cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating thermodynamic models of enhancer activity on cellular resolution gene expression data.

With the advent of high throughput sequencing and high resolution transcriptomic technologies, there exists today an unprecedented opportunity to understand gene regulation at a quantitative level. State of the art models of the relationship between regulatory sequence and gene expression have shown great promise, but also suffer from some major shortcomings. In this paper, we identify and address methodological challenges pertaining to quantitative modeling of gene expression from sequence, and test our models on the anterior-posterior patterning system in the Drosophila embryo. We first develop a framework to process cellular resolution three-dimensional gene expression data from the Drosophila embryo and create data sets on which quantitative models can be trained. Next we propose a new score, called ‘weighted pattern generating potential’ (w-PGP), to evaluate model predictions, and show its advantages over the two most common scoring schemes in use today. The model building exercise uses w-PGP as the evaluation score and adopts a systematic strategy to increase a model’s complexity while guarding against over-fitting. Our model identifies three transcription factors – ZELDA, SLOPPY-PAIRED, and NUBBIN – that have not been previously incorporated in quantitative models of this system, as having significant regulatory influence. Finally, we show how fitting quantitative models on data sets comprising a handful of enhancers, as reported in earlier work, may lead to unreliable models.
Opportunities for ubiquitous computing in the homes of low SES older adults

Eight hour contextual observations have been conducted in the homes of 5 low socioeconomic status (SES) urban-dwelling older adults. The purpose of the observations was to understand the daily needs and challenges of older adults in order to design appropriate technology that can allow older adults to age-in-place (age at home). The long term goal of the study is to develop a suite of age-in-place technologies tailored to the lifestyle needs of low SES urban and rural-dwelling older adults. This paper presents initial findings and discusses how this ongoing research will be used to inform the design of future age-in-place technologies.
Enhanced memory for faces of cheaters

Abstract Under the guise of a test-retest reliability study, students were asked to rate the attractiveness of photo reproductions of Caucasian males. Each of the photo reproductions was presented with a fictional descriptive sentence giving information on the depicted individual's social status (high or low) and character (history of cheating, irrelevant information, or history of trustworthiness). A week later subjects again rated photos—half repeated and half new—this time, without descriptions. Subjects were asked to report which of the photos they remembered from the previous week. Responses were analyzed in a 2×3×2 factorial design, with the third factor being sex of respondent. The predicted bias—that subjects would preferentially recognize faces initially presented as those of cheaters—was confirmed. There were also two significant interations: (1) the bias was mitigated when the face was also presented as a person of high status; and (2) the bias was stronger for males than for females. The results support the idea that we have evolved highly selective attention and storage mechanisms for processing social information, and that both character (cheating potential) and status are important features in the engagement of these mechanisms.
Protein, oil and gossypol contents of a vegetable curd made from okra seeds.

Seeds of okra were ground by five techniques, extracted with water, and filtered to yield a milk-like emulsion. Proteins and oils were precipitated with six substances at 80°C. Two precipitating agents were tested at live concentrations. The curd was filtered from the whey, washed, pressed, tasted, and then analyzed for oil, protein, and gossypol contents. The highest yield of curd was obtained from seeds soaked 20 hr in water and then ground in a household blender. Six techniques all resulted in satisfactory precipitation of protein, but the best quality curd was obtained by precipitation with lime juice. Variations in concentration of precipitating agent affected protein, oil, and gossypol contents. A higher percentage of the oil of the original sample was recovered in the curd than the percentage recovered of the protein. Gossypol content of the curd was much higher than that of the entire seed. Okra seed curd is an attractive food that can be prepared with home-scale techniques or by large-scale processing.
Beefing up Prostate Cancer Therapy with Performance-Enhancing (Anti-) Steroids

In the May 26th issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, de Bono et al. report that the inhibition of androgen synthesis by abiraterone acetate prolonged the survival of men with prostate cancer previously treated by androgen suppression.
Ejection of high-energy photoelectrons by intense laser light

The mechanism by which a high-energy photoelectron acquires its large drift momentum is analyzed. Ejection by circularly polarized light is found to be most efficient, in accord with experimental observations.
The Effects of Realistic versus Non-realistic Play Materials on Young Children's Symbolic Transformation of Objects

Abstract Thirty-two preschool-aged children were observed playing in triads in each of two play environments—one equipped with traditional, realistic play props, the other with non-realistic raw materials. The frequency of their performance of three different types of symbolic object transformations as well as overall transformational behavior in each setting were examined. Boys of all ages studied and girls before age five demonstrated greater symbolic activity with realistic play props. It was concluded that the realistic play prop continues to be the preferred medium for object transformation among preschool children. Because all subjects performed few highly abstract transformations with non-realistic objects, it was recommended that such materials be incorporated into the early childhood classroom to varying degrees based upon age.
Isolas in the three-photon optical excitation of a single cyclotron electron.

