cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of liver prenyltransferase by alkyl phosphonates and phosphonophosphates

Abstract n -Pentyl and n -decyl phosphonate and the corresponding phosphonophosphates were found to inhibit cholesterol synthesis from mevalonate in the 10 000 × g supernatants of liver homogenates and the synthesis of farnesyl pyrophosphate from geranyl and isopentenyl pyrophosphate by purified liver prenyltransferase. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition of prenyltransferase showed that the phosphonates and the phosphonophosphates interacted with two forms, or two sites, of the enzyme. The order of increasing potency was C 5 -phosphonate 10 -phosphonate 5 -phosphonophosphate 10 -phosphonophosphate. The phosphonophosphates were at least ten times stronger inhibitors than the phosphonates.
Traversing the LMS terrain

With the emergence of strong open source contenders in the Learning Management System (LMS) arena, many schools are evaluating whether to stay with one of the commercial LMS products such as Blackboard/WebCT or moving to one of the open source solutions which are free to use, but offer no corporate support. There are many factors contributing to such a decision beyond price including migration from a current LMS, technical and faculty support and buy in. In the end, it is a decision that an institution needs to be well informed to make. This panel will discuss the approach of several small schools in making this decision. Each panelist will share why they chose their LMS, give a short demo of the interface and some of the features of the LMS, discuss the implementation process and describe any lessons that they have learned during the process.
Treatment of Hypertension with Alternative Therapies (THAT) Study: a randomized clinical trial.

Objectives To examine the effect of spinal manipulation on blood pressure.Design This randomized clinical trial compared the effects of chiropractic spinal manipulation and diet with diet alone for lowering blood pressure in participants with high-normal blood pressure or stage I hypertension. Blood
Expression of myogenic factors in skeletal muscle and electric organ of Torpedo californica.

Abstract Fish electric organ is a skeletal muscle homolog in which many muscle-specific genes are inhibited while acetylcholine receptor is expressed at high levels. The molecular mechanisms underlying this discoordinate regulation have not yet been explored. We have obtained partial sequences for MyoD, myogenin, and myf5 from Torpedo californica and have measured their mRNAs in several organs, using ribonuclease protection. We have found that MyoD and myf5 are expressed at comparable levels in muscle and electric organ, whereas myogenin transcripts could not be detected in either tissue. Acetylcholine receptor α subunit mRNA, on the other hand, is two orders or magnitude more abundant in electric tissue. We conclude that neither the loss of contractile proteins from, nor the enhanced expression of acetylcholine receptor genes in, the differentiating electrocyte is a simple consequence of the abundance of myogenic factor messages.
Prediction of County-Level Corn Yields Using an Energy-Crop Growth Index

Abstract Weather conditions significantly affect corn yields. while weather remains as the major uncontrolled variable in crop production, an understanding of the influence of weather on yields can aid in early and accurate assessment of the impact of weather and climate on crop yields and allow for timely agricultural extension advisories to help reduce farm management costs and improve marketing, decisions. Based on data for four representative countries in Indiana from 1960 to 1984 (excluding 1970 because of the disastrous southern corn leaf blight), a model was developed to estimate corn (Zea mays L.) yields as a function of several composite soil–crop–weather variables and a technology-trend marker, applied nitrogen fertilizer (N). The model was tested by predicting corn yields for 15 other counties. A daily energy-crop growth (ECG) variable in which different weights were used for the three crop-weather variables which make up the daily ECG—solar radiation intercepted by the canopy, a temperature fu...
Progress toward photon force-based sensors: a system identification approach based on laser intensity modulation for measurement of the axial force constant of a single-beam gradient photon force t

New sensor technologies with the sensitivity and specificity capable of detecting biological and chemical agents at low concentration are of increasing importance for many environmental monitoring applications. We propose a potentially new class of microsensors that exploits the mechanical dynamics of a micrometer-sized particle held in a 3D optical force trap formed by a focused laser beam. Modulation of the laser trapping power axially perturbs the microparticle from its equilibrium position and permits measurement of the mechanical compliance transfer function (force input, displacement output) characterizing the particle micromechanical dynamics. In a mechanically homogeneous and isotropic environment, the particle motion is readily modeled as a forced harmonic oscillator; however, physico-chemical interactions between the particle and its surroundings impose external forces that modify the compliance transfer function. Our preliminary measurements indicate < 10 ppm changes in mass of a trapped microparticle can be detected with this method, suggesting possible applications as a chemical/biological sensor or for solubility measurements of microparticles.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distribution and partitioning of trace metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in Galveston Bay waters

