cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of platelet plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase in health and disease

Abstract Platelets have essential roles in both health and disease. Normal platelet function is required for hemostasis. Inhi-bition of platelet function in disease or by pharmacologi-cal treatment results in bleeding disorders. On the other hand, hyperactive platelets lead to heart attack and stroke. Calcium is a major second messenger in platelet activation, and elevated intracellular calcium leads to hyperactive platelets. Elevated platelet calcium has been documented in hypertension and diabetes; both condi-tions increase the likelihood of heart attack and stroke. Thus, proper regulation of calcium metabolism in the platelet is extremely important. Plasma membrane Ca 2+ -ATPase (PMCA) is a major player in platelet calcium metabolism since it provides the only significant route for calcium efflux. In keeping with the important role of calcium in platelet function, PMCA is a highly regulated transporter. In human platelets, PMCA is activated by Ca 2+ /calmodulin, by cAMP-dependent phosphorylation and by calpain-dependent removal of the inhibitory peptide. It is inhibited by tyrosine phosphorylation and calpain-dependent proteolysis. In addition, the cellular location of PMCA is regulated by a PDZ-domain-depen-dent interaction with the cytoskeleton during platelet activation. Rapid regulation by phosphorylation results in changes in the rate of platelet activation, whereas calpain-dependent proteolysis and interaction with the cytoskeleton appears to regulate later events such as clot retraction. In hypertension and diabetes, PMCA expression is upregulated while activity is decreased, presumably due to tyrosine phosphorylation. Clearly, a more complete understanding of PMCA function in hu-man platelets could result in the identification of new ways to control platelet function in disease states.
Continuous quadratic programming formulations of optimization problems on graphs

Four NP-hard optimization problems on graphs are studied: The vertex separator problem, the edge separator problem, the maximum clique problem, and the maximum independent set problem. We show that the vertex separator problem is equivalent to a continuous bilinear quadratic program. This continuous formulation is compared to known continuous quadratic programming formulations for the edge separator problem, the maximum clique problem, and the maximum independent set problem. All of these formulations, when expressed as maximization problems, are shown to follow from the convexity properties of the objective function along the edges of the feasible set. An algorithm is given which exploits the continuous formulation of the vertex separator problem to quickly compute approximate separators. Computational results are given.
An examination of initial condition maps for the sinusoidally excited buckled beam modeled by the Duffing's equation

Abstract The initial condition problem is studied for the dynamics of the buckled beam by using the forced Holmes-Duffing's equation, in an attempt to understand the route to chaos. Earlier results generated by Moon [1] for different parameter values are reconsidered, and new techniques are used in order to understand more of the global behavior of the system. In particular, fractal basin boundaries are determined for two types of basins of attraction. These are correlated with previous results to help provide an explanation for observed chaotic system behavior.
Development and Implementation of a New Data Registry in Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia

A new multisite registry for congenital cardiac anesthesia patients has now been incorporated into The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database. This new registry, "The Joint Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society-Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Database," is part of the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society's commitment to patient care and research on outcomes improvement. This report will review the planning and funding of the initial start-up as well as the data elements being used in the registry. Patients in the registry include not only cardiac surgical patients but also those with congenital heart disease undergoing procedures in locations other than the operating room, including in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, intensive care unit, general operating room, and radiology suite. Initial results from the first data harvests are reported, including site participation, patient population submitted, and adverse outcomes observed. These initial results validate the concept and serve as a benchmark for further development and implementation of the registry. Because of the relative infrequency of anesthesia-related events in this low-volume procedure, a multisite data harvest is the most reasonable approach to capture a sufficient number of patient encounters in a timely manner to support outcomes analysis, quality assessment, and quality improvement.
Interesting Times for Marine N2O

Although present in minute concentrations in Earth's atmosphere, nitrous oxide (N2O) is a highly potent greenhouse gas ( 1 ). It is also becoming a key factor in stratospheric ozone destruction ( 2 ). For the past ∼400,000 years, changes in atmospheric N2O appear to have roughly paralleled changes in CO2 and to have had modest impacts on climate ( 1 ), but this may change. Human activities may be causing an unprecedented rise in the terrestrial N2O source ( 2 ). Marine N2O production may also rise substantially as a result of eutrophication, warming, and ocean acidification. Because the marine environment is a net producer of N2O, much of this production will be lost to the atmosphere, thus further intensifying N2O's climatic impact.
Exploring stereoselectivity of Au25 nanoparticle catalyst for hydrogenation of cyclic ketone