We show that sufficiently strong laser beams with two frequencies differing by a cyclotron frequency of a free electron can give rise to strong cyclotron excitation with prohibited and allowed cyclotron orbits as well as to an optical Stark shift. This is due to a combination of relativistic effects and results in multiple isolated branches of excited motion (isolas). The formation of the first three-photon isola, when λcyclotron ≈ 2 mm and λlaser ≈ 10 μm, can be observed with the laser power as low as ≅ 10 mW.
An early Holocene reef in the western Atlantic: submersible investigations of a deep relict reef off the west coast of Barbados, W.I.

Submersible observations and collections reveal that a probable relict reef off the west coast of Barbados has a rich cover of sponges, along with algae and scattered corals, on a substrate of algal nodules in a muddy-sand matrix. The collections provide new data on the distributions of these fauna. This relict reef is about 20 km long, has a relief of up to 10 m, and is established at a depth of 80 m. Relict shallow-water features in other areas at similar depths along with data from core holes drilled off the south coast of Barbados suggest that this reef was probably established about 12,000 years ago and existed for no more than 2,000 years, during the Holocene sea-level transgression.
Platelets get the message

It is now well-established that the anucleate platelet contains a full and functional repertoire of mRNAs. Yet how these transcripts are delivered from the megakaryocyte to the nascent platelet is unknown. In this issue of Blood, Cecchetti et al demonstrate that megakaryocytes actively sort and deliver mRNAs to platelets.1
High-resolution anion-exchange and partition thin-layer chromatography for complex mixtures of 32P-postlabeled DNA adducts

32P-Postlabeling has emerged as a major tool for detecting DNA adducts resulting from exposure to complex carcinogen mixtures. An integral component of this assay is multi-directional PEI-cellulose TLC in which lipophilic 32P-adducts are resolved in high-salt, high-urea solvents following removal of the bulk of non-adduct radioactivity. This TLC system is very effective for adducts formed following exposure to individual carcinogens; however, adducts resulting from exposure to complex mixtures (e.g. cigarette smoke) generally appear in the form of the so-called diagonal radioactive zones. By using mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon- and aromatic amine-DNA adducts as well as adducts in mouse skin treated with cigarette smoke condensate, we have demonstrated that a combination of 0.3-0.4 M NH4OH and isopropanol-4 M NH4OH (1-1.4:1) solvents can provide more sharply defined adduct spots than the commonly used urea solvents. The non-urea solvents also result in excellent resolution of many adducts which otherwise may remain buried in diagonal radioactive zones when using the urea solvents. In addition, the signal-to-noise ratio is increased 2- to 5-fold over the urea solvents enabling detection of discrete adducts at < or = 3 adducts per 10(10) nucleotides. These partition TLC solvents also involve fewer manipulations (e.g. no water washes to remove salt and urea), and are likely to be more informative with regards to the type of individual adducts detected in the biomonitoring of humans than has hitherto been possible.
Vestibular, Vaginal, and Urethral Relations in Spayed Dogs with and without Lower Urinary Tract Signs

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the urogenital anatomy in female spayed dogs with and without signs of lower urinary tract disease by using conventional vaginourethrography, computed tomography (CT) vaginourethrography, and uroendoscopy. Nineteen dogs with lower urinary tract disease and 12 normal dogs were evaluated prospectively. Measurements made included vaginal length, vaginal height, vaginal width, vestibule length, vestibule height, vestibule width, vestibulovaginal ratios, cingulum height, cingulum width, cingulum area, urethral length, urethral height, urethral width, angle of urethra to vestibule, and angle of vaginal to vestibule. Group comparisons were made between dogs with and without lower urinary tract disease. Comparisons between conventional vaginourethrography and CT vaginourethrography were made when the same anatomical measurement was made by the 2 imaging modalities. There was no significant difference in all of the measurements (P > .01), including vestibulovaginal ratios and cingulum areas, between dogs with and without lower urinary tract disease. There was a larger proportion of dogs with a vestibulovaginal ratio <0.33 in normal dogs (8 of 12) compared with the clinical dogs (8 of 16). A significant difference between vestibulovaginal ratios or cingulum areas between dogs with and without lower urinary tract disease could not be identified. This suggests that a vestibulovaginal ratio of <0.33 may only be an incidental finding and the term "vestibulovaginal stenosis" may need to be redefined.
Two-Dimensional NMR Correlations of Liquid Crystals Using Switched Angle Spinning

Abstract We present the first application of switched angle spinning (SAS) to correlate the first-order dipolar spectrum of a liquid crystalline sample with the isotropic magic angle spinning (MAS) spectrum in a two-dimensional experiment. In this experiment we are able to select the degree of dipolar couplings introduced via mechanical manipulations of the liquid crystal director in a single oriented sample. The 19F SAS-COSY correlation of iodotrifluoroethylene, an AMX spin system, dissolved in the nematic liquid crystal 4-octylphenyl-2-chloro-4-(4-heptylbenzoyloxy)-benzoate provides assignment of both the J and dipolar couplings in a single experiment. This work demonstrates the use of oriented samples and sample spinning to resolve homonuclear dipolar couplings using isotropic chemical shifts.
Turbulent inflow characteristics for hydrokinetic energy conversion in rivers