The distribution of several trace metals has been studied in the surface waters of Galveston Bay, Texas, in order to assess the impact of complexation with organic and reduced sulfur species on the partitioning of trace metals between particulate and aqueous species. The distribution of trace metals in the filter-passing fraction ( Cu>Cd>Zn>Pb>Mn>Fe, while an increasing trend was found in the same sequence for the acid-leachable fractions. The average values of Kd1, the particle-water partition coefficient, expressed as the ratio of weak acid-leachable particulate fractions to the filter-passing fractions, increased in the order Ni<Cu<Cd<Zn<Mn<Pb<Fe. This sequence is consistent with the relative importance of particulate transport of these trace metals from estuaries to coastal oceans. The observed decrease of Kd1 of Cu with increasing concentrations of suspended particulate matter (SPM), also called the “particle concentration effect” (PCE), can be eliminated when the free ionic, rather than the total concentration of Cu in the filter-passing fraction is used for calculating this ratio. A particle concentration effect would be expected if the binding of these trace metals by particles is mediated by solution (i.e., filter-passing) phase ligands. Complexation of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn with reduced sulfur species could be one of the causes for the observed linear correlations between metals and reduced sulfur species in both the filter-passing and filter-retained fractions. Significant correlations between Cu in the weak acid-leachable fraction and chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations suggest biological mediation of Cu uptake into the particulate fraction.
Continuously stratified models of the steady-state equatorial ocean

Abstract Two linearized, vertically diffusive steady-state models are formulated on an equatorial β-plane. The purpose is (a) to investigate the vertical boundary-layer structure in a continuously stratified ocean spanning the equator and (b) to test the sensitivity of the results to different turbulence parameterizations. Both models are analytically tractable in a horizontally unbounded basin. One is characterized by Newtonian cooling, the other has biharmonic friction. For either model, the equations are analogous to the well-known equations governing equatorial wave motion. This analogy is exploited in both obtaining and interpreting the solutions. In both models, zonal wind forcing leads to features such as the Equatorial Undercurrent, South Equatorial Current and Equatorial Intermediate Current. Structures resembling the recently discovered subsurface countercurrents are also generated. The depth, velocity and other scales are model dependent but the basic dynamics are not. Specifically, near the eq...
Tomography for reconstructing continuous fields from ill- posed multidirectional interferometric data

A computational tomographic technique has been developed to accurately reconstruct continuous flow fields of a simple shape from severely limited interferometric data. The algorithm is based on iterative reconstruction of the complementary field, the difference between the field to be reconstructed and its estimate. Its advantages lie in the treatment of various ill-posed problems in a unified manner and ease of incorporation of a priori information, even an approximate field shape. In principle it can utilize only available data. Test results demonstrated stable convergence and potential for substantial error reduction with a proper field estimate.
Compliant coatings: The simpler alternative

Abstract Boundary layer manipulation via reactive control strategies is now in vogue, and this topic dominated the meeting in which the present paper was delivered. Reactive flow control requires sensors, actuators and control algorithms. The payoffs are handsome but the difficulties involved are daunting. There are however much simpler alternatives to this kind of sophisticated flow alteration devices and the present article discusses one such alternative: passive compliant walls. The paper reviews the important developments in the field of compliant coatings that took place in the past 10 years. During this period progress in theoretical and computational methods somewhat outpaced that in experimental efforts. There is no doubt that complaint coatings can be rationally designed to delay transition and to suppress noise on marine vehicles as well as other practical hydrodynamic devices. Transition Reynolds numbers that exceed by an order of magnitude those on rigid-surface boundary layers can be readily achieved. Recent theoretical work indicates that transition to turbulence could be delayed indefinitely, at least in principle, provided that optimized multiple-panel compliant walls are used. There is renewed experimental evidence of favorable interactions of compliant coatings even for air flows and even for turbulent boundary layers, but more research is needed to confirm these latest results.
Multiple-Model Framework for Assessment of Real-Time Crash Risk:

This study is based on real-time models of risk assessment for rear-end and lane-change-related crashes on freeways. These models were developed in recent studies on the basis of historical crash data and corresponding traffic data collected through underground loop detectors on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida. In this study the potential of these models was explored for identification of crashes that were not part of the database used to develop the models. These crashes include single-vehicle crashes that might result from evasive actions taken by drivers to avoid vehicles in front (i.e., a rear-end crash) or in a neighboring lane (i.e., a lane-change-related crash). In addition, traffic data corresponding to rear-end and lane-change-related crashes reported on the short form (because they did not involve any injuries or loss of life) also were subjected to the models. The results indicate that the models satisfactorily identify single-vehicle crashes (other than rollovers) as well as the short-form cr...
Delirium in elderly patients: evaluation and management.