Abstract Atomically monodisperse Au25(SR)18 (where R CH2CH2Ph) nanoparticles are explored as a stereoselective catalyst for hydrogenation of cyclic ketone to one specific isomer of cyclic alcohol product. A complete (∼100%) stereoselectivity is obtained. The catalytic performance is correlated with the crystal structure and core-shell electronic nature of Au25(SR)18 superatoms, in which the electron-rich Au13 core activates the C O bond, whereas the electron-deficient Au12 shell provides active sites for H2 adsorption and dissociation. This work demonstrates promising catalytic performance of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles. The atomically precise Au25(SR)18 superatom catalyst may be explored as hydrogenation catalysts for some important chemical processes.
A framework for the development of the SERV model: A Spatially Explicit Resilience-Vulnerability model

Abstract Societal assets and human populations are spread unequally across landscapes causing vulnerability and resilience to vary spatially. The spatial scale at which most traditional vulnerability assessments are conducted (the county scale), however, has limited utility in assessing and mitigating sub-county vulnerability. Traditional vulnerability studies also neglect the differential spatial distribution of indicators at the sub-county scale and disregard the influence of specific indicators on overall vulnerability. Many assessments are typically sensitivity analyses and do not consider the combined impact of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity on vulnerability. These omissions can result in non-holistic vulnerability analyses. As a response to vulnerability assessment limitations, this research presents a framework for a Spatially Explicit Resilience-Vulnerability (SERV) model that measures vulnerability at the sub-county level. The SERV model determines varying sub-county vulnerability using socioeconomic, spatial and place-specific indicators that represent exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the spatial distribution and differential influence of indicators on overall sub-county vulnerability. The exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity components were then combined to create holistic sub-county vulnerability scores. The results indicate that vulnerability varies at the sub-county level. Results also indicate that the inclusion of spatially explicit indicators in vulnerability assessments aids decision makers in identifying markers of vulnerability in specific areas. Holistic vulnerability scores can help empower decision makers in targeting mitigation efforts toward areas where vulnerability is highest and at indicators that most impact vulnerability.
On the Assignment of Optimal Due Dates

In a recent paper, Quaddus presents a linear programming analysis for assigning an optimal due date to n independent jobs. The criterion treated in the model is the minimization of total penalty cost, where, for each job, penalties are assessed on earliness, tardiness and due-date allowance. Quaddus considers job-dependent penalties, thereby generalizing models addressed by other authors, but neglects the sequencing aspect of the problem. As a consequence, the examples are not completely optimized. In this note we offer an alternative proof of the Quaddus result, without relying on duality theory, and we show how Quaddus' examples fall short of optimizing the total penalty.
Anti-herpes virus activity of silibinin, the primary active component of Silybum marianum

Abstract Silibinin (silybin A and silybin B), the primary active component of Silybum marianum has antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus, type 2 (HSV-2). The fifty percent cytotoxic dose (CD 50 ) of silibinin was 378 μg/ml. By plaque reduction assay silibinin had a weak antiviral effect against HSV-2 with a fifty percent inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) of 100 μg/ml and therapeutic index of 3.8. As a virucide, silibinin was more potent with an IC 50 of 5 μg/ml and therapeutic index of 76. Further investigations of the mechanisms of action of silibinin against herpes simplex viruses and subsequent silibinin monotherapy or combination therapy with other flavonoids as a topical treatment for genital herpes are warranted.
Higher order cumulants and Tchebyshev–Markov bounds for P-values in distribution-free matched-pairs tests

Abstract We consider a general class of permutation tests for matched-pairs (PTMP) which includes the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test, the sign test, the permutation version of the paired t-test, and many other known distribution-free procedures for paired comparisons. For some special cases, algorithms are available for efficient computation of exact significance probabilities for these tests. In general, however, only approximate tests are feasible in most applications. A common approximation is based on the first few exact moments of the test statistic. In this paper we describe a technique for deriving exact moments of any desired order for the permutation null distribution of a PTMP statistic. We use this technique to obtain explicit, efficient computational formulas for the first seven cumulants of the general PTMP statistic. For special cases of this statistic we give explicit formulas for computing cumulants of any order. Finally, we demonstrate how these higher-order cumulants can be used to bound the P-values of tests using Tchebyshev–Markov inequalities.
Validity of the Julliere model of spin-dependent tunneling

We consider spin-dependent tunneling between two ferromagnets separated by a simple step barrier, and examine four models for the magnetoconductance ratio $\ensuremath{\Delta}G/G:$ A model due to Julliere which characterizes the magnetoconductance solely in terms of the tunneling spin polarization, a model due to Slonczewski which provides an approximate expression for the magnetoconductance of free electrons tunneling through a barrier, the exact expression for the magnetoconductance of free electrons tunneling through a barrier, and the numerical calculation of the magnetoconductance of band electrons in iron tunneling through a barrier. We find that the Julliere model does not accurately describe the magnetoconductance of free electrons tunneling through a barrier. Although Slonczewski's model provides a good approximation to the exact expression for free electrons in the limit of thick barriers, we find that the tunneling of band electrons shows features that are not described well by any free electron picture and which reflect the details of the band structure of iron at the Fermi energy.
Molecular systematics of Plethodon and Aneides (Caudata: Plethodontidae: Plethodontini): phylogenetic analysis of an old and rapid radiation.

