cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Object-oriented language for image and vision execution

Hardware technology advances have dramatically reduced the cost of image computation for machine vision; unfortunately, machine vision software technology has not kept pace. This paper presents OLIVE, an object-oriented language for machine vision and image processing, intended to make it easier to develop efficient, portable applications. First, OLIVE's principal object types are defined -- IMAGEs and LOCUSes (abstractions of point sets and geometric entities) -- and their corresponding operations, including the use of LOCUSes as generalized indexes for IMAGEs. Next, a hardware architecture that simplifies the implementation while enhancing performance is discussed. Finally, the authors compare the IMAGE/LOCUS objects to the IMAGE/TEMPLATE objects of the image algebra proposed by Ritter,Wilson and Davidson.
Replication of recombinant herpesvirus of turkey expressing genes of infectious laryngotracheitis virus in specific pathogen free and broiler chickens following in ovo and subcutaneous vaccination

Replication of a recombinant herpesvirus of turkey vaccine expressing infectious laryngotracheitis virus genes (rHVT-LT) was evaluated in specific pathogen free (SPF) and commercial broiler chickens after various vaccination protocols (amniotic route at embryonation day [ED] 18; intra-embryonic route at ED 19; and subcutaneous at 1 day of age [s.c.]). Three experiments were conducted: in the first experiment, replication of rHVT-LT vaccine was chronologically evaluated and compared with the replication of herpesvirus of turkey (HVT) in SPF chickens; in the second experiment, the effect of different in ovo vaccination procedures on rHVT-LT vaccine replication was evaluated in SPF chickens; and in the third experiment, the effect of different in ovo vaccination procedures on rHVT-LT vaccine replication was evaluated in commercial broiler chickens with maternal antibodies against HVT and infectious laryngotracheitis virus (LTV). rHVT-LT vaccine replicated in chickens after in ovo (ED 18 and ED 19) or s.c. administration at a similar level. In vivo replication of rHVT-LT vaccine was slower than HVT vaccine. However, in vivo both rHVT-LT and HVT vaccines replicated at similar levels. Both vaccines were consistently detected in the spleen and feather pulp and at lower frequency in the lung. The frequency of samples with detectable levels of rHVT-LT DNA was lower in broiler chickens than in SPF chickens, probably due to interactions with maternal antibodies. Differences between SPF chickens and broiler chickens were found also in the transcription of the LTV glycoprotein I gene (gI). In SPF chickens, in ovo inoculation resulted in a higher number of spleen samples with detectable gI transcripts than s.c. inoculation. In broiler chickens, however, no differences in the level of gI transcripts in spleen samples were found between chickens vaccinated in ovo and those vaccinated by the s.c. route. Transcription of LTV gI gene in lung samples was very low in both SPF and broiler chickens. Further studies to evaluate the mucosal immune response elicited by rHVT-LT in chicken with and without maternal antibodies are warranted.
Ventricular arrhythmias originating from papillary muscles in the right ventricle

Background Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) with origin in the left ventricular papillary muscle have recently been described. There are no prior studies describing the characteristics of the ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) arising from the right ventricular papillary muscles (RV PAPs). Methods Among 169 consecutive patients who underwent a catheter ablation of a VA, eight patients with RV PAPs were identified (seven men, mean PVC burden 17.0% ± 20%). A control group consisted of 10 consecutive patients with arrhythmias originating from the right ventricle (10 women, mean PVC burden 13.9% ± 12.8%). All patients underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intracardiac echocardiography was used to identify the site of origin of the RV PAP arrhythmias. The site of origin of a total of 15 distinct PAP arrhythmias was mapped to the following papillary muscles: posterior (n = 3), anterior (n = 4), or septal (n = 8). Results Postablation echocardiograms did not reveal new tricuspid regurgitation. During a mean follow-up of 8 ± 9 months, there were no adverse outcomes. The PVC burden was reduced from 17% ± 20% preablation to 0.6% ± 0.8% postablation in the RV PAP group and from 13.9% ± 12.8% to 0.3% ± 0.4% in the control group. The QRS complex was broader in the RV PAP group compared with in the control group (163 ± 21 ms vs. 141 ± 22 ms; P = .02). RV PAP arrhythmias originating from the posterior or anterior RV PAPs more often had a superior axis with late R-wave transition (>V4) compared with septal RV RAP arrhythmias, which more often had an inferior axis with an earlier R-wave transition in the precordial leads (≤V4; P Conclusion PVCs and VT may originate in the RV PAPs. Radiofrequency ablation is effective in eliminating these arrhythmias.
Histologic changes in ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligament.