Abstract Marine and hydrokinetic technologies, which convert kinetic energy from currents in open-channel flows to electricity, require inflow characteristics (e.g. mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles) for their siting, design, and evaluation. The present study reviews mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles reported in the literature for open-channel flows to gain a better understanding of the range of current magnitudes and longitudinal turbulence intensities that these technologies may be exposed to. We compare 47 measured vertical profiles of mean current velocity and longitudinal turbulence intensity (normalized by the shear velocity) that have been reported for medium-large rivers, a large canal, and laboratory flumes with classical models developed for turbulent flat plate boundary layer flows. The comparison suggests that a power law (with exponent, 1 / a = 1 / 6 ) and a semi-theoretical exponential decay model can be used to provide first-order approximations of the mean velocity and turbulence intensity profiles in rivers suitable for current energy conversion. Over the design life of a current energy converter, these models can be applied to examine the effects of large spatiotemporal variations of river flow depth on inflow conditions acting over the energy capture area. Significant engineering implications on current energy converter structural loads, annual energy production, and cost of energy arise due to these spatiotemporal variations in the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, hydrodynamic force, and available power over the energy capture area.
Quenching of NO A2Σ+ by O2X3Σ−g

Abstract We have measured the rates of electronic quenching of NO A2Σ+ (ν = 0, 1, and 3) by O2X3Σ−g. The rates for ν = 0,1, and 3 are (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10−10 cm3 sec−1, (1.7 ± 0.2) × 10−10 cm3 sec−1, and (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10−10 cm3 sec−1, respectively. These rates correspond to quenching half-pressures of 0.8–0.9 mm Hg of O2. Correction for O2quenching will be required if the O2 pressure is greater than 10−4 atmosphere. Under virtually all atmospheric conditions, O2 will be the major quencher of the NO A2Σ+ state.
EFFECTS OF DIETARY AMINO ACIDS ON THE FEEDING RATE OF THE APHID MYZUS PERSICAE

An investigation was made of the uptake by larval M. persicae of artificial diets from which each of the 20 dietary amino acids was individually omitted, or in the case of methionine, incorporated at different concentrations. Uptake was determined by measuring the weight losses of sachets containing the diets, during 2 consecutive 24-hour periods in which groups of 50, 5–6 day-old larvae were allowed to feed on the sachets. The omission of methionine reduced uptake by about 50%. Reductions of 15–33% were recorded for diets lacking cysteine or histidine. The individual omission of the other dietary amino acids had little or no effect on uptake. A progressive increase in uptake was associated with an increase in methionine concentration from zero to 40 mg/100 ml. No further increase or decrease in uptake was observed when the methionine concentration was progressively increased to 320 mg/100 ml. Zusammenfassung WIRKUNGEN VON IN DER DIAT BEFINDLICHEN NAHRUNGS-AMINOSAUREN AUF DIE NAHRUNGSAUFNAHME DER BLATTLAUS MYZUS PERSICAE Es wurde eine Untersuchung uber die Aufnahme kunstlicher Diaten durch Myzus persicae-Larven durchgefuhrt, wobei jeweils eine der 20 in der Diat befindlichen Aminosauren weggelassen oder, im Falle des Methionins, in verschiedenen Konzentrationen beigefugt war. Die Nahrungsaufnahme wurde am Gewichtsverlust der Parafilm-Taschchen gemessen, welche die Diat enthielten; und zwar in 2 aufeinanderfolgenden 24-studigen Perioden, wahrend der Gruppen von 50 funf bis sechs Tage alten Larven an ihnen saugen konnten. Das Weglassen von Methionin senkte die Aufnahmerate um etwa 50%. Ruckgang von 15 bis 33% wurde bei Diaten festgestellt, denen Cystein oder Histidin fehlte. Das Fehlen einzelner der anderen in der Diat befindlichen Aminosauren hatte keine oder nur geringe Wirkung auf die Aufnahme. Ein zunehmender Anstieg der Nahrungsaufnahme war mit der Steigerung der Methionin-Konzentration von 0 auf 40 mg/100 ml verbunden. Wenn die Methionin-Konzentration weiter bis auf 320 mg/100 ml gesteigert wurde, fand keine weitere Zunahme oder Senkung der Aufnahmerate statt.
European IODP Consortium Created

A protocol officially creating the consortium that will represent the European participation in the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) was signed 15 December in Paris at the headquarters of the Centre National de Recherche Scientifique (CNRS). The European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) represents the scientific agencies of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and 10 other European countries.
Media Exposure Predicts Children's Reactions to Crime and Terrorism

