cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic analysis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and related disorders.

Genetic studies of over 200 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS), fatal familial insomnia (FFI) and kuru have brought a reliable body of evidence that the familial forms of CJD and all known cases of GSS and FFI are linked to germline mutations in the coding region of the PRNP gene on chromosome 20, either point substitutions or expansion of the number of 24-nucleotide repeat units. Phenotypic expression of FFI and familial CJD, clinically and pathologically distinct syndromes linked to the 178Asp-->Asn substitution, is dependent on a polymorphism at codon 129. Synthetic peptides homologous to several regions of PrP spontaneously form insoluble amyloid fibrils with unique morphological characteristics and polymerization tendencies. Peptides homologous to mutated regions of PrP exhibit enhanced fibrillogenic properties and, if mixed with the wild-type peptide, produce even more abundant and larger fibrous aggregates. A similar process in vivo may be the primary event leading to amyloid accumulation and disease.
Antiviral substances in plants of the mint family (labiatae). 3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and other mint plants.

SummaryExtracts of various plants of the mint family (Labiatae) were studied for antiviral activity. Peppermint Mentha piperita extract had antiviral activity against Newcastle disease (NDV), herpes simplex, vaccinia, Semliki Forest, and West Nile viruses in egg and cell-culture systems. It contains a tannin with an affinity for NDV and mumps virus and a nontannin fraction with antiviral effects against herpes simplex virus. Aqueous extracts of sage (Salvia cyprea), marjoram (Origanum majorana), wild thyme (Thymus serpyllum), American pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides), Crea monda (Satureia sp.) and Spanish and French thymes (Thymus sp.) all exhibited some antiviral effects against NDV. The first 6 also exhibited some antiviral effects against herpes simplex. Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) extracts had activity against herpes simplex virus while rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), horehound (Marrubiutn vulgare), and catnip (Nepeta cataria) extracts were not detectably antiviral. None of these plant extracts p...
Solar Energy Deposition Rates in the Mesosphere Derived from Airglow Measurements: Implications for the Ozone Model Deficit Problem

We derive rates of energy deposition in the mesosphere due to the absorption of solar ultraviolet radiation by ozone. The rates are derived directly from measurements of the 1.27-microns oxygen dayglow emission, independent of knowledge of the ozone abundance, the ozone absorption cross sections, and the ultraviolet solar irradiance in the ozone Hartley band. Fifty-six months of airglow data taken between 1982 and 1986 by the near-infrared spectrometer on the Solar-Mesosphere Explorer satellite are analyzed. The energy deposition rates exhibit altitude-dependent annual and semi-annual variations. We also find a positive correlation between temperatures and energy deposition rates near 90 km at low latitudes. This correlation is largely due to the semiannual oscillation in temperature and ozone and is consistent with model calculations. There is also a suggestion of possible tidal enhancement of this correlation based on recent theoretical and observational analyses. The airglow-derived rates of energy deposition are then compared with those computed by multidimensional numerical models. The observed and modeled deposition rates typically agree to within 20%. This agreement in energy deposition rates implies the same agreement exists between measured and modeled ozone volume mixing ratios in the mesosphere. Only in the upper mesosphere at midlatitudes during winter do we derive energy deposition rates (and hence ozone mixing ratios) consistently and significantly larger than the model calculations. This result is contrary to previous studies that have shown a large model deficit in the ozone abundance throughout the mesosphere. The climatology of solar energy deposition and heating presented in this paper is available to the community at the Middle Atmosphere Energy Budget Project web site at http://heat-budget.gats-inc.com.
Local contributions to pulse transmission through heterogeneous media (haemodynamics application)

Expressions are presented that permit evaluation of observed phenomena that relate to pulses propagating in the presence of multiple reflection sites in complex biosystems. The first arriving wave fraction can be extracted from the total wave observed at any site, and the contribution to the observed wave by each local region and reflection site can be evaluated. Upstream and downstream reflection coefficients at a site may differ completely or vary only in sign; thus, discrete branching systems as well as layered media can be accommodated. An application illustrates the potential contribution of reflection phenomena to unanticipated stratification of microscopic particles in a heterogeneous system. >
Coagulation and the total weight-fraction over a threshold size☆

Abstract We consider the coagulation equation dx k dk= 1 2 ∑ i+j=k a ij x i x j −x k ∑ i=1 ∞ a ik x i x 1 (0)=1,x 2 (0)=x 3 =x 3 (0)=…=0 for collision-limited coagulation under mixed Brownian and shear regimes. Approximations by bilinear aij (themselves descriptive of some reaction-limited coagulations) yield analytic results. We use the notion of characteristic size to give approximate formulas for the excess weight fraction, F(k,t)= ∑ k=k ∞ kx k (t) and its maximum slope, (∂F/∂t)max, quantities which are useful under some experimental conditions.
A STUDY OF HEURISTIC APPROACHES FOR BREAKING SHORT CRYPTOGRAMS

