cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence of anaerobic coupling reactions between reduced intermediates of 4-nitroanisole.

Abstract Nitroaromatic compounds are widely used in agricultural pesticides, pharmaceuticals, military explosives, and other applications. They enter the environment via manufacturing and municipal wastewater discharges and releases from agricultural and military operations. Because of their ubiquity and toxicity, they are considered an important class of environmental contaminants. Nitroaromatics are known to undergo reductive transformation to aromatic amines, and under aerobic conditions they are susceptible to coupling reactions which may lead to their irreversible incorporation into soil organic matter. However, there is also evidence of coupling reactions in the absence of oxygen between reduced intermediates of the insensitive munitions compound 2,4-dinitroanisole, leading to the formation of azo dimers. The formation of such products is a concern since they may be more toxic than the original nitroaromatic compounds. The objective of this research is to provide evidence of the anaerobic formation of azo coupling products. 4-Nitroanisole was used as a model compound and was spiked into incubations containing anaerobic granular sludge with H2 as the electron donor. Using liquid chromatography, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, the formation of the azo dimer 4,4′-dimethoxyazobenzene was confirmed. However, due to the instability of the azo bond under the reducing conditions of our incubations, the azo dimer did not accumulate. Consequently, 4-aminoanisole was the major product formed in our experiment. Other minor suspected coupling products were also detected in our incubations. The results provide clear evidence for the temporal formation of at least one azo dimer in the anaerobic reduction of a model nitroaromatic compound.
Functionalized prosthetic interfaces using 3D printing: Generating infection-neutralizing prosthesis in dentistry

Abstract The significant incidence of fungal infections in dental prostheses that has a major impact on quality of oral and overall general health remains to be adequately addressed. Given the advances in 3D printing technologies, the current work attempted to repurpose a commonly used dental polymer, Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) for 3D printing along with functionalization of the tissue surface using a controlled release Polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres containing Amphotericin-B (AmB) for anti-fungal therapy. The results demonstrate the ability of 3D printed dentures to retain comparable mechanical properties to conventional fabrication methods. Further, the PCL-PMMA surface was capable of releasing the drug over sustained time periods and was able to actively reduce Candida albicans colonization in a biomass assay. While further optimization of this platform technology is warranted, this work demonstrates the feasibility of functionalized surfaces of 3D-printed prosthesis that can provide a potent tool for various clinical therapies including splints, stents, orthopedic casts and prosthesis among others.
Age-related olfactory dysfunction: Cellular and molecular characterization in the rat

BACKGROUND Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) undergo apoptosis at a baseline rate even in the absence of obvious disease. Although the precise triggers of the apoptotic cascade are unclear, ORNs are exposed directly to the external environment, making them susceptible to injury. As an adaptive mechanism, mammals have the ability to replace lost ORNs throughout adult life from neuronal precursors within the olfactory epithelium (OE). In humans, this process fails with age as the surface area of the OE and the number of ORNs decline, coupled with a loss of clinical olfactory function. The question addressed in this study is whether this age-related failure of olfactory sensation is a result of a decrease in neuronal proliferation or an increase in ORN cell death. METHODS To begin to address this question the ribonuclease protection assay was used to assess expression of apoptosis-related genes in rat OE as a function of age. Second, the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase end labeling assay was used to assess the percentage of ORNs undergoing apoptosis (apoptotic index) in three groups of animals: young (12 weeks), old (32 months), and bulbectomized rats. Bulbectomy is a standard model for ORN injury associated with a massive increase in ORN apoptosis and serves as a positive control. RESULTS Ribonuclease protection assay data indicate an age-related increase in Bax, Bcl-xL, and procaspase-3 messenger RNA expression in aged compared with young rats. A similar but more pronounced increase in expression of these apoptotic-related genes is seen after bulbectomy. The terminal deoxynucleotide transferase end labeling assay also showed a statistically significant increase in the apoptotic index with both age and bulbectomy. CONCLUSION Taken together, the current results indicate that aging and injury induce parallel changes in OE. Furthermore, these findings support the hypothesis that age-related olfactory dysfunction is, at least in part, related to an increase in ORN cell death.
Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation based analysis for optimal chip layout of a 2.5D flip chip package

The current paper describes finite element method based simulations to assess assembly process and thermo-mechanical reliability related risks associated with 2.5D flip chip package and to develop guidelines for an optimal chip layout of a 2.5D package. A general configuration of a 2.5D package includes a silicon interposer on which logic and memory die are placed. In this study, the relative location of the top die, interposer edges and its impact on the mechanical performance of the package is investigated. Two different phases of module assembly are analyzed: 1. Post chip/interposer reflow attach prior to under fill application and 2. Post final assembly. The 2.5D package incorporates fine-pitch copper pillar interconnects on the logic die along with conventional C4 bumps on the interposer which are susceptible to damage during thermal excursions. The plastic strains in these structures are analyzed to assess risk of damage. Die-under fill shear stress is utilized as a metric to study the potential for under fill delamination during thermal cycling.
Internal ion-gated organic electrochemical transistor: A building block for integrated bioelectronics

