cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does the Swidden Ape the Jungle

Results of recent ethnographic research in indigenous agricultural systems in the South American tropical forests indicate that the Geertzian model of the highly intercropped swidden that mimics the tropical forest it replaces is not the appropriate description of the agricultural regimes of several rainforest peoples. A model is proposed relating degree of intercropping to amount of agricultural labor.
A theory of highly condensed matter

Abstract To discuss properties of cold, condensed stellar objects such as neutron stars, it is necessary to know the stress tensor Tμν, the source in Einstein's field equations, from nuclear matter densities upwards. To overcome some of the difficulties with the conventional many-body approach to this problem, a model relativistic, many-body, quantum field theory composed of a baryon field, a neutral scalar meson field coupled to the scalar density ψ ψ , and a neutral vector meson field coupled to the conserved baryon current i Ψ γλψ is developed. For a uniform system of given baryon density ϱB, the linearized theory obtained by replacing the scalar and vector fields by their expectation pectation values, φ → φ0, Vλ → iδλ4V0 can be solved exactly. The resulting equation of state for nuclear matter exhibits nuclear saturation, and if the two dimensionless coupling constants in this theory are matched to the binding energy and density of nuclear matter, predictions are obtained for all other systems at all densities. In particular, neutron matter is unbound and the equation of state for neutron matter at all densities is presented; it extrapolates smoothly into the relativistic form P = ϵ. Comparison is made with some conventional many-body calculations. The full field theory is developed by expanding the fields about the condensed values φ0, V0, and the unperturbed hamiltonian is shown to correspond to the linearized theory. The energy shift due to these quantum fluctuations in the fields is related to the baryon Green's function. V0 is related directly to ϱB; φ0, however, must be determined through a self-consistency relation involving the baryon Green's function. The Feynman rules for this theory are developed. Expressions for the lowest-order contributions of the quantum fluctuations to the energy shift and φ0 are derived. It is shown that the terms qμqν in the vector-meson propagator do not contribute to these expressions, and a prescription involving assumptions on the limiting form of the theory as ϱB → 0 is presented which ensures that these lowest-order quantum fluctuations will yield finite results.
Negative Regulation of Rat GST-Ya Gene via Antioxidant/Electrophile Response Element Is Directed by a C/EBP-like Site

Abstract The present studies were conducted to evaluate functional interactions between aryl hydrocarbon and antioxidant/electrophile response elements (AhRE and ARE/EpRE, respectively) in transcriptional regulation of the rat (r)GST-Ya gene. Transient transfection of an AhRECAT reporter construct into vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) or HepG2 cells showed that benzo( a )pyrene (BaP) (0.3–30 μM) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) (0.1–10 nM), but not hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) (100–400 μM), increased gene transcription. ARE/EpRE did not mediate gene inducibility by any of the chemicals in vSMCs but increased transcription in HepG2 cells treated with BaP or H 2 O 2 , but not TCDD. Gene inducibility in response to all chemicals was repressed in both cell types transfected with a 1.6CAT full-length promoter construct containing the AhRE and ARE/EpRE in genomic context. Site-directed mutagenesis of 1.6CAT showed that a CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-like site within the ARE/EpRE directed negative regulation of the rGST-Ya gene in vSMCs and HepG2 cells. These results show that ARE/EpRE in rGST-Ya does not function as a positive cis -acting regulatory element in all cell types, and that in the context of the full-length rGST-Ya promoter a C/EBP-like site directs negative regulation of the gene by BaP and related chemicals.
Risk Factors and Quality of Life for Post-prostatectomy Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenoses

Objective To evaluate the difference in vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis (VUAS) rates after open radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) vs robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), and to analyze associated factors and effect on quality of life. Methods From 2001 to 2009, a total of 1038 patients underwent RARP and 707 patients underwent open RRP. Perioperative factors and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) quality of life scores were compared between patients who did and did not develop a VUAS. Independent significant predictors of VUAS development were identified using multivariable modeling. Results The incidence of VUAS in open RRP cases was higher (53/707, 7.5%) than for RARP (22/1038, 2.1%) ( P P P = .02, OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2-4.1), postoperative hematuria ( P = .02, OR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.2-11.3), urinary leak ( P = .002, OR = 6.0, 95% CI = 1.9-19.2), and urinary retention ( P = .004, OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.5-8.7) were significant independent predictors of VUAS development. EPIC incontinence scores were similar between VUAS and non-VUAS patients, whereas irritative voiding scores were worse initially with VUAS but became similar by 12 months. Conclusion There is a higher rate of VUAS after open RRP vs RARP. Most cases of VUAS require endoscopic intervention. Predictors include open surgery, PSA recurrence, and postoperative hematuria, urinary leak, and retention. There is no diminution of quality of life scores at 12 months.
Diet, income, and subsistence in an eastern highland village, Papua New Guinea

