cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parallel search on video cards

Recent approaches exploiting the massively parallel architecture of graphics processors (GPUs) to accelerate database operations have achieved intriguing results. While parallel sorting received significant attention, parallel search has not been explored. With p-ary search we present a novel parallel search algorithm for large-scale database index operations that scales with the number of processors and outperforms traditional thread-level parallel GPU and CPU implementations. With parallel architectures becoming omnipresent, and with searching being a fundamental functionality for many applications, we expect it to be applicable beyond the database domain. While GPUs do not appear to be ready to be adopted for general-purpose database applications yet, given their rapid development, we expect this to change in the near future. The trend towards massively parallel architectures, combining CPU and GPU processing, encourages development of parallel techniques on both architectures.
Hawthorne's "Birthmark": Is There a Post-Romantic Lesson for the "Men of Science"?

Nathaniel Hawthorne's book The Birthmark is examined along with the current medical ramifications of the morals and lessons found within the story. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Jigsaw, a programming environment for Java in CS1

This paper introduces a new open-source, cross-platform programming environment designed specifically for Java-based CS1 courses. Jigsaw, as it is called, uses an intentionally simple single-window interface, incorporating several features useful for the classroom context. One such feature is that upon successful compilation, the environment checks the student program for common student errors with Java, such as mistakenly writing "void" as a return type on what is intended as a constructor declaration.
Economics of Natural Catastrophe Risk Insurance

Abstract Economic and insured losses from natural catastrophes have increased significantly in recent years and are challenging the way catastrophe risk insurance markets operate today. This chapter focuses on how insurance in combination with other policy tools can reduce losses from natural disasters and provide funds to aid the recovery process following catastrophic events. To address this issue we discuss conditions of insurability and how insurers have behaved with respect to extreme events in the United States. We then examine the demand for homeowners insurance and why there is limited interest by many individuals in voluntarily purchasing and maintaining coverage against catastrophe losses. We introduce two guiding principles for insurance: Premiums should reflect risk and Dealing with equity and affordability issues , and discuss several options for providing coverage against large-scale risks that embrace these principles including offering fixed-price multi-year insurance contracts as a complement to annual policies.
Digital Planar Geometry: Curves and Connected Regions

In this chapter, we introduce basic 2D digital geometry. The main topic in 2D geometry is curves. A 2D digital curve is a simple path in \(\Sigma_{2}\). A simple closed digital curve is usually the boundary of a connected component. We first discuss how we precisely define a curve in a graph and Euclidean space, then we discuss how we represent digital curves. Digital curves have two important applications in computer graphics and computer vision: (a) Construction of a digital line when two end points are given, and (b) Determination of a closed digital curve to identify a connected region in computer vision. At the end of this chapter, we present two classic theorems related to 2D digital geometry: Pick’s theorem and Minkowski’s theorem. In addition, we discuss the basic concept of image segmentation, one of the major applications of 2D digital planes.
A Graphic Approach to Understanding Intrapersonal Processes

Many persons fail to understand the role of their emotions and defenses in the origin of their own behavior. Frequently, the person with a destructive character disorder is unaware of the causes of his actions. He reacts without thought. Because of this lack of personal awareness, he can remain free of the anxiety, depression, and panic that are related to his internal doubts and conflicts. He tends to explain his behavior solely in terms of superficial and external circumstances. Such explanations absolve him of any personal responsibility for failure.
Could Nonenhanced Computer Tomography Suffice as the Imaging Study of Choice for the Screening of Asymptomatic Microscopic Hematuria

Abstract Objective To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the noncontrast and contrast-enhanced phases of computed tomographic urography for detection of upper urinary tract findings in adults undergoing initial evaluation of newly diagnosed asymptomatic microscopic hematuria to determine if less-intensive noncontrast imaging has the potential to become a suitable imaging alternative in the work-up of this common condition. Materials and Methods Retrospective review from 2010-2015 for adults who underwent computed tomographic urography for initial evaluation of asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Three nonblinded physicians independently categorized the upper urinary tract findings described in the computed tomography reports into one of three groups: normal, benign, or suspicious for malignancy. The noncontrast images of a randomized portion of the studies categorized as normal and all studies categorized as suspicious and benign were submitted to two blinded radiologists who independently classified each study into one of the aforementioned categories. Results The noncontrast images for 475 subjects were blindly reviewed. When compared to the computed tomographic urography reports, the negative predictive values of noncontrast images were 97.25% and 94.92% for radiologist 1 and radiologist 2, respectively, with an associated specificity of 88.6% and 97.95%. Of the 5 true upper tract malignancies, both blinded radiologists correctly identified 4 of the 5. Conclusion Contrast imaging added little diagnostic value when compared with noncontrast imaging for most subjects undergoing initial evaluation for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria. Less-intensive imaging with nonenhanced computed tomography could reduce the nontrivial risks associated with multiphasic contrast imaging but further work is necessary to identify risk-stratifying criteria.
Generic Framework for Stress Testing of Real-time Systems

