interval; and (3) the excretion of digoxin in the urine during one dosing interval during steady state. Using the mean of these three methods, the absolute bioavailability of the 0.25 mg digoxin tablet (Lanoxin) was 62%, and an equivalent dose of digoxin solution was 77%. When the dose of digoxin administered was doubled (0.125 mg to 0.25 mg), the steady state serum level increased by 50% for oral administration and 80% for intravenous administration. Despite failure to double serum level and AUC, there was doubling in urinm-y digoxin excretion. Results indicate that urinary excretion of digoxin is the most valid measure of bioavailability of oral digoxin preparations.
Detection Results of Organic Solvents in Different Industry and Enterprises in Dalian,2006-2013

Objective To understand the concentration level of organic solvents in different industries and enterprises in Dalian for providing scientific references for preventing occupational poisoning and to protect the health of workers. Methods Detection data of organic solvents in enterprises which were conducted detection at workplaces by Dalian CDC in 2006- 2013 were collected and analyzed with regard to the qualified rate. Results The most detected enterprises were manufacturing industries and with the most detection places,accounting for97. 15% of the total detected enterprises and industries,and with a qualified rate of 96. 39%. The industries with comparatively higher number and detection workplaces were of general equipment,electronic,chemistry and rubber industries. There were statistical differences among the four industries( χ2= 69. 02,P 0. 01),and general equipment was with the lowest detection qualified rate( 91. 89%). The printing industry had the lowest qualified rate( 85. 71%) and the hazard content of benzene series was all relatively high. In term of methyl alcohol,industry of general equipment had the lowest qualified rate( 56. 20%),followed by scientific research industry( 72. 23%) and printing industry( 75. 00%). Conclusion To prevent the occupation poisoning and protect the workers 'health, special attention should be paid to the organic solvents of airtight cleaning job positions in manufacturing industry,especially the manufacturing industry of general equipments.
Do experts and novices direct attention differently in examining physics diagrams? A study of change detection using the flicker technique

Experts are faster than novices at detecting differences between images that are relevant for the physics principles portrayed.
Monotonicity and Oriented Tangent Cones

This chapter presents an introduction to the two basic tools of the regularity theory of area-minimizing surfaces, that is, monotonicity and oriented tangent cones. It presents the monotonicity of the mass ratio, a lower bound on area growth. The theorem on the monotonicity of the mass ratio is one of the most useful tools in regularity theory. Monotonicity actually holds for stationary (minimal) surfaces or, in a weakened form, even for bounded mean curvature surfaces but not for more general integrands than area. The chapter also presents the existence of an oriented tangent cone at every interior point of an area-minimizing surface. It presents the development of a generalization to locally integral flat chains of the notion of the tangent plane to a C 1 manifold at a point. A locally integral flat chain C is called a cone if every homothetic expansion or contraction μ R # C = C . An oriented tangent cone C is a current, whereas a tangent cone Tan is a set.
Maxwell's equations and electromagnetics after 150+ years

Maxwell's equations have been around for over 150 years since its inception. But due to their enduring legacy, their importance has not diminished over the years. In fact, electromagnetic theory finds applications in increasing number of areas and relationship to deeper mathematics. For instance, electromagnetics is important for quantum information, quantum optics, and increasingly being used in photonic and bio technologies. An amazing feature of Maxwell's equations is their validity from subatomic length scale to galactic length scale. Consequently, they are valid over a vast frequency range with diverse wavelengths. Furthermore, they are also valid in classical as well as in quantum electromagnetics. Because of the highly predictive value of Maxwell's equations, there has been a quest for their efficient and accurate solutions. Various methods to solve Maxwell's equations have been developed since the dawn of their discovery. With the advent of computers, the need for more accurate and robust solutions does not diminish. In this presentation will discuss the history of different solution methods in electromagnetic theory, ranging from approximate methods, to fast numerical methods, namely, the computational electromagnetics methods. We will also discuss future directions in this area.
Be Careful what you Ask for

The current Islamist government, ushered in by a military coup in 1989, declared that the Sudan must be governed by Islamic law or shari’a in accordance with what it called the Civilization Project. As expected, the personal status for Muslims laws, Ahwal Shakhsiyya , continued to be governed by shari’a as it has always been. However, the Sudanese society experienced unprecedented changes that are considered un-Islamic, and may be even punishable by law. In this paper two of those changes happened in the institution of marriage. This paper discusses two types of marriage, ‘Urfi and Misyar that are not part of the law, and traditionally unacceptable, and by law deemed by some to be illegal. Some scholars are seeking to normalize and may be legalize both types.
Performance comparison between carbon nanotube and copper interconnects for GSI

