cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal structural changes across the menstrual cycle

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in association with Jacobian-modulated voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to test for regional variation in gray matter over the menstrual cycle. T1-weighted anatomical images were acquired using a spoiled gradient recalled acquisition sequence in 21 women. Each subject was scanned twice: once during the postmenstrual late-follicular phase (Days 10-12 after onset of menses), and once during the premenstrual late-luteal phase (1-5 days before the onset of menses). Gray matter was relatively increased in the right anterior hippocampus and relatively decreased in the right dorsal basal ganglia (globus pallidus/putamen) in the postmenstrual phase. Verbal declarative memory was increased in the postmenstrual vs. premenstrual phase. This first report of human brain structural plasticity associated with the endogenous menstrual cycle extends well-established animal findings of hormone-mediated hippocampal plasticity to humans, and has implications for understanding alterations in cognition and behavior across the menstrual cycle.
Activation of hepatic glycogenolysis by phagocytic stimulation

Infusion of latex beads into isolated perfused rat livers transiently increased glucose output, perfusate lactate/pyruvate ratio and portal vein pressure, mimicking hepatic effects of heat-aggregated IgG (HAG). Indomethacin attenuated hepatic responses to latex beads, and extracellular calcium was required for full expression of hepatic responses. Prior infusion of HAG inhibited the glycogenolytic response to latex beads, supporting a common mechanism of action for the two agents.
A comparison of Arctic lower stratospheric winter temperatures for 1988–89 with temperatures since 1964

Lower stratospheric temperatures during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition are compared with temperatures available since January, 1964. January, 1989, was the coldest averaged January in the last 26 years at high latitude, lower stratospheric levels. There have been other months with temperatures almost as low as the level of January, 1989, and localized temperatures (e.g., minimum polar vortex temperatures) have been lower than that encountered in January 1989. February, 1989, was warmer than average and March, 1989, had some of the highest polar vortex temperatures in the last 26 years. Conditions were therefore not very favorable for Polar Stratospheric Cloud (PSC) formation into early spring.
A neural net controller for underwater robotic vehicles

Results of a study on the application of neural networks to the control system of underwater robotic vehicles (URVs) are presented. The robustness of the control system with respect to nonlinear dynamic behavior and parameter uncertainties is investigated by computer simulation. The results show the feasibility of using unpredictable changes in the dynamics of the vehicle and its environment. >
Humoral factor mediates acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of chicken aorta

A superfusion cascade system was used to determine whether endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation induced by acetylcholine (ACh) is mediated by a humoral factor(s) in the domestic fowl. An abdominal aorta (5 cm in length) with intact endothelium, excised from the donor bird, was mounted in an organ bath and perfused with avian Ringer solution. The vasorelaxing activity of the effluent was determined by an endothelium-denuded aortic ring (bioassay ring) equilibrated and precontracted with phenylephrine (PHE) (10−6M). The effluent (containing PHE) from the donor aorta with intact endothelium did not significantly change the PHE-induced tension of the bioassay rings. ACh (10−6M), when added to the perfusion medium that runs through the control polyethylene tubing, produced further contraction of the PHE-precontracted endothelium-denuded bioassay rings, whereas ACh caused relaxation of the rings when added to the perfusate that passes through the endothelium-intact donor aorta. The ACh-induced relaxation of the bioassay ring was sightly potentiated by superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml). Hemoglobin (10−5M) increased the basal tension of the bioassay rings and completely inhibited the ACh-induced relaxation of the rings. These results suggest that ACh-induced relaxation of fowl aorta is, at least partially, mediated by a humoral factor(s) that resembles endothelium-derived relaxing factor demonstrated in mammals.
Intelligent communication systems sensor scheduling based on network information

Increased reliance on data communications has driven the need for a higher capacity solution to transmit data. Many decision making problems include various types of data (i.e. video, text), which require an intelligent way to transfer the data across a communication system. Data fusion can be performed at the transmitting end to reduce the dimensionality of the data transferred; however if there are errors, the receiving end would have no way to search through the pedigree of information to correct the problem. Thus, a desired analysis is to be able to transfer all the data types, while achieving the “Quality of Service” metrics of throughput, delay, delay variation, probability of error, and cost. One way to solve this problem is by using the Asynchronous Transfer Mode network data scheduling. An ATM network allows multiple types of data to be sent over the same system with dynamic bandwidth allocation. The following paper provides a description of an intelligent scheduling model to enhance the capability to transmit data for fusion analysis.
“The Legal Culture Must Assimilate the Scientific Culture” and Vice Versa?

Book reviewed in this article: Faigman, David, Kaye, David, Saks, Michael and Sanders, Joseph, Modern Scientific Evidence. The Law and Science of Expert Testimony
When to start an ACE inhibitor and in whom.