In this study, we compare the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) and other forms of heuristic search in the cryptanalysis of short cryptograms. This paper expands on the work presented at FLAIRS-2003, which established the feasibility of a word-based genetic algorithm (GA) for analyzing short cryptograms.1 In this study the following search heuristics are compared both theoretically and experimentally: hill-climbing, simulated annealing, word-based and frequency-based genetic algorithms. Although the results reported apply to substitution ciphers in general, we focus in particular on short substitution cryptograms, such as the kind found in newspapers and puzzle books. Short cryptograms present a more challenging form of the problem. The word-based approach uses a relatively small dictionary of frequent words. The frequency-based approaches use frequency data for 2-, 3- and 4-letter sequences. The study shows that all of the optimization algorithms are successful at breaking short cryptograms, but perhaps more significantly, the most important factor in their success appears to be the choice of fitness measure employed.
Advances in the production of human therapeutic proteins in yeasts and filamentous fungi

Yeast and fungal protein expression systems are used for the production of many industrially relevant enzymes, and are widely used by the research community to produce proteins that cannot be actively expressed in Escherichia coli or require glycosylation for proper folding and biological activity. However, for the production of therapeutic glycoproteins intended for use in humans, yeasts have been less useful because of their inability to modify proteins with human glycosylation structures. Yeast glycosylation is of the high-mannose type, which confers a short in vivo half-life to the protein and may render it less efficacious or even immunogenic. Several ways of humanizing yeast-derived glycoproteins have been tried, including enzymatically modifying proteins in vitro and modulating host glycosylation pathways in vivo. Recent advances in the glycoengineering of yeasts and the expression of therapeutic glycoproteins in humanized yeasts have shown significant promise, and are challenging the current dominance of therapeutic protein production based on mammalian cell culture.
Determining the impacts of contaminants of emerging concern in marine ecosystems

Recent studies have found evidence of xenoestrogenic endocrine disruption in fish from estuarine and marine environments, distant from contaminant discharges. For example, male flatfish from offshore waters of the United Kingdom contain elevated levels of the egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (VTG). These fish responses may be the result of low-level exposure to endocrine disrupting compounds, perhaps as a result of accumulation through the food chain. Previous studies have not identified specific causal compounds and multiple contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) may play a role. Due to distribution restrictions, the full-text version of this article is available by request only. Please contact pubrequest@sccwrp.org to request a copy.
Coupling Aggressive Mass Removal with Microbial Reductive Dechlorination for Remediation of DNAPL Source Zones: A Review and Assessment

The infiltration of dense non-aqueous-phase liquids (DNAPLs) into the saturated subsurface typically produces a highly contaminated zone that serves as a long-term source of dissolved-phase groundwater contamination. Applications of aggressive physical-chemical technologies to such source zones may remove > 90% of the contaminant mass under favorable conditions. The remaining contaminant mass, however, can create a rebounding of aqueous-phase concentrations within the treated zone. Stimulation of microbial reductive dechlorination within the source zone after aggressive mass removal has recently been proposed as a promising staged-treatment remediation technology for transforming the remaining contaminant mass. This article reviews available laboratory and field evidence that supports the development of a treatment strategy that combines aggressive source-zone removal technologies with subsequent promotion of sustained microbial reductive dechlorination. Physical-chemical source-zone treatment technologies compatible with posttreatment stimulation of microbial activity are identified, and studies examining the requirements and controls (i.e., limits) of reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes are investigated. Illustrative calculations are presented to explore the potential effects of source-zone management alternatives. Results suggest that, for the favorable conditions assumed in these calculations (i.e., statistical homogeneity of aquifer properties, known source-zone DNAPL distribution, and successful bioenhancement in the source zone), source longevity may be reduced by as much as an order of magnitude when physical-chemical source-zone treatment is coupled with reductive dechlorination.
Asymptotic Spectral Efficiency of the Uplink in Spatially Distributed Wireless Networks with Multi-Antenna Base Stations

The spectral efficiency of a representative uplink of a given length, in interference-limited, spatially-distributed wireless networks with hexagonal cells, simple power control, and multiantenna linear Minimum-Mean-Square-Error receivers is found to approach an asymptote as the numbers of base-station antennas N and wireless nodes go to infinity. An approximation for the area-averaged spectral efficiency of a representative link (averaged over the spatial base-station and mobile distributions), for Poisson distributed base stations, is also provided. For large N, in the interference-limited regime, the area-averaged spectral efficiency is primarily a function of the ratio of the product of N and the ratio of base-station to wireless-node densities, indicating that it is possible to scale such networks by linearly increasing the product of the number of base-station antennas and the relative density of base stations to wireless nodes, with wireless-node density. The results are useful for designers of wireless systems with high inter-cell interference because it provides simple expressions for spectral efficiency as a function of tangible system parameters like base-station and wireless-node densities, and number of antennas. These results were derived combining infinite random matrix theory and stochastic geometry.
Critique of the critical incident technique