The performances of minimum-size copper and carbon nanotube interconnects are compared for various ITRS generations. Results offer important guidance regarding the nature of carbon nanotube technology development needed for improving interconnect performance. Since wave propagation is slow in a single nanotube, nanotube-bundles with larger wave speeds must be used. At the 45nm node (year 2010), the performance enhancement that can be achieved by using nanotube-bundles is negligible, and at the 22nm node (year 2016) it can be as large as 30% and 80% if carbon nanotubes with electron mean free paths of 5/spl mu/m and 10/spl mu/m, respectively, can be fabricated.
On the Capacity-Performance Trade-Off of Online Policy in Delayed Mobile Offloading

WiFi offloading, where mobile users opportunistically obtain data through WiFi rather than cellular networks, is a promising technique for greatly improving spectrum efficiency and reduce cellular network congestion. We consider a system where the service provider deploys multiple WiFi hotspots to offload mobile traffic, and study the scheduling policy to maximize the amount of offloaded data. Since users’ movements are unpredictable, we focus on online scheduling policy, where APs have no knowledge of users’ mobility patterns. We study the performance of online policies by comparing them against the optimal offline policy. We prove that any work-conserving policy is able to offload at least half as much data as the offline policy, and then propose an online policy such that when the requested data by each user is very large, the policy can offload $(e-1)/e$ as much data as the offline policy, where $e$ is Euler’s constant. We further study the case where the service provider can increase the capacity of WiFi so as to provide some guarantees on the amount of offloaded data. We derive a lower-bound on the trade-off between capacity and the amount of offloaded data, and propose a simple online policy that achieves this lower bound. In addition, we show that our policy only needs half as much capacity as current mechanisms to provide the same performance guarantee.
Simple Theory for the Dynamics of Mean-Field-Like Models of Glass-Forming Fluids.

We propose a simple theory for the dynamics of model glass-forming fluids, which should be solvable using a mean-field-like approach. The theory is based on transparent physical assumptions, which can be tested in computer simulations. The theory predicts an ergodicity-breaking transition that is identical to the so-called dynamic transition predicted within the replica approach. Thus, it can provide the missing dynamic component of the random first order transition framework. In the large-dimensional limit the theory reproduces the result of a recent exact calculation of Maimbourg et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 116, 015902 (2016)]. Our approach provides an alternative, physically motivated derivation of this result.
Iron-mediated mineralogical control of organic matter accumulation in tropical soils

Abstract Tropical forest soils contribute disproportionately to the poorly-characterized and persistent deep soil carbon (C) pool. These soils, highly-weathered and often extending one to two meters in depth, may contain an abundance of iron-(Fe) bearing mineral phases. Short-range-order (SRO) minerals are of particular interest due to their high reactive surface areas and capacity for soil C stabilization through sorption or co-precipitation. We hypothesized that SRO minerals might serve as primary contributors to soil C accumulation and storage in surface (0–20 cm) and subsurface (50–80 cm) soils of the Luquillo Critical Zone Observatory (LCZO) in northeast Puerto Rico. Oxisol and Inceptisol soils obtained from 20 quantitative soil pits, stratified across quartz-dominated granodiorite and clay-rich volcaniclastic parent materials, were subjected to selective dissolution procedures to extract Fe-C associations: sodium pyrophosphate (PP) to isolate colloidal or dispersable Fe, HCl-hydroxylamine (HH) and ammonium oxalate (AO) to isolate SRO Fe, and inorganic dithionite-HCl (DH) to isolate more crystalline pedogenic Fe. Pyrophosphate extraction of colloidal or dispersable Fe also extracted the greatest concentrations of soluble C across all samples. Dissolved molar C:Fe ratios > 1 observed solely in the PP extracts indicated the presence of organic-rich non-sorptive associations, the stability of which may have stronger control on accumulation of total soil C in these soils than those of extractable SRO and pedogenic Fe. Pedogenic and SRO Fe phases were the dominant extractable minerals in both soil types, at the surface and at depth, and notably, correlated well with extracted C. This suggests that these phases are strongly associated with a smaller, but substantial, fraction of total soil C. Direct observations of the limited extractability of soil C (
Do Older Adults Need Sleep? A Review of Neuroimaging, Sleep, and Aging Studies.