Objective To review the evaluation and management of delirium in elderly patients for primary-care providers. Design We summarize the clinical features, course, pathophysiologic aspects, predisposing factors, causes, and differential diagnosis of delirium and discuss approaches to affected patients and various management strategies. Results Delirium, an altered mental state, occurs more frequently in elderly than in younger patients. The pathophysiologic changes associated with aging and the higher occurrence of multiple medical problems and need for medications contribute to the higher frequency of delirium in elderly patients. Evaluation should begin with a consideration of the most common causes, such as a change in or addition to prescribed medications, a withdrawal from alcohol or other sedative-hypnotic drugs, an infection, or a sudden change in neurologic, cardiac, pulmonary, or metabolic state. Finally, management of delirium is threefold: (1) identifying and treating underlying causes, (2) nonpharmacologic interventions, and (3) pharmacologic therapies to manage symptoms of delirium. Conclusion Elderly patients frequently experience delirium. Delirious symptoms can produce devastating consequences if they are not recognized and appropriately treated.
Contribution of arginine-glutamate salt bridges to helix stability.

Peptide side chain interactions were studied by molecular dynamics simulation using explicit solvent on a peptide with the sequence AAARAAAAEAAEAAAARA. Three different protonation states of the glutamic acid side chains were simulated for four 20 ns runs each, a total simulation time of 240 ns. Two different salt bridge geometries were observed and the preferred geometry was found to depend on Glu — Arg residue spacing. Stable charge clusters were also observed, particularly in the fully charged peptide. Salt bridges were selectively interrupted upon protonation, with concomitant changes in secondary structure. The fully charged peptide was highly helical between residues 9 and 13, although protonation increased helicity near the N-terminus. The contribution of salt bridges to helix stability therefore depends on both position and relative position of charged residues within a sequence.
Two octopine dehydrogenases in crown-gall tumor tissue

Abstract Extracts from four crown-gall tumor tissue culture lines, originally induced by two octopine-type strains of Agrobacterium on three plant species, converted l -arginine-[5- 3 H] to a compound which co-migrated with octopine on electrophoresis. Synthesis showed dependence on added pyruvate and reduced pyridine nucleotide. Both NADH and NADPH were active and mixtures of the two coenzymes, when tested with Vinca strain W1 tumor extracts, were more effective than either coenzyme at comparable concentrations. Addition of an NADH-consuming enzyme system to reaction mixtures containing NADPH had little effect on this activity. Products formed by Vinca rosea strain W1 tumor extracts and Phaseolus vulgaris strain B6 tumor extracts in reaction mixtures containing pyruvate plus NADH or NADPH co-eluted with unlabeled octopine on ion exchange chromatography. The product from the Vinca reaction mixtures co-migrated with an octopine standard in three TLC systems. Permanganate treatment of the enzymatically formed tritiated product and of unlabeled octopine gave compounds with R f , similar to arginine and γ-guanidinobutyric acid, the products expected from permanganate degradation of octopine. The Vinca W1 extracts catalyzed the oxidative cleavage of octopine, with the formation of arginine, in the presence of NAD or NADP. Two octopine dehydrogenases were concluded to be present in these tissues, one dependent on NAD, the second on NADP.
Optimization of Arrays of Rectangular Longitudinal Fins and Circular or Elliptical Cross-Section Spines

The purpose of this study is to illustrate a method for obtaining the thermal performance and optimum dimensions of arrays consisting of rectangular longitudinal fins, cylindrical and elliptical cross-section spines. Since the majority of fin problems in an array have constant boundary temperatures, our endeavor is focused on the analysis and optimization of these types of fins. The temperature distribution, heat released to the environment, and the fins’ optimum dimensions in the array have been determined. Our analysis is based on a new set of dimensionless parameters, which are more suitable than those frequently used in fin analyses in the available literature. The effects of the boundary temperature ratio on the temperature variation in the fin have been examined and the results are shown graphically. Three salient results are derived regarding the thermal characteristics of these types of fins. They are: (1) the fin’s heat dissipation is expressed exactly with the same expression which describes the optimum heat dissipated by a fin with insulated tip, having half the fin’s dimensionless height. (2) The optimum fins’ dimensionless height and thickness are identical with those obtained for a fin with adiabatic tip of twice the dimensionless height (3) The optimum semi-axes ratio of elliptical-cross section spines is uniquely defined. In addition, it is shown that this approach can be successfully applied to solve problems in several practical applications, including pin fins having elliptic-cross sections. Two examples serve to illustrate the usefulness of our method.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Silver Nitrate Injury in the Rat Sciatic Nerve: A Model of Facial Nerve Injury