Objectives— To determine changes to the cells and collagenous and amorphous extracellular matrix (ECM) structure in ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligaments (CCL). Study Design— Prospective clinical study. Animals— CCL specimens obtained from 29 dogs with ruptured CCL and 6 young dogs with intact CCL. Methods— Ligament fibroblast number density and phenotype were determined in the core and epiligamentous regions. ECM birefringence and crimp structure in the core region were also studied. Results— Loss of fibroblasts from the core region of ruptured CCL was seen (P < .001), whereas, in the epiligamentous region, cell number densities were similar in ruptured and intact CCL (P= .7). In ruptured CCL, numbers of typical ligament fibroblasts (fusiform and ovoid cells) were decreased, and numbers of cells exhibiting chondroid transformation (spheroid cells) were increased in the core region (P < .001). Expansion of the volume of the epiligamentous region was also seen, although bridging scar tissue was not seen between the ends of ruptured CCL. The structure of the ECM collagen in the core region was extensively disrupted in ruptured CCL. This was, in part, because of decreased birefringence and elongation of the crimp in the remaining collagen fibers when compared with intact CCL (P < .01). Conclusions— Extensive alterations to the cell populations and collagenous ECM structure were seen in ruptured CCL. Although a proliferative epiligamentous repair response was seen in ruptured CCL, there was a lack of any bridging scar between the ruptured ends of the CCL. Clinical Relevance— The cellular and ECM changes in ruptured CCL that we have described appear to result from the cumulative effects of remodeling and adaptation to mechanical loading and microinjury. Treatment of early cruciate disease in dogs will need to inhibit or reverse these progressive changes to CCL tissue, which are directly associated with partial or complete structural failure of the CCL under conditions of normal activity.
Stochastic and mesoscopic models for tropical convection.

A new way to parametrize certain aspects of tropical convection through stochastic and mesoscopic models is developed here. The technical idea is to adapt tools from statistical physics and materials science to model important unresolved features of tropical convection. This new strategy consists of modeling the unresolved effects of convective inhibition in a coarse mesh mesoscopic parametrization through a “heat bath” model involving a stochastic spin flip model with very natural interaction rules for convective inhibition combined with a suitable external potential defined by the coarse mesh values. In turn, the values of the order parameter from this heat bath alter the vertical mass flux in regions of deep convection. Both stochastic and systematic deterministic mesoscopic parametrizations are developed here. The deterministic mesoscopic models derived in this fashion exhibit new phenomena such as multiple radiative equilibria in suitable parameter regimes. The simplest first numerical experiments reported here with the mesoscopic deterministic parametrization qualitatively reproduce several key features of the observational record regarding convectively coupled tropical waves. The systematic stochastic modeling strategy proposed here could also be very useful for capturing other features of tropical convection such as those involving cloud radiation feedbacks.
Quantifying leader lives: What historiometric approaches can tell us

Abstract Historically notable leaders, such as John F. Kennedy, Mohandas Ghandi, and Rupert Murdoch, serve as exemplars in our field of study. Across the domains of military, business, government, ideology, and the arts, these outstanding leaders have markedly impacted the institutions, fields, and broader social structures in which they worked and lived. To understand the unique styles, developmental experiences, and performance contributions of such leaders, a historiometric approach is encouraged. We define this methodological strategy as the study of multiple eminent leaders that requires the translation of historical, qualitative information into quantitative indices of individual differences in leaders. Best practices, limitations, and implications for this technique as an advancement of leadership theory are reviewed.
Should gemcitabine be used as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer

Should gemcitabine be used as adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer?
Evolving role of hadron irradiation: Potential and risks of hadrons heavier than protons

Proton irradiation has been developed to achieve the clinical benefit of improved 3D-dose distribution, with biological properties similar to X-rays. Neutron irradiation, though much less 3D-conformal than proton treatment, has been developed to take advantage of increased relative biologic effectiveness (RBE). Irradiation with hadrons heavier than protons (e.g. carbon and neon ions) exhibits the unique combination of improved 3D-dose distribution and increased RBE. The synchrotron technology is rapidly developing to improve the efficiency of delivering these heavier hadrons clinically, but important issues remain regarding optimization of dose and fractionation parameters in the treatment of various histopathologies located in different portions of the anatomy. Many laboratory animal and in vitro cellular studies, and some clinical studies, have been performed to enable better understanding of how to adjust dose-fractionation selection to improve the therapeutic ratio of tumor-cell kill to normal-tissue injury. This paper highlights the enhanced therapeutic potential and associated risks of treatment with these heavier hadrons.
Would a 'cyber warrior' protect us: exploring trade-offs between attack and defense of information systems

As information security shifts from the realm of computer science to national security, the priority for safe and secure systems will be balanced against the appeal of using information insecurity as a strategic asset. In "cyber war", those tasked with defending friendly computer networks are also expected to exploit enemy networks. This paper presents two game-theoretic models of vulnerability discovery and exploitation, where nations must choose between protecting themselves by sharing vulnerability information with vendors or pursuing an offensive advantage while remaining at risk. One game describes a cold war of stockpiling, the other allows for actual attack. In both models, we predict that at least one state will have an incentive to pursue an aggressive cyber war posture, rather than secure its own systems. This finding -- that a mutually defensive approach to security is not a stable equilibrium -- holds up under a range of assumptions about social risk of cybercrime, technical sophistication, military aggressiveness and the likelihood of vulnerability rediscovery. We conclude with a discussion of the security policy implications of a militarized cyberspace
Supercritical fluid chromatography and supercritical fluid chromatography—mass spectrometry of marine diesel fuel