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are being widely used to treat either of two common clinical conditions, namely, hypertension or overt heart failure. Further possible indications for the clinical use of this group of drugs are prevention of heart failure and the prevention of the ventricular enlargement, which may follow a myocardial infarction (remodeling). Many large and small trials have reported on the efficacy of ACE inhibitors in this clinical context. In general, physicians are concerned with the application of the results of these trials to individual patients, not heterogeneous patient populations. Key issues are who should be given ACE inhibitors, when ACE inhibitors should be initiated, and the dose that should be used.
Effects of Conversion from Cyclosporine to Tacrolimus on Left Ventricular Structure in Cardiac Allograft Recipients

Twelve heart transplant recipients selected for conversion from cyclosporine to tacrolimus because of adverse effects of cyclosporine therapy underwent echocardiography at baseline and 6 months after conversion. Left ventricular mass decreased by 24% and left ventricular geometry returned toward normal at 6 months after conversion, without significant changes in blood pressure.
Preparation of mouths for fixed and removable partial dentures

Abstract Mouth preparation includes all operations which re-establish or maintain the health of the abutment teeth, supporting structures, and ridge tissues and which make possible a more simple design for the prosthesis.
Public trust doctrine: in need of integration.

The Policy Forum “Legal bedrock for rebuilding America's ocean ecosystems” (M. Turnipseed et al. , 10 April, p. [183][1]) brings much-needed attention to ocean policy reform. The authors address the problem of too many agencies having management authority with little overall coordination. The authors' focus on the public trust doctrine as a solution seems misplaced, however. Most of the agencies managing resources in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) already work under a public-benefit mandate. The problem is that these agencies do not coordinate or integrate their work. It is unclear how the extension of the public trust doctrine out to the EEZ through executive order, legislation, or judicial interpretation would lead to more integrated management. Before we introduce new laws and regulatory bodies or give existing agencies further mandates, we must research the success (or failure) of existing legislation that aims to protect the public trust. I worked for 8 years implementing the Massachusetts regulatory program that administers the state's Public Waterfront Act of 1866. The Act protects the public's right in tidelands for “fishing, fowling, and navigating” and draws its legal basis from the public trust doctrine ([ 1 ][2]). Many properties within the jurisdiction of this program are not in compliance. The problem is not the lack of a legal basis but rather the limited resources allocated for compliance and enforcement with the law's mandate ([ 2 ][3]). To jump-start integrated management in the EEZ, we need much more than legislative, judicial, or executive backing of fundamental principles. We need regulatory mechanisms that have been proven to be effective in other comparable contexts, as well as recognition of the regional benefits of the wise use of the sea. 1. [↵][4]Massachusetts General Law (MGL), Chapter 91, The Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act \[codified at 310 CMR 9.01(2)(a) and 310 CMR 9.02\] (2008). 2. [↵][5]1. M. E. Portman , J. Env. Pol. Plan. 8, 293 (2006). [OpenUrl][6][CrossRef][7] [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1170889 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [5]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [6]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ.%2BEnv.%2BPol.%2BPlan.%26rft.volume%253D8%26rft.spage%253D293%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1080%252F15239080601084737%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [7]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1080/15239080601084737&link_type=DOI
Automated Modelling of Power-Split Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) represent a promising technology to improve the fuel economy of ground vehicles in the near-term. Among the HEV configurations, the power-split configuration offers superior design and control flexibility and achieves highest overall efficiency. In this paper, a methodology to generate dynamic equations automatically for the power-split hybrid power-train is proposed. The designer only needs to specify the topology of the transmission: how the power sources, vehicle, the planetary gears and clutches are connected to each other. The dynamic model can then be generated automatically through a set of rules. This automated generation process makes it possible for a designer to explore different split hybrid configurations quickly and efficiently.
The polymorphism of poly(vinylidene fluoride). II. The effect of hydrostatic pressure

Abstract The crystallization and melting of poly(vinylidene fluoride) as a function of hydrostatic pressure was investigated. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) can be crystallized in at least two crystalline modifications at pressures of 1 atm (phase I and phase II). The crystallization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) under hydrostatic pressure over a range of conditions yields a new crystalline phase, designated phase III. The new phase melts at 185°C, approximately 25C° higher than phase I or phase II. A noticeable similarity in the melting behavior of phase II and phase III as a function of pressure was observed. Over a range of pressures (up to 3000 atm) the rate of change of the melting temperature with pressure for phases II and III has a single constant value within experimental error. The specific volume of melting (ΔVm) and the entropy of melting (ΔSm) of the two phases varied with pressure in a similar manner. The higher values of ΔVm and ΔSm observed for phase III apparently reflect the difference in dens...
Evaluation of mortality factors using life table analysis of Gratiana boliviana, a biological control agent of tropical soda apple in Florida

