cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of collagen and collagen fragments in chromatography of protein mixtures.

Abstract A new method for the detection of collagen and collagen peptides in the presence of other proteins is described. The procedure is based on alkaline hydrolysis of the proteins and monitoring of the free hydroxyproline after chromophore formation. The method is quick and sensitive and the color yield of hydroxyproline is not affected by chromatography solvents. As all steps of the assay take place in a single test tube the method is suitable for batch processing of column fractions. Due to the high sensitivity of the assay it can be used for the analysis of collagen and collagen peptides in extracts of small tissue samples or biopsies.
Borden at the Century Mark: Case Study of a Centennial Observance

How should a company observe the venerable occasion of a Centennial birthday? Many businessmen question the dollars-and-cents wisdom of elaborate ceremonies; others have made corporate birthdays a fetish. The Borden Company formulated the unconventional answer that its Centennial should serve as a springboard for increased sales and profits.
Risk Factors for Men’s Lifetime Perpetration of Physical Violence against Intimate Partners: Results from the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in Eight Countries

This paper examines men’s lifetime physical intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration across eight low- and middle-income countries to better understand key risk factors that interventions can target in order to promote gender equality and reduce IPV. We use data from men (n = 7806) that were collected as part of the International Men and Gender Equality Survey (IMAGES) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), India, Mexico, and Rwanda. Results show that there is wide variation across countries for lifetime self-reported physical violence perpetration (range: 17% in Mexico to 45% in DRC), men’s support for equal roles for men and women, and acceptability of violence against women. Across the sample, 31% of men report having perpetrated physical violence against a partner in their lifetime. In multivariate analyses examining risk factors for men ever perpetrating physical violence against a partner, witnessing parental violence was the strongest risk factor, reinforcing previous research suggesting the inter-generational transmission of violence. Additionally, having been involved in fights not specifically with an intimate partner, permissive attitudes towards violence against women, having inequitable gender attitudes, and older age were associated with a higher likelihood of ever perpetrating physical IPV. In separate analyses for each country, we found different patterns of risk factors in countries with high perpetration compared to countries with low perpetration. Findings are interpreted to identify key knowledge gaps and directions for future research, public policies, evaluation, and programming.
Predicting tree growth from crown variables in managed northern hardwood stands

Abstract The predictability of individual-tree growth rates for Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, and Tilia americana in northern hardwood stands in Wisconsin was studied in relation to crown dimension and crown competition variables measured in the field. Data were collected from 221 destructively sampled trees in eight second-growth stands on above-average sites. The single best independent variable for predicting basal area growth was the projection area of the exposed portion of the crown, which had higher correlations with observed growth than initial stem diameter, diameter-based competition indices, and other crown variables. Basal area growth equations containing total crown projection area, percent exposed crown area, and relative height had R2 values ranging from 0.77 to 0.88, which represent increases of 13 to 47 percentage points compared with similar equations with only diameter-based competition variables. The most accurate height growth models were functions of total tree height and percent exposed crown area, with R2 values of 0.74 for the non-linear maple equation and 0.44 for the linear white ash equation. The results appear to support the hypothesis that significant competitive stress on individual trees is induced only by the ring of competitor trees immediately surrounding the subject tree crown. By using percent exposed crown area as a crown competition variable, this competitive effect can be estimated without direct measurements of any of the competitors, potentially saving much field measurement time during the model calibration phase and eliminating the statistical lack of independence generally associated with plot competition measures.
Application and integration of a focused ion beam circuit repair system

The use of focused ion beam (FIB) circuit repair systems has drastically affected the entire design cycle of modern integrated circuits. Product analysis is changing as well with the ability of a focussed ion beam system to make very accurate cuts on a die and then image the layers using differentiation by the primary ion beam. Transmission electron microscopy is also being positively affected by this new technique due to its ability to produce thinner samples with more positive location than were available by previous techniques. In order to maximize the return, this type of system is best utilized by many operators rather than a select dedicated group. The applications and the organization of use of one such system is described in the deign debug phase of the advanced microprocessor, the Motorola MC68040, along with some suggestions for future directions of focused ion beam machines.
Developing Competency-Based Assessment for Library Professionals