Abstract The application of capillary column suprciritcal fluid chromatography (SFC) and supercritical fluid chromatography—mass spectrometry (SFC—MS) to the analysis of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fraction of selected marine diesel fuel samples is described. The chromatographic separation methods utilized pressure or density programming techniques and small diameter (50 μm) capillary columns. This work demonstrates the feasibility of achieving hihg-resolution separations of medium polarity compounds using nonpolar carbon dioxide as the mobile phase in SFC and the successful coupling of SFC to MS to obtain mass chromatograms and reliable chemical ionization mass spectra. High resolution separations of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon fractions of marine diesel fuel samples were combined with isobutane chemical ionization MS. Analysis of the more polar components will require a more polar supercritical fluid mobile phase.
The relation between chemically induced sister-chromatid exchanges and chromatid breakage

Abstract Studies of classical chromosome aberrations and sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) suggest independ mechanisms for the two events despite some common features. Examination of chromosome breakage caused by X-rays, visible light, and viruses has shown that few chromatid breaks are accompanied by SCEs at the sites of breaks. No similar observations were available for chemically induced breaks, but it has been reported that rat chromosomes exposed to dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) contained a preponderance of both aberrations and SCEs in certain specific regions, implicating a common process in their formation. These conclusions were drawn from a comparison of breaks induced in vivo with SCEs induced in vitro. However, we used 7 chemical mutagens to induce both chromatid breaks and SCEs in “harlequin” chromosomes of cultured rat and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and found that 25% of the 914 breaks scored were associated with SCEs. The proportion of breaks accompanied by SCEs is related to the overall SCE frequency and falls into the range predicted on the basis that breaks and SCEs occur independently. The reported association between sites for SCEs and aberrations also reflects secondary factors, such as induction of SCEs and aberrations during DNA synthesis in late replicating regions of the chromosomes.
Meeting Residential Ventilation Standards Through Dynamic Control of Ventilation Systems

Existing ventilation standards, including American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.2, specify continuous operation of a defined mechanical ventilation system to provide minimum ventilation, with time-based intermittent operation as an option. This requirement ignores several factors and concerns including: other equipment such as household exhaust fans that might incidentally provide ventilation, negative impacts of ventilation when outdoor pollutant levels are high, the importance of minimizing energy use particularly during times of peak electricity demand, and how the energy used to condition air as part of ventilation system operation changes with outdoor conditions. Dynamic control of ventilation systems can provide ventilation equivalent to or better than what is required by standards while minimizing energy costs and can also add value by shifting load during peak times and reducing intake of outdoor air contaminants. This article describes the logic that enables dynamic control of whole-house ventilation systems to meet the intent of ventilation standards and demonstrates the dynamic ventilation system control concept through simulations and field tests of the Residential Integrated Ventilation-Energy Controller (RIVEC).
PCNU and recurrent childhood brain tumors.

PCNU the latest nitrosourea analogue to be subjected to clinical trials, held promise as a superior chemotherapy agent for brain tumors because of more favorable biochemical and cytotoxic characteristics in laboratory studies. Thirty-nine children with a variety of recurrent primary CNS tumors, all of whom had evaluable disease, participated in a phase 11 PCNU trial. Their mean age was 9.7 (3–20) years. PCNU was administered as a 2 hour intravenous infusion in one of 2 dose schedules at 6–7 week intervals; 100–125 mg/m2 for minimally treated patients and 70–90 mg/m2 for heavily treated patients. Response was assessed after 2 courses of chemotherapy after attempting to taper the steroid dose. The overall objective response rate was 18% (7/39) for a mean of 5.9 months (2+−12). Only partial responses were observed. Disease-specific responses rates were: brainstem glioma - 18% (3/17); cerebral glioma - 27% (3/12); ependymoma- 1/1; and primitive neuroectodermal tumors - (0/9) including 5 medulloblastomas, 2 pineoblastomas and 3 cerebral primitive neuroectodermal tumors. Toxicity was primarily hematologic and clinically significant thrombocytopenia (< 50000 mm3) was encountered in 30/38 (79%) patient trials. Modest activity of PCNU in recurrent childhood gliomas is confirmed. Our response rates, using objective CT criteria, are somewhat lower than those reported for BCNU and CCNU. Because of comparable hematologic toxicity and efficacy, intravenous PCNU does not appear to offer a clinical advantage to existing nitrosoureas for children with recurrent brain tumors using a 2 hour intravenous infusion schedule.
The thermodynamic method for selecting oxygen carriers used for chemical looping air separation

