cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Denitrification of high-nitrate, high-salinity wastewater

Abstract Denitrification of a wastewater containing 36,000 mg/L NO 3 − (8,200 mg/L NO 3 –N) with ionic strength of 3.0 has been achieved using activated sludge in bench-scale sequencing batch reactors. An activated sludge culture was acclimated to denitrify the wastewater at pH 9, by step-wise increase in wastewater nitrate concentration from 2,700 mg/L NO 3 –N to 5,400 mg/L NO 3 –N and finally to 8,200 mg/L NO 3 –N. Simultaneously, wastewater ionic strength was increased from 0.8 to 2.7 and to 3.0 (5, 16, and 18% total dissolved solids (TDSI). Although complete denitrification occurred, the maximum specific nitrate reduction rate decreased from 50 to 19 mg NO 3 –N/g MLSS/h as wastewater nitrate and TDS concentration increased. Also, accumulation of nitrite increased and the maximum nitrite reduction rate decreased. A similar attempt to acclimate activated sludge to denitrify the high-TDS, high-nitrate wastewater at pH 7.5 was unsuccessful.
Performance of an endless-belt counter-current contactor for vapor-phase adsorption : Dispersion and residence time distribution

The residence time distribution and axial dispersion characteristics of an endless-belt counter-current adsorbent contactor have been studied experimentally and theoretically using, as a model system, the adsorption of CO2 from a N2 carrier on a silicalite adsorbent. Expressions for the Taylor dispersion coefficient, and hence the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), as a function of the gas flow rate and belt velocity have been derived (from the general Aris model) and are shown to provide an approximate indication of the system performance. However, dispersion in the experimental system is increased by mixing in the dead space within the apparatus, making it difficult to test the theory quantitatively. Although diffusion of CO2 in silicalite is rapid and the adsorbent layer is thin, the influence of mass transfer resistance is still appreciable. The experimental system (length of 50 cm) is shown to be equivalent to 5−10 theoretical stages (HETP 5−10 cm), depending on flow rate and belt velocity.
Functional Significance of Three Basic N-Terminal Amino Acids of Alfalfa Mosaic Virus Coat Protein

Abstract Infection of tobacco protoplasts with mutant alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) RNAs indicated that three basic amino acids in the N-terminus of AMV coat protein are important for the biological activity of the coat protein in the beginning of infection. Substitution of alanines for lysines at position 14 or 17 in the coat protein resulted in a 5- or 10-fold reduction in the activity of the protein, respectively. However, substitution of alanine for arginine at position 18 entirely abolished activity. Arginine 18 was also required for the coat protein to bind to the 3′ noncoding region of the virus RNA in vitro , whereas lysine 14 or 17 was not required. Thus, these results indicate that arginine 18 is essential for the activity of the coat protein in early infection and that binding of the coat protein to AMV RNA correlates with activity.
Relational models theory: A confirmatory factor analysis

Descriptive taxonomies of social relationships typically propose independent, bipolar dimensions, such as warmth/hostility, equality/inequality, and formality/informality. Relational models theory (Fiske, 1991), in contrast, proposes four potentially correlated, unipolar relational models. Features of the four models were subjected to confirmatory factor analyses that tested the unipolarity and non-independence assumptions on a large sample of social relationships. Findings supported the hypothesis that the models correspond to coherent, correlated, and unipolar factors.
Neural Aging: Speculation

This communication attempts to explain the absence of mitosis in cortical neurons of adult mammals in terms of defective proteolysis and a hypothetical proteolysis-inhibiting factor (PIF). Highly speculative hypotheses offer an explanation for aging at the cellular level. The speculations are analyzed in terms of Sacher's action principle for mammalian longevity, which is based on encephalization, metabolic rate, and body temperature.
Long-Term Effects of Corn, Soybean Meal, Wheat Bran, and Fish Meal on Manganese Utilization in the Chick

A 7-week assay was conducted to investigate the long-term effects of several natural feed ingredients on Mn utilization. Chicks were fed a Mn-deficient casein-dextrose diet supplemented with fish meal, wheat bran, or a corn-soybean meal mixture. Although these feed ingredients contain significant quantities of Mn, they actually depressed performance and reduced the Mn concentration in key tissues when dietary Mn was near the chick's minimal requirement. At deficient levels of dietary Mn, fish meal also had detrimental effects on those parameters, and it increased the severity of perosis as well.
Effects of US intensity on heart rate in delay conditioning and pseudoconditioning

Heart rates of rats were obtained during seven aversive conditioning sessions and four extinction sessions. Two levels of shock intensity were used. The magnitude of the cardiac response to the CS was greater under high shock than under low shock. In the second experiment, the two shock levels were administered to two groups of rats in a pseudoconditioning procedure that specifically precluded CS-US pairing. The cardiac response to the CS in these two groups was indistinguishable from that of the comparable conditioning groups.
Some Completeness Results in the Mathematical Theory of Computation

A formal theory is described which incorporates the “assignment” function a(i, k, x) and the “contents” function c(i, x). The axioms of the theory are shown to comprise a complete and consistent set.
Use of binding energy by an RNA enzyme for catalysis by positioning and substrate destabilization.