Real-time processing and manipulation of biological signals require bioelectronic devices with integrated components capable of signal amplification, processing, and stimulation. Transistors form the backbone of such circuits, but numerous criteria must be met for efficient and safe operation in biological environments. Here, we introduce an internal ion-gated organic electrochemical transistor (IGT) that uses contained mobile ions within the conducting polymer channel to permit both volumetric capacitance and shortened ionic transit time. The IGT has high transconductance, fast speed, and can be independently gated to create scalable conformable integrated circuits. We demonstrate the ability of the IGT to provide a miniaturized, comfortable interface with human skin using local amplification to record high-quality brain neurophysiological activity. The IGT is an effective transistor architecture for enabling integrated, real-time sensing and stimulation of signals from living organisms.
Abstract P246: Fish Oil Supplementation During Early Life Improves Metabolic Health in Diet Induced Obesity

Objective: Obesity is global epidemic and a complex disease that increases the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Over half of American women of child bearing age are either obese or ...
Neural Crest Cell Failure as Embryogenesis for Fusiform Aneurysm of the Anterior Communicating Artery: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background Pure fusiform aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (AcomA) are rare. We report a unique case of a patient with an AComA fusiform aneurysm in the setting of several unusual cranial neurocristopathies, including a hypoplastic internal carotid artery (ICA), persistent craniopharyngeal canal, transsphenoidal encephalocele, and ectopic, duplicated pituitary gland. We also review the literature on cranial base neurocristopathies and AComA fusiform aneurysms. Case Description This 46-year-old patient had a history of short stature, osteoporosis, obesity, cleft lip, decreased libido, congenital left eye blindness, headaches, and chronic nasal congestion. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 25 × 25 × 33 mm heterogenous soft tissue mass with an ectopic pituitary gland extending transsphenoidally and a duplicated pituitary stalk. A hormone panel revealed undetectable insulin-like growth factor 1 and growth hormone, central hypogonadism, and elevated prolactin. Before presentation, computed tomography angiography (CTA) had revealed a congenitally hypoplastic right ICA and 4.7 × 10.7 mm fusiform aneurysm of the AComA. Digital subtraction angiography confirmed stable morphology after 9 years. Nonoperative management of aneurysm and cephalocele was elected, with repeat CTA in 1 year. Conclusions This case provides evidence that inherent arterial wall defects can contribute to fusiform aneurysm formation in the AComA. We propose that small AComA fusiform aneurysms without sclerotic or symptomatic features can be safely observed by describing the longest reported conservative management for this type of aneurysm. A high degree of suspicion for cerebrovascular anomalies should be maintained in patients who present with cranial neurocristopathy.
Preserved expressive language as a phenotypic determinant of Mosaic Angelman Syndrome

Background Angelman Syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with core features of intellectual disability, speech impairment, movement disorders, and a unique behavioral profile. Typically, AS results from absent maternal expression of UBE3A, but some individuals have imprinting defects in a portion of their cells. These individuals are mosaic for normal and defective UBE3A expression, resulting in mosaic AS (mAS) with a partial loss of gene expression. Methods This study aims to contrast the mAS phenotype to that of AS. Clinical characteristics of mAS were obtained from a parental survey of 22 mAS patients and from the Angelman Natural History study. These were contrasted with those of AS using historical data. Results Developmental delay was present in nearly all mAS patients, whereas the core features of AS were reported in less than 40%. While language and ability to manage activities of daily living were markedly improved over that expected in AS, mAS patients demonstrated a high incidence of behavioral challenges. Conclusion Clinical work-up of an individual with developmental delay, hyperactivity, anxiety, and an uncharacteristically happy demeanor should prompt methylation studies to rule out mAS. We expand the phenotypic spectrum of AS to include features that overlap with Prader-Willi such as hyperphagia.
Is Arthroscopic Transosseous Rotator Cuff Repair Strength Dependent on the Tunnel Angle

Background:Previous studies have aimed to biomechanically improve the transosseous tunnel technique of rotator cuff repair. However, no previous work has addressed tunnel inclination at the time of...
An argument for broad use of high efficacy treatments in early multiple sclerosis

