cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variation in the Size–Structure of Dominant Branching Coral Taxa (Acroporidae: Acropora) and (Pocilloporidae: Pocillopora) in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea1

The size–structure of coral populations can serve as an indicator of demographic structure and response to disturbance. This study examines variation in the size–structure of Acropora and Pocillopora colonies, two regionally dominant coral genera with contrasting life-history traits. The abundance and colony sizes of these genera were studied across reef flats, crests, and slopes, within marine protected areas (MPAs) in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG), an understudied region of the Coral Triangle. While a preponderance of small sized colonies have been previously detected in relatively undisturbed reefs, this study instead found negatively skewed size–structures for Pocillopora and Acropora distributions, reflecting the general persistence of larger and likely older colonies. Pocillopora size-distributions were uniformly more negatively skewed and more peaked than Acropora, whereas, Acropora colonies were significantly larger across all reef positions and nearly all sites, potentially reflecting their high growth rates and ‘competitive’ life-history traits. The size–structure (skewness and kurtosis) of both Pocillopora and Acropora did not significantly vary across reef positions or study sites, whereas mean-colony size decreased significantly with deeper reef positions, suggesting that colonies of all size-classes respond in unison to micro-site reef heterogeneity at the regional scale. Together, this study provides valuable insight into the size–structure of dominant coral taxa with contrasting life-history traits, which will serve as baseline data for future surveys of coral community responses to climate change in PNG.
Predictors of Unmet Family Support Service Needs in Families of Children with Special Health Care Needs.

This study describes rates of perceived and unmet need for family support services (care coordination, respite care, and family mental health care) among a national sample of children with special health care needs (CSHCN), distinguishing children with emotional, behavioral, or developmental problems (EBDPs) from children with primarily physical chronic conditions. It also examines if a child having EBDPs is associated with perceived and unmet family support service needs and investigates public versus private health insurance's moderating effect on this association. Using data from the National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (2005/2006 and 2009/2010), this cross-sectional study uses multi-level, fixed effects logistic regression. When compared to CSHCN with no EBDPs, parents of CSHCN with EBDPs report greater need for all family support services and greater rates of unmet need for all support services. This pattern of greater need for CSHCN with EBDPs versus those without is similar among those with public and private health insurance. Among CSHCN with family support needs, however, the pattern differs. For CSHCN with EBDPs, having public insurance is associated with lower probabilities of unmet needs compared to private insurance. For CSHCN without EBDPs, having public insurance has a mixed effect on probability of reporting unmet need. Having EBDPs and public insurance is associated with increased perceived need, but public insurance also confers particular benefit for children with EBDPs.
Teaching Basketball Shooting Skills to Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

There are few published procedures for teaching athletic skills to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study used a multiple baseline across participants design to evaluate the effects of prompting, demand fading, and differential reinforcement, on the basketball shooting skills of four school-aged boys diagnosed with ASD. During baseline, all four boys rarely made correct and accurate baskets at the regulation height and distance for their age-group in youth basketball. Following intervention, all four boys increased their percentage of correct shots and accuracy, compared to baseline, and their shooting skills transferred to the game of “P-I-G” with peers.
The Abundance of Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO)-Metabolizing Genes in Fecal Samples from Six-Month-Old Human Infants.

Herein, we report the abundance and prevalence of HMO-metabolizing genes, specifically those of Bifidobacterium infantis, in fecal samples from human infants. Forty dyads were enrolled, and each mother collected a fecal sample from her infant at six months of age. Genomic DNA was extracted, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine gene abundance. The mode of delivery was not associated with gene abundance. Several gene regions, Sia (a sialidase), B. inf (16S), and GH750 (a glycoside hydrolase), were more abundant in the feces of human milk-fed infants (p < 0.05). Others, Sia and HC bin (16S), tended to be less abundant when a larger percentage of an infant’s diet consisted of solids (p < 0.10). When accounting for solid food intake, human milk exposure was positively associated with Sia and B. inf (p < 0.05) and tended to be related to the abundance of the GH750 and HC bin (p < 0.10) gene regions. With further development and validation in additional populations of infants, these assays could be used to group samples by dietary exposure even where no record of dietary intake exists. Thus, these assays would provide a method by which infant human milk intake can be assessed quickly in any well-equipped molecular biology laboratory.
Associations of telomere length at birth with predicted atherosclerotic lesions and cardiovascular disease risk factors in midlife: A 40-year longitudinal study.

