cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oilfield waters and sandstone diagenesis

Abstract The evolution of the organic geochemistry and carbonate alkalinity of oilfield waters is apparently regular and predictable; this evolution can be typified by five generalizations (1) at or near 80°C there appears to be an exponential rise in the concentration of organic acid anions; (2) the maximum concentration of organic acid anions occurs over approximately the 80–100°C temperature interval; (3) the highest concentrations of difunctional acid anions are associated with the other organic species maxima; (4) difunctional acid anions are the first to be decarboxylated, typically at temperatures of 100–110°C; (5) with increasing temperature (110–130°C) monofunctional acid anions begin to become decarboxylated, resulting in a fluid alkalinity dominated by bicarbonate. Dissolution experiments using artificial and natural oilfield waters demonstrate that mono- and difunctional carboxylic acid anions and hydroxybenzoic acid anions (present in both oilfield waters and the aqueous phase of hydrous pyrolysates) are capable of greatly enhancing Al, Si, Fe and Ca concentrations in solutions from dissolution of minerals by organometallic complexation. This enhancement of mineral solubility has been called upon to explain aluminosilicate dissolution porosity which is quantitatively important in many subsurface reservoirs; certainly, no other viable mechanism has been proposed to explain aluminum transport in the subsurface. When integrated into basin models, the regular evolution of organic and carbonate alkalinity in oilfield waters and the changing mineral stabilities that accompany that evolution help explain commonly observed diagenetic sequences in clastic systems.
Effect of Unique Cytoplasms in Reciprocal Crosses of Soybean

Cytoplasmic inheritance studies concerning agronomic characters and seed quality traits have often produced contradictory results. The use of parental lines with similar cytoplasms may explain the seeming discrepancies, since differences among the cytoplasms were not identified in previous studies. Differences among cytoplasms have been identified in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] by means of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) terns. This study was conducted to determine if cytoplasmic effects exist in soybean. Ten soybean lines representing five cpDNA cytoplasmic groups were crossed to ‘Harosoy 63’ and ‘Clark 63’ to produce 40 F₁ and reciprocal F₁ populations. Ten Harosoy 63 F₁ and reciprocal F₁ populations were advanced to the F₂ generation for evaluation in the following year. The parents, crosses, and reciprocal crosses were evaluated for the following agronomic characters: developmental stages, height, leaflet characteristics, and seed size. The population means and variances of each reciprocal cross were examined. Reciprocal cross means were significantly different for agronomic characters in only 8% of the crosses. Reciprocal crosses rarely differed with respect to the variances. Protein, oil, fatty acid, and amino acid composition were examined in composite samples of seed for each line. Significant differences were observed for only a few reciprocal crosses. Protein and oil concentration each differed in only one reciprocal cross. Oleate and linoleate concentration differed the most often, accounting for eight of the 10 significant reciprocal cross differences observed for fatty acid types in the F₁ and F₂ generations. Reciprocal cross differences involving the aliphatic amino acids were observed in four of the five cytoplasmic groups, but were not consistent with the cpDNA RFLP. groupings. Consistent cytoplasmic effects, based on cpDNA RFLP groupings, were not observed for any of the traits examined. The significant differences that were observed may have been due to nuclear × cytoplasmic interactions, short-lived maternal effects, or Type I error. Journal Paper no. 15914 of the Iowa Agric. and Home Econ. Exp. Stn. Project 2764. Research partly supported by the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board.
The "Paralysis by analysis" problem in resource allocation control with application to SDI

The "optimal" real-time allocation of resources in a typical SDI construct involves a number of difficult decision processes involving scarce resources, conflicting requirements, operational uncertainties and a time-stressed environment. One of the most interesting variants in this class of control problems is the problem of optimally deciding scarce resource allocations when the optimal decision process itself consumes the same resource that is to be allocated. In other words, the more analysis one performs, in an effort to compute the "optimal" allocation decision, the less resource one has to allocate. In fact, if one expends too much effort in computing the optimal allocation decision there may be no resources left to allocate! This situation is a control theory manifestation of the famous "paralysis by analysis" condition introduced in the political writings of former U.S. President Richard M. Nixon. In this paper, we first examine the general control-theoretic features of the "paralysis by analysis" problem in resource allocation control and derive two fundamental results (the "universal critical curve" and the "system benefit curve") which govern all such problems. Then, we describe some particular resource allocation situations, within SDI, where such problems naturally arise.
Adaptive zoning for singular problems in two dimensions

Abstract Winslow's method for the automatic generation of computation meshes is extended to adaptively vary the zone sizes and orthogonality of grid lines in the resulting mesh. Through simple analysis and numerical examples, the adaptive mesh is shown to give significant increases in accuracy in the computation of singular problems.
Pheromone-regulated Sumoylation of Transcription Factors That Mediate the Invasive to Mating Developmental Switch in Yeast