The development and sustainability of military equipment for a country is much dynamic for its national interests. Although this practice is not easy, because in this technology drenched milieu, the military environment is evolving and changing constantly. It is expensive and time consuming as well. Modeling and simulation are used in logistic real-time systems to make them more effective. Many studies have used these techniques for testing of real-time systems. No specific study has been found performing the stress testing of time-critical situations of real-time. With no exaggeration, stress testing of real time systems is crucial to define its characteristics. Such systems are difficult to test in a real environment because it requires a lot of incursions. The attack angle and formation are some other perilous functions. This article not only presents an innovative framework for the stress testing of an Air Defense System in which modular tactic is adopted to design and implement the system, but also performs tests to prove its validity. This framework is proposed to test an air defense system. The proposed framework will provide decision makers with prophylactic situations and help in making decisions more effective in time-critical situations of Air Defense avoiding unnecessary loss in extreme stress environments.
Ghrelin's Relationship to Blood Glucose.

Much effort has been directed at studying the orexigenic actions of administered ghrelin and the potential effects of the endogenous ghrelin system on food intake, food reward, body weight, adiposity, and energy expenditure. Although endogenous ghrelin’s actions on some of these processes remain ambiguous, its glucoregulatory actions have emerged as well-recognized features during extreme metabolic conditions. The blood glucose–raising actions of ghrelin are beneficial during starvation-like conditions, defending against life-threatening falls in blood glucose, but they are seemingly detrimental in obese states and in certain monogenic forms of diabetes, contributing to hyperglycemia. Also of interest, blood glucose negatively regulates ghrelin secretion. This article reviews the literature suggesting the existence of a blood glucose–ghrelin axis and highlights the factors that mediate the glucoregulatory actions of ghrelin, especially during metabolic extremes such as starvation and diabetes.
Assessment and Management of Endocarditis Among People Who Inject Drugs in the General Hospital Setting

This article examines the long-term outcomes of endocarditis in patients who inject drugs; issues that arise during hospitalization; and management of opioid use disorder, acute pain, and ongoing o...
Floaters and Flashes

Floaters and flashes are common visual symptoms that can signal sight- or life-threatening disease but most often represent no significant morbidity. Determining the etiology, therefore, is of critical importance. Retinal tears and retinal detachments (RD), for example, which sometimes require emergency intervention, must be differentiated from benign etiologies such as uncomplicated vitreous detachment and migraine.
Does Recurrent Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Warrant Adjuvant Treatment After Surgical Resection

The head and neck is the most common region of invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); however evidence is limited in defining the best treatment for advanced and recurrent disease. While there is good evidence that surgical resection of disease can offer improved outcomes, the role of adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy is less clear. We discuss recurrent cutaneous SCC of the head and neck within the context of current treatment guidelines, evidence behind defining risk for recurrent disease or disease related mortality, and evidence underlying adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy for these patients. Based on current evidence, we recommend adjuvant radiotherapy for high-risk cutaneous SCC of the head and neck in the setting of extensive perineural invasion or nodal metastases (evidence quality low; weak recommendation). In addition, based on recent data from a randomized study, we generally do not recommend adjuvant chemotherapy for high-risk cutaneous SCC (evidence quality moderate; weak recommendation).
Developmental patterns of drunk/high driving among juvenile offenders: the role of peer group assortment based on self-control

ABSTRACTDrunk/high driving presents a public health problem. Despite issues caused by this behavior, there is a dearth of research focused on studying this phenomenon developmentally. This study se...
Surviving Sepsis in a Referral Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Association between Time to Antibiotic Administration and In-Hospital Outcomes.

Objective To determine if time to antibiotic administration is associated with mortality and in-hospital outcomes in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population. Study design We conducted a prospective evaluation of infants with suspected sepsis between September 2014 and February 2018; sepsis was defined as clinical concern prompting blood culture collection and antibiotic administration. Time to antibiotic administration was calculated from time of sepsis identification, defined as the order time of either blood culture or an antibiotic, to time of first antibiotic administration. We used linear models with generalized estimating equations to determine the association between time to antibiotic administration and mortality, ventilator-free and inotrope-free days, and NICU length of stay in patients with culture-proven sepsis. Results Among 1946 sepsis evaluations, we identified 128 episodes of culture-proven sepsis in 113 infants. Among them, prolonged time to antibiotic administration was associated with significantly increased risk of mortality at 14 days (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.15-1.87) and 30 days (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.11-1.94) as well as fewer inotrope-free days (incidence rate ratio, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.84-0.98). No significant associations with ventilator-free days or NICU length of stay were demonstrated. Conclusions Among infants with sepsis, delayed time to antibiotic administration was an independent risk factor for death and prolonged cardiovascular dysfunction. Further study is needed to define optimal timing of antimicrobial administration in high-risk NICU populations.
Anatomy of a Protest: Spatial Information, Social Media, and Urban Space:

Black Lives Matter, like many modern movements in the age of information, makes significant use of social media as well as public space to demand justice. In this article, we study the protests in ...
Development and Validation of an Electronic Medical Record Algorithm to Identify Phenotypes of Rotator Cuff Tear.