Chemical looping air separation (CLAS) has been suggested as a new and energy saving method for producing oxygen from air. The selection of suitable oxygen carriers is the key issue for CLAS system. This paper shows a comprehensive thermodynamic method for selecting oxygen carriers used for CLAS through studying the properties of 34 different oxygen releasing reactions referring to 18 elements at different temperatures. The research mainly includes analysis of oxygen releasing capacity by calculating the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG) and the equilibrium partial pressure of oxygen of the reduction or oxidation reaction at different temperatures. Oxygen content and transport capacity were calculated. The spontaneous reaction temperatures for oxygen releasing reactions were presented to determine the operating temperatures. Also, the minimum demand of the steam for the reduction reaction was discussed. On the basis of the comprehensive thermodynamic study, the oxide systems of CrO2/Cr2O3, PbO2/Pb3O4, PbO2/PbO, Pb3O4/PbO, MnO2/Mn2O3, and Ag2O/Ag have been found suitable for the CLAS process in low temperatures (500–800 K). The systems of PdO2/PdO, PdO2/Pd, PdO/Pd, MnO2/MnO, and MnO2/Mn3O4 were suitable for medium temperatures (800–1100 K) CLAS process. And Co3O4/CoO, CuO/Cu2O, Mn2O3/Mn3O4, and OsO2/Os systems only worked successfully in high temperatures (1100–1400 K). In addition, the CaO2/CaO system was not suitable for CLAS because of the reaction with steam. The various binders such as SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Y2O3, ZrO2, and YSZ which have been used for CLC could also be the supports for CLAS oxygen carriers.
The FDA and safe use of long-acting beta-agonists in the treatment of asthma.

The FDA has conducted a comprehensive review of the benefits and risks of using LABAs to treat asthma. Drs. Badrul Chowdhury and Gerald Dal Pan discuss the agency's conclusions.
A gas chromatographic-mass spectral assay for the quantitative determination of oleamide in biological fluids.

Abstract Oleamide is a putative endogenous sleep-inducing lipid which potently enhances currents mediated by GABA A and serotonin receptors. While a quantitative assay would aid in determining the role of oleamide in physiological processes, most of the available assays are lacking in sensitivity. We now describe a quantitative assay for measuring low nanogram amounts of oleamide in biological fluids using GC/MS in the selective ion-monitoring mode. The internal standard ( 13 C 18 oleamide) was added to known concentrations of oleamide, which were converted to the N -trimethylsilyl or N - tert -butyldimethylsilyl derivatives before analysis by GC/MS, yielding linear calibration curves over the range of 1–25 ng of oleamide when monitoring the m / z 338/356 fragments. Using this technique, oleamide levels were determined following solvent extraction of normal rat cerebrospinal fluid and plasma to be 44 and 9.9 ng/ml, respectively. This technique constitutes a sensitive and reliable method for determining low nanogram quantities of oleamide in biological fluids.
Synthesis, characterization, in vitro phantom imaging, and cytotoxicity of a novel graphene-based multimodal magnetic resonance imaging-X-ray computed tomography contrast agent

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), synthesized by potassium permanganate-based oxidation and exfoliation followed by reduction with hydroiodic acid (rGNP–HI), intercalated with manganese ions within the graphene sheets, and covalently functionalized with iodine, exhibit excellent potential as biomodal contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Structural characterization of rGNP–HI nanoparticles with low- and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed disc-shaped nanoparticles (average diameter, 200 nm and average thickness, 3 nm). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis confirmed the presence of intercalated manganese. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of rGNP–HI confirmed the reduction of oxidized GNPs (O-GNPs), the absence of molecular and physically-adsorbed iodine, and the functionalization of graphene with iodine as polyiodide complexes (I3− and I5−). Manganese and iodine contents were quantified to be 5.1 ± 0.5 and 10.54 ± 0.87 wt% by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and ion-selective electrode measurements, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis, using absorbance (LDH assay) and fluorescence (calcein AM) assays, performed on NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts and A498 human kidney epithelial cells, indicated CD50 values of rGNP–HI between 179 and 301 μg ml−1, depending on the cell line and the cytotoxicity assay. CT and MRI phantom imaging of rGNP–HI displayed high CT (approximately 3200% greater than that of HI at equimolar iodine concentration) and MRI (approximately 59% greater than that of an equimolar Mn2+ solution) contrast. These results open avenues for further in vivo safety and efficacy studies towards the development of carbon nanostructure-based multimodal MRI-CT contrast agents.
Enhanced fragility of neural lysosomes from chicks suffering from galactose toxicity.