Two different treatment paradigms are most often used in multiple sclerosis (MS). An escalation or induction approach is considered when treating a patient early in the disease course. An escalator prioritizes safety, whereas an inducer would favor efficacy. Our understanding of MS pathophysiology has evolved with novel in vivo and in vitro observations. The treatment landscape has also shifted significantly with the approval of over 10 new medications over the past decade alone. Here, we re-examine the treatment approach in light of these recent developments. We believe that recent work suggests that early prediction of the disease course is fraught, the amount of damage to the brain that MS causes is underappreciated, and its impact on patient function oftentimes is underestimated. These concerns, coupled with the recent availability of agents that allow a better therapeutic effect without compromising safety, lead us to believe that initiating higher efficacy treatments early is the best way to achieve the best possible long-term outcomes for people with MS.
Divide et Impera: La Lógica Realista de la Unipolaridad Sudamericana (Divide et Impera: The Realist Logic of South American Unipolarity)

Spanish Abstract: En los ultimos cincuenta anos, la participacion de Brasil en el total de capacidades materiales de America del Sur ha aumentado de un tercio a la mitad de las mismas. Semejante cambio en la estructura de poder regional no puede haber pasado desapercibido para los vecinos de Brasil. En este articulo intento resolver el puzle principal de la unipolaridad sudamericana: ?por que la mayoria de los paises de la region no ha aplicado estrategias consistentes de balancing o bandwagoning frente a Brasil? Basandome en algunas intuiciones del realismo neoclasico, propongo que ciertas variables internas (la inestabilidad de gobierno, la baja institucionalizacion del sistema de partidos y presidentes delegativos) han desviado la atencion de las elites politicas y poderes ejecutivos de los desafios generados por el crecimiento de Brasil. Un analisis comparativo cualitativo de conjuntos nitidos (csQCA) compara esta hipotesis y otras explicaciones alternativas para el desequilibrio regional. English Abstract: Within the last fifty years, the Brazilian share of South American power has increased from one‐third to one‐half of the overall material capabilities in the region. Such a significant change in the regional power structure cannot have gone unnoticed by Brazil’s neighbors. In this article I address the main puzzle of South American unipolarity: Why have most countries in the region not implemented any consistent balancing or bandwagoning strategies vis‐a‐vis Brazil? Drawing on neoclassical realism, I propose that certain domestic variables – government instability, low party-system institutionalization, and powerful presidents – have diverted the attention of political elites and foreign policy executives from the challenges generated by a rising Brazil. Crisp‐set qualitative comparative analysis (csQCA) is used to test this hypothesis and other alternative explanations for the regional imbalance.
Predators Associated with Marinas Consume Indigenous over Non-indigenous Ascidians

The establishment of non-indigenous species is influenced both by species traits and the biotic interactions that create resistance to or facilitate invasion. Predation, for example, creates resistance to non-indigenous ascidians in benthic habitats. Daytime surveys of fouling communities on floating docks in the Charleston Marina, Oregon, USA in August 2014 revealed that the indigenous ascidian Distapla occidentalis was present at all sites and was being consumed by the flatworm Eurylepta leoparda and the nudibranch Hermissenda crassicornis. In contrast, the non-indigenous Botrylloides violaceus and Botryllus schlosseri were present at fewer sites and lacked signs of predation. Parallel surveys in July 2015 again revealed predators found on docks were eating the indigenous ascidian. Examination of surrounding intertidal habitats revealed the dominant predators were the hermit crab Pagurus granosimanus and shore crab Hemigrapsus oregonensis, species not found in the marina fouling community. Feeding assays with the four predators and the ascidians showed that the flatworm specialized on the indigenous D. occidentalis, eating it almost 50 times faster than the NIS, which it did not consume. The nudibranch and shore crab mainly fed on D. occidentalis as well, consuming it two to four times faster than the NIS. In contrast, the benthic hermit crab mainly fed on the non-indigenous ascidian, feeding on it almost three times faster than it ate D. occidentalis. Hence, the non-indigenous ascidian likely faced reduced predation pressure in the marina fouling communities, increasing invasion risk. The study also examined several aspects of ascidian palatability, which showed that predator feeding was affected by differences in tunic structure. The study suggests that the different predators in the fouling and benthic communities in this marina have a role in the invasion of ascidians.
Use of a spatiotemporal approach for understanding preschoolers' playground activity.

Abstract This study used spatiotemporal hot-spot analysis to characterize physical activity on the childcare center playground. Preschool-aged children (N = 34) wore a GPS and accelerometer during 2–3 outdoor periods on one day. A spatiotemporal weights matrix was generated so that points within a specified distance in meters (space) and 3 min (time) were considered neighbors. The Getis-Ord G* statistic was calculated to detect locations of significant hot/cold spots in vector magnitude counts/15‑sec. Hot/cold spots changed within a single outdoor period and between outdoor periods, highlighting the importance of time. This approach can be used to identify points of intervention during provided outdoor time.
A Novel Non-Coherent OQPSK Detection Based on Interactive Kalman Filtering with Applications in Zigbee Receiver

