cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Aberrant development of Plasmodium falciparum in hemoglobin CC red cells: implications for the malaria protective effect of the homozygous state

Although selection of hemoglobin C (HbC) by malaria has been speculated for decades, only recently have epidemiologic studies provided support for HbC protection against malaria in West Africa. A reduced risk of malaria associated with the homozygous CC state has been attributed to the inability of CC cells to support parasite multiplication in vitro. However, there have been conflicting data and conclusions regarding the ability of CC red cells to support parasite replication. Reports that parasites cannot multiply in CC cells in vitro contrast with detection of substantial parasite densities in CC patients with malaria. We have therefore investigated Plasmodium falciparum growth in CC cells in vitro. Our data show that the multiplication rate of several P falciparum lines is measurable in CC cells, but lower than that in AA (HbA-normal) cells. A high proportion of ring forms and trophozoites disintegrates within a subset of CC cells, an observation that accounts for the overall lower replication rate. In addition, knobs present on the surface of infected CC cells are fewer in number and morphologically aberrant when compared with those on AA cells. Events in malaria pathogenesis that involve remodeling of the erythrocyte surface and the display of parasite antigens may be affected by these knob abnormalities. Our data suggest that only a subset of CC cells supports normal parasite replication and that components of malaria protection associated with the CC state may affect the parasite's replication capacity and involve aberrant knob formation on CC cells.
The Ras GTPase-activating protein neurofibromin 1 promotes the positive selection of thymocytes

Abstract TCR-mediated activation of the Ras signaling pathway is critical for T cell development in the thymus and function in the periphery. However, which members of a family of Ras GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAPs) negatively regulate Ras activation in T cells is unknown. In this study we examined a potential function for the neurofibromin 1 (NF1) RasGAP in the T cell lineage with the use of T cell-specific NF1-deficient mice. Surprisingly, on an MHC class I-restricted TCR transgenic background, NF1 was found to promote thymocyte positive selection. By contrast, NF1 neither promoted nor inhibited the negative selection of thymocytes. In the periphery, NF1 was found to be necessary for the maintenance of normal numbers of naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but was dispensable as a regulator of TCR-induced Ras activation, cytokine synthesis, proliferation and differentiation and death. These findings point to a novel unexpected role for NF1 in T cell development as well as a regulator of T cell homeostasis.
Association of synapsin 2 with schizophrenia in families of Northern European ancestry

Abstract The synapsin 2 (Syn2) gene (3p25) is implicated in synaptogenesis, neurotransmitter release, and the localization of nitric oxide synthase to the proximity of its targets. In this study we investigated linkage and association between the Syn2 locus and schizophrenia. 37 pedigrees of Northern European ancestry from the NIMH Human Genetics Initiative collection were used. Four microsatellites and twenty SNPs were genotyped. Linkage (FASTLINK) and association (TRANSMIT, PDTPHASE) between markers and schizophrenia were evaluated. A maximum heterogeneity LOD of 1.93 was observed at marker D3S3434 with a recessive mode of inheritance. Significant results were obtained for association with schizophrenia using TRANSMIT (minimum nominal p = 0.0000005) and PDTPHASE (minimum nominal p = 0.014) using single marker analyses. Haplotype analysis using markers in introns 5 and 6 of Syn2 provided a single haplotype that is significantly associated with schizophrenia using TRANSMIT (nominal p
High frequency bus converter with integrated matrix transformers for CPU and telecommunications applications

The trend in intermediate bus architectures is increasing output power demands and higher operating frequencies. Improved topologies and semiconductors can allow for lower loss at higher frequencies. A major barrier to further improvement is the transformer design. With high current levels and high frequency effects the transformers can become the major loss component in the circuit. High values of transformer leakage inductance can also greatly degrade the performance of the converter. Matrix transformers offer the ability to reduce winding loss and leakage inductance. This paper will study the use of matrix transformers for a 600-W, 12-V/50A bus converter and identify the optimal number of matrix transformers. This paper will also propose an improved integrated matrix transformer design that can decrease core loss and further improve the performance of matrix transformers.
Aeroelastic response of metallic and composite propfan models in yawed flow

An analytical investigation of aeroelastic response of metallic and composite propfan models in yawed flow was performed. The analytical model is based on the normal modes of a rotating blade and the three dimensional unsteady lifting surface aerodynamic theory including blade mistuning. The calculated blade stresses or strains are compared with published wind tunnel data on two metallic and three composite propfan wind tunnel models. The comparison shows a good agreement between theory and experiment. Additional parametric results indicate that blade response is very sensitive to the blade stiffness and also to blade frequency and mode shape mistuning. From these findings, it is concluded that both frequency and mode shape mistuning should be included in aeroelastic response analysis. Furthermore, both calculated and measured strains show that combined blade frequency and mode shape mistuning has beneficial effects on response due to yawed flow.
Synthesis and crystal structure of amidato-bridged dirhenium(III,III) compounds