This study examines the influence of cash income and subsistence production on dietary patterns in a village in the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea. Data on food frequencies were col...
Higher order compatible triangular finite elements

For a triangulated polygon Ω, classes of piecewise rational functions are defined which are inC p?1 (Ω). A basis of these functions which contains all polynomials of degree 2p?1 or less is considerably smaller than a similar basis of piecewise polynomial functions.
A fixed grid finite element method for nonlinear diffusion problems with moving boundaries

A comprehensive formulation for a class of diffusion problems with non-linear conductivities is derived by unifying and combining the freezing index and Kirchhoff transformation concepts. The transformed equations have appropriate continuity characteristics across the unknown moving boundary. The applicability of the fixed grid algorithm for the total solution domain is, accordingly, demonstrated. Associated finite element formulations and solution procedures for the transformed equations are detailed. In addition, selected numerical results for single and two phase Stefan type problems as well as fluid flow in a prescribed cavity are presented for solution verification and illustration.
The Relationship between Statistically Linear and Nonlinear Feedbacks and Zonal-Mean Flow Variability in an Idealized Climate Model

Simulationsusing an idealized, atmospheric general circulation model (GCM) subjected to various thermal forcings are analyzed via a combination of probability density function (PDF) estimation and spectral analysis techniques. Seven different GCM runs are examined, each model run being characterized by different values in the strength of the tropical heating and high-latitude cooling. For each model run, it is shown that a linear stochastic model constructed in the phase space of the ten leading empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) of the zonal-mean zonal flow provides an excellent statistical approximation to the simulated zonal flow variability, which includes zonal index fluctuations, and quasi-oscillatory, poleward, zonal-mean flow anomaly propagation. Statistically significant deviations from the above linear stochastic null hypothesis arise in the form of a few anomalously persistent, or statistically nonlinear, flow patterns, which occupy particular regions of the model’s phase space. Some of these nonlinear regimes occur during certain phases of the poleward propagation; however, such an association is, in general, weak. This indicates that the regimes and oscillations in the model may be governed by distinct dynamical mechanisms.
Exploring the Consequences of Gender Ideology—Work Discrepancies

Using survey data from married and cohabiting adults in the midwestern U.S. (N = 257), I examine the way gender ideology–work discrepancies relate to distress and self-meanings. Among women, discrepancies are unrelated to distress and negatively related to feelings of power and activity as a wife and mother, results consistent with self-consistency theory. Among men, discrepancies are negatively related to distress and positively related to feelings of goodness, power, and activity in several roles, results consistent with compensatory self-enhancement theories. The results suggest that men experience discrepancies as self-image threats to which they respond by inflating their self-evaluation, self-power, and self-activity, whereas women experience discrepancies as stressors that reduce feelings of power and activity.
Comparison of the abilities of α-ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone to induce precocious proecdysis and ecdysis in the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator

1. The effects of single, double or multiple injections of α-ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone on molting and limb regeneration in the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator, were determined. 2. A single injection of 12 μg of 20-hydroxyecdysone failed to initiate proecdysis in crabs weighing 1.2 to 1.6 g. Administration of 12, 5, and 5 μg of 20-hydroxyecdysone on Days 0, 3, and 6 respectively induced precocious initiation of proecdysis but not precocious ecdysis. However, when two large dosages (20 or 25 μg) of 20-hydroxyecdysone were injected within a period of one or two days all the crabs completed proecdysis and initiated ecdysis precociously but failed to complete the ecdysis and died. 3. Administration of 25 μg of α-ecdysone as a single injection failed to initiate precocious proecdysis. However, when two injections of 25 μg each were given 36% of the crabs completed proecdysis and successfully molted precociously. Injection of larger dosages (80 μg α-ecdysone either as four 20 μg injections or two 40 μg injections) induced precocious proecdysis and ecdysis in 75–86% of the crabs. In contrast to the crabs which died during ecdysis after receiving high dosages of 20-hydroxyecdysone, the recipients of α-ecdysone underwent successful ecdysis and their postecdysial survival was normal. 4. The response of the regenerating limb buds depended on the dosage of the ecdysones administered. Dosages of 20-hydroxyecdysone which failed to initiate proecdysis promoted basal limb growth. Stronger dosages of 20-hydroxyecdysone and α-ecdysone which induced precocious proecdysis and ecdysis accelerated limb growth and caused proecdysial limb growth. The slope of the growth curve obtained for the crabs injected with high dosages of ecdysones was much steeper than that for eyestalkless crabs. 5. The interrelationship between regenerative limb growth and proecdysis and the possible role of ecdysones in the control of proecdysial events in crustaceans are discussed.
Nonabelian Bosonization in Two-Dimensions

A non-abelian generalization of the usual formulas for bosonization of fermions in 1+1 dimensions is presented. Any fermi theory in 1+1 dimensions is equivalent to a local bose theory which manifestly possesses all the symmetries of the fermi theory.
Translational Challenges With Tonic Immobility

