cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐FF‐I‐103: Scatter Correction in Camera Specific Attenuation Measurements for Image Quantification in I‐131 Radionuclide Therapy

Objective: This project was aimed to generate quantitative data to be used to estimate radiationdose for radionuclide therapy with I‐131 labeled compound, for example, TM‐601 (TransMolecular, Inc.) for patients with recurrent or refractory somatic and/or cerebral metastatic solid tumors.Method: A 200 uCi I‐131 in 50 ml vial, a 0.1 uCi I‐131 standard in 10 ml vial, and ten 1″ thick Lucite blocks were used for sensitivity and attenuation measurements on Siemens dual head camera with HEGP collimators. Three windows were set; photopeak at 365 keV (14%), 326 keV (8%) and 403 keV (6%) for lower and upper Compton scatter. Whole body sensitivity scan was performed at 7.5 cm/min over 180 cm. Two series static images of 5 sets each for I‐131 attenuation were acquired using a stack of 10, 8, 4, 3 and 2 Lucite blocks in 5, 4, 3, 2 and 2 minutes, respectively. TEW (Triple Energy Window) and DEW (Dual Energy Window) were employed to compensate for Compton scattering. Measured attenuation coefficient was obtained from scatter corrected images. Initial dose estimate was also conducted using the DEW method. Results: The I‐131 attenuation scan yielded count rate as: 39 cps up to 220 cps when Lucite blocks reduced from 10 to 2 for un‐corrected photopeak image; 10 cps up to 110 cps; and 21 cps up to 153 cps for the TEW and for the DEW scatter corrected images, respectively. The I‐131 photopeak camera sensitivity was 244 cps/Bq/ml. Attenuation coefficients were 0.0849, 0.1173 and 0.0987, respectively. Conclusion: The DEW correction underestimated and the TEW method over estimated scatters. More attenuation effect was observed on scatter corrected images due to higher scattering when increasing the thickness of the Lucite blocks.
Determinants of computing in very small business

This article focuses on computing in very small businesses (VSB). We have defined a business to be very small if it has less than 50 employees. They have been ignored in the mainstream MIS literature. However, given that small businesses constitute a significant portion of the U.S. economy and that computers are making widespread inroads into small businesses, a serious investigation is warranted. A model is proposed for computing in VSBs and the parameters are investigated in an empirical study that identifies relationships between business characteristics, individual characteristics, and the degree of computing. On an a priori basis, it is assumed that the most important factors related to VSB computing are: size of the business, age of the business, general education of the owner/manager, the computer knowledge of the owner/ manager, and the profitability of the business. The results generally support the assumptions. The model therefore provides a descriptive understanding of VSB computing; it can also be used in a prescriptive mode to induce desired changes in VSB computing.
Membrane vesicles from trophoblast cells as models for placental exchange studies

One of the more important functions of the placenta is the transport of solutes between the maternal and the fetal compartments. Studies of transport in either the intact or perfused whole placenta have described the general mechanisms involved in the transfer of particular solutes (for recent reviews, see Young, 1981). These approaches have certain limitations with respect to defining specific transport phenomena. If separate transport properties exist at the maternal and fetal plasma membranes of the trophoblast, studies with whole tissue may fail to distinguish them. Furthermore, the studies of transport of nutrients are hampered by the metabolic activity present in the whole placenta. Isolated plasma membrane vesicles have recently been used in an effort to overcome some of the problems inherent in whole tissue approaches. At the onset I should point out that in this review I am using the term 'vesicle' in a restricted sense to denote a plasma membrane derived enclosed structure prepared for transport studies. The use of isolated membrane vesicles in renal and intestinal epithelia has been reviewed (Hopfer, 1978; Murer and Kinne, 1980). Membrane vesicles from the placental trophoblast provide an experimental system where the specific transport mechanisms located in the maternal facing plasma membrane and those present at the fetal face can be separately examined. An understanding of placental transport could then be reconstructed from knowledge of the properties of each of the two membranes. This article will discuss methods of preparation of trophoblast plasma membrane vesicles, measurements of transport in these vesicles and the types of transport mechanisms which have been defined to date.
Metabolic modulation of stoichiometry in a proton pump.

Abstract The current-voltage characteristics of the ATP-dependent proton pump in the plasma membrane of Neurospora have been explored under varied metabolic conditions imposed by mutation and by differential respiratory inhibition. The reversal potential, or presumed equilibrium potential, for the pump was observed at about −400 mV under energy-replete conditions, and at about −200 mV during a stable metabolic downshift of 55 percent. Steady-state levels of adenine nucleotides and inorganic phosphate, however, were not affected by this partial energy restriction, so that under both normal and restricted conditions the apparent free energy of ATP hydrolysis remained near −500 mV. The results suggest that a normal pump stoichiometry of 1 H + extruded/1 ATP split is modified to 2 H + /1 ATP, by chronic energy restriction.
Evaluation of protocol change in burn‐care management using the Cox proportional hazards model with time‐dependent covariates

Survival analysis methods are valuable for detecting intervention effects because detailed information from patient records and sensitive outcome measures are used. The burn unit at a large university hospital replaced routine bathing with total body bathing using chlorhexidine gluconate for antimicrobial effect. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse time from admission until either infection with Staphylococcus aureus or discharge for 155 patients, controlling for burn severity and two time-dependent covariates: days until first wound excision and days until first administration of prophylactic antibiotics. The risk of infection was 55 per cent higher in the historical control group, although not statistically significant. There was also some indication that early wound excision may be important as an infection-control measure for burn patients.
The unexplored potential of the pentose phosphate pathway in health and disease.