The assessment process for student learning is often influenced and guided by well-defined standards and competencies dictated by various accrediting bodies that oversee graduate professional programs culminating in the master’s degree. When applied in an accredited library and information science (LIS) program, traditional assessment techniques, such as portfolios, grades, and authentic assessments consistently affirmed student high performance, leaving little room to demonstrate student learning and program improvement. Consequently, the program redefined its assessment plan through the development of a pre-/post-test survey instrument that aligned with learning outcomes, the curriculum, and professional competencies. Pre-test responses were analyzed through SPSS to ascertain initial findings and effectiveness of the instrument to gauge student learning and workplace performance. Implications for student advisement, curriculum adjustments, program improvement, and strengthening the assessment plan for accreditation emerged. Areas for further development, particularly in the work environment, and research were also identified.
Integrated services and suicide prevention training: a case study of one community mental health agency.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to highlight the benefits of a suicide integration training embedded in an integrated services delivery system. Specifically, the article examines the relationship between the tenets of the training and the low incidence of suicidality experienced at a large mental health agency in Western Massachusetts. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTINGS: Through its new integrated service system, both behavioral health and primary care services are delivered at the Center for Human Development (CHD). FINDINGS/CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the experiences of CHD, effective suicide prevention training is essential for maintaining an almost nonexistent suicide rate. The training was developed by Nina Slovik, LICSW, and employed at CHD. It incorporates elements of different practice modalities such as motivational interviewing, the construct of hope, and authenticity. The idea of the "authentic relationship" is emphasized by Slovik. Authenticity is characterized by no pretense that a clinician has something to teach. It is better expressed by the question, genuinely delivered: "So how are you doing?" While clinicians may not always be able to accurately assess a person's suicide risk, looking at the larger context, collaborating as a partner rather than as an expert, and helping find meaning and purpose will improve the chances to recognize risk and provide a positive intervention. Another important difference found at CHD is its use of care managers, a hybridization of medical and mental health case managers, to provide wraparound services and closely monitor the psychological and medical health of CHD's clients through the new integrated services program. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE: : Language: en
Presence of lipids in urine, crystals and stones: Implications for the formation of kidney stones

Presence of lipids in urine, crystals and stones: Implications for the formation of kidney stones. Background Cell membranes and their lipids play critical roles in calcification. Specific membrane phospholipids promote the formation of calcium phosphate and become a part of the organic matrix of growing calcification. We propose that membrane lipids also promote the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) and calcium phosphate (CaP) containing kidney stones, and become a part of their stone matrix. Methods Human urine, crystals of CaOx and CaP produced in the urine of healthy individuals, and urinary stones containing struvite, uric acid, CaOx and CaP crystals for the presence of membrane lipids were analyzed. Crystallization of CaOx monohydrate at Langmuir monolayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS), dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG), palmitoyloleoylphosphatidylglycerol (POPG) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) was investigated to directly demonstrate that phospholipid assemblies can catalyze CaOx nucleation. Results Urine as well as CaOx and CaP crystals made in the urine and various types of urinary stones investigated contained some lipids. Urine of both CaOx and uric acid stone formers contained significantly more cholesterol, cholesterol ester and triglycerides than urine of healthy subjects. However, urine of CaOx stone formers contained more acidic phospholipids. The organic matrix of calcific stones contained significantly more acidic and complexed phospholipids than uric acid and struvite stones. For each Langmuir monolayer precipitation was heterogeneous and selective with respect to the orientation and morphology of the CaOx crystals. Crystals were predominantly monohydrate, and most often grew singly with the calcium rich (10-1) face toward the monolayer. The number of crystals/mm 2 decreased in the order DPPG> DPPC and was inversely proportional to surface pressure and mean molecular area/molecule. Conclusions Stone forming conditions in the kidneys greatly impact their epithelial cells producing significant differences in the urinary lipids between healthy and stone forming individuals. Altered membrane lipids promote face selective nucleation and retention of calcium oxalate crystals, and in the process become a part of the growing crystals and stones.
P2Y2 receptors mediate ATP-induced resensitization of TRPV1 expressed by kidney projecting sensory neurons

The transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channel is a ligand-gated cation channel expressed by sensory nerves. P2Y receptors are G protein-coupled receptors that are also expressed by TRPV1-positive sensory neurons. Therefore, we studied interactions between P2Y receptors and TRPV1 function on kidney projecting sensory neurons. Application of Fast Blue (FB) to nerves surrounding the renal artery retrogradely labeled neurons in dorsal root ganglia of rats. Whole cell recording was performed on FB-labeled neurons maintained in primary culture. Capsaicin was used to activate TRPV1. Four types of kidney projecting neurons were identified based on capsaicin responses: 1) desensitizing (35%), 2) nondesensitizing (29%), 3) silent (3%), and 4) insensitive (30%). Silent neurons responded to capsaicin only after ATP (100 μM) pretreatment. ATP reversed desensitization in desensitizing neurons. Insensitive neurons never responded to capsaicin. UTP, a P2Y purinoceptor 2 (P2Y2)/P2Y4 receptor agonist, r...
Microwave study of the critical state in high-Tc superconductors