Drawing heavily from the nonhuman animal literature, understanding of tonic immobility (TI), a sustained and involuntary physical immobility, may yield clear clinical implications and strong future translational research. Clinically, for individuals who potentially have experienced TI, psychoeducation regarding its involuntary and defensive nature may help normalize trauma-related reactions. This must be balanced with the reactive nature of the information and the recognition of potentially more common survival strategies. The application of TI for research purposes may pose translational obstacles regarding construct definition and assessment. Issues include separating the construct from non-TI-related event or perpetrator characteristics, peritraumatic dissociation, and event severity. Furthermore, with its assessment, clinical status and time may inflate endorsement of the presence or severity of TI reactions.
Condoms and Culture: An Exercise to Foster Classroom Participation of International Students

One problem encountered in teaching American and international management students is that class members tend to cluster by nationality and language, avoiding discussion with each other. This article presents a classroom role-playing exercise for management or marketing students to increase international student class participation. The exercise focuses on the interaction of culture and management and looks beyond simple business etiquette. It confronts students' preconceived notions and raises issues of the influence of culture on foreign market entry and product definition.
Analysis of microgrowth patterns of the American Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in the Middle Atlantic Region of Eastern North America: Archaeological applications

Abstract Analysis of modern control samples of the American oyster (Crassostrea. virginica) from the Chesapeake Bay shows that reliable estimates of season of death can be derived from analyses of shell microgrowth structures on the anterior nympha of the hinge area. Application of the technique to prehistoric Delmarva Peninsula oyster shell midden samples shows considerable temporal and spatial variation in the seasonal utilization of oysters.
The Student Alcohol Questionnaire: An Updated Reliability of the Drinking Patterns, Problems, Knowledge, and Attitude Subscales:

The reliabilities of the Quantity/Frequency Patterns, Problems Resulting from Drinking, Knowledge of Alcohol, and Attitudes Toward Drinking subscales of the Student Alcohol Questionnaire were calculated. The Spearman-Brown reliability coefficients of the subscales were .84, .89, .85, and .27, respectively. Values of Cronbach alpha for the four subscales were .86, .92, .86, and .55, respectively.
A study of the effect of measurement error in predictor variables in nondestructive assay

Abstract It is not widely known that ordinary least squares estimates exhibit bias if there are errors in the predictor variables. For example, enrichment measurements are often fit to two predictors: Poisson-distributed count rates in the region of interest and in the background. Both count rates have at least random variation due to counting statistics. Therefore, the parameter estimates will be biased. In this case, the effect of bias is a minor issue because there is almost no interest in the parameters themselves. Instead, the parameters will be used to convert count rates into estimated enrichment. In other cases, this bias source is potentially more important. For example, in tomographic gamma scanning, there is an emission stage which depends on predictors (the “system matrix”) that are estimated with error during the transmission stage. In this paper, we (1) provide background information for the impact and treatment of errors in predictors, (2) present results of candidate methods of compensating for the effect, (3) review some of the nondestructive assay situations where errors in predictors occurs, and (4) provide guidance for when errors in predictors should be considered in nondestructive assay.
The construction and testing of a forced choice scale for measuring speaking achievement

(1957). The construction and testing of a forced choice scale for measuring speaking achievement. Speech Monographs: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 65-73.
Phylogeny and Biogeography of North American and Asian Pedicularis (Orobanchaceae)

Pedicularis is a genus of over 600 species distributed throughout tundra and alpine habitats of the Northern Hemisphere. Phylogenetic relationships of North American species to Asian species were reconstructed by sampling sequences from nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the plastid matK region of 28 North American species, collected in the field or sampled from herbarium specimens, and 134 accessions of 102 Asian and three European species, obtained from GenBank. Maximum parsimony (PAUP) and Bayesian (MrBayes) analyses of ITS and combined ITS and matK data reveal two robustly supported monophyletic North American clades derived from Asian ancestors. Biogeographic analysis (S-DIVA) suggests Asia plus Japan, the Cascade Range, or Rocky Mountains as highly probable ancestral areas without involving Beringia for one clade. In the other clade, Asia plus the Rocky Mountains is specified as the most probable ancestral area, but less probable alternatives also include Asia plus Europe, Japan, or Beringia. Once established in North America, dispersal/divergence throughout North America occurred out of Rocky Mountain and/or Cascade Range ancestral centers of distribution. Beringian and European species are derived from North American centers rather than being part of ancestral areas for North American species.
Multimodality treatment for invasive pituitary adenomas.