This research proposes a new low-cost and low complex methodology endeavoring to optimize the performance of Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK) using Interactive Kalman Filter (IKF). The design method is base1d on the use of two Linear Kalman Filters (LKFs) coupled together to be used as a priori phase to an Extended Kalman Filter EKF, and as an observer to the 2ndLKF to estimate the phase coefficients. The criterion for novelty is the minimization of the Mean Square Error (MSE) with respect to Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) values between the output phase signal and the actual value of the phase signal. The proposed phase tracking using the IKF technique reduces the phase deviation error and increases the robustness against Gaussian noise, Non-Gaussian noise, and the Adjacent Channel Interference(ACI). A MATLAB ZigBee transceiver system model has been created to study the performance of the IKF in the presence of different propagation environments. The proposed IKF has been integrated into the receiver of the ZigBee system to illustrate the superiority of the proposed receiver, as we shall see. Our motivation for the emphasis on this research is twofold. First, the complexity of coherent communication systems, which is based on traditional techniques, can be replaced by a simpler receiver. Second, introducing Interactive Kalman Filtering, a new demodulation technique for OQPSK modulated signal and lightweight solution for detecting the corrupted received signal and reducing the phase deviation error.
Inhibitory Receptors on the Adrenergic Nerve Terminal

ABSTRACT The characterization of the type of inhibitory receptors on the adrenergic nerve terminal remains to be determined. The order of activity of various compounds interacting with dopaminergic receptors of the renal vascular bed do not correlate with activity at other dopaminergic sites. A series of cis-trans isomers of octahydrobenzo[f]quinolines has been synthesized and their biological actions reported. These agents are highly potent dopaminergic agents on various preparations. With N-alkyl substitution, only the trans isomers were active as inhibitors of the adrenergic nerve terminal. Both the cis and trans isomers of the secondary amine derivatives were active, but apparently inhibited adrenergic nerve terminals by different mechanisms. The cis isomer appears to interact with alpha adrenergic receptors and the trans isomer with dopaminergic receptors. The trans N- n -propyl derivative is perhaps the most potent agent yet reported to block the adrenergic nerve terminal in the dopaminergic series. The top of the dose response curve is 0.3 μg/kg. The trans tertiary amine isomers were found to be potent emetics in dogs and also potent and of long duration in rats with unilateral denervation of the caudate nucleus.
Certified Nurse-Midwives in Rural Kansas Hospitals: A Survey of Senior Hospital Administrators

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the nurse-midwifery workforce in rural Kansas hospitals, despite Kansas facing a shortage of primary care physicians providing maternity care rurally. This study investigated the current number of hospitals with certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) with privileges to attend births in Kansas hospitals located in frontier, rural, and densely settled rural counties and anticipated trends in the size of the CNM workforce at hospitals over the next 5 years. METHODS Electronic surveys were distributed to senior hospital administrators at 94 hospitals in rural Kansas from June to July 2019. The survey included both open and closed-ended questions related to scope of CNM privileges, collaborative agreements, and forecasted trends in the CNM workforce in rural Kansas. RESULTS Fifty-six hospitals completed the survey. Only one hospital reported having CNM-attended births. Twenty-eight of 37 hospital administrators agreed CNMs should have collaborative agreements with physicians. Most respondents did not anticipate the number of CNMs with privileges to increase at their hospitals over the next 5 years. DISCUSSION Future research should focus on understanding the factors limiting CNM expansion in rural Kansas, because CNMs represent an untapped, additional maternity care workforce for rural Kansas.
WE‐A‐BRD‐00: MR Basics II

Ever since its introduction as a diagnostic imaging modality over 30 years ago, the radiation therapy community has acknowledged the utility of MR imaging as a tool for not only improved visualization of the target volume but also for demarcation of adjacent organs at risk. However, the adaptation of MR imaging in radiation oncology has, until recently been slow due in large part to the inability to image radiation therapy patients in their treatment position. With the introduction of so-called wide bore high field MR scanners, multi element flexible receive only RF coils, high performance imaging gradients and a range of volumetric imaging sequences it is now possible to obtain both high resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio images of in-treatment radiation therapy patients within clinically feasible imaging times. As a Result, there is renewed interest in the use of MR imaging for radiation oncology treatment planning that is being translated into physical siting and integration of these systems into radiation oncology departments. As MR imaging expands into the radiation oncology domain there is a significant and unmet need for radiation therapy physicists to become educated regarding the strengths, limitations and technical challenges associated with MR imaging. The purpose of this presentation is to address this need by providing an educational overview of the techniques and challenges associated with MR imaging of patients for radiation therapy treatment planning. As such this presentation will: 1) describe the fundamental differences between imaging of patients for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (i.e. radiation therapy planning), 2) describe most commonly used imaging sequences and contrasts for identification of disease for radiation planning, 3) identify the most common sources of image distortion and techniques to reduce their effect on spatial fidelity of the MR data, 4) describe the effects of motion and methods to quantify/correct it, and 5) identify emergent techniques for performing MR only treatment simulation. Upon completion attendees will have a working understanding of the basic methodologies associated with MR imaging in radiation oncology, the unique technical challenges imposed by MR imaging in the treatment position and techniques to address these. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the differences between MR imaging for diagnostic imaging and for radiation therapy planning. 2. Identify the most common sources of distortion and artifacts and simple methods to correct them. 3. Understand the challenges with MR imaging in the therapy treatment position and appropriate techniques to address them.
Acute Kidney Injury in Liver Disease: Role of Biomarkers