Background A lack of studies with large sample sizes of patients with rotator cuff tears is a barrier to performing clinical and genomic research. Objective To develop and validate an electronic medical record (EMR)-based algorithm to identify individuals with and without rotator cuff tear. Design We used a deidentified version of the EMR of more than 2 million subjects. A screening algorithm was applied to classify subjects into likely rotator cuff tear and likely normal rotator cuff groups. From these subjects, 500 likely rotator cuff tear and 500 likely normal rotator cuff were randomly chosen for algorithm development. Chart review of all 1000 subjects confirmed the true phenotype of rotator cuff tear or normal rotator cuff based on magnetic resonance imaging and operative report. An algorithm was then developed based on logistic regression and validation of the algorithm was performed. Results The variables significantly predicting rotator cuff tear included the number of times a Current Procedural Terminology code related to rotator cuff procedures was used (odds ratio [OR] = 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-6.8 for ≥3 vs 0), the number of times a term related to rotator cuff lesions occurred in radiology reports (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2-4.1 for ≥1 vs 0), and the number of times a term related to rotator cuff lesions occurred in physician notes (OR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.2-9.1 for 1 or 2 times vs 0). This phenotyping algorithm had a specificity of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79-0.95) for rotator cuff tear, area under the curve (AUC) of 0.842, and diagnostic likelihood ratios (DLRs), DLR+ and DLR- of 5.94 (95% CI: 3.07-11.48) and 0.363 (95% CI: 0.291-0.453). Conclusion Our informatics algorithm enables identification of cohorts of individuals with and without rotator cuff tear from an EMR-based data set with moderate accuracy.
Clinical Use of an Alpha Asymmetry Neurofeedback Protocol in the Treatment of Mood Disorders

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the clinical use of an alpha asymmetry NeuroFeedback Protocal in the treatment of mood disorders. The chapter states that the relationship between mood disorders and cortical asymmetry was first describedwhen it was observed that damage to the left frontal lobe results in symptoms of depression. A striking finding is that differences in frontal brain asymmetry discriminated populations of depressed and non-depressed subjects. Theories of emotion and anterior cerebral asymmetry led to an investigation of an alternative way to treat depression. It was learned that normal subjects can be trained to modify their brain waves by changing their frontal alpha asymmetry. The transition was made from the theoretical foundations and experimental studies to the practical applications when depressed persons were trained to change their frontal alpha asymmetry to resemble the asymmetry pattern found in non-depressed persons. Taking these factors into account, one feels that the crucial next step for research is to demonstrate that appropriate control cases do not improve clinically as much as cases given the specific asymmetry protocol do. Although the treatment proved successful, the patient was still depressed at the end of the neurotherapy sessions as measured by the MMPI-2 and the BDI. The novel approach to the treatment of depression is in its infancy. Based on initial findings, it seems that alpha asymmetry neurofeedback is a promising alternative adjunctive treatmentor mood disorders.
Evaluation of transport media for laboratory detection of SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory tract swab specimens.

The reduced availability of commercial swabs and transport media for testing and administrative demands for increased testing capacity during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) public health emergency has seriously challenged national laboratory testing programs, forcing many to use non-traditional collection devices, often without typical analytical assessment of their suitability in testing. Five common transport media (four commercial and one in-house) were evaluated for their suitability in the collection of nasopharyngeal swab specimens for subsequent molecular detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Results suggest that these transport media provide dependable temporal stability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus without significant analytical interference of molecular assays. These findings are important for addressing critical laboratory supply chain shortages of transport media in the current COVID-19 health crisis but also for future pandemic planning, when again supplies of choice commercially-available transport media likely will be depleted. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Reducing Risky Drug Use Behaviors by Enrolling Syringe Exchange Registrants in Methadone Maintenance.

Referral of syringe exchange registrants with opioid use disorder to agonist treatment provides a pathway to further reduce drug use risk behaviors. Objective: This study evaluates the drug use ris...
Successful Treatment of Persistent Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection in a Patient With Hypogammaglobulinemia With REGN-COV2: A Case Report

A 55-year-old man with hypogammaglobulinemia due to previous rituximab treatment developed persistent coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia. Treatment with REGN-COV2 (casirivimab and imdevimab) resulted in the clearance of the infection. Targeted antiviral antibodies may be an important weapon in the management of immunocompromised patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 who fail to mount an immune response.
The Sphinx of modern democracy

Alexis de Tocqueville is mostly known today as the author of two major books, Democracy in America (1835; 1840) and The Old Regime and the Revolution (1856), that brought him fame and secured him a...
Effect of cold treatment on the concentric and eccentric torque-velocity relationship of the quadriceps femoris