The closely related salamander genera Plethodon and Aneides (Plethodontidae) differ in morphology, behavior, and ecology. Although the systematics of these taxa has been the focus of much study, many details remain unresolved. To generate an hypothesis for the relationships among these taxa, I sequenced a segment of the mitochondrial protein-coding gene ND4 and portions of mitochondrial tRNAs. Taxa sampled were 5 species of Aneides, 7 species of western Plethodon, and 13 species of eastern Plethodon. Ensatina eschscholtzii was used as the outgroup. Phylogenetic analyses using maximum-parsimony, neighbor-joining, and maximum-likelihood consistently recovered some relationships. The eastern species of Plethodon are a robust, well-supported clade. Sister taxon relationships of P. elongatus and P. stormi, of P. dunni and P. vehiculum, and of A. hardii and the three west coast species of Aneides were also consistently resolved with good support. The monophyly of Aneides was only weakly supported in some analyses and there is no evidence for the monophyly of Plethodon or of the western species of Plethodon. Excluding the relatively distant outgroup, down-weighting saturated substitutions, and analyzing conserved data partitions did not yield additional resolution or support among the lineages of western Plethodon and Aneides. These results are consistent either with saturation of sequences, due to the age of the lineages, or with relatively rapid radiation. An old, rapid radiation is consistent with the results of previous studies. An analysis of current taxonomy within the phylogenetic framework presented here retains Aneides and recognizes Plethodon as a metataxon (indicated with an asterisk, Plethodon*).
Nonlinear flutter of composite plates with damage evolution

The investigators present a study of dynamic and aeroelastic response of structures which evolve due to damage. Aeroelastic response is shown to be dependent upon the distribution and accumulation of damage. In hun, the damage is dependent upon the presence of the aerodynamic loads. Dynamic characteristics are unique to the coupled damage / aeroelastic system and are developed as part of the solution methodology. In this study, the damage is due to the natural progression of microcracking of the composite sbucture; yet, the control model presented is appropriate for distributed actuation systems. The stability boundary for aeroelastic flutter and divergence evolves due to damage. Control design based upon the min-max control theory is presented which addresses model uncertainties.
[2-14C]Ethanol as a precursor of glutamine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid and aspartate in hamster brain in vivo

Abstract When [2- 14 C]ethanol is injected intraperitoneally into hamsters, radioactive carbon is incorporated in the brain into glutamate and glutamine at a rate equivalent to 0.02 μmole ethanol/g/min and into aspartate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at a rate of 0.003 μmole/g/min. This incorporation is linear for at least 90 min after ethanol administration. Acetate formed from the hepatic oxidation of [2- 14 C]-ethanol seems to be the principal source of radioactive carbon entering the amino acids. Significantly more ethanol-derived acetate is incorporated into glutamine and GABA after a high ethanol dose (2.50 g/kg) than after a low dose (0.62 g/kg).
Modification of Z boson properties in the quark-gluon plasma

We calculate the change in the effective mass and width of a Z boson in the environment of a quark-gluon plasma under the conditions expected in Pb-Pb collisions at the CERN LHC. The change in width is predicted to be only about 1 MeV at a temperature of 1 GeV, compared to the natural width of $2490\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}7$ MeV. The mass shift is even smaller. Hence no observable effects are to be expected.
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN ULTRASTRUCTURE: EFFECTS OF VICTORIN ON OAT ROOTS'

A B S I R A C T Cells in the interior of susceptible oat roots treated with the disease-inducing agent victorin exhibit many of the ultrastructural features which characterize the epidermal or outermost root cap cells of untreated roots. An increase in electron density of cell walls fixed in permanganate is the first effect of victorin seen in the root interior. Other early victorin-induced changes are formation of enlarged, densely stained vesicles by the Golgi apparatus and organization of the endoplasmic reticulum into roughly parallel profiles. All of these features are characteristic of untreated epidermal cells. V'ictorin also induces the formation of large numbers of lomasome-like wall lesions and causes a marked increase in the number of nearly spherical, membrane-bounded structures tentatively identified as spherosomes. Similar lomasome- and spherosome-like structures are much more abundant in the outermost cells of the root cap than in other regions of untreated roots. This suggests that these structures may be characteristic of cells destined to undergo disintegration. Victorini-induced lesions appear to arise within the cell wall as the result of an activation of wall-degrading enzymes. An early change which makes the unit structure of the plasma membrane visible over extended areas may account, for victorin-induced changes in permeability. Disrupted plasma membranes and swollen mitochondria are found only in cells heav ly damaged biy victorin. Mfany of the effects of victorin resemble those of calcium deficiency and calcium is known to suppress victorin-induced disease symptoms. This suggests that calcium nutrition may play a role in the pathological changes induced by victorin.
On commutativity and the numerical range in Banach algebras