Abstract Background and aims Adult telomere length (TL) is substantially determined by birth TL, but associations of birth TL with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are unknown. Methods We included 144 adult offspring born in 1959–1966 from the Collaborative Perinatal Project, a US birth cohort. Birth TL was measured from banked cord blood with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Atherosclerotic lesions were predicted by the Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth (PDAY) score that was based on blood pressure, lipids, hemoglobin A1c, and body weight at the midlife follow-up in 2003–2008 (average age: 42 years). Information on midlife CVD risk factors including the age at first diagnoses of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and diabetes was also collected. We used linear and logistic regression models to analyze associations of birth TL with the continuous PDAY score and categorical CVD risk factors, respectively, adjusting for prenatal confounders. Results At midlife follow-up, 31.2% and 18.7% of participants had ever been diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, respectively, and 8.3% met the criteria for metabolic syndrome. Short birth TL (Quartile 1, Q1) was associated with a higher PDAY score (adjusted β: 1.78, 95% CI: 0.31, 3.25), increased odds of hypercholesterolemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 3.23, 95% CI: 1.28, 8.18) and the presence of any cardiometabolic abnormalities (adjusted OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.00, 6.48) as compared to longer birth TL (Q2-Q4) after adjusting for prenatal confounders. Conclusions People born with short TL may be at increased risk of predicted midlife atherosclerotic lesions and hypercholesterolemia. Future studies with larger sample sizes and CVD morbidities are warranted to replicate our findings.
Grain Dust Probes—Calibration and Measurement

In situ light attenuation and backscattering probes were designed, fabricated, and calibrated for monitoring the dust levels in grain elevators. The calibration was performed both in a dust cloud chamber using mixed graindust and in an elevator facility with various types of grain. The true dust concentration was determined with an isokinetic sampling probe.
Rinded iron-oxide concretions: hallmarks of altered siderite masses of both early and late diagenetic origin

Iron-bearing concretions are valuable records of oxidation states of subsurface waters, but the first concretions to form can be altered drastically during later diagenetic events. Distinctive concretions composed of heavy rinds of iron oxide that surround iron-poor, mud-rich cores are common along bases of fluvial cross-bed sets of the Cretaceous Dakota Formation, Nebraska, USA. Concretion rinds thicken inward and cores contain 46 to 89% void space. Millimetre-scale spherosiderites are abundant in palaeosols that developed in floodplain facies. Evolution of rinded concretions began when intraformational clasts were eroded from sideritic soils, transported, abraded and deposited in river channels. Alteration of siderite and formation of rinds occurred much later, perhaps in the Quaternary when sandstone pore waters became oxic. Dakota concretions are analogous to ‘rattlestones’ in Pleistocene fluvial channels of The Netherlands, and their rinded structure is analogous to that of iron-rich concretions in the aeolian Navajo Sandstone of Utah. In all three deposits, rinded concretions formed when pre-existing, siderite-cemented concretions were oxidized within a sand matrix. Unlike fluvial examples, siderite in the Navajo Sandstone was autochthonous and of late diagenetic origin, having precipitated from carbon dioxide and methane-enriched waters moving through folded and jointed strata. Iron-rich rinds formed in all these strata because concretion interiors remained anaerobic, even as oxygen accumulated in the pore waters of their surrounding, permeable matrix. Iron oxide first precipitated at redox boundaries at concretion perimeters and formed an inward-thickening rind. Acid generated by the oxidation reaction drove siderite dissolution to completion, creating the iron-poor core. Iron-oxide rinds are indicators of the former presence of siderite, a mineral that forms only under reducing conditions, during either early or late diagenesis. Siderite is vulnerable to complete oxidation upon exposure, so the distinctive rinded concretions are valuable clues that aid in deciphering diagenetic histories and for recognizing methanic floodplain palaeoenvironments and wet palaeoclimate.
Chemistry Within van der Waals Cluster of Unsaturated Molecules: Observation of Cationic Polymerization

We present in this paper the observation of intracluster ion-molecule polymerization reactions within clusters containing molecules which possess double or triple C-C bonds. This effect is borne out by the observation of unusual magic numbers in the cluster ion distribution only under expansion conditions which favor the production of large neutral clusters. These magic numbers are rationalized in terms of the productio of covalently bonded cyclic molecular ions which terminate the cationic polymerization process.
The Variation of G and the Problem of the Moon

What is the problem of the moon? It concerns the past history of the moon. The geological evidence that we have about it contradicts the astronomical evidence.
Efficiency Comparison of Data-Parallel Programming and Message-Passing Paradigm for Molecular Dynamics Simulation

In this paper we compare efficiency results for molecular dynamics simulations obtained on multiprocessor supercomputers: Convex Exemplar SPP1000/XA and SPP1200/XA, Intel Paragon XP/S and Connection Machine 5 using two approaches — data-parallel programming and message-passing paradigm.
Robotic deburring of two dimensional parts with unknown geometry

Two of the problems in robotic deburring are addressed: tracking the planar two-dimensional part contour and control of the metal removal process. The tracking mechanism is a roller bearing mounted on a force sensor at the robot endpoint. The tracking controller utilizes the force measured by this force sensor to find the normal vector to the part surface. Using the part contour information the robot travels along the edge of the part. The metal removal algorithm uses another set of contact forces, cutting forces generated by the cutter, to develop a stable metal removal. This algorithm generates electronic compliancy for the robot along the edge of the part. This electronic compliancy causes the robot to slow down when the cutter encounters a burr. A set of experimental results is given to verify the effectiveness of the approach. >
A computational prediction for the effective drug and stem cell treatment of human airway burns.