Abstract A fundamental catalytic principle for protein enzymes in the use of binding interactions away from the site of chemical transformation for catalysis. We have compared the binding and reactivity of a series of oligonucleotide substrates and products of the Tetrahymena ribozyme, which catalyzes a site-specific phosphodiester cleavage reaction: CCCUCUpA+G CCCUCU-OH+GpA. The results suggest that this RNA enzyme, like protein enzymes, can utilize binding interactions to achieve substantial catalysis via entropic fixation and substrate destabilization. The stronger binding of the all-ribose oligonucleotide product compared to an analog with a terminal 3' deoxyribose residue gives an effective concentration of 2200 M for the 3' hydroxyl group, a value approaching those obtained with protein enzymes and suggesting the presence of a structurally well defined active site capable of precise positioning. The stabilization from tertiary binding interactions is 40-fold less for the oligonucleotide substrate than the oligonucleotide product, despite the presence of the reactive phosphoryl group in the substrate. This destabilization is accounted for by a model in which tertiary interactions away from the site of bond cleavage position the electron-deficient 3' bridging phosphoryl oxygen of the oligonucleotide substrate next to an electropositive Mg ion. As the phosphodiester bond breaks and this 3' oxygen atom develops a negative charge in the transition state, the weak interaction of the substrate with Mg2+ becomes strong. These strategies of "substrate destabilization" and "transition state stabilization" provide estimated rate enhancements of approximately 280- and approximately 60-fold, respectively. Analogous substrate destabilization by a metal ion or hydrogen bond donor may be used more generally by RNA and protein enzymes catalyzing reactions of phosphate esters.
Optimal Composition and Deployment of a Heterogeneous Local Air-Defense System

A point target is threatened with attack by a raid of enemy aircraft. The enemy has a spectrum of attack tactics at his disposal, each tactic being defined in terms of speed, altitude, bomber cross-section, and raid size. The defense consists of a deployment of missile batteries surrounding the target. There are several types of missile batteries, each having a characteristic cost and a characteristic capability against a given attack tactic. The problem is to determine the optimal mix of missile batteries, and the deployment of that mix, so as to obtain the best defense against the entire spectrum of attack tactics. Although a general approach is outlined, the model is developed and the solution obtained for the special case in which the measure of effectiveness is linear with respect to both raid size and the number of defense units.
Physiological condition monitoring of construction workers

Abstract Monitoring of workers' physiological conditions can potentially enhance construction workforce productivity, safety, and well-being. Recently, Physiological Status Monitors (PSMs) were validated as an accurate technology to assess physiological conditions during typical sport science and medicine testing procedures (e.g., treadmill and cycle ergometer protocols). However, sport science and medicine testing procedures cannot simulate routine construction worker movements in a comprehensive manner. Thus, this paper investigated the validity of two PSMs by comparing their measurements with gold standard laboratory instruments' measurements at rest and during dynamic activities resembling construction workforce's routine activities. Two physiological parameters such as heart rate and breathing rate were considered. Ten apparently healthy subjects participated in the study. One of the PSMs proved to be a viable technology in assessing construction workers' heart rate (correlation coefficient ≥ 0.74; percentage of differences within ± 11 bpm ≥ 84.8%).
Biostatistical issues in the design and analysis of animal carcinogenicity experiments.

Two-year animal carcinogenicity experiments are used to evaluate the potential carcinogenicity from exposure to chemicals. The choice of exposure levels, the allocation of animals to doses, the len...
Effects of ADC induced pull rate fluctuations on dopant segregation in Czochralski Si crystals

Abstract Automatic diameter control (ADC) devices used in Czochralski crystal pulling utilize pull rate modulation as the main feedback in controlling the diameter of a growing crystal. The resultant effects on microstructures were investigated by comparing boron segregation behavior in both ADC and non-ADC regions of a heavily doped 125 mm Si crystal. The sample crystal doped with boron to 3×10 18 atoms/cm 3 was grown initially using an infrared pyrometer sensing ADC system. Subsequently, the ADC system was turned off, and a section of crystal grown at a constant pull rate. The pull rate set-point was 1.00 mm/min. The range and period of pull rate fluctuations experienced while under ADC were 0.75–1.44 mm/min and 5–10 min, respectively. Longitudinal (110) samples cut from the transition zone were etched chemically, and the segregation band widths measured from each region. Mean values for each region were close to the theoretical 31.2 μm calculated for a crystal rotation driven structure. However, the large standard deviations encountered for both regions indicate that thermal convection was the dominant source of band width variation. The period of convective flow at the solid-liquid interface was estimated to be on the order of 5–10 s. The macroscopic growth rate fluctuations induced by the ADC function seem to have been too weak and slow to have any visible effects on the random characteristics of dopant segregation bands.
COCAINE INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN RAT TESTES