AbstractMost pituitary adenomas are slow-growing, benign tumors that do not exhibit aggressive behavior but instead grow by expansion. The majority of these adenomas can be treated successfully with transsphenoidal resection. However, more than one-third of adenomas are invasive, making complete surgical resection without unacceptable neurological deficits difficult. These more complicated adenomas require multimodal treatment and long-term follow-up for continued favorable outcomes. Initial surgical resection is indicated for decompression of the optic apparatus or cytoreduction before adjuvant therapy, even when gross total resection is not anticipated. Medical therapy is an option for most endocrinologically active adenomas, but nonfunctioning and functional adenomas that do not respond to medical therapy require a multidisciplinary approach. Radiation is often beneficial and can be delivered either as fractionated therapy or in a single dose. Conformal dose planning can be used in most cases to maximi...
Characterization of a low molecular weight protein of the ATP synthetase complex from beef heart and rat liver mitochondria with a high affinity monoclonal antibody

Abstract A monoclonal antibody raised against beef heart mitochondria elicited a strong reaction on Western Blot with a 16kD protein in preparations of beef heart mitochondria, ammonia particles, oligomycin sensitive ATPase and Complex V, in addition to showing a lesser affinity for the partially purified 30kD ADP ATP carrier. The antibody also reacted with a 17kD protein in rat liver mitochondria and an enriched membrane vesicle fraction. The N-terminal sequence of the first twenty amino acids of both the beef heart and rat liver proteins contained significant homology. Comparison with results in the literature indicate that the proteins represent the δ subunit of the ATP synthatase complex. Further evidence suggests that the epitope for the antibody may reside at the C-terminal 30–40 amino acid residues of both proteins.
A comparative study of the effect of desferrioxamine B, oxalic acid, and Na-alginate on the desorption of U(VI) from goethite at pH 6 and 25 °C

Organic ligands affect the sorption and mobility of radionuclides in soils. Batch desorption experiments on goethite particles reveal the extent of uranyl desorption and hence bioavailability with different organic acids. The desorptive strength increases in the following order: background electrolyte < Na-alginate < desferrioxamine B (DFO-B) < oxalate. The sequence is consistent with decreasing molecular size and mass from alginate via DFO-B to oxalate. The concomitant Fe release in the desorption experiments indicates that desorption from goethite and not dissolution of goethite governs the mobility of adsorbed U(VI). A compilation of DFO-B surface excesses on goethite from our experiments together with literature values indicate that DFO-B adsorbs at a constant ∼3% to the goethite surface. It is surprising that such a small fraction suffices to account for the considerable uranyl desorption and thus remobilization of a radionuclide into solution. Oxalate displays higher surface concentrations but still lower than the determined uranyl surface excess. It follows that based on the high U(VI) stability constants, both organic ligands induce the desorption of uranyl species by increasing the chemical affinity of the aqueous phase. In the case of alginate, desorption of uranyl is weak and adsorbed alginate hampers any considerable detachment of U(VI) in the presence of the more potent ligands, DFO-B and oxalate. This inhibition is based on biosorption and in this respect polysaccharides in soils may retard and even halt the advance of actinides through the soil column. This hypothesis calls for further studies into the interaction of siderophores and polysaccharides with soil adsorbents and their role in the mobilization of contaminant metals.
Interfacial properties of elastomer blends as studied by neutron reflectivity

Abstract The interfacial properties of a homopolymer (polybutadiene (PB)) and a terpolymer (brominated poly(isobutylene- co - p -methylstyrene) (BIMS)) are reported. Neutron reflectivity was used to study the interfacial structure. The results were complemented by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and atomic force microscopy, which were used to probe the morphology of these binary blends. Our results show that the interfacial behavior of these elastomeric blends is a direct function of the BIMS chemical composition. The interfacial width decreased with increasing bromide functionality. At levels below 8 mol%, the para -methylstyrene concentration had a less pronounced effect on the compatibility and interfacial characteristics. We also studied the effect of styrene butadiene random copolymers on the miscibility of the PB/BIMS blends. The results showed that styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) was not fully miscible with BIMS and PB on an individual basis, but addition of relatively small amount of SBR enhances the compatibilization of the PB/BIMS interface. Self-consistent field (SCF) modeling was used to determine the optimum copolymer composition. The calculations are consistent with the experimental results.
Effects of two classification strategies on a Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion

Abstract Ninety-four sites were used to analyze the effects of two different classification strategies on the Benthic Community Index (BCI). The first, a priori classification, reflected the wetland status of the streams; the second, a posteriori classification, used a bio-environmental analysis to select classification variables. Both classifications were examined by measuring classification strength and testing differences in metric values with respect to group membership. The a priori (wetland) classification strength (83.3%) was greater than the a posteriori (bio-environmental) classification strength (76.8%). Both classifications found one metric that had significant differences between groups. The original index was modified to reflect the wetland classification by re-calibrating the scoring criteria for percent Crustacea and Mollusca. A proposed refinement to the original Benthic Community Index is suggested. This study shows the importance of using hypothesis-driven classifications, as well as exploratory statistical analysis, to evaluate alternative ways to reveal environmental variability in biological assessment tools.
Effect of Divalent Cations on Biochemical and Functional Parameters of Pre- and Postrigor Chicken Breast Fillets