Tropical soda apple (TSA), Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae), has invaded many pastures and natural areas in Florida. The biological control agent Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae) is providing adequate control of TSA stands in South and Central Florida. However, poor or no establishment of this agent has occurred in northern Florida. The goal of this study was to examine the mortality factors that influence the population dynamics of G. boliviana in Florida. Horizontal life tables were constructed by following cohorts of individuals in the laboratory and inside closed and open cages at field sites in Central and North Florida. Fertility life table parameters were estimated using laboratory and field data. In addition, as part of a vertical life table analysis, TSA plants were sampled every two weeks in pastures in Central Florida, and counts of all G. boliviana and other herbivores and predators were recorded. Survival to adulthood was similar between Central and North Florida (open cages: 12–19%). Intrinsic mortality (laboratory data) and biotic factors (predation) together accounted for 75% of the mortality of immature stages. Survival of beetles in a natural population determined from vertical life tables was 5%. A complex of three mirid species (Engytatus modesta Distant, Tupiocoris notatus Distant, and Macrolophus sp.) were the most abundant predators found in the field, and are known to feed on G. boliviana eggs and larvae. Positive growth rates (rm = 0.3) during the summer and early fall allow the beetle population to increase and provide suppression of TSA in Central Florida.
Coherent PM Optical Link Employing ACP-PPLL

This paper concerns the modeling, design, and experimental validation of coherent phase modulated RF/optical link employing an ACP-PPLL linear phase demodulator. From theoretical modeling, the closed-form solutions for link gain, noise figure, and SFDR are derived. Then, two examples of link design are addressed: one with 100-MHz and one with 500-MHz bandwidth. Finally, experimental validation was performed using the 100-MHz design. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical prediction.
Desorption of large organic molecules by laser-induced plasmon excitation

Ejection of large organic molecules from surfaces by laser-induced electronic-excited desorption has attracted considerable interest in recent years. In addition to the importance of this effect for fundamental investigations of the ejection process, this desorption technique has been applied to the study of large, fragile molecules by mass spectrometry. In this paper, we present a new method to induce electronic excitation on the metal surface for the desorption of large organic molecules. 3 refs., 3 figs.
Finding Legal Principle in Global Financial Regulation

How does global financial regulation work? I propose six principles that organize its current practice: 1) a national treatment principle, 2) a most favored nation principle, 3) a preference for rulemaking over adjudication, 4) a subsidiarity principle of enforcement, 5) a peer review model of enforcement, and 6) a network model of institutionalization. Most of these principles are shared by other institutions that meet the criteria of formal international law. These emerging doctrines and institutional arrangements are stable, principled, and accordingly increasingly amenable to traditional legal analysis. While financial regulatory cooperation, as it is currently structured, is not the same thing as public international law, it exemplifies the parallel development of legal and other forms of state obligation. Moreover, analyzing global financial regulation as a law-like institution offers new insights into an increasingly paramount form of the regulation of finance, one that is likely to be a principal accomplishment of twenty-first-century international cooperation.
Edge‐tenacious networks

The stability of a (communication or transportation) network composed of (processing) nodes and (communication or transportation) links is of prime importance to network designers. As the network begins losing links or nodes, eventually, there is a loss in its effectiveness. Thus, it is desirable that networks be constructed to be as stable as possible, not only with respect to the initial disruption, but also with respect to the possible reconfiguration of the network after disruption. Many graph theoretical parameters have been used in the past to describe the stability of networks, including the vertex-connectivity and edge-connectivity, toughness and edge-toughness, integrity and edge-integrity, and tenacity. In this paper, we study the edge-tenacity of graphs. We will be primarily interested in edge-tenacious graphs, which can be considered very stable and are somewhat analogous in edge-tenacity to honest graphs in edge-integrity. We prove several results about edge-tenacious graphs as well as find numerous classes of edge-tenacious graphs.
Spatio-temporal Shape and Flow Correlation for Action Recognition

This paper explores the use of volumetric features for action recognition. First, we propose a novel method to correlate spatio-temporal shapes to video clips that have been automatically segmented. Our method works on over-segmented videos, which means that we do not require background subtraction for reliable object segmentation. Next, we discuss and demonstrate the complementary nature of shape- and flow-based features for action recognition. Our method, when combined with a recent flow-based correlation technique, can detect a wide range of actions in video, as demonstrated by results on a long tennis video. Although not specifically designed for whole-video classification, we also show that our method's performance is competitive with current action classification techniques on a standard video classification dataset.
Hydrolytic behavior of isoalloxazines related to riboflavin III Covalent hydration of 1,2-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-quinoxaline-3-carboxyureide