Abstract Four amidato-bridged dirhenium(III,III) compounds (1–4) have been synthesized through reactions between Re2(O2CCH3)4Cl2 and four different molten amides and their strutures determined by X-ray crystallography. In 1, 2 and 3, the nitrogen and oxygen atoms bonded to the same Re atom are cis to each other, and the virtual symmetry of the Re2(NCO)4 units is C2h. In 4, the trans arrangement of ligands yields a D2d virtual symmetry of the Re2(NCO)4 unit. All these compounds contain quadruple bonds between two rhenium atoms, with Re—Re distances 2.2304(6) A, 2.2218(8) A, 2.2181(6) A, 2.2350(4) A and 2.2364(5) A for 1, 2a, 2b, 3 and 4, respectively. The electronic spectra and 1H NMR were measured. Reaction chemistry and structures of these compounds are compared with those of carboxylato bridged and amidinato bridged compounds. It is concluded that the amidato compounds all have a σ2π4δ2 electron configuration, like their carboxylato analogs, but with larger δ—δ* orbital energy separations.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of the Pentanuclear Tantalum Cluster Ta 5 (μ 5 -N)(μ 3 -N i Pr) 2 (μ 2 -N i Pr) 6 (η 1 -N i Pr) 4 (η 1 -NH i Pr) 2 from the Reaction of Ta(NMe 2 ) 5 and i PrNH 2 : Unprecedented Formation of a Hinged-Butterfly Cluster Containing an Interstitial Nitride, Imido Groups, and Amido Groups

The reaction of Ta(NMe2)5 with excess i PrNH2 (20-25 equivalents) at room temperature yields the pentanuclear tantalum cluster Ta5(μ5-N)(μ3-N i Pr)2(μ2-N i Pr)6(η1-N i Pr)4(η1-NH i Pr)2 (1) in 17 % yield. 1 has been characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. 1·pentane crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, a = 21.669(2) A, b = 12.6412(9) A, c = 43.451(3) A, β = 91.535(1)°, V = 11898(2) A3, Z = 4, and dcalc = 1.961 Mg/m3; R = 0.0723, R w = 0.1599 for 24154 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The structural highlights in 1 include a hinged-butterfly arrangement of tantalum atoms that encapsulate an interstitial μ5-nitride moiety, three different types of imido groups, and one set of amido ligands. Compound 1 represents the first structurally characterized paradigm of a polynuclear cluster whose coordination sphere contains five different types of nitrogen ligands. The homoleptic amido compound Ta(NMe2)5 reacts with a large excess of i PrNH2 at room temperature to furnish the pentanuclear tantalum cluster Ta5(μ5-N)(μ3-N i Pr)2(μ2-N i Pr)6(η1-N i Pr)4(η1-NH i Pr)2 (1) in 17 % yield. The presence of an interstitial nitride moiety, three different types of imido groups, and one set of amido ligands in cluster 1 has been established by X-ray crystallography.
Resources and pollinators contribute to population sex-ratio bias and pollen limitation in Fragaria virginiana (Rosaceae)

Populations of gynodioecious species vary in the ratio of female versus hermaphroditic individuals they contain, and many exhibit higher frequencies of females under poor resource conditions. One important factor limiting female frequencies within populations is predicted to be pollen limitation of seed production, caused by either low abundance of pollen donors or insufficient pollen transfer. However, empirical studies measuring variation in pollen limitation with population sex ratios or resource gradients in gynodioecious plants are inconsistent. Part of this inconsistency may be that pollen limitation and its causes are context-dependent. Another possibility is that sex-specific daily flower production and/or sex-biased visitation are more relevant to the likelihood of pollen limitation than sex ratio based on counting individual plants. In this study, we examined context-dependent pollen limitation in gynodioecious/subdioecious Fragaria virginiana. We specifically examined the potential for resource availability to influence sex-specific daily flower production, sex-biased pollinator visitation, and their relationships with pollen limitation in experimental populations that contained either high or low frequencies of female plants. High resource availability reduced apparent female frequency by increasing daily flower production by hermaphrodites relative to females. This is important because pollinators increasingly discriminated against female flowers as floral sex ratios became more female-biased. Contrary to expectation, females in high-female populations were not consistently more pollen limited than those in low-female
4-Allylanisole as an inhibitor of bark beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) aggregation.