AbstractPurpose: Exposure of rats to chronic cocaine results in disruption of spermatogenesis including reduction of germ cells. However, the cellular mechanism responsible for the testicular damage in testes is still unknown. We have studied the role of apoptosis in cocaine induced testicular damage.Materials and Methods: Thirty-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were given cocaine hydrochloride (15 mg./kg. body weight) subcutaneously daily for 90 days. Control animals received equal volumes of normal saline daily for 90 days. Testes were removed at 15, 30, 60, and 90 days of cocaine administration. In situ detection of germ cells with DNA strand breaks in paraffin-embedded testicular section (5 micro m.) was achieved by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP in situ nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. DNA fragmentation was also determined by gel electrophoresis.Results: Apoptotic cells were found in the spermatocytes and spermatogonia of germinal epithelium. Less than 7% of seminifero...
People Like Me: Shared Belief, False Consensus, and the Experience of Community

Contemporary theory on community suggests that disagreement or conflict over foundational beliefs and values greatly decreases the chance that a successful, sustainable community experience will develop. My findings suggest, however, that feelings of community can develop despite incongruous ideologies through the perception of shared beliefs and values. Using an ethnographic case of a voluntary non-profit organization, I demonstrate how three types of mechanisms operate jointly to maintain a community without shared beliefs: environmental mechanisms related to the division of labor, relational mechanisms associated with selective recruitment and homophily, and a cognitive mechanism that produces the feeling of consensus in the absence of objectively shared beliefs. These mechanisms combine to allow a powerful experience of community to flourish in a context where we might expect, based on previous research, no community experience at all. Implications for the study of community, sociology of organizations, and social psychology are discussed.
The Unique Coping Strategies of African American Families With a Loved One With Schizophrenia: The Use of the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale

This study assesses how a sample of African American families with a loved one with schizophrenia cope using a commonly used family coping scale (F-COPES). The scale's overall performance and psychometric properties were tested to highlight how such families cope. The results demonstrated that families used proactive verses passive ways of coping. An exploratory factor analysis also demonstrated several unique ways in which this sample coped that were not included in the original subscales of the scale. The utility of using a family coping scale such as the F-COPES for practice and research with similar populations is reviewed.
Interaction of Ultrasonic Waves with Thin Magnetic Films

We discuss the interaction of an externally generated ultrasonic wave with a thin magnetic film, and the generation of phonons by driving such a film with a microwave field. Several geometries are considered. If the frequency of the driving wave is close to one of the spin-wave resonance frequencies of the film, we exhibit an exact solution to the phonon equation of motion in the presence of one-magnon-one-phonon terms in the magneto-elastic coupling. Some difficulties present in an earlier theory are eliminated.We find a contribution to the spin wave resonance linewidths from the one-magnon-one-phonon terms. For the $n=0$ term of a Ni film, we estimate the magneto-elastic coupling may make a contribution to the linewidth of roughly ten percent of the total linewidth. If we denote this contribution to the linewidth by ${{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}^{(\mathrm{pn})}$ and the total linewidth by ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}$, then we show that study of the interaction of an externally generated ultrasonic wave with the film provides a direct measure of the ratio $\frac{{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}^{(\mathrm{pn})}}{{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}$. The presence of a poor acoustical impedance match at a film surface is shown to introduce a factor in the expression for ${{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{n}}^{(\mathrm{pn})}$ periodic in the external magnetic field, for a film of fixed thickness.
Using Quantum Mechanics To Facilitate the Introduction of a Broad Range of Chemical Concepts to First-Year Undergraduate Students

A first-year undergraduate course that introduces students to chemistry through a conceptually detailed description of quantum mechanics is outlined. Quantization as arising from the confinement of a particle is presented and these ideas are used to introduce the reasons behind resonance, molecular orbital theory, degeneracy of electronic states, quantum mechanical tunneling, and band structure in solids and quantum dots.
Multiplexed Memory: An Approach To Multi-Sensor And Multi-Temporal Data Display

A digital image analysis system has been developed at the Remote Sensing Research Program, Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley. The system is based upon high speed random access semiconductor memory used in an interactive video display configuration. The primary use of the system is for remote sensing applications and, as such, has been designed for multi-sensor and multi-temporal data display. Control of all variables allows the system configuration to be tailored to meet almost any user's needs. The video memory is modular, allowing two different intensity resolutions. Individual mapping tables allow functions to be applied to data without changing original data values. A selected portion of a memory module may be scrolled and viewed alongside another module. Simultaneously, a pseudo-color representation of a third or fourth module could be displayed and used in the image analysis process. Two types of cursors aid in object delineation and can be used to direct a module to module feedback operation for "quick look" manipulation of data. These system capabilities will be described and an example using Landsat data presented.
The equilibria that allow bacterial persistence in human hosts