—The stability of neural lysosomes to osmotic and temperature shock and the free (non-sedimentable) activities of selected lysosomal hydrolases from chicks suffering from galactose neurotoxicity were investigated. The neural lysosomes from chicks fed galactose demonstrated enhanced fragility to both elevated temperature and hypo-osmotic media in comparison to the behavior of neural lysosomes isolated from control animals. The increased lability to osmotic shock could be duplicated by preincubation of normal lysosomes in solutions of galactose or galactitol. Further, the increased fragility induced in vivo by galactose feeding could be reversed by removing the chicks from the diet for 8 h, and such removal was accompanied in the brain by large reductions in levels of galactose and galactitol. The free activities of both β-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.23) and β-N-acetyl hexosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.30) were elevated above those of controls, and the percentage increases were proportional to the combined brain levels of galactose and galactitol. Our data suggest that increased fragility of lysosomes is a function of the accumulation of galactose and galactitol in the brains of chicks fed toxic amounts of galactose. Alteration of lysosomal integrity represents an attractive role for galactitol, as well as galactose, in the causation of galactose neurotoxicity in chicks.
Three-tunnel-capacitor model for single-electron tunneling in layered thin films

Measurements of the tunnel current as a function of applied voltage on the layered high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ material ${\mathrm{TlBa}}_{2}$(${\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.8}$${\mathrm{Y}}_{0.2}$)${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ have been shown to exhibit single-electron tunneling behavior. It has been proposed that the ultrasmall capacitance required to explain the single-electron tunneling spectra obtained with a low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope arises naturally from the planar crystal structure of this high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ material. This hypothesis is further examined using a single-electron tunneling model that incorporates three tunnel capacitors, a condition that is required by atomic-force-microscope studies of the topography of the film's surface. An improved fit to the tunneling conductance is obtained, providing further evidence that a key to understanding Coulomb blockade in layered materials like ${\mathrm{TlBa}}_{2}$(${\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.8}$${\mathrm{Y}}_{0.2}$)${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ is the tunnel capacitors that form between multilayer CuO planes. This conclusion has important implications for the fabrication of nanoelectronc devices based on single-electron effects.
The expectations hypothesis with non-negative rates

We demonstrate the existence of models of the term structure of interest rates in which various forms of the expectations hypothesis hold. The new feature of these examples, which distinguishes them from those constructed by McCulloch, Riedel, and Fisher and Gilles, is that the spot rate is always non-negative. The original example of McCulloch, and the later examples of Riedel, and Fisher and Gilles, were constructed to refute the claim by Cox, Ingersoll and Ross that only the local expectations hypothesis is compatible with equilibrium in a stochastic environment.
Neighbour recognition by resident males in the banded wren, Thryothorus pleurostictus, a tropical songbird with high song type sharing.

Several studies and reviews have suggested that the ability to discriminate between neighbours and strangers decreases as neighbour song repertoire size and song type sharing increase. We tested the recognition capabilities of territorial male banded wrens by comparing the aggressive approach responses of focal birds to three playback treatments: shared song types sung by an adjacent neighbour (neighbour song), shared song types sung by unfamiliar birds (mimic song), and unshared song types sung by unfamiliar birds (unfamiliar song). All three treatments for each male were broadcast from the same location on the territorial boundary shared with the appropriate neighbour. As expected, focal males responded nonaggressively to the neighbour treatment and aggressively to the unfamiliar song treatment. The approach response to the mimic treatment was statistically indistinguishable from the unfamiliar treatment and significantly higher than the neighbour treatment, suggesting that most males were able to recognize unfamiliar singers even when the song types played were very similar to those of their neighbours. The relative strength of responses to the mimic varied: some males treated the mimic song with low aggression levels typical of responses to neighbour song. Repertoire sizes of focal and neighbour birds, the fraction of song types shared among neighbouring males, and the similarity of neighbour and mimic song types did not explain this variation. Therefore, within the short 3-min period of our playback experiments, some birds may have used repertoire composition as a recognition cue and confused the mimic with the neighbour.
Characterization of the site of cleavage of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone under conditions of measurement in which LHRH degradation undergoes physiologically related change.

The possibility that the degradation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) may contribute to the establishment of appropriate levels of the decapeptide neurohormone for gonadotropin release is of potential importance to this neuroendocrine regulatory pathway. We have recently provided evidence that total LHRH degradation undergoes a transient decrease in homogenates of the hypothalamic median eminence immediately prior to the luteinizing hormone surge during the first estrus cycle at puberty in the female rat. Total LHRH degradation in this situation was highly correlated with the appearance of LHRH 1–5 . In order to more fully characterize LHRH degradation under these conditions of measurement, we have carried out an analysis of all LHRH degradation products by high performance liquid chromatography/amino acid analysis. Our findings suggest that LHRH degradation occurring under these conditions is due to cleavage at the Tyr 5 -Gly 6 bond.
The effect of a ragweed pollen control program on hay fever

A STUDY of ragweed hay fever was conducted by the Department of Health of the City of New York during the summer of 1956. This study was made in an attempt to determine (1) whether a borough-wide program of ragweed eradication would result in significantly lower ragweed pollen counts in the treated borough than in other boroughs and (2) whether the ragweed ha! fever patients in the treated borough would experience fewer or less severe symptoms than their counterparts in other boroughs. A discussion of the results as they bear upon the first question appeared in a previous article.’
Numerical Investigation of DC Dielectrophoretic Particle Transport