Previous studies concerned with the base-catalyzed degradation of 9-methyliso-alloxazine led to the isolation of an intermediate which was reported to be an alloxan anil. The identification was based on comparing the properties of the isolated compound with those of what was thought to be authentic anil prepared by reacting o-methylaminoaniline with alloxan. Evidence has been obtained to indicate that an incorrect structure assignment was made and that the so-called anil is a compound which resulted from the covalent hydration of 1,2-dihydro-1-methyl-2-oxo-quin-oxaline-3-carboxyureide. The hydrate is apparently formed by the addition of water across the double bond between N 4 and C 3 of the quinoxaline compound. It was found that in acid media, anhydrous and hydrated species coexisted in equilibrium while in neutral media, very little anhydrous form was detectable. The kinetics of attainment of equilibrium were studied at a number of different hydrogen-ion concentrations. Rate constants for forward and reverse reactions were determined. The influence of temperature on the rates of hydration and dehydration and on the equilibrium constant was also investigated.
How Does Supervisory Family Support Influence Employees’ Attitudes and Behaviors? A Social Exchange Perspective

In this two-study article, the authors investigate the mechanism through which supervisory family support is linked to outcome variables and examine the moderating effect of family-friendly benefits on this relationship. Drawing on social exchange theory, they propose and find that the quality of leader–member exchange, a form of social exchange relationships, mediated the relationship between supervisory family support and work-related outcomes in Study 1 (N = 82). Furthermore, in Study 2 (N = 225), the model linking supervisory family support to outcome variables through social exchange relationships was moderated by the level of family-friendly benefits offered by the organization. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Man Without Words: Attachment Style as an Evolving Dynamic Process

Abstract The following paper will use findings from attachment theory and its elaboration by Fonagy and Target to show how attachment findings are linked with intersubjective and relational treatment. These concepts will be applied to the clinical situation through a case vignette that examines the treatment with a patient who has an avoidant-fearful attachment style. The clinical vignette will detail the treatment process and show how, through the treatment relationship and process, an attachment style can change over time.
Surface heterogeneity impacts on boundary layer dynamics via energy balance partitioning

Abstract. The role of land-atmosphere interactions under heterogeneous surface conditions is investigated in order to identify mechanisms responsible for altering surface heat and moisture fluxes. Twelve coupled land surface – large eddy simulation scenarios with four different length scales of surface variability under three different horizontal wind speeds are used in the analysis. The base case uses Landsat ETM imagery over the Cloud Land Surface Interaction Campaign (CLASIC) field site for 3 June 2007. Using wavelets, the surface fields are band-pass filtered in order to maintain the spatial mean and variances to length scales of 200 m, 1600 m, and 12.8 km as lower boundary conditions to the model (approximately 0.25, 1.2 and 9.5 times boundary layer height). The simulations exhibit little variation in net radiation. Rather, there is a pronounced change in the partitioning of the surface energy between sensible and latent heat flux. The sensible heat flux is dominant for intermediate surface length scales. For smaller and larger scales of surface heterogeneity, which can be viewed as being more homogeneous, the latent heat flux becomes increasingly important. The simulations showed approximately 50 Wm−2 difference in the spatially averaged latent heat flux. The results reflect a general decrease of the Bowen ratio as the surface conditions transition from heterogeneous to homogeneous. Air temperature is less sensitive to variations in surface heterogeneity than water vapor, which implies that the role of surface heterogeneity may be to maximize convective heat fluxes through modifying and maintaining local temperature gradients. More homogeneous surface conditions (i.e. smaller length scales), on the other hand, tend to maximize latent heat flux. The intermediate scale (1600 m) this does not hold, and is a more complicated interaction of scales. Scalar vertical profiles respond predictably to the partitioning of surface energy. Fourier spectra of the vertical wind speed, air temperature and specific humidity (w ~ , T ~ and q ~ ) and associated cospectra (w ~ T ~ , w ~ q ~ and T ~ q ~ ), however, are insensitive to the length scale of surface heterogeneity, but the near surface spectra are sensitive to the mean wind speed.
Combining random backoff with a cross-layer tree algorithm for random access in IEEE 802.16

We investigate the potential for high throughput when combining random backoff schemes with a robust cross-layer tree algorithm (TA) for wireless random access. We first develop a BEB-SICTA/FS protocol which combines the binary exponential backoff (BEB) algorithm with a recently proposed SICTA/FS protocol saturation throughput analysis of BEB-SICTA/FS motivates the combined protocol herein because: 1) by using the practically feasible SICTA/FS to resolve collisions in a conventional BEB based protocol for wireless random access, we can achieve high throughput; and 2) BEB can sufficiently reduce the collision size and thus enhance the efficiency of SICTA/FS, since SICTA/FS is more efficient when the number of initially collided packets is small. Guided by our analysis, we further put forth a GBEB-SICTA/FS protocol which is capable of higher and more steadfast saturation throughput than BEB-SICTA/FS. Finally, we tailor our protocols for the IEEE 802.16 broadband wireless access (BWA) networks and test their performance through simulations
Maintenance of the Sea-Ice Edge

Abstract A coupled global climate model is used to evaluate processes that determine the equilibrium location of the sea-ice edge and its climatological annual cycle. The extent to which the wintertime ice edge departs from a symmetric ring around either pole depends primarily on coastlines, ice motion, and the melt rate at the ice–ocean interface. At any location the principal drivers of the oceanic heat flux that melts sea ice are absorbed solar radiation and the convergence of heat transported by ocean currents. The distance between the ice edge and the pole and the magnitude of the ocean heat flux convergence at the ice edge are inversely related. The chief exception to this rule is in the East Greenland Current, where the ocean heat flux convergence just east of the ice edge is relatively high but ice survives due to its swift southward motion and the protection of the cold southward-flowing surface water. In regions where the ice edge extends relatively far equatorward, absorbed solar radiation is t...
Sensitivity of the Adrenal Corticosterone Response to ACTH as a Function of Time After Hypophysectomy

The sensitivity of the increase in adrenal corticosterone concentration in rats in response to ACTH was compared at various time intervals after removal of the pituitary gland. The animals were most sensitive 2 and 4 hr after removal of the pituitary and the sensitivity of this response decreased progressively at intervals of 12 hr or longer after hypophysectomy. (Endocrinology 84: 1507, 1969)
Assessing polymer sorption kinetics using micromachined resonators

This paper introduces a new approach to investigate polymer sorption kinetics by weighing the polymer films using micromachined in-plane resonators. A custom gas-testing setup enables fast analyte concentration changes, which are necessary to study analyte diffusion into thin polymer coatings deposited on top of the microresonators. Short-term frequency stabilities of the microresonators in the 10−8 range in air yield sub-picogram mass resolution and enable real-time measurement of analyte uptake into µm-thick films with time constants ranging from seconds to minutes. As an example, the diffusion of alcohols and aromatic hydro-carbons into poly(epichlorohydrin) and poly(isobuty-lene) films, which are of interest for chemical sensing applications, has been investigated.
Junctional nevus of the nailbed germinal matrix

An uncommon case of junctional nevus of the germinal matrix of a fingernail in a young, white male is described. The patient's complaints were suggestive of malignant transformation of a nevus and excisional biopsy with primary reconstruction was done. This case illustrates the necessity for biopsy of pigmented nail lesions in white subjects for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
A validation payload for space and atmospheric nuclear event detection

We describe an experimental flight validation payload for detecting atmospheric and space nuclear events with a planned launch date in 2004. The five detector subsystems in the payload employ 27 sensors including Si, CdZnTe, gas proportional counter tubes, photomultiplier tubes, channel electron multipliers and photodiodes. Detection of events is based on simultaneous measurements of gamma rays, neutrons, and charged particles with wide dynamic ranges of deposited energy and count rates. The sensors and electronics are housed in one package with approximate mass and power consumption of 27 kg and 50 watts, respectively. The instrument uses sophisticated on-board digital signal processing and multi-layer triggering algorithms to detect and assess the validity of small signals in a large background radiation environment. This paper presents system configuration and preliminary test data from the first of the two units in development.
Integrating Care for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Primary Care for HIV for Injection Drug Users Coinfected with HIV and HCV

Injection drug use accounts for most of the incident infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and for at least one-third of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. Coinfection with HCV and HIV presents complex and challenging medical conditions. Ensuring access to and maintaining care for HIV and HCV for drug users presents special challenges to the health care team that require a nonjudgmental attitude, experience, and patience. Care for HCV infection, however, can be used as an instrument to engage drug-using persons in ongoing primary care relationships. Common elements to both care for HCV infection and primary care for HIV infection are testing for and counseling about HCV and HIV, substance abuse and mental health services, social support, and subspecialty referral. These elements, in particular treatment for substance abuse, can be focal points for model care systems that provide integrative care for both HCV and HIV infections.
Dopamine in crayfish and other crustaceans: distribution in the central nervous system and physiological functions.

Dopamine is widely distributed in the crustacean nervous system and has a diverse array of physiological effects. Immunocytochemical studies of several species have shown that dopamine- and/or tyrosine hydroxylase-containing cells occur in all ganglia of the central nervous system and that processes from some of these cells link ganglia of the ventral nerve cord. This study describes the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase-containing cells in the central nervous system of a crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) and compares this information to available data from other species. The distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (an enzyme in the synthetic pathway between tyrosine and dopamine) in O. rusticus is similar to that reported for marine species. However, differences were observed in the number of neurons in some ganglia and in the axonal projections of the L cell, which were more extensive in O. rusticus than in other species studied thus far. We also review the physiological effects of dopamine in crayfish and other crustaceans, focusing on the amine's actions in the endocrine, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, and on behavior when injected into freely-moving animals.
Hansenula anomala Fungemia

Fungi of the genus Hansenula have rarely been reported as pathogenic in humans. A case of catheter-related Hansenula anomala fungemia in a patient with acute leukemia in remission is presented, and the clinical features of 11 additional patients infected with Hansenula species are reviewed. The spectrum of disease with these organisms ranges from asymptomatic fungemia to life-threatening disseminated infection. Predisposing factors appear to be immunosuppression, use of intravenous devices, and previous treatment with antibacterial drugs. Clinical experience and limited in vitro susceptibility data show that amphotericin B remains the drug of choice in the treatment of hansenula infections.
DNA Sequence Variation at the Period Locus Reveals the History of Species and Speciation Events in the Drosophila virilis Group

The virilis phylad of the Drosophila virilis group consists of five closely related taxa: D. virilis, D. lummei, D. novamexicana, D. americana americana and D. americana texana. DNA sequences from a 2.1-kb pair portion of the period locus were generated in four to eight individuals from each of the five taxa. We found evidence of recombination and high levels of variation within species. We found no evidence of recent natural selection. Surprisingly there was no evidence of divergence between D. a. americana and D. a. texana, and they collectively appear to have had a large historical effective population size. The ranges of these two taxa overlap in a large hybrid zone that has been delineated in the eastern U.S. on the basis of the geographic pattern of a chromosomal fusion. Also surprisingly, D. novamexicana appears to consist of two distinct groups each with low population size and no gene flow between them.
Antenna Selection in Space-Time Block Coded Systems: Performance Analysis and Low-Complexity Algorithm

This paper presents outage probability analysis and a practical algorithm for antenna selection in multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication systems employing space-time block codes (STBC). First, to minimize the outage probability in these systems, a satisfactory antenna selection criterion for an STBC is to maximize the channel Frobenius norm. Analysis shows that the more receive antennas are selected, the better the performance. However, the performance of transmit antenna selection heavily depends on how fast the channel changes. When the channel changes slowly, since STBC averages the channel gains of the selected transmit antennas, selecting more transmit antennas causes lower coding gain and thus higher outage probability. When the channel is fast changing, it is shown analytically that the system can no longer provide transmit selection diversity in the high SNR regime. Since the transmit diversity can be still provided by using STBC, the best STBC scheme varies with SNR. Although the outage analysis helps determine the STBC scheme, finding the optimal antenna subsets with maximum channel Frobenius norm for each fading state is still a challenging problem. This is because solving the problem optimally requires an exhaustive search with exponentially growing complexity. When the numbers of antennas are large, the problem becomes intractable. To reduce the complexity, this problem is formulated as a quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP) problem. Despite the fact that the problem is nonconvex, a semidefinite relaxation of QCQP enables the problem to be solved approximately in polynomial time. Simulation results indicate that the loss of semidefinite relaxation to optimal selection is negligible.
A Systems Biology Framework Identifies Molecular Underpinnings of Coronary Heart Disease

Objective— Genetic approaches have identified numerous loci associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). The molecular mechanisms underlying CHD gene–disease associations, however, remain unclear. We hypothesized that genetic variants with both strong and subtle effects drive gene subnetworks that in turn affect CHD. Approach and Results— We surveyed CHD-associated molecular interactions by constructing coexpression networks using whole blood gene expression profiles from 188 CHD cases and 188 age- and sex-matched controls. Twenty-four coexpression modules were identified, including 1 case-specific and 1 control-specific differential module (DM). The DMs were enriched for genes involved in B-cell activation, immune response, and ion transport. By integrating the DMs with gene expression–associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms and with results of genome-wide association studies of CHD and its risk factors, the control-specific DM was implicated as CHD causal based on its significant enrichment for both CHD and lipid expression–associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms. This causal DM was further integrated with tissue-specific Bayesian networks and protein–protein interaction networks to identify regulatory key driver genes. Multitissue key drivers ( SPIB and TNFRSF13C ) and tissue-specific key drivers (eg, EBF1 ) were identified. Conclusions— Our network-driven integrative analysis not only identified CHD-related genes, but also defined network structure that sheds light on the molecular interactions of genes associated with CHD risk.
Streptococcus pneumoniae-induced pulmonary hypertension and systemic hypotension in anesthetized sheep

Because some patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia may present with shock, we reasoned that this organism may produce substances that cause shock. To test this hypothesis, type III pneumococcus supernatant, suspended in 10 ml of sterile water, was infused over 1 min in 8 adult anesthetized sheep. Normal saline was used as a control and had no effect on any of the hemodynamic parameters. Infusion of supernatant resulted in a precipitous fall in cardiac output from a control value of 4.25 +/- 0.54 to 2.80 +/- 0.43 (SE) l/min, a fall in mean systemic arterial pressure from 70 +/- 4 to 49 +/- 8 mmHg, and an increase in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure from 13 +/- 2 to 23 +/- 4 mmHg within 1 min after the infusion was completed. The peak hemodynamic effects were observed at approximately 3 min and returned to normal within 10 min after the infusion was completed. The thromboxane B2 level increased from a control value of 10 +/- 5 to 156 +/- 43 pg/ml at 3 min after the infusion was completed and decreased to 63 +/- 34 pg/ml at 20 min. A second identical dose of pneumococcal supernatant, repeated within 2 h of the first dose, had no effect on hemodynamic variables. Pretreatment with indomethacin, 5 mg/kg body wt, completely blocked the hemodynamic effects of pneumococcal supernatant (n = 3 sheep). Thus, we conclude that S. pneumoniae supernatant contains substances that cause septic shock syndrome through the synthesis of arachidonic acid metabolites and that a sublethal dose of the supernatant causes rapid tachyphylaxis.
The LSD1 inhibitor RN-1 recapitulates the fetal pattern of hemoglobin synthesis in baboons (P. anubis).

Increased fetal hemoglobin levels lessen the severity of symptoms and increase the lifespan of patients with sickle cell disease. Hydroxyurea, the only drug currently approved for the treatment of sickle cell disease, is not effective in a large proportion of patients and therefore new pharmacological agents that increase fetal hemoglobin levels have long been sought. Recent studies identifying LSD-1 as a repressor of γ-globin expression led to experiments demonstrating that the LSD-1 inhibitor RN-1 increased γ-globin expression in the sickle cell mouse model. Because the arrangement and developmental stage-specific expression pattern of the β-like globin genes is highly conserved between man and baboon, the baboon model remains the best predictor of activity of fetal hemoglobin-inducing agents in man. In this report, we demonstrate that RN-1 increases γ-globin synthesis, fetal hemoglobin, and F cells to high levels in both anemic and non-anemic baboons with activity comparable to decitabine, the most potent fetal hemoglobin-inducing agent known. RN-1 not only restores high levels of fetal hemoglobin but causes the individual 5′ Iγ- and 3′ Vγ-globin chains to be synthesized in the ratio characteristic of fetal development. Increased fetal hemoglobin was associated with increased levels of acetylated Histone H3, H3K4Me2, H3K4Me3, and RNA polymerase II at the γ-globin gene, and diminished γ-globin promoter DNA methylation. RN-1 is likely to induce clinically relevant levels of fetal hemoglobin in patients with sickle cell disease, although careful titration of the dose may be required to minimize myelotoxicity.
Stereoselective Direct Amine-Catalyzed Decarboxylative Aldol Addition

A stereoselective decarboxylative aldol addition of β- and α-keto acids in the presence of catalytic amounts of amines is described. By the optional deployment of chiral enolizable aldehydes an access to enantiopure configurative defined ketopentoses, ketohexoses, or ketoheptoses is given.
Near-Ideal Optical Metamaterial Absorbers with Super-Octave Bandwidth

Nanostructured optical coatings with tailored spectral absorption properties are of interest for a wide range of applications such as spectroscopy, emissivity control, and solar energy harvesting. Optical metamaterial absorbers have been demonstrated with a variety of customized single band, multiple band, polarization, and angular configurations. However, metamaterials that provide near unity absorptivity with super-octave bandwidth over a specified optical wavelength range have not yet been demonstrated experimentally. Here, we show a broadband, polarization-insensitive metamaterial with greater than 98% measured average absorptivity that is maintained over a wide ±45° field-of-view for mid-infrared wavelengths between 1.77 and 4.81 μm. The nearly ideal absorption is realized by using a genetic algorithm to identify the geometry of a single-layer metal nanostructure array that excites multiple overlapping electric resonances with high optical loss across greater than an octave bandwidth. The response is...
Molecular dynamics study of brittle fracture in epoxy-based thermoset polymer

Abstract A novel molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methodology to capture brittle fracture in epoxy-based thermoset polymer under mechanical loading is presented. The ductile behavior of amorphous polymers has been captured through traditional MD simulation methods by estimating the stress-strain response beyond the yield point; however, brittle fracture in highly crosslinked polymer materials such as epoxy thermoset has not been addressed appropriately and is the primary objective of this work. In this study, a numerically cured epoxy system comprising molecules of epoxy resin and hardener is generated. During the virtual deformation test, it is observed that the inherent molecular vibration due to temperature re-equilibrates the elongated covalent bonds and this molecular vibration impedes further stretching the covalent bond leading to scission. In order to overcome the influence of thermal vibration, an approach that employs deformation tests at absolute zero temperature condition – a concept borrowed from the quasi-continuum method, is developed. Bond dissociation energy is measured to quantify the extent of failure in the system by calculating the bond potentials during the deformation tests. Applying zero temperature condition to the deformation test, however, requires a large amount of computational time due to intermediate energy minimization processes. To improve the computational efficiency, an ultra-high strain rate (UHSR ≈ 1013 s−1) approach is developed by which the thermal vibration is decoupled from the deformation test using a strain rate higher than molecular vibration frequency. Note that the deformation test performed by traditional MD simulation methods used strain rates ranging 108–1010 s−1. Simulation results show that the UHSR approach successfully captures brittle fracture in epoxy polymer due to covalent bond dissociation with high computational efficiency.
An effective stress formulation for unsaturated soils considering air-liquid interface

How to determine effective stress has received much attention in the constitutive relationship of an unsaturated soil, which can be simplified as an assembly consisting of air, liquid, solid phases and interfaces in contact with each phase. Based on thermodynamic principle, application of conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy, entropy for phases and interfaces, corresponding constraint conditions along with the entropy inequality, combined with Helmholtz free energies accounting for hydro-mechanical coupling, a new effective stress formulation is developed to take into account the contribution of the areal density of air-liquid interface. Moreover, a function for areal density of matric suction and degree of saturation is used to determine effective stress parameter in the resulting formulation. This parameter expression is finally verified using the multistage drying-wetting triaxial shear test data for three soils in the exisiting literatures. The results show that this expression is superior to other one in previous work for describing the relationship between effective stress parameter and matric suction under cyclic drying-wetting.
Modification of Cry4Aa toward Improved Toxin Processing in the Gut of the Pea Aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum

Aphids are sap-sucking insects (order: Hemiptera) that cause extensive damage to a wide range of agricultural crops. Our goal was to optimize a naturally occurring insecticidal crystalline (Cry) toxins produced by the soil-dwelling bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis for use against the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. On the basis that activation of the Cry4Aa toxin is a rate-limiting factor contributing to the relatively low aphicidal activity of this toxin, we introduced cathepsin L and cathepsin B cleavage sites into Cry4Aa for rapid activation in the aphid gut environment. Incubation of modified Cry4Aa and aphid proteases in vitro demonstrated enhanced processing of the toxin into the active form for some of the modified constructs relative to non-modified Cry4Aa. Aphids fed artificial diet with toxin at a final concentration of 125 μg/ml showed enhanced mortality after two days for one of the four modified constructs. Although only modest toxin improvement was achieved by use of this strategy, such specific toxin modifications designed to overcome factors that limit aphid toxicity could be applied toward managing aphid populations via transgenic plant resistance.
The Sovereign Debt Crisis in Europe: Impacts on Prices, Stability and Growth

The solution to the sovereign debt crisis and the restoration of confidence in the European project are critical for the long term stability and economic growth of the region, and for the stability of worldwide financial market. Defining debt sustainability is not an easy task. In the past, economic theory has suggested different proposals. European Union member countries decided to opt into a specific level of Public Debt to GDP ratio (60%) by signing the Maastricht Treaty and the Growth and Stability Pact.Public debt sustainability during the core of the financial crisis (2008-2010) became under stress. The heritage of such period is very different in the Eurozone, leaving weaker countries more exposed and Italy, in particular, given its large public debt, with very reduced margin for manoeuvre.What is now happening in Europe seem to be the response of a long path of uncertain developments and the return to a more focused planning on a long term financially stable union. In November 2014 the Single Supervisory mechanism (SSM) will be in place, allowing ECB to take over supervision responsibilities on the bulk of Eurozone banks (around 85% of the total assets as an aggregate). This step, followed by the developing of a Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM) in 2015 will allow Eurozone to have a fully fledged Central Bank.Will all this be enough to stabilize the Eurozone and revamp the path of European Union in the long term? The answer will come only from future event, but, nevertheless, it is sure that financial stability in a large area as Eurozone will require again a renewed path to convergence for national economies and a globally stable and ordered situation of public accounts. This may imply the need of further significant structural reforms and, possibly, a political agreement on the long term shape of the Union.
Abdominal Wall Defects and Cryoptorchidism: An Animal Model

AbstractIntra-abdominal pressure has been implicated in the mechanism of testicular descent. Boys born with abdominal wall defects reportedly have an increased incidence of cryptorchidism. To examine this relationship further a rat model was developed. The rat testis normally descends postnatally on or about day 21. In this study newborn male rats underwent surgical excision of all anterior abdominal musculature from the umbilicus to the xiphoid, while a control group had a sham procedure. In both groups steel wire was inserted into both testes as radiological markers to monitor descent. Animals were explored on day 28 to confirm the position of the testes. A total of 36 animals survived all sections of the protocol. Eight animals had adhesions and were dropped from the study. The results of 17 rats in the experimental group and 11 in the control group revealed that the surgically created abdominal wall defect did not result in cryptorchidism. This finding suggests that an intact anterior abdominal wall i...