In this study we examined reactions to 3 news events (September 11 terrorist attacks, Summer 2002 kidnappings, and Fall 2002 sniper shootings) in a national, representative sample of children aged 2 to 17. Media exposure was related to increased worry and changes in activities, with September 11 creating the most concern and shootings the least. More signs of stress were apparent among 10- to 13-year-olds, minority children and those of low socioeconomic status, children with prior adversities, and children who lived in close geographical proximity. Girls aged 10 to 17 had more reaction to the kidnappings, suggesting that other features of target similarity may heighten a sense of risk. The results support moderating exposure for both younger and older youth.
Integration of solid modeling and finite element generation

Abstract Constructive solid geometry (CSG) appeals to the engineer as a method for the generation of complex geometries. CSG results in a ‘Boolean tree’ definition of the object, combining geometry, topology and logic. To use this definition as a starting point for the generation of a discretized finite element model, it is customary to first create a ‘boundary representation’ of the surface of the geometric model. A mesh is then created within the volume bound by the computed external surface. This paper describes an alternative approach in which the meshing is performed on the primitives, prior to the Boolean operations, and addresses the geometric definition as well as its discretized form simultaneously.
Insulin glargine improves hemoglobin A1c in children and adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes.

UNLABELLED The pediatric diabetes team at the University of Minnesota made a clinical decision to switch patients with type 1 diabetes with a hemoglobin A1c level greater than 8.0% to insulin glargine in an effort to improve glycemic control. Retrospective chart analysis was performed on 37 patients 6 months after the switch to insulin glargine therapy. RESULTS After 6 months, the average hemoglobin A1c level in the entire cohort dropped from 10.1 +/- 2.0 to 8.9 +/- 1.6% (p = 0.001). Thirty patients responded with an average hemoglobin A1c drop of 1.7 +/- 1.5%, from 10.3 +/- 2.2 to 8.6 +/- 1.5% (p 12.0%, who dropped their hemoglobin A1c by 3.5 +/- 1.9%. Compared with responders, non-responders had significantly less contact with the diabetes team in the form of clinic visits and telephone conversations both before and after initiation of glargine therapy. Sixty-two per cent of patients received insulin glargine at lunchtime, when injections could be supervised at school. Three episodes of severe hypoglycemia occurred after initiation of insulin glargine therapy. CONCLUSIONS Insulin glargine substantially improved glycemic control in children and adolescents with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. This response was most remarkable in those with a baseline hemoglobin A1c level > 12.0%, and may have been related to increased supervision of injections.
Neuromodulation as a mechanism for the induction of repetition priming

It is becoming apparent that the activity of many neural networks is shaped by effects of endogenous neuromodulators. Modulators exert second messenger-mediated actions that persist. We consider how this may impact network function and its potential role in the induction of repetition priming (increased performance when behavior is repeated). When effects of modulators persist and modulatory substances are repeatedly released, their effects will accumulate (summate) and become more pronounced. If this enhances the ability of a network to generate a particular output, performance will improve. We review data that support this model, and consider its implications for task switching. This model predicts that priming of one type of network activity will negatively impact the rapid transition to an incompatible type.
Measuring directionality of the retinal reflection with a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor

The directional sensitivity of the retina, known as the Stiles-Crawford effect (SCE), originates from the waveguide property of photoreceptors. This effect has been extensively studied in normal and pathologic eyes using highly customized optical instrumentation. Here we investigate a new approach based on a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor (SHWS), a technology that has been traditionally employed for measuring wave aberrations (phase) of the eye and is available in clinics. Using a modified research-grade SHWS, we demonstrate in five healthy subjects and at four retinal eccentricities that intensity information can be readily extracted from the SHWS measurement and the spatial distribution of which is consistent with that produced by the optical SCE. The technique is found sufficiently sensitive even at near-infrared wavelengths where the optical SCE is faint. We demonstrate that the optical SCE signal is confined to the core of the SHWS spots with the tails being diffuse and non-directional, suggesting cones fail to recapture light that is multiply scattered in the retina. The high sensitivity of the SHWS to the optical SCE raises concern as to how this effect, intrinsic to the retina, may impact the SHWS measurement of ocular aberrations.
A methodology for estimating guided wave scattering patterns from sparse transducer array measurements

Ultrasonic guided waves are one of the primary methods being investigated for structural health monitoring of plate-like components. A common practice is to collect measurements from a sparse transducer array using the pitch-catch method, which enables interrogation of defects from multiple directions. Thus, knowledge of how guided waves scatter from defects is very useful for detection, localization, and characterization of damage. One way to describe scattering patterns is with a matrix indexed by incident angle and scattered angle, and sparse array measurements essentially sample this matrix. A methodology is proposed in this paper to estimate the complete scattering matrix from these limited array measurements. First, recorded array signals are compensated for geometric spreading loss, wave packet spreading loss, and transducer differences. Initial scattering values are then extracted from the scattered wave packets after baseline subtraction and are augmented using transducer reciprocity and any a priori knowledge of defect geometric symmetry. Finally, radial basis function interpolation is performed on these values to obtain the complete scattering matrix. Scattering matrices are generated from experimental data by cutting notches of different lengths originating from a through-hole in an aluminum plate specimen that is instrumented with a sparse transducer array. The methodology is validated by laser vibrometry measurements performed on a nominally identical specimen for one notch length.
Jean Tague-Sutcliffe on measuring information