The CIT is a practical and efficient methodology that encourages participants to tell their story; with happenings that are memorable events in participants' lives. It is a form of story-telling, as participants share their singular experience as a story to the researcher. It is a qualitative, systematic, open-ended technique for educing descriptive data from participants as well as being an effective naturalistic tool for focusing participants' on a specific event. The CIT is a user-friendly instrument that can foster reflection and promote personal expression. The development of the CIT to generate indicators of specific happenings relative to research questions demonstrates the technique's suppleness and emphasises the capability of this methodology in nursing research. As nurses learn more about this methodology and its application to the study of nurses and nursing care, they will begin to comprehend how simple and effortless this technique is to use. The CIT can be developed to conform to any area o...
Synthesis of N-heteroaryl(trifluoromethyl)hydroxyalkanoic acid esters by highly efficient solid acid-catalyzed hydroxyalkylation of indoles and pyrroles with activated trifluoromethyl ketones

The synthesis of N-heteroaryl(trifluoromethyl)hydroxyalkanoic acid esters by solid acid-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts hydroxyalkylation of indoles and pyrroles with ethyl 3,3,3-trifluoropyruvate and ethyl 4,4,4-trifluoroacetoacetate is described. The inexpensive and readily available K-10 montmorillonite is found to be an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of a wide variety of trifluoromethylated indol-3-yl- and pyrrol-2-yl-hydroxypropionic and -butanoic acid esters. Using a series of substituted indoles and pyrroles the corresponding products were isolated in excellent yield (up to 98%) and 100% selectivity under mild experimental conditions, during very short reaction times. Beyond these, the ease of product isolation, catalyst stability and handling make this process an attractive, environmentally benign alternative for the synthesis of the target compounds.
Cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: application to operation enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans

As the newest generation of veterans returns home from their duties abroad, many face the individual and interpersonal aftereffects of duty-related traumatic experiences. Despite the established association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relationship problems, there is a lack of evidence-based conjoint treatments that target both PTSD and relationship distress. Cognitive–behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) for PTSD was developed to address this need. The authors summarize knowledge on the association between PTSD and relationship functioning, as well as recent research on veterans and their partners. Following an overview of CBCT for PTSD, the authors present a case study to illustrate the application of CBCT to an Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom couple. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 64:1-14, 2008.
Movement of palatine shelves in untreated and teratogen‐treated mouse embryos

Movement of palatine shelves in living mouse embryos after tongue displacement was evaluated by direct observation and by re-examination of the shelves after freezing or submersion in fixative. Effect on shelf function of suspending the embryos in saline or plasma was compared with manipulations in air. Measurements were made of head dimensions and residual space between the palatine shelves in embryos fixed in the cornua or after experimental manipulation. All methods of evaluating palatine shelf behavior indicated movement toward the midline by the anterior portions of the shelves after tongue displacement. Experiments with complete detachment of the tongue demonstrated that the tongue contributes to the flattening of the shelves into a horizontal plane by exerting pressure from below. The same techniques applied to embryos treated with cortisone, vitamin A and x-ray demonstrated reduced movement of palatine shelves toward the midline when compared with untreated embryos. The reduction was greatest with x-irradiation and least with hypervitaminosis A.
Calculation of Local‐Field Correction in the Two‐Dimensional Electron Gas

The frequency independent local-field correction factor G(k) is calculated for the two-dimensional electron gas. The method is based on decoupling and solving the equations of motion for the charge-density operator by a moment-conserving scheme. The expression obtained for G(k) is evaluated by a Monte Carlo integration. The results for G(k) and the static dielectric function e(k) are tabulated. Der frequenzunabhangige Lokalfeld-Korrekturfaktor G(k) wird fur das zweidimensionale Elektronengas berechnet. Die Meyhode beruht auf der Entkopplung und Losung der Bewegungsgleichung fur den Ladungsdichteoperator mit Hilfe eines Impulserhaltungsverfahrens. Der fur G(k) erhaltene Ausdruck wird mittels Monte-Carlo-Integration berechnet. Die Ergebnisse fur G(k) und die statische Dielektrizitatsfunktion e(k) werden tabelliert.
A two component model of the diurnal variations in the thermospheric composition

A self-consistent, two-dimensional, two-component diffusion model is presented to describe the diurnal component of thermosphere dynamics. In the regions where oxygen and helium are the minor constituents, diffusion is shown to increase the amplitudes of these constituents and to advance the times of their diurnal maxima by several hours with respect to the gas temperature and the major species. Both effects are in basic agreement with satellite observations. The diffusion process is relatively insignificant for temperature, total mass density, and wind fields. The magnitude of the temperature-density phase delay is discussed with respect to its dependence on the electron density distribution.
Accuracy of rocket measurements of lower ionosphere electron concentrations