AbstractBurns in the airway from inhaling hot gases lead to one of the most common causes of death in the United States. In order to navigate tissues with large burn areas, the velocity, temperature, and heat flux distributions throughout the human airway system are computed for the inhalation of hot air using the finite-element method. From there, the depth of burned tissue is estimated for a range of exposure times. Additionally, the effectiveness of drug or stem cell delivery to the burned airway tissue is considered for a range of drug or cell sizes. Results showed that the highest temperature and lowest heat flux regions are observed near the pharynx and just upstream of the glottis. It was found that large particles such as stem cells (>20 μm) are effective for treatment of the upper airways, whereas small particles (<10 μm) such as drug nanoparticles are effective in the lower airways.
Downregulation of protein kinase C by phorbol ester increases expression of epidermal growth factor receptors in transformed trophoblasts and amplifies human chorionic gonadotropin production.

Abstract Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its homologue, transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), regulate human Chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) synthesis in the human placenta. The current study was designed to investigate the involvement of the protein kinase C pathway in EGF-mediated hCG-β production by JAr choriocarcinoma cells. Downregulation of protein kinase C activity by chronic exposure to the phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB), produced a greater increase in hCG-β secretion than did activation of protein kinase C activity by short-term exposure to PDB. Pretreatment with the protein kinase C inhibitors calphostin and chelerythrine also resulted in enhanced basal and EGF-stimulated hCG-β production. Individual concentrations (5 n m EGF and 500 n m PDB) that maximally stimulated hCG production, were additive in combination. The additive effect of PDB on EGF-induced hCG-β secretion was mediated in part by increased JAr cell EGF-receptor concentrations detected by Western blot and Scatchard analyses. The results suggest that EGF and PDB stimulate hCG production in JAr cells by different but interactive mechanisms. It is speculated that downregulation of protein kinase C stimulates basal and EGF-mediated hCG-β production by uninhibiting other signalling pathways that regulate hCG-β secretion in trophoblasts.
Role of Helicobacter pylori serology in evaluating treatment success.

Duodenal ulcer recurrence and gastritis are reduced with successfulHelicobacter pylori treatment. Serology is accurate in the diagnosis ofH. pylori, but its value in determining eradication is unproved. To evaluate the usefulness of serology in monitoring treatment, we measured serial serum antibodies in three patient groups: eradication success (N=57), eradication failure (N=19), and untreated patients (N=24). Eradication was determined by Warthin Starry staining of antral biopsies and repeat13C breath tests at six weeks. Subsequent13C breath tests were then performed at three-month intervals to monitor eradication. IgG antibody concentrations toH. pylori were determined by a commercially available ELISA kit. Serology concentrations remained constant throughout the study period in the untreated patients. IgG concentrations decreased slightly in the treatment failure group at six weeks but thereafter remained at baseline values. In the eradicated group, serum IgG concentrations decreased 26% by three months, 43% by six months and 55% at nine and 12 months (P<0.001). A 20% reduction in IgG concentrations by six months was associated with successful treatment (sensitivity 86% and specificity 88%). We conclude that serology is a potentially useful way to monitorH. pylori treatment success.
Radiogenic SR87 in micas from granites

Additional samples of mica have been analyzed for radiogenic Sr87 by the method of isotope dilution. The proportion of radiogenic Sr87 in the Sr87 in each of these micas is much greater than that found previously. Three biotite samples have been reanalyzed using improved procedures, and in every case, greater proportions of radiogenic Sr87 were also found. As a result, biotite appears to be much more favorable as a mineral to be used for Rb-Sr age measurements. Since the source and isotopic composition of the Sr contamination in the earlier group of samples are not known, the Sr86/Sr88 isotope variations reported by us at that time are of questionable value.
Climate risk management for the U.S. cellulosic biofuels supply chain

