cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Daylight and thermal harvesting performance evaluation of a liquid filled prismatic façade using the Radiance five-phase method and EnergyPlus

Abstract A dynamic liquid filled prismatic louver (LFPL) facade is evaluated both as a daylight redirecting and an energy harvesting system. The LFPL performs daylight redirection due to its transparent daylight redirecting geometry, whereas it performs thermal harvesting due to its heat absorbing water medium inside the transparent prisms. We evaluate the illuminance levels and daylight glare probability (DGP) of the LFPL system through the Radiance simulation tool, and in particular using the Radiance five-phase method for complex fenestration systems (CFS). In addition, we assess the thermal harvesting potential of the LFPL system and the impact of the enhanced daylight penetration on the reduction of heating, cooling, and fan energy consumption through EnergyPlus simulations. Our study shows that (a) the LFPL system enhances the indoor natural light by 9% and reduces the glare by 20% and (b) although the facade elements have the potential to be rotated, a fixed position of the LFPL works equally well as the dynamic rotation scenarios. A fixed LFPL position is a passive design and thus does not require powering for controlling the facade, which makes the approach simpler. Furthermore, in terms of energy harvesting, the LFPL system shows (c) a 52.4% enhanced solar radiation absorption at the facade level, compared to the baseline glass glazing and (d) a reduction in cooling, heating, and fan requirements by 6.5%, 1.5%, and 5.7%, respectively.
Oxytocin-induced cervical dilation and cervical manipulation in sheep: effects on laparoscopic artificial insemination.

The difficulty of cervical penetration severely limits the use of transcervical AI (TAI) in sheep, and trauma from cervical manipulation (CM) may reduce fertility after TAI. We investigated the effects of cervical dilation using exogenous oxytocin (OT) to facilitate TAI and its effects on reproductive variables after laparoscopic AI (LAI). Estrus was synchronized by inserting pessaries impregnated with 6alpha-methyl-17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone acetate (60 mg) for 12 d. In Exp. 1, we determined whether OT and CM before LAI affected the interval from pessary removal to ovulation and fertilization rate. Crossbred ewes (n = 16) were assigned to 1) saline-CM or 2) OT-CM. In Exp. 2, effects of OT and CM on lambing rates were evaluated with white-faced ewes (n = 220) in a 2 x 2 factorial experiment: 1) saline-sham CM; 2) saline-CM; 3) OT-sham CM; and 4) OT-CM. In both studies, eCG (400 IU i.m.) was injected at pessary removal, and LAI was performed 48 to 52 h later. In Exp. 1, ewes received i.v. either 400 USP units of OT or 20 mL of saline at 30 to 60 min before LAI, and CM was administered as for TAI. Beginning 32 h after pessary removal and continuing at 8-h intervals, ovaries were examined with ultrasonography to estimate time of ovulation. Treatment in Exp. 1 did not affect combined ovum/embryo recovery rate (69%), but OT-CM decreased fertilization rate (47 vs 59%; P < 0.05). The OT tended to reduce the interval to ovulation (OT, 59 h vs saline, 66 h; P < 0.06). The OT x CM interaction in Exp. 1 was not significant. For Exp. 2, approximately 25 min before sham CM or CM, 200 USP units of OT or 10 mL of saline was injected i.v. The LAI was performed immediately after sham CM or CM. At 10 to 12 d after AI in Exp. 2, ewes were mated with Suffolk rams. Blood was collected between 24 and 26 d after AI for pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) RIA. The PSPB pregnancy and lambing rates were both 62% in saline-sham controls. The CM did not affect pregnancy (69%) or lambing rate (64%). The OT treatment decreased (P < 0.05) PSPB pregnancy (59%) and lambing rates (56%) in OT-sham ewes and pregnancy and lambing rates in CM ewes (both 43%). Neither CM nor OT before LAI affected lambing rates to next estrus, indicating no long-term damage to the cervix or uterus. In summary, CM did not affect fertility after LAI, but OT decreased lambing rate independent of CM. If OT will not be usable for TAI, it may still be a tool for training TAI personnel.
Finite Automata and Regular Languages

A finite automaton (FA, for short) is an online automaton whose state-set Q is finite. The finite automaton model amply illustrates the three features of computation theory described in Chapter 1. Essentially equivalent models of finite-state systems were developed over a span of three decades, to model a large range of “real-life” systems. In roughly chronological order
911 and the Area Code From Which You Call: How to Improve the Disparity in California's Emergency Medical Services