The paper of Wamelink et al (2008) represents the culmination of four years of graduate work by Mirjam Wamelink in the laboratory of Professor Cornelis Jakobs, as well as the mentorship provided by other investigators and colleagues at the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam. It is a beautiful review of both her work and the emerging field of polyol metabolism. In this paper, she reviews the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and its critical role in providing NADPH which helps regulate the cellular redox potential via maintenance of the reduced glutathione pool, a major anti-oxidant defense. In addition, Wamelink et al discuss the two ultra-rare heritable disorders of the PPP, ribose-5-phosphate isomerase (RPI) deficiency and transaldose (TALDO) deficiency. The former, a leukodystrophy with elevated ribitol and arabitol and decreased myo-inositol in brain, was first described by van der Knaap et al (1999), while the latter, a rapidly progressive liver disease with congenital developmental lesions, was first described by Verhoeven et al (2001). These rare experiments of nature are of great interest and raise new questions and hypotheses. For example, is cellular osmoregulation of cyclic and acylic polyol content linked to the redox potential especially in cells in which the NADPH/NADP and NADH/NAD couples interdigitate via the malic enzyme and mitochondrial oxidative metabolism? Wamelink_s major contribution to this field was to develop novel analytical methods, including LC-MS/MS, for the sensitive and accurate measurements of polyols and sugar phosphates in body fluids. These methods may be applical to many other human diseases as the PPP interfaces with cancer metabolism and hypoxic-ischemic injury. As exemplified by this outstanding review, the JIMD has created a wonderful opportunity for graduate students from around the world to showcase their work, as well as honour the mentors and collaborators who have provided the framework for their success. The publication of a review of a student_s thesis work is very welcome and an indication of the singular intent of the JIMD to advance our field of metabolism.
The structural basis of water permeation and proton exclusion in aquaporins (Review)

Aquaporins (AQPs) represent a ubiquitous class of integral membrane proteins that play critical roles in cellular osmoregulations in microbes, plants and mammals. AQPs primarily function as water-conducting channels, whereas members of a sub-class of AQPs, termed aquaglyceroporins, are permeable to small neutral solutes such as glycerol. While AQPs facilitate transmembrane permeation of water and/or small neutral solutes, they preclude the conduction of protons. Consequently, openings of AQP channels allow rapid water diffusion down an osmotic gradient without dissipating electrochemical potentials. Molecular structures of AQPs portray unique features that define the two central functions of AQP channels: effective water permeation and strict proton exclusion. This review describes AQP structures known to date and discusses the mechanisms underlying water permeation, proton exclusion and water permeability regulation.
COUMA GUATEMALENSIS AS A POSSIBLE FUTURE SOURCE OF CHICLE

During the course of our experiments to develop a more favorable method of tapping Achras zapota for chicle and determine its response to wounding and possibilities for plantation culture in tropical America, considerable attention has also been devoted to the discovery of other laticiferous species which might become possible future sources of chicle. The jungles of Central and South America are abundant in latex-yielding species of various families, and in these regions they attain their maximum size in the proportion usually of large trees. It was thus hoped that in our survey wo!rk additional species would be discovered which would be more adaptable to plantation culture than the sapodilla tree and still yield a chicle suitable for gum manufacture. One of the most favorable species so far observed is Couma guatemalensis, of the family Apocynaceae. This species was first discovered and described by Record and Kuylen, and Standley in the lower Rio Motagua Valley of Guatemala in I926, where it is known locally as "cow tree" and "palo de vaca." They report it as a very large tree which, when the bark is cut or injured, exudes a copious, rich, creamy, sweet and palatable latex. In view of this report and the fact that another species of the same genus and family (Vander Laan, I927) is reported to yield the chicle of commerce in Colombia, preliminary steps were taken shortly afterward in relation to our chicle research project to determine the possibilities of this species as a source of gum. Accordingly, in July of I930 a brief trip was made by the author to Entre Rios, Guatemala, to make a hasty survey of the distribution of Couma guatemalensis and carry out some preliminary tapping experiments to determine its yield and response to wounding. Entre Rios lies in the lower Motagua Valley approximately 30 feet above sea level in what is commonly known as the banana belt. This region was formerly a typical lowland jungle, and in the natural condition covered by virgin rain forest of mixed hardwoods. In recent times, however, it has been gradually cleared for banana culture except for the low hills. In the immediate vicinity of Entre Rios swamps are very abundant, with numerous small mound-like hills varying from 30 to 6o feet above sea level. The soil is a deep, sticky red clay mixed with sand. The annual rainfall is considerably in excess of IOO inches, and during the rainy season the swamps and streams are well filled with water. 580
Work functions and effective masses of positrons in metals