As U.S. energy policy turns to bioenergy, and second-generation biofuels in particular, to foster energy security and environmental benefits, consideration should be given to the implications of climate risk for the incipient bioenergy industry. As a case-in-point, we review evidence from the 2012 U.S. drought, underscoring the risk of extreme weather events to the agricultural sector in general, and the bioenergy supply chain in particular, including reductions in feedstock production and higher prices for agricultural commodities and biofuels. We also use a risk management framework developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to review current understanding regarding climate-related hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of the bioenergy supply chain with a particular emphasis on the growing importance of lignocellulosic feedstocks to future bioenergy development. A number of climate-related hazards are projected to become more severe in future decades, and future growth of bioenergy feedstocks is likely to occur disproportionately in regions preferentially exposed to such hazards. However, strategies and opportunities are available across the supply chain to enhance coping and adaptive capacity in response to this risk. In particular, the implications of climate change will be influenced by the expansion of cellulosic feedstocks, particularly perennial grasses and woody biomass. In addition, advancements in feedstock development, logistics, and extension provide opportunities to support the sustainable development of a robust U.S. bioenergy industry as part of a holistic energy and environmental policy. However, given the nascent state of the cellulosic biofuels industry, careful attention should be given to managing climate risk over both short- and long-time scales.
Enrichment of ovarian cancer cell suspensions by centrifugal elutriation after density gradient purification

This study was undertaken to determine whether centrifugal elutriation would further enrich ovarian cancer cell suspensions previously separated by discontinuous Ficoll/Hypagque gradients. Twelve specimens obtained from five patients with untreated FIGO stage III ovarian cancer were separated by discontinuous Ficoll/Hypaque gradients following mechanical and enzymatic digestion. Disaggregated ovarian cancer suspensions were further fractionated according to cell volume into seven fractions using the Beckman JE-6 elutriation system, with a standard Beckman rotor and chamber. The rotor speed was set at 2600 rpm and flow rates utilized were 32.5, 45.7, 56.4, 68 and 82.6 ml min−1 for fractions 1 to 6, whilst the seventh fraction was obtained by stopping the rotor while maintaining the flow rate at 82.6 ml min−1. Monoclonal antibody CC49, a ‘second generation’ monoclonal antibody to B72.3 which reacts with pancarcinoma antigen TAG-72 was used to positively identify tumor cells on cytocentrifuge slides of each elutriated fraction as well as the pre-elutriated samples. Tumor cell enrichment occurred from a mean concentration of 44% in the pre-elutriated sample to 96% in fraction 7 of the elutriated samples, whilst cellular viability was assessed as being 78% and 94% in the pre-elutriated fraction and in fraction 7 respectively. Centrifugal elutriation therefore does provide a method to further enrich ovarian cancer cell suspensions obtained by more conventional means of tumor dissociation.
Increasing lipid adherence to goal

Background In April 2004, the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III Guidelines for management of high cholesterol encouraged even lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) than previous guidelines for high and very high risk groups. Assessing patients' risk factors to determine LDL goals is the first step to help guide therapy. Objective To determine whether the use of the Mobile Lipid Clinic Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) Calculator during office visits will increase the number of patients achieving their LDL goal compared to using electronic medical records or conventional methods. Methods Four family medicine residency programs affiliated with the Northeastern Ohio Network participated with each site using a different method. The PDA site used the Mobile Lipid Clinic Calculator, the second site used electronic health records (EHRs), the control site used usual care methods, and the transition site moved from paper charts to EHRs during the study. In 2006, baseline chart reviews were conducted to randomly enroll 100 patients per site (aged 40–75 years) with LDL levels at least 10% above goal. In 2007, follow-up chart reviews were conducted on the same patients to determine reductions in LDL and the percent of patients that reached their LDL goals. Results The percentage reaching their LDL goal and option goal were as follows: PDA site 27% and 12%, EHR site 19% and 3%, control site 4% and 1%, transition site 32% and 12%. Cholesterol-lowering medication usage increased significantly from 38% at baseline to 47% at follow-up (χ 2 = 149.5, P Conclusions Using a PDA tool can be just as effective as EHRs in getting patients to their LDL goal and is better than some conventional methods, suggesting the benefit of utilizing technology to improve patient care and health outcomes.
Effect of refraction on dose reconstruction in optical-CT gel dosimetry

We address the problem of dose reconstruction based on limited experimentally accessible data due to the effect of refraction in optical-CT gel dosimetry. The refractive index mismatch between the components of the optical-CT scanner result in light scattering and ultimately in the inability to capture parts of the projection datasets. We determine the maximum loss of data and the corresponding refractive index mismatch for which accurate dose reconstruction in the central part of the phantom is still possible. Also, a mathematical formalism that indicates how exact reconstructions can be obtained using a priori knowledge of the optical attenuation coefficient of the gel is presented. This study establishes rigorous design principles for accurate 3D dose reconstruction.
On the Development of a Mesoscale Friction Tester

MEMS and NEMS devices typically have a large surface area to volume ratio. As a result, a major concern in the development of such devices is friction. Contact radii in MEMS and NEMS devices are expected to range from 10−8<a<10−5 m. This regime, which generally lies between the limits of single asperity and macroscopic contact, has yet to be explored because the apparati used to characterize friction at these limits do not operate in the range of forces appropriate to these length scales. A Mesoscale Friction Tester (MFT) with smooth probe tip radii from 50 nm to 50 μm and capable of applying forces ranging from 10 nN to l mN over contact radii from 10 nm to 10 μm has been developed to address this need. With carefully planned experiments, this device has the potential to help answer unresolved questions regarding friction mechanisms in the mesoscale range.
Taking Back Power: Using Superiority Theory to Predict Humor Use Following a Relational Transgression