A fundamental question in biology is how different signaling pathways use common signaling proteins to attain different developmental outcomes. The yeast transcription factor Ste12 is required in at least two distinct signaling processes, each regulated by many of the same protein kinases. Whereas Ste12-Ste12 homodimers promote transcription of genes required for mating, Ste12-Tec1 heterodimers activate genes required for invasive growth. We report that Ste12 and Tec1 undergo covalent modification by the ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO. Stimulation by mating pheromone promotes sumoylation of Ste12 and diminishes the sumoylation of Tec1. In the absence of sumoylation Tec1 is more rapidly degraded. We propose that pheromone-regulated sumoylation of Ste12 and Tec1 promotes a developmental switch from the invasive to the mating differentiation program.
Lithospheric strength variations as a control on new plate boundaries: examples from the northern Red Sea region

Abstract The complex plate boundary between Arabia and Africa at the northern end of the Red Sea includes the Gulf of Suez rift and the Gulf of Aqaba—Dead Sea transform. Geologic evidence indicates that during the earliest phase of rifting the Red Sea propagated NNW towards the Mediterranean Sea creating the Gulf of Suez. Subsequently, the majority of the relative movement between the plates shifted eastward to the Dead Sea transform. We propose that an increase in the strength of the lithosphere across the Mediterranean continental margin acted as a barrier to the propagation of the rift. A new plate boundary, the Dead Sea transform formed along a zone of minimum strength. We present an analysis of lithospheric strength variations across the Mediterranean continental margin. The main factors controlling these variations are the geotherm, crustal thickness and composition, and sediment thickness. The analysis predicts a characteristic strength profile at continental margins which consists of a marked increase in strength seaward of the hinge zone and a strength minimum landward of the hinge zone. This strength profile also favors the creation of thin continental slivers such as the Levant west of the Dead Sea transform and the continental promontory containing Socotra Island at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Calculations of strength variations based on changes of crustal thickness, geotherm and sediment thickness can be extended to other geologic settings as well. They can explain the location of rerifting events at intracratonic basins, of backarc basins and of major continental strike-slip zones.
Rapid default transition of CD4 T cell effectors to functional memory cells.

The majority of highly activated CD4 T cell effectors die after antigen clearance, but a small number revert to a resting state, becoming memory cells with unique functional attributes. It is currently unclear when after antigen clearance effectors return to rest and acquire important memory properties. We follow well-defined cohorts of CD4 T cells through the effector-to-memory transition by analyzing phenotype, important functional properties, and gene expression profiles. We find that the transition from effector to memory is rapid in that effectors rested for only 3 d closely resemble canonical memory cells rested for 60 d or longer in the absence of antigen. This is true for both Th1 and Th2 lineages, and occurs whether CD4 T cell effectors rest in vivo or in vitro, suggesting a default pathway. We find that the effector–memory transition at the level of gene expression occurs in two stages: a rapid loss of expression of a myriad of effector-associated genes, and a more gradual gain of expression of a cohort of genes uniquely associated with memory cells rested for extended periods.
Closed-Form Inversion of the Axisymmetric Integrated Photoelasticity Equations

The purpose of the present Note is to show how the general axisymmetric photoelastic problem can be solved using only the integrated data. Indeed, the axisymmetric problem is reduced to a quasi-plane problem in that only a fringe photograph plus a plot of the family of isoclinics is sufficient to yield a complete solution. The formulation includes the treatment of thermoelastic and residual stress problems.
Proline cis-trans isomerization in staphylococcal nuclease: Multi-substate free energy perturbation calculations

Staphylococcal nuclease A exists in two folded forms that differ in the isomerization state of the Lys 116-Pro 117 peptide bond. The dominant form (90% occupancy) adopts a cis peptide bond, which is observed in the crystal structure. NMR studies show that the relatively small difference in free energy between the cis and trans forms (delta Gcis-->trans approximately 1.2 kcal/mol) results from large and nearly compensating differences in enthalpy and entropy (delta Hcis-->trans approximately delta TScis-->trans approximately 10 kcal/mol). There is evidence from X-ray crystal structures that the structural differences between the cis and the trans forms of nuclease are confined to the conformation of residues 112-117, a solvated protein loop. Here, we obtain a thermodynamic and structural description of the conformational equilibrium of this protein loop through an exhaustive conformational search that identified several substates followed by free energy simulations between the substrates. By partitioning the search into conformational substates, we overcame the multiple minima problem in this particular case and obtained precise and reproducible free energy values. The protein and water environment was implicitly modeled by appropriately chosen nonbonded terms between the explicitly treated loop and the rest of the protein. These simulations correctly predicted a small free energy difference between the cis and trans forms composed of larger, compensating differences in enthalpy and entropy. The structural predictions of these simulations were qualitatively consistent with known X-ray structures of nuclease variants and yield a model of the unknown minor trans conformation.
Sleep and memory relationships in intact old and amnestic young rats