Abstract The signals obtained from microwave absorption at the surface of high-Tc superconducting oxides in a magnetic field depend sensitivily on the amplitude of the magnetic-field modulation and the sign of the field sweep. They are insensitive to the modulation frequency and the rate of the field sweep. These effects are shown to have their origin in the properties of the superconducting critical state with pinning and depinning of fluxons during a modulation cycle.
Analysis of the Coarse-Mesh Rebalancing Effect on Chebyshev Polynomial Iterations

The accelerating effect of coarse-mesh rebalancing on the low-order Chebyshev polynomial iterations to obtain the fundamental eigenvector of large homogeneous linear systems associated with elliptic partial-differential equations is mathematically analyzed. Coarse-mesh rebalancing is shown to have a positive accelerating effect if one of the following conditions is met: (a) the weighting vectors are not contaminated with high eigenvector components, (b) Galerkin's weighting vectors are used, or (c) the non-Galerkin weighting vectors are similar to the trial vectors. As another interesting result, it is shown that the overshooting effect is related to the fourth and higher eigenvector components that have spatially odd parities. If the above condition, (c), is met, there is no overshooting; otherwise, the acceleration effect with non-Galerkin weighting vectors is unpredictable.
Methoden zur chemischen Synthese von Fullerenen

Das bekannteste Fulleren, C60 , wurde mit chemischen Methoden synthetisiert. Uber zehn Jahre lang wurden im Labor des Autors bei der Synthese und dem Studium von offenen geodatischen Polyarenen Erfahrungen gesammelt, auf deren Grundlage die Strategie und Methodik fur die Herstellung einer Vorstufe aus 60 Kohlenstoffatomen und deren Schliesung zum Fulleren ausgearbeitet wurden. In diesem Aufsatz beschreibt der Autor aus seiner personlichen Perspektive, wie die neuen Synthesemethoden entwickelt und eingesetzt wurden.
A Conceptual Framework for Primary Source Practices

Abstract This article introduces a descriptive conceptual framework to provide teachers with a means of recognizing and describing instructional activities that use primary sources. The framework provides structure for professional development programs that have been established to train teachers to access and integrate primary sources into lessons. The framework consists of six primary source-based instructional practices that are linked to Bloom's (1956) taxonomy and the revised taxonomy of cognitive processing (Anderson and Krathwohl 2001) to provide teachers a familiar educational construct as a foundation for understanding the framework.
Cs-induced surface state on GaAs(110)

Cesium adsorption on GaAs(110) has been studied by angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy at room temperature in the submonolayer-coverage regime. We report the observation of a Cs-induced surface state in the vicinity of the surface-Brillouin-zone edge. The possible origin of the state is discussed in relation to recent structural observations. The onset of the Cs-induced surface state can be correlated with the appearance of a second Cs 5p core-level emission feature at \ensuremath{\sim}0.2 monolayer Cs coverage.
Ex Vivo Transduction and Transplantation of Bone Marrow Cells for Liver Gene Delivery of α1-Antitrypsin

Adult stem cell–based gene therapy holds several unique advantages including avoidance of germline or other undesirable cell transductions. We have previously shown that liver progenitor (oval) cells can be used as a platform for liver gene delivery of human α1-antitrypsin (hAAT). However, this cell source cannot be used in humans for autologous transplantation. In the present study, we tested the feasibility of bone marrow (BM) cell–based liver gene delivery of hAAT. In vitro studies showed that BM cells can be transduced by lentiviral vector (Lenti-CB-hAAT) and recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (rAAV1-CB-hAAT, and rAAV8-CB-hAAT). Transplantation studies showed that transplanted BM cells homed into liver, differentiated into hepatocytes and expressed hAAT in the liver. Importantly, we showed that transplantation of rAAV8-CB-hAAT vector–transduced BM cells resulted in sustained levels of hAAT in the systemic circulation of recipient mice. These results demonstrated that rAAV vector–mediated BM cell–based liver gene therapy is feasible for the treatment of AAT deficiency and implies a novel therapy for the treatment of liver diseases.
Simultaneous solutions of the strong CP and μ problems

Abstract The μ parameter of the supersymmetric standard model is replaced by λS, where S is a singlet chiral superfield, introducing a Peccei–Quinn symmetry into the theory. Dynamics at the electroweak scale naturally solves both the strong CP and μ problems as long as λ is of order M Z / M pl or smaller, and yet this theory has the same number of relevant parameters as the supersymmetric standard model. The theory will be tested at colliders: the μ parameter is predicted and there are long-lived superpartners that decay to gravitinos or axinos at separated vertices. To avoid too much saxion cold dark matter, a large amount of entropy must be produced after the electroweak phase transition. If this is accomplished by decays of a massive particle, the reheat temperature should be no more than a GeV, strongly constraining baryogenesis. Cold dark matter may be composed of both axions, probed by direct detection, and saxions, probed by a soft X-ray background arising from decays to γγ. There are two known possibilities for avoiding problematic axion domain walls: the introduction of new colored fermions or the assumption that the Peccei–Quinn symmetry was already broken during inflation. In the first case, in our theory the colored particles are expected to be at the weak scale, while in the second case it implies a good chance of discovering isocurvature perturbations in the CMB radiation and a relatively low Hubble parameter during inflation.
An expedient total synthesis of (-)-dactylolide and formal synthesis of (-)-zampanolide.