Positron work functions have been calculated for various metallic elements. The experimental values of the electronic work functions and the positron lifetimes were used in order to eliminate the surface dipole barrier and the electron-positron correlation, respectively. In addition, the effective mass of positrons in these metals was calculated, including the effect of positron-plasmon interactions. The results are presented along with available experimental results.
“Ending Welfare as We Know It” in 1960: Louisiana’s Suitable Home Law

In August 1960, Louisiana terminated welfare benefits for 22,501 children whose mothers were deemed “unsuitable” because of extramarital sexual activity. Coming amid the struggle to desegregate New Orleans’s schools and overwhelmingly affecting African‐American women and children, the Louisiana suitable home initiative was part of a package of prosegregation laws that codified growing anxieties about race, class, and gender stereotypes of poor black women. Ultimately, the Louisiana suitable home law was the catalyst for a series of events that increased the federal role in determining Aid to Dependent Children eligibility. This study illuminates efforts to bring attention to the situation.
A Hierarchical Flight Planning Framework for Air Traffic Management

The continuous growth of air traffic demand, skyrocketing fuel price, and increasing concerns on safety and environmental impact of air transportation necessitate the modernization of the air traffic management (ATM) system in the United States. The design of such a large-scale networked system that involves complex interactions among automation and human operators poses new challenges for many engineering fields. This paper investigates several important facets of the future ATM system from a systems-level point of view. In particular, we develop a hierarchical decentralized decision architecture that can design 4-D (space +time) path plans for a large number of flights while satisfying weather and capacity constraints of the overall system. The proposed planning framework respects preferences of individual flights and encourages information sharing among different decision makers in the system, and thus has a great potential to reduce traffic delays and weather risks while maintaining safety standards. The framework is validated through a large-scale simulation based on real traffic data over the entire airspace of the contiguous United States. We envision that the hierarchical decentralization approach developed in this paper would also provide useful insights into the design of decision and information hierarchies for other large-scale infrastructure systems.
Effect of urea form and method of feeding on rumen ammonia concentration

Rumen ammonia was compared in six rumen fistulated, lactating Holstein cows fed urea twice daily in a concentrate mixture, urea fed once per day in a complete ration, and a gelatinized starch-urea product fed twice daily in the concentrate mixture. Samples were taken during 24-h intervals at the end of each 3 wk. Sharp and similar peaks in rumen ammonia followed feeding of urea and gelatinized urea-starch product twice daily in the concentrate mixture. A much lower ammonia peak followed the once daily feeding of the complete ration. Use of complete rations offered ad libitum eliminates the need for products with sustained ammonia release.
Genetics and the control of evolution

This book presents a survey of the molecular basis for the genetic control of living organisms and their evolution. The authors consider four dimensions of control over what shapes life forms: genetic, epigenetic, behavioral, and symbolic/cultural. They pay particular attention to the epigenetic realm, and they defend a view recognizing the genetic incorporation of acquired characteristics – a neo-Lamarckian tack.
Critical period for the marked loss of retinal X-cells following visual cortex damage in cats.

Abstract Visual cortex damage in newborn kittens produces a 78% loss of retinal X-cells whereas damage in adult cats produces only a 22% loss. Retinal Y- and W-cells are unaffected 17 . The present experiment showed that the critical period for the severe loss of retinal X-cells ends between birth and 2 weeks of age. These results have implications for understanding the neural mechanisms of recovery from early visual cortex damage.
Treatment of Advanced Bladder Cancer With Combined Preoperative Irradiation and Radical Cystectomy Versus Radical Cystectomy Alone: A Phase III Intergroup Study

ABSTRACTPurpose: Our study was designed to compare the effects of preoperative irradiation and cystectomy to surgery alone in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.Materials and Methods: A total of 140 patients with documented invasive bladder cancer or rapidly recurring superficial high grade tumors was randomized to receive 2,000 rad of pelvic irradiation followed by cystectomy within 1 week or surgery alone.Results: The 5-year survival rate was 53% (95 confidence intervals 41 to 65%) in the surgery only group and 43% (95% confidence intervals 30 to 56%) in the irradiation plus surgery group. The p value for the log rank statistic comparing the survival distributions was 0.23.Conclusions: Although this trial showed no benefit for preoperative irradiation and cystectomy, the confidence intervals were wide. This finding does not exclude the possibility of a favorable effect of radiation in a subset of patients with high stage tumors. Overall, however, the dominant effect of distant dise...
PGI3: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED COST ANALYSIS OF MEPERIDINE AND MIDAZOLAM VERSUS PROPOFOL FOR COMPLEX UPPER ENDOSCOPY PROCEDURES