Abstract The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese ions on some biochemical and functional properties of chicken breast fillets prepared from pre- and postrigor muscles. Pre- and postrigor Pectoralis major muscles were treated with isoionic solutions of CaCl2, MgCl2, MnCl2, or NaCl and then cooked. Biochemical, textural, and yield parameters were observed. Upon cooking, pH of the prerigor muscles treated with divalent cations increased .028 units but those treated with NaCl increased .157 units. The pH of postrigor muscles increased .291 units but the change was unaffected by the treatment. Calcium ions and manganese ions increased the ratio of inosine to adenine nucleotides (R values) in the prerigor fillets but the other ions did not. Moisture absorption and cooking losses were greater for the prerigor fillets treated with divalent cations than for those treated with sodium ions. Calcium chloride reduced and MgCl2 increased Warner-Bratzler shear values of prerigor fillets but none of the treatments affected shear values of postrigor fillets. The data indicate that treatment of breast fillets with certain divalent cations, especially calcium ions, can significantly affect fillet quality.
Top topics in child and adolescent psychiatry

In this issue of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, consulting editor Dr. Harsh Trivedi has selected topics that continually are at the forefront for child and adolescent psychiatrists.Among the top topics are: Children's Exposure to Violent Video Games and Desensitization to Violence; Neurobiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Psychosocial Interventions in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; 5. Social Skills Training for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders; 6. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders; and Adolescent Eating Disorders: Definitions, Symptomatology, Epidemiology and Comorbidity. Authors renown in the psychiatric field and the pediatric field provide the physician clinical outcomes and therapeutic management of these disorders.
An Ankle Foot Orthosis with Insertion Point Eccentricity Control

A prototype active Ankle Foot Orthosis has been developed to control and assist plantar flexion and dorsiflexion using an innovative series elastic actuator integrated into a standard passive AFO. A motor controls the moment arm (Insertion Point Eccentricity Control or IPEC) of a pretensioned spring, and though the magnitude of the spring force remains relatively constant, the changing moment arm produces torque about the ankle. The IPEC AFO is able to provide 3.51 Nm about the ankle in dorsiflexion and 3.88 Nm in plantar flexion with a spring modulus of 3110 N/m and an initial tension of 77 N. The torque was sufficient to prevent toe-drag during swing phase. This technology may benefit users with drop-foot or other ankle disorders, including those who have suffered stroke or spinal cord injury.
Age-related paradigms

Rapid change in society and an extended life span are gradually invalidating twentieth-century age-related paradigms, creating new opportunities in higher education for serving adults leading cyclical lives.
Chronic binge alcohol administration accentuates expression of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes in the skeletal muscle of simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques.

Background Chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration exacerbates skeletal muscle (SKM) wasting at the terminal stage of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaques. This is associated with a pro-inflammatory and oxidative milieu which we have previously shown to be associated with a disrupted balance between anabolic and catabolic mechanisms. In this study, we attempted to characterize the SKM gene expression signature in CBA-administered SIV-infected macaques, using the same animals from the previous study. Methods Administration of intragastric alcohol or sucrose to male rhesus macaques began 3 months prior to SIV infection and continued throughout the duration of study. Gene transcriptomes of SKM excised at necropsy (~10 months post-SIV) from healthy na\xEFve control (Control), sucrose-administered, SIV-infected (SUC-SIV), and CBA-administered, SIV-infected (CBA-SIV) macaques were evaluated in microarray data sets. The Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships classification tool was used to filter differentially regulated genes based on their predicted function into select biological processes relevant to SKM wasting which were inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, and metabolism. Results In total, 1,124 genes were differentially regulated between SUC-SIV and Controls, 2,022 genes were differentially expressed between the CBA-SIV and Controls, and 836 genes were differentially expressed between CBA-SIV and SUC-SIV animals. The relevance of altered gene expression was reflected in the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory CCL-2, CCL-8, CX3CL1, SELE, HP, and TNFRS10A mRNA expression. In addition, ECM remodeling was reflected in the up-regulation of TIMP-1, MMP 2, and MMP 9 mRNA expression and transforming growth factor-beta 1 protein expression. In addition, hydroxyproline content and picrosirius staining reflected increased collagen deposition in the CBA-SIV muscle tissue. Conclusions The results of the study demonstrate SKM inflammation as an important underlying mechanism for muscle wasting. In addition, the study provides evidence of SKM fibrotic transformation as a factor in CBA-induced accentuation of SIV-associated muscle wasting.
Iso-mechanism of nitroalkane oxidase: 1. Inhibition studies and activation by imidazole.