This study examined the effect of cold treatment on the force-velocity relationship of the quadriceps muscle of 16 athletes. Each subject performed three maximal concentric and eccentric quadriceps contractions on the Kin-Com at 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 175 and 2000s -I. On one of two testing sessions, subjects received a 20 min ice application prior to testing, and for the remaining session, no ice was applied. The results revealed no significant change in the torque-velocity relationship. A trend analysis revealed linear relationships for the concentric ice [F 0,15) = 82.23] and no ice [F 0,15) = 44.86] conditions as well as for the eccentric ice [F 0,15) = 38.58] and no ice [F (1,15) = 26.40] conditions. There were no significant differences between the concentric ice and no ice means at any velocity, but peak torque at 2000s -I was significantly different from peak torque at 25-1000s -I. For eccentric contractions there was a difference between ice and no ice means, with an increase of 20% and 16% for the ice condition at 175 and 2000s -I, respectively. For the eccentric ice conditions across velocities, the PT at 2000s -I was significantly different from the PT at 125-2000s -I. This suggests that the application of ice will not decrease strength but may in fact result in an increase in eccentric strength.
Small-sample estimation of the error of the optimal binary filter

Precise small-sample estimation of the error of an optimal filter is theoretically limited. This paper shows the possibility of obtaining better estimation in a Bayesian context by postulating prior knowledge regarding the probability distribution of the model. Prior knowledge is employed to estimate the estimation error, and thereby obtain a better estimate of filter error. Error estimation is done in a conservative manner in order not to obtain a low-biased estimate of filter error. This key condition is achieved by finding a majorant of the bias in the estimation of estimation error. The quality of our estimate of the error depends upon the precision of the prior knowledge.
A Review of “Library Classification Trends In The 21St Century”

The book presents a review of literature directly related to classification and related topics, published from 1999 to 2009 in all languages, based on the abstracts published in the Library and Inf...
Birds of a feather: biodiversity and ecosystem informatics

A core need of biodiversity informatics is the capability to provide maps not only of locations of known species occurrences, but also potential locations of the same species based on similar habitat properties (Pennisi 2000). In the context of landscape ecology, landscape structure is increasingly studied as a primary basis for biodiversity and habitat preferences of bird species. Patch composition, density, size, and edge, are among the more common variables contributing to a quantitative definition of landscape structure (McGarigal and Marks 1995) but spatially continuous geostatistical methods and neighborhood-based descriptions for categorical or continuous data may also be employed (Gustafson 1998). In both cases, this concept of landscape structure has a largely horizontal definition, whereas real landscape structure is multi-dimensional. Landscape ecology biodiversity analyses rely increasingly on remotely sensed datasets. However, the capabilities of optical sensors such as Landsat or AVHRR are largely restricted to the horizontal mapping of structure Only radar and lidar have the capability to directly quantify multi-dimensional structure of vegetation(M. Craig Dobson 1992; Bergen and Dobson 1999). We are developing a demonstration study and evaluation of the contribution of new radar remote sensing instruments to mapping habitat for biodiversity informatics.
Stable adaptive control of a class of nonlinearly-parametrized bioreactor processes

In this paper a stable adaptive controller design method is suggested for a class of uncertain bioreactor processes containing several types of nonlinearly-parametrized growth models. The design is based on particular parametrizations of the process nonlinearities in conjunction with suitably chosen indicator functions. Adaptive algorithms based on such parametrizations are shown to yield stable systems in which the convergence of the output errors to zero is guaranteed in all cases of process growth models. The stability analysis is based on Lyapunov's second method and suitably constructed Lyapunov functions.
Screening Effect, Geostatistical

This article reviews various applications and some theory of the screening effect, which describes the phenomenon where a spatial interpolant primarily depends on nearby observations in kriging. Justified by the screening effect, the nearest-neighbor approach has been widely used in practice, mainly to reduce computational burden. However, caution needs to be exercised in choosing model and observation locations, since there may be no screening effect in some cases. Keywords: kriging; moving neighborhood; screening effect; fixed-domain asymptotic framework; spectral density
Crystal Chemistry and Dielectric Properties of Chemically Substituted (Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5)O7 and Bi2(Zn2/3Nb4/3)O7 Pyrochlores