Superiority theory has explained and predicted receivers’ appreciation of humor; this study utilized a superiority framework from a source orientation and explored humor following relational transgressions. College students (N = 220; 60% male) completed questionnaires about a relational transgression in a close friendship or romantic relationship. Results indicated that use of negative humor targeted at the relational transgressor was positively related to severity of the transgression (r = .15) and levels of punitive power (r = .34), as well as aggressive humor style (r = .39). Superiority theory was supported as a viable framework for investigating humor production in interpersonal relationships.
Intracellular localization of 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase in rat oligodendrocytes and C6 glioma cells, and effect of cell maturation and enzyme induction on localization

Abstract We investigated whether the membrane-associated myelin enzyme, 2′,3′-cyclic nucleotide 3′-phosphohydrolase (CNP; EC 3.1.4.37), is localized primarily inside the cell or exposed on the cell surface of rat oligodendrocytes and rat C6 glioma cells. Determinations were made by enzyme assays of intact, viable cells vs cells broken by freezing and thawing. Assay of both oligodendrocytes and C6 cells showed that the great majority of the CNP activity was localized inside the cells. Oligodendrocytes were also tested by immunofluorescence staining of unfixed, living cells vs cells whose membranes had been made permeable to antibody by fixation. Fixed oligodendrocytes showed intense fluorescence when incubated with rabbit anti-CNP antiserum and fluorescein-conjugated second antibody, whereas unfixed cells were not stained. We then tested the possible influence on CNP localization of 3 conditions known to increase CNP specific activity: maturation of oligodendrocytes in vitro during a period when CNP specific activity increase 8-fold or more; growth of C6 cultures to high cell density; and induction of CNP activity in oligodendrocytes and C6 cells by dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Under all conditions, most CNP activity was intracellular. These results show that both the catalytic and major antigenic sites of CNP are localized primarily inside the cell, and suggest an intracellular role for CNP in oligodendrocytes. The results with C6 cells also show that these cells resemble oligodendrocytes with respect to CNP localization.
Molecular analysis of the P97 cilium adhesin operon of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.

Abstract Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae causes an economically significant respiratory disease of swine called Enzootic Pneumonia. The disease process is initiated by adherence of M. hyopneumoniae to the cilia of swine respiratory epithelium through an interaction involving P97, a surface-associated protein, and cilia-specific receptors. Binding specificity is associated with a repeat region located near the C-terminus of the P97 protein. Further analysis of the DNA sequences surrounding the P97 structural gene revealed an operon composed of two ORFs, P97 and one coding for a 102.3-kDa protein designated P102. Hybridization analysis and subcloning experiments showed that the P97 adhesin-encoding gene was present as a single copy in the M. hyopneumoniae chromosome. P102 sequences, however, were found on four distinct chromosomal fragments, suggesting that multiple copies of P102 were present in the chromosome. One of these clones was identified by screening the genomic library with swine convalescent sera showing that P102 is expressed in vivo during M. hyopneumoniae infections. All copies of P102 were mapped to a single chromosomal region comprising approximately 13% of the genome (140 kb), although the exact distance between the copies is not known. The function of P102 is also not known, but the translated sequence shows a prominent transmembrane domain, suggesting that it may be a surface protein.
FISSION OF U, Bi, Au, AND Ag INDUCED BY 29-GeV $sup 14$N IONS.

The binary fission cross sections measured with mica track detectors are threefold larger than with protons of 29 GeV. Ternary events are \ensuremath{\sim} 1% of binary. With U, Bi, and Au there is little preference for emission of fragments into the forward hemisphere. There is no indication of interactions which involve large momentum transfers to heavy target nuclei from 29-GeV $^{14}\mathrm{N}$ ions. However, with Ag targets there is evidence of significant momentum transfer.
GAIN for Loss: Adalimumab for Infliximab-Refractory Crohn Disease

In this issue, Sandborn and colleagues evaluated whether treatment with adalimumab would reduce disease activity in patients with Crohn disease who had symptoms despite infliximab treatment or who ...
Enrichment Patterns for Big Data

Importance of "Big Data" in terms of business value is very well understood across different sectors such as telecom, banking, insurance etc for targeted campaigns or real time performance actions. "Big Data" emphasizes the following characteristics, Velocity, Volume, Variety, and Veracity. Business adopts one or more of the above properties to cater to the requirements of the clients. Data being crucial in this case has different facets. The sources of data being different and consumption across different businesses makes the data modeling a tougher problem. Data schema evolves with new sources of data, changes due to change in data sources, etc Thus enrichment of data constantly triggers the needs to device methods to adopt the models to the new patterns. When the enrichment patterns are understood, modeling the Big Data and Management becomes easy. We highlight the list of such identified patterns based upon our real world implementations. In this work, we propose a method to evolve the data models from its initially defined schema such that data models can easily adapt to changes. We show through cases studies from real world example that our model can adopt to evolve data from different sources.
Cholinergic enzymatic activity of cerebrospinal fluid of patients with various neurologic diseases.