We propose that microbes that have developed persistent relationships with human hosts have evolved cross-signalling mechanisms that permit homeostasis that conforms to Nash equilibria and, more specifically, to evolutionarily stable strategies. This implies that a group of highly diverse organisms has evolved within the changing contexts of variation in effective human population size and lifespan, shaping the equilibria achieved, and creating relationships resembling climax communities. We propose that such ecosystems contain nested communities in which equilibrium at one level contributes to homeostasis at another. The model can aid prediction of equilibrium states in the context of further change: widespread immunodeficiency, changing population densities, or extinctions.
La ville et le « spectacle » : Commentaires sur l’utilisation du « Spectacle » dans la sociologie urbaine contemporaine

Depuis un certain temps, le concept de « spectacle urbain » occupe une place centrale dans les etudes portant sur l’urbanisation postfordiste, mais ne fait pas l’objet d’un examen serieux de leur part. En commencant prealablement par une courte revue de la theorie du spectacle de Guy Debord, cet article propose d’examiner comment le « spectacle urbain » a ete utilise pour analyser trois aspects emergents de la vie urbaine contemporaine : (1) la poursuite du redeveloppement spectaculaire, afin de projeter des images de vitalite urbaine au sein du marche international ; (2) la construction de nouveaux environnements spectaculaires pour une consommation « haut de gamme » et des loisirs ; et (3) ces episodes de vie urbaine interrompus par la resistance spectaculaire. Enfin, la toute derniere section aborde la maniere dont les chercheurs utilisent cette notion de « spectacle urbain » pour reduire l’ensemble de la critique politico-ethique a la ville spectaculaire, et conclut avec une proposition sur son usage futur.
Quantum-limited measurements of atomic scattering properties

We propose a method to perform precision measurements of the interaction parameters in systems of $N$ ultracold spin $1∕2$ atoms. The spectroscopy is realized by first creating a coherent spin superposition of the two relevant internal states of each atom and then letting the atoms evolve under a squeezing Hamiltonian. The nonlinear nature of the Hamiltonian decreases the fundamental limit imposed by the Heisenberg uncertainty principle to ${N}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, a factor of $N$ smaller than the fundamental limit achievable with noninteracting atoms. We study the effect of decoherence and show that, even with decoherence, entangled states can outperform the signal to noise limit of nonentangled states. We present two possible experimental implementations of the method using Bose-Einstein spinor condensates and fermionic atoms loaded in optical lattices and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.
Primary radiation therapy for stage I and II breast cancer

In 1987 there were estimated to be approximately 130,000 new cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the United States. Presently, about 20-30,000 of these cases are treated with primary radiotherapy, although many more of the 90,000 stage I and II breast cancer cases are eligible for this form of treatment. Appropriate selection must be employed, including the size and site of the primary tumor, the size of the breast, the potential for multifocal disease, and the age of the patient. When proper selection is used, primary radiotherapy for stage I and II disease yields equivalent overall survival and NED survival when compared to traditional mastectomy. The benefit is preservation of the breast with good to excellent cosmesis in the vast majority of patients.
Remote physician–pharmacist team-based cholesterol management in diabetes mellitus improves achievement of LDL-C target levels compared with access to health IT resources only

Commentary on: GA Pape, JS Hunt, KL Butler, et al.. Team-based care approach to cholesterol management in diabetes mellitus: two-year cluster randomized controlled trial.Arch Intern Med2011;171:1480–6.
Virus-encoded cyclin.

Abstract Herpesvirus saimiri contains an open reading frame called eclf2 with homology to the cellular type D cyclins. We now show that the eclf2 gene product is a novel virus-encoded cyclin (v-cyclin). The protein encoded by the v-cyclin gene of this oncogenic herpesvirus was found to have an apparent molecular size of 29 kDa in transformed cells. v-Cyclin protein was found to be associated with cdk6, a cellular cyclin-dependent kinase known to interact with cellular type D cyclins. cdk6/v-cyclin complexes strongly phosphorylated Rb fusion protein and histone H1 as substrates in vitro. Mutational analyses showed that highly conserved amino acids in the cyclin box of v-cyclin were important for association with cdk6 and for activation of cdk6 kinase activity. Thus, v-cyclin resembles cellular type D cyclins in primary sequence, in its association with cdk6, by its ability to activate protein kinase activity, and by the presence of functional cyclin box sequences. v-Cyclin exhibited a selective preference for association with cdk6 over other cyclin-dependent kinases and a high level of kinase activation. The properties of v-cyclin suggest a likely role in oncogenic transformation by this T-lymphotropic herpesvirus.
Structural analysis of N‐polar AlN layers grown on Si (111) substrates by high resolution X‐ray diffraction

Crack-free high quality N-polar AlN epitaxial layers were grown on Si (111) substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy in the temperature range of 780–880 °C. The streaky 1×3 reflection high energy electron diffraction pattern was observed at room temperature for all AlN samples indicating N-polarity of epilayers. The polarity of samples was also confirmed by KOH etching studies. Structural properties of as-grown samples were carried out by high resolution X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The Williamson-Hall plots of the rocking curves widths were employed in order to study the mosaicity, dislocation density, and level of stress as a function of growth temperature. The 250 nm thick AlN sample grown at 830 °C yields the best crystalline quality, smooth surface morphology, and smallest root mean square roughness. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The development of noun definition