Background: An unpublished communication of a permanent facial paralysis secondary to silver nitrate application in a postoperative mastoid cavity with a dehiscent facial nerve raises concern regarding its neurotoxicity. This study was performed to examine functional neural injury and the morphology of nerve injury due to silver nitrate contact with a peripheral motor nerve. Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats were assigned to a sham surgery group or to a group where silver nitrate was applied directly to a surgically exposed sciatic nerve for 1, 5, or 10 seconds. Individual walking track data were collected on postoperative days (POD) 1, 4, 7, and 14, and the Sciatic Functional Index (SFI) was calculated to assess neural function. On POD 14, the cauterized nerve was harvested, and the histologic axon loss of each specimen was graded. Results: In all experimental groups, the most severe functional loss was noted on POD 1. At POD 14 the greatest neural recovery was observed in the 1-second group, whereas the 5- and 10-second cautery groups demonstrated a significantly worse deficit. A moderate or greater degree of axon loss was observed in 50% of animals injured for 1 second and nearly all animals injured for 5 or 10 seconds. Conclusion: Functional and neuropathologic data demonstrate that silver nitrate causes significant injury to the rat sciatic nerve. A 5-second cautery causes greater functional impairment and more severe axonal loss than a 1-second injury. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;127:48-54.)
Abstract 2658: Phase II study of chemoradiation therapy and erlotinib for stage III non-small cell lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Preclinical evidence that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor erlotinib has radiosensitizing properties in vitro led us to test its use, in combination with standard chemoradiation therapy (ChRT), in a prospective phase II study of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Endpoints were radiographic response, survival rates, and toxicity. We also tested if EGFR copy number or protein expression and mutations in EGFR exons 19-21 or KRAS codons 12-13, all measured in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy specimens, predicted response to this therapy. Patients were to receive ChRT (RT=63 Gy in 35 fractions in 7 wks; Ch=weekly paclitaxel 45 mg/m2+carboplatin AUC 2) with erlotinib 150 mg po daily (except on Ch days) followed by two cycles of consolidation Ch. Of the 48 patients enrolled (30 male, 18 female; median age 64 yr; all with good performance status), 38 were evaluable for response. At a median follow-up of 11 months, the response rate was 79% (29% complete and 50% partial); 10% had stable disease and 11% progressive disease. The overall survival rate at 1 yr was 85%; 42% were alive without evidence of disease, 34% alive with disease, and 24% dead. Severe acute toxicity (grade 3 in the NCI Common Terminology Criteria v3) was manageable and included pneumonia (n=7), skin reactions (n=4), pneumonitis (n=3), and dehydration (n=3); several hematologic toxicity included leukopenia (n=13), neutropenia (n=7), and thrombocytopenia (n=1). No patients died of treatment-related causes. Of the 34 patients with biopsy specimens, only 3 showed EGFR mutation and 1 a KRAS mutation, and none correlated with response. However, complete response was more likely among current or former smokers (n=10) than never-smokers (n=0, P=0.023). We conclude that the 1-yr overall survival rate was promising but the complete response rate was disappointing. Erlotinib may have had a radiosensitizing effect in vivo, but additional patients and longer follow-up are needed. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2658. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2658
Substance Use Predictors of Poor Medication Adherence: The Role of Substance Use Coping Among HIV-Infected Patients in Opioid Dependence Treatment

Many HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) continue to use illicit substances despite being in substance use treatment. Substance use is associated with non-adherence to HIV medications; however underlying mechanisms regarding this relation are understudied. The current investigation examined the role of substance use coping in terms of the relation between substance use and HIV medication adherence. Participants were 121 HIV-infected IDUs (41 % female, M age = 47, SD = 7.1) in opioid dependence treatment. Participants completed self-report questionnaires, were administered clinical interviews and oral toxicology screens, and used a medication-event-monitoring-system cap to assess 2 week HIV medication adherence. The use of cocaine and multiple substances were significantly related to decreased medication adherence. Substance use coping mediated these associations. Findings highlight the importance of assessing, monitoring, and targeting ongoing substance use, and ways to increase positive coping for HIV-infected IDUs in substance use treatment to aid in HIV medication adherence.
Performance evaluation of shape memory alloy/rubber-based isolation systems for seismic response mitigation of bridges