Abstract The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normal humans contains both true and pseudocholinesterases and choline acetyl transferase (choline acetylase) detectable by radiochemical assay. Elevations of total cholinesterase, pseudocholinesterase, and true cholinesterase occur in brain tumors, meningitis, Guillain-Barre disease, hydrocephalus, and brain abscess. However, the non-specificity and inconstancy of CSF cholinesterase changes in neurologic diseases limit its clinical usefulness. Choline acetylase levels in CSF are normally 0.187 ± 0.073 nmoles ACh/ml CSF/ min. One patient with meningioma had a level of 0.680. Unlike cholinesterase, choline acetylase levels in blood are lower than in CSF. Hence, the origin of elevated CSF choline acetylase activity is probably in the nervous system.
Multiply constrained cardiac electrical imaging methods

Accurate characterization of the electrical activity of the heart is of great physiological and medical import. The only truly non-invasive sites to measure this activity are on the body surface, as in an ECG, but the signals are attenuated and distorted by the thorax volume conductor. Thus even an array of body surface electrodes records a remote observation of cardiac electrical activity. The goal of cardiac electrical imaging is to accurately and reliably reconstruct the source image sequence from this observed image sequence using a model of the volume conductor. Since the problem is ill-posed, we need to constrain solutions using prior knowledge of source characteristics. Because the source is quite complex and distributed in time and space, and reconstructions are sensitive to the choice and weighting of constraints, several groups, including ours, have recently introduced methods to impose multiple constraints. We will review the problem and some of these methods and describe recent work which uses a convex optimization framework to impose multiple constraints, combining traditional smoothing with preservation of sharp gradients in the reconstructed image sequences. We pay particular attention to efficient distributed computational implementations of these solution methods.
Adsorption Behavior of Polystyrene−Polyisoprene Diblock Copolymers with Zwitterionic Groups Using Quartz Crystal Microbalance: Effect of Different Microstructures

The adsorption behavior of poly(styrene-b-isoprene) (PS-b-PI) copolymers functionalized with polar sulfobetaine zwitterionic groups at different positions along the backbone was investigated. Using dilute solutions in toluene, adsorption onto gold surface was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). ZwIS and ZwSI, ZwISZw, and SZwI are PS-b-PI copolymers functionalized at the α-position (zwitterionic group is attached to isoprene or styrene), at the α,ω-positions, and at the junction-point in the chain, respectively. The copolymers showed interesting adsorption behavior according to the zwitterion position. The adsorption isotherms for the copolymers exhibited typical Langmuir isotherm behavior. They showed different adsorbing amounts, which was explained by possible conformational states of copolymers on the surface. It was found that the position of zwitterionic groups has a major role on adsorption kinetics despite similar molecular weight and composition for the copolymers.
Solutions of several color-matching problems using projection theory

We use the method of projections onto convex sets (POCS) to solve several problems related to color matching. As is well known, POCS is an iterative algorithm that projects onto a sequence of contraint sets and eventually produces a solution that satisfies all the prior known constraints. Among the questions that we address are the following: (1) What is the smallest adjustment required of a given spectrum to produce color matching in a color-sensitive visual system? (2) What contributions of basis colors will produce a match to a particular set of measurements? (3) What is a parsimonious mixture of colors that, when added to a given spectrum, will produce a prior-determined color match?
Examining barriers and opportunities for sustainable adaptation to climate change in Interior Alaska

Human adaptation to climate change is comprised of “adjustments” in response to (or anticipation of) climatic impacts. Adaptation does not necessarily imply favorable or equitable change, nor does it automatically imply sustainable use of ecosystems. “Sustainable adaptation” in this case implies strategic, collective action to respond to or anticipate harmful climate change to reduce disruption to key resource flows and adverse effects on general well-being. This research examined social-ecological system responses to recent warming trends in the remote northwest region of Interior Alaska using a unique vulnerability and adaptive capacity assessment (VA) approach that integrated indigenous observations and understanding of climate (IC) with western social and natural sciences. The study found that Alaska Native communities that were historically highly mobile and flexible across the landscape for subsistence hunting are increasingly restricted by the institutional rigidity of the regulatory system for wildlife and subsistence management. This has resulted in negative impacts to game harvest access and success threatening food security and community well-being. This suggests that policies limiting the ability of natural resource-dependent societies to be flexible, diversify, or innovate can threaten livelihoods and exacerbate vulnerability. Nevertheless, opportunities for sustainable adaptation exist where wildlife management is adaptive and includes an understanding of and response to climate variability and slow-onset climate change with the human dimensions of subsistence hunting for more effective “in-season” management.
The Two-interval Line-segment Problem