OBJECTIVES: Meperidine/midazolam (M/M) and propofol (P) are clinically effective alternatives for sedation during endoscopic procedures. Propofol has a higher acquisition cost, but may be associated with cost savings due to shorter duration of post-procedure care. The objective of this project was to compare the costs associated with complex upper endoscopic procedures (ERCP/EUS) in subjects who received either M/M or propofol. METHODS: Subjects scheduled for ERCP/EUS were randomized to receive M/M or P during the procedure. A blinded observer assessed time to recovery using a standard 10-point postanesthesia recovery score (PARS) every 15 minutes. Once a PARS score of 10 was reached, the study terminated and the subject was discharged from the recovery ward. The cost of drug (source: Redbook), an anesthetist for the propofol group (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics), recovery room personnel costs (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics), and overhead costs were compared from the institutional perspective. A sensitivity analysis was performed by assuming generic drug, a nurse anesthetist, and licensed practical nurse (LPN) care in the recovery ward. RESULTS: 33 and 31 subjects were randomized to receive M/M and P, respectively. There were no significant differences detected between the groups in age, gender, case severity, or procedure duration. P group subjects had a significantly shorter post-procedure recovery time (19 minutes) compared with M/M group subjects (71 minutes, p < 0.001). Subjects in the M/M group cost an average of $65 per case, while P group subjects cost an average of $144 per case (p < 0.001). The sensitivity analysis resulted in an average cost of $77 per case in the P group and $34 in the M/M group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects in the P group had a significantly shorter post-procedure recovery time but this did not result in cost savings compared with subjects treated with M/M.
Identification of histone deacetylase-3 domains that interact with the orphan nuclear receptor TR2.

Abstract The orphan nuclear receptor TR2 interacts directly with histone deacetylase HDAC3 and HDAC4. We now report that two domains of HDAC3 are involved in its interaction with TR2. GST pull-down assays show that both the N-terminal (residues 1–135) and the C-terminal (residues 210–428) segments of HDAC3 directly interact with TR2. The interaction is also demonstrated in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. The two TR2-binding sites of HDAC3 compete with each other for binding to TR2. The two receptor-interacting domains (RIDs) of HDAC3 were further dissected and mapped to amino acid residues 1–70 and 270–320. In vivo studies demonstrate that HDAC3 and TR2 can form a complex on the TR2 DNA target and this complex exhibits histone deacetylase activity. These data identify two RIDs of HDAC3 and the biological activity of the complex formed by TR2 and HDAC3 on the TR2 DNA target.
Solid-phase synthesis of novel hybrid opiates

An efficient solid-phase synthesis of some novel hybrid opiates, consisting of part peptide and part alkaloid, connected together through a hydrazone linkage is reported. NMR studies show the E to Z isomerization of the hydrazone bond.
Product Price and Warranty Terms: An Optimization Model

This paper is concerned with the development of a decision model for the choice of a warranty period and product price which would maximize the profits of a firm when its product has a random service life.
Editorial: Pharmacologic Prophylaxis Alone Is Not Adequate to Prevent Post-ERCP Pancreatitis

Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) remains the most common complication following ERCP. Although once considered unpredictable, understanding patient and procedure-related risk factors, and measures such as pancreatic stent placement and pharmacoprophylaxis have been shown to substantially decrease the risk of PEP. In this issue of the Journal, the role of pharmacoprophylaxis is explored in a study comparing rectal indomethacin plus sublingual nitrates vs. rectal indomethacin alone. While showing improved efficacy, dual pharmacoprophylaxis does not appear adequate to obviate the importance of technique-related variables and pancreatic stents. Rather, a comprehensive approach is likely to be the most efficacious strategy to reduce PEP.
Project impact analysis as an optimal control problem

Abstract This paper investigates the impact that a major investment project would have on the optimal investment strategy and the economy of a developing country. The multi-sector intertemporal planning model is formulated as a linear quadratic tracking problem where targets are set for the growth of the macroeconomic variables. Project demands are given exogenously. Model solutions for an irrigation project in Sri Lanka show that besides leading to a different investment strategy due to the project, tracking only the macro-variables leads to fluctuating investments.
Genetic reduction of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors alters select behaviors in a mouse model for fragile X syndrome.

Abstract Introduction Genetic heterogeneity likely contributes to variability in the symptoms among individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Studies in the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model for FXS suggest that excessive signaling through group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (Gp1 mGluRs), comprised of subtypes mGluR1 and mGluR5, may play a role. Hence, Gp1 mGluRs may act as modifiers of FXS. Currently no studies have addressed whether manipulation of mGluR1 activity may alter Fmr1 KO behavioral responses, and only a few have reported the effects of mGluR5 manipulation. Therefore, the goals for this study were to extend our understanding of the effects of modulating Gp1 mGluR activity on Fmr1 KO behavioral responses. Methods The present study determined if genetically reducing mGluR1 or mGluR5 by 50% affects an extensive array of behaviors in the Fmr1 KO. Results Reduction of mGluR1 moderately decreased Fmr1 KO activity. Reduction of mGluR5 caused an analgesic response in the Fmr1 KO and decreased active social behavior. Modulation of either mGluR1 or mGluR5 did not significantly alter audiogenic seizures, anxiety- and perseverative-related responses, sensorimotor gating, memory, or motor responses. Conclusions Genetic reduction of mGluR1 or mGluR5 modified a few select Fmr1 KO behaviors, although these modifications appeared to be subtle in nature and/or limited to select behaviors. This may indicate that 50% reduction of either mGluR1 or mGluR5 is insufficient to produce behavioral changes, and therefore, these receptors may not be dominant modifiers of a number of Fmr1 KO behavioral phenotypes.
Phenomenal information again: It is both real and intrinsically perspectival