Measurements of electron concentration taken at the same time and at the same place in the lower ionosphere by independent instrumentation mounted on the same rocket are described. The technique utilizes Faraday rotation and differential absorption of radio waves propagating from the ground to the rocket at two different frequencies. Agreement near 90 km within 7%, 6%, 8%, and 3% is demonstrated by the four available cases of coincidence in time and altitude. Maximum dispersion at other altitudes is calculated from known random errors. Stronger variation of electron collision frequency with altitude than with season is indicated by 34 measurements between 75 and 100 km. Insensitivity of electron concentration determinations at 72 km to errors in extrapolated collision frequency models is demonstrated.
Adenosine deaminase normalizes cyclic AMP responses of hypothyroid rat fat cells to forskolin, but not β‐adrenergic agonists

Abstract Lipolysis and cyclic AMP accumulation in response to β-adrenergic agonists or forskolin are severely impaired in fat cells from the hypothyroid rat. Incubating hypothyroid rat fat cells with adenosine deaminase normalizes the cyclic AMP response to forskolin, but not to β-adrenergic agonists. Increased sensitivity to adenosine action in the hypothyroid state appears to be the basis for the impaired cyclic AMP response to forskolin, but does not appear to be the underlying defect responsible for the impaired response to β-adrenergic agonists.
Electrolytic removal of tin from can scrap

Abstract Tin in the magnetic fraction of municipal solid waste (MSW) makes this material difficult to recycle to the steel industry. An electrolytic method using stannous fluoborate - fluoboric acid for removing tin was evaluated on a laboratory scale. Optimum concentrations of tin in the electrolyte and the effects of impurities such as aluminum, copper, iron, and lead on tin removal from the electrolyte were evaluated. Operating parameters were 60–65 g/l fluoboric acid and 20–30 g/l tin using stainless steel electrodes at a current density of 60 A/ft 2 . Tests were run with clean tin cans and MSW magnetics with good results. The tin content of the MSW magnetics scrap was reduced from 0.18 to 0.017 wt To tin by reshredding, magnetic separation, and air classification, followed by electrolytic removal of the tin.
An ab-initio study of pyrrole and imidazole arylamides

Arylamide foldamers have been shown to have a number of biological and medicinal applications. For example, a class of pyrrole-imidazole polyamide foldamers is capable of binding specific DNA sequences and preventing development of various gene disorders, most importantly cancer. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can provide crucial details in understanding the atomic level events related to foldamer/DNA binding. An important first step in the accurate simulation of these foldamer/DNA systems is the reparametrization of force field parameters for torsion around the aryl-amide bonds. Here we highlight our Density Functional Theory (DFT) potential energy profiles and derived force field parameters for four aryl-amide bond types for the pyrrole and imidazole building blocks extensively used in foldamer design for the DNA-binding polyamides. These results contribute to developing of computational tools for an appropriate molecular modeling of pyrrole-imidazole polyamide/DNA binding, and provide an insight into the chemical factors that influence the flexibility of the pyrrole-imidazole polyamides, and their binding to DNA.
Optimizing Comfort and Energy Use in Reheat Systems

This project investigated the relationship between energy use and human thermal comfort in a small commercial single zone VAV system with reheat. The reheat configuration is not optimal in terms of energy efficiency, but there are a large number of these systems installed; thus there is a need for improved operating strategies to reduce waste. This project was conducted in the Midwest U.S.; where cooling and dehumidification are needed during the summer. Data on electricity use by the reheat system was collected on days that met or exceeded the 2% summer design condition. Additional data on environmental conditions inside the building zone was also collected and put into a model for predicting occupant comfort. To extend the range of the project, a building energy simulation for the reheat system was developed and calibrated. The calibrated model was used to estimate energy/comfort trends over a broader range of indoor operating conditions. This experiment shows that electricity consumption for a single zone VAV system with reheat can be significantly reduced while satisfying the thermal comfort needs of over 90% of the building’s occupants by offsetting a lower dry-bulb temperature set point with correspondingly higher zone humidity. In other words, reheat systems can optimize energy and occupant comfort by operating at set points in the upper middle segment of the comfort zone from ASHRAE Standard 55.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Dining out with children: effectiveness of a parent advice package on pre-meal in appropriate behavior

The effectiveness of an advice package designed to restructure the restaurant environment and encourage parent praise was examined. Experiment 1 assessed the usefulness of the package when used with experimenter assistance. Videotapes were used to record the target child's behavior. Pre-meal inappropriate behavior decreased an average of 51% across target children. Mealtime inappropriate behavior and parent praise and disapproval were also measured. Experiment 2 was designed to determine whether families could implement the package without experimenter assistance and whether effects obtained would generalize to a different restaurant. Data were taken in vivo. Nine families were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group assignment determined the order in which families went to two restaurants, the number of dinners each family participated in, and the point at which parents received the advice package. The order in which the families went to the two restaurants as well as the number of baseline meals was counterbalanced. Results of Experiment 2 showed that, when using the advice package, parents in all sequences were able to decrease pre-meal inappropriate behavior of their children, and that these effects generalized to a second restaurant.
Cell death in the rat hippocampus in a model of prenatal brain injury: time course and expression of death-related proteins