Tague-Sutcliffe offers a theory to permit the measurement of information services by means of the user-centered notion of the subjective information associated with the interaction between a user and a record on an occasion. Some suggestions are made to improve the theory's foundations.
Retinal Processing: Smaller Babies Thrown out with Bathwater

Rod bipolar cells in the mammalian retina receive synaptic input from many noisy rod photoreceptors. When photons are scarce, linear addition of inputs would swamp signals with noise. A nonlinearity at the synapse optimizes the signal to noise ratio.
Partisanship and the dynamics of “candidate centered politics” in American presidential nominations

Abstract This paper explores whether Democratic voters emphasize different traits when evaluating potential party nominees than do Republican voters. Using data obtained from the only two electoral cycles in the modern era in which competitive races took place for both the Republican and Democratic nominations (1988 and 2000), we present evidence that Democratic primary voters tend to place the greatest weight on perceived candidate compassion, whereas Republicans are more likely to rely on perceived personal virtue.
Use of Dried Blood Spots: An Ideal Tool for Medical Anthropology “in the Field”

The use of dried whole blood spot samples provides medical anthropological researchers—especially those working in remote, isolated communities—with several advantages over traditional methods. Anthropological research utilizing venous-drawn blood samples can create challenges in terms of phlebotomy training, personnel needs, storage and transportation requirements, and participant discomfort. Alternatively, research utilizing dried blood spot samples, via finger stick collection techniques, eliminates or reduces these problems greatly. While the use of dried blood spots is often the best sampling option for anthropologists or other population-level researchers, the method does have some limitations. Nevertheless, as the number of dried blood spot analyte protocols continues to increase, the logistical and participant advantages of dried blood spot methods assure their increased utility in biomedical anthropological research in the future.
Highly sensitive imaging of renal microcirculation in vivo using ultrahigh sensitive optical microangiography.

Studying renal microcirculation and its dynamics is of great importance for understanding the renal function and further aiding the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of renal pathologies. In this paper, we present a potentially useful method to provide high-sensitive volumetric imaging of renal microcirculations using ultrahigh-sensitive optical microangiography (UHS-OMAG). The UHS-OMAG image system used here is based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography, which uses a broadband light source centered at 1300 nm with an imaging speed of 150 frames per second that requires ~6.7 sec to complete one 3D scan of ~2.5 × 2.5 mm2 area. The technique is sensitive enough to image capillary networks, such as peritubular capillaries within renal cortex. We show the ability of UHS-OMAG to provide depth-resolved volumetric images of capillary level renal microcirculation. We also show that UHS-OMAG is capable of monitoring the changes of renal microcirculation in response to renal ischemia and reperfusion. Finally, we attempt to show the capability of OMAG to provide quantitative analysis about velocity changes in a single capillary vessel (down to tens of microns per second) in response to the ischemic event.
Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels Are Associated with Mild Renal Impairment in Type 2 Diabetics Independent of Albuminuria

Background CKD, an independent risk factor for CV disease, increases mortality in T2DM. Treating modifiable CV risk factors decreases mortality in diabetics with microalbuminuria, but the role of early CV prevention in diabetics with mild CKD by GFR criteria alone remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to probe whether T2DM patients with mild GFR impairment have atherogenic lipid profiles compared to diabetic counterparts with normal renal function.
The effects of heparin anticoagulants and fill volume in blood gas syringes on ionized calcium and magnesium measurements.

We studied the effects of several heparin anticoagulants on ionized calcium and ionized magnesium measurements. Venous blood from 24 healthy donors was drawn into 20-ml syringes without an anticoagulant, and immediately analyzed for control results. They were then transferred to completely fill and half-fill each of four brands of syringes, and an evacuated non-anticoagulated blood-collection tube. All were analyzed for ionized calcium and magnesium. In some cases, either saline or a Ca/Mg solution was added to increase the range of concentrations. The final concentrations ranged from 0.94 to 2.09 (ionized calcium) and from 0.41 to 1.06 mmol/l (ionized magnesium). In full syringes, mean changes in ionized calcium or magnesium were 1.95 mmol/l) and ionized magnesium concentrations (>0.95 mmol/l), a few changes were noted of little clinical significance. We conclude that all the syringes evaluated have no clinically significant effects on ionized calcium or ionized magnesium concentrations when filled to capacity. When half-full, a few changes of marginal clinical significance were noted. All these effects were less than observed in serum, which is apparently affected by sample processing and/or clotting.
Extensions of the General Linear Hypothesis Model

Abstract In the conventional general linear model it is often possible to examine a more complete model that includes nonlinear terms. This is an extension of a test for non-additivity by Tukey and a generalization of that test by Scheffe. This article shows explicitly how the theory of the well-known general linear model can be used for these problems and illustrates some extensions and computing procedures.
Numerical calculation of particle‐laden gas flows past tubes