The effect of the chemical substitution of Ti, Zr, and Gd cations on the structure and properties of bismuth-based pyrochlores was investigated for (Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5)O7 and Bi2(Zn2/3Nb4/3)O7. Broad ranges of solid solutions based on cubic (Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5)O7 were observed for Ti and Zr cations: (Bi1.5Zn1−(x/3)Nb1.5−(2 x/3)Zrx)O7 (0.0 ≤x≤ 1.5) and (Bi1.5Zn1−(x/3)Nb1.5−(2 x/3)Tix)O7 (0.0 ≤x≤ 2.25). For Gd cations, the range of solid solution was quite limited in (Bi1.5−xGdxZn1.0Nb1.5)O7 (0.0 ≤x≤ 0.2); however, the range of solid solution is more extensive in the system that contains Ti and Gd cations ((Bi1.5−xGdxZn0.5Ti1.5Nb0.5)O7 (0.0 ≤x≤ 0.6)). The stability fields of the solid solutions could be interpreted by using the ratio of the ionic sizes of the A- and B-site ions in the pyrochlore structure (RA/RB). The substituted phases exhibited permittivities (κ′) in the range of ∼100–200 and relatively low dielectric losses (tan δ < 7 × 10−4) at 1 MHz. The temperature coefficients of permittivity (τκ) varied in accordance with the RA/RB value and could be tuned from −88 ppm/K to −1300 ppm/K. For the orthorhombic Bi2(Zn2/3Nb4/3)O7 pyrochlore, the ranges of solid solution were very limited and the dielectric properties remained similar to those of the undoped phase (κ′= 90, τκ= 150 ppm/K).
Increased transcription of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene in individual locus coeruleus neurons following footshock stress.

Abstract Footshock-evoked change in transcriptional activity of tyrosine hydroxylase in neurons of the locus coeruleus was examined using an intron-specific in situ hybridization histochemical technique. A significant increase in the cellular concentration of tyrosine hydroxylase primary transcripts was found in locus coeruleus neurons 3 h following 30 min of intermittent footshock. However, the footshock-induced increase in tyrosine hydroxylase transcription was not homogeneously expressed in locus coeruleus neurons. Similarly, administration of the α 2 -adrenergic receptor antagonist idazoxan produced a significant increase in the cellular concentration of tyrosine hydroxylase primary transcripts that was heterogeneously distributed among locus coeruleus neurons. Both footshock and idazoxan significantly increased the regional levels of tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA in the locus coeruleus. The time-course of changes in tyrosine hydroxylase transcription rate and messenger RNA levels in the locus coeruleus was examined after a 15 min exposure to footshock. A robust increase in tyrosine hydroxylase transcription rate was found at the end of 15 min of footshock, which remained elevated for 6 h and was back to the control levels by 24 h. In contrast, in response to a 15 min period of footshock tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA concentrations in the locus coeruleus did not increase until 6 h and remained elevated at 24 h. These findings demonstrate that transcription of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene in locus coeruleus neurons in response to footshock stress occurs rapidly, is sustained for many hours and is heterogeneously distributed. These data also suggest that the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase messenger RNA following footshock is mediated, at least in part, by an increase in tyrosine hydroxylase gene transcription.
A conical arc driver for high-energy test facilities.

Review of some exploratory test results for an electrical discharge driver with a conical-shaped arc chamber. The characteristics of the discharge cycle in the conical chamber and the shock tube performance are described, and the obtained results are compared with those reported by Menard (1971).
Organization of the Smallest Eukaryotic Spindle

In metazoans, plants, and fungi, the spindle checkpoint delays mitosis until each chromosome is attached to one or more of its own kinetochore microtubules (kMTs). Some unicellular eukaryotes, however, have been reported to have fewer kMTs than chromosomes. If this is the case, it is unclear how the spindle checkpoint could be satisfied. In the vast majority of the previous studies, mitotic cells were chemically fixed at room temperature, but this does not always preserve dynamic and/or small structures like spindle MTs and kinetochores. Indeed, later higher-resolution studies have reversed some earlier claims. Here we show that in Ostreococcus tauri (the smallest eukaryote known), mitosis does involve fewer spindle microtubules than chromosomes. O. tauri cultures were enriched for mitotic cells, high-pressure frozen, and then imaged in 3D both in plastic and in a near-native ("frozen-hydrated") state through electron tomography. Mitotic cells have a distinctive intranuclear heterochromatin-free "spindle tunnel" with approximately four short and occasionally one long, incomplete (unclosed) microtubule at each end of the spindle tunnel. Because other aspects of O. tauri’s spindle checkpoint seem typical, these data suggest that O. tauri’s 20 chromosomes are physically linked and segregated as just one or a small number of groups.
Isolation and comparative studies of mitochondrial F1-ATPase from Morris hepatoma and rat liver.

Abstract A simple method of isolating mitochondrial ATPase from rat liver and Morris hepatoma cell lines by chloroform extraction and chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex is described. This method is suitable even when small amounts of starting material with relatively low specific ATPase activity (in the case of hepatoma mitochondria and submitochondrial particles) are available. The isolated enzyme from both rat liver and hepatomas had a high specific activity, was similarly activated by bicarbonate and 2,4-dinitrophenol, and had a typical five-band pattern in sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis. Prior to DEAE-Sephadex chromatography, an additional protein band which migrates between the δ and ϵ subunits in the tumor F 1 -ATPase preparation was observed. The purified enzymes were cold labile and restored oxidative phosphorylation function of F 1 -ATPase depleted submitochondrial particles prepared from rat liver. The ATPase activity of the isolated enzymes was inhibited by mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor protein. The apparent stoichiometry of the inhibitor protein to the purified ATPase was extrapolated to be 2:1.
Detection of age-related fluorescent substances in rat tissues.