This study investigated the development of noun definition by grade school children and adults (N = 100). Subjects were asked to define 15 common nouns in one of two conditions: with objects present or without objects present. Definitions were classified on the basis of perceptual attributes (CONCRETE), everyday usage (FUNCTIONAL) or a combination of these (COMBINATORIAL). Results were analysed with a 5 (Grade) × 2 (Condition × 3 (Category) Analysis of Variance which indicated no effects for condition, but a Grade × Category interaction. With increasing age, there was a shift from FUNCTIONAL to COMBINATORIAL definitions; CONCRETE definitions were infrequent for all grades. In addition, age changes were found in the forms of the definitions subjects produced. In contrast to the children, adults formulated definitions in a more complex Aristotelian form. It was concluded that noun definition is a metalinguistic ability which follows a course of development similar to that for the acquisition of word meaning.
Nonlinear optical microwave interactions in microstrip linear resonators in GaAs

A new optoelectronic mixer parametric amplifier has been fabricated in semiinsulating GaAs using a microstrip linear resonator structure with photoconductive gaps. Schottky contacts were used to produce nonlinear response characteristics, which were characterized with optical and microwave excitations. Harmonic frequencies were optically generated up to 14.6 GHz by illuminating the photoconductive gap with a GaAlAs laser diode modulated near the fundamental resonant frequency of 4.9 GHz. An optical input at frequency frf was mixed with a microwave input at fLO to obtain sum and difference frequencies fLO ± frf. Parametric amplification of the optical input of up to 29 dB was obtained. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Pro-Coagulant Endothelial Dysfunction Results from EHEC Shiga Toxins and Host Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) from enterohemorrhagic E.coli infection (EHEC) is a leading cause of kidney failure in otherwise healthy U.S. children. The bacterial Shiga toxins (Stx) induce the characteristic coagulopathy of HUS, but the cell and organ damage during infection likely also releases inflammatory damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that may exacerbate injury in concert with the toxins. To examine this, aortic and renal glomerular cell anticoagulant and barrier functions were studied after in vitro challenge with Stx1, Stx2 and DAMPs. There was significant loss of surface anticoagulant protein C pathway molecules, increased expression of prothrombotic PAR1 and reduced protein C activation capability by 15-27%. Histones nearly completely prevented activated protein C protection of endothelial cells from thrombin-induced permeability. In mice, lethal Stx2 challenge elevated plasma HMGB1 (day 2, 321±118%; p<0.01) and extracellular histones (day 3, 158±62%; p<0.01). Mice colonized with Stx2-expressing Citrobacter rodentium developed increased HMGB1 (day 5, 155±55%; p<0.01) and histones (day 3, 378±188%; p<0.01). Anti-histone antibody reduced both DAMPs to baseline, but was not sufficient to improve survival outcome or kidney function. Together, these data suggest a potential role for both Stx and DAMPs in producing endothelial injury and a prothrombotic environment.
A configuration-oriented SPICE model for multiconductor transmission lines with homogeneous dielectrics

Using the SPICE circuit analysis computer program to simulate a lossless multiconductor transmission line is investigated. It is demonstrated that for the case of a homogeneous dielectric, the multiconductor line can be represented by a system of standard two-wire lines which is not based on modal decomposition. This system is readily modeled with SPICE. While restricted to situations where the dielectric constant can be assumed uniform, the present method has the advantage of an intuitive relationship to the conductor configuration, simpler SPICE input data requirements, and an improvement in computer run time over other methods. >
Potential Role of TNFα and Lipoprotein Lipase as Candidate Genes for Obesity

To maintain body weight, metabolic efficiency was promoted during evolution; two candidate genes for body weight regulation are lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha). Human fat cells do not synthesize lipid, but rely on LPL-mediated plasma triglyceride hydrolysis. Adipose LPL is elevated in obesity. Following weight loss, LPL is elevated further, suggesting attempts to maintain lipid stores during fasting and to replenish lipid stores during refeeding. Muscle LPL is regulated inversely to adipose LPL. Thus, an increased adipose/muscle LPL ratio would partition dietary lipid into adipose tissue and would explain some of the variability in weight gain when humans are exposed to excess calories. Adipose tissue TNFalpha expression is increased in obese rodents and humans and may be important in obesity. When insulin-resistant rodents were injected with anti-TNF binding protein, insulin action improved, suggesting a link between insulin resistance and TNF. TNF is expressed at higher levels in muscle cells of insulin-resistant subjects, and TNF may inhibit LPL expression. Overall, TNF may function to make the subject less obese by inhibiting LPL and rendering the animal more insulin resistant. Obesity has many components, both metabolic and behavioral. However, the metabolic changes resulting from LPL and TNF likely played a role in regulating body adipose tissue during much of human evolution and continue to affect human obesity today.
Assembly rules of ground-foraging ant assemblages are contingent on disturbance, habitat and spatial scale