Introduction: Thirty-three separate local emergency medical services (EMS) authority agencies serve the 58 counties in California. Each local emergency medical services agency dictates widely different treatment and transport protocols for its paramedics. Although previous research has established the problem of geographic EMS disparities, nothing definitively explains their cause. Methods: We analyze California’s most recently available EMS performance-measure data to determine if there is still disparity in EMS patient care and patient outcomes in California. If there is a disparity, we determine whether the differences are accounted for by socioeconomic factors, geographical differences, or population size, by combining California EMS data with other state and county level data. If none of these factors are significantly correlated, this supports the hypothesis that something different, such as system structure, could be a potential cause of California’s EMS disparities. As a secondary analysis, we attempt to replicate these types of analyses at national and international levels, which could potentially permit a structural comparison as well. Results: There is still disparity in EMS patient care and patient outcomes in California. Regression analyses did not identify a single factor to explain the disparity in performance measures. Most notably, the regression found that basic socioeconomic factors and geographical differences frequently speculated as common drivers for disparity of services, including median income, population density, and availability of specialty care facilities, did not account for the disparity in services. Conclusions: Unfortunately, the striking lack of performance-measure data-a data desert-for EMS throughout the United States meant that the secondary analyses were inconclusive. Based on these results, we propose three recommendations:(1) most importantly, the lack of data must be addressed. Data collection should be standardized and mandatory for all EMS providers. (2) Treatment protocols for the state should be standardized and based on the latest evidence-based research. Providers should be required to offer the same level of care, to all geographic regions. (3) It may be beneficial to consider restructuring the California EMS system. While the research is limited due to imperfect information, consolidated systems seem to perform better. An existing framework for this already exists.
Chapter 33 – Hyperparathyroidism

Hyperparathyroidism is a common disorder characterized by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and resultant hypercalcemia. Primary hyperparathyroidism typically occurs in the setting of hypercellular growth of one or more parathyroid glands, associated with dysregulation of PTH release. Rarely, ectopic secretion of PTH by a nonparathyroid tumor has been described. Primary hyperparathyroidism may occur in the context of the inherited familial syndromes multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1, 2, and 4 (MEN 1, 2, and 4); the hereditary hyperparathyroidism–jaw tumor syndrome (HPT-JT); familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH); and neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism (NSHPT), and, when it is the only recurrent clinical manifestation of disease within a family, familial isolated hyperparathyroidism (FIHPT). Most commonly, parathyroid neoplasia is sporadic and caused by a single benign adenoma. Insights into the molecular pathogenesis of both familial and sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism will be covered in this chapter.
Implication of speech level control in noise to sound quality judgement

Relative levels of speech and noise, which is signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), alone as a metric may not fully account how human perceives speech in noise or making judgement on the sound quality of the speech component. To date, the most common rationale in front-end processing of noisy speech in assistive hearing devices is to reduce “noise” (estimated) with a sole objective to improve the overall SNR. Absolute sound pressure level of speech in the remaining noise, which is necessary for listeners to anchor their perceptual judgement, is assumed to be restored by the subsequent dynamic range compression stage intended to compensate for the loudness recruitment in hearing impaired (HI). However, un-coordinated setting of thresholds that trigger the nonlinear processing in these two separate stages, amplify the remaining “noise” and/or distortion instead. This will confuse listener's judgement of sound quality and deviate from the usual perceptual trend as one would expect when more noise was present. In this study, both normal hearing (NH) and HI listeners were asked to rate the sound quality of noisy speech and noise reduced speech as they perceived. The result found that speech processed by noise reduction algorithms were lower in quality compared to original unprocessed speech in noise conditions. The outcomes also showed that sound quality judgement was dependent on both input SNR and absolute level of speech, with a greater weightage on the latter, across both NH and HI listeners. The outcome of this study potentially suggests that integrating the two separate processing stages into one will better match with the underlying mechanism in auditory reception of sound. Further work will attempt to identify settings of these two processing stages for a better speech reception in assistive hearing device users.
Language proficiency is only part of the story: Lexical access in heritage and non-heritage bilinguals:

This study examined how language proficiency and age of acquisition affect a bilingual language user’s reliance on the dominant language during lexical access. Two bilingual groups performed a tran...
Partner Selection: Decision-Making as Experienced by Engaged and Married Couples

Determining who to marry can be one of the most meaningful and daunting decisions an individual can make during their lifetime. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of couples as...
Plasmonic parametric absorbers

We discuss a new class of nonlinear absorbers termed Plasmonic Parametric Absorbers (PPA) relying on the recently introduced concept of Plasmonic Parametric Resonance (PPR). In contrast with conventional localized plasmonic resonances, whereby modes are excited directly by an external field of frequency and spatial profile matching those of a given mode of the plasmonic particle, PPR is a form of amplification in which a pump field transfers energy to a mode in an indirect fashion. In PPR in fact the modes of a plasmonic structure are amplified by means of a temporal permittivity modulation of the background medium interacting with an appropriate pump field. Such permittivity variation translates into a modulation of the modal resonant frequency, and under specific conditions amplification can occur. Among the unique characteristics of PPR is the possibility of accessing modes of arbitrarily high order with a simple spatially uniform pump, provided that such pump exceeds a certain intensity threshold. It is such threshold behavior that can lead to PPAs, a type of nonlinear metamaterial absorber with rather unique properties. PPAs exhibit a reverse saturable absorption behavior whereby an incident field that is parametrically resonant with one or more of the modes of a plasmonic particle experiences a strongly enhanced absorption whenever its intensity exceeds the relevant PPR threshold. Such effect makes PPAs very promising candidates for optical limiting applications, in addition of being of fundamental interest in the emerging field of nonlinear plasmonics.
Improving ANN-based streamflow estimation models for the Upper Indus Basin using satellite-derived snow cover area