Base isolation is an effective method of reducing seismic response of bridges during an earthquake. Rubber isolators are one of the most common types of base isolation systems. As an alternative to conventional rubber isolators such as high damping rubber bearing and lead rubber bearing, smart rubber bearing systems with shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been proposed in recent years. As a class of smart materials, shape memory alloys shows excellent re-centering and considerable damping capabilities which can be exploited to obtain an efficient seismic isolation system. This paper explores effectiveness of shape memory alloy/rubber-based isolation systems for protecting bridges against seismic loads by performing a sensitivity analysis. The isolation system considered in this study consists of a laminated rubber bearing which provides lateral flexibility while supplying high vertical load-carrying capacity and an auxiliary device made of multiple loops SMA wires. The SMA device offers additional energy dissipating and re-centering capability. A threespan continuous bridge is modeled with SMA/rubber-based isolation system. Numerical simulations of the bridge are conducted for various historical ground motions that are spectrally matched to a target design spectrum. The normalized yield strength, yield displacement and pre-stress level of the SMA device and ambient temperature are selected as parameters of the sensitivity study. The variation of seismic response of the bridge with considered parameters is assessed. The optimum values of the normalized yield strength and the yield displacement of the SMA device is found to be in the range of 0.20-0.25 and 40-50 mm, respectively. Also, the SMA/rubber-based isolation system is observed to be more effective when the SMA device is pre-stressed. In addition, it is found that ambient temperature considerably affects the performance of the bridge isolated by SMA/rubber-based isolators.
The effect of dietary vitamin c and e supplementation on the toxicity of methyl oleate hydroperoxide (MOHP), a proposed toxic ozone intermediate

Abstract This study assessed the effects of vitamin E (600 mg/day) and/or vitamin C (one gram/day) supplementation for 4 weeks in adult human male volunteers on the in vitro erythrocyte toxicity of a proposed toxic ozone (O3) intermediate [i.e. methyl oleate hydroperoxide (MOHP)]. The results indicated that neither antioxidant vitamin provided significant (p > 0.05) protection against MOHP‐induced changes in methemoglobin (METHB) and reduced glutathione (GSH) over a wide range of MOHP concentrations.
Liberal Learning and the Political Science Major: A Report to the Profession.

This report was completed in cooperation with a national review of arts and sciences majors initiated by the Association of American Colleges as part of its continuing commitment to advance and strengthen undergraduate liberal learning. The American Political Science Association was one of twelve learned societies contributing to this review. Each participating learned society convened a task force charged to address a common set of questions about purposes and practices in liberal arts majors; individual task forces further explored issues important in their particular fields. In 1991, the Association of American Colleges will publish a singlevolume edition of all twelve learned society reports with a companion volume containing a separate report on "Liberal Learning and Arts and Sciences Majors." Inquiries about these two publications may be sent to Reports on the Arts and Sciences Major, Box R, Association of American Colleges, 1818 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. Generous funding for the project and dissemination of the reports was provided by the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and the Ford Foundation. The Task Force on the Political Science Major, which was appointed by Lucian Pye, then President of the American Political Science Associa-
Morphing Cell Identity to Treat Diabetes

The human body is in a constant race to replace cells, tissues, and whole organs that are lost due to injury, disease, and normal aging. Although the body has remarkable inherent regenerative capacity, it often cannot keep pace. Donor cells and tissues are available in limited quantities and are beset by problems such as immune compatibility and transplant rejection. Recently, technologies to convert one cell type into another, so-called “direct reprogramming,” have provided promise as a new source of cells for regenerative medicine. Li et al. now provide an enhanced method to directly reprogram native mouse pancreatic acinar cells into “induced” pancreatic beta cells that are functional and persist long-term. A wave of recent studies have shown that cell identity can be readily modulated by the expression of key transcription factors. However, there remain significant uncertainties about whether the cells created by direct reprogramming will prove useful in regenerative medicine, as their long-term persistence and function in vivo are unproven. The ability to reprogram pancreatic acinar cells into induced beta cells was initially demonstrated in 2008 by adenoviral-mediated overexpression of the transcription factors Ngn3, Mafa, and Pdx1 in the mouse pancreas. The reprogramming was inefficient, and the resulting cells failed to persist much beyond 2 months. In the current study, the authors report an optimized in vivo induction protocol that enabled a 40 to 50% increase in the number of insulin-producing induced pancreatic beta cells generated from mouse acinar cells. Importantly, the induced beta cells aggregated into pancreatic islet-like structures, which enabled their persistence in vivo for more than one year. Epigenetic and transcriptional analyses showed that the induced beta cell clusters matured in vivo over the course of 2 to 7 months to reach maximal function. They exhibited proper glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and the ability to reverse hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. Direct reprogramming technologies provide a new potential source of replacement cells to thwart disease and aging. The current paper demonstrates that reprogrammed cells can maintain their identity and function long-term in vivo, providing encouraging results that could form the basis of future clinical testing. However, significant work remains to be done to understand the epigenetic stability and safety of these reprogrammed cells. For type 1 diabetes in particular, there also exists a significant challenge to prevent the induced beta cells from succumbing to the autoimmune-mediated beta cell destruction that underlies the disease. W. Li et al. , Long-term persistence and development of induced pancreatic beta cells generated by lineage conversion of acinar cells. Nat. Biotechnol . 10.1038/nbt.3082 (2014). [[Full Text]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nbt/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nbt.3082.html
Influence of Organizational Learning on Water Pollution Control in Colombia's Cauca Valley