The flavoprotein nitroalkane oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of primary and secondary nitroalkanes to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, transferring electrons to oxygen to form hydrogen peroxide. The steady-state kinetic mechanism of the active flavin adenine dinucleotide-(FAD-) containing form of the enzyme has been determined with nitroethane at pH 7 to be bi-ter ping-pong, with oxygen reacting with the free reduced enzyme after release of the aldehyde product. The Vmax value is 5.5 ± 0.3 s-1 and the Km values for nitroethane and oxygen are 3.3 ± 0.6 and 0.023 ± 0.007 mM, respectively. The free reduced enzyme forms a dead-end complex with nitroethane, with a Kai value of 30 ± 6 mM. Acetaldehyde and butyraldehyde are noncompetitive inhibitors versus nitroethane due to formation of a dead-end complex between the oxidized enzyme and the product. Acetaldehyde is an uncompetitive inhibitor versus oxygen, indicating that an irreversible isomerization of the free reduced enzyme occurs before the reaction wi...
Between us and them: building connectedness within civic networks

Civic networks of community-based organizations face significant challenges in working together to combat issues facing their community (e.g., gang violence, sex trafficking). In our research, we examined how local organizations tried to build and maintain connectedness over time as a network to fight child sex trafficking. We sought to understand how technology supports the social processes of connectedness in this context. Based on our analysis of the field data from this case study, we identify three categories of activities for building and maintaining connectedness. We also find that while different technologies are suited towards supporting different aspects of connectedness, there may be gaps in how adequately social media tools support connectedness in civic networks.
Identification of mouse liver aldehyde dehydrogenases that catalyze the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid

NAD(P)-linked aldehyde dehydrogenases catalyze the oxidation of a wide variety of aldehydes. Thirteen of these enzymes have been identified in mouse tissues; eleven are found in the liver. Some are substrate-nonspecific; others are relatively substrate-specific. The present investigation sought to determine which of these enzymes are operative in catalyzing the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid, a metabolite of vitamin A that promotes the differentiation of epithelial and other cells. Spectrophotometric and HPLC assays were used for this purpose. Enzyme-catalyzed oxidation of retinaldehyde (25 microM) was restricted to the cytosol (105,000 g supernatant fraction) and occurred at a rate of 211 nmol/min/g liver; oxidation of acetaldehyde (4 mM) by this fraction proceeds about ten times faster. At least 90% of this activity was NAD dependent. Of the approximately 10% that was apparently NAD independent, two-thirds was inhibited by 1 mM pyridoxal, a known inhibitor of aldehyde oxidase. Of the six cytosolic aldehyde dehydrogenases, only two, viz. AHD-2 and AHD-7, catalyzed the oxidation of retinaldehyde to retinoic acid. An additional NAD-dependent enzyme, viz. xanthine oxidase (dehydrogenase form), also catalyzed the reaction. Catalysis by AHD-2 accounted for more than 90% of the total NAD-dependent activity. Km values were 0.7, 0.6 and 0.9 microM, respectively, for the AHD-2-, AHD-7- and xanthine oxidase (dehydrogenase form)-catalyzed reaction. AHD-4, an aldehyde dehydrogenase found in the cytosol of mouse stomach epithelium and cornea, did not catalyze the reaction.
Delayed postoperative bleeding from polytetrafluoroethylene carotid artery patches

Abstract Patch angioplasty of the internal carotid artery after endarterectomy has been advocated as a means of decreasing early postoperative carotid artery thrombosis, as well as reducing the incidence of recurrent carotid artery stenosis. Noninfectious rupture of saphenous vein patches in the early postoperative period has been reported by several authors, leading others to advocate the use of prosthetic patches. This report describes three patients in whom delayed bleeding through needle holes along the suture lines in polytetrafluoroethylene cardiovascular patches occurred between 1.5 and 4 days after operation. All patients required reexploration to control bleeding, and acute respiratory distress from tracheal compression developed in one patient. Although delayed bleeding through needle holes in polytetrafluoroethylene cardiovascular patches appears to be rare, a word of caution may be in order before advocating routine patching of the carotid artery with this particular type of patch. (J Vasc Surg 1992;15:661–3.)
Acute and chronic effects of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on complex behavior of squirrel monkeys.

Squirrel monkeys were, trained to press either two (phase one) or five (phase two) differently colored keys sequentially. Food presentation resulted if colors were pressed in a specific order, and high levels or accuracy were generated. Acutely, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol reduced accuracy and rate of responding in a dose-related fashion under both the two-key and fivekey conditions. Responding, however, was more sensitive to the drug under the five-key procedure. Accuracy of responding at the beginning of a sequence tended to be more sensitive to drug effects than responding near the end. Daily (chronic) administration resulted in the development of tolerance to both the rate-and accuracy-reducing effects of the drug, although tolerance developed more rapidly to the accuracy-reducing effects. Tolerance developed more slowly under the five-key procedure than under the two-key procedure. Details of tolerance development were related to aspects of acute effects, suggesting that some facets of tolerance development may be predictable from acute drug effects.
Active reinforcement learning