Survival rates have increased dramatically for very premature (gestational week 24-28) infants. However, many of these infants grow up to have profound cognitive, motor and behavioral impairments due to brain damage. We have developed a novel model of prenatal infant gray matter injury. During the neonatal period, GABA is an excitatory neurotransmitter. GABA(A) receptor activation results in chloride efflux and membrane depolarization sufficient to open L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels. Our model involves excessive GABA(A) receptor activation in the newborn rat, with damage due to the resultant excessive calcium influx, not GABA(A) receptor activation itself. A common feature among numerous insult pathologies in the neonatal brain is an elevation in the intracellular levels of calcium. The goals of the present study were: 1) to document the time course and amount of cell death (both apoptotic and necrotic), and 2) to investigate the effect of GABA(A) receptor activation on the time course and expression of three cell death-related proteins (caspase-9, bax and bcl-2) in our model of prenatal brain injury. The magnitude of cell death, using TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling and Cresyl Violet to quantify the incidence of apoptotic and necrotic cells, was region dependent (CA1>CA2/3>dentate gyrus) and persisted for at least 5 days following insult. There was a relative increase in the amount of bax to bcl-2 protein, and increased protein levels of caspase-9, indicative of cell death. These findings are consistent with mechanisms of cell death seen in other types of early brain insult, and highlight a conserved cascade of events leading to cell death in the developing brain.
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL: SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF FATIGUE-RELATED CRASHES IN HONOLULU

As an island state located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, where there is limited opportunity for long-distance driving, Hawaii provides an interesting context in which to study fatigue-related crashes. Data from the Hawaii Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System are used to analyze and map fatigue-related collisions. Injury outcomes of fatigue-related crashes are analyzed by using police crash data, emergency medical service records, and insurance claims records. There are distinct temporal and spatial patterns as well as relationships between fatigue-related crashes and driver characteristics. Recommendations for preventing fatigue-related crashes are developed. Roadway segments where fatigue-related crashes occur are identified as possible sites for various engineering treatments. Temporal and demographic information also can be used to design and implement more effective programs and systems for fatigue-related crashes.
A new environmentally benign technology for transforming wood pulp into paper. Engineering polyoxometalates as catalysts for multiple processes

A new environmentally benign technology, based on the use of polyoxometalate (POM) salts and oxygen, is being developed to bleach wood pulps for use in the manufacture of paper. Details of POM chemistry relating to the unit operations of an effluent-free bleaching process are reported. These include anaerobic delignification of wood pulp, aerobic reoxidation of reduced POMs for their cyclic reuse and POM catalyzed and initiated aerobic mineralization (wet oxidation) of lignin fragments removed from pulp during bleaching. The results of bleaching trials using a series of isostructural POM complexes of the Keggin family are reported. Key structural components of the POMs are varied to determine the effects of these changes on POM performance. Homogeneous reactions of lignin-model compounds with select POMs are used to help interpret kinetic data obtained in the heterogeneous reaction of POM solutions with pulp fibers. Finally, new directions in catalyst design that promise to expand the potential of the technology are discussed.
Comparative aspects of central CO2 chemoreception

We compare and contrast the putative mechanisms underlying CO2 chemoreceptor function in air breathing vertebrates and terrestrial pulmonate snails. We discuss the role of intracellular pH (pHi) in central respiratory responses to CO2 and describe a variety of patterns of pHi regulation in chemosensory areas. One pattern, in which pHi retains a fixed relationship to the CO2 stimulus over time, seems well suited to chemoreceptor cells. Alphastat regulation of ventilation is apparent in both air breathing vertebrates and terrestrial pulmonate snails. Diethyl pyrocarbonate inhibits respiratory responses to hypercapnia in both groups of animals. The neuronal basis of chemosensitivity is similar, in that putative chemoreceptor cells depolarize during hypercapnic stimulation, but the ionic basis of excitability appears to be a potassium conductance in the vertebrates studied to date and a calcium conductance in the snails. Despite divergent evolutionary histories, chemosensory responses and mechanisms are remarkably similar in air breathing vertebrates and terrestrial pulmonate snails.
The challenges of providing training in small sized lodging properties.

ABSTRACT Labor issues confront the lodging industry in good times and in bad. Employee training is viewed as a means to manage labor challenges and the hospitality industry is not well known for specializing in employee training. Small sized properties have unique challenges to implementing training practices and this study focused on understanding the training practices of small sized lodging properties. Two hundred eighteen lodging owners/general managers responded to a mailed questionnaire regarding training practices. Overall, less small properties provide training. Properties value training similarly, however, small properties provide less training, experience lower occupancy, are less often profitable, and experience some unique barriers to training. Considerations must be made for this lodging group and suggestions for addressing these issues are provided.
Exchange in games and communication