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in patients with advanced cirrhosis and is associated with significant mortality. The most common etiologies of AKI in this setting are prerenal azotemia, acute tubular necrosis, and hepatorenal syndrome. Despite the overall poor outcomes of patients with cirrhosis and AKI, potentially efficacious therapies exist but must be tailored to the specific AKI etiology. Unfortunately, determining the etiology of AKI in the setting of cirrhosis is notoriously difficult. Many of the standard diagnostic tools, such as urine microscopy and the fractional excretion of sodium, have traditionally been ineffective. Novel biomarkers of kidney tubular injury may be able to assist with differential diagnosis and the appropriate targeting of treatments by distinguishing structural from functional causes of AKI. In recent studies, both urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and interleukin-18 have shown the ability to distinguish hepatorenal syndrome from prerenal azotemia and acute tubular necrosis. In addition, multiple biomarkers, including neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and interleukin-18, have demonstrated the ability to independently predict both progression of AKI and mortality. Critically, recent research also indicated that commonly available tests, fractional excretion of sodium and proteinuria, may also be able to distinguish etiologies of AKI in cirrhosis, but diagnostic cutoffs must be re-conceptualized specifically to this unique AKI setting.
Effect of p-Fluorophenylalanine on Chromosome Replication in Escherichia coli

The effect of p-fluorophenylalanine (FPA) on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis and chromosome replication was studied in a thymine-requiring mutant of Escherichia coli. The rate and extent of chromosome replication were followed by labeling the DNA with isotopic thymine and a density marker, bromouracil. The DNA was extracted and analyzed by CsCl gradient centrifugation. The block in chromosome replication caused by high concentrations of FPA occurred at the same point on the chromosome as that caused by amino acid starvation. In a random culture, DNA in cells treated with FPA replicated only slightly slower than the DNA from cells that were not exposed to the analogue. In cultures which had been previously starved for thymine, however, the DNA from the cells treated with FPA showed a marked decrease in the rate and extent of replication. It was concluded that the E. coli cell is most sensitive to FPA when a new cycle of chromosome replication is being initiated at the beginning of the chromosome.
Estimated risk of transmission of the West Nile virus through blood transfusion in the US, 2002.

BACKGROUND: The West Nile virus (WNV) epidemic in 2002 in the US saw over 3300 reported human cases of WNV disease, with over 2300 reported cases of WNV encephalitis and meningitis. The first documented cases of transfusion transmission of WNV through voluntary blood donation also occurred. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Case onset dates from the 2002 WNV epidemic in the US were used to estimate the risk of transfusion-associated transmission with statistical resampling. An easily computed approximating formula for the mean risk was derived. Estimates were computed for six high-incidence states and metropolitan areas. RESULTS: Mean and maximum risk of transfusion-associated WNV transmission (per 10,000 donations) during the epidemic period for the selected states ranged from 2.12 to 4.76 and from 4.34 to 10.46, respectively; for the selected metropolitan areas, they ranged from 1.46 to 12.33 and from 3.02 to 21.32, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of the mean risk of WNV transmission by transfusion ranged from 1.46 to 12.33 per 10,000 donations for six high-incidence metropolitan areas during the 2002 epidemic. Because the risk was highly geographically and temporally variable, computation of geographically localized estimates is recommended. The derived approximating formula for the mean risk performed well for the estimates given.
Identification and adaptive stabilization of slowly varying systems: an H/sup /spl infin// approach

In this paper, the problems of identification and adaptation of slowly time-varying systems are investigated, using the idea of identification and slow adaptation in an H/sup /spl infin// framework. We consider in this paper the stabilization problem of a class of systems with time-varying H/sup /spl infin//-type unstructured uncertainties. It is shown that when a priori uncertainty sets are large, there exists no nonadaptive robust control to stabilize them. As a result, persistent adaptation based on a posteriori information is inevitable. To gain a better understanding of the ability of an adaptive system to adapt with a time-varying environment, we focus on the behavior of the adaptive system after arriving at its initial a posteriori uncertainty set. A design procedure is developed which employs the ideas of persistent dithering, identification, and slow H/sup /spl infin// adaptation. >
Conserved Nodulation Genes in Rhizobium meliloti and Rhizobium trifolii