Age-related changes in sleep are observed in many species, including rats and humans. Old rats often exhibit less total and paradoxical sleep, shorter sleep bouts and more random sleep-wake periods across 24 hours, than young rats. This paper evaluates recent evidence that deterioration of selected sleep parameters, usually involving levels of paradoxical sleep or durations of sleep bouts, may be related to deterioration of memory in old rats. Similar findings are reviewed with respect to young animals with different forms of experimentally-induced amnesia. Furthermore, a drug that enhances memory in rats and old humans, glucose, also enhances paradoxical sleep in old rats. These data suggest the utility of sleep measures as neurobiological markers of memory dysfunction in old rats.
Sensory Properties and Lipid Oxidation in Prerigor Processed Fresh Pork Sausage

Fresh pork sausage prepared from prerigor ground and salted meat had higher pH, lower cooking losses, higher juiciness scores, and less easily fragmented cooked patties than that prepared from post-rigor ground and salted meat. Sausage from prerigor ground-post-rigor salted meat was intermediate in these properties to prerigor ground and salted and postrigor ground and salted products. Prerigor grinding and salting reduced the rate of autoxidation (TBA number) during storage at 0°C contrasted to oxidation in sausage that was salted postrigor after either prerigor or postrigor grinding.
Hypocalcemia following bilateral nephrectomy

Abstract A patient with polycystic kidney disease, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and relative hypercalcemia developed severe symptomatic hypocalcemia following bilateral nephrectomy. Acute depletion of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol is proposed as a possible cause of the hypocalcemia.
The Baron Revisited: A Case Report

The Munchausen patient seeks hospital care to satisfy a masochistic streak, and is willing to undergo operations and painful hospital procedures while at the same time being abusive and aggressive. He often uses an argument with hospital personnel as an excuse to leave against medical advice. The diagnosis is rarely made in the emergency department but might be made more frequently if lists of known "Munchausens" were circulated through emergency departments and if emergency physicians were more aware of the problem. The physician in doubt, however, will do better to risk being fooled and manage the patient as if his complaints were real. One such case is reported.
Expansion of commercial banking powers … or, universal banking is the cart, not the horse

Abstract This short essay deals with universal banking in an environment in which a government safety net (for example deposit insurance) results in a moral hazard problem for banks. It argues that universal banking significantly exacerbates the problem. Specifically, universal banking extends the distortion of incentives caused by moral hazard to other sectors of the economy.
Development of an improved tracheal explant bioassay for the detection of the ciliary dyskinesia factor in cystic fibrosis serum.

Summary: A tracheal ring explant system, when used with 25% cystic fibrosis (CF) serum, displayed obvious ciliostasis. Hamster, rabbit, and guinea pig explants all had measurable decreases in ciliary activity after 24 hr of incubation in the serum. The differential response to CF serum (relative to normal serum) was greatly increased by using explants which were maintained 24–72 hr in minimal essential medium (MEM) with 10% horse serum and which were selected on the basis of optimal ciliary activity and vigor. With such a bioassay system of guinea pig tracheal explants, incubation with 25% normal serum would produce essentially no change in relative ciliary activity (score of 242 of a possible 300), whereas CF serum resulted in an 86% decrease (score of 33). Scanning electron microscopic observation indicated that the explants displaying the CF-ciliostatic effect had significant accumulations of mucous over the ciliated epithelial surface. A biochemical viability assay (dehydrogenase activity) showed no cytonecrosis when CF serum-treated tissues were compared to standard explants (10% horse serum in MEM) or control explants (25% normal human serum). Speculation: Cystic fibrosis serum, when tested at 25% concentrations on preselected guinea pig tracheal ring cultures, showed an obvious and easily measurable ciliostatic response. This new bioassay may serve as an improved model to detect and analyze the CF dyskinesia factor.
Failure of the Lacey Act to protect US ecosystems against animal invasions

Harmful non-indigenous species may be introduced, either accidentally or intentionally, into the US through commerce, and may subsequently drive reductions in abundances of native species and changes in ecosystem function. The “injurious wildlife provision” of the Lacey Act (1900) is the primary legal tool protecting US non-agricultural ecosystems against the introduction and spread of invasive animal species. We evaluated the efficacy of this provision at disrupting the invasion processes involved in transport, introduction, establishment, and spread, and found that the wildlife provision prohibits importation of only 17 taxa. While the Lacey Act may have been somewhat effective at preventing transport into the country of the few taxa listed prior to their introduction, over half of listed taxa were already present in the US when listed, and most taxa already established in the wild continued to spread after listing. Currently, five taxa are being considered for listing. Mean time for a petitioned listin...
Recent advances in fatigue crack growth modeling