In this paper we define and study the non-parametric maximum likelihood estimator (NPMLE) in the one-dimensional line-segment problem, where we observe line- segments on the real line through an interval with a gap which is smaller than the two remaining intervals. We define the self-consistency equations for the NPMLE and provide a quick algorithm for solving them. We prove supremum norm weak convergence to a Gaussian process and efficiency of the NPMLE. The problem has a geological application in the study of the lifespan of species.
Irreducible unitary representations of SU(2, 2)

We give an explicit classification of the irreducible unitary representations of the simple Lie group SU(2, 2).
Synthetic coral-reef terraces and variations of Quaternary sea level

Abstract Coral-reef terraces on tectonically elevated coasts provide important data on variations of sea level. In this paper a systematic approach is presented for the construction of synthetic reef terraces. Idealized reef terraces are generated assuming a constant rate of tectonic uplift ν and a harmonic variation of sea level with amplitudehwo and period τ. It is further assumed that coral terraces grow only during periods of relative sea-level rise. The behavior is governed by the parameter u = τυ/2π hwo. If u > 1 no reef terraces form. If 0.217
On the magnetic and thermodynamic properties of Americium-II: A hybrid density functional theoretic study

Abstract The ground states of the actinides have been matters of considerable controversies, theory often contradicting experiment specifically in regards to the magnetic nature. To resolve this discrepancy, we present here hybrid density functional theory (HYB-DFT) based studies of the structural, magnetic, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of Americium-II. Three configurations of non-magnetic (NM), anti-ferromagnetic (AFM), and ferromagnetic (FM) with and without spin–orbit coupling (SOC) have been considered to determine the ground state of Am-II. We find that the experimental NM ground state configuration is indeed obtained for Am-II at a level of 40% Hartree–Fock (HF) exchange with SOC and the computed structural properties and the electronic density of states are in good agreement with experimental observations. We also find that HBY-DFT with NSOC fails to predict the correct magnetic and electronic structures for Am-II, indicating the importance of the inclusion of SOC for studies of strongly correlated materials. The phonon related thermodynamic properties of Am-II are presented for the NM ground state configuration and the computed heat capacity and entropy are found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements. The lattice constant, bulk modulus, heat capacity, and entropy of AM-II are predicted to be 9.44 a.u., 21.7 GPa, 24.3 J K − 1 mol − 1 , and 55.7 J K − 1 mol − 1 , respectively.
Discriminative EPR detection of NO and HNO by encapsulated nitronyl nitroxides.

AbstractNitric oxide, •NO, is one of the most important molecules in the biochemistry of living organisms. By contrast, nitroxyl, NO−, one-electron reduced analog of •NO which exists at physiological conditions in its protonated form, HNO, has been relatively overlooked. Recent data show that HNO might be produced endogenously and display unique biological effects. However, there is a lack of specific and quantitative methods of detection of endogenous HNO production. Here we present a new method for discriminative •NO and HNO detection by nitronyl nitroxides (NNs) using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). It was found that NNs react with •NO and HNO with similar rate constants of about 104 M− 1s− 1 but yield different products: imino nitroxides and the hydroxylamine of imino nitroxides, correspondingly. An EPR approach for discriminative •NO and HNO detection using liposome-encapsulated NNs was developed. The membrane barrier of liposomes protects NNs against reduction in biological systems while is p...
Medical and Public Health Consequences of Natural and Biological Disasters

Better epidemiologic knowledge of the causes of death and types of injuries and illnesses caused by disasters is clearly essential to determine appropriate relief supplies, equipment, and personnel needed to effectively respond to such situations. The overall objective of health disaster managers is to measure and describe as accurately as possible the health effects of disasters and contributing factors to these effects, with the goals of assessing the needs of disaster-affected populations, efficient matching of resources to needs, further prevention of adverse health effects, evaluation of program effectiveness, and for contingency planning. In addition, public health professionals have an important role to play in providing informed advice about the probable health effects that may arise in the future, in establishing priorities for action, and in emphasizing the need for accurate information as the basis for relief decisions. This paper outlines a number of important areas where public health can contribute to making overall disaster management more effective.
Memory and attention in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: a review

The present manuscript reviewed studies investigating biases and deficits in memory and attention related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Although the research has been mixed concerning memory for verbal information, there is more consistent evidence suggesting impairment for non-verbal information, particularly for complex visual stimuli and the individual's own actions. Further, a number of studies indicate that patients with OCD report less confidence in their judgments about recognition memory. Finally, OCD appears to be associated with an attentional bias favoring threatening information, as well as reduced levels of cognitive inhibition. The manuscript concludes with a number of recommendations for future research.
Hormonal and Metabolic Responses of Juvenile Alligators to Cold Shock