Abstract Studies are reported on the detection of fluorescent substances and their relationship to the accumulation of the aging pigment and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) isoenzyme composition in tissues of the rat. Comparison of fluorescent substances in nine tissues in 6- and 100-week-old rats by thin-layer chromatography showed that one substance in particular accumulated with age. This substance exhibited the typical excitation-fluorescence spectrum of lipofuscin pigments and its detection in tissues correlated closely with histologic analysis of the aging pigment. Accordingly, it was designated as an age-related fluorescent substance (ARFS). Because of the high intensity of its fluorescence and its relatively small mass, it appeared to be a constituent of aging pigment that was dissociated and extracted upon treatment of the tissue with chloroform-methanol. Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of both hemosiderin deposits and a golden brown pigment which was devoid of iron. These substances as well as the ARFS appeared to accumulate more in tissues which were classified generally as aerobic based on their LDH isoenzyme composition.
Delinquent and criminal behavior as assessed by the revised California Psychological Inventory.

The revised California Psychological Inventory was studied in samples of 272 delinquent or criminal men vs. 1,088 controls, and 400 delinquent or criminal women vs. 2,266 controls, which gave delinquency base rates of 20% for men and 15% for women. Of the 27 scales evaluated, significant (p less than or equal to .01) mean differences were found on 25 for men and 26 for women. The best differentiator was So (Socialization), with point-biserial correlations of .54 for men and .58 for women. The new CPI theoretical model of personality structure also revealed significant differences. Persons in the Gamma and Delta lifestyle categories manifested higher rates of delinquency than did those in the Alpha and Beta. Low levels of ego integration were associated with greater incidence of delinquency in all four lifestyles.
Investigating Web searching behavior in home environments

The study investigated situational elements of the home as a Web use environment, examining how domestic settings influenced people's Web search activities and behaviors. Traditionally, information searches have been conducted in public places in quest of work- or school-related information. However, as greater number of people gain access to the Internet at home, a shift has occurred in both location and purposes of Web searches from public to private venues and from work to personal interests. For this study, twelve participants in ten different households were recruited in northern California. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews of an individual at home, and were based on a self-reported “Search Activities Diary” kept over a 3–5 day period. Interviews were videotaped and then transcribed for content analysis. Findings indicated that the home, indeed, provides a unique search situation in which people conduct searches in different ways from those in the workplace. The subjects in this study searched on the Web more frequently, more briefly, and less intensely for broader and more diverse information. The study results have direct implications for design of Web search systems to support Web searching behaviors in home environments.
Robust optimization for process scheduling under uncertainty

This paper addresses the uncertainty problem in process scheduling using robust optimization. Compared to the traditional-scenario-based stochastic programming method, robust counterpart optimization method has a unique advantage, in that the scale of the corresponding optimization problem does not increase exponentially with the number of the uncertain parameters. Three robust counterpart optimization formulations―including Soyster’s worst-case scenario formulation, Ben-Tal and Nemirovski’s formulation, and a formulation proposed by Bertsimas and Sim―are studied and applied to uncertain scheduling problems in this paper. The results show that the formulation proposed by Bertsimas and Sim is the most appropriate model for uncertain scheduling problems, because it has the following advantages: (i) the model has the same size as the other formulations, (ii) it preserves its linearity, and (iii) it has the ability to control the degree of conservatism for every constraint and guarantees feasibility for the r...
Age-related differences in amphetamine sensitization: effects of prior drug or stress history on stimulant sensitization in juvenile and adult rats.

Repeated intermittent exposure to stimulants progressively increases a drug's effect, with stressors capable of producing cross-sensitization to stimulants. Studies examining such sensitization during development are few, however, with results mixed. In Experiment 1, juvenile (P22) and adult (P64) female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered (daily for 4 days) 1.5 mg/kg or 3.0 mg/kg amphetamine (1.5A and 3.0A groups), or saline (SAL group). In a second experiment, rats were exposed to either repeated restraint (60 min/day for 4 days; RS group) or were left non-manipulated in the home cage (NM group). Animals from both experiments were then challenged with 1.5 mg/kg of amphetamine and sensitization assessed via locomotion and stereotypy after a 2-day and 3-wk washout period. When compared to SAL animals, 3.0A juveniles and adults exhibited evidence of locomotor sensitization 2 days post-drug exposure, but this sensitization did not persist to the 3-week challenge. Compared to NM animals, RS animals showed stress-induced locomotor sensitization both 2 days and 3 weeks post-stress exposure, regardless of age. These results demonstrate that repeated drug/stress exposures prior to stimulant challenge are sufficient to induce behavioral sensitization among both juveniles and adults, with these effects particularly long-lasting following repeated stressor exposure.
Formatted and unformatted character data types