Recent advances in our understanding of fatigue crack growth processes and respective crack growth modeling techniques are reviewed. Much of the observed experimental behavior (such as the effects of notches, maximum applied stress, crack length, in-plane biaxiality, out-of-plane constraint, and transient loadings) can be explained based on crack closure concepts. Both Dugdale based models and finite element techniques have been utilized. However, so far neither approach has accounted for crystallographic slip effects, grain orientation effects, or microstructural barriers. A model for crack closure with two microscopic crystallographic slip directions is used to model microscopic cracks. The model predicts variations in closure levels as the orientations of the two slip directions, with respect to the crack growth direction, are changed. In addition, a solution is proposed for the asperity micro-contact problem through a unique roughness induced closure model using a statistical description of asperity heights, asperity densities, and material flow properties.
Examining asymmetric behavior in US petroleum futures and spot prices

This paper uses the momentum-threshold autoregressive (M-TAR) model to examine the possible asymmetric relationship between petroleum futures and spot prices for three different markets: crude oil, heating oil, and gasoline in the United States. The results indicate that the futures and spot prices for each petroleum type are cointegrated when allowing for asymmetric adjustment for each of these energy markets. We further investigate the asymmetric behavior between the futures and spot prices by estimating the M-TAR error-correction model. The M-TAR model allows us to document the adjustments that these markets undergo in response to changes in the basis.
In vitro assay for phototoxic chemicals.

The photosensitizing potential of chemicals known to produce photosensitivity in humans was compared to chemicals not considered to be photosensitizers in an in vitro assay. The assay involved exposure of human lymphoid cells to UVA (320–400 nm), and in some cases UVB (280-320 nm) radiation, in the presence of the chemicals and the assessment of phototoxicity as measured by the incorporation of 3[H]-thymidine into nuclear DNA. All known photosensitizers tested were found to be phototoxic, while the nonphotosensitizing agents, with the exception of retinoic acid, were not phototoxic. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were compared to a T lymphoblastoid cell line as target cells; the latter were superior in terms of convenience, cost and reproducibility of results. This test system has potential as a predictive assay for detecting additional phototoxic chemicals.
Treatment of Tracheal Tumors

The evidence for the treatment of tracheal tumors rests on a small number of single-institution series, national surveys, and epidemiologic studies. From this evidence, the following observations have been made: tracheal tumors are rare and must be identified among a much larger number of metastatic malignant tracheal lesions; most tracheal tumors are malignant; most tracheal tumors in selected series are resectable; and survival after resection exceeds survival after nonoperative treatment, even if resection margins are close. A discussion of evaluation and treatment of these tumors in this review proceeds along a systematic series of questions.
bla(KPC) RNA expression correlates with two transcriptional start sites but not always with gene copy number in four genera of Gram-negative pathogens.

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing organisms are therapeutically and diagnostically challenging. It is possible that bla KPC gene expression plays a role in the variability observed in clinical susceptibility testing. bla KPC transformants together with 10 clinical isolates representing four genera were evaluated for bla KPC copy number and gene expression and correlated with β-lactam MIC data. The data suggest that mechanisms other than gene copy number and expression of bla KPC contribute to variability in susceptibility when testing KPC-producing isolates.
Success of carotid endarterectomy in veterans: high medical risk does not equate with high surgical risk.

Background The safety and efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in stroke prevention has been well documented. But "high-risk" patients have traditionally been excluded from these studies and may be offered alternate therapies. We examined the safety of CEA in veterans, a medically high-risk group with multiple comorbidities. Study Design The records of all patients having CEAs performed between 1995 and 1999 in the Connecticut Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital were reviewed. Survival and freedom from stroke were determined using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The effects of risk factors on outcomes were analyzed with Cox regression. Results There were 128 CEAs performed in 120 patients, with a mean followup of 8.5 years. Most patients were symptomatic preoperatively and had a high incidence of hypertension (83%), coronary artery disease (64%), diabetes (37%), and pulmonary disease (22%). Incidences of perioperative (30-day) mortality (0.8%), stroke (1.6%), and myocardial infarction (0.8%) were low. Survival rates at 8.9 and 12 years were 50% and 13%, respectively, with 90% patient followup. Freedom from ipsilateral stroke was 90% at 12 years. Age (hazards ratio [HR] 1.1, p=0.004), hypertension (HR 2.6, p=0.04), and elevated creatinine (HR 3.7, p=0.001) were significant risk factors for mortality. Age (HR 0.8, p=0.07) and diastolic blood pressure (HR 1.2, p=0.06) were predictive of ipsilateral stroke. Conclusions Despite poor health and symptomatic presentation, patients treated with CEA achieved excellent perioperative outcomes and were protected from stroke for the remainder of their lives. Multiple medical comorbidities should not be used as exclusion criteria for CEA.
Superconductivity in NbGe 2 and isostructural C-40 compounds