Aim A major endeavour of community ecology is documenting non-random patterns in the composition and body size of coexisting species, and inferring the processes, or assembly rules, that may have given rise to the observed patterns. Such assembly rules include species sorting resulting from interspecific competition, aggregation at patchily distributed resources, and co-evolutionary dynamics. However, for any given taxon, relatively little is known about how these patterns and processes change through time and vary with habitat type, disturbance history, and spatial scale. Here, we tested for non-random patterns of species co-occurrence and body size in assemblages of ground-foraging ants and asked whether those patterns varied with habitat type, disturbance history, and spatial scale. Location Burned and unburned forests and fens in the Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon and northern California, USA. Methods We describe ground-foraging ant assemblages sampled over two years in two discrete habitat types, namely Darlingtonia fens and upland forests. Half of these sites had been subject to a large-scale, discrete disturbance ‐ a major fire ‐ in the year prior to our first sample. We used null model analyses to compare observed species co-occurrence patterns and body-size distributions in these assemblages with randomly generated assemblages unstructured by competition both within (i.e. at a local spatial scale) and among (i.e. at a regional scale) sites. Results At local spatial scales, species co-occurrence patterns and body-size ratios did not differ from randomness. At regional scales, co-occurrence patterns were random or aggregated, and there was evidence for constant body-size ratios of forest ants. Although these patterns varied between habitats and years, they did not differ between burned and unburned sites. Main conclusions Our results suggest that the operation of assembly rules depends on spatial scale and habitat type, but that it was not affected by disturbance history from fire.
Letter in response to Moradiya et al

We acknowledge the error in omitting the newer ICD-9 procedure codes 3975 and 3976 for the years 2009 and 2010. Our mistake led to the omission of a substantial number …
Materials Characterization of Electron Beam Melted Ti-6Al-4V

An in-depth material characterization of Electron Beam Melted (EBM) Ti-6Al-4V material has been completed on samples fabricated on an ARCAM A2X EBM machine. The specimens were fabricated under eight separate builds with the material divided into two lots for material testing purposes. Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) was utilized to close porosity from fabrication and also served as a material heat treatment to obtain the desired microstructure. The changes in the microstructure and chemistry from the powder to pre-HIP and post-HIP material have been analyzed. Several nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques were utilized to characterize the samples both before and after HIP. The test matrix included tensile, high cycle fatigue, low cycle fatigue, fracture toughness, and fatigue crack growth at cryogenic, room, and elevated temperatures. The mechanical properties of the EBM Ti-6Al-4V are compared to conventional Ti-6Al-4V in the annealed condition. Fractography was performed to determine failure initiation site. The EBM Ti-6Al-4V had similar or superior mechanical properties compared to conventionally manufactured Ti-6Al-4V.
Flicker Noise in Electronic Devices

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the flicker noise in electronic devices. The name “flicker noise” refers to the noise phenomena with a spectrum of the form AIβ/ƒɣ, here A is a constant, I is the current, ƒ is the frequency, and the exponents β and γ are also constants. The exponent β often has a value of about 2, though deviations are not uncommon. The theory of flicker noise as suppressed emission fluctuations cannot be valid, for in that case R, would be independent of d. Flicker partition noise indicates that the rate at which the current divides between the positive electrodes is randomly modulated by a I/ƒ-type process. The noise is due to fluctuations in the surface recombination velocity s and that there is direct experimental evidence in favor of it.
Trusting Your Beliefs: Understanding beliefs and behavior in a trust game

Predictions drawn from game theoretic models of human behavior involve many assumptions about subjects’ beliefs and how those beliefs translate in to action. Despite the importance of beliefs to predicting behavior there has been little attention to understanding actual beliefs. In this paper we utilize an experimental approach to study both beliefs and behavior in a trust game. We find that in a standard trust game many people expect to benefit financially from passing money in the trust game. Subjects in the experiment are relatively good at predicting the behavior of others, often by using their own behavior as a guide. Overall, players’ beliefs and actions rarely match game theoretic expectations. By looking at both beliefs and behavior we are able to shed light on what people actually believe and do. We suggest that to improve game theory’s ability to predict behavior we must understand how people actually reason.
ANALYZING MECHANISMS BY WHICH RSU1 SUPPRESSES ANCHORAGE INDEPENDENT CELL GROWTH IN TRANSFORMED MAMMALIAN CELLS

Ras has been recognized as an essential protein in signaling pathways controlling cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival for many years, and it has been found that ras gene mutations are commonly found in human tumors, altering those pathways to promote tumor progression. Because of the prevalence of ras gene mutations in multiple cancer types, Ras is an attractive target, yet no drugs targeting Ras have been developed.
THREE NEW SPECIES OF PHANEROCHAETE (APHYLLOPHORALES, CORTICIACEAE)