To assess the extent of inhibitory activity of the host compound 4-allylanisole, we conducted field studies with three scolytid species. These species are geographically widespread and economically important. Trials were completed with Dendroctonus brevicomis LeConte (California), D. ponderosae Hopkins (Oregon), and Ips pini (Say) (Wisconsin) by using multiple-funnel traps with appropriate pheromone-based attractants. With the Dendroctonus species, the effects of 4-allylanisole were compared with verbenone, an aggregation inhibitor produced by beetles themselves. We also determined effects of the treatments on the most abundant coleopterous predators in each trial. Inhibition of bark beetle aggregation behavior by 4-allylanisole was demonstrated for D. ponderosae (Oregon) and I. pini (Wisconsin). In Oregon, 4-allylanisole reduced the catch of D. ponderosae at attractant-baited traps by 77%, whereas verbenone reduced the catch by 91% compared with attractant alone. Although both reductions were significant, the effect of verbenone was significantly greater than that of 4-allylanisole. In Wisconsin, addition of 4-allylanisole to attractant-baited traps resulted in a significant reduction (43%) in numbers of I. pini caught, compared with attractant alone. In the California trials, mean trap catches of D. brevicomis were reduced by both 4-allylanisole (35%) and verbenone (27%) compared with attractant alone, but neither reduction was significant. Sex ratios of target scolytids were not affected by inhibitory treatments in any trial. The predator Temnochila chlorodia (Mannerheim) (Coleoptera: Trogositidae) was not affected by 4-allylanisole in California; however, verbenone significantly reduced the number caught. Although captures were low, numbers of T. chlorodia caught by traps containing 4-allylanisole in Oregon were significantly higher than those containing verbenone or attractant alone (numbers in verbenone and attractant traps were not significantly different). Numbers of the predatory beetles counted in Wisconsin- Thanasimus dubius (F.) (Coleoptera: Cleridae), Platysoma parallelum Say (Coleoptera: Histeridae), and P. (Cylistix) cylindrical (Paykull) (Coleoptera: Histeridae)-were not affected by elution of 4-allylanisole with the attractant. Implications of these results for protection of individual trees and management of bark beetle populations are discussed.
Experimental Determination of Gain Degradation Mechanisms

This paper presents and discusses experimental means for identifying the sources of neutron-induced base current in bipolar transistors. Several examples illustrate the predominant determinants of post-irradiation current gain, and the methods facilitate intercomparison of disparate devices. The techniques cited are equally applicable to the study of current-gain and recombination in unirradiated devices.
The metabolism of 3-(2-acetoxyethyl)-5-methoxyindole(5-methoxytryptophol o-acetate)

Abstract Administration of radioactively labeled 3-(2-acetoxyethyl)-5-methoxyindole to rats produced a single metabolite. Its properties indicated that it was a hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid with hydrolysis, oxidation and hydroxylation having occurred. The product was not the expected 6-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid nor the 4-hydroxy isomer. Deduction led to the conclusion that the metabolite was 7-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-3-acetic add, with an apparently unusual form of indole metabolism occurring. A study of tissue distribution showed that concentration of radioactivity was 18 times as high in the pineal than in brain 1 hr after administration.
HLA alloantibodies and time of death in cardiac transplantation

For some time now it has become clear at our program that a positive flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) is associated with a degree of morbidity and mortality. Here we have examined this issue again to determine what impact these anti-donor HLA antibodies might have on the time of death in failed transplants. Of 876 total transplants available for analysis, 637 continue to survive (72.7%), 63 (7.2%) were lost within 90 days, 76 (8.7%) were lost between 90 days and 3 years, and 100 (11.4%) greater than 3 years post-transplant. As seen in the table, when 584 patients with FCXM results were stratified by FCXM as negative, HLA class I positive (T&B reactive) and class II positive (T negative, B cell positive), there was a significant difference observed with class I and class II reactions associated with increased early and intermediate losses when compared to the negatives. We have also previously observed that hearts from donors who died due to a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) seem particularily sensitive to these antibodies. With these donors, almost 30% of the class I positive transplants were lost within the first 90 days. The amount of antibody reactivity of the FCXM measured in molecules of fluorescence binding to the donor cells also differed among these groups. The mean increase in fluorescence over controls was 562 for survivors, 3491 for 90 day deaths, 1102 for intermediate (90 days-3 years), and 10,562 molecules for late deaths (p 0.0001). It seems that HLA antibodies identified at the time of transplant may be assoicated not only with early but also late death in cardiac transplantation.
Innovative antimicrobial interventions for perishable and semiperishable food items

Recent foodborne outbreaks have emphasized that microbes are evolving strategies that overcome our traditional processing and preservation techniques. Conventional treatments to decontaminate products containing human pathogens are largely ineffective, and new interventions are needed. Such innovative technologies are needed to assure the production and processing of high quality, fresh food items that are less likely to support pathogen growth. Novel chemical and physical treatments are needed that will reduce the risk of microbial contamination while not adversely affecting the quality of the products. This paper presents Natick Lab's efforts in exploring non-traditional methods such as electrolyzed oxidizing water, high intensity light, modified atmospheres and microwave and irradiation technologies, non-traditional chemical treatments including novel sanitizing solutions and natural antimicrobial agents, and non-traditional biological treatments such as the use of bacteriocins. Microbial tests showed significant antifungal, antibacterial effects of these methods, individually and synergistically, with minimum deterioration of food quality as measured by the sensory evaluations. The methods are useful for both military and civilian applications.
Molecular imaging of photodynamic therapy