The superconductivity of NbGe2 and isostructural C-40 compounds has been studied in a quantitative manner. The high transition temperatures T c = 16 k exhibited by sputtered films of NbGe2 are shown to be an intrinsic property of the compound and are attributed to the degree of order produced during the formation process. The roles of excess germanium and thermal effects are also discussed for NbGe2. One of the major conclusions established in this study is that a new crystal structure type, namely the hexagonal C-40 system, is superconducting. Four binary compounds are shown to exhibit superconductivity; they are NbGe2 T c = 16 k, NbSi2 T c =2.9 k, TaSi2 T c = 4.4 k, and TaGe2 T c = 2.7 k. Even though superconductivity has been demonstrated on these compounds, the mechanism responsible for the superconductivity has not been established.
Optimizing detection of RDX vapors using designed experiments for remote sensing

This paper presents results of designed experiments performed to study the effect of four factors on the detection of RDX vapors from desorption into an atmospheric flow tube mass spectrometer (AFT-MS). The experiments initially included four independent factors: gas flow rate, desorption current, solvent evaporation time and RDX mass. The values of three detection responses, peak height, peak width, and peak area were recorded but only the peak height response was analyzed. Results from the first block of experiments indicated that solvent evaporation time was not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. A second round of experiments was designed and executed using flow rate, current, and RDX mass as factors and the results were used to create a model to predict conditions resulting in maximum peak height. Those conditions were confirmed experimentally and used to obtain data for a calibration model. The calibration model represented RDX amounts ranging from 1 to 25 pg desorbed into an air flow of 7 L min−1. Air samples from a shipping container that held 2 closed explosive storage magazines were collected on metal filaments for varying amounts for time ranging from 5 to 90 minutes. RDX was detected from all of the filaments sampled by desorption into the AFT-MS. From the calibration model, RDX vapor concentrations within the shipping container were calculated to be in the range of 1 to 50 parts-per-quadrillion (ppqv) from data collected on 2 separate days.
Graphics in the classroom (Panel Discussion)

(Panel will include three speakers from companies providing graphic support for the classroom.)
Characterization of Ke 6, a New 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase, and Its Expression in Gonadal Tissues

The abnormal regulation of the Ke 6 gene has been linked to the development of recessive polycystic kidney disease in the mouse. In this report, we have shown that Ke 6 is a 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and can regulate the concentration of biologically active estrogens and androgens. The Ke 6 enzyme is preferentially an oxidative enzyme and inactivates estradiol, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone. However, the enzyme has some reductive activity and can synthesize estradiol from estrone. We find that the Ke 6 gene is expressed within the ovaries and testes. The presence of Ke 6 protein within the cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte places it in a strategic location to control the level of steroids to which the egg is exposed. Previously, it had been shown that glucocorticoids can induce renal cysts in the neonatal rodent, only when given at a narrow time window of postnatal kidney development. We propose that the reduction in the level of Ke 6 enzyme, which occurs in the cpk, jck, and pcy mice, may lead to abnormal elevations in local level of sex steroids, which either directly or indirectly via abnormal glucocorticoid metabolism result in recessive renal cystic disease, a developmental disorder of the kidney.
A 30-ns cycle time 4-Mb mask ROM

A 4-Mb mask ROM in a 256-Kb/spl times/16 organization is described. It is fabricated with a 1.0-/spl mu/m CMOS process, using single polysilicon, two levels of metal, and 3.0/spl times/4.4 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ X-cells. Unlike conventional ROM's, it implements a DRAM type RAS/CAS control scheme. A RAS access time of 60 ns is measured. For a fast data access, the chip has a consecutive address read mode in which the system needs to supply only a first address and subsequent addresses are generated in the ROM chip at every CAS clock. A 30-ns cycle time is demonstrated in this mode. 16-b data pins are also used for RAS/CAS multiplexed address inputs. Because of this three way pin multiplexing, the 7.5/spl times/10.5 mm/sup 2/ chip needs only 28 pins for its 400-mil SOJ package. >
Drug Information : From Education to Practice

Drug information is a specialty area within the realm of clinical pharmacy that has evolved as technology and clinical practice have changed. Drug information specialists are trained individuals who have clinical knowledge and skills that allow them to provide clear, concise, and accurate recommendations regarding drug use. The constant changing culture of drug information and health care in general has prompted the need for continual growth and refinement of the standards that govern drug information practice. This article outlines specific standards to help ensure that the education and practice of drug information will continue to meet the needs of the health care community. This opinion paper is divided into two sections: Education and Training, and Practice Areas. The Education and Training section is organized to describe the role of drug information and that of the drug information specialist in the training of all pharmacy students and advanced trainees, as well as to describe the role of focused training for those individuals wishing to specialize in drug information. This article also affirms the recommendations for the standards-based approach to drug information education and specialty training. The Practice Areas section is organized to describe the role of the drug information specialist within various practice settings, to identify some of the challenges faced by the drug information specialist within those settings, and to provide recommendations for the different practice areas. The areas found within this section include academia, institutional health systems, managed care, industry, medical writing, and informatics.
The effect of paprika carotenoids on in vivo lipid peroxidation measured by urinary excretion of secondary oxidation products