Sleep habits, sleep physiology, and sleep disorders change with increasing age. However, there is a longstanding debate regarding whether older adults need sleep to maintain health and daily functioning (reduced-sleep-need view). An alternative possibility is that aging reduces the ability to obtain restorative sleep (reduced-sleep-ability view). Prior research using behavioral and polysomnography outcomes has not definitively disentangled the reduced-sleep-need and reduced-sleep-ability views. Therefore, this review examines the neuroimaging literature to determine whether age-related changes in sleep cause—or are caused by—age-related changes in brain structure, function, and pathology. In middle-aged and older adults, poorer sleep quality, greater nighttime hypoxia, and shorter sleep duration related to cortical thinning in frontal regions implicated in slow-wave generation, in frontoparietal networks implicated in cognitive control, and in hippocampal regions implicated in encoding and memory consolidation. Furthermore, poor sleep quality was associated with higher amyloid burden and decreased connectivity in the default mode network, a network that is disrupted in the pathway to Alzheimer’s disease. Older adults need sleep, but cortical thinning and amyloidal deposition with advancing age may weaken the brain’s ability to produce restorative sleep. Therefore, sleep in older adults may not always support identical functions for physical, mental, and cognitive health as in young adults.
Using Service Learning to Improve Interviewer and Interviewee Effectiveness.

Interviews are a critical component of assessing a candidate’s fit in an organization. Students aspiring to be managers or human resource professionals will need to complete an interview to success...
Character sums of Lee and Weintraub

Abstract We prove two conjectures of Lee and Weintraub and one conjecture of Ibukiyama and Kaneko about character sums arising as fixed point contributions in the Atiyah–Singer holomorphic Lefshetz formula applied to finite group actions on the space of certain Siegel cusp forms.
DNA binding of in vitro activated Stat1 alpha, Stat1 beta and truncated Stat1: interaction between NH2-terminal domains stabilizes binding of two dimers to tandem DNA sites

Stat1 alpha, Stat1 beta and a proteolytically defined truncated Stat1 (132-713, Stat1tc) have been prepared from recombinant sources. All three proteins were specifically phosphorylated on Tyr701 in vitro and the phosphoprotein purified to homogeneity. This was achieved by employing a new isolation scheme that does not include DNA affinity steps and readily allows for the isolation of tens of milligrams of activated Stat protein. The purified phosphoprotein was free of traces of unphosphorylated polypeptide as detected by mass spectrometry. The phosphorylated Stat1 preparations bound to various DNA recognition sites with the same Keq of approximately 1 x 10(-9) M; distinction between 'weak' and 'strong' binding sites is determined by the very rapid dissociation (< 30 s, t1/2) from 'weak' sites compared with 'strong' sites (approximately 3 min, t1/2). Reports of 'weak' tandem binding sites in a natural gene caused us to examine binding to tandem sites leading to the finding that the Stat1 alpha or beta (38 amino acids shorter on the C terminus) bound to two tandem sites (but not two head-to-head sites) with a higher stability than to a single recognition site. The N-terminally truncated protein Stat1tc did not show this cooperative binding, thus implicating the N-terminal domain in promoting Stat1-Stat1 dimer interaction.
Network Similarity Prediction in Time-Evolving Graphs: A Machine Learning Approach

Temporal graphs—graphs that change with time—are becoming increasingly relevant and important, especially in areas such as web graphs of documents, online social networks, and transportation traffic networks. In such areas, the exponential growth of the sizes of the graphs, and the high-velocity streams of changes in the graphs have called for effective incremental algorithms—algorithms that use only the changes in input to provide an updated solution—for a range of network analysis operations. Measuring similarity between a pair of graphs is an example of such a network analysis operation. In this paper, we consider the problem of tracking graph similarities when the graphs are continuously changing over time. We aim to leverage the temporal information in the graphs to avoid recalculating the similarities from scratch. We propose a new approach, namely incremental approximation of similarity measures in time-evolving graphs where the correspondence between the nodes of the two graphs is known. In particular, we use machine learning to build a model to predict the graph similarity by considering only the changes in the graphs. Our experimental results over both real-world and synthetic graphs show the effectiveness and agility of the proposed machine learning approach.
Disturbance and patch dynamics of subtidal marine animals on hard substrata

Examines the mechanisms that determine the species composition, relative abundance and diversity of attached animals, concentrating on the scleractinian reef-building (hermatypic) corals on tropical reefs, and invertebrates that are attached to hard substrates (epifauna) in temperate regions or in cryptic tropical habitats. Characteristics of the disturbance regime-areal extent, intensity, frequency and seasonality-are highly correlated. Small, less intense disturbances occur frequently. Different organisms have different intrinsic vulnerabilities to disturbance, which may increase with size, age, and population density in certain growth forms. -P.J.Jarvis
617. Characterization and Development of the Infant Gut Virome: A STORK Study

Background There is little known about the dynamics of the infant virome and how it relates to healthy growth and development. This study will establish the baseline gut virome and observe dynamic changes in a cohort of infants from birth to 3 years old. We hypothesize that changes in the gut virome will impact growth and immune development.
Animation general

In a hospital for animated characters, a 2D doctor and a clay-mation nurse must operate on a broken 3D Model.