When the transition probabilities and rewards of a Markov Decision Process (MDP) are known, an agent can obtain the optimal policy without any interaction with the environment. However, exact transition probabilities are difficult for experts to specify. One option left to an agent is a long and potentially costly exploration of the environment. In this paper, we propose another alternative: given initial (possibly inaccurate) specification of the MDP, the agent determines the sensitivity of the optimal policy to changes in transitions and rewards. It then focuses its exploration on the regions of space to which the optimal policy is most sensitive. We show that the proposed exploration strategy performs well on several control and planning problems.
CLINICAL CRITERIA OF BRAIN DEATH

Summary Analyses have been performed upon data derived from 503 patients having coma and apnea in the Collaborative Study of Cerebral Survival and from subsets of 44 survivors and 102 cases in which details of temporal course and outcome were specified. Three methods of analysis were employed. The first consisted of correlation of proposed clinical signs with a series of presumptive definitions of brain death, the most rigorous of which included pathologic diagnosis. The second dealt with a conservative definition of brain death based upon the condition of electrocerebral silence with comparison of time course of clinical signs in patients having presumptive brain death versus that in patients who survived. Third, discrimination value of individual signs and combinations was evaluated by phi coefficients in relationship of presumptive brain death versus cases without evidence of brain death. These analyses lead to the exclusion of some of the proposed clinical signs. Body temperature and blood pressure showed no correlational trend and had no discriminative value. The spinal reflexes showed high persistence rates in cases of presumptive brain death and also had low phi coefficients. Some reflexes, the audio-ocular and abdominal, were excessively sensitive, being commonly absent both in brain death as well as in non-brain death cases and survivors. The snout and jaw reflexes were the two cephalic reflexes most likely to persist in presumptive brain death and to have low phi coefficients. The clinical signs recommended as diagnostic criteria include: coma, apnea, and the absence of the light, vestibular, oculocephalic and corneal reflexes. These criteria existed in the absence of severe hypothermia (below 90|Mo F) or drug intoxication. The four cephalic reflexes were identified on the basis of prevailing absence in presumptive brain death, return in cases ultimately surviving, and high phi coefficients. Spontaneous movements are of borderline clinical value but may be retained in view of lay interpretations. Pupillary dilatation is not a criterion, except in the cases of brain death due to cardiac arrest. The pharyngeal, swallow and cough reflexes need not be criteria for brain death, but are of value in the sequential identification of drug-intoxicated survivors. EEG recording is necessary in addition to the clinical criteria in order to avoid incorrect identification of brain death in patients with primary brain-stem disorders and in potential survivors.
Application of Acoustic Techniques for Characterization of Biological Samples

The atomic force microscope (AFM) is emerging as a powerful tool in cell biology. Originally developed for high-resolution imaging purposes, the AFM also has unique capabilities as a nano-indenter to probe the dynamic viscoelastic material properties of living cells in culture. In particular, AFM elastography combines imaging and indentation modalities to map the spatial distribution of cell mechanical properties, which in turn reflect the structure and function of the underlying cytoskeleton. Such measurements have contributed to our understanding of cell mechanics and cell biology and appear to be sensitive to the presence of disease in individual cells. Examples of applications and considerations on the effective capability of ultrasonic AFM techniques on biological samples (both mammalian and plant) are reported in this chapter. Included in the discussion is scanning near-field ultrasound holography an acoustic technique which has been used to image structure and in particular nanoparticles inside cells. For illustration an example that is discussed in some detail is a technique for rapid in vitro single-cell elastography. The technique is based on atomic force acoustic microscopy (AFAM) but (1) requires only a few minutes of scan time, (2) can be used on live cells briefly removed from most of the nutrient fluid, (3) does negligible harm or damage to the cell, (4) provides semi-quantitative information on the distribution of modulus across the cell, and (5) yields data with 1–10 nm resolution. The technique is shown to enable rapid assessment of physical/biochemical signals on the cell modulus and contributes to current understanding of cell mechanics.
On characterizing affinity and its impact on network performance

An important component of simulation-based network research is the selection of nodes to a member group, such as receivers in a multicast group or web clients in a content delivery network. In a seminal paper, Philips et al. introduce an algorithm for generating member groups with different degrees of affinity (clusteredness) and show that affinity can have a significant effect on multicast efficiency. Subsequent studies applying this algorithm have all used the algorithm's input parameter as a method for classifying and comparing affinity groups. In this paper, we propose several distance- and expansion-based analysis metrics and find them to be better measurements of the true affinity of member groups. In three separate case studies (multicast, replica placement, and sensor networks), we demonstrate the benefit of classifying member groups by their true affinity in order to predict network performance variation. By systematizing techniques for measuring affinity, we open the door for more realistic and reproducible research in studies employing affinity-based member selection techniques.
Information can wreck cooperation: A counterpoint to Kandori (1992)