Abstract The in vivo antioxidant effects of high levels of dietary paprika carotenoids were investigated by comparison to a high level of β-carotene and to a physiological level of vitamin E. Dietary (vitamin E deficiency) and chemical (CCl 4 ) treatments were used to produce lipid peroxidation in vivo in order to demonstrate the antioxidant effects of paprika carotenoids and β-carotene, which were determined by the urinary excretion of aldehydic secondary lipid oxidation products. Rats were fed a diet which contained either a normal level (0.003%) of vitamin E as RRR-α-tocopherol acetate (NE), a vitamin E deficient diet (−E), or a vitamin E deficient diet supplemented with 0.5% or 1.0% paprika carotenoids (−E + PCI or −E + PCII), or 0.5% β-carotene (−E + BC) for 18 weeks. One group of animals on the NE diet was also stressed with CCl 4 (NE + CCl 4 ). Urine samples were separated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) into six fractions which contained free and conjugated malondialdehyde (MDA) and four groups of other secondary aldehydic lipid peroxidation products. Results show that the antioxidant treated groups, NE, −E + BC, −E + PCI, and −E + PCII, all had lower levels of urinary excretion of free and conjugated MDA, non-MDA carbonyl compounds, and excretion of all (MDA and non-MDA) aldehydic secondary lipid oxidation products than the oxidatively stressed −E and NE + CCl 4 groups. Rats fed the NE diet, however, had significantly higher body weights at 18 weeks than the other groups. The results indicate that dietary paprika carotenoids and β-carotene, when fed at high levels, exhibit similar antioxidant effects on inhibiting in vivo lipid peroxidation but do not compensate for the role of physiological levels of vitamin E in normal growth and weight gain.
Segmentation of mitochondria in electron microscopy images using algebraic curves

High-resolution microscopy techniques have been used to generate large volumes of data with enough details for understanding the complex structure of the nervous system. However, automatic techniques are required to segment cells and intracellular structures in these multi-terabyte datasets and make anatomical analysis possible on a large scale. We propose a fully automated method that exploits both shape information and regional statistics to segment irregularly shaped intracellular structures such as mitochondria in electron microscopy (EM) images. The main idea is to use algebraic curves to extract shape features together with texture features from image patches. Then, these powerful features are used to learn a random forest classifier, which can predict mitochondria locations precisely. Finally, the algebraic curves together with regional information are used to segment the mitochondria at the predicted locations. We demonstrate that our method outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms in segmentation of mitochondria in EM images.
Arteriovenous malformation of the esophagus disguised as a leiomyoma.

Hemangiomas, benign tumors of vascular origin, comprise less than 3% of all nonmalignant esophageal neoplasms. Because of their infrequent occurrence, such vascular tumors may be mistaken for more common benign tumors of the esophagus. We report the successful surgical management of an esophageal arteriovenous malformation presenting with clinical, radiographic, and endoscopic features resembling those of a leiomyoma.
Leveraging stored energy for handling power emergencies in aggressively provisioned datacenters

Datacenters spend $10-25 per watt in provisioning their power infrastructure, regardless of the watts actually consumed. Since peak power needs arise rarely, provisioning power infrastructure for them can be expensive. One can, thus, aggressively under-provision infrastructure assuming that simultaneous peak draw across all equipment will happen rarely. The resulting non-zero probability of emergency events where power needs exceed provisioned capacity, however small, mandates graceful reaction mechanisms to cap the power draw instead of leaving it to disruptive circuit breakers/fuses. Existing strategies for power capping use temporal knobs local to a server that throttle the rate of execution (using power modes), and/or spatial knobs that redirect/migrate excess load to regions of the datacenter with more power headroom. We show these mechanisms to have performance degrading ramifications, and propose an entirely orthogonal solution that leverages existing UPS batteries to temporarily augment the utility supply during emergencies. We build an experimental prototype to demonstrate such power capping on a cluster of 8 servers, each with an individual battery, and implement several online heuristics in the context of different datacenter workloads to evaluate their effectiveness in handling power emergencies. We show that: (i) our battery-based solution can handle emergencies of short duration on its own, (ii) supplement existing reaction mechanisms to enhance their efficacy for longer emergencies, and (iii) battery even provide feasible options when other knobs do not suffice.
Exploitation of a "hockey-puck" phenotype to identify pilus and biofilm regulators in Serratia marcescens through genetic analysis.