A highly convergent and efficient total synthesis of (−)-dactylolide and formal synthesis of (−)-zampanolide is reported.
Corrosion Pit Induced Stresses Prediction from SEM and Finite Element Analysis

Corrosion damage due to pitting is commonly observed in a wide range of aluminum alloys and structural steels that are being used for aerospace and naval structural applications. In order to better understand the particle-induced pitting corrosion in aluminum alloys, experimental measurements were conducted on aluminum 5059 specimens with UTS of 360–370 MPa to observe the corrosion degradation and pits. Both optical microscopy and SEM of various corroded and sensitized specimens were carried out to see how the pits grow and progress with time. An analysis procedure is developed using CAD and finite element software to predict stresses due to corrosion pits. The results obtained indicate that as the duration of the specimen sensitization increased from 29 days to 50 days, the highest stress levels have increased by about 56%. However, further increase in the sensitization time from 50 to 100 days has very little effect on the stress level. It is possible that the deformation due to the exfoliation of the s...
Cell death and sexual differentiation of behavior: worms, flies, and mammals.

Sex differences in the nervous system are found throughout the animal kingdom. Here, we discuss three prominent genetic models: nematodes, fruit flies, and mice. In all three, differential cell death is central to sexual differentiation and shared molecular mechanisms have been identified. Our knowledge of the precise function of neural sex differences lags behind. One fruitful approach to the ‘function’ question is to contrast sexual differentiation in standard laboratory animals with differentiation in species exhibiting unique social and reproductive organizations. Advanced genetic strategies are also addressing this question in worms and flies, and may soon be applicable to vertebrates.
The organization of stimuli and sensory neurons

Abstract Complex sensory neurophysological data have been condensed and ordered into highly meaningful forms by a mathematical model. Visual and gustatory data have been analyzed, and in both instances the model accounted for at least 98 per cent of the variance of the experimental data. The analyses show the relationships between neurons and stimuli, as well as the relationships within neurons and stimuli alone. The model itself is quite general and can have wide applications, not restricted to data of this particular type. Furthermore, the analyzed data can be plotted geometrically, thus allowing for a clear visual presentation of the relationships.
The Production of Solidarity: Pierre Rosanvallon on Civil Society and Democracy

Pierre Rosanvallon is one of France's major scholars of civil society. His interest in that concept is rooted not in observations about bowling leagues or in frustration with the anomie of liberal ...
Evaluating the Association between Assisted Conception and the Severity of Preeclampsia

Objective. To investigate the association between assisted conceptions and preeclampsia (PEC), including assessment of severity of disease. Methods. In a prospective case control study, cases were selected from women with preeclampsia and controls from women without preeclampsia. Exposure was defined as assisted conception with intrauterine insemination or in vitro fertilization (IUI or IVF). We assessed the association between exposure and outcome, using Chi square or Fisher's exact tests. Stratified analyses and multivariable logistic regression were used to control for confounders. Results. Preeclampsia was associated with assisted conception after controlling for age and race (AOR 2.2, [1.03–4.72]). All women with preeclampsia who had assisted conceptions demonstrated severe disease and were more likely to have abnormal lab values: AST >45 (AOR = 6.01 [1.63–22.21] 𝑃=0.007), creatinine ≥1 (AOR 2.92 [0.82–10.4], 𝑃=0.09) or platelets <100 (AOR 5.74 [1.00–32.76] 𝑃=0.049), after adjusting for race, age, and multiple gestations. Conclusion. Assisted conceptions are associated with a more severe preeclamptic phenotype.
Re-Assessment of Nitride Fuel Potential in the Current Context of the Nuclear Industry

In recent years, there has been a renewal of interest in nitride fuels throughout the international community. The new challenges met by the nuclear industry, which include greater safety margin and the question of the waste management, have resulted in active research programs in next generation fast spectrum reactors and waste transmutation systems. Through these programs, nitride fuel has emerged as one of the most promising advanced fuels, thanks to their numerous favorable properties.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Scanning strategies for target detection