Plasmids which contained wild-type or mutated Rhizobium meliloti nodulation (nod) genes were introduced into Nod−R. trifolii mutants ANU453 and ANU851 and tested for their ability to nodulate clover. Cloned wild-type and mutated R. meliloti nod gene segments restored ANU851 to Nod+, with the exception of nodD mutants. Similarly, wild-type and mutant R. meliloti nod genes complemented ANU453 to Nod+, except for nodCII mutants. Thus, ANU851 identifies the equivalent of the R. meliloti nodD genes, and ANU453 specifies the equivalent of the R. meliloti nodCII genes. In addition, cloned wild-type R. trifolii nod genes were introduced into seven R. meliloti Nod− mutants. All seven mutants were restored to Nod+ on alfalfa. Our results indicate that these genes represent common nodulation functions and argue for an allelic relationship between nod genes in R. meliloti and R. trifolii.
Direct Finite-Element Solver of Linear Complexity for Large-Scale 3-D Electromagnetic Analysis and Circuit Extraction

In this paper, we develop a linear-complexity direct finite-element solver for the electromagnetic analysis of general 3-D problems containing arbitrarily shaped lossy or lossless conductors in inhomogeneous materials. Both theoretical analysis and numerical experiments have demonstrated the solver’s linear complexity in CPU time and memory consumption with prescribed accuracy satisfied. The proposed direct solver has successfully analyzed an industry product-level full package involving over 22.8488 million unknowns in approximately 16 h on a single core running at 3 GHz. It has also rapidly solved large-scale antenna arrays of over 73 wavelengths with 3600 antenna elements whose number of unknowns is over 10 million. The proposed direct solver has been compared with the finite-element methods that utilize the most advanced direct sparse solvers and a widely used commercial iterative finite-element solver. Clear advantages of the proposed solver in time and memory complexity, as well as computational efficiency, have been demonstrated.
R&M CAE: yesterday's barriers and tomorrow's challenges

The author draws upon lessons learned during the development and implementation of Texas Instruments' Computer Aided Reliability and Maintainability Applications (CARMA) CAE Toolkit. He presents a high-level practical perspective to requirements for implementation of CAE in support of concurrent engineering. The approach used includes the following steps: analyze, simplify, automate, interface, and integrate. >
Narp, a novel member of the pentraxin family, promotes neurite outgrowth and is dynamically regulated by neuronal activity

Stimulus-linked RNA and protein synthesis is required for establishment of long-term neuroplasticity. To identify molecular mechanisms underlying long-term neuroplasticity, we have used differential cDNA techniques to clone a novel immediate-early gene (IEG) that is rapidly induced in neurons of the hippocampus and cortex by physiological synaptic activity. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence indicates homology to members of the pentraxin family of secreted lectins that include C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P component. Regions of homology include an 8 amino acid “pentraxin signature” sequence and a characteristic pentraxin calcium-binding domain. We have termed this gene and the encoded protein Narp (from neuronal activity- regulated pentraxin). Biochemical analyses confirm the presence of a functional signal sequence, and Narp is secreted by transfected COS-1 cells in culture. Additionally, Narp binds to agar matrix in a calcium- dependent manner consistent with the lectin properties of the pentraxin family. When cocultured with Narp-secreting COS-1 cells, neurons of cortical explants exhibit enhanced growth of neuronal dendritic processes. Neurite outgrowth-promoting activity is also observed using partially purified Narp and can be specifically immunodepleted, demonstrating that Narp is the active principle. Narp is fully active at a concentration of approximately 40 ng/ml, indicating a potency similar to known peptide growth factors. Because Narp is rapidly regulated by neuronal activity, its lectin and growth-promoting activities are likely to play role in the modification of cellular properties that underlie long-term plasticity.
Linkage of trade and Non-trade issues: competition policy and labor standards

Horst Siebert, who heads the Kiel Institute for World Economics with the greatest distinction and has pulled off the remarkable feat of filling Herbert Giersch’s shoes effortlessly, has worked in so many areas with substantial impact that it is hard to decide which topic to write on the occasion of his festschrift. I have decided to choose the topic of “linkage”, between trade and “non-trade” issues as this borders on his own interest in the interface between trade and the environment. But both he and I have written so extensively on environment that neither of us can make a splash on the subject unless we disown and denounce all the good sense that has certainly characterized his writings, if not mine as well! So, I concentrate on two other areas: competition policy and labor linkage, since they define between them the different approaches to this increasingly important question.
Parametric up-converter frequency response from coupled circuit theory

Application of the theory of transformer-coupled circuits to parametric up-converters indicates that a double-peaked gain response may be obtained with an upper-sideband converter having single-tuned input and output circuits.
Neurotoxicity in Dopamine and 5‐Hydroxytryptamine Terminal Fields: A Regional Analysis in Nigrostriatal and Mesolimbic Projections