A numerical study has been conducted for the flow of a dilute particleladen gas moving past one or more tubes undergoing erosion. A nonor-thogonal body-fitted coordinate system was used to calculate three tube configurations for laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The assumption of one-way coupling allows the calculation of individual particle velocities from the fluid flow field. The significant effects of turbulent velocity fluctuations are taken into account by means of the stochastic separated flow model. The particle flow field information is then used to predict circumferential distributions of particle flux and erosion. Predictions of trajectories for the case of two in-line tubes show that particles with inertia numbers λ > 1 will strike many tubes in a tube bank due to particle rebounding from tube surfaces. By contrast, particles with λ < 1 are entrained in the bulk flow between tubes. In general, the effect of increasing the particle-gas suspension temperature is to couple the particle-fluid motion more closely through viscous drag and, thus, to decrease erosion.
Effects of Diet on Weight Gain and Shell Hardness of New-Shell American Lobster, Homarus americanus

In this study, American lobsters Homarus americanus,, were kept in a tidal pound and fed 5 different diets: cod racks, salted grouper racks, salmon racks, and two different pelleted diets (high fat and low fat) for a period of 40 days. After the feeding trial, lobsters were reweighed, and samples of the carapace were removed and subjected to a compressive force/deformation test to measure shell strength. Means separation results on weight gain indicate two significantly different (P < 0.05) groups wherein lobsters fed cod racks had higher weight gain than lobsters fed standard pounding diet. Carapace subsamples tested for compressive force yielded a significant (P < 0.05) positive corrclation between the carapace thickness, peak compressive force measurement, and diet type. The results indicate that either salmon or grouper would be suitable for feeding lobsters in pounds and that adding fat to a pelleted diet normally used in lobster pounds does not promote weight gain or shell hardness.
Spatial correlations in the chemical deposition observed by the OSCAR experiments

Abstract The spatial correlations of the deposition of acidic ions in rain observed by the OSCAR field experiments are computed. The experiments observed low correlations at the shortest ranges for which the observations will yield spatial correlations, and generally insignificant or negative correlations at longer ranges. These weak spatial correlations suggest that the acidic deposition processes during these storms had short correlation scales compared to the density of the measurement network. Significantly greater sampling densities may be required for future experiments designed to test numerical models of acidic deposition.
Craniofacial resection for malignant neoplasms of the skull base: An overview

Advances in combined transcranial and transfacial (craniofacial) approaches for malignant tumors involving the anterior skull base have demonstrated improved survival. The technique allows adequate assessment of the intracranial extent of the tumor through an appropriate craniotomy. Vital structures, such as the dura, brain, and blood vessels, can be protected or resected and reconstructed safely. An en bloc excision can be accomplished. Dural defects and/or tears are satisfactorily repaired under direct vision, ensuring a watertight closure. Finally, adequate closure of the soft tissue defect is obtained, thus segregating the cranial cavity from the potentially infected nasal cavity and the nasopharynx with a resultant decrease in morbidity. Operative mortality is low, although complication rates are high. The technique is safe and continues to be improved to reduce morbidity. To evaluate the true impact of this surgical procedure on improvement in survival as well as quality of life, a multiinstitutional registry with uniform indications is indicated. With increasing experience and well-defined indications, improvement in survival (from 50% to 60%) and reduction in morbidity (from 30% to 40%) can be demonstrated through multiinstitutional, cooperative efforts.
Overactive Bladder in Elderly Men: Epidemiology, Evaluation, Clinical Effects, and Management

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a highly prevalent clinical condition in both men and women, and rates tend to increase with advancing age. A variety of different evaluation methods have been developed to measure both objective and subjective parameters of the condition. OAB has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, particularly in older adults, including depression, social isolation, and impairments of both general and health-related quality of life. Options for treatment include behavioral therapies, medications, and surgical treatments such as chemodenervation. Combined symptoms of OAB and benign prostatic enlargement have recently gained increased research attention. This article reviews recently published literature on epidemiology, evaluation, clinical impacts, and management of OAB, with a focus on elderly men.
Magnetic monopoles and fractional Witten indices

The monopole-fermion system is shown to provide an example of a fractional Witten index. The discontinuity exhibited by the massless case is reminiscent of that for the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ invariant.
Sensitivity of Nucleus Accumbens Neurons In Vivo to Intoxicating Doses of Ethanol

The nucleus accumbens septi (NAcc) is considered an important component of the final common pathway involved in the reinforcing properties of ethanol. We studied the effects of intraperitoneal administration of ethanol on spontaneous, glutamate-activated, and fimbria-activated NAcc neurons in acute anesthetized and freely moving unanesthetized rats. Ethanol significantly reduced the firing rate of spontaneous and glutamate-activated NAcc neurons in both electrophysiological preparations. Stimulation of the ipsilateral fimbria evoked single-unit activity in NAcc neurons with two characteristic latencies (early, 7.21 +/- 0.74 msec; late, 18.24 +/- 0.66 msec). Intoxicating doses of ethanol inhibited the recruitment of late, but not of early, fimbria-activated NAcc neurons. These data demonstrate electrophysiological evidence for the existence of neurons in the core region of the NAcc that are sensitive and insensitive to acute systemic ethanol administration.
The AF64a-treated mouse: possible model for central cholinergic hypofunction