This paper presents a new method of image scanning based on the solution of a set of linear congruences, called generalized raster scan (GRS), which is a generalization of the classic raster scan. The main properties of the GRS and algorithms for its implementations are elaborated. The GRS can be regarded as a linear combination of raster and random scans. The new method is in particular instrumental in applications where on-line acquisition and hierarchical processing is of importance. As such, the new approach is suitable for target finding, clustering, and visual inspection. It is also suitable for image processing and/or transmission with progressive resolution.
Ag Nanocrystal Junctions as the Site for Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering of Single Rhodamine 6G Molecules

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements show that the Ag nanoparticles that yield surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of single molecules of Rhodamine (R6G) are all compact aggregates consisting of a minimum of two individual particles. Comparison of 514.5 and 632.8 nm excitation shows that the single molecule R6G signal is significantly higher when the excitation wavelength is resonant with the absorption band of R6G and suggests that the Raman excitation spectrum follows the absorption profile for R6G. We have also observed an interesting superlinear power dependence of the SERS signal. On average, by increasing the incident power by 2 orders of magnitude and decreasing the integration time by the same factor to maintain constant fluence, increases of 4 to 6 times were observed in the SERS intensity. We discuss these results in terms of model where the R6G molecule that yields single molecule SERS signals is located at the junction of two Ag nanoparticles. We have also modeled the system using m...
Biomechanics of Diarthrodial Joints: A Review of Twenty Years of Progress

A survey of some of the advances made over the past twenty years in understanding diarthrodial joint biomechanics is presented. Topics covered in this review include: biotribology (i.e., friction, lubrication and wear of diarthrodial joints); contact area determinations; stereophotogrammetric rendering of articular surfaces; deformational field analysis using canonical problems; and finite element formulations for both infinitesimal and finite deformations of biphasic materials and precise anatomic surfaces. Suggestions are made for future research directions as well.
Identification of a fast diffusing oxygen species in silicon based on the generation rate of thermal donors

Oxygen out-diffusion profiles reported at low temperature (400–500 °C) show a long-range oxygen migration. By the present analysis, the near-surface oxygen loss observed in these experiments is found to be well consistent with the known generation rate of thermal donors (TDs). Accordingly, the fast-diffusing oxygen species (FDS) – responsible for the long-distance oxygen diffusion – is a relatively large oxygen cluster (most likely, O6) belonging to the TD family. The model developed here accounts for a persistent value of the out-diffusion distance – close to 2 μm for all temperatures and durations – and well reproduces the observed concentration profiles.
Cometary and meteorite swarm impact on planetary surfaces

The velocity flow fields, energy partitioning, and ejecta distributions resulting from impact of porous (fragmented) icy cometary nuclei with silicate planetary surfaces at speeds from 5 to 45 km/s are different than those resulting from the impact of solid ice or silicate meteorites. The impact of 1 g/cm^3 ice spheres onto an atmosphereless anorthosite planetary surface induces cratering flows that appear similar to those induced by normal density anorthosite meteorite impact. Both of these impactors lead to deep transient crater cavities for final crater diameters less than ∼1 to ∼10 km and for escape velocities ≲10^5 cm/s. Moreover the fraction of internal energy partitioned into the planetary surface at the cratering site is 0.6 for both ice and anorthosite impactors at 15 km/s. As the assumed density of the hypothetical cometary nucleus or fragment cloud from a nucleus decreases to 0.01 g/cm^3, the fraction of the impact energy partitioned into planetary surface internal energy decreases to less than 0.01, and the flow field displays a toroidal behavior in which the apparent source of the flow appears to emanate from a disc or ringlike region rather than from a single point, as in the explosive cratering case. The edges of the crater region are in several cases depressed and flow downward, whereas the center of the crater region is uplifted. Moreover, the resultant postimpact particle velocity flow in some cases indicates the formation of concentric ridges, a central peak, and a distinct absence of a deep transient cavity. In contrast, transient cavities are a ubiquitous feature of nearly all previous hypervelocity impact calculations. The calculations of the flow fields for low density (0.01 g/cm^3) impactors exhibited surface interface (comet-planet) instabilities. These are attributed to both the Rayleigh-Taylor and Helmholtz instability conditions, and we believe that these occur in all flows involving volatile low-density (0.01 g/cm^3) projectiles. It is speculated that these hydrodynamic instabilities can give rise to concentric rings in the inner crater region in large-scale impacts on planetary surfaces, although other mechanisms for their production may also act. The ejecta mass loss versus planetary escape velocity was computed, and these results imply that the critical escape velocity, at which as much material is lost as is being accreted from a planet, ranges from 1.2 to 2.75 km/s for encounter speeds of 5 to 15 kms/s, with cometary impactors having a density of 0.01 to 1 g/cm^3. These values compare to 0.83 and 1.5 km/s for silicate impactors, thereby indicating that it is more difficult for volatiles than silicates to be accreted onto objects with escape velocities similar to the Moon, Mercury, and Mars. For objects with escape velocities in the 0.1 to 1 km/s range the accretional efficiency for silicate and various porosity ices are similar, whereas for objects with escape velocities <0.1 km/s the accretional efficiency of icy impactors becomes significantly lower than for silicate impactors.
Altered eosinophil profile in mice with ST6Gal-1 deficiency: an additional role for ST6Gal-1 generated by the P1 promoter in regulating allergic inflammation