Recent advances in light sources, detectors and other optical imaging technologies coupled with the development of novel optical contrast agents have enabled real-time, high resolution, in vivo monitoring of molecular targets. Noninvasive monitoring of molecular targets is particularly relevant to photodynamic therapy (PDT), including the delivery of photosensitizer in the treatment site and monitoring of molecular and physiological changes following treatment. Our lab has developed optical imaging technologies to investigate these various aspects of photodynamic therapy (PDT). We used a laser scanning confocal microscope to monitor the pharmacokinetics of various photosensitizers in in vitro as well as ex vivo samples, and developed an intravital fluorescence microscope to monitor photosensitizer delivery in vivo in small animals. A molecular specific contrast agent that targets the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was developed to monitor the changes in the protein expression following PDT. We were then able to study the physiological changes due to post-treatment VEGF upregulation by quantifying vascular permeability with in vivo imaging.
Bone regeneration in cranial defects previously treated with radiation.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Bone reconstruction in the head and neck region is frequently performed in the context of previous radiation treatment. Thus, the effectiveness of tissue engineering approaches for regenerating bone in radiated defects needs to be determined before considering application to patients. Incomplete healing is described when using osteoinductive protein therapy alone for bone defects previously treated with radiation. We hypothesized that a different approach using ex vivo gene therapy can heal these severely compromised defects. Study Design: Animal study using Fisher rats. Methods: Two weeks before surgery, rats received either no radiation or a 12 Gray radiation dose to the calvarium. Syngeneic dermal fibroblasts were transduced ex vivo using an adenoviral vector containing the cDNA for bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7. Critical-sized calvarial defects were created, and either a transduced cell-seeded scaffold or an autologous bone graft was placed into the defect. Nonradiated defects were harvested 4 weeks later for both groups. Radiated defects treated with bone grafts were harvested at 4 weeks, and those treated with gene therapy were harvested either at 4 or 8 weeks. Gross inspection and histology were used to evaluate wound healing. Results: None of the bone grafts had gross or histologic evidence of healing at the wound margins. The nonradiated gene therapy treated defects revealed gross and histologic near-100% bone regeneration by 4 weeks after surgery. By gross inspection, the radiated defects had soft tissue admixed with islands of bone at both 4 and 8 weeks. The histologic appearance revealed areas of dense bone in a nonconfluent pattern admixed with adjacent cells having the morphologic appearance of hypertrophic chondrocytes, suggesting continued endochondral ossification. Conclusions: Preoperative radiation significantly impairs the ability of BMP-7 ex vivo gene therapy to heal rat critical-sized cranial defects. This finding has significant implications for translating this tissue engineering approach to patients with cancer-related segmental bone defects.
The photosynthetic and respiratory rates and tolerances of benthic algae from a mangrove and salt marsh estuary: A comparative study

Abstract Net photosynthetic and respiratory rates were studied for four species of estuarine algae dominant in a mangrove and a salt marsh on the west coast of Florida with relation to light, temperature, salinity, and periods of desiccation. Bostrychia bindert (intertidal) and Gracilaria verrucosa (subtidal) were common to both sites: Cladophora repens (intertidal) and Acanthophora spicifera (subtidal) were included from the mangrove community while Catenella repens (intertidal) and Spyridia filamentosa (subtidal) were included from the salt marsh community. Quantitative analysis of chlorophyll a showed higher levels in the salt marsh algae as compared to algae from the mangrove community. Net photosynthetic and respiratory rates were similar for both intertidal species from each site. The intertidal species showed broad tolerances to salinity with positive photosynthetic responses even when held for 3 days in distilled water. All intertidal species had high rates of photosynthesis after periods of desiccation of 4, 8 or 16 h day −1 for 3 days and these rates were evident in specimens monitored in the air as well as submerged. Peak rates of photosynthesis for all 8 species occurred under 1·12 × 10 4 μW cm −2 white light, at 30–36 °C and in 20–30%. The subtidal algae from the mangrove community ( Acanthophora and Gracilaria ) had 5- to 10-fold increases in photosynthetic rates over the subtidal species from the salt marsh community ( Spyridia and Gracilaria ). The physiological tolerances of the algae to site and location in salt marsh and mangrove estuaries along the west coast of Florida are discussed.
Astroglial overproduction of TGF-β1 enhances inflammatory central nervous system disease in transgenic mice

Cerebral expression of the injury response cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been found to be increased in several neurological diseases but it remains unclear whether its function is primarily beneficial or detrimental. Here we show that transgenic (tg) mice that overexpress bioactive TGF-β1 in the central nervous system (CNS) and show no overt phenotype in the unmanipulated state, are more susceptible to the immune-mediated CNS disease experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). TGF-β1 tg mice with EAE showed an earlier onset of clinical symptoms, more severe disease and increased mononuclear cell infiltration in their spinal cords compared with non-tg littermate controls with EAE. Whereas previous observations indicated that increased peripheral levels of TGF-β1 can suppress EAE, our findings demonstrate that local expression of TGF-β1 within the CNS parenchyma can enhance immune cell infiltration and intensify the CNS impairment resulting from peripherally triggered autoimmune responses.
3455 In vivo characterization of colonic thermal injury by the argon plasma coagulator.