If x and y are noncommuting elements in a complex Banach algebra with unit then the generalized numerical ranges W0(eλvxe−λv) cover the complex plane.
Assessment of a regulatory model's performance relative to large spatial heterogeneity in observed ozone in Houston, Texas

In Houston, some of the highest measured 8-hr ozone (O3) peaks are characterized by sudden increases in observed concentrations of at least 40 ppb in 1 hr, or 60 ppb in 2 hr. Measurements show that these large hourly changes appear at only a few monitors and span a narrow geographic area, suggesting a spatially heterogeneous field of O3 concentrations. This study assessed whether a regulatory air quality model (AQM) can simulate this observed behavior. The AQM did not reproduce the magnitude or location of some of the highest observed hourly O3 changes, and it also failed to capture the limited spatial extent. On days with measured large hourly changes in O3 concentrations, the AQM predicted high O3 over large regions of Houston, resulting in overpredictions at several monitors. This analysis shows that the model can make high O3, but on these days the predicted spatial field suggests that the model had a different cause. Some observed large hourly changes in O3 concentrations have been linked to random r...
Pain in cerebral palsy: the relation of coping strategies to adjustment

Pain is a serious secondary problem for many persons with cerebral palsy (CP). Cognitive-behavioral models of pain hypothesize that how patients cope with painful episodes plays an important role in their adjustment to chronic pain. The utility of this model, however, has never been tested in persons with CP-related pain. Fifty adults with CP and chronic pain were interviewed to assess pain experience, the interference of pain on activities (BPI), depressive symptoms (CES-D), and coping strategies used for the pain (CSQ and CPCI). The results indicated that pain-contingent rest and catastrophizing were both significantly associated with pain interference and depressive symptoms even when controlling for pain severity. These findings support a cognitive-behavioral model of chronic pain as it might be applied to persons with CP. The results also support the need for research to determine if, and to what extent, cognitive-behavioral interventions that provide training in specific coping responses reduce depressive symptoms and pain interference in persons with CP.
Monte Carlo studies with the ST-100 array processor

Monte Carlo simulations with the 100 Mflop ST-100 array processor are described. The architecture of the array processor and its applicability to large-scale numerical simulations is discussed. Results are presented for the Abelian Higgs model, a charge density wave transition in a quasi-one-dimensional system and the finite temperature phase transition inSU(3) lattice gauge theory.
ALTERATION OF ECOSYSTEM NITROGEN DYNAMICS BY EXOTIC PLANTS: A CASE STUDY OF C4 GRASSES IN HAWAII

Biological invaders can alter ecosystem processes via multiple pathways, yet few studies have compared the relative importance of these pathways. We assessed the impacts of exotic, invasive grasses on ecosystem nitrogen (N) cycling in the seasonal submontane woodlands of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where native grasses have been historically rare. Exotic grasses have become abundant over the past 30 yr and have altered two controls over N cycling: plant species composition and fire regime. Here we synthesize the results of a long-term investigation of species impacts in this system. To determine effects of grasses and fire on internal N cycling, we compared litterfall, decomposition, N mineralization from soil organic matter (SOM), and plant N uptake and production in invaded unburned forest, grass-removal plots within the forest, and woodland converted to grassland by fire. We measured ecosystem N loss via fire by comparing N pools among unburned, naturally burned, and experimentally burned sites. We...
Expertomica metabolite profiling

Mass spectrometers are sophisticated, fine instruments which are essential in a variety applications. However, the data they produce are usually interpreted in a rather primitive way, without considering the accuracy of this data and the potential errors in identifying peaks. Our new approach corrects this situation by dividing the LC-MS output into three components: (i) signature of the analyte, (ii) random noise and (iii) systemic noise. The systemic noise is related to the instrument and to the particular experiment; its characteristics change in time and depend on the analyzed substance. Working with these components allows us to quantify the probability of peak errors and, at the same time, to retrieve some peaks which get lost in the noise when using the existing methods. Our software tool, Expertomica metabolite profiling, automatically evaluates the given instrument, detects compounds and calculates the probability of individual peaks. It does not need any artificial user-defined parameters or thresholds. Availability: MATLAB scripts with a simple graphical user interface are free to download from http://sourceforge.net/projects/expertomica-eda/. The software reads data exported by most Thermo and Agilent spectrometers, and it can also read the more general JCAMP-DX ASCII format. Other formats will be supported on request, assuming that the user can provide representative data samples. Contact: urban@greentech.cz
New approaches to clipped OFDM channels: modeling and receiver design