A loss in the number of functional, sodium ion-dependent, high-affinity choline transport sites was observed in the cortex and hippocampus of mice given an intracerebroventricular injection of 65 nanomoles of AF64A (ethylcholine mustard aziridinium ion) 3 days earlier. Such an effect was not observed in the striatum. This effect of AF64A represents a long-term neurochemical deficit at cholinergic nerve terminals in some brain regions which can lead to a persistent deficiency in central cholinergic transmission. The AF64A-treated animal may thus be a model for certain psychiatric or neurological disorders that appear to involve central cholinergic hypofunction.
Patient and Provider Perspectives on the Relationship Between Multiple Morbidity Management and Disease Prevention

Despite competing demands of multiple morbidity (MM) management and disease prevention, our recent survey of 1,153 Appalachian residents aged 50 to 76 documented that individuals with MM were more likely to obtain colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) than those without MM. Nearly two thirds of respondents obtained CRCS, and the more MM, the greater the likelihood of screening. To gain insight into this relationship, we conducted nine focus groups, six with providers and three with patients. Three main explanations emerged: (a) patients’ MM increases providers’ vigilance for other health vulnerabilities; (b) having MM increases patients’ own vigilance; and (c) patients’ vigilance may stem from experiencing more symptoms, having a family history of cancer, and having successfully obtained health care. More frequent contact with health care providers appears to encourage preventive referral, especially in low-income populations that otherwise may not receive such counselling. We highlight participant recommend...
An integrated optical preprocessor for multichannel analog data

As a precursor to the construction of a 16-channel device, a 3-channel integrated optical data preprocessor has been fabricated and tested. The device, which is fabricated in an outdiffused LiNbO3 waveguide, provides a signal related to the channel-by-channel difference between a prerecorded reference set and an incoming data set which is presented in the form of parallel analog voltages. The data are impressed upon the guided wave as a set of electrooptically induced phase shifts, and the comparison to the reference set is performed by holographic subtraction. The reference set can either be introduced as a separate operation or it can be 'learned' by the preprocessor during operation.
Late Diagenetic Redistribution of Uranium and Disturbance of the U-Pb Whole Rock Isotope System in a Black Shale

The Middle Ordovician Llandeilo-Caradoc Formation black shales, deposited at about 460 Ma on the southwest margin of the Welsh Basin, show evidence of a late diagenetic uranium redistribution event. Evidence for this redistribution event includes a disturbance in the U-Pb whole-rock isotopic system at about 193 Ma marked by a large range in the whole-rock 238 U/ 204 Pb between 2 and 90. One explanation for this large range is that individual whole rocks have experienced either a gain or a loss of U at the time of the disturbance. This hypothesis is supported by the large range in measured U contents from the Llandeilo-Caradoc Formation black shales (0.16 to 6.6 ppm; upper crust ≈ 2.8 ppm, post-Archean average shale (PAAS) ≈ 3.1 ppm; Taylor and McLennan 1985). Uranium that was likely sequestered during deposition and early diagenesis has been redistributed on a greater than whole-rock scale (centimeters to meters). The U-Pb isotope systematics identified in this study and other Pb isotope data from the Welsh Basin (Evans 1996) constrain a reasonable U concentration of 2.91 ppm for an unaltered Llandeilo-Caradoc shale at the time of deposition (∼ 460 Ma). Assuming 2.91 ppm to be an average U content at the time of deposition, some rocks in the Llandeilo-Caradoc Formation have lost as much as 95% of the U likely present at the time of deposition and early diagenesis whereas others exhibit an almost equal enrichment. When the U-Pb isotopic and elemental data from whole rocks and individual U-bearing phases (i.e., carbonate, apatite, monazite, organic matter) are examined in conjunction with the paragenetic sequence, controls on the distribution of U in the Llandeilo-Caradoc whole rocks and a pattern of open-system conditions become apparent. Despite the presence of potential U-rich diagenetic phases such as apatite and monazite, most of the U in the relatively enriched samples is associated with a non-extractable, unidentified diagenetic component. Uranium mass-balance considerations and whole-rock U-Pb isotope systematics require that the non-extractable component formed at about 193 Ma during a late diagenetic uranium redistribution event. The redistribution of U within the Llandeilo-Caradoc Formation has important implications for the use of U-rich sedimentary minerals as geochronometers and for the use of U as a paleo-redox indicator. Specifically, a trace-element indicator like uranium may in some cases record information about the postdepositional history of a sedimentary rock rather than document the absolute timing and conditions of deposition. Moreover, this unique history can be properly evaluated only through an integrated petrographic-geochemical approach that can discern the distribution and source (i.e., depositional versus diagenetic) of U in an individual whole rock.
Financial Crisis, Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, and the Impacts on the Fixed Income Markets