In summary, we have shown that MA is toxic to both 5-HT and DA cells and we have proposed a mechanism that would account for this response, namely, the conversion of the transmitters to neurotoxins. In addition, brain depletions of DA seem regionally specific with larger depletions occurring in some areas than in others. The depletions, however, do not seem to depend entirely on the nuclei of origin, that is, substantia nigra versus VTA. 5-HT was depleted by different amounts in the various regions examined and the 5-HT depletions, although proportional to the DA depletions, were consistently greater. The reasons for this differential sensitivity of the 5-HT and DA systems to the toxic effect of MA is speculative, but may be related to the differential formation of toxins due to the differing availability of oxygen and superoxides at serotonergic and dopaminergic synapses.
VALIDATION OF A NOVEL 3D-PRINTED INSTRUMENTED SPATIAL LINKAGE THAT MEASURES CHANGES IN THE ROTATIONAL AXES OF THE TIBIOFEMORAL JOINT

The two kinematic axes of the tibiofemoral joint, the flexion-extension (F-E) and longitudinal rotation (LR) axes [1], are unrelated to the anatomic landmarks often used to align prostheses during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) [1, 2]. As a result, conventional TKA changes the position and orientation of the joint line, thus changing the position and orientation of the F-E and LR axes and consequently the kinematics of the knee. However, the extent to which TKA changes these axes is unknown. An instrument that can measure the locations of and any changes to these axes is an instrumented spatial linkage (ISL), a series of six instrumented revolute joints that can measure the six degrees of freedom of motion (DOF) between two rigid bodies without constraining motion. Previously, we computationally determined how best to design and use an ISL such that rotational and translational errors in locating the F-E and LR axes were minimized [3]. However, this ISL was not constructed and therefore its ability to measure changes in the axes has not been validated. Therefore the objective was to construct the ISL and quantify the errors in measuring changes in position and orientation of the F-E axis.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Structural genomics of Caenorhabditis elegans: structure of the BAG domain.

Binding of the BAG domain to the eukaryotic chaperone heat-shock protein (Hsp70) promotes ATP-dependent release of the protein substrate from Hsp70. Although the murine and human BAG domains have been shown to form an antiparallel three-helix bundle, the Caenorhabditis elegans BAG domain is formed by two antiparallel helices, while the third helix is extended away and stabilized by crystal-packing interactions. A small β-sheet between helices 2 and 3 interferes with formation of the intramolecular three-helix bundle. However, intermolecular three-helix bundles are observed throughout the crystal packing and suggest that stable functional dimers and tetramers can be formed in solution. The structure may represent a new folding type of the BAG domain.
Treating cardiovascular risk in RA requires multidisciplinary care

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an excess risk of cardiovascular disease, but current cardiovascular risk models might not be adequate to fully predict individual risk in a patient with this disease. Does the solution lie in closer collaboration between rheumatologists and cardiologists?
Economic sanctions: obstruction or instrument for world trade?

Relates Adam Smith’s invisible hand to present day globalization and considers the impact of US trade and economic sanctions on the world economy. Discusses the political roots of these sanctions, their objectives (both overt and covert), costs and incompatibility with free trade. Puts forward eight ideas to minimize the damage they do to individuals and to free trade; and calls on governments to aim at “constructive dialogue and cooperative relations with other nations” instead.
Spatiotemporal Patterns on a Ring Array of Electrodes

Experiments have been carried out with a ring array of iron electrodes in sulfuric acid under conditions in which high-frequency periodic and chaotic oscillations occur. All the electrodes were held at the same constant potential. The currents of the electrodes were measured independently, and therefore, the spatiotemporal patterns in current density which occurred were directly determined. Depending on the conditions of the experiments, primarily applied potential, and also solution concentration, a variety of periodic and chaotic oscillatory spatiotemporal patterns arose. The simplest case, a uniform periodic oscillation, does occur, but it is not the most common state. With a change of parameter, higher modes become important. One set of changes among pattern types with variation of potential, including an apparent period doubling, is investigated in detail. Other types of behavior including antiphase oscillations and chaotic patterns were also observed.
The use of Flex as a viable toolkit for astronomy software applications

The challenges facing the developers of user interfaces for astronomy applications has never been greater. Astronomers and engineers often use well-designed commercial and web applications outside their work environment and have come to expect a similar user experience with applications developed for their work tasks. The connectivity provided by the Internet and the ability to work from anywhere can improve user productivity, but it is a challenge to provide the kind of interactivity and responsiveness needed for astronomical applications to web based projects. It is fair to say that browserbased applications have not been adequate for many kinds of workhorse astronomy applications. The Flex/Actionscript framework from Adobe has been used successfully at the Space Telescope Science Institute in a variety of situations that were not possible with other technologies. In this paper, the Flex framework and technology is briefly introduced followed by a discussion of its advantages and disadvantages and how it addresses user expectations. Three astronomy applications will be presented demonstrating the technology capabilities with useful performance data. Flex/Actionscript is not well known within the astronomy development community, and our goal is to demonstrate that it can be the right choice for many astronomy applications.
Seemingly unrelated reduced-rank regression model