We present a vector-based approach to modeling an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system with intentional clipping and oversampling at the transmitter. We show how to model the clipping noise as a function of the transmitted signal. We also show that a clipped OFDM channel can be considered to be similar to a MIMO channel, with the addition of a clipping indicator vector which indicates which samples are clipped. This approach allows many existing equalization and detection techniques to be implemented. We then present an iterative MMSE receiver based on this model, and show that it outperforms existing techniques. We also present maximum-likelihood estimation of the clipping indicator vector. We show how to apply coding to this vector to improve performance, a technique we call coded-clipping.
An ' ecological trap ' for yellow warbler nest microhabitat selection

Contrary to assumptions of habitat selection theory, fi eld studies frequently detect ‘ ecological traps ’ , where animals prefer habitats conferring lower fi tness than available alternatives. Evidence for traps includes cases where birds prefer breeding habitats associated with relatively high nest predation rates despite the importance of nest survival to avian fi tness. Because birds select breeding habitat at multiple spatial scales, the processes underlying traps for birds are likely scale-dependent. We studied a potential ecological trap for a population of yellow warblers Dendroica petechia while paying specifi c attention to spatial scale. We quantifi ed nest microhabitat preference by comparing nest- versus random-site microhabitat structure and related preferred microhabitat features with nest survival. Over a nine-year study period and three study sites, we found a consistently negative relationship between preferred microhabitat patches and nest survival rates. Data from experimental nests described a similar relationship, corroborating the apparent positive relationship between preferred microhabitat and nest predation. As do other songbirds, yellow warblers select breeding habitat in at least two steps at two spatial scales; (1) they select territories at a coarser spatial scale and (2) nest microhabitats at a fi ner scale from within individual territories. By comparing nest versus random sites within territories, we showed that maladaptive nest microhabitat preferences arose during within-territory nest site selection (step 2). Furthermore, nest predation rates varied at a fi ne enough scale to provide individual yellow warblers with lower-predation alternatives to preferred microhabitats. Given these results, tradeoff s between nest survival and other fi tness components are unlikely since fi tness components other than nest survival are probably more relevant to territory-scale habitat selection. Instead, exchanges of individuals among populations facing diff erent predation regimes, the recent proliferation of the parasitic brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater , and/or anthropogenic changes to riparian vegetation structure are more likely explanations.
Bacterial utilization of algal extracellular products. 3. The specificity of algal-bacterial interaction

Kinetic analyses were made of the utilization of ‘“C-labeled algal extracellular products (EP) by bacterial populations in continuous algal cultures containing steady state Skeletonema costatum or Dunaliella tertiolecta. The development of bacteria adapted to the respective algal species was revealed by gradual evolution of a common X-intercept for net EP uptake and respiration lines from initially disparate estimates. When the adapted populations were given labeled EP prepared from other algal species, linear kinetics were retained but the X-intercepts for net uptake and respiration failed to coincide. Bacterial response to a given algal EP pool does not necessarily preclude enzyme-mediated utilization of organic substrates from other species. Rapid utilization of algal EP appears to be a consequence of bacterial adaptation to existence under dilute nutrient conditions rather than a response to a specific alga. Prolonged exposure to a single alga may favor the development of bacterial populations in which metabolism is limited by enzyme-mediated transport of the compounds available in its EP pool, but this phenomenon is less significant ecologically than the general stimulation of bacterial activity effected by the increased supply of these compounds. Up to 50% of the bacterial heterotro
Host pubescence and the behavior and performance of the butterfly Papilio troilus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

We found that leaf pubescence in Sassafras albidum (Nuttall) Nees negatively in- fluences the growth and survivorship of a lepidopteran herbivore, Papilio troilus (L.). S. albidum leaves varied greatly in pubescence among plants. In laboratory choice experiments, P. troilus larvae preferred to eat and adult females preferred to oviposit on nonpubescent S. albidum leaves. Larvae fed pubescent S. albidum had slower growth and higher mortality in early instars than larvae fed on nonpubescent leaves. These negative effects of pubescence on adult oviposition, larval growth rate, and larval survivorship suggest that the population size of P. troilus will reflect availability of nonpubescent hostplants. In field surveys, the frequency of pubescent S. albidum was significantly greater in open habitats created by harvesting pine forest than in hardwood forests, perhaps because of higher light and lower moisture in open areas. By changing the availability of quality food resources, forest management may have unintended negative impacts on this butterfly population.
Mass of rotating black holes in gauged supergravities

The masses of several recently-constructed rotating black holes in gauged supergravities, including the general such solution in minimal gauged supergravity in five dimensions, have until now been calculated only by integrating the first law of thermodynamics. In some respects it is more satisfactory to have a calculation of the mass that is based directly upon the integration of a conserved quantity derived from a symmetry principal. In this paper, we evaluate the masses for the newly-discovered rotating black holes using the conformal definition of Ashtekar, Magnon and Das (AMD), and show that the results agree with the earlier thermodynamic calculations. We also consider the Abbott-Deser (AD) approach, and show that this yields an identical answer for the mass of the general rotating black hole in five-dimensional minimal gauged supergravity. In other cases we encounter discrepancies when applying the AD procedure. We attribute these to ambiguities or pathologies of the chosen decomposition into background AdS metric plus deviations when scalar fields are present. The AMD approach, involving no decomposition into background plus deviation, is not subject to such complications. Finally, we also calculate the Euclidean action for the five-dimensional solution in minimal gauged supergravity, showing that it is consistent with the quantum statistical relation.
Small-network approximations for geometrically frustrated Ising systems