Colombia's Cauca Valley Corporation has a reputation for high-quality work in controlling water pollution. The corporation's regulatory programme, which includes both traditional regulation and a system of effluent charges, reflects both learning by doing and learning by exploration. The successful creation of the programme is explained in terms of the learning that led the corporation to emphasize cooperation with industry, to de-emphasize strict enforcement of regulations, and to experiment with effluent charges. Significantly, the charge scheme was effective because the effluent fees paid by firms were publicized in newspapers and the publicity influenced the reputations and decisions of company leaders.
Discrete optimization via approximate annealing adaptive search with stochastic averaging

We propose a random search algorithm for black-box optimization with discrete decision variables. The algorithm is based on the recently introduced Model-based Annealing Random Search (MARS) for global optimization, which samples candidate solutions from a sequence of iteratively focusing distribution functions over the solution space. In contrast with MARS, which requires a sample size (number of candidate solutions) that grows at least polynomially with the number of iterations for convergence, our approach employs a stochastic averaging idea and uses only a small constant number of candidate solutions per iteration. We establish global convergence of the proposed algorithm and provide numerical examples to illustrate its performance.
Hyperammonemic coma due to parenteral nutrition in a woman with heterozygous ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency is an X-linked disorder of the urea cycle that can cause hyperammonemic encephalopathy in hemizygous males and heterozygous females. Affected females typically limit protein intake in their diet. This case report describes a 36-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis who went into hyperammonemic coma after administration of total parenteral nutrition. A similar episode of coma had occurred 7 years earlier after she delivered a normal boy. Heterozygous ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency was diagnosed based on a positive allopurinol tolerance test result after elevated levels of plasma glutamine and low plasma citrulline were detected. The protein load associated with parenteral alimentation resulted in symptomatic expression of this partial enzyme deficiency in this unique case. Partial ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency must always be considered in adult women and men with hyperammonemia who have normal liver function test results.
Activity-structure relationships of the thyrotropin releasing hormone

Abstract Analogs of the thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) have been studied for activity. Although the structure of TRH is highly specific for activity, some analogs released TSH at levels of about 20 to 10,000 times that of TRH. A similarity in the activity of the analogs to that of TRH is indicated by the inhibition in vivo by triiodothyronine and their activity in vitro . TRH, but not the active analogs, was inactivated in human serum showing a specificity of the inactivation. The in vivo activity of an analog at microgram levels is that of a relatively potent substance although these levels are up to 10,000 times higher than those of TRH; TRH has extraordinary potency. The potency of some of these analogs may be due to no inactivation by serum.
Light-harvesting chlorophyll pigments enable mammalian mitochondria to capture photonic energy and produce ATP

Sunlight is the most abundant energy source on this planet. However, the ability to convert sunlight into biological energy in the form of adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) is thought to be limited to chlorophyll-containing chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms. Here we show that mammalian mitochondria can also capture light and synthesize ATP when mixed with a light-capturing metabolite of chlorophyll. The same metabolite fed to the worm Caenorhabditis elegans leads to increase in ATP synthesis upon light exposure, along with an increase in life span. We further demonstrate the same potential to convert light into energy exists in mammals, as chlorophyll metabolites accumulate in mice, rats and swine when fed a chlorophyll-rich diet. Results suggest chlorophyll type molecules modulate mitochondrial ATP by catalyzing the reduction of coenzyme Q, a slow step in mitochondrial ATP synthesis. We propose that through consumption of plant chlorophyll pigments, animals, too, are able to derive energy directly from sunlight.
Data gathering tours for mobile robots

We study a path planning problem which arises when multiple robots are used to gather data from stationary devices with wireless communication capabilities. Each device has a given communication range, and stores a fixed amount of data. The objective of the robots is to gather the data from these devices and to upload it to a base-station/gateway. We introduce a new optimization problem called the Data Gathering Problem (DGP). In DGP, the objective is to compute a tour for each robot in such a way that minimizes the time to collect data from all devices. In order to download the data from a device, a robot must visit a point within the communication range of the device. Then, it spends a fixed amount of time to download the data. Thus, the time to complete a tour depends on not only the travel time but also the time to download the data, and the number of devices visited along the tour. First, we study a special case of DGP where the robots' motion is restricted to a curve which contains the base station at one end. Next, we study the 2D version. We show that two existing algorithms for variants of the Traveling Salesperson Problem can be combined and adapted to obtain a constant factor approximation to DGP. Afterwards, we present an improvement for sparse deployments. We also present simulations which shed light on the utility of data gathering using mobile robots.
Novel polyurethanes with macroheterocyclic (crown‐ether) structures in the polymer backbone