In this paper, we study the FDIC’s Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program to examine the effectiveness of this government sponsored solution to the current banking crisis. We explore the impact of the program on the liquidity and credit crisis in the debt markets and the market value of the FDIC guarantee. We find a significant reduction in yield of AAA debt issues around the announcements of FDIC guarantee debt issues. In addition, using multiple regressions we confirm the drop in yield spreads of AAA financial bonds after the program started. Both findings suggest that the program effectively encouraged liquidity and confidence. We also find the FDIC guarantee valuable especially when we compare with the non-FDIC-backed debt issued by non-FDIC issuers. Interestingly, we find a negative and significant cumulative abnormal stock return around FDIC-backed debt issue dates, suggesting stockholders held pessimistic views on the future prospects of these banks. On the other hand, bondholders reacted positively to the issuances, confirming the positive liquidity and credit effects in the debt market.
Molecular dynamics simulations of nanoindentation of β-SiC with diamond indenter

Abstract We present the results of molecular dynamics simulations of nanoindentation of the Si-terminated (0 0 1) surface of cubic silicon carbide ( β -SiC) by a diamond tip. In particular, we investigate the dependence of the critical depth and pressure for the elastic-to-plastic transition as a function of indentation velocity, tip size, and workpiece temperature. The nature of the deformation at higher indentation depths is also considered. Our simulations were carried out using the Tersoff SiC potential, which accurately reproduces the lattice and elastic constants of β -SiC. Over the range of indenter sizes used in our simulations, both the critical pressure and the indentation depth decrease with increasing indenter size. Accordingly, the measured hardness is significantly higher than obtained experimentally for larger indenter sizes but decreases with increasing indenter size. In contrast, the critical indentation depth for the elastic-to-plastic transition does not depend on the indenter velocity over the range studied. For indentation depths beyond the critical depth, the pressure increases and saturates at 100 GPa, which corresponds to the experimental pressure at which β -SiC transforms to rocksalt structure. Thus, we conjecture that the observed plastic behavior is related to the onset of a phase transition from the cubic zinc-blende structure to the rocksalt structure under the indenter tip. This is in reasonable agreement with experimental studies of pressure-induced structural transformation in bulk SiC.
Protein kinase D in small cell lung cancer cells: rapid activation through protein kinase C.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is implicated in the regulation of a variety of important functions in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines, but the downstream signaling targets stimulated by PKCs in these cells remain poorly characterized. Here we report that treatment of the SCLC cell lines H 69, H 345, and H 510 with phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) led to a rapid and striking activation of protein kinase D (PKD), a novel serine/threonine protein kinase distinct from all PKC isoforms. PKD activation induced by PDB in these SCLC cell lines was completely abrogated by treatment of the cells with the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X (GF I) at concentrations (0.5–2.5 μm) that did not inhibit PKD activity when added directly to the in vitro kinase assays. Treatment with the biologically active phorbol ester 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or with membrane-permeable diacylglycerols also stimulated PKD activation, which was also completely prevented by prior exposure of the cells to GF I. The PKC inhibitors Ro 31-8220 and Go 7874 also blocked PKD activation in response to PDB. Addition of the autocrine growth factor bombesin to cultures of H 345 cells induced significant PKD activation that also was prevented by GF I. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the existence of a PKC/PKD pathway in SCLC cells and raise the possibility that PKD may be an important mediator of some of the biological responses elicited by PKC activation in SCLC cells.
The stability of low-rank matrix reconstruction: A constrained singular value perspective

The stability of low-rank matrix reconstruction is investigated in this paper. The ∓ * -constrained minimal singular value (∓ * -CMSV) of the measurement operator is shown to determine the recovery performance of nuclear norm minimization based algorithms. Compared with the stability results using the matrix restricted isometry constant, the performance bounds established using ∓ * -CMSV are more concise and tight, and their derivations are less complex. Several random measurement ensembles are shown to have ∓ * -CMSVs bounded away from zero with high probability, as long as the number of measurements is relatively large.
Vancomycin elimination in patients with burn injury

Patients with burns clinically appear to require considerably larger doses of vancomycin than normal to attain therapeutic serum concentrations. It has been presumed that this phenomenon is a result of increased renal elimination of this drug consequent to increased glomerular filtration rates in such patients, as has been documented with aminoglycoside antibiotics. We measured the serum clearance of vancomycin in 10 patients with burns and found this parameter to correlate closely with creatinine clearance (serum clearance = 12.5 + 0.695 creatinine clearance; r = 0.932; P < 0.001). The slope of this relationship was similar to that reported by other investigators in patients not suffering from thermal injury. We conclude that at all levels of renal function, patients with burns clear vancomycin in a manner similar to that of other patients. Consequently, renal function can be used to select a dosing regimen for vancomycin in such patients. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1986) 39, 631–634; doi:10.1038/clpt.1986.111