The study of frustrated spin systems often requires time-consuming numerical simulations. As the simplest approach, the classical Ising model is often used to investigate the thermodynamic behavior of such systems. Exploiting the small correlation lengths in frustrated Ising systems, we develop a method for obtaining first approximations to the energetic properties of frustrated two-dimensional Ising systems using small networks of less than 30 spins. These small networks allow much faster numerical simulations, and more importantly, analytical evaluations of their properties are numerically tractable. We choose Ising systems on the triangular lattice, the kagome lattice, and the triangular kagome lattice as prototype systems and find small systems that can serve as good approximations to these prototype systems. Through comparisons between the properties of extended models and small systems, we develop a set of criteria for constructing small networks to approximate general infinite two-dimensional frustrated Ising systems. This method of using small networks provides a different and efficient way to obtain a first approximation to the properties of frustrated spin systems.
Using Combined-Currency Prices to Lower Consumers’ Perceived Cost:

Abstract The increasing popularity of loyalty programs and related marketing promotions has resulted in the introduction of several new currencies (e.g., frequent flier miles, Diner’s Club “Club Rewards”) that consumers accumulate, budget, save, and spend much as they do traditional paper money. As consumers are increasingly able to pay for goods and services such as airline travel, hotel stays, and groceries in various combinations of currencies, an understanding of how shoppers respond to “combined-currency pricing” is important for marketers. This research is the first to explore how consumers evaluate transactions that involve combined-currency prices, or prices issued in multiple currencies (e.g., $39 and 16,000 miles). The authors present a formal mathematical proof that outlines the conditions under which a price that comprises payments delivered in different currencies can be superior to a standard, single-currency price, either by lowering the psychological or perceived cost associated with a par...
Support vector machines for temporal classification of block design fMRI data

Abstract This paper treats support vector machine (SVM) classification applied to block design fMRI, extending our previous work with linear discriminant analysis [LaConte, S., Anderson, J., Muley, S., Ashe, J., Frutiger, S., Rehm, K., Hansen, L.K., Yacoub, E., Hu, X., Rottenberg, D., Strother S., 2003a. The evaluation of preprocessing choices in single-subject BOLD fMRI using NPAIRS performance metrics. NeuroImage 18, 10–27; Strother, S.C., Anderson, J., Hansen, L.K., Kjems, U., Kustra, R., Siditis, J., Frutiger, S., Muley, S., LaConte, S., Rottenberg, D. 2002. The quantitative evaluation of functional neuroimaging experiments: the NPAIRS data analysis framework. NeuroImage 15, 747–771]. We compare SVM to canonical variates analysis (CVA) by examining the relative sensitivity of each method to ten combinations of preprocessing choices consisting of spatial smoothing, temporal detrending, and motion correction. Important to the discussion are the issues of classification performance, model interpretation, and validation in the context of fMRI. As the SVM has many unique properties, we examine the interpretation of support vector models with respect to neuroimaging data. We propose four methods for extracting activation maps from SVM models, and we examine one of these in detail. For both CVA and SVM, we have classified individual time samples of whole brain data, with TRs of roughly 4 s, thirty slices, and nearly 30,000 brain voxels, with no averaging of scans or prior feature selection.
Attitudes of Mental Health Professionals toward Alcoholism Recognition and Treatment

The attitudes of 100 urban mental health professionals toward alcoholism diagnosis and treatment were assessed using a 23-item questionnaire. A significant number of those sampled, physicians more than other professional groups, looked upon alcoholism as a disease in its own right. Physicians, attendings more than residents, subscribed to a more medical history-taking model. While the majority of those surveyed would advise complete sobriety, a large number would not. Likewise, despite a large percentage of our sample who indicated familiarity with alcohol-related concepts, a significant number did not. Referral to Alcoholics Anonymous was highly endorsed by those advocating sobriety. The meaning of these findings is discussed in relation to the marked improvement noted in professionals' attitudes toward alcoholic patients. Based on these findings, methods of further improving the clinician's awareness of alcoholism are considered.
A Methodology to Estimate the Kinematics of Pediatric Occupants in Frontal Impacts