The Argon Plasma Coagulator (APC) is a new instrument for non-contact delivery of monopolar electrical energy to mucosal surfaces. It has rapidly gained acceptance for obliteration of vascular lesions and superficial tumors. Depth of injury is thought to be limited through preferential discharge of energy to non-dessicated tissue. However, injury induced by this device has not been well characterized in vivo . Aim: To characterize APCinduced colonic injury in a porcine model. Methods: Swine weighing 50kg were used. Under general anesthesia, a laparotomy was performed and a colotomy incision was made on the antimesenteric border. Burns were made with an APC probe perpendicular to the mucosa at gas-flow 2.4L/min. Variables studied were power (45, 60 & 75W) and duration (1, 2 or 3 seconds), n ≥ 11 for each power/time permutation. Injury was graded histologically as the percentage of coagulation sites per setting yielding severe injury to the superficial circular muscle layer (CML) and deep longitudinal muscle layer (LML). Injury was expressed as the number of burns to CML or LML. Results: The mean surface area of lesions increased with coagulation duration (45W for 1,2 & 3 seconds:184±7mm 2 , 215±1mm 2 , 234±8mm 2 , respectively). CML injury was predicted by power (p=0.01) and duration of burn (p=0.001) and correlated strongly with total energy delivered (r 2 =0.92). Severe damage to the LML correlated strongly with time of burn (r 2 =0.99), but poorly with power (r 2 =0.15); correlation with total energy was less apparent than with CML (r 2 =0.72). Conclusions: Deep injury correlates more closely with duration of coagulation than total energy delivered. Power setting does not correlate with deep injury. Surface area of the lesion is not proportional to energy delivered. Implication: Limitation of depth of injury with the APC may have been previously overstated, "protective" arcing to non-dessicated tissue does not appear to be significant in vivo . Transmural injury may occur at recommended settings (eg: 45W) if coagulation duration is excessive.
A nonparametric method for asymmetrically extending signal extraction filters

Two important problems in the X-11 seasonal adjustment methodology are the construction of standard errors and the handling of the boundaries. We adapt the ‘implied model approach’ of Kaiser and Maravall to achieve both objectives in a nonparametric fashion. The frequency response function of an X-11 linear filter is used, together with the periodogram of the differenced data, to define spectral density estimates for signal and noise. These spectra are then used to define a matrix smoother, which in turn generates an estimate of the signal that is linear in the data. Estimates of the signal are provided at all time points in the sample, and the associated time-varying signal extraction mean squared errors are a by-product of the matrix smoother theory. After explaining our method, it is applied to popular nonparametric filters such as the Hodrick–Prescott (HP), the Henderson trend, and ideal low-pass and band-pass filters, as well as X-11 seasonal adjustment, trend, and irregular filters. Finally, we illustrate the method on several time series and provide comparisons with X-12-ARIMA seasonal adjustments. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF COURT-CONNECTED PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN U.S. COUNTIES

This article highlights the results of a survey of 3,073 U.S. counties regarding court-connected programs for divorcing parents. Court-connected programs were identified in 541 counties. Information is provided on states' efforts at parent education for divorcing parents, including proliferation of programs, commonly used programs, court involvement in organization of programs, fees, and various attendance policies, including mandated attendance. The research establishes a base of information that reflects current practices, informs future research on program outcomes, and assists court systems to implement, change, and/or mandate education programs for divorcing parents.
Fast progressive reconstruction of images in DCT domain

Progressive image transmission (PIT) using the discrete cosine transform (DCT) is considered. An approach to fast progressive reconstruction (FPR) of DCT images is presented. The approach is based on the observation that typical input matrices to IDCT are sparse in PIT. By exploiting the sparsity of a matrix, nonzero elements in the matrix can be processed separately and efficiently. The approach allows any scanning patterns including the zig-zag scan and those incorporating human visual sensitivity. This flexibility distinguishes it from recent approaches to FPR of DCT images.
ELALPS: A Framework to Eliminate Location Anonymizer from Location Privacy Systems