Pili are essential adhesive determinants for many bacterial pathogens. A suppressor mutation screen that takes advantage of a pilus-mediated self-aggregative “hockey-puck” colony phenotype was desi...
Chip-scale analog optical signal processing

Emerging architectures for chip scale optical filtering under development are presented and analyzed. In particular the 2-D active lattice filter is described. Key components for their realization are discussed.
Neurotensin Enhances Hepatocyte Proliferation in Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma

METHODS: The 2010-2012 National Cancer Data Base was queried for adult patients who underwent gastrectomy for localized, intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Patients were classified by surgical approach (MI vs open gastrectomy) on an intent-totreat basis. Groups were propensity matched using a 1:1 nearest neighbor algorithm, and outcomes were compared. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.
Development and Validation of the 34-Item Disability Screening Questionnaire (DSQ-34) for Use in Low and Middle Income Countries Epidemiological and Development Surveys.

Background Although 80% of persons with disabilities live in low and middle-income countries, there is still a lack of comprehensive, cross-culturally validated tools to identify persons facing activity limitations and functioning difficulties in these settings. In absence of such a tool, disability estimates vary considerably according to the methodology used, and policies are based on unreliable estimates. Methods and Findings The Disability Screening Questionnaire composed of 27 items (DSQ-27) was initially designed by a group of international experts in survey development and disability in Afghanistan for a national survey. Items were selected based on major domains of activity limitations and functioning difficulties linked to an impairment as defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Face, content and construct validity, as well as sensitivity and specificity were examined. Based on the results obtained, the tool was subsequently refined and expanded to 34 items, tested and validated in Darfur, Sudan. Internal consistency for the total DSQ-34 using a raw and standardized Cronbach’s Alpha and within each domain using a standardized Cronbach’s Alpha was examined in the Asian context (India and Nepal). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) using principal axis factoring (PAF) evaluated the lowest number of factors to account for the common variance among the questions in the screen. Test-retest reliability was determined by calculating intraclass correlation (ICC) and inter-rater reliability by calculating the kappa statistic; results were checked using Bland-Altman plots. The DSQ-34 was further tested for standard error of measurement (SEM) and for the minimum detectable change (MDC). Good internal consistency was indicated by Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.83/0.82 for India and 0.76/0.78 for Nepal. We confirmed our assumption for EFA using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling well above the accepted cutoff of 0.40 for India (0.82) and Nepal (0.82). The criteria for Bartlett’s test of sphericity were also met for both India (< .001) and Nepal (< .001). Estimates of reliability from the two countries reached acceptable levels of ICC of 0.75 (p<0.001) for India of 0.77 for Nepal (p<0.001) and good strength of agreement for weighted kappa (respectively 0.77 and 0.79). The SEM/MDC was 0.80/2.22 for India and 0.96/2.66 for Nepal indicating a smaller amount of measurement error in the screen. Conclusions In Nepal and India, the DSQ-34 shows strong psychometric properties that indicate that it effectively discriminates between persons with and without disabilities. This instrument can be used in association with other instruments for the purpose of comparing health outcomes of persons with and without disabilities in LMICs.
Role of Immunohistochemistry and Chromogenic In Situ Hybridization in Diagnosis

In recent years, there has been significant progress in immunohistochemistry as an ancillary tool in diagnostic pathology. In this chapter, an update of recently available immunohistochemical stains (PD1, CD123, CD14, MUM1/IRF-4, PAX5, OCT2, BOB.1, and TCR gamma) as well as selected diagnostic panels is outlined. These panels are used to distinguish reactive lymphoid hyperplasia from low-grade B-cell lymphoma, diffuse cutaneous follicle center cell lymphoma from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, subcutaneous panniculitic T-cell lymphoma from cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma, CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders from reactive processes, follicular mucinosis from folliculotropic mycosis fungoides, and lymphomatoid drug eruption from plaque-stage mycosis fungoides.
Marker Exchange Mutagenesis of mxaF, Encoding the Large Subunit of the Mxa Methanol Dehydrogenase, in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b

Methanotrophs have remarkable redundancy in multiple steps of the central pathway of methane oxidation to carbon dioxide. For example, it has been known for over 30 years that two forms of methane monooxygenase, responsible for oxidizing methane to methanol, exist in methanotrophs, i.e., soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) and particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), and that expression of these two forms is controlled by the availability of copper. Specifically, sMMO expression occurs in the absence of copper, while pMMO expression increases with increasing copper concentrations. More recently, it was discovered that multiple forms of methanol dehydrogenase (MeDH), Mxa MeDH and Xox MeDH, also exist in methanotrophs and that the expression of these alternative forms is regulated by the availability of cerium. That is, expression of Xox MeDH increases in the presence of cerium, while Mxa MeDH expression decreases in the presence of cerium. As it had been earlier concluded that pMMO and Mxa MeDH form a supercomplex in which electrons from Mxa MeDH are back donated to pMMO to drive the initial oxidation of methane, we speculated that Mxa MeDH could be rendered inactive through marker-exchange mutagenesis but growth on methane could still be possible if cerium was added to increase the expression of Xox MeDH under sMMO-expressing conditions. Here we report that mxaF, encoding the large subunit of Mxa MeDH, could indeed be knocked out in Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b, yet growth on methane was still possible, so long as cerium was added. Interestingly, growth of this mutant occurred in both the presence and the absence of copper, suggesting that Xox MeDH can replace Mxa MeDH regardless of the form of MMO expressed.
Housing Futures Markets: Early Evidence of Return and Risk