Objective: The goal of this article is to propose a new methodology to estimate the sagittal plane displacement of the head, spine, and pelvis of a 6-year-old (6YO) occupant during a high-speed frontal impact. Research has shown major discrepancies between the spinal kinematics of current pediatric anthropomorphic test devices and humans during frontal impacts. This article provides an estimation of the kinematics of a pediatric subject that may assist in the development of physical and computational models of a 6YO occupant in high-speed frontal impacts. Methods: This article presents data on 4 different experimental data sets corresponding to noninjurious low-speed (nominally 9 km/h) frontal impacts involving pediatric and adult volunteers and to low-speed (9 km/h) and high-speed (40 km/h) frontal impacts with postmortem human subjects (PMHS). Kinematic data from each subject were first normalized to the size of a 50th percentile within its age group. Two already published and commonly used scaling meth...
In-Home Medication Reviews: A Novel Approach to Improving Patient Care Through Coordination of Care

The use of multiple medications, in persons 65 years and older, has been linked to increased risk for cognitive impairment, falls, hip fractures, hospitalizations, adverse drug reactions, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine if trained undergraduate students, in conjunction with pharmacists, could provide in-home medication reviews and demonstrate benefit to the health and welfare of a senior population affiliated with a primary care facility. Students received training in the completion of an in-home medication inventory, assessing a home for fall risk, and performing blood pressures. Once trained and proven proficient students performed the assessments in homes of Decatur Family Medicine Residency patients 65 years and older. Collected medication inventories were reviewed by a hospital pharmacist for fall risk medications, major drug interactions, or duplicate therapy. Changes to patient management were made by the primary care provider as needed. In all, 75 students visited 118 patients in Fall 2010. Findings from the medication review include: 102 (86%) patients were prescribed at least one fall risk medication; 43% were prescribed 3 or more; 14% had the potential for a major drug interaction; and 7% were prescribed duplicate therapies. Fifty-seven patients had a subsequent change made to their clinical medication list. The results demonstrate that an in-home outreach can be successfully performed by student volunteers and provide data of high clinical relevance and use. This application of the patient-centered medical home can readily and directly improve patient safety.
Two-dimensional blood flow velocity estimation using ultrasound speckle pattern dependence on scan direction and A-line acquisition velocity

We have previously investigated the change of apparent lateral speckle size caused by the direction and spatial rate of scanner A-line acquisition (scan velocity). An algorithm which measures the lateral component of blood flow velocity was developed based on the increase in speckle size resulting from relative motion between moving scatterers and the scan velocity. In this paper, the change of the apparent dominant angle of the speckle pattern in a straight vessel was investigated and a new method of two-dimensional blood flow velocity estimation is introduced. Different scan velocities were used for data acquisition from blood flow traveling at an angle relative to the ultrasound beam. The apparent angle of the speckle pattern changes with different scan velocities because of misregistration between the ultrasound beam and scatterers. The apparent angle of the speckle pattern was resolved by line-to-line cross-correlation in the fast-time (axial) direction on a region-of-interest (ROI) in each blood flow image and used to spatially align the ROI. The resulting lateral speckle size within the aligned ROI was calculated. The lateral component of the blood flow is shown to be closest to the scan velocity which gives the maximum speckle size and the apparent angle of speckle pattern collected by this scan velocity is the best estimate for the actual angle of blood flow. These two components produce two-dimensional blood flow velocity estimations. This method was studied through both computer simulation and experiments with a blood flow phantom. Nine scan velocities were used to collect blood flow data with velocities ranging from 33 to 98 cm/s and four beam-to-flow angles. In simulated plug blood flow, the mean bias of angle estimation is below 2% with an average standard deviation of 3.6%. In simulated parabolic blood flow, the angle of blood flow is overestimated because of speckle decorrelation caused by flow gradients and the estimation bias increases with decreasing beam-to-flow angle, which has an average value of 8.8% and standard deviation of 10%. Because of the complexity of flow profiles in the blood flow phantom, the angle of blood flow is also overestimated and the mean bias is increased by a factor of two compared with simulated parabolic flow. For the velocity estimation results, the mean bias is below 5% with an average standard deviation of 4.6% in the simulated plug blood flow. In the simulated parabolic flow and blood flow phantom, the velocity is underestimated because of speckle decorrelation. The mean bias of velocity estimation in the simulated parabolic flow is -6% with an average standard deviation of 11.2%. In the blood flow phantom, the mean bias of the velocity estimation is -5% with a higher average standard deviation of 21.5%. This method can resolve the angle and amplitude of two-dimensional blood flow simultaneously. The accuracy of the estimation can be further improved by using more scanning velocities.
SYNTHESIS AND KINETIC STUDIES OF AN AMIDINE-CONTAINING PHOSPHONOFLUORIDATE: A NOVEL POTENT INHIBITOR OF TRYPSIN-LIKE ENZYMES