Abstract In two recent publications I argued against Nemirow and Lewis that there is distinctive, irreducibly phenomenal and perspectival information of the sort alleged by Jackson; but I gave an account of such information that is entirely compatible with a materialist view of human subjects. Hershfield argues that the latter account is inadequate, in that it fails to support the claim that the information it characterizes is irreducibly phenomenal or perspectival. I reply that Hershfield's conclusion does not follow from his argument's premises.
Sensing self-motion: visual and vestibular mechanisms share the same frame of reference

Self-motion is monitored by two systems: the vestibular system, which senses head rotation through the semicircular canals, and the visual system, which senses slippage of the image of the world on the retina. Recordings in the central visual pathways of lateral-eyed animals have revealed that the two systems organize directional information in remarkably similar ways. Thus, some neurons are tuned to respond best to exactly those patterns of retinal image motion that would be evoked by head rotations that maximally excite particular semicircular canals.
A new C(α) test for 2×2 tables

Two by two contingency tables which arise from experiments in which each subject serves as a self control are examined, Two types of experimental design are discussed: the confounded design and the counterbalanced design. In the case of the counterbalanced design, the locally asymptotically optimal C(α) test is compared with the binomial test for symmetry in a 2×2 contingency table. The binomial test is found to be less efficient than the C(α) test.
The genus Symploce Hebard. VI. African species. (Dictyoptera: Blattaria, Blattellidae)

The following 4 new African species of Symploce are described: jarivarensis, kibalituriensis, kumari, and somaliensis. Nine species are redescribed, viz., digitifera Rehn, divisa Princis, incuriosa (Saussure), kenyensis Chopard, macroptera (Walker), marshallae Kumar, natalensis (Walker), sikorae (Saussure). and triangulifera Princis. The species are placed in four species groups, and a key to males is given.
Genesis and Evolution of Surface Species during Pt Atomic Layer Deposition on Oxide Supports Characterized by in Situ XAFS Analysis and Water−Gas Shift Reaction

Platinum atomic layer deposition (ALD) using MeCpPtMe3 was employed to prepare high loadings of uniform-sized, 1−2 nm Pt nanoparticles on high surface area Al2O3, TiO2, and SrTiO3 supports. X-ray absorption fine structure was utilized to monitor the changes in the Pt species during each step of the synthesis. The temperature, precursor exposure time, treatment gas, and number of ALD cycles were found to affect the Pt particle size and density. Lower-temperature MeCpPtMe3 adsorption yielded smaller particles due to reduced thermal decomposition. A 300 °C air treatment of the adsorbed MeCpPtMe3 leads to PtO. In subsequent ALD cycles, the MeCpPtMe3 reduces the PtO to metallic Pt in the ratio of one precursor molecule per PtO. A 200 °C H2 treatment of the adsorbed MeCpPtMe3 leads to the formation of 1−2 nm, metallic Pt nanoparticles. During subsequent ALD cycles, MeCpPtMe3 adsorbs on the support, which, upon reduction, yields additional Pt nanoparticles with a minimal increase in size of the previously formed...
Optical activity of trigonal coordination compounds

The optical activity of trigonal coordination compounds is investigated using the crystal field theory. The ionic model is shown to account for the circular dichroism of Co(en)3 +3. The absolute configuration of Cr(C2O4)3 -3 is assigned on the basis of the ionic model.
Mobile Sensor Networks for Learning Anisotropic Gaussian Processes

This paper presents a novel class of self-organizing sensing agents that learn an anisotropic, spatio-temporal Gaussian process using noisy measurements and move in order to improve the quality of the estimated covariance function. This approach is based on a class of anisotropic covariance functions of Gaussian processes developed to model a broad range of anisotropic, spatio-temporal physical phenomena. The covariance function is assumed to be unknown a priori. Hence, it is estimated by the maximum likelihood (ML) estimator. The prediction of the field of interest is then obtained based on a non-parametric approach. An optimal navigation strategy is proposed to minimize the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRLB) of the estimation error covariance matrix. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Relaxin immunoactivity levels in ovarian extracts obtained from rats during various reproductive states and from adult cycling pigs.