Many recent proposals for extensions of database management systems advocate the use of a variety of unformatted data types; possible types include text, audio, and image. These data types are proposed in order to support the management of multimedia databases, including document databases and office databases. Both formatted and unformatted character data is composed of sequences of characters. Three categories of character data can be distinguished by considering allowable operations: sorting and indexing
On the classification of phase transitions involving changes in composition

Abstract We show that phase transitions involving the decomposition of a homogeneous phase into two phases with different compositions cannot be described adequately within the context of the Ehrenfest classification scheme. The Gibbs free energy and its first derivatives with respect to temperature, pressure, and alloy composition are continuous at the transition temperature (in the absence of coherency stress effects) while the second derivatives are usually discontinuous implying, within the context of the Ehrenfest scheme, that these phase transitions are second-order. We suggest that order parameters, defined as the difference between the equilibrium phase compositions and the bulk alloy composition, can be used more effectively to classify phase transitions involving compositional changes; the order of the transition being determined by the discontinuities in the order parameters. In this way we are able to identify three different types of phase transitions in simple solid binary alloys.
Green's-function analysis of the odd-parity perturbations of a Reissner-Nordström black hole

A Green's-function analysis is carried out for Reissner-Nordstroem odd-parity perturbation equations with sources. It leads to a definitive identification of the normal modes, which are shown to contain a derivative coupling of the gravitational and electromagnetic potentials to the background electromagnetic field. Connections are made with previous works by Gerlach in the high-frequency limit and by Chitre, Price, and Sandberg in the small-charge approximation. (AIP)
Structural implication of the ICPEMC method for quantifying genotoxicity data

Committee 1 of ICPEMC (International Commission for Protection against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens) devised a weight-of-evidence scheme for ranking chemicals with respect to their probability of inducing genetic effects. The score is based upon a hierarchical scheme which combines the results of many assays and assigns relative levels of relevance depending upon the phylogenic level of the assay, the nature of the genetic endpoint and the dose of chemical required. Analysis of the ICPEMC data base of quantitative genotoxicity scores by CASE and MULTICASE, two structure-activity relational expert systems, revealed that the ICPEMC quantitative classification "made sense" structurally, i.e. there was internal consistency with respect to the structural determinants associated with the qualitative as well as the quantitative classifications. Analysis of subsets of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity results revealed that there was almost a complete overlap among the structural determinants associated with the qualitative classifications [i.e. likelihood of having a positive or negative score] of chemicals but that there were significant differences among the determinants related to the quantitative in vitro and in vivo scores (i.e. potency). Overall, the analyses suggest that there is a continuum in the structural bases of genetic effects which span phyla.
Functional identification and structure determination of two novel prolidases from cog1228 in the amidohydrolase superfamily .

Two uncharacterized enzymes from the amidohydrolase superfamily belonging to cog1228 were cloned, expressed, and purified to homogeneity. The two proteins, Sgx9260c (gi|44242006) and Sgx9260b (gi|44479596), were derived from environmental DNA samples originating from the Sargasso Sea. The catalytic function and substrate profiles for Sgx9260c and Sgx9260b were determined using a comprehensive library of dipeptides and N-acyl derivative of l-amino acids. Sgx9260c catalyzes the hydrolysis of Gly-l-Pro, l-Ala-l-Pro, and N-acyl derivatives of l-Pro. The best substrate identified to date is N-acetyl-l-Pro with a value of kcat/Km of 3 × 105 M−1 s−1. Sgx9260b catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-hydrophobic l-Pro dipeptides and N-acyl derivatives of l-Pro. The best substrate identified to date is N-propionyl-l-Pro with a value of kcat/Km of 1 × 105 M−1 s−1. Three-dimensional structures of both proteins were determined by X-ray diffraction methods (PDB codes 3MKV and 3FEQ). These proteins fold as distorted (β/α)8-barrel...
Motional Dynamics of the Catalytic Loop in OMP Synthase

In de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, orotate phosphoribosyltransferase catalyzes the formation of orotidine 5‘-monophosphate (OMP) from orotic acid and α-d-5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP). The known three-dimensional structure of the dimeric enzyme from Salmonella typhimurium is similar to that of other Type I phosphoribosyltransferases (nucleotide synthases) with a solvent-exposed active site atop a Rossman-type nucleotide binding fold. The three-dimensional structure of an enzyme−inhibitor complex [Henriksen et al. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 3803−3809] indicates that one of the two identical solvent-exposed loops can descend to cover the active site of the adjacent subunit of the dimeric enzyme. Catalytically essential residues are known to reside on this loop. In the present work, sensitivity toward limited proteolysis by trypsin confirms that the loop is solvent-exposed. Protection by PRPP and, to a lesser extent, by OMP demonstrates the existence of a second, trypsin-inaccessible, loop position. ...
A Small Molecule Bidentate-Binding Dual Inhibitor Probe of the LRRK2 and JNK Kinases