Countless challenges to preserving a user’s location privacy exist and have become more important than ever before with the proliferation of handheld devices and the pervasive use of Location-based Services. It is not possible to access Location-based services and, at the same time, to preserve privacy when the user provides his exact location information. To achieve privacy, most third party based systems use a location anonymizer to achieve k-anonymity so that the user remains indistinguishable among k-1 other requesters. In this paper, we present a novel approach called ELALPS to preserve location privacy without any intermediate location anonymizer. Our framework uses a new concept, namely, Landmark Influence Space (LIS) that proves to be efficient in location anonymization and query processing. The framework is complemented by a collaboration-based light-weight k-anonymity protocol that does not require standard cryptographic operations and trust formation among users. Evaluation shows that our system has been able to bridge the gap between privacy and performance.
A New Method for Assessing the Sex of Fragmentary Skeletal Remains: Femoral Shaft Circumference

A simple discriminant function using midshaft femoral circumference for the determination of sex has been tested with 114 skeletons from the Libben Site, Ontario County, Ohio. The results have been shown to be 85% consistent with other, accepted means of determining sex. Femur circumference an be an aid to the sexual identification of poorly preserved and fragmentary skeletal remains.
A molecular mechanics force field for NAD+ NADH, and the pyrophosphate groups of nucleotides

Empirical force field parameters for nicotinamide (NIC+) and 1,4-dihydronicotinamide (NICH) were developed for use in modeling of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and NAD hydride (NADH). The parametrization follows the methodology used in the development of the CHARMM22 all-hydrogen parameters for proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Parametrization of inorganic phosphate for use in adenosine di- and triphosphates (e.g., ADP and ATP) is also presented. While high level ab initio data, such as conformational energies, dipole moments, interactions with water, and vibrational frequencies, were adequately reproduced by the developed parameters, strong emphasis was placed on the successful reproduction of experimental geometries and crystal data. Results for molecular dynamics crystal simulations were in good agreement with available crystallographic data. Simulations of NAD+ in the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase compared quite favorably with experimental geometries and protein matrix interactions. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
BIODIVERSITY OF MOBILE BENTHIC FAUNA IN GEODUCK (PANOPEA GENEROSA) AQUACULTURE BEDS IN SOUTHERN PUGET SOUND, WASHINGTON

ABSTRACT Aquaculture of the geoduck, Panopea generosa Gould, 1850, has increased dramatically during the past decade in southern Puget Sound, WA, and the effects of these intertidal aquaculture geoduck beds on local fauna is mostly unknown. This study examined the species composition, relative abundances, and biodiversity indices of mobile benthic fauna in geoduck farm areas of southern Puget Sound. Surveys of geoduck farms in two different stages of aquaculture production were carried out using a trapping strategy with two types of traps. The site in Eld Inlet had predator protection tubes around the planted geoduck. The site in Nisqually Reach was in grow-out phase with no predator protection. Nearby areas with no aquaculture were used as control sites. Traps yielded 1,161 individuals from 15 species of mobile benthic animals during the course of this study. The graceful crab, Cancer gracilis, accounted for 76.3% of all specimens. The effects of geoduck aquaculture on biodiversity were subtle and not co...
Coefficient dither in fixed-point fir digital filters

This paper presents dynamic coefficient dither as a method to mitigate coefficient quantization error in FIR filters. The uncorrelated, shapeable noise from dithered coefficients may be preferable, in certain contexts, to the frequency response distortion due to static fixed-point implementation. A theoretical framework for the analysis of coefficient dither is developed. Performance, fundamental tradeoffs, and optimization of dithered filter implementations are discussed. Oversampling is shown to improve the SNR. The theoretical results are validated with numerical experiments.
Incentives for Combatting Freeriding on P2P Networks

We address the freerider problem on P2P networks. We first propose a specific participation metric, which we call a peer’s EigenTrust score. We show that EigenTrust scores accurately capture several different participation criteria. We then propose an incentive scheme that may be used in conjunction with any numerical participation metric. We show that, when these incentives are used in conjunction with EigenTrust scores, they reward participatory peers but don’t exclude less active peers.
Structure of molten stereoregular polyolefins with different side‐chain sizes: Linear polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(1‐butene), and poly(4‐methyl‐1‐pentene)

The melt structures of linear polyethylene and the isotactic vinyl polymers polypropylene, poly(1-butene), and poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), along with the corresponding methyl, ethyl, and isobutyl side chains, were studied with wide-angle X-ray diffraction. As the size of the side branch increases from zero (polyethylene) to methyl, ethyl, and isobutyl, a prepeak appears below the main diffraction peak in the total structure factor. The prepeaks become stronger and shift to lower scattering vectors with increasing bulkiness of the side chain. There is a strong correlation between the position of the prepeaks in the melt and the average nearest-neighbor helix–helix packing distance in the crystals, implying similar helical conformations in the melts. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.* J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2480–2485, 2000
Shanghai splendor: economic sentiments and the making of modern China, 1843–1949

Shanghai splendor: economic sentiments and the making of modern China, 1843–1949, by Wen-Hsin Yeh, Berkeley, University of California Press, 2007, xiii + 305 pp., illus., £17.95 (hardback), ISBN 97...
Sustainability Challenge for Academic Libraries: Planning for the Future