Relaxin immunoactivity levels were measured in the ovaries of rats during various reproductive states with a homologous rat relaxin RIA. Relaxin levels in the ovaries of immature noncycling rats were extremely low, approximately 2 pg/mg equivalent of fresh tissue (FT). Ovarian relaxin concentrations were low throughout the estrous cycle of adult rats but varied with the stage of the cycle. Maximal levels of approximately 20 pg/mgeq FT were obtained at estrus. Relaxin immunoactivity concentrations increased in the ovaries of both ordinary and deciduomata-bearing pseudopregnant rats. In both cases, relaxin levels increased from approximately 160 pg/mgeq FT on day 6 of pseudopregnancy (day 6) to levels ranging from 350–400 pg/mgeq FT on days 10 and 12. After day 12, however, the relaxin concentrations in the ovaries of the two groups of pseudopregnant rats differed. Relaxin levels in the ovaries of ordinary pseudopregnant rats declined by day 15, whereas relaxin levels in the deciduomata-bearing pseudopregna...
Acute resistance exercise activates rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms that control translational activity and capacity in skeletal muscle

Author(s): West, Daniel WD; Baehr, Leslie M; Marcotte, George R; Chason, Courtney M; Tolento, Luis; Gomes, Aldrin V; Bodine, Sue C; Baar, Keith | Abstract: Key pointsRibosome biogenesis is the primary determinant of translational capacity, but its regulation in skeletal muscle following acute resistance exercise is poorly understood. Resistance exercise increases muscle protein synthesis acutely, and muscle mass with training, but the role of translational capacity in these processes is unclear. Here, we show that acute resistance exercise activated pathways controlling translational activity and capacity through both rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms. Transcription factor c-Myc and its downstream targets, which are known to regulate ribosome biogenesis in other cell types, were upregulated after resistance exercise in a rapamycin-independent manner and may play a role in determining translational capacity in skeletal muscle. Local inhibition of myostatin was also not affected by rapamycin and may contribute to the rapamycin-independent effects of resistance exercise.AbstractThis study aimed to determine (1) the effect of acute resistance exercise on mechanisms of ribosome biogenesis, and (2) the impact of mammalian target of rapamycin on ribosome biogenesis, and muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and degradation. Female F344BN rats underwent unilateral electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve to mimic resistance exercise in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle. TA muscles were collected at intervals over the 36 h of exercise recovery (REx); separate groups of animals were administered rapamycin pre-exercise (REx+Rapamycin). Resistance exercise led to a prolonged (6-36 h) elevation (30-50%) of MPS that was fully blocked by rapamycin at 6 h but only partially at 18 h. REx also altered pathways that regulate protein homeostasis and mRNA translation in a manner that was both rapamycin-sensitive (proteasome activity; phosphorylation of S6K1 and rpS6) and rapamycin-insensitive (phosphorylation of eEF2, ERK1/2 and UBF; gene expression of the myostatin target Mighty as well as c-Myc and its targets involved in ribosome biogenesis). The role of c-Myc was tested in vitro using the inhibitor 10058-F4, which, over time, decreased basal RNA and MPS in a dose-dependent manner (correlation of RNA and MPS, r(2) = 0.98), even though it had no effect on the acute stimulation of protein synthesis. In conclusion, acute resistance exercise stimulated rapamycin-sensitive and -insensitive mechanisms that regulate translation activity and capacity.
Bridewealth and Female Consent: Marriage Disputes in African Courts, Gusiiland, Kenya

From the early 1940s Gusiiland (Kenya) underwent a series of transformations that pushed bridewealth to unheralded levels. As a result, many young couples could not afford a proper marriage and eloped. Some fathers forced their daughters into marriages with men wealthy enough to give cattle; many of these women ran off instead with more desirable men. In the hundreds of resulting court cases, Gusii debated the relative weight to be given to bridewealth, parental approval and female consent in marriage. Young people did not reject marriage, but fought against senior men who would ignore women's wishes. Gusii court elders usually agreed with fathers and husbands but also believed that female consent did carry some significance.
Testing and commissioning of the als adjustable, hysteresis-free Chicane magnet

The magnetic performance and commissioning of a new Advanced Light Source (ALS) chicane magnet are presented. The new magnet is iron free using permanent magnet rotors and trim coils, resulting in hysteresis-free operation. The theory and method for magnetic adjustments are discussed. Results of adjustments are presented that produce a maximum dipole field and reduce unallowed harmonics to below the required level of |bn/b1|<3times10-3
Transients in Carbon Dioxide Stores

Physiologically correct models of the respiratory control system require accurate knowledge of the structure and dynamics of carbon dioxide stores of the body. Several models of these stores have been investigated and the computed results compared to experiment. The effect on these models of alterations in cardiac output, regional perfusion, and tissue absorptive capacity for carbon dioxide has been examined. Experimental results are best duplicated by a five venous compartment model of carbon dioxide stores with a low absorptive capacity for carbon dioxide during the first few minutes following a change in ventilation.
Memory Controller Optimizations for Web Servers