The synthesis of a functionalized crown ether was accomplished in two steps by condensing 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde with bis(2-chloroethyl)ether and subsequent reduction of the reaction product, bis(formylbenzo)-18-crown-6 (4) to a diol (5). Polyurethanes that bear the dibenzo-18-crown-6 moiety in the polymer backbone were synthesized from bis(methylolbenzo)-18-crown-6 (5), a polypropylene glycol, and methylene bis(4-cyclohexyl isocyanate). The resulting polymers were fibrous white solids with glass transitions from ca. 15–120°C, depending on the starting diol composition. The thermomechanical spectra of melt pressed or solvent cast films of several crown-ether-bearing polyurethanes showed evidence of multiphase character. The polymers failed to complex effectively with sodium ions. However, their complexing ability with potassium ion was similar in magnitude to that observed with relatively simple crown ethers.
Roles for potassium in the iron‐stress response mechanisms of strategy I and strategy II plants

Abstract An adequate supply of K is critical to proper function of the Fe‐stress response mechanisms of both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants. This review summarizes findings of a series of hydroponic experiments conducted with Fe‐deficiency stressed muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.), soybean (Glycine max Merr.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), and oat (Avenae byzantina C. Koch.) grown at varying levels of K and relates them to other studies to clarify the K‐Fe interaction. A differential disruption of the activity of Fe‐deficiency stress mechanisms by K deficiency was observed among muskmelon, soybean and tomato (a Strategy I species). In Fe‐stressed soybean and tomato, H+ ion release and reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ declined in K‐deficient versus K‐sufficient plants. Whereas K‐deficiency stress in muskmelon did not interrupt H+ ion release, it did diminish reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+. In monocotyledonous Coker 227 oat (a Strategy II species), significantly more phytosiderophore was released by ro...
Volatility in the California power market: source, methodology and recommendations

Extreme short-term price volatility in competitive electricity markets creates the need for price risk management for electric utilities. Recent methods in California provide examples of lessons that can be applied to other markets worldwide. Value-at-Risk (VAR), a method for quantifying risk exposure in the financial industry, is introduced as a technique that is applicable to quantifying price risk exposure in power systems. The methodology for applying VAR using changes in prices from corresponding hours on previous days is presented. Prices for electricity for the summer of 2000 are examined against previous periods to understand how the hourly VAR entity is exposed when the power system is obligated to serve a load and does not have a contract for supply. The VAR methodology introduced is then applied to a sample company in California that is serving a 100 MW load. Proposed remedies for the problems observed in the competitive California electric power industry are introduced.
Quantum Bousso bound

The Bousso bound requires that one-quarter of the area of a closed codimension-2 spacelike surface exceeds the entropy flux across a certain lightsheet terminating on the surface. The bound can be violated by quantum effects such as Hawking radiation. It is proposed that at the quantum level the bound be modified by adding to the area the quantum entanglement entropy across the surface. The validity of this quantum Bousso bound is proven in a two-dimensional large N dilaton gravity theory.
True Divergent Differentiation in a Cellular Slime Mold, Polysphondylium pallidum

Three abstract models of divergent cell differentiation to multiple cell types are presented. These differ primarily in the proportion of developmental events common to the pathways leading to each cell type. Two experimental approaches are outlined to determine which type best describes divergent differentiation occurring in a particular organism. The first technique is to describe and compare changes in labeling of specific polypeptides which characterize development to the several cell types. The second is to observe the ability of mutants which are blocked in one pathway to develop along alternate pathways. These approaches are applied to the case of Polysphondylium pallidum, where amebae develop into stalk cells, spores, or microcysts. It is concluded that cell differentiation in P. pallidum is of the truly divergent type, in which developing cells show identical sequences of events until a branch point, and thereafter very different sequences of events.
Tubular Links for Eccentrically Braced Frames. II: Experimental Verification

This paper describes the results of an experimental study to verify proposed design requirements for eccentrically braced frame links with hollow rectangular (i.e., tubular) cross sections. Twelve primary link specimens and two supplementary links that have different end connections are tested. Three cross sections and four normalized link lengths are considered. Two of the cross sections have web and flange compactness ratios near the proposed limits while the third cross section has compactness ratios significantly less than the proposed limits. Shear, intermediate, and flexural, link lengths are tested, including some at the critical transition length from shear-to-intermediate link behavior. Results indicated that tubular links satisfying the proposed compactness and stiffener requirements can achieve the target plastic rotations for wide-flange links when subjected to the loading protocol specified in the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions. The predominant failure mode is fracture of the link flange near the connection to the end plates used for testing. A method for calculating the ultimate link shear, proposed by others for wide-flange links, is also investigated and modified to agree with the results of the tubular link tests.
Formation of Artificial and Natural Intelligence in Big Data Environment