Abstract Reduced-rank regression models proposed by Anderson [1951. Estimating linear restrictions on regression coefficients for multivariate normal distributions. Ann. Math. Statist. 22, 327–351] have been used in various applications in social and natural sciences. In this paper we combine the features of these models with another popular, seemingly unrelated regression model proposed by Zellner [1962. An efficient method of estimating seemingly unrelated regressions and tests for aggregation bias. J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 57, 348–368]. In addition to estimation and inference aspects of the new model, we also discuss an application in the area of marketing.
Thiamine blockade of neuromuscular transmission.

Abstract The effects of thiamine on neuromuscular transmission were studied. Thiamine (0.2–2 mM) decreased the quantal height (q) of the evoked end-plate current (EPC). In the presence of 2 mM thiamine, the shape of the decay phase of the EPC remained exponential but the decay time constant increased dramatically. Thiamine changed the EPC height/holding potential and log (EPC decay time constant)/holding potential relationships from linear to non-linear. The reversal potential and the rate of rise of the EPC were unaffected. Analysis of the ACh-induced noise revealed that thiamine increased the mean channel lifetime and decreased the single channel conductance. Under normal conditions, the ACh-induced single channel conductance had no membrane voltage dependency, while thiamine caused the single channel conductance to decrease with hyperpolarization. The effects of thiamine could be explained in computer simulation of the peak EPC/membrane potential relationship by the assumption that thiamine prolonged the channel lifetime and decreased the single channel conductance with hyperpolarization. It is concluded that thiamine modifies the kinetics of ACh-receptor ion channel complex and that this effect is dependent on the membrane voltage.
P35 Exacerbation of the septic response in cystathionine-gamma-lyase deficient mice

Previous studies reported both beneficial and detrimental roles of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in various models of critical illness. The goal of our study was to compare the outcome of septic shock in wild-type mice and in mice deficient in cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE). Mice were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture and survival was monitored for 48 h. In a separate study, animals were sacrificed at 24 h post-CLP, vascular function was evaluated ex vivo and indices of organ function were measured. At 30 h, there was 20% mortality in CSE−/− mice, while no mortality in the wild-type controls. By 36 h, the mortality increased to 50% in CSE−/− mice, while it remained low (10%) in the wild-type controls. However, by 46 h, the two survival curves converged, and showed a similar, 60% mortality in both groups. Analysis of the plasma markers of organ injury revealed slight trends for a CLP-induced increase in the liver injury markers ALT and AST and the pancreatic injury marker amylase in wild-type mice. More pronounced increases were noted in the same parameters in the CSE−/− mice. Blood urea nitrogen levels were elevated 3-fold over baseline in wild-type mice subjected to CLP and 4-fold over baseline in CSE−/− mice. There was an impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation responses in the thoracic aorta after CLP, which was more pronounced in the CSE−/− mice. These data indicate that CSE, and its product, H2S, exerts protective effects against the development of sepsis, especially in the early stages of the disease.
MAGNETOTRANSPORT IN BUNDLES OF INTERCALATED CARBON NANOTUBES

Two types of quantum magnetotransport behavior were observed in pristine bundles of helicoidal carbon nanotubes. Universal conductance fluctuations for $Tl10$ K and an underlying positive magnetoconductance to very high magnetic fields for $Tl100$ K are the most notable features of one of these types. Remarkably, this behavior was observed after intercalation of potassium guest atoms into pristine bundles of the other type. This range of phenomena is explained within the theory of weak localization and interaction effect in three dimensions. However, the observed inelastic scattering mechanism for K-intercalated bundles cannot be described by the present theory for a common mechanism of the same dimensionality.
High-frequency CML clock dividers in 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS operating up to 38 GHz

The analysis and design of two novel high-speed CMOS clock dividers is discussed. The realizations of these circuits in a 0.13-/spl mu/m CMOS process show a significant improvement in high-frequency operation compared to a conventional D flip-flop-based divider. Measured sensitivity curves of these dividers give maximum frequency of operation ranging from 20 to 38 GHz with power consumption of 12 mW from a 1.8-V supply voltage.
The electronic video endoscope: clinical experience with 1200 diagnostic and therapeutic cases in the community hospital

Gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations with the Welch-Allyn and Fujinon electronic video endoscopes were evaluated in four phases in our community hospital endoscopy unit. Resolution and clinical comparisons to fiberoptic instruments offered advantages for the electronic systems. A review of 1200 consecutive procedures for efficacy, safety, and maintenance considerations was conducted. The use of the video endoscopes as first choice for nearly all diagnostic and therapeutic procedures was more favorable than for the ongoing experience with fiberoptic instruments.