In this paper, we investigate the mechanism of two dimensional DC dielectrophoresis (DEP) using a hybrid immersed interface-immersed boundary method where both electric and hydrodynamic forces are obtained with interface-resolved approach instead of point-particle method. Immersed interface method is employed to predict DC electric field in a fluid media with suspended particles while immersed boundary method is used to study particle transport in a fluid media. The Maxwell stress tensor approach is adopted to obtain dielectrophoretic force. This hybrid numerical scheme demonstrates the underlying physics of positive and negative dielectrophoresis, and explains their contribution in particle assembly with consideration of size, initial configurations and electrical properties of particles as well as fluid media. The results show that the positive DEP provides accelerating motion while negative DEP provides decelerating motion depending on the electrode configurations and initial particle positions. The results also show that the local nonuniformity in electric field induced by the suspended particles guides the particles to form stable chain. Both positive and negative DEP can contribute in the process of particle assembly formation based on the properties of particles and fluid media. This hybrid immersed interface-immersed boundary scheme could be an efficient numerical tool for understanding fundamental mechanism of dielectrophoresis as well as designing and optimization of DEP based microfluidic devices.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Cloning and characterization of the ADH5 gene encoding human alcohol dehydrogenase 5, formaldehyde dehydrogenase.

Abstract Human χ-alcohol dehydrogenase (χ-ADH) is a zinc-containing dimeric enzyme responsible for the oxidation of longchain alcohols and (ω-hydroxyfatty acids. Class-III ADHs, of which χ-ADH is the prototype, are widely produced and well conserved during evolution. This suggests that they fulfill important housekeeping roles in cellular metabolism. Recent evidence suggests that class-III ADH and formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FDH) are the same enzyme. We have isolated and characterized two overlapping genomic clones that cover the entire ADH5 (FDH) gene. ADH5 is composed of nine exons and eight introns. Two major transcription start points were identified by primer extension. The 5′ nontranslated region is unusual in that it contains two additional upstream ATG codons, which would encode peptides of 20 and 10 amino acids. Neither of the upstream ATGs is in a good context for translation initiation, whereas the ATG initiating k-ADH is in a favorable context. The 5′ region of ADH5 is a CpG island; it is extremely G+C rich and has many CpG doublets. It does not contain either a TATA box or a CAAT box. This is consistent with ubiquitous expression, and contrasts with the promoters of all previously cloned ADH genes, which are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. The 5′ region of ADH5 contains consensus binding sites for the transcriptional regulatory proteins, Sp1, AP2, LF-A1, NF-1, NF-A2, and NF-E1. A 1.5-kb upstream fragment from ADH5 was able to drive the transcription of a cat reporter gene at high levels in monkey kidney cells (CV-1). Several processed pseudogenes were also isolated.
Continuous slow release of low levels of diazepam produces tolerance to its depressant and anxiolytic effects on the startle reflex.

Abstract Development of tolerance to the depressant effects of diazepam on the acoustic startle reflex and to the blockade of fear-potentiated startle, a measure of fear or anxiety in rodents, was evaluated after chronic administration via continous release from implanted diazepam-filled silastic capsules or daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections. After continous exposure to diazepam via capsule implants, complete tolerance occured to the depressant effects of diazepam on startle and partial tolerance occurred to the antifear effects. In contrast, no tolerance was observed after daily i.p. injection with comparable amounts of diazepam (5 mg/kg) although tolerance could be produced by daily i.p. injections of a much higher dose of diazepam (20 mg/kg). These data suggest that tolerance to at least some behavioral effects may be much easier to produce with continuous rather than intermittent occupation of benzodiazepine receptors.
Impact of a prenatal cognitive-behavioral stress management intervention on salivary cortisol levels in low-income mothers and their infants

Recent findings suggest that elevated stress levels during the pre- and postpartum period are related to poor maternal and infant health outcomes; yet, few studies have prospectively examined the efficacy of stress management interventions on regulating stress levels among mothers and their infants. The current study examined whether a prenatal cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention would be effective in regulating salivary cortisol (a biological marker of stress) and self-reported stress levels among mothers and their infants at six and 18 months postpartum, relative to two control groups. Our sample was comprised of predominantly Spanish-speaking, low-income women (80%; mean age=25±5 years) who were screened for depression during their second trimester of pregnancy (M=16±5 weeks of gestation). Women at high risk for depression [i.e., having either a past history of major depression or current elevated symptoms of depression (≥16 on CES-D)] were randomized to either a CBSM group (n=24) or a usual care (UC) group (n=33), while a low risk comparison (LRC) group (n=29) was comprised of women not meeting either depression criteria. ANCOVA analyses demonstrated that: (1) infants of women in the CBSM and LRC groups had significantly lower cortisol levels than infants of women in the UC group at six months postpartum (p<.001); and (2) women in the CBSM group had lower cortisol levels than women in the UC group at 18 months postpartum (p<.01). These results suggest that prenatal CBSM interventions may be efficacious in regulating biological markers of stress among mothers and their infants, thereby decreasing their risk for developing health complications over time.
Dissolving polymer microneedle patches for influenza vaccination