We propose a simple model of repeated games with private monitoring and time-varying information structures. We then obtain an example demonstrating that the set of achievable equilibrium payos may shrink when play
Numerical simulation of turbulent, oscillatory flow over sand ripples

[1] Turbulent oscillatory flow over sand ripples is examined using three-dimensional numerical simulations. The model solves the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations on a curvilinear grid in a horizontally periodic domain. The flow transitions to turbulence and the presence of sand ripples increases the rate of dissipation of shoaling wave energy compared to flow over a smooth boundary. The influence of the ripple shape is shown to alter the mean flow field and affect the induced drag and dissipation rates. Shear instabilities near the boundary during phases of flow reversal resulting in vortex shedding from the ripple crest produce a continuously turbulent boundary layer, differing from results obtained in simulations over smooth boundaries.
Nonlinear Dynamics and Regional Variations in the MJO Skeleton

AbstractA minimal, nonlinear oscillator model is analyzed for the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) “skeleton” (i.e., its fundamental features on intraseasonal/planetary scales), which includes the following: (i) a slow eastward phase speed of roughly 5 m s−1, (ii) a peculiar dispersion relation with dω/dk ≈ 0, and (iii) a horizontal quadrupole vortex structure. Originally proposed in recent work by the authors, the fundamental mechanism involves neutrally stable interactions between (i) planetary-scale, lower-tropospheric moisture anomalies and (ii) the envelope of subplanetary-scale, convection/wave activity. Here, the model’s nonlinear dynamics are analyzed in a series of numerical experiments, using either a uniform sea surface temperature (SST) or a warm-pool SST. With a uniform SST, the results show significant variations in the number, strength, and/or locations of MJO events, including, for example, cases of a strong MJO event followed by a weaker MJO event, similar to the Tropical Ocean and Global ...
Post-transcriptional regulation of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone gene in GT1-7 cells.

GT1‐7 cells respond to treatment with the phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), with an inhibition of transcription of the proGnRH gene and decreases in GnRH mRNA levels. However, the timing of this decrease in GnRH mRNA levels suggests that a decrease in GnRH mRNA stability may be involved in addition to an inhibition of transcription of the proGnRH gene. To address this possibility, we treated GT1‐7 cells with 100 nM PMA for 4 h and then monitored GnRH mRNA levels over time after blockade of GnRH gene transcription with DRB. PMA treatment caused GnRH mRNA half-life to decrease from 30 to 11 h. Then, to verify this observation, we examined changes in GnRH mRNA poly (A) tail length, which may be a reflection of mRNA turnover, following treatment of GT1‐7 cells with PMA or vehicle for 0, 4, 8 or 24 h. The poly (A) tail was removed from half of the GT1 cytoplasmic RNA sample by digestion with RNase H and the difference in GnRH mRNA size with and without RNase H treatment was determined by Northern hybridization. PMA treatment (4 and 8 h) resulted in a significant decrease in the length of the GnRH mRNA poly (A) tail, consistent with a decrease in GnRH mRNA stability. This finding suggests that GnRH mRNA turnover is inducible by substances such as PMA. Our study indicates that a change in mRNA stability is one of a multiplicity of levels at which GnRH gene expression is regulated.
TOSThreads: thread-safe and non-invasive preemption in TinyOS

Many threads packages have been proposed for programming wireless sensor platforms. However, many sensor network operating systems still choose to provide an event-driven model, due to efficiency concerns. We present TOS-Threads, a threads package for TinyOS that combines the ease of a threaded programming model with the efficiency of an event-based kernel. TOSThreads is backwards compatible with existing TinyOS code, supports an evolvable, thread-safe kernel API, and enables flexible application development through dynamic linking and loading. In TOS-Threads, TinyOS code runs at a higher priority than application threads and all kernel operations are invoked only via message passing, never directly, ensuring thread-safety while enabling maximal concurrency. The TOSThreads package is non-invasive; it does not require any large-scale changes to existing TinyOS code.We demonstrate that TOSThreads context switches and system calls introduce an overhead of less than 0.92% and that dynamic linking and loading takes as little as 90 ms for a representative sensing application. We compare different programming models built using TOSThreads, including standard C with blocking system calls and a reimplementation of Tenet. Additionally, we demonstrate that TOSThreads is able to run computationally intensive tasks without adversely affecting the timing of critical OS services.
Status and performance of the spallation neutron source superconducting linac

The Superconducting Linac at SNS has been operating with beam for almost two years. As the first operational pulsed superconducting linac, many of the aspects of its performance were unknown and unpredictable. A lot of experience has been gathered during the commissioning of its components, during the beam turn on and during operation at increasingly higher beam power. Some cryomodules have been cold for well over two years and have been extensively tested. The operation has been consistently conducted at 4.4 K and 10 and 15 pulses per second, with some cryomodules tested at 30 and 60 Hz and some tests performed at 2 K. Careful balance between safe operational limits and the study of conditions, parameters and components that create physical limits has been achieved.