This paper analyzes memory access scheduling and virtual channels as mechanisms to reduce the latency of main memory accesses by the CPU and peripherals in web servers. Despite the address filtering effects of the CPU's cache hierarchy, there is significant locality and bank parallelism in the DRAM access stream of a web server, which includes traffic from the operating system, application, and peripherals. However, a sequential memory controller leaves much of this locality and parallelism unexploited, as serialization and bank conflicts affect the realizable latency. Aggressive scheduling within the memory controller to exploit the available parallelism and locality can reduce the average read latency of the SDRAM. However, bank conflicts and the limited ability of the SDRAM's internal row buffers to act as a cache hinder further latency reduction. Virtual channel SDRAMovercomes these limitations by providing a set of channel buffers that can hold segments from rows of any internal SDRAM bank. This paper presents memory controller policies that can make effective use of these channel buffers to further reduce the average read latency of the SDRAM.
From the eden model to the kinetic growth walk: A generalized growth model with a finite lifetime of growth sites

We propose a new class of cluster growth models where growth sites have a finite lifetime τ, which contains as special cases the Eden model (τ = ∞) and the kinetic growth walk (τ = 1). For finite but large τ values the growth process can be characterized by a crossover timetX; for times belowtX an Eden-type cluster is formed, while for times abovetX the growth process belongs to the universality class of the self-avoiding random walk. The crossover time increases monotonically with τ. We develop a scaling theory for the time evolution of the mean end-to-end distance between the seed and the last-added site, and for the average number of growth sites by which the kinetics of the growth process can be characterized. We test this scaling theory by extensive Monte Carlo simulations. We also extend our results to inhomogeneous media (percolation systems).
Hog1: 20 years of discovery and impact

The protein kinase Hog1 (high osmolarity glycerol 1) was discovered 20 years ago, being revealed as a central signaling mediator during osmoregulation in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Homologs of Hog1 exist in all evaluated eukaryotic organisms, and this kinase plays a central role in cellular responses to external stresses and stimuli. Here, we highlight the mechanism by which cells sense changes in extracellular osmolarity, the method by which Hog1 regulates cellular adaptation, and the impacts of the Hog1 pathway upon cellular growth and morphology. Studies that have addressed these issues reveal the influence of the Hog1 signaling pathway on diverse cellular processes.
The architecture of an intelligent virtual mathematical software repository system

Abstract Much reusable software is available for solving routine mathematical and statistical problems. Unfortunately, locating this software is often quite difficult in current distributed computing environments. The Guide to Available Mathematical Software (GAMS) virtual software repository seeks to remedy this by providing users with convenient access to thousands of software modules physically distributed among several Internet repositories, including netlib . In this paper the author will illustrate the use of GAMS, describe its implementation, and outline plans for the incorporation of expert advisory capabilities.
Reperfusion injury on cardiac myocytes after simulated ischemia

The extent of cardiac injury incurred during reperfusion as opposed to that occurring during ischemia is unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that simulated ischemia followed by simulated reperfusion causes significant "reperfusion injury" in isolated chick cardiomyocytes. Cells were exposed to hypoxia, hypercarbic acidosis, hyperkalemia, and substrate deprivation for 1 h followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Irreversible cell membrane injury, measured by propidium iodide uptake, increased from 4% of cells at the end of ischemia to 73% after reperfusion; death occurred in only 17% of cells kept ischemic for 4 h. Lactate dehydrogenase release was consistent with these changes. Lengthening ischemia from 30 to 90 min increased cell injury as expected, but of the total cell death, > 90% occurred during reperfusion. "Chemical hypoxia" composed of cyanide (2.5 mM) plus 2-deoxyglucose augmented injury before reperfusion compared with simulated ischemia. Inhibition of oxygen radical generation by use of metal chelator 1,10-phenanthroline reduced cell death from 73% to 40% after reperfusion (P = 0.001). We conclude that simulated reperfusion significantly augments the cellular membrane damage elicited by simulated ischemia in isolated cardiomyocytes devoid of other factors and suggest that reactive oxygen species, perhaps from the mitochondria, participate in this injury.
Spectral Distribution of Random Matrices From Binary Linear Block Codes

Let C be a binary linear block code of length n, dimension k and minimum Hamming distance d over GF(2)n. Let d⊥ denote the minimum Hamming distance of the dual code of C over GF(2)n. Let e:GF(2)n→{-1,1}n be the component-wise mapping e(vi):=(-1)vi, for v=(v1,v2,...,vn) ∈ GF(2)n. Finally, for p <; n, let \mmbΦC be a p × n random matrix whose rows are obtained by mapping a uniformly drawn set of size p of the codewords of C under e. It is shown that for d⊥ large enough and y:=p/n ∈ (0,1) fixed, as n→∞ the empirical spectral distribution of the Gram matrix of [1/(√n)]\mmbΦC resembles that of a random i.i.d. Rademacher matrix (i.e., the Marchenko-Pastur distribution). Moreover, an explicit asymptotic uniform bound on the distance of the empirical spectral distribution of the Gram matrix of [1/(√n)]\mmbΦC to the Marchenko-Pastur distribution as a function of y and d⊥ is presented.
Power Loss: The Origins of Deregulation and Restructuring in the American Electric Utility System