The Big Data environment is the pivot for the organization of purposeful behavior in Artificial and Natural systems. This situation could be addressed with the concept of bounded rationality, according to which only a relatively small part of the whole information is essential while the rest of the information seems tangential. The suggested “Big Data” computational model utilizes all the available information in a shrewd manner by manipulating explicitly a small portion of data on top of an implicit context of all other data. Practical realization of this scheme for Artificial Intelligence employs a novel technique for on-the-fly clusterization of Big Data streams. Natural Intelligence also must incorporate data streaming, as had been established by the phenomenon of “Penfield movies”. It is encouraging to evaluate this approach to Natural Intelligence, as well as for the general paradigm of the organization of biological information processing. Such kind of a consideration leads to the view of the physical world as an Internet of Things, which materializes in the framework of the Holographic Universe. The paper discusses details of this representation of the physical world and its possible corroboration. As to the organization of the brain, it appears that the presented model captures its cardinal operational feature of employing the unconsciousness. In particular, this refers to mental disorders, like neuroses, schizophrenia, and autism. Being incorporated in the suggested computational model for Big Data, the indispensable property of unconsciousness materializes through extracorporeal organization of biological memory with the suggested physical organization of the Internet of Things. Models of the brain without certain emergent unconsciousness are inadequate for handling the Big Data situation.
Standardization and quantification of radionuclide solid gastric-emptying studies.

The purposes of this investigation were to standardize and validate a simple quantitative method for performing radionuclide solid gastric emptying that can be used for any dual-head γ-camera and to establish reference values. Methods: After eating a solid meal (egg sandwich) labeled with a radionuclide, 20 healthy volunteers (9 male, 11 female) underwent a 90-min gastric-emptying study performed with a triple-head γ-camera. Two sets of 3 simultaneous projections were acquired sequentially for 30 s each: anterior, right posterior oblique (RPO), left posterior oblique (LPO), posterior, left anterior oblique (LAO), and right anterior oblique (RAO), and this sequence was repeated continuously for 90 min. Time–activity curves were generated using a gastric region of interest for each of the views as well as the conjugate-view geometric mean (GM) data for the anterior/posterior, LAO/RPO, and RAO/LPO combinations. Quantitative parameters were determined: percentage gastric emptying (%GE) at 90 min, half-time (min) based on an exponential fit, and clearance rate (%/min) based on a linear fit. Reference values were determined on the basis of a 95% confidence interval of the t distribution. The results were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: The %GE reference values were greater for the anterior/posterior GM (≥33%) than for the LAO (≥31%) and anterior (≥30%) GMs. The 3 %GE GM methods, the 3 exponential-fit GM methods, and the 3 linear-fit GM methods had high correlation coefficients (r ≥ 0.874), and with only a single exception, there was no statistical difference among them. The LAO method and LAO/RPO GM mean method correlated strongly (r = 0.900) and had similar mean values (52% vs. 51%) and reference values (29% vs. 30%). All 3 methods of GM quantification also correlated strongly, and there was no significant difference among them. Conclusion: We have described and validated a simple method for radionuclide solid gastric emptying that can be used with a dual-head γ-camera. We recommend the anterior/posterior GM method and have established reference values (≥33%).
In Other Words: Language Mixing, Identity Representations, and Third Space

This paper analyzes the use of Hindi in English newspapers in India to argue that code-switching creates a discursive space – a third space (Bhabha 1994) – where two systems of identity representation converge in response to global-local tensions on the one hand, and dialogically constituted identities, formed through resistance and appropriation, on the other. The results of the analysis of data show that code-switching: (1) reflects a new socio-ideological consciousness; (2) yields a new way to negotiate and navigate between a global identity and local practices; and (3) offers a new linguistic diacritic for class-based expressions of cultural identity. Based on these results, I conclude that code-switching, as linguistic hybridity, is a third space where social actors (re-)position themselves with regard to new community-practices of speaking, reading, and writing. It is in this space that actors are presumed to have the capacity to synthesize, to transform: code-switching serves as a visible marker of this transformation.
The Racial, Ethnic, and Social Class Achievement Gaps: A Systems Analysis.

This system dynamics analysis draws on the literature to outline the factors commonly discussed as predictive of and, perhaps, causally related to problematic differences in academic achievement among students who vary in race, ethnicity, and social class. It first treats these as a wide-ranging set of exogenous variables, many of which interact with each other, all of which influence academic achievement. “Causal-Influence Diagrams” are drawn to show these complex interactions. Then a distinction is drawn among the “traditional” school, the “gap-closing” school, and the “exceptional” school. In a subsequent section of the paper, variables that are not a part of the internal institutional system of schooling are mostly stripped away. In this section, a typology is presented and a distinction is drawn between two generic types of schools in contrast to what might be called the “traditional” school: the “gap-closing” school and the “exceptional” school.