The mountainous catchments often witness contrasting regimes and the limited available meteorological network creates uncertainty in both the hydrological data and developed models. To overcome this problem, remotely sensed data could be used in addition to on-ground observations for hydrological forecasting. The fusion of these two types of data gives a better picture and helps to generate adequate hydrological forecasting models. The study aims at the improvement of ANN-based streamflow estimation models by using an integrated data-set containing, the satellite-derived snow cover area (SCA) with on-ground flow observations. For this purpose, SCA of three sub catchments of Upper Indus Basin, namely Gilgit, Astore and Bunji coupled with their respective gauge discharges is used as model inputs. The weekly stream-flow models are developed for inflows at Besham Qila located just upstream of Tarbela dam. The data-set for modeling is prepared through normalizing all variables by scaling between 0 and 1. A mathematical tool, Gamma test is applied to fuse the inputs, and a best input combination is selected on the basis of minimum gamma value. A feed forward neural network trained via two layer Broyden Fletcher Goldfarb Shanno algorithm is used for model development. The models are evaluated on the basis of set of performance indicators, namely, Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency, Root Mean Square Error, Variance and BIAS. A comparative assessment has also been made using these indicators for models developed, through data-set containing gauge discharges, only and the data-set fused with satellite-derived SCA. In particular, the current study concluded that the efficiency of ANN-based streamflow estimation models developed for mountainous catchments could be improved by integrating the SCA with the gauge discharges.
Neural holography with camera-in-the-loop training

Holographic displays promise unprecedented capabilities for direct-view displays as well as virtual and augmented reality applications. However, one of the biggest challenges for computer-generated holography (CGH) is the fundamental tradeoff between algorithm runtime and achieved image quality, which has prevented high-quality holographic image synthesis at fast speeds. Moreover, the image quality achieved by most holographic displays is low, due to the mismatch between the optical wave propagation of the display and its simulated model. Here, we develop an algorithmic CGH framework that achieves unprecedented image fidelity and real-time framerates. Our framework comprises several parts, including a novel camera-in-the-loop optimization strategy that allows us to either optimize a hologram directly or train an interpretable model of the optical wave propagation and a neural network architecture that represents the first CGH algorithm capable of generating full-color high-quality holographic images at 1080p resolution in real time.
Thyroid Disrupting Chemicals in Mixture Perturb Thymocyte Differentiation in Xenopus laevis Tadpoles.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can perturb the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis affecting human and wildlife health. Thyroid hormones (TH) are crucial regulators of metabolism, growth and differentiation. The perinatal stage is most reliant on TH, thus vulnerable to TH disrupting chemicals. Dysregulation of TH signaling during perinatal development can weaken T cell function in maturity, raising the question of whether TH disrupting chemicals can perturb thymocyte development. Using Xenopus laevis tadpoles as model, we determined TH disrupting effects and thymocyte alterations following exposure to a mixture of common waterborne TH disrupting chemicals at concentrations similar to those found in contaminated water. This mixture included naphthalene, ethylene glycol, ethoxylated nonylphenol and octylphenol, which have documented TH disrupting activity. Besides hypertrophy-like pathology in the thyroid gland and delayed metamorphosis, exposure to the mixture antagonized TH receptor-induced transcription of the kruppel-like factor 9 (klf9) transcription factor and significantly raised thyroid stimulating hormone (tsh) gene expression in the brain, two genes that modulate thymocyte differentiation. Importantly, exposure to this mixture reduced the number of Xenopus immature cortical thymocyte-specific-antigen (CTX+) and mature CD8+ thymocytes, while co-exposure with exogenous TH (T3) abolished the effect. When each chemical of the mixture was individually tested, only ethylene glycol induced significant antagonist effects on brain, thymic gene expression and CD8+ thymocytes. These results suggest that EDCs in mixture are more potent than each chemical alone to perturb thymocyte development through TH dependent pathway, and provide a starting point to research TH influence on thymocyte development.
Effect of agro-derived corrosion inhibitors on the properties of Portland cement mortar