This paper examines risks and returns in the newly created market for housing futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). The estimates of contract returns on housing futures average about 8.6% annually, with a standard deviation of 12.6%. Returns show little relationship to the movements in the corresponding housing price indexes. When standardized for maturity and time, risk premiums on housing contracts appear to be higher in Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York, and San Francisco and lower in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, and Washington, DC. The level of risk premiums appears to have been falling since the trading in housing futures was initiated on the CME. Finally, the findings reveal that risk premiums tend to be higher on contracts where the basis is high and the time to maturity is short.
A minimalistic wind estimation method for small unmanned aircraft

This paper presents a computationally efficient wind estimation method which can be run onboard a miniature Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Estimated wind can be used to calculate parachute deploy position during automated parachute landing phase. The method involves flying in an orbit at drop zone for one round. We formulate wind estimation problem into a linear least square minimization problem. Structure of the problem allows all calculations to be done onboard a microcontroller. Simulation and flight test results are also discussed.
Clinical Significance of Drug Resistance in Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Antiretroviral drugs exert only limited activity against viruses that replicate persistently to high levels. Thus, drug-resistant viruses readily emerge. It has been difficult to assess the contribution of such drug resistance to the failure of treatment with drugs that have only limited effectiveness in the first place. The emergence of zidovudine-resistant human immunodeficiency virus is predictive of clinical disease progression, although the relationship of this event to treatment failure is particularly complicated. The relationship between drug resistance and the loss of activity of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors appears to be more straightforward. The optimal use of antiretroviral drugs and combination regimens requires an appreciation of the impact of drug resistance.
Effect of temperature on the production of human fibroblast interferon.

AbstractThe effect of temperature upon interferon production in human fibroblasts was examined. Kinetic studies showed that exposing the cells to 37° for one hour before lowering the temperature to 30° resulted in a more prolonged period of production in comparison to cultures maintained at either 37° or 30°. These data suggest that a temperature-dependent event early in the production phase is responsible for the increased rates of synthesis in the later stages of production. The addition of cycloheximide (10 μg/ml) to the culture medium during the 37° period did not shorten the production period indicating that the extended period of production does not depend upon protein synthesis. In view of the improved yields observed, these studies may have applications to large-scale interferon production.
Preparation of nanostructured tin oxide using a sol-gel process based on tin tetrachloride and ethylene glycol

A sol-gel process starting with tin tetrachloride and ethylene glycol as precursors, has been successfully used to prepare nanostructured tin oxide powders. The molecular structure evolution during the process has been identified using infrared spectroscopy and the underlying reaction mechanisms of the sol-gel process are proposed. Results suggest that the -OHCH2CH2OH- prevent Cl− ions from access to tin ions due to steric effect and hence increase the stability of the sol solution. Ethylene glycol functions not only as a complexion agent to form a polymer network but also as a spacer to modulate the distance between metal ions, preventing metal oxide particles from aggregation during earlier stages of organics removal. Further, conversion of xerogel to tin oxide are studied using thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. It is found that cassiterite begins to form at a temperature as low as 250 °C when organics start to burn off. However, nanocrystalline tin oxide powders are formed only after the chemically bonded hydroxyl groups are completely removed at about 600 °C.
Analysis on SF_6 Breaker Failures Due to Lightning Strike

This paper introduces and analyzes the failure of column circuit-breaker in a 220 kV substation on Aug 31,2010.By the graph analysis of fault recorder,insulators examination for overhead lines,disassembly inspection of the circuit-breaker and lightning overvoltage calculation,the result shows that the failure reason is the circuit-breaker insulation breakdown caused by lightning strike. Based on which this paper suggests that metal oxide arrester should be installed at the line side of 220 kV and above transmission lines whether it is in hot standby or not.
The “New Disease” Status of Human Anisakiasis and North American Cases: A Review1

The first confirmed case of human anisakiasis, i.e., infection with larval anisakine nematodes, occurred in 1955. The practice of holding fish refrigerated for relatively long periods before gibbing and curing, thus enabling larger numbers of anisakine larvae to move from the viscera into edible portions, as well as the increased popularity of raw and semi-raw fish recipes may partially explain the new awareness of human anisakiasis. However, it is probaly not a totally new disease. Presumptive cases are mentioned in the literature as early as 1867. Other cases may have been misdiagnosed because anisakine larvae resemble ascarid larvae in general morphology. To date, Japan (“several hundred cases”) and the Netherlands (about 160 cases) have reported the largest number of human infections. Six confirmed cases have been reported from North America. Human infections are acquired from consumption of raw, underheated, insufficiently frozen or lightly marinated fish dishes. The contained anisakine larvae (presu...