Cumulative evidence indicates that the sialyltransferase ST6Gal-1 and the sialyl-glycans, which it constructs, are functionally pleiotropic. Expression of the ST6Gal-1 gene is mediated by six distinct promoter/regulatory regions, and we hypothesized that these promoters may be used differentially to produce ST6Gal-1 for different biologic purposes. To examine this hypothesis, we compared a mouse with a complete deficiency in ST6Gal-1 (Siat1 null) with another mouse that we have created previously with a disruption only in the P1 promoter (Siat1DeltaP1). We noted previously greater neutrophilic inflammation associated with ST6Gal-1 deficiency. Here, we report that ST6Gal-1-deficient mice also have significantly elevated eosinophilic responses. Upon i.p. thioglycollate elicitation, eosinophils accounted for over 20% of the total peritoneal inflammatory cell pool in ST6Gal-1-deficient animals, which was threefold greater than in corresponding wild-type animals. A principal feature of allergic respiratory inflammation is pulmonary eosinophilia, we evaluated the role of ST6Gal-1 in allergic lung inflammation. Using OVA and ABPA experimental models of allergic airways, we showed that ST6Gal-1 deficiency led to greater airway inflammation characterized by excessive airway eosinophilia. The severity of airway inflammation was similar between Siat1DeltaP1 and Siat1 null mice, indicating a role for P1-generated ST6Gal-1 in regulating eosinophilic inflammation. Colony-forming assays suggested greater IL-5-dependent eosinophil progenitor numbers in the marrow of ST6Gal-1-deficient animals. Moreover, allergen provocation of wild-type mice led to a significant reduction in P1-mediated ST6Gal-1 mRNA and accompanied decline in circulatory ST6Gal-1 levels. Taken together, the data implicate ST6Gal-1 as a participant in regulating not only Th1 but also Th2 responses, and ST6Gal-1 deficiency can lead to the development of more severe allergic inflammation with excessive eosinophil production.
On stochastic global optimization of one-dimensional functions

Abstract We consider the applicability of stochastic global optimization algorithms on test-functions whose domain of definition is a simply-connected and finite interval of real numbers. We argue on the basis of theoretical reflections of statistical physics (namely random-walk) and computer simulations that there is a decisive difference between test-problems in one and multiple dimensions pointing to the necessity to only consider test-functions in higher dimensions. We argue that only test-problems in two or more dimensions provide for the possibility to discriminate the efficiency of stochastic global optimization algorithms with respect to the complexity of the underlying physical system at all.
“Absolute Organizational Deficiency”: The 1. Nahplan of December 1939 (Logistics, Limitations, and Lessons)

In his collection of essays, The Path to Genocide (1992), Christopher Browning contends that when Hitler ordered his subordinates to pursue the wholesale destruction of European Jews in the mid-summer of 1941, what they were being asked to accomplish was at the time totally unprecedented. At this stage every step was uncharted, every policy an experiment, every action a trial run … Murder was in the air; many avenues were being explored, but little was settled other than at least Himmler and Heydrich now knew what they were looking for — a way to kill all the Jews of Europe.
Morphological and physiological characterization of layer VI corticofugal neurons of mouse primary visual cortex.

Layer VI is the origin of the massive feedback connection from the cortex to the thalamus, yet its complement of cell types and their connections is poorly understood. The physiological and morphological properties of corticofugal neurons of layer VI of mouse primary visual cortex were investigated in slices loaded with the Ca2+indicator fura-2AM. To identify corticofugal neurons, electrical stimulation of the white matter (WM) was done in conjunction with calcium imaging to detect neurons that responded with changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentrations in response to the stimulation. Subsequent whole cell recordings confirmed that they discharged antidromic action potentials after WM stimulation. Antidromically activated neurons were more excitable and had different spiking properties than neighboring nonantidromic neurons, although both groups had similar input resistances. Furthermore, antidromic neurons possessed narrower action potentials and smaller afterhyperpolarizations. Additionally, three-dimen...
Pulmonary Function Test Quality in the Elderly: A Comparison With Younger Adults