There is growing concern that a variety of factors threaten the sustainability of academic libraries: developing and preserving print and digital collections, supplying and supporting rapidly changing technological and networking infrastructure, providing free services, maintaining growing costs of library buildings, and lowering libraries’ ecological footprint. This paper discusses the multidimensional issues of sustainability in academic libraries and identifies needs for designing an integrated framework for sustainable strategies in academic libraries. Additionally, the paper presents a synthesis of existing literature on the increasingly popular topic of “green libraries” and prepares a background toward developing a framework for sustainable strategies in academic libraries.
Waveguiding in double trench photonic crystals and effects of cladding asymmetry

We investigate a novel double trench waveguide where a conventional single-mode strip waveguide is embedded into a two-dimensional photonic crystal slab. Low-loss guiding (50 dB/cm) is demonstrated with an expanded bandwidth compared to standard photonic crystal waveguides. Effects of cladding asymmetry are characterized
Turmoil and Triumph: My Years As Secretary of State

George Schulz was Secretary of State in Reagan's cabinet from 1982 to 1989. This book gives his account of Reagan's foreign policy with an insider's view of important diplomatic manoeuvres and portrayals of major players during his term in office, from Mikhail Gorbachev to Margaret Thatcher.
Work in Progress: A Student Perspective - Why Women Choose Service-Learning

Purdue University's EPICS Program is a service-learning program that attracts women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields at higher rates than the overall population. While many features of the EPICS program align with approaches cited in the literature for encouraging women to participate in STEM fields, there has not been an in-depth investigation from the female engineering students' perspective. In this work, we give a voice to female engineering students participating in EPICS. Through semi-structured interviews with six students investigate why women choose engineering as a major, why they are attracted to the EPICS program, and how the EPICS program matches their objectives. This summarizes our work in progress including descriptions of the participants, project status and expected outcomes. Based preliminary data analysis, we found themes of students knowing an engineer, viewing EPICS as theory application with "real-world" relevance and finding learning from each other through EPICS.
Filipino Mothers' Beliefs about Parenting: A Question of Independence.

The author discusses research on Filipino mothers' socialization goals and beliefs about the role of other adults in disciplining their children. The results reveal that Filipinos have a collectivistic orientation, but that they nevertheless encourage independence in their children. The implications of these results are discussed in light of the current debate about the usefulness of individualism and collectivism as a heuristic for interpreting cultural differences.
Cerebellar-Dependent Eyeblink Conditioning Deficits in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders

Accumulating evidence suggests that abnormalities in neural circuitry and timing associated with the cerebellum may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) may be genetically linked to schizophrenia, but individuals with SPD are freer from potential research confounds and may therefore offer insight into psychophysiological correlates of schizophrenia. The present study employed a delay eyeblink conditioning (EBC) procedure to examine cerebellar-dependent learning in schizophrenia, SPD, and healthy control subjects (n = 18 per group) who were matched for age and gender. The conditioned stimulus was a 400-ms tone that coterminated with a 50 ms unconditioned stimulus air puff. Cognitive performance on the Picture Completion, Digit Symbol Coding, Similarities, and Digit Span subscales of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale—Third Edition was also investigated. The schizophrenia and SPD groups demonstrated robust EBC impairment relative to the control subjects; they had significantly fewer conditioned responses (CRs), as well as smaller CR amplitudes. Schizophrenia subjects showed cognitive impairment across subscales compared with SPD and control subjects; SPD subjects showed intermediate performance to schizophrenia and control subjects and performed significantly worse than controls on Picture Completion. Impaired EBC was significantly related to decreased processing speed in schizophrenia spectrum subjects. These findings support the role of altered cortico-cerebellar-thalamic-cortical circuitry in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia spectrum disorders.
The limit of photoreceptor sensitivity: molecular mechanisms of dark noise in retinal cones.

Detection threshold in cone photoreceptors requires the simultaneous absorption of several photons because single photon photocurrent is small in amplitude and does not exceed intrinsic fluctuations in the outer segment dark current (dark noise). To understand the mechanisms that limit light sensitivity, we characterized the molecular origin of dark noise in intact, isolated bass single cones. Dark noise is caused by continuous fluctuations in the cytoplasmic concentrations of both cGMP and Ca2+ that arise from the activity in darkness of both guanylate cyclase (GC), the enzyme that synthesizes cGMP, and phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme that hydrolyzes it. In cones loaded with high concentration Ca2+ buffering agents, we demonstrate that variation in cGMP levels arise from fluctuations in the mean PDE enzymatic activity. The rates of PDE activation and inactivation determine the quantitative characteristics of the dark noise power density spectrum. We developed a mathematical model based on the dynamics of PDE activity that accurately predicts this power spectrum. Analysis of the experimental data with the theoretical model allows us to determine the rates of PDE activation and deactivation in the intact photoreceptor. In fish cones, the mean lifetime of active PDE at room temperature is ∼55 ms. In nonmammalian rods, in contrast, active PDE lifetime is ∼555 ms. This remarkable difference helps explain why cones are noisier than rods and why cone photocurrents are smaller in peak amplitude and faster in time course than those in rods. Both these features make cones less light sensitive than rods.
Interregional Spillovers in Regional Impact Assessment: New Mexico, Texas, and the Supreme Court