Three new species are proposed for inclusion in the genus Phanerochaete (Aphyllophorales, Corticiaceae). Phanerochaete allantospora was found on angiosperms in Arizona; P. arizonica was found on angiosperms in Arizona and California; and P. salmoneolutea was found on angiosperms in Arizona and Florida. Descriptions of the basidiocarps are provided and cultural characters of P. allantospora and P. arizonica are given. All are associated with a white rot of dead branches, fallen trees, and slash. A new combination in the genus Phanerochaete is proposed for Peniophora cacaina. While collecting fungi on woody plants of the Sonoran Desert between Tucson, Arizona, and the Mexican border in August and September of 1971, we encountered three undescribed species of the genus Phanerochaete Karst. emend Donk. Further collecting revealed that one of these also occurs in California while another is found in Florida. In this paper they are proposed as new.
Damage to Corn Caused by Euschistus servus, E. variolarius, and Acrosternum hilare (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) Under Greenhouse Conditions

Greenhouse studies were conducted to document damage and symptoms produced by feeding activity of the stink bugs Euschistus servus (Say), E. variolarius (Palisot de Beauvois), and Acrosternum hilare (Say) on seedling and stage 0.5 corn, Mean extended leaf heights (ELH’s) of seedling stage corn exposed to Euschistus spp, for 96 h were shorter than control plants. Tillering (shoot development from the base of damaged plants), and shorter ELH’s were observed when Euschistus spp, were allowed access to entire stage 0.5 plants or confined to the base of the plants, These effects were not produced when Euschistus spp. were excluded from bases of the plants. No differences were detected between mean ELH’s of seedling plants exposed to A. hilare for 96 h and the control mean. Stage 0.5 corn plants exposed to basally confined A. hilare were shorter than control plants. No differences between ELH’s were observed when these insects were prevented from feeding at the base of stage 0.5 corn. Mean dry root weights from basal confinement exposures to both sexes of Euschistus spp. were less than the control mean. Mean dry root weights of plants exposed to male or female A. hilare were less than those of control plants.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis among Rigid Gas Permeable Contact Lens Wearers in the United States, 2005 through 2011

Purpose To describe the clinical presentation and outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens wearers and to identify modifiable risk factors. Design Case-control investigation. Participants Patients were RGP contact lens–wearing United States residents with a diagnosis of AK from 2005 through 2011. Controls were RGP contact lens wearers with no history of AK who were at least 12 years of age. Methods Patients were identified during 2 multistate AK outbreak investigations. Controls from the first investigation in 2007 were identified using a reverse address directory. In the second investigation, controls were recruited from participating ophthalmology and optometry practices. Patients and controls were interviewed by phone using a standardized questionnaire. Odds ratios (ORs) and Fisher exact P values were calculated to assess risk factors associated with infection. Main Outcome Measures Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare eye disease primarily affecting contact lens wearers, is caused by free-living amebae, Acanthamoeba species. Results We identified 37 patients in the 2 investigations, 10 (27%) from the 2007 investigation and 27 (73%) from 2011. There were 17 healthy controls, 9 (53%) from 2007 and 8 (47%) from 2011. Among patients, 9 (24%) wore RGP lenses for orthokeratology or therapeutic indication; no controls wore RGP lenses for these indications. Significant risk factors for AK were wearing lenses for orthokeratology (OR, undefined; P = 0.02), sleeping while wearing lenses (OR, 8.00; P = 0.04), storing lenses in tap water (OR, 16.00; P = 0.001), and topping off contact lens solution in the case (OR, 4.80; P = 0.01). After stratifying by use of RGP lenses for orthokeratology, storing lenses in tap water and topping off remained significant exposures. Conclusions Nearly one quarter of patients were orthokeratology wearers. Using tap water to store RGP lenses and topping off solution in the lens case were modifiable risk behaviors identified in RGP wearers who wore lenses for both orthokeratology and nonorthokeratology indications. Rigid gas permeable wearers should avoid exposing their lenses to tap water and should empty their cases and use fresh lens solution each time they take out their lenses.
Risk factors for deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery: Influence of red blood cell transfusions and chronic infection

Background Deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) following cardiac surgery is a serious complication, but risk factors associated with DSWI have not been fully elucidated. Methods We analyzed all DSWI cases at our institution from 2010-2013 in adult cardiac median sternotomy cases, based on Society of Thoracic Surgeons or National Healthcare Safety Network definitions, but with 1-year surveillance postsurgery. Controls were matched 3:1 per case for procedure, age, and year of surgery. Demographic and operative data were pulled from Society of Thoracic Surgeons database and chart review. Potential variables were evaluated using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression. Results Out of 1,894 surgeries performed, 39 DSWI cases (2%) and 117 controls were identified. In univariate analyses, patients with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion ≥ 4 units, any platelet transfusion, previous infections, and chronic infections were associated with higher DSWI. RBC transfusion ≥ 4 units ( P = .037) and chronic infections ( P = .029) remained significant risk factors for DSWI in multivariate analysis. Preoperative anemia alone was not associated with more DSWI, but its interaction with RBC transfusion ≥ 4 units was significant. Conclusions High-volume RBC transfusions and chronic infections were strongly associated with DSWI in our population and represent potentially modifiable areas for improvement.
WE-FG-206-10: Portal Venous Perfusion Quantitation From Liver DCE-MRI by Voxel Uptake Curve Clustering and Input Function Normalization