BACKGROUND: Elderly patients may be at greater risk for misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment as a consequence of pulmonary function test underutilization and tests being conducted with low quality expectations. This study sought to determine if elderly patients are able to achieve both spirometry and diffusion capacity (DLCO) quality scores comparable to a younger adult population. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of pulmonary function data over a 22 month period. A list of every subject age ≥ 80 years (elderly group) and ages 40–50 years (control group) tested during the time period was compiled. The quality of spirometry and DLCO testing were examined. RESULTS: Overall, 92.6% (139/150) of the elderly group and 91.5% (163/178) of the control group spirometry tests satisfied all American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society acceptability and reproducibility criteria (P = .84), and 84.9% (96/113) of the elderly group and 88.5% (108/122) of the control group DLCO tests satisfied all the acceptability and reproducibility criteria (P = .45). CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients referred to a hospital-based pulmonary function test lab can be expected to achieve spirometry and DLCO quality scores comparable to younger adult patients.
The Human Mycobiome

Fungi are fundamental to the human microbiome, the collection of microbes distributed across and within the body, and the microbiome has been shown, in total, to modify fundamental human physiology, including energy acquisition, vitamin-cofactor availability, xenobiotic metabolism, immune development and function, and even neurological development and behavior. Here, a comprehensive review of current knowledge about the mycobiome, the collective of fungi within the microbiome, highlights methods for its study, diversity between body sites, and dynamics during human development, health, and disease. Early-stage studies show interactions between the mycobiome and other microbes, with host physiology, and in pathogenic and mutualistic phenotypes. Current research portends a vital role for the mycobiome in human health and disease.
MAC-ASA: A New MAC Protocol for WMNs

This paper presents a novel medium access control (MAC) protocol intended to provide multi-hop wireless mesh networks with a higher throughput. The proposed MAC-ASA (medium access control with anticipated scheduling and agreement) protocol uses a modified version of the 802.11 CSMA/CA contention handling procedure integrated with a dynamic (time division multiple access) TDMA-like protocol structure. It combines distributed link scheduling algorithm with power control support for router -router communications with a self agreement protocol for the client -router communications. In addition, the proposed algorithm solves the "exposed node" problem by applying multiple frequencies and time saving policies. These features result in a significant improvement of the throughput in many scenarios. Performance results from an OPNET model are presented in this paper.
Tris(ethyl­enedi­amine)­cobalt(II) dichloride

The title compound, [CoII(C2H8N2)3]Cl2, was obtained unexpectedly as the product of an attempted solvothermal synthesis of cobalt selenide from the elements in the presence of NH4Cl in ethyl­enedi­amine solvent. The three chelate rings of the distorted octa­hedral [Co(C2H8N2)3]2+ complex cation adopt twisted conformations about their C—C bonds. The spread of cis-N—Co—N bond angles [80.17 (6)–98.10 (6)°] in the title compound is considerably greater than the equivalent data for [CoIII(C2H8N2)3]Cl3 [Takamizawa et al. (2008). Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 47, 1689–1692]. In the crystal, the components are linked by numerous N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional network in which the cationic complexes are stacked in columns along [010] and separated by columns of chloride anions.
Alternaria Infection in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: Case Report and Review of Invasive Alternaria Infections

A 31-year-old man with AIDS developed a necrotic lesion on his nasal septum due to Alternaria alternata. Excision and treatment with amphotericin B resulted in cure. This case expands the spectrum of opportunistic pathogens that infect patients with AIDS. Visceral and mucosal infections due to Alternaria have been reported in at least seven other patients.
Hidden Markov models: a guided tour

Hidden Markov modeling is a probabilistic technique for the study of time series. Hidden Markov theory permits modeling with any of the classical probability distributions. The costs of implementation are linear in the length of data. Models can be nested to reflect hierarchical sources of knowledge. These and other desirable features have made hidden Markov methods increasingly attractive for problems in language, speech and signal processing. The basic ideas are introduced by elementary examples in the spirit of the Polya urn models. The main tool in hidden Markov modeling is the Baum-Welch (or forward-backward) algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation of the model parameters. This iterative algorithm is discussed both from an intuitive point of view as an exercise in the art of counting and from a formal point of view via the information-theoretic Q-function. Selected examples drawn from the literature illustrate how the Baum-Welch technique places a rich variety of computational models at the disposal of the researcher. >
What we do not know about police use of Tasers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the police literature, select agency reports, and media publications to examine issues involving police use of Tasers™Design/methodology/approach – The focus of inquiry is on questions of policy development, deployment, training, use and impact of Tasers from organizational and community perspectives.Findings – Limited research reflects a lack of consensus in the development and application of policies related to Taser training and use. Variations in policy and training and the substitution of Tasers for other technologies across the use‐of‐force continuum result in operational inconsistency. This inconsistency makes it difficult to compare police departments in terms of the impact of Tasers on improved officer and citizen safety and reductions in the use of lethal force. This inconsistency is also reflected in media reports and has the potential to jeopardize community relations. Key policy issues center on length and content of training, training staff qu...
Probe vehicle data for characterizing road conditions associated with inclement weather to improve road maintenance decisions