Abstract Social exchange takes place everyday in many areas of life. It is also, however, an analytical framework that can be made into a theory if both empirical and formal variables are identified. Minimal social gaming and communication can be used in the identification of the former kind of variable and Markov chains in the identification of the latter. In our formulation, we use the following terms: situation , recent history of exchanges; actions , permissible messages; rewards , outcome values; relationships , organizations of outcome values; interaction , that action which proceeds through decision rules. The meaning and value of a message are made explicit as well as the ways in which they might change. The parameters that specify an exchange are used to analyze natural interaction and to suggest implications for experimentation.
Relative changes in transcranial Doppler velocities are inferior to absolute thresholds in prediction of symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The absolute transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocity threshold has been validated as a screening tool for vasospasm after subarchnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We assessed whether relative changes in velocity were superior to absolute TCD thresholds in the detection of symptomatic vasospasm. We reviewed consecutive patients with aneurysmal SAH who underwent serial TCD monitoring and survived at least 7 days. We recorded initial flow velocity (IFV) and maximal flow velocity (MFV) of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) serially up to 14 days from admission. We calculated relative flow velocity changes (MFV/IFV) and maximum change in mean flow velocity (FVmean) over any consecutive 2 days in addition to standard absolute measures of Lindegaard ratio (LR) and FVmean. We calculated receiver operating characteristic curve and area under curve (AUC) values, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive and negative predictive values for these parameters, optimal cutpoints, and various combinations. Forty-eight of 211 patients (23%) developed symptomatic MCA vasospasm. AUC values for various TCD parameters were 0.80 for MCA MFV >175 cm/s, 0.71 for LR >6, 0.64 for MFV/IFV >2, and 0.64 for >70% change in MFV over 2 days. The best characteristics were observed for the combination of MFV >175 cm/s and/or maximal LR >6 (AUC 0.81). Our data suggest that absolute thresholds of TCD FVmean provide the most accurate prediction of symptomatic MCA vasospasm after SAH. Other thresholds, including relative change from baseline and day-to-day changes, are inferior to established absolute thresholds.
Novel difference in IF1 reactivity to Zn2+ in rabbit versus rat cardiomyocytes, mitochondria, and submitochondrial particles

Zn2+ has a paradoxical effect on IF1-ATPase interaction in cardiac muscle mitochondria in so-called slow heart-rate mammalian species like rabbit. In such slow heart-rate mammalian species, it completely prevents IF1-mediated ATPase inhibition regardless of pH while concomitantly causing full IF1 binding to the ATPase, again, regardless of pH (Rouslin et al. (1993) J. Bioenerget. Biomembr. 25, 297-306). While our earlier study suggested that there are two kinds of IF1-ATPase interaction, a docking interaction and an ATPase inhibitory interaction with Zn2+ promoting docking and interfering with inhibition, it did not yield information on whether Zn2+ interacted primarily with IF1, with the ATPase, or with both. In the present study we show that, in contrast to its effects in rabbit cardiomyocytes, mitochondria, and SMP in which Zn2+ fully blocked IF1-mediated ATPase inhibition, Zn2+ actually enhanced ATPase inhibition in rat cardiomyocytes, although the extent of this effect was limited by the low level of IF1 in rat cardiomyocytes. Moreover, Zn2+ had no effect on IF1-mediated ATPase inhibition in rat heart mitochondria and, as suggested by inter and intra-species IF1 binding to SMP, the different effects of Zn2+ in rabbit versus those in rat appear to be mediated primarily through the different reactivities of rabbit and rat IF1 to Zn2+.
Self-sustaining reactions induced by ball milling: An overview

When a highly exothermic powder mixture is activated in a ball mill, a self-propagating process can be ignited after a certain activation time. Exploring the effects of material properties and milling conditions on the ignition time, combined with characterization of reactant mixtures approaching the critical state at ignition, provides useful information on the mechanical activation process. After ignition, the reaction propagates thermally, similar to an SHS process. In this paper, the principles of mechanically induced self-sustaining reactions (MSR) are summarized and their relationships with mechanochemistry and SHS are discussed. Numerous examples are given, some interesting from the point of view of fundamental understanding of the process, others are promising as the bases of practical applications.
Continuous epidural morphine/butorphanol infusion following selective dorsal rhizotomy in children

The authors prospectively evaluated 15 patients who had undergone selective dorsal rhizotomy who were given a continuous morphine/butorphanol infusion, to determine whether variations in the postoperative pain control and side effects seen using a bolus technique could be reduced. Patients had an epidural catheter placed at the end of the operative procedure through which 50–60 μg/kg preservative-free morphine and 15–20 μg/kg butorphanol was administered. A continuous epidural infusion of 5 μg/kg h morphine and 1.2 μg/kg h butorphanol was then initiated. Postoperatively, mean pain scores were excellent. No patient required additional systemic analgesics during the 72-h investigational period. A low incidence of nausea, and no vomiting, pruritus, or respiratory depression was reported by the cohort. All patients maintained oxygen saturations above 95%. This indicates that the use of a continuous epidural infusion provides excellent pain control, decreases the occurrence of untoward side effects, and allows the early initiation of occupational and physical therapy postoperatively.
Tris(acetylacetonato)indium