Both JNK and LRRK2 are associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here we report a reasonably selective and potent kinase inhibitor (compound 6) that bound to both JNK and LRRK2 (a dual inhibitor). A bidentate-binding strategy that simultaneously utilized the ATP hinge binding and a unique protein surface site outside of the ATP pocket was applied to the design and identification of this kind of inhibitor. Compound 6 was a potent JNK3 and modest LRRK2 dual inhibitor with an enzyme IC50 value of 12 nM and 99 nM (LRRK2-G2019S), respectively. Compound 6 also exhibited good cell potency, inhibited LRRK2:G2019S-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in SHSY5Y cells, and was demonstrated to be reasonably selective against a panel of 116 kinases from representative kinase families. Design of such a probe molecule may help enable testing if dual JNK and LRRK2 inhibitions have added or synergistic efficacy in protecting against neurodegeneration in PD.
Impact of dead bird disposal pits on ground-water quality on the Delmarva Peninsula

Abstract Ground-water quality around six existing dead bird disposal pits was monitored for ammonia, nitrates, chlorides, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci. The disposal pits were located on Evesboro loamy sand, Sassafras sandy loam, Fallsington sandy loam and Klej loamy sand soils. Elevated ammonia concentrations were detected in the ground-water at three of the six existing disposal pits. Ammonia concentrations as high as 366 mg/l N were measured. Fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus concentrations were low. Over 70% of the sample did not contain fecal coliforms or fecal streptococci. Chloride concentrations were above normal levels in only one monitoring well at one of the disposal pits. Disposal pits that handle the normal mortality of a broiler grower should not cause any more ground-water contamination than an individual septic tank and soil absorption bed. If disposal pits are to be used in the future on the Delmarva Peninsula, they should be regulated.
Estradiol Induces Hypothalamic Dendritic Spines by Enhancing Glutamate Release: A Mechanism for Organizational Sex Differences

The naturally occurring sex difference in dendritic spine number on hypothalamic neurons offers a unique opportunity to investigate mechanisms establishing synaptic patterning during perinatal sensitive periods. A major advantage of the rat as a model of sexual differentiation is that treatment of neonatal females with estradiol will permanently induce the male phenotype. During the development of other systems, exuberant innervation is followed by activity-dependent pruning necessary for elimination of spurious synapses. In contrast, we demonstrate that estradiol-induced organization in the hypothalamus involves the induction of new synapses on dendritic spines. Activation of estrogen receptors by estradiol triggers a nongenomic activation of PI3 kinase that results in enhanced glutamate release from presynaptic neurons. Subsequent activation of ionotropic glutamate receptors activates MAP kinases, thereby inducing dendritic spine formation. These results reveal a transneuronal mechanism by which estradiol acts during a sensitive period to establish a profound and lasting sex difference in hypothalamic synaptic patterning.
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of S-100β in children and its elevation in pediatric meningitis

OBJECTIVE: To describe normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of S-100beta in children and determine whether CSF S-100beta levels are elevated in pediatric meningitis. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Children's teaching hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 141 children (107 controls and 34 meningitis patients). METHODS: CSF levels of S-100beta were measured in 107 control patients and 34 children with meningitis. S-100beta levels were measured in CSF collected from a lumbar puncture to evaluate for meningitis. Patients were classified as controls if they did not have pleocytosis or an organism identified. Patients were classified as having meningitis if there was CSF pleocytosis. Those with meningitis were then categorized as having bacterial or aseptic meningitis. S-100beta levels were measured by a commercial luminometric assay. Data are presented as median (interquartile range [IQ]) unless otherwise noted. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Normal CSF S-100beta levels were measured in 107 children with a median age of 2.6 months (1.4 months to 1.5 yrs). The median CSF S-100beta was 0.71 microg/L (IQ range, 0.48-1.07) with a tenth to 90th percentile range of 0.35-1.8 microg/L. A correlation was measured between age and CSF S-100beta levels in controls, (r2=.04, p=.037). Thirty-four children had meningitis with a median age of 4.0 yrs (2.0 months to 11.8 yrs). Ten were bacterial/mycobacterial, and 24 were aseptic. Children with meningitis had elevated S-100beta levels of 1.1 microg/L (IQ range, 0.9-1.6) compared with control levels of 0.71 microg/L (IQ range, 0.48-1.07) (p=.0001). Those with bacterial/mycobacterial meningitis had elevated S-100beta levels of 1.6 microg/L (IQ range, 0.78-3.0) compared with controls (p=.002). Children with aseptic meningitis also had S-100beta levels of 1.0 microg/L (IQ range, 0.91-1.4), which were elevated compared with controls, (p=.0003). CONCLUSIONS: CSF levels of S-100beta are elevated in children with meningitis compared with controls.