Connected vehicle concepts can provide an enormously rich new data source that can be used for a variety of safety and performance measure applications. However, to date there are very limited connected vehicle deployments or applications other than graphical color coded maps provided by private sector companies. This paper takes an approach of introducing the concept of tabulating statistical distributions of highway segment space-mean speed to characterize roadway conditions associated with inclement weather. These statistics are computed for segments that correspond to a particular winter weather highway maintenance route. Several examples are presented that illustrates how these statistics can be used to identify the onset of hazardous winter weather and provide outcome oriented performance measure for the roadway condition. During one of the winter storms analyzed, the space mean speed decreased approximately 20mph during a storm and the interquartile range, increased from about 8mph to about 12mph. The paper concludes with a table that summarizes the number of hours, by day, that each snow and ice maintenance route had space mean speeds below 45mph. Using such statistics, geographic influences and alternative strategies for winter operations can be quantitatively assessed to determine the best practices for maintaining high travel time reliability during inclement weather conditions.
Regional differences in L-selectin expression in murine intestinal lymphocytes

Abstract Background & Aims: The expression of the lymphocyte homing receptor and activation marker L-selectin is different in colon and small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). In this study, the mechanism of this difference in L-selectin expression was investigated. Methods: L-selectin expression on lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry. L-selectin messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. L-Selectin expression on peripheral lymphocytes was analyzed after incubation with cytokines, food and bacterial antigens, and homogenates of small and large bowel. Results: L-selectin was expressed by none of the small intestinal IELs but by 30% of those in the colon and by 60% of splenocytes. mRNA for L-selectin was detectable in isolated lymphocytes of all three sites. L-Selectin was down-regulated in colon IELs during colitis and up-regulated in small intestinal IELs after in vitro culture for 48 hours. Incubation of splenocytes with small intestinal homogenates led to a rapid down-regulation of L-selectin (1% vs. 60% untreated). Preincubation with a metalloproteinase inhibitor prevented L-selectin loss. Conclusions: The mechanism of the differential expression of L-selectin in mouse small intestine and colon appears to be an increased functional activity of a metalloproteinase (sheddase) in the small intestine compared with the colon. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1998;114:965-974
Structural and mechanistic similarities of 6‐phosphogluconate and 3‐hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenases reveal a new enzyme family, the 3‐hydroxyacid dehydrogenases

Abstract Rat 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase exhibits significant amino acid sequence homology with 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, d -phenylserine dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas syringae , and a number of hypothetical proteins encoded by genes of microbial origin. Key residues previously proposed to have roles in substrate binding and catalysis in sheep 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase are highly conserved in this entire family of enzymes. Site-directed mutagenesis, chemical modification, and substrate specificity studies were used to compare possible mechanistic similarities of 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenase with 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase. The data suggest that 3-hydroxyisobutyrate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases may comprise, in part, a previously unrecognized family of 3-hydroxyacid dehydrogenases.
Stability of Avian Fecal Corticosterone Metabolite Levels in Frozen Avian Feces

Fecal corticosterone metabolites are commonly used in avian ecology as a measure of response to stress. Recent research on mammals suggested that the manner in which samples are stored could be critical to alleviating any storage handling bias. Cross-reacting metabolites can increase glucocorticoid metabolites even after samples are frozen and, thus, result in an overestimation of hormone levels as the time increases between when samples were collected and when levels are measured. We examined effects of sample storage time on fecal corticosterone metabolites for 2 avian species across 165 days. We observed no change in fecal corticosterone metabolites across the sampling periods in either fulvous whistling-ducks (Dendrocygna bicolor) or white ibis (Eudocimus albus). Results suggest that avian fecal corticosterone metabolite levels do not change when samples are frozen for long periods of time and that there were no differences in the response between the 2 species we compared. This study demonstrated that avian fecal corticosterone samples are accurate even after freezing and, thus, studies that seek to address conservation questions may rely on these data. Studies of additional bird species are needed to generalize our findings to other avian taxa.
Labor Market Outcomes of Persons with Mental Disorders

We present nationally representative estimates of unexplained employment and wage differentials between nondisabled persons and persons with mental disorders, a disabled group subject to exceptionally strong stigma. Estimates are provided for persons with mental disorders overall, and for subgroups of mood, anxiety, adjustment, and psychotic disorders. The results reveal distinctly different patterns of outcomes across subgroups, consistent with a severity gradient such that persons with adjustment disorders experience the most favorable outcomes, while persons with psychotic disorders experience the least favorable.