[14405-45-9] C15H21InO6 (MW 412.18) InChI = 1S/3C5H8O2.In/c3*1-4(6)3-5(2)7;/h3*3,6H,1-2H3;/q;;;+3/p-3/b3*4-3-; InChIKey = SKWCWFYBFZIXHE-LNTINUHCSA-K (mild Lewis acid used as a cocatalyst to effect carbonyl additions2) Physical Data: mp 186 °C; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 2.02 (CH3), 5.41 (CH); d 1.41 g mL−1. Solubility: readily sol toluene; moderately sol ethanol; almost insol water. Form Supplied in: white crystalline solid; readily available. Drying: the freshly prepared indium compound can be recrystallized from cold acetone as colorless crystals and sublimed at 260–280 °C. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: the dry solid can be stored in air. In(acac)3 has a reputed toxicity of LD50: 79 mg kg−1 with TSCA HMIS: 2-1-0-X.
Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Late Allergic Response, and Eosinophilia Are Reversed with Mycobacterial Antigens in Ovalbumin-Presensitized Mice

Pretreatment with mycobacterial Ags has been shown to be effective in preventing allergic airway inflammation from occurring in a mouse model. Because most asthmatics are treated after the development of asthma, it is crucial to determine whether mycobacterial Ags can reverse established allergic airway inflammation in the presensitized state. Our hypothesis, based upon our previous findings, is that mycobacteria treatment in presensitized mice will suppress the allergic airway inflammation with associated clinical correlates of established asthma, with the noted exception of factors associated with the early allergic response (EAR). BALB/c mice sensitized and challenged with OVA were evaluated for pulmonary functions during both the EAR and late allergic response, and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Following this, sensitized mice were randomized and treated with placebo or a single dose (1 × 10 5 CFUs) of bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) or Mycobacterium vaccae via nasal or peritoneal injection. One week later, the mice were rechallenged with OVA and methacholine, followed by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tissue collection. Mice treated with intranasal BCG were most significantly protected from the late allergic response ( p p p p p p M. vaccae treatment was less effective, suppressing airway hypersensitivity ( p p M. vaccae ) are effective in attenuating allergic airway inflammation and associated changes in pulmonary functions in an allergen-presensitized state.
A recognition component of the ubiquitin system is required for peptide transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Peptide transport in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is controlled by three genes: PTR1, PTR2, and PTR3, PTR1 was cloned and sequenced and found to be identical to UBR1, a gene previously described as encoding the recognition component of the N-end-rule pathway of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system. Independently derived ubr1 mutants, like ptr1 mutants, were unable to transport small peptides into cells. Concomitantly, ptr1 mutants, like ubr1 mutants, were unable to degrade an engineered substrate of the N-end-rule pathway. Further, ptr1 mutants did not express PTR2, a gene encoding the integral membrane component required for peptide transport in S. cerevisiae. These results establish a physiological role for a protein previously known to be required for the degradation of N-end-rule substrates. Our findings show that peptide transport and the ubiquitin pathway--two dynamic phenomena universal to eukaryotic cells--share a common component, namely UBR1/PTR1.
A survey of dental diseases as a diagnostic aid in rheumatic fever.

these projections is such that the upper occlusal plane is maintained parallel with the floor, and the median sagittal plane is perpendicular. The regular size film ( i f\ inch by i % inch) is used with the long dimension turned horizontally. Although all of the complete dental roentgenographic surveys made in the College of Dentistry include the three projections on each side of the upper arch as described, the requisite for the exam­ ination of a single upper molar region will depend on an evaluation of the symptoms, the age of the patient and the requirements of the examiner. For exploratory purposes, the three projections should be used (Fig. 9 ) . For third molars that are impacted, the lat­ eral and distal oblique projections are usually adequate (Fig. 10); for the detec­ tion of caries, the lateral and mesial ob­ lique projections are generally sufficient. It should be routine practice to use at least two of the three projections, and preferably the three, if there are doubts concerning the health of any of the upper molars (Fig. 11).
Synthetic Sterculene: Effect on Avian Eggs

Abstract SEVERAL cyclopropenoid compounds have been fed to laying hens (Masson et al., 1957; Nordby, 1963). These compounds had alcohol, ether, ester and hydrocarbon functional groups. Cold storage of these eggs for one month or more resulted in pink albumin, high pH of the yolk and an unusually high concentration of saturated fat in the yolk. All the derivatives tested were prepared from Sterculia foetida oil, an oil extracted from Sterculia foetida seeds. The use of a naturally occurring oil and the difficulty of obtaining pure derivatives resulted in the question being raised whether the cyclopropenoid group was the responsible agent. Sterculene (1,2-dioctyl cyclopropene) was prepared according to the following reactions: Infrared absorption bands at 5.32 and 9.87 microns were typical of cyclopropenoid compounds. Five laying hens were fed 88 mg. of sterculene dissolved in 0.5 gram of corn oil daily for 10 days in addition to a range diet (Deutschman…
The Impact of the DOCSIS 1.1/2.0 MAC Protocol on TCP