Influenza prophylaxis would benefit from a vaccination method enabling simplified logistics and improved immunogenicity without the dangers posed by hypodermic needles. Here we introduce dissolving microneedle patches for influenza vaccination using a simple patch-based system that targets delivery to skin's antigen-presenting cells. Microneedles were fabricated using a biocompatible polymer encapsulating inactivated influenza virus vaccine for insertion and dissolution in the skin within minutes. Microneedle vaccination generated robust antibody and cellular immune responses in mice that provided complete protection against lethal challenge. Compared to conventional intramuscular injection, microneedle vaccination resulted in more efficient lung virus clearance and enhanced cellular recall responses after challenge. These results suggest that dissolving microneedle patches can provide a new technology for simpler and safer vaccination with improved immunogenicity that could facilitate increased vaccination coverage.
Comparative Nile tilapia and silver carp filtration rates of Partitioned Aquaculture System phytoplankton

Abstract Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) and silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ) held in timed-pulse feeding chambers were provided water dominated either by green algae ( Scenedesmus , Ankistrodesmus and Tetraedron ) or by cyanobacteria ( Microcystis ) to compare filtration rates (FRs). FRs were expressed as suspended particulate organic carbon (POC)/kg wet fish weight/h and as phytoplankton units filtered based on counts. Nile tilapia and silver carp filtration significantly reduced phytoplankton number of both taxonomic groups with the larger phytoplankton being filtered proportionally more than the smaller phytoplankton. Nile tilapia FR of green algae was significantly higher than silver carp; however, silver carp FR of cyanobacteria was higher than Nile tilapia. Ivlev's 90% saturation FRs (FR 90 ) in green-algal and cyanobacterial water sources were 702 and 812 mgC/kg/h for Nile tilapia and 414 and 1028 mgC/kg/h for silver carp, respectively. Silver carp were observed to reach these FR 90 values at lower POC concentrations than Nile tilapia with both green algae and cyanobacteria.
Tracking objects using density matching and shape priors

We present a novel method for tracking objects by combining density matching with shape priors. Density matching is a tracking method which operates by maximizing the Bhattacharyya similarity measure between the photometric distribution from an estimated image region and a model photometric distribution. Such trackers can be expressed as PDE-based curve evolutions, which can be implemented using level sets. Shape priors can be combined with this level-set implementation of density matching by representing the shape priors as a series of level sets; a variational approach allows for a natural, parametrization-independent shape term to be derived. Experimental results on real image sequences are shown.
Comprehensive assessment of automatic structural alignment against a manual standard, the scop classification of proteins

We apply a simple method for aligning protein sequences on the basis of a 3D structure, on a large scale, to the proteins in the scop classification of fold families. This allows us to assess, understand, and improve our automatic method against an objective, manually derived standard, a type of comprehensive evaluation that has not yet been possible for other structural alignment algorithms. Our basic approach directly matches the backbones of two structures, using repeated cycles of dynamic programming and least-squares fitting to determine an alignment minimizing coordinate difference. Because of simplicity, our method can be readily modified to take into account additional features of protein structure such as the orientation of side chains or the location-dependent cost of opening a gap. Our basic method, augmented by such modifications, can find reasonable alignments for all but 1.5% of the known structural similarities in scop, i.e., all but 32 of the 2,107 superfamily pairs. We discuss the specific protein structural features that make these 32 pairs so difficult to align and show how our procedure effectively partitions the relationships in scop into different categories, depending on what aspects of protein structure are involved (e.g., depending on whether or not consideration of side-chain orientation is necessary for proper alignment). We also show how our pairwise alignment procedure can be extended to generate a multiple alignment for a group of related structures. We have compared these alignments in detail with corresponding manual ones culled from the literature. We find good agreement (to within 95% for the core regions), and detailed comparison highlights how particular protein structural features (such as certain strands) are problematical to align, giving somewhat ambiguous results. With these improvements and systematic tests, our procedure should be useful for the development of scop and the future classification of protein folds. Supplementary material is available at http://bioinfo.mbb.yale.edu/align.
A speciation solver for cement paste modeling and the semismooth Newton method

Abstract The mineral assemblage of a cement paste may vary considerably with its environment. In addition, the water content of a cement paste is relatively low and the ionic strength of the interstitial solution is often high. These conditions are extreme conditions with respect to the common assumptions made in speciation problem. Furthermore the common trial and error algorithm to find the phase assemblage does not provide any guarantee of convergence. We propose a speciation solver based on a semismooth Newton method adapted to the thermodynamic modeling of cement paste. The strong theoretical properties associated with these methods offer practical advantages. Results of numerical experiments indicate that the algorithm is reliable, robust, and efficient.
Gradient projection techniques for large-scale optimization problems