In the late 1990s, the formerly staid and monopolistic electric utility industry entered an era of freewheeling competition and deregulation, allowing American consumers to buy electricity from any company offering it. In this book, Richard F. Hirsh explains how and why this radical restructuring has occurred.Hirsh starts by describing the successful campaign waged by utility managers in the first decade of the twentieth century to protect their industry from competition. The regulated system that emerged had the unanticipated consequence of endowing utility managers with great political and economic power. Seven decades later, a series of largely unanticipated events, including technological stagnation in traditional generating equipment, the 1973 energy crisis, and the rise of the environmental movement, undermined the managers' control of the system. New players, such as academics, environmental advocates, politicians, and potential competitors, wrested control from power company managers by challenging utilities' standing as "natural monopolies" and by questioning whether their firms provided universal benefits. In other words, the once-closed system came under increasing pressure to transform itself.Hirsh follows the flow of power as this transformation occurred. He also examines the relationship between technological change and regulation, showing how innovations such as cogeneration and renewable energy technologies stimulated questions about the value of government oversight of the system. And he shows how the increasing prominence of ideas such as conservation, energy efficiency, and free markets helped propel the system toward open competition.Though the new electric utility system is still in its infancy, Hirsh's perceptive account of its birth will help readers think more rationally about its future.
ChainKnot: a comparative H-type pseudoknot prediction tool using multiple ab initio folding tools

Pseudoknot is an important structural motif in many types of ncRNAs. However, the accuracy of pseudoknot derivation is still not satisfactory even for simple pseudoknotted structures and short sequences. In this work, we design and implement an effective pipeline, ChainKnot, for deriving secondary structures containing recursive H-type pseudoknots from two or multiple ncRNA sequences. ChainKnot solves the consensus structure derivation problem using an extended maximum-weighted chain algorithm. In addition, ChainKnot tests a new strategy that extracts structural elements from the optimal and sub-optimal predictions of multiple ab initio pseudoknot prediction tools. The experimental results on over five hundreds of pseudoknot-containing ncRNAs demonstrate that extracting stems from the output of ab initio tools significantly increases the performance of the prediction pipeline compared to using base-pairing probability matrices. Our approach achieves better sensitivity, PPV, and F-score than the state-of-the-art pseudoknot prediction tools on recursive H-type pseudoknots. The source code of ChainKnot is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/chainknot
The University of Pittsburgh's Psychoeducational Clinic

The University of Pittsburgh's Psychoeducational Clinic is described here. The purpose of the clinic is to assist parents and teachers in understanding children and their problems so that effective and efficient intervention can be applied. To further that understanding, the clinic employs a decision-making model for the clinical assessment of children with learning and behavior problems. In addition to its service function, the clinic provides a facility for student training and research.
Social media question asking workshop

Social media question asking, in which people use Internet technologies to solicit help from other people, is an increasingly common way for people to find information. This workshop brings together researchers studying social media question asking from a variety of perspectives, including social scientists seeking to understand and describe the phenomenon and those seeking to create improved experiences through innovation in system building or user interface design.
Motorized force-sensing micro-forceps with tremor cancelling and controlled micro-vibrations for easier membrane peeling

Retinal microsurgery requires the manipulation of extremely delicate tissues by various micron scale maneuvers and the application of very small forces. Among vitreoretinal procedures, membrane peeling is a standard procedure requiring the delamination of a very thin fibrous membrane on the retina surface. This study presents the development and evaluation of an integrated assistive system for membrane peeling. This system combines a force-sensing motorized micro-forceps with an active tremor-canceling handheld micromanipulator, Micron. The proposed system (1) attenuates hand-tremor when accurate positioning is needed, (2) provides auditory force feedback to keep the exerted forces at a safe level, and (3) pulsates the tool tip at high frequency to provide ease in delaminating membranes. Experiments on bandages and raw chicken eggs have revealed that controlled micro-vibrations provide significant ease in delaminating membranes. Applying similar amount of forces, much faster delamination was observed when the frequency of these vibrations were increased (up to 50 Hz).
Security considerations when designing a distributed file system using object storage devices

We present the design goals that led us to developing a distributed object-based secure file system, Brave. Brave uses mutually authenticated object storage devices, SCARED, to store file system data. Rather than require a new authentication infrastructure. we show how we use a simple authentication protocol that is bridged into existing security infrastructures, even if there is more than one authentication protocol or domain present. We position our work in the context of some of the current work going on in distributed secure file systems and present our implementation of our file system. We also present some security weaknesses that are shared with other distributed file systems that may not be apparent when designing these systems.
Individual Differences and the form and Function of Instruction

Selected approaches to the individualization of instruction are reviewed and compared to the findings of the effective teaching literature. The instructional setting, as a salient variable in instructional adaptations for individual differences, is questioned. Special educators should focus on the needed, validated, student learning experiences. To accomplish this, the special educator should emphasize the function, not the form, of instructional treatments. It is recommended that the effective teaching literature be viewed as a source of practical information on cost-effective approaches that address instructionally relevant individual differences.