Input-output models are frequently used to estimate impacts, benefits or damages from some event. These analytic models and the questions they are designed to answer are usually based on political definitions of regions. However the true impacts propagate according to the actual spatial pattern of the regional economy. Because of the divergence between the political regions used for analysis and the economic regions on the ground, the economic impacts which spill over political boundaries can sometimes become analytically important. This paper applies these concepts to a case study of allocating irrigation water from the Pecos River in Texas and New Mexico. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that New Mexico used water belonging to Texas. Our analysis suggests that the spillover benefits to Texas from New Mexico's use of the water might equal or exceed the benefits which Texas would have gotten from using the water itself. Texas might be better off because New Mexico took its water.
Relationship between Metabolism and Differential Toxicity of Malathion in Insects and Mice

An attempt has been made to account for the selective toxicity of malathion on the basis of differences in its metabolism by various species. Eleven metabolites were found in the German cockroach ( Blattella germanica (L.)), and American cockroach ( Periplaneta americana (L.), and house fly ( Musca domestica L.), seven in the mouse. Most metabolites were identified. Degradation of malathion is much more extensive in the mouse than in the insect and malaoxon production is correspondingly lower; these effects account satisfactorily for the low toxicity of malathion to the mouse. The low toxicity of topically applied malathion to the German cockroach is attributable to poor penetration through the integument.
Russian alcohol policy in the making

Aims: This paper examines implementation of the 2005 federal alcohol control law in the Russian Federation. Methods: The documents on the Russian Federation federal legislation on the control of the production and turnover of ethyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol containing products, news reports, research, and historical documents were gathered and analysed for implementation barriers. Results: Consumption of alcoholic beverages, especially spirits, has been one the most significant public health problems in Russia for many centuries. Prior attempts to control alcohol consumption have been unsuccessful, in part due to the government's reliance on alcohol revenue, and its inability to implement creative and manageable solutions in the light of the high drinking rates. Implementation of this legislation has been a challenge in Russia because of administrative oversight, lack of organizational preparation, and corruption. Conclusions: The law discussed in this paper presented a window of opportunity to ameliorate the deteriorating health status and reverse the impending mortality crisis. However, a number of barriers presented substantial setbacks toward realization of this legislation.
Incorporation of computerized blood product labeling in hospital information system

Computerized technology for control of blood product processing and transfusion is going to become the National Standard for the Russian Federation to prevent human errors in blood transfusion. Bar-code technology allows control over the processing of blood product and blood transfusion. The new standard implemented in the hospital information system ("time-oriented multi-image case history") raises its ability to automatically detect violations of prescriptions and clinical protocols, mistakes of identification, both patient and blood product. The new standard for blood labeling, incorporated in hospital information system provides an effective tool for the detection of medical errors, administration of blood products and medications, observation of their compatibility, identification of complication, and discrepancies between procedures and protocol requirements. This system elevates the level of patient safety and ensures improved quality control.
Live Births from Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) Embryos Produced by In Vitro Fertilization

Development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the dog has resisted progress for decades, due to their unique reproductive physiology. This lack of progress is remarkable given the critical role ART could play in conserving endangered canid species or eradicating heritable disease through gene-editing technologies—an approach that would also advance the dog as a biomedical model. Over 350 heritable disorders/traits in dogs are homologous with human conditions, almost twice the number of any other species. Here we report the first live births from in vitro fertilized embryos in the dog. Adding to the practical significance, these embryos had also been cryopreserved. Changes in handling of both gametes enabled this progress. The medium previously used to capacitate sperm excluded magnesium because it delayed spontaneous acrosome exocytosis. We found that magnesium significantly enhanced sperm hyperactivation and ability to undergo physiologically-induced acrosome exocytosis, two functions essential to fertilize an egg. Unlike other mammals, dogs ovulate a primary oocyte, which reaches metaphase II on Days 4–5 after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. We found that only on Day 6 are oocytes consistently able to be fertilized. In vitro fertilization of Day 6 oocytes with sperm capacitated in medium supplemented with magnesium resulted in high rates of embryo development (78.8%, n = 146). Intra-oviductal transfer of nineteen cryopreserved, in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived embryos resulted in seven live, healthy puppies. Development of IVF enables modern genetic approaches to be applied more efficiently in dogs, and for gamete rescue to conserve endangered canid species.