The number of broadband cable access subscribers in the United States is rapidly approaching 30 million. However there is very little research that has evaluated TCP/IP in modern cable environments. We have developed a model of the data over cable system interface specification (DOCSIS) 1.1/2.0 MAC and physical layers using the 'ns' simulation package. In this paper we show that the interaction of the MAC layer on downstream TCP Web traffic leads to poor network performance as the number of active users grow. We provide an intuitive explanation of this result and explore several possible improvements.
On the benefits of diffusion cooperation for distributed optimization and learning

This work characterizes the nature of the limit point of distributed strategies for adaptation and learning over networks in the general case when the combination policy is not necessarily doubly stochastic and when the individual risks do not necessarily share a common minimizer. It is shown that, for sufficiently small step-sizes, the limiting behavior of the network is mainly influenced by the right-eigenvector of the combination policy corresponding to the single eigenvalue at one. It is also shown that the limit point of the network is the unique solution to a certain fixed-point equation determined by the entries of this eigenvector. The arguments show further that even when only partial information is available to the agents, cooperation over a connected network enables the agents to attain the same level of performance as a centralized solution.
Carbohydrate restriction and dietary cholesterol modulate the expression of HMG-CoA reductase and the LDL receptor in mononuclear cells from adult men

The liver is responsible for controlling cholesterol homeostasis in the body. HMG-CoA reductase and the LDL receptor (LDL-r) are involved in this regulation and are also ubiquitously expressed in all major tissues. We have previously shown in guinea pigs that there is a correlation in gene expression of HMG-CoA reductase and the LDL-r between liver and mononuclear cells. The present study evaluated human mononuclear cells as a surrogate for hepatic expression of these genes. The purpose was to evaluate the effect of dietary carbohydrate restriction with low and high cholesterol content on HMG-CoA reductase and LDL-r mRNA expression in mononuclear cells. All subjects were counseled to consume a carbohydrate restricted diet with 10–15% energy from carbohydrate, 30–35% energy from protein and 55–60% energy from fat. Subjects were randomly assigned to either EGG (640 mg/d additional dietary cholesterol) or SUB groups [equivalent amount of egg substitute (0 dietary cholesterol contributions) per day] for 12 weeks. At the end of the intervention, there were no changes in plasma total or LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to baseline (P > 0.10) or differences in plasma total or LDL-C between groups. The mRNA abundance for HMG-CoA reductase and LDL-r were measured in mononuclear cells using real time PCR. The EGG group showed a significant decrease in HMG-CoA reductase mRNA (1.98 ± 1.26 to 1.32 ± 0.92 arbitrary units P < 0.05) while an increase was observed for the SUB group (1.13 ± 0.52 to 1.69 ± 1.61 arbitrary units P < 0.05). Additionally, the LDL-r mRNA abundance was decreased in the EGG group (1.72 ± 0.69 to 1.24 ± 0.55 arbitrary units P < 0.05) and significantly increased in the SUB group (1.00 ± 0.60 to 1.67 ± 1.94 arbitrary units P < 0.05). The findings indicate that dietary cholesterol during a weight loss intervention alters the expression of genes regulating cholesterol homeostasis.
PRICE BEHAVIOUR OF MAJOR VEGETABLES IN HILL REGION OF NEPAL: AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS

An attempt has been made to study the price behaviour of major vegetables in hill region of Nepal. The study is based on secondary data on wholesale monthly/weekly arrivals and prices for the period of 2000-01 to 2009-10. The seasonality in wholesale price was analyzed using multiplicative model; the Fourier analysis was used to analyze cyclical variation in wholesale prices and Autoregressive model to study the relationship between market arrival and price of vegetables in market of hill region of Nepal. It was found that during the post-harvest period, the wholesale price ruled very low while during the lean period, the prices were quite high which is due to seasonal and perishable nature of the vegetables. The entire vegetables registered the positive and increasing trend and periodicities of 2 to 3 years in the wholesale price of vegetables. The effect of lagged price on current wholesale price was positively significant and high in magnitude and significant negative response was observed for the relationship between wholesale price and market arrival for all the vegetables in the market of hill region. Therefore, improved market information system is a need of efficient vegetable markets in Nepal in order to enable farmers to make proper production and marketing decisions. Further, Government is required to create market infrastructure facilities like warehousing, processing, transportation, etc. for reducing the variation in prices of vegetables in the market of hill region of Nepal. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sja.v10i2.18332 SAARC J. Agri., 10(2): 107-120 (2012)
Bending a beam by a generalized ideal elastomeric gel

A hybrid beam with a gel layer bonded on the top of an elastic non-swellable substrate has been commonly adopted to make various sensors and actuators. Usually, different models need to be developed for the hybrid beam when different gels are used in the system. In this article, based on the generalized ideal elastomeric gel model, we formulate a unified relationship between the swelling of hydrogels and the bending curvature of the elastic beam, which is independent of specific swelling mechanisms of gels. We further illustrate that the equations derived in the article can be used to validate the ideal elastomeric gel model and measure the elasticity of polymer networks of the gels.