A description is given of the impact of the identification properties of the gradient projection method on algorithms for the solution of large-scale optimization problems with bound constraints. In particular, the author describes results of J.J. More and G. Toraldo (Rep. MCS-P77-0589, Argonne Nat. Lab., 1989), which show that the gradient projection method can be combined with the conjugate gradient method to solve an important class of large-scale (number of variables between 5000 and 15000) bound constrained quadratic programming problems with a few (less than 15) iterations. >
Phase stability in the Fe–Ni system: Investigation by first-principles calculations and atomistic simulations

First-principles calculations of the energy of various crystal structures of Fe, Ni and ordered Fe–Ni compounds with different stoichiometries have been performed by the linearized augmented plane wave (LAPW) method in the generalized gradient approximation. The most stable compounds are L12–Ni3Fe, L10–FeNi, C11f–Ni2Fe and C11f–Fe2Ni. The L12–Ni3Fe compound has the largest negative formation energy, which is consistent with the experimental Fe–Ni phase diagram. The L10–FeNi compound has also been observed experimentally in meteorite samples as a metastable phase. It is suggested here that the C11f compounds could also form in Fe–Ni alloys at low temperatures. A new semi-empirical interatomic potential has been developed for the Fe–Ni system by fitting to experimental data and the results of the LAPW calculations. Recognizing the significance of the covalent component of bonding in this system, the potential is based on the embedded-atom method (EAM) but additionally includes a bond-angle dependence. In comparison with the existing modified EAM method, our potential form is simpler, extends interactions to several (3–5) coordination shells and replaces the screening procedure by a smooth cutoff of the potential functions. The potential reproduces a variety of properties of Fe and Ni with a reasonable accuracy. It also reproduces all stability trends across the Fe–Ni system established by the LAPW calculations. The potential can be useful in atomistic simulations of the phases of the Fe–Ni system.
Studies on the clastogenic effects of biologic stains and dyes

We have surveyed the clastogenic potential of 12 different groups of stains and dyes totalling 48 compounds. We observed that 18 compounds induced significant increase in chromosome damage. Most of them were also found to be mutagenic, carcinogenic, or toxic in other reported studies. However, no significant studies were reported on six of them. It is concluded that these agents are potentially harzardous and should be studied further in detail.
“Equality Theory” as a Counterbalance to Equity Theory in Human Resource Management

This conceptual paper revisits the concept of equality as a base of distributive justice and contends that it is underspecified, both theoretically and in terms of its ethical and pragmatic application to human resource management (HRM) within organizations. Prior organizational literature focuses primarily upon distributive equality of remunerative outcomes within small groups and implicitly employs an equity-based conception of inputs to define equality. In contrast, through exposition of the philosophical roots of equality principles, we reconceptualize inputs as de facto equal and consider the systemic application of distributive equality in the form of status leveling practices. Ethical ramifications of distributive equality so viewed are explored. We conclude by arguing that, to implicitly insert a stronger ethics focus into the study and practice of HRM, perhaps there should be “equality theory” competing with equity theory for recognition in managerial and scholarly discourse.
Factors influencing the eradication of Helicobacter pylori with triple therapy

Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with gastritis, duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and the epidemic form of gastric carcinoma. Eradication of H. pylori infection has proven to be difficult. Recently, combinations of antimicrobial drugs have been shown to eradicate greater than 50% of infections; however, the results have proven variable, and the factors influencing effectiveness of therapy are unclear. In the present study, the effectiveness of a triple therapy for eradication of H. pylori infection was evaluated. Triple therapy consisted of 2 g tetracycline, 750 mg metronidazole, and five or eight tablets of bismuth subsalicylate daily in 93 patients (70 with duodenal ulcer, 17 with gastric ulcer, and 6 with simple H. pylori gastritis). Combinations of a sensitive urea breath test, serology, culture, and histology were used to confirm the presence of infection, eradication, or relapse. Eradication was defined as inability to show H. pylori greater than or equal to 1 month after ending therapy. The overall eradication rate was 87%. The factors evaluated for their effect on predicting eradication included age, gender, type of disease, duration of therapy, amount of bismuth subsalicylate [five or eight Pepto-Bismol tablets daily (Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH)], and compliance with the prescribed medications. Stepwise regression showed that compliance was the most important factor predicting success; the success rate was 96% for patients who took greater than 60% of the prescribed medications and 69% for patients who took less. For those taking greater than 60% of the prescribed therapy, the eradication rates were similar (a) for patients receiving therapy for 14 days or when tetracycline and bismuth subsalicylate were taken for an additional 14 days; (b) for patients with duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, and simple H. pylori gastritis; and (c) whether five or eight bismuth subsalicylate tablets were taken. It is concluded that triple therapy is effective for eradication of H. pylori and that future studies need to take compliance into account for comparisons between regimens.