Abstract This study aims to investigate the influence of polyol corrosion inhibitors on the properties of cement mortar by exposing mortar samples to 90 wet-dry cycles of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution that contained 1%w/w of three polyol corrosion inhibitors. Scaling rating, mass-change, and compression tests, and chemical characterization tests performed at regular intervals revealed that polyol-based NaCl deicers cause less than 10% decrease in mortar compression strength and incurred slight-to-moderate scaling whereas NaCl deicer caused up to 17% reduction in compression strength and incurred slight-to-moderate or moderate scaling. Polyol corrosion inhibitors did not result in any further deterioration in mortar properties when compared to NaCl and hence they can be used for mitigating rebar corrosion without compromising properties of hardened cementitious materials.
Development of a Preoperative Clinical Risk Assessment Tool for Postoperative Complications After Hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To develop a preoperative risk assessment tool that quantifies the risk of postoperative complications within 30 days of hysterectomy. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative hospitals. PATIENTS Women who underwent hysterectomy for gynecologic indications. INTERVENTIONS Development of a nomogram to create a clinical risk assessment tool. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Postoperative complications within 30 days were the primary outcome. Bivariate analysis was performed comparing women who had a complication and those who did not. The patient registry was randomly divided. A logistic regression model developed and validated from the Collaborative database was externally validated with hysterectomy cases from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, and a nomogram was developed to create a clinical risk assessment tool. Of the 41,147 included women, the overall postoperative complication rate was 3.98% (n = 1638). Preoperative factors associated with postoperative complications were sepsis (odds ratio [OR] 7.98; confidence interval [CI], 1.98-32.20), abdominal approach (OR 2.27; 95% CI, 1.70-3.05), dependent functional status (OR 2.20; 95% CI, 1.34-3.62), bleeding disorder (OR 2.10; 95% CI, 1.37-3.21), diabetes with HbA1c ≥9% (OR 1.93; 95% CI, 1.16-3.24), gynecologic cancer (OR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.49-2.31), blood transfusion (OR 1.84; 95% CI, 1.15-2.96), American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status Classification System class ≥3 (OR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.24-1.73), government insurance (OR 1.3; 95% CI, 1.40-1.90), and body mass index ≥40 (OR 1.25; 95% CI, 1.04-1.50). Model discrimination was consistent in the derivation, internal validation, and external validation cohorts (C-statistics 0.68, 0.69, 0.68, respectively). CONCLUSION We validated a preoperative clinical risk assessment tool to predict postoperative complications within 30 days of hysterectomy. Modifiable risk factors identified were preoperative blood transfusion, poor glycemic control, and open abdominal surgery.
Pocket Guide for Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery

Foreword Joseph L. Jorizzo, MD Introduction 1. Physical examination 2. Anatomy 3. Dermatologic surgery 4. Lasers and light 5. Microbiology and immunology 6. Clinical pearls 7. Therapeutics 8. Dermatology pearls 9. Dermatology mneumonics and lists 10. Dermatopathology pearls Notes Index.
TIMP-4 promotes brain tumor cell survival by regulation of AKT pathway

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 4380 Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP4 ) is a recently cloned member of the TIMP family which regulate the activity of several of the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs ). Several studies show that TIMP4 affects many properties of tumorogenesis including cell proliferation and apoptosis, in several types of cancer. However, the molecular mechanism underlying growth regulation and apoptosis by TIMP4 has not been determined. We have previously shown that TIMP-4 increases proliferation of SF-268 glioblastoma cells in-vitro. In this study, we show that TIMP4 increases AKT activation in the SF-268 glioblastoma cell line. We also demonstrate that TIMP4 protects glioblastoma cells from adriamycin induced cell killing This data suggests that TIMP-4 may play an important role in brain tumor survival through the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
On the fragmentation of mitochondria by diethylstilbesterol. I. Conditions for maximizing fragmentation.

Abstract Diethylstilbesterol, one of a group of predominantly nonpolar compounds, was found, at concentrations roughly stoichiometric with that of the phospholipid and in the presence of divalent cations, to fragment mitochondria in a unique manner. The primary interaction between diethylstilbesterol and the mitochondrial membrane was reflected immediately as a change in the permeability characteristics of the otherwise intact mitochondrial preparation. The action of diethylstilbesterol was potentiated by divalent metal cations; this dual action resulted in the solubilization of a limited amount (no greater than 30%) of the total mitochondrial protein. The absolute requirement of divalent cations for the solubilizing action of the fragmenting agent provides a valuable clue to some new feature of the lipoprotein structure of one of the mitochondrial membranes.
Workmen's Compensation and the Logics of Social Insurance

This working paper sets out an account of the enactment and significance of the workmen's compensation statutes that swept, in the words of an observer, "like a prairie fire" across the nation during the 1910s. The paper critiques leading accounts of the enactment of the statutes, observing that workmen's compensation statutes increased ex post employer liability costs in critical early jurisdictions; singled out work accident cases from among other accident cases such as streetcar and railroad passenger cases that were filling the common law dockets at the same time; and created an administratively cumbersome solution to the non-enforcement of ex ante waivers, notwithstanding that a simpler legislative fix (one with which several important states experimented) was to make such waivers enforceable. As an alternative account, the paper describes a multi-layered process of institutional agenda-setting and interest group politics. Courts structured the priorities and agenda of social insurance reformers, orienting them toward workmen's compensation statutes, which fit more easily within the structures of late nineteenth-century constitutional law than social insurance for sickness, old-age, or unemployment. In turn, social insurance advocates placed compulsory workingmen's insurance programs on the legislative agenda from among an array of policy alternatives for dealing with the accident problem. Finally, sophisticated employers provided the political power to push the statutes through state legislatures. Sophisticated employers' interests were not so much in reducing or standardizing their accident costs as they were in using compensation statutes to equalize accident costs across firms. The result was a deeply ambiguous coalition for reform, rich with possibilities for the further developments in modern social policy and yet sharply divided in its basic goals and outlooks. The paper is drawn from the author's forthcoming book, "The Accidental Republic: Amputee Workingmen and Destitute Widows in the Remaking of American Law" (Harvard University Press 2003).
Bayesian 3-D tomographic reconstruction from limited numbers of radiographs

The authors consider 3-D tomographic reconstruction problems encountered using a small number of noisy radiographs. They present a Bayesian 3-D reconstruction method based on statistical models of the radiographic process and the generalized Markov random field (GGMRF) model for the 30D object. This model permits reconstruction of sharp density transitions in reconstructions. The authors present both the physical and probabilistic modeling issues and describe the techniques necessary to solve the optimization problems. They analytically present a technique for including Compton scattering in the reconstruction process and show the similarity in computation between the two cases. >
Order selection for lowpass IIR filters

Selection of the appropriate orders of the numerators and denominators for specified lowpass infinite impulse response (IIR) digital filter design criteria can be difficult. REcent work by H. L. Gray, et. al. suggests a general method by which orders may be selected prior to filter design. In this note, infinite impulse response lowpass digital filters are designed from finite impulse response (FIR) lowpass equivalents, wherein the Gray technique is used to select the order before design. On determination of the order, the IIR denominator is determined from the autocorrelation of the FIR and the numerator is obtained using the minimum phase Hilbert transform relationship.
Museum Exhibit and Photographic Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Ethnographie Film Aesthetics and Narrative Traditions: Proceedings from NAFA 2. Peter Ian Crawford and Jan Ketil Simonsen Film As Ethnography. Peter Ian Crawford and David Turton, eds.
Delaunay triangulations in TIN creation: an overview and a linear-time algorithm

Abstract The Delaunay triangulation is commonly used to generate triangulated irregular network (TIN) models for a best description of the surface morphology in a variety of applications in geographic information systems (GIS). This paper discusses the definitions and basic properties of the standard and constrained Delaunay triangulations. Several existing Delaunay algorithms are reviewed and classified into three categories according to their procedures: (1) divide-and-conquer methods, (2) incremental insertion methods, and (3) triangulation growth methods. Furthermore, a linear-time Convex Hull Insertion algorithm is presented to construct TINs for a set of points as well as specific features such as constraint breaklines and exclusion boundaries. Empirical results over various sets of up to 50000 points on personal computers show that the proposed algorithm efficiently expedites the construction of TIN models in approximately O(N) for N randomly distributed points.
Coupling capacitances in VLSI circuits calculated by multi-dimensional discrete Fourier series

Abstract A multi-dimensional discrete Fourier series method has been developed to calculate the coupling capacitances in VLSI circuits. In the present method a scalar potential Φ( r ) is generated, in discrete Fourier series form, which is related to the known electric potential distributions by Laplace equation. By using the multiple radix Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm to reduce the CPU time, the electric field strength can be obtained from the gradient of the scalar potential. The calculated 2-D and 3-D results generally compare well with the conventional approach results. A program has been developed and numerical results are discussed.
Dynamic Green's Functions For Levy Plates

Abstract The dynamic Green's functions for thin rectangular plates having two opposite edges simply supported are given in terms of a rapidly converging Levy series. These are then applied to the solution of several free vibration problems wherein a plate is coupled to one or more discrete substructures. The solutions are exact to within the precision of the Green's functions.
Nutation damping and vibration isolation in a flexibly coupled dual-spin spacecraft

As the accuracies required to meet mission objectives become increasingly greater, the suitability of the dual-spin concept rests more and more on its ability to provide a platform free of extraneous motion. This paper is concerned with the possibility of achieving this goal by introducing a flexible, dissipative coupling between the platform and rotor of such a spacecraft. Both analytical and numerical results are presented, and it is shown, for realistic spacecraft designs, throughout that settling times for damping nutation of the order of a few seconds may be obtained, while at the same time, platform vibrations induced by static and dynamic unbalances in the rotor are attenuated by a factor of three or more.
Conformational Differences in CO Derivatives of HbA, HbC (Eβ6K) and HbS (Eβ6V) in the Presence and Absence of Inositol Hexaphosphate Detected Using Ultraviolet Resonance Raman Spectroscopy

The 229 nm excited ultraviolet resonance Raman spectra of the carbon monoxide saturated derivatives of adult human hemoglobin (HbA), HbC (Eβ6K) and HbS (Eβ6V) in the presence and absence of inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) at pH 6.35 reveal a distinct pattern of local and global conformational differences. In the absence of IHP, the protein specific spectral differences are all in the form of intensity changes. The intensity differences in the W3 band indicate that, compared with HbA, the mutant Hbs have the β-chain A helix more tightly packed against the E helix, with HbS having the largest change. Intensity differences in other Raman bands indicate that the local perturbation associated with the β6 substitution propagates to other regions of the globin. The IHP-induced changes are consistent with two types of effects, a further tightening of the packing of the A helix against the E helix and the appearance of T state features indicative of a strained or weakened R quaternary conformation. The protein specificity of these effects can be accounted for by a model in which the linkage of the A and H helices of the β-subunits through the Gluβ7-Lysβ132 (H10) salt bridge is modulated by the β6-sensitive packing of the A helix against the E helix. This mechanism also accounts for the protein specificity of the IHP effects since Lysβ132 is linked to two of the residues that form the central cavity IHP binding site. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipid metabolism and body composition in Gclm(−/−) mice

In humans and experimental animals, high fat diets (HFD) are associated with risk factors for metabolic diseases, such as excessive weight gain and adiposity, insulin resistance and fatty liver. Mice lacking the glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit gene (Gclm(-/-)) and deficient in glutathione (GSH), are resistant to HFD-mediated weight gain. Herein, we evaluated Gclm-associated regulation of energy metabolism, oxidative stress, and glucose and lipid homeostasis. C57BL/6J Gclm(-/-) mice and littermate wild-type (WT) controls received a normal diet or an HFD for 11 weeks. HFD-fed Gclm(-/-) mice did not display a decreased respiratory quotient, suggesting that they are unable to process lipid for metabolism. Although dietary energy consumption and intestinal lipid absorption were unchanged in Gclm(-/-) mice, feeding these mice an HFD did not produce excess body weight nor fat storage. Gclm(-/-) mice displayed higher basal metabolic rates resulting from higher activities of liver mitochondrial NADH-CoQ oxidoreductase, thus elevating respiration. Although Gclm(-/-) mice exhibited strong systemic and hepatic oxidative stress responses, HFD did not promote glucose intolerance or insulin resistance. Furthermore, HFD-fed Gclm(-/-) mice did not develop fatty liver, likely resulting from very low expression levels of genes encoding lipid metabolizing enzymes. We conclude that Gclm is involved in the regulation of basal metabolic rate and the metabolism of dietary lipid. Although Gclm(-/-) mice display a strong oxidative stress response, they are protected from HFD-induced excessive weight gain and adipose deposition, insulin resistance and steatosis.
Stimulus meaning as a variable in dichotic listening.

Ss were given no instructions or were told to alternate attention during the dichotic presentation of sequential word pairs. Without instructions, Ss tended to respond according to Broadbent’s (1954, 1958) model; when told to alternate attention between channels, Ss were able to do so, according to Emmerich et al’s (1965) model.
Expression and Function of Placenta Growth Factor: Implications for Abnormal Placentation:

Objective Essential requirements for successful gestation include the coordinated growth and differentiation of the placenta and the development of a functional placental vasculature. However, relatively little is known about factors that are responsible for regulating these functions. One angiogenic growth factor that might be involved in regulating both vascular endothelial cell and trophoblast function is placental growth factor (PGF). Methods Current published reports were surveyed and our own work was reviewed to highlight the expression, function, and potential significance of PGF at the human maternal-fetal interface. Results PGF is highly expressed in trophoblasts during normal pregnancy, and its expression is significantly decreased in preeclampsia, an obstetric complication presumed to be associated with placental bed hypoxia and ischemia. In agreement with this, in vitro trophoblast expression of PGF can be down-regulated by low oxygen tension. The cognate receptor for PGF, fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor, is expressed on trophoblasts as well as vascular endothelial cells, suggesting that it has autocrine and paracrine functions. Accordingly, PGF can regulate proliferation in first trimester trophoblasts, apoptosis in term trophoblasts, and it can directly or indirectly regulate vascular growth, maturation, and permeability. Conclusions Many obstetric complications, most notably preeclampsia, are associated with aberrant trophoblast function and inadequate or dysfunctional vasculature within the developing placenta. The ability of PGF to influence trophoblast and vascular endothelial cells provides clear impetus for further studies to investigate the biological and clinical significance of PGF in normal and abnormal human pregnancies.
Sampling Southwestern Corn Borer Populations in Postharvest Corn

A sampling program for postharvest surveys of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, was established during 1976 and 1977 from fields in south central Kansas. Our sampling technique was adequate for an extensive sampling program (precision level = 0.25) if more than 45% of the plants were infested. Larval density in the exterior portion of a field exceeded that in the interior portion if population density was low (three to six borers per 10 plants). A sequential sampling program with a fixed level of precision was developed to minimize effort required for surveys over large areas.
Comparative molecular field analysis and synthetic validation of a hydroxyamide-propofol binding and functional block of neuronal voltage-dependent sodium channels.

Abstract Voltage gated sodium channels represent an important therapeutic target for a number of neurological disorders including epilepsy. Unfortunately, medicinal chemistry strategies for discovering new classes of antagonist for trans-membrane ion channels have been limited to mostly broad screening compound arrays. We have developed new sodium channel antagonist based on a propofol scaffold using the ligand based strategy of comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA). The resulting CoMFA model was correlated and validated to provide insights into the design of new antagonists and to prioritize synthesis of these new structural analogs (compounds 4 and 5 ) that satisfied the steric and electrostatic model. Compounds 4 and 5 were evaluated for [ 3 H]-batrachotoxinin-A-20-α-benzoate ([ 3 H]-BTX-B) displacement yielding IC 50 ’s of 22 and 5.7 μM, respectively. We further examined the potency of these two compounds to inhibit neuronal sodium currents recorded from cultured hippocampal neurons. At a concentration of 50 μM, compounds 4 and 5 tonically inhibited sodium channels currents by 59 ± 7.8% ( n = 5) and 70 ± 7.5% ( n = 7), respectively. This clearly demonstrates that these compounds functionally antagonize native neuronal sodium channel currents. In summary, we have shown that CoMFA can be effectively used to discover new classes of sodium channel antagonists.
Integration and regulation of mitochondrial assembly in yeast

The interactions between the mitochondrial and nucleocytoplasmic systems required for mitochondriogenesis have been investigated at several different levels. Those involved in the formation of functional enzyme complexes have been studied using cytochrome oxidase: this multimeric (2 × 7 and 2 × 6 subunits for enzymes from yeast and beef heart respectively) has been resolved, and the mitochondrial contribution has been shown to be dispensible for catalytic function proper. Using novel mutants, with a mitochondrial mode of inheritance, a mitochondrial gene product localized in the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase has been implicated in the assembly not only of this complex, but of cytochrome oxidase as well. Interactions required for the genetic competence of the mitochondrial system have become apparent as a result of studies in the mechanism of action of the highly effective mitochondrial mutagen ethidium bromide. This agent first becomes covalently inserted into mitochondrial DNA and, after its excision, eventually results in extensive degradation of the macromolecule. The excision reaction has now been shown to be performed by a complex between the oligomycin-sensitive ATPase and a DNA-binding protein presumably involved in recognizing the damage. On the level of replication and expression of the mitochondrial genome studies using thermolabile mutants have demonstrated that these processes appear independent of the replication of nuclear DNA but not of its expression.
Diastereoselectivity in intramolecular additions of allylsilanes to enones

Abstract The nature of the catalyst governs the stereochemical outcome in the formation of substituted hydrindanones and related species via intramolecular Sakurai condensations.
Neurochemical alterations in asymptomatic abstinent cocaine users: A proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Cocaine can cause a variety of neuropsychiatric and neurobehavioral complications; however, it is uncertain whether cocaine causes persistent cerebral structural and neurochemical abnormalities in asymptomatic users. We studied 52 African-American men (26 human immunodeficiency virus-negative asymptomatic heavy cocaine users and 26 normal subjects). Ventricle-to-brain ratio (VBR) and white matter lesions (WML) were quantified on magnetic resonance imaging. N-acetyl-containing compounds (NA), total creatine, choline-containing compounds, myo -inositol, and glutamate+glutamine were measured with in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. VBR and WML were not significantly different in the cocaine users compared to the normal controls. Elevated creatine (+ 7%; p = .05) and myo -inositol (+ 18%; p = .01) in the white matter were associated with cocaine use. NA, primarily a measure of N-acetyl aspartate and neuronal content, was normal. Normal NA suggests no neuronal loss or damage in the brain regions examined in these cocaine users. Therefore, we conclude that neurochemical abnormalities observed might result from alterations in nonneuronal brain tissue.
The Cardiovascular Health Impact of An Incentive Worksite Health Promotion Program

Abstract Purpose. We examined the cardiovascular health profiles of benefit-eligible hospital employees who participated in an incentive screen program for 4 years. We also determined if cardiovascular health changes differed between participants (CHAP) who enrolled in structured follow-up risk reduction programs (CHAPplus) compared with those who chose less formal options (CHAPonly). Methods. CHAP consisted of cardiovascular screens, results counseling, and encouragement to participate in education and behavioral support programs. After adjusting for gender, medication use, and baseline levels of adiposity and physical activity, cardiovascular health changes were tested with repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) among CHAP participants and by CHAP type. Results. CHAP 4-year members (n = 278) were generally healthy and mostly women (87%) with an average age of 40.6 ± .5 years at baseline. Despite increases in overall (p = .034) and central adiposity (p = .001), cardiovascular health improvemen...
Controversies in childhood urinary tract infections

Management of childhood urinary tract infections is conceptually straightforward, but controversies persist. Specimens must be collected carefully or culture results can be difficult to interpret. Urine culture remains the diagnostic standard but does not substitute for careful urinalysis. Radiography studies are designed to define abnormalities predisposing patients to pyelonephritis and to assess the extent of renal involvement during infection, but there is no agreement on the most appropriate combination of studies. Circumcision reduces the incidence of urinary infections in male infants. Vaginal reflux may have an impact on recurrent infections, especially after courses of antibiotics. The importance of vesicoureteral reflux remains controversial because renal scarring appears to be related more to infection than to reflux itself. A strong argument can be made for the avoidance of prophylactic antibiotic therapy, even in patients with reflux. Increased attention to early diagnosis and treatment may be responsible for a decreasing incidence in renal failure from reflux nephropathy in children.
Iron Age temperate Europe: Some current research issues

The “Iron Age” designates the 800 years preceding the Roman conquest of Europe. This period represents the latest social and cultural development of indigenous European societies before the annexation of much of temperate Europe into the Roman Empire and the final phase of cultural change before the beginning of local traditions of written history north of the Alps. Our understanding of the Iron Age has changed substantially over the past 30 years, as a result both of recent discoveries and of new perspectives. Much recent research has focused on specific themes such as changing social structure and patterns of ritual behavior. I attempt here to provide an overview of current understanding and debate on some of these topics in Iron Age archaeology. The subject and its literature are vast, and my treatment is selective. The references will guide the interested reader to the wider literature.
A score comparability study for the NBDHE: paper-pencil versus computer versions.

This study evaluated the comparability of a paper–pencil (PP) version and two computer-based (CB) versions of the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. Comparability was evaluated by validity and psychometric criteria. Data were collected from the following resources: (1) 4,560 candidates enrolled in accredited dental hygiene programs who took the PP version in the Spring 2009, (2) 973 and 1,033 candidates enrolled in accredited dental hygiene programs who took two separate CB versions in 2009, and (3) the survey data from 2,486 candidates who took the CB versions in 2009. The results from the PP and CB versions were found to be comparable on several criteria.
Simulationist models of face-based emotion recognition

Recent studies of emotion mindreading reveal that for three emotions, fear, disgust, and anger, deficits in face-based recognition are paired with deficits in the production of the same emotion. What type of mindreading process would explain this pattern of paired deficits? The simulation approach and the theorizing approach are examined to determine their compatibility with the existing evidence. We conclude that the simulation approach offers the best explanation of the data. What computational steps might be used, however, in simulation-style emotion detection? Four alternative models are explored: a generate-and-test model, a reverse simulation model, a variant of the reverse simulation model that employs an "as if" loop, and an unmediated resonance model.
Microstructure and load sensitive fatigue crack nucleation in Ti-6242 using accelerated crystal plasticity FEM simulations

Abstract This paper investigates microstructure and load sensitive fatigue behavior of Ti-6242 using cyclic crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) simulations of statistically equivalent image-based microstructures. A wavelet transformation induced multi-time scaling (WATMUS) method [1,2] is used to perform accelerated cyclic CPFE simulations till crack nucleation, otherwise infeasible using conventional time integration schemes. A physically motivated crack nucleation model in terms of crystal plasticity variables [3] is extended in this work to predict nucleation. The crack nucleation model is based on dislocation pile-up and stress concentration at grain boundaries, caused by inhomogeneous plastic deformation in the polycrystalline microstructure. The model is calibrated and validated with experiments. The dependence of yield strength on the underlying grain orientations and sizes is developed through the introduction of an effective microstructural parameter Plastic Flow Index or PFI . To determine the effects of the microstructure on crack nucleation, a local microstructural variable is defined in terms of the surface area fraction of soft grains surrounding each hard grain or SAFSSG . Simulations with different cyclic load patterns suggest that fatigue crack nucleation in Ti-6242 strongly depends on the dwell cycle hold time at maximum stress.
Centroid-moment tensor solutions for January–March 1995

Abstract Centroid-moment tensor solutions are presented for 239 earthquakes that occurred during the first quarter of 1995. The solutions are obtained using corrections for aspherical earth structure represented by a whole mantle shear velocity model SH8/U4L8 of Dziewonski and Woodward ( Acoustical Imaging , 1992, Vol., 19, pp. 785–797). A new model of anelastic attenuation of Durek and Ekstrom ( EOS , 1994, 75: 83) is used to predict the decay of the waveforms.
Mechanism of Material Transport During Sintering

Several mechanisms, such as volume or surface diffusion, viscous or plastic flow, and vapor transport, have been proposed in the literature to account for the transport of material during the sintering process. The manner in which such mechanisms can be responsible for experimental observations is reviewed, and attention is drawn to the limitations imposed by the present understanding of the principles involved. Examples are given of the theoretical models and mathematical expressions which have been derived for particular mechanisms and of attempts to apply these to empirical data. Suggestions for further investigations are given briefly.