Abstract The amidine-containing α-aminoalkylphosphonofluoridate 3 (Cbz-(4-AmPhGly) P (OPh)(F)) is a very potent inhibitor of trypsin-like enzymes. It was prepared by hydrolyzing the corresponding phosphonate diphenyl ester 4 followed by reaction of fluoride with the phosphonochloridate prepared from the intermediate phosphonic acid monoester 5 . Compound 3 is the most potent amidine-containing organophosphorus inhibitor yet reported for trypsin-like enzymes. It inhibits trypsin and thrombin with second-order rate constants ( k obs /[I]) of 2.6×10 5 M −1 s −1 and 1.0×10 5 M −1 s −1 , respectively, showing a 130-fold and a 1250-fold rate enhancement over the corresponding diphenyl ester ( 4 ). It also inactivates trypsin 2 orders of magnitude more potently than simple phosphonofluoridates such as DFP, [1] Sarin and Soman. The phosphonofluoridate 3 does not inhibit other serine proteases such as porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and the esterase acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The phosphonofluoridate 3 is hydrolyzed rapidly in buffer solution and has a t 1/2 of 4.5 s at pH 7.5.
SOI processing by epitaxial lateral overgrowth

A SOI (silicon-on-insulator) process using ELO (epitaxial lateral overgrowth) is presented that can be used not only to create local area SOI islands but full wafer SOI as well. A thin full-wafer SOI structure formed with merged ELO has been demonstrated. With minor modification, this SOI process can be successively repeated to produce multiple layers of SOI for future three-dimensional application, since ELO has the advantages of low-temperature processing, ease of interlayer connection, and low cost. This process produces SOI material of very low defect density by using selective epitaxial growth of silicon as compared to other conventional SOI techniques. >
Passive Control of Building Response Using Energy Dissipating Cladding Connections

Abstract Ductile cladding connections take advantage of the cladding‐structure interaction during an earthquake to dissipate energy. An experimental test program studied the behavior of the different components of a connection system. Analytical models of the connection were incorporated into a 2D model of a six story building with cladding. Time histories of the energy demand and supply to the building, both with and without cladding, trace the response of the structure to earthquake excitations. Results show that properly designed energy dissipative connector elements can be responsible for the total hysteretic energy dissipated in the structural system. A design criterion for the connection that is formulated in terms of energy provides the optimal balance of stiffness and strength to be added to the structure by the dissipators. It results in maximum energy dissipation in the connectors, no plastification in the structural members, and reduced structural response. This approach could be applicable to ...
How to Listen to Pachamama's Testimonio: Lessons from Indigenous Voices

This article analyzes the collective, open-access, and modifiable publication El Vivir Bien como respuesta a la Crisis Global as a posthumanist testimonio or ecotestimonio intending to give voice to the biotic community of the Andes. Written by Quechua and Aymara people and presented to the United Nations by the Plurinational State of Bolivia, this document targets the global ecological, financial, and social crises from the perspective of Indigenous knowledges. This document also exemplifies the worldwide reemergence of Indigenous voices that are confronting the global ecological crisis and its environmental injustices through the revitalization of Indigenous worldviews and practices. This ecotestimonio conveys, among many timely lessons, the Indigenous teaching that humans must listen carefully to the non-human world to learn from Pachamama how to interrelate as humans and with non-humans to collaborate in ensuring the continuing vitality of the community of life. If we listen carefully to Pachamama’s testimony, as Indigenous voices urge, doubt must be cast upon the viability of ideas celebrated by hegemonic Western modern discourses like "development," "progress," or ‘"economic growth." Instead, these voices invite us to rethink the place, functions, and responsibilities of humans as members of the web of life.
Evaluation of dietary supplement advertisements in popular Spanish, Chinese, and Korean media outlets: a cross sectional study

The prevalence of dietary supplement (DS) advertisements in non-English daily periodicals, weekly periodicals, and television in the United States is unknown. Additionally, it is unclear if the claims presented in these advertisements are validated. This study aims to compare the prevalence of DS advertisements and percent of validated claims in DS advertisements among popular English and non-English daily periodicals, weekly periodicals, and television. This is a cross-sectional study involving daily periodical, weekly periodical, and television advertisements for DS in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean in San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles Area, California, USA. Study outcomes are percent prevalence of DS advertisements, percent of claims in DS advertisements that made therapeutic claims, and percent of validated claims in DS advertisements. Claims in DS advertisements were validated by using the effectiveness rating of the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database and/or identifying a supporting randomized controlled trial (RCT). The prevalence of DS advertisements across all three media outlets were 0 % in English, 0 % in Spanish, 14.8 % in Chinese, and 11.4 % in Korean. Across all three media outlets, DS advertisements were significantly more prevalent in both Asian languages than in English (p < 0.001). None of the products identified in English media outlets made a therapeutic claim whereas 18.6 % of products identified in non-English media outlets did. None of the claims in DS advertisements had an effective rating. Only one product identified in English media outlets had supporting data from an RCT. Our data suggest that DS advertisements are more common in Asian language media outlets than in English and Spanish language media outlets. Given the lack of validated claims in DS advertisements, rigorous evaluations of their claims should be carried out to guide and protect consumers.