Juvenile alligators became completely immobile 5 min after immersion in ice wa- ter and remained in rigor for 40 min when removed from the water, but recovered righting re- sponses within 5 min after immersion in tepid water. A blood sample was taken prior to the treatment, at 1 hr post-treatment and at 24 and 48 hr after recovery. Plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), and corticosterone by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Plasma ions, phosphate, and lipids were measured on an autoanalyzer and blood smears were taken for differential white cell counts. Norepinephrine and epinephrine were close to 4 ng/ml at the initial bleed: at 1 hr post-treatment epinephrine increased to 7 ng/ml and norepinephrine rose to over 40 ng/ml. Mean plasma dopamine was less than 0.7 ng/ml at the initial bleed and post-treatment means were as high as 10 ng/ml, but values were too variable to show statistical significance. Plasma corticosterone rose significantly at 1 hr and returned to levels not significantly different from initial at 24 and 48 hr. Despite the massive increase in catecholamines, plasma glucose did not change throughout the experiment. Plasma triglyceride increased signifi- cantly at 24 and 48 hr and plasma cholesterol decreased significantly at 24 and 48 hr. All other plasma components with the exception of calcium and sodium showed changes. Both lymphocytes and heterophils increased at 48 hr and other white cell types showed a decrease. Overall, these results suggest that short-term cold exposure is less stressful to alligators than simple restraint. J. Exp. Zool. 283:566n572, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Kinematic analysis of postural reactions to a posterior translation in rocker bottom shoes in younger and older adults.

Abstract Shoes with rocker bottom soles are utilized by persons with diabetic peripheral neuropathy to reduce plantar pressures during gait. The risk of falls increases with age and is compounded by diabetic neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to analyze how rocker bottom shoes affect posture control of older adults (50–75 years old) and younger adults (20–35 years old) in response to posterior slide perturbations. The postural response to a posterior platform translation was normalized among subjects by applying the below threshold stepping velocity (BTSV) for each subject. The BTSV was the fastest velocity of platform translation that did not cause a stepping response while wearing the rocker bottom shoes. Joint excursion, time to first response, response time, and variability of mean peak joint angles were analyzed at the ankle, knee, hip, trunk, and head in the sagittal plane. The statistical analysis was a 2-factor mixed repeated measures design to determine interactions between and within shoe types and age groups. While wearing rocker bottom shoes, both age groups exhibited increased joint excursion, differences in time to initial response, and longer response time. The older group demonstrated decreased joint excursion and increased time to initial response compared to the younger group, as well as a significantly slower mean BTSV. These findings support the conclusion that in healthy older adults and in populations at risk for falls, the use of rocker bottom or other unstable shoes may increase the potential of falls when confronted with a standing perturbation such as a forceful slip or trip.
Tetranuclear copper(I) carboxylates: the effect of a stepwise increase in Lewis acidity on solid-state structures and photoluminescence.

X-Ray diffraction studies of three aliphatic copper(I) carboxylates revealed a tetranuclear core structure for [Cu4(O2CCH2CH3)4] (1), [Cu4(O2CCF3)(O2CCH2CH3)3] (2), and [Cu4(O2CCF2CF3)4] (3). The effect of a stepwise increase in electrophilicity on solid-state interactions of copper(I) tetramers as well as the implications of structural variations on photoluminescent properties of the above copper(I) propionates have been discussed.
Comparative actin polymerization in neonatal and adult bovine neutrophils in vitro.

Neutrophils rely on active reorganization of the cytoskeleton during movement, and functional deficiencies in the cytoskeletal elements may result in impaired neutrophil-mediated host defense. We have compared and quantitated actin polymerization in neonatal ( 0.05). F-actin content of recombinant human C5a (10(-7) M)-stimulated neonatal PMN increased rapidly within 10 s of stimulation to 59.0% over baseline, then declined. F-actin in adult recombinant human C5a-stimulated PMN continued to increase for 30 s and was elevated 87.3% over baseline before subsequently declining. When stimulated with zymosan-activated bovine serum (10%), neonatal (120.7% increase) and adult PMN (115.1% increase) had similar profiles with no significant differences, and both groups reached peak F-actin levels at 30 s after stimulation. Neonatal PMN stimulated with platelet-activating factor (10(-6) M) attained peak F-actin values at 10 s (72.0% increase over baseline), but actin rapidly depolymerized by 30 s poststimulation (reduced to 29.0% increase). Adult PMN stimulated by platelet-activating factor also attained peak values by 10 s (97.6% increase over baseline), but in contrast to neonatal PMN the F-actin remained elevated at 30 s in the adult PMN (still increased 79.5%; p < 0.0.5 compared to neonatal F-actin).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)