Purpose: Portal venous perfusion (PV) quantified from liver DCE-MRI by a dual-input single-compartment model is sensitive to errors in the PV input function (PVIF) due to partial volume effect and respiratory motion. To improve repeatability of the local PV perfusion estimate and reduce computation complexity, we developed and evaluated an approach that combines dynamic curve clustering and parameter estimation with normalization of the PVIF. Methods: The PVIF and arterial input function (AIF), after initial transient behaviors, should reach a state where the contrast concentrations in both blood pools are the same. The PVIF was therefore rescaled such that its tail matched that of the AIF. Also, to reduce the motion effect on the PV perfusion images, voxels with similar contrast uptake curves were pooled together by a clustering algorithm, and then the perfusion parameters of the dynamic curves of the cluster centers were estimated. Perfusion maps were created based upon probabilities of a voxel belonging to the clusters and the perfusion parameters of the clusters. The proposed method was evaluated for repeatability of local PV perfusion in normal tissue for 8 patients with repeated examinations, and by the Pearson correlation coefficient of mean PV perfusion of the whole liver to an independent global liver function measure using ICG clearance rate analyzed over 89 examinations. Results: The average PV perfusion RMSE of the repeated measurements was reduced from 52.4 by the conventional voxelwise estimation to 33.7 ml/(100 ml*min) by the proposed method. Similarly, the correlation coefficient of the total perfusion to ICG clearance rate was increased from 0.21 to 0.46 by the new method. Conclusion: This technique shows promise in improving repeatability of PV perfusion from DCE-MRI of the liver. Future developments have the potential to further reduce systematic and random errors in the PV perfusion quantification, and computational complexity. NIH RO1 CA132834, NIH PO1 CA59827
Elementary Matrix Decomposition Algorithm for Symmetric Extension of Laurent Polynomial Matrices and Its Application in Construction of Symmetric M-Band Filter Banks

In this paper, we develop a novel and effective algorithm for the construction of perfect reconstruction filter banks (PRFBs) with linear phase. In the algorithm, the key step is the symmetric Laurent polynomial matrix extension (SLPME). There are two typical problems in the construction: (1) For a given symmetric finite low-pass filter \(\mathbf {a}\) with the polyphase, to construct a PRFBs with linear phase such that its low-pass band of the analysis filter bank is \(\mathbf {a}\). (2) For a given dual pair of symmetric finite low-pass filters, to construct a PRFBs with linear phase such that its low-pass band of the analysis filter bank is \(\mathbf {a}\), while its low-pass band of the synthesis filter bank is \(\mathbf {b}\). In the paper, we first formulate the problems by the SLPME of the Laurent polynomial vector(s) associated to the given filter(s). Then we develop a symmetric elementary matrix decomposition algorithm based on Euclidean division in the ring of Laurent polynomials, which finally induces our SLPME algorithm.
Dose-rate dependence of damage buildup in 3C-SiC

The influence of the defect generation rate on radiation damage processes in SiC remains poorly understood. Here, we use a combination of ion channeling and transmission electron microscopy to systematically study the dose-rate dependence of damage buildup in 3C-SiC bombarded in the temperature range of 25–200 °C with 500 keV Ar ions. The results reveal a pronounced dose-rate effect, whose magnitude increases close-to-linearly with temperature. When ion dose and temperature are held constant, the dose-rate dependence of the damage level is nonlinear, with saturation at high dose rates. Electron microscopy reveals that the average size of stable defect clusters increases with increasing dose rate. These findings have important implications for understanding and predicting radiation damage in SiC.
Menthol disrupts nicotine’s psychostimulant properties in an age and sex-dependent manner in C57BL/6J mice

Menthol is a commonly used flavorant in tobacco and e-cigarettes, and could contribute to nicotine sensitivity. To understand how menthol could contribute to nicotine intake and addiction, it is important to determine whether specific mechanisms related to sex and age could underlie behavioral changes induced by menthol-laced nicotinic products. Using a validated paradigm of nicotine-dependent locomotor stimulation, adolescent and adult C57BL/6J mice of both sexes were exposed to nicotine, or nicotine laced with menthol, as their sole source of fluid, and psychostimulant effects were evaluated by recording home cage locomotor activity for ten days. Nicotine and cotinine blood levels were measured following exposure. Results show an interaction between treatment, age, and sex on liquid consumption, indicating that mice responded differently to menthol and nicotine based on their age and sex. Adult male mice greatly increased their nicotine intake when given menthol. In female mice of both age groups, menthol did not have this effect. Despite an increase in nicotine intake promoted by menthol, adult male mice showed a significant decrease in locomotion, suggesting that menthol blunted nicotine-induced psychostimulation. This behavioral response to menthol was not detected in adolescent mice of either sex. These data confirm that menthol is more than a flavorant, and can influence both nicotine intake and its psychostimulant effects. These results suggest that age- and sex-dependent mechanisms could underlie menthol’s influence on nicotine intake and that studies including adolescent and adult